Assaf C, Dobos G, Zech IM, Doess A, Hibbe T, Jadasz JJ. Care structure of patients with mycosis fungoides and Sézary syndrome in Germany - Care research based on SHI claims data.
J Dtsch Dermatol Ges 2022;
20:643-651. [PMID:
35499207 DOI:
10.1111/ddg.14725]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2021] [Accepted: 12/20/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND
Cutaneous T-cell lymphomas (CTCLs) are rare forms of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma of T-cell origin that occur mainly in the skin. The most common form is mycosis fungoides (MF), but Sézary syndrome (SS), a more aggressive form of CTCL, is another relevant subgroup. Due to the rare nature of the disease, population-based studies of the epidemiology and disease burden and insights into care delivery are limited.
PATIENTS AND METHODS
Based on an anonymized, age and sex-adjusted routine dataset comprising approximately five million people with statutory health insurance, a retrospective, longitudinal healthcare research study was conducted over a six-year period (2012-2017).
RESULTS
In 55 % of patients with MF and SS, the initial diagnosis was documented in an outpatient setting; in 59 % of cases by a dermatologist. Immunophenotyping by flow cytometry is considered an important investigative tool for the detection and follow-up surveillance of blood involvement of cutaneous lymphomas, as the disease stage is the most important prognostic factor in MF and SS; this was performed in only 10 % of patients. The first-line treatment was topical (76 %), in particular with corticosteroids (66 %).
CONCLUSIONS
The findings from this healthcare research point to the need for increased guideline-based care.
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