A cost analysis of introducing an infectious disease specialist-guided antimicrobial stewardship in an area with relatively low prevalence of antimicrobial resistance.

Background: Antimicrobial stewardship programs have been widely introduced in hospitals as a response to increasing antimicrobial resistance. Although such programs are commonly used, the long-term effects on antimicrobial resistance as well as societal economics are uncertain.

Methods: We performed a cost analysis of an antimicrobial stewardship program introduced in Malmö, Sweden in 20 weeks 2013 compared with a corresponding control period in 2012.

The first Team Haemophilia Education meeting, 2015, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.

Haemophilia remains a complex disorder to diagnose and manage, requiring close cooperation between multidisciplinary healthcare professionals. There are still many unmet challenges in haemophilia care. The first Team Haemophilia Education (THE) meeting, held on 7-8 May 2015 in Amsterdam, The Netherlands, aimed to promote the optimal care of haemophilia patients through education of the multidisciplinary treatment team.

Socioeconomic inequalities in breast cancer incidence and mortality in Europe-a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: Breast cancer is the leading cause of female cancer in Europe and is estimated to affect more than one in 10 women. Higher socioeconomic status has been linked to higher incidence but lower case fatality, while the impact on mortality is ambiguous.

Methods: We performed a systematic literature review and meta-analysis on studies on association between socioeconomic status and breast cancer outcomes in Europe, with a focus on effects of confounding factors.

Preferences for improvements in attributes associated with basal insulin: a time trade-off and willingness-to-pay survey of a diabetic and non-diabetic population in Sweden.

Objective: Apart from improved health outcomes, treatment convenience per se may have a value to individuals. This is sometimes referred to as process utility and can be estimated in terms of willingness-to-pay (WTP) or quality-adjusted life-years (QALYs). Previous research has produced multiple studies on QALY gains and WTP estimates of insulin-related attributes.

Cost effectiveness of pomalidomide in patients with relapsed and refractory multiple myeloma in Sweden.

Background: Multiple myeloma (MM) patients who have progressed following treatment with both bortezomib and lenalidomide have a poor prognosis. In this late stage, other effective alternatives are limited, and patients in Sweden are often left with best supportive care. Pomalidomide is a new anti-angiogenic and immunomodulatory drug for the treatment of MM.

Value of treatment in clinical trials versus the real world: the case of abiraterone acetate (Zytiga) for postchemotherapy metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer patients in Sweden.

Objective: In a randomized clinical trial (COU-AA-301), abiraterone acetate (Zytiga(®)) was shown to be superior to prednisone in the treatment of metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC). However, the value of abiraterone treatment for patients with mCRPC in clinical practice in Sweden is not known. The aim of this study was to compare the outcomes and treatment patterns of abiraterone treatment in a Swedish observational study to those of the pivotal clinical trial, thereby discussing the external validity of the postchemotherapy clinical trial from a Swedish perspective.

Social/economic costs and health-related quality of life in patients with epidermolysis bullosa in Europe.

Background: The aim of this study was to determine the social/economic costs and health-related quality of life (HRQOL) of patients with epidermolysis bullosa (EB) in eight EU member states.

Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study of patients with EB from Bulgaria, France, Germany, Hungary, Italy, Spain, Sweden and the United Kingdom. Data on demographic characteristics, health resource utilisation, informal care, labour productivity losses, and HRQOL were collected from the questionnaires completed by patients or their caregivers.

Cost-Effectiveness of LDL-C Lowering With Evolocumab in Patients With High Cardiovascular Risk in the United States.

Randomized trials have shown marked reductions in low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), a risk factor for cardiovascular disease (CVD), when evolocumab is administered. We hypothesized that evolocumab added to standard of care (SOC) vs SOC alone is cost-effective in the treatment of patients with heterozygous familial hypercholesterolemia (HeFH) or atherosclerotic CVD (ASCVD) with or without statin intolerance and LDL-C >100 mg/dL. Using a Markov cohort state transition model, primary and recurrent CVD event rates were predicted considering population-specific trial-based mean risk factors and calibrated against observed rates in the real world.

Social/economic costs and health-related quality of life in patients with juvenile idiopathic arthritis in Europe.

Objective: The aim of this study was to determine the economic burden from a societal perspective and the health-related quality of life (HRQOL) of patients with juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) in Europe.

Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study of patients with JIA from Germany, Italy, Spain, France, the United Kingdom, Bulgaria, and Sweden. Data on demographic characteristics, healthcare resource utilization, informal care, labor productivity losses, and HRQOL were collected from the questionnaires completed by patients or their caregivers.

Workforce unavailability in Parkinson's disease.

Objectives: Individuals with Parkinson's disease (PD) become unavailable in the workforce earlier than comparable members of the general population. This may result in significant social insurance expenses, but as workforce participation can be a source for social interaction and a vital part of the personal identity, there are likely to be personal implications extending far beyond the economic aspects. This study aimed to identify aspects that may contribute to workforce unavailability in people with PD.

Social/economic costs and health-related quality of life in patients with fragile X syndrome in Europe.

Objective: To estimate the social/economic costs of fragile X syndrome (FXS) in Europe and to assess the health-related quality of life (HRQOL) of patients and caregivers.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in a sample of European countries. Patients were recruited through patients' associations.

Social/economic costs and health-related quality of life of mucopolysaccharidosis patients and their caregivers in Europe.

Objectives: To assess the health-related quality of life (HRQOL) of patients with mucopolysaccharidosis (MPS) and their caregivers and to quantify the disease-related costs from a societal perspective.

Methods: In the context of a multi-country study of rare diseases (BURQOL-RD project), a cross-sectional survey was performed among MPS patients in seven European countries. Data on demographic characteristics, health resource utilization, informal care, and loss of labor productivity were collected.

Social/economic costs and health-related quality of life in patients with cystic fibrosis in Europe.

Objectives: Our goal was to provide data on the economic burden and health-related quality of life (HRQOL) of patients with cystic fibrosis (CF) and their caregivers in Europe.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was carried out on adults and children with CF in eight European countries. Patients completed an anonymous questionnaire regarding their socio-demographic characteristics, use of healthcare services and presence of a caregiver.

Social/economic costs and health-related quality of life in patients with histiocytosis in Europe.

Objective: The aim of this study was to determine the economic burden from a societal perspective and the health-related quality of life (HRQOL) of patients with histiocytosis in Europe.

Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study of patients with histiocytosis from France, Germany, Italy, Spain, Bulgaria, the UK, and Sweden. Data on demographic characteristics, health resource utilisation, informal care, loss of labour productivity and HRQOL were collected from the questionnaires completed by patients or their caregivers.

Social/economic costs and health-related quality of life in patients with Prader-Willi syndrome in Europe.

Objective: The aim of this study was to determine the economic burden from a societal perspective and health-related quality of life (HRQOL) of patients with Prader-Willi syndrome (PWS) in Europe.

Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study of patients with PWS from Spain, Bulgaria, Hungary, Germany, Italy, the UK, Sweden and France. Data on demographic characteristics, healthcare resource utilisation, informal care, labour productivity losses and HRQOL were collected from questionnaires completed by patients or their caregivers.

Social/economic costs and health-related quality of life in patients with scleroderma in Europe.

Objective: The aim of this study was to determine the economic burden from a societal perspective and the health-related quality of life (HRQOL) of patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc; scleroderma) in Europe.

Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study of patients with SSc (involving both localised and systemic sclerosis) from Germany, Italy, Spain, France, the UK, Hungary and Sweden. Data on demographic characteristics, healthcare resource utilisation, informal care, labour productivity losses and HRQOL were collected from the questionnaires completed by patients or their caregivers.

Social/economic costs and health-related quality of life in patients with Duchenne muscular dystrophy in Europe.

Objective: The aim of this study was to determine the economic burden from a societal perspective and the health-related quality of life (HRQOL) of patients with Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) in Europe.

Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study of patients with DMD from Bulgaria, France, Germany, Hungary, Italy, Spain, Sweden, and the UK. Data on demographic characteristics, healthcare resource utilization, informal care, labor productivity losses, and HRQOL were collected from the questionnaires completed by patients or their caregivers.

Cost-effectiveness of Screening for Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm in Combination with Medical Intervention in Patients with Small Aneurysms.

Objectives: Screening for abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) among 65 year old men has been proven cost-effective, but nowadays is conducted partly under new conditions. The prevalence of AAA has decreased, and endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR) has become the predominant surgical method for AAA repair in many centers. At the Malmö Vascular Center pharmacological secondary prevention with statins, antiplatelet therapy, and blood pressure reduction is initiated and given to all patients with AAA.

Healthcare Provider Type and Switch to Biologics in Psoriasis: Evidence from Real-World Practice.

Background: Previous research indicates an uneven uptake of biologics in patients with moderate-to-severe psoriasis in Sweden. Therefore, it is essential to scrutinise variations in treatment patterns.

Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the extent to which the uptake of biologics for psoriasis differs between types of healthcare provider.

TOTALL: high cost of allergic rhinitis-a national Swedish population-based questionnaire study.

Allergic rhinitis is a global illness with a well-recognised impact on quality of life and work performance. Comparatively little is known about the extent of its economic impact on society. The TOTALL study estimates the total cost of allergic rhinitis using a sample representing the entire Swedish population of working age.

A Systematic Review of Cost-Effectiveness Models in Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus.

Background: Critiques of cost-effectiveness modelling in type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) are scarce and are often undertaken in combination with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) models. However, T1DM is a separate disease, and it is therefore important to appraise modelling methods in T1DM.

Objectives: This review identified published economic models in T1DM and provided an overview of the characteristics and capabilities of available models, thus enabling a discussion of best-practice modelling approaches in T1DM.

Direct and indirect costs for systemic lupus erythematosus in Sweden. A nationwide health economic study based on five defined cohorts.

Objectives: The main objectives of this study were to calculate total costs of illness and cost-driving disease features among patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) in Sweden.

Methods: Five cohorts of well-defined SLE patients, located in different parts of the country were merged. Incident and prevalent cases from 2003 through 2010 were included.

Register-Based Evaluation of Relative Effectiveness of New Therapies: Biologics Versus Conventional Agents in Treatment of Psoriasis in Sweden.

Background: The Swedish National Register for Systemic Treatment of Psoriasis (PsoReg) was established in 2006. This article analyzes the implementation phase of biologics in the treatment of moderate to severe psoriasis in Sweden in the period 2006-2012. Clinical studies have shown efficacy of biologic agents in psoriasis, but their relative effectiveness in real-world clinical practice has rarely been studied.

Cost-Effectiveness of Canagliflozin versus Sitagliptin as Add-on to Metformin in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus in Mexico.

Objective: To assess the cost-effectiveness of canagliflozin versus sitagliptin for the treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) as an add-on to metformin in Mexico.

Methods: A validated model (Economic and Health Outcomes [ECHO]-T2DM) was used to estimate the cost-effectiveness of canagliflozin 300 or 100 mg versus sitagliptin 100 mg in patients with T2DM inadequately controlled on metformin monotherapy. Data from a head-to-head, phase III clinical trial, including patients' baseline demographic characteristics, biomarker values, and treatment effects, were used to simulate outcomes and resource use over 20 years from the perspective of the Mexican health care system.