Alexandra Ward

Anemia as an independent prognostic factor for survival in patients with cancer

Anemia is common in cancer patients, although the prevalence is influenced both by the type of malignancy and the choice of treatment. Individual studies have compared the survival of patients with and without anemia and have shown reduced survival times in patients with various malignancies, including carcinoma of the lung, cervix, head and neck, prostate, lymphoma, and multiple myeloma. The objective of this study was to systematically review, to summarize, and to obtain an overall estimate of the effect of anemia on survival in patients with malignant disease.

Healing and relapse rates in gastroesophageal reflux disease treated with the newer proton-pump inhibitors lansoprazole, rabeprazole, and pantoprazole compared with omeprazole, ranitidine, and placebo: evidence from randomized clinical trials

BACKGROUND The older proton pump inhibitor (PPI) omeprazole and the newer PPIs lansoprazole, rabeprazole, and pantoprazole are approved for the acute and maintenance treatment of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). OBJECTIVE On the basis of the results of randomized clinical trials, this study sought to estimate healing and relapse rates in acute and maintenance treatment of GERD with the newer PPIs compared with omeprazole, the histamine2-receptor antagonist ranitidine (the most frequent non-PPI comparator in studies of PPIs), and placebo. METHODS A search of MEDLINE was conducted to identify randomized, controlled clinical trials that included a PPI in > or =1 treatment arm and assessed the healing of erosive esophagitis endoscopically. The primary outcome for studies of acute therapy was healing rate, and the primary outcome for studies of maintenance therapy was relapse rate. RESULTS Fifty-three studies were identified, of which 38 involved acute therapy (12 excluded) and 15 maintenance therapy. None of the studies of pantoprazole met the inclusion criteria for maintenance therapy. The 8-week overall healing rate ratios in the comparison of newer PPIs with omeprazole 20 mg/d were as follows: lansoprazole 30 mg/d, 1.02 (95% CI, 0.98-1.06): rabeprazole 20 mg/d, 0.93 (95% CI, 0.87-1.00); and pantoprazole 40 mg/d, 0.98 (95% CI, 0.90-1.07). In the comparison of any PPI with ranitidine 300 mg/d, the ratios were as follows: lansoprazole, 1.62 (95% CI, 1.46-1.76); rabeprazole, 1.36 (95% CI, 1.20-1.54); pantoprazole, 1.60 (95% CI, 1.33-1.96); and omeprazole, 1.58 (95% CI, 1.41-1.78). Relapse rates over 1 year of treatment were similar between lansoprazole and rabeprazole. Compared with ranitidine, there were statistically significant differences in the rates of resolution of heartburn symptoms (P < 0.002), ulcer healing (P < 0.05), and relapse (P < 0.01). Similar results were seen in the comparison of PPIs with placebo in terms of rates of resolution of heartburn symptoms (P < 0.01), ulcer healing (P < 0.001), and relapse (P < 0.006). CONCLUSIONS In this study, the newer PPIs were of similar efficacy to omeprazole in terms of heartburn control, healing rates, and relapse rates. All the PPIs were superior to ranitidine and placebo in healing erosive esophagitis and decreasing relapse rates.

Cost of managing an episode of relapse in multiple sclerosis in the United States

BackgroundThe purpose of this study was to determine the direct medical US cost of managing multiple sclerosis relapses.MethodsDirect data analysis and cost modeling were employed to derive typical resource use profiles and costs in 2002 US dollars, from the perspective of a third-party payer responsible for comprehensive health-care. The location and scope of health care services provided over a 90-day period were used to define three levels of relapse management. Hospitalization and resulting subsequent care was defined as high intensity management. A medium level of intervention was defined as either use of the emergency room, an observational unit, or administration of acute treatments, such as intravenous methylprednisolone in an outpatient or home setting. The lowest intensity of care comprised physician office visits and symptom-related medications. Data were obtained from many sources including all payer inpatient, ambulatory and emergency room databases from several states, fee schedules, government reports, and literature. All charges were adjusted using cost-to-charge ratios.ResultsAverage cost per person for high management level was

Impact of Thalassemia major on Patients and Their Families

12,870, based on analysis of 4,634 hospital cases (mean age 48 years, 73% female). Hospital care comprised 71% of that cost. At discharge, 36% required inpatient sub-acute care, rehabilitation or home care. The typical cost per moderate episode was

Health and economic consequences of an outbreak of pertussis among healthcare workers in a hospital in France

1,847 and mild episode

Economic Analysis of Galantamine, a Cholinesterase Inhibitor, in the Treatment of Patients with Mild to Moderate Alzheimer’s Disease in The Netherlands

243.ConclusionsManagement strategies leading to a reduction in the frequency and severity of a relapse, less reliance on inpatient care, or increased access to steroid infusions in the home, would have a substantial impact on the economic consequences of managing relapses.

Are proton pump inhibitors the first choice for acute treatment of gastric ulcers? A meta analysis of randomized clinical trials

Objective: To describe the burden of thalassemia major and its treatment, in terms of prevalence of iron-overload-related complications, direct and indirect costs, and the patient’s physical and social well-being. Methods: From October 1999 to May 2000 a survey of patients with thalassemia major was conducted in ten countries: Cyprus, Egypt, Greece, Hong Kong, India, Iran, Italy, Jordan, Taiwan, and the United States. Results: 1,888 questionnaires (65%) were returned. The responses suggest that nowadays patients begin blood transfusions, and most use desferrioxamine (84.8%), but iron-related complications, including life-threatening ones such as heart disease, are still common. Conclusions: There remains a need to improve the management of thalassemia, as many patients with iron-related complications experience physical and social limitations.

To what degree does cognitive impairment in Alzheimer's disease predict dependence of patients on caregivers?

BACKGROUND Bordetella pertussis is highly contagious, and because immunity wanes after vaccination, it continues to be a cause of cough among adults. OBJECTIVE To describe the healthcare services used and productivity losses accrued by healthcare workers (HCWs) missing work due to pertussis. METHODS After 3 pertussis cases were confirmed among HCWs, all hospital employees and patients with a cough were screened between November 2000 and March 2001. Each potential case underwent diagnostic tests and received antibiotics (spiramycin or azithromycin) when appropriate. Symptomatic employees were not allowed to return to work until they received an antibiotic for at least 5 days. Services used (physician visits and calls, antibiotics, diagnostic tests, hospitalization, and treatment provided to their contacts) were combined with cost estimates (in 2002 euros) for these services in France. RESULTS Ninety-one potential cases were identified (77 HCWs, 12 patients, and 2 family members). Of them, 89% received antibiotics and 22% had at least one contact who was also treated. Approximately half (55%) of the HCWs who were cases missed 5 days of work. Four patients were admitted to the hospital as a result of the infection. The average medical cost was 297 euros per potential case: diagnostic tests accounted for 32% and hospitalization for 31%. Total cost (medical and productivity) was 46,661 euros for 91 cases, 42% from productivity losses. An investigation to identify these potential cases also accrued additional costs. CONCLUSION Serious adverse health and economic consequences arose from transmission of pertussis among HCWs, their families, and patients.

Assessing the Health and Economic Impact of Galantamine Treatment in Patients with Alzheimer’s Disease in the Health Care Systems of Different Countries

Background: The economic impact of dementia on the Dutch health and social services is substantial. Objective: To predict the long-term economic impact of galantamine, a cholinesterase inhibitor, in the treatment of Dutch patients with mild to moderate Alzheimer’s disease. Method: A pharmacoeconomic model was used to predict long-term outcomes. It has two components: an initial module based on clinical trials of galantamine and a subsequent module that predicts when a patient will deteriorate to a level where full time care (FTC) is needed. The analyses take a broad perspective that includes all formal (paid) care, not just those covered by the Dutch health care system. Direct cost estimates were based on resource use profiles of patients with Alzheimer’s disease in the Netherlands. Key inputs were tested in sensitivity analyses. Results: After 10.5 years all patients are predicted to require FTC. For every hundred patients starting treatment on galantamine at the mild to moderate stage, it is predicted that 18 person-years of FTC will be avoided (14.4 discounted) and about 5 quality-adjusted years of life will be gained (3.9 discounted). Net savings for those starting treatment with galantamine are estimated at NLG 3,050 (1,676 UDS). The cost of galantamine accounts for only about 5.0% of the total cost of care for treated Alzheimer’s patients. The direction of these results remained unchanged when input values and assumptions were tested in sensitivity analyses. Conclusions: The cholinesterase inhibitor galantamine is expected to bring savings in the direct cost of caring for patients with Alzheimer’s disease in the Netherlands.

Modeling the economic and health consequences of managing chronic osteoarthritis pain with opioids in Germany: comparison of extended-release oxycodone and OROS hydromorphone.

BackgroundGastric ulcers are a frequent problem in the United States. Proton pump inhibitors have been shown to increase healing rates and improve clinical symptoms. The objective of this study is to compare gastric ulcer healing rates for patients treated with a proton pump inhibitor (PPI) (omeprazole, rabeprazole, pantoprazole, or lansoprazole), an histamine 2- receptor antagonist (ranitidine) or placebo.MethodsA literature search was conducted to identify randomized, controlled clinical trials that included a PPI in at least one treatment arm and assessed the gastric ulcer healing rates endoscopically. The healing rates were estimated for each treatment at specific time points, and Rate Ratios (RR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) were estimated for each trial.ResultsSixteen trials met the inclusion criteria: four compared a PPI versus placebo, nine compared a PPI versus ranitidine (no trials of rabeprazole versus ranitidine met the inclusion criteria), and three compared a newer PPI (lansoprazole, pantoprazole or rabeprazole) versus omeprazole. In relation to ranitidine, the pooled RR of PPIs (lansoprazole, omeprazole and pantoprazole) was 1.33 (95% CI 1.24 to 1.42) at four weeks. In each trial, greater improvement in the studied clinical symptoms was found with the newer PPIs (rabeprazole, pantoprazole and lansoprazole) when compared to omeprazole.ConclusionIn this study treatment with PPIs resulted in higher healing rates than ranitidine or placebo. This evidence suggests that the first choice for gastric ulcer treatment for the greater relief of symptoms is one of the newer PPIs.