Background: The aim of this study was to estimate the cost-effectiveness of tiotropium versus salmeterol to inform decision making within the Dutch healthcare setting. Methods: A previously published, validated COPD progression model was updated wih new exacerbation data and adapted to the Dutch setting by including Dutch estimates of healthcare use for COPD maintenance treatment and Dutch unit costs

PURPOSE: Using hospitalization always has been seen as a solid measurement for exacerbation in pharmacoepidemiology, but might lead to an underestimation of disease exacerbation because of a trend towards outpatient care. The aim of this study waso quantify the incidence of different exacerbation markers in obstructive lung disease and to identify predictors for these exacerbation markers

BACKGROUND: Hospitalizations have always been seen as a solid outcome parameter in pharmacoepidemiology. However, the period leading to hospitalization and prehospital management of the patient are equally important. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate medicatin changes in the period prior to hospitalization for obstructive lung disease and to quantify the association between medication use and the risk of hospitalization

OBJECTIVE: Obstructive lung disease is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Some patients are readmitted, but currently predicting parameters for identifying these patients are lacking. The aim of this study was to quantify the incdence of readmission in chronic obstructive lung disease and to identify determinants for hospital readmission