Courtney Pilkerton

Medication use and the risk of motor vehicle collisions among licensed drivers: A systematic review

OBJECTIVES Driving under the influence of prescription and over-the-counter medication is a growing public health concern. A systematic review of the literature was performed to investigate which specific medications were associated with increased risk of motor vehicle collision (MVC). METHODS The a priori inclusion criteria were: (1) studies published from English-language sources on or after January 1, 1960, (2) licensed drivers 15 years of age and older, (3) peer-reviewed publications, masters theses, doctoral dissertations, and conference papers, (4) studies limited to randomized control trials, cohort studies, case-control studies, or case-control type studies (5) outcome measure reported for at least one specific medication, (6) outcome measure reported as the odds or risk of a motor vehicle collision. Fourteen databases were examined along with hand-searching. Independent, dual selection of studies and data abstraction was performed. RESULTS Fifty-three medications were investigated by 27 studies included in the review. Fifteen (28.3%) were associated with an increased risk of MVC. These included Buprenorphine, Codeine, Dihydrocodeine, Methadone, Tramadol, Levocitirizine, Diazepam, Flunitrazepam, Flurazepam, Lorazepam, Temazepam, Triazolam, Carisoprodol, Zolpidem, and Zopiclone. CONCLUSIONS Several medications were associated with an increased risk of MVC and decreased driving ability. The associations between specific medication use and the increased risk of MVC and/or affected driving ability are complex. Future research opportunities are plentiful and worthy of such investigation.

Changes in Cardiovascular Health in the United States, 2003–2011

Background Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death in the United States, making improving cardiovascular health a key population health goal. As part of efforts to achieve this, the American Heart Association has developed the first comprehensive cardiovascular health index (CVHI). Our objective was to investigate the changes in CVHI in US states from 2003 to 2011. Methods and Results CVHI was examined using Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System data between 2003 and 2011 (odd-numbered years). Total CVHI decreased from 3.73±0.01 in 2003 to 3.65±0.01 in 2009. The majority of states (88%) experienced a decline in CVHI and an increase in the prevalence of “poor” CVHI between 2003 and 2009. Among CVHI components, the highest prevalence of “ideal” was observed for blood glucose followed by smoking, whereas the lowest prevalence of “ideal” was observed for physical activity and diet. Between 2003 and 2009, prevalence of “ideal” smoking and diet status increased, while “ideal” prevalence of blood pressure, cholesterol, blood glucose, body mass index, and physical activity status decreased. We observed statistically significant differences between 2009 and 2011, outside the scope of the 2003–2009 trend, which we hypothesize are partially attributable to differences in sample demographic characteristics related to changes in Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System methodology. Conclusions Overall, CVHI decreased, most likely due to decreases in “ideal” blood pressure, body mass index, and cholesterol status, which may stem from low prevalence of “ideal” physical activity and diet status. These findings can be used to inform state-specific strategies and targets to improve cardiovascular health.

Neonatal abstinence syndrome in West Virginia substate regions, 2007-2013

PURPOSE The opioid epidemic is a public health threat with consequences affecting newborns. Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome (NAS) is a constellation of withdrawal symptoms resulting primarily from in utero opioid exposure. The purpose of this study was to examine NAS and drug-specific trends in West Virginia (WV), where rurality-related issues are largely present. METHODS The 2007-2013 WV Health Care Authority, Uniform Billing Data were analyzed for 119,605 newborn admissions with 1,974 NAS diagnoses. NAS (ICD9-CM 779.5) and exposure diagnostic codes for opioids, hallucinogens, and cocaine were utilized as incidence rate (IR) per 1,000 live births. FINDINGS Between 2007 and 2013, NAS IR significantly increased from 7.74 to 31.56 per 1,000 live births per year (Z: -19.10, P < .0001). During this time period, opioid exposure increased (Z: -9.56, P < .0001), while cocaine exposure decreased (Z: 3.62, P = .0003). In 2013, the southeastern region of the state had the highest NAS IR of 48.76 per 1,000 live births. NAS infants were more likely to experience other clinical conditions, longer hospital stay, and be insured by Medicaid. CONCLUSIONS Statewide NAS IR increased 4-fold over the study period, with rates over 3 times the national annual averages. This alarming trend is deleterious for the health of WV mother-child dyads and it strains the states health care system. Therefore, WV has a unique need for prenatal public health drug treatment and prevention resources, specifically targeting the southeastern region. Further examination of maternal drug-specific trends and general underutilization of neonatal exposure ICD-9-CM codes is indicated.

Multimorbidity Trends in United States Adults, 1988–2014

Importance: The simultaneous presence of multiple conditions in one patient (multi-morbidity) is a key challenge facing primary care. Objective: The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence of multi-morbidity and to document changes in prevalence during the last 25 years. Design/Setting: Cross-sectional study using multiple years (1988–2014) of the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) were analyzed. Setting: Multiple years (1988 to 2014) of the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) from the United States were analyzed. Participants: Noninstitutionalized adults. Main Outcomes and Measures: Number of chronic conditions per individual analyzed by age, race, gender, and socioeconomic factors. Results: A total of 57,303 individuals were surveyed regarding the presence of multi-morbidity in separate surveys spanning 1988–2014. The overall current prevalence in 2013–2014 of >2 morbidities was 59.6% (95% CI 58.1%–61.1%), 38.5% had 3 or more, and 22.7% had 4 or more morbidities, which was significantly higher than in 1988 (45.7%, 95% CI 43.5%–47.8%, with >2 morbidities). Among individuals with 2 or more morbidities, 54.1% have obesity compared to 41.9% in 1988. Among adults age >65, prevalence was 91.8% for 2 or more morbidities. Whites and Blacks had significantly higher prevalence (59.2% and 60.1%) than Hispanic or “other” race (45.0%, P < .0001). Women (58.4%) had more current multi-morbidities (>2) than men (55.9%, P = .01). Conclusions and Relevance: Multimorbidity is common and has been increasing over the last 25 years. This finding has implications for public health policy and anticipated health costs for the coming years.

Healthcare resource availability and cardiovascular health in the USA

Objectives Cardiovascular disease (CVD) remains the leading cause of death in the USA. Reducing the population-level burden of CVD disease will require a better understanding and support of cardiovascular health (CVH) in individuals and entire communities. The objectives for this study were to examine associations between community-level healthcare resources (HCrRes) and CVH in individuals and entire communities. Setting This study consisted of a retrospective, cross-sectional study design, using multivariable epidemiological analyses. Participants All participants in the 2011 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) survey were examined for eligibility. CVH, defined using the American Heart Association CVH Index (CVHI), was determined using self-reported responses to 2011 BRFSS questions. Data for determining HCrRes were obtained from the Area Health Resource File. Regression analysis was performed to examine associations between healthcare resources and CVHI in communities (linear regression) and individuals (Poisson regression). Results Mean CVHI was 3.3±0.005 and was poorer in the Southeast and Appalachian regions of the USA. Supply of primary care physicians and physician assistants were positively associated with individual and community-level CVHI, while CVD specialist supply was negatively associated with CVHI. Individuals benefiting most from increased supply of primary care providers were: middle aged; female; had non-Hispanic other race/ethnicity; those with household income <

Evaluation of West Virginia’s Healthy Lifestyles Act Physical Education Component Using the YRBSS

25 000/year; and those in non-urban communities with insurance coverage. Conclusions Our results support the importance of primary care provider supply for both individual and community CVHI, though not all sociodemographic groups benefited equally from additional primary care providers. Further research should investigate policies and factors that can effectively increase primary care provider supply and influence where they practice.

Comorbidity among Older American Indians: The Native Elder Care Study

BACKGROUND Public health researchers have demonstrated the potential for significant gains in physical activity through public policy. West Virginia passed House Bill 2816, known as the Healthy Lifestyles Act in 2005. This Act amended the code on the requirements of physical education and physical fitness in schools, creating minimum physical education requirements at each grade level. The goal of this policy evaluation was to identify if, 5 years postimplementation, students have increased physical education in schools. METHODS Data from the 2003, 2005, 2007, 2009, and 2011 Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance System surveys were used to examine the time trend of weekly PE participation in WV Schools. RESULTS There have been no significant changes in participation in physical education classes since before the implementation of the HLA. CONCLUSIONS Simple policy changes by themselves may not effectively create change in physical activity environments, as policy is moderated by strength of language, implementation, and enforcement. Further studies are needed to determine why the HLA has not been successful in increasing physical activity of youth and what changes to the standards and mandates, ways implementation in schools could be improved, and/or the enforcement of these standards are needed for such policies to be successful.