The burden of renal cell cancer : A retrospective longitudinal study on occurrence, outcomes and cost using an administrative claims database

Abstract Objective To assess the burden of renal cell carcinoma (RCC) in epidemiologic and economic terms. Methods Retrospective, naturalistic longitudinal study on the occurrence, outcomes and cost of RCC using an administrative database. We selected residents of Friuli-Venezia-Giulia (FVG), a North-eastern Region of Italy, who had a RCC first hospital admission during the period 2000–2004, and we followed them up until: 30th June 2005, death or transfers. Direct medical costs were quantified in the perspective of FVG Regional Health Service. Results We enrolled 1358 patients (63% male), the 18.8% presenting a metastatic-stage, leading to a crude incidence of 23/100.000 person-years. During the follow-up, 76% of the metastatic patients and 21% of the non-metastatic patients died. Total health care costs per-patient over the maximum of follow-up were 16,090€ for the localised stage group and 17,656€ in the metastatic-stage group. Discussion RCC imposes a significant epidemiologic and economic burden to the healthcare-system and the society

The Role of Pharmacists in Counteracting Vaccine Hesitancy: Effectiveness of the 2019 Carnia Project in Improving Adherence to Influenza Vaccination among Target Population

Vaccine hesitancy has been included among the top ten threats to global health by the World Health Organization. Pharmacists can play a pivotal role in removing the individual barrier to vaccination, because of the relationship of trust they have with citizens and their ease of access. The aim of this study was to examine the impact of a pharmacy-based intervention to support the 2019 influenza vaccination campaign conducted in the Carnia district through one-to-one counseling. We analyzed data collected by pharmacists between 22 October 2019 and 20 January 2020, and trends in vaccination adherence in the context of the Local Health Authority and the entire province of Udine since 2016. The results showed that 77.2% of people who had not received an influenza vaccination in the previous year changed their minds about vaccination after receiving counseling. The pharmacy-based intervention improved influenza vaccination adherence in the target district (+13.4%), even when compared to the neighboring district of Gemona or considering the data in the broader local and provincial context, and this effect was particularly pronounced among those aged 65 to 74 years (p < 0.01). Considering these findings, pharmacies should be more effectively involved in the provision of public health services aimed at improving accessibility, timeliness, and equity

Epidemiological and economic aspects of diabetes in the Campania Region, Italy

Aim: to assess the economic and epidemiologic impact of diabetes in Campania, a region of approximately 5.7 million inhabitants in the south of Italy. Method: we collected, from an electronic database, all prescriptions for antidiabetic drugs reimbursed in the first half year of 2005 in 8 local health authorities (60% of the overall population) of Campania. The diabetic cohort was defined as the population of subjects receiving at least 2 prescriptions of an antidiabetic agent in 6-month, classified according to their therapeutic role using Anatomic Therapeutic Chemical (ATC) classification. Characterization is given of the patients and their antidiabetic medication. Subsequently, the prescription of concomitant treatment, in comparison with a control group, is presented. Drugs cost and drugs consumption were quantified using NHS prospective (expressed in Euro 2005) and Defined Daily Dose system (DDD) respectively. Results: the diabetic cohort included 183,614 subjects (5.3% of the observed population), mean age was 65.0 years and female represented 54.8% of the sample. Total cost for diabetic patients represents 16.8% of the total drug expenditure. The average drug/cost/patient was € 355.7; only 19.0% was spent for antidiabetic drugs. The reported use of medication was higher for subjects with diabetes compared with the control population regarding overall use (2,363.5 versus 1259.8 DDD/1,000 inhabitants/die), the use of cardiovascular drugs (1,499.3 versus 663.5 DDD/1,000 inhabitants/day), use of haematologic drugs (277.1 versus 120.3 DDD/1,000 inhabitants/day), and use of ophthalmological drugs (48.3 versus 21.0 DDD/1,000 inhabitants/day). Discussion: chronic-degenerative pathologies, such as diabetes, implies a relevant social and economic impact. Expenses that are associated to the treatment and the prevention of complications, in particular cardiovascular problems, are registered among the main items listed in the healthcare budget

Epidemiological and economic aspects of diabetes in the Campania Region, Italy

Aim: to assess the economic and epidemiologic impact of diabetes in Campania, a region of approximately 5.7 million inhabitants in the south of Italy. Method: we collected, from an electronic database, all prescriptions for antidiabetic drugs reimbursed in the first half year of 2005 in 8 local health authorities (60% of the overall population) of Campania. The diabetic cohort was defined as the population of subjects receiving at least 2 prescriptions of an antidiabetic agent in 6-month, classified according to their therapeutic role using Anatomic Therapeutic Chemical (ATC) classification. Characterization is given of the patients and their antidiabetic medication. Subsequently, the prescription of concomitant treatment, in comparison with a control group, is presented. Drugs cost and drugs consumption were quantified using NHS prospective (expressed in Euro 2005) and Defined Daily Dose system (DDD) respectively. Results: the diabetic cohort included 183,614 subjects (5.3% of the observed population), mean age was 65.0 years and female represented 54.8% of the sample. Total cost for diabetic patients represents 16.8% of the total drug expenditure. The average drug/cost/patient was € 355.7; only 19.0% was spent for antidiabetic drugs. The reported use of medication was higher for subjects with diabetes compared with the control population regarding overall use (2,363.5 versus 1259.8 DDD/1,000 inhabitants/die), the use of cardiovascular drugs (1,499.3 versus 663.5 DDD/1,000 inhabitants/day), use of haematologic drugs (277.1 versus 120.3 DDD/1,000 inhabitants/day), and use of ophthalmological drugs (48.3 versus 21.0 DDD/1,000 inhabitants/day). Discussion: chronic-degenerative pathologies, such as diabetes, implies a relevant social and economic impact. Expenses that are associated to the treatment and the prevention of complications, in particular cardiovascular problems, are registered among the main items listed in the healthcare budget