Browsing by Author "Stechuchak, Karen M"
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Item Open Access Comprehensive Support for Family Caregivers of Post-9/11 Veterans Increases Veteran Utilization of Long-term Services and Supports: A Propensity Score Analysis.(Inquiry : a journal of medical care organization, provision and financing, 2018-01) Shepherd-Banigan, Megan; Smith, Valerie A; Stechuchak, Karen M; Miller, Katherine EM; Hastings, Susan Nicole; Wieland, Gilbert Darryl; Olsen, Maren K; Kabat, Margaret; Henius, Jennifer; Campbell-Kotler, Margaret; Van Houtven, Courtney HaroldFamily caregivers are an important component of the long-term services and supports (LTSS) system. However, caregiving may have negative consequences for caregiver physical and emotional health. Connecting caregivers to formal short-term home- and community-based services (HCBS), through information resources and referrals, might alleviate family caregiver burden and delay nursing home entry for the patient. The aim of this study was to evaluate the early impact of the Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers (PCAFC) (established by P.L. 111-163 for family caregivers of seriously injured post-9/11 Veterans) on Veteran use of LTSS. A two-cohort pre-post design with a nonequivalent comparison group (treated n = 15 650; comparison n = 8339) was used to (1) examine the association between caregiver enrollment in PCAFC and any VA-purchased or VA-provided LTSS use among Veterans and (2) describe program-related trends in HCBS and institutional LTSS use. The comparison group was an inverse-propensity-score weighted sample of Veterans whose caregivers applied for, but were not accepted into, the program. From baseline through 24 months post application, use of any LTSS ranged from 13.1% to 17.8% for Veterans whose caregivers were enrolled in PCAFC versus from 3.8% to 5.3% for Veterans in the comparison group. Participation in PCAFC was associated with a statistically significant increased use of any LTSS from 1 to 24 months post application (over time odds ratios ranged from 2.71 [95% confidence interval: 2.31-3.17] to 4.86 [3.93-6.02]). Support for family caregivers may enhance utilization of LTSS for Veterans with physical, emotional, and/or cognitive conditions.Item Open Access Heart matters: Gender and racial differences cardiovascular disease risk factor control among veterans.(Women's health issues : official publication of the Jacobs Institute of Women's Health, 2014-09) Goldstein, Karen M; Melnyk, S Dee; Zullig, Leah L; Stechuchak, Karen M; Oddone, Eugene; Bastian, Lori A; Rakley, Susan; Olsen, Maren K; Bosworth, Hayden BBackground
Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of mortality for U.S. women. Racial minorities are a particularly vulnerable population. The increasing female veteran population has an higher prevalence of certain cardiovascular risk factors compared with non-veteran women; however, little is known about gender and racial differences in cardiovascular risk factor control among veterans.Methods
We used analysis of variance, adjusting for age, to compare gender and racial differences in three risk factors that predispose to CVD (diabetes, hypertension, and hyperlipidemia) in a cohort of high-risk veterans eligible for enrollment in a clinical trial, including 23,955 men and 1,010 women.Findings
Low-density lipoprotein (LDL) values were higher in women veterans than men with age-adjusted estimated mean values of 111.7 versus 97.6 mg/dL (p < .01). Blood pressures (BPs) were higher among African-American than White female veterans with age-adjusted estimated mean systolic BPs of 136.3 versus 133.5 mmHg, respectively (p < .01), and diastolic BPs of 82.4 versus 78.9 mmHg (p < .01). African-American veterans with diabetes had worse BP, LDL values, and hemoglobin A1c levels, although the differences were only significant among men.Conclusions
Female veterans have higher LDL cholesterol levels than male veterans and African-American veterans have higher BP, LDL cholesterol, and A1c levels than Whites after adjusting for age. Further examination of CVD gender and racial disparities in this population may help to develop targeted treatments and strategies applicable to the general population.Item Open Access How Views of the Organization of Primary Care Among Patients with Hypertension Vary by Race or Ethnicity.(Military medicine, 2018-09) Jackson, George L; Stechuchak, Karen M; Weinberger, Morris; Bosworth, Hayden B; Coffman, Cynthia J; Kirshner, Miriam A; Edelman, DavidIntroduction
We assessed potential racial or ethnic differences in the degree to which veterans with pharmaceutically treated hypertension report experiences with their primary care system that are consistent with optimal chronic illness care as suggested by Wagner's Chronic Care Model (CCM).Materials and methods
A cross-sectional analysis of the results of the Patient Assessment of Chronic Illness Care (PACIC), which measured components of the care system suggested by the CCM and was completed at baseline by participants in a hypertension disease management clinical trial. Participants had a recent history of uncontrolled systolic blood pressure.Results
Among 377 patients, non-Hispanic African American veterans had almost twice the odds of indicating that their primary care experience is consistent with CCM features when compared with non-Hispanic White patients (odds ratio (OR) = 1.86; 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.16-2.98). Similar statistically significant associations were observed for follow-up care (OR = 2.59; 95% CI = 1.49-4.50), patient activation (OR = 1.80; 95% CI = 1.13-2.87), goal setting (OR = 1.65; 95% CI = 1.03-2.64), and help with problem solving (OR = 1.62; 95% CI = 1.00-2.60).Conclusions
Non-Hispanic African Americans with pharmaceutically treated hypertension report that the primary care system more closely approximates the Wagner CCM than non-Hispanic White patients.Item Open Access Impact of Gender on Satisfaction and Confidence in Cholesterol Control Among Veterans at Risk for Cardiovascular Disease.(Journal of women's health (2002), 2017-07) Goldstein, Karen M; Stechuchak, Karen M; Zullig, Leah L; Oddone, Eugene Z; Olsen, Maren K; McCant, Felicia A; Bastian, Lori A; Batch, Bryan C; Bosworth, Hayden BBackground
Compared with men, women have poorer lipid control. Although potential causes of this disparity have been explored, it is unknown whether patient-centered factors such as satisfaction and confidence contribute. We evaluated (1) whether satisfaction with lipid control and confidence in ability to improve it vary by gender and (2) whether sociodemographic characteristics modify the association.Materials and methods
We evaluated baseline survey responses from the Cardiovascular Intervention Improvement Telemedicine Study, including self-rated satisfaction with cholesterol levels and confidence in controlling cholesterol. Participants had poorly controlled hypertension and/or hypercholesterolemia.Results
A total of 428 veterans (15% women) participated. Compared with men, women had higher low-density lipoprotein values at 141.2 versus 121.7 mg/dL, respectively (p < 0.05), higher health literacy, and were less likely to have someone to help track their medications (all p < 0.05). In an adjusted model, women were less satisfied with their cholesterol levels than men with estimated mean scores of 4.3 versus 5.6 on a 1-10 Likert scale (p < 0.05). There was no significant difference in confidence by gender. Participants with support for tracking medications reported higher confidence levels than those without, estimated mean 7.8 versus 7.2 (p < 0.05).Conclusions
Women veterans at high risk for cardiovascular disease were less satisfied with their lipid control than men; however, confidence in ability to improve lipid levels was similar. Veterans without someone to help to track medications were less confident, and women were less likely to have this type of social support. Lack of social support for medication tracking may be a factor in lingering gender-based disparities in hyperlipidemia.Item Open Access Implementation of a stepped wedge cluster randomized trial to evaluate a hospital mobility program.(Trials, 2020-10) Hastings, Susan N; Stechuchak, Karen M; Choate, Ashley; Mahanna, Elizabeth P; Van Houtven, Courtney; Allen, Kelli D; Wang, Virginia; Sperber, Nina; Zullig, Leah; Bosworth, Hayden B; Coffman, Cynthia JBackground
Stepped wedge cluster randomized trials (SW-CRT) are increasingly used to evaluate new clinical programs, yet there is limited guidance on practical aspects of applying this design. We report our early experiences conducting a SW-CRT to examine an inpatient mobility program (STRIDE) in the Veterans Health Administration (VHA). We provide recommendations for future research using this design to evaluate clinical programs.Methods
Based on data from study records and reflections from the investigator team, we describe and assess the design and initial stages of a SW-CRT, from site recruitment to program launch in 8 VHA hospitals.Results
Site recruitment consisted of thirty 1-h conference calls with representatives from 22 individual VAs who expressed interest in implementing STRIDE. Of these, 8 hospitals were enrolled and randomly assigned in two stratified blocks (4 hospitals per block) to a STRIDE launch date. Block 1 randomization occurred in July 2017 with first STRIDE launch in December 2017; block 2 randomization occurred in April 2018 with first STRIDE launch in January 2019. The primary study outcome of discharge destination will be assessed using routinely collected data in the electronic health record (EHR). Within randomized blocks, two hospitals per sequence launched STRIDE approximately every 3 months with primary outcome assessment paused during the 3-month time period of program launch. All sites received 6-8 implementation support calls, according to a pre-specified schedule, from the time of recruitment to program launch, and all 8 sites successfully launched within their assigned 3-month window. Seven of the eight sites initially started with a limited roll out (for example on one ward) or modified version of STRIDE (for example, using existing staff to conduct walks until new positions were filled).Conclusions
Future studies should incorporate sufficient time for site recruitment and carefully consider the following to inform design of SW-CRTs to evaluate rollout of a new clinical program: (1) whether a blocked randomization fits study needs, (2) the amount of time and implementation support sites will need to start their programs, and (3) whether clinical programs are likely to include a "ramp-up" period. Successful execution of SW-CRT designs requires both adherence to rigorous design principles and also careful consideration of logistical requirements for timing of program roll out.Trial registration
ClinicalsTrials.gov NCT03300336 . Prospectively registered on 3 October 2017.Item Open Access Open-label randomized trial of titrated disease management for patients with hypertension: Study design and baseline sample characteristics.(Contemporary clinical trials, 2016-09) Jackson, George L; Weinberger, Morris; Kirshner, Miriam A; Stechuchak, Karen M; Melnyk, Stephanie D; Bosworth, Hayden B; Coffman, Cynthia J; Neelon, Brian; Van Houtven, Courtney; Gentry, Pamela W; Morris, Isis J; Rose, Cynthia M; Taylor, Jennifer P; May, Carrie L; Han, Byungjoo; Wainwright, Christi; Alkon, Aviel; Powell, Lesa; Edelman, DavidDespite the availability of efficacious treatments, only half of patients with hypertension achieve adequate blood pressure (BP) control. This paper describes the protocol and baseline subject characteristics of a 2-arm, 18-month randomized clinical trial of titrated disease management (TDM) for patients with pharmaceutically-treated hypertension for whom systolic blood pressure (SBP) is not controlled (≥140mmHg for non-diabetic or ≥130mmHg for diabetic patients). The trial is being conducted among patients of four clinic locations associated with a Veterans Affairs Medical Center. An intervention arm has a TDM strategy in which patients' hypertension control at baseline, 6, and 12months determines the resource intensity of disease management. Intensity levels include: a low-intensity strategy utilizing a licensed practical nurse to provide bi-monthly, non-tailored behavioral support calls to patients whose SBP comes under control; medium-intensity strategy utilizing a registered nurse to provide monthly tailored behavioral support telephone calls plus home BP monitoring; and high-intensity strategy utilizing a pharmacist to provide monthly tailored behavioral support telephone calls, home BP monitoring, and pharmacist-directed medication management. Control arm patients receive the low-intensity strategy regardless of BP control. The primary outcome is SBP. There are 385 randomized (192 intervention; 193 control) veterans that are predominately older (mean age 63.5years) men (92.5%). 61.8% are African American, and the mean baseline SBP for all subjects is 143.6mmHg. This trial will determine if a disease management program that is titrated by matching the intensity of resources to patients' BP control leads to superior outcomes compared to a low-intensity management strategy.Item Open Access Patient-reported medication adherence barriers among patients with cardiovascular risk factors.(Journal of managed care & specialty pharmacy, 2015-06) Zullig, Leah L; Stechuchak, Karen M; Goldstein, Karen M; Olsen, Maren K; McCant, Felicia M; Danus, Susanne; Crowley, Matthew J; Oddone, Eugene Z; Bosworth, Hayden BBackground
Many patients experience barriers that make it difficult to take cardiovascular disease (CVD)-related medications as prescribed. The Cardiovascular Intervention Improvement Telemedicine Study (CITIES) was a tailored behavioral pharmacist-administered and telephone-based intervention for reducing CVD risk.Objectives
To (a) describe patient-reported barriers to taking their medication as prescribed and (b) evaluate patient-level characteristics associated with reporting medication barriers.Methods
We recruited patients receiving care at primary care clinics affiliated with Durham Veterans Affairs Medical Center. Eligible patients were diagnosed with hypertension and/or hyperlipidemia that were poorly controlled (blood pressure of > 150/100 mmHg and/or low-density lipoprotein value > 130 mg/dL). At the time of enrollment, patients completed an interview with 7 questions derived from a validated medication barriers measure. Patient characteristics and individual medication treatment barriers are described. Multivariable linear regression was used to examine the association between a medication barrier score and patient characteristics.Results
Most patients (n = 428) were married or living with their partners (57%) and were men (85%) who were diagnosed with hypertension and hyperlipidemia (64%). The most commonly reported barriers were having too much medication to take (31%) and forgetting whether medication was taken at a particular time (24%). In adjusted analysis, those who were not employed (1.32, 95% CI = 0.50-2.14) or did not have someone to help with tasks, if needed (1.66, 95% CI = 0.42-2.89), reported higher medication barrier scores. Compared with those diagnosed with hypertension and hyperlipidemia, those with only hypertension (0.91, 95% CI = 0.04-1.79) reported higher medication barrier scores.Conclusions
Barriers to medication adherence are common. Evaluating and addressing barriers may increase medication adherence.Item Open Access Prevalence of insomnia disorder and sleep apnea in a sample of veterans at risk for cardiovascular disease.(Journal of clinical sleep medicine : JCSM : official publication of the American Academy of Sleep Medicine, 2021-07) Ulmer, Christi S; McCant, Felicia; Stechuchak, Karen M; Olsen, Maren; Bosworth, Hayden BStudy objectives
The objectives of this study were to examine the proportion of study participants screening positive for insomnia disorder and/or sleep apnea in veterans engaged in routine health care and known to be at risk for cardiovascular disease and to compare these proportions with those previously documented in medical records.Methods
This was a cross-sectional analysis of baseline data from a randomized clinical intervention trial for patients at risk of cardiovascular disease and a review of study participants' medical records. Participants were veterans ≥ 40 years of age, enrolled in Veterans Affairs primary care, and diagnosed with hypertension and/or hypercholesterolemia. Self-report outcomes were the proportion of patients screening positive for an insomnia disorder and sleep apnea, self-reporting a sleep apnea diagnosis, and endorsing undertreated sleep apnea. Medical record outcomes were the proportion of patients diagnosed with insomnia and sleep apnea.Results
Participants (n = 420) were veterans (84.8% male) with a mean age of 61.1 years. More than half of the sample (52.1%) screened positive for sleep apnea without prior self-reported diagnosis. More than one-third of the sample (39%) screened positive for an insomnia disorder. Medical records revealed considerably lower rates, with 3.8% diagnosed with insomnia, 20.5% diagnosed with sleep apnea, and about 1% diagnosed with both conditions.Conclusions
Undiagnosed and undertreated sleep disorders are common among veterans at risk for cardiovascular disease. Most of the sample (82%) screened positive for, or met, study criteria for sleep apnea or an insomnia disorder. Limitations include the use of self-reported sleep apnea treatment adherence, an insomnia disorder diagnosis based on questionnaire score, and a sample comprised primarily of male veterans. Routine sleep disorders screening in veterans at risk for cardiovascular disease could help to identify those at even greater risk because of the adverse effects of undiagnosed or undertreated sleep disorders.Clinical trial registration
Registry; ClinicalTrials.gov; Name: Cardiovascular Intervention Improvement Telemedicine Study; URL: https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT01142908; Identifier: NCT01142908.Item Open Access Telemedicine cardiovascular risk reduction in veterans.(American heart journal, 2013-04) Melnyk, S Dee; Zullig, Leah L; McCant, Felicia; Danus, Susanne; Oddone, Eugene; Bastian, Lori; Olsen, Maren; Stechuchak, Karen M; Edelman, David; Rakley, Susan; Morey, Miriam; Bosworth, Hayden BBackground
Patients with co-occurrence of hypertension, hyperlipidemia, and diabetes have an increased risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) events. Comprehensive programs addressing both tailored patient self-management and pharmacotherapy are needed to address barriers to optimal cardiovascular risk reduction. We are examining a Clinical pharmacy specialist-, telephone-administered intervention, relying on home monitoring, with a goal of providing tailored medication and behavioral intervention to Veterans with CVD risk.Methods
Randomized controlled trial including patients with hypertension (blood pressure >150/100 mm Hg) or elevated low density liporotein (>130 mg/dL). Longitudinal changes in CVD risk profile and improvement in health behaviors over time will be examined.Conclusion
Given the national prevalence of CVD and the dismal rates of risk factor control, intensive but easily disseminated interventions are required to treat this epidemic. This study will be an important step in testing the effectiveness of a behavioral and medication intervention to improve CVD control among Veterans.Item Open Access Telemedicine cardiovascular risk reduction in veterans: The CITIES trial.(American heart journal, 2018-05) Bosworth, Hayden B; Olsen, Maren K; McCant, Felicia; Stechuchak, Karen M; Danus, Susanne; Crowley, Matthew J; Goldstein, Karen M; Zullig, Leah L; Oddone, Eugene ZBACKGROUND:Comprehensive programs addressing tailored patient self-management and pharmacotherapy may reduce barriers to cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk reduction. METHODS:This is a 2-arm (clinical pharmacist specialist-delivered, telehealth intervention and education control) randomized controlled trial including Veterans with poorly controlled hypertension and/or hypercholesterolemia. Primary outcome was Framingham CVD risk score at 6 and 12 months, with systolic blood pressure; diastolic blood pressure; total cholesterol; low-density lipoprotein; high-density lipoprotein; body mass index; and, for those with diabetes, HbA1c as secondary outcomes. RESULTS:Among 428 Veterans, 50% were African American, 85% were men, and 33% had limited health literacy. Relative to the education control group, the clinical pharmacist specialist-delivered intervention did not show a reduction in CVD risk score at 6 months (-1.8, 95% CI -3.9 to 0.3; P = .10) or 12 months (-0.3, 95% CI -2.4 to 1.7; P = .74). No differences were seen in systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, or low-density lipoprotein at 6 or 12 months. We did observe a significant decline in total cholesterol at 6 months (-7.0, 95% CI -13.4 to -0.6; P = .03) in the intervention relative to education control group. Among patients in the intervention group, 34% received at least 5 of the 12 planned intervention calls and were considered "compliers." A sensitivity analysis of the "complier average causal effect" of intervention compared to control showed a mean difference in CVD risk score reduction of 5.7 (95% CI -12.0 to 0.7) at 6 months and -1.7 (95% CI -7.6 to 4.8) at 12 months. CONCLUSIONS:Despite increased access to pharmacist resources, we did not observe significant improvements in CVD risk for patients randomized to the intervention compared to education control over 12 months. However, the intervention may have positive impact among those who actively participate, particularly in the short term.