A Roadmap for Value-Based Payment Models Among Patients With Cirrhosis

Assessment of Access Barriers to Rifaximin Among Patients with Hepatic Encephalopathy Using Adjudicated Claims Data

INTRODUCTION

Continuous treatment with rifaximin 550 mg (hereafter rifaximin) is associated with lower hospitalization rates in patients with hepatic encephalopathy (HE); however, access barriers may exist. This study assessed gaps in rifaximin access and the impact of treatment gaps, particularly those resulting from claim rejections, on hospitalizations and healthcare costs among patients with HE in the United States.

METHODS

The IQVIA PharMetrics® Plus database linked with Longitudinal Access and Adjudicated Data (2015-2022) were used to identify adults with HE who had ≥ 1 paid rifaximin prescription fill. Rifaximin treatment gaps were assessed during the 12-month period from the first observed attempt at receiving rifaximin (index date). Adjusted number of overt HE (OHE) hospitalizations and healthcare costs were compared over the 6 months following the index date between Cohort 1, who had no gap due to claim rejection and had < 7 days of treatment gap due to other reasons, and Cohort 2, who had ≥ 1 rejection gap or had ≥ 7 days of non-rejection gap.

RESULTS

During the year following the index date, 94.7% of the 1711 patients experienced a treatment gap, including 34.8% with initiation gaps from first attempt at receiving rifaximin to first paid claim (77.7% of initiation gaps due to rejected claims) and 72.0% with gaps in access during active treatment (14.8% of active treatment gaps due to rejected claims). Compared with Cohort 1 (n = 432; mean age 56.3 years), Cohort 2 (n = 679; mean age 54.8 years) had 1.55 times the incidence rate of OHE hospitalizations [adjusted incidence rate ratio: 1.55 (95% confidence interval: 1.10-2.20)] and incurred US$1579 more in healthcare-associated costs per-patient-per-month (all p < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

Prescription claim rejections frequently led to delays in rifaximin initiation and gaps in access during active treatment. Access barriers to rifaximin were associated with increased hospitalizations and healthcare costs in patients with HE.

A randomized multicenter trial of a chronic disease management intervention for decompensated cirrhosis. The A ustra l ian L iver F a i lur e (ALFIE) trial

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

Improving the care of decompensated cirrhosis is a significant clinical challenge. The primary aim of this trial was to assess the efficacy of a chronic disease management (CDM) model to reduce liver-related emergency admissions (LREA). The secondary aims were to assess model effects on quality-of-care and patient-reported outcomes.

APPROACH AND RESULTS

The study design was a 2-year, multicenter, randomized controlled study with 1:1 allocation of a CDM model versus usual care. The study setting involved both tertiary and community care. Participants were randomly allocated following a decompensated cirrhosis admission. The intervention was a multifaceted CDM model coordinated by a liver nurse. A total of 147 participants (intervention=75, control=71) were recruited with a median Model for End-Stage Liver Disease score of 19. For the primary outcome, there was no difference in the overall LREA rate for the intervention group versus the control group (incident rate ratio 0.89; 95% CI: 0.53-1.50, p =0.666) or in actuarial survival (HR=1.14; 95% CI: 0.66-1.96, p =0.646). However, there was a reduced risk of LREA due to encephalopathy in the intervention versus control group (HR=1.87; 95% CI: 1.18-2.96, p =0.007). Significant improvement in quality-of-care measures was seen for the performance of bone density ( p <0.001), vitamin D testing ( p <0.001), and HCC surveillance adherence ( p =0.050). For assessable participants (44/74 intervention, 32/71 controls) significant improvements in patient-reported outcomes at 3 months were seen in self-management ability and quality of life as assessed by visual analog scale ( p =0.044).

CONCLUSIONS

This CDM intervention did not reduce overall LREA events and may not be effective in decompensated cirrhosis for this end point.

Developing Priorities for Palliative Care Research in Advanced Liver Disease: A Multidisciplinary Approach

Individuals with advanced liver disease (AdvLD), such as decompensated cirrhosis (DC) and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), have significant palliative needs. However, little research is available to guide health care providers on how to improve key domains related to palliative care (PC). We sought to identify priority areas for future research in PC by performing a comprehensive literature review and conducting iterative expert panel discussions. We conducted a literature review using search terms related to AdvLD and key PC domains. Individual reviews of these domains were performed, followed by iterative discussions by a panel consisting of experts from multiple disciplines, including hepatology, specialty PC, and nursing. Based on these discussions, priority areas for research were identified. We identified critical gaps in the available research related to PC and AdvLD. We developed and shared five key priority questions incorporating domains related to PC. Conclusion: Future research endeavors focused on improving PC in AdvLD should consider addressing the five key priorities areas identified from literature reviews and expert panel discussions.