Concordance of hospitalizations between Clinical Practice Research Datalink and linked Hospital Episode Statistics among patients treated with oral antidiabetic therapies.

Purpose: The ability of the Clinical Practice Research Datalink (CPRD) to ascertain all-cause hospitalizations remains unknown. We determined the proportion of hospitalizations in CPRD that were also recorded in Hospital Episode Statistics (HES), and vice versa, among patients initiating oral antidiabetic (OAD) therapy.

Methods: We conducted a retrospective cohort study from October 2009 to September 2012 among OAD-treated patients registered with general practitioners who contribute to CPRD and consent to HES linkage.

Glycaemic, weight, and blood pressure changes associated with early versus later treatment intensification with dapagliflozin in United Kingdom primary care patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Aims: Early treatment intensification for type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is often required to achieve glycaemic control and avoid longer-term complications. We assessed associations between early versus later dapagliflozin initiation with changes in glucose control, weight, and blood pressure using UK Clinical Practice Research Datalink (CPRD) data.

Methods: People with T2DM aged ≥18 years, initiating dapagliflozin between November 2012 and August 2016 and with prior oral T2DM therapy (N = 3774), were included.

SGLT-2 Inhibitors and Cardiovascular Risk: An Analysis of CVD-REAL.

Background: Prior studies found patients treated with sodium-glucose co-transporter-2 inhibitors (SGLT-2i) had lower rates of death and heart failure (HF). Whether the benefits of SGLT-2i vary based upon the presence of cardiovascular disease (CVD) is unknown.

Objectives: This study sought to determine the association between initiation of SGLT-2i therapy and HF or death in patients with and without CVD.

Impact of increased influenza vaccination in 2-3-year-old children on disease burden within the general population: A Bayesian model-based approach.

Introduction: During the 2013-2014 influenza season, Public Health England extended routine influenza vaccination to all 2- and 3-year-old children in England. To estimate the impact of this change in policy on influenza-related morbidity and mortality, we developed a disease transmission and surveillance model informed by real-world data.

Methods: We combined real-world and literature data sources to construct a model of influenza transmission and surveillance in England.

Topical prostaglandin fixed combinations in UK primary care: observational study using data from the health improvement network.

Purpose: To describe the use of 3 prostaglandin/timolol fixed combinations (FCs) in UK primary care, to summarize characteristics of recipients, and to assess 12-month persistence.

Methods: This retrospective cohort study included first-time recipients of latanoprost/timolol FC, bimatoprost/timolol FC, or travoprost/timolol FC treated between April 1, 2007, and November 30, 2008, identified in The Health Improvement Network database, a large database of anonymized longitudinal electronic medical records of patients treated in UK primary care. Eligible patients were = 18 years old at the index date (date of first prescription).

Generalisability of The Health Improvement Network (THIN) database: demographics, chronic disease prevalence and mortality rates.

Introduction: The degree of generalisability of patient databases to the general population is important for interpreting database research. This report describes the representativeness of The Health Improvement Network (THIN), a UK primary care database, of the UK population.

Methods: Demographics, deprivation (Townsend), Quality and Outcomes Framework (QOF) condition prevalence and deaths from THIN were compared with national statistical and QOF 2006/2007 data.

Evaluation of varenicline as an aid to smoking cessation in UK general practice - a THIN database study.

Objectives: Varenicline is a licensed smoking cessation medication in the EU, USA and many other countries worldwide. This study was designed to assess its effectiveness in a UK general practice setting.

Methods: The main outcome measure was the rate of smoking cessation, defined as the seven-day point prevalence after six months from starting varenicline.

The importance of defining periods of complete mortality reporting for research using automated data from primary care.

Purpose: To define periods of acceptable mortality reporting in primary care and to demonstrate through examples the implication for research using automated medical data.

Methods: Annual death counts were obtained for each primary care practice participating in The Health Improvement Network "THIN" (UK). Expected counts were calculated from national death rates, accounting for the practice's age/sex structure.

Prescribing trends and drug budget impact of the ARBs in the UK.

Objectives: Angiotensin II receptor blockers (ARBs) were introduced into the UK antihypertensive drug market at a premium price relative to other antihypertensives during a period of evolving evidence about hypertension treatment. This study aimed to determine the UK antihypertensive drug budget impact as the first ARB market launched in December 1994 and what proportion of the increase was directly attributable to ARBs.

Methods: Prescriptions for oral antihypertensives were identified from The Health Improvement Network database.

Comparing cost-effectiveness analyses of anti-hypertensive drug therapy for decision making: mission impossible?

The purpose of this literature review was to compare the methodology used in the most recently published cost-effectiveness studies of antihypertensive treatments, and to identify methodological strengths and weaknesses that indicate the study's potential as a useful, decision-making tool. Based on the results of a search of several databases, spanning the years 1995 to 2000, 10 cost-effectiveness studies were identified. Although the majority of the studies reported their cost-effectiveness ratio in "costs per year of life gained," the studies also considered a varying range of components including additional end points.