Comparison of generic, condition-specific, and mapped health state utility values for multiple myeloma cancer.

Objective: Resource allocation informed by cost-utility analysis requires that the benefits be comparable across patient groups and interventions. One option is to recommend the use of one generic utility measure, but this raises the issue of comparability when the preferred measure is inappropriate or unavailable. Many cancer trials do not include generic measures such as the EuroQol five-dimensional (EQ-5D) questionnaire and instead include condition-specific measures and use these to generate utility estimates.

Deriving a preference-based measure for cancer using the EORTC QLQ-C30.

Objective: The European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Core Quality of Life Questionnaire (EORTC QLQ-C30) is one of the most commonly used measures in cancer care but in its current form cannot be used in economic evaluation because it does not incorporate preferences. We address this gap by estimating a preference-based measure for cancer from the EORTC QLQ-C30.

Methods: Factor analysis, Rasch analysis, and other psychometric analyses were undertaken on a clinical trial dataset of 655 patients with multiple myeloma to derive a health state classification system amenable to valuation.

Cost effectiveness of etoricoxib versus celecoxib and non-selective NSAIDS in the treatment of ankylosing spondylitis.

To evaluate the cost effectiveness of etoricoxib (90 mg/day) relative to celecoxib (200 or 400 mg/day), and the non-selective NSAIDs naproxen (1000 mg/day) and diclofenac (150 mg/day) in the initial treatment of ankylosing spondylitis (AS) from the UK NHS perspective. A Bayesian cost-effectiveness model was developed to estimate the costs and benefits associated with initiating AS treatment with etoricoxib, celecoxib, diclofenac or naproxen. Efficacy, safety and medical resource and cost data were obtained from the literature.

COX-2 inhibitors: complex association with lower risk of hospitalization for gastrointestinal events compared to traditional NSAIDs plus proton pump inhibitors.

Purpose: To compare hospitalization rates for serious upper and lower gastrointestinal (GI) events between chronic and acute users of a traditional non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (tNSAID) + proton pump inhibitor (PPI) and users of a COX-2 selective inhibitor (Coxib).

Methods: The PHARMO Record Linkage System, including linked drug-dispensing and hospital records of approximately 3 million individuals in the Netherlands was used. We selected new Coxib or tNSAID users (01/01/2000-31/12/2004) with > or =1 year history before the first NSAID dispensing and > or =1 year follow-up ending at the first hospitalization for GI event (the outcome), last dispensing, or end of the study period.

Gastroprotection among new chronic users of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs: a study of utilization and adherence in The Netherlands.

Objective: To describe the use of gastroprotection (GP) among new chronic users of NSAIDs in the Netherlands by gastrointestinal (GI) risk factor (RF) score.

Methods: Data for this retrospective follow-up study were extracted from the PHARMO database. We selected new chronic users of COX-2 inhibitors (coxibs) or traditional NSAIDs (tNSAIDs) between 1st January 2000 and 31st December 2004.

Hospitalizations for upper and lower GI events associated with traditional NSAIDs and acetaminophen among the elderly in Quebec, Canada.

Background: The risk of upper/lower gastrointestinal (GI) adverse events associated with the concomitant use of traditional nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (tNSAIDs) with acetaminophen has not been assessed. Among users of these drugs, the concomitant use of proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) with tNSAIDs may reduce the risk of upper GI adverse events, but its effect on lower GI events is not clear.

Objective: To compare the rates of GI hospitalization (ulceration, perforation, or bleeding in the upper or lower GI tract) among elderly patients taking tNSAIDs or the combination of a tNSAID and acetaminophen with and without a PPI versus those taking acetaminophen alone.

Cost-effectiveness of a fixed dose combination of alendronate and cholecalciferol in the treatment and prevention of osteoporosis in the United Kingdom and The Netherlands.

Objective: To evaluate the cost-effectiveness of a fixed dose combination of alendronate 70 mg and cholecalciferol 2800 IU (alendronate/vitamin D3; Fosavance) versus no treatment, alendronate with dietary vitamin D supplements and ibandronate in the treatment of osteoporosis in the UK and Netherlands.

Methods: A patient simulation model was developed. One-year cycles included health states related to hip, vertebral, wrist and proximal humerus fractures, as well as death due to hip fractures and other causes.

Burden of concomitant allergic rhinitis in adults with asthma.

Asthma (A) and allergic rhinitis (AR) are common conditions with evidence of shared epidemiological and patho-physiological backgrounds. A systematic review of the literature in the last three decades was performed to summarize both the prevalence and the economic burden of concomitant AR in adult patients with asthma. The reported prevalence estimates of concomitant AR in patients with asthma in the United States and in Europe studies is in excess of 50%, with up to 100% prevalence reported in patients with allergic asthma.