Background And Objectives: Published data on the clinical and economic impact of infusion reactions to monoclonal antibodies are limited. This study investigated oncologists' and oncology nurses' opinions about resource use associated with infusion reactions and the impact on patient management in Europe.
Methods: Eighty oncologists and nurses from Denmark, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Spain, Sweden and the UK currently treating patients with metastatic colorectal cancer were interviewed by telephone using a 27-item questionnaire developed for this study.
Introduction: Tumor hormone receptor (HR) and human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) expression are important factors influencing treatment response and selection in patients with metastatic breast cancer (mBC). Using the LifeLink Oncology Analyzer Database, we classified mBC patients by combined HR and HER2 status, and evaluated the use of pharmacological treatment modalities both overall and within these subtypes in Western Europe.
Patients And Methods: The study population included 4670 women with mBC from five Western European countries (France, Germany, Italy, Spain, UK).
Objectives: Little is known about toxicity-related costs of monoclonal antibody treatments in metastatic colorectal cancer. This study aimed to identify toxicities associated with bevacizumab, cetuximab, and panitumumab and estimate the direct costs of these toxicities.
Methods: Grade 3 and 4 toxicities were identified by a comprehensive literature search.
Background And Objectives: Treatment outcomes improved in metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC) due to the introduction of new chemotherapies and monoclonal antibodies. This study describes current patterns of pharmacological treatment for mCRC in clinical practice in four European countries.
Methods: This cohort study used physician-survey data from the LifeLink Oncology Analyzer Database for mCRC patients in France, Germany, Italy and Spain.
J Gastrointest Cancer
September 2012
BMC Health Serv Res
November 2011
Background: To characterize healthcare resource utilization and costs in patients with metastatic lung cancer receiving chemotherapy in the US.
Methods: Using data from a large private multi-payer health insurance claims database (2000-2006), we identified all patients beginning chemotherapy for metastatic lung cancer. Healthcare resource use (inpatient, outpatient, medications) and costs were tallied over time from date of therapy initiation ("index date") to date of disenrollment from the health plan (in most instances, presumably due to death) or the end of the study period, whichever occurred first.
Background: Patients with metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC) often have other medical conditions that may impact treatment decisions, prognoses and quality of care. We aimed to assess co-existing medical conditions in the mCRC patient population. This retrospective cohort study used linked medical and pharmacy claims data from two US-based Medstat MarketScan claims databases and identified patients with newly diagnosed mCRC between January 2005 and June 2008.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFPurpose: To characterize patterns of medical care by disease phase in patients with newly diagnosed metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC).
Methods: Patients with mCRC newly diagnosed between 2004 and 2008 were selected from a large US national commercially insured claims database and were observed from initial mCRC diagnosis to death, disenrollment, or end of study period (July 31, 2009), whichever occurred first. The observation period was divided into three distinct phases of disease: diagnostic, treatment, and death.
Background: In the last decade, the number of new agents, including monoclonal antibodies, being developed to treat metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC) increased rapidly. While improving outcomes, these new treatments also have distinct and known safety profiles with toxicities that may require hospitalizations. However, patterns and costs of hospitalizations of toxicities of these new 'targeted' drugs are often unknown.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFObjective: To characterize patterns of medical care by disease phase in patients with newly diagnosed metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC).
Methods: Patients with mCRC newly diagnosed between 2004 and 2008 were selected from a large US national commercially insured claims database and were observed from initial mCRC diagnosis to death, disenrollment, or end of study period (July 31, 2009), whichever occurred first. The observation period was divided into 3 distinct phases of disease: diagnostic, treatment, and death.
Background: The economic costs of treating patients with metastatic breast cancer have been examined in several studies, but available estimates of economic burden are at least a decade old. In this study, we characterize healthcare utilization and costs in the US among women with metastatic breast cancer receiving chemotherapy as their principal treatment modality.
Methods: Using a large private health insurance claims database (2000-2006), we identified all women initiating chemotherapy for metastatic breast cancer with no evidence of receipt of concomitant or subsequent hormonal therapy, or receipt of trastuzumab at anytime.
Objectives: To estimate total costs and metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC)-related costs and assess primary cost drivers of treating newly diagnosed mCRC patients after the introduction of biologic therapies.
Methods: Using a large national claims database, costs of mCRC patients were estimated in 2004-2009 by examining (1) the cost difference between mCRC patient and their matched non-cancer cohorts, and (2) mCRC-related costs. Costs were further assessed by phase of disease (diagnostic, treatment, and death).
Objectives: This study examines costs for postmenopausal women with hormone receptor positive (HR+) metastatic breast cancer (mBC).
Methods: Data were obtained from the IHCIS National Managed Care Benchmark Database from 1/1/2001 to 6/30/2006. Women aged 55-63 years were selected for the study if they met the inclusion criteria, including diagnoses for breast cancer and metastases, and at least two fills for a hormone medication.
Background: This study compared intake of specific nutrients based on the Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) guidelines for hypertension management among multiethnic middle-aged and older adults.
Methods: We conducted quantitative analysis using baseline data of a prospective cohort study of 5972 adults aged 45 to 84 years recruited between July 2000 and August 2002 who participated in the Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis (MESA). Diet information was collected using a 120-item food frequency questionnaire.
Objective: Interpretation of data from health-related quality of life (HRQoL) questionnaires can be enhanced with the availability of minimally important difference (MID) estimates. This information will aid clinicians in interpreting HRQoL differences within patients over time and between treatment groups. The Immune Thrombocytopenic Purpura (ITP)-Patient Assessment Questionnaire (PAQ) is the only comprehensive HRQoL questionnaire available for adults with ITP.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground: The Healthy Eating Index (HEI) is a measure of diet quality developed based on the Dietary Guidelines for Americans (DGA).
Objective: The objective was to assess the diet quality of a multi-ethnic population using and comparing the 2 HEIs, the updated HEI (HEI-05) based on the 2005 DGA and the original 1990 HEI (HEI-90), with the objective of predicting obesity outcomes.
Design: A longitudinal analysis of survey and clinical data from 6236 middle-aged and elderly white, African American, Hispanic, and Chinese participants of the Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis (MESA) was conducted.
Objective: The purpose of this study was to determine whether elective use of a health plan-sponsored health club membership had an impact on health care use and costs among older adults with diabetes.
Research Design And Methods: Administrative claims for 2,031 older adults with diabetes enrolled in a Medicare Advantage plan were obtained for this retrospective cohort study. Participants (n = 618) in the plan-sponsored health club benefit (Silver Sneakers [SS]) and control subjects (n = 1,413) matched on SS enrollment index date were enrolled in the plan for at least 1 year before the index date.
Background: Although the DASH (Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension trial) diet is among the therapeutic lifestyle changes recommended for individuals with hypertension (HTN), accordance with the DASH diet is not known.
Methods: Using data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) from the 1988-1994 and 1999-2004 periods, DASH accordance among individuals with self-reported HTN was estimated based on 9 nutrient targets (fat, saturated fat, protein, cholesterol, fiber, magnesium, calcium, sodium, and potassium) (score range, 0-9). Using data from 1999-2004, we compared the DASH score among demographic groups in age- and energy-adjusted models and modeled the odds of a DASH-accordant dietary pattern (>or=4.
Background: Immune thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP), a condition characterized by autoimmune-mediated platelet destruction and suboptimal platelet production, is associated with symptoms such as bruising, epistaxis, menorrhagia, mucosal bleeding from the gastrointestinal and urinary tracts and, rarely central nervous system bleeding. The aim of this research is to develop a conceptual model to describe the impact of ITP and its treatment on patients' health-related quality of life (HRQoL).
Methods: A literature search and focus groups with adult ITP patients were conducted to identify areas of HRQoL affected by ITP.