Matthew is an associate editor for The American Journal of Managed Care® (AJMC®). He joined AJMC® in 2019 and creates content for Medical World News®, a 24-hour online program developed MJH Life Sciences® focusing on pressing topics within managed care, as well as the nonwork-related activities of health care stakeholders.
He has a BA in journalism & media studies and economics from Rutgers University. You can connect with Matthew on LinkedIn.
Machine Learning Approach Finds Several Severity-Associated Factors in Atopic Dermatitis
Findings of a machine learning-based deep phenotyping approach found a myriad of factors associated with severe disease in atopic dermatitis, including age between 12 and 21 years or older than 52 years, lack of physical activity, and incidence of alopecia areata.
Achieving Equitable Breast Cancer Care: Clinical Trials, Mental Health, and Digital Therapeutics
Discussions regarding health equity and access to care have long been implicated in breast cancer. Here, key opinion leaders discuss the latest progress in clinical trial access, digital therapeutics, and other efforts that aim to ameliorate these care gaps.
Greater Work Impairment, Comorbidity Burden Linked With Concomitant Psoriasis, PsA
Findings presented at the 2021 American College of Rheumatology Annual Meeting showed that patients with concomitant psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis (PsA) reported greater incidence of obesity, hypertension, and diabetes, as well as a higher likelihood of work inability than those with only psoriasis.
Guselkumab Linked With Long-term Improvement of Joint Manifestations, Disease Activity in PsA
Phase 3 findings of the DISCOVER-2 trial presented at the 2021 American College of Rheumatology Annual Meeting indicated that guselkumab (Tremfya) provided long-term improvement in joint manifestations, disease activity, and physical function among patients with psoriatic arthritis who had no prior biologic treatment.
Recommendations, Insights on Use of Comprehensive Genomic Profiling in Oncology
A discussion at the National Comprehensive Cancer Network 2021 Virtual Congress: Biomarkers in Solid Tumors addressed the advantages and considerations for broad and targeted genomic profiling in oncology.
Prior Biologic Use, Body Weight May Impact Guselkumab Efficacy in Psoriasis
Real-world patients with moderate-to-severe psoriasis were shown to exhibit impaired efficacy with guselkumab treatment if they had history of prior biologic use, particularly anti-interleukin (IL)-17 exposure, with heavier patients linked with delayed onset of therapeutic response.
A National Perspective of the Opportunities, Challenges Facing Health Care Cost and Sustainability
Michael E. Chernew, PhD, co-editor-in-chief of The American Journal of Managed Care®, discussed cost and sustainability issues specific to commercial insurance, Medicare, and Medicaid at the National Alliance 2021 Annual Forum held in a hybrid format in Washington, DC.
Antidepressant Use Linked With Impaired REM Sleep, Quality of Life
Findings of an abstract presented at CHEST 2021 indicated that antidepressant use was associated with increased REM sleep latency and a complete lack of REM sleep, which may contribute to the poorer quality-of-life scores observed in these patients.
Study Finds Predictive Biomarkers for Chemo-Radiotherapy Toxicity, Efficacy in NSCLC
Several biomarkers identified by comprehensive genomic profiling were found to predict efficacy and toxicity of chemo-radiotherapy in patients with non–small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), with progression-free survival and overall survival outcomes associated with some of the identified genes.
Children With Atopic Dermatitis More Prone to Depression, Internalizing Behaviors
Children with severe atopic dermatitis were shown to be at nearly 2-fold greater risk of both depression and internalizing behaviors, with mild disease also associated with internalizing behaviors in those as young as 4 years of age.
Ixekizumab Linked With Improved Outcomes vs Adalimumab in PsA With Concomitant Psoriasis
A greater proportion of biologic-naive patients with psoriatic arthritis treated with ixekizumab vs adalimumab achieved the combined endpoint of 100% resolution in the Psoriasis Area Severity Index and 50% or greater improvement in the American College of Rheumatology criteria at week 24 and 52.
Long-term Adherence to CPAP May Reduce Blood Pressure in Patients With OSA
Patients with obstructive sleep apnea with adequate continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy adherence exhibited significant reductions in diastolic blood pressure long term, compared with counterparts with poor adherence.
Biologic Treatment, Smoking May Increase Psoriasis Risk in Patients With IBD
Patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) treated with adalimumab had greater risk of developing psoriasis than those administered infliximab, with gender and smoking incidence also linked with greater IBD risk.
Leveraging Predictive Modeling, Data Analytics in Member Health Management
Erika Glenn, Division Head of Sales, Care Management, CVS Health, addressed some of the latest innovations in predictive modeling and data analytics being leveraged by her organization in the management of patients with chronic conditions at the Asembia 2021 Specialty Pharmacy Summit in Las Vegas.
Aligning Value and Cost Considerations to Improve Access to, Outcomes of Gene Therapies
A panel at Asembia 2021 Specialty Pharmacy Summit in Las Vegas addressed challenges in the treatment journey of patients with rare diseases, efforts to improve access to gene therapies, and cost and value considerations for stakeholders.
Unraveling the Growing Influence of Consolidation, 340B, and Industry in Specialty Pharmacy
Panelists of the opening session at Asembia 2021 Specialty Pharmacy Summit in Las Vegas address emerging shifts in specialty pharmacy, its impact on the health care system, and future implications post pandemic.
Cataplexy, Sleep Latency in Narcolepsy May Improve With Nightly Sodium Oxybate
Two abstracts presented at the CHEST Annual Meeting 2021 showed that patients with narcolepsy treated with once-nightly sodium oxybate, FT218, vs placebo exhibited significant improvements in sleep latency and cataplexy.