Publications by authors named "Patricia Grossman"
Background: In this phase 1/2 study, the authors tested the hypothesis that single-fraction stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT) for previously unirradiated spinal metastases is a safe, feasible, and efficacious treatment approach.
Methods: All patients were evaluated by a multidisciplinary team. Spinal magnetic resonance imaging studies were obtained before treatment and at regular intervals to define both target volume and response to treatment.
Purpose: Historically, the appropriate target volume to be irradiated for spinal metastases is 1-2 vertebral bodies above and below the level of involvement for three reasons: (1) to avoid missing the correct level in the absence of simulation or (2) to account for the possibility of spread of disease to the adjacent level, and (3) to account for beam penumbra. In this study, we hypothesized that isolated failures occurring in the level adjacent to level treated with stereotactic body radiosurgery (SBRS) were infrequent and that with improved localization techniques with image-guided radiation therapy, treatment of only the involved level of spinal metastases may be more appropriate.
Methods And Materials: Patients who had received SBRS treatments to only the involved level of the spine as part of a prospective trial for spinal metastases comprised the study population.
Objectives: To understand and quantify the exposure to concomitant medications other than antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) within an age-diverse group of men and women with epilepsy and explore the likelihood of relevant drug interactions as a result.
Methods: The PharMetrics medical and pharmaceutical claims database was used to extract data for commercially insured adult patients with a diagnosis of epilepsy and treated with any AED during the period from July 1, 2001, to December 31, 2004. Data were analyzed for concomitant non-AEDs used after initiating AEDs in six age groups, spanning the ages 18 to 85+ years, in both men and women.
Economic burden of illness for employees with painful conditions.
J Occup Environ Med
September 2005
Objective: We sought to compare the medical services utilization and average annual direct (ie, medical and medication) and indirect (ie, work-loss) costs for employees with painful conditions to a random sample ("average employee").
Methods: An employer administrative claims database (approximately 600,000 insured lives) was used to identify patients with ICD-9 codes for painful conditions. Direct costs were total employer medical and medication costs and indirect costs were associated with medically related absenteeism days and disability claims.
Background:: Although use of long-acting opioid analgesics has increased for chronic nonmalignant pain management, little is known about patient-reported utilization patterns.
Objectives:: To assess patient-reported utilization patterns of fentanyl transdermal system and oxycodone hydrochloride (HCl) controlled-release among patients with chronic nonmalignant pain and to compare these patterns to standard dose administration guidelines recommended in the manufacturers' prescribing information (PI).
Methods:: Cross-sectional, observational, multicenter study of English-speaking patients who were seeking chronic nonmalignant pain management from 6 outpatient pain clinics.