Expert review of pharmacoeconomics & outcomes research
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Expert Rev Pharmacoecon Outcomes Res · Aug 2011
ReviewSymptom clusters in patients with lung cancer: a literature review.
To provide a review of literature reporting empirically determined symptom clusters in lung cancer patients. ⋯ Symptom cluster exploration is a developing area of research in the oncology field and is promising in providing insights into diagnosis, prognostication and symptom management. Disparities in methodology are significant barriers to producing comparable results. These inconsistencies result in a lack of consensus in symptom clusters in lung cancer populations, thus impeding the determination of clinically relevant findings.
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Expert Rev Pharmacoecon Outcomes Res · Aug 2011
Comparative StudyImpact of 5-HT(3) RA selection within triple antiemetic regimens on uncontrolled highly emetogenic chemotherapy-induced nausea/vomiting.
It is recommended that patients initiate triple antiemetic therapy with one of the 5-hydroxytryptamine receptor antagonists (5-HT(3) RAs), aprepitant (or its intravenous prodrug fosaprepitant) and dexamethasone prior to the start of highly emetogenic chemotherapy (HEC). However, the impact of 5-HT(3) RA selection within triple antiemetic regimens on the risk of uncontrolled chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting (CINV) with HEC has not been well studied. ⋯ In this retrospective claims data analysis, single-day HEC cycles administered with palonosetron + aprepitant/fosaprepitant + dexamethasone had a lower risk for an uncontrolled CINV event versus other 5-HT(3) RAs + aprepitant/fosaprepitant + dexamethasone.
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Expert Rev Pharmacoecon Outcomes Res · Aug 2011
Influence of demand-side measures to enhance renin-angiotensin prescribing efficiency in Europe: implications for the future.
European countries strive to enhance prescribing efficiency. This includes renin-angiotensin drugs following the availability of generic angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEIs). ⋯ Multiple and intensive demand-side measures enhanced prescribing efficiency. The more intense follow-up of ARB prescribing restrictions in Croatia had a greater influence on subsequent utilization patterns than Austria. Both findings confirm earlier studies. Reforms also favorably enhanced the prescribing of generic losartan once available.