Current medical research and opinion
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Relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS) patients with high disease activity (HDA) experience more severe disease than those without HDA. This analysis describes the efficacy of cladribine tablets 3.5 mg/kg in HDA patient subgroups that were either treated with disease-modifying drugs (DMDs) prior to study entry or were treatment naïve. ⋯ Post hoc evidence suggests consistent treatment benefits of cladribine tablets 3.5 mg/kg during the 96 week CLARITY study among HDA-RRMS patients who were either previously treated with DMDs or were treatment naïve.
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Observational Study
Real world utilization of 91-day extended levonorgestrel-containing combined oral contraceptives in Europe: a multinational database study.
As part of the risk management plan in Europe, this study was conducted to characterize drug utilization patterns of Seasonique, a 91 day extended levonorgestrel-containing combined oral contraceptive (COCLNG). ⋯ Findings indicate that 91 day COCLNG was prescribed for relatively short durations and predominantly as indicated for contraception. Most results were comparable across all participating countries. KEY POINTSFindings from this drug utilization study in European databases across general practitioners and French gynecologists confirmed that 91 day extended levonorgestrel-containing combined oral contraceptive (COCLNG) was prescribed for relatively short durations (median 3-6 months); predominantly for the intended indication of contraception.Combined oral contraceptive use during the 6 months prior to 91 day COCLNG initiation, and switching from 91 day COCLNG to combined hormonal contraceptives or other contraceptives, were generally low (14% or less).These findings were mostly consistent across participating countries.
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Repository corticotropin injection (RCI; Acthar Gel) is indicated to induce a diuresis or a remission of proteinuria in nephrotic syndrome (NS) without uremia of the idiopathic type or that due to lupus erythematosus. This study compares patient characteristics and measurable healthcare resource utilization (HCRU) between NS patients who received a prescription for RCI and then were either approved or denied treatment by their insurers. ⋯ Patients denied access to RCI treatment had directionally higher HCRU compared to matched, approved counterparts. Thus, the results of this study may aid providers and payers in evaluating scenarios where RCI may be beneficial and improve quality of care for NS patients.
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To characterize burden of migraine in prevention-eligible patients compared with prevention non-eligible patients in the United States (US). Receipt of preventive therapy was also examined among prevention-eligible patients. ⋯ Prevention-eligible patients experience greater burden due to migraine, including more headache days, worse health-related quality-of-life, and greater work and activity impairment than prevention non-eligible patients.
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To investigate the predictive factors associated with physical impairment among older patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) in Japan and to examine the potential impact of physical impairment on patient-reported health outcomes in this population. ⋯ Supplemental data for this article is available online at https://doi.org/10.1080/03007995.2020.1846170.