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Lower eyelid aging is a complicated process, and for that reason, a comprehensive assessment of the lower eyelid is important before treatment.This study was conducted to analyze and assess the lower eyelid aging process between different age groups of Asian women.The authors developed the comprehensive lower eyelid age rating scale (CLEARS). The rating scale contains 3 domains and each composed of 3 items. Individuals were evaluated by the age group starting with the third decade (20-29 years) through the seventh decade (60-69 years) by 2 dermatologists working independently.A total of 114 cases were evaluated. The total scores of CLEARS increased significantly between each adjacent age group. The scores of the snap test and the severity of fine lines, nasojugal groove, midcheek furrow, and eye bags increased significantly from the 3rd decade. The scores of the distraction test and the severity of palpebromalar groove and malar mound begin to increase with the 4th decade. Kappa coefficients of all items achieved moderate to substantial agreement.This study describes the lower eyelid aging process among Asian women by CLEARS assessment. Lower eyelid aging becomes progressively more notable beginning with the third decade.

Many Oriental eyes feature single eyelid fold and ptotic eyelid. Performing the double eyelid blepharoplasty (DEB) in a minimally invasive manner with simultaneous blepharoptosis correction (BPC) is important to achieve an aesthetic pleasing outcome.To demonstrate an effective mini-invasive transcutaneous and transconjunctival dual approach technique for simultaneous DEB and BPC. Furthermore, to compare the outcome of BPC in dual approach, transcutaneous procedure and transconjunctival procedure.This is a retrospective study reviewing 159 eyelids that underwent mini-invasive DEB with BPC from November 2018 to May 2019, including the technical description and the surgical outcomes. To investigate the efficacy, the pre- and postoperative margin reflex distance 1 (MRD1) and levator function (LF) corresponding to the different surgical procedures and preoperative severity was analyzed.Statistically, the dual approach group has significant improvement in MRD1 and LF (47 eyelids, p0.05) corresponding to patients with ptosis of any severity. Under the same tucking amount, dual approach can achieve 1.6±0.7 mm of MRD1 improvement, which is nearly twice the amount compare with transconjunctival approach alone. No revision nor complication noted in the dual approach group by 6-month follow-up.The dual approach technique is a method with a wide range of applications, effective, and low revision rate that simultaneously correct blepharoptosis and create a double eyelid.

Over half of HIV infections in the U.S. are among young gay, bisexual, and other same-gender-loving men (SGLM). Symptoms affecting these individuals must be clarified in order to be detected and addressed by health care providers. This report describes the symptom prevalence in young SGLM living with HIV. Study participants in an urban context experienced high symptom burden with a median of 6.2 symptoms despite antiretroviral treatment with viral suppression. Most common symptoms included fatigue (57%), depression (54%), insomnia (53%), anxiety (44%), dizziness (33%), and headache (33%). This study showed that young SGLM with HIV experience a high number of symptoms given their age. Health care providers should work to alleviate this symptom burden that affects patients' quality of life and may influence engagement in care.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES The picosecond (PICO) laser has been a new and promising device. But, so far, there have not been many prospective studies investigating the efficacy in acne scar treatment. This study evaluated the efficacy and safety of the dual-wavelength picosecond laser in the treatment of acne scar. STUDY DESIGN/MATERIALS AND METHODS A total of 20 patients with skin type III-IV were enrolled in this study. Eighteen patients completed the study. All patients completed six treatment sessions within a 1-month interval. All patients were treated using both 532 and 1,064 nm fractionated dual-wavelength picosecond handpieces. In evaluation, Goodman and Baron's quantitative global acne scarring grading system (GSS) was scored by two physicians. Patients also judged the results themselves by Visual Analog Scale (VAS) and pain score. RESULTS The average baseline score of GSS quantity and quality were 15.22 and 3.00, respectively. The final scores were 10.61 and 2.33. The average baseline of patient VAS score was 4.28. The final score was 2.00. All scores achieved statistical significance (P

Q-Switched laser devices have been a standard treatment modality for dermal pigmentary disorders since the 1990s. However, the adverse events are sometimes intolerable even if the efficacy has been well accepted. These adverse events stop the patient from continuing the treatment and cause other cosmetic issues. Since 2012, the first picosecond laser for cosmetic applications was approved; it seems promising for treating pigmentary disorders in a new way, but lack strong evidence. We evaluated the efficacy and safety of a 755-nm picosecond laser for treatment of dermal pigmentary disorders in Asians. This is a 2-year retrospective study. We reviewed 36 female cases, including 8 cases of nevus of Ota and 28 cases of acquired bilateral nevus of Ota-like macules. Institutional Review Board (IRB) approval was granted by the Chang Gung Memorial Hospital medical research ethics committee (IRB 201900833B0). The epidemiologic data was collected. These patients have been treated with the 755-nm picosecond laser for 1 to 4 sessions at variable treatment interval. Our parameter settings were fluence of 2.73–3.98 J/cm2, with a spot size of 2.9 to 2.4 mm under the 650-ps mode. The pulse duration is 650 ps and fluence range is from 2.73 to 3.98 J/cm. Photographs were taken prior to every treatment and 1 month following the treatment. Two dermatologists conducted the clinical evaluation independently. Clinical improvement was observed in all with a minimal side effect. A total of 88.89% of patients had moderate to marked improvement in following 1 to 4 sessions. Transient swelling and erythema were observed in all patients but resolved within 24 h. Only one patient (2.78%) developed hypopigmentation and two patients (5.56%) had hyperpigmentation temporarily. Faster clearance could be achieved by the picosecond 755-nm laser for treating dermal pigmentary disorders in Asians. The treatment course is well tolerable and has minimal side effects.

Background Lower blepharoplasty is a common cosmetic operation that relies on minimal postoperative scarring, but Asian patients are at higher risk than Caucasians for hypertrophic and/or widened scars. Botulinum toxin type A (BTX) injections are widely employed to alleviate dynamic facial rhytids and also can improve scar quality by reducing scar tension. The authors assessed whether simultaneous transcutaneous lower blepharoplasty and BTX injections could improve subciliary scar quality. Objectives The objective of this study was to assess whether simultaneous transcutaneous lower blepharoplasty and BTX injections could improve subciliary scar quality. Methods This is a prospective, randomized, vehicle-controlled, double-blinded clinical trial. Between May 2015 and May 2018, 40 adults who underwent bilateral transcutaneous lower blepharoplasties were randomized to receive BTX (n = 20) or vehicle (normal saline; n = 20) injections into the lateral orbicularis oculi muscle immediately after wound closure. Vancouver Scar Scale, Visual Analogue Scale, and photographic scar width measurements at 3 reference points were recorded at the final clinical follow-up. Results Thirty-seven patients completed the trial. Vancouver Scar Scale and Visual Analogue Scale scores in the experimental and vehicle control groups were similar, but scar widths in the experimental group at all measured points were significantly narrower than in the vehicle control group (P < 0.001, P = 0.027, and P < 0.001 at each measured point, respectively). Conclusions Transcutaneous lower blepharoplasty scars in Asians can be significantly narrowed by simultaneous BTX injections without additional complications. Level of Evidence 4

Background: Varicose veins are a common problem worldwide. Although it was reported that varicose veins have cosmetic and symptomatic effects and can also lead to an increased risk of incident deep venous thrombosis, pulmonary embolism, and peripheral artery disease, whether varicose vein treatment prevents those serious complications is unknown. Methods: This retrospective cohort study used claims data extracted from the Chang Gung Research Database and National Health Insurance Research Database in Taiwan. The study subjects were patients aged ≥20 years who underwent endovenous thermal ablation (ETA) from 2005 to 2016 and a group of untreated subjects who were matched by sex and year of birth. All patients were followed from the index date to the earliest occurrence of peripheral artery disease, deep venous thrombosis, or pulmonary embolism or death or the end of the study. To avoid possible selection bias, 1:4 propensity score matching was implemented and a Cox proportional-hazards model was applied while controlling for potential confounders. We also collected data on complications within 28 days of ETA. Results: In total, data on 1323 ETA-treated patients with varicose veins were extracted from the Chang Gung Research Database, while data on 149 586 untreated patients with varicose veins were extracted from the National Health Insurance Research Database. Compared with the untreated group, ETA-treated patients had decreased risks of deep venous thrombosis and peripheral artery disease (adjusted hazard ratio, 0.49 [95% CI, 0.32–0.75] and 0.64 [95% CI, 0.49–0.85]). The incidence rates of deep venous thrombosis and pulmonary embolism after ETA (≤28 days) were 0.296% and 0.074%, respectively. Conclusions: ETA treatment of varicose veins was associated with a substantial decrease in the subsequent incidence of thromboembolism and peripheral artery disease compared with that in the absence of treatment. In addition, the incidence rate of postprocedural thromboembolic complications after ETA was low in the Asian population. We suggest that improved disease awareness and appropriate early treatment may help reduce the risk of serious complications.

A pronounced epicanthal fold is a common feature that presents in 50-90% of the Asian population; it will not only cause the eyes to look small but will also cause a deformity when a double eyelid blepharoplasty is performed, restricting the formation of a preferable outer-type double eyelid. Moreover, the wide intercanthal distance (ICD) arising from the epicanthal fold would diminish the aesthetic appearance, giving the impression of a collapsed nasal bridge.

Young men of color who have sex with men (yMSM) living with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) in syndemic environments have been difficult-to-retain in care resulting in their being at-risk for poor health outcomes despite availability of effective once-daily antiretroviral treatment (ART). Multiple methods have been implemented to improve outcomes for this cohort; none with sustainable results. Outpatient HIV staff themselves may be a contributing factor. We introduced multidisciplinary staff to the concept of using a palliative approach early (ePA) in outpatient HIV care management to enable them to consider the patient-level complexity of these young men. Young MSM (18-35 years of age) enrolled in and cared for at the intervention site of the Care and Support Access Study (CASA), completed serial surveys over 18 months. Patients’ Global and Summary quality of life (QoL) increased during the study at the intervention site (IS) where staff learned about ePA, compared with patients attending the control site (CS) (p=.021 and p=.018, respectively). Using serial surveys of staff members, we found that in the era of HIV disease control, outpatient staff are stressed more by environmental factors than by patients’ disease status seen historically in the HIV epidemic. A Community Advisory Panel of HIV stakeholders contributed to all phases of this study and altered language used in educational activities with staff members to describe the patient cohort.

Background: The Asian American (AA) population is rapidly becoming one of the largest racial/ethnic groups in the United States. Despite this growth and advances in palliative care (PC) programs in the United States, the scope and nature of the literature regarding PC for AAs remains unclear. This review provides an overview of existing research on PC for AAs, identifies gaps in the research with recommendations for future research and delineates practice implications. Methods: A scoping review of studies published in English was conducted. Electronic Databases (PubMed, Embase, CINAHL, and PsycINFO databases) were searched up to December 2019. No starting date limit was set. Arksey and O’Malley’s methodological framework was followed for scoping reviews. Results: Of 2390 publications initially identified, 42 studies met our inclusion criteria for this review. Southeast AA subgroups remain understudied compared to East and South AAs. Most studies were descriptive; a few (n = 3) evaluated effectiveness of PC interventions for AAs. Research synthesized in this review addresses the following topics and includes considerations in PC related to care recipients and their relatives: treatment choice discussions (73%), coordination of care with health care providers (26%), symptom management (14%), and emotional support (10%). This review identified various factors around PC for AAs, specifically the influence of cultural aspects, including levels of acculturation, traditional norms and values, and religious beliefs. Conclusion: A culturally inclusive approach is vital to providing appropriate and accessible PC for AAs. Further research is needed concerning core PC components and effective interventions across diverse AA subgroups.

Background The follicular unit transplantation strip harvesting surgery is one of the gold standard methods of hair transplantation; the counting follicular unit ratio and hair density is a major step in donor site evaluation. Aims We conducted the study for analyzing the preoperative donor site evaluation and comparison of the actual harvested and estimated follicular units in hair transplantation. Patients/methods In this retrospective study, we enrolled 65 male patients with androgenetic alopecia who underwent follicular unit transplantation. Before the donor strip harvesting procedure, we counted the follicular unit density and calculated the percentage of each follicular unit. And then, we compared them to actual harvesting grafts. Result The number of actual harvested transplanted hairs (3162.22 ± 958.30) were less than estimated transplanted hairs (3319.25 ± 1007.86). Both the number and percentage of actual harvested 1-hair follicular unit were more than estimated 1-hair follicular unit. In contrast, the number and percentage of actual harvested 3-hair follicular unit was less than estimated 3-hair follicular unit. The follicular unit density was lower in older patients. Those received more than one session of hair transplantation tended to have lower follicular and hair density (P = 0.007 and 0.01, respectively). The scalp laxity was lower in older patients and those received multiple sessions of hair transplantation. Conclusion The actual harvested grafts yield more 1-hair follicular units and less 3-hair follicular units than estimation. Old age and multiple sessions of hair transplantation caused more limitation of harvesting donor scalp.

Background and aims Renal dysfunction is a potent risk factor for cardiovascular diseases, including stroke. This study aimed to evaluate the impact of admission estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) levels on short-term (1-month) and long-term (1-year) mortality in patients with acute ischemic stroke. Methods From the Taiwan Stroke Registry data, we classified ischemic stroke patients, identified from April 2006 to December 2015, into 5 groups by eGFR at admission: ≥ 90, 60–89, 30–59, 15–29, and Results Among 52,732 ischemic stroke patients, 1480 died within one month. The 1-month mortality rate was over 5-fold greater in patients with eGFR Conclusions After acute ischemic stroke, patients with reduced eGFR are at elevated risks of short-term and long-term deaths in a graded relationship.

The purpose of this research is to explore behavioral, normative, and control beliefs in the discussion of advance care planning (ACP) among older and younger Chinese Americans. Ethnic minority groups have been identified as less engaged in ACP and this represents an ethnic and cultural gap. Older Chinese American adults often have different beliefs and values compared to the younger generation who are more acculturated to American mainstream culture. These differences may hinder the discussion of ACP with Chinese older adults. A qualitative design was used. The Theory of Planned Behavior guided the development of the interview guide. We recruited 60 Chinese Americans. Prior experience was identified as a theme that influenced attitudes about ACP. We found that older and younger Chinese participants had different beliefs in the norm and control related to ACP discussions, but not in the belief of attitudes about ACP discussions. Both younger and older Chinese American participants believed that ACP was important and necessary. Participants in both clusters expressed that they were ready and willing to engage in ACP discussions with their family members but hesitant to initiate these discussions. The reluctance in discussing ACP with Chinese older adults may be related to the expectations and obligations of Xiao (filial piety) in Chinese culture. This study describes the similarities and differences of beliefs in ACP between older and younger Chinese Americans. We identified barriers and facilitators in behavioral, normative, and control beliefs that can be used to promote ACP for Chinese Americans.

We investigated the impact of serum cholesterol levels on 30-day mortality after ischemic stroke in dialysis patients.From the Taiwan Stroke Registry data, we identified 46,770 ischemic stroke cases, including 1101 dialysis patients and 45,669 nondialysis patients from 2006 to 2013.Overall, the 30-day mortality was 1.46-fold greater in the dialysis group than in the nondialysis group (1.75 versus 1.20 per 1000 person-days). The mortality rates were 1.64, .62, 2.82, and 2.23 per 1000 person-days in dialysis patients with serum total cholesterol levels of 120 mg/dL, 120-159 mg/dL, 160-199 mg/dL, and ≥200 mg/dL, respectively. Compared to dialysis patients with serum total cholesterol levels of 120-159 mg/dL, the corresponding adjusted hazard ratios of mortality were 4.20 (95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.01-17.4), 8.06 (95% CI = 2.02-32.2), and 6.89 (95% CI = 1.59-29.8) for those with cholesterol levels of 120 mg/dL, 160-199 mg/dL, and ≥200 mg/dL, respectively.Dialysis patients with serum total cholesterol levels of ≥160 mg/dL or 120 mg/dL on admission are at an elevated hazard of 30-day mortality after ischemic stroke.

Nursing care is changing dramatically given the need for students to address complex and multiple patient comorbidities. Students experience difficulties applying knowledge gained from didactic instruction to make important clinical decisions for optimal patient care. To optimize nursing education pedagogy, innovative teaching strategies are required to prepare future nurses for practice. This integrative review synthesized the state of the science on flipped classroom models from 13 empirical studies published through May 2016. The purpose of the review was to evaluate studies conducted on flipped classroom models among nursing students using a validated framework by Whittemore and Knafl. Multiple academic databases were searched, ranging in scope including PubMed, Embase (Elsevier), CINAHL (Ebsco), Scopus, Web of Science, and Google Scholar, resulting in 95 unique records. After screening and full-text reviews, 82 papers were removed. Thirteen empirical studies were included in the final analysis and results provided (a) design and process information on flipped classroom models in nursing education, (b) a summary of the state of the evidence to inform the implementation of flipped classrooms, and (c) a foundation to build future research in this area of nursing education. To develop sound evidence-based teaching strategies, rigorous scientific methods are needed to inform the implementation of flipped classroom approaches.

Background Few reliable, non-invasive clinical markers have been identified for evaluating readiness for discharge in patients with heart failure. Worsening sleep orthopnea, including the use of additional pillows, has long been considered a sign of worsening heart failure symptoms, however in the hospital the adjusted angle of the bed could be another way to assess sleep orthopnea. This study examined variation in the angle of the bed, whether the angle of bed the night prior to discharge could be useful as a non-invasive clinical indicator and whether there is a relationship between the angle of bed while patients are sleeping the night prior to discharge and 30-day readmission. Objectives It was hypothesized that the angle of the head of bed the night prior to discharge from the index admission would be higher in patients who are readmitted within 30 days of discharge. In addition, it was hypothesized that the correlation between angle of bed and amount of diuresis would allow for use of angle of bed as a clinical indicator. Methods In this prospective observational study, nurses measured the angle at which patients self-adjusted the bed for nighttime sleeping. Patients from a progressive cardiac care unit were included if the primary admitting diagnosis was volume overload related to heart failure. Results Patients (n = 145) were 46.2% female, 46.2% African American with a mean age of 63.4 ± 14.7 years. Mean length of stay was 12.5 ± 10.5 days, and 22.8% were readmitted within 30 days. The average angle of bed prior to discharge was 29.1 ± 18.7 degrees and only 13% were able to lay flat while sleeping on the night prior to discharge. There was a significant difference between the highest and lowest angle of HOB (p Conclusions We did not demonstrate the utility of angle of bed the night prior to discharge as a marker of readiness for discharge in patients with heart failure. However, this innovative, nurse-led project did demonstrate that angle of bed is non-invasive and easy to capture. Further studies should consider the role of angle of bed as an indication of orthopnea and in evaluating readiness for discharge during a heart failure admission.

The current study aimed to investigate whether low testosterone predicted the recurrence and clinical outcomes after acute ischemic stroke (AIS) in males. From June 2015 through August 2017, the study prospectively enrolled 110 male AIS patients. All received detailed evaluations at admission and were followed for at least 1 year. The cumulative incidence, overall survival, length of hospital stay, and the percentage of previous stroke were compared between subjects with testosterone 440 ng/dl. The median age was 62 years (range, 35–93 years). The median serum testosterone at admission was 438 [203] ng/dl (range, 44–816 ng/dl); 55 patients (50%) had testosterone

Melasma is a common acquired facial hypermelanosis with irregular brownish macules and patches. The clinical course is often fluctuated and refractory to treatment. The present study was conducted to evaluate the efficacy and safety of pulsed alexandrite laser for the treatment of melasma.In the present study, we enrolled Asian patients with melasma. All the patients received four monthly treatments with a pulsed alexandrite laser. The severity of melasma was evaluated by a blinded dermatologist, using the Modified Melasma Area and Severity Index (MMASI), and by patient assessment, using a visual analogue scale, at baseline, before each treatment, and at the 1-month and 3-month follow-up visits after the last treatment.Twenty-three patients completed all treatments and follow-up visits. The MMASI scores decreased significantly from 8.71 ± 5.83 at baseline to 6.07 ± 4.65 after four sessions of treatment (P0.05) and 6.91 ± 4.97 at 3 months after the last laser treatment (P0.05). After 4 sessions of treatment, 10 patients (43.5%) described their improvement as marked and excellent (60% improvement). The treatments were well tolerated with only mild skin reaction.In the present study, we demonstrated that the pulsed alexandrite laser is safe and effective to treat melasma in Asian skin.

Background The process of advance care planning (ACP) encompasses learning about and planning for end-of-life (EOL) decisions, documenting preferences through legal forms known as Advance Directives (ADs), and having discussions with loved ones to share these preferences. While most ethnic minority groups have low ACP engagement and AD completion rates, Chinese Americans face additional challenges related to cultural beliefs and ACP. Purpose The purpose of this study was to estimate the impact of a culturally tailored nurse-driven educational intervention on the relationship between attitudes toward ADs and AD completion and ACP discussions. Design Pre-posttest, repeated measures non-experimental design. Methods A convenience sample of Chinese Americans participated in a culturally tailored nurse led AD and ACP workshop in English and Mandarin in a Chinese Community Center. Participants completed surveys before and after the workshop and at one-month follow-up. Results Seventy-two Chinese Americans participated in this study. Most were female and born in China. Attitudes toward ADs improved after participating in the workshop and remained consistent at one-month follow-up. There was a significant positive relationship between attitudes and AD completion and ACP discussions. Conclusions Nurse-driven interventions improved engagement in the ACP process in Chinese Americans, a population thought to be averse to discussing death and dying and one with lower than average AD completion rates. Using culturally tailored interventions improves engagement in the ACP process.

Background: To provide optimal end-of-life (EOL) care in the Chinese American population, we need to have a better understanding of what matters most at EOL from their perspective. Experiencing a "good death" at the EOL is the optimal goal of palliative care. Studies show that the meaning and description of good death varies across cultures in different populations. In the United States, Chinese Americans comprise the largest Asian demographic. Aim: To describe EOL wishes, which define a good death for Chinese Americans. Method: Qualitative study using focus groups. A convenience sample of 60 Chinese Americans was recruited from a community organization in Maryland. Ten focus group discussion sessions were conducted. Results: Wishes at the EOL that defined a good death for the participants in this study included being pain-free, not being a burden to family, being with family, having a trusted physician, maintaining dignity, and prayer. Conclusion: A good death is a complex concept. What matters most to patients at the EOL differs depending on their cultural background. When caring for Chinese Americans, a comprehensive EOL care plan should include cultural considerations in addition to physical, psychosocial, and spiritual needs.

There are versatile modalities to achieve noninvasive fat reduction, and most of them have proven to be effective for circumferential reduction of local fat tissue, without any serious or permanent adverse effects. However, the follow-up time is short, ranging from 1 to 24 weeks. Most of the patients would like to know how long will its effect last and whether there is long-term side effect or not. The aim of this study was to assess the long-term efficacy and safety of combination therapy of focused ultrasound and radio frequency for noninvasive body contouring. Thirty-two Asian subjects received three sequential combination therapies of focused ultrasound and radio-frequency treatments every 2 weeks in the abdominal region and were followed up 1 month and 1 year after the last treatment. After a year, 5 patients were loss follow-up and 2 were pregnant. Finally, 25 healthy Asian subjects (18 females and 7 males) were enrolled in this study. Safety parameters and adverse events were recorded. The mean body weight change remained constant without a significant change 1 year after treatment and was 0.1 ± 1.2 kg (p = 0.513). The mean abdominal circumference change between 1 month and 1 year after the last treatment was 0.4 ± 1.2 cm and was not significant (p = 0.169). The relationships between weight change and circumference change of the 23 patients were tested using Spearman's rho correlation coefficient. There was a correlation between weight change and circumference change (0.73; p = 0.000). The procedure was safe without a recordable long-term adverse event. The combination therapies of nonthermally focused ultrasound and radio-frequency treatments for body contouring in the abdominal region are effective and may show positive results for at least a year if patients can maintain their body weight. The procedure is safe without recordable long-term adverse events in this study.

Ethnic minority groups are less engaged than Caucasian American adults in advance care planning (ACP). Knowledge deficits, language, and culture are barriers to ACP. Limited research exists on ACP and advance directives in the Chinese American adult population. Using a pre–posttest, repeated measures design, the current study explored the effectiveness of a nurseled, culturally sensitive ACP seminar for Chinese American adults on (a) knowledge, completion, and discussion of advance directives; and (b) the relationship between demographic variables, advance directive completion, and ACP discussions. A convenience sample of 72 urban, community-dwelling Chinese American adults (mean age = 61 years) was included. Knowledge, advance directive completion, and ACP discussions increased significantly after attending the nurse-led seminar ( p < 0.01). Increased age correlated with advance directive completion and ACP discussions; female gender correlated with ACP discussions. Nursing education in a community setting increased advance directive knowledge and ACP engagement in Chinese American adults. [ Journal of Gerontological Nursing, 41 (8), 17–21.]

To evaluate efficacy and safety of picosecond 755 nm alexandrite laser as compared to 1064 nm QS-Nd:YAG laser for melasma treatment in Asians. Twelve patients received 4 sessions of treatments at 1-month interval in a split-face manner. The right side of each patient’s face received 755 nm picosecond laser, and the other side received 1064 nm QS-Nd:YAG laser. Zoom handpiece of 755 nm picosecond laser at fluence of 0.88–1.18 J/cm2 was applied. The treatment protocol used for 1064 nm QS-Nd:YAG laser was 8 mm spot size at fluence of 2.0 J/cm2 initially followed by 6 mm spot size at fluence of 3.5 J/cm2, and finishing with 4 mm spot size at 3.2 J/cm2. For both 755 nm picosecond laser and 1064 nm QS-Nd:YAG laser, the endpoint was mild erythema and swelling without petechiae. Objective evaluation with visual analogue score was conducted by two independent physicians. Subject self-assessment for each patient was conducted as well. Statistical results showed that higher pigmentation clearance rate was achieved at the 755 nm picosecond laser side after the second treatment. At the 3 months follow-up, greater clearance was observed at the 755 nm picosecond laser side compared to the 1064 nm QS-Nd:YAG side. 755 nm alexandrite picosecond laser has been observed to achieve a faster and better clearance rate for melasma compared to 1064 nm QS-Nd:YAG laser. We conclude that the 755 nm picosecond laser could be a safe and effective modality for melasma treatment in Asians.

Background: Advance care planning (ACP) is a critical component of quality end-of-life care. Little is known regarding the cultural influences on health professionals' attitudes toward the discussion of ACP in China. Objective: To better understand attitudes toward ACP among Chinese healthcare professionals in China and the influence of cultural factors such as filial piety, or xiào. Methods: A mixed methods study was used. This study reports the results of a descriptive cross-sectional survey of physicians, nurses and social workers with experience in palliative and end-of-life care. Results: Some 102 completed surveys were obtained. Most Chinese health professionals had an overall positive attitude toward ACP, acknowledging that these discussions should occur. However, there was a general lack of confidence and sense of reluctance among participants to engage in ACP discussions. Conclusion: The lack of statistical difference between the various health professionals suggests that they all faced challenges in participating in ACP discussions. Future research should focus on the influences of cultural factors such as xiào on ACP discussion, and develop culturally sensitive strategies to facilitate these discussions in the Chinese community.

Background: In the US, more than 1.2 million adults are living with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV); gay and bisexual men account for 82% of new diagnoses annually. Young men of color account for 67% of this total. Despite advances in disease control, lack of retention in care itself remains a barrier and how outpatient staff members impact this has not been investigated. The palliative approach is patient-centered care targeting "relief of suffering" and "quality of life." This paper describes the original protocol for the Care and Support Access Study (CASA) where outpatient HIV staff members are challenged to improve outcomes for young men who have sex with men (yMSM) by integrating the palliative approach early (ePA) with HIV care delivery. Methods: The hypothesis is that ePA can favorably impact outcomes for yMSM in one HIV clinic compared with treatment as usual (TAU) at a second clinic. In the era of HIVdisease control, we use a quasi-experimental design with mixed methods to compare patient-level outcomes at 2 HIV clinics. The intervention fosters incorporation of the ePA with care provision using didactic and iterative education. We survey HIV staff members with regard to stress of care-giving. Qualitative interviews will highlight impact of the experience. Objectives: This paper reviews the aims of the study including: 1) compare outcomes of yMSM receiving care from staff using the ePA to those receiving TAU; 2) compare work-related staff stress at a clinic receiving the ePA with staff providing standard HIV outpatient care; and 3) refine, deliver and determine the acceptability and applicability of interdisciplinary professional education to deliver the ePA in HIV management. Discussion: We will measure the impact of the ePA on care delivery relative to patientcentered benefits. Lessons learned can contribute to a model for working with diverse patients facing challenging life transitions.

Objective:There is a growing body of literature describing the characteristics of patients who plan for the end of life, but little research has examined how caregivers influence patients' advance care planning (ACP). The purpose of this study was to examine how patient and caregiver characteristics are associated with advance directive (AD) completion among patients diagnosed with a terminal illness. We defined AD completion as having completed a living will and/or identified a healthcare power of attorney.Method:A convenience sample of 206 caregiver–patient dyads was included in the study. All patients were diagnosed with an advanced life-limiting illness. Trained research nurses administered surveys to collect information on patient and caregiver demographics (i.e., age, sex, race, education, marital status, and individual annual income) and patients' diagnoses and completion of AD. Multivariate logistic regression was employed to model predictors for patients' AD completion.Results:Over half of our patient sample (59%) completed an AD. Patients who were older, diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, and with a caregiver who was Caucasian or declined to report an income level were more likely to have an AD in place.Significance of results:Our results suggest that both patient and caregiver characteristics may influence patients' decisions to complete an AD at the end of life. When possible, caregivers should be included in advance care planning for patients who are terminally ill.

Introduction:Many patients with advanced heart failure (HF) experience the life-extending benefits of implantable cardioverter-defibrillators (ICD), but at the end stage of HF, patients may experience shocks with increasing frequency and change the plan for end-of-life (EOL) care including the deactivation of the ICD. This report describes family members’ experiences of patients with ICD making decisions at EOL. Understanding the decision-making of patients with ICD at EOL can promote informed decision-making and improve the quality of EOL care.Methods:This pilot study used a mixed methods approach to test the effects of a nurse-guided discussion in decision-making about ICD deactivation (turning off the defibrillation function) at the EOL. Interviews were conducted, audiotaped, and transcribed in 2012 to 2013 with 6 family members of patients with advanced HF and ICDs. Three researchers coded the data and identified themes in 2014.Results:Three main themes described family members’ experiences related to patients having HF with ICDs making health-care decision at EOL: decision-making preferences, patients’ perception on ICD deactivation, and communication methods.Discussion:Health-care providers need to have knowledge of patients’ decision-making preferences. Preferences for decision-making include the allowing of appropriate people to involve and encourages direct conversation with family members even when advance directives is completed. Information of ICD function and the option of deactivation need to be clearly delivered to patients and family members. Education and guidelines will facilitate the communication of the preferences of EOL care.

Importance Varicose veins are common but rarely associated with serious health risks. Deep venous thrombosis (DVT), pulmonary embolism (PE), and peripheral artery disease (PAD) are also vascular diseases but associated with serious systemic effects. Little is known about the association between varicose veins and the incidence of other vascular diseases including DVT, PE, and PAD. Objective To investigate whether varicose veins are associated with an increased risk of DVT, PE, or PAD. Design, Setting, and Participants A retrospective cohort study using claims data from Taiwan’s National Health Insurance program. Patients aged 20 years and older with varicose veins were enrolled from January 1, 2001-December 31, 2013, and a control group of patients without varicose veins were matched by propensity score. Patients previously diagnosed with DVT, PE, or PAD were excluded. Follow-up ended December 31, 2014. Exposures Presence of varicose veins. Main Outcomes and Measures Incidence rates of DVT, PE, and PAD were assessed in people with and without varicose veins. Cox proportional hazards models were used to estimate relative hazards, with the control group as reference. Results There were 212 984 patients in the varicose veins group (mean [SD] age, 54.5 [16.0] years; 69.3% women) and 212 984 in the control group (mean [SD] age, 54.3 [15.6] years; 70.3% women). The median follow-up duration was 7.5 years for DVT, 7.8 years for PE, and 7.3 years for PAD for patients with varicose veins, and for the control group, follow-up duration was 7.6 years for DVT, 7.7 years for PE, and 7.4 years for PAD. The varicose veins group had higher incidence rates than the control group for DVT (6.55 vs 1.23 per 1000 person-years [10 360 vs 1980 cases]; absolute risk difference [ARD], 5.32 [95% CI, 5.18-5.46]), for PE (0.48 for the varicose veins group vs 0.28 for the control group per 1000 person-years [793 vs 451 cases]; ARD, 0.20 [95% CI, 0.16-0.24]), and for PAD (10.73 for the varicose veins group vs 6.22 for the control group per 1000 person-years [16 615 vs 9709 cases]; ARD, 4.51 [95% CI, 4.31-4.71]). The hazard ratios for the varicose veins group compared with the control group were 5.30 (95% CI, 5.05-5.56) for DVT, 1.73 (95% CI, 1.54-1.94) for PE, and 1.72 (95% CI, 1.68-1.77) for PAD. Conclusions and Relevance Among adults diagnosed with varicose veins, there was a significantly increased risk of incident DVT; the findings for PE and PAD are less clear due to the potential for confounding. Whether the association between varicose veins and DVT is causal or represents a common set of risk factors requires further research.