Trends in health care expenditure in U.S. adults with diabetes: 2002-2011

National trends in per-capita medical expenditures among U.S. adults with diabetes, 2000-2022

AIMS

To examine the national trend in per-capita medical expenditures among U.S. adults with diabetes from 2000 to 2022.

METHODS

We analyzed data from the Medical Expenditure Panel Survey in U.S. adults aged ≥18 years with self-reported diabetes. We calculated the expenditure in total and by component, including outpatient services, inpatient services, emergency room (ER) visits, prescription drugs, and other medical services. We used joinpoint regression to identify changes in trends.

RESULTS

Estimated total per-capita expenditure increased 66 %, from $9,700 (95 % CI $8,736-$10,663) in 2000 to $16,067 (95 % CI $15,049-$17,086) in 2022. Specifically, spending on prescription drugs, outpatient, ER, and other medical services increased by 144 %, 96 %, 122 %, and 135 %, respectively, while inpatient spending decreased by 28 %. Two significant upward trend periods (2000-2004 and 2011-2018) were identified for total expenditure. Spending trends by component varied, with an accelerated increase in prescription drug spending after 2012; by 2022, prescription drugs accounted for the largest share (39 %) of total expenditures.

CONCLUSIONS

The economic burden of diabetes on the national health care system has been increasing, with spending changes varying by medical service category. Interventions to prevent diabetes and its complications may help mitigate this growing economic burden.

Implementation of a Technology-Enabled Diabetes Self-Management Peer Coaching Intervention for Patients With Poorly Controlled Diabetes: Quasi-Experimental Case Study

BACKGROUND

Patients with diabetes experience worse health outcomes and greater health care expenditure. Improving diabetes outcomes requires involved self-management. Peer coaching programs can help patients engage in self-management while addressing individual and structural barriers. These peer coaching programs can be scaled with digital platforms to efficiently connect patients with peer supporters who can help with diabetes self-management.

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to evaluate the implementation of a technology-enabled peer coaching intervention to support diabetes self-management among patients with uncontrolled diabetes.

METHODS

MetroPlusHealth, a predominant Medicaid health maintenance organization based in New York City, partnered with Pyx Health to enroll 300 Medicaid patients with uncontrolled diabetes into its 6-month peer coaching intervention. Pyx Health peer coaches conduct at least 2 evidence-based and goal-oriented coaching sessions per month with their assigned patients. These sessions are focused on addressing both behavioral and social determinants of health (SDoH) with the goal of helping patients increase their diabetes self-management literacy, implement self-management behaviors, and reduce barriers to ongoing self-care. Data analyzed in this study included patient demographic data, clinical data (patient's hemoglobin A1c [HbA1c]), and program implementation data including types of behavioral determinants of health and SDoH reported by patients and types of interventions used by peer coaches.

RESULTS

A total of 330 patients enrolled in the peer mentoring program and 2118 patients were considered to be on a waitlist group and used as a comparator. Patients who enrolled in the peer coaching program were older; more likely to be English speakers, female, and African American; and less likely to be White or Asian American or Pacific Islander than those in the waitlist condition, and had similar HbA1c laboratory results at baseline (intervention group 10.59 vs waitlist condition 10.62) Patients in the enrolled group had on average a -1.37 point reduction in the HbA1c score (n=70; pre: 10.99, post 9.62; P<.001), whereas patients in the waitlist group had a -0.16 reduction in the HbA1c score (n=207; pre 9.75, post 9.49; P<.001). Among a subsample of participants enrolled in the program with at least 2 HbA1c scores, we found that endorsement of emotional health issues (β=1.344; P=.04) and medication issues (β=1.36; P=.04) were significantly related to increases in HbA1c.

CONCLUSIONS

This analysis of a technology-enabled 1-on-1 peer coaching program showed improved HbA1c levels for program participants relative to nonprogram participants. Results suggested participants with emotional stressors and medication management issues had worse outcomes and many preferred to connect through phone calls versus an app. These findings support the effectiveness of digital programs with multimodal approaches that include human support for improving diabetes self-management in a typically marginalized population with significant SDoH barriers.

Catastrophic health expenditures: a disproportionate risk in uninsured ethnic minorities with diabetes

BACKGROUND

Chargemaster prices are the list prices that providers and health systems assign to each of their medical services in the US. These charges are often several factors of magnitude higher than those extended to individuals with either private or public insurance, however, these list prices are billed in full to uninsured patients, putting them at increased risk of catastrophic health expenditures (CHE). The objective of this study was to examine the risk of CHE across insurance status, diabetes diagnosis and to examine disparity gaps across race/ethnicity.

METHODS

We perform a retrospective observational study on a nationally representative cohort of adult patients from the Medical Expenditure Panel Survey for the years 2002-2017. Using logistic regression models we estimate the risk of CHE across insurance status, diabetes diagnosis and explore disparity gaps across race/ethnicity.

RESULTS

Our fully adjusted results show that the relative odds of having CHE if uninsured is 5.9 (p < 0.01) compared to if insured, and 1.1 (p < 0.01) for patients with a diabetes diagnosis (compared to those without one). We note significant interactions between insurance status and diabetes diagnosis, with uninsured patients with a diabetes diagnosis being 9.5 times (p < 0.01) more likely to experience CHE than insured patients without a diabetes diagnosis. In terms of racial/ethnic disparities, we find that among the uninsured, non-Hispanic blacks are 13% (p < 0.05), and Hispanics 14.2% (p < 0.05), more likely to experience CHE than non-Hispanic whites. Among uninsured patients with diabetes, we further find that Hispanic patients are 39.3% (p < 0.05) more likely to have CHE than non-Hispanic white patients.

CONCLUSIONS

Our findings indicate that uninsured patients with diabetes are at significantly elevated risks for CHE. These risks are further found to be disproportionately higher among uninsured racial/ethnic minorities, suggesting that CHE may present a channel through which structural economic and health disparities are perpetuated.

Deep Learning for the Detection and Classification of Diabetic Retinopathy with an Improved Activation Function

Diabetic retinopathy (DR) is an eye disease triggered due to diabetes, which may lead to blindness. To prevent diabetic patients from becoming blind, early diagnosis and accurate detection of DR are vital. Deep learning models, such as convolutional neural networks (CNNs), are largely used in DR detection through the classification of blood vessel pixels from the remaining pixels. In this paper, an improved activation function was proposed for diagnosing DR from fundus images that automatically reduces loss and processing time. The DIARETDB0, DRIVE, CHASE, and Kaggle datasets were used to train and test the enhanced activation function in the different CNN models. The ResNet-152 model has the highest accuracy of 99.41% with the Kaggle dataset. This enhanced activation function is suitable for DR diagnosis from retinal fundus images.

Healthcare use among people with diabetes mellitus in Europe: a population-based cross-sectional study

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to determine the association of health determinants, lifestyle and socioeconomic variables on healthcare use in people with diabetes in Europe.

DESIGN

A cross-sectional study was conducted using data from the European Health Interview Survey wave 2 (ie, secondary analysis).

SETTING

The sample included data from 25 European countries.

PARTICIPANTS

The sample included 16 270 patients with diabetes aged 15 years or older (49.1% men and 50.9% women).

RESULTS

The survey data showed that 58.2% of respondents had seen their primary care physician in the past month and 22.6% had been admitted to the hospital in the past year. Use of primary care was associated with being retired (prevalence ratio (PR) 1.13, 95% CI 1.07 to 1.19) and having very poor self-perceived health (PR 1.80, 95% CI 1.51 to 2.15), long-standing health problems (PR 1.14, 95% CI 1.04 to 1.24), high blood pressure (PR 1.06, 95% CI 1.03 to 1.10) and chronic back pain (PR 1.07, 95% CI 1.04 to 1.11). Hospital admission was associated with very poor self-perceived health (PR 3.03, 95% CI 2.14 to 4.31), accidents at home (PR 1.54, 95% CI 1.40 to 1.69), chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) (PR 1.34, 95% CI 1.22 to 1.47), high blood pressure (PR 1.08, 95% CI 1.01 to 1.17), chronic back pain (PR 0.91, 95% CI 0.84 to 0.98), moderate difficulty walking (PR 1.33, 95% CI 1.21 to 1.45) and severe difficulty walking (PR 1.67, 95% CI 1.51 to 1.85).

CONCLUSIONS

In the European diabetic population, the high cumulative incidences of primary care visits and hospital admissions are associated with labour status, alcohol consumption, self-perceived health, long-standing health problems, high blood pressure, chronic back pain, accidents at home, COPD and difficulty walking.

Productivity Loss and Medical Costs Associated With Type 2 Diabetes Among Employees Aged 18-64 Years With Large Employer-Sponsored Insurance

OBJECTIVE

To estimate productivity losses and costs and medical costs due to type 2 diabetes (T2D) among employees aged 18-64 years.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS

Using 2018-2019 MarketScan databases, we identified employees with T2D or no diabetes among those with records on workplace absences, short-term disability (STD), and long-term disability (LTD). We estimated per capita mean annual time loss attributable to T2D and its associated costs, calculated by multiplying time loss by average hourly wage. We estimated direct medical costs of T2D in total and by service type (inpatient, outpatient, and prescription drugs). We used two-part models (productivity losses and costs and inpatient and drug costs) and generalized linear models (total and outpatient costs) for overall and subgroup analyses by age and sex. All costs were in 2019 U.S. dollars.

RESULTS

Employees with T2D had 4.2 excess days lost (20.8 vs. 20.3 absences, 6.4 vs. 3.3 STD days, and 1.0 vs. 0.4 LTD days) than those without diabetes. Productivity costs were 13.3% ($680) higher and medical costs were double (total $11,354 vs. $5,101; outpatient $4,558 vs. $2,687, inpatient $3,085 vs. $1,349, prescription drugs $4,182 vs. $1,189) for employees with T2D. Employees aged 18-34 years had higher STD days and outpatient costs. Women had more absences and STD days and higher outpatient costs than men.

CONCLUSIONS

T2D contributes nearly $7,000 higher annual per capita costs, mostly due to excess medical costs. Our estimates may assist employers to assess potential financial gains from efforts to help workers prevent or better manage T2D.

Do Chargemaster Prices Matter?: An Examination of Acute Care Hospital Profitability

BACKGROUND

It remains widely debated whether chargemaster price markups are tied to hospital profitability.

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the effect of chargemaster markups on hospital profitability in the presence of unobserved hospital-specific (time-invariant) confounders, and cross-sectional dependence due to latent (common) policy shocks.

DESIGN

We use interactive fixed effects methods to address concerns of unobserved hospital-specific (time-invariant) confounders, and cross-sectional dependence.

SETTING

US acute care hospitals, 1996 through 2017 (ie, 22 y).

PARTICIPANTS

Using primarily Medicare cost report data, we construct an unbalanced panel of 3499 acute care hospitals per year, or a total of 76,972 hospital-year observations.

MEASUREMENTS

Chargemaster markups (above cost), profits per hospital inpatient discharge.

RESULTS

Between 1996 and 2017, chargemaster markups increased (on average) by 155%, and the SD of the chargemaster markup distribution increased by 324%-indicating growing variability in the average markup strategies pursued by hospitals. Our preferred model specification implies that a unit increase of the hospital chargemaster markup is associated with a $261 ( P <0.01; 95% confidence interval: $232-$291) increase in profits per hospital inpatient discharge. These results are robust to a wide set of model specifications, the use of alternative profitability measurements, and the use of an alternative instrumental variable identification strategy. Additional subsample analysis that controls for a rich set of hospital quality measures and system affiliation information also yields similar results.

CONCLUSION

We show that higher chargemaster markups are associated with higher hospital profitability. Additional research is needed to understand how chargemaster pricing impact health outcomes and health care disparities.

A Deep Learning Framework for Earlier Prediction of Diabetic Retinopathy from Fundus Photographs

Diabetic patients can also be identified immediately utilizing retinopathy photos, but it is a challenging task. The blood veins visible in fundus photographs are used in several disease diagnosis approaches. We sought to replicate the findings published in implementation and verification of a deep learning approach for diabetic retinopathy identification in retinal fundus pictures. To address this issue, the suggested investigative study uses recurrent neural networks (RNN) to retrieve characteristics from deep networks. As a result, using computational approaches to identify certain disorders automatically might be a fantastic solution. We developed and tested several iterations of a deep learning framework to forecast the progression of diabetic retinopathy in diabetic individuals who have undergone teleretinal diabetic retinopathy assessment in a basic healthcare environment. A collection of one-field or three-field colour fundus pictures served as the input for both iterations. Utilizing the proposed DRNN methodology, advanced identification of the diabetic state was performed utilizing HE detected in an eye's blood vessel. This research demonstrates the difficulties in duplicating deep learning approach findings, as well as the necessity for more reproduction and replication research to verify deep learning techniques, particularly in the field of healthcare picture processing. This development investigates the utilization of several other Deep Neural Network Frameworks on photographs from the dataset after they have been treated to suitable image computation methods such as local average colour subtraction to assist in highlighting the germane characteristics from a fundoscopy, thus, also enhancing the identification and assessment procedure of diabetic retinopathy and serving as a skilled guidelines framework for practitioners all over the globe.

Trends in Healthcare Expenditures among Adults in the United States by Cancer Diagnosis Status, 2008-2016: A Cross Sectional Study

BACKGROUND

This study aims to assess trends in direct medical expenditures and indirect costs between adults with and without a prior cancer diagnosis from 2008-2016.

METHODS

Nine years of data (2008-2016) from the Medical Expenditure Panel Survey (weighted N=236,811,875) were used. The outcomes included medical expenditures (total expenditure, inpatient, office-based, medications, outpatient, dental, emergency room visits, home health, other) and health-related missed workdays. The predictor was prior cancer diagnosis. Covariates included demographic characteristics, comorbidities, and calendar year at time of survey completion. Two-part statistical modeling with a combination of binomial and positive distributions was used to estimate medical expenditures and missed workdays. Data were clustered into five timepoints: 2008-2009, 2010-2011, 2012-2013, 2014-2015, and 2016.

RESULTS

Eleven percent of the sample (n=25,005,230) had a prior cancer diagnosis. Compared to those without a prior cancer diagnosis, those with a prior cancer diagnosis had higher mean incremental total expenditures across all years. Between 2008-2016, the adjusted annual incremental total expenditures were $3,522 (95%CI $3,072, $3,972); office-based visits ($1,085;95% CI $990, $1180); inpatient hospitalizations ($810;95%CI $627, $992); outpatient appointments ($517;95%CI $434, $600); and medications ($409;95%CI $295, $523); and health-related missed workdays (0.75;95%CI 0.45, 1.04) compared to adults without a prior cancer diagnosis.

CONCLUSIONS

Adults with a prior cancer diagnosis had significantly increased healthcare expenditures and health-related missed workdays compared to those with no cancer diagnosis.

IMPACT

Our findings highlight the need for increasing strategies to remedy the impact of increasing direct and indirect costs associated with cancer survivorship as the population grows and ages.

Trends in charges and association with defaults on medical payments in uninsured Americans: a disproportionate burden in ethnic minorities - a retrospective observational study

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate whether medical event charges are associated with uninsured patients' probability of medical payment default and whether there exist racial/ethnic disparity gaps in medical payment defaults.

DESIGN

We use logistic regression models to analyse medical payment defaults. Our adjusted estimates further control for a rich set of patient and medical visit characteristics, region and time fixed effects.

SETTING

Uninsured US adult (non-elderly) population from 2002 to 2017.

PARTICIPANTS

We use four nationally representative samples of uninsured patients from the Medical Expenditure Panel Survey across office-based (n=39 967), emergency (n=3269), outpatient (n=1739) and inpatient (n=340) events.

PRIMARY AND SECONDARY OUTCOME MEASURES

Payment default, medical event charges and medical event payments.

RESULTS

Relative to uninsured non-Hispanic white (NHW) patients, uninsured non-Hispanic black (NHB) patients are 142% (p<0.01) more likely to default on medical payments for office-based visits, 27% (p<0.05) more likely to default on emergency department visit payments and 82% (p<0.1) more likely to default on an outpatient visit bill. Hispanic patients are 46% (p<0.01) more likely to default on an office-based visit, but 25% less likely to default on emergency department visit payments than NHW patients. Within our fully adjusted model, we find that racial/ethnic disparities persist for office-based visits. Our results further suggest that the probabilities of payment defaults for office-based, emergency and outpatient visits are all significantly (p<0.01) and positively associated with the medical event charges billed.

CONCLUSIONS

Medical event charges are found to be broadly associated with payment defaults, and we further note disproportionate payment default disparities among NHB patients.

Provider Network Structure and Black-to-White Disparity Gaps for Medicare Patients with Diabetes: County-Level Analysis of Cost, Utilization, and Clinical Care

BACKGROUND

Prior work has shown that provider network structures correlate with outcomes such as patient costs, utilization, and care. However, it remains unknown whether certain provider networks are associated with reduced disparity gaps.

METHODS

We study the population of Medicare beneficiaries with diabetes who were continuously enrolled in Medicare FFS in 2016. Using multivariable regression analysis of county-level risk adjusted cost, hospitalization, emergency department visits, A1c testing, and preventable diabetes-related hospitalizations, we measure the effect that the relative network connectivity of primary care providers (PCPs) in relation to medical and surgical specialists (PCP/Specialist degree centrality ratio), derived from Medicare patient sharing data, has on non-Hispanic black-to-white disparity gaps controlling for county-level socioeconomic and demographic variables and state fixed effects.

RESULTS

Relative to non-Hispanic white, our adjusted results show that non-Hispanic black beneficiaries have $1673 (p<0.001) higher risk adjusted total costs, 2.6 (p<0.001) more hospitalizations (per 1000 beneficiaries), 11.6 (p<0.001) more ED visits (per 1000 beneficiaries), receive 2.2% (p<0.001) less A1c testing, and have 69.4 (p<0.01) more (per 100,000) avoidable diabetes-related hospital admissions. Our main results show that increasing the PCP/Specialist degree centrality ratio by one standard deviation is associated with a disparity gap decrease of 25.3% (p<0.01) in hospitalizations, 8.3% (p<0.05) in ED visits, 2.8% (p<0.01) in A1c testing, and 26.9% (p<0.1) in the volume of preventable diabetes-related hospital admissions.

CONCLUSIONS

Network structures where PCPs are more central relative to medical and surgical specialists are associated with reduced non-Hispanic black-to-white disparity gaps, suggesting that how we organize and structure our health systems has implications for disparity gaps between non-Hispanic black and white Medicare beneficiaries with diabetes.

A deep learning model for identifying diabetic retinopathy using optical coherence tomography angiography

As the prevalence of diabetes increases, millions of people need to be screened for diabetic retinopathy (DR). Remarkable advances in technology have made it possible to use artificial intelligence to screen DR from retinal images with high accuracy and reliability, resulting in reducing human labor by processing large amounts of data in a shorter time. We developed a fully automated classification algorithm to diagnose DR and identify referable status using optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA) images with convolutional neural network (CNN) model and verified its feasibility by comparing its performance with that of conventional machine learning model. Ground truths for classifications were made based on ultra-widefield fluorescein angiography to increase the accuracy of data annotation. The proposed CNN classifier achieved an accuracy of 91–98%, a sensitivity of 86–97%, a specificity of 94–99%, and an area under the curve of 0.919–0.976. In the external validation, overall similar performances were also achieved. The results were similar regardless of the size and depth of the OCTA images, indicating that DR could be satisfactorily classified even with images comprising narrow area of the macular region and a single image slab of retina. The CNN-based classification using OCTA is expected to create a novel diagnostic workflow for DR detection and referral.

Presentation of a Segmentation Method for a Diabetic Retinopathy Patient's Fundus Region Detection Using a Convolutional Neural Network

Diabetic retinopathy is characteristic of a local distribution that involves early-stage risk factors and can forecast the evolution of the illness or morphological lesions related to the abnormality of retinal blood flows. Regional variations in retinal blood flow and modulation of retinal capillary width in the macular area and the retinal environment are also linked to the course of diabetic retinopathy. Despite the fact that diabetic retinopathy is frequent nowadays, it is hard to avoid. An ophthalmologist generally determines the seriousness of the retinopathy of the eye by directly examining color photos and evaluating them by visually inspecting the fundus. It is an expensive process because of the vast number of diabetic patients around the globe. We used the IDRiD data set that contains both typical diabetic retinopathic lesions and normal retinal structures. We provided a CNN architecture for the detection of the target region of 80 patients' fundus imagery. Results demonstrate that the approach described here can nearly detect 83.84% of target locations. This result can potentially be utilized to monitor and regulate patients.

Influences of Demographic, Social Determinants, Clinical, Knowledge, and Self-Care Factors on Quality of Life in Adults With Type 2 Diabetes: Black-White Differences

BACKGROUND

This study evaluated racial differences in the contribution of demographic, social determinants, clinical, and self-care factors on quality of life (QOL) in adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM).

METHODS

A total of 615 adults with T2DM in Southeastern United States were recruited. Linear regression models were used to assess the contribution of demographic, social determinants, clinical, and self-care factors on the mental (MCS) and physical components (PCS) of QOL, after stratifying by race.

RESULTS

For the entire sample, there were significant relationships between PCS and psychological distress (β = 0.02, p < 0.01), neighborhood aesthetics (β = 0.05, p < 0.01), neighborhood walking environment (β = -0.02, p < 0.05), access to healthy food (β = 0.01, p < 0.05), neighborhood crime (β = -0.15, p < 0.05), and neighborhood comparison (β = 0.13, p < 0.05); and MCS and depression (β = -0.06, p < 0.05), psychological distress (β = -0.09, p < 0.001), perceived stress (β = -0.12, p < 0.01), and perceived health status (β = -0.33, p < 0.01). In the regression models stratified by race, notable differences existed in the association between PCS, MCS, and demographic, psychosocial, built environment, and clinical factors among Whites and Blacks, respectively.

CONCLUSION

In this sample, there were racial differences in demographic, social determinants, built environment, and clinical factors associated with PCS and MCS components of QOL. Interventions may need to be tailored by race or ethnicity to improve quality of life in adults with T2DM.

The Trends of Medical Care Expenditure with Adjustment of Lifestyle Habits and Medication; 10-Year Retrospective Follow-Up Study

In Japan, the prevention of lifestyle-related diseases is the most important issue for the optimization of medical expenditure. This study aimed to analyze the impact of lifestyle and medication status on medical expenditure. Health checkup data and medical expenditure records of a retrospective cohort of 1463 people aged between 40 and 65 years old who underwent specific health checks at least three times between 2008 and 2017 were analyzed. Regression analysis was performed with medical expenditure as the dependent variable and age, gender, waist ratio, medication status, and lifestyle habits as independent variables using a Tobit model. Focusing on the factors that increase medical expenditure, the regression coefficients of age, medication status, weight gain of 10 kg or more since the age of 20, and walking more than 1 h per day were 0.048 (95% CI 0.04 to 0.06), 1.020 (95% CI 0.88 to 1.16), 0.210 (95% CI 0.06 to 0.36), and -0.208 (95% CI -0.35 to -0.07), respectively. The estimate of 5-year cumulative medical expenditure showed that those with walking habits without medication had the lowest medical expenditure. The result of this study suggests that walking more than 1 h a day may lower health expenditure in the general population.

Assessing trends in medical expenditures and measuring the impact of health-related quality of life on medical expenditures for U.S. adults with diabetes associated chronic kidney disease using 2002–2016 medical expenditure panel survey data

Background

Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) is one of the most expensive comorbidities of diabetes. The changes in medical expenditures over the years and the latest economic burden of CKD among diabetes are unknown.

Objectives

(1) To examine the trend and estimate the differences in medical expenditures between adults with diabetes-associated CKD and diabetes-no CKD from 2002 to 2016 using Medical Expenditure Panel Survey data (2) To study the impact of health-related quality of life (HRQOL) on medical expenditure for adults with diabetes-associated CKD.

Methods

This is a retrospective cross-sectional study. Descriptive statistics were used for studying the trend in medical expenditures from 2002 to 2016. HRQOL was measured using physical and mental component summary (PCS, MCS). Two-part model was utilized for estimating the incremental medical expenditure for diabetes patients by CKD status.

Key findings

A total of 35,112 diabetic adults were identified in the Medical Expenditure Panel Survey dataset. Among these, 3,489 individuals had CKD. The pooled mean expenditure for diabetes-associated CKD was $25,953 which was almost double of $12,170 for patients with diabetes and no CKD. Individuals with diabetes CKD had $12,109 higher adjusted direct incremental medical expenditure as compared to diabetes-no CKD. With respect to HRQOL, individuals in the highest quartile of PCS and MCS spent $18,076 and $10,307 lesser than those in the lowest quartile respectively.

Conclusions

Medical expenditures associated with CKD are a significant contributor to the financial burden among diabetes adults. Improvements in HRQOL also lead to lower healthcare costs in diabetes-associated CKD patients.

The Association between Neutrophil-to-Lymphocyte Ratio and Diabetic Depression in U.S. Adults with Diabetes: Findings from the 2009-2016 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES)

Objective

To determine the association between neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) and clinically relevant depressive symptoms in people with diabetes.

Methods

This cross-sectional study was conducted among adults (age >18) with diabetes in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) between 2009 and 2016. NLR was calculated from complete blood count. Nine-item Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9) was used to measure depression, with scores ≥10 indicating the presence of clinically relevant symptoms. Multivariable logistic regression was used to calculate the odds ratio (OR) with 95% confidence interval (CI) of clinically relevant depressive symptoms in relation to the NLR. We performed the smooth curve fitting and established a weighted generalized additive model to identify the nonlinearity of NLR and depression in diabetes patients. To account for the nonlinear relationship between NLR and depression in diabetes patients, weighted two-piecewise linear model was applied.

Results

We included 2,820 eligible participants, of which 371 (12.4%) had clinically relevant depressive symptoms. In the unadjusted model, the OR (95% CI) of clinically relevant depressive symptoms for the second (NLR 1.75-2.57) and third (NLR >2.57) were 1.24 (0.90, 1.70) and 1.68 (1.23, 2.30), respectively, compared to the reference group (NLR < 1.75). After controlling for potential confounding factors, NLR was significantly associated with clinically relevant symptoms (odds ratio = 1.57, 95% confidence interval: 1.13–1.87; P for trend = .0078). Nonlinear relationships were observed, and a two-piecewise linear regression model was established. The inflection point of NLR was 2.87. To the left of the inflection point (NLR ≤ 2.87), the OR (95% CIs) was 1.33 (1.07–1.66) (P < .031).

Conclusions

Elevated levels of NLR are independently associated with increased odds of clinically relevant depressive symptoms in people with diabetes. Prospective study is needed to further analyze the role of NLR in depression in diabetic patients.

The global epidemics of diabetes in the 21st century: Current situation and perspectives

Diabetes is on the rise worldwide, with a global prevalence in adults in 2017 being 8.8% of the world population, with the anticipation of a further increase to 9.9% by 2045. In total numbers, this reflects a population of 424.9 million people with diabetes worldwide in 2017, with an estimate of a 48% increase to 628.6 million people by 2045. Depending on age, global diabetes prevalence is about 5%, 10%, 15% and close to 20%, respectively, for the age groups 35-39, 45-49, 55-59 and 65-69 years. On a global scale, diabetes hits particularly 'middle aged' people between 40 and 59 years, which causes serious economic and social implications. Furthermore, diabetes affects especially low and middle income countries, as 77% of all people with diabetes worldwide live in those countries. In addition to overt diabetes, an estimated 352.1 million people worldwide are at risk of diabetes, i.e. have defined pre-diabetes, a figure which is anticipated to rise to 531.6 million by 2045. Some 70-75% of all patients with established coronary artery disease, e.g. with acute myocardial infarction, show concomitant diabetes or abnormal glucose regulation, i.e. close to 50% have overt diabetes, with as many as 20% of those being undiagnosed and another 25% having pre-diabetes.

Time Trends in Healthcare Utilization Due to Self-Reported Functional Diseases of the Stomach

INTRODUCTION

Cohort studies from referral centers suggest an increasing burden of functional gastric disorders, with frequent emergency room (ER) visits, hospitalizations, or absenteeism. We hypothesized that recruitment from tertiary care sites skews results and thus investigated the burden of these illnesses, using the population-based data of the Medical Expenditure Panel Survey (MEPS).

METHODS

Using MEPS data for the years 2000-2015, demographic, economic, healthcare-related, and quality-of-life indicators were extracted for adults reporting the diagnosis of functional gastric diseases to assess trends and to compare results with data from all adults surveyed.

RESULTS

Between 2000 and 2015, 2.7 ± 0.2% of the adults surveyed reported a functional gastric illness. Within the period studied, 28.8 ± 2.8% and 17.9 ± 1.6% of this cohort reported ER visits or hospitalizations, respectively. Only a fraction of these persons attributed the ER visits (22.6 ± 0.9%) or admissions (10.9 ± 0.8%) to the functional gastric disorder. Rates remained stable rates during the period studied. Female sex, measures of physical function, comorbidities, and an income below the poverty line were predictors of healthcare utilization. While utilization was stable over time, annual costs increased by 113.9 ± 16.6% during the study period, outpacing the inflation rate of 37.6%.

CONCLUSIONS

Persons with functional gastric disorders have significant healthcare needs and face increasing costs of care, largely due to coexisting illnesses. While it is important to recognize this impact, the need for emergency care or hospitalizations remained stable and lower than reported for patients seen in tertiary referral centers, providing reassuring information for patients and providers.

Implementing Lifestyle Change Interventions to Prevent Type 2 Diabetes in US Medicaid Programs: Cost Effectiveness, and Cost, Health, and Health Equity Impact

BACKGROUND

Lifestyle change interventions (LCI) for prevention of type 2 diabetes are covered by Medicare, but rarely by US Medicaid programs that constitute the largest public payer system in the USA. We estimate the long-term health and economic implications of implementing LCIs in state Medicaid programs.

METHODS

We compared LCIs modeled after the intervention of the Diabetes Prevention Program versus routine care advice using a decision analytic simulation model and best available data from representative surveys, cohort studies, Medicaid claims data, and the published literature. Target population were non-disability-based adult Medicaid beneficiaries aged 19-64 years at high risk for type 2 diabetes (BMI ≥25 kg/m² and HbA1c ≥ 5.7% or fasting plasma glucose ≥ 110 mg/dl) from eight study states (Alabama, California, Connecticut, Florida, Iowa, Illinois, New York, Oklahoma) that represent around 50% of the US Medicaid population. Incremental cost-effectiveness ratios (ICERs) measured in cost per quality-adjusted life years (QALYs) gained, and population cost and health impact were modeled from a healthcare system perspective and a narrow Medicaid perspective.

RESULTS

In the eight selected study states, 1.9 million or 18% of non-disability-based adult Medicaid beneficiaries would belong to the eligible high-risk target population - 66% of them Hispanics or non-Hispanic black. In the base-case analysis, the aggregated 5- and 10-year ICERs are US$226 k/QALY and US$34 k/QALY; over 25 years, the intervention dominates routine care. The 5-, 10-, and 25-year probabilities that the ICERs are below US$50 k (US$100 k)/QALY are 6% (15%), 59% (82%) and 96% (100%). From a healthcare system perspective, initial program investments of US$800 per person would be offset after 13 years and translate to US$548 of savings after 25 years. With a 20% LCI uptake in eligible beneficiaries, this would translate to upfront costs of US$300 million, prevent 260 thousand years of diabetes and save US$205 million over a 25-year time horizon. Cost savings from a narrow Medicaid perspective would be much smaller. Minorities and low-income groups would over-proportionally benefit from LCIs in Medicaid, but the impact on population health and health equity would be marginal.

CONCLUSIONS

In the long-term, investments in LCIs for Medicaid beneficiaries are likely to improve health and to decrease healthcare expenditures. However, population health and health equity impact would be low and healthcare expenditure savings from a narrow Medicaid perspective would be much smaller than from a healthcare system perspective.

Trends in Obesity and Medical Expenditure among Women with Diabetes, 2008-2016: Differences by Race/Ethnicity

Objectives

Diabetes results in $327 billion in medical expenditures annually, while obesity, a risk factor for type 2 diabetes, leads to more than $147 billion in expenditure annually. The aims of this study were: 1) to evaluate racial/ethnic trends in obesity and medical expenditures; and 2) to assess incremental medical expenditures among a nationally representative sample of women with diabetes.

Methods

Nine years of data (2008-2016) from the Medical Expenditure Panel Survey Full Year Consolidated File (unweighted = 11,755; weighted = 10,685,090) were used. The outcome variable was medical expenditure. The primary independent variable was race/ethnicity defined as non-Hispanic Black (NHB), Hispanic, or non-Hispanic White (NHW). Covariates included age, education, marital status, income, insurance, employment, region, comorbidity, and year. Cochran-Armitage tests determined statistical significance of trends in obesity and mean expenditure. Two-part modeling using Probit and gamma distribution was used to assess incremental medical expenditure. Data were clustered to 2008-2010, 2011-2013, 2014-2016.

Results

Trends in medical expenditures differed significantly between NHB and NHW women between 2008-2016 (P<.001). Hispanic women paid $1,291 less compared with NHW women, after adjusting for relevant covariates. There were no significant differences in obesity trends from 2008-2016 between NHB (P=.989) or Hispanic women with diabetes (P=.938) compared with NHW women with diabetes.

Conclusions

These findings suggest the need to further understand the factors associated with differences in trends for medical expenditures between NHB and NHW women with diabetes and incremental medical expenditures in Hispanic women with diabetes compared with NHW women with diabetes.

Trends in Medical Expenditures by Race/Ethnicity in Adults with Type 2 Diabetes 2002-2011

OBJECTIVE

The objective of the study was to examine racial/ethnic differences in medical expenditures (prescription, office-based, in-patient, out-patient, emergency room, total) over time, overall and by type of expenditure, in a nationally representative sample of adults with diabetes.

METHODS

A weighted sample of 17,820,243 adults aged ≥18 with diabetes from the Medical Expenditure Panel Survey (MEPS) dataset from 2002 to 2011 were analyzed for this study. Multiple comparison testing and general linear model (GLM) were used to test for differences in expenditures by race. Total unadjusted expenditures by racial/ethnic category stratified by different insurance categories (privately insured, publicly insured, uninsured and overall) were also estimated.

RESULTS

Non-Hispanic Whites (NHW) had more than $4000 higher expenditures than Hispanics and Other races (p < 0.0001). Prescription costs were about $410 less for Non-Hispanic Blacks (NHB) (p < 0.0001), and more than $600 less for Hispanics (p < 0.0001) and Others (p < 0.0001) compared to NHW.

CONCLUSION

Minority groups with type 2 diabetes were found to have significantly less total expenditures, with the exception of total expenditures for NHB compared to NHW. These findings indicate minorities with type 2 diabetes may be receiving less care than NHW, which has implications for the known disparities in health outcomes and complications in individuals with diabetes.

Health expenditure and health services utilization comparison of patients with type 2 diabetes on sodium–glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors versus dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitors: evidence from 2015 to 2016 medical expenditure panel survey

Objectives

Primary objective of this study was to compare the overall health expenditures of patients with type 2 diabetes on sodium–glucose cotransporter-2 (SGLT2) inhibitors versus dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP4) inhibitors.

Methods

Two cohorts of type 2 diabetes patients receiving either SGLT2 inhibitor with metformin or DPP4 inhibitor with metformin were identified from 2015 to 2016 Medical Expenditure Panel Survey (MEPS) data. Propensity score matching was used to balance cohorts based on socio-economic status, insulin utilization status, and the Charlson comorbidity score. Patients in SGLT2 inhibitor cohort were matched with patients in DPP4 inhibitor cohort using 1 : 2 ratio on the logit of propensity score using caliper width of 0.1 of the standard deviation of the logit of the propensity score. Expenditure variables were analysed using a generalized linear model with log link function and gamma distribution and adjusted for socio-economic variables. Unadjusted means were obtained using bootstrap.

Results

After propensity score matching, 240 patients were left in the sample with 80 patients in SGLT2 inhibitor cohort and 160 patients in DPP4 inhibitor cohort. Unadjusted average annual total health expenditure was significantly higher in the SGLT2 inhibitor cohort versus DPP4 inhibitor cohort ($17,325 versus $15,702; P value &lt;0.0001). After adjusting for socio-economic factors, overall health expenditure (β = −0.3516; P = 0.0038) was significantly lower in DPP4 inhibitor cohort compared to SGLT2 inhibitor.

Conclusion

SGLT2 inhibitors were associated with significantly higher overall and prescription expenditures compared to DPP4 inhibitors during the study period evaluated. Future studies need to utilize administrative claims data to assess current comparativeness effectiveness trends.

Usability Evaluation of Four Top-Rated Commercially Available Diabetes Apps for Adults With Type 2 Diabetes

Despite the many diabetes applications available, the rate of use is low, which may be associated with design issues. This study examined app usability compliance with heuristic design principles, guided by the Self-determination Theory on motivation. Four top-rated commercially available apps (Glucose Buddy, MyNetDiary, mySugr, and OnTrack) were tested for data recording, blood glucose analysis, and data sharing important for diabetes competence, autonomy, and connection with a healthcare provider. Four clinicians rated each app's compliance with Nielsen's 10 principles and its usability using the System Usability Scale. All four apps lacked one task function related to diabetes care competence or autonomy. Experts ranked app usability rated with the System Usability Scale: OnTrack (61) and Glucose Buddy (60) as a "D" and MyNetDairy (41) and mySugr (15) as an "F." A total of 314 heuristic violations were identified. The heuristic principle violated most frequently was "Help and Documentation" (n = 50), followed by "Error Prevention" (n = 45) and "Aesthetic and Minimalist Design" (n = 43). Four top-rated diabetes apps have "marginally acceptable" to "completely unacceptable." Future diabetes app design should target patient motivation and incorporate key heuristic design principles by providing tutorials with a help function, eliminating error-prone operations, and providing enhanced graphical or screen views.

Prediction of medical expenditures of diagnosed diabetics and the assessment of its related factors using a random forest model, MEPS 2000-2015

OBJECTIVE

To predict the medical expenditures of individual diabetics and assess the related factors of it.

DESIGN AND SETTING

Cross-sectional study.

SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS

Data were collected from the US household component of the medical expenditure panel survey, 2000-2015.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE

Random forest (RF) model was performed with the programs of randomForest in R software. Spearman correlation coefficients (rs), mean absolute error (MAE) and mean-related error (MRE) was computed to assess the prediction of all the models.

RESULTS

Total medical expenditure was increased from $105 Billion in 2000 to $318 Billion in 2015. rs, MAE and MRE between the predicted and actual values of medical expenditures in RF model were 0.644, $0.363 and 0.043%. Top one factor in prediction was being treated by the insulin, followed by type of insurance, employment status, age and economical level. The latter four variables had no impact in predicting of medical expenditure by being treated by the insulin. Further, after the sub-analysis of gender and age-groups, the evaluating indicators of prediction were almost identical to each other. Top five variables of total medical expenditure among male were same as those among all the diabetics. Expenses for doctor visits, hospital stay and drugs were also predicted with RF model well. Treatment with insulin was the top one factor of total medical expenditure among female, 18-, 25- and 65-age-groups. Additionally, it indicated that RF model was little superior to traditional regression model.

CONCLUSIONS

RF model could be used in prediction of medical expenditure of diabetics and assessment of its related factors well.

Comparing inpatient costs of heart failure admissions for patients with reduced and preserved ejection fraction with or without type 2 diabetes

Both heart failure (HF) and diabetes mellitus (DM) account for major healthcare expenditures. We evaluated inpatient expenditures and cost drivers in patients admitted with HF with and without DM.

Methods

We created a retrospective cohort of acutely decompensated HF patients, using linked data from cost accounting systems and electronic medical records. We stratified patients by LVEF into reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF, LVEF ≤40%) and preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF, LVEF >40%) groups and by DM status at admission.

Results

Our population had 544 people: 285 HFrEF patients (43.5% with DM) and 259 HFpEF patients (43.6% with DM). Patients with HFrEF and DM had the longest hospital stay (5.10 ± 5.21 days). Patients with HFrEF and DM had the highest hospitalization cost ($11 576 ± 15 818). HFrEF and HFpEF patients with DM had the highest cost, and cost per day alive was highest for HFpEF patients with DM [$3153 (95% CI 2332, 4262)].

Conclusion

Overall cost was higher for patients with DM, whether or not they were admitted with acute HF due to HFrEF or HFpEF. Cost per day alive for patients with DM continued to exceed corresponding costs for patients without DM, with HFpEF patients with DM having the highest cost.

QUANTITATIVE OPTICAL COHERENCE TOMOGRAPHY ANGIOGRAPHY FEATURES FOR OBJECTIVE CLASSIFICATION AND STAGING OF DIABETIC RETINOPATHY

PURPOSE

This study aims to characterize quantitative optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA) features of nonproliferative diabetic retinopathy (NPDR) and to validate them for computer-aided NPDR staging.

METHODS

One hundred and twenty OCTA images from 60 NPDR (mild, moderate, and severe stages) patients and 40 images from 20 control subjects were used for this study conducted in a tertiary, subspecialty, academic practice. Both eyes were photographed and all the OCTAs were 6 mm × 6 mm macular scans. Six quantitative features, that is, blood vessel tortuosity, blood vascular caliber, vessel perimeter index, blood vessel density, foveal avascular zone area, and foveal avascular zone contour irregularity (FAZ-CI) were derived from each OCTA image. A support vector machine classification model was trained and tested for computer-aided classification of NPDR stages. Sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy were used as performance metrics of computer-aided classification, and receiver operation characteristics curve was plotted to measure the sensitivity-specificity tradeoff of the classification algorithm.

RESULTS

Among 6 individual OCTA features, blood vessel density shows the best classification accuracies, 93.89% and 90.89% for control versus disease and control versus mild NPDR, respectively. Combined feature classification achieved improved accuracies, 94.41% and 92.96%, respectively. Moreover, the temporal-perifoveal region was the most sensitive region for early detection of DR. For multiclass classification, support vector machine algorithm achieved 84% accuracy.

CONCLUSION

Blood vessel density was observed as the most sensitive feature, and temporal-perifoveal region was the most sensitive region for early detection of DR. Quantitative OCTA analysis enabled computer-aided identification and staging of NPDR.

Influence of Patient Characteristics and Psychological Needs on Diabetes Mobile App Usability in Adults With Type 1 or Type 2 Diabetes: Crossover Randomized Trial

BACKGROUND

More than 1100 diabetes mobile apps are available, but app usage by patients is low. App usability may be influenced by patient factors such as age, sex, and psychological needs.

OBJECTIVE

Guided by Self-Determination Theory, the purposes of this study were to (1) assess the effect of patient characteristics on app usability, and (2) determine whether patient characteristics and psychological needs (competence, autonomy, and connectivity)-important for motivation in diabetes care-are associated with app usability.

METHODS

Using a crossover randomized design, 92 adults with type 1 or 2 diabetes tested two Android apps (mySugr and OnTrack) for seven tasks including data entry, blood glucose (BG) reporting, and data sharing. We used multivariable linear regression models to examine associations between patient characteristics, psychological needs, user satisfaction, and user performance (task time, success, and accuracy).

RESULTS

Participants had a mean age of 54 (range 19-74) years, and were predominantly white (62%, 57/92), female (59%, 54/92), with type 2 diabetes (70%, 64/92), and had education beyond high school (67%, 61/92). Participants rated an overall user satisfaction score of 62 (SD 18), which is considered marginally acceptable. The satisfaction mean score for each app was 55 (SD 18) for mySugr and 68 (SD 15) for OnTrack. The mean task completion time for all seven tasks was 7 minutes, with a mean task success of 82% and an accuracy rate of 68%. Higher user satisfaction was observed for patients with less education (P=.04) and those reporting more competence (P=.02), autonomy (P=.006), or connectivity with a health care provider (P=.03). User performance was associated with age, sex, education, diabetes duration, and autonomy. Older patients required more time (95% CI 1.1-3.2) and had less successful task completion (95% CI 3.5-14.3%). Men needed more time (P=.01) and more technical support than women (P=.04). High school education or less was associated with lower task success (P=.003). Diabetes duration of ≥10 years was associated with lower task accuracy (P=.02). Patients who desired greater autonomy and were interested in learning their patterns of BG and carbohydrates had greater task success (P=.049).

CONCLUSIONS

Diabetes app usability was associated with psychological needs that are important for motivation. To enhance patient motivation to use diabetes apps for self-management, clinicians should address competence, autonomy, and connectivity by teaching BG pattern recognition and lifestyle planning, customizing BG targets, and reviewing home-monitored data via email. App usability could be improved for older male users and those with less education and greater diabetes duration by tailoring app training and providing ongoing technical support.

Retrospective study of inpatient diabetes management service, length of stay and 30-day readmission rate of patients with diabetes at a community hospital

Background: Hospitalized patients with diabetes are at risk of complications and longer length of stay (LOS). Inpatient Diabetes Management Services (IDMS) are known to be beneficial; however, their impact on patient care measures in community, non-teaching hospitals, is unknown.

Objectives: To evaluate whether co-managing patients with diabetes by the IDMS team reduces LOS and 30-day readmission rate (30DR).

Methods: This retrospective quality improvement cohort study analyzed LOS and 30DR among patients with diabetes admitted to a community hospital. The IDMS medical team consisted of an endocrinologist, nurse practitioner, and diabetes educator. The comparison group consisted of hospitalized patients with diabetes under standard care of attending physicians (mostly internal medicine-trained hospitalists). The relationship between study groups and outcome variables was assessed using Generalized Estimating Equation models.

Results: 4,654 patients with diabetes (70.8 ± 0.2 years old) were admitted between January 2016 and May 2017. The IDMS team co-managed 18.3% of patients, mostly with higher severity of illness scores (p < 0.0001). Mean LOS in patients co-managed by the IDMS team decreased by 27%. Median LOS decreased over time in the IDMS group (p = 0.046), while no significant decrease was seen in the comparison group. Mean 30DR in patients co-managed by the IDMS decreased by 10.71%. Median 30DR decreased among patients co-managed by the IDMS (p = 0.048).

Conclusions: In a community hospital setting, LOS and 30DR significantly decreased in patients co-managed by a specialized diabetes team. These changes may be translated into considerable cost savings.

Direct medical cost of diabetes in rural China using electronic insurance claims data and diabetes management data

AIMS/INTRODUCTION

To evaluate the annual direct medical cost attributable to type 2 diabetes mellitus according to socioeconomic factors, medical conditions and complications categories.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We created uniquely detailed data from merging datasets of the local diabetes management system and the social security system in Tongxiang, China. We calculated the type 2 diabetes mellitus-related total cost and out-of-pocket cost for inpatient admissions and outpatient visits, and compared the cost for patients with or without complications by different healthcare items.

RESULTS

A total of 16,675 patients were eligible for analysis. The type 2 diabetes mellitus-related cost accounted for 40.6% of the overall cost. The cost per patient was estimated to be a median of 1,067 Chinese Yuan, 7,114 Chinese Yuan and 969 Chinese Yuan for inpatient and outpatient cost, respectively. The median total cost for hospital-based care was 3.69-fold higher than that for primary care. The median cost of patients with complications was 3.46-fold higher than that of those without complications. The median cost for a patient with only macrovascular, only microvascular or both macrovascular and microvascular complications were 3.13-, 3.79- and 10.95-fold higher than that of patients without complications. Pharmaceutical expenditure accounted for 51.8 and 79.7% of the total cost for patients with or without complications, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

Although the type 2 diabetes mellitus-related cost per patient was relatively low, it accounted for a great proportion of the overall cost. Complications obviously aggravated the economic burden of type 2 diabetes mellitus. Proper management and the prevention of diabetes and its complications are urgently required to curtail the economic burden.

Examining the Effects of Mindful Eating Training on Adherence to a Carbohydrate-Restricted Diet in Patients With Type 2 Diabetes (the DELISH Study): Protocol for a Randomized Controlled Trial

Background

Diet patterns have a profound influence on glycemic control for individuals with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), and craving-related eating is an important obstacle to dietary adherence. A growing body of research suggests that carbohydrate-restricted (CR) diets can improve glycemic control and reduce medication dependence in T2DM. However, limited data speak to the effects of long-term adherence to CR diets. Mindful eating training has been shown to reduce craving-related eating in overweight populations but has yet to be examined as a behavioral support for dietary adherence in T2DM. This trial examines behavioral mechanisms, particularly craving-related eating, through which mindful eating training might improve adherence to CR dietary recommendations in T2DM. This will clarify the importance of focusing on craving-related eating in the optimization of dietary adherence interventions.

Objective

The aim of this trial is to determine whether providing training in mindful eating increases adherence to a CR dietary recommendation in T2DM.

Methods

We are randomizing 60 participants to receive a CR diet with or without mindful eating training (12-week group intervention) and are following participants for 12 weeks after intervention completion. We hypothesize that participants who receive mindful eating training (relative to those who do not) will demonstrate greater adherence to the CR diet.

Results

Our primary outcome is change in craving-related eating, as assessed using an ecological momentary assessment mobile phone–based platform. Secondary behavioral pathway outcomes include changes in stress-related eating, impulsivity, glycemic control, weight change, dietary adherence, and resumption of dietary adherence after dietary nonadherence.

Conclusions

This theory-driven trial will shed light on the impact of mindfulness training on mechanisms that may impact dietary adherence in T2DM.

Trial Registration

ClinicalTrials.gov NCT03207711; https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT03207711 (Archived by WebCite at http://www.webcitation.org/73pXscwaU) 

Racial and Ethnic Differences in Out-of-Pocket Expenses among Adults with Diabetes

BACKGROUND

Racial and ethnic minority groups have a higher prevalence of diabetes, increased risk for adverse complications, and worse health outcomes compared to Non-Hispanic Whites. Evidence suggests they also have higher healthcare expenses associated with diabetes care. Therefore, the objective of this study was to assess racial and ethnic differences in out-of-pocket (OOP) costs among a nationally representative sample of adults with diabetes.

METHODS

Cross-sectional study of 17,702 adults (aged ≥18 years) with diabetes from years 2002-2011 in the Medical Expenditure Panel Survey Household Component. The outcome was OOP expenditures, and the primary predictor was race/ethnicity. Descriptive statistics summarized the sample population. Unadjusted mean values were computed to compare OOP expenses over time. A two-part model was used to estimate adjusted incremental OOP expenses.

RESULTS

For the overall sample, OOP expenditures decreased significantly over time. In addition, compared to NHWs, racial and ethnic minority groups had significantly lower OOP costs per year when adjusted for sociodemographic characteristics, comorbid conditions, and time. NHBs paid $481 less than NHWs; Hispanics paid $591 less than NHWs; and individuals in the 'Other' racial/ethnic category paid nearly $645 less compared to NHWs (p < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

Racial/ethnic minority patients with diabetes had significantly less OOP expenses compared to NHWs, possibly due to differences in healthcare utilization. OOP expenses decreased significantly over time for all racial and ethnic groups. Additional research is needed to understand the factors associated with differences in OOP expenditures among racial groups.

Factors influencing U.S. physicians' decision to provide behavioral counseling

Prevention and treatment of non-communicable diseases is critical due to high costs of healthcare and increasing prevalence. Historical trends suggest physicians underperform in behavioral counseling (including exercise, diet/nutrition, or weight management). This study investigated physicians' decision-making by examining non-clinical sociological factors that influence ordering and provision of behavioral counseling. This was a retrospective multi-year cross-sectional study. Using the Eisenberg model of physician-decision making, we analyzed data from the 2005-2015 National Ambulatory Medical Care Surveys (unweighted N = 177,599). Four weighted logistic regressions were performed to examine sociological factors associated with physician prescribing or ordering of behavioral counseling. Behavioral counseling was provided at suboptimal rates. Patient age, race/ethnicity, body weight status, and reasons for a medical visit were associated with physicians' decision to provide or order behavioral counseling. There was in general a decreasing trend of odds of provision of behavior counseling from 2005 to 2015. Patients who had been seen before were more likely to receive diet/nutrition and exercise counseling. This study concluded that ordering and provision of behavioral counseling was less than optimal. Policy makers and educators can consider factors that influence physicians' decisions for behavioral counseling to improve training and site policies. Future research examining effective behavioral counseling training and strategies to promote its provision, in particular to patients of different races/ethnicities and with different medical conditions, may increase effectiveness. Integrated care with behavioral health professionals could improve rates and/or delivery of counseling. Physicians can consider providing behavioral counseling when patients present with new problems and to newly seen patients.

Health service utilization and related costs attributable to diabetes

AIMS

To estimate the health service use and direct healthcare costs attributable to diabetes using best available data and methods.

METHODS

A nationally representative sample of adults aged ≥50 years was analysed (n=8107). Health service use in the previous 12 months included the number of general practitioner visits, outpatient department visits, hospital admissions, and accident and emergency department attendances. Multivariable negative binomial regression was used to estimate the associations between diabetes and frequency of visits. Average marginal effects were applied to unit costs for each health service and extrapolated to the total population, calculating the incremental costs associated with diabetes.

RESULTS

The prevalence of diabetes was 8.0% (95% CI: 7.4, 8.6). In fully adjusted models, diabetes was associated with additional health service use. Compared to those without diabetes, people with diabetes have, on average, 1.49 (95% CI: 1.10, 1.88) additional general practitioner visits annually. Diabetes was associated with an 87% increase in outpatient visits, a 52% increase in hospital admissions and a 33% increase in accident and emergency department attendances (P<0.001). The incremental cost of this additional service use, nationally, is an estimated €88,894,421 annually, with hospital admissions accounting for 67% of these costs.

CONCLUSION

Using robust methods, we identified substantially increased service use attributable to diabetes across the health system. Our findings highlight the urgent need to invest in the prevention and management of diabetes.

Healthcare reimbursement costs of children with type 1 diabetes in the Netherlands, a observational nationwide study (Young Dudes-4)

BACKGROUND

Type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) is one of the most common chronic diseases in children. Studies on costs related to T1DM are scarce and focused primarily on the costs directly related to diabetes. We aimed to investigate both the overall healthcare costs and the more specific costs related to the management of diabetes.

METHODS

This is a retrospective and observational, nationwide cohort study of all Dutch children (aged 0-18 years) with T1DM. Data were collected from the national registry for healthcare reimbursement, in which all Dutch insurance companies combine their reimbursement data. In the Netherlands for all Dutch citizens health care is covered by law and all children are treated by hospital-based paediatricians.

RESULTS

We analysed 6710 children distributed over 81 hospitals: 475 children in 6 university hospitals and 6235 children in 75 general hospitals. Total reimbursement for all children with T1DM over the period 2009 to 2011 was € 167,494,732 corresponding to an annual mean of € 55,831,577 of total costs and € 8326 euros per child. When comparing small (between 26 and 54 patients), medium (57-84 patients) and large (88-248 patients) general hospitals, costs per patient were highest in the hospitals with the highest number of T1DM patients. The costs for devices, secondary care and pharmaceutics had most impact on total expenditures. Over the study period, there was a slight decrease in per person costs.

CONCLUSION

The overall health expenditure of a child with T1DM is more than € 8000 per patient per annum. Given the move towards more device-intensive multidisciplinary care for these patients, the costs of treating T1DM in children are likely to increase further in the coming years.

Impact of obesity on annual medical expenditures and diabetes care in Japanese patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus

AIMS/INTRODUCTION

Diabetes and obesity are important health and economic concerns. We investigated the influence of obesity on diabetes control, the annual medical expenditures and medications in Japanese patients with type 2 diabetes who were relatively lean in comparison with those in Western countries.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A total of 402 Japanese patients with type 2 diabetes were enrolled and their annual medical expenditures investigated. Obesity was defined as body mass index ≥25 kg/m2 , according to the obesity classifications from the Japan Society for the Study of Obesity.

RESULTS

A total of 165 patients (41.0%) were classified as obese. The obese group was younger, had poor glycemic control and higher frequency of hypertension than the non-obese group. The median total annual medical expenditures for all participants was ¥269,333 (interquartile range ¥169,664-437,437), which was equivalent to approximately $US2,450. The annual medical expenditure was significantly higher in patients with obesity than in non-obese patients (P < 0.001). This difference was mainly attributed to the annual expenditures for medication and hospitalization. In particular, the medication expenditures and the average number of drug classes for hyperglycemia and hypertension were significantly higher in the obese group.

CONCLUSIONS

Japanese patients with type 2 diabetes and obesity had higher annual medical expenditures and a larger number of medications, but their diabetes control care was insufficient in comparison with those without obesity. Further studies are required to assess the effect of reducing bodyweight on diabetes control and costs.

Using path analysis to examine the relationship between sexual abuse in childhood and diabetes in adulthood in a sample of US adults

To understand mechanisms underlying the relationship between adverse childhood experiences (ACE) and diabetes the study evaluated mediators of the relationship between childhood sexual abuse and diabetes in adulthood. This study used cross-sectional data from the 2011 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance Survey (BRFSS). Participants totaled 48, 526 who completed the ACE module. Based on theoretical relationships, path analysis was used to investigate depression and obesity as pathways between childhood sexual abuse, and diabetes in adulthood. Among adults with diabetes, 11.6% experienced sexual abuse. In the unadjusted model without mediation, sexual abuse was significantly associated with depression (OR=4.48, CI 4.18-4.81), obesity (OR=1.28, CI 1.19-1.38), and diabetes (OR=1.39, CI 1.25-1.53). In the unadjusted model with mediation, depression and obesity were significantly associated with diabetes (OR=1.59, CI 1.48-1.72, and OR=3.77, CI 3.45-4.11, respectively), and sexual abuse and diabetes was no longer significant (OR=1.10, CI 0.98-1.23), suggesting full mediation. After adjusting for covariates in the mediation model, significance remained between sexual abuse and depression (OR=3.04, CI 2.80-3.29); sexual abuse and obesity (OR=1.41, CI 1.29-1.53), depression and diabetes (OR=1.35, CI 1.23-1.47); and obesity and diabetes (OR=3.53, CI 3.20-3.90). The relationship between sexual abuse and diabetes remained insignificant (OR=1.09, CI 0.96-1.24). This study demonstrates that depression and obesity are significant pathways through which childhood sexual abuse may be linked to diabetes in adulthood. These results can guide intervention development, including multifaceted approaches to treat depression and increase physical activity in patients with a history of sexual abuse to prevent diabetes.

Family Perceptions of Family Nursing in a Magnet Institution During Acute Hospitalizations of Older Adult Patients

Family involvement during hospitalizations of older adults with chronic illnesses may benefit both patients and family. However, there is a limited amount of research focused on families of older adults managing chronic illness. This study describes family member perceptions of the relationship between family and nurses when an older adult with diabetes is hospitalized in a Magnet institution. The Calgary Family Intervention Model guided the study. A family member of 60 older adult patients completed the Family Function, Family Health, and Social Support Instrument. The results revealed positive perceptions from family members regarding their perceptions of family nursing practice. Family health, however, was found to decrease slightly as loved ones are hospitalized more frequently, and is an area where nurses may provide improved social support. Future research might target the implementation of a targeted family-level intervention designed to improve family outcomes as well as family nursing practice.

Costs and Treatment Pathways for Type 2 Diabetes in the UK: A Mastermind Cohort Study

INTRODUCTION

Medication therapy for type 2 diabetes has become increasingly complex, and there are few reliable data on the current state of clinical practice. We report treatment pathways and associated costs of medication therapy for people with type 2 diabetes in the UK, their variability and changes over time.

METHODS

Prescription and biomarker data for 7159 people with type 2 diabetes were extracted from the GoDARTS cohort study, covering the period 1989-2013. Average follow-up was 10 years. Individuals were prescribed on average 2.4 (SD: 1.2) drugs with average annual costs of £241. We calculated summary statistics for first- and second-line therapies. Linear regression models were used to estimate associations between therapy characteristics and baseline patient characteristics.

RESULTS

Average time from diagnosis to first prescription was 3 years (SD: 4.0 years). Almost all first-line therapy (98%) was monotherapy, with average annual cost of £83 (SD: £204) for 3.8 (SD: 3.5) years. Second-line therapy was initiated in 73% of all individuals, at an average annual cost of £219 (SD: £305). Therapies involving insulin were markedly more expensive than other common therapies. Baseline HbA1c was unrelated to future therapy costs, but higher average HbA1c levels over time were associated with higher costs.

CONCLUSIONS

Medication therapy has undergone substantial changes during the period covered in this study. For example, therapy is initiated earlier and is less expensive than in the past. The data provided in this study will prove useful for future modelling studies, e.g. of stratified treatment approaches.

Management of Hyperglycemia and Diabetes in the Emergency Department

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Hyperglycemia in the emergency department (ED) is being recognized as a public health problem and presents a clinical challenge. This review critically summarizes available evidence on the burden, etiology, diagnosis, and practical management strategies for hyperglycemia in the ED.

RECENT FINDINGS

Diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) and hyperglycemic hyperosmolar state (HHS) are hyperglycemic emergencies that commonly present to the ED. However, the most common form of hyperglycemia in ED is associated with non-hyperglycemic medical emergencies. The presence of hyperglycemia increases the mortality and morbidity associated with the primary condition. The related hospital admission rates and costs are also elevated. The frequency of DKA or HHS related mortality and morbidity has remained high over the last decade. However, attempts have been made to improve management of all hyperglycemia in the ED. Evidence suggests that better management of hyperglycemia in the ED with proper follow-up improves clinical outcomes and prevents readmission. Optimization of the hyperglycemia management in the ED may improve clinical outcomes. However, more clinical trial data on the outcomes and cost-effectiveness of various management strategies or protocols are needed.

Geographic Information Systems to Assess External Validity in Randomized Trials

INTRODUCTION

To support claims that RCTs can reduce health disparities (i.e., are translational), it is imperative that methodologies exist to evaluate the tenability of external validity in RCTs when probabilistic sampling of participants is not employed. Typically, attempts at establishing post hoc external validity are limited to a few comparisons across convenience variables, which must be available in both sample and population. A Type 2 diabetes RCT was used as an example of a method that uses a geographic information system to assess external validity in the absence of a priori probabilistic community-wide diabetes risk sampling strategy.

METHODS

A geographic information system, 2009-2013 county death certificate records, and 2013-2014 electronic medical records were used to identify community-wide diabetes prevalence. Color-coded diabetes density maps provided visual representation of these densities. Chi-square goodness of fit statistic/analysis tested the degree to which distribution of RCT participants varied across density classes compared to what would be expected, given simple random sampling of the county population. Analyses were conducted in 2016.

RESULTS

Diabetes prevalence areas as represented by death certificate and electronic medical records were distributed similarly. The simple random sample model was not a good fit for death certificate record (chi-square, 17.63; p=0.0001) and electronic medical record data (chi-square, 28.92; p<0.0001). Generally, RCT participants were oversampled in high-diabetes density areas.

CONCLUSIONS

Location is a highly reliable "principal variable" associated with health disparities. It serves as a directly measurable proxy for high-risk underserved communities, thus offering an effective and practical approach for examining external validity of RCTs.

Trends of medical expenditures and quality of life in US adults with diabetes: the medical expenditure panel survey, 2002-2011

BACKGROUND

Studies indicate a relationship between cost and quality of life (QOL) in diabetes care, however, the interaction is complex and the relationship is not well understood. The aim of this study was to 1) examine the relationship of quartiles of QOL on cost amongst U.S. adults with diabetes, 2) investigate how the relationship may change over time, and 3) examine the incremental effect of QOL on cost while controlling for other relevant covariates.

METHODS

Data from 2002-2011 Medical Expenditure Panel Survey (MEPS) was used to examine the association between QOL and medical expenditures among adults with diabetes (aged ≥18 years) N = 20,442. Unadjusted means were computed to compare total healthcare expenditure and the out-of-pocket expenses by QOL quartile categories. QOL measures were Physical Component Summary (PCS) and Mental Component Summary (MCS) derived from the Short-Form 12. A two-part model was then used to estimate adjusted incremental total healthcare expenditure and out-of-pocket expenses adjusting for relevant covariates.

RESULTS

Differences between the highest and lowest quartiles totaled $11,801 for total expenditures and $989 for out-of-pocket expenses. Over time, total expenditures remained stable, while out-of-pocket expenses decreased, particularly for the lowest quartile of physical component of QOL. Similar trends were seen in the mental component, however, differences between quartiles were smaller (average $5,727 in total expenses; $287 in out-of-pocket). After adjusting for covariates, those in the highest quartile of physical component of QOL spent $7,500 less, and those in the highest quartile of mental component spent $3,000 less than those in the lowest quartiles.

CONCLUSIONS

A clear gradient between QOL and cost with increasing physical and mental QOL associated with lower expenditures and out-of-pocket expenses was found. Over a 10-year time period those with the highest physical QOL had significantly less medical expenditures compared to those with the lowest physical QOL. This study demonstrates the significant individual and societal impact poor QOL has on patients with diabetes. Understanding how differences in a subjective measure of health, such as QOL, has on healthcare expenditures helps reveal the burden of disease not reflected by using only behavioral and physiological measures.

Sex differences in healthcare expenditures among adults with diabetes: evidence from the medical expenditure panel survey, 2002-2011

BACKGROUND

The evidence assessing differences in medical costs between men and women with diabetes living in the United States is sparse; however, evidence suggests women generally have higher healthcare expenditures compared to men. Since little is known about these differences, the aim of this study was to assess differences in out-of-pocket (OOP) and total healthcare expenditures among adults with diabetes.

METHODS

Data were used from 20,442 adults (≥18 years of age) with diabetes from the 2002-2011 Medical Expenditure Panel Survey. Dependent variables were OOP and total direct expenditures for multiple health services (prescription, office-based, inpatient, outpatient, emergency, dental, home healthcare, and other services). The independent variable was sex. Covariates included sociodemographic characteristics, comorbid conditions, and time. Sample demographics were summarized. Mean OOP and total direct expenditures for health services by sex status were analyzed. Regression models were performed to assess incremental costs of healthcare expenditures by sex among adults with diabetes.

RESULTS

Fifty-six percent of the sample was composed of women. Unadjusted mean OOP costs were higher for women for prescriptions ($1177; 95% CI $1117-$1237 vs. $959; 95% CI $918-$1000; p < 0.001) compared to men. Unadjusted mean total direct expenditures were also higher for women for prescriptions ($3797; 95% CI $3660-$3934 vs. $3334; 95% CI $3208-$3460; p < 0.001) and home healthcare ($752; 95% CI $646-$858 vs. $397; 95% CI $332-$462; p < 0.001). When adjusting for covariates, higher OOP and total direct costs persisted for women for prescription services (OOP: $156; 95% CI $87-$225; p < 0.001 and total: $184; 95% CI $50-$318; p = 0.007). Women also paid > $50 OOP for office-based visits (p < 0.001) and > $55 total expenditures for home healthcare (p = 0.041) compared to men after adjustments.

CONCLUSIONS

Our findings show women with diabetes have higher OOP and total direct expenditures compared to men. Additional research is needed to investigate this disparity between men and women and to understand the associated drivers and clinical implications. Policy recommendations are warranted to minimize the higher burden of costs for women with diabetes.

Trends in health care expenditure among US adults with heart failure: The Medical Expenditure Panel Survey 2002-2011

Population-based national data on the trends in expenditures related to heart failure (HF) are scarce. Assessing the time trends in health care expenditures for HF in the United States can help to better define the burden of this condition.

METHODS

Using 10-year data (2002-2011) from the national Medical Expenditure Panel Survey (weighted sample of 188,708,194US adults aged ≥18years) and a 2-part model (adjusting for demographics, comorbidities, and time); we estimated adjusted mean and incremental medical expenditures by HF status. The costs were direct total health care expenditures (out-of-pocket payments and payments by private insurance, Medicaid, Medicare, and other sources) from various sources (office-based visits, hospital outpatient, emergency department, inpatient hospital, pharmacy, home health care, and other medical expenditures).

RESULTS

Compared with expenditures for individuals without HF ($5511 [95% CI 5405-5617]), individuals with HF had a 4-fold higher mean expenditures of ($23,854 [95% CI 21,733-25,975]). Individuals with HF had $3446 (95% CI 2592-4299) higher direct incremental expenditures compared with those without HF, after adjusting for demographics and comorbidities. Among those with HF, costs continuously increased by $5836 (28% relative increase), from $21,316 (95% CI 18,359-24,272) in 2002/2003 to $27,152 (95% CI 20,066-34,237) in 2010/2011, and inpatient costs ($11,318 over the whole period) were the single largest component of total medical expenditure. The estimated unadjusted total direct medical expenditures for US adults with HF were $30 billion/y and the adjusted total incremental expenditure was $5.8 billion/y.

CONCLUSIONS

Heart failure is costly and over a recent 10-year period, and direct expenditure related to HF increased markedly, mainly driven by inpatient costs.

The relationship between diabetes mellitus and 30-day readmission rates

Background

It is estimated that 9.3% of the population in the United States have diabetes mellitus (DM), 28% of which are undiagnosed. The high prevalence of DM makes it a common comorbid condition in hospitalized patients. In recent years, government agencies and healthcare systems have increasingly focused on 30-day readmission rates to determine the complexity of their patient populations and to improve quality. Thirty-day readmission rates for hospitalized patients with DM are reported to be between 14.4 and 22.7%, much higher than the rate for all hospitalized patients (8.5–13.5%). The objectives of this study were to (1) determine the incidence and causes of 30-day readmission rates for patients with diabetes listed as either the primary reason for the index admission or with diabetes listed as a secondary diagnosis compared to those without DM and (2) evaluate the impact on readmission of two specialized inpatient DM services: the Hyperglycemic Intensive Insulin Program (HIIP) and Endocrine Consults (ENDO).

Methods

For this study, DM was defined as any ICD-9 discharge diagnosis (principal or secondary) of 250.xx. Readmissions were defined as any unscheduled inpatient admission, emergency department (ED) visit, or observation unit stay. We analyzed two separate sets of patient data. The first pilot study was a retrospective chart review of all patients with a principle or secondary admission diagnosis of diabetes admitted to any adult service within the University of Michigan Health System (UMHS) between October 1, 2013 and December 31, 2013. We then did further uncontrolled analysis of the patients with a principal admitting diagnosis of diabetes. The second larger retrospective study included all adults discharged from UMHS between October 1, 2013 and September 30, 2014 with principal or secondary discharge diagnosis of DM (ICD-9-CM: 250.xx).

Results

In the pilot study of 7763 admissions, the readmission rate was 26% for patients with DM and 22% for patients without DM. In patients with a primary diagnosis of DM on index admission, the most common cause for readmission was DM-related. In the larger study were 37,702 adult inpatient discharges between October 1, 2013 and September 30, 2014. Of these, 20.9% had DM listed as an encounter diagnosis. Rates for all encounters (inpatient, ED and Observation care) were 24.3% in patients with DM compared to 17.7% in those without DM (p < 0.001). The most common cause for readmission in patients with DM as a secondary diagnosis to the index admission was infection-related.

During the index hospital stay, only a small proportion of patients with DM (approximately 12%) received any DM service consult. Those who received a DM consult had a higher case mix index compared to those who did not. Despite the higher acuity, there was a lower rate of ED /observation readmission in patients followed by the DM services (6.6% HIIP or ENDO vs. 9.6% no HIIP or ENDO, p = 0.0012), though no difference in the inpatient readmission rates (17.6% HIIP or ENDO vs. 17.4% no HIIP or ENDO, p = 0.89) was noted.

Conclusions

Patients with both a primary or secondary diagnosis of DM have higher readmission rates. The reasons for readmission vary; patients with a principal diagnosis of DM have more DM related readmissions and those with secondary diagnosis having more infection-related readmissions. DM services were used in a small proportion of patients and may have contributed to lower DM related ED revisits. Further prospective studies evaluating the role of these services in terms of glucose management, patient education and outpatient follow up on readmission are needed to identify interventions important to reducing readmission rates.

Effects of an enhanced primary care program on diabetes outcomes

OBJECTIVES

To evaluate the effectiveness of Buena Salud, a multidisciplinary enhanced primary care program for Medicaid Managed Care patients at a community health center serving a low-income Hispanic community.

STUDY DESIGN

Controlled before-and-after observational study.

METHODS

We extracted data from the electronic health record for patients aged 18 to 64 years with a) type 2 diabetes (T2D) enrolled in the Buena Salud program between August 2011 and January 2012 and b) randomly selected control patients with T2D who had been seen at the study health center during the same time frame. Outcomes included process measures (eg, number of glycosylated hemoglobin measures in a year), target lab and blood pressure values, and utilization measures (eg, emergency department visits). Demographics and other potential confounders were also extracted. We used a difference-in-differences (DID) analysis to estimate the effect of the intervention.

RESULTS

A total of 72 Buena Salud patients with T2D and 247 control patients with T2D were included in the analysis. The Buena Salud group had a greater increase in the percentage of patients with guideline-concordant measurement of microalbumin/creatinine (DID = 22.2%; P = .008), a trend toward fewer hospitalizations than controls, and a mean rise in diastolic blood pressure. We did not find differences in other outcome or utilization measures.

CONCLUSIONS

A recently implemented enhanced primary care program had minimal impact on T2D process, outcome, and utilization measures for patients in this study. However, there were some promising trends, and it is possible that the intervention may demonstrate more of an effect as the program matures.

Lifestyle Behaviors, Subjective Health, and Quality of Life Among Chinese Men Living With Type 2 Diabetes

The aim of the present study was to investigate the association between self-reported health (SRH) and quality of life (QoL) with five lifestyle-related behaviors including tobacco smoking, drinking alcohol, physical activity status, consumption of fruits, and consumption of vegetables among men diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. Participants were 786 Chinese men older than 40 years and living in urban households. Cross-sectional data on self-rated health, associated sociodemographics, and health-related behaviors were collected from the Study on Global AGEing and Health (Wave 1) of World Health Organization. Results of multivariable regression reported significant association with adherence to healthy lifestyle behavior and SRH but not QoL. According to the results, percentage of men who reported being in good SRH was overwhelmingly high (95.9%) compared with good QoL (5%). Adherence to healthy behavior was strongly associated with SRH in both bivariate and multivariate analysis, adjusted odds ratio (95% confidence interval) of good SRH for nonsmokers: 1.276 [1.055, 2.773], nondrinkers:1.351 [1.066, 3.923], taking physical exercise: 1.267 [1.117, 3.109], consuming at least five servings of fruits: 1.238 [1.034, 6.552], and vegetables: 1.365 [1.032, 3.885]. The current findings suggest that abstention from tobacco and alcohol, optimum consumption of fruits and vegetables, regular physical exercise could have marked impact on the health status of diabetic men.

Geographic variation in access among adults with kidney disease: evidence from medical expenditure panel survey, 2002-2011

Background

To understand geographic variation in access to care over time in patients with kidney disease.

Methods

We analyzed 4404 (weighted sample of 4,251,129) adults with kidney disease from the United States using the Medical Expenditure Panel Survey over 10 years. Three dependent variables were created to investigate variation in access: usual source of care, overall medical access to care, which took into account usual source of care, ability to get care, and delay in care, and prescription access, which took into account ability to get prescriptions and delay in getting prescriptions. Multiple logistic regression was used with geographic region as the main independent variable, adjusting for relevant covariates.

Results

Compared to the Northeast region, adults living in the Midwest (OR = 0.56; 95 % CI 0.35–0.89), South (OR = 0.48; 95 % CI 0.32–0.72) and West (OR = 0.53; 95 % CI 0.34–0.84) had significantly lower odds of reporting usual source of care. For the combined access measure, compared to Northeast, adults in Midwest (OR = 0.60; 95 % CI 0.40–0.88), South (OR = 0.62; 95 % CI 0.44–0.88) and West (OR = 0.50; 95 % CI 0.34–0.72) had significantly lower odds of medical access to care. Region was not significantly associated with the odds of having prescription access, though a significant increase in prescription access was observed over time.

Conclusions

Geographic variation in access to care among adults with kidney disease exists independent of income, education, insurance and comorbid conditions, with those in the South least likely to have a usual source of care and those in the West least likely to have overall access to care when compared to the Northeast United States.