Cost-effectiveness of brentuximab vedotin for the treatment of cutaneous T-cell lymphoma.

To assess the cost-effectiveness of brentuximab vedotin (BV) versus physician's choice (methotrexate or bexarotene) for treating advanced cutaneous T-cell lymphoma. A partitioned-survival model was developed from the National Health Service perspective in England and Wales. Model inputs were informed by the ALCANZA trial, real-world UK data, published literature or clinical experts.

Systematic Review and Network Meta-Analysis on the Efficacy of Evolocumab and Other Therapies for the Management of Lipid Levels in Hyperlipidemia.

Background: The proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9) inhibitors evolocumab and alirocumab substantially reduce low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) when added to statin therapy in patients who need additional LDL-C reduction.

Methods And Results: We conducted a systematic review and network meta-analysis of randomized trials of lipid-lowering therapies from database inception through August 2016 (45 058 records retrieved). We found 69 trials of lipid-lowering therapies that enrolled patients requiring further LDL-C reduction while on maximally tolerated medium- or high-intensity statin, of which 15 could be relevant for inclusion in LDL-C reduction networks with evolocumab, alirocumab, ezetimibe, and placebo as treatment arms.

Differences in utility elicitation methods in cardiovascular disease: a systematic review.

Aims: Utility values inform estimates of the cost-effectiveness of treatment for cardiovascular disease (CVD), but values can vary depending on the method used. The aim of this systematic literature review (SLR) was to explore how methods of elicitation impact utility values for CVD.

Materials And Methods: This review identified English-language articles in Embase, MEDLINE, and the gray literature published between September 1992 and August 2015 using keywords for "utilities" and "stroke", "heart failure", "myocardial infarction", or "angina".

Identification and Management of Statin-Associated Symptoms in Clinical Practice: Extension of a Clinician Survey to 12 Further Countries.

Purpose: Statins are the first-choice pharmacological treatment for patients with hypercholesterolemia and at risk for cardiovascular disease; however, a minority of patients experience statin-associated symptoms (SAS) and are considered to have reduced statin tolerance. The objective of this study was to establish how patients with SAS are identified and managed in clinical practice in Austria, Belgium, Colombia, Croatia, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Portugal, Switzerland, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and the United Arab Emirates.

Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted (2015-2016) among clinicians (n = 60 per country; Croatia: n = 30) who are specialized/experienced in the treatment of hypercholesterolemia.

Osteoporosis Diagnosis and Management in Long-Term Care Facility.

Background: Contemporary estimates of the prevalence of diagnosed osteoporosis among long-term care facility residents are limited.

Methods: This chart review collected data between April 1, 2012 and August 31, 2013 for adult (age ≥ 30 years) residents of 11 long-term care facilities affiliated with the Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center in the New Orleans metropolitan area. Data (demographics; comorbidities; osteoporosis diagnosis, risk factors, diagnostic assessments, treatments; fracture history; fall risk; activities of daily living) were summarized.

Persistance and Compliance with Osteroporosis Therapies Among Women in a Commercially Insured Population in the United States.

Background: Prior research has shown that rates of persistence and compliance with osteoporosis therapies are associated with significantly fewer vertebral, nonvertebral, and hip fractures. A number of studies have examined medication-taking behavior with oral bisphosphonates and teriparatide, and these 1-year persistence rates have ranged from 39.9% to 56.

Osteoporosis prevalence and characteristics of treated and untreated nursing home residents with osteoporosis.

Objectives: Our primary objective was to describe the prevalence of osteoporosis (OP) diagnosis in nursing home residents (NHRs). Secondary objectives included assessment of pharmacologic therapies and risk of fracture in NHRs with OP, as well as differentiating clinical characteristics of treated versus untreated male and female NHR with OP. Finally, we sought to evaluate persistence and compliance rates in NHRs treated with OP and determine the prevalence of severe renal impairment in NHRs with OP treated with a bisphosphonate.

Impact of Medicare Part D for Medicare-age adults with arthritis: prescription use, prescription expenditures, and medical spending from 2005 to 2008.

Objective: To evaluate the impact of Medicare Part D on medication utilization, drug expenditures, and medical expenditures in patients with arthritis.

Methods: This was a retrospective study using a national sample of 2,484 Medicare-eligible beneficiaries with arthritis from the pooled Medical Expenditure Panel Survey 2005-2008 data. Quantile regression was used to estimate the following outcomes: 1) number of prescription fills, 2) total drug expenditures, 3) out-of-pocket (OOP) drug expenditures, 4) Medicare-paid drug expenditures, 5) total medical expenditures (including all payments for inpatient/outpatient care, prescription drugs, and other medical services), 6) OOP medical expenditures, and 7) Medicare-paid medical expenditures.

Progression to insulin for patients with diabetes mellitus using the Texas Medicaid database.

Background: Patients newly diagnosed with type 2 diabetes mellitus generally initiate therapy with either metformin [Met] or a sulfonylurea [SU] drug, followed by the addition of a second agent (Met, an SU drug, or a thiazolidinedione [TZD] drug) if the diabetes is not well controlled. If necessary, the usual third line of treatment is the addition of insulin.

Objective: The purpose of our study was to compare the progression to insulin among 3 cohorts receiving the oral antidiabetic (OAD) drug combinations Met/SU, Met/TZD, or SU/TZD.