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Robert C Kern - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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evaluating the supportive care costs of severe radiochemotherapy induced mucositis and Pharyngitis results from a northwestern university costs of cancer program pilot study with head and neck and nonsmall cell lung cancer patients who received care
Cancer, 2008Co-Authors: Neal Dandade, Talar W Markossian, Mark Agulnik, Robert C Kern, Narissa J. Nonzee, Jyoti D. Patel, Athanassios ArgirisAbstract:BACKGROUND. Few studies have examined the costs of supportive care for radiochemotherapy-induced mucosits/Pharyngitis among patients with head and neck cancer (HNC) or lung cancers despite the documented negative clinical impact of these complications. METHODS. The authors identified a retrospective cohort of patients with HNC or nonsmall lung cancer (NSCLC) who had received radiochemotherapy at 1 of 3 Chicago hospitals (a Veterans Administration hospital, a county hospital, or a tertiary care hospital). Charts were reviewed for the presence/absence of severe mucositis/Pharyngitis and the medical resources that were used. Resource estimates were converted into cost units obtained from standard sources (hospital bills, Medicare physician fee schedule, Red Book). Estimates of resources used and direct medical costs were compared for patients who did and patients who did not develop severe mucositis/Pharyngitis. RESULTS. Severe mucositis/Pharyngitis occurred in 70.1% of 99 patients with HNC and in 37.5% of 40 patients with NSCLC during radiochemotherapy. The total median medical costs per patient were $39,313 for patients with mucositis/Pharyngitis and $20,798 for patients without mucositis/Pharyngitis (P = .007). Extended inpatient hospitalization accounted for $12,600 of the increased medical costs (median 14 days [$19,600] with severe mucositis/Pharyngitis vs 5 days [$7000] without; P = .017). For patients who had HNC with mucositis/Pharyngitis, incremental inpatient hospitalization costs were $14,000, and total medical costs were $17,244. For patients who had NSCLC with mucositis/Pharyngitis, these costs were $11,200 and $25,000, respectively. CONCLUSIONS. In the current study, the medical costs among the patients with HNC and NSCLC who received radiochemotherapy were greater for those who developed severe mucositis/Pharyngitis than for those who did not. Cancer 2008. © 2008 American Cancer Society.
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evaluating the supportive care costs of severe radiochemotherapy lnduced mucositis and Pharyngitis results from a northwestern university costs of cancer program pilot study with head and neck and nonsmall cell lung cancer patients who received care at a county hospital a veterans administration hospital or a comprehensive cancer care center
Cancer, 2008Co-Authors: Neal Dandade, Talar W Markossian, Mark Agulnik, Robert C Kern, Narissa J. Nonzee, Jyoti D. Patel, Athanassios ArgirisAbstract:BACKGROUND. Few studies have examined the costs of supportive care for radiochemotherapy-induced mucosits/Pharyngitis among patients with head and neck cancer (HNC) or lung cancers despite the documented negative clinical impact of these complications. METHODS. The authors identified a retrospective cohort of patients with HNC or nonsmall lung cancer (NSCLC) who had received radiochemotherapy at 1 of 3 Chicago hospitals (a Veterans Administration hospital, a county hospital, or a tertiary care hospital). Charts were reviewed for the presence/absence of severe mucositis/Pharyngitis and the medical resources that were used. Resource estimates were converted into cost units obtained from standard sources (hospital bills, Medicare physician fee schedule, Red Book). Estimates of resources used and direct medical costs were compared for patients who did and patients who did not develop severe mucositis/Pharyngitis. RESULTS. Severe mucositis/Pharyngitis occurred in 70.1% of 99 patients with HNC and in 37.5% of 40 patients with NSCLC during radiochemotherapy. The total median medical costs per patient were $39,313 for patients with mucositis/Pharyngitis and $20,798 for patients without mucositis/Pharyngitis (P = .007). Extended inpatient hospitalization accounted for $12,600 of the increased medical costs (median 14 days [$19,600] with severe mucositis/Pharyngitis vs 5 days [$7000] without; P = .017). For patients who had HNC with mucositis/Pharyngitis, incremental inpatient hospitalization costs were $14,000, and total medical costs were $17,244. For patients who had NSCLC with mucositis/Pharyngitis, these costs were $11,200 and $25,000, respectively. CONCLUSIONS. In the current study, the medical costs among the patients with HNC and NSCLC who received radiochemotherapy were greater for those who developed severe mucositis/Pharyngitis than for those who did not. Cancer 2008. © 2008 American Cancer Society.
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evaluating the supportive care costs of severe radiochemotherapy lnduced mucositis and Pharyngitis results from a northwestern university costs of cancer program pilot study with head and neck and nonsmall cell lung cancer patients who received care at a county hospital a veterans administration hospital or a comprehensive cancer care center
Cancer, 2008Co-Authors: Neal Dandade, Talar W Markossian, Mark Agulnik, Robert C Kern, Narissa J. Nonzee, Jyoti D. Patel, Athanassios ArgirisAbstract:BACKGROUND: Few studies have examined the costs of supportive care for radiochemotherapy-induced mucosits/Pharyngitis among patients with head and neck cancer (HNC) or lung cancers despite the documented negative clinical impact of these complications. METHODS: The authors identified a retrospective cohort of patients with HNC or nonsmall lung cancer (NSCLC) who had received radiochemotherapy at 1 of 3 Chicago hospitals (a Veterans Administration hospital, a county hospital, or a tertiary care hospital). Charts were reviewed for the presence/absence of severe mucositis/Pharyngitis and the medical resources that were used. Resource estimates were converted into cost units obtained from standard sources (hospital bills, Medicare physician fee schedule, Red Book). Estimates of resources used and direct medical costs were compared for patients who did and patients who did not develop severe mucositis/Pharyngitis. RESULTS: Severe mucositis/Pharyngitis occurred in 70.1% of 99 patients with HNC and in 37.5% of 40 patients with NSCLC during radiochemotherapy. The total median medical costs per patient were USD 39,313 for patients with mucositis/Pharyngitis and USD 20,798 for patients without mucositis/Pharyngitis (P = .007). Extended inpatient hospitalization accounted for USD 12,600 of the increased medical costs (median 14 days [USD 19,600] with severe mucositis/Pharyngitis vs 5 days [USD 7,000] without; P = .017). For patients who had HNC with mucositis/Pharyngitis, incremental inpatient hospitalization costs were USD 14,000, and total medical costs were USD 17,244. For patients who had NSCLC with mucositis/Pharyngitis, these costs were USD 11,200 and USD 25,000, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: In the current study, the medical costs among the patients with HNC and NSCLC who received radiochemotherapy were greater for those who developed severe mucositis/Pharyngitis than for those who did not.
Narissa J. Nonzee - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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evaluating the supportive care costs of severe radiochemotherapy induced mucositis and Pharyngitis results from a northwestern university costs of cancer program pilot study with head and neck and nonsmall cell lung cancer patients who received care
Cancer, 2008Co-Authors: Neal Dandade, Talar W Markossian, Mark Agulnik, Robert C Kern, Narissa J. Nonzee, Jyoti D. Patel, Athanassios ArgirisAbstract:BACKGROUND. Few studies have examined the costs of supportive care for radiochemotherapy-induced mucosits/Pharyngitis among patients with head and neck cancer (HNC) or lung cancers despite the documented negative clinical impact of these complications. METHODS. The authors identified a retrospective cohort of patients with HNC or nonsmall lung cancer (NSCLC) who had received radiochemotherapy at 1 of 3 Chicago hospitals (a Veterans Administration hospital, a county hospital, or a tertiary care hospital). Charts were reviewed for the presence/absence of severe mucositis/Pharyngitis and the medical resources that were used. Resource estimates were converted into cost units obtained from standard sources (hospital bills, Medicare physician fee schedule, Red Book). Estimates of resources used and direct medical costs were compared for patients who did and patients who did not develop severe mucositis/Pharyngitis. RESULTS. Severe mucositis/Pharyngitis occurred in 70.1% of 99 patients with HNC and in 37.5% of 40 patients with NSCLC during radiochemotherapy. The total median medical costs per patient were $39,313 for patients with mucositis/Pharyngitis and $20,798 for patients without mucositis/Pharyngitis (P = .007). Extended inpatient hospitalization accounted for $12,600 of the increased medical costs (median 14 days [$19,600] with severe mucositis/Pharyngitis vs 5 days [$7000] without; P = .017). For patients who had HNC with mucositis/Pharyngitis, incremental inpatient hospitalization costs were $14,000, and total medical costs were $17,244. For patients who had NSCLC with mucositis/Pharyngitis, these costs were $11,200 and $25,000, respectively. CONCLUSIONS. In the current study, the medical costs among the patients with HNC and NSCLC who received radiochemotherapy were greater for those who developed severe mucositis/Pharyngitis than for those who did not. Cancer 2008. © 2008 American Cancer Society.
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evaluating the supportive care costs of severe radiochemotherapy lnduced mucositis and Pharyngitis results from a northwestern university costs of cancer program pilot study with head and neck and nonsmall cell lung cancer patients who received care at a county hospital a veterans administration hospital or a comprehensive cancer care center
Cancer, 2008Co-Authors: Neal Dandade, Talar W Markossian, Mark Agulnik, Robert C Kern, Narissa J. Nonzee, Jyoti D. Patel, Athanassios ArgirisAbstract:BACKGROUND. Few studies have examined the costs of supportive care for radiochemotherapy-induced mucosits/Pharyngitis among patients with head and neck cancer (HNC) or lung cancers despite the documented negative clinical impact of these complications. METHODS. The authors identified a retrospective cohort of patients with HNC or nonsmall lung cancer (NSCLC) who had received radiochemotherapy at 1 of 3 Chicago hospitals (a Veterans Administration hospital, a county hospital, or a tertiary care hospital). Charts were reviewed for the presence/absence of severe mucositis/Pharyngitis and the medical resources that were used. Resource estimates were converted into cost units obtained from standard sources (hospital bills, Medicare physician fee schedule, Red Book). Estimates of resources used and direct medical costs were compared for patients who did and patients who did not develop severe mucositis/Pharyngitis. RESULTS. Severe mucositis/Pharyngitis occurred in 70.1% of 99 patients with HNC and in 37.5% of 40 patients with NSCLC during radiochemotherapy. The total median medical costs per patient were $39,313 for patients with mucositis/Pharyngitis and $20,798 for patients without mucositis/Pharyngitis (P = .007). Extended inpatient hospitalization accounted for $12,600 of the increased medical costs (median 14 days [$19,600] with severe mucositis/Pharyngitis vs 5 days [$7000] without; P = .017). For patients who had HNC with mucositis/Pharyngitis, incremental inpatient hospitalization costs were $14,000, and total medical costs were $17,244. For patients who had NSCLC with mucositis/Pharyngitis, these costs were $11,200 and $25,000, respectively. CONCLUSIONS. In the current study, the medical costs among the patients with HNC and NSCLC who received radiochemotherapy were greater for those who developed severe mucositis/Pharyngitis than for those who did not. Cancer 2008. © 2008 American Cancer Society.
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evaluating the supportive care costs of severe radiochemotherapy lnduced mucositis and Pharyngitis results from a northwestern university costs of cancer program pilot study with head and neck and nonsmall cell lung cancer patients who received care at a county hospital a veterans administration hospital or a comprehensive cancer care center
Cancer, 2008Co-Authors: Neal Dandade, Talar W Markossian, Mark Agulnik, Robert C Kern, Narissa J. Nonzee, Jyoti D. Patel, Athanassios ArgirisAbstract:BACKGROUND: Few studies have examined the costs of supportive care for radiochemotherapy-induced mucosits/Pharyngitis among patients with head and neck cancer (HNC) or lung cancers despite the documented negative clinical impact of these complications. METHODS: The authors identified a retrospective cohort of patients with HNC or nonsmall lung cancer (NSCLC) who had received radiochemotherapy at 1 of 3 Chicago hospitals (a Veterans Administration hospital, a county hospital, or a tertiary care hospital). Charts were reviewed for the presence/absence of severe mucositis/Pharyngitis and the medical resources that were used. Resource estimates were converted into cost units obtained from standard sources (hospital bills, Medicare physician fee schedule, Red Book). Estimates of resources used and direct medical costs were compared for patients who did and patients who did not develop severe mucositis/Pharyngitis. RESULTS: Severe mucositis/Pharyngitis occurred in 70.1% of 99 patients with HNC and in 37.5% of 40 patients with NSCLC during radiochemotherapy. The total median medical costs per patient were USD 39,313 for patients with mucositis/Pharyngitis and USD 20,798 for patients without mucositis/Pharyngitis (P = .007). Extended inpatient hospitalization accounted for USD 12,600 of the increased medical costs (median 14 days [USD 19,600] with severe mucositis/Pharyngitis vs 5 days [USD 7,000] without; P = .017). For patients who had HNC with mucositis/Pharyngitis, incremental inpatient hospitalization costs were USD 14,000, and total medical costs were USD 17,244. For patients who had NSCLC with mucositis/Pharyngitis, these costs were USD 11,200 and USD 25,000, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: In the current study, the medical costs among the patients with HNC and NSCLC who received radiochemotherapy were greater for those who developed severe mucositis/Pharyngitis than for those who did not.
Edward A Belongia - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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spectrum bias of a rapid antigen detection test for group a beta hemolytic streptococcal Pharyngitis in a pediatric population
Pediatrics, 2004Co-Authors: Matthew C Hall, Burney A Kieke, Ralph Gonzales, Edward A BelongiaAbstract:BACKGROUND: Rapid antigen detection testing (RADT) is often performed for diagnosis of group A beta-hemolytic streptococcal (GABHS) Pharyngitis among children. Among adults, the sensitivity of this test varies on the basis of disease severity (spectrum bias). A similar phenomenon may occur when this test is used in a pediatric population, which may affect the need for culture confirmation of all negative RADT results. OBJECTIVES: To assess the performance of a clinical scoring system and to determine whether RADT spectrum bias is present among children who are evaluated for GABHS Pharyngitis. METHODS: Laboratory and clinical records for a consecutive series of pediatric patients who underwent RADT at the Marshfield Clinic between January 2002 and March 2002 were reviewed retrospectively. Patients were stratified according to the number of clinical features present by using modified Centor criteria, ie, history of fever, absence of cough, presence of pharyngeal exudates, and cervical lymphadenopathy. The sensitivity of the RADT was defined as the number of patients with positive RADT results divided by the number of patients with either positive RADT results or negative RADT results but positive throat culture results. RESULTS: RADT results were positive for 117 of 561 children (21%), and culture results were positive for 35 of 444 children (8%) with negative RADT results. The overall prevalence of GABHS Pharyngitis was 27% (95% confidence interval: 23-31%). The prevalence of GABHS Pharyngitis was 18% among patients with 0 Centor criteria, 16% among those with 1 criterion, 32% among those with 2 criteria, and 50% among those with 3 or 4 criteria. Spectrum bias was present, inasmuch as RADT sensitivity increased with Centor scores, ie, 47% sensitivity among children with 0 Centor criteria, 65% among those with 1 criterion, 82% among those with 2 criteria, and 90% among those with 3 or 4 criteria. CONCLUSIONS: The sensitivity of RADT for GABHS Pharyngitis is not a fixed value but varies with the severity of disease. However, even among pediatric patients with > or =3 Centor criteria for GABHS Pharyngitis, the sensitivity of RADT is still too low to support the use of RADT without culture confirmation of negative results.
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spectrum bias of a rapid antigen detection test for group a beta hemolytic streptococcal Pharyngitis in a pediatric population
Pediatrics, 2004Co-Authors: Matthew C Hall, Burney A Kieke, Ralph Gonzales, Edward A BelongiaAbstract:Background. Rapid antigen detection testing (RADT) is often performed for diagnosis of group A β-hemolytic streptococcal (GABHS) Pharyngitis among children. Among adults, the sensitivity of this test varies on the basis of disease severity (spectrum bias). A similar phenomenon may occur when this test is used in a pediatric population, which may affect the need for culture confirmation of all negative RADT results. Objectives. To assess the performance of a clinical scoring system and to determine whether RADT spectrum bias is present among children who are evaluated for GABHS Pharyngitis. Methods. Laboratory and clinical records for a consecutive series of pediatric patients who underwent RADT at the Marshfield Clinic between January 2002 and March 2002 were reviewed retrospectively. Patients were stratified according to the number of clinical features present by using modified Centor criteria, ie, history of fever, absence of cough, presence of pharyngeal exudates, and cervical lymphadenopathy. The sensitivity of the RADT was defined as the number of patients with positive RADT results divided by the number of patients with either positive RADT results or negative RADT results but positive throat culture results. Results. RADT results were positive for 117 of 561 children (21%), and culture results were positive for 35 of 444 children (8%) with negative RADT results. The overall prevalence of GABHS Pharyngitis was 27% (95% confidence interval: 23–31%). The prevalence of GABHS Pharyngitis was 18% among patients with 0 Centor criteria, 16% among those with 1 criterion, 32% among those with 2 criteria, and 50% among those with 3 or 4 criteria. Spectrum bias was present, inasmuch as RADT sensitivity increased with Centor scores, ie, 47% sensitivity among children with 0 Centor criteria, 65% among those with 1 criterion, 82% among those with 2 criteria, and 90% among those with 3 or 4 criteria. Conclusions. The sensitivity of RADT for GABHS Pharyngitis is not a fixed value but varies with the severity of disease. However, even among pediatric patients with ≥3 Centor criteria for GABHS Pharyngitis, the sensitivity of RADT is still too low to support the use of RADT without culture confirmation of negative results.
Neal Dandade - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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evaluating the supportive care costs of severe radiochemotherapy induced mucositis and Pharyngitis results from a northwestern university costs of cancer program pilot study with head and neck and nonsmall cell lung cancer patients who received care
Cancer, 2008Co-Authors: Neal Dandade, Talar W Markossian, Mark Agulnik, Robert C Kern, Narissa J. Nonzee, Jyoti D. Patel, Athanassios ArgirisAbstract:BACKGROUND. Few studies have examined the costs of supportive care for radiochemotherapy-induced mucosits/Pharyngitis among patients with head and neck cancer (HNC) or lung cancers despite the documented negative clinical impact of these complications. METHODS. The authors identified a retrospective cohort of patients with HNC or nonsmall lung cancer (NSCLC) who had received radiochemotherapy at 1 of 3 Chicago hospitals (a Veterans Administration hospital, a county hospital, or a tertiary care hospital). Charts were reviewed for the presence/absence of severe mucositis/Pharyngitis and the medical resources that were used. Resource estimates were converted into cost units obtained from standard sources (hospital bills, Medicare physician fee schedule, Red Book). Estimates of resources used and direct medical costs were compared for patients who did and patients who did not develop severe mucositis/Pharyngitis. RESULTS. Severe mucositis/Pharyngitis occurred in 70.1% of 99 patients with HNC and in 37.5% of 40 patients with NSCLC during radiochemotherapy. The total median medical costs per patient were $39,313 for patients with mucositis/Pharyngitis and $20,798 for patients without mucositis/Pharyngitis (P = .007). Extended inpatient hospitalization accounted for $12,600 of the increased medical costs (median 14 days [$19,600] with severe mucositis/Pharyngitis vs 5 days [$7000] without; P = .017). For patients who had HNC with mucositis/Pharyngitis, incremental inpatient hospitalization costs were $14,000, and total medical costs were $17,244. For patients who had NSCLC with mucositis/Pharyngitis, these costs were $11,200 and $25,000, respectively. CONCLUSIONS. In the current study, the medical costs among the patients with HNC and NSCLC who received radiochemotherapy were greater for those who developed severe mucositis/Pharyngitis than for those who did not. Cancer 2008. © 2008 American Cancer Society.
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evaluating the supportive care costs of severe radiochemotherapy lnduced mucositis and Pharyngitis results from a northwestern university costs of cancer program pilot study with head and neck and nonsmall cell lung cancer patients who received care at a county hospital a veterans administration hospital or a comprehensive cancer care center
Cancer, 2008Co-Authors: Neal Dandade, Talar W Markossian, Mark Agulnik, Robert C Kern, Narissa J. Nonzee, Jyoti D. Patel, Athanassios ArgirisAbstract:BACKGROUND. Few studies have examined the costs of supportive care for radiochemotherapy-induced mucosits/Pharyngitis among patients with head and neck cancer (HNC) or lung cancers despite the documented negative clinical impact of these complications. METHODS. The authors identified a retrospective cohort of patients with HNC or nonsmall lung cancer (NSCLC) who had received radiochemotherapy at 1 of 3 Chicago hospitals (a Veterans Administration hospital, a county hospital, or a tertiary care hospital). Charts were reviewed for the presence/absence of severe mucositis/Pharyngitis and the medical resources that were used. Resource estimates were converted into cost units obtained from standard sources (hospital bills, Medicare physician fee schedule, Red Book). Estimates of resources used and direct medical costs were compared for patients who did and patients who did not develop severe mucositis/Pharyngitis. RESULTS. Severe mucositis/Pharyngitis occurred in 70.1% of 99 patients with HNC and in 37.5% of 40 patients with NSCLC during radiochemotherapy. The total median medical costs per patient were $39,313 for patients with mucositis/Pharyngitis and $20,798 for patients without mucositis/Pharyngitis (P = .007). Extended inpatient hospitalization accounted for $12,600 of the increased medical costs (median 14 days [$19,600] with severe mucositis/Pharyngitis vs 5 days [$7000] without; P = .017). For patients who had HNC with mucositis/Pharyngitis, incremental inpatient hospitalization costs were $14,000, and total medical costs were $17,244. For patients who had NSCLC with mucositis/Pharyngitis, these costs were $11,200 and $25,000, respectively. CONCLUSIONS. In the current study, the medical costs among the patients with HNC and NSCLC who received radiochemotherapy were greater for those who developed severe mucositis/Pharyngitis than for those who did not. Cancer 2008. © 2008 American Cancer Society.
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evaluating the supportive care costs of severe radiochemotherapy lnduced mucositis and Pharyngitis results from a northwestern university costs of cancer program pilot study with head and neck and nonsmall cell lung cancer patients who received care at a county hospital a veterans administration hospital or a comprehensive cancer care center
Cancer, 2008Co-Authors: Neal Dandade, Talar W Markossian, Mark Agulnik, Robert C Kern, Narissa J. Nonzee, Jyoti D. Patel, Athanassios ArgirisAbstract:BACKGROUND: Few studies have examined the costs of supportive care for radiochemotherapy-induced mucosits/Pharyngitis among patients with head and neck cancer (HNC) or lung cancers despite the documented negative clinical impact of these complications. METHODS: The authors identified a retrospective cohort of patients with HNC or nonsmall lung cancer (NSCLC) who had received radiochemotherapy at 1 of 3 Chicago hospitals (a Veterans Administration hospital, a county hospital, or a tertiary care hospital). Charts were reviewed for the presence/absence of severe mucositis/Pharyngitis and the medical resources that were used. Resource estimates were converted into cost units obtained from standard sources (hospital bills, Medicare physician fee schedule, Red Book). Estimates of resources used and direct medical costs were compared for patients who did and patients who did not develop severe mucositis/Pharyngitis. RESULTS: Severe mucositis/Pharyngitis occurred in 70.1% of 99 patients with HNC and in 37.5% of 40 patients with NSCLC during radiochemotherapy. The total median medical costs per patient were USD 39,313 for patients with mucositis/Pharyngitis and USD 20,798 for patients without mucositis/Pharyngitis (P = .007). Extended inpatient hospitalization accounted for USD 12,600 of the increased medical costs (median 14 days [USD 19,600] with severe mucositis/Pharyngitis vs 5 days [USD 7,000] without; P = .017). For patients who had HNC with mucositis/Pharyngitis, incremental inpatient hospitalization costs were USD 14,000, and total medical costs were USD 17,244. For patients who had NSCLC with mucositis/Pharyngitis, these costs were USD 11,200 and USD 25,000, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: In the current study, the medical costs among the patients with HNC and NSCLC who received radiochemotherapy were greater for those who developed severe mucositis/Pharyngitis than for those who did not.
Christian Streitberger - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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clinical evaluation of the oral probiotic streptococcus salivarius k12 in the prevention of recurrent Pharyngitis and or tonsillitis caused by streptococcus pyogenes in adults
Expert Opinion on Biological Therapy, 2013Co-Authors: Francesco Di Pierro, Teresa Adami, Giuliana Rapacioli, Nadia Giardini, Christian StreitbergerAbstract:Background: Streptococcus salivarius K12 has been shown to inhibit the growth of Streptococcus pyogenes due to bacteriocins release. Because of its ability to colonize the oral cavity, we have tested the strain K12 for its efficacy in preventing streptococcal Pharyngitis and/or tonsillitis in adults. Methods: Forty adults with a diagnosis of recurrent oral streptococcal Pharyngitis were enrolled in the study. Twenty of these subjects took for 90 days a tablet containing Streptococcus salivarius K12 (Bactoblis®). The other 20 subjects served as untreated controls. A 6-month follow-up was included to evaluate any persistent protective role. Results: The 20 adults who completed the 90-day course of Bactoblis® showed a reduction in their episodes of streptococcal pharyngeal infection (about 80%). The 90 days treatment was also associated with an approximately 60% reduction in the incidence of reported Pharyngitis in the 6-month period following use of the product. The product was well tolerated by the subject...