Trajectories of Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) Adherence Among Commercially Insured Individuals.

We used group-based trajectory models to identify four distinct trajectory patterns of adherence to pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) among 20,696 users. Only 44.5% were consistently PrEP adherent, with younger age, being female, or having substance use disorder or depression associated with early discontinuation. Public health efforts are needed to improve PrEP adherence.

Comparative Safety of Long-Acting vs. Short-Acting Erythropoiesis-Stimulating Agents Among Patients Undergoing Hemodialysis.

Both short-acting (epoetin alfa or beta) and long-acting (darbepoetin alfa or PEG-epoetin) erythropoiesis-stimulating agents (ESAs) are commonly prescribed for patients with kidney failure undergoing maintenance hemodialysis. We compared the risks of major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) and of all-cause mortality associated with receipt of short- vs. long-acting ESAs. This retrospective cohort analysis included Medicare hemodialysis beneficiaries aged ≥ 18 years in the United States Renal Data System from January 2015 to December 2017. We included adults who survived > 90 days after initiating hemodialysis and received either short- or long-acting ESAs. Outcomes were MACE (first occurrence of stroke, acute myocardial infarction, or cardiovascular-related mortality) and all-cause mortality. After stabilized inverse probability of treatment weighting, Cox proportional hazards regression models were used to estimate the hazard ratio (HR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) for each outcome. Of 68,607 patients (mean age: 65 years, 45% females), 33,658 (49%) received long-acting ESAs and 34,949 (51%) received short-acting ESAs. There was no difference in the risk of MACE associated with receipt of short- vs. long-acting ESAs (HR: 1.02 (95% CI: 0.98-1.08)). However, long-acting (vs. short-acting) ESA receipt was associated with a lower risk of all-cause mortality (HR: 0.91 (95% CI: 0.87-0.96)). Compared with short-acting ESAs, long-acting ESAs were associated with a lower risk of all-cause mortality, with no difference in the risk of MACE. Future studies with a longer follow-up are needed to confirm these findings.

Trends in Recommended Screening and Monitoring Tests for Users of HIV Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis Before and During the COVID-19 Pandemic.

Introduction: To ensure the health and safety of persons taking pre-exposure prophylaxis to prevent HIV infection, the 2017 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines recommended initial and follow-up laboratory testing. We assessed the trends in adherence rates to recommended laboratory testing among pre-exposure prophylaxis users and identified factors associated with HIV testing among pre-exposure prophylaxis users from 2016 to 2020 and also examined rate changes during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020. Methods: We conducted a retrospective cohort study assessing the rates and trends of recommended laboratory testing among commercially insured pre-exposure prophylaxis users from 2016 to 2020, using the MarketScan database. We examined the proportion of pre-exposure prophylaxis users adhering to the following initial and follow-up laboratory testing: (1) HIV, creatinine clearance, hepatitis B virus, hepatitis C virus, and sexually transmitted infections (chlamydia/gonorrhea and syphilis) within 7 days before pre-exposure prophylaxis initiation; (2) HIV 90 days after initiation; and (3) HIV, creatinine clearance, and sexually transmitted infections 180 days after pre-exposure prophylaxis initiation. We used general linear models to examine trends and multivariable logistic regression to identify predictors of ≥1 HIV test within 180 days after index pre-exposure prophylaxis. Results: We identified 19,581 new pre-exposure prophylaxis users. Most were male (96%) and aged 18-34 years (55%). Adherence rates to recommended testing increased from 2016 through 2019 (e.g., 9.0%-13.6% for all initial screening tests 7 days before initiation, 42.1%-44.6% for HIV testing 90 days after initiation, 33.8%-40.6% for all follow-up tests within 180 days after initiation), but all rates decreased during the COVID-19 pandemic (12.4%, 33.6%, and 31.6%, respectively). Younger age (aged 13-17 years: AOR=0.44, 95% CI=0.28, 0.71) and ages 18-34 years (AOR=0.80, 95% CI=0.74, 0.86) were associated with a significantly lower likelihood of getting an HIV test within 180 days after initiation than ages 35-44 years, and female sex (AOR=0.64, 95% CI=0.55, 0.74) were associated with a significantly lower likelihood than male sex. Pre-exposure prophylaxis users with a history of sexually transmitted infections had a higher likelihood (AOR=1.27, 95% CI=1.16, 1.40) of getting tested than those without. Conclusions: Initial screening and follow-up testing rates were lower than those recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Public health efforts are needed to ensure that patients have access to needed laboratory testing during pandemics or natural disasters and to educate patients and clinicians about the importance of screening and monitoring tests to ensure the safety and health of pre-exposure prophylaxis users.

Enhancing active learning of medication errors in the PharmD curriculum through a multi-perspective video-based experience.

INTRODUCTION: We created and assessed an immersive instructional series of video-based activities for pharmacy student evaluation of medication errors via root cause analysis (RCA). METHODS: A novel series of video vignettes showed a medication error from the perspectives of each healthcare team member involved. Students were engaged in a series of activities to guide them through RCA interspersed with the vignettes. A pre/post-assessment tool measured student-perceived skills and attitudes in medication error prevention and handling. Per item pre/post-mean scores were compared using Mann-Whitney U tests with Bonferroni correction. RESULTS: From N = 270 students, 231 and 163 completed the anonymous pre- and post-assessment, respectively. Most students positively endorsed attitude items at both assessment intervals, with no significant changes in mean for "learning how to improve patient safety is an appropriate use of time in pharmacy school" (pre-assessment = 4.26; post-assessment = 4.23). However, there were significant improvements in the skills items "I am confident in my ability to analyze a case to find the root causes of an error" (pre = 3.44; post = 3.85) and "I can identify the key factors in systems and processes that could lead to a medication error" (pre = 3.55; post = 3.88). CONCLUSIONS: Pharmacy students reported significantly improved self-perceived skills in handling and preventing medication errors, but not in attitudes, following the immersive instructional activity. There are opportunities to expand such an immersive instructional series in an interprofessional setting, which may yield different findings.

Hepatitis C Cascade of Care in the Direct-Acting Antivirals Era: A Meta-Analysis.

INTRODUCTION: The hepatitis C virus (HCV) epidemic remains a public health problem worldwide. A systematic review and meta-analysis were conducted to provide evidence of outcomes attained across the HCV care cascade in the era of direct-acting antivirals. METHODS: Studies from North America, Europe, and Australia (January 2014 through March 2021) reporting on HCV care cascade outcomes (screening to cure) were included. When calculating the proportions of individuals completing each step, the numerator for Steps 1-8 was the number of individuals completing each step; the denominator was the number of individuals completing the previous step for Steps 1-3 and Step 3 for Steps 4-8. In 2022, random effects meta-analyses were conducted to estimate pooled proportions with 95% CIs. RESULTS: Sixty-five studies comprising 7,402,185 individuals were identified. Among individuals with positive HCV ribonucleic acid test results, 62% (95% CI=55%, 70%) attended their first care appointment, 41% (95% CI=37%, 45%) initiated treatment, 38% (95% CI=29%, 48%) completed treatment, and 29% (95% CI=25%, 33%) achieved cure. HCV screening rates were 43% (95% CI=22%, 66%) in prisons or jails and 20% (95% CI=11%, 31%) in emergency departments. Linkage to care rates were 62% (95% CI=46%, 75%) for homeless individuals and 26% (95% CI=22%, 31%) for individuals diagnosed in emergency departments. Cure rates were 51% (95% CI=30%, 73%) in individuals with substance use disorder and 17% (95% CI=17%, 17%) in homeless individuals. Cure rates were lowest in the U.S. DISCUSSION: Despite the availability of effective all-oral direct-acting antiviral therapies, persistent gaps remain across the HCV care cascade, especially among traditionally marginalized populations. Public health interventions targeting identified priority areas (e.g., emergency departments) may improve screening and healthcare retention of vulnerable populations with HCV infection (e.g., substance use disorder populations).

Trends in Sexually Transmitted Infections in United States Ambulatory Care Clinics from 2005-2016.

We examined the prevalence trends of non-human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) sexually transmitted infections (STI) and associated patient characteristics in U.S. ambulatory-care settings from 2005-2016. We conducted a retrospective repeated cross-sectional analysis using data from the National Ambulatory Medical Care Survey (NAMCS) for individuals aged 15-64 with a non-HIV STI-related visit. Data were combined into three periods (2005-2008, 2009-2012, and 2013-2016) to obtain reliable estimates. Logistic regression was used for analysis. A total of 19.5 million weighted, non-HIV STI-related ambulatory visits from 2005-2016 were identified. STI-related visits per 100,000 ambulatory care visits increased significantly over the study period: 206 (95% CI = 153-259), 343 (95% CI = 279-407), and 361 (95% CI = 277-446) in 2005-2008, 2009-2012, and 2013-2016, respectively (Ptrend = 0.003). These increases were mainly driven by increases in HPV-related visits (56 to 163 per 100,000 visits) from 2005-2008 to 2009-2012, followed by syphilis- or gonorrhea-related visits (30 to 67 per 100,000 visits) from 2009-2012 to 2013-2016. Higher odds of having STI-related visit were associated with younger age (aged 15-24: aOR = 4.45; 95% CI = 3.19-6.20 and aged 25-44: aOR = 3.59; 95% CI = 2.71-4.77) vs. 45-64-year-olds, Black race (aOR = 2.41; 95% CI = 1.78-3.25) vs. White, and HIV diagnosis (aOR = 10.60; 95% CI = 5.50-20.27) vs. no HIV diagnosis. STI-related office visits increased by over 75% from 2005-2016, and were largely driven by HPV-related STIs and syphilis- or gonorrhea-related STIs.