Cost-minimization analysis of the direct costs of TPE and IVIg in the treatment of Guillain-Barré syndrome.

Background: Controlled trials have found therapeutic plasma exchange (TPE) and intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIg) infusion therapy to be equally efficacious in treating Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS). Due to increases in the price of IVIg compared to human serum albumin (HSA), used as a replacement fluid in TPE, we examined direct hospital-level expenditures for TPE and IVIg for meaningful cost-differences between these treatments.

Methods: Using financial data from our two institutions, hospital cost profiles for IVIg and 5% albumin were established.

Differences in annual medication costs and rates of dosage increase between tumor necrosis factor-antagonist therapies for rheumatoid arthritis in a managed care population.

Background: Tumor necrosis factor (TNF) antagonists are commonly used to treat rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Differences in the dosage and mode of administration of these agents may result in differential rates of dosage adjustment and costs of care.

Objective: This study compared dosing patterns and annual costs associated with the use of the subcutaneous TNF antagonists adalimumab and etanercept, and the intravenous TNF antagonist infliximab.

Economic burden of transformed migraine: results from the American Migraine Prevalence and Prevention (AMPP) Study.

Objective: To evaluate the impact of incident transformed migraine on health care resource utilization, medication use, and productivity loss. In addition, the study estimates the total direct and indirect costs associated with transformed migraine.

Background: Emerging evidence indicates that migraine may be a chronic progressive disorder characterized by escalating frequency of headache attacks, often termed transformed migraine.

Management of hyperlipidemia in older adults.

Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death in men and women older than 65 years; therefore, its prevention is an important public health priority. Although cardiovascular risk is multifactorial, elevated low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels contribute to risk even in old age. Despite the importance of lowering low-density lipoprotein cholesterol with statins to reduce cardiovascular events, specific evidence and recommendations for older populations are limited.

The burden of migraine in the United States: current and emerging perspectives on disease management and economic analysis.

Objectives: Migraine is often perceived as a low-impact condition that imposes a limited burden to society and the health-care system. This study reviews the current understanding of the burden of migraine in the U.S.

Clinical and economic outcomes of nonadherence to highly active antiretroviral therapy in patients with human immunodeficiency virus.

Background: Nonadherence with highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) is common in typical human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) patient care settings, but the consequences have not been well described. This study aimed to quantify the clinical and economic effects of nonadherence and estimate the cost-effectiveness of improving adherence in treatment-naive HIV patients.

Methods: A Markov model was developed to project quality-adjusted life expectancy and direct medical costs for patients on an initial once-daily regimen of efavirenz, lamivudine, and stavudine XR.

Clinical and economic burden of psoriasis.

In an effort to assess the burden associated with psoriasis, the MEDLINE database and bibliographies of articles published from 1975 through 2004 were searched, emphasizing patients with moderate-to-severe disease, to summarize the current understanding on various aspects of disease burden. The clinical burden of psoriasis is both well documented and significant. The disease is debilitating: Sufficient disease severity interferes with patients' work and day-to-day living.