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ObjectiveThe purpose of this study is to examine the association between delivery of healthcare provider’s advice about lifestyle management and lifestyle behavioural change in pre-diabetes management in adults who were overweight or obese.DesignThis cross-sectional study included adults with body mass index (BMI) ≥25 kg/m2 and reporting pre-diabetes in USA. Outcomes included the prevalence of receiving provider’s advice on lifestyle management and patterns of practicing lifestyle change. The association between delivery of provider’s advice and lifestyle-related behavioural change in pre-diabetes management was examined.SettingUS Continuous National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (2013–2018).ParticipantsA total of 1039 adults with BMI ≥25 kg/m2 reported pre-diabetes.ResultsOf eligible adults with pre-diabetes, 76.8% received provider’s advice about lifestyle change. The advice group showed higher proportions of ongoing lifestyle change than no advice group, including weight reduction/control (80.1% vs 70.9%, p=0.018), exercise (70.9% vs 60.9%, p=0.013) and diet modifications (83.8% vs 61.8%, pConclusionOver 75% of US adults who were overweight or obese and reported pre-diabetes received healthcare provider’s advice about reducing the risk of diabetes through lifestyle change. Provider’s advice increased the likelihood of lifestyle-related behavioural change to exercise and diet.

An increasing number of myocarditis/pericarditis incidences has been reported after coronavirus disease-19 (COVID-19) vaccination in adolescents and young adults. This study was designed to investigate the incidence rate of—and risk for—myocarditis and pericarditis following COVID-19 vaccination in the United States according to age and vaccine type. This study used the Vaccine Adverse Events Reporting System (VAERS) from 11 December 2020 to 13 August 2021. A population-based data mining approach was performed based on the reporting odds ratio (ROR). Adverse events of myocarditis and pericarditis following COVID-19 vaccination were rare, with an incidence rate of 5.98 (95% CI = 5.73–6.24) cases per million doses administered. The incidence rate was higher in adolescents and after the administration of the second dose of messenger RNA (mRNA) vaccines. Overall, two mRNA vaccines were significantly associated with increased risks for myocarditis/pericarditis (mRNA-1273 (Moderna): ROR = 2.91, 95% CI = 2.21–3.83, BNT162b2 (Pfizer–BioNTech): ROR = 5.37, 95% CI = 4.10–7.04) compared to all other vaccines from VAERS. The viral vector vaccine of Ad26.COV2.S (Janssen) was not associated with signals of myocarditis/pericarditis (ROR = 1.39, 95% CI = 0.99–1.97). This study found increased risks for myocarditis/pericarditis following mRNA COVID-19 vaccines. For patients at high risk for myocarditis/pericarditis or with myocardial injuries, the viral vector vaccine may be an alternative for consideration.

Objective Racemic albuterol and levalbuterol are used to treat acute episodes of asthma. The main objective of this study was to compare levalbuterol therapy to albuterol therapy on incidence rates of subsequent emergency department (ED) visits and hospitalizations. Method We conducted a retrospective cohort study of asthmatic children who had pharmacy refills for levalbuterol/albuterol in the South Carolina Medicaid database in 2002-2011. Children receiving levalbuterol were matched to those receiving albuterol using propensity score matching technique. For ED visits and separately for hospitalizations, multivariable negative binomial regression was used to estimate the two group-specific incidence rates and the incidence rate ratio (IRR). Results A total of 8,172 asthmatic patients aged 2-18 years were identified in the South Carolina Medicaid database. During the 12-month follow-up period, the levalbuterol group had fewer asthma-related ED visits and hospitalizations: 939 (11.49%) children had asthma-related ED visits (levalbuterol: 8.76%; albuterol: 14.21%), and 89 (1.09%) children had asthma-related hospitalizations (levalbuterol: 1.07%; albuterol: 1.12%). Comparing the levalbuterol group to the albuterol group, the adjusted IRR estimate was 0.57 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.49-0.65) for of asthma-related ED visits, and 0.93 (95%CI, 0.99-1.63) for hospitalizations. Children filling levalbuterol also had a lower IRR of all-cause ED visit (0.88; 95%CI, 0.82-0.95), but similar IRR of all-cause hospitalizations (1.08; 95%CI, 0.82-1.42). Conclusion This observational study of children aged 2-18 demonstrated levalbuterol prescription fills were associated with reduced ED visits, but not hospitalizations. Additional research may be necessary to assess this association. Pediatr Pulmonol. 2017;52:516-523. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Azithromycin and levofloxacin have been shown to be efficacious in treating infections. The adverse drug events associated with azithromycin and levofloxacin were considered rare. However, the US FDA released warnings regarding the possible risk of QT prolongation with azithromycin and levofloxacin.Case reports/case series, observational studies and clinical trials assessing cardiovascular risks associated with azithromycin and levofloxacin were critically reviewed, including 15 case reports/series, 5 observational studies and 5 clinical trials that investigated the cardiac risks associated azithromycin and levofloxacin.Results are discordant. Two retrospective studies utilizing large databases demonstrated an increased risk of cardiovascular death with azithromycin, when azithromycin was compared with amoxicillin. Two other retrospective studies found no difference in cardiovascular death associated with azithromycin and other antibiotics. For levofloxacin, the increased risk of cardiovascular death was only found in one retrospective study. Therefore, the risks and benefits of antibacterial therapies should be considered when making prescription decisions. This study should not preclude clinicians from avoiding azithromycin and levofloxacin. If a patient has an indication to receive an antibiotic and if azithromycin or levofloxacin is needed, it may be used, but the potential risks must be understood.

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to assess postmarketing safety and tolerability of Stribild (elvitegravir [EVG]/cobicistat [COBI]/tenofovir disoproxil fumarate [TDF]/emtricitabine [FTC]). Methods: A retrospective, pharmacoepidemiologic study in 2 outpatient HIV clinics in the Southeast United States was conducted among adults receiving EVG/COBI/TDF/FTC. We evaluated incidence and treatment-related adverse events, including change in serum creatinine (SCr). Results: Patients were primarily treatment experienced (n = 173, 60%), African American (n = 210, 73%), and males (n = 187, 65%). One hundred ninety-five (68%) patients had any increase in SCr, and 65 (23%) had an increase of ≥0.3 mg/dL. Mean SCr change from baseline to peak was 0.2 mg/dL. Being treatment experienced (odds ratio [OR] = 2.21, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.12-4.38) was associated with SCr ≥0.3 mg/dL, while body mass index ≥30 kg/m2 (OR = 0.41, 95% CI: 0.18-0.93) was protective. Twenty (7%) patients discontinued therapy, 3 due to acute kidney injury. Conclusion: Our results demonstrate limited adverse events and low discontinuation rates associated with EVG/COBI/TDF/FTC.

To determine predictors associated with the diabetes self-management education and training (DSME) venue and its impact on oral antidiabetic (OAD) medication adherence.The Medical Expenditure Panel Survey household component (MEPS-HC) data (2010-2012) identified adults with diabetes prescribed OAD medication(s) who completed a supplemental Diabetes Care Survey (DCS). Based on the DCS responses to questions about the number and type of DSME venue(s), two groups were created: (1) multiple venues (a physician or health professional plus internet and/or group classes) vs (2) single venue (physician or health professional only). The medication possession ratio (MPR) measured medication adherence, with 0.80 the cut-point defining adherent. Logistic regression examined factors associated with the DSME venue and its effect on OAD medication adherence.Of the 2119 respondents, 41.6% received DSME from multiple venues. Age (65years), education-level (college or higher), high-income, and diet modification were significantly more likely associated with receiving DSME from multiple venues. In single vs multiple venues, medication adherence was suboptimal (mean MPR 0.66 vs 0.64, p=0.245), and venue showed no influence on adherence (OR: 0.92, 95% CI, 0.73-1.16).Sociodemographic characteristics influence where adults with diabetes receive DSME. Adding different DSME venues may not address suboptimal OAD medication adherence.

Background The association between migraine and depression has been extensively examined and a bidirectional hypothesis of the comorbidity between the 2 diseases has been reported. However, the economic impact of comorbid depression on migraine has not been fully explored. Objective The purpose of this study is to determine the impact of depression on medical utilization and health care expenses among subjects reporting migraine. Methods The Medical Expenditure Panel Survey (MEPS) household component longitudinal data files (2006-2012) identified subjects (≥ 18 years) with migraines. Two groups were created from all eligible subjects with migraine based on whether comorbid depression was reported or not. The major outcome measures were annualized average total and migraine-related health care expenses and medical utilization during a 2-year period. The impact of depression on health expenses was assessed by multivariable linear regression models with log transformations. Multivariable logistic regression identified factors associated with depression and examined the likelihood of emergency department (ED) visit adjusting for demographic and health-related variables. Results Among 2,400 subjects with migraine (approximate 54.3 million United States [US] individuals for years 2006-2012), 804 reported depression (representing 18.4 million individuals in the United States, 33.9%). Among migraineurs, nearly one-third received anti-migraine prescription drugs and approximately 65% with comorbid depression used antidepressants. Race (black vs white, odds ratio [OR]: 0.36, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.25, 0.52), sex (male vs female, OR: 0.67, 95% CI: 0.51, 0.87), perceived health status (fair to poor vs excellent-very good, OR: 2.58, 95% CI: 2.72. 4.71), insurance coverage (public vs private, OR: 1.59, 95%CI: 1.13, 2.24), and greater comorbidity (OR: 1.70, 95% CI: 1.28, 2.26) were significantly associated with comorbid depression in the subjects with migraine. Compared to migraine subjects without depression, the mean annual total health expenses per person ($10,012 vs. $4,740, P

e19639 Background: Little is known about the association of socio-demographic factors with health services utilization (HSU) for patients with terminal cancer receiving palliative care. The objectives of this study were to evaluate for race or marital status associated variations in HSU among Veterans with terminal cancer. Methods: In an IRB approved protocol, 103 advanced cancer patients receiving palliative care in the Section of Hematology Oncology at a VA Medical Center, but not hospice, were followed every 4-6 weeks from the start of palliative care to death from 2000-2002. This study sample consisted of a subset of 39 pts who received palliative care for at least 24 weeks. Their charts were retrospectively reviewed for measures of health system utilization (HSU), including total length of hospital days, number of admissions, number of clinic visits and emergency room (ER) visits. ANOVA and Chi-square tests were used to explore for potential disparities of HSU across race or marital status. Results: Overall, the subset consisted of 17 Caucasians, 21 African American (AA), and 1 “other” by race. Among them, 21 were married, 7 were divorced, 6 were widowed, 4 never married and 1 had unknown marital status. The majority of patients had prostate cancer (39.47%) or lung cancer (28.95%). Mean total number of inpatient days was 23.6 days (SD=23), mean number of admissions was 2.9(SD=2.5), mean number of clinic visits was 27 (SD=25), and ER visits was 1.3(SD=1.8) per patient. Mean total hospital days were the longer for AA (25) compared to Caucasian (17.7) (p0.05). A similar trend was found for clinic visits (NS). Conclusions: The pilot study identified racial but not marital status-associated variations in HSU among terminally ill cancer patients. These findings have implications for cost of care and should be confirmed in larger studies in our Veterans including caregivers. Funded in part by Project Death in America