Alison Rodriguez

The average duration of a migraine was found to be independent from the presence of allergy, as well as the frequency of the cephalalgy attacks, and the localization of the pain.

The environment children live in can often affect their pediatric asthma.

For many patients with migraine, cannabis served as a substitute for other pain medications, including opioids.

The progression of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) can often be slowed with smoking cessation. However, among socioeconomically disadvantaged groups, many patients with COPD continue to smoke and have the lowest quit rates. A recent study investigated bupropion and varenicline and their use among different socioeconomic patterns.

A recent study looked to improve the monitoring of treatments for patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) by quantifying gait characteristics and gait deficits in laboratory and daily life conditions.

Two recent studies evaluated the effects of asthma through addressing the costs and adherence to medications as well as the accessibility to certain resources for patients.

Patients with rare diseases often face a difficult and long diagnosis and treatment process. Express Scripts recently announced a new Rare Conditions Care Value program that includes the introduction of a support service known as Second Opinion, which offers guidance and expert case review for patients on an individual basis, with PinnacleCare.

A group of experts identified 6 high-need populations and dimensions of successful care models to improve outcomes and reduce spending for these populations.

Long-term treatment of patients with secondary progressive multiple sclerosis (SPMS) with siponimod may reduce the risk of disability progression, according to findings of the phase 3 EXPAND study.

Nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) can result in pulmonary and extrapulmonary infections and are primarily acquired from environmental sources, including soil and water exposed surfaces. Recent studies investigated the risk factors of NTM infections and their prevalence among patients in the United States.

A recent study investigated the effectiveness of the augmented binary method for investigating rare diseases in a small sample size.

It is already known that patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) face a greater risk of dying of lung cancer. According to new research, a concurrent asthma diagnosis and the use of inhaled corticosteroids may be associated with a decreased risk of lung cancer in patients with COPD, while the use of acetylsalicylic acid may be linked to an increased risk.

Physician migration from physician-led practices to hospital employment has shifted. While physicians working for a hospital or in a practice with some ownership increased by 32.6% in 2016, independent and physician led group practices reached 72% in 2017, according to a new Black Book report.

An allergy and asthma organization says it has ranked the top 100 cities in the United States where it is challenging to live with asthma, showing the influence of community factors on asthma rates.

Ocrelizumab (Ocrevus) has been FDA approved for the treatment of primary progressive multiple sclerosis, and recent clinical trials with the anti-CD20 monoclonal antibody have revealed significant decreases in disease activity and disability progression in relapsing multiple sclerosis.

Galcanezumab demonstrated clinically and statistically significant benefits across several migraine-relevant outcomes when compared to placebo.

Two recent studies examined issues related to asthma statistics and treatment: is mortality underrepresented due to how death certificates are recorded? How well do providers adhere to clinical guidelines for asthma?

Pulmonary hemosiderosis (PH) is a rare, chronic lung disease characterized by hemoptysis, iron deficiency anemia, and alveolar and/or interstitial opacities on lung imaging. Little about the etiology and pathophysiology of the disease is known, but PH typically involves periods of remission and relapse. New research that investigated the relationships between PH and Down syndrome (DS), and found that patients with DS have a higher risk of developing PH.

Depression is one of the comorbidities of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), but not much is known about the characteristics of depression in people with early COPD. A recent study indicated that patients with early COPD who had depression were more likely to have a lower quality of life, be females, live alone, and have a low income.

There are significant racial and socioeconomic disparities to consider when assessing adolescent asthma outcomes, especially since approximately 50% of adolescents with asthma-like symptoms go undiagnosed.

Although accountable care organizations cover more than 32 million people in the United States, the financial savings have been limited and the outcomes are unknown. Place-based approaches aimed at integrating care, improving population health, and controlling costs may be beneficial to adopt as the United States moves away from mandatory participation in payment reform.

Two studies presented at the International Society of Pharmacoeconomic and Outcomes Research Annual International Meeting investigated the economic and clinical burdens on patients diagnosed with migraine.

Researchers from Brigham and Women’s Hospital (BWH) have defined a new pathway that may help guide therapies for multiple sclerosis and other neurologic diseases.

Studies presented at American Thoracic Society 2018 International Conference looked at video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery and drug resistance mutations in nontuberculous mycobacterial lung disease.

Patients with cystic fibrosis (CF) who were treated with ivacaftor have demonstrated favorable results for clinically important outcomes, including a lower prevalence of CF-related complications and improved lung function, according to a new study.

While knowledge and care for children with asthma has increased over time, overall morbidity has not decreased. A new study evaluated which interventions were effective at the point of discharge from the hospital to prevent readmission.

Two study abstracts presented at the International Society for Pharmacoeconomics and Outcomes Research 23rd Annual International Meeting, in Baltimore, Maryland, examined the prevalence of preventive and opioid treatment for migraine.

Non-tuberculous mycobacterium (NTM), a serious lung disease, can be identified in different ways in patients. Recently, 2 studies evaluated specific identification and causes of NTM in order to help predict treatment outcomes in the future.

Two studies presented at the American Thoracic Society 2018 International Conference find that exacerbations must be addressed in order to help improve outcomes for patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Since the launch of the Blue Distinction Total Care program, it has outperformed 96% of industry quality measures in key healthcare quality and patient health metrics, The Blue Cross Blue Shield Association (BCBSA) announced.