Identifying Predictors of Anti-VEGF Treatment Response in Patients with Neovascular Age-Related Macular Degeneration through Discriminant and Principal Component Analysis.

Objective: AURA was an observational study that monitored visual acuity outcomes following ranibizumab use in neovascular age-related macular degeneration patients over 2 years. The aim of this analysis was to identify factors that were predictive of visual acuity outcomes in AURA.

Methods: The correlation between the baseline characteristics, the use of resources and the visual acuity outcomes in AURA was explored using principal component analysis (PCA) and partial least-squares-discriminant analysis (PLS-DA).

Aflibercept vs. Ranibizumab: cost-effectiveness of treatment for wet age-related macular degeneration in Sweden.

Purpose: Monthly dosing with ranibizumab (RBZ) is needed to achieve maximal visual gains in patients with neovascular ('wet') age-related macular degeneration (wAMD). In Sweden, dosing is performed as needed (RBZ PRN), resulting in suboptimal efficacy. Intravitreal aflibercept (IVT-AFL) every 2 months after three initial monthly doses was clinically equivalent to RBZ monthly dosing (RBZ q4) in wAMD clinical trials.

Key drivers of visual acuity gains in neovascular age-related macular degeneration in real life: findings from the AURA study.

Background/aims: To identify predictive markers for the outcomes of anti-vascular endothelial growth factor therapy for neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nAMD).

Methods: AURA was a retrospective, observational, multicentre study that monitored the 2-year outcomes following intravitreal ranibizumab treatment in patients with nAMD. Using stepwise regression analysis, we evaluated the association between visual acuity outcomes, baseline characteristics and resource utilisation in order to determine which variables are significantly linked to outcomes in AURA.

The emotional and physical impact of wet age-related macular degeneration: findings from the wAMD Patient and Caregiver Survey.

Objectives: This was a cross-sectional survey to evaluate the physical and emotional impact of wet age-related macular degeneration (wAMD) on a global cohort of patients who were receiving (or had previously received) antivascular endothelial growth factor injections, and caregivers (paid and unpaid).

Methods: The survey was performed in nine countries using an ophthalmologist-devised questionnaire.

Results: A total of 910 patients and 890 caregivers completed the questionnaire.

Current barriers to treatment for wet age-related macular degeneration (wAMD): findings from the wAMD patient and caregiver survey.

Purpose: A cross-sectional survey to evaluate the current management of wet age-related macular degeneration (wAMD) and to identify barriers to treatment from a patient and caregiver perspective.

Methods: An ophthalmologist-devised questionnaire was given to a global cohort of patients who were receiving (or had previously received) antivascular endothelial growth factor injections and to caregivers (paid and unpaid) to evaluate the impact of wAMD on their lives.

Results: Responders included 910 patients and 890 caregivers; wAMD was diagnosed in both eyes in 45% of patients, and 64% had been receiving injections for > 1 year.

Improvement in vision-related function with intravitreal aflibercept: data from phase 3 studies in wet age-related macular degeneration.

Purpose: To evaluate the effect of intravitreal aflibercept injection on visual function in wet age-related macular degeneration (AMD).

Design: Prospective, multicenter, double-masked, active-controlled, parallel-group, randomized phase 3 clinical studies (VEGF Trap-Eye: Investigation of Efficacy and Safety in Wet AMD [VIEW] 1 and 2 [clinicaltrials.gov identifiers, NCT00509795 and NCT00637377, respectively]).

A systematic literature review of utility weights in wet age-related macular degeneration.

Objective: The objective of the study was to conduct a systematic review of utility weight estimates relevant to economic models for wet age-related macular degeneration (wAMD).

Methods: A systematic literature search of PubMed, Embase, the Cochrane Library, and EconLit was performed (January 1995-December 2010) and then updated (October 2010-May 2012; February 2012-July 2013) identifying articles reporting utilities in patients with wAMD and visual impairment. Extracted studies were also assessed for compliance with the NICE reference case.

Impact of estradiol valerate/dienogest on work productivity and activities of daily living in women with heavy menstrual bleeding.

Objectives: To quantify the change in work productivity and activities of daily living in North American women with heavy menstrual bleeding (HMB) treated with estradiol valerate/dienogest (E2V/DNG; Qlaira(®)/Natazia(®)) compared to placebo.

Methods: Women in the United States and Canada, aged 20-53 years with an objective diagnosis of HMB and no recognizable anatomical pathology, were treated with E2V/DNG or placebo for seven cycles (196 days). Main outcome measures included work productivity (i.

Impact of estradiol-valerate/dienogest on work productivity and activities of daily living in European and Australian women with heavy menstrual bleeding.

Background: The purpose of this study was to quantify the impact of estradiol-valerate/dienogest (E(2)V/DNG; Qlaira(®)/Natazia(®)) on work productivity and activities of daily living in European and Australian women with heavy menstrual bleeding.

Methods: Women aged 18-54 years with a confirmed diagnosis of heavy menstrual bleeding and no recognizable pathology were recruited across nine European countries (the Czech Republic, Finland, Germany, Hungary, The Netherlands, Poland, Sweden, UK, and Ukraine) and Australia. The women were randomized to receive either E(2)V/DNG (n = 149) or placebo (n = 82) for seven treatment cycles (196 days).

Potential economic impact of increasing low dose aspirin usage on CVD in the US.

Background: Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is a leading cause of death in the US and Western Europe, but regular use of preventive low-dose aspirin has proven effective in preventing CVD events. The purpose of this study was to explore the potential economic impact in the US if preventive aspirin usage were to be increased in line with clinical guidelines for primary and secondary prevention.

Methods: The risk profile of the US population was characterized using NHANES data, and Framingham cardiovascular risk equations were applied to calculate risk for myocardial infarction, angina and ischemic stroke according to age and gender.

A review of international pharmacoeconomic models assessing the use of aspirin in primary prevention.

Purpose: The aim of this narrative review was to summarise the cost analyses and supporting trial data for aspirin prophylaxis in primary prevention.

Methods: A PubMed search using the term 'aspirin and cost-effective and primary prevention' was performed. Professional meetings (2009) were also searched for any relevant abstracts contacting the terms 'aspirin' and 'cost effectiveness'.

Economic costs of overactive bladder in the United States.

Objectives: To calculate, from a societal perspective, current direct (medical and nonmedical) and indirect costs of overactive bladder (OAB) in the United States and project them to future years. Existing cost assessments of OAB in the United States are incomplete and outdated.

Methods: A prevalence-based model was developed incorporating age- and sex-specific OAB prevalence rates, usage data, and productivity data.

Generation of a Danish TTO value set for EQ-5D health states.

Aims: Health policy decisions should be based on national social preferences. In the absence of a set of Danish health preferences, patient outcome studies using the EQ-5D instrument have typically used UK health state valuations. This article describes the development of a Danish EQ-5D value set.

Measuring the impact of diabetes through patient report of treatment satisfaction, productivity and symptom experience.

Objective: Diabetes is a common, debilitating chronic illness with multiple impacts. The impact on treatment satisfaction, productivity impairment and the symptom experience may be among the most important for patient-reported outcomes. This study developed and validated disease-specific, patient-reported measures for these outcomes that address limitations in currently available measures.

Impact of hypoglycaemia on quality of life and productivity in type 1 and type 2 diabetes.

Aim: To characterise the impact of increasing severity and frequency of hypoglycaemia on utility, quality of life, primary care resource use and productivity (time away from normal activities) in people with both Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes.

Methods: A postal survey was sent to 3200 people with diabetes. Self-reported episodes of mild, moderate, severe and nocturnal hypoglycaemia were quantified from a list of signs and symptoms.

Cost-effectiveness of detemir-based basal/bolus therapy versus NPH-based basal/bolus therapy for type 1 diabetes in a UK setting: an economic analysis based on meta-analysis results of four clinical trials.

Background: A meta-analysis of results from four clinical trials in type 1 diabetes patients showed that insulin detemir (IDet)-based basal/bolus treatment of type 1 diabetes led to improved HbA1c (0.15%-points lower), reduced risk of major hypoglycaemic events (by 2%) and reduction in body mass index (BMI) (0.26 kg/m2) compared to protamine Hagedorn human (NPH) insulin-based basal/bolus therapy in type 1 patients.

Ability to perform activities of daily living is the main factor affecting quality of life in patients with dementia.

Background: Dementia is a chronic illness associated with a progressive loss of cognitive and intellectual abilities, such as memory, judgment and abstract thinking. The objective of this study was to assess the health utilities of patients with dementia in Europe and identify the key factors influencing their Health-Related Quality of Life (HRQol).

Methods: This study used cross-sectional data from the Odense study; a Danish cohort of patients aged 65-84 living in Odense, Denmark.