Racial/ethnic differences in multimorbidity development and chronic disease accumulation for middle-aged adults

Background

Multimorbidity–having two or more coexisting chronic conditions–is highly prevalent, costly, and disabling to older adults. Questions remain regarding chronic diseases accumulation over time and whether this differs by racial and ethnic background. Answering this knowledge gap, this study identifies differences in rates of chronic disease accumulation and multimorbidity development among non-Hispanic white, non-Hispanic black, and Hispanic study participants starting in middle-age and followed up to 16 years.

Methods and findings

We analyzed data from the Health and Retirement Study (HRS), a biennial, ongoing, publicly-available, longitudinal nationally-representative study of middle-aged and older adults in the United States. We assessed the change in chronic disease burden among 8,872 non-Hispanic black, non-Hispanic white, and Hispanic participants who were 51–55 years of age at their first interview any time during the study period (1998–2014) and all subsequent follow-up observations until 2014. Multimorbidity was defined as having two or more of seven somatic chronic diseases: arthritis, cancer, heart disease (myocardial infarction, coronary heart disease, angina, congestive heart failure, or other heart problems), diabetes, hypertension, lung disease, and stroke. We used negative binomial generalized estimating equation models to assess the trajectories of multimorbidity burden over time for non-Hispanic black, non-Hispanic white, and Hispanic participants. In covariate-adjusted models non-Hispanic black respondents had initial chronic disease counts that were 28% higher than non-Hispanic white respondents (IRR 1.279, 95% CI 1.201, 1.361), while Hispanic respondents had initial chronic disease counts that were 15% lower than non-Hispanic white respondents (IRR 0.852, 95% CI 0.775, 0.938). Non-Hispanic black respondents had rates of chronic disease accumulation that were 1.1% slower than non-Hispanic whites (IRR 0.989, 95% CI 0.981, 0.998) and Hispanic respondents had rates of chronic disease accumulation that were 1.5% faster than non-Hispanic white respondents (IRR 1.015, 95% CI 1.002, 1.028). Using marginal effects commands, this translates to predicted values of chronic disease for white respondents who begin the study period with 0.98 chronic diseases and end with 2.8 chronic diseases; black respondents who begin the study period with 1.3 chronic diseases and end with 3.3 chronic diseases; and Hispanic respondents who begin the study period with 0.84 chronic diseases and end with 2.7 chronic diseases.

Conclusions

Middle-aged non-Hispanic black adults start at a higher level of chronic disease burden and develop multimorbidity at an earlier age, on average, than their non-Hispanic white counterparts. Hispanics, on the other hand, accumulate chronic disease at a faster rate relative to non-Hispanic white adults. Our findings have important implications for improving primary and secondary chronic disease prevention efforts among non-Hispanic black and Hispanic Americans to stave off greater multimorbidity-related health impacts.

Multimorbidity Combinations and Disability in Older Adults

BACKGROUND

Multimorbidity (multiple co-occurring chronic diseases) is associated with greater likelihood of disability and mortality, above and beyond the risk attributable to individual diseases. This study identifies prevalent multimorbidity patterns and evaluates their association with disability among U.S. older adults.

METHODS

Prospective cohort study using longitudinal Health and Retirement Study data (2010-2012). We included 8,782 participants aged 65 years and older and used negative binomial models to examine prospective disability, measured by the combined activities of daily living-instrumental activities of daily living index. Multimorbidity was defined as the co-occurring combination of at least two of the following chronic diseases: hypertension, cardiovascular disease, lung disease, diabetes, cancer, arthritis, stroke, cognitive impairment, or high depressive symptoms (CES-D score ≥ 4).

RESULTS

We found 291 unique disease combinations with 1 to 1,167 older adults per disease combination. The three most prevalent combinations were: (a) hypertension and arthritis (n = 1,167); (b) hypertension, arthritis, and cardiovascular disease (n = 510); and (c) hypertension, arthritis, and diabetes (n = 430). Only one of the prevalent combinations included depressive symptoms (in combination with arthritis, hypertension; n = 129). This group showed the highest level of activities of daily living-instrumental activities of daily living disability compared to healthy participants or participants with a single disease (either included in the combination or different from diseases in the combination) even after adjusting for age, gender, education, race/ethnicity, and body mass index.

CONCLUSIONS

Clinicians stand to gain from a better understanding of which disease combinations are more and less disabling among older adults. Understanding how multimorbidity combinations relate to functional status is an important step towards reducing disability and sustaining independent living among older adults.

Statins and physical activity in older men: the osteoporotic fractures in men study

IMPORTANCE

Muscle pain, fatigue, and weakness are common adverse effects of statin medications and may decrease physical activity in older men.

OBJECTIVE

To determine whether statin use is associated with physical activity, longitudinally and cross-sectionally.

DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS

Men participating in the Osteoporotic Fractures in Men Study (N = 5994), a multicenter prospective cohort study of community-living men 65 years and older, enrolled between March 2000 and April 2002. Follow-up was conducted through 2009.

EXPOSURES

Statin use as determined by an inventory of medications (taken within the last 30 days). In cross-sectional analyses (n = 4137), statin use categories were users and nonusers. In longitudinal analyses (n = 3039), categories were prevalent users (baseline use and throughout the study), new users (initiated use during the study), and nonusers (never used).

MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES

Self-reported physical activity at baseline and 2 follow-up visits using the Physical Activity Scale for the Elderly (PASE). At the third visit, an accelerometer measured metabolic equivalents (METs [kilocalories per kilogram per hour]) and minutes of moderate activity (METs ≥3.0), vigorous activity (METs ≥6.0), and sedentary behavior (METs ≤1.5).

RESULTS

At baseline, 989 men (24%) were users and 3148 (76%) were nonusers. The adjusted difference in baseline PASE between users and nonusers was -5.8 points (95% CI, -10.9 to -0.7 points). A total of 3039 men met the inclusion criteria for longitudinal analysis: 727 (24%) prevalent users, 845 (28%) new users, and 1467 (48%) nonusers. PASE score declined by a mean (95% CI) of 2.5 (2.0 to 3.0) points per year for nonusers and 2.8 (2.1 to 3.5) points per year for prevalent users, a nonstatistical difference (0.3 [-0.5 to 1.0] points). For new users, annual PASE score declined at a faster rate than nonusers (difference of 0.9 [95% CI, 0.1 to 1.7] points). A total of 3071 men had adequate accelerometry data, 1542 (50%) were statin users. Statin users expended less METs (0.03 [95% CI, 0.02-0.04] METs less) and engaged in less moderate physical activity (5.4 [95% CI, 1.9-8.8] fewer minutes per day), less vigorous activity (0.6 [95% CI, 0.1-1.1] fewer minutes per day), and more sedentary behavior (7.6 [95% CI, 2.6-12.4] greater minutes per day).

CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE

Statin use was associated with modestly lower physical activity among community-living men, even after accounting for medical history and other potentially confounding factors. The clinical significance of these findings deserves further investigation.

In vivo leukocyte labeling with intravenous ferumoxides/protamine sulfate complex and in vitro characterization for cellular magnetic resonance imaging

Cellular labeling with ferumoxides (Feridex IV) superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles can be used to monitor cells in vivo by MRI. The objective of this study was to use histology and MRI to evaluate an in vivo, as opposed to in vitro, technique for labeling of mononuclear leukocytes as a means of tracking inflammatory processes in the brain. Long-Evans rats were intravenously injected with 20 mg/kg ferumoxides, ferumoxtran-10, or ferumoxytol with or without protamine sulfate. Leukocytes and splenocytes were evaluated by cell sorting and iron histochemistry or were implanted into the brain for MRI. Injection of ferumoxides/protamine sulfate complex IV resulted in iron labeling of leukocytes (ranging from 7.4 ± 0.5% to 12.5 ± 0.9% with average 9.2 ± 0.8%) compared with ferumoxides (ranging from 3.9 ± 0.4% to 6.3 ± 0.5% with average 5.0 ± 0.5%) or protamine sulfate alone (ranging from 0% to 0.9 ± 0.7% with average 0.3 ± 0.3%). Cell sorting analysis indicated that iron-labeled cells were enriched for cell types positive for the myelomonocytic marker (CD11b/c) and the B lymphocyte marker (CD45RA) and depleted in the T cell marker (CD3). Neither ferumoxtran-10 nor ferumoxytol with protamine sulfate labeled leukocytes. In vivo ferumoxides/protamine sulfate-loaded leukocytes and splenocytes were detected by MRI after intracerebral injection. Ferumoxides/protamine complex labeled CD45RA-positive and CD11b/c-positive leukocytes in vivo without immediate toxicity. The dose of feumoxides in this report is much higher than the approved human dose, so additional animal studies are required before this approach could be translated to the clinic. These results might provide useful information for monitoring leukocyte trafficking into the brain.

Prospective Disability in Different Combinations of Somatic and Mental Multimorbidity

Background

Multimorbidity (multiple co-occurring chronic conditions) may be an important contributor to disability and poor health-related quality of life. The functional consequences of specific combinations of somatic and mental health conditions are unclear.

Methods

Nationally representative prospective cohort study using the National Health and Aging Trends Study data of Medicare beneficiaries. We included 4,017 participants aged 65 years or older interviewed in 2013 and 2014. The primary outcome was prospective activities of daily living (ADL)-instrumental ADL (IADL) index (range = 0-11) assessed in 2014. All other measures were assessed in 2013. Chronic conditions included heart disease, hypertension, stroke, diabetes, arthritis, lung disease, osteoporosis, cancer, depression, and cognitive impairment. Analyses were adjusted for age, sex, education, race/ethnicity, body mass index, and baseline ADL-IADL.

Results

Thirty-four percent of multimorbidity combinations included depression, cognitive impairment, or both. Relative to multimorbidity combinations of exclusively somatic conditions, combinations that included both depression and cognitive impairment were associated with 1.34 times greater ADL-IADL in adjusted models (95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.09, 1.64). Relative to combinations of both depression and cognitive impairment, combinations of cognitive impairment and somatic conditions were associated with 0.84 times lower ADL-IADL in adjusted models (95% CI: 0.74, 0.96); combinations of depression and somatic conditions were associated with 0.72 times lower ADL-IADL in adjusted models (95% CI: 0.62, 0.85).

Conclusions

Depression and/or cognitive impairment was identified in one-third of older adults with multimorbidity, and these combinations were associated with substantially greater prospective disability than combinations comprised exclusively of somatic conditions. This argues for identifying and managing mental health conditions that co-occur with somatic conditions.

24-hour profile of serum sclerostin and its association with bone biomarkers in men

The osteocyte's role in orchestrating diurnal variations in bone turnover markers (BTMs) is unclear. We identified no rhythm in serum sclerostin (osteocyte protein). These results suggest that serum sclerostin can be measured at any time of day and the osteocyte does not direct the rhythmicity of other BTMs in men.

INTRODUCTION

The osteocyte exerts important effects on bone remodeling, but its rhythmicity and effect on the rhythms of other bone cells are not fully characterized. The purpose of this study was to determine if serum sclerostin displays rhythmicity over a 24-h interval, similar to that of other bone biomarkers.

METHODS

Serum sclerostin, FGF-23, CTX, and P1NP were measured every 2 h over a 24-h interval in ten healthy men aged 20-65 years. Maximum likelihood estimates of the parameters in a repeated measures model were used to determine if these biomarkers displayed a diurnal, sinusoidal rhythm.

RESULTS

No discernible 24-h rhythm was identified for sclerostin (p = 0.99) or P1NP (p = 0.65). CTX rhythmicity was confirmed (p < 0.001), peaking at 05:30 (range 01:30-07:30). FGF-23 levels were also rhythmic (p < 0.001), but time of peak was variable (range 02:30-11:30). The only significant association identified between these four bone biomarkers was for CTX and P1NP mean 24-h metabolite levels (r = 0.65, p = 0.04).

CONCLUSIONS

Sclerostin levels do not appear to be rhythmic in men. This suggests that in contrast to CTX, serum sclerostin could be measured at any time of day. The 24-h profiles of FGF-23 suggest that a component of osteocyte function is rhythmic, but its timing is variable. Our results do not support the hypothesis that osteocytes direct the rhythmicity of other bone turnover markers (CTX), at least not via a sclerostin-mediated mechanism.

Diabetes-Multimorbidity Combinations and Disability Among Middle-aged and Older Adults

BACKGROUND

Older adults with diabetes rarely have only one chronic disease. As a result, there is a need to re-conceptualize research and clinical practice to address the growing number of older Americans with diabetes and concurrent chronic diseases (diabetes-multimorbidity).

OBJECTIVE

To identify prevalent multimorbidity combinations and examine their association with poor functional status among a nationally representative sample of middle-aged and older adults with diabetes.

DESIGN

A prospective cohort study of the 2012-2014 Health and Retirement Study (HRS) data. We identified the most prevalent diabetes-multimorbidity combinations and estimated negative binomial models of diabetes-multimorbidity on prospective disability.

PARTICIPANTS

Analytic sample included 3841 HRS participants with diabetes, aged 51 years and older.

MAIN MEASURES

The main outcome measure was the combined activities of daily living (ADL)-instrumental activities of daily living (IADL) index (range 0-11; higher index denotes higher disability). The main independent variables were diabetes-multimorbidity combination groups, defined as the co-occurrence of diabetes and at least one of six somatic chronic diseases (hypertension, cardiovascular disease, lung disease, cancer, arthritis, and stroke) and/or two mental chronic conditions (cognitive impairment and high depressive symptoms (CESD score ≥ 4).

KEY RESULTS

The three most prevalent multimorbidity combinations were, in rank-order diabetes-arthritis-hypertension (n = 694, 18.1%); diabetes-hypertension (n = 481, 12.5%); and diabetes-arthritis-hypertension-heart disease (n = 383, 10%). Diabetes-multimorbidity combinations that included high depressive symptoms or stroke had significantly higher counts of ADL-IADL limitations compared with diabetes-only. In head-to-head comparisons of diabetes-multimorbidity combinations, high depressive symptoms or stroke added to somatic multimorbidity combinations was associated with a higher count of ADL-IADL limitations (diabetes-arthritis-hypertension-high depressive symptoms vs. diabetes-arthritis-hypertension: IRR = 1.95 [1.13, 3.38]; diabetes-arthritis-hypertension-stroke vs. diabetes-arthritis-hypertension: IRR = 2.09 [1.15, 3.82]) even after adjusting for age, gender, education, race/ethnicity, BMI, baseline ADL-IADL, and diabetes duration. Coefficients were robust to further adjustment for diabetes treatment.

CONCLUSIONS

Depressive symptoms or stroke added onto other multimorbidity combinations may pose a substantial functional burden for middle-aged and older adults with diabetes.

Trends In Coverage For Disease-Modifying Therapies For Multiple Sclerosis In Medicare Part D

The high cost of multiple sclerosis (MS) disease-modifying therapies can negatively affect access for patients through increased payer restrictions and higher out-of-pocket spending. Our objective was to describe changes in pharmacy benefit coverage and cost-sharing amounts for MS disease-modifying therapies in the Medicare Part D program, using enrollment-weighted Prescription Drug Plan Formulary files for the period 2007-16. Among therapies available throughout the study period, the rate of prior authorization use increased from 61-66 percent of plans to 84-90 percent. The share of plans with at least one therapy available without limitations declined from 39 percent to 17 percent. The projected cumulative out-of-pocket spending for 2019 was $6,894. The therapy with the highest out-of-pocket spending was generic glatiramer acetate. Policy makers need to consider both access restrictions and a growing cost-sharing burden as potential consequences of high and rising drug prices for people with MS.

Racial and Ethnic Differences in Multimorbidity Changes Over Time

BACKGROUND

Our understanding of how multimorbidity progresses and changes is nascent.

OBJECTIVES

Assess multimorbidity changes among racially/ethnically diverse middle-aged and older adults.

DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS

Prospective cohort study using latent class analysis to identify multimorbidity combinations over 16 years, and multinomial logistic models to assess change relative to baseline class membership. Health and Retirement Study respondents (age 51 y and above) in 1998 and followed through 2014 (N=17,297).

MEASURES

Multimorbidity latent classes of: hypertension, heart disease, lung disease, diabetes, cancer, arthritis, stroke, high depressive symptoms.

RESULTS

Three latent classes were identified in 1998: minimal disease (45.8% of participants), cardiovascular-musculoskeletal (34.6%), cardiovascular-musculoskeletal-mental (19.6%); and 3 in 2014: cardiovascular-musculoskeletal (13%), cardiovascular-musculoskeletal-metabolic (12%), multisystem multimorbidity (15%). Remaining participants were deceased (48%) or lost to follow-up (12%) by 2014. Compared with minimal disease, individuals in cardiovascular-musculoskeletal in 1998 were more likely to be in multisystem multimorbidity in 2014 [odds ratio (OR)=1.78, P<0.001], and individuals in cardiovascular-musculoskeletal-mental in 1998 were more likely to be deceased (OR=2.45, P<0.001) or lost to follow-up (OR=3.08, P<0.001). Hispanic and Black Americans were more likely than White Americans to be in multisystem multimorbidity in 2014 (OR=1.67, P=0.042; OR=2.60, P<0.001, respectively). Black compared with White Americans were more likely to be deceased (OR=1.62, P=0.01) or lost to follow-up (OR=2.11, P<0.001) by 2014.

CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE

Racial/ethnic older adults are more likely to accumulate morbidity and die compared with White peers, and should be the focus of targeted and enhanced efforts to prevent and/or delay progression to more complex multimorbidity patterns.

Effect of β-blockers on cardiac and pulmonary events and death in older adults with cardiovascular disease and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

CONTEXT

In older adults with multiple conditions, medications may not impart the same benefits seen in patients who are younger or without multimorbidity. Furthermore, medications given for one condition may adversely affect other outcomes. β-Blocker use with coexisting cardiovascular disease (CVD) and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is such a situation.

OBJECTIVE

To determine the effect of β-blocker use on cardiac and pulmonary outcomes and mortality in older adults with coexisting COPD and CVD.

DESIGN, SETTING, PARTICIPANTS

The study included 1062 participants who were members of the 2004-2007 Medicare Current Beneficiary Survey cohorts, a nationally representative sample of Medicare beneficiaries. Study criteria included age over 65 years plus coexisting CVD and COPD/asthma. Follow-up occurred through 2009. We determined the association between β-blocker use and the outcomes with propensity score-adjusted and covariate-adjusted Cox proportional hazards.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

The 3 outcomes were major cardiac events, pulmonary events, and all-cause mortality.

RESULTS

Half of the participants used β-blockers. During follow-up, 179 participants experienced a major cardiac event; 389 participants experienced a major pulmonary event; and 255 participants died. Each participant could have experienced any ≥1 of these events. The hazard ratio for β-blocker use was 1.18 [95% confidence interval (CI), 0.85-1.62] for cardiac events, 0.91 (95% CI, 0.73-1.12) for pulmonary events, and 0.87 (95% CI, 0.67-1.13) for death.

CONCLUSION

In this population of older adults, β-blockers did not seem to affect occurrence of cardiac or pulmonary events or death in those with CVD and COPD.

Overcoming birth weight: can physical activity mitigate birth weight-related differences in adiposity?

BACKGROUND

Individuals born at low or high birth weight (BW) have elevated adiposity. The extent to which physical activity can mitigate this risk is unknown.

OBJECTIVES

The aim of this study was to determine if associations between BW and adiposity vary by self-reported moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) among adolescents.

METHODS

We used data on adolescents in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (1999-2006; 12-15 years; n = 4064). Using gender-stratified linear regression, we modelled body mass index (BMI) and waist circumference (WC) z-scores as a function of low, normal and high BW, MVPA (weekly Metabolic Equivalent of Task hours) and MVPA*BW cross-product terms, adjusting for sociodemographics, diet and, in WC models, BMI.

RESULTS

Among girls with low MVPA, those born with high BW had greater BMI than normal BW; this difference diminished with greater MVPA (coefficient [95% confidence interval]: low MVPA: 0.72 [0.29, 1.14]; high MVPA: -0.04 [-0.48, 0.39]; P for interaction = 0.05). Among boys, MVPA did not modify the associations between BW and BMI. WC was unrelated to BW, regardless of MVPA.

CONCLUSIONS

Findings suggest that effects of high BW in total adiposity can be more easily modified with MVPA in adolescent girls than in boys.

Cardiovascular Outcomes in Aortopathy: GenTAC Registry of Genetically Triggered Aortic Aneurysms and Related Conditions

BACKGROUND

The GenTAC (Genetically Triggered Thoracic Aortic Aneurysm and Cardiovascular Conditions) Registry enrolled patients with genetic aortopathies between 2007 and 2016.

OBJECTIVES

The purpose of this study was to compare age distribution and probability of elective surgery for proximal aortic aneurysm, any dissection surgery, and cardiovascular mortality among aortopathy etiologies.

METHODS

The GenTAC study had a retrospective/prospective design. Participants with bicuspid aortic valve (BAV) with aneurysm (n = 879), Marfan syndrome (MFS) (n = 861), nonsyndromic heritable thoracic aortic disease (nsHTAD) (n = 378), Turner syndrome (TS) (n = 298), vascular Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (vEDS) (n = 149), and Loeys-Dietz syndrome (LDS) (n = 121) were analyzed.

RESULTS

The 25% probability of elective proximal aortic aneurysm surgery was 30 years for LDS (95% CI: 18-37 years), followed by MFS (34 years; 95% CI: 32-36 years), nsHTAD (52 years; 95% CI: 48-56 years), and BAV (55 years; 95% CI: 53-58 years). Any dissection surgery 25% probability was highest in LDS (38 years; 95% CI: 33-53 years) followed by MFS (51 years; 95% CI: 46-57 years) and nsHTAD (54 years; 95% CI: 51-61 years). BAV experienced the largest relative frequency of elective surgery to any dissection surgery (254/33 = 7.7), compared with MFS (273/112 = 2.4), LDS (35/16 = 2.2), or nsHTAD (82/76 = 1.1). With MFS as the reference population, risk of any dissection surgery or cardiovascular mortality was lowest in BAV patients (HR: 0.13; 95% CI: 0.08-0.18; HR: 0.13; 95%: CI: 0.06-0.27, respectively). The greatest risk of mortality was seen in patients with vEDS.

CONCLUSIONS

Marfan and LDS cohorts demonstrate age and event profiles congruent with the current understanding of syndromic aortopathies. BAV events weigh toward elective replacement with relatively few dissection surgeries. Nonsyndromic HTAD patients experience near equal probability of dissection vs prophylactic surgery, possibly because of failure of early diagnosis.

Lipoic Acid Stimulates cAMP Production in Healthy Control and Secondary Progressive MS Subjects

Lipoic acid (LA) exhibits antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties; supplementation reduces disease severity and T lymphocyte migration into the central nervous system in a murine model of multiple sclerosis (MS), and administration in secondary progressive MS (SPMS) subjects reduces brain atrophy compared to placebo. The mechanism of action (MOA) of LA's efficacy in suppression of MS pathology is incompletely understood. LA stimulates production of the immunomodulator cyclic AMP (cAMP) in vitro. To determine whether cAMP could be involved in the MOA of LA in vivo, we performed a clinical trial to examine whether LA stimulates cAMP production in healthy control and MS subjects, and whether there are differences in the bioavailability of LA between groups. We administered 1200 mg of oral LA to healthy control, relapsing remitting MS (RRMS) and SPMS subjects, and measured plasma LA and cAMP levels in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs). There were no significant differences between the groups in pharmacokinetic (PK) parameters. Healthy and SPMS subjects had increased cAMP at 2 and 4 h post-LA treatment compared to baseline, while RRMS subjects showed decreases in cAMP. Additionally, plasma concentrations of prostaglandin E2 (PGE₂, a known cAMP stimulator) were significantly lower in female RRMS subjects compared to female HC and SPMS subjects 4 h after LA ingestion. These data indicate that cAMP could be part of the MOA of LA in SPMS, and that there is a divergent response to LA in RRMS subjects that may have implications in the efficacy of immunomodulatory drugs. This clinical trial, "Defining the Anti-inflammatory Role of Lipoic Acid in Multiple Sclerosis," NCT00997438, is registered at https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/record/NCT00997438 .

Health-related quality of life in Veterans with epileptic and psychogenic nonepileptic seizures

RATIONALE

Health-related quality of life (HRQoL) is compromised in civilians with epileptic seizures (ES) or psychogenic nonepileptic seizures (PNES). U.S. Veterans are a distinct patient group with regard to gender, age, and background. We studied HRQoL in Veterans and asked the following: (1) Is there a difference in HRQoL in Veterans with ES vs. PNES?; (2) What factors influence HRQoL in each group?; (3) What factors influenced the difference between seizure groups?

METHODS

We studied consecutive Veterans entering the epilepsy monitoring units (EMUs) of three VA Epilepsy Centers of Excellence. Patients underwent continuous video-EEG monitoring. Seizure diagnoses followed established criteria. Health-related quality of life was measured with the Quality of Life in Epilepsy Inventory-31 (QOLIE-31). Evaluations included the Structured Clinical Interview for Diagnostic and Statistical Manual-IV (DSM IV), the posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) Checklist (PCL), the Beck Depression Inventory II (BDI-II), and the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory-2 Restructured form (MMPI-2RF). Between-group differences were tested with Wilcoxon tests. Nested regression analysis was used to evaluate the influence of demographic, social, military, seizure-related, and psychological factors on QOLIE-31 scores.

RESULTS

The median QOLIE-31 total score was 14 points lower in Veterans with PNES vs. ES (p < 0.001; Cohen's d = 0.73). Within each seizure group, psychological factors accounted for ≥50% of the variance in QOLIE scores while combined demographic, social, and seizure-related factors accounted for 18% (group with ES) and 7% (PNES). Psychological measures, particularly PCL and the BDI-II scores, accounted for all of the difference in QOLIE-31 total scores between Veterans with ES and those with PNES.

CONCLUSIONS

Health-related quality of life as measured by the QOLIE-31 is worse in Veterans with PNES as compared with those with ES. Psychological factors account for the most of the variance in QOLIE-31 scores regardless of seizure type and also account for the difference between groups with PNES and ES. Demographic, military, social, and seizure-related factors have minimal influence on HRQoL. These results in U.S. Veterans are similar to those found in civilians despite differences in patient age, gender, and background.

Are there sex differences in potentially inappropriate prescribing in adults with multimorbidity?

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES

Limited knowledge exists regarding sex differences in prescribing potentially inappropriate medications (PIMs) for various multimorbidity patterns. This study sought to determine sex differences in PIM prescribing in older adults with cardiovascular-metabolic patterns.

DESIGN

Retrospective cohort study.

SETTING

Health and Retirement Study (HRS) 2004-2014 interview data, linked to HRS-Medicare claims data annualized for 2005-2014.

STUDY SAMPLE

Six thousand three-hundred and forty-one HRS participants aged 65 and older with two and more chronic conditions.

MEASUREMENTS

PIM events were calculated using 2015 American Geriatrics Society Beers Criteria. Multimorbidity patterns included: "cardiovascular-metabolic only," "cardiovascular-metabolic plus other physical conditions," "cardiovascular-metabolic plus mental conditions," and "no cardiovascular-metabolic disease" patterns. Logistic regression models were used to determine the association between PIM and sex, including interaction between sex and multimorbidity categories in the model, for PIM overall and for each PIM drug class.

RESULTS

Women were prescribed PIMs more often than men (39.4% vs 32.8%). Overall, women had increased odds of PIM (Adj. odds ratio [OR] = 1.30, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.16-1.46). Women had higher odds of PIM than men with cardiovascular-metabolic plus physical patterns (Adj. OR = 1.25, 95% CI: 1.07-1.45) and cardiovascular-metabolic plus mental patterns (Adj. OR = 1.25, 95% CI: 1.06-1.48), and there were no sex differences in adults with a cardiovascular-metabolic only patterns (Adj. OR = 1.13, 95% CI: 0.79-1.62). Women had greater odds of being prescribed the following PIMs: anticholinergics, antidepressants, antispasmodics, benzodiazepines, skeletal muscle relaxants, and had lower odds of being prescribed pain drugs and sulfonylureas compared with men.

CONCLUSION

This study evaluated sex differences in PIM prescribing among adults with complex cardiovascular-metabolic multimorbidity patterns. The effect of sex varied across multimorbidity patterns and by different PIM drug classes. This study identified important opportunities for future interventions to improve medication prescribing among older adults at risk for PIM.

Multimorbidity Accumulation Among Middle-Aged Americans: Differences by Race/Ethnicity and Body Mass Index

BACKGROUND

Obesity and multimorbidity are more prevalent among U.S. racial/ethnic minority groups. Evaluating racial/ethnic disparities in disease accumulation according to body mass index (BMI) may guide interventions to reduce multimorbidity burden in vulnerable racial/ethnic groups.

METHOD

We used data from the 1998-2016 Health and Retirement Study on 8 106 participants aged 51-55 at baseline. Disease burden and multimorbidity (≥2 co-occurring diseases) were assessed using 7 chronic diseases: arthritis, cancer, heart disease, diabetes, hypertension, lung disease, and stroke. Four BMI categories were defined per convention: normal, overweight, obese class 1, and obese class 2/3. Generalized estimating equations models with inverse probability weights estimated the accumulation of chronic diseases.

RESULTS

Overweight and obesity were more prevalent in non-Hispanic Black (82.3%) and Hispanic (78.9%) than non-Hispanic White (70.9 %) participants at baseline. The baseline burden of disease was similar across BMI categories, but disease accumulation was faster in the obese class 2/3 and marginally in the obese class 1 categories compared with normal BMI. Black participants across BMI categories had a higher initial burden and faster accumulation of disease over time, while Hispanics had a lower initial burden and similar rate of accumulation, compared with Whites. Black participants, including those with normal BMI, reach the multimorbidity threshold 5-6 years earlier compared with White participants.

CONCLUSIONS

Controlling weight and reducing obesity early in the lifecourse may slow the progression of multimorbidity in later life. Further investigations are needed to identify the factors responsible for the early and progressing nature of multimorbidity in Blacks of nonobese weight.

Association between treatment setting and outcomes among oregon medicaid patients with opioid use disorder: a retrospective cohort study

BACKGROUND

Residential treatment is a common approach for treating opioid use disorder (OUD), however, few studies have directly compared it to outpatient treatment. The objective of this study was to compare OUD outcomes among individuals receiving residential and outpatient treatment.

METHODS

A retrospective cohort study used linked data from a state Medicaid program, vital statistics, and the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) Treatment Episodes Dataset (TEDS) to compare OUD-related health outcomes among individuals treated in a residential or outpatient setting between 2014 and 2017. Multivariable Cox proportional hazards and logistic regression models examined the association between treatment setting and outcomes (i.e., opioid overdose, non-overdose opioid-related and all-cause emergency department (ED) visits, hospital admissions, and treatment retention) controlling for patient characteristics, co-morbidities, and use of medications for opioid use disorders (MOUD). Interaction models evaluated how MOUD use modified associations between treatment setting and outcomes.

RESULTS

Of 3293 individuals treated for OUD, 957 (29%) received treatment in a residential facility. MOUD use was higher among those treated as an outpatient (43%) compared to residential (19%). The risk of opioid overdose (aHR 1.39; 95% CI 0.73-2.64) or an opioid-related emergency department encounter or admission (aHR 1.02; 95% CI 0.80-1.29) did not differ between treatment settings. Independent of setting, MOUD use was associated with a significant reduction in overdose risk (aHR 0.45; 95% CI 0.23-0.89). Residential care was associated with greater odds of retention at 6-months (aOR 1.71; 95% CI 1.32-2.21) but not 1-year. Residential treatment was only associated with improved retention for individuals not receiving MOUD (6-month aOR 2.05; 95% CI 1.56-2.71) with no benefit observed in those who received MOUD (aOR 0.75; 95% CI 0.46-1.29; interaction p = 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

Relative to outpatient treatment, residential treatment was not associated with reductions in opioid overdose or opioid-related ED encounters/hospitalizations. Regardless of setting, MOUD use was associated with a significant reduction in opioid overdose risk.

Changes in long-acting β-agonist utilization after the FDA's 2010 drug safety communication

PURPOSE

In February 2010, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued new recommendations for the safe use of long-acting β-agonists (LABAs) in patients with asthma. The objective of this study was to determine the impact of the FDA's 2010 safety advisory on LABA utilization.

METHODS

Using administrative data from the Oregon Medicaid program, we performed an interrupted time series regression to evaluate changes in the trend in new LABA prescriptions before and after the FDA's 2010 advisory. Trends in incident fills were examined among those with and without an asthma diagnosis code and previous respiratory controller medication use; trends were also assessed according to patient age.

FINDINGS

The average age of the 8646 study patients was 37 years, 53% had a diagnosis of asthma, 21% had no respiratory diagnosis, and 32% had not used a respiratory controller medication in the recent past. The trend in new LABA prescriptions declined by 0.09 new start per 10,000 patients per month (95% CI, -0.19 to -0.01) after the FDA's advisory. Among those with a diagnosis of asthma, there was an immediate drop of 0.48 (95% CI, -0.93 to -0.03) and a 0.10 (95% CI, -0.13 to -0.06) decline in the monthly rate of new starts per 10,000 patients. Immediately after the FDA's advisory, we observed a statistically significant 4.7% increase (95% CI, 0.8 to 8.7) in the proportion of new LABA starts with history of previous respiratory controller medication use. Utilization of LABAs did not change in those without a diagnosis of asthma.

IMPLICATIONS

The FDA's 2010 advisory was associated with modest reductions in LABA utilization overall and in ways highlighted in their recommendations.

Evaluation of rescue oral glucocorticoid therapy during inpatient cystic fibrosis exacerbations

An acute pulmonary exacerbation (APE) in cystic fibrosis (CF) is characterized by increased pulmonary symptoms attributed to bacterial colonization, neutrophil recruitment, and inflammation. Antimicrobials, airway clearance, and nutrition are the mainstay of therapy. However, when patients fail to improve, corticosteroids have been added to therapy. We retrospectively examined the use of rescue steroids in a children's hospital from 2013 to 2017 during CF APE treatment following at least 1 week of inpatient therapy without expected clinical improvement. In total, 106 encounters of 53 unique patients, aged 6-20 years, who had FEV1 percent predicted (FEV1pp) data at baseline, admission, midpoint, and discharge, and had admission duration of at least 12 days were studied. Encounters treated with steroids had less improvement at midpoint percent change from admission in FEV1pp (4.9 ± 11.3) than nonsteroid group change in FEV1pp (20.1 ± 24.6; p < .001). Failure to improve as expected was the rationale for steroid use. At discharge, there was no difference in mean FEV1pp (p = .76). Delays in steroid therapy by waiting until the end of the second week increased the total length of stay (LOS). Propensity matching, comparing outcomes in patients without midpoint improvement in FEV1pp, was also evaluated. There was no difference in admission or discharge FEV1pp between groups. Equally, no difference in FEV1pp at follow-up visit or in time until the next APE was detected. Secondary analysis for associations including gender, genotype, fungal colonization, or inhaled antimicrobials was nonsignificant. These data suggest rescue use of corticosteroids during APE does not predictably impact important outcome measures during CF APE treatment.

Flow Cytometry Analysis of Free Intracellular NAD+ Using a Targeted Biosensor

Flow cytometry approaches combined with a genetically encoded targeted fluorescent biosensor are used to determine the subcellular compartmental availability of the oxidized form of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD⁺ ). The availability of free NAD⁺ can affect the activities of NAD⁺ -consuming enzymes such as sirtuin, PARP/ARTD, and cyclic ADPR-hydrolase family members. Many methods for measuring the NAD⁺ available to these enzymes are limited because they cannot determine free NAD⁺ as it exists in various subcellular compartments distinctly from bound NAD⁺ or NADH. Here, an approach to express the sensor in mammalian cells, monitor NAD⁺ -dependent fluorescence intensity changes using flow cytometry approaches, and analyze data obtained is described. The benefit of flow cytometry approaches with the NAD⁺ sensor is the ability to monitor compartmentalized free NAD⁺ fluctuations simultaneously within many cells, which greatly facilitates analyses and calibration. © 2018 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

Are We on the Same Page? A Cross-Sectional Study of Patient-Clinician Goal Concordance in Rheumatoid Arthritis

OBJECTIVE

Patient-clinician goal concordance is associated with improved outcomes in certain chronic diseases but not explored in rheumatoid arthritis (RA). We examined goal concordance, correlates of concordance, and the association of concordance with health outcomes.

METHODS

Adult patients with RA seen at least 1 time in the prior 12 months at 1 of 2 rheumatology clinics participated. Patients and their clinicians independently ranked top 3 goals for RA treatment from 8 options before a routine visit. Patients completed postvisit surveys on health, demographic information, health literacy, and adherence. Goal concordance was defined as the patient's number 1 goal being among the clinician's top 3 goals for that patient. Bivariable and multivariable logistic regression models were used to examine correlates of concordance.

RESULTS

Patients were 58% female and 16% Spanish-speaking, and 29% had limited health literacy. Among 204 patient-clinician dyads, 20% were goal-discordant. "Have less pain" was selected by both patient and clinician in 81% of dyads, followed by "have fewer problems doing daily activities" by 63%. Otherwise, clinicians prioritized avoiding side effects, whereas patients ranked improved sleep, fatigue, and mood. Longer disease duration was associated with discordance (median 13.3 years, interquartile range [IQR] 5.2-20 among discordant vs. 7 years, IQR 4-14; P = 0.039); higher depressive symptoms were associated with concordance (8.1% vs. 24%; P = 0.04). Goal concordance was associated with higher medication adherence (adjusted odds ratio 2.76 [95% confidence interval 1.01, 7.56]).

CONCLUSION

One in 5 patient-clinician dyads had discordant treatment goals. Goal concordance was associated with higher medication adherence. Studies to improve goal elicitation and communication of patients with RA's priorities are needed.

Recognizing Pediatric ARDS: Provider Use of the PALICC Recommendations in a Tertiary Pediatric ICU

BACKGROUND

For almost 50 years, pediatricians used adult guidelines to diagnose ARDS. In 2015, specific criteria for pediatric ARDS were defined. However, it remains unclear how frequently providers recognize pediatric ARDS and whether recognition affects adherence to consensus recommendations.

METHODS

This was a mixed-method, retrospective study of mechanically ventilated pediatric subjects after the release of the pediatric ARDS recommendation statement. Pediatric ARDS cases were identified according to the new criteria. Provider recognition was defined by documentation in the medical record. Pediatric ARDS subjects with and without provider recognition were compared quantitatively according to clinical characteristics, adherence to lung-protective ventilation (LPV), adjunctive therapies, and outcomes. A qualitative document analysis (QDA) was performed to evaluate knowledge and beliefs surrounding the Pediatric Acute Lung Injury Consensus Conference recommendations.

RESULTS

Of 1,983 subject encounters, pediatric ARDS was identified in 321 (16%). Provider recognition was present in 97 (30%) cases and occurred more often in subjects who were older, had worse oxygenation deficits, or were bone marrow transplant recipients. Recognition rates increased each studied year. LPV practices did not differ based on provider recognition; however, subjects who received it were more likely to experience permissive hypoxemia and adherence to extrapulmonary recommendations. Ultimately, there was no differences in outcomes between the provider recognition and non-provider recognition groups. Three themes emerged from the QDA: (1) pediatric ARDS presents within a complex, multidimensional context, with potentially competing organ system failures; (2) similar to historical conceptualizations, pediatric ARDS was often considered a visual diagnosis, with measures of oxygenation unreferenced; and (3) emphasis was placed on non-evidence-based interventions, such as pulmonary clearance techniques, rather than on consensus recommendations.

CONCLUSIONS

Among mechanically ventilated children, pediatric ARDS was common but recognized in a minority of cases. Potential opportunities, such as an opt-out approach to LPV, may exist for improved dissemination and implementation of recommended best practices.

Social Support and Social Strain as Predictors of Depressive Symptom Trajectories Following a Marital Transition

We investigated trajectories of depressive symptoms over 10 years following a marital transition (widowed or divorced) using data from the Health and Retirement Study (N = 377, mean age = 67.55 years; years 2006-2016). Piecewise growth curve models were estimated to investigate whether social support and strain from one’s spouse, measured prior to transition, predicted depressive symptom trajectories following the transition. Covariates included sex, age, education, race/ethnicity, wealth, and chronic conditions. Overall, trajectories of depressive symptoms after a marital transition were significantly negative, indicating a decrease in depressive symptoms over time. Findings did not differ significantly between participants who were widowed and those who were divorced. Spousal social support was associated with an increase in depressive symptoms and spousal social strain was associated with a decrease in depressive symptoms following a marital transition in separate models: support: b = .250, SE = .062, p &lt;.001; strain: b = -.209, SE = .095, p &lt;.05. However, social strain was not significant when examined jointly with social support. Depressive symptoms declined significantly for low (b = -.370, SE = .100, p &lt;.001) and average levels of social support (b = -.113, SE = .037, p &lt;.01), but not for high levels of spouse social support (b = .143, SE = .109, p = .188). These results suggest those with the highest levels of spousal support prior to the transition, whether divorced or widowed, experienced a more difficult recovery and may be targets for additional mental health support following a marital transition.

Annual Wellness Visits and Influenza Vaccinations among Older Adults in the US

OBJECTIVES

Investigate whether combinations of sociodemographic factors, chronic conditions, and other health indicators pose barriers for older adults to access Annual Wellness Visits (AWVs) and influenza vaccinations.

METHODS

Data on 4999 individuals aged ≥65 years from the 2012 wave of the Health and Retirement Study linked with Medicare claims were analyzed. Conditional Inference Tree (CIT) and Random Forest (CIRF) analyses identified the most important predictors of AWVs and influenza vaccinations. Multivariable logistic regression (MLR) was used to quantify the associations.

RESULTS

Two-year uptake was 22.8% for AWVs and 65.9% for influenza vaccinations. For AWVs, geographical region and wealth emerged as the most important predictors. For influenza vaccinations, number of somatic conditions, race/ethnicity, education, and wealth were the most important predictors.

CONCLUSIONS

The importance of geographic region for AWV utilization suggests that this service was unequally adopted. Non-Hispanic black participants and/or those with functional limitations were less likely to receive influenza vaccination.