From the Editor

No abstract available for this article.     

From the Editor

The purposes of this study were to examine medication adherence in older women with coronary heart disease and to identify barriers and facilitators of medication adherence. Methods: The study used a semistructured interview guide and established measures to examine medication taking 3 months after hospital discharge. Results: Thirty-two women completed the study: 65.6% were adherent to medications, but others were less adherent and self-modified their therapy. Over half (52.1%) suffered side effects, 71.9% had experienced psychological barriers, and all had economic barriers. Facilitators included a pillbox system (85%) and discharge medication counseling (90%). Conclusion: Tailored interventions to improve adherence in older women are needed.     

From the Editor

No abstract available for this article.     

From the Editor

This study examined risk factors associated with self-reported health (SRH) in a genetically informative sample of older African American female twins. An interview was conducted with a national sample of 180 African American female twin pairs. Questions included: SRH, demographics, health behaviors, chronic diseases, and functional status. SRH was dichotomized into negative (fair/poor) and positive (good/very good/excellent). Logistic regression for clustered data was used to estimate the odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals. In multivariable analyses, IADL limitations (OR?=?1.5, 95% CI?=?1.7–2.0) and a chronic disease index (OR?=?1.9, 95% CI?=?1.4–2.5) were associated with negative SRH. In multivariate within-twin pair analysis, controlling for genetics/shared familial environment, IADLs (OR?=?1.8, 95% CI?=?1.1–2.7), and increasing numbers of chronic diseases (OR?=?2.0, 95% CI?=?1.3–3.2) remained significantly associated with negative SRH.