Cost-effectiveness of ranibizumab in treatment of diabetic macular oedema (DME) causing visual impairment : evidence from the RESTORE trial

Background/aims To evaluate the cost-effectiveness of ranibizumab as either monotherapy or combined with laser therapy, compared with laser monotherapy, in the treatment of diabetic macular oedema (DME) causing visual impairment from a UK healthcare payer perspective. Methods A Markov model simulated long-term outcomes and costs of treating DME in one eye (BCVA <= 5 letters) based on data from the RESTORE Phase III trial. Outcomes measured in quality-adjusted life-years (QALYs) were simulated for a 15-year time horizon based on 12-month follow-up from RESTORE and published long-term data. Costs included treatment, disease monitoring, visual impairment and blindness (at 2010 price levels). Results Ranibizumab monotherapy resulted in a 0.17 QALY gain at an incremental cost of 4191 pound relative to laser monotherapy, yielding an incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER) of 24 pound 028. Probabilistic sensitivity analysis showed a 64% probability of being cost-effective at a threshold of 30 pound 000 per QALY. Combined ranibizumab and laser therapy resulted in a 0.13 QALY gain at an incremental cost of 4695 pound relative to laser monotherapy (ICER 36 pound 106; 42% probability of ICER <30 pound 000). Conclusions Based on RESTORE 1-year follow-up data, ranibizumab monotherapy appears to be cost-effective relative to laser monotherapy, the current standard of care. Cost-effectiveness of combination therapy is less certain. Ongoing studies will further inform on disease progression and the need for additional ranibizumab treatment

A Meta-Analysis of Osteoporotic Fracture Risk with Medication Nonadherence

AbstractObjectivesTherapy for osteoporosis reduces the risk of fracture in clinical trials; real-world adherence to therapy is suboptimal and may reduce the effectiveness of intervention. The objective was to assess the fracture risk among patients nonadherent versus adherent to therapy for osteoporosis.MethodsMedline, Embase, and CINAHL were searched for English-language publications of observational studies (January 1998–February 2009). Proceedings from two recent meetings of five relevant conferences were hand searched. Prospective and retrospective observational studies of patients with osteoporosis receiving bisphosphonates, parathyroid hormone, or selective estrogen receptor modulators denosumab were included. Studies were required to consider both fracture risk and adherence (compliance and/or persistence); any definition of adherence/fracture was acceptable. Data were analyzed using pooled comparisons of the odds and hazard ratios of fracture in noncompliance versus compliance and nonpersistence versus persistence. Sensitivity analyses were conducted to determine the effect of clinical heterogeneity on the results.ResultsTwenty-seven citations were identified, the majority of which were retrospective database analyses considering the effect of adherence to bisphosphonate therapy on fracture at any skeletal site. The absolute frequency of fracture ranged from 6% to 38% with noncompliance and from 5% to 19% with nonpersistence (104–159 weeks). Meta-analysis indicates that fracture risk increases by approximately 30% with noncompliance (odds ratio [95% confidence interval] 1.29 [1.22–1.38]; hazard ratio 1.28 [1.18–1.38]) and by 30% to 40% with nonpersistence (odds ratio 1.40 [1.29–1.52]; hazard ratio 1.32 [1.23–1.42]).ConclusionsPoor medication adherence is associated with a significantly increased risk of fracture versus optimal adherence. Improving medication adherence in patients with osteoporosis may lead to a greater reduction in fracture

Development of a Conceptual Model to Understand Disease Burden in Patients With Systemic Lupus Erythematosus and Organ Damage

**Background:** Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a chronic autoimmune disease that can lead to irreversible organ damage (OD). Data describing the patient burden of OD, as compared with SLE without OD, are limited. **Objective:** To develop a comprehensive conceptual model describing the burden experienced by patients living with SLE-associated OD. **Methods:** There were three phases to this qualitative study. First, a targeted literature review was conducted to inform a draft conceptual model. Second, key opinion leaders (KOLs) were interviewed to assess the draft conceptual model and help shape patient interview materials. Third, patients of different demographic backgrounds from across the United States were interviewed individually to gather their perspectives on living with SLE-associated OD. Data from concept elicitation interviews with KOLs and patients were coded and analyzed using NVivo software to identify the key concepts of the overall patient burden of SLE-associated OD. Findings from the KOL and patient interviews were used to finalize the conceptual model. **Results:** KOLs highlighted that SLE-associated OD carried a higher rate of mortality than SLE alone. Participants with SLE-associated OD (n = 40) experienced detrimental impacts across 4 areas of their lives: physical, cognitive, psychosocial functioning, and economic and work-related well-being. Physical impacts were described by all participants, often affecting their ability to perform everyday tasks. Many also described deterioration of cognitive functioning. Almost all participants experienced emotional impacts and challenges to their relationships and social lives resulting from living with SLE-associated OD. Additionally, SLE-associated OD imposed an economic burden including increased healthcare costs. SLE-associated OD had a more severe and debilitating impact on all aspects of the patient’s quality of life than SLE prior to OD development, including further limitations in activities of daily living after the development of OD. **Discussion:** Study findings guided the development of a comprehensive conceptual model that fully represents the patient experience of living with SLE-associated OD, highlighting the additional burden of OD when compared with SLE alone. **Conclusions:** The conceptual model will inform improvements in disease management, which may result in better patient outcomes and aid development of clinical outcome assessments of disease burden

The economic burden of Lupus Nephritis: a systematic literature review

INTRODUCTION: Few studies have evaluated the economic burden of lupus nephritis (LN). The aim of this systematic literature review (SLR) was to assess the economic burden (direct and indirect costs, and healthcare resource utilization [HCRU]) associated with LN, with particular focus on the burden of renal flares and end-stage kidney disease (ESKD).METHODS: This SLR (GSK study 213531) was conducted and reported according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines. Searches of the MEDLINE and Embase databases were conducted for English language publications reporting cost or HCRU data in patients with LN (regardless of age or LN histological class) until December 10, 2019. Handsearching of conference proceedings and keyword-based searches in PubMed, Google, and Google Scholar were also conducted.RESULTS: Twenty-two studies were identified from 28 publications reporting the cost (n = 19) and HCRU (n = 13) associated with LN. Most studies were from North America (n = 13) and many used administrative claims data (n = 9). LN was associated with substantially higher direct costs (e.g., total annual, hospitalization, and ESKD-related direct costs), total indirect costs, and HCRU (e.g., hospitalization, outpatient services, and medication use) compared with patients without systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) or non-renal SLE controls. ESKD and dialysis were significant contributors to economic burden. No studies described the cost of renal flares.CONCLUSIONS: The consensus across the 22 studies was that the economic burden of LN is substantial, particularly in active or severe disease, or if there is progression to ESKD. Total direct cost may be underestimated in claims data given the challenges of identifying patients with LN. Further studies are vital to ascertain the cost of renal flares; a renal flare is likely to result in a period of increased HCRU, which could be mitigated by treatments that extend renal remission.</p

Evaluating the Use of Glucocorticoids Among Belimumab-Treated Patients With Systemic Lupus Erythematosus in Real-World Settings Using the Rheumatology Informatics System for Effectiveness Registry.

ObjectiveGlucocorticoids are part of standard therapy for systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), despite adverse effects associated with long-term treatment. Belimumab improved clinical manifestations of SLE and reduced glucocorticoid doses in clinical trials and clinical practice; however, associations have not been examined using multi-institutional electronic health record (EHR) data. Using the Rheumatology Informatics System for Effectiveness registry, we examined glucocorticoid use patterns among belimumab-treated adults with SLE.MethodsThis retrospective analysis (GSK Study 209267) used EHR prescription records of patients with SLE managed by rheumatologists. Eligible patients had an index date (first belimumab prescription) between January 2014 and June 2018. The primary analysis compared patients' mean daily oral glucocorticoid (prednisone equivalent) dose over the 6 months preindex versus 6 months post index. An exploratory analysis assessed glucocorticoid doses at 12 and 24 months post index for patients with extended follow-up.ResultsOf the 1987 patients receiving their first belimumab prescription, 767 had available glucocorticoid prescribing data, whereas 204 (primary analysis population) had glucocorticoids prescribed in the 6 months preindex and received belimumab according to the prescribing information for the first 8 weeks post index. The mean (SD) glucocorticoid dose was 12.5 (13.5) mg/day 3 months preindex, reducing to 10.3 (10.6) mg/day over the 6 months post index, and 8.7 (9.4) and 9.0 (9.3) mg/day at 12 and 24 months post index.ConclusionThis study showed reductions in mean daily glucocorticoid dose after belimumab initiation. Several limitations of EHRs for real-world effectiveness research were identified, which limited interpretation of results and may inform future study designs

Health-related quality of life, fatigue and health utilities in lupus nephritis: a systematic literature review

Background: Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a chronic, autoimmune disease characterized by abnormal B-cell activation and the presence of autoantibodies, which can result in organ damage. Lupus nephritis (LN) is the most common severe organ manifestation of SLE and may result in impaired kidney function. However, there is limited research on the health-related quality of life (HRQoL) burden amongst patients with LN. The objective of this systematic literature review was to assess the HRQoL, fatigue and health utilities associated with LN.Methods: A structured literature search (GSK Study 212980) of the MEDLINE and Embase databases was conducted in July 2019 and updated September 2021. Relevant international congress abstracts from 2016 to 2021 were searched, and gray literature searches and keyword-based searches in PubMed, Google, and Google Scholar were also conducted. Results were screened according to predefined criteria and data on the outcomes of interest were extracted. A quantitative analysis was conducted to supplement the narrative review, to provide 36-item Short Form survey (SF-36) estimates, and to determine variation by prognostic factors.Results: Of 1155 articles identified, 26 studies for a total of 3440 patients were included. Patients with LN showed poorer HRQoL and more fatigue than healthy controls/the general population, although these were similar between patients with SLE with and without LN. HRQoL was worse in patients with LN Class III/IV or with active disease. Fatigue was generally reported as the most burdensome symptom and was associated with lower HRQoL and increased treatment dissatisfaction. During induction treatment, HRQoL and fatigue were improved with mycophenolate mofetil versus cyclophosphamide. HRQoL improved over time with treatment amongst patients with active LN. Very limited data were identified assigning utilities to health states for cost-effectiveness analysis. Nine studies were considered for quantitative analysis of baseline SF-36 scores. The analysis suggested that LN has a significant impact across all SF-36 domains, with the lowest scores in the general health perceptions and role-physical domains and physical component summary.Conclusions: There is a large HRQoL burden in patients with LN, in particular regarding symptoms of fatigue. Future research should focus on investigating fatigue severity and health utilities in LN