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Prostate cancer (PCa) is the most common non-cutaneous tumor among American men. Androgen receptor signaling inhibitors such as abiraterone and enzalutamide have been approved for similar disease states among patients with advanced PCa. Existing data suggest using steroids is associated with an increased risk of infection. Because abiraterone is usually prescribed with prednisone, we sought to compare the risk of septicemia in patients using abiraterone vs. enzalutamide. We utilized the SEER-Medicare-linked data and used negative binomial regression models to compare the changes in the rates of septicemia-related hospitalizations six months pre- and post-abiraterone and enzalutamide initiation. We found that the incidence of septicemia-related hospitalizations increased 2.77 fold within six months of initiating abiraterone (incidence rate ratio [IRR]: 2.77, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 2.17–3.53) 1.97 fold within six months of starting enzalutamide (IRR: 1.97, 95% CI: 1.43–2.72). However, the difference in the changes did not reach statistical significance (interaction IRR: 0.71, 95% CI: 0.48–1.06). The findings suggest that both abiraterone and enzalutamide are associated with an increased risk of septicemia-related hospitalizations. However, the difference in the increase of septicemia risk following the two treatments did not reach statistical significance. Further studies are warranted to understand the mechanisms at play. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Polypharmacy (≥5 concurrent medications) is common among older patients with cancer (48%–80%) and associated with increased frailty, morbidity, and mortality. This study examined the relationship between polypharmacy and inpatient hospitalization among older adults with cancer treated with intravenous (IV) chemotherapy. The main data source was the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results-Medicare linked files. Patients (≥65 years) were included if they were diagnosed with prostate (n = 1430), breast (n = 5490), or lung cancer (n = 7309) in 1991–2013 and received IV chemotherapy in 2011–2014. The number of medications during the six-month window pre-IV chemotherapy initiation determined polypharmacy status. Negative binomial models were used to assess the association between polypharmacy and post-chemotherapy inpatient hospitalization. The results were presented as incidence rate ratios. We identified 13,959 patients with prostate, breast, or lung cancer treated with IV chemotherapy. The median number of prescription medications during the six-month window pre-IV chemotherapy initiation was high: ten among patients with prostate cancer, nine among patients with breast cancer, and eleven among patients with lung cancer. Compared to patients taking <5 prescriptions, post-chemotherapy hospitalization rate for patients with prostate cancer was 42%, 75%, and 114% higher among those taking 5–9, 10–14, and 15+ medications, respectively. Patients with breast and lung cancer demonstrated similar patterns. This large population-based study found that polypharmacy during the six-month window pre-IV chemotherapy is highly predictive of post-chemotherapy inpatient hospitalization. Further studies are needed to evaluate whether medication management interventions can reduce post-chemotherapy inpatient hospitalization among older patients with cancer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hypertension is an established risk factor for subsequent cardiovascular and renal disease in children as well as adults. Sickle cell disease (SCD) is a genetic disorder associated with chronic hemolytic anemia with the major manifestation of vaso-occlusive crises. Although this disease entity involves most organ systems causing vascular and pulmonary injury, little is known about blood pressure (BP) levels or prevalence of hypertension in children with SCD. A cross-sectional study was conducted on 56 children with SCD (54 with hemoglobin SS disease; 2 with hemoglobin Sβ 0 thalassemia; 29 females). Study participants underwent 24-hour ambulatory BP monitoring (ABPM). Serum creatinine and cystatin C were obtained to assess estimated glomerular filtration rate with age-based formulas. A random urine sample was obtained to estimate urine osmolality and urine albumin to creatinine ratio. Mean age range was 11.9 (±4.5) years. Seventeen participants (30%) met criteria for hypertension based on ABPM. Of the 17 participants classified with hypertension, three had office hypertension with ambulatory hypertension, and 14 had masked hypertension detected on ABPM. Another 28 participants (50%) had some abnormal ABPM parameters in the form of either prehypertension and/or lack of normal nocturnal dipping status. The prevalence of confirmed hypertension, largely manifest by masked hypertension, is high in children, as young as 6 years of age with SCD. Early identification of hypertension in SCD children can confer benefit as it is an important modifiable risk factor for progression of cardiovascular and renal disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Left ventricular hypertrophy has been documented in hypertensive adolescents and among some with prehypertension. Obesity also appears to be associated with cardiac mass, independent of blood pressure (BP). Fibroblast growth factor 23 (FGF23) is a novel biomarker positively associated with left ventricular hypertrophy in adults with and without kidney disease. The aim of this study was to determine if there was a significant and independent association of FGF23 with cardiac mass in a Black American adolescent cohort including both normotensive and prehypertensive participants with and without obesity. Measurements of BP, body mass index (BMI), plasma c-terminal FGF23, and echocardiographic measures of left ventricular mass index (LVMI) were obtained in 236 adolescents, aged 13–18 years, stratified by BMI as normal, overweight, or obese. LVMI differed significantly between normal, overweight, and obese groups (30.42 ± 6.75 vs. 33.49 ± 8.65 vs. 37.26 ± 6.99 gm/m 2.7 ; P < .01). FGF23 was significantly higher in both overweight (53.03 RU/mL) and obese (54.40 RU/mL) compared to the normal weight (32.83 RU/mL) group (both P < .01). In multiple linear regression analysis, variables significantly related to LVMI in males were BMI ( P < .0001) and FGF23 ( P = .005), but not BP, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein, or insulin. The only significant variable associated with LVMI in females was BMI ( P < .0001). In males, the contribution of FGF23 to predicting LVMI was independent of and in addition to obesity. These results suggest that FGF23 is an integral part of a complex pathway, associated with higher cardiac mass in African-Americans males with excess adiposity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background African Americans (AAs) have lower triglyceride (TG) and higher high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) than other ethnic groups; yet, they also have higher risk for developing diabetes mellitus despite the strong relationship of dyslipidemia with insulin resistance. No studies directly compare adolescents and adults with regard to relationships among dyslipidemia, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), and insulin resistance. Here, we compare AA adolescents to adults with regard to the relationships of adiposity-related lipid risk markers (TG-to-HDL ratio and non–HDL-C) with body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC), homeostasis model of insulin resistance (HOMA), and hs-CRP. Methods Two cohorts of healthy AA were recruited from the same urban community. Participants in each cohort were stratified by TG-to-HDL ratio (based on adult tertiles) and non–HDL-C levels. BMI, WC, HOMA, and hs-CRP were compared in adolescents and adults in the low-, middle-, and high-lipid strata. Results Prevalence of TG-to-HDL ratio greater than 2.028 (high group) was 16% (44 of 283) in adolescents and 33% (161 of 484) in adults; prevalence of non–HDL-C above 145 and 160, respectively, was 8% (22 of 283) in adolescents and 12% (60 of 484) in adults. Values of hs-CRP were lower, and HOMA values were higher in adolescents (both P < .01). As both TG-to-HDL ratio and non–HDL-C strata increased, BMI, WC, HOMA, and hs-CRP increased in both adolescents and adults. In the high TG-to-HDL ratio and non–HDL-C groups, BMI and WC were similar in adolescents vs adults (BMI, 34 kg/m 2 vs 32 kg/m 2 ; WC, 101 cm vs 101 cm). After adjusting for non–HDL-C and other covariates, a 2-fold increase in TG-to-HDL ratio was associated with increases of 10.4% in hs-CRP (95% CI, 1.1%–20.5%) and 24.2% in HOMA (95% CI, 16.4%–32.6%). Non–HDL-C was not significant in models having TG-to-HDL ratio. Conclusion The elevated TG-to-HDL ratio is associated with similar inflammation and metabolic risk relationships in adolescent and adult AAs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives Fibroblast growth factor-23 (FGF23) is a biomarker for cardiovascular disease. Obesity may promote FGF23 production in the absence of chronic kidney disease. We sought to determine among normotensive African American adolescents whether FGF23 levels are greater in obese compared with normal-weight adolescents and to determine the relationship of FGF23 with markers of cardiac structure and insulin resistance. Study design Cross-sectional data were obtained from a cohort of 130 normotensive, African American adolescents ages 13-18 years without chronic kidney disease; 74 were obese; 56 were normal weight. Plasma C-terminal FGF23, fasting glucose and insulin, and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein were measured; participants underwent M-mode echocardiography. Results FGF23 was skewed and approximately normally distributed after natural log transformation (logFGF23). FGF23 levels were greater in obese vs normal-weight participants (geometric mean 43 vs 23 RU/mL, P < .01). FGF23 values were significantly greater in participants with eccentric or concentric cardiac hypertrophy compared with those without hypertrophy P < .01). LogFGF23 directly correlated with body mass index, body mass index z-score, waist circumference, fasting insulin levels, and homeostasis model assessment scores. Regression models adjusted for age, sex, and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein suggest that each 10% increase in FGF23 is associated with a 1.31 unit increase in left ventricular mass (P < .01), a 0.29-unit increase in left ventricular mass index (P < .01), and a 0.01-unit increase in left atrial dimension indexed to height (P = .02). Conclusions In this sample of obese African American adolescents, FGF23 blood levels were associated with abnormal cardiac structure. We postulate that FGF23 may be an early marker of cardiac injury in obese but otherwise-healthy African American adolescents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Women in Opioid Use Disorder (OUD) treatment who significant childhood traumaas measured by the Adverse Childhood Experiences Tool (ACE) (M = 5.61, SD=2.93). • Women in OUD treatment perceived doulas as a positive support person during the perinatal period. • Doulas served as health advocates, improving maternal perceptions of increased health literacy • and self-advocacy in maternal health. • Doula's emotional support and non-judgmental attitude towards women in OUD treatment facilitated perceptions of increased recovery support. Pregnant women who have substance use disorders (SUDs) are at increased risk of preterm birth, fetal mortality, and inadequate prenatal care and have higher rates of childhood trauma than their counterparts without SUDs. Doulas have been utilized with other vulnerable populations who experience trauma to increase perinatal healthcare utilization, provide emotional support, and improve birth outcomes. The objective of the current study was to examine, in women with opioid use disorder (OUD), perceptions of working with a doula in the perinatal period. Eligible participants were ≥ 18 years old, in OUD treatment, and were pregnant or recently delivered (child ≤ 3 months of age). Semi-structured interviews were used to collect tacit data on the woman's experience working with a doula during the perinatal period. All one-hour interviews were conducted over the phone and transcribed verbatim by a HIPAA compliant transcription service. Transcripts were reviewed independently by 4 coders using open coding procedures, constant comparative method of grounded theory, and inductive thematic analysis. Demographic data and history of childhood trauma information (Adverse Childhood Experiences Tool) were collected with a phone survey prior to the interview. Participants' (N = 23) were 32.5 years of age (4.1 SD), with the majority Caucasian (71.4%), Non-Hispanic (71.4%) and Medicaid recipients (100%). Participants reported a mean of 5.61 (SD=2.93) adverse childhood experiences, indicating a significant trauma burden. Major themes uncovered in the interview transcripts revealed emotional and OUD recovery support provided by the doula and increased maternal health literacy and self-advocacy. The presence of a doula during labor/delivery reduced maternal perceptions of stigma they perceived from their healthcare providers. Doula engagement was associated with perceptions of increased emotional support, health literacy and self-advocacy in maternal health among women with OUD, which is significant given this population's trauma histories. This preliminary research has significant implications for improving the health of the mother child dyad affected by maternal OUD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: In this review, we discuss strengths and limitations of a recent rigorous systematic review and meta-analysis of the literature on associations of all-cause mortality with overweight and obesity. A perspective on its meaning and potential implications are provided. To move this field forward, we suggest modeling BMI as a continuous variable, switching to modeling longevity instead of mortality, and generating large publicly available datasets in broad and diverse populations for discerning the extent to which the BMI–mortality relationship differs between groups and over time. Randomized studies of obesity-related interventions that provide assessments of their actual effects on lifespan or mortality would have great value for helping to establish valid clinical and public health recommendations around weight loss and mortality. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Objective: To examine the relative effects of high blood pressure (HBP) and obesity on left ventricular mass (LVM) among African-American adolescents; and if metabolic or inflammatory factors contribute to LVM. Study design: Using a 2 × 2 design, African-American adolescents were stratified by body mass index percentile (body mass index <95th percentile = non-obese; ≥95th percentile = obese) and average blood pressure (BP) (normal BP <120/80 mm Hg; HBP ≥120/80). Glucose, insulin, insulin resistance, lipids, and inflammatory cytokines were measured. From echocardiography measures of LVM, calculated LVM index (LVMI) ≥95th percentile defined left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH). Results: Data included 301 adolescents (48% female), mean age 16.2 years, 51% obese, and 29% HBP. LVMI was highest among adolescents with both obesity and HBP. The multiplicative interaction of obesity and HBP on LVH was not significant (OR = 2.35, P = .20) but the independent additive associations of obesity and HBP with log-odds of LVH were significant; obesity OR = 3.26, P < .001; HBP OR = 2.92, P < .001. Metabolic and inflammatory risk factors were associated with obesity, but had no independent association with LVMI. Compared with those with average systolic BP (SBP) <75th percentile, adolescents with SBP from the 75th percentile to 90th percentile had higher LVMI (33.2 vs 38.7 g/m2.7, P < .001) and greater LVH (18% vs 43%, P < .001), independent of obesity. Conclusions: Prevalence of LVH is highest among African-American adolescents with average BP ≥120/80 mm Hg and obesity. There also is an independent association of LVMI with BP, beginning at the 75th SBP percentile. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Background: Despite the high number of admissions for acute decompensated heart failure (ADHF), there are no specific criteria for discharge readiness. A number of patients have implantable devices that might provide data to assist in determining readiness for discharge. Methods and Results: The 3D-HF (Diagnostic Data for Discharge in Heart Failure Patients) study was a prospective observational pilot study enrolling HF patients with Optivol-capable cardiac devices within 48 hours of a hospital admission characterized by worsening HF symptoms. The primary end point was the difference in times from admission to 50% improvement in impedance and to when patient was medically ready for discharge. The nonparametric sign test was used to determine if the difference was significant. A total of 20 subjects were enrolled over a 24-month period. The median ADHF length of stay was 7 days. Of the 20 subjects, 18 achieved the intrathoracic impedance improvement threshold before discharge. The time to reach the threshold for improvement was 2.5 days (interquartile range 2.0–6.0). The difference between days to 50% impedance and days to provider’s discharge decision was 3.0 (P = .0072). Conclusions: Intrathoracic impedance changes were evident over a short duration in the majority of patients admitted for ADHF and may be a potential criterion for discharge readiness. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: African Americans have more hypertension and hypertension-related morbidity than whites. Aldosterone, in presence of a high salt intake, contributes to hypertension and tissue injury. Inappropriately elevated aldosterone levels could explain this racial disparity. Our study was conducted to determine if aldosterone is associated with elevated blood pressure (BP) or insulin resistance, independent of obesity. A study was conducted on 483 young adult African Americans without cardiovascular or renal disease. Measurements included anthropometrics, BP, lipids, glucose, insulin, aldosterone, and renin. Urine sodium and potassium estimated sodium intake. The cohort was stratified by tertiles of aldosterone and tertiles of aldosterone/renin ratio (ARR). Average urine sodium/potassium ratio was >3.0 in all groups. Insulin resistance, estimated by homeostasis model, was lowest in the low aldosterone group (geometric mean 1.5 [0.6, 2.2]) compared with the high aldosterone group (1.7 [0.9, 2.7], P < .01). Adjusted analyses detected a significant association of aldosterone with insulin resistance, independent of other variables. BP was significantly higher in the high ARR group compared with low and mid ARR groups (P < .01). The significant association of ARR with BP with high dietary sodium suggests that insufficiently suppressed aldosterone may contribute to BP sensitivity to sodium in African Americans. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Rationale and Objectives: To determine the accuracy of 64-section coronary computed tomography angiography (CCTA) in predicting 30 day major adverse cardiac events (MACE) for patients presenting with symptoms concerning for acute coronary syndrome (ACS). Materials and Methods: Electronic databases between January 1, 2005, and May, 1, 2011, and reference lists from relevant published research articles were searched. We included studies on adult patients who presented with active symptoms suggestive of ACS, had immediate 64-section CCTA performed and were assessed for MACE at a minimum of 30 days past their initial presentation. Studies had to report or provide sufficient detail to determine sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value in relation to MACE using a 50% diameter stenosis as cutoff criterion for coronary artery disease. Results: Nine studies were included for a total of 1559 patients studied (42.3% women, mean age 51.9 ± 10.6). Patients ranged from low to intermediate risk for ACS. All had initial inconclusive electrocardiograms and negative cardiac biomarker results. A total of 14.8% of patients had a positive CCTA result. The pooled sensitivity was 93.3% (95% CI 88.3%–96.6%), specificity was 89.9% (95% CI 88.3%–91.3%), positive predictive value was 48.1% (95% CI 42.5%–53.8%), and negative predictive value was 99.3% (95% CI 98.7%–99.6%). Conclusion: Sixty-four section CCTA had a 99.3% negative predictive value in excluding MACE for 30 days after initial symptom presentation in 85.2% of our study population. Although the value of 64-section CCTA is best for identifying patients who can safely be discharged home, it is less useful for patients who have positive results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]