14 research outputs found
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Suture laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis flaps after epithelial ingrowth removal
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Lowering pain and inflammation drug costs: Evaluating the impact of the Mark Cuban Cost Plus drug company model on Medicare savings
No full textBackground: Pain and inflammation are among the most prevalent and debilitating conditions affecting Medicare beneficiaries, with 78% reporting chronic pain and nearly half relying on medications like NSAIDs, acetaminophen, and anticonvulsants for management. These conditions necessitate long-term pharmaceutical interventions, contributing significantly to the rising costs within Medicare Part D, which covers prescription drugs for over 80% of beneficiaries. Current pricing structures and the inability to negotiate prices exacerbate the financial strain on this demographic, leading to high out-of-pocket expenses and reduced medication adherence. This study examines the potential of the Mark Cuban Cost Plus Drug Company (MCCPDC) pricing model to address these challenges by providing affordable alternatives for pain and inflammation medications.Methods: A cross-sectional analysis was conducted comparing 2022 Medicare Part D spending data with 2024 MCCPDC prices for 25 generic medications in their ‘Pain & Inflammation’ category. Cost comparisons were performed for 30 count and 90 count prescriptions, incorporating shipping fees. Data analysis employed volume-adjusted calculations to estimate Medicare cost savings.Results: The analysis indicated potential annual Medicare cost savings of 134 million. Naproxen Sodium ER also demonstrated significant savings, with an estimated reduction of $33 million in costs compared to Medicare’s rates. These findings highlight the potential for substantial cost savings by addressing inefficiencies in Medicare Part D’s current pricing models for high-utilization drugs.Conclusion: Integrating MCCPDC's transparent pricing model into Medicare Part D could substantially reduce costs, improve medication adherence, and alleviate the financial burden on beneficiaries managing chronic pain and inflammation. Physicians play a critical role in this process by informing their patients about alternative pricing models, such as those offered by MCCPDC, to help them access affordable medications. Implementing such a model could serve as a cornerstone for broader healthcare reforms aimed at enhancing affordability in the U.S. healthcare system
Endorsement of artificial intelligence guidelines across leading obstetrics and gynecology journals: A preliminary cross-sectional analysis
No full textBackground: Artificial intelligence (AI) is transforming research in Obstetrics and Gynecology by advancing data analysis, facilitating systematic reviews, and enhancing clinical applications. However, its adoption raises concerns related to transparency, ethical considerations, and reproducibility. This study investigates how leading Obstetrics and Gynecology journals address these concerns and opportunities through their author instructions and editorial policies.Methods: A cross-sectional analysis was conducted on the top 100 peer-reviewed Obstetrics and Gynecology journals, ranked by the 2023 SCImago SJR indicator. Information was collected from each journal's "Instructions for Authors" to assess AI-related policies, including specific guidelines for reporting AI use, authorship criteria, and the role of AI in manuscript development and image creation. Correlation analyses were used to explore the relationship between AI-related policies and the journals’ characteristics.Results: Among the 100 journals reviewed, 92% included guidance on AI usage in their author instructions. Most journals prohibited AI authorship while mandating disclosure of AI involvement in manuscript submissions. While 14% of the journals allowed AI-generated content, only 7% permitted AIgenerated images. Journals with higher impact factors were more likely to have detailed AI policies, although there were notable gaps in standardization and clarity.Conclusion: Although many Obstetrics and Gynecology journals recognize the growing influence of AI in research, few have implemented specific AI reporting guidelines (RGs), limiting the consistency and transparency of AI usage. We advocate for the development of robust and standardized guidelines to ensure that research remains ethical, reproducible, and of high quality in this new era of AI innovation
A cross-sectional study on the endorsement of reporting guidelines and clinical trial registration among immunology and allergy journals.
No full textBackgroundHealthcare practitioners rely on research based on solid evidence for their clinical decisions, ensuring the provision of safe and effective patient care. The use of reporting guidelines and the registration of clinical trials enhance the reliability and credibility of research findings by promoting transparency and minimizing potential biases. However, it remains uncertain to what extent leading immunology and allergy journals have embraced these tools. This study aims to evaluate how commonly reporting guidelines and clinical trial registration are required and endorsed within leading immunology and allergy journals.MethodsWe identified the top 100 journals in the subcategory of "Immunology and Allergy" using the Scopus CiteScore tool for the year 2021. We thoroughly reviewed the "Instructions for Authors" section of each journal, focusing on indications related to specific reporting guidelines as outlined by the Enhancing the Quality and Transparency of Health Research (EQUATOR) Network, as well as the practice of clinical trial registration. Our documentation categorized statements as "Not Mentioned," "Recommended," "Not Accepted," or "Required." The category "Not Accepted" specifically indicated that the journal explicitly did not accept the study designs associated with certain reporting guidelines, rather than implying bias against these guidelines. ensure equitable evaluation, we communicated with each journal to confirm the types of articles they accepted.ResultsAmong the 100 journals assessed, the CONSORT guideline emerged as the most frequently cited, with 60 journals recommending adherence and 13 requiring it. Conversely, the QUOROM guideline was the least commonly cited, with merely two journals recommending its adherence and none requiring it. Nineteen journals did not reference a single reporting guideline. Remarkably, clinical trial registration was required by 42 journals and recommended by 34.ConclusionThis study reveals variation in the adoption of reporting guidelines and clinical trial registration in immunology and allergy journals. While some journals strongly advocate for or require these practices, others do not emphasize them at all. This inconsistency affects research rigor and reproducibility, highlighting the need for stricter enforcement. Editors should encourage these practices to enhance transparency and minimize biases
