Dataset Information

Patterns of Healthcare Use and Medication Adherence among Youth with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus during Transfer from Pediatric to Adult Care.

ABSTRACT:

Objective

Youth with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) transferring from pediatric to adult care are at risk for poor outcomes. We describe patterns of rheumatology/nephrology care and changes in healthcare use and medication adherence during transfer.

Methods

We identified youth ages 15-25 with SLE using US private insurance claims from Optum's deidentified Clinformatics Data Mart. Rheumatology/nephrology visit patterns were categorized as (1) unilateral transfers to adult care within 12 months, (2) overlapping pediatric and adult visits, (3) lost to followup, or (4) continuing pediatric care. We used negative binomial regression and paired t tests to estimate changes in healthcare use and medication possession ratios (MPR) after the last pediatric (index) visit. We compared MPR between youth who transferred and age-matched peers continuing pediatric care.

Results

Of the 184 youth transferred out of pediatric care, 41.8% transferred unilaterally, 31.5% had overlapping visits over a median of 12 months before final transfer, and 26.6% were lost to followup. We matched 107 youth continuing pediatric care. Overall, ambulatory care use decreased among those lost to followup. Acute care use decreased across all groups. MPR after the index date were lower in youth lost to followup (mean 0.24) compared to peers in pediatric care (mean 0.57, p < 0.001).

Conclusion

Youth with SLE with continuous private insurance coverage do not use more acute care after transfer to adult care. However, a substantial proportion fail to see adult subspecialists within 12 months and have worse medication adherence, placing them at higher risk for adverse outcomes.

SUBMITTER: Chang JC

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7394721 | biostudies-literature |

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Project description:Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a chronic, rare autoimmune disease. In recent years, multiple monogenic diseases with early onset autoimmunity and lymphoproliferation have been identified, such as autoimmune lymphoproliferative syndrome, rat sarcoma (RAS)-associated autoimmune leukoproliferative disease, signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 gain-of-function syndrome and interleukin-2 receptor α deficiency. Therefore, we performed whole-exome sequencing in children with SLE with lymphoproliferation to identify genes associated with these conditions.We enrolled 7 patients with SLE with lymphoproliferation from different families. Demographic data, clinical manifestations, laboratory and histopathologic findings, treatment, and outcome were documented. Whole-exome sequencing was performed in 7 patients and their families. Suspected variants were confirmed by Sanger sequencing. Protein levels were detected in patients with gene mutations by western blot.Four patients were male, and 3 were female. No consanguinity was reported within the 7 families. The average age at onset was 5.0 years (range: 1.2-10.0 years). The most common features were renal (7/7 patients) and hematologic (6/7 patients) involvement and recurrent fever (6/7 patients), while only 2 patients presented with skin involvement. Antinuclear antibodies at a titer of ≥1:320 were positive in all patients. All patients fulfilled four 2019 European League Against Rheumatism/American College of Rheumatology (EULAR/ACR) criteria for the classification of SLE. We identified a somatic activating NRAS variant (c.38 A>G, p.G13C) in peripheral venous blood from 4 patients, at levels ranging from 8.8% to 42.8% in variant tissues that were absent from their parents. B cell lymphoma (BCL)-2-interacting mediator of cell death levels in peripheral blood mononuclear cells from 4 patients were markedly reduced, whereas those in the control were normal. Another 2 mutations, c.559C>T (p.Q187X) in the TNFAIP3 gene and c.3061G>A (p.E1021K) in the PIK3CD gene were detected in 2 patients.The SLE is a novel phenotype of somatic mutations in the NRAS gene and germline mutations in the PI3CKD gene. These genes, NRAS, TNFAIP3, and PIK3CD, should be considered candidates for children with SLE with lymphoproliferation. If patients with SLE and lymphoproliferation present with renal and hematologic involvement and recurrent fever, they need gene testing, especially male patients.