Publications [#183837] of Lesley H Curtis

Papers Published

1. LD DiMartino, AM Shea, AF Hernandez, LH Curtis, Use of guideline-recommended therapies for heart failure in the Medicare population., Clinical cardiology, vol. 33 no. 7 (July, 2010), pp. 400-5, ISSN 1932-8737 [doi]
   (last updated on 2013/07/01)

   Abstract:
   BACKGROUND: Most information about the use of guideline-recommended therapies for heart failure reflects what occurred at discharge after an inpatient stay. OBJECTIVE: Using a nationally representative, community-dwelling sample of elderly Medicare beneficiaries, we examined how the use of angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors, angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs), and beta-blockers has changed and factors associated with their use. METHODS: Using data from the Medicare Current Beneficiary Survey cost and use files matched with Medicare claims data, we identified beneficiaries for whom a diagnosis of heart failure was reported between January 1, 2000, and December 31, 2004. Data on medications prescribed during the year of cohort entry were based on patient self-report. We used multivariable logistic regression to explore relationships between the use of ACE inhibitors/ARBs and beta-blockers and patient demographic characteristics. RESULTS: From 2000 through 2004, the use of ARBs increased from 12% to 19%, and the use of beta-blockers increased from 30% to 41%. The use of ACE inhibitors remained constant at 45%. Beneficiaries who reported having prescription drug insurance coverage were 32% more likely than other beneficiaries to have filled a prescription for an ACE inhibitor or ARB and 26% more likely to have filled a prescription for a beta-blocker. CONCLUSIONS: Although the use of guideline-recommended therapies for heart failure has increased, it remains suboptimal.

   Keywords:
   Adrenergic beta-Antagonists • Aged • Angiotensin II Type 1 Receptor Blockers • Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors • Cardiovascular Agents • Drug Prescriptions • Drug Utilization • Female • Guideline Adherence • Health Care Surveys • Heart Failure • Humans • Insurance, Pharmaceutical Services • Logistic Models • Male • Medicare • Physician's Practice Patterns • Practice Guidelines as Topic • Risk Assessment • Risk Factors • Treatment Outcome • United States • drug therapy* • statistics & numerical data • statistics & numerical data* • therapeutic use • therapeutic use*