Dementia risk in patients with heart disease and depression.

The high prevalence of Alzheimer's disease and dementia is a growing concern for healthcare systems and patients. Objective: The primary objective of our study was to assess the association of depression and heart disease on the risk of dementias like Alzheimer's disease or vascular dementia in patients. Methods: This retrospective study used electronic health records data that was provided by the HealthVerity™ Marketplace. The characteristics of the patient population were recorded and the risk of dementia was examined using adjusted logistic regression models. Results: The analysis included 49,735 participants and revealed that patients who have heart disease or depression had a higher risk of dementia. Patients who had both heart disease and depression were over three times more likely to have dementia and Alzheimer's disease, and over five times more likely to have vascular dementia compared to patients who only have a diagnosis of heart disease. Depression was associated with a fourfold increase in the risk of dementia. Participants with a diagnosis of most types of heart disease as well as depression had increased risk for developing dementia. Conclusion: This study revealed that patients with both heart disease and depression had increased odds of having dementia as well as vascular dementia and Alzheimer's disease. These findings may serve to support policies and healthcare decision-making to increase preventive measures for dementia and Alzheimer's disease among patients with both depression and heart disease.

A alta prevalência da doença de Alzheimer e demência é uma preocupação crescente para os sistemas de saúde e pacientes. Objetivo: O objetivo primário do nosso estudo foi avaliar a associação entre depressão e doença cardíaca no risco de demências como a doença de Alzheimer ou demência vascular. Métodos: Este estudo retrospectivo utilizou dados de registros eletrônicos de saúde fornecidos pelo HealthVerity™ Marketplace. As características da população de pacientes foram registradas e o risco de demência foi examinado usando modelos de regressão logística ajustados. Resultados: A análise incluiu 49.735 participantes e revelou que pacientes com doenças cardíacas ou depressão apresentavam maior risco de demência. Os pacientes que tinham doença cardíaca e depressão tinham mais de três vezes mais chances de ter demência e doença de Alzheimer, e mais de cinco vezes mais chances de ter demência vascular em comparação com pacientes que tinham apenas um diagnóstico de doença cardíaca. A depressão foi associada a um aumento de quatro vezes no risco de demência. Os participantes com diagnóstico da maioria dos tipos de doenças cardíacas, bem como depressão, apresentaram risco aumentado de desenvolver demência. Conclusão: Este estudo revelou que pacientes com doenças cardíacas e depressão tinham maior probabilidade de ter demência, bem como demência vascular e doença de Alzheimer. Essas descobertas podem servir para apoiar as políticas e a tomada de decisões de saúde para aumentar as medidas preventivas para demência e doença de Alzheimer entre pacientes com depressão e doenças cardíacas.

Dementia risk in patients with heart disease and depression / Risco de demência em pacientes com doença cardíaca e depressão

ABSTRACT. The high prevalence of Alzheimer's disease and dementia is a growing concern for healthcare systems and patients. Objective: The primary objective of our study was to assess the association of depression and heart disease on the risk of dementias like Alzheimer's disease or vascular dementia in patients. Methods: This retrospective study used electronic health records data that was provided by the HealthVerity™ Marketplace. The characteristics of the patient population were recorded and the risk of dementia was examined using adjusted logistic regression models. Results: The analysis included 49,735 participants and revealed that patients who have heart disease or depression had a higher risk of dementia. Patients who had both heart disease and depression were over three times more likely to have dementia and Alzheimer's disease, and over five times more likely to have vascular dementia compared to patients who only have a diagnosis of heart disease. Depression was associated with a fourfold increase in the risk of dementia. Participants with a diagnosis of most types of heart disease as well as depression had increased risk for developing dementia. Conclusion: This study revealed that patients with both heart disease and depression had increased odds of having dementia as well as vascular dementia and Alzheimer's disease. These findings may serve to support policies and healthcare decision-making to increase preventive measures for dementia and Alzheimer's disease among patients with both depression and heart disease.

RESUMO. A alta prevalência da doença de Alzheimer e demência é uma preocupação crescente para os sistemas de saúde e pacientes. Objetivo: O objetivo primário do nosso estudo foi avaliar a associação entre depressão e doença cardíaca no risco de demências como a doença de Alzheimer ou demência vascular. Métodos: Este estudo retrospectivo utilizou dados de registros eletrônicos de saúde fornecidos pelo HealthVerity™ Marketplace. As características da população de pacientes foram registradas e o risco de demência foi examinado usando modelos de regressão logística ajustados. Resultados: A análise incluiu 49.735 participantes e revelou que pacientes com doenças cardíacas ou depressão apresentavam maior risco de demência. Os pacientes que tinham doença cardíaca e depressão tinham mais de três vezes mais chances de ter demência e doença de Alzheimer, e mais de cinco vezes mais chances de ter demência vascular em comparação com pacientes que tinham apenas um diagnóstico de doença cardíaca. A depressão foi associada a um aumento de quatro vezes no risco de demência. Os participantes com diagnóstico da maioria dos tipos de doenças cardíacas, bem como depressão, apresentaram risco aumentado de desenvolver demência. Conclusão: Este estudo revelou que pacientes com doenças cardíacas e depressão tinham maior probabilidade de ter demência, bem como demência vascular e doença de Alzheimer. Essas descobertas podem servir para apoiar as políticas e a tomada de decisões de saúde para aumentar as medidas preventivas para demência e doença de Alzheimer entre pacientes com depressão e doenças cardíacas.

United States Physician Preferences Regarding Healthcare Financing Options: A Multistate Survey.

Background: Not much is currently known about United States (US) physicians' opinions about healthcare financing, specifically subsequent to the creation and implementation of the Affordable Care Act (ACA). Objectives: A four state survey of practicing US based physicians' opinions about healthcare financing following ACA passage and implementation. Methods: Physician leaders practicing in the state of New York, Texas, Colorado and Mississippi were surveyed. Two factor analyses (FA) were conducted to understand the underlying constructs. Results: We determined the final response rate to be 26.7% after adjusting it for a variety of factors. Most physicians favored either a single payer system (43.8%) or individualized insurance coverage using health savings accounts (33.2%). For the single-payer system, FA revealed two underlying constructs: System orientation (how the physicians perceived the impact on the healthcare system or patients) and individual orientation (how the physicians perceived the impact on individual physicians). Subsequently, we found that physicians who were perceived neutral in their attitudes towards physician-patient relationship and patient conflict were also neutral in reference to system orientation and individual orientation. Physicians who were perceived as stronger on the physician-patient relationship were more supportive of a single-payer system. Conclusion: This study brings attention to the paradox of social responsibility (to provide quality healthcare) and professional autonomy (the potential impact of a healthcare financing structure to negatively affect income and workload). Efforts to further reform healthcare financing and delivery in the US may encounter resistance from healthcare providers (physicians, mid-level prescribers, pharmacists, or nurses) if the proposed reform interferes with their professional autonomy.

Regional Variation in Pharmacist Perception of the Financial Impact of Medicare Part D.

The objective of this study was to perform a nationwide investigation of the financial performance of community pharmacies in the United States since the inception of Medicare Part D. A nationwide, cross-sectional survey of pharmacists was conducted in 2013. The 43-item online survey collected information about demographics, financial implications of Part D on community pharmacy and patients, provision of Medication Therapy Management (MTM) services and opinions about Medicare Part D 2010 updates. The adjusted response rate was 22.3% (419/1885). A majority of respondents (75.6%) reported a stable or increased prescription volume since 2006 but only 40.4% indicated that the financial performance of their pharmacy as either excellent or good during the same period. Owners and part-owners of rural independent pharmacies were more likely to report a below average or poor financial performance (75.0%). The provision of MTM services was not related to the financial performance of the pharmacy. Nearly half (44.7%) of pharmacy owners or part-owners indicated that they were considering selling their pharmacy, with most (94.1%) reporting that their decision to sell was due to the Part D financial pressures. However, the decision to sell was not related to the change in financial performance since 2006 or the volume of prescriptions dispensed.

Patient centred medical home (PCMH) and patient-practitioner orientation: Is there a relationship?

BACKGROUND: The patient-centred medical home (PCMH) and utilisation of a patient-centred care approach have been promoted as opportunities to improve healthcare quality while controlling expenditures. OBJECTIVES: To determine the penetration of PCMH within physician practices, and to evaluate physician attitudes towards patient-practitioner orientation. The ultimate objective was to explore relationships between the patient-practitioner orientation of respondents and the presence of PCMH elements within their practice. METHODS: A survey instrument was developed following a comprehensive literature review. Lead physicians practicing in four states were surveyed. RESULTS: The adjusted response rate was 26.7%. Responses indicated increased utilisation of PCMH elements (electronic medical records, e-mail and telephone consultations, and physician performance monitoring and feedback) compared with previous research. Within a logistic regression model, medical school graduation year (1990 or later >prior to 1990), practice size (group >solo), and percentage of time allocated to patient care (less >more) were significant predictors of working in a high PCMH alignment setting. Physician and practice characteristics did not predict the level of patient-practitioner orientation, though rural physicians were more patient-centred than urban physicians. A non-linear correlation between patient-practitioner orientation and the likelihood of practicing in a low or high PCMH-aligned practice was observed. CONCLUSIONS: There is a non-linear correlation between patient-practitioner orientation and the likelihood of a physician practicing in a low or high PCMH-aligned practice. The ability of a physician to work in a PCMH setting or practicing patient-centred care can go beyond a physician's aspirations to work and practice in that manner.

A Nationwide Study of Pharmacists' Perception of the Impact of Medicare Part D on the Pharmacist-Patient Relationship.

BACKGROUND: Medicare Part D was implemented in 2006, introducing change to the community pharmacy marketplace, with profound disruption to independent pharmacy operations across the United States. AIMS: To understand pharmacist perceptions about Part D and their perceived obligation to address Part D issues on behalf of their beneficiaries. METHODS: A nationwide, cross-sectional survey of pharmacists was conducted between April and July 2013. The 43-item online survey collected information about demographics, implications of Part D on community pharmacy and patients, and beliefs about ideal pharmacy practice. RESULTS: Pharmacists reported more responsibility to address prior authorization issues (55.3% strongly agree or agree) than dispensing preferred medications (43.5%) or addressing patient copayment issues (38.1%). Predictors of the perceived responsibility to assist patients varied and included practice site, pharmacist age, pharmacy prescription volume, and pharmacy financial performance. DISCUSSION: Financial concerns continue to be the most significant issue following Part D implementation. The degree to which pharmacists feel responsible for addressing patient Part D concerns is variable and dependent on a variety of factors. Pharmacists who felt a personal responsibility to address patient copayment issues reported a better pharmacy financial performance, a larger increase in prescription volume, and a better pharmacist-patient relationship since Part D implementation. CONCLUSION: Nationwide, Part D financial concerns remain significant. Pharmacists can assist patients with managing cost issues, which can help alleviate pharmacy financial concerns. Many pharmacists practicing at independent locations do not feel responsible for addressing patient cost concerns, which may inadvertently impart a negative financial effect upon their pharmacy.