Content about the American Journal

June 6, 2013

Study: Fish oil supplements may protect heart in stressful situations

Fish oil supplements may protect the heart in stressful situations, according to a study published in the May edition of the American Journal of Physiology – Regulatory, Integrative, and Comparative Physiology.

HOUGHTON, Mich. — Fish oil supplements may protect the heart in stressful situations, according to a study published in the May edition of the American Journal of Physiology – Regulatory, Integrative, and Comparative Physiology.

May 30, 2013

Study: Kids, adults consume less sugar-sweetened beverages

Researchers have found that both kids and adults are drinking fewer sugar-sweetened beverages, according to a study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition.

HYATTSVILLE, Md. — Researchers have found that both kids and adults are drinking fewer sugar-sweetened beverages, according to a study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition.

April 2, 2013

Study shows increased incidence of celiac disease

A population-based study in Olmsted County, Minn., has shown an increase in the incidence of celiac disease, a digestive condition triggered by eating protein gluten.

ROCHESTER, Minn. — A population-based study in Olmsted County, Minn., has shown an increase in the incidence of celiac disease, a digestive condition triggered by eating protein gluten.

March 20, 2013

Study finds rebates may spur healthy food purchases

Rebates on healthy foods may lead patients to purchase them more frequently, according to a new study by researchers in South Africa.

NEW YORK — Rebates on healthy foods may lead patients to purchase them more frequently, according to a new study by researchers in South Africa.

The study, published in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine, examined a program offered by Discovery, South Africa's largest health plan. The HealthyFood program provides a cash-back rebate of up to 25% on healthy food purchases in more than 400 designated supermarkets around the country.

March 19, 2013

CVS Caremark research: Rx adherence can spell cost savings for coronary artery disease patients

Patients with coronary artery disease who are adherent to their prescribed medications can save the healthcare system up to $868 per patient per year, according the findings of a recent study conducted by researchers at Brigham and Women’s Hospital and CVS Caremark.

WOONSOCKET, R.I. — Patients with coronary artery disease who are adherent to their prescribed medications can save the healthcare system up to $868 per patient per year, according the findings of a recent study conducted by researchers at Brigham and Women’s Hospital and CVS Caremark.

The research was published in the April issue of the American Journal of Medicine.

February 1, 2013

Patients taking obesity drug experience improvement in cardiovascular risk factors, study finds

Patients who take a drug for losing weight may experience improvement in multiple cardiovascular disease risk factors, according to a new study.

MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif. — Patients who take a drug for losing weight may experience improvement in multiple cardiovascular disease risk factors, according to a new study.

November 13, 2012

Study: Graphic, stop-smoking images more effective than cancer-warning text

Health warning labels on cigarette packages that use pictures to show the health consequences of smoking are effective in reaching adult smokers, according to the results of a new study published in the December issue of the American Journal of Preventive Medicine.

SAN DIEGO — Health warning labels on cigarette packages that use pictures to show the health consequences of smoking are effective in reaching adult smokers, according to the results of a new study published in the December issue of the American Journal of Preventive Medicine.

September 7, 2012

Takeda: Edarbyclor statistically superior in reducing blood-pressure levels among hypertension patients

A Takeda drug designed to treat hypertension was statistically superior to another drug combination in reducing systolic blood pressure among patients in a 10-week, late-stage clinical trial.

DEERFIELD, Ill. — A Takeda drug designed to treat hypertension was statistically superior to another drug combination in reducing systolic blood pressure among patients in a 10-week, late-stage clinical trial.

August 13, 2012

Novartis drug appears effective in liver transplant patients

An experimental drug therapy under development by Novartis for liver transplant patients appears to provide similar efficacy and better kidney function, compared with a drug made by Astellas Pharma, according to results of a late-stage clinical trial.

EAST HANOVER, N.J. — An experimental drug therapy under development by Novartis for liver transplant patients appears to provide similar efficacy and better kidney function, compared with a drug made by Astellas Pharma, according to results of a late-stage clinical trial.

A phase-3 study published in the American Journal of Transplantation found that patients taking RAD001 (everolimus) with a reduced dose of Astellas' Prograf (tacrolimus) experienced equal efficacy and superior kidney function to patients taking Prograf alone.

February 23, 2012

Study: Physicians do not consistently follow ADA-recommended prescribing guidelines for newly diagnosed diabetics

Physicians in 35% of cases involving more than 250,000 newly diagnosed diabetes patients did not follow the American Diabetes Association/European Association for the Study of Diabetes consensus guidelines for recommended treatment, according to a new CVS Caremark study.

WOONSOCKET, R.I. — Physicians in 35% of cases involving more than 250,000 newly diagnosed diabetes patients did not follow the American Diabetes Association/European Association for the Study of Diabetes consensus guidelines for recommended treatment, according to a new CVS Caremark study.

February 1, 2012

Study: Link between diabetes drugs, pancreatic cancer risk unclear

A new study published in the American Journal of Gastroenterology examined the possible link between pancreatic cancer and drugs designed to treat diabetes, and found the association to be unclear.

NEW YORK — A new study published in the American Journal of Gastroenterology examined the possible link between pancreatic cancer and drugs designed to treat diabetes, and found the association to be unclear.

Researchers conducted a case-control study based on the British-based General Practice Research Database, which included drug prescriptions, diagnostics, hospitalizations and fatality information. The researchers also took into consideration such factors as body mass index, smoking, alcohol consumption and diabetes duration.

December 22, 2011

WAG study: Patient adherence with 90-day Rx at retail as good or better than mail order

Medication adherence is as high or slightly better among patients filling 90-day prescriptions at retail versus mail order, according to a new Walgreens study published in the November issue of the American Journal of Managed Care that the chain highlighted Thursday.

DEERFIELD, Ill. — Medication adherence is as high or slightly better among patients filling 90-day prescriptions at retail versus mail order, according to a new Walgreens study published in the November issue of the American Journal of Managed Care that the chain highlighted Thursday.

According to the study, adherence levels for 90-day at retail were 77%, while at mail-order adherence levels were 76%.

November 28, 2011

Study: Vitamin D supplementation saves lives

A study published online earlier this month by the American Journal of Cardiology concluded that supplementation with vitamin D conferred substantial survival benefits, specifically in patients with documented deficiency.

KANSAS CITY, Kan. — A study published online earlier this month by the American Journal of Cardiology concluded that supplementation with vitamin D conferred substantial survival benefits, specifically in patients with documented deficiency.

According to the research, evidence supported an association between vitamin D deficiency and hypertension, peripheral vascular disease, diabetes mellitus, metabolic syndrome, coronary artery disease and heart failure.

November 22, 2011

Study: Retail clinic usage rose tenfold from 2007 to 2009

The use of retail-based health clinics increased tenfold between 2007 and 2009, and, if the trends continue, health plans can expect to see a dramatic boost in retail clinic utilization, based on the findings of a new Rand Corp. study.

NEW YORK — The use of retail-based health clinics increased tenfold between 2007 and 2009, and, if the trends continue, health plans can expect to see a dramatic boost in retail clinic utilization, based on the findings of a new Rand Corp. study.

“It is clear that enrollees are ‘voting with their feet’ and that retail clinics are meeting an unmet need for simple acute care and/or addressing a shortage of traditional healthcare providers,” according to the American Journal of Managed Care, which published the study.

October 26, 2011

CVS Caremark-sponsored review of e-Rxs uncovers issue of primary nonadherence

Twenty-four percent of patients given a new medication by their doctor did not fill the prescription, according to a new study by researchers at Harvard University, Brigham and Women's Hospital and CVS Caremark.

WOONSOCKET, R.I. — Twenty-four percent of patients given a new medication by their doctor did not fill the prescription, according to a new study by researchers at Harvard University, Brigham and Women's Hospital and CVS Caremark.

October 7, 2011

'Good' cholesterol levels could cut heart attack, stroke risk among diabetes patients

It seems that boosting high-density lipoproteins levels, also known as "good" cholesterol, can help diabetes patients reduce their risk of heart attack and stroke, according to a new study conducted by Kaiser Permanente published in the American Journal of Cardiology.

PORTLAND, Ore. — It seems that boosting high-density lipoproteins levels, also known as "good" cholesterol, can help diabetes patients reduce their risk of heart attack and stroke, according to a new study conducted by Kaiser Permanente published in the American Journal of Cardiology.

August 30, 2011

Study examines effects of dietary weight loss, exercise on insulin resistance among postmenopausal women

A new study that is slated to appear in the October issue of the American Journal of Preventive Medicine found that postmenopausal women may improve their insulin sensitivity through such interventions as diet, exercise, or a combination of the two.

NEW YORK — A new study that is slated to appear in the October issue of the American Journal of Preventive Medicine found that postmenopausal women may improve their insulin sensitivity through such interventions as diet, exercise, or a combination of the two.

August 18, 2011

NACDS, NCPA: Ensuring patients' choice of pharmacy helps promote medication adherence

Prescription drug costs “cannot be viewed in a vacuum” and pharmacist-provided medication therapy management and counseling must be considered in any comprehensive cost-benefit analysis, the National Association of Chain Drug Stores and National Community Pharmacists Association urged in a joint statement issued on Thursday amid the release of two studies on medication adherence.

ALEXANDRIA, Va. — Prescription drug costs “cannot be viewed in a vacuum” and pharmacist-provided medication therapy management and counseling must be considered in any comprehensive cost-benefit analysis, the National Association of Chain Drug Stores and National Community Pharmacists Association urged in a joint statement issued on Thursday amid the release of two studies on medication adherence.

August 12, 2011

Study examines impact of voluntary, mandatory mail on medication adherence

Mandatory mail seems to cause some patients to prematurely discontinue therapy, especially among those patients without previous mail-service pharmacy experience. At least, that’s what a recent study on mandatory mail suggested.

NEW YORK — Mandatory mail seems to cause some patients to prematurely discontinue therapy, especially among those patients without previous mail-service pharmacy experience. At least, that’s what a recent study on mandatory mail suggested.

The CVS Caremark-funded study, “Adherence to Medication Under Mandatory and Voluntary Mail Benefit Designs,” recently was published in the American Journal of Managed Care.

June 8, 2011

Statin users can save money if they adhere to therapies, Medco finds

In a year and a half, patients taking statins to lower their cholesterol can save more than $900 when they take their medications as prescribed, according to a new study in the June 1 issue of the American Journal of Cardiology.

FRANKLIN LAKES, N.J. — In a year and a half, patients taking statins to lower their cholesterol can save more than $900 when they take their medications as prescribed, according to a new study in the June 1 issue of the American Journal of Cardiology.

The study, conducted by pharmacy benefit manager Medco Health Solutions’ research subsidiary, the Medco Research Institute, found that patients who adhered to their therapies saved as much as $944 over 18 months because they experienced fewer cardiovascular problems leading to hospitalization.

June 1, 2011

Weight loss among women helps raise blood vitamin D levels

Overweight or obese women who have less-than-optimal levels of vitamin D and lose more than 15% of their body weight experience significant increases in circulating levels of this fat-soluble nutrient, according to a study released last week by researchers at Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center.

SEATTLE — Overweight or obese women who have less-than-optimal levels of vitamin D and lose more than 15% of their body weight experience significant increases in circulating levels of this fat-soluble nutrient, according to a study released last week by researchers at Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center.

May 19, 2011

Study finds 10% of cancer patients abandon oral anti-cancer medications

Despite the promise of oral drugs for treating cancer, high costs and the burden of taking multiple medications drive 10% of patients prescribed the drugs not to fill their initial prescriptions, according to a new study published in the Journal of Oncology Practice and the American Journal of Managed Care.

WASHINGTON — Despite the promise of oral drugs for treating cancer, high costs and the burden of taking multiple medications drive 10% of patients prescribed the drugs not to fill their initial prescriptions, according to a new study published in the Journal of Oncology Practice and the American Journal of Managed Care.

March 25, 2011

DAW Rxs drive up healthcare costs, study finds

"Dispense-as-written" prescriptions are exacerbating medication nonadherence and costing the U.S. healthcare system billions of dollars, according to a new study by researchers at Harvard University, Brigham and Women's Hospital, and CVS Caremark.

WOONSOCKET, R.I. — "Dispense-as-written" prescriptions are exacerbating medication nonadherence and costing the U.S. healthcare system billions of dollars, according to a new study by researchers at Harvard University, Brigham and Women's Hospital, and CVS Caremark.

March 4, 2011

Shortages linked with ethnic immunizations

ROCHESTER, N.Y. — Delays or limits in the supply of flu vaccines can exacerbate disparities in vaccination rates among elderly whites, African-Americans and Hispanics, according to a study conducted by researchers at the University of Rochester and published in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine.

March 4, 2011

Study: Potassium levels may be insight to racial disparity among diabetics

Researchers at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine have discovered that potassium levels in the blood may explain a racial disparity among Type 2 diabetes patients.

NEW YORK — Researchers at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine have discovered that potassium levels in the blood may explain a racial disparity among Type 2 diabetes patients.

According to a new study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, among 12,000 participants, more than 2,000 African-Americans in the study had lower average serum potassium levels than the more than 9,000 whites in the study. They also were twice as likely to develop Type 2 diabetes.