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Objective The objective was to investigate if there is a relationship between preischaemic stroke medicine use and health outcomes after stroke.Setting This registry-based study covered Swedish stroke care, both primary and secondary care, including approximately 60% of the Swedish stroke cases from seven Swedish regions.Participants The Sveus research database was used, including 35 913 patients (33 943 with full information on confounding factors) with an ischaemic stroke (International Classification of Diseases, 10th Revision (ICD-10) I63*) between 2009 and 2011 registered both in the regions’ patient administrative systems and in the Swedish Stroke Register. Patients with haemorrhagic stroke (ICD-10 I61*) were excluded.Primary outcome The primary outcome was the association, expressed in ORs, of prestroke medicine use (oral anticoagulants, statins, antihypertensives, antidepressants, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and antidiabetic drugs) and health outcomes 1 and 2 years poststroke (survival, activities of daily living dependency and modified Rankin Scale (mRS) 0–2), adjusted for patient characteristics and stroke severity at stroke onset.Results The multivariate analysis indicated that patients on drugs for hypertension, diabetes, oral anticoagulants and antidepressants prestroke had worse odds for health outcomes in both survival (OR 0.65, 95% CI 0.60 to 0.69; OR 0.77, 95% CI 0.71 to 0.83; OR 0.72, 95% CI 0.66 to 0.80; OR 0.91, 95% CI 0.84 to 0.98, respectively, for survival at 2 years) and functional outcome (OR 0.82, 95% CI 0.75 to 0.89; OR 0.61, 95% CI 0.55 to 0.68; OR 0.83, 95% CI 0.72 to 0.95; OR 0.58, 95% CI 0.52 to 0.65, respectively, for mRS 0–2 at 1 year), whereas patients on statins and NSAIDS had significantly better odds for survival (OR 1.16, 95% CI 1.08 to 1.25 and OR 1.12, 95% CI 1.00 to 1.25 for 1-year survival, respectively), compared with patients without these treatments prior to stroke.Conclusions The results indicated that there are differences in health outcomes between patients who had different common prestroke treatments, patients on drugs for hypertension, diabetes, oral anticoagulants and antidepressants had worse health outcomes, whereas patients on statins and NSAIDS had significantly better survival, compared with patients without these treatments prior to stroke.

This study represents a first attempt at estimating Lithuanian resource allocation to brain research including both public and private spending. It appears that no privates pending is identified. Public funding is low compared to many other European countries, and it is also extremely low in relation to the United States. A dedicated Lithuanian investigation of the resource allocation to different branches of biomedical research is warranted. Brain research should of course be an important part of such a study. The United States and the European Union have selected brain research as one of their priority areas within health related research. The present figures indicate that this may also be justified in Lithuania. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: While approximately one percent of the global population is formally diagnosed with psychosis or schizophrenia, the actual number is expected to be significantly higher. These patients often consume more healthcare resources and have poorer somatic health. In this study, we analyze potential differences in health, resources, and care process between stroke patients with and without a previous diagnosis of psychosis or schizophrenia. Methods: Ischemic stroke patients from seven regions in Sweden were identified via ICD-10 codes (I63.0-9) in regional administrative systems and the Swedish Stroke Register, and approximately 70% of all ischemic stroke cases in Sweden during 2008-2011 were included ( n = 46,350). Relevant patient-level data from national registries were linked to enable multivariate regression analysis, including data on socioeconomics, mortality, municipality services, and filled prescriptions. History of psychosis or schizophrenia was defined via ICD-10 codes F20-29 ( n = 389). Results: Patient-reported functional outcomes at 3 months and 1 year were significantly lower in the psychosis subgroup, and stroke recurrence was higher. Patients with pre-stroke psychosis did not receive the same levels of reperfusion treatment as the non-psychosis group. Time at the stroke unit was the same, as were first-year levels of somatic care, but dispensation of antihypertensives was less common. Conclusion: Our findings emphasize the importance of taking mental comorbidity into account during stroke treatment as well as when evaluating indicators for health, resources, and the care process, since mental comorbidity such as psychosis or schizophrenia may have a significant impact the year preceding and the year succeeding the stroke event.

Background: Differences in stroke care and health outcomes between men and women are debated. The objective of this study was to explore the relationship between patients' sex and post-stroke health outcomes and received care in a Swedish setting., Methods: Patients with a registered diagnosis of acute intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) or ischemic stroke (IS) within regional administrative systems (ICD-10 codes I61* or I63*) and the Swedish Stroke Register during 2010-2011 were included and followed for 1 year. Data linkage to multiple other data sources on individual level was performed. Adjustments were performed for age, socioeconomic factors, living arrangements, ADL dependency, and stroke severity in multivariate regression analyses of health outcomes and received care. Health outcomes (e.g., survival, functioning, satisfaction) and received care measures (regional and municipal resources and processes) were studied., Results: Study population: 13,775 women and 13,916 men. After case-mix adjustments for the above factors, we found women to have higher 1-year survival rates after both IS (OR female  = 1.17, p < 0.001) and ICH (OR female  = 1.65, p < 0.001). Initial inpatient stay at hospital was, however, shorter for women (β female, IS  = - 0.05, p < 0.001; β female, ICH  = - 0.08, p < 0.005). For IS, good function (mRS ≤ 2) was more common in men (OR female  = 0.86, p < 0.001) who also received more inpatient care during the first year (β female  = - 0.05, p < 0.001)., Conclusions: A lower proportion of women had good functioning, a difference that remained in IS after adjustments for age, socioeconomic factors, living arrangements, ADL dependency, and stroke severity. The amount of received hospital care was lower for women after adjustments. Whether shorter hospital stay results in lower function or is a consequence of lower function cannot be elucidated. One-year survival was higher in men when no adjustments were made but lower after adjustments. This likely reflects that women were older at time of stroke, had more severe strokes, and more disability pre-stroke-factors that make a direct comparison between the sexes intricate.

Background and Purpose: The objective of this study was to estimate the level of health outcomes and resource use at a hospital level during the first year after a stroke, and to identify any potential differences between hospitals after adjusting for patient characteristics (case mix)., Method: Data from several registries were linked on individual level: seven regional patient administrative systems, Swedish Stroke Register, Statistics Sweden, National Board of Health and Welfare and Swedish Social Insurance Agency. The study population consisted of 14 125 patients presenting with a stroke during 2010. Case-mix adjusted analysis of hospital differences was made on five aspects of health outcomes and resource use, 1 year post-stroke., Results: The results indicated that 26% of patients had died within a year of their stroke. Among those who survived, almost 5% had a recurrent stroke and 40% were left with a disability. On average, the patients had 22 inpatient days and 23 outpatient visits, and 13% had moved into special housing. There were significant variations between hospitals in levels of health outcomes achieved and resources used after adjusting for case mix., Conclusion: Differences in health outcomes and resource use between hospitals were substantial and not entirely explained by differences in patient mix, indicating tendencies of unequal stroke care in Sweden. Healthcare organisation of regions and other structural features could potentially explain parts of the differences identified., Competing Interests: Competing interests: IL and CW are employed by Ivbar Institute, a research company specialised in healthcare governance and analysis of healthcare data. IL also holds stock in Ivbar Institute. Remaining coauthors did not declare any conflicts of interest., (© Article author(s) (or their employer(s) unless otherwise stated in the text of the article) 2017. All rights reserved. No commercial use is permitted unless otherwise expressly granted.)

Background and Purpose: Stroke affects mortality, functional ability, quality of life and incurs costs. The primary objective of this study was to estimate the costs of stroke care in Sweden by level of disability and stroke type (ischemic (IS) or hemorrhagic stroke (ICH))., Method: Resource use during first and second year following a stroke was estimated based on a research database containing linked data from several registries. Costs were estimated for the acute and post-acute management of stroke, including direct (health care consumption and municipal services) and indirect (productivity losses) costs. Resources and costs were estimated per stroke type and functional disability categorised by Modified Rankin Scale (mRS)., Results: The results indicated that the average costs per patient following a stroke were 350,000SEK/€37,000-480,000SEK/€50,000, dependent on stroke type and whether it was the first or second year post stroke. Large variations were identified between different subgroups of functional disability and stroke type, ranging from annual costs of 100,000SEK/€10,000-1,100,000SEK/€120,000 per patient, with higher costs for patients with ICH compared to IS and increasing costs with more severe functional disability., Conclusion: Functional outcome is a major determinant on costs of stroke care. The stroke type associated with worse outcome (ICH) was also consistently associated to higher costs. Measures to improve function are not only important to individual patients and their family but may also decrease the societal burden of stroke.

Objective: To evaluate the cost-effectiveness of a novel intrauterine system, levonorgestrel intrauterine system 13.5 mg vs. oral contraception, in women at risk of unintended pregnancy., Design: Cost-effectiveness model using efficacy and discontinuation data from published articles., Setting: Societal perspective including direct and indirect costs., Population: Women at risk of unintended pregnancy using reversible contraception., Methods: An economic analysis was conducted by modeling the different health states of women using contraception over a 3-year period. Typical use efficacy rates from published articles were used to determine unintended pregnancy events. Discontinuation rates were used to account for method switching., Main Outcome Measures: Cost-effectiveness was evaluated in terms of the incremental cost per unintended pregnancy avoided. In addition, the incremental cost per quality-adjusted life-year was calculated., Results: Levonorgestrel intrauterine system 13.5 mg generated costs savings of € 311,000 in a cohort of 1000 women aged 15-44 years. In addition, there were fewer unintended pregnancies (55 vs. 294) compared with women using oral contraception., Conclusion: Levonorgestrel intrauterine system 13.5 mg is a cost-effective method when compared with oral contraception. A shift in contraceptive use from oral contraception to long-acting reversible contraception methods could result in fewer unintended pregnancies, quality-adjusted life-year gains, as well as cost savings., (© 2015 The Authors. Acta Obstetricia et Gynecologica Scandinavica published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Nordic Federation of Societies of Obstetrics and Gynecology (NFOG).)

Objectives: The objective of this study was to quantify the cost burden of unintended pregnancies (UPs) in Norway, and to estimate the proportion of costs due to imperfect contraceptive adherence. Potential cost savings that could arise from increased uptake of long-acting reversible contraception (LARC) were also investigated., Methods: An economic model was constructed to estimate the total number of UPs and associated costs in women aged 15-24 years. Adherence-related UP was estimated using 'perfect use' and 'typical use' contraceptive failure rates. Potential savings from increased use of LARC were projected by comparing current costs to projected costs following a 5% increase in LARC uptake., Results: Total costs from UP in women aged 15-24 years were estimated to be 164 million Norwegian Kroner (NOK), of which 81.7% were projected to be due to imperfect contraceptive adherence. A 5% increase in LARC uptake was estimated to generate cost savings of NOK 7.2 million in this group., Conclusions: The cost of UP in Norway is substantial, with a large proportion of this cost arising from imperfect contraceptive adherence. Increased LARC uptake may reduce the UP incidence and generate cost savings for both the health care payer and contraceptive user., (Published by the BMJ Publishing Group Limited. For permission to use (where not already granted under a licence) please go to http://group.bmj.com/group/rights-licensing/permissions.)

Objective: The objective was to estimate the cost-effectiveness of TNF-inhibitors for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis in Swedish clinical practice, both as a first and second biological treatment, with or without the combination of conventional DMARDs. Further sub-group analysis of etanercept treatment was performed., Methods and Materials: Patient level data were obtained from three regions of the Swedish Rheumatology Registers. The dataset contained 2,558 patients who had started TNF-inhibitor treatment, 1,049 with etanercept as their first biological treatment. A total of 819 patients had switched to a second TNF-inhibitor, of which 425 to etanercept. A Markov cohort model was used in which health states of disease severity were classified according to HAQ and DAS28. Disease progression and discontinuation rates of TNF-inhibitors were based on the registry and for the comparator on published literature. Mortality, costs and utilities were based on Swedish data. The main analysis had a societal perspective over 20 years and efficacy was measured in quality-adjusted life-years (QALYs)., Results: TNF-inhibitor treatment was associated with an increase in QALYs and an incremental cost compared to no biological treatment. The cost per QALY gained with the three TNF-inhibitors ranged from euro 50,000 to euro 120,000, with lower estimates for TNF-inhibitors used in combination with MTX and as a first biologic. At a progression of 0.045 for the comparator, most values remain within the accepted range for cost-effectiveness., Conclusions: These results demonstrate that the cost per QALY for TNF-inhibitors was higher than in previous assessments based on registry data and that the results were sensitive to the HAQ progression of the comparator.

Objective: To evaluate the precision of the predictive cost-effectiveness assessment based on a phase 3 clinical trial with infliximab for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis in Swedish clinical practice., Methods: Three patient cohorts were identified: the patients included in the infliximab trial (ATTRACT), patients initially treated with infliximab from a Swedish registry (STURE), a subset of these registry patients meeting inclusion criteria for the ATTRACT trial was the third patient cohort; two sets of assumptions in relation to the efficacy data were evaluated: "ATTRACT" (efficacy data over the duration of the trial) and "STURE" (effectiveness data over 10 years). In addition, the impact of including the placebo effect for the comparator was evaluated as a basis for the calculation of cost-effectiveness by using a modeling approach. A health economic model was utilized to estimate the cost per quality-adjusted life-year (QALY) gained., Results: The results for the three patient cohorts ranged from cost saving to a cost per QALY gained of €2,400 and €24,900 to €26,000 when the ATTRACT and STURE assumptions were used, respectively. Sensitivity analyses indicated that the inclusion of placebo effect had the largest effect on the results, increasing the cost per QALY gained to approximately €50,000 for all patient cohorts., Conclusions: The treatment effect of infliximab measured in clinical trials and clinical practice results in comparable cost-effectiveness ratios, as calculated by using a modeling approach, whereas the assumptions made in relation to the effectiveness data and the chosen comparator have a large impact on the results. This reinforces the value of early modeling studies based on randomized clinical trial data, but assumptions made need to be carefully assessed., (Copyright © 2013 International Society for Pharmacoeconomics and Outcomes Research (ISPOR). Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Objective: The aim of this work was to evaluate the cost-effectiveness, from the perspective of the Spanish health care system, of optimized background therapy (OBT) plus maraviroc 300 mg BID versus OBT plus placebo in previously treated patients with R5 HIV-1 infection., Methods: A lifetime cohort model was developed, based on 24- and 48-week pooled results from the Maraviroc Versus Optimized Therapy in Viremic Antiretroviral Treatment-Experienced Patients (MOTIVATE) studies 1 and 2, to reflect the Spanish health care system's perspective. Treatment duration was based on clinical trial follow-up from MOTIVATE 1 and 2. Clinical data, cohort characteristics, success probability, CD4 increase rate, CD4 cell status link to disease states, and adverse-event probability were taken from the MOTIVATE trials and other published literature. Other input parameters were taken from published sources. Antiretroviral (ARV) costs were derived from local sources. Non-ARV drug costs were obtained from published literature and a cost database. All costs were calculated as year-2009 euros. The annual discount rate was set at 3.0%. The main outcomes were cost per life-year gained (LYG) and cost per quality-adjusted life-year (QALY) gained. Uncertainty was assessed with one-way and probabilistic sensitivity analyses., Results: In the model analysis, adding maraviroc to OBT was associated with an increase of 0.952 LYG and 0.909 QALY. Total costs were €275,970 for maraviroc plus OBT and €254,655 for placebo plus OBT (difference: €21,315). The incremental cost per LYG was €22,398 and the incremental cost per QALY gained was €23,457. The model appeared to be robust for variations in key parameters. Results from the probabilistic sensitivity analyses indicated that the probability of the cost per QALY being below €30,000 was 99%., Conclusion: Despite the limitations of the model, our analysis suggested that OBT plus maraviroc 300 mg BID is a clinically valuable option, and cost-effective from the perspective of the Spanish health care system, for previously treated patients with R5 HIV-1 infection., (Copyright © 2010 Elsevier HS Journals, Inc. Published by EM Inc USA.. All rights reserved.)

Objectives: The objective of this study was to estimate the cost-effectiveness of infliximab use in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) in Swedish clinical practice, based on patient-level data from the Stockholm TNF-alpha follow-up registry (STURE)., Methods: Real-world patient-level data on infliximab use from the STURE registry were implemented in a Markov cohort model, in which health states of functional status were classified according to the Health Assessment Questionnaire Disability Index (HAQ-five categories) and twenty-eight joint count Disease Activity Score (DAS28). The transition probabilities between HAQ and DAS28 states during treatment, as well as discontinuation rates were modeled based on data from the registry for patients using infliximab as their first-line biological treatment. The transition probabilities in the comparator arm, that is, disease progression without biologic treatment, as well as mortality rates, costs, and utilities were based on published literature. The analysis had a societal cost perspective., Results: Infliximab was associated with an incremental gain in quality-adjusted life-years of 1.02 and an incremental cost of 23,264 euros per patient compared with progression without biologic treatment, producing an incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER) of 22,830 euros (SEK211,136 or US$31,230). Sensitivity analyses of input parameters and model assumptions produced ICERs in the range from 18,000 euros to 47,000 euros., Conclusions: Results from base-case and sensitivity analyses fell well below established benchmarks for cost-effectiveness in Sweden. The results, therefore, indicated that infliximab treatment for RA has provided good societal value for money in Swedish clinical practice, compared with a scenario of no biological treatment.

Objective: To estimate the cost-effectiveness of 5 years of treatment with hormone therapy (HT) compared with no treatment for women with menopausal symptoms in the United States., Methods: A Markov cohort simulation model was used with tunnel techniques to assess the cost-effectiveness of HT in women aged 50 years, based on a societal perspective. Clinical data, where possible, used results taken from the Women Health Initiative (WHI). The model had a lifetime horizon with cycle lengths of 1 year and contained the following disease states: hip fracture, vertebral fracture, wrist fracture, breast cancer, colorectal cancer, coronary heart disease, stroke, and venous thromboembolic events. An intervention was modelled by its impact on the disease risks during and after stopping treatment. The model required data on clinical effects, risks, mortality rates, quality of life weights, and costs. The main outcome of the model was cost per quality-adjusted life-year (QALY) gained on HT compared with no treatment., Results: The results indicated that it was cost-effective to treat women with menopausal symptoms with HT in the United States. The severity of menopausal symptoms was the single most important determinant of cost-effectiveness, but HT remained cost-effective even where symptoms were mild or effects on symptom relief were small., Conclusions: Treatment of women with menopausal symptoms with HT is cost-effective.

Objective: To estimate the cost-effectiveness of five-year treatment of hormone replacement therapy (HRT) compared with no treatment for women with menopausal symptoms in the UK., Method: A Markov cohort simulation model with tunnel techniques was used to assess the cost-effectiveness of HRT in women aged 50 years. For the clinical effects of HRT we used, where possible, results taken from the Women's Health Initiative (WHI). The model had a life-time horizon with cycle lengths of one year and contained the following disease states: hip fracture, vertebral fracture, wrist fracture, breast cancer, colorectal cancer, coronary heart disease, stroke and venous thromboembolic events. An intervention was modelled by its impact on the disease risks during and after stopping treatment. The model was populated with UK-specific data on risks, mortality rates, quality-of-life weights and costs. The main outcome of the model was cost per quality-adjusted life year (QALY) gained of HRT compared with no treatment., Results: The results indicated that it was cost-effective to treat women with menopausal symptoms with HRT in the UK. The severity of menopausal symptoms was the single most important determinant of cost-effectiveness, but HRT remained cost-effective even where symptoms were mild or effects on symptom relief were small., Conclusions: Treatment of women with menopausal symptoms with HRT is cost-effective.

Questions Under Study: This study represents a first attempt at estimating Swiss resource allocation to brain research including both public and private spending., Methods: In order to estimate public spending (by governments and charities) a survey was conducted to evaluate the way brain research is funded across Europe and especially in Switzerland. Industry funding was measured using different approaches including a survey of pharmaceutical expenditures and the costs of developing new drugs., Results: Private spending is at a reasonable level because a highly developed Swiss pharmaceutical industry invests significantly in this branch of science. However, public spending is at a low level compared to other European countries, although Switzerland is the only European country where the total funding per capita exceeds that of US funding., Conclusions: A detailed investigation of Swiss resource allocation to different branches of biomedical research is warranted. Brain research should be an important part of such a study. The United States and the European Union have selected brain research as one of their priority areas within health related research. The present figures indicate that this may also be justified in Switzerland.

Objective: The purpose of the study was to assess the cost effectiveness of hormone therapy (HT) for postmenopausal women without menopausal symptoms at an increased risk of fracture in Sweden, the UK and the US., Methods: Using a state-transition model, the cost effectiveness of 50 year old women was assessed based on a societal perspective and the medical evidence found in the Women Health Initiative (WHI) trials. The model had a lifetime horizon divided into cycle lengths of 1 year and comprised the following disease states: hip fracture, vertebral fracture, wrist fracture, breast cancer, colorectal cancer, coronary heart disease, stroke and venous thromboembolic events. An intervention was modelled by its impact on the disease risks during and after the cessation of treatment. The model required data on clinical effects, risks, mortality rates, quality of life weights and costs valid for Sweden, the UK and the US. The main outcome of the model was cost per QALY gained of HT compared to no treatment., Results: The results indicated that HT compared to no treatment was cost-effective for most sub-groups of hysterectomised women, whereas for women with an intact uterus without a previous fracture, HT was commonly dominated by no treatment. Fracture risks were the single most important determinant of the cost effectiveness results., Conclusions: HT is cost-effective in women with a hysterectomy irrespective of prior fracture status. In women with an intact uterus, opposed HT was cost-effective in those with a prior vertebral fracture, but cost-ineffective in women without a prior vertebral fracture. Even though HT is found cost-effective for a selection of osteoporotic women, it is unlikely to be considered for first-line therapy for osteoporosis because bisphosphonates have shown a similar reduction in fracture risks but without an increased risk of adverse events.

Background: Depression is one of the most common causes of disability and is associated with substantial reductions in the individual's quality of life. The aim of this study was to estimate the economic burden of depression to Swedish society from 1997 to 2005., Materials and Methods: The study was conducted in a cost-of-illness framework, measuring both the direct cost of providing health care to depressive patients, and the indirect costs as the value of production that is lost due to morbidity or mortality. The costs were estimated by a prevalence and top-down approach., Results: The cost of depression increased from a total of 1.7 billion euros in 1997 to 3.5 billion euros in 2005, representing a doubling of the burden of depression to society. The main reason for the cost increase is found in the significant increase in indirect costs due to sick leave and early retirement during the past decade, whereas direct costs were relatively stable over time. In 2005, indirect costs were estimated at 3 billion euros (86% of total costs) and direct costs at 500 million euros (16%). Cost of drugs was estimated at 100 million euros (3% of total cost)., Conclusion: The cost of depression is substantial to society and the main cost driver is indirect costs due to sick leave and early retirement. The cost of depression has doubled during the past eight years making it a major public health concern for the individuals afflicted, carers and decision makers.