Infection and Pediatric Arterial Ischemic Stroke Presumably Related to Focal Cerebral Arteriopathy: Data From the COVID-19 Pandemic.

BACKGROUND: Infection may trigger pediatric arterial ischemic stroke (PAIS), notably when related to focal cerebral arteriopathy. Community- and individual-level nonpharmaceutical interventions during the COVID-19 pandemic resulted in a major decrease in pediatric viral infections. We explored the consequences on the incidence of PAIS. METHODS: Using national public health databases, we identified children hospitalized between 2015 and 2022 with PAIS. Using an age proxy (29 days to 7 years) and excluding patients with cardiac and hematologic conditions, we focused on children with PAIS presumably related to focal cerebral arteriopathy or with no definite cause. Considering the delay between infection and PAIS occurrence, we compared a prepandemic reference period, a period with nonpharmaceutical interventions, and a post-nonpharmaceutical intervention period. RESULTS: Interrupted time-series analyses of the monthly incidence of PAIS in this group showed a significant decrease in the nonpharmaceutical intervention period compared with the prepandemic period: -33.5% (95% CI, -55.2%, -1.3%); P=0.043. CONCLUSIONS: These data support the association between infection and PAIS presumably related to focal cerebral arteriopathy.

The Economic Burden of Disease in France From the National Health Insurance Perspective: The Healthcare Expenditures and Conditions Mapping Used to Prepare the French Social Security Funding Act and the Public Health Act.

BACKGROUND: Identifying the most frequently treated and the costliest health conditions is essential for prioritizing actions to improve the resilience of health systems. OBJECTIVES: Healthcare Expenditures and Conditions Mapping describes the annual economic burden of 58 health conditions to prepare the French Social Security Funding Act and the Public Health Act. DESIGN: Annual cross-sectional study (2015-2019) based on the French national health database. SUBJECTS: National health insurance beneficiaries (97% of the French residents). MEASURES: All individual health care expenditures reimbursed by the national health insurance were attributed to 58 health conditions (treated diseases, chronic treatments, and episodes of care) identified by using algorithms based on available medical information (diagnosis coded during hospital stays, long-term diseases, and specific drugs). RESULTS: In 2019, €167.0 billion were reimbursed to 66.3 million people (52% women, median age: 42 y). The most prevalent treated diseases were diabetes (6.0%), chronic respiratory diseases (5.5%), and coronary diseases (3.2%). Coronary diseases accounted for 4.6% of expenditures, neurotic and mood disorders 3.7%, psychotic disorders 2.8%, and breast cancer 2.1%. Between 2015 and 2019, the expenditures increased primarily for diabetes (+€906 million) and neurotic and mood disorders (+€861 million) due to the growing number of patients. "Active lung cancer" (+€797 million) represented the highest relative increase (+54%) due to expenditures for the expensive drugs and medical devices delivered at hospital. CONCLUSIONS: These results have provided policy-makers, evaluators, and public health specialists with key insights into identifying health priorities and a better understanding of trends in health care expenditures in France.

Cancer and end of life: the management provided during the year and the month preceding death in 2015 and causes of death in France.

PURPOSE: The management of cancer patients at the end of life in France and their causes of death are not well known. METHODS: People managed for cancer in 2014-2015, who died in 2015 and who were covered by the national health insurance general scheme (77% of the French population) were selected from the national health data system in order to analyze the health care reimbursed during the year and the month before their death. RESULTS: This study included 125,497 people (mean age 73 years, SD 12.5) managed for cancer: colorectal: 12%, lung: 18%, prostate: 9%, breast: 8% and other: 62%. Almost 67% of people died in short-stay hospitals (SSH), 8% died in rehabilitation units (Rehab), 4% died in hospital at home (HaH), 5% died in skilled nursing homes (SNH) and 15% died at home or another place. The mean annual duration of all types of hospitalization was 70 days (SD 66) and 59% of patients had received hospital palliative care (HPC). During the last month of life, 42% of people had attended an emergency department at least once and people who had received HPC were less often admitted to an intensive care unit (10% versus 23%, 15% overall). During the month before death, 17% of patients had received intravenous chemotherapy (lung 23%, breast 21%) and 9% had received a pharmacy reimbursement for another form of chemotherapy (prostate 24%, breast 19%). The main cause of death was a tumour for 81% of patients: after management of lung cancer in 91% of cases, breast cancer in 81% of cases, colorectal cancer in 76% of cases and prostate cancer in 63% of cases. CONCLUSIONS: Cancer management and death mostly occurred in SSH in France. Cancer patients frequently attend the emergency department and frequently receive chemotherapy during the last month of life. These data continue to contrast with those observed in Scandinavian- and English-speaking countries, in which management of the end of life at home is preferred.

To What Extent Does Posthospital Discharge Chemoprophylaxis Prevent Venous Thromboembolism After Bariatric Surgery?: Results From a Nationwide Cohort of More Than 110,000 Patients.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the present study was to assess the incidence, risk factors, and the impact of posthospital discharge (PHD) chemoprophylaxis on venous thromboembolism (VTE) in patients undergoing bariatric surgery (BS). BACKGROUND: VTE is a major concern after BS, especially during the PHD period. No large-scale study has previously focused on the clinical value of PHD chemoprophylaxis. METHODS: In this nationwide observational population-based cohort study, all data from patients undergoing BS were extracted from the French National Health Insurance database (SNIIRAM) from 1st January 2012 to 31st September 2014. Logistic regression models were used to compute odds ratios for potential risk factors for VTE occurring within 90 postoperative days (PODs). The association between use of PHD chemoprophylaxis (heparin) and VTE was also assessed. RESULTS: The majority (56%) of the 110,824 patients had sleeve gastrectomy. VTE rates during the first 30 and 90 PODs were 0.34% and 0.51%, respectively. On multivariate analyses, the major risk factors for VTE during the first 90 PODs were history of VTE [odds ratio = 6.33 95% confidence interval (4.44-9.00)], postoperative complications [9.23 (7.30-11.70)], heart failure [2.45 (1.48-4.06)], and open surgery [2.38 (1.59-3.45)]. PHD chemoprophylaxis was delivered to 75% of patients. No use of PHD chemoprophylaxis [1.27 (1.01-1.61)] was an independent predictive factor of VTE during the first 90 PODs [in the gastric bypass group: 1.51 (1.01-2.29)). CONCLUSIONS: In the modern era of BS, this nationwide study shows a non-negligible rate of VTE especially after sleeve gastrectomy, depending on the individual risk level. Use of PHD chemoprophylaxis may decrease the risk of PHD VTE.

Role of working conditions in the explanation of occupational inequalities in work injury: findings from the national French SUMER survey.

BACKGROUND: Social inequalities in work injury have been observed but explanations are still missing. The objectives of this study were to evaluate the contribution of working conditions in the explanation of social inequalities in work injury in a national representative sample of employees. METHODS: The study was based on the cross-sectional sample of the national French survey SUMER 2010 including 46,962 employees, 26,883 men and 20,079 women. The number of work injuries within the last 12 months was studied as the outcome. Occupation was used as a marker of social position. Psychosocial work factors included various variables related to the classical job strain model, psychological demands, decision latitude, social support, and other understudied variables related to reward, job insecurity, job promotion, esteem, working time and hours and workplace violence. Occupational exposures of chemical, biological, physical and biomechanical nature were also studied. Weighted age-adjusted Poisson regression analyses were performed. RESULTS: Occupational gradients were observed in the exposure of most psychosocial work factors and occupational exposures. Strong occupational differences in work injury were found, blue-collar workers being more likely to have work injury. Chemical, biological, physical and biomechanical exposures contributed to explain the occupational differences in work injury substantially. Noise, thermic constraints, manual materials handling, postural/articular constraints and vibrations had significant contributions. Psychosocial work factors also contributed to explain the differences especially among women. CONCLUSION: Prevention policies oriented toward chemical, biological, physical, biomechanical and psychosocial work exposures may contribute to reduce the magnitude of occupational differences in work injury.

Working conditions in the explanation of occupational inequalities in sickness absence in the French SUMER study.

Background: Explanations of social inequalities in sickness absence are lacking in the literature. Our objectives were to evaluate the contribution of various occupational exposures in explaining these inequalities in a national representative sample of employees. Methods: The study was based on the cross-sectional sample of the SUMER 2010 survey that included 46 962 employees, 26 883 men and 20 079 women. Both sickness absence spells and days within the last 12 months, as health indicators, were studied. Occupation was used as a marker of social position. The study included both psychosocial work factors (variables related to the classical job strain model, psychological demands, decision latitude, social support and understudied variables related to reward, job insecurity, job promotion, esteem, working time/hours and workplace violence) and occupational exposures of chemical, biological, physical and biomechanical nature. Weighted age-adjusted Poisson and negative binomial regression analyses were performed. Results: Strong occupational differences were found for sickness absence spells and days and for exposure to most work factors. Psychosocial work factors contributed to explain occupational differences in sickness absence spells, and the contributing factors were: decision latitude, social support, reward, shift work and workplace violence. Physical exposure, particularly noise, and biomechanical exposure were also found to be contributing factors. Almost no work factor was found to contribute to occupational differences in sickness absence days. Conclusion: Preventive measures at the workplace oriented towards low-skilled occupational groups and both psychosocial work factors and other occupational exposures may be beneficial to reduce sickness absence spells and occupational differences in this outcome.

Contribution of working conditions to occupational inequalities in depressive symptoms: results from the national French SUMER survey.

OBJECTIVES: Social inequalities in mental health have been observed, but explanations are still lacking. The objectives were to evaluate the contribution of a large set of psychosocial work factors and other occupational exposures to social inequalities in mental health in a national representative sample of employees. METHODS: The sample from the cross-sectional national French survey SUMER 2010 included 46,962 employees: 26,883 men and 20,079 women. Anxiety and depression symptoms were measured using the Hospital Anxiety and Depression scale. Occupation was used as a marker of social position. Psychosocial work factors included various variables related to the classical job strain model, psychological demands, decision latitude, social support, and other understudied variables related to reward, job insecurity, job promotion, esteem, working time/hours, and workplace violence. Other occupational exposures of chemical, biological, physical, and biomechanical nature were also studied. Weighted age-adjusted linear regression analyses were performed. RESULTS: Occupational gradients were found in the exposure to most psychosocial work factors and other occupational exposures. Occupational inequalities were observed for depressive symptoms, but not for anxiety symptoms. The factors related to decision latitude (and its sub-dimensions, skill discretion, and decision authority), social support, and reward (and its sub-dimensions, job promotion, job insecurity, and esteem) contributed to explain occupational inequalities in depressive symptoms. Decision latitude played a major role in the explanation. Workplace violence variables contributed among men only. Other exposures of physical and biomechanical nature also displayed significant contributions. CONCLUSIONS: Comprehensive prevention policies at the workplace may help to reduce social inequalities in mental health in the working population.

[Psychosocial work factors and self-reported health in the French national SUMER survey]. / Facteurs psychosociaux au travail et santé perçue dans l’enquête nationale SUMER.

INTRODUCTION: This study was designed to investigate the associations between psychosocial work factors, using well-known theoretical models and emerging concepts, and self-reported health in the national population of French employees. METHODS: This study was based on the data of the French national representative SUMER 2010 survey. The sample included 46,962 employees, 26,883 men and 20,079 women, with an 87% participation rate. Self-reported health was measured by means of a single question and was analysed as a binary variable. Psychosocial work factors included factors related to job strain and effort-reward imbalance models, workplace violence and working hours. Associations between psychosocial work factors and self-reported health were studied using weighted logistic regression models adjusted for covariates (age, occupation, economic activity, and other types of occupational exposure). RESULTS: Low decision latitude (skill discretion and decision authority), high psychological demands, low social support (from supervisors for men), low reward (low esteem and low job promotion for both genders and job insecurity for men), bullying and verbal abuse for both genders were associated with self-reported health. CONCLUSIONS: This study emphasizes the role of psychosocial work factors as risk factors for poor self-reported health and suggests that the implementation of preventive measures to reduce exposure to psychosocial work factors should be an objective for the improvement of health at work.

Psychosocial factors at work and sickness absence: results from the French national SUMER survey.

OBJECTIVE: This study aims at exploring the associations between psychosocial work factors and sickness absence. METHODS: The sample from the French National Survey SUMER 2010 included 46,962 employees. Sickness absence spells and days within the last year were studied as two outcomes. Psychosocial work factors included psychological demands, decision latitude, social support, reward, working time, and workplace violence variables. Covariates were age, occupation, economic activity, and other occupational exposures. RESULTS: For both genders, low latitude, low reward, shift work, bullying, and verbal abuse were risk factors of absence spells while long working hours were a protective factor. High demands, low support, and physical violence were risk factors for women. Low support and bullying for both genders, high demands for women, and low reward, long working hours, and physical violence for men increased absence duration. CONCLUSIONS: This study highlights the importance of psychosocial work factors as risk factors of sickness absence.

One-year emergency department visits for children < 18 years of age, associated factors and frequency of primary general practitioner or pediatrician visits before: a French observational study (2018-19).

BACKGROUND: This study was designed to identify factors associated with at least one emergency department (ED) visit and those associated without consultation by a general practitioner or paediatrician (GPP) before ED visit. Levels of annual consumption of healthcare services as a function of the number of ED visit were reported. METHODS: This retrospective study focused on children < 18 years of age living in mainland France and followed for one-year after their birth or birthday in 2018. Children were selected from the national health data system, which includes data on healthcare reimbursements, long-term chronic diseases (LTD) eligible for 100% reimbursement, and individual complementary universal insurance (CMUc) status granted to households with a low annual income. Adjusted odds ratios (OR) were estimated using multivariate logistic regression. RESULTS: There were 13.211 million children included (94.2% of children; girls 48.8%). At least one annual ED visit was found for 24% (1: 16%, 2: 5%, 3 or more: 3%) and 14% of visits led to hospitalization. Factors significantly associated with at least one ED visit were being a girl (47.1%; OR = 0.92), age < 1 year (9.1%; OR = 2.85), CMUc (22.7%, OR = 1.45), an ED in the commune of residence (33.3%, OR = 1.15), type 1 diabetes (0.25%; OR = 2.4), epilepsy (0.28%; OR = 2.1), and asthma (0.39%; OR = 2.0). At least one annual short stay hospitalisation (SSH) was found for 8.8% children of which 3.4% after an ED visit. A GPP visit the three days before or the day of the ED visit was found for 19% of children (< 1 year: 29%, 14-17 years: 13%). It was 30% when the ED was followed by SSH and 17% when not. Significant factors associated with the absence of a GPP visit were being a girl (OR = 0.9), age (1 year OR = 1.4, 14-17 years OR = 3.5), presence of an ED in the commune of residence (OR = 1.12), epilepsy LTD (OR = 1.1). CONCLUSION: The low level of visits to GPP prior to a visit to the ED and the associated factors are the elements to be taken into account for appropriate policies to limit ED overcrowding. The same applies to factors associated with a visit to the ED, in order to limit daily variations.

Using filled prescription sequences to rank antidepressants: A nationwide replication study.

Ranking antidepressants according to their acceptability (i.e., a combination of both efficacy and tolerability) in the general population may help choosing the best first-line medication. This study aimed to replicate the results of a proof-of-concept study ranking anti-depressants according to the proportion of filled prescription sequences consistent with a continuation of the first treatment versus those consistent with a change. We used a nationwide cohort from the French national health data system (SNDS) to support the use of this method as a widely available tool to rank antidepressant treatments in real life settings. About 1.2 million people were identified as new antidepressant users in the SNDS in 2011. The outcome was clinical acceptability as measured by the continuation/failure ratio over the six-month period following the introduction of the first-line treatment. Continuation was defined as at least two refills of the same treatment. Failure was defined as a psychiatric hospitalization, death or at least one filled prescription of another antidepressant, an antipsychotic medication, or a mood-stabilizer. Adjusted Odds Ratios (aOR) and 95% Confidence Interval (CI) were computed through multivariable binary logistic regressions. We ranked antidepressant medications according to clinical acceptability. Escitalopram again was the most acceptable option, and the five following antidepressants were the same as in the replication sample of the proof-of-concept study, in order Fluoxetine, Paroxetine, Sertraline, Citalopram and Venlafaxine with aOR (95% CI) for continuation ranging from 0.79 (0.77-0.81) to 0.66 (0.64-0.67). The present study provides evidence that filled prescription sequences is a widely available, robust and reproductible tool to rank antidepressant treatments in real life settings.

Acceptability of Second-Line Antidepressant Medications Using Filled Prescription Sequences in a Nationwide Cohort Study.

Background: Although about half of patients do not respond to a first-line antidepressant medication, there is no consensus on the best second-line option. The aim of this nationwide population-based study was to rank antidepressants according to their relative acceptability (ie, efficacy and tolerability) using filled prescription sequences after failure of first treatment.Methods: About 1.2 million people were identified as new antidepressant users in the French national health data system in 2011. The inclusion criterion was having at least 2 filled prescriptions of a second-line treatment after a filled prescription of a first-line treatment, resulting in 63,726 participants. The outcome was clinical acceptability as measured by the continuation/change ratio for second-line treatment. Continuation sequence was defined as at least 2 refills of the same treatment. Change sequence was defined as at least 1 filled prescription of another antidepressant. Adjusted odds ratios (aORs) were computed through multivariable binary logistic regressions.Results: Intraclass switch had a better acceptability than interclass switch (aOR [95% CI]: 1.23 [1.20-1.28]). According to the first-line treatment, intraclass switch remained more acceptable for selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors only (1.37 [1.31-1.42]). For α2 blockers and tricyclic agents, combination antidepressant therapy was the most acceptable second-line option (1.59 [1.27-2.01] and 2.53 [1.53-4.04], respectively), whereas for serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors there was no significant difference between the strategies. For other antidepressants, intraclass switch had lower acceptability than interclass switch (0.70 [0.51-0.95]).Conclusions: Administrative claim databases may help with ranking acceptability of second-line treatments in real world settings and complement randomized controlled trials in informing clinicians about the most acceptable second-line options according to the first-line treatment.

Outcomes associated with antidepressant treatment according to the number of prescriptions and treatment changes: 5-year follow-up of a nation-wide cohort study.

Background: Naturalistic studies regarding clinical outcomes associated with antidepressant treatment duration have yielded conflicting results, possibly because they did not consider the occurrence of treatment changes. This nation-wide population-based study examined the association between the number of filled prescriptions and treatment changes and long-term psychiatric outcomes after antidepressant treatment initiation. Methods: Based on the French national health insurance database, 842,175 adults who initiated an antidepressant treatment in 2011 were included. Cox proportional-hazard multi-adjusted regression models examined the association between the number of filled prescriptions and the occurrence of treatment changes 12 months after initiation and four outcomes during a 5-year follow-up: psychiatric hospitalizations, suicide attempts, sick leaves for a psychiatric diagnosis, new episodes of antidepressant treatment. Results: During a mean follow-up of 4.5 years, the incidence rates of the four above-mentioned outcomes were 13.49, 2.47, 4.57, and 92.76 per 1,000 person-years, respectively. The number of filled prescriptions was associated with each outcome (adjusted HRs [95% CI] for one additional prescription ranging from 1.01 [1.00-1.02] to 1.10 [1.09-1.11]), as was the occurrence of at least one treatment change vs. none (adjusted HRs [95% CI] ranging from 1.18 [1.16-1.21] to 1.57 [1.79-1.65]). Furthermore, the adjusted HRs [95% CI] of the number of filled prescriptions were greater in patients with (vs. without) a treatment change for psychiatric hospitalizations (1.12 [1.11-1.14] vs. 1.09 [1.08-1.10], p for interaction = 0.002) and suicide attempts (1.12 [1.09-1.15] vs. 1.06 [1.04-1.08], p for interaction = 0.006). Limitations: Lack of clinical data about the disorders warranting the prescriptions or their severity. Conclusion: Considering treatment changes is critical when using administrative claims database to examine the long-term psychiatric outcomes of antidepressant treatments in real-life settings.

Underuse of primary healthcare in France during the COVID-19 epidemic in 2020 according to individual characteristics: a national observational study.

BACKGROUND: The organization of healthcare systems changed significantly during the COVID-19 pandemic. The impact on the use of primary care during various key periods in 2020 has been little studied. METHODS: Using individual data from the national health database, we compared the numbers of people with at least one consultation, deaths, the total number of consultations for the population of mainland France (64.3 million) and the mean number of consultations per person (differentiating between teleconsultations and consultations in person) between 2019 and 2020. We performed analyses by week, by lockdown period (March 17 to May 10, and October 30 to December 14 [less strict]), and for the entire year. Analyses were stratified for age, sex, deprivation index, epidemic level, and disease. RESULTS: During the first lockdown, 26% of the population consulted a general practitioner (GP) at least once (-34% relative to 2019), 7.4% consulted a nurse (-28%), 1.6% a physiotherapist (-80%), and 5% a dentist (-95%). For specialists, consultations were down 82% for ophthalmologists and 37% for psychiatrists. The deficit was smaller for specialties making significant use of teleconsultations. During the second lockdown, the number of consultations was close to that in 2019, except for GPs (-7%), pediatricians (-8%), and nurses (+ 39%). Nurses had already seen a smaller increase in weekly consultations during the summer, following their authorization to perform COVID-19 screening tests. The decrease in the annual number of consultations was largest for dentists (-17%), physiotherapists (-14%), and many specialists (approximately 10%). The mean number of consultations per person was slightly lower for the various specialties, particularly for nurses (15.1 vs. 18.6). The decrease in the number of consultations was largest for children and adolescents (GPs: -10%, dentists: -13%). A smaller decrease was observed for patients with chronic diseases and with increasing age. There were 9% excess deaths, mostly in individuals over 60 years of age. CONCLUSIONS: There was a marked decrease in primary care consultations in France, especially during the first lockdown, despite strong teleconsultation activity, with differences according to age and healthcare profession. The impact of this decrease in care on morbidity and mortality merits further investigation.

Nationwide Initiation of Cardiovascular Risk Treatments During the COVID-19 Pandemic in France: Women on a Slippery Slope?

Objectives: This study examines the initiation of prescribed medication treatments for cardiovascular risk (antihypertensives, lipid-lowering drugs, oral anticoagulants in atrial fibrillation, and smoking cessation medications) during the COVID-19 pandemic in the French population. Methods: For each year between 2017 and 2021, we used the French National Insurance Database to identify the number of people with at least one reimbursement for these medications but no reimbursement in the previous 12 months. We computed incidence rate ratios (IRRs) between 2017-2019 and, respectively 2020 and 2021 using Poisson regression adjusted for age and 2017-2019 time trends. We recorded the number of lipid profile blood tests, Holter electrocardiograms, and consultations with family physicians or cardiologists. Results: In 2020, IRR significantly decreased for initiations of antihypertensives (-11.1%[CI95%, -11.4%;-10.8%]), lipid-lowering drugs (-5.2%[CI95%, -5.5%;-4.8%]), oral anticoagulants in atrial fibrillation (-8.6%[CI95%, -9.1%;-8.0%]), and smoking cessation medications (-50.9%[CI95%, -51.1%;-50.7%]) compared to 2017-2019. Larger decreases were found in women compared to men except for smoking cessation medications, with the sex difference increasing with age. Similar analyses comparing 2021 to 2017-2019 showed an increase in the initiation of lipid-lowering drugs (+ 11.6%[CI95%, 10.7%;12.5%]) but even lower rates for the other medications, particularly in women. In addition, the 2020 number of people visiting a family physician or cardiologist decreased by 8.4 and 7.4%. A higher decrease in these visits was observed in those over 65 years of age compared to those under 65 years of age. A greater use of teleconsultation was found in women. Conclusion: The COVID-19 pandemic heavily impacted the initiation of medication treatments for cardiovascular risk in France, particularly in women and people over 65 years.

French annual national observational study of 2015 outpatient and inpatient healthcare utilization by approximately half a million patients with previous heart failure diagnosis.

BACKGROUND: Heart failure management guidelines have been published, but the degree of adherence to these guidelines remains unknown. AIMS: To study in 2015 healthcare utilization and causes of death for people previously identified with heart failure. METHODS: The national health data system was used to identify adult general scheme (86% of the French population) hospitalized for heart failure between 2011 and 2014 or with only a long-term chronic disease allowance for heart failure. The frequency and median (interquartile range) of at least one healthcare use among those still alive in 2015 was calculated. RESULTS: A total of 499,296 adults (1.4% of the population) were included, and 429,853 were alive in 2015; median age 79 (68-86) years. At least one utilization was observed for a general practitioner in 95% of patients (median 8 [interquartile range 5-13] consultations), a cardiologist in 42% (2 [1-3]), a nurse in 78% (16 [4-100]), a loop diuretic in 64% (11 [8-12] dispensations), an aldosterone antagonist in 21% (8 [5-11]), a thiazide in 15% (7 [4-11]), a renin-angiotensin system inhibitor in 68% (11 [8-13]), a beta-blocker in 65% (11 [7-13]), a beta-blocker plus a renin-angiotensin system inhibitor in 57%, and a beta-blocker plus a renin-angiotensin system inhibitor plus an aldosterone antagonist in 37%. Hospitalization for heart failure was present for 8% (1 [1,2]). Higher levels of healthcare utilization were observed in the presence of hospitalization for heart failure before 2015. Among the 13.9% of people who died in 2015, heart failure accounted for 8% of causes, cardiovascular disease accounted for 39%. CONCLUSIONS: General practitioners and nurses are the main actors in the regular follow-up of patients with heart failure, whereas cardiologist consultations and dispensing of first-line treatments are insufficient with respect to guidelines.

Outpatient healthcare utilization 30 days before and after hospitalization for heart failure in France: Contribution of the national healthcare database (Systèmenationaldesdonnéesdesanté).

BACKGROUND: Guidelines have been published concerning patient management after hospitalization for heart failure. The French national healthcare database (Systèmenationaldesdonnéesdesanté; SNDS) can be used to compare these guidelines with real-life practice. AIMS: To study healthcare utilization 30 days before and after hospitalization for heart failure, and the variations induced by the exclusion of institutionalized patients, who are less exposed to outpatient healthcare utilization. METHODS: We identified the first hospitalization for heart failure in 2015 of adult beneficiaries of the health insurance schemes covering 88% of the French population, who were alive 30 days after hospitalization. Outpatient healthcare utilization rates during the 30 days after hospitalization and the median times to outpatient care, together with their interquartile ranges, were described for all patients, and for a subgroup excluding institutionalized patients. RESULTS: Among the 104,984 patients included (mean age 79 years; 52% women), 74% were non-institutionalized (mean age 78 years; 47% women). The frequencies of at least one consultation after hospitalization and the median times to consultation were 69% (total sample) vs. 78% (subgroup excluding institutionalized patients) and 8 days (interquartile range 3; 16) vs. 7 days (3; 15) for general practitioners, 20% vs. 21% and 14 days (7; 23) vs. 16 days (9; 24) for cardiologists and 58% vs. 69% and 3 days (1; 9) vs. 2 days (1; 7) for nurses, with reimbursement of diuretics in 77% vs. 86%, angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors or angiotensin II receptor blockers in 48% vs. 55% and beta-blockers in 55% vs. 63%. Departmental variations, excluding institutionalized patients, were large: general practice consultations (interquartile range 74%; 83%), cardiology consultations (11%; 23%) and nursing care (68%; 77%). CONCLUSIONS: Low outpatient healthcare utilization rates, long intervals to first healthcare utilization and departmental variations indicate a mismatch between guidelines and real-life practice, which is accentuated when including institutionalized patients.

Long-term adverse events after sleeve gastrectomy or gastric bypass: a 7-year nationwide, observational, population-based, cohort study.

BACKGROUND: Concerns are rising about the late adverse events following gastric bypass and sleeve gastrectomy. We aimed to assess, over a 7-year period, the late adverse events after gastric bypass and sleeve gastrectomy compared with matched control groups. METHODS: In this nationwide, observational, population-based, cohort study, we used data extracted from the French National Health Insurance (Système National des Données de Santé) database. All patients undergoing gastric bypass or sleeve gastrectomy in France in 2009, except those who had undergone bariatric surgery in the previous 4 years before inclusion, were matched with control patients with obesity in terms of age, sex, BMI category, baseline antidiabetic therapy, and baseline insulin therapy. Exclusion criteria for the control group included cancer, pregnancy, chronic infectious disease, serious acute or chronic disease in 2008-09, or previous (2005-09) or forthcoming (2010-11) bariatric surgery. The incidence rate was calculated for each type of adverse event leading to inpatient hospital admission over a 7-year period; incidence rate ratios (with 95% CIs) were computed to compare the rate of complications among the bariatric surgery and control groups. Risks of complications during follow-up were compared using Cox proportional-hazards regression analyses. Data were analysed according to the intention-to-treat methodology. FINDINGS: From Jan 1, 2009, to Dec 31, 2009, 8966 patients who underwent bariatric surgery (7359 [82%] women; mean age 40·4 years [SD 11·3]) and 8966 matched controls (7359 [82%] women; mean age 40·9 years [11·4]) were included in analyses 4955 (55%) off 8966 patients in the bariatric surgery group had a primary gastric bypass and 4011 (45%) patients had sleeve gastrectomy. With a mean follow-up of 6·8 years (SD 0·2), mortality was lower in the gastric bypass group than in its control group (hazard ratio 0·64 [95% CI 0·52-0·78]; p<0·0001) and in the sleeve gastrectomy group than in its control group (0·38 [0·29-0·50]; p<0·0001). The gastric bypass and sleeve gastrectomy groups had higher risk than did their control groups for invasive gastrointestinal surgery or endoscopy (incidence rate ratio 2·4 [95% CI 2·1-2·7], p<0·0001, for gastric bypass vs control and 1·5 [1·3-1·7], p<0·0001, for sleeve gastrectomy vs control); for gastrointestinal disorders not leading to invasive procedures (1·9 [1·7-2·1]), p<0·0001, for gastric bypass vs control and 1·2 [1·1-1·4], p<0·0001, for sleeve gastrectomy vs control); and for nutritional disorders (4·9 [3·8-6·4], p<0·0001, for gastric bypass vs control and 1·8 [1·3-2·5], p<0·0001, for sleeve gastrectomy vs control). For psychiatric disorders, there was no significant association (1·1 [0·9-1·4], p=0·190, for gastric bypass vs control and 1·1 [0·8-1·3], p=0·645, for sleeve gastrectomy vs control), except for gastric bypass and alcohol dependence (1·8 [1·1-2·8], p=0·0124). INTERPRETATION: Despite lower 7-year mortality, patients undergoing gastric bypass or sleeve gastrectomy had higher risk of hospital admission at least once for late adverse events, except for psychiatric disorders, than did control patients, with a higher risk observed after gastric bypass than with sleeve gastrectomy. FUNDING: None.

Intensity of care for cancer patients treated mainly at home during the month before their death: An observational study.

BACKGROUND: Little is known regarding healthcare for cancer patients treated mainly at home during the month before they die. The aim of this study was to provide information on how they were treated and what were their causes of death. METHODS: This population-based observational study analysing information obtained from the French national healthcare data system (SNDS) included adult health insurance beneficiaries treated for cancer who died in 2015 after having spent at least 25 of their last 30 days at home. RESULTS: Among the cancer patients who died in 2015, 25,463 (20%) were included [mean age (±SD) 74±13.2 years, men 62%]; 54% of them died at home. They were slightly older (75 vs. 73 years) than those who died in hospital, had less frequently received hospital palliative care during the year preceding their deaths (19% vs. 41%) and had less often used medical transport (41% vs. 73%) to an emergency department (8% vs. 62%), to hospital-based (11% vs. 17%) or community-based (16% vs. 12%) chemotherapy, to a general practitioner (73% vs. 78%) or to a community-based nursing service (63% vs. 73%). However, when they consulted a general practitioner (median 3 visits vs. 2) or a nurse (median 22 nursing procedures vs. 10) during their last month of life, visits were more frequent. The leading cause of death was tumour, which represented 69% of deaths at home vs. 74% of deaths in hospital. CONCLUSIONS: In France, home management during the last month of life is uncommon and even when it is occurs, in one out of two cases patients pass away in a hospital setting. This study is an interrogation on medical choices, given the wish of many of the French to die at home and placing their choices in an international perspective.

Association Between Bariatric Surgery and Rates of Continuation, Discontinuation, or Initiation of Antidiabetes Treatment 6 Years Later.

Importance: Few large-scale long-term prospective cohort studies have assessed changes in antidiabetes treatment after bariatric surgery. Objective: To describe the association between bariatric surgery and rates of continuation, discontinuation, or initiation of antidiabetes treatment 6 years after bariatric surgery compared with a matched control obese group. Design, Setting, and Participants: This nationwide observational population-based cohort study extracted health care reimbursement data from the French national health insurance database from January 1, 2008, to December 31, 2015. All patients undergoing primary bariatric surgery in France between January 1 and December 31, 2009, were matched on age, sex, body mass index category, and antidiabetes treatment with control patients hospitalized for obesity in 2009 with no bariatric surgery between 2005 and 2015. Exposures: Bariatric surgery, including adjustable gastric banding (AGB), gastric bypass (GBP), and sleeve gastrectomy (SG). Main Outcome and Measure: Reimbursement for antidiabetes drugs. Mixed-effects logistic regression models estimated factors of discontinuation or initiation of antidiabetes treatment over a period of 6 years. Results: In 2009, a total of 15 650 patients (mean [SD] age, 38.9 [11.2] years; 84.6% female; 1633 receiving antidiabetes treatment) underwent primary bariatric surgery, with 48.5% undergoing AGB, 27.7% undergoing GBP, and 22.0% undergoing SG. Among patients receiving antidiabetes treatment at baseline, the antidiabetes treatment discontinuation rate was higher 6 years after bariatric surgery than in controls (-49.9% vs -9.0%, P < .001). In multivariable analysis, the main predictive factors for discontinuation were the following: GBP (odds ratio [OR], 16.7; 95% CI, 13.0-21.4), SG (OR, 7.30; 95% CI, 5.50-9.50), and AGB (OR, 4.30; 95% CI, 3.30-5.60) compared with no bariatric surgery, as well as insulin use (OR, 0.17; 95% CI, 0.13-0.22), dual therapy without insulin (OR, 0.38; 95% CI, 0.32-0.45) vs monotherapy, lipid-lowering treatment (OR, 0.76; 95% CI, 0.63-0.91), antidepressant treatment (OR, 0.67; 95% CI, 0.55-0.81), and age (OR, 0.96; 95% CI, 0.95-0.97) per year. For patients without antidiabetes treatment at baseline, the 6-year antidiabetes treatment initiation rate was much lower after bariatric surgery than in controls (1.4% vs 12.0%, P < .001). In multivariable analysis, protective factors were GBP (OR, 0.06; 95% CI, 0.04-0.09), SG (OR, 0.08; 95% CI, 0.06-0.11), and AGB (OR, 0.16; 95% CI, 0.14-0.20) vs controls, and risk factors were as follows: body mass index category (OR, 2.04; 95% CI, 1.68-2.47 for ≥50.0 vs 30.0-39.9 and OR, 1.68; 95% CI, 1.49-1.90 for 40.0-49.9 vs 30.0-39.9), antihypertensive treatment (OR, 1.49; 95% CI, 1.33-1.67), low income (OR, 1.43; 95 % CI, 1.26-1.62), and age (OR, 1.04; 95 % CI, 1.03-1.05) per year. Conclusions and Relevance: Bariatric surgery was associated with a significantly higher 6-year postoperative antidiabetes treatment discontinuation rate compared with baseline and with an obese control group without bariatric surgery.