Economic and Clinical Impact of Stroke and Warfarin Use for Patients with Non-valvular Atrial Fibrillation.

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is a common clinical problem and potent risk factor for stroke. However, real-world effectiveness and outcomes for AF patients are not well described. To compare the economic and clinical impact of stroke and warfarin use on patients with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation (NVAF).

Applied Comparison of Meta-analysis Techniques.

Meta-analysis is an approach that combines findings from similar studies. The aggregation of study level data can provide precise estimates for outcomes of interest, allow for unique treatment comparisons, and explain the differences arising from conflicting study results. Proper meta-analysis includes five basic steps: identify relevant studies; extract summary data from each paper; compute study effect sizes, perform statistical analysis; and interpret and report the results.

Comparison of real-world adherence, healthcare resource utilization and costs for newly initiated valsartan/amlodipine single-pill combination versus angiotensin receptor blocker/calcium channel blocker free-combination therapy.

Objective: To compare adherence, healthcare costs and utilization of valsartan/amlodipine single-pill combination (SPC) and angiotensin-receptor blocker/calcium-channel blocker multiple-pill free-combination (ARB + CCB FC) therapy using real-world data.

Methods: A retrospective study (January 1, 2007 to April 30, 2009) was conducted using US commercial healthcare insurance claims. Patients were assigned to two cohorts: 'valsartan/amlodipine SPC cohort' and 'ARB + CCB FC therapy cohort'.

Assessment of adherence and healthcare costs of insulin device (FlexPen) versus conventional vial/syringe.

Introduction: Diabetes is difficult to manage and treatment involves significant lifestyle adjustments. Unlike the traditional method of insulin administration via the vial and syringe method, insulin pens might be perceived as less cumbersome and have potential to significantly increase patient adherence.

Methods: Using "real world" data, we examined the differences in adherence and costs between diabetic patients using an insulin FlexPen (Novo Nordisk Inc, Princeton, NJ, USA) and those using traditional vial and syringe administration.