Productivity loss and indirect costs associated with cardiovascular events and related clinical procedures

Cost-Effectiveness Analysis of Angiotensin Receptor Neprilysin Inhibitor Compared With Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitor Among Patients With Heart Failure With Reduced Ejection Fraction in Malaysia

OBJECTIVES

This study compared the costs and effectiveness of angiotensin receptor neprilysin inhibitor (ARNI) with angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor (ACEI) for the heart failure with reduced ejection fraction population from the Malaysian Ministry of Health's perspective.

METHODS

A 3-state Markov model, with a monthly cycle, was constructed to estimate the lifetime healthcare costs, quality-adjusted life year (QALY), and incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER) of ARNI and ACEI. The monthly baseline risks for all-cause mortality and heart failure (HF) hospitalization were estimated from the PARADIGM-HF trial and age-adjusted to the Malaysian population. The treatment effects were obtained from the PARADIGM-HF trial. All-cause mortality risks from hospitalization, utility values, and costs were derived from local studies. All costs were adjusted to 2023. The ICER was compared with Malaysian Ringgit (RM) 55 426 per QALY (one gross domestic product per capita).

RESULTS

Despite ARNI being more expensive compared with ACEI, it gained more QALYs, resulting in an ICER of RM46 498 per QALY. One-way sensitivity analyses found that the key model drivers were the relative treatment effects on cardiovascular mortality, duration of treatment effects, and time horizon. Probabilistic sensitivity analysis estimated that ARNI is 66% cost-effective at the cost-effectiveness threshold of RM55 426 per QALY. Subgroup analysis showed that ICER increased with age. Scenario analysis demonstrated that initiation of ARNI alongside sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitor (SGLT-2i) produces more favorable ICER and ARNI without SGLT-2i.

CONCLUSIONS

At the cost-effectiveness threshold of RM55 426 per QALY, ARNI is cost-effective compared with ACEI for the heart failure with reduced ejection fraction population. Expanding patient access to ARNI is likely to improve health outcomes cost-effectively.

A systematic review of maternal residential proximity to unconventional oil and Natural gas sites and congenital heart defects in newborns: Recommendations for future research

Various studies indicated that pregnant women living near UONG sites may be more likely to give birth to infants with CHDs due to exposure to air, water, and soil pollution generated by these sites. We systematically searched three English-language databases-PubMed, Scopus, and the Web of Science Core Collection-from their inception until September 21, 2024 to include all types of epidemiological studies that explored the associations between maternal residential proximity to UONG sites and CHDs in the US. We screened a total of 282 unique studies and included six cohort and case-control studies conducted between 1996 and 2017 for evidence synthesis. These studies, conducted in Texas (two studies), Colorado (two), Ohio (one), and Oklahoma (one), encompassed almost 4.5 million births (including 88,638 CHDs cases). All risk estimates were adjusted for socioeconomic status and behavioral factors. Overall, the findings vary significantly across studies in relation to different exposure categories and buffer distances. Four studies reported significant positive associations between proximity to UONG sites and increased odds of CHDs in newborns compared to pregnant women with no recorded exposure to these sites, with adjusted ORs ranging from 1.04 (95 % CI: 1.01-1.07) to 2.62 (95 % CI: 2.48-2.77). The inconsistencies across the included studies make it challenging to pool effect sizes and determine the true impact of these sites on CHD risk in newborns. We also believe that further research is needed worldwide, particularly in regions where these sites are prevalent, as the included studies are limited to the U.S. Our study highlights the need for simple and practical interventions to reduce associated exposures in these communities, as our findings reveal that fetuses of mothers living in proximity to UONG sites are at an increased risk of CHDs.

The hidden burden of atopic dermatitis in central and Eastern European countries

BACKGROUND

Atopic dermatitis (AD) imposes a hidden burden through its negative effects on quality of life and productivity. We aim to estimate this hidden burden in adults and adolescents in Central and Eastern European (CEE) countries.

METHODS

We created a burden of disease model to quantify AD's hidden burden. Humanistic burden was calculated by estimating the monetary value of quality-adjusted life years (QALYs) lost, using prevalence data from the Global Burden of Disease study and gross domestic product (GDP) per capita for each country. Indirect economic burden was estimated based on productivity loss from absenteeism and presenteeism, adjusted for labor force participation and unemployment rates. Total hidden burden was determined by combining productivity losses and QALYs lost.

RESULTS

QALY loss due to AD ranged from 1,832 to 58,596 annually in CEE countries, equating to 38 million to approximately 1 billion Euros per country. Productivity losses ranged from 3.6 to 148.9 million Euros annually. The total hidden burden of AD represents 0.11% to 0.43% of the GDP.

CONCLUSIONS

Our estimates reflect significant differences in population size, prevalence, and economic strength among CEE countries. Adjusting findings to country-specific GDP provided insights into AD's true hidden burden, offering valuable information for decision-making.

A cost-effectiveness evaluation of a high-sensitivity troponin I guided voluntary cardiovascular risk assessment program for asymptomatic women in Croatia

Background

To estimate the effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of a high-sensitivity troponin I (hsTnI) guided cardiovascular risk assessment program in women in Croatia.

Methods

An observational study of a voluntary program for cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk assessment in women aged above 45 years with no specific symptoms, no confirmed or known coronary artery disease was conducted (WHP). Participants were stratified into three categories according to their hsTnI level. Subjects in the moderate or high-risk class were referred to cardiac work-up and invasive cardiovascular investigation as appropriate. Study information were applied to a discrete-event simulation model to estimate the cost-effectiveness of WHP against current practice. The number of CVD events and deaths, costs, and quality-adjusted life years (QALY) were assessed over 10 years from a societal perspective.

Results

Of 1034 women who participated in the program, 921 (89.1%), 100 (9.7%), and 13 (1.3%) subjects fall into the low, moderate, and high-risk class. Of 26 women referred for angiography, significant coronary artery disease (CAD) was diagnosed in 12 women (46.1%). WHP gained 15.8 (95%CI 12.8; 17.2) QALYs per 1000 subjects, increased costs by 490€ (95%CI 487; 500), decreased CVD-related mortality by 40%. At a willingness-to-pay threshold of 45,000 €/QALY, WHP was cost-effective with a probability of 90%. Model results were most sensitive to utility weights and cost of medical prevention.

Conclusions

Assessing the cardiovascular risk in asymptomatic women with hsTnI and guiding those at higher risk to further cardiac testing, identified individuals with CAD, could reduce CVD related burden, and would be cost-effective.

Assessing the effect of cardiovascular disease on work productivity and financial loss among school teachers in Peninsular Malaysia: a nested case-control study

Background

School teachers may have an increased risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD), potentially affecting their work productivity. However, limited data exists on the impact of CVD on teachers' productivity in Malaysia. Our objectives were to assess work productivity loss (absenteeism and presenteeism) as well as to determine the associated annual monetary loss among school teachers who experienced incident CVD in Peninsular Malaysia.

Methods

We adopted a nested case-control design within a cohort of school teachers. Working teachers from six states of Peninsular Malaysia, and had experienced incident CVD before a right-censored date (31st December 2021) were defined as cases. Incident CVD was operationally defined as the development of non-fatal acute coronary syndrome (ACS), stroke, congestive cardiac failure, deep vein thrombosis or peripheral arterial disease before the censored date. Controls were working teachers who did not acquire an incident CVD before the similar right-censored date. All controls were randomly selected, with a ratio of one case to four controls, from among the working teachers in one of the states in Peninsular Malaysia. We used a shortened version of the Malay-validated World Health Organization-Health and Work Performance Questionnaire (WHO-HPQ) to estimate the workplace productivity effect among teachers with incident CVD (cases). The same questionnaire was distributed to teachers in a single state of Peninsular Malaysia who did not experience incident CVD (controls). Absenteeism, presenteeism and annual monetary loss were computed based on the scoring rules in the WHO-HPQ. Analysis of covariance was performed with covariate adjustment using propensity scores. The bootstrapping method was applied to obtain better estimates of marginal mean differences, along with standard errors (SE) and appropriate effect sizes.

Results

We recruited 48 cases (baseline mean age = 42.4 years old, 54.2% females) and 192 randomly selected controls (baseline mean age = 36.2 years old, 99.0% females). The majority of the cases had ACS (73.9%). No significant difference was observed in absenteeism between cases and controls. The mean self-rated job performance score was lower for cases (7.63, SE = 0.21) compared to controls (8.60, SE = 0.10). Marginal mean scores of absolute presenteeism among cases (76.30) were lower (p < 0.05, eta squared = 0.075) than controls (85.97). The marginal mean annual cost of presenteeism was higher in cases (MYR 21,237.52) compared to controls (MYR 12,089.74) (p < 0.05, eta squared = 0.082).

Conclusion

Absolute presenteeism was lower among school teachers who experienced incident CVD and the annual cost of presenteeism was substantial. Implementing supportive work strategies in school settings is recommended to increase absolute presenteeism, which can lead to a reduction in the annual cost of presenteeism among teachers experiencing incident CVD.

Factors That Predict Early Return to Work After Myocardial Infarction: Importance of Coworker Support

Aim    Myocardial infarction (MI) affects the working-age group and cause many absences and lost days of work. Some occupational factors effect in the prognosis of MI patients. The objective of this study was to determine predictors of early, late and no return to work (RTW) after MI.Material and methods    In this cohort study, 240 pre-employed, male patients with MI from April 2020 through February 2022 provided data about their demographic, occupational, psychosocial, and medical information. Data was also collected about the treatment they received as patients, their feelings about socioeconomic support, and RTW time. RTW within two weeks after MI was defined as early RTW. The relationships of these variables and with early RTW and with late or no RTW were analyzed.Results    Ninety-four patients (39.6 %) returned to work within two weeks after MI, whereas 207 patients (87.3 %) returned to work by the end of six months. Many variables, including coworker support, were associated with early RTW in a univariate analysis. Regression analysis revealed that age, coworker support, marital status, the patient's own estimated RTW time, the number of the vessels with occlusion, and comorbidity were predictors of early RTW. Of these factors, only coworker support would be subject to modification.Conclusions    This study indicates that improving support from coworkers can increase early RTW after MI.

The economic burden of coronary heart disease in mainland China

OBJECTIVES

The aim of this study was to systematically evaluate the current economic burden of coronary heart disease (CHD) in mainland China and provide a reference for the formulation of policies to reduce the economic burden of CHD.

STUDY DESIGN

A systematic literature review was conducted of empirical studies on the economic burden of CHD over the past 20 years.

METHODS

PubMed, Web of Science, Embase, China Knowledge Resource Integrated Database and the WANFANG database were comprehensively searched for relevant articles published between 1 January 2000 and 22 December 2021. Content analysis was used to extract the data, and Stata 17.0 software was used for analysis. The median values were used to describe trends.

RESULTS

A total of 35 studies were included in this review. The annual median per-capita hospitalisation expense and the average expense per hospitalisation were $3544.40 ($891.64-$18,371.46) and $5407.34 ($1139.93-$8277.55), respectively. The median ratio on medical consumables expenses, drug expenses, medical examination expenses and treatment expenses were 41.59% (12.40%-63.73%), 26.90% (7.30%-60.00%), 9.45% (1.65%-33.40%) and 10.10% (2.36%-66.00%), respectively. The median per-capita hospitalisation expense in the eastern, central and western regions were $9374.45 ($2056.13-$18,371.46), $4751.5 ($2951.95-$8768.93) and $3251.25 ($891.64-$13,986.38), respectively. The median average expense per hospitalisation in the eastern and central regions were $6177.15 ($1679.15-$8277.55) and $1285.49 ($1239.93-$2197.36), respectively. The median average length of stay in the eastern, central and western regions were 9.3 days, 15.2 days and 16.1 days, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

The economic burden of CHD is more severe in mainland China than in developed countries, especially in terms of the direct economic burden. In terms of the types of direct medical expenses, a proportion of medical examination expenses, treatment expenses and drug expenses were lowest in the eastern region, but medical consumables expenses were the highest in this region. This study provides guidance for the formulation of policies to reduce the economic burden of CHD in mainland China.

The Societal Impact of Inclisiran in England: Evidence From a Population Health Approach

OBJECTIVES

As first-in-class cholesterol-lowering small interfering ribonucleic acid, inclisiran provides effective reductions in low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol to achieve better cardiovascular (CV) health. We estimate the health and socioeconomic effects of introducing inclisiran according to a population health agreement in England.

METHODS

Building on the inclisiran cost-effectiveness model, a Markov model simulates health gains in terms of avoided CV events and CV deaths because of add-on inclisiran treatment for patients aged 50 years and older with pre-existing atherosclerotic CV disease. These are translated into socioeconomic effects, defined as societal impact. To that end, we quantify avoided productivity losses in terms of paid and unpaid work productivity and monetize them according to gross value added. Furthermore, we calculate value chain effects for paid work activities, drawing on value-added multipliers based on input-output tables. The derived value-invest ratio compares avoided productivity losses against the increased healthcare costs.

RESULTS

Our results show that 138 647 CV events could be avoided over a period of 10 years. The resulting societal impact amounts to £8.17 billion, whereas additional healthcare costs are estimated at £7.94 billion. This translates into a value-invest ratio of 1.03.

CONCLUSIONS

Our estimates demonstrate the potential health and socioeconomic value of inclisiran. Thereby, we highlight the importance to treat CVD and illustrate the impact that a large-scale intervention can have on population health and the economy.

Trends in Cardiovascular Risk Factors by Income Among Japanese Adults Aged 30-49 Years From 2017 to 2020: A Nationwide Longitudinal Cohort Study

OBJECTIVE

Income is a major social determinant of cardiovascular health. However, individual-level evidence regarding the trends in cardiovascular risk factors by income level among young working-age adults is limited. We thus aimed to examine the trends in cardiovascular risk factors among men and women aged 30-49 years by their income levels.

METHODS

This nationwide longitudinal study included Japanese adults aged 30-49 years, who annually participated in the national health screening program from 2017 to 2020. Modified Poisson regression models were used to investigate trends in the prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors (obesity, hypertension, diabetes, and dyslipidemia) according to tertiles of individuals' annual income, adjusting for potential confounders.

RESULTS

Among 58 814 adults, 50 024 (85%) were men; the mean (SD) age was 42.1 (5.4) years. Over the study period, the low-income group consistently showed a higher prevalence of obesity, hypertension, and diabetes than the high-income group. The difference in the prevalence of these diseases, particularly hypertension, across income groups increased from 2017 to 2020 among both men (low-income vs high-income: +5.73% [95% CI, 4.72-6.73] in 2017 and +8.26% [95% CI, 7.11-9.41] in 2020) and women (low-income vs high-income: +2.53% [95% CI, 0.99-4.06] in 2017 and +3.83% [95% CI, 1.93-5.73] in 2020).

CONCLUSION

Among adults aged 30-49 years in Japan, a country with a universal healthcare coverage system, we found an increase in the gap of cardiovascular risk factors by income levels over the last 4 years. Careful monitoring of the increasing social disparities is needed to achieve cardiovascular health equity at this life stage.

Setting Goals to Reduce Cardiovascular Risk: A Retrospective Chart Review of a Pharmacist-Led Initiative in the Workplace

Background: Cardiovascular diseases (CVD) are the second leading cause of death in Canada with many modifiable risk factors. Pharmacists at a Canadian university delivered a novel CVD risk management program, which included goal-setting and medication management. Aim: This study aimed to describe what CVD prevention goals are composed of in a workplace CVD risk reduction program, and how might these goals change over time. Methods: A longitudinal, descriptive qualitative study using a retrospective chart review of clinical care plans for 15 patients enrolled in a CVD prevention program. Data across 6 visits were extracted from charts (n = 5413 words) recorded from May 2019-November 2020 and analyzed using quantitative content analysis and descriptive statistics. Results: Behavioural goals were most popular among patients and were more likely to change over the 12-month follow-up period, compared to health measure goals. Behavioural goals included goals around diet, physical activity (PA), smoking, medication, sleep and alcohol; health measure goals centered on weight measures, blood pressure (BP) and blood lipid levels. The most common behavioural goals set by patients were for diet (n = 11) and PA (n = 9). Over time, goals around PA, medication, alcohol and weight were adapted while others were added (e.g. diet) and some only continued. Patients experienced a number of barriers to their goal(s) which informed how they adapted their goal(s). These included environmental limitations (including COVID-19) and work-related time constraints. Conclusions: This study found CVD goal-setting in the pharmacist-led workplace wellness program was complex and evolved over time, with goals added and/or adapted. More detailed qualitative research could provide further insights into the patient-provider goal-setting experience in workplace CVD prevention.

Productivity Loss, Healthcare Costs, and Habitual Physical Activity Among Adults With Cardiovascular Diseases

OBJECTIVES

The aims of the study are to quantify the relationship between productivity loss and healthcare costs among adults with cardiovascular diseases and also to verify whether habitual physical activity (HPA) modulates this relationship.

METHODS

Information was obtained about healthcare costs, productivity loss, and HPA.

RESULTS

The sample consisted of 278 adults. Active workers who reported presenteeism and absenteeism due to cardiovascular diseases had higher direct costs ( P < 0.05) than those who reported other reasons. Those who reported absenteeism spent US $187.33 more on healthcare services annually than those who did not miss work because of health reasons. However, an annual savings of US $53.00 was observed for each increase in the score of HPA.

CONCLUSIONS

There was a positive correlation between absenteeism and direct healthcare costs among adults with cardiovascular diseases, and HPA positively affected this relationship.

Cost-effectiveness of fixed-dose combination pill (Polypill) in primary and secondary prevention of cardiovascular disease: A systematic literature review

BACKGROUND

A significant proportion of cardiovascular disease (CVD) morbidity and mortality could be prevented via the population-based and cost-effective interventions. A fixed-dose combination treatment is known as the polypill for the primary and secondary prevention of CVD has come up in recent years.

PURPOSE

In order to provide recommendations for future economic evaluations, this systematic review aimed to review and assess the quality of published evidence on the cost-effectiveness of polypill in primary and secondary prevention of CVD, to identify the key drivers that impact the cost-effectiveness.

METHODS

A systematic review of literature, following the PRISMA guidelines, was undertaken in the electronic databases. Two researchers identified the relevant studies according to inclusion and exclusion criteria. Consolidated Health Economic Evaluation Reporting Standards (CHEERS) checklist was used to quality assessment of included studies. ICERs value adjusted to 2020 United States Dollar using consumer price index (CPI) and purchasing power parity (PPP). Finally, data were summarized via a narrative synthesis.

RESULTS

In total, 24 articles were identified based on the determined inclusion criteria. All studies met more than 50% of the CHEERS criteria. Adjusted incremental cost-effectiveness ratios varied from 24$ to 31000$(2020 US dollar) among the studies. The polypill resulted in the improved adherence and quality of life, at a price equal to or lower than multiple monotherapies. This price is typically below the commonly accepted thresholds or cost saving in both, primary and secondary prevention of CVD. The main identified cost-effectiveness drivers were the polypill price, adherence, age, CVD risk, and drug combination.

CONCLUSIONS

This systematic review found that the polypill seemed to be a cost-effective intervention in primary and secondary prevention of CVD. However, it is necessary to conduct more economic evaluation studies based on the long-term clinical trials with large populations. Also, studies should consider how the polypill interacts with other primary and secondary preventive strategies as a complementary health strategy.

Integrating a Polygenic Risk Score for Coronary Artery Disease as a Risk-Enhancing Factor in the Pooled Cohort Equation: A Cost-Effectiveness Analysis Study

Background

Cardiovascular diseases are the leading cause of death in the United States, yet a significant proportion of adults at high risk remain undetected by standard screening practices. Polygenic risk score for coronary artery disease (CAD‐PRS) improves precision in determining the 10‐year risk of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease but health benefits and health care costs associated with CAD‐PRS are unknown. We examined the cost‐effectiveness of including CAD‐PRS as a risk‐enhancing factor in the pooled cohort equation (PCE)—the standard of care for determining the risk of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease—versus PCE alone.

Methods and Results

We applied a Markov model on a cohort of 40‐year‐old individuals with borderline or intermediate 10‐year risk (5% to <20%) for atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease to identify those in the top quintile of the CAD‐PRS distribution who are at high risk and eligible for statin prevention therapy. Health outcomes examined included coronary artery disease (CAD; ie, myocardial infarction) and ischemic stroke. The model projected medical costs (2019 US$) of screening for CAD, statin prevention therapy, treatment, and monitoring patients living with CAD or ischemic stroke and quality‐adjusted life‐years for PCE+CAD‐PRS versus PCE alone. Deterministic and probabilistic sensitivity analyses and scenario analyses were performed to examine uncertainty in parameter inputs. PCE+CAD‐PRS was dominant compared with PCE alone in the 5‐ and 10‐year time horizons. We found that, respectively, PCE+CAD‐PRS had 0.003 and 0.011 higher mean quality‐adjusted life‐years and $40 and $181 lower mean costs per person screened, with 29 and 50 fewer events of CAD and ischemic stroke in a cohort of 10 000 individuals compared with PCE alone. The risk of developing CAD, the effectiveness of statin prevention therapy, and the cost of treating CAD had the largest impact on the cost per quality‐adjusted life‐year gained. However, this cost remained below the $50 000 willingness‐to‐pay threshold except when the annual risk of developing CAD was <0.006 in the 5‐year time horizon. Results from Monte Carlo simulation indicated that PCE+CAD‐PRS would be cost‐effective. with the probability of 94% and 99% at $50 000 willingness‐to‐pay threshold in the 5‐ and 10‐year time horizon, respectively.

Conclusions

Implementing CAD‐PRS as a risk‐enhancing factor in the PCE to determine the risk of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease reduced the mean cost per individual, improved quality‐adjusted life‐years, and averted future events of CAD and ischemic stroke when compared with PCE alone.

The direct and indirect health care costs associated with pulmonary arterial hypertension among commercially insured patients in the United States

BACKGROUND: Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is a rare, progressive, and fatal disease associated with considerable overall clinical and economic burden. Although the direct health care costs of PAH have been well described, there are few data regarding indirect costs and productivity loss associated with PAH. Patient data were assessed until the earliest of death, end of full-time employment, end of continuous enrollment, or end of study period. OBJECTIVES: To update data on the direct burden and address the knowledge gap regarding the indirect burden associated with PAH. METHODS: This is a retrospective case-control study with prevalent and incident patients with PAH aged 18-64 years identified from the MarketScan Commercial and Health and Productivity management datasets during the identification period (January 1, 2016, to November 30, 2018). Patients were required to have continuous enrollment for 12 months or longer from the baseline period and 1 month or longer from the follow-up (post-index) period. Among patients with PAH (cases), the first observed PAH diagnosis claim date during the identification period was the index date. Patients without PAH (controls) were selected and assigned a random index date during the same period. Controls were matched 1:1 by age, sex, and region to prevalent and incident PAH cases. Per patient per month (PPPM), all-cause health care resource utilization, costs, and short-term disability (STD) were examined for cases and controls during the follow-up period. Multivariable analysis was performed using the generalized linear model to determine the adjusted direct and indirect health care utilization and costs. RESULTS: A total of 1,293 prevalent and 455 incident patients with PAH were identified. During the follow-up period, prevalent patients with PAH had significantly higher total mean all-cause health care costs ($9,915 vs $359, P < 0.0001) and inpatient length of stay (0.63 vs 0.02 days, P < 0.0001) PPPM as compared with controls. Prevalent patients with PAH had significantly longer STD (6.0 vs 1.5 days, P < 0.0001) and higher STD-related costs ($1,226 vs $277, P < 0.0001) PPPM as compared with controls. Incident patients with PAH had significantly higher total mean all-cause health care costs ($9,353 vs $336, P < 0.0001) and inpatient length of stay (0.92 vs 0.01 days, P < 0.0001) PPPM as compared with controls. Incident patients with PAH also had longer STD (8.1 vs 1.5 days, P < 0.0001) and higher STD-related costs ($1,706 vs $263, P < 0.0001), as compared with controls. CONCLUSIONS: This study showed that incident and prevalent patients with PAH had significantly higher direct and indirect health care resource utilization and costs as well as productivity loss compared with patients without PAH. DISCLOSURES: Ms Ogbomo and Mr Mallampati were paid employees of STATinMED Research at the time of study completion; STATinMED Research is a paid consultant to Janssen Scientific Affairs, LLC. Drs Tsang and Panjabi are employees of Janssen Scientific Affairs LLC, a subsidiary of Johnson and Johnson, the study sponsor.

Not Quite Out of the Woods: Overall Health and Chronic Disease Risk Factors among Maine Logging Workers

OBJECTIVE

This research reports on the health status, including chronic disease risk factors, among Maine loggers.

METHODS

Loggers completed a survey and health screenings were held across Maine, collecting data on a variety of health endpoints.

RESULTS

Seventy-five loggers participated. The majority were men (97.1%) with a median age of 46, and a mean BMI of 30.6 kg/m2 (SD 4.9). Nearly half of those screened (45.9%) had blood pressure at the level of stage II hypertension. Loggers with at least a single joint abnormality were 38.4%. The health screening cohort was similar to the non-health screening cohort for many attributes.

CONCLUSIONS

Future research should focus on tailored interventions to improve cardiovascular and musculoskeletal risk factors among loggers.

Assessment of Cardiovascular Diseases Knowledge and Risk Factors Among Adult Population in the South Region of Saudi Arabia

Cardiovascular diseases are the main cause of mortality and disability worldwide. This study aimed to assess knowledge of cardiovascular disease and risk factors among the adult population in the south region of Saudi Arabia. A web-based cross-sectional survey of 1,049 participants was completed during August 2021. Data were collected by using 25-item heart disease fact questionnaire. The study population included 526 men (50.1%) and 523 women (49.9%) with a mean age of 36 ± 12 years. The average total knowledge score was 65.7 ± 20.80. The items with the highest knowledge were smoking, overweight, aging, high cholesterol, hypertension, diabetes, and family history. Findings revealed that knowledge regarding cardiovascular diseases is inadequate with a high prevalence of risk factors among the Saudi Arabian population. Healthcare professionals and organizations have a crucial role in raising public awareness regarding health promotion, regular screening, and lifestyles modifications. Interventional studies are needed to investigate the actual magnitude of CVDs and counteract them.

Long-term direct and indirect economic burden associated with osteoporotic fracture in US postmenopausal women

The study examined long-term direct and indirect economic burden of osteoporotic fractures among postmenopausal women. Healthcare costs among fracture patients were substantial in first year after fracture and remained higher than fracture-free controls for 5 years which highlight needs for early detection of high-risk patients and continued management for osteoporosis.

INTRODUCTION

This study compared direct and indirect healthcare costs between postmenopausal women and demographically matched controls in the 5 years after incident non-traumatic fracture, and by fracture type in commercially insured and Medicare populations.

METHODS

Two hundred twenty-six thousand one hundred ninety women (91,925 aged 50-64 years; 134,265 aged ≥ 65 years) with incident non-traumatic fracture (hip, vertebral, and non-hip non-vertebral (NHNV)) from 2008 to 2017 were identified. Patients with fracture were directly matched (1:1) to non-fracture controls based on demographic characteristics. Direct healthcare costs were assessed using general linear models, adjusting for baseline costs, comorbidities, osteoporosis diagnosis, and treatment. Indirect costs associated with work loss due to absenteeism and short-term disability (STD) were assessed among commercially insured patients. Costs were standardized to 2019 US dollars.

RESULTS

Osteoporosis diagnosis and treatment rates prior to fracture were low. Patients with fracture incurred higher direct costs across 5-year post-index compared with non-fracture controls, regardless of fracture type or insurance. For commercially insured hip fracture patients, the mean adjusted incremental direct healthcare costs in years 1, 3, and 5 were $59,327, $6885, and $3241, respectively. Incremental costs were lower, but trends were similar for vertebral and NHNV fracture types and Medicare-insured patients. Commercially insured patients with fracture had higher unadjusted indirect costs due to absenteeism and STD in year 1 and higher adjusted indirect costs due to STD at year 1 (incremental cost $5848, $2748, and $2596 for hip, vertebral, and NHNV fracture).

CONCLUSIONS

A considerable and sustained economic burden after a non-traumatic fracture underscores the need for early patient identification and continued management.

Cost-Effectiveness Of A Workplace Ban On Sugar-Sweetened Beverage Sales: A Microsimulation Model

Sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs) increase chronic disease risk. We estimated the impact on employee health and health care spending of banning SSB sales in California-based health care organizations. We used survey data from a large, multisite health care organization in California, sampling 2,276 employees three months before and twelve months after a workplace SSB sales ban was imposed. We incorporated the survey data into a simulation model to estimate chronic disease incidence and costs. We estimated that an SSB ban as effective as the one observed would save about $300,000 per 10,000 people over ten years among similar employers, as a result of averted health care and productivity spending—after both SSB sales losses and non-SSB beverage sales gains were accounted for. Sales bans would typically need to reduce SSB consumption by 2.2 ounces per person per day for lost revenue to be fully offset if there were no increase in non-SSB beverage sales.

The Short- and Long-Term Burden of Acute Pancreatitis in the United States: A Retrospective Cohort Study

OBJECTIVES

This retrospective cohort study assessed short- and long-term economic, clinical burden, and productivity impacts of acute pancreatitis (AP) in the United States.

METHODS

United States claims data from patients hospitalized for AP (January 1, 2011-September-30, 2016) were sourced from MarketScan databases. Patients were categorized by index AP severity: severe intensive care unit (ICU), severe non-ICU, and other hospitalized patients.

RESULTS

During index, 41,946 patients were hospitalized or visited an emergency department for AP. For inpatients, median (interquartile range) AP-related total cost was $13,187 ($12,822) and increased with AP severity (P < 0.0001). During the postindex year, median AP-related costs were higher (P < 0.0001) for severe ICU versus severe non-ICU and other hospitalized patients. Hours lost and costs due to absence and short-term disability were similar between categories. Long-term disability costs were higher (P = 0.005) for severe ICU versus other hospitalized patients. Factors associated with higher total all-cause costs in the year after discharge included AP severity, length of hospitalization, readmission, AP reoccurrence, progression to chronic pancreatitis, or new-onset diabetes (P < 0.0001).

CONCLUSIONS

An AP event exerts substantial burden during hospitalization and involves long-term clinical and economic consequences, including loss of productivity, which increase with index AP event severity.

Pharmacist-led cardiovascular risk prevention in Western Canada: a qualitative study

OBJECTIVES

Preventing cardiovascular diseases (CVD) is a public health and policy priority, including for employers. A novel CVD risk management programme that included medication management was delivered by pharmacists to employees of a Canadian university. This qualitative study describes the experiences and perceptions of participants who received individual health consultations in this programme.

METHODS

A qualitative study design using free-text responses was adopted. Data (5658 words) came from evaluation surveys completed by 119 programme participants were iteratively coded and thematically analysed.

KEY FINDINGS

We identified four themes characterising participant experiences of pharmacist-led CVD prevention. Theme one was labelled self-efficacy because personalised health information and advice on CVD risk factor management empowered participants to make improvements for their health. Participants expressed a range of positive responses about the longer consultations, supportive communication and safe setting of their pharmacist-led encounters; hence, Theme two is labelled pharmacists' interpersonal skills. The wider context of the programme included a number of enabling factors (Theme three) that either supported or limited participant engagement in the programme. A number of changes to behaviour and health measures were identified and participant suggestions to expand and continue the programme further contributed to perceptions of positive programme impact (Theme four).

CONCLUSIONS

This study raises questions about how external resources and broader determinants might enable, or hinder, future programme success and sustainability. It also highlights the need for greater understanding and communication of the importance of primary prevention and the role of pharmacists in CVD risk reduction and workplace health promotion.

Variation in Colorectal Cancer Screening Practices According to Cardiovascular Disease Status and Race/Ethnicity

PURPOSE

To assess current estimates of colorectal cancer (CRC) screening practices in relation to cardiovascular disease (CVD) status and whether this association varies by race/ethnicity.

METHODS

Cross-sectional analysis of the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System data from 2012, 2014, 2016, and 2018 among US adults aged 50-75 years (n = 807,937). Participants' self-reported CRC screening practices were categorized as being up-to-date, not up-to-date, or never screened. Multinomial logistic regression was used to assess whether self-reported prevalent CVD was associated with CRC screening practices after adjusting for several potentially confounding variables; additional analyses were stratified by race/ethnicity.

RESULTS

One-quarter of US adults had never been screened for CRC, while 67.0% reported being up-to-date with CRC screening. The proportion of Hispanics who had never been screened (35.3%) was higher than non-Hispanic Whites (23.5%) and Blacks (20.6%). Adults with CVD were less likely to never have been screened (adjusted odds ratio (aOR), 0.92; 95% confidence interval (CI), 0.88-0.95) or not to be up-to-date (aOR, 0.90; 95% CI, 0.86-0.94) on CRC screening than those without CVD.

CONCLUSION

The presence of CVD is associated with better adherence to CRC screening guidelines. Poor CRC screening utilization in Hispanics should be a priority for further investigation and intervention.

Estimating the cost-effectiveness of screening a general population for cardiovascular risk with high-sensitivity troponin-I

Aims 

To estimate the cost-effectiveness of using the cardiac specific marker high-sensitivity troponin-I (hsTnI) for assessing cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk in a general population.

Methods and results 

A discrete-event simulation model was developed from a societal perspective of a low-risk (Germany) and a high-risk (Kazakhstan) country. The model compared a Screen&Prevent strategy guided by hsTnI against a do-nothing strategy. Risk functions were derived from published data of a prospective cohort study [Nord-Trøndelag Health (HUNT) Study]. The model assessed the number of CVD events and deaths, healthy life years, direct and indirect costs in PPP 2018 Dollar, and quality-adjusted life years (QALY) over a time horizon of 10 years. Screen&Prevent reduced the number of CVD events per 1000 subjects by 5.1 and 5.0, equal to a number-needed-to-screen of 195 and 191 in Kazakhstan and Germany. Screen&Prevent was cost saving in Kazakhstan and cost-effective in Germany with an incremental-cost-effectiveness ratio of $6755 ($2294; $24 054) per QALY gained at an opportunity-cost based willingness-to-pay threshold of $27 373. Varying input variables in univariate and probabilistic sensitivity analyses confirmed the robustness of the analysis.

Conclusion 

Assessing the cardiovascular risk with hsTnI in a general population and subsequently referring those at high risk to preventive means would very likely be cost-effective or cost-saving by avoiding CVD events and associated direct and indirect costs. This conclusion is retained even if only the direct costs or only the costs for screening and prevention are considered. Future studies should evaluate the incremental cost-effectiveness of hsTnI-guided assessment strategies against established risk algorithms.

Economic burden of treatment-resistant depression in privately insured US patients with co-occurring anxiety disorder and/or substance use disorder

OBJECTIVE

To assess the burden of treatment-resistant depression (TRD) among privately insured patients with anxiety disorder and/or substance use disorders (SUD).

METHODS

Adults <65 years old were identified in the Optum Health Care Solutions Inc. database (July 2009-March 2017). Among those with major depressive disorder (MDD) and antidepressant use, patients who initiated a third antidepressant (index date) after two regimens at adequate dose and duration were classified in the TRD cohort and patients without evidence of TRD were classified in the non-TRD MDD control cohort. The non-MDD control cohort comprised patients without MDD. In the non-TRD MDD and non-MDD cohorts, the index date was imputed to mimic the distribution of time in the TRD cohort from the first antidepressant to the index date or from the start of eligibility to the index date, respectively. Patients with <6 months of continuous insurance eligibility pre-/post-index, psychosis, schizophrenia, bipolar disorder and related conditions, dementia, and development disorders, and/or no baseline anxiety disorder and/or SUD were excluded. Patients with TRD were matched 1:1 to patients with non-TRD MDD and patients without MDD, based on exact matching factors (i.e. availability of work loss data) and propensity scores computed based on characteristics measured pre-index. Outcomes, including healthcare resource use (HRU) and costs, work productivity loss and related costs measured per patient per year ≤24 months post-index were compared between matched TRD, non-TRD MDD and non-MDD cohorts.

RESULTS

A total of 3166 patients were identified in the TRD cohort and matched to non-TRD MDD and non-MDD cohorts. Among patients with TRD (mean age 39 years, 60.5% female), 87.3% had an anxiety disorder, 24.1% had SUD. The TRD cohort had higher HRU vs non-TRD MDD and non-MDD cohorts: 0.32 vs 0.20 and 0.14 inpatient admissions, 0.91 vs 0.73 and 0.58 emergency department visits, and 23.8 vs 16.8 and 11.6 outpatient visits, respectively (all p < .01). The TRD cohort had higher healthcare costs ($16,674) vs non-TRD MDD ($10,945) and non-MDD ($6493) cohorts (all p < .01). Among patients with work loss data (N = 310/cohort), patients with TRD had more work loss days (54) and higher work loss-related costs ($13,674) vs patients with non-TRD MDD (32 days; $7131) and without MDD (17 days; $4798; all p < .01).

CONCLUSIONS

In patients with an anxiety disorder and/or SUD, TRD was associated with higher HRU, healthcare costs, work loss days and work loss-related costs.

Economic Costs of Cardiovascular Diseases in Poland Estimates for 2015-2017 Years

Background

Cardiovascular diseases are associated with growing public and private expenditure on healthcare regardless geographic region. Therefore, it is necessary to accurately estimate the overall societal costs-both direct and indirect expenses from the perspective of patients, caregivers and employers.

Research Design

The aim of this paper is to determine the direct and indirect costs related to cardiovascular diseases in Poland from 2015 to 2017. All costs are estimated based on data available in the public domain and obtained from the major Polish institutions. Indirect costs were calculated using a modified human capital approach.

Results

The financial burden of cardiovascular diseases in Poland is significant. This study revealed that total costs (direct and indirect) of cardiovascular diseases, for 2015-2017, range from 34.9 bn PLN (8.2 bn EUR) to over 40.9 bn PLN (9.6 bn EUR). Total direct cost and indirect costs were approximately 6.1 bn PLN (1.4 bn EUR) (16%) and 31.3 bn PLN (7.3 bn EUR) (84%), respectively.

Conclusion

Collectively, the estimated direct and indirect cost of cardiovascular diseases provide a useful input for economic impact assessments of public health programs and health technology analyses.

Health and productivity burden of coronary heart disease in the working Indonesian population using life-table modelling

OBJECTIVES

The impact of coronary heart disease (CHD) and its effect on work productivity at a population level remains unknown in Indonesia. This study estimates the health and productivity lost to CHD in terms of years of life, quality-adjusted life years (QALYs) and productivity-adjusted life years (PALYs).

SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS

A life-table model was constructed to simulate the experiences of Indonesians currently aged 15-54 years (working age) with CHD, followed-up to 55 years (retirement age). The life-table analysis was then repeated assuming that the cohort did not have CHD. Differences in the results reflected the impact of CHD. Demographical, prevalence and mortality data were based on the 2017 Global Burden of Disease study and 2018 Indonesian National Health Survey. Costs, productivity indices and utilities were derived from published sources. The cost of each PALY was assumed to be equivalent to gross domestic product per equivalent full-time worker (US$11 765). Future costs and outcomes were discounted by 3% annually.

PRIMARY AND SECONDARY OUTCOME MEASURES

Differences in total deaths, years of life and PALYs represented the impact of CHD.

RESULTS

At present, 1 954 543 (1.45%) Indonesians of working-age have CHD. By retirement age, it was estimated that CHD resulted in 32 492 (36.6%) excess deaths, 128 132 (0.5%) years of life lost, 2 331 495 (10.5%) QALYs lost and 1 589 490 (6.9%) PALYs lost. The economic impact of lost productivity amounted to US$33.3 billion, and healthcare costs to US$139 billion.

CONCLUSION

The health and economic burden of CHD in Indonesia looms large. This highlights the importance of its prevention and control, strategies for which, if effective, will deliver financial return.

The Economic Burden of End-Organ Damage Among Medicaid Patients with Sickle Cell Disease in the United States: A Population-Based Longitudinal Claims Study

BACKGROUND

The management of sickle cell disease (SCD), an inherited, chronic, and multifaceted condition, is associated with considerable health care resource utilization (HRU) and costs, especially for Medicaid. Anemia affects most patients with SCD and correlates with end-organ damage (EOD), such as stroke, chronic kidney disease (CKD), end-stage renal disease (ESRD), and pulmonary hypertension (PH). Limited research has been conducted to quantify the economic burden of EOD among patients with SCD.

OBJECTIVE

To estimate the effect of EOD on HRU and direct costs and productivity loss incurred by patients with SCD on Medicaid.

METHODS

Patients with ≥ 3 nondiagnostic SCD ICD-9-CM/ICD-10-CM codes in ≤ 5 years (January 1, 2013-December 31, 2017) were identified in the MarketScan Medicaid claims database. The earliest SCD diagnosis date was the index date. Continuous enrollment at least 3 months before and 1 month after the index date were required. Patients' post-index periods were divided into 3-month intervals (referred to as "intervals"). History of stroke, CKD, ESRD, and PH were identified in patients' claims histories from January 1, 2008. Intervals within 1 year and more than 1 year after an acute stroke event were also defined. All-cause HRU, direct costs, and productivity losses were summed across intervals and stratified by EOD type. Multivariate regression models were used to estimate the effect of stroke, CKD, ESRD, and PH on annual total cost, inpatient days, and number of emergency department visits by controlling for patients' demographic characteristics and other SCD complications.

RESULTS

In total, 10,784 Medicaid patients with SCD (average age: 18.5 years; female: 54.5%) contributed to 152,455 intervals. Approximately 12% of the intervals had EOD. Patients with EOD had higher all-cause health care costs and more inpatient days, emergency department visits, outpatient visits, laboratory tests, and outpatient pharmacy claims than patients without EOD. After controlling for patient characteristics, among Medicaid patients with SCD annual costs within 1 year after stroke were 4.68-fold versus patients with no EOD (more than 1 year after stroke: 2.08-fold; CKD: 2.19-fold; ESRD: 3.40-fold; PH: 2.32-fold). Adjusted mean annual costs for adult patients with SCD on Medicaid were $285,816 and $127,393 within 1 year and more than 1 year after stroke and $135,493, $209,172, and $148,174 for CKD, ESRD, and PH, respectively. Patients with multiple SCD complications had even higher costs. The mean annual time patients with SCD spent receiving health care services ranged from 56 to 62 days for those with EOD versus 21 to 25 days among those without EOD, which created additional economic burden.

CONCLUSIONS

When Medicaid patients with SCD experience EOD, the economic burden is significantly increased through direct costs to the health care system and indirect costs from productivity loss to society. SCD management strategies that potentially reduce the risk of EOD offer clinical and economic value to patients and society.

DISCLOSURES

Funding for this study was provided by Global Blood Therapeutics (GBT). Campbell is a consultant for GBT, Bluebird Bio, and Cyclerion and receives research funding from Novartis, GBT, and Cyclerion. Cong and Agodoa are employees of and have equity ownership in GBT. Song, Martinez, Black, Lew, Varker, and Chan are employees of IBM Watson Health, which received research funding from GBT for this study. Lanzkron receives research funding from GBT, Pfizer, Ironwood, HRSA, and NIH. A poster based on this study was presented at the 61st ASH Annual Meeting and Exposition; December 7-10, 2019; Orlando, FL.

Efficacy of dietary intervention or in combination with exercise on primary prevention of cardiovascular disease: A systematic review

BACKGROUND AND AIM

Lifestyle factors heavily influence the development of cardiovascular disease (CVD); therefore, interventions delivering adequate lifestyle changes may improve the prognosis among patients at cardiovascular (CV) risk. Recently published research on the effectiveness of dietary and exercise intervention programmes, alone or combined, on reducing risk factors associated with CVD as well as preventing CV events have been now assessed.

METHODS AND RESULTS

Using the Medline database via PubMed, we searched for prospective studies published between January 2000 and January 2020 assessing the efficacy of dietary interventions alone or in combination with exercise on reducing CV risk factors or events in human adults at risk. Study quality was assessed using the American Dietetic Association Quality Criteria Checklist. From 934 articles, 21 prospective experimental design studies (15 randomized controlled trials (RCTs), one cluster RCT, and five quasi-experimental intervention studies with a control group) met inclusion and exclusion criteria. Most interventions improved at least some markers of CV risk and the most improvement was time devoted to physical activity increased. A low-fat intervention diet seemed to be effective only when coupled with moderate intensity exercise and weight loss, while a Mediterranean diet (MedDiet) intervention without physical activity, decreased both systolic and diastolic blood pressure, major CV events rate and risk of developing type 2 diabetes.

CONCLUSION

The MedDiet appears to have the most beneficial effect on CV events and increased hours of physical training are strongly related to greater improvement of risk factors; nevertheless, adherence to intervention is fundamental as it directly relates to health outcomes.

Average lost work productivity due to non-fatal injuries by type in the USA

OBJECTIVE

To estimate the average lost work productivity due to non-fatal injuries in the USA comprehensively by injury type.

METHODS

The attributable average number and value of lost work days in the year following non-fatal emergency department (ED)-treated injuries were estimated by injury mechanism (eg, fall) and body region (eg, head and neck) among individuals age 18-64 with employer health insurance injured 1 October 2014 through 30 September 2015 as reported in MarketScan medical claims and Health and Productivity Management databases. Workplace, short-term disability and workers' compensation absences were assessed. Multivariable regression models compared lost work days among injury patients and matched controls during the year following injured patients' ED visit, controlling for demographic, clinical and health insurance factors. Lost work days were valued using an average US daily market production estimate. Costs are 2015 USD.

RESULTS

The 1-year per-person average number and value of lost work days due to all types of non-fatal injuries combined were approximately 11 days and US$1590. The range by injury mechanism was 1.5 days (US$210) for bites and stings to 44.1 days (US$6196) for motorcycle injuries. The range by body region was 4.0 days (US$567) for other head, face and neck injuries to 19.8 days (US$2787) for traumatic brain injuries.

CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE

Injuries are costly and preventable. Accurate estimates of attributable lost work productivity are important to monitor the economic burden of injuries and help to prioritise cost-effective public health prevention activities.

Sex-dependent changes in physical, mental, and quality of life outcomes in metoprolol-treated Chinese chronic heart failure patients

This study assessed sex differences in cardiac and motor functions, quality of life (QoL), and mental status in Chinese chronic heart failure (CHF) patients after metoprolol treatment.This single-center prospective study, conducted from February 2013 to April 2016, included CHF patients (men and women) with resting heart rate (HR) >80 beats/min using metoprolol continuous release tablets. Metoprolol-induced changes in cardiac and motor functions, QoL, and mental status at 1, 3, 6, 9, and 12 months from baseline, within and between the sexes, were analyzed. Descriptive data were represented as counts, percentages, and mean ± standard deviation. Differences at various follow-up periods were compared using repeated measures one-way analysis of variance, followed by post hoc Dunnett's multiple comparison test. Statistical significance was considered at P < .05.Compared with men, women reported significantly higher systolic blood pressure (SBP) (122.28 ± 6.76 vs 125.47 ± 6.67 mm Hg, P < .05) and Veterans Specific Activity Questionnaire score (8.16 ± 0.98 vs 8.47 ± 0.89, P = .05) at 12 months. Men reported higher Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale scores for depression than women at 1 month (10.27 vs 8.83, P < .05) and for anxiety at 12 months (8.4 vs 7.72, P < .05). Metoprolol significantly decreased HR and Minnesota Living with Heart Failure Questionnaire score in men (64.5 ± 3.13 and 53.7 ± 8.00) and women (65.38 ± 3.32 and 53.85 ± 8.42, respectively). Ejection fraction (%, men: 50.00 ± 4.45, women: 50.72 ± 4.09), cardiac index (L/min/m, men: 2.70 ± 0.25, women: 2.78 ± 0.23), 6-minute walk test distance (m, men: 414.41 ± 20.84, women: 420.34 ± 20.35), and short form-8 questionnaire scores (men: 52.05 ± 1.94, women: 52.19 ± 2.58) increased significantly in both the sexes (P < .001 for all) at 12 months. Copenhagen Burnout Inventory score significantly increased in men (mean score 62.43, P < .05).Metoprolol treatment improves cardiac and motor functions, QoL, and anxiety scores but causes greater depression and burnout in men and women. Sex was seen to affect mental status of CHF patients the most.

Population Health Impact and Cost-Effectiveness of Community-Supported Agriculture Among Low-Income US Adults: A Microsimulation Analysis

Objectives. To estimate the population-level effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of a subsidized community-supported agriculture (CSA) intervention in the United States.Methods. In 2019, we developed a microsimulation model from nationally representative demographic, biomedical, and dietary data (National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, 2013-2016) and a community-based randomized trial (conducted in Massachusetts from 2017 to 2018). We modeled 2 interventions: unconditional cash transfer ($300/year) and subsidized CSA ($300/year subsidy).Results. The total discounted disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) accumulated over the life course to cardiovascular disease and diabetes complications would be reduced from 24 797 per 10 000 people (95% confidence interval [CI] = 24 584, 25 001) at baseline to 23 463 per 10 000 (95% CI = 23 241, 23 666) under the cash intervention and 22 304 per 10 000 (95% CI = 22 084, 22 510) under the CSA intervention. From a societal perspective and over a life-course time horizon, the interventions had negative incremental cost-effectiveness ratios, implying cost savings to society of -$191 100 per DALY averted (95% CI = -$191 767, -$188 919) for the cash intervention and -$93 182 per DALY averted (95% CI = -$93 707, -$92 503) for the CSA intervention.Conclusions. Both the cash transfer and subsidized CSA may be important public health interventions for low-income persons in the United States.

Productivity losses among individuals with common mental illness and comorbid cardiovascular disease in rural Karnataka, India

Context

Common mental disorders (CMD) and cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) frequently co-occur. Productivity losses due to these diseases are substantial in high-income countries. Similar data from the developing world are lacking.

Aims

This study aims to quantify productivity losses among individuals with comorbid CMD and CVD in rural Karnataka, India.

Settings and Design

A cross-sectional study was done among patients with a dual diagnosis of a comorbid CMD and CVD in a district in Karnataka, India.

Subjects and Methods

Three hundred and three patients were administered the iMTA Productivity Cost Questionnaire to measure losses of productivity at paid work (absenteeism and presenteeism) and unpaid work.

Statistical Analysis Used

Valuation of productivity losses was done by multiplying the number of days of lost productivity by the standard value of productivity based on the minimum wage for agricultural work.

Results

Among individuals with dual CMD and CVD, 76% had productivity losses. These losses were higher at unpaid (62%) than at paid work (32%). At paid work, losses due to presenteeism were greater than those due to absenteeism. The total days of productivity loss were 1204, amounting to 14.2% of the available person-days. The total productivity loss among 303 individuals with mental illness and comorbid CVD over a 4-week period amounted to 30.3 INR (0.47 USD) per person per day, representing 9.9% of total potential productivity.

Conclusions

Productivity losses due to common mental illnesses and CVDs are high. There is a need to conduct more studies in this field.

Lifetime Economic Burden of Intimate Partner Violence Among U.S. Adults

INTRODUCTION

This study estimated the U.S. lifetime per-victim cost and economic burden of intimate partner violence.

METHODS

Data from previous studies were combined with 2012 U.S. National Intimate Partner and Sexual Violence Survey data in a mathematical model. Intimate partner violence was defined as contact sexual violence, physical violence, or stalking victimization with related impact (e.g., missed work days). Costs included attributable impaired health, lost productivity, and criminal justice costs from the societal perspective. Mean age at first victimization was assessed as 25 years. Future costs were discounted by 3%. The main outcome measures were the mean per-victim (female and male) and total population (or economic burden) lifetime cost of intimate partner violence. Secondary outcome measures were marginal outcome probabilities among victims (e.g., anxiety disorder) and associated costs. Analysis was conducted in 2017.

RESULTS

The estimated intimate partner violence lifetime cost was $103,767 per female victim and $23,414 per male victim, or a population economic burden of nearly $3.6 trillion (2014 US$) over victims' lifetimes, based on 43 million U.S. adults with victimization history. This estimate included $2.1 trillion (59% of total) in medical costs, $1.3 trillion (37%) in lost productivity among victims and perpetrators, $73 billion (2%) in criminal justice activities, and $62 billion (2%) in other costs, including victim property loss or damage. Government sources pay an estimated $1.3 trillion (37%) of the lifetime economic burden.

CONCLUSIONS

Preventing intimate partner violence is possible and could avoid substantial costs. These findings can inform the potential benefit of prioritizing prevention, as well as evaluation of implemented prevention strategies.

Trends in diagnosis-specific work disability before and after ischaemic heart disease: a nationwide population-based cohort study in Sweden

OBJECTIVES

We examined trends of diagnosis-specific work disability before and after ischaemic heart disease (IHD).

DESIGN

Participants were followed 4 years before and 4 years after an IHD event for diagnosis-specific work disability (sickness absence and disability pension).

SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS

A Swedish population-based cohort study using register data on all individuals aged 25-60 years, living in Sweden, and who suffered their first IHD event in 2006-2008 (n=23 971) was conducted.

RESULTS

Before the event, the most common diagnoses of work disability were musculoskeletal disorders (21 annual days for men and 44 for women) and mental disorders (19 men and 31 for women). After multivariable adjustments, we observed a fivefold increase (from 12 to 60 days) in work disability due to diseases of the circulatory system in the first postevent year compared with the last pre-event year among men. Among women, the corresponding increase was fourfold (from 14 to 62 days). By the second postevent year, the number of work disability days decreased significantly compared with the first postevent year among both sexes (to 19 days among men and 23 days among women). Among women, mean days of work disability due to diseases of the circulatory system remained at a higher level than among men during the postevent years. Work disability risk after versus before an IHD event was slightly higher among men (rate ratio (RR) 2.49; 95% CI 2.36 to 2.62) than among women (RR 2.29, 95% CI 2.12 to 2.49). When pre-event long-term work disability was excluded, diseases of the circulatory system were the most prevalent diagnosis for work disability after an IHD event among both men and women.

CONCLUSIONS

An IHD event was strongly associated with an increase in work disability due to diseases of the circulatory system, especially among men and particularly in the first postevent year.

Risk Factors for Recurrent Cardiovascular Events Before Age 65 Years or Within 2.5 Years of a Recent First Cardiovascular Event

The aim of this study was to quantify the relation between classical risk factors (smoking, diabetes, BMI, waist circumference, blood pressure, and lipids), risk factor targets, and risk of recurrent major atherosclerotic cardiovascular events (MACE). This was first done for recurrent MACE ≤65 years in patients aged <60 years and second for recurrent MACE ≤2.5 years after a first cardiovascular event. Data were used from the Second Manifestations of Arterial Disease study (n = 5,115), a prospective cohort of patients with a recent (≤1 year) first cardiovascular event. During follow-up, 746 recurrent MACE occurred. Smoking (hazard ratio [HR] 1.43, 95% CI 1.11 to 1.84), diabetes (HR 1.83, 95% CI 1.11 to 1.84), diastolic blood pressure (>90 vs 70 to 90 mm Hg, HR 1.54, 95% CI 1.15 to 2.07), and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (≤1.0 vs >1.0 mmol/L, HR 1.34, 95% CI 1.03 to 1.76) were related to increased risk of recurrent MACE ≤65 years in patients aged <60 years. Smoking (HR 1.65, 95% CI 1.23 to 2.22), physical inactivity (highest vs lowest tertile, HR 1.48, 95% CI 1.05 to 2.09), body mass index (per kg/m², HR 1.04, 95% CI 1.00 to 1.08), diastolic blood pressure (>90 vs 70 to 90 mm Hg, HR 1.61, 95% CI 1.17 to 2.21), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (per mmol/L, HR 1.18, 95% CI 1.02 to 1.37), and non-high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (per mmol/L, HR 1.15, 95% CI 1.03 to 1.28) were related to recurrent MACE ≤2.5 years of follow-up. In conclusion, in patients with a recent cardiovascular event, smoking, blood pressure, and lipids are related to increased risk of recurrent cardiovascular events at young age or within a short time span, and intensive treatment of modifiable risk factors may contribute to prevent recurrent MACE in these patients.

Sickness absenteeism is associated with sleep problems independent of sleep disorders: results of the 2016 Sleep Health Foundation national survey

INTRODUCTION

Sleep disorders are associated with sickness absenteeism (SA), at significant economic cost. Correlates of absenteeism are less well described in nonclinical samples.

PARTICIPANTS AND METHODS

We determined the relationship between markers of inadequate sleep and SA in a sample of 551 working adults aged ≥18 years across Australia. We considered diagnosed obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and insomnia symptoms, daytime symptoms, and sleepiness with respect to sickness absenteeism (missing ≥1 day of work in the past 28 days because of problems with physical or mental health).

RESULTS

Sickness absenteeism was reported by 27.0% of participants and was more frequent in younger participants, university graduates, and those experiencing financial stress. Sickness absenteeism was independently associated with insomnia (odds ratio [OR]=2.5, confidence interval [CI]=1.5-4.0], OSA (OR=9.8, CI=4.7-20.7), sleep aid use (OR=3.0, CI=1.9-4.7), and daytime symptoms (OR=3.0, CI=2.0-4.6) and inversely associated with perception of getting adequate sleep (OR=0.6, CI=0.4-0.9). Associations persisted in the population free of insomnia and/or OSA.

CONCLUSIONS

In adults without clinical sleep disorders, sleep behaviors are contributing to sickness absenteeism. An increased focus at an organizational level on improvement of sleep hygiene is important to reduce lost work performance.

Cost effectiveness of influenza vaccination in patients with acute coronary syndrome in Korea

BACKGROUND

Influenza can cause cardiovascular abnormalities by inappropriately activating the coagulation cascade. Therefore, influenza vaccination is important because it decreases the risk of hospitalization for and mortality associated with heart disease. In particular, it reduces the occurrence of major adverse cardiovascular events (MACEs) in acute coronary syndrome (ACS) patients. Our study aimed to estimate the disease burden of MACEs and its related direct and indirect costs in ACS patients.

METHODS

We estimated the direct and indirect cost of MACEs in ACS patients using a probabilistic model and the Health Insurance Review and Assessment (HIRA)-National Patient Sample (NPS) database. The effect of the influenza vaccination on the rate of MACE in ACS patients was determined using a previous systematic review and meta-analysis.

RESULTS

Our study included 682,258 ACS patients obtained from the 2013 NPS database. According to our model, influenza vaccination would prevent 16,514 MACE-related hospitalizations and 2764 premature deaths in Korea per year. The overall reduction in costs would be $86.2 million per year from a societal perspective. Based on the results of sensitivity analysis, most of the estimated values were in the dominant area.

CONCLUSIONS

Our findings show that influenza vaccination in ACS patients is highly cost effective in terms of lowering the cost of hospitalization and premature death due to MACE. Therefore, influenza vaccination is recommended as a means of relieving the clinical and socioeconomic burdens associated with ACS.

Favorable Cardiovascular Health Is Associated With Lower Health Care Expenditures and Resource Utilization in a Large US Employee Population: The Baptist Health South Florida Employee Study

OBJECTIVE

To examine the association of favorable cardiovascular health (CVH) status with 1-year health care expenditures and resource utilization in a large health care employee population.

PARTICIPANTS AND METHODS

Employees of Baptist Health South Florida participated in a health risk assessment from January 1 through September 30, 2014. Information on dietary patterns, physical activity, blood pressure, blood glucose level, total cholesterol level, and smoking were collected. Participants were categorized into CVH profiles using the American Heart Association's ideal CVH construct as optimal (6-7 metrics), moderate (3-5 metrics), and low (0-2 metrics). Two-part econometric models were used to analyze health care expenditures.

RESULTS

Of 9097 participants (mean ± SD age, 42.7±12.1 years), 1054 (11.6%) had optimal, 6945 (76.3%) had moderate, and 1098 (12.1%) had low CVH profiles. The mean annual health care expenditures among those with a low CVH profile was $10,104 (95% CI, $8633-$11,576) compared with $5824 (95% CI, $5485-$6164) and $4282 (95% CI, $3639-$4926) in employees with moderate and optimal CVH profiles, respectively. In adjusted analyses, persons with optimal and moderate CVH had a $2021 (95% CI, -$3241 to -$801) and $940 (95% CI, -$1560 to $80) lower mean expenditure, respectively, than those with low CVH. This trend remained even after adjusting for demographic characteristics and comorbid conditions as well as across all demographic subgroups. Similarly, health care resource utilization was significantly lower in those with optimal CVH profiles compared with those with moderate or low CVH profiles.

CONCLUSION

Favorable CVH profile is associated with significantly lower total medical expenditures and health care utilization in a large, young, ethnically diverse, and fully insured employee population.

Work productivity loss and indirect costs associated with new cardiovascular events in high-risk patients with hyperlipidemia: estimates from population-based register data in Sweden

OBJECTIVES

To estimate productivity loss and associated indirect costs in high-risk patients treated for hyperlipidemia who experience cardiovascular (CV) events.

METHODS

Retrospective population-based cohort study conducted using Swedish medical records linked to national registers. Patients were included based on prescriptions of lipid-lowering therapy between 1 January 2006 and 31 December 2011 and followed until 31 December 2012 for identification of CV events and estimation of work productivity loss (sick leave and disability pension) and indirect costs. Patients were stratified into two cohorts based on CV risk level: history of major cardiovascular disease (CVD) and coronary heart disease (CHD) risk equivalent. Propensity score matching was applied to compare patients with new events (cases) to patients without new events (controls). The incremental effect of CV events was estimated using a difference-in-differences design, comparing productivity loss among cases and controls during the year before and the year after the cases' event.

RESULTS

The incremental effect on indirect costs was largest in the CHD risk equivalent cohort (n = 2946) at €3119 (P value <0.01). The corresponding figure in the major CVD history cohort (n = 4508) was €2210 (P value <0.01). There was substantial variation in productivity loss depending on the type of event. Transient ischemic attack and revascularization had no significant effect on indirect costs. Myocardial infarction (€3465), unstable angina (€2733) and, most notably, ischemic stroke (€6784) yielded substantial incremental cost estimates (P values <0.01).

CONCLUSIONS

Indirect costs related to work productivity losses of CV events are substantial in Swedish high-risk patients treated for hyperlipidemia and vary considerably by type of event.

Productivity costs and years of potential life lost associated with five leading causes of death: Evidence from Iran (2006-2010)

Background: Economic burden due to premature mortalities is significant both on health system and on the society as a whole. This study aimed to determine the productivity costs and years of potential life lost associated with five leading causes of death in Iran from 2006 to 2010. Methods: Data on mortality by sex and age-groups due to five main leading causes of death (myocardial infarction (MI), cerebral vascular diseases (CVD), transport accidents (TA), hypertensive heart disease (HHD) and gastric cancer (GC)) were obtained from the Ministry of Health and Medical Education from 2006 to 2010 for 29 providences of Iran (data on Tehran province was not available). Three measures including years of potential life lost (YPLL), years of potential productive life lost (YPPLL) and the cost of productivity loss (CPL) due to premature mortality were used. To estimate the CPL and YPLL, the human capital approach and life expectancy method were used, respectively. Results: There were 518,815 deaths due to the five main leading causes of death; of which, 58% occurred in males. The estimated YPPLL resulted in 209,552,135 YPPLL from 2006 to 2011; of which, 141,966,592 (67%) were in males and 67,585,543 (33%) in females. The total cost of productivity loss caused by premature deaths due to the five leading causes of death was 7.86 billion dollars (US$) from 2006 to 2010, ranging from 1.63 billion dollars in 2006 to 1.31 billion dollars in 2010. Conclusion: This study revealed that the economic burden of premature mortalities due to the five main causes of death is substantial, and that these five leading causes should be considered in policy/decision making and prevention programms. The allocation of financial resources to control these causes may decrease their economic burden, resulting in higher level of health and well-being.

Pharmacoeconomics of PCSK9 inhibitors in 103 hypercholesterolemic patients referred for diagnosis and treatment to a cholesterol treatment center

Background

PCSK9 inhibitor therapy has been approved by the FDA as an adjunct to diet-maximal tolerated cholesterol lowering drug therapy for adults with heterozygous familial hypercholesterolemia (HeFH) or clinical atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) with suboptimal LDL cholesterol (LDLC) lowering despite maximal diet-drug therapy. With an estimated ~24million of US hypercholesterolemic patients potentially eligible for PCSK9 inhibitors, costing ~ $14,300/patient/year, it is important to assess health-care savings arising from PCSK9 inhibitors vs ASCVD cost.

Methods

In 103 patients with HeFH, and/or ASCVD and/or suboptimal LDLC lowering despite maximally tolerated diet-drug therapy, we assessed pharmacoeconomics of PCSK9 inhibitor therapy with lowering of LDLC. For HeFH diagnosis, we applied Simon Broome’s or WHO Dutch Lipid Criteria (score >8). Estimates of direct and indirect costs for ASCVD events were calculated using American Heart Association (AHA), U.S. DHHS, Healthcare Bluebook, and BMC Health Services Research databases. We used the ACC/AHA 10-year ASCVD risk calculator to estimate 10-year ASCVD risk and estimated corresponding direct and indirect costs. Assuming a 50 % reduction in ASCVD events on PCSK9 inhibitors, we calculated direct and indirect health-care savings.

Results

We started 103 patients (58 [56 %] women and 45 [44 %] men), on either alirocumab (62 %) or evolocumab (38 %), median age 63, BMI 29.0, and LDLC 149 mg/dl. Of the 103 patients, 28 had both HeFH and ASCVD, 33 with only ASCVD, 33 with only HeFH, and 9 had neither. Of the 103 patients, 61 had a first ASCVD event at median age 55 and on best tolerated cholesterol-lowering therapy median LDLC was 137 mg/dl. In these 61 patients, total direct costs attributable to ASCVD were $8,904,361 ($4,328,623 direct, $4,575,738 indirect), the median 10-year risk of a new CVD event was calculated to be 13.1 % with total cost $1,654,758. Assuming a 50 % reduction in ASCVD events on PCSK9 inhibitors in our 61 patients, $4,452,180 would have been saved in the past; and future 10-year savings would be $1,123,345.

Conclusion

In the 61 CVD patients, net costs/patient/year were estimated to be $7,000 in the past, with future 10-year intervention net costs/patient/year being $12,459, both below the $50,000/year quality adjusted life-year gained by PCSK9 inhibitor therapy.

Eligibility for PCSK9 treatment in 734 Hypercholesterolemic patients referred to a regional cholesterol treatment center with LDL cholesterol ≥ 70 mg/dl despite maximal tolerated cholesterol lowering therapy

Background

LDL cholesterol (LDLC) lowering has been revolutionized by PCSK9 inhibitors, Alirocumab (Praluent) and Evolocumab (Repatha), approved as adjuncts to maximally tolerated cholesterol lowering therapy in heterozygous (HeFH) or homozygous (HoFH) familial hypercholesterolemia, and/or clinical atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (CVD) where LDLC lowering is insufficient.

Methods

We applied FDA and insurance eligibility criteria for PCSK9 inhibitor use in 734 hypercholesterolemic patients serially referred over 3 years who then received ≥ 2 months maximally tolerated LDLC lowering therapy with follow up LDLC ≥ 70 mg/dl, and in 50 patients approved by insurance for PCSK9 inhibitors. We documented the percentage of patients with HeFH and/or CVD who met FDA and insurance criteria for PCSK9 inhibitor therapy using LDLC goal-based guidelines.

Results

Of 734 patients with LDLC ≥ 70 mg/dl after ≥ 2 months maximally tolerated LDLC lowering therapy, 220 (30 %) had HeFH and/or CVD with LDLC > 100 mg/dl, meeting FDA-insurance criteria for PCSK9 inhibitor therapy. Another 66 (9 %) patients were statin intolerant, without HeFH or CVD. Of the 50 patients whose PCSK9 inhibitor therapy was approved for insurance coverage, 45 (90 %) had LDLC > 100 mg/dl after ≥ 2 months on maximally tolerated LDLC lowering therapy. Seventeen of these 50 patients (34 %) had HeFH without CVD (LDLC on treatment 180 ± 50 mg/dl), 15 (30 %) had CVD without HeFH (LDLC on treatment 124 ± 26 mg/dl), 14 (28 %) had both HeFH and CVD (LDLC on treatment 190 ± 53 mg/dl), and 4 (8 %) had neither HeFH nor CVD (LCLC 142 ± 11 mg/dl).

Conclusion

Of 734 patients referred for LDLC reduction, with LDLC ≥ 70 mg/dl after ≥ 2 months on maximally tolerated therapy, 220 (30 %) had HeFH and/or CVD with LDLC > 100 mg/dl, meeting FDA-insurance criteria for PCSK9 inhibitor therapy as an adjunct to diet-maximally tolerated cholesterol lowering therapy in HeFH or CVD. If 30 % of patients with high LDLC and HeFH-CVD are eligible for PCSK9 inhibitors, then specialty pharmaceutical pricing models (~$14,300/year) will collide with tens of millions of HeFH-CVD patients. We speculate that if there was a 50 % reduction in CVD, then there would be savings of $245 billion, in the middle of the range of estimated PCSK9 inhibitor costs of $185-342 billion. Whether the health care savings arising from the anticipated reduction of CVD events by PCSK9 inhibitors justify their extraordinary costs in broad population use remains to be determined.