Publications

Despite the increasing use of the 2013 American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association (ACC/AHA) cardiovascular (CV) risk score in clinical practice, few studies have compared this score to the Framingham risk score among rheumatologic patients. We calculated Framingham and 2013 ACC/AHA risk scores in subjects with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and assessed demographic, CV, and rheumatologic characteristics associated with discordant scores (high-risk ACC/AHA scores but low-risk Framingham scores). SLE and RA subjects drawn from two population-based cohort studies were assessed during in-person study visits. We used chi-squared tests and t tests to examine the association of discordant CV risk scores with baseline characteristics. Eleven (7.0%) of 157 SLE subjects and 11 (11.5%) of 96 RA subjects had discordant CV risk scores with high ACC/AHA scores and low Framingham scores. These findings did not significantly change when a 1.5 multiplier was applied to the Framingham score. Rheumatologic disease duration, high-sensitivity CRP levels, African-American race, diabetes, current use of anti-hypertensive medication, higher age, and higher systolic blood pressure were each significantly associated with discordant risk scores. Approximately 10% of SLE and RA subjects had discordant 10-year CV risk scores. Our findings suggest that the use of the 2013 ACC/AHA risk score could result in changes to lipid-lowering therapy recommendations in a significant number of rheumatologic patients. Prospective studies are needed to compare which score better predicts CV events in rheumatologic patients, especially those with risk factors associated with discordant risk scores.

BACKGROUND

Allergic rhinitis (AR) is increasingly acknowledged as having a substantial socioeconomic impact associated with impaired work productivity, although available information remains fragmented.

OBJECTIVE

This systematic review summarizes recently available information to provide a quantitative estimate of the burden of AR on work productivity including lost work time (ie, absenteeism) and reduced performance while working (ie, presenteeism).

METHODS

A Medline search retrieved original studies from 2005 to 2015 pertaining to the impact of AR on work productivity. A pooled analysis of results was carried out with studies reporting data collected through the validated Work Productivity and Activity Impairment (WPAI) questionnaire.

RESULTS

The search identified 19 observational surveys and 9 interventional studies. Six studies reported economic evaluations. Pooled analysis of WPAI-based studies found an estimated 3.6% (95% confidence interval [CI], 2.4; 4.8%) missed work time and 35.9% (95% CI, 29.7; 42.1%) had impairment in at-work performance due to AR. Economic evaluations indicated that indirect costs associated with lost work productivity are the principal contributor to the total AR costs and result mainly from impaired presenteeism. The severity of AR symptoms was the most consistent disease-related factor associated with a greater impact of AR on work productivity, although ocular symptoms and sleep disturbances may independently affect work productivity. Overall, the pharmacologic treatment of AR showed a beneficial effect on work productivity.

CONCLUSIONS

This systematic review provides summary estimates of the magnitude of work productivity impairment due to AR and identifies its main determinant factors. This information may help guide both clinicians and health policy makers.

OBJECTIVE

To estimate the incremental healthcare utilization and costs associated with common non-infectious comorbid conditions among commercially and Medicaid-insured HIV-infected patients in the US.

METHODS

US administrative claims were used to select adult HIV patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD), cardiovascular disease (CVD) events, or fracture/osteoporosis, three common comorbidities that have been associated with HIV and HIV treatment, between 1 January 2004 and 30 June 2013. Propensity score matched controls with no CKD, no CVD events, and no fracture/osteoporosis were identified for comparison. All-cause healthcare utilization and costs were reported as per patient per month (PPPM).

RESULTS

The commercial cohort comprised 381 CKD patients, 624 patients with CVD events, and 774 fracture/osteoporosis patients, and 1013, 1710, and 2081 matched controls, respectively; while the Medicaid HIV cohort comprised 207 CKD and 271 CVD cases, and 516 and 735 matched controls, respectively. There was insufficient Medicaid data for fracture analyses. Across both payers, HIV patients with CKD or CVD events had significantly higher healthcare utilization and costs than controls. The average incremental PPPM costs in HIV patients with CKD were $1403 in the commercial cohort and $3051 in the Medicaid cohort. In those with CVD events, the incremental costs were $2655 (commercial) and $4959 (Medicaid) for HIV patients compared to controls (p < .001).

CONCLUSIONS

The results suggested a considerable increase in healthcare utilization and costs associated with CKD, CVD and fracture/osteoporosis comorbidities among HIV patients in the past decade. Because these conditions have been associated with treatment, it is critical to consider their impact on costs and outcomes when optimizing patient care.

Background

Recent evidence demonstrated improved birth outcomes among human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-uninfected pregnant women protected by indoor residual spraying of insecticide (IRS). Evidence regarding its impact on HIV-infected pregnant women is lacking.

Methods

Data were pooled from 2 studies conducted before and after an IRS campaign in Tororo, Uganda, among HIV-infected pregnant women who received bed nets, daily trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole, and combination antiretroviral therapy at enrollment. Exposure was the proportion of pregnancy protected by IRS. Adverse birth outcomes included preterm birth, low birth weight, and fetal or neonatal death. Multivariate Poisson regression with robust standard errors was used to estimate risk ratios.

Results

Of 565 women in our analysis, 380 (67%), 88 (16%), and 97 (17%) women were protected by IRS for 0%, >0% to 90%, and >90% of their pregnancy, respectively. Any IRS protection significantly reduced malaria incidence during pregnancy and placental malaria risk. Compared with no IRS protection, >90% IRS protection reduced preterm birth risk (risk ratio, 0.35; 95% confidence interval, .15-.84), with nonsignificant decreases in the risk of low birth weight (0.68; .29-1.57) and fetal or neonatal death (0.24; .04-1.52).

Discussion

Our exploratory analyses support the hypothesis that IRS may significantly reduce malaria and preterm birth risk among pregnant women with HIV receiving bed nets, daily trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole, and combination antiretroviral therapy.