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Hepatic encephalopathy (HE) is a complex and reversible neuropsychiatric syndrome that is associated with growing, substantial healthcare resource utilization. We aim to examine the predictors of 30-day readmission and hospitalization cost associated with HE. We conducted a cross-sectional study using the Nationwide Readmissions Database from 2010 to 2014. We assessed the readmission rates using multivariate logistic regression and established temporal trends of readmission rates and hospitalization cost. Weighted hierarchical logistic regression and generalized linear mixed models were used to identify predictors for nationally representative readmissions and hospitalization costs, respectively. The number of index hospitalizations with HE increased with a significant trend from 34,967 in 2010 to 44,791 in 2014. 16.8% of patients were readmitted within 30 days. Predictors increasing readmission risk included female sex, Elixhauser readmission score < 25, elective admission, patient’s state residential status, privately insured, number of diagnoses >13, and length of stay >4 days. Our results indicate there is a need to implement better management strategies to improve outcomes in patients hospitalized with HE to curb the increase in the economic burden associated with the disease.

INTRODUCTION: Treatment of human epithelial growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)-positive breast cancer has rapidly evolved over the past decades with the addition of trastuzumab, lapatinib, pertuzumab, and trastuzumab emtansine (T-DM1). These treatments have dramatically impacted the survival of HER2-positive metastatic breast cancer (mBC) patients. Nonetheless, these agents are associated with high price tags, begging the question, ‘Are treatments for HER2-positive metastatic breast cancer and associated metastases cost-effective’? AREAS COVERED: We examine evidence on the cost-effectiveness of treatments for HER2-positive metastatic breast cancer and associated metastases through a review of systematic reviews on the topic. Additionally, we discuss the implications of our findings and provide recommendations for future directions in the assessment of the cost-effectiveness of targeted directed agents for HER2-positive mBC. EXPERT OPINION: Heterogeneous evidence from cost-effectiveness studies on the use of targeted directed agents for HER2-positive mBC across the world caution against cross-country comparisons of the value of such treatments. It also militates in favor of the production and use of cost-effectiveness analyses for local rather than global decision-making, thus ensuring that economic evaluations reflect the needs of local decision-makers and populations for which they are devised.

Despite the achieved advancement in pharmacological cancer treatments, the majority of postmenopausal women with hormone receptor-positive metastatic breast cancer (mBC) will experience disease progression. Research into alternative therapies with improved efficacy and reduced side effects has led to the development of a new class of oral anticancer medications, the cyclin-dependent kinase (CDK) 4/6 inhibitors, which include palbociclib, ribociclib, and abemaciclib. Nonetheless, there is growing evidence that the effectiveness of oral anticancer medications is sub-optimal, being influenced by low adherence, sociodemographic factors, and adverse effect profiles. In addition, there is a disconnect between the high price tags of CDK 4/6 inhibitors and their observed effectiveness, raising questions about their value. Currently, the existing knowledge base on the effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of newer oral anticancer medications in understudied populations with possible health disparities is scant. This commentary discusses what is known about palbociclib's clinical effectiveness, safety, and adherence and suggests the need for further studies of real-world effectiveness and cost-effectiveness to help establish the value of newer oncologic drugs, such as palbociclib. DISCLOSURES: No funding supported the writing of this article. The authors have nothing to disclose.

There is an increasing demand for supporting the adoption of rapid whole-genome sequencing (rWGS) by demonstrating its real-world value. We aimed to assess the cost-effectiveness of rWGS in critically ill pediatric patients with diseases of unknown cause. Data were collected prospectively of patients admitted to the Nicklaus Children's Hospital's intensive care units from March 2018 to September 2020, with rWGS (N = 65). Comparative data were collected in a matched retrospective cohort with standard diagnostic genetic testing. We determined total costs, diagnostic yield (DY), and incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER) adjusted for selection bias and right censoring. Sensitivity analyses explored the robustness of ICER through bootstrapping. rWGS resulted in a diagnosis in 39.8% while standard testing in 13.5% (p = 0.026). rWGS resulted in a mean saving per person of $100,440 (SE = 26,497, p 0.001) and a total of $6.53 M for 65 patients. rWGS in critically ill pediatric patients is cost-effective, cost-saving, shortens diagnostic odyssey, and triples the DY of traditional approaches.

Exploring methods that value diverse perspectives is critical to better understand the value of health equity in value assessment frameworks. In this paper, we examined emerging value assessment frameworks in the United States and present examples where evidence on outcomes and preferences for value do not take into consideration diverse perspectives. We identify possible solutions to improve existing value assessment methods and illustrate-using a hypothetical shared decision-making case study-an alternative to current value-assessment frameworks, "equitable multicriteria decision analysis," which could be implemented in the context of the value-based assessment of prevention choices for women at high risk of developing breast cancer. These proposed alternatives and solutions can be used by researchers and decision makers to incorporate health equity into value assessment. DISCLOSURES: No funding was received for this study. The authors have no conflicts of interest to report.

To examine determinants, trends, and costs associated with 30-day all-cause readmission (R) for suicidal ideation (SI) in early-aged patients.This was a retrospective cohort study using the 2010-2014 Nationwide Readmissions Database. Discharge records for those aged 5-24 with an SI diagnosis were analyzed. Hierarchical models (HMs) were used to assess factors of R, length of stay (LOS), and total costs of Rs.There were 197,603 SI index admissions (IAs). Of these, 2% had a R. The annualized trend of R rates for all age groups remained constant. Those aged 13-18 had the highest rate of Rs, while IA and R mean total costs were highest for those aged 5-12 (IA, $4,546-$5,822; R, $5,361-$7,113). The strongest risk factors for increasing R included nonelective admission and private hospital ownership. The strongest risk factors for increasing LOS and cost were major/extreme severity of illness and 30-day all-cause R. The intracluster correlation coefficient for the HMs were 0.06, 0.33, and 0.55 for the R, LOS, and cost model, respectively.The R rate was highest for those in the 13-18 age group, while the costs were highest for those aged 5-12.

Background Suicidal ideation (SI) is a major health concern in children, adolescents, and young adults (CAYA) population. Inaccurate estimates of SI-related hospital readmission rates may contribute to inappropriate allocation of resources for the prevention of future readmissions. The estimation of these readmission rates using claims data may be sensitive to the diagnosis code position used to establish analytic cohorts. Objective To examine the prevalence and effects of SI diagnosis code position in claims on 30-day readmission rates using the Nationwide Readmissions Database (NRD). Methods This was a cross-sectional study using the NRD (2010–2015). We established six cohorts of hospitalized CAYA (5–24 years old) with a diagnosis of SI based on different combinations of SI diagnosis code (ICD-9 code V62.84) positions in claims. Thirty-day hospital readmission rates following an index SI discharge were estimated for each cohort. We tested the null hypothesis that hospital readmission rates following an index SI discharge are not sensitive to diagnosis code positions using a test for equality of proportions between the predefined SI cohorts. Results The prevalence of SI diagnosis codes increased yearly from 2.9% in 2010 to 5.8% in 2015. SI hospital readmission rates ranged from 0 to 41.1 per 1000 index events based on cohort definitions (i.e. diagnosis code positions). We rejected the null hypothesis that SI-related readmission rates are not sensitive to diagnosis code positions. Conclusion SI-related readmission rate estimates are sensitive to SI diagnosis code positions. Determining appropriate diagnostic positions can further improve readmission analyses for SI and its applications in healthcare policies.