Minority Pediatric Patients with Inflammatory Bowel Disease Demonstrate an Increased Length of Stay

BACKGROUND: Genetic and other biological factors may lead to differences in disease behavior among children with inflammatory bowel disease of different races, which may be further modified by disparities in care delivery. Using the Kids' Inpatient Database, we aimed to evaluate differences in the management of pediatric patients with inflammatory bowel disease by race, focusing on length of stay (LOS).METHODS: We performed a cross-sectional analysis using 2000 to 2012 data from the Kids' Inpatient Database, a nationally representative database. We identified pediatric patients (ó18 years of age) with discharge diagnoses of Crohn's disease (CD) or ulcerative colitis (UC). We used multivariable logistic regression to evaluate the relationship between race and LOS, controlling for age, payer status need for surgery, and year of admission.RESULTS: We identified 27,295 hospitalizations for children with inflammatory bowel disease (62% CD and 38% UC), Compared with white patients with CD, black (adjusted odds ratio 1.37; 95% confidence interval, 1.22-1.53; P < 0.001) and Hispanic patients (adjusted odds ratio: 1.37; 95% confidence interval: 1.19-1.59; P < 0.001) with CD demonstrated increased odds of a LOS greater than the 75th percentile. When compared with white patients with UC, Hispanic patients also demonstrated increased odds of a LOS greater than the 75th percentile (adjusted odds ratio: 1.20; 95% confidence interval, 1.02-1.42, P = 0.015).CONCLUSIONS: After controlling for age, year of admission, and clinical phenotypes, black and Hispanic patients with CD and Hispanic patients with UC had longer LOS than white patients. These may be due to differences in provider/hospital characteristics, socioeconomic differences, and/or differences in genetics and other biological factors (see Video Abstract, Supplemental Digital Content 1, http://links.lww.com/IBD/B656)

Black and White Patients with Inflammatory Bowel Disease Show Similar Biologic Use Patterns with Medicaid Insurance

Background: Prior studies have identified racial disparities in the treatment and outcomes of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). These disparities could be secondary to differences in biology, care delivery, or access to appropriate therapy. The primary aim of this study was to compare medication use among Medicaid-insured black and white patients with IBD, given uniform access to gastroenterologists and therapies. Methods: We analyzed Medicaid Analytic eXtract data from 4 states (California, Georgia, North Carolina, and Texas) between 2006 and 2011. We compared the use of IBD-specific therapies, including analyses of postoperative therapy among patients with Crohn disease (CD). We performed bivariate analyses and multivariable logistic regression, adjusting for potential confounders. Results: We identified 14,735 patients with IBD (4672 black [32%], 8277 with CD [58%]). In multivariable analysis, there was no significant difference in the odds of anti-tumor necrosis factor use by race for CD (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] = 1.13; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.99-1.28] or ulcerative colitis (aOR = 1.12; 95% CI, 0.96-1.32). Black patients with CD were more likely than white patients to receive combination therapy (aOR = 1.50; 95% CI, 1.15-1.96), and black patients were more likely than white patients to receive immunomodulator monotherapy after surgery for CD (31% vs 18%; P = 0.004). Conclusions: In patients with Medicaid insurance, where access to IBD-specific therapy should be similar for all individuals, there was no significant disparity by race in the utilization of IBD-specific therapies. Disparities in IBD treatment discussed in prior literature seem to be driven by socioeconomic or other issues affecting access to care

High patient activation is associated with remission in patients with inflammatory bowel disease

Background: High levels of patient activation (having the knowledge, skills, and confidence to effectively manage one's care), have been associated with improved outcomes in many chronic conditions. There have been few studies of the effects of activation in patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). We performed a large, prospective Internet-based study to assess the relationship between patient activation level and clinical remission in patients with Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis. Methods: We administered the Patient Activation Measure (Insignia Health) to 1486 cohort participants. Patients completed a follow-up survey within 13 months (median, 189 days). We collected demographic and clinical data; anxiety and depression were assessed using Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System instruments. We used bivariate analyses and multivariable logistic regression to identify characteristics associated with low or high patient activation and to evaluate the association between levels of patient activation and subsequent disease activity. Results: Higher anxiety (adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 0.32; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.29-0.36) and depression (aOR, 0.33; 95% CI, 0.29- 0.37) scores were associated with a decreased odds of high patient activation. After we adjusted for education status, smoking, medication use, and other confounders, we found that patients with high activation at baseline were more likely to be in clinical remission during the follow-up period (aOR, 1.71; 95% CI, 1.20-2.45). Conclusions: In a large, prospective Internet-based cohort of patients with IBD, we found a strong association between patient activation and clinical remission. These findings suggest that patient activation affects disease outcomes

Eimeria species occurrence varies between geographic regions and poultry production systems and may influence parasite genetic diversity

Coccidiosis is one of the biggest challenges faced by the global poultry industry. Recent studies have highlighted the ubiquitous distribution of all Eimeria species which can cause this disease in chickens, but intriguingly revealed a regional divide in genetic diversity and population structure for at least one species, Eimeria tenella. The drivers associated with such distinct geographic variation are unclear, but may impact on the occurrence and extent of resistance to anticoccidial drugs and future subunit vaccines. India is one of the largest poultry producers in the world and includes a transition between E. tenella populations defined by high and low genetic diversity. The aim of this study was to identify risk factors associated with the prevalence of Eimeria species defined by high and low pathogenicity in northern and southern states of India, and seek to understand factors which vary between the regions as possible drivers for differential genetic variation. Faecal samples and data relating to farm characteristics and management were collected from 107 farms from northern India and 133 farms from southern India. Faecal samples were analysed using microscopy and PCR to identify Eimeria occurrence. Multiple correspondence analysis was applied to transform correlated putative risk factors into a smaller number of synthetic uncorrelated factors. Hierarchical cluster analysis was used to identify poultry farm typologies, revealing three distinct clusters in the studied regions. The association between clusters and presence of Eimeria species was assessed by logistic regression. The study found that large-scale broiler farms in the north were at greatest risk of harbouring any Eimeria species and a larger proportion of such farms were positive for E. necatrix, the most pathogenic species. Comparison revealed a more even distribution for E. tenella across production systems in south India, but with a lower overall occurrence. Such a polarised region- and system-specific distribution may contribute to the different levels of genetic diversity observed previously in India and may influence parasite population structure across much of Asia and Africa. The findings of the study can be used to prioritise target farms to launch and optimise appropriate anticoccidial strategies for long-term control

A Novel Patient-Reported Outcome-Based Evaluation (PROBE) of Quality of Life in Patients with Inflammatory Bowel Disease

OBJECTIVES:There is increased interest in measuring patient-reported outcomes (PROs) such as quality of life (QoL) among patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). We aimed to create and validate a new measure of QoL to assess the psychosocial burden of IBD using publicly available assessment tools.METHODS:Using the Crohn's & Colitis Foundation's IBD Partners cohort, we performed several cross-sectional and longitudinal analyses to create a new PRO-based evaluation (PROBE) of QoL among patients with Crohn's disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC). We used factor analysis and Pearson correlation test to identify candidate questions for inclusion, Wilcoxon rank-sum test to examine responsiveness of the PROBE to changes in disease activity, and test-retest reliability assessments in patients with stable disease activity. We also compared the PROBE to the Short Inflammatory Bowel Disease Questionnaire to assess construct validity.RESULTS:A total of 4,854 patients (64% CD, 36% UC) completed surveys with 6 items included in the final PROBE. Compared with baseline there was a significant decrease in PROBE scores at follow-up among patients who experienced a flare for UC (25.0 vs 22.2, P = 0.001) and CD (23.1 vs 21.0, P < 0.001). Among patients with stable disease activity, Cronbach alpha was 0.87 in CD and 0.82 in UC. The PROBE correlated well with the Short Inflammatory Bowel Disease Questionnaire in CD (r = 0.88) and UC (r = 0.86).DISCUSSION:We created a novel measure to assess QoL in patients with IBD using publicly available survey items. This new PROBE can be used to facilitate clinical care, clinical and epidemiological research, and quality improvement

Patients With Pouchitis Demonstrate a Significant Cost Burden in the First Two Years After Ileal Pouch-Anal Anastomosis

Pouchitis, the most common long-term complication after colectomy with IPAA for UC, can lead to increased health-care costs and diminished quality of life. In this study, we aimed to compare the total costs among patients diagnosed with pouchitis in the first 2 years after an IPAA to those among patients who were not diagnosed with pouchitis, using a large administrative claims database. Additionally, we aimed to investigate the specific drivers of cost among patients with an IPAA during the two-year study period, including inpatient hospitalizations, Emergency Department (ED) visits, and pharmacy-related costs

Incidence, Risk Factors, and Outcomes of Pouchitis and Pouch-Related Complications in Patients With Ulcerative Colitis

Background & Aims: Acute pouchitis is the most common non-surgical complication after restorative proctocolectomy with ileal pouch-anal anastomosis (IPAA) for ulcerative colitis (UC). We used validated case-finding definitions for pouchitis to search administrative claims data and determine the incidence of pouchitis in the first 2 years after IPAA. Methods: We identified all patients who underwent proctocolectomy with IPAA for UC in the IQVIA Legacy PharMetrics Adjudicated Claims Database, from January 1, 2007 through June 1, 2016. The primary outcome was the development of pouchitis within 2 years after IPAA. Secondary outcomes included isolated acute vs recurrent pouchitis, immunosuppressive therapy, further surgery, and admission to the hospital. Results: Among 594 patients, the cumulative incidence of pouchitis within 2 years of IPAA was 48% (95% CI, 44%–52%). The cumulative incidence of isolated acute pouchitis was 29% (95% CI, 26%–33%). Compared to patients with isolated acute pouchitis, patients who received a diagnosis of recurrent pouchitis (cumulative incidence, 19%: 95% CI, 16%–22%) demonstrated increased outpatient visits, emergency department visits, and inpatient admissions (all P < .001). Patients who developed pouchitis were more likely to have a history of primary sclerosing cholangitis (adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 3.94; 95% CI, 1.05–14.8) and anti-tumor necrosis factor alpha therapy prior to colectomy (aOR 1.63; 95% CI, 1.09–2.45). Among patients with pouchitis, the cumulative frequency of new immunosuppressive therapy was 40% (95% CI, 35%–46%) and the cumulative incidence of pouch excision was 1.0% (95% CI, 0.4%–3.0%). The cumulative incidence of a new diagnosis of Crohn's disease after IPAA for UC was 9.0% (95% CI, 7.2%–11%). Conclusions: In a geographically diverse population, 48% of patients with UC developed pouchitis within the first 2 years after IPAA. Patients with pouchitis had greater use of healthcare resources, indicating a significant burden of disease

Modifiable Risk Factors for Hospital Readmission among Patients with Inflammatory Bowel Disease in a Nationwide Database

Background: Previous studies suggest that disease activity alone does not reliably predict hospital readmission among patients with inflammatory bowel diseases (IBDs). Using a national database, we aimed to further describe the burden of readmissions for IBD and identify modifiable risk factors. Methods: We performed a retrospective cohort study using 2013 data from the Nationwide Readmission Database (NRD). Using International Classification of Diseases, ninth Revision, Clinical Modification (ICD-9-CM) codes, we identified adult patients with discharge diagnoses of ulcerative colitis or Crohn's disease and ascertained diagnoses of anxiety, depression, chronic pain, tobacco use, and other comorbidities during index admission. Logistic regression was used to estimate factors associated with hospital readmission. Results: Among 52,498 hospitalizations of patients with IBD (63% Crohn's disease and 37% ulcerative colitis), 12,407 (24%) were readmitted within 90 days of the index hospitalization, resulting in roughly $576 million in excess charges. In multivariable analysis of patients with Crohn's disease, anxiety (odds ratio [OR] 1.31, 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.21-1.43), depression (OR 1.27, 95% CI, 1.07-1.50), chronic pain (OR 1.31, 95% CI, 1.18-1.46), and tobacco abuse (OR 1.13, 95% CI, 1.06-1.22) were associated with a significant increase in odds of readmission. Among patients with ulcerative colitis, anxiety (OR 1.28, 95% CI, 1.14-1.45), depression (OR 1.35, 95% CI, 1.07-1.70), and chronic pain (OR 1.44, 95% CI, 1.21-1.73) were associated with a significant increase in odds of readmission. Conclusions: Readmission occurs frequently in patients with IBD and is costly. Anxiety, depression, and chronic pain may represent targets for interventions to prevent 90-day hospital readmission in this population

The Burden of Hospital Readmissions among Pediatric Patients with Inflammatory Bowel Disease

Objective To evaluate the burden and predictors of hospital readmissions among pediatric patients with inflammatory bowel disease using the Nationwide Readmissions Database. Study design We performed a retrospective cohort study using 2013 Nationwide Readmissions Database. International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision, Clinical Modification codes were used to identify patients 7 days was associated with increased readmissions (aOR 1.69, 95% CI 1.09-2.62). Conclusions Readmission occurs frequently in children with inflammatory bowel disease and is associated with significant cost and resource burdens. Among patients with CD, psychiatric comorbidities such as anxiety and depression are apparent drivers of readmission

Decreasing Colectomy Rate for Ulcerative Colitis in the United States Between 2007 and 2016: A Time Trend Analysis

BACKGROUND: Improved treatment approaches for ulcerative colitis (UC), including novel medications, might reduce the need for colectomy. We performed a retrospective cohort study of adult patients (age 18-64) with UC in the United States to examine time trends for colectomy and biologic use from 2007 to 2016. METHODS: We estimated quarterly rates for colectomy and biologic use using the IQVIA Legacy PharMetrics Adjudicated Claims Database. We used interrupted time series methods with segmented regression to assess time trends with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for biologic use and colectomy before and after the emergence of newly available biologic therapies in 2014. RESULTS: Among 93,930 patients with UC, 2275 (2.4%) underwent colectomy from 2007 to 2016. Biologic use rates increased significantly from 2007 to 2016, from 131 per 1000 person-years in 2007 (95% CI, 121 to 140) to 589 per 1000 person-years in 2016 (95% CI, 575 to 604; P < 0.001). Colectomy rates decreased significantly between 2007 and 2016, from 7.8 per 1000 person-years (95% CI, 7.4 to 8.2) to 4.2 per 1000 person-years in 2016 (95% CI, 3.2 to 5.1; P < 0.001). An interruption in 2014 was associated with a positive trend deflection for biologic use (+72 treatments per 1000 person-years per year (95% CI, 61 to 83) and a negative trend deflection for colectomy (-0.76 per 1000 person-years per year; 95% CI, -1.47 to -0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Among commercially insured patients in the United States from 2007 to 2016, biologic use rates increased, colectomy rates decreased, and both trends were impacted by the interruption in 2014. These findings suggest that new biologic therapies may have contributed to decreased colectomy rates