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J T Schousboe

Publications and source records attributed to J T Schousboe.

5 recordsLinked to original sources

Potential for bone turnover markers to cost-effectively identify and select post-menopausal osteopenic women at high risk of fracture for bisphosphonate therapy.

INTRODUCTION AND HYPOTHESIS: Over half of all fractures among post-menopausal women occur in those who do not have osteoporosis by bone density criteria. Measurement of bone turnover may cost-effectively identify a subset of women with T-score >-2.5 for whom anti-resorptive drug therapy is cost-effective. METHODS: Using a Markov model, we estimated the cost per quality adjusted life year (QALY) for five years of oral bisphosphonate compared to no drug therapy for osteopenic post-menopausal women aged 60 to 80 years with a high (top quartile) or low (bottom 3 quartiles) level of a bone turnover marker. RESULTS: For women with high bone turnover, the cost per QALY gained with alendronate compared to no drug therapy among women aged 70 years with T-scores of -2.0 or -1.5 were $58,000 and $80,000 (U.S. 2004 dollars), respectively. If bisphosphonates therapy also reduced the risk of non-vertebral fractures by 20% among osteopenic women with high bone turnover, then the costs per QALY gained were $34,000 and $50,000 for women age 70 with high bone turnover and T-scores of -2.0 and -1.5, respectively. CONCLUSION: Measurement of bone turnover markers has the potential to identify a subset of post-menopausal women without osteoporosis by bone density criteria for whom bisphosphonate therapy to prevent fracture is cost-effective. The size of that subset highly depends on the assumed efficacy of bisphosphonates for fracture risk reduction among women with both a T-score >-2.5 and high bone turnover and the cost of bisphosphonate treatment.

Administration, Oral↗

Team managed outpatient care for early onset chronic inflammatory arthritis.

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether an outpatient team management program for persons with early chronic inflammatory arthritis would produce improved clinical outcomes and lower costs than traditional, nonteam outpatient rheumatologic care in a clinic setting. METHODS: One hundred eighteen patients with chronic inflammatory arthritis were randomly assigned to a team managed outpatient care program (TEAMCARE) or to traditional, one on one, nonteam managed rheumatologic care (TRADCARE). The TEAMCARE program consisted of a half day educational program, a needs assessment intake interview, and quarterly telephone calls, monthly team meetings, and routine rheumatologic care. TRADCARE patient received unconstrained, routine primary and specialty outpatient care as practised typically by rheumatologists at this large multi-specialty clinic. All patients had numerous physical and laboratory outcome assessments by rheumatologists at office visit. Every 6 months, patients completed several self-report measures of functional status, pain, psychosocial status, and costs. RESULTS: One hundred seven patients completed one year of study participation. No significant differences were found between groups in measures of physical status, physical functioning, psychosocial status, or pain. There were no differences between groups in economic or utilization measures. CONCLUSION: This team managed outpatient program for persons with recent onset chronic inflammatory arthritis afforded no advantage to routine outpatient care, characterized mainly by one on one relationships between patients and primary care doctors and rheumatologists, in our active outpatient clinical environment.

Adult↗

Chronic polyarticular gout in the elderly: a report of six cases.

This report describes six elderly patients with previously undiagnosed and untreated chronic polyarticular gout, five of whom were seen at a Geriatric Rehabilitation and Assessment Unit within a 3-month period. All were on long-term diuretic therapy. Four patients had coexisting osteoarthritis. Three patients were unable to recall any prior history of attacks of acute arthritis and four patients were significantly disabled from gout. Chronic polyarticular gout in these patients was previously misdiagnosed and inadequately treated, resulting in otherwise preventable disability.

Aged↗

Neoprene splinting: dermatological issues.

Occupational therapists are expanding their use of custom and commercial soft splints fabricated from neoprene (polychloroprene), but little has been written regarding dermatological issues associated with this material. Skin contact with neoprene poses two dermatological risks: allergic contact dermatitis (ACD) and miliaria rubra (i.e., prickly heat). Allergic reaction to neoprene is generally ascribed to the accelerants used to manufacture the man-made rubber, specifically thiourea compounds and mercaptobenzothiazole (MBT). Symptoms of neoprene-related ACD include itching, skin eruptions, swelling, and hemorrhages into the skin. Miliaria rubra creates small, red, elevated, inflammatory papules and a tingling, burning sensation. Although neoprene hypersensitivity is rare, its incidence may grow as neoprene becomes a more commonly used material. It is recommended that therapists screen patients for a history of dermatological reactions to neoprene or other materials containing thiourea compounds or MBT and educate patients to discontinue splint use if dermatological symptoms develop. Therapists are also encouraged to notify splint manufacturers regarding all ACD reactions.

Adult↗