Lenalidomide performance in the real world: patterns of use and effectiveness in a Medicare population with myelodysplastic syndromes.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Lenalidomide is approved for the treatment of anemia with transfusion dependence (TD) in patients with lower-risk myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) with 5q deletion (del5q-MDS), but its "real-life" use and effect on transfusion needs are unclear. In the current study, the authors examined its use in the Medicare population.

Methods

Patients with MDS who were enrolled in Medicare Parts A, B, and D were identified using International Classification of Diseases 9-Clinical Modification (ICD-9) codes from 100% Medicare claims from 2006 through 2008. Patients were followed until the end of the study or death. Claims were used to determine time to initiation of lenalidomide, daily dose, duration, and other MDS therapies. Transfusion status was defined each week based on tra

SUBMITTER: Zeidan AM 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3805757 | biostudies-literature | 2013 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature