National Health Insurance Claims Database Research Articles

Impact of early anti-TNF use on clinical outcomes in Crohn's disease: a nationwide population-based study.

Background/AimsThe optimal timing for initiation of anti-tumor necrosis factor (TNF) therapy in Crohn’s disease (CD) is still debated. Little is known about the clinical outcomes of early versus late administration of anti-TNF agents, especially in Asian CD patients. We aimed to evaluate the impact of early anti-TNF therapy on clinical outcomes in Korean CD patients.MethodsUsing the Korean National Health Insurance Claims database, we collected data on patients diagnosed with CD who received anti-TNF therapy for more than 6 months between 2010 and 2016. Early initiation of anti-TNF therapy was defined as those starting infliximab or adalimumab therapy within 1 year of diagnosis. The following outcomes were assessed using a Cox proportional hazard model: abdominal surgery, CD-related emergency room (ER) visit, CD-related hospitalization, and new corticosteroid use.ResultsAmong 1,207 patients, 609 were early initiators of anti-TNF. Late anti-TNF initiation (> 1 year after diagnosis) was associated with increased risk of surgery (adjusted hazard ratio [aHR], 1.64; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.05 to 2.55) and tended to be associated with increased risk of ER visit (aHR, 1.38; 95% CI, 0.99 to 1.94). However, there were no significant differences in the risk of hospitalization and corticosteroid use between early and late initiators.ConclusionsEarly anti-TNF therapy among Korean CD patients within 1 year of diagnosis was associated with better clinical outcomes than late therapy, such as lower surgery and ER visit rates. Our results suggest that aggressive medical intervention in the early stages of CD may potentially change the course of this disease.

Epidemiology and Seasonal Variation of Ménière’s Disease: Data from a Population-Based Study

Introduction: Ménière’s disease (MD) is a disease of the inner ear. In Asian countries, there is one previous epidemiologic study that used a retrospective survey of a specific district. Previous studies have demonstrated that weather variables are strongly associated with symptom aggravation in MD. However, no study has reported on seasonal variation of MD. Methods: We conducted a retrospective population-based study using the Korean national health insurance claims database (NHICD). In the present study, the prevalence and incidence of MD from 2013 to 2017 were calculated. Prevalence and incidence of MD according to sex, age group, and monthly incidence are presented. Seasonal incidence was calculated for four seasons. The seasonal average humidity and atmospheric pressure were also calculated. Results: The incidence rate of MD showed a rapid yearly increase from 2013 to 2017 in Korea. The prevalence and incidence rate by age group continued to increase up to the 70 year olds. The female-to-male ratio was 2.17. The seasonal incidence of MD was relatively high in summer and autumn and relatively low in winter and spring; however, there were no significant differences. Discussion/Conclusions: The rapid progression to an aging society, increase in medical accessibility, and lifestyle changes could be the reasons for the elevation of the incidence rate in the Korean population. Consistent with a previous study, the incidence of MD was higher in seasons with high humidity and low atmospheric pressure; however, there were no significant differences. Further studies about the relationship between diet and MD, seasonality of MD with long-term analysis, and investigating the underlying mechanisms connecting weather and MD are needed.

Incidence, survival, and risk of cardiovascular events in adult inflammatory myopathies in South Korea: a nationwide population-based study

Objective Epidemiological studies on inflammatory myopathies (IMs) show widely variable results, and studies on Asians are lacking. Despite emerging interest in the cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk associated with IMs, the prevalence of CVD in IM patients and its impact on mortality remain unclear. We conducted a nationwide, population-based study on the incidence, mortality, and associated major CVD events of IMs in the Republic of Korea over 11 years. Method Using the nationwide, population-based National Health Insurance claims database and the Rare Intractable Disease registration programme, we estimated incidence, mortality, and CVD occurrence. Survival was examined using the Kaplan–Meier method. Mortality rate in IMs with CVD was analysed by Cox proportional hazards regression. Results There were 3014 incident cases, 640 of whom died during the study period. The mean annual incidence was 7.16/106. Dermatomyositis (DM) and polymyositis (PM) had 5 year survival rates of 76.8% and 79.3%, respectively. Cardiovascular events occurred in 155 patients and 40.6% of IM patients with CVD died. Acute myocardial infarction in men had the highest risk of any CVD event in both DM [standardized incidence ratio (SIR) 4.2, 95% confidence interval (95% CI) 2.4–7.2] and PM (SIR 3.5, 95% CI 1.8–7.0). Haemorrhagic stroke had the highest hazard ratio (HR) in both DM (HR 2.31, 95% CI 1.13–4.70) and PM patients (HR 2.10, 95% CI 1.03–4.27) compared with the general population with CVD. Conclusion We found persistently low incidence, poor survival, and high major CVD incidence in IMs, and increased mortality in IMs with CVD.

Pregnancy outcomes in women with inflammatory bowel disease: a 10-year nationwide population-based cohort study.

Data relating to the association between inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and pregnancy outcomes are lacking in Korea. To determine the incidence rates of pregnancy outcomes in women with IBD. A nationwide population study was performed using the Korean National Health Insurance claims database. A total of 2058 women with IBD consisting of ulcerative colitis (UC, n=1469) and Crohn's disease (CD, n=589) were pregnant between 2007 and 2016. We compared their incidence of pregnancy outcomes with 20580 age-matched controls without IBD. We also stratified the patients into those with quiescent to mild and moderate to severe IBD and compared the outcomes between them. The pregnancy rate of women with IBD was lower than that of women without (25.7% vs 32.3%, P<0.001). Caesarean section (46.5% vs 38.8%, odds ratio [OR] 1.43, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.17-1.75), and intrauterine growth retardation (IUGR) (3.0% vs 1.0%, OR 2.89, 95% CI: 1.59-5.26) were increased in CD patients than the controls. In regards to disease severity, there were no significant differences in pregnancy outcomes between patients with quiescent to mild IBD and the controls. However, the live birth rate of patients with moderate to severe IBD was lower than that of the controls (65.0% vs 69.9%, OR 0.79, 95%CI: 0.66-0.94). In addition, moderate to severe IBD was significantly associated with spontaneous abortion (14.9% vs 11.9%, OR 1.33, 95% CI: 1.04-1.68), caesarean section (46.4% vs 38.8%, OR 1.41, 95% CI: 1.14-1.74) and IUGR (3.4% vs 1.0%, OR 3.20, 95% CI: 1.75-5.84). With the exception of moderate to severe disease, the incidences of adverse pregnancy outcomes in women with IBD are similar to that of the general population.

Evaluation for Skin Cancer and Precancer in Patients With Vitiligo Treated With Long-term Narrowband UV-B Phototherapy

Narrowband UV-B (NBUVB) phototherapy has been the mainstay in the treatment of vitiligo, but its long-term safety in terms of photocarcinogenesis has not been established. To investigate the risks of skin cancer and precancerous lesions among patients with vitiligo undergoing NBUVB phototherapy, based on the number of NBUVB phototherapy sessions. This nationwide population-based retrospective cohort study enrolled 60 321 patients with vitiligo 20 years or older between January 1, 2007, and December 31, 2017. Patients and outcomes were identified through nationwide cohort data from the Korean national health insurance claims database, and frequency matching by age and sex was performed. The number of phototherapy sessions each patient received between 2008 and 2017. Patients were classified into 5 groups according to the number of phototherapy sessions (0 sessions, 20 105 patients; 1-49 sessions, 20 106 patients; 50-99 sessions, 9702 patients; 100-199 sessions, 6226 patients; and ≥200 sessions, 4182 patients). We also identifed patients who underwent at least 500 phototherapy sessions (717 patients). Primary outcomes were the development of actinic keratosis, Bowen disease, nonmelanoma skin cancer, or melanoma after enrollment. Among the 60 321 patients with vitiligo in this study (33 617 women; mean [SD] age, 50.2 [14.9] years), the risks of Bowen disease (<50 sessions of phototherapy: hazard ratio [HR], 0.289 [95% CI, 0.060-1.392]; 50-99 sessions: HR, 0.603 [95% CI, 0.125-2.904]; 100-199 sessions: HR, 1.273 [95% CI, 0.329-4.924]; ≥200 sessions: HR, 1.021 [95% CI, 0.212-4.919]), nonmelanoma skin cancer (<50 sessions: HR, 0.914 [95% CI, 0.533-1.567]; 50-99 sessions: HR, 0.765 [95% CI, 0.372-1.576]; 100-199 sessions: HR, 0.960 [95% CI, 0.453-2.034]; ≥200 sessions: HR, 0.905 [95% CI, 0.395-2.073]), and melanoma (<50 sessions: HR, 0.660 [95% CI, 0.286-1.526]; 50-99 sessions: HR, 0.907 [95% CI, 0.348-2.362]; 100-199 sessions: HR, 0.648 [95% CI, 0.186-2.255]; ≥200 sessions: HR, 0.539 [95% CI, 0.122-2.374]) did not increase after phototherapy. The risk of actinic keratosis increased significantly for those who had undergone 200 or more NBUVB phototherapy sessions (HR, 2.269 [95% CI, 1.530-3.365]). A total of 717 patients with vitiligo underwent at least 500 sessions of NBUVB phototherapy; their risks of nonmelanoma skin cancer and melanoma were no greater than those of the patients who did not undergo NBUVB phototherapy (nonmelanoma skin cancer: HR, 0.563 [95% CI, 0.076-4.142]; melanoma: HR, not applicable). Our results suggest that long-term NBUVB phototherapy is not associated with an increased risk of skin cancer in patients with vitiligo and that NBUVB phototherapy may be considered a safe treatment.

Abstract P494: Association of Lipid Components With Mortality,Myocardial Infarction, and Stroke in Statin-Naïve Young Adults: A Nationwide Cohort Study

Background: Dyslipidemia is a modifiable cardiovascular risk factor with prognostic implications. Current strategies for lipid management in young adults are largely based on expert recommendations. We sought to investigate the risk of death and cardiovascular disease in relation to lipid components to establish evidence for primary prevention in young adults. Methods: In a nationwide cohort using the National Health Insurance claims database, we analyzed 5,688,055 statin-naïve subjects, aged 20-39 years, undergoing health check-up between 2009 and 2014. The study endpoint was a composite of clinical events, including death, myocardial infarction (MI), and stroke. We compared the incidence and the risk of clinical events according to lipid variables, including total cholesterol (TC), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), and triglycerides. Results: During follow-up (median 7.1 years), clinical events occurred in 30,330 subjects (0.53%); 16,262 deaths (0.29%), 8,578 MIs (0.15%), and 5,967 strokes (0.10%). The risk of clinical events gradually increased with increasing TC and triglycerides, and decreasing HDL-C, with a great contribution by MI. LDL-C had a J-shaped association with the study endpoint, showing the lowest risk in LDL-C of 84-101 mg/dL. Among lipid variables, triglycerides remained the sole independent predictor (adjusted HR 1.20, p &lt;0.001), after adjusting for conventional risk factors. Conclusions: In ‘statin-naïve’ young adults aged 20-39 years, the risk of clinical events was proportional to lipid levels; positively with TC and triglycerides, negatively with HDL-C, and J-shaped with LDL-C. Triglycerides had the strongest and independent association with clinical events. Screening and intervention of abnormal lipid levels, particularly triglycerides, from an early age might be required.

Herpes Zoster and Subsequent Cancer Risk: A Nationwide Population-Based Cohort Study in Korea

Background: It is well known that an immunosuppressed status such as cancer is a risk factor for herpes zoster (HZ), but little is known about whether HZ affects cancer development. Objectives: This study aimed to investigate the association between HZ and subsequent cancer risk by cancer type. Methods: We conducted a nationwide retrospective cohort study using the Korean National Health Insurance claims database. The study enrolled 1,568,818 patients: 784,409 diagnosed with HZ between 2010 and 2015 were included in the HZ group, and 784,409 matched controls without HZ were included in the non-HZ group, with 1:1 exact matching for age, sex, and index year. Hazard ratios (HRs) were calculated for the risk of cancers based on anatomical site according to the HZ status using the Cox proportional hazards regression models. Results: During a mean follow-up period of 6 years, 22,235 and 22,316 patients in the HZ group and the non-HZ group, respectively, developed cancer (incidence rate: 7.6 vs. 7.7 per 1,000 person-years). After adjusting for age, sex, and comorbidities, the overall risk of cancers was slightly decreased in the HZ group compared with the non-HZ group (HR, 0.999; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.98–1.02). In post hoc analyses on organ site, the HZ group had significantly increased risk of hematologic malignancies, including multiple myeloma (HR, 1.63; 95% CI, 1.37–1.95), leukemia (HR, 1.20; 95% CI, 1.03–1.39), and lymphoma (HR, 1.15; 95% CI, 1.02–1.30) compared with the non-HZ group. Conversely, the risk of cancers in the liver (HR, 0.87; 95% CI, 0.82–0.93) and larynx (HR, 0.73; 95% CI, 0.58–0.92) were significantly decreased in the HZ group compared with the non-HZ group. Conclusions: Although the risk of developing some hematological cancers increased in patients with HZ, solid cancers including liver and laryngeal cancers showed a negative association with HZ.

Endometriosis Is Associated with Adverse Pregnancy Outcomes: a National Population-Based Study.

Pregnancy and neonatal outcomes in women diagnosed with endometriosis were investigated using data collected from the Korea National Health Insurance Claims Database and the National Health Screening Program for Infants and Children. A total of 3,778,561 women who gave birth between 2007 and 2015 were identified, and 1,938,424 primiparous women and their newborns were included in this study. Women with a diagnosis of endometriosis had a significantly higher incidence of multiple pregnancy, cesarean section, breech presentation, postpartum hemorrhage, placental abruption, placenta previa, and stillbirth than women without endometriosis (P < 0.0001). The rates of preterm birth and low birth weight were also increased in women with endometriosis (P < 0.0001). After adjusting for age, the estimated risks of these outcomes remained significant. Women previously diagnosed with endometriosis have an increased risk of adverse pregnancy and neonatal outcomes. Particular attention and information regarding these conditions should be provided to women with endometriosis during the preconception or antenatal periods.

Biologic Agents Reduce Cardiovascular Events in Rheumatoid Arthritis Not Responsive to Tumour Necrosis Factor Inhibitors: A National Cohort Study

BackgroundTumour necrosis factor inhibitors (TNFis) improve joints outcomes and reduce cardiovascular (CV) risk in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). However, 20%-45% of RA patients are TNFi poor responders and have a significantly higher risk of CV events. In these TNFi nonresponders, the use of second-line biologic agents to improve synovial outcomes is supported by clinical trials and real-world experience. However, it remains unknown what kind of immune-mediated agent has the best CV prevention effect in this high-risk population. MethodsA nationwide RA cohort obtained from Taiwan’s National Health Insurance claims database was constructed. RA patients first treated with TNFis who then received either rituximab, tocilizumab, or abatacept were enrolled and followed for 2 years. ResultsA total of 89,973 RA patients were screened and 1,584 patients ultimately included. The incidences of major adverse cardiac events (MACE) at 2 years in the rituximab, tocilizumab, and abatacept groups were 7.17%, 2.75% and 2.38%, respectively. Multivariate adjusted Cox analysis showed that tocilizumab had significantly lower risk than rituximab in myocardial infarction (hazard ratio [HR] 0.12, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.02-0.56; P = 0.008), and MACE (HR 0.41, 95% CI 0.23-0.72; P = 0.002). In addition, abatacept also had significant lower adjusted risk than rituximab in stroke (HR 0.18, 95% CI 0.05-0.64; P = 0.008), heart failure (HR 0.20, 95% CI 0.05-0.83; P = 0.027), and MACE (HR 0.25, 95% CI 0.11-0.55; P < 0.001) in multivariate analysis. ConclusionsTNFi-nonresponder patients with RA who received second-line tocilizumab or abatacept had more benefit on CV events prevention compared with those who received rituximab.

P816 Association of autoimmune rheumatic disease with inflammatory bowel disease: a nationwide population-based study

Abstract Background Increasing evidence demonstrated that inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) has a shared genetic background with autoimmune rheumatic diseases (ARDs). However, the association between these two disease entities is not vigorously elucidated. The aim of this study is to investigate the prevalence and association between IBD and ARDs. Methods A nationwide population-based cross-sectional study was performed using the Korean National Health Insurance Claims database according to ICD-10 codes (Table 1). The prevalence of ARDs, including systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), inflammatory myositis (polymyositis (PM) and dermatomyositis (DM)), systemic sclerosis (SSc), Sjogren’s syndrome (SjS), ankylosing spondylitis (AS), and rheumatoid arthritis (RA), was determined in patients with inflammatory bowel disease, compared with general populations. Results A total of 82,480 IBD patients (57,382 patients with ulcerative colitis and 25,098 with Crohn’s disease) were enrolled. The analysis revealed that patient with IBD had higher risk of being concomitantly affected by AS and RA (Table 2). Other ARDs, such as SLE, inflammatory myositis, SSc, and SjS were not associated with IBD. Conclusion This nationwide population-based study demonstrated that RA and AS showed higher incidence in IBD patients. This result suggests that etiopathogenesis of IBD might be shared with RA and AS.

P803 The risk of spine and hip fracture in patients with inflammatory bowel diseases: a nationwide population-based study

Abstract Background This nationwide population-based study sought to investigate the risk of spine and hip fracture in patients with inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD). Methods Using the 2007–2016 data from the Korean national health insurance claims database, we calculated incidence rate and incidence rate ratios (IRR) of spine and hip fracture in patients with IBD (n = 18,228; 64.1% male, 65.9% ulcerative colitis [UC]) compared with age- and sex- frequency matched subjects in 1:10 ratio (n = 186,871). A Cox regression model was used to evaluate risk of spine and hip fracture. Results The incidence rate and IRR of spine and hip fracture in IBD were 2.88/1000 person-years and 1.21 (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.11–1.31) during the median follow-up of 4.5 years. The risk for spine and hip fracture was significantly higher in UC (IRR 1.39, 95% CI, 1.25- 1.54), whereas it was not significantly higher in Crohn’s disease (IRR 0.85, 95% CI, 0.67- 1.06) than matched controls. In UC, the IRR of spine fracture was 1.41 (95% CI, 1.24–1.58) and the IRR of hip fracture was 1.40 (95% CI, 1.11–1.71). In multivariable analysis using the Cox regression model, the risk of spine and hip fracture increased with age (p trend &amp;lt; 0.001), in female patients (adjusted hazard ratio [aHR], 1.94; 95% CI, 1.50–2.51) and in patients with comorbidities including osteoporosis (aHR 2.86; 95% CI, 2.10–3.89), stroke (aHR 2.74; 95% CI, 1.78–4.21) hypertension (aHR 1.82; 95% CI, 1.38–2.41), diabetes mellitus (aHR 1.67; 95% CI, 1.25–2.24) and dyslipidaemia (aHR 1.36; 95% CI, 1.05–1.78). Conclusion In a population-based study from Korea, we found that the risk for spine and hip fracture increased in patients with IBD, especially in UC patients. Also, this risk increased in patients who are older, female, or have comorbidities.

Inhaled Corticosteroid-Containing Regimens Reduce Hospitalizations and Healthcare Costs among Elderly Asthmatics: Real-World Validation Using the National Health Insurance Claims Database.

The high rates of mortality and hospitalization among elderly asthmatics, as well as their increasing healthcare costs have become an important public health issue. It would be worthwhile to assess whether inhaled corticosteroid (ICS) can resolve these problems. To explore ICS prescription rates for elderly asthmatics and the factors influencing them and to investigate their association with hospitalization and healthcare costs, we analyzed data from the National Health Insurance Claims Database for the same time frame (December 1 to February 28) across three different periods (2011-2012; 2014-2015; and 2017-2018), from which we identified 6,619, 5,619, and 6,880 elderly individuals, respectively. The prescription rates of ICS increased (52.8%, 65.5% and 68.8%, in the first, second and third survey period, respectively) and inversely the hospital admission rates declined (3.7%, 3.2% and 2.5%, in the first, second and third survey period, respectively). The total healthcare costs per month were significantly lower for patients who received ICS-containing regimens than for those who did not. A multivariate analysis revealed that increasing age, rural residence, receiving a prescription from a clinic, hospital admission, and prescription of asthma medications other than ICS were associated with non-prescription of ICS, whereas cross-boundary treatment increased the ICS-prescription rate. Our study suggests that increases in the prescription rate of ICS are associated with reduced hospital admission rates and lower medical costs in the real-world. ICS prescription rates in rural areas and at clinics, which remain low, need to be increased.

Similar Clinical Outcomes of Early and Late Anti-TNF Initiation for Ulcerative Colitis: A Nationwide Population-Based Study.

PurposeThe optimal timing of anti-tumor necrosis factor (anti-TNF) initiation in patients with ulcerative colitis (UC) remains unclear. Very little is known about the clinical outcomes after the early versus late initiation of anti-TNF therapy, especially in Asian UC patients. Here we aimed to assess whether earlier anti-TNF treatment initiation results in favorable clinical outcomes in Korean UC patients.Materials and MethodsUsing the Korean National Health Insurance claims database, we studied patients who were diagnosed with UC and received anti-TNF therapy for more than 6 months between 2010 and 2016. Using a Cox proportional hazard model, clinical outcomes including colectomy, UC-related emergency room (ER) visits, UC-related hospitalizations, and the need for corticosteroids were compared between early (≤2 years of diagnosis) and late (>2 years of diagnosis) initiators of anti-TNF therapy.ResultsAmong 17167 UC patients, 698 patients who received anti-TNF therapy for more than 6 months were included (420 infliximab, 242 adalimumab, and 36 golimumab). Of the 698 patients, 299 (42.8%) initiated anti-TNF therapy within 2 years of diagnosis. There were no significant differences in the risk of colectomy [adjusted hazard ratio (aHR), 0.41; 95% confidence interval (CI), 0.04–3.90], ER visits (aHR, 0.98; 95% CI, 0.50–1.92), hospitalization (aHR, 0.76; 95% CI, 0.57–1.01), and corticosteroid use (aHR, 1.04; 95% CI, 0.71–1.50) between early and late initiators of anti-TNF therapy.ConclusionPatients receiving early anti-TNF therapy had similar clinical outcomes to those of late initiators, suggesting that early anti-TNF therapy initiation offers little benefit in patients with UC.

Prevalence and Incidence of Neuromyelitis Optica Spectrum Disorder in Korea: Population Based Study.

BackgroundAlthough neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD) is known to be a rare disease, its prevalence and incidence have not yet been studied in Korea. We performed a population-based study to examine the prevalence and incidence of NMOSD in Korea using data from the Korean National Health Insurance (NHI) claims database.MethodsData from 2013 to 2017 were obtained, with a washout period set as 2013 and 2014. The prevalence and incidence of NMOSD in 2016 and 2017 were calculated using population census data. Subjects were divided into 5 groups at 15-year intervals, depending on the age at which the diagnostic code was entered. The relative risk (RR) for each age group was compared with the oldest (≥ 60 years) age group.ResultsThe overall prevalence was estimated to be 3.36 and 3.56 per 100,000 individuals, with an incidence of 0.41 and 0.65 per 100,000 individuals-year in 2016 and 2017, respectively. The mean age was 43.08 (standard deviation, 14.56) years, and the ratio of male to females was 1:4.7. The incidence was higher in female individuals aged between 30 and 59 years (RR, 2.8–3.05; P < 0.05).ConclusionNationwide prevalence of NMOSD in Korea was 3.36 and 3.56/100,000 and its incidence was 0.41 and 0.65/100,000-year in 2016 and 2017 respectively.

Real-world treatment persistence of non-tumor necrosis factor inhibitors versus tumor necrosis factor inhibitors among patients with rheumatoid arthritis in South Korea

Aims: We aimed to assess treatment persistence of tumor necrosis factor (TNF) inhibitors and non-TNF inhibitors in two groups of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients: biologic disease-modifying antirheumatic drug (bDMARD) initiators and switchers.Patients and methods: This retrospective cohort study utilized a national health insurance claims database. Patients aged ≥18 years initiating/switching bDMARD between 1 December 2013 and 31 December 2014, the index period, were followed for 12 months. Initiators who began treatment with a bDMARD during the index period were defined as having no bDMARD prescriptions for the previous year. Switchers who changed treatment from the previous bDMARD to the index bDMARD were defined as having different bDMARDs during the index period. Treatment persistence rates during the follow-up period were measured, and factors associated with non-persistence were assessed with the Cox proportional hazard model.Results: Of 2684 patients, treatment persistence rates were the highest for abatacept in initiators (69.3%) and tocilizumab in switchers (77.0%), while adalimumab showed the lowest persistence rates for both initiators and switchers (48.2%, 28.8%), followed by etanercept (51.3%, 41.0%). Adalimumab and etanercept were significantly more likely to show non-persistence (HR 1.58, 95% CI 1.27–1.96; HR 1.42, 95% CI 1.14–1.76) compared to infliximab for initiators, while tocilizumab was significantly more likely to show persistence (HR 0.411, 95% CI 0.206–0.819) in switchers.Conclusions: Non-TNF inhibitors showed higher persistence rates than TNF inhibitors in South Korean RA patients, and tocilizumab especially was associated with higher persistence in patients with inadequate response to TNF inhibitors. Good persistence with non-TNF inhibitors indicates the potential for long-term efficacy as first-line treatment.

Risk of Cancers in Antineutrophil Cytoplasmic Antibody-Associated Vasculitis: Results from the Korea National Health Insurance Claims Database 2010-2018.

The association between antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody-associated vasculitis (AAV) and cancer remains poorly understood. In this study, we searched the Korea National Health Insurance Claims Database to obtain data for 2097 AAV patients, and evaluated the risk of cancers in AAV. The standardized incidence ratios (SIRs) of overall and site-specific cancers were estimated in patients with AAV compared to the general population. The overall risk of cancer was significantly higher in patients with AAV (SIR 1.90); this remained true in both males (SIR 1.74) and females (SIR 2.06). For site-specific cancers, the risks of lung (SIR 2.23) and hematological (SIR 11.39) cancers were higher in AAV patients. For males, the risks of gallbladder and hematological cancers were increased, while the risks of bladder and hematological cancers were increased in females. Among AAV subtypes, patients with granulomatosis with polyangiitis had the highest risk of cancers, and cyclophosphamide, azathioprine/mizoribine, and methotrexate ever-users had increased risk of overall cancer. The risks of overall and hematological cancers were elevated in AAV patients younger than 60 years old. Patients with AAV have increased risks of overall, lung, and hematological cancers. Distinct patterns of cancer incidence are present according to age, sex, AAV subtypes, and immunosuppressant usage.

Evaluation of polypharmacy in Japan using the national health insurance claims database in 2015-2017

Abstract Background There is growing awareness of polypharmacy as a global issue. Several countries have introduced policies to optimize multidrug prescriptions. In Japan, hospital prescription fee “F100” and outpatient prescription fee “F400” have been instituted to promote the correct use of drugs, the medical treatment fee is restricted when seven or more types of drugs are prescribed. However, non-polypharmacy patients who need multiple drugs are also comprehensively evaluated within the purview of the same drug insurance claim criteria. Thus, the current state of such policies is still unclear. This study identified the age group in which drug claims have changed based on drug insurance claim criteria and elucidated the relationship between policy interventions and multidrug prescriptions. Methods We analyzed F100 and F400 cases using open data from the National Database of Health Insurance Claims and Specific Health Checkups of Japan from April 2015 to March 2017. These sources include a population of about 69 million patients. Moreover, the growth rate of the number of patients who were prescribed seven or more types of drugs was evaluated. Results F100 prescription claims decreased by − 12.7% (n = 3,239,070) in 2016 as compared to 2015 (n = 3,700,396), and the number of F400 prescription claims decreased by − 7.7% (n = 28,745,468) in 2016 as compared to 2015 (n = 31,142,484), for seven or more types of drugs. The drug insurance claim rate among people over the age of 65 was 74.2% to F100 and 77.9% to F400, and this age group represented the highest proportion among all age groups. Conclusions The rate of health insurance claims for multidrug prescriptions clearly decreased after the institution of policy interventions to optimize the use of seven or more types of drugs. The present study suggests that the prescription fee restriction could reduce the rate of multidrug prescriptions and consequent decreases the risk of adverse drug-related events in polypharmacy patients. Key messages Policy interventions related to the optimization of drug prescriptions encourage behavioral factors of healthcare providers. Polypharmacy treatment must be established through prescriptions information linkage between clinical practices and community.

The influence of clinical variables on the risk of developing chronic conditions in ICU survivors

PurposeTo assess the association of clinical variables and the development of specified chronic conditions in ICU survivors. Materials and methodsA retrospective cohort study, combining a national health insurance claims database and a national quality registry for ICUs. Claims data from 2012 to 2014 were combined with clinical data of patients admitted to an ICU during 2013. To assess the association of clinical variables (ICU length of stay, mechanical ventilation, acute physiology score, reason for ICU admission, mean arterial pressure score and glucose score) and the development of chronic conditions (i.e. heart diseases, COPD or asthma, Diabetes mellitus type II, depression and kidney diseases), logistic regression was used. Results49,004 ICU patients were included. ICU length of stay was associated with the development of heart diseases, asthma or COPD and depression. The reason for ICU admission was an important risk factor for the development of all chronic conditions with adjusted ORs ranging from 2.05 (CI 1.56; 2.69) for kidney diseases to 5.14 (CI 3.99; 6.62) for depression. ConclusionsClinical variables, especially the reason for ICU admission, are associated with the development of chronic conditions after ICU discharge. Therefore, these clinical variables should be considered when organizing follow-up care for ICU survivors.

Comparative effectiveness of risk mitigation strategies to prevent fetal exposure to mycophenolate

BackgroundIn 2012, the US Food and Drug Administration approved a Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategy (REMS) programme including mandatory prescriber training and a patient/provider acknowledgement form to prevent fetal exposure...

101 The Effect of Disability on the Diagnosis and Treatment of Pancreatic Cancer in the Republic of Korea: A National Cohort Study

INTRODUCTION: Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PC) is the fifth leading cause of cancer-related mortality and the eighth most common cancer in Korea. Korea has various national databases that can provide information regarding different health status factors, such as disability status, cancer, and delivery of health-care and associated medical costs. This study aimed to determine whether the diagnosis, treatment approach and prognosis of pancreatic cancer (PC) varied according to the presence, severity and type of disability. METHODS: Demographic, socioeconomic, and medical data were obtained from the National Disability Database, the Korean Central Cancer Registry, and the Korean National Health Insurance claims database. An age- and sex-matched cohort was established using a 1:3 ratio of 2,776,450 people with disabilities and 8,329,350 people without disabilities. Adult patients diagnosed with PC were subsequently selected from this cohort. Disabilities were categorized as physical, brain, communication, mental impairment, and affecting the major internal organs. RESULTS: The cohort included 12,402 patients with PC, with a significantly lower rate per 105 persons among people with disabilities than among people without disabilities (114.9 vs. 102.1, P &lt; 0.0001). People with disabilities were more diagnosed PC at earlier age (P &lt; 0.0091). Patients with disabilities had higher Charlson comorbidity index (1.47 vs. 2.00) and more below poverty line (5.8% vs. 13.3%) than those without disabilities. People with severe disabilities were diagnosed PC at earlier age, but less likely to undergo surgery (adjusted odds ratio 0.83, 95% confidence interval 0.77–0.96) or chemotherapy (0.81, 0.74–0.90) than those without disabilities. The overall and cancer specific mortality rates were higher in patients with disabilities than those without disabilities. This trend was more evident among patients with severe disabilities and in those with mental disorders. CONCLUSION: In Korea, people with disabilities generally have a lower rate of PC diagnosis, receive less intensive treatment, and have a lower survival rate than people without disabilities.