Outcomes and cost comparison of three therapeutic approaches to allergic rhinitis.

Background: Allergic rhinitis (AR) is a global health problem because of its increasing impact on economics, society, and the individual's quality of life. This study compares the outcomes and cost of three intranasal therapeutic approaches to the treatment of AR.

Methods: This was a retrospective cohort study using propensity scores to achieve balanced cohorts.

Comprehensive report of olopatadine 0.6% nasal spray as treatment for children with seasonal allergic rhinitis.

Allergic rhinitis (AR) is highly prevalent in children. Olopatadine, 0.6% nasal spray (olopatadine) is approved for the relief of seasonal allergic rhinitis (SAR) symptoms in children 6 years of age and older.

The economic burden of dry eye disease in the United States: a decision tree analysis.

Purpose: The aim of this study was to estimate both the direct and indirect annual cost of managing dry eye disease (DED) in the United States from a societal and a payer's perspective.

Methods: A decision analytic model was developed to estimate the annual cost for managing a cohort of patients with dry eye with differing severity of symptoms and treatment. The direct costs included ocular lubricants, cyclosporine, punctal plugs, physician visits, and nutritional supplements.

Clinically important difference in dry eye: change in IDEEL-symptom bother.

Purpose: The impact of dry eye on everyday living (IDEEL) is a valid, reliable questionnaire with 3 modules; symptom bother (SB), quality of life, and treatment satisfaction. This study tests the utility of the 20-item IDEEL-SB to discrimate self-assessed severity in dry eye subjects and to determine the clinically important difference (CID) in IDEEL-SB score that relates to a self-report of global change in dry eye condition after treatment.

Methods: After randomization to 1 of 3 marketed tear replacements, dry eye subjects completed the IDEEL-SB at baseline, 1 and 4 wk and global change questionnaire on status of general health and dry eye at 1 and 4 wk (5-point Likert scale; "much better" to "much worse").

Medication compliance and persistence: terminology and definitions.

Objective: The aim of the study is to provide guidance regarding the meaning and use of the terms "compliance" and "persistence" as they relate to the study of medication use.

Methods: A literature review and debate on appropriate terminology and definitions were carried out.

Results: Medication compliance and medication persistence are two different constructs.

Comprehensive report of the efficacy, safety, quality of life, and work impact of Olopatadine 0.6% and Olopatadine 0.4% treatment in patients with seasonal allergic rhinitis.

Seasonal allergic rhinitis (SAR) treatment should reduce symptoms and help patients resume normal function. This study was performed to determine the effect of olopatadine (Olo) nasal spray on symptoms, quality of life (QoL), work, and activities of SAR patients. A pooled analysis was conducted of two Institutional Review Board-approved, randomized, double-blind clinical trials that compared 2-week treatment with Olo 0.

Improved quality of life among seasonal allergic rhinitis patients treated with olopatadine HCl nasal spray 0.4% and olopatadine HCl nasal spray 0.6% compared with vehicle placebo.

Seasonal allergic rhinitis (SAR) exerts a significant adverse impact on health-related quality of life (QoL) and productivity of those who suffer from it. Unfortunately, some therapies for SAR also have a negative impact. Therefore, it is important to scrutinize the influence of new SAR therapies on patients' QoL and ability to function.