Association of Broad-Based Genomic Sequencing With Survival Among Patients With Advanced Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer in the Community Oncology Setting.

Importance: Broad-based genomic sequencing is being used more frequently for patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). However, little is known about the association between broad-based genomic sequencing and treatment selection or survival among patients with advanced NSCLC in a community oncology setting.

Objective: To compare clinical outcomes between patients with advanced NSCLC who received broad-based genomic sequencing vs a control group of patients who received routine testing for EGFR mutations and/or ALK rearrangements alone.

Characteristics of Real-World Metastatic Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer Patients Treated with Nivolumab and Pembrolizumab During the Year Following Approval.

Background: Evidence from cancer clinical trials can be difficult to generalize to real-world patient populations, but can be complemented by real-world evidence to optimize personalization of care. Further, real-world usage patterns of programmed cell death protein 1 (PD-1) inhibitors following approval can inform future studies of subpopulations underrepresented in clinical trials.

Materials And Methods: We performed a multicenter analysis using electronic health record data collected during routine care of patients treated in community cancer care clinics in the Flatiron Health network.

Comparative efficacy and safety of daclatasvir/asunaprevir versus IFN-based regimens in genotype 1b hepatitis C virus infection.

Aim: Efficacy and safety comparison of daclatasvir/asunaprevir (DCV + ASV) versus peginterferon-α/ribavirin (A/R) alone or combined with telaprevir, boceprevir, simeprevir or sofosbuvir in chronic genotype 1b hepatitis C virus infection.

Methods: Network meta-analysis (NMA) and matching-adjusted indirect comparisons (MAICs).

Results: Among treatment-naive patients, DCV + ASV demonstrated higher sustained virologic response (SVR) rates than telaprevir + A/R, boceprevir + A/R and A/R in NMA and MAICs and simeprevir + A/R in NMA.

Costs and Resource Utilization Associated With Anemia and Rash in Chronic Hepatitis C Patients Treated With Direct-Acting Antiviral Agents in the United States.

Purpose: The addition of 2 direct-acting antiviral (DAA) agents, telaprevir and boceprevir, to peginterferon and ribavirin therapy significantly improves sustained virologic response rates in patients treated for chronic hepatitis C virus (CHC) but is associated with a higher risk of adverse events (AEs), including anemia and rash. Using a large administrative claims database, this study compared the health care resource utilization and costs among CHC patients who developed anemia and/or rash while receiving DAA-based therapies (telaprevir and boceprevir) versus those who did not develop anemia or rash. Adjusted costs were compared by using regression analysis.

Treatment patterns, health care resource utilization, and costs in U.S. patients diagnosed with chronic hepatitis C infection who received telaprevir or boceprevir.

Background: Chronic hepatitis C (CHC) is associated with substantial morbidity and mortality, with the future burden of disease predicted to significantly increase. The recent addition of 2 direct-acting antiviral (DAA) protease inhibitors, telaprevir and boceprevir, to peginterferon alfa (PEG) and ribavirin (RBV) therapy has been shown to significantly improve sustained virologic response rates and thus has become standard of care. While the efficacy and safety of DAAs has been assessed in the clinical trial setting, less is known about real-world use of these new therapies.

Healthcare resource use and costs of privately insured patients who switch, discontinue, or persist on anti-muscarinic therapy for overactive bladder.

Objectives: To compare the healthcare costs of patients with overactive bladder (OAB) who switch vs persist on anti-muscarinic agents (AMs), describe resource use and costs among OAB patients who discontinue AMs, and assess factors associated with persisting vs switching or discontinuing.

Methods: OAB patients initiating an AM between January 1, 2007 and March 31, 2012 were identified from a claims database of US privately insured beneficiaries (n ≈ 16 million) and required to have no AM claims in the 12 months before AM initiation (baseline period). Patients were classified as persisters, switchers, or discontinuers, and assigned a study index date based on their AM use in the 6 months following initiation.

The prevalence and economic impact of prescription opioid-related side effects among patients with chronic noncancer pain.

Objectives: To estimate the prevalence of opioid-related side effects among patients with chronic noncancer pain (CNCP) who initiated opioids and compare healthcare costs of patients with and without side effects using patient survey, medical charts, and claims data.

Patients, Participants: Patients initiating opioids, who were aged ≥18 years, had ≥1 pain diagnosis, and did not have cancer, were identified through claims data and medical records from a Central Massachusetts medical group practice and mailed surveys between October 2010 and July 2012.

Main Outcomes Measures: Prevalence of opioid-related side effects was estimated from patient surveys, charts, and claims data within 90 days after opioid initiation (study period).

Healthcare costs and utilization for privately insured patients treated for non-infectious uveitis in the USA.

Background: The purpose of this study was to describe comorbidities, healthcare costs, and resource utilization among patients with chronic non-infectious uveitis initiating corticosteroid, immunosuppressants, or biologics.In this retrospective cohort study, patients with a non-infectious uveitis diagnosis and continuous insurance coverage during a 6-month baseline were selected from a privately insured claims database with 80.7 million enrollees.

Effects of care management and telehealth: a longitudinal analysis using medicare data.

Objectives: To evaluate mortality and healthcare utilization effects of an intervention that combined care management and telehealth, targeting individuals with congestive heart failure, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, or diabetes mellitus.

Design: Retrospective matched cohort study.

Setting: Northwest United States.

Development and validation of a claims-based prediction model for COPD severity.

Background: Administrative claims are an important data source for COPD research but lack a validated measure of patient COPD severity, which is an important determinant of treatment and outcomes.

Methods: Patients with ≥1 diagnosis of COPD and spirometry results from 01/2004-05/2011 were identified from an electronic health records database linked to healthcare claims. Patients were classified into 3 COPD severity groups based on spirometry and Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease (GOLD) guidelines: GOLD-Unclassified, Mild/Moderate, and Severe/Very Severe.

Energy intake and energy expenditure among children with polymorphisms of the melanocortin-3 receptor.

Background: Homozygosity for 2 protein-altering polymorphisms in the melanocortin-3 receptor gene (MC3R) coding sequence, C17A and G241A, has been reported to be associated with an obesity phenotype in children, yet how these polymorphisms affect energy homeostasis is unknown. Association between adult body weight and +2138InsCAGACC, another variant in the 3' untranslated region of MC3R, has also been described.

Objective: The objective of this study was to examine associations of C17A + G241A and +2138InsCAGACC MC3R variants with children's energy balance.