OBJECTIVE To evaluate the association between lipid-lowering agents, antihypertensive medications, and colorectal cancer risk. We hypothesized a reduction in colorectal cancer risk with 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coA reductase inhibitors (statins) and angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors. METHODS We conducted a case-control study at Group Health Cooperative, an integrated delivery system ...

BACKGROUND Prior studies of the Medicare Part D coverage gap are limited in generalizability and scope. OBJECTIVE To determine the effect of the coverage gap on drugs used for asymptomatic (antihypertensive and lipid-lowering drugs) and symptomatic (pain relievers, acid suppressants, and antidepressants) conditions in elderly patients with hypertension and hyperlipidemia. DESIGN Quasi-exper...

OBJECTIVE To identify factors associated with years of medication adherence and to examine the relationship between years of adherence and health care utilization. METHODS This retrospective analysis used administrative data from adult patients with diabetes enrolled in health plan in Hawaii for four years (n= 23,450 patients). Ordered logistic regression was used to examine factors related t...

Clinical guidelines now recognize the importance of a multifactorial approach to managing cardiovascular (CV) risk. This idea was taken a step further with the concept of the Polypill™. There are, however, considerable patent, pharmacokinetic, pharmacodynamic, registration, and cost implications that will need to be overcome before the Polypill™ or other single-pill combinations of CV medicatio...

BACKGROUND The aim of the present study is to examine the clinical indices related to cardiovascular risk management of Greek patients with type 2 diabetes, before and after the major economic crisis that emerged in the country. METHODS In this retrospective database study, the medical records of patients with type 2 diabetes treated at three diabetes outpatient centers of the national health...

INTRODUCTION Hyperlipidemia is prevalent and is highly associated with coronary heart disease. Some patients are reluctant or opt not to take lipid-lowering prescription medications for fear of adverse drug reactions. There are currently few well-designed randomized controlled trials showing the possibility of reducing cholesterol using red yeast rice. Meanwhile, adverse effects have also been ...

Herein, we describe recruitment efforts for a trial of lipid-lowering medications in adolescents with type 1 diabetes, age 12-21 years. Based on our experience, future studies will require multiple centers to enroll a sufficient number of participants for adequate data to direct dyslipidemia medication treatment guidelines for adolescents with type 1 diabetes.

Stroke is a major cause of morbidity and mortality in an aging population. The current understanding of the pathophysiology of atherosclerotic diseases, the most common cause of stroke, and the evidence for existing therapeutic interventions for the prevention of stroke are presented. Specifically, we review the evidence for antiplatelet agents, anticoagulants, antihypertensive medications, lip...