Antihyperglycemic Medication Use Among Medicare Beneficiaries With Heart Failure, Diabetes Mellitus, and Chronic Kidney Disease

Introduction: The association between baseline patient characteristics and the long-term utilization of transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) is unknown and may help focus value-based care initiatives. Methods: TTE reports from patients with ≥ 2 TTEs at our institution were linked to 100% Medicare Fee-for-service inpatient claims, 1/1/2000 – 12/31/2017. To avoid inclusion of individuals with short-interval follow-up, TTEs with < 1 year between studies were excluded. Validated claims algorithms were used to create 12 baseline cardiovascular comorbidities. Multivariable Poisson regression was used to estimate adjusted rates of TTE intensity according to baseline comorbidities. Results: Over a median (IQR) follow-up of 5.8 (3.1 – 9.5) years, 18,579 individuals (69.3 ± 12.8 years; 50.5% female) underwent a total of 59,759 TTEs (range 2 – 59). The median TTE intensity was 0.64 TTEs/patient/year (IQR 0.35 – 1.24; range 0.11 – 22.02). The top five contributors to TTE intensity were heart failure, chronic kidney disease, history of myocardial infarction, smoking, and hyperlipidemia ( Figure ). Female sex was associated with decreased TTE utilization (adjusted RR 0.95, 95% CI 0.94-0.96, p < 0.0001). Atrial fibrillation, hypertension, and history of ischemic stroke or transient ischemic attack were not significantly related to TTE intensity after multivariable adjustment (all p > 0.05). Conclusions: Among Medicare beneficiaries with ≥ 2 TTEs at our institution, the median TTE intensity was 0.64 TTEs/patient/year but varied widely. Heart failure, chronic kidney disease, and history of myocardial infarction were the strongest predictors of increased utilization. Female sex was associated with decreased utilization, reflecting broader disparities in utilization of cardiovascular procedures. Further research is needed to clarify reasons for this sex disparity and associations with cardiovascular outcomes.

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Patterns of medication use and the burden of polypharmacy in patients with chronic kidney disease: the German Chronic Kidney Disease study

Clinical Kidney Journal ◽

10.1093/ckj/sfz046 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 12 (5) ◽

pp. 663-672 ◽

Cited By ~ 13

Author(s):

Insa M Schmidt ◽

Silvia Hübner ◽

Jennifer Nadal ◽

Stephanie Titze ◽

Matthias Schmid ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Diabetes Mellitus ◽

Chronic Kidney Disease ◽

Kidney Disease ◽

Enzyme Inhibitors ◽

Medication Use ◽

Angiotensin Converting Enzyme Inhibitors ◽

Median Number ◽

Converting Enzyme Inhibitors ◽

Ckd Stage ◽

Multiple Drugs

Abstract Background Patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) bear a substantial burden of comorbidities leading to the prescription of multiple drugs and a risk of polypharmacy. However, data on medication use in this population are scarce. Methods A total of 5217 adults with an estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) between 30 and 60 mL/min/1.73 m2 or an eGFR ≥60 mL/min/1.73m2 and overt proteinuria (>500 mg/day) were studied. Self-reported data on current medication use were assessed at baseline (2010–12) and after 4 years of follow-up (FU). Prevalence and risk factors associated with polypharmacy (defined as the regular use of five or more drugs per day) as well as initiation or termination of polypharmacy were evaluated using multivariable logistic regression. Results The prevalence of polypharmacy at baseline and FU was almost 80%, ranging from 62% in patients with CKD Stage G1 to 86% in those with CKD Stage G3b. The median number of different medications taken per day was eight (range 0–27). β-blockers, angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors and statins were most frequently used. Increasing CKD G stage, age and body mass index, diabetes mellitus, cardiovascular disease and a history of smoking were significantly associated with both the prevalence of polypharmacy and its maintenance during FU. Diabetes mellitus was also significantly associated with the initiation of polypharmacy [odds ratio (OR) 2.46, (95% confidence interval 1.36–4.45); P = 0.003]. Conclusion Medication burden in CKD patients is high. Further research appears warranted to address the implications of polypharmacy, risks of drug interactions and strategies for risk reduction in this vulnerable patient population.

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