Rituximab Safety Profile: A Seven-Year Retrospective Analysis From Southern India.

Objective: This study aimed to analyze the pattern, severity, and outcomes of adverse drug reactions (ADRs) associated with rituximab use reported to a regional pharmacovigilance center in Kerala, India.

Methods: This retrospective study analyzed rituximab-associated ADRs reported from 2017 to 2023. ADRs were assessed using the WHO-UMC criteria for causality and the Modified Hartwig Siegel Scale for severity.

Pain-related hospitalization and emergency room visit following initial analgesic prescription after outpatient surgery.

Purpose: Our study examined the association between outpatient postsurgical analgesic prescription and risk of insufficiently managed pain characterized by pain-associated hospital admission and emergency room (ER) visit.

Methods: Eligible individuals were children 1-17 years of age who filled an incident analgesic following an outpatient surgery during 2013-2018. Pain-associated hospital admission or ER visit were measured within 30 days following the outpatient surgical procedure.

Trends in Repeat Opioid Analgesic Prescription Utilization for Acute Pain in Children: 2013-2018.

Objective: Our study examined the change in repeat opioid analgesic prescription trends in children and adolescents experiencing acute pain between 2013 and 2018.

Methods: Eligible individuals were children and adolescents between 1 and 17 years of age enrolled in a Medicaid Managed Care plan and filled an incident opioid analgesic prescription from 2013 to 2018. A repeat opioid prescription was defined as receiving a subsequent opioid prescription within 30 days from the end of the incident opioid prescription.

Association Between Initial Opioid Prescription Duration and 30-Day Risk of Receiving Repeat Opioid Among Children.

Objective: Our study evaluated the association between initial opioid prescription duration and receipt of a repeat opioid prescription in children.

Methods: Eligible individuals were children between 1 and 17 years of age who enrolled in a Medicaid Managed Care plan and filled an incident opioid prescription during 2013 to 2018. An incident prescription was defined as receipt of an opioid analgesic without a prior use for 12 months.

Risk of asthma exacerbation associated with opioid and nonopioid analgesic use in children with current asthma.

In the United States, asthma occurs in a vast proportion of children and adolescents. Asthma exacerbation is an acute episodic event typically characterized by difficulty in breathing, chest tightness, coughing, or wheezing. Severe asthma exacerbation can be life-threatening and lead to service utilizations such as hospitalizations and emergency department (ED) visits.

Impact of geographic access to primary care providers on pediatric behavioral health screening.

Behavioral Health (BH) screening is critical for early diagnosis and treatment of pediatric mental disorders. The objective of this study was to assess the impact of geographic access to primary care providers (PCP) on pediatric BH screening in children with different race/ethnicity. A retrospective cohort study was conducted using the 2013-2016 administrative claims data from a large pediatric Medicaid Managed Care Plan that have been linked to 2010 US Census data and the 2017 National Provider Identifier (NPI) Registry.

Utilization of opioid versus non-opioid analgesics in Medicaid and CHIP enrolled children with current asthma.

Purpose: Opioid analgesics are frequently dispensed in children despite its known risk in children with a compromised airway function. The objectives of the study were to assess the prevalence of opioid analgesic dispensing in children with current asthma and to identify patient and prescriber factors associated with the dispensing of opioid versus non-opioid analgesics.

Methods: Children <18 years of age, having current asthma and receiving an incident analgesic prescription were identified from a large Medicaid Managed Care Plan during years 2013 through 2018.