Systematic literature review of long-term efficacy data for topical psoriasis treatments.

Objective: To identify long-term efficacy evidence that supports use of topical therapies as regular maintenance therapy in the prevention of psoriasis relapse.

Methods: A systematic literature review identified clinical trials and observational studies that reported efficacy outcomes for topical psoriasis therapies with treatment durations of at least 12 weeks. For therapies with long-term data, the approved treatment schedules in product labels were reviewed.

Cost-effectiveness of physical activity in the management of COPD patients in the UK.

Background: While the Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease (GOLD) guidelines advise exercise to reduce disease progression, little investment in promoting physical activity (PA) is made by health care authorities. The purpose of this study was to estimate the cost-effectiveness of regular PA vs sedentary lifestyle in people with COPD in the UK.

Methods: Efficacy, quality of life, and economic evidence on the PA effects in COPD patients were retrieved from literature to serve as input for a Markov microsimulation model comparing a COPD population performing PA vs a COPD population with sedentary lifestyle.

A pharmacoeconomic evaluation of aggressive cholesterol lowering in Sweden.

Objective: To estimate the short-term healthcare costs and incremental cost per event avoided, associated with aggressive atorvastatin treatment in patients with acute coronary syndrome in Sweden.

Methods: The total expected 16-week healthcare costs per patient on atorvastatin 80 mg per day and placebo were compared using clinical outcomes data from The Myocardial Ischemia Reduction with Aggressive Cholesterol Lowering (MIRACL) study and Swedish cost data sources. The incremental cost per event avoided was also assessed for.