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.
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.
Expert Panel Makes 7 Recommendations for Vaccinations for Children With AD Receiving Dupilumab
A panel of health care professionals reviewed published literature to develop a recommendation guide to advise providers on best practices when considering vaccinations for children with atopic dermatitis (AD) on dupilumab.
Risk Predictive Model May Aid Providers in Diagnosing IPA in AECOPD
A study evaluating independent risk factors for invasive pulmonary aspergillosis (IPA) in hospitalized patients with acute exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (AECOPD) validated a potential model that could help providers diagnose IPA earlier.
Study Finds Patients With COPD Likely to Use eHealth for Disease Management
Investigators quelled concerns regarding whether patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) would be likely to use eHealth tools after finding that most had internet access and were regular users of information technology.
Secukinumab Shown to Improve Enthesitis in Patients With Ankylosing Spondylitis
Patients with ankylosing spondylitis taking secukinumab saw improvements in enthesitis, and some achieved complete resolution, suggesting the drug could be a viable option for patients intolerant of or unresponsive to other enthesitis-improving medications.
Study Identifies Treatable Traits Associated With Declining Lung Function, QOL in COPD
Treatable traits associated with the decline in lung function and quality of life (QOL) in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) were detected in a longitudinal study, highlighting targets that physicians can address to better individualize COPD management.
Sex and Age Differences Found in Virus-Related ED Visits, Hospitalization in COPD
Variances between sex and age were found among patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) with a viral infection who visited the emergency department (ED) visit or were hospitalized, highlighting the role that these factors play.
Physical Frailty Impacts Over 40% of Patients With COPD and Respiratory Failure
Physical frailty affects a large proportion of patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and chronic respiratory failure and current tools for detection may be inadequate, according to a recent report.
High-Concentration Adalimumab Biosimilar Yields Positive 1-Year Data
Celltrion Healthcare’s high-concentration adalimumab biosimilar demonstrated comparable safety, efficacy, and immunogenicity profiles to the reference product for up to a year, providing further evidence supporting use of the product.
ATS 2021 Abstracts Identify Factors Influencing Hospitalization Risks for COPD
Abstracts from the ATS 2021 International Conference addressed patient decision-making frameworks for seeking care for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and tactics used to assist hospitals in implementing readmission reduction plans.
What Factors Can Help Improve the Effectiveness of Pulmonary Rehabilitation in COPD?
Abstracts from the ATS 2021 International Conference provided some insight into tactics that could improve the effectiveness of pulmonary rehabilitation programs in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
Oncology Roundup: Long-term Risks for Survivors, COVID-19 Accommodation Longevity, and More
Some recent oncology news includes research into factors impacting the well-being of childhood cancer survivors; whether COVID-19 accommodations will last post-pandemic; and a possible new therapy for patients with polycythemia vera.
Review Highlights Sociodemographic Disparities in Cancer Risk Factors and Prevention Measures
A literature review sheds light on cancer risk factors and suboptimal screening levels that persist in the United States among certain racial, ethnic, and socioeconomic groups, despite a steady decline in cancer deaths and smoking prevalence.
Characteristics of COPD Vary Among Different Demographics and Smoking Statuses
Posters presented at the ATS 2021 International Conference noted some ways clinical characteristics associated with patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) differ based on different demographics and smoking status.
Switches to Adalimumab Biosimilars Yielded Similar Outcomes to the Reference Product in IBD
After switching to 1 of 2 adalimumab biosimilars, patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) experienced comparable clinical outcomes to the reference product after 6 months, according to a recent study.
Tailoring COPD Management Strategies May Require Additional Pulmonary Function Testing
In a review, investigators concluded that physicians should use pulmonary function tests in addition to standard spirometry evaluations to better ensure that patients are appropriately being diagnosed and treated for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
Real-world Evidence Supports Conditional Use of IV Formula in Hospitalized Infants With MSUD
Hospitalized infants with the rare metabolic disorder maple syrup urine disease (MSUD), who are intolerant to oral or enteral administration of branched-chain amino acid-free formula, may benefit from an intravenous formulation.
Lack of Information on Cancer Type in Attribution Algorithms Yields Variations, Inaccurate Results
Attribution algorithms for patients with newly diagnosed cancer should account for cancer type and stage, among other characteristics, to ensure that attribution measurements are accurately calculated, investigators concluded.
Alvotech Heats Up Patent Dispute Conflict by Suing AbbVie Over Humira Biosimilar
Under the lawsuit, Alvotech alleges that AbbVie is unlawfully taking advantage of patent laws and claims courts to prevent biosimilar competition rivaling its blockbuster drug, Humira, from entering the US market.
Model Using Wearable Tech, Smartphone App Able to Predict AECOPD
The model that incorporated environmental and lifestyle data collected from a fitness tracker and a smartphone app was successful at predicting acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (AECOPD) 7 days in advance.
Study Identifies Key Factors Affecting Patient Willingness to Use eHealth Tools in COPD
Specific factors, such as experience with technology and health literacy, were key drivers of whether a patient with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) would benefit or be likely to use eHealth tools to improve self-management skills, investigators concluded.