Skylar is an associate editor for The American Journal of Managed Care® (AJMC®) and The Center for Biosimilars®, and joined AJMC® in 2020. She is responsible for covering all aspects of the ever-changing global biosimilar industry and produces content that is accessible and informative for all health care stakeholders.
She has a BA in journalism and media studies from Rutgers University. You can connect with Skylar on LinkedIn.
Single-Leg Heel Test May Be Useful Tool for Differentiating Limb Strength in MS
The single-leg heel test was able to differentiate between weaker and stronger limbs in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) and in healthy controls, suggesting that the test could prove useful for identifying impaired muscle performance.
Study Explores Why People Refuse to Hear About Secondary Genetic Findings
Fear of negative emotions, lack of interest, and distrust of medical institutions were some of the reasons that participants refused to receive information regarding medically actionable secondary genetic findings, even after they received additional education on what the findings would include.
Real-world Evidence Shows Good Acceptance of Rituximab Biosimilar for NHL, CLL
In one of the first studies to examine real-world evidence on rituximab biosimilars in the United States, investigators found that many providers treating patients with non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) and chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) are regularly prescribing a biosimilar rituximab.
ACCC Survey Reveals Biggest Challenges and Concerns Regarding IO Therapies
The Association of Community Cancer Centers’ (ACCC’s) annual survey on immuno-oncology (IO) therapies highlighted major concerns among health care providers regarding financial impacts, education, and access to clinical trial data.
Exacerbation Risk Assessment System Proves Successful for Patients With COPD, Comorbidities
Investigators of a 3-year observational study identified independent risk factors for exacerbations related to chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and successfully developed a novel risk score for COPD exacerbations.
Nurse-Led Peer Support Proves Effective at Improving Lung Function, QOL in COPD
Peer support nursing intervention produced significant benefits in lung function and quality of life (QOL) in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), highlighting the importance that nurses can play in improving disease management.
Study Finds That Physical Hallmarks of COPD May Not Be Main Cause of Sleep Disturbances
A retrospective analysis found that lung function and weakened gas exchange have a minimal effect on sleep quality in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), suggesting that psychological mechanisms may play a larger role.
Negative Pressure Wound Therapy Reduced Amputation Risk for Patient With Diabetic Wound
A patient with a diabetic foot wound who underwent negative pressure wound therapy experienced good healing, reduced amputation risk, and no wound infection, suggesting the treatment method could be effective in other patients with similar wounds.
Study Links Lung Function, Education, Area of Residence as Predictors of COPD Diagnostic Delay
Investigators detected potential predictors reducing a patients’ ability to receive an early diagnosis for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), including poorer lung function, lower education levels, and residing in a rural area.
Pedometer Intervention Has No Effect on Physical Activity After Pulmonary Rehabilitation for COPD
Adding a pedometer to pulmonary rehabilitation did not improve long-term physical activity in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), suggesting pedometers are not an effective strategy to boost physical activity, according to a recent study.
Originator Drugs Experience Price Drops When Multiple Biosimilars Are Added to Reimbursement Lists
The price of reference products reduced each time a new biosimilar was added to a drug program’s reimbursement list, supporting the notion that reimbursing biosimilars creates more competition and lowers drug costs, according to a Polish study.
Meta-Analysis Confirms Cough Medicine Can Improve Symptoms, Lung Function in AECOPD
A meta-analysis of published literature confirmed that N-aceteylcysteine, a cough medication, was effective at improving symptoms and lung function of patients with acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (AECOPD).
Peptides May Provide Key to Identifying Biomarkers for Healing, Infection
Examination of surgical wound fluids revealed several peptides and proteins that could be useful in identifying biomarkers for wound healing and infection, potentially allowing providers to better diagnose and treat infections.
Evidence Analyzing Infection Prevention Methods for Surgical Wounds Requires Definition Consensus
A lack of consensus for the term “immunocompromised” suggests that studies demonstrating the effectiveness of infection prevention in surgical patients at a high risk of wound infection may have limited relevancy.
Smartphone-Based Algorithm Found Effective at Detecting Early AECOPD
An algorithm influenced by cough sound recognition and symptom reporting conducted using a smartphone was found to be effective at diagnosing patients with acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (AECOPD).
Comorbidities May Delay Healing After Negative Pressure Wound Therapy in Head and Neck Cancer
Despite positive data showing that negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT) can help accelerate wound healing for neck and head wounds, investigators of a review found that the presence of certain comorbidities may slow healing times.
Tranexamic Acid May Promote Wound Healing by Reducing Blood Loss, Study Suggests
Topical and intravenous tranexamic acid (TXA) were found to significantly reduce blood loss compared with placebo in patients who have undergone bone surgery, suggesting that both administration methods may be effective at promoting wound healing.
Study Clarifies Prevalence of Atypical Pathogen Infection in AECOPD
A recent study examined the prevalence and characteristics of 3 atypical pathogens responsible for respiratory tract infections in patients with acute exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (AECOPD), as well as evaluated optimal detection methods.
Algorithms Using Administrative Data Found to Be Accurate at Detecting AECOPD Events
Validity assessments revealed that 2 algorithms utilizing administrative claims data and electronic medical records were accurate at identifying moderate and severe events signaling acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (AECOPD).
Xcenda Report Shows Biosimilar Competition Lowered Drug Prices of Reference Oncology Biologics
A report from Xcenda showed that biosimilars for 8 blockbuster reference biologics have successfully kept drug prices from increasing by an average of 56%, restoring the possibility that biosimilars could achieve significant discounts despite facing several barriers to uptake.
Older Adults With COPD Report Barriers, Motivators to Using Wearable Activity Trackers
Older adults with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) identified factors likely to encourage or discourage patients from utilizing different technologies to track and improve physical activity.