Trends in Readmission Rates,Hospital Charges,and Mortality for Patients With Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) in Florida From 2009 to 2014

Purpose

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a leading and costly cause of readmissions to the hospital, with one of the highest rates reported in Florida. From 2009 to 2014, strategies such as readmission reduction programs, as well as updated guidelines for COPD management, were instituted to reduce readmission rates for patients with COPD. Thus, the question has been raised whether COPD-related 30-day hospital readmission rates in Florida have decreased and whether COPD-related readmission costs during this period have changed. In addition, we examined trends in length of stay, hospital charges, and in-hospital mortality associated with COPD, as well as identified patient-level risk factors associated with 30-day readmissions.

Medication Adherence,Health Care Utilization,and Costs in Patients With Major Depressive Disorder Initiating Adjunctive Atypical Antipsychotic Treatment

Purpose

The purpose of this study was to compare medication adherence, health care utilization, and cost among patients receiving adjunctive treatment for major depressive disorder (MDD) with brexpiprazole, quetiapine, or lurasidone.

Health Care Cost in Patients With Schizophrenia Treated With Brexpiprazole Versus Other Oral Atypical Antipsychotic Therapy

PurposeBrexpiprazole is an oral atypical antipsychotic (OAA) for the treatment of schizophrenia (SCZ). This study compared all-cause and psychiatric inpatient hospitalization and medical costs in adult patients with SCZ newly treated with brexpiprazole versus other US Food and Drug Administration–approved OAAs in a real-world setting.MethodsThis retrospective cohort study analyzed data from: (1) the IBM MarketScan Commercial and Medicare Supplemental databases, and the MarketScan Multi-State Medicaid database; and (2) the de-identified Optum Clinformatics Datamart. Adult patients were identified if they had SCZ and initiated either brexpiprazole or another OAA during the study identification period (July 1, 2015, to September 30, 2016, for MarketScan Commercial and Medicare Supplemental and for Optum; July 1, 2015, to June 30, 2016, for MarketScan Multi-State Medicaid) and had ≥12 months of continuous enrollment before (baseline) and after (follow-up) the first treatment date. Linear regression analyses were performed to test associations between treatment groups (brexpiprazole vs another OAA) and costs (total and medical); negative binomial regression models were used to estimate number of hospitalizations per year, adjusting for baseline characteristics and medication adherence to index treatment during the 12-month follow-up.FindingsThe final study sample consisted of 6254 patients with SCZ: 176 initiated brexpiprazole; 391, ziprasidone; 453, paliperidone; 523, lurasidone; 786, aripiprazole; 1234, quetiapine; 1264, olanzapine; and 1427, risperidone. Controlling for baseline characteristics and medication adherence, the adjusted number of hospitalizations (both all-cause and psychiatric), all-cause total costs, and all-cause medical costs did not differ across groups. Brexpiprazole users had the lowest mean psychiatric costs among all OAA users ($12,013; 95% bootstrap CI, 7488–16,538). Compared with brexpiprazole users, paliperidone (incidence rate ratio [95% CI], 1.52 [1.05–2.19]; P = 0.027) and quetiapine (incidence rate ratio [95% CI], 1.47 [1.04–2.07]; P = 0.029) users had more psychiatric hospitalizations per year. Paliperidone had higher psychiatric costs than brexpiprazole (total, $32,066 [95% bootstrap CI, 28,779–35,353] vs $23,851 [18,907–28,795]; medical, $19,343 [16,294–22,392] vs $12,013 [7488–16,538]). Psychiatric medical costs were also $6744 higher in olanzapine users (95% bootstrap CI, 1694–11,795; P = 0.009) than in brexpiprazole users.ImplicationsPatients with SCZ treated with brexpiprazole had fewer psychiatric hospitalizations and lower psychiatric costs than those treated with paliperidone. Differences in the number of all-cause hospitalizations and medical costs among treatments were not statistically significant. Although treatment decisions are driven by a number of factors (eg, clinical circumstances and drug costs), choice of OAA may affect health care costs.     

Predictors of Hospital Admission for Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Exacerbations in Canadian Emergency Departments

Objectives: The objective was to examine predictors of hospital admission among adults presenting to Canadian emergency departments (EDs) for acute exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Current acute treatment approaches and outcomes 2 weeks after the ED visit are also described. Methods: Subjects, aged ≥35 years presenting with COPD exacerbations to 16 EDs across Canada, underwent a structured in‐ED interview and a telephone interview 2 weeks later. Results: Of 501 study patients, 247 (49.3%; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 44.9% to 53.6%) were admitted. Admitted patients were older, were more often former smokers, and had more admissions for COPD during the past 2 years. They also reported more days of activity limitation and use of inhaled beta₂‐agonists in the previous 24 hours. Canadian Triage and Acuity Scale (CTAS), respiratory rate (RR), and airflow obstruction were more severe in the hospitalized group. Most of the patients received inhaled beta₂‐agonists, anticholinergics, oral corticosteroids (CS), and antibiotics; hospitalized patients received more aggressive treatments. The median ED length of stay (LOS) of admitted patients was 13.1 hours (interquartile range [IQR] = 7.4‐23.0) compared to 5.6 hours (IQR = 4.2‐8.4) in discharged patients. Admission was associated with at least two COPD admissions in the past 2 years (odds ratio [OR] = 2.10; 95% CI = 1.24 to 3.56), receiving oral CS for COPD (OR = 1.72; 95% CI = 1.08 to 2.74), having a CTAS score of 1–2 (OR = 2.04; 95% CI = 1.33 to 3.12), and receiving adjunct ED treatments (OR = 3.95; 95% CI = 2.45 to 6.35). Use of EDs for usual COPD care was associated with a reduced risk of admission (OR = 0.43; 95% CI = 0.28 to 0.66). Conclusions: Exacerbations of COPD in Canadian EDs result in prolonged ED stays and approximately 50% hospitalization despite aggressive acute treatment approaches. Historical, severity, and treatment‐related factors were strongly associated with hospital admission. Validation of these results should be completed prior to widespread use.     

Should age be incorporated into the adult triage algorithm in the emergency department?

ObjectiveTo compare resource utilization and mortality between older and younger adult patients with similar ED chief complaints and ESI triage levels.MethodsThis was an observational study of consecutive adult patients (age ≥ 40) who presented to an academic ED over a 1-year period with chest pain, abdominal pain, altered mental status, generalized weakness, or headache. Patients were categorized into 40–64, 65–79, and ≥ 80-year old groups. Mortality and utilization outcomes were compared between age groups through logistic regression models or Cox proportional hazards adjusting for ESI level and chief complaint. Odds ratios (OR) and hazard ratios (HR) were calculated with 95% confidence intervals (CI).ResultsA total of 9798 ED visits were included. As compared to younger adults (age 40–64), older adults, independently of ESI level and chief complaint, had higher ED laboratory use (OR 1.46 [CI 1.29, 1.66] for age 65–80; OR 1.33 [CI 1.15, 1.55] for age ≥ 80), ED radiology use (OR 1.40 [CI 1.26, 1.56]; OR 1.48 [CI 1.30, 1.69]), hospital admission (OR 1.56 [CI 1.42, 1.72]; OR 1.97 [CI 1.75, 2.21]), and ICU admission (OR 1.38 [CI 1.15, 1.65]; OR 1.23 [CI 0.99, 1.52]). Despite similar ESI and chief complaint, patients age 65–79 and ≥ 80 had higher 30-day mortality rates (HR 1.87 [CI 1.39 to 2.51] and 2.47 [CI 1.81 to 3.37], respectively).ConclusionsOlder adults with similar chief complaints and ESI levels than younger adults, have significantly higher ED resource use, hospitalization rates, and mortality.     

Economic assessment of early initiation of inhaled corticosteroids in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease using propensity score matching

Background: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), characterized by airway obstruction and inflammation leading to chronic bronchitis and emphysema, is an important cause of morbidity, mortality, and increased health care utilization and expenditures. Objective: Observational data were used to examine potential benefits of inhaled corticosteroid (ICS) treatment initiated earlier than the current guideline-recommended stepwise approach among patients with COPD diagnosed between 1998 and 2004. Methods: Data for this retrospective cohort study of COPD patients aged >/=40 years were drawn from a large managed care claims database. All patients received ICS therapy in addition to regular inhaled bronchodilator treatment. Annual exacerbation events, defined by COPD-related resource utilization (hospitalizations, emergency department visits, and/or unplanned office visits) and expenditures, were compared between patients with early initiation (ie, within 3 months of starting regular bronchodilators) and those who began ICS treatment later. Propensity score matching was used to identify treatment and control groups, controlling for baseline characteristics that could influence treatment choices and outcomes. Logistic and negative binomial regression models were used to estimate differences in utilization. Differences in medical, pharmacy, and total expenditures were estimated using a generalized linear model. Results: The study included 7712 patients (4146 females, 3566 males; mean age, 61.6 years). The mean duration of follow-up was 1040 days (2.8 years). Early ICS initiation was associated with a lower likelihood of mild (49.6% vs 56.3%; P < 0.001) and severe (20.9% vs 27.9%; P < 0.001) exacerbation events compared with later ICS initiation. Patients who began ICSs within 3 months had higher annual pharmacy expenditures ($1283 vs $1139; mean difference [95% CI], $145 [$106 to $187]) to treat COPD conditions. However, because of lower medical services use, early ICS initiation resulted in lower COPD-related medical expenditures ($1926 vs $2498; mean difference [95% CI], -$572 [-$835 to -$319]) and total expenditures ($3208 vs $3635; mean difference [95% CI], -$427 [-$704 to -$159]) per person annually. Early ICS initiation also was associated with lower all-cause medical expenditures but not lower total all-cause expenditures. Conclusions: ICS treatment initiated along with bronchodilators reduced COPD exacerbation events and expenditures in these managed care plans. Further research is needed to address potential selection bias due to unobserved factors.     

Predictors of return visits to the emergency department among different age groups of older adults

ObjectiveTo identify predictors of 30-day emergency department (ED) return visits in patients age 65–79 years and age ≥ 80 years.MethodsThis was a cohort study of older adults who presented to the ED over a 1-year period. A mixed-effects logistic regression model was used to identify predictors for returning to the ED within 30 days. We stratified the cohort into those aged 65–79 years and aged ≥80 years. Adjusted odds ratios (aORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CI) were reported. This study adhered to the STROBE reporting guidelines.ResultsA total of 21,460 ED visits representing 14,528 unique patients were included. The overall return rate was 15% (1998/13,300 visits) for age 65–79 years, and 16% (1306/8160 visits) for age ≥ 80 years. A history of congestive heart failure (CHF), dementia, or prior hospitalization within 2 years were associated with increased odds of returning in both age groups (for age 65–79: CHF aOR 1.36 [CI 1.16–1.59], dementia aOR 1.27 [CI 1.07–1.49], prior hospitalization aOR 1.36 [CI 1.19–1.56]; for age ≥ 80: CHF aOR 1.32 [CI 1.13–1.55], dementia aOR 1.22 [CI 1.04–1.42], and prior hospitalization aOR 1.27 [CI 1.09–1.47]). Being admitted from the ED was associated with decreased odds of returning to the ED within 30 days (aOR 0.72 [CI 0.64–0.80] for age 65–79 years and 0.72 [CI 0.63–0.82] for age ≥ 80).ConclusionAge alone was not an independent predictor of return visits. Prior hospitalization, dementia and CHF were predictors of 30-day ED return. The identification of predictors of return visits may help to optimize care transition in the ED.     

Risk of Acute Kidney Injury Associated With Medication Administration in the Emergency Department

BackgroundPatients who develop acute kidney injury (AKI) have a 2-fold increased risk for major adverse events within 1 year. An estimated 19–26% of all cases of hospital-acquired AKI may be attributable to drug-induced kidney disease (DIKD). Patients evaluated in the emergency department (ED) are often prescribed potentially nephrotoxic drugs, yet the role of ED prescribing in DIKD is unknown.ObjectiveWe sought to measure the association between ED medication administration and development of AKI.MethodsThis was a retrospective 5-year cohort analysis at a single center. Patients with a serum creatinine measurement at presentation in the ED and 24–168 h later were included. Outcome was incidence of AKI as defined by Kidney Disease Improving Global Outcomes criteria in the 7 days after ED evaluation. Medication administration risk was estimated using Cox proportional hazards model.ResultsThere were 46,965 ED encounters by 30,407 patients included in the study, of which 6461 (13.8%) patients met the criteria for AKI. For hospitalized patients, administration of a potentially nephrotoxic medication was associated with increased risk of AKI (hazard ratio [HR] 1.30 [95% confidence interval {CI} 1.20–1.41]). Diuretics were associated with the largest risk of AKI (HR 1.64 [95% CI 1.52–1.78]), followed by angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (HR 1.39 [95% CI 1.26–1.54]) and antibiotics (HR 1.13 [95% CI 1.05–1.22]). For discharged patients, administration of antibiotics was strongly associated with increased risk of AKI (HR 3.19 [95% CI 1.08–9.43]).ConclusionED administration of potentially nephrotoxic medications was associated with an increased risk of AKI in the following 7 days. Diuretics, angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors, and antibiotics were independently associated with increased risk of AKI. Nephroprotective practices in the ED may mitigate kidney injury and long-term adverse outcomes.     

Trajectory of health care resources among adults stopping or reducing treatment frequency of botulinum toxin for chronic migraine treatment in Alberta,Canada

Objective

Understand health resource, medication use, and cost of adults with chronic migraine who received guideline-recommended onabotulinumtoxinA (botulinum toxin) treatment frequency and then continued or reduced/stopped.

Background

Botulinum toxin may be a beneficial treatment for chronic migraine; the trajectory of health resources utilization among those with continued or reduced/stopped use is unclear.

Methods

A retrospective population-based cohort study utilizing administrative data from Alberta, Canada (2012–2020), was performed. A cohort of adults who received ≥5 botulinum toxin treatment cycles for chronic migraine over 18 months (6-month run-in; 1-year pre-index period) were grouped into those who (1) continued use (≥3 treatments/year), or (2) stopped or reduced use (stopped for 6 months then received 0 or 1–2 treatments/year, respectively) over a 1-year post-index period. Health resources and medication use were described, and pre–post costs were assessed. A second cohort that received ≥3 treatments/year immediately followed by 1 year of stopped or reduced use was considered in sensitivity analysis.

Results

Pre–post health resource, medication use, and costs were similar among those with continued use (n = 3336). Among those who stopped or reduced use (n = 1099; 756 stopped, 343 reduced), health resource, medication use, and costs were lower in the post- (total median per-person cost [IQR]: all-cause $4851 [$8090]; migraine-related $835 [$1915]) versus pre- (all-cause $6096 [$7207]; migraine-related $2995 [$1950]) index period (estimated cost ratios [95% CI]: total all-cause 0.86 [0.79, 0.95]; total migraine-related 0.44 [0.40, 0.48]). In the second cohort (n = 3763), return to continued use (≥3 treatments/year) occurred in up to 70.4% in those with reduced use.

Conclusions

Of adults treated with botulinum toxin for chronic migraine, 75.2% had continued use, stable health resource and medication use, and costs over a 2 year period. In those that stopped/reduced use, the observed lower health resource and migraine medication use may indicate improved symptom control, but the resumption of guideline-recommended treatment intervals after reduced use was common.     

Persistence of Warfarin Therapy for Residents in Long-term Care Who Have Atrial Fibrillation

Background

Among long-term care (LTC) residents with atrial fibrillation (AF), the use of warfarin to prevent stroke has been shown to be suboptimal. For those who begin warfarin prophylaxis in LTC, persistence on this therapy has not been reported.

Objective

This study was conducted to estimate persistence on warfarin among LTC residents with AF.

Methods

A retrospective analysis was conducted by using data from an LTC database. Pharmacy dispensing data were used to track warfarin use in residents with a diagnosis of AF who were newly started on warfarin therapy. The main outcome measure was persistence of warfarin over the first year of therapy. Survival analysis included Kaplan-Meier plots and a multivariate Cox proportional hazards model to test the association of resident characteristics and conditions with warfarin discontinuation.

Results

A total of 148 residents new to warfarin therapy met all study inclusion criteria. Median age was 84 years; 69% were female. Median time to therapy discontinuation was 197 days (95% CI, 137–249) across all study residents. By 90 days after the initiation of therapy, 37% (95% CI, 28–47) of study residents had discontinued warfarin; by 1 year, 65% (54%–76%) had discontinued warfarin therapy. The multivariate Cox regression analysis found that the following factors were independently associated with discontinuation of warfarin therapy: age 65 to 74 years (hazard ratio [HR] = 3.01 [95% CI, 1.04–8.73]), female sex (HR = 0.45 [95% CI, 0.24–0.87]), Hispanic race/ethnicity (HR = 2.86 [95% CI, 1.30–6.26]), Midwest region (HR = 2.13 [95% CI, 1.02–4.48]), and Alzheimer disease or dementia (HR = 1.97 [95% CI, 1.05–3.68]).

Conclusions

Although clinical practice guidelines exist for the prevention of stroke in AF patients, persistence on warfarin therapy seems suboptimal in many LTC residents with AF.     

Risk factors for bleeding during anticoagulation of atrial fibrillation in older and younger patients in clinical practice

Background: The prevalence of atrial fibrillation increases with age, affecting ∼5% of people aged >65 years and almost 10% of people aged >80 years.Objective: The goal of this study was to identify risk factors for bleeding during warfarin treatment of nonvalvular atrial fibrillation (NNVAF) in older patients (those aged ≥75 years) compared with younger patients (those aged <75 years) in clinical practice.Methods: All patients with NVAF newly started on warfarin at an anticoagulation clinic in a large university hospital were included in this prospective observational study. Patient details were recorded at their first visit; details of any bleeding events were recorded via telephone interview every 4 to 6 weeks for a minimum of 10 months. Patients were divided into 2 groups (ie, those ≥75 years old and those <75 years old). Logistic regression analysis was used to identify risk factors for bleeding.Results: A total of 402 patients were included in the study. Group I comprised 203 patients <75 years old (mean [SD] age, 64.33 [8.33] years) and group II comprised 199 patients ≥75 years old (mean [SD] age, 80.44 [3.99] years). Follow-up ranged from 1 to 31 months (mean [SD], 19 [8.11] months). For major bleeding, number of medications was a significant risk factor in older patients (odds ratio [OR], 3.0; 95% CI, 1.2–7.8 [P = 0.02 ]) and range of the international normalized ratio (INR) was a significant risk factor in both groups. For every unit increase in the range of INR, the odds of major bleeding increased by 0.6 (OR, 1.6; 95% CI, 1.2–2.4 [P = 0.03 ]) in younger patients and by 0.4 (OR, 1.4; 95% CI, 1.07–1.99 [P = 0.04 ])in older patients. For minor bleeding, history of hypertension was the only significant risk factor in older patients (OR, 3.3; 95% CI, 1.3–8.1 [P = 0.01 ]), while history of ischemic heart disease was the only risk factor in younger patients (OR, 1.9; 95% CI, 1.1–5.4 [P = 0.04 ]).Conclusions: Bleeding pattern was similar in both age groups regarding severity, onset, anatomic site of bleeding, and INR values during the bleeding event. Risk factors for episodes of major bleeding, which are more of a clinical concern, are potentially modifiable. They include quality of anticoagulation control in both groups and number of medications in the older age group.     

Osteoporosis and Its Association With Cardiovascular Disease,Respiratory Disease,and Cancer: Findings From the UK Biobank Prospective Cohort Study

ObjectiveTo investigate sex-specific associations of osteoporosis with incidence of and mortality from cardiovascular disease (CVD), respiratory disease, and cancer as well as with all-cause mortality.MethodsIn total, 305,072 participants (53% [161,383] women) of UK Biobank were included in this study (2007-2010). Self-reported diagnosis of osteoporosis at baseline was the exposure of interest. The outcomes were CVD, respiratory disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), all cancer, and prostate and breast cancer incidence and mortality and all-cause mortality. Associations between osteoporosis and outcomes were investigated using Cox proportional hazards models.ResultsIn men, osteoporosis was associated with a higher incident risk of all respiratory diseases (hazard ratio [HR], 1.26; 95% CI, 1.06 to 1.50) including COPD (HR, 1.82; 95% CI, 1.38 to 2.40). Men with osteoporosis also had a higher mortality risk from all causes (HR, 1.71; 95% CI, 1.38 to 2.11), CVD (HR, 1.68; 95% CI, 1.19 to 2.37), respiratory disease (HR, 2.35; 95% CI, 1.70 to 3.24), and COPD (HR, 3.64; 95% CI, 2.24 to 5.91). These associations persisted after adjustment for age, body mass index, and comorbidities. Women with osteoporosis had a higher risk of incident CVD (HR, 1.24; 95% CI, 1.97 to 1.44), respiratory disease (HR, 1.23; 95% CI, 1.13 to 1.33), and COPD (HR, 1.29; 95% CI, 1.10 to 1.52). Women with osteoporosis also had a higher mortality risk from respiratory disease (HR, 1.31; 95% CI, 1.00 to 1.72) and breast cancer (HR, 1.60; 95% CI, 1.14 to 2.26).ConclusionCompared with women, men with osteoporosis had a higher risk of all-cause mortality, mortality from respiratory diseases including COPD, and cancer incidence. Osteoporosis was strongly associated with respiratory disease and COPD in both sexes, even after full adjustment for covariates, although men with osteoporosis experienced a higher risk of adverse outcomes.     

Prescribing patterns and predictors of high-level polypharmacy in the elderly population: A prospective surveillance study from two teaching hospitals in India

Background: Polypharmacy has been reported to increase the risks for inappropriate prescribing, adverse drug reactions, geriatric syndromes, and morbidity and mortality in elderly populations in the United States and Europe. Data on prescribing patterns and polypharmacy in the elderly population in India are limited.Objectives: The aims of this study were to assess prescribing patterns and to determine the predictors of high-level polypharmacy in the elderly population in 2 tertiary care hospitals in India.Methods: This prospective surveillance study used medical records from patients aged 60 to 95 years admitted to the medicine wards of the 2 tertiary care hospitals between January 2008 and June 2009. Data on medication prescribing from admission through discharge were reviewed. Diseases were coded using the World Health Organization (WHO) International Classification of Diseases, 10th Revision, and medications were coded using the WHO Anatomical, Therapeutic, and Chemical classification. Concordance of prescribing with the indications in the product labeling as listed in the American Hospital Formulary Services Drug Information 2007 was determined. The prevalences of polypharmacy (5–9 medications) and high-level polypharmacy (≥10 medications) were determined. Bivariate analysis and multivariate logistic regression analysis were used to determine the influential predictors of high-level polypharmacy during hospital stays.Results: Data from 814 patients were included (493 [60.6%] men, 321 [39.4%] women; median age, 66 years [range, 60–95 years]). Systemic antibacterials were the most commonly prescribed therapeutic class of medications (574 [70.5%]), and pantoprazole was the most commonly prescribed medication (498 [61.2%]). The majority (7/10 [70.0%]) of the most commonly prescribed medications were prescribed as indicated. Medications prescribed “off-label” included pantoprazole (432/498 [86.7%]), ceftriaxone (212/259 [81.9%]), and atorvastatin (109/237 [46.0%]). Polypharmacy and high-level polypharmacy were prescribed in 366 (45.0%) and 370 (45.5%) patients, respectively. On multivariate logistic regression analysis, multiple (≥3) diagnoses (odds ratio [OR] = 1.55; 95% CI, 1.16–2.08; P = 0.003), angina pectoris (OR = 2.58; 95% CI, 1.50–4.37; P < 0.001), and a length of stay ≥10 days (10–<15 days, OR = 3.14; 95% CI, 2.09–4.71; P < 0.001; and ≥15 days, OR = 5.74; 95% CI, 2.43–13.51; P < 0.001) were found to be predictors of high-level polypharmacy during hospital stays.Conclusions: The campaign for rational drug use in hospitalized elderly patients in India should promote pantoprazole, ceftriaxone, and atorvastatin prescribing in concordance with their indications. Interventions to reduce the high-level polypharmacy in the elderly during their stays in tertiary care hospitals in India should focus on patients with ≥3 diagnoses, angina pectoris, and/or ≥10 days of hospital stay.     

≥75岁急诊心房颤动患者的预后分析——中国急诊心房颤动研究的亚组分析

目的:了解老年（年龄≥75岁）急诊心房颤动（房颤）患者的预后情况,分析不良预后的危险因素。方法:2009年至2011年在全国20家医院连续入选急诊就诊、年龄≥75岁房颤患者为本研究对象,收集患者基线资料和治疗情况,并进行1年随访,主要终点事件为全因死亡,次要终点事件为心血管死亡、卒中、大出血事件及主要不良事件。应用单因素和多因素Cox回归模型分析上述事件的独立危险因素。结果:共入选766例老年急诊房颤患者,年龄(80.76±4.66)岁,女性占56.9%。1年的全因病死率为24.3%,心血管病死率为12.8%,卒中发生率为10.6%,主要不良事件发生率33.6%,再入院率32%。多因素Cox回归模型分析显示年龄（ HR1.073,95% CI 1.042~1.105）、心率（ HR 1.008,95% CI 1.002~1.013）、痴呆/认知障碍史（ HR 1.849,95% CI 1.016~3.365）、既往慢性阻塞性肺疾病史（ HR 1.824,95% CI 1.303~2.551）为老年房颤患者1年死亡的独立危险因素。女性（ HR 1.664,95% CI 1.036~2.675）、高血压病史（ HR 2.035,95% CI 1.080~3.836）、痴呆/认知障碍史（ HR 2.773,95% CI 1.220~6.302）、为老年房颤患者1年卒中的独立危险因素。 结论:老年急诊房颤患者的预后较差,年龄、心率、痴呆/认知障碍史、慢性阻塞性肺疾病史是老年急诊房颤患者1年全因死亡和主要不良事件的独立危险因素;女性、高血压病史、痴呆/认知障碍史为老年急诊房颤患者1年卒中的独立危险因素。     

Medication adherence and the associated health-economic impact among patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus converting to insulin pen therapy: an analysis of third-party managed care claims data

OBJECTIVE: This study evaluated the impact on adherence, hypoglycemic events, resource utilization, and the associated health care costs of converting from administration of insulin therapy by a vial/syringe to an insulin analogue pen device in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. METHODS: This pre-post analysis used an integrated medical and pharmacy claims database containing information for >40 million covered lives from 57 managed care health plans in the United States. Adults with a diagnosis of type 2 diabetes whose treatment was converted from conventional human or analogue insulin injection (vial/syringe) to a prefilled insulin analogue pen from July 2001 through December 2002, with no use of an insulin analogue pen device in the preceding 6 months, were identified and analyzed retrospectively. The primary end points were adherence (as measured by a medication possession ratio [MPR] > or =80%); the odds ratio (OR) for hypoglycemic events requiring health care resource utilization and resulting in a claim; the association between adherence and hypoglycemic events; and all-cause, hypoglycemia-attributable (HA), and diabetes-attributable (DA) health care costs. RESULTS: A total of 1156 subjects were identified and analyzed (mean [SD] age, 45.4 [13.7] years; 53.8% male; previous insulin vial use: 595 [51.5%] human, 561 [48.5%] analogue). Medication adherence was significantly improved after conversion to the insulin pen device (from 62% to 69%; P < 0.01). The proportion of subjects considered adherent was significantly higher in the period after the conversion compared with before the conversion (54.6% vs 36.1%, respectively; P < 0.01). The likelihood of experiencing a hypoglycemic event was significantly reduced after conversion (OR = 0.50; 95% CI, 0.37-0.68; P < 0.05), and the incidence of hypoglycemia in subjects with an MPR > or =80% decreased by nearly two thirds (incident rate ratio = 0.35; 95% CI, 0.11-0.81; P < 0.05). There were significant decreases in HA emergency department visits (OR = 0.44; 95% CI, 0.21-0.92; P < 0.05) and physician visits (OR = 0.39; 95% CI, 0.24-0.64; P < 0.05), whereas HA-related hospitalizations and outpatient visits remained similar after conversion. Total mean all-cause annual treatment costs were reduced by $1590 per patient (from $16,359 to $14,769; P < 0.01). Annual HA costs were reduced by $788 per patient (from $1415 to $627; P < 0.01), predominantly as a result of decreased hospitalization costs (from $857 to $288; P < 0.01). Annual DA costs were reduced by $600 per patient (from $8827 to $8227; P < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Among these patients with type 2 diabetes treated in a managed care setting, a switch from administration of insulin therapy by vial/syringe to a prefilled insulin analogue pen device was associated with improved medication adherence, fewer claims for hypoglycemic events, reduced emergency department and physician visits, and lower annual treatment costs.