Performance of a quantitative fecal immunochemical test for detecting advanced colorectal neoplasia: a prospective cohort study.

BACKGROUND: The fecal immunochemical test (FIT) is easier to use and more sensitive than the guaiac fecal occult blood test, but it is unclear how to optimize FIT performance. We compared the sensitivity and specificity for detecting advanced colorectal neoplasia between single-sample (1-FIT) and two-sample (2-FIT) FIT protocols at a range of hemoglobin concentration cutoffs for a positive test. METHODS: We recruited 2,761 average-risk men and women ages 49-75 referred for colonoscopy within a large nonprofit, group-model health maintenance organization (HMO), and asked them to complete two separate single-sample FITs. We generated receiver-operating characteristic (ROC) curves to compare sensitivity and specificity estimates for 1-FIT and 2-FIT protocols among those who completed both FIT kits and colonoscopy. We similarly compared sensitivity and specificity between hemoglobin concentration cutoffs for a single-sample FIT. RESULTS: Differences in sensitivity and specificity between the 1-FIT and 2-FIT protocols were not statistically significant at any of the pre-specified hemoglobin concentration cutoffs (10, 15, 20, 25, and 30 µg/g). There was a significant difference in test performance of the one-sample FIT between 50 ng/ml (10 µg/g) and each of the higher pre-specified cutoffs. Disease prevalence was low. CONCLUSIONS: A two-sample FIT is not superior to a one-sample FIT in detection of advanced adenomas; the one-sample FIT at a hemoglobin concentration cutoff of 50 ng/ml (10 µg/g) is significantly more sensitive for advanced adenomas than at higher cutoffs. These findings apply to a population of younger, average-risk patients in a U.S. integrated care system with high rates of prior screening.

Use of posttreatment imaging and biomarkers in survivors of early-stage breast cancer: Inappropriate surveillance or necessary care?

BACKGROUND: Advanced imaging and serum biomarkers are commonly used for surveillance in patients with early-stage breast cancer, despite recommendations against this practice. Incentives to perform such low-value testing may be less prominent in integrated health care delivery systems. The purpose of the current study was to evaluate and compare the use of these services within 2 integrated systems: Kaiser Permanente (KP) and Intermountain Healthcare (IH). The authors also sought to distinguish the indication for testing: diagnostic purposes or routine surveillance. METHODS: Patients with American Joint Committee on Cancer stage 0 to II breast cancer diagnosed between 2009 and 2010 were identified and the use of imaging and biomarker tests over an 18-month period were quantified, starting at 1 year after diagnosis. Chart abstraction was performed on a random sample of patients who received testing to identify the indication for testing. Multivariate regression was used to explore associations with the use of nonrecommended care. RESULTS: A total of 6585 patients were identified; 22% had stage 0 disease, 44% had stage I disease, and 34% had stage II disease. Overall, 24% of patients received at least 1 imaging test (25% at KP vs 22% at IH; P = .009) and 28% of patients received at least 1 biomarker (36% at KP vs 13% at IH; P<.001). Chart abstraction revealed that 84% of imaging tests were performed to evaluate symptoms or signs. Virtually all biomarkers were ordered for routine surveillance. Stage of disease, medical center that provided the services, and provider experience were found to be significantly associated with the use of biomarkers. CONCLUSIONS: Advanced imaging was most often performed for appropriate indications, but biomarkers were used for nonrecommended surveillance. Distinguishing between inappropriate use for surveillance and appropriate diagnostic testing is essential when evaluating adherence to recommendations.

Establishing a Regional Health System and Community-Based Organization Social Care Coordination Network: An Application of Geospatial Analysis.

INTRODUCTION: Adverse social determinants of health have been shown to be associated with a greater chance of developing chronic conditions. Although there has been increased focus on screening for health-related social needs (HRSNs) in health care delivery systems, it is seldom examined if the provision of needed services to address HRSNs is sufficiently available in communities where patients reside. METHODS: The authors used geospatial analysis to determine how well a newly formed health system and community-based organizations (CBOs) social care coordination network covered the areas in which a high number of patients experiencing HRSNs live. Geospatial clusters (hotspots) were constructed for Kaiser Permanente Northwest members experiencing any of the following 4 HRSNs: transportation needs, housing instability, food insecurity, or financial strain. Next, a geospatial polygon was calculated indicating whether a member could reach a social care provider within 30 minutes of travel time. RESULTS: A total of 185,535 Kaiser Permanente Northwest members completed a HRSN screener between April 2022 and April 2023. Overall, the authors found that among Kaiser Permanente Northwest members experiencing any of the 4 HRSNs, 97% to 98% of them were within 30 minutes of a social care provider. A small percentage of members who lived greater than 30 minutes to a social care provider were primarily located in rural areas. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: This study demonstrates the importance of health system and community-based organization partnerships and investment in community resources to develop social care coordination networks, as well as how patient-level HRSN can be used to assess the coverage and representativeness of the network.

Examining the Association Between Social Needs and Care Gap Closure Among Older Adults Receiving Dental Care.

Introduction: The authors of this study sought to (1) describe the prevalence of social needs and (2) determine whether social needs were associated with closure of care gaps among patients aged ≥65 years seeking dental care. Methods: In this retrospective cross-sectional study, the authors identified 754 Kaiser Permanente Northwest patients aged ≥65 years who completed an index dental visit; had at least 1 of 23 preventive care gaps (e.g., flu vaccination) or disease management care gaps (e.g., diabetes HbA1c screening test) documented in their medical record; and had completed a social needs assessment through survey evaluating financial strain, food insecurity, housing needs, social isolation, and transportation needs. The authors described the prevalence of social needs at the index visit and then used logistic regression to evaluate the association between the number of social needs (0, 1, ≥2) and closure of all care gaps over the following 60 days (yes versus no), adjusting for patient characteristics. Identification and closure of care gap were assessed through Kaiser Permanente Northwest's Panel Support Tool. Results: Approximately 28% of patients reported ≥1 social needs. The prevalence of social needs was as follows: social isolation, 13.7%; financial strain, 11.3%; food insecurity, 7.7%; transportation needs, 5.4%; and housing needs, 3.3%. Those with 1 social need were more likely to close care gaps than those with no social needs (OR=1.82, 95% CI=1.17, 2.85). No significant association was found with care gap closure among those with ≥2 versus zero social needs. Conclusions: The prevalence of social needs was nearly 30% among patients aged ≥65 years with dental and medical coverage. Patients with 1 social need were more likely than those with no social needs to close all care gaps after their visit.

Examining the Association of Social Needs with Future Health Care Utilization in an Older Adult Population: Which Needs Are Most Important?

Abstract Social needs, such as social isolation and food insecurity, are important individual-level social determinants of health, especially for adults ages 65 years and older. These needs may be associated with future health care utilization, but this research area has not been studied extensively. The objective of this study was to examine the independent association of 5 individual social needs with future (1) emergency department (ED) visits and (2) hospital admissions. This observational study included 9649 Kaiser Permanente Northwest (KPNW) Medicare members who completed the Medicare Total Health Assessment (MTHA) quality improvement survey between August 17, 2020 and January 31, 2022. The 5 social needs assessed by the MTHA, defined as binary measures (yes/no), included (1) financial strain, (2) food insecurity, (3) housing instability, (4) social isolation, and (5) transportation needs. ED utilization (yes/no) and hospitalization (yes/no), the current study outcome measures, were measured in the 12 months after MTHA assessment. In multivariable analyses, 3 of the 5 social needs were significantly associated with higher ED utilization: financial strain (odds ratio [OR] = 1.40, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.11-1.76, P < 0.05), housing instability (OR = 1.43, 95% CI = 1.02-1.99, P < 0.05), and social isolation (OR = 1.19, 95% CI = 1.05-1.34, P < 0.05), and 1, financial strain, was significantly associated with hospital admissions (OR = 1.66, 95% CI = 1.23-2.23, P < 0.05). The study results identified which social needs are most strongly associated with future ED utilization and hospital admissions. Further research is needed to better understand whether addressing social needs is associated with improved patient-level health outcomes over time.

The Association Between Social Isolation and Memory Loss Among Older Adults.

INTRODUCTION: Social isolation among older individuals is associated with poor health outcomes. However, less is known about the association between social isolation and memory loss, specifically among Medicare enrollees in large, integrated health care systems. METHODS: We conducted a cross-sectional, observational study. From a cohort of 46,240 Medicare members aged 65 years and older at Kaiser Permanente Northwest (KPNW) who completed a health questionnaire, we compared self-reported memory loss of those who reported feeling lonely or socially isolated and those who did not, adjusting for demographic factors, health conditions, and use of health services in the 12 months before the survey. RESULTS: Patients who reported sometimes experiencing social isolation were more likely than those who rarely or never experienced social isolation to report memory loss in both unadjusted (odds ratio [ORsometimes]: 2.56, 95% CI= 2.42-2.70, P = 0.0076) and adjusted (ORsometimes: 2.45, 95% CI= 2.32-2.60, P = .0298) logistic regression models. Similarly, those who reported social isolation often or always were more likely to report memory loss than those who reported rarely or never experiencing isolation in both unadjusted (ORoften/always: 5.50, 95% CI = 5.06-5.99, P < .0001) and adjusted logistic regression models (ORoften/always: 5.20, 95% CI = 4.75-5.68, P < .0001). CONCLUSIONS: The strong association between social isolation and memory loss suggest the need to develop interventions to reduce isolation and to evaluate their effects on potential future memory loss.

The Association Between Social Isolation and Memory Loss Among Older Adults.

INTRODUCTION: Social isolation among older individuals is associated with poor health outcomes. However, less is known about the association between social isolation and memory loss, specifically among Medicare enrollees in large, integrated health care systems. METHODS: We conducted a cross-sectional, observational study. From a cohort of 46,240 Medicare members aged 65 years and older at Kaiser Permanente Northwest (KPNW) who completed a health questionnaire, we compared self-reported memory loss of those who reported feeling lonely or socially isolated and those who did not, adjusting for demographic factors, health conditions, and use of health services in the 12 months before the survey. RESULTS: Patients who reported sometimes experiencing social isolation were more likely than those who rarely or never experienced social isolation to report memory loss in both unadjusted (odds ratio [ORsometimes]: 2.56, 95% CI= 2.42-2.70, P = 0.0076) and adjusted (ORsometimes: 2.45, 95% CI= 2.32-2.60, P = 0.0298) logistic regression models. Similarly, those who reported social isolation often or always were more likely to report memory loss than those who reported rarely or never experiencing isolation in both unadjusted (ORoften/always: 5.50, 95% CI = 5.06-5.99, P < 0.0001) and adjusted logistic regression models (ORoften/always: 5.20, 95% CI = 4.75-5.68, P < 0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: The strong association between social isolation and memory loss suggests the need to develop interventions to reduce isolation and to evaluate their effects on potential future memory loss.

The individual and program impacts of eliminating Medicaid dental benefits in the Oregon Health Plan.

OBJECTIVES: We determined how elimination of dental benefits among adult Medicaid beneficiaries in Oregon affected their access to dental care, Medicaid expenditures, and use of medical settings for dental services. METHODS: We used a natural experimental design using Medicaid claims data (n = 22 833) before and after Medicaid dental benefits were eliminated in Oregon in 2003 and survey data for continuously enrolled Oregon Health Plan enrollees (n = 718) covering 3 years after benefit cuts. RESULTS: Claims analysis showed that, compared with enrollees who retained dental benefits, those who lost benefits had large increases in dental-related emergency department use (101.7%; P < .001) and expenditures (98.8%; P < .001) and in all ambulatory medical care use (77.0%; P < .01) and expenditures (114.5%; P < .01). Survey results indicated that enrollees who lost dental benefits had nearly 3 times the odds (odds ratio = 2.863; P = .001) of unmet dental need, and only one third the odds (odds ratio = 0.340; P = .001) of getting annual dental checkups relative to those retaining benefits. CONCLUSIONS: Combined evidence from both analyses suggested that the elimination of dental benefits resulted in significant unmet dental health care needs, which led to increased use of medical settings for dental problems.

Oral Health Care: A Missing Pillar of Total Health Care?

INTRODUCTION: Oral health is an important component of overall health, and preventive dental care is essential for maintaining good oral health. However, many patients face significant barriers to preventive dental care. We examined prevalence of and factors associated with no recent preventive dental care in an adult health plan population. METHODS: For this cross-sectional study, we used data for 19,672 Kaiser Permanente members aged 25-85 who participated in the 2014/2015 or 2017 Member Health Survey (MHS) and 20,329 Medicaid members who completed an intake questionnaire. We estimated percentages of adults with no preventive dental care (teeth cleaning and examination by a dental professional) in the prior 12 months, overall and among four racial groups, by age, sex, education, income, and dental care cost factors. We used logistic regression to model associations of sociodemographic and cost factors with no preventive dental care. We also examined lack of preventive dental care in subgroups at elevated risk for periodontal disease. RESULTS: Overall prevalence of no preventive dental care was 21%, with significant differences by race (non-Hispanic White, 19.6%; African-American/Black, 29.3%; Latinx, 24.9%, Asian American/Pacific Islander, 19.6%). Adults with lower educational attainment and household income and dental care cost barriers were more likely to lack preventive dental care. Racial and socioeconomic factors remained significant in the multivariable models. Lack of preventive dental care was fairly common among adults with diabetes, prediabetes, hypertension, smokers, frequent consumption of sugary beverages, and Medicaid coverage. CONCLUSION: Oral health care should be better integrated with primary medical care to promote adult total health.

Comparison of a Kidney Replacement Therapy Risk Score Developed in Kaiser Permanente Northwest vs Estimated Glomerular Filtration Rate in Advanced Chronic Kidney Disease Using Decision Curve Analysis.

INTRODUCTION: Use of kidney replacement therapy (KRT) prediction models for guiding arteriovenous fistula (AVF) referrals in advanced chronic kidney disease (CKD) is unknown. We aimed to compare a hypothetical approach using a KRT prediction model developed in Kaiser Permanente Northwest to estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) for AVF referrals. METHODS: Our retrospective cohort consisted of patients with stage G4 CKD in Kaiser Permanente Northwest followed by nephrology. Two-year KRT risk was calculated at each nephrology visit up to 2 years from entrance into cohort based on a previously published model. We calculated sensitivity, specificity, and area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) based on several 2-year KRT risk and eGFR cutoffs for outcome of hemodialysis at 18 months. We compared an approach of AVF referral using 2-year KRT risk and eGFR cutoffs using decision curve analysis. RESULTS: Two-year KRT risk better discriminated progression to hemodialysis compared to eGFR < 15 mL/min (AUC 0.60 vs 0.69 at 2-year KRT risk > 20% and 0.69 at 2-year KRT risk > 40%, p = 0.003 and 0.006, respectively) but not to eGFR of 20 mL/min (AUC 0.64, p = 0.16 and 0.19, respectively). Decision curve analysis showed that AVF referral guided by 2-year KRT risk score resulted in higher net benefit compared to eGFR at low thresholds for referral. CONCLUSION: In stage G4 CKD, a 2-year KRT risk model better predicted progression to KRT at 18 months compared to an eGFR of 15 mL/min but not to 20 mL/min and may improve timely referral for AVF placement in patients at lower thresholds for referral.

Social Isolation Associated with Future Health Care Utilization.

Social isolation among individuals ages 65 years and older is associated with poor health outcomes. However, little is known about health care utilization patterns of socially isolated individuals. This retrospective, observational study evaluated associations between social isolation and hospital and emergency department (ED) utilization among Medicare patients ages 65 years and older. In a cohort of 18,557 Medicare members age 65 years and older at Kaiser Permanente Northwest, the authors compared rates of hospitalization and ED visits in the 12 months following a baseline survey between respondents who reported feeling lonely or socially isolated and those who did not, controlling for demographic and health variables and utilization in the 12 months prior to the survey. Statistical analysis was conducted in February 2020. In adjusted models, those who reported "sometimes" experiencing social isolation were more likely to have at least 1 hospital admission (odds ratio [ORsometimes]: 1.17, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.01-1.35, P = 0.04), than those who "rarely" or "never" experienced social isolation. Those who experienced social isolation "sometimes" or "often/always" were more likely to have at least 1 ED visit (ORsometimes: 1.28, 95% CI: 1.15-1.41, P < 0.0001, and ORoften/always: 1.51, 95% CI: 1.25-1.84, P < 0.0001, respectively) than those who "rarely" or "never" experienced social isolation. These findings suggest that self-reported social isolation may be predictive of future hospital admissions and ED utilization. Research is needed to determine how addressing social isolation needs within the health care system affects health care utilization and health outcomes.

Predicted risk of renal replacement therapy at arteriovenous fistula referral in chronic kidney disease.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Optimal timing of arteriovenous fistula placement in chronic kidney disease remains difficult and contributes to high central venous catheter use at initial hemodialysis. We tested whether a prediction model for progression to renal replacement therapy developed at Kaiser Permanente Northwest may help guide decisions about timing of referral for arteriovenous fistula placement. DESIGN, SETTING, PARTICIPANTS, AND MEASUREMENTS: A total of 205 chronic kidney disease stage 4 patients followed by nephrology referred for arteriovenous fistula placement were followed for up to 2 years. Patients were censored if they died or discontinued Kaiser Permanente Northwest coverage. Survival analyses were performed for overall progression to renal replacement therapy divided by quartiles based on 2-year risk for renal replacement therapy and estimated glomerular filtrate rate at time of referral. RESULTS: By 2 years, 60% progressed to renal replacement therapy and 11% had died. 80% in the highest risk versus 36% in the lowest risk quartile progressed to renal replacement therapy (predicted risk 84% vs 17%). 75% in the lowest estimated glomerular filtrate rate versus 56% in the highest estimated glomerular filtrate rate quartile progressed to renal replacement therapy (mean estimated glomerular filtrate rate 13 mL/min vs 21 mL/min). The hazard ratio was significantly higher for each consecutive higher renal replacement therapy quartile risk while for estimated glomerular filtrate rate, the hazard ratio was only significantly higher for the lowest compared to the highest quartile. The extreme quartile risk ratio was higher for 2-year risk for renal replacement therapy compared to estimated glomerular filtrate rate (4.0 vs 2.4). CONCLUSION: In patients with chronic kidney disease stage 4 referred for arteriovenous fistula placement, 2-year renal replacement therapy risk better discriminated progression to renal replacement therapy compared to estimated glomerular filtrate rate at time of referral.

Examining the association of medical-dental integration with closure of medical care gaps among the elderly population.

BACKGROUND: The integration of medical and dental care in the dental setting offers a unique opportunity to close medical care gaps, such as providing immunizations and laboratory-based tests, compared with traditional nonintegrated settings. METHODS: We used a matched cohort study design among patients 65 years or older (n = 2,578) with an index dental visit to the Kaiser Permanente Northwest medical-dental integration (MDI) program from June 1, 2018, through December 31, 2019. MDI patients were matched 1:1 to non-MDI controls (n = 2,578) on 14 characteristics. The Kaiser Permanente Northwest MDI program focuses on closing 23 preventive (for example, flu vaccines) and disease management care gaps (for example, glycated hemoglobin testing) within the dental setting. The closure of all care gaps (yes versus no) was the outcome for the analysis. Multivariable logistic regression was used to evaluate the association between exposure to the MDI program and level of office integration (least, moderate, and most integration) with closure of care gaps. All data were obtained through Kaiser Permanente Northwest's electronic health record. RESULTS: MDI patients had significantly higher odds (odds ratio [OR], 1.46, 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.29 to 1.65) of closing all medical care gaps than non-MDI patients. Greater MDI integration was associated with significantly higher odds of gap closure compared with non-MDI (least integration: OR, 1.18, 95% CI, 1.02 to 1.37; moderate integration: OR, 1.70, 95% CI, 1.36 to 2.12; most integration: OR, 2.08, 95% CI, 1.73 to 2.50). CONCLUSIONS: Patients receiving dental care in an MDI program had higher odds of closing medical care gaps compared with similar patients receiving dental care in a non-MDI program. PRACTICAL IMPLICATIONS: MDI is effective at facilitating delivery of preventive and disease management medical services.

Evaluating the Effectiveness of Medical-Dental Integration to Close Preventive and Disease Management Care Gaps.

Background: The integration of medical care into the dental setting has been shown to facilitate the closure of care gaps among patients with unmet needs. However, little is known about whether program effectiveness varies depending on whether the care gap is related to preventive care or disease management. Materials and Methods: We used a matched cohort study design to compare closure of care gaps between patients aged 65+ who received care at a Kaiser Permanente Northwest (KPNW) Medical-Dental Integration (MDI) clinic or a non-MDI dental clinic between June 1, 2018, and December 31, 2019. The KPNW MDI program focuses on closing 12 preventive (e.g., flu vaccines) and 11 disease management care gaps (e.g., HbA1c testing) within the dental setting. Using the multivariable logistic regression, we separately analyzed care gap closure rates (yes vs. no) for patients who were overdue for: (1) preventive services only (n = 1,611), (2) disease management services only (n = 538), or (3) both types of services (n = 429), analyzing closure of each care gap type separately. All data were obtained through the electronic health record of KPNW. Results: The MDI patients had significantly higher odds of closing preventive care gaps (OR = 1.51, 95% CI = 1.30-1.75) and disease management care gaps (OR = 1.65, 95% CI = 1.27-2.15) than the non-MDI patients when they only had care gaps of one type or the other. However, no significant association was found between MDI and care gap closure when patients were overdue for both care gap types. Conclusions: Patients with care gaps related to either preventive care or disease management who received dental care in an MDI clinic had higher odds of closing these care gaps, but we found no evidence that MDI was helpful for those with both types of care gaps. Practical Implications: MDI may be an effective model for facilitating the delivery of preventive and disease management services, mainly when patients are overdue for one type of these services. Future research should examine the impact of MDI on long-term health outcomes.

Automated telephone calls improved completion of fecal occult blood testing.

BACKGROUND: Although colorectal cancer (CRC) prognosis is improved by early diagnosis, screening rates remain low. OBJECTIVE: To determine the effect of an automated telephone intervention on completion of fecal occult blood testing (FOBT). RESEARCH DESIGN: In this randomized controlled trial conducted at Kaiser Permanente Northwest, a not-for-profit health maintenance organization, 5905 eligible patients aged 51 to 80, at average risk for CRC and due for CRC screening, were randomly assigned to an automated telephone intervention (n = 2943) or usual care (UC; n = 2962). The intervention group received up to three 1-minute automated telephone calls that provided a description and health benefits of FOBT. During the call, patients could request that an FOBT kit be mailed to their home. Those who requested but did not return the cards received an automated reminder call. Cox proportional hazard method was used to determine the independent effect of automated telephone calls on completion of an FOBT, after adjusting for age, sex, and prior CRC screening. RESULTS: By 6 months after call initiation, 22.5% in the intervention and 16.0% in UC had completed an FOBT. Those in the intervention group were significantly more likely to complete an FOBT (hazard ratio, 1.31; 95% confidence interval, 1.10-1.56) compared with UC. Older patients (aged 71-80 vs. aged 51-60) were also more likely to complete FOBT (hazard ratio, 1.48; 95% confidence interval, 1.07-2.04). CONCLUSIONS: Automated telephone calls increased completion of FOBT. Further research is needed to evaluate automated telephone interventions among diverse populations and in other clinical settings.

Demographic, Clinical, and Prescribing Characteristics Associated with Future Opioid Use in an Opioid-Naive Population in an Integrated Health System.

INTRODUCTION: Health systems and prescribers need additional tools to reduce the risk of opioid dependence, abuse, and overdose. Identifying opioid-naive individuals who are at risk of opioid dependence could allow for the development of needed interventions. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective cohort analysis of 23,804 adults in an integrated health system who had received a first opioid prescription between 2010 and 2015. We compared the demographic, clinical, and prescribing characteristics of individuals who later received a third opioid dispense at least 27 days later, indicating long-term opioid use, with those who did not. RESULTS: The strongest predictors of continued opioid use were an initial prescription dosage of 90 morphine milligram equivalence or more; prescription of extended-release opioids, rather than short-release; and being prescribed outside of a hospital setting. Patients with a third prescription were also more likely to be older than 45 years, white, and non-Hispanic and to have physical comorbidities or prior substance abuse or mental health diagnoses. DISCUSSION: Our findings are largely consistent with prior research but provide new insight into differences in continued opioid use by opioid type, prescribing location, ethnicity, and comorbidities. Together with previous research, our data support a pattern of higher opioid use among older adults but higher rates of diagnosed opioid abuse among younger adults. CONCLUSIONS: By identifying population characteristics associated with continued opioid use following a first prescription, our data pave the way for quality improvement interventions that target individuals who are at higher risk of opioid dependence.

Association Between Social and Economic Needs With Future Healthcare Utilization.

INTRODUCTION: Unmet social and economic needs are associated with poor health outcomes, but little is known about how these needs are predictive of future healthcare utilization. This study examined the association of social and economic needs identified during medical visits with future hospitalizations and emergency department visits. METHODS: Individuals with electronic health record-coded social and economic needs during a primary care, emergency department, or urgent care visit at Kaiser Permanente Northwest from October 1, 2016 to November 31, 2017 (case patients) were identified, as well as individuals who had visits during that time period but had no electronic health record-coded needs (control patients). The 2 groups were compared on sociodemographic characteristics, comorbidities, and healthcare utilization in the prior year. Finally, logistic regression assessed the relationship between documented needs and hospitalizations and emergency department visits in the 12 months following the index visit, controlling for sociodemographic characteristics, comorbidities, and prior healthcare utilization. Statistical analysis was completed in April 2019. RESULTS: Case patients differed significantly from control patients on sociodemographic characteristics and had higher rates of comorbidities and prior healthcare utilization. Social and economic needs documented during the index visit were associated with significantly higher rates of hospitalization and emergency department visits in the 12 months following the visit, controlling for sociodemographic characteristics, comorbidities, and prior utilization. CONCLUSIONS: These results demonstrate that documented social and economic needs are a powerful predictor of future hospitalization and emergency department use and suggest the need for research into whether interventions to address these needs can influence healthcare utilization.

Is patient activation associated with future health outcomes and healthcare utilization among patients with diabetes?

We examined the relationship between the patient activation measure (PAM) and future diabetes-related health outcomes through retrospective analysis of secondary data using multivariate logistic regression. PAM scores from a 2004 survey on 1180 randomly sampled adults with diabetes and health information from a 2006 diabetes registry were the data sources used. The PAM was predictive for hemoglobin A1c (HgA1c) testing (P < .008), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) testing (P < .005), HgA1c control (P < .01), and all-cause discharges (P < .03), but not for lipid-lowering drug use, LDL-C control, or acute myocardial infarction discharges. These results suggest that PAM scores can be used to identify patients at risk for poorer health outcomes.

The relationship between obesity and asthma severity and control in adults.

BACKGROUND: The association of obesity with asthma outcomes is not well understood. OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to examine the association of obesity, as represented by a body mass index (BMI) of greater than 30 kg/m(2), with quality-of-life scores, asthma control problems, and asthma-related hospitalizations. METHODS: The study followed a cross-sectional design. Questionnaires were completed at home by a random sample of 1113 members of a large integrated health care organization who were 35 years of age or older with health care use suggestive of active asthma. Outcomes included the mini-Asthma Quality of Life Questionnaire, the Asthma Therapy Assessment Questionnaire, and self-reported asthma-related hospitalization. Several other factors known to influence asthma outcomes also were collected: demographics, smoking status, oral corticosteroid use in the past month, evidence of gastroesophageal reflux disease, and inhaled corticosteroid use in the past month. Multiple logistic regression models were used to measure the association of BMI status with outcomes. RESULTS: Even after adjusting for demographics, smoking status, oral corticosteroid use, evidence of gastroesophageal reflux disease, and inhaled corticosteroid use, obese adults were more likely than those with normal BMIs (<25 kg/m(2)) to report poor asthma-specific quality of life (odds ratio [OR], 2.8; 95% CI, 1.6-4.9), poor asthma control (OR, 2.7; 95% CI, 1.7-4.3), and a history of asthma-related hospitalizations (OR, 4.6; 95% CI, 1.4-14.4). CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggest that obesity is associated with worse asthma outcomes, especially an increased risk of asthma-related hospitalizations.

Food Insecurity Associated with Self-Reported Falls Among Medicare Advantage Members.

More than 3 million older US adults injure themselves by falling each year. Falls are a major cause of morbidity and mortality for this population, and account for nearly $30 billion in Medicare expenditures annually. Falls have been linked to frailty and vitamin D deficiency, both of which are linked to low nutrient intake and food insecurity. This retrospective, observational study is the first the authors know of to directly assess the relationship between food insecurity and falls. The study sample consisted of 26,525 Medicare Advantage members at Kaiser Permanente Northwest, a group model health maintenance organization, who had completed a quality of care survey between April 2013 and March 2017 and who maintained continuous enrollment in the 12 months prior to the survey date. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was used to assess the association between self-reported food insecurity and falls; electronic health record variables for age, sex, socioeconomic status, comorbidity, and health care utilization were included as covariates. Medicare Advantage members who reported food insecurity had 1.69 times higher odds of experiencing a fall in the past year than those without food insecurity, in adjusted analysis. Age, sex, comorbidity, and health care utilization also were significantly associated with falls. Food insecurity is significantly associated with falls among Medicare Advantage members. Routine assessment for food insecurity within the health care system, with subsequent referral to food resources, may help reduce rates of falls in older populations.