An Evaluation of a Multidisciplinary Pediatric Behavioral Health Medication Initiative Workgroup's Interventions on Medication Prescribing in a Population of Medicaid Patients.

BACKGROUND: In response to concerns surrounding pediatric behavioral health medication prescribing, the Massachusetts Medicaid Pharmacy Program implemented a Pediatric Behavioral Health Medication Initiative (PBHMI), proactively requiring prior authorization for specific behavioral health medications and combination regimens. A multidisciplinary therapeutic class management (TCM) workgroup retrospectively reviews complex cases and conducts prescriber outreach to encourage evidence-based practices in Massachusetts. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate recommendation outcomes of telephonic peer-to-peer consultations conducted by the PBHMI TCM workgroup by assessing the percentage of accepted, modified accepted, or rejected recommendations, as well as prescriber satisfaction with consultation. METHODS: This retrospective evaluation reviewed PBHMI TCM workgroup cases with completed peer-to-peer consultations from September 1, 2015, to August 28, 2016. The proportion of medication interventions (e.g., medication changes, dose reductions, and elimination of polypharmacy within or across behavioral health medication classes) accepted, modified accepted, or rejected were assessed based on pharmacy claims data and prior authorization resubmission, following a peer-to-peer consultation. The medication class and prescriber type were categorized in relation to the acceptance, modified acceptance, or rejection outcomes. Satisfaction with the TCM workgroup process was evaluated with an anonymous survey offered to prescribers who participated in prescriber outreach. RESULTS: A total of 70 cases requiring a peer-to-peer consultation by a TCM workgroup child/adolescent psychiatrist had a completed outreach attempt during the evaluation period. Peer-to-peer consultations resulted in a recommendation acceptance rate of 31.4% (22/70), modified acceptance rate of 44.3% (31/70), and a rejection rate of 24.3% (17/70). Recommendations made during a peer-to-peer consultation were rejected by 30% (12/40) of child/adolescent psychiatrists compared with 16.7% (5/30) of nonchild/adolescent psychiatrists with completed peer-to-peer consultations (P = 0.43). Antipsychotics were most frequently recommended for regimen changes. All recommendations pertaining to a benzodiazepine were accepted by the prescriber. Results of an anonymous prescriber survey assessing satisfaction with the peer-to-peer consultation process exhibited variable responses among individual prescribers. CONCLUSIONS: The small sample size in this observational evaluation and lack of a defined control group prevented direct associations between the endpoints and outcomes. Further research is required to determine if prescriber specialty and medication class may be influencing factors on recommendation acceptance. DISCLOSURES: No outside funding supported this study. The authors have nothing to disclose. A poster of this project was presented at the AMCP Managed Care & Specialty Pharmacy Annual Meeting 2017; March 27-30, 2017; in Denver, CO.

Aflibercept vs. Ranibizumab: cost-effectiveness of treatment for wet age-related macular degeneration in Sweden.

PURPOSE: Monthly dosing with ranibizumab (RBZ) is needed to achieve maximal visual gains in patients with neovascular ('wet') age-related macular degeneration (wAMD). In Sweden, dosing is performed as needed (RBZ PRN), resulting in suboptimal efficacy. Intravitreal aflibercept (IVT-AFL) every 2 months after three initial monthly doses was clinically equivalent to RBZ monthly dosing (RBZ q4) in wAMD clinical trials. We assessed the cost-effectiveness of IVT-AFL versus RBZ q4 and RBZ PRN in Sweden. METHODS: A Markov model compared IVT-AFL to RBZ q4 or RBZ PRN over 2 years. Health states were based on visual acuity in better-seeing eye; a proportion discontinued treatment monthly or upon visual acuity <20/400. Parameters were estimated from trial data, published literature or expert opinion. Analyses were performed from a societal perspective with a lifetime horizon. The model calculated costs, quality-adjusted life years (QALYs) and incremental cost-effectiveness ratios (ICERs), discounted 3% annually. Deterministic and probabilistic sensitivity analyses were performed. RESULTS: Lifetime cost of IVT-AFL was 578 400 SEK, compared with 565 700 SEK for RBZ PRN and 686 600 SEK for RBZ q4. Compared with RBZ PRN, the ICER of IVT-AFL was 27 000 SEK/QALY gained. RBZ q4 cost 20.4 million SEK/QALY gained versus IVT-AFL. Results were sensitive to IVT-AFL efficacy, but IVT-AFL had a 100% probability of being cost-effective versus both RBZ PRN and RBZ q4 at a willingness-to-pay threshold of 500 000 SEK. CONCLUSION: Results suggest, in Sweden, at parity price level, IVT-AFL is less costly than RBZ q4, while demonstrating similar efficacy; IVT-AFL is cost-effective versus RBZ PRN.

Disparities in Adverse Preconception Risk Factors Between Women with and Without Disabilities.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to compare the prevalence of select preconception health indicators among women with and without disabilities. METHODS: 2010 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System data were used to estimate the prevalence of health behaviors, health status indicators, and preventive health care among non-pregnant women ages 18-44 years with (N = 8370) and without (N = 48,036) disabilities. Crude percentages were compared with Chi square statistics. Multivariable logistic regressions adjusted for socio-demographic factors. RESULTS: Women with disabilities were more likely than women without disabilities to currently smoke (30.5 vs. 14.5 %, p < 0.0001) and less likely to exercise in the past month (67.1 vs. 79.8 %, p < 0.0001). Heavy drinking was similar in the two groups (4.4 vs. 4.5 %, p = 0.9). Health status indicators were worse among women with disabilities, with 35.0 % reporting fair/poor health and 12.4 % reporting diabetes, compared with 6.7 and 5.6 %, respectively, among women with no disabilities (p < 0.0001 for both). Frequent mental distress, obesity, asthma, and lack of emotional support were also higher among women with disabilities compared with their non-disabled counterparts. Women with disabilities were more likely to receive some types of preventive care, (HIV), but less likely to receive others (recent dental cleaning, routine checkup). Disparities in health behaviors and health status indicators between the two groups remained after adjusting for socio-demographic factors. CONCLUSION: Women with disabilities at reproductive age are more vulnerable to risk factors associated with adverse pregnancy outcomes compared to their counterparts without disabilities. Our findings highlight the need for preconception health care for women with disabilities.

Pregnancy outcomes among women with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

BACKGROUND: There is currently no population-based research on the maternal characteristics or birth outcomes of U.S. women with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDDs). Findings from small-sample studies among non-U.S. women indicate that women with IDDs and their infants are at higher risk of adverse health outcomes. PURPOSE: To describe the maternal characteristics and outcomes among deliveries to women with IDDs and compare them to women with diabetes and the general obstetric population. METHODS: Data from the 1998-2010 Massachusetts Pregnancy to Early Life Longitudinal database were analyzed between November 2013 and May 2014 to identify in-state deliveries to Massachusetts women with IDDs. RESULTS: Of the 916,032 deliveries in Massachusetts between 1998 and 2009, 703 (<0.1%) were to women with IDDs. Deliveries to women with IDDs were to those who were younger, less educated, more likely to be black and Hispanic, and less likely to be married. They were less likely to identify the father on the infant's birth certificate, more likely to smoke during pregnancy, and less likely to receive prenatal care during the first trimester compared to deliveries to women in the control groups (p<0.01). Deliveries to women with IDDs were associated with an increased risk of adverse outcomes, including preterm delivery, very low and low birth weight babies, and low Apgar scores. CONCLUSIONS: Women with IDDs are at a heightened risk for adverse pregnancy outcomes. These findings highlight the need for a systematic investigation of the pregnancy-related risks, complications, costs, and outcomes of women with IDDs.

Does Type of Tumor Histology Impact Survival among Patients with Stage IIIB/IV Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer Treated with First-Line Doublet Chemotherapy?

Chemotherapy regimens may have differential efficacy by histology in nonsmall cell lung cancer (NSCLC). We examined the impact of histology on survival of patients (N = 2,644) with stage IIIB/IV NSCLC who received first-line cisplatin/carboplatin plus gemcitabine (C/C+G) and cisplatin/carboplatin plus a taxane (C/C+T) identified retrospectively in the SEER cancer registry (1997-2002). Patients with squamous and nonsquamous cell carcinoma survived 8.5 months and 8.1 months, respectively (P = .018). No statistically significant difference was observed in survival between C/C+G and C/C+T in both histologies. Adjusting for clinical and demographic characteristics, the effect of treatment regimen on survival did not differ by histology (P for interaction = .257). There was no statistically significant difference in hazard of death by histology in both groups. These results contrast the predictive role of histology and improved survival outcomes observed for cisplatin-pemetrexed regimens in advanced nonsquamous NSCLC.

Validity of self-reported health plan information in a population-based health survey.

OBJECTIVE: To validate information on private health insurance coverage in a population-based study. METHODS: Respondents to the Massachusetts Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System were asked the name of their health plan company (affiliation) and specific brand of insurance (product), the duration in which they belonged to the plan, and demographic and health-related data. Information on plan affiliation and product was used to classify individuals on type of coverage. At the end of the survey, respondents with health insurance were asked to retrieve their health plan cards, and to read detailed information from the cards. Self-reported data were compared with information from the cards. RESULTS: Self-reported information on health plan affiliation agreed with plan cards for 93 percent of individuals, while agreement was 79 percent for health plan product. Among health maintenance organization (HMO) participants, 93 percent correctly reported being in an HMO (sensitivity), whereas 76 percent of respondents in a non-HMO plan correctly self-reported (specificity). Individuals with higher levels of income, those with a primary care doctor, and those in a health plan for at least 1 year had higher agreement. Higher validity was associated with poor physical health and recent cancer screening. CONCLUSIONS: Self-reported data on health plan affiliation and product have good validity in a population-based sample of adults. While agreement differs according to specific respondent characteristics, these differences do not appear substantial.

Identifying Health Maintenance Organization membership through self-report of health plan name: ascertainment and reliability.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the feasibility and reliability of (1) identifying Health Maintenance Organization (HMO) membership by ascertaining self-reported health plan name in a telephone survey and (2) using external information to determine whether the plan was an HMO. METHODS: Respondents to the 1999-2001 Massachusetts Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) and the 1999 Massachusetts Colorectal Cancer (CRC) survey were asked to name their health plan. The authors used information from external sources to classify the plan as an HMO or a non-HMO. Test-retest reliability of reported plan name was examined overall, by demographic characteristics, and by health plan name. Reliability of HMO classification was tested with the kappa statistic. RESULTS: More than 88 percent of respondents with commercial health insurance provided their health plan name; 84 percent reported a plan that could be assigned as either an HMO or a non-HMO. The percentage whose HMO status could be assigned differed by demographic characteristics. Among those assigned, the distribution of specific HMOs among survey respondents was similar to the distribution reported by the Massachusetts Division of Insurance. In a subsample, 78 percent reported the same health plan during a follow-up interview. Agreement was higher for men, and differed according to the plan reported at the first time point. Kappa for HMO classification from health plan name was 0.87. CONCLUSIONS: Self-report of health plan name is a feasible and reliable method to ascertain health insurance information in a telephone interview.

Higher dietary variety is associated with better nutritional status in frail elderly people.

OBJECTIVE: A narrow range of food choices may lead to dietary inadequacies, a particular concern in elderly people. We hypothesized that consumption of a more diverse diet would predict better nutritional status in frail elderly persons. SUBJECTS: Subjects included 98 frail nursing home residents (36 men, 62 women), mean age 87.1+/-5.5 (72 to 98) years. METHODS: 3-day dietary variety scores ranging from 23 to 48 and fruit and vegetable variety scores ranging from 5 to 20 were calculated from weighed 3-day food records as the number of different food or fruit and vegetable choices consumed. A higher score indicates a more varied diet. Nutritional status was assessed by weight, height, body mass index (BMI), skinfold thickness, circumference measures, calculated mean arm muscle area, total body water, computerized tomography of the thigh, and total body potassium, as well as nutritional analysis, biochemical measures, and subject medical history. STATISTICAL METHODS: Univariate regression analyses were performed to investigate the relationship between clinical and nutrition variables. Multiple linear regressions were used to develop models relating dietary variety scores to possible etiologic factors as well as indicators of nutritional status. Models were controlled for age, BMI, and energy intake when appropriate. RESULTS: Mean dietary variety score was 35.2+/-4.5, and mean fruit and vegetable variety score was 11.3+/-3.0. Higher dietary variety score was associated with higher energy intake (beta = 20.5, P < .001) and both high dietary variety score and fruit and vegetable variety score were positively associated with intake for many nutrients (P < or = .05). High dietary variety score was related to high fruit and vegetable variety score and total intake of fruits and vegetables. In men, higher dietary variety score and fruit and vegetable variety score were associated with higher high-density lipoprotein (beta = 1.02), lower very-low-density lipoprotein (beta = -3.58) and triglycerol (beta = -3.51), and higher blood folate (beta = 4.72) concentrations in women (P < or = .05). In women, high dietary variety score was associated with higher BMI (beta = 0.34, P < .001) and higher total body potassium (beta = 1.30, P = .02); high fruit and vegetable variety score was associated with higher BMI (beta = 0.41), mid-arm circumference (beta = 0.34), and mid-arm muscle area (beta = 2.94) (P < or = .03). Dietary variety score was higher (mean 37.6+/-5.38 vs 34.6+/-4.14) in those who received assistance with feeding (beta = 2 .67, P = .01). History of cancer (beta = -2.04) and gastrointenstinal cancer (beta = -3.54) were associated with low dietary variety score (P < or = .05). CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study suggest that a highly varied diet in elderly nursing home residents is associated with better nutritional status as assessed by nutrient intake, biochemical measures, and body composition measures. Dietary variety score is a straightforward tool for screening and identifying people at nutritional risk, as well as a mechanism for monitoring response to nutritional, medical, and environmental interventions. Preventive measures to improve dietary variety, as measured by the dietary variety score, should be evaluated and introduced before nutrition and health complications arise.