Comment

Abstract

Of recent times there has been an increase in community interest in paedophilia, with a number of inquiries into sexual abuse of children having been initiated zyxwvutsrqp [ 1,2]. The media reports have generated confusion and an hysterical tone has often been adopted. Thus, it is timely for Nathaniel McConaghy to set forth what the current state of knowledge is, to remind us that much is not known about the epidemiology of paedophilia or the effects of sexual abuse and, most importantly, to call into question commonly endorsed treatment methods.One could question whether paedophilia is a mental disorder at all. The DSM-IV zyxwvutsr [3] defines pae-

Physician, Practice, and Patient Characteristics Associated With Biosimilar Use in Medicare Recipients

“… g Risk scores were based on the Department of Health and Human Services Hierarchical Conditions Categories risk adjustment model using claims data from the preceding year. 14 Sample size for patients with a risk score was smaller because patients had to have 1 year of enrollment prior to first biologic administration (sample size by biosimilar administration for filgrastim was 7564 patients with ≥1 biosimilar administration and 15 448 patients with 0 biosimilar administrations; for infliximab, 1228 patients with ≥1 biosimilar administration and 10 694 patients with 0 biosimilar administrations). h Conditions are not mutually exclusive.…”

“…Abbreviations: NA, not applicable; Q, quarter. a Samples include all patients who received a biologic since first biosimilar launch in the drug class (Q3 2015 for filgrastim and Q4 2016 for infliximab). b Patient received at least 1 biosimilar administration during sample period. c Patient received 0 biosimilar administrations during sample period. d Comparisons reflect 2-group test of proportions. Mean-comparison (ie, t ) test used for risk score variables. e Previous use reflects whether a patient who received at least 1 biosimilar administration also received a nonbiosimilar product in the relevant drug class prior to their first biosimilar administration. f Other was defined using the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services enrollment data as races other than White and Black, which include Asian, Hispanic, North American Native, other, and unknown. g Risk scores were based on the Department of Health and Human Services Hierarchical Conditions Categories risk adjustment model using claims data from the preceding year . Sample size for patients with a risk score was smaller because patients had to have 1 year of enrollment prior to first biologic administration (sample size by biosimilar administration for filgrastim was 7564 patients with ≥1 biosimilar administration and 15 448 patients with 0 biosimilar administrations; for infliximab, 1228 patients with ≥1 biosimilar administration and 10 694 patients with 0 biosimilar administrations). h Conditions are not mutually exclusive.…”

“…Risk scores were based on the Health and Human Services Hierarchical Conditions Categories risk adjustment model using claims from the preceding year. 14 For patients receiving biosimilars, we identified whether a patient had previously used the originator biologic. Characteristics were present at the time of a patient’s first administration (biosimilar or originator biologic) in the sample.…”

“…Patient characteristics included indicators for age group (ie, 65-74 or ≥75 years), sex, race, dual Medicare-Medicaid eligibility, relevant medical conditions, and risk scores. Risk scores were based on the Health and Human Services Hierarchical Conditions Categories risk adjustment model using claims from the preceding year . For patients receiving biosimilars, we identified whether a patient had previously used the originator biologic.…”

“…4 , 5 Even when launched, biosimilar uptake in the United States has been slow. 6 , 7 , 8 , 9 Identifying characteristics associated with biosimilar use can clarify which barriers are likely driving the slow adoption 10 , 11 , 12 , 13 , 14 and may help to develop policies to encourage the uptake of biosimilars.…”