Search

Chi Nguyen,1 Luke Bamber,2 Vincent J Willey,1 Thomas Evers,2 Thomas P Power,3 Judith J Stephenson1 1HealthCore, Inc., Wilmington, DE, USA; 2Bayer AG, Wuppertal, 42096, Germany; 3AIM Specialty Health, Chicago, IL, USACorrespondence: Chi Nguyen, HealthCore, Inc., 123 Justison Street, Suite 200, Wilmington, DE, USA, Tel +1- 302-230-2000, Fax +1-302-230-2020, Email cnguyen@healthcore.comBackground: Patient-reported health related quality of life (HRQOL) is not routinely assessed in clinical practice. Little is known about health status outcomes reported by patients with heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) in non-clinical trial settings.Purpose: To better understand patient burden of HFpEF in terms of HF-specific functional and symptom status, HRQOL, healthcare resource utilization (HCRU) and costs in a US-based commercial and Medicare Advantage insured population.Patients and methods: We conducted a cross-sectional survey of patients with HFpEF and linked their survey and administrative claims data. Consenting, eligible patients completed a survey that included the 23-item Kansas City Cardiomyopathy Questionnaire (KCCQ-23) and the PROMIS Global Health-10 (GH-10) questionnaire, as well as clinical and demographic questions. HF medication use, HCRU and costs during the 12-month baseline period before the survey were determined from claims data. Generalized linear regression was used to assess the associations between baseline characteristics and the KCCQ-23 overall summary score.Results: Of 598 survey respondents with survey and claims data, 54.7% were female with mean age 74.0 years. The KCCQ-23 overall summary and clinical summary scores were 64.8 and 63.0, respectively, and the GH-10 physical and mental health summary scores were 39.9 and 45.5. Factors related to lower KCCQ-23 overall summary scores were HF treatment and symptom changes during the past 4-weeks before the survey, hospital admission during the past year, low household income, high comorbidity index, and morbid obesity (BMI> 40). Total all-cause healthcare costs were $38,243 during the year prior to the survey, of which 42% were HF-related.Conclusion: Patient-reported outcome measure scores indicated impairment due to HF symptoms and physical limitations in this real-world sample of patients with HFpEF, highlighting a need to assess patient-reported outcomes as well as the clinical and economic outcomes traditionally assessed by clinicians, health systems and payers.Keywords: heart failure with preserved ejection fraction, HFpEF, patient-reported health related quality of life, healthcare resource utilization, healthcare costs

Judith J Stephenson,1 Jonathon Colby Gable,2 Rebekah Zincavage,1 Gregory L Price,2 Collin Churchill,2 Emily Zhu,2 Keri Stenger,2 Mukul Singhal,1 Bal Nepal,1 Michael Grabner,1 Michael J Fisch,3 David Debono,4 Amy R Geschwender,5 Gebra Cuyun Carter2 1HealthCore, Inc., Wilmington, DE, USA; 2Eli Lilly and Company, Indianapolis, IN, USA; 3AIM Specialty Health, Chicago, IL, USA; 4Anthem, Inc., Indianapolis, IN, USA; 5SWOG Cancer Research Network, San Antonio, TX, USACorrespondence: Judith J Stephenson Tel +1 302-547-5770Email JStephenson@healthcore.comPurpose: To describe patients’ perspectives on the use of and potential challenges and barriers with adherence/persistence to cyclin-dependent kinase 4 and 6 inhibitors (CDK4& 6i’s) to treat metastatic breast cancer (MBC).Methods: This qualitative study consisted of 60-minute semi-structured telephone interviews with patients with MBC in the US who were either current or recent CDK4& 6i users, identified from administrative claims of survey-eligible commercial and Medicare Advantage patients in the HealthCore Integrated Research Database between November 1, 2018 and November 1, 2019. Patients were recruited by email and/or mailed letter. The 60-minute telephone interviews were conducted by a trained facilitator using a study-developed interview discussion guide that included topics impacting treatment choice and adherence/persistence. Interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed, and thematically analyzed.Results: All 462 eligible patients were sent a recruitment email and/or letter to which 36 patients responded, consented to participate, and met study inclusion criteria; 25 patients scheduled interviews, and 24 completed them. Study participants were predominately white, non-Hispanic (96%) with a mean age of 59.5 years. Participants reported a largely positive experience and mentioned very few adherence/persistence issues. They further reported appreciating the ease and convenience of oral oncolytics, coped with side effects, had strong medical and social support, and experienced few cost issues.Conclusion: The few adherence/persistence issues reported by participants contrasts with other findings of suboptimal oral oncolytic use. Interview themes indicated several factors that likely contributed to the lack of adherence/persistence issues: trusted relationship with oncologist, belief in importance of medication, positive medication views, strong medical and social support, and minimal personal drug cost. Future research should focus on whether and how much these factors impact adherence/persistence in more diverse populations. If adherence/persistence issues are identified in these populations, then it would be appropriate to study the development of interventions that target factors associated with better adherence/persistence.Keywords: oral oncolytics, patient perspective, semi-structured interviews, adherence, persistence, CDK4& 6i users

Daina B Esposito,1 Vibha CA Desai,1 Judith J Stephenson,1 M Soledad Cepeda,2 Jennifer G Lyons,1 Crystal N Holick,1 Gregory P Wedin,3 Stephan Lanes1 On behalf of members of the REMS Program Companies Metrics Subteam1HealthCore, Inc., Wilmington, DE, USA; 2Janssen Research and Development, Titusville, NJ, USA; 3Upsher-Smith Laboratories, LLC, Maple Grove, MN, USACorrespondence: Judith J StephensonHealthCore Inc, 123 Justison Street, Suite 200, Wilmington, DE, 19801, USATel +1 302-547-5770Email jstephenson@healthcore.comBackground/Rationale: The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved a Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategy (REMS) for extended release/long-acting (ER/LA) opioids in 2012. The purpose of this study was to assess patient knowledge of the safe use of these products following implementation of the REMS and to determine possible effects of the REMS, including impact on medication access.Objective: To assess patient knowledge of safe use of ER/LA opioids and use of REMS patient education tools such as the Medication Guide (MG) and Patient Counseling Document (PCD).Methods: This was a cross-sectional survey of commercially insured (Commercial) and Medicare Advantage-insured (Medicare) adults with ≥ 1 pharmacy claim for an ER/LA opioid (10/01/2015 – 02/28/2017) in the HealthCore Integrated Research Database and Medicaid-insured (Medicaid) adult members of a research panel, about their knowledge of safe use of ER/LA opioids and receipt/comprehension of the MG and PCD.Results: Survey respondents consisted of 382 Commercial, 43 Medicare and 40 Medicaid adults. While ≥ 95% of respondents received and read the MG, fewer were aware of the PCD (Commercial: 47%, Medicare: 65%, Medicaid: 53%). Almost 75% of the knowledge questions were answered correctly by ≥ 80% of all respondents; fewer respondents recognized that use of opioids as directed can lead to death (Commercial: 73%, Medicare: 56%, Medicaid: 63%), the MG should be read at each dispensing (Commercial: 78%, Medicare: 53%, Medicaid: 75%), opioids should not be stored in the medicine cabinet (Commercial: 77%, Medicare: 79%, Medicaid: 58%), missed doses should not be taken as soon as possible (Commercial: 56%, Medicare: 51%, Medicaid: 50%), and pills should not be crushed (Commercial: 85%, Medicare: 67%, Medicaid: 52%).Conclusion: Although most respondents reported reading and understanding the MG and exhibited knowledge of safe use of ER/LA opioids, providers’ use of the PCD and increased understanding of safe use core messages need reinforcement.Keywords: Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategy, opioids, patient knowledge

Judith J Stephenson,1 Carole Dembek,2 Amanda Caldwell-Tarr,3 Rebecca M Conto,1 Mark Paullin,1 Edward M Kerwin4 1HealthCore Inc., Wilmington, DE, USA; 2Sunovion Pharmaceuticals Inc., Marlborough, MA, USA; 3HealthCore Inc., Watertown, MA, USA; 4Clinical Research Institute of Southern Oregon, Medford, OR, USACorrespondence: Judith J Stephenson Tel +1 302 230 2142Email jstephenson@healthcore.comPurpose: To assess clinical characteristics and device satisfaction of patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) treated with glycopyrrolate/eFlow® Closed System (CS) nebulizer (further referred to as eFlow) under real-world conditions.Participants and Methods: Patients with COPD currently using eFlow were identified by the study sponsor. Consenting patients who met study inclusion criteria completed a cross-sectional survey that included a device satisfaction questionnaire. Means, medians, and standard deviations were calculated.Results: Sixty-six patients met inclusion criteria and completed the survey. Participants’ mean ± standard deviation age was 64.9 ± 11.9 years and the majority were white (86.4%) and female (59.1%). Almost two-thirds were former smokers. Thirty-nine (59.1%) reported their COPD to be severe/very severe and 38 (57.6%) reported a COPD exacerbation resulting in a hospitalization, ER visit, or medication modification over the past 12 months. Among 55 participants who had previously used another type of nebulizer, 44 (80%) were overall “much more”/“somewhat more” satisfied with the eFlow compared with their previous nebulizer(s). Regardless of prior nebulizer use, 60 (90.9%) participants were “satisfied”/“very satisfied” overall with the eFlow. Assembly and disassembly, operation, and cleaning were perceived as being “easy”/“very easy” by at least 65% of participants. Among all participants, 57 (86.4%) were “confident”/“very confident” of glycopyrrolate administration. On a Likert scale of 1 (“I don’t like it”) to 7 (“I like it a lot”), mean scores were at least 5.9 for portability, ease of cleaning, size, weight, short administration time, and relative silence of the device. Over 80% of participants said they “probably”/"definitely" would continue to use eFlow.Conclusion: Based on this real-world study, the majority of patients were highly satisfied with, and confident in, using eFlow.Keywords: device satisfaction, cross-sectional, survey, nebulizer, COPD

Samaneh Kalirai,1 Jasmina I Ivanova,2 Magaly Perez-Nieves,1 Judith J Stephenson,3 Irene Hadjiyianni,1 Michael Grabner,3 Roy Daniel Pollom,1 Caroline Geremakis,3 Beverly L Reed,1 Lawrence Fisher4 1Eli Lilly and Company, Indianapolis, IN, USA; 2Analysis Group Inc., New York, NY, USA; 3HealthCore Inc., Wilmington, DE, USA; 4Department of Family and Community Medicine, UC San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USACorrespondence: Michael GrabnerHealthCore, Inc., 123 Justison St, Suite 200, Wilmington, DE 19801, USATel +1 302 230-2000Email mgrabner@healthcore.comObjective: A survey of US adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus was conducted to better understand patients’ insulin initiation experiences and treatment persistence behaviors.Research Design and Methods: Participants were recruited from consumer panels and grouped by basal insulin treatment pattern: continuers (no gap of ≥ 7 days within 6 months of initiation); interrupters (gap ≥ 7 days, resumed treatment); discontinuers (stopped for ≥ 7 days, not resumed). A quota of approximately 50 respondents per persistence category was set.Results: A total of 154 respondents (52 continuers, 52 interrupters, 50 discontinuers) completed the survey. Mean age was 51.4 years; 51.9% male. Continuers were more likely to report their views being considered during initiation, and less likely to report a sense of failure. Concerns included insulin dependence (64.3% agree/strongly agree), frequent blood glucose monitoring (55.2%), costs/ability to pay (53.9%), fears of or mistakes during self-injection (52.6%), and weight gain (52.6%). Continuers were motivated by benefits of insulin therapy; experienced or potential side effects were notable factors for interruption/discontinuation. Healthcare provider instruction was indicated as a reason for continuing, stopping, and restarting therapy.Conclusion: Benefits of basal insulin therapy motivated continuers while side effects impacted interruption/discontinuation. Persistence on basal insulin is often influenced by provider actions. Earlier provider intervention upon signs of treatment discontinuation may promote persistence.Keywords: type 2 diabetes mellitus, basal insulin, patient survey, medication persistence

Judith J Stephenson,1 M Soledad Cepeda,2 Jie Zhang,3,4 Jade Dinh,4 Kelsey Hall,4 Daina B Esposito,4– 6 David M Kern2 1Scientific Affairs, HealthCore, Inc, Wilmington, DE, USA; 2Epidemiology, Janssen Research and Development, Titusville, NJ, USA; 3Center for Observational Research, Amgen Inc., Thousand Oaks, CA, USA; 4Safety and Epidemiology, HealthCore, Inc., Wilmington, DE, USA; 5Ciconia, Inc, Westford, MA, USA; 6Epidemiology, Boston University, Boston, MA, USACorrespondence: Judith J StephensonHealthCore, Inc., 123 Justison Street, Suite 200, Wilmington, DE 19801, USATel +1 302-230-2142Email jstephenson@healthcore.comBackground/Rationale: Little is known about the reasons for visiting multiple doctors/pharmacies, known as doctor/pharmacy shopping, to obtain opioids.Objective: To investigate patients’ self-reported reasons for doctor/pharmacy shopping and assess whether doctor/pharmacy shopping behavior can be used as a surrogate measure of opioid abuse/misuse.Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional web-based survey among adult patients with ≥ 2 pharmacy claims for immediate-release or extended-release/long-acting opioids between 7/1/2015 and 12/31/2016, identified from a large United States (US) commercial claims database. Patients were classified into no, mild, moderate, or severe shopping categories based on their claims. Reasons for doctor/pharmacy shopping and opioid abuse/misuse were determined from patient responses to the Prescription Opioid Misuse and Abuse Questionnaire.Results: A random sample of 10,081 patients was invited to participate in the survey and 1085 (11%) completed surveys. The most frequently reported reasons for doctor/pharmacy shopping were convenience, availability, price, and multiple morbidities requiring pain management. Among patients in the no, minimal, moderate, and severe shopping categories, only 7.8%, 8.5%, 11.8% and 12.6% reported opioid abuse/misuse, respectively.Conclusion: In this commercially-insured population, patient-reported reasons for doctor/pharmacy shopping do not suggest opioid abuse/misuse. Less than 15% of patients with shopping behavior in the past 3 months reported any reasons attributable to opioid abuse/misuse, indicating that shopping behavior in this population may not be a good surrogate for abuse/misuse.Keywords: doctor/pharmacy shopping, prescription opioid, abuse and misuse

Judith J Stephenson,1 Mayura U Shinde,1 Winghan Jacqueline Kwong,2 An-Chen Fu,1 Hiangkiat Tan,1 William S Weintraub3 1HealthCore, Inc., Wilmington, DE, 2Daiichi Sankyo, Inc., Basking Ridge, NJ, 3Christiana Care Health System, Newark, DE, USA Objective: To compare oral anticoagulant (OAC) adherence among patients with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation (NVAF) using patient-reported and claims-based measures, and to evaluate the effect of OAC adherence on health care costs and patient satisfaction with OAC therapy.Methods: This was a hybrid US observational study consisting of a longitudinal cohort survey followed by linkage and analysis of respondents’ administrative claims data. Patients with NVAF receiving warfarin, dabigatran, rivaroxaban, or apixaban completed an initial survey and follow-up surveys at 4, 8, and 12 months. Patient-reported adherence was measured at each survey by Morisky Medication Adherence Scale (MMAS-8) and pharmacy claims-determined adherence by the proportion of days covered (PDC) for the 12-month period following the initial survey date; adherence was defined as MMAS-8 score =8 and PDC ≥80%. Patient satisfaction with OAC therapy was assessed by the Duke Anticoagulation Satisfaction Scale (DASS).Results: Overall, 675 patients completed at least the initial survey (warfarin, n=271; dabigatran, n=266; rivaroxaban, n=128; apixaban, n=10). Fewer than half (47.9%) were PDC adherent, 37.2% were MMAS-8 adherent, and 19.4% were adherent by both measures. Total medical costs of PDC-adherent patients were significantly lower vs PDC-nonadherent patients (US$640 vs $993 per-patient per-month, respectively, p

Judith J Stephenson,1 Debra Wertz,1 Tao Gu,1 Jeetvan Patel,2 Anand A Dalal2 1HealthCore, Inc., Wilmington, DE, 2GlaxoSmithKline, Research Triangle Park, NC, USA Purpose: The degree to which symptoms such as dyspnea affect patients with COPD is individualized. To address the gap between clinical symptom measures and self-perceived disease burden, we investigated the symptom status of adult patients with COPD and followed with an administrative claims analysis of health care resource utilization and costs. Methods: This was a hybrid US observational study consisting of a cross-sectional patient survey followed by a retrospective analysis of administrative claims data. The primary COPD symptom measures were the modified Medical Research Council (mMRC) Dyspnea scale and the COPD Assessment Test (CAT). Results: A total of 673 patients completed the survey. Of these, 65% reported mMRC grades 0–1 (low symptomatology) and 35% reported mMRC grades 2–4 (high symptomatology); 25% reported CAT score

John F Foley,1 Kavita V Nair,2 Timothy Vollmer,3 Judith J Stephenson,4 Timothy Niecko,5 Sonalee S Agarwal,6 Crystal Watson6 1Rocky Mountain Multiple Sclerosis Clinic, Salt Lake City, UT, USA; 2Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Colorado Denver, Aurora, CO, USA; 3Department of Neurology, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, CO, USA; 4HealthCore, Inc., Wilmington, DE, USA; 5Niecko Health Economics, Tierra Verde, FL, USA; 6Biogen, Cambridge, MA, USA Background: Multiple sclerosis (MS) patients experience lower health-related quality of life (HRQoL) than the general population. In clinical trials, natalizumab significantly improved HRQoL and reduced relapse rates and disability progression in patients with relapsing MS. In a 1-year analysis of patients included in the current study, HRQoL improvement occurred within 3 months of natalizumab initiation and continued for 1 year thereafter. However, natalizumab’s long-term efficacy in improving HRQoL has not been studied.Methods: In this longitudinal, observational, single-arm US study, HRQoL and treatment satisfaction were evaluated in MS patients receiving intravenous natalizumab 300 mg every 4 weeks in clinical settings. Patients completed surveys at baseline and every 6 months for 3 years and reported the following measures: Short Form-12 Version 2 (SF-12v2), Multiple Sclerosis Impact Scale (MSIS-29), and Treatment Satisfaction Questionnaire for Medication.Results: In this study, 120 patients completed ≥3 years of natalizumab treatment. Significant HRQoL improvements were evident from baseline to year 3 by increases in SF-12v2 Physical Component Summary (PCS) and Mental Component Summary scores (P

Nella Bieszk,1 Michael Grabner,2 Wenhui Wei,1 Nicole G Bonine,2 Judith J Stephenson,2 1Sanofi US, Inc., Bridgewater, NJ, 2HealthCore, Inc., Wilmington, DE, USA Objective: To evaluate awareness of the 2012 American Diabetes Association (ADA) Position Statement among physicians and assess its effects on patient-centered glycated hemoglobin (A1C) goals in the management of type 2 diabetes (T2D). Research design and methods: The Summarizing Real-World Individualized TrEatmEnT GoalS and Potential SuppOrT Systems in Type 2 Diabetes (SWEET SPOTS) study used the HealthCore claims database to identify T2D patients, stratified by risk, and their treating physicians to assess primary care physician and endocrinologist awareness of the 2012 ADA Position Statement. Physicians completed online surveys on A1C targets before and after receiving an educational intervention to review the position statement. Results: Of 125 responding physicians (mean age 50.3 years, 12.8% endocrinologists) who were linked to 125 patient profiles (mean age 56.9 years, 42% female, mean A1C 7.2%), 92% were at least somewhat aware of the position statement prior to the intervention and 59% believed that the statement would impact how they set A1C targets. The educational intervention resulted in mostly less stringent goal setting for both lower and higher risk patients, but changes were not significant. The proportion of physician-assigned A1C targets within ADA-recommended ranges increased from 56% to 66% post-intervention (P

Xuehua Ke,1 Jessica Marvel,2 Tzy-Chyi Yu,2 Debra Wertz,1 Caroline Geremakis,1 Liya Wang,1 Judith J Stephenson,1 David M Mannino3 1HealthCore Inc., Wilmington, DE, 2Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation, East Hanover, NJ, 3University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, USA Objective: To evaluate the impact of lung function, measured as forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1) % predicted, on health care resource utilization and costs among patients with COPD in a real-world US managed-care population.Methods: This observational retrospective cohort study utilized administrative claim data augmented with medical record data. The study population consisted of patients with one or more medical claims for pre- and postbronchodilator spirometry during the intake period (July 1, 2012 to June 30, 2013). The index date was the date of the earliest medical claim for pre- and postbronchodilator spirometry. Spirometry results were abstracted from patients’ medical records. Patients were divided into two groups (low FEV1% predicted [

Tao Gu,1 Debra F Eisenberg Lawrence,1 Judith J Stephenson,1 Jingbo Yu2 1HealthCore, Wilmington, DE, 2Merck & Co., Inc., Kenilworth, NJ, USA Background: Noncompliance with bisphosphonate therapy among osteoporosis patients attenuates the reduction of fracture risk. The objective of this study was to assess physicians’ prescribing considerations, preferences for osteoporosis treatments, and perceptions of patients’ compliance with oral bisphosphonates. Methods: This was an online survey of US physicians identified in the HealthCore Integrated Research Database (HIRDSM) as prescribing oral bisphosphonates to women aged ≥55 years. The survey gauged physicians’ prescribing considerations and preferences for various types of osteoporosis medications. The physicians were asked to predict patient persistence and compliance, and rate various reasons for noncompliance. Results: Bone mineral density, long-term medication use (eg, corticosteroids), and a history of fracture were ranked as major considerations by 94.9%, 88.6%, and 86.7% of participating physicians (N=158), respectively, when deciding whether to treat an osteoporosis patient. Most physicians expressed a preference for prescribing weekly or monthly oral bisphosphonates, for both newly diagnosed patients (54.4% and 34.2%, respectively) and long-term users of oral bisphosphonates (40.5% and 36.1%, respectively). Most physicians (23.4% always, 58.9% sometimes) incorporated a drug holiday into their prescribing patterns. Although most physicians predicted that more than half of the patients would comply with the prescribed medication for at least a year, 17.7% predicted that less than half of the patients would be compliant in the 1st year, and 29.7% predicted the same result for compliance beyond 1 year. In the opinion of the majority of physicians, the major reasons for noncompliance with oral bisphosphonates were intolerance of a medication due to a gastrointestinal condition (71.5%) and medication side effects (69.6%). Conclusion: US physicians consider several relevant risk factors when deciding whether to prescribe pharmacotherapy and exhibit a preference for weekly or monthly regimens. The physicians estimated a substantial minority of the patients to be noncompliant with oral bisphosphonates, for reasons including primarily gastrointestinal intolerance and medication-related side effects. Keywords: osteoporosis, bisphosphonates, physician’s practice patterns, cross-sectional studies, patient compliance

Judith J Stephenson,1 Qian Cai,1 Michelle Mocarski,2 Hiangkiat Tan,1 Jalpa A Doshi,3 Sean D Sullivan4 1HealthCore, Inc., Wilmington, DE, USA; 2Forest Research Institute, Inc., an affiliate of Actavis, Inc., Jersey City, NJ, USA; 3University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA; 4University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA Abstract: Patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) exhibit poor sleep quality and consider morning as the worst time of day for their symptoms. While work has been done to characterize nighttime (NT) and early morning (EM) symptoms in various populations, the impact and factors associated with NT/EM symptoms among patients with COPD in the United States is not well understood. Commercially insured patients aged ≥40 years with one or more medical claim for COPD and one or more pharmacy claim for COPD maintenance medication were identified from the HealthCore Integrated Research Database between September 1, 2010 and August 31, 2011. Consenting respondents were asked whether they had COPD symptoms on at least three nights or at least three mornings during the past week. Respondents were then either assigned to one of three symptom groups to complete the survey or excluded if their predefined group quota limit had been met. Survey completers completed the survey with questions about COPD symptoms and other commonly used patient-reported outcome measures. Respondents with NT/EM symptoms were asked about the frequency, severity, and impact of the symptoms on sleep, morning activities, and anxiety levels. Among respondents with symptoms, 73.1% of respondents with NT symptoms (N=376) and 83% of respondents with EM symptoms (N=506) experienced at least three distinct types of symptoms over the past week, with cough being the most frequently reported symptom. Approximately half of respondents with NT or EM symptoms perceived their symptoms as moderate to very severe, with a majority reporting their symptoms affected their NT sleep and morning activities, and more than half felt anxious due to their symptoms. Multinomial logistic regression showed COPD patients with both or either NT/EM symptoms were associated with poorer health status compared to those without. Improved disease management may reduce NT/EM symptoms and improve health status in patients with COPD. Keywords: chronic airflow obstruction, chronic limitation of activity, quality of life, sleep

BackgroundBcl-2 family genes are frequently amplified in small cell lung cancer (SCLC). A phase I trial was conducted to evaluate the safety of obatoclax, a Bcl-2 family inhibitor, given in combination with standard chemotherapy.MethodsEligible patients (3-6 per cohort) had extensive-stage SCLC, measurable disease, ≤ 1 before therapy, Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status 0 or 1, and adequate organ function. Patients were treated with escalating doses of obatoclax, either as a 3- or 24-h infusion, on days 1-3 of a 21-day cycle, in combination with carboplatin (area under the curve 5, day 1 only) and etoposide (100 mg m(-2), days 1-3). The primary endpoint was to determine the maximum tolerated dose of obatoclax.ResultsTwenty-five patients (56% male; median age 66 years) were enrolled in three dose cohorts for each schedule. Maximum tolerated dose was established with the 3-h infusion at 30 mg per day and was not reached with the 24-h infusion. Compared with the 24-h cohorts, the 3-h cohorts had higher incidence of central nervous system (CNS) adverse events (AEs); dose-limiting toxicities were somnolence, euphoria, and disorientation. These CNS AEs were transient, resolving shortly after the end of infusion, and without sequelae. The response rate was 81% in the 3-h and 44% in the 24-h infusion cohorts.ConclusionAlthough associated with a higher incidence of transient CNS AEs than the 24-h infusion, 3-h obatoclax infusion combined with carboplatin-etoposide was generally well tolerated at doses of 30 mg per day. Though patient numbers were small, there was a suggestion of improved efficacy in the 3-h infusion group. Obatoclax 30 mg infused intravenously over 3 h on 3 consecutive days will be utilised in future SCLC studies.

Background: Phase 3 clinical trials performed primarily outside the US demonstrate that intravesical instillation of chemotherapy immediately after transurethral resection of the bladder (TURB) decreases cancer recurrence rates. The authors sought to determine whether US urologists have adopted this practice, and its potential effect on costs of bladder cancer (BC) care.Methods: By using 1997-2004 MEDSTAT claims data, the authors identified patients with newly diagnosed BC who underwent cystoscopic biopsy or TURB, and those who received intravesical chemotherapy within 1 day after TURB. Economic consequences of this treatment compared with TURB alone were modeled using published efficacy estimates and Medicare reimbursements. The authors used a time horizon of 3 years and assumed that this treatment was given for all newly diagnosed low-risk BC patients.Results: Between 1997 and 2004, the authors identified 16,748 patients with newly diagnosed BC, of whom 14,677 underwent cystoscopic biopsy or TURB. Of these, only 49 (0.33%) received same-day intravesical instillation of chemotherapy. From 1997 through 2004, there has been little change in the use of this treatment. The authors estimated a 3-year savings of $538 to $690 (10% to 12%) per patient treated with TURB and immediate intravesical chemotherapy compared with TURB alone, reflecting a yearly national savings of $19.8 to $24.8 million.Conclusions: Instillation of intravesical chemotherapy immediately after TURB has not been embraced in the US. Adopting this policy would significantly lower the cost of BC care. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

AIDS provides a unique challenge to health educators, requiring continuous evaluation and modification of educational strategies. Pretest and posttest questionnaires were thus used to assess the outcomes of AIDS training sessions. Results show that hour-long sessions result in knowledge acquisition and increased confidence among a demographically representative sample of 3,966 U.S. trainees. Results also reveal the dynamic nature of a training session, with some trainees exhibiting learning and others retaining either correct or incorrect responses or changing from one incorrect to another incorrect answer. Content areas that showed the most learning were sharing a glass or food with and being sneezed on by someone infected with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Areas resistant to learning included the possibility of transmission from receiving blood transfusions, eating in a restaurant where a cook is infected, being bitten by a mosquito, giving mouth-to-mouth resuscitation, and providing first aid to someone infected. Repeat training sessions that take into account affective dimensions as well as the diverse needs of adult learners are recommended. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Study Objectives: Although treatment of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) with positive airway pressure (PAP) therapy is effective, adherence is often poor. Understanding the patient perspective is needed to inform adherence-promoting interventions. This qualitative study assessed the experiences, preferences, facilitators, and barriers surrounding PAP therapy for the management of OSA in patients from adolescence to older adulthood., Methods: Eligible participants ages 19 and older were identified from administrative health care claims; adolescent participants ages 12-18 and their parents/caregivers were identified via electronic health records of a tertiary sleep specialty clinic at a large children's hospital. Forty English-speaking patients and 10 parents of adolescents diagnosed with OSA and prescribed PAP therapy completed semistructured 60-minute telephone interviews conducted by a trained facilitator. Common themes and illustrative quotes were identified., Results: Themes around OSA diagnosis, initiating OSA treatment, learning about OSA/PAP, decision to start PAP, PAP benefits and challenges, and reasons for nonadherence were identified. Participants suggested design and delivery changes to improve PAP devices. Issues unique to adolescents and their parents were discussed., Conclusions: The unique perspectives of patients regarding PAP therapy should be taken into consideration when developing interventions to increase PAP adherence and improve clinical care. Based on identified themes, opportunities for intervention may exist at all stages of care, from diagnosis to treatment initiation. Involving partners, parents, and other caregivers in PAP therapy may be beneficial for optimizing adherence., Citation: Simon SL, Stephenson JJ, Haynes K, et al. The lived experience of positive airway pressure therapy in patients with obstructive sleep apnea across the lifespan: a qualitative study. J Clin Sleep Med . 2024;20(3):407-416., (© 2024 American Academy of Sleep Medicine.)

Commercially-insured adults comprise a majority of health plan members but are least likely to be surveyed about their social needs. Little is known, consequently, about health-related social needs (HRSNs) in this population. The primary aim of this study was to assess the prevalence of HRSNs and health among commercially-insured adults and estimate their relationship with health outcomes and spending. This cross-sectional study used survey data from a representative sample of Elevance Health commercially insured members residing in Georgia and Indiana (U.S.) Adult members reported on HSRNs across nine different domains. Survey data were linked to medical claims data, and regression models were used to estimate the relationship between HRSNs and self-reported health, emergency department visits, three major health outcomes, and healthcare spending (medical and pharmaceutical). Of 1,160 commercially insured adults, 76 % indicated ≥ 1 HRSN, and 29 % reported > 3 HRSNs, (i.e., "high" HRSN). Each HRSN was associated with 2.2 (95 % CI, 1.84-2.55) additional unhealthy days per month, 3.0 percent (95 % CI 1.36 - 4.57) higher prevalence of anxiety/depression, 2.2 percent (95 % CI 0.88 - 3.50) higher prevalence of hypertension, 3.9 more ED visits per 1,000 member-months (95 % CI, 0.29-7.42), and $1,418 higher total healthcare spending (95 % CI, $614.67-$2,220.39) over a 12-month period. The widespread prevalence of HRSNs among commercially insured adults demonstrates the importance of screening all health plan members for HRSNs-not just Medicare and Medicaid members. Commercially insured members who experience high HRSN are at significantly higher risk for worse health, even after controlling for income and demographic characteristics., Competing Interests: The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (© 2023 The Authors.)

In infants undergoing truncus arteriosus (TA) repair, we sought to determine associations between fetal growth restrictions as measured by birth weight Z-score and early outcomes. We utilized the Pediatric Health Information System (PHIS) database to identify infants < 90 days old who underwent TA repair from 2004 to 2019. The primary exposure variable was birth weight Z-score, calculated based on gestational age at birth, gender, and birth weight. The primary outcome was postoperative hospital mortality. Secondary outcomes included major complications, prolonged postoperative length of hospital stay (LOS; > 30 days), and hospital readmission within 1 year. Generalized estimating equation (GEE) models were used to identify adjusted associations between birth weight Z-score, small for gestational age (SGA) status, and mortality and included were 1039 subjects. Median birth weight was 2960 g, gestational age at birth was 38 weeks, and birth weight Z-score was - 0.47. SGA was present in 21% of subjects. Hospital mortality occurred in 104 patients (10%). By multivariable analysis, lower birth weight Z-score was associated with higher hospital mortality [for each unit decrease in birth weight Z-score below - 1.0, adjusted OR 1.71 (95% CI 1.10-4.25)]. SGA status was associated with increased hospital mortality (adjusted OR 2.17; 95% CI 1.39-3.40). Birth weight Z-scores and SGA status were not significantly associated with occurrence of cardiac arrest, ECMO use, gastrostomy tube placement, tracheostomy, seizures, infection, prolonged postoperative LOS, or hospital readmission. In infants undergoing TA repair, lower birth weight Z-scores and SGA status were strongly associated with increased hospital mortality., (© 2023. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Science+Business Media, LLC, part of Springer Nature.)

Purpose: Combination programmed cell death protein 1/cytotoxic T-cell lymphocyte-4-blockade and dual BRAF/MEK inhibition have each shown significant clinical benefit in patients with BRAFV600 -mutant metastatic melanoma, leading to broad regulatory approval. Little prospective data exist to guide the choice of either initial therapy or treatment sequence in this population. This study was conducted to determine which initial treatment or treatment sequence produced the best efficacy., Patients and Methods: In a phase III trial, patients with treatment-naive BRAFV600 -mutant metastatic melanoma were randomly assigned to receive either combination nivolumab/ipilimumab (arm A) or dabrafenib/trametinib (arm B) in step 1, and at disease progression were enrolled in step 2 to receive the alternate therapy, dabrafenib/trametinib (arm C) or nivolumab/ipilimumab (arm D). The primary end point was 2-year overall survival (OS). Secondary end points were 3-year OS, objective response rate, response duration, progression-free survival, crossover feasibility, and safety., Results: A total of 265 patients were enrolled, with 73 going onto step 2 (27 in arm C and 46 in arm D). The study was stopped early by the independent Data Safety Monitoring Committee because of a clinically significant end point being achieved. The 2-year OS for those starting on arm A was 71.8% (95% CI, 62.5 to 79.1) and arm B 51.5% (95% CI, 41.7 to 60.4; log-rank P = .010). Step 1 progression-free survival favored arm A ( P = .054). Objective response rates were arm A: 46.0%; arm B: 43.0%; arm C: 47.8%; and arm D: 29.6%. Median duration of response was not reached for arm A and 12.7 months for arm B ( P < .001). Crossover occurred in 52% of patients with documented disease progression. Grade ≥ 3 toxicities occurred with similar frequency between arms, and regimen toxicity profiles were as anticipated., Conclusion: Combination nivolumab/ipilimumab followed by BRAF and MEK inhibitor therapy, if necessary, should be the preferred treatment sequence for a large majority of patients.