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Objectives To compare outcomes and costs following skilled nursing facility (SNF) discharge for patients within a Medicare Advantage (MA) organization vs traditional Medicare (TM). Study design Retrospective analysis of adults with a postacute SNF admission identified from MA claims (MA cohort: n = 56,228) and the Medicare 5% Limited Data Sets (TM cohort: n = 67,859). Methods Outcomes included hospitalization, proportion of days at home, and total medical costs during the 180 days post SNF discharge, and successful community discharge. Regression models accounted for patient characteristics and health care utilization in the 180 days prior to the proximal hospitalization and characteristics of the proximal hospitalization using backward variable selection and fixed effects for MA enrollment. To control for observable differences between individuals who selected MA vs TM, inverse probability of treatment weighting (IPTW) was conducted. Results The MA cohort was younger than the TM cohort (median age, 77 vs 81 years), more likely to have qualified for Medicare based on disability (29% vs 20%), and less likely to have dual Medicare/Medicaid eligibility (16% vs 23%). After adjustment, MA was associated with 22% decreased odds of hospitalization during the 180 days post SNF discharge, 19% increased odds of successful community discharge, a 4% increase in the proportion of days at home (equating to 6.7 additional days), and a 24% decrease in medical costs post SNF discharge. Results using IPTW were similar. Conclusions MA was associated with better outcomes and lower costs post SNF discharge, suggesting efficiencies in care for SNF patients with MA. Further research is needed to evaluate specific MA features that may lead to better value.

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA), psoriatic arthritis (PsA), and psoriasis (PSO) are immune-mediated systemic, chronic inflammatory conditions. Moderate to severe disease is treated with conventional disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs) such as methotrexate, sulfasalazine, or leflunomide. If a patient does not respond to these firstline treatments, then tumor necrosis factor inhibitor (TNFi) or non-TNFi immunotherapy agents are administered via infusion, injection, or taken orally. Although the effectiveness of established infusion, injection, and newer oral therapies are known, the relative effectiveness among the routes of administration is not well understood.To compare drug use, health care resource utilization, and costs among patients who are treatment-naive to oral immunotherapy and injectable biologic immunotherapy.This retrospective observational study used claims data from a large U.S. health plan to identify new users of oral and injectable immunotherapy, diagnosed with a joint (RA or PsA), skin (PSO), or joint and skin condition from July 1, 2014, to June 30, 2017. The index date was the first claim for an oral or injectable medication. Medicaid, Medicare Advantage, and commercial plan patients aged 19-89 years with continuous enrollment 6 months before and 12 months after the index date were included in the study. Outcomes were adjusted using propensity score by inverse probability of treatment weighting. Treatment discontinuation, switching, health care resource utilization, and costs were measured during the post-index period.Oral versus injectable users with joint (n = 458 vs. 3,875), skin (n = 265 vs. 951), or joint and skin (n = 171 vs. 805) conditions were identified. For drug utilization outcomes, no differences in discontinuation rates were observed between oral and injectable groups for any of the cohorts. However, those in skin and joint and skin cohorts had higher rates of switching to other immunotherapies in patients initiated on orals compared with injectables. Health care resource utilization outcomes were mixed. While mean outpatient and physician office visits were significantly higher in oral compared with injectable groups across all 3 cohorts, no differences were observed for inpatient stays. Total costs (medical plus pharmacy) were lower for oral groups across all 3 cohorts. Pharmacy costs were lower for oral groups, but medical costs were higher for oral groups across all 3 cohorts.This is the first population-level study at a route-of-administration level, which compared switching, health care resource utilization, and costs across several conditions. Switching drugs was more likely in the oral group, which may indicate lower effectiveness or tolerability of oral immunotherapies relative to injectables. Health care resource utilization was higher in the oral group, but total costs were lower, which was likely driven by the lower costs of oral drugs.This study was a Humana internal study, and all authors were at the time employees of Humana and used Humana resources. The authors have no conflicts of interest or financial interests to disclose that relate to the research described in this study. This study was presented as a podium and poster presentation at the AMCP Managed CareSpecialty Pharmacy Annual Meeting; April 23-26, 2018; Boston, MA.

635 Background: Although a handful of studies have elicited treatment preferences in renal cell carcinoma (RCC), most focused on advanced disease. This study elicited United States patients’ and physicians’ preferences for adjuvant treatment characteristics. Methods: Patients with physician-confirmed RCC and (physician-defined) intermediate high or high risk of recurrence and physicians who treat such patients completed online surveys in Q1-Q2 2022 with a discrete-choice experiment. Hypothetical treatments were described by median disease-free survival (DFS); 5-year overall survival (OS) rate; mode and frequency of administration; need for concomitant daily pill; treatment duration; and the risks of severe diarrhea, fatigue, and dizziness. Preference weight estimates from random parameter logit analysis were used to calculate the conditional relative importance of attributes and risk tolerance measures. Results: 250 patients (50% post-nephrectomy) and 250 physicians (64% oncologists; 36% urologists) completed the survey. OS was the most important attribute to both patients and physicians, but DFS was also important (Table). OS had a greater influence on physicians’ choices than on patients’ choices. On average, OS was 3.2 and 2.5 times as important as DFS and 5.8-9.1 and 2.4-3 times more important than the evaluated risks for physicians and patients, respectively. Further, DFS was 1.8-2.9 times more important to physicians than the evaluated risks, while the importance of DFS and risks were nearly equivalent for patients. The need for concomitant oral medication was the least important attribute to patients and physicians. Both groups were willing to accept more than a 25-percentage-point increase in the risks of severe diarrhea, fatigue, and dizziness for improvements (from 45% to 60% or 85%) in OS. Conclusions: While both patients and physicians weighted OS improvements more than the other treatment attributes, including risks, physicians tended to place lower importance on changes in risk and administration than patients. Physicians and patients should discuss potential benefits and harms when considering adjuvant RCC therapies. [Table: see text]

661 Background: To inform shared decision-making, it is important to learn how patients or physicians trade off the features of adjuvant treatments and whether there is heterogeneity within preferences. Methods: An online discrete-choice experiment survey was administered to patients with physician-confirmed renal cell carcinoma (RCC) and physician-defined intermediate high/high risk of recurrence and physicians who treat such patients. Hypothetical treatment choices were defined by median disease-free survival (DFS); 5-year overall survival (OS) rate; mode and frequency of administration; need for concomitant daily pill; treatment duration; and the risks of severe diarrhea, fatigue, and dizziness. After making an adjuvant treatment choice, respondents were presented with the opportunity to opt out of treatment. Patient and physician choice data were analyzed separately using latent class (LC) models, which identify clusters within patients and physicians making similar choices. Each class’ preference weights were used to calculate the conditional relative attribute importance. Results: LC analysis identified three classes among the 250 patients (% respondents) that placed greater relative importance on: 1) 5-year OS and opting into treatment (37.5%), 2) median DFS and opting into treatment (26.9%), and 3) treatment duration and opting out of treatment (35.5%) (Table). Among the 250 physicians, the LC analysis identified three classes that placed greater relative importance on: 1) 5-year OS and recommending treatment (37.5%), 2) median DFS and recommending treatment (37.8%), and 3) not recommending treatment (24.7%). Additionally, each LC analysis showed that the other treatment attributes evaluated were less important, but the importance varied by LC (Table). Conclusions: Heterogeneity in physician and patient preferences for RCC adjuvant therapy was found, highlighting a need for shared decision-making. Discordance within patients and physicians in the propensity to opt out of adjuvant treatment suggests patient-physician dialogue is important. [Table: see text]

BACKGROUND Home health use is rising rapidly in the United States as the population ages, the prevalence of chronic disease increases, and older Americans express their desire to age at home. Enrollment in Medicare Advantage (MA) plans rather than Traditional Medicare (TM) has grown as well, from 13% of total Medicare enrollment in 2004 to 39% in 2020. Despite these shifts, little is known about outcomes and costs following home health in MA as compared with TM. OBJECTIVE The objective of this study was to measure the association of MA enrollment with outcomes and costs for patients using home health. DESIGN This was a retrospective cohort study. PARTICIPANTS Patients enrolled in plans offered by 1 large, national MA organization and patients enrolled in TM, with at least 1 home health visit between January 1, 2017, and June 30, 2018. EXPOSURE MA enrollment. MAIN MEASURES We compared the intensity of home health services and types of care delivered. The main outcome measures were hospitalization, the proportion of days in the home, and total allowed costs during the 180-day period following the first qualifying home health visit during the study period. KEY RESULTS Among patients who used home health, our models demonstrated enrollment in MA was associated with 14%, and 6% decreased odds of 60- and 180-day hospitalization, respectively, a 12.8% and 14.7% decrease in medical costs exclusive and inclusive of home health costs, respectively, and a 0.27% increase in the proportion of days at home during the 180-day follow-up, equivalent to an additional half-day at home. There were few differences in home health care delivered for MA and TM [mean number of visits in the first episode of care (17.1 vs. 17.3) and mean visits per week (3.2 vs. 3.3)]. The mean number of visits by visit type and percent of patients with each type was similar between MA and TM as well. CONCLUSIONS Compared with enrollment in TM, enrollment in MA was associated with improved patient-centered outcomes and lower cost and utilization, despite few differences in the way home health was delivered. These findings might be explained by structural components of MA that encourage better care management, but further investigation is needed to clarify the mechanisms by which MA enrollment may lead to higher value home health care.

Human beings have an innate tendency to socialize and the Internet gives us the opportunity to overcome geographical barriers and communicate with people located even at the opposite side of the world. Computers that started the journey of digital communication with simple emails and bulletin board systems in the eighties of the previous century have manifested their potential of connecting people across the globe with the evolution of social networking. Social networking has emerged as effective tools for bringing people of similar disposition or needs, whether professional or personal, under the same platform enabling interaction and sharing between peers. However, these services operate in a centralized environment. Blockchain, on the other hand, is revolutionizing the process of sharing things digitally between peers in a decentralized and secured fashion. In this paper, we investigate how blockchain can be applied to social networking services and review some of the currently existing social networking applications that utilize blockchain. We then propose our social networking application, e-Mudra, built on the principles of blockchain technology that facilitates peer-to-peer exchange of leftover foreign currency from international travel.

4543 Background: Prior research shows that post-nephrectomy recurrence is correlated with significantly increased mortality in patients (pts) with intermediate-high (int-high) risk and high risk RCC. However, no study has quantified the incremental OS associated with increased time to recurrence (ToR). Additionally, limited evidence is presented on the variation of recurrence rate and OS by stage of RCC. Methods: The SEER-Medicare database (2007–2016) was used in this retrospective observational study. Post-nephrectomy pts with newly diagnosed, int-high risk (pT2 N0 high grade, pT3 N0 any grade) or high-risk (pT4 N0 any grade, pT any N1 any grade) RCC were identified and stratified based on tumor stage and grade. Grade was defined based on Furhman grading system and was reported in SEER Registry. Post-nephrectomy recurrence free rates and OS by disease stage were described using Kaplan-Meier analyses. OS from nephrectomy in pts with recurrence vs pts without recurrence was compared by disease stage. Multivariable regression analysis was used to quantify the incremental OS associated with increased ToR post-nephrectomy in all pts with recurrence. Results: 643 pts met the inclusion criteria (269 with vs 374 without recurrence; median follow-up: 23 months). The mean age was 75.5 years (yrs), 61% male, and 86% white. Results presented in the table showed wide variance in 5-yr recurrence-free rate in int-high risk group (28%-63%) and indicated substantial risk of disease recurrence in all subgroups of int-high risk pts. Among those with T3 Grade 1-2, T3 Grade 3, and T3 Grade 4 disease, pts with recurrence had significantly higher risk of death than those without (all ps

e16526 Background: Real world evidence (RWE) on patient outcomes among early-stage non-metastatic renal cell carcinoma (RCC) patients (pts) of different risk groups are limited. This RWE study evaluated disease free survival (DFS) and overall survival (OS) patterns and risk of OS among pts with non-metastatic RCC in the US. Methods: This retrospective analysis identified pts, age ≥18 years, with non-metastatic RCC diagnosis between 01/01/2012-12/31/2015, and surgical treatment for RCC prior to metastatic diagnosis. Pts were identified from the ConcertAI Oncology Dataset which draws electronic medical records from 100 community oncology clinics in the US and followed until 08/19/2021. Pts were stratified into intermediate (int)-high (pT2N0 high grade, pT3N0) or high risk (pT4N0, pTanyN1) RCC. Time to event outcomes (DFS, OS) were examined using Kaplan-Meier methods, and association of recurrence and 5yr OS was examined using Cox proportional hazard model, controlling for baseline and clinical characteristics. DFS was defined as time from initial nephrectomy to first recurrence or death, whichever occurred first. OS was defined as time from initial nephrectomy to death. Results: The study included 274 pts (87% int-high risk, N = 239; 13% high risk, N = 35). Overall, pts were 63.5 yrs (median age), 66% male, 78% White, and 73% had clear cell RCC. Median follow-up was 49.5 months (mths). 54% int-high and 69% high risk pts had recurrence. As seen in the table, median DFS ranged from 14.6-64.8 mths and 5yr DFS rates ranged from 10-61% across risk groups. Median OS was 83.4 mths for int-high and 78.4 mths for high risk pts; 5yr OS rate was 69% for int-high and 58% for high risk. Compared to patients without recurrence, pts with recurrence had shorter median OS (93.8 vs 69.6 mths) and lower 5yr OS rate (85% vs 57%). In pts with recurrence, 5yr OS rate was similar between int-high and high risk groups (58% and 57%). Pts with recurrence were 2.4 times (HR = 2.4; 95% CI = 1.5, 3.9) more likely to die 5 yrs post initial nephrectomy compared to pts without recurrence. Conclusions: This study confirms findings from our previous research with SEER data that pts with recurrence had an increased risk of death, compared to pts without. The DFS and OS rates observed in this RWE study are supportive of DFS and OS rates observed in the placebo arm of the KEYNOTE-564 trial. Additionally, poor DFS rates were observed within subgroups of int-high risk pts. The study results indicate the high real-world unmet need in post-nephrectomy int-high or high risk localized RCC pts, highlight the need for effective adjuvant treatments, and inform the design of future interventional trials in non-metastatic RCC pts.[Table: see text]

Objective: To estimate amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) prevalence, 5-year survival, and explore factors associated with survival in a Medicare population. Methods: A validated administrative claims algorithm was used to classify individual’s ages 18–89 years at index date (first claim with a diagnosis of motor neuron disease or ALS between 1 January 2007 and 31 December 2011) with Medicare Advantage prescription drug coverage into mutually exclusive categories: ALS, no ALS, and possible ALS. Crude prevalence and cumulative survival from index date to the date of death, disenrollment or end of the study were calculated. Cox-proportional hazards were used to estimate and explore factors associated with survival. Results: Of 2631 eligible individuals, the algorithm identified 1271 (48 %), 1157 (44 %), 203 (8 %) as ALS, no ALS and possible ALS, respectively. The 5-year period prevalence and the 2011 point prevalence of ALS were 20.5 and 11.8 per 100,000, respectively. Evidence of death was documented in 81%, 35%, and 1.6% of the ALS, no ALS or possible ALS groups, respectively. Unadjusted median survival time was 388, 542 and 1473 days for the ALS, no ALS and possible ALS groups, respectively. Seeing a psychiatrist or neurologist at the index visit, having respiratory or genitourinary comorbidities, and the number of pre-index acute inpatient admissions were associated with shorter survival. Conclusions: Surveillance data from a Medicare population demonstrated a higher prevalence of ALS. Results highlight the need for effective ALS treatment options and resources for patients with ALS who will likely face limited therapeutic choices and care options at the end of life.

4581 Background: Intermediate endpoints (e.g., disease free survival [DFS]) have gained traction lately as potential surrogates for OS in oncology as they require shorter follow up to show clinical benefit. Given the high post-nephrectomy survival in patients (pts) with localized RCC, evidence on if DFS can be used as a predictor of OS in the disease is warranted. We assessed the association between DFS and OS in pts with newly diagnosed, completely resected, intermediate-high (pT2N0 high grade, pT3N0) or high-risk (pT4N0, pTanyN1) RCC post-nephrectomy. Methods: This retrospective observational study used the SEER-Medicare database (2007–2016). DFS was defined as time from initial nephrectomy date to first recurrence (diagnosis of metastatic disease, additional surgery, starting systemic treatment for advanced RCC) or death, whichever occurred first. OS from time of recurrence in pts with recurrence were compared with OS from comparable time point in pts without, using Kaplan-Meier analyses and adjusted Cox models. OS was also compared between pts with and without recurrence by landmark time points at 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 years (yrs) post-nephrectomy; hazard ratios (HRs) between the two cohorts were estimated using adjusted Cox models. Correlation between DFS and OS was assessed using the Kendall’s τ rank correlation. Monthly healthcare costs were compared between the two cohorts using generalized linear model. Results: 643 post-nephrectomy RCC pts (269 with recurrence vs 374 without) met the inclusion criteria (Median follow-up: 23 months). The mean age was 75.5 yrs, 61% male, and 86% white. The median post-nephrectomy OS and DFS was 8.61 and 4.44 yrs, respectively. Pts with and without recurrence had comparable baseline characteristics. Pts with recurrence had significantly shorter OS than those without [median: 2.53 yrs vs not reached; adjusted HR (95% confidence interval [CI]): 6.00 (4.24–8.48)]. Pts with recurrence by each landmark time point had significantly shorter OS than those without [1 yr post-nephrectomy median OS: 2.35 vs 9.66 yrs, and the OS 1, 3, and 5 after the 1 yr landmark was 69.9 vs 96.5%, 41.8 vs 83.8%, and 37.0 vs 70.1%, respectively; all Ps (log-rank test) < 0.001]. Cox models indicated that pts with recurrence by each landmark time point had 2.6–3.5 times increased risk of death compared with those without. Kendall’s τ rank correlation model demonstrated a statistically significant correlation between DFS and OS (Kendall’s τ = 0.70; 95% CI: 0.65–0.74; P < 0.001). Pts with recurrence had $4,924 and $1,387 higher adjusted all-cause medical costs and pharmacy costs per month (P < 0.001). Conclusions: Post-nephrectomy recurrence is associated with significantly shorter OS among pts with intermediate-high or high-risk RCC, resulting in a strong positive association between DFS and OS in the population. Higher healthcare cost was also seen among pts with recurrence.

The objective was to examine depression treatment among non-pregnant women, aged 22 and older, with hypertension, utilizing cross-sectional data from the 2006 and 2007 Medical Expenditure Panel Survey. Depression treatment patterns by demographic, socioeconomic, health care access, and health characteristics were analyzed utilizing chi-square tests and logistic and multinomial logistic regressions. Overall, 23.9% had no depression treatment, 56.8% had antidepressant use only, and 19.3% had psychotherapy with or without antidepressants. African Americans (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] = 0.47), Latinas (AOR = 0.46), and uninsured women (AOR = 0.39) were significantly less likely to report any treatment for depression compared with Whites and those with private insurance.

Almost every traveller possesses some amount of leftover foreign currency, either as actual cash or on a travel currency card, at the end of any international trip. However, the means to exchange this leftover currency, coins in particular, is largely inconvenient often leading to considerable amounts discarded or left unused. In this paper, we explore how distributed ledger technology, i.e. blockchain, could be applied to the problem of utilizing this leftover foreign currency. We portray here the drawbacks of the existing systems of foreign currency exchange and delineate the requirements of a potential mobile web application for exchanging this currency by integrating smart kiosk based systems, particularly for handling cash, with a peer-to-peer currency exchange technique based on blockchain that could help to bring such currency back into circulation efficiently.

In this paper, we discuss an application that uses blockchain technology to transfer fiat money into a cryptocurrency — Ether. A typical use of this technology could be to become a component of a larger system, whereby, after traveling, a customer can exchange leftover foreign currency for their local denomination. However, a more interesting application could be to convert fiat money into a cryptocurrency to facilitate a demonetisation scheme, such as that implemented recently in India. In the latter context, we describe the development of our blockchain application against the ramifications of demonetisation and whether the Indian government could have augmented that scheme through technology such as ours. We discuss why the Indian government has not contemplated such a measure, which also leads to a discussion of whether they might have considered adopting their own cryptocurrency. However, even though the Indian public seems willing to adopt the technology, we find that unlikely. Finally, we show that our application demonstrates that fiat money to cryptocurrency conversion is technically feasible, but the Indian government is unlikely to consider such technology due to issues surrounding monetary sovereignty.

Aims We evaluated the association of combined use of antidepressants and statins and the risk of new-onset diabetes among high-risk adults. Methods We used a retrospective, observational, longitudinal design among adults (age ≥22 years) who were diabetes free at baseline and had reported hypertension or hyperlipidemia or heart disease. We used data were from 2004 to 2009 Medical Expenditure Panel Survey and identified from self-reported diabetes or insulin use. We categorized antidepressants and statins use into four groups: antidepressants only, statins only, combined use of antidepressants and statins (antidepressants–statins), and neither antidepressant nor statins. We conducted chi-square and multivariable logistic regressions to examine the association between use of antidepressants–statins and new-onset diabetes after controlling for demographic and economic characteristics, health-status, access to care, presence of depression, and lifestyle risk factors. Results In our study sample, 9.3% used antidepressants only, 10.7% used statins only and 2.4% adults reported use of antidepressants–statins. Nearly 2% of the study sample reported new-onset diabetes. In unadjusted analyses, significantly higher proportion of adults using antidepressants–statins (3.2%) reported new-onset diabetes compared to those using neither antidepressants nor statins (1.1%). However, after controlling for all other variables in multivariable regression we did not observe a statistically significant association between use of antidepressants–statins and new-onset diabetes. Conclusions Our study results do not suggest that use of antidepressants–statins may increase the risk of new-onset diabetes. Future research needs to examine this relationship with specific combinations of these drug classes and using longer follow up periods.

Summary Antidepressant use has been linked to new-onset diabetes. However, the existing literature on this relationship has yielded inconsistent findings. The primary objective of this study was to systematically synthesize the literature on the relationship between antidepressant use and new-onset diabetes using meta-analysis. A systematic literature search was conducted to identify relevant studies in seven electronic databases. Two independent reviewers identified the final list of studies to be included in the meta-analysis using a priori selection criteria. Results for the primary outcome of interest, that is, odds and hazards of developing new-onset diabetes, were pooled using a random-effects model. Egger's regression test and the Trim and Fill method were utilized to detect the presence of any potential publication bias. Sensitivity analysis was conducted using the leave-one-out method as well as individual categories of antidepressant drugs. Eight studies met the inclusion criteria. Random effects models revealed that adults with any use of antidepressants were more likely to develop new-onset diabetes compared with those without any use of antidepressants [odd ratios = 1.50, 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.08–2.10; hazards ratio = 1.19, 95% CI, 1.08–1.32]. Sensitivity analyses revealed fair robustness; selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors and tricyclic antidepressants were more likely to be associated with the development of new-onset diabetes. Results from the Egger's regression test and Trim and Fill method revealed no evidence of publication bias. Among adults, antidepressant use was associated with higher chances of new-onset diabetes. However, because a cause-and-effect relationship cannot be established by observational studies, future randomized controlled studies are needed to confirm this association. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Background There are many studies in the literature on the association between depression treatment and health expenditures. However, there is a knowledge gap in examining this relationship taking into account coexisting chronic conditions among patients with diabetes. We aim to analyze the association between depression treatment and healthcare expenditures among adults with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM) and newly-diagnosed depression, with consideration of coexisting chronic physical conditions. Methods We used multi-state Medicaid data (2000–2008) and adopted a retrospective longitudinal cohort design. Medical conditions were identified using diagnosis codes (ICD-9-CM and CPT systems). Healthcare expenditures were aggregated for each month for 12 months. Types of coexisting chronic physical conditions were hierarchically grouped into: dominant, concordant, discordant, and both concordant and discordant. Depression treatment categories were as follows: antidepressants or psychotherapy, both antidepressants and psychotherapy, and no treatment. We used linear mixed-effects models on log-transformed expenditures (total and T2DM-related) to examine the relationship between depression treatment and health expenditures. The analyses were conducted on the overall study population and also on subgroups that had coexisting chronic physical conditions. Results Total healthcare expenditures were reduced by treatment with antidepressants (16 % reduction), psychotherapy (22 %), and both therapy types in combination (28 %) compared to no depression treatment. Treatment with both antidepressants and psychotherapy was associated with reductions in total healthcare expenditures among all groups that had a coexisting chronic physical condition. Conclusions Among adults with T2DM and chronic conditions, treatment with both antidepressants and psychotherapy may result in economic benefits.

Background Anticholinergic medications, although frequently used in elderly populations, are associated with cognitive impairment and constitute significant concern for patients with dementia. Objective The purpose of our study was to examine patterns and predictors of prescribing anticholinergic agents for elderly outpatients with dementia. Methods We combined data from the 2006–2007 National Ambulatory Medical Care Survey and the outpatient department component of National Hospital Ambulatory Medical Care Survey to analyze patient visits by elderly persons (aged ≥65 years) with dementia. Anticholinergic drugs were identified using the Anticholinergic Drug Scale, which classifies anticholinergic drugs into four levels (0–3) in increasing order of anticholinergic activity. Descriptive analysis using sampling weights was used to evaluate patterns of anticholinergic drug prescription, especially prescribing of medications with clinically significant anticholinergic activity (ie, levels 2 or 3). Multiple logistic regression was used in the conceptual framework of the Andersen Behavioral Model to examine the predisposing, enabling, and need factors associated with prescribing of medications with clinically significant anticholinergic activity. Results According to the national surveys there were a total of 6.8 million (95% CI, 5.27–8.44 million; 0.32%) ambulatory care visits for dementia. Approximately 43% (42.86%; 95% CI, 35.24–50.48) of these visits involved prescribing at least one anticholinergic drug; and 10.07% of visits involved prescribing levels 2 or 3 anticholinergic medications. The predisposing factor, age (75–84 years; odds ratio [OR] = 0.25; 95% CI, 0.07–0.87), and the need factors, acetylcholinesterase inhibitor use (OR = 0.25; 95% CI, 0.07–0.86) and comorbid mood disorders (OR = 0.12; 95% CI, 0.02–0.73), were associated with decreased likelihood of prescribing medications with clinically significant anticholinergic activity. The need factor total number of medications prescribed (OR = 1.45, 95% CI, 1.20–1.75) increased the likelihood of these prescriptions being administered. Conclusions One in 10 outpatient visits by elderly persons with dementia involved prescribing medications with clinically significant anticholinergic activity. Given their adverse cognitive effects, there is a strong need to optimize anticholinergic drug prescribing in vulnerable elderly outpatients with dementia.

Background With improved treatments, the survival rate for breast cancer patients is increasing. With the improvements in quantity of life, research in the field of cancer survivorship has turned its attention to psychosocial functioning and health behaviors. Objectives The purpose of this study was to examine how those currently under treatment and those completing treatment engaged in health behaviors (ie, diet, vitamin use, exercise, and cancer screening) and if psychosocial predictors, guided by the Self-regulation Model, also play a role. Methods Using the Self-regulation Model, the current survey and medical record review examined health behaviors (diet, vitamin use, exercise, cancer screening) in individuals in active treatment for breast cancer and in those completing treatment (n = 141). Results Regression models revealed that those in active treatment had less healthy food consumption, vitamin use, and clinical examinations than did treatment completers. Greater perceived treatment efficacy was associated with diet and vitamin use but not exercise or cancer screening. Greater perceived risk of recurrence was associated with less exercise. Greater distress was associated with greater mammography use. Those from metro areas had greater healthy food consumption. Results Qualitative data indicated that chemotherapy interfered with health behaviors for those in active treatment; treatment completers wished to have a healthier lifestyle. Conclusion Cancer treatment interferes with health behaviors, and these health behaviors might help individuals manage their cancer treatment more effectively. Implications for practice Those currently undergoing treatment desire assistance with a healthier lifestyle, and relevant clinical interventions should stress treatment efficacy.

Objective. To examine the association between type of multimorbidity and CAM use among adults with multimorbidity.Methods. The current study used a cross-sectional design with retrospective data from 2012 National Health Interview Survey. Multimorbidity was classified into two groups: (1) adults with coexisting physical and mental illnesses and (2) adults with two or more chronic physical illnesses only. CAM use was measured using a set of 18 variables. Logistic regression and multinomial logistic regressions were used to assess the association between the type of multimorbidity and ever used CAM, CAM use in the past 12 months, and type of CAM.Results. Overall, 31.2% of adults with coexisting physical and mental illnesses and 20.1% of adults with only physical illnesses used CAM in the past 12 months. Adults with coexisting physical and mental illnesses were more likely to ever use CAM (AOR = 1.68, 95% CI = 1.49, 1.90), use CAM in the past 12 months (AOR = 1.32, 95% CI = 1.15, 1.52), and use mind-body therapies in the past 12 months (AOR = 1.36, 95% CI = 1.16, 1.59) compared to adults with only physical illnesses.Conclusion. Multimorbidity of chronic physical and mental illnesses was associated with higher CAM use.

Background: Intestinal parasitic infections (IPI) are recognized as neglected tropical diseases. Inadequacy of epidemiological data reporting the prevalence of intestinal parasites among the general population prompted this retrospective study conducted among the Departments of Medicine and Microbiology of two medical colleges. Methods: All the symptomatic patients were examined for IPI. 831 parasite positive stool samples were included for the study. The age range of the patients were above 18 years. Stool specimens were processed using formol-ether concentration technique. Routine microscopic examination (saline and Lugol’s iodine mounts) were carried out for ova, cysts or parasites. The sample was partly preserved in 10% formal saline and later concentrated and fixed with methanol before staining by modified Ziehl Neelsen stain. Results: Out of the 831 positive samples, E. histolytica was predominant with 337 (40.55%) of all cases. The next in order were Giarrdia lamblia 216 (25.99%), A. lumbricoides with 173 (20.81%), E. vermicularis with 43 (5.17%), A. duodenale with 23 (2.76%), H. nana with 19 (2.28%), S. stercoralis with 17 (2.04%) and Taenia with 3 (0.36%). 134 patients had double parasites isolated, while only 3 had triple parasitic infestation. Conclusion: Present study showed a preponderance in gender towards males (59.4%) than females (40.5%). Larger sample size and more surveillance studies will help to establish effective measures and evidence-based approaches to curb the parasitic proliferation in this region.

Background: Intestinal parasitosis (IP) is an important public health problem worldwide, most commonly seen in school age children and lead to nutritional deficiency, anemia and impaired cognition. Dearth of data regarding parasitic prevalence in the pediatric population triggered such a retrospective study planned by the Departments of Pediatrics and Microbiology, of two Medical Colleges whereby all the symptomatic children (>1 year and

Background Depression and anxiety have been reported to be associated with chronic physical conditions. We examined the excess risk of chronic physical conditions associated with depression and/or anxiety within a multivariate framework controlling for demographic and modifiable lifestyle risk factors. Methods We used a retrospective cross-sectional study design. Study participants were adults aged 22–64 years from 2007 and 2009 Medical Expenditure Panel Survey. We defined presence of depression-anxiety based on self-reported depression and anxiety and classified adults into 4 groups: 1) depression only; 2) anxiety only; 3) comorbid depression and anxiety 4) no depression and no anxiety. We included presence/absence of arthritis, asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder, diabetes, heart disease, hypertension, and osteoporosis as dependent variables. Complementary log-log regressions were used to examine the excess risk associated with depression and/or anxiety for chronic physical conditions using a multivariate framework that controlled for demographic (gender, age, race/ethnicity) and modifiable lifestyle (obesity, lack of physical activity, smoking) risk factors. Bonferroni correction for multiple comparisons was applied and p ≤0.007 was considered statistically significant. Results Overall, 7% had only depression, 5.2% had only anxiety and 2.5% had comorbid depression and anxiety. Results from multivariable regressions indicated that compared to individuals with no depression and no anxiety, individuals with comorbid depression and anxiety, with depression only and with anxiety only, all had higher risk of all the chronic physical conditions. ARRs for comorbid depression and anxiety ranged from 2.47 (95% CI: 1.47, 4.15; P = 0.0007) for osteoporosis to 1.64 (95% CI: 1.33, 2.04; P

Antidepressant use has been linked to new-onset diabetes. However, the existing literature on this relationship has yielded inconsistent findings. The primary objective of this study was to systematically synthesize the literature on the relationship between antidepressant use and new-onset diabetes using meta-analysis. A systematic literature search was conducted to identify relevant studies in seven electronic databases. Two independent reviewers identified the final list of studies to be included in the meta-analysis using a priori selection criteria. Results for the primary outcome of interest, that is, odds and hazards of developing new-onset diabetes, were pooled using a random-effects model. Egger's regression test and the Trim and Fill method were utilized to detect the presence of any potential publication bias. Sensitivity analysis was conducted using the leave-one-out method as well as individual categories of antidepressant drugs. Eight studies met the inclusion criteria. Random effects models revealed that adults with any use of antidepressants were more likely to develop new-onset diabetes compared with those without any use of antidepressants [odd ratios = 1.50, 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.08-2.10; hazards ratio = 1.19, 95% CI, 1.08-1.32]. Sensitivity analyses revealed fair robustness; selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors and tricyclic antidepressants were more likely to be associated with the development of new-onset diabetes. Results from the Egger's regression test and Trim and Fill method revealed no evidence of publication bias. Among adults, antidepressant use was associated with higher chances of new-onset diabetes. However, because a cause-and-effect relationship cannot be established by observational studies, future randomized controlled studies are needed to confirm this association.

Objective We examined the association between depression and hospitalizations for Ambulatory Care Sensitive Conditions (H-ACSC) among Medicare beneficiaries with chronic physical conditions. Methods We used a retrospective longitudinal design using multiple years (2002–2009) of linked fee-for-service Medicare claims and survey data from Medicare Current Beneficiary Survey to create six longitudinal panels. We followed individuals in each panel for a period of 3-years; first year served as the baseline and subsequent 2-years served as the follow-up. We measured depression, chronic physical conditions and other characteristics at baseline and examined H-ACSC at follow-up. We identified chronic physical conditions from survey data and H-ACSC and depression from fee-for-service Medicare claims. We analyzed unadjusted and adjusted relationships between depression and the risk of H-ACSC with chi-square tests and logistic regressions. Results Among all Medicare beneficiaries, 9.3% had diagnosed depression. Medicare beneficiaries with depression had higher rates of any H-ACSC as compared to those without depression (13.6% vs. 7.7%). Multivariable regression indicated that, compared to those without depression, Medicare beneficiaries with depression were more likely to experience any H-ACSC. Conclusions Depression was associated with greater risk of H-ACSC, suggesting that health care quality measures may need to include depression as a risk-adjustment variable.

Studies on formal-informal interactions in the labor markets of developing countries claim that economic reform increases the level of informal activity. Although the extent of such claims differs across countries, it is generally believed that reform is likely to depress informal wage by contracting the formal sector and driving labor onto its informal counterpart. However, available empirical evidence suggests that real wage and real fixed assets in the informal manufacturing sector have risen significantly across most states in post-liberalization India. Using this as a benchmark, we formalize a general equilibrium model of inter-sectoral capital mobility and informal wage to argue that, with limited degree of capital mobility, trade reform reduces the informal wage. This is the conventional wisdom usually obtained under a partial equilibrium framework. However, with increased mobility of capital this result is reversed. We offer detailed empirical evidence on the movements of real wage in the informal sector in India and how this affects poverty at the state level. The basic result on income mobility is corroborated by a primary survey in the province of West Bengal, for which we offer descriptive analysis on household income levels in the province's informal manufacturing and service sectors.

In high-income countries, a positive effect of household and neighborhood living standards on health, especially in urban areas is discernible. However, in developing countries, the issue had not much been brought to limelight. The present attempt is an effort to fill this void through an investigation of the impact of health (of women and young children) in various cities of developing countries. To accomplish the objective, data from urban samples of some 85 Demographic & Health surveys (DHS) are analyzed through usage of multivariate models. It was found that household living standards substantially influences the three measures of health, e.g., unmet need for modern contraception; birth attendance by doctors, nurses, or trained midwives; and children's height for age. Neighborhood living standards were also found to have a substantial impact on the urban health.

Initiation of insulin aft er failing oral antidiabetic drugs (OADs) has been suggested to be beneficial for patients with T2DM, but real-world data on the impact of timing of insulin initiation on clinical and economic outcomes among the elderly (≥ 65 y) is limited.