Examining the Association of Social Needs with Future Health Care Utilization in an Older Adult Population: Which Needs Are Most Important?

Abstract Social needs, such as social isolation and food insecurity, are important individual-level social determinants of health, especially for adults ages 65 years and older. These needs may be associated with future health care utilization, but this research area has not been studied extensively. The objective of this study was to examine the independent association of 5 individual social needs with future (1) emergency department (ED) visits and (2) hospital admissions. This observational study included 9649 Kaiser Permanente Northwest (KPNW) Medicare members who completed the Medicare Total Health Assessment (MTHA) quality improvement survey between August 17, 2020 and January 31, 2022. The 5 social needs assessed by the MTHA, defined as binary measures (yes/no), included (1) financial strain, (2) food insecurity, (3) housing instability, (4) social isolation, and (5) transportation needs. ED utilization (yes/no) and hospitalization (yes/no), the current study outcome measures, were measured in the 12 months after MTHA assessment. In multivariable analyses, 3 of the 5 social needs were significantly associated with higher ED utilization: financial strain (odds ratio [OR] = 1.40, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.11-1.76, P < 0.05), housing instability (OR = 1.43, 95% CI = 1.02-1.99, P < 0.05), and social isolation (OR = 1.19, 95% CI = 1.05-1.34, P < 0.05), and 1, financial strain, was significantly associated with hospital admissions (OR = 1.66, 95% CI = 1.23-2.23, P < 0.05). The study results identified which social needs are most strongly associated with future ED utilization and hospital admissions. Further research is needed to better understand whether addressing social needs is associated with improved patient-level health outcomes over time.

Social support experiences of hispanic/latino parents of childhood cancer survivors in a safety-net hospital: a qualitative study

PURPOSE

To describe the social support experiences of Hispanic/Latino parents while caregiving for childhood cancer survivors.

RESEARCH APPROACH

Semi-structured one-on-one interviews were conducted among 15 caregivers from a safety-net hospital in Los Angeles. A thematic analysis approach was used to analyze data.

FINDINGS

The positive influence of social support throughout their caregiving experience included (1) sharing information-enhanced knowledge, (2) receiving comfort and encouragement, (3) receiving tangible assistance reducing the caregiving burden, and (4) enhancing caregiving empowerment/self-efficacy. Sub-themes regarding the lack of social support included (1) being a single parent and (2) family and friends withdrawing after the child's cancer diagnosis.

CONCLUSION

We found Hispanic/Latino parents strongly value social support as it enables them to have essential resources that support caregiving for their child and themselves. Efforts should ensure that caregivers are routinely screened to identify their supportive needs so that support services for caregivers can be optimized and tailored, as those with a lack of social support may experience excessive caregiver burden.

The role of language in mammography orders among low-income Latinas over a 10-year period

INTRODUCTION

Latinas in the United States have higher mortality from breast cancer, but longitudinal studies of mammography ordering (a crucial initial step towards screening) in primary care are lacking.

METHODS

We conducted an analysis of mammography order rates in Latinas (by language preference) and non-Latina white women (N = 181,755) over a > 10 year period in a multi-state network of community health centers (CHCs). We evaluated two outcomes (ever having a mammogram order and annual rate of mammography orders) using generalized estimating equation modeling.

RESULTS

Approximately one-third of all patients had ever had a mammogram order. Among those receiving mammogram orders, English-preferring Latinas had lower mammogram order rates than non-Hispanic white women (RR = 0.92, 95% CI = 0.89-0.95). Spanish-preferring Latinas had higher odds of ever having a mammogram ordered than non-Hispanic whites (odds ratio = 2.12, 95% CI = 2.06-2.18) and, if ever ordered, had a higher rate of annual mammogram orders (rate ratio = 1.53, 95% CI = 1.50-1.56).

CONCLUSION

These findings suggest that breast cancer detection barriers in low-income Latinas may not stem from a lack of orders in primary care, but in the subsequent accessibility of receiving ordered services.

Colorectal cancer disparities in Latin America: Mortality trends 1990-2019 and a paradox association with human development

BACKGROUND

Colorectal cancer mortality is growing in Latin America. It is known for a marked income disparity between its countries, and there is a consistent association with development. Our purpose was to describe trends in colorectal cancer mortality in Latin America between 1990 and 2019, identifying differences by human development categories.

METHODS

We extracted age-adjusted mortality rate from the Global Burden of Disease (GBD) Study from 22 Latin American countries, subregions, and country groups previously ranked by the GBD study due to Sociodemographic Index (SDI) between 1990 and 2019. We applied the segmented regression model to analyze the time trend. Also, we estimated the correlation between mortality rates and Human Development Index (HDI) categories for countries.

RESULTS

Between 1990 and 2019, colorectal cancer adjusted mortality rate increased by 20.56% in Latin America (95% CI 19.75% - 21.25%). Between 1990 and 2004, the average annual percentage change (APC) was 0.11% per year (95% CI 0.10-0.12), and between 2004 and 2019 there was a deceleration (APC = 0.04% per year, 95% CI 0.03%- 0.05%). There is great heterogeneity among the countries of the region. Correlation between these two variables was 0.52 for 1990 and 2019. When separated into HDI groups, the correlation varied in the direction of the association and its magnitude, typifying an effect modification known as Simpson's Paradox.

CONCLUSIONS

Human development factors may be important for assessing variation in cancer mortality on a global scale. Studies that assess the social and -economic contexts of countries are necessary for robust evaluation and provision of preventive, diagnostic and curative services to reduce cancer mortality in Latin America.

Psychological Impact and Coping Strategies of Hispanic Parents of Children with Cancer: A Qualitative Study

Throughout the cancer trajectory, parents of childhood cancer survivors (CCSs) may experience mental and social challenges requiring continual adaptation to cancer-induced stress. Using Lazarus and Folkman's Transactional Model of Stress and Coping framework, this qualitative study aimed to describe Hispanic parents' psychological health and explore their coping strategies. Purposive sampling was used to recruit 15 Hispanic caregivers from a safety-net hospital in Los Angeles County. To be eligible, participants had to be: the primary caregiver of a CCS who had completed active treatment, the primary caregiver or child self-identified as Hispanic, and proficient in English or Spanish. The interviews lasted approximately 60 min, were audio-recorded (in English and Spanish), and professionally transcribed. Data were analyzed following a thematic content analysis with deductive and inductive approaches on Dedoose. Participants described high levels of stress and fear when their child was diagnosed with cancer. They also shared experiencing symptoms of social anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder, and depression. Participants' coping strategies were encompassed by three major themes: problem-focused, emotion-focused, and avoidant coping strategies. Problem-focused coping strategies included self-efficacy, behavioral change, and social support. Emotion-focused coping strategies included religious practices and positive reframing. Avoidant coping strategies included denial and self-distraction. Despite the evident disparities in psychological health for Hispanic parents of CCSs, gaps remain in designing a culturally tailored program to help alleviate the caregiver burden. This study provides insights regarding coping strategies that Hispanic caregivers use to deal with the psychological impact of their child's cancer diagnosis. Our findings also delve into the contextual and cultural factors that impact psychological adjustment.

Low-Value Prostate-Specific Antigen Screening in Older Males

Importance

The US Preventive Services Task Force guidelines advise against prostate-specific antigen (PSA) screening for prostate cancer in males older than 69 years due to the risk of false-positive results and overdiagnosis of indolent disease. However, this low-value PSA screening in males aged 70 years or older remains common.

Objective

To characterize the factors associated with low-value PSA screening in males 70 years or older.

Design, Setting, and Participants

This survey study used data from the 2020 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS), a nationwide annual survey conducted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention that collects information via telephone from more than 400 000 US adults on behavioral risk factors, chronic illnesses, and use of preventive services. The final cohort comprised male respondents to the 2020 BRFSS survey who were categorized into the following age groups: 70 to 74 years, 75 to 79 years, or 80 years or older. Males with a former or current prostate cancer diagnosis were excluded.

Main Outcomes and Measures

The outcomes were recent PSA screening rates and factors associated with low-value PSA screening. Recent screening was defined as PSA testing within the past 2 years. Weighted multivariable logistic regressions and 2-sided significance tests were used to characterize factors associated with recent screening.

Results

The cohort included 32 306 males. Most of these males (87.6%) were White individuals, whereas 1.1% were American Indian, 1.2% were Asian, 4.3% were Black, and 3.4% were Hispanic individuals. Within this cohort, 42.8% of respondents were aged 70 to 74 years, 28.4% were aged 75 to 79 years, and 28.9% were 80 years or older. The recent PSA screening rates were 55.3% for males in the 70-to-74-year age group, 52.1% in the 75-to-79-year age group, and 39.4% in the 80-year-or-older group. Among all racial groups, non-Hispanic White males had the highest screening rate (50.7%), and non-Hispanic American Indian males had the lowest screening rate (32.0%). Screening increased with higher educational level and annual income. Married respondents were screened more than unmarried males. In a multivariable regression model, discussing PSA testing advantages with a clinician (odds ratio [OR], 9.09; 95% CI, 7.60-11.40; P < .001) was associated with increased recent screening, whereas discussing PSA testing disadvantages had no association with screening (OR, 0.95; 95% CI, 0.77-1.17; P = .60). Other factors associated with a higher screening rate included having a primary care physician, a post-high school educational level, and income of more than $25 000 per year.

Conclusions and Relevance

Results of this survey study suggest that older male respondents to the 2020 BRFSS survey were overscreened for prostate cancer despite the age cutoff for PSA screening recommended in national guidelines. Discussing the benefits of PSA testing with a clinician was associated with increased screening, underscoring the potential of clinician-level interventions to reduce overscreening in older males.

Patient and Nodule Characteristics Associated With a Lung Cancer Diagnosis Among Individuals With Incidentally Detected Lung Nodules

BACKGROUND

Pulmonary nodules are a common incidental finding on CT imaging. Few studies have described patient and nodule characteristics associated with a lung cancer diagnosis using a population-based cohort.

RESEARCH QUESTION

Does a relationship exist between patient and nodule characteristics and lung cancer among individuals with incidentally detected pulmonary nodules, and can this information be used to create exploratory lung cancer prediction models with reasonable performance characteristics?

STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS

We conducted a retrospective cohort study of adults older than 18 years with lung nodules of any size incidentally detected by chest CT imaging between 2005 and 2015. All patients had at least 2 years of complete follow-up. To evaluate the relationship between patient and nodule characteristics and lung cancer, we used binomial regression. We used logistic regression to create prediction models, and we internally validated model performance using bootstrap optimism correction.

RESULTS

Among 7,240 patients with a median age of 67 years, 56% of whom were women, with a median BMI of 28 kg/m2, 56% of whom were ever smokers, 31% of whom had prior nonlung malignancy, with a median nodule size 5.6 mm, 57% of whom had multiple nodules, and 40% of whom had an upper lobe nodule, 265 patients (3.7%; 95% CI, 3.2%-4.1%) had a diagnosis of lung cancer. In a multivariate analysis, age, sex, BMI, smoking history, and nodule size and location were associated with a lung cancer diagnosis, whereas prior malignancy and nodule number and laterality were not. We were able to construct two prediction models with an area under the curve value of 0.75 (95% CI, 0.72-0.80) and reasonable calibration.

INTERPRETATION

Lung cancer is uncommon among individuals with incidentally detected lung nodules. Some, but not all, previously identified factors associated with lung cancer also were associated with this outcome in this sample. These findings may have implications for clinical practice, future practice guidelines, and the development of novel lung cancer prediction models for individuals with incidentally detected lung nodules.

Patient perspectives of prostate cancer screening vary by race following 2018 guideline changes

BACKGROUND

The 2018 US Preventive Services Task Force guidelines recommend individualizing prostate cancer screening in 55- to 69-year-old men. Given the higher incidence of prostate cancer in African American (AA) compared to non-Hispanic White (NHW) men, this study compared reported rates of prostate-specific antigen (PSA) screening hypothesizing that it would not be commensurate with the relative risk between these two groups.

METHODS

Using the 2020 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System, we identified 43,685 men (40,301 NHW and 3384 AA) interviewed about PSA screening.

RESULTS

AA men had an odds ratio (OR) of 0.80 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.69-0.93; p = .004) of reporting PSA screening; sequentially correcting for access to care, smoking, and age had minimal effect on this finding, but when correcting for income significantly attenuated this difference (OR, 0.95; 95% CI, 0.81-1.12). Further adding education level eliminated the effect size of AA race entirely with OR, 0.99 (95% CI, 0.84-1.17; p = .91). Further analysis found significant interaction between education and race, with college-educated AA men having 1.42 OR of receiving screening compared to college-educated NHW men.

CONCLUSIONS

Despite prostate cancer being more common and having higher population-level mortality in AA than NHW men, PSA screening and education patterns do not reflect this increased risk even when adjusting for health access disparities. The authors' findings of significant effect from both income and education suggest that systemic racism is an important factor in the observed difference in PSA screening between AA men and NHW men.

LAY SUMMARY

In the United States, prostate cancer is more common in African American men New guidelines from 2018 encourage physicians to consider risk factors in deciding whether or not to recommend screening, but overall African American men continue to be screened at a lower rate than non-Hispanic White men This effect disappears when correcting for income and education level, suggesting that several factors including systemic racism, medical mistrust, and self-advocacy may impact this observed difference.

Conceptions of Legacy Among People Making Treatment Choices for Serious Illness: Protocol for a Scoping Review

BACKGROUND

Legacy-what one leaves behind and how one hopes to be remembered after death-is an unexplored and important dimension of decision-making for people facing serious illnesses. A preliminary literature review suggests that patients facing serious illness consider legacy when making medical decisions, for example, forgoing expensive treatment with limited or unknown clinical benefit to preserve one's inheritance for their children. To date, very little is known about the conceptual foundations of legacy. No conceptual frameworks exist that provide a comprehensive understanding of how legacy considerations relate to patient choices about their medical care.

OBJECTIVE

The objective of this scoping review is to understand the extent and type of research addressing the concept of legacy by people facing serious illness to inform a conceptual framework of legacy and patient treatment choices.

METHODS

This protocol follows the guidelines put forth by Levac et al, which expands the framework introduced by Arksey and O'Malley, as well as the Joanna Briggs Institute Reviewer's manual. This scoping review will explore several electronic databases including PubMed, Medline, CINAHL, Cochrane Library, PsycINFO, and others and will include legacy-specific gray literature, including dissertation research available via ProQuest. An initial search will be conducted in English-language literature from 1990 to the present with selected keywords to identify relevant articles and refine the search strategy. After the search strategy has been finalized, 2 independent reviewers will undertake a 2-part study selection process. In the first step, reviewers will screen article titles and abstracts to identify the eligibility of each article based on predetermined exclusion or inclusion criteria. A third senior reviewer will arbitrate discrepancies regarding inclusions or exclusions. During the second step, the full texts will be screened by 2 reviewers, and only relevant articles will be kept. Relevant study data will be extracted, collated, and charted to summarize the key findings related to the construct of legacy.

RESULTS

This study will identify how people facing serious illness define legacy, and how their thinking about legacy impacts the choices they make about their medical treatments. We will note gaps in the literature base. The findings of this study will inform a conceptual model that outlines how ideas about legacy impact the patient's treatment choices. The results of this study will be submitted to an indexed journal.

CONCLUSIONS

Very little is known about the role of legacy in the treatment decisions of patients across the continuum of serious illness. In particular, no comprehensive conceptual model exists that would provide an understanding of how legacy is considered by people making decisions about their care during serious illness. This study will be among the first to construct a conceptual model detailing how considerations of legacy impact medical decision-making for people facing or living with serious illnesses.

INTERNATIONAL REGISTERED REPORT IDENTIFIER (IRRID)

DERR1-10.2196/40791.

Housing Insecurity Among Patients With Cancer

Social determinants of health are the economic and environmental conditions under which people are born, live, work, and age that affect health. These structural factors underlie many of the long-standing inequities in cancer care and outcomes that vary by geography, socioeconomic status, and race and ethnicity in the United States. Housing insecurity, including lack of safe, affordable, and stable housing, is a key social determinant of health that can influence-and be influenced by-cancer care across the continuum, from prevention to screening, diagnosis, treatment, and survivorship. During 2021, the National Cancer Policy Forum of the National Academies of Science, Engineering, and Medicine sponsored a series of webinars addressing social determinants of health, including food, housing, and transportation insecurity, and their associations with cancer care and patient outcomes. This dissemination commentary summarizes the formal presentations and panel discussions from the webinar devoted to housing insecurity. It provides an overview of housing insecurity and health care across the cancer control continuum, describes health system interventions to minimize the impact of housing insecurity on patients with cancer, and identifies challenges and opportunities for addressing housing insecurity and improving health equity. Systematically identifying and addressing housing insecurity to ensure equitable access to cancer care and reduce health disparities will require ongoing investment at the practice, systems, and broader policy levels.

Association between changes in loneliness identified through screening and changes in depression or anxiety in older adults

BACKGROUND

Changes in loneliness are associated with corresponding changes in depression, anxiety, and general health in population surveys, but few studies have assessed these associations through repeated screening in clinical settings.

METHODS

Retrospective cohort study among individuals ≥age 65 in an integrated health care system who completed loneliness screening before two annual wellness visits, separated by a mean of 12.9 (SD 2.0) months, between 2013 and 2018. Their responses identified four subgroups: individuals who were persistently lonely; not lonely; experienced an increase (recently lonely); or decrease (previously lonely) in loneliness. Loneliness was assessed with a single item. Depression was assessed with the Patient Health Questionnaire-2. Anxiety was assessed with the Generalized Anxiety Disorder-2. Fair/poor general health was assessed by a single item. Linear mixed effects models assessed changes in outcomes after covariate adjustment.

RESULTS

The cohort comprised 24,666 individuals (19.2% of older adults in the system). Mean age was 73.7 years (SD 6.4); 54.6% were female, and 11.6% were members of racial and ethnic minority groups. Of these individuals, 1936 (7.8%) were persistently lonely, 1687 (6.8%) were recently lonely, 1551 (6.3%) were previously lonely, and 19,492 (79.0%) were not lonely at either time point. After adjustment for sociodemographic, clinical and social variables, recent loneliness was associated with increases in depression (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 1.76, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.41-2.19) and anxiety (aOR 1.67, 95% CI 1.32-2.10). Previous loneliness was associated with decreases in depression (aOR, 0.46, 95% CI 0.36-0.58) and anxiety (aOR 0.69, 95% CI 0.54-0.90). Changes in loneliness were not associated with changes in general health.

CONCLUSIONS

Changes in loneliness identified through screening were associated with corresponding changes in depression and anxiety. These findings support the potential value of identifying social risk factors in clinical settings among older adults.

Social risks and social needs in a health insurance exchange sample: a longitudinal evaluation of utilization

Background

Health systems are increasingly attempting to intervene on social adversity as a strategy to improve health care outcomes. To inform health system efforts to screen for social adversity, we sought to explore the stability of social risk and interest in assistance over time and to evaluate whether the social risk was associated with subsequent healthcare utilization.

Methods

We surveyed Kaiser Permanente members receiving subsidies from the healthcare exchange in Southern California to assess their social risk and desire for assistance using the Accountable Health Communities instrument. A subset of initial respondents was randomized to be re-surveyed at either three or six months later.

Results

A total of 228 participants completed the survey at both time points. Social risks were moderate to strongly stable across three and six months (Kappa range = .59-.89); however, social adversity profiles that included participants’ desire for assistance were more labile (3-month Kappa = .52; 95% CI = .41-.64 & 6-month Kappa = .48; 95% CI = .36-.6). Only housing-related social risks were associated with an increase in acute care (emergency, urgent care) six months after initial screening; no other associations between social risk and utilization were observed.

Conclusions

This study suggests that screening for social risk may be appropriate at intervals of six months, or perhaps longer, but that assessing desire for assistance may need to occur more frequently. Housing risks were associated with increases in acute care. Health systems may need to engage in screening and referral to resources to improve overall care and ultimately patient total health.

Association Between Primary Care Use Prior to Cancer Diagnosis and Subsequent Cancer Mortality in the Veterans Affairs Health System

IMPORTANCE

Primary care physicians (PCPs) are significant contributors of early cancer detection, yet few studies have investigated whether consistent primary care translates to improved downstream outcomes.

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the association of prediagnostic primary care use with metastatic disease at diagnosis and cancer-specific mortality (CSM).

DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS

This cohort study used databases with primary care and referral linkage from multiple Veterans' Affairs centers from 2004 to 2017 and had a 68-month median follow-up. Analysis was completed between July 2021 and September 2022. Participants included veterans older than 39 years who had been diagnosed with 1 of 12 cancers. Inclusion criteria included known clinical staging, survival follow-up, cause of death, and receiving care at the Veterans Affairs health system (VA).

EXPOSURES

Prediagnostic PCP use, measured in the 5 years prior to diagnosis. PCP visits were binned into none (0 visits), some (1-4 visits), and annual (5 visits).

MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES

Metastatic disease at diagnosis, cancer-specific mortality (CSM) for entire cohort and stratified by tumor subtype.

RESULTS

Among 245 425 patients representing 12 tumor subtypes, mean age was 65.8 (9.3) years, and the cohort skewed male (97.6%), and White (76.1%), with higher levels of comorbidity (58.6% with Charlson Comorbidity Index scores ≥2). Compared with no prior visit, some PCP use was associated with 26% decreased odds of metastatic disease at diagnosis (odds ratio [OR], 0.74; 95% CI, 0.71-0.76; P < .001) and 12% reduced risk of CSM (subdistribution hazard ratio [SHR], 0.88; 95% CI, 0.86-0.89; P < .001). Annual PCP use was associated with 39% decreased odds of metastatic disease (OR, 0.61; 95% CI, 0.59-0.63; P < .001) and 21% reduced risk of CSM (SHR, 0.79; 95% CI, 0.77-0.81; P < .001). Among tumor subtypes, prostate cancer had the largest effect size for prior PCP use on metastatic disease at diagnosis (OR for annual use, 0.32; 95% CI, 0.30-0.35; P < .001) and CSM (SHRfor annual use, 0.51; 95% CI, 0.48-0.55; P < .001).

CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE

In this cohort study, increased primary care use before cancer diagnosis was associated with significant decreases in metastatic disease at diagnosis and cancer-related death, with potentially the greatest difference from annual use. PCPs play a vital role in cancer prevention, and additional resources should be allocated to assist these physicians.

Financial concerns of people enrolled in the CAFÉ cancer financial navigation trial

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Background: CAFÉ is a three-arm randomized controlled trial testing whether financial navigation for people with cancer improves quality of life and financial distress compared to enhanced usual care at two integrated health systems (Kaiser Permanente Washington, KPWA; and Kaiser Permanente Northwest, KPNW). Our current objective was to describe financial concerns reported by a subset of participants enrolled and receiving financial navigation in the trial. Methods: We descriptively summarized the financial concerns in participants randomized to receive financial navigation between August 2021 and May 2022 (Total n = 135; KPWA = 75 and KPNW = 60). Participants received either one or three proactive outreach with financial concerns assessment plus any participant-initiated assessment. Navigators followed up with personalized liaison and warm handoff to resources and coordinated with oncology care team and organizational partners about participant cost concerns. We used the study’s bespoke REDCap database, including participant sociodemographic and clinical characteristics and discrete notes entered by CAFE financial navigators. During financial concerns assessments, CAFE navigators recorded the type of each concern: planning and budgeting; care decision-making; or acute financial needs; resource referrals provided; and time to concern resolution. Results: The sample was 36% male; mean age 61 years; and 62% married or living with a partner. Self-reported race/ethnicity was 9% Black, 15% other, and 76% White; 6% reported Hispanic/Latino ethnicity. 43% reported less than four-year college education. Cancer types were 38% breast; 16% prostate; 6% colorectal; 4% lung; and 36% other types. 5% had Medicaid and 44% Medicare. 58% reported < $75,000 total family income in 2021. 16% were enrolled in the KP medical financial assistance (MFA) program. Navigators documented 179 assessments. Number of concerns/participant ranged from zero to 5 (mean = 1.3 concerns/participant). Participants reported a financial concern at 61% of assessments. The most common concern was planning/budgeting (68%), followed by acute financial needs (28%) and care decision-making (3%). Mean time-to-resolution was 22 days (planning/budgeting); 27 days (acute needs) and 33 days (clinical decision-making). The most common resource referrals included the KP MFA (77 times); coordination with KP member services (73 times) (e.g., for cost estimates), community resource navigators (35 times) and nurse navigators (25), and patient financial services (i.e. billing, 10). Conclusions: Proactive assessment by oncology financial navigators identifies financial concerns related to planning for cancer care expenses and acute financial needs. Concerns related to financial hardship as a factor in clinical decision-making were rare. Resource referrals varied by concern type, with time-to-resolution ranging from 22-33 days. Clinical trial information: NCT05018000.

Longitudinal assessment of material financial hardship and food insecurity among families of Hispanic/Latino and non-Hispanic/Latino White childhood patients with cancer

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Background: Cancer is the second leading cause of death among US children. Among Hispanic/Latino (H/L) childhood cancer patients, social, economic, and cultural barriers increase risk for limited access to cancer care and poor health outcomes. We compared the prevalence of material financial hardship (MFH) and food insecurity over time between H/L and non-H/L White families of childhood cancer patients. We hypothesized H/L families would have higher MFH and food insecurity. Methods: In this prospective observational study, parents/guardians (n = 107) of children with newly diagnosed cancer and receiving treatment at Rady Children’s Hospital San Diego were enrolled from July 2019 to November 2021. Eligible participants included primary caregivers of a child aged 0-17 years who was newly diagnosis with cancer and who were able to write and speak English or Spanish. The primary outcomes of MFH and food insecurity were collected via survey at baseline, 3-, 6-, 12- and 24-months following enrollment. Sociodemographic and clinical characteristics were collected at baseline only. Separate generalized estimating equation models with binomial distribution and exchangeable correlation structure were used to assess the longitudinal associations between H/L ethnicity with MFH and food insecurity, adjusting for sociodemographic covariates. Results: Study participants included 61 H/L (57%) and 46 non-H/L White (43%) parents/guardians. The majority were married (74%), < 45 years old (80%), primarily spoke English at home (74%) and had public insurance (55%). At baseline, MFH was reported by 63% of H/Ls and 38% of non-H/L Whites, while food insecurity was reported by 56% of H/Ls and 44% of non-H/L Whites. In adjusted GEE models, H/Ls experienced a lower, though non-significant, risk of both MFH (adjusted Odds Ratio [ORadj] = 0.85, 95% Confidence Interval [95% CI]:0.39-1.87] and food insecurity (ORadj = 0.58, 95% CI:0.22-1.55) over time, compared to non-H/L Whites. Public insurance was associated with increased risk of MFH (ORadj = 2.71, 95% CI:1.23-5.96] and food insecurity (ORadj = 4.09, 95% CI:1.39, 12.05) over time, compared to private insurance. Conclusions: In this prospective study, self-reported MFH and food security were highly prevalent in the 24 months following baseline, though they did not significantly differ between H/L and non-H/L White parents/caregivers. Public insurance was associated with excess risk of both MFH and food insecurity, over time. Despite no observed differences, it is imperative that larger, prospective studies investigate the long-term patterns of social risks among underserved and underrepresented families of childhood cancer patients, as well as the association between social risk and cancer outcomes.

Health insurance coverage patterns before and after a cancer diagnosis: Findings from adult patients with cancer in an integrated health system

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Background: Patients diagnosed with cancer experience intense medical care and high costs associated with the disease and its treatment. As a result, patients may consider changes to their health insurance coverage to adjust the medical benefits covered and/or the cost-sharing (e.g., annual maximum out-of-pocket [MOOP] limit) requirements. The purpose of this study was to assess the patterns of health insurance plan coverage patterns prior to and following a diagnosis of cancer among adult patients. Methods: Data from 13,237 patients aged ≥18, enrolled at Kaiser Permanente Northwest, diagnosed with cancer between Jan. 1, 2016–March 31, 2021 [index cancer], with ≥12 months of continuous health insurance coverage pre-cancer diagnosis were included. Patients enrolled in hospice prior to index cancer were excluded. Health insurance coverage outcomes included (1) coverage patterns (maintenance, interruption, termination, switch); (2) a composite of any coverage changes; and (3) cost-sharing patterns. Monthly health plan membership enrollment data was used to assess outcomes between two time periods: pre-diagnosis (12 months prior to index cancer) and post-diagnosis (12-18 months following index cancer). Patient sociodemographic, enrollment, health plan and clinical data were extracted from the electronic health record (EHR). Descriptive statistics were used to assess outcomes. Results: Approximately 40% of patients were ages 18-64, 54% were female and 9% were non-White. At index cancer diagnosis, 60% of patients had Medicare, 37% had a commercial plan and 3% had Medicaid. Among patients aged 18-64, 62% had any change in health insurance coverage between pre- to post-cancer diagnosis, including 41% who switched plans, 19% who terminated and 2% with an interruption. Among patients aged 65+, 50% of patients had any change in health insurance coverage, including 20% who switched plans, 30% who terminated and < 1% with an interruption. For those who switched plans between the pre- to post-diagnosis periods, the most common patterns included switching out of commercial plans (-11% points) and switching into either Medicare (+9% points) or Medicaid (+5% points). Among all patients, 14% changed to a higher cost-sharing plan (difference in mean individual, in-network MOOP limit: $938) and 10% changed to a lower cost-sharing plan (difference in mean individual, in-network MOOP limit: -$1701). Conclusions: Our novel findings provide valuable information about health insurance plan coverage patterns among adults diagnosed with cancer and suggest a large proportion of patients may undergo changes to their health insurance coverage. Future studies that assess the implications of health insurance changes on care access and cancer outcomes are warranted.

Association of prevalent social risks with treatment initiation among patients with cancer

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Background: Social risks are adverse conditions that may serve as barriers to health care and lead to poor health outcomes. Among individuals with cancer, social risks like financial hardship have been associated with delayed treatment and increased mortality. However, little is known about the association of multiple prevalent social risks with cancer treatment initiation. In this study, we assessed the prevalence of social risks at time of cancer diagnosis and their association with treatment initiation. Methods: Data from patients aged ≥18, enrolled at Kaiser Permanente Northwest, diagnosed with cancer between June 1, 2017-December 31, 2019 and screened for social risks within 90 days pre-cancer diagnosis (baseline) were included. Baseline social risks included financial hardship, food insecurity, housing instability, and transportation difficulties. Cox proportional hazards regression models were used to assess the outcome of time to treatment initiation. Patients were censored at disenrollment or end of the study observation (February 29, 2020). Separate models were used to measure associations of any baseline social risks and time-to-treatment, each individual social risk, and a combined model with all 4 social risk variables. Confounding was controlled propensity score overlap weighting, estimated as a function of age at diagnosis, sex, race/ethnicity, Elixhauser comorbidity index, education, household income, NDI, cancer type, stage, and days from social risk assessment to cancer diagnosis. Results: Among the 549 patients, 49% were female and the mean age was 66 years (SD = 14). 105 (19%) patients reported any baseline social risk. The most common prevalent social risk was financial hardship (12.8%), followed by housing instability (9.1%), food insecurity (6.4%), and transportation difficulties (5.7%). In separate adjusted models, presence of any baseline social risk was associated with lower risk of treatment initiation (HR = 0.69, p = 0.040) and financial hardship was associated with lower risk of treatment initiation (HR = 0.63, p = 0.032). Conclusions: This study provides evidence that social risks at the time of cancer diagnosis are associated with lower risk of treatment initiation. Among individual social risks, financial hardship was a major barrier to initiation of cancer treatment. Our findings highlight the importance of screening for and addressing social risks at time of cancer diagnosis to reduce the risk of poor cancer care and subsequent health outcomes.

The Association Between Social Isolation and Memory Loss Among Older Adults

INTRODUCTION

Social isolation among older individuals is associated with poor health outcomes. However, less is known about the association between social isolation and memory loss, specifically among Medicare enrollees in large, integrated health care systems.

METHODS

We conducted a cross-sectional, observational study. From a cohort of 46,240 Medicare members aged 65 years and older at Kaiser Permanente Northwest (KPNW) who completed a health questionnaire, we compared self-reported memory loss of those who reported feeling lonely or socially isolated and those who did not, adjusting for demographic factors, health conditions, and use of health services in the 12 months before the survey.

RESULTS

Patients who reported sometimes experiencing social isolation were more likely than those who rarely or never experienced social isolation to report memory loss in both unadjusted (odds ratio [ORsometimes]: 2.56, 95% CI= 2.42-2.70, P = 0.0076) and adjusted (ORsometimes: 2.45, 95% CI= 2.32-2.60, P = .0298) logistic regression models. Similarly, those who reported social isolation often or always were more likely to report memory loss than those who reported rarely or never experiencing isolation in both unadjusted (ORoften/always: 5.50, 95% CI = 5.06-5.99, P < .0001) and adjusted logistic regression models (ORoften/always: 5.20, 95% CI = 4.75-5.68, P < .0001).

CONCLUSIONS

The strong association between social isolation and memory loss suggest the need to develop interventions to reduce isolation and to evaluate their effects on potential future memory loss.

Association of Social Risk Factors With Mortality Among US Adults With a New Cancer Diagnosis

This cohort study examines the associations of multiple social risk factors with mortality risk among patients newly diagnosed with cancer in the US.

Navigating financial toxicity in patients with cancer: A multidisciplinary management approach

Approximately one-half of individuals with cancer face personal economic burdens associated with the disease and its treatment, a problem known as financial toxicity (FT). FT more frequently affects socioeconomically vulnerable individuals and leads to subsequent adverse economic and health outcomes. Whereas multilevel systemic factors at the policy, payer, and provider levels drive FT, there are also accompanying intervenable patient-level factors that exacerbate FT in the setting of clinical care delivery. The primary strategy to intervene on FT at the patient level is financial navigation. Financial navigation uses comprehensive assessment of patients' risk factors for FT, guidance toward support resources, and referrals to assist patient financial needs during cancer care. Social workers or nurse navigators most frequently lead financial navigation. Oncologists and clinical provider teams are multidisciplinary partners who can support optimal FT management in the context of their clinical roles. Oncologists and clinical provider teams can proactively assess patient concerns about the financial hardship and employment effects of disease and treatment. They can respond by streamlining clinical treatment and care delivery planning and incorporating FT concerns into comprehensive goals of care discussions and coordinated symptom and psychosocial care. By understanding how age and life stage, socioeconomic, and cultural factors modify FT trajectory, oncologists and multidisciplinary health care teams can be engaged and informative in patient-centered, tailored FT management. The case presentations in this report provide a practical context to summarize authors' recommendations for patient-level FT management, supported by a review of key supporting evidence and a discussion of challenges to mitigating FT in oncology care. CA Cancer J Clin. 2022;72:437-453.

Fleischner Society Guideline Recommendations for Incidentally Detected Pulmonary Nodules and the Probability of Lung Cancer

PURPOSE

The Fleischner Society aims to limit further evaluations of incidentally detected pulmonary nodules when the probability of lung cancer is <1% and to pursue further evaluations when the probability of lung cancer is ≥1%. To evaluate the internal consistency of guideline goals and recommendations, the authors evaluated stratum-specific recommendations and 2-year probabilities of lung cancer.

METHODS

A retrospective cohort study (2005-2015) was conducted of individuals enrolled in one of two integrated health systems with solid nodules incidentally detected on CT. The 2017 Fleischner Society guidelines were used to define strata on the basis of smoking status and nodule size and number. Lung cancer diagnoses within 2 years of nodule detection were ascertained using cancer registry data. Confidence interval (CI) inspection was used to determine if stratum-specific probabilities of lung cancer were different than 1%.

RESULTS

Among 5,444 individuals with incidentally detected lung nodule (median age, 66 years; 54% women; 57% smoked; median nodule size, 5.5 mm; 55% with multiple nodules) 214 (3.9%; 95% CI, 3.4%-4.5%) were diagnosed with lung cancer within 2 years. For 7 of 12 strata (58%), 2,765 patients (51%), and 194 lung cancer cases (91%), there was alignment between Fleischner Society goals and recommendations. Alignment was indeterminate for 5 strata (42%), 2,679 patients (49%), and 20 lung cancer cases (9%) because CIs for the probability of lung cancer spanned 1%.

CONCLUSIONS

Fleischner Society guideline goals and recommendations align at least half the time. It is uncertain whether alignment of guideline goals and recommendations occurs more often.

Changes in Cancer Mortality by Race and Ethnicity Following the Implementation of the Affordable Care Act in California

Although Affordable Care Act (ACA) implementation has improved cancer outcomes, less is known about how much the improvement applies to different racial and ethnic populations. We examined changes in health insurance coverage and cancer-specific mortality rates by race/ethnicity pre- and post-ACA. We identified newly diagnosed breast (n = 117,738), colorectal (n = 38,334), and cervical cancer (n = 11,109) patients < 65 years in California 2007-2017. Hazard rate ratios (HRR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) were calculated using multivariable Cox regression to estimate risk of cancer-specific death pre- (2007-2010) and post-ACA (2014-2017) and by race/ethnicity [American Indian/Alaska Natives (AIAN); Asian American; Hispanic; Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander (NHPI); non-Hispanic Black (NHB); non-Hispanic white (NHW)]. Cancer-specific mortality from colorectal cancer was lower post-ACA among Hispanic (HRR = 0.82, 95% CI = 0.74 to 0.92), NHB (HRR = 0.69, 95% CI = 0.58 to 0.82), and NHW (HRR = 0.90; 95% CI = 0.84 to 0.97) but not Asian American (HRR = 0.95, 95% CI = 0.82 to 1.10) patients. We observed a lower risk of death from cervical cancer post-ACA among NHB women (HRR = 0.68, 95% CI = 0.47 to 0.99). No statistically significant differences in breast cancer-specific mortality were observed for any racial or ethnic group. Cancer-specific mortality decreased following ACA implementation for colorectal and cervical cancers for some racial and ethnic groups in California, suggesting Medicaid expansion is associated with reductions in health inequity.

Increasing primary care utilization prior to cancer diagnosis in association with cancer mortality

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Background: Primary care physicians (PCPs) are significant contributors of early cancer detection yet few studies have investigated whether consistent primary care translates to improved downstream outcomes. We evaluated the impact of prior PCP utilization on metastatic disease at diagnosis and cancer-specific mortality (CSM) for a general cancer cohort and 12 tumor subtypes. Methods: We identified cancer patients ≥40 years, diagnosed from 2004-2017 within the Veterans Health Administration. For our 5-year pre-diagnostic period, we binned PCP visits into none (0 visits), some (1-4), and annual (5). Multivariable logistic regression assessed the effect of PCP utilization on metastatic disease at diagnosis and Fine-Gray regression with non-cancer death as a competing event evaluated their effect on cancer-specific mortality (CSM). These were repeated for each subtype. Results: Among 245,425 patients, mean age was 66 years with 5.7-year median follow-up. Compared with 0 visits, some PCP utilization was associated with 26% reduced odds of metastatic disease at diagnosis (odds ratio (OR), 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.74 [0.71-0.76] P<0.01) and 12% lower risk of CSM (hazard ratio (HR), 95% CI: 0.88 [0.86-0.89] P<0.01). Annual PCP utilization was associated with 39% reduced odds of metastatic disease (OR, 95% CI: 0.61 [0.59-0.63] P<0.01) and 21% lower risk of CSM (HR, 95% CI: 0.79 [0.77-0.81] P<0.01). Among subtypes, prostate cancer had the largest effect size for PCP utilization on metastatic disease at diagnosis (ORannual, 95% CI: 0.32 [0.30-0.35] P<0.01) and CSM (HRannual, 95% CI: 0.51 [0.48-0.55] P<0.01). Pancreas cancer had the lowest effect size on metastatic disease at diagnosis (ORannual, 95% CI: 0.87 [0.73-1.04] P: 0.12) and CSM (HRannual, 95% CI: 0.89 [0.82-0.97] P<0.01). The table displays additional subtypes. Conclusions: Increased PCP utilization prior to cancer diagnosis is associated with a significant decrease in metastatic disease at diagnosis and CSM, with annual utilization associated with the greatest decrease. These results are consistent when stratifying by tumor subtype. Consistent primary care must be emphasized for patients at risk of cancer. [Table: see text]

Changes in cancer mortality by race and ethnicity following the Affordable Care Act implementation in California

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Background: Implementation of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) has resulted in improvements in cancer outcomes but the extent to which these apply to specific racial and ethnic populations is unknown. We examined changes in health insurance distributions pre- and post-ACA and assessed cancer-specific mortality rates by race and ethnicity. Methods: The population included 167,181 newly diagnosed breast (n = 117,738), colorectal (n = 38,334), and cervix cancer (n = 11,109) patients younger than 65 years and 141,026 patients 65 years or older in the California Cancer Registry. Hazard rate ratios (HRRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated using multivariable Cox regression to estimate associations with risk of 5-year cancer-specific death for each cancer site pre- (2007-2010) and post-ACA (2014-2017), and by race and ethnicity (American Indian/Alaska Natives, AIAN; Asian Americans; Hispanics; Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islanders, NHPI; non-Hispanic Blacks, NHB; and non-Hispanic whites, NHW). Difference-in-difference analysis was conducted to compare changes over time between younger (< 65 years) and older (65 years and older) patients. Results: Cancer-specific mortality for patients age < 65 was significantly lower post- vs. pre-ACA for colorectal cancer among Hispanic (HRR = 0.83; 95% CI: 0.74-0.93), NHB (HRR = 0.69; 95% CI: 0.58-0.81), and NHW (HRR = 0.90 95% CI: 0.84-0.97) but not Asian American (HRR = 0.95; 95% CI: 0.82-1.10) patients. The HRR for younger NHB colorectal cancer patients was significantly lower than that for patients 65 years of and older (HRR = 1.09; 95% CI, 0.95-1.25, p-interaction < 0.0001). A significantly lower risk of dying from cervix cancer was observed in the post- vs. pre-ACA period among younger NHB women (HRR = 0.68; 95% CI: 0.47-0.99), but this was not significantly different than that for older women (HRR = 0.41; 95% CI, 0.16-1.01, p-interaction = 0.30). No significant differences in breast cancer-specific mortality were observed for any racial or ethnic group. Conclusions: Findings show decreases in cancer-specific mortality for colorectal and cervix cancers for some racial and ethnic groups following ACA implementation in California. These results shed light on ongoing discussions as additional states consider Medicaid expansion. Future studies should assess shifts between health insurance plans resulting from the economic impact of the 2019 novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

Coordinating a multi-disciplinary team to reduce financial hardship from cancer: A clinic-based financial navigator approach

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Background: As efforts to reduce financial hardship within oncology settings increase, development of multidisciplinary approaches based on principles of care coordination – effective communication, shared goals, role clarity, handoff – are essential. Cancer Financial Experiences (CAFÉ) is a randomized controlled trial [NCT05018000] of a financial navigation intervention in two regions of Kaiser Permanente. Our objective was to develop workflows for CAFÉ Financial Navigators (CNs) to provide navigation to trial participants by engaging a multidisciplinary team. Methods: Workflows are based on our conceptual framework of unique care pathways to address financial concerns among cancer patients: resolving acute financial needs; planning for out of pocket (OOP) costs; and making cost-informed care decisions. Influenced by user-centered design, we collected multi-stakeholder perspectives through interviews with approximately 39 staff from 15 departments between 2019-2021 including clinicians (e.g. physicians, nurses, social workers), health care staff (e.g. case managers, patient navigators) and operations/business staff (e.g. business operations analysts, financial counselors). Topics included the current state; existing organizational and informal relationships between operations units; and opportunities for improvement relative to current evidence on patient needs for cancer-related financial navigation. Results: We identified several opportunities to create or enhance workflows to provide financial navigation for oncology patients. We also identified organizational barriers that require further work (e.g., providing detailed oncology-specific fee estimates for treatment and OOP costs). Workflows centered the CN as a primary contact for patients to facilitate engagement with services and ensure effective, consistent connections between patients and care delivery and operations units. We developed (1) cost coordination maps outlining the healthcare team member points of contact within departments and sequence of contacts, for addressing each financial pathway and (2) resource directories that detail the unique financial needs, contact information and role for CNs. We maintained these strategic relationships throughout the trial to serve participants and support sustainability. Conclusions: Our multi-stakeholder strategy aligns clinical and healthcare operations workflows to optimize patient experience and outcomes to reduce financial hardship from cancer. Our work suggests research teams can facilitate process improvement within care delivery settings. However, barriers to certain financial navigation processes remain, reflecting future research needs. An oncology-specific financial navigation model supported by multidisciplinary workflows is key to addressing financial hardship from cancer.

The Cancer Financial Experience (CAFÉ) study: randomized controlled trial of a financial navigation intervention to address cancer-related financial hardship

BACKGROUND

There is an urgent need for evidence on how interventions can prevent or mitigate cancer-related financial hardship. Our objectives are to compare self-reported financial hardship, quality of life, and health services use between patients receiving a financial navigation intervention versus a comparison group at 12 months follow-up, and to assess patient-level factors associated with dose received of a financial navigation intervention.

METHODS

The Cancer Financial Experience (CAFÉ) study is a multi-site randomized controlled trial (RCT) with individual-level randomization. Participants will be offered either brief (one financial navigation cycle, Arm 2) or extended (three financial navigation cycles, Arm 3) financial navigation. The intervention period for both Arms 2 and 3 is 6 months. The comparison group (Arm 1) will receive enhanced usual care. The setting for the CAFÉ study is the medical oncology and radiation oncology clinics at two integrated health systems in the Pacific Northwest. Inclusion criteria includes age 18 or older with a recent cancer diagnosis and visit to a study clinic as identified through administrative data. Outcomes will be assessed at 12-month follow-up. Primary outcomes are self-reported financial distress and health-related quality of life. Secondary outcomes are delayed or foregone care; receipt of medical financial assistance; and account delinquency. A mixed methods exploratory analysis will investigate factors associated with total intervention dose received.

DISCUSSION

The CAFÉ study will provide much-needed early trial evidence on the impact of financial navigation in reducing cancer-related financial hardship. It is theory-informed, clinic-based, aligned with patient preferences, and has been developed following preliminary qualitative studies and stakeholder input. By design, it will provide prospective evidence on the potential benefits of financial navigation on patient-relevant cancer outcomes. The CAFÉ trial's strengths include its broad inclusion criteria, its equity-focused sampling plan, its novel intervention developed in partnership with clinical and operations stakeholders, and mixed methods secondary analyses related to intervention dose offered and dose received. The resulting analytic dataset will allow for rich mixed methods analysis and provide critical information related to implementation of the intervention should it prove effective.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

ClinicalTrials.gov NCT05018000 . August 23, 2021.

Social Risk Factors and Desire for Assistance Among Patients Receiving Subsidized Health Care Insurance in a US-Based Integrated Delivery System

PURPOSE

Because social conditions such as food insecurity and housing instability shape health outcomes, health systems are increasingly screening for and addressing patients' social risks. This study documented the prevalence of social risks and examined the desire for assistance in addressing those risks in a US-based integrated delivery system.

METHODS

A survey was administered to Kaiser Permanente members on subsidized exchange health insurance plans (2018-2019). The survey included questions about 4 domains of social risks, desire for help, and attitudes. We conducted a descriptive analysis and estimated multivariate modified Poisson regression models.

RESULTS

Of 438 participants, 212 (48%) reported at least 1 social risk factor. Housing instability was the most common (70%) factor reported. Members with social risks reported more discomfort being screened for social risks (14.2% vs 5.4%; P = .002) than those without risks, although 90% of participants believed that health systems should assist in addressing social risks. Among those with 1-2 social risks, however, only 27% desired assistance. Non-Hispanic Black participants who reported a social risk were more than twice as likely to desire assistance compared with non-Hispanic White participants (adjusted relative risk [RR] 2.2; 95% CI, 1.3-3.8).

CONCLUSIONS

Athough most survey participants believed health systems have a role in addressing social risks, a minority of those reporting a risk wanted assistance and reported more discomfort being screened for risk factors than those without risks. Health systems should work to increase the comfort of patients in reporting risks, explore how to successfully assist them when desired, and offer resources to address these risks outside the health care sector.VISUAL ABSTRACT.

Association between health-care system and prostate cancer mortality for African American men with localized and metastatic prostate cancer

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Background: African American (AA) men with prostate cancer (PC) present with more advanced disease and have worse survival than comparable non-Hispanic White (White) men. Recent studies suggest that receiving care within an equal access setting may attenuate these disparities. We hypothesize that AA men receiving care within the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) will have improved outcomes compared to AA men receiving care in the general population as assessed by the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) database. Methods: We identified AA men diagnosed with PC between 2004 and 2015 in the VHA and SEER. For comparisons of covariate distributions across subgroups, we used the chi-squared test with continuity correction. We analyzed the cumulative incidence (with 95% confidence intervals (CIs)) of PC specific mortality (PCSM) in the VHA and SEER. Additionally, multivariable Cox proportional hazards models controlling for demographic information were performed. Results: The cohort included 85,409 AA men (VHA: 27,415, SEER: 57,994). Median follow-up was 4.79 years in the VHA and 5.16 years in SEER. In the VHA, AA men were more likely to present with localized disease (VHA 94.7% vs SEER 86.4%, p < 0.001) and less likely to have metastatic disease (3.2% vs 4.3%, p < 0.001). The 5-year cumulative incidence of PCSM was lower for patients in the VHA (VHA: 3.8% [CI: 3.5-4.1%] vs. SEER: 5.0% [CI: 4.8-5.2%], p < 0.001). The PCSM difference was largest in men with metastatic disease. In metastatic patients, cumulative incidence of PCSM at five years was significantly lower in the VHA (VHA 52.5% [CI: 48.0-56.5%] vs. SEER 64.8% [CI: 62.3-67.1%], p < 0.001). In contrast, AA men with localized disease had similar PCSM in the VHA and SEER (VHA 2.4% [CI: 2.2-2.6%] vs. SEER 2.6% [CI: 2.4-2.7%], p = 0.09 at five years). On multivariable analysis, VHA system was associated with lower PCSM [Hazard Ratio (HR): 0.91, p < 0.001]. There was a significant interaction between VHA system and distant metastases at diagnosis [p < 0.001] indicating larger differences in PCSM by healthcare system in metastatic patients as compared to localized patients. VHA system was associated with reduced PCSM in metastatic patients [HR 0.84, p < 0.001] but not in localized patients [HR 0.96, p = 0.13]. Conclusions: AA men in the VHA had a significantly lower incidence of PCSM than those in the SEER database, especially for those who presented with distant metastases at diagnosis. Future work should examine how cost and access to care affect disparities in outcomes for AA men.

Patterns of Medical Care Cost by Service Type for Patients With Recurrent and De Novo Advanced Cancer

OBJECTIVES

There is limited knowledge about the cost patterns of patients who receive a diagnosis of de novo and recurrent advanced cancers in the United States.

METHODS

Data on patients who received a diagnosis of de novo stage IV or recurrent breast, colorectal, or lung cancer between 2000 and 2012 from 3 integrated health systems were used to estimate average annual costs for total, ambulatory, inpatient, medication, and other services during (1) 12 months preceding de novo or recurrent diagnosis (preindex) and (2) diagnosis month through 11 months after (postindex), from the payer perspective. Generalized linear regression models estimated costs adjusting for patient and clinical factors.

RESULTS

Patients who developed a recurrence <1 year after their initial cancer diagnosis had significantly higher total costs in the preindex period than those with recurrence ≥1 year after initial diagnosis and those with de novo stage IV disease across all cancers (all P < .05). Patients with de novo stage IV breast and colorectal cancer had significantly higher total costs in the postindex period than patients with cancer recurrent in <1 year and ≥1 year (all P < .05), respectively. Patients in de novo stage IV and those with recurrence in ≥1 year experienced significantly higher postindex costs than the preindex period (all P < .001).

CONCLUSIONS

Our findings reveal distinct cost patterns between patients with de novo stage IV, recurrent <1-year, and recurrent ≥1-year cancer, suggesting unique care trajectories that may influence resource use and planning. Future cost studies among patients with advanced cancer should account for de novo versus recurrent diagnoses and timing of recurrence to obtain estimates that accurately reflect these care pattern complexities.

Oral Health Care: A Missing Pillar of Total Health Care?

INTRODUCTION

Oral health is an important component of overall health, and preventive dental care is essential for maintaining good oral health. However, many patients face significant barriers to preventive dental care. We examined prevalence of and factors associated with no recent preventive dental care in an adult health plan population.

METHODS

For this cross-sectional study, we used data for 19,672 Kaiser Permanente members aged 25-85 who participated in the 2014/2015 or 2017 Member Health Survey (MHS) and 20,329 Medicaid members who completed an intake questionnaire. We estimated percentages of adults with no preventive dental care (teeth cleaning and examination by a dental professional) in the prior 12 months, overall and among four racial groups, by age, sex, education, income, and dental care cost factors. We used logistic regression to model associations of sociodemographic and cost factors with no preventive dental care. We also examined lack of preventive dental care in subgroups at elevated risk for periodontal disease.

RESULTS

Overall prevalence of no preventive dental care was 21%, with significant differences by race (non-Hispanic White, 19.6%; African-American/Black, 29.3%; Latinx, 24.9%, Asian American/Pacific Islander, 19.6%). Adults with lower educational attainment and household income and dental care cost barriers were more likely to lack preventive dental care. Racial and socioeconomic factors remained significant in the multivariable models. Lack of preventive dental care was fairly common among adults with diabetes, prediabetes, hypertension, smokers, frequent consumption of sugary beverages, and Medicaid coverage.

CONCLUSION

Oral health care should be better integrated with primary medical care to promote adult total health.

Development and validation of an EHR data-based program to identify eligible RCT participants

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Background: Identifying participants for time-sensitive clinical trials such as those with newly diagnosed cancer presents challenges. Manual identification methods, the current standard, can be resource intensive and present challenges with data collection, quality assurance and can introduce bias to the selection process. Electronic health record (EHR) data, designed to optimize clinical care, quality, and billing, may also streamline participant identification and facilitate recruitment. We aim to develop an EHR-based study eligibility program (SEP) to identify participants for recruitment to the Cancer Financial Experience (CAFÉ) randomized trial. Methods: CAFÉ is a NIH-funded randomized trial to test the impact of a novel financial navigation intervention on financial hardship and quality of life for cancer patients. Inclusion criteria: currently enrolled at Kaiser Permanente (KP) Northwest or KP Washington, age ≥18, had a visit to a CAFÉ-participating oncology clinic within last 14 days (defined as qualifying visit), diagnosed with invasive cancer (new or recurrent) within 120 days of qualifying visit, 6 months continuous enrollment prior to qualifying visit, English or Spanish speaker. Exclusion criteria: diagnosis of non-melanoma skin cancer, diagnosis of benign or in-situ tumors, hospice care within last 12 months, unable to complete baseline survey, household member enrolled in CAFÉ study. To assess the validity of the SEP for use in CAFÉ, we extracted EHR data on study inclusion/exclusion criteria for n = 125 patients across both study sites between 3/1/19–2/29/20 to determine eligibility status (eligible, ineligible). Manual EHR review was then conducted on the n = 125 patients to assess inclusion/exclusion criteria and determine eligibility. Results of SEP vs. manual review were compared, noting reasons for discrepancies. Positive predictive value (PPV), negative predictive value (NPV), sensitivity and specificity values were calculated. We herein report results of one site (n = 75), with next steps to complete analysis of the total n = 125 at both sites. Results: The SEP had a PPV of 76%, NPV of 96%, sensitivity of 97% and specificity of 67%, based on n = 75 patients. We identified areas of improvement for the SEP and groups to conduct manual validation during the CAFÉ trial. Potential reasons for lower specificity and lower PPV include: the SEP was identifying patients with a hematologic malignancy (e.g., lymphoma) and a recent visit to oncology, but whose diagnosis date was outside the eligible period; additionally, the SEP was identifying patients with a recent oncology visit, but who had a non-cancer diagnosis (e.g., monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance [MGUS]). Conclusions: Development of a validated EHR-based tool to rapidly identify cancer clinical trial participants offers a low resource option that may overcome challenges associated with manual chart review.

Characterizing employment of colorectal cancer survivors using electronic health records

Objective

Although the value of collecting occupational data is well-established, these data are not systematically collected in clinical practice. We assessed the availability of electronic health record (EHR)-based occupation data within a large integrated health care system to determine the feasibility of its use in research.

Materials and Methods

We used a mixed-methods approach to extract EHR data and define employment status, employer, and employment industry of 1107 colorectal cancer survivors. This was a secondary analysis of a subset of the Patient Outcomes Research to Advance Learning (PORTAL) colorectal cancer cohort.

Results

We categorized the employment industry for 46% of the cohort. Employment status was available for 58% of the cohort. The employer was missing for over 95% of the cohort.

Conclusion

By combining data from structured and free-text EHR fields, we identified employment status and industry for approximately half of our sample. Findings demonstrate limitations of EHR data and underscore the need for systematic collection of occupation data in clinical practice.

Evaluating the Effectiveness of Medical–Dental Integration to Close Preventive and Disease Management Care Gaps

Background:

The integration of medical care into the dental setting has been shown to facilitate the closure of care gaps among patients with unmet needs. However, little is known about whether program effectiveness varies depending on whether the care gap is related to preventive care or disease management.

Materials and Methods:

We used a matched cohort study design to compare closure of care gaps between patients aged 65+ who received care at a Kaiser Permanente Northwest (KPNW) Medical–Dental Integration (MDI) clinic or a non-MDI dental clinic between June 1, 2018, and December 31, 2019. The KPNW MDI program focuses on closing 12 preventive (e.g., flu vaccines) and 11 disease management care gaps (e.g., HbA1c testing) within the dental setting. Using the multivariable logistic regression, we separately analyzed care gap closure rates (yes vs. no) for patients who were overdue for: (1) preventive services only (n = 1,611), (2) disease management services only (n = 538), or (3) both types of services (n = 429), analyzing closure of each care gap type separately. All data were obtained through the electronic health record of KPNW.

Results:

The MDI patients had significantly higher odds of closing preventive care gaps (OR = 1.51, 95% CI = 1.30–1.75) and disease management care gaps (OR = 1.65, 95% CI = 1.27–2.15) than the non-MDI patients when they only had care gaps of one type or the other. However, no significant association was found between MDI and care gap closure when patients were overdue for both care gap types.

Conclusions:

Patients with care gaps related to either preventive care or disease management who received dental care in an MDI clinic had higher odds of closing these care gaps, but we found no evidence that MDI was helpful for those with both types of care gaps.

Practical Implications:

MDI may be an effective model for facilitating the delivery of preventive and disease management services, mainly when patients are overdue for one type of these services. Future research should examine the impact of MDI on long-term health outcomes.

Worry About Daily Financial Needs and Food Insecurity Among Cancer Survivors in the United States

BACKGROUND

A cancer diagnosis can impose substantial medical financial burden on individuals and may limit their ability to work. However, less is known about worry for nonmedical financial needs and food insecurity among cancer survivors.

METHODS

The National Health Interview Survey (2013-2017) was used to identify cancer survivors (age 18-39 years, n=771; age 40-64 years, n=4,269; age ≥65 years, n=7,101) and individuals without a cancer history (age 18-39 years, n=53,262; age 40-64 years, n=60,141; age ≥65 years, n=30,261). For both cancer survivors and the noncancer group, adjusted proportions were generated for (1) financial worry ("very/moderately/not worried") about retirement, standard of living, monthly bills, and housing costs; and (2) food insecurity ("often/sometimes/not true") regarding whether food would run out, the fact that food bought did not last, and the inability to afford balanced meals. Further adjusted analyses examined intensity measures ("severe/moderate/minor or none") of financial worry and food insecurity among cancer survivors only.

RESULTS

Compared with individuals without a cancer history, cancer survivors aged 18 to 39 years reported consistently higher "very worried" levels regarding retirement (25.5% vs 16.9%; P<.001), standard of living (20.4% vs 12.9%; P<.001), monthly bills (14.9% vs 10.3%; P=.002), and housing costs (13.6% vs 8.9%; P=.001); and higher "often true" levels regarding worry about food running out (7.9% vs 4.6%; P=.004), food not lasting (7.6% vs 3.3%; P=.003), and being unable to afford balanced meals (6.3% vs 3.4%; P=.007). Findings were not as consistent for cancer survivors aged 40 to 64 years. In contrast, results were generally similar for adults aged ≥65 years with/without a cancer history. Among cancer survivors, 57.6% (age 18-39 years; P<.001), 51.9% (age 40-64 years; P<.001), and 23.8% (age ≥65 years; referent) reported severe/moderate financial worry intensity, and 27.0% (age 18-39 years; P<.001), 14.8% (age 40-64 years; P<.001), and 6.3% (age ≥65 years; referent) experienced severe/moderate food insecurity intensity. Lower income and higher comorbidities were generally associated with greater intensities of financial worry and food insecurity in all 3 age groups.

CONCLUSIONS

Younger cancer survivors experience greater financial worry and food insecurity. In addition to coping with medical costs, cancer survivors with low income and multiple comorbidities struggle to pay for daily living needs, such as food, housing, and monthly bills.

Association of Financial Worry and Material Financial Risk with Short-Term Ambulatory Healthcare Utilization in a Sample of Subsidized Exchange Patients

BACKGROUND

Financial burden can affect healthcare utilization. Few studies have assessed the short-term associations between material (debt, trouble paying rent) and psychological (worry or distress about affording future healthcare) financial risks, and subsequent outpatient and emergency healthcare use. Worry was defined as concerns about affording future healthcare.

OBJECTIVE

Examine whether worry about affording healthcare is associated with healthcare utilization when controlling for material risk and general anxiety DESIGN: Longitudinal observational study PARTICIPANTS: Kaiser Permanente members with exchange-based federally subsidized health insurance (n = 450, 45% response rate) MAIN MEASURES: Survey measures of financial risks (material difficulty paying for medical care and worry about affording healthcare) and general anxiety. Healthcare use (primary care, urgent care, emergency department, and outpatient specialty visits) in the 6 months following survey completion.

KEY RESULTS

Emergency department and primary care visits were not associated with material risk, worry about affording care, or general anxiety in individual and pooled analyses (all 95% confidence intervals (CI) for relative risk (RR) included 1). Although no individual predictor was associated with urgent care use (all 95% CIs for RR included 1), worry about affording prescriptions (relative risk (RR) = 2.01; 95% CI 1.14, 3.55) and general anxiety (RR = 0.38; 95% CI 0.15, 0.95) were significant when included in the same model, suggesting the two confounded each other. Worry about affording healthcare services was associated with fewer specialty care visits (RR = 0.40; 95% CI 0.25, 0.64) even when controlling for material risk and general anxiety, although general anxiety was also associated with more specialty care visits (RR = 1.98; 95% CI, 1.23, 3.18).

CONCLUSIONS

Screening for both general anxiety and financial worry may assist with specialty care utilization. Identifying these concerns may provide more opportunities to assist patients. Future research should examine interventions to reduce worry about cost of care.

Impact of Radiation on Cardiovascular Outcomes in Older Resectable Esophageal Cancer Patients With Medicare

OBJECTIVES

Preoperative radiotherapy improves outcomes for operable esophageal cancer patients, though the proximity of the heart to the esophagus puts patients at risk of radiation-induced cardiovascular disease. This study characterizes the impact of radiotherapy and different radiation techniques on cardiovascular morbidity among a cohort of esophageal cancer patients.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We identified 1125 patients aged 65 and older diagnosed between 2000 and 2011 with esophageal cancer who received surgery alone, or surgery preceded by either preoperative chemotherapy or preoperative chemoradiation from the Surveillance Epidemiology and End Results (SEER)-Medicare database. We used Medicare claims to identify severe perioperative and late cardiovascular events. Multivariable logistic regression and Fine-Gray models were used to determine the effect of presurgery treatment on the risk of perioperative and late cardiovascular disease.

RESULTS

Preoperative chemotherapy or chemoradiation did not significantly increase the risk of perioperative cardiovascular complications compared with surgery alone. Patients treated with preoperative chemoradiation had a 36% increased risk of having a late cardiovascular event compared with patients treated with surgery alone (subdistribution hazard ratio [SDHR]: 1.36; P=0.035). There was no significant increase in late cardiovascular events among patients treated with preoperative chemotherapy (SDHR: 1.18; P=0.40). Among patients treated with preoperative chemoradiation, those receiving intensity modulated radiotherapy had a 68% decreased risk of having a late cardiovascular event compared with patients receiving conventional radiation (SDHR: 0.32; P=0.007).

CONCLUSIONS

This study demonstrates an increased risk of cardiovascular complications among operative esophageal cancer patients treated with preoperative chemoradiation, though these risks might be reduced with more cardioprotective radiation techniques such as intensity modulated radiotherapy.

Association of race and health care system with disease stage and survival in veterans with larynx cancer

BACKGROUND

Black patients with laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma (LSCC) historically have inferior outcomes in comparison with White patients. The authors investigated these racial disparities within the Veterans Health Administration (VHA), an equal-access system, and within the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) program, which is representative of the US hybrid-payer system.

METHODS

Patients with invasive (T1 or greater) LSCC were included from SEER (2004-2015) and the VHA (2000-2017). The primary outcomes of overall survival (OS) and larynx cancer-specific survival (LCS) were evaluated in Cox and Fine-Gray models.

RESULTS

In the SEER cohort (7122 patients: 82.6% White and 17.4% Black), Black patients were more likely to present with advanced disease and had inferior OS (hazard ratio [HR], 1.37; 95% CI, 1.26-1.50; P < .0001) in a multivariable analysis. Black LCS was worse in a univariable analysis (HR, 1.42; 95% CI, 1.27-1.58; P < .0001), but this effect was attenuated by 83% when the authors controlled for the TNM category and was found to be insignificant in a multivariable analysis (HR, 1.05; 95% CI, 0.93-1.18; P = .42). In the VHA cohort (9248 patients: 79.7% White and 20.3% Black), the 2 racial cohorts presented with similar tumor characteristics and similar OS (HR, 0.95; 95% CI, 0.89-1.02; P = .14). Black LCS was similar in univariable (HR, 1.10; 95% CI, 1.00-1.22; P = .05) and multivariable analyses (HR, 1.02; 95% CI, 0.92-1.14; P = .67).

CONCLUSIONS

Black patients with LSCC had a tumor burden at diagnosis and survival outcomes comparable to those of White patients within the VHA; this was counter to what was observed in the SEER analysis and prior national trends. This study's findings point toward the notable role of health care access in contributing to racial health disparities in the realm of larynx cancer.

Examining the association of medical-dental integration with closure of medical care gaps among the elderly population

BACKGROUND

The integration of medical and dental care in the dental setting offers a unique opportunity to close medical care gaps, such as providing immunizations and laboratory-based tests, compared with traditional nonintegrated settings.

METHODS

We used a matched cohort study design among patients 65 years or older (n = 2,578) with an index dental visit to the Kaiser Permanente Northwest medical-dental integration (MDI) program from June 1, 2018, through December 31, 2019. MDI patients were matched 1:1 to non-MDI controls (n = 2,578) on 14 characteristics. The Kaiser Permanente Northwest MDI program focuses on closing 23 preventive (for example, flu vaccines) and disease management care gaps (for example, glycated hemoglobin testing) within the dental setting. The closure of all care gaps (yes versus no) was the outcome for the analysis. Multivariable logistic regression was used to evaluate the association between exposure to the MDI program and level of office integration (least, moderate, and most integration) with closure of care gaps. All data were obtained through Kaiser Permanente Northwest's electronic health record.

RESULTS

MDI patients had significantly higher odds (odds ratio [OR], 1.46, 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.29 to 1.65) of closing all medical care gaps than non-MDI patients. Greater MDI integration was associated with significantly higher odds of gap closure compared with non-MDI (least integration: OR, 1.18, 95% CI, 1.02 to 1.37; moderate integration: OR, 1.70, 95% CI, 1.36 to 2.12; most integration: OR, 2.08, 95% CI, 1.73 to 2.50).

CONCLUSIONS

Patients receiving dental care in an MDI program had higher odds of closing medical care gaps compared with similar patients receiving dental care in a non-MDI program.

PRACTICAL IMPLICATIONS

MDI is effective at facilitating delivery of preventive and disease management medical services.

Association of the Intensity of Diagnostic Evaluation With Outcomes in Incidentally Detected Lung Nodules

IMPORTANCE

Whether guideline-concordant lung nodule evaluations lead to better outcomes remains unknown.

OBJECTIVE

To examine the association between the intensity of lung nodule diagnostic evaluations and outcomes, safety, and health expenditures.

DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS

This comparative effectiveness research study analyzed health plan enrollees at Kaiser Permanente Washington in Seattle, Washington, and Marshfield Clinic in Marshfield, Wisconsin, with an incidental lung nodule detected between January 1, 2005, and December 31, 2015. Included patients were 35 years or older, had no high suspicion of infection, had no history of malignant neoplasm, and had no evidence of advanced lung cancer on nodule detection. Data analysis was conducted from January 7 to August 19, 2020.

EXPOSURES

With the 2005 Fleischner Society guidelines (selected for their applicability to the time frame under investigation) as the comparator, 2 other intensities of lung nodule evaluation were defined. Guideline-concordant evaluation followed the guidelines. Less intensive evaluation was the absence of recommended testing, longer-than-recommended surveillance intervals, or less invasive testing than recommended. More intensive evaluation consisted of testing when the guidelines recommended no further testing, shorter-than-recommended surveillance intervals, or more invasive testing than recommended.

MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES

The main outcome was the proportion of patients with lung cancer who had stage III or IV disease, radiation exposure, procedure-related adverse events, and health expenditures 2 years after nodule detection.

RESULTS

Among the 5057 individuals included in this comparative effectiveness research study, 1925 (38%) received guideline-concordant, 1863 (37%) less intensive, and 1269 (25%) more intensive diagnostic evaluations. The entire cohort comprised 2786 female patients (55%), and the mean (SD) age was 67 (13) years. Adjusted analyses showed that compared with guideline-concordant evaluations, less intensive evaluations were associated with fewer procedure-related adverse events (risk difference [RD], -5.9%; 95% CI, -7.2% to -4.6%), lower mean radiation exposure (-9.5 milliSieverts [mSv]; 95% CI, -10.3 mSv to -8.7 mSv), and lower mean health expenditures (-$10 916; 95% CI, -$16 112 to -$5719); no difference in stage III or IV disease was found among patients diagnosed with lung cancer (RD, 4.6%; 95% CI, -22% to +31%). More intensive evaluations were associated with more procedure-related adverse events (RD, +8.1%; 95% CI, +5.6% to +11%), higher mean radiation exposure (+6.8 mSv; 95% CI, +5.8 mSv to +7.8 mSv), and higher mean health expenditures ($20 132; 95% CI, +$14 398 to +$25 868); no difference in stage III or IV disease was observed (RD, -0.5%; 95% CI, -28% to +27%).

CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE

This study found inconclusive evidence of an association between less intensive diagnostic evaluations and more advanced stage at lung cancer diagnosis compared with guideline-concordant care; higher intensities of diagnostic evaluations were associated with greater procedural complications, radiation exposure, and expenditures. These findings underscore the need for more evidence on better ways to evaluate lung nodules and to avoid unnecessarily intensive diagnostic evaluations of lung nodules.

Prevalence of Unmet Basic Needs and Association with Diabetes Control and Care Utilization Among Insured Persons with Diabetes

Unmet basic needs (eg, food insecurity, inadequate housing) are major barriers to diabetes self-management. The purpose of this study was to identify the prevalence of unmet basic needs and examine the association with diabetes control and care utilization among insured persons with diabetes. A total of 4043 adult patients with diabetes were screened for unmet basic needs using Your Current Life Situation, a screener for unmet basic needs, during a clinical encounter or as an online survey, during the study period (January 1, 2016-August 31, 2017). Hemoglobin A1c and care utilization (outpatient, emergency department [ED], hospitalization, diabetes-related prescription refills) were extracted from the electronic health record 12 months prior to screening. The authors compared patients with unmet basic needs to those with no needs on poor diabetes control (ie, A1c ≥8%) and care utilization using multivariable regression models. Of the 4043 patients screened, 25% endorsed ≥1 unmet basic need. In adjusted analyses, the presence of unmet basic needs was associated with an increased likelihood of having an A1c ≥8% (OR = 1.77; 95% CI 1.47, 2.13), more outpatient visits (incidence rate ratio [IRR] = 1.3; 1.2, 1.4), more ED visits (IRR = 2.3; 2.0, 2.6), more hospitalizations (IRR = 1.8; 1.5, 2.2), and more delays in refilling diabetes medication (IRR = 1.21; 1.13, 1.30). Findings indicate that unmet basic needs are highly prevalent, even among an insured patient population, and are associated with poor diabetes-related clinical outcomes and excess utilization. Future studies to determine best strategies to integrate this information into treatment planning are warranted.

Population-based utilization and costs associated with tyrosine kinase inhibitors for first-line treatment of chronic myelogenous leukemia among elderly patients

BACKGROUND: Following approval of imatinib, a breakthrough tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI), survival significantly improved by more than 20% since 2001 among treated chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML) patients. Subsequently, more expensive second-generation TKIs with varying selectivity profiles have been approved. Population-based studies are needed to evaluate the real-world utilization of TKI therapies, particularly given their escalating costs and recommendations for maintenance therapy. OBJECTIVE: To assess the utilization patterns of first-line TKIs, overall and by specific agent, among elderly CML patients in the United States, and the cost implications. METHODS: CML patients aged 65 years and older at diagnosis between 2007 and 2015 were identified from population-based cancer registries in the linked Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER)-Medicare database. The percentage of CML patients receiving imatinib, dasatinib, or nilotinib within the first year of diagnosis was calculated along with time to first-line treatment initiation. Bivariate comparisons and Cox proportional hazards models were used to identify factors associated with TKI initiation. Average monthly patient responsibility, including patient out-of-pocket (OOP) costs, stratified by Part D low-income subsidy (LIS) status were also calculated. RESULTS: Among the 1,589 CML patients included, receipt of any TKI within 1 year of diagnosis increased from 66.2% to 78.9%. In 2015, the distribution of first-line TKI therapies was 41.3% imatinib, 28.3% dasatinib, and 9.3% nilotinib. Almost 60% of patients initiated TKI treatment within 3 months of diagnosis. Multivariable analysis indicated that TKI use in the first year was lower among the very elderly (aged > 75 years vs. 65-69 years: HR = 0.72; 95% CI = 0.63-0.83), patients with more comorbidities (Hierarchical Condition Category risk score > 2 vs. HR = 0.74, 95% CI = 0.62-0.88), and patients ineligible for LIS (HR = 0.75; 95% CI = 0.65-0.87). Average monthly patient OOP cost was significantly lower for LIS-eligible versus LIS-ineligible patients: imatinib (2016: $12 vs. $487), dasatinib (2016: $34 vs. $557), and nilotinib (2016: $1 vs. $526). CONCLUSIONS: TKI use has increased significantly since 2007. While imatinib remained the most frequently prescribed first-line agent, by 2015 newer TKIs represented one third of the market share. Utilization patterns indicated persistent age, comorbidity, and financial barriers. TKI use is indicated for long-term therapy, and increased adoption of newer, more expensive agents raises concerns about the sustained affordability of CML treatment, particularly among unsubsidized patients. DISCLOSURES: No outside funding supported this study. There are no reported conflicts of interest.

Work changes and individual, cancer-related, and work-related predictors of decreased work participation among African American cancer survivors

African American cancer survivors disproportionately experience financial difficulties after cancer. Decreased work participation (going from being employed full time to part time or from employed to not employed) can contribute to financial hardship after cancer but employment outcomes among African American cancer survivors have not been well described. This study estimates the prevalence of work changes and identifies factors associated with decreased work participation among African American cancer survivors. We analyzed data from 916 African American breast, colorectal, lung, and prostate cancer survivors who participated in the Detroit Research on Cancer Survivors (ROCS) cohort and were employed before their cancer diagnosis. Modified Poisson models estimated prevalence ratios of decreased work participation and work changes, including changes to hours, duties, or schedules, between diagnosis and ROCS enrollment controlling for sociodemographic and cancer‐related factors. Nearly half of employed survivors made changes to their schedules, duties, or hours worked due to cancer and 34.6% took at least one month off of work, including 18% who took at least one month of unpaid time off. More survivors employed full time (vs. part time) at diagnosis were on disability at ROCS enrollment (18.7% vs. 12.6%, P < 0.001), while fewer were unemployed (5.9% vs. 15.7%, P < 0.001). Nearly half (47.5%) of employed survivors decreased work participation. Taking paid time off was not associated with decreased work participation; however, taking unpaid time off and making work changes were associated with prevalence ratios of decreased work participation of 1.29 (95% CI: 1.03, 1.62) and 1.37 (95% CI: 1.07, 1.75), respectively. Employment disruptions are common after a cancer diagnosis. Survivors who take unpaid time off and make other work changes may be particularly vulnerable to experiencing decreased work participation.

Racial-ethnic differences in prevalence of social determinants of health and social risks among middle-aged and older adults in a Northern California health plan

BACKGROUND

Social determinants of health (SDoHs) and social risks (SRs) have been associated with adverse health and healthcare utilization and racial/ethnic disparities. However, there is limited information about the prevalence of SRs in non-"safety net" adult populations and how SRs differ by race/ethnicity, age, education, and income.

METHODS

We analyzed weighted survey data for 16,247 White, 1861 Black, 2895 Latino, 1554 Filipino, and 1289 Chinese adults aged 35 to 79 who responded to the 2011 or 2014/2015 Kaiser Permanente Northern California Member Health Survey. We compared age-standardized prevalence estimates of SDoHs (education, household income, marital status) and SRs (financial worry, cost-related reduced medication use and fruit/vegetable consumption, chronic stress, harassment/discrimination, health-related beliefs) across racial/ethnic groups for ages 35 to 64 and 65 to 79.

RESULTS

SDoHs and SRs differed by race/ethnicity and age group, and SRs differed by levels of education and income. In both age groups, Blacks, Latinos, and Filipinos were more likely than Whites to be in the lower income category and be worried about their financial situation. Compared to Whites, cost-related reduced medication use was higher among Blacks, and cost-related reduced fruit/vegetable consumption was higher among Blacks and Latinos. Younger adults were more likely than older adults to experience chronic stress and financial worry. Racial/ethnic disparities in income were observed within similar levels of education. Differences in prevalence of SRs by levels of education and income were wider within than across racial/ethnic groups.

CONCLUSIONS

In this non-"safety net" adult health plan population, Blacks, Latinos, and Filipinos had a higher prevalence of social risks than Whites and Chinese, and prevalence of social risks differed by age group. Our results support the assessment and EHR documentation of SDoHs and social risks and use of this information to understand and address drivers of racial/ethnic disparities in health and healthcare use.

Social Isolation Associated with Future Health Care Utilization

Social isolation among individuals ages 65 years and older is associated with poor health outcomes. However, little is known about health care utilization patterns of socially isolated individuals. This retrospective, observational study evaluated associations between social isolation and hospital and emergency department (ED) utilization among Medicare patients ages 65 years and older. In a cohort of 18,557 Medicare members age 65 years and older at Kaiser Permanente Northwest, the authors compared rates of hospitalization and ED visits in the 12 months following a baseline survey between respondents who reported feeling lonely or socially isolated and those who did not, controlling for demographic and health variables and utilization in the 12 months prior to the survey. Statistical analysis was conducted in February 2020. In adjusted models, those who reported "sometimes" experiencing social isolation were more likely to have at least 1 hospital admission (odds ratio [OR_sometimes]: 1.17, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.01-1.35, P = 0.04), than those who "rarely" or "never" experienced social isolation. Those who experienced social isolation "sometimes" or "often/always" were more likely to have at least 1 ED visit (OR_sometimes: 1.28, 95% CI: 1.15-1.41, P < 0.0001, and OR_often/always: 1.51, 95% CI: 1.25-1.84, P < 0.0001, respectively) than those who "rarely" or "never" experienced social isolation. These findings suggest that self-reported social isolation may be predictive of future hospital admissions and ED utilization. Research is needed to determine how addressing social isolation needs within the health care system affects health care utilization and health outcomes.

Long-Term Patterns of Oral Anticancer Agent Adoption, Duration, and Switching in Patients With CML

BACKGROUND

Oral tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) have been the standard of care for chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) since 2001. However, few studies have evaluated changes in the treatment landscape of CML over time. This study assessed the long-term treatment patterns of oral anticancer therapies among patients with CML.

METHODS

This retrospective cohort study included patients newly diagnosed with CML between January 1, 2000, and December 31, 2016, from 10 integrated healthcare systems. The proportion of patients treated with 5 FDA-approved oral TKI agents-bosutinib, dasatinib, imatinib, nilotinib, and ponatinib-in the 12 months after diagnosis were measured, overall and by year, between 2000 and 2017. We assessed the use of each oral agent through the fourth-line setting. Multivariable logistic regression estimated the odds of receiving any oral agent, adjusting for sociodemographic and clinical characteristics.

RESULTS

Among 853 patients with CML, 81% received an oral agent between 2000 and 2017. Use of non-oral therapies decreased from 100% in 2000 to 5% in 2005, coinciding with imatinib uptake from 65% in 2001 to 98% in 2005. Approximately 28% of patients switched to a second-line agent, 9% switched to a third-line agent, and 2% switched to a fourth-line agent. Adjusted analysis showed that age at diagnosis, year of diagnosis, and comorbidity burden were statistically significantly associated with odds of receiving an oral agent.

CONCLUSIONS

A dramatic shift was seen in CML treatments away from traditional, nonoral chemotherapy toward use of novel oral TKIs between 2000 and 2017. As the costs of oral anticancer agents reach new highs, studies assessing the long-term health and financial outcomes among patients with CML are warranted.

Evaluation of the Use of Cancer Registry Data for Comparative Effectiveness Research

Importance

Researchers often analyze cancer registry data to assess for differences in survival among cancer treatments. However, the retrospective, nonrandomized design of these analyses raises questions about study validity.

Objective

To examine the extent to which comparative effectiveness analyses using observational cancer registry data produce results concordant with those of randomized clinical trials.

Design, Setting, and Participants

In this comparative effectiveness study, a total of 141 randomized clinical trials referenced in the National Comprehensive Cancer Network Clinical Practice Guidelines for 8 common solid tumor types were identified. Data on participants within the National Cancer Database (NCDB) diagnosed between 2004 and 2014, matching the eligibility criteria of the randomized clinical trial, were obtained. The present study was conducted from August 1, 2017, to September 10, 2019. The trials included 85 118 patients, and the corresponding NCDB analyses included 1 344 536 patients. Three Cox proportional hazards regression models were used to determine hazard ratios (HRs) for overall survival, including univariable, multivariable, and propensity score-adjusted models. Multivariable and propensity score analyses controlled for potential confounders, including demographic, comorbidity, clinical, treatment, and tumor-related variables.

Main Outcomes and Measures

The main outcome was concordance between the results of randomized clinical trials and observational cancer registry data. Hazard ratios with an NCDB analysis were considered concordant if the NDCB HR fell within the 95% CI of the randomized clinical trial HR. An NCDB analysis was considered concordant if both the NCDB and clinical trial P values for survival were nonsignificant (P ≥ .05) or if they were both significant (P < .05) with survival favoring the same treatment arm in the NCDB and in the randomized clinical trial.

Results

Analyses using the NCDB-produced HRs for survival were concordant with those of 141 randomized clinical trials in 79 univariable analyses (56%), 98 multivariable analyses (70%), and 90 propensity score models (64%). The NCDB analyses produced P values concordant with randomized clinical trials in 58 univariable analyses (41%), 65 multivariable analyses (46%), and 63 propensity score models (45%). No clinical trial characteristics were associated with concordance between NCDB analyses and randomized clinical trials, including disease site, type of clinical intervention, or severity of cancer.

Conclusions and Relevance

The findings of this study suggest that comparative effectiveness research using cancer registry data often produces survival outcomes discordant with those of randomized clinical trial data. These findings may help provide context for clinicians and policy makers interpreting observational comparative effectiveness research in oncology.