Regulation Awareness and Experience of Additional Monitoring among Healthcare Professionals in Finland.

Background: Challenges in post-marketing adverse event reporting are generally recognized. To enhance reporting, the concept of additional monitoring was introduced in 2012. Additional monitoring aims to enhance reporting of adverse events (AE) for medicines for which the clinical evidence base is less well developed.

Tracing local and regional clusters of carbapenemase-producing ST512 with whole genome sequencing, Finland, 2013 to 2018.

BackgroundTwo epidemiologically-unrelated clusters of carbapenemase (KPC)-producing were detected among several healthcare facilities (HCF) in Finland by routine surveillance using whole genome sequencing (WGS).AimThe objective was to investigate transmission chains to stop further spread of the responsible strain.MethodsIn this observational retrospective study, cases were defined as patients with KPC-3 sequence type (ST)512 strain detected in Finland from August 2013 to May 2018.

Healthcare resource utilization and treatment costs of Finnish chronic inflammatory bowel disease patients treated with infliximab.

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is associated with a high economic burden to society due to its early onset and chronic character. Here, we set out to characterize healthcare resource utilization and associated costs in Crohn's disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC) patients with infliximab treatment, the most widely used first-line biologic agent in Finland, in a real-world clinical setting. This was a retrospective, non-interventional single-center study.

Characterization of inflammatory bowel disease management by vedolizumab and concomitant treatments in real-life clinical practice.

Limited data is available on vedolizumab combination therapies in real-world clinical practice. Here, we evaluated the concomitant corticosteroid, immunosuppressive, and 5-aminosalicylic acid utilization of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) patients treated with vedolizumab in a nationwide, retrospective, non-interventional, multi-centre chart review study. All adult patients from 27 Finnish gastroenterology centres with a diagnosis of Crohn's disease (CD) or ulcerative colitis (UC) who had at least one vedolizumab infusion since it's availability in Finland were included in the study.

Costs of administration, travelling, and productivity losses associated with hospital administration of multiple myeloma drugs in Finland.

Aim: To estimate the drug administration, travelling, and productivity costs associated with infusion or subcutaneous proteasome inhibitor (PI) treatments (specifically carfilzomib and bortezomib) for multiple myeloma (MM) patients in Finland.

Materials And Methods: Price tariffs of Finnish hospital districts are used as the basis of invoicing sent to healthcare service payers. A review of these price tariff lists was conducted and obtained data analysed to estimate the mean unit cost of PI administration visit.

Misuse and/or treatment delivery failure of inhalers among patients with asthma or COPD: A review and recommendations for the conduct of future research.

Background: Asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) are widespread chronic conditions with medication frequently delivered by inhalers. These can be challenging to use correctly, but the scale of misuse and the specific aspects of failure are unclear.

Methods: We used systematic review methods to search 9 databases in May 2015 to identify and review studies that assessed adults (18 years or older) with asthma or COPD using inhalers of various types including pressurised metered dose inhalers (pMDIs), dry powder inhalers and the Respimat inhaler.

Budesonide + formoterol delivered via Spiromax for the management of asthma and COPD: The potential impact on unscheduled healthcare costs of improving inhalation technique compared with Turbuhaler.

Background: Fixed-dose combinations of inhaled corticosteroids and long-acting β agonists are commonly used for the treatment of asthma and COPD. However, the most frequently prescribed dry powder inhaler delivering this medicine - Symbicort (budesonide and formoterol, BF) Turbuhaler - is associated with poor inhalation technique, which can lead to poor disease control and high disease management costs. A recent study showed that patients make fewer inhaler errors when using the novel DuoResp (BF) Spiromax inhaler, compared with BF Turbuhaler.

Patient preferences for dry powder inhaler attributes in asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in France: a discrete choice experiment.

Background: Dry powder inhalers (DPIs) are often used in asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) therapies. Using the discrete choice experiment (DCE) methodology, this study conducted in France was designed to assess patients' preferences for different attributes of DPIs.

Methods: Attributes of DPIs were defined based on a literature review, patient focus group discussions and interviews with healthcare professionals (qualitative phase of the study).

Health-related quality of life among prostate cancer patients: real-life situation at the beginning of treatment.

Objective: The aims of this study were to measure the real-life health-related quality of life (HRQoL) of newly diagnosed prostate cancer (PCa) patients, to compare it with that of the general male population and to explore factors affecting HRQoL.

Methods: All newly diagnosed PCa patients in the Helsinki University Hospital were asked to fill in 15D and EORTC QLQ-C30 questionnaires. Clinical background information was collected retrospectively from patient charts.

The economic burden of asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and the impact of poor inhalation technique with commonly prescribed dry powder inhalers in three European countries.

Background: Asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) are common chronic inflammatory respiratory diseases, which impose a substantial burden on healthcare systems and society. Fixed-dose combinations (FDCs) of inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) and long-acting β2 agonists (LABA), often administered using dry powder inhalers (DPIs), are frequently prescribed to control persistent asthma and COPD. Use of DPIs has been associated with poor inhalation technique, which can lead to increased healthcare resource use and costs.

Evaluation of inhaler handling-errors, inhaler perception and preference with Spiromax, Easyhaler and Turbuhaler devices among healthy Finnish volunteers: a single site, single visit crossover study (Finhaler).

Introduction: Correct inhaler technique and device preference are positively correlated with improved adherence and clinical outcomes. This study was designed to investigate inhaler technique mastery and device preference for three different dry powder inhalers, Spiromax, Easyhaler and Turbuhaler.

Methods: This was a single site, single visit, crossover study assessing device mastery, handling errors and preference using empty Spiromax, Easyhaler and Turbuhaler devices in healthy adult Finnish volunteers.

USE OF PATIENT ASSESSED HEALTH-RELATED QUALITY OF LIFE INSTRUMENTS IN PROSTATE CANCER RESEARCH: A SYSTEMATIC REVIEW OF THE LITERATURE 2002-15.

Objectives: The objectives of this study were to identify and qualitatively describe, in a systematic literature review, published studies that collected prostate cancer patients' health-related quality of life (HRQoL) estimates by using validated, generic instruments.

Methods: Systematic searches of the literature were made using the Medline, Cochrane Library, PsycINFO, and CINAHL electronic databases from 2002 to 2015.

Results: The search identified 2,171 references, of which 237 were obtained for full-text assessment; thirty-three of these articles were deemed relevant and included in the systematic review.

Identification of factors involved in medication compliance: incorrect inhaler technique of asthma treatment leads to poor compliance.

Objective: To identify the impact of delivery device of inhaled corticosteroids and long-acting β2-agonist (ICS/LABA) on asthma medication compliance, and investigate other factors associated with compliance.

Materials And Methods: We conducted a retrospective and multicenter study based on a review of medical registries of asthmatic patients treated with ICS/LABA combinations (n=2,213) whose medical devices were either dry powder inhalers (DPIs, such as Accuhaler(®), Turbuhaler(®), and NEXThaler(®)) or pressurized metered-dose inhalers (pMDI). Medication compliance included persistence outcomes through 18 months and medication possession ratios.

Expert Nordic perspectives on the potential of novel inhalers to overcome unmet needs in the management of obstructive lung disease.

The effective self-management of obstructive lung disease is dependent upon the patient achieving good inhaler technique. However, many current inhalers are complicated to use, which may lead to handling difficulties. These difficulties can cause clinically relevant errors, whereby pharmacotherapy fails to achieve adequate lung deposition and therapeutic effect.

The importance of inhaler devices: the choice of inhaler device may lead to suboptimal adherence in COPD patients.

Objective: This study aims to identify factors associated with poor adherence to COPD treatment in patients receiving a fixed-dose combination (FDC) of inhaled corticosteroids and long-acting β2-agonist (ICS/LABA), focusing on the importance of inhaler devices.

Methods: We conducted a retrospective and multicenter study based on a review of medical registries between 2007 and 2012 of COPD patients (n=1,263) treated with ICS/LABA FDC, whose medical devices were either dry powder inhalers (DPIs) or pressurized metered-dose inhalers (pMDI). Medication adherence included persistence outcomes through 18 months and medication possession ratios.

Costs in different states of prostate cancer.

Objectives: This cross-sectional study assesses resource use and costs in different states of prostate cancer (PCa) in a real-life setting. Costs were estimated as incremental costs due to cancer for a six-month period and they included direct medical costs, productivity costs and costs of informal care.

Methods: Resource use and cost data, irrespective of who the payer was, were retrieved from the registries for 611 PCa patients in the Helsinki area in Finland.

A review of the value of innovation in inhalers for COPD and asthma.

Background: Appropriate use of inhaled therapies for asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is critical to ensuring good patient outcomes, efficient use of healthcare resources and limiting the effects of high-morbidity. The appropriate choice of inhaler and active therapy, incorporating patient preferences, can help improve treatment adherence and long-term outcomes. Despite this, many current inhalers are non-intuitive to use, and require extensive training.

Costs of colorectal cancer in different states of the disease.

Objectives: This cross-sectional study estimates the resource use and costs among prevalent colorectal cancer (CRC) patients in different states of the disease.

Methods: Altogether 508 Finnish CRC patients (aged 26-96; colon cancer 56%; female 47%) answered a questionnaire enquiring about informal care, work capacity, and demographic factors. Furthermore, data on direct medical resource use and productivity costs were obtained from registries.

Lipid droplet-associated proteins in high-fat fed mice with the effects of voluntary running and diet change.

Objective: The relation between lipid accumulation and influence of exercise on insulin sensitivity is not straightforward. A proper balance between lipid droplet synthesis, lipolysis, and oxidative metabolism would ensure low local intramyocellular fatty acid levels, thereby possibly protecting against lipotoxicity-associated insulin resistance. This study investigated whether the accumulation of triglycerides and lipid droplets in response to high availability of fatty acids after high-fat feeding would parallel the abundance of intramyocellular perilipin proteins, especially PLIN5.

Health-related quality of life among breast, prostate, and colorectal cancer patients with end-stage disease.

Purpose: To explore end-stage breast, prostate, and colorectal cancer patients' health-related quality of life (HRQoL); to compare results obtained by different HRQoL instruments; and to explore factors related to impaired HRQoL.

Methods: A cross-sectional observational study utilized two generic HRQoL instruments, the 15D and the EQ-5D, and a cancer-specific instrument, the EORTC QLQ-C30. Patients were recruited from the Helsinki University Hospital's Department of Oncology and from a local hospice.

Observed fitness may affect niche overlap in competing species via selective social information use.

Social information transmission is important because it enables horizontal spread of behaviors, not only between conspecifics but also between individuals of different species. Because interspecific social information use is expected to take place among species with similar resource needs, it may have major consequences for the emergence of local adaptations, resource sharing, and community organization. Social information use is expected to be selective, but the conditions promoting it in an interspecific context are not well known.