Current medical research and opinion
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Despite the availability of multiple screening modalities for early detection of colorectal cancer (CRC), participation rates remain well below guideline recommendation goals in the United States. This study analyzed and compared recent national trends in utilization of CRC screening modalities using Medicare claims data. ⋯ Utilization of the mt-sDNA test for average-risk CRC screening has increased rapidly since its approval in 2014. These data support growing patient and provider interest in the mt-sDNA test as a non-invasive option for average-risk CRC screening.
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A growing literature on patient preferences informs decisions in research, regulatory science, and value assessment, but few studies have explored how preferences vary across patients with differing treatment experience. We sought to quantify patient preferences for the benefits and risks of lung cancer treatment and test how preferences differed by line of therapy (LOT). ⋯ We demonstrate differences in preferences based on experience with LOT, suggesting that patient treatment experience may have an impact on their preferences. As patient preference data become an important component of treatment decision making, preference differences should be considered when recommending therapies at different stages in the treatment journey. Understanding patient preferences regarding treatment decisions is essential to informing shared decision-making and ensuring treatment plans are consistent with patients' goals.
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Randomized Controlled Trial Multicenter Study
A randomized, controlled, multicenter clinical trial to evaluate the efficacy and safety of oral sitafloxacin versus moxifloxacin in adult patients with community-acquired pneumonia.
To evaluate the efficacy and safety of oral sitafloxacin versus oral moxifloxacin in the treatment of Chinese adults with community-acquired pneumonia (CAP). ⋯ Sitafloxacin 100 mg qd or 100 mg bid for 7-10 days is not inferior to moxifloxacin 400 mg qd for 7-10 days in clinical efficacy for adult CAP patients. Sitafloxacin provides a safety profile comparable to moxifloxacin.
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The objective of this study was to describe and compare health care resource utilization (HCRU) and disease modifying treatment (DMT) use among US adults <65 years with multiple sclerosis (MS), across commercial and Medicare Advantage plans. ⋯ MAPD patients had a higher burden of medical HCRU compared to their commercially insured counterparts, most likely due primarily to their more advanced disease state and higher level of MS-related disability. Reasons for lower prevalence of DMT use among MAPD patients may include their more advanced disease state, older age and higher prevalence of comorbid conditions compared with commercially insured patients, as well as more restrictive formularies for MAPD vs. commercial plans. These findings suggest that there may be an opportunity for recently approved DMTs indicated for active secondary progressive MS to fulfill an unmet need for treatment among MS patients <65 years without contraindicated comorbid conditions who are enrolled in MAPD plans. Novel therapies under development to delay progression may help keep MS patients of working age in the work force.