Incidence of new coding for dry eye and ocular infection in open-angle glaucoma and ocular hypertension patients treated with prostaglandin analogs: retrospective analysis of three medical/pharmacy claims databases.

BACKGROUND: To investigate the clinical relevance of two different preservative formulations, we compared 1-year incidence rates of additional coding of dry eye, ocular infection, or ocular surface disease (either dry eye or ocular infection) in open-angle glaucoma and ocular hypertension patients newly treated with latanoprost with benzalkonium chloride (BAK) or with travoprost-Z with SofZia®. METHODS: This was a retrospective study of three U.S.-based patient-centric medical/pharmacy claims databases (MedStat, PharMetrics, i3-Ingenix). Patients were eligible if they filled a prescription for latanoprost or travoprost-Z between October 2006 and Q2 2008 (prescription date = index date) AND were continuously enrolled 6 months prior through 12 months after the index date AND had any open-angle glaucoma or ocular hypertension diagnosis within 90 days prior to the index date AND did not have an ocular surface disease diagnosis during the 180 days prior to the index date AND if they had not had a prescription for the index agent in the 180 days prior to the index date. Time to incidence of new coding for ocular surface disease in the first year post-index was estimated with a composite endpoint: diagnosis of dry eye or ocular infection by ICD-9-CM or Current Procedural Terminology code OR by prescription for cyclosporine ophthalmic emulsion or ocular antibiotics. RESULTS: In all, 15,933 patients were treated with latanoprost and 7670 with travoprost-Z. Over 1 year, 4.3% of latanoprost and 4.5% of travoprost-Z patients were identified with dry eye (p = 0.28), and 10.9% and 11.1%, respectively, were identified with an ocular infection (p = 0.79). The 1-year incidence of new coding for ocular surface disease also was similar across treatments (13.9% vs 14.3%, respectively; p = 0.48). CONCLUSIONS: The retrospective analysis of three large prescription databases revealed that open-angle glaucoma and ocular hypertension patients newly treated with latanoprost preserved with BAK or travoprost-Z preserved with SofZia did not differ statistically in rates of dry eye, ocular infection, or ocular surface disease (either dry eye or ocular infection) during the first year post-index. Claims-based analyses are limited by nonrandomization and the inability to account for over-the-counter use or samples.

[Ocular manifestations in HIV/AIDS patients undergoing highly active antiretroviral treatment (HAART) in Togo]. / Atteintes oculaires chez les personnes vivant avec le VIH/sida sous trithérapie au Togo.

AIM: The twofold purpose of this study in people living with human immunodeficiency virus (PLHIV/AIDS) and undergoing highly active antiretroviral treatment (HAART) was to determine the prevalence of ocular manifestations and its correlation with CD4 T-cell count. PATIENTS AND METHODS: All patients who attended 2 NGO care centers that manage PLHIV/AIDS in Lomé, Togo between August and October 2005 were recruited. CD4 T-cell counts and use of antiretroviral treatment was noted. A thorough eye examination was performed in all cases. RESULTS: A total of 422 PLHIV/SIDA were recruited including 281 who were undergoing HAART. The sex-ratio was 2 female/1 male. Mean age was 34 +/- 2294 years. Involvement of the anterior segment was observed in 36.3% of patients and involvement of the posterior segment in 54.1%. The second most common ocular manifestation was ophthalmic herpes zoster of the anterior segment (19.6%) secondary to conjunctivitis (57.8%). One case of palpebral and conjunctival Kaposi's sarcoma was noted. The most common type of posterior segment involvement was cotton-wool nodules (35.5%). Five cases of CMV retinitis were observed. CONCLUSION: A longitudinal study in PLHIV/AIDS will be needed to better evaluate the correlation between ocular manifestations and CD4 T-cell count.

Comparative preclinical toxicology and pharmacology of 4,4'-dihydroxybenzophenone-2,4-dinitrophenylhydrazone (A-007) in vitro and in rodents and primates.

4,4'-Dihydroxybenzophenone-2,4-dinitrophenylhydrazone (A-007) is being evaluated for its anticancer activities. Acute, subacute and chronic oral, dermal, opthalmic and dermal LD50 and acceptance studies in adult mice, rats, rabbits and monkeys demonstrated some vomiting at 5 g/kg doses in monkeys but otherwise no unacceptable toxicities. In vitro, T.I. for A-007 were calculated using murine bone marrow GM-CFC and human cancer cell lines. A relative oral bioavailability factor of 2% was calculated for rats and monkeys for plasma A-007. Non-compartmental pharmacokinetic analysis suggests enterohepatic circulation. Plasma A-007 could not be detected after applying a 0.25% gel topically. Generally, A-007 is well tolerated.