Statin prescriptions and progression of advanced fibrosis risk in primary care patients with MASLD.

OBJECTIVE: We aimed to determine the association of statins with progression to a high risk for advanced fibrosis in primary care patients with metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD). DESIGN: This retrospective cohort study of electronic health record data included patients with MASLD and an initial low or indeterminate risk for advanced fibrosis, determined by Fibrosis-4 Index (FIB-4) score (<2.67). Patients were followed from the index FIB-4 until the primary outcome of a high-risk FIB-4 (≥2.67) or the end of the study period. Prescription for a statin during follow-up was the primary exposure. We developed Cox regression models for the time to a high-risk FIB-4 score with statin therapy as the primary covariate and adjusting for baseline fibrosis risk, demographic and comorbidity variables. RESULTS: The cohort of 1238 patients with MASLD was followed for a mean of 3.3 years, with 47% of patients receiving a prescription for a statin, and 18% of patients progressing to a high-risk FIB-4. In the adjusted Cox model with statin prescription as the primary exposure, statins were associated with a lower risk (HR 0.60; 95% CI 0.45 to 0.80) of progressing to a FIB-4≥2.67. In the adjusted Cox models with statin prescription intensity as the exposure, moderate (HR 0.60; 95% CI 0.42 to 0.84) and high intensity (HR 0.61; 95% CI 0.42 to 0.88) statins were associated with a lower risk of progressing to a high-risk FIB-4. CONCLUSION: Statin prescriptions, and specifically moderate and high intensity statin prescriptions, demonstrate a protective association with fibrosis risk progression in primary care patients with MASLD.

Hospitalization as an opportunity to improve lung cancer screening in high-risk patients.

BACKGROUND: Lung cancer screening with annual low-dose computed tomography (LDCT) in high-risk patients with exposure to smoking reduces lung cancer-related mortality, yet the screening rate of eligible adults is low. As hospitalization is an opportune moment to engage patients in their overall health, it may be an opportunity to improve rates of lung cancer screening. Prior to implementing a hospital-based lung cancer screening referral program, this study assesses the association between hospitalization and completion of lung cancer screening. METHODS: A retrospective cohort study of evaluated completion of at least one LDCT from 2014 to 2021 using electronic health record data using hospitalization as the primary exposure. Patients aged 55-80 who received care from a university-based internal medicine clinic and reported cigarette use were included. Univariate analysis and logistic regression evaluated the association of hospitalization and completion of LDCT. Cox proportional hazard model examined the time relationship between hospitalization and LDCT. RESULTS: Of the 1935 current smokers identified, 47% had at least one hospitalization, and 21% completed a LDCT during the study period. While a higher proportion of patients with a hospitalization had a LDCT (24%) compared to patients without a hospitalization (18%, p<0.001), there was no association between hospitalization and completion of a LDCT after adjusting for potentially confounding covariates (95%CI 0.680 - 1.149). There was an association between hospitalization time to event and LDCT completion, with hospitalized patients having a lower probability of competing LDCT compared to non-hospitalized patients (HR 0.747; 95% CI 0.611 - 0.914). CONCLUSIONS: In a cohort of patients at risk for lung cancer and established within a primary care clinic, only 1 in 4 patients who had been hospitalized completed lung cancer screening with LDCT. Hospitalization events were associated with a lower probability of LDCT completion. Hospitalization is a missed opportunity to refer at-risk patients to lung cancer screening.

Is hospitalization a missed opportunity to intervene on tobacco cessation?

BACKGROUND: Although tobacco use is associated with elevated morbidity and mortality, its use remains widespread among adults within the United States. Nicotine Replacement Therapy (NRT) products are effective aids that improve rates of tobacco cessation. Many smokers interact with the medical system, such as during hospitalization, without their tobacco use addressed. Hospitalization is a teachable moment for patients to make health-related changes, including tobacco cessation. METHODS: Retrospective cohort study of adult patients in a university-based patient-centered medical home from 2012 to 2021 evaluating the proportion of adults who smoke who received at least one prescription for NRT. Logistic regression models were used to analyze the association of being hospitalized and receipt of a NRT prescription. RESULTS: Of the 4,072 current smokers identified, 1,182 (29%) received at least one prescription for NRT during the study period. Hospitalization was associated with increased odds of receiving a NRT prescription (OR 1.68). Of 1,844 current smokers with a hospitalization during the study period, 1,078 (58%) never received a prescription for NRT at any point. Only 87 (5%) of the smokers received a prescription for NRT during hospitalization or at the time of hospital discharge. CONCLUSIONS: Despite hospitalization being associated with NRT prescribing, most patients who use tobacco and are hospitalized are not prescribed NRT. Hospitalization is an underutilized opportunity for both hospitalists and primary care physicians to intervene on smoking cessation through education and prescription of tobacco cessation aids.

FIB-4 as a Time-varying Covariate and Its Association With Severe Liver Disease in Primary Care: A Time-dependent Cox Regression Analysis.

BACKGROUND AND GOALS: The Fibrosis-4 Index (FIB-4) has demonstrated a strong association with severe liver disease (SLD) outcomes in primary care, but previous studies have only evaluated this relationship using 1 or 2 FIB-4 scores. In this study, we determined the association of FIB-4 as a time-varying covariate with SLD risk using time-dependent Cox regression models. STUDY: This retrospective cohort study included primary care patients with at least 2 FIB-4 scores between 2012 and 2021. The outcome was the occurrence of an SLD event, a composite of cirrhosis, complications of cirrhosis, hepatocellular carcinoma, and liver transplantation. The primary predictor was FIB-4 advanced fibrosis risk, categorized as low-(<1.3), indeterminate-(1.3≤FIB to 4<2.67), and high-risk (≥2.67). FIB-4 scores were calculated and the index, last, and maximum FIB-4s were identified. Time-dependent Cox regression models were used to estimate hazard ratios (HR) and their corresponding 95% CI with adjustment for potentially confounding covariates. RESULTS: In the cohort, 20,828 patients had a median of 5 (IQR: 3 to 11) FIB-4 scores each and 3% (n=667) suffered an SLD outcome during follow-up. Maximum FIB-4 scores were indeterminate-risk for 34% (7149) and high-risk for 24% (4971) of the sample, and 32% (6692) of patients had an increase in fibrosis risk category compared with their index value. The adjusted Cox regression model demonstrated an association between indeterminate- (hazard ratio 3.21; 95% CI 2.33-4.42) and high-risk (hazard ratio 20.36; 95% CI 15.03-27.57) FIB-4 scores with SLD outcomes. CONCLUSIONS: Multiple FIB-4 values per patient are accessible in primary care, FIB-4 fibrosis risk assessments change over time, and high-risk FIB-4 scores (≥2.67) are strongly associated with severe liver disease outcomes when accounting for FIB-4 as a time-varying variable.

Dissemination of Remote Patient Monitoring: An Academic-Community Primary Care Partnership in South Carolina.

CONTEXT: Remote patient monitoring (RPM) for diabetes and hypertension may reduce barriers to patient care, leading to improved disease control and decreased morbidity and mortality. PROGRAM: We describe the implementation of a community-academic partnership to improve diabetes and hypertension control for underserved populations using RPM. IMPLEMENTATION: In 2014, our academic medical center (AMC) began working with community health centers (CHCs) to implement a centrally monitored RPM program for patients with diabetes. AMC nurses recruited, trained, and supported community partners through regular communication. Community sites were responsible for enrollment, follow-up visits, and all treatment adjustments. EVALUATION: More than 1350 patients have been enrolled across 19 counties and 16 predominantly rural CHCs. The majority of patients reported low annual household income and African American or Hispanic background. It took about 6 to 9 months of planning at each CHC prior to first enrolled patient. More than 30% of patients utilizing the newer device continued to transmit glucose readings regularly at week 52 of enrollment. Hemoglobin A 1c data reporting was completed for more than 90% of patients at 6 and 12 months postenrollment. DISCUSSION: Partnering of our AMC with CHCs enabled dissemination of an effective, inexpensive tool that engaged underserved populations in rural South Carolina and improved chronic disease management. We supported implementation of clinically effective diabetes RPM programs at several CHCs, reaching a large number of historically underserved and underresourced rural CHC patients with diabetes. We summarize key steps to achieving a successful, collaborative RPM program through AMC-CHC partnerships.

Diabetes Remote Monitoring Program Implementation: A Mixed Methods Analysis of Delivery Strategies, Barriers and Facilitators.

Background: Remote patient monitoring (RPM) is being increasingly utilized as a type of telemedicine modality to improve access to quality health care, although there are documented challenges with this type of innovation. The goals of this study were to characterize clinic delivery strategies for an RPM program and to examine barriers and facilitators to program implementation in a variety of community clinic settings. Methods: Primary data were collected via individual and small group interviews and surveys of clinical staff from South Carolina primary care clinics participating in an RPM program for patients with diabetes mellitus type 2 in 2019. We used a parallel convergent mixed methods study design with six South Carolina primary care outpatient clinics currently participating in a diabetes remote monitoring program. Clinic staff participants completed surveys to define delivery strategies and experiences with the program in a variety of clinical settings. Interviews of clinic staff examined barriers and facilitators to program implementation guided by the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research (CFIR). Quantitative survey data were summarized via descriptive statistics. Qualitative data from interviews were analyzed in a template analysis approach with primary themes identified and organized by two independent coders and guided by the CFIR. Quantitative and qualitative findings were then synthesized in a final step. Results: RPM program delivery strategies varied across clinic, patient population, and program domains, largely affected by staffing, leadership buy-in, resources, patient needs, and inter-site communication. Barriers and facilitators to implementation were linked to similar factors that influenced delivery strategy. Discussion: RPM programs were implemented in a variety of different clinic settings with program delivery tailored to fit within each clinic's workflow and meet patients' needs. By addressing the barriers identified in this study with focused training and support strategies, delivery processes can improve implementation of RPM programs and thus benefit patient outcomes in rural and community settings.

Real-World Primary Care Data Comparing ALT and FIB-4 in Predicting Future Severe Liver Disease Outcomes.

BACKGROUND: Alanine aminotransferase (ALT) has long provided a cue for chronic liver disease (CLD) diagnostic evaluation, but the Fibrosis-4 Index (FIB-4), a serologic score used for predicting advanced fibrosis risk in CLD, may provide an alternative signal. OBJECTIVE: Compare the predictive performance of FIB-4 with ALT for severe liver disease (SLD) events while adjusting for potential confounders. DESIGN: Retrospective cohort study of primary care electronic health record data from 2012 to 2021. PATIENTS: Adult primary care patients with at least two sets of ALT and other lab values necessary for calculating two unique FIB-4 scores, excluding those patients with an SLD prior to their index FIB-4 value. MAIN MEASURES: The occurrence of an SLD event, a composite of cirrhosis, hepatocellular carcinoma, and liver transplantation, was the outcome of interest. Categories of ALT elevation and FIB-4 advanced fibrosis risk were the primary predictor variables. Multivariable logistic regression models were developed to evaluate the association of FIB-4 and ALT with SLD, and the areas under the curve (AUC) for each model were compared. KEY RESULTS: The cohort of 20,828 patients included 14% with an abnormal index ALT (≥40 IU/L) and 8% with a high-risk index FIB-4 (≥2.67). During the study period, 667 (3%) patients suffered an SLD event. Adjusted multivariable logistic regression models demonstrated an association between high-risk FIB-4 (OR 19.34; 95%CI 15.50-24.13), persistently high-risk FIB-4 (OR 23.85; 95%CI 18.24-31.17), abnormal ALT (OR 7.07; 95%CI 5.81-8.59), and persistently abnormal ALT (OR 7.58; 95%CI 5.97-9.62) with SLD outcomes. The AUC of the index FIB-4 (0.847, p < 0.001) and combined FIB-4 (0.849, p < 0.001) adjusted models exceeded the index ALT adjusted model (0.815). CONCLUSIONS: High-risk FIB-4 scores demonstrated superior performance compared to abnormal ALT in predicting future SLD outcomes.