Publication Sabrina Müller Publication Sabrina Müller

Undertreatment in patients with advanced urothelial cancer: systematic literature review and meta-analysis

Systematic literature review to identify real-world studies reporting NST or attrition rates in la/mUC from 2017–2022 (including data reported since 2015). Of 2439 publications screened, 29 reported NST rates, ranging from 40–74% in eight European-based studies, 14–60% in 12 US-based studies, and 9–63% in nine studies in other locations (meta-analysis estimate, 39%). Factors associated with NST or no second-line therapy included older age, female sex, poor performance status, poor renal function and distant metastases.

Read More
Publication Sabrina Müller Publication Sabrina Müller

Data Resource Profile: The Multiple Sclerosis Documentation System 3D and AOK PLUS Linked Database (MSDS-AOK PLUS)

We introduce a novel, growing database that links administrative claims and medical records from an MS patient management system, allowing for the complete capture of patient profiles. Using the AOK PLUS sickness fund and the Multiple Sclerosis Documentation System MSDS3D from the Center of Clinical Neuroscience (ZKN) in Germany, a linked MS-specific database was developed (MSDS-AOK PLUS).

Read More
Publication Sabrina Müller Publication Sabrina Müller

Association between asthma control and healthcare costs: Results from a German linked data study

This study aimed to evaluate differences in healthcare resource utilization and cost among patients with controlled and uncontrolled asthma. Claims data from a German sickness fund was linked to patient survey data. Outpatient physicians enrolled patients and assessed asthma control using the ACT questionnaire. All-cause and asthma-specific healthcare resource use (HCRU)/costs were compared descriptively and based on multivariable models using a continuous ACT score.

Read More
Publication Sabrina Müller Publication Sabrina Müller

Healthcare Resource Utilization and Associated Costs in New Users of Empagliflozin versus DPP-4 Inhibitors and GLP-1 Agonists

This German claims data study included continuously insured persons with at least two outpatient diagnoses and/or one inpatient diagnosis of T2DM if they started EMPA, DPP-4i, or GLP-1-RA in 2015–2018. Healthcare costs were assessed from therapy initiation until the end of data availability, death, or therapy discontinuation and compared among propensity score matched cohorts. Although the individual clinical patient profile and physician assessment are paramount in treatment decisions, substantial differences in the economic impact of different antidiabetic therapies should be considered.

Read More
Publication Sabrina Müller Publication Sabrina Müller

Effects of cardiovascular single pill combinations compared with identical multi-pill therapies on healthcare cost and utilization in Germany

Anonymized claims data of patients ≥18 years treated with drugs for cardiovascular (CV)-related diseases either as a single pill combination or multi-pill combination were evaluated. After propensity score matching, 59,336 out of 1,369,840 patients were analyzed. In all cohorts, patients receiving a single pill combination had a lower frequency of general practitioner and specialist visits. The patients also had a significantly lower ratio of all-cause hospitalization days and number of CV-related prescriptions as well as all-cause prescriptions (with one exception) compared with those receiving a multi-pill combination.

Read More
Publication Sabrina Müller Publication Sabrina Müller

Effects of Single Pill Combinations Compared to Identical Multi Pill Therapy on Outcomes in Hypertension, Dyslipidemia and Secondary Cardiovascular Prevention: The START-Study

In an explorative study, we analyzed anonymized claims data sets of patients treated with CV drugs for hypertension and/or CV disorders who were insured by the German AOK PLUS statutory health fund covering 01/07/2012-30/06/2018. Patients aged ≥18 years who received either an SPC or MPC with identical drugs were followed for up to one year. A one-to-one propensity score matching (PSM) was applied within patient groups who started identical drug combinations, and results were reported as incidence rate ratios (IRRs) as well as hazard ratios (HRs). After PSM, data from 59,336 patients were analyzed. In 30 out of 56 IRR analyses, the superiority of SPC over MPC was shown. In 5 out of 7 comparisons, the HR for the composite outcome of all-cause death and all-cause hospitalizations was in favor of the SPC regimen.

Read More
Publication Sabrina Müller Publication Sabrina Müller

Questionnaire for the assessment of adherence barriers of intravitreal therapy: the ABQ‑IVT

The previously validated (indications: atrial fibrillation, human immunodeficiency virus, chronic inflammatory lung disease) Adherence Barriers Questionnaire (ABQ) was revised according to specifications of IVT, within the framework of an expert panel. A cross-sectional patient survey was conducted in combination with a retrospective medical chart review in order to validate the developed new instrument (ABQ-IVT).

Read More
Publication Sabrina Müller Publication Sabrina Müller

Identifying the Causes Increasing the Risk of Non‑Adherence in Adult Patients with Asthma: An Analysis Combining Patient Survey Data with German Claims Data

A multi-center observational study was conducted addressing adult patients with asthma who were prescribed regular maintenance medication between 2014 and 2016 to identify the potential barriers to medication adherence among adult patients with asthma in Germany. Data were derived from physicians’ documentation and claims data, which were linked to the primary observational data and patient survey data (Adherence Barriers Questionnaire - ABQ).

Read More
Publication Sabrina Müller Publication Sabrina Müller

How to Implement Adherence-Promoting Programsin Clinical Practice? A Discrete Choice Experimenton Physicians’ Preferences

A discrete choice experiment was conducted among general practitioners, cardiologists, neurologists and ophthalmologists in Germany to examine physicians’ preferences regarding adherence-promoting programs (APPs). The design considered five attributes with two or three attribute levels each: validation status of the APP; possibility for physicians to receive a certificate; type of intervention; time commitment per patient and quarter of the year to carry out the APP; reimbursement for APP participation, per included patient and quarter of the year.

Read More
Publication Sabrina Müller Publication Sabrina Müller

Real-world insulin therapy in German type 2 diabetes mellitus patients: patient characteristics, treatment patterns, and insulin dosage

As there is a general lack of data around T2DM patients newly initiating an insulin therapy, it was the main objective of this study to collect these data. The main strength of this analysis is the use of a large claims dataset unaffected by any selection bias and an additional collection of MCR data for reasons of a validity check of claims data analysis results, as the claims data specifically addressed two German states.

Read More
Publication AB Publication AB

Adaption and validation of the adherence barriers questionnaire for HIV patients on antiretroviral therapy (ABQ-HIV)

The aim of this investigation was to develop and validate a respective questionnaire (Adherence Barriers Questionnaire for HIV: ABQ-HIV), based on an earlier version of the ABQ.

The study showed that the ABQ-HIV is a practical, reliable, and valid instrument for identifying patient-specific barriers to

adherence in the HIV treatment that is also useful in identifying HIV patient subgroups.

Read More
Publication Sabrina Müller Publication Sabrina Müller

Primary data, claims data, and linked datain observational research: the case of COPDin Germany

Real-world evidence (RWE) can inform patient management decisions, but RWE studies are associated with limitations. Linkage of different RWE data types could address such limitations by enriching data and improving scientific quality. Using the example of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in Germany, this study assessed the value of data linkage between primary and secondary data sources for RWE.

Read More
Publication AB Publication AB

Treatment of age-related neovascular macular degeneration:the patient’s perspective

The aim of this study was to assess patients’ views and xpectations with regard to neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nAMD) and intravitreal anti-VEGF therapy (IVT).

This multicenter, non-interventional, prospective cohort study showed that only a minority of patients are aware of the chronic nature of nAMD. To motivate patients to accept a life-long IVT treatment, physicians and caregivers must know that there exist different patient types with significant differences in communication needs.

Read More
Publication Sabrina Müller Publication Sabrina Müller

Patient Preferences for Oral Anticoagulation Therapy in Atrial Fibrillation: A Systematic Literature Review

Since the introduction of non-vitamin K antagonist (VKA) oral anticoagulants (NOACs), an additional treatment option, apart from VKAs, has become available for stroke prevention in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF). For various reasons, it is important to consider patients’ preferences regarding the type of medication, particularly given the established relationship between preferences towards treatment, associated burden of therapy, and treatment adherence. This review aimed to systematically analyze the scientific literature assessing the preferences of AF patients with regard to long-term oral anticoagulant (OAC) treatment.

Read More
Publication Sabrina Müller Publication Sabrina Müller

Non-Persistence and Non-Adherence of Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus in Therapy with GLP-1Receptor Agonists: A Retrospective Analysis

We used two large retrospective datasets: a German claims dataset and the UK General Practitioner (GP)-based Clinical Practice Research Datalink (CPRD) dataset (2010–2012) to assess the level of persistence and adherence to therapy with glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) patients in the United Kingdom (UK) and Germany, also by comparing once- (OD) with twice-a-day (BID) therapy.

Read More
Publication Sabrina Müller Publication Sabrina Müller

Validation of the Adherence Barriers Questionnaire – an instrument for identifying potential risk factors associated with medication-related non-adherence

Medication non-adherence is a major challenge in the real-life treatment of chronically ill patients. To meet this challenge, adherence interventions with a tailored approach towards patient-specific adherence barriers identified with a reliable and practicable questionnaire are needed. This investigation aimed to develop and validate such a questionnaire, the “Adherence Barriers Questionnaire (ABQ)”.

Read More
Publication Sabrina Müller Publication Sabrina Müller

Nonadherence in Outpatient Thrombosis Prophylaxis with Low Molecular Weight Heparins after Major Orthopaedic Surgery

According to some current guidelines, extended thromboprophylaxis after hip and knee arthroplasties is recommended. Outpatient prophylaxis with low molecular weight heparins (LMWH) is an important part of this prophylaxis, although the rates of adherence to these regimens are unknown. We determined (1) the degree of nonadherence (NA) of patients with LMWH outpatient prophylaxis and (2) whether specific independent factors explain NA.

Read More