Methods for using Medicare data to compare procedure rates among Asians, blacks, Hispanics, Native Americans, and whites

Racial Disparities in Health Care With Timing to Amputation Following Diabetic Foot Ulcer

OBJECTIVE

To examine variations in timing of lower-limb amputation (LLA) across race/ethnicity and sex among older adults with a diabetic foot ulcer (DFU). It was hypothesized Black/African Americans were more likely to have LLA post-DFU earlier compared with non-Hispanic/Whites, and more men would receive LLA earlier post-DFU compared with women.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS

This was a retrospective cohort analysis of enrolled Medicare fee-for-service (FFS) beneficiaries with a diagnosis of DFU during the study period (2012-2017), allowing up to 5 years post-DFU. Final analytic sample contained 643,287 individuals; the subsample consisted of 68,633 individuals with LLA only. The primary outcome was mutually exclusive groups based on timing of LLA. Multinomial logistic regression was applied to assess likelihood of membership into a group post-DFU based on characteristics such as sex and race/ethnicity.

RESULTS

Black/African American beneficiaries had 1.98 (95% CI 1.93-2.03) times the odds of receiving an LLA within 1 year of DFU diagnosis compared with non-Hispanic/White beneficiaries relative to no amputation. Female beneficiaries had increased odds (odds ratio [OR] 1.07, 95% CI 1.02-1.11] between 1 and 3 years and OR 1.08 [95% CI 1.03-1.12] in ≥3 years) of a delayed LLA compared with men among those that underwent LLA.

CONCLUSIONS

Notably, these results present novel evidence on timing of LLA between racial groups and sex for Medicare FFS beneficiaries post-DFU. Results may be generalizable to individuals with Medicare FFS and DFU. Clinically more targeted, evidence-based decision making informs care decisions with opportunities to address inequities related to the social determinants of health that may lead to LLA.

Parkinson's Disease and Home Healthcare Use and Expenditures among Elderly Medicare Beneficiaries

This study estimated excess home healthcare use and expenditures among elderly Medicare beneficiaries (age ≥ 65 years) with Parkinson's disease (PD) compared to those without PD and analyzed the extent to which predisposing, enabling, need factors, personal health choice, and external environment contribute to the excess home healthcare use and expenditures among individuals with PD. A retrospective, observational, cohort study design using Medicare 5% sample claims for years 2006-2007 was used for this study. Logistic regressions and Ordinary Least Squares regressions were used to assess the association of PD with home health use and expenditures, respectively. Postregression nonlinear and linear decomposition techniques were used to understand the extent to which differences in home healthcare use and expenditures among elderly Medicare beneficiaries with and without PD can be explained by individual-level factors. Elderly Medicare beneficiaries with PD had higher home health use and expenditures compared to those without PD. 27.5% and 18% of the gap in home health use and expenditures, respectively, were explained by differences in characteristics between the PD and no PD groups. A large portion of the differences in home healthcare use and expenditures remained unexplained.

The (mal) adaptive value of mid-adolescent dating relationship labels

The aim of this study was to explore adolescent dating relationships through the prism of high school girls' narratives. We probed the contexts and meanings associated with different forms of dating to better understand the developmental significance of romantic relationships during adolescence. Cross-sectional, in-depth semi-structured interviews were conducted with 20 high school females. The analytic approach was phenomenological and grounded in the narratives rather than based on an a priori theoretical framework. Interviews were digitally recorded, transcribed verbatim by research staff and entered into ATLAS.ti 6, a qualitative data-management software package, prior to analysis. Teen relationships were found to vary along a Dis-Continuum from casual hookups to "official" boyfriend/girlfriend. There was a lack of consensus, and much ambiguity, as to the substantive meaning of different relationships. Labeling dating relationships seem to facilitate acquisition of important developmental needs such as identity, affiliation, and status, while attempting to manage cognitive dissonance and emotional disappointments. Findings underscore the confusion and complexity surrounding contemporary adolescent dating. Adolescent girls are using language and social media to assist them in meeting developmental goals. Sometimes their dating labels are adaptive, other times they are a cause of stress, or concealment of unmet needs and thwarted desires. Programs focused on positive youth development need to resonate with the realities of teens' lives and more fully acknowledge the complicated dynamics of teen dating relationships and how they are formalized, publicized and negotiated.

Trends in and disparities for acute myocardial infarction: an analysis of Medicare claims data from 1992 to 2010

BACKGROUND

It is unknown whether previously reported disparities for acute myocardial infarction (AMI) by race and sex have declined over time.

METHODS

We used Medicare Part A administrative data files for 1992 to 2010 to evaluate changes in per-capita hospitalization rates for AMI, rates of revascularization (percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) and coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG)), and 30-day mortality for four distinct patient subcohorts: black women; black men; white women; and white men, adjusted for age, comorbidities and year using logistic regression.

RESULTS

The study sample consisted of 4,045,267 AMI admissions between the years 1992 and 2010 (166,660 black women; 116,201 black men; 1,870,816 white women; 1,891,590 white men). AMI hospitalization rates differed significantly in 1992 to 1993 among black women (61.6 hospitalizations per 10,000 Medicare enrollees), black men (73.2 hospitalizations), white women (72.0 hospitalizations) and white men (113.2 hospitalizations) (P<0.0001). By 2009 to 2010 AMI hospitalization rates had declined substantially in all cohorts but disparities remained with significantly lower hospitalization rates among women and blacks compared to men and whites, respectively (P<0.0001). In multivariable-adjusted analyses, despite narrowing of the differences between cohorts over time, disparities in AMI hospitalization rates by race and sex remained statistically significant in 2009 to 2010 (P<0.001). In 1992 to 1993 and 2009 to 2010, rates of PCI within 30-days of AMI differed significantly among black women (8.6% in 1992 to 1993; 24.2% in 2009 to 2010), black men (10.4% and 32.6%), white women (12.8% and 30.5%), and white men (16.1% and 40.7%) (P<0.0001). In multivariable-adjusted analyses, racial disparities in procedure utilization appeared somewhat larger and sex-based disparities remained significant. Unadjusted 30-day mortality after AMI in 1992 to 1993 for black women, black men, white women and white men was 20.4%, 17.9%, 23.1% and 19.5%, respectively (P<0.0001); in 2009 to 2010 mortality was 17.1%, 15.3%, 18.2% and 16.2%, respectively (P<0.0001). In adjusted analyses, racial differences in mortality declined over time but differences by sex (higher mortality for women) persisted.

CONCLUSIONS

Disparities in AMI have declined modestly, but remain a problem, particularly with respect to patient sex.

The validity of race and ethnicity in enrollment data for Medicare beneficiaries

OBJECTIVE

To assess the validity of race/ethnicity in Medicare databases for studies of racial/ethnic disparities.

DATA SOURCES

The 2010 Medicare Consumer Assessments of Healthcare Providers and Systems (CAHPS(®)) survey was linked to Medicare enrollment data and local area characteristics from the 2000 Census.

STUDY DESIGN

Race/ethnicity was cross-tabulated for CAHPS and Medicare data. Within each self-reported category, demographic, geographic, health, and health care variables were compared between those that were and were not similarly identified in Medicare data.

DATA COLLECTION METHODS

The Medicare CAHPS survey included 343,658 responses from elderly participants (60 percent response rate). Data were weighted for sampling and nonresponse to be representative of the national population of elderly Medicare beneficiaries.

PRINCIPAL FINDINGS

Self-reported Hispanics, Asians, Pacific Islanders, and American Indians were underidentified in Medicare enrollment data. Individuals in these groups who were identified in Medicare data tended to be more strongly identified with their group, poorer, and in worse health and to report worse health care experiences than those who were not so identified.

CONCLUSIONS

Self-reported members of racial and ethnic groups other than Whites and Blacks who are identified in Medicare data differ substantially from those who are not so identified. These differences should be considered in assessments of disparities in health and health care among Medicare beneficiaries.

Accurately predicting bipolar disorder mood outcomes: implications for the use of electronic databases

BACKGROUND

Monitoring mental health treatment outcomes for populations requires an understanding as to which patient information is needed in electronic format and is feasible to obtain in routine care.

OBJECTIVE

To examine whether bipolar disorder outcomes can be accurately predicted and how much clinical detail is needed to do so. RESEARCH DESIGN, DATA SOURCES, AND PARTICIPANTS: Longitudinal study of bipolar disorder patients treated during 2000 to 2004 in the 19-site Systematic Treatment Enhancement Program for Bipolar Disorder observational study arm (N=3168). Clinical data were obtained at baseline and quarterly for over 1 year. We fit a "gold standard" longitudinal random-effects regression model using a detailed clinical information and estimated the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) to predict accuracy using a validation sample. The model was then modified to include patient characteristics feasible in routinely collected electronic data (eg, administrative data). We compared the AUCs for the "limited-detail" and gold standard models, testing for differences between the AUCs using the validation sample.

MEASURE

Remission, defined as Montgomery-Asberg Depression Rating Scale score <5 and Young Mania Rating Scale score <4.

RESULTS

The gold standard models had baseline AUC=0.80 (95% confidence interval=0.74 to 0.86) and 0.75(0.64 to 0.86) at 1-year follow-up. The predicted accuracies of the limited-detail model were lower at baseline [AUC=0.67(0.60 to 0.75)]; correlated test χ=14.25, P=0.002] and not statistically different from the gold standard model at 1 year [AUC=0.67(0.54-0.80); correlated test χ=2.88, P=0.090].

CONCLUSIONS

Future work is needed to develop clinically accurate and feasible models to predict bipolar disorder outcomes. Clinically detailed and limited models performed similarly for shorter-term prediction at 1-year; however, there is room for improvement in prediction accuracy.

Racial and ethnic disparities in postpartum depression care among low-income women

OBJECTIVE

The goal of this study was to characterize racial-ethnic differences in mental health care utilization associated with postpartum depression in a multiethnic cohort of Medicaid recipients.

METHODS

In a retrospective cohort study, administrative claims data from New Jersey's Medicaid program were obtained for 29,601 women (13,001 whites, 13,416 blacks, and 3,184 Latinas) who delivered babies between July 2004 and October 2007. Racial-ethnic differences were estimated with logistic regression for initiation of antidepressant medication or outpatient mental health visits within six months of delivery, follow-up (a prescription refill or second visit), and continued mental health care (at least three visits or three filled antidepressant prescriptions within 120 days).

RESULTS

Nine percent (N=1,120) of white women initiated postpartum mental health care, compared with 4% (N=568) of black women and 5% (N=162) of Latinas. With analyses controlling for clinical factors, the odds of initiating treatment after delivery were significantly (p<.001) lower for blacks (adjusted odds ratio [AOR]=.43) and Latinas (AOR=.59) compared with whites. Among those who initiated treatment, blacks and Latinas were less likely than whites to receive follow-up treatment (blacks, AOR=.66, p<.001; Latinas, AOR=.67, p<.05) or continued care (blacks, AOR=.81, p=.069; Latinas, AOR=.67, p<.05). Among those who initiated antidepressant treatment, black women and Latinas were less likely than whites to refill a prescription.

CONCLUSIONS

There were significant racial-ethnic differences in depression-related mental health care after delivery. Suboptimal treatment was prevalent among all low-income women in the study. However, racial and ethnic disparities in the initiation and continuation of postpartum depression care were particularly troubling and warrant clinical and policy attention.

Racial and ethnic disparities in postpartum depression care among low-income women

OBJECTIVE

The goal of this study was to characterize racial-ethnic differences in mental health care utilization associated with postpartum depression in a multiethnic cohort of Medicaid recipients.

METHODS

In a retrospective cohort study, administrative claims data from New Jersey's Medicaid program were obtained for 29,601 women (13,001 whites, 13,416 blacks, and 3,184 Latinas) who delivered babies between July 2004 and October 2007. Racial-ethnic differences were estimated with logistic regression for initiation of antidepressant medication or outpatient mental health visits within six months of delivery, follow-up (a prescription refill or second visit), and continued mental health care (at least three visits or three filled antidepressant prescriptions within 120 days).

RESULTS

Nine percent (N=1,120) of white women initiated postpartum mental health care, compared with 4% (N=568) of black women and 5% (N=162) of Latinas. With analyses controlling for clinical factors, the odds of initiating treatment after delivery were significantly (p<.001) lower for blacks (adjusted odds ratio [AOR]=.43) and Latinas (AOR=.59) compared with whites. Among those who initiated treatment, blacks and Latinas were less likely than whites to receive follow-up treatment (blacks, AOR=.66, p<.001; Latinas, AOR=.67, p<.05) or continued care (blacks, AOR=.81, p=.069; Latinas, AOR=.67, p<.05). Among those who initiated antidepressant treatment, black women and Latinas were less likely than whites to refill a prescription.

CONCLUSIONS

There were significant racial-ethnic differences in depression-related mental health care after delivery. Suboptimal treatment was prevalent among all low-income women in the study. However, racial and ethnic disparities in the initiation and continuation of postpartum depression care were particularly troubling and warrant clinical and policy attention.

Racial and ethnic disparities in colorectal cancer screening persisted despite expansion of Medicare's screening reimbursement

OBJECTIVE

We examined the effect of Medicare's expansion of colorectal cancer (CRC) screening test reimbursement on racial/ethnic disparities in CRC screening.

METHODS

CRC screening was ascertained for Medicare beneficiaries (n = 30,893), aged 70 to 89, who had no history of any tumor and resided in 16 Surveillance, Epidemiology and End Results regions of the United States from 1996 to 2005. CRC screening tests were identified in the 5% sample of Medicare claims. Age-gender-adjusted percentages and -adjusted odds of receiving any guideline-specific CRC screening [i.e., annual fecal occult blood test (FOBT), sigmoidoscopy every 5 years or colonoscopy every 10 years] by race/ethnicity and Medicare coverage expansion period (i.e., prior to FOBT coverage, FOBT coverage only, and post-colonoscopy coverage) were reported.

RESULTS

CRC screening increased as Medicare coverage expanded for white and black Medicare beneficiaries. However, blacks were less likely than whites to receive screening prior to FOBT coverage (OR = 0.74, 95% CI: 0.61-0.90), during FOBT coverage only (OR = 0.66, 95% CI: 0.52-0.83) and after colonoscopy coverage (OR = 0.80, 95% CI: 0.68-0.95). Hispanics were less likely to receive screening after colonoscopy coverage (OR = 0.73, 95% CI: 0.54-0.99).

CONCLUSIONS

Despite the expansion of Medicare coverage for CRC screening tests, racial/ethnic differences in CRC screening persisted over time in this universally insured population, especially for blacks and Hispanics. Future studies should explore other factors beyond health insurance that may contribute to screening disparities in this and younger populations.

IMPACT

Although CRC screening rates increased over time, they were still low according to recommendations. More effort is needed to increase CRC screening among all Medicare beneficiaries.

Geographic variation of racial/ethnic disparities in colorectal cancer testing among medicare enrollees

BACKGROUND

The Medicare population has documented racial/ethnic disparities in colorectal cancer (CRC) screening, but it is unknown whether these disparities differ across geographic regions.

METHODS

Among Medicare enrollees within 8 US states, we ascertained up-to-date CRC screening on December 31, 2003 (fecal occult blood testing in the prior year or sigmoidoscopy or colonoscopy in the prior 5 years). Logistic regression models tested for regional variation in up-to-date status among white versus different nonwhite populations (blacks, Asian/Pacific Islanders [APIs], Hispanics). We estimated regression-adjusted region-specific prevalence of up-to-date status by race/ethnicity and compared adjusted white versus nonwhite up-to-date prevalence across regions by using generalized least squares regression.

RESULTS

White versus nonwhite up-to-date status varied significantly across regions for blacks (P = .01) and APIs (P < .001) but not Hispanics (P = .62). Whereas the white versus black differences in proportion up-to-date were greatest in Atlanta (Georgia), rural Georgia, and the San Francisco Bay Area of California (range, 10%-16% differences, blacks

CONCLUSIONS

Significant geographic variation in up-to-date status among black and API Medicare enrollees is associated with heterogeneous racial/ethnic disparities for these groups across US regions.

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Key Words

• cancer screening
• colorectal cancer
• disparities
• geography of health
• medicare

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MESH Headings

• Aged
• Black People
• Colonoscopy
• Colorectal Neoplasms/diagnosis
• Early Detection of Cancer/statistics & numerical data
• Ethnicity
• Female
• Healthcare Disparities/ethnology
• Hispanic or Latino
• Humans
• Male
• Medicare
• Occult Blood
• Rural Population
• United States
• White People
• Black or African American

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Grants

• P30 CA093373 NCI NIH HHS

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Affiliation(s)

Thomas J Semrad Division of Hematology/Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine, University of California Davis Sacramento, California 95817, USA.
Daniel J Tancredi
Laura-Mae Baldwin
Pamela Green
Joshua J Fenton

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Discharge destination's effect on bounce-back risk in Black, White, and Hispanic acute ischemic stroke patients

OBJECTIVE

To determine whether racial and ethnic effects on bounce-back risk (ie, movement to settings of higher care intensity within 30 d of hospital discharge) in acute stroke patients vary depending on initial posthospital discharge destination.

DESIGN

Retrospective analysis of administrative data.

SETTING

Four hundred twenty-two hospitals, southern/eastern United States.

PARTICIPANTS

All Medicare beneficiaries 65 years or more with hospitalization for acute ischemic stroke within one of the 422 target hospitals during the years 1999 or 2000 (N=63,679).

INTERVENTIONS

Not applicable.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Adjusted predicted probabilities for discharge to and for bouncing back from each initial discharge site (ie, home, home with home health care, skilled nursing facility [SNF], or rehabilitation center) by race (ie, black, white, and Hispanic). Models included sociodemographics, comorbidities, stroke severity, and length of stay.

RESULTS

Blacks and Hispanics were significantly more likely to be discharged to home health care (blacks=21% [95% confidence interval (CI), 19.9-22.8], Hispanic=19% [17.1-21.7] vs whites=16% [15.5-16.8]) and less likely to be discharged to SNFs (blacks=26% [95% CI, 23.6-29.3], Hispanics=28% [25.4-31.6] vs whites=33% [31.8-35.1]) than whites. However, blacks and Hispanics were significantly more likely to bounce back when discharged to SNFs than whites (blacks=26% [95% CI, 24.2-28.6], Hispanics=28% [24-32.6] vs whites=21% [20.3-21.9]). Hispanics had a lower risk of bouncing back when discharged home than either blacks or whites (Hispanics=14% [95% CI, 11.3-17] vs blacks=20% [18.4-22.2], whites=18% [16.8-18.3]). Patients discharged to home health care or rehabilitation centers demonstrated no significant differences in bounce-back risk.

CONCLUSIONS

Racial/ethnic bounce-back risk differs depending on initial discharge destination. Additional research is needed to fully understand this variation in effect.

Longitudinal racial/ethnic disparities in antimanic medication use in bipolar-I disorder

OBJECTIVE

To examine racial/ethnic longitudinal disparities in antimanic medication use among adults with bipolar-I disorder.

METHODS

Observational study using administrative data from Florida's Medicaid program, July 1997 to June 2005, for enrollees diagnosed with bipolar-I disorder (N = 13,497 persons; 126,413 person-quarters). We examined the likelihood of receiving one of the following during a given quarter: (1) any antimanic agent (antipsychotic or mood stabilizer) or none, and (2) mood stabilizers, antipsychotic monotherapy, or neither. Binary and multinomial logistic regression models predicted the association between race/ethnicity and prescription fills, adjusting for clinical and demographic characteristics. Cohort indicators for year that the enrollee met study criteria were included to account for cohort effects.

RESULTS

Averaging over all cohorts and quarters, compared with whites, blacks had lower odds of filling any antimanic and mood stabilizer prescriptions specifically (40%-49% and 47%-63%, respectively), but similar odds of filling prescriptions for antipsychotic monotherapy. After Bonferroni adjustment, compared with whites, there were no statistically significant disparities for Hispanics in filling prescriptions for any, or specific antimanic medications.

CONCLUSIONS

Rates of antimanic medication use were low regardless of race/ethnicity. However, we found disparities in antimanic medication use for blacks compared with whites and these disparities persisted over time. We found no Hispanic-white disparities. Quality improvement efforts should focus on all individuals with bipolar disorder, but particular attention should be paid to understanding disparities in medication use for blacks.

Health careers for Native American students: Challenges and opportunities for enrichment program design

Native Americans are severely underrepresented among US health care professionals, medical researchers, and public health officials. This low representation presents a substantial challenge to addressing the urgent need to improve health care in Native communities. Increasing the number of Native American clinicians and scientists can help to improve the health of these communities through direct provision of health care and by driving a targeted research and policy agenda. Low enrollment of Native American students in medical school and other health-related degree tracks has numerous root causes, ranging from financial constraints to the lack of appropriate mentorship. Academic institutions can play a vital role in reaching out to provide the appropriate experiences and resources that will engage Native students and help them take the next step towards a career in health care. These programs should always be accompanied by an appropriate evaluation structure that ensures continued improvement and facilitation of particular student needs.

Persistent racial and ethnic disparities in up-to-date colorectal cancer testing in medicare enrollees

OBJECTIVES

To assess whether greater colonoscopy use among white as compared with nonwhite Medicare enrollees since Medicare established coverage for colorectal cancer (CRC) screening has been associated with a widening in white versus nonwhite disparities in up-to-date CRC testing status.

DESIGN

Serial cross-sectional analysis of Medicare claims.

SETTING

Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) regions in nine states, representing 14% of the U.S. population.

PARTICIPANTS

A 5% random sample of fee-for-service Medicare enrollees aged 70 to 79 within each 6-month period from mid-1995 through 2003.

MEASUREMENTS

Trends in up-to-date status (having a fecal occult blood test (FOBT) claim in the prior year or a sigmoidoscopy or colonoscopy claim in the prior 5 years) according to race or ethnicity, estimated using repeated-measures logistic regression adjusting for age, sex, rural versus urban residence, income, comorbidity, and SEER region.

RESULTS

From mid-1995 through 2003, the adjusted percentage of enrollees that were up-to-date increased by a similar magnitude in whites (from 39.4% to 47.3%), blacks (from 29.0% to 38.1%), Asians and Pacific Islanders (from 33.1% to 41.8%), and Hispanics (from 23.7% to 33.2%). Although white versus nonwhite disparities in up-to-date status via colonoscopy widened, this was counterbalanced by narrowing white versus nonwhite disparities in up-to-date status via FOBT and sigmoidoscopy.

CONCLUSION

White versus nonwhite disparities in up-to-date CRC testing status in Medicare enrollees largely persisted through 2003.

Changes over time and disparities in schizophrenia treatment quality

BACKGROUND

Schizophrenia medication and psychosocial treatment options have expanded since the Schizophrenia PORT was conducted. However, there also have been considerable changes in the delivery of mental health care in the public sector, as well as increasing state concerns about Medicaid cost containment.

OBJECTIVES

To examine trends and patient characteristics associated with differences in schizophrenia medication and visit treatment quality in a Medicaid population.

RESEARCH DESIGN

Observational study of claims data from July 1, 1996 to June 30, 2001.

SUBJECTS

Florida Medicaid enrollees diagnosed with schizophrenia (N = 23,619).

MEASURES

We examined the likelihood of meeting any 1 and all 4 of the following quality standards: (1) receiving antipsychotic medication, (2) antipsychotic continuity, (3) dosing consistent with PORT recommendations, and (4) mental health visit continuity. Separate models were fit for acute and maintenance phases of treatment.

RESULTS

Approximately 18% of acute and 7% of maintenance phases met all 4 quality standards. Antipsychotic quality improved (largely driven by an increasingly likelihood of receiving any antipsychotic), while visit continuity declined. The greatest disparities were seen for persons with co-occurring substance use disorders and of black race. Quality differences were often phase specific and at times in opposite directions across treatment phases.

CONCLUSIONS

The improvement in antipsychotic treatment quality is encouraging. However, visit continuity declined. This study highlights the importance of quality measurement that includes focus on different treatment modalities and phases of care, as well as for potentially vulnerable populations (such as persons with co-occurring substance use disorders and racial/ethnic minorities).

The quality of diabetes care following hospitalization for ischemic stroke

BACKGROUND

Follow-up is critically important for stroke survivors with diabetes, yet there is limited research about the quality of diabetes care that these patients receive. We investigated performance on diabetes quality of care indicators for stroke survivors overall and by race.

METHODS

Claims data was extracted for 1,460 Medicare beneficiaries with preexisting diabetes who survived hospitalization for acute ischemic stroke in 2000. Adjusted probabilities of receiving HbA1c, LDL and dilated eye exams were estimated using logistic regression.

RESULTS

53% had a dilated eye exam, 60% received an LDL check, 73% percent had their HbA1c checked at least once and only 51% received two or more HbA1c checks. In the unadjusted results, blacks were significantly less likely than whites to receive these tests.

CONCLUSIONS

Care of stroke survivors, particularly blacks, shows gaps according to guidelines.

Gender and racial disparities in the management of diabetes mellitus among Medicare patients

BACKGROUND

Racial/ethnic disparities in diabetes care have been demonstrated in several settings, but few studies have evaluated whether racial/ethnic differences vary by gender. The objective of this study is to understand gender and racial effects on diabetes care for Medicare managed care beneficiaries.

METHODS

Using data from: (1) Healthcare Effectiveness Data and Information Set (HEDIS); (2) Medicare Enrollment Files; and (3) U.S. Census, hierarchical generalized linear analyses were conducted to model the six HEDIS comprehensive diabetes care quality indicators, including processes of care and intermediate outcome measures, as a function of gender and race/ethnicity.

RESULTS

Women were more likely to have received HbA(1c) screening or eye examination, but less likely to have LDL control at <100 mg/dL, compared to men. Racial disparities favored whites in five measures, where African Americans were less likely to have received HbA(1c) screening, eye examination, cholesterol screening, or achieve adequate HbA(1c) control or LDL control at <100 mg/dL. Enrollees in managed care plans where African Americans constituted more than 20% of their insured population tended to have lower likelihood of meeting the HbA(1c) screening, HbA(1c) control, and eye examination measures.

CONCLUSIONS AND DISCUSSION

Gender and racial disparities in performance indicators were present among persons enrolled in Medicare managed care. White women were more likely to have met the performance measures related to process of care, but African Americans fared worse in both process of care and intermediate health outcome measures, compared to their white counterparts. Poor performance in cholesterol control observed in women of both races suggests the possibility of less intensive cholesterol treatment in women. The differences in the pattern of care demonstrate the need for interventions tailored to address gender and race/ethnicity.

Cardiac procedure use following acute myocardial infarction among American Indians

BACKGROUND

The prevalence of coronary heart disease is rising among American Indians (AIs), but there is limited evidence describing processes of care for AI with acute myocardial infarction (AMI). We compared rates of cardiac catheterization, percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), and coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery between AI and whites with AMI.

METHODS

Using data from the Nationwide Inpatient Sample and the Indian Health Service National Patient Information Reporting System, we identified 2511 AI and 316,526 whites older than 30 years admitted with AMI during 1998 to 2001. Comparisons of cardiac procedure use between AI and whites were performed after adjusting for comorbid conditions and after stratifying by geographic region.

RESULTS

American Indians were less likely than whites to undergo cardiac catheterization and PCI in 3 of 4 geographic regions, with the largest difference occurring in the West South Central region (OR 0.32, 95% CI 0.24 to 0.43 for catheterization; OR 0.43, 95% CI 0.31 to 0.57 for PCI). American Indians were less likely than whites to undergo CABG surgery among diabetic patients (OR 0.48, 95% CI 0.32-0.73), but not among nondiabetic patients (OR 0.90, 95% CI 0.72-1.12). There were no differences in rates of PCI and CABG surgery between AIs and whites among those receiving cardiac catheterization.

CONCLUSIONS

Differences in the performance of coronary procedures are concentrated in western regions of the United States and are especially related to access to cardiac catheterization. Future studies are indicated to elucidate the mechanisms of these differences in care and their impact on clinical outcomes.

The Effects of Fraud on the Evaluation of Health Care

Studies on health care practices, financing, and organization increasingly rely on Medicare and other expanded data sets. These studies are of critical importance for public policy and for the development of strategies to contain escalating health care costs, but they often use data that have been corrupted by fraud and abuse. Mistaken conclusions, as to the effectiveness of policy and procedures, are likely being reached in studies that have used corrupted data. Researchers need to consider the suspect nature of results obtained from the corrupted data, and determine methods for making the data more valid.

Urologic diseases in America Project: analytical methods and principal findings

PURPOSE

The burden of urological diseases on the American public is immense in human and financial terms but it has been under studied. We undertook a project, Urologic Diseases in America, to quantify the burden of urological diseases on the American public.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We identified public and private data sources that contain population based data on resource utilization by patients with benign and malignant urological conditions. Sources included the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, National Center for Health Statistics, Medical Expenditure Panel Survey, National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, Department of Veterans Affairs, National Association of Children's Hospitals and Related Institutions, and private data sets maintained by MarketScan Health and Productivity Management (MarketScan, Chichester, United Kingdom), Ingenix (Ingenix, Salt Lake City, Utah) and Center for Health Care Policy and Evaluation. Using diagnosis and procedure codes we described trends in the utilization of urological services.

RESULTS

In 2000 urinary tract infections accounted for more than 6.8 million office visits and 1.3 million emergency room visits, and 245,000 hospitalizations in women with an annual cost of more than 2.4 billion dollars. Urinary tract infections accounted for more than 1.4 million office visits, 424,000 emergency room visits and 121,000 hospitalizations in men with an annual cost of more than 1 billion dollars. Benign prostatic hyperplasia was the primary diagnosis in more than 4.4 million office visits, 117,000 emergency room visits and 105,000 hospitalizations, accounting for 1.1 billion dollars in expenditures that year. Urolithiasis was the primary diagnosis for almost 2 million office visits, more than 600,000 emergency room visits, and more than 177,000 hospitalizations, totaling more than 2 billion dollars in annual expenditures. Urinary incontinence in women was the primary cause for more than 1.1 million office visits in 2000 and 452 million dollars in aggregate primary cause for more than 1.1 million office visits in 2000 and 452 million dollars in aggregate annual expenditures. Other manuscripts in this series present further detail for specific urologic conditions.

CONCLUSIONS

Recent trends in epidemiology, practice patterns, resource utilization and costs for urological diseases have broad implications for quality of health care, access to care and the equitable allocation of scarce resources for clinical care and research.

Marriage and ethnicity predict treatment in localized prostate carcinoma

BACKGROUND

Primary treatment for early-stage prostate carcinoma includes expectant management or, for curative intent, radical prostatectomy or radiotherapy. Treatment recommendations are generally guided by clinical factors such as Gleason grade, prostate-specific antigen level, comorbid illnesses, and patient age. Sociocultural factors may also have influences on patient and urologist treatment choices.

METHODS

The authors used bivariate and multinomial logistic regression to identify medical and sociodemographic predictors of prostatectomy (compared with radiotherapy) and curative therapy (compared with expectant management) in a cohort of 27,920 non-Latino white, black, and Latino men without comorbidities in the latest linked Surveillance, Epidemiology and End Results-Medicare dataset (years 1995-1999). Predictors included tumor stage, patient age, marital status, race/ethnicity, and socioeconomic status.

RESULTS

Younger age and higher tumor grade were robust predictors of curative treatment compared with expectant management and of prostatectomy compared with radiotherapy. Sociodemographic factors had an additive role in treatment choice. Marriage predicted curative treatment compared with expectant management (adjusted risk ratio [RR] = 1.28 [1.25-1.30]) and prostatectomy compared with radiotherapy (adjusted RR = 1.24 [1.20-1.28]). Although blacks and Latinos were just as likely as whites to receive curative treatment, blacks were significantly less likely, whereas Latinos were more likely, to receive prostatectomy compared with radiotherapy (adjusted RRs = 0.77 [0.72-83]) and 1.24 [1.18-1.30], respectively).

CONCLUSIONS

Marriage was positively associated with curative treatment in general, and with prostatectomy specifically. Blacks received prostatectomy less often than whites, although they did not receive less curative treatment overall. Latinos received prostatectomy more often than whites. Clinicians should recognize the importance of cultural and social forces as well as biomedical factors in decisions regarding the treatment of patients with early-stage prostate carcinoma.

Racial disparities in hospitalized elderly patients with chronic heart failure

The purpose of this study was to examine the impact of race on length of hospital stay (LOS) and number of procedures on elderly persons hospitalized with chronic heart failure (CHF). Secondary data analysis was used to obtain data on 99,543 hospitalized Medicare patients with CHF age 65 years or older. MANOVA was utilized to examine the effects of race, age, and total hospital charges on LOS, number of procedures, and diagnosis. Asian American Pacific Islanders had significantly higher number of procedures and LOS compared to Whites. The combined dependent variables were significantly affected by race, F(9, 99,543) = 121.95, p =.000; the covariates of age, F(3, 99,543) = 720.65, p =.000; and total charges F(3, 99,543) = 38,962.95, p =.000. LOS accounted for 50% of the variance. Studies that examine cultural variables and their effect on LOS and number of procedures are needed.

Changes in racial differences in use of medical procedures and diagnostic tests among elderly persons: 1986-1997

OBJECTIVES

We used 1997 Medicare data to replicate an earlier study that used data from 1986 to examine racial differences in usage of specific medical procedures or tests among elderly persons.

METHODS

We used 1997 physician claims data to obtain a random sample of 5% of Medicare beneficiaries aged 65 years and older. We used this sample to study 30 procedures and tests that were analyzed in the 1986 study, as well as several new procedures that became more widely used in the early 1990s.

RESULTS

Racial differences remain in the rates of use of these procedures; in general, Blacks have lower rates of use than do Whites. Between 1986 and 1997, the ratio of White to Black use moved in favor of Blacks for all but 4 of the established procedures studied.

CONCLUSIONS

The White-Black gap in health care use under Medicare is narrowing.