Care Enrollment Research Articles

883. Evidence from a Multistate Cohort: Enrollment in Affordable Care Act Qualified Health Plans Results in Viral Suppression

BackgroundIn individual states, the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act has been associated with improved viral suppression (VS) rates for AIDS Drug Assistance Program (ADAP) clients or low-income people living with HIV (PLWH). This study aims to assess whether this association is consistent in multiple states (Nebraska, South Carolina, Virginia).MethodsThe multistate cohort included ADAP clients who were eligible for ADAP-funded Qualified Health Plans (QHPs). Data were collected from 2014 through 2015. A log-binomial model was used to estimate the association of demographics (age, race/ethnicity, sex, AIDS, rurality, HIV risk factor, previous VS) and healthcare delivery factors (income, previous ADAP plan, previous HIV care engagement) with QHP enrollment prevalence and 1-year risk of VS.ResultsFor the cohort (n = 7,800; 5% NE, 36% SC, 59% VA), 52% enrolled in ADAP-funded QHPs with enrollment ranging from 35% to 63% by state. Enrollment in ADAP-funded QHPs in 2015 was higher for those who had ADAP-funded QHPs in 2014 (adjusted prevalence ratio [aPR] 3.28; 95% confidence interval [CI] 3.21–3.35) and those who were engaged in care in 2014 (aPR 1.16; 95% CI 1.05–1.27), and it was lower for those with a rural residence (aPR 0.91; 95% CI 0.81–1.00). Of those who were consistently engaged in care (n = 4,597), as defined by one viral load in 2014 and one viral load in 2015 separated by at least 180 days, those who received medications from Direct ADAP had a VS rate of 80.2% and those with ADAP-funded QHPs had a VS rate of 86.0%. The number needed to enroll in ADAP-funded QHPs for an additional PLWH to achieve VS is 18. Those who achieved VS in 2014 (adjusted risk ratio [aRR] 1.39, 95% CI 1.30–1.48) and those who enrolled in QHPs in 2015 (aRR 1.06, 95% CI 0.99–1.13) were more likely to achieve/maintain VS.ConclusionAdditional efforts should be made to reach rural PLWH for QHP enrollment. State ADAPs, especially those in the South and those in states without Medicaid expansion, should consider investing in purchasing QHPs for PLWH because increased enrollment could improve VS rates. This evidence-based intervention could be a part of “Ending the HIV Epidemic.” Once ADAP clients are enrolled in ADAP-funded QHPs, they stay enrolled, and QHP enrollment is associated with VS across states and demographic groups.Disclosures All Authors: No reported Disclosures.

Increased Mortality After Tuberculosis Treatment Completion in Persons Living With Human Immunodeficiency Virus in Latin America.

We assessed the association between cured tuberculosis (TB) and mortality among persons living with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) in Latin America. We compared survival among persons with and without TB at enrollment in HIV care, starting 9 months after clinic enrollment. In multivariable analysis, TB was associated with higher long-term mortality (hazard ratio, 1.57; 95% confidence interval, 1.25-1.99).

Feasibility of antiretroviral therapy initiation under the treat-all policy under routine conditions: a prospective cohort study from Eswatini.

IntroductionThe World Health Organization recommends the Treat‐All policy of immediate antiretroviral therapy (ART) initiation, but questions persist about its feasibility in resource‐poor settings. We assessed the feasibility of Treat‐All compared with standard of care (SOC) under routine conditions.MethodsThis prospective cohort study from southern Eswatini followed adults from HIV care enrolment to ART initiation. Between October 2014 and March 2016, Treat‐All was offered in one health zone and SOC according to the CD4 350 and 500 cells/mm3 treatment eligibility thresholds in the neighbouring health zone, each of which comprised one secondary and eight primary care facilities. We used Kaplan–Meier estimates, multivariate flexible parametric survival models and standardized survival curves to compare ART initiation between the two interventions.ResultsOf the 1726 (57.3%) patients enrolled under Treat‐All and 1287 (42.7%) under SOC, cumulative three‐month ART initiation was higher under Treat‐All (91%) than SOC (74%; p < 0.001) with a median time to ART of 1 (IQR 0 to 14) and 10 (IQR 2 to 117) days respectively. Under Treat‐All, ART initiation was higher in pregnant women (vs. non‐pregnant women: adjusted hazard ratio (aHR) 1.96, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.70 to 2.26), those with secondary education (vs. no formal education: aHR 1.48, 95% CI 1.12 to 1.95), and patients with an HIV‐positive diagnosis before care enrolment (aHR 1.22, 95% CI 1.10 to 1.36). ART initiation was lower in patients attending secondary care facilities (aHR 0.64, 95% CI 0.58 to 0.72) and for CD4 351 to 500 when compared with CD4 201 to 350 cells/mm3 (aHR 0.84, 95% CI 0.72 to 1.00). ART initiation varied over time for TB cases, with lower hazard during the first two weeks after HIV care enrolment and higher hazards thereafter. Of patients with advanced HIV disease (n = 1085; 36.0%), crude 3‐month ART initiation was similar in both interventions (91% to 92%) although Treat‐All initiated patients more quickly during the first month after HIV care enrolment.Conclusions ART initiation was high under Treat‐All and without evidence of de‐prioritization of patients with advanced HIV disease. Additional studies are needed to understand the long‐term impact of Treat‐All on patient outcomes.

Fecal occult blood test screening uptake among immigrants from Muslim majority countries: A retrospective cohort study in Ontario, Canada.

BackgroundColorectal cancer (CRC) is the second and third highest cause of cancer deaths among Canadian men and women, respectively. Population‐based screening through fecal occult blood testing (FOBT) has been proven to be effective in reducing CRC morbidity and mortality. Although participation in Ontario's organized CRC screening program has been increasing steadily since 2008, its uptake remains low among recent immigrant populations despite the known benefits of screening. To promote participation in CRC screening, it is imperative to understand both individual and system level barriers and enablers. Although a number of immigrant and nonimmigrant factors have been associated with low participation, there is a dearth of knowledge related to the religious affiliation in CRC screening uptake. Our study is among the first to examine this issue in Ontario, one of the most ethnically diverse Canadian provinces and preferred settlement destinations for immigrants.MethodsWe conducted a population‐based retrospective cohort study using linked health care administrative databases. Our cohort included Ontario residents, age 50‐74 who were eligible for FOBT from 1 April 2013 to 31 March 2015.ResultsWe found that immigrants from the Middle East and North Africa and Eastern Europe and Central Asia had the lowest rates of screening. Furthermore, being born in a Muslim‐majority country was associated with lower FOBT screening even after controlling for other confounders including world region and income (ie, overall adjusted relative risk (ARR) of screening 0.92 [95% CI 0.90‐0.93]). Moreover, being enrolled in a primary care model, having a female primary care provider and having an internationally trained physician were associated with increased screening among immigrants from Muslim‐majority countries.ConclusionsThese findings can inform future efforts to improve screening uptake like: enhancing access to primary care providers and enrollment in primary care models, targeted FOBT education for male providers and providers not in a primary care model, development of culturally sensitive and appropriate educational materials, and use of interactive approaches for communication of cancer screening information.

Disparities in Electronic Patient Portal Use in Prenatal Care: Retrospective Cohort Study.

BackgroundElectronic patient portals are websites that provide individuals access to their personal health records and allow them to engage through a secure Web-based platform. These portals are becoming increasingly popular in contemporary health care systems. Patient portal use has been found to be beneficial in multiple specialties, especially in the management of chronic disease. However, disparities have been identified in portal use in which racial and ethnic minorities and individuals with lower socioeconomic status have been shown to be less likely to enroll and use patient portals than non-Hispanic white persons and individuals with higher socioeconomic status. Electronic patient portal use by childbearing women has not been well studied, and data on portal use during pregnancy are limited.ObjectiveThis study aimed to quantify the use of an electronic patient portal during pregnancy and examine whether disparities related to patients’ demographics or clinical characteristics exist.MethodsThis was a retrospective cohort study of women who received prenatal care at an academic medical center from 2014 to 2016. Clinical records were reviewed for portal use and patient data. Patients were considered enrolled in the portal if they had an account at the time of delivery, and enrollees were compared with nonenrollees. Enrollees were further categorized based on the number of secure messages sent during pregnancy as active (≥1) or inactive (0) users. Bivariable chi-square and multivariable Poisson regression models were used to calculate the incidence rate ratio of portal enrollment and, if enrolled, of active use based on patients’ characteristics.ResultsOf the 3450 women eligible for inclusion, 2530 (73.33%) enrolled in the portal. Of these enrollees, 72.09% (1824/2530) were active users. There was no difference in portal enrollment by maternal race and ethnicity on multivariable models. Women with public insurance (adjusted incidence rate ratio; aIRR 0.60, 95% CI 0.49-0.84), late enrollment in prenatal care (aIRR 0.78, 95% CI 0.69-0.89 for second trimester and aIRR 0.50, 95% CI 0.39-0.64 for third trimester), and high-risk pregnancies (aIRR 0.82, 95% CI 0.75-0.89) were significantly less likely to enroll. Conversely, nulliparity (aIRR 1.10, 95% CI 1.02-1.20) and having more than 8 prescription medications at prenatal care initiation (aIRR 1.19, 95% CI 1.06-1.32) were associated with greater likelihood of enrollment. Among portal enrollees, the only factor significantly associated with active portal use (ie, secure messaging) was nulliparity (aIRR 1.11, 95% CI 1.01-1.23).ConclusionsAmong an obstetric population, multiple clinical and socioeconomic factors were associated with electronic portal enrollment, but not subsequent active use. As portals become more integrated as tools to promote health, efforts should be made to ensure that already vulnerable populations are not further disadvantaged with regard to electronic-based care.

Goals of care discussion and hospice enrollment.

229 Background: When asked, many people wish to die at home. Yet, more than one third of cancer patients with poor prognosis die in hospital. Enrollment in hospice care is associated with reduced receipt of high-intensity care toward the end of life. Hospice is palliative care tailored to patients in the last 6 months of life. The ability to collect, organize, analyze and report documented Goals of Care (GOC) conversation data and the relationship to hospice enrollment is challenging. Seattle Cancer Care Alliance (SCCA) created a process to establish a sample baseline of documented GOC discussions, the healthcare setting in which they took place, and how this relates to hospice enrollment. Methods: We selected a sample of 50 decedent charts. Patients were verified as period of 6 months from date of death, documenting provider type, care setting that documented discussion took place and chart search terms. Results: Our sample consisted of 50 adult solid tumor cancer patients who died between March-May 2018. Using an SCCA created GOC discussion definition adapted from Ariadne Labs Serious Illness Care program, we found that 52% of patients had a GOC discussion in the last 6 months of life and of these, 92% discussed hospice with a provider, 77% received a hospice referral and 62% enrolled in hospice. 48% of our decedent sample did not have a GOC discussion. 46% had a hospice discussion of whom 100% enrolled in hospice. 46% received a hospice referral. 54% of patients did not discuss hospice of whom 30% enrolled in hospice. In looking at which providers talked with patients about hospice and in what care setting, we found that 44% discussed hospice with outpatient medical oncologist, 10% discussed hospice with an outpatient provider, 16% had a discussion while inpatient, and 30% had no hospice discussion at all. Conclusions: The majority of GOC discussions happened in the outpatient setting with medical oncologists. Many patients never had a discussion about hospice with their provider. Patients were most likely to enroll in hospice when it was specifically discussed, regardless of whether a GOC discussion took place.

Connecting Primary Care to Community-Based Education: Michigan Physicians' Familiarity With Extension Programs.

Clinical-community linkages enhance health care delivery and enable physician-patient partnerships to achieve better health. The Michigan State University (MSU) Model of Health Extension includes a strategy for forming these linkages by focusing on increasing primary care patient referrals and enrollment in health programs. This article shares the results of a survey of Michigan internal medicine and family medicine physicians (n = 323) to better understand attitudes toward and familiarity with community-based education (CBE) programs and to assess the logistical requirements to make CBE referrals efficient and sustainable. Survey results showed that at most, 55% of respondents were aware of at least one CBE program implemented by Cooperative Extension. Of those who were aware, over 85% agreed that the programs have positive benefits for patients. Thirty-five percent reported at least one referral barrier, and familiarity with the CBE programs was a significant predictor for reporting all referral barriers. The results suggest that increasing physicians' familiarity of CBE health programs is a key first step in identifying ideal strategies to overcome referral barriers. Data from this study may help determine scalable state level models for increasing awareness of chronic disease prevention and other CBE programs in efforts to improve the health of the nation.

Cascade of care for HIV-seroconverters in rural Tanzania: a longitudinal study

ABSTRACTWe examined the HIV care cascade in a community-based cohort study in Kisesa, Magu, Tanzania. We analyzed the proportion achieving each stage of the cascade – Seroconversion, Awareness of HIV status, Enrollment in Care and Antiretroviral therapy (ART) initiation – and estimated the median and interquartile range for the time for progression to the next stage. Modified Poisson regression was used to estimate prevalence risk ratios for enrollment in care and initiation of ART. From 2006 to 2017, 175 HIV-seroconverters were identified. 140 (80%) knew their HIV status, of whom 97 (69.3%) were enrolled in HIV care, and 87 (49.7%) had initiated ART. Time from seroconversion to awareness of HIV status was 731.3 [475.5–1345.8] days. Time from awareness to enrollment was 7 [0–64] days, and from enrollment to ART initiation was 19 [3–248] days. There were no demographic differences in enrollment in care or ART initiation. Efforts have been focusing on shortening time from seroconversion to diagnosis, mostly by increasing the number of testing clinics available. We recommend increased systematic testing to reduce time from seroconversion to awareness of status, and by doing so speed up enrollment into care. Interventions that increase enrollment are likely to have the most impact in achieving UNAIDS targets.

Surgery in the Older Patient with Breast Cancer.

Breast cancer incidence and mortality increase with age. Older patients (≥ 70) are often excluded from studies. Due to multiple factors, it is unclear whether this population is best-treated using standard guidelines. Here, we review surgical management in older women with breast cancer. Geriatric assessments can guide treatment recommendations and aid in predicting survival and quality of life. Surgery remains a principal component of breast cancer treatment in older patients, though differences exist compared with younger women, including higher mastectomy rates and evidence-based support of omission of post-lumpectomy radiation or axillary dissection in subsets of patients. In those forgoing surgical management, there is increased use of endocrine therapy. Hospice is also a valuable element of end-of-life care. Physicians should utilize geriatric assessment to make treatment recommendations for older breast cancer patients, including omission of radiation therapy, alterations to standard surgeries, or enrollment in hospice care.

Changes in rapid HIV treatment initiation after national "treat all" policy adoption in 6 sub-Saharan African countries: Regression discontinuity analysis.

BackgroundMost countries have formally adopted the World Health Organization’s 2015 recommendation of universal HIV treatment (“treat all”). However, there are few rigorous assessments of the real-world impact of treat all policies on antiretroviral treatment (ART) uptake across different contexts.Methods and findingsWe used longitudinal data for 814,603 patients enrolling in HIV care between 1 January 2004 and 10 July 2018 in 6 countries participating in the global International epidemiology Databases to Evaluate AIDS (IeDEA) consortium: Burundi (N = 11,176), Kenya (N = 179,941), Malawi (N = 84,558), Rwanda (N = 17,396), Uganda (N = 96,286), and Zambia (N = 425,246). Using a quasi-experimental regression discontinuity design, we assessed the change in the proportion initiating ART within 30 days of enrollment in HIV care (rapid ART initiation) after country-level adoption of the treat all policy. A modified Poisson model was used to identify factors associated with failure to initiate ART rapidly under treat all. In each of the 6 countries, over 60% of included patients were female, and median age at enrollment ranged from 32 to 36 years. In all countries studied, national adoption of treat all was associated with large increases in rapid ART initiation. Significant increases in rapid ART initiation immediately after treat all policy adoption were observed in Rwanda, from 44.4% to 78.9% of patients (34.5 percentage points [pp], 95% CI 27.2 to 41.7; p < 0.001), Kenya (25.7 pp, 95% CI 21.8 to 29.5; p < 0.001), Burundi (17.7 pp, 95% CI 6.5 to 28.9; p = 0.002), and Malawi (12.5 pp, 95% CI 7.5 to 17.5; p < 0.001), while no immediate increase was observed in Zambia (0.4 pp, 95% CI −2.9 to 3.8; p = 0.804) and Uganda (−4.2 pp, 95% CI −9.0 to 0.7; p = 0.090). The rate of rapid ART initiation accelerated sharply following treat all policy adoption in Malawi, Uganda, and Zambia; slowed in Kenya; and did not change in Rwanda and Burundi. In post hoc analyses restricted to patients enrolling under treat all, young adults (16–24 years) and men were at increased risk of not rapidly initiating ART (compared to older patients and women, respectively). However, rapid ART initiation following enrollment increased for all groups as more time elapsed since treat all policy adoption. Study limitations include incomplete data on potential ART eligibility criteria, such as clinical status, pregnancy, and enrollment CD4 count, which precluded the assessment of rapid ART initiation specifically among patients known to be eligible for ART before treat all.ConclusionsOur analysis indicates that adoption of treat all policies had a strong effect on increasing rates of rapid ART initiation, and that these increases followed different trajectories across the 6 countries. Young adults and men still require additional attention to further improve rapid ART initiation.

Corrigendum: Hyperglycemia and Risk of All-cause Mortality Among People Living With HIV With and Without Tuberculosis Disease in Myanmar (2011-2017).

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1093/ofid/ofy355.].

Short term outcomes and unintended benefits of establishing a HPB program at a university-affiliated community hospital

BackgroundIn hepato-pancreato-biliary (HPB) surgery higher volumes are associated with improved outcomes; however, there are limitations to regionalization. Here we report our experience establishing multidisciplinary HPB program at a university-affiliated community hospital. MethodsThis is a retrospective review of patients who underwent HPB surgery between 2015 and 2017. Chief residents’ HPB case logs were collected. Results61 pancreatic resections and 62 hepatic resections were performed. The morbidity, 30-day mortality and median length of stay following pancreatic resections were 27%, 1.5%, and 8 days, respectively. The morbidity, 90-day mortality, and median length of stay following hepatic resections were 24%, 3%, and 7 days, respectively. The median pancreatic and liver case volumes for graduating chief residents increased from 7 to 8 to 16 and 16, respectively (p < 0.05), after the establishment of a HPB program. Participation in multidisciplinary care (p = 0.08) and clinical trial enrollment increased. ConclusionOur study demonstrates short-term outcomes comparable to high volume centers. Development of a HPB program had a positive impact on resident operative experience, increased multidisciplinary care and increased clinical trial enrollment.

Dual Receipt of Prescription Opioids From the Department of Veterans Affairs and Medicare Part D and Prescription Opioid Overdose Death Among Veterans: A Nested Case-Control Study.

More than half of enrollees in the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) are also covered by Medicare and can choose to receive their prescriptions from VA or from Medicare-participating providers. Such dual-system care may lead to unsafe opioid use if providers in these 2 systems do not coordinate care or if prescription use is not tracked between systems. To evaluate the association between dual-system opioid prescribing and death from prescription opioid overdose. Nested case-control study. VA and Medicare Part D. Case and control patients were identified from all veterans enrolled in both VA and Part D who filled at least 1 opioid prescription from either system. The 215 case patients who died of a prescription opioid overdose in 2012 or 2013 were matched (up to 1:4) with 833 living control patients on the basis of date of death (that is, index date), using age, sex, race/ethnicity, disability, enrollment in Medicaid or low-income subsidies, managed care enrollment, region and rurality of residence, and a medication-based measure of comorbid conditions. The exposure was the source of opioid prescriptions within 6 months of the index date, categorized as VA only, Part D only, or VA and Part D (that is, dual use). The outcome was unintentional or undetermined-intent death from prescription opioid overdose, identified from the National Death Index. The association between this outcome and source of opioid prescriptions was estimated using conditional logistic regression with adjustment for age, marital status, prescription drug monitoring programs, and use of other medications. Among case patients, the mean age was 57.3 years (SD, 9.1), 194 (90%) were male, and 181 (84%) were non-Hispanic white. Overall, 60 case patients (28%) and 117 control patients (14%) received dual opioid prescriptions. Dual users had significantly higher odds of death from prescription opioid overdose than those who received opioids from VA only (odds ratio [OR], 3.53 [95% CI, 2.17 to 5.75]; P< 0.001) or Part D only (OR, 1.83 [CI, 1.20 to 2.77]; P= 0.005). Data are from 2012 to 2013 and cannot capture prescriptions obtained outside the VA or Medicare Part D systems. Among veterans enrolled in VA and Part D, dual use of opioid prescriptions was independently associated with death from prescription opioid overdose. This risk factor for fatal overdose among veterans underscores the importance of care coordination across health care systems to improve opioid prescribing safety. U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.

Periodic health visits by primary care practice model, a population-based study using health administrative data

BackgroundThe general health check, which includes the periodic health visit and annual physical exam, is not recommended to maintain the health of asymptomatic adults with no risk factors. Different funding mechanisms for primary care may be associated with the provision of service delivery according to recommended guidelines. We sought to determine how use of the periodic health visit for healthy individuals without comorbidities, despite evidence against its use, differed by primary care model.MethodsPopulation-based cross-sectional study using linked health and administrative datasets in Ontario, Canada, where most residents are insured for physician services through Ontario’s single payer, provincially funded Ontario Health Insurance Plan. Participants included all living adults (> 19 years) in Ontario on January 1st, 2014, eligible for the Ontario Health Insurance Plan. Primary care enrollment model was the main exposure and included traditional fee-for-service, enhanced fee-for-service, capitation, team-based care, other (including salaried), and unenrolled. The main outcome measure was receipt of a periodic health visit during 2014. Age-sex standardized rates of periodic health visits performed during the one-year study period were analyzed by number of comorbid conditions.ResultsOf 10,712,804 adults in Ontario, 2,350,386 (21.9%) had a periodic health visit in 2014. The age-sex standardized rate was 6.1% (95% confidence interval [CI] 6.0, 6.1%) for healthy individuals. In the traditional fee-for-service model, the periodic health visit was performed for 55.3% (95% CI 54.4, 56.3%) of healthy individuals versus 10.2% (95% CI 10.0, 10.3%) in team-based care. Periodic health visit rates varied by primary care provider models. Traditional and enhanced fee-for-service models had higher rates across all comorbidity groups.ConclusionsPatients whose primary care physicians are funded exclusively through fee-for-service had the highest rates of periodic health visits in healthy individuals. Primary care reform initiatives must consider the influence of remuneration on providing evidence-based primary care.

How does disability influence child care arrangements for young children? An examination using the NHES ECPP

Affordable child care is an essential support for families with young children, and quality of care impacts a range of child development outcomes. Still, many families face a number of barriers to accessing high-quality care. Given the necessary resources for raising a child with a disability, high-quality child care may be particularly salient for families with a child with a disability. Yet, these families face additional challenges to accessing appropriate care, and children with disabilities may be less likely to be receiving quality care than their nondisabled peers. Despite these challenges, little empirical work has been done to examine differences in child care arrangements between families who have a child with a disability and those who do not. Using data from the National Household Education Surveys (NHES) Early Childhood Program Participation (ECPP) surveys, this paper seeks to understand if there are differences in the types of arrangements used. Results suggest young children with disabilities are 50% more likely to be enrolled in formal, center-based care compared to no enrollment in child care and 25% less likely to be enrolled in informal care compared to center-based care than their nondisabled peers, with additional differences by household income and child's age. Findings offer a crucial first step in understanding child care arrangements for young children with disaiblities and indicate that center-based care may be particularly important for families.

The use of patient-specific equipoise to support shared decision-making for clinical care and enrollment into clinical trials.

To enhance enrollment into randomized clinical trials (RCTs), we proposed electronic health record-based clinical decision support for patient-clinician shared decision-making about care and RCT enrollment, based on "mathematical equipoise." As an example, we created the Knee Osteoarthritis Mathematical Equipoise Tool (KOMET) to determine the presence of patient-specific equipoise between treatments for the choice between total knee replacement (TKR) and nonsurgical treatment of advanced knee osteoarthritis. With input from patients and clinicians about important pain and physical function treatment outcomes, we created a database from non-RCT sources of knee osteoarthritis outcomes. We then developed multivariable linear regression models that predict 1-year individual-patient knee pain and physical function outcomes for TKR and for nonsurgical treatment. These predictions allowed detecting mathematical equipoise between these two options for patients eligible for TKR. Decision support software was developed to graphically illustrate, for a given patient, the degree of overlap of pain and functional outcomes between the treatments and was pilot tested for usability, responsiveness, and as support for shared decision-making. The KOMET predictive regression model for knee pain had four patient-specific variables, and an r 2 value of 0.32, and the model for physical functioning included six patient-specific variables, and an r 2 of 0.34. These models were incorporated into prototype KOMET decision support software and pilot tested in clinics, and were generally well received. Use of predictive models and mathematical equipoise may help discern patient-specific equipoise to support shared decision-making for selecting between alternative treatments and considering enrollment into an RCT.

Disparities in kindergarteners’ executive functions at kindergarten entry: Relations with parenting and child care

A growing body of research has begun to examine disparities in children’s early executive functions (EF), but few studies have examined disparities in EF based on parent education and whether parental beliefs regarding education and types of parental investments in early learning help explain them. The purpose of this study was to examine disparities in EF based on parental education at kindergarten entry and test whether parental beliefs and investments help explain these gaps. Using nationally representative data from the US Early Childhood Longitudinal Study (Kindergarten 2011) (n = 12,650), we found pronounced disparities in children’s EF at kindergarten entry, particularly for working memory. We also found that parent beliefs and investments were differentially associated with EF and that parental investments – frequent parent and child reading, a large number of books in the home, and enrollment in private center-based care – helped account for gaps in working memory.

Cost Savings Analysis of Individualized Exercise Oncology Programs.

Background: The physical and economic toll of cancer make it a high health priority. The rising cost of cancer care is now a primary focus for patients, payers, and providers. Escalating costs of clinical trials and national drug regulations have led the median monthly costs of cancer drugs to rise from less than $100 in 1965 to 1969, to more than $5000 in 2005 to 2009, stressing the importance of finding innovative ways to reduce cost burden. In the present study, we report the economic evaluation of an individualized exercise oncology program beginning early after diagnosis. Methods: An independent research group, ASCEND Innovations, retrospectively analyzed patient records to statistically demonstrate the impact of exercise oncology during cancer treatment. All patients completed 12 weeks of prescribed, individualized exercise that included cardiovascular, strength training, and flexibility components. The 3 primary hospital measures leveraged for statistical comparison before and after supportive care enrollment were number of encounters, number of readmissions, and average total charges, as well as emergency room visits and length of hospital stay (P < .05). Results: The resulting dataset consisted of 1493 total hospital encounters for 147 unique patients. The results statistically demonstrate a positive effect of exercise oncology during cancer care, in terms of reductions in overall cost per patient pre- to post-intervention. Conclusions: Individualized exercise oncology programs should be employed as part of the national standard of care for individuals battling cancer, in order to improve patient outcome and reduce cost burden.

Hyperglycemia and Risk of All-cause Mortality Among People Living With HIV With and Without Tuberculosis Disease in Myanmar (2011-2017).

BackgroundThere is limited empirical evidence on the relationship between hyperglycemia, tuberculosis (TB) comorbidity, and mortality in the context of HIV. We assessed whether hyperglycemia at enrollment in HIV care was associated with increased risk of all-cause mortality and whether this relationship was different among patients with and without TB disease.MethodsWe conducted a retrospective analysis of adult (≥15 years) HIV-positive patients enrolled into HIV care between 2011 and 2016 who had random blood glucose (RBG) measurements at enrollment. We used hazards regression to estimate associations between RBG and rate of all-cause mortality.ResultsOf 25 851 patients, 43% were female, and the median age was 36 years. At registration, the median CD4 count (interquartile range [IQR]) was 162 (68–310) cell/mm3, the median RBG level (IQR) was 88 (75–106) mg/dL, and 6.2% (95% confidence interval [CI], 6.0%–6.5%) had hyperglycemia (RBG ≥140 mg/dL). Overall 29% of patients had TB disease, and 15% died during the study period. The adjusted hazard of death among patients with hyperglycemia was significantly higher (adjusted hazard ratio [aHR], 1.2; 95% CI, 1.1–1.4) than among those with normoglycemia without TB disease, but not among patients with TB disease (aHR, 1.0; 95% CI, 0.8–1.2). Using 4 categories of RBG and restricted cubic spline regression, aHRs for death were significantly increased in patients with RBG of 110–140 mg/dL (categorical model: aHR, 1.3; 95% CI, 1.2–1.4; restricted spline: aHR, 1.1; 95% CI, 1.0–1.1) compared with those with RBG <110 mg/dL.ConclusionsOur findings highlight an urgent need to evaluate hyperglycemia screening and diagnostic algorithms and to ultimately establish glycemic targets for PLHIV with and without TB disease.

Implementing the package of CDC and WHO recommended linkage services: Methods, outcomes, and costs of the Bukoba Tanzania Combination Prevention Evaluation peer-delivered, linkage case management program, 2014-2017.

Although several studies have evaluated one or more linkage services to improve early enrollment in HIV care in Tanzania, none have evaluated the package of linkage services recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the World Health Organization (WHO). We describe the uptake of each component of the CDC/WHO recommended package of linkage services, and early enrollment in HIV care and antiretroviral therapy (ART) initiation among persons with HIV who participated in a peer-delivered, linkage case management (LCM) program implemented in Bukoba, Tanzania, October 2014 –May 2017. Of 4206 participants (88% newly HIV diagnosed), most received recommended services including counseling on the importance of early enrollment in care and ART (100%); escort by foot or car to an HIV care and treatment clinic (CTC) (83%); treatment navigation at a CTC (94%); telephone support and appointment reminders (77% among clients with cellphones); and counseling on HIV-status disclosure and partner/family testing (77%), and on barriers to care (69%). During three periods with different ART-eligibility thresholds [CD4<350 (Oct 2014 –Dec 2015, n = 2233), CD4≤500 (Jan 2016 –Sept 2016, n = 1221), and Test & Start (Oct 2016 –May 2017, n = 752)], 90%, 96%, and 97% of clients enrolled in HIV care, and 47%, 67%, and 86% of clients initiated ART, respectively, within three months of diagnosis. Of 463 LCM clients who participated in the last three months of the rollout of Test & Start, 91% initiated ART. Estimated per-client cost was $44 United States dollars (USD) for delivering LCM services in communities and facilities overall, and $18 USD for a facility-only model with task shifting. Well accepted by persons with HIV, peer-delivered LCM services recommended by CDC and WHO can achieve near universal early ART initiation in the Test & Start era at modest cost and should be considered for implementation in facilities and communities experiencing <90% early enrollment in ART care.