Willingness to pay to prevent chemotherapy induced nausea and vomiting among patients with breast, lung, or colorectal cancer.

OBJECTIVE: Understanding the value patients place on avoiding various aspects of chemotherapy induced nausea and vomiting (CINV) can help medical professionals assess whether current and emerging treatments are acceptable based on their costs and expected effects. Little is known, however, about the value patients place on avoiding various aspects of CINV. The current study helps fill this gap in the literature. METHODS: 301 patients completed a discrete-choice conjoint survey. Patients viewed 25 conjoint tasks, each containing two descriptions of CINV, and indicated which they preferred. The descriptions combined levels from eight CINV attributes (likelihood of nausea, duration of nausea, severity of nausea, likelihood of vomiting, duration of vomiting, severity of vomiting, need to seek treatment for dehydration, and out-of-pocket treatment costs). RESULTS: Cost contributed more to patient choices than any other single attribute. The combined effect of the likelihood, duration, and severity attributes for nausea, however, was a stronger driver of patient choices than cost, as was the combined effect of the likelihood, duration, and severity attributes for vomiting. The nausea attributes also were a stronger driver of patient choices than the vomiting attributes. Patients were willing to pay to avoid increases in all attributes, except likelihood of vomiting, where the result was not statistically different from zero. Willingness-to-pay varied by income, disease stage, Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status, chemotherapy status, and whether patients worked while on chemotherapy. LIMITATIONS: Although the study used a convenience sample, data were collected from several geographically dispersed U.S. oncology clinics. CONCLUSIONS: Several antiemetics are now available at different price points. This study assesses the value patients place on their benefits and may be used to inform decisions about the management of CINV.

Impact of 5-HT3 receptor antagonists on chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting: a retrospective cohort study.

BACKGROUND: 1st generation 5-hydroxytryptamine receptor antagonists (5-HT3 RAs), and palonosetron, a 2nd generation 5-HT3 RA, are indicated for the prevention of chemotherapy (CT)-induced nausea and vomiting (CINV) associated with moderately (MEC) and highly emetogenic CT agents (HEC). This study explores the impact of step therapy policies requiring use of an older 5-HT3 RA before palonosetron on risk of CINV associated with hospital or emergency department (ED) admissions. METHODS: Patients who received cyclophosphamide post breast cancer (BC) surgery or who were diagnosed with lung cancer on carboplatin (LC-carboplatin) or cisplatin (LC-cisplatin) were selected from PharMetrics' (IMS LifeLink) claims dataset (2005-2008). Patients were followed for 6 months from initial CT administration for CINV events identified through ICD-9-CM codes. Patients were grouped into those initiated with older, generic 5-HT3 RAs (ondansetron, granisetron, and dolasetron) and those initiated and maintained on palonosetron throughout study follow-up. CINV events and CINV days were analyzed using multivariate regressions controlling for demographic and clinical variables. RESULTS: Eligible patients numbered 3,606 in BC, 4,497 in LC-carboplatin and 1,154 in LC-cisplatin cohorts, with 52%, 40%, and 34% in the palonosetron group, respectively. There was no significant difference between the two 5-HT3 RA groups in age or Charlson Comorbidity Index among the two MEC cohorts (BC and LC-carboplatin). Among the LC-cisplatin cohort, palonosetron users were older with more males than the older 5-HT3 RA group (age: 60.1 vs. 61.3; males, 66.9% vs. 56.9%). Compared to the older 5-HT3 RAs, the palonosetron groups incurred 22%-51% fewer 5-HT3 RA pharmacy claims, had fewer patients with CINV events (3.5% vs. 5.5% in BC, 9.5% vs. 12.8% in LC-carboplatin, 16.4% vs. 21.7% in LC-cisplatin), and had lower risk for CINV events (odds ratios 0.62, 0.71, or 0.71, respectively; p<0.05). The BC and LC-carboplatin palonosetron groups experienced 50% and 30% fewer CINV days than the generic 5-HT3 RA group (p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Patients with breast or lung cancer initiated and maintained on palonosetron were at significantly lower risk for potentially costly CINV versus those on older 5-HT3 RAs. Further studies on impact of step therapy policy are warranted in order to minimize the clinical and economic burden of CINV.

Comparative clinical effectiveness of various 5-HT3 RA antiemetic regimens on chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting associated with hospital and emergency department visits in real world practice.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to compare the risk of chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting (CINV) events for various 5-HT(3) RAs in patients who received moderately (MEC) or highly emetogenic chemotherapy (HEC) by evaluating hospital or emergency department (ED) admissions. METHODS: PharMetrics claims database was used to identify patients diagnosed with breast cancer (BC) who were initiated on cyclophosphamide-based adjuvant chemotherapy or with lung cancer (LC) initiated on carboplatin-based or cisplatin-based chemotherapy between 2005 and 2008. Patients were stratified in two groups: those initiated and maintained on palonosetron versus those treated with any other 5-HT(3) RA regimens in the 6-month post first chemotherapy. Risk for CINV events, identified by ICD-9-CM for nausea, vomiting, and/or dehydration, were estimated using logistic regressions, controlling for age, gender, comorbidity, and total chemotherapy doses or days. RESULTS: Of the 4,868 cyclophosphamide-treated BC, 5,414 carboplatin-treated LC, and 1,692 cisplatin-treated LC identified, there were 1,864 BC (38.5%), 1,806 carboplatin-treated LC (33.4%), and 390 cisplatin-treated LC (23.0%) in the palonosetron-only group. Palonosetron-only group had significantly lower probability of CINV events associated with ED/hospital admissions in all three cohorts (3.5% vs. 6.3% in BC, 9.5% vs. 13.8% in carboplatin-treated LC, and 16.4% vs. 22.6% in cisplatin-treated LC, all at p < 0.05). Logistic regressions found palonosetron-only group had significantly lower risk of CINV events (odds ratios = 0.550, 0.653, and 0.689 in BC, carboplatin-treated LC and cisplatin-treated LC, respectively, p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Patients with lung or breast cancer receiving MEC or HEC had significantly lower risk of CINV events associated with hospital/ED admissions if initiated and maintained on palonosetron relative to patients receiving 5-HT(3) RA regimens.

Impact of initiating antiemetic prophylaxis with palonosetron versus ondansetron on risk of uncontrolled chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting in patients with lung cancer receiving multi-day chemotherapy.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study is to examine the risk of uncontrolled chemotherapy-induced nausea/vomiting (CINV) among lung cancer patients receiving multi-day chemotherapy and ondansetron- or palonosetron-initiated prophylactic antiemetic regimens in a community oncology setting. METHODS: The Georgia Cancer Specialists electronic medical records database was used to retrospectively identify lung cancer patients who received multi-day cisplatin or carboplatin regimens with ondansetron or palonosetron on day 1 between April 1, 2006 and July 31, 2009. Uncontrolled CINV events were identified through ICD-9-CM codes (nausea/vomiting), CPT codes (dehydration), rescue medications, nausea/vomiting hospitalizations, and/or antiemetic therapy after last chemotherapy administration of the cycle. Risk for uncontrolled CINV, up to 7 days after last chemotherapy administration, was analyzed at cycle level using logistic regression with regressors of gender, age, number of chemotherapy administration days, Charlson comorbidity index, cancer type, multicancer diagnoses, and chemotherapy regimen. RESULTS: A total of 209 palonosetron and 153 ondansetron patients (702 and 515 cycles, respectively) met the inclusion criteria. Palonosetron patients were significantly older (mean 67.9 versus 63.9 years; P < 0.0001), with no significant difference in gender, baseline comorbidity score, or multicancer diagnosis. Palonosetron cycles had 63% lower risk for uncontrolled CINV events versus ondansetron cycles [odds ratio (OR) 0.37; 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.25-0.54; P < 0.0001]. Sub-analysis by chemotherapy supported overall analysis (cisplatin OR 0.09; 95% CI 0.04-0.25; P < 0.0001; carboplatin OR 0.46; 95% CI 0.30-0.70; P = 0.0003). CONCLUSION: In this retrospective analysis of lung cancer patients, multi-day chemotherapy cycles administered with palonosetron on day 1 were associated with a significantly lower risk for uncontrolled CINV events versus ondansetron-initiated chemotherapy cycles.

The burden of diurnal and nocturnal gastroesophageal reflux disease symptoms.

AIMS: To quantify the relationship between the timing of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) symptoms and the burden of illness. PATIENTS & METHODS: Data from the 2010 National Health and Wellness Survey were used. Regression analyses compared non-GERD controls with GERD patients with diurnal symptoms, nocturnal symptoms, and both diurnal and nocturnal symptoms, controlling for potential confounders. Outcome measures included the Work Productivity and Activity Impairment and Short Form-12 questionnaires and reported healthcare resource use. RESULTS: All GERD groups demonstrated a substantial burden of illness compared with controls, estimated at US$1435 in direct costs and US$3143 in lost productivity. Experiencing GERD both day and night was associated with higher costs and lower quality of life than experiencing diurnal-only or nocturnal-only symptoms. CONCLUSION: Experiencing GERD symptoms both day and night is associated with higher costs than experiencing diurnal or nocturnal symptoms alone.

Hematologic outcomes of myelodysplastic syndromes treatment with hypomethylating agents in community practice.

INTRODUCTION: Hypomethylating agents (HMAs) treat myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) through suppression of abnormal clones that may cause low hemoglobin (Hgb), platelet (PLT) deficiencies, and reduced absolute neutrophil count (ANC). Our study examined hematologic outcomes in MDS among patients treated with HMAs in a large community hematology-oncology practice. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective study using electronic medical record data studied patients who received at least one cycle of a single HMA (decitabine [DAC] or azacitidine [AZA]) for MDS from June 1, 2006, to May 31, 2009, who had pretreatment and end-of-treatment Hgb, PLT counts, and ANC available. Multivariate logistic regression assessed predictors of end-of-treatment response (Hgb ≥ 11 g/dL without transfusion or erythrocyte stimulating agent; PLT ≥ 100,000 cells/µL without transfusion; ANC ≥ 1000 cells/mm(3) without colony stimulating factor) adjusting for baseline laboratory values, age, gender, and comorbidities. HMA choice was studied as a predictor of outcome. RESULTS: A total of 137 patients (mean age, 72.2 years; 57% male) met full inclusion criteria (DAC = 84, AZA = 53). Mean number of cycles was four (range, 1-16 cycles) for DAC and five (range, 1-23 cycles) for AZA. Total number of cycles significantly predicted Hgb, PLT, and ANC response (odds ratio [OR] 1.19, P = .029; OR 1.15, P = .031; OR 1.16, P = .047, respectively). Growth factor use at any point during HMA treatment was negatively associated with Hgb and ANC response (OR 0.85, P = .007; OR 0.96, P = .046). There was no difference between treatments in likelihood of PLT or ANC response. CONCLUSIONS: Patients treated with HMAs for MDS are more likely to achieve hematologic response when treated with a greater number of cycles.

Palonosetron versus other 5-HT(3) receptor antagonists for prevention of chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting in patients with cancer on chemotherapy in a hospital outpatient setting.

BACKGROUND: Despite favorable evidence from clinical trials for single-dose palonosetron versus other commercially available 5-HT(3)-receptor antagonists for the prophylaxis of chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting (CINV), clinical comparative data are scarce from hospital outpatient settings, where these antiemetic agents are used in patients diagnosed with cancer who are receiving chemotherapy (CTH). OBJECTIVE: The purpose of our retrospective study was to assess the hospital claims to evaluate the rate of uncontrolled CINV with antiemetic prophylaxis using palonosetron versus other 5-HT(3)-receptor antagonists in patients diagnosed with cancer who are receiving CTH (highly emetogenic CTH, moderately emetogenic CTH, low-emetogenic CTH, or minimally emetogenic CTH) treatment in a hospital outpatient setting. METHODS: Patients aged ≥18 years who had cancer and were being treated with CTH and antiemetic prophylaxis with palonosetron (Group 1) and other 5-HT(3) receptor antagonists (Group 2) for the first time between April 1, 2007, and March 31, 2009, were identified using a hospital-service database. Within each CTH cycle, CINV events were identified through International Classification of Diseases (ICD)-9 codes for nausea, vomiting, and/or volume depletion (from Day 1 of each CTH administration until the end of the CTH cycle) or for use of rescue medications (Day 2 until the end of the CTH cycle). A multivariate regression model was developed to predict uncontrolled CINV event rates per CTH cycle between Groups 1 and 2 matched on CTH emetogenicity distribution in the study follow-up period (first of 8 cycles or 6 months). A subgroup analysis of patients on CTH with the highest risk of nausea and vomiting (highly emetogenic CTH or moderately emetogenic CTH) was also conducted. RESULTS: Of 9144 identified patients, 1775 were prescribed palonosetron (Group 1). Group 1 patients were statistically younger (61.2 vs 62.8 years; P < 0.001), composed of more females (57.1% vs 51.9%; P < 0.001) and more whites (72.8% vs 71.4%; all races P < 0.001), received more highly emetogenic CTH treatments (43.3% vs 28.5%; all CTH P < 0.001), and had more lung (26.1% vs 22.4%) and breast cancer patients (19.3% vs 15.3%; all cancer P < 0.001). The regression model predicted a 13.7% decrease in CINV event rate per CTH cycle for Group 1 versus Group 2. For Subgroup 1, the model predicted a 12.5% decrease in the CINV event rate per cycle in Group 1 patients versus those in Group 2. CONCLUSIONS: In this study, patients with cancer who were treated with CTH and on antiemetic prophylaxis using palonosetron were found to have significantly lower CINV event rates than those receiving other 5-HT(3) receptor antagonists.

Impact of 5-HT(3) RA selection within triple antiemetic regimens on uncontrolled highly emetogenic chemotherapy-induced nausea/vomiting.

BACKGROUND: It is recommended that patients initiate triple antiemetic therapy with one of the 5-hydroxytryptamine receptor antagonists (5-HT(3) RAs), aprepitant (or its intravenous prodrug fosaprepitant) and dexamethasone prior to the start of highly emetogenic chemotherapy (HEC). However, the impact of 5-HT(3) RA selection within triple antiemetic regimens on the risk of uncontrolled chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting (CINV) with HEC has not been well studied. AIM: To assess the likelihood of an uncontrolled CINV event following antiemetic prophylaxis with the 5-HT(3) RA palonosetron + aprepitant/fosaprepitant + dexamethasone (palonosetron cohort) versus any of the other 5-HT(3) RAs + aprepitant/fosaprepitant + dexamethasone (other 5-HT(3) RA cohort) among single-day HEC cycles. METHODS: Single-day HEC cycles (a gap of at least 5 days between two administrations) among patients with a cancer diagnosis and receiving antiemetic prophylaxis with the aforementioned regimens between 1/1/2006 and 6/30/2010 were identified from the IMS LifeLink claims database. Uncontrolled CINV events were identified through ICD-9-CM codes (nausea and vomiting), Current Procedural Terminology codes (hydration), rescue medications and/or use of antiemetic therapy from days 2-5 following HEC administration. Risks for an uncontrolled CINV event among all patients, and within breast cancer and multiple cancer subpopulations, were analyzed at cycle level using logistic multivariate regression models. RESULTS: A total of 8018 cycles for the palonosetron cohort and 1926 cycles for the other 5-HT(3) RA cohort (3574 and 978 patients, respectively) were analyzed. Single-day HEC cycles received by the palonosetron cohort had a significantly lower unadjusted risk of an uncontrolled CINV event (17.5 vs 20.7% for the other 5-HT(3) RA cohort; p = 0.0010), with a 17% lower adjusted risk for palonosetron-administered cycles (odds ratio: 0.83; 95% CI: 0.73-0.94; p = 0.0042). Results in the breast cancer and multiple cancer subgroups were consistent with those for the overall population. CONCLUSION: In this retrospective claims data analysis, single-day HEC cycles administered with palonosetron + aprepitant/fosaprepitant + dexamethasone had a lower risk for an uncontrolled CINV event versus other 5-HT(3) RAs + aprepitant/fosaprepitant + dexamethasone.

Palonosetron versus other 5-HT3 receptor antagonists for prevention of chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting in patients with hematologic malignancies treated with emetogenic chemotherapy in a hospital outpatient setting in the United States.

OBJECTIVE: This study evaluated the rate of uncontrolled chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting (CINV) after initiating antiemetic prophylaxis with palonosetron versus other 5-HT3 receptor antagonists (RAs) in patients diagnosed with hematologic malignancies (lymphoma and leukemia) and receiving highly emetogenic chemotherapy (HEC) or moderately emetogenic chemotherapy (MEC) in a hospital outpatient setting. METHODS: Patients aged ≥ 18 years and diagnosed with hematologic malignancies initiating HEC or MEC and antiemetic prophylaxis with palonosetron (Group 1) and other 5-HT3 RAs (Group 2) for the first time in a hospital outpatient setting between 4/1/2007 and 3/31/2009 were identified from the Premier Perspective Database. Within each cycle, CINV events were identified (in the hospital outpatient, inpatient, and emergency room settings) through ICD-9 codes for nausea, vomiting, and/or volume depletion (from each CT administration day 1 until the end of the CT cycle), or use of rescue medications (day 2 until the end of the CT cycle). Negative binomial distribution generalized linear multivariate regression model estimating the CINV event rate on CT, specific CT cycles, and cancer diagnosis (leukemia/lymphoma)-matched groups in the follow-up period (first of 8 cycles or 6 months) was developed. RESULTS: Of 971 identified patients, 211 initiated palonosetron (Group 1). Group 1 patients comprised of more females [50.2 vs. 41.4%; p = 0.0226], Whites [74.4 vs. 70.4%, and Hispanics [7.6 vs. 6.3%; all races p = 0.0105], received more HEC treatments [89.6 vs. 84.2%; all CT types p = 0.0129], and had more lymphoma diagnosed patients [89.6 vs. 76.3%; all cancer types p = 0.0033] at baseline. After controlling for differences in several demographic and clinical variables, the regression model predicted a 20.4% decrease in CINV event rate per CT cycle for Group 1 versus Group 2 patients. Study limitations include potential lack of generalizability, absence of data on certain confounders including alcohol consumption and prior history of motion sickness, potential underestimation of incidence of uncontrolled CINV, and inability to draw conclusions pertaining to cause and effect relationship. CONCLUSION: In this retrospective hospital study, patients with hematologic malignancies treated with HEC or MEC and initiated on antiemetic prophylaxis with palonosetron in the hospital outpatient setting were more likely to experience significantly lower CINV event rates (in the hospital outpatient, inpatient, and emergency room settings) versus patients initiated on other 5-HT3 RAs.

Use of hypomethylating agents and associated care in patients with myelodysplastic syndromes: a claims database study.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study is to describe patterns of hypomethylating agents (HMA) use and to compare treatment outcomes of decitabine (DAC) and azacitidine (AZA) with respect to transfusion dependence and the use of erythropoiesis-stimulating agents (ESA) treatment in commercially-insured patients with Myelodysplastic Syndromes (MDS). RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: A retrospective study using MarketScan Research Data, a large claims database studied patients who received DAC, AZA, or Supportive Care (SC) with at least two claims for MDS between January 1, 2006 and December 31, 2008. Poisson regressions were used to compare DAC and AZA on post-index number of red blood cell/platelet (RBC/PLT) transfusions and ESA treatment, controlling for age, gender, Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI), time to HMA initiation, number of HMA cycles, and pretreatment RBC/PLT or ESA claims. No other adjustment for disease severity was made. RESULTS: Approximately 48% of the patients were males with a mean age of 73 years (N = 2525). There were 37 DAC-treated and 60 AZA-treated patients. The length of follow-up did not significantly differ between the DAC- and AZA-treated groups (DAC = 349.2; AZA = 350.5 days); however, the number of days from MDS diagnosis to HMA therapy initiation was longer in the DAC cohort than in the AZA cohort (mean 93.7 days vs. 50.8 days, respectively, p = 0.029). Both DAC- and AZA-treated patients received similar number of treatment cycles (mean: 4.8 vs. 5.6 in DAC vs. AZA, p > 0.05), with means of 4.6 days per cycle for patients receiving DAC and 7.4 days for those receiving AZA (p = 0.003). Following treatment with HMA using Poisson regression analysis, DAC-treated patients had significantly lower use of RBC/PLT transfusions (RR 0.206, p = 0.034) and similar use of ESAs compared with AZA-treated patients. Limitations of the study included the small sample size, and the fact that the majority of patients were unspecified regarding their International Prognostic Scoring System (IPSS) risk category, which did not allow for accounting for differences in disease severity. CONCLUSIONS: In MDS patients treated with an HMA, treatment with DAC was associated with less frequent transfusions than with AZA treatment. Further studies with the ability to control for disease severity are warranted.

Likelihood of a subsequent chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting (CINV) event in patients receiving low, moderately or highly emetogenic chemotherapy (LEC/MEC/HEC).

OBJECTIVE: To assess the likelihood of subsequent chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting (CINV) events following a first chemotherapy administration CINV event in patients receiving single-day low, moderately, or highly emetogenic chemotherapy (LEC, MEC, or HEC). METHODS: A retrospective analysis was conducted utilizing Georgia Cancer Specialists, Florida Cancer Specialists, and ACORN electronic medical records databases (April 2006 through July 2009). Patients were included who received more than one single-day LEC, MEC, or HEC administration (oral or intravenous) with no chemotherapy 3 months prior to the first LEC, MEC, or HEC administration. Two cohorts, patients with a first administration CINV and no first administration CINV, were created and followed for 6 months. A multivariate logistic regression assessed the likelihood of subsequent CINV, controlling for age, gender, Charlson comorbidity index, cancer type, number of chemotherapy administrations, gap between LEC, MEC, or HEC administrations, and number of different LEC, MEC, or HEC agents administered. RESULTS: A total of 10,586 patients met the inclusion criteria (LEC = 3099; MEC = 5172; HEC = 2315). Of those patients, 4.4% (n = 136), 7.8% (n = 402), and 13.8% (n = 320) experienced a CINV event with their initial single-day LEC, MEC, or HEC administration, respectively. The unadjusted subsequent CINV rate was higher in the cohorts with first LEC, MEC, or HEC administration CINV for all groups receiving LEC (33.1% vs. 16.0%; p < 0.0001), MEC (46.5% vs. 18.9%; p < 0.0001), or HEC (59.1% vs. 26.9%; p < 0.0001). After controlling for covariates, patients with first LEC, MEC, or HEC administration CINV were 3.1, 3.8, and 3.7 times more likely to have a subsequent CINV compared to patients without a first LEC, MEC, or HEC administration CINV (Odds Ratio: 3.05 [95% CI: 2.08-4.48, p < 0.0001]; 3.77 [95% CI: 3.04-4.68, p < 0.0001]; and 3.70 [95% CI: 2.88-4.74, p < 0.0001], respectively). CONCLUSION: In this retrospective analysis, patients receiving single-day LEC, MEC, or HEC who had a prior CINV were at increased risk of subsequent CINV. Further studies assessing increased risk of a subsequent CINV events are warranted given this study represents an assessment of electronic medical record data within select community-based populations under usual care.

Clinical and economic burden of chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting among patients with cancer in a hospital outpatient setting in the United States.

OBJECTIVE: This study evaluated the overall burden of illness of chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting (CINV) and associated all-cause costs from a hospital's perspective (costs to the hospital) in patients with cancer treated with chemotherapy (CT) in the US hospital outpatient setting. METHODS: Patients with a cancer diagnosis aged ≥18 years initiating CT in a hospital outpatient setting for the first time between April 1 2007 and March 31 2009 were extracted from the Premier Perspective Database. Patients were followed through eight CT cycles or 6 months post-index date, whichever occurred first. Within each CT cycle, the follow-up time for CINV event estimation was from day 1 (except rescue medication use that was identified from day 2) to cycle end. A multivariate regression model was developed to predict the CINV event rate per CT cycle in the study follow-up period. Associated total all-cause costs of managing CINV from a hospital's perspective were analyzed descriptively. Event rate and associated costs were estimated in the entire hospital setting (outpatient, inpatient, and emergency room). All-cause costs included inpatient, hospital outpatient, and ER visit costs (identified through a primary or secondary diagnosis code for nausea, vomiting, and/or volume depletion) and pharmacy cost (rescue medications for CINV treatment). All physician costs and non CINV-related treatment (pharmacy) costs were excluded from the analyses. RESULTS: Among 11,495 study patients, 8,806 patients (76.6%) received prophylaxis for all cycles in the follow-up period. The overall base population had an average age of 63.3 years, was 51.0% female, and 72.7% White. The distribution of emetogenicity for cycle 1 CT cycle was 26.0% HEC, 46.1% MEC, and 26.4% LEC/MinEC combined. In the follow-up period, a total of 47,988 CINV events with an associated total all-cause treatment cost of $89 million were observed. Average daily treatment cost for all care settings was $1854.7. The regression model predicted a 20% CINV event rate per CT cycle in the follow-up period. Study limitations include potential lack of generalizibility, absence of data on certain confounders including alcohol consumption and prior history of motion sickness, lack of a control analysis group to estimate incremental use of resource utilization and associated costs, and a potential for cost under-estimation. CONCLUSION: In the current study analysis, a 20% CINV event rate per CT cycle per patient was predicted with an associated all-cause average daily total cost of approximately $1850. Further studies on early and appropriate antiemetic prophylaxis on CINV rates and economic outcomes are warranted.

The impact of a large-scale population-based asthma management program on pediatric asthma patients and their caregivers.

BACKGROUND: The consequences of pediatric asthma include missed school attendance, limitations in physical activity, and increased health care utilization and costs. Caregivers of asthmatic children are affected through missed work days and decreased job productivity. In response to these issues, a disease management program encompassing asthmatic children and their caregivers was developed as part of the core services offered to members of a large, national health care plan. OBJECTIVE: To determine the impact of the asthma management program on pediatric asthma patients and their caregivers over a 12-month period. METHODS: In this longitudinal study, 401 randomly selected member households with asthmatic children from 17 regional markets completed surveys before and after 12 months of participation in the asthma management program. Program interventions, which were tailored according to risk and need status, included various staggered educational mailings, reminder aids, videos, a peak expiratory flow rate meter, and telephonic case management. The Asthma Quality Assessment System survey, a battery of self-reported quality indicators, was used to solicit information from parents or caregivers of asthmatic children on issues pertaining to quality of life, asthma management skills and knowledge, and lost work/school days related to asthma. RESULTS: Statistically significant postprogram outcomes were observed in various domains, including a reduction in adverse utilization, symptomatology, and restricted activity days for children and lost work days for adult caretakers. CONCLUSIONS: These findings demonstrate that a large-scale population-based intervention program can produce measurable clinical and economic benefits, thereby lessening the burden of asthma on the family unit.

Impact of respiratory symptoms on health-related quality of life and medical resource utilization of patients treated by allergy specialists and primary care providers.

BACKGROUND: Respiratory symptoms associated with allergy and asthma cause substantial health care burden. OBJECTIVE: This observational pilot study compared internal medicine/family practice (IM/FP) and pediatric primary care providers with allergists in the diagnosis, treatment, and health-related quality of life (HRQL) outcomes of adults and children with respiratory symptoms. METHODS: Two allergists, 2 IM/FP, and 2 pediatricians enrolled 242 patients with respiratory symptoms ages 5 to 16 years old (n = 123) and 17 to 70 years old (n = 119). HRQL questionnaires were completed at enrollment and quarterly for 1 year. The adult questionnaire included SF-36, respiratory symptom role productivity, ITG Asthma Short Form, and allergy symptom index (ASI) scales. The child questionnaire included CHQ-PF28, respiratory symptom family impact, ITG Child Asthma Short Form, and ASI scales. HRQL changes were evaluated over the study period. RESULTS: Adults treated by allergists reported significantly greater improvement in HRQL on 5 of 8 SF-36 scales, the respiratory symptom role productivity scale, 3 of 5 ITG Asthma Short Form scales, and 2 of 4 ASI scales compared with adults treated by an IM/FP (P < 0.05). Pediatric patients treated by allergists had significantly greater improvement on 3 of 15 CHQ-PF28 scales, the respiratory symptom family impact scale, and one ASI scale compared with patients treated by pediatricians (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Compared with patients treated by primary care physicians, patients treated by allergists reported greater improvement in HRQL in a number of scales. Additional research is required to further evaluate the impact of provider specialty and patterns of care on outcomes of respiratory symptoms patients.

Health-related quality of life and future health care utilization for asthma.

BACKGROUND: Although health-related quality of life (HRQL) has been increasingly used as an outcome in asthma, its utility for identifying patients at risk for adverse asthma outcomes has not been established. OBJECTIVE: In a prospective cohort study, to evaluate the longitudinal impact of HRQL on future health care utilization and cost among adults with asthma, accounting for known risk factors for utilization. METHODS: A stratified random sample of 3,482 adult Northern CA Kaiser Permanente members with asthma was selected using computerized utilization databases and a screening survey item. Subjects completed a mail survey that included measures of generic (SF-12) and asthma-specific HRQL (ITG-Asthma Short Form battery). During the 12 months after survey completion, computerized utilization and cost data were ascertained. RESULTS: Better baseline asthma-specific HRQL was associated with a decreased risk of asthma-related emergency department visit or hospitalization during longitudinal followup (odds ratio per 10-point score increment 0.84; 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.74 to 0.95), controlling for demographic and clinical factors. Better baseline generic physical HRQL was associated with a decreased risk of future all-cause hospitalization (odds ratio 0.68; 95% CI 0.60 to 0.77). More favorable asthma-specific HRQL scores were also related to decreased asthma-related health care costs during the ensuing year (-0.086 log-dollars per 10-point score increment; 95% CI -0.11 to -0.06). Better generic physical HRQL scores were associated with lower total costs (-0.24 log-dollars; 95% CI -0.32 to -0.17). CONCLUSIONS: In a large cohort of adult health maintenance organization members with asthma, asthma-specific HRQL was associated with future asthma-related utilization and cost.