Briefs

Study anticipates OSA product market boom YARMOUTH, Maine - The obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) product market is expected to grow to more than $636 million in 2007. That figure, up from $364.6 million in 2003, represents an annual growth rate of nearly 15 percent, according to an analysis of the home health care respiratory therapy, infusion therapy, enteral nutrition and dialysis therapy product and service markets. To total value of these product sales is estimated to top nearly $1.7 billion in 2007, up from $1.3 billion in 2003, according to the report issued by the U.S. Markets for Home Healthcare Products. SCHIP program sees drop in enrollment rates WASHINGTON - Reflecting both the economic downturn and the significant drop in state revenues over the past two years, enrollment in the State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) declined during the second half of 2003 for the first time since the program started in 1997. Enrollment declined sharply in 11 states, with much of the national enrollment decline attributable to drops in coverage in Texas, Maryland and New York. Program changes in 2003 also contributed to the shift. Five states instituted enrollment caps; 29 states now require enrollment fees for the program; and 10 states made changes to eligibility levels. Cholesterol drug helps all diabetics, study finds DUBLIN, Ireland - People suffering from diabetes could sharply cut their risk for heart attacks and strokes by taking a cholesterol-lowering drug even if they have normal cholesterol levels, according to a new study. The study of more than 2,800 patients with Type 2 diabetes found that those who took the cholesterol drug Lipitor were more than one-third less likely to have a heart attack, nearly half as likely to have a stroke and about one-third less likely to die from any form of cardiovascular disease. The research is the latest in a series of studies showing that the widely popular class of cholesterol-lowering drugs called statins could benefit far more people than are taking them. About 17 million Americans suffer from Type 2 diabetes.