Cardiovascular safety of growth hormone treatment in Noonan syndrome: real-world evidence

OBJECTIVE: To assess cardiovascular (CV) safety of growth hormone (GH) treatment in patients with Noonan syndrome (NS) in clinical practice. DESIGN: Two observational, multicentre studies (NordiNet® IOS and the ANSWER Program) evaluating long-term effectiveness and safety of GH in >38,000 paediatric patients, of which 421 had NS. METHODS: Serious adverse events, serious adverse reactions (SARs), and non-serious adverse reactions (NSARs) were reported by the treating physicians. CV comorbidities at baseline and throughout the studies were also recorded. RESULTS: The safety analysis set comprised 412 children with NS (29.1% females), with a mean (standard deviation) baseline age of 9.29 (3.88) years, treated with an average GH dose of 0.047 (0.014) mg/kg/day during childhood. CV comorbidities at baseline were reported in 48 (11.7%), most commonly pulmonary valve stenosis and atrial septal defects. Overall, 22 (5.3%) patients experienced 34 safety events. The most common were the NSARs: headache (eight events in seven patients) and arthralgia (five events in three patients). Two SARs occurred in one patient (brain neoplasm and metastases to spine). No CV safety events were recorded in patients with NS. Five CV comorbidities in five patients were reported after initiation of GH treatment: three cases of unspecified CV disease, one ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysm and one pulmonary valve stenosis. CONCLUSIONS: GH treatment had a favourable safety profile in patients with NS, including those with CV comorbidities. Prospective studies are warranted to systematically assess the safety of GH treatment in patients with Noonan syndrome and CV disease

Factors associated with response to growth hormone in pediatric growth disorders: results of a 5-year registry analysis

Context Growth hormone (GH) therapy can increase linear growth in patients with growth hormone deficiency (GHD), Turner syndrome (TS), Noonan syndrome (NS), and Prader-Willi syndrome (PWS), although outcomes vary by disease state. Objective To assess growth and identify factors associated with growth response with long-term GH therapy. Methods Data from pediatric patients with GHD, TS, NS, and PWS obtained at GH treatment initiation (baseline) and annually for 5 years in the ANSWER Program and NordiNet® IOS were analyzed retrospectively. Height standard deviation score (HSDS) was assessed over time, and multivariate analyses determined variables with significant positive effects on growth outcomes in each patient cohort. Results Data from patients with GHD (n = 12 683), TS (n = 1307), NS (n = 203), and PWS (n = 102) were analyzed. HSDS increased over time during GH treatment in all cohorts. Factors with significant positive effects on ΔHSDS were younger age at GH initiation and lower HSDS at baseline (all cohorts) and higher GH dose (GHD and TS only); sex had no effect in any cohort. The modeling analysis showed that ΔHSDS was greatest in year 1 and attenuated over consecutive years through year 5. Estimated least-squares mean ΔHSDS values at year 5 by cohort were 1.702 (females) and 1.586 (males) in GHD, 1.033 in TS, 1.153 in NS, and 1.392 in PWS. Conclusion Long-term GH therapy results in large increases in HSDS in patients with GHD, TS, NS, and PWS. Greater gains in HSDS can be obtained with higher GH doses and earlier initiation of treatment

Risk factors for bone mineral density at the calcaneus in 40–59 year-old male workers: A cross-sectional study in Korea

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Few epidemiologic studies have attempted to investigate the prevalence and risk factors for osteopenia and osteoporosis in middle-aged Asian men. We performed this study to determine the prevalence and risk factors of osteopenia and osteoporosis in this population.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>This cross-sectional study was conducted from March to July, 2004. The subjects were 2,073 males aged from 40 to 59 years in the KHNP (Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power) workplace-based cohort. Bone mineral density (BMD) was measured by peripheral, dual-energy, X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) at the calcaneus. Anthropometric and lifestyle factors were investigated using a standard, self-reported questionnaire.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>BMD was 0.60 ± 0.09 g/cm²(mean ± standard deviation) and was negatively correlated with age (r = -0.18, <it>P </it>< 0.001), but positively correlated with waist-to-hip ratio (WHR; r = 0.15, <it>P </it>< 0.001), body fat (r = 0.10, <it>P </it>< 0.001), BMI (r = 0.35, <it>P </it>< 0.001), height (r = 0.26, <it>P </it>< 0.001), and weight (r = 0.43, <it>P </it>< 0.001).</p> <p>In multiple linear regression analysis, the independent determinants associated with BMD were increasing age (coefficient = -0.002, <it>P </it>< 0.001), physical activity (≤ 2/week vs. ≥ 3/week; coefficient = 0.017, <it>P </it>< 0.001), WHR (coefficient = -0.796, <it>P </it>< 0.001), body mass index (BMI; coefficient = 0.023, <it>P </it>< 0.001) and smoking status (never vs. ever; coefficient = -0.018, <it>P </it>< 0.001).</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>We suggest that BMD of the calcaneus is correlated negatively with exposure to smoke and increased WHR, but positively with regular exercise and increased BMI.</p

A systematic review and meta-analysis of bone metabolism in prostate adenocarcinoma

<p/> <p>Background</p> <p>Osteoporosis could be associated with the hormone therapy for metastatic prostate carcinoma (PCa) and with PCa <it>per se</it>. The objective of this review is to determine the incidence of bone loss and osteoporosis in patients with PCa who are or are not treated with hormone therapy (ADT).</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>The Medline, Embase, Cancerlit, and American Society of Clinical Oncology Abstract databases were searched for published studies on prostate cancer and bone metabolism. The outcomes assessed were: fracture, osteoporosis and osteopenia.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Thirty-two articles (116,911 participants) were included in the meta-analysis. PCa patients under ADT had a higher risk of osteoporosis (RR, 1.30; <it>p </it>< 0.00001) and a higher risk of fractures (RR, 1.17; <it>p </it>< 0.00001) as compared to patients not under ADT. The total bone mineral density was lower in patients under ADT when compared with patients not under ADT (<it>p </it>= 0.031) but it was similar to bone mineral density found in healthy controls (<it>p </it>= 0.895). The time of androgen deprivation therapy correlated negatively with lumbar spine and total hip bone mineral density (Spearman's rho = -0.490 and -0.773; <it>p </it>= 0.028 and 0.001, respectively) and with total hip <it>t </it>score (Spearman's rho = -0.900; <it>p </it>= 0.037).</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>We found consistent evidence that the use of androgen deprivation therapy in patients with PCa reduces bone mineral density, increasing the risk of fractures in these patients.</p

Safety and tolerability of bazedoxifene in postmenopausal women with osteoporosis: results of a 5-year, randomized, placebo-controlled phase 3 trial

Summary: Findings from this 5-year phase 3 study of postmenopausal women with osteoporosis showed that bazedoxifene was associated with an overall favorable safety and tolerability profile, with no evidence of endometrial or breast stimulation. Overall, the results at 5 years were consistent with those seen at 3 years. Introduction: We report safety and tolerability findings from a 5-year randomized, double-blind, phase 3 study of bazedoxifene in postmenopausal women with osteoporosis. Methods: In the core study, healthy postmenopausal women with osteoporosis (N=7,492; mean age, 66.4 years) were randomized to daily doses of bazedoxifene 20 or 40 mg, raloxifene 60 mg, or placebo for 3 years. During the 2-year study extension, the raloxifene 60-mg treatment arm was discontinued after the 3-year database was finalized, and subjects receiving bazedoxifene 40 mg were transitioned in a blinded manner to bazedoxifene 20 mg (bazedoxifene 40-/20-mg group) after 4 years. Safety and tolerability data are reported for subjects in the bazedoxifene 20- and 40-/20-mg and placebo groups; efficacy findings are reported elsewhere. Results: A total of 3,146 subjects in the bazedoxifene 20- and 40-mg and placebo groups were enrolled in the extension study (years 4 and 5). Overall, the 5-year incidence of adverse events (AEs), serious AEs, and discontinuations due to AEs were similar among groups. The incidence of hot flushes and leg cramps was higher with bazedoxifene compared with placebo. Venous thromboembolic events, primarily deep vein thrombosis, were more frequently reported in the bazedoxifene groups compared with the placebo group. Reports of cardiac disorders and cerebrovascular events were few and evenly distributed among groups. Bazedoxifene showed a neutral effect on the breast and endometrium. Conclusion: Bazedoxifene was associated with an overall favorable safety and tolerability profile in postmenopausal women with osteoporosis over 5 years of therapy, consistent with findings at 3 years. © 2010 International Osteoporosis Foundation and National Osteoporosis Foundation

Impact of Information Exchange on Supplier Forecasting Performance

Forecasts of demand are crucial to drive supply chains and enterprise resource planning systems. Usually, well-known univariate methods that work automatically such as exponential smoothing are employed to accomplish such forecasts. The traditional Supply Chain relies on a decentralized system where each member feeds its own Forecasting Support System (FSS) with incoming orders from direct customers. Nevertheless, other collaboration schemes are also possible, for instance, the InformationExchange framework allows demand information to be shared between the supplier and the retailer. Current theoretical models have shown the limited circumstances where retailer information is valuable to the supplier. However, there has been very little empirical work carried out. Considering a serially linked two-level supply chain, this work assesses the role of sharing market sales information obtained by the retailer on the supplierforecasting accuracy. Weekly data from a manufacturer and a major UK grocery retailer have been analyzed to show the circumstances where information sharing leads to improved forecasting accuracy. Without resorting to unrealistic assumptions, we find significant evidence of benefits through information sharing with substantial improvements in forecast accuracy

Long-term treatment with pegvisomant as monotherapy in patients with acromegaly: experience from acrostudy

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate use of pegvisomant, a GH receptor antagonist, as monotherapy in ACROSTUDY, a global safety surveillance study set in 14 countries (373 sites). METHODS: A descriptive analysis of safety, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) reading and treatment outcomes in 710 subjects who received at least one pegvisomant dose as monotherapy during and up to 5 years follow-up in ACROSTUDY. RESULTS: Subjects received 5.4 yr. (mean) of pegvisomant and were followed in ACROSTUDY 3.8 yr. (mean). A total of 1255 adverse events were reported in 345 subjects (48.6%). Serious adverse events were reported in 133 (18.7%) subjects including 22 deaths, none of which were attributed to pegvisomant use. Of 670 (94%) subjects with at least one liver function test reported in ACROSTUDY, 8 (1.2%) had reported increases in transaminases > 3X ULN. No liver failure was reported. Based on central MRI reading, 12 of 542 subjects (2.2%) had a confirmed increase or increase/decrease in tumor size. Injection-site reactions were reported in 2.3%. At 5 years of therapy, IGF-1 level was reported normal in 67.5% (mean dose 17.2 mg/day) and elevated in 29.9% (mean dose 19.8 mg/day). Subjects on 20 mg per day or more rose from 36% at 3 years to 41% at 5 years of therapy. CONCLUSIONS: ACROSTUDY data indicate that pegvisomant used as sole medical therapy is safe and effective medical treatment for acromegaly. The reported low incidence of pituitary tumor size increase and liver enzyme elevations are reassuring and support the positive benefit–risk of pegvisomant therapy

Medical Costs Associated with High/Moderate/Low Likelihood of Adult Growth Hormone Deficiency: A Healthcare Claims Database Analysis

Kevin CJ Yuen,1 Lewis S Blevins,2 David R Clemmons,3 Mads Faurby,4 Andrew R Hoffman,5 Nicky Kelepouris,6 Janice M Kerr,7 Jens Magelund Tarp,4 Maria Fleseriu8 1Barrow Pituitary Center, Barrow Neurological Institute and St. Joseph’s Hospital and Medical Center, University of Arizona College of Medicine and Creighton School of Medicine, Phoenix, AZ, USA; 2Department of Neurosurgery, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA; 3Department of Medicine, University of North Carolina School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, NC, USA; 4Global Evidence, Pricing and Access, Novo Nordisk A/S, Søborg, Denmark; 5Department of Medicine, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA; 6Department of Medical Affairs BioPharm, CMR, Novo Nordisk Inc., Plainsboro, NJ, USA; 7Department of Endocrinology, University of Colorado Denver, Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA; 8Pituitary Center, Departments of Medicine and Neurological Surgery, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, OR, USACorrespondence: Kevin CJ Yuen, Barrow Pituitary Center, Barrow Neurological Institute and St. Joseph’s Hospital and Medical Center, University of Arizona College of Medicine and Creighton School of Medicine, 475 N. 5th Street, Phoenix, AZ, 85004, USA, Tel +1 602 406-2748, Fax +1 602 406-2770, Email [email protected]: Adult growth hormone deficiency (AGHD) is often underdiagnosed and undertreated, leading to costly comorbidities. Previously, we developed an algorithm to identify individuals in a commercially insured US population with high, moderate, or low likelihood of having AGHD. Here, we estimate and compare direct medical costs by likelihood level.Patients and Methods: Retrospective, observational analysis using the Truven Health MarketScan database to analyze direct medical costs relating to inpatient and outpatient claims, outpatient prescription claims, medication usage, clinical utilization records, and healthcare expenditures. Patients were categorized into groups based on algorithmically determined likelihoods of AGHD. Likelihood groups were further stratified by age and sex. Trajectories of annual costs (USD) by likelihood level were also investigated.Results: The study cohort comprised 135 million US adults (aged ≥ 18 years). Individuals ranked as high-likelihood AGHD had a greater burden of comorbid illness, including cardiovascular disease and diabetes, than those ranked moderate- or low-likelihood. Those in the high-likelihood group had greater mean total direct medical monthly costs (&dollar;1844.51 [95% confidence interval (CI): 1841.24;1847.78]) than those in the moderate- (&dollar;945.65 [95% CI: 945.26;946.04]) and low-likelihood groups (&dollar;459.10 [95% CI: 458.95;459.25]). Outpatient visits accounted for the majority of costs overall, although cost per visit was substantially lower than for inpatient services. Costs tended to increase with age and peaked around the time that individuals were assigned a level of AGHD likelihood. Total direct medical costs in individuals with a high likelihood of AGHD exceeded those for individuals with moderate or low likelihood.Conclusion: Understanding the trajectory of healthcare costs in AGHD may help rationalize allocation of healthcare resources.Plain Language Summary: Growth hormone is an important substance found in the body. Adult growth hormone deficiency (AGHD) is the reduced production of growth hormone unrelated to the normal reduction seen with aging. Untreated AGHD can result in the development of other conditions, known as comorbidities, which can be expensive to manage.Previously, 135 million privately insured people in the US, aged 18– 64 years, were categorized into groups by their likelihood (high, medium, or low) of having AGHD. This study compared the estimated direct medical costs (eg hospital care and medication) across the different likelihood levels. People with a high likelihood of AGHD had more comorbidities than people with a medium/low likelihood, and an average total direct medical monthly cost of &dollar;1844.51, nearly twice as much as those with a medium likelihood (&dollar;945.65), and four times as much as those with a low likelihood (&dollar;459.10). These costs tended to increase with age, with the highest costs associated with people aged 50– 59 years and 60– 64 years. Outpatient costs (for treatments not requiring an overnight hospital stay) accounted for the greatest proportion of total medical costs, ahead of inpatient costs (for treatments requiring an overnight hospital stay) and medication costs.These findings suggest that diagnosing and treating AGHD earlier may help to reduce medical costs over time. Increased testing and treatment will cause an initial increase in the use of healthcare resources, but could improve overall cost effectiveness by reducing the long-term impact of the disease and avoiding unnecessary healthcare use. Keywords: AGHD, cost of comorbidities, cost of disease, likelihood of AGHD, medical costs, Truven Health MarketScan databas