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Stewart IJ, Howard JT, Poltavskiy E, Dore M, Amuan ME, Ocier K, Walker LE, Alcover KC, Pugh MJ. Traumatic Brain Injury and Subsequent Risk of Brain Cancer in US Veterans of the Iraq and Afghanistan Wars. JAMA Netw Open 2024; 7:e2354588. [PMID: 38358743 PMCID: PMC10870183 DOI: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2023.54588] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/02/2023] [Accepted: 12/07/2023] [Indexed: 02/16/2024] Open
Abstract
Importance While brain cancer is rare, it has a very poor prognosis and few established risk factors. To date, epidemiologic work examining the potential association of traumatic brain injury (TBI) with the subsequent risk of brain cancer is conflicting. Further data may be useful. Objective To examine whether a history of TBI exposure is associated with the subsequent development of brain cancer. Design, Setting, and Participants A retrospective cohort study was conducted from October 1, 2004, to September 20, 2019, and data analysis was performed between January 1 and June 26, 2023. The median follow-up for the cohort was 7.2 (IQR, 4.1-10.1) years. Veterans Affairs (VA) and Department of Defense (DoD) administrative data on 1 919 740 veterans from the Long-Term Impact of Military-Relevant Brain Injury Consortium-Chronic Effects of Neurotrauma Consortium were included. Exposure The main exposure of interest was TBI severity (categorized as mild, moderate or severe [moderate/severe], and penetrating). Main Outcomes and Measures The outcome of interest was the development of brain cancer based on International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision, Clinical Modification (ICD-9-CM) or International Statistical Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision, Clinical Modification (ICD-10-CM) diagnostic codes in either the DoD/VA medical records or from the National Death Index. Results After 611 107 exclusions (predominately for no encounter during the study period), a cohort including 1 919 740 veterans was included, most of whom were male (80.25%) and non-Hispanic White (63.11%). Median age at index date was 31 (IQR, 25-42) years. The cohort included 449 880 individuals with TBI (mild, 385 848; moderate/severe, 46 859; and penetrating, 17 173). Brain cancer occurred in 318 individuals without TBI (0.02%), 80 with mild TBI (0.02%), 17 with moderate/severe TBI (0.04%), and 10 or fewer with penetrating TBI (≤0.06%). After adjustment, moderate/severe TBI (adjusted hazard ratio [AHR], 1.90; 95% CI, 1.16-3.12) and penetrating TBI (AHR, 3.33; 95% CI, 1.71-6.49), but not mild TBI (AHR, 1.14; 95% CI, 0.88-1.47), were associated with the subsequent development of brain cancer. Conclusions and Relevance In this cohort study of veterans of the Iraq and Afghanistan wars, moderate/severe TBI and penetrating TBI, but not mild TBI, were associated with the subsequent development of brain cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ian J. Stewart
- Department of Medicine, Uniformed Services University of Health Sciences, Bethesda, Maryland
- Military Cardiovascular Outcomes Research Program, Uniformed Services University of Health Sciences, Bethesda, Maryland
| | - Jeffrey T. Howard
- Miltary & Health Research Foundation, Laurel, Maryland
- Department of Public Health, University of Texas, San Antonio
| | | | - Michael Dore
- Department of Medicine, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina
| | - Megan E. Amuan
- Informatics, Decision-Enhancement, and Analytic Sciences Center of Innovation, VA Salt Lake City Health Care System, Salt Lake City, Utah
- Division of Epidemiology, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City
| | - Krista Ocier
- Informatics, Decision-Enhancement, and Analytic Sciences Center of Innovation, VA Salt Lake City Health Care System, Salt Lake City, Utah
- Division of Epidemiology, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City
| | - Lauren E. Walker
- Department of Medicine, Uniformed Services University of Health Sciences, Bethesda, Maryland
- The Henry M. Jackson Foundation for the Advancement of Military Medicine Inc, Bethesda, Maryland
| | - Karl C. Alcover
- Department of Medicine, Uniformed Services University of Health Sciences, Bethesda, Maryland
| | - Mary Jo Pugh
- Informatics, Decision-Enhancement, and Analytic Sciences Center of Innovation, VA Salt Lake City Health Care System, Salt Lake City, Utah
- Division of Epidemiology, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City
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Esmaeili A, Dismuke-Greer C, Pogoda TK, Amuan ME, Garcia C, Del Negro A, Myers M, Kennedy E, Cifu D, Pugh MJ. Cannabis use disorder contributes to cognitive dysfunction in Veterans with traumatic brain injury. Front Neurol 2024; 15:1261249. [PMID: 38292293 PMCID: PMC10824930 DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2024.1261249] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2023] [Accepted: 01/03/2024] [Indexed: 02/01/2024] Open
Abstract
Background While emerging evidence supports a link between traumatic brain injury (TBI) and progressive cognitive dysfunction in Veterans, there is insufficient information on the impact of cannabis use disorder (CUD) on long-term cognitive disorders. This study aimed to examine the incidences of cognitive disorders in Veterans with TBI and CUD and to evaluate their relationship. Methods This retrospective cohort study used the US Department of Veterans Affairs and Department of Defense administrative data from the Long-term Impact of Military-Relevant Brain Injury Consortium-Chronic Effects of Neurotrauma Consortium Phenotype study. Diagnoses suggesting cognitive disorders after a TBI index date were identified using inpatient and outpatient data from 2003 to 2022. We compared the differential cognitive disorders incidence in Veterans who had the following: (1) no CUD or TBI (control group), (2) CUD only, (3) TBI only, and (4) comorbid CUD+TBI. Kaplan-Meier analyses were used to estimate the overall cognitive disorders incidence in the above study groups. The crude and adjusted Cox proportional hazards models were used to estimate crude and adjusted hazard ratios (HRs) for cognitive disorders. Results A total of 1,560,556 Veterans [82.32% male, median (IQR) age at the time of TBI, 34.51 (11.29) years, and 61.35% white] were evaluated. The cognitive disorder incidence rates were estimated as 0.68 (95% CI, 0.62, 0.75) for CUD only and 1.03 (95% CI, 1.00, 1.06) for TBI only per 10,000 person-months of observations, with the highest estimated cognitive disorder incidence observed in participants with both TBI and CUD [1.83 (95% CI, 1.72, 1.95)]. Relative to the control group, the highest hazard of cognitive disorders was observed in Veterans with CUD+TBI [hazard ratio (HR), 3.26; 95% CI, 2.91, 3.65], followed by those with TBI only (2.32; 95 CI%, 2.13, 2.53) and with CUD (1.79; 95 CI%, 1.60, 2.00). Of note, in the CUD only subgroup, we also observed the highest risk of an early onset cognitive disorder other than Alzheimer's disease and Frontotemporal dementia. Discussion The results of this analysis suggest that individuals with comorbid TBI and CUD may be at increased risk for early onset cognitive disorders, including dementia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aryan Esmaeili
- Health Economics Resource Center (HERC), Ci2i, VA Palo Alto Health Care System, Menlo Park, CA, United States
| | - Clara Dismuke-Greer
- Health Economics Resource Center (HERC), Ci2i, VA Palo Alto Health Care System, Menlo Park, CA, United States
| | - Terri K. Pogoda
- Center for Healthcare Organization and Implementation Research, VA Boston Healthcare System, Boston, MA, United States
- Boston University School of Public Health, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Megan E. Amuan
- Informatics, Decision-Enhancement, and Analytic Sciences Center of Innovation, VA Salt Lake City Health Care System, Salt Lake City, UT, United States
- Division of Epidemiology, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, UT, United States
| | - Carla Garcia
- Health Economics Resource Center (HERC), Ci2i, VA Palo Alto Health Care System, Menlo Park, CA, United States
| | - Ariana Del Negro
- Health Economics Resource Center (HERC), Ci2i, VA Palo Alto Health Care System, Menlo Park, CA, United States
| | - Maddy Myers
- Informatics, Decision-Enhancement, and Analytic Sciences Center of Innovation, VA Salt Lake City Health Care System, Salt Lake City, UT, United States
| | - Eamonn Kennedy
- Informatics, Decision-Enhancement, and Analytic Sciences Center of Innovation, VA Salt Lake City Health Care System, Salt Lake City, UT, United States
- Division of Epidemiology, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, UT, United States
| | - David Cifu
- Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, School of Medicine, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, United States
| | - Mary Jo Pugh
- Informatics, Decision-Enhancement, and Analytic Sciences Center of Innovation, VA Salt Lake City Health Care System, Salt Lake City, UT, United States
- Division of Epidemiology, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, UT, United States
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Esmaeili A, Pogoda TK, Amuan ME, Garcia C, Del Negro A, Myers M, Pugh MJ, Cifu D, Dismuke-Greer C. The economic impact of cannabis use disorder and dementia diagnosis in veterans diagnosed with traumatic brain injury. Front Neurol 2024; 14:1261144. [PMID: 38283672 PMCID: PMC10811113 DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2023.1261144] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2023] [Accepted: 12/18/2023] [Indexed: 01/30/2024] Open
Abstract
Background Studies have demonstrated that individuals diagnosed with traumatic brain injury (TBI) frequently use medical and recreational cannabis to treat persistent symptoms of TBI, such as chronic pain and sleep disturbances, which can lead to cannabis use disorder (CUD). We aimed to determine the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) healthcare utilization and costs associated with CUD and dementia diagnosis in veterans with TBI. Methods This observational study used administrative datasets from the population of post-9/11 veterans from the Long-term Impact of Military-Relevant Brain Injury Consortium-Chronic Effects of Neurotrauma Consortium and the VA Data Warehouse. We compared the differential VHA costs among the following cohorts of veterans: (1) No dementia diagnosis and No CUD group, (2) Dementia diagnosis only (Dementia only), (3) CUD only, and (4) comorbid dementia diagnosis and CUD (Dementia and CUD). Generalized estimating equations and negative binomial regression models were used to estimate total annual costs (inflation-adjusted) and the incidence rate of healthcare utilization, respectively, by dementia diagnosis and CUD status. Results Data from 387,770 veterans with TBI (88.4% men; median [interquartile range (IQR)] age at the time of TBI: 30 [14] years; 63.5% white) were followed from 2000 to 2020. Overall, we observed a trend of gradually increasing healthcare costs 5 years after TBI onset. Interestingly, in this cohort of veterans within 5 years of TBI, we observed substantial healthcare costs in the Dementia only group (peak = $46,808) that were not observed in the CUD and dementia group. Relative to those without either condition, the annual total VHA costs were $3,368 higher in the CUD only group, while no significant differences were observed in the Dementia only and Dementia and CUD groups. Discussion The findings suggest that those in the Dementia only group might be getting their healthcare needs met more quickly and within 5 years of TBI diagnosis, whereas veterans in the Dementia and CUD group are not receiving early care, resulting in higher long-term healthcare costs. Further investigations should examine what impact the timing of dementia and CUD diagnoses have on specific categories of inpatient and outpatient care in VA and community care facilities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aryan Esmaeili
- Health Economics Resource Center (HERC), Ci2i, VA Palo Alto Health Care System, Menlo Park, CA, United States
| | - Terri K. Pogoda
- Center for Healthcare Organization and Implementation Research, VA Boston Healthcare System, Boston, MA, United States
- Boston University School of Public Health, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Megan E. Amuan
- Informatics, Decision-Enhancement, and Analytic Sciences Center of Innovation, VA Salt Lake City Health Care System, Salt Lake City, UT, United States
- Division of Epidemiology, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, UT, United States
| | - Carla Garcia
- Health Economics Resource Center (HERC), Ci2i, VA Palo Alto Health Care System, Menlo Park, CA, United States
| | - Ariana Del Negro
- Health Economics Resource Center (HERC), Ci2i, VA Palo Alto Health Care System, Menlo Park, CA, United States
| | - Maddy Myers
- Informatics, Decision-Enhancement, and Analytic Sciences Center of Innovation, VA Salt Lake City Health Care System, Salt Lake City, UT, United States
| | - Mary Jo Pugh
- Informatics, Decision-Enhancement, and Analytic Sciences Center of Innovation, VA Salt Lake City Health Care System, Salt Lake City, UT, United States
- Division of Epidemiology, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, UT, United States
| | - David Cifu
- Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, School of Medicine, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, United States
| | - Clara Dismuke-Greer
- Health Economics Resource Center (HERC), Ci2i, VA Palo Alto Health Care System, Menlo Park, CA, United States
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Lopez MR, VanCott AC, Amuan ME, Panahi S, Henion A, Pugh MJ. Prescribing Trends of Antiseizure Drugs in Women Veterans With Epilepsy. Mil Med 2023; 188:e3628-e3634. [PMID: 37283266 PMCID: PMC11022647 DOI: 10.1093/milmed/usad194] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2022] [Revised: 03/21/2023] [Accepted: 05/12/2023] [Indexed: 06/08/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Antiseizure medications (ASMs) are frequently used for other indications, such as migraine, pain syndromes, and psychiatric disorders. Possible teratogenic effects are therefore of wide concern and the risks imposed by the medications must be weighed against the risk with the disorder treated. It is our objective to update family practitioners on the implications of starting ASM for women with epilepsy during childbearing age. We hypothesized that clinicians would prescribe ASM based on avoiding teratogenesis and treating associated comorbidities simultaneously. METHODS The study cohort was derived from women veterans with epilepsy (WVWE) prescribed ASM who received Veterans Health Administration care for at least 3 years in Veterans Health Administration between fiscal years (FY)01 and FY19. Regimens were classified as monotherapy or polytherapy. Multivariant logistic regression examined the association between demographics, military characteristics, physical/psychiatric comorbidities, neurological care, and use of each ASM. RESULTS Among 2,283 WVWE, in ages between 17 and 45, the majority (61%) received monotherapy in FY19. Commonly prescribed ASM included 29% gabapentin, 27% topiramate, 20% lamotrigine, 16% levetiracetam, and 8% valproate (VPA). Comorbid diagnosis of headache predicted use of topiramate and VPA, bipolar disease predicted use of LMT and VPA, pain predicted gabapentin, and schizophrenia was associated with VPAs use. Women receiving levetiracetam and lamotrigine were significantly more likely to receive neurology care previously. CONCLUSION The presence of medical comorbidities influences the selection of ASM. VPAs use in WVWE during childbearing age continues, despite the high teratogenic risk, especially in women with bipolar disorder and headaches. Multidisciplinary care integrating family practice doctors, mental health, and neurology can prevent the enduring problem of teratogenesis in women taking ASM.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Raquel Lopez
- VA Epilepsy Centers of Excellence, Miami Veterans Health Care System, Miami, FL 33125, USA
- Department of Neurology, Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami, Miami, FL 33125, USA
| | - Anne C VanCott
- VA Pittsburgh Healthcare System, University of Pittsburgh, University Drive C, Pittsburgh, PA 15240, USA
- Department of Neurology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15240, USA
| | - Megan E Amuan
- Department of Medicine, Texas A&M Health Science Center, Bryan, TX 78229, USA
- Center for Health Quality, Outcomes and Economic Research, Bedford VA Medical Center, Bedford, MA 01730, USA
| | - Samin Panahi
- Division of Epidemiology, Department of Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT 84132, USA
| | - Amy Henion
- Division of Epidemiology, Department of Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT 84132, USA
| | - Mary Jo Pugh
- Division of Epidemiology, Department of Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT 84132, USA
- Internal Medicine, Division of Epidemiology, Research Career Scientist VA, Salt Lake City, UT 84132, USA
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Howard JT, Stewart IJ, Amuan ME, Janak JC, Howard KJ, Pugh MJ. Trends in Suicide Rates Among Post-9/11 US Military Veterans With and Without Traumatic Brain Injury From 2006-2020. JAMA Neurol 2023; 80:1117-1119. [PMID: 37639278 PMCID: PMC10463169 DOI: 10.1001/jamaneurol.2023.2893] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2023] [Accepted: 06/16/2023] [Indexed: 08/29/2023]
Abstract
This cohort study examines trends in suicide rates for veterans with and without traumatic brain injury compared with the US adult population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jeffrey T. Howard
- Department of Public Health, University of Texas at San Antonio, San Antonio
| | - Ian J. Stewart
- Department of Medicine, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda
| | - Megan E. Amuan
- University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City
- Department of Veterans Affairs, Salt Lake City, Utah
| | | | | | - Mary Jo Pugh
- University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City
- Department of Veterans Affairs, Salt Lake City, Utah
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Swan AA, Kennedy E, Cooper DB, Amuan ME, Mayo J, Tate DF, Song K, Eapen BC, Van Cott AC, Lopez MR, Pugh MJ. Comorbidity and polypharmacy impact neurobehavioral symptoms and symptom validity failure among post-9/11 veterans with mild traumatic brain injury. Front Neurol 2023; 14:1228377. [PMID: 37538260 PMCID: PMC10395329 DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2023.1228377] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2023] [Accepted: 06/26/2023] [Indexed: 08/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Objective The study aimed to examine the association between post-concussive comorbidity burdens [post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression, and/or headache] and central nervous system (CNS) polypharmacy (five or more concurrent medications) with reported neurobehavioral symptoms and symptom validity screening among post-9/11 veterans with a history of mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI). Setting Administrative medical record data from the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) were used in the study. Participants Post-9/11 veterans with mTBI and at least 2 years of VA care between 2001 and 2019 who had completed the comprehensive traumatic brain injury evaluation (CTBIE) were included in the study. Design Retrospective cross-sectional design was used in the study. Main measures Neurobehavioral Symptom Inventory (NSI), International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision, and Clinical Modification diagnosis codes were included in the study. Results Of the 92,495 veterans with a history of TBI, 90% had diagnoses of at least one identified comorbidity (PTSD, depression, and/or headache) and 28% had evidence of CNS polypharmacy. Neurobehavioral symptom reporting and symptom validity failure was associated with comorbidity burden and polypharmacy after adjusting for sociodemographic characteristics. Veterans with concurrent diagnoses of PTSD, depression, and headache were more than six times more likely [Adjusted odds ratio = 6.55 (99% CI: 5.41, 7.92)]. to fail the embedded symptom validity measure (Validity-10) in the NSI. Conclusion TBI-related multimorbidity and CNS polypharmacy had the strongest association with neurobehavioral symptom distress, even after accounting for injury and sociodemographic characteristics. Given the regular use of the NSI in clinical and research settings, these findings emphasize the need for comprehensive neuropsychological evaluation for individuals who screen positively for potential symptom overreporting, the importance of multidisciplinary rehabilitation to restore functioning following mTBI, and the conscientious utilization of symptom validity measures in research efforts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alicia A. Swan
- Polytrauma Rehabilitation Center, South Texas Veterans Health Care System, San Antonio, TX, United States
- Department of Psychology, The University of Texas at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, United States
| | - Eamonn Kennedy
- Veterans Affairs Salt Lake City Health Care System, Informatics Decision Enhancement and Analytic Sciences Center of Innovation, Salt Lake City, UT, United States
- Division of Epidemiology, University of Utah School of Medicine Department of Internal Medicine, Salt Lake City, UT, United States
- University of Utah School of Medicine Department of Neurology, Salt Lake City, UT, United States
| | - Douglas B. Cooper
- Polytrauma Rehabilitation Center, South Texas Veterans Health Care System, San Antonio, TX, United States
- Departments of Rehabilitation Medicine and Psychiatry, The University of Texas Health San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, United States
| | - Megan E. Amuan
- Veterans Affairs Salt Lake City Health Care System, Informatics Decision Enhancement and Analytic Sciences Center of Innovation, Salt Lake City, UT, United States
- Division of Epidemiology, University of Utah School of Medicine Department of Internal Medicine, Salt Lake City, UT, United States
| | - Jamie Mayo
- Veterans Affairs Salt Lake City Health Care System, Informatics Decision Enhancement and Analytic Sciences Center of Innovation, Salt Lake City, UT, United States
- Division of Epidemiology, University of Utah School of Medicine Department of Internal Medicine, Salt Lake City, UT, United States
| | - David F. Tate
- Veterans Affairs Salt Lake City Health Care System, Informatics Decision Enhancement and Analytic Sciences Center of Innovation, Salt Lake City, UT, United States
- University of Utah School of Medicine Department of Neurology, Salt Lake City, UT, United States
| | - Kangwon Song
- Augusta University Medical Center, Augusta University, Augusta, GA, United States
| | - Blessen C. Eapen
- Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, VA Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System, Los Angeles, CA, United States
- Division of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Department of Medicine, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, United States
| | - Anne C. Van Cott
- Department of Neurology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
- Department of Veterans Affairs, Pittsburgh Healthcare System, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
| | - Maria R. Lopez
- Bruce Carter Hospital, Miami Veterans Health Administration, Miami, FL, United States
- Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami, Miami, FL, United States
| | - Mary Jo Pugh
- Veterans Affairs Salt Lake City Health Care System, Informatics Decision Enhancement and Analytic Sciences Center of Innovation, Salt Lake City, UT, United States
- Division of Epidemiology, University of Utah School of Medicine Department of Internal Medicine, Salt Lake City, UT, United States
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Stewart IJ, Amuan ME, Wang CP, Kennedy E, Kenney K, Werner JK, Carlson KF, Tate DF, Pogoda TK, Dismuke-Greer CE, Wright WS, Wilde EA, Pugh MJ. Association Between Traumatic Brain Injury and Subsequent Cardiovascular Disease Among Post-9/11-Era Veterans. JAMA Neurol 2022; 79:1122-1129. [PMID: 36066882 PMCID: PMC9449870 DOI: 10.1001/jamaneurol.2022.2682] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Question What is the association of a traumatic brain injury (TBI) with the subsequent risk of cardiovascular disease in veterans of the recent conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan? Findings In this cohort study of 1 559 928 participants, TBI was associated with the development of a composite end point for cardiovascular disease (coronary artery disease, stroke, and peripheral artery disease). TBI was also associated with the individual components of this composite end point. Meaning Traumatic brain injury is a potentially novel risk factor for cardiovascular disease in veterans. Importance Traumatic brain injury (TBI) was common among US service members deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan. Although there is some evidence to suggest that TBI increases the risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD), prior reports were predominantly limited to cerebrovascular outcomes. The potential association of TBI with CVD has not been comprehensively examined in post-9/11–era veterans. Objective To determine the association between TBI and subsequent CVD in post-9/11–era veterans. Design, Setting, and Participants This was a retrospective cohort study conducted from October 1, 1999, to September 30, 2016. Participants were followed up until December 31, 2018. Included in the study were administrative data from the US Department of Veterans Affairs and the Department of Defense from the Long-term Impact of Military-Relevant Brain Injury Consortium–Chronic Effects of Neurotrauma Consortium. Participants were excluded if dates did not overlap with the study period. Data analysis was conducted between November 22, 2021, and June 28, 2022. Exposures History of TBI as measured by diagnosis in health care records. Main Outcomes and Measures Composite end point of CVD: coronary artery disease, stroke, peripheral artery disease, and cardiovascular death. Results Of the 2 530 875 veterans from the consortium, after exclusions, a total of 1 559 928 veterans were included in the analysis. A total of 301 169 veterans (19.3%; median [IQR] age, 27 [23-34] years; 265 217 male participants [88.1]) with a TBI history and 1 258 759 veterans (80.7%; median [IQR] age, 29 [24-39] years; 1 012 159 male participants [80.4%]) without a TBI history were included for analysis. Participants were predominately young (1 058 054 [67.8%] <35 years at index date) and male (1 277 376 [81.9%]). Compared with participants without a history of TBI, diagnoses of mild TBI (hazard ratio [HR], 1.62; 95% CI, 1.58-1.66; P < .001), moderate to severe TBI (HR, 2.63; 95% CI, 2.51-2.76; P < .001), and penetrating TBI (HR, 4.60; 95% CI, 4.26-4.96; P < .001) were associated with CVD in adjusted models. In analyses of secondary outcomes, all severities of TBI were associated with the individual components of the composite outcome except penetrating TBI and CVD death. Conclusions and Relevance Results of this cohort study suggest that US veterans with a TBI history were more likely to develop CVD compared with veterans without a TBI history. Given the relatively young age of the cohort, these results suggest that there may be an increased burden of CVD as these veterans age and develop other CVD risk factors. Future studies are needed to determine if the increased risk associated with TBI is modifiable.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ian J Stewart
- Department of Medicine, Uniformed Services University, Bethesda, Maryland.,Military Cardiovascular Outcomes Research Program, Bethesda, Maryland
| | - Megan E Amuan
- Informatics, Decision-Enhancement, and Analytic Sciences Center of Innovation, VA Salt Lake City Health Care System, Salt Lake City, Utah.,Division of Epidemiology, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City
| | - Chen-Pin Wang
- University of Texas Health San Antonio, Department of Population Health Sciences, San Antonio
| | - Eamonn Kennedy
- Informatics, Decision-Enhancement, and Analytic Sciences Center of Innovation, VA Salt Lake City Health Care System, Salt Lake City, Utah.,Division of Epidemiology, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City
| | - Kimbra Kenney
- National Intrepid Center of Excellence, Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, Bethesda, Maryland.,Department of Neurology, Uniformed Services University, Bethesda, Maryland
| | - J Kent Werner
- Department of Neurology, Uniformed Services University, Bethesda, Maryland
| | - Kathleen F Carlson
- VA Portland Health Care System and Oregon Health and Science University, School of Public Health, Portland
| | - David F Tate
- Informatics, Decision-Enhancement, and Analytic Sciences Center of Innovation, VA Salt Lake City Health Care System, Salt Lake City, Utah.,Department of Neurology, University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City
| | - Terri K Pogoda
- VA Boston Healthcare System, Boston University School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Clara E Dismuke-Greer
- VA Palo Alto Healthcare System, Health Economics Resource Center, Palo Alto, California
| | - W Shea Wright
- Informatics, Decision-Enhancement, and Analytic Sciences Center of Innovation, VA Salt Lake City Health Care System, Salt Lake City, Utah.,Department of Neurology, University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City
| | - Elisabeth A Wilde
- Informatics, Decision-Enhancement, and Analytic Sciences Center of Innovation, VA Salt Lake City Health Care System, Salt Lake City, Utah.,Department of Neurology, University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City
| | - Mary Jo Pugh
- Informatics, Decision-Enhancement, and Analytic Sciences Center of Innovation, VA Salt Lake City Health Care System, Salt Lake City, Utah.,Division of Epidemiology, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City
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Rivera JC, Amuan ME, Pugh MJ. Musculoskeletal Conditions and Secondary Cardiovascular Morbidity Increase Veterans’ Rehabilitation and Orthopaedic Service Utilization. Cureus 2022; 14:e27139. [PMID: 36017301 PMCID: PMC9392965 DOI: 10.7759/cureus.27139] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 07/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Musculoskeletal conditions often affect patients’ mobility and ability to participate in health behaviors such as exercise, potentially affecting their systemic health. The purpose of this research is to determine how frequently cardiac-related comorbidities present in a veteran population with musculoskeletal service-connected disability and how this affects musculoskeletal health care utilization. Methodology A retrospective cohort of Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans who received a Veterans Affairs (VA) disability determination for service-connected musculoskeletal disability were categorized according to the diagnosis of cardiac comorbidity including diabetes mellitus, hyperlipidemia, hypertension, and obesity, and atherosclerosis disease documented by ICD-9 codes in the VA administrative data. Among veterans with musculoskeletal service-connected disability, logistic regression was modeled to determine if musculoskeletal clinic utilization was associated with also having a cardiac comorbid condition. Results Veterans with musculoskeletal disability had a comorbid cardiac disorder 43% of the time. Post-traumatic arthritis was the only musculoskeletal condition positively associated with comorbid cardiac conditions. Veterans with comorbid cardiac diagnoses had 26-37% higher odds of receiving care by physical and occupational therapy, physical medicine, and orthopaedic surgery clinics compared to veterans without comorbid cardiac disease. Conclusions Veterans in this cohort with musculoskeletal service-connected disability, plus cardiac conditions had greater clinic use for musculoskeletal and rehabilitation services compared to those without cardiac conditions. These results have implications for the rehabilitation and other health service needs of a new generation of veterans.
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Swan AA, Akin FW, Amuan ME, Riska KM, Hall CD, Kalvesmaki A, Padilla S, Crowsey E, Pugh MJ. Disruptive Dizziness Among Post-9/11 Veterans With Deployment-Related Traumatic Brain Injury. J Head Trauma Rehabil 2022; 37:199-212. [PMID: 34320551 DOI: 10.1097/htr.0000000000000714] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To identify disruption due to dizziness symptoms following deployment-related traumatic brain injury (TBI) and factors associated with receiving diagnoses for these symptoms. SETTING Administrative medical record data from the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). PARTICIPANTS Post-9/11 veterans with at least 3 years of VA care who reported at least occasional disruption due to dizziness symptoms on the comprehensive TBI evaluation. DESIGN A cross-sectional, retrospective, observational study. MAIN MEASURES International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision, Clinical Modification diagnosis codes of dizziness, vestibular dysfunction, and other postconcussive conditions; neurobehavioral Symptom Inventory. RESULTS Increased access to or utilization of specialty care at the VA was significant predictors of dizziness and/or vestibular dysfunction diagnoses in the fully adjusted model. Veterans who identified as Black non-Hispanic and those with substance use disorder diagnoses or care were substantially less likely to receive dizziness and vestibular dysfunction diagnoses. CONCLUSIONS Access to specialty care was the single best predictor of dizziness and vestibular dysfunction diagnoses, underscoring the importance of facilitating referrals to and utilization of specialized, comprehensive clinical facilities or experts for veterans who report disruptive dizziness following deployment-related TBI. There is a clear need for an evidence-based pathway to address disruptive symptoms of dizziness, given the substantial variation in audiovestibular tests utilized by US providers by region and clinical specialty. Further, the dearth of diagnoses among Black veterans and those in more rural areas underscores the potential for enhanced cultural competency among providers, telemedicine, and patient education to bridge existing gaps in the care of dizziness.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alicia A Swan
- Department of Psychology, The University of Texas at San Antonio, San Antonio (Dr Swan and Ms Crowsey); South Texas Veterans Health Care System, San Antonio (Dr Swan); James H Quillen VA Medical Center, Mountain Home, Tennessee (Drs Akin and Hall); Departments of Audiology and Speech Language Pathology (Dr Akin) and Rehabilitative Sciences (Dr Hall), East Tennessee State University, Johnson City; Informatics, Decision-Enhancement and Analytic Sciences Center (IDEAS 2.0), VA Salt Lake City Health Care System, Salt Lake City, Utah (Mss Amuan and Padilla and Drs Kalvesmaki and Pugh); Department of Internal Medicine, University of Utah, Salt Lake City (Mss Amuan and Padilla and Drs Kalvesmaki and Pugh); Department of Head and Neck Surgery & Communication Sciences, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina (Dr Riska); and Center for the Study of Aging and Human Development, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, North Carolina (Dr Riska)
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10
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Copeland LA, Pugh MJ, Bollinger MJ, Wang CP, Amuan ME, Rivera JC, Shireman PK. The VA vascular injury study: A glimpse at quality of care in Veterans with traumatic vascular injury repair. Injury 2022; 53:1947-1953. [PMID: 35422314 DOI: 10.1016/j.injury.2022.04.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2022] [Revised: 04/04/2022] [Accepted: 04/04/2022] [Indexed: 02/02/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The high number of limb injuries among Post-9/11 Veterans and their long-term care pose significant challenges to clinicians. Current follow-up for extremity arterial vascular injury (EVI) is based on guideline-concordant care for treatment of peripheral vascular disease (GCC-PVD), including anticoagulant/antiplatelet or statin therapy and duplex ultrasound. No best practices exist for arterial EVI. Our goal was to determine correlates of GCC-PVD and other care among Post-9/11 Veterans with combat-related arterial EVI. MATERIALS AND METHODS We identified Post-9/11 Veterans with arterial EVI who underwent initial limb salvage repair or ligation (e.g., for single-vessel injury) attempt per DoD Trauma Registry validated by chart abstraction. Veterans Health Administration (VHA) data characterized the cohort in the first five years of VHA care. Models predicted (a) GCC-PVD, (b) pain clinic use, (c) mental/behavioral health care, (d) long-term opioid use, and (e) time to complication, controlling for injury severity and type, mental health parameters, and demographics. RESULTS The 490-Veteran cohort with validated arterial injury was 77% White averaging 25.2 years at injury (range: 18-56). Mechanism of injury was primarily explosive (63%). Veterans had Injury Severity Scores classified as mild (60%), moderate (25%) and severe (15%). Approximately 25% received at least one component of VHA GCC-PVD including 8% arterial ultrasounds, 5% statins, and 11% anticoagulants/antiplatelets; 77% had mental/behavioral healthcare. GCC-PVD, as well as PTSD and substance use disorders, were associated with receipt of mental/behavioral health care. Complications affected 46% of the cohort and were more common among those prescribed 90+ days of opioids or receiving GCC-PVD. CONCLUSION Despite injury severity (40% moderate/severe), only 25% of cohort patients received VHA GCC-PVD, and nearly half had complications from their arterial injury. Receiving GCC-PVD appeared to potentiate receiving care for mental and behavioral disorders. IMPACT The treatment gap in Veterans with arterial EVI may be due to lack of appropriate guidelines, lack of vascular specialists in VHA or accessing care outside the VHA. Focused study of care options and their outcomes will help define optimal care processes for combat Veterans with arterial EVI.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laurel A Copeland
- Research Service, VA Central Western Massachusetts Healthcare System, 421N Main, Leeds, MA 01053 USA; Department of Population and Quantitative Health Sciences, University of Massachusetts Medical School, 368 Plantation St, Worcester, MA 01655 USA.
| | - Mary Jo Pugh
- VA Salt Lake City Health Care System, 500 Foothill Blvd, Salt Lake City, UT 84148 USA; Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Epidemiology, University of Utah School of Medicine, 295 Chipeta Way, Salt Lake City, UT 84132 USA
| | - Mary J Bollinger
- Center for Mental Healthcare & Outcomes Research, Central Arkansas Veterans Healthcare System, 2200 Fort Roots Dr, North Little Rock, AR 72114 USA; Department of Psychiatry, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, 4301W Markham St, Little Rock, AR 72205 USA
| | - Chen-Pin Wang
- South Texas Veterans Health Care System, 7400 Merton Minter Blvd, San Antonio, TX 78229 USA; Department of Population Health Sciences, Long School of Medicine, University of Texas Health San Antonio, 7703 Floyd Curl Dr, San Antonio, TX 78229 USA
| | - Megan E Amuan
- VA Salt Lake City Health Care System, 500 Foothill Blvd, Salt Lake City, UT 84148 USA
| | - Jessica C Rivera
- United States Army Institute of Surgical Research, JBSA Fort Sam Houston, San Antonio, TX 78234 USA; Louisiana State University Health Science Center - New Orleans Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, New Orleans, LA USA
| | - Paula K Shireman
- Geriatric Research, Education & Clinical Center, South Texas Veterans Health Care System, 7400 Merton Minter Blvd, San Antonio, TX 78229 USA; Department of Surgery, University of Texas Health San Antonio, 7703 Floyd Curl Dr, San Antonio, TX 78229 USA; Departments of Primary Care & Population Health and Medical Physiology, College of Medicine, Texas A&M Health, 2900 E 29th St, Bryan, TX 77802 USA
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11
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Swan AA, Nelson JT, Pogoda TK, Akin FW, Riska KM, Hall CD, Amuan ME, Yaffe K, Pugh MJ. Association of Traumatic Brain Injury With Vestibular Dysfunction and Dizziness in Post-9/11 Veterans. J Head Trauma Rehabil 2021; 35:E253-E265. [PMID: 31569144 DOI: 10.1097/htr.0000000000000513] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To describe the prevalence and impact of vestibular dysfunction and nonspecific dizziness diagnoses and explore their associations with traumatic brain injury (TBI) severity, mechanism, and postconcussive comorbidities among post-9/11 veterans. SETTING Administrative medical record data from the US Departments of Defense and Veterans Affairs (VA). PARTICIPANTS Post-9/11 veterans with at least 3 years of VA care. DESIGN Cross-sectional, retrospective, observational study. MAIN MEASURES International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision, Clinical Modification diagnosis codes for TBI, vestibular dysfunction, dizziness, and other commonly associated postconcussive conditions; Neurobehavioral Symptom Inventory. RESULTS Of the 570 248 post-9/11 veterans in this sample, 0.45% had a diagnosis of vestibular dysfunction and 2.57% had nonspecific dizziness. Those with either condition were more likely to have evidence of TBI (57.11% vs 28.51%) and reported more disruption from neurobehavioral symptoms. Blast and nonblast injuries were associated with greater symptom disruption, particularly in combination. CONCLUSIONS There was a consistent, significant association between TBI and vestibular dysfunction or nonspecific dizziness, after controlling for sociodemographic factors, injury mechanism, and comorbid conditions. Given that most deployed post-9/11 veterans report blast and/or nonblast injuries, the need for prompt identification and management of these conditions and symptoms is clear.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alicia A Swan
- University of Texas at San Antonio (Dr Swan); Department of Defense Hearing Center of Excellence, Defense Health Agency, San Antonio, Texas (Dr Nelson); Ho-Chunk, Inc, Alexandria, Virginia (Dr Nelson); Department of Radiology and Imaging Sciences, School of Medicine, Indiana University, Indianapolis (Dr Nelson); Center for Healthcare Organization and Implementation Research, VA Boston Healthcare System, Boston, Massachusetts (Dr Pogoda); Boston University School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts (Dr Pogoda); James H. Quillen VA Medical Center, Mountain Home, Tennessee (Drs Akin and Hall); Departments of Audiology and Speech Language Pathology (Dr Akin) and Physical Therapy (Dr Hall), East Tennessee State University, Johnson City; Division of Head and Neck Surgery & Communication Sciences, Department of Surgery, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina (Dr Riska); Center for Health Care Organization and Implementation Research, Edith Nourse Rogers VA Medical Center, Bedford, Massachusetts (Ms Amuan); Departments of Psychiatry, Neurology and Epidemiology, School of Medicine, University of California San Francisco (Dr Yaffe); Informatics, Decision-Enhancement and Analytic Sciences Center (IDEAS 2.0), VA Salt Lake City Health Care System, Salt Lake City, Utah (Dr Pugh); and Department of Internal Medicine, The University of Utah, Salt Lake City (Dr Pugh)
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12
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Bouldin ED, Swan AA, Norman RS, Tate DF, Tumminello C, Amuan ME, Eapen BC, Wang CP, Trevino A, Pugh MJ. Health Phenotypes and Neurobehavioral Symptom Severity Among Post-9/11 Veterans With Mild Traumatic Brain Injury: A Chronic Effects of Neurotrauma Consortium Study. J Head Trauma Rehabil 2021; 36:10-19. [PMID: 32472834 PMCID: PMC10649312 DOI: 10.1097/htr.0000000000000574] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To evaluate whether neurobehavioral symptoms differ between groups of veterans with mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) classified by health characteristics. PARTICIPANTS A total of 71 934 post-9/11 veterans with mTBI from the Chronic Effects of Neurotrauma Consortium Epidemiology warfighter cohort. DESIGN Cross-sectional analysis of retrospective cohort. MAIN MEASURES Health phenotypes identified using latent class analysis of health and function over 5 years. Symptom severity measured using Neurobehavioral Symptom Inventory; domains included vestibular, somatic, cognitive, and affective. RESULTS Veterans classified as moderately healthy had the lowest symptom burden while the polytrauma phenotype group had the highest. After accounting for sociodemographic and injury characteristics, polytrauma phenotype veterans had about 3 times the odds of reporting severe symptoms in each domain compared with moderately healthy veterans. Those veterans who were initially moderately healthy but whose health declined over time had about twice the odds of severe symptoms as consistently healthier Veterans. The strongest associations were in the affective domain. Compared with the moderately healthy group, veterans in other phenotypes were more likely to report symptoms substantially interfered with their daily lives (odds ratio range: 1.3-2.8). CONCLUSION Symptom severity and interference varied by phenotype, including between veterans with stable and declining health. Ameliorating severe symptoms, particularly in the affective domain, could improve health trajectories following mTBI.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erin D Bouldin
- Department of Health and Exercise Science, Appalachian State University, Boone, North Carolina (Dr Bouldin); Department of Psychology, University of Texas at San Antonio (Dr Swan); Speech-Language Pathology Program, School of Health Professions, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio (Dr Norman); George E. Whalen VA Medical Center, Salt Lake City, Utah (Dr Tate); Departments of Neurology (Dr Tate) and Internal Medicine (Dr Pugh), University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City; Lees-McRae College, Banner Elk, North Carolina (Ms Tumminello); VA Salt Lake City Health Care System, Informatics, Decision-Enhancement, and Analytic Sciences Center, Salt Lake City, Utah (Mss Amuan and Trevino and Dr Pugh); Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, VA Greater Los Angeles Health Care System, and Department of Medicine, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Los Angeles, California (Dr Eapen); and Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio (Dr Wang)
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13
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Haney LJ, Bae E, Pugh MJV, Copeland LA, Wang CP, MacCarthy DJ, Amuan ME, Shireman PK. Patency of arterial repairs from wartime extremity vascular injuries. Trauma Surg Acute Care Open 2020; 5:e000616. [PMID: 33409373 PMCID: PMC7768973 DOI: 10.1136/tsaco-2020-000616] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2020] [Revised: 11/20/2020] [Accepted: 12/05/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Extremity vascular injury (EVI) causes significant disability in Veterans of the Afghanistan/Iraq conflicts. Advancements in acute trauma care improved survival and decreased amputations. The study of wartime EVI has relied on successful limb salvage as a surrogate for vascular repair. We used imaging studies as a specific measure of arterial repair durability. METHODS Service members with EVI were identified using the Department of Defense Trauma Registry and validated by chart abstraction. Inclusion criteria for the arterial patency subgroup included an initial repair attempt with subsequent imaging reports (duplex ultrasound, CT angiography, and angiogram) documenting initial patency. RESULTS The cohort of 527 included 140 Veterans with available imaging studies for 143 arterial repairs; median follow-up from injury time to last available imaging study was 19 months (Q1-Q3: 3-58; range: 1-175). Injury mechanism was predominantly explosions (52%) and gunshot wounds (42%). Of the 143 arterial repairs, 81% were vein grafts. Eight repairs were occluded, replaced or included in extremity amputations. One upper extremity and three transtibial late amputations were performed for chronic pain and poor function averaging 27 months (SD: 4; range: 24-32). Kaplan-Meier analysis estimated patency rates of 99%, 97%, 95%, 91% and 91% at 3, 6, 12, 24, and 36 months, respectively, with similar results for upper and lower extremity repairs. Explosive and gunshot wound injury mechanisms had similar patency rates and upper extremity injuries repaired with vein grafts had increased patency. CONCLUSIONS Arterial repair mid-term patency in combat-related extremity injuries is excellent based on imaging studies for 143 repairs. Assertive attempts at acute limb salvage and vascular repair are justified with decisions for amputation versus limb salvage based on the overall condition of the patient and degree of concomitant nerve, orthopedic and soft tissue injuries rather than the presence of arterial injuries. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE Therapeutic/care management, level IV.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lauren J Haney
- Long School of Medicine, The University of Texas Health Science Center San Antonio, San Antonio, Texas, USA,South Texas Veterans Health Care System, San Antonio, Texas, USA
| | - Esther Bae
- South Texas Veterans Health Care System, San Antonio, Texas, USA,Surgery, Long School of Medicine, The University of Texas Health Science Center San Antonio, San Antonio, Texas, USA
| | - Mary Jo V Pugh
- VA Salt Lake City Health Care System, Salt Lake City, Utah, USA,Internal Medicine, The University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, Utah, USA
| | - Laurel A Copeland
- VA Central Western Massachusetts Healthcare System, Leeds, Massachusetts, USA,Population and Quantitative Health Sciences, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Chen-Pin Wang
- South Texas Veterans Health Care System, San Antonio, Texas, USA,Population Health Sciences, Long School of Medicine, The University of Texas Health Science Center San Antonio, San Antonio, Texas, USA
| | - Daniel J MacCarthy
- South Texas Veterans Health Care System, San Antonio, Texas, USA,Population Health Sciences, Long School of Medicine, The University of Texas Health Science Center San Antonio, San Antonio, Texas, USA
| | - Megan E Amuan
- VA Salt Lake City Health Care System, Salt Lake City, Utah, USA
| | - Paula K Shireman
- Surgery, Long School of Medicine, The University of Texas Health Science Center San Antonio, San Antonio, Texas, USA,Surgery, South Texas Veterans Health Care System, San Antonio, Texas, USA
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14
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Haney LJ, Pugh MJV, Copeland LA, Wang CP, MacCarthy DJ, Amuan ME, Shireman PK. Persistent Pain, Physical Dysfunction, and Decreased Quality of Life After Combat Extremity Vascular Trauma. Ann Vasc Surg 2020; 71:167-180. [PMID: 32890646 DOI: 10.1016/j.avsg.2020.08.104] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2020] [Revised: 07/30/2020] [Accepted: 08/04/2020] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Combat-related extremity vascular injuries (EVI) have long-lasting impact on Iraq/Afghanistan veterans. The purpose of this study is to describe long-term functional outcomes in veterans with EVI using survey measures and identify modifiable factors that may be improved to reduce chronic pain and injury-related dysfunction. METHODS Veterans with upper and lower EVI undergoing an initial limb salvage attempt were identified using the Department of Defense Trauma Registry and validated with chart abstraction. Surveys measured pain; Short Musculoskeletal Function Assessment (SMFA) for self-reported bother and dysfunction; and Veterans RAND 12-Item Health Survey (VR-12) physical and mental component scores (PCS; MCS) for quality of life, depression, post-traumatic stress disorder, and the potentially modifiable factors of reintegration into civilian life, resilient coping, resilience, and family functioning. RESULTS Eighty-one patients responded with an average time since injury of 129 months (SD: 31; range 67-180 months). Mechanism of injury included 64% explosions and 31% gunshot wounds; 16% of the respondents were diagnosed with moderate/severe/penetrating traumatic brain injury. Limb salvage rates were 100% and 77% for upper and lower extremities, respectively (P = 0.004). Respondents screened positive for probable depression (55%) and post-traumatic stress disorder (51%). Compared with population norms, SMFA bother and dysfunction indices were higher (worse), MCS was lower (worse), and PCS was similar. The multivariable models adjusted for age, marital status and pain. The higher SMFA is part of the results of the multivariable models. MCS decreased with difficulty reintegrating into civilian life and was positively correlated with increased resilience and resilient coping. SMFA scores were greater for patients with high pain intensity and increased 6-11 points per point increase in difficulty with civilian-life reintegration. SMFA dysfunction was associated with better family functioning. CONCLUSIONS EVI results in significant long-term disability with lasting deficits in physical function, frequent depressive symptoms, and below average self-reported quality of life. Strengthening modifiable factors including resiliency and resilient coping, and providing ongoing assistance to improve reintegration into civilian life, may ameliorate the functional disabilities and chronic pain experienced by veterans with EVI.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lauren J Haney
- South Texas Veterans Health Care System, San Antonio, TX; Department of Surgery, Division of Vascular and Endovascular Surgery, and the Department of Population Health Sciences, Long School of Medicine, University of Texas Health San Antonio, San Antonio, TX
| | - Mary Jo V Pugh
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Epidemiology, University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, UT; VA Salt Lake City Health Care System, Salt Lake City, UT
| | - Laurel A Copeland
- VA Central Western Massachusetts Healthcare System, Leeds, MA; Department of Population and Quantitative Health Sciences, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA
| | - Chen-Pin Wang
- South Texas Veterans Health Care System, San Antonio, TX; Department of Surgery, Division of Vascular and Endovascular Surgery, and the Department of Population Health Sciences, Long School of Medicine, University of Texas Health San Antonio, San Antonio, TX
| | - Daniel J MacCarthy
- South Texas Veterans Health Care System, San Antonio, TX; Department of Surgery, Division of Vascular and Endovascular Surgery, and the Department of Population Health Sciences, Long School of Medicine, University of Texas Health San Antonio, San Antonio, TX
| | - Megan E Amuan
- VA Salt Lake City Health Care System, Salt Lake City, UT
| | - Paula K Shireman
- South Texas Veterans Health Care System, San Antonio, TX; Department of Surgery, Division of Vascular and Endovascular Surgery, and the Department of Population Health Sciences, Long School of Medicine, University of Texas Health San Antonio, San Antonio, TX.
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15
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Haney LJ, Bae E, Pugh MJV, Copeland LA, Wang CP, MacCarthy DJ, Amuan ME, Shireman PK. Characteristics and Distribution of Extremity Vascular Injuries in a Wartime Military Cohort. J Vasc Surg 2020. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jvs.2020.04.284] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
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16
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Bae E, Haney LJ, Pugh MJV, Copeland LA, Wang CP, MacCarthy DJ, Amuan ME, Shireman PK. Durable Long-term Patency of Arterial Repairs From Wartime Extremity Vascular Injuries. J Vasc Surg 2020. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jvs.2020.04.283] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
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17
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Sagiraju HKR, Živković S, VanCott AC, Patwa H, Gimeno Ruiz de Porras D, Amuan ME, Pugh MJV. Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Among Veterans Deployed in Support of Post-9/11 U.S. Conflicts. Mil Med 2019; 185:e501-e509. [PMID: 31642489 PMCID: PMC8921606 DOI: 10.1093/milmed/usz350] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a recognized military service-connected condition. Prior prevalence studies of ALS among U.S. war Veterans were not able to address concerns related to neurodegenerative sequelae of traumatic brain injury (TBI) and disregarded risk heterogeneity from occupational categories within service branches. MATERIALS AND METHODS We identified the prevalence of definite and possible ALS and cumulative incidence of definite ALS among Post-9/11 U.S. Veterans deployed in support of Post-9/11 conflicts (mean age 36.3) who received care in the Veterans Health Administration during fiscal years 2002-2015. Using a case-control study design, we also evaluated the association of TBI and major military occupation groups with ALS adjusting for demographics and comorbidities. RESULTS The prevalence of ALS was 19.7 per 100,000 over 14 years. Both prevalence and cumulative incidence of definite ALS were significantly higher among Air Force personnel compared to other service branches and among tactical operation officers and health care workers compared to general and administrative officers. Neither TBI nor younger age (<45 years) was associated with ALS. Depression, cardiac disease, cerebrovascular disease, high blood pressure, and obstructive sleep apnea were clinical comorbidities significantly associated with ALS in this population of Veterans. CONCLUSION This study among a cohort of relatively young Veterans showed a high ALS prevalence, suggesting an early onset of ALS among deployed military service members. The higher prevalence among some military specific occupations highlights the need to determine which occupational exposures specific to these occupations (particularly, Air Force personnel, tactical operations officers, and health care workers) might be associated with early onset ALS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hari Krishna Raju Sagiraju
- Informatics, Decision-Enhancement and Analytic Sciences Center, VA Salt Lake City Health Care System, 500 Foothill Drive Bldg. 182, Salt Lake City, UT 84148,Division of Epidemiology, University of Utah, 383 Colorow Dr, Suite203, Salt Lake City, UT 84108
| | - Sasa Živković
- Department of Neurology, University of Pittsburgh, 3471 Fifth Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15213
| | - Anne C VanCott
- Department of Neurology, University of Pittsburgh, 3471 Fifth Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15213,Department of Neurology, VA Pittsburgh Health Care System, 4100 Allequippa St, Pittsburgh, PA 15213
| | - Huned Patwa
- VA Neurology Service, VA Connecticut Health Care System, 950 Campbell Avenue, West Haven, CT 06516
| | - David Gimeno Ruiz de Porras
- Department of Epidemiology, Human Genetics and Environmental Sciences, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, School of Public Health in San Antonio, 7411 John Smith Dr #1100, San Antonio, TX 78229
| | - Megan E Amuan
- Informatics, Decision-Enhancement and Analytic Sciences Center, VA Salt Lake City Health Care System, 500 Foothill Drive Bldg. 182, Salt Lake City, UT 84148
| | - Mary Jo V Pugh
- Informatics, Decision-Enhancement and Analytic Sciences Center, VA Salt Lake City Health Care System, 500 Foothill Drive Bldg. 182, Salt Lake City, UT 84148,Division of Epidemiology, University of Utah, 383 Colorow Dr, Suite203, Salt Lake City, UT 84108
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18
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Pugh MJ, Swan AA, Amuan ME, Eapen BC, Jaramillo CA, Delgado R, Tate DF, Yaffe K, Wang CP. Deployment, suicide, and overdose among comorbidity phenotypes following mild traumatic brain injury: A retrospective cohort study from the Chronic Effects of Neurotrauma Consortium. PLoS One 2019; 14:e0222674. [PMID: 31539410 PMCID: PMC6754132 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0222674] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2019] [Accepted: 09/03/2019] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Mild traumatic brain injury in the Veteran population is frequently comorbid with pain, post-traumatic stress disorder, and/or depression. However, not everyone exposed to mild traumatic brain injury experiences these comorbidities and it is unclear what factors contribute to this variability. The objective of this study was to identify comorbidity phenotypes among Post-9/11 deployed Veterans with no or mild traumatic brain injury and examine the association of comorbidity phenotypes with adverse outcomes. We found that Veterans with mild traumatic brain injury (n = 93,003) and no brain injury (n = 434,378) were mean age of 32.0 (SD 9.21) on entering Department of Veterans Health Administration care, were predominantly Caucasian non-Hispanic (64.69%), and served in the Army (61.31%). Latent class analysis revealed five phenotypes in each subcohort; Moderately Healthy and Mental Health phenotypes were common to both. The Healthy phenotype was found only in no brain injury. Unique phenotypes in mild traumatic brain injury included Moderately Healthy+Decline, Polytrauma, and Polytrauma+Improvement. There was substantial variation in adverse outcomes. The Polytrauma+Improvement phenotype had the lowest likelihood of adverse outcomes. There were no differences between Moderately Healthy+Decline and Polytrauma phenotypes. Phenotypes of comorbidity vary significantly by traumatic brain injury status including divergence in phenotypes (and outcomes) over time in the mild traumatic brain injury subcohort. Understanding risk factors for the divergence between Polytrauma vs. Polytrauma+Improvement and Moderately Healthy vs. Moderately Healthy+Decline, will improve our ability to proactively mitigate risk, better understand the early patterns of comorbidity that are associated with neurodegenerative sequelae following mild traumatic brain injury, and plan more patient-centered care.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mary Jo Pugh
- VA Salt Lake City Health Care System, Informatics, Decision-Enhancement and Analytic Sciences Center, Salt Lake City, Utah, United States of America
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Utah, School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, Utah, United States of America
| | - Alicia A. Swan
- Department of Psychology, University of Texas at San Antonio, San Antonio, Texas, United States of America
| | - Megan E. Amuan
- VA Salt Lake City Health Care System, Informatics, Decision-Enhancement and Analytic Sciences Center, Salt Lake City, Utah, United States of America
| | - Blessen C. Eapen
- Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, VA Greater Los Angeles Health Care System, Los Angeles, California, United States of America
- Department of Medicine, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Los Angeles, California, United States of America
| | - Carlos A. Jaramillo
- Polytrauma Rehabilitation Center, South Texas Veterans Health Care System, San Antonio, Texas, United States of America
| | - Roxana Delgado
- Polytrauma Rehabilitation Center, South Texas Veterans Health Care System, San Antonio, Texas, United States of America
| | - David F. Tate
- Missouri Institute of Mental Health, University of Missouri-St. Louis, St. Louis, Missouri, United States of America
| | - Kristine Yaffe
- Department of Psychiatry, Neurology & Epidemiology, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, California, United States of America
| | - Chen-Pin Wang
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, Texas, United States of America
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Norman RS, Jaramillo CA, Eapen BC, Amuan ME, Pugh MJ. Acquired Stuttering in Veterans of the Wars in Iraq and Afghanistan: The Role of Traumatic Brain Injury, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, and Medications. Mil Med 2019; 183:e526-e534. [PMID: 29912436 DOI: 10.1093/milmed/usy067] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2017] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction Determine the association between acquired stuttering (AS), traumatic brain injury (TBI), and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in a cohort of 309,675 U.S. Iraq and Afghanistan veterans. The secondary aim was to determine the association between AS and medication patterns for veterans in the sample. Materials and Methods Retrospective study using data from the Veterans Health Administration National Repository for veterans deployed in support of combat operations in Iraq and Afghanistan and who received Veterans Health Administration care in 2010 and 2011. We identified stuttering using ICD-9 codes to establish the association between AS, TBI, and PTSD, controlling for demographic characteristics and other comorbidities. Multivariable logistic regression was used to determine the association between comorbid conditions and potentially problematic medications associated with stuttering. Results Two hundred thirty-five veterans (0.08%) were diagnosed with AS in the cohort. There was the greater likelihood of an AS diagnosis for veterans with concomitant TBI and PTSD when compared with veterans without these diagnoses. Over 66% of those with stuttering were prescribed at least one medication that affected speech fluency (antidepressants, anxiolytics, and antiepileptic drugs) compared with 35% of those without AS. Conclusion Veterans with a comorbid diagnosis of TBI and PTSD were more likely to be diagnosed with AS AOR: 9.77 (95% CI = 6.93-13.78, p < 0.05) and more likely to have been prescribed medications known to affect speech production OR: 3.68 (95% CI = 2.81-4.82, p < 0.05). Clinicians treating veterans with these complex comorbid conditions should consider the impact of medications on speech fluency.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rocío S Norman
- Speech-Language Pathology Program, School of Health Professions, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, 7703 Floyd Curl Drive, San Antonio, TX
| | - Carlos A Jaramillo
- South Texas Veterans Health Care System, Polytrauma Rehabilitation Center, 7400 Merton Miner Dr. San Antonio, TX
| | - Blessen C Eapen
- South Texas Veterans Health Care System, Polytrauma Rehabilitation Center, 7400 Merton Miner Dr. San Antonio, TX
| | - Megan E Amuan
- Bedford Center for Health Quality, Outcomes and Economic Research, Edith Nourse Rogers Memorial Veterans Hospital, 200 Springs Rd. Bedford, MA
| | - Mary Jo Pugh
- South Texas Veterans Health Care System, Polytrauma Rehabilitation Center, 7400 Merton Miner Dr. San Antonio, TX.,Department of Epidemiology & Biostatistics, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, 7703 Floyd Curl Drive, San Antonio, TX
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Swan AA, Amuan ME, Morissette SB, Finley EP, Eapen BC, Jaramillo CA, Pugh MJ. Long-term physical and mental health outcomes associated with traumatic brain injury severity in post-9/11 veterans: A retrospective cohort study. Brain Inj 2018; 32:1637-1650. [DOI: 10.1080/02699052.2018.1518539] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/28/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Alicia A. Swan
- South Texas Veterans Health Care System, San Antonio, TX, USA
| | - Megan E. Amuan
- Center for Health Care Organization and Implementation Research, Edith Nourse Rogers VA Medical Center, Bedford, MA, USA
| | - Sandra B. Morissette
- Department of Psychology, The University of Texas at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, USA
| | - Erin P. Finley
- Department of Psychology, The University of Texas at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, USA
| | | | | | - Mary Jo Pugh
- IDEAS 2.0 Center of Innovation, VA Salt Lake City Health Care System, Salt Lake City, UT, USA
- Division of Epidemiology, Department of Medicine, University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, UT, USA
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Nnamani NS, Pugh MJ, Amuan ME, Eapen BC, Hudak SJ, Liss MA, Orman JA. Outcomes of Genitourinary Injury in U.S. Iraq and Afghanistan War Veterans Receiving Care from the Veterans Health Administration. Mil Med 2018; 184:e297-e301. [DOI: 10.1093/milmed/usy196] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2018] [Revised: 07/12/2018] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Nina S Nnamani
- US Army Institute of Surgical Research, 3698 Chambers Pass, JBSA Fort Sam Houston, TX
| | - Mary Jo Pugh
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, University of Texas Health San Antonio, 7703 Floyd Curl Drive, San Antonio, TX
- South Texas Veterans Health Care System, 7400 Merton Minter St., San Antonio, TX
| | - Megan E Amuan
- Center for Healthcare Organization and Implementation Research, Edith Nourse Rogers Memorial VA Hospital, 200 Springs Road, Bedford, MA
| | - Blessen C Eapen
- Polytrauma Rehabilitation Center, South Texas Veterans Health Care System, 7400 Merton Minter St., San Antonio, TX
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, University of Texas Health San Antonio, 7703 Floyd Curl Drive San Antonio, TX
| | - Steven J Hudak
- Urology Clinic, Department of Surgery, Brooke Army Medical Center, 3551 Roger Brooke Drive, JBSA Fort Sam Houston, TX
- Department of Surgery, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, 4301 Jones Bridge Road, Bethesda, MD
| | - Michael A Liss
- South Texas Veterans Health Care System, 7400 Merton Minter St., San Antonio, TX
- Department of Urology, University of Texas Health San Antonio, 7703 Floyd Curl Drive San Antonio, TX
| | - Jean A Orman
- Department of Surgery, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, 4301 Jones Bridge Road, Bethesda, MD
- Joint Trauma System, 3698 Chambers Pass, JBSA Fort Sam Houston, San Antonio, TX
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Swan AA, Nelson JT, Pogoda TK, Amuan ME, Akin FW, Pugh MJ. Sensory dysfunction and traumatic brain injury severity among deployed post-9/11 veterans: a Chronic Effects of Neurotrauma Consortium study. Brain Inj 2018; 32:1197-1207. [DOI: 10.1080/02699052.2018.1495340] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/28/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Alicia A. Swan
- South Texas Veterans Health Care System, San Antonio, TX, USA
| | - Jeremy T. Nelson
- Department of Defense Hearing Center of Excellence, San Antonio, TX, USA
| | - Terri K. Pogoda
- Center for Healthcare Organization and Implementation Research, VA Boston Healthcare System, Boston, MA, USA
- Boston University School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Megan E. Amuan
- Center for Health Care Organization and Implementation Research, Edith Nourse Rogers VA Medical Center, Bedford, MA, USA
| | - Faith W. Akin
- James H Quillen VA Medical Center, Mountain Home, TN, USA
- Department of Audiology and Speech Language Pathology, East Tennessee State University, Johnson City, TN, USA
| | - Mary Jo Pugh
- South Texas Veterans Health Care System, San Antonio, TX, USA
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, University of Texas Health Science Center San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, USA
- Informatics, Decision-Enhancement and Analytic Sciences Center (IDEAS 2.0) VA Salt Lake City Health Care System and Department of Internal Medicine, University of Utah, USA
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Raju Sagiraju HK, Wang CP, Amuan ME, Van Cott AC, Altalib HH, Pugh MJV. Antiepileptic drugs and suicide-related behavior: Is it the drug or comorbidity? Neurol Clin Pract 2018; 8:331-339. [PMID: 30140585 DOI: 10.1212/cpj.0000000000000489] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2018] [Accepted: 04/11/2018] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
Background We sought to compare trends of suicide-related behavior (SRB) before and after initiation of antiepileptic drug (AED) therapy among AED users (with and without epilepsy) to that of individuals without AED use controlling for sociodemographic characteristics and mental health comorbidity. Methods We used national Veterans Health Administration (VHA) data for post-9/11 veterans who received VHA care (2013-2014) without prior AED use. We conducted generalized estimation equation (GEE) analyses, stratified by epilepsy status and type of AED received, to assess the trend of SRB prevalence the year prior to and after the index date (date of first AED prescription/date of first health care encounter for non-AED users) controlling for sociodemographic factors and mental health comorbidity. Results The GEE analysis showed significant curvilinear trends of SRB prevalence over the 24-month study period among the AED users, indicating that the probability of SRB diagnoses increased over time with a peak before the index month and decreased thereafter. Similar patterns were observed among non-AED users, but significantly lower odds for SRB. Among AED users, there were no significant differences by epilepsy status; however, higher SRB prevalence and differential SRB trajectory measures were observed among those who received AEDs with mood-stabilizing action. Conclusions The peak of SRB prior to and rapid reduction in SRB after initiation of AED, and the finding that individuals eventually prescribed a mood-stabilizing AED (vs other AED or levetiracetam) had higher odds of SRB, suggests a strong possibility that the relationship of AED and SRB is one of residual confounding.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hari K Raju Sagiraju
- South Texas Veterans Health Care System (HKRS, C-PW), San Antonio; Division of General and Hospital Medicine (HKRS) and Department of Epidemiology & Biostatistics (C-PW), University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio; Center for Healthcare Organization and Implementation Research (MEA), Edith Nourse Rogers Memorial Veterans Hospital, Bedford, MA; VA Pittsburgh Health Care System (ACVC); Department of Neurology (ACVC), University of Pittsburgh, PA; VA Connecticut Health Care System (HHA), West Haven; Department of Neurology & Psychiatry (HHA), Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT; Informatics, Decision-Enhancement and Analytic Sciences Center (IDEAS 2.0) (MJVP), VA Salt Lake City Health Care System; and Division of Epidemiology (MJVP), University of Utah Health Science Center
| | - Chen-Pin Wang
- South Texas Veterans Health Care System (HKRS, C-PW), San Antonio; Division of General and Hospital Medicine (HKRS) and Department of Epidemiology & Biostatistics (C-PW), University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio; Center for Healthcare Organization and Implementation Research (MEA), Edith Nourse Rogers Memorial Veterans Hospital, Bedford, MA; VA Pittsburgh Health Care System (ACVC); Department of Neurology (ACVC), University of Pittsburgh, PA; VA Connecticut Health Care System (HHA), West Haven; Department of Neurology & Psychiatry (HHA), Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT; Informatics, Decision-Enhancement and Analytic Sciences Center (IDEAS 2.0) (MJVP), VA Salt Lake City Health Care System; and Division of Epidemiology (MJVP), University of Utah Health Science Center
| | - Megan E Amuan
- South Texas Veterans Health Care System (HKRS, C-PW), San Antonio; Division of General and Hospital Medicine (HKRS) and Department of Epidemiology & Biostatistics (C-PW), University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio; Center for Healthcare Organization and Implementation Research (MEA), Edith Nourse Rogers Memorial Veterans Hospital, Bedford, MA; VA Pittsburgh Health Care System (ACVC); Department of Neurology (ACVC), University of Pittsburgh, PA; VA Connecticut Health Care System (HHA), West Haven; Department of Neurology & Psychiatry (HHA), Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT; Informatics, Decision-Enhancement and Analytic Sciences Center (IDEAS 2.0) (MJVP), VA Salt Lake City Health Care System; and Division of Epidemiology (MJVP), University of Utah Health Science Center
| | - Anne C Van Cott
- South Texas Veterans Health Care System (HKRS, C-PW), San Antonio; Division of General and Hospital Medicine (HKRS) and Department of Epidemiology & Biostatistics (C-PW), University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio; Center for Healthcare Organization and Implementation Research (MEA), Edith Nourse Rogers Memorial Veterans Hospital, Bedford, MA; VA Pittsburgh Health Care System (ACVC); Department of Neurology (ACVC), University of Pittsburgh, PA; VA Connecticut Health Care System (HHA), West Haven; Department of Neurology & Psychiatry (HHA), Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT; Informatics, Decision-Enhancement and Analytic Sciences Center (IDEAS 2.0) (MJVP), VA Salt Lake City Health Care System; and Division of Epidemiology (MJVP), University of Utah Health Science Center
| | - Hamada H Altalib
- South Texas Veterans Health Care System (HKRS, C-PW), San Antonio; Division of General and Hospital Medicine (HKRS) and Department of Epidemiology & Biostatistics (C-PW), University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio; Center for Healthcare Organization and Implementation Research (MEA), Edith Nourse Rogers Memorial Veterans Hospital, Bedford, MA; VA Pittsburgh Health Care System (ACVC); Department of Neurology (ACVC), University of Pittsburgh, PA; VA Connecticut Health Care System (HHA), West Haven; Department of Neurology & Psychiatry (HHA), Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT; Informatics, Decision-Enhancement and Analytic Sciences Center (IDEAS 2.0) (MJVP), VA Salt Lake City Health Care System; and Division of Epidemiology (MJVP), University of Utah Health Science Center
| | - Mary Jo V Pugh
- South Texas Veterans Health Care System (HKRS, C-PW), San Antonio; Division of General and Hospital Medicine (HKRS) and Department of Epidemiology & Biostatistics (C-PW), University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio; Center for Healthcare Organization and Implementation Research (MEA), Edith Nourse Rogers Memorial Veterans Hospital, Bedford, MA; VA Pittsburgh Health Care System (ACVC); Department of Neurology (ACVC), University of Pittsburgh, PA; VA Connecticut Health Care System (HHA), West Haven; Department of Neurology & Psychiatry (HHA), Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT; Informatics, Decision-Enhancement and Analytic Sciences Center (IDEAS 2.0) (MJVP), VA Salt Lake City Health Care System; and Division of Epidemiology (MJVP), University of Utah Health Science Center
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Pugh MJ, Jaramillo CA, Leung KW, Faverio P, Fleming N, Mortensen E, Amuan ME, Wang CP, Eapen B, Restrepo M, Morris MJ. Increasing Prevalence of Chronic Lung Disease in Veterans of the Wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. Mil Med 2017; 181:476-81. [PMID: 27136656 DOI: 10.7205/milmed-d-15-00035] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Research from the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq have focused on traumatic brain injury (TBI) and mental health conditions; however, it is becoming clear that other health concerns, such as respiratory illnesses, warrant further scientific inquiry. Early reports from theater and postdeployment health assessments suggested an association with deployment-related exposures (e.g., sand, burn pits, chemical, etc.) and new-onset respiratory symptoms. We used data from Veterans Affairs medical encounters between fiscal years 2003 and 2011 to identify trends in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, asthma, and interstitial lung disease in veterans. We used data from Veterans Affairs and Department of Defense sources to identify sociodemographic (age, sex, race), military (e.g., service branch, multiple deployments) and clinical characteristics (TBI, smoking) of individuals with and without chronic lung diseases. Generalized estimating equations found significant increases over time for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and asthma in both unadjusted and adjusted analyses. Trends for interstitial lung disease were significant only in adjusted analyses. Age, smoking, and TBI were also significantly associated with chronic lung diseases; however, multiple deployments were not associated. Research is needed to identify which characteristics of deployment-related exposures are linked with chronic lung disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mary Jo Pugh
- South Texas Veterans Health Care System, 7400 Merton Minter Boulevard, San Antonio, TX 78229
| | - Carlos A Jaramillo
- South Texas Veterans Health Care System, 7400 Merton Minter Boulevard, San Antonio, TX 78229
| | - Kar-Wei Leung
- University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, 7703 Floyd Curl Drive, San Antonio, TX 78229
| | - Paola Faverio
- Department of Health Science, Clinica Pneumologica, AO San Gerardo, University of Milan Bicocca, Via Pergolesi 22, Monza, Italy
| | - Nicholas Fleming
- University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, 7703 Floyd Curl Drive, San Antonio, TX 78229
| | - Eric Mortensen
- North Texas Veterans Health Care System, 4500 South Lancaster Road, Dallas, TX 75216
| | - Megan E Amuan
- Edith Nourse Rogers VA Medical Center, 200 Springs Road, Bedford, MA 01730
| | - Chen-Pin Wang
- University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, 7703 Floyd Curl Drive, San Antonio, TX 78229
| | - Blessen Eapen
- South Texas Veterans Health Care System, 7400 Merton Minter Boulevard, San Antonio, TX 78229
| | - Marcos Restrepo
- South Texas Veterans Health Care System, 7400 Merton Minter Boulevard, San Antonio, TX 78229
| | - Michael J Morris
- Uniformed Services University, Brooke Army Medical Center, 3551 Roger Brooke Drive, Fort Sam Houston, TX 78234
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Rivera JC, Amuan ME, Morris RM, Johnson AE, Pugh MJ. Arthritis, comorbidities, and care utilization in veterans of operations enduring and Iraqi Freedom. J Orthop Res 2017; 35:682-687. [PMID: 27256517 DOI: 10.1002/jor.23323] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/19/2016] [Accepted: 05/25/2016] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
Veteran populations are known to have frequencies of arthritis higher than civilian populations. The aim of this study is to define the prevalence of arthritis among a cohort of veterans from ongoing U.S. military operations. A retrospective cohort study using Veterans Administration data sources for service connected disability, comorbidities, clinic utilization, and pharmacy utilization was conducted including veterans who deployed in service to operations in Afghanistan or Iraq, comparing veterans with a diagnosis of arthritis, arthritis plus back pain, and veterans with no pain diagnoses. The frequency of arthritis was 11.8%. Veterans with arthritis and arthritis plus back pain had greater frequencies of diabetes, hyperlipidemia, hypertension, and obesity compare to veterans with no pain diagnosis. Veterans with arthritis plus back pain had the highest pain clinic utilization and prescription use of opioids and anti-inflammatories. Veterans with no pain diagnosis had higher frequencies of diagnosis and clinic utilization for mental health disorders. Arthritis is prevalent among the latest generation of combat veterans and is associated with diabetes, obesity, and cardiovascular comorbidities. The need for arthritis care and associated comorbidities is expected to increase as the Veterans Administration and the civilian health care sector assumes care of these veterans. © 2016 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Orthop Res 35:682-687, 2017.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jessica C Rivera
- US Army Institute of Surgical Research and San Antonio Military Medical Center Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, 3698 Chambers Pass, JBSA Fort Sam Houston, Texas, 78234
| | - Megan E Amuan
- Edith Nourse Roge Memorial Veterans Hospital, Bedford, Massachusetts
| | - Ruth M Morris
- South Texas Veterans Health Care System, San Antonio, Texas
| | - Anthony E Johnson
- San Antonio Military Medical Center Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, JBSA Fort Sam Houston, Texas
| | - Mary Jo Pugh
- South Texas Veterans Health Care System, San Antonio, Texas
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Rohde NN, Baca CB, Van Cott AC, Parko KL, Amuan ME, Pugh MJ. Antiepileptic drug prescribing patterns in Iraq and Afghanistan war veterans with epilepsy. Epilepsy Behav 2015; 46:133-9. [PMID: 25911209 DOI: 10.1016/j.yebeh.2015.03.027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2014] [Revised: 03/25/2015] [Accepted: 03/27/2015] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE We examined patterns of antiepileptic drug (AED) use in a cohort of Iraq/Afghanistan war veterans (IAVs) who were previously identified as having epilepsy. We hypothesized that clinicians would be more likely to prescribe newer AEDs and would select specific AEDs to treat seizures based on patient characteristics including gender and comorbidities. METHODS From the cohort of IAVs previously identified with epilepsy between fiscal years 2009 and 2010, we selected those who received AEDs from the Veterans Health Administration in FY2010. Regimens were classified as monotherapy or polytherapy, and specific AED use was examine overall and by gender. Multivariable logistic regression examined associations of age; gender; race/ethnicity; medical, psychiatric, and neurological comorbidities; and receipt of neurology specialty care associated with the six most commonly used AEDs. RESULTS Among 256,284 IAVs, 2123 met inclusion criteria (mean age: 33years; 89% men). Seventy-two percent (n=1526) received monotherapy, most commonly valproate (N=425) and levetiracetam (n=347). Sixty-one percent of those on monotherapy received a newer AED (levetiracetam, topiramate, lamotrigine, zonisamide, oxcarbazepine). Although fewer women than men received valproate, nearly 90% (N=45) were of reproductive age (≤45years). Antiepileptic drug prescribing patterns were associated with posttraumatic stress disorder, bipolar disorder, cerebrovascular disease, dementia/cognitive impairment, headache, and receipt of neurological specialty care (all p<0.01). SIGNIFICANCE In this cohort of veterans with epilepsy, most received AED monotherapy and newer AEDs. Prescribing patterns were different for men and women. The patterns observed between AEDs and neurological/psychiatric comorbidities suggest that clinicians are practicing rational prescribing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natalie N Rohde
- VA Epilepsy Centers of Excellence, South Texas Veterans Health Care System, 7400 Merton Minter Blvd., San Antonio, TX 78229, USA; Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, UTHSCSA, San Antonio, TX, USA.
| | - Christine B Baca
- VA Epilepsy Center of Excellence, VAGLAHS, Los Angeles, CA, USA; Department of Neurology, UCLA, 710 Westwood Plaza, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA.
| | - Anne C Van Cott
- VA Pittsburgh Healthcare System, University of Pittsburgh, University Drive C, Pittsburgh, PA 15240, USA; Department of Neurology, University of Pittsburgh, PA, USA.
| | - Karen L Parko
- VA Epilepsy Centers of Excellence, San Francisco VA Health Care System, 4150 Clement Street, San Francisco, CA 94121, USA; Department of Neurology, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA.
| | - Megan E Amuan
- Center for Healthcare Organization and Implementation Research (CHOIR), ENRM VAMC, Bedford, MA, USA; Center for Health Quality, Outcomes and Economic Research, Bedford VA Medical Center, 200 Springs Road (152), Bedford, MA 01730, USA.
| | - Mary Jo Pugh
- VA Epilepsy Centers of Excellence, South Texas Veterans Health Care System, 7400 Merton Minter Blvd., San Antonio, TX 78229, USA; Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, UTHSCSA, San Antonio, TX, USA; Texas A&M Health Science Center, Department of Medicine, Bryan, TX, USA.
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Finley EP, Bollinger M, Noël PH, Amuan ME, Copeland LA, Pugh JA, Dassori A, Palmer R, Bryan C, Pugh MJV. A national cohort study of the association between the polytrauma clinical triad and suicide-related behavior among US Veterans who served in Iraq and Afghanistan. Am J Public Health 2015; 105:380-7. [PMID: 25033126 DOI: 10.2105/ajph.2014.301957] [Citation(s) in RCA: 58] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/23/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES We examined the association of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), traumatic brain injury, and chronic pain-the polytrauma clinical triad (PCT)-independently and with other conditions, with suicide-related behavior (SRB) risk among Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF; Afghanistan) and Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF) veterans. METHODS We used Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) administrative data to identify OEF and OIF veterans receiving VA care in fiscal years 2009-2011; we used International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision, Clinical Modification codes to characterize 211652 cohort members. Descriptive statistics were followed by multinomial logistic regression analyses predicting SRB. RESULTS Co-occurrence of PCT conditions was associated with significant increase in suicide ideation risk (odds ratio [OR] = 1.9; 95% confidence interval [CI]=1.5, 2.4) or attempt and ideation (OR=2.6; 95% CI=1.5, 4.6), but did not exceed increased risk with PTSD alone (ideation: OR=2.3; 95% CI=2.0, 2.6; attempt: OR=2.0; 95% CI=1.4, 2.9; ideation and attempt: OR=1.8; 95% CI=1.2, 2.8). Ideation risk was significantly elevated when PTSD was comorbid with depression (OR=4.2; 95% CI=3.6, 4.8) or substance abuse (OR=4.7; 95% CI = 3.9, 5.6). CONCLUSIONS Although PCT was a moderate SRB predictor, interactions among PCT conditions, particularly PTSD, and depression or substance abuse had larger risk increases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erin P Finley
- Erin P. Finley, Mary Bollinger, Polly H. Noël, Jacqueline A. Pugh, Albana Dassori, and Mary Jo V. Pugh are with South Texas Veterans Health Care System, San Antonio. Raymond Palmer is with Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, University of Texas Health Science Center, San Antonio. Megan E. Amuan is with Center for Health Quality, Outcomes and Economic Research, Edith Nourse Rogers Memorial VA Hospital, Bedford, MA. Laurel A. Copeland is with Center for Applied Health Research, jointly sponsored by Central Texas Veterans, Health Care System and Scott and White Healthcare System, Temple, TX. Craig Bryan is with National Center for Veterans Studies and Department of Psychology, The University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT
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Alvarez CA, Mortensen EM, Makris UE, Berlowitz DR, Copeland LA, Good CB, Amuan ME, Pugh MJV. Association of skeletal muscle relaxers and antihistamines on mortality, hospitalizations, and emergency department visits in elderly patients: a nationwide retrospective cohort study. BMC Geriatr 2015; 15:2. [PMID: 25623366 PMCID: PMC4322434 DOI: 10.1186/1471-2318-15-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2014] [Accepted: 12/17/2014] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Background High-risk medication exposure in the elderly is common and associated with increased mortality, hospitalizations, and emergency department (ED) visits. Skeletal muscle relaxants and antihistamines are high-risk medications commonly prescribed in elderly patients. The objective of this study was to determine the association between skeletal muscle relaxants or antihistamines and mortality, hospitalizations, and emergency department visits. Methods This study used a new-user, retrospective cohort design using national Veteran Affairs (VA) data from 128 hospitals. Veterans ≥65 years of age on October 1, 2005 who received VA inpatient/outpatient care at least once in each of fiscal year (FY) 2005 and FY 2006 were included. Exposure to skeletal muscle relaxants and antihistamines was defined by the National Committee for Quality Assurance Healthcare Effectiveness Data and Information Set measures for high-risk medications in the elderly. Primary outcomes identified within one year of exposure were death, ED visit, or hospitalization; ED visits or hospitalizations due to falls and fracture were also assessed. Propensity score matching (1 to 1 match) was used to balance covariates between exposed patients and non-exposed patients. Results In this cohort of 1,807,404 patients 55,566 patients were included in the propensity-matched cohort for skeletal muscle relaxants and 60,058 patients were included in the propensity-matched cohort for anti-histamines. Mortality was lower in skeletal muscle relaxants-exposed patients (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] 0.87, 95% CI 0.81-0.94), but risk of emergency care (AOR 2.25, 95% CI 2.16-2.33) and hospitalization (AOR 1.56, 95% CI 1.48-1.65) was higher for patients prescribed skeletal muscle relaxants. Similar findings were observed for emergency and hospital care for falls or fractures. Mortality (AOR 1.93, 95% CI 1.82-2.04), ED visits (AOR 2.35, 95% CI 2.27-2.43), and hospitalizations (AOR 2.21, 95% CI 2.11-2.32) were higher in the antihistamine-exposed group, with similar findings for falls and fractures outcomes. Conclusion Skeletal muscle relaxants and antihistamines are associated with an increased risk of ED visits and hospitalizations in elderly patients. Antihistamines were also associated with an increased risk of death, further validating the classification of these drug classes as “high risk”.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carlos A Alvarez
- Pharmacy Practice Department, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Forest Park Rd, Dallas, TX, USA.
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Diaz K, Faverio P, Hospenthal A, Restrepo MI, Amuan ME, Pugh MJV. Obstructive sleep apnea is associated with higher healthcare utilization in elderly patients. Ann Thorac Med 2014; 9:92-8. [PMID: 24791172 PMCID: PMC4005168 DOI: 10.4103/1817-1737.128854] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2013] [Accepted: 11/21/2013] [Indexed: 11/04/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is an important cause of morbidity in the elderly population. Limited data are available regarding the healthcare utilization and predisposing conditions related to OSA in the elderly. Our aim was to evaluate the healthcare utilization and the conditions associated with new and chronic diagnosis of OSA in a large cohort of elderly patients in the Veterans Health Administration (VHA). MATERIALS AND METHODS This retrospective cohort study used inpatient and outpatient VHA data to identify the individuals diagnosed with OSA using ICD-9 codes during the fiscal years 2003-2005. Primary outcomes were emergency department (ED) visits and hospitalizations. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was performed to identify the demographic and clinical characteristics associated with new and chronic diagnosis of OSA. RESULTS Of 1,867,876 elderly veterans having 2 years of care, 82,178 (4.4%) were diagnosed with OSA. Individuals with OSA were younger and more likely to have chronic diseases than those without OSA. Individuals with chronic OSA were more likely to have diagnoses of congestive heart failure (CHF), pulmonary circulation disorders, COPD, and obesity and less likely to have diagnoses of hypertension, osteoarthritis, and stroke than individuals with newly diagnosed OSA. The proportion of patients with new OSA diagnosis who required at least one ED visit was higher than the proportion of chronic OSA and no OSA patients (37%, 32%, and 15%, respectively; P-value <0.05). The proportion of new OSA patients who required at least one hospitalization was also higher than the proportion of chronic OSA and no OSA patients (24%, 17%, and 7%, respectively; P-value <0.05). CONCLUSION Patients with OSA had a higher incidence of healthcare utilization compared to patients without OSA. New OSA patients had a higher rate of healthcare utilization in the year of diagnosis compared to chronic patients and patients without OSA. Early OSA recognition may reduce healthcare utilization in these patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karla Diaz
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, University of Texas, Health Science Center, Monza, Italy
| | - Paola Faverio
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, University of Texas, Health Science Center, Monza, Italy ; Department of Health Science, University of Milan-Bicocca, Respiratory Unit, San Gerardo Hospital, Monza, Italy
| | - Angela Hospenthal
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, University of Texas, Health Science Center, Monza, Italy
| | - Marcos I Restrepo
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, University of Texas, Health Science Center, Monza, Italy ; VERDICT/South Texas Veterans Health Care System, San Antonio, TX, USA
| | - Megan E Amuan
- Center for Health Quality, Outcomes and Economic Research, Edith Nourse Rogers VA Hospital, Bedford, MA 01730, England, USA
| | - Mary Jo V Pugh
- VERDICT/South Texas Veterans Health Care System, San Antonio, TX, USA ; Departments of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, USA ; Department of Medicine Bryan, Texas A&M Health Science Center, College of Medicine, TX, USA
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Pugh MJV, Hesdorffer D, Wang CP, Amuan ME, Tabares JV, Finley EP, Cramer JA, Kanner AM, Bryan CJ. Temporal trends in new exposure to antiepileptic drug monotherapy and suicide-related behavior. Neurology 2013; 81:1900-6. [PMID: 24174583 DOI: 10.1212/01.wnl.0000436614.51081.2e] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Because some recent studies suggest increased risk for suicide-related behavior (SRB; ideation, attempts) among those receiving antiepileptic drugs (AEDs), we examined the temporal relationship between new AED exposure and SRB in a cohort of older veterans. METHODS We used national Veterans Health Administration databases to identify veterans aged ≥65 years who received a new AED prescription in 2004-2006. All instances of SRB were identified using ICD-9-CM codes 1 year before and after the AED exposure (index) date. We also identified comorbid conditions and medication associated with SRB in prior research. We used generalized estimating equations with a logit link to examine the association between new AED exposure and SRB during 30-day intervals during the year before and after the index date, controlling for potential confounders. RESULTS In this cohort of 90,263 older veterans, the likelihood of SRB the month prior to AED exposure was significantly higher than in other time periods even after adjusting for potential confounders. Although there were 87 SRB events (74 individuals) the year before and 106 SRB events (92 individuals) after, approximately 22% (n = 16) of those also had SRB before the index date. Moreover, the rate of SRB after AED start was gradually reduced over time. CONCLUSIONS The temporal pattern of AED exposure and SRB suggests that, in clinical practice, the peak in SRB is prior to exposure. While speculative, the rate of gradual reduction in SRB thereafter suggests that symptoms may prompt AED prescription.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mary Jo V Pugh
- From the South Texas Veterans Health Care System (VERDICT) (M.J.V.P., C.-P.W., J.V.T., E.P.F.), San Antonio; Department of Epidemiology & Biostatistics (M.J.V.P., C.-P.W.), University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio; Department of Medicine (M.J.V.P.), Texas A & M University, College Station; Mailman School of Public Health (D.H.), Sergievsky Center, The Gertrude H. Sergievsky Center, College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University, New York, NY; Edith Nourse Rogers Memorial Hospital (The Center for Health Quality, Outcomes and Economic Research [CHQOER]) (M.E.A.), Bedford, MA; Yale University School of Medicine (J.A.C.), New Haven, CT; Epilepsy Therapy Project (J.A.C.), Houston, TX; Rush University Medical Center (A.M.K.), Chicago, IL; and National Center for Veterans Studies (C.J.B.), University of Utah, Salt Lake City
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Pugh MJV, Marcum ZA, Copeland LA, Mortensen EM, Zeber JE, Noël PH, Berlowitz DR, Downs JR, Good CB, Alvarez C, Amuan ME, Hanlon JT. The quality of quality measures: HEDIS® quality measures for medication management in the elderly and outcomes associated with new exposure. Drugs Aging 2013; 30:645-54. [PMID: 23645530 DOI: 10.1007/s40266-013-0086-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Clinical validation studies of the Healthcare Effectiveness Data and Information Set (HEDIS®) measures of inappropriate prescribing in the elderly are limited. OBJECTIVES The objective of this study was to examine associations of new exposure to high-risk medication in the elderly (HRME) and drug-disease interaction (Rx-DIS) with mortality, hospital admission, and emergency care. METHODS A retrospective database study was conducted examining new use of HRME and Rx-DIS in fiscal year 2006 (Oct 2005-Sep 2006; FY06), with index date being the date of first HRME/Rx-DIS exposure, or first day of FY07 if no HRME/Rx-DIS exposure. Outcomes were assessed 1 year after the index date. The participants were veterans who were ≥65 years old in FY06 and received Veterans Health Administration (VA) care in FY05-06. A history of falls/hip fracture, chronic renal failure, and/or dementia per diagnosis codes defined the Rx-DIS subsample. The variables included a number of new unique HRME drug exposures and new unique Rx-DIS drug exposure (0, 1, >1) in FY06, and outcomes (i.e., 1-year mortality, hospital admission, and emergency care) up to 1 year after exposure. Descriptive statistics summarized variables for the overall HRME cohort and the Rx-DIS subset. Multivariable statistical analyses using generalized estimating equations (GEE) models with a logit link accounted for nesting of patients within facilities. For these latter analyses, we controlled for demographic characteristics, chronic disease states, and indicators of disease burden the previous year (e.g., number of prescriptions, emergency/hospital care). RESULTS Among the 1,807,404 veterans who met inclusion criteria, 5.2 % had new HRME exposure. Of the 256,388 in the Rx-DIS cohort, 3.6 % had new Rx-DIS exposure. Multivariable analyses found that HRME was significantly associated with mortality [1: adjusted odds ratio (AOR) = 1.62, 95 % CI 1.56-1.68; >1: AOR = 1.80, 95 % CI 1.45-2.23], hospital admission (1: AOR = 2.31, 95 % CI 2.22-2.40; >1: AOR = 3.44, 95 % CI 3.06-3.87), and emergency care (1: AOR = 2.59, 95 % CI 2.49-2.70; >1: AOR = 4.18, 95 % CI 3.71-4.71). Rx-DIS exposure was significantly associated with mortality (1: AOR = 1.60, 95 % CI 1.51-1.71; >1: AOR = 2.00, 95 % CI 1.38-2.91), hospital admission for one exposure (1: AOR = 1.12, 95 % CI 1.03-1.27; >1: AOR = 1.18, 95 % CI 0.71-1.95), and emergency care for two or more exposures (1: AOR = 1.06, 95 % CI 0.97-1.15; >1: AOR = 2.0, 95 % CI 1.35-3.10). CONCLUSIONS Analyses support the link between HRME/Rx-DIS exposure and clinically significant outcomes in older veterans. Now is the time to begin incorporating input from both patients who receive these medications and providers who prescribe to develop approaches to reduce exposure to these agents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mary Jo V Pugh
- South Texas Veterans Health Care System, Audie L. Murphy Division, Veterans Evidence-based Research Dissemination Implementation CenTer (VERDICT 11C6), San Antonio, TX 78229, USA.
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Pugh MJV, Copeland LA, Zeber JE, Wang CP, Amuan ME, Mortensen EM, Tabares JV, Van Cott AC, Cooper TL, Cramer JA. Antiepileptic drug monotherapy exposure and suicide-related behavior in older veterans. J Am Geriatr Soc 2012; 60:2042-7. [PMID: 23110401 DOI: 10.1111/j.1532-5415.2012.04207.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES To examine the association between antiepileptic drug (AED) receipt and suicide-related behavior (SRB) in older veterans. DESIGN Retrospective database analysis. SETTING Veterans Health Administration (VHA) inpatient and outpatient care. PARTICIPANTS Veterans aged 65 and older in 2004 to 2006. MEASUREMENTS SRB was identified using International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision, Clinical Modification codes, and new AED monotherapy was identified using the VHA product variable in pharmacy data. Comorbid conditions and medications were also identified as potential confounders using previously validated algorithms. Cox proportional hazards models controlling for the propensity to receive AEDs examined the association between any AED exposure, specific AEDs, and time to SRB. RESULTS Within the eligible sample of 2.15 million individuals, 332 cases of SRB were found. Overall, 98% of participants were male, and 67% were non-Hispanic white. Affective disorders and severe psychiatric conditions were strongly associated with SRB and were included in the propensity score. AED exposure displayed a significant association with SRB (odds ratio = 4.10, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 3.85-6.63) after adjusting for propensity to receive AEDs. Stratified analyses found similar results for those with (hazard ratio (HR) = 4.00, 95% CI = 2.9-5.5) and without (HR = 4.57, 95% CI = 1.15-18.20) mental health comorbidities. Gabapentin, phenytoin, lamotrigine, levetiracetam, topiramate, and valproate were significantly associated with SRB. CONCLUSION Exposure to five common AEDs was associated with SRB in older VHA beneficiaries. Given the strong associations between psychiatric comorbidity and SRB, clinicians treating elderly adults should weigh this potential adverse effect into their consideration for treatment of those receiving AEDs. Particular attention should be given to depression and suicidality screening in people prescribed AEDs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mary Jo V Pugh
- South Texas Veterans Health Care System (VERDICT), Audie L. Murphy Division, San Antonio, Texas 78229, USA.
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Gellad WF, Good CB, Amuan ME, Marcum ZA, Hanlon JT, Pugh MJV. Facility-level variation in potentially inappropriate prescribing for older veterans. J Am Geriatr Soc 2012; 60:1222-9. [PMID: 22726206 DOI: 10.1111/j.1532-5415.2012.04042.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES To describe facility-level variation in two measures of potentially inappropriate prescribing prevalent in Veterans Affairs (VA) facilities-exposure to high-risk medications in elderly adults (HRME) and drug-disease interactions (Rx-DIS)-and to identify facility characteristics associated with high-quality prescribing. DESIGN Cross-sectional. SETTING VA Healthcare System. PARTICIPANTS Veterans aged 65 and older with at least one inpatient or outpatient visit in 2005-2006 (N = 2,023,477; HRME exposure) and a subsample with a history of falls or hip fractures, dementia, or chronic renal failure (n = 305,059; Rx-DIS exposure). MEASUREMENTS Incident use of any HRME (iHRME) and incident Rx-DIS (iRx-DIS) and facility-level rates and facility-level predictors of iHRME and iRx-DIS exposure, adjusting for differences in patient characteristics. RESULTS Overall, 94,692 (4.7%) veterans had iHRME exposure. At the facility level, iHRME exposure ranged from 1.6% at the lowest facility to 12.8% at the highest (median 4.7%). In the subsample, 9,803 (3.2%) veterans had iRx-DIS exposure, with a facility-level range from 1.3% to 5.8% (median 3.2%). In adjusted analyses, veterans seen in facilities with formal geriatric education had lower odds of iHRME (odds ratio (OR) = 0.86, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.77-0.96) and iRx-DIS (OR = 0.95, 95% CI = 0.88-1.01). Patients seen in facilities caring for fewer older veterans had greater odds of iHRME (OR = 1.54, 95% CI = 1.35-1.75) and iRx-DIS exposure (OR = 1.22, 95% CI = 1.11-1.33). CONCLUSION Substantial variation in the quality of prescribing for older adults exists across VA facilities, even after adjusting for patient characteristics. Higher-quality prescribing is found in facilities caring for a larger number of older veterans and facilities with formal geriatric education.
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Affiliation(s)
- Walid F Gellad
- Center for Health Equity Research and Promotion, Veterans Affairs Pittsburgh Healthcare System, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15206, USA.
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Marcum ZA, Pugh MJV, Amuan ME, Aspinall SL, Handler SM, Ruby CM, Hanlon JT. Prevalence of potentially preventable unplanned hospitalizations caused by therapeutic failures and adverse drug withdrawal events among older veterans. J Gerontol A Biol Sci Med Sci 2012; 67:867-74. [PMID: 22389461 DOI: 10.1093/gerona/gls001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Background. Studies of drug-related hospitalizations have focused on adverse drug reactions, but few data are available on therapeutic failures (TFs) and adverse drug withdrawal events (ADWEs) leading to hospitalization among community-dwelling older adults. Thus, we sought to describe the prevalence of unplanned hospitalizations caused by TFs and ADWEs. In addition, we evaluated factors associated with these events in a nationally representative sample of older Veterans. Methods. This study included 678 randomly selected unplanned hospitalizations of older (age ≥ 65 years) Veterans between December 1, 2003, and November 9, 2006. The main outcomes were hospitalizations caused by a TF and/or an ADWE as determined by a pair of health professionals from review of medication charts and application of the Therapeutic Failure Questionnaire and/or Naranjo ADWE algorithm, respectively. Preventability (ie, medication error) of the admission was also assessed. Results. Thirty-four TFs and eight ADWEs involving 54 drugs were associated with 40 (5.9%) Veterans' hospitalizations; of these admissions, 90.0% (36/40) were rated as potentially preventable mostly due to medication nonadherence and suboptimal prescribing. The most common TFs that occurred were heart failure exacerbations (n = 8), coronary heart disease symptoms (n = 6), tachyarrhythmias (n = 3), and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease exacerbations (n = 3). Half (4/8) of the ADWEs that occurred were cardiovascular in nature. Multivariable logistic regression modeling indicated that black Veterans (adjusted odds ratio 2.92, 95% CI 1.25-6.80) were significantly more likely to experience a TF-related admission compared with white Veterans. Conclusions. TF-related unplanned hospitalizations occur more frequently than ADWE-related admissions among older Veterans. Almost all TFs and/or ADWEs are potentially preventable.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zachary A Marcum
- Department of Medicine (Geriatrics), School of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh,, 3471 Fifth Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA.
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Marcum ZA, Amuan ME, Hanlon JT, Aspinall SL, Handler SM, Ruby CM, Pugh MJV. Prevalence of unplanned hospitalizations caused by adverse drug reactions in older veterans. J Am Geriatr Soc 2012; 60:34-41. [PMID: 22150441 PMCID: PMC3258324 DOI: 10.1111/j.1532-5415.2011.03772.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 159] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES To describe the prevalence of unplanned hospitalizations caused by adverse drug reactions (ADRs) in older veterans and to examine the association between this outcome and polypharmacy after controlling for comorbidities and other patient characteristics. DESIGN Retrospective cohort. SETTING Veterans Affairs Medical Centers. PARTICIPANTS Six hundred seventy-eight randomly selected unplanned hospitalizations of older (aged ≥ 65) veterans between October 1, 2003, and September 30, 2006. MEASUREMENTS Naranjo ADR algorithm, ADR preventability, and polypharmacy (0-4, 5-8, and ≥9 scheduled medications). RESULTS Seventy ADRs involving 113 drugs were found in 68 (10%) hospitalizations of older veterans, of which 25 (36.8%) were preventable. Extrapolating to the population of more than 2.4 million older veterans receiving care during the study period, 8,000 hospitalizations may have been unnecessary. The most common ADRs that occurred were bradycardia (n = 6; beta-blockers, digoxin), hypoglycemia (n = 6; sulfonylureas, insulin), falls (n = 6; antidepressants, angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors), and mental status changes (n = 6; anticonvulsants, benzodiazepines). Overall, 44.8% of veterans took nine or more outpatient medications and 35.4% took five to eight. Using multivariable logistic regression and controlling for demographic, health-status, and access-to-care variables, polypharmacy (≥9 and 5-8) was associated with greater risk of ADR-related hospitalization (adjusted odds ratio (AOR) = 3.90, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.43-10.61 and AOR = 2.85, 95% CI = 1.03-7.85, respectively). CONCLUSION ADRs, determined using a validated causality algorithm, are a common cause of unplanned hospitalization in older veterans, are frequently preventable, and are associated with polypharmacy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zachary A. Marcum
- School of Medicine (Geriatrics), University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA
| | | | - Joseph T. Hanlon
- School of Medicine (Geriatrics), University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA
- School of Pharmacy (Pharmacy & Therapeutics), University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA
- Geriatric Research Education and Clinical Center (GRECC), VA Pittsburgh Healthcare System (VAPHS), Pittsburgh, PA
- Center for Health Equity Research and Promotion (CHERP), VAPHS, Pittsburgh, PA
| | - Sherrie L. Aspinall
- School of Pharmacy (Pharmacy & Therapeutics), University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA
- Center for Health Equity Research and Promotion (CHERP), VAPHS, Pittsburgh, PA
- VA Center for Medication Safety, Hines, IL
| | - Steven M. Handler
- School of Medicine (Geriatrics), University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA
- Geriatric Research Education and Clinical Center (GRECC), VA Pittsburgh Healthcare System (VAPHS), Pittsburgh, PA
- School of Medicine (Biomedical Informatics), University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA
| | - Christine M. Ruby
- School of Medicine (Geriatrics), University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA
- School of Pharmacy (Pharmacy & Therapeutics), University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA
| | - Mary Jo V. Pugh
- Veterans Evidence Based Research Dissemination and Implementation Center, South Texas Veterans Health Care System
- University of Texas Health Science Center San Antonio, Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics and Department of Medicine Division of Geriatrics and Gerontology, San Antonio, TX
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Pugh MJV, Hanlon JT, Wang CP, Semla T, Burk M, Amuan ME, Lowery A, Good CB, Berlowitz DR. Trends in use of high-risk medications for older veterans: 2004 to 2006. J Am Geriatr Soc 2011; 59:1891-8. [PMID: 21883108 DOI: 10.1111/j.1532-5415.2011.03559.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/17/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES To examine the change in use of high-risk medications for the elderly (HRME), as defined by the National Committee on Quality Assurance's Healthcare Effectiveness Data and Information Set (HEDIS) quality measure (HEDIS HRME), by older outpatient veterans over a 3-year period and to identify risk factors for HEDIS HRME exposure overall and for the most commonly used drug classes. DESIGN Longitudinal retrospective database analysis. SETTING Outpatient clinics within the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). PARTICIPANTS Veterans aged 65 by October 1, 2003, and who received VA care at least once each year until September 30, 2006. MEASUREMENTS Rates of use of HEDIS HRME overall and according to specific drug classes each year from fiscal year 2004 (FY04) to FY06. RESULTS In a cohort of 1,567,467, high-risk medication exposure fell from 13.1% to 12.3% between FY04 and FY06 (P<.001). High-risk antihistamines (e.g., diphenhydramine), opioid analgesics (e.g., propoxyphene), skeletal muscle relaxants (e.g., cyclobenzaprine), psychotropics (e.g., long half-life benzodiazepines), endocrine (e.g., estrogen), and cardiac medications (e.g., short-acting nifedipine) had modest but statistically significant (P<.001) reductions (range -3.8% to -16.0%); nitrofurantoin demonstrated a statistically significant increase (+36.5%; P<.001). Overall HEDIS HRME exposure was more likely for men, Hispanics, those receiving more medications, those with psychiatric comorbidity, and those without prior geriatric care. Exposure was lower for individuals exempt from copayment. Similar associations were seen between ethnicity, polypharmacy, psychiatric comorbidity, access-to-care factors, and use of individual HEDIS HRME classes. CONCLUSION HEDIS HRME drug exposure decreased slightly in an integrated healthcare system. Risk factors for exposure were not consistent across drug groups. Future studies should examine whether interventions to further reduce HEDIS HRME use improve health outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mary Jo V Pugh
- South Texas Veterans Health Care System, Veterans Evidence-Based Research and Implementation Center, San Antonio, Texas 78023, USA.
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Pugh MJV, Starner CI, Amuan ME, Berlowitz DR, Horton M, Marcum ZA, Hanlon JT. Exposure to potentially harmful drug-disease interactions in older community-dwelling veterans based on the Healthcare Effectiveness Data and Information Set quality measure: who is at risk? J Am Geriatr Soc 2011; 59:1673-8. [PMID: 21831166 DOI: 10.1111/j.1532-5415.2011.03524.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES To identify prevalence and risk factors for exposure to drug-disease interactions included in the Healthcare Effectiveness Data and Information Set (HEDIS) Drug-Disease Interaction (Rx-DIS) measure. DESIGN Cross-sectional retrospective database analysis. SETTING Outpatient clinics within the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). PARTICIPANTS Individuals aged 65 and older who received VA outpatient care between October 1, 2003, and September 30, 2006. MEASUREMENTS Rx-DIS exposure based on the HEDIS measure was identified in VA patients with dementia, falls, and chronic renal failure using VA pharmacy and administrative databases. Factors associated with Rx-DIS exposure were examined, including demographic, health status, and access-to-care factors, including VA outpatient health services use and copayment status. RESULTS Of the 305,041 older veterans who met criteria for inclusion, the 1-year prevalence of Rx-DIS exposure was 15.2%; prevalence was 20.2% for dementia, 16.2% for falls, and 8.5% for chronic renal failure. Patients with high disease burden (physical, psychiatric, number of medications) were significantly more likely to have Rx-DIS exposure, regardless of condition. Hispanics and individuals with no copayments were more likely to have Rx-DIS exposure than whites or those with required copayments. There was variation in other predictors based on the type of Rx-DIS. CONCLUSION The prevalence of Rx-DIS was common in older VA outpatients. Future studies should examine the risk of Rx-DIS exposure on health outcomes using separate analyses for each type of Rx-DIS separately before combining all Rx-DIS into a single measure of exposure. Studies that examine the effectiveness of interventions to reduce Rx-DIS exposure will also be helpful in improving the quality of care for older adults.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mary Jo V Pugh
- Veterans Evidence-based Research and Implementation CenterGeriatrics and Extended Care, South Texas Veterans Health Care System, San Antonio, Texas 78229, USA.
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Pugh MJV, Vancott AC, Steinman MA, Mortensen EM, Amuan ME, Wang CP, Knoefel JE, Berlowitz DR. Choice of initial antiepileptic drug for older veterans: possible pharmacokinetic drug interactions with existing medications. J Am Geriatr Soc 2010; 58:465-71. [PMID: 20398114 DOI: 10.1111/j.1532-5415.2010.02732.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES To identify clinically meaningful potential drug-drug interactions (PDIs) with antiepileptic drugs (AEDs), the AEDs and co-administered drugs commonly associated with AED-PDIs, and characteristics of patients with high likelihood of AED-PDI exposure. DESIGN Five-year retrospective cohort study of veterans with new-onset epilepsy. SETTING National Veterans Affairs and Medicare databases. PARTICIPANTS Veterans aged 66 and older with a new diagnosis of epilepsy between October 1, 1999, and September 30, 2004 (N=9,682). MEASUREMENTS AED-PDI was restricted to clinically meaningful PDIs identified using prior literature review. AED-PDIs were identified using participants' date of initial AED prescription and overlapping concomitant medications. Logistic regression analysis identified factors associated with AED-PDI, including demographic characteristics, chronic disease states, and diagnostic setting. RESULTS AED-PDI exposure was found in 45.5% (4,406/9,682); phenytoin, a drug with many PDIs, was the most commonly prescribed AED. Cardiovascular drugs, lipid-lowering medications, and psychotropic agents were the most commonly co-administered AED-PDI medications. Individuals with AED-PDI exposure were more likely to have hypertension (odds ratio (OR)=1.46, 99% confidence interval (CI)=1.24-1.82) and hypercholesterolemia (OR=1.40, 99% CI=1.24-1.57) than those without and to be diagnosed in an emergency or primary care setting than a neurology setting (emergency: OR=1.30, 99% CI=1.08-1.58; primary care: OR=1.29 99% CI=1.12-1.49). CONCLUSION Exposure to AED-PDI was substantial but less common in patients with epilepsy diagnosed in a neurology setting. Because potential outcomes associated with AED-PDI include stroke and myocardial infarction in a population already at high risk, clinicians should closely monitor blood pressure, coagulation, and lipid measures to minimize adverse effects of AED-PDIs. Interventions to reduce AED-PDIs may improve patient outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mary Jo V Pugh
- South Texas Veterans Health Care System, VERDICT REAP, San Antonio, Texas 78229, USA.
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VanCott AC, Cramer JA, Copeland LA, Zeber JE, Steinman MA, Dersh JJ, Glickman ME, Mortensen EM, Amuan ME, Pugh MJ. Suicide-related behaviors in older patients with new anti-epileptic drug use: data from the VA hospital system. BMC Med 2010; 8:4. [PMID: 20064226 PMCID: PMC2823654 DOI: 10.1186/1741-7015-8-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 61] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2009] [Accepted: 01/11/2010] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recently linked antiepileptic drug (AED) exposure to suicide-related behaviors based on meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials. We examined the relationship between suicide-related behaviors and different AEDs in older veterans receiving new AED monotherapy from the Veterans Health Administration (VA), controlling for potential confounders. METHODS VA and Medicare databases were used to identify veterans 66 years and older, who received a) care from the VA between 1999 and 2004, and b) an incident AED (monotherapy) prescription. Previously validated ICD-9-CM codes were used to identify suicidal ideation or behavior (suicide-related behaviors cases), epilepsy, and other conditions previously associated with suicide-related behaviors. Each case was matched to controls based on prior history of suicide-related behaviors, year of AED prescription, and epilepsy status. RESULTS The strongest predictor of suicide-related behaviors (N = 64; Controls N = 768) based on conditional logistic regression analysis was affective disorder (depression, anxiety, or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD); Odds Ratio 4.42, 95% CI 2.30 to 8.49) diagnosed before AED treatment. Increased suicide-related behaviors were not associated with individual AEDs, including the most commonly prescribed AED in the US - phenytoin. CONCLUSION Our extensive diagnostic and treatment data demonstrated that the strongest predictor of suicide-related behaviors for older patients newly treated with AED monotherapy was a previous diagnosis of affective disorder. Additional, research using a larger sample is needed to clearly determine the risk of suicide-related behaviors among less commonly used AEDs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anne C VanCott
- VA Pittsburgh Healthcare System, Neurology Division, Pittsburgh, PA, USA.
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Hope OA, Zeber JE, Kressin NR, Bokhour BG, VanCott AC, Cramer JA, Amuan ME, Knoefel JE, Pugh MJ. New-onset geriatric epilepsy care: Race, setting of diagnosis, and choice of antiepileptic drug. Epilepsia 2009; 50:1085-93. [DOI: 10.1111/j.1528-1167.2008.01892.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
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Abstract
OBJECTIVES To identify risk factors for new-onset geriatric epilepsy that may trigger clinicians to consider a differential diagnosis of epilepsy at symptom onset. DESIGN Retrospective cohort study. SETTING National Veterans Affairs (VA) databases. PARTICIPANTS Veterans aged 66 and older in fiscal year 2000 (FY00) who received VA care in FY99 and FY00. Individuals with new-onset epilepsy based on a validated algorithm constituted the epilepsy cohort (n=1,843), and individuals without epilepsy constituted the geriatric cohort (n=1,023,376). MEASUREMENTS Age, sex, and race were derived from VA databases. Clinical conditions associated with new-onset geriatric epilepsy (e.g., cerebrovascular disease, dementia, brain tumor) and stroke risk-factors (e.g., hypertension, diabetes mellitus, cardiovascular disease) were identified using validated International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision, Clinical Modification, codes before epilepsy onset (epilepsy cohort) and in FY00 (geriatric cohort). RESULTS Multivariable logistic regression analysis indicated that patients with cerebrovascular disease (odds ratio (OR)=3.50, 95% confidence interval (CI)=3.13-3.91), cerebrovascular disease and dementia (OR=4.14, 95% CI=3.46-4.96), brain tumor (OR=2.14, 95% CI=1.46-3.13), head injury (OR=2.11, 95% CI=1.41-3.14), and other central nervous system (CNS) conditions (OR=1.57, 95% CI=1.32-1.88) were more likely to experience new-onset epilepsy. Statin prescription (OR=0.64, 95% CI=0.56-0.73), older age (> or =85 vs 66-74, OR=0.66, 95% CI=0.50-0.87), obesity (OR=0.74, 95% CI=0.62-0.87), and hypercholesterolemia (OR=0.87, 95% CI=0.76-0.98) were associated with a lower likelihood of epilepsy. CONCLUSION These data suggest greater epilepsy risk for older individuals with CNS insult and an additive effect of cerebrovascular disease and dementia. The statin finding requires further exploration but points to a possible target for prevention of geriatric epilepsy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mary Jo V Pugh
- Department of Veterans Affairs, Veterans Evidence-Based Research Dissemination Implementation Research Center, San Antonio, Texas 78229, USA.
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Pugh MJV, Van Cott AC, Cramer JA, Knoefel JE, Amuan ME, Tabares J, Ramsay RE, Berlowitz DR. Trends in antiepileptic drug prescribing for older patients with new-onset epilepsy: 2000-2004. Neurology 2008; 70:2171-8. [PMID: 18505996 DOI: 10.1212/01.wnl.0000313157.15089.e6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 89] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Newer antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) have been shown to be equally efficacious as older seizure medications but with fewer neurotoxic and systemic side effects in the elderly. A growing body of clinical recommendations based on systematic literature review and expert opinion advocate the use of the newer agents and avoidance of phenobarbital and phenytoin. This study sought to determine if changes in practice occurred between 2000 and 2004--a time during which evidence and recommendations became increasingly available. METHODS National data from the Veterans Health Administration (VA; inpatient, outpatient, pharmacy) from 1998 to 2004 and Medicare data (1999-2004) were used to identify patients 66 years and older with new-onset epilepsy. Initial AED was the first AED received from the VA. AEDs were categorized into four groups: phenobarbital, phenytoin, standard (carbamazepine, valproate), and new (gabapentin, lamotrigine, levetiracetam, oxcarbazepine, topiramate). RESULTS We found a small reduction in use of phenytoin (70.6% to 66.1%) and phenobarbital (3.2% to 1.9%). Use of new AEDs increased significantly from 12.9% to 19.8%, due primarily to use of lamotrigine, levetiracetam, and topiramate. CONCLUSIONS Despite a growing list of clinical recommendations and guidelines, phenytoin was the most commonly used antiepileptic drug, and there was little change in its use for elderly patients over 5 years. Research further exploring physician and health care system factors associated with change (or lack thereof) will provide better insight into the impact of clinical recommendations on practice.
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Affiliation(s)
- M J V Pugh
- Department of Veterans Affairs, South Texas Veterans Health Care System (VERDICT), Audie L. Murphy Division (11C6), 7400 Merton Minter Boulevard, San Antonio, TX 78229-4404, USA.
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Pugh MJV, Copeland LA, Zeber JE, Cramer JA, Amuan ME, Cavazos JE, Kazis LE. The impact of epilepsy on health status among younger and older adults. Epilepsia 2005; 46:1820-7. [PMID: 16302863 DOI: 10.1111/j.1528-1167.2005.00291.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 88] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE The incidence of epilepsy is highest among the elderly, yet our understanding of the impact of epilepsy is based predominantly on inferences from studies of younger adults. This study examines the impact of epilepsy on patients' subjective health status in a population that includes both younger and older adults. METHODS We used national administrative and survey databases from the Veterans Health Administration to examine health status as measured by a modification of the SF-36 (RV-36) in patients from three age cohorts: young adults (18-40 years), middle-aged adults (41-64 years), and older adults (65 years and older). Because chronicity of epilepsy may influence these outcomes, we compared scores for patients with new-onset epilepsy, chronic epilepsy, and no epilepsy by using analysis of covariance, controlling for patient demographic and clinical characteristics that may also affect health status. RESULTS With the exception of physical status measures, older adults appeared to cope better with their epilepsy than did middle-aged patients. Young adults with new-onset epilepsy reported poor general health and worse mental health, but high levels of physical function and physical activity. Middle-aged patients with new-onset epilepsy scored lowest in all domains, and their peers with chronic epilepsy also reported poor general physical health and emotional functioning. CONCLUSIONS Although having fewer physiologic reserves, older adults appeared most resilient in facing this chronic illness, and middle-aged adults fared the worst. Interventions to improve quality of life among patients with epilepsy should be tailored to age and epilepsy chronicity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mary Jo V Pugh
- Veterans Affairs HSR&D, South Texas Veterans Health Care System (VERDICT), San Antonio, Texas 78229-4404, USA.
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Pugh MJV, Fincke BG, Bierman AS, Chang BH, Rosen AK, Cunningham FE, Amuan ME, Burk ML, Berlowitz DR. Potentially inappropriate prescribing in elderly veterans: are we using the wrong drug, wrong dose, or wrong duration? J Am Geriatr Soc 2005; 53:1282-9. [PMID: 16078952 DOI: 10.1111/j.1532-5415.2005.53402.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 54] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES To identify the extent of inappropriate prescribing using criteria for proper use developed by the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) and dose-limitation criteria defined by Beers, as well as to describe duration of use and patient characteristics associated with inappropriate prescribing for older people. DESIGN Retrospective national Veterans Health Administration (VA) administrative database analysis. SETTING VA outpatient facilities during fiscal year 2000 (FY00). PARTICIPANTS Veterans aged 65 and older having at least one VA outpatient visit in FY00 (N=1,265,434). MEASUREMENTS Operational definitions of appropriate use were developed based on recommendations of an expert panel convened by the AHRQ (Zhan criteria). Inappropriate use was identified based on these criteria and inappropriate use of drugs per Beers criteria for dose-limitations in older people. Furthermore, duration of use and patient characteristics associated with inappropriate use were described. RESULTS After adjusting for diagnoses, dose, and duration, inappropriate prescribing decreased from 33% to 23%. Exposure to inappropriate drugs was prolonged. Pain relievers, benzodiazepines, antidepressants, and musculoskeletal agents constituted 61% of inappropriate prescribing. Whites, patients with psychiatric comorbidities, and patients receiving more medications were most likely to receive inappropriate drugs. Women were more likely to receive Zhan criteria drugs; men were more likely to receive dose-limited drugs CONCLUSION For the most part, the Zhan criteria did not explain inappropriate prescribing, which includes problems related to dose and duration of prescriptions. Interventions targeted at prescriptions for pain relievers, benzodiazepines, antidepressants, and musculoskeletal agents may dramatically decrease inappropriate prescribing and improve patient outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mary Jo V Pugh
- Veterans Evidence-based Research Dissemination and Implementation Center, Audie L. Murphy Division /South Texas Veterans Health Care System, San Antonio, Texas 78229, USA.
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