Why Are Diabetes Medications So Expensive and What Can Be Done to Control Their Cost?

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: The purposes of this study were to describe how medication prices are established, to explain why antihyperglycemic medications have become so expensive, to show trends in expenditures for antihyperglycemic medications, and to highlight strategies to control expenditures in the USA. RECENT FINDINGS: In the U.S., pharmaceutical manufacturers set the prices for new products. Between 2002 and 2012, expenditures for antihyperglycemic medications increased from $10 billion to $22 billion. This increase was primarily driven by expenditures for insulin which increased sixfold. The increase in insulin expenditures may be attributed to several factors: the shift from inexpensive beef and pork insulins to more expensive genetically engineered human insulins and insulin analogs, dramatic price increases for the available insulins, physician prescribing practices, policies that limit payers' abilities to negotiate prices, and nontransparent negotiation of rebates and discounts. The costs of antihyperglycemic medications, especially insulin, have become a barrier to diabetes treatment. While clinical interventions to shift physician prescribing practices towards lower cost drugs may provide some relief, we will ultimately need policy interventions such as more stringent requirements for patent exclusivity, greater transparency in medication pricing, greater opportunities for price negotiation, and outcomes-based pricing models to control the costs of antihyperglycemic medications.

HEMOGLOBIN A1C, BLOOD PRESSURE, AND LDL-CHOLESTEROL CONTROL AMONG HISPANIC/LATINO ADULTS WITH DIABETES: RESULTS FROM THE HISPANIC COMMUNITY HEALTH STUDY/STUDY OF LATINOS (HCHS/SOL).

OBJECTIVE: To determine the prevalence of Hispanic/Latino adults with diabetes who meet target hemoglobin A1c, blood pressure (BP), and low-density-lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) recommendations, and angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors/angiotensin receptor blocker (ARB) and statin medication use by heritage and sociodemographic and diabetes-related characteristics. METHODS: Data were cross-sectional, collected between 2008 and 2011, and included adults age 18 to 74 years who reported a physician diagnosis of diabetes in the Hispanic Community Health Study/Study of Latinos (N = 2,148). Chi-square tests compared the prevalence of hemoglobin A1c, BP, and LDL-C targets and ACE/ARB and statin use across participant characteristics. Predictive margins regression was used to determine the prevalence adjusted for sociodemographic characteristics. RESULTS: The overall prevalence of A1c <7.0% (53 mmol/mol), BP <130/80 mm Hg, and LDL-C <100 mg/dL was 43.0, 48.7, and 36.6%, respectively, with 8.4% meeting all three targets. Younger adults aged 18 to 39 years with diabetes were less likely to have A1c <7.0% (53 mmol/mol) or LDL-C <100 mg/dL compared to those aged 65 to 74 years; younger adults were more likely to have BP <130/80 mm Hg (P<.05 for all). Individuals of Mexican heritage were significantly less likely to have A1c <7.0% (53 mmol/mol) compared to those with Cuban heritage, but they were more likely to have BP <130/80 mm Hg compared to those with Dominican, Cuban, or Puerto Rican heritage (P<.05 for all); there was no difference in LDL-C by heritage. Overall, 38.2% of adults with diabetes were taking a statin, and 50.5% were taking ACE/ARB medications. CONCLUSION: Hemoglobin A1c, BP, and LDL-C control are suboptimal among Hispanic/Latinos with diabetes living in the U.S. With 8.4% meeting all three recommendations, substantial opportunity exists to improve diabetes control in this population. ABBREVIATIONS: A1c = hemoglobin A1c; ABC = hemoglobin A1c, blood pressure, low-density-lipoprotein cholesterol; ACE = angiotensin-converting enzyme; ADA = American Diabetes Association; ARB = angiotensin receptor blocker; BMI = body mass index; BP = blood pressure; CHD = coronary heart disease; CVD = cardiovascular disease; HCHS/SOL = Hispanic Community Health Study/Study of Latinos; LDL-C = low-density-lipoprotein cholesterol; NHANES = National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey; PAD = peripheral artery disease.

Association of walkability with obesity in Baltimore City, Maryland.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the association between walkability and obesity, we studied adults residing in Baltimore City, Maryland, in neighborhoods of varying racial and socioeconomic composition. METHODS: We conducted a cross-sectional study of 3493 participants from the study Healthy Aging in Neighborhoods of Diversity across the Life Span. We used the Pedestrian Environment Data Scan to measure neighborhood walkability in 34 neighborhoods of diverse racial and socioeconomic composition in which the study participants lived. Confirmatory factor analysis was used to determine walkability scores. Multilevel modeling was used to determine prevalence ratios for the association between walkability and obesity. RESULTS: Among individuals living in predominately White and high-socioeconomic status (SES) neighborhoods, residing in highly walkable neighborhoods was associated with a lower prevalence of obesity when compared with individuals living in poorly walkable neighborhoods, after adjusting for individual-level demographic variables (prevalence ratio-[PR] = 0.58; P = <.001 vs PR = 0.80; P = .004). Prevalence ratios were similar after controlling for the perception of crime, physical activity, and main mode of transportation. The association between walkability and obesity for individuals living in low-SES neighborhoods was not significant after accounting for main mode of transportation (PR = 0.85; P = .060). CONCLUSIONS: Future research is needed to determine how differences in associations by neighborhood characteristics may contribute to racial disparities in obesity.

Healthy food availability and the association with BMI in Baltimore, Maryland.

OBJECTIVE: To study the association between the availability of healthy foods and BMI by neighbourhood race and socio-economic status (SES). DESIGN: Trained staff collected demographic information, height, weight and 24 h dietary recalls between 2004 and 2008. Healthy food availability was determined in thirty-four census tracts of varying racial and SES composition using the Nutrition Environment Measures Survey-Stores in 2007. Multilevel linear regression was used to estimate associations between healthy food availability and BMI. SETTING: Baltimore City, Maryland, USA. SUBJECTS: Adults aged 30-64 years (n 2616) who participated in the Healthy Aging in Neighborhoods of Diversity across the Life Span study. RESULTS: Among individuals living in predominantly white neighbourhoods, high availability of healthy foods was associated with significantly higher BMI compared with individuals living in neighbourhoods with low availability of healthy food after adjustment for demographic variables (ß = 3.22, P = 0.001). Associations were attenuated but remained significant after controlling for dietary quality (ß = 2.81, P = 0.012). CONCLUSIONS: Contrary to expectations, there was a positive association between the availability of healthy food and higher BMI among individuals living in predominantly white neighbourhoods. This result could be due to individuals in neighbourhoods with low healthy food availability travelling outside their neighbourhood to obtain healthy food.

A nutritional intervention to reduce the calorie content of meals served at psychiatric rehabilitation programs.

To assess the effectiveness of an intervention to reduce the calorie content of meals served at two psychiatric rehabilitation programs. Intervention staff assisted kitchen staff with ways to reduce calories and improve the nutritional quality of meals. Breakfast and lunch menus were collected before and after a 6-month intervention period. ESHA software was used to determine total energy and nutrient profiles of meals. Total energy of served meals significantly decreased by 28% at breakfast and 29% at lunch for site 1 (P < 0.05); total energy significantly decreased by 41% at breakfast for site 2 (P = 0.018). Total sugars significantly decreased at breakfast for both sites (P ≤ 0.001). In general, sodium levels were high before and after the intervention period. The nutrition intervention was effective in decreasing the total energy and altering the composition of macro-nutrients of meals. These results highlight an unappreciated opportunity to improve diet quality in patients attending psychiatric rehabilitation programs.

Dietary intake of adults with serious mental illness.

OBJECTIVE: Suboptimal diet may be related to the high prevalence of obesity and cardiovascular disease (CVD) in persons with serious mental illnesses, but few studies have characterized dietary intake in this population. METHODS: Participants were 102 overweight/obese adults with serious mental illnesses who were being screened for a weight loss trial in psychiatric rehabilitation centers. Direct observation of participant meals was completed using a standardized measurement form. RESULTS: CVD risk factors were common: mean body mass index was 35.7 kg/m2; 30% had diabetes. Participants consumed 100% of caloric beverages served (7.2 oz/meal) but consumption was significantly less than served for fruits (difference of 0.12 cups/meal, p=0.003) and vegetables (0.14 cups/meal, p=0.021). The majority (56%) of meat consumed was high fat. CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE: Interventions designed to improve dietary intake of persons with serious mental illnesses are needed to improve health in this population at high risk for CVD.

Prevalence of gestational diabetes and subsequent Type 2 diabetes among U.S. women.

AIMS: The true prevalence of gestational diabetes (GDM) in the United States is unknown. This study determined the prevalence of GDM and a subsequent diagnosis of diabetes in a nationally representative sample of U.S. women. METHODS: The crude and age-adjusted prevalence of GDM and subsequent diabetes were evaluated by sociodemographic and health-related characteristics among women age ≥20 years in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys, 2007-2014 (N = 8185). Logistic regression analyzed independent factors associated with GDM and subsequent diabetes. RESULTS: The prevalence of GDM was 7.6%. Women who were Mexican American (vs. non-Hispanic white), had ≥4 live births (vs. 1), had a family history of diabetes, or were obese (vs. normal weight) had a higher age-standardized prevalence of GDM (each p < 0.04). Among women with a history of GDM, 19.7% had a subsequent diagnosis of diabetes; subsequent diabetes diagnosis was higher for those with health insurance, more time since GDM diagnosis, greater parity, family history of diabetes, and obesity, and lower for those with higher education and income (all p ≤ 0.005). By logistic regression, significant factors associated with GDM were age at first birth, parity, family history of diabetes, and obesity; significant factors for subsequent diabetes were older age, greater years since GDM diagnosis, less education, family history of diabetes, and obesity (each p < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of GDM in the U.S. was 7.6%, with 19.7% of these women having a subsequent diabetes diagnosis. Women with a history of GDM, family history of diabetes, and obesity should be carefully monitored for dysglycemia.

Factors associated with undiagnosed diabetes among adults with diabetes: Results from the Hispanic Community Health Study/Study of Latinos (HCHS/SOL).

AIMS: To investigate sociodemographic and health factors associated with undiagnosed diabetes among adults with diabetes in the Hispanic Community Health Study/Study of Latinos (HCHS/SOL). METHODS: Among 3384 adults with self-reported diabetes or undiagnosed diabetes in the baseline HCHS/SOL, we estimated odds ratios (OR) of being undiagnosed for demographic, cultural, access to care, and health factors. RESULTS: Among individuals with diabetes, 37.0% were undiagnosed. After adjustment and compared to people of Mexican heritage, people of Cuban and South American heritage had 60% (OR = 1.60, 95% CI = 1.02-2.50) and 91% (OR = 1.91, 1.16-3.14) higher odds of being undiagnosed, respectively. Individuals with a higher odds of being undiagnosed were women (OR = 1.64, 1.26-2.13), those with no health insurance (OR = 1.31, 1.00-1.71), individuals who received no healthcare in the past year (OR = 3.59, 2.49-5.16), those who were overweight (vs. normal weight) (OR = 1.60, 1.02-2.50), and those with dyslipidemia (OR = 1.38, 1.10-1.74). Individuals with lower odds of being undiagnosed were those with a family history of diabetes (OR = 0.54, 0.43-0.68), and those with hypertension (OR = 0.46, 0.36-0.58). CONCLUSIONS: Variation by Hispanic heritage group, sex, and access to medical care highlight where concentrated efforts are need to improve diabetes awareness. Our findings will inform clinical and public health practices to improve diabetes awareness among vulnerable populations.

Perceived discrimination and adherence to medical care in a racially integrated community.

BACKGROUND: Past research indicates that access to health care and utilization of services varies by sociodemographic characteristics, but little is known about racial differences in health care utilization within racially integrated communities. OBJECTIVE: To determine whether perceived discrimination was associated with delays in seeking medical care and adherence to medical care recommendations among African Americans and whites living in a socioeconomically homogenous and racially integrated community. DESIGN: A cross-sectional analysis from the Exploring Health Disparities in Integrated Communities Study. PARTICIPANTS: Study participants include 1,408 African-American (59.3%) and white (40.7%) adults (> or =18 years) in Baltimore, Md. MEASUREMENTS: An interviewer-administered questionnaire was used to assess the associations of perceived discrimination with help-seeking behavior for and adherence to medical care. RESULTS: For both African Americans and whites, a report of 1-2 and >2 discrimination experiences in one's lifetime were associated with more medical care delays and nonadherence compared to those with no experiences after adjustment for need, enabling, and predisposing factors (odds ratio [OR] = 1.8, 2.6; OR = 2.2, 3.3, respectively; all P < .05). Results were similar for perceived discrimination occurring in the past year. CONCLUSIONS: Experiences with discrimination were associated with delays in seeking medical care and poor adherence to medical care recommendations INDEPENDENT OF NEED, ENABLING, AND PREDISPOSING FACTORS, INCLUDING MEDICAL MISTRUST; however, a prospective study is needed. Further research in this area should include exploration of other potential mechanisms for the association between perceived discrimination and health service utilization.

Have Americans increased their fruit and vegetable intake? The trends between 1988 and 2002.

BACKGROUND: Previous research indicates that few Americans meet the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) guidelines for fruit and vegetable consumption, and that adequate fruit and vegetable consumption may decrease the risk for chronic disease. METHODS: Twenty-four-hour dietary recall data from NHANES III, 1988-1994 (n=14,997) and NHANES 1999-2002 (n=8910) were used to assess adult (equal to or more than 18 years) trends in daily fruit and vegetable consumption (number of servings and types). RESULTS: In 1988-1994, an estimated 27% of adults met the USDA guidelines for fruit (equal to or more than two servings) and 35% met the guidelines for vegetables (equal to or more than three servings). In 1999-2002, 28% and 32% of adults met fruit and vegetable guidelines, respectively. There was a significant decrease in vegetable consumption over time (p=0.026). Only 11% met USDA guidelines for both fruits and vegetables in 1988-1994 and 1999-2002, indicating no change in consumption (p=0.963). In both data sets, non-Hispanic blacks were less likely to meet USDA guidelines compared to non-Hispanic whites (p<0.05). Higher income and greater education were significantly associated with meeting the guidelines in both data sets (p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Despite the initiation of a national fruit and vegetable campaign in 1991, the findings indicated that Americans' fruit and vegetable consumption did not increase in 1999-2002, and only a small proportion met the related dietary recommendations. Greater public health efforts and approaches are needed to promote healthy eating in the United States.

Glucocorticoid use and its association with skeletal health among U.S. adults with diabetes.

AIMS: Determine the prevalence of glucocorticoid use in U.S. adults with diabetes and whether prevalence is associated with reduced skeletal health, as measured by fracture history and bisphosphonate use. METHODS: Participants were age≥20years from the cross-sectional National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (1999-2010; N=15,661). Diabetes was determined by self-report, fasting plasma glucose ≥126mg/dL (≥6.99mmol/L), or A1c ≥6.5% (≥47.5mmol/mol) (n=4539). Prevalences of fractures and bisphosphonate use were determined by diabetes status and glucocorticoid use. Logistic regression was stratified by sex and assessed the effect of glucocorticoid use and diabetes associated with fractures and bisphosphonates. RESULTS: The age-standardized prevalence of glucocorticoid use was higher among persons with diabetes (3.2% vs. 2.0% without diabetes, p=0.001). Among adults with diabetes, the prevalence of fractures was significantly higher among those taking glucocorticoids vs. those not (38.3% vs. 26.1%, p=0.048). The prevalences of fractures and bisphosphonate use were generally similar in those with and without diabetes when stratified by glucocorticoid use. In logistic regression analysis among men, the combination of diabetes and glucocorticoid use (compared to those with neither) was highly associated with bisphosphonate use, while adjusting for demographic factors. Among women, having diabetes and glucocorticoid use increased the odds of fractures, while adjusting for demographic factors and menopause. CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of fractures was greater for those with diabetes taking glucocorticoids versus those not taking glucocorticoids. This study provides a national framework for further research on elucidating these associations.

No association between psoriasis and diabetes in the U.S. population.

Previous studies have found a positive association between psoriasis and diabetes/diabetes-related complications, but the association has not been studied in a nationally representative U.S. sample. Our analysis of NHANES data indicated that psoriasis was not associated with diabetes but was positively associated with hypertension, overweight/obesity and waist circumference.

Self-reported prevalence of diabetes screening in the U.S., 2005-2010.

BACKGROUND: Early detection of type 2 diabetes has the potential to prevent complications, but the prevalence of opportunistic screening is unknown. PURPOSE: To describe the prevalence of diabetes screening by demographic and diabetes-related factors and to determine predictors of screening among a representative U.S. population without self-reported diabetes. METHODS: Cross-sectional data were obtained from the 2005-2010 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (n=15,125) and 2006 National Health Interview Survey (n=21,519). Participants were aged ≥20 years and self-reported having a diabetes screening test in the past 3 years. Diabetes screening prevalence was analyzed according to risk factors recommended by the American Diabetes Association. Logistic regression was used to determine significant predictors of diabetes screening. Analysis was conducted in 2012-2013. RESULTS: The prevalence of having a blood test for diabetes in the past 3 years was 42.1% in 2005-2006, 41.6% in 2007-2008, and 46.8% in 2009-2010. This prevalence increased with age and was higher for women, non-Hispanic whites, and those with more education and income (p<0.001 for all). BMI ≥25, age ≥45 years, having a relative with diabetes, hypertension, glycosylated hemoglobin ≥5.7%, and cardiovascular disease history were significant predictors of screening. For each additional risk factor, the likelihood of screening increased by 51%. CONCLUSIONS: Nearly half of the adult population reported having a diabetes screening test. However, testing was less prevalent in minorities and those with lower socioeconomic status. Public health efforts to address these deficiencies in screening are needed.

Utility of the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force criteria for diabetes screening.

BACKGROUND: Federal law requires certain private insurers to cover and waive patient cost sharing for preventive medical services that receive a grade of B or better from the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF). The USPSTF recommends that asymptomatic adults who have a blood pressure (BP) higher than 135/80 mmHg be screened for type 2 diabetes. PURPOSE: The goals of this study were to determine the sensitivity and specificity of the USPSTF screening criteria and to determine the prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors and comorbidity among undiagnosed individuals by USPSTF criteria. METHODS: Data come from 7189 adults who participated in the 2003-2010 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey; statistical analysis was conducted in 2011-2012. Participants with fasting plasma glucose ≥126 mg/dL or hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) ≥6.5% who did not self-report a diagnosis of diabetes were categorized as having undiagnosed diabetes. RESULTS: Among people without diagnosed diabetes, 4.0% had undiagnosed diabetes. The proportion of adults with undiagnosed diabetes who were identified (sensitivity) using BP >135/80 mmHg as the screening standard was 44.4%; among individuals without undiagnosed diabetes, 74.8% had BP ≤135/80 mmHg (specificity). For those with undiagnosed diabetes, the prevalence of HbA1c 7.0%-<8.0% was 10.6% for those with BP ≤135/80 mmHg and 14.3% for those with BP >135/80 mmHg; and 12.8% and 9.4% for HbA1c ≥8.0%, respectively. Elevated low-density lipoprotein (100-160 mg/dL) was similar by BP cut-point (52%-53%). For those with BP ≤135/80 mmHg, 16.7% had a history of cardiovascular disease and 22.9% had chronic kidney disease. CONCLUSIONS: The USPSTF screening recommendations result in missing more than half of those who have undiagnosed diabetes, and a substantial proportion of these people have increased low-density lipoprotein and other cardiovascular risk factors.

Built environment and health behaviors among African Americans: a systematic review.

CONTEXT: An overall understanding of environmental factors that affect weight-related behaviors and outcomes in African American adults is limited. This article presents a summarization of the literature on the built environment and its association with physical activity, diet, and obesity among African Americans. EVIDENCE ACQUISITION: A systematic review was conducted by searching the PubMed electronic database from inception to July 31, 2007, reviewing bibliographies of eligible articles, and searching authors' personal databases using various search terms for the built environment, physical activity, diet, and obesity. Eligible articles were observational studies that included a study population >or=90% African American (or subgroup analysis), adults (>or=18 yrs), and were published in English; final article data abstraction occurred from October 2007 through February 2008. EVIDENCE SYNTHESIS: A total of 2797 titles were identified from the initial search, and 90 were deemed eligible for abstract review. Of these, 17 articles were eligible for full review and ten met all eligibility criteria. The median sample size was 761 (234 to 10,623), and half of the articles included only African Americans. Light traffic, the presence of sidewalks, and safety from crime were more often positively associated with physical activity, although associations were not consistent (OR range = 0.53-2.43). Additionally, perceived barriers to physical activity were associated with obesity. The presence of supermarkets and specialty stores was consistently positively associated with meeting fruit and vegetable guidelines. CONCLUSIONS: With relatively few studies in the literature focused on African Americans, more research is needed to draw conclusions on features of the built environment that are associated with physical activity, diet, and obesity.