Use of guideline-recommended therapies for heart failure in the Medicare population.
Journal Article (Journal Article)
BACKGROUND: Most information about the use of guideline-recommended therapies for heart failure reflects what occurred at discharge after an inpatient stay. HYPOTHESIS: 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.
Full Text
Duke Authors
Cited Authors
- DiMartino, LD; Shea, AM; Hernandez, AF; Curtis, LH
Published Date
- July 2010
Published In
Volume / Issue
- 33 / 7
Start / End Page
- 400 - 405
PubMed ID
- 20641116
Pubmed Central ID
- PMC3740389
Electronic International Standard Serial Number (EISSN)
- 1932-8737
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
- 10.1002/clc.20760
Language
- eng
Conference Location
- United States