Antihypertensive medication adherence and blood pressure control among central Alabama veterans.

Medication nonadherence is associated with adverse outcomes. To evaluate antihypertensive medication adherence and its association with blood pressure (BP) control, the authors described population adherence to prescribed antihypertensive medication (proportion of days covered ≥80%) and BP control (mean BP <140/90 mm Hg) among central Alabama veterans during the fiscal year 2015. Overall, 75.

Antimicrobial and analgesic prescribing patterns for acute otitis externa, 2004-2010.

Objective: Acute otitis externa (AOE) is a common but preventable ear condition. Clinical guidelines issued in 2006 recommended topical treatments for uncomplicated AOE, but systemic antimicrobials appear to be commonly prescribed. The objective of this analysis was to describe pre- and postguideline prescribing patterns by clinician specialty and antimicrobial type and assess trends over time.

Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome After an Escherichia coli O111 Outbreak.

Background: In August 2008, the largest known US serotype 1 Escherichia coli O111 outbreak occurred in Oklahoma, causing 341 illnesses, including hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS). HUS is not well described in non-O157 E coli outbreaks but occurs in 2% to 15% of O157 infections, predominantly among children. We examined outbreak-related hospitalizations to characterize E coli O111 illness, the HUS attack rate, and factors associated with subsequent HUS diagnosis among hospitalized patients.