Demographics, clinical characteristics, and real-world treatment patterns among patients with beta-thalassemia: a retrospective medical record abstraction study.

Background: Beta-thalassemias (BTs) are characterized by deficient or absent synthesis of the beta-globin subunit, leading to anemia. Patient characteristics and treatment patterns in these patients may vary.

Objective: This retrospective study evaluated demographics, clinical characteristics, and treatment patterns in patients with transfusion-dependent BT (TDT) and non-transfusion-dependent BT (NTDT).

Identifying thresholds for meaningful improvements in NTDT-PRO scores to support conclusions about treatment benefit in clinical studies of patients with non-transfusion-dependent beta-thalassaemia: analysis of pooled data from a phase 2, double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomised trial.

Objectives: To estimate thresholds for defining meaningful within-patient improvement from baseline to weeks 13-24 and interpreting meaningfulness of between-group difference for the non-transfusion-dependent beta-thalassaemia patient-reported outcome (NTDT-PRO) tiredness/weakness (T/W) and shortness of breath (SoB) scores. A secondary objective was to determine the symptom severity threshold for the NTDT-PRO T/W domain to identify patients with symptomatic T/W.

Design: Pooled blinded data from the phase 2, double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomised BEYOND trial in NTDT (NCT03342404) were used.

Effectiveness of erenumab and onabotulinumtoxinA on acute medication usage and health care resource utilization as migraine prevention in the United States.

Migraine is a common neurological disease that can have a substantial impact on patients' lives and on society. Erenumab, a fully human monoclonal antibody that targets the calcitonin gene-related peptide receptor, was specifically developed for migraine prevention. The efficacy of erenumab has been established in several clinical trials; however, the real-world comparative effectiveness of erenumab has not been fully investigated.

Impact of erenumab on acute medication usage and health care resource utilization among migraine patients: a US claims database study.

Background: Migraine is one of the leading causes of disability worldwide. Erenumab is a fully human monoclonal antibody that targets the calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) receptor. This study aimed to evaluate real-world evidence on the impact of erenumab on acute medication usage and health care resource utilization (HCRU) among migraine patients.

Real-World Experience with Lifitegrast Ophthalmic Solution (Xiidra) in the US and Canada: Retrospective Study of Patient Characteristics, Treatment Patterns, and Clinical Effectiveness in 600 Patients with Dry Eye Disease.

Purpose: This study evaluated real-world treatment of dry eye disease (DED) with lifitegrast.

Patients And Methods: Ophthalmologists and optometrists treating patients with DED were invited to participate through a healthcare provider (HCP)-based panel. HCPs completed a provider survey and contributed data toward a chart review for up to five qualifying patients with DED who initiated lifitegrast ophthalmic solution (index date) between 01/01/2017 (US) or 01/01/2018 (Canada) and 06/30/2019.

Accuracy of Prescription Claims Data in Identifying Truly Nonadherent Patients.

Background: Administrative claims data are increasingly used to identify nonadherent patients. This necessitates a comprehensive review and assessment of their accuracy in identifying nonadherent patients.

Objectives: To (a) compare administrative claims-based measures of adherence with nonadherence verified by patient interview; (b) determine if and to what extent patients classified as nonadherent based on prescription claims differ from patients classified as nonadherent based on interventions designed to gather multiple types of medication lists to compare against the prescription fill history; and (c) assess the various patient-reported reasons for nonadherence.

Microwave ablation compared with radiofrequency ablation for treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma and liver metastases: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Purpose: Percutaneous ablation techniques, including microwave ablation (MWA) and radiofrequency ablation (RFA), have become important minimally invasive treatment options for liver cancer. This systematic review compared MWA with RFA for treatment of liver cancer.

Methods: The systematic review and meta-analysis followed the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines.

Microwave ablation compared with hepatic resection for the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma and liver metastases: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: Hepatic resection (HR) is the gold standard liver cancer treatment, but few patients are eligible due to comorbidities or tumor location. Microwave ablation (MWA) is an important complementary liver cancer treatment to HR. This systematic review compared MWA with HR for liver cancer treatment.

Changing Patterns of Anticoagulation After Total Hip Arthroplasty in the United States: Frequency of Deep Vein Thrombosis, Pulmonary Embolism, and Complications With Rivaroxaban and Warfarin.

Background: This study evaluated the trends in anticoagulation use after total hip arthroplasty (THA), and the effectiveness and safety of rivaroxaban compared to warfarin.

Methods: This retrospective database analysis used healthcare claims from the Truven Health MarketScan database (2010-2015). Patients undergoing elective THA were followed for use of anticoagulants after surgery.

Impact of prompt versus delayed initiation of triple therapy post COPD exacerbation in a US-managed care setting.

Background: It is unknown whether there is a benefit to initiating triple therapy (TT; inhaled corticosteroids combined with long-acting β-agonists and long-acting muscarinic antagonists) promptly (within 30 days) following a chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)-related hospitalization or emergency-department (ED) visit compared with delaying treatment (31-180 days).

Methods: This retrospective, observational study (GSK: HO-15-15256) used healthcare claims from a commercial and Medicare claims database (January 1, 2008-December 31, 2015).

Patients: ≥40 years of age, diagnosed with COPD and no history of TT 12 months pre-index.