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Sports Health 2023To determine optimal treatment strategies for shoulder impingement syndrome (SIS). (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
CONTEXT
To determine optimal treatment strategies for shoulder impingement syndrome (SIS).
OBJECTIVE
To compare subacromial nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory injections (SNIs) and subacromial corticosteroid injections (SCIs) on pain relief and functional improvement in individuals with SIS. Second, to perform a cost analysis of the 2 injections.
DATA SOURCES
MEDLINE, SPORTDiscus, CINAHL, Embase, Web of Science, and SCOPUS databases were searched for randomized controlled trials using several keywords.
STUDY SELECTION
The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines were utilized, and 10 studies comparing changes in pain or function in humans with SIS receiving SNIs or SCIs were included. Quality and risk of bias were assessed using the Consolidated Standards of Reporting Trials (CONSORT) 2010 scale and the Cochrane Collaboration tool.
STUDY DESIGN
Systematic review and meta-analysis.
LEVEL OF EVIDENCE
Level 1.
DATA EXTRACTION
Baseline and follow-up scores of the visual analog, Constant-Murley, and University of California Los Angeles shoulder scales were extracted to calculate effect sizes (ESs), represented as Cohen . Metaregression and publication bias analyses were performed. Procedural and medication costs were extracted from Medicare guidelines.
RESULTS
A total of 7 high and 3 good quality studies were included, with a mean score of 21.1. Only 1 study had a high risk of bias. The meta-analyses produced pooled ESs of 0.05 ( = 0.83), 0.12 ( = 0.71), and 0.07 ( = 0.79) for each scale, respectively, with CIs crossing 0. Procedural costs were equal between groups, whereas ketorolac was the least costly medication ($0.47). There was no significant difference in side effects between the 2 injections.
CONCLUSION
SNIs are as effective as SCIs for short-term pain relief and improving function in patients with subacromial impingement syndrome. In addition, they are less expensive and cause no major difference in complications, providing a viable, cost-effective alternative for injection therapy in patients with SIS.
Topics: Aged; United States; Humans; Shoulder Impingement Syndrome; Injections, Intra-Articular; Medicare; Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal; Adrenal Cortex Hormones; Pain
PubMed: 35897160
DOI: 10.1177/19417381221108726 -
International Journal of Dermatology Aug 2023Psoriasis and atopic dermatitis are chronic inflammatory skin conditions, each affecting about 2-3% of the United States adult population. Phototherapy, such as... (Review)
Review
Systematic review and estimated cost-efficacy of biologics compared with narrowband ultraviolet B light for the treatment of moderate to severe psoriasis and atopic dermatitis.
Psoriasis and atopic dermatitis are chronic inflammatory skin conditions, each affecting about 2-3% of the United States adult population. Phototherapy, such as narrowband ultraviolet-B (NB-UVB) therapy have been employed for the treatment of both psoriasis and atopic dermatitis for decades. More recently, systemic biologics have been approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), representing a great advancement in dermatology. No comprehensive study to date has compared the cost efficacy of phototherapy compared to FDA-approved biologics for the treatment of psoriasis and atopic dermatitis. We pursued a systematic review of the literature for studies assessing efficacy of NB-UVB or biologics with endpoints including the Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI) and the Eczema Area and Severity Index (EASI). Thirty-four studies including 55 treatment regimens and 5,123 patients were included in the analysis. Phototherapy costs were estimated with Medicare fee schedules for phototherapy-related current procedural terminology code (CPT), and biologic costs were estimated with wholesale acquisition cost (WAC). Total costs to achieve PASI 75 or EASI 75 in each study were standardized to a single month, the "adjusted cost," and exploited to a year, the "effective yearly cost," allowing direct cost-efficacy comparison despite different durations of treatment described in studies. The psoriasis analysis found NB-UVB to be the most cost-effective therapy, with an adjusted monthly cost of $1714.00 per PASI 75. Infliximab was the least expensive biologic, with an adjusted monthly cost of $2076.00 to $2502.00 per PASI 75. For atopic dermatitis, no NB-UVB studies utilized EASI 75 as their outcome measure, hindering the ability to directly compare cost effectiveness for the treatment of atopic dermatitis. However, all NB-UVB studies depicted a reduced treatment cost per treatment period compared to studies assessing biologics, although this comparison does not account for efficacy. The results depict NB-UVB to be the most cost effective for the treatment of psoriasis and the least expensive per treatment period for the treatment of atopic dermatitis. However, certain factors need to be taken into account. Biologics may be more effective for more severe disease, do not require multiple weekly clinic visits, and the ease for patient compliance may lead some to favor biologic therapy. This study is necessary to allow physicians, patients, and health systems to make informed decisions regarding cost-efficacy for a variety of treatment options.
Topics: Adult; Aged; Humans; Biological Products; Dermatitis, Atopic; Medicare; Psoriasis; Treatment Outcome; Ultraviolet Therapy; United States
PubMed: 37066447
DOI: 10.1111/ijd.16677 -
Current Pain and Headache Reports May 2024To evaluate the effectiveness of radiofrequency neurotomy in managing sacroiliac joint pain utilizing a systematic review with meta-analysis of randomized controlled... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
PURPOSE OF REVIEW
To evaluate the effectiveness of radiofrequency neurotomy in managing sacroiliac joint pain utilizing a systematic review with meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and observational studies.
RECENT FINDINGS
The prevalence of sacroiliac joint pain is estimated at around 25% of low back pain cases, and its diagnosis lacks a gold standard. Treatments include exercise therapy, injections, ablation, and fusion, with variable effectiveness. COVID-19 altered utilization patterns of interventions, including sacroiliac joint procedures, and the evidence for these interventions remains inconclusive. Recently, Medicare has issued its local coverage determinations (LCDs) in the United States, which provides noncoverage of sacroiliac joint radiofrequency neurotomy. Additionally, a recent systematic review of sacroiliac joint injections showed Level III or fair evidence. The sacroiliac joint, a critical axial joint linking the spine and pelvis, contributes to low back pain. Its complex innervation pattern varies among individuals. Sacroiliac joint dysfunction, causing pain and stiffness, arises from diverse factors.The present systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to evaluate radiofrequency neurotomy's effectiveness for sacroiliac joint pain management by applying rigorous methodology, considering both RCTs and observational studies. Despite methodological disparities, the evidence from this review, supported by changes in pain scores and functional improvement, suggests Level III evidence with fair recommendation for radiofrequency neurotomy as a treatment option. The review's strengths include its comprehensive approach and quality assessment. However, limitations persist, including variations in criteria and technical factors, underscoring the need for further high-quality studies in real-world scenarios.
Topics: Sacroiliac Joint; Humans; Low Back Pain; Radiofrequency Ablation; Treatment Outcome; COVID-19; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; Denervation
PubMed: 38472618
DOI: 10.1007/s11916-024-01226-6 -
Obstetrics and Gynecology Nov 2023To explore how markers of health care disparity are associated with access to care and outcomes among patients seeking and undergoing hysterectomy for benign indications.
OBJECTIVE
To explore how markers of health care disparity are associated with access to care and outcomes among patients seeking and undergoing hysterectomy for benign indications.
DATA SOURCES
PubMed, EMBASE, and ClinicalTrials.gov were searched through January 23, 2022.
METHODS OF STUDY SELECTION
The population of interest included patients in the United States who sought or underwent hysterectomy by any approach for benign indications. Health care disparity markers included race, ethnicity, geographic location, insurance status, and others. Outcomes included access to surgery, patient level outcomes, and surgical outcomes. Eligible studies reported multivariable regression analyses that described the independent association between at least one health care disparity risk marker and an outcome. We evaluated direction and strengths of association within studies and consistency across studies.
TABULATION, INTEGRATION, AND RESULTS
Of 6,499 abstracts screened, 39 studies with a total of 46 multivariable analyses were included. Having a Black racial identity was consistently associated with decreased access to minimally invasive, laparoscopic, robotic, and vaginal hysterectomy. Being of Hispanic ethnicity and having Asian or Pacific Islander racial identities were associated with decreased access to laparoscopic and vaginal hysterectomy. Black patients were the only racial or ethnic group with an increased association with hysterectomy complications. Medicare insurance was associated with decreased access to laparoscopic hysterectomy, and both Medicaid and Medicare insurance were associated with increased likelihood of hysterectomy complications. Living in the South or Midwest or having less than a college degree education was associated with likelihood of prior hysterectomy.
CONCLUSION
Studies suggest that various health care disparity markers are associated with poorer access to less invasive hysterectomy procedures and with poorer outcomes for patients who are undergoing hysterectomy for benign indications. Further research is needed to understand and identify the causes of these disparities, and immediate changes to our health care system are needed to improve access and opportunities for patients facing health care disparities.
SYSTEMATIC REVIEW REGISTRATION
PROSPERO, CRD42021234511.
Topics: Aged; Female; Humans; United States; Healthcare Disparities; Medicare; Hysterectomy; Ethnicity; Hysterectomy, Vaginal; Retrospective Studies
PubMed: 37826848
DOI: 10.1097/AOG.0000000000005389 -
Medical Care May 2024Home health care serves millions of Americans who are "Aging in Place," including the rapidly growing population of Medicare Advantage (MA) enrollees. This study...
OBJECTIVES
Home health care serves millions of Americans who are "Aging in Place," including the rapidly growing population of Medicare Advantage (MA) enrollees. This study systematically reviewed extant evidence illustrating home health care (HHC) services to MA enrollees.
METHODS
A comprehensive literature search was conducted in 6 electronic databases to identify eligible studies, which resulted in 386 articles. Following 2 rounds of screening, 30 eligible articles were identified. Each study was also assessed independently for study quality using a validated quality assessment checklist.
RESULTS
Of the 30 studies, nearly half (n=13) were recently published between January 1, 2017 - January 6, 2022. Among various issues related to HHC to MA enrollees examined, which were often compared with Traditional Medicare (TM) enrollees, the 2 most studied issues were HHC use rate (including access) and care dosage/intensity. Inconsistencies were common in findings across reviewed studies, with slight variations in the level of inconsistency by studied outcomes. Several critical issues, such as heterogeneity of MA plans, influence of MA-specific features, and program response to policy and quality improvement initiatives, were only examined by 1 or 2 studies. The depth and scope of scientific investigation were also limited by the scale and details available in MA data in addition to other methodological limits.
CONCLUSIONS
Wild variations and conflicting findings on HHC to MA beneficiaries exist across studies. More research with rigorous designs and robust MA encounter data is warranted to determine home health care for MA enrollees and the relevant outcomes.
Topics: Humans; Aged; United States; Medicare Part C; Independent Living; Home Care Services; Quality Improvement; Policy
PubMed: 38546388
DOI: 10.1097/MLR.0000000000001992 -
Journal of Cancer Survivorship :... Dec 2023Black women often experience poorer breast cancer-related outcomes and higher mortality than white women. A contributor to this disparity may relate to the... (Comparative Study)
Comparative Study Review
PURPOSE
Black women often experience poorer breast cancer-related outcomes and higher mortality than white women. A contributor to this disparity may relate to the disproportionate burden of cancer treatment-related cardiovascular (CV) toxicities. The objective of this review is to identify studies that report racial differences in CV toxicity risk.
METHODS
Medline and Embase were searched for studies that assessed CV toxicities as the outcome(s) and included Black and White women with breast cancer. Studies were selected based on inclusion/exclusion criteria and through the use of multiple reviewers.
RESULTS
The review included 13 studies following a review of 409 citations and 49 full-text articles. All studies were retrospective and 8/13 utilized data from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results-Medicare linked database. Trastuzumab was the most frequently studied treatment. The proportion of Black women in these studies ranged from 5.5 to 63%. A majority of studies reported a higher risk of CV toxicity amongst Black women when compared to white women (93%). Black women had up to a two times higher risk of CV toxicity (HR, 2.73 (CI, 1.24 to 6.01)) compared to white women. Only one study evaluated the role of socioeconomic factors in explaining racial differences in CV toxicity; however, the disparity remained even after adjusting for these factors.
CONCLUSIONS
There is a critical need for more longitudinal studies that evaluate multilevel factors (e.g., psychosocial, biological) that may help to explain this disparity.
IMPLICATIONS FOR CANCER SURVIVORS
Black cancer survivors may require additional surveillance and mitigation strategies to decrease disproportionate burden of CV toxicities.
Topics: Aged; Female; Humans; Black or African American; Breast Neoplasms; Cancer Survivors; Healthcare Disparities; Medicare; Retrospective Studies; United States; White; Race Factors; Cardiovascular Diseases; Antineoplastic Agents
PubMed: 35420375
DOI: 10.1007/s11764-022-01210-2 -
Journal of the American Pharmacists... 2023The Medicare star ratings program was developed by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services in 2007 as an approach to evaluate health plan performance and quality.
BACKGROUND
The Medicare star ratings program was developed by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services in 2007 as an approach to evaluate health plan performance and quality.
OBJECTIVE
This study aimed to identify and narratively describe studies that attempted to quantitatively assess the impact that Medicare star ratings have on health plan enrollment.
METHODS
A systematic literature review (SLR) was conducted of PubMed MEDLINE, Embase, and Google to identify articles that quantitatively assessed the impact of Medicare star ratings on health plan enrollment. Inclusion criteria consisted of studies that conducted quantitative analyses to estimate the potential impact. Exclusion criteria consisted of qualitative studies and studies that did not directly assess plan enrollment.
RESULTS
This SLR identified 10 studies that sought to measure the impact of Medicare star ratings on plan enrollment. Nine of the studies found that plan enrollment increased in accordance with increases in star ratings or that plan disenrollment increased with decreases in star ratings. One study conducted of data before the implementation of the Medicare quality bonus payment found contradictory results from one year to the next, whereas all the studies that assessed data after implementation found increases in enrollment in accordance to increases in star ratings or increases in disenrollment for decreases in star ratings. One concerning finding from some of the articles included in the SLR is that increases in star ratings had less of an impact on enrollment in higher-rated plans for ethnic and racial minorities and older adults.
CONCLUSIONS
Increases in Medicare star ratings led to statistically significant increases in health plan enrollment and decreases in health plan disenrollment. Future studies are needed to assess whether this increase has a causal association or is caused by additional factors outside of or in addition to increases in overall star rating.
Topics: Aged; Humans; United States; Medicare
PubMed: 37019381
DOI: 10.1016/j.japh.2023.03.009 -
JAMA Network Open Feb 2024Publicly available, US Census-based composite measures of socioeconomic disadvantage are increasingly being used in a wide range of clinical outcomes and health services...
IMPORTANCE
Publicly available, US Census-based composite measures of socioeconomic disadvantage are increasingly being used in a wide range of clinical outcomes and health services research. Area Deprivation Index (ADI) and Social Vulnerability Index (SVI) are 2 of the most commonly used measures. There is also early interest in incorporating area-level measures to create more equitable alternative payment models.
OBJECTIVE
To review the evidence on the association of ADI and SVI with health care spending, including claims-based spending and patient-reported barriers to care due to cost.
EVIDENCE REVIEW
A systematic search for English-language articles and abstracts was performed in the PubMed, Web of Science, Embase, and Cochrane databases (from inception to March 1, 2023). Peer-reviewed articles and abstracts using a cross-sectional, case-control, or cohort study design and based in the US were identified. Data analysis was performed in March 2023.
FINDINGS
This review included 24 articles and abstracts that used a cross-sectional, case-control, or cohort study design. In 20 of 24 studies (83%), ADI and SVI were associated with increased health care spending. No association was observed in the 4 remaining studies, mostly with smaller sample sizes from single centers. In adjusted models, the increase in spending associated with higher ADI or SVI residence was $574 to $1811 for index surgical hospitalizations, $3003 to $24 075 for 30- and 90-day episodes of care, and $3519 for total annual spending for Medicare beneficiaries. In the studies that explored mechanisms, postoperative complications, readmission risk, and poor primary care access emerged as health care system-related drivers of increased spending.
CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE
The findings of this systematic review suggest that both ADI and SVI can play important roles in efforts to understand drivers of health care spending and in the design of payment and care delivery programs that capture aspects of social risk. At the health care system level, higher health care spending and poor care access associated with ADI or SVI may represent opportunities to codesign interventions with patients from high ADI or SVI areas to improve access to high-value health care and health promotion more broadly.
Topics: United States; Humans; Aged; Cohort Studies; Cross-Sectional Studies; Health Expenditures; Medicare; Socioeconomic Disparities in Health
PubMed: 38358740
DOI: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2023.56121 -
Advances in Nutrition (Bethesda, Md.) Sep 2023The high cost of healthy foods makes maintaining a healthy dietary pattern challenging, particularly among people with diabetes who are experiencing food insecurity. The... (Review)
Review
The Impact of Providing Material Benefits to Improve Access to Food on Clinical Parameters, Dietary Intake, and Household Food Insecurity in People with Diabetes: A Systematic Review with Narrative Synthesis.
The high cost of healthy foods makes maintaining a healthy dietary pattern challenging, particularly among people with diabetes who are experiencing food insecurity. The objectives of this study were to: 1) review evidence on the impact of providing material benefits (e.g., food coupons/vouchers, free food, or financial subsidies/incentives) to improve access to food on clinical parameters, dietary intake, and household food insecurity in people with diabetes, and 2) review relevant economic evidence. Six databases were searched from inception to March 2023 for longitudinal studies with quantitative outcomes. Twenty-one studies were included in the primary review and 2 in the economic analysis. Risk of bias was high in 20 studies and moderate in 1 study. The number of randomized controlled trials and nonrandomized studies reporting statistically significant improvement, alongside Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation (GRADE) certainty of the evidence was: HbA1c: 1/6 and 4/12 (very low), systolic blood pressure: 0/3 and 1/8 (very low), diastolic blood pressure: 0/3 and 1/7 (very low), BMI: 0/5 and 2/8 (very low), body weight: 0/0 and 1/3 (very low), hypoglycemia: 1/2 and 1/2 (very low), daily intake of fruits and vegetables: 1/1 and 1/3 (very low), daily intake of whole grains: 0/0 and 0/2 (very low), overall diet quality: 2/2 and 1/1 (low), and household food insecurity: 2/3 and 0/0 (very low). The 2 studies included in the economic analysis showed no difference in Medicare spending from Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program participation and cost-savings from medically tailored meals in an economic simulation. Overall, providing material benefits to improve access to food for people with diabetes may improve household food insecurity, fruit and vegetable intake, and overall diet quality, but effects on clinical parameters and whole grain intake are unclear. The certainty of evidence was very low to low by GRADE. PROSPERO (CRD42021212951).
Topics: Aged; United States; Humans; Medicare; Eating; Diet; Diabetes Mellitus; Food Insecurity
PubMed: 37245685
DOI: 10.1016/j.advnut.2023.05.012 -
Cureus Mar 2024Coronary artery disease (CAD) poses a global health challenge, necessitating effective preventive strategies. Despite the pivotal role of physical activity in... (Review)
Review
Coronary artery disease (CAD) poses a global health challenge, necessitating effective preventive strategies. Despite the pivotal role of physical activity in cardiovascular health, many fall short of recommended guidelines for daily physical activity. Simple and accessible, walking presents an opportunity, with increased pace emerging as a potential strategy for reducing the risk of cardiovascular diseases. Thus, we aimed to elucidate the potential association between walking pace and the risk of CAD events in adults without a prior history of CAD through a systematic review. We searched PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and ScienceDirect without publication date restrictions to identify prospective cohorts that analyzed walking pace and adult CAD events. The literature search conducted from April 02, 2023, to August 21, 2023, identified a total of four studies (six cohorts) for meta-analysis using random-effects models. The Newcastle-Ottawa Scale was used to assess study quality, and data extraction involved two independent reviewers. The analysis calculated overall relative risks (RRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for those with the quickest walking paces compared to those with the slowest walking paces. A funnel plot analysis for publication bias and subgroup analysis were also conducted. Results from the meta-analysis involving 160,519 participants and 3,351 CAD events demonstrated a 46% decreased risk for those walking at the quickest pace (pooled RR = 0.54, 95% CI = 0.45-0.66). No significant heterogeneity was observed. In conclusion, walking pace emerges as a significant risk factor for CAD events in adults without a prior history of CAD. It serves as a potential screening tool to identify individuals at higher risk. Promoting a faster walking pace as a daily activity may effectively mitigate the burden of CAD.
PubMed: 38665701
DOI: 10.7759/cureus.56926