Biomedical subjects

Mei-Jen Ho

Publications and source records attributed to Mei-Jen Ho.

3 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2005

Clinical, humanistic, and economic outcomes of gout.

Gout is a low prevalence disease not often considered by managed care organizations with regard to cost management. Understanding the development of the disease and its potential long-term, high-cost consequences can lead to appropriate treatment strategies and cost-management opportunities that can improve patient outcomes and potentially lower the overall cost of treatment of patients with gout in a managed care organization. The acute and chronic nature of the disease is best managed up front to avoid negative long-term effects. Adherence to medications can also impact the manifestation of the disease.

Adult↗

PubMed2004

Would depression management relieve pain and improve function.

Chronic pain represents an important clinical, social, and economic problem that often is confounded by affective disorders. While clinicians do not know if chronic pain induces depression or depression initiates pain, co-morbidity is common and the burden of illness increases when patients suffer from both illnesses. The patient's quality of life dramatically decreases leading to decreased functioning which makes the treatment for pain more complicated. Patients who have chronic pain also may benefits from antidepressant medications for improved function and quality of life. To obtain optimal clinical outcomes, it is imperative to address both conditions when planning therapy for and studies of chronic pain.

Comorbidity↗

PubMed2004

The treatment outcomes of pain survey (TOPS): a clinical monitoring and outcomes instrument for chronic pain practice and research.

The field of health outcomes research has increased the utilization of health-related quality-of-life (HRQoL) instruments to document economic, clinical, and humanistic outcomes (ECHO). The Medical Outcomes Study Short Form 36-item Questionnaire (MOSSF-36, SF-36) has been utilized extensively in many disease states for this purpose, although it is not validated for use in chronic pain patients. The Total Outcomes of Pain Survey (TOPS) incorporates all the domains of the SF-36, and includes additional domains relevant in the management of chronic pain patients. The TOPS is well validated in these patients. In addition to its utility as an outcomes research tool, the TOPS is sensitive enough to document clinical changes in individual patients, making it a useful assessment tool for clinicians.

Analgesics↗