Lumbar spine fusion surgery versus best conservative care for patients with severe, persistent low back pain.

Aims: People with severe, persistent low back pain (LBP) may be offered lumbar spine fusion surgery if they have had insufficient benefit from recommended non-surgical treatments. However, National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) 2016 guidelines recommended not offering spinal fusion surgery for adults with LBP, except as part of a randomized clinical trial. This survey aims to describe UK clinicians' views about the suitability of patients for such a future trial, along with their views regarding equipoise for randomizing patients in a future clinical trial comparing lumbar spine fusion surgery to best conservative care (BCC; the FORENSIC-UK trial). Methods: An online cross-sectional survey was piloted by the multidisciplinary research team, then shared with clinical professional groups in the UK who are involved in the management of adults with severe, persistent LBP. The survey had seven sections that covered the demographic details of the clinician, five hypothetical case vignettes of patients with varying presentations, a series of questions regarding the preferred management, and whether or not each clinician would be willing to recruit the example patients into future clinical trials. Results: There were 72 respondents, with a response rate of 9.0%. They comprised 39 orthopaedic spine surgeons, 17 neurosurgeons, one pain specialist, and 15 allied health professionals. Most respondents (n = 61,84.7%) chose conservative care as their first-choice management option for all five case vignettes. Over 50% of respondents reported willingness to randomize three of the five cases to either surgery or BCC, indicating a willingness to participate in the future randomized trial. From the respondents, transforaminal interbody fusion was the preferred approach for spinal fusion (n = 19, 36.4%), and the preferred method of BCC was a combined programme of physical and psychological therapy (n = 35, 48.5%). Conclusion: This survey demonstrates that there is uncertainty about the role of lumbar spine fusion surgery and BCC for a range of example patients with severe, persistent LBP in the UK.

The Moderating Role of Health Status on the Association Between Depressive Symptoms and Cannabis Vaping.

Objective: Cannabis vaping is increasing among college students. There is little information on risk factors for vaping cannabis. Consistent with the self-medication hypothesis, experiencing depressive symptoms and having a chronic medical condition (CMC) are associated with cannabis use among young adults. Individuals who experience both risk factors may be at higher risk for cannabis vaping. This study examined cross-sectional associations between depressive symptoms, CMC status, and cannabis vaping, and identified the moderating role of CMC status on depressive symptoms and cannabis vaping. Method: College students (N = 3,742) self-reported on depressive symptoms, CMC status, and lifetime and current cannabis vaping (i.e., cannabis vaporizers; electronic nicotine devices to use cannabis). Data were collected Fall 2017 until Spring 2021. The sample was predominantly female (70.9%) and White (75.4%). Regression analyses were used. Results: Greater depressive symptoms were related to increased likelihood of cannabis vaping across outcomes. Having a CMC was related to lifetime history of cannabis vaporizing. CMC status moderated the associations between depressive symptoms and lifetime cannabis vaporizing. Depressive symptoms were only a risk factor for cannabis vaporizing among college students without a CMC, not those with a CMC. Conclusions: Interventions that teach adaptive ways of coping with depressive symptoms and the potential demands of managing a CMC in college are needed. Comprehensive programs for college students, with and without CMCs, are needed to support those with comorbid depression and cannabis vaping use.

A retrospective review of gram-negative spinal infections in a single tertiary spinal centre over six years.

Aims: Gram-negative infections are associated with comorbid patients, but outcomes are less well understood. This study reviewed diagnosis, management, and treatment for a cohort treated in a tertiary spinal centre. Methods: A retrospective review was performed of all gram-negative spinal infections (n = 32; median age 71 years; interquartile range 60 to 78), excluding surgical site infections, at a single centre between 2015 to 2020 with two- to six-year follow-up. Information regarding organism identification, antibiotic regime, and treatment outcomes (including clinical, radiological, and biochemical) were collected from clinical notes. Results: All patients had comorbidities and/or non-spinal procedures within the previous year. Most infections affected lumbar segments (20/32), with Escherichia coli the commonest organism (17/32). Causative organisms were identified by blood culture (23/32), biopsy/aspiration (7/32), or intraoperative samples (2/32). There were 56 different antibiotic regimes, with oral (PO) ciprofloxacin being the most prevalent (13/56; 17.6%). Multilevel, contiguous infections were common (8/32; 25%), usually resulting in bone destruction and collapse. Epidural collections were seen in 13/32 (40.6%). In total, five patients required surgery, three for neurological deterioration. Overall, 24 patients improved or recovered with a mean halving of CRP at 8.5 days (SD 6). At the time of review (two to six years post-diagnosis), 16 patients (50%) were deceased. Conclusion: This is the largest published cohort of gram-negative spinal infections. In older patients with comorbidities and/or previous interventions in the last year, a high level of suspicion must be given to gram-negative infection with blood cultures and biopsy essential. Early organism identification permits targeted treatment and good initial clinical outcomes; however, mortality is 50% in this cohort at a mean of 4.2 years (2 to 6) after diagnosis.

Discontinuation of brace treatment in adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS): a scoping review.

PURPOSE: Brace treatment for adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) is usually prescribed for 20-40° curves in patients with growth potential. The aim is to reduce the risk of curve progression during growth and to avoid the curve reaching a surgical threshold. Having as small a curve as possible at skeletal maturity will reduce the risk of curve progression during adult life. While evidence exists for brace treatment in AIS, there is disagreement on how and when to discontinue bracing. The purpose of this review was to investigate what criteria have been reported for initiating brace cessation and published weaning protocols and to look at estimates of the number of patients that may progress > 5 degrees after the end of growth. METHODS: This scoping review summarizes existing knowledge on the best time to stop bracing in AIS patients, how to "wean," and what happens to spinal curves after bracing. Searches were carried out through MEDLINE, EMBASE, and PsycINFO in April 2022. A total of 1936 articles were reduced to 43 by 3 reviewers. Full papers were obtained, and data were extracted. RESULTS: Weaning was most commonly determined by Risser 4 (girls) and 5 (boys). Other requirements included 2 years post-menarche and no growth in standing/sitting height for 6 months. Skeletal maturity assessed from hand and wrist radiographs, e.g., Sanders' stage; distal radius and ulnar physes, could determine the optimal weaning time to minimize curve progression. Complete discontinuation was the most common option at skeletal maturity; variations on weaning protocols involved gradual reduction of bracing over 6-12 months. Curve progression after weaning is common. The 12 studies reporting early curve progression after brace weaning found a mean Cobb angle progression of 3.8° (n = 1655). From the seven studies reporting early curve progression by > 5 degrees, there were 236/700 (34%) patients. There is limited information on risk factors to predict early curve progression after finishing brace treatment with larger curves, especially those over 40 degrees possibly having more chance of progression. CONCLUSION: Curve progression after bracing cessation is a negative outcome for patients who have tolerated bracing for several years, especially if surgery is required. The literature shows that when to start brace cessation and weaning protocols vary. Approximately 34% of patients progressed by more than 5 degrees at 2-4 years after brace cessation or weaning. Larger curves seem more likely to progress. More research is needed to evaluate the risk factors for curve progression after brace treatment, defining the best time to stop bracing based on the lowest risk of curve progression and whether there is any benefit to weaning.

American Indian Perspectives on Culturally Aligning a Digital Smoking Cessation Resource.

INTRODUCTION: Innovative smoking cessation approaches that overcome barriers such as traveling to program site or that require the staff and infrastructure for sustaining are likely needed to improve smoking quit rates among American Indian (AI) peoples in the United States. In this study, qualitative methods identified recommendations from AI peoples to guide alignment of an evidence-based smoking cessation smartphone app (i.e., QuitGuide) to the culture and needs of AI persons. METHODS: Semi-structured interviews were conducted with AI adults who smoke (n = 40) and with public health professionals (n = 6). Questions included: "The app asks if something triggered you to slip and lists several options. What options were you expecting to see on this list?" as well as how to make the app more engaging such as "What would make the app more helpful for AI peoples, like you, who want to quit smoking?." Constant comparative techniques were used to develop codes and themes. RESULTS: Loss, grief, and not accessing traditional tobacco were put forward as smoking triggers to be addressed in the app. Features that help users connect with and learn about AI cultures and promote healing, such as encouraging traditional tobacco use, being in community, embracing Native spirituality, and participating in cultural crafting were recommended. Some noted the need to motivate AI peoples to think about legacy and ability to care for younger generations and Indigenizing the app with Native imagery. CONCLUSIONS: Themes pointed towards promotion of strengths-based factors, such as healing, cultural connectedness and traditional tobacco use, in the app. IMPLICATIONS: Results will be used to culturally align a smartphone app for smoking cessation among AI peoples and may be insightful for other tribal, federal, and state public health efforts aimed at advancing health equity for AI peoples.

Bracing Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis (BASIS) study - night-time versus full-time bracing in adolescent idiopathic scoliosis: study protocol for a multicentre, randomized controlled trial.

Aims: Scoliosis is a lateral curvature of the spine with associated rotation, often causing distress due to appearance. For some curves, there is good evidence to support the use of a spinal brace, worn for 20 to 24 hours a day to minimize the curve, making it as straight as possible during growth, preventing progression. Compliance can be poor due to appearance and comfort. A night-time brace, worn for eight to 12 hours, can achieve higher levels of curve correction while patients are supine, and could be preferable for patients, but evidence of efficacy is limited. This is the protocol for a randomized controlled trial of 'full-time bracing' versus 'night-time bracing' in adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS). Methods: UK paediatric spine clinics will recruit 780 participants aged ten to 15 years-old with AIS, Risser stage 0, 1, or 2, and curve size (Cobb angle) 20° to 40° with apex at or below T7. Patients are randomly allocated 1:1, to either full-time or night-time bracing. A qualitative sub-study will explore communication and experiences of families in terms of bracing and research. Patient and Public Involvement & Engagement informed study design and will assist with aspects of trial delivery and dissemination. Discussion: The primary outcome is 'treatment failure' (Cobb angle progression to 50° or more before skeletal maturity); skeletal maturity is at Risser stage 4 in females and 5 in males, or 'treatment success' (Cobb angle less than 50° at skeletal maturity). The comparison is on a non-inferiority basis (non-inferiority margin 11%). Participants are followed up every six months while in brace, and at one and two years after skeletal maturity. Secondary outcomes include the Scoliosis Research Society 22 questionnaire and measures of quality of life, psychological effects of bracing, adherence, anxiety and depression, sleep, satisfaction, and educational attainment. All data will be collected through the British Spine Registry.

Sickle Cell Crises in Pregnancy: Fetal and Neonatal Implications.

Sickle cell disease (SCD) is the most common inherited condition worldwide. In the United States, SCD affects 100,000 births every year, mostly persons of African descent. In SCD, red blood cells assume a sickle shape when deoxygenated. This leads to the occlusion of small blood vessels and decreased oxygenated blood flow, resulting in ischemic and thrombotic injury to various organs, which further leads to organ dysfunction. In pregnancy, patients with SCD are at an increased risk of vaso-occlusive crises, which further increases the risks of maternal, fetal, and neonatal morbidity and mortality.

Predictors of poor outcome following lumbar spinal fusion surgery: a prospective observational study to derive two clinical prediction rules using British Spine Registry data.

PURPOSE: Lumbar spinal fusion surgery (LSFS) is common for lumbar degenerative disorders. The objective was to develop clinical prediction rules to identify which patients are likely to have a favourable outcome to inform decisions regarding surgery and rehabilitation. METHODS: A prospective observational study recruited 600 (derivation) and 600 (internal validation) consecutive adult patients undergoing LSFS for degenerative lumbar disorder through the British Spine Registry. Definition of good outcome (6 weeks, 12 months) was reduction in pain intensity (Numerical Rating Scale, 0-10) and disability (Oswestry Disability Index, ODI 0-50) > 1.7 and 14.3, respectively. Linear and logistic regression models were fitted and regression coefficients, Odds ratios and 95% CIs reported. RESULTS: Lower BMI, higher ODI and higher leg pain pre-operatively were predictive of good disability outcome, higher back pain was predictive of good back pain outcome, and no previous surgery and higher leg pain were predictive of good leg pain outcome; all at 6 weeks. Working and higher leg pain were predictive of good ODI and leg pain outcomes, higher back pain was predictive of good back pain outcome, and higher leg pain was predictive of good leg pain outcome at 12 months. Model performance demonstrated reasonable to good calibration and adequate/very good discrimination. CONCLUSIONS: BMI, ODI, leg and back pain and previous surgery are important considerations pre-operatively to inform decisions for surgery. Pre-operative leg and back pain and work status are important considerations to inform decisions for management following surgery. Findings may inform clinical decision making regarding LSFS and associated rehabilitation.

Conceptualizing Indigenous strengths-based health and wellness research using group concept mapping.

BACKGROUND: In recent years public health research has shifted to more strengths or asset-based approaches to health research but there is little understanding of what this concept means to Indigenous researchers. Therefore our purpose was to define an Indigenous strengths-based approach to health and well-being research. METHODS: Using Group Concept Mapping, Indigenous health researchers (N = 27) participated in three-phases. Phase 1: Participants provided 218 unique responses to the focus prompt "Indigenous Strengths-Based Health and Wellness Research…" Redundancies and irrelevant statements were removed using content analysis, resulting in a final set of 94 statements. Phase 2: Participants sorted statements into groupings and named these groupings. Participants rated each statement based on importance using a 4-point scale. Hierarchical cluster analysis was used to create clusters based on how statements were grouped by participants. Phase 3: Two virtual meetings were held to share and invite researchers to collaboratively interpret results. RESULTS: A six-cluster map representing the meaning of Indigenous strengths-based health and wellness research was created. Results of mean rating analysis showed all six clusters were rated on average as moderately important. CONCLUSIONS: The definition of Indigenous strengths-based health research, created through collaboration with leading AI/AN health researchers, centers Indigenous knowledges and cultures while shifting the research narrative from one of illness to one of flourishing and relationality. This framework offers actionable steps to researchers, public health practitioners, funders, and institutions to promote relational, strengths-based research that has the potential to promote Indigenous health and wellness at individual, family, community, and population levels.

The Prevalence and Perceived Utility of Mobile Health Technology Among Recently Incarcerated Homeless Adults.

Mobile technologies can deliver physical and mental health services for recently incarcerated homeless adults (RIHAs). The purpose of this study was to examine the prevalence and perceived utility of mobile technology to support health behavior change among RIHAs. Participants (n = 324) from an ongoing clinical trial at a homeless shelter in Texas were included in the current descriptive cross-sectional analyses. Over one fourth (28.4%) of participants had an active cell phone. Nearly 90 percent (88.6%) of participants reported at least weekly use of the internet, 77 percent used email (77.2%), and more than half used Facebook (55.2%). Although most participants (82.8%) believed that smartphone applications (apps) could help change their behavior, only a quarter (25.1%) had used an app for this purpose. These findings highlight the potential for smartphone-based intervention technologies, and future studies should examine whether smartphone apps that address mental health and health behaviors are feasible among RIHAs.

Displacement imposition scale assesses reactions of cigarette and e-cigarette users impacted by a campus-wide smoking ban.

OBJECTIVE: The present study developed a measure assessing the emotional responses, "Displacement Imposition," of cigarette and e-cigarette users on a college campus with a smoking/vaping ban. It also examined the relationship between Displacement Imposition and readiness to quit smoking/vaping, and how this relationship differed between cigarette and e-cigarette users. PARTICIPANTS: Participants (N = 297) were from a large, Midwestern university. METHODS: Participants completed online questionnaires assessing demographics, cigarette and e-cigarette use, Displacement Imposition, and readiness to quit. RESULTS: All six Displacement Imposition items loaded onto a single factor. A significant interaction emerged between Displacement Imposition and product use in predicting readiness to quit. At high levels of Displacement Imposition, cigarette users were less ready to quit than e-cigarette users. CONCLUSIONS: Findings suggest restrictions imposed on cigarette and e-cigarette users were associated with reduced readiness to quit. Findings inform tobacco control policies as tobacco denormalization may increase the burden placed on tobacco users.

COVID-19 Mental Health Impacts Among Parents of Color and Parents of Children with Asthma.

OBJECTIVES: This study investigated whether select social determinants of health and worries about COVID-19 resource losses mediated the relations between four parent groups: [1) non-Hispanic White (NHW) parents of children with asthma; 2) Black, Indigenous, or other Persons of Color (BIPOC) parents of healthy children; 3) BIPOC parents of children with asthma; and 4) NHW parents of healthy children (referent)] and parent anxiety and depression symptoms during COVID-19. METHODS: Parents (N = 321) completed online questionnaires about discrimination, anxiety, depression, and COVID-19 impacts on employment/income and access to food and health care. Mediation analyses were conducting using nonparametric bootstrapping procedures. RESULTS: BIPOC parents of children with and without asthma experienced greater anxiety and depression symptoms through greater discrimination compared to NHW parents of healthy children. BIPOC parents of children with asthma experienced greater anxiety symptoms, and both BIPOC groups experienced greater depression symptoms, through greater COVID-19 income losses. NHW parents of children with asthma and both BIPOC groups experienced greater anxiety and depression symptoms through greater worries about COVID-19 resource losses. CONCLUSIONS: The suffering of BIPOC parents, especially BIPOC parents of children with asthma, necessitates multi-level COVID-19 responses to address key drivers of health inequities.

An Updated Narrative Review on the Role of Alcohol Among Indigenous Communities.

Purpose of Review: The role of alcohol varies considerably among Indigenous Peoples and is the backdrop of persistent stereotypes despite decades of research. This paper provides an updated narrative review on the alcohol literature among Indigenous communities, highlighting recent studies published since 2017. Recent Findings: We examined published literature involving alcohol use rates, including abstinence; risk and protective factors; treatment; and recovery, as well as future directions for alcohol prevention and intervention efforts with Indigenous communities. Summary: Evidence-based alcohol use prevention, intervention, and recovery strategies with Indigenous communities are outlined. Recommendations are provided for researchers, health providers, and public policy advocates to address and better understand alcohol use, treatment, prevention, and recovery among Indigenous Peoples. Specific recommendations include using community-based participatory research strategies and harm reduction approaches to prevent and treat alcohol use problems with Indigenous communities. Future research is needed to elucidate mechanisms of resilience and recovery from Alcohol Use Disorder and possible shifts in perceptions of alcohol use for Indigenous Peoples.

A Smartphone-Based Intervention for Anxiety and Depression in Racially and Ethnically Diverse Adults (EASE): Protocol for a Randomized Controlled Trial.

BACKGROUND: Clear health disparities have emerged in the rates of COVID-19 exposure, hospitalization, and death among Black, Hispanic, and American Indian (BHAI) individuals, relative to non-Hispanic White (NHW) individuals. BHAI populations have been disproportionately affected by lower behavioral health access and heightened negative mental health outcomes during the pandemic. OBJECTIVE: This project directly addresses health disparities in access to behavioral health care during the COVID-19 pandemic among BHAI populations via an adaptation of the established, initially validated, low-cost, mobile app Easing Anxiety Sensitivity for Everyone (EASE) among individuals with symptoms of elevated anxiety or depression or both. METHODS: The EASE trial is a 2-arm, prospective, randomized, blinded-assessor study with intention-to-treat analysis. Participants (N=800; n=200, 25%, Black; n=200, 25%, Hispanic; n=200, 25%, American Indian; and n=200, 25%, NHW) are randomized to receive either EASE or an active comparison condition for anxiety and depression. Participants compete an online prescreener, an enrollment call to provide informed consent, a baseline survey, a 6-month intervention period, and 3- and 6-month postbaseline assessments. Select participants also complete a 3- and 6-month postbaseline qualitative interview via phone or an online platform (eg, Zoom). Participants complete 2 scheduled daily ecological momentary assessments (EMAs) during the 6-month study period. These twice-daily EMAs guide a just-in-time approach to immediate, personalized behavioral health care. RESULTS: Outcomes include reductions in anxiety and depressive symptoms and functional impairment at 3 and 6 months postrandomization. We also will examine putative mechanisms (eg, anxiety sensitivity [AS] and COVID-19-specific stress and fear) of the intervention effects. Further, as treatment effects may differ across sociocultural factors, perceived discrimination, social support, and socioeconomic status (SES) will be evaluated as potential moderators of treatment effects on the primary outcomes. Process evaluation using data collected during the study, as well as individual interviews with participants, will complement quantitative data. CONCLUSIONS: Data from this efficacy trial will determine whether EASE successfully improves symptoms of anxiety and depression and whether these improvements outperform an active comparison control app. If successful, findings from this study have the potential to decrease anxiety and depression symptoms among vulnerable populations determined to be most at risk of exacerbated, long-lasting negative health sequelae. Data from this study may be used to support an implementation and dissemination trial of EASE within real-world behavioral health and social service settings. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT05074693; https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT05074693. INTERNATIONAL REGISTERED REPORT IDENTIFIER (IRRID): DERR1-10.2196/40713.

Racial and ethnic differences in distress, discrimination, substance use coping, and nicotine use among parents during COVID-19.

This study identified contributing factors for tobacco-related inequities among parents (N = 331) during COVID-19. Compared to non-Hispanic White parents, Asian, Black, and multiracial parents experienced greater discrimination. Parents with a nicotine use history experienced greater discrimination and substance use coping relative to tobacco abstainers. Among parents who used nicotine during the pandemic (n = 45), experiencing financial loss, having COVID-19, and greater worries were positively associated with nicotine reductions during COVID-19. Being female, increased family members with COVID-19, discrimination, and substance use coping were negatively associated with nicotine reductions. Tobacco interventions that reduce substance use coping and increase alternative coping are needed.

Immediate patient perceptions following lumbar spinal fusion surgery: semi-structured multi-centre interviews exploring the patient journey and experiences of lumbar fusion surgery (FuJourn).

PURPOSE: To understand the patient journey to Lumbar Spinal Fusion Surgery (LSFS) and patients' experiences of surgery. METHODS: Qualitative study using interpretive phenomenological analysis. Adult participants following LSFS were recruited from 4 UK clinical sites using purposive sampling to ensure representation of key features (e.g. age). Semi-structured interviews informed by a piloted topic guide developed from the literature were audio-recorded and transcribed verbatim. Framework analysis for individual interviews and then across participants (deductive and inductive) identified emerging themes. Trustworthiness of data analyses was enhanced using multiple strategies (e.g. attention to negative cases). RESULTS: Four emerging themes from n = 31 patients' narratives were identified: decision for surgery, coping strategies, barriers to recovery and recovery after surgery. Decision for surgery and recovery after surgery themes are distinguished by the point of surgery. However, barriers to recovery and coping strategies are key to the whole patient journey encompassing long journeys to surgery and their initial journey after surgery. The themes of coping strategies and barriers to recovery were inter-related and perceived by participants as parallel concepts. The 4 multifactorial themes interacted with each other and shaped the process of an individual patient's recovery. Factors such as sporadic interventions prior to surgery, time-consuming wait for diagnosis and surgery and lack of information regarding recovery strongly influenced perceptions of outcome. CONCLUSION: Patient driven data enables insights to inform research regarding surgery/rehabilitation through depth of understanding of the patient journey. Awareness of factors important to patients is important; ensuring that patient-driven data informs research and patient care.

Smoking across adolescence and adulthood with cardiovascular risk among American Indian peoples.

OBJECTIVE: American Indian peoples (AIs) have high smoking rates and cardiovascular risk factor burden. The present study aimed to (a) investigate latent smoking classes across adolescence and adulthood, (b) investigate adolescent predictors of smoking classes, and (c) assess how smoking class is related to adult cardiovascular risk in a sample of AIs. METHOD: A sample of AIs (N = 338) from the National Adolescent to Adult Health Study self-reported on smoking across four assessment waves (W1: 7th-12th grade; W2: 8th-12th grade; W3: ages 18-26; W4: ages 24-32). The socioecological framework for addressing tobacco-related disparities was used to identify potential adolescent (W1) risk and resource factors. C-reactive protein, blood pressure, and lipids were collected at W4. Growth mixture modeling and regressions were used. RESULTS: Six smoking classes were identified: light smoking (36%), nonsmoking (23%), escalating, adult daily smoking (13%), chronic heavy smoking (12%), escalating, young adult daily smoking (9%), and reducing smoking (7%). Risk factors for being in the chronic heavy smoking class included peer smoking and older age at W1. Compared with the chronic heavy smoking class, AIs in the reducing smoking class lived in in more impoverished neighborhoods during adolescence. Relative to several classes with less smoking, being in the chronic heavy smoking class was associated with higher C-reactive protein and less favorable lipid levels. W1 social support was a resource factor for adult diastolic blood pressure and some lipids. CONCLUSIONS: Socioecologically informed tobacco interventions have the potential to reduce smoking and cardiovascular risk among AIs, and bolstering social support may be important. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2022 APA, all rights reserved).

An update on ACEs domain frequencies across race/ethnicity and sex in a nationally representative sample.

BACKGROUND: Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) research has yielded important information regarding ACEs prevalence and impacts; however, few studies have included American Indian/Alaska Native (AI/AN) populations. OBJECTIVE: We aimed to update and expand the ACEs literature by using recent data (2009-2018; over 50% from 2015 to 2017); using a large, nationally representative sample (total N = 166,606) and AI/AN sub-sample (N = 3369); and including additional covariates (i.e., sex, age, income, education) to provide a comprehensive understanding of ACEs across diverse populations. PARTICIPANTS AND SETTING: Data were from the CDC's BRFSS, a standardized scale used in most ACEs literature, to improve generalizability of study findings, which may contribute to investigating future ACEs trends. METHODS: Descriptive statistics and negative binomial regression analyses were conducted to examine the frequency of ACEs and the eight ACEs domains across racial/ethnic and sex groups. RESULTS: AI/ANs had the highest ACEs compared to all racial/ethnic groups. Females had higher mean ACEs compared to males of the same racial/ethnic group; significant differences were identified between non-Hispanic White (NHW) females and NHW males, and between Hispanic females and Hispanic males. Across all 10 stratified subgroups, AI/AN females had the highest average ACEs followed by AI/AN males. Emotional abuse was the most reported ACEs domain across all individuals, and family incarceration was the lowest. AI/AN females and males had the highest ACEs frequencies in family substance use, witnessing intimate partner violence, and sexual and emotional abuse. CONCLUSIONS: Findings have important implications for public health intervention and prevention efforts that may mitigate the impact of ACEs across racial/ethnic groups, particularly for AI/AN populations.

Reduction in asthma exacerbation rate after mepolizumab treatment initiation in patients with severe asthma: A real-world database study in Japan.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the changes in asthma exacerbation, as well as in oral corticosteroid (OCS) use, exacerbation-related healthcare resource utilization (HRU), and healthcare costs before and after mepolizumab treatment initiation in patients with severe asthma who started treatment with mepolizumab in a real-world clinical setting in Japan. METHODS: A retrospective, observational, self-controlled study was conducted in Japan using a hospital-based administrative claims database. Patients who were diagnosed with asthma and who were new users of mepolizumab were included in the study. The primary outcome was the incidence rate of any asthma exacerbation/patient-year during the 12-month period before (baseline period) and after (follow-up period) the first mepolizumab prescription. Secondary outcome measures included the proportion of patients with ≥1 any asthma exacerbation, patients with exacerbation requiring hospitalization, the incidence rate of exacerbations requiring hospitalization/patient-year, the median daily OCS dose (OCS sparing effect), exacerbation-related HRU (hospitalization length, the proportion of patients with emergency visits, and the number of emergency/outpatient visits), and associated costs. RESULTS: Of the 377 patients included, 56.2% were ≥65 years of age. Following the first mepolizumab prescription, incidence rates for any asthma exacerbation were reduced by 40.6% (4.00/patient-year to 2.38/patient-year; the incidence rate ratio [95% confidence interval]: 0.60 [0.53-0.67]; p < 0.0001) from the baseline to follow-up periods. The incidence rate of exacerbations requiring hospitalization was reduced by 55.8% (0.37/patient-year to 0.16/patient-year) from the baseline to follow-up periods. The proportion of patients experiencing any exacerbation decreased from 84.4% to 57.8% and those requiring hospitalization decreased from 23.9% to 10.3% both from the baseline to follow-up periods. The median daily OCS dose decreased by 44.6% (median [interquartile range]: 6.7 [4.7-9.9] mg/day to 3.3 [0.9-5.6] mg/day) from the last baseline quarter to the 4th quarter of the follow-up period. All exacerbation-related HRUs decreased from the baseline to follow-up periods. Inpatient cost reduced by >50% (123,279 Japanese Yen [JPY]/patient-year vs. 57,283 JPY/patient-year), reducing the total cost by 80,716 JPY from the baseline to follow-up periods. CONCLUSION: Mepolizumab was effective in treating patients with severe asthma by reducing the incidence rates of exacerbations and exacerbation requiring hospitalization, OCS dose, exacerbation-related HRU, and cost in routine clinical practice in Japan.