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Rasu RS, Hunt SL, Dai J, Cui H, Phadnis MA, Jain N. Accurate Medication Adherence Measurement Using Administrative Data for Frequently Hospitalized Patients. Hosp Pharm 2021; 56:451-461. [PMID: 34720145 PMCID: PMC8554601 DOI: 10.1177/0018578720918550] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Background: Pharmacy administrative claims data remain an accessible and efficient source to measure medication adherence for frequently hospitalized patient populations that are systematically excluded from the landmark drug trials. Published pharmacotherapy studies use medication possession ratio (MPR) and proportion of days covered (PDC) to calculate medication adherence and usually fail to incorporate hospitalization and prescription overlap/gap from claims data. To make the cacophony of adherence measures clearer, this study created a refined hospital-adjusted algorithm to capture pharmacotherapy adherence among patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD). Methods: The United States Renal Data System (USRDS) registry of ESRD was used to determine prescription-filling patterns of those receiving new prescriptions for oral P2Y12 inhibitors (P2Y12-I) between 2011 and 2015. P2Y12-I-naïve patients were followed until death, kidney transplantation, discontinuing medications, or loss to follow-up. After flagging/censoring key variables, the algorithm adjusted for hospital length of stay (LOS) and medication overlap. Hospital-adjusted medication adherence (HA-PDC) was calculated and compared with traditional MPR and PDC methods. Analyses were performed with SAS software. Results: Hospitalization occurred for 78% of the cohort (N = 46 514). The median LOS was 12 (interquartile range [IQR] = 2-34) days. MPR and PDC were 61% (IQR = 29%-94%) and 59% (IQR = 31%-93%), respectively. After applying adjustments for overlapping coverage days and hospital stays independently, HA-PDC adherence values changed in 41% and 52.7% of the cohort, respectively. When adjustments for overlap and hospital stay were made concurrently, HA-PDC adherence values changed in 68% of the cohort by 5.8% (HA-PDC median = 0.68, IQR = 0.31-0.93). HA-PDC declined over time (3M-6M-9M-12M). Nearly 48% of the cohort had a ≥30 days refill gap in the first 3 months, and this increased over time (P < .0001). Conclusions: Refill gaps should be investigated carefully to capture accurate pharmacotherapy adherence. HA-PDC measures increased adherence substantially when adjustments for hospital stay and medication refill overlaps are made. Furthermore, if hospitalizations were ignored for medications that are included in Medicare quality measures, such as Medicare STAR program, the apparent reduction in adherence might be associated with lower quality and health plan reimbursement.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rafia S. Rasu
- University of North Texas Health Science Center, Fort Worth, USA
| | | | - Junqiang Dai
- University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, USA
| | - Huizhong Cui
- University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, USA
| | | | - Nishank Jain
- University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, USA
- Central Arkansas Veterans Healthcare System, Little Rock, USA
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Neri L, Ponce P, Matias N, Stuard S, Cromm K. Clinical target achievement is associated with better quality of life among dialysis patients: results from a continuous quality improvement program in a Portuguese healthcare network. Qual Life Res 2020; 29:2705-2714. [DOI: 10.1007/s11136-020-02543-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 05/30/2020] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
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Xi Y, Kshirsagar AV, Wade TJ, Richardson DB, Brookhart MA, Wyatt L, Rappold AG. Mortality in US Hemodialysis Patients Following Exposure to Wildfire Smoke. J Am Soc Nephrol 2020; 31:1824-1835. [PMID: 32675302 DOI: 10.1681/asn.2019101066] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2019] [Accepted: 04/09/2020] [Indexed: 01/28/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Wildfires are increasingly a significant source of fine particulate matter (PM2.5), which has been linked to adverse health effects and increased mortality. ESKD patients are potentially susceptible to this environmental stressor. METHODS We conducted a retrospective time-series analysis of the association between daily exposure to wildfire PM2.5 and mortality in 253 counties near a major wildfire between 2008 and 2012. Using quasi-Poisson regression models, we estimated rate ratios (RRs) for all-cause mortality on the day of exposure and up to 30 days following exposure, adjusted for background PM2.5, day of week, seasonality, and heat. We stratified the analysis by causes of death (cardiac, vascular, infectious, or other) and place of death (clinical or nonclinical setting) for differential PM2.5 exposure and outcome classification. RESULTS We found 48,454 deaths matched to the 253 counties. A 10-μg/m3 increase in wildfire PM2.5 associated with a 4% increase in all-cause mortality on the same day (RR, 1.04; 95% confidence interval [95% CI], 1.01 to 1.07) and 7% increase cumulatively over 30 days following exposure (RR, 1.07; 95% CI, 1.01 to 1.12). Risk was elevated following exposure for deaths occurring in nonclinical settings (RR, 1.07; 95% CI, 1.02 to 1.12), suggesting modification of exposure by place of death. "Other" deaths (those not attributed to cardiac, vascular, or infectious causes) accounted for the largest portion of deaths and had a strong same-day effect (RR, 1.08; 95% CI, 1.03 to 1.12) and cumulative effect over the 30-day period. On days with a wildfire PM2.5 contribution >10 μg/m3, exposure accounted for 8.4% of mortality. CONCLUSIONS Wildfire smoke exposure was positively associated with all-cause mortality among patients receiving in-center hemodialysis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuzhi Xi
- Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education at the United States Environmental Protection Agency, National Health and Environmental Effects Research Laboratory, Environmental Public Health Division, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina.,Department of Epidemiology, Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina
| | - Abhijit V Kshirsagar
- University of North Carolina Kidney Center and Division of Nephrology and Hypertension, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina
| | - Timothy J Wade
- United States Environmental Protection Agency, Center for Public Health and Environmental Assessment, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina
| | - David B Richardson
- Department of Epidemiology, Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina
| | - M Alan Brookhart
- Department of Population Health Sciences, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina
| | - Lauren Wyatt
- Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education at the United States Environmental Protection Agency, National Health and Environmental Effects Research Laboratory, Environmental Public Health Division, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina
| | - Ana G Rappold
- United States Environmental Protection Agency, Center for Public Health and Environmental Assessment, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina
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Jain N, Hunt SL, Cui H, Phadnis MA, Mahnken JD, Shireman TI, Dai J, Mehta JL, Rasu RS. Trends for and Clinical Factors Associated with Choice of Oral P2Y 12 Inhibitors for Patients on Chronic Dialysis. Cardiovasc Drugs Ther 2019; 33:511-521. [PMID: 31729588 PMCID: PMC6904390 DOI: 10.1007/s10557-019-06913-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Background Trends and clinical factors associated with prescribing choices for oral P2Y12 inhibitors (P2Y12-I) remain unknown for patients on chronic dialysis, i.e., with end-stage renal disease (ESRD). Methods From 2011–2014 U.S. Renal Data System registry, we identified 36,542 ESRD patients who received new prescriptions for P2Y12-I (median age 64.0 years and 54% males). Of the cohort, 93% were receiving hemodialysis and 7% on peritoneal dialysis. We analyzed trends and investigated clinical factors associated with specific P2Y12-I prescribed. Results Clopidogrel was prescribed for 95%, prasugrel for 3%, and ticagrelor for 2%. Clopidogrel was favored for those ≥75 years (18% of cohort). Compared to Caucasians, African Americans (36% of cohort) and Hispanics (19% of cohort) were less likely to receive prasugrel and ticagrelor (P<0.05). Patients receiving hemodialysis versus peritoneal dialysis were less likely to receive prasugrel over clopidogrel, adjusted odds ratio (aOR) 0.67 (0.55-0.82). Each additional year of dialysis decreased the odds of receiving prasugrel over clopidogrel, aOR 0.91 (0.85-0.98). History of atrial fibrillation reduced the odds of receiving ticagrelor or prasugrel over clopidogrel, aOR 0.69 (0.54-0.89) and 0.73 (0.60-0.89), respectively. Concomitant oral anticoagulant use was not associated with choice of P2Y12-I. Occurrence of non-ST segment elevation myocardial infarction or percutaneous coronary intervention within the 6-month period prior to the index date favored ticagrelor over prasugrel, aOR 1.31 (1.06-1.62) and 1.29 (1.01-1.66), respectively. However, prescribing trends favoring ticagrelor over prasugrel were not observed for deployment of drug-eluting, or multiple coronary stents. Conclusion Between 2011 and 2014, clopidogrel remained the most common P2Y12-I whereas ticagrelor and prasugrel remained underutilized in ESRD patients. Prescribing practices for these drugs were based upon clinically approved indication for their use in the general population as well as perceived complexity of an ESRD patient including demographics, dialysis-related factors and comorbidities. Comparative effectiveness studies involving ESRD patients are needed to prove that ticagrelor and prasugrel are just as safe and effective as clopidogrel before clinicians can make informed decisions for choice of P2Y12-I in this patient population. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1007/s10557-019-06913-w) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nishank Jain
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, 4301 W. Markham St, Slot 501, Little Rock, AR, 72205, USA. .,Central Arkansas Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Little Rock, AR, USA.
| | - Suzanne L Hunt
- Department of Biostatistics, University of Kansas School of Medicine, Kansas City, KS, USA
| | - Huizhong Cui
- Department of Biostatistics, University of Kansas School of Medicine, Kansas City, KS, USA
| | - Milind A Phadnis
- Department of Biostatistics, University of Kansas School of Medicine, Kansas City, KS, USA
| | - Jonathan D Mahnken
- Department of Biostatistics, University of Kansas School of Medicine, Kansas City, KS, USA
| | - Theresa I Shireman
- Department of Health Services, Policy and Practice, School of Public Health, Brown University, Providence, RI, USA
| | - Junqiang Dai
- Department of Biostatistics, University of Kansas School of Medicine, Kansas City, KS, USA
| | - Jawahar L Mehta
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, 4301 W. Markham St, Slot 501, Little Rock, AR, 72205, USA.,Central Arkansas Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Little Rock, AR, USA
| | - Rafia S Rasu
- Department of Pharmacy Practice, School of Pharmacy, University of North Texas, Fort Worth, TX, USA
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Piccoli GB, Cabiddu G, Breuer C, Jadeau C, Testa A, Brunori G. Dialysis Reimbursement: What Impact Do Different Models Have on Clinical Choices? J Clin Med 2019; 8:jcm8020276. [PMID: 30823518 PMCID: PMC6406585 DOI: 10.3390/jcm8020276] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2019] [Revised: 02/14/2019] [Accepted: 02/21/2019] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Allowing patients to live for decades without the function of a vital organ is a medical miracle, but one that is not without cost both in terms of morbidity and quality of life and in economic terms. Renal replacement therapy (RRT) consumes between 2% and 5% of the overall health care expenditure in countries where dialysis is available without restrictions. While transplantation is the preferred treatment in patients without contraindications, old age and comorbidity limit its indications, and low organ availability may result in long waiting times. As a consequence, 30–70% of the patients depend on dialysis, which remains the main determinant of the cost of RRT. Costs of dialysis are differently defined, and its reimbursement follows different rules. There are three main ways of establishing dialysis reimbursement. The first involves dividing dialysis into a series of elements and reimbursing each one separately (dialysis itself, medications, drugs, transportation, hospitalisation, etc.). The second, known as the capitation system, consists of merging these elements in a per capita reimbursement, while the third, usually called the bundle system, entails identifying a core of procedures intrinsically linked to treatment (e.g., dialysis sessions, tests, intradialyitc drugs). Each one has advantages and drawbacks, and impacts differently on the organization and delivery of care: payment per session may favour fragmentation and make a global appraisal difficult; a correct capitation system needs a careful correction for comorbidity, and may exacerbate competition between public and private settings, the latter aiming at selecting the least complex cases; a bundle system, in which the main elements linked to the dialysis sessions are considered together, may be a good compromise but risks penalising complex patients, and requires a rapid adaptation to treatment changes. Retarding dialysis is a clinical and economical goal, but the incentives for predialysis care are not established and its development may be unfavourable for the provider. A closer cooperation between policymakers, economists and nephrologists is needed to ensure a high quality of dialysis care.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giorgina Barbara Piccoli
- Department of Clinical and Biological Sciences, University of Torino Italy, 10100 Torino, Italy.
- Nephrologie, Centre Hospitalier Le Mans, 72000 Le Mans, France.
| | | | - Conrad Breuer
- Direction, Centre Hospitalier Le Mans, 72000 Le Mans, France.
| | - Christelle Jadeau
- Centre de Recherche Clinique, Centre Hospitalier Le Mans, 72000 Le Mans, France.
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The Factors Affecting Survival in Geriatric Hemodialysis Patients. Int J Nephrol 2018; 2018:5769762. [PMID: 30112210 PMCID: PMC6077547 DOI: 10.1155/2018/5769762] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2017] [Revised: 05/27/2018] [Accepted: 06/21/2018] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction The number of geriatric patients is increasing in hemodialysis population over the years and mortality is higher in this group of patients. This study evaluated the factors affecting geriatric hemodialysis patient survival. Materials and Methods This retrospective cohort study enrolled patients discharged from our nephrology clinic from 2009 to 2014. Data collected included demographics, Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group-Performance Status, vascular access type, and metabolic parameters. Comorbidity was quantified using the modified Liu comorbidity index. The outcome measure was mortality. Results The study enrolled 99 elderly dialysis patients (42.4% women (n = 42); mean age 75 ± 7 years). The mean follow-up duration was 19.7 ± 11 months. The mortality rate over the four years was 47.5% (n = 46). The modified Liu comorbidity index score, patient age, and Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group-Performance Status were significantly related to mortality in univariate and multivariate analyses. Conclusion The present study revealed that comorbidities and low performance status at the onset of dialysis had shortened the survival time in the geriatric hemodialysis patient group.
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Mu Y, Chin AI, Kshirsagar AV, Zhang Y, Bang H. Regional and Temporal Variations in Comorbidity Among US Dialysis Patients: A Longitudinal Study of Medicare Claims Data. INQUIRY: The Journal of Health Care Organization, Provision, and Financing 2018; 55:46958018771163. [PMID: 29745284 PMCID: PMC5952281 DOI: 10.1177/0046958018771163] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Medicare claims data are commonly used to query comorbidities for case-mix adjustment in research of patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) in the United States. These adjustments may affect reimbursement and quality rating through comparative profiling and ranking of dialysis facilities. We studied regional and temporal variations in comorbidity from claims data in the United States Renal Data System. Patients with a previous 1-year Medicare history who initiated dialysis therapy between 2006 and 2009 were examined with a follow-up period until 2012. By linking pre- and post-ESRD Medicare claims with the Dartmouth Atlas, we carried out a longitudinal data analysis with multivariable adjustment to investigate regional and temporal variations in the Liu comorbidity index. We identified 23 336 incident hemodialysis patients who were covered by Medicare the year prior to dialysis initiation and had survived with complete 3 years of follow-up data. With the United States divided into 4 geographic regions, the Western region was found to have the lowest Liu index over all 3 follow-up years, compared with the respective years in the other regions (Midwest, Northeast, and South). In comparison with the first year, the Liu index dropped significantly during the second and third years of follow-up across all 4 regions. Significant regional and temporal variations observed in the comorbidity index cannot be explained by differences in reimbursement (average per state) or predialysis comorbidity. Based on our exploratory study, future studies should focus on identifying the factors and reasons for these variations which have the potential to affect health care policy and research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yi Mu
- 1 Department of Public Health Sciences, University of California, Davis, CA, USA
| | - Andrew I Chin
- 2 Division of Nephrology, University of California, Davis School of Medicine, Sacramento, CA, USA.,3 Division of Nephrology, Sacramento VA Medical Center, VA Northern California Health Care Systems, Mather Field, CA, USA
| | - Abhijit V Kshirsagar
- 4 UNC Kidney Center, Chapel Hill, NC, USA.,5 Division of Nephrology and Hypertension, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Yi Zhang
- 6 Medical Technology and Practice Patterns Institute, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Heejung Bang
- 1 Department of Public Health Sciences, University of California, Davis, CA, USA.,2 Division of Nephrology, University of California, Davis School of Medicine, Sacramento, CA, USA
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Shireman TI, Mahnken JD, Phadnis MA, Ellerbeck EF, Wetmore JB. Comparative Effectiveness of Renin-Angiotensin System Antagonists in Maintenance Dialysis Patients. Kidney Blood Press Res 2016; 41:873-885. [PMID: 27871075 DOI: 10.1159/000452590] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 09/08/2016] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND/AIMS Whether angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors (ACE) and angiotensin receptor blockers (ARB) are differentially associated with reductions in cardiovascular events and mortality in patients receiving maintenance dialysis is uncertain. We compared outcomes between ACE and ARB users among hypertensive, maintenance dialysis patients. METHODS National retrospective cohort study of hypertensive, Medicare-Medicaid eligible patients initiating chronic dialysis between 1/1/2000 to 12/31/2005. The exposure of interest was new use of either an ACEI or ARB. Outcomes were all-cause mortality (ACM) and combined cardiovascular hospitalization or death (CV-endpoint). Cox proportion hazards models were used to compare the effect of ACEI vs ARB use on ACM and, separately, CV-endpoint. RESULTS ACM models were based on 3,555 ACEI and 1,442 ARB new users, while CV-endpoint models included 3,289 ACEI and 1,346 ARB new users. After statistical adjustments, ACEI users had higher hazard ratios for ACM (AHR = 1.22, 99% CI 1.05-1.42) and CV-endpoint (AHR = 1.12, 99% CI 0.99-1.27). CONCLUSIONS Patients initiating maintenance dialysis who received an ACEI faced an increased risk for mortality and a trend towards an increased risk for CV-endpoints when compared to patients who received an ARB. Validation of these results in a rigorous clinical trial is warranted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Theresa I Shireman
- Center for Gerontology & Health Care Research, Department of Health Services, Policy & Practice, Brown University School of Public Health, Providence, RI, USA
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Wetmore JB, Phadnis MA, Ellerbeck EF, Shireman TI, Rigler SK, Mahnken JD. Relationship between stroke and mortality in dialysis patients. Clin J Am Soc Nephrol 2014; 10:80-9. [PMID: 25318759 DOI: 10.2215/cjn.02900314] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/30/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES Stroke is common in patients undergoing long-term dialysis, but the implications for mortality after stroke in these patients are not fully understood. DESIGN, SETTING, PARTICIPANTS, & MEASUREMENTS A large cohort of dually-eligible (Medicare and Medicaid) patients initiating dialysis from 2000 to 2005 and surviving the first 90 days was constructed. Medicare claims were used to ascertain ischemic and hemorrhagic strokes occurring after 90-day survival. A semi-Markov model with additive hazard extension was generated to estimate the association between stroke and mortality, to calculate years of life lost after a stroke, and to determine whether race was associated with differential survival after stroke. RESULTS The cohort consisted of 69,371 individuals representing >112,000 person-years of follow-up. Mean age±SD was 60.8±15.5 years. There were 21.1 (99% confidence interval [99% CI], 20.0 to 22.3) ischemic strokes and 4.7 (99% CI, 4.2 to 5.3) hemorrhagic strokes after cohort entry per 1000 patient-years. At 30 days, mortality was 17.9% for ischemic stroke and 53.4% for hemorrhagic stroke. The adjusted hazard ratio (AHR) depended on time since entry into the cohort; for patients who experienced a stroke at 1 year after cohort entry, for example, the AHR of hemorrhagic stroke for mortality was 25.4 (99% CI, 22.4 to 28.4) at 1 week, 9.9 (99% CI, 8.4 to 11.6) at 3 months, 5.9 (99% CI, 5.0 to 7.0) at 6 months, and 1.8 (99% CI, 1.5 to 2.1) at 24 months. The corresponding AHRs for ischemic stroke were 11.7 (99% CI, 10.2 to 13.1) at 1 week, 6.6 (99% CI, 6.4 to 6.7) at 3 months, and 4.7 (99% CI, 4.5 to 4.9) at 6 months, remaining significantly >1.0 even at 48 months. Median months of life lost were 40.7 for hemorrhagic stroke and 34.6 for ischemic stroke. For both stroke types, mortality did not differ by race. CONCLUSIONS Dialysis recipients have high mortality after a stroke with corresponding decrements in remaining years of life. Poststroke mortality does not differ by race.
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Affiliation(s)
- James B Wetmore
- Department of Medicine, Division of Nephrology, Hennepin County Medical Center, Minneapolis, Minnesota; and
| | | | | | | | - Sally K Rigler
- Department of Medicine, University of Kansas School of Medicine, Kansas City, Kansas
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Shireman TI, Phadnis MA, Wetmore JB, Zhou X, Rigler SK, Spertus JA, Ellerbeck EF, Mahnken JD. Antihypertensive medication exposure and cardiovascular outcomes in hemodialysis patients. Am J Nephrol 2014; 40:113-22. [PMID: 25139551 DOI: 10.1159/000365255] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2014] [Accepted: 06/13/2014] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND/AIMS Our understanding of the effectiveness of cardioprotective medications in maintenance dialysis patients is based upon drug exposures assessed at a single point in time. We employed a novel, time-dependent approach to modeling medication use over time to examine outcomes in a large national cohort. METHODS We linked Medicaid prescription claims with United States Renal Data System registry data and Medicare claims for 52,922 hypertensive maintenance dialysis patients. All-cause mortality and a combined cardiovascular disease (CVD)-endpoint were modeled as functions of exposure to cardioprotective antihypertensive medications (renin angiotensin system antagonists, β-adrenergic blockers, and calcium channel blockers) measured with three time-dependent covariates (weekly exposure status, proportion of prior weeks with exposure, and number of switches in exposure status) and with propensity adjustment. RESULTS Current cardioprotective medication exposure status as compared to not exposed was associated with lower adjusted hazard ratios (AHRs) for mortality, though the magnitude depended upon the proportion of prior weeks with medication (duration) and the number of switches between active and non-active use (switches) (AHR range 0.54-0.90). Combined CVD-endpoints depended upon the proportion of weeks on medication: AHR = 1.18 for 10% and AHR = 0.90 for 90% of weeks. Combined CVD-endpoint was also lower for patients with fewer switches. CONCLUSIONS Effectiveness depends not only on having a drug available but is tempered by duration and stability of use, likely reflecting variation in clinical stability and patient behavior.
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Affiliation(s)
- Theresa I Shireman
- Department of Preventive Medicine and Public Health, University of Kansas School of Medicine, Kansas City, Kans., USA
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