Category: Nevin Manimala

Fam Syst Health. 2024 Sep;42(3):427-437. doi: 10.1037/fsh0000916.

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION: The current study examines the psychometric characteristics of the Family Climate Questionnaire (FCQ), which was intended to measure the degree of autonomy-support among family members for a respondent with health concerns.

METHOD: The sample included military veterans (N = 350), a portion of whom had congestive heart failure (N = 86) or diabetes (N = 77), and a portion who were referred from primary care for behavioral health concerns (N = 187). Overall, 92.6% of the participants were male, and 56.7% were Black or African American and 40.6% were Caucasian.

RESULTS: The findings highly supported the factor structure, internal consistency, and construct validity of the Autonomy Support subscale. In addition, there was high support for factorial invariance across subsamples of veterans with chronic medical problems compared to those referred from primary care. The findings for an additional subscale developed for this study, Coercion, were less supportive, with insufficient convergence in factor structure and relatively poorer internal consistency.

DISCUSSION: The FCQ Autonomy Support measure appears to have potential as a useful measure of a family environment that supports autonomy for health among individuals with both medical and mental health conditions, and it is a flexible measure that can be used with a range of family member types. The FCQ Coercion measure received less consistent empirical support and will require additional development and testing. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2024 APA, all rights reserved).

PMID:39418426 | DOI:10.1037/fsh0000916

Fam Syst Health. 2024 Sep;42(3):417-426. doi: 10.1037/fsh0000895.

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION: The role of structural inequalities in the long-term benefits of early childhood programs has not been assessed. Previous findings in the Chicago Longitudinal Study, an early childhood cohort investigation with low-income families, indicate that Child-Parent Center (CPC) participation beginning in preschool was associated with a variety of positive health behaviors. In this secondary analysis, we assessed if structural inequalities (neighborhood poverty, history of discrimination) modified the magnitude of associations between CPC and health and education outcomes (cardiovascular health, body mass index, educational attainment) 30 years later.

METHOD: The Chicago Longitudinal Study cohort of 1,539 children (93% Black, 7% Hispanic) grew up in high-poverty neighborhoods and attended CPCs or the usual district programs. At midlife (ages 32-37, M = 34.9 years, 2012-2017), 1,073 participants completed telephone interviews on structural inequalities, health, and education. Regression analyses were conducted with inverse propensity score weighting.

RESULTS: After accounting for structural inequality, CPC participation was significantly associated with outcomes. Mean differences on Framingham risk scores, for example, were significant for CPC preschool at ages 3 and 4 (coefficient = -2.15, p = .004, standardized difference = -0.20). Neighborhood poverty moderated (reduced) the association between CPC and cardiovascular health. Neighborhood poverty and perceived discrimination had independent contributions with outcomes.

DISCUSSION: Findings show that structural inequalities, especially poverty, directly influence and/or moderate long-term effects of CPC participation. Increasing neighborhood resources and socioeconomic status may help comprehensive programs sustain their impacts. Early childhood and sociostructural influences reflect the increasing importance of community contexts to health promotion. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2024 APA, all rights reserved).

PMID:39418425 | DOI:10.1037/fsh0000895

Fam Syst Health. 2024 Sep;42(3):386-391. doi: 10.1037/fsh0000909.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: There is a causal relationship between parental incarceration (PI) and childhood food insecurity (FI). This is a pressing policy issue given that public assistance designed to curb hunger (i.e., Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) is often revoked due to incarceration which, on top of the removal of a household income source, can significantly alter children’s food access. Yet questions remain regarding the prevalence of FI among youth with incarcerated parents, as well as the interplay of parent-child coresidence, race/ethnicity, and geographic region.

METHOD: Data come from the 2019 Minnesota Student Survey, a statewide sample of adolescents (N = 112,554). Youth self-reported experiences of PI, parent-child coresidence at the time of incarceration, past-month FI, and race/ethnicity. Based on school districts, regions were classified as city, suburb, town, or rural.

RESULTS: Youth with currently and formerly incarcerated parents reported significantly higher rates of FI (18.11% and 10.41%, respectively) compared to peers who never experienced PI (2.84%; ORs = 7.56 and 3.97, respectively). Among youth with currently incarcerated parents, rates of FI were highest among those who lived with the parent at the time of incarceration (21.79%) compared to those who did not (13.98%). Youth of color and city youth were more likely to experience FI in contexts of PI.

CONCLUSIONS: Findings extend the link between PI and child FI. The evidence is concerning given FI’s heightened risk for chronic health conditions, which may be compounded by trauma and systemic injustice. This work has implications for policies that expand, rather than reduce, food access and financial assistance. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2024 APA, all rights reserved).

PMID:39418424 | DOI:10.1037/fsh0000909

J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2024 Oct 17:dgae734. doi: 10.1210/clinem/dgae734. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Patients with diabetes have higher mortality from COVID-19 compared to the general population. Dexamethasone, a potent glucocorticoid used for moderate to severe COVID-19, can worsen hyperglycemia in patients with diabetes, potentially leading to worse outcomes. The efficacy and safety of use of dexamethasone for COVID-19 in patients with diabetes needs further evaluation.

OBJECTIVE: The study aimed to assess the efficacy and safety of dexamethasone in patients with diabetes hospitalized for COVID-19 infection.

DESIGN: This retrospective study analyzed data from five hospitals in the Johns Hopkins Health System (JHHS) collected between March 3, 2020 and June 25, 2022. Propensity score matching was applied to a cohort of patients with diabetes who received dexamethasone and those who did not (controls), and outcomes were compared using Cox proportional hazards regression models.

OUTCOMES: The primary outcome was time to death within 28 days. The secondary outcome was time to clinical improvement. Additional outcomes included the incidence of hyperglycemic emergencies and subgroup analysis of primary outcomes by clinical severity.

RESULTS: Out of 10,329 patients admitted for COVID-19, 3,679 had diabetes, and 2,361 met the inclusion criteria. After propensity score matching, 529 patients were analyzed in each group. Survival rates between the dexamethasone and control groups during the 0-6 day and 7-28-day periods and time to clinical improvement at 28 days did not differ significantly. There was no difference in the incidence of diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) or hyperosmolar hyperglycemic state (HHS) between the groups.

CONCLUSION: Dexamethasone treatment did not significantly improve survival or time to clinical improvement in patients with diabetes and COVID-19 infection. Further prospective studies are needed to confirm these findings and determine potential mechanisms.

PMID:39418352 | DOI:10.1210/clinem/dgae734

Food Addit Contam Part A Chem Anal Control Expo Risk Assess. 2024 Oct 17:1-18. doi: 10.1080/19440049.2024.2414956. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

We evaluated the co-occurrence of arsenic (As), cadmium (Cd), and lead (Pb) in 10 categories of processed foods intended for infants and young children (<2 years old) and adapted methodology to characterise and evaluate the impact of correlations on toxic element (TE) concentrations in these foods. Co-occurrence was assessed by calculating the frequency of samples having concentrations above the limit of detection (LOD) among TE sets (i.e. As-Cd, As-Pb, Cd-Pb, and As-Cd-Pb). Pairwise correlations were evaluated using two statistical approaches adapted to censored data: (i) non-parametric Kendall’s tau and (ii) parametric Bayesian modelling. Nonparametric and parametric correlation analyses showed similar results. We found positive correlations among one or more pairs of the TEs (As, Pb, and Cd) in 9 of the 10 categories of foods intended for infants and young children and a negative correlation for one TE pair for a single food category. Where positive correlations are observed, removing samples with high concentrations of a given TE reduces the mean of the other TEs in that food. We also explored the impact of correlations among TEs on the fraction of the supply below maximum levels. Positive correlations among TEs have the potential to reduce the impact on the supply when setting multiple maximum levels.

PMID:39418344 | DOI:10.1080/19440049.2024.2414956

Mol Biol Evol. 2024 Oct 17:msae215. doi: 10.1093/molbev/msae215. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Estimating the statistical robustness of the inferred tree(s) constitutes an integral part of most phylogenetic analyses. Commonly, one computes and assigns a branch support value to each inner branch of the inferred phylogeny. The still most widely used method for calculating branch support on trees inferred under Maximum Likelihood (ML) is the Standard, non-parametric Felsenstein Bootstrap Support (SBS). Due to the high computational cost of the SBS, a plethora of methods has been developed to approximate it, for instance, via the Rapid Bootstrap (RB) algorithm. There have also been attempts to devise faster, alternative support measures, such as the SH-aLRT (Shimodaira-Hasegawa-like approximate Likelihood Ratio Test) or the UltraFast Bootstrap 2 (UFBoot2) method. Those faster alternatives exhibit some limitations, such as the need to assess model violations (UFBoot2) or unstable behavior in the low support interval range (SH-aLRT). Here, we present the Educated Bootstrap Guesser (EBG), a machine learning-based tool that predicts SBS branch support values for a given input phylogeny. EBG is on average 9.4 (σ = 5.5) times faster than UFBoot2. EBG-based SBS estimates exhibit a median absolute error of 5 when predicting SBS values between 0 and 100. Furthermore, EBG also provides uncertainty measures for all per-branch SBS predictions and thereby allows for a more rigorous and careful interpretation. EBG can, for instance, predict SBS support values on a phylogeny comprising $1654$ SARS-CoV2 genome sequences within 3 hours on a mid-class laptop. EBG is available under GNU GPL3.

PMID:39418337 | DOI:10.1093/molbev/msae215

JMIR Med Educ. 2024 Oct 17;10:e53462. doi: 10.2196/53462.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Although digital health is essential for improving health care, its adoption remains slow due to the lack of literacy in this area. Therefore, it is crucial for health professionals to acquire digital skills and for a digital competence assessment and accreditation model to be implemented to make advances in this field.

OBJECTIVE: This study had two objectives: (1) to create a specific map of digital competences for health professionals and (2) to define and test a digital competence assessment and accreditation model for health professionals.

METHODS: We took an iterative mixed methods approach, which included a review of the gray literature and consultation with local experts. We used the arithmetic mean and SD in descriptive statistics, P values in hypothesis testing and subgroup comparisons, the greatest lower bound in test diagnosis, and the discrimination index in study instrument analysis.

RESULTS: The assessment model designed in accordance with the competence content defined in the map of digital competences and based on scenarios had excellent internal consistency overall (greatest lower bound=0.91). Although most study participants (110/122, 90.2%) reported an intermediate self-perceived digital competence level, we found that the vast majority would not attain a level-2 Accreditation of Competence in Information and Communication Technologies.

CONCLUSIONS: Knowing the digital competence level of health professionals based on a defined competence framework should enable such professionals to be trained and updated to meet real needs in their specific professional contexts and, consequently, take full advantage of the potential of digital technologies. These results have informed the Health Plan for Catalonia 2021-2025, thus laying the foundations for creating and offering specific training to assess and certify the digital competence of such professionals.

PMID:39418092 | DOI:10.2196/53462

JAMA. 2024 Oct 17. doi: 10.1001/jama.2024.16954. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

IMPORTANCE: Previous studies on the comparative effectiveness between buprenorphine and methadone provided limited evidence on differences in treatment effects across key subgroups and were drawn from populations who use primarily heroin or prescription opioids, although fentanyl use is increasing across North America.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the risk of treatment discontinuation and mortality among individuals receiving buprenorphine/naloxone vs methadone for the treatment of opioid use disorder.

DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS: Population-based retrospective cohort study using linked health administrative databases in British Columbia, Canada. The study included treatment recipients between January 1, 2010, and March 17, 2020, who were 18 years or older and not incarcerated, pregnant, or receiving palliative cancer care at initiation.

EXPOSURES: Receipt of buprenorphine/naloxone or methadone among incident (first-time) users and prevalent new users (including first and subsequent treatment attempts).

MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES: Hazard ratios (HRs) with 95% compatibility (confidence) intervals were estimated for treatment discontinuation (lasting ≥5 days for methadone and ≥6 days for buprenorphine/naloxone) and all-cause mortality within 24 months using discrete-time survival models for comparisons of medications as assigned at initiation regardless of treatment adherence (“initiator”) and received according to dosing guidelines (approximating per-protocol analysis).

RESULTS: A total of 30 891 incident users (39% receiving buprenorphine/naloxone; 66% male; median age, 33 [25th-75th, 26-43] years) were included in the initiator analysis and 25 614 in the per-protocol analysis. Incident users of buprenorphine/naloxone had a higher risk of treatment discontinuation compared with methadone in initiator analyses (88.8% vs 81.5% discontinued at 24 months; adjusted HR, 1.58 [95% CI, 1.53-1.63]), with limited change in estimates when evaluated at optimal dose in per-protocol analysis (42.1% vs 30.7%; adjusted HR, 1.67 [95% CI, 1.58-1.76]). Per-protocol analyses of mortality while receiving treatment exhibited ambiguous results among incident users (0.08% vs 0.13% mortality at 24 months; adjusted HR, 0.57 [95% CI, 0.24-1.35]) and among prevalent users (0.08% vs 0.09%; adjusted HR, 0.97 [95% CI, 0.54-1.73]). Results were consistent after the introduction of fentanyl and across patient subgroups and sensitivity analyses.

CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE: Receipt of methadone was associated with a lower risk of treatment discontinuation compared with buprenorphine/naloxone. The risk of mortality while receiving treatment was similar for buprenorphine/naloxone and methadone, although the CI estimate for the hazard ratio was wide.

PMID:39418046 | DOI:10.1001/jama.2024.16954

J Cataract Refract Surg. 2024 Oct 17. doi: 10.1097/j.jcrs.0000000000001571. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

TOPIC: To examine the association between virtual postoperative follow-up care and patient outcomes after cataract surgery.

CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Cataract surgery is a safe and commonly performed surgery. Follow-up visits are used to monitor for complications. It is uncertain whether virtual follow-up provides a safe alternative to in-person review.

METHODS: Medline, Embase and CINAHL were searched from inception to October 2023 for relevant articles containing original data. Studies that: 1) included patients that were seen in a virtual follow-up (i.e., telephone or video call) for postoperative appointments after cataract surgery, and 2) reported patient outcomes were included. Risk of bias was assessed using the Newcastle-Ottawa and ROB2 assessment tools. Descriptive statistics were used to summarize findings. The review was registered in PROSPERO (registration number, CRD42023477207) and PRISMA guidelines were followed.

RESULTS: The search yielded 1710 records with seven studies included in this review. The seven studies reported on 2113 cataract surgeries in 1994 patients. The studies ranged between 2004 and 2020. Most of the studies (5/7) included only patients with uncomplicated cataract surgery. Virtual follow-ups were all conducted by telephone. The follow-up calls were made at varying timepoints including postoperative day 1 (n= 3), day 7 (n=2) and day 14 (n=1). Two observational studies directly compared patients who had a telephone follow-up to a control group who had an in-person follow-up. There were no significant differences in complication rates (p=0.22) or visual acuity (p=0.28) between these follow-up groups. None of the studies reported serious adverse outcomes from replacing in-person follow-up with telephone follow-up. One study used virtual follow-up in conjunction with in-person visits for elderly patients and found that additional telephone follow-up was associated with decreased surgical recovery time and decreased patient anxiety. Three studies reported on patient perceptions about telephone follow-up. A common theme was that patients preferred telephone reviews and found them to be more convenient than in-person follow-up.

CONCLUSIONS: For patients with uncomplicated cataract surgery, virtual follow-ups seem to be a safe alternative to in-person visits and were preferred by patients. These conclusions are preliminary given the limited literature base, and further study is needed.

PMID:39418044 | DOI:10.1097/j.jcrs.0000000000001571

JAMA Oncol. 2024 Oct 17. doi: 10.1001/jamaoncol.2024.4381. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

IMPORTANCE: The combination of ifosfamide and etoposide (IE) is commonly used to treat relapsed or refractory osteosarcoma; however, second-line treatment recommendations vary across guidelines.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate whether the addition of lenvatinib to IE (LEN-IE) improves outcomes in children and young adults with relapsed or refractory osteosarcoma.

DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS: The OLIE phase II, open-label, randomized clinical trial was conducted globally across Europe, Asia and the Pacific, and North America. From March 22, 2020, through November 11, 2021, the trial enrolled patients aged 2 to 25 years with high-grade osteosarcoma, measurable or evaluable disease per Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors, version 1.1 (RECIST 1.1), and 1 to 2 prior lines of systemic treatment. The data analyses were performed between March 22, 2020 (first patient in) and June 22, 2022 (data cutoff for the primary analysis), and September 29, 2023 (end of study final database lock).

INTERVENTIONS: The OLIE trial assessed the efficacy and safety of lenvatinib (14 mg/m2 taken orally once daily) combined with up to 5 cycles of ifosfamide (3000 mg/m2 intravenously) and etoposide (100 mg/m2 intravenously) on days 1 to 3 of each cycle vs IE alone at the same doses. Patients randomized to IE could cross over to receive lenvatinib upon disease progression by independent imaging review.

MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES: The primary end point was progression-free survival (PFS) per RECIST 1.1 by independent imaging review. The Kaplan-Meier method was used to estimate the PFS distribution, with a prespecified 1-sided significance threshold of .025 by stratified log-rank test. Secondary end points included PFS rate at 4 months and overall survival. Adverse events were summarized using descriptive statistics.

RESULTS: A total of 81 patients were enrolled (median [IQR] age, 15.0 [12.0-18.0] years; 46 males [56.8%]), with 40 in the LEN-IE arm and 41 in the IE arm. Median PFS was 6.5 months (95% CI, 5.7-8.2 months) for the LEN-IE arm and 5.5 months (95% CI, 2.9-6.5 months) for the IE arm (hazard ratio [HR], 0.54; 95% CI, 0.27-1.08; 1-sided P = .04). The rate of PFS at 4 months was 76.3% (95% CI, 59.3%-86.9%) in the LEN-IE arm and 66.0% (95% CI, 47.7%-79.2%) in the IE arm. Median overall survival was 11.9 months (95% CI, 10.1 months to not estimable) with LEN-IE and 17.4 months (95% CI, 14.2 months to not estimable) with IE (HR, 1.28; 95% CI, 0.60-2.70; 1-sided nominal P = .75). Grade 3 or higher treatment-related adverse events occurred in 35 of 39 patients (89.7%) in the LEN-IE arm and 31 of 39 patients (79.5%) in the IE arm.

CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE: Although LEN-IE did not meet prespecified statistical significance for improved PFS vs IE, this study demonstrates the importance of international collaboration and randomized clinical trials in patients with relapsed or refractory osteosarcoma and may inform future trial design.

TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT04154189.

PMID:39418029 | DOI:10.1001/jamaoncol.2024.4381