Two-year adherence and costs for biologic therapy for rheumatoid arthritis.

Objectives: To evaluate adherence to newly initiated biologic disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (bDMARDs) in effectively treated patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

Study Design: Retrospective cohort study of administrative claims data (IMS PharMetrics Plus) for services incurred from July 1, 2008, to December 31, 2014.

Methods: Data from patients with RA aged 18 to 64 years with continuous enrollment for at least 30 months and initiating abatacept, adalimumab, certolizumab pegol, etanercept, golimumab, or infliximab were analyzed.

Using Real World Evidence to Describe Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension Treatment Patterns, Healthcare Resource Utilization, and Costs Associated with PDE-5 Inhibitor Monotherapy.

Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is described by proliferation of small pulmonary arteries leading to increased pulmonary vascular resistance, right ventricular failure, and death. Research confirms long-term improvement in composite morbidity and mortality endpoints on some endothelin receptor antagonists alone and in combination with phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitors (PDE-5is) but not with PDE-5i monotherapy. While current treatment guidelines incorporate these findings, a substantial number of patients are started or maintained on PDE-5i monotherapy.

Estimation of Missed Statin Prescription Use in an Administrative Claims Dataset.

Background: Nonadherence to statin medications is associated with increased risk of cardiovascular disease and poses a challenge to lipid management in patients who are at risk for atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease. Numerous studies have examined statin adherence based on administrative claims data; however, these data may underestimate statin use in patients who participate in generic drug discount programs or who have alternative coverage.

Objective: To estimate the proportion of patients with missing statin claims in a claims database and determine how missing claims affect commonly used utilization metrics.

Evaluation of Patient Migration Patterns and Related Health Care Costs Within a National Medicare Advantage Prescription Drug Plan After Implementation of an Oxycodone HCl Extended-Release Access Restriction.

Background: Health plans use formulary restrictions (e.g., prior authorization, step therapy, tier change, nonformulary status) in an effort to control cost and promote quality, safety, and appropriate prescription utilization.

Impact of Oxycodone HCl Extended-release Formulary Restrictions on Extended-release Opioid Market Share, Healthcare Resource Utilization and Costs in Commercial and Medicare Plans.

Previous research demonstrated that utilization management (UM) such as prior authorization (PA) or non-formulary (NF) restrictions may reduce pharmacy costs when designed and applied appropriately to certain drug classes. However, such access barriers may also have unintended consequences. Few studies systemically analyzed the impact of major UM strategies to extended-release (ER) opioids on different types of health plans.

Consequences of patient access restrictions to branded oxycodone hydrochloride extended-release tablets on healthcare utilization and costs in US health plans.

Objective: To evaluate the impact of increased access restrictions to branded oxycodone hydrochloride extended-release tablets (oxycodone HCl ER), on healthcare utilization and costs in patients using extended-release and long-acting opioids (ER/LA opioids) from the health plan perspective during the period from 1/1/2009 to 6/30/2012.

Methods: This retrospective cohort study analyzed claims data for adult patients from US plans that increased oxycodone HCl ER access restrictions. Study groups were segmented into commercial and Medicare payers, and by prior authorization (PA) and tier change (TC) restrictions.

Probabilistic data linkage: a case study of comparative effectiveness in COPD.

Background: In this era of comparative effectiveness research, new, advanced techniques are being investigated by the research community to overcome the limitations of existing data sources. We describe the approach of probabilistic data linkage as a means to address this critical issue.

Methods: We employed a historical retrospective cohort design.

Synchronization of administrations of chemotherapy and erythropoiesis-stimulating agents and frequency of associated healthcare visits.

Purpose: The erythropoiesis-stimulating agents (ESAs), darbepoetin alfa (DA), and epoetin alfa (EA) differ with respect to dosing schedule in chemotherapy-induced anemia. DA can be administered less frequently than EA, which may increase synchronicity between chemotherapy and ESA schedules. This study compared DA and EA with respect to frequency of synchronization and frequencies of total and ESA healthcare visits in current clinical practice.