Health Research: Chronic Disease Prevalent in Top 20 Patient Diagnoses

SAN FRANCISCO, Feb. 9, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Practice Fusion's Research Division data shows the top 20 most commonly diagnosed conditions by primary care and specialist physicians. The data reveals that heart disease, diabetes and obesity remain major areas of concern for doctors and patients across the US. Almost half of Americans currently live with at least one chronic condition such as heart disease, diabetes, asthma or COPD according to the CDC. Practice Fusion's free, web-based Electronic Health Record (EHR) platform is emerging as a rapid resource for key public health insights.

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"February is American Heart Month and, as a primary care physician, I think it's a perfect time to alert the community about heart disease being the leading cause of death for both women and men in the US," said Robert Rowley, MD, Chief Medical Officer of Practice Fusion. "Studies show that EHRs can help improve patient outcomes and Practice Fusion is proud to be bringing this technology to any doctor in the country for free."

Top 20 diagnoses of 2010:

1. Hypertension
2. Hyperlipidemia
3. Diabetes
4. Back pain
5. Anxiety
6. Obesity
7. Allergic rhinitis
8. Reflux esophagitis
9. Respiratory problems
10. Hypothyroidism
11. Visual refractive errors
12. Osteoarthritis
13. Fibromyalgia/myositis, neuritis
14. Malaise and fatigue
15. Pain in joint
16. Acute laryngopharyngitis
17. Acute maxillary sinusitis
18. Major depressive disorder
19. Acute bronchitis
20. Asthma

Last year, Practice Fusion's Research Division released a Prescription Index tracking the 20 most commonly prescribed medications by family practitioners, pediatricians and psychiatrists. That study showed the burden of asthma on children in the United States.  The index also highlighted that major depressive disorder is a leading cause of disability in the U.S. for ages 15-44.

All research information utilized by Practice Fusion is fully de-identified and compliant with HIPAA cfr 164.514. More information can be found at www.practicefusion.com/research.

About Practice Fusion's Research Division

Practice Fusion's Research Division provides information from one of the largest, longitudinal clinical databases in the US for the purposes of clinical research and public health analysis. With a focus on real-time insight into adverse drug reactions, disease outbreaks and other national health issues, Practice Fusion's Research Division powers studies that are providing new insight into healthcare and how it is delivered.

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Robert Rowley, MD

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SOURCE Practice Fusion