Antibiotics in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease exacerbations: a meta-analysis

Article Abstract:

Antibiotics appear to be effective in treating exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). COPD is a progressive lung disease. COPD exacerbations are often caused by upper respiratory tract infections. Researchers performed a meta-analysis using data from nine studies of patients with COPD exacerbations. The patients had been treated with either antibiotics or placebos. Antibiotic treatment had a minor beneficial effect on COPD exacerbations. Antibiotic treatment slightly improved patients' peak expiratory flow rate (PEFR). The average difference in PEFR between antibiotic-treated patients and placebo recipients was 10.75 liters per minute. Improvements from antibiotic treatment were greater in hospitalized COPD patients as in outpatients with COPD.

Evaluation, Antibiotics, Complications and side effects, Drug therapy, Respiratory tract infections, Lung diseases, Obstructive, Chronic obstructive lung disease

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The effect of health coverage for uninsured pregnant women on maternal health and the use of cesarean section

Article Abstract:

The cesarean section rate increased among low-income pregnant women in Massachusetts after the initiation of the Healthy Start program. The Healthy Start program was started in 1985 to provide health care to low-income pregnant women without medical insurance. A study compared the cesarean section rate among 57,257 women who gave birth in 1984 to that among 64,346 women who gave birth in 1987. Seventeen percent of the uninsured women had a cesarean section in 1984, compared with 22% in 1987. The cesarean section rate was higher among insured women than among uninsured women both years. The number of adverse maternal outcomes was approximately the same among the insured women in 1984 and 1987.

Health aspects, Usage, Medically uninsured persons, Pregnant women, Health insurance, Cesarean section

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Factors Associated With the Health Care Utilization of Homeless Persons

Article Abstract:

Homeless people are often unable to get the medical care they need, according to a survey of 2,974 homeless people. About one-fourth said they were unable to get needed care and one-third were unable to get their prescriptions filled. Those with health insurance were more likely to get the care they needed.

Medical care, Medical care utilization, Homeless persons

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