Multilevel factors associated with delays in screening, diagnosis, and treatment for lung cancer-A mixed methods systematic review protocol.

Background: Factors affecting time to lung cancer care may occur at multiple levels of influence. Mixed-methods reviews provide an approach for collectively synthesizing both quantitative and qualitative data. Prior reviews on timeliness of lung cancer care have included only either quantitative or qualitative data, been agnostic of the multilevel nature of influencing factors, or focused on a single factor such as gender or socioeconomic inequalities.

Development and Validation of an Algorithm to Predict Stillbirth Gestational Age in Medicaid Billing Records.

Introduction: With Medicaid covering half of US pregnancies, Medicaid Analytic eXtract (MAX) provides a valuable data source to enrich understanding about stillbirth etiologies.

Objective: We developed and validated a claims-based algorithm to predict GA at stillbirth.

Method: We linked the stillbirths identified in MAX 1999-2013 to Florida Fetal Death Records (FDRs) to obtain clinical estimates of GA (N=825).

Economic Burden of Medically Attended Respiratory Syncytial Virus Infections Among Privately Insured Children Under 5 Years of Age in the USA.

Background: The cost of medically attended RSV LRI (lower respiratory infection) is critical in determining the economic value of new RSV immunoprophylaxes. However, most studies have focused on intermittent RSV encounters, not the episode of care that captures the entirety of RSV illness.

Methods: We created age- and condition-specific cohorts of children under 5 years of age using MarketScan® data (2015-2019).

Factors Influencing the Medication Adherence in Adults With Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and Its Impact on Healthcare Utilization.

Objective: This study aims to investigate the factors influencing medication adherence among adults with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and impact of central nervous system stimulants (CNS) adherence on healthcare utilization (HCU). Methods: This was a cross-sectional study using Medical Expenditure Panel Survey 2013 to 2019, with participants (≥18 years of age) with ADHD and had at least one CNS prescription. Multivariate logistic and linear regression were utilized to evaluate the medication adherence and its impact on HCU, respectively.

Validation of an ICD-9-Based Algorithm to Identify Stillbirth Episodes from Medicaid Claims Data.

Introduction: In administrative data, accurate timing of exposure relative to gestation is critical for determining the effect of potential teratogen exposure on pregnancy outcomes.

Objective: To develop an algorithm for identifying stillbirth episodes in the ICD-9-CM era using national Medicaid claims data (1999-2014).

Methods: Unique stillbirth episodes were identified from clusters of medical claims using a hierarchy that identified the encounter with the highest potential of including the actual stillbirth delivery and that delineated subsequent pregnancy episodes.

Respiratory syncytial virus reinfections among infants and young children in the United States, 2011-2019.

Background: Although respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) immunoprophylaxis is recommended for high-risk infants, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends against immunoprophylaxis in the same season following a breakthrough hospitalization due to limited risk for a second hospitalization. Evidence in support of this recommendation is limited. We estimated population-based re-infection rates from 2011-2019 in children <5 years since RSV risk remains relatively high in this age group.

RSV testing practice and positivity by patient demographics in the United States: integrated analyses of MarketScan and NREVSS databases.

Background: RSV-incidence estimates obtained from routinely-collected healthcare data (e.g., MarketScan) are commonly adjusted for under-reporting using test positivity reported in national Surveillance Systems (NREVSS).

Community pharmacists on the frontline in the chronic disease management: The need for primary healthcare policy reforms in low and middle income countries.

In low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), over 12 million people die yearly from chronic diseases and this number is expected to increase if concerted actions are not taken. The purpose of this paper is to highlight the roles and impact of community pharmacists in chronic disease management support and the need for policymakers in LMICs to reposition community pharmacists appropriately for this extended role. Recent findings have shown that community pharmacists are the most accessible healthcare providers to the members of the community.

Drug therapy problems identified among patients receiving antiretroviral treatment in a HIV clinic: a prospective study in North Central, Nigeria.

Introduction: despite improved life expectancy for people living with HIV (PLWH), aging, comorbidities, and associated drug treatment increase the risk for drug therapy problems (DTPs). We assessed pharmacists´ identification and resolution of DTPs among PLWH.

Methods: a prospective study was conducted among PLWH aged ≥10 years (N=100) in a Nigerian HIV clinic.

Medication Therapy Management for Texas MediCAID Patients With Asthma and Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease-A Pilot Study.

Background: Pharmacists can play an important role in providing medication therapy management (MTM) services, which focus on appropriate medication use. This pilot study aimed to describe pharmacists' MTM service provision, results/outcomes of pharmacists' recommendations and resolution/acceptance rate among patients with high-risk asthma and/or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

Methods: This was a prospective descriptive study of MTM services provided by community pharmacists to Texas Medicaid patients (5-63 years) with "high risk" asthma or COPD.

Promoting the integrated community case management of pneumonia in children under 5 years in Nigeria through the proprietary and patent medicine vendors: a cost-effectiveness analysis.

Background: While evidence-based recommendations for the management pneumonia in under-5-year-olds at the community level with amoxicillin dispersible tablets (DT) were made by the World Health Organisation, initiatives to promote the integrated community case management (iCCM) of pneumonia through the proprietary and patent medicine vendors (PPMVs) have been poorly utilized in Nigeria, possibly due to low financial support and perceived benefit. This study provides costs, benefits and cost-effectiveness estimates and implications of promoting the iCCM through the PPMVs' education and support. The outcome of this study will help inform healthcare decisions in Nigeria.

Identifying subgroups within at-risk populations that drive late HIV diagnosis in a Southern U.S. state.

We aimed to identify subgroups within age, racial/ethnic, and transmission categories that drive increased risk for late HIV diagnosis (LHD).A 1996-2013 retrospective study of HIV-diagnosed individuals (N = 77,844) was conducted. The proportion of individuals with LHD (AIDS diagnosis within 365 days of HIV diagnosis) was determined, stratified by age, race/ethnicity, and transmission category.

Efavirenz versus Protease Inhibitors in Patients with HIV: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Efavirenz- and protease inhibitor (PI)-based regimens remain viable options across the globe. We conducted a meta-analysis to compare the effectiveness of efavirenz-based regimens relative to PI-based regimens. EMBASE, PubMed, Cochrane, and clinicaltrials.

Assessment of quality and readability of internet-based health information related to commonly prescribed angiotensin receptor blockers.

Introduction: Hypertension is a global public health burden. Angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs) have proven efficacy in the management of hypertension and related complications. The Internet has become a major source of health information for patients and healthcare professionals.

A pilot study assessing the addition of a Quit and Win program to pharmacist-led intensive smoking cessation therapy in a predominantly underserved, minority population.

Introduction: Quit and Win programs (Q&W) have been shown to improve smoking cessation rates by offering potential rewards to encourage smoking cessation. However, few studies have combined Q&W with intensive smoking cessation programs including behavioral counseling and pharmacotherapy, or studied Q&W in underserved, minority populations. This study was conducted to assess the impact on smoking cessation rates of adding a Q&W to intensive smoking cessation therapy in a largely underserved, minority population.

Gender and ethnic differences in rates of immune reconstitution, AIDS diagnosis, and survival.

In this work, we use 2011-2013 Texas HIV surveillance data (N=2,175) and apply hierarchical linear and Cox regression modeling to characterize the association of gender and race/ethnicity with rate of immune recovery and determine whether immune recovery contributes to gender and racial/ethnic disparities in AIDS diagnosis and survival. The associations between gender and rate of immune recovery and between race/ethnicity and rate of immune recovery were not statistically significant ( > 0.05).

Association between quality-of-care indicators for HIV infection and healthcare resource utilization and costs.

Objectives: Multiple care quality indicators for HIV infection exist but few studies examine their impact on health outcomes. This study assessed which HIV care quality indicators were associated with healthcare resource utilization and costs.

Design: Retrospective analysis of Texas Medicaid claims data (01 January 2012 to 31 September 2016).

Comparison of pharmacy students' self-efficacy to address cessation counseling needs for traditional and electronic cigarette use.

Background And Purpose: This study assessed pharmacy students' self-rated ability to provide cessation counseling for e-cigarette use and traditional cigarette smoking.

Educational Activity And Setting: A cross-sectional study was conducted in spring 2014 at The University of Texas at Austin. Participants included first through fourth year (P1-P4) doctor of pharmacy (PharmD) students.

The Role of Physical Activity in the Association Between Smoking Status and Quality of Life.

Objectives: Nonsmoking status and physical activity have, individually, been shown to be associated with health-related quality of life (HRQoL). The objective of this study was to assess whether the relationship between smoking status and HRQoL is modified or influenced by physical activity.

Methods: Data were extracted from the 2014 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance Survey dataset (N = 332680) in 2015.

Incremental health care services and expenditures associated with depression among individuals with cutaneous lupus erythematosus (CLE).

Objectives The objective of this paper is to describe the annual direct medical expenditures for cutaneous lupus erythematosus (CLE) patients, and to estimate the incremental health care expenditures and utilization associated with depression among adults with CLE, while controlling for covariates. Methods Using the 2014 Medical Expenditure Panel Survey (MEPS), we compared CLE patients with and without depression to determine differences in: (a) health care utilization-inpatient, outpatient, office-based and emergency room (ER) visits, and prescriptions filled; and (b) expenditures-total costs, inpatient, outpatient, office-based, ER, and prescription medication costs, and other costs using demography-adjusted and comorbidity-adjusted multivariate models (age, gender, race/ethnicity, marital status, education, perception of health status, poverty category, smoking status, and Charlson Comorbidity Index). Results The total direct medical expenditure associated with CLE is estimated at approximately $29.