Economic burden of hospital admissions for patients with acute bacterial skin and skin structure infections in the United States.

: We estimated the total US hospital costs associated with acute bacterial skin and skin structure infection (ABSSSI) admissions as well as the admissions that may have been potential candidates for outpatient parenteral antimicrobial therapy (OPAT). : We assessed inpatient admissions for ABSSSI from the Premier database (2011-2014), focusing on all admissions of adults with length of stay (LOS) ≥ 1 days and a primary diagnosis of erysipelas, cellulitis/abscess, or wound infection. We performed a detailed analysis of 2014 admissions for patient, treatment, hospital, and economic characteristic variables.

Performance of claims-based algorithms for identifying incident thyroid cancer in commercial health plan enrollees receiving antidiabetic drug therapies.

Background: Thyroid cancer incidence is increasing in the United States (US) and many other countries. The objective of this study was to develop and evaluate algorithms using administrative medical claims data for identification of incident thyroid cancer.

Methods: This effort was part of a prospective cohort study of adults initiating therapy on antidiabetic drugs and used administrative data from a large commercial health insurer in the US.

Assessment of off-label use of denosumab 60 mg injection during the early postmarketing period using health insurance claims data.

Unlabelled: Off-label use of denosumab 60 milligram (mg) injection was assessed within an administrative claims database. The completeness of claims to assess off-label use was investigated with medical record review. Potential denosumab 60 mg off-label use was observed based on claims, but many had evidence of on-label indications based on medical record review.

Development and evaluation of an algorithm to identify users of Prolia(®) during the early postmarketing period using health insurance claims data.

Purpose: The goal of this study is to develop and validate an algorithm to identify Prolia(®) users within a health insurance claims database.

Methods: Patients with a denosumab-specific or nonspecific administration claim during the early period of Prolia availability in the USA (June 1, 2010 to March 31, 2012) were classified as definite, probable, possible, and nonusers of Prolia using an algorithm consisting of nine different components based on claims patterns consistent with Prolia use. Medical record review confirmed a sample of definite, probable, and possible users and the positive predictive value (PPV) was estimated.

A comparison of data sources for the surveillance of work-related carpal tunnel syndrome in Massachusetts.

Background: This study examined whether a state surveillance system for work-related carpal tunnel syndrome (WR-CTS) based on workers' compensation claims (Sentinel Event Notification System for Occupational Risks, SENSOR) and the Annual Survey of Occupational Injuries and Illnesses (SOII) identified the same industries, occupations, sources of injury, and populations for intervention.

Methods: Trends in counts, rates, and female/male ratios of WR-CTS during 1994-1997, and age distributions were compared across three data sources: SENSOR, Massachusetts SOII, and National SOII. SENSOR and National SOII data on WR-CTS were compared by industry, occupation, and injury source.