Current medical research and opinion
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Objective: To assess the impact of age on the safety and tolerability of ALO-02, an abuse-deterrent opioid formulation consisting of oxycodone hydrochloride and sequestered naltrexone hydrochloride, in patients with chronic pain. Methods: Data from two clinical studies in patients with chronic low back pain or chronic non-cancer pain were analyzed. Patients aged ≥18 years who required continuous around-the-clock opioid analgesia for an extended period were grouped into ≥65 years and <65 years age groups. ⋯ One patient aged ≥65 years experienced an AE of opioid withdrawal. Conclusions: The safety and tolerability of ALO-02 is similar in those aged ≥65 years and those aged <65 years with chronic pain. ClinicalTrials.gov identifiers: NCT01571362, NCT01428583.
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Background: Since 2011, the approval of several new agents has improved treatment options for malignant melanoma. We describe treatment patterns for malignant melanoma in the United States from the MarketScan database from 2011 to 2016. Methods: Treatments used for patients aged >18 years diagnosed with malignant melanoma after January 1, 2011 and enrolled in the Truven MarketScan database were analyzed. ⋯ BRAF/MEK inhibitor use only increased in the first line setting from 2011-2013 (9.7%) to 2014-2016 (11.2%). Conclusion: With the approval of immune checkpoint inhibitors, BRAF/MEK inhibitors, and targeted therapies, the therapeutic landscape for the treatment of metastatic melanoma has shifted dramatically away from cytokines and chemotherapy. Treatment patterns will likely continue to evolve as scientific advances are made.
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Objective: To investigate patterns of presentation of cough in primary care and develop an algorithm to identify probable and possible chronic cough (CC). Methods: This retrospective observational study used routine English primary care data and linked hospital data. Patients with ≥1 cough event in the study period (March 2014-February 2015) were selected. ⋯ Conclusions: The prevalence of CC was lower than reported in previous studies. People with possible CC had higher rates of underlying conditions associated with CC. These observations may suggest poor recognition and/or under-recording of CC in primary care.
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Objective: The impact of cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection on healthcare resource utilization (HCRU) and costs post-allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplant (allo-HSCT) has not been well studied in the US. This retrospective, observational cohort study examined such outcomes in the first year following allo-HSCT. Methods: The IBM MarketScan administrative claims database was used to identify adults who underwent a first allo-HSCT between 1 January 2010 and 30 April 2015. ⋯ Valganciclovir (59.8%) and ganciclovir (33.7%) were the most commonly utilized anti-viral agents in patients with CMV. Conclusions: CMV infection was associated with significantly higher healthcare resource utilization and costs during the first year post-allo-HSCT. Additional research is warranted to further evaluate the consequences of post-HSCT CMV infection, as well as cost-effective measures to minimize its occurrence.
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Observational Study
An assessment of the psychometric properties of the Chinese version of the Gout Impact Scale.
Objective: To assess the psychometric properties of the Chinese version of the Gout Impact Scale (GIS), a gout-specific HRQoL measure. Methods: This was a single-center, cross-sectional, observational survey of patients with gout recruited from the Taipei Medical University Hospital from November 2017 to April 2018. The respondents were recruited by convenience sampling. ⋯ Moreover, respondents' most recent sUA concentration was associated with both the GIS gout concern overall subscale (rs = 0.13, p < .05) and the unmet gout treatment need subscale (rs = 0.18, p < .01). Conclusions: The present study demonstrates that the Chinese version of the GIS shows good internal consistency and association with gout-related characteristics. Future studies may consider using this gout-specific instrument to assess the HRQoL of gout patients in Taiwan.