2021
Accuracy of the Veterans Health Administration COVID-19 (VACO) Index for predicting short-term mortality among 1307 US academic medical centre inpatients and 427 224 US Medicare patients
King JT, Yoon JS, Bredl ZM, Habboushe JP, Walker GA, Rentsch CT, Tate JP, Kashyap NM, Hintz RC, Chopra AP, Justice AC. Accuracy of the Veterans Health Administration COVID-19 (VACO) Index for predicting short-term mortality among 1307 US academic medical centre inpatients and 427 224 US Medicare patients. Journal Of Epidemiology & Community Health 2021, 76: 254-260. PMID: 34583962, PMCID: PMC8483922, DOI: 10.1136/jech-2021-216697.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchMeSH KeywordsAcademic Medical CentersAgedCOVID-19HumansInpatientsMedicareRetrospective StudiesSARS-CoV-2United StatesVeteransVeterans HealthConceptsVACO IndexShort-term mortalityAcademic medical centerCause mortalityMedicare inpatientMedical CenterSingle US academic medical centerCOVID-19 indexTime of diagnosisUS academic medical centersUS Medicare patientsGreater clinical attentionCOVID-19SARS-CoV-2Nationwide cohortComorbidity diagnosesMedicare cohortInpatient populationUS veteransMedicare patientsHospital dataMedicare dataOutpatient dataClinical attentionInpatients
2020
Development and validation of a 30-day mortality index based on pre-existing medical administrative data from 13,323 COVID-19 patients: The Veterans Health Administration COVID-19 (VACO) Index
King JT, Yoon JS, Rentsch CT, Tate JP, Park LS, Kidwai-Khan F, Skanderson M, Hauser RG, Jacobson DA, Erdos J, Cho K, Ramoni R, Gagnon DR, Justice AC. Development and validation of a 30-day mortality index based on pre-existing medical administrative data from 13,323 COVID-19 patients: The Veterans Health Administration COVID-19 (VACO) Index. PLOS ONE 2020, 15: e0241825. PMID: 33175863, PMCID: PMC7657526, DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0241825.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsCharlson Comorbidity IndexVeterans Health AdministrationVACO IndexValidation cohortMedical administrative dataDevelopment cohortSARS-CoV-2 testing resultsMortality indexICD-10 diagnosis codesUS Veterans Health AdministrationSARS-CoV-2 infectionPre-existing medical conditionsCOVID-19 mortality riskPeripheral vascular diseaseCOVID-19 patientsCOVID-19 infectionCOVID-19 mortalitySARS-CoV-2Administrative dataLogistic regression modelsRace/ethnicityCohort subgroupsComorbidity indexOverall mortalityComorbid conditionsFIB-4 stage of liver fibrosis is associated with incident heart failure with preserved, but not reduced, ejection fraction among people with and without HIV or hepatitis C
So-Armah KA, Lim JK, Re V, Tate JP, Chang CH, Butt AA, Gibert CL, Rimland D, Marconi VC, Goetz MB, Ramachandran V, Brittain E, Long M, Nguyen KL, Rodriguez-Barradas MC, Budoff MJ, Tindle HA, Samet JH, Justice AC, Freiberg MS, Team V. FIB-4 stage of liver fibrosis is associated with incident heart failure with preserved, but not reduced, ejection fraction among people with and without HIV or hepatitis C. Progress In Cardiovascular Diseases 2020, 63: 184-191. PMID: 32068085, PMCID: PMC7278895, DOI: 10.1016/j.pcad.2020.02.010.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchMeSH KeywordsAdultAnti-HIV AgentsFemaleHealth StatusHeart FailureHepatitis CHIV InfectionsHIV Long-Term SurvivorsHumansIncidenceLiver CirrhosisMaleMiddle AgedPrognosisRisk AssessmentRisk FactorsSeverity of Illness IndexStroke VolumeTime FactorsUnited StatesVentricular Function, LeftVeterans HealthViral LoadConceptsType of HFIncident heart failureHeart failureHepatitis C statusAdvanced fibrosisLiver fibrosisEjection fractionHazard ratioC statusVeterans Aging Cohort StudyRisk of HFpEFLast clinic visitReduced ejection fractionAging Cohort StudyLiver fibrosis scoresPrevalent cardiovascular diseaseFirst HF eventProportional hazards modelIncident HFpEFHepatitis CClinic visitsCohort studyPrimary outcomeFibrosis scoreHF eventsReceipt and predictors of smoking cessation pharmacotherapy among veterans with and without HIV
Shahrir S, Crothers K, McGinnis KA, Chan KCG, Baeten JM, Wilson SM, Butt AA, Pisani MA, Baldassarri SR, Justice A, Williams EC. Receipt and predictors of smoking cessation pharmacotherapy among veterans with and without HIV. Progress In Cardiovascular Diseases 2020, 63: 118-124. PMID: 31987807, PMCID: PMC7251937, DOI: 10.1016/j.pcad.2020.01.003.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchMeSH KeywordsAgedAnti-HIV AgentsCardiovascular DiseasesFemaleHealth StatusHIV InfectionsHIV Long-Term SurvivorsHumansLongitudinal StudiesMaleMiddle AgedPreventive Health ServicesProspective StudiesProtective FactorsRisk AssessmentRisk FactorsRisk Reduction BehaviorSmokersSmokingSmoking CessationSmoking Cessation AgentsTime FactorsTreatment OutcomeUnited StatesVeterans HealthViral LoadConceptsNicotine replacement therapyVeterans Aging Cohort StudyMultivariable log-linear regression modelsPotential treatment disparitiesSmoking cessation pharmacotherapyPatient-level factorsAging Cohort StudyMental health disordersRates of receiptUninfected participantsUninfected patientsCardiovascular riskCessation pharmacotherapyCohort studyCurrent smokingHIV statusMultivariable analysisTreatment disparitiesReplacement therapyRelative riskHealth disordersPharmacotherapyPLWHSmokingHIV
2018
Provider verification of electronic health record receipt and nonreceipt of direct-acting antivirals for the treatment of hepatitis C virus infection
Rentsch CT, Cartwright EJ, Gandhi NR, Brown ST, Rodriguez-Barradas MC, Goetz MB, Marconi VC, Gibert CL, Re VL, Fiellin DA, Justice AC, Tate JP. Provider verification of electronic health record receipt and nonreceipt of direct-acting antivirals for the treatment of hepatitis C virus infection. Annals Of Epidemiology 2018, 28: 808-811. PMID: 30195616, PMCID: PMC6318448, DOI: 10.1016/j.annepidem.2018.08.007.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsHepatitis C virus infectionCorporate Data WarehouseChronic HCV infectionC virus infectionPositive predictive valuePredictive valueHCV infectionHCV treatmentVirus infectionVeterans Health Administration Corporate Data WarehouseChronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infectionStudy periodModern treatment eraRetrospective cohort studyElectronic health record dataPharmacy fill recordsHealth record dataNegative predictive valueElectronic health recordsAntiviral regimenHCV therapyTreatment eraChart reviewCohort studyAntiviral treatmentBilirubin Is Inversely Associated With Cardiovascular Disease Among HIV‐Positive and HIV‐Negative Individuals in VACS (Veterans Aging Cohort Study)
Marconi VC, Duncan MS, So‐Armah K, Re VL, Lim JK, Butt AA, Goetz MB, Rodriguez‐Barradas M, Alcorn CW, Lennox J, Beckman JA, Justice A, Freiberg M. Bilirubin Is Inversely Associated With Cardiovascular Disease Among HIV‐Positive and HIV‐Negative Individuals in VACS (Veterans Aging Cohort Study). Journal Of The American Heart Association 2018, 7: e007792. PMID: 29720501, PMCID: PMC6015337, DOI: 10.1161/jaha.117.007792.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsAcute myocardial infarctionTotal cardiovascular diseaseIschemic stroke eventsCardiovascular diseaseCVD eventsHeart failureMyocardial infarctionTotal bilirubinElevated bilirubinStroke eventsRisk factorsIncident total CVDBaseline total bilirubinBaseline cardiovascular diseaseIncident CVD eventsHIV-negative individualsProspective cohort studyElevated bilirubin levelsMultiple risk factorsCohort studyCVD riskHazard ratioIschemic strokeHIV-positiveBilirubin levels
2016
Estimating healthcare mobility in the Veterans Affairs Healthcare System
Wang KH, Goulet JL, Carroll CM, Skanderson M, Fodeh S, Erdos J, Womack JA, Abel EA, Bathulapalli H, Justice AC, Nunez-Smith M, Brandt CA. Estimating healthcare mobility in the Veterans Affairs Healthcare System. BMC Health Services Research 2016, 16: 609. PMID: 27769221, PMCID: PMC5075153, DOI: 10.1186/s12913-016-1841-4.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchMeSH KeywordsAdolescentAdultAgedAged, 80 and overDelivery of Health CareElectronic Health RecordsEmigration and ImmigrationFemaleHospitals, VeteransHumansMaleMental DisordersMiddle AgedPatient Acceptance of Health CareRetrospective StudiesUnited StatesUnited States Department of Veterans AffairsVeteransVeterans HealthYoung AdultConceptsHealthcare systemVeterans Health Administration electronic health recordsVeterans Affairs Healthcare SystemHealthcare mobilityRetrospective cohort studyHepatitis C virusOutcomes of careDifferent healthcare systemsDistinct healthcare systemsElectronic health recordsClinical characteristicsCohort studyHealthcare utilizationC virusSpecialty carePsychiatric disordersYounger veteransDisease preventionYounger agePopulation healthHealth recordsVeteransStatus changesCareYear period
2013
Sex Disparities in Overall Burden of Disease Among HIV-Infected Individuals in the Veterans Affairs Healthcare System
Blackstock OJ, Tate JP, Akgün KM, Crystal S, Duggal M, Edelman EJ, Gibert CL, Gordon KS, Rimland D, Rodriguez-Barradas MC, Wang EA, Fiellin DA, Justice AC. Sex Disparities in Overall Burden of Disease Among HIV-Infected Individuals in the Veterans Affairs Healthcare System. Journal Of General Internal Medicine 2013, 28: 577-582. PMID: 23807068, PMCID: PMC3695278, DOI: 10.1007/s11606-013-2346-z.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsVeterans Affairs Healthcare SystemART initiationOverall burdenAntiretroviral therapyVeterans Aging Cohort Study Virtual CohortVACS Index scoreART-naïve HIVLower hemoglobin levelsHuman immunodeficiency virusBurden of diseaseHealthcare systemHIV biomarkersVACS IndexVACS-VCCause mortalityHIV careLiver dysfunctionART adherenceHemoglobin levelsImmunodeficiency virusHIV treatmentModifiable factorsPharmacy dataResultsComplete dataMultivariable regression
2011
Validating Smoking Data From the Veteran’s Affairs Health Factors Dataset, an Electronic Data Source
McGinnis KA, Brandt CA, Skanderson M, Justice AC, Shahrir S, Butt AA, Brown ST, Freiberg MS, Gibert CL, Goetz MB, Kim JW, Pisani MA, Rimland D, Rodriguez-Barradas MC, Sico JJ, Tindle HA, Crothers K. Validating Smoking Data From the Veteran’s Affairs Health Factors Dataset, an Electronic Data Source. Nicotine & Tobacco Research 2011, 13: 1233-1239. PMID: 21911825, PMCID: PMC3223583, DOI: 10.1093/ntr/ntr206.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsSmoking statusHealth factorsSmoking dataKappa statisticsSmoking variablesVeterans Aging Cohort StudyAging Cohort StudySelf-reported smoking dataCohort studyCurrent smokersSmoking interventionsVirtual cohortElectronic data sourcesEMR dataFuture studiesStatusParticipantsFactorsHIVSmokersSmokingStudy surveyCohortNonmedical use of prescription opioids and pain in veterans with and without HIV
Barry DT, Goulet JL, Kerns RK, Becker WC, Gordon AJ, Justice AC, Fiellin DA. Nonmedical use of prescription opioids and pain in veterans with and without HIV. Pain 2011, 152: 1133-1138. PMID: 21354703, PMCID: PMC3086805, DOI: 10.1016/j.pain.2011.01.038.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchMeSH KeywordsAdultAgedAnalgesics, OpioidChi-Square DistributionCohort StudiesFemaleHealth SurveysHIV InfectionsHumansLogistic ModelsMaleMental DisordersMiddle AgedOdds RatioOpioid-Related DisordersPainPain MeasurementPrescriptionsPsychiatric Status Rating ScalesRetrospective StudiesSelf ReportSurveys and QuestionnairesVeterans HealthYoung AdultConceptsHuman immunodeficiency virusPrescription opioidsComponent summaryHIV statusPain interferenceUse disordersForm Health Survey Mental Component SummarySF-12 Physical Component SummaryVeterans Aging Cohort StudyNonmedical usePharmacy record dataAlcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT) scoresAging Cohort StudyPhysical component summaryMental component summaryOpioid use disorderMedian participant ageDrug use disordersLegitimate medical reasonsPast-month cigarette useChi-squared testU.S. military veteransHepatitis COpioid prescriptionsCohort studyThe Burden of Illness in the First Year Home: Do Male and Female VA Users Differ in Health Conditions and Healthcare Utilization
Haskell SG, Mattocks K, Goulet JL, Krebs EE, Skanderson M, Leslie D, Justice AC, Yano EM, Brandt C. The Burden of Illness in the First Year Home: Do Male and Female VA Users Differ in Health Conditions and Healthcare Utilization. Women's Health Issues 2011, 21: 92-97. PMID: 21185994, PMCID: PMC3138124, DOI: 10.1016/j.whi.2010.08.001.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsFemale veteransHealth servicesComprehensive women's health servicesHealth care service useVeterans Health Administration (VHA) servicesHealth conditionsCare service useBurden of illnessHealth care utilizationWomen's health servicesPercent of womenMental health clinicsOperation Enduring Freedom/Operation Iraqi Freedom veteransMental health disordersReproductive health needsMental health conditionsOperation Iraqi Freedom veteransVeterans' health careSignificant demographic differencesPosttraumatic stress disorderIraqi Freedom veteransCare utilizationClinical data basesGynecologic examinationHealthcare utilization