Value in health : the journal of the International Society for Pharmacoeconomics and Outcomes Research
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The Work Productivity and Activity Impairment Questionnaire (WPAI) is an instrument that measures work impairment in the setting of different diseases. One previous study validating the WPAI in Crohn's disease (CD) patients suggested that its reproducibility may be unsatisfactory. This study evaluated the validity and reproducibility of the Spain Spanish version of the WPAI questionnaire in CD patients. ⋯ This study confirms the validity of WPAI for measuring work impairment in CD patients. In contrast to previous studies, the test reproducibility was adequate.
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Comparative Study
Patient access to new cancer drugs in the United States and Australia.
In light of the current debate on the use value and potential impact of comparative effectiveness research on patient access, it may prove insightful to compare a health-care system that systematically bases its reimbursement decisions on comparative effectiveness evidence with the United States (US) system that hitherto has only been informed by such evidence on an ad hoc basis. ⋯ Our analysis points to a possible trade-off in market access to oncology drugs. Although more oncology drugs are available in the US and a higher percentage of available drugs are covered, the evidence-based approach adopted by Australia has contributed to reduced prices, thereby improving affordability for payers and patients for those medications deemed cost-effective by the reimbursement authority.
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Comparative Study
Pharmacoeconomic analysis of capecitabine versus 5-fluorouracil/leucovorin as adjuvant therapy for stage III colon cancer in Taiwan.
To assess the cost-effectiveness of oral capecitabine compared with intravenous bolus 5-fluorouracil/leucovorin (5-FU/LV) in the adjuvant treatment of stage III colon cancer in Taiwan from payer (Bureau of National Health Insurance [BNHI]) perspectives. ⋯ From the perspectives of the BNHI and society in Taiwan, capecitabine not only saves costs but also improves health outcomes compared with 5-FU/LV in the adjuvant treatment of stage III colon cancer.
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Multicenter Study
The costs of type 2 diabetes mellitus outpatient care in the Brazilian public health system.
The prevalence of type 2 diabetes has shown a significant increase in parallel with health care costs. The objective of the Brazilian Study on Diabetes Costs (ESCUDI study) was to estimate direct and indirect costs of type 2 diabetes outpatient care in the Brazilian Public Health Care System. ⋯ Diabetes treatment leads to elevated costs both to Brazilian Public Health Care System and society. Costs increased along with duration of disease, level of care and presence of chronic complications, which suggested a need to reallocate health resources focusing on primary prevention of diabetes and its complications.
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Multicenter Study
The impact of non-severe hypoglycemic events on work productivity and diabetes management.
Hypoglycemia is a common complication of treatment with certain diabetes drugs. Non-severe hypoglycemic events (NSHEs) occur more frequently than severe events and account for the majority of total events. The objective of this multi-country study was to identify how NSHEs in a working population affect productivity, costs, and self-management behaviors. ⋯ NSHEs are associated with substantial economic consequences for employers and patients. Greater attention to treatments that reduce NSHEs could have a major, positive impact on lost work productivity and overall diabetes management.