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Hamedani AG, Chang AY, Chen Y, VanderBeek BL. Disparities in glaucoma and macular degeneration healthcare utilization among persons living with dementia in the United States. Graefes Arch Clin Exp Ophthalmol 2024:10.1007/s00417-024-06573-z. [PMID: 38995351 DOI: 10.1007/s00417-024-06573-z] [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] [Received: 02/07/2024] [Revised: 06/26/2024] [Accepted: 07/03/2024] [Indexed: 07/13/2024] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE Dementia is common among patients with primary open angle glaucoma (POAG) and neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nAMD). This study compares visit frequency, diagnostic test utilization, and treatment patterns for POAG and nAMD among persons with vs. without dementia. METHODS Optum's de-identified Clinformatics® Data Mart Database (January 1, 2000-June 30, 2022) was used for this study. Two cohorts were created from newly diagnosed POAG or nAMD patients. Within each cohort, an exposure cohort was created of newly diagnosed dementia patients. The primary outcome was the number of visits to an eye care provider. Secondary analyses for the POAG cohort assessed the number of visual field tests, optical coherence tomography (OCT), and glaucoma medication prescription coverage. The secondary analysis for the nAMD cohort included the number of injections performed. Poisson regression was used to determine the relative rates of outcomes. RESULTS POAG patients with dementia had reduced rates of eye care visits (RR 0.76, 95% CI: 0.75-0.77), lower rates of testing utilization for visual fields (RR 0.66, 95% CI: 0.63-0.68) and OCT (RR 0.67, 95% CI: 0.64-0.69), and a lower rate of glaucoma prescription medication coverage (RR 0.83, 95% CI: 0.83-0.83). nAMD patients with dementia had reduced rates of eye care visits (RR 0.74, 95% CI: 0.70-0.79) and received fewer intravitreal injections (RR 0.64, 95% CI: 0.58-0.69) than those without dementia. CONCLUSIONS POAG and nAMD patients with dementia obtained less eye care and less monitoring and treatment of their disease. These findings suggest that this population may be vulnerable to gaps in ophthalmic care.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ali G Hamedani
- Department of Neurology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA.
- Department of Ophthalmology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA.
- Department of Biostatistics, Epidemiology, and Informatics, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA.
- Leonard Davis Institute of Health Economics, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA.
| | - Angela Y Chang
- Department of Ophthalmology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Yineng Chen
- Center for Preventive Ophthalmology and Biostatistics, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Brian L VanderBeek
- Department of Ophthalmology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
- Department of Biostatistics, Epidemiology, and Informatics, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
- Leonard Davis Institute of Health Economics, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
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Xu AL, Hamedani AG. Cataract surgery utilization in Parkinson's disease: the english longitudinal survey on ageing. Graefes Arch Clin Exp Ophthalmol 2024; 262:865-870. [PMID: 37947822 DOI: 10.1007/s00417-023-06314-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/19/2023] [Revised: 10/27/2023] [Accepted: 11/02/2023] [Indexed: 11/12/2023] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE Older adults with Alzheimer's disease are less likely to be offered cataract surgery than the general population, but these disparities have not been examined in the context of other neurodegenerative disorders such as Parkinson's disease (PD). METHODS Using data from the English Longitudinal Study on Ageing (ELSA), an ongoing, longitudinal population-based survey of older adults in England, we examined the relationship between PD and cataract surgery among adults 50 and older. We used logistic regression to measure the association between PD and history of cataract surgery at baseline. In longitudinal analyses of subjects with no history of cataract surgery at time of enrollment, we used semiparametric, discrete-time proportional hazards models to model the incidence of cataract surgery as a function of PD and other time-dependent covariates. Models were adjusted for demographic variables, self-reported comorbidities, and measures of daily activity limitation. RESULTS We included data from 19,241 eligible ELSA respondents, of whom 231 (1.2%) reported a diagnosis of PD. PD was positively associated with a history of self-reported cataract surgery at baseline (OR 3.66, 95% CI: 2.55-5.26), but this did not remain significant after adjusting for confounders (OR 1.22, 95% CI: 0.75-1.98). Among subjects with no history of cataract surgery at baseline, PD was also not associated with incident cataract surgery (adjusted HR 1.32, 95% CI: 0.86-2.02). CONCLUSION Unlike Alzheimer's disease, people with PD were no less likely to receive cataract surgery compared to those without PD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Angela L Xu
- Departments of Neurology, Ophthalmology, and Epidemiology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, 423 Guardian Dr., Blockley 829, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
| | - Ali G Hamedani
- Departments of Neurology, Ophthalmology, and Epidemiology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, 423 Guardian Dr., Blockley 829, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA.
- Center for Clinical Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA.
- Leonard Davis Institute of Health Economics, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA.
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Grove NC, Pelak VS, Christopher KL, Wagner BD, Lynch AM, Patnaik JL. Cataract Phacoemulsification in People with Dementia: Characterization and Outcomes. Ophthalmic Epidemiol 2023:1-9. [PMID: 37971269 DOI: 10.1080/09286586.2023.2279113] [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: 02/21/2023] [Accepted: 10/31/2023] [Indexed: 11/19/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE To characterize cataract surgery in people with dementia (PWD) using a cataract surgery outcomes database. METHODS Demographics, medical and ocular history, surgical characteristics, and postoperative measures were analyzed for differences between PWD and non-PWD cohorts. Patient-level data were analyzed with Fisher's Exact Test, and eye-level data were analyzed with logistic regression using generalized estimating equations to account for correlation of eyes from the same individual. RESULTS 507 eyes from 296 PWD were identified using appropriate ICD codes and cross-referenced to a cataract surgery outcomes database containing 12,949 eyes from 7,853 patients who underwent cataract phacoemulsification at a single center between January 2014 and October 2019. PWD were older (p < .001), had shorter duration cataract surgeries (p = .006), and were more likely to have mature cataract (p = .017). The rate of general anesthesia was higher in PWD (p = .005). There were no differences in complication rates between PWD and non-PWD cohorts. Both preoperative best corrected LogMAR distance visual acuity (CDVA) (p < .001) and postoperative CDVA (p < .001) were worse in PWD. CDVA significantly improved in both groups (p < .001); however, the average magnitude of improvement in CDVA was not significantly different between groups (p = .169). CONCLUSIONS PWD present for cataract surgery at a later age and were more likely to have mature cataracts and general anesthesia, but did not have higher rates of complication, and showed significant improvement in CDVA following surgery. These findings should be encouraging to PWD undergoing counseling for cataract surgery, and for the potential for improved function in PWD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nathan C Grove
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, Colorado, USA
- Department of Biostatistics & Informatics, University of Colorado School of Public Health, Aurora, Colorado, USA
| | - Victoria S Pelak
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, Colorado, USA
- Department of Neurology, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, Colorado, USA
| | - Karen L Christopher
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, Colorado, USA
| | - Brandie D Wagner
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, Colorado, USA
- Department of Biostatistics & Informatics, University of Colorado School of Public Health, Aurora, Colorado, USA
| | - Anne M Lynch
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, Colorado, USA
| | - Jennifer L Patnaik
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, Colorado, USA
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Piano MEF, Nguyen BN, Gocuk SA, Joubert L, McKendrick AM. Primary eyecare provision for people living with dementia: what do we need to know? Clin Exp Optom 2023; 106:711-725. [PMID: 36375138 DOI: 10.1080/08164622.2022.2140032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2022] [Revised: 10/10/2022] [Accepted: 10/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Dementia comprises a group of brain disorders characterised by loss of cognitive function. Sensory loss, predominantly vision (the focus of this review) and hearing, is a significant problem for people living with dementia. Eyecare practitioners such as optometrists therefore play an important role in identifying and addressing vision-related care needs. To support provision of high quality "dementia-friendly" eyecare, this scoping review summarises recent primary research findings and available clinical practice guidelines, to identify research gaps relating to vision and dementia, and make recommendations for future research and clinical practice. The review set a priori guidelines for the population, concept and context based on the review questions. Primary research papers (2016-2021) were included via 3-step search strategy: preliminary search to index terms, full search, search reference lists of included articles for further inclusions. Additionally, websites of eyecare professional bodies in English-speaking countries were searched to identify current clinical eyecare practice guidelines relating to dementia. Study characteristics (e.g. country, study design) were reported descriptively. Patterns within findings/recommendations from included sources were identified using thematic analysis and reported as themes. 1651 titles/abstracts and 161 full-text articles were screened for eligibility. Three clinical practice guidelines were also identified. The final review included 21 sources: 18 primary research papers and 3 clinical practice guidelines. The thematic analysis reported five key themes: Diagnosis/Screening, dementia progression, findings on clinical visual testing, tailored approach to care, improving care. This scoping review demonstrated limited information about current practices of optometrists working with people living with dementia. Recent evidence reinforces the continuing need for improved eyecare for people living with dementia, taking into account their specific needs with an individualised approach. Up-to-date practical recommendations are synthesised for eyecare providers before, during and after a consultation with a person living with dementia, to better support their care.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marianne E F Piano
- Department of Optometry and Vision Sciences, School of Health Sciences, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia
- National Vision Research Institute, Australian College of Optometry, Carlton, Australia
| | - Bao N Nguyen
- Department of Optometry and Vision Sciences, School of Health Sciences, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Sena A Gocuk
- Department of Optometry and Vision Sciences, School of Health Sciences, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Lynette Joubert
- Department of Social Work, School of Health Sciences, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Allison M McKendrick
- Department of Optometry and Vision Sciences, School of Health Sciences, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia
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Lampela P, Tolppanen AM, Kaarniranta K, Hokkinen K, Hartikainen S. Incidence of cataract surgeries in relation to diagnosis of Parkinson's disease. Arch Gerontol Geriatr 2023; 104:104842. [PMID: 36272228 DOI: 10.1016/j.archger.2022.104842] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2022] [Revised: 09/26/2022] [Accepted: 10/15/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Parkinson's disease (PD) causes also visual dysfunction including decreased visual acuity, even already at the prodromal phase of disease. Still, it has been suggested that persons with PD may be less likely to be referred for cataract surgery, although early management increases the chances for successful cataract surgery. METHODS Data from nationwide register-based Finnish Study on Parkinson's Disease (N=22189) was used. This study included 17546 persons with PD diagnosed in 1996-2015 and 114817 comparison persons who were at least 45 years old. Comparison persons were matched for age (+/-1 year, sex and hospital district on the date of PD diagnosis (index date). Incidence of cataract surgeries was investigated from ten years before to ten years after the index date. Information on cataract surgeries and comorbidities were extracted from several nationwide healthcare registers. RESULTS The incidence rate of cataract surgeries was 20.4/1000 and 18.7/1000 person-years (PY) for persons with or without PD, respectively. Before PD diagnosis, rate of surgeries was higher in persons with PD (incidence rate 16.5 vs 13.7 /1000PY, IRR, 95%CI 1.21, 1.16-1.26). After PD diagnosis there was no difference in the incidence rate. Persons who had undergone cataract surgery were older and had more eye diseases and other comorbidities compared to those without surgery. CONCLUSIONS Diagnosis of PD does not decrease the incidence of cataract surgeries. Conversely, the incidence may be increased prior to PD diagnosis, probably due to other eye diseases and prodromal symptoms of PD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pasi Lampela
- Kuopio Research Centre of Geriatric Care, School of Pharmacy, University of Eastern Finland, P.O. Box 1627, Kuopio FI-70211, Finland.
| | - Anna-Maija Tolppanen
- Kuopio Research Centre of Geriatric Care, School of Pharmacy, University of Eastern Finland, P.O. Box 1627, Kuopio FI-70211, Finland
| | - Kai Kaarniranta
- Department of Ophthalmology, Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Eastern Finland and Kuopio University Hospital, Kuopio, Finland
| | - Kaisa Hokkinen
- Kuopio Research Centre of Geriatric Care, School of Pharmacy, University of Eastern Finland, P.O. Box 1627, Kuopio FI-70211, Finland
| | - Sirpa Hartikainen
- Kuopio Research Centre of Geriatric Care, School of Pharmacy, University of Eastern Finland, P.O. Box 1627, Kuopio FI-70211, Finland
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Hokkinen K, Kaarniranta K, Jämsen E, Lampela P, Hartikainen S, Tolppanen A. Incidence of cataract surgeries in people with and without Alzheimer's disease. Acta Ophthalmol 2022; 100:68-73. [PMID: 33988311 DOI: 10.1111/aos.14896] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2020] [Revised: 03/17/2021] [Accepted: 04/18/2021] [Indexed: 02/02/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE To investigate the incidence of cataract surgeries in relation to Alzheimer's disease (AD) diagnosis and to compare it with that in people without AD. METHODS The MEDALZ-study includes community-dwelling Finnish persons who received clinically verified AD diagnoses (n = 70718) during 2005-2011 and a matched comparison cohort without AD (n = 70718). The cataract surgeries were identified from the Care Register for Healthcare (1996-2015) using NOMESCO surgical procedure codes CJE (10,15,20,25,99), CJF (00,10,20,30,40,45,50,55,99) and CJG (00,05,10,15,20,25,99). The incidence rates for surgeries per 100 person-years were calculated from 10 years before to 3 years after the index date (date of AD diagnosis from the Special Reimbursement Register). RESULTS 25 763 cataract procedures were performed on persons with AD and 26 254 on persons without AD during the follow-up. The incidence of surgery increased similarly in both groups before the index date of AD diagnosis, and the rate of surgery was similar in people with and without AD (3.5 and 3.3/100 person-years, respectively). The incidence diminished steeply in the AD group already one year after the index date, whereas the slow increase continued in the non-AD group. After the index date, the rates were 3.7 and 4.7/100 person-years in people with and without AD. CONCLUSION The diminishing surgery rate very soon after AD diagnosis is concerning. The stigma of AD diagnosis may lead to fewer referrals to surgery, although these patients are expected to benefit from surgery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kaisa Hokkinen
- Kuopio Research Centre of Geriatric Care School of Pharmacy University of Eastern Finland Kuopio Finland
| | - Kai Kaarniranta
- Department of Ophthalmology Institute of Clinical Medicine University of Eastern Finland and Kuopio University Hospital Kuopio Finland
| | - Esa Jämsen
- Faculty of Medicine and Health Technology and Gerontology Research Centre GEREC Tampere University, and Centre of Geriatrics Tampere University Hospital Tampere Finland
| | - Pasi Lampela
- Kuopio Research Centre of Geriatric Care University of Eastern Finland Kuopio Finland
- School of Pharmacy University of Eastern Finland, and Finnish Student Health Service Kuopio Finland
| | - Sirpa Hartikainen
- Kuopio Research Centre of Geriatric Care School of Pharmacy University of Eastern Finland Kuopio Finland
| | - Anna‐Maija Tolppanen
- Kuopio Research Centre of Geriatric Care School of Pharmacy University of Eastern Finland Kuopio Finland
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Pershing S, Henderson VW, Goldstein MK, Lu Y, Bundorf MK, Rahman M, Stein JD. Cataract Surgery Complexity and Surgical Complication Rates Among Medicare Beneficiaries With and Without Dementia. Am J Ophthalmol 2021; 221:27-38. [PMID: 32828874 PMCID: PMC7736486 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajo.2020.08.025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2020] [Revised: 08/03/2020] [Accepted: 08/15/2020] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE To evaluate cataract surgery complexity and complications among US Medicare beneficiaries with and without dementia. DESIGN Retrospective claims-based cohort study. PARTICIPANTS A 20% representative sample of Medicare beneficiaries, 2006-2015. METHODS Dementia was identified from diagnosis codes on or prior to each beneficiary's first-eye cataract surgery. For each surgery, we identified setting, routine vs complex coding, anesthesia provider type, duration, and any postoperative hospitalization. We evaluated 30- and 90-day complication rates-return to operating room, endophthalmitis, suprachoroidal hemorrhage, retinal detachment, retinal tear, macular edema, glaucoma, or choroidal detachment-and used adjusted regression models to evaluate likelihood of surgical characteristics and complications. Complication analyses were stratified by second-eye cataract surgery within 90 days postoperatively. RESULTS We identified 457,128 beneficiaries undergoing first-eye cataract surgery, 23,332 (5.1%) with dementia. None of the evaluated surgical complications were more likely in dementia-diagnosed beneficiaries. There was also no difference in likelihood of nonambulatory surgery center setting, anesthesiologist provider, or postoperative hospitalization. Dementia-diagnosed beneficiaries were more likely to have surgeries coded as complex (15.6% of cases vs 8.8%, P < .0001), and surgeries exceeding 30 minutes (OR = 1.21, 95% CI = 1.17-1.25). CONCLUSIONS Among US Medicare beneficiaries undergoing cataract surgery, those with dementia are more likely to have "complex" surgery" lasting more than 30 minutes. However, they do not have greater likelihood of surgical complications, higher-acuity setting, advanced anesthesia care, or postoperative hospitalization. This may be influenced by case selection and may suggest missed opportunities to improve vision. Future research is needed to identify dementia patients likely to benefit from cataract surgery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Suzann Pershing
- Byers Eye Institute at Stanford, Palo Alto, California, USA; VA Palo Alto Health Care System, Palo Alto, California, USA; Department of Health Research and Policy (Health Services Research), Stanford University, Palo Alto, California, USA.
| | - Victor W Henderson
- Department of Epidemiology and Population Health, Stanford University, Palo Alto, CA, USA; Department of Neurology and Neurological Sciences, Stanford University, Palo Alto, CA, USA; Department of Clinical Epidemiology, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Mary K Goldstein
- VA Palo Alto Health Care System, Palo Alto, California, USA; Department of Medicine, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Ying Lu
- Department of Biomedical Data Science, Stanford University, Palo Alto, California, USA
| | - M Kate Bundorf
- Department of Health Research and Policy (Health Services Research), Stanford University, Palo Alto, CA, USA
| | - Moshiur Rahman
- Byers Eye Institute at Stanford, Palo Alto, California, USA; Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA;; Center for Eye Policy and Innovation, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
| | - Joshua D Stein
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA;; Center for Eye Policy and Innovation, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA;; School of Public Health, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
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Tran L, Jung J, Carlin C, Lee S, Zhao C, Feldman R. Use of Direct-Acting Antiviral Agents and Survival Among Medicare Beneficiaries with Dementia and Chronic Hepatitis C. J Alzheimers Dis 2021; 79:71-83. [PMID: 33216031 PMCID: PMC7855832 DOI: 10.3233/jad-200949] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Many patients with Alzheimer's disease and related dementia (ADRD) have chronic hepatitis C due to the high prevalence of both conditions among elderly populations. Direct-acting antivirals (DAAs) are effective in treating hepatitis C virus (HCV). However, the complexity of ADRD care may affect DAA use and outcomes among patients with HCV and ADRD. Little information exists on uptake of DAAs, factors associated with DAA use, and health benefits of DAAs among patients with HCV and ADRD. OBJECTIVE To examine use and survival benefits of DAAs in Medicare patients with HCV and ADRD. METHODS The study included Medicare patients with HCV between 2014 and 2017. We estimated Cox proportional hazards regressions to examine the association between having ADRD and DAA use, and the relation between DAA use and survival among patients with HCV and ADRD. RESULTS The adjusted hazard of initiating a DAA was 50% lower in patients with ADRD than those without ADRD (adjusted HR = 0.50, 95% CI: 0.46-0.54). The hazard of DAA use among ADRD patients with behavioral disturbances was 68% lower than non-ADRD patients (adjusted HR = 0.32, 95% CI: 0.28-0.37). DAA treatment was associated with a significant reduction in mortality among ADRD patients (adjusted HR = 0.52, 95% CI: 0.44-0.61). CONCLUSION The rate of DAA treatment in patients with HCV and ADRD was low, particularly among those with behavioral disturbance. The survival benefits of DAA treatment for patients with ADRD were substantial.
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Affiliation(s)
- Linh Tran
- Department of Health Policy and Administration, College of Health and Human Development, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, USA
| | - Jeah Jung
- Department of Health Policy and Administration, College of Health and Human Development, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, USA
| | - Caroline Carlin
- Department of Family Medicine and Community Health, School of Medicine, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA
| | - Sunmin Lee
- Department of Epidemiology, School of Medicine, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA, USA
| | - Chen Zhao
- Department of Neurology, Penn State Health Milton S. Hershey Medical Center, Hershey, PA, USA
- Department of Public Health Sciences, Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine, Hershey, PA, USA
| | - Roger Feldman
- Division of Health Policy and Management, School of Public Health, University of Minnesota, MN, USA
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Receipt of Eye Care Services among Medicare Beneficiaries with and without Dementia. Ophthalmology 2020; 127:1000-1011. [PMID: 32317179 PMCID: PMC7384939 DOI: 10.1016/j.ophtha.2020.02.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2019] [Revised: 01/17/2020] [Accepted: 02/14/2020] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE To examine the relationship between dementia status and receipt of eye care among US Medicare beneficiaries. DESIGN Retrospective, claims-based analysis. PARTICIPANTS A 20% representative sample of Medicare beneficiaries who received care between January 1, 2006, and December 31, 2015. METHODS Dementia was identified from diagnosis codes documented in a beneficiary's first 3 years of observed Medicare enrollment. Eye care visits were identified from provider specialty codes on each encounter claim. We used multivariable Cox proportional hazards regression models with time-varying covariates to compare the likelihood of receiving eye care between beneficiaries with and without dementia. All models were adjusted for potential confounders, including demographics, urban/rural residence, systemic health (Charlson Index), and ocular comorbidities. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Hazard ratio (HR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) for (1) being seen by any eye care provider (ophthalmologist or optometrist); (2) being seen by an ophthalmologist specifically; and (3) receiving cataract surgery (among beneficiaries with ophthalmologist encounters). RESULTS A total of 4 451 200 beneficiaries met inclusion criteria; 3 805 718 (85.5%) received eye care during the study period, and 391 556 (8.8%) had diagnosed dementia. Some 73.4% of beneficiaries diagnosed with dementia saw an eye care provider during the study period and 55.4% saw an ophthalmologist versus 86.7% and 74.0% of beneficiaries, respectively, without dementia diagnoses. Compared with those without dementia diagnoses, beneficiaries with diagnosed dementia had lower likelihood of seeing any eye care provider (adjusted HR, 0.69; 95% CI, 0.69-0.70) and were less likely to see an ophthalmologist (adjusted HR, 0.55; 95% CI, 0.55-0.55). Among the subset of beneficiaries who did see ophthalmologists, those with diagnosed dementia were also less likely to receive cataract surgery than beneficiaries without diagnosed dementia (HR, 0.62; 95% CI, 0.62-0.63) and less likely to receive a cataract diagnosis (18% vs. 82%). CONCLUSIONS US Medicare beneficiaries diagnosed with dementia are less likely to receive eye care than those without diagnosed dementia. Depending on visual acuity and functional status, this may have implications for injury prevention, physical and cognitive function, and quality of life. Further work is needed to identify barriers to receiving eye care, determine eye care services and settings that provide greatest value to patients with dementia, and implement measures to improve access to appropriate eye care.
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