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Anwar E Ahmed,1 Callista B Martin,2 Bassam Dahman,3 Gregory T Chesnut,4,5 Sean Q Kern4,5 1Department of Preventive Medicine and Biostatistics, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, MD, USA; 2School of Medicine, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, MD, USA; 3Department of Health Behavior and Policy, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, USA; 4Department of Surgery, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, MD, USA; 5Center for Prostate Disease Research, Murtha Cancer Center, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, MD, USACorrespondence: Anwar E Ahmed, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, 4301 Jones Bridge Road A-1039D, Bethesda, MD, 20814, USA, Tel +1 301-295-9756, Email anwar.ahmed@usuhs.eduBackground: Research suggests inconsistent evidence regarding the association between general obesity and prostate cancer among men in the United States. This study aimed to examine whether the association between general obesity and prostate cancer is influenced by abdominal obesity and ethnic groups.Methods: The study utilized data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES). The analysis was restricted to non-Hispanic men (10,683 White and 6,020 Black). Obesity was defined as body mass index (BMI) ≥ 30 and abdominal obesity as waist circumference (WC) ≥ 102 cm.Results: No significant difference was identified in the overall prevalence of prostate cancer between obese and non-obese (2.14% vs 2.25%, P = 0.678). When both obesity measures were combined, the general and abdominal obesity category was associated with a significant increase in the odds of prostate cancer in Black men [odds ratio (OR) = 1.49, 95% confidence interval (CI) (1.09, 2.04)], but not in White men [OR = 1.29, 95% CI (0.91, 1.82)]. In both Black [OR = 2.46, 95% CI (1.48, 4.06)] and White men [OR = 1.60, 95% CI (1.16, 2.21)], abdominal obesity was associated with significant increase in the odds of prostate cancer.Conclusion: The association between general obesity and prevalence of prostate cancer depends on abdominal obesity and ethnic groups. Our study utilized a nationally representative survey and emphasized the potential of combined effect of general and abdominal obesity as a modifiable factor to decrease racial disparity in prostate cancer screening and poor outcomes.Keywords: prostate cancer, waist circumference, obesity, Black men, racial disparity

Background: The accuracy of administrative codes to capture patients with both primary biliary cholangitis (PBC) and cirrhosis could be challenging because of the potential for incorrect coding due to the old nomenclature "Primary Biliary Cirrhosis." Therefore, the aim of this study was to examine the positive predictive value (PPV) of International Classification of Diseases (ICD) codes for PBC and cirrhosis., Methods: This was a retrospective cohort study using data from the VA Corporate Data Warehouse. Eligibility criteria included adult patients diagnosed to have PBC and cirrhosis based on one inpatient or two outpatient ICD 9 or 10 codes, and were validated against chart review of each participant., Results: We identified 1408 patients who were found to have ICD codes for both cirrhosis and PBC. The ICD 9/10 codes for PBC and cirrhosis had a PPV of 0.75 (95% CI 0.73-0.75) for cirrhosis, 0.75 for PBC (95% CI 0.73-0.78), and 0.52 (0.50-0.55) for PBC and cirrhosis. When portal hypertension was combined with ICD 9/10 codes, the PPV of cirrhosis improved to 0.92 (0.90-0.94), and that of PBC cirrhosis improved to 0.64 (0.60-0.67). By combining ICD 9/10 codes for portal hypertension and receipt of ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA), the PPV for cirrhosis improved to 0.91 (0.88-0.94), PBC increased to 0.78 (0.74-0.82), and that for PBC cirrhosis to 0.69 (0.65-0.74)., Conclusions: In a large national cohort, the use of ICD 9/10 codes had modest reliability for identifying participants with PBC and cirrhosis. The PPV for cirrhosis can be improved by incorporating ICD 9/10 codes for portal hypertension with receipt of UDCA., (© 2024 The Author(s). Pharmacoepidemiology and Drug Safety published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.)

Purpose: Less than 50% of people with HIV (PWH) in the United States are retained in care, a key step along the HIV care continuum. We examined the impact of geographic access to care on retention in care for urban and rural PWH., Methods: We used Medicaid claims and clinician data (Medicaid Analytic eXtract and MAX Provider Characteristics, 2009-2012) for 13 Southern states plus the District of Columbia. We calculated drive time from the enrollees' ZIP Code Tabulation Area to their usual source of care. We used generalized estimating equations to examine the association between drive time to care >30 min (versus ≤30 min) and retention in care, overall and stratified by rurality. In sensitivity analysis, we examined the definition of retention in care, states included in the analysis, and enrollee- and care-related characteristics., Findings: The sample included 49,596 PWH. Overall, the association between drive time >30 min and retention was significant, but small (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 1.01, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.00, 1.01) and was not significant in urban areas; however, the significance and direction of the association differed in sensitivity analysis. In rural areas, driving >30 min to care was associated with 7% higher odds of retention in care (aOR 1.07, 95% CI 1.05, 1.08) and this association remained significant and positive in nearly all sensitivity analyses., Conclusions: For PWH in rural areas, greater drive time is consistently associated with greater retention in care. Disentangling the mechanisms of this relationship is a future research priority., (© 2024 The Author(s). The Journal of Rural Health published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of National Rural Health Association.)

Background: Hepatitis Delta Virus (HDV) infection is the most severe form of chronic hepatitis. However, studies on outcomes and causes of death in a United States-born population, with primarily horizontal transmission of HDV, are lacking. The aim of this study was to conduct a national study of patients with hepatitis D to understand the natural history and outcomes compared to patients with hepatitis B virus (HBV). infection., Methods: In a national cohort of 4,817 HBV infected veterans tested for HDV (99.6% US-born, 3.3% HDV positive) over a 23-year period, we used multivariable models to identify the factors associated with a composite outcome of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), decompensation, and liver-related mortality (LRM), as well as all-cause mortality of patients with HDV compared to HBV mono-infection., Results: HDV coinfection (vs. HBV monoinfection) was associated with a significantly higher incidence of composite liver-related outcomes at both 5 (23.84 vs. 7.98, p<0.001), and 10 years (19.14 vs. 10.18, p<0.001) respectively. The most common cause of death was liver-related (33.8% for HDV vs. 24.7% for HBV), followed by non-hepatic malignancies, (15.6 vs. 14.8%),cardiac (11.7 vs. 15.2%), and lung disease (5.2 vs. 3.7%). In multivariable models, HDV was associated with an increased risk of composite liver outcomes (aHR 2.57, 95% CI 1.87-3.52, p<0.001), and all-cause mortality (aHR 1.52, 95% CI 1.20-1.93, p<0.001)., Conclusion: In a predominantly U.S born cohort of Veterans, HDV co-infection was associated with an increased risk of liver-related outcomes and all-cause mortality. Our findings support widespread testing for early identification of HDV., (Copyright © 2024 American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases.)

Tobacco retail outlet (TRO) density has been associated with increased cotinine levels in pregnant persons and their children. As such, the higher densities of TROs may represent higher levels of active smoking during pregnancy. The purpose of this study is to simulate the reduction in cotinine (a biomarker of smoke exposure) and health care utilization that could occur in pregnant persons under enactment of several candidate TRO reduction policy recommendations. Using existing retail outlet data from the state of North Carolina and from the Newborn Epigenetic Study (NEST), the present study created hypothetical policy-informed datasets of TROs that a) limited the number of TROs to the same density as the 2014 San Francisco (SF) policy (Policy 1), b) set the minimum distance to 500 feet between TROs from a school and from other TROs (Policy 2), c) restricted the types of TROs to exclude pharmacies (Policy 3), and d) a combination of Policies 1-3 (Policy 4). We estimated the effects of each policy individually and in a separate model with their combined effects in terms of the reduction on cotinine levels and health care utilization, as measured by number of visits to the emergency department (ED). We found that the hypothetical policies were likely to be effective in reducing maternal cotinine and ED visits, with the majority of the mothers in the dataset demonstrating reductions in these outcomes after implementation of the policies. We found that Policy 1 led to moderate reductions in TRO exposure for the majority of the sample as well as stratified by race/ethnicity. Additionally, Policy 4 had slightly larger estimated effects than Policy 1, but could be more onerous to implement in practice. Overall, we identified evidence supporting the efficacy of TRO reduction strategies that could impact smoke exposure during pregnancy in our diverse sample in North Carolina., (© 2024. The Author(s).)

Introduction: Identifying health care utilization and costs associated with active and passive smoking during pregnancy could help improve health management strategies., Methods: Data are from the Newborn Epigenetics STudy (NEST), a birth cohort enrolled from 2005-2011 in Durham and adjacent counties in North Carolina, United States. Participants included those for whom prenatal serum samples were assayed and for whom administrative data were obtainable (N=1,045). Zero-inflated Poisson (ZIP) regression models were used to assess associations between cotinine, adjusted for covariates (e.g., race and ethnicity, age at delivery, cohabitation status, education), and health care utilization outcomes. Generalized linear regression models were used to estimate average total charges. Simulation models were conducted to determine the economic benefits of reducing SHS and smoking during pregnancy., Results: Increasing levels of cotinine were positively associated with parent's number of ED visits (coefficient(b)=0.0012, standard error (SE)=0.0002; P<.001), the number of ICU hours (b=0.0079, SE=0.0025; P=.002)), time spent in the ICU (b=0.0238, SE=0.0020, P<.001), and the number of OP visits (b=0.0003, SE=0.0001; P<.001). For infants, higher cotinine levels were associated with higher number of ED (b=0.0012, SE=0.0004; P=.005), ICU (b=0.0050, SE=0.001; P<.001), and OP (b=0.0006, SE=0.0002; P<.001) visits and longer time spent in the ED (b=0.0025, SE=0.0003; P<.001), ICU (b=0.0005, SE=0.0001; P<.001), and IP (b=0.0020, SE=0.0002; P<.001). Simulation results showed that a 5% reduction in smoking would correspond to a potential median cost savings of $150,533 from ED visits of parents and infants., Conclusion: Our findings highlight the importance of smoke exposure cessation during pregnancy to reduce health care utilization and costs for both parents and infants., Implications: This study reinforces the importance of reducing smoking and secondhand smoke exposure during pregnancy. Focusing on expanding cessation services to this group could help reduce morbidities observed within this population. Furthermore, there is the potential for health care costs savings to health care systems, especially to those with high delivery numbers. These cost savings are represented by potential reductions in ED, OP, and ICU hours and visits., (© The Author(s) 2024. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the Society for Research on Nicotine and Tobacco. All rights reserved. For commercial re-use, please contact reprints@oup.com for reprints and translation rights for reprints. All other permissions can be obtained through our RightsLink service via the Permissions link on the article page on our site—for further information please contact journals.permissions@oup.com.)

Background: The low prevalence of HDV infection in the United States could be attributed to insufficient testing rate, which can result in an underestimation of the true burden of HDV. The primary objective of this study is to quantify the prevalence of and factors associated with HDV antibody (anti-HDV) or RNA testing, among participants with positive HBsAg in the Veterans Health Administration (VHA)., Methods: We conducted a retrospective cohort study of participants who tested positive for HBsAg between January 2000 and December 2022 within the VHA. We identified those who were tested for HDV, and patient and provider-level factors associated with HDV testing., Results: Of 41,658 participants with positive HBsAg who had follow-up, 4438 (10.7%) were tested at least once for HDV, of which 135 (3.0%) were positive. Participants in the Northeast (adjusted odds ratio [aOR]: 1.30, 95% CI: 1.17-1.44, p<0.001), and receiving hepatology care (aOR: 1.38, 95% CI: 1.24-1.54, p<0.001) were more likely, while those in the Midwest (aOR: 0.69, 95% CI: 0.60-0.79, p<0.001), under the care of a primary care provider (aOR: 0.61, 95% CI: 0.50-0.74, p<0.001), Blacks (aOR: 0.85, 95% CI: 0.77-0.94, p=0.001), participants who were HCV antibody-positive (aOR: 0.89, 95% CI: 0.81-0.99, p=0.03), and participants who were HIV-positive (aOR: 0.80, 95% CI: 0.71-0.90, p<0.001) were less likely to be tested for HDV., Conclusions: HDV screening rates in the VHA remain low overall. Participants who are Black, living in the Midwest, patients who are HIV-positive, and patients who are HCV-positive are less likely to be tested for HDV. These results suggest that risk-based screening strategies are ineffective in the VHA and highlight the need for refining testing strategies to increase HDV screening rates., (Copyright © 2024 The Author(s). Published by Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc. on behalf of the American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases.)

HIV status awareness is critical for ending the HIV epidemic but remains low in high-HIV-risk and hard-to-reach sub-populations. Targeted, efficient interventions are needed to improve HIV test-uptake. We examined the incremental cost-effectiveness of offering the choice of self-administered oral HIV-testing (HIVST-Choice) compared with provider-administered testing only [standard-of-care (SOC)] among long-distance truck drivers. Effectiveness data came from a randomized-controlled trial conducted at two roadside wellness clinics in Kenya (HIVST-Choice arm, n = 150; SOC arm, n = 155). Economic cost data came from the literature, reflected a societal perspective and were reported in 2020 international dollars (I$), a hypothetical currency with equivalent purchasing power as the US dollar. Generalized Poisson and linear gamma regression models were used to estimate effectiveness and incremental costs, respectively; incremental effectiveness was reported as the number of long-distance truck drivers needing to receive HIVST-Choice for an additional HIV test-uptake. We calculated the incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER) of HIVST-Choice compared with SOC and estimated 95% confidence intervals (CIs) using non-parametric bootstrapping. Uncertainty was assessed using deterministic sensitivity analysis and the cost-effectiveness acceptability curve. HIV test-uptake was 23% more likely for HIVST-Choice, with six individuals needing to be offered HIVST-Choice for an additional HIV test-uptake. The mean per-patient cost was nearly 4-fold higher in HIVST-Choice (I$39.28) versus SOC (I$10.80), with an ICER of I$174.51, 95% CI [165.72, 194.59] for each additional test-uptake. HIV self-test kit and cell phone service costs were the main drivers of the ICER, although findings were robust even at highest possible costs. The probability of cost-effectiveness approached 1 at a willingness-to-pay of I$200 for each additional HIV test-uptake. HIVST-Choice improves HIV-test-uptake among truck drivers at low willingness-to-pay thresholds, suggesting that HIV self-testing is an efficient use of resources. Policies supporting HIV self-testing in similar high risk, hard-to-reach sub-populations may expedite achievement of international targets., (© The Author(s) 2024. Published by Oxford University Press in association with The London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine.)

Background & Aims: Patients with cirrhosis secondary to chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) are at risk for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) despite a sustained virological response (SVR). We examined whether post-SVR liver stiffness measurement (LSM) could be used to stratify HCC risk., Methods: This was a retrospective cohort study of 1850 participants identified from the Veterans Health Administration, with HCV cirrhosis and SVR, followed up over 5099 person-years, from the time of post-SVR elastography until death, HCC, or the end of the study., Results: The risk of HCC increased by 3% with every 1-kPa increase in LSM (adjusted hazard ratio [aHR], 1.03, 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.01-1.04; P < .001) and decreased with the number of years from SVR (aHR, 0.79; 95% CI, 0.70-0.90; P = .0003). The adjusted annual risk of HCC was 2.03% among participants with post-SVR LSM <10 kPa, 2.48% in LSM 10-14.9 kPa (aHR, 1.71; 95% CI, 1.01-2.88; P = .046), 3.22% for LSM 15-19.9 kPa (aHR, 1.59; 95% CI, 0.78-3.20; P = .20), 5.07% among LSM 20-24.9 kPa (aHR, 2.55; 95% CI, 1.30-5.01; P = .01), and 5.44% in LSM ≥25 kPa (aHR, 3.03; 95% CI, 1.74-5.26; P < .0001). The adjusted annual risk of HCC was < 0.4% in participants with LSM <5 kPa and without diabetes mellitus., Conclusions: LSM predicts rates of HCC in patients with HCV cirrhosis after SVR at multiple cutoff levels and offers a single test to predict portal hypertension-related complications and HCC. Patients with LSM <5 kPa in the absence of diabetes mellitus had a low risk of HCC in which surveillance could be discontinued., (Published by Elsevier Inc.)

Background: Colorectal cancer screening rates remain suboptimal, particularly among low-income populations. Our objective was to evaluate the long-term effects of Medicaid expansion on colorectal cancer screening., Design, Setting, and Participants: This cross-sectional study analyzed data from 354,384 individuals aged 50-64 with an income below 400% of the federal poverty level (FPL), who participated in the Behavioral Risk Factors Surveillance System from 2010 to 2018. A difference-in-difference analysis was employed to estimate the effect of Medicaid expansion on colorectal cancer screening. Subgroup analyses were conducted for individuals with income up to 138% of the FPL and those with income between 139% and 400% of the FPL. The effect of Medicaid expansion on colorectal cancer screening was examined during the early, mid, and late expansion periods., Main Outcomes and Measures: The primary outcome was the likelihood of receiving colorectal cancer screening for low-income adults aged 50-64., Results: Medicaid expansion was associated with a significant 1.7 percentage point increase in colorectal cancer screening rates among adults aged 50-64 with income below 400% of the FPL (p < 0.05). A significant 2.9 percentage point increase in colorectal cancer screening was observed for those with income up to 138% the FPL (p < 0.05), while a 1.5 percentage point increase occurred for individuals with income between 139% and 400% of the FPL. The impact of Medicaid expansion on colorectal cancer screening varied based on income levels and displayed a time lag for newly eligible beneficiaries., Conclusions: Medicaid expansion was found to be associated with increased colorectal cancer screening rates among low-income individuals aged 50-64. The observed variations in impact based on income levels and the time lag for newly eligible beneficiaries receiving colorectal cancer screening highlight the need for further research and precision public health strategies to maximize the benefits of Medicaid expansion on colorectal cancer screening rates., (© 2024 The Authors. Cancer Medicine published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.)

Background and Aims: Although refractory hepatic hydrothorax (RH) is a serious complication of cirrhosis, waitlisted patients do not receive standardized Model for End-stage Liver Disease (MELD) exemption because of inadequate evidence suggesting mortality above biochemical MELD. This study aimed to examine liver-related death (LRD) associated with RH compared to refractory ascites (RA)., Approach and Results: This was a retrospective cohort study of Veterans with cirrhosis. Eligibility criteria included participants with RH or RA, followed from their first therapeutic thoracentesis/second paracentesis until death or transplantation. The primary outcome was LRD with non-LRD or transplantation as competing risk. Of 2552 patients with cirrhosis who underwent therapeutic thoracentesis/paracentesis, 177 met criteria for RH and 422 for RA. RH was associated with a significantly higher risk of LRD (adjusted HR [aHR] 4.63, 95% CI 3.31-6.48) than RA overall and within all MELD-sodium (MELD-Na) strata (<10 aHR 4.08, 95% CI 2.30-7.24, 10-14.9 aHR 5.68, 95% CI 2.63-12.28, 15-24.9 aHR 4.14, 95% CI 2.34-7.34, ≥25 aHR 7.75, 95% CI 2.99-20.12). LRD was higher among participants requiring 1 (aHR 3.54, 95% CI 2.29-5.48), 2-3 (aHR 4.39, 95% CI 2.91-6.63), and ≥4 (aHR 7.89, 95% CI 4.82-12.93) thoracenteses relative to RA. Although participants with RH and RA had similar baseline MELD-Na, LRD occurred in RH versus RA at a lower MELD-Na (16.5 vs. 21.82, p =0.002) but higher MELD 3.0 (27.85 vs. 22.48, p <0.0001)., Conclusions: RH was associated with higher risk of LRD than RA at equivalent MELD-Na. By contrast, MELD 3.0 may better predict risk of LRD in RH., (Copyright © 2023 American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases.)

Background: The Together for Health-Virginia (T4H-VA) Research Program aimed to advance cancer prevention, education, and outreach in Virginia. Creating a representative and inclusive cohort is critical to the program's mission and quality of outcomes. The T4H-VA Research Program utilized a multi-modal sampling approach to improve population health assessment. The current study describes the technology-based, non-probability platform developed for this purpose and compares differences between the probability-based (mail-based) and non-probability-based (e-cohort) methods with respect to participant demographics, health characteristics, and health information and technology use., Methods: T4H-VA is a research registry focusing on 54 counties within the Massey Comprehensive Cancer Center (MCCC) catchment area in Richmond, VA. Adult residents proficient in English were eligible. For the probability-based sampling, surveys were mailed to residents within the catchment area. For the non-probability sampling, an online study platform was developed and surveys were completed through the web/mobile app., Results: Both cohorts fell short of recruitment goals. The study yielded 1158 participants (M=57, SD=16 years; 55.0% female; 72.1% White); 899 (77.6%) were sampled through the probability, mail-based approach. Participants who identified as "other" race were significantly less likely to be sampled by the non-probability method. Significant differences emerged, including health protective (greater moderate and high physical activity) and risk factors (greater alcohol consumption and personal history of cancer) in the non-probability, e-cohort relative to the probability sample. E-Cohort participants were significantly more likely to report using electronic health records., Discussion: Overall difficulties in recruiting were caused, at least in part, by the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic and related factors. The e-cohort, which used exclusively digital recruitment strategies, fell significantly short of recruitment goals. This suggests in-person and mail-based strategies remain important for recruitment. Moreover, instead of favoring a singular approach, a combined approach to survey sampling may capitalize on the strengths of each sampling mode to increase diversity in sociodemographic and health risk characteristics., Competing Interests: Conflicts of Interest SS and AM are employees at Vibrent Health, Inc. The remaining authors have no affiliations or involvement in any organization or entity with any financial interests in the subject matter or materials discussed in this manuscript.

In the United States, people living with HIV (PLWH) in rural areas fare worse along the HIV care continuum than their urban counterparts; this may be due in part to limited geographic access to care. We estimated drive time to care for PLWH, focusing on urban-rural differences. Adult Medicaid enrollees living with HIV and their usual care clinicians were identified using administrative claims data from 14 states (Medicaid Analytic eXtract, 2009-2012). We used geographic network analysis to calculate one-way drive time from the enrollee's ZIP code tabulation area centroid to their clinician's practice address, then examined urban-rural differences using bivariate statistics. Additional analyses included altering the definition of rurality; examining subsamples based on the state of residence, services received, and clinician specialty; and adjusting for individual and county characteristics. Across n  = 49,596 PLWH, median drive time to care was 12.8 min (interquartile range 26.3). Median drive time for rural enrollees (43.6 (82.0)) was nearly four times longer than for urban enrollees (11.9 (20.6) minutes, p  < 0.0001), and drive times exceeded one hour for 38% of rural enrollees (versus 12% of urban, p  < 0.0001). Urban-rural disparities remained in all additional analyses. Sustained efforts to circumvent limited geographic access to care are critical for rural areas.

Background and Aims: Studies have demonstrated that reducing farnesoid X receptor activity with ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) downregulates angiotensin-converting enzyme in human lung, intestinal and cholangiocytes organoids in vitro, in human lungs and livers perfused ex situ, reducing internalization of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) into the host cell. This offers a potential novel target against coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). The objective of our study was to compare the association between UDCA exposure and SARS-CoV-2 infection, as well as varying severities of COVID-19, in a large national cohort of participants with cirrhosis., Methods: In this retrospective cohort study among participants with cirrhosis in the Veterans Outcomes and Costs Associated with Liver cohort, we compared participants with exposure to UDCA, with a propensity score (PS) matched group of participants without UDCA exposure, matched for clinical characteristics, and vaccination status. The outcomes included SARS-CoV-2 infection, symptomatic, at least moderate, severe, or critical COVID-19, and COVID-19-related death., Results: We compared 1607 participants with cirrhosis who were on UDCA, with 1607 PS-matched controls. On multivariable logistic regression, UDCA exposure was associated with reduced odds of developing SARS-CoV-2 infection (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 0.54, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.41-0.71, p < 0.0001). Among patients who developed COVID-19, UDCA use was associated with reduced disease severity, including symptomatic COVID-19 (aOR 0.54, 95% CI 0.39-0.73, p < 0.0001), at least moderate COVID-19 (aOR 0.51, 95% CI 0.32-0.81, p = 0.005), and severe or critical COVID-19 (aOR 0.48, 95% CI 0.25-0.94, p = 0.03)., Conclusions: In participants with cirrhosis, UDCA exposure was associated with both a decrease in SARS-CoV-2 infection, and reduction in symptomatic, at least moderate, and severe/critical COVID-19., (© 2023 The Association for the Publication of the Journal of Internal Medicine.)

Background: Surveillance mammography is recommended annually for early detection of disease relapse among breast cancer survivors; yet Black women have poorer national rates of surveillance mammography compared to White women. Factors that influence racial disparities in surveillance mammography rates are poorly understood. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the contribution of health care access, socioeconomic status, and perceived health status on adherence to surveillance mammography among breast cancer survivors., Methods: This is a secondary analysis of a cross-sectional survey among Black and White women ≥ 18 years, who reported a breast cancer diagnosis and completed breast surgery and adjuvant treatment from the 2016 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System National Survey (BRFSS). Bivariate associations (chi-squared, t-test) for independent variables (e.g., health insurance, marital status) were analyzed with adherence to nationally recommended surveillance guidelines defined as two levels: adherent (received a mammogram in the last 12 months), vs. non- adherent ("received a mammogram in the last 2-5 years, 5 or more years or unsure). Multivariable logistic regression models were used to evaluate the relationship between study variables with adherence, while adjusting for potential confounders., Results: Of 963 breast cancer survivors, 91.7% were White women with an average age of 65. 71.7% reported a surveillance mammogram in the last 12 months, while 28.2% did not. Diagnosed > 5 years (p < 0.001); not having a routine checkup visit within 12 months (p = 0.045); and not seeing a doctor when needed due to cost (p = 0.026), were significantly related to survivor's non-adherence to surveillance mammography guidelines. A significant interaction was found between race and residential area (p < 0.001). Compared to White women, Black women living in metropolitan/suburban residential areas were more likely to receive surveillance guidelines (OR:3.77;95% CI: 1.32-10.81); however Black women living in non-metropolitan areas were less likely to receive a surveillance mammogram compared to White women living in non-metropolitan areas (OR: 0.04; 95% CI: 0.00-0.50)., Conclusion: Findings from our study further explain the impact of socioeconomic disparities on racial differences in the use of surveillance mammography among breast cancer survivors. Black women living in non-metropolitan counties are an important subgroup for future research and screening and navigation interventions., (© 2023. The Author(s).)

Background: Prevention of mother-to-child transmission (PMTCT) is critical for halting the HIV epidemic. However, innovative approaches to improve PMTCT uptake may be resource-intensive. We examined the economic costs and cost-effectiveness of conditional cash transfers (CCTs) for the uptake of PMTCT services in the Democratic Republic of Congo., Methods: We leveraged data from a randomized controlled trial of CCTs (n = 216) versus standard PMTCT care alone (standard of care (SOC), n = 217). Economic cost data came from multiple sources, with costs analyzed from the societal perspective and reported in 2016 international dollars (I$). Effectiveness outcomes included PMTCT uptake (i.e., accepting all PMTCT visits and services) and retention (i.e., in HIV care at six weeks post-partum). Generalized estimating equations estimated effectiveness (relative risk) and incremental costs, with incremental effectiveness reported as the number of women needing CCTs for an additional PMTCT uptake or retention. We evaluated the cost-effectiveness of the CCTs at various levels of willingness-to-pay and assessed uncertainty using deterministic sensitivity analysis and cost-effectiveness acceptability curves., Results: Mean costs per participant were I$516 (CCTs) and I$431 (SOC), representing an incremental cost of I$85 (95% CI: 59, 111). PMTCT uptake was more likely for CCTs vs SOC (68% vs 53%, p < 0.05), with seven women needing CCTs for each additional PMTCT service uptake; twelve women needed CCTs for an additional PMTCT retention. The incremental cost-effectiveness of CCTs vs SOC was I$595 (95% CI: I$550, I$638) for PMTCT uptake and I$1028 (95% CI: I$931, I$1125) for PMTCT retention. CCTs would be an efficient use of resources if society's willingness-to-pay for an additional woman who takes up PMTCT services is at least I$640. In the worst-case scenario, the findings remained relatively robust., Conclusions: Given the relatively low cost of the CCTs, policies supporting CCTs may decrease onward HIV transmission and expedite progress toward ending the epidemic., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2023 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Preventing SARS-CoV-2 infection by modulating viral host receptors, such as angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) 1 , could represent a new chemoprophylactic approach for COVID-19 that complements vaccination 2,3 . However, the mechanisms that control the expression of ACE2 remain unclear. Here we show that the farnesoid X receptor (FXR) is a direct regulator of ACE2 transcription in several tissues affected by COVID-19, including the gastrointestinal and respiratory systems. We then use the over-the-counter compound z-guggulsterone and the off-patent drug ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) to reduce FXR signalling and downregulate ACE2 in human lung, cholangiocyte and intestinal organoids and in the corresponding tissues in mice and hamsters. We show that the UDCA-mediated downregulation of ACE2 reduces susceptibility to SARS-CoV-2 infection in vitro, in vivo and in human lungs and livers perfused ex situ. Furthermore, we reveal that UDCA reduces the expression of ACE2 in the nasal epithelium in humans. Finally, we identify a correlation between UDCA treatment and positive clinical outcomes after SARS-CoV-2 infection using retrospective registry data, and confirm these findings in an independent validation cohort of recipients of liver transplants. In conclusion, we show that FXR has a role in controlling ACE2 expression and provide evidence that modulation of this pathway could be beneficial for reducing SARS-CoV-2 infection, paving the way for future clinical trials., (© 2022. The Author(s).)

Background and Aims: Immunity to SARS-CoV-2 can be infection or vaccine-induced. Cirrhosis is associated with vaccine hyporesponsiveness, but whether there is decreased immunity after SARS-CoV-2 infection in unvaccinated patients with cirrhosis is unknown.The objective of our study was to compare infection-induced and vaccine-induced immunity against COVID-19 among patients with cirrhosis., Methods: This was a retrospective cohort study among US Veterans with cirrhosis between November 27, 2020, and November 16, 2021, comparing a vaccine-induced immunity group, defined as participants without a documented SARS-CoV-2 infection but fully vaccinated with two doses of an mRNA vaccine, and infection-associated immunity group, defined as unvaccinated participants who had a positive SARS-CoV-2 polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Both groups were propensity score matched for observed characteristics, including location, and the date of the immunity acquiring event, to control for the community prevalence of COVID-19 variants. The outcome was a positive SARS-CoV-2 PCR more than 60 days after previous infection in the infection-induced, or after full vaccination in the vaccine-induced immunity group., Results: We compared 634 participants in the infection-induced immunity group with 27,131 participants in the vaccine-induced immunity group using inverse propensity of treatment weighting. Vaccine-induced immunity was associated with a reduced odds of developing SARS-CoV-2 infection (adjusted hazard ratio [aHR], 0.18; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.16-0.20, p < 0.0001). On multivariable logistic regression, vaccine-induced immunity was associated with reduced odds of developing symptomatic (adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 0.36; 95% CI, 0.33-0.41, p < 0.0001), moderate/severe/critical (aOR, 0.27; 95% CI, 0.22-0.31, p < 0.0001), and severe or critical COVID-19 (aOR, 0.20; 95% CI, 0.16-0.26, p < 0.001), compared with infection-induced immunity., Conclusions: In participants with cirrhosis, vaccine-induced immunity is associated with reduced risk of developing COVID-19, compared with infection-induced immunity., (Copyright © 2022 American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases.)

Background: Retention in HIV care remains a national challenge. Addressing structural barriers to care may improve retention. We examined the association between physician reimbursement and retention in HIV care, including racial differences., Methods: We integrated person-level administrative claims (Medicaid Analytic eXtract, 2008-2012), state Medicaid-to-Medicare physician fee ratios (Urban Institute, 2008, 2012), and county characteristics for 15 Southern states plus District of Columbia. The fee ratio is a standardized measure of physician reimbursement capturing Medicaid relative to Medicare physician reimbursement across states. Generalized estimating equations assessed the association between the fee ratio and retention (≥2 care markers ≥90 days apart in a calendar year). Stratified analyses assessed racial differences. We varied definitions of retention, subsamples, and definitions of the fee ratio, including the fee ratio at parity., Results: The sample included 55,237 adult Medicaid enrollees with HIV (179,002 enrollee years). Enrollees were retained in HIV care for 76.6% of their enrollment years, with retention lower among non-Hispanic Black (76.1%) versus non-Hispanic White enrollees (81.3%, P < 0.001). A 10-percentage point increase in physician reimbursement was associated with 4% increased odds of retention (adjusted odds ratio 1.04, 95% confidence interval: 1.01 to 1.07). In stratified analyses, the positive, significant association occurred among non-Hispanic Black (1.08, 1.05-1.12) but not non-Hispanic White enrollees (0.87, 0.74-1.02). Findings were robust across sensitivity analyses. When the fee ratio reached parity, predicted retention increased significantly overall and for non-Hispanic Black enrollees., Conclusion: Higher physician reimbursement may improve retention in HIV care, particularly among non-Hispanic Black individuals, and could be a mechanism to promote health equity., Competing Interests: The authors have no conflicts of interest to disclose., (Copyright © 2022 Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc. All rights reserved.)

Purpose: The use of surveillance mammography following a breast cancer (BC) diagnosis is associated with early detection of disease relapse and increased overall survival; yet Black women compared to White women have the lowest surveillance mammography rates, with limited explanation. To further understand this racial disparity the present study examines the association of mammography beliefs, knowledge, and healthcare delivery factors on receipt of surveillance mammography among Black and White breast cancer survivors., Methods: This is a convergent parallel mixed method study design of an online survey and online focus groups among Black and White BC survivors (N = 266) recruited from community engagement. The online focus groups consisted of a series of theory-informed questions via social media platforms (eg Breastcancer.org, Quora, Reddit). An in-depth thematic analysis approach was used to extract themes from online focus group data. Bivariate (χ 2 ) and multivariable logistic regression analyses were conducted using the survey data to examine associated factors with receipt of a surveillance mammography within 12 months (yes vs. no)., Results: 76% (n = 177) of women were Black, 62% were <5 years since diagnosis, 98% had health insurance, with an age range from 23 to 79 (mean = 55) years. 72% of the sample received a surveillance mammogram relative to 27%. Women more frequently received a surveillance mammogram if they reported perceived mammography benefits (<.001), underwent lumpectomy (P< .001) and had health insurance (P = .04). Black women without communication about surveillance care with providers had a lower likelihood of receiving a surveillance mammogram (OR:0.09,95% CI: 0.01-0.45, P = .003). Thematic findings from online focus groups included motivators for receipt of surveillance mammograms: physician recommendation, regular physical exams, and knowledge of recommended guidelines. Barriers of non-receipt of surveillance mammograms included: transportation, medical cost/financial barriers, feeling ignored from providers, and medical mistrust., Conclusion: Women may require more individualized information regarding their surveillance care to support routine guideline concordant follow-up. Patient-provider-communication is an integral part of Black survivors' surveillance care needs. Improving patient-provider communication for Black women's is necessary to address this group cancer care needs., (Copyright © 2022 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Introduction: Smoking and smoke exposure among pregnant women remain persistent public health issues. Recent estimates suggest that approximately one out of four nonsmokers have measurable levels of cotinine, a marker indicating regular exposure to secondhand smoke. Epidemiological research has attempted to pinpoint individual-level and neighborhood-level factors for smoking during pregnancy. However, most of these studies have relied upon self-reported measures of smoking., Aims and Methods: To more accurately assess smoke exposure resulting from both smoking and secondhand exposure in mothers during pregnancy, we used Bayesian regression models to estimate the association of cotinine levels with tobacco retail outlet (TRO) exposure and a neighborhood deprivation index (NDI) in six counties in North Carolina centered on Durham County., Results: Results showed a significant positive association between TRO exposure (β = 0.008, 95% credible interval (CI) = [0.003, 0.013]) and log cotinine after adjusting for individual covariates (eg, age, race/ethnicity, education, marital status). TRO exposure was not significant after including the NDI, which was significantly associated with log cotinine (β = 0.143, 95% CI = [0.030, 0.267]). However, in a low cotinine stratum (indicating secondhand smoke exposure), TRO exposure was significantly associated with log cotinine (β = 0.005, 95% CI = [0.001, 0.009]), while in a high cotinine stratum (indicating active smoking), the NDI was significantly associated with log cotinine (β = 0.176, 95% CI = [0.005, 0.372])., Conclusions: In summary, our findings add to the evidence that contextual factors are important for active smoking during pregnancy., Implications: In this study, we found several significant associations that suggest a more nuanced understanding of the potential influence of environmental- and individual-level factors for levels of prenatal smoke exposure. Results suggested a significant positive association between TRO exposure and cotinine levels, after adjusting for the individual factors such as race, education, and marital status. Individually, NDI was similarly positively associated with cotinine levels as well. However, when combining TRO exposure alongside NDI in the same model, TROs were no longer significantly associated with overall cotinine levels., (© The Author(s) 2022. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the Society for Research on Nicotine and Tobacco. All rights reserved. For permissions, please e-mail: journals.permissions@oup.com.)

Background & Aims: Cirrhosis is associated with immune dysregulation and hyporesponsiveness to several vaccines including those against COVID-19. Our aim was to compare outcomes between patients with cirrhosis who received 3 doses of either the Pfizer BNT162b2 mRNA or Moderna mRNA-1273 vaccines to a propensity-matched control group of patients at similar risk of infection who received 2 doses., Methods: This was a retrospective cohort study of patients with cirrhosis who received 2 or 3 doses of a COVID-19 mRNA vaccine at the Veterans Health Administration. Participants who received 3 doses of the vaccine (n = 13,041) were propensity score matched with 13,041 controls who received 2 doses, and studied between July 18, 2021 and February 11, 2022, when B.1.617.2 (delta) and B.1.1.529 (omicron) were the predominant variants. Outcomes were aggregated as all cases with COVID-19, symptomatic COVD-19, with at least moderate COVID-19, or severe or critical COVID-19., Results: Receipt of the third dose of a COVID-19 mRNA vaccine was associated with an 80.7% reduction in COVID-19 (95% CI 39.2-89.1, p <0.001), an 80.4% reduction in symptomatic COVID-19, an 80% reduction in moderate, severe or critical COVID-19, (95% CI 34.5-87.6%, p = 0.005), a 100% reduction in severe or critical COVID-19 (95% CI 99.2-100.0, p = 0.01), and a 100% reduction in COVID-19-related death (95% CI 99.8-100.0, p = 0.007). The magnitude of reduction in COVID-19 was greater with the third dose of BNT 162b2 than mRNA-1273 and among participants with compensated rather than decompensated cirrhosis., Conclusions: Administration of a third dose of a COVID-19 mRNA vaccine was associated with a more significant reduction in COVID-19 in patients with cirrhosis than in the general population, suggesting that the third dose can overcome vaccine hyporesponsiveness in this population., Lay Summary: Cirrhosis is associated with decreased responsiveness to several vaccines, including those against COVID-19. In this study of 26,082 participants with cirrhosis during the delta and omicron surge, receipt of the third dose of the vaccine was associated with an 80% reduction in COVID-19, a 100% reduction in severe/critical COVID-19, and a 100% reduction in COVID-19-related death. These findings support the importance of a third dose of mRNA vaccine among patients with cirrhosis., Competing Interests: Conflict of interest Dr John received institutional research support from BMS, Exelixis, Exact Sciences, GSK, Glycotest, Inc, H3B biosciences, Viking therapeutics. Dr Kaplan received institutional research support from Gilead Sciences, Glycotest, Inc, Astra Zeneca, Bayer and Exact Sciences. None of the other authors have personal or financial conflicts of interests to declare concerning this publication. Please refer to the accompanying ICMJE disclosure forms for further details., (Published by Elsevier B.V.)

Despite years of advisories against the behavior, smoking among pregnant women remains a persistent public health issue in the USA. Recent estimates suggest that 9.4% of women smoke before pregnancy and 7.1% during pregnancy in the USA. Epidemiological research has attempted to pinpoint individual-level and neighborhood-level factors for smoking during pregnancy, including educational attainment, employment status, housing conditions, poverty, and racial demographics. However, most of these studies have relied upon self-reported measures of smoking, which are subject to reporting bias. To more accurately and objectively assess smoke exposure in mothers during pregnancy, we used Bayesian index models to estimate a neighborhood deprivation index (NDI) for block groups in Durham County, North Carolina, and its association with cotinine, a marker of smoke exposure, in pregnant mothers (n = 887 enrolled 2005-2011). Results showed a significant positive association between NDI and log cotinine (beta = 0.20, 95% credible interval = [0.11, 0.29]) after adjusting for individual covariates (e.g., race/ethnicity and education). The two most important variables in the NDI according to the estimated index weights were percent females without a high school degree and percent Black population. At the individual level, Hispanic and other race/ethnicity were associated with lowered cotinine compared with non-Hispanic Whites. Higher education levels were also associated with lowered cotinine. In summary, our findings provide stronger evidence that the socio-geographic variables of educational attainment and neighborhood racial composition are important factors for smoking and secondhand smoke exposure during pregnancy and can be used to target intervention efforts., (© 2022. Society for Prevention Research.)

Background: The optimal upfront treatment modality for patients with nonmetastatic Gleason Score 9 and 10 prostate cancer (GS 9-10 PCa) is unknown., Methods: We conducted a retrospective cohort study of patients in the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) with GS 9-10 PCa treated with radical prostatectomy (RP) or external beam radiation therapy with androgen deprivation therapy (EBRT+ADT) from 1/2000 to 12/2010. Outcomes included overall survival (OS), distant metastasis-free survival (DMFS), and salvage/adjuvant therapy-free survival (SAFS), as assessed by Kaplan-Meier analysis., Results: We identified 1220 veterans with GS 9-10 PCa; 335 were treated with RP, and 885 were treated with EBRT+ADT. With a median follow-up of 9.9 years, propensity score-matched analyses demonstrated that RP had superior 10-year OS (70.8% [RP] vs. 61.2% [EBRT+ADT], p < 0.001), 10-year DMFS rates were similar between RP (76.7%) and EBRT+ADT (81.0%), and 10-year SAFS rates were lower for RP vs EBRT + ADT (35.2% [RP] vs. 75.2% [EBRT+ADT], p < 0.001). The receipt of salvage ADT was higher with upfront RP (51.9% vs. 26.1%, p < 0.001), despite receipt of adjuvant/salvage EBRT in 41.8% of RP patients. Among patients treated with RP, there were no differences in outcomes by race. However, higher survival rates were noted among Black patients treated with EBRT+ADT compared with White patients., Conclusions: This analysis demonstrated higher 10-year OS rates among men treated with upfront RP versus EBRT+ADT, though missing confounders and similar DMFS rates suggest the long-term cause-specific OS rates may be similar. We also highlight real-world outcomes of a diverse patient population in the VHA and improved outcomes for Black patients receiving EBRT+ADT., (© 2022 The Authors. Cancer Medicine published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd. This article has been contributed to by U.S. Government employees and their work is in the public domain in the USA.)

Social Determinants of Health (SDOH) impact health outcomes; thus, a pilot to screen for important SDOH domains (food, housing, and transportation) and address social needs in hospitalized patients was implemented in an urban safety-net academic medical center. This study describes the pilot implementation and examines patient characteristics associated with SDOH-related needs. An internal medicine unit was designated as a pilot site. Outreach workers approached eligible patients (n = 1,135) to complete the SDOH screening survey at time of admission with 54% (n = 615) completing the survey between May 2019 and July 2020. Data from patient screening survey and electronic health records were linked to allow for examination of associations between SDOH needs for food, housing, and transportation and various demographic and clinical characteristics of patients in multivariate logistic regression models. Of 615 screened patients, 45% screened positive for any need. Of 275 patients with needs, 33% reported needs in 2, and 34% - in 3 domains. Medicaid beneficiaries were more likely than patients with private health insurance to screen positive for 2 and 3 needs; Black patients were more likely than White patients to screen positive for 1 and 3 needs; Patients with no designated primary care physician status screened positive for 1 need; Patients with a history of substance use disorder screened positive for all 3 needs. SDOH screening assisted in addressing social risk factors of inpatients, informed their discharge plans and linkage to community resources. SDOH screening demonstrated significant correlations of positive screens with race/ethnicity, insurance type, and certain clinical characteristics., Competing Interests: The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper.

Background and Aims: Patients develop breakthrough COVID-19 infection despite vaccination. The aim of this study was to identify outcomes in patients with cirrhosis who developed postvaccination COVID-19., Methods: We performed a retrospective cohort study among US veterans with cirrhosis and postvaccination or unvaccinated COVID-19. Patients were considered fully vaccinated if COVID-19 was diagnosed 14 days after the second dose of either the Pfizer BNT162b2, the Moderna 1273-mRNA, or the single-dose Janssen Ad.26.COV2.S vaccines and partially vaccinated if COVID-19 was diagnosed 7 days after the first dose of any vaccine but prior to full vaccination. We investigated the association of postvaccination COVID-19 with mortality., Results: We identified 3242 unvaccinated and 254 postvaccination COVID-19 patients with cirrhosis (82 after full and 172 after partial vaccination). In a multivariable analysis of a 1:2 propensity-matched cohort including vaccinated (n = 254) and unvaccinated (n = 508) participants, postvaccination COVID-19 was associated with reduced risk of death (adjusted HR [aHR], 0.21; 95% CI, 0.11-0.42). The reduction was observed after both full (aHR, 0.22; 95% CI, 0.08-0.63) and partial (aHR, 0.19; 95% CI, 0.07-0.54) vaccination, following the 1273-mRNA (aHR, 0.12; 95% CI 0.04-0.37) and BNT162b2 (aHR, 0.27; 95% CI, 0.10-0.71) vaccines and among patients with compensated (aHR, 0.19; 95% CI, 0.08-0.45) and decompensated (aHR, 0.27; 95% CI, 0.08-0.90) cirrhosis. Findings were consistent in a sensitivity analysis restricted to participants who developed COVID-19 after vaccine availability., Conclusions: Though patients with cirrhosis can develop breakthrough COVID-19 after full or partial vaccination, these infections are associated with reduced mortality., (© 2022 American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases.)

Background:COVID-19 sequelae among veterans need evaluation. Design: Propensity-score-matched retrospective cohort study. Participants: A total 778,738 veterans, who were tested for COVID-19 at VA facilities between 20 February 2020−27 March 2021. Main Outcomes: Development of new physical and mental health conditions (incidence) during the follow-up period of 7 days to 3 months after the diagnosis of COVID-19. Results: Out of 778,738 veterans, 149,205 (19.2%) were inpatients and 629,533 (80.8%) were outpatients. 123,757 (15.9%) diagnosed with COVID-19. Mean age was 61 ± 15.4, mostly men (89%) who were White (68%) and non-Hispanic (88%). In hospitalized patients, COVID-19 is associated with significantly higher incidences of physical conditions (venous thromboembolism (5.8% vs. 2.9%, p < 0.001), pulmonary circulation disorder (5.1% vs. 2.9%, p < 0.001), chronic lung disease (8.4% vs. 4.3%, p < 0.001), acute kidney injury (16.4% vs. 9.3%, p < 0.001), chronic kidney disease (6.5% vs. 4.8%, p < 0.001), cardiac arrhythmia (15.2% vs. 10.9%, p < 0.001), complicated hypertension (12% vs. 8.5%, p < 0.001), coagulopathy (6.1% vs. 2.6%, p < 0.001), fluid/electrolyte disorders (24.4% vs. 12.6%, p < 0.001) and neurological disorders (7.1% vs. 3.8%, p < 0.001)) and mental health conditions (depressive episode (6.6% vs. 4.3%, p < 0.001), adjustment disorder (2.5% vs. 1.7%, p < 0.001), insomnia (4.9% vs. 3.2%, p < 0.001) and dementia (3.0% vs. 1.9%, p < 0.001)) compared to propensity-matched hospitalized COVID-19 negative patients. In outpatient settings, COVID-19 diagnosis is associated with smaller increase in the incidences of the physical sequelae. Conclusions: In this propensity-score-matched analysis of US veterans, COVID-19 survivors, especially those who were hospitalized, developed new physical and mental health sequelae at a significantly higher rate than those without COVID-19.

There are well-documented differences in breast cancer treatment by insurance status. Insurance expansions provide a context to assess the relationship between insurance and patterns of breast cancer care. We examine the association of Massachusetts health reform with use of breast conserving surgery, reconstruction, and adjuvant radiation using data from the Massachusetts Cancer Registry and Surveillance Epidemiology and End Results registries for 2001-2013 and a difference-in-differences approach. We observe statistically significant increases in breast conserving surgery among nonelderly women in Massachusetts relative to trends in states and age groups not affected by health reform. We also observe relative increases in reconstruction and adjuvant radiation, though trends in these outcomes were not the same across states prior to reform, limiting our ability to draw conclusions about the relationship between reform and these outcomes. Our results suggest that health reform was associated with some improvements in breast cancer treatment.

Background: The natural history of patients with anti-mitochondrial antibody (AMA)-negative Primary Biliary Cholangitis (PBC) cirrhosis has not been well defined, with prior studies showing discordant results. Furthermore, most studies of AMA-negative PBC have limited numbers of patients with cirrhosis and liver-related outcomes., Methods: We investigated the association of AMA-negative PBC and the development of death, liver-related death, decompensation and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), in a large cohort of predominantly male patients with PBC cirrhosis assembled from the Veterans Health Administration., Results: In a cohort of 521 patients with PBC cirrhosis (65 AMA-negative) with a total follow-up of 2504.3 person-years (PY) from cirrhosis diagnosis, patients with AMA-negative PBC were younger and more likely to be black but had similar rates of UDCA response. AMA-negative PBC cirrhosis was associated with similar unadjusted rates of liver-related death (4.6 vs 5.9 per 100 PY, P = .44), overall death (7.7 vs 9.6 per 100 PY, P = .31), decompensation (7.3 vs 5.1 per 100 PY, P = .12) and HCC (0.6 vs 1.0 per 100 PY, P = .63) to AMA-positive PBC. After adjusting for confounders, AMA-negative PBC cirrhosis was associated with similar rates of liver-related death (sub-Hazard Ratio [sHR] 1.27, 95% CI 0.71-2.28, P = .42, death [sHR] 1.24, 95% CI 0.81-1.90, P = .32), decompensation (sHR 1.05, 95% CI 0.56-1.98, P = .87) and HCC (sHR 0.48, 95% CI 0.11-2.10, P = .33) to AMA-positive patients., Conclusion: In a cohort of predominantly male patients, AMA-negative PBC cirrhosis was associated with similar rates of overall or liver-related death, HCC or decompensation compared with AMA-positive disease., (© 2021 John Wiley & Sons A/S. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.)