Prevalence, treatment patterns, and stay characteristics associated with hospitalizations for major depressive disorder.

Background: Hospitalizations for major depressive disorder (MDD) are a significant burden on patients, their families, and to healthcare systems. This study characterized the prevalence of MDD hospitalizations in the US and described clinical characteristics, treatment patterns, length of stay, costs, and MDD-related hospitalization readmissions.

Methods: A retrospective analysis of the Premier Perspective Hospital Database was conducted using records of hospital admissions for MDD from January 1, 2014 to December 31, 2015.

Long-term opioid users with chronic noncancer pain: Assessment of opioid abuse risk and relationship with healthcare resource use.

Objective: Identify opioid abuse risk factors among chronic noncancer pain (CNCP) patients receiving long-term opioid therapy and assess healthcare resource use (HRU) among patients at elevated abuse risk.

Design: Data were obtained from an integrated administrative claims database. Classification and Regression Tree (CART) analysis identified risk factors potentially predictive of opioid abuse, which were used to classify the overall population into cohorts defined by levels of abuse risk.

Health care resource use and cost differences by opioid therapy type among chronic noncancer pain patients.

The study assessed 12-month chronic pain (CP)-related health care utilization and costs among chronic noncancer pain (CNCP) patients who initiated various long-term opioid treatments. Treatments included monotherapy with long-acting opioids (mono-LAOs), mono-therapy with short-acting opioids (mono-SAOs), both LAOs and SAOs (combination), and opioid therapy initiated with SAO or LAO and switched to the other class (switch). Using MarketScan claims databases (2006-2012), we identified CNCP patients with ≥90 days opioid supply after pain diagnosis and continuous enrollment 12 months before pain diagnosis (baseline period) and 12 months after opioid start (post-index period).

Elevated Cardiovascular Disease Risk in Patients With Chronic Myelogenous Leukemia Seen in Community-based Oncology Practices in the United States.

Introduction: Current National Comprehensive Cancer Network guidelines recommend that comorbidities, including cardiovascular disease (CVD), be considered when selecting tyrosine kinase inhibitors for the treatment of chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML). We report here the prevalence of CVD and its risk factors in patients with CML treated by community-based United States (US) oncologists.

Patients And Methods: Adult patients with a confirmed diagnosis of CML and ≥ 1 encounter after the first date of CML diagnosis in an electronic medical record database between January 1, 2005 and October 31, 2014 were enrolled.

Burden of Alcohol Abuse or Dependence Among Long-Term Opioid Users with Chronic Noncancer Pain.

Background: Substance abuse disorders among chronic noncancer pain (CNCP) patients add to the clinical challenges and economic burden of caring for such patients. Despite potential risks, some CNCP patients with a history of alcohol abuse or dependence (AAD) and pain that is refractory to nonopioid treatment options may still need opioids for pain management. However, there is a lack of data on adverse outcomes in long-term opioid users with CNCP and a history of substance abuse or AAD disorders.

Health care resource utilization before and after natalizumab initiation among patients with multiple sclerosis in Germany.

Background: Multiple sclerosis (MS), a progressive neurodegenerative disease, greatly impacts the quality of life and economic status of people affected by this disease. In Germany, the total annual cost of MS is estimated at €40,000 per person with MS. Natalizumab has shown to slow MS disease progression, reduce relapses, and improve the quality of life of people with MS.

Prompt initiation of maintenance treatment following a COPD exacerbation: outcomes in a large insured population.

Background: The aim of this study was to extend previous findings and determine the value of prompt initiation of maintenance treatment (MT) following COPD exacerbations requiring hospitalization or an emergency department (ED) visit.

Patients And Methods: Administrative claims data (collected between January 1, 2009 and June 30, 2012) from an employer-sponsored commercially insured population were retrospectively used to identify patients with a COPD exacerbation resulting in hospitalization or an ED visit. Patients initiating approved MT for COPD within 30 days of discharge/diagnosis (prompt) were compared with those initiating MT within 31-180 days (delayed).

KRAS testing of patients with metastatic colorectal cancer in a community-based oncology setting: a retrospective database analysis.

Background: In 2009, treatment guidelines were updated to recommend KRAS testing at diagnosis for patients with metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC). We investigated KRAS testing rates over time and compared characteristics of KRAS-tested and not-tested patients in a community-based oncology setting.

Methods: Adult patients with a diagnosis of mCRC from 2008-2011 were selected from the ACORN Data Warehouse (ACORN Research LLC, Memphis, TN).

Metastatic colorectal cancer treatment patterns according to kirsten rat sarcoma viral oncogene homolog genotype in U.S. Community-based oncology practices.

Introduction: In 2008, the National Comprehensive Cancer Network guidelines were revised in light of the identification of the Kirsten Rat Sarcoma Viral Oncogene Homolog (KRAS) gene as a biomarker of nonresponse to epidermal growth factor receptor inhibitors. This study sought to describe and compare real-world treatment patterns of metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC) according to KRAS genotype in community-based oncology practices in the United States.

Materials And Methods: Data from the ACORN (ACORN LLC, Memphis, TN) electronic medical record data warehouse, containing data of approximately 180,000 patients from 12 oncology practices across the United States were used.

Concordance with recommended postdischarge care guidelines among children with food-induced anaphylaxis.

Objective: To describe patient characteristics, concordance with recommended postdischarge care, and risk of repeat events within a cohort of children discharged from an emergency department (ED) or hospital for food-induced anaphylaxis in the US.

Study Design: Children (aged <18 years) with an ED visit/hospitalization for food-induced anaphylaxis were identified from the 2002-2008 Truven Health MarketScan databases using an expanded International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision, Clinical Modification diagnosis code algorithm. The initial identified ED visit/hospitalization was the index event.

Food-induced anaphylaxis among commercially insured US adults: patient concordance with postdischarge care guidelines.

Background: Food-induced anaphylaxis is a potentially life-threatening condition that frequently results in emergency department (ED) visits and/or hospitalization. Little information is available on patient compliance with recommended postdischarge anaphylaxis care.

Objective: To describe patient characteristics, concordance with recommended postdischarge care, and risk of repeated events among adults with an initial ED visit and/or hospitalization for food-induced anaphylaxis.