Whether an association between oral levothyroxine use, leading to supraphysiological exposure of the colon to thyroid hormones, and risk of colorectal cancer exists in humans is unclear. We therefore aimed to assess whether the use of levothyroxine is associated with a reduced risk of colorectal cancer in a linked cohort of pharmacy and cancer data.
Purpose: Evidence is insufficient to infer whether topical calcineurin inhibitors (TCIs; tacrolimus and pimecrolimus) cause malignancy. The study objective was to estimate the long-term risk of skin cancer and lymphoma associated with topical TCI use in adults and children, separately.
Aims: Drug exposure status based on routinely collected data might be misclassified when the database contains only prescriptions from 1 type of prescriber (e.g. general practitioner and not specialist). This study aims to quantify the impact of such exposure misclassification on the risk of major bleeding and stroke/transient ischaemic attack (TIA)associated with direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) vs. vitamin K antagonists (VKAs).
Background: Hydroxyzine is indicated for the management of anxiety, skin and sleep disorders. In 2015, the European Medicines Agency (EMA) concluded that hydroxyzine was pro-arrhythmogenic and changes to the product information were implemented in Europe. This study aimed to evaluate their impact in Denmark, Scotland, England and the Netherlands.
Objective: Due to cardiovascular safety concerns, the European Medicines Agency (EMA) recommended new contraindications and changes to product information for diclofenac across Europe in 2013. This study aims to measure their impact among targeted populations.
Objectives: Pharmacological treatment of peripheral arterial disease (PAD) comprises of antiplatelet therapy (APT), blood pressure control and cholesterol optimisation. Guidelines provide class-I recommendations on the prescription, but there are little data on the actual prescription practices. Our study provides insight into the prescription of medication among patients with PAD in the Netherlands and reports a ‘real-world’ patient journey through primary and secondary care.
PURPOSE: In June 2013 a European Medicines Agency referral procedure concluded that diclofenac was associated with an elevated risk of acute cardiovascular events and contraindications, warnings, and changes to the product information were implemened across the European Union. This study measured the impact of the regulatory action on the prescribing of systemic diclofenac in Denmark, The Netherlands, England, and Scotland
To characterize the use of olodaterol and indacaterol in clinical practice and to quantify the off-label use in asthma. Drug utilization study of new users of olodaterol or indacaterol between 2014 and 2017 in the PHARMO Database Network in the Neterlands, the Danish population registers, and the IMS Real-World Evidence Longitudinal Patient Database panels in France
OBJECTIVES: Laboratory monitoring of patients using lithium is important to prevent harm and to increase effectiveness. The aim of this study is to determine compliance with the guidelines for laboratory monitoring of patients treated with lithiumverall and within subgroups. METHODS: Patients having at least one lithium dispensing for six months or longer between January 2010 and December 2015 were identified retrospectively using data from the Dutch PHARMO Database Network
OBJECTIVES: Use of benzodiazepines has health risks. Reimbursement was restricted in the Netherlands from January 2009 onwards with the goal to reduce chronic use and healthcare expenditures. The aim of this study is to assess the initial and long-erm effects of this policy on benzodiazepine use. DESIGN: Interrupted time series analysis, segmented regression models, Kaplan-Meier survival analysis and Cox proportional hazards analysis
