Comments on The Apothecary: Re (2): The UVa Surgical Outcomes Study

I should also mention that the UVa study does cont...

2010-07-24T18:49:33.160-04:00

I should also mention that the UVa study does control for many of these factors. Here is the complete list of co-morbidities that the study controlled for.

You'll notice that the list includes AIDS, alcohol abuse, drug abuse, depression, psychoses, and liver disease (eg hepatitis).

AIDS
Alcohol Abuse
Deficiency Anemia
Arthritis/Collagen Vascular Disorder
Chronic Blood Loss Anemia
Congestive Heart Failure
Chronic Pulmonary Disease
Coagulopathy
Depression
Diabetes Mellitus (uncomplicated)
Diabetes Mellitus (complicated)
Drug Abuse
Hypertension
Hypothyroidism
Liver Disease
Lymphoma
Fluid and Electrolyte Disorder
Metastatic Cancer
Neurologic Disorder (not CVA)
Obesity
Paralysis
Peripheral Vascular Disease
Psychoses
Pulmonary Circulation Disorder
Renal Failure
Solid Tumor (without metastasis)
Peptic Ulcer Disease (non-bleeding)
Valvular Disease
Weight Loss

Hi Steve, it's fair to say it's a combinat...

2010-07-24T18:41:26.228-04:00

Hi Steve, it's fair to say it's a combination of both -- a good example of the non-functional type is the schizophrenic population. The question is, do the non-functional people who drop into Medicaid (as opposed to the people who become non-functional *because* of Medicaid) drive the data? I'm sure it has an incremental impact, but the problem of physician access is of far greater significance.

"On this score, Steve has reversed the cause ...

2010-07-24T17:23:35.849-04:00

"On this score, Steve has reversed the cause and the effect. Welfare dependency is what leads to problems like family breakdown, underemployment, and diminished functional capabilities."

Is there data to support this belief? My experience with welfare patients, and some of my staff who were on welfare at one point, suggests a much more diverse group. Many were clearly non-functional people before they went on welfare.

Steve