Trends in the use of active surveillance and treatments in Medicare beneficiaries diagnosed with localized prostate cancer.

BACKGROUND: The treatment for men diagnosed with localized prostate cancer has changed over time given the increased attention to the harms associated with over-diagnosis and the development of protocols for active surveillance. METHODS: We examined trends in the treatment of men diagnosed with localized prostate cancer between 2004 and 2015, using the most recently available data from Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results Program (SEER)-Medicare. Patients were stratified by Gleason score, age, and race groups. RESULTS: The use of active surveillance increased from 22% in 2004-2005 to 50% in 2014-2015 for patients with a Gleason score of 6 or below and increased from 9% in 2004-2005 to 13% in 2014-2015 for patients with a Gleason score of 7 or above. Patients with a Gleason score of 7 or above had increased use of intensity-modulated radiation therapy and prostatectomy, especially among patients aged 75 years and older. Among patients with a Gleason score of 6 or below non-Hispanic black men were less likely to undergo active surveillance than non-Hispanic white men. CONCLUSIONS: There has been a large increase in the use of active surveillance among men with a Gleason score of 6 or below. However, non-Hispanic black men with a Gleason score of 6 or below are less likely to receive active surveillance.

National trends in the management of low-risk prostate cancer: analyzing the impact of Medicaid expansion in the United States.

PURPOSE: To evaluate recent trends in the management of low-risk prostate cancer (PCa) and analyze differences in adoption of surveillance based on state Medicaid-expansion status in the United States (US). METHODS: Using the National Cancer Database, we identified men diagnosed from 2012 to 2016. Men with histologically confirmed low-risk PCa defined as PSA less than 10 ng/ml, Gleason score ≤ 6, and cT1-T2a were included. The Cochran Armitage test was used to evaluate trends in surveillance versus treatment. Comparisons on surveillance adoption based on 2014 Medicaid expansion status and difference-in-difference analysis were performed. RESULTS: The cohort included 84,340 men. During the study period, surveillance as initial management increased from 13.6% in 2012 to 32.1% in 2016 (p < 0.01). When comparing by Medicaid-expansion status, expansion states had higher rates in adoption of surveillance as compared to non-expansion states over the study period (36.6 vs 28.5%). Following expansion, men in expansion states were 1.94% more likely to be treated with surveillance than in earlier years (p < 0.01). Men in non-expansion states were 1.97% more likely to receive surveillance following expansion (p < 0.01) for a relative 0.03% difference in active surveillance adoption among men with low-risk PCa (95% CI - 0.004 to 0.013, p = 0.344). CONCLUSION: Based on the data from 2012 to 2016, there has been a significant increase in active surveillance as initial management for low-risk PCa in the US. Medicaid expansion was not found to be detrimental in adoption of surveillance. Understanding the impact of payer status on health outcomes can aid in the development of future health care policies aiming to mitigate disparities.

Contemporary Assessment of Long-Term Survival Rates in Patients With Stage I Nonseminoma Germ-Cell Tumor of the Testis: Population-Based Comparison Between Surveillance and Active Treatment After Initial Orchiectomy.

BACKGROUND: Historical data demonstrated similar survival outcomes in patients with stage I nonseminoma germ-cell tumor of the testis (NSGCTT) subjected to either surveillance or active treatment (AT) after orchiectomy. However, data with long-term follow-up are unavailable. We tested contemporary treatment rates and their effect on cancer-specific mortality (CSM) and other-cause mortality (OCM) relative to surveillance, as well as after stratification between chemotherapy (CHT) versus retroperitoneal lymph node dissection (RPLND). PATIENTS AND METHODS: We identified patients with stage I NSGCTT with initial orchiectomy within the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) database (1988-2015). Subsequent surveillance versus CHT versus RPLND use rates were reported. Cumulative incidence plots and multivariable competing-risks regression (CRR) models were used after propensity score (PS) matching. These tests first compared surveillance versus AT (CHT vs. RPLND) and subsequently CHT versus RPLND. RESULTS: Of 5034 patients with stage I NSGCTT, 61.2%, 24.9%, and 13.9%, respectively, underwent surveillance, CHT, and RPLND. Between 1988 and 2015, surveillance (estimated annual percentage change [EAPC]: +1.1%, P < .001) and CHT (EAPC: +2.3%, P < .001) rates increased. RPLND rates decreased (EAPC: -5.7%; P < .001). After PS matching, CRR models failed to identify AT as an independent predictor of lower mortality relative to surveillance. However, after PS matching, CRR models identified RPLND as an independent predictor of lower CSM (hazard ratio, 0.26; P = .002) relative to CHT. No difference in OCM rates was recorded (hazard ratio, 1.25; P = .2). CONCLUSION: Surveillance and CHT use rates increased while RPLND decreased in the last two decades. Virtually the same outcomes were recorded between surveillance and AT. However, within AT, RPLND was associated with lower CSM than CHT.

Burn intensive care treatment over the last 30 years: Improved survival and shift in case-mix.

PURPOSE: Mortality in burn intensive care unit (ICU) has been decreasing and treatment appears to be changing. The aims of this study: (1) examine outcome in burn patients, (2) examine changes in ICU indication and (3) explore the influence of a changing case-mix. METHODS: Retrospective study in patients admitted to ICU (1987-2016). Four groups were specified: major burns (≥15% TBSA), inhalation injury with small injury (<15% TBSA, inhalation injury), watchful waiting (<15% TBSA, without inhalation injury), tender loving care (patients withheld from treatment). Logistic regression was performed to evaluate the relation between case-mix and outcome. RESULTS: Overall mortality decreased to 7%. Mortality of major burns decreased by 15%. The major burn group decreased by 36%. The inhalation injury and watchful waiting group increased by 9% and 21%. The percentage of ventilated patients increased by 14% in the major burn group. 40% of patients were ventilated in the watchful waiting group. CONCLUSIONS: After correction for case-mix, survival improved, mainly in the major burn group. Case-mix shifted towards inhalation injury and watchful waiting. Growth of the watchful waiting group is not necessarily harmful. However, the increase of mechanical ventilation could be. We suggest raising awareness for risks and consequences of mechanical ventilation.

National Trends in Active Surveillance for Prostate Cancer: Validation of Medicare Claims-based Algorithms.

OBJECTIVE: To better describe the real-world use of active surveillance. Active surveillance is a preferred management option for low-risk prostate cancer, yet its use outside of high-volume institutions is poorly understood. We created multiple claims-based algorithms, validated them using a robust clinical registry, and applied them to Medicare claims to describe national utilization. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We identified men with prostate cancer from 2012-2014 in a 100% sample of Michigan Medicare data and linked them with the Michigan Urologic Surgery Improvement Collaborative (MUSIC) registry. Using MUSIC treatment assignment as the standard, we determined the performance of 8 claims-based algorithms to identify men on active surveillance. We selected 3 algorithms (the most sensitive, the most specific, and a balanced algorithm incorporating age and comorbidity) and applied them to a 20% national Medicare sample to describe national trends. RESULTS: We identified 1186 men with incident prostate cancer and completely linked data. Eight algorithms were tested with sensitivity ranging from 23.5% to 88.2% and specificity ranging from 93.5% to 99.1%. We found that the use of surveillance for men with incident prostate cancer increased from 2007 to 2014, nationally. However, among all men in the population, there was a large decrease in the rate of prostate cancer diagnosis and an increased or stable rate in the use of active surveillance, depending on the algorithm used. Less than 25% of men on active surveillance underwent a confirmatory prostate biopsy. CONCLUSION: We describe the performance of claims-based algorithms to identify active surveillance.

Hepatocellular Carcinoma Surveillance Among Cirrhotic Patients With Commercial Health Insurance.

GOALS: To evaluate hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) surveillance rates among commercially insured patients, and evaluate factors associated with compliance with surveillance recommendations. BACKGROUND: Most HCC occurs in patients with cirrhosis. American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases and European Association for the Study of the Liver guidelines each recommend biannual HCC surveillance for cirrhotic patients to diagnose HCC at an early, curable stage. However, compliance with these guidelines in commercially insured patients is unknown. STUDY: We used the Truven Health Analytics databases from 2006 to 2010, using January 1, 2006 as the anchor date for evaluating outcomes. The primary outcome was continuous surveillance measure, defined as the proportion of time "up-to-date" with surveillance (PTUDS), with the 6-month interval immediately following each ultrasound categorized as "up-to-date." RESULTS: During a median follow-up of 22.9 (interquartile range, 16.3 to 33.9) months among 8916 cirrhotic patients, the mean PTUDS was 0.34 (SD, 0.29), and the median was 0.31 (interquartile range, 0.03 to 0.52). These values increased only modestly with inclusion of serum alpha-fetoprotein testing, contrast-enhanced abdominal computed tomographic scans or magnetic resonance imagings, and/or extension of up-to-date time to 12 months. Being diagnosed by a nongastroenterology provider and increasing age were significantly associated with decreased HCC surveillance (P<0.05), whereas a history of a hepatic decompensation event, presence of any component of the metabolic syndrome, and diagnosis of hepatitis B or hepatitis C were significantly associated with increased surveillance (P<0.05). However, even among patients with the most favorable characteristics, surveillance rates remained low. CONCLUSIONS: HCC surveillance rates in commercially insured at-risk patients remain poor despite formalized guidelines, highlighting the need to develop interventions to improve surveillance rates.

Faulty gauge?

The recent drop in hospital 30-day readmissions may not mean patients are healthier, but result from more patients being put on "observation" status. "When we get down to the nitty-gritty of a particular set of measures being applied in a particular way, that's when you discover that no measure is perfect," says Nancy Foster, vice president of quality and patient safety for the American Hospital Association.

Trends in observation care among Medicare fee-for-service beneficiaries at critical access hospitals, 2007-2009.

PURPOSE: Observation care is used to evaluate patients prior to admission or discharge. Often beneficial, such care also imposes greater financial liability on Medicare beneficiaries. While the use of observation care has increased recently, critical access hospitals (CAHs) face different policies than prospective payment (PPS) hospitals, which may influence their observation care use. METHODS: We used 100% Medicare inpatient and outpatient claims files and enrollment data for years 2007 to 2009, and the 2007 American Hospital Association data to compare trends in the likelihood, prevalence and duration of observation stays between CAHs and PPS hospitals in metro and non-metro areas among fee-for-service Medicare beneficiaries over age 65. FINDINGS: While PPS hospitals are more likely to provide any observation care, the 3-year increase in the proportion of CAHs providing any observation care is approximately 5 times as great as the increase among PPS hospitals. Among hospitals providing any observation care in 2007, the prevalence at CAHs was 35.7% higher than at non-metro PPS hospitals and 72.8% higher than at metro PPS hospitals. By 2009, these respective figures had increased to 63.1% and 111%. Average stay duration increased more slowly for CAHs than for PPS hospitals. CONCLUSIONS: These data suggest that a growing proportion of CAHs are providing observation care and that CAHs provide relatively more observation care than PPS hospitals, but they have shorter average stays. This may have important financial implications for Medicare beneficiaries.