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Nevin Manimala Statistics

State Medicaid Policies Governing Access to Medications for Opioid Use Disorder (MOUD) and MOUD Treatment Use in a Large Sample of People Who Inject Drugs in 20 U.S. States

Subst Use Misuse. 2024 Dec 31:1-11. doi: 10.1080/10826084.2024.2440365. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: People who inject drugs (PWID) are especially vulnerable to harms from opioid use disorder (OUD). Medications for OUD (MOUD) effectively reduce overdose and infectious disease transmission risks.

OBJECTIVE: We investigate whether state Medicaid coverage for methadone and buprenorphine is related to past-year MOUD use among PWID using cross-sectional, multilevel analyses with individual-level data on PWID from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s 2018 National HIV Behavioral Surveillance. The sample included 8,142 PWID aged 18-64 who reported daily opioid use from 22 U.S. metropolitan areas. Our outcome was any self-reported MOUD use in the past 12 months. Exposures were state Medicaid coverage and prior authorization requirements for methadone and buprenorphine. We interacted these exposures with PWID race/ethnicity, insurance status, and spatial access to treatment and harm reduction resources.

RESULTS: Compared with PWID in states without Medicaid methadone coverage, odds of past-year MOUD use were 73% (p<0.05) higher among PWID in states with methadone coverage requiring prior authorization and 80% (p<0.05) higher among PWID in states with coverage without prior authorization. Insured PWID were twice as likely to report MOUD use than uninsured PWID, with no statistically significant differences between Medicaid versus other insurance. Medicaid prior authorization requirements for buprenorphine were not significantly associated with MOUD use. Non-Hispanic Black PWID were significantly less likely to use MOUD than non-Hispanic White and Hispanic PWID.

CONCLUSIONS: State Medicaid methadone coverage was strongly associated with higher odds that PWID utilized MOUD, suggesting that expanding methadone insurance coverage could improve MOUD treatment in a vulnerable population.

PMID:39741378 | DOI:10.1080/10826084.2024.2440365

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Nevin Manimala Statistics

The system can change: a feasibility study of a doula-clinician collaborative at a large tertiary hospital in the United States

Implement Sci Commun. 2024 Dec 31;5(1):144. doi: 10.1186/s43058-024-00682-w.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Doulas, non-clinical professionals who provide support throughout the perinatal period, can positively impact patient experiences and clinical outcomes during birth. Doulas often support hospital-based births without being employed by the hospital system, resulting in varied relationships with hospitals and clinicians. Systems-level changes are needed to maximize collaboration between hospitals and doulas to ensure facilitation of, and not barriers to, doula support. We implemented and evaluated a new program, called the “Supportive Birth Collaborative,” to maximize effectiveness of doula support in hospital settings.

METHODS: We conducted a single-site feasibility study of the use of implementation mapping to make systemic changes to clinician-doula collaboration for labor and delivery. Implementation mapping consisted of five steps: developing a collaborative of program implementers and knowledge holders, conducting a needs assessment, developing a logic model, applying implementation strategies, and evaluating changes in outcomes. To evaluate change, process data were collected throughout, and implementation outcomes were measured in 2022 and again after one year of implementation via online surveys to all clinicians who provided labor and delivery care. Descriptive statistics were calculated and change over time was analyzed in Stata using log-binomial regression models with clustering to account for respondents who completed both surveys.

RESULTS: The “Supportive Birth Collaborative” (SBC) was founded in November 2021. The first meeting included 19 people, who were obstetricians, anesthesiologists, nurses, doulas, students, social workers, administrators, researchers, and individuals who had given birth at the study hospital. From 2022-2023, the SBC adopted 11 implementation strategies and piloted or fully implemented 10 of them. Implementation strategies ranged from making training dynamic, to changes in the physical environment, to changes in formal policy. In 2022, 104 clinicians participated in the survey; 97 participated in 2023. There was significant improvement in clinician-reported trust in doulas (0.23, 95% CI: 0.12, 0.34) and doula-clinician communication (0.25, 95% CI: 0.12, 0.38). Clinicians had a limited understanding of the doula’s role, and that understanding did not significantly improve.

CONCLUSIONS: Using implementation mapping as a guide to collaborative work can lead to meaningful health system changes. Regular review of implementation outcomes could allow for adaptation and tailoring of implementation strategies.

PMID:39741364 | DOI:10.1186/s43058-024-00682-w

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Nevin Manimala Statistics

The efficacy of platelet-rich plasma in ankle disease: a systematic review and meta-analysis

J Orthop Surg Res. 2024 Dec 31;19(1):895. doi: 10.1186/s13018-024-05420-5.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: Ankle osteoarthritis is a debilitating condition that significantly impairs patients’ quality of life. Platelet-rich plasma has emerged as a novel cellular therapy in clinical practice. This study evaluates the clinical efficacy of platelet-rich plasma (PRP) after intervention in ankle disorders, so as to provide strong evidence in support of clinical treatment.

METHODS: A comprehensive and systematic search of PubMed, the Cochrane Library, Embase and web of science databases was performed, and studies that met the requirements according to the inclusion criteria were analyzed using Review Manager and STATA version 14.0. Quality assessment was performed using the Cochrane Collaboration Risk of Bias 2.0 tool. The outcome indicators were the American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society Rating Scale (AOFAS) and Visual Analog Scale (VAS) scores used to evaluate the efficacy of platelet-rich plasma.

RESULTS: A total of 10 studies met the inclusion criteria. Regarding the AOFAS score, a meta-analysis that included five randomized controlled trials (each study extracted the score results at the last follow-up time) showed no statistically significant differences between the platelet-rich plasma intervention group and the control group, and there was a great deal of heterogeneity in the results, with subgroup analyses based on disease type. (Mean Difference = 4.14, 95% CI=-0.60-8.87, p = 0.09, I2 = 86%). Subgroup analysis showed a more significant effect in patients with talar cartilage injuries (Mean Difference = 8.66, 95%CI = 6.61-10.71, p < 0.00001, I2 = 0%). And the treatment effect of PRP remained effective in long-term follow-up (Mean Difference = 7.83, 95% CI = 5.57-10.09, p = 0.46, I2 = 0%). For VAS scores, PRP relieved patients’ pain (Standardized Mean Difference=-0.62, 95%CI=-1.13-0.10, p = 0.02, I2 = 77%) but showed a greater advantage in patients with cartilage injuries of the talus (Standardized Mean Difference=-1.24, 95%CI=-1.68-0.81, p < 0.00001, I2 = 0%). Subgroup analyses according to different disease types and different follow-up times showed that PRP had significant efficacy in talar cartilage injuries in both the short and long term. A meta-analysis of single-arm studies showed that PRP was helpful in improving patients’ pain before and after the intervention (Standardized Mean Difference = -1.76, 95% CI = -2.85 to -0.67, p = 0.002, I^2 = 87%).However, the high level of heterogeneity may be due to the large differences between the inclusion criteria of the single-arm studies.

CONCLUSION: More clinical studies are needed to further confirm the efficacy of platelet-rich plasma in ankle disorders, and the current study only suggests that platelet-rich plasma may be more effective in talus cartilage injuries than in other types of ankle disorders.

PMID:39741342 | DOI:10.1186/s13018-024-05420-5

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Association of continuous renal replacement therapy downtime with fluid balance gap and clinical outcomes: a retrospective cohort analysis utilizing EHR and machine data

J Intensive Care. 2024 Dec 31;12(1):55. doi: 10.1186/s40560-024-00772-w.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Fluid balance gap (FBgap-prescribed vs. achieved) is associated with hospital mortality. Downtime is an important quality indicator for the delivery of continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT). We examined the association of CRRT downtime with FBgap and clinical outcomes including mortality.

METHODS: This is a retrospective cohort study of critically ill adults receiving CRRT utilizing both electronic health records (EHR) and CRRT machine data. FBgap was calculated as achieved minus prescribed fluid balance. Downtime, or percent treatment time loss (%TTL), was defined as CRRT downtime in relation to the total CRRT time. Data collection stopped upon transition to intermittent hemodialysis when applicable. Linear and logistic regression models were used to analyze the association of %TTL with FBgap and hospital mortality, respectively. Covariates included demographics, Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (SOFA) score at CRRT initiation, use of organ support devices, and the interaction between %TTL and machine alarms.

RESULTS: We included 3630 CRRT patient-days from 500 patients with a median age of 59.5 years (IQR 50-67). Patients had a median SOFA score at CRRT initiation of 13 (IQR 10-16). Median %TTL was 8.1% (IQR 4.3-12.5) and median FBgap was 17.4 mL/kg/day (IQR 8.2-30.4). In adjusted models, there was a significant positive relationship between FBgap and %TTL only in the subgroup with higher alarm frequency (6 + alarms per CRRT-day) (β = 0.87 per 1% increase, 95%CI 0.48-1.26). No association was found in the subgroups with lower alarm frequency (0-2 and 3-5 alarms). There was no statistical evidence for an association between %TTL and hospital mortality in the adjusted model with the interaction term of alarm frequency.

CONCLUSIONS: In critically ill adult patients undergoing CRRT, %TTL was associated with FBgap only in the subgroup with higher alarm frequency, but not in the other subgroups with lower alarms. No association between %TTL and mortality was observed. More frequent alarms, possibly indicating unexpected downtime, may suggest compromised CRRT delivery and could negatively impact FBgap.

PMID:39741337 | DOI:10.1186/s40560-024-00772-w

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Efficacy of uterine flushing with human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) on pregnancy rates in primary unexplained infertility: a randomized controlled trial

Eur J Med Res. 2024 Dec 31;29(1):639. doi: 10.1186/s40001-024-02242-3.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: There are limited and controversial findings concerning ovulation induction using intrauterine and intramuscular human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) injection compared to intramuscular hCG alone. The study aimed to examine the impact of intrauterine hCG injection, which is used to induce ovulation, on the efficacy of the intrauterine insemination (IUI) technique in patients with unexplained infertility.

METHODS: A randomized controlled clinical trial was conducted involving 80 subjects with unexplained primary infertility at the infertility clinic of Al-Zahra Hospital in northwest Iran. Patients were randomly allocated into two groups: control and intervention. Both groups received initial treatment with letrozole and Recombinant follicle-stimulating hormone (r-FSH). After confirmation of at least one follicle measuring 18 mm or larger through ultrasonography, in the control group, two ampoules of 5000 units of hCG were administered intramuscularly. The intervention group received 500 units of hCG diluted in 0.5 cc of normal saline and was injected into the uterine cavity along with the two intramuscular ampoules. Primary outcomes were clinical and chemical pregnancy rates and the secondary outcome was any adverse pregnancy outcomes. Multiple logistic regression analysis was used to estimate crude and adjusted odds ratios (AORs) of the pregnancy rates with 95% confidence intervals (CIs).

RESULTS: No significant differences were found between the two groups regarding baseline characteristics (p > 0.05). Chemical and clinical pregnancy rates in the control and intervention groups were (32.5 vs. 40%) (32.5% vs. 35%), respectively. In the final analysis after adjusting the potential confounders, intrauterine and intramuscular hCG injection increased the likelihood of chemical pregnancy by 1.39 times AOR = 1.42 (1.31-4.12; p = 0.036), and clinical pregnancy by AOR = 1.25 (1.03-3.74; p = 0.048) compared to intramuscular hCG alone. There were no statistical differences regarding adverse pregnancy outcomes between the study groups (p value > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS: It seems that ovulation induction through intrauterine and intramuscular hCG injection increased the odds of both chemical and clinical pregnancy rates compared with intramuscular hCG alone. Multicenter clinical trials and meta-analysis studies are needed for decision making in clinical settings.

PMID:39741322 | DOI:10.1186/s40001-024-02242-3

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Nevin Manimala Statistics

The predictive value of endplate morphology and pedicle screw bone quality score on screw loosening after single-level lumbar spinal fusion surgery

J Orthop Surg Res. 2024 Dec 31;19(1):898. doi: 10.1186/s13018-024-05367-7.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: This study aims to explore the predictive value of endplate morphology and pedicle screw bone quality score on screw loosening after single-level lumbar spinal fusion surgery.

METHODS: A retrospective analysis was conducted on the clinical data of 207 patients who underwent single-level lumbar spinal fusion (34 in the screw loosening group and 173 in the non-screw loosening group). Univariate analysis and binary logistic regression model analysis were performed using SPSS 27.0. MedCalc 23 was used to plot the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve to evaluate diagnostic efficacy.

RESULTS: Through comparative analysis of clinical data, we found statistically significant differences between the two groups in terms of endplate morphology, lumbar CT values, and PBQ scores(P<0.05). The results of the binary logistic regression analysis indicated that endplate morphology (OR = 17.088, 95% CI: 3.886-75.142; p < 0.001) and PBQ score (OR = 3.347, 95% CI: 1.473-7.603; p = 0.004) are independent risk factors for screw loosening after single-level lumbar spinal fusion surgery. The ROC analysis showed that the area under the curve (AUC) for endplate morphology was 0.731 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.665-0.790), with the optimal threshold representing irregular endplate morphology (sensitivity: 94.1%, specificity: 52.0%). The AUC for the PBQ score was 0.791 (95% CI: 0.729-0.844), with an optimal threshold of 3.198 (sensitivity: 91.2%, specificity: 61.8%). Furthermore, the predictive model constructed using both endplate morphology and PBQ score had an AUC of 0.870 (95% confidence interval: 0.817-0.913), with a maximum Youden index of 0.668, yielding a diagnostic sensitivity of 88.2% and specificity of 78.6%.

CONCLUSION: Endplate morphology and pedicle screw bone quality score have significant reference value for diagnosing screw loosening after single-level lumbar spinal fusion surgery.

PMID:39741319 | DOI:10.1186/s13018-024-05367-7

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A network meta-analysis comparing treatment modalities of short and long implants in the posterior maxilla with insufficient bone height

BMC Oral Health. 2024 Dec 31;24(1):1574. doi: 10.1186/s12903-024-05377-1.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: Based on the critical role of implant length and placement timing in treatment success, this study aimed to compare clinical outcomes (implant failure, marginal bone loss, biological and mechanical complications) between short implants (4-8 mm) versus long implants (≥ 8 mm) with sinus floor elevation, and between delayed versus immediate placement of long implants in the posterior maxilla.

METHODS: This network meta-analysis was prospectively registered in the PROSPERO database (CRD42023495027). Adhering to PRISMA-NMA guidelines, we systematically reviewed eligible studies from January 2014 to November 2024 was conducted across major databases, such as the Cochrane Library, PubMed, Embase, Scopus and Web of Science. The main focus of this NMA was to determine the rate of implant failure, as well as to assess marginal bone loss and the occurrence of biological and mechanical complications related to the implants.

RESULTS: Data from 17 studies, involving 1,076 patients and 1,751 implants, was collected and examined. Long implants have lower failure rates (OR = 1.26; 95% CI = 0.53, 3.00) and short dental implants showed a trend towards lower biological (OR = 0.47; 95% CI = 0.19, 1.18) and mechanical (OR = 0.94; 95% CI = 0.45, 1.94) complications rates, although this trend was not statistically significant. Additionally, compared to longer implants, short implants resulted in a significant reduction in marginal bone loss, regardless of whether long implants were immediately (MD=-0.17; 95%CI: -0.29, -0.05) or delayed (MD = 0.35; 95%CI: 0.05, 0.64) placed following sinus floor elevation. The analysis of cumulative ranking probabilities revealed that delayed placement of long implants with SFE demonstrated the highest efficacy in reducing implant failure (73.9%). SIs were found to excel in reducing marginal bone loss (88.7%) and biological complications (88.2%%), while short implants with SFE proved to be the most effective in preventing mechanical complications (66.0%%).

CONCLUSION: Short implants achieved comparable clinical outcomes to long implants with sinus floor elevation in posterior maxilla with limited vertical bone height. Given the limitations of the network meta-analysis and included studies, treatment selection should be individualized based on specific patient conditions.

PMID:39741292 | DOI:10.1186/s12903-024-05377-1

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Nevin Manimala Statistics

Impact of titanium mesh cage slotting width on anterior cervical corpectomy and fusion for compression cervical spondylosis with MRI T2WI hyperintensity: a one-year follow-up study

J Orthop Surg Res. 2024 Dec 31;19(1):896. doi: 10.1186/s13018-024-05339-x.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Anterior cervical corpectomy and fusion (ACCF) is a standard surgical procedure for cervical spondylosis with spinal cord compression (CSWSCC), especially in patients with intensity on T2-weighted imaging high signal (T2WIHS). The titanium mesh cage (TMC) utilized in this procedure is essential in stabilizing the spine; however, the optimal slotting width of the TMC remains unclear.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to investigate the impact of TMC slotting width on the clinical and radiological outcomes of ACCF in patients with spinal cord compression type cervical spondylosis with intensity on T2WIHS (CST2WIHS).

METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed 69 patients who underwent single-level ACCF between December 2010 and October 2021. The patients were divided into narrower (< 2 mm) and wider (> 2 mm) groups based on the slotting width of the TMC. The Neck Disability Index (NDI) and Japanese Orthopedic Association (JOA) scores were used to assess clinical outcomes. Radiological outcomes included cervical lordosis (CL), functional spinal unit (FSU) height, transverse decompression range (TDR), spinal canal area (SCA), TMC alignment, and subsidence and fusion rates.

RESULTS: Patients in both groups exhibited significant postoperative improvement in NDI and JOA scores (P < 0.05). Radiologically, patients in the wider slotting group exhibited better decompression, evidenced by a larger TDR (P < 0.01) and smaller postoperative SCA (P < 0.01) than the narrow group. Regarding CL, FSU height, TMC alignment, subsidence, or fusion rates, the groups did not differ significantly. Although statistically non-significant, patients in the wider group exhibited a trend towards improvement in spinal cord signal intensity than those in the narrower group.

CONCLUSION: The study demonstrated that a wider TMC slotting width offers superior decompression and may improve postoperative spinal cord signal; it does not compromise spinal stability or fusion outcomes. These findings indicate that slotting width should be carefully considered in ACCF procedures to optimize decompression and spinal cord recovery.

PMID:39741291 | DOI:10.1186/s13018-024-05339-x

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Outcomes of percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) in HIV patients

BMC Gastroenterol. 2024 Dec 31;24(1):482. doi: 10.1186/s12876-024-03574-4.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Percutaneous Endoscopic Gastrostomy (PEG) tube insertion, a routine procedure for long-term enteral nutrition, serves as a crucial intervention for patients who are incapable of tolerating oral intake or meeting adequate nutritional requirements. PEG tube placement carries complications like bleeding and infection. Impact of PEG tubes on the 30-day and long-term mortality in HIV patients is unknown. Despite the ongoing utilization of PEG tubes in HIV patients, a comprehensive exploration of its outcomes is yet to be explored. We intended to study the impact of HIV positive status on post-PEG mortality and review other PEG tube related complications.

METHODS: Our study comprised a total of 639 PEG tubes placed on 461 unique patients, from which 85 patients (n = 18%) were HIV positive. We reviewed all these PEG tube patients at our institution and compared their complications and mortality outcome between the two groups of HIV positive as against HIV negative.

RESULTS: Our findings reveal a statistically significant increase (p-value 0.001) in post-PEG insertion site bleeding in the HIV group (15.3%) compared to the non-HIV group (4.5%). This difference occurred despite no notable variations in laboratory parameters such as platelet count and (international normalized ratio), as well as similar usage of anticoagulant or antiplatelet medications between the two groups. Notably, the 1-year mortality rate in the HIV group stands at 37.6% (p < 0.001), contrasting sharply with the non-HIV group’s rate of 17.8%.

CONCLUSION: This study underscores the need for heightened vigilance and tailored management strategies when considering PEG tube procedures in the context of HIV, given the observed elevated bleeding risks and increased 1-year mortality rates in this patient population. Further research is warranted to elucidate the underlying factors contributing to these outcomes, facilitating the development of targeted interventions to optimize the care of HIV patients undergoing PEG placement.

PMID:39741264 | DOI:10.1186/s12876-024-03574-4

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Nevin Manimala Statistics

Association between sleep disorder and anhedonia in adolescence with major depressive disorder: the mediating effect of stress

BMC Psychiatry. 2024 Dec 31;24(1):962. doi: 10.1186/s12888-024-06434-3.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Major depressive disorder (MDD) is a highly prevalent mental disorder with devastating consequences that often first manifest during adolescence. Anhedonia has emerged as one of the most promising symptoms of adolescent MDD, which means a longer time to remission, fewer depression-free days, and also increased risk of suicide ideas or actions. Research has shown that at least two-thirds of depressed adolescents have significant sleep-onset or sleep-maintenance problems. However, the association between sleep disorder and anhedonia, and the potential mediators are less understood.

METHODS: This is a cross-sectional study that includes 200 adolescents suffered from MDD between the ages of 12-17. We use Spearman’s test to explore the relationship among main variables. To evaluate the mediating effects of stress, we applied regression models and used bootstrap method to validate the significance of effects.

RESULTS: Significant correlation exists among sleep disorder, stress, and anhedonia (P<0.05).The direct effect of sleep disorder on anhedonia was 0.214 (95% CI: 1.5235, 6.2073), while the total effect was 0.295 (95% CI: 2.9683, 7.6924). The indirect effect of sleep disorder on anhedonia mediated by stress was 0.081 (95% CI: 0.5842, 2.5268). Robustness of the regression analysis results has been verified by bootstrap test.

CONCLUSIONS: Our finding suggested a positive correlation between sleep disturbance and anhedonia in adMDD. Stress partially mediated the relationship between sleep disorder and anhedonia. Due to the deleterious effects of anhedonia on depressed adolescents, these findings provide impetus to investigate further the causal relationship between sleep problems and anhedonia.

TRIAL REGISTRATION: ChiCTR2200060176(Registration Date: 21/05/2022).

PMID:39741263 | DOI:10.1186/s12888-024-06434-3