BACKGROUND Multimorbidity is not uncommon and the associated impact it places on healthcare utilisation and societal costs is of increased concern. The aim of the current study was to estimate the economic burden of multimorbidity among older adults in Singapore by investigating its association with the healthcare and societal resource use and cost. METHODS The Well-being of the Singapore Eld...

Non-cystic fibrosis bronchiectasis (NCFBE) is a rare, chronic lung disease characterized by bronchial inflammation and permanent airway dilation. Chronic infections with P. aeruginosa have been linked to higher morbidity and mortality. To understand the impact of P. aeruginosa in NCFBE on health care costs and burden, we assessed healthcare costs and utilization before and after P. aeruginosa d...

Objective. Healthcare utilization and costs associated with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) in a US Medicaid population were examined. Methods. Patients ≥ 18 years old with SLE diagnosis (ICD-9-CM 710.0x) were extracted from a large Medicaid database 2002-2009. Index date was date of the first SLE diagnosis. Patients with and without SLE were matched. All patients had a variable length of fo...

BACKGROUND The aim of this study was to determine the economic burden and health-related quality of life (HRQOL) of patients with Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA) and their caregivers in Spain. METHODS This was a cross-sectional and retrospective study of patients diagnosed with SMA in Spain. We adopted a bottom up, prevalence approach design to study patients with SMA. The patient's caregivers ...

OBJECTIVE The study intended to substantiate healthcare resource utilization, costs, and funding patterns of US and Canadian Friedreich's Ataxia (FRDA) populations, to assess compliance with treatment guidance and to identify areas where novel healthcare measures or improved access to existing care may improve patients' functional and social capabilities and reduce the financial impact on the h...

BACKGROUND Healthcare costs, particularly pharmaceutical costs, are a dominant issue for most healthcare organizations, but it is unclear if randomized controlled trials (RCTs) routinely discuss costs. Our objective was to assess the frequency and factors associated with the inclusion of costs in RCTs. METHODS AND FINDINGS We randomly sampled 188 RCTs spanning three years (2003-2005) from six...

Abstracts Empowering the Impoverished and Reducing Healthcare Costss Empowering the Impoverished and Reducing Healthcare Costs Kimberlie J. Warren, PhD, MPA Background: Socioeconomic disadvantage is a major risk factor for poor health and a consistent contributor to chronic stress, both of which are disempowering to individuals and communities. Poverty has been linked to a higher prevalence of ...

AIM To use a national database of United States hospitals to evaluate the incidence and costs of hospital admissions associated with gastroparesis. METHODS We analyzed the National Inpatient Sample Database (NIS) for all patients in whom gastroparesis (ICD-9 code: 536.3) was the principal discharge diagnosis during the period, 1997-2013. The NIS is the largest publicly available all-payer inp...

After much anticipation, approval of the first U.S. biosimilar medications may be around the corner. Biosimilars hold the promise of reducing healthcare spending by offering lower-cost alternatives to highpriced biologic drugs. Biosimilars are not generic versions of existing biologics, however. Generic medications contain an active ingredient identical to that in the reference (‘‘brandname’’) ...

the discussion between general practitioners (gps) and healthcare delivery organizations necessitates a common language. the presentation of the 4 types of gp’s activities, opens dialogue but can lead to possible misunderstandings between the micro- and macro-level of the healthcare system. this commentary takes 4 examples: costs reduction by p4, priority of beneficence or nonmaleficence, role ...