The Economic Value of Improved Productivity from Treatment of Chronic Hepatitis C Virus Infection: A Retrospective Analysis of Earnings, Work Loss, and Health Insurance Data

The effect of hepatitis C-associated premature deaths on labour productivity losses in Spain: a ten-year analysis

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection causes a substantial economic burden, not only in terms of healthcare costs, but also in labour productivity losses. The main objective of this study is to provide objective and comparable information about the trend in labour productivity losses caused by premature HCV-associated deaths in Spain in recent years (2009-2018). We used nationwide data from several official sources to create a simulation model based on the human capital approach and to estimate the flows in labour productivity losses due to deaths identified in the period considered. Based on a pessimistic scenario, the annual number of deaths due to HCV infections decreased by 19.7% between 2009 and 2018. The years of potential labour productive life lost (YPLPLL) decreased by 38.1%. That reduction led to a decrease in annual labour productivity losses from €236 million in 2009 to €156 million in 2018 (-33.8%). The aggregate HCV-related labour productivity losses between 2009 and 2018 ranged from €1742 million (optimistic scenario) to €1949 million (pessimistic scenario), with an intermediate estimation of €1846 million (moderately optimistic scenario). These results show a substantial reduction in annual deaths, working-age deaths, YPLPLL, and labour productivity losses associated with HCV infection over this period.

Surgical Treatment Patterns, Healthcare Resource Utilization, and Economic Burden in Patients with Tenosynovial Giant Cell Tumor Who Underwent Joint Surgery in the United States

Background: Tenosynovial giant cell tumors (TGCT) are rare and locally aggressive neoplasms in synovium, bursae, and tendon sheaths, which cause pain, joint dysfunction, and damage to the affected joints. Objective: To evaluate the surgical patterns and economic burden among patients with TGCT who underwent joint surgery in the United States. Methods: Patients newly diagnosed with TGCT, aged 18-64 years, who underwent joint surgery post-TGCT diagnosis were identified from the OptumHealth Care Solutions, Inc database (Q1/1999-Q1/2017). Patients were required to be continuously enrolled for ≥1 year before and ≥3 years after the first TGCT diagnosis (index date). Surgical patterns were assessed post-index. Healthcare resource utilization and associated healthcare costs, and indirect costs related to work loss in year 1, year 2, and year 3 post-index, were compared with those at baseline. Results: Of 835 eligible TGCT patients, 462 (55%) patients who had ≥1 joint surgery post-index were included. During a median follow-up of 5.7 years, 78% of patients underwent their first joint surgery in year 1 and 41% had ≥1 repeat surgery. Magnetic resonance imaging utilization was highest during baseline (46%) and declined afterward (28%, 17%, and 19% in years 1, 2, and 3, respectively). Opioids and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), and physical therapy, occupational therapy, and rehabilitation services, were commonly used during baseline (45%, 40%, and 30%, respectively). More patients used opioids in year 1 vs baseline (78% vs 45%; P<0.0001), while its utilization return to baseline levels in year 2 (41%) and year 3 (42%). A similar pattern was observed for NSAIDs and physical/occupational therapy/rehabilitation services. Healthcare resource utilization and associated healthcare costs surged in year 1 and returned to baseline or lower in years 2 and 3. A similar pattern was observed for indirect costs associated with work loss. Discussion: The high proportion of patients undergoing repeat surgeries and prevalent use of opioids, NSAIDs, and physical/occupational therapy/rehabilitation services suggests an unmet medical need after surgical treatment. Conclusions: Surgical resection alone might be inadequate to control TGCT. New treatment options may complement surgery and alleviate the clinical and economic burden experienced by patients with TGCT who had received prior surgery.

The Economic Burden of Recurrence in Triple-Negative Breast Cancer Among Working Age Patients in the United States

INTRODUCTION

Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is associated with a high recurrence risk. However, the magnitude of direct and indirect costs associated with recurrence is lacking in the literature.

METHODS

Adults 18-65 years old diagnosed with TNBC were identified from the OptumHealth Reporting and Insights claims database (1999-2017) and stratified by recurrence. For patients with recurrence, the index date was defined as 30 days before recurrence; for patients without recurrence, it was randomly assigned based on the distribution of time between first treatments and index dates of the recurrence cohort. All-cause and breast cancer-related healthcare resource utilization (HRU), direct and indirect costs, and work loss up to 1 year were compared between cohorts using generalized linear models. Kaplan-Meier analyses and Cox proportional hazards models compared the risk of leaving the workforce.

RESULTS

Among the 2340 patients analyzed, mean age was 54 years and > 75% of patients had stage 0-2 cancer. Among the 1170 patients with recurrence, 236 were categorized as having metastatic recurrence and 934 as having locoregional recurrence. Relative to patients without recurrence, those with recurrence had significantly higher all-cause and breast cancer-related HRU. For instance, adjusted incidence rates (IRs) for all-cause inpatient admissions were 3.67 and 10.19 times higher for patients with locoregional and metastatic recurrence, respectively (p < 0.001). Adjusted all-cause healthcare costs were $8575/month higher for metastatic recurrence and $3609/month higher for locoregional recurrence vs. patients without recurrence (p < 0.001). Adjusted IRs for work loss days were approximately two times higher for locoregional and metastatic recurrence vs. without recurrence (p < 0.001). Patients with locoregional recurrence incurred $335/month more indirect costs vs. patients without recurrence; those with metastatic recurrence incurred $769/month more (p < 0.05). Patients with recurrence had a 63% higher rate of leaving the work force (p = 0.003).

CONCLUSION

The incremental direct and indirect economic burden associated with recurrent TNBC is substantial relative to non-recurrence.

Community pharmacist engagement in HIV and HCV prevention: Current practices and potential for service uptake

Background

Objective

Methods

Results

Conclusions

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Pharmacists are largely willing to help people who need HIV/HCV prevention services.

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Perception of HIV/HCV prevention fit with pharmacist professional identity varies.

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Cognitive HIV/HCV prevention services are preferred over hands-on clinical services.

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Pharmacists often engage in gatekeeping to limit sales of non-prescription syringes.

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Willingness to sell syringes potentially hinges on minimal contact with requestors.