Effectiveness of homologous/heterologous booster COVID-19 vaccination schedules against severe illness in general population and clinical subgroups in three European countries.

Using 4 data-sources (Spain, Italy, United Kingdom) data and a 1:1 matched cohort study, we aimed to estimate vaccine effectiveness (VE) in preventing SARS-CoV-2 infections with hospitalisations (±30 days) and death (±56 days) in general population and clinical subgroups with homologous/heterologous booster schedules (Comirnaty-BNT and Spikevax-MOD original COVID-19 vaccines) by comparison with unboosted individuals, during Delta and beginning of Omicron variants. Hazard Ratio (HR, by Cox models) and VE ([1-HR]*100) were calculated by inverse probability weights. Between December 2020-February 2022, in adults without prior SARS-CoV-2 infection, we matched 5.

Impact of the 2018 revised Pregnancy Prevention Programme by the European Medicines Agency on the use of oral retinoids in females of childbearing age in Denmark, Italy, Netherlands, and Spain: an interrupted time series analysis.

In March 2018, the European pregnancy prevention programme for oral retinoids was updated as part of risk minimisation measures (RMM), emphasising their contraindication in pregnant women. To measure the impact of the 2018 revision of the RMMs in Europe by assessing the utilisation patterns of isotretinoin, alitretinoin and acitretin, contraceptive measures, pregnancy testing, discontinuation, and pregnancy occurrence concomitantly with a retinoid prescription. An interrupted time series (ITS) analysis to compare level and trend changes after the risk minimisation measures implementation was conducted on a cohort of females of childbearing age (12-55 years of age) from January 2010 to December 2020, derived from six electronic health data sources in four countries: Denmark, Netherlands, Spain, and Italy.

Testing of Coding Algorithms for Inflammatory Bowel Disease Identification, as Indication for Use of Biological Drugs, Using a Claims Database from Southern Italy.

Background: Inflammatory bowel diseases (IBDs), Crohn's disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC), are chronic diseases that have been increasingly treated with biological drugs in recent years. Newly developed coding algorithms for IBD identification using claims databases are needed to improve post-marketing surveillance of biological drugs.

Objective: To test algorithms to identify CD and UC, as indication for use of biological drugs approved for IBD treatment, using a claims database.

Real-world patient characteristics and use of disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs in patients with rheumatoid arthritis: a cross-national study.

Introduction: Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is associated with significant morbidity and economic burden. This study aimed to compare baseline characteristics and patterns of anti-inflammatory drug use and disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drug (DMARD) use among patients with RA in Southern Italy versus the United States.

Method: Using Caserta Local Health Unit (Italy) and Optum's de-identified Clinformatics® Data Mart (United States) claims databases, patients with ≥ 2 diagnosis codes for RA during the study period (Caserta: 2010-2018; Optum: 2010-2019) were identified.

COVID-19 Patient Management in Outpatient Setting: A Population-Based Study from Southern Italy.

Evidence on treatments for early-stage COVID-19 in outpatient setting is sparse. We explored the pattern of use of drugs prescribed for COVID-19 outpatients' management in Southern Italy in the period February 2020-January 2021. This population-based cohort study was conducted using COVID-19 surveillance registry from Caserta Local Health Unit, which was linked to claims databases from the same catchment area.

Are Patients with Psoriasis and Psoriatic Arthritis Undertreated? A Population-Based Study from Southern Italy.

This study aimed to explore the pattern of use of different treatment lines in psoriasis (PsO) and psoriatic arthritis (PsA) patients from Southern Italy. A retrospective cohort study was performed during the years 2010-2018 using data from the Caserta Local Health Unit (LHU) claims database. All of the PsO or PsA patients were identified.

Characteristics and Absolute Survival of Metastatic Colorectal Cancer Patients Treated With Biologics: A Real-World Data Analysis From Three European Countries.

Biologics were approved for the treatment of advanced colorectal cancer (CRC) based on favorable benefit-risk-assessments from randomized controlled trials (RCTs), but evidence on their use in the real-world setting is scarce. Based on descriptive analyses we therefore aimed to assess characteristics and survival of CRC patients treated with biologics using large healthcare databases from three European countries (Netherlands, Italy, Germany). We included CRC patients treated with a biologic in 2010 or 2014 and characterized them regarding age, sex, comorbidities, and absolute survival.

Analgesic drug use in elderly persons: A population-based study in Southern Italy.

Introduction: Analgesics such as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), weak and strong opioids are commonly used among elderly persons. The aim of this study was to describe the demographic and clinical characteristics of elderly analgesic users and to measure the frequency of analgesic use, including the frequency of potentially inappropriate analgesic use.

Methods: The Arianna database was used to carry out this study.

Effectiveness and Safety of Switching Originator and Biosimilar Epoetins in Patients with Chronic Kidney Disease in a Large-Scale Italian Cohort Study.

Introduction: Real-world data on the comparative effectiveness and safety of switching among different epoetins (including originators and biosimilars) are limited. In light of current debate about interchangeability, prescribers, some patient groups and decision makers are calling for additional post-marketing evidence on the clinical effects of switching between originator and biosimilar epoetins in chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients.

Objective: The objective of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of switching versus non-switching and of switching from originator/biosimilar epoetin alpha (ESA α) to any other epoetin in CKD patients.

Gender Differences in Outpatient Pediatric Drug Utilization: A Cohort Study From Southern Italy.

The aim of this retrospective population-based cohort study is to in-depth investigate gender-specific drug utilization pattern in pediatric outpatient population. By using a large administrative database of the Local Health Unit of Caserta (Southern Italy), a pediatric cohort from the birth to 18 years was observed over 6 years (from 1st January 2010 to 31st December 2015). Yearly prevalence of drug use per 100 inhabitants as well as the median number of prescriptions was stratifying by gender.

Patterns and trends of utilization of incretin-based medicines between 2008 and 2014 in three Italian geographic areas.

Background: The incretin-based medicines GLP1 analogues (GLP1a) and dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitors (DPP4i) are hypoglycaemic agents licensed for the treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Although these drugs possess comparable efficacy and low risk of hypoglycaemia, differences in terms of route of administration (subcutaneous versus oral), effect on body weight and gastrointestinal tolerabily can impact their actual use in clinical practice. This study aimed to describe the real-world utilization of incretin-based medicines in the Italian clinical practice.

Comparison of Long-Term Clinical Implications of Beta-Blockade in Patients With Obstructive Airway Diseases Exposed to Beta-Blockers With Different β1-Adrenoreceptor Selectivity: An Italian Population-Based Cohort Study.

Long-term clinical implications of beta-blockade in obstructive airway diseases remains controversial. We investigated if within the first 5 years of treatment patients with heart failure and obstructive airway diseases using non β1-adrenoreceptor selective beta-blockers have an increased risk of being hospitalized for all-causes, heart failure, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) when compared to patient using selective beta-blockers. Carvedilol users were propensity matched 1:1 for co-treatments, age, gender, and year of inclusion in the cohort with metoprolol/bisoprolol/nebivolol users.

Trends in the prescription of antidiabetic medications from 2009 to 2012 in a general practice of Southern Italy: a population-based study.

Objective: To assess the prescribing pattern of antidiabetic drugs (AD) in a general practice of Southern Italy from 2009 to 2012, with focus on behaviour prescribing changes.

Methods: This retrospective, drug utilization study was conducted using administrative databases of the Local Health Unit of Caserta (Southern Italy) including about 1 million citizens. The standardized prevalence of AD use was calculated within each study year.

Indications of newer and older anti-epileptic drug use: findings from a southern Italian general practice setting from 2005-2011.

Aims: The aim of the study was to analyze the prescribing pattern of both newer and older AEDs.

Methods: A population of almost 150 000 individuals registered with 123 general practitioners was included in this study. Patients who received at least one AED prescription over 2005-2011 were identified.

Pattern of statin use in southern italian primary care: can prescription databases be used for monitoring long-term adherence to the treatment?

Objectives: We sought to evaluate the prescribing pattern of statins according to national and regional health policy interventions and to assess specifically the adherence to the therapy in outpatient setting in Southern Italy.

Methods: A population-based study was performed on persons ≥15 years old, living in the catchment area of Caserta (Southern Italy), and registered in Arianna database between 2004 and 2010. Prevalence and incidence of new treatments with statins were calculated for each year and stratified by drug.

Prescribing pattern of anti-Parkinson drugs in Southern Italy: cross-sectional analysis in the years 2003-2005.

Aim of this study was to evaluate prevalence of use and prescribing pattern of Anti-Parkinson Drugs (APDs) in general practice of Southern Italy. Among 120,000 individuals registered in the lists of 93 general practitioners of Southern Italy, we estimated one-year prevalence and incidence of APD use in the years 2003-2005. Overall, prevalence of APD use remained stable over the years and it strongly increased in subjects over 70 years of age.

Antidepressant drugs: prevalence, incidence and indication of use in general practice of Southern Italy during the years 2003-2004.

Purpose: To estimate 1-year prevalence, 1-year incidence and indication of use of antidepressant (AD) drug treatment in general practice of Southern Italy during the years 2003-2004.

Methods: Among 142,346 individuals registered in the lists of 119 general practitioners of Southern Italy, we identified users of different AD types: tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs), selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and other antidepressants. Annual prevalence of AD use was measured as the number of individuals receiving at least one AD prescription in the years 2003-2004, divided by the number of patients registered in the general practitioner (GP) lists.

Interaction risk with proton pump inhibitors in general practice: significant disagreement between different drug-related information sources.

Aims: To compare information on drug-drug interactions (DDIs) reported on two standard drug-related information sources (Summary of Product Characteristics and Drugdex system by Micromedex), by assessing the prevalence and predictors of potential DDI with proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) in general practice.

Methods: From the 'Caserta-1' Local Health-Service database, 156 general practitioners (GPs) were recruited. From more than 180,000 individuals registered on their lists, we selected patients receiving co-prescription of PPI and medications at interaction risk, according to the Italian Summary of Product Characteristics (SPC) of PPI and Drugdex information, during the year 2003.

Statin-macrolide interaction risk: a population-based study throughout a general practice database.

Introduction: The myopathy risk associated with statin use increases in case of concomitant prescription of certain drugs, such as cytochrome P(450) (CYP) system inhibitors (i.e., macrolides).