Prediction of hearing outcomes in chronic otitis media patients underwent tympanoplasty using ossiculoplasty outcome parameter staging or middle ear risk indices.

Purpose: Ossiculoplasty outcome parameter staging (OOPS) and middle ear risk index (MERI) are the most commonly used indices for predicting prognosis of patients with chronic otitis media (COM). This study aimed to verify the efficiency of OOPS and MERI scores in predicting outcomes of patients with COM who underwent tympanoplasty.

Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the data of patients who underwent tympanoplasty (n = 526).

Brief Report: Utilization of the First Biosimilar Infliximab Since Its Approval in South Korea.

Objective: The US Food and Drug Administration is considering an application for a biosimilar version of infliximab, which has been available in South Korea since November 2012. The aim of the present study was to examine the utilization patterns of both branded and biosimilar infliximab and other tumor necrosis factor (TNF) inhibitors in South Korea before and after the introduction of this biosimilar infliximab.

Methods: Using claims data from April 2009 to March 2014 from the Korean Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service database, which includes the entire South Korean population, the number of claims for biosimilar infliximab was assessed.