OBJECTIVE: To assess the learning curve of novice residents in diagnosing acute appendicitis using abdominal computed tomography (CT) scans. METHODS: This prospective observational study was conducted within a 4-month period from March 1 to June 30, 2015. After CT scans for right lower quadrant pain or similar acute abdomen were evaluated, postgraduate year 1 (PGY-1) residents completed an interpretation checklist. The primary outcome was evaluation of the learning curve for competent CT scan interpretation under suspicion of acute appendicitis. Secondary outcomes were cumulative numbers of accurate abdominal CT interpretations regardless of initial clinical impression and training period. RESULTS: PGY-1 residents recorded a total of 230 interpretation checklists. There were 53, 51, 46, 44, and 36 checklists recorded by individual residents and 92, 92, 91, 91, and 61 respective training days in the emergency department, excluding rotation periods in other departments. After 16 to 20 interpretations of abdominal CT scans performed under suspicion of acute appendicitis, the residents could diagnose acute appendicitis with more than 95% accuracy. Overall, the sensitivity and specificity for diagnosing acute appendicitis were 97% (95% confidence interval, 94 to 100) and 83% (95% confidence interval, 80 to 87), respectively. After 61 to 80 abdominal CT interpretations regardless of suspicion of acute appendicitis and after 41 to 50 days in training, PGY-1 emergency department residents could diagnose acute appendicitis with more than 95% accuracy. CONCLUSION: PGY-1 residents require 16 to 20 checklist interpretations to acquire acceptable abdominal CT interpretation. After performing 61 to 80 CT scans regardless of suspicion of acute appendicitis, they could diagnose acute appendicitis with acceptable accuracy.
Abdomen, Acute ; Appendicitis* ; Checklist ; Diagnosis* ; Emergency Service, Hospital ; Learning Curve* ; Learning* ; Observational Study* ; Prospective Studies* ; Sensitivity and Specificity ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed

PURPOSE: To evaluate the effects of anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) treatment on the healthcare-related finances of patients with age-related macular degeneration. METHODS: Changes in health care financing due to newly introduced benefit standards were predicted over the coming 5-year period (2018–2022). We also analyzed the financial impact of scenarios in which agents similar to anti-VEGF, such as the over-licensed drug bevacizumab, were introduced. For this purpose, the future number of patients receiving anti-VEGF treatments was estimated for various scenarios based on National Health Insurance Corporation claims data followed by an estimate of the financial burden. RESULTS: In the case of age-related macular degeneration, the current standard of care (14 times in a lifetime) was maintained in scenario 1. In 2018, the insurance budget for the coming 5-year period was estimated at approximately 440.3 billion won. The insurance cost for that period was estimated at approximately 560.1 billion won under the revised standard of December 2017 (scenario 2). For scenarios wherein, after 2020, similar treatments (scenario 3) and bevacizumab (scenario 4) were introduced, the estimated health insurance costs were 521 billion won and 419.7 billion won, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Health insurance costs are projected to increase substantially due to the elimination of the 14 time pay standard; however, the actual budget will only moderately increase, due to new limitations of visual acuity ≤ 0.1 or in case of scarring/ atrophic lesions. Clinically similar agents and bevacizumab could be considered as alternatives to anti-VEGF treatment for age-related macular degeneration.
Bevacizumab ; Budgets ; Delivery of Health Care ; Endothelial Growth Factors ; Humans ; Insurance ; Insurance, Health ; Macular Degeneration ; National Health Programs ; Ranibizumab ; Standard of Care ; Visual Acuity

PURPOSE: Intravitreal aflibercept, ranibizumab, bevacizumab, and dexamethasone are the most widely used drugs in the treatment of diabetic macular edema (DME). The aim of this study was to compare the efficacy and safety of anti-vascular endothelial growth factors and dexamethasone for the treatment of DME. METHODS: There were nine previous systematic reviews on this topic; we updated these high-quality reviews. Seven studies were added to two studies following a literature search. Efficacy outcomes were 1) average improvement in visual acuity, 2) proportion of patients who experienced an improvement in vision (an increase in best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) of ≥ 15 in the Early Treatment Diabetic Retinopathy Study [ETDRS]), and 3) proportion of patients who experienced worsening vision (a decrease in BCVA of ≥ 15 in the ETDRS). Safety outcomes included systemic adverse events and ocular-related adverse events. RESULTS: The mean difference in the BCVA for ranibizumab versus bevacizumab treatment was 0.16 (95% confidence interval [CI]: −0.02, 0.34), and that for ranibizumab versus aflibercept was −0.08 (95% CI: −0.26, 0.10). The mean difference in the change of BCVA for aflibercept versus ranibizumab was −0.20 (95% CI: −0.40, −0.01), and that for aflibercept versus bevacizumab was −0.34 (95% CI: −0.53, −0.14). Other efficacy outcomes showed similar trends, and there was no significant difference between treatments. There was also no significant difference in both systemic and ocular adverse events rates between the treatments. CONCLUSIONS: In DME patients, the efficacy of aflibercept was found to be higher with respect to BCVA changes compared with ranibizumab or bevacizumab. However, there were no significant difference in terms of visual acuity improvement or visual acuity of more than 15 letters, nor in terms of anti-vascular endothelial growth factors (as a safety outcome).
Bevacizumab ; Dexamethasone ; Diabetic Retinopathy ; Endothelial Growth Factors ; Humans ; Intravitreal Injections ; Macular Edema ; Ranibizumab ; Visual Acuity

PURPOSE: This study investigated the optimal strategy to minimize budgetary constraints on National Health Insurance (NHI) services, while maximizing the number of diabetic macular edema (DME) patients who receive anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (anti-VEGF) therapy. METHODS: We estimated the potential budget impact of anti-VEGF treatments in DME patients based on perceived upcoming changes in reimbursement fees over the next 5 years (2018–2022). Four scenarios were evaluated: (1) current anti-VEGF treatment patterns, (2) the hypothetical reimbursement fee, (3) the introduction of a new molecule similar to current anti-VEGF treatments, and (4) the prescription of an off-label drug, bevacizumab. The number of patients, anti-VEGF treatments, and medical costs for each scenario were calculated using claims data from the Korean NHI system and anti-VEGF prescription data from a single hospital. RESULTS: The potential budget impact of anti-VEGF injections in patients with DME over the next 5 years was estimated to be about 97.7 billion and 106.2 billion KRW for scenarios 1 and 2, respectively. In scenario 3, in which a biosimilar product to anti- VEGF is used, the estimated budget of the NHI system would be approximately 98.4 billion KRW. If an off-label drug is reimbursed, roughly 79.5 billion KRW will be required for the NHI system's budget. CONCLUSIONS: If the revised fee structure for AMD patients is similarly applied to anti-VEGF injections for DME patients, the NHI fiscal requirements will increase disproportionately over the next 5 years compared to current reimbursement conditions. Given the growth of DME patients in toda's patient population, the use of a biosimilar or off-label drug is a financially viable alternative to reduce the overall burden on the NHI system.
Bevacizumab ; Budgets ; Endothelial Growth Factors ; Fees and Charges ; Humans ; Macular Edema ; National Health Programs ; Prescriptions ; Ranibizumab ; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A

PURPOSE: To evaluate the current use of intravitreal injection of anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (anti-VEGF) in patients with diabetic retinopathy. METHODS: We determined the current number of diabetic retinopathy patients and their medical expenditure using National Health Insurance Service claims data (2007-2016). We also analyzed the medical costs of patients with diabetic retinopathy who received anti-VEGF treatment, including ranibizumab and aflibercept. We then evaluated aspects of the use of anti-VEGF injections, such as frequency and intervals, in newly diagnosed diabetic retinopathy patients who received anti-VEGF treatment, along with their medical costs. RESULTS: The number of patients with diabetic retinopathy was 397,956 in 2009 and 721,310 in 2016, a 1.8-fold increase over 8 years. Of these, the number of patients undergoing anti-VEGF therapy was 4,283 in 2015 and 4,270 in 2016. Of the diabetic retinopathy patients in 2016, the total medical cost of those treated with anti-VEGF was 1.5 billion won, and the average medical cost per person was 3,531,064 won. CONCLUSIONS: Based on the National Health Insurance claims data, the use of ranibizumab and aflibercept is increasing. The results of this study suggest that diabetic retinopathy will become an important public health issue.
Diabetic Retinopathy ; Endothelial Growth Factors ; Health Expenditures ; Humans ; Intravitreal Injections ; National Health Programs ; Public Health ; Ranibizumab

PURPOSE: To evaluate the current use of intravitreal injections of anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (anti-VEGF) in patients with age-related macular degeneration (AMD). METHODS: We analyzed the number and medical costs of patients with AMD diagnosed by the National Health Insurance Corporation (2007–2016). We also analyzed the number and medical costs of such patients who received anti-VEGF treatment, and analyzed the frequency, period of use, and average medical cost of anti-VEGF use in AMD patients. Finally, we evaluated the use of anti-VEGF injections for new AMD patients. RESULTS: The number of patients with AMD was 236,158 in 2009 and 537,528 in 2016, which represented a 2.3-fold increase over 8 years. Of these, the number of patients undergoing anti-VEGF therapy increased steadily from 9,961 in 2009 to 35,762 in 2016. The mean number of cycles of ranibizumab or aflibercept per patient was 4.87 ± 3.37, and the mean interval between treatments was 2.89 months. On average, 6.2 injections were performed in the first year of diagnosis, and the frequency of use decreased with time, with an average of 1.2 cycles after 4 years of diagnosis. Among all AMD patients in 2016, the total medical cost of those treated with anti-VEGF was 76.9 billion won, and the average medical cost per person was 2,162,145 won. CONCLUSIONS: The use of two drugs, ranibizumab and aflibercept, as reflected in public health insurance claims, steadily increased over the study period. Notably, there was a tendency to substitute aflibercept for ranibizumab.
Diagnosis ; Endothelial Growth Factors ; Humans ; Insurance ; Intravitreal Injections ; Macular Degeneration ; National Health Programs ; Public Health ; Ranibizumab

PURPOSE: To compare the efficacy and safety of intravitreal injections of bevacizumab, ranibizumab, and aflibercept for the treatment of new patients with age-related macular degeneration (AMD). METHODS: We conducted an update of the most recent and high quality systematic reviews (Canadian Agency for Drug Technology in Health [CADTH] 2016). Three randomized clinical trials were added to 13 trials identified from the CADTH report. The efficacy outcomes were 1) average improvement in visual acuity, 2) proportion of patients who experienced an improvement in vision (an increase in best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) of ≥ 15 on Early Treatment Diabetic Retinopathy Study [ETDRS] letters), and 3) proportion of patients who experienced worsening of vision (decrease in BCVA of ≥ 15 ETDRS letters). In addition, safety outcomes included systemic adverse events and ocular-related adverse events. To analyze the outcomes of 16 randomized controlled trials, we conducted meta-analyses on the outcome measures. RESULTS: There was no significant difference in efficacy outcomes among anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (anti-VEGF) drugs. The mean difference in BCVA between ranibizumab and bevacizumab was 0.33 (95% confidence interval [CI]: −1.29, 1.95), and the odds ratio (OR) for a vision gain in the BCVA of ≥ 15 ETDRS letters for the ranibizumab versus aflibercept treatment was 1.02 (95% CI: 0.80, 1.30). There was also no significant difference in safety outcomes, except in terms of arterial thromboembolic events (ranibizumab vs. bevacizumab; OR: 2.15; 95% CI: 1.04, 4.41). CONCLUSIONS: The efficacy of anti-VEGF drugs for AMD patients was not significantly different. The safety of the drugs was also not significantly different, except in terms of arterial thromboembolic events.
Bevacizumab ; Diabetic Retinopathy ; Endothelial Growth Factors ; Humans ; Intravitreal Injections ; Macular Degeneration ; Odds Ratio ; Outcome Assessment (Health Care) ; Ranibizumab ; Visual Acuity