Real-world treatment patterns in patients initiating third-line therapy for relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma in Germany, Italy, the United Kingdom, France, and Spain.

Objectives: To retrospectively analyze real-world treatment patterns in patients with relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma (RRMM) who initiated third-line treatment in Europe.

Methods: German and Italian administrative claims data were sourced from the German AOK PLUS health insurance fund and Italian local health units (2016-2020). Data for the United Kingdom (UK), France, and Spain were sourced from medical chart reviews (MCRs) from 2016 to 2018 (historical) and 2019 to 2021 (new) using electronic case report forms.

Claims-based algorithm to estimate the Expanded Disability Status Scale for multiple sclerosis in a German health insurance fund: a validation study using patient medical records.

Background: The Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) quantifies disability and measures disease progression in multiple sclerosis (MS), however is not available in administrative claims databases.

Objectives: To develop a claims-based algorithm for deriving EDSS and validate it against a clinical dataset capturing true EDSS values from medical records.

Methods: We built a unique linked dataset combining claims data from the German AOK PLUS sickness fund and medical records from the Multiple Sclerosis Management System 3D (MSDS).

Burden of disease among patients with prevalent Crohn's disease: results from a large German sickness fund.

Purpose: The aim of this study was to investigate the burden of disease among a real-world cohort of patients with prevalent Crohn's disease (CD) in Germany.

Methods: We conducted a retrospective cohort analysis using administrative claims data from the German AOK PLUS health insurance fund. Continuously insured patients with a CD diagnosis between 01 October 2014 and 31 December 2018 were selected and followed for at least 12 months or longer until death or end of data availability on 31 December 2019.

Data Resource Profile: The Multiple Sclerosis Documentation System 3D and AOK PLUS Linked Database (MSDS-AOK PLUS).

Real-world evidence in multiple sclerosis (MS) is limited by the availability of data elements in individual real-world datasets. We introduce a novel, growing database which links administrative claims and medical records from an MS patient management system, allowing for the complete capture of patient profiles. Using the AOK PLUS sickness fund and the Multiple Sclerosis Documentation System MSDS from the Center of Clinical Neuroscience (ZKN) in Germany, a linked MS-specific database was developed (MSDS-AOK PLUS).

Real-world outcomes associated with switching to anti-TNFs other biologics in Crohn's Disease patients: A retrospective analysis using German claims data.

Background: The positioning of new biologic agents for the treatment of Crohn's disease (CD) following failure of initial anti-tumor necrosis factor (anti-TNF) therapy remains a challenge in the real world.

Objectives: This study aims to investigate the real-world outcomes associated with the sequential use of biologics in CD patients that newly initiate anti-TNFs, specifically comparing those that switch to another anti-TNF biologics with other modes of action.

Design: Retrospective cohort study.

Bridging the gap between oncology clinical trials and real-world data: evidence on replicability of efficacy results using German claims data.

Using German claims, the authors replicated the CHAARTED trial in metastatic hormone-sensitive prostate cancer. The authors identified metastatic hormone-sensitive prostate cancer patients replicating the inclusion/exclusion criteria of CHAARTED. Patients treated with docetaxel in combination with androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) at first line (docetaxel group) were compared with patients treated with ADT monotherapy (ADT mono group).

Hospitalized with stroke at the weekend: Higher cost and risk of early death?

Objectives: Previous studies have shown that weekend hospitalizations are associated with poorer health outcomes and higher mortality ("weekend effect"). However, few of these studies have adjusted for disease severity and little is known about the effect on costs. This work investigates the weekend effect and its costs for patients with cerebral infarction in Germany, adjusting for patient characteristics and proxies of stroke severity.

Healthcare resource utilization and associated cost of patients with bone metastases from solid tumors who are naïve to bone-targeting agents: a comparative analysis of patients with and without skeletal-related events.

Background: This study analyzes the impact of skeletal-related events (SRE) on healthcare resource utilization (HCRU) and costs incurred by patients with bone metastases (BM) from solid tumors (ST), who are therapy-naïve to bone targeting agents (BTAs).

Methods: German claims data from 01/01/2010 to 30/06/2018 were used to conduct a retrospective comparative cohort analysis of BTA-naive patients with a BM diagnosis and preceding ST diagnosis. HCRU and treatment-related costs were compared in two matched cohorts of patients with and without a history of SREs, defined as pathological fracture, spinal cord compression, surgery to bone and radiation to bone.

Recreational Marijuana Legalization and Adolescent Use of Marijuana, Tobacco, and Alcohol.

Purpose: Given the rapid expansion of recreational marijuana legalization (RML) polices, it is essential to assess whether such policies are associated with shifts in the use of marijuana and other substances, particularly for adolescents, who are uniquely susceptible to negative repercussions of marijuana use. This analysis seeks to provide greater generalizability, specificity, and methodological rigor than limited prior evidence.

Methods: Youth Risk Behavior Survey data from 47 states from 1999 to 2017 assessed marijuana, alcohol, cigarette, and e-cigarette use among adolescents (14-18+ years; N = 1,077,938).

Impact of State-Level Changes on Maternal Mortality: A Population-Based, Quasi-Experimental Study.

Introduction: Recent increases in maternal mortality and persistent disparities have led to speculation about why the U.S. has higher rates than most high-income countries.

Gun laws and school safety.

Background: This paper examines the associations between state-level gun control and adolescent school safety overall and by student sex, age, and race.

Methods: We used data on 926 639 adolescents from 45 states in the 1999-2015 Youth Risk Behavior Surveys. Students self-reported on weapon carrying at school, the number of times they experienced weapon threats or injuries at school, the number of school days missed due to feeling unsafe, and weapon carrying at any location.

A quasi-experimental evaluation of marijuana policies and youth marijuana use.

Background: Marijuana use carries risks for adolescents' well-being, making it essential to evaluate effects of recent marijuana policies.

Objectives: This study sought to delineate associations between state-level shifts in decriminalization and medical marijuana laws (MML) and adolescent marijuana use.

Methods: Using data on 861,082 adolescents (14 to 18+ years; 51% female) drawn from 1999 to 2015 state Youth Risk Behavior Surveys (YRBS), difference-in-differences models assessed how decriminalization and MML policy enactment were associated with adolescent marijuana use, controlling for tobacco and alcohol policy shifts, adolescent characteristics, and state and year trends.

Associations Between State Tobacco Control Policies and Adolescent ENDS Use.

Background: Despite an increase in adolescent use of electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS), little is known about the role of tobacco control policies on ENDS use.

Objective: For aim 1, we examined how trends in adolescent use of cigarettes were affected by the introduction of ENDS; for aim 2, we examined the associations between ENDS age restrictions, cigarette taxes, and smoke-free legislation and adolescent use of ENDS and cigarettes.

Design And Setting: Repeated cross-sections of the 1999-2015 Youth Risk Behavior Surveys linked to state-level tobacco control policies.