Current medical research and opinion
-
Direct-acting oral anticoagulants (DOACs) were developed as an alternative to warfarin to treat and prevent thromboembolism, including stroke prevention in non-valvular atrial fibrillation patients. The COVID-19 pandemic could increase the risk of stroke and/or the risk of bleeding in patients due to nonadherence or sub/supra-optimal dosing. ⋯ A 19% increase in mean DOAC's accompanied with 20% warfarin prescriptions decline was observed. ITS modelling showed an increase in DOAC prescription volume in March 2020 (+7 million items, p = 0.008). The pre-existing upward trend in DOAC prescriptions slowed during the period (-427,000 items, p = 0.007). Apixaban was the most frequently used DOAC and had the largest step-change in March 2020 (+5 million items, p = 0.010). The mean monthly combined cost of DOACs and warfarin was higher during the period. DOAC prescription trends were consistent across England's regions. Conclusion: The overall oral anticoagulants use in this period was lower than expected, indicating a medical needs gap, possibly due to adherence issues. The potential clinical and logistical consequences warrant further study to identify contributing factors and mitigate avoidable risks.
-
Chronic cough is a common reason for medical consultations and is associated with considerable physical and psychological morbidity. This study investigated healthcare use and cost in chronic cough and assessed its relationship with cough severity, health status, objective cough frequency (CF), and anxiety and depression. ⋯ Healthcare cost associated with chronic cough are largely due to diagnostic investigations and clinic consultations. The predictors of costs were health status (LCQ) and anxiety. Further studies should investigate the optimal management protocols for patients with chronic cough.
-
This real-world study evaluated biologic treatment patterns in patients with moderate-to-severe ulcerative colitis (UC). ⋯ In this descriptive study of UC patients without confounder adjustment, VDZ persistence was numerically highest followed by IFX, GOL, and ADA across both populations.
-
To describe and compare baseline characteristics, healthcare and drug utilization, and negative clinical outcomes of commercially-insured patients diagnosed with OA of the hip and/or knee who initiated treatment on traditional oral NSAIDs (tNSAIDs), topical NSAIDs, or cyclooxygenase-2 inhibitors (COX-2s). ⋯ Analyses characterize the long-term real-world utilization of NSAIDs and associated outcomes for patients with OA of the hip and/or knee. Study results highlight the likelihood of switching and the risk of negative clinical outcomes associated with long-term use.
-
To evaluate real-world annualized bleeding rates (ABRs), dosing frequency, and factor consumption of four recombinant FVIII (rFVIII) products using pooled data from centers in the US, Germany, and Italy. ⋯ rVIII-SingleChain prophylaxis may provide improved bleed protection, less frequent dosing, and lower consumption compared with standard-acting FVIII products, and comparable protection and consumption to the other long-acting FVIII product, in patients with hemophilia A.