Joint effect of race/ethnicity or location of residence and sex on low density lipoprotein-cholesterol among veterans with type 2 diabetes: a 10-year retrospective cohort study.

BACKGROUND: Cardiovascular (CV) disease is the leading cause of death among United States women. Rural residence and ethnic-minority status are individually associated with increased CV mortality. Managing dyslipidemia is important in the prevention of CV mortality. However, the impact of race/ethnicity and location of residence on sex differences in dyslipidemia management is not well understood. Therefore, we sought to understand the joint effects of race/ethnicity and location of residence on lipid management differences between veteran men and women with type 2 diabetes (T2D). METHODS: Veterans Health Administration and Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services data were used to perform a longitudinal cohort study of veterans with T2D (2007-2016). Mixed effects logistic regression with a random intercept was used to model the association between sex and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) > 100 mg/dL and its interaction with race/ethnicity and location of residence after adjusting for all measured covariates. RESULTS: When female sex and rural location of residence were both present, they were associated with an antagonistic harmful effect on LDL. Similar antagonistic harmful effects on LDL were observed when the joint effect of female sex and several minority race/ethnicity groups were evaluated. After adjusting for measured covariates, the odds of LDL > 100 mg/dL were higher for urban women (OR = 2.66, 95%CI 2.48-2.85) and rural women (OR = 3.26, 95%CI 2.94-3.62), compared to urban men. The odds of LDL > 100 mg/dL was the highest among non-Hispanic Black (NHB) women (OR = 5.38, 95%CI 4.45-6.51) followed by non-Hispanic White (NHW) women (OR = 2.59, 95%CI 2.44-2.77), and Hispanic women (OR = 2.56, 95%CI 1.79-3.66). CONCLUSION: Antagonistic harmful effects on LDL were observed when both female sex and rural location of residence were present. These antagonistic effects on LDL were also present when evaluating the joint effect of female sex and several minority race/ethnicity groups. Disparities were most pronounced in NHB and rural women, who had 5.4 and 3.3 times the odds of elevated LDL versus NHW and urban men after adjusting for important covariates. These striking effect sizes in a population at high cardiovascular risk (i.e., older with T2D) suggest interventions aimed at improving lipid management are needed for individuals falling into one or more groups known to face health disparities.

Incorporating Theory into Practice: Reconceptualizing Exemplary Care Coordination Initiatives from the US Veterans Health Delivery System.

This perspective paper seeks to lay out an efficient approach for health care providers, researchers, and other stakeholders involved in interventions aimed at improving care coordination to partner in locating and using applicable care coordination theory. The objective is to learn from relevant theory-based literature about fit between intervention options and coordination needs, thereby bringing insights from theory to enhance intervention design, implementation, and troubleshooting. To take this idea from an abstract notion to tangible application, our workgroup on models and measures from the Veterans Health Administration (VA) State of the Art (SOTA) conference on care coordination first summarizes our distillation of care coordination theoretical frameworks (models) into three common conceptual domains-context of an intervention, locus in which an intervention is applied, and specific design features of the intervention. Then we apply these three conceptual domains to four cases of care coordination interventions ("use cases") chosen to represent various scopes and stages of interventions to improve care coordination for veterans. Taken together, these examples make theory more accessible and practical by demonstrating how it can be applied to specific cases. Drawing from theory offers one method to anticipate which intervention options match a particular coordination situation.

The Impact of Dual Health Care System Use for Obtaining Prescription Medications on Nonadherence in Veterans With Type 2 Diabetes.

BACKGROUND: Dual health system use may provide increased access to physicians, medications, and other health care resources but may also increase the complexity and coordination of medication regimens. Thus, it is important to elucidate the impact of dual use on medication adherence. OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to evaluate the impact on medication adherence for veterans with dual health care system use (VA and Medicare) when obtaining prescription antihyperglycemic medications to treat diabetes. METHODS: This was a longitudinal cohort study using VA and Medicare data from 2006 to 2010. Medication adherence was estimated by calculating annualized drug class-level proportion of days covered (PDC), where PDC >80% was considered adherent. Generalized linear models were used for estimations, accounting for correlation over time. RESULTS: In total, 254 267 veterans with diabetes were included, with 71 057 (27.9%) defined as pharmacy system dual users. Mean age was 77.5 years, and nearly all had multiple comorbidities (mean count 10.2). During follow-up, 75% of VA-only users were deemed adherent to diabetes prescriptions, compared with 63% of dual users. In adjusted models, dual prescription benefit use from VA/Medicare was associated with 39% lower odds of medication adherence (odds ratio [OR] = 0.61; 95% CI = 0.60-0.61). Medication adherence significantly worsened with each additional diabetes medication (OR = 0.65; 95% CI = 0.64-0.65) and significantly decreased over time (OR = 0.95 per year; 95% CI = 0.95-0.96). Conclusion and Relevance: These data suggest that veterans utilizing VA and Medicare to obtain diabetes prescriptions are significantly less likely to be adherent.

Dual health care system use is associated with higher rates of hospitalization and hospital readmission among veterans with heart failure.

BACKGROUND: Heart failure (HF) frequently causes hospital admission and readmission. Patients receiving care from multiple providers and facilities (dual users) may risk higher health care utilization and worse health outcomes. METHODS: To determine rates of emergency department (ED) visits, hospitalizations, and hospital readmissions relative to dual use among HF patients, we analyzed a retrospective cohort of 13,977 veterans with HF hospitalized at the Veterans Affairs (VA) or non-VA facilities from 2007 to 2011; we analyzed rates of acute health care utilization using zero-inflated negative binomial regression. RESULTS: Compared to VA-only users and dual users, individuals receiving all of their ED and hospital care outside the VA tended to be older, more likely to be non-Hispanic white and married, and less likely to have high levels of service connected disability. Compared to VA-only users, dual users had significantly higher rates of ED visits for HF as a primary diagnosis (adjusted rate ratio 1.15, 95% CI 1.04-1.27), hospitalization for HF (adjusted rate ratio 1.4, 95% CI 1.26-1.56), hospital readmission after HF hospitalization (all cause) (1.46, 95% CI 1.30-1.65), and HF-specific hospital readmission after HF hospitalization (1.46, 95% CI 1.31-1.63). With the exception of hospitalization for any primary diagnosis, non-VA-only users had significantly lower rates of ED visits, hospitalization, and readmission compared to VA-only users. CONCLUSIONS: Dual use is associated with higher rates of health care utilization among patients with HF. Interventions should be devised to encourage continuity of care where possible and to improve the effectiveness and safety of dual use in instances where it is necessary or desired.

Differential Impact of Homelessness on Glycemic Control in Veterans with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus.

BACKGROUND: Veterans with evidence of homelessness have high rates of mental health and substance abuse disorders, but chronic medical conditions such as diabetes are also prevalent. OBJECTIVE: We aimed to determine the impact of homelessness on glycemic control in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. DESIGN: Longitudinal analysis of a retrospective cohort. SUBJECTS: A national cohort of 1,263,906 Veterans with type 2 diabetes. Subjects with evidence of homelessness were identified using a combination of diagnostic and administrative codes. MAIN MEASURES: Odds for poor glycemic control using hemoglobin A1C (HbA1C) cutoff values of 8 % and 9 %. Homeless defined as a score based on the number of indicator variables for homelessness within a veterans chart. KEY RESULTS: Veterans with evidence of homelessness had a significantly greater annual mean HbA1C ≥ 8 (32.6 % vs. 20.43 %) and HbA1C ≥ 9 (21.4 % vs. 9.9 %), tended to be younger (58 vs. 67 years), were more likely to be non-Hispanic black (39.1 %), divorced (43 %) or never married (34 %), to be urban dwelling (88.8 %), and to have comorbid substance abuse (46.7 %), depression (42.3 %), psychoses (39.7 %), liver disease (18.8 %), and fluid/electrolyte disorders (20.4 %), relative to non-homeless veterans (all p < 0.0001). Homelessness was modeled as an ordinal variable that scored the number of times a homelessness indicator was found in the Veterans medical record. We observed a significant interaction between homelessness and race/ethnicity on the odds of poor glycemic control. Homelessness, across all racial-ethnic groups, was associated with increased odds of uncontrolled diabetes at a cut-point of 8 % and 9 % for hemoglobin A1C ; however, the magnitude of the association was greater in non-Hispanic whites [8 %, OR 1.55 (1.47;1.63)] and Hispanics [8 %, OR 2.11 (1.78;2.51)] than in non-Hispanic blacks [8 %, OR 1.22 (1.15;1.28)]. CONCLUSIONS: Homelessness is a significant risk factor for uncontrolled diabetes in Veterans, especially among non-Hispanic white and Hispanic patients. While efforts to engage homeless patients in primary care services have had some success in recent years, these data suggest that broader efforts targeting management of diabetes and other chronic medical conditions remain warranted.

Geographic and racial/ethnic variations in patterns of multimorbidity burden in patients with type 2 diabetes.

BACKGROUND: Multimorbidity presents a significant public health challenge, but regional, rural/urban, and racial/ethnic differences in patterns of multimorbidity in diabetes are poorly understood. OBJECTIVE: To describe patterns of multimorbidity in medical and mental health by regional, rural/urban, and racial/ethnic variation in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. DESIGN: Retrospective cohort study from 2002 through 2006 PARTICIPANTS: A national cohort of 892,223 veterans with diabetes MAIN MEASURES: Multimorbidity was the main outcome defined as: the measure of multimorbidity and two categorical outcomes, with pattern of medical and mental health comorbidities combined and separately. KEY RESULTS: Among patients, 52% had 2+ comorbidities, 33% had a single comorbidity, and 14% had no comorbidity; 13.9% had both medical and mental health comorbidities, 70.3% had medical only, and 1.5% had mental health only. The odds of having 3+ comorbidities were nearly fourfold greater in patients 75 years and older relative to patients younger than 50 years (OR=3.95 [95% CI: 3.84, 4.06]). Compared to non-Hispanic whites, the odds of 3+ comorbidities among non-Hispanic blacks were 1.67 times greater (95% CI: 1.63, 1.71). Hispanics were more likely to have a mental health comorbidity alone (OR=1.20 [95% CI: 1.13, 1.28]) than non-Hispanic whites. For patients living in rural areas, the odds were higher of having 3+ comorbidities (OR=1.21 [95% CI: 1.19, 1.23]) and of having both medical and mental health comorbidities (OR=1.15 [95% CI: 1.13, 1.17]) compared to urban dwellers. CONCLUSIONS: Among individuals with diabetes, traditionally disadvantaged groups, including non-Hispanic blacks and rural patients, appear to bear the greatest burden and risk of multimorbidity. Significantly greater odds with increasing number of comorbidities were seen by race/ethnicity, rural residence, and geographic region.

An Update on Inpatient Hypertension Management.

Hypertension is highly prevalent affecting nearly one third of the US adult population. Though generally approached as an outpatient disorder, elevated blood pressure is observed in a majority of hospitalized patients. The spectrum of hypertensive disease ranges from patients with hypertensive emergency including markedly elevated blood pressure and associated end-organ damage to asymptomatic patients with minimally elevated pressures of unclear significance. It is important to note that current evidence-based hypertension guidelines do not specifically address inpatient hypertension. This narrative review focuses primarily on best practices for diagnosing and managing nonemergent hypertension in the inpatient setting. We describe examples of common hypertensive syndromes, provide suggestions for optimal post-acute management, and point to evidence-based or consensus guidelines where available. In addition, we describe a practical approach to managing asymptomatic elevated blood pressure observed in the inpatient setting. Finally, arranging effective care transitions to ensure optimal ongoing hypertension management is appropriate in all cases.

Trends in Veteran hospitalizations and associated readmissions and emergency department visits during the MISSION Act era.

OBJECTIVE: To examine changes in hospitalization trends and healthcare utilization among Veterans following Maintaining Internal Systems and Strengthening Integrated Outside Networks (MISSION) Act implementation. DATA SOURCES AND STUDY SETTING: VA Corporate Data Warehouse and Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services datasets. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective cohort study to compare 7- and 30-day rates for unplanned readmission and emergency department visits following index hospital stays based on payor type (VHA facility stay, VA-funded stay in community facility [CC], or Medicare-funded community stay [CMS]). Segmented regression models were used to compare payors and estimate changes in outcome levels and slopes following MISSION Act implementation. DATA COLLECTION/EXTRACTION METHODS: Veterans with active VA primary care utilization and ≥1 acute hospitalization between January 1, 2016 and December 31, 2021. PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: Monthly index stays increased for all payors until MISSION Act implementation, when VHA and CMS admissions declined while CC admissions accelerated and overtook VHA admissions. In December 2021, CC admissions accounted for 54% of index admissions, up from 25% in January 2016. From adjusted models, just prior to implementation (May 2019), Veterans with CC admissions had 47% greater risk of 7-day readmission (risk ratio [RR]: 1.47, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.43, 1.51) and 20% greater risk of 30-day readmission (RR: 1.20, 95% CI: 1.19, 1.22) compared with those with VHA admissions; both effects persisted post-implementation. Pre-implementation CC admissions were also associated with higher 7- and 30-day ED visits, but both risks were substantially lower by study termination (RR: 0.90, 95% CI: 0.88, 0.91) and (RR: 0.89, 95% CI: 0.87, 0.90), respectively. CONCLUSIONS: MISSION Act implementation was associated with substantial shifts in treatment site and federal payor for Veteran hospitalizations. Post-implementation readmission risk was estimated to be higher for those with CC and CMS index admissions, while post-implementation risk of ED utilization following CC admissions was estimated to be lower compared with VHA index admissions. Reasons for this divergence require further investigation.

Impact of Race and Ethnicity on Severe Hypoglycemia Associated with Sulfonylurea Use for Type 2 Diabetes among Veterans.

Sulfonylureas are associated with hypoglycemia. Whether a racial/ethnic disparity in this safety outcome exists is unknown. We sought to assess the impact of race/ethnicity on severe hypoglycemia associated with sulfonylurea use for type 2 diabetes (T2D). Using Veterans Affairs and Medicare data, Veterans initially receiving metformin monotherapy for T2D between 2004 and 2006 were identified. Sulfonylurea use (either alone or via the addition of a prescription for a sulfonylurea to metformin) was captured and compared to remaining on metformin alone during the follow-up period (2007-2016). Hazard ratios (HR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) from longitudinal competing risk Cox models were used to measure the association between sulfonylurea use and severe hypoglycemia defined as hospitalization for hypoglycemia. A total of 113,668 Veterans with T2D were included. A higher risk of severe hypoglycemia was associated with the receipt of sulfonylurea prescriptions versus remaining on metformin alone across all groups. The effect was largest among Hispanic Veterans (HR: 7.59, 95%CI:4.32-13.33), followed by Veterans in the other race/ethnicity cohort (HR: 4.57, 95%CI:2.50-8.36) and Non-Hispanic Black Veterans (HR: 3.67, 95%CI:2.78-4.85). The effect was smallest among Non-Hispanic White Veterans (HR: 3.11, 95%CI:2.77-3.48). In conclusion, a higher risk of severe hypoglycemia associated with sulfonylurea prescriptions was observed across all analyses. The relationship was most pronounced for Hispanic Veterans, who had nearly 8 times the risk of severe hypoglycemia with sulfonylureas versus remaining on metformin alone.

Sulfonylureas as second line therapy for type 2 diabetes among veterans: Results from a National Longitudinal Cohort Study.

AIMS: To assess if switching to or adding sulfonylureas increases major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) or severe hypoglycemia versus remaining on metformin alone. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This was a retrospective, longitudinal cohort utilizing United States Veterans Health Administration and Medicare data. Veterans with type 2 diabetes on metformin monotherapy between 2004 and 2006 were identified. Follow-up occurred through 2016. Those treated with either metformin plus a second-generation sulfonylurea (N = 45,305) or converted from metformin to a second-generation sulfonylurea (N = 2813) were compared to those receiving metformin monotherapy (N = 65,550). Hazard ratios (HR) and 95%CI from longitudinal competing risk Cox models were used to measure the association between sulfonylureas and outcomes. RESULTS: Switching to or adding a sulfonylurea to metformin was associated with 3 times the risk of severe hypoglycemia versus metformin monotherapy (HR:3.44, 95% CI: 3.06,3.85 and HR: 3.08, 95% CI: 2.77,3.42, respectively). Switching to or adding a sulfonylurea to metformin was associated with a 7-19% higher risk of MACE versus metformin monotherapy (HR: 1.07, 95% CI: 1.00,1.14 and HR: 1.19, 95% CI: 1.13,1.25, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Switching to and adding second-generation sulfonylureas was associated an increase in severe hypoglycemia and MACE versus remaining on metformin alone. In an era where guidelines recommend diabetes therapies based on compelling indications, safety outcomes should be a key consideration when selecting therapy.

Uncontrolled and apparent treatment resistant hypertension in the United States, 1988 to 2008.

BACKGROUND: Despite progress, many hypertensive patients remain uncontrolled. Defining characteristics of uncontrolled hypertensives may facilitate efforts to improve blood pressure control. METHODS AND RESULTS: Subjects included 13,375 hypertensive adults from National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys (NHANESs) subdivided into 1988 to 1994, 1999 to 2004, and 2005 to 2008. Uncontrolled hypertension was defined as blood pressure ≥140/≥90 mm Hg and apparent treatment-resistant hypertension (aTRH) when subjects reported taking ≥3 antihypertensive medications. Framingham 10-year coronary risk was calculated. Multivariable logistic regression was used to identify clinical characteristics associated with untreated, treated uncontrolled on 1 to 2 blood pressure medications, and aTRH across all 3 survey periods. More than half of uncontrolled hypertensives were untreated across surveys, including 52.2% in 2005 to 2008. Clinical factors linked with untreated hypertension included male sex, infrequent healthcare visits (0 to 1 per year), body mass index <25 kg/m2, absence of chronic kidney disease, and Framingham 10-year coronary risk <10% (P<0.01). Most treated uncontrolled patients reported taking 1 to 2 blood pressure medications, a proxy for therapeutic inertia. This group was older, had higher Framingham 10-year coronary risk than patients controlled on 1 to 2 medications (P<0.01), and comprised 34.4% of all uncontrolled and 72.0% of treated uncontrolled patients in 2005 to 2008. We found that aTRH increased from 15.9% (1998-2004) to 28.0% (2005-2008) of treated patients (P<0.001). Clinical characteristics associated with aTRH included ≥4 visits per year, obesity, chronic kidney disease, and Framingham 10-year coronary risk >20% (P<0.01). CONCLUSION: Untreated, undertreated, and aTRH patients have consistent characteristics that could inform strategies to improve blood pressure control by decreasing untreated hypertension, reducing therapeutic inertia in undertreated patients, and enhancing therapeutic efficiency in aTRH.

The Magnitude and Potential Causes of Sex Disparities in Statin Therapy in Veterans with Type 2 Diabetes: A 10-year Nationwide Longitudinal Cohort Study.

BACKGROUND: Past research has shown that women eligible for statin therapy are less likely than their male counterparts to receive any statin therapy or be prescribed a statin at the guideline-recommended intensity. We compared statin treatment in men and women veterans from a national cohort of older veterans with type 2 diabetes. METHODS: The Veterans Health Administration Corporate Data Warehouse and Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services data were used to create a unique dataset and perform a longitudinal study of veterans with type 2 diabetes from 2007 to 2016. Mixed-effects logistic regression was used to model the association between the primary exposure (sex) and statin use. RESULTS: The study included 714,212 veterans with diabetes, including 9,608 women, with an overall mean age of 75.9 years. In the unadjusted model for any statin use, women veterans had a 14% significantly lower odds of having any statin use compared with men. After adjusting for all covariates, including markers of Veterans Administration care use (service-connected disability rating, Veterans Administration use, and primary care visits) that serve as proxies for access and mental health comorbidities (depression and psychiatric disorder), this disparity narrowed from 14% to 3% and was no longer statistically significant. In the model for high-intensity statin therapy (high-intensity vs. low or none), women were 10% less likely than men to use high-intensity statins in the base model that included only time and sex. After adjusting for all measured covariates, the direction of the association changed and women had 16% higher odds of high-intensity statin use compared with men (odds ratio, 1.16; 95% confidence interval, 1.03-1.31). CONCLUSIONS: Consistent with prior research, in the unadjusted analysis a significant sex disparity was observed in statin use, with lower rates observed in women. For the outcome of any statin use, after adjustment for covariates that included variables that are proxies for access as well as psychiatric and depression comorbidities, this disparity lost statistical significance and narrowed. In the high-intensity statin versus low or none model, the direction of the association changed after controlling for measured covariates and women had a 16% higher odds of high-intensity statin use compared with men. This study highlights a persistent health disparity in lipid-lowering therapy for women veterans. Additional research is needed to further elucidate the reasons for and develop interventions to mitigate this persistent sex disparity in cholesterol management for veterans with diabetes.

Racial and ethnic differences in longitudinal blood pressure control in veterans with type 2 diabetes mellitus.

BACKGROUND: Few studies have examined racial/ethnic differences in blood pressure (BP) control over time, especially in an equal access system. We examined racial/ethnic differences in longitudinal BP control in Veterans with type 2 diabetes. METHODS: We collected data on a retrospective cohort of 5,319 Veterans with type 2 diabetes and initially uncontrolled BP followed from 1996 to 2006 at a Veterans Administration (VA) facility in the southeastern United States. The mean blood pressure value for each subject for each year was used for the analysis with BP control defined as <140/<90 mmHg. The primary outcome measure was proportion with controlled BP. The main predictor variable was race/ethnicity categorized as non-Hispanic White (NHW), non-Hispanic Black (NHB), or Hispanic/Other (H/O). Other covariates included age, gender, employment, marital status, service connectedness, and ICD-9 coded medical and psychiatric comorbidities. Generalized linear mixed models were used to assess the relationship between race/ethnicity and BP control after adjusting for covariates. RESULTS: Mean follow-up was 5.0 years. The sample was 46% NHW, 26% NHB, 19% H/O, and 9% unknown. The average age was 68 years. In the final model, after adjusting for covariates, NHB race (OR = 1.38, 95%CI: 1.2, 1.6) and H/O race (OR = 1.57, 95% CI: 1.3, 1.8) were associated with increased likelihood of poor BP control (>140/>90 mmHg) over time compared to NHW patients. CONCLUSION: Ethnic minority Veterans with type 2 diabetes have significantly increased odds of poor BP control over ∼5 years of follow-up compared to their non-Hispanic White counterparts independent of sociodemographic factors and comorbidity patterns.

US trends in prevalence, awareness, treatment, and control of hypertension, 1988-2008.

CONTEXT: Hypertension is a major risk factor for cardiovascular disease and treatment and control of hypertension reduces risk. The Healthy People 2010 goal was to achieve blood pressure (BP) control in 50% of the US population. OBJECTIVE: To assess progress in treating and controlling hypertension in the United States from 1988-2008. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS: The National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 1988-1994 and 1999-2008 in five 2-year blocks included 42 856 adults aged older than 18 years, representing a probability sample of the US civilian population. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Hypertension was defined as systolic BP of at least 140 mm Hg and diastolic BP of at least 90 mm Hg, self-reported use of antihypertensive medications, or both. Hypertension control was defined as systolic BP values of less than 140 mm Hg and diastolic BP values of less than 90 mm Hg. All survey periods were age-adjusted to the year 2000 US population. RESULTS: Rates of hypertension increased from 23.9% (95% confidence interval [CI], 22.7%-25.2%) in 1988-1994 to 28.5% (95% CI, 25.9%-31.3%; P < .001) in 1999-2000, but did not change between 1999-2000 and 2007-2008 (29.0%; 95% CI, 27.6%-30.5%; P = .24). Hypertension control increased from 27.3% (95% CI, 25.6%-29.1%) in 1988-1994 to 50.1% (95% CI, 46.8%-53.5%; P = .006) in 2007-2008, and BP among patients with hypertension decreased from 143.0/80.4 mm Hg (95% CI, 141.9-144.2/79.6-81.1 mm Hg) to 135.2/74.1 mm Hg (95% CI, 134.2-136.2/73.2-75.0 mm Hg; P = .02/P < .001). Blood pressure control improved significantly more in absolute percentages between 1999-2000 and 2007-2008 vs 1988-1994 and 1999-2000 (18.6%; 95% CI, 13.3%-23.9%; vs 4.1%; 95% CI, -0.5% to 8.8%; P < .001). Better BP control reflected improvements in awareness (69.1%; 95% CI, 67.1%-71.1%; vs 80.7%; 95% CI, 78.1%-83.0%; P for trend = .03), treatment (54.0%; 95% CI, 52.0%-56.1%; vs 72.5%; 95% CI, 70.1%-74.8%; P = .004), and proportion of patients who were treated and had controlled hypertension (50.6%; 95% CI, 48.0%-53.2%; vs 69.1%; 95% CI, 65.7%-72.3%; P = .006). Hypertension control improved significantly between 1988-1994 and 2007-2008, across age, race, and sex groups, but was lower among individuals aged 18 to 39 years vs 40 to 59 years (P < .001) and 60 years or older (P < .001), and in Hispanic vs white individuals (P = .004). CONCLUSIONS: Blood pressure was controlled in an estimated 50.1% of all patients with hypertension in NHANES 2007-2008, with most of the improvement since 1988 occurring after 1999-2000. Hypertension control was significantly lower among younger than middle-aged individuals and older adults, and Hispanic vs white individuals.

Impact of Race and Location of Residence on Statin Treatment Among Veterans With Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus.

Rural residence and ethnic-minority status are individually associated with increased cardiovascular (CV) mortality. Statin therapy is known to reduce the risk of cardiovascular mortality. Although ethnic disparities in statin treatment exist, the joint impact of urban/rural residence and race/ethnicity on statin prescribing is unclear. Veterans Health Administration (VHA) and Centers for Medicare and Medicaid data were used to perform a longitudinal study of Veterans with Type 2 diabetes mellitus from 2007 to 2016. Mixed effects logistic regression with a random intercept was used to model the longitudinal association between the primary exposure (race/ethnicity and residence) and statin prescribing. After adjusting for covariates, non-Hispanic White (NHW)-Rural Veterans were 7% (odds ratio [OR] = 1.07; confidence interval [CI] 1.05 to 1.08), non-Hispanic Black (NHB)-Rural Veterans were 4% (OR 1.04; CI 1.00 to 1.08), and Hispanic-Urban Veterans were 20% (OR 1.20; CI 1.17 to 1.23) more likely to be prescribed statins versus NHW-Urban Veterans; whereas, NHB-Urban Veterans were 14% (OR 0.86; CI 0.85 to 0.55) and Hispanic-Rural Veterans were 10% (OR 0.90; CI 0.85 to 0.96) less likely. When disability and dual use were removed from the full model, compared with NHW-Urban, the odds of statin prescribing in NHW-Rural Veterans remained unchanged (OR 1.06; CI 1.04 to 1.07) whereas the odds of statin prescribing in all other groups were higher. In conclusion, NHB-Urban and Hispanic-Rural Veterans had lower odds of statin prescribing versus NHW-Urban Veterans; whereas NHW-Rural, NHB-Rural and Hispanic-Urban Veterans had higher odds. The findings in ethnic-minorities changed when we accounted for markers of VHA care (i.e., disability, dual use) showing that these individuals are more likely to receive statins when they receive more VHA care.

Geographic and Racial/Ethnic Variation in Glycemic Control and Treatment in a National Sample of Veterans With Diabetes.

OBJECTIVE: Geographic and racial/ethnic disparities related to diabetes control and treatment have not previously been examined at the national level. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: A retrospective cohort study was conducted in a national cohort of 1,140,634 veterans with diabetes, defined as two or more diabetes ICD-9 codes (250.xx) across inpatient and outpatient records. Main exposures of interest included 125 Veterans Administration Medical Center (VAMC) catchment areas as well as racial/ethnic group. The main outcome measure was HbA1c level dichotomized at ≥8.0% (≥64 mmol/mol). RESULTS: After adjustment for age, sex, racial/ethnic group, service-connected disability, marital status, and the van Walraven Elixhauser comorbidity score, the prevalence of uncontrolled diabetes varied by VAMC catchment area, with values ranging from 19.1% to 29.2%. Moreover, these differences largely persisted after further adjusting for medication use and adherence as well as utilization and access metrics. Racial/ethnic differences in diabetes control were also noted. In our final models, compared with non-Hispanic Whites, non-Hispanic Blacks (odds ratio 1.11 [95% credible interval 1.09-1.14]) and Hispanics (1.36 [1.09-1.14]) had a higher odds of uncontrolled HBA1c level. CONCLUSIONS: In a national cohort of veterans with diabetes, we found geographic as well as racial/ethnic differences in diabetes control rates that were not explained by adjustment for demographics, comorbidity burden, use or type of diabetes medication, health care utilization, access metrics, or medication adherence. Moreover, disparities in suboptimal control appeared consistent across most, but not all, VAMC catchment areas, with non-Hispanic Black and Hispanic veterans having a higher odds of suboptimal diabetes control than non-Hispanic White veterans.

An Evaluation of Statin Use Among Patients with Type 2 Diabetes at High Risk of Cardiovascular Events Across Multiple Health Care Systems.

BACKGROUND: Patients with more than one chronic condition often receive care from several providers and facilities, which may lead to fragmentation of care. Poor care coordination in dual health care system use has been associated with increased emergency department visits, hospitalizations, and costs. OBJECTIVE: Dual health care system use is increasing among veterans, and we sought to evaluate the effect of dual health care system use on statin treatment in veterans with type 2 diabetes at high risk of cardiovascular events, using varying degrees of Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) services. METHODS: This was a 10-year retrospective longitudinal cohort study of national clinical and administrative data that included 689,138 veterans with type 2 diabetes who were aged 65 years or older on January 1, 2006. Patients were followed from January 1, 2007, until December 31, 2016. Administrative and clinical data from the Veterans Health Administration's (VHA) Corporate Data Warehouse were merged with CMS inpatient, outpatient, and pharmacy data. Statin use was defined as any therapy and subcategorized as high versus low or moderate intensity per the American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association guidelines. Marginal generalized estimating equation-type models for longitudinal data were used to model the association between dual health care utilization status (< 50%, 50%-80%, and > 80% VHA utilization, with the first group serving as the reference group) and statin use after adjusting for measured covariates. RESULTS: The mean ages at baseline for each group were similar and ranged between 75.4 and 76.9 years. For the outcome of any statin use, the group with < 50% VHA utilization was significantly less likely to receive statin therapy compared with the group with > 80% VHA utilization (OR = 0.26, 95% CI = 0.26-0.26), while the group with 50%-80% VHA utilization was slightly more likely (OR = 1.05, 95% CI = 1.04-1.07). Similarly, for the high-intensity versus low-/moderate-intensity or no statins outcome, the group with < 50% VHA utilization was significantly less likely to receive a high-intensity statin compared with the group with > 80% VHA utilization (OR = 0.56, 95% CI = 0.55-0.57), while the group with 50%-80% VHA utilization was only slightly less likely (OR = 0.95, 95% CI =0.94-0.96). CONCLUSIONS: Among veterans with diabetes at high risk of cardiovascular events, dual health care system utilization status appeared to affect statin use. We observed lower odds for any statin use and high-intensity statin therapy among the cohort with the lowest degree of VHA utilization (i.e., < 50%). Interventions to increase statin use among veterans at high risk of cardiovascular events with lower degrees of VHA utilization should be explored. DISCLOSURES: This study was supported by a grant funded by the Department of Veterans Affairs' Health Services Research and Development Service and was undertaken at the Health Equity and Rural Outreach Center (HEROIC) at Ralph H. Johnson Veteran Affairs Medical Center, Charleston, SC. The authors report no potential conflicts of interest relevant to this article. This article represents the views of the authors and not those of the Medical University of South Carolina or Veteran Health Administration.

Spontaneous renal artery thrombosis and common iliac artery dissection in a previously healthy young adult.

A previously healthy 20-year-old male with a history of easy bruising presented to the emergency department complaining of intermittent left lower quadrant abdominal pain for one week. He was diagnosed with vascular (type IV) Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (EDS) and attendant defects in type III collagen leading to spontaneous left renal artery thrombosis and common iliac artery dissection. Treatment was conservative. The types of EDS and their general management are discussed.

Dual Healthcare System Use During Episodes of Acute Care Heart Failure Associated With Higher Healthcare Utilization and Mortality Risk.

Background Individuals receiving cross-system care (dual users) have higher rates of healthcare utilization and worse outcomes for heart failure ( HF ) and other conditions. Individuals can be dual users or single-system users at different times, though, and little is known about utilization and mortality within discrete episodes of care. Methods and Results A retrospective cohort of 3439 patients with 5231 discrete episodes of HF exacerbation were identified between 2007 and 2011. Episodes encompassed the period from 2 weeks before an initial HF emergency department ( ED ) visit or hospitalization, included any acute care visits within 30 days after initial visit, and ended 30 days after the last acute care visit in the episode chain. All-cause and HF -specific ED visits and hospitalization within 30 days of index visit were analyzed using generalized estimating equations with robust variance. Hazard for death within episodes of acute illness was analyzed using Cox proportional hazards models. In adjusted analyses, dual use acute HF episodes were associated with higher odds of all-cause ED visits (odds ratio 1.61, 95% confidence interval [ CI ], 1.33, 1.95), HF -specific ED visits, (odds ratio 1.54, 95% CI , 1.12, 2.13), all-cause hospitalization (odds ratio 1.89, 95% CI , 1.50, 2.38), and HF -specific hospitalization (odds ratio 1.62, 95% CI , 1.15-2.30) as compared with Veterans Health Administration-only episodes of acute HF care. Dual use episodes of care were associated with higher hazard for mortality (hazard ratio=1.52, 95% CI 1.07, 2.16) as compared with all-Veterans Health Administration episodes of care. Conclusions Episodes of acute HF care spanning across healthcare systems appear to be associated with higher risk of subsequent ED visits, hospitalization, and mortality.

Perceptions of U.S. Veterans Affairs and community healthcare providers regarding cross-system care for heart failure.

OBJECTIVES: This study explores perceptions of US Veterans Affairs (VA) and non-VA healthcare providers caring for Veterans with heart failure (HF) regarding Veteran knowledge and motivations for dual use, provider roles in recommending and coordinating dual use, systems barriers and facilitators, and suggestions for improving cross-system care. METHODS: Twenty VA and 11 non-VA providers participated in semi-structured interviews, which were analyzed using parallel qualitative content and discourse analysis. RESULTS: VA and non-VA providers described variable HF knowledge and self-management among Veterans, and both groups described the need for improved education addressing medication adherence, self-care, and management of acute symptoms. Both groups described highly limited roles for providers in shaping choices surrounding dual use. VA and non-VA providers had significantly different perceptions regarding the availability, quality, and effectiveness of VA HF services. Multiple non-VA providers expressed frustration with and difficulty in contacting VA providers, accessing records, and making referrals into the VA system. Suggestions for improved care focused on patient education and care coordination. DISCUSSION: Dual healthcare system use for Veterans is increasingly common. Similarities and contrasts in perceptions of VA and non-VA providers are instructive and should be incorporated into future policy and program initiatives.