Acthar Gel in African Americans versus Non-African Americans with Symptomatic Sarcoidosis: Physician Assessment of Patient Medical Records.

Introduction: Sarcoidosis is common among African Americans in the United States. Acthar® Gel is a viable option for the treatment of advanced symptomatic sarcoidosis. This study examined patient characteristics, Acthar Gel utilization, co-medication use, and treatment response based on physicians' assessments among African Americans versus non-African Americans with advanced symptomatic sarcoidosis. Methods: Data from the medical charts of patients were used. During data collection, patients had either completed ≥1 course or received treatment with Acthar Gel for ≥6 months. Results: This study comprised 168 African Americans and 104 non-African Americans. On average, the time since the first diagnosis of sarcoidosis was slightly longer among African Americans than non-African Americans (5.2 versus 4.3 years). Skin, heart, eyes, and joints were the most common extrapulmonary sites involved among both race groups. Shortness of breath, fatigue, bone and joint pain, and wheezing/coughing were the most frequent symptoms among both race groups. A higher proportion of African Americans versus non-African Americans were first-time Acthar Gel users and had not completed treatment during data collection. Patients in both race groups with higher starting doses of Acthar Gel therapy had a shorter treatment duration and vice-versa. A significantly lower proportion of patients among both race groups were on any co-medication after Acthar Gel initiation (p<0.0001). Further, a higher proportion of African Americans versus non-African Americans had a reduction in any co-medication use after Acthar Gel initiation. The mean daily dose of prednisone decreased among African Americans (18.5 to 10.1 mg) and non-African Americans (17.6 to 10.0 mg) after Acthar Gel initiation. Improvement in patient health status and overall symptoms was similar for both race groups. Conclusion: Findings suggest that Acthar Gel improves health outcomes for patients with sarcoidosis, which could help to alleviate health disparities among African Americans, who are disproportionately affected by this disease.

Cost-Effectiveness of Acthar Gel versus Standard of Care for the Treatment of Advanced Symptomatic Sarcoidosis.

Introduction: Sarcoidosis is a multisystem, inflammatory, systemic granulomatous disease with unknown etiology. Despite the current standard of care (SoC), there is an unmet need for the treatment of advanced symptomatic sarcoidosis. This study assessed the cost-effectiveness of Acthar® Gel (repository corticotropin injection) versus SoC in patients with advanced symptomatic sarcoidosis from the United States (US) payer and societal perspectives over 2 and 3 years. Methods: A probabilistic cohort-level state-transition approach was used for this cost-effectiveness analysis. Patients were monitored at the end of a 3-month cycle for the attainment of partial or complete response. Patients in the partial, complete, or no-response state were allowed to transition in each of these states at each 3-month cycle. Following the attainment of response, patients could have a durable response or relapse to a no-response state. Patients in a no-response state received treatment and could transition into a response or no-response state based on the probability of treatment success with the respective treatment. Clinical parameters and health utility data were sourced from the Acthar Gel in Participants with Pulmonary Sarcoidosis (PULSAR) trial (NCT03320070) and healthcare utilization, costs, and disutilities were sourced from the published literature. Base case analysis considered a payer perspective over 2 years. Results: From a payer perspective, Acthar Gel versus SoC results in an incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER) of $134,796 per quality-adjusted life-year (QALY) and $39,179 per QALY over 2 and 3 years, respectively. From a societal perspective, Acthar Gel versus SoC results in an ICER of $117,622 per QALY and $21,967 per QALY over 2 and 3 years, respectively. Sensitivity analysis findings were consistent with the base case. Conclusion: The results from this cost-effectiveness analysis indicate that Acthar Gel is a cost-effective, value-based treatment option for advanced symptomatic sarcoidosis compared to the SoC from the US payer and societal perspectives.

Treatment-Related Cost Analysis of Terlipressin for Adults with Hepatorenal Syndrome with Rapid Reduction in Kidney Function.

INTRODUCTION: Hepatorenal syndrome (HRS), a special form of acute kidney failure, is a rare, acute, life-threatening complication of cirrhosis and has a very poor prognosis. Terlipressin (TERLIVAZ®) is the first and only pharmacological treatment approved by Food and Drug Administration (September 2022) to improve kidney function for adults with HRS with rapid reduction in kidney function. We constructed a decision analytic economic model to estimate the cost per complete response/HRS reversal of terlipressin + albumin from a United States hospital perspective. METHODS: A decision analytic model was developed to estimate the HRS treatment-related cost per response over an HRS hospitalization (assuming 14 days). Patients can experience either HRS reversal (complete response) or no HRS reversal (partial/no response) upon receipt of treatment. The efficacy, safety, and treatment duration data were from published head-to-head randomized international trials. Total treatment cost comprised drug acquisition and treatment-related costs (intensive care unit [ICU], dialysis [intermittent or continuous], pulse oximetry monitoring for terlipressin, and adverse events) sourced from the published literature. Cost per response, defined as the total treatment cost per HRS reversal was estimated for each treatment. The number needed to treat (NNT), defined as the number of patients treated to achieve HRS reversal in 1 additional patient, was estimated. RESULTS: Cost per response of terlipressin + albumin was lower than midodrine and octreotide + albumin (M&O) (US$85,315 vs. $467,794) and norepinephrine + albumin ($81,614 vs. $139,324). NNT for HRS reversal was 2 patients with terlipressin + albumin vs. M&O + albumin and 4 patients with terlipressin + albumin vs. norepinephrine + albumin, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The analysis shows that terlipressin is a cost-effective treatment due to its higher efficacy and administration in the non-ICU setting. Terlipressin is a value-based treatment option for appropriate adults with HRS with rapid reduction in kidney function.

Hepatorenal syndrome, a functional, progressive kidney failure, is a life-threatening complication of cirrhosis. It is important to improve kidney function in patients who are hospitalized with hepatorenal syndrome considering the cost of treatment. This study assessed the cost per complete response/ hepatorenal syndrome reversal of terlipressin + albumin from a United States hospital perspective. This study shows that terlipressin improves kidney function with lower intensive care unit and dialysis costs compared with unapproved treatments. Terlipressin is a cost-effective, value-based treatment option for appropriate adults with hepatorenal syndrome with rapid reduction in kidney function.

Cost-Effectiveness of Acthar Gel Versus Standard of Care for the Treatment of Exacerbations in Moderate-to-Severe Systemic Lupus Erythematosus.

INTRODUCTION: Despite current standard of care (SoC), there is an unmet need for the treatment of active systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). The study assessed the cost-effectiveness of Acthar® Gel (repository corticotropin injection) versus SoC treatment in patients with active, moderate-to-severe SLE from the US payer and societal perspectives over 2 and 3 years. METHODS: Cost-effectiveness model was developed using a probabilistic cohort-level state-transition approach. Patients received Acthar Gel in an exacerbation state, and the outcomes were assessed at the end of a 3-month cycle for response achievement based on the probability of treatment success with Acthar Gel. Patients may sustain the response or experience an exacerbation. For the base case scenario, moderate-to-severe SLE was defined as British Isles Lupus Assessment Group (BILAG)-2004 ≥ 20 or SLE Disease Activity Index 2000 (SLEDAI-2K) ≥ 10 and clinical response was based on SLE responder index (SRI)-4. Clinical response, productivity loss, and utility were derived from a phase 4 SLE trial; cost and disutility estimates were sourced from the literature. RESULTS: From a payer perspective, Acthar Gel versus SoC resulted in an incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER) of $133,110 per quality-adjusted life-year (QALY) and $94,818 per QALY over 2 and 3 years, respectively. From a societal perspective, Acthar Gel versus SoC results in an ICER of $70,827 per QALY and $32,525 per QALY over 2 and 3 years, respectively. Results from the sensitivity and scenario analyses are consistent with those of the base case model. CONCLUSIONS: Acthar Gel is a cost-effective, value-based treatment option for appropriate patients with moderate-to-severe SLE at a willingness-to-pay threshold of $150,000 over 2-3 years from the US payer and societal perspectives. Acthar Gel results in the reduction of direct medical and indirect costs.

Clinical and economic burden of major depressive disorder with acute suicidal ideation or behavior in a US Veterans Health Affairs database.

OBJECTIVE: Although a high incidence of major depressive disorder (MDD) and an increased risk of suicide are observed among the veteran population, there are yet limited real-world data characterizing patients with MDD with acute suicidal ideation/behavior (MDSI) in the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) system. We assessed the clinical and economic burden, including comorbidities, treatment patterns, health care resource utilization, and health care costs, among veterans and their family members with MDSI within the VHA system. METHODS: This retrospective, longitudinal analysis of VHA datasets (10/1/2015-3/31/2018) evaluated the clinical and economic burden associated with MDSI and compared this population with matched MDD alone (i.e. MDD diagnosis without acute suicidal ideation/behavior) and non-MDD (i.e. neither MDD nor acute suicidal ideation/behavior) cohorts. RESULTS: Among 11,203 patients with MDSI, the proportions of patients who filled a prescription for ≥1 antidepressant during the 12-month pre- and 6-month post-periods were significantly higher compared with patients with MDD alone (53.7% vs 28.8%, p < .05; and 72.3% vs 44.1%, p < .05; respectively). During the 12-month pre-period, the MDSI cohort had the highest proportion of patients with ≥1 mental health-related inpatient visit compared with the MDD alone and non-MDD cohorts (13.2% vs 2.3% vs 1.4%, respectively; p < .05), and the highest mental health-related costs per patient ($8853 vs $1913 vs $1079, respectively). For the 6-month post-period, the MDSI cohort had the highest proportion of patients with ≥1 mental health-related inpatient visit compared with the MDD alone and non-MDD cohorts (60.4% vs 7.9% vs 0.8%, respectively; p < .05), and had the highest mental health-related costs per patient ($20,334 vs $4803 vs $545, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Findings demonstrate significant clinical and economic burden for those in the VHA system diagnosed with MDSI and highlight unmet needs and opportunities for improving the care of this vulnerable group.

There are limited real-world data regarding patients diagnosed with major depressive disorder and having suicidal thoughts/behavior (MDSI) in the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) system. We examined data on 11,203 patients with MDSI from the VHA between October 1, 2015 and March 31, 2018. We compared patients with MDSI with patients with major depressive disorder alone (MDD) and patients with no depression (non-MDD). Our results showed that patients with MDSI were treated with more antidepressant therapy, had more hospital stays (inpatient visits), and incurred greater costs than the MDD and non-MDD patients. These results highlight the unmet need and potential opportunity to improve patient care among veterans and their families with MDSI.

The current use and evolving landscape of nutraceuticals.

The nutraceutical market is currently a high-impact multi-billion-dollar industry, and it is anticipated to grow rapidly over the next decade. Nutraceuticals comprise diverse food-derived product categories that have become widespread due to increased consumer awareness of potential health benefits and the need for improved wellness. This targeted review is designed to identify the current global trends, market opportunities, and regulations that drive the nutraceutical industry. Safety and efficacy concerns are also explored with a view to highlighting areas that necessitate further research and oversight. Key drivers of the nutraceutical market include aging populations, consumer awareness, consumer lifestyle, increasing cost of healthcare, and marketing channels. Although some nutraceuticals hold promising preventive and therapeutic opportunities, there is a lack of a universal definition and regulatory framework among countries. Moreover, there is a lack of adequate evidence for their efficacy, safety, and effectiveness, which was even further highlighted during the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. Future prospective epidemiological studies can delineate the health impact of nutraceuticals and help set the scientific basis and rationale foundation for clinical trials, reducing the time and cost of trials themselves. Together, an understanding of the key drivers of the nutraceutical market alongside a consistent and well-defined regulatory framework will provide further opportunities for growth, expansion, and segmentation of nutraceuticals applications.

Cost-Effectiveness of Repository Corticotropin Injection for the Treatment of Acute Exacerbations in Multiple Sclerosis.

BACKGROUND: Relapses are common among patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) despite treatment with disease-modifying therapies. Repository corticotropin injection (RCI, Acthar® Gel), plasmapheresis (PMP), and intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIg) are alternative therapies for MS relapse. There is a dearth of economic assessments of these therapies for the acute exacerbations of MS. This study estimated the cost-effectiveness of RCI compared to PMP or IVIg. METHODS: A Markov state-transition model compared outcomes (costs, relapses, remission, and utilities) with RCI versus PMP or IVIg for the acute exacerbations in MS. The model was developed from the United States (US) payer and societal perspectives over one to three years. Patients initiated on alternative therapies were evaluated in one-day increments for the first 30 days during treatment. The model assumes the natural history of MS after treatment in the first month, adjusting for the effect of treatment. Incremental cost-effectiveness ratios (ICERs) were estimated as cost per quality-adjusted life-year (QALY) gained. The uncertainty in model parameters was evaluated in probabilistic sensitivity analyses. RESULTS: In the base case, RCI has an ICER of USD 42,078 per QALY compared to PMP over one year from the payer perspective and is dominant over two and three years; RCI is dominant compared to PMP from the societal perspective over all three years. Compared to IVIg, RCI is a dominant strategy from both payer and societal perspectives over all three years. Probabilistic sensitivity analysis supports the base case findings, suggesting that RCI may be cost-effective versus PMP and IVIg for acute exacerbations in MS. CONCLUSION: RCI is a cost-effective alternative treatment for MS relapses compared to PMP and IVIg from the US payer and societal perspectives.

Dose escalation and associated costs in biologic treatment of psoriasis based on real-world data.

OBJECTIVES: This study documents real-world patterns and additional costs of above-label (≥10% above the recommended maintenance dose) use of biologics in patients with plaque psoriasis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This was a descriptive, retrospective cohort analysis using the IBM MarketScan Commercial and Medicare Supplemental Databases. Adult patients diagnosed with plaque psoriasis initiating treatment with etanercept, adalimumab, ixekizumab, or secukinumab between 1 January 2015 and 30 November 2019 (index) were eligible. Only biologics approved prior to 2017 were included to ensure data for all agents was available throughout the study period. Patients had no other indications for biologics of interest. Outcomes were measured in the 12-month follow-up period after start of maintenance dosing. RESULTS: Of 6453 patients included, 708 (11.0%) received etanercept, 4654 (72.1%) received adalimumab, 228 (3.5%) received ixekizumab, and 863 (13.4%) received secukinumab. Above-label dosing was recorded in 326 (46.0%) patients receiving etanercept, 513 (11.0%) receiving adalimumab, 40 (17.5%) receiving ixekizumab, and 79 (9.2%) receiving secukinumab. Mean time to above-label use for all treatments was 50.7-99.5 days; the median was 21-37 days. Mean duration of above-label use for all treatments was 130-196 days; the median was 35-175 days. Mean total additional annual psoriasis-related medical/pharmacy costs associated with above-label use were $312/$16,475 for etanercept, $278/$9,773 for adalimumab, $124/$5,202 for ixekizumab, and $277/$9,288 for secukinumab. Above-label use was generally not associated with safety concerns; however, gastrointestinal and combined "other" nonrespiratory infections were significantly more frequent in patients receiving adalimumab above-label. CONCLUSIONS: Above-label use of biologics for psoriasis treatment was most frequent for patients receiving etanercept, followed by ixekizumab, adalimumab, and secukinumab. Above-label vs on-label use resulted in additional costs but few significant safety concerns.

Cost-Effectiveness of Repository Corticotropin Injection versus Standard of Care for the Treatment of Active Rheumatoid Arthritis.

INTRODUCTION: Patients with active rheumatoid arthritis (RA) often have inadequately controlled symptoms and are unable to achieve remission or low disease activity despite aggressive treatment. This results in irreversible joint damage, adversely affecting patients' physical and social functioning. The objective was to estimate the cost-effectiveness of repository corticotropin injection (RCI) versus standard of care (SoC) in patients with active RA from the United States (US) payer and societal perspectives over two to three years. METHODS: An individual-level microsimulation was developed to generate individual trajectories for patients with RA, using data from a published Phase 4 trial of RCI. These trajectories report a patient's disease pathway and associated cost and quality-of-life outcomes. The incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER) of RCI versus SoC was assessed using the literature-derived direct medical and indirect costs, and quality-adjusted life-years (QALY) derived from a Phase 4 trial of RCI. The uncertainty in base case estimates of the parameters was evaluated in the sensitivity analysis. RESULTS: Over two years, RCI has an incremental QALY gain of 1.591 and incremental cost of $183,965 and $117,443 from payer and societal perspective, respectively, resulting in an ICER of $115,629/QALY and $73,817/QALY compared to SoC. Over three years, RCI has an incremental QALY gain of 2.336 and incremental cost of $202,315 and $104,506 from payer and societal perspective, respectively, resulting in an ICER of $86,607/QALY and $44,737/QALY compared to SoC. Results from the probabilistic sensitivity analysis are consistent with those of the base case model. CONCLUSION: RCI is a cost-effective strategy for patients with persistently active RA who are previously treated with disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs and corticosteroids compared to SoC over two to three years from the payer and societal perspectives at a US willingness-to-pay threshold of $150,000/QALY. Further, the economic benefit of RCI is realized with improvement in a patient's clinical and health outcomes.

Phosphodiesterase Type-5 Inhibitor Prescription Patterns in the United States Among Men With Erectile Dysfunction: An Update.

BACKGROUND: While phosphodiesterase type-5 inhibitors (PDE5Is) are highly effective for the treatment of erectile dysfunction (ED) and well tolerated, updated data on prescription patterns have been limited in real-world settings. AIM: To describe men in the United States who are prescribed PDE5Is for ED treatment and to evaluate patterns of initiation, switching, and treatment overlap. METHODS: This retrospective claims study used MarketScan Commercial and Medicare Supplement Databases from January 1, 2010, to December 31, 2015, to identify initial PDE5I claims (index date) for sildenafil, tadalafil, and/or vardenafil. Adults aged ≥18 years with ED were identified between July 1, 2010, and December 31, 2014, allowing for a 6-month preindex and 12-month follow-up period from the index date. OUTCOMES: Outcomes included patient demographics and treatment-related patterns after treatment initiation. RESULTS: A total of 106,206 identified patients met all inclusion criteria. Of these, 51,694, 40,193, and 14,319 had initial claims for sildenafil, tadalafil, and vardenafil, respectively. Mean age was 50.35 years, and comorbidities included dyslipidemia (44.17%), hypertension (43.09%), diabetes (15.32%), and depression (10.61%). More patients (48.67%) initiated on sildenafil than tadalafil (37.85%) or vardenafil (13.48%). Rate of switching was lower in the 60 days after the end of day supply of the initial prescription in the sildenafil cohort (2.71%) compared with the tadalafil (2.81%) and vardenafil (3.88%) cohorts (P < .001 for sildenafil vs tadalafil or vardenafil). Treatment overlap was lower in the sildenafil cohort (0.35%) than in the tadalafil (0.75%) and vardenafil (0.62%) groups (P < .001 for sildenafil vs tadalafil or vardenafil). CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS: These findings provide insight into updated patterns of PDE5I prescriptions in the United States and may aid in clinical decision-making. STRENGTHS & LIMITATIONS: Strengths include the large sample size, long data coverage period, and the real-world nature of the study. Limitations include the retrospective study design, use of data collected with a primary focus of claims, and lack of further details regarding reasons that drive switching. Actual rates of ED and impact on prescription patterns may be underestimated because the claims database only captured patients electing to visit a health-care provider. CONCLUSION: Among men with ED in the United States, rates of switching and treatment overlap were low for all PDE5Is but were found to be the lowest for sildenafil compared with tadalafil and vardenafil. Mulhall JP, Chopra I, Patel D, et al. Phosphodiesterase Type-5 Inhibitor Prescription Patterns in the United States Among Men With Erectile Dysfunction: An Update. J Sex Med 2020;17:941-948.

Cost per response analysis of repository corticotropin injection versus other alternative treatments for acute exacerbations of multiple sclerosis.

BACKGROUND: Relapses are common in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) even after the use of disease-modifying therapies. Repository corticotropin injection (RCI), plasmapheresis (PMP), and intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIg) may be utilized as alternative therapies in the management of MS relapse. There is a lack of health economic studies on these alternative therapies for the acute exacerbations of MS. The objective of this study was to estimate the cost per response of RCI compared with PMP or IVIg from the United States (US) commercial payer perspective. METHODS: Costs and response rates were sourced from published peer-reviewed observational studies. The cost of care included MS-related inpatient, outpatient, and medication costs. Treatment response was defined as no evidence of additional relapse treatment or procedure claims within 30 days after treatment. The cost per response for each treatment was calculated by dividing the total annual cost of care by the proportion of patients with resolved relapse for each treatment. The incremental cost per response ratio was calculated by dividing the difference in costs and the proportion of responses for RCI versus PMP or IVIg. One-way sensitivity analysis (OWSA) was conducted for both costs and response rates. All included costs were inflated to the 2019 US dollars. RESULTS: With a lower total annual cost of care and a higher response rate, RCI had a lower cost per response (US$141,970) compared with PMP or IVIg (US$253,331). RCI had a lower cost per response even when more stringent estimates for RCI were applied in the OWSA. The annual cost of care had a greater influence on the cost per response in the OWSA. CONCLUSIONS: Based on the estimates from the real-world evidence, our economic evaluation suggests that RCI may have real-world clinical and economic benefits for patients with MS relapse who fail on corticosteroid therapy.

Impact of Incident Cancer on Short-Term Coronary Artery Disease-Related Healthcare Expenditures Among Medicare Beneficiaries.

Background: Healthcare spending for coronary artery disease (CAD)-related services is higher than for other chronic conditions. Diagnosis of incident cancer may impede management of CAD, thereby increasing the risk of CAD-related complications and associated healthcare expenditures. This study examined the relationship between incident cancer and CAD-related expenditures among elderly Medicare beneficiaries. Patients and Methods: A retrospective longitudinal study was conducted using the SEER-Medicare linked registries and a 5% noncancer random sample of Medicare beneficiaries. Elderly fee-for-service Medicare beneficiaries with preexisting CAD and with incident breast, colorectal, or prostate cancer (N=12,095) or no cancer (N=34,237) were included. CAD-related healthcare expenditures comprised Medicare payments for inpatient, home healthcare, and outpatient services. Expenditures were measured every 120 days during the 1-year preindex and 1-year postindex periods. Adjusted relationship between incident cancer and expenditures was analyzed using the generalized linear mixed models. Results: Overall, CAD-related mean healthcare expenditures in the preindex period accounted for approximately 32.6% to 39.5% of total expenditures among women and 41.5% to 46.8% among men. All incident cancer groups had significantly higher CAD-related expenditures compared with noncancer groups (P<.0001). Men and women with colorectal cancer (CRC) had 166% and 153% higher expenditures, respectively, compared with their noncancer counterparts. Furthermore, men and women with CRC had 57% and 55% higher expenditures compared with those with prostate or breast cancer, respectively. Conclusions: CAD-related expenditures were higher for elderly Medicare beneficiaries with incident cancer, specifically for those with CRC. This warrants the need for effective programs and policies to reduce CAD-related expenditures. Close monitoring of patients with a cancer diagnosis and preexisting CAD may prevent CAD-related events and expenditures.

Nonadherence to Statins and Antihypertensives and Hospitalizations Among Elderly Medicare Beneficiaries With Incident Cancer.

Background: Incident cancer diagnosis may increase the risk of coronary artery disease (CAD)-related hospitalizations, especially in older individuals. Adherence to statins and/or angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEIs)/angiotensin II receptor blockers (ARBs)/ß-blockers reduces CAD-related hospitalizations. This study examined the relationship between medication adherence and CAD-related hospitalizations immediately following cancer diagnosis. Patients and Methods: A retrospective observational longitudinal study was conducted using SEER-Medicare data. Elderly Medicare fee-for-service beneficiaries with preexisting CAD and incident breast, colorectal, or prostate cancer (N=12,096) were observed for 12 months before and after cancer diagnosis. Hospitalizations measured every 120 days were categorized into CAD-related hospitalization, other hospitalization, and no hospitalization. Medication adherence was categorized into 5 mutually exclusive groups: adherent to both statins and ACEIs/ARBs/ß-blockers (reference group), not adherent to both statins and ACEIs/ARBs/ß-blockers, adherent to either statins or ACEIs/ARBs/ß-blockers, use of one medication class and adherent to that class, and use of one medication class and not adherent to that class. The relationship between medication adherence and hospitalization was analyzed using repeated measures multinomial logistic regressions. Inverse probability treatment weights were used to control for observed group differences among medication adherence categories. Results: Adherence to both statins and ACEIs/ARBs/ß-blockers was estimated at 31.2% during the 120-day period immediately following cancer diagnosis; 13.7% were not adherent to both medication classes during the same period, and 27.4% had CAD-related hospitalizations immediately after cancer diagnosis, which declined to 10.6% during the last 4 months of the postdiagnosis period. In the adjusted analyses, those not adherent to both statins and ACEIs/ARBs/ß-blockers were more likely to have CAD-related hospitalization compared with those adherent to both medication classes (adjusted odds ratio, 1.82; 95% CI, 1.72-1.92; P<.0001). Conclusions: Given the complexity of interaction between CAD and cancer, it is important to routinely monitor medication adherence in general clinical practice and to provide linkages to support services that can increase medication adherence.

Ambulatory Care Sensitive Hospitalizations among Medicaid Beneficiaries with Chronic Conditions.

OBJECTIVES: This study examined the relationship between ambulatory care sensitive hospitalizations (ACSH) and patient-level and county-level variables. METHODS: Utilizing a retrospective cohort approach, multi-state Medicaid claims data from 2007-2008 was used to examine ACSH at baseline and follow-up periods. The study cohort consisted of adult, non-elderly Medicaid beneficiaries with chronic physical conditions, who were continuously enrolled in fee-for-service programs, not enrolled in Medicare, and did not die during the study period (N=7,021). The dependent variable, ACSH, was calculated in the follow-up year using an algorithm from the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality algorithm. Patient-level (demographic, health status, continuity of care) and county-level (density of healthcare providers and facilities, socio-economic characteristics, local economic conditions) factors were included as independent variables. Multivariable logistic regression models were used to examine the relationship between ACSH and independent variables. RESULTS: In this study population, 8.2% had an ACSH. African-Americans were more likely to have an ACSH [AOR=1.55, 95% CI 1.16, 2.07] than Caucasians. Adults with schizophrenia were more likely to have an ACSH, compared to those without schizophrenia [AOR=1.54, 95% CI 1.16, 2.04]. Residents in counties with a higher number of community mental health centers [AOR=0.88, 95% CI 0.80, 0.97] and rural health centers [AOR=0.98, 95% CI 0.95, 0.99] were less likely to have an ASCH. CONCLUSIONS: Programs and interventions designed to reduce the risk of ACSH may be needed to target specific population subgroups and improve healthcare infrastructure.

Reviewing risks and benefits of low-dose computed tomography screening for lung cancer.

Lung cancer is the third most common cancer among men and women and is one of the leading causes of cancer-related mortality. Diagnosis at an early stage has been suggested crucial for improving survival in individuals at high-risk of lung cancer. One potential facilitator to early diagnosis is low-dose computed tomography (LDCT). The United States Preventive Services Task Force guidelines call for annual LDCT screening for individuals at high-risk of lung cancer. This recommendation was based on the effectiveness of LDCT in early diagnosis of lung cancer, as indicated by the findings from the National Lung Screening Trial conducted in 2011. Although lung cancer accounts for more than a quarter of all cancer deaths in the United States and LDCT screening shows promising results regarding early lung cancer diagnosis, screening for lung cancer remains controversial. There is uncertainty about risks, cost-effectiveness, adequacy of evidence, and application of screening in a clinical setting. This narrative review provides an overview of risks and benefits of LDCT screening for lung cancer. Further, this review discusses the potential for implementation of LDCT in clinical setting.

Hospital length of stay and all-cause 30-day readmissions among high-risk Medicaid beneficiaries.

This study examined the association between index hospitalization characteristics and the risk of all-cause 30-day readmission among high-risk Medicaid beneficiaries using multilevel analyses. A retrospective cohort with a baseline and a follow-up period was used. The study population consisted of Medicaid beneficiaries (21-64 years old) with selected chronic conditions, continuous fee-for-service enrollment through the observation period, and at least 1 inpatient encounter during the follow-up period (N = 15,806). The outcome of 30-day readmission was measured using inpatient admissions within 30-days from the discharge date of the first observed hospitalization. Key independent variables included length of stay, reason for admission, and month of index hospitalization (seasonality). Multilevel logistic regression that accounted for beneficiaries nested within counties was used to examine this association, after controlling for patient-level and county-level characteristics. In this study population, 16.7% had all-cause 30-day readmissions. Adults with greater lengths of stay during the index hospitalization were more likely to have 30-day readmissions (adjusted odds ratio [AOR]: 1.03, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.02-1.04). Adults who were hospitalized for cardiovascular conditions (AOR: 1.20, 95% CI: 1.08-1.33), diabetes (AOR: 1.23, 95% CI: 1.10-1.39), cancer (AOR: 1.55, 95% CI: 1.26-1.90), and mental health conditions (AOR: 2.17, 95% CI: 1.98-2.38) were more likely to have 30-day readmissions compared to those without these conditions.

Factors associated with therapeutic goal attainment in patients with concomitant hypertension and dyslipidemia.

BACKGROUND: Hypertension and dyslipidemia are the most prevalent cardiovascular risk factors, with approximately 30 million patients in the United States having these concomitant conditions. Further, the presence of high body mass index (BMI) has a negative effect on the achievement of blood pressure (BP) and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) targets. OBJECTIVE: This study evaluates the demographic, diagnostic, and medication-related factors associated with BP and LDL-C goal attainment in patients with concomitant hypertension and dyslipidemia stratified by BMI. METHODS: This retrospective study utilized the GE Centricity Electronic Medical Records database (2004-2011) of a primary care physician group. Patients aged ≥ 18 years with concomitant hypertension and dyslipidemia were included. The attainment of BP and LDL-C targets were assessed based on Joint National Committee on Prevention, Detection, Evaluation, and Treatment of High Blood Pressure (JNC 7) and National Cholesterol Education Program Adult Treatment Panel III (NCEP ATP III) guidelines. Patients were classified into 3 cohorts based on their BMI: normal weight (≤ 24.9 kg/m2), overweight (25.0-29.9 kg/m2), and obese (≥ 30.0 kg/m2). Multivariate logistic regression analysis was conducted to identify the predictors of goal attainment. RESULTS: A total of 9086 patients with concomitant hypertension and dyslipidemia were identified, of which 7723, 6724, and 5824 patients did not attain BP, LDL-C, and dual BP and LDL-C goals, respectively. Age was a significant predictor of BP and LDL-C goal attainment in those who were of normal weight or overweight, and obese women had a decreased likelihood of achieving these goals (P < 0.05). Failure to attain BP and LDL-C goals was more likely in patients with diabetes across all BMI groups (P < 0.001). Further, patients with stage 1 hypertension and higher baseline total cholesterol levels were less successful in attaining BP and LDL-C goals, respectively (P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: These variations in therapeutic goal attainment in patients with concomitant hypertension and dyslipidemia across different BMI groups suggest that future research is needed to determine the underlying reasons for these disparities.