Using fuzzy-trace theory to understand and improve health judgments, decisions, and behaviors: A literature review.

Fuzzy-trace theory is a dual-process model of memory, reasoning, judgment, and decision making that contrasts with traditional expectancy-value approaches. We review the literature applying fuzzy-trace theory to health with three aims: evaluating whether the theory’s basic distinctions have been validated empirically in the domain of health; determining whether these distinctions are useful in assessing, explaining, and predicting health-related psychological processes; and determining whether the theory can be used to improve health judgments, decisions, or behaviors, especially in comparison to other approaches

Associations Between Patient Characteristics and the Amount of Arthritis Medication Information Patients Receive

Little is known about factors associated with receipt of medication information among arthritis patients. This study explores information source receipt and associations between demographic and clinical/patient characteristics and the amount of arthritis medication information patients receive. Adult patients with osteoarthritis (OA) or rheumatoid (RA) arthritis (n = 328) completed an online cross-sectional survey. Patients reported demographic and clinical/patient characteristics and the amount of arthritis medication information received from 15 information sources. Bivariate and multivariable linear regression analyses were used to investigate whether those characteristics were associated with the amount of medication information patients received. Arthritis patients received the most information from health professionals followed by printed materials, media sources, and interpersonal sources. Greater receipt of information was associated with greater medication adherence, taking more medications, greater medication-taking concerns, more satisfaction with doctor medication-related support, and Black compared to White race. RA patients reported receiving more information compared to OA patients, and differences were found between RA patients and OA patients in characteristics associated with more information receipt. In conclusion, arthritis patients received the most medication information from professional sources, and both positive (e.g., greater satisfaction with doctor support) and negative (e.g., more medication taking concerns) characteristics were associated with receiving more medication information

Gist and verbatim communication concerning medication risks/benefits

To describe the information about medication risks/benefits that rheumatologists provide during patient office visits, the gist that patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) extract from the information provided, and the relationship between communication and medication satisfaction

Correlation of the Health Sciences Reasoning Test With Student Admission Variables

Objectives. To assess the association between scores on the Health Sciences Reasoning Test (HSRT) and pharmacy student admission variables

Comparative Effects of Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs) on Blood Pressure in Patients with Hypertension

Background Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) may disrupt control of blood pressure in hypertensive patients and increase their risk of morbidity, mortality, and the costs of care. The objective of this study was to examine the association between incident use of NSAIDs and blood pressure in patients with hypertension. Methods We conducted a retrospective cohort study of adult hypertensive patients to determine the effects of their first prescription for NSAID on systolic blood pressure and antihypertensive drug intensification. Data were collected from an electronic medical record serving an academic general medicine practice in Indianapolis, Indiana, USA. Using propensity scores to minimize bias, we matched a cohort of 1,340 users of NSAIDs with 1,340 users of acetaminophen. Propensity score models included covariates likely to affect blood pressure or the use of NSAIDs. The study outcomes were the mean systolic blood pressure measurement after starting NSAIDs and changes in antihypertensive therapy. Results Compared to patients using acetaminophen, NSAID users had a 2 mmHg increase in systolic blood pressure (95% CI, 0.7 to 3.3). Ibuprofen was associated with a 3 mmHg increase in systolic blood pressure compared to naproxen (95% CI, 0.5 to 4.6), and a 5 mmHg increase compared to celecoxib (95% CI, 0.4 to 10). The systolic blood pressure increase was 3 mmHg in a subgroup of patients concomitantly prescribed angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors or calcium channel blockers and 6 mmHg among those prescribed a beta-adrenergic blocker. Blood pressure changes in patients prescribed diuretics or multiple antihypertensives were not statistically significant. Conclusion Compared to acetaminophen, incident use of NSAIDs, particularly ibuprofen, is associated with a small increase in systolic blood pressure in hypertensive patients. Effects in patients prescribed diuretics or multiple antihypertensives are negligible

Predialysis chronic kidney disease: Evaluation of quality of life in clinic patients receiving comprehensive anemia care

Anemia is common in chronic kidney disease (CKD), and suboptimal management of anemia can lead to serious health complications and poor quality of life

Patient decision making in the face of conflicting medication information

When patients consult more than one source of information about their medications, they may encounter conflicting information. Although conflicting information has been associated with negative outcomes, including worse medication adherence, little is known about how patients make health decisions when they receive conflicting information. The objective of this study was to explore the decision making strategies that individuals with arthritis use when they receive conflicting medication information. Qualitative telephone interviews were conducted with 20 men and women with arthritis. Interview vignettes posed scenarios involving conflicting information from different sources (e.g., doctor, pharmacist, and relative), and respondents were asked how they would respond to the situation. Data analysis involved inductive coding to identify emergent themes and deductive contextualization to make meaning from the emergent themes. In response to conflicting medication information, patients used rules of thumb, trial and error, weighed benefits and risks, and sought more information, especially from a doctor. Patients relied heavily on trial and error when there was no conflicting information involved in the vignette. In contrast, patients used rules of thumb as a unique response to conflicting information. These findings increase our understanding of what patients do when they receive conflicting medication information. Given that patient exposure to conflicting information is likely to increase alongside the proliferation of medication information on the Internet, patients may benefit from assistance in identifying the most appropriate decision strategies for dealing with conflicting information, including information about best information sources

Factors Associated with Potential Medication-Herb/Natural Product Interactions in a Rural Community

Context—Use of both conventional medicines and herbs/natural products are increasing in the United States (US). Consequently, individuals are more likely to be exposed to potentially harmful interactions between these products. Objective—To examine the use of both herbs/natural products and conventional medications in a rural community; examine the prevalence of potential interactions between herbs/natural products and conventional medications; and identify factors associated with exposure to such interactions. Design—Population-based epidemiological study. Setting—Data for this paper were collected between 1999 and 2004 as part of the Johnston County Osteoarthritis Project. Participants—Limited to civilian, non-institutionalized, Caucasian and African American residents, age 45 years or older, of Johnston County, North Carolina. Data used in this paper are from 2,523 individuals who completed face-to-face interviews. Main Outcome Measures—Prevalence of herb/natural product use and exposure to potential interactions between these products and conventional medications. Results—Nineteen percent (n=488) of participants used at least one herb/natural product. Among those who used both conventional medications and herbs/natural products, more than 1 in 5 (97 [21.9%]) were using a combination of products associated with a potential interaction. Odds of exposure to a potential interaction was lower among people who had health insurance and increased with the number of products used. Conclusions—Many people are exposed to potential interactions between herbs/natural products and conventional medications. Research is needed to better understand the effect such interactions may have on patient care

Development and initial evaluation of a measure of self-management for adults with antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody-associated small-vessel vasculitis

To develop a measure of illness self-management for adults living with antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (ANCA)–associated small-vessel vasculitis (ANCA-SVV) and to gather evidence of its reliability and validity

Exploring youth and caregiver preferences for asthma education video content

This study examines: 1) whether youth and their caregivers have different preferences for asthma education video topics and 2) if education topic preferences vary by youth and caregiver sociodemographic characteristics