Staff Profile

@article{pmid37196759,

title = {Increasing the initiation of antiretroviral therapy through optimal placement of diagnostic technologies for pediatric HIV in Zimbabwe: a modeling analysis},

author = {Melike Yildirim and Karen A Webb and Andrea L Ciaranello and Alyssa K Amick and Angela Mushavi and Anesu Chimwaza and Anneke Claypool and Tendayi Murape and Nicole C McCann and Clare F Flanagan and Mohammad S Jalali},

doi = {10.1016/j.ijid.2023.05.013},

issn = {1878-3511},

year  = {2023},

date = {2023-09-01},

urldate = {2023-09-01},

journal = {Int J Infect Dis},

volume = {134},

pages = {31-38},

abstract = {OBJECTIVES: Point-of-care (POC) devices for infant HIV testing provide timely result-return and increase ART initiation. We aimed to optimally locate POC devices to increase 30-day ART initiation in Matabeleland South, Zimbabwe.nnMETHODS: We developed an optimization model to identify locations for limited POC devices at health facilities, maximizing the number of infants who receive HIV test results and initiate ART within 30 days of testing. We compared location-optimization model results to non-model-based decision heuristics, which are more practical and less data intensive. Heuristics assign POC devices based on demand, test positivity, laboratory result-return probability, and POC machine functionality.nnRESULTS: With current placement of 11 existing POC machines, 37% of all tested infants with HIV were projected to receive results, 35% to initiate ART within 30 days of testing. With optimal placement of existing machines, 46% were projected to receive results and 44% to initiate ART within 30 days, retaining 3 machines in current locations, moving 8 to new facilities. Relocation based on the highest POC device functionality would be the best-performing heuristic decision (44% receiving results and 42% initiating ART withing 30 days), although it still would not perform as well as the optimization-based approach.nnCONCLUSION: Optimal and ad-hoc heuristic relocation of limited POC machines would increase timely result-return and ART initiation, without further, often costly, interventions. Location-optimization can enhance decision-making regarding placement of medical technologies for HIV care.},

keywords = {},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{Yildirim2022,

title = {The Cost-Effectiveness Of Depression Screening For The General Adult Population.},

author = {Melike Yildirim and Bradley N. Gaynes and Pinar Keskinocak and Brian W. Pence and Julie Swann},

url = {https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35181387/},

doi = {10.1016/j.jad.2022.02.044},

issn = {1573-2517},

year  = {2022},

date = {2022-04-15},

urldate = {2022-02-01},

journal = {Journal of affective disorders},

volume = {303},

pages = {306-314},

abstract = {Depression is a treatable disease, and untreated depression can lead to serious health complications and decrease the quality of life. Therefore, prevention, early identification, and treatment efforts are essential. Screening has an essential role in preventive medicine in the general population. Ideally, screening tools detect patients early enough to manage the disease and reduce symptoms. We aimed to determine the cost-effectiveness of routine screening schedules. We used a discrete-time nonstationary Markov model to simulate the progression of depression. We used Monte Carlo techniques to simulate the stochastic model for 20 years or during the lifetime of individuals. Baseline and screening scenario models with screening frequencies of annual, 2-year, and 5-year strategies were compared based on incremental cost-effectiveness ratios (ICER). Monte Carlo (MC) simulation and one-way sensitivity analysis were conducted to manage uncertainties. In the general population, all screening strategies were cost-effective compared to the baseline. However, male and female populations differed based on cost over quality-adjusted life years (QALY). Females had lower ICERs, and annual screening had the highest ICER for females, with 11,134$/QALY gained. In contrast, males had around three times higher ICER, with annual screening costs of 34,065$/QALY gained. We assumed that the screening frequency was not changing at any time during the screening scenario. In our calculations, false-positive cases were not taking into account. Considering the high lifetime prevalence and recurrence rates of depression, detection and prevention efforts can be one critical cornerstone to support required care. Our analysis combined the expected benefits and costs of screening and assessed the effectiveness of screening scenarios. We conclude that routine screening is cost-effective for all age groups of females and young, middle-aged males.},

keywords = {},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{Yildirim2020,

title = {Who is at risk of 13-valent conjugated pneumococcal vaccine failure?},

author = {Melike Yildirim and P. Keskinocak and S. Pelton and L. Pickering and I. Yildirim},

doi = {10.1016/j.vaccine.2019.12.060},

issn = {0264-410x},

year  = {2020},

date = {2020-01-01},

journal = {Vaccine},

volume = {38},

number = {7},

pages = {1671-1677},

keywords = {},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{Yildririm2020b,

title = {Reflecting on Prediction Strategies for Epidemics: Preparedness and Public Health Response},

author = {Melike Yildirim and Nicoleta Serban and Jennifer Shih and Pinar Keskinocak},

url = {https://doi.org/10.1016/j.anai.2020.11.017},

doi = {10.1016/j.anai.2020.11.017},

issn = {1081-1206},

year  = {2020},

date = {2020-01-01},

journal = {Annals of Allergy, Asthma \& Immunology},

keywords = {},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{Yildirim2020a,

title = {Estimating the impact of self-management education, influenza vaccines, nebulizers, and spacers on health utilization and expenditures for Medicaid-enrolled children with asthma},

author = {Melike Yildirim and P. Griffin and P. Keskinocak and J. C. O'Connor and J. L. Swann},

doi = {10.1080/02770903.2020.1821056},

issn = {0277-0903},

year  = {2020},

date = {2020-01-01},

urldate = {2020-01-01},

journal = {J Asthma},

pages = {1-11},

keywords = {},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{RN106,

title = {Estimating the impact of self-management education, influenza vaccines, nebulizers, and spacers on health utilization and expenditures for Medicaid-enrolled children with asthma},

author = {M. Yildirim and P. Griffin and P. Keskinocak and J. C. O'Connor and J. L. Swann},

doi = {10.1080/02770903.2020.1821056},

issn = {0277-0903},

year  = {2020},

date = {2020-01-01},

urldate = {2020-01-01},

journal = {J Asthma},

pages = {1-11},

keywords = {},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{Swann2019,

title = {Return on investment of self-management education and home visits for children with asthma},

author = {J. L. Swann and P. M. Griffin and P. Keskinocak and I. Bieder and F. M. Yildirim and T. Nurmagambetov and J. Hsu and L. Seeff and C. M. Singleton},

doi = {10.1080/02770903.2019.1690660},

issn = {0277-0903},

year  = {2019},

date = {2019-01-01},

journal = {J Asthma},

pages = {1-10},

keywords = {},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{Yildirim2018,

title = {2555. Predicting Risk of Breakthrough Invasive Pneumococcal Disease in Children After 13-Valent Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccination},

author = {Melike Yildirim and Stephen I. Pelton and Pinar Keskinocak and Inci Yildirim},

url = {https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6252819/},

doi = {10.1093/ofid/ofy209.163},

issn = {2328-8957},

year  = {2018},

date = {2018-01-01},

journal = {Open Forum Infectious Diseases},

volume = {5},

number = {Suppl 1},

pages = {S68-S69},

keywords = {},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}