Variability in asthma quality and costs in children with different Medicaid insurance plans in Maricopa County

Objective: To describe the variation in asthma quality and costs among children with different Medicaid insurance plans. Methods: We used 2013 data from the Center for Health Information and Research, which houses a database that includes individuals who have Medicaid insurance in Arizona. We analyzed children ages 2–17 years-old who lived in Maricopa County, Arizona. Asthma medication ratio (AMR, a measure of appropriate asthma medication use), outpatient follow-up within 2 weeks after asthma-related hospitalization (a measure of continuity of care), asthma-related hospitalizations, and all emergency department (ED) visits were the primary quality metrics. Direct costs were reported in 2013 $US dollars. We used one-way analysis of variance to compare the health plans for AMR and per member cost (total, ER, and hospital), and the chi-squared test for the outpatient follow-up measure. We used coefficient of variation to identify variation of each measure across all individuals in the study. Results: In 2013, 90,652 children in Maricopa County were identified as having asthma. The average patient-weighted AMR for children with persistent asthma was 0.35, well short of the goal of ≥0.70, and only 36% of hospitalized asthma patients had outpatient follow-up within 2 weeks of hospitalization. AMR, total costs, and ED costs varied significantly (p <.0001) when comparing health plans while hospital costs and outpatient follow-up showed no significant variation. Conclusions: Targeting appropriate medication use for asthma may help reduce variation, improve outcomes, and increase healthcare value for children with asthma and Medicaid insurance in the US.     

Social and structural factors and engagement in HIV care of sub-Saharan African migrants diagnosed with HIV in the Paris region

Migrants from sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) are often diagnosed at an advanced stage of HIV, and many of them have harsh living conditions. We aimed to evaluate the entry into care after HIV diagnosis and examine the related social determinants. The ANRS PARCOURS study is a life-event survey conducted in 2012–2013 in the Paris region among. Time between HIV diagnosis of SSA migrants living diagnosed HIV positive in France and HIV care and the determinants was assessed yearly by using mixed-effects logistic regression models. Among a total of 792 participants, 94.2% engaged in HIV care within the year of HIV diagnosis, 4.3% in the following year and 2.5% beyond the second year after diagnosis. The participants were more likely to engage in HIV care during years when they were effectively covered by health insurance and if the HIV test was carried out at the initiative of the doctor. Immigration for economic reasons or owing to threats in his/her country of origin was associated with delayed engagement in HIV care. Additionally, 4.3% of treated participants discontinued HIV care at least once at the time of the survey and more often if diagnosed at an advanced HIV disease stage and financially dependent.     

Health indicators and costs among outpatients according to physical activity level and obesity

ObjectiveHow biochemical variables influence the costs of the Brazilian National Healthcare System, according to body composition and physical activity.MethodsParticipated in this study 168 patients. Biochemical variables were glucose, triglycerides, total cholesterol, high, low, very low density lipoprotein and C-reactive protein (CRP). For the cost analysis the medical records was analyzed. Physical activity was assessed through questionnaire. Body adiposity was assessed by body mass index. Four groups were defined according body adiposity and physical activity.ResultsThe active obese group had higher values of very low density lipoprotein and triglycerides when compared to the inactive obese. The non-obese inactive group had lower values of non-high density lipoprotein compared to the inactive obese. The non-obese active group presented lower insulin value when compared to the inactive obese. The inactive obese group presented higher values in the CRP when compared to the non-obese active and inactive groups when compared to non-obese and active obese group. There was a positive correlation between insulin, glucose, CRP and drug and total costs.ConclusionsBiochemical variables were different according to body composition and physical activity. Insulin, glucose and CRP were related to cost in drugs and total costs.     

Perspectives of healthy elders on advance care planning

Purpose: To present a qualitative study that explored the perspectives of healthy elders on advance care planning.
Data source: Data were gathered through four focus groups and a demographic questionnaire. The focus group data were analyzed using content analysis. A convenience sample of 20 healthy men and women, aged 60–94 years old, was drawn from one community senior center and two assisted living facilities.
Conclusions: The data reveal five major themes: advance care planning is strongly influenced by concern for others; elders assume that preferences are known to their trusted friends, family, and providers, even in the absence of explicit communication with these people; elders value a healthcare system that supports provider time, focus, and continuity; being "known" to a provider is critical to comfort that advance care planning preferences will be respected; and elders are generally ready and eager to discuss advance care planning. Additional findings include: elders are better prepared for the event of death than the dying process; lawyers and financial planners play a prominent role in guiding elders through end-of-life decisions; and elders believe that the optimal time for advance care planning discussion is during periods of relative wellness.
Implications for practice: Enhanced understanding of the patient perspective is key to incorporating advance care planning for healthy elders in the ideal milieu of primary care.     

Postmastectomy radiotherapy for breast cancer

BACKGROUND:

Given accumulating evidence supporting postmastectomy radiotherapy (PMRT) in selected patients, it is important to evaluate patterns and correlates of PMRT utilization, including communication and attitudinal factors.

METHODS:

The authors surveyed 2382 patients diagnosed with breast cancer in 2002 and reported to the Los Angeles and Detroit Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results registries (n=1844, 77.4% response rate). Analyses were restricted to patients with nonmetastatic invasive breast cancer treated by mastectomy who had decided whether or not to undergo PMRT (n=396). The authors assessed rates of explanation, recommendation, and receipt of radiation by indication grouping, defined primarily by the 2001 American Society of Clinical Oncology guidelines. They evaluated correlates of PMRT receipt, including tumor and sociodemographic characteristics. They also explored patients' self‐reported reasons for nonreceipt of PMRT.

RESULTS:

The adjusted proportion in each indication group reporting that a provider had explained radiation was high (77% of those in whom PMRT was indicated, 76% of those in whom medical opinion was divided, and 73% of those in whom PMRT was not indicated; P = .10). The adjusted proportions reporting recommendations for radiation (86%, 35%, and 17%, respectively) and receipt (81%, 34%, and 10%, respectively) varied significantly by indication grouping (P < .001). On multivariate analysis, tumor size (P < .001), lymph node status (P < .001), comorbidity (P = .02), and chemotherapy receipt (P = .003) were found to be independent significant correlates of PMRT receipt. The most common reasons cited for not pursuing PMRT were lack of physician recommendation and perceived lack of need.

CONCLUSIONS:

PMRT receipt is strongly correlated with clinical indication. The authors found no sociodemographic disparities in utilization. However, approximately one?fifth of patients with strong indications did not receive treatment. Cancer 2009. © 2009 American Cancer Society.     

Women’s Cancers in Developing Countries: From Research to an Integrated Health Systems Approach

The article focuses on two women’s cancers, breast and cervical cancer, that are much more deadly indeveloping countries than in developed countries. Early detection can make a significant difference for thetreatment outcome of these two cancers and there are now cost-effective tools for prevention and screening. Theauthors propose a new public health approach to these two cancers in developing countries where resources foreffective cancer control are very limited and offer a framework for putting women’s cancers in developingcountries on the global public health agenda. The key areas are: 1. Proposals for a new, integrated public healthapproach to women’s cancers (breast and cervical) in resource poor settings; 2. Reviews of the evidence forcost-effective screening and early detection of breast and cervical cancer, and discussion of some of the lessonslearned from HIV/AIDS on an integrated health systems approach; 3. Outlines of ways to make a priority ofwomen’s cancers in developing countries on the political agenda of international agencies.