For the analysis Exenatide

For the analysis of pancreatic cancer, sustained use of exenatide was classified by at least 365 days supplied of exenatide from entry into the sample through the end of the calendar year prior to the year analyzed. For example, a patient in 2009 would be considered to have used exenatide if he or she ad accrued at least 365 days of exenatide use from their first observation in the sample through the end of 2008.

In sensitivity analyses, sustained use was defined alternatively by 6 months and 18 months of exenatide supply as of the prior year. In additional analyses of both pancreatic cancer and acute pancreatitis, exenatide users were excluded if their cumulative days supplied did not exceed 90 days.

Further sensitivity analyses for pancreatitis used a person-half year as the unit of analysis and required a claims history of diabetes for at least 1 year prior to inclusion in the nalysis. Logistic regressions were estimated for each outcome.

Multivariate models were constructed that controlled for age, gender, years since diabetes diagnosis, year of analysis, and a set of 19 co-morbid conditions (for example, congestive heart failure, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and stroke). These conditions were identified by two or more medical claims with the relevant ICD-9 code in the current or a prior year (see Appendix for specific codes). In addition, the model for pancreatitis included traditional risk factors, such as a history of gallstones or alcohol buse,17 identified by a claim in the current or preceding year with ICD-9 codes of 574.

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