Cost analysis of self-monitoring blood glucose in nonintensively managed type 2 diabetes.

OBJECTIVES: To compare health care resource utilization (HCRU) and costs between self-monitoring of blood glucose (SMBG) and continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) users in adults with nonintensively managed type 2 diabetes (T2D). STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective analysis of the MarketScan Databases. METHODS: Adults with T2D using SMBG or initiating CGM between January 2018 and March 2019 were eligible for inclusion. Inclusion criteria were (1) 2 consecutive claims for T2D or 1 claim for T2D and a claim for glucose-lowering therapy, (2) at least 1 pharmacy claim for SMBG strips or CGM sensors, and (3) continuous enrollment for 1 year before and after the index date. Individuals with evidence of CGM in the preindex period, pregnancy, use of rapid-acting insulin or glucagon, type 1 diabetes, gestational diabetes, or secondary diabetes at any time during the study period were excluded. SMBG and CGM patients were matched using propensity score, and all-cause HCRU and costs during a 1-year period were compared. RESULTS: A total of 3498 patients were included in each matched cohort. The per-patient per-year (PPPY) all-cause cost was $20,542 in CGM users vs $19,349 in SMBG users (P < .001). The PPPY cost of glucose-lowering medication was $6312 in CGM users vs $5606 in SMBG users (P < .001). No significant differences in the number of emergency department visits or hospitalizations were observed, but CGM users had more all-cause outpatient visits and office visits with an endocrinologist. CONCLUSIONS: In adults with nonintensively managed T2D, SMBG appears to be less costly than CGM and is associated with lower pharmacy costs.

Estimating and Extrapolating Survival Using a State-Transition Modeling Approach: A Practical Application in Multiple Myeloma.

OBJECTIVES: State-transition models (STMs) applied in oncology have given limited considerations to modeling postprogression survival data. This study presents an application of an STM focusing on methods to evaluate the postprogression transition and its impact on survival predictions. METHODS: Data from the lenalidomide plus dexamethasone arm of the ASPIRE trial was used to estimate transition rates for an STM. The model accounted for the competing risk between the progression and preprogression death events and included an explicit structural link between the time to progression and subsequent death. The modeled transition rates were used to simulate individual disease trajectories in a discrete event simulation framework, based on which progression-free survival and overall survival over a 30-year time horizon were estimated. Survival predictions were compared with the observed trial data, matched external data, and estimates obtained from a more conventional partitioned survival analysis approach. RESULTS: The rates of progression and preprogression death were modeled using piecewise exponential functions. The rate of postprogression mortality was modeled using an exponential function accounting for the nonlinear effect of the time to progression. The STM provided survival estimates that closely fitted the trial data and gave more plausible long-term survival predictions than the best-fitting Weibull model applied in a partitioned survival analysis. CONCLUSIONS: The fit of the STM suggested that the modeled transition rates accurately captured the underlying disease process over the modeled time horizon. The considerations of this study may apply to other settings and facilitate a wider use of STMs in oncology.

Over the rainbow: Guidelines for meaningful use of colour maps in neurophysiology.

Visualization of complex data is commonplace in neurophysiology research. Here, we highlight specific perceptual issues related to the ongoing misuse of variations of the rainbow colour scheme, with a particular emphasis on time-frequency decompositions in electrophysiology as an illustrative example. We review the risks of biased interpretation of neurophysiological data in this context, and provide guidelines to improve the use of colour maps to visualise complex, multidimensional data in neurophysiology research.

Análise de custo por desfecho das novas terapias de combinação tripla com lenalidomida para o mieloma múltiplo recidivado/refratário no Brasil / Cost by outcomes analysis of novel triplecombination therapies with lenalidomide for relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma in Brazil

Objetivo: Estimar o custo de tratamento das novas terapias de combinação tripla com lenalidomida no manejo dos pacientes com mieloma múltiplo recidivado/refratário (MMRR) sob a perspectiva do sistema de saúde privado brasileiro. Métodos: Os custos associados da combinação de lenalidomida + dexametasona com carfilzomibe (KRd), daratumumabe (DRd), elotuzumabe (ERd) e ixazomibe (IRd) foram comparados. Para cada terapia, a duração de tratamento foi estimada pela média do tempo de sobrevida livre de progressão (SLP) restrita a três anos a partir de dados de SLP dos estudos pivotais das respectivas terapias. Os custos de tratamento foram estimados para a duração de tratamento, considerando a posologia específica dos regimes terapêuticos. Os preços dos medicamentos foram baseados no preço fábrica de abril de 2020. Não foi considerado o compartilhamento de doses. O custo total do tratamento, o custo médio por ciclo e o custo por taxa de resposta objetiva (TRO) em três anos foram comparados. Resultados: A duração de tratamento no período de três anos foi de 23,3, 27,6, 20,3 e 20,9 meses para KRd, DRd, ERd e IRd, respectivamente. O custo médio total de tratamento foi estimado em 975.557 reais (BRL) para KRd, 1.507.544 BRL para DRd (+55% versus KRd), 1.207.899 BRL para ERd (+24% versus KRd) e 983.917 para IRd (+1% versus KRd). KRd teve o menor custo médio por mês de SLP (horizonte de três anos) entre as terapias, 41.957 BRL versus 54.709 BRL para DRd (+30% versus KRd), 59.635 BRL para ERd (+42% versus KRd) e 47.147 para IRd (+12% versus KRd). Similarmente, o custo por TRO foi 31% menor para KRd (1.119.770 BRL), comparado ao DRd (1.621.015 BRL), 27% menor, comparado ao ERd (1.528.986 BRL), e 11% menor, comparado ao IRd (1.256.064). Conclusões: Resultados da presente análise indicam que KRd está associado a um menor custo médio de tratamento, acompanhado de maior previsibilidade, menor custo por TRO e por mês de SLP, comparado ao DRd, ERd e IRd no horizonte de três anos sob a perspectiva do sistema de saúde privado brasileiro. Os resultados estão associados com alguma incerteza em razão das diferenças nas populações dos estudos, desenho dos estudos (duração fixa de carfilzomibe vs. tratamento até a progressão para daratumumabe, elotuzumabe e ixazomibe) e porque a duração de tratamento é tipicamente menor do que a SLP.

Objective: To estimate treatment costs for novel triple-combination therapies with lenalidomide in the management of relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma (RRMM) patients from the Brazilian private healthcare perspective. Methods: Treatment costs associated with lenalidomide + dexamethasone combinations with carfilzomib (KRd), daratumumab (DRd), elotuzumab (ERd) and ixazomib (IRd) were compared. For each therapy, treatment duration was estimated as the mean progression-free survival (PFS) time restricted to three years using published PFS data from pivotal trials available for these treatments. Treatment costs were estimated for the modeled treatment duration considering therapy-specific dosing schedules. Drug prices were based on April 2020 Brazilian list prices. No vial sharing was assumed. Total treatment costs, average cost per cycle, and cost per overall response rate (ORR) over the three-year period were compared. Results: Modeled treatment duration over the three-year period was 23.3, 27.6, 20.3 and 20.9 months for KRd, DRd, ERd and IRd respectively. Corresponding average total treatment costs were estimated to be 975,557 Brazilian Real (BRL) for KRd; 1,507,544 BRL for DRd (+55% versus KRd); 1,207,899 BRL for ERd (+24% versus KRd) and 983,917 for IRd (+1% versus KRd). KRd had the lowest average cost per month of restricted PFS (3-year time frame) among the therapies, 41,957 BRL versus 54,709 BRL for DRd (+30% versus KRd); 59,635 BRL for ERd (+42% versus KRd); and 47,147 for IRd (+12% versus KRd). Similarly, the cost per achieved ORR was lower for KRd (1,119,770 BRL) than that for DRd (1,621,015 BRL); ERd (1,528,986 BRL); and IRd (1,256,064) by 31%, 27% and 11%, respectively. Conclusions: Results of the present analysis indicate that KRd is associated with lower mean treatment costs and more predictable costs, lower cost per ORR and per month in PFS than DRd, ERd and IRd over a relevant three-year time horizon from the Brazilian private healthcare perspective. The results are associated with some uncertainty due to differences in trial populations, trial design (fixed duration for carfilzomib vs treatment till progression for daratumumab, elotuzumab and ixazomib) and because treatment duration is typically shorter than PFS.

Real life patterns of care and progression free survival in metastatic renal cell carcinoma patients: retrospective analysis of cross-sectional data.

BACKGROUND: Patient characteristics and survival outcomes in randomized trials may be different from those in real-life clinical practice. The objective of this study was to describe treatment pathways, safety, drug costs and survival in patients with metastatic Renal Cell Carcinoma (mRCC) in a real world setting. METHODS: A retrospective analysis was performed using IQVIA real world oncology cross-sectional survey data, a retrospective treatment database collecting anonymized patient-level data in Europe. Data on treatment naïve patients with mRCC who received a first-line targeted therapy in France were extracted for the period 2005-2015. Descriptive analyses were performed on treatment patterns, patient characteristics and safety profiles. Progression Free Survival (PFS) was determined using Kaplan-Meier survival analysis. RESULTS: One thousand three hundred thirty-one patients with mRCC who received a first-line targeted therapy were included. The male/female sex ratio was 2.5 and 66% of patients were aged > 60 years. 83% of patients had clear cell adenocarcinoma. 83% of patients underwent a surgical procedure, 10% had radiotherapy. In patients who received a first-line targeted therapy, 73% received sunitinib. The mean time from diagnosis to first-line treatment by targeted therapies in patients initially diagnosed with metastatic disease was 3.3 months [95% CI:2.5-4.1]. In patients who received second-line targeted therapy n = 257 (19%), the most frequently observed treatment sequences were sunitinib-everolimus (33%) and sunitinib-sorafenib (27%). Adverse events data were available for 501 patients and adverse events were documented in 70% of patients, most frequently diarrhoea. The overall median PFS was 13 months [95% CI:11.5-16]. CONCLUSION: Patient characteristics were consistent with the literature. Treatment patterns appeared to follow current practice guidelines. Despite some variations, PFS in our study seems to be consistent with findings from other real world studies. Nevertheless, PFS results were higher than those observed in clinical trials. Due to the use of cross-sectional data, PFS in our study should be interpreted with caution.

Real-world costs and outcomes in metastatic renal cell carcinoma patients treated with targeted therapies: a cohort study from the French health insurance database.

OBJECTIVES: The objective of this study was to describe treatment patterns, survival, healthcare use and costs in patients with metastatic renal cell carcinoma (mRCC) in a real-world setting. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: We used the National Health Insurance (NHI) claims database for the Ile-de-France region to perform a retrospective cohort analysis of patients with mRCC treated by a first-line targeted therapy. Treatment naïve patients were identified combining the 10th revision of the International Classification of Diseases (ICD-10) codes (C64 & C77-C79) and a first prescription of targeted therapies. Descriptive analyses were performed on treatment patterns and patients' characteristics. Progression free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) were determined using Kaplan-Meier actuarial survival analysis. All healthcare resource use and costs were estimated on a per patient per month (PPPM) basis (€2016). RESULTS: A total of 327 treatment naïve patients with mRCC were included. Median follow-up was 13.4 months. Sunitinib accounted for 73% of first-line treatments. The most frequently observed treatment sequence for the first two lines was sunitinib-everolimus (16%; n = 137) and for the first three lines sunitinib-everolimus-axitinib (20%; n = 49). First-line PFS for sunitinib, everolimus, pazopanib, sorafenib and other was 8.7, 6.2, 10.7, 5.7 and 11.2 months, respectively. Median OS for patients treated by first-line sunitinib, everolimus, pazopanib, sorafenib and other was respectively 14.7, 8.1, 21.1, 8.9 and 14.0 months. From the NHI's perspective, the mean PPPM was €5546. The average PPPM in pre-progression was €5597 compared to €5541 beyond progression of the disease. Oral targeted therapies accounted for 53% of the total PPPM. CONCLUSION: This descriptive study showed that the economic burden of mRCC is substantial with oral targeted therapies accounting for 53% of the PPPM. OS and PFS in real life are poorer than observed in clinical trials.

In-Hospital Economic Burden of Metastatic Renal Cell Carcinoma in France in the Era of Targeted Therapies: Analysis of the French National Hospital Database from 2008 to 2013.

BACKGROUND & OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to assess the economic burden of hospitalisations for metastatic renal cell carcinoma (mRCC), to describe the patterns of prescribing expensive drugs and to explore the impact of geographic and socio-demographic factors on the use of these drugs. METHODS: We performed a retrospective analysis from the French national hospitals database. Hospital stays for mRCC between 2008 and 2013 were identified by combining the 10th revision of the International Classification of Diseases (ICD-10) codes for renal cell carcinoma (C64) and codes for metastases (C77 to C79). Incident cases were identified out of all hospital stays and followed till December 2013. Descriptive analyses were performed with a focus on hospital stays and patient characteristics. Costs were assessed from the perspective of the French National Health Insurance and were obtained from official diagnosis-related group tariffs for public and private hospitals. RESULTS: A total of 15,752 adult patients were hospitalised for mRCC, corresponding to 102,613 hospital stays. Of those patients, 68% were men and the median age at first hospitalisation was 69 years [Min-Max: 18-102]. Over the study period, the hospital mortality rate reached 37%. The annual cost of managing mRCC at hospital varied between 28M€ in 2008 and 42M€ in 2012 and was mainly driven by inpatient costs. The mean annual per capita cost of hospital management of mRCC varied across the study period from 8,993€ (SD: €8,906) in 2008 to 10,216€ (SD: €10,527) in 2012. Analysis of the determinants of prescribing expensive drugs at hospital did not show social or territorial differences in the use of these drugs. CONCLUSION: This study is the first to investigate the in-hospital economic burden of mRCC in France. Results showed that in-hospital costs of managing mRCC are mainly driven by expensive drugs and inpatient costs.