Treatment Discontinuation in Patients with Psoriasis Treated with Biologics: A Retrospective Analysis of German Health Claims Data.

INTRODUCTION: Plaque psoriasis is a common, often debilitating, chronic autoimmune inflammatory skin disease. Moderate-to-severe forms of psoriasis can be treated with biologics such as anti-interleukin and anti-tumor necrosis factor antibodies. We aimed to investigate treatment discontinuation among patients with psoriasis who initiated biologic treatment. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective, non-interventional cohort study based on anonymized claims data from the German statutory health insurance which covered the years from 2016 to 2021. We included adult patients with psoriasis who initiated biologic treatment in drug-specific cohorts. Over a 365-day follow-up period, we assessed the frequencies and the time until treatment discontinuation for different biologics. Differences in discontinuation rates were compared using a multivariate Cox proportional hazards model. RESULTS: A total of 2565 patients with psoriasis who initiated treatment with secukinumab (n = 612), adalimumab (n = 454), guselkumab (n = 354), ixekizumab (n = 259), ustekinumab (n = 241), tildrakizumab (n = 205), brodalumab (n = 166), risankizumab (n = 145), etanercept (n = 91), certolizumab (n = 29), and infliximab (n = 9) were included. A total of 1290 patients (50.29%) discontinued treatment during the follow-up period, ranging from 30.34% (risankizumab) to 69.23% (etanercept). Median time until discontinuation of treatment ranged from 102 days (etanercept) to 208 days (risankizumab). Once the biologic treatment was discontinued, 45.05% of patients restarted the treatment with the same agent, 23.10% of patients switched to another biologic, and 31.86% received no further biologic agent. Compared to patients treated with risankizumab, the treatment discontinuation rate was significantly higher (p < 0.05) in patients treated with the other biologics except ustekinumab (p = 0.12). CONCLUSIONS: Further research should explore reasons leading to treatment discontinuation in order to support treatment choices for patients with moderate-to-severe psoriasis.

Epidemiology and Treatment of Patients With Primary Open Angle Glaucoma in Germany: A Health Claims Data Analysis.

PRCIS: Based on a large administrative database of German claims data, our study provides current estimates of the prevalence and incidence of primary open angle glaucoma (POAG) in Germany and describes selected outcomes for prevalent patients with POAG. PURPOSE: To estimate the prevalence and incidence of POAG in Germany, to describe the patient population in terms of comorbidity burden, routine care, and overall healthcare resource utilization (HCRU) and associated costs, and to describe treatment patterns over time in patients undergoing relevant laser procedures. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Based on anonymized German claims data, we carried out a retrospective, noninterventional study covering calendar years 2016-2021. RESULTS: For the adult German population (≥18 y), we estimated a POAG 1-year prevalence of 1.70% and a 1-year incidence of 0.17% in 2018; both increased with age, peaking in 80- to 89-year-olds. Prevalence and incidence were lower in 2020 (1.65% and 0.16%, respectively), the first year of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic. Most patients solely received topical treatment. Most surgically treated patients underwent laser trabeculoplasty, followed by laser iridotomy, trabeculectomy, and filtration operations with implant. In patients undergoing laser trabeculoplasty, the treatment regimen was nearly unchanged in the second year after, compared with 2 years before the procedure. Multimorbidity was commonly observed; 75.5% of patients had arterial hypertension and 50.0% had disorders of lipoprotein metabolism and other lipidemias, compared with 60.1% and 39.2%, respectively, in an age- and sex-matched control sample. CONCLUSIONS: Our study provides insights into epidemiology and routine care of POAG in Germany and HCRU in prevalent patients. There was little change in treatment regimens in patients who underwent laser trabeculoplasty, 2 years after the procedure. Most patients were multimorbid highlighting the need for comprehensive care.

Multiple sclerosis in Germany: data analysis of administrative prevalence and healthcare delivery in the statutory health system.

BACKGROUND: Healthcare-utilization data for multiple sclerosis (MS) are scarce in Germany. The Purpose of the study was to analyse administrative prevalence of MS, medication use and type of specialists involved in MS treatment in the outpatient setting in Bavaria. METHODS: Pseudonymized claims data from Bavarian Statutory Health Insurance (SHI)-accredited physicians were used. Administrative prevalence of MS was defined as having ≥1 MS diagnosis (International Classification of Diseases, 10th edition, code G35) documented by a neurologist or psychiatrist, or ≥1 prescription for disease-modifying drugs (DMDs)). The administrative prevalence calculated for Bavaria was projected to Germany. DMD prescription and involvement of different specialities in health care service for MS patients was analysed. RESULTS: Administrative prevalence of MS in Bavaria increased from 0.123% to 0.175% of insured persons between 2005 and 2009; when projected, this yielded ~102,000-143,000 patients with MS in the German population. The percentage of patients receiving ≥1 DMD prescription increased from 45.5% to 50.5%. Patients with MS were mainly treated by neurologists in the ambulatory care setting. CONCLUSIONS: These results provide important information on the administrative prevalence of MS in Bavaria and on healthcare provision for patients, which is relevant for resource planning in the healthcare sector.

Processes of psoriasis health care in Germany--long-term analysis of data from the statutory health insurances.

BACKGROUND: To evaluate health care provision for psoriasis patients, and to better allocate resources, precise knowledge of the health care situation is essential. The goal of this study is to analyze prescription behavior and resource utilization for psoriasis patients in Germany. METHODS: We performed a secondary analysis of routinely collected psoriasis data from 2004-2007 from members of a nationwide statutory health insurance company (Gmünder Ersatzkasse). A descriptive analysis was done on physician care, hospitalizations, and medications and related costs. RESULTS: 34,728 of the 913,145 continuously insured patients were diagnosed with psoriasis (one-year prevalence: 2.3-2.5%). At the time of the initial diagnosis, 68% of patients were treated by a dermatologist and 28% by a general practitioner (GP). Over the next 21 months, the proportion of patients seen by a dermatologist decreased to 22% and the proportion seen by a GP increased to around 70%. 15.2% of patients were absent at least once from work. 79.5% received prescriptions with an average cost of € 135 per patient per year. 97.5% of patients received topical therapy; 11% got systemic therapies. Biologics were given to about 0.1% of patients. Significant differences in prescription behavior were seen between regions and physician groups. CONCLUSION: Psoriasis is an important economic and medical issue. The majority of insured patients take prescription therapies. Dermatologists are most often the first health care provider.