TABLE 1.
Characteristics at the time of doxorubicin initiation.
| Characteristic | Bolus administration (N = 194) | Continuous infusion (N = 399) | All other patients (N = 1040) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Age, mean (SD) | 54.9 (12.7) | 50.8 (13.0) | 47.8 (13.9) |
| Sex, n (%) | |||
| Female | 93 (47.9) | 205 (51.4) | 500 (48.1) |
| Male | 101 (52.1) | 194 (48.6) | 540 (51.9) |
| Geographic region, n (%) | |||
| North central | 57 (29.4) | 121 (30.3) | 267 (25.7) |
| North east | 43 (22.2) | 15 (3.8) | 201 (19.3) |
| South | 67 (34.5) | 180 (45.1) | 426 (41.0) |
| West | 26 (13.4) | 80 (20.1) | 138 (13.3) |
| Unknown/missing | 1 (0.5) | 3 (0.8) | 8 (0.8) |
| Healthcare plan type, n (%) | |||
| Capitated or partially capitated point‐of‐service | 1 (0.5) | 5 (1.3) | 16 (1.5) |
| Comprehensive | 29 (14.9) | 19 (4.8) | 70 (6.7) |
| Consumer‐driven health plan | 4 (2.1) | 33 (8.3) | 80 (7.7) |
| Exclusive provider organization | 1 (0.5) | 1 (0.3) | 16 (1.5) |
| Health maintenance organization | 15 (7.7) | 50 (12.5) | 91 (8.8) |
| High deductible health plan | 7 (3.6) | 15 (3.8) | 69 (6.6) |
| Noncapitated point‐of‐service | 13 (6.7) | 30 (7.5) | 69 (6.6) |
| Preferred provider organization | 116 (59.8) | 232 (58.1) | 599 (57.6) |
| Unknown/missing | 8 (4.1) | 14 (3.5) | 30 (2.9) |
| Total prescription burden (number of unique medications during the 6‐month period prior to DOX initiation), mean (SD) | 9.1 (5.7) | 9.5 (5.5) | 9.2 (5.5) |
| Charlson comorbidity index score (comorbidities observed during the 6‐month period prior to DOX initiation), mean (SD) | 6.9 (3.1) | 6.2 (3.3) | 6.3 (3.2) |
| Hypertension (ICD‐9401.x or ICD‐10 I10.x observed during the 6‐month period prior to DOX initiation), n (%) | 77 (39.7) | 159 (39.8) | 389 (37.4) |
Abbreviations: DOX, doxorubicin; ICD, international classification of disease; SD, standard deviation.