Objectives
Numerous studies have documented disparities in health care utilization between non-Hispanic White and minority elders. We investigated differences in anti-dementia medication use between non-Hispanic White and minority community-dwelling Medicare beneficiaries with dementia.
Methods
Using multivariate analysis with generalized estimating equations, we estimated prevalence ratios (PRs) for anti-dementia medication use by race/ethnicity for 1,120 beneficiaries with dementia from years 2001 through 2003 of the Medicare Current Beneficiary Survey.
Results
After adjusting for demographics, socioeconomics, health care access and utilization, comorbidities, and service year, we found that anti-dementia medication use was approximately 30% higher among non-Hispanic Whites compared to other racial/ethnic groups (PR = 0.73, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.59, 0.91). As for individual racial/ethnic groups, prevalence disparities remained significant for non-Hispanic Blacks (PR = 0.75, 95% CI = 0.57, 0.99) and non-Hispanic others (PR = 0.50, 95% CI = 0.26, 0.96) but were attenuated for Hispanics (PR = 0.84, 95% CI = 0.59, 1.20).
Discussion
Results provide evidence that racial/ethnic disparities in utilization of drugs used to treat dementia exist and are not accounted for by differences in demographic, economic, health status, or health utilization factors. Findings provide a foundation for further research that should use larger numbers of minority patients and consider dementia type and severity, access to specialty dementia care, and cultural factors.
This is the first SLR to investigate residual symptoms and disease burdens in RA patients in remission or LDA. The results indicate that despite achieving conventional clinical targets, the disease continues to affect patients, suggesting the existence of unmet need under the current treatment paradigm.
A combination of BMI ≥25 kg/m(2), the Oxford classification M1, and a Max GA ≥42,900 μm(2) can serve as a predictor of long-term renal outcome of IgAN.
These findings suggest that diabetes is a risk factor for fracture in Asian populations. MetS may be associated with bone loss in Asian men and atherosclerosis associated with increased fractures; however, caution is needed interpreting these findings given limitations in study design.
Background: As the Japanese population ages, caring for people with Alzheimer's disease (AD) dementia is becoming a major socioeconomic issue. Objective: To determine the contribution of patient and caregiver costs to total societal costs associated with AD dementia. Methods: Baseline data was used from the longitudinal, observational GERAS-J study. Using the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) score, patients routinely visiting memory clinics were stratified into three groups based on AD severity.
The study provides a description of annual care transition patterns across six years. Knowledge of the consistency of care transition patterns may serve as a baseline from which to compare future patterns and aid in designing interventions targeted at specific transitions.
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