Patient characteristics and acute cardiovascular event rates among patients with very high-risk and non-very high-risk atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease.

Background: The risk for subsequent major cardiovascular (CV) events among patients with very high-risk (VHR) atherosclerotic CV disease (ASCVD) remains to be fully elucidated.

Hypothesis: We assessed the characteristics and major CV event rates of patients with VHR versus non-VHR ASCVD in a real-world setting in the United States (US), hypothesizing that patients with VHR ASCVD would have higher CV event rates.

Methods: This was a retrospective cohort study conducted from January 01, 2011, to June 30, 2018, in the US using the Prognos LDL-C database linked to the IQVIA PharMetrics Plus® database supplemented with the IQVIA prescription claims (Dx/LRx) databases.

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.

Demographic And Clinical Characteristics Of Patients Prescribed Proprotein Convertase Subtilisin/kexin Type 9 Inhibitor Therapy And Patients Whose Current Lipid-Lowering Therapy Was Modified.

Purpose: Our objective was to describe the demographic and clinical characteristics of real-world patients in the US with elevated low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) whose lipid-lowering therapy (LLT) ─ both proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9) inhibitor and non-PCSK9 inhibitor ─ was actively modified.

Methods: This retrospective cohort study used linked laboratory (Prognos), pharmacy (IMS Formulary Impact Analyzer), and medical claims (IQVIA Dx/LRx or PharMetrics Plus) data. PCSK9 inhibitor-prescribed patients with LDL-C ≥70 mg/dL (multiply by 0.

Healthcare Policy Changes in Osteoporosis Can Improve Outcomes and Reduce Costs in the United States.

In the United States, osteoporosis affects over 10 million adults, has high societal costs ($22 billion in 2008), and is currently being underdiagnosed and undertreated. Given an aging population, this burden is expected to rise. We projected the fracture burden in US women by modeling the expected demographic shift as well as potential policy changes.

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.

Neural interrelationships of autonomic ganglia from the pelvic region of male rats.

The aims of the present study were to describe, in male rats, the anatomical organization of the major and accessory pelvic ganglia (MPG, AG; respectively), the interrelationship of the pelvic plexus components, and the morphometry of the pelvic postganglionic neurons. Anatomical, histochemical and histological studies were performed in anesthetized adult Wistar male rats. We found that the pelvic plexus consists of intricate neural circuits composed of two MPG, and three pairs of AG (AGI, AGII, AGIII) anatomically interrelated through ipsilateral and contralateral commissural nerves.

Selling the product: Strategies to increase recruitment and retention of Spanish-speaking Latinos in biomedical research.

Introduction: The Latino population in the US is rapidly growing and faces profound health disparities; however, engagement of Latinos in biomedical research remains low. Our community-based participatory research (CBPR) partnership has recruited 2,083 Spanish-speaking Latinos into 21 studies over 15 years. We sought to identify and describe the strategies we have used to successfully recruit and retain Spanish-speaking Latinos in research.

Physicians' preferences for bone metastases treatments in France, Germany and the United Kingdom.

Background: Several bone-targeted agents (BTAs) are available for preventing skeletal-related events (SREs), but they vary in terms of efficacy, safety and mode of administration. This study assessed data on European physicians' treatment preferences for preventing SREs in patients with bone metastases from solid tumours.

Methods: Physicians completed a web-based discrete-choice experiment survey of 10 choices between pairs of profiles of hypothetical BTAs for a putative patient.

Small-Group Randomized Controlled Trial to Increase Condom Use and HIV Testing Among Hispanic/Latino Gay, Bisexual, and Other Men Who Have Sex With Men.

Objectives: To evaluate the HOLA en Grupos intervention, a Spanish-language small-group behavioral HIV prevention intervention designed to increase condom use and HIV testing among Hispanic/Latino gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men.

Methods: In 2012 to 2015, we recruited and randomized 304 Hispanic/Latino men who have sex with men, aged 18 to 55 years in North Carolina, to the 4-session HOLA en Grupos intervention or an attention-equivalent general health education comparison intervention. Participants completed structured assessments at baseline and 6-month follow-up.

International survey of androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) for non-metastatic prostate cancer in 19 countries.

Background: Continuous androgen deprivation therapy (CADT) is commonly used for patients with non-metastatic prostate cancer as primary therapy for high-risk disease, adjuvant therapy together with radiation or for recurrence after initial local therapy. Intermittent ADT (IADT), a recently developed alternative strategy for providing ADT, is thought to potentially reduce adverse effects, but little is known about practice patterns relating to it. We aimed to describe factors related to physicians' ADT use and modality for patients with non-metastatic prostate cancer.

Risk of skeletal related events among elderly prostate cancer patients by site of metastasis at diagnosis.

The purpose of this study was to estimate the risk of developing skeletal-related events (SREs) based on site of metastasis at diagnosis and identify other predictors of developing SREs among metastatic prostate cancer patients. We conducted a retrospective cohort study using linked SEER (Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results) and Medicare data and identified men over the age of 65 with incident metastatic prostate cancer diagnosed during 2005-2009. SREs included radiation (RAD), pathological fractures (PF), bone surgery (BS), and spinal cord compression (SCC).

Burden of symptoms associated with development of metastatic bone disease in patients with breast cancer.

Purpose: Women with breast cancer frequently develop painful bone metastases. This retrospective study was designed to longitudinally characterize patterns of patient-reported symptoms among patients with breast cancer relative to the diagnosis of bone metastases.

Methods: Patient records were identified from the Oncology Services Comprehensive Electronic Records (OSCER) database which includes outpatient oncology practices across the USA.

Healthcare resource use and costs associated with renal impairment in US patients with bone metastases from solid tumors.

Introduction During cancer progression, more than half of patients develop renal insufficiency, including chronic kidney disease. The primary and secondary objectives of this study were to estimate healthcare resource use and costs, respectively, associated with renal impairment in patients with bone metastases from solid tumors in the United States. Methods and materials This was a retrospective, observational cohort study conducted using administrative claims data for individuals with solid tumors and bone metastases.

Patient, Caregiver, and Nurse Preferences for Treatments for Bone Metastases from Solid Tumors.

Background: Bone-targeted agents (BTAs) used for the prevention of skeletal-related events (SREs) associated with metastatic bone disease possess different attributes that factor into treatment decisions.

Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate preferences of patients, caregivers, and nurses for features of BTAs used to prevent SREs in patients with a self-reported physician diagnosis of bone metastasis from solid tumors.

Methods: Patients (n = 187), primary caregivers (n = 197), or nurses (n = 196) completed a web-enabled discrete-choice experiment (10-question survey) in which they chose between pairs of hypothetical profiles of BTAs.

Safety of long-term denosumab therapy: results from the open label extension phase of two phase 3 studies in patients with metastatic breast and prostate cancer.

Purpose: Zoledronic acid (ZA) or denosumab treatment reduces skeletal-related events; however, the safety of prolonged therapy has not been adequately studied. Here, we describe safety results of extended denosumab therapy in patients with bone metastases from the open-label extension phase of two phase 3 trials.

Methods: Patients with metastatic breast or prostate cancer received subcutaneous denosumab 120 mg Q4W or intravenous ZA 4 mg Q4W in a double-blinded fashion.

Measurement of skeletal related events in SEER-Medicare: a comparison of claims-based methods.

Background: Skeletal related events (SREs) are common in men with metastatic prostate cancer (mPC). Various methods have been used to identify SREs from claims data. The objective of this study was to provide a framework for measuring SREs from claims and compare SRE prevalence and cumulative incidence estimates based on alternative approaches in men with mPC.

Prevalence of bone metastases and bone-targeting agent use among solid tumor patients in the United States.

Purpose: Patients with bone metastases are at an increased risk of experiencing morbidity due to bone complications, and bone-targeting agents (BTA) are indicated for the prevention of these complications. Population-based estimates of the prevalence of bone metastases associated with solid tumors, and current treatment patterns for these patients, are limited. This study was undertaken to estimate the prevalence of bone metastases from solid tumors and to describe recent trends in the use of BTA in the US.

Cost of palliative external beam radiotherapy (EBRT) use for bone metastases secondary to prostate cancer.

Background: Evaluations of the costs of palliative external beam radiation therapy (EBRT) for treatment of bone metastases are limited.

Objective: To summarize EBRT lifetime care patterns in deceased men with metastatic prostate cancer treated in a cancer hospital in the United States.

Methods: A retrospective review of electronic health records identified deceased adult prostate cancer (ICD-9 185.

Prevalence of renal impairment and use of nephrotoxic agents among patients with bone metastases from solid tumors in the United States.

The renal status of patients with bone metastases secondary to solid tumors and their treatment with nephrotoxic agents is not well characterized. This retrospective study analyzed electronic medical records data from US-based oncology clinics to identify adult (age ≥18) solid tumor patients with first bone metastasis diagnosis and ≥1 serum creatinine recorded between January 1, 2009 and December 31, 2013. Patients with multiple myeloma, multiple primary tumor types, acute renal failure, and/or end-stage renal disease were excluded.

Physicians' preferences for bone metastases drug therapy in the United States.

Objective: Several characteristics of bone-targeted agents are considered when making treatment decisions. This study evaluated physicians' therapy preferences for preventing skeletal-related events (SREs) in patients with bone metastases secondary to solid tumors.

Methods: A Web-enabled, discrete-choice experiment online survey was conducted among physicians who treated patients with bone metastases and solid tumors in the United States.

Short-term disability in solid tumor patients with bone metastases and skeletal-related events.

Objective: The skeleton is a common site of metastasis in patients with solid tumors. These patients often experience pain and reduced quality-of-life. This analysis evaluated the time and costs associated with short-term disability use among solid tumor patients with bone metastases (BM) and skeletal-related events (SREs).

Patient preferences for treatments to delay bone metastases.

Background: Most patients with advanced prostate cancer (PCa) develop bone metastases (BM) and present with bone complications like fracture. Bone-targeted agents that prevent metastasis-induced bone complications can cause adverse events. Understanding how patients view treatment options may optimize care.

Patients' preferences for bone metastases treatments in France, Germany and the United Kingdom.

Purpose: The aim of this study was to assess patients' preferences for efficacy, safety, and mode of administration in relation to available bone-targeted agents (BTA) for the prevention of skeletal-related events (SREs) associated with bone metastases in Europe.

Methods: Adults in France (n = 159), Germany (n = 166), and the United Kingdom (UK; n = 159) with a self-reported physician diagnosis of bone metastases secondary to a solid tumour completed an online discrete- choice experiment survey of ten questions, choosing between pairs of hypothetical BTA profiles. Profiles were defined by five treatment attributes: delay of first SRE, delay of worsening of pain, annual risk of osteonecrosis of the jaw (ONJ), annual risk of renal impairment, and mode of administration.