Prescribing patterns for topical retinoids: analyses of 15 years of data from the national ambulatory medical care survey.

Objective: To examine the prescribing patterns of topical retinoids in the United States.

Methods: A retrospective, cross-sectional study was employed. Data from the National Ambulatory Medical Care Survey (1990-2004) were used.

Prior authorization for topical psoriasis treatments: is it cost-beneficial for managed care?

Objective: The introduction of novel therapeutic options for psoriasis has raised managed care's interest in controlling costs associated with dermatological treatments. Prior authorization (PA) can be a successful way of managing costs. However, experience with topical treatments for acne suggests that PA may not be cost-effective.

Drug reimportation practices in the United States.

Background: Drug reimportation is perceived as a costs-cutting strategy by Americans. Nonetheless, issues such as drug safety and efficacy prevent legalization of the practice. With the contradictory views from supporters and opponents, debate on drug reimportation continues to snowball.

Depressive symptomatology, medication persistence, and associated healthcare costs in older adults with glaucoma.

Purpose: Depressive symptoms may impact patients' medication use behavior and utilization of healthcare services. This study examined association between depressive symptoms and Glaucoma medication-related persistence and predictors of associated healthcare charges in older adults with primary open angle Glaucoma.

Methods: This study used a retrospective cohort of older adults with primary open angle Glaucoma who completed health status assessment, used Glaucoma medications, and were enrolled in a Medicare Health Maintenance Organization.

Medication adherence and health care costs with the introduction of latanoprost therapy for glaucoma in a Medicare managed care population.

Background: Latanoprost, a prostaglandin inhibitor, is increasingly being used in the therapeutic management of glaucoma. However, there is scant literature examining the cost and outcome ramifications of latanoprost.

Objectives: This study examined the medication use behavior (medication-related persistence and adherence rates) and costs associated with the introduction of latanoprost therapy in a treatment-naive older population (aged >or=65 years) enrolled in Medicare.

Prior authorization of newer insomnia medications in managed care: is it cost saving?

Study Objectives: New pharmacotherapeutic treatment options are available to treat patients with 1 or more insomnia symptoms. However, these new pharmaceuticals are subject to a variety of managed-care tools, such as prior authorizations, that may restrict access to these medications. The objective of this study was to evaluate the economic consequences to a health plan that requires prior authorization for nonbenzodiazepine medications approved for the treatment of insomnia characterized by difficulties both falling and staying asleep.

Measures used in specifying psoriasis lesion(s), global disease and quality of life: a systematic review.

Objective: To assess which measures are utilized to quantify lesions, disease severity, and quality of life in the current literature on psoriasis vulgaris.

Methods: A MEDLINE search was performed with the keyword 'psoriasis' and the following limits 'All Adult: 19+ years', 'published in the last 5 years', 'English', 'Randomized Controlled Trial', and 'Humans'. The 'Methods' section of the individual articles were reviewed for inclusion criteria that described the study participants' state of psoriasis or disease generalization at baseline, methods used to classify or measure psoriasis during the study, the primary and secondary endpoints, and the quality of life measures utilized in each study.

Medication adherence and health care costs associated with biologics in Medicaid-enrolled patients with psoriasis.

Background: Costs and patients' adherence related to biologics are important factors to consider while making informed decisions regarding therapy with biologics in psoriasis management.

Objective: To examine predictors of adherence related to biologics, total health care costs, and service utilization among psoriasis patients.

Methods: This was a longitudinal cohort study of psoriasis patients (<65 years old) enrolled in North Carolina Medicaid who were prescribed biologics (alefacept, efalizumab, and etanercept).

Predictors of medication adherence and associated health care costs in an older population with overactive bladder syndrome: a longitudinal cohort study.

Purpose: We examined the relationship between self-reported health status data, subsequent antimuscarinic medication adherence and health care service use in older adults with OAB syndrome in a managed care setting.

Materials And Methods: This was a longitudinal cohort study of older adults in the southeastern United States with OAB who completed a health status assessment, used antimuscarinic medications and were enrolled in an HMO continuously for 1 to 3 years. Demographic, clinical and use related economic variables were also retrieved from the administrative claims data of patient HMOs.

Outcomes associated with pharmacotherapy in overactive bladder.

Overactive bladder is one of the most prevalent medical conditions in the USA. Prevalence rates of overactive bladder are higher in women and increase with advanced age. Although the disease is not associated with mortality, it has significant impact on health-related quality of life amongst patients.

Outcomes associated with inhaled corticosteroid use in asthma and COPD: an update.

The aim of this review is to report the updates in the medical literature on the outcomes associated with inhaled corticosteroid use. This update finds that inhaled corticosteroids remain a frontline choice as controller therapy in the treatment of asthma. Adherence to medications, especially inhaled corticosteroids used as controller medications, is responsible for a decrease in hospital, emergency room and physician visits.