Search

Catherine Curley and Patric Devitt examine the lessons to be learnt from published studies relating to deaths from stroke. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: VTE is a serious, but decreasing complication following major orthopedic surgery. This guideline focuses on optimal prophylaxis to reduce postoperative pulmonary embolism and DVT.Methods: The methods of this guideline follow those described in Methodology for the Development of Antithrombotic Therapy and Prevention of Thrombosis Guidelines: Antithrombotic Therapy and Prevention of Thrombosis, 9th ed: American College of Chest Physicians Evidence-Based Clinical Practice Guidelines in this supplement.Results: In patients undergoing major orthopedic surgery, we recommend the use of one of the following rather than no antithrombotic prophylaxis: low-molecular-weight heparin; fondaparinux; dabigatran, apixaban, rivaroxaban (total hip arthroplasty or total knee arthroplasty but not hip fracture surgery); low-dose unfractionated heparin; adjusted-dose vitamin K antagonist; aspirin (all Grade 1B); or an intermittent pneumatic compression device (IPCD) (Grade 1C) for a minimum of 10 to 14 days. We suggest the use of low-molecular-weight heparin in preference to the other agents we have recommended as alternatives (Grade 2C/2B), and in patients receiving pharmacologic prophylaxis, we suggest adding an IPCD during the hospital stay (Grade 2C). We suggest extending thromboprophylaxis for up to 35 days (Grade 2B). In patients at increased bleeding risk, we suggest an IPCD or no prophylaxis (Grade 2C). In patients who decline injections, we recommend using apixaban or dabigatran (all Grade 1B). We suggest against using inferior vena cava filter placement for primary prevention in patients with contraindications to both pharmacologic and mechanical thromboprophylaxis (Grade 2C). We recommend against Doppler (or duplex) ultrasonography screening before hospital discharge (Grade 1B). For patients with isolated lower-extremity injuries requiring leg immobilization, we suggest no thromboprophylaxis (Grade 2B). For patients undergoing knee arthroscopy without a history of VTE, we suggest no thromboprophylaxis (Grade 2B).Conclusions: Optimal strategies for thromboprophylaxis after major orthopedic surgery include pharmacologic and mechanical approaches. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Psychosocial distress is common after a diagnosis of breast cancer. Little is known about the informational needs and the psychosocial adjustment of patients diagnosed with metastatic breast cancer (MBC) within the first year of their diagnosis. Methods: Patients with MBC from a single academic institution completed a cross- sectional self-administered paper survey. The survey included demographics, the Medical Outcomes Study Short Form-36 (SF-36), the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), and Toronto Informational Needs Questionnaire-Breast Cancer (TINQ). Medical history was obtained by chart review. The Spearman correlation coefficient assessed the relationship between TINQ and the following: age at MBC diagnosis, disease free interval (DFI), time between survey completion and MBC diagnosis, number of lines of therapy, and HADS. Results: Fifty-two (90%, 50F 2M) patients completed the survey. Median age at MBC diagnosis was 52 yrs (range 22-81). Thirty-nine (75%) patients had completed college, 92% were Caucasian. Median time between MBC diagnosis and survey completion was 6 months (range 1-12). Sixteen (31%) patients had de novo stage 4 disease. At time of survey completion, 36 (69%) patients were on 1st line therapy with some patients were receiving their 4th line of therapy. SF-36 scores were lower in all 8 subscales compared to the general population. In particular, role limitations due to physical health (Norm-based transformation mean score 39.3, SD=12.1), social functioning (Mean 41.8, SD=12.7), role limitations due to emotional problems (Mean 43.3, SD=13.3), vitality (Mean 44.1, SD=10.8) and general health (Mean 44.3, SD=12.1) were diminished. The Physical and Mental Component Summary norm-based transformation scores were 43.2 (SD = 11.7) and 45.4 (SD = 11.3) respectively.9/48 (19%) patients met criteria for anxiety, and 4/48 (8%) patients met criteria for depression by HADS criteria (scores > 11). TINQ scores range from 51 to 255, with 35/52 (69%) having a total score > 200, suggesting high informational need. Of the 5 subscales, treatment information was most important, followed by information about disease, physical care, psychosocial needs and investigative tests. The most important informational issues for patients were: if there was cancer anywhere else in their body (Mean score 4.78), how to deal with side effects (Score 4.78), and if there were ways to prevent treatment side effects (Score 4.77), with a score of 5=extremely important, and 1= not important. Only DFI correlated with TINQ (Spearman coefficient -0.413, p = 0.011), with patients who had a shorter DFI having greater informational needs. Age at MBC diagnosis, time of completion of survey, number of lines and HADS were not significant. Conclusion: Based on this study, patients with recently diagnosed MBC have high informational needs and poor psychosocial adjustment. The overall quality of life appears to be worse in this population of patients compared to the general population. There is also a subset of patients who are dealing with significant anxiety and depression. Additional research, education, and supportive care services aimed at meeting the informational and psychosocial needs of women living with MBC are warranted. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Behavioral economics research suggests poverty may influence behavior by reducing mental bandwidth, increasing future discounting, and increasing risk aversion. It is plausible these decision-making processes are further impaired in the context of HIV or pregnancy. In this cross-sectional study of 86 low-income women in Philadelphia, HIV was associated with lower mental bandwidth (one of two measures) and lower risk aversion. Pregnancy was not associated with any decision-making factors. In secondary analyses, viral suppression was associated with greater mental bandwidth (one of two measures), and antenatal clinic attendance with lower future discounting. Anti-poverty interventions may be beneficial to improve HIV-related health behaviors., (© 2024. The Author(s).)

AbstractObjective: We performed this study to examine patients' choices to permit or refuse medical student pelvic examinations under anesthesia (EUAs) during planned gynecologic procedures., Design: We conducted an exploratory retrospective chart review of electronic consent forms at a single academic medical center using contingency tables, logistic regression, and nonparametric tests to explore relationships between patient and physician characteristics and consent., Results: We identified and downloaded electronic consent forms for a census of 4,000 patients undergoing gynecologic surgery from September 2020 through calendar year 2022. Forms were linked to anonymized medical record information. Of the 4,000 patients, 142 (3.6%) were removed from analysis because consent forms were incomplete. Of 3,858 patients, 308 (8.0%) were asked for EUA consent more than once, 46 of whom were not consistent. Overall, 3,308 (85.7%) patients consented every time asked, and 550 (14.2%) refused or limited EUA consent at least once. Nine patients limited their consent to female students, and two patients refused medical student participation at all. We performed exploratory multiple logistic regression analyses exploring differences in rates of consent across patient and physician demographic groups., Conclusions: We find that some patients are more likely than others to refuse a pelvic EUA, magnifying the dignitary harm from a nonconsensual invasion of intimate bodily integrity and perpetuating historic wrongs visited upon vulnerable people of color and religious minorities. Patients' rights to respect and control over their bodies require that physicians take seriously the ethical obligation to inform their patients and ask them for permission.

Background: Administration of anti-CD19 chimeric antigen receptor T-cell (CART19) immunotherapy for large B-cell lymphomas (LBCLs), a subset of non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL), involves high costs and access to specialized tertiary care centers. We investigated whether minority health populations (MHPs) have equal access to CART19 and whether their outcomes are similar to those of non-MHPs., Methods: We analyzed the prevalence and clinical outcomes of patients treated with commercial CART19 at two geographically and socioeconomically different institutions: the Abramson Cancer Center (ACC, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania) and the Knight Cancer Institute (KCI, Portland, Oregon)., Results: In the ACC catchment area, 8956 patients were diagnosed with NHL between 2015 and 2019 (latest available data from the state registry), including 17.9% MHPs. In the ACC, between 2018 and 2022 (CART became available in 2018), 1492 patients with LBCL were treated, and 194 received CART19. The proportion of MHPs was 15.7% for the entire LBCL cohort but only 6.7% for the CART19 cohort. During the same time, in the KCI catchment area, 4568 patients were diagnosed with NHL, including 4.2% MHPs. In the KCI, 396 patients with LBCL were treated, and 47 received CART19. The proportion of MHPs was 6.6% for the entire LBCL cohort and 4.2% for the CART19 cohort. The 3-month response, survival, and toxicities after CART19 infusion showed similar results, although the number of patients who were treated was limited., Conclusions: This study shows that the access of MHPs to tertiary centers for LBCL care was preserved but appeared reduced for commercial CART19 immunotherapy. Although clinical outcomes of MHPs seemed similar to those of non-MHPs, the small sample size precludes drawing firm conclusions. Further studies are needed. (Funded by the Laffey McHugh Foundation and others.).

Indigenous Peoples are reimagining their relationship with research and researchers through greater self-determination and involvement in research governance. The emerging discourse around Indigenous Data Sovereignty has provoked discussions about decolonizing data practices and highlighted the importance of Indigenous Data Governance to support Indigenous decision-making and control of data. Given that much data are generated from research, Indigenous research governance and Indigenous Data Governance overlap. In this paper, we broaden the concept of Indigenous Data Sovereignty by using the CARE Principles for Indigenous Data Governance to discuss how research legislation and policy adopted by Indigenous Peoples in the US set expectations around recognizing sovereign relationships, acknowledging rights and interests in data, and enabling Indigenous Peoples' participation in research governance., Competing Interests: The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest., (Copyright © 2023 Garba, Sterling, Plevel, Carson, Cordova-Marks, Cummins, Curley, David-Chavez, Fernandez, Hiraldo, Hiratsuka, Hudson, Jäger, Jennings, Martinez, Yracheta, Garrison and Carroll.)

Context: The Healthy Diné Nation Act (HDNA) of 2014 included a 2% tax on foods of little-to-no-nutritious value ("junk foods") on the Navajo Nation. The law was the first ever in the United States and any Indigenous nation worldwide with a population at a high risk for common nutrition-related conditions. To date, research on community support for food tax legislation among Indigenous nations is entirely lacking., Objective: To assess the extent of support for the HDNA and factors associated with support including sociodemographic variables, knowledge of the HDNA, nutrition intake, and pricing preferences., Design: Cross-sectional survey., Setting: The Navajo Nation., Participants: A total of 234 Navajo Nation community members across 21 communities., Outcome Measures: The percentage of participants who were supportive of the HDNA., Results: Participants were 97% Navajo, on average middle-aged, 67% reported an income below $25 000 annually, and 69.7% were female. Half of the respondents said they "support" (37.4%) or "strongly support" (13.0%) the tax, while another 35% of people said they were neutral or somewhat supportive; 15% did not support the tax. Participants with higher income ( P = .025) and education ( P = .026) and understanding of the legislation ( P < .001 for "very well" vs "not at all") had increased odds of greater support, as did people who believed that the HDNA would make Navajo people healthier (vs not, P < .001). Age, gender, language, and reported nutrition intake (healthy or unhealthy) were not associated with HDNA support, but participants willing to pay 5% or 12%-15% higher prices for fast food and soda had increased odds of greater support ( P values range from .023 to <.001)., Conclusions: The majority of Navajo community members surveyed were moderately supportive of the Navajo Nation tax on unhealthy foods. Higher income and education and understanding of the law were associated with greater support, but nutrition intake was not., Competing Interests: The authors declare no conflict of interest., (Copyright © 2023 The Authors. Published by Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc.)

Background: Malnutrition has been linked with higher risk of poor outcomes post-allogeneic stem cell transplantation (alloSCT); however, few studies have used a validated nutrition assessment tool such as the Patient Generated Subjective Global Assessment (i.e., PG-SGA) to measure nutritional status and investigate associations with long-term clinical outcomes. The present study aimed to assess the incidence of malnutrition prior to alloSCT and determine whether there was an association between nutritional status pre-transplant and post-transplant clinical outcomes including acute kidney injury, graft-versus-host disease, intensive care admission, need for haemodialysis and survival., Methods: A retrospective analysis of 362 patients (213 males:149 females, mean ± SD age = 47.8 ± 14.1 years) who underwent alloSCT from 2008 to 2013 was conducted. Data on clinical outcomes were obtained for 5 years post-transplant., Results: Fifteen percent (n = 56) of patients were identified as malnourished pre-admission. Malnutrition was associated with longer hospital stay (p = 0.007), increased requirement for haemodialysis (p = 0.016) and increased admissions to the intensive care unit (p = 0.003). There was no association between malnutrition and acute kidney injury, graft-versus-host disease or survival. Following multivariate analyses, malnutrition remained significantly associated with increased admission rates to the intensive care unit (odds ratio = 3.8, 95% confidence interval = 1.3-10.5, p = 0.011) and increased length of hospital stay > 30 days (odds ratio = 3.6. 95% confidence interval = 1.8-7.4, p ≤ 0.001)., Conclusions: These findings add importance to the need for nutrition screening and assessment to be routinely undertaken for patients prior to alloSCT and throughout hospitalisation to provide early nutrition intervention for the prevention of malnutrition, poor clinical outcomes and increased healthcare costs., (© 2022 The British Dietetic Association Ltd.)

Background: Drug use during pregnancy can have implications for maternal and fetal morbidity and mortality and legal ramifications for patients. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists guideline states that drug screening policies during pregnancy should be applied equally to all people and notes that biological screening is not necessary, stating that verbal screening is adequate. Despite this guidance, institutions do not consistently implement urine drug screening policies that reduce biased testing and mitigate legal risks to the patient., Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the effects of a standardized urine drug testing policy in labor and delivery on the number of drug tests performed, self-reported racial makeup of those tested, provider-reported testing indications, and neonatal outcomes., Study Design: This was a retrospective cohort study. A urine drug screening and testing policy was introduced in December 2019. The electronic medical record was queried for the number of urine drug tests performed on patients admitted to the labor and delivery unit from January 1, 2019, to April 30, 2019. The number of urine drug tests performed between January 1, 2019, and April 30, 2019, was compared with the number of urine drug tests performed between January 1, 2020, and April 30, 2020. The primary outcome was the proportion of urine drug tests performed based on race before and after the implementation of a drug testing policy. The secondary outcomes included total number of drug tests, Finnegan scores (a proxy for the neonatal abstinence syndrome), and testing indications. To understand perceived testing indications, pre- and postintervention provider surveys were administered. Chi-square and Fisher exact tests were used to compare categorical variables. The Wilcoxon rank-sum test was used to compare nonparametric data. The Student t test and 1-way analysis of variance were used to compare means. Multivariable logistic regression was used to construct an adjusted model that included covariates., Results: In 2019, Black patients were more likely to undergo urine drug testing than White patients, even after adjusting for insurance status (adjusted odds ratio, 3.4; confidence interval, 1.55-7.32). In 2020, there was no difference in testing based on race after adjusting for insurance status (adjusted odds ratio, 1.3; confidence interval, 0.55-2.95). There was a reduction in the number of drug tests performed between January 2019 and April 2019 compared with between January 2020 and April 2020 (137 vs 71; P<.001). This was not accompanied by a statistically significant change in the incidence of neonatal abstinence syndrome measured by mean Finnegan scores (P=.4). Before the implementation of a drug testing policy, 68% of providers requested patient consent for testing; after the implementation of a drug testing policy, 93% requested patient consent for testing (P=.002)., Conclusion: The implementation of a urine drug testing policy improved consent for testing and reduced disparities in testing based on race and the overall rate of drug testing without affecting neonatal outcomes., (Copyright © 2023 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Introduction: The Navajo Nation is a large sovereign tribal nation. After several years of grassroots efforts and overcoming an initial presidential veto, the Navajo Nation passed the Healthy Diné Nation Act (HDNA) in 2014 to promote healthy behaviors in Navajo communities. This was the first such policy in the US and in any sovereign tribal nation worldwide., Purpose and Objectives: The objective of this study was to describe the process, implementation, and evaluation of the HDNA passage and its 2020 reauthorization and the potential for using existing and tribal-specific data to inform tribal policy making., Intervention Approach: The HDNA included a 2% tax on unhealthy foods sold on the Navajo Nation and waived a 6% sales tax on healthy foods. HDNA-generated funds were allocated to 110 local communities for wellness projects. No funds were allocated for enforcement or compliance., Evaluation Methods: We assessed HDNA tax revenue and tax-funded wellness projects in 110 chapters over time, by region and community size. The food store environment was assessed for fidelity of HDNA implementation, price changes since pretax levels, and shopper behaviors. HDNA revenue was cross-matched with baseline nutrition behaviors and health status through a Navajo-specific Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System survey., Results: HDNA revenue decreased modestly annually, and 99% of revenue was disbursed to local chapters, mostly for the built recreational environment, education, equipment, and social events. Stores implemented the 2% tax accurately, and the food store environment improved modestly. Regions with high tax revenue also had high rates of diabetes, but not other chronic conditions. The HDNA was reauthorized in 2020., Implications for Public Health: Sovereign tribal nations can drive their own health policy. Program evaluation can use existing data sources, tailored data collection efforts, and tribal-specific surveys to gain insight into feasibility, implementation, and impact.

In 2014, the Navajo Nation Healthy Diné Nation Act (HDNA) was enacted and permanently approved in 2020; HDNA places a 2% surtax on unhealthy foods and beverages, while other 2014 legislation exempted healthy food items from the 6% regular sales tax. Little is known about Navajo Nation store manager/owner perspectives toward the HDNA and how best to support stores to implement the legislation. Purposive sampling was used to ensure a balanced sample of correct HDNA implementers, incorrect HDNA implementers, and stores which made healthy store changes over the past 6 years. Three community-based interviewers collected surveys by phone or in-person. Frequency of closed-ended questions was quantified, and open-ended responses were coded using thematic analysis. Of 29 identified sample stores, 20 were interviewed to reach saturation. Eleven of 20 stores made changes improving their healthy food environments. Barriers included lack of equipment (6/20) and low consumer demand (5/20). Facilitators included consumer awareness and increased produce supply options (5/20). Sixteen of 20 stores supported HDNA continuation. Facilitators to HDNA implementation included orientation and informational materials (6/20) and promotion of tax-free items (5/20). Barriers included confusion about the tax (6/20) and tax exemption (5/20). Suggestions for support included printed materials (6/20) and store training (5/20). HDNA benefits included greater awareness of healthy choices among staff (7/20) and customer-community members (2/20). Most managers and owners expressed receiving support for healthy store changes and HDNA, but also identified a need for added resources and support. Findings inform legislative action to promote timely and appropriate uptake of HDNA, and support equitable, healthy food systems.

On April 8, 2020, the Navajo Nation issued an administrative order limiting business operations. Facing high coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) rates and limited food infrastructure, a survey was conducted among Navajo Nation store managers to assess: (1) COVID-19 adaptations; (2) challenges; (3) changes in customer volume and purchasing; and (4) suggestions for additional support. Purposive sampling identified 29 stores in Navajo communities. Representatives from 20 stores (19 store managers/owners, 1 other; 7 grocery, and 13 convenience/other stores) were interviewed by phone or in-person to reach saturation (new information threshold < 5%). Responses were coded using frequencies and inductive thematic analysis. All 20 stores implemented COVID-19 guidelines (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention [CDC]/Navajo Nation) and most received orientation/support from local chapters, community organizations, or health centers. Stores implemented staff policies (50%, handwashing, vaccinations, protective personal equipment (PPE), sick leave, temperature checks), environmental changes (50%, hand sanitizer, checkout dividers), customer protocols (40%, limit customers, mask requirements, closed restrooms), and deep cleaning (40%). Most stores (65%) reported challenges including stress/anxiety, changing guidelines, supply chain and customer compliance; 30% reported infection or loss of staff. Weekday customer volume was slightly higher vs. pre-COVID, but weekend lower. Stores reported consistent or more healthy food purchases (50%), more nonfood essentials (20%), or shelf-stable foods (10%). Desired support included further orientation (30%), leadership support (20%), overtime/time to learn guidelines (20%), and signage/handouts (15%). Despite a high COVID-19 burden and limited food store infrastructure, Navajo Nation stores adapted by implementing staff, environmental and customer policies. Local support, staffing, and small store offerings were key factors in healthy food access.

The COVID-19 pandemic led to the creation of a new protest movement, positioned against government lockdowns, mandatory vaccines, and related measures. Efforts to control misinformation by digital platforms resulted in take downs of key accounts and posts. This led some of these protest groups to migrate to platforms with less stringent content moderation policies, such as Telegram. Telegram has also been one of the destinations of the far right, whose deplatforming from mainstream platforms began a few years ago. Given the co-existence of these two movements on Telegram, the article examines their connections. Empirically, the article focused on Irish Telegram groups and channels, identifying relevant protest movements and collecting their posts. Using computational social science methods, we examine whether far-right terms and discourses are present and how this varies across different clusters of Telegram Covid-19 protest groups. In addition, we examine which actors are posting far-right content and what kind of roles they play in the network of Telegram groups. The findings indicate the presence of far-right discourses among the COVID-19 groups. However, the existence of these groups was not solely driven by the extreme right, and the incidence of far-right discourses was not equal across all COVID-19 protest groups. We interpret these findings under the prism of the mediation opportunity structure: while the far right appears to have taken advantage of the network opportunity structure afforded by deplatforming and the migration to Telegram, it did not succeed in diffusing its ideas widely among the COVID-19 protest groups in the Irish Telegram., Competing Interests: The author(s) declared no potential conflicts of interest with respect to the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article., (© The Author(s) 2022.)