Biologics and oral systemic treatment preferences in patients and physicians for moderate-to-severe atopic dermatitis: a discrete choice experiment in the United Kingdom and Germany.

As the available treatments for moderate-to-severe atopic dermatitis (AD) expand, understanding patient and physician preferences becomes crucial for informed decision-making. To quantify patient and physician preferences for biologics and oral systemic AD treatment attributes. We conducted a cross-sectional, online discrete choice experiment (DCE) involving 306 AD patients and 206 physicians throughout the United Kingdom and Germany.

Exploring health preference heterogeneity in the UK: Using the online elicitation of personal utility functions approach to construct EQ-5D-5L value functions on societal, group and individual level.

A new method has recently been developed for valuing health states, called 'Online elicitation of Personal Utility Functions' (OPUF). In contrast to established methods, such as time trade-off or discrete choice experiments, OPUF does not require hundreds of respondents, but allows estimating utility functions for small groups and even at the individual level. In this study, we used OPUF to elicit EQ-5D-5L health state preferences from a (not representative) sample of the UK general population, and then compared utility functions on the societal-, group-, and individual level.

Using the Online Elicitation of Personal Utility Functions Approach to Derive a Patient-Based 5-Level Version of EQ-5D Value Set: A Study in 122 Patients With Rheumatic Diseases From Germany.

Objectives: Traditional preference elicitation methods, such as discrete choice experiments or time trade-off, usually require large sample sizes. This can limit their applicability in patient populations, where recruiting enough participants can be challenging. The objective of this study was to test a new method, called the Online elicitation of Personal Utility Functions (OPUF) approach, to derive an EQ-5D-5L value set from a relatively small sample of patients with rheumatic diseases.

Hypothetical versus experienced health state valuation: a qualitative study of adult general public views and preferences.

Objectives: Responses from hypothetical and experienced valuation tasks of health-related quality of life differ, yet there is limited understanding of why these differences exist, what members of the public think about them, and acceptable resolutions. This study explores public understanding of, opinions on, and potential solutions to differences between hypothetical versus experienced responses, in the context of allocating health resources.

Methods: Six focus groups with 30 members of the UK adult public were conducted, transcribed verbatim, and analysed using framework analysis.

The Online Elicitation of Personal Utility Functions (OPUF) tool: a new method for valuing health states.

Introduction Standard valuation methods, such as TTO and DCE are inefficient. They require data from hundreds if not thousands of participants to generate value sets. Here, we present the Online elicitation of Personal Utility Functions (OPUF) tool; a new type of online survey for valuing EQ-5D-5L health states using more efficient, compositional elicitation methods, which even allow estimating value sets on the individual level.

An Innovative Approach to Modelling the Optimal Treatment Sequence for Patients with Relapsing-Remitting Multiple Sclerosis: Implementation, Validation, and Impact of the Decision-Making Approach.

Introduction: An innovative computational model was developed to address challenges regarding the evaluation of treatment sequences in patients with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS) through the concept of a 'virtual' physician who observes and assesses patients over time. We describe the implementation and validation of the model, then apply this framework as a case study to determine the impact of different decision-making approaches on the optimal sequence of disease-modifying therapies (DMTs) and associated outcomes.

Methods: A patient-level discrete event simulation (DES) was used to model heterogeneity in disease trajectories and outcomes.

Mapping EQ-5D-3L to EQ-5D-5L.

Objectives: The original 3-level EQ-5D (EQ-5D-3L) includes 5 dimensions with 3 levels of problems per dimension. Since 2010, a more sensitive version with 5 levels of problems per dimension (EQ-5D-5L) has become available. Population value sets have been developed for both versions of the questionnaire.

Critical appraisal and issues regarding generalisability of comparative effectiveness studies of NOACs in atrial fibrillation and their relation to clinical trial data: a systematic review.

Objective: To critically appraise the published comparative effectiveness studies on non-vitamin K antagonist oral anticoagulants (NOACs) in non-valvular atrial fibrillation (NVAF). Results were compared with expectations formulated on the basis of trial results with specific attention to the patient years in each study.

Methods: All studies that compared the effectiveness or safety between at least two NOACs in patients with NVAF were eligible.

Mortality Prediction of the CHADS-VASc Score, the HAS-BLED Score, and Their Combination in Anticoagulated Patients with Atrial Fibrillation.

Background And Objectives: Atrial fibrillation (AF) is associated with increased mortality, predictors of which are poorly characterized. We investigated the predictive power of the commonly used CHADS-VASc score (congestive heart failure, hypertension, age ≥ 75 years [doubled], diabetes, stroke/transient ischemic attack/thromboembolism [doubled], vascular disease [prior myocardial infarction, peripheral artery disease, or aortic plaque], age 65-75 years, sex category [female]), the HAS-BLED score (hypertension, abnormal renal/liver function, stroke, bleeding history or predisposition, labile international normalized ratio [INR], elderly [age ≥ 65 years], drugs/alcohol concomitantly), and their combination for mortality in AF patients.

Methods: The PREvention oF thromboembolic events-European Registry in Atrial Fibrillation (PREFER in AF) was a prospective registry including AF patients across seven European countries.

Cost-effectiveness of proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 inhibition with evolocumab in patients with a history of myocardial infarction in Sweden.

Aims: To assess the cost-effectiveness of proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 inhibition with evolocumab added to standard-of-care lipid-lowering treatment [maximum tolerated dose (MTD) of statin and ezetimibe] in Swedish patients with a history of myocardial infarction (MI).

Methods And Results: Cost-effectiveness was evaluated using a Markov model based on Swedish observational data on cardiovascular event rates and efficacy from the FOURIER trial. Three risk profiles were considered: recent MI in the previous year; history of MI with a risk factor; and history of MI with a second event within 2 years.

Impact of Patient Characteristics on Treatment Outcomes in Symptomatic Venous Thromboembolism: Results of HOKUSAI-VTE Randomized Trial Analysis.

 In patients with venous thromboembolism (VTE), direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) such as edoxaban, apixaban, dabigatran, and rivaroxaban are more convenient, safer, and just as effective as vitamin K antagonists (VKAs). Limited information is known about the effects of patient characteristics on VTE efficacy and safety of DOACs compared with VKAs, without appropriate effect modifier adjustment comparisons of DOACs may be biased. This study considers the effect of variables that can modify the efficacy and safety of edoxaban and warfarin, using patient-level data.

Methodology of a Novel Risk Stratification Algorithm for Patients with Multiple Myeloma in the Relapsed Setting.

Introduction: Risk stratification tools provide valuable information to inform treatment decisions. Existing algorithms for patients with multiple myeloma (MM) were based on patients with newly diagnosed disease, and these have not been validated in the relapsed setting or in routine clinical practice. We developed a risk stratification algorithm (RSA) for patients with MM at initiation of second-line (2L) treatment, based on data from the Czech Registry of Monoclonal Gammopathies.

The EQ-5D-5L Value Set for England: Response to the "Quality Assurance".

Objectives: To respond to the 'quality assurance' of the EQ-5D-5L value set for England study.

Methods: We provide a point-by-point response to the issues raised by the authors of the quality assurance paper, drawing on theoretical arguments, empirical analyses and practical considerations.

Results: We provide evidence to show that many of the points made by the authors of the quality assurance are misleading, suggest misunderstandings, or are irrelevant.

Updated Cost-effectiveness Analysis of Evolocumab in Patients With Very High-risk Atherosclerotic Cardiovascular Disease.

Importance: In October 2018, evolocumab was made available at a reduced annual list price of $5850 in the United States. This 60% reduction was aimed at improving patient access by lowering patient copays. Shortly thereafter, the 2018 American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association cholesterol management guideline was released.

Health-related quality of life and mortality in patients with pulmonary embolism: a prospective cohort study in seven European countries.

Purpose: Little is known about the quality of life following pulmonary embolism (PE). The aim of the study was to assess the 12-month illness burden in terms of health-related quality of life (HrQoL) and mortality, in relation to differences in patient characteristics.

Methods: The PREFER in VTE registry, a prospective, observational study conducted in seven European countries, was used.

Overview, Update, and Lessons Learned From the International EQ-5D-5L Valuation Work: Version 2 of the EQ-5D-5L Valuation Protocol.

A standardized 5-level EuroQol 5-dimensional questionnaire (EQ-5D-5L) valuation protocol was first used in national studies in the period 2012 to 2013. A set of problems encountered in this initial wave of valuation studies led to the subsequent refinement of the valuation protocol. To clarify lessons learned and how the protocol was updated when moving from version 1.

Comparison of quality of life measurements: EQ-5D-5L versus disease/treatment-specific measures in pulmonary embolism and deep vein thrombosis.

Introduction: There is a lack of performance comparisons of the generic quality of life tool EQ-5D-5L against disease- and treatment-specific measures in venous thromboembolism (VTE). The aim of this study was to compare EQ-5D-5L against the pulmonary embolism (PE)-specific PEmb-QoL and the deep vein thrombosis (DVT)-specific VEINES-QOL/Sym, and PACT-Q2 (treatment-specific) questionnaires in five language settings.

Methods: PREFER in VTE was a non-interventional disease registry conducted between 2013 and 2014 in primary and secondary care across seven European countries with five languages, including English, French, German, Italian and Spanish.

The impact of co-morbidity on the disease burden of VTE.

Venous thromboembolism (VTE) is often accompanied by co-morbidities, which complicate and confound data interpretation concerning VTE-related mortality, costs and quality of life. We aimed to assess the contribution of co-morbidities to the burden of VTE. The PREFER in VTE registry, across seven European countries, documented and followed acute VTE patients over 12 months.

Pulmonary embolism in Europe - Burden of illness in relationship to healthcare resource utilization and return to work.

Objectives: Pulmonary embolism (PE) is associated with a substantial economic burden. However evidence from patients in Europe is scarce. The aim of this study was to report the impacts of PE on healthcare resource utilization (HCRU) and return to work using the PREFER in VTE registry.

Cost-effectiveness of edoxaban compared to warfarin for the treatment and secondary prevention of venous thromboembolism in the UK.

: Venous thromboembolism (VTE), which includes pulmonary embolism (PE) and deep vein thrombosis (DVT), is the third most common acute cardiovascular disease and represents an important burden for patients and payers. : The aim was to estimate the cost-effectiveness of edoxaban, a non-VKA oral anticoagulant vs. warfarin, the currently most prescribed treatment for VTE in the UK.

A new method for valuing health: directly eliciting personal utility functions.

Background: Standard methods for eliciting the preference data upon which 'value sets' are based generally have in common an aim to 'uncover' people's preferences by asking them to evaluate a subset of health states, then using their responses to infer their preferences over all dimensions and levels. An alternative approach is to ask people directly about the relative importance to them of the dimensions, levels and interactions between them. This paper describes a new stated preference approach for directly eliciting personal utility functions (PUFs), and reports a pilot study to test its feasibility for valuing the EQ-5D.

An exploration of the non-iterative time trade-off method to value health states.

Time Trade-Off (TTO) usually relies on "iteration," which is susceptible to bias. Discrete Choice Experiment with duration (or DCE ) is free of such bias, but respondents find this cognitively more challenging. This paper explores non-iterative TTO with or without lead time: NI(LT)TTO.

Correction to: Comparing the UK EQ-5D-3L and English EQ-5D-5L Value Sets.

The article Comparing the UK EQ-5D-3L and English EQ-5D-5L Value Sets, written by Brendan Mulhern, Yan Feng, Koonal Shah, Mathieu F. Janssen, Michael Herdman, Ben van Hout, Nancy Devlin was originally published electronically on the publisher's internet portal (currently SpringerLink) on February 23, 2018 without open access.