Trending News Today: Cost-Effectiveness Assessed for Erenumab as Migraine Treatment

A longitudinal assessment of the cost-effectiveness of erenumab as a treatment for migraine exhibited higher patient utility when compared with placebo, The American Journal of Managed Care reported. According to the article, the analysis measured cost-effectiveness through patients’ utility values in relation with their monthly migraine delays (MMDs) based on data from 3 clinical studies. Overall, the study authors concluded that mapped utility values for patients treated with erenumab were generally higher than those for individuals treated with placebo with an equivalent number of MMDs, the article reported.

New data presented at the American Heart Association 2019 Scientific Sessions showed that achieving a low-density lipoprotein cholesterol level of less than 70 mg/dL can reduce the risk of recurrent stroke, MD Magazine reported. According to the article, the trial included more than 2800 patients who were randomized to achieve a target of either less than 70 mg/dL or 100 mg/dL. Overall, the study found that the primary composite endpoint occurred in 10.9% of patients in the 100 mg/dL group and 8.5% of patients in the 70 mg/dL group without increasing the risk of hemorrhagic stroke or newly diagnosed diabetes, the article reported.

An experimental heart failure (HF) treatment being developed by Merck and Bayer AG met the main goal of a late-stage study, Reuters reported. According to the article, a total of 5050 patients with HF who have a high risk for cardiovascular mortality and repeated HF hospitalization participated in the study. Compared with placebo, vericiguat reduced the risk of HF hospitalization or cardiovascular death in patients with HF with reduced ejection fraction when given in combination with available therapies, the article reported.