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OBJECTIVE:--Given the risk of obesity and diabetes in the U.S., and clear benefit of exercise in disease prevention and management, this study aimed to determine the prevalence of physical activity among adults with and at risk for diabetes. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS--The Medical Expenditure Panel Survey is a nationally representative survey of the U.S. population. In the 2003 survey, 23,283 adults responded when asked about whether they were physically active (moderate or vigorous activity, >=30 min, three times per week). Information on sociodemographic characteristics and health conditions were self-reported. Additional type 2 diabetes risk factors examined were age >=45 years, non-Caucasian ethnicity, BMI >=25 kg/m², hypertension, and cardiovascular disease. RESULTS:--A total of 39% of adults with diabetes were physically active versus 58% of adults without diabetes. The proportion of active adults without diabetes declined as the number of risk factors increased until dropping to similar rates as people with diabetes. After adjustment for sociodemographic and clinical factors, the strongest correlates of being physically active were income level, limitations in physical function, depression, and severe obesity (BMI >=40 kg/m²). Several traditional predictors of activity (sex, education level, and having received past advice from a health professional to exercise more) were not evident among respondents with diabetes. CONCLUSIONS:--The majority of patients with diabetes or at highest risk for developing type 2 diabetes do not engage in regular physical activity, with a rate significantly below national norms. There is a great need for efforts to target interventions to increase physical activity in these individuals.

Background: The variability in preferences used in quality-adjusted life-years estimation jeopardizes the comparability of cost-effectiveness analyses and has led the Panel on Cost-Effectiveness in Health and Medicine (the PCEHM) to call for a catalog of \"off-the-shelf\" preference weights associated with conditions that can be used by health researchers without the burden of collecting primary data. Objective: The current research responds to the call by developing a nationally representative catalog of preference-based scores for chronic conditions and associated sociodemographic characteristics. Methods: The authors report the ${\\rm EQ}\\text{-}5{\\rm D}_{\\text{index}}$ scores of chronic conditions and associated sociodemographic characteristics in the nationally representative Medical Expenditure Panel Survey (MEPS). Chronic conditions were coded using \"quality priority conditions\" (QPC) and clinical classification categories (CCC). OLS, Tobit, and censored least absolute deviations (CLAD) regression models were used to provide condition estimates adjusted for age, comorbidity, gender, race, ethnicity, income, and education. Results: Unadjusted and adjusted ${\\rm EQ}\\text{-}5{\\rm D}_{\\text{index}}$ scores for each QPC and CCC code are presented. ${\\rm EQ}\\text{-}5{\\rm D}_{\\text{index}}$ scores for older age categories were lower than younger categories, female scores were lower than males, certain racial groups had lower scores than others, and ${\\rm EQ}\\text{-}5{\\rm D}_{\\text{index}}$ scores were higher for individuals with higher education and income levels. Conclusion: The preference-based chronic condition scores reported in this research are nationally representative and may be useful to researchers to calculate quality-adjusted life-years for cost-effectiveness analyses and population-based burden of illness studies without the difficulty of primary data collection. Further research is necessary to validate these scores in condition-specific studies.

OBJECTIVE:--Obesity and physical inactivity are established risk factors for type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular comorbidities. Whether adiposity or fitness level is more important to health is controversial. The objective of this research is to determine the relative associations of physical activity and BMI with the prevalence of diabetes and diabetes-related cardiovascular comorbidities in the U.S. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS--The Medical Expenditure Panel Survey (MEPS) is a nationally representative survey of the U.S. population. From 2000 to 2002, detailed information on sociodemographic characteristics and health conditions were collected for 68,500 adults. Normal weight was defined as BMI 18.5 to <25 kg/m², overweight 25 to /=]40 kg/m². Physical activity was defined as moderate/vigorous activity [>/=]30 min [>/=]3 days per week. RESULTS:--The likelihood of having diabetes and diabetes-related cardiovascular comorbidities increased with BMI regardless of physical activity and increased with physical inactivity regardless of BMI. Compared with normal-weight active adults, the multivariate-adjusted odds ratio (OR) for diabetes was 1.52 (95% CI 1.25-1.86) for normal-weight inactive adults and 1.65 (1.40-1.96) for overweight inactive adults; the OR for diabetes and comorbid hypertension was 1.71 (1.32-2.19) for normal-weight inactive adults and 1.84 (1.47-2.32) for overweight inactive adults. CONCLUSIONS:--Both physical inactivity and obesity seem to be strongly and independently associated with diabetes and diabetes-related comorbidities. These results support continued research investigating the independent causal nature of these factors.

Objective The prevalence of obesity and associated cardiometabolic risk factors such as diabetes, hyperlipidemia and hypertension is increasing significantly for all demographic groups. Research design and methods The 2000 and 2002 Medical Expenditure Panel Survey (MEPS), a nationally representative survey of the U.S. population, was used to estimate the marginal impact of obesity on health function, perception, and preferences for individuals with diabetes, hyperlipidemia, and hypertension using multivariate regression methods controlling for age, sex, race, ethnicity, education, income, insurance, smoking status, comorbidity, and proxy response. Three different instruments were used: SF-12 physical component scale (PCS-12) and mental component scale (MCS-12); EQ-5D index and visual analogue scale (VAS). Censored least absolute deviation was used for the EQ-5D and VAS (due to censoring) and ordinary least squares (OLS) was used for the PCS-12 and MCS-12. Results After controlling for sociodemographic characteristics, diabetes, hyperlipidemia, and hypertension were associated with significantly lower scores compared to normal weight individuals without the condition for all four instruments. Obesity significantly exacerbated this association. Controlling for comorbidity attenuated the negative association of obesity and cardiometabolic risk factors on instrument scores. In addition, scores decreased for increasing weight and number of risk factors. Conclusions Obesity significantly exacerbates the deleterious association between diabetes, hyperlipidemia, and hypertension, and health function, health perception, and preference-based scores in the United States.

This article provides an overview of the status of leadership in social work, with an emphasis on unique functions and challenges leaders face in the field. Included in this review is a consideration of the concept of leadership as distinct from management, a historical review of the development of leadership as a specialty within social work, and a look at the reported effectiveness of various leadership models. Finally, it is argued that among the various leadership models to choose from, client-centered leadership is consistent with the goals and values that undergird the profession.

Background Our objective was to determine the cost-effectiveness of Continuous Glucose Monitoring (CGM) technology with intensive insulin therapy compared to self-monitoring of blood glucose (SMBG) in adults with type 1 diabetes in the United States. Methods A Markov cohort analysis was used to model the long-term disease progression of 12 different diabetes disease states, using a cycle length of 1 year with a 33-year time horizon. The analysis uses a societal perspective to model a population with a 20-year history of diabetes with mean age of 40. Costs are expressed in $US 2007, effectiveness in quality-adjusted life years (QALYs). Parameter estimates and their ranges were derived from the literature. Utility estimates were drawn from the EQ-5D catalogue. Probabilities were derived from the Diabetes Control and Complications Trial (DCCT), the United Kingdom Prospective Diabetes Study (UKPDS), and the Wisconsin Epidemiologic Study of Diabetic Retinopathy. Costs and QALYs were discounted at 3% per year. Univariate and Multivariate probabilistic sensitivity analyses were conducted using 10,000 Monte Carlo simulations. Results Compared to SMBG, use of CGM with intensive insulin treatment resulted in an expected improvement in effectiveness of 0.52 QALYs, and an expected increase in cost of $23,552, resulting in an ICER of approximately $45,033/QALY. For a willingness-to-pay (WTP) of $100,000/QALY, CGM with intensive insulin therapy was cost-effective in 70% of the Monte Carlo simulations. Conclusions CGM with intensive insulin therapy appears to be cost-effective relative to SMBG and other societal health interventions.

Background Systemic corticosteroids (SCS) are commonly used but are associated with adverse effects. Given their prevalent use, the potential impact of SCS use on health-related quality of life (HRQoL) is important to characterize. Objective To assess the HRQoL of patients taking SCS. Methods The 2000-2003 Medical Expenditure Panel Survey was used to examine EQ-5D and SF-6D scores associated with SCS use in adults. The study sample was restricted to those with a condition for which SCS are prescribed. SCS use was categorized into three levels: none; 1-3; and ≥4 prescriptions per year. HRQoL scores were regressed on SCS use (1-3 or ≥4 annual prescriptions) controlling for age, gender, race, ethnicity, education, income category, geographic region, number of ER visits, number of outpatient visits, total number of chronic conditions (for which SCS are not used) and conditions for which SCS are clinically indicated. Results There were 54,856 individuals with no SCS exposure, 2245 with 1-3 and 624 with ≥4 annual SCS prescriptions. In adjusted analyses, use of ≥4 annual SCS prescriptions appeared to be associated with significantly lower EQ-5D (US), EQ-5D (UK), SF-6D and EQ-5D VAS scores compared to no exposure: –0.032, –0.047, –0.036, and –7.58. Conclusion While SCS are efficacious and widely used for numerous conditions, results suggest that their use may be associated with a substantial deleterious impact on HRQoL. This potential negative effect should be considered in balance with the cost and efficacy of comparable treatments.

Background: In October 2008, Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services discontinued reimbursement for hospital-acquired pressure ulcers (HAPUs), thus placing stress on hospitals to prevent incidence of this costly condition. Objective: To evaluate whether prevention methods are cost-effective compared with standard care in the management of HAPUs. Research Design and Subjects: A semi-Markov model simulated the admission of patients to an acute care hospital from the time of admission through 1 year using the societal perspective. The model simulated health states that could potentially lead to an HAPU through either the practice of \"prevention\" or \"standard care.\" Univariate sensitivity analyses, threshold analyses, and Bayesian multivariate probabilistic sensitivity analysis using 10,000 Monte Carlo simulations were conducted. Measures: Cost per quality-adjusted life-years (QALYs) gained for the prevention of HAPUs. Results: Prevention was cost saving and resulted in greater expected effectiveness compared with the standard care approach per hospitalization. The expected cost of prevention was $7276.35, and the expected effectiveness was 11.241 QALYs. The expected cost for standard care was $10,053.95, and the expected effectiveness was 9.342 QALYs. The multivariate probabilistic sensitivity analysis showed that prevention resulted in cost savings in 99.99% of the simulations. The threshold cost of prevention was $821.53 per day per person, whereas the cost of prevention was estimated to be $54.66 per day per person. Conclusion: This study suggests that it is more cost effective to pay for prevention of HAPUs compared with standard care. Continuous preventive care of HAPUs in acutely ill patients could potentially reduce incidence and prevalence, as well as lead to lower expenditures.

OBJECTIVE:--With increased focus on the obesity and diabetes epidemics, and the clear benefit of exercise in disease prevention and management, this study determined the lifetime prevalence of health professional advice to exercise among individuals with or at risk for diabetes. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS--The Medical Expenditure Panel Survey is a nationally representative survey of the U.S. population. In the 2002 survey, 26,878 adults responded when asked about ever receiving health professional advice to exercise more. Information on sociodemographic characteristics and health conditions were self-reported. Type 2 diabetes risk factors were age [>/=]45 years, non-Caucasian ethnicity, physical inactivity, BMI [>/=]25 kg/m², hypertension, and cardiovascular disease. RESULTS:--A total of 73% of adults with diabetes were told by a health professional to exercise more versus 31% of adults without diabetes. The proportion receiving advice increased as the number of diabetes risk factors increased until reaching similar rates as people with diabetes. After adjustment for sociodemographic and clinical factors, the strongest correlates of receiving advice were BMI and cardiovascular risk factors. Among respondents with diabetes, the likelihood of receiving advice did not vary by age, sex, education, or income level but was less likely in Hispanics. CONCLUSIONS:--Health professionals advised most patients with or at highest risk for diabetes to exercise, suggesting recognition of its importance for disease management. As risk factors declined, fewer patients were advised to exercise, suggesting missed opportunities for disease prevention. However, exercise has not increased proportional to exercise advice. The challenge remains converting patient awareness into behavior change.

Background Accurate assessment of preference-based health-related quality of life is important in determining the value of asthma interventions. Objective To examine the sensitivity and responsiveness of the EQ-5D and the AQL-5D to differences in asthma control measured by the Asthma Control Questionnaire (ACQ-5). Methods The Observational Study of Asthma Control and Outcomes was a prospective survey of persistent asthma patients ≥12 years old in Kaiser Colorado. Patients received a survey three times in 1 year, including the ACQ-5, AQL-5D and EQ-5D-3L (including VAS). Censored Least Absolute Deviations (CLAD) and logistic regression were used, controlling for sociodemographics and smoking. Results There were 6666 completed surveys (1799 individuals completed all three survey waves). After controlling for covariates, each one-point increase in ACQ-5 was associated with a decrease of 0.066, 0.058, 0.074 and 6.12 in EQ-5D(US), EQ-5D(UK), AQL-5D and VAS scores. Uncontrolled asthma (ACQ-5 > 1.5) was associated with a decrease of 0.15, 0.17, 0.11 and 10, respectively (vs. ACQ ≤ 1.5). AQL-5D scores were statistically significantly different across categories of ACQ-5 scores of 0.5 (the minimum clinically important difference [MCID]), while EQ-5D scores were not significant across most categories. The AQL-5D appeared more robust to changes in control over time (responsiveness) compared to EQ-5D-3L. Conclusion The AQL-5D appears more responsive to changes in asthma control over time and more sensitive to detecting differences corresponding to the ACQ-5 MCID than the EQ-5D-3L. Using the EQ-5D-3L without an asthma-specific measure such as the AQL-5D may miss clinically important changes in asthma control.