Underutilization of Statin Therapy for Secondary Prevention of Cardiovascular Disease Among Older Adults.

Secondary cardiovascular disease (CVD) clinical trials have demonstrated that higher intensity levels of statin therapy are more effective than lower levels in reducing mortality rates. Despite updated treatment guidelines, statin therapy may be underutilized, with evidence that females are treated less aggressively than males. The primary objective of this study was to determine the prevalence of statin utilization by varying therapy intensity by sex.

Need for Comprehensive Health Care Quality Measures for Older Adults.

Research indicates that older adults receive only about half of their recommended care, with varying quality and limited attention to social issues impacting their health through the most commonly used quality measures. Additionally, many existing measures neglect to address nonclinical social determinants of health. Evidence of the need for more comprehensive measures for seniors is growing.

Highlighting a Common Quality of Care Delivery Problem: Overuse of Low-value Healthcare Services.

Background: Low-value healthcare services (LVHS) are defined as procedures delivered that provide little or no clinical benefit. Overuse of LVHS, or delivery when the risks exceed the benefits, contributes to excessive spending without improved outcomes. Furthermore, overuse contributes to healthcare waste.

Treatment Discontinuation, Adherence, and Real-World Effectiveness Among Patients Treated with Ledipasvir/Sofosbuvir in the United States.

Introduction: Ledipasvir/sofosbuvir (LDV/SOF) for hepatitis C virus (HCV) treatment provides an oral interferon-free treatment regimen with high rates of sustained virologic response (SVR). This study assessed treatment discontinuation, factors associated with treatment completion, and real-world effectiveness.

Methods: Patients with HCV treated with LDV/SOF between October 2014 and June 2015 and enrolled in a large US health plan were identified.

Disease Burden, Early Discontinuation, and Healthcare Costs in Hepatitis C Patients with and without Chronic Kidney Disease Treated with Interferon-Free Direct-Acting Antiviral Regimens.

Background: Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is a risk factor for chronic kidney disease (CKD) and end-stage renal disease (ESRD). Direct-acting antiviral agents (DAAs) have improved HCV management in CKD patients, however real-world clinical practice data are limited.

Objective: This study examined the prevalence of CKD among HCV patients receiving oral DAAs in a real-world setting.