Current medical research and opinion
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Generic drugs typically are less expensive than branded products; however, several factors can limit generic drug utilization. This study assesses the associations of patient factors with generic olanzapine initiation and substitution. ⋯ Medicaid beneficiaries' age, geographic region, prior hospitalization and ED utilization were associated with generic olanzapine initiation and substitution. Tailored educational outreach targeting these patient subgroups might improve generic olanzapine utilization.
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Observational Study
The nutritional status of the elderly patient infected with COVID-19: the forgotten risk factor?
Since the first cases of COVID-19 were reported in Wuhan, the nutritional status of individuals infected with the virus has not been included in the risk profiles prepared. However, nutritional status, along with other factors, is decisive in the evolution of patients with other infectious diseases. The nutritional status of individuals is considered an indicator of health status. Furthermore, optimal nutritional status transcends the individual, and poor diet in a population can be considered a group risk factor. Evidence exists on the influence that diet has on the immune system and susceptibility to disease. ⋯ Malnutrition was a risk factor as powerful as others such as hypertension, age, and different comorbidities. We must evaluate and treat the nutritional status of elderly patients with COVID-19 infection since it directly affects their evolution.
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To compare adherence, rates of subsequent schizophrenia-related relapses, healthcare resource utilization, and healthcare costs among Medicaid beneficiaries with schizophrenia who initiated once-monthly paliperidone palmitate (PP1M) versus a new oral atypical antipsychotic (OAA) following a recent schizophrenia-related relapse. ⋯ Among patients with a recent schizophrenia-related relapse, PP1M was associated with a lower risk of subsequent relapse while remaining a cost neutral therapeutic option compared to OAAs.
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This study evaluated the real-world healthcare resource utilization and costs in chronic lymphocytic lymphoma (CLL) patients treated with first-line ibrutinib monotherapy (IbM) therapy or bendamustine plus rituximab (BR) combination therapy. ⋯ The results of this study suggest that further research on the real-world effectiveness of IbM in comparison to BR combination therapy, given the comparatively higher rates of inpatient admissions, longer lengths of stay, and more ER visits observed in IbM patients relative to the BR patients is needed. Given the differences in costs, it is important to further examine the impact these healthcare expenditures have on the cost-effectiveness of IbM first line treatment.
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To investigate the effect of 5 machine learning algorithms in predicting total hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) postoperative death outcomes. ⋯ Machine learning can predict total hepatocellular carcinoma postoperative death outcomes.