1
|
Gaffey AE, Chang TE, Brandt CA, Haskell SG, Dhruva SS, Bastian LA, Levine A, Skanderson M, Burg MM. Blood Pressure Control and Maintenance in a Prospective Cohort of Younger Veterans: Roles of Sex, Race, Ethnicity, and Social Determinants of Health. MEDRXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR HEALTH SCIENCES 2024:2024.04.22.24306203. [PMID: 38712220 PMCID: PMC11071551 DOI: 10.1101/2024.04.22.24306203] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/08/2024]
Abstract
Background Proactive blood pressure (BP) management is particularly beneficial for younger Veterans, who have a greater prevalence and earlier onset of cardiovascular disease than non-Veterans. It is unknown what proportion of younger Veterans achieve and maintain BP control after hypertension onset and if BP control differs by demographics and social deprivation. Methods Electronic health records were merged from Veterans who enrolled in VA care 10/1/2001-9/30/2017 and met criteria for hypertension - first diagnosis or antihypertensive fill. BP control (140/90 mmHg), was estimated 1, 2, and 5 years post-hypertension documentation, and characterized by sex, race, and ethnicity. Adjusted logistic regressions assessed likelihood of BP control by these demographics and with the Social Deprivation Index (SDI). Results Overall, 17% patients met criteria for hypertension (n=198,367; 11% of women, median age 41). One year later, 59% of men and 65% of women achieved BP control. After adjustment, women had a 72% greater odds of BP control than men, with minimal change over 5 years. Black adults had a 22% lower odds of BP control than White adults. SDI did not significantly change these results. Conclusions In the largest study of hypertension in younger Veterans, 41% of men and 35% of women did not have BP control after 1 year, and BP control was consistently better for women through 5 years. Thus, the first year of hypertension management portends future, long-term BP control. As social deprivation did not affect BP control, the VA system may protect against disadvantages observed in the general U.S. population.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Allison E. Gaffey
- VA Connecticut Healthcare System, West Haven, CT
- Department of Internal Medicine (Cardiovascular Medicine)
| | - Tiffany E. Chang
- Department of Chronic Disease Epidemiology, Yale School of Public Health, New Haven, CT
| | - Cynthia A. Brandt
- VA Connecticut Healthcare System, West Haven, CT
- Department of Biostatistics, Yale School of Medicine
| | - Sally G. Haskell
- VA Connecticut Healthcare System, West Haven, CT
- Department of Internal Medicine (General Medicine), Yale School of Medicine
| | - Sanket S. Dhruva
- San Francisco Veterans Affairs Health Care System, San Francisco, CA
- Section of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, UCSF School of Medicine
| | - Lori A. Bastian
- VA Connecticut Healthcare System, West Haven, CT
- Department of Internal Medicine (General Medicine), Yale School of Medicine
| | | | | | - Matthew M. Burg
- VA Connecticut Healthcare System, West Haven, CT
- Department of Internal Medicine (Cardiovascular Medicine)
- Department of Anesthesiology, Yale School of Medicine
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Inoue K, Guo R, Lee ML, Neverova NV, Ebrahimi R, Currier JW, Bashir MT, Leung AM. Iodine-Induced Hypothyroidism and Long-Term Risks of Incident Heart Failure. J Am Heart Assoc 2023; 12:e030511. [PMID: 37815042 PMCID: PMC10757548 DOI: 10.1161/jaha.123.030511] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2023] [Accepted: 09/07/2023] [Indexed: 10/11/2023]
Abstract
Background Although most individuals can adapt to a large iodine load and remain euthyroid, hypothyroidism can develop after iodine exposure. Hypothyroidism is associated with adverse cardiovascular consequences, including heart failure. This study was performed to investigate the relationships between iodine-induced hypothyroidism and incident heart failure. Methods and Results This cohort study of the US Veterans Health Administration (1998-2021) included adults aged ≥18 years with a serum thyroid-stimulating hormone (thyrotropin) <60 days of iodine contrast administration, and <1 year of a baseline normal serum thyroid-stimulating hormone. Cox proportional hazards regression ascertained risk of incident heart failure following iodine-induced hypothyroidism, adjusting for age, sex, race and ethnicity, body mass index, and history of coronary heart disease, dyslipidemia, diabetes, and hypertension. Of 45 470 veterans (mean±SD age, 61.1±14.1 years; 88% men), 3361 (7.4%) developed iodine-induced hypothyroidism. Heart failure developed in 5685 (12.5%) individuals over a median follow-up of 3.6 years (interquartile range, 1.9-7.2 years). Adjusted for risk factors, iodine-induced hypothyroidism was associated with increased risk of heart failure, compared with those who remained euthyroid after iodine exposure (adjusted hazard ratio [HR], 1.11 [95% CI, 1.01-1.22]). Women were at greater risk than men (adjusted HR: women, 1.65 [95% CI, 1.13-2.40]; men, 1.08 [95% CI, 0.98-1.19]; P for interaction, 0.02). Conclusions In the largest US study of this topic, hypothyroidism following iodine exposure was associated with an increased risk of incident heart failure, particularly in women. These findings support the need for further research to address the clinical significance of this issue, including the possible sex-specific risks of incident heart failure in more diverse data sets and study populations.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kosuke Inoue
- Department of Social Epidemiology, Graduate School of MedicineKyoto UniversityKyotoJapan
| | - Rong Guo
- Research ServiceVeterans Affairs Greater Los Angeles Healthcare SystemLos AngelesCAUSA
- Division of General Internal Medicine and Health Services Research, Department of MedicineUniversity of California Los Angeles David Geffen School of MedicineLos AngelesCAUSA
| | - Martin L. Lee
- Veterans Affairs Health Services Research and Development Center for the Study of Health Care Innovation, Implementation, and Policy, Veterans Affairs Greater Los Angeles Healthcare SystemCALos AngelesUSA
- Department of BiostatisticsUniversity of California Los Angeles Fielding School of Public HealthLos AngelesCAUSA
| | - Natalia V. Neverova
- Division of Cardiology, Department of MedicineVeterans Affairs Greater Los Angeles Healthcare SystemLos AngelesCAUSA
- Division of Cardiology, Department of MedicineUniversity of California Los Angeles David Geffen School of MedicineLos AngelesCAUSA
| | - Ramin Ebrahimi
- Division of Cardiology, Department of MedicineVeterans Affairs Greater Los Angeles Healthcare SystemLos AngelesCAUSA
- Division of Cardiology, Department of MedicineUniversity of California Los Angeles David Geffen School of MedicineLos AngelesCAUSA
| | - Jesse W. Currier
- Division of Cardiology, Department of MedicineVeterans Affairs Greater Los Angeles Healthcare SystemLos AngelesCAUSA
- Division of Cardiology, Department of MedicineUniversity of California Los Angeles David Geffen School of MedicineLos AngelesCAUSA
| | - Muhammad T. Bashir
- Research ServiceVeterans Affairs Greater Los Angeles Healthcare SystemLos AngelesCAUSA
| | - Angela M. Leung
- Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes, and Metabolism, Department of MedicineVeterans Affairs Greater Los Angeles Healthcare SystemLos AngelesCAUSA
- Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes, and Metabolism, Department of MedicineUniversity of California Los Angeles David Geffen School of MedicineLos AngelesCAUSA
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
St Cyr K, Aiken AB, Cramm H, Whitehead M, Kurdyak P, Mahar AL. Sex-specific differences in physical health and health services use among Canadian Veterans: a retrospective cohort study using healthcare administrative data. BMJ Mil Health 2023; 169:430-435. [PMID: 34635494 PMCID: PMC10579508 DOI: 10.1136/bmjmilitary-2021-001915] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2021] [Accepted: 09/23/2021] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Military occupations have historically been, and continue to be, male dominated. As such, female military Veteran populations tend to be understudied, and comparisons of the physical health status and patterns of health services use between male and female Veterans are limited outside of US samples. This study aimed to compare the physical health and health services use between male and female Veterans residing in Ontario, Canada. METHODS A retrospective cohort of 27 058 male and 4701 female Veterans residing in Ontario whose military service ended between 1990 and 2019 was identified using routinely collected administrative healthcare data. Logistic and Poisson regression models were used to assess sex-specific differences in the prevalence of select physical health conditions and rates of health services use, after multivariable adjustment for age, region of residence, rurality, neighbourhood median income quintile, length of service in years and number of comorbidities. RESULTS The risk of rheumatoid arthritis and asthma was higher for female Veterans compared with male Veterans. Female Veterans had a lower risk of myocardial infarction, hypertension and diabetes. No sex-specific differences were noted for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Female Veterans were also more likely to access all types of health services than male Veterans. Further, female Veterans accessed primary, specialist and emergency department care at greater rates than male Veterans. No significant differences were found in the sex-specific rates of hospitalisations or home care use. CONCLUSIONS Female Veterans residing in Ontario, Canada have different chronic health risks and engage in health services use more frequently than their male counterparts. These findings have important healthcare policy and programme planning implications, in order to ensure female Veterans have access to appropriate health services.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kate St Cyr
- Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - A B Aiken
- Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
| | - H Cramm
- School of Rehabilitation Therapy, Queen's University, Kingston, Ontario, Canada
| | | | - P Kurdyak
- ICES, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Institute for Mental Health Policy Research, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - A L Mahar
- ICES, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Department of Community Health Sciences, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Cypel YS, Vogt D, Maguen S, Bernhard P, Lowery E, Culpepper WJ, Armand-Gibbs I, Schneiderman AI. Physical health of Post-9/11 U.S. Military veterans in the context of Healthy People 2020 targeted topic areas: Results from the Comparative Health Assessment Interview Research Study. Prev Med Rep 2023; 32:102122. [PMID: 36922958 PMCID: PMC10009290 DOI: 10.1016/j.pmedr.2023.102122] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2022] [Revised: 01/24/2023] [Accepted: 01/26/2023] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Large-scale epidemiological studies suggest that veterans may have poorer physical health than nonveterans, but this has been largely unexamined in post-9/11 veterans despite research indicating their high levels of disability and healthcare utilization. Additionally, little investigation has been conducted on sex-based differences and interactions by veteran status. Notably, few studies have explored veteran physical health in relation to national health guidelines. Self-reported, weighted data were analyzed on post-9/11 U.S. veterans and nonveterans (n = 19,693; 6,992 women, 12,701 men; 15,160 veterans, 4,533 nonveterans). Prevalence was estimated for 24 physical health conditions classified by Healthy People 2020 targeted topic areas. Associations between physical health outcomes and veteran status were evaluated using bivariable and multivariable analyses. Back/neck pain was most reported by veterans (49.3 %), twice that of nonveterans (22.8 %)(p < 0.001). Adjusted odds ratios (AORs) for musculoskeletal and hearing disorders, traumatic brain injury, and chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) were 3-6 times higher in veterans versus nonveterans (p < 0.001). Women versus men had the greatest adjusted odds for bladder infections (males:females, AOR = 0.08, 95 % CI:0.04-0.18)(p < 0.001), and greater odds than men for multiple sclerosis, CFS, cancer, irritable bowel syndrome/colitis, respiratory disease, some musculoskeletal disorders, and vision loss (p < 0.05). Cardiovascular-related conditions were most prominent for men (p < 0.001). Veteran status by sex interactions were found for obesity (p < 0.03; greater for male veterans) and migraine (p < 0.01; greater for females). Healthy People 2020 targeted topic areas exclude some important physical health conditions that are associated with being a veteran. National health guidelines for Americans should provide greater consideration of veterans in their design.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yasmin S. Cypel
- Epidemiology Program, Health Outcomes Military Exposures (HOME) (12POP5), Office of Patient Care Services, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), Washington, DC, USA
- Corresponding author at: Epidemiology Program, Health Outcomes Military Exposures (HOME) (12POP5), Office of Patient Care Services, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue, N.W., Washington, DC 20420, USA.
| | - Dawne Vogt
- National Center for PTSD, VA Boston Health Care System, Boston, MA, USA
- Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Shira Maguen
- San Francisco VA Health Care System, San Francisco, CA, USA
- University of California-San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Paul Bernhard
- Epidemiology Program, Health Outcomes Military Exposures (HOME) (12POP5), Office of Patient Care Services, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), Washington, DC, USA
| | - Elizabeth Lowery
- Epidemiology Program, Health Outcomes Military Exposures (HOME) (12POP5), Office of Patient Care Services, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), Washington, DC, USA
| | - William J. Culpepper
- Epidemiology Program, Health Outcomes Military Exposures (HOME) (12POP5), Office of Patient Care Services, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), Washington, DC, USA
| | - Irvine Armand-Gibbs
- Epidemiology Program, Health Outcomes Military Exposures (HOME) (12POP5), Office of Patient Care Services, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), Washington, DC, USA
| | - Aaron I. Schneiderman
- Epidemiology Program, Health Outcomes Military Exposures (HOME) (12POP5), Office of Patient Care Services, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), Washington, DC, USA
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Dhruva SS, Dziura J, Bathulapalli H, Rosman L, Gaffey AE, Davis MB, Brandt CA, Haskell SG. Gender Differences in Guideline-Directed Medical Therapy for Cardiovascular Disease Among Young Veterans. J Gen Intern Med 2022; 37:806-815. [PMID: 36042086 PMCID: PMC9481764 DOI: 10.1007/s11606-022-07595-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2021] [Accepted: 04/01/2022] [Indexed: 10/14/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND There is an increasing burden of cardiovascular disease, including coronary artery disease (CAD) and heart failure (HF), among women Veterans. Clinical practice guidelines recommend multiple pharmacotherapies that can reduce risk of mortality and adverse cardiovascular outcomes. OBJECTIVE To determine if there are disparities in the use of guideline-directed medical therapy by gender among Veterans with incident CAD and HF. DESIGN Retrospective. PARTICIPANTS Veterans (934,504; 87.8% men and 129,469; 12.2% women) returning from Operations Enduring Freedom, Iraqi Freedom, and New Dawn. MAIN MEASURES Differences by gender in the prescription of Class 1, Level of Evidence A guideline-directed medical therapy among patients who developed incident CAD and HF at 30 days, 90 days, and 12 months after diagnosis. For CAD, medications included statins and antiplatelet therapy. For HF, medications included beta-blockers and renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system inhibitors. KEY RESULTS Overall, women developed CAD and HF at a younger average age than men (mean 45.8 vs. 47.7 years, p<0.001; and 43.7 vs. 45.4 years, p<0.02, respectively). In the 12 months following a diagnosis of incident CAD, the odds of a woman receiving a prescription for at least one CAD drug was 0.85 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.68-1.08) compared to men. In the 12 months following a diagnosis of incident HF, the odds of a woman receiving at least one HF medication was 0.54 (95% CI, 0.37-0.79) compared to men. CONCLUSIONS Despite guideline recommendations, young women Veterans have approximately half the odds of being prescribed guideline-directed medical therapy within 1-year after a diagnosis of HF. These results highlight the need to develop targeted strategies to minimize gender disparities in CVD care to prevent adverse outcomes in this young and growing population.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sanket S Dhruva
- San Francisco Veterans Affairs Health Care System, San Francisco, CA, USA. .,Section of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, UCSF School of Medicine, 4150 Clement St., Building 203, 111C, San Francisco, CA, 94121, USA.
| | - James Dziura
- Veterans Affairs Connecticut Healthcare System, West Haven, West Haven, USA.,Pain Research, Informatics, Multimorbidities and Education (PRIME) Center of Innovation, VA Connecticut Healthcare System, West Haven, Department of Emergency Medicine, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Harini Bathulapalli
- Veterans Affairs Connecticut Healthcare System, West Haven, West Haven, USA.,Department of Internal Medicine, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Lindsey Rosman
- Department of Medicine, Division of Cardiology, University of North Carolina School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Allison E Gaffey
- Veterans Affairs Connecticut Healthcare System, West Haven, West Haven, USA.,Department of Internal Medicine (Cardiovascular Medicine), Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Melinda B Davis
- Veterans Affairs Ann Arbor Health System, Ann Arbor, MI, USA.,Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA.,Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Cynthia A Brandt
- Veterans Affairs Connecticut Healthcare System, West Haven, West Haven, USA.,Pain Research, Informatics, Multimorbidities and Education (PRIME) Center of Innovation, VA Connecticut Healthcare System, West Haven, Department of Emergency Medicine, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Sally G Haskell
- Veterans Affairs Connecticut Healthcare System, West Haven, West Haven, USA.,Pain Research, Informatics, Multimorbidities and Education (PRIME) Center of Innovation, VA Connecticut Healthcare System, West Haven, Department of Emergency Medicine, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA.,Department of Internal Medicine (General), Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Cardiovascular Risk Screening among Women Veterans: Identifying Provider and Patient Barriers and Facilitators to Develop a Clinical Toolkit. Womens Health Issues 2022; 32:284-292. [PMID: 35115227 DOI: 10.1016/j.whi.2021.12.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2020] [Revised: 11/15/2021] [Accepted: 12/09/2021] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Cardiovascular (CV) disease is the leading cause of death among women in the United States, making CV risk screening and management a women's health priority. Objectives were to elicit barriers and facilitators to CV risk identification and reduction among women veterans, and iteratively cocreate clinical tools to identify CV risk factors and promote goal-setting for lifestyle changes. METHODS We conducted three exploratory focus groups with 21 Veterans Health Administration primary care team members and piloted patient CV screeners with brief interviews with 19 patients from two Veterans Health Administration women's clinics to inform toolkit development. We then conducted two focus groups and one interview for feedback from a total of 12 staff on the proposed toolkit components. Transcripts were summarized, and a matrix analysis was used to synthesize qualitative findings. RESULTS Provider-identified barriers included difficulties disseminating CV information in clinic, limited patient knowledge, and lack of organized resources for provider communication and available referrals. Women's complex health needs were notable challenges to CV risk reduction. Facilitators included having a single place to track patient CV risks (e.g., an electronic template note), a patient screening worksheet, and aids to complete referrals. Patient-identified barriers included difficulties balancing health, finances, and physical and mental health concerns. Facilitators included resources for accountability and gender-specific information about CV risks and complications. Providers requested easy, accessible tools in the electronic record with gender-specific CV data and resources linked. Patients requested lifestyle change supports, including trustworthy sources vetted by providers. CONCLUSIONS Iteratively eliciting end-users' perspectives is critical to developing user-friendly, clinically relevant tools. CV risk reduction among women veterans will require multilevel tools and resources that meet providers' and women's needs.
Collapse
|
7
|
Gaffey AE, Burg MM, Rosman L, Portnoy GA, Brandt CA, Cavanagh CE, Skanderson M, Dziura J, Mattocks KM, Bastian LA, Haskell SG. Baseline Characteristics from the Women Veterans Cohort Study: Gender Differences and Similarities in Health and Healthcare Utilization. J Womens Health (Larchmt) 2021; 30:944-955. [PMID: 33439756 PMCID: PMC8290312 DOI: 10.1089/jwh.2020.8732] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction: With the unprecedented expansion of women's roles in the U.S. military during recent (post-9/11) conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan, the number of women seeking healthcare through the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) has increased substantially. Women Veterans often present as medically complex due to multiple medical, mental health, and psychosocial comorbidities, and consequently may be underserved. Thus, we conducted the nationwide Women Veterans Cohort Study (WVCS) to examine post-9/11 Veterans' unique healthcare needs and to identify potential disparities in health outcomes and care. Methods: We present baseline data from a comprehensive questionnaire battery that was administered from 2016 to 2019 to a national sample of post-9/11 men and women Veterans who enrolled in Veterans Affairs care (WVCS2). Data were analyzed for descriptives and to compare characteristics by gender, including demographics; health risk factors and symptoms of cardiovascular disease, chronic pain, and mental health; healthcare utilization, access, and insurance. Results: WVCS2 included 1,141 Veterans (51% women). Women were younger, more diverse, and with higher educational attainment than men. Women also endorsed lower traditional cardiovascular risk factors and comorbidities (e.g., weight, hypertension) and greater nontraditional cardiovascular risk factors (e.g., trauma, psychological symptoms). More women reported single-site pain (e.g., neck, stomach, pelvic) and multisite pain, but did not differ from men in posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms or treatment for PTSD. Women seek care at VHA medical centers more frequently, often combined with outside health services, but do not significantly differ from men in their insurance coverage. Conclusion: Overall, this investigation indicates substantial variation in risk factors, health outcomes, and healthcare utilization among post-9/11 men and women Veterans. Further research is needed to determine best practices for managing women Veterans in the VHA healthcare system.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Allison E. Gaffey
- VA Connecticut Healthcare System, West Haven, Connecticut, USA
- Department of Internal Medicine (Cardiovascular Medicine), Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
- Pain Research, Informatics, Multimorbidities and Education (PRIME) Center of Innovation, VA Connecticut Healthcare System, West Haven, Connecticut, USA
| | - Matthew M. Burg
- VA Connecticut Healthcare System, West Haven, Connecticut, USA
- Department of Internal Medicine (Cardiovascular Medicine), Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
- Pain Research, Informatics, Multimorbidities and Education (PRIME) Center of Innovation, VA Connecticut Healthcare System, West Haven, Connecticut, USA
- Department of Anesthesiology, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
| | - Lindsey Rosman
- Division of Cardiology, University of North Carolina School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
| | - Galina A. Portnoy
- VA Connecticut Healthcare System, West Haven, Connecticut, USA
- Pain Research, Informatics, Multimorbidities and Education (PRIME) Center of Innovation, VA Connecticut Healthcare System, West Haven, Connecticut, USA
- Department of Psychiatry, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
| | - Cynthia A. Brandt
- VA Connecticut Healthcare System, West Haven, Connecticut, USA
- Pain Research, Informatics, Multimorbidities and Education (PRIME) Center of Innovation, VA Connecticut Healthcare System, West Haven, Connecticut, USA
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
| | - Casey E. Cavanagh
- Department of Psychiatry and Neurobehavioral Sciences, Charlottesville, Virginia, USA
| | | | - James Dziura
- VA Connecticut Healthcare System, West Haven, Connecticut, USA
- Pain Research, Informatics, Multimorbidities and Education (PRIME) Center of Innovation, VA Connecticut Healthcare System, West Haven, Connecticut, USA
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
| | - Kristin M. Mattocks
- Pain Research, Informatics, Multimorbidities and Education (PRIME) Center of Innovation, VA Connecticut Healthcare System, West Haven, Connecticut, USA
- Research and Development, VA Central Western Massachusetts and Department of Quantitative Health Science, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Leeds, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Lori A. Bastian
- VA Connecticut Healthcare System, West Haven, Connecticut, USA
- Pain Research, Informatics, Multimorbidities and Education (PRIME) Center of Innovation, VA Connecticut Healthcare System, West Haven, Connecticut, USA
- Department of Internal Medicine (General), Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
| | - Sally G. Haskell
- VA Connecticut Healthcare System, West Haven, Connecticut, USA
- Pain Research, Informatics, Multimorbidities and Education (PRIME) Center of Innovation, VA Connecticut Healthcare System, West Haven, Connecticut, USA
- Department of Internal Medicine (General), Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Lee MT, Mahtta D, Ramsey DJ, Liu J, Misra A, Nasir K, Samad Z, Itchhaporia D, Khan SU, Schofield RS, Ballantyne CM, Petersen LA, Virani SS. Sex-Related Disparities in Cardiovascular Health Care Among Patients With Premature Atherosclerotic Cardiovascular Disease. JAMA Cardiol 2021; 6:782-790. [PMID: 33881448 DOI: 10.1001/jamacardio.2021.0683] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Importance There is a paucity of data regarding secondary prevention care disparities in women with premature and extremely premature atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD), defined as an ASCVD event at 55 years or younger and 40 years or younger, respectively. Objective To evaluate sex-based differences in antiplatelet agents, any statin, high-intensity statin (HIS) therapy, and statin adherence in patients with premature and extremely premature ASCVD. Design, Setting, and Participants This was a cross-sectional, multicenter, nationwide VA health care system-based study with patients enrolled in the Veterans With Premature Atherosclerosis (VITAL) registry. The study assessed patients who had at least 1 primary care visit in the Veterans Affairs (VA) health care system from October 1, 2014, to September 30, 2015. Participants included 147 600 veteran patients with premature ASCVD, encompassing ischemic heart disease (IHD), ischemic cerebrovascular disease (ICVD), and peripheral arterial disease (PAD). Exposures Women vs men with premature and extremely premature ASCVD. Main Outcomes and Measures Antiplatelet use, any statin use, HIS use, and statin adherence (proportion of days covered [PDC] ≥0.8). Results We identified 10 413 women and 137 187 men with premature ASCVD (age ≤55 years) and 1340 women and 8145 men with extremely premature (age ≤40 years) ASCVD. Among patients with premature and extremely premature ASCVD, women represented 7.1% and 14.1% of those groups, respectively. When compared with men, women with premature ASCVD had a higher proportion of African American patients (36.1% vs 23.8%) and lower proportions of Asian patients (0.5% vs 0.7%) and White patients (56.1% vs. 68.1%). In the extremely premature ASCVD group, women had a comparatively higher proportion of African American patients (36.8% vs 23.2%) and lower proportion of White patients (55.0% vs 67.8%) and Asian patients (1.3% vs 1.5%) than men. Among patients with premature IHD, women received less antiplatelet (adjusted odds ratio [AOR], 0.47, 95% CI, 0.45-0.50), any statin (AOR, 0.62; 95% CI, 0.59-0.66), and HIS (AOR, 0.63; 95% CI, 0.59-0.66) therapy and were less statin adherent (mean [SD] PDC, 0.68 [0.34] vs 0.73 [0.31]; β coefficient: -0.02; 95% CI, -0.03 to -0.01) compared with men. Similarly, women with premature ICVD and premature PAD received comparatively less antiplatelet agents, any statin, and HIS. Among patients with extremely premature ASCVD, women also received less antiplatelet therapy (AOR, 0.61; 95% CI, 0.53-0.70), any statin therapy (AOR,0.51; 95% CI, 0.44-0.58), and HIS therapy (AOR, 0.45; 95% CI, 0.37-0.54) than men. There were no sex-associated differences in statin adherence among patients with premature ICVD, premature PAD, or extremely premature ASCVD. Conclusions and Relevance This cross-sectional study revealed that women veterans with premature ASCVD and extremely premature ASCVD receive less optimal secondary prevention cardiovascular care in comparison with men. Women with premature ASCVD, particularly those with IHD, were also less statin adherent. Multidisciplinary and patient-centered interventions are needed to improve these disparities in women.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Michelle T Lee
- Health Policy, Quality and Informatics Program, Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center Health Services Research and Development Center for Innovations in Quality, Effectiveness, and Safety, Houston, Texas.,Section of Health Services Research, Department of Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas
| | - Dhruv Mahtta
- Health Policy, Quality and Informatics Program, Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center Health Services Research and Development Center for Innovations in Quality, Effectiveness, and Safety, Houston, Texas.,Section of Health Services Research, Department of Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas.,Section of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas
| | - David J Ramsey
- Health Policy, Quality and Informatics Program, Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center Health Services Research and Development Center for Innovations in Quality, Effectiveness, and Safety, Houston, Texas
| | - Jing Liu
- Section of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas
| | - Arunima Misra
- Section of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas.,Section of Cardiology, Michael E. DeBakey Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Houston, Texas
| | - Khurram Nasir
- Methodist DeBakey Heart and Vascular Center, Houston Methodist Hospital, Houston, Texas
| | - Zainab Samad
- Section of Cardiology, Michael E. DeBakey Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Houston, Texas.,Department of Medicine, The Aga Khan University, Karachi, Pakistan
| | - Dipti Itchhaporia
- Department of Medicine, Cardiology Division, Hoag Memorial Hospital, University of California at Irvine
| | - Safi U Khan
- Department of Medicine, West Virginia University, Morgantown
| | - Richard S Schofield
- Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville.,Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Gainesville, Florida
| | - Christie M Ballantyne
- Section of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas.,Section of Cardiovascular Research, Department of Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas
| | - Laura A Petersen
- Health Policy, Quality and Informatics Program, Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center Health Services Research and Development Center for Innovations in Quality, Effectiveness, and Safety, Houston, Texas.,Section of Health Services Research, Department of Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas
| | - Salim S Virani
- Health Policy, Quality and Informatics Program, Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center Health Services Research and Development Center for Innovations in Quality, Effectiveness, and Safety, Houston, Texas.,Section of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas.,Section of Cardiology, Michael E. DeBakey Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Houston, Texas
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Jeon-Slaughter H, Chen X, Tsai S, Ramanan B, Ebrahimi R. Developing an Internally Validated Veterans Affairs Women Cardiovascular Disease Risk Score Using Veterans Affairs National Electronic Health Records. J Am Heart Assoc 2021; 10:e019217. [PMID: 33619994 PMCID: PMC8174271 DOI: 10.1161/jaha.120.019217] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
Background The current American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association women cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk score suboptimally estimates CVD risk for young and minority women in the military. The current study developed an internally validated CVD risk score for women military service members and veterans using the Veterans Affairs (VA) national electronic health records data. Methods and Results The study cohort included 69 574 White, Black, and Hispanic women service members and veterans aged 30 to 79 years in 2007 treated in the VA Health Care System between January 1, 2007 and December 31, 2017 (henceforth, VA women). Stratified by race and ethnicity, the new VA women CVD risk model estimated risk coefficients and 10‐year CVD risk using a time‐variant covariate Cox model. Harrell C‐statistics, calibration plots, and net classification index were used to assess accuracy and prognostic performance of the new VA women CVD risk model. The new internally validated VA women CVD risk score performed better in predicting VA women 10‐year atherosclerosis cardiovascular disease risk than the pooled cohort American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association risk score in both accuracy (White Harrell C‐statistics, 70% versus 61%; Black, 68% versus 63%) and prognostic performance (White net classification index, 0.31; 95% CI, 0.26–0.33; Black net classification index, 0.06; 95% CI, 0.03–0.09). Conclusions The proposed VA women CVD risk score improves accuracy of the existing American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association CVD risk assessment tool in predicting long‐term CVD risk for VA women, particularly in young and racial/ethnic minority women.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Haekyung Jeon-Slaughter
- Veterans Affairs North Texas Health Care System Dallas TX.,Department of Internal Medicine University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center Dallas TX
| | - Xiaofei Chen
- Veterans Affairs North Texas Health Care System Dallas TX.,Southern Methodist University Dallas TX
| | - Shirling Tsai
- Veterans Affairs North Texas Health Care System Dallas TX.,Department of Surgery University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center Dallas TX
| | - Bala Ramanan
- Veterans Affairs North Texas Health Care System Dallas TX.,Department of Surgery University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center Dallas TX
| | - Ramin Ebrahimi
- Veterans Affairs Greater Los Angeles Health Care System Los Angeles CA.,Department of Medicine University of California at Los Angeles CA
| |
Collapse
|