Current medical research and opinion
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Comparative Study
Healthcare resource utilization of second-generation long-acting injectable antipsychotics in schizophrenia: risperidone versus paliperidone palmitate.
This retrospective longitudinal cohort study aimed to compare treatment patterns, healthcare resource utilization (HRU), and costs in patients with schizophrenia treated with second-generation antipsychotic long-acting injectables (SGA-LAIs): biweekly risperidone LAI versus once-monthly paliperidone palmitate. ⋯ These findings highlight the value of once-monthly paliperidone palmitate in the treatment of patients with schizophrenia.
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This study assessed trends in the average wholesale price (AWP) at the market entry of disease-modifying therapies (DMTs) approved by Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in the period 1987-2014. ⋯ The AWP per DDD for DMTs at market entry increased substantially over time. The increase in DMTs prices exceeded the general consumer price index.
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To analyze the use of healthcare resources by chronic pain (CP) patients in Spain and their satisfaction with them. ⋯ CP produces relevant demands on healthcare resources, conditioned by the consequences within the family and the effects on their employment. To achieve greater patient satisfaction, professionals need to pay particular attention to certain sites of pain and to patients' mental health.
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Low back pain in general and specifically chronic low back pain forms a major burden for the patient and society. Recently studies demonstrated that up to 65% of patients evolve to chronic pain as opposed to the previously accepted 8%. As low back pain patients present first with their general practitioner, the latter should establish a treatment plan, including the appropriate referrals. ⋯ It is important to recognize the risks for chronification, such as degenerative and/or herniated disk, a smaller cross-sectional area of the multifidus, erector spinae, and psoas muscles and psychological and social factors, to be able to provide appropriate management. Also stratification of the patients according to the degree of disability may help in defining the correct treatment approach. A one-and-a-half line approach, where a spine physician assistant works under the supervision of the general practitioner to establish the sub-diagnosis, the risk factors for chronicity and to explain the proposed management plan to the patient, may be helpful for an early appropriate treatment selection for the patient with chronic low back pain.