Bovine viral diarrhea virus compromises Neutrophil's functions in strain dependent manner.

Bovine viral diarrhea virus (BVDV) infection is a major problem that results in economically important diseases of the cattle industry worldwide. The two major consequences of this disease are persistent infection and immune dysfunction. A number of studies have been done to determine the underline mechanisms of BVDV-induced immune dysfunction, in particular targeting antigen-presenting cells, T- and B- cells and cytokine gene expression.

"It's Just a Band-Aid on Something No One Really Wants to See or Acknowledge": A Photovoice Study with Transitional Aged Youth Experiencing Homelessness to Examine the Roots of San Diego's 2016-2018 Hepatitis A Outbreak.

San Diego, California is consistently ranked among regions with the highest rates of homelessness in the United States. From 2016 to 2018, San Diego experienced an unprecedented outbreak of hepatitis A virus (HAV), largely attributed in media and public health discourse to the region's growing population of people experiencing homelessness. Little attention, however, was devoted to examining the experiences and needs of this population, particularly transitional aged youth (TAY, aged 18-24) experiencing homelessness who may have been uniquely affected by the outbreak.

Risk of cardiovascular events among patients with HIV treated with atazanavir-containing regimens: a retrospective cohort study.

Background: A previous cohort study indicated that atazanavir (ATV), a protease inhibitor used for HIV treatment, is not associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular (CV) events. The objective of this study was to compare the risk of CV events among antiretroviral-naïve patients initiating ATV-containing versus ATV-free ARV regimens.

Methods: Patients with HIV who newly initiated antiretroviral therapy were selected from MarketScan Commercial and Multi-State Medicaid databases.

Comparison of adherence and persistence among adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus initiating saxagliptin or linagliptin.

Background: Adherence and persistence to antidiabetes medications are important to control blood glucose levels among individuals with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2D).

Objectives: The objective of this study was to compare adherence and persistence over a 12-month period between patients initiating saxagliptin and patients initiating linagliptin, two dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitors.

Methods: This retrospective cohort study was conducted in MarketScan(®) Commercial and Medicare Supplemental claims databases.

Cost-effectiveness of edoxaban versus rivaroxaban for stroke prevention in patients with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation (NVAF) in the US.

Background: Understanding the value of new anticoagulation therapies compared with existing therapies is of paramount importance in today's cost-conscious and efficiency-driven health care environment. Edoxaban and rivaroxaban for stroke prevention in nonvalvular atrial fibrillation (NVAF) patients with CHADS2 scores ≥2 have been evaluated in pivotal trials versus warfarin. The relative value of edoxaban versus rivaroxaban would be of interest to health care stakeholders and patients who prefer a once-daily treatment option for long-term stroke prevention in NVAF.

Risk of Cardiovascular Events Among Patients Initiating Efavirenz-Containing Versus Efavirenz-Free Antiretroviral Regimens.

Background.  Efavirenz (EFV), an antiretroviral medication used to treat human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection, can increase lipid levels. Because hyperlipidemia is associated with increased risk for cardiovascular (CV) events, this study compared the risk of CV events in patients initiating EFV-containing vs EFV-free antiretroviral regimens.

Analysis of Adherence, Persistence, and Surgery Among Endometriosis Patients Treated with Leuprolide Acetate Plus Norethindrone Acetate Add-Back Therapy.

Background: Endometriosis affects over 10 million women in the United States. Depot leuprolide acetate (LA), a gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist, has been used extensively for the treatment of women with endometriosis but is associated with hypoestrogenic symptoms and bone mineral density loss. The concomitant use of add-back therapies, specifically norethindrone acetate (NETA), can alleviate these adverse effects.

Analysis of subsequent surgery rates among endometriosis patients who underwent surgery with and without concomitant leuprolide acetate therapy.

Objective To compare subsequent endometriosis-related surgery following initial laparoscopy among women treated with leuprolide acetate (LA) or other endometriosis therapies versus women who received no pharmacotherapy. Research design and methods This retrospective cohort analysis utilized MarketScan Commercial claims data. Women with endometriosis aged 18-49 who underwent laparoscopy between 1 January 2005 and 31 December 2011 were identified using diagnosis and procedures codes and were categorized into four cohorts based on claims within 90 days of laparoscopy: surgery plus adherent LA, surgery plus non-adherent LA, surgery plus other therapy, and surgery alone.

Healthcare Costs Among Adults with Type 2 Diabetes Initiating DPP-4 Inhibitors.

Introduction: Oral antidiabetes medications, including dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitors (DPP-4is) saxagliptin and sitagliptin, are used for the treatment of type 2 diabetes (T2D). The study objective was to compare all-cause and diabetes-related costs following initiation of saxagliptin or sitagliptin.

Methods: Patients aged ≥ 18 years initiating saxagliptin or sitagliptin between January 1, 2009 and January 31, 2012 in the Truven Health MarketScan Commercial and Medicare Supplemental databases were identified.

The impact of persistence with therapy on inpatient admissions and emergency room visits in the US among patients with multiple sclerosis.

Objective: Disease-modifying therapy (DMT) for multiple sclerosis (MS) can reduce relapses and delay progression; however, poor adherence and persistence with DMT can result in sub-optimal outcomes. The associations between DMT adherence and persistence and inpatient admissions and emergency room (ER) visits were investigated.

Methods: Patients with MS who initiated a DMT in a US administrative claims database were followed for 1 year.

Clinical and Economic Outcomes Associated With the Timing of Initiation of Basal Insulin in Patients With Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus Previously Treated With Oral Antidiabetes Drugs.

Purpose: In patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) not achieving glycemic targets using oral antidiabetes drugs (OADs), studies suggest that timely insulin initiation has clinical benefits. Insulin initiation at the early versus late stage of disease progression has not been explored in detail. This retrospective database analysis investigated clinical and economic outcomes associated with the timing of insulin initiation in patients with T2DM treated with ≥1 OAD in a real-world US setting.

Persistence, adherence, and all-cause healthcare costs in atazanavir- and darunavir-treated patients with human immunodeficiency virus in a real-world setting.

Objectives: Atazanavir (ATV) and darunavir (DRV) are protease inhibitors approved for HIV treatment in combination with ritonavir (/r). The objectives of this study were to compare persistence (time to treatment discontinuation/modification), adherence, and healthcare costs among patients with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) initiating ATV/r or DRV/r.

Methods: This retrospective cohort study used commercial and Medicaid administrative insurance claims data.

Clinical and Economic Burden of Antineutrophil Cytoplasmic Antibody-associated Vasculitis in the United States.

Objective: To describe the prevalence of major relapse and healthcare costs among patients with granulomatosis with polyangiitis (GPA); to find patients with microscopic polyangiitis (MPA) in administrative databases, because no MPA diagnosis code exists; and to describe the clinical and economic burden associated with MPA.

Methods: Adults (≥ 18 yrs) with ≥ 2 diagnoses of GPA [International Classification of Diseases-9-Clinical Modification (ICD-9-CM 446.4)] during 2009-2013 were extracted from the Truven Health MarketScan Commercial and Medicare Supplemental databases.

Real-World Dosing Patterns of Atomoxetine in Adults with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder.

Aims: The aim was to investigate the dosing patterns of atomoxetine monotherapy in adult patients with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in a retrospective analysis.

Methods: Adult (≥ 18 years) patients with ADHD newly initiated on atomoxetine with ≥ 1 outpatient pharmacy claim for atomoxetine between January 2006 and December 2011 were selected from the Truven Health MarketScan(®) Commercial database. After a 30-day titration period, dosing patterns of atomoxetine monotherapy were analyzed in the 12 months following initiation.

Comparison of hospital length of stay between hospitalized non-valvular atrial fibrillation patients treated with either apixaban or warfarin.

Background: Hospital length of stay (LOS) is an important cost driver for hospitals and payers alike. Hospitalized non-valvular atrial fibrillation (NVAF) patients treated with apixaban may have shorter LOS than those treated with warfarin because of the absence of need for INR monitoring in apixaban. Thus, this study compared hospital LOS between hospitalized NVAF patients treated with either apixaban or warfarin.

Comparison of Healthcare Costs Between Rheumatoid Arthritis Patients Treated with Infused Biologics After Switching from Another Biologic.

Introduction: While there is a substantial body of literature on the comparative healthcare costs of biologics used to treat rheumatoid arthritis (RA), nearly all of these investigations have been exclusively focused on anti-tumor necrosis factor-α (anti-TNF) agents in the setting of first-line biologic treatment. This study compared healthcare costs between RA patients treated with infused biologics after previously using at least one other biologic agent.

Methods: Using a large US administrative claims dataset, adult RA patients initiating an infused biologic (abatacept, infliximab, tocilizumab) between January 1, 2010 and January 1, 2012 (initiation = index) were identified.

Overall survival in patients with metastatic melanoma.

Introduction: Patients with regionally or distantly metastatic melanoma have poor long-term prognosis. The objective of this analysis was to describe survival rates among patients diagnosed with unresectable stage IIIB/C or stage IV melanoma.

Methods: Using data from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) database, patients diagnosed with unresectable stage IIIB/C and stage IV (M1a, M1b, M1c) melanoma between 2004 and 2009 were selected.

Characteristics and comprehensiveness of adult HIV care and treatment programmes in Asia-Pacific, sub-Saharan Africa and the Americas: results of a site assessment conducted by the International epidemiologic Databases to Evaluate AIDS (IeDEA) Collaboration.

Introduction: HIV care and treatment programmes worldwide are transforming as they push to deliver universal access to essential prevention, care and treatment services to persons living with HIV and their communities. The characteristics and capacity of these HIV programmes affect patient outcomes and quality of care. Despite the importance of ensuring optimal outcomes, few studies have addressed the capacity of HIV programmes to deliver comprehensive care.

Retrospective analysis of long-term adherence to and persistence with DPP-4 inhibitors in US adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Introduction: Patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) must remain adherent and persistent on antidiabetic medications to optimize clinical benefits. This analysis compared adherence and persistence among adults initiating dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitors (DPP-4is), sulfonylureas (SUs), and thiazolidinediones (TZDs) and between patients initiating saxagliptin or sitagliptin, two DPP-4is.

Methods: This retrospective cohort study utilized the US MarketScan(®) (Truven Health Analytics, Ann Arbor, MI, USA) Commercial and Medicare Supplemental health insurance claims databases.

No difference in persistence to treatment with atazanavir or darunavir in HIV patients in a real-world setting.

Introduction: There is a lack of data comparing the protease inhibitors (PIs) atazanavir (ATV) and darunavir (DRV) in a real-world setting. This study compared persistence (time to switch/discontinuation) to therapy between ATV-treated and DRV-treated patients with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV).

Materials And Methods: Retrospective, observational cohort study using US insurance claims for commercially and Medicaid-insured patients.

Price elasticity and medication use: cost sharing across multiple clinical conditions.

Background: To address the impact that out-of-pocket prices may have on medication use, it is vital to understand how the demand for medications may be affected when patients are faced with changes in the price to acquire treatment and how price responsiveness differs across medication classes. 

Objective: To examine the impact of cost-sharing changes on the demand for 8 classes of prescription medications.

Methods: This was a retrospective database analysis of 11,550,363 commercially insured enrollees within the 2005-2009 MarketScan Database.

Follow-up Care among Medicaid Patients with Schizophrenia treated with Antipsychotics in the Inpatient Setting.

For patients with schizophrenia, the transition from inpatient hospitalization to outpatient care presents a challenge to providing continuous care. Lapses in care during this time period can result in poor clinical outcomes. To date, there is little information regarding the association between inpatient antipsychotic treatment and outpatient care.