ObjectiveIn myasthenia gravis (MG), evidence on the impact of social determinants of health on disparities in disease burden and healthcare resource utilization is limited. This study aimed to investigate the independent association between race/ethnicity and acute care utilization during the 2 years post-diagnosis among patients with MG.MethodsA retrospective cohort study was conducted among adults (≥18 years) with newly diagnosed MG in the United States using Optum’s de-identified Market Clarity Data from January 1, 2010, to December 31, 2019. Multivariable regression models were used to assess the association between acute care utilization and race/ethnicity, insurance, exacerbation at index, and other covariates.ResultsA total of 7,058 patients met the study inclusion criteria, of whom 57% (n = 4,052) identified as Caucasian, 6% (n = 445) African American, 3% (n = 235) Hispanic, 1% (n = 94) Asian, and 32% (n = 2,232) with missing race/ethnicity information. Compared with patients identifying as Caucasian, those identifying as African American had 37% higher odds of having an emergency department visit in year 1, and those identifying as Hispanic had 70% increase in odds of having a hospitalization event in year 2 post-diagnosis. Among other covariates, Medicaid usage, exacerbation at index, and number of outpatient visits were significantly associated with acute care utilization.ConclusionRacial disparities significantly impacted acute care utilization in the first 2 years post-MG diagnosis. Future studies should aim to examine specific factors that may contribute to disparities such as barriers to healthcare access, greater severity of MG symptoms, and poorly controlled disease.

The global blockchain in healthcare market is experiencing significant growth, driven by the increasing need for secure and interoperable healthcare data management. The market's expansion is fueled by several key factors, including rising concerns about data breaches and privacy violations, the escalating demand for improved patient data accessibility and control, and the potential for blockchain technology to streamline healthcare supply chains and reduce administrative burdens. While precise market sizing data wasn't provided, industry reports suggest a substantial market value, potentially in the billions of dollars, with a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) likely exceeding 20% during the forecast period (2025-2033). This robust growth is projected to continue as more healthcare providers and organizations adopt blockchain solutions to enhance data security, transparency, and efficiency. The integration of blockchain into various healthcare segments, including electronic health records (EHRs), supply chain management, clinical trials, and insurance claims processing, is creating diverse opportunities for market expansion. Major players like IBM, Microsoft, and Optum, alongside specialized blockchain healthcare companies such as Hashed Health, iSolve, Patientory, and FarmaTrust, are actively developing and deploying blockchain-based solutions. However, challenges remain, including regulatory uncertainties, scalability limitations, and the need for widespread adoption and standardization across the healthcare ecosystem. Overcoming these hurdles will be critical to unlocking the full potential of blockchain technology to revolutionize the healthcare industry. The future of blockchain in healthcare appears bright, with ongoing technological advancements and increasing regulatory clarity paving the way for further market growth and wider adoption in the coming years. The focus will continue to be on developing user-friendly, secure, and scalable solutions that address the specific needs and challenges of the healthcare sector.

To describe long-term (24-month) treatment patterns of patients initiating galcanezumab versus standard of care (SOC) preventive migraine treatments including anticonvulsants, beta-blockers, antidepressants, and onabotulinumtoxinA using administrative claims data. This retrospective cohort study, which used Optum de-identified Market Clarity data, included adults with migraine with ≥1 claim for galcanezumab or SOC preventive migraine therapy (September 1, 2018 − March 31, 2020) and continuous database enrollment for 12 months before (baseline) and 24 months after (follow-up) the index date (date of first claim). Baseline patient demographics, clinical characteristics, and treatment patterns were analyzed after 24-month follow-up, including adherence (measured as the proportion of days covered [PDC]), persistence, discontinuation (≥60-day gap), restart, and treatment switch. Propensity score matching (1:1) was used to balance the galcanezumab and SOC cohorts. The study included 2307 matched patient pairs with 24-month follow-up. The mean age across cohorts was 44.5 years (females: ∼87%). Patients in the galcanezumab versus SOC cohort demonstrated greater treatment adherence (PDC: 48% vs. 38%), with more patients considered adherent (PDC ≥80%: 26.6% vs. 20.7%) and persistent (322.1 vs. 236.4 d) (all p