Racial and Ethnic Disparities in Health-Related Outcomes in Crohn's Disease: Results From the National Health and Wellness Survey

Background

Crohn's disease (CD) is a chronic inflammatory condition affecting the entire gastrointestinal tract that is associated with significant humanistic, clinical, and economic burdens. Few studies have assessed the association between CD severity and patient-reported outcomes (PROs), healthcare resource utilization (HCRU), and medical costs; even fewer have examined differences in disease outcomes among patients of various racial/ethnic groups.

Methods

In this cross-sectional study, sociodemographic data, PROs, and economic outcomes for participants with self-reported CD were collected from the National Health and Wellness Survey (2018-2020). Multivariable analyses were used to assess the association of CD severity and race/ethnicity with health-related quality of life (HRQoL), work productivity and activity impairment (WPAI), HCRU, and medical costs.

Results

Analyses included 1077 participants with CD (818 non-Hispanic White, 109 non-Hispanic Black, and 150 Hispanic). Participants with self-reported moderate/severe CD reported significantly worse HRQoL and WPAI, greater HCRU, and higher medical costs than those with self-reported mild CD. Non-Hispanic Black participants reported better HRQoL and fewer healthcare provider visits than non-Hispanic White participants. There were no significant differences in PROs between non-Hispanic White and Hispanic groups. Interactions between race/ethnicity and CD severity emerged for some, but not all groups: Specifically, non-Hispanic Black participants with moderate/severe CD reported greater absenteeism and more gastroenterologist visits than non-Hispanic Black participants with mild CD.

Conclusions

Participants with moderate/severe CD reported worse PROs, greater HCRU, and higher medical costs than those with mild CD. Additionally, racial/ethnic differences were found across several HCRU and economic outcomes. Further research is needed to better understand factors contributing to burden among patients with varying CD severity across racial/ethnic groups.

Time to next treatment in patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia initiating first-line ibrutinib or acalabrutinib

Aim: To investigate real-world time to next treatment in patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia initiating first-line (1L) ibrutinib or acalabrutinib. Materials & methods: US specialty pharmacy electronic medical records (21/11/2018-30/4/2022) were used; patients initiated 1L on/after 21/11/2019 (acalabrutinib approval). Results: Among 710 patients receiving ibrutinib, 5.9% initiated next treatment (mean time to initiation = 9.2 months); among 373 patients receiving acalabrutinib, 7.5% initiated next treatment (mean time to initiation = 5.9 months). Adjusting for baseline characteristics, acalabrutinib-treated patients were 89% more likely to initiate next treatment (hazard ratio = 1.89; p = 0.016). Conclusion: This study addresses a need for real-world comparative effectiveness between 1L ibrutinib and acalabrutinib and shows that next treatment (a clinically meaningful measure for real-world progression) occurred less frequently with 1L ibrutinib.

Economic Burden of Delayed Diagnosis in Patients with Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension (PAH)

BACKGROUND

The aim of this study was to assess health care resource utilization (HRU) and costs associated with delayed pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) diagnosis in the United States.

METHODS

Eligible adults with newly diagnosed PAH from Optum's de-identified Clinformatics® Data Mart Database (2016-2021) were assigned to mutually exclusive cohorts based on time between first PAH-related symptom and first PAH diagnosis (i.e., ≤12 months' delay, >12 to ≤24 months' delay, >24 months' delay). All-cause HRU and health care costs per patient per month (PPPM) were assessed during the first year following diagnosis and compared across cohorts using regression analysis adjusted for baseline covariates. Sensitivity analyses were conducted to assess outcomes during all available follow-up post-diagnosis.

RESULTS

Among 538 patients (mean age: 65.6 years; 60.6% female), 60.8% had ≤12 months' delay, 23.4% had a delay of >12 to ≤24 months, and 15.8% had >24 months' delay. Compared with ≤12 months, delays of >12 to ≤24 months and >24 months were associated with increased hospitalizations (incidence rate ratio [95% confidence interval]: 1.40 [1.11-1.71] vs 1.71 [1.29-2.12]) and outpatient visits (1.17 [1.06-1.30] vs 1.26 [1.08-1.41]). Longer delays were also associated with more intensive care unit (ICU) stays and 30-day readmissions. Diagnosis delays translated into excess costs PPPM of US$3986 [1439-6436] for >12 to ≤24 months and US$5366 [2107-8524] for >24 months compared with ≤12 months' delay; increased hospitalization costs (US$3248 [1108-5135] and US$4048 [1401-6342], respectively) being the driver. Sensitivity analyses yielded similar trends.

CONCLUSIONS

Delayed PAH diagnosis is associated with significant incremental economic burden post-diagnosis, driven by hospitalizations including ICU stays and 30-day readmissions, highlighting the need for increased awareness and a potential benefit of earlier screening.

Real-World Treatment Patterns Among Patients with Connective Tissue Disorder-Related Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension in the United States: A Retrospective Claims-Based Analysis

INTRODUCTION

Connective tissue disorders (CTDs) are the most frequent diseases associated with pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH). Despite advances in treatment, the prognosis of CTD-related PAH remains poor. To help identify areas for improvement in the management of CTD-related PAH, this study assessed real-world PAH treatment patterns in this population in the US.

METHODS

Eligible adult patients with PAH initiated on a PAH treatment (index date: 1st initiation date) were identified from Optum's de-identified Clinformatics® Data Mart Database (10/01/2015-09/30/2021) and categorized into mutually exclusive cohorts (CTD + PAH; PAH) based on the presence of CTD diagnosis claims. Treatment patterns were assessed from the index date to the earliest of death or end of continuous insurance eligibility, or data availability. Treatment persistence was assessed using Kaplan-Meier analysis.

RESULTS

A total of 4751 patients were included (CTD + PAH: n = 728, mean follow-up of 18.8 months; PAH: n = 4023, mean follow-up of 19.6 months). For both cohorts, the most common first treatment regimens were sildenafil (CTD + PAH: 38.7%; PAH: 51.5%), tadalafil (10.0%; 9.4%), and macitentan (8.1%; 5.4%) monotherapy; these were also the most frequent agents included in any of the first 3 treatment regimens. Combination therapy was more frequent in the CTD + PAH versus PAH cohort (any regimen: 40.9% vs. 27.2%; 1st treatment regimen: 26.9% vs. 18.5%; 2nd: 52.8% vs. 42.0%; 3rd: 55.2% vs. 48.5%). Treatment persistence was similar across cohorts and the first three treatment regimens, with persistence rates ranging from 42.6 to 49.7% at 12 months.

CONCLUSIONS

Treatment patterns were generally similar between the CTD + PAH and PAH cohorts, although combination therapy was more frequent in the CTD + PAH cohort. Both cohorts may benefit from broader use of all available PAH treatment classes, including combination therapy. Considering the life-threatening nature of PAH, our findings also highlight the need to address the low persistence rates with PAH therapies regardless of etiology.

Unintended Consequences of Increased Out-of-Pocket Costs During Medicare Coverage Gap on Anticoagulant Discontinuation and Stroke

INTRODUCTION

This study aims to assess the risk of direct oral anticoagulant (DOAC) discontinuation among Medicare beneficiaries with non-valvular atrial fibrillation (NVAF) who reach the Medicare coverage gap stratified by low-income subsidy (LIS) status and the impact of DOAC discontinuation on rates of stroke and systemic embolism (SE) among beneficiaries with increased out-of-pocket (OOP) costs due to not receiving LIS.

METHODS

In this retrospective cohort study, Medicare claims data (2015-2020) were used to identify beneficiaries with NVAF who initiated rivaroxaban or apixaban and entered the coverage gap during ≥ 1 year. DOAC discontinuation rates during the coverage gap were stratified by receipt of Medicare Part D Low-Income Subsidy (LIS), a proxy for not experiencing increased OOP costs. Among non-LIS beneficiaries, incidence rates of stroke and SE during the subsequent 12 months were compared between beneficiaries who did and did not discontinue DOAC in the coverage gap.

RESULTS

Among 303,695 beneficiaries, mean age was 77.3 years, and 28% received LIS. After adjusting for baseline differences, non-LIS beneficiaries (N = 218,838) had 78% higher risk of discontinuing DOAC during the coverage gap vs. LIS recipients (adjusted hazard ratio [aHR], 1.78; 95% CI [1.73, 1.82]). Among non-LIS beneficiaries, DOAC discontinuation during coverage gap (N = 91,397; 34%) was associated with 14% higher risk of experiencing stroke and SE during the subsequent 12 months (aHR, 1.14; 95% CI [1.08, 1.20]).

CONCLUSION

Increased OOP costs during Medicare coverage gap were associated with higher risk of DOAC discontinuation, which in turn was associated with higher risk of stroke and SE among beneficiaries with NVAF.

Racial and Ethnic Disparities in Treatment Initiation Among Patients with Newly Diagnosed Psoriatic Arthritis: A Retrospective Medicaid Claims Database Study

INTRODUCTION

In patients with psoriatic arthritis (PsA), potential differences in care by race/ethnicity have not been well studied.

METHODS

This retrospective, observational cohort analysis utilized the IBM MarketScan® Multi-State Medicaid database. Patients aged ≥ 18 years with two or more PsA-related claims between January 1, 2010 and December 31, 2019, and ≥ 12 months of continuous enrollment before the first diagnosis of PsA (index date) were included. Outcomes evaluated were the use of disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs) overall and by type (conventional synthetic, biologic, targeted synthetic) within 12 months following initial PsA diagnosis, as well as the time to DMARD initiation after initial PsA diagnosis, stratified by race/ethnicity. Multivariate Cox proportional hazards models were used to assess potential associations between patient baseline characteristics and time to DMARD initiation.

RESULTS

Among patients with newly diagnosed PsA (N = 3432), the mean age was 44.4 years, 69.9% were female, 77.4% were White, and 10.1% were Black. Of the 2993 patients with at least 12 months of follow-up, fewer Black patients received any DMARD therapy compared with White patients (68.4 vs. 76.4%, respectively, p = 0.002), and, specifically, a lower percentage of Black patients received biologic DMARDs compared with White patients (33.6 vs. 42.6%, respectively, p = 0.003). After adjusting for baseline characteristics, Black patients had significantly longer time to initiation of any DMARD (HR [95% CI] 0.82 [0.71-0.94]) and biologic DMARD (0.84 [0.71-0.99]) compared with White patients. Other baseline variables such as older age, anxiety, and hepatitis C were also significantly associated with longer time to any DMARD initiation after initial PsA diagnosis.

CONCLUSIONS

Time to treatment initiation was significantly longer in Black patients compared with White patients with newly diagnosed PsA. These findings suggest care delivery disparities in patients with PsA and highlight the need for future studies to understand factors that drive the observed differences in drug therapy by race/ethnicity.

Effect of Intravenous Golimumab on Fatigue and the Relationship with Clinical Response in Adults with Active Ankylosing Spondylitis in the Phase 3 GO-ALIVE Study

INTRODUCTION

We studied the effect of intravenous (IV)-golimumab on fatigue and the association of fatigue improvement with clinical response post hoc in adults with active ankylosing spondylitis (AS) in the GO-ALIVE trial.

METHODS

Patients were randomized to IV-golimumab 2 mg/kg (N = 105) at week (W) 0, W4, then every 8 W (Q8W) or placebo (N = 103) at W0, W4, W12, crossover to IV-golimumab 2 mg/kg at W16, W20, then Q8W through W52. Fatigue measures included Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Index (BASDAI) Question #1 (fatigue; 0 [none], 10 [worst]; decrease indicates improvement) and 36-Item Short Form Health Survey (SF-36) vitality subscale (0 [worst], 100 [best]; increase indicates improvement). Minimum clinically important difference is ≥ 1 for BASDAI-fatigue and ≥ 5 for SF-36 vitality. GO-ALIVE primary endpoint was Assessment of SpondyloArthritis international Society ≥ 20% improvement criteria (ASAS20). Other clinical outcomes assessed included other ASAS responses, Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Score, and Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Functional Index score. The distribution-based minimally important differences (MIDs) were determined for BASDAI-fatigue and SF-36 vitality. The relationship between improvement in fatigue and clinical outcomes was assessed via multivariable logistic regression.

RESULTS

Mean changes in BASDAI-fatigue/SF-36 vitality scores were greater with IV-golimumab versus placebo at W16 (- 2.74/8.46 versus - 0.73/2.08, both nominal p ≤ 0.003); by W52 (after crossover), differences between groups narrowed (- 3.18/9.39 versus - 3.07/9.17). BASDAI-fatigue/SF-36 vitality MIDs were achieved by greater proportions of IV-golimumab-treated versus placebo-treated patients at W16 (75.2%/71.4% versus 42.7%/35.0%). A one-point/five-point improvement in BASDAI-fatigue/SF-36 vitality scores at W16 increased likelihood of achieving ASAS20 (odds ratios [95% confidence intervals]: 3.15 [2.21, 4.50] and 2.10 [1.62, 2.71], respectively) and ASAS40 (3.04 [2.15, 4.28] and 2.24 [1.68, 3.00], respectively) responses at W16; concurrent improvements and clinical response at W52 were consistent. A one-point/five-point improvement in BASDAI-fatigue/SF-36 vitality scores at W16 predicted increased likelihood of achieving ASAS20 (1.62 [1.35, 1.95] and 1.52 [1.25, 1.86], respectively) and ASAS40 (1.62 [1.37, 1.92] and 1.44 [1.20, 1.73], respectively) responses at W52.

CONCLUSIONS

IV-golimumab provided important and sustained fatigue improvement in patients with AS that positively associated with achieving clinical response.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

ClinicalTrials.gov identifier, NCT02186873.

Persistence and Dose Escalation During Maintenance Phase and Use of Nonbiologic Medications Among Patients With Ulcerative Colitis Initiated on Ustekinumab in the United States

Background

Real-world data on treatment patterns among patients with ulcerative colitis (UC) initiated on ustekinumab are limited.

Methods

Adults with UC initiated on ustekinumab (index date) between 10/18/2019 and 04/31/2022 were selected from a deidentified health insurance claims database (Symphony Health, an ICON plc Company, PatientSource). Persistence (no gaps in days of supply >120 days), persistence while being corticosteroid-free (no corticosteroid use for ≥14 days of supply after a 90-day grace period from index date) and dose escalation (≥2 consecutive subcutaneous claims ≥100% above daily maintenance dose) were described during the maintenance phase using Kaplan-Meier analysis. Nonbiologic treatments, among patients with ≥2 ustekinumab claims within 90 days post-index and ≥6 months of follow-up, were compared with logistic models 6 months post- versus pre-ustekinumab initiation.

Results

6565 patients on ustekinumab entered the maintenance phase. At month 12 of the maintenance phase, 72.0% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 70.1%-73.9%) were persistent, 50.8% (95% CI: 48.7%-52.9%) were persistent and corticosteroid-free, and 19.2% (95% CI: 17.3%-21.3%) of patients had dose escalation. In the 6 months post- versus pre-ustekinumab initiation, the odds of nonbiologic medication use assessed in 4147 patients were significantly lower: 57% lower odds for corticosteroid, 46% for 60 cumulative days of corticosteroid, 42% for 5-aminosalicylic acid, and 24% for immunomodulators (all P < .001).

Conclusions

Most patients with UC reaching the maintenance phase on ustekinumab remained persistent after 12 months of maintenance therapy. Nonbiologic medication use post-ustekinumab initiation was significantly lower, notably for corticosteroids. Given the multiple complications associated with chronic corticosteroid use, this reduction can be seen as clinically relevant and informs treatment choice for patients with UC.

Aerobic exercise enhances cognitive training effects in first-episode schizophrenia: randomized clinical trial demonstrates cognitive and functional gains

BACKGROUND

Cognitive training (CT) and aerobic exercise both show promising moderate impact on cognition and everyday functioning in schizophrenia. Aerobic exercise is hypothesized to increase brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and thereby synaptic plasticity, leading to increased learning capacity. Systematic CT should take advantage of increased learning capacity and be more effective when combined with aerobic exercise.

METHODS

We examined the impact of a 6-month program of cognitive training & exercise (CT&E) compared to cognitive training alone (CT) in 47 first-episode schizophrenia outpatients. All participants were provided the same Posit Science computerized CT, 4 h/week, using BrainHQ and SocialVille programs. The CT&E group also participated in total body circuit training exercises to enhance aerobic conditioning. Clinic and home-based exercise were combined for a target of 150 min per week.

RESULTS

The MATRICS Consensus Cognitive Battery Overall Composite improved significantly more with CT&E than with CT alone (p = 0.04), particularly in the first 3 months (6.5 v. 2.2 T-score points, p < 0.02). Work/school functioning improved substantially more with CT&E than with CT alone by 6 months (p < 0.001). BDNF gain tended to predict the amount of cognitive gain but did not reach significance. The cognitive gain by 3 months predicted the amount of work/school functioning improvement at 6 months. The amount of exercise completed was strongly associated with the degree of cognitive and work/school functioning improvement.

CONCLUSIONS

Aerobic exercise significantly enhances the impact of CT on cognition and functional outcome in first-episode schizophrenia, apparently driven by the amount of exercise completed.

Predicting Risk of 1-Year Hospitalization Among Patients with Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension

INTRODUCTION

US claims-based analyses emphasize the substantial hospitalization burden of patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) and the significant need for improved monitoring and more timely interventions. A claims-based predictive model may be useful to assist healthcare providers and payers in identifying patients with PAH at increased hospitalization risk. To address this aim, we constructed statistical models using baseline patient variables available in administrative healthcare claims to predict patients' risk for all-cause and PH-related hospitalization within 1 year of initiating ≥ 1 PAH indicated medication.

METHODS

Adult patients with PAH who newly initiated ≥ 1 PAH indicated medication were selected from the MarketScan Commercial and Medicare Supplemental databases (January 1, 2009-January 31, 2019). Cox regression models were built with a randomly selected training set and evaluated using a validation set of remaining patients. Predictive variables for the models were selected in three steps: clinical knowledge, univariate analysis, and backward stepwise selection.

RESULTS

Within 1 year of initiating ≥ 1 PAH indicated medication, 1502/3872 (38.8%) had an all-cause hospitalization and 950/3872 (24.5%) had a pulmonary hypertension (PH)-related hospitalization. Predictive risk factors for all-cause hospitalization were Quan-Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI) score 2-3 [hazard ratio (HR) 1.229; P = 0.038] and ≥ 4 (HR 1.531; P < 0.001), claims-based frailty index (CFI) score > 1 (highest frailty level; HR 1.301; P = 0.018), hemoptysis (HR 1.254; P = 0.016), malaise/fatigue (HR 1.150; P = 0.037), history of PH-related hospitalization (HR 1.171; P = 0.011), non-PH-related ER visit (HR 1.713; P = 0.014), and higher non-PH-related outpatient visit cost (HR 1.069; P < 0.001). Predictive risk factors for PH-related hospitalization were female sex (HR 1.264; P = 0.004), Quan-CCI score ≥ 4 (HR 1.408; P = 0.008), portal hypertension (HR 1.565; P = 0.019), CFI score > 1 (HR 1.522; P = 0.002), dyspnea (HR 1.259; P = 0.023), and history of PH-related hospitalization (HR 1.273; P = 0.002).

CONCLUSIONS

The US claims-based predictive models showed acceptable performance to predict 1-year hospitalization among patients with PAH.

Ischemic Stroke and Systemic Embolism Among One-and-Done Direct Oral Anticoagulant Users with Non-valvular Atrial Fibrillation

INTRODUCTION

Direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) are essential in ischemic stroke/systemic embolism (SE) prevention among patients with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation (NVAF). This study compared the risk of ischemic stroke/SE among patients with NVAF who discontinued DOACs following the first fill ("one-and-done") relative to patients who continued DOACs beyond the first fill ("continuers").

METHODS

De-identified data from Symphony Health, an ICON plc Company, PatientSource®, April 1, 2017 to October 31, 2020, were used to identify adults with NVAF initiated on DOACs (index date). Patients with only one DOAC claim during the 90-day landmark period starting on the index date were classified as one-and-done and the remaining as continuers. Inverse probability of treatment weighting was used to balance baseline characteristics in the cohorts. Time from the landmark period end to the first ischemic stroke/SE event or, among those without the event, to clinical activity or data end was compared between balanced cohorts using survival analysis.

RESULTS

Of patients initiating DOACs, 23.6% were classified as one-and-done users. After weighting was performed, 241,159 and 238,889 patients comprised the one-and-done and continuer cohorts, respectively. At 12 months of follow-up, the probability of ischemic stroke/SE was 1.44% in the one-and-done cohort and 1.00% in the continuer cohort [hazard ratio (95% confidence interval) 1.44 (1.34-1.54); p < 0.0001]. Results at earlier and later time points and in a sensitivity analysis with a 75-day landmark period were similar.

CONCLUSION

A substantial proportion of patients were one-and-done DOAC users, which was associated with significantly higher risk of ischemic stroke/SE events. There is an unmet need to improve access and encourage continuous use of DOACs among patients with NVAF so that severe and fatal complications may be mitigated.

Real-World Racial Variation in Treatment and Outcomes Among Patients with Peripheral Artery Disease

INTRODUCTION

Prior studies have found considerable disparities in prevalence and outcomes for patients with peripheral arterial disease (PAD). This study compared rates of diagnostic testing, treatment patterns, and outcomes after diagnosis of PAD among commercially insured Black and White patients in the United States.

METHODS

Optum's de-identified Clinformatics® Data Mart Database (1/2016-6/2021) were used to identify Black and White patients with PAD; first PAD diagnosis was deemed study index date. Baseline demographics, markers of disease severity, and healthcare costs were compared between cohorts. Patterns of medical management and rates of major adverse limb events (MALE; including acute or chronic limb ischemia, lower-limb amputation) and cardiovascular (CV) events (stroke, myocardial infarction) during the available follow-up period were described. Outcomes were compared between cohorts using multinomial logistic regression models, Kaplan-Meier survival analysis, and Cox proportional hazards models.

RESULTS

A total of 669,939 patients were identified, with 454,382 White patients and 96,162 Black patients. Black patients were younger on average (71.8 years vs. 74.2 years), but had higher comorbid burden, concomitant risk factors, and CV medication use at baseline. Prevalence of diagnostic testing, revascularization procedures, and medication use was numerically higher among Black patients. Black patients were also more likely than the White patients to receive medical therapy without a revascularization procedure [adjusted odds ratio with 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.47 (1.44-1.49)]. However, Black patients with PAD had higher incidence of MALE and CV events than White patients [adjusted hazard ratio for composite event (95% CI) = 1.13, (1.11-1.15)]. Except myocardial infarction, the hazards of individual components of MALE and CV events were also significantly higher among Black patients with PAD.

CONCLUSIONS

Results of this real-world study suggest that Black patients with PAD have higher disease severity at the time of diagnosis and are at increased risk of experiencing adverse outcomes following diagnosis.

Hepatitis delta infection among persons living with HIV in Europe

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

A high prevalence of hepatitis delta virus (HDV) infection, the most severe form of viral hepatitis, has been reported among persons living with HIV (PLWH) in Europe. We analysed data from a large HIV cohort collaboration to characterize HDV epidemiological trends across Europe, as well as its impact on clinical outcomes.

METHODS

All PLWH with a positive hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) in the Swiss HIV Cohort Study and EuroSIDA between 1988 and 2019 were tested for anti-HDV antibodies and, if positive, for HDV RNA. Demographic and clinical characteristics at initiation of antiretroviral therapy were compared between HDV-positive and HDV-negative individuals using descriptive statistics. The associations between HDV infection and overall mortality, liver-related mortality as well as hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) were assessed using cumulative incidence plots and cause-specific multivariable Cox regression.

RESULTS

Of 2793 HBsAg-positive participants, 1556 (56%) had stored serum available and were included. The prevalence of HDV coinfection was 15.2% (237/1556, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 13.5%-17.1%) and 66% (132/200) of HDV-positive individuals had active HDV replication. Among persons who inject drugs (PWID), the prevalence of HDV coinfection was 50.5% (182/360, 95% CI: 45.3%-55.7%), with similar estimates across Europe, compared to 4.7% (52/1109, 95% CI: 3.5%-5.9%) among other participants. During a median follow-up of 10.8 years (interquartile range 5.6-17.8), 82 (34.6%) HDV-positive and 265 (20.1%) HDV-negative individuals died. 41.5% (34/82) of deaths were liver-related in HDV-positive individuals compared to 17.7% (47/265) in HDV-negative individuals. HDV infection was associated with overall mortality (adjusted hazard ratio 1.6; 95% CI 1.2-2.1), liver-related death (2.9, 1.6-5.0) and HCC (6.3, 2.5-16.0).

CONCLUSION

We found a very high prevalence of hepatitis delta among PWID across Europe. Among PLWH who do not inject drugs, the prevalence was similar to that reported from populations without HIV. HDV coinfection was associated with liver-related mortality and HCC incidence.

Factors associated with COVID-19 Infection among a national population of individuals with schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder in the United States

BACKGROUND

Individuals with schizophrenia are a vulnerable and under-served population who are also at risk for severe morbidity and mortality following COVID-19 infection. Our research was designed to identify factors that put individuals with schizophrenia at increased risk of COVID-19 infection.

METHODS

This study was a retrospective cohort analysis of medical and pharmacy claims among 493,796 individuals residing in the United States with schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder, between January 1, 2019 and June 30, 2020. A confirmed diagnosis of COVID-19 infection by September 30, 2020 was regressed on demographics, social determinants, comorbidity, and pre-pandemic (December 2019 - February 2020) healthcare utilization characteristics.

RESULTS

A total of 35,249 (7.1%) individuals were diagnosed with COVID-19. Elevated odds of COVID-19 infection were associated with age, increasing consistently from 40-49 years (OR: 1.16) to 80+ years (OR:5.92), male sex (OR: 1.08), Medicaid (OR: 2.17) or Medicare (OR: 1.23) insurance, African American race (OR: 1.42), Hispanic ethnicity (OR: 1.23), and higher Charlson Comorbidity Index. Select psychiatric comorbidities (depressive disorder, adjustment disorder, bipolar disorder, anxiety, and sleep-wake disorder) were associated with elevated odds of infection, while alcohol use disorder and PTSD were associated with lower odds. A pre-pandemic psychiatry (OR:0.56) or community mental health center (OR:0.55) visit were associated with lower odds as was antipsychotic treatment with long-acting injectable antipsychotic (OR: 0.72) and oral antipsychotic (OR: 0.62).

CONCLUSIONS

Among individuals with schizophrenia, risk of COVID-19 infection was substantially higher among those with fewer economic resources, with greater medical and psychiatric comorbidity burden, and those who resided in African American or Hispanic communities. In contrast, individuals actively engaged in psychiatric treatment had substantially lower likelihood of infection. These results provide insights for healthcare providers that can translate into improved identification of at-risk individuals and interventions to reduce the risk and consequences of COVID-19 infection.

Adherence to rivaroxaban versus apixaban among patients with non-valvular atrial fibrillation: Analysis of overall population and subgroups of prior oral anticoagulant users

BACKGROUND

Medication non-adherence can result in poor health outcomes. Understanding differences in adherence rates to non-vitamin K oral anticoagulants (NOACs) could guide treatment decisions and improve clinical outcomes among patients with non-valvular atrial fibrillation (NVAF).

OBJECTIVE

To compare adherence to rivaroxaban and apixaban among the overall NVAF population and subgroups of prior oral anticoagulant (OAC) users (e.g., multiple comorbidities, non-adherence risk factors).

METHODS

Using healthcare claims from the Truven Health Analytics MarketScan (7/2012-7/2015), adult patients with ≥2 dispensings of rivaroxaban or apixaban ≥ 180 days apart with > 60 days of supply, ≥ 6 months of pre- and post-index eligibility, ≥ 1 atrial fibrillation diagnosis pre- or on the index date, and without valvular involvement were identified. Propensity-score methods adjusting for potential baseline confounders were used to create matched cohorts of rivaroxaban and apixaban patients. Adherence was assessed during the implementation phase using the percentage of patients with proportion of days covered (PDC) ≥0.8 at 6 months. Subgroups of patients with prior OAC use were evaluated; additional subgroups were identified and evaluated by Quan-Charlson Comorbidity index ≥2 and presence of non-adherence risk factors (i.e., mental disorders, stress, isolation, and rheumatoid arthritis).

RESULTS

A total of 13,890 NVAF subjects were included in each of the 2 matched cohorts. All baseline characteristics were balanced between cohorts. At 6 months, significantly more rivaroxaban users were adherent to treatment compared to apixaban users (81.8% vs. 78.0%; absolute difference of 3.8%; p<.001). Rivaroxaban users had significantly higher adherence rates in all subgroups examined.

CONCLUSION

Rivaroxaban users had consistently higher adherence rates than apixaban users overall and among all NVAF subgroups examined.

Comparison and predictors of treatment adherence and remission among patients with schizophrenia treated with paliperidone palmitate or atypical oral antipsychotics in community behavioral health organizations

BACKGROUND

Nonadherence to antipsychotic treatment increases the likelihood of relapse and progressive symptomatology in patients with schizophrenia. Atypical long-acting injectables, including paliperidone palmitate (PP), may increase adherence and improve symptoms. This study compared and assessed predictors of treatment patterns and symptom remission among schizophrenia patients treated with PP versus atypical oral antipsychotic therapy (OAT) in community behavioral health organizations (CBHOs).

METHODS

This retrospective cohort analysis evaluated 763 patients with schizophrenia and new (PP-N; N = 174) or continuing (PP-C; N = 308) users of PP, or new users of OAT (N = 281) at enrollment in the REACH-OUT study (2010-2013). Treatment outcomes assessed at 1 year were discontinuation, and adherence, measured by proportion of days covered (PDC) or medication possession ratio (MPR). Remission status was assessed using the Structured Clinical Interview for Symptoms of Remission (SCI-SR). A machine learning platform, Reverse Engineering and Forward Simulation (REFS™), was used to identify predictors of study outcomes. Multivariate Cox and generalized linear regressions estimated the adjusted hazard ratios (HRs) or odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals.

RESULTS

Among PP-N users, 27% discontinued their initial treatment regimen versus 51% (p < 0.001) of OAT users. PP-N (vs OAT; HR = 0.49 [0.31-0.76]) users and males (HR = 0.65 [0.46-0.92]) had significantly lower rates of discontinuation. Relative to OAT, PP-N had a 36% [31%-42%] higher MPR and a 10-fold increased achievement of PDC ≥80% (OR = 10.46 [5.72-19.76]). PP users were significantly more likely to achieve remission in follow-up (PP-N vs OAT: OR = 2.65 [1.39-5.05]; PP-C vs OAT: OR = 1.83 [1.03-3.25]).

CONCLUSIONS

Relative to OAT, PP was associated with improved adherence, less frequent treatment discontinuation, and improved symptom remission in this CBHO study population.