Tag: statistics

J Adolesc Health. 2023 Apr 6:S1054-139X(23)00110-6. doi: 10.1016/j.jadohealth.2023.02.015. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: Parents’ attitudes toward contraceptive delivery methods have been shown to impact their adolescents’ use of contraceptive methods. However, little is known about the HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) delivery method attitudes of parents of sexual and gender minority (SGM) adolescents assigned male at birth (AMAB). This exploratory, mixed-method formative study examined the PrEP delivery method preferences among a convenience sample of 33 parents of SGM adolescents AMAB who live in Texas.

METHODS: Participants completed an online survey, where they selected their preferred PrEP method for their SGM adolescent AMAB to use: PrEP as a daily oral pill, a bimonthly injectable, or a yearly implant. Parents answered an open-ended question about their reasons for choosing their preferred method. We analyzed data through descriptive statistics and inductive content analysis.

RESULTS: Findings from this convenience sample suggest that there is not one PrEP delivery method that parents of SGM adolescents AMAB prefer: one third of parents (33.3%) selected PrEP as a daily oral pill, 45.5% selected PrEP as a bimonthly injectable, and 21.2% selected PrEP as an annual implant. Parents cited multiple reasons for selecting a delivery method over another, with the most prevalent reasons being adherence (57.6%), access or cost (21.2%), and generic convenience or ease (21.2%).

DISCUSSION: Findings from this formative exploratory study sets the stage for future research and intervention development in increasing parental knowledge, preferences, and preference motivations for PrEP delivery methods.

PMID:37031089 | DOI:10.1016/j.jadohealth.2023.02.015

J Adolesc Health. 2023 Apr 6:S1054-139X(23)00105-2. doi: 10.1016/j.jadohealth.2023.02.010. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: Substance use is common among adolescents, and among those with substance use disorders; use often persists into middle age, underlying the importance of early detection and treatment. The goal of this quality improvement project was to increase the electronic substance use screening rate of adolescents presenting for preventative health visits from 0% to 50% between March 2021 and September 2021.

METHODS: This is an ongoing quality improvement project. Participants included patients ≥12 who presented to the Adolescent Medicine Clinic for preventative health visits. We incorporated the Screening to Brief Intervention into the existing Car, Relax, Alone, Forget, Friends, Trouble tool within the electronic health record. We completed a Plan-Do-Study-Act cycle by reviewing every patient’s chart who did not receive screening and identified that a common reason for missed screening was designating the visit as “establishing care” rather than preventative health visit. We modified our eligible patient criteria to include all adolescents presenting to establish primary care.

RESULTS: We achieved a statistically significant center-line shift with a p value (<.001) from approximately 0% at baseline to a new baseline of 85% from June 2021 to June 2022. After broadening our eligibility criteria, our electronic screening rate improved from 78% in November 2021, to 83% in December 2021.

DISCUSSION: Electronic health record integration of the Screening to Brief Intervention/Car, Relax, Alone, Forget, Friends, Trouble is an effective method to systematically and electronically screen adolescents for SUD at preventative health visits. Integration using similar approaches may benefit other institutions interested in providing standardized SUD screening.

PMID:37031088 | DOI:10.1016/j.jadohealth.2023.02.010

J Perianesth Nurs. 2023 Apr 6:S1089-9472(22)00595-0. doi: 10.1016/j.jopan.2022.11.007. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: To prevent intraoperative inadvertent hypothermia (IIH), resistive products and forced-air warming systems are often used simultaneously. There is insufficient evidence to show whether this application is clinically more effective than a single active warming device. The aim of this study is to compare the efficacy a single intraoperative active warming method with combined methods in IIH prevention.

DESIGN: A randomized, prospective, experimental study.

METHODS: This study was conducted between June and October 2021 in the operating room of a training and research hospital. The study sample consisted of 123 patients who underwent scheduled orthopedic surgery under spinal anesthesia, were young (18-64), and had an ASA risk score of I to III. The patients were divided into three groups preoperatively according to the stratified randomization technique. To prevent IIH, a resistive warming mattress was used in group 1; a forced-air warming system was used in group 2; and a combination of the two methods were used in group 3. The body temperatures of the patients were measured and recorded every 15 minutes from admission to the operating room until the end of surgery.

FINDINGS: The mean intraoperative body temperature of the patients was 36.6±0.15˚C for group 1; 36.6±0.1˚C for Group 2 and 36.6 ± 0.15˚C for Group 3. There was no difference between the groups in terms of body temperature. The overall incidence of IIH was 8.1%; 9.8% in group 1, 9.8% in group 2 and 4.9% in group 3. There was no statistically significant difference between the groups in terms of IIH (p < .05).

CONCLUSIONS: This study supports the efficacy of using resistive warming mattress and forced-air warming systems in preventing IIH. The use of both methods together made no difference in terms of IIH development.

PMID:37031060 | DOI:10.1016/j.jopan.2022.11.007

J Hand Ther. 2023 Apr 6:S0894-1130(22)00117-X. doi: 10.1016/j.jht.2022.12.002. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

STUDY DESIGN: Cross-sectional online survey.

INTRODUCTION: Exercise relative motion (RM) orthoses are prescribed by hand therapists to improve finger motion but there is limited scientific evidence to guide practice.

PURPOSE OF THE STUDY: To describe Australian hand therapists’ use of exercise RM orthoses to improve PIPJ motion, including trends in orthosis design, prescription, clinical conditions, and their opinions on orthosis benefits and limitations.

METHODS: 870 Australian Hand Therapy Association members were sent an electronic survey that included multiple choice, Likert scale and open-ended questions under four subgroups: demographics, design trends, prescription, and therapist opinions. Data analysis consisted of predominantly descriptive statistics and verbatim transcription.

RESULTS: 108 Australian therapists completed the survey, over a third with ≥ 20 years of clinical experience. Exercise RM orthoses were prescribed weekly to monthly (82%) for between 2-6 weeks duration (81%) and used during exercise and function (87%). The most common differential MCPJ position was 11-30° extension (98%) or flexion (92%). Four-finger designs were most common for border digits (OR ≥3.4). Exercise RM orthoses were more commonly used for active and extension deficits compared to passive (OR ≥3.7) and flexion deficits (OR ≥1.4), respectively. Clinicians agreed that the orthosis allowed functional hand use (94%), increased non-intentional exercise (98%), and was challenging to use with fluctuating oedema (60%).

DISCUSSION: This survey highlights notable clinical trends despite only reaching a small sample of Australian hand therapists. Exercise RM orthoses were frequently being used for active PIPJ extension and flexion deficits. A common MCPJ differential angle was reported, while the number of fingers incorporated into the design depended on the digit involved. Therapists’ preferences mostly agreed with the limited available evidence.

CONCLUSION(S): This limited survey identified common exercise RM orthosis fabrication and prescription trends amongst Australian therapists. These insights may inform future biomechanical and clinical research on this underexplored topic.

PMID:37031058 | DOI:10.1016/j.jht.2022.12.002

Poult Sci. 2023 Mar 17:102643. doi: 10.1016/j.psj.2023.102643. Online ahead of print.

NO ABSTRACT

PMID:37031055 | DOI:10.1016/j.psj.2023.102643

Br J Oral Maxillofac Surg. 2023 Mar 15:S0266-4356(23)00072-4. doi: 10.1016/j.bjoms.2023.03.003. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

The decision about the choice of load-sharing (LS) or load-bearing (LB) osteosynthesis is determined by an interplay of fracture-related and patient-related factors. In some situations a similar fracture in two different patients may be treated successfully by either of these methods. Our aim was to identify preoperative patient-related factors that may assist in deciding which form of osteosynthesis is employed. All adult patients who underwent open reduction and internal fixation of mandibular fractures (excluding condyle) between 1 October 2018 and 1 June 2021 were retrospectively identified. The odds of developing postoperative complications and requiring a return to theatre (RTT) were calculated for each method of fixation together with the following patient factors: smoking, excess alcohol, substance misuse, and severe mental health issues. Of 337 fractures treated using LS principles, 27 (8%) developed complications, of which 20 (6%) required a RTT for repeat osteosynthesis. Of 74 fractures treated using LB principles, seven (10%) developed complications and two (3%) required a RTT for repeat osteosynthesis. The only patient factor that had statistically significant increased odds of a complication requiring RTT was LS osteosynthesis in patients who admitted drinking excess alcohol (OR = 7.83, p = 0.00, 95% CI = 3.13 to 19.60). Complications when treating mandibular fractures are rarely reported in the literature, and lack standardisation in their clinical significance. Figures generally represent overall numbers of patients, whereas the number of individual fractures treated is more accurate. In our study complications occurred in 8% of treated fractures and 10% of patients. The RTT rate was 7% of patients, which compares favourably with a recently stated standard of 10% of patients, as suggested by the Getting it Right First Time (GIRFT) report.

PMID:37031044 | DOI:10.1016/j.bjoms.2023.03.003

Transplant Proc. 2023 Apr 6:S0041-1345(23)00143-4. doi: 10.1016/j.transproceed.2023.03.016. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Risk prediction of de novo donor-specific antibody (dnDSA) formation is crucial for understanding the long-term prognostic impact of kidney transplantation (KT). Recently, follicular helper T (Tfh) cells, a subtype of CD4⁺ T cells, have been reported to play an important role in dnDSA formation after solid organ transplantation. Given the growing recognition of the importance of Tfh cells in generating a strong humoral immune response, we examined whether polymorphisms in Tfh cell-related molecules were associated with dnDSA formation after KT.

METHODS: Eighty-three patients who underwent living-donor KT between January 2013 and February 2020 at Hiroshima University Hospital were included in the study. Six Tfh cell-related molecules (BCL6, CXCR5, CXCL13, ICOS, CD40L, and IL21) that are important for Tfh cell differentiation and maturation in secondary lymphoid tissues were investigated. CTLA4, which is important for Tfh-cell activation, was also investigated. Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the genes for these molecules were detected using Taq Man SNP genotyping and evaluated for their association with dnDSA formation after KT.

RESULTS: Of the 83 KT recipients, 8 developed dnDSAs during the observation period. No statistically significant differences were observed in the baseline characteristics between patients with and without dnDSA formation, except for donor age. Among the 7 Tfh cell-related molecules, the incidence of dnDSA formation was associated with CXCR5 and CTLA4 SNPs. Furthermore, combining these 2 SNPs enabled more significant stratification of dnDSA formation.

CONCLUSION: Our findings indicate that genetic polymorphisms in Tfh cell-related molecules are predisposing factors for dnDSA formation after KT.

PMID:37031038 | DOI:10.1016/j.transproceed.2023.03.016

Transplant Proc. 2023 Apr 6:S0041-1345(23)00141-0. doi: 10.1016/j.transproceed.2023.03.008. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Because of the organ shortage, donation after cardiac death (DCD) kidney transplantation (KTx) is an alternative way of achieving KTx using brain-dead donors (BDs). Although the prognosis of DCD-KTx is improving, the graft suffers from delayed graft function (DGF), the management of which is essential. With progress in understanding the characteristics of cell-free DNA (CF-DNA), we consider plasma total CF-DNA (tCF-DNA) to be a useful biomarker for predicting DGF in DCD-KTx.

STUDY DESIGN AND METHOD: Consecutive patients from living donors (LDs; n = 9), BDs (n = 8), or DCD donors (n = 13) were enrolled. Plasma samples were collected after KTx and on postoperative days 3 and 5. CF-DNA was isolated, and tCF-DNA was quantified using the TapeStation 2200 software program.

RESULTS: The tCF-DNA levels after BD-KTx and DCD-KTx were higher than those after LD-KTx (LD, 78 ± 27 (ng/mL); BD, 99 ± 20; DCD, 150 ± 23); the difference between DCD-KTx and LD-KTx was statistically significant (P < .05). The tCF-DNA levels declined at postoperative day 5 (LD, 45 ± 10; BD, 51 ± 11; DCD, 66 ± 13). tCF-DNA levels were significantly increased in patients with DGF after KTx (DGF, 139 ± 22; immediate function, 91 ± 18; P < .05). The tCF-DNA level was correlated with the duration of DGF (r = 0.5825, P < .05).

CONCLUSION: Although the mechanism underlying DNA release from transplanted grafts into the recipient circulation remains unclear, cell death by apoptosis or necrosis and the active secretion of the immune system may play important roles in DGF. These data suggest that monitoring tCF-DNA may help predict graft recovery after DCD-KTx.

PMID:37031037 | DOI:10.1016/j.transproceed.2023.03.008

Foot Ankle Surg. 2023 Mar 29:S1268-7731(23)00067-X. doi: 10.1016/j.fas.2023.03.006. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION: Distal Anterior Tibial Guided Growth has been shown to be useful to correct recurrent equinus deformity after open surgical release for Congenital Talipes Equinovarus. This has not been evaluated in a recurrence after use of the Ponseti method, where soft tissue releases are currently understood as the mainstay of treatment.

METHODS: Patients with recurrence of equinus component of CTEV, who underwent DATGG with at least 6-month follow-up were identified retrospectively. The criteria for performing this procedure were (1) equinus not correctable to neutral passively (2) the feeling of a bony block to dorsiflexion clinically as evidenced by a supple Achilles’ tendon at maximum dorsiflexion and (3)a finding of a flat-top talus radiologically. Successful treatment was defined by the achievement of heel strike on observation of gait. Details of the index procedure including concurrent procedures, any complications and their treatment, past and subsequent treatment episodes were retrieved from electronic patient records. Pre-op and last available post-op X-rays were evaluated for change in the anterior distal tibial angle and for flat-top talus deformity.

RESULTS: We identified 22 feet in 16 patients, with an average follow-up was 25 (8.8-47.3) months. The mean aDTA changed from 88.9 (82.3-94.5) to 77.0 (65.0-83.9) degrees, which was statistically significant (p < 0.0001) using the Paired t-test. Clinically, 17 feet (77 %) obtained a plantigrade foot with a normal heel strike. Complications were identified in 5 feet and include staple migration, oversized staple, superficial infection, iatrogenic varus deformity. Recurrence after completed treatment was noted in one foot.

CONCLUSION: This procedure should form a part of the armamentarium of procedures for treating equinus component of CTEV recurrences even in feet not treated previously by open procedures. When used in patients without significant surgical scarring it helps to address bony and soft-tissue factors, leading to effective treatment.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Therapeutic Level IV.

PMID:37031009 | DOI:10.1016/j.fas.2023.03.006

J Cardiothorac Vasc Anesth. 2023 Mar 6:S1053-0770(23)00136-2. doi: 10.1053/j.jvca.2023.02.044. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to identify barriers to improving diversity within adult cardiothoracic anesthesiology (ACTA) and to provide possible strategies that could be implemented by evaluating the demographics of current ACTA fellows, examining motivating factors to pursue the sub-specialty, and assessing perceptions of unconscious biases during their application process and training.

DESIGN: A survey was created by the authors and distributed electronically by the Society of Cardiovascular Anesthesiologists to the ACTA Fellows from April to June 2022.

SETTING: A multicenter survey.

PARTICIPANTS: Recent 2021 to 2022 ACTA fellows.

INTERVENTIONS: None.

MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: A total of 68 fellows were included in the analytical sample; 37.3% were women, and 58.2% were men. Half of the participants in the sample were White race (47%), 26% were Asian, 8% Hispanic or Latinx, 5% Black, and 2% were Pacific Islander or Native Hawaiian. Most fellows indicated that the complexity of cases and/or competency in transesophageal echocardiography was “very important” in their motivating factor (74.0%). When examining sex differences, female fellows reported (p value <0.05) that their experience was impacted negatively by sex and was more often treated with less respect and courtesy. There were no statistically significant differences in perceived discrimination by race and/or ethnicity.

CONCLUSIONS: This study identified several motivators to pursue ACTA and the perceptions of unconscious biases during the fellowship. Female fellows felt unconscious bias and a negative impact against them due to sex. Due to the small number of undergraduate enrollments, the results should be interpreted cautiously. Additionally, this provides support to complete further studies. Implicit bias training is one strategy that can be implemented to decrease unconscious bias experienced by ACTA fellows.

PMID:37030989 | DOI:10.1053/j.jvca.2023.02.044