Chi Chuan Wang

Patient disclosure about herb and supplement use among adults in the US

Analyses of 2002 National Health Interview supplement on complementary and alternative medicine (NHI%AM) indicate that approximately 38 million adults in the US (18.9% of the population) used natural herbs or supplements in the preceding 12 months, but only one-third told their physician about this use. The objectives of this study are: (i) to determine subpopulation rates of patient–physician communication about herbal product and natural supplement use and (ii) to identify the relative influence of patient factors and interaction factors associated with patient-physician communication about herb and supplement use. Logistic secondary analysis was done by using the complementary and alternative medicine supplement of the 2002 National Health Interview Survey. Subjects were a random stratified sample of US adults who used herbs in the past 12 months (n = 5 196) and self-reported rates of disclosure to physicians about herb and supplement use. Results show that disclosure rates were significantly lower for males, younger adults, racial and ethnic minorities and less intensive users of medical care. Across subpopulations, disclosure was the exception rather than the norm. Given the potential risks of delayed or inappropriate treatment and adverse drug reactions and interactions, physicians should be aware of herb and supplement use and counsel patients on the potential risks and benefits of these treatments.

Trend and Pattern of Herb and Supplement Use in the United States: Results from the 2002, 2007, and 2012 National Health Interview Surveys

Background. In 1990s, complementary and alternative medicine (CAM), including use of herbs and supplements, gained popularity in the United States. However, more recent surveys suggest that demand for herbs and supplements has stabilized. Objective. This study examined the prevalence, patterns, and changes in herb and supplement use among the US adults, using the 2002, 2007, and 2012 National Health Interview Surveys (NHIS). Methods. Weighted population estimates were derived from three complementary and alternative medicine supplements to the NHIS. Prevalence rates for herb and supplement use were compared, using Wald chi-square tests to measure changes between years. Results. An estimated 40.6 million US adults reported herb and supplement use in 2012. However, the rate of herb and supplement use dropped from 18.9% in 2002 to 17.9% in 2007 and 2012 (P < 0.05). This decline in use was more pronounced among women, racial or ethnic minorities, and adults with low incomes. Conclusion. Herb and supplements use remains common in the USA, but adult use rates are on the decline. It is still important for health care providers to ask patients about herb and supplement use.

Real-world assessment of therapy changes, suboptimal treatment and associated costs in patients with ulcerative colitis or Crohn's disease

Treatments for Crohns disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC) are not uniformly effective, thus necessitating dose changes, switching, and augmentation and carry adverse event risk, often requiring discontinuation, which reduces treatment benefits.

The prevalence of herb and dietary supplement use among children and adolescents in the United States: Results from the 2007 National Health Interview Survey.

OBJECTIVE The purpose of this study is to examine the national prevalence of herb and dietary supplement usage among children and adolescents age 4-17 in the United States, and to identify population factors associated with usage. METHODS Weighted population estimates are derived from the 2007 National Health Interview Child Complementary and Alternative Medicine Supplement (sample n=9417). Wald chi-square tests are used to compare factors associated with herb and dietary supplement use. RESULTS An estimated 2.9 million children and adolescents used herbs or dietary supplements in 2007. Pediatric herb and supplement use was more common among adolescents and non-Hispanic whites, and positively associated with parental education and household income. Children with activity limitations due to chronic health conditions, long-term prescription use, or relatively heavy use of physician services were also more likely to use herbal supplements. Echinacea and fish oil were most commonly used herbs and supplements. CONCLUSIONS Children in the US appear to use herbs or dietary supplements at a much lower rate than adults. This analysis shows a pattern of moderate and appropriate herb and supplement use in the pediatric population.

National trends of psychotropic medication use among patients diagnosed with anxiety disorders: Results from Medical Expenditure Panel Survey 2004–2009

Data from the 2004 to 2009 Medical Expenditure Panel Survey (MEPS) were used to: (1) characterize changes in utilization and (2) identify factors associated with the use of psychotropic medication among patients with anxiety disorders. We calculated the prevalence, compared the use patterns for each year and drug class, and used logistic regression to identify the factors associated with psychotropic medication use. Patients ever using a psychotropic medication for anxiety grew from 57.4% in 2004 to 63.8% in 2009 (p<0.01). From 2004 to 2009, use of benzodiazepines (22.7-30.5%, p<0.01) and atypical antipsychotics (2.3-3.9%, p<0.01) increased. A high prevalence in the use of benzodiazepines (41.8% in 2004 to 48.8% in 2009) was observed among older adults. Older age, having insurance coverage, and poor health status were significantly associated with self-reported psychotropic medication use. An increase of psychotropic medication use from 2004 to 2009 was observed. A high prevalence and increasing trend in the use of benzodiazepines may warrant further attention given safety concerns in older adults.

Patterns and predictors of antipsychotic medication use among the U.S. population: Findings from the Medical Expenditure Panel Survey

BACKGROUND Given the importance of pharmacological treatment in mental disorders, it is important to have a thorough understanding of predictors and variations in antipsychotic use. OBJECTIVE To provide a description of patient characteristics associated with antipsychotic use and to examine predictors of atypical antipsychotic use among antipsychotic users. METHODS Data were obtained from the 2004 and 2005 Medical Expenditure Panel Survey. Dependent variables were annual, self-reported, atypical and typical antipsychotic use. Independent variables included predisposing, enabling, and need characteristics according to Andersens Behavioral Model. In addition to descriptive statistics, logistic regression analyses were performed to examine the determinants of antipsychotic use. RESULTS Patients aged 65 and older were 0.63 times as likely to use antipsychotics as patients aged 26-45. Poor and near-poor patients were 1.55 and 1.37 times as likely to use antipsychotics as middle- to high-income patients, respectively. The odds of antipsychotic use were 2.95 and 1.99 times for patients with public and prescription insurance coverage, respectively. Patients with a usual source of health care were 1.51 times as likely to use antipsychotics as those without. Compared with typical antipsychotic use, patients aged 25 and younger were 3.88 times as likely to use atypical antipsychotics as patients aged between 26 and 45. Urban residents were 1.87 times as likely as rural residents to use atypical antipsychotics. The odds of antipsychotic and atypical antipsychotic use for the poor mental health population were 8.73 and 3.87 times as patients with good to excellent mental health status. CONCLUSIONS Predisposing and need factors play important roles in determining the use of antipsychotics. However, among antipsychotic users, the use of atypical versus typical antipsychotics appears to have been influenced primarily by need. These findings should be useful to clinicians and policy makers in directing antipsychotic treatments to patients in need.

Continuity of Antipsychotic Medication Management for Medicaid Patients With Schizophrenia

OBJECTIVE The purpose of this study was to examine whether medication refill behavior varies by the number of prescribers of antipsychotic medication a patient has. METHODS A total of 7,868 patients with schizophrenia were identified from North Carolina Medicaid records for the period 2001-2003. Medication switching and adherence outcomes in 2003 were constructed from Medicaid pharmacy claims. Adherence was categorized into four levels (nonadherence, partial adherence, full adherence, or excess filler). Patients were stratified into four groups on the basis of the number of providers who prescribed antipsychotics in 2002 (one prescriber, two prescribers, three prescribers, or four or more prescribers). Medication switching was modeled via logistic regression, and the four-level adherence outcome was modeled via ordered logistic regression, with both regressions controlling for the number of prescribers, age, gender, race, and comorbidity. Medication switching in 2003 was also controlled for in the adherence regression. Predicted probabilities of being in the four adherence groups were estimated to examine the impact of the number of prescribers on adherence. RESULTS Fifty-seven percent of Medicaid patients with schizophrenia had one prescriber for antipsychotic medication, 29% had two prescribers, 10% had three prescribers, and 4% had four or more prescribers in 2002. Patients with more prescribers were significantly more likely than patients with one prescriber to switch medications (p<.01 for patients with three prescribers) and to be either fully adherent or excess fillers (p<.001). CONCLUSIONS Patients with schizophrenia who received medication from multiple prescribers frequently changed medications and filled prescriptions too soon. Care coordination, such as with medical homes, may be effective in improving medication use in this vulnerable population.

Trends in energy and macronutrient intakes by weight status over four decades

OBJECTIVE To examine whether the recent increasing prevalence of obesity was accompanied by variations in energy and macronutrient intakes by weight status. DESIGN Time series of cross-sectional surveys. SETTING National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys (NHANES) in the USA. SUBJECTS Adult participants of NHANES I (1971-1974), II (1976-1980), III (1988-1994) and continuous (1999-2004). RESULTS Daily energy intake increased over time for men (9832 to 11 652 kJ, P < 0·01) and women (6418 to 8142 kJ, P < 0·01) in all BMI classes. Percentage of energy intake from carbohydrate increased over time (men: 42·7% to 48·0%, P < 0·01; women: 45·4% to 50·6%, P < 0·01), whereas percentage of energy intake from fat (men: 36·7% to 33·1%, P < 0·01; women: 36·1% to 33·8%, P < 0·01) and protein (men: 16·4% to 15·1%, P < 0·01; women: 16·9% to 14·7%, P < 0·01) decreased. With surveys combined, daily energy intake varied among BMI classes for women (underweight/normal weight: 7460 kJ; overweight: 6799 kJ; obese I: 7033 kJ; obese II/III: 7401 kJ; P < 0·01) but not men. Percentage of energy intake from carbohydrate decreased with increasing BMI class (men: 46·6% to 45·5%, P < 0·01; women: 49·0% to 48·6%, P < 0·01) whereas percentage of energy intake from fat (men: 34·3% to 36·5%, P < 0·01; women: 34·4% to 35·4%, P < 0·01) and protein (men: 15·3% to 16·5%, P < 0·01; women: 15·2% to 16·0%, P < 0·01) increased. Interactions of survey period and BMI class were not statistically significant. CONCLUSIONS Time trends in energy and macronutrient intakes were similar across BMI classes. Research examining how individuals respond differently to varying dietary compositions may provide greater insight about contributors to the rise in obesity.

Influenza-related health care utilization and productivity losses during seasons with and without a match between the seasonal and vaccine virus B lineage

OBJECTIVE To assess and compare direct medical costs (incurred by payers) and indirect productivity losses (incurred by employers) associated with influenza seasons with matched or mismatched circulating and vaccine containing influenza B lineages. METHODS A retrospective analysis, using two MarketScan databases, for the years 2000-2009. Each influenza season was categorized as matched or mismatched after comparing that seasons circulating influenza B lineage and the vaccine influenza B lineage. Patients selected had at least one diagnosis claim for influenza (ICD-9-CM code 487.xx [influenza] or 488.1 [H1N1]) during an influenza season. We assessed the incidence of influenza (overall and influenza B), influenza-related medical utilization and associated costs, and productivity losses for each season. RESULTS The four matched seasons had lower average influenza incidence (overall incidence per 100,000 plan members: 509; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 505-512) than the five mismatched seasons (748; 95% CI: 745-751). The mismatched seasons had lower influenza B incidence (average incidence per 100,000 plan members: 126; 95% CI: 125-128) than the matched seasons (165; 95% CI: 163-167). The average, per-patient, total influenza-related medical costs in the mismatched seasons (

Renoprotective Effect of Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors and Angiotensin II Receptor Blockers in Diabetic Patients with Proteinuria

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