Recovering from prolonged cardiac arrest induced by electric shock: A case report.

BACKGROUND: Cardiac arrest (CA) induced by electric shock is a rare occurrence, particularly in cases of prolonged CA. Currently, there is limited literature on similar incidents, and we present a relevant case report. CASE SUMMARY: A 27-year-old Asian male man, experiencing respiratory CA due to electric shock, was successfully restored to sinus rhythm after 50 min of cardiopulmonary resuscitation and 8 electrical defibrillation sessions. In the subsequent stages, the patient received multiple organ function protection measures, leading to a successful recovery and eventual discharge from the hospital. CONCLUSION: Prolonging resuscitation time can enhance the chances of survival for patients, this study provide valuable insights into the management of electric shock-induced CA.

Rapid screening and identification of anticoagulation component from carthami flos by two-dimensional thrombin affinity chromatography combined with HPLC-MS/MS.

Carthami flos, commonly known as Honghua in China, is the dried floret of safflower and widely acknowledged as a blood stasis promoting herb. The study aimed at investigating the relationship between thrombin and carthami flos through a high-performance thrombin affinity chromatography combined with a high-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry system. First, thrombin was immobilized on the glutaraldehyde-modified amino silica gel to prepare the thrombin affinity stationary phase, which was packed into a small column (1.0 × 2.0 mm, id) for recognizing the anticoagulant active components of carthami flos. The target component was enriched and analyzed by the high-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry system. Finally, hydroxysafflor yellow A was screened out and identified as the active component. The anticoagulant effects of hydroxysafflor yellow A were analyzed by anticoagulant experiments in vitro, and the interaction of hydroxysafflor yellow A with thrombin was investigated by the molecular docking method. The results proved that hydroxysafflor yellow A (30 µg/mL, 0.05 mM) and carthami flos extract (30 µg/mL) could prolong activated partial thrombin time and thrombin time by 50 and 11%, respectively. Moreover, hydroxysafflor yellow A exhibits a good hydrogen bond field and stereo field matching with thrombin. Overall, it was concluded that hydroxysafflor yellow A might exert an anticoagulation effect by interacting with thrombin and thus could be potential anticoagulant drugs for the prevention and treatment of venous thrombosis.

Association Between Medication Adherence and Healthcare Costs Among Patients Receiving the Low-Income Subsidy.

OBJECTIVES: Significant literature exists on the effects of medication adherence on reducing healthcare costs, but less is known about the effect of medication adherence among Medicare low-income subsidy (LIS) recipients. This study examined the effects of medication adherence on healthcare costs among LIS recipients with diabetes, hypertension, and/or heart failure. METHODS: This retrospective study analyzed Medicare claims data (2012-2013) linked to the Area Health Resources Files. Using measures developed by the Pharmacy Quality Alliance, adherence to 11 medication classes was studied among patients with 7 possible combinations of the diseases mentioned. Adherence was measured in 8 categories of proportion of days covered (PDC): ≥95%, 90% to <95%, 85% to <90%, 80% to <85%, 75% to <80%, 50% to <75%, 25% to <50%, and <25%. Annual Medicare costs were compared across adherence categories. A generalized linear model was used to control for patient/community characteristics. RESULTS: Among patients with only one disease, such as diabetes, patients with the lowest adherence (PDC < 25%) had $3152/year higher Medicare costs than patients with the highest adherence (PDC ≥ 95%; $11 101 vs $7949; P < .05). The adjusted costs among patients with PDC < 25% was $1893 higher than patients with PDC ≥ 95% ($9919 vs $8026; P < .05). Among patients with multiple chronic conditions, patients' adherence to medications for fewer diseases had higher costs. CONCLUSIONS: Greater medication adherence is associated with lower Medicare costs in the Medicare LIS population. Future policy affecting the LIS program should encourage better medication adherence among patients with chronic diseases.

Effects of the 2013 American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association guidelines on racial and ethnic disparities in statin treatment among diabetics.

BACKGROUND: Significant racial and ethnic disparities in statin prescribing and utilization have been constantly documented. OBJECTIVE: To examine whether racial/ethnic disparities in statin treatment have decreased among the diabetic population after the release of the 2013 American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association (ACC/AHA) guidelines. METHODS: This retrospective study analyzed patients with diabetes aged 40-75 years old in the Medicare Expenditure Panel Survey (2011-2012 and 2014-2015). Racial and ethnic disparities in the likelihood of statin use and number of statin prescriptions were compared before and after the guideline release. Logistic and negative binomial regressions were used to adjust for patient characteristics. A difference-in-difference model (DID) was used to examine disparity changes. RESULTS: This study included 2584 patients from 2011 to 2012 and 2610 from 2014 to 2015. During 2011-2012, racial/ethnic disparities were significant for the likelihood of statin use. For the number of statin prescriptions, racial disparity was significant, but not for the ethnic disparity. During 2014-2015, racial/ethnic disparities were significant for the likelihood of statin use but were not significant for the number of statin prescriptions. The DID model found that the 2013 guidelines were not associated with a reduction in racial and ethnic disparities in statin treatment. CONCLUSIONS: This study found persistent disparities in the likelihood of statin use. The 2013 ACC/AHA guidelines were not associated with a reduction in racial and ethnic disparities in statin treatment.

Retrospective Analysis of the Impact of Adalimumab Initiation on Corticosteroid Utilization and Medical Costs Among Biologic-Naïve Patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis.

INTRODUCTION: Treatment guidelines recommend low-dose corticosteroids as short-term therapy among rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients. However, it may be difficult to wean/eliminate steroids once initiated. Initiation of more effective therapies such as biologics may help to taper corticosteroid use. The objective was to examine the impact of adalimumab (ADA) initiation on steroid utilization and non-drug medical costs among patients with RA. METHODS: A retrospective analysis was conducted among adult RA patients initiating ADA as the initial biologic in the MarketScan Database (2012-2016). Study outcomes included whether oral/injectable steroids were used, daily dose, dosage categories (< 5 and ≥ 5 mg/day), number of steroid injections, and non-drug medical costs. Outcomes were compared 6 months pre- and post-ADA initiation. Mixed effects logistic, classical linear, multinomial logistic models, and linear model with a log link and gamma distribution were used to adjust for patient demographic and health characteristics. RESULTS: The sample included 7404 ADA initiators. Compared to pre-ADA initiation, in the post-initiation period there was a reduction in proportions of patients using oral steroids (from 71.80 to 62.56%) and injectable steroids (from 34.91 to 29.88%), average daily dose of oral steroids (from 3.30 to 2.62 mg/day), patients with dose ≥ 5 mg/day (from 21.76 to 16.34%), number of injections (from 0.64 to 0.53), and non-drug medical costs (from $5356.30 to $5146.84) (P < 0.01). The multivariate analysis produced similar patterns. For example, post-ADA initiation, patients were less likely to use oral steroids [odds ratio (OR) 0.51; 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.47-0.56]; coefficient estimate for daily dose reduction was - 0.68 (95% CI - 0.81 to - 0.56); ratio estimate for medical costs was 0.91 (95% CI 0.86-0.97). CONCLUSIONS: Among patients with RA, following ADA initiation, there is a reduction in steroid utilization and dosage, and non-drug medical costs. Prospective studies should be conducted to confirm this relationship in the future.

Assessing pharmacy technician certification: A national survey comparing certified and noncertified pharmacy technicians.

OBJECTIVES: To compare viewpoints of nationally certified and noncertified technicians and explore the perceived value of technician certification in the job performance domains of medication safety, skills and abilities, experience, engagement and satisfaction, and productivity. METHODS: A cross-sectional survey of pharmacy technicians, from 6 states representing 4 regions of the United States, was conducted. Technician mailing lists were purchased from Boards of Pharmacy, and randomly selected technicians were sent survey invitations. Surveys were completed via Qualtrics and analyzed with the use of SAS. RESULTS: Six hundred seventy-six technicians (547 certified, 103 noncertified, and 26 previously certified) responded to the survey (9.4% response rate). Certified technicians reported significantly higher confidence rating for desire to take on new responsibilities (P < 0.01; Cohen d 0.45) and plans to remain in the pharmacy field (P = 0.01, Cohen d 0.35), lower rating for leaving the job in the next 12 months (P < 0.01; Cohen d 0.35), and perceived lower rate of medication errors (P < 0.01; Cohen d 0.35) compared with other technicians in the work setting. The majority of respondents stated confidence in performing the "final check" on another technician's preparation of a new or refill medication if allowed. Both certified and noncertified technicians noted dissatisfaction with pay. The majority of respondents reported that they spent none of or less than 10% of their workday assisting pharmacists with medication therapy management (MTM) sessions, immunizations, or point-of-care tests; however, 71 respondents specifically described how they assist pharmacists with MTM. CONCLUSION: Results from our survey sample indicate that certified technicians have a stronger organizational and career commitment and desire to take on new roles. A majority of respondents noted dissatisfaction with pay but feel a sense of pride in their work. Both groups were confident in their abilities needed for tech-check-tech product verification.

Comparative Effectiveness of Medication Therapy Management Eligibility Criteria Across Racial/Ethnic Groups.

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Previous research indicates that eligibility criteria for medication therapy management (MTM) services in Medicare prescription drug (Part D) plans, defined under the Medicare Modernization Act (MMA), are associated with racial/ethnic disparities and ineffective in identifying individuals with medication utilization issues. Our study's objective was to determine the comparative effectiveness of MTM eligibility criteria under MMA and in the Affordable Care Act (ACA) in identifying patients with medication utilization issues across racial/ethnic groups. DESIGN: ACA and MMA MTM eligibility criteria were compared on proportions of eligible individuals among patients with medication utilization issues. Multinomial logistic regression was conducted to control for patient/community characteristics. Need-based and demand-based analyses were used to determine disparities due to need and demand for healthcare. Main/sensitivity analyses were conducted for the range of eligibility thresholds. SETTING: Medicare data (2012-2013) linked to Area Health Resources Files. PARTICIPANTS: A total of 964 610 patients 65 years or older. MEASUREMENTS: Medication safety/adherence measures, developed primarily by the Pharmacy Quality Alliance, were used to determine medication utilization issues. RESULTS: Higher proportions of patients were eligible based on ACA than MMA MTM eligibility criteria. For example, in 2013, proportions based on ACA and MMA MTM eligibility criteria would be 99.7% and 26.2%, respectively, in the main analysis (p < .001); in the demand-based main analysis, ACA criteria were associated with 13.6% and 9.8%, respectively, higher effectiveness than MMA criteria among non-Hispanic blacks and Hispanics than non-Hispanic whites. CONCLUSION: ACA MTM eligibility criteria are more effective than MMA criteria in identifying older patients needing MTM, particularly among minorities. J Am Geriatr Soc 67:581-587, 2019.

Higher Predictive Value Positive for MMA Than ACA MTM Eligibility Criteria Among Racial and Ethnic Minorities: An Observational Study.

The objective of this study was to examine positive predictive value (PPV) of medication therapy management (MTM) eligibility criteria under Medicare Modernization Act (MMA) and Affordable Care Act (ACA) in identifying patients with medication utilization issues across racial and ethnic groups. The study analyzed Medicare data (2012-2013) for 2 213 594 beneficiaries. Medication utilization issues were determined based on medication utilization measures mostly developed by Pharmacy Quality Alliance. MMA was associated with higher PPV than ACA in identifying individuals with medication utilization issues among non-Hispanic blacks (blacks) and Hispanics than non-Hispanic whites (whites). For example, odds ratio for having medication utilization issues to whites when examining MMA in 2013 and ACA were 1.09 (95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.04-1.15) among blacks, and 1.17 (95% CI = 1.10-1.24) among Hispanics, in the main analysis. Therefore, MMA was associated with 9% and 17% higher PPV than ACA in identifying patients with medication utilization issues among blacks and Hispanics, respectively, than whites.

A retrospective review of treatment patterns of antiemetic agents for chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the treatment pattern of antiemetic agents used for chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting in a tertiary hospital in Saudi Arabia. METHODS: Over a period of 7 weeks, all new chemotherapy order sheets were collected and evaluated for chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting management. We compared each antiemetic regimen used for chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting prophylaxis with three international antiemetic guidelines by the following organizations: the Multinational Association of Supportive Care in Cancer, the American Society of Clinical Oncology, and the National Comprehensive Cancer Network for the clinician. RESULTS: A total of 152 cancer patients were included in the study, for whom 289 chemotherapy physician orders included antiemetic regimens. Approximately 17.3% of the chemotherapy protocols had total minimal emetogenicity risk, 22.5% had low risk, 37.02% had moderate risk, and 23.18% had high risk. For acute emesis, 27.57% of the antiemetic regimens followed at least one of the three reference guidelines. For delayed emesis, only 20.16% of the antiemetic regimens adhered to at least one of the three reference guidelines. CONCLUSION: Adherence to treatment recommendations and antiemetics prescribing for chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting was suboptimal at this hospital. However, institutional antiemetic guidelines and oncology pharmacists could play an important role in better assessment and management of chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting.

Racial and Ethnic Disparities in Meeting MTM Eligibility Criteria Based on Star Ratings Compared with the Medicare Modernization Act.

BACKGROUND: Previous research found racial and ethnic disparities in meeting medication therapy management (MTM) eligibility criteria implemented by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) in accordance with the Medicare Modernization Act (MMA). OBJECTIVE: To examine whether alternative MTM eligibility criteria based on the CMS Part D star ratings quality evaluation system can reduce racial and ethnic disparities. METHODS: This study analyzed the Beneficiary Summary File and claims files for Medicare beneficiaries linked to the Area Health Resource File. Three million Medicare beneficiaries with continuous Parts A, B, and D enrollment in 2012-2013 were included. Proposed star ratings criteria included 9 existing medication safety and adherence measures developed mostly by the Pharmacy Quality Alliance. Logistic regression and the Blinder-Oaxaca approach were used to test disparities in meeting MMA and star ratings eligibility criteria across racial and ethnic groups. Multinomial logistic regression was used to examine whether there was a disparity reduction by comparing individuals who were MTM-eligible under MMA but not under star ratings criteria and those who were MTM-eligible under star ratings criteria but not under the MMA. Concerning MMA-based MTM criteria, main and sensitivity analyses were performed to represent the entire range of the MMA eligibility thresholds reported by plans in 2009, 2013, and proposed by CMS in 2015. Regarding star ratings criteria, meeting any 1 of the 9 measures was examined as the main analysis, and various measure combinations were examined as the sensitivity analyses. RESULTS: In the main analysis, adjusted odds ratios for non-Hispanic blacks (backs) and Hispanics to non-Hispanic whites (whites) were 1.394 (95% CI = 1.375-1.414) and 1.197 (95% CI = 1.176-1.218), respectively, under star ratings. Blacks were 39.4% and Hispanics were 19.7% more likely to be MTM-eligible than whites. Blacks and Hispanics were less likely to be MTM-eligible than whites in some sensitivity analyses. Disparities were not completely explained by differences in patient characteristics based on the Blinder-Oaxaca approach. The multinomial logistic regression of each main analysis found significant adjusted relative risk ratios (RRR) between whites and blacks for 2009 (RRR = 0.459, 95% CI = 0.438-0.481); 2013 (RRR = 0.449, 95% CI = 0.434-0.465); and 2015 (RRR = 0.436, 95% CI = 0.425-0.446) and between whites and Hispanics for 2009 (RRR = 0.559, 95% CI = 0.528-0.593); 2013 (RRR = 0.544, 95% CI = 0.521-0.569); and 2015 (RRR = 0.503, 95% CI = 0.488-0.518). These findings indicate a significant reduction in racial and ethnic disparities when using star ratings eligibility criteria; for example, black-white disparities in the likelihood of meeting MTM eligibility criteria were reduced by 55.1% based on star ratings compared with MMA in 2013. Similar patterns were found in most sensitivity and disease-specific analyses. CONCLUSIONS: This study found that minorities were more likely than whites to be MTM-eligible under the star ratings criteria. In addition, MTM eligibility criteria based on star ratings would reduce racial and ethnic disparities associated with MMA in the general Medicare population and those with specific chronic conditions. DISCLOSURES: Research reported in this publication was supported by the National Institute on Aging of the National Institutes of Health under award number R01AG049696. The content of this study is solely the responsibility of the authors and does not necessarily represent the official views of the National Institutes of Health. Cushman reports an Eli Lilly grant and uncompensated consulting for Takeda Pharmaceuticals outside this work. The other authors have no potential conflicts of interest to report. Study concept and design were contributed by Wang and Shih, along with Wan, Kuhle, Spivey, and Cushman. Wang, Qiao, and Wan took the lead in data collection, with assistance from the other authors. Data interpretation was performed by Wang, Kuhle, and Qiao, with assistance from the other authors. The manuscript was written by Spivey and Qiao, along with the other authors, and revised by Cushman, Dagogo-Jack, and Chisholm-Burns, along with the other authors.

Predictive Value Positive of MTM Eligibility Criteria under MMA and ACA in Identifying Individuals with Medication Utilization Issues.

OBJECTIVES: To compare the predictive value positives (PVP) of medication therapy management eligibility criteria under the Medicare Modernization Act (MMA) and Affordable Care Act (ACA) in identifying individuals with medication utilization issues (MUI). METHODS: This is a retrospective analysis of Medicare database (2012-2013). MUI were determined based on medication utilization measures related to Medicare Part D Star Ratings. PVP or proportions of individuals with MUI were compared between individuals eligible for MTM under MMA and ACA. Need-based and demand-based logistic regression was used to adjust for patient characteristics. MTM eligibility thresholds in 2009 and 2013 and proposed 2015 MTM eligibility thresholds under MMA were examined. Main/sensitivity/disease-specific analyses were conducted to cover the range of eligibility thresholds and combinations. KEY FINDINGS: MMA has higher PVP in identifying patients with MUI than ACA. Proportions of individuals with MUI were higher based on MMA than ACA (e.g., 74.96% for 2009 MMA, 73.51% for 2013 MMA, and 62.46% for proposed 2015 MMA vs. 52.17% for ACA in main analysis; P<0.05). Adjusted findings were similar. For example, based on the demand-based model in the main analysis, the odds ratios were 2.474 (95% CI: 2.454-2.494) for 2013 MMA in comparison to ACA. These numbers indicate that the MMA MTM eligibility criteria for 2013 had 147.4% higher PVP in identifying patients with MUI than ACA. Similar patterns were found in most sensitivity and disease-specific analyses. CONCLUSIONS: MMA has higher PVP than ACA in identifying patients with MUI. This study may inform the government on future MTM policy.

Racial and Ethnic Disparities in Influenza Vaccination among Adults with Chronic Medical Conditions Vary by Age in the United States.

BACKGROUND: People living with chronic health conditions exhibit higher risk for developing severe complications from influenza according to the Centers for Diseases Control and Prevention. Although racial and ethnic disparities in influenza vaccination have been documented, it has not been comprehensively determined whether similar disparities are present among the adult population with at least one such condition. OBJECTIVE: To study if racial and ethnic disparities in relation to influenza vaccination are present in adults suffering from at least one chronic condition and if such inequalities differ between age groups. METHODS: The Medical Expenditure Panel Survey (2011-2012) was used to study the adult population (age ≥18) who had at least one chronic health condition. Baseline differences in population traits across racial and ethnic groups were identified using a chi-square test. This was conducted among various age groups. In addition, survey logistic regression was utilized to produce odds ratios of receiving influenza vaccination annually between racial and ethnic groups. RESULTS: The total sample consisted of 15,499 adults living with at least one chronic health condition. The numbers of non-Hispanic whites (whites), non-Hispanic blacks (blacks), and Hispanics were 8,658, 3,585, and 3,256, respectively. Whites (59.93%) were found to have a higher likelihood of self-reporting their receipt of the influenza vaccine in comparison to the black (48.54%) and Hispanic (48.65%) groups (P<0.001). When examining persons aged 50-64 years and ≥65 years, it was noted that the black (54.99%, 62.72%) and Hispanic (53.54%, 64.48%) population had lower rates of influenza vaccine coverage than the white population (59.22%, 77.89) (both P<0.0001). No significant differences between whites and the blacks or Hispanics were found among the groups among adults between 18 and 49 inclusive (P>0.05). After controlling for patient characteristics, the difference in influenza vaccine coverage between whites and the minority groups were no longer significant for adults aged 50-64 years. However, the difference were still statistically significant for those aged ≥65 years. CONCLUSIONS: In the United States, there are significant disparities in influenza vaccination by race and ethnicity for adults over 65 years with at least one chronic health condition. Future research is needed to help develop more targeted interventions to address these issues and improve influenza vaccination rates.

Racial and ethnic disparities in meeting MTM eligibility criteria among patients with asthma.

BACKGROUND: Asthma is one of the most frequently targeted chronic diseases in the medication therapy management (MTM) programs of the Medicare prescription drug (Part D) benefits. Although racial and ethnic disparities in meeting eligibility criteria for MTM services have been reported, little is known about whether there would be similar disparities among adults with asthma in the United States. METHODS: Adult patients with asthma (age ≥ 18) from Medical Expenditure Panel Survey (2011-2012) were analyzed. Bivariate analyses were conducted to compare the proportions of patients who would meet Medicare MTM eligibility criteria between non-Hispanic Blacks (Blacks), Hispanics and non-Hispanic Whites (Whites). Survey-weighted logistic regression was performed to adjust for patient characteristics. Main and sensitivity analyses were conducted to cover the entire range of the eligibility thresholds used by Part D plans in 2011-2012. RESULTS: The sample included 4,455 patients with asthma, including 2,294 Whites, 1,218 Blacks, and 943 Hispanics. Blacks and Hispanics had lower proportions of meeting MTM eligibility criteria than did Whites (P < 0.001). According to the main analysis, Blacks and Hispanics had 36% and 32% lower, respectively, likelihood of MTM eligibility than Whites (odds ratio [OR]: 0.64, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.45-0.90; OR: 0.68, 95% CI: 0.47-0.98, respectively). Similar results were obtained in sensitivity analyses. CONCLUSIONS: There are racial and ethnic disparities in meeting Medicare Part D MTM eligibility criteria among adult patients with asthma. Future studies should examine the implications of such disparities on health outcomes of patients with asthma and explore alternative MTM eligibility criteria.

Disparity Implications of Proposed 2015 Medicare Eligibility Criteria for Medication Therapy Management Services.

OBJECTIVES: Previous studies found that racial and ethnic minorities may be less likely than non-Hispanic Whites (Whites) to meet existing Medicare medication therapy management (MTM) eligibility criteria. To address these issues, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) proposed alternative Medicare MTM eligibility criteria for 2015. Due to opposition to other Part D reforms proposed simultaneously by various stakeholders, CMS rescinded all proposed reforms. This study was conducted to determine whether non-Hispanic Blacks (Blacks) and Hispanics have lower likelihood of meeting the proposed 2015 Medicare MTM eligibility criteria. METHODS: This retrospective observational analysis used Medical Expenditure Panel Survey data (2010-2011). The final study sample was comprised of 2,721 Whites (weighted to 37,185,896), 917 Blacks (weighted to 4,665,644), and 538 Hispanics (weighted to 3,532,882). Chi-square tests were used to examine racial and ethnic disparities in meeting proposed 2015 MTM eligibility criteria and each component of proposed 2015 MTM eligibility criteria. In multivariate analysis, a logistic regression model was used to control for population socio-demographic and health-related characteristics. KEY FINDINGS: Compared to Whites with a proportion of MTM eligibility of 58.82%, the eligible proportion was 57.09% (P=0.20) for Blacks, and 48.97% (P<0.0001) for Hispanics, respectively. According to multivariate logistic regression, odds ratios of meeting MTM eligibility for Blacks and Hispanics compared to Whites were 0.74 (95% Confidence Internal [CI] = 0.62-0.88) and 0.53 (95% CI=0.43-0.67), respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The proposed 2015 MTM eligibility criteria would not eliminate racial and ethnic disparities in MTM eligibility. Alternative MTM eligibility criteria should be devised.

Potential Health Implications of Medication Therapy Management Eligibility Criteria in the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act Across Racial and Ethnic Groups.

BACKGROUND: The Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement, and Modernization Act requires Part D plans to establish programs to provide medication therapy management (MTM) services starting from 2006. MTM services have been found to improve patient outcomes from pharmacotherapy, reduce emergency room visits and hospitalizations, and reduce health care costs in a cost-effective fashion. However, previous research found that non-Hispanic blacks (blacks) and Hispanics may be less likely to be eligible for MTM services than non-Hispanic whites (whites) among the Medicare population, according to current Medicare MTM eligibility criteria. This finding is because Medicare MTM eligibility criteria are predominantly based on medication use and costs, and blacks and Hispanics tend to use fewer prescription medications and incur lower prescription medication costs. The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA) laid out a set of MTM eligibility criteria for eligible entities to target patients for MTM services: "(1) take 4 or more prescribed medications ...; (2) take any 'high risk' medications; (3) have 2 or more chronic diseases ... or (4) have undergone a transition of care, or other factors ... that are likely to create a high risk of medication-related problems." OBJECTIVES: To (a) examine racial/ethnic disparities in meeting the eligibility criteria for MTM services in PPACA among the Medicare population and (b) determine whether there would be greater disparities in health and economic outcomes among MTM-ineligible than MTM-eligible groups. METHODS: This was a retrospective cross-sectional analysis of the Medicare Current Beneficiaries Survey (2007-2008). To determine medication characteristics, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration's Electronic Orange Book was also used. Proportions of the population eligible for MTM services based on PPACA MTM eligibility criteria were compared across racial and ethnic groups using a chi-square test; a logistic regression model was used to adjust for population sociodemographic and health characteristics. Health and economic outcomes examined included health status (self-perceived good health status, number of chronic diseases, activities of daily living [ADLs], and instrumental activities of daily living [IADLs]), health services utilization and costs (physician visits, emergency room visits, and total health care costs), and medication use patterns (generic dispensing ratio). To determine difference in disparities across MTM eligibility categories, difference-in-differences regressions of various functional forms were employed, depending on the nature of the dependent variables. Interaction terms between the dummy variables for minority groups (e.g., blacks or Hispanics) and MTM eligibility were included to test whether disparity patterns varied between MTM-ineligible and MTM-eligible individuals. RESULTS: The sample consisted of 12,966 Medicare beneficiaries, of which 11,161 were white, 930 were black, and 875 were Hispanic. Of the study sample, 9,992 whites (86.4%), 825 blacks (86.3%), and 733 Hispanics (80.6%) were eligible for MTM. The difference between whites and Hispanics was significant (P less than 0.050), and the difference between whites and blacks was not significant (P greater than 0.050). In multivariate analyses, significant disparity in eligibility for MTM services was found only between Hispanics and whites (odds ratio [OR] = 0.59; 95% CI = 0.43-0.82) but not between blacks and whites (OR = 0.78; 95% CI = 0.55-1.09). Disparities were greater among the MTM-ineligible than the MTM-eligible populations in self-perceived health status, ADLs, and IADLs for both blacks and Hispanics compared with whites. When analyzing the number of chronic conditions, the number and costs of physician visits, and total health care costs, the authors of this study found lower racial and ethnic disparities among the ineligible population than the eligible population. CONCLUSIONS: Hispanics are significantly less likely than whites to qualify for MTM among the Medicare population, according to MTM eligibility criteria stipulated in the PPACA. PPACA MTM eligibility criteria may aggravate existing racial and ethnic disparities in health status but may remediate racial and ethnic disparities in health services utilization. Alternative MTM eligibility criteria other than PPACA MTM eligibility criteria may be needed to improve the efficiency and equity of access to Medicare Part D MTM programs.

Stroke associated with discontinuation of warfarin therapy for atrial fibrillation.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to determine the association between warfarin discontinuation and stroke among patients with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation (NVAF). RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: This was a retrospective, observational study of adult NVAF patients (≥ 18 years) who were on warfarin in the Truven MarketScan commercial claims and encounters and Medicare supplemental and coordination of benefits databases (1 January 2008 to 30 June 2012). Warfarin discontinuation was defined as a gap of ≥ 45 days in warfarin prescription within 1 year after initiation. Patients who did and did not discontinue warfarin were matched at a 1:1 ratio using a propensity score method. Matched patients were followed for up to 1 year to determine risks of ischemic stroke, transient ischemic attack (TIA), and hemorrhagic stroke. A multivariate Cox proportional hazards model was used to further adjust for the effects of potential confounders. RESULTS: A total of 27,000 patients were included. Patients who discontinued warfarin had higher rates of ischemic stroke compared to persistent patients (1.0 vs. 0.5 per 100 patient years, P < 0.01), but similar rates of TIA (1.2 vs. 0.9 per 100 patient years, respectively; P = 0.07) and hemorrhagic stroke (0.3 vs. 0.2 per 100 patient years, P = 0.31). After adjustment for potential confounders, warfarin discontinuation was significantly associated with increased risk of ischemic stroke (hazard ratio [HR]: 2.04; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.47-2.84), TIA (HR: 1.36; 95% CI: 1.04-1.78), and ischemic stroke or TIA (HR: 1.50; 95% CI: 1.20-1.87). CONCLUSIONS: Warfarin discontinuation is associated with increased risk of ischemic stroke and TIA. Health care providers may need to take a more active role in the management of warfarin discontinuation and clinical outcomes, e.g., by considering newer anticoagulants with favorable risk-benefit profiles. Key limitations of the study include unavailability of important clinical factors and measures in claims data.

Discontinuation/Interruption of Warfarin Therapy in Patients with Nonvalvular Atrial Fibrillation.

BACKGROUND: Use of warfarin is standard of care for stroke prevention in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF). However, AF patients experience high rates of warfarin discontinuation/interruption, resulting in increased health risks and health care costs. As such, it is important to study the rates and predictors of warfarin discontinuation/interruption in this population. OBJECTIVES: To determine (a) rates of warfarin discontinuation and interruption and (b) demographic, clinical, and health care-related factors associated with discontinuation and interruption in patients with nonvalvular AF (NVAF) in the usual clinical practice settings in the United States. METHODS: This retrospective cohort study used the MarketScan Database and included patients (aged ≥ 18 years) with NVAF who were initiated on warfarin. The study period was January 1, 2008, to June 30, 2012. To be included, patients were required to have at least 2 claims with AF diagnosis separated by ≥ 30 days and ≤ 12 months and at least 1 outpatient claim. Warfarin initiation had to occur within 30 days of the AF diagnosis. Patients also had to have continuous enrollment in prescription drug plans from 6 months prior to warfarin use to at least 12 months after warfarin initiation. Patients were followed for 1 year after warfarin initiation. Persistence was defined as warfarin therapy without a gap ≥ 45 days between the end date of the former prescription and the start date of the current prescription or with international normalized ratio (INR) monitoring at least every 42 days. Interruption was defined as a gap in warfarin therapy ≥ 45 days and ≤ 90 days between the end date of the former prescription and the start date of the current prescription and without INR monitoring at least every 42 days. Discontinuation was defined as greater than 90 days without warfarin therapy between the end date of the former prescription and the start date of the current prescription and without INR monitoring at least every 42 days. Chi-square tests were used to analyze categorical variables, and independent samples t-tests were used for continuous variables. Cox proportional hazards regression model was performed to determine factors associated with warfarin discontinuation/interruption, including demographic (e.g., age, gender); clinical (e.g., comorbidities, CHADS2 score); and health care-related (e.g., hospitalizations or emergency room visits) characteristics. Sensitivity analyses were conducted by varying prescription gaps by 7, 14, and 30 days. RESULTS: A total of 58,593 patients with NVAF were included. The mean age was approximately 71 years (SD = 12.00) and mean CHADS2 score was 1.66 (SD = 1.23). The majority of patients were male (60%). During 12 months after warfarin initiation, 45% of patients were persistent with warfarin; 12% had interruption without discontinuation; and 43% had discontinuation. The risk of warfarin interruption or discontinuation was significantly greater in patients who were younger than 65 years (HR = 1.22; 95% CI = 1.19-1.25), lived in the West (HR = 1.07; 95% CI = 1.03-1.11), had history of anemia (HR = 1.10; 95% CI = 1.06-1.14), had history of bleeding (HR = 1.10; 95% CI = 1.06-1.14), or had history of hospitalization or emergency room visits (HR = 1.11; 95% CI = 1.08-1.13). The significant factors associated with interruption and discontinuation were similar. In the sensitivity analyses, the significant factors associated with discontinuation/interruption were similar across different prescription gaps. CONCLUSIONS: In the U.S. clinical practice setting, more than 50% of NVAF patients discontinued or interrupted warfarin within 1 year after initiation. Aged less than 65 years, history of anemia, and history of hospitalization/emergency room visits were associated with increased risk of discontinuation/interruption. Given the high prevalence of warfarin discontinuation/interruption, health care providers should take a more active role in understanding and addressing the reasons behind patient discontinuation/interruption.

Potential effects of racial and ethnic disparities in meeting Medicare medication therapy management eligibility criteria.

OBJECTIVE: Medication therapy management (MTM) has the potential to play an instrumental role in reducing racial and ethnic disparities in health care. However, previous research has found that Blacks and Hispanics are less likely to be eligible for MTM. The purpose of the current study was to examine the potential effects of MTM eligibility criteria on racial and ethnic disparities in health outcomes. METHODS: The current study is a retrospective cross-sectional analysis of the Medicare Current Beneficiary Survey Cost and Use files for the years 2007 and 2008. A difference-in-differences model was used to compare disparities in outcomes between ineligible and eligible beneficiaries according to MTM eligibility criteria in 2010. This was achieved by including in regression models interaction terms between dummy variables for Blacks/Hispanics and MTM eligibility criteria. Interaction terms were interpreted on both multiplicative and additive terms. Various regression models were used depending on the types of variables. KEY FINDINGS: Whites were more likely to report self-perceived good health status than Blacks and Hispanics among both MTM-eligible and MTM-ineligible populations. Disparities were greater among MTM-ineligible than MTM-eligible populations (e.g., on additive term, difference in odds=1.94 and P<0.01 for Whites and Blacks; difference in odds=2.86 and P<0.01 for Whites and Hispanics). A few other measures also exhibited significant patterns. CONCLUSIONS: MTM eligibility criteria may exacerbate racial and ethnic disparities in health status and some measures of health services utilizations and costs and medication utilization. Future research should examine strategies to remediate the effects of MTM eligibility criteria on disparities.

Potential health implications of racial and ethnic disparities in meeting MTM eligibility criteria.

BACKGROUND: Previous studies have found that racial and ethnic minorities would be less likely to meet the Medicare eligibility criteria for medication therapy management (MTM) services than their non-Hispanic White counterparts. OBJECTIVES: To examine whether racial and ethnic disparities in health status, health services utilization and costs, and medication utilization patterns among MTM-ineligible individuals differed from MTM-eligible individuals. METHODS: This study analyzed Medicare beneficiaries in 2004-2005 Medicare Current Beneficiary Survey. Various multivariate regressions were employed depending on the nature of dependent variables. Interaction terms between the dummy variables for Blacks (and Hispanics) and MTM eligibility were included to test whether disparity patterns varied between MTM-ineligible and MTM-eligible individuals. Main and sensitivity analyses were conducted for MTM eligibility thresholds for 2006 and 2010. RESULTS: Based on the main analysis for 2006 MTM eligibility criteria, the proportions for self-reported good health status for Whites and Blacks were 82.82% vs. 70.75%, respectively (difference = 12.07%; P < 0.001), among MTM-ineligible population; and 56.98% vs. 52.14%, respectively (difference = 4.84%; P = 0.31), among MTM-eligible population. The difference between these differences was 7.23% (P < 0.001). In the adjusted logistic regression, the interaction effect for Blacks and MTM eligibility had an OR of 1.57 (95% Confidence Interval, or CI = 0.98-2.52) on multiplicative term and difference in odds of 2.38 (95% CI = 1.54-3.22) on additive term. Analyses for disparities between Whites and Hispanics found similar disparity patterns. All analyses for 2006 and 2010 eligibility criteria generally reported similar patterns. Analyses of other measures did not find greater racial or ethnic disparities among the MTM-ineligible than MTM-eligible individuals. CONCLUSIONS: Disparities in MTM eligibility may aggravate existing racial and ethnic disparities in health outcomes. However, disparities in MTM eligibility may not aggravate existing disparities in health services utilization and costs and medication utilization patterns. Future studies should examine the effects of Medicare Part D on these disparities.

Effects of medicare part d on disparity implications of medication therapy management eligibility criteria.

BACKGROUND: Previous studies have shown that there were greater racial and ethnic disparities among individuals who were ineligible for medication therapy management (MTM) services than among MTM-eligible individuals before the implementation of Medicare Part D in 2006. OBJECTIVE: To determine whether the implementation of Medicare Part D in 2006 correlates to changes in racial and ethnic disparities among MTM-ineligible and MTM-eligible beneficiaries. METHODS: Data from the Medicare Current Beneficiary Survey were analyzed in this retrospective observational analysis. To examine potential racial and ethnic disparities, non-Hispanic whites were compared with non-Hispanic blacks and Hispanics. Three aspects of disparities were analyzed, including health status, health services utilization and costs, and medication utilization patterns. A generalized difference-in-differences analysis was used to examine the changes in difference in disparities between MTM-ineligible and MTM-eligible individuals from 2004-2005 to 2007-2008 relative to changes from 2001-2002 and 2004-2005. Various multivariate regressions were used based on the types of dependent variables. A main analysis and several sensitivity analyses were conducted to represent the ranges of MTM eligibility thresholds used by Medicare Part D plans in 2010. RESULTS: The main analysis showed that Part D implementation was not associated with reductions in greater racial and ethnic disparities among MTM-ineligible than MTM-eligible Medicare beneficiaries. The main analysis suggests that after Part D implementation, Medicare MTM eligibility criteria may not consistently improve the existing racial and ethnic disparities in health status, health services utilization and costs, and medication utilization. By contrast, several sensitivity analyses showed that Part D implementation did correlate with a significant reduction in greater racial disparities among the MTM-ineligible group than the MTM-eligible group in activities of daily living and in instrumental activities of daily living. Part D implementation may be also associated with a reduction in greater ethnic disparities among the MTM-ineligible group than the MTM-eligible groups in the costs of physician visits. CONCLUSION: Part D implementation was not associated with consistent reductions in the disparity implications of the Medicare MTM eligibility criteria. The main analysis showed that Part D implementation was not associated with a reduction in disparities associated with MTM eligibility, although several sensitivity analyses did show reductions in disparities in specific aspects. Future research should explore alternative Medicare MTM eligibility criteria to eliminate racial and ethnic disparities among the Medicare population.