Real-world treatment patterns, biomarker testing, and clinical outcomes of metastatic non-small cell lung cancer patients in the immunotherapy era.

Background: Treatment for first-line (1L) metastatic non-small cell cancer (mNSCLC) changed with the introduction of immunotherapy. We describe treatment utilization and clinical outcomes in a real-world mNSCLC cohort in a 2.7-million-member state-mandated health provider.

Outcomes and Healthcare Resource Utilization in Patients with COVID-19 Treated with Nirmatrelvir-Ritonavir: Real-World Data Analysis.

Nirmatrelvir-ritonavir was granted emergency use authorization in Israel in January 2022 to treat high-risk patients with mild-to-moderate COVID-19. The aim of the study was to assess the association between nirmatrelvir-ritonavir treatment and COVID-19-related hospitalization and healthcare resource utilization (HCRU) in a country with a high level of vaccinations compared to patients who were offered treatment and declined. The Maccabi Healthcare Services dataset was used to identify high-risk SARS-CoV-2-positive adults from January to February 2022 who received nirmatrelvir-ritonavir within 5 days of symptom onset (treatment group) or who were offered nirmatrelvir-ritonavir treatment and declined it (reference group).

Mapping the patient journey and treatment patterns in early-stage (stage I-III) non-small cell lung cancer.

Introduction: We map the patient journey from symptom onset to intervention and describe primary treatment in a retrospective population-based cohort study of patients in a large healthcare-provider.

Methods: Newly diagnosed adult patients diagnosed with stages I-III non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) between 2016 and 2019 were identified from the Israel National Cancer Registry and chart review was performed to extract de-identified data. The following timelines were constructed: from symptom onset to imaging, imaging to biopsy, and biopsy to primary treatment initiation.

Healthcare resource utilization and associated cost in patients with metastatic non-small cell lung cancer treated in the immunotherapy era.

Background: Treatment approach for metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (mNSCLC) has revolutionized in the recent decade with the introduction of immunotherapy and targeted medications in first-line (1L) therapy. We present real-world data on clinical outcomes and direct healthcare resource utilization (HCRU) and cost in a 2.7-million-member Israeli health provider.

Real-World Drug Survival of Biologics and Targeted Synthetic Disease-Modifying Anti-rheumatic Drugs Among Patients with Psoriatic Arthritis.

Background: While the variety of biologics (b) and targeted synthetic (ts) disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs) available for patients with psoriatic arthritis (PsA) has proved to be efficacious in randomized clinical trials, there is a growing importance to understand the benefits and potential drawbacks of these different therapies in real-world settings, which includes bio-experienced and older patients as well.

Objective: To evaluate the real-world adherence, drug survival, and discontinuation risk of bDMARDs and tsDMARDs among patients with PsA, comprising both younger and older patients.

Methods: A retrospective study using a computerized database.

Projecting the clinical burden of chronic kidney disease at the patient level (): a microsimulation modelling study.

Background: Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a global concern that presents significant challenges for disease management. Several factors drive CKD prevalence, including primary risk factors, such as type 2 diabetes and hypertension, and an ageing population. is an international initiative that aims to raise awareness of the substantial burden incurred by CKD.

Risk for Mortality in High versus Low Antiparkinsonian Therapy Dose During the First Year of Parkinson's Disease: A Real-World Study.

Introduction: Early, simple predictors for long-term survival in Parkinson's disease (PD) may help identify patients at elevated risk and are crucial for more personalized treatment.

Methods: This large, retrospective study examined whether higher levodopa equivalent daily dose (LEDD) a year after diagnosis predicts long-term survival.

Results: Mortality risk was increased among 292 patients receiving ≥ 600 mg LEDD versus 2233 patients receiving < 600 mg LEDD (hazard ratio 1.

Epidemiology and Healthcare Service Utilization among Adults with Chronic Cough.

Chronic cough (CC) is a prevalent yet underexplored medical condition, with limited real-world data regarding its healthcare burden. This study investigates the epidemiology, associated comorbidities, and healthcare service utilization among patients with CC. In this retrospective cohort study, adult patients with at least 3 physician diagnoses of cough over a period spanning a minimum of 8 weeks and a maximum of 12 months anytime between 2009 and 2018, were defined as patients with CC (PwCC).

Stuttering in adolescence and the risk for dysglycemia in early adulthood.

Aims: To investigate the association between stuttering during adolescence and the onset of dysglycemia (prediabetes or type 2 diabetes) in early adulthood among men and women.

Materials And Methods: This cohort study included Maccabi Health Services members assessed for mandatory military service at ages 16-19 during 1990-2019 and followed until 31 December 2020. Stuttering status was recorded in the baseline medical evaluation.

Real-world effectiveness of sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors on the progression of chronic kidney disease in patients without diabetes, with and without albuminuria.

Aim: To examine the renal effects of sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 (SGLT2) inhibition among non-diabetic individuals with chronic kidney disease (CKD) in a real-world setting.

Methods: We collected de-identified data on adults without diabetes and with an estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) of 25-60 mL/min/1.73 m, who initiated the SGLT2 inhibitors dapagliflozin or empagliflozin between September 2020 and November 2022 at Maccabi Healthcare Services, an Israeli health maintenance organization.

Clinical Outcomes of Patients with HER2 Positive Metastatic Breast Cancer to the Brain, with First-Line Trastuzumab, Pertuzumab and Chemotherapy, in a Real-World Setting.

Background: In this observational study, we analyzed the treatment patterns and clinical outcomes of patients with human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)-positive metastatic breast cancer (mBC) who developed brain metastases during their disease in a 2.7 million-member public health-provider in Israel.

Methods: Newly diagnosed patients with mBC who initiated first-line treatment between January 2013 and June 2021 were identified.

Real-World Coverage With Influenza, Pneumococcal, and Herpes Zoster Vaccines Among Patients With Rheumatic Diseases in a Nationwide Healthcare Plan.

Objective: Vaccination against preventable infections is important for the management of rheumatic diseases (RDs). This study assessed the vaccination coverage and predictors among patients with RDs using real-world data from Israel.

Methods: This retrospective cross-sectional study, based on a Maccabi Healthcare Services database, included adult patients diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), psoriatic arthritis (PsA), and systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), as of April 30, 2019.

Time on Treatment and Survival Outcomes for Patients Treated With First-line Osimertinib . Other Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitors, for EGFR Mutation-positive Metastatic Non-small Cell Lung Cancer: Real-world Experience Data.

Background/aim: In this observational study, we analyzed the time on treatment (ToT) and overall survival (OS) of patients with metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (mNSCLC) in a 2.7-million-member public health provider in Israel.

Patients And Methods: Newly diagnosed patients with mNSCLC who initiated first-line tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) therapy between Jan 2017-Dec 2020 were identified from the National Cancer Registry and Maccabi Healthcare Services database.

A meta-analysis identifies factors predicting the future development of freezing of gait in Parkinson's disease.

Freezing of gait (FOG) is a debilitating problem that is common among many, but not all, people with Parkinson's disease (PD). Numerous attempts have been made at treating FOG to reduce its negative impact on fall risk, functional independence, and health-related quality of life. However, optimal treatment remains elusive.

Calcium score of the entire thoracic aorta is an independent predictor of all-cause mortality in patients referred to chest computed tomography.

Background: Thoracic arterial calcifications (TAC) are not routinely reported or quantified in chest CT scans. We aimed to evaluate the association between TAC of the entire thoracic aorta and all-cause mortality (ACM) in patients referred to standard chest CT.

Methods: A retrospective analysis of consecutive standard chest CT scans (non-gated, non-contrast) for the quantification of TAC, CAC and aortic valve calcification.

Pre-morbid Laboratory Tests, Diseases, and Medications in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis in Israel.

Background: There is an unmet need for real-world data regarding laboratory results, co-morbidities, and medication use prior to the first symptoms of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Researchers must identify specific subpopulations at risk for developing ALS and understand pathogenic mechanisms preceding the clinical presentation of ALS as well as possible subclinical disease manifestations.

Objectives: To valuate the role of laboratory results, co-morbidities, and medication use prior to the first symptoms of patients with ALS in Israel so that specific subpopulations at risk for developing ALS can be identified and for possible subclinical disease manifestations.

Real-World Utilization of Molnupiravir during the COVID-19 Omicron Surge in Israel.

Molnupiravir (MOV) was introduced in Israel in January 2022 during the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron surge for high-risk patients contraindicated for nirmatrelvir/ritonavir. This retrospective cohort study aimed to describe characteristics of patients offered COVID-19 antiviral treatment in Maccabi Healthcare Services (antiviral treatment-eligible cohort; = 5596) between 12 January and 28 February 2022, and the subset of these who were dispensed MOV (MOV-treated cohort; = 1147), as well as outcomes following MOV dispensation. Median (interquartile range) age in the antiviral treatment-eligible and MOV-treated cohorts were 70.

The Association Between Depression and Invasive and In-situ Cervical Tumors: A Large Population Based Cohort Study.

Background: Depression has been shown to be associated with cervical tumors (CTs), an association mostly demonstrated in studies in which temporality could not have been ascertained.

Objectives: To study the association between depression and CTs and the influence of co-morbidities of this association in a large cohort study.

Methods: A retrospective computer-based cohort study was conducted.