Current medical research and opinion
-
Observational Study
An assessment of the psychometric properties of the Chinese version of the Gout Impact Scale.
Objective: To assess the psychometric properties of the Chinese version of the Gout Impact Scale (GIS), a gout-specific HRQoL measure. Methods: This was a single-center, cross-sectional, observational survey of patients with gout recruited from the Taipei Medical University Hospital from November 2017 to April 2018. The respondents were recruited by convenience sampling. ⋯ Moreover, respondents' most recent sUA concentration was associated with both the GIS gout concern overall subscale (rs = 0.13, p < .05) and the unmet gout treatment need subscale (rs = 0.18, p < .01). Conclusions: The present study demonstrates that the Chinese version of the GIS shows good internal consistency and association with gout-related characteristics. Future studies may consider using this gout-specific instrument to assess the HRQoL of gout patients in Taiwan.
-
Background: Since 2011, the approval of several new agents has improved treatment options for malignant melanoma. We describe treatment patterns for malignant melanoma in the United States from the MarketScan database from 2011 to 2016. Methods: Treatments used for patients aged >18 years diagnosed with malignant melanoma after January 1, 2011 and enrolled in the Truven MarketScan database were analyzed. ⋯ BRAF/MEK inhibitor use only increased in the first line setting from 2011-2013 (9.7%) to 2014-2016 (11.2%). Conclusion: With the approval of immune checkpoint inhibitors, BRAF/MEK inhibitors, and targeted therapies, the therapeutic landscape for the treatment of metastatic melanoma has shifted dramatically away from cytokines and chemotherapy. Treatment patterns will likely continue to evolve as scientific advances are made.
-
Objective: To investigate patterns of presentation of cough in primary care and develop an algorithm to identify probable and possible chronic cough (CC). Methods: This retrospective observational study used routine English primary care data and linked hospital data. Patients with ≥1 cough event in the study period (March 2014-February 2015) were selected. ⋯ Conclusions: The prevalence of CC was lower than reported in previous studies. People with possible CC had higher rates of underlying conditions associated with CC. These observations may suggest poor recognition and/or under-recording of CC in primary care.
-
Background: Pertussis incidence has increased in recent decades despite childhood vaccination programs and high vaccination rates. To quantify the burden of pertussis, incidence, healthcare resource utilization, and costs among pertussis patients were estimated in a US managed care setting. Methods: Patients aged 0-64 years with evidence of pertussis (ICD-9-CM codes 033.0, 033.9, 484.3, ICD-10-CM codes A37.0, A37.9) and commercial insurance from 1 January 2006-12 December 2015 were identified. ⋯ Conclusions: Managing pertussis is associated with substantial economic burden. Incidence rate estimates from this study were higher than CDC-reported rates; however, similar overall trends were observed. Although pertussis incidence has been declining since CDC-recommended vaccination for all adults in 2012, this study highlights the importance of continued management and prevention strategies, especially among adolescents and adults as they represent an important source of transmission to infants.
-
Objectives: The aim of this study was to conduct a discrete choice experiment with patients affected by colorectal cancer to understand their preferences for different attributes of the chemotherapy supply. Our overall goal is to provide evidence on the relative importance of each attribute in order to tailor chemotherapy supply according to patients' priorities in the design or reorganization processes of cancer services. Methods: Focus groups were used to identify the attributes and levels for the discrete choice experiment. ⋯ Except for one attribute (waiting time for therapy), all other characteristics significantly influenced respondents' preferences. Conclusions: Results should support a policy of strengthening medical doctors' capabilities to communicate with patients, providing them complete information and involving them in the clinical decisions. Specifically, the findings should be used to improve the current provision of cancer care by identifying areas of preferred intervention from the perspectives of patients in order to tailor the service supply accordingly.