Journal of managed care & specialty pharmacy
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J Manag Care Spec Pharm · Jul 2015
Impact of COPD Exacerbation Frequency on Costs for a Managed Care Population.
There is scarce information on chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) outcomes and costs for patients with differing levels of COPD exacerbations. ⋯ Infrequent exacerbators have an increased risk for future exacerbations compared with nonexacerbators and, on a total sample-level, incur greater costs compared with frequent exacerbators, demonstrating a significant economic burden.
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J Manag Care Spec Pharm · Jul 2015
Discontinuation/Interruption of Warfarin Therapy in Patients with Nonvalvular Atrial Fibrillation.
Use of warfarin is standard of care for stroke prevention in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF). However, AF patients experience high rates of warfarin discontinuation/interruption, resulting in increased health risks and health care costs. As such, it is important to study the rates and predictors of warfarin discontinuation/interruption in this population. ⋯ In the U.S. clinical practice setting, more than 50% of NVAF patients discontinued or interrupted warfarin within 1 year after initiation. Aged less than 65 years, history of anemia, and history of hospitalization/emergency room visits were associated with increased risk of discontinuation/interruption. Given the high prevalence of warfarin discontinuation/interruption, health care providers should take a more active role in understanding and addressing the reasons behind patient discontinuation/interruption.