Research on medicare and medicaid detailed by scientists at University of Maryland

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March 16th, 2009

   2009 MAR 16 -- In this recent study, researchers in the United States conducted a study "To identify predictors of compliance with antihypertensive combination therapy in a Medicaid population. Retrospective medical and pharmacy claims data for Maryland Medicaid patients receiving angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEIs)/hydrochlorothiazides (HCTZs) or ACEI/calcium channel blockers as fixed-dose combinations or separate agents during the period of January 1, 2002 to December 31, 2004, were analyzed."

   "Inclusion: Continuously enrolled patients 18 years and older and at least one year of follow-up. Exclusion: Use of fixed-dose combination antihypertensives between January 1, 2002 and June 30, 2002 (to identify incident cohort). Compliance was defined as medication possession ratio greater than or equal to 80%. Multivariate logistic regression was used to predict compliance as a function of age, gender, race, comorbidities (Charlson Comorbidity Index [CCI]), and use of either fixed-dose combination or separate agents. There were 568 patients, 63.73% female, 68.83% African American, median age 52 years, 35.56% on fixed-dose combinations, 72.89% started on ACEI/HCTZ, and 24.82% complied with therapy. Patients younger than 40 years (OR, 0.38; p =.01; 95% CI, 0.18-0.81) and African American (OR, 0.45; p =.0004; 95% CI, 0.29-0.70) were less likely to be compliant than patients older than 60 years and Caucasian, respectively. With a CCI of 1 (OR, 2.11; p =.05; 95% Cl, 1.01-4.40) and those on fixed-dose combinations (OR, 1.60; p =.02, 95% Cl, 1.06-2.40) were more likely to be compliant than those With higher CCIs and on separate agents, respectively. Age, race, comorbidities, and simplified antihypertensive regimens were significant predictors of compliance," wrote F.T. Shaya and colleagues, University of Maryland.

   The researchers concluded: "Higher compliance rates may enhance cardiovascular disease management outcomes."

   Shaya and colleagues published their study in the Journal of the National Medical Association (Predictors of Compliance with Anti hypertensive Therapy in a High-Risk Medicaid Population. Journal of the National Medical Association, 2009;101(1):34-39).

   For more information, contact F.T. Shaya, University of Maryland, School Pharmacy, Research Department, Pharmaceutical Health Service, 220 Arch St., 12th Floor, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA.

   Publisher contact information for the Journal of the National Medical Association is: National Med Association, 1012 10th St., N W, Washingon, DC 20001, USA.

   Keywords: United States, Baltimore, Medicare and Medicaid, Angiotensin, Combination Therapy, Enzymology, Health Policy, Medicaid, Pharmaceuticals, Treatment, University of Maryland.

   This article was prepared by Biotech Business Week editors from staff and other reports. Copyright 2009, Biotech Business Week via NewsRx.com.

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