Diabetes and differences in detection of incident invasive breast cancer

Many women diagnosed with breast cancer have chronic conditions such as diabetes that may impact other health behaviors. Our purpose was to determine if breast cancer screening and detection differs among women with and without diabetes. We conducted a cross-sectional analysis of a retrospective cohort of women aged 52-74 years diagnosed with incident stages I-III breast cancer enrolled in an integrated health plan between 1999 and 2014 with linkage to the Surveillance, Epidemiology and End Results registry (n = 2040). Screening data were taken from electronic health records. We used multivariable modified Poisson regression models with robust standard errors to estimate relative risks (RR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) for outcomes of (i) receipt of screening in the 2 years prior to diagnosis; (ii) symptom-detected breast cancer; and (iii) diagnosis of locally advanced stage III breast cancer. Compared to women without diabetes, women with diabetes were similar with respect to receipt of screening mammography (78% and 77%), symptom-detected breast cancer (46% and 49%), and stage III diagnosis (7% and 7%). In multivariable models adjusting for age and year of diagnosis, race, BMI, Charlson comorbidity score and depression diagnosis no differences were observed in the outcomes by presence of diabetes. Further investigation is warranted to determine how diabetes acts as a mediating factor in adverse breast cancer outcomes.

Myelodysplastic syndrome and acute myeloid leukemia after receipt of granulocyte colony-stimulating factors in older patients with non-Hodgkin lymphoma

BACKGROUND

Granulocyte colony-stimulating factors (G-CSFs), which are used for the prevention of complications from chemotherapy-related neutropenia, are linked to the risk of developing second primary myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) and acute myeloid leukemia (AML). The objective of this study was to examine the correlation between using a specific G-CSF agent and the risk of MDS/AML among older patients with non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL).

METHODS

This was a retrospective cohort study of adults aged >65 years who were diagnosed with first primary NHL between 2001 and 2011. With data from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results-Medicare-linked database, adjusted hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were estimated for the risk of MDS/AML associated with the receipt of G-CSF(filgrastim and pegfilgrastim) in Cox proportional-hazards models, which were stratified according to treatment accounting for confounding by indication.

RESULTS

Among 18,245 patients with NHL patients who had a median follow-up of 3.5 years, 56% received chemotherapy and/or immunotherapy, and G-CSF was most commonly used in those who received rituximab plus multiple chemotherapy regimens (77%). Subsequent MDS/AML diagnoses were identified in 666 patients (3.7%). A modest increased risk of MDS/AML was observed with the receipt of G-CSF (HR, 1.28; 95% CI, 1.01-1.62) and a trend was observed with increasing doses (Ptrend < .01). When specific agents were analyzed, an increased risk of MDS/AML was consistently observed with filgrastim (≥10 doses: HR, 1.67; 95% CI, 1.25-2.23), but not with pegfilgrastim (≥10 + doses: HR, 1.11; 95% CI, 0.84-1.45).

CONCLUSIONS

A higher of MDS/AML was observed in patients with NHL risk among those who received G-CSF that was specific to the use of filgrastim (≥10 doses), but not pegfilgrastim. Neutropenia prophylaxis is an essential component of highly effective NHL treatment regimens. The differential risk related to the types of G-CSF agents used warrants further study given their increasing use and newly available, US Food and Drug Administration-approved, biosimilar products.

Similar burden of type 2 diabetes among adult patients with sickle cell disease relative to African Americans in the U.S. population: a six-year population-based cohort analysis

Conflicting evidence exists on the epidemiology of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) among patients with sickle cell disease (SCD). This study measured the prevalence, incidence and clinical outcomes associated with T2DM in a large US population of commercially-insured adults aged ≥20 years with SCD between 2009 and 2014. Among 7070 patients with SCD, the mean age (median) was 39 (37) years and 60·8% were female. The standardized prevalence of T2DM among patients with SCD showed a modest increase, from 15·7% to 16·5% (P trend = 0·026), and was comparable to African-American respondents to the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (18·2%). Over 17 024 person-years, the crude incidence rate for T2DM was 25·4 per 1000 person-years. Incident T2DM was associated with comorbid hypertension (hazard ratio [HR] = 1·45, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1·14-1·83), and dyslipidaemia (HR = 1·43, 95%CI 1·04-1·96). Compared to SCD patients without T2DM, more SCD patients with T2DM had diagnoses of nephropathy (28·0% vs. 9·5%; P < 0·001), neuropathy (17·7% vs. 5·2%; P < 0·001) and stroke (24·1% vs. 9·2%; P < 0·001). Prevalence of T2DM in SCD patients is similar to the general African American population with an increasing trend in recent years. These trends support routine screening for T2DM in aging patients with SCD, especially those with comorbid hypertension and/or dyslipidaemia.

Discontinuation and Nonadherence to Medications for Chronic Conditions after Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation: A 6-Year Propensity Score-Matched Cohort Study

INTRODUCTION

Hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT) is an established curative option for patients with hematological malignancies and other life-threatening conditions. Evidence on nonpersistence and nonadherence to oral medications for chronic conditions among patients following HCT is lacking.

OBJECTIVES

This study aims to examine patterns of oral medication use for chronic conditions following HCT in the U.S.

POPULATION

METHODS

Nonpersistence and nonadherence to oral medications for diabetes, hypertension, and dyslipidemia among HCT recipients were assessed in a cohort that included 1382 autologous and 650 allogeneic HCT recipients with hematological malignancies using the Truven Health MarketScan Research Database between 2009 and 2014. Recipients of HCT were compared to propensity score-matched cancer patients receiving chemotherapy without transplantation. Multivariable Cox proportional hazards models and generalized estimating equations were used to determine characteristics associated with nonpersistence and nonadherence to oral chronic medications, respectively.

RESULTS

Recipients of HCT had higher risks of discontinuing medication for diabetes mellitus (allogeneic HCT hazard ratio [HR] = 1.93, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.10-3.39; autologous HCT HR = 1.49, 95% CI 1.04-2.15); hypertension (allogeneic HCT HR = 1.75, 95% CI 1.21-2.53; autologous HCT HR = 1.32, 95% CI 1.07-1.62), and dyslipidemia (allogeneic HCT HR = 2.02, 95% CI 1.39-2.93; autologous HCT, HR = 1.26, 95% CI 0.98-1.61) compared to patients treated with only chemotherapy. Lower odds of adherence to antihypertensive medications (odds ratio [OR] = 0.58, 95% CI 0.38-0.89) and to lipid-lowering medications (OR = 0.38, 95% CI 0.22-0.65) were observed in allogeneic HCT recipients compared with propensity score-matched patients who underwent chemotherapy only.

CONCLUSIONS

Poor medication persistence and adherence to chronic disease medications are common after HCT. Further research to improve long-term outcomes following HCT should include management of medication therapy for chronic comorbid conditions.

Risk of amputations associated with SGLT2 inhibitors compared to DPP-4 inhibitors: A propensity-matched cohort study

AIM

To determine the risk of amputations associated with sodium-glucose co-transporter-2 inhibitors (SGLT2i) relative to dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitors (DPP4i).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We conducted an active comparator, new user cohort study using data from the Truven Health MarketScan (2009-2015) databases. Patients aged ≥18 years newly initiating SGLT2i or DPP4i between April 1, 2013 and March 31, 2015 were included. Patients were matched 1:1 on high dimensional propensity scores and followed until the earliest of any amputation, treatment discontinuation, disenrollment or end of study period (December 31, 2015). Cox proportional hazards models were used to estimate hazard ratios (HR) and robust 95% confidence intervals (CI) for amputation risk.

RESULTS

There were 30 216 comparable patients in each arm after matching. Over a median follow-up of 0.6 years, there were 60 amputations (SGLT2i: 36; DPP4i: 24), most at the level of partial foot (75%) and associated with diabetes-related vascular disease (66.7%). The incidence of amputations was higher among SGLT2i patients (1.62 vs. 1.15 per 1000 person-years) with a HR of 1.38 (CI: 0.83-2.31). In subgroup analyses, risk differed by type of SGLT2i: canagliflozin, HR 1.15 (CI: 0.63-2.09); dapagliflozin or empagliflozin, HR 2.25 (CI: 0.78-6.47).

CONCLUSION

All SGLT2i had an elevated, though not statistically significant, risk for amputations.

Increased risk of mycotic infections associated with sodium-glucose co-transporter 2 inhibitors: a prescription sequence symmetry analysis

AIMS

To determine the risk of mycotic infections associated with the use of sodium-glucose co-transporter 2 inhibitors (SGLT2i) in a real-world setting.

METHODS

We conducted a prescription sequence symmetry analysis using data from Truven Health MarketScan (2009-2015). We selected continuously enrolled patients newly initiating both an SGLT2i and an antifungal between 1 April 2013 and 31 December 2015 within time periods of 30, 60, 90, 180 or 365 days of each other. Adjusted sequence ratios (ASR) were calculated for each time period as the ratio of patients initiating SGLT2i first over those initiating an antifungal first adjusted for time trends in prescribing. Analyses were stratified by sex and type of SGLT2i.

RESULTS

There were 23 276 patients who newly initiated both SGLT2i and an antifungal in our study period. These patients were further classified into those initiating the two drugs within 365 (n = 17 504), 180 (n = 11 873), 90 (n = 7697), 60 (n = 5856) or 30 (n = 3650) days of each other. Increased risks of mycotic infections were present across all time periods, with the strongest effect observed in the 90-day interval [ASR 1.53 (confidence interval, CI 1.43-1.60)]. Findings differed by sex [90-day ASR females: 1.65 (CI 1.56-1.74); males 1.25 (CI 1.14-1.36)] and by SGLT2i [90-day ASR canagliflozin 1.57 (CI 1.49-1.66); non-canagliflozin 1.42 (CI 1.31-1.55)].

CONCLUSION

Initiation of SGLT2i was associated with an increased risk for mycotic infections. Findings from this commercially insured population in the real world are consistent with evidence available from clinical trials.

Renal dysfunction within 90 days of FluBu4 predicts early and late mortality

Myeloablative conditioning regimens with significant extramedullary toxicity result in high rates of renal dysfunction including acute kidney injury (AKI). Here we examine the incidence and impact of a reduced creatinine clearance (below 60 ml/min) before day 90 (early renal dysfunction, ERD) in patients receiving the reduced toxicity fludarabine/i.v. busulfan (FluBu4) regimen prior to allogeneic transplant. Of 91 patients receiving FluBu4, 62 (68%) developed ERD. ERD resulted in worse overall survival (OS, 2.2 years versus median not reached, p = 0.04) and progression-free survival (PFS, 1.6 years versus median not reached, p = 0.02). This was due to a higher relapse rate (34% versus 14%, p = 0.03) in the ERD group. In time-dependent Cox proportional hazards models adjusted for age, ERD was associated with worse OS (hazard ratio [HR] 2.67, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.06-4.21, p = 0.043) and PFS (HR 2.52, 95% CI 1.17-4.28, p = 0.030). Patients with ERD surviving 1 year had an increased risk of chronic kidney disease (CKD, OR 10; 95% CI 1.4-112.6, p = 0.0181), which was associated with worse survival (3.2 years versus median not reached, p = 0.002). ERD after FluBu4 is therefore a poor prognostic sign resulting in increased relapse, worse OS, and high risk of CKD at 1 year.

Predicting Acute Exacerbations in Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

BACKGROUND

With increasing health care costs that have outpaced those of other industries, payers of health care are moving from a fee-for-service payment model to one in which reimbursement is tied to outcomes. Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a disease where this payment model has been implemented by some payers, and COPD exacerbations are a quality metric that is used. Under an outcomes-based payment model, it is important for health systems to be able to identify patients at risk for poor outcomes so that they can target interventions to improve outcomes.

OBJECTIVE

To develop and evaluate predictive models that could be used to identify patients at high risk for COPD exacerbations.

METHODS

This study was retrospective and observational and included COPD patients treated with a bronchodilator-based combination therapy. We used health insurance claims data to obtain demographics, enrollment information, comorbidities, medication use, and health care resource utilization for each patient over a 6-month baseline period. Exacerbations were examined over a 6-month outcome period and included inpatient (primary discharge diagnosis for COPD), outpatient, and emergency department (outpatient/emergency department visits with a COPD diagnosis plus an acute prescription for an antibiotic or corticosteroid within 5 days) exacerbations. The cohort was split into training (75%) and validation (25%) sets. Within the training cohort, stepwise logistic regression models were created to evaluate risk of exacerbations based on factors measured during the baseline period. Models were evaluated using sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative predictive values. The base model included all confounding or effect modifier covariates. Several other models were explored using different sets of observations and variables to determine the best predictive model.

RESULTS

There were 478,772 patients included in the analytic sample, of which 40.5% had exacerbations during the outcome period. Patients with exacerbations had slightly more comorbidities, medication use, and health care resource utilization compared with patients without exacerbations. In the base model, sensitivity was 41.6% and specificity was 85.5%. Positive and negative predictive values were 66.2% and 68.2%, respectively. Other models that were evaluated resulted in similar test characteristics as the base model.

CONCLUSIONS

In this study, we were not able to predict COPD exacerbations with a high level of accuracy using health insurance claims data from COPD patients treated with bronchodilator-based combination therapy. Future studies should be done to explore predictive models for exacerbations.

DISCLOSURES

No outside funding supported this study. Samp is now employed by, and owns stock in, AbbVie. The other authors have nothing to disclose. Study concept and design were contributed by Joo and Pickard, along with the other authors. Samp and Lee performed the data analysis, with assistance from the other authors. Samp wrote the manuscript, which was revised by Schumock and Calip, along with the other authors.

Abstract 4225: Myelodysplastic syndrome and acute myeloid leukemia following use of chemo-immunotherapy and granulocyte colony-stimulating factors among elderly non-Hodgkin lymphoma patients

Purpose The purpose of this study was to examine use of granulocyte colony-stimulating factors (G-CSF) in relation to risk of myelodysplastic syndrome and acute myeloid leukemia (MDS/AML) in a population-based cohort of elderly patients with non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL).

Methods We conducted a retrospective cohort study of adults ages 66 years and older diagnosed with first primary NHL between 2001 and 2011 using the Surveillance Epidemiology and End Results (SEER)-Medicare linked database. Patients were included if they were alive and without documented secondary primary cancer at three months post-diagnosis.

Using a validated algorithm with Medicare claims and SEER records, we identified MDS/AML cases, primary NHL treatment received (i.e., chemo-immunotherapy and radiation) and type and number of doses of G-CSF received (i.e., filgrastim and/or pegfilgrastim). We determined the risk of developing MDS/AML at 12 months or longer after NHL diagnosis. We estimated adjusted hazard ratios (HR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) for MDS/AML risk associated with G-CSF use in cause-specific Cox proportional hazards models, stratified by treatment to account for confounding by indication.

Results A total of 18,245 patients were included with a mean age of 76 years and median follow up of 3.5 years. Most patients were diagnosed with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (34%) and follicular lymphoma (22%). Fifty-six percent of all patients received chemo-immunotherapy, among whom most received rituximab-based chemotherapy (74%) or monotherapy (18%). G-CSF was most commonly used among those who received rituximab plus chemotherapy (77%). Subsequent MDS/AML was observed in 666 (3.7%) patients. Overall, we found a modest increased risk of MDS/AML with any use of G-CSF (HR=1.28, 95% CI 1.01-1.62); although, a linear trend was observed with increasing number of G-CSF doses (P&lt;0.001). Among patients receiving rituximab plus chemotherapy, risk of MDS/AML was highest in those receiving 10 or more G-CSF doses (HR=1.64, 95% CI 1.14-2.37). When analyzing specific G-CSF agents, this increased MDS/AML risk was consistently observed with filgrastim (10+ doses: HR=1.67, 95% CI 1.25-2.23), but not with pegfilgrastim (10+ doses: HR=1.11, 95% CI 0.84-1.45).

Conclusions In this study of elderly NHL patients, we observed a higher MDS/AML risk among those receiving chemo-immunotherapy and G-CSF that was specific to higher number of filgrastim doses but not pegfilgrastim. The benefits of preventing complications from therapy-related neutropenia in patients receiving highly myeloablative treatments likely outweigh the risk of this rare but serious second primary cancer. Understanding differential risk by type of agent warrants further study with the increasing use of G-CSF and FDA-approved biosimilar products (filgrastim-sndz) newly available.

Citation Format: Kellyn M. Moran, Zhaoju Wu, Sruthi Adimadhyam, Todd A. Lee, Brian C. Chiu, Gregory S. Calip. Myelodysplastic syndrome and acute myeloid leukemia following use of chemo-immunotherapy and granulocyte colony-stimulating factors among elderly non-Hodgkin lymphoma patients [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2018; 2018 Apr 14-18; Chicago, IL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2018;78(13 Suppl):Abstract nr 4225.

Risk of serious bacterial infection associated with tumour necrosis factor-alpha inhibitors in children with juvenile idiopathic arthritis

Objectives

TNF-α inhibitors (TNFIs) have a black box warning for increased risk of serious infection that was based on evidence from studies of adults. Evidence of the association is lacking for children. We aimed to examine the risk of infection posed by TNFIs compared with DMARDs in children with JIA.

Methods

We conducted a cohort study using the 2009-13 Truven MarketScan Commercial Claims and Encounters database. Children <16 years old with JIA who initiated monotherapy with TNFIs or DMARDs were identified and followed for occurrence of serious bacterial infection requiring hospitalization. Cox proportional hazard models were used to estimate hazard ratios for infection associated with TNFIs compared with DMARDs, adjusting for potential confounders with high-dimensional propensity scores and time-varying CS use.

Results

We identified 2013 DMARD initiators and 482 TNFI initiators with a mean follow-up of 255 and 307 days, respectively. We identified 18 and 11 patients with a serious infection in the DMARD and TNFI groups, resulting in crude rates of 1.28 (95% CI 0.76-2.02) and 2.72 (95%CI 1.36-4.86) per 100 person-years, respectively. In adjusted models, TNFIs were associated with an increased risk of serious bacterial infection compared with DMARDs (adjusted hazard ratio 2.72, 95% CI: 1.08, 6.86).

Conclusion

Use of TNFIs poses a higher risk of serious infection compared with DMARDs in children with JIA. Our analysis confirms the US Food and Drug Administration warning about TNFI-associated infection in children with JIA.

Hydroxycarbamide adherence and cumulative dose associated with hospital readmission in sickle cell disease: a 6-year population-based cohort study

Sickle cell disease (SCD) is a congenital haemoglobinopathy that causes frequent acute care/emergency room visits and hospital admissions for affected individuals. Evidence from population-based studies demonstrating the role of hydroxycarbamide (HC, also termed hydroxyurea) in reducing hospital readmission rates is limited. Our objective was to describe the use of HC and its association with acute care utilization and readmission rates using a large, nationally-representative US health insurance claims database over a 6-year period between 2009 and 2014. We identified 20 721 SCD-related inpatient and acute care encounters. Patients had been exposed to HC within 6 months prior to admission in 4263 (21%) of SCD-related admission events. HC use was more common among children aged 10-17 years and young adults aged 18-29 years. HC was associated with lower 30-day all-cause readmission rates in adults treated with average daily doses ≥1 g (odds ratio [OR], 0·72, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0·52-0·99) and doses of 0·5-1 g (OR, 0·73, 95% CI 0·57-0·93), compared to HC treatment with average daily doses of <0·5 g; adherence to HC with proportion of days covered of ≥0·80 was also associated with significantly lower 30-day all-cause readmission risks (OR, 0·59, 95% CI 0·41-0·84). Optimal therapeutic dosing and adherence to HC treatment significantly reduces 30-day readmissions among patients with SCD.

Risk of Diabetes Hospitalization or Diabetes Drug Intensification in Patients With Depression and Diabetes Using Second-Generation Antipsychotics Compared to Other Depression Therapies

Objective

Use of second-generation antipsychotics (SGAs) for treatment of depression has increased, and patients with depression and comorbid diabetes or cardiovascular disease are more likely to use SGAs than those without these conditions. We compared SGA and non-SGA depression pharmacotherapies on the risk of diabetes hospitalization or treatment intensification in adults with depression and preexisting diabetes.

Methods

This was a retrospective cohort study of US commercially insured adults (2009-2015 Truven MarketScan Commercial Claims and Encounters Database) aged 18-64 years old with type 2 diabetes mellitus and unipolar depression previously treated with a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor or serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor. New users of SGAs versus non-SGAs, as well as specific treatments (aripiprazole, quetiapine, bupropion, mirtazapine, and tricyclic antidepressants [TCAs]) were matched on class/medication-specific high-dimensional propensity score. Cox proportional hazard models were used to compare the risk of diabetes-related hospitalization or treatment intensification.

Results

We identified 6,625 SGA (aripiprazole = 3,461; quetiapine = 1,977; other = 1,187) and 23,921 non-SGA patients for inclusion (bupropion = 15,511; mirtazapine = 1,837; TCAs = 5,989; other = 584) with a mean age of 51 years. In the matched cohort, the rate of diabetes-related hospitalization or drug intensification was 47.9 per 100 person-years in the SGA group and 43.5 per 100 person-years in the non-SGA group (adjusted hazard ratio [aHR] = 1.03; 95% CI, 0.96-1.11). When comparing treatment subgroups, the risk of events was lower for bupropion versus TCAs (aHR = 0.85; 95% CI, 0.76-0.98), quetiapine versus mirtazapine (aHR = 0.82; 95% CI, 0.67-0.99), and quetiapine versus TCAs (aHR = 0.84; 95% CI, 0.72-0.98). For other comparisons, differences were small and not statistically significant.

Conclusions

While drug-specific effects on risk of diabetes hospitalization or treatment intensification most likely guide clinical decision making, we observed only modest differences in risk. The overall impact of SGAs on diabetes control depends not only on direct effects on glucose metabolism but also on effectiveness of depression symptom relief. Future studies evaluating other diabetes outcomes (glycosylated hemoglobin, diabetes complications) are needed.

The impact of depression medications on oral antidiabetic drug adherence in patients with diabetes and depression

AIMS

To compare adherence and persistence to oral antidiabetic drugs (OAD) between patients who are new users of second generation antipsychotics (SGA) versus new users of other depression therapies in adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and major depressive disorder (MDD).

METHODS

Adults 18-64 years with previously-treated T2DM and MDD (past OAD and SSRI/SNRI use) who are new users of SGA or non-SGA therapies (bupropion, lithium, mirtazapine, thyroid hormone, tricyclic antidepressant) were identified in the 2009-2015 MarketScan® Commercial Claims and Encounters database. Multivariate regression models were used to determine the odds of a ≥10% decline in OAD adherence over 180- and 365-days, and time to OAD discontinuation, adjusting for differences between groups.

RESULTS

A total of 8664 (21.5% SGA), 8311 (22.1% SGA), and 17,524 (21.3% SGA) patients met inclusion criteria for the 180-day adherence, 365-day adherence, and persistence cohorts, respectively. Over 180-days, 16.6% of SGA and 13.3% of non-SGA initiators had a ≥10% decline in OAD adherence (adjusted odds ratio [OR] = 1.41, 95% CI 1.21-1.63). Over 365-days, 22.3% of SGA and 18.9% of non-SGA initiators had a ≥ 10% decline (OR = 1.34, 95% CI 1.17-1.53). Time to OAD discontinuation was similar between groups (adjusted hazard ratio = 1.03, 95% CI 0.94-1.12).

CONCLUSION

Use of SGA was associated with a 1.3-1.4 times higher odds of a ≥10% decline in OAD adherence. Adherence to OAD is critical for optimal diabetes control and reductions in this magnitude may impact A1C. Close monitoring of OAD adherence after SGA initiation is warranted.

Tumor necrosis factor-alpha inhibitors and risk of non-Hodgkin lymphoma in a cohort of adults with rheumatologic conditions

Based on limited evidence, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued a black box warning for the use of tumor necrosis factor-alpha inhibitors (TNFIs) and risk of non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL). Our objective was to determine the risk of NHL associated with TNFI use by duration and type of anti-TNF agent. We performed a nested case-control study within a retrospective cohort of adults with rheumatologic conditions from a U.S. commercial health insurance database between 2009 and 2015. Use of TNFIs (infliximab, adalimumab, etanercept, golimumab and certolizumab pegol) and conventional-synthetic disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (csDMARDs) was identified, and conditional logistic regression models were used to estimate adjusted odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) for risk of NHL. From a retrospective cohort of 55,446 adult patients, 101 NHL cases and 984 controls matched on age, gender and rheumatologic indication were included. Compared to controls, NHL cases had greater TNFI use (33% vs. 20%) but were similar in csDMARD use (70% vs. 71%). TNFI ever-use was associated with nearly two-fold increased risk of NHL (OR = 1.93; 95% CI: 1.16-3.20) with suggestion of increasing risk with duration (P-trend = 0.05). TNF fusion protein (etanercept) was associated with increased NHL risk (OR = 2.73; 95% CI: 1.40-5.33), whereas risk with anti-TNF monoclonal antibodies was not statistically significant (OR = 1.77; 95% CI: 0.87-3.58). In sensitivity analyses evaluating confounding by rheumatologic disease severity, channeling bias was not likely to account for our results. Our findings support the FDA black box warning for NHL. Continued surveillance and awareness of this rare but serious adverse outcome are warranted with new TNFIs and biosimilar products forthcoming.

Risk of Serious Bacterial Infection Associated With Tumor Necrosis Factor-Alpha Inhibitors in Children and Young Adults With Inflammatory Bowel Disease

BACKGROUND

Prior studies evaluating the relationship between tumor necrosis factor-alpha inhibitors (TNFI) and infection were conducted in adults and had conflicting findings. We sought to examine the risk of serious infection associated with TNFIs compared with nonbiologic immunomodulators in children and young adults with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and to compare the risk among individual TNFIs.

METHODS

We conducted a cohort study using the Truven MarketScan Commercial Claims and Encounters database of patients age <30 years with a diagnosis of IBD who initiated treatment with a TNFI or immunomodulator (thiopurines or methotrexate) between 2009 and 2013. The outcome of interest was serious infection, defined as a nongastrointestinal bacterial infection requiring hospitalization. Cox proportional hazard models were used to estimate hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for serious infection associated with TNFIs compared with immunomodulators.

RESULTS

We identified 10,838 children and young adults with IBD; 236 and 192 cases of serious infection were observed in 4502 TNFI initiators (5.25/100 person-years) and 6336 immunomodulator initiators (3.59/100 person-years), respectively. Compared with immunomodulators, TNFIs were associated with a higher risk of serious infection (HR, 1.36; 95% CI, 1.08-1.72). Among TNFI users, certolizumab showed a 3.38-fold (95% CI, 2.25-5.09) increased risk vs infliximab, and subcutaneously administered TNFIs also exhibited a higher risk (HR, 1.34; 95% CI, 1.18-1.53) than intravenous TNFIs.

CONCLUSIONS

TNFIs pose a higher risk of serious infection compared with immunomodulators in children and young adults with IBD, and this risk differs among individual TNFIs and routes of administration.

Abstract P6-08-11: Regional variation in de novo metastatic breast cancer survival improvement over time using an institutional registry to support SEER analysis: 1990-2010

Background: It is not known how much de novo MBC (dnMBC) survival varies by where one lives and receives treatment in the US. Variation could exist depending on access to care, insurance availability, geographic area, and treatment options (urban vs. rural). Our objective is to measure variance in survival by Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) region and compared to a non-academic institutional cohort.

Methods: We compared change in disease specific survival (DSS) over time intervals1990-1998, 1999-2004 and 2005-2010, following diagnosis of first primary dnMBC among women in the SEER 9 population-based cancer registry using SEER 9 without Seattle-Puget Sound (S-PS) (n = 11,139) and Seattle Puget Sound separately (n = 1787). In a separate analysis we calculated and compared dnMBC DSS in our community-based cancer center registry located in the Seattle-Puget Sound region (n = 247) for the same time intervals. For the institutional cohort time to event used the outcome death from breast cancer confirmed from the patient chart or death certificate if information on cause of death was not available in the chart. For SEER data we used the SEERstat calculation for cause-specific survival as equivalent for disease specific survival (DSS). We estimated 5-year DSS cumulative incidence with 95% confidence intervals using the Kaplan-Meier method and compared survivor function equality by diagnosis years with log-rank tests. SEER*stat 8.3.4 was used for the SEER regional comparison and SPSS 24 for the institutional.

Results: Patient age in the SEER registry population ranged from 18-93 years. The institutional cohort patient age range was 24-94 years. DSS improved over time for SEER 9 without Seattle-Puget Sound [1990-1998: 18.8% (95% CI: 17.6%, 20.0%);1999-2004; 22.0% (95% CI: 20.5%, 23.4%); 2005-2010: 24.6% (95% CI: 23.2%, 26.0%) (log-rank test=61.59, p&lt;0.001)]. DSS for SEER Seattle-Puget Sound had a similar significant improvement gradient over time [1990-1998: 20.1% (95% CI: 17.1%, 23.2%)]; 1999-2004: 25.6% (95% CI: 21.9%, 29.4%); 2005-2010: 33.4% (95% CI: 29.7%, 37.1%) (log-rank test=42.46, p&lt;0.001)]. DSS was significantly better in the Seattle-Puget Sound region in 2005-2010 (33.4%) compared to SEER9 without Seattle-Puget Sound (24.6%) (p=.017). Among dnMBC cases at the non-academic community cancer center, five year dnMBC DSS improved over time as well and by a larger margin [1990-1998: 28%, 95% CI: 18.2%, 37.8%; 1999-2004: 48%, 95% CI: 33.9%, 58.9%; 2005-2010: 55%, 95% CI: 45.3%, 64.5% (log rank test=9.65, p=.008)].

Conclusions: The SEER regional comparison indicates a significant regional survival difference for breast cancer patients with de novo stage IV metastatic breast cancer. Better survival in the Seattle-Puget Sound region is supported by the retrospective cohort analysis results from a center with a more detailed registry and complete follow up in the same region. Supplementation of regional survival SEER analysis with detailed analysis from an embedded institutions' dedicated registry could be used to enhance evaluation of factors such as standard of care that impact survival improvement.

Citation Format: Malmgren JA, Calip GS, Atwood MK, Kaplan HG. Regional variation in de novo metastatic breast cancer survival improvement over time using an institutional registry to support SEER analysis: 1990-2010 [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 2017 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium; 2017 Dec 5-9; San Antonio, TX. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2018;78(4 Suppl):Abstract nr P6-08-11.

Comparative Effectiveness of Long-Acting Beta2 -Agonist Combined with a Long-Acting Muscarinic Antagonist or Inhaled Corticosteroid in Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

INTRODUCTION

Several dual bronchodilator fixed-dose inhaler medications were recently approved for the treatment of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). These products combine a long-acting β₂ -agonist (LABA) and long-acting muscarinic antagonist (LAMA). In clinical trials, the separate mechanisms of the bronchodilators resulted in improved lung function. COPD treatment guidelines currently recommend combination LABA/LAMA as alternative therapy to combination LABA/inhaled corticosteroid (ICS). Evidence is limited on the comparative effectiveness of LABA/LAMA and LABA/ICS in COPD. The objective of this study was to compare real-world COPD exacerbation rates among patients treated with LABA/LAMA with those treated with LABA/ICS.

METHODS

This was a retrospective observational study of COPD patients in the United States treated with LABA/LAMA or LABA/ICS combination. Insurance claims from January 1, 2004, through December 31, 2014, were used as the data source. Patients were required to have greater than one prescription filled for the combination medications, and they were followed from 30 days after drug initiation. Individuals were censored if they discontinued a study medication, initiated medication from the opposite cohort (LAMA or ICS), lost enrollment eligibility, or at the study period end. Exacerbation rates were compared using Poisson regression.

RESULTS

There were 5384 patients in the LABA/LAMA cohort and 473,388 patients in the LABA/ICS cohort. The LABA/LAMA cohort was older, had more comorbidities, and more severe COPD. Unadjusted annual exacerbation rates were 2.87 events per person-year (standard deviation [SD] 5.14) in the LABA/LAMA cohort and 1.68 (SD 9.82) in the LABA/ICS cohort. The adjusted incidence rate ratio was 0.98 (95% confidence interval 0.95-1.01) for LABA/LAMA compared with LABA/ICS.

CONCLUSIONS

The LABA/LAMA combination had similar effectiveness to LABA/ICS as measured by exacerbation rates in COPD patients. As a result, characteristics other than effectiveness, such as symptom control, cost, patient preferences, and adverse events, may be important in selecting between the two regimens.

Descriptive characteristics of prostate cancer in patients with a history of primary male breast cancer - a SEER analysis

Background

Current evidence on risk of prostate cancer following a diagnosis of male breast cancer is limited and guidance for screening in this potentially higher-risk population remainsunclear. Our objective was to quantify prostate cancer risk in men diagnosed with breast cancer.

Methods

We identified men diagnosed with first primary breast cancer between 1988 and 2012 using the Surveillance, Epidemiology and End Results Program registry databases. Men were followed for occurrence of a second primary prostate cancer and secondary outcomes of cancer-specific and overall survival. Stratified analyses were performed by age, breast cancer stage, race, and breast cancer hormone receptor status. Excess risk per 10,000 person-years and standardized incidence ratios (SIR) with 95% confidence intervals (95% CI) were calculated. We used multivaraible Cox proportional hazard models to estimate hazard ratios (HR) and 95% CI for characteristics associated with secondary prostate cancer and survival.

Results

From a cohort of 5753 men with breast cancer with median follow up of 4.3 years, we identified 250 cases of second primary prostate cancer. Overall, the incidence of second primary prostate cancer was modestly greater than expected (SIR = 1.12, 95% CI 0.93–1.33), although not statistically significant. Stratified analyses demonstrated associations for men ages 65–74 at the time of breast cancer diagnosis (SIR = 1.34, 95%CI 1.01–1.73), hormone receptor-positive breast cancer (SIR = 1.23, 95%CI 1.11–1.39) or AJCC stage I breast cancer (SIR = 1.36, 95%CI 1.04–1.75) and second primary prostate cancer diagnosis.

Conclusions

The incidence of prostate cancer in men with history of breast cancer is similar to the general population. Men with favorable characteristics of their breast cancer were more likely to develop prostate cancer, possibly due to a lower competing risk of breast cancer mortality.

Characterization of opioid use in sickle cell disease

PURPOSE

Opioid analgesics are commonly used to treat vaso-occlusive pain episodes in sickle cell disease (SCD), but comprehensive evidence characterizing opioid use in this patient population is limited. Our objective was to characterize opioid use patterns among SCD patients using a large nationwide database.

METHODS

A large, US medical claims database was utilized to identify a cohort of 3882 SCD patients, and characteristics of opioid use were analyzed. Clinical variables including age, gender, medication use, health care utilization, and medical history were evaluated for correlations with opioid use.

RESULTS

Forty percent of patients took opioid medications during a 12-month span, and the prevalence of any opioid use was highest for 20 to 29-year-old patients (58%). The median daily opioid dose was 1.85 mg (interquartile range: 0.62-10.68 mg) oral morphine equivalents (OME). While most opioid users took between 0 and 5 mg OME daily, 3% of pediatric patients and 23% of adult patients used more than 30-mg OME daily. High-dose opioid use was associated with older age, hydroxyurea therapy, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) use, and frequent inpatient hospitalizations. In multivariable-adjusted analyses, patients with vaso-occlusive complications such as pain crisis (OR = 3.8, 95% CI 2.7-5.3) and avascular necrosis (AVN) (OR = 3.7, 95% CI 2.7-5.1) were associated with high-dose opioid use.

CONCLUSIONS

Our study showed that only 40% SCD patients were on opioid analgesics during a 12-month span. However, a non-trivial number of patients used a much higher dose of opioids despite a relatively low average daily opioid dose among SCD patients, particularly with vaso-occlusive complications.

Risk of Cardiovascular and Cerebrovascular Events in COPD Patients Treated With Long-Acting β2-Agonist Combined With a Long-Acting Muscarinic or Inhaled Corticosteroid

BACKGROUND

The recent approval of several fixed-dose combination long-acting β₂-agonist (LABA) and long-acting muscarinic antagonist (LAMA) products has increased the use of dual bronchodilators in the treatment of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Understanding the comparative safety of this combination is important for informing treatment decisions.

OBJECTIVE

To compare the risk of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular (CCV) events associated with LABA/LAMA compared with a combination of LABA and inhaled corticosteroid (ICS).

METHODS

This was a retrospective, observational cohort study using health insurance claims data to identify COPD patients initiating LABA/LAMA or LABA/ICS. CCV outcomes included hospitalizations with a primary diagnosis for acute coronary syndrome, heart failure, cardiac dysrhythmia, stroke, or transient ischemic attack. Patients were followed until they experienced an event, discontinued treatment, initiated medication from the opposite cohort, or lost enrollment. Patients were matched 1:4 on propensity scores, and time to event was compared using Cox proportional hazards models.

RESULTS

After matching, there were 3842 patients in the LABA/LAMA cohort and 15 225 in the LABA/ICS cohort. Cardiovascular events in the LABA/LAMA cohort were lower than in the LABA/ICS: hazard ratio (HR) = 0.794; 95% CI = 0.623-0.997. No significant difference in the risk of cerebrovascular events (HR = 1.166; 95% CI = 0.653-1.959) was observed.

CONCLUSIONS

Despite concerns about the CCV effects of LAMA and LABA monotherapy, the LABA/LAMA combination had similar or lower risk of these events in comparison to LABA/ICS. Further studies are recommended to confirm these findings.

Evidence for Detection Bias by Medication Use in a Cohort Study of Breast Cancer Survivors

In previous studies, we found modestly decreased and increased risks of second breast cancer events with the use of statins and antibiotics, respectively, after adjustment for surveillance mammography. We evaluated detection bias by comparing receipt of surveillance mammography among users of these 2 disparate classes of medication. Adult women diagnosed with early-stage breast cancer during 1990-2008 (n = 3,965) while enrolled in an integrated health-care plan (Group Health Cooperative; Washington State) were followed for up to 10 years in the Commonly Used Medications and Breast Cancer Outcomes (COMBO) Study. Categories of antibiotic use included infrequent (1-3 dispensings/12 months) and frequent (≥4 dispensings/12 months) use, and categories of statin use included less adherent (1 dispensing/6 months) and adherent (≥2 dispensings/6 months). We examined associations between medication use and surveillance mammography using multivariable generalized estimating equations and evaluated the impact of adjusting for surveillance within Cox proportional hazard models. Frequent antibiotic users were less likely to receive surveillance mammography (odds ratio (OR) = 0.90, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.82, 0.99) than were nonusers; no association was found among infrequent users (OR = 0.96, 95% CI: 0.90, 1.03). Adherent statin use was associated with more surveillance compared with nonuse (OR = 1.11, 95% CI: 1.01, 1.25), but less adherent statin use was not (OR = 1.03, 95% CI: 0.81, 1.31). No difference in associations between medications of interest and second breast cancer events was observed when surveillance was removed from otherwise adjusted models. The influence of detection bias by medication use warrants further exploration.

Medication adherence and persistence over time with self-administered TNF-alpha inhibitors among young adult, middle-aged, and older patients with rheumatologic conditions

OBJECTIVE

Self-injectable TNF inhibitors are increasingly used early in the chronic treatment of moderate to severe rheumatologic conditions. We estimated medication adherence/persistence over time following initiation in young adult and older adult patients with rheumatoid arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis or psoriatic arthritis.

METHODS

We conducted a retrospective cohort study of patients aged 18+ years newly initiating etanercept, adalimumab, certolizumab pegol, or golimumab using the Truven Health MarketScan Database between 2009 and 2013. Pharmacy dispensing data were used to calculate 12-month medication possession ratios (MPR) and determine adherence (MPR ≥ 0.80) for up to 3 years after starting therapy. Persistence over each 12-month interval was defined as not having a ≥92-day treatment gap. Multivariable generalized estimating equation models were used to calculate odds ratios (OR) and robust 95% confidence intervals (CI) for associations between patient characteristics and repeated adherence/persistence measures over time.

RESULTS

Among 53,477 new users, 14% were young adults (18-34 years), 49% middle-aged (35-54 years), and 37% older adults (55+ years). Overall, 37% of patients were adherent and 83% were persistent in the first year of therapy. The lowest adherence (17%) and persistence (70%) were observed among young adult patients by Year +3. Compared to older adults, middle-aged (OR = 0.73, 95% CI: 0.71-0.76) and young adults (OR = 0.50, 95% CI: 0.47-0.53) were less likely to be adherent. Higher Charlson comorbidity scores, hospitalizations, and emergency department visits were associated with non-adherence/non-persistence.

CONCLUSIONS

We observed low adherence to self-administered TNF inhibitors but most patients remained persistent over time. Further efforts to improve adherence in young adults and patients with greater comorbidity are needed.

Polypharmacy and Adherence to Adjuvant Endocrine Therapy for Breast Cancer

PURPOSE

Many patients with breast cancer are treated for other conditions and experience polypharmacy with multiple concurrent medications. Our aim was to evaluate polypharmacy in relation to adherence to adjuvant endocrine therapy (AET) in breast cancer.

METHODS

We conducted a retrospective cohort study of women with incident, invasive breast cancer initiating AET (tamoxifen, letrozole, anastrozole, exemestane) between 2009 and 2013 in the Truven Health MarketScan Database. Polypharmacy and pill burden were measured for commonly used concurrent medications, including lipid-lowering drugs, antihypertensives, oral diabetes medications, insulin analogs, antidepressants, anxiolytics/antipsychotics, and opioid-containing analgesics. Polypharmacy was defined as frequent use (three or more dispensings) of a given medication class and by pill burden (total dispensings). Medication possession ratios (MPR) were estimated for subsequent 12-month intervals. Multivariable generalized estimating equation models were used to calculate odds ratios (ORs) and robust 95% CIs for associations with AET adherence (MPR ≥ 0.80).

RESULTS

Among 40,009 women, 74% were adherent in year +1 and continued to have high mean adherence (MPR = 0.79) among those continuing AET through year +3. Increasing polypharmacy ( P < .001) and pill burden ( P < .001) were associated with greater adherence, but effects differed by medication class. Frequent use of lipid-lowering drugs (OR, 1.42; 95% CI, 1.36 to 1.49) and antihypertensives (OR, 1.15; 95% CI, 1.10 to 1.20) were associated with higher odds of adherence; frequent use of opioid-containing analgesics (OR, 0.80; 95% CI, 0.77 to 0.83), anxiolytics/antipsychotics (OR, 0.95; 95% CI, 0.91 to 0.99), antidepressants (OR, 0.85; 95% CI, 0.82 to 0.89), and insulin therapy (OR, 0.82; 95% CI, 0.72 to 0.95) were associated with lower odds of adherence.

CONCLUSION

Associations between polypharmacy and adherence in breast cancer may be better characterized by understanding specific classes of medications used concurrently. Comprehensive medication therapy management, including ongoing pain evaluation and psychoactive therapies, is warranted.

Therapy-related myelodysplastic syndrome following primary breast cancer

BACKGROUND

Therapy-related myelodysplastic syndrome (t-MDS) is a serious clinical disease occurring after breast cancer treatment.

METHODS

A cohort of 11,684 invasive breast cancer (BC) patients from 1990-2014 were followed for incidence of t-MDS through institutional and the Surveillance, Epidemiology and End Results (SEER) Program registries. t-MDS cases were identified using ICD-O SEER registry codes, pathology and chart reports. Treatment, cytogenetics, and time from BC diagnosis to t-MDS and t-MDS diagnosis to last follow up or death were obtained. Incidence rate ratios were calculated using SEER national incidence rates for comparison.

RESULTS

27 cases of t-MDS post BC treatment were confirmed. 96% of cases were breast cancer stage I-II at diagnosis. All patients had received radiation treatment and 59% received adjuvant chemotherapy. Two patients were alive with no evidence of disease after treatment with stem cell transplantation (age 33 and 46). t-MDS incidence was 30 times the expected population rate among patients <55 years (RR 31.8, 95% CI 15.0, 60.8) with shorter time from t-MDS diagnosis to death (median survival time: <55: 8 months, 55-74: 26 months, 75+: 23 months).

CONCLUSION

We found elevated t-MDS risk especially among younger BC patients with stem cell transplantation the only observed curative treatment.

Risk of cancer-specific, cardiovascular, and all-cause mortality among Asian and Pacific Islander breast cancer survivors in the United States, 1991-2011

Asian and Pacific Islander (API) women in the United States (U.S.) are a heterogeneous group reported to have better prognosis after breast cancer (BC) compared to their Non-Hispanic White (NHW) counterparts. Few studies have examined differences in BC survival between individual API ethnic groups. We conducted a retrospective cohort study of 462,005 NHW and 44,531 API women diagnosed with incident, stage I-III BC between 1991 and 2011 in the Surveillance, Epidemiology and End Results (SEER) 18 registries. SEER-reported API ethnicity was grouped as Chinese, Japanese, Filipino, Hawaiian, Korean, Vietnamese, Asian Indian and Pakistani, and Pacific Islander. Multivariable Cox proportional hazards models were used to estimate hazard ratios (HR) and 95 % confidence intervals (CI) for risk of BC-specific, cardiovascular and all-cause mortality comparing API to NHW women. We also estimated mortality risk comparing U.S.-born to non-U.S.-born women. Compared to NHW women, API women overall had lower BC-specific, cardiovascular and all-cause mortality. BC-specific mortality risk was lowest among Japanese women (HR 0.69, 95 % CI 0.63-0.77). Other women had similar (Filipino, HR 0.93, 0.86-1.00; Hawaiian, HR 1.01, 0.89-1.17) or greater (Pacific Islander, HR 1.44, 1.17-1.78) risk of BC-specific death. Compared to non-U.S. born API women, findings were suggestive of increased cardiovascular (HR 1.12, 1.03-1.20) and all-cause mortality (HR 1.29, 1.08-1.54) among U.S.-born API women. Mortality risk varies greatly between BC survivors from different API backgrounds. Further research is warranted to understand these disparities in BC survivorship and the social and cultural factors that possibly contribute to greater mortality among later-generation API women born in the United States.

Assessment of the safety of antimalarial drug use during early pregnancy (ASAP): protocol for a multicenter prospective cohort study in Burkina Faso, Kenya and Mozambique

Background

A major unresolved safety concern for malaria case management is the use of artemisinin combination therapies (ACTs) in the first trimester of pregnancy. There is a need for human data to inform policy makers and treatment guidelines on the safety of artemisinin combination therapies (ACT) when used during early pregnancy.

Methods

The overall goal of this paper is to describe the methods and implementation of a study aimed at developing surveillance systems for identifying exposures to antimalarials during early pregnancy and for monitoring pregnancy outcomes using health and demographic surveillance platforms.

This was a multi-center prospective observational cohort study involving women at health and demographic surveillance sites in three countries in Africa: Burkina Faso, Kenya and Mozambique [(ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT01232530)]. The study was designed to identify pregnant women with artemisinin exposure in the first trimester and compare them to: 1) pregnant women without malaria, 2) pregnant women treated for malaria, but exposed to other antimalarials, and 3) pregnant women with malaria and treated with artemisinins in the 2nd or 3rd trimesters from the same settings. Pregnant women were recruited through community-based surveys and attendance at health facilities, including antenatal care clinics and followed until delivery. Data from the three sites will be pooled for analysis at the end of the study. Results are forthcoming.

Discussion

Despite few limitations, the methods described here are relevant to the development of sustainable pharmacovigilance systems for drugs used by pregnant women in the tropics using health and demographic surveillance sites to prospectively ascertain drug safety in early pregnancy.

Trial registration

NCT01232530

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12978-015-0101-0) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Abstract PD4-6: Characteristics associated with nonadherence to medications for hypertension, diabetes, and dyslipidemias among breast cancer survivors

Background: Comorbidity among breast cancer (BC) survivors increases risk of overall mortality and recent reports have described some comorbid conditions to possibly influence risk of second BC events and BC-specific mortality. Therefore, clinical management of chronic conditions such as hypertension (HTN), diabetes mellitus (DM) and dyslipidemias in BC survivors may be important to both cancer- and non-cancer-related outcomes. Medication adherence for chronic conditions such as diabetes is poor in general populations and quality of care may be further impacted by BC diagnosis/treatment. The objective of this study was to describe characteristics associated with nonadherence to medications to treat HTN, DM and dyslipidemias among BC survivors enrolled in a large, integrated health plan.

Methods: Retrospective cohort of 4,216 BC survivors, the Commonly Used Medications and Breast Cancer Outcomes (COMBO) study at Group Health Cooperative. Women in our analysis were diagnosed with stages I-II BC between 1990-2008 and alive and without recurrence or second primary BC in the year 365 days post-BC diagnosis (days 366-730). Medication users were identified by ≥1 dispensings of antihypertensives, oral DM medications, and/or statins. Data on incident BC, patient characteristics, and medications was obtained via linkage to the western Washington SEER registry, medical record and automated health plan data including pharmacy dispensing records. Medication adherence was measured using medication possession ratio (MPR) and classified as non-adherent if MPR&lt;0.80. We estimated odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for nonadherence vs adherence to antihypertensives, oral DM medications and statins by various characteristics using multivariate logistic regression.

Results: We identified 1,929 prevalent users of antihypertensives (n=1,779), DM medications (n=499) and/or statins (n=1,072). 37% were non-adherent to antihypertensives; 75% were non-adherent to DM medications; 39% were non-adherent to statins. In adjusted models, younger women (ages &lt;50, 50-64) were more likely to be non-adherent to all 3 therapeutic classes compared to older women (ages ≥65). Women who received radiation therapy (OR=1.21 95% CI 1.00-1.47) or endocrine therapy (OR=1.25 95% CI 1.03-1.52) were more likely to be non-adherent to antihypertensives; women treated with chemotherapy (OR=1.67 95% CI 1.03-2.69) were more likely to be non-adherent to DM medications. Greater BMI (P=0.001) and more frequent primary care provider visits (≥2 vs 0-1 only; OR=0.30 95% CI 0.24-0.38) were associated with better adherence to antihypertensives. Likewise, higher Charlson comorbidity scores (≥2 vs &lt;2) were associated with greater adherence to DM medications (OR=0.49 95% CI 0.23-0.83) and statins (OR=0.54 95% CI 0.28-1.02).

Conclusion: In this population-based cohort of BC survivors, nonadherence to medications for HTN, DM, and dyslipidemias was associated with younger age, and impact of specific BC treatments on medication adherence varied by therapeutic indication. Additional research is warranted to target patients in need of medication management as well as to explore patient preferences and provider factors that may influence medication adherence.

Citation Format: Gregory S Calip, Denise M Boudreau. Characteristics associated with nonadherence to medications for hypertension, diabetes, and dyslipidemias among breast cancer survivors [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the Thirty-Seventh Annual CTRC-AACR San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium: 2014 Dec 9-13; San Antonio, TX. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2015;75(9 Suppl):Abstract nr PD4-6.

Effect of treatment and mammography detection on breast cancer survival over time: 1990-2007

BACKGROUND

The extent to which improvements over time in breast cancer survival are related to earlier detection by mammography or to more effective treatments is not known.

METHODS

At a comprehensive cancer care center, the authors conducted a retrospective cohort study of women ages 50 to 69 years who were diagnosed with invasive breast cancer (stages I through III) and were followed over 3 periods (1990-1994, 1995-1999, and 2000-2007). Data were abstracted from patient charts and included detection method, diagnosis, treatment, and follow-up for vital status in the institutional breast cancer registry (n = 2998). The method of detection was categorized as patient or physician detected or mammography detected. Cox proportional hazards models were used to estimate adjusted hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for 5-year disease-specific survival in relation to detection method and treatment factors, and differences in survival were analyzed using the Kaplan-Meier method.

RESULTS

Fifty-eight percent of breast cancers were mammography detected, and 42% were patient or physician detected; 56% of tumors were stage I, 31% were stage II, and 13% were stage III. The average length of follow-up was 10.71 years. The combined 5-year disease-specific survival rate was 89% from 1990 to 1994, 94% from 1995 to 1999, and 96% from 2000 to 2007 (P < .001). In an adjusted model, mammography detection (HR, 0.43; 95% CI, 0.27-0.70), hormone therapy (HR, 0.47; 95% CI, 0.30-0.75), and taxane-containing chemotherapy (HR, 0.61; 95% CI, 0.37-0.99) were significantly associated with a decreased risk of disease-specific mortality.

CONCLUSIONS

Better breast cancer survival over time was related to mammography detection, hormone therapy, and taxane-containing chemotherapy. Treatment improvements alone are not sufficient to explain the observed survival improvements over time.

Adherence to oral diabetes medications and glycemic control during and following breast cancer treatment

OBJECTIVES

We evaluated changes in oral diabetes mellitus medication adherence and persistence, as well as glycemic control for the year prior to breast cancer (BC) diagnosis (Year -1), during BC treatment, and in subsequent years.

METHODS

Cohort study of 4216 women diagnosed with incident early stage (I and II) invasive BC from 1990-2008, enrolled in Group Health Cooperative. Adherence was measured in prevalent users at baseline (N = 509), during treatment, and 1-3 years post-diagnosis using medication possession ratio (MPR), % adherent (MPR ≥0.80) and discontinuation rates. Laboratory data on glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c ) was obtained for the corresponding periods.

RESULTS

Compared with Year -1, mean MPR for metformin/sulfonylureas (0.86 vs 0.49, p < 0.001) and % adherent (75.3% vs 24.6%, p < 0.001) declined during BC treatment. MPR and % adherent rose slightly during Years 1-3 post-diagnosis but never returned to baseline. Discontinuation rates increased from treatment to Year +1 (59.3% vs 75.6%, p < 0.001) and remained elevated during subsequent observation periods. Compared with baseline, increased HbA1c (7.0% vs 7.4%, p = 0.001) and % women with high HbA1c >7.0% (34.9% vs 51.1%, p < 0.001) coincided with decreased adherence.

CONCLUSION

Diabetes mellitus medication adherence declined following BC diagnosis, whereas discontinuation rates were relatively stable but poor overall. The proportion of adherent users increased only marginally following treatment, whereas the proportion of women meeting goals for HbA1c decreased considerably. These data support the hypothesis that adherence and subsequent glycemic control are sensitive to BC diagnosis and treatment. Confirmatory studies in other settings, on reasons for reduced adherence post-cancer diagnosis, and on subsequent indicators of glycemic control are warranted.

Impact of the Family Health Program on gastroenteritis in children in Bahia, Northeast Brazil: an analysis of primary care-sensitive conditions

In seeking to provide universal health care through its primary care-oriented Family Health Program, Brazil has attempted to reduce hospitalization rates for preventable illnesses such as childhood gastroenteritis. We measured rates of Primary Care-sensitive Hospitalizations and evaluated the impact of the Family Health Program on pediatric gastroenteritis trends in high-poverty Northeast Brazil. We analyzed aggregated municipal-level data in time-series between years 1999–2007 from the Brazilian health system payer database and performed qualitative, in-depth key informant interviews with public health experts in municipalities in Bahia. Data were sampled for Bahia’s Salvador microregion, a population of approximately 14 million. Gastroenteritis hospitalization rates among children aged less than 5 years were evaluated. Declining hospitalization rates were associated with increasing coverage by the PSF (P = 0.02). After multivariate adjustment for garbage collection, sanitation, and water supply, evidence of this association was no longer significant (P = 0.28). Qualitative analysis confirmed these findings with a framework of health determinants, proximal causes, and health system effects. The PSF, with other public health efforts, was associated with decreasing gastroenteritis hospitalizations in children. Incentives for providers and more patient-centered health delivery may contribute to strengthening the PSF’s role in improving primary health care outcomes in Brazil.

Changes in adherence to statins and subsequent lipid profiles during and following breast cancer treatment

Breast cancer tends to arise in older women who are also burdened with comorbidities such as cardiovascular disease (CVD). Increasing numbers of breast cancer survivors and an aging population warrant a better understanding of CVD management and adherence to preventive therapies. We estimated adherence to statins and therapeutic goal lipid values during the year before breast cancer diagnosis or baseline, treatment period, and in subsequent years of clinical management among breast cancer survivors. We sampled women from an existing cohort of 4,221 women diagnosed with incident early stage (I, II) invasive breast cancer from 1990 to 2008 and enrolled in a large integrated group practice health plan. Among prevalent statin users (N = 1,393), medication adherence and persistence were measured by medication possession ratio (MPR), % adherent (MPR < 0.80), and discontinuation rates. Laboratory data on LDL and HDL were obtained for the coinciding periods. Mean MPR for statin use (0.78 vs. 0.68; P < 0.001) and proportion adherent (67.0 vs. 51.9 %; P < 0.001) declined from baseline to the treatment period. Mean LDL (143 mg/dL baseline vs. 150 mg/dL treatment period; P < 0.001) and proportion not at LDL goal (60.1 vs. 70.8 %; P < 0.001) coincided with decreases in adherence. During treatment, non-adherent statin users had the highest mean LDL (160.4 mg/dL) and proportion not at goal LDL (91.8 %) overall. Adherence did not return to baseline in subsequent years following treatment although LDL levels did. HDL did not differ by periods of interest or adherence levels. Adherence to statins in this population was poor, particularly in the treatment period, and lagged in returning to baseline. Understanding the influence of life events such as cancer diagnosis and treatment on management of comorbidities and adherence to preventive therapies are important to the growing population of breast cancer survivors.

Evaluation of seasonality in the diagnosis of acute myeloid leukaemia among adults in the United States, 1992-2008

Recent studies have suggested seasonal variation in the diagnosis of acute myeloid leukaemia (AML), and the aetiological role seasonal factors may play in this group of haematological neoplasms remains unclear. We evaluated potential seasonality of AML diagnosis among adults. Cases included were ascertained from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) 13 registries from 1992-2008. Chi-square analysis for heterogeneity and multiple Poisson regression using parametric harmonic modelling and bootstrap testing were used to detect possible monthly variation. Months of peak diagnoses were December and January, although some variation was present by sex and age. Heterogeneity across months was statistically significant (P < 0·001). In stratified analyses, monthly variation was detected only among males (P = 0·009) and in cases aged 65 years and older (P = 0·031). Poisson regression found no seasonal effect among all cases when fit to the sinusoidal model (P = 0·110). However, similar variation among males (P = 0·009) and cases aged 65 years and older (P = 0·018) was present. There is growing evidence of seasonality in AML diagnosis, particularly among older persons and men. Investigation of specific seasonal risk factors would be informative in explaining the aetiology behind the observed variation.

Indications for and use of nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs and the risk of incident, symptomatic benign prostatic hyperplasia: results from the prostate cancer prevention trial

The authors conducted a cohort study of nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drug (NSAID) use and risk of symptomatic benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), using data from 4,735 men without BPH at baseline in the placebo arm of the Prostate Cancer Prevention Trial (1993-2003). Incident BPH (n = 471) was defined as medical or surgical treatment or at least 2 International Prostate Symptom Score (I-PSS) values greater than or equal to 15. Proportional hazards models using time-dependent exposure for NSAID use were employed to estimate covariate-adjusted associations of NSAID-related medical conditions and NSAID use with BPH risk. Arthritis, other inflammation-related musculoskeletal conditions, and headaches were associated with increased BPH risk (hazard ratio (HR) = 1.77 (95% confidence interval (CI): 1.37, 2.29), HR = 1.57 (95% CI: 1.14, 2.17), and HR = 1.40 (95% CI: 1.09, 1.80), respectively). Use of any NSAID, use of aspirin, and use of nonaspirin NSAIDs were associated with significant increases in BPH risk (HR = 1.21 (95% CI: 1.01, 1.46), HR = 1.20 (95% CI: 1.00, 1.45), and HR = 1.34 (95% CI: 1.07, 1.69), respectively). Control for indications for NSAID use, including baseline I-PSS, attenuated the associations slightly, but all became nonsignificant. Among men with no indications for NSAID use, the hazard ratio for any NSAID use was 1.06 (95% CI: 0.82, 1.38). The modest associations of NSAID use with BPH risk in this cohort were probably due to confounding by indication, and NSAID use was not associated with BPH risk.