Predictors of racial differences in weight loss: the PROPEL trial

OBJECTIVE

Studies have consistently shown that African American individuals lose less weight in response to behavioral interventions, but the mechanisms leading to this result have been understudied.

METHODS

Data were derived from the PROmoting Successful Weight Loss in Primary CarE in Louisiana (PROPEL) study, which was a cluster-randomized, two-arm trial conducted in primary care clinics. In the PROPEL trial, African American individuals lost less weight compared with patients who belonged to other racial groups after 24 months. In the current study, counterfactual mediation analyses among 445 patients in the intervention arm of PROPEL were used to determine which variables mediated the relationship between race and weight loss. The mediators included treatment engagement, psychosocial, and lifestyle factors.

RESULTS

At 6 months, daily weighing mediated 33% (p = 0.008) of the racial differences in weight loss. At 24 months, session attendance and daily weighing mediated 35% (p = 0.027) and 66% (p = 0.005) of the racial differences in weight loss, respectively. None of the psychosocial or lifestyle variables mediated the race-weight loss association.

CONCLUSIONS

Strategies specifically targeting engagement, such as improving session attendance and self-weighing behaviors, among African American individuals are needed to support more equitable weight losses over extended time periods.

Evaluating Racial Disparities in Implementation and Monitoring of a Remote Blood Pressure Program in a Pregnant Population-A Retrospective Cohort Study

Background: Whether remote blood pressure (BP) monitoring can decrease racial disparities in BP measurement during pregnancy and the postpartum period remains unclear. This study evaluated whether Black and White patients enrolled in the Connected Maternity Online Monitoring (CMOM) program showed improvements in BP ascertainment and interval. Methods: A retrospective cohort of 3,976 pregnant patients enrolled in CMOM were compared to matched usual care patients between January 2016 and September 2022 using electronic health record data. The primary outcomes were BP ascertainment (number of BP measurements) and BP interval (time between BP measurements) during pregnancy and the postpartum period. The proportion of patients with a hypertensive disorder of pregnancy who checked their BP within 7 days of discharge following delivery was also assessed. Results: Enrollment in CMOM was lower among Black patients than White patients (42.1% vs 54.7%, P<0.0001). Patients in the CMOM group had more BP measurements than patients in the usual care group during pregnancy (rate ratio=1.78, 95% CI 1.74-1.82) and the postpartum period (rate ratio=1.30, 95% CI 1.23-1.37), with significant improvements for both Black and White patients enrolled in CMOM compared to patients in usual care. The CMOM intervention did not result in an improvement in 7-day postpartum adherence to checking BP for Black patients (risk ratio=1.03, 95% CI 0.94-1.11) as it did for White patients (risk ratio=1.09, 95% CI 1.01-1.17). Conclusion: Remote BP monitoring programs are a helpful tool to improve the frequency of BP measurements and shorten intervals between measurements during the prenatal and postpartum periods for all patients. Future evaluation is needed to determine the barriers to offering the program to and enrolling Black patients.

Non-face-to-face care management and service utilization in patients with diabetes

OBJECTIVES

In 2015, CMS implemented reimbursement for non-face-to-face chronic care management (NFFCCM) for beneficiaries with multiple chronic conditions, including diabetes. This analysis estimated the association between NFFCCM and utilization of inpatient, outpatient, and emergency services.

STUDY DESIGN

We implemented a doubly robust estimator using propensity score matching in a regression context to compare eligible patients who used NFFCCM (n = 282) with eligible patients who did not use NFFCCM (n = 26,759).

METHODS

We tested 4 definitions of treatment: having any NFFCCM encounters and having 1 NFFCCM encounter per month, per 2 months, and per 3 months. Two-tailed statistical inference testing was conducted at the 5% level. We examined the utilization differences among patients with diabetes 65 years and older using merged electronic health records for 4 health systems in Louisiana from the Research Action for Health Network database in 2013 through 2018.

RESULTS

We found NFFCCM was associated with increased utilization of care in the outpatient setting by 0.056 visits per month (95% CI, 0.027-0.086) and with lower utilization in the inpatient setting (-0.024 visits per month; 95% CI, -0.038 to -0.010) and in the emergency department setting (-0.017 visits per month; 95% CI, -0.031 to -0.003). Alternative specifications of treatment showed similar associations.

CONCLUSIONS

CMS implementation of reimbursement codes for NFFCCM, and subsequent utilization of that reimbursement by health systems, was associated with a shift in patient utilization from high-cost settings (inpatient and emergency department) to a lower-cost setting (outpatient office).

Unexpected Term Neonatal Intensive Care Unit Admissions and a Potential Role for Centralized Remote Fetal Monitoring

OBJECTIVE

Centralized remote fetal monitoring (CRFM) has been proposed as a method to improve the performance of intrapartum fetal heart rate (FHR) monitoring and perinatal outcomes. The purpose of this study is to determine whether CRFM was associated with a reduction in unexpected term neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) admissions.

STUDY DESIGN

A pre-post design was used to examine the effectiveness of CRFM which was implemented in stages across five hospitals. The exposure group was all women who underwent intrapartum monitoring via CRFM. The unexposed group was of women who delivered at the same hospitals prior to implementation of CRFM. Pregnancies with expected NICU admissions, gestational age <37 weeks, birth weight <2,500 g, or major fetal anomalies detected prenatally were excluded. The primary outcome was unexpected term NICU admission; secondary outcomes were cesarean and operative vaginal delivery (OVD), and 5-minute Apgar's score of <7 rates. Maternal and delivery characteristics were examined with Student's t, Wilcoxon's, Chi-square, and Fisher's exact tests. Multivariable logistic regression was performed to control for potential confounders.

RESULTS

There were 19,392 live births included in this analysis. In the univariable analysis, the odds of unexpected term NICU admission was lower among the CRFM exposed group compared with the unexposed group (odds ratio [OR] = 0.86, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.75-0.99; p = 0.038). In multivariable analysis, this did not reach statistical significance (OR = 0.92, 95% CI: 0.79-1.06; p = 0.24). Cesarean and OVD were less likely in the exposed group (OR = 0.91, 95% CI: 0.85-0.97; p = 0.008) and (OR = 0.70, 95% CI: 0.59-0.83, p < 0.001), respectively, in univariable analysis. When adjusted for potential confounders, the effect remained statistically significant for cesarean delivery (OR = 0.92, 95% CI: 0.85-0.98; p = 0.012). When adjusted for hospital, OVD rate was lower at the highest volume and highest acuity site (OR = 0.48, 95% CI: 0.36-0.65, p < 0.001).

CONCLUSION

In some practice settings, utilization of a CRFM system may decrease the risk of unexpected term NICU admission, cesarean, and OVD rate.

KEY POINTS

· CRFM may decrease unexpected term NICU admissions in some clinical settings.. · CRFM may decrease cesarean delivery rates in some clinical settings.. · CRFM may decrease OVD rates in some clinical settings..

Stop the Divide: Facilitators and Barriers to Uptake of Digital Health Interventions Among Socially Disadvantaged Populations

Background: The coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic ushered in rapid adoption of telehealth services. This study examines patient and provider experience and provides recommendations for facilitating the use of digital health interventions among socially disadvantaged populations. Methods: This qualitative study was conducted from May to July 2021 via semistructured interviews. Forty patients and 30 primary care providers (PCPs) in Louisiana were recruited within an integrated delivery health system and a rural health center. Technology acceptance models were used to develop a thematic coding scheme. Results: Most patients self-identified as Black (67.5%) and female (72.5%), had a mean age of 51 years, lived in an urban area (76.9%), and had Medicaid (57.9%). Most PCPs were White (79.3%) and male (51.7%), had a mean age of 39 years, and reported Medicaid as the predominant insurer (58.6%). Patient use of smartphones for internet access to health and nonhealth activities was common. PCPs noted the need to address misinformation or misinterpretation of information on the internet. Most patients had used a patient portal (72.5%) and noted the convenience of messaging. PCPs reported large increases in messaging workloads. Most patients had had telemedicine visits (65.6%); however, Wi-Fi/broadband problems limited video visits. PCPs expressed concerns regarding the types of chief complaints that are appropriate for telemedicine visits and reported workflow inefficiencies when clinic sessions had mixed visit types. Patients and PCPs valued remote telemonitoring as adjuncts to care; however, limited service availability and insurance coverage were barriers. Conclusion: Infrastructure barriers (broadband, insurance) and workload imbalance temper enthusiasm for using digital health solutions. Health systems should implement complementary patient and provider user-centric strategies for facilitating uptake of technology.

Racial Differences in Strength of Associations Between Colorectal Cancer Screening, Area Deprivation, Demographics, and Clinical Characteristics

Background: In Louisiana, colorectal cancer (CRC) incidence and mortality exceed national rates. Census tract, sex, and racial disparities across the state are well documented. This study examined whether there were subpopulation differences in associations between CRC screening, area deprivation index (ADI), and patient characteristics. Methods: This retrospective observational study included patients aged 50 to 75 years who received care within Ochsner Health in Louisiana between July 1, 2012, and December 31, 2020. Logistic regression models were used to generate adjusted odds ratios (95% CI). Results: A total of 75,344 patients met eligibility criteria for inclusion in the data analysis (60% female, 36% Black, 56% with spouse/partner, 42% Medicare/Medicaid,17% living in high deprivation areas, 41% with 2+ chronic conditions, 56% never smoked, 51% obese). Living in areas with less deprivation (state decile 1-3 vs 8-10: 1.19 [1.14-1.24]), number of comorbidities (3+ conditions: 1.15 [1.12-1.17]), and prior outpatient visits (1.63 [1.58-1.67]) increased odds of CRC screening. Male sex (0.82 [0.79-0.84]), age group 55 to 59 years (0.97 [0.95-0.99]), and Medicaid insurance (0.89 [0.86-0.92]) decreased odds of screening. ADI was collinear with sex, race, marital status, body mass index, and smoking status. In subgroup analyses, between-group differences in strength of associations of CRC screening with ADI and patient characteristics varied most prominently by race. Conclusion: There may be an unmeasured social context explaining persistent racial differences among factors associated with CRC screening. A combination of census tract and individual-level social determinants may guide population health management for at-risk subpopulations.

Evaluation of Spending Differences Between Beneficiaries in Medicare Advantage and the Medicare Shared Savings Program

IMPORTANCE

The 2 primary efforts of Medicare to advance value-based care are Medicare Advantage (MA) and the fee-for-service-based Medicare Shared Savings Program (MSSP). It is unknown how spending differs between the 2 programs after accounting for differences in patient clinical risk.

OBJECTIVE

To examine how spending and utilization differ between MA and MSSP beneficiaries after accounting for differences in clinical risk using data from administrative claims and electronic health records.

DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS

This retrospective economic evaluation used data from 15 763 propensity score-matched beneficiaries who were continuously enrolled in MA or MSSP from January 1, 2014, to December 31, 2018, with diabetes, congestive heart failure (CHF), chronic kidney disease (CKD), or hypertension. Participants received care at a large nonprofit academic health system in the southern United States that bears risk for Medicare beneficiaries through both the MA and MSSP programs. Differences in beneficiary risk were mitigated by propensity score matching using validated clinical criteria based on data from administrative claims and electronic health records. Data were analyzed from January 2019 to May 2022.

EXPOSURES

Enrollment in MA or attribution to an accountable care organization in the MSSP program.

MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES

Per-beneficiary annual total spending and subcomponents, including inpatient hospital, outpatient hospital, skilled nursing facility, emergency department, primary care, and specialist spending.

RESULTS

The sample of 15 763 participants included 12 720 (81%) MA and 3043 (19%) MSSP beneficiaries. MA beneficiaries, compared with MSSP beneficiaries, were more likely to be older (median [IQR] age, 75.0 [69.9-81.8] years vs 73.1 [68.3-79.8] years), male (5515 [43%] vs 1119 [37%]), and White (9644 [76%] vs 2046 [69%]) and less likely to live in low-income zip codes (2338 [19%] vs 750 [25%]). The mean unadjusted per-member per-year spending difference between MSSP and MA disease-specific subcohorts was $2159 in diabetes, $4074 in CHF, $2560 in CKD, and $2330 in hypertension. After matching on clinical risk and demographic factors, MSSP spending was higher for patients with diabetes (mean per-member per-year spending difference in 2015: $2454; 95% CI, $1431-$3574), CHF ($3699; 95% CI, $1235-$6523), CKD ($2478; 95% CI, $1172-$3920), and hypertension ($2258; 95% CI, $1616-2,939). Higher MSSP spending among matched beneficiaries was consistent over time. In the matched cohort in 2018, MSSP total spending ranged from 23% (CHF) to 30% (CKD) higher than MA. Adjusting for differential trends in coding intensity did not affect these results. Higher outpatient hospital spending among MSSP beneficiaries contributed most to spending differences between MSSP and MA, representing 49% to 62% of spending differences across disease cohorts.

CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE

In this study, utilization and spending were consistently higher for MSSP than MA beneficiaries within the same health system even after adjusting for granular metrics of clinical risk. Nonclinical factors likely contribute to the large differences in MA vs MSSP spending, which may create challenges for health systems participating in MSSP relative to their participation in MA.

Willingness to participate in various nontherapeutic cancer research activities among urban and rural African American and Latinx healthy volunteers

PURPOSE

Inclusion of racial/ethnic minorities in cancer research can reduce disparities in health outcomes; however, data regarding barriers and motivators to participation are sparse. This study assessed African American (AA) and Latinx healthy volunteers' perspectives regarding willingness to participate in noninvasive and invasive research activities.

METHODS

Using a 38-item questionnaire adapted from the Tuskegee Legacy Project Questionnaire, we assessed willingness to participate in 12 research activities, offering 27 possible barriers and 14 motivators. The sample was segmented into four subgroups by AA/Latinx and rural/urban.

RESULTS

Across five states and Puerto Rico, 533 participants completed questionnaires. Overall, participants were more willing to participate in noninvasive versus invasive procedures, although, all subgroups were willing to participate in research if asked. Rural AA were most willing to complete a survey or saliva sample, while rural Latinx were least willing. Urban AA were least willing to provide cheek swab, while rural counterparts were most willing. Self-benefit and benefit to others were among the top three motivators for all subgroups. Curiosity was a primary motivator for urban AA while obtaining health information motivated rural Latinx. Primary barriers included fears of side effects and being experimented on, lack of information, and lack of confidentiality.

CONCLUSIONS

Latinx and AAs are willing to participate in the continuum of nontherapeutic research activities suggesting their lack of participation may be related to not being asked. Inclusive enrollment may be achieved by assessing needs of participants during the design phase of a study in order to reduce barriers to participation.

Racial Differences and Social Determinants of Health in Achieving Hypertension Control

OBJECTIVE

To investigate whether specific social determinants of health could be a "health barrier" toward achieving blood pressure (BP) control and to further evaluate any differences between Black patients and White patients.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

We conducted a retrospective cohort study of 3305 patients with elevated BP who were enrolled in a hypertension digital medicine program for at least 60 days and followed up for up to 1 year. Patients were managed virtually by a dedicated hypertension team who provided guideline-based medication management and lifestyle support to achieve goal BP.

RESULTS

Compared with individuals without any health barriers, the addition of 1 barrier was associated with lower probability of control at 1 year from 0.73 to 0.60 and to 0.55 in those with 2 or more barriers. Health barriers were more prevalent in Black patients than in those who were White (44.6% [482 of 1081] vs 31.3% [674 of 2150]; P<.001). There was no difference at all in BP control between Black individuals and those who were White if 2 or more barriers were present.

CONCLUSION

Patient-related health barriers are associated with BP control. Black patients with poorly controlled hypertension have a higher prevalence of health barriers than their White counterparts. When 2 or more health barriers were present, there was no differences in BP control between White and Black individuals.

Association of Obesity and Diabetes With the Incidence of Breast Cancer in Louisiana

INTRODUCTION

Breast cancer is a heterogeneous disease, consisting of multiple molecular subtypes. Obesity has been associated with an increased risk for postmenopausal breast cancer, but few studies have examined breast cancer subtypes separately. Obesity is often complicated by type 2 diabetes, but the possible association of diabetes with specific breast cancer subtypes remains poorly understood.

METHODS

In this retrospective case-control study, Louisiana Tumor Registry records of primary invasive breast cancer diagnosed in 2010-2015 were linked to electronic health records in the Louisiana Public Health Institute's Research Action for Health Network. Controls were selected from Research Action for Health Network and matched to cases by age and race. Conditional logistic regression was used to identify metabolic risk factors. Data analysis was conducted in 2020‒2021.

RESULTS

There was a significant association between diabetes and breast cancer for Luminal A, Triple-Negative Breast Cancer, and human epidermal growth factor 2‒positive subtypes. In multiple logistic regression, including both obesity status and diabetes as independent risk factors, Luminal A breast cancer was also associated with overweight status. Diabetes was associated with increased risk for Luminal A and Triple-Negative Breast Cancer in subgroup analyses, including women aged ≥50 years, Black women, and White women.

CONCLUSIONS

Although research has identified obesity and diabetes as risk factors for breast cancer, these results underscore that comorbid risk is complex and may differ by molecular subtype. There was a significant association between diabetes and the incidence of Luminal A, Triple-Negative Breast Cancer, and human epidermal growth factor 2‒positive breast cancer in Louisiana.

Healthcare utilization for sinusitis after pneumococcal vaccination in patients with low antibody titers

BACKGROUND

Pneumococcal antibody deficiency has been the subject of limited study in chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) and has not been studied in recurrent acute rhinosinusitis (RARS). The 23-valent pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine (PPSV23) is considered for patients with non-protective Streptococcus pneumoniae titers. We hypothesized that both RARS and CRS patients with deficient S. pneumoniae titers and subsequent PPSV23 vaccination would have reduced healthcare encounters for sinusitis and fewer prescriptions for antibiotics or steroids.

METHODS

A retrospective cohort study was performed of patient encounters between January 2011 and December 2019. All patients included were ≥18 and ≤65 years old with a diagnosis of CRS or RARS and pneumococcal titer data. Patients with immunodeficiency and comorbid conditions requiring PPSV23 vaccination prior to the age of 65 were excluded.

RESULTS

A total of 938 patients were included. Non-protective antibody titers were present in 75.8% of CRS and 74.8% of RARS patients. 306 patients with deficient antibody titers received the PPSV23 vaccine. 89% of CRS and 90.1% of RARS patients had protective responses. Among 217 patients with continuous data from 2 years before through 2 years after PPSV23 vaccination, a decrease in the number of encounter diagnoses of CRS (p<0.0001) and RARS (p = 0.0006) was observed. Decreases in the frequency of antibiotic (p = 0.002) and corticosteroid (p = 0.04) prescriptions were also appreciated.

CONCLUSIONS

Most patients with CRS and RARS have non-protective antibody titers. PPSV23 administration significantly decreases healthcare utilization. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

Patient-specific factors associated with use of diabetes self-management education and support programs in Louisiana

INTRODUCTION

The prevalence of diabetes self-management education and support (DSME/S) use among patients with newly diagnosed type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and patients with insulin prescription has not been evaluated. It is also unclear what demographic, behavioral, and clinical factors associated with use of DSME/S.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS

This retrospective analysis was based on electronic health records from the Research Action for Health Network (2013-2019). Patients with newly diagnosed T2DM were identified as 35-94 year-olds diagnosed with T2DM≥1 year after the first recorded office visit. Patients with insulin were identified by the first insulin prescription records. DSME/S (Healthcare Common Procedure Coding System G0108 and G0109) codes that occurred from 2 months before the 'new diagnosis date' or first insulin prescription date through 1 year after were defined as use of DSME/S. Age-matched controls (non-users) were identified from the Electronic Health Records (EHR). The date of first DSME/S record was selected as the index date. Logistic regression was used to estimate the associations between patient factors and use of DSME/S.

RESULTS

The prevalence of DSME/S use was 6.5% (8909/137 629) among patients with newly diagnosed T2DM and 32.7% (13,152/40,212) among patients with diabetes taking insulin. Multivariable analysis found that among patients with newly diagnosed T2DM, black and male patients were less likely to use DSME/S, while in patients with insulin, they were more likely to use the service compared with white and female counterparts, respectively. Among patients taking insulin, those with private insurance or self-pay status were significantly less likely, while those with Medicaid were more likely to use the service compared with their Medicare counterparts. A strong positive association was found between HbA1c, obesity, and DSME/S use in both cohorts, while hypertension was negatively associated with DSME/S in both cohorts.

CONCLUSION

We showed a low rate of DSME/S use in Louisiana, especially in patients with newly diagnosed T2DM. Our findings demonstrated heterogeneity in factors influencing DSME/S use between patients with newly diagnosed T2D and patients with insulin.

Community versus individual risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection in two municipalities of Louisiana, USA: An assessment of Area Deprivation Index (ADI) paired with seroprevalence data over time

OBJECTIVE

Determine whether an individual is at greater risk of severe acute respiratory distress syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection because of their community or their individual risk factors.

STUDY DESIGN AND SETTING

4,752 records from two large prevalence studies in New Orleans and Baton Rouge, Louisiana were used to assess whether zip code tabulation areas (ZCTA)-level area deprivation index (ADI) or individual factors accounted for risk of infection. Logistic regression models assessed associations of individual-level demographic and socioeconomic factors and the zip code-level ADI with SARS-CoV-2 infection.

RESULTS

In the unadjusted model, there were increased odds of infection among participants residing in high versus low ADI (both cities) and high versus mid-level ADI (Baton Rouge only) zip codes. When individual-level covariates were included, the odds of infection remained higher only among Baton Rouge participants who resided in high versus mid-level ADI ZCTAs. Several individual factors contributed to infection risk. After adjustment for ADI, race and age (Baton Rouge) and race, marital status, household size, and comorbidities (New Orleans) were significant.

CONCLUSIONS

While higher ADI was associated with higher risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection, individual-level participant characteristics accounted for a significant proportion of this association. Additionally, stage of the pandemic may affect individual risk factors for infection.

Electronic Medical Record Risk Modeling of Cardiovascular Outcomes Among Patients with Type 2 Diabetes

INTRODUCTION

Increased utilization of electronic health records (EHR) has enriched databases for creating risk models. We used machine learning techniques to develop an EHR-based risk model locally fitted to patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) for predicting cardiovascular disease.

METHODS

This retrospective observational study was conducted within Ochsner Health, Louisiana, USA, between 2013-2017. Data analysis included 6245 patients who had two outpatient diagnoses of T2DM recorded on separate days or a diagnosis recorded during an inpatient encounter. Baseline clinical data were limited to 180 days before the index diagnosis. Cardiovascular outcomes were coronary heart disease (CHD), heart failure and stroke. Machine learning approaches were used to select predictor variables into Cox proportional hazards models for each outcome. Locally fit equations were compared to "generalized" risk equations (RECODe, AS-CVD, QRISK3) using model discrimination and calibration.

RESULTS

Among factors identified in the Ochsner (n = 11), RECODe (n = 14), AS-CVD (n = 15) and QRISK3 (n = 23), only age was common to all four risk equations. The Ochsner model had high internal discrimination for CHD (C-statistics 0.85) and better discrimination than RECODe (C-statistics 0.45), the QRISK3 (C-statistics 0.72) and AS-CVD (C-statistics 0.54).

CONCLUSIONS

The Ochsner model overestimated 5-year CHD risk, but had relatively higher calibration than the other models in CHD. Risk equations fitted for local populations improved cardiovascular risk stratification for patients with T2DM. Application of machine learning simplified the models compared to "generalized" risk equations.

The importance of anosmia, ageusia and age in community presentation of symptomatic and asymptomatic SARS-CoV-2 infection in Louisiana, USA; a cross-sectional prevalence study

OBJECTIVE

While many seroprevalence studies of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) have been performed, few are demographically representative. This investigation focused on defining the nature and frequency of symptomatic and asymptomatic SARS-CoV-2 infection in a representative, cross-sectional sample of communities in Louisiana, USA.

METHODS

A sample of 4778 adults from New Orleans and Baton Rouge, Louisiana were given a survey of symptoms and co-morbidities, nasopharyngeal swab to test for active infection (PCR), and blood draw to test for past infection (IgG). Odds ratios, cluster analysis, quantification of virus and antibody, and linear modelling were used to understand whether certain symptoms were associated with a positive test, how symptoms grouped together, whether virus or antibody varied by symptom status, and whether being symptomatic was different across the age span.

RESULTS

Reported anosmia/ageusia was strongly associated with a positive test; 40.6% (93/229) tested positive versus 4.8% (218/4549) positivity in those who did not report anosmia/ageusia (OR 13.6, 95% CI 10.1-18.3). Of the people who tested positive, 47.3% (147/311) were completely asymptomatic. Symptom presentation clustered into three groups; low/no symptoms (0.4 ± 0.9, mean ± SD), highly symptomatic (7.5 ± 1.9) or moderately symptomatic (4.0 ± 1.5). Quantity of virus was lower in the asymptomatic versus symptomatic group (cycle number 23.3 ± 8.3 versus 17.3 ± 9.0; p < 0.001). Modelling the probability of symptoms showed changes with age; the highest probability of reporting symptoms was 64.6% (95% CI 50.4-76.5) at age 29 years, which decreased to a probability of 49.3% (95% CI 36.6-62.0) at age 60 years and only 25.1% (95% CI 5.0-68.1) at age 80 years.

CONCLUSION

Anosmia/ageusia can be used to differentiate SARS-CoV-2 infection from other illnesses, and, given the high ratio of asymptomatic individuals, contact tracing should include those without symptoms. Regular testing in congregant settings of those over age 60 years may help mitigate asymptomatic spread.

Impact of Preinfection Left Ventricular Ejection Fraction on Outcomes in COVID-19 Infection

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has high infectivity and causes extensive morbidity and mortality. Cardiovascular disease is a risk factor for adverse outcomes in COVID-19, but baseline left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) in particular has not been evaluated thoroughly in this context. We analyzed patients in our state's largest health system who were diagnosed with COVID-19 between March 20 and May 15, 2020. Inclusion required an available echocardiogram within 1 year prior to diagnosis. The primary outcome was all-cause mortality. LVEF was analyzed both as a continuous variable and using a cutoff of 40%. Among 396 patients (67 ± 16 years, 191 [48%] male, 235 [59%] Black, 59 [15%] LVEF ≤40%), 289 (73%) required hospital admission, and 116 (29%) died during 85 ± 63 days of follow-up. Echocardiograms, performed a median of 57 (IQR 11-122) days prior to COVID-19 diagnosis, showed a similar distribution of LVEF between survivors and decedents (P = 0.84). Receiver operator characteristic analysis revealed no predictive ability of LVEF for mortality, and there was no difference in survival among those with LVEF ≤40% versus >40% (P = 0.49). Multivariable analysis did not change these relationships. Similarly, there was no difference in LVEF based on whether the patient required hospital admission (56 ± 13 vs 55 ± 13, P = 0.38), and patients with a depressed LVEF did not require admission more frequently than their preserved-LVEF peers (P = 0.87). A premorbid history of dyspnea consistent with symptomatic heart failure was not associated with mortality (P = 0.74). Among patients diagnosed with COVID-19, pre-COVID-19 LVEF was not a risk factor for death or hospitalization.

Effects of a 2-Year Primary Care Lifestyle Intervention on Cardiometabolic Risk Factors: A Cluster-Randomized Trial

BACKGROUND

Intensive lifestyle interventions (ILIs) are the first-line approach to effectively treat obesity and manage associated cardiometabolic risk factors. Because few people have access to ILIs in academic health centers, primary care must implement similar approaches for a meaningful effect on obesity and cardiometabolic disease prevalence. To date, however, effective lifestyle-based obesity treatment in primary care is limited. We examined the effectiveness of a pragmatic ILI for weight loss delivered in primary care among a racially diverse, low-income population with obesity for improving cardiometabolic risk factors over 24 months.

METHODS

The PROPEL trial (Promoting Successful Weight Loss in Primary Care in Louisiana) randomly allocated 18 clinics equally to usual care or an ILI and subsequently enrolled 803 (351 usual care, 452 ILI) adults (67% Black, 84% female) with obesity from participating clinics. The usual care group continued to receive their normal primary care. The ILI group received a 24-month high-intensity lifestyle-based obesity treatment program, embedded in the clinic setting and delivered by health coaches in weekly sessions initially and monthly sessions in months 7 through 24.

RESULTS

As recently demonstrated, participants receiving the PROPEL ILI lost significantly more weight over 24 months than those receiving usual care (mean difference, -4.51% [95% CI, -5.93 to -3.10]; P<0.01). Fasting glucose decreased more in the ILI group compared with the usual care group at 12 months (mean difference, -7.1 mg/dL [95% CI, -12.0 to -2.1]; P<0.01) but not 24 months (mean difference, -0.8 mg/dL [95% CI, -6.2 to 4.6]; P=0.76). Increases in high-density lipoprotein cholesterol were greater in the ILI than in the usual care group at both time points (mean difference at 24 months, 4.6 mg/dL [95% CI, 2.9-6.3]; P<0.01). Total:high-density lipoprotein cholesterol ratio and metabolic syndrome severity (z score) decreased more in the ILI group than in the usual care group at both time points, with significant mean differences of the change of -0.31 (95% CI, -0.47 to -0.14; P<0.01) and -0.21 (95% CI, -0.36 to -0.06; P=0.01) at 24 months, respectively. Changes in total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, triglycerides, and blood pressure did not differ significantly between groups at any time point.

CONCLUSIONS

A pragmatic ILI consistent with national guidelines and delivered by trained health coaches in primary care produced clinically relevant improvements in cardiometabolic health in an underserved population over 24 months. Registration: URL: https://www.clinicaltrials.gov; Unique identifier: NCT02561221.

Association between visit-to-visit HbA1c variability and the risk of cardiovascular disease in patients with type 2 diabetes

AIM

To investigate the association between visit-to-visit HbA1c variability and the risk of cardiovascular disease in patients with type 2 diabetes.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We performed a retrospective cohort study of 29 260 patients with at least four HbA1c measurements obtained within 2 years of their first diagnosis of type 2 diabetes. Different HbA1c variability markers were calculated, including the standard deviation (SD), coefficient of variation (CV) and adjusted SD. Cox proportional hazards regression models were used to estimate the association of these HbA1c variability markers with incident cardiovascular disease.

RESULTS

During a mean follow-up of 4.18 years, a total of 3746 incident cardiovascular disease cases were diagnosed. Multivariate-adjusted hazard ratios for cardiovascular disease across the first, second, third and fourth quartiles of HbA1c SD values were 1.00, 1.30 (95% confidence interval [CI] 1.18-1.42), 1.40 (95% CI 1.26-1.55) and 1.59 (95% CI 1.41-1.77) (P for trend <.001), respectively. When we utilized HbA1c CV and adjusted HbA1c SD values as exposures, similar positive associations were observed. HbA1c variability was also associated with the risk of first and recurrent severe hypoglycaemic events. A mediating effect of severe hypoglycaemia was observed between HbA1c variability and incident cardiovascular disease.

CONCLUSIONS

Large visit-to-visit HbA1c variability is associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease in patients with type 2 diabetes. Severe hypoglycaemia may mediate the association between HbA1c variability and incident cardiovascular disease.

Depression, anxiety, pain and chronic opioid management in primary care: Type II effectiveness-implementation hybrid stepped wedge cluster randomized trial

Even though current prescribing trends reveal that high-dose opioid prescribing and opioid prescribing in general has decreased, sustained efforts are needed to help providers adopt and maintain safe prescribing behaviors. The purpose of this four-year type 2 effectiveness-implementation hybrid stepped wedge cluster randomized trial is to: (1) compare the clinical and cost effectiveness of electronic medical record-based clinical decision support [EMR-CDS] versus additional integrated, collaborative behavioral health [EMR-CDS + BHI-CCM] for opioid management of patients with co-morbid chronic non-cancer pain with depression or anxiety; and (2) examine facilitators and barriers to implementing these interventions within 35 primary care clinics in a integrated delivery health system. The EMR-CDS alerts providers to employ opioid risk mitigation and safe prescribing practices at the point of care. The BHI-CCM consists of primary care embedded community health workers for case management; licensed clinical social workers for cognitive behavioral therapy, and a clinical pharmacist for medication management who provide care management via telemedicine (virtual video or audio only visits) under the guidance of a consulting psychiatrist. The primary outcome is reduction in the percentage of patients with average daily opioid dose ≥50 mg morphine equivalent. Secondary outcomes include changes in service utilization, patient reported outcomes and processes of care. The investigators anticipate that study results will elucidate the role of technology versus care team optimization in changing opioid prescribing behaviors. The investigators further anticipate that integrated mental/behavioral health care will increase value-based care and the efficiency with which guideline concordant care is delivered.

Racial and Workplace Disparities in Seroprevalence of SARS-CoV-2, Baton Rouge, Louisiana, USA

By using paired molecular and antibody testing for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 infection, we determined point prevalence and seroprevalence in Louisiana, USA, during the second phase of reopening. Infections were highly variable by race and ethnicity, work environment, and ZIP code. Census-weighted seroprevalence was 3.6%, and point prevalence was 3.0%.

Continuity of Care for Patients with Obesity-Associated Chronic Conditions: Protocol for a Multisite Retrospective Cohort Study

BACKGROUND

Obesity affects nearly half of adults in the United States and is contributing substantially to a pandemic of obesity-associated chronic conditions such as type 2 diabetes, hypertension, and arthritis. The obesity-associated chronic condition pandemic is particularly severe in low-income, medically underserved, predominantly African-American areas in the southern United States. Little is known regarding the impact of geographic, income, and racial disparities in continuity of care on major health outcomes for patients with obesity-associated chronic conditions.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study is to assess, among patients with obesity-associated chronic conditions, and within this group, patients with type 2 diabetes, (1) whether continuity of care is associated with lower overall and potentially preventable emergency department and hospital utilization, (2) the effect of geographic, income, and racial disparities on continuity of care and on health care utilization, (3) whether continuity of care particularly protects individuals at risk for disparities from adverse health outcomes, and (4) whether characteristics of health systems are associated with higher continuity of care and better outcomes.

METHODS

Using 2015-2018 data from 4 practice-based research networks participating in the Southern Obesity and Diabetes Coalition, we will conduct a retrospective cohort analysis and distributed meta-analysis. Patients with obesity-associated chronic conditions and with type 2 diabetes will be assessed within each health system, following a standardized study protocol. The primary study outcomes are overall and preventable emergency department visits and hospitalizations. Continuity of care will be calculated at the facility level using a modified version of the Bice-Boxerman continuity of care index. Race will be assessed using electronic medical record data. Residence in a low-income area or a health professional shortage area respectively will be assessed by linking patient residence ZIP codes to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services database.

RESULTS

In 4 regional health systems across Tennessee, Mississippi, Louisiana, and Arkansas, a total of 53 adult hospitals were included in the study. A total of 147,889 patients with obesity-associated chronic conditions who met study criteria were identified in these health systems, of which 45,453 patients met the type 2 diabetes criteria for inclusion. Results are expected by the end of 2020.

CONCLUSIONS

This study should reveal whether health system efforts to increase continuity of care for patients with obesity and diabetes have potential to improve outcomes and reduce costs. Analyzing disparities in continuity of care and their effect on major health outcomes can help demonstrate how to improve care and use of health care resources for vulnerable patients with obesity-associated chronic conditions, and within this group, patients with type 2 diabetes. Better understanding of the association between continuity and health care utilization for these vulnerable populations will contribute to the development of higher-value health systems in the southern United States.

INTERNATIONAL REGISTERED REPORT IDENTIFIER (IRRID)

DERR1-10.2196/20788.

Weight Loss in Underserved Patients - A Cluster-Randomized Trial

BACKGROUND

Evidence of the effectiveness of treatment for obesity delivered in primary care settings in underserved populations is lacking.

METHODS

We conducted a cluster-randomized trial to test the effectiveness of a high-intensity, lifestyle-based program for obesity treatment delivered in primary care clinics in which a high percentage of the patients were from low-income populations. We randomly assigned 18 clinics to provide patients with either an intensive lifestyle intervention, which focused on reduced caloric intake and increased physical activity, or usual care. Patients in the intensive-lifestyle group participated in a high-intensity program delivered by health coaches embedded in the clinics. The program consisted of weekly sessions for the first 6 months, followed by monthly sessions for the remaining 18 months. Patients in the usual-care group received standard care from their primary care team. The primary outcome was the percent change from baseline in body weight at 24 months.

RESULTS

All 18 clinics (9 assigned to the intensive program and 9 assigned to usual care) completed 24 months of participation; a median of 40.5 patients were enrolled at each clinic. A total of 803 adults with obesity were enrolled: 452 were assigned to the intensive-lifestyle group, and 351 were assigned to the usual-care group; 67.2% of the patients were Black, and 65.5% had an annual household income of less than $40,000. Of the enrolled patients, 83.4% completed the 24-month trial. The percent weight loss at 24 months was significantly greater in the intensive-lifestyle group (change in body weight, -4.99%; 95% confidence interval [CI], -6.02 to -3.96) than in the usual-care group (-0.48%; 95% CI, -1.57 to 0.61), with a mean between-group difference of -4.51 percentage points (95% CI, -5.93 to -3.10) (P<0.001). There were no significant between-group differences in serious adverse events.

CONCLUSIONS

A high-intensity, lifestyle-based treatment program for obesity delivered in an underserved primary care population resulted in clinically significant weight loss at 24 months. (Funded by the Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute and others; PROPEL ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT02561221.).

Differential rates of progression of low-grade carotid stenosis detected by follow-up ultrasound: A single institution experience

OBJECTIVES

The growing body of evidence suggesting that lifestyle changes and aggressive medical management reduce the risk of strokes in patients with carotid stenosis has fostered interest in noninvasive screening. The objective of this study was to develop recommendations for follow-up carotid ultrasound surveillance of patients with <60% carotid stenosis.

METHODS

This retrospective observational cohort study includes 2956 patients seen between August 1998 and March 2015 in 4440 visits. Data analysis was restricted to 7710 carotid ultrasounds. Primary outcome was progression of carotid stenosis as defined by the "bulb" method: baseline stenosis of 0%-39% progressed to 40%-59% on subsequent examination, baseline stenosis of 0%-39% progressed to ≥60%, or baseline of 40%-59% progressed to ≥60%. Progression was estimated using Cox proportional hazard ratios and the Kaplan-Meier method.

RESULTS

More than 10% of patients progressed in the 40%-59% baseline group within 12 months compared to 78 months for the 0%-39% baseline group. Patients who progressed had a higher proportion of peripheral vascular disease, and current/former smoking compared to those who did not. While there were statistically significant correlations between medication classes and comorbidities, none of the medications studied appeared to slow carotid stenosis progression.

CONCLUSIONS

In our experience, for patients with a 0%-39% carotid stenosis, follow-up examination should be performed at 6-year intervals. For patients with 40%-59% carotid stenosis, follow-up should be obtained annually to identify those who progress to a level requiring intervention. Future studies should examine whether study findings can be replicated using other approaches for determining carotid stenosis.

Seroprevalence of SARS-CoV-2 and Infection Fatality Ratio, Orleans and Jefferson Parishes, Louisiana, USA, May 2020

Using a novel recruitment method and paired molecular and antibody testing for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 infection, we determined seroprevalence in a racially diverse municipality in Louisiana, USA. Infections were highly variable by ZIP code and differed by race/ethnicity. Overall census-weighted seroprevalence was 6.9%, and the calculated infection fatality ratio was 1.63%.

Remdesivir for Severe COVID-19 versus a Cohort Receiving Standard of Care

Background

We compared the efficacy of the antiviral agent, remdesivir, versus standard-of-care treatment in adults with severe coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) using data from a phase 3 remdesivir trial and a retrospective cohort of patients with severe COVID-19 treated with standard of care.

Methods

GS-US-540–5773 is an ongoing phase 3, randomized, open-label trial comparing two courses of remdesivir (remdesivir-cohort). GS-US-540–5807 is an ongoing real-world, retrospective cohort study of clinical outcomes in patients receiving standard-of-care treatment (non-remdesivir-cohort). Inclusion criteria were similar between studies: patients had confirmed severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection, were hospitalized, had oxygen saturation ≤94% on room air or required supplemental oxygen, and had pulmonary infiltrates. Stabilized inverse probability of treatment weighted multivariable logistic regression was used to estimate the treatment effect of remdesivir versus standard of care. The primary endpoint was the proportion of patients with recovery on day 14, dichotomized from a 7-point clinical status ordinal scale. A key secondary endpoint was mortality.

Results

After the inverse probability of treatment weighting procedure, 312 and 818 patients were counted in the remdesivir- and non-remdesivir-cohorts, respectively. At day 14, 74.4% of patients in the remdesivir-cohort had recovered versus 59.0% in the non-remdesivir-cohort (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 2.03: 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.34–3.08, P < .001). At day 14, 7.6% of patients in the remdesivir-cohort had died versus 12.5% in the non-remdesivir-cohort (aOR 0.38, 95% CI: .22–.68, P = .001).

Conclusions

In this comparative analysis, by day 14, remdesivir was associated with significantly greater recovery and 62% reduced odds of death versus standard-of-care treatment in patients with severe COVID-19.

Clinical Trials Registration

NCT04292899 and EUPAS34303.

Antimicrobial stewardship in the primary care setting: from dream to reality?

BACKGROUND

Clinicians who work in primary care are potentially the most influential healthcare professionals to address the problem of antibiotic resistance because this is where most antibiotics are prescribed. Despite a number of evidence based interventions targeting the management of community infections, the inappropriate antibiotic prescribing rates remain high.

DISCUSSION

The question is how can appropriate prescribing of antibiotics through the use of Antimicrobial Stewardship (AMS) programs be successfully implemented in primary care. We discuss that a top-down approach utilising a combination of strategies to ensure the sustainable implementation and uptake of AMS interventions in the community is necessary to support clinicians and ensure a robust implementation of AMS in primary care. Specifically, we recommend a national accreditation standard linked to the framework of Core Elements of Outpatient Antibiotic Stewardship, supported by resources to fund the implementation of AMS interventions that are connected to quality improvement initiatives. This article debates how this can be achieved. The paper highlights that in order to support the sustainable uptake of AMS programs in primary care, an approach similar to the hospital and post-acute care settings needs to be adopted, utilising a combination of behavioural and regulatory processes supported by sustainable funding. Without these strategies the problem of inappropriate antibiotic prescribing will not be adequately addressed in the community and the successful implementation and uptake of AMS programs will remain a dream.

Effectiveness of sodium-glucose co-transporter-2 inhibitors on ischaemic heart disease

AIM

To compare the cardiovascular risks between users and non-users of sodium-glucose co-transporter-2 (SGLT2) inhibitors based on electronic medical record data from a large integrated healthcare system in South Louisiana.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Demographic, anthropometric, laboratory and medication prescription information for patients with type 2 diabetes who were new users of SGLT2 inhibitors, either as initial treatments or as add-on treatments, were obtained from electronic health records. Mediation analysis was performed to evaluate the association of use of SGLT2 inhibitors and changes of metabolic risk factors with the risk of incident ischaemic heart disease.

RESULTS

A total of 5338 new users of SGLT2 inhibitors were matched with 13 821 non-users. During a mean follow-up of 3.26 years, 2302 incident cases of ischaemic heart disease were defined. After adjusting for multiple confounding factors, patients using SGLT2 inhibitors had a lower risk of incident ischaemic heart disease compared to patients not using SGLT2 inhibitors (hazard ratio [HR] 0.63, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.54-0.73). Patients using SGLT2 inhibitors also had a lower risk of incident ischaemic heart disease within 6 months (HR 0.36, 95% CI 0.25-0.44), 12 months (HR 0.40, 95% CI 0.32-0.49), 24 months (HR 0.53, 95% CI 0.43-0.60) and 36 months (HR 0.65, 95% CI 0.54-0.73), respectively. Reductions in systolic blood pressure partly mediated lowering risk of ischaemic heart disease among patients using SGLT2 inhibitors.

CONCLUSIONS

The real-world data in the present study show the contribution of SGLT2 inhibitors to reducing risk of ischaemic heart disease, and their benefits beyond glucose-lowering.

Hospitalization and Mortality among Black Patients and White Patients with Covid-19

BACKGROUND

Many reports on coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) have highlighted age- and sex-related differences in health outcomes. More information is needed about racial and ethnic differences in outcomes from Covid-19.

METHODS

In this retrospective cohort study, we analyzed data from patients seen within an integrated-delivery health system (Ochsner Health) in Louisiana between March 1 and April 11, 2020, who tested positive for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes Covid-19) on qualitative polymerase-chain-reaction assay. The Ochsner Health population is 31% black non-Hispanic and 65% white non-Hispanic. The primary outcomes were hospitalization and in-hospital death.

RESULTS

A total of 3626 patients tested positive, of whom 145 were excluded (84 had missing data on race or ethnic group, 9 were Hispanic, and 52 were Asian or of another race or ethnic group). Of the 3481 Covid-19-positive patients included in our analyses, 60.0% were female, 70.4% were black non-Hispanic, and 29.6% were white non-Hispanic. Black patients had higher prevalences of obesity, diabetes, hypertension, and chronic kidney disease than white patients. A total of 39.7% of Covid-19-positive patients (1382 patients) were hospitalized, 76.9% of whom were black. In multivariable analyses, black race, increasing age, a higher score on the Charlson Comorbidity Index (indicating a greater burden of illness), public insurance (Medicare or Medicaid), residence in a low-income area, and obesity were associated with increased odds of hospital admission. Among the 326 patients who died from Covid-19, 70.6% were black. In adjusted time-to-event analyses, variables that were associated with higher in-hospital mortality were increasing age and presentation with an elevated respiratory rate; elevated levels of venous lactate, creatinine, or procalcitonin; or low platelet or lymphocyte counts. However, black race was not independently associated with higher mortality (hazard ratio for death vs. white race, 0.89; 95% confidence interval, 0.68 to 1.17).

CONCLUSIONS

In a large cohort in Louisiana, 76.9% of the patients who were hospitalized with Covid-19 and 70.6% of those who died were black, whereas blacks comprise only 31% of the Ochsner Health population. Black race was not associated with higher in-hospital mortality than white race, after adjustment for differences in sociodemographic and clinical characteristics on admission.

Impact of Simultaneous Versus Sequential Initiation of Basal Insulin and Glucagon-like Peptide-1 Receptor Agonists on HbA1c in Type 2 Diabetes: A Retrospective Observational Study

INTRODUCTION

When and how to intensify treatment in patients with type 2 diabetes (T2D) not achieving glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) targets with oral antidiabetic drugs (OADs) in clinical practice remains a matter of clinical preference. This pilot study was conducted using the retrospective observational data from such patients to evaluate the impact on HbA1c of three treatment sequences: simultaneous initiation of basal insulin (BI) and a glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonist (GLP-1 RA; Cohort 1); BI followed by GLP-1 RA initiation within a 90-day timeframe (Cohort 2); or BI followed by GLP-1 RA initiation beyond 90 days (Cohort 3).

METHODS

Data from the regional US electronic medical records database, Research Action for Health Network (REACHnet), were extracted for all patients with T2D aged ≥ 18 years who had encounter dates between January 2011 and August 2017 and ≥ 1 HbA1c laboratory value(s) < 90 days before BI initiation and ≥ 2 HbA1c laboratory values within 1 year after BI initiation and who met the inclusion criteria for GLP-1 RA initiation set for Cohorts 1, 2, or 3. The primary endpoints were the proportion of patients achieving HbA1c < 7.0%, which was estimated via Kaplan-Meier analysis, and change in HbA1c within 12 months.

RESULTS

Overall, 869 patients were analyzed, of whom 109 were in Cohort 1, 301 in Cohort 2, and 459 in Cohort 3. Baseline HbA1c was 10.3 ± 2.1, 10.3 ± 2.0, and 10.2 ± 2.1% for these three cohorts, respectively. Statistically significantly more patients in Cohort 1 than in Cohort 3 achieved HbA1c < 7.0% (33.4 vs. 20.9%, respectively; p  = 0.0186). Mean observed reductions in HbA1c at 12 months were - 1.7% (Cohort 1), - 1.5% (Cohort 2), and - 1.3% (Cohort 3).

CONCLUSIONS

Simultaneous initiation of BI and GLP-1 RA achieves glycemic control more effectively than sequential initiation of BI with GLP-1 RA added beyond 90 days.

Clinical Effectiveness of Decision Support for Prescribing Opioids for Chronic Noncancer Pain: A Prospective Cohort Study

OBJECTIVES

This prospective cohort study examines the clinical effectiveness of electronic medical record clinical decision support (EMR CDS) for opioid prescribing.

METHODS

Data analysis included primary care patients with chronic opioid therapy for noncancer pain seen within an integrated health delivery system in Louisiana between January 2017 and October 2018. EMR CDS incorporated an opioid health maintenance tool to display the status of risk mitigation, and the medication order embedded the morphine equivalent daily dose (MEDD) calculator and a hyperlink to the Louisiana pharmacy drug monitoring program. Outcome measures included change in the average MEDD and rates of opioid risk mitigation, hospitalization, and emergency department use.

RESULTS

Among 14 221 patients, 9% had prescriptions with an average MEDD ≥90 mg. There were no significant changes in MEDD after EMR CDS implementation. Increasing age, Charlson Comorbidity Index score, female sex, black non-Hispanic race, non-opioid pain medication co-prescriptions, and specialty referrals were associated with a lower odds of MEDD ≥90 (high-dose threshold). Medicare or self-pay, substance abuse history, and pain agreements were associated with increased odds of prescribing above this high-dose threshold. After incorporation of EMR CDS, patients had higher rates of urine drug screens (17% vs 7%) and naloxone prescriptions (3% vs 1%, all P < .001). In addition, specialty referrals to physical or occupational therapy, orthopedics, neurology, and psychiatry or psychology increased in the postintervention period. Although emergency department use decreased (rate ratio 0.92; 95% confidence interval 0.89-0.95), hospitalization rates did not change.

CONCLUSIONS

EMR CDS improved adherence to opioid risk mitigation strategies. Further research examining which practice redesign interventions effectively reduce high-dose opioid prescribing is needed.

Association between Body Mass Index and Stroke Risk Among Patients with Type 2 Diabetes

CONTEXT

Very few studies focused on the association between body mass index (BMI) and stroke risk among patients with diabetes.

OBJECTIVE

We aimed to investigate the association between BMI and stroke risk in patients with type 2 diabetes.

DESIGN

Demographic, anthropometric, laboratory, and medication information were extracted from the National Patient-Centered Clinical Research Network common data model.

PARTICIPANTS

We performed a retrospective cohort study of 67 086 patients with type 2 diabetes.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Incident stroke including both ischemic and hemorrhagic stroke were defined.

RESULTS

During a mean follow up of 3.74 years. 8918 incident stroke events occurred. Multivariable-adjusted hazard ratios across different categories of BMI at baseline (18.5-24.9 [reference group], 25.0-29.9, 30.0-34.9, 35.0-39.9, and ≥40 kg/m2) were 1.00, 0.92, 0.85, 0.74, and 0.63 (Ptrend <0.001) for total stroke; 1.00, 0.93, 0.88, 0.77, and 0.65 (Ptrend <0.001) for ischemic stroke; and 1.00, 0.79, 0.50, 0.50, and 0.41 (Ptrend <0.001) for hemorrhagic stroke, respectively. When we used an updated mean value of BMI, the graded inverse association of body mass index with stroke risk did not change. This linear association was consistent among patients of different subgroups. Further sensitivity analysis excluding patients who were diagnosed stroke within 6 months after first diagnosis of type 2 diabetes or including non-smokers only also confirmed our findings.

CONCLUSION

The present study found an inverse association between BMI and the risk of total, ischemic, and hemorrhagic stroke among patients with type 2 diabetes. More clinical and molecular insights are still needed in explaining these findings.

Dose effect of patient-care team communication via secure portal messaging on glucose and blood pressure control

Objectives

Organizational strategies for implementing eHealth tools influence patient and provider use of portal technology. This study examines whether the intensity of bidirectional secure portal messaging is associated with improved clinical outcomes.

Material and Methods

This is a retrospective cohort analysis of 101 019 patients with diabetes or hypertension (11 138 active portal users) who received primary care within the Ochsner Health System between 2012 and 2014. Propensity score-adjusted multivariable fixed effects regression panel analysis was used to examine associations between intensity of "medical advice" portal messaging and glucose/blood pressure control.

Results

Most portal users rarely used medical advice messaging. A higher proportion of patients who were age 50 years and older, female, white non-Hispanic, and with co-morbid diabetes and hypertension had higher frequency and intensity of medical advice messaging. Study findings revealed a dose-response effect of the intensity of messaging on glucose control, whereby, compared to nonportal users, each level of messaging among portal users was associated with greater decreases in HbA1c (β estimate [95% CI]: none -0.28 (-0.34 to -0.22); low -0.28 (-0.32 to -0.24); medium -0.41 (-0.52 to -0.31); high -0.43 (-0.60 to -0.27), all P ≤ .001). There was no observed effect on blood pressure.

Conclusions

The digital divide exists not only between portal users and nonusers but also among portal users. Research exploring the relationship between intensity of bidirectional secure messaging and health outcomes for a broader scope of chronic conditions is needed. Future implementation research must also elucidate best practices that enhance not only the use of portals by patients and providers, but how they use portals.

Inverse Association Between HDL (High-Density Lipoprotein) Cholesterol and Stroke Risk Among Patients With Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus

Background and Purpose- Few studies have assessed the association of HDL (high-density lipoprotein) cholesterol with stroke risk among patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. We aimed to investigate the association of HDL cholesterol with total and type-specific stroke risk in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. Methods- We performed a retrospective cohort study of 27 113 blacks and 40 431 whites with type 2 diabetes mellitus. Cox proportional hazards regression models were used to estimate the association of different levels of HDL cholesterol with stroke risk. Results- During a mean follow-up period of 3.0 years, 8496 patients developed stroke (8048 ischemic and 448 hemorrhagic). Multivariable-adjusted hazard ratios across levels of HDL at baseline (<30 [reference group], 30-39.9, 40-49.9, 50-59.9, 60-69.9, 70-79.9, and ≥80 mg/dL) were 1.00, 0.86, 0.77, 0.71, 0.71, 0.77, and 0.69 ( P_trend <0.001) for total stroke, 1.00, 0.89, 0.82, 0.75, 0.78, 0.76, and 0.75 ( P_trend <0.001) for ischemic stroke, and 1.00, 0.89, 0.69, 0.66, 0.47, and 0.94 ( P_trend =0.021) for hemorrhagic stroke, respectively. When we used an updated mean value of HDL cholesterol, the inverse association of HDL cholesterol with stroke risk did not change. This inverse association was consistent among patients of different ages, races, sexes, body mass index, hemoglobin A1c levels, never and past or current smokers, and patients with and without using glucose-lowering, cholesterol-lowering, or antihypertensive agents. Conclusions- The present study found consistent inverse associations between HDL cholesterol and the risk of total, ischemic and hemorrhagic stroke among patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Cardiovascular Health, Adiposity, and Food Insecurity in an Underserved Population

This study investigated associations between cardiovascular health (CVH), adiposity, and food insecurity by race, sex, and health literacy in a sample of 800 underserved patients with obesity (body mass index [BMI] ≥ 30 kg/m²). CVH was assessed using American Heart Association Life’s Simple 7 (LS7) and adiposity was estimated using BMI and waist circumference (WC). Mixed models including interaction terms between food insecurity and sex, race, and health literacy were analyzed for LS7, BMI, and WC. Stratified models were analyzed as indicated by significant interactions. Mean BMI and WC were 37.3 kg/m² (4.6 SD) and 113.5 cm (12.4 SD), respectively. Among patients, 31% were food insecure and 31% had low health literacy. There were significant positive associations between food insecurity and BMI (p = 0.03) and WC (p = 0.03) in the overall sample. In sex-stratified models, women who were food insecure had higher BMI (p = 0.02) and WC (p = 0.007) than their food secure counterparts. Further, food insecure patients with better health literacy had greater BMI (p = 0.004) and WC (p = 0.007) than their food secure counterparts. Results suggest that adiposity is a greater burden in food insecure patients, which may be an important consideration for obesity treatment in underserved populations.

Race and sex differences in rates of diabetic complications

BACKGROUND

Studies on racial differences in diabetic complications are very limited. The aim of this study was to investigate the race and sex differences in diabetic complications between African Americans and Whites with type 2 diabetes (T2D) in Louisiana.

METHODS

A prospective cohort study was performed of 27 113 African Americans and 40 431 Whites with T2D who were 35 to 95 years of age from three healthcare systems located in south Louisiana. Four major diabetic complications were assessed: coronary heart disease (CHD), heart failure, stroke, and end-stage renal disease (ESRD).

RESULTS

The age- and sex-adjusted incident rates per 1000 person-years and 95% confidence intervals (CI) for CHD, heart failure, stroke, and ESRD for African Americans with diabetes were 43.1 (95% CI 41.6-44.6), 36.6 (95% CI 35.2-37.9), 29.6 (95% CI 28.4-30.8), and 38.3 (95% CI 36.9-39.7), respectively. Cox regression models showed that African American women had a higher risk than White women for heart failure (hazard ratio (HR) 1.26; 95% CI 1.18-1.34), stroke (HR 1.15; 95% CI 1.08-1.22), and ESRD (HR 1.32; 95% CI 1.24-1.40), whereas African American men had higher risks than White men for heart failure (HR 1.33; 95% CI 1.25-1.43) and ESRD (HR 1.47; 95% CI 1.37-1.57) but a lower risk of CHD (HR 0.88; 95% CI 0.83-0.94).

CONCLUSIONS

The incidence of major diabetic complications varied among difference race and sex groups. More race- or sex-specific studies on complications in patients with diabetes are needed to see whether incident rates are changing over time.

Older patients' preferences and views related to non-face-to-face diabetes chronic care management: a qualitative study from southeast Louisiana

Background: Management of diabetes may be uniquely challenging for older individuals with multiple chronic conditions. Health systems and policymakers have attempted to reduce barriers to chronic care management (CCM) through incentives to provide non-face-to-face care. This qualitative study aimed to investigate and present views on non-face-to-face care management held by elderly patients with diabetes and other chronic conditions in order to contribute to improved programming for this population. Materials and methods: Semi-structured interviews were conducted with patients over the age of 64 who have been diagnosed with diabetes and at least one other chronic health condition. Interview recordings were transcribed and analyzed by experienced researchers using a thematic analytic approach, and an illustrative case study was developed. Results: Thirty individuals participated in this study. Participants were drawn from three health systems in south Louisiana, an area with high rates of morbidity and mortality related to chronic diseases. We identified themes related to lived experiences with diabetes and other medical conditions, perception of personal health status, perceived value of non-face-to-face programs, and support needs for future programming. Additionally, we present one case study describing in detail an individual patient's experience with non-face-to-face CCM. Conclusion: Health systems should consider intentionally recruiting participants who would benefit most from non-face-to-face care, including higher-need, less self-sufficient patients with resource constraints, while continuing to offer in-person services. Future research should examine whether tailoring non-face-to-face programming and support to address unique barriers can further enhance diabetes care at the population level.

Outpatient Complex Case Management: Health System-Tailored Risk Stratification Taxonomy to Identify High-Cost, High-Need Patients

BACKGROUND

U.S. health systems, incentivized by financial penalties, are designing programs such as case management to reduce service utilization among high-cost, high-need populations. The major challenge is identifying patients for whom targeted programs are most effective for achieving desired outcomes.

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate a health system's outpatient complex case management (OPCM) for Medicare beneficiaries for patients overall and for high-risk patients using system-tailored taxonomy, and examine whether OPCM lowers service utilization and healthcare costs.

DESIGN

Retrospective case-control study using Medicare data collected between 2012 and 2016 for Ochsner Health System.

PARTICIPANTS

Super-utilizers defined as Medicare patients with at least two hospital/ED encounters within 180 days of the index date including the index event.

INTERVENTION

Outpatient complex case management.

MAIN MEASURES

Propensity score-adjusted multivariable logistic regression analysis was conducted for primary outcomes (90-day hospital readmission; 90-day ED re-visit). A difference-in-difference analysis was conducted to examine changes in per membership per month (PMPM) costs based on OPCM exposure.

KEY RESULTS

Among 18,882 patients, 1197 (6.3%) were identified as "high-risk" and 470 (2.5%) were OPCM participants with median enrollment of 49 days. High-risk OPCM cases compared to high-risk controls had lower odds of 90-day hospital readmissions (0.81 [0.40-1.61], non-significant) and lower odds of 90-day ED re-visits (0.50 [0.32-0.79]). Non-high-risk OPCM cases compared to non-high-risk controls had lower odds of 90-day hospital readmissions (0.20 [0.11-0.36]) and 90-day ED re-visits (0.66 [0.47-0.94]). Among OPCM cases, high-risk patients compared to non-high-risk patients had greater odds of 90-day hospital readmissions (4.44 [1.87-10.54]); however, there was no difference in 90-day ED re-visits (0.99 [0.58-1.68]). Overall, OPCM cases had lower total cost of care compared to controls (PMPM mean [SD]: - $1037.71 [188.18]).

CONCLUSIONS

Use of risk stratification taxonomy for super-utilizers can identify patients most likely to benefit from case management. Future studies must further examine which OPCM components drive improvements in select outcome for specific populations.

High Frequency of Systemic Corticosteroid Use for Acute Respiratory Tract Illnesses in Ambulatory Settings

This study examines the frequency of steroid use for acute respiratory tract infections in Louisiana and nationally, and factors associated with this clinical practice.

Implementing electronic health records (EHRs): health care provider perceptions before and after transition from a local basic EHR to a commercial comprehensive EHR

Objective

We assessed changes in the percentage of providers with positive perceptions of electronic health record (EHR) benefit before and after transition from a local basic to a commercial comprehensive EHR.

Methods

Changes in the percentage of providers with positive perceptions of EHR benefit were captured via a survey of academic health care providers before (baseline) and at 6-12 months (short term) and 12-24 months (long term) after the transition. We analyzed 32 items for the overall group and by practice setting, provider age, and specialty using separate multivariable-adjusted random effects logistic regression models.

Results

A total of 223 providers completed all 3 surveys (30% response rate): 85.6% had outpatient practices, 56.5% were >45 years old, and 23.8% were primary care providers. The percentage of providers with positive perceptions significantly increased from baseline to long-term follow-up for patient communication, hospital transitions - access to clinical information, preventive care delivery, preventive care prompt, preventive lab prompt, satisfaction with system reliability, and sharing medical information (P < .05 for each). The percentage of providers with positive perceptions significantly decreased over time for overall satisfaction, productivity, better patient care, clinical decision quality, easy access to patient information, monitoring patients, more time for patients, coordination of care, computer access, adequate resources, and satisfaction with ease of use (P < 0.05 for each). Results varied by subgroup.

Conclusion

After a transition to a commercial comprehensive EHR, items with significant increases and significant decreases in the percentage of providers with positive perceptions of EHR benefit were identified, overall and by subgroup.

Promoting Successful Weight Loss in Primary Care in Louisiana (PROPEL): Rationale, design and baseline characteristics

Underserved and minority populations suffer from a disproportionately high prevalence of obesity and related comorbidities. Effective obesity treatment programs delivered in primary care that produce significant weight loss are currently lacking. The purpose of this trial is to test the effectiveness of a pragmatic, high intensity lifestyle-based obesity treatment program delivered within primary care among an underserved population. We hypothesize that, relative to patients who receive usual care, patients who receive a high-intensity, health literacy- and culturally-appropriate lifestyle intervention will have greater percent reductions in body weight over 24 months. Eighteen clinics (N = 803 patients) serving low income populations with a high proportion of African Americans in Louisiana were randomized to the intervention or usual car. Patients in the intervention participate in a high-intensity lifestyle program delivered by health coaches employed by an academic health center and embedded in the primary care clinics. The program consists of weekly (16 in-person/6 telephone) sessions in the first six months, followed by sessions held at least monthly for the remaining 18 months. Primary care practitioners in usual care receive information on weight management and the current Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services reimbursement for obesity treatment. The primary outcome is percent weight loss at 24 months. Secondary outcomes include absolute 24-month changes in body weight, waist circumference, blood pressure, fasting glucose and lipids, health-related quality of life, and weight-related quality of life. The results will provide evidence on the effectiveness of implementing high-intensity lifestyle and obesity counseling in primary care settings among underserved populations.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier NCT02561221.

Intelligent Clinical Decision Support to Improve Safe Opioid Management of Chronic Noncancer Pain in Primary Care

BACKGROUND

Opioid prescription drug abuse is a major public health concern. Healthcare provider prescribing patterns, especially among non-pain management specialists, are a major factor. Practice guidelines recommend what to do for safe opioid prescribing but do not provide guidance on how to implement best practices.

METHODS

We describe the implementation of electronic medical record clinical decision support (EMR CDS) for opioid management of chronic noncancer pain in an integrated delivery system. This prospective cohort study will examine relationships between primary care physician compliance with EMR CDS-guided care (vs usual care), delivery of guideline-concordant care, and changes in the morphine equivalent of prescribed opioids. We report baseline characteristics of patients receiving chronic opioid therapy and organizational prescribing trends.

RESULTS

Between August and October 2016, we identified 2,759 primary care patients who received chronic opioid therapy. Of these patients, approximately 71% had chronic noncancer pain, and 62% had diagnoses of depression/anxiety. Six of 36 primary care clinics each had >100 patients receiving chronic opioid therapy. When the EMR CDS launched in October 2017, we identified 54,200 patients who had received opioid therapy for at least 14 days from various specialty and primary care providers during the prior 24 months. Of these patients, 36% had a benzodiazepine coprescription, and 13% had substance abuse diagnoses.

CONCLUSION

Health system research that examines workflow-focused strategies to improve physician knowledge and skills for safely managing opioid therapy is needed. If EMR CDS proves to be effective in increasing adherence to practice guidelines, this EMR strategy can potentially be replicated and scaled up nationwide to improve population health management.

eHealth Literacy: Patient Engagement in Identifying Strategies to Encourage Use of Patient Portals Among Older Adults

Innovations in chronic disease management are growing rapidly as advancements in technology broaden the scope of tools. Older adults are less likely to be willing or able to use patient portals or smartphone apps for health-related tasks. The authors conducted a cross-sectional survey of older adults (ages ≥50) with hypertension or diabetes to examine relationships between portal usage, interest in health-tracking tools, and eHealth literacy, and to solicit practical solutions to encourage technology adoption. Among 247 patients surveyed in a large integrated delivery health system between August 2015 and January 2016, eHealth literacy was positively associated with portal usage (OR [95% CI]: 1.3 [1.2-1.5]) and interest in health-tracking tools (1.2 [1.1-1.3]). Portal users compared to nonusers (N = 137 vs.110) had higher rates of interest in using websites/smartphone apps to track blood pressure (55% vs. 36%), weight (53% vs. 35%), exercise (53% vs. 32%), or medication (46% vs 33%, all P < 0.05). Portal users noted cumbersome processes for accessing portals and variations in provider availability for online scheduling and response times to messages. Portal nonusers expressed concerns about data security, lack of personalization, and limited perceived value of using portals. Both groups noted the importance of computer literacy and technical support. Patient stakeholders recommended marketing initiatives that capture patient stories demonstrating real-life applications of what patients can do with digital technology, how to use it, and why it may be useful. Health systems also must screen for eHealth literacy, provide training, promote proxy users, and institute quality assurance that ensures patients' experiences will not vary across the system.

Clinical Pharmacist Team-Based Care in a Safety Net Medical Home: Facilitators and Barriers to Chronic Care Management

Collaborative care models incorporating pharmacists have been shown to improve quality of care for patients with hypertension and/or diabetes. Little is known about how to integrate such services outside of clinical trials. The authors implemented a 22-month observational study to evaluate pharmacy collaborative care for hypertension and diabetes in a safety net medical home that incorporated population risk stratification, clinical decision support, and medication dose adjustment protocols. Patients in the pharmacy group saw their primary care provider (PCP) more often and had higher baseline systolic blood pressure (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) and A1c levels compared to patients who only received care from their PCPs. There were no significant differences in the proportion of patients achieving treatment goals (SBP <140, DBP <90; A1c < 8) or the magnitude of change in BP or A1c among patients who underwent collaborative care versus those who did not. Age, race, and number of PCP encounters were associated with BP and A1c trends. The median time to achieve disease control was longer in the pharmacy group. Although 70% of all patients with poorly controlled hypertension achieved treatment goals within 7 months, less than 50% of patients with poorly controlled diabetes achieved A1c < 8 within 15 months, suggesting that diabetes was harder to manage overall. Contextual factors that facilitated or hindered practice redesign included organizational culture, health information technology and related workflows, and pharmacy caseload optimization. Future studies should further examine implementation strategies that work best in specific settings to optimize the benefits of team-based care with clinical pharmacists.

Primary Care Practice Reengineering and Associations With Patient Portal Use, Service Utilization, and Disease Control Among Patients With Hypertension and/or Diabetes

BACKGROUND

We describe the role of primary care reengineering in the Ochsner Health System (OHS) patient portal implementation strategy and compare subsequent trends in service utilization and disease control among portal users vs nonusers within this context.

METHODS

This retrospective cohort study includes 101,019 patients with hypertension or diabetes who saw an OHS primary care provider (PCP) between 2012 and 2014. Inverse probability treatment weighting was used to reduce case-mix differences between study groups. We used generalized estimating equation modeling to compare changes in encounter rates (PCP, telephone, specialty services, emergency department [ED], inpatient hospitalization), blood pressure (BP), and hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c).

RESULTS

Age, sex, race, comorbidities, insurance, preindex utilization, and portal use were associated with changes in utilization, BP, and HbA1C; however, the strength and direction of these differences varied. An adjusted analysis comparing portal users to nonusers showed an increase in PCP (rate ratio per patient per year of 1.18, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.14-1.22) and telephone encounter rates (1.15, 95% CI 1.08-1.22; both P<0.001) but no significant differences in specialty, ED, or inpatient hospitalization encounters. Among patients with preindex systolic BP ≥140 mmHg or diastolic BP ≥90 mmHg, portal users compared to nonusers had a greater decline in their BP, although the between-group difference was small (mmHg [SE], -1.1 [0.42] and -1.2 [0.34], respectively; both P<0.01). Portal users with diabetes compared to nonusers with diabetes also had greater decreases in HbA1c (all patients, % [SE], -0.13 [0.06]; patients with a preindex HbA1c ≥8, -0.43 [0.13], both P<0.05).

CONCLUSION

Our findings may reflect patient factors and system-level portal implementation strategies that focused heavily on accessibility to care.

Collaborative Depression Care in a Safety Net Medical Home: Facilitators and Barriers to Quality Improvement

Little is known about how to integrate primary care with mental/behavioral services outside of clinical trials. The authors implemented a collaborative care model (CCM) for depression in a safety net patient-centered medical home. The model focused on universal screening for symptoms, risk stratification based on symptom severity, care management for intensive follow-up, and psychiatry consultation. CCM increased rates of primary care physician encounters, timely follow-up for monitoring symptoms of depression, and documentation of treatment response. Contextual factors that facilitated or hindered practice redesign included clinic leadership, quality improvement culture, staffing, technology infrastructure, and external incentives/disincentives for organizational change.

Clinical Comparative Effectiveness Research Through the Lens of Healthcare Decisionmakers

BACKGROUND

Healthcare expenditures in the United States exceed the healthcare expenditures of other countries, yet relatively unfavorable health outcomes persist. Despite the emergence of numerous evidence-based interventions, wide variations in clinical care have caused disparities in quality of care and cost. Comparative effectiveness and cost effectiveness research may better guide healthcare decisionmakers in determining which interventions work best, for which populations, under which conditions, and at what cost.

METHODS

This article reviews national health policies that promote comparative effectiveness research (CER), healthcare decisionmaker roles in CER, methodological approaches to CER, and future implications of CER.

RESULTS

This article provides a brief summary of CER health policy up to the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act and its establishment of the Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI). Through PCORI, participatory methods for engaging healthcare decisionmakers in the entire CER process have gained momentum as a strategy for improving the relevance of research and expediting the translation of research into practice. Well-designed, methodologically rigorous observational studies and randomized trials conducted in real-world settings have the potential to improve the quality, generalizability, and transferability of study findings.

CONCLUSION

Learning health systems and practice-based research networks provide the infrastructure for advancing CER methods, generating local solutions to high-quality cost-effective care, and transitioning research into implementation and dissemination science-all of which will ultimately guide health policy on clinical care, payment for care, and population health.

Integrating community health workers into a patient-centered medical home to support disease self-management among Vietnamese Americans: lessons learned

There is evidence that patient-centered medical homes (PCMHs) and community health workers (CHWs) improve chronic disease management. There are few models for integrating CHWs into PCMHs in order to enhance disease self-management support among diverse populations. In this article, we describe how a community-based nonprofit agency, a PCMH, and academic partners collaborated to develop and implement the Patient Resource and Education Program (PREP). We employed CHWs as PCMH care team members to provide health education and support to Vietnamese American patients with uncontrolled diabetes and/or hypertension. We began by conducting focus groups to assess patient knowledge, desire for support, and availability of community resources. Based on findings, we developed PREP with CHW guidance on cultural tailoring of educational materials and methods. CHWs received training in core competencies related to self-management support principles and conducted the 4-month intervention for PCMH patients. Throughout the program, we conducted process evaluation through structured team meetings and patient satisfaction surveys. We describe successes and challenges associated with PREP delivery including patient recruitment, structuring/documenting visits, and establishing effective care team integration, work flow, and communication. Strategies for mitigating these issues are presented, and we make recommendations for other PCMHs seeking to integrate CHWs into care teams.