Clinical outcomes and healthcare utilization in patients with sickle cell disease: a nationwide cohort study of Medicaid beneficiaries

Impact of hospitalized vaso-occlusive crises in the previous calendar year on mortality and complications in adults with sickle cell disease: a French population-based study

Background

Historically, sickle cell disease (SCD) patients experiencing frequent hospitalized vaso-occlusive crises (HVOC) have been associated with increased mortality, yet recent data reflecting the widespread use of hydroxyurea and advancements in disease management remain limited. Our study aims to assess the association between HVOC and mortality or severe complications in patients with SCD in this new treatment landscape.

Methods

This was a retrospective observational cohort study using the French national health data system. Between 01-01-2012 and 12-31-2018, all SCD patients ≥16 years old (ICD-10 codes D57.0-2) were included and followed until 12-31-2018. HVOC was defined as a hospitalization of ≥1 night with primary diagnosis of SCD with crisis, following an emergency room visit. The association between HVOC and severe complications was assessed with a Cox proportional hazards model.

Findings

In total, 8018 patients (56.6% females; 4538/8018) were included. The 2018 SCD standardized one-year period prevalence was 17.9 cases/100,000 person-years [17.4; 18.3]. The mean rate was 0.84 (1.88) HVOC/person-year. In 2018, 70% (5323/7605), 22% (1671/7605), and 8% (611/7605) of patients experienced 0, 1-2, or 3+ HVOCs, respectively. The median survival time between HVOCs was 415 days [386; 439]. Overall, 312 patients died (3.9%) with a mean age of 49.8 (19.4). Compared to patients without HVOC, the hazard ratios of death in patients with 1-2 or 3+ HVOCs the year prior to death were 1.67 [1.21; 2.30] and 3.70 [2.30; 5.93], respectively. Incidence of acute chest syndrome, pulmonary embolism, osteonecrosis, and sepsis increased with the HVOCs category, but not stroke. In 2018, 29.5% (180/611) of patients with 3+ HVOCs did not take hydroxyurea.

Interpretation

Patients must be closely monitored during their hospitalizations to intensify treatment and check treatment compliance. Innovative therapies are also required.

Funding

The study was funded by Novartis.

Assessing Medicaid Coverage for Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation and Chimeric Antigen Receptor T Cell Therapy: A Project from the American Society for Transplantation and Cellular Therapy and the National Marrow Donor Program ACCESS Initiative

The American Society for Transplantation and Cellular Therapy (ASTCT) and the National Marrow Donor Program (NMDP) formed the ACCESS Initiative to address and reduce barriers to hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT) and cellular therapy (CT) to ensure equal access and outcomes for all patients in need. The 3 committees, addressing awareness, poverty, and racial and ethnic inequity, defined pilot projects focusing on addressing relevant barriers to HCT/CT. Because many socioeconomically disadvantaged HCT/CT recipients receive care through state Medicaid programs, the Poverty Committee conducted a Medicaid scan of all 50 US states with the following objectives: to define beneficiary coverage for allogeneic and autologous HCT and chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cell therapy; to define support for travel, temporary lodging, and meals for both beneficiaries and caregivers; and to determine search and cell acquisition payment procedures. Here we summarize the results of the Medicaid scan and highlight significant variations and gaps in coverage for HCT/CT recipients. We also provide an initial roadmap for addressing gaps in Medicaid support for HCT and CAR-T therapy recipients.

Age-related differences in risks and outcomes of 30-day readmission in adults with sickle cell disease

BACKGROUND

Literature on 30-day readmission in adults with sickle cell disease (SCD) is limited. This study examined the overall and age-stratified rates, risk factors, and healthcare resource utilization associated with 30-day readmission in this population.

METHODS

Using the Nationwide Readmissions Database, a retrospective cohort study was conducted to identify adult patients (aged ≥ 18) with SCD in 2016. Patients were stratified by age and followed for 30 days to assess readmission following an index discharge. The primary outcome was 30-day unplanned all-cause readmission. Secondary outcomes included index hospitalization costs and readmission outcomes (e.g., time to readmission, readmission costs, and readmission lengths of stay). Separate generalized linear mixed models estimated the adjusted odds ratios (aORs) for associations of readmission with patient and hospital characteristics, overall and by age.

RESULTS

Of 15,167 adults with SCD, 2,863 (18.9%) experienced readmission. Both the rates and odds of readmission decreased with increasing age. The SCD complications vaso-occlusive crisis and end-stage renal disease (ESRD) were significantly associated with increased likelihood of readmission (p < 0.05). Age-stratified analyses demonstrated that diagnosis of depression significantly increased risk of readmission among patients aged 18-to-29 years (aOR = 1.537, 95%CI: 1.215-1.945) but not among patients of other ages. All secondary outcomes significantly differed by age (p < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

This study demonstrates that patients with SCD are at very high risk of 30-day readmission and that younger adults and those with vaso-occlusive crisis and ESRD are among those at highest risk. Multifaceted, age-specific interventions targeting individuals with SCD on disease management are needed to prevent readmissions.

Economic and Clinical Burden of Managing Sickle Cell Disease with Recurrent Vaso-Occlusive Crises in the United States

INTRODUCTION

The aim of this study was to describe the clinical complications, treatment use, healthcare resource utilization (HCRU), and costs among patients with sickle cell disease (SCD) with recurrent vaso-occlusive crises (VOCs) in the US.

METHODS

Merative MarketScan Databases were used to identify patients with SCD with recurrent VOCs from March 1, 2010, to March 1, 2019. Inclusion criteria were ≥ 1 inpatient or  ≥ 2 outpatient claims for SCD and ≥ 2 VOCs per year in any 2 consecutive years after the first qualifying SCD diagnosis. Individuals without SCD in these databases were used as matched controls. Patients were followed for ≥ 12 months, from their second VOC in the 2nd year (index date) to the earliest of inpatient death, end of continuous enrollment in medical/pharmacy benefits, or March 1, 2020. Outcomes were assessed during follow-up.

RESULTS

In total, 3420 patients with SCD with recurrent VOCs and 16,722 matched controls were identified. Patients with SCD with recurrent VOCs had a mean of 5.0 VOCs (standard deviation [SD] = 6.0), 2.7 inpatient admissions (SD 2.9), and 5.0 emergency department visits (SD 8.0) per patient per year during follow-up. Compared to matched controls, patients with SCD with recurrent VOCs incurred higher annual ($67,282 vs. $4134) and lifetime ($3.8 million vs. $229,000 over 50 years) healthcare costs.

CONCLUSION

Patients with SCD with recurrent VOCs experience substantial clinical and economic burden driven by inpatient costs and frequent VOCs. There is a major unmet need for treatments that alleviate or eliminate clinical complications, including VOCs, and reduce healthcare costs in this patient population.

Long-term survival with sickle cell disease: a nationwide cohort study of Medicare and Medicaid beneficiaries

To our knowledge, we report the first population-based period life table, the expected lifetime survival for Medicare and Medicaid beneficiaries with sickle cell disease (SCD), and the disparities in survival by insurance types in the United States. We constructed a retrospective cohort of individuals with diagnosed SCD receiving common care (any real-world patterns of care except transplant) based on nationwide Medicare and Medicaid claim data (2008-2016), covering beneficiaries in all 50 states. We analyzed lifetime survival probabilities using Kaplan-Meier curves and projected life expectancies at various ages for all, stratified by sex and insurance types. Our analysis included 94 616 individuals with SCD that have not undergone any transplant. Life expectancy at birth was 52.6 years (95% confidence interval: 51.9-53.4). Compared with the adults covered by Medicaid only, those covered by Medicare for disabilities or end-stage renal disease and those dually insured by Medicare and Medicaid had significantly worse life expectancy. Similarly, for beneficiaries aged ≥65 years, these 2 insurance types were associated with significantly shorter life expectancy than those enrolled in Medicare old age and survivor's insurance. Our study underscores the persistent life expectancy shortfall for patients with SCD, the burden of premature mortality during adulthood, and survival disparities by insurance status.

Efficacy and safety of pharmacological interventions for managing sickle cell disease complications in children and adolescents: Systematic review with network meta-analysis

This study aimed to synthesize the evidence on the effects of disease-modifying agents for managing sickle cell disease (SCD) in children and adolescents by means of a systematic review with network meta-analyses, surface under the cumulative ranking curve (SUCRA) and stochastic multicriteria acceptability analyses (SMAA) (CRD42022328471). Eightteen randomized controlled trials (hydroxyurea [n = 7], l-arginine [n = 3], antiplatelets [n = 2], immunotherapy/monoclonal antibodies [n = 2], sulfates [n = 2], docosahexaenoic acid [n = 1], niprisan [n = 1]) were analyzed. SUCRA and SMAA demonstrated that hydroxyurea at higher doses (30 mg/kg/day) or at fixed doses (20 mg/kg/day) and immunotherapy/monoclonal antibodies are more effective for preventing vaso-occlusive crisis (i.e., lower probabilities of incidence of this event; 14, 25, and 30%, respectively), acute chest syndrome (probabilities ranging from 8 to 30%), and needing of transfusions (11-31%), while l-arginine (100-200 mg/kg) and placebo were more prone to these events. Therapies were overall considered safe; however, antiplatelets and sulfates may lead to more severe adverse events. Although the evidence was graded as insufficient and weak, hydroxyurea remains the standard of care for this population, especially if a maximum tolerated dose schedule is considered.

Lifetime medical costs attributable to sickle cell disease among nonelderly individuals with commercial insurance

Sickle cell disease (SCD) is a severe monogenic disease associated with high morbidity, mortality, and a disproportionate burden on Black and Hispanic communities. Our objective was to estimate the total healthcare costs and out-of-pocket (OOP) costs attributable to SCD among commercially insured individuals over their nonelderly lifetimes (0 to 64 years of age). We constructed a retrospective cohort of individuals with diagnosed SCD using Truven Health Marketscan commercial claims data from 2007 through 2018, compared with matched control subjects from the Medical Expenditure Panel Survey. We estimated Kaplan-Meier sample average costs using previously reported survival curves for SCD and control subjects. Individuals with SCD (20 891) and control subjects (33 588) were included in our analysis. The SCD sample had a mean age of 25.7 (standard deviation, 17.4) years; 58.0% were female. Survival-adjusted costs of SCD peaked at age 13 to 24 years and declined at older ages. There was no significant difference in total medical costs or OOP costs between the sexes. SCD-attributable costs over 0 to 64 years of age were estimated to be $1.6 million (95% confidence interval [CI], $1.3M-$1.9M) and $1.7 million (95% CI, $1.4M-$2.1M) for females and males with SCD, respectively. The corresponding OOP estimates were $42 395 (95% CI, $34 756-$50 033) for females and $45 091 (95% CI, $36 491-$53 691) for males. These represent a 907% and 285% increase in total medical and OOP costs over control subjects, respectively. Although limited to the commercially insured population, these results indicate that the direct economic burden of SCD is substantial and peaks at younger ages, suggesting the need for curative and new medical therapies.

Perspectives of individuals with sickle cell disease on barriers to care

INTRODUCTION

Sickle cell disease (SCD) is an inherited hemoglobinopathy that predominantly affects African Americans in the United States. The disease is associated with complications leading to high healthcare utilization rates, including emergency department (ED) visits and hospitalizations. Optimal SCD care requires a multidisciplinary approach involving SCD specialists to ensure preventive care, minimize complications and prevent unnecessary ED visits and hospitalizations. However, most individuals with SCD receive sub-optimal care or are unaffiliated with care (have not seen an SCD specialist). We aimed to identify barriers to care from the perspective of individuals with SCD in a multi-state sample.

METHODS

We performed a multiple methods study consisting of surveys and interviews in three comprehensive SCD centers from March to June 2018. Interviews were transcribed and coded, exploring themes around barriers to care. Survey questions on the specific themes identified in the interviews were analyzed using summary statistics.

RESULTS

We administered surveys to 208 individuals and conducted 44 in-depth interviews. Barriers to care were identified and classified according to ecological level (i.e., individual, family/interpersonal, provider, and socio-environmental/organizational level). Individual-level barriers included lack of knowledge in self-management and disease severity. Family/interpersonal level barriers were inadequate caregiver support and competing life demands. Provider level barriers were limited provider knowledge, provider inexperience, poor provider-patient relationship, being treated differently, and the provider's lack of appreciation of the patient's SCD knowledge. Socio-environmental/organizational level barriers included limited transportation, lack of insurance, administrative barriers, poor care coordination, and reduced access to care due to limited clinic availability, services provided or clinic refusal to provide SCD care.

CONCLUSION

Participants reported several multilevel barriers to SCD care. Strategies tailored towards reducing these barriers are warranted. Our findings may also inform interventions aiming to locate and link unaffiliated individuals to care.

coreSCD: multi-stakeholder consensus on core outcomes for sickle cell disease clinical trials

BACKGROUND

With the dramatic increase in the pipeline for new sickle cell disease (SCD) therapies in recent years, the time is ripe to ensure a robust body of evidence is available for decision making by regulators, payers, clinicians, and patients. Harmonization of the outcomes selected across interventional trials enables optimal post-trial appraisal and decision making through valid pooled analyses and indirect comparisons. We employed a structured, multi-stakeholder consensus process to develop core outcome sets (COS) for use in clinical trials of SCD interventions.

METHODS

CoreSCD utilized a modified Delphi method adapted from the standards recommended by the Core Outcome Measures in Effectiveness Trials (COMET) Initiative. An initial list of candidate outcomes was developed through a targeted literature review and input from an 11-member advisory committee. A 44-member multi-stakeholder Delphi Panel was established and included patients and family members, advocates, clinicians, researchers, payers, health technology assessors, representatives from government agencies, and industry representatives. Patients/advocates comprised 25% of the Delphi Panel and orientation and training was provided prior to the consensus process to ensure all were prepared to participate meaningfully. Panelists completed three rounds of an online survey to rate the importance of candidate outcomes for inclusion in the COS. Summary data was provided between each voting round and an in-person consensus meeting was held between the second and third round of voting. Consensus rules were applied following each round of voting to eliminate outcomes that did not meet predetermined criteria for retention.

RESULTS

Consensus was reached for two core outcome sets. The final COS for trials of disease-modifying therapies includes ten outcomes and the COS for trials of acute interventions includes six outcomes. Both core sets include clinical outcomes as well as outcomes related to functioning/quality of life, resource utilization, and survival/mortality.

CONCLUSIONS

Use of the COS in clinical development programs for SCD will help to ensure that relevant, consistent outcomes are available for decision making across the product lifecycle.

Co-morbidities and mortality in patients with sickle cell disease in England: A 10-year cohort analysis using hospital episodes statistics (HES) data

Patients with a primary diagnosis of sickle cell disease (SCD) with or without crisis during the 10-year period January 2009 to December 2018 were identified in the HES Admitted Patient Care (APC) dataset and matched with the Office for National Statistics (ONS) mortality dataset. Three sub-cohorts were defined: 'crises', 'transfusions' and 'other SCD'. APC records were examined for co-morbidities commonly associated with SCD and 10-year mortality rates compared with the general population. After data cleaning and exclusions, 9503 patients remained (entire cohort), with 1171, 201, and 8131 in crises, transfusions, and other SCD sub-cohorts, respectively. Median numbers of co-morbidities per patient were 2 (Interquartile range (IQR): 1-4), 2 (IQR: 1-3), and 1 (IQR: 0-2) in the crises, transfusions, and other SCD sub-cohorts, respectively. The majority of patients in the crises (63.2%) and transfusions (56.3%) cohorts had ≥2 co-morbidities, compared with 25.3% in the other SCD sub-cohort. Crude 10-year mortality rate was 5.3% (entire cohort), compared with 8.0% (crises) and 11.4% (transfusions) sub-cohorts; all rates were substantially higher than in age-sex matched general population. Our study adds further evidence that morbidity and mortality associated with SCD in England is high.