Journal of medical economics
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The aims of this paper are to report on the prevalence, correlates and treatment of pain in the adult Spanish population. The analysis also explores the association between the experience of pain and health-related quality of life (HRQoL), employment and productivity, and healthcare resource utilization. ⋯ The experience of pain represents a substantial burden on both individuals and the Spanish economy. The experience of pain is associated with a substantial reduction in both the PCS component of the SF-12 and SF-6D absolute utilities--most notably in respect of severe pain. The experience of pain is also associated, not only with reduced labor force participation and increased absenteeism and presenteeism, but with substantially higher patterns of healthcare resource utilization.
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To assess the demographic and clinical characteristics associated with initiation of duloxetine therapy compared with other pharmacologic therapies for treatment of diabetic peripheral neuropathic pain (DPNP). ⋯ Among commercially-insured DPNP patients, those with prior use of duloxetine or pregabalin were more likely to initiate duloxetine than other treatments. The presence of select comorbidities was also associated with specific medication initiation.
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To assess the economic impact of initiating inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) without evidence of prior exacerbation among elderly patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in the US. ⋯ Among COPD patients, initiation of ICS without prior exacerbation appears to be associated with increased healthcare costs. These findings suggest that ICS initiation without evidence of exacerbation as consistent with guidelines is associated with adverse economic consequences.
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Comparative Study
Healthcare costs associated with bevacizumab and cetuximab in second-line treatment of metastatic colorectal cancer.
To compare the health care costs of patients with metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC) who received second-line treatment with Avastin (bevacizumab) versus Erbitux (cetuximab), from the third-party payer's perspective. ⋯ The use of bevacizumab in second-line therapy was associated with significantly lower healthcare costs in mCRC patients, compared to the use of cetuximab.
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Total hip and total knee replacement (THR/TKR) patients are at increased risk of developing venous thromboembolism (VTE). VTE prevention using anticoagulation therapy increases the risk of bleeding. Therefore, any assessment of the cost of VTE and its prevention should also take into consideration risks and costs of bleeding. ⋯ From the managed-care population perspective, in THR/TKR patients the greater incidence of VTE compared to any bleeding and major bleeding translated into a higher cumulative cost burden.