Insulin Pump Utilization in 2017-2021 for More Than 22,000 Children and Adults With Type 1 Diabetes: A Multicenter Observational Study.

This large type 1 diabetes cohort study showed that insulin pump utilization has increased over time and that use differs by sex, insurance type, and race/ethnicity. Insulin pump use was associated with more optimal A1C, increased use of continuous glucose monitoring (CGM), and lower rates of diabetic ketoacidosis and severe hypoglycemia. People who used an insulin pump with CGM had lower rates of acute events than their counterparts who used an insulin pump without CGM. These findings highlight the need to improve access of diabetes technology through provider engagement, multidisciplinary approaches, and efforts to address health inequities.

Patient Demographics and Clinical Outcomes Among Type 1 Diabetes Patients Using Continuous Glucose Monitors: Data From T1D Exchange Real-World Observational Study.

BACKGROUND: The benefits of Continuous Glucose Monitoring (CGM) on glycemic management have been demonstrated in numerous studies; however, widespread uptake remians limited. The aim of this study was to provide real-world evidence of patient attributes and clinical outcomes associated with CGM use across clinics in the U.S. based T1D Exchange Quality Improvement (T1DX-QI) Collaborative. METHOD: We examined electronic Health Record data from eight endocrinology clinics participating in the T1DX-QI Collaborative during the years 2017-2019. RESULTS: Among 11,469 type 1 diabetes patients, 48% were CGM users. CGM use varied by race/ethnicity with Non-Hispanic Whites having higher rates of CGM use (50%) compared to Non-Hispanic Blacks (18%) or Hispanics (38%). Patients with private insurance were more likely to use CGM (57.2%) than those with public insurance (33.3%) including Medicaid or Medicare. CGM users had lower median HbA1c (7.7%) compared to nonusers (8.4%). Rates of diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) and severe hypoglycemia were significantly higher in nonusers compared to CGM users. CONCLUSION: In this real-world study of patients in the T1DX-QI Collaborative, CGM users had better glycemic control and lower rates of DKA and severe hypoglycemia (SH) events, compared to nonusers; however, there were significant sociodemographic disparities in CGM use. Quality improvement and advocacy measures to promote widespread and equitable CGM uptake have the potential to improve clinical outcomes.

Novel expansion of a well-established antimicrobial stewardship program: Enhancing program efficiency and reach.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate efficiency and impact of a novel antimicrobial stewardship program (ASP) prospective-audit-with-feedback (PAF) review process using the Cerner Multi-Patient Task List (MPTL). DESIGN: Retrospective cohort study. SETTING: A 367-bed free-standing, pediatric academic medical center. METHODS: The ASP PAF review process expanded to monitor all systemic and inhaled antibiotics through use of the MPTL on July 23, 2020. Average number of daily ASP reviews, absolute number of monthly interventions, and time to conduct ASP reviews were compared between the preimplementation period and the postimplementation period following expansion. Antibiotic days of therapy (DOT) per 1,000 patient days for overall and select antibiotics were compared between periods. ASP intervention characteristics were assessed. RESULTS: Average daily ASP reviews significantly increased following program expansion (9 vs 14 reviews; P < .0001), and the absolute number of ASP interventions each month also increased (34 vs 52 interventions; P ≤ .0001). Time to conduct daily ASP reviews increased in the postimplementation period (1.03 vs 1.32 hours). Overall antibiotic DOT per 1,000 patient days significantly decreased in the postimplementation period (457.9 vs 427.9; P < .0001) as well as utilization of select, narrow-spectrum antibiotics such as ampicillin and clindamycin. Intervention type and antibiotics were similar between periods. The ASP documented 128 "nonantibiotic interventions" in the postimplementation period, including culture and/or susceptibility testing (32.8%), immunizations (25.8%), and additional diagnostic testing (22.7%). CONCLUSIONS: Implementation of an ASP PAF review process using the MPTL allowed for efficient expansion of a pre-existing ASP and a decrease in overall antibiotic utilization. ASP documentation was enhanced to fully track the impact of the program.

Adjusted Cutoff Scores Increase Sensitivity of Depression Screening Measures in Adolescents With Type 1 Diabetes.

OBJECTIVE: To measure the acceptability and diagnostic accuracy of commonly used depression screening measures to determine ideal cutoff scores that sensitively identify depressive disorders in adolescents with type 1 diabetes (T1D). RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: One hundred adolescents (12-17 years old) completed a reference standard, semistructured diagnostic interview and both long and short versions of five commonly used depression screening measures in the United States. To assess feasibility and acceptability, we used screener completion time and participant ratings, respectively. We used descriptive statistics, area under the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analyses, and paired-sample area differences under the ROC curve to assess each measure's diagnostic validity against our reference standard and to determine ideal cutoff scores for this sample. RESULTS: Adolescents had a mean age of 15.0 ± 1.7 years, time since T1D diagnosis of 6.0 ± 4.1 years, and glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) of 8.9 ± 1.8%. Sixty percent of adolescents were male, 15% endorsed a current depressive disorder, and 15% endorsed lifetime suicidality. Measures demonstrated low sensitivity (0.33-0.67) to detect current depressive disorders using preexisting cutoff scores. However, adjusted cutoff scores increased sensitivity and reduced false negatives. All depression screening measures demonstrated "good" to "excellent" predictive validity, and the Children's Depression Inventory-2 Short version demonstrated significantly greater diagnostic accuracy than the Patient Health Questionnare-2 item version for adolescents. CONCLUSIONS: Clinics should consider using screening measures with the greatest diagnostic accuracy as identified in this study and adjusting measure cutoff scores to increase sensitivity and reduce false negatives.

Implementing clinic-wide depression screening for pediatric diabetes: An initiative to improve healthcare processes.

OBJECTIVE: Youth with type 1 diabetes (T1D) endorse high rates of depressive symptoms, which can significantly impair self-management, glycemic control, and quality of life. Current guidelines recommend annual depression screening for all adolescents with T1D, but few models exist to implement screening procedures across clinics in this population. The primary aim of this project was to increase depression screening from 0% to 80% in four clinics, and to describe the structured quality improvement process to reach this goal. METHODS: All patients aged 12 to 21 years old with T1D at four participating clinics in a Midwestern hospital system were eligible to participate. Using a two-stage process, patients were administered the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-2 plus PHQ-9 if positive) annually. Rates of depression screening by clinic site, rates of positive depression screens, social worker documentation of follow-up care, and associations with diabetes-related health outcomes were analyzed. RESULTS: Over 2 years, average depression screening rates increased from 0% to 75% across all clinics, and 89% of patients with a positive screen met with a social worker for a targeted mental health assessment. At initial screening, 7.6% of patients screened positive for at-risk depressive symptoms on the PHQ-2 and from that group, 6.7% additionally screened positive on the PHQ-9. CONCLUSIONS: Annual depression screenings were feasibly implemented across four clinics and the use of real-time data listening and automated processes facilitated successful implementation. Future directions include further automation, targeted training and billing mechanisms, dissemination to non-metropolitan clinics, and further assessment of depression screening tools for adolescents with T1D.

Utilizing health information technology to improve the recognition and management of life-threatening adrenal crisis in the pediatric emergency department: medical alert identification in the 21st century.

Background Many barriers exist to the appropriate recognition and management of life-threatening adrenal crisis in the emergency department (ED). Clinical decision support (CDS) is a health information technology (IT) component that provides useful information to providers as healthcare is being delivered. We hypothesized that CDS incorporated into the electronic health record (EHR) could improve the recognition and management of adrenal crisis within the pediatric ED. Methods We retrospectively analyzed the impact of electronic CDS on the management of patients with known adrenal insufficiency (AI) presenting to two pediatric ED locations over a 19-month period with symptoms suggestive of adrenal crisis. Outcome variables assessed included the frequency of hydrocortisone (HC) administration, appropriateness of HC dosing, and timing to HC order placement and administration. Results A total of 145 encounters were reviewed. When the electronic CDS was in place at the time of the ED visit, patients were nearly 3 times as likely to receive HC (p = 0.002). Among those patients who received HC, the presence of the CDS increased the likelihood of an appropriate 50-mg/m2 dose of HC being given from 20 to 53% (p = 0.02). However, the CDS did not significantly reduce the time from ED arrival to HC order placement (p = 0.36) or administration (p = 0.59). Conclusions The use of innovative health IT strategies, such as the electronic CDS, can improve the recognition and management of adrenal crisis among patients with AI presenting to the pediatric ED.

Employing a results-based algorithm to reduce laboratory utilization in ACTH stimulation testing.

BACKGROUND: The High Dose Adrenocorticotropic Hormone (ACTH) Stimulation Test is the gold standard to diagnose adrenal insufficiency. Normal adrenal function is defined as a peak cortisol response to pharmacologic stimulation with cosyntropin of ≥18 µg/dL. Our practice was to obtain cortisol levels at 0, 30 and 60 min after cosyntropin administration. Once a value of ≥18 µg/dL has been obtained, adrenal insufficiency is ruled out and there is little diagnostic utility in subsequent stimulated levels. METHODS: We aimed to decrease laboratory utilization by developing a results-based algorithm in the electronic medical record (EMR). Cortisol levels were analyzed on the 0 and 60 min samples; then an EMR discern rule automatically generated an order to analyze the 30-min sample if the 60-min cortisol level was subnormal. RESULTS: Exclusion of adrenal insufficiency was excluded using one stimulated cortisol level in 8% prior to algorithm development. After several plan-do-study-act cycles, 99% of normal tests were performed using only one stimulated cortisol level. CONCLUSIONS: This laboratory-based algorithm resulted in reduced laboratory utilization, and aligned our practice to recommendations of the Pediatric Endocrine Society. Similar algorithms could be created for other dynamic tests to reduce unnecessary laboratory utilization.

Sleep duration and its impact on adherence in adolescents with type 1 diabetes mellitus.

BACKGROUND: Adherence to the type 1 diabetes (T1D) regimen, while predictive of glycemic control, decreases during adolescence. For adolescents, attaining adequate sleep is an additional challenge. This study evaluates the impact of sleep on adherence in teens with T1D. SUBJECTS: Forty-five adolescents aged 12-18 yr, with T1D for at least 6 months while on insulin pump therapy. METHODS: Adolescents logged their sleep on a written diary for 2 wk. Corresponding insulin pump/glucometer downloads as well as sleep habit questionnaires were also obtained. RESULTS: Data from 20 girls and 25 boys, with a mean age of 15 ± 1.6 yr and mean glycated hemoglobin of 8.7 ± 1.1% (72 mmol/mol), were analyzed. Overall, average sleep was 8.6 ± 0.9 h per night. Sleep durations were compared to the next day's frequency of self-monitored blood glucose (SMBG) and total daily insulin bolus frequency. Associations were found between sleep duration and youths' SMBG and insulin bolus frequencies (p < 0.03 and p < 0.001, respectively). Specifically, a 15- and 20-min increase in sleep was associated with one additional SMBG check and one additional insulin bolus, respectively. CONCLUSION: Analyses suggest an associated increase in T1D self-management behaviors in youths with increased sleep duration. These findings highlight the importance of assessing sleep in clinical practice, and encourage further research to examine effective strategies to address sleep hygiene as part of routine diabetes management.

Whole-genome sequencing for identification of Mendelian disorders in critically ill infants: a retrospective analysis of diagnostic and clinical findings.

BACKGROUND: Genetic disorders and congenital anomalies are the leading causes of infant mortality. Diagnosis of most genetic diseases in neonatal and paediatric intensive care units (NICU and PICU) is not sufficiently timely to guide acute clinical management. We used rapid whole-genome sequencing (STATseq) in a level 4 NICU and PICU to assess the rate and types of molecular diagnoses, and the prevalence, types, and effect of diagnoses that are likely to change medical management in critically ill infants. METHODS: We did a retrospective comparison of STATseq and standard genetic testing in a case series from the NICU and PICU of a large children's hospital between Nov 11, 2011, and Oct 1, 2014. The participants were families with an infant younger than 4 months with an acute illness of suspected genetic cause. The intervention was STATseq of trios (both parents and their affected infant). The main measures were the diagnostic rate, time to diagnosis, and rate of change in management after standard genetic testing and STATseq. FINDINGS: 20 (57%) of 35 infants were diagnosed with a genetic disease by use of STATseq and three (9%) of 32 by use of standard genetic testing (p=0·0002). Median time to genome analysis was 5 days (range 3-153) and median time to STATseq report was 23 days (5-912). 13 (65%) of 20 STATseq diagnoses were associated with de-novo mutations. Acute clinical usefulness was noted in 13 (65%) of 20 infants with a STATseq diagnosis, four (20%) had diagnoses with strongly favourable effects on management, and six (30%) were started on palliative care. 120-day mortality was 57% (12 of 21) in infants with a genetic diagnosis. INTERPRETATION: In selected acutely ill infants, STATseq had a high rate of diagnosis of genetic disorders. Most diagnoses altered the management of infants in the NICU or PICU. The very high infant mortality rate indicates a substantial need for rapid genomic diagnoses to be allied with a novel framework for precision medicine for infants in NICU and PICU who are diagnosed with genetic diseases to improve outcomes. FUNDING: Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Human Genome Research Institute, and National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences.

A review of anomalous origination of a coronary artery from an opposite sinus of Valsalva (ACAOS) impact on major adverse cardiovascular events based on coronary computerized tomography angiography: a 6-year single center review.

BACKGROUND: Anomalous origination of a coronary artery from an opposite sinus of Valsalva (ACAOS) is a rare finding that is typically found on autopsy in a person with sudden cardiac death or during routine cardiovascular testing. The true prevalence is unknown for this reason. There is also question to the specific anatomy of the anomalies themselves and how best to correct them. METHODS: We performed a retrospective chart review of all coronary computed tomography angiography (CCTA) studies to evaluate the incidence of all-cause mortality, nonfatal myocardial infarction, stroke and late revascularization (>90 days following CCTA) from January 2005 until July 2012. We describe the origin of the artery, its course, slit-like appearance and treatment in this population. RESULTS: We reviewed 1518 CCTA reports and identified 22 patients with ACAOS with an incidence of 1.4% of our original study population over a review period of 6 years with a resultant median follow-up period of 25 months [interquartile range (IQR)25,75 12-34 months]. The indication for CCTA was for chest pain in the majority of patients (73%). We had one patient undergo surgical repair and one with coronary bypass grafting for unrelated symptomatic coronary artery disease. CONCLUSION: ACAOS continues to be a rare but presumed fatal condition in subsets identified to carry high risk features. As the characteristics of the anomalous vessels that increase risk are still debated, over an intermediate to long follow up in a single large center, none of the different anomalous findings with varying degrees of high risk findings were associated with sudden death.

Effect of Coronary Computed Tomography Angiography Disease Burden on the Incidence of Recurrent Chest Pain.

Introduction. The purpose of this study is to investigate chest pain evaluations after initial coronary computed tomography angiography (CCTA) based upon coronary artery disease (CAD) burden. Methods. CCTA results of 1,518 patients were grouped based on the CCTA results into no CAD, nonobstructive CAD (<50% maximal diameter stenosis), or obstructive CAD (≥50% stenosis). Chest pain evaluation after initial CCTA and rates of major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) defined as the incidence of all-cause mortality, nonfatal MI, ischemic stroke, and late revascularization (>90 days following CCTA) were evaluated. Results. MACE rates were higher with obstructive CAD compared to nonobstructive CAD and no CAD (8.9% versus 0.7%, P < 0.001; 8.9 versus 1.6%, P < 0.001). One hundred seventy-four patients (11.5%) underwent evaluation for chest pain after index CCTA with rates significantly higher with obstructive CAD compared to both nonobstructive CAD and no CAD (7.5% versus 13.9% versus 17.8%, P < 0.001). The incidence of repeat testing was more frequent in patients with obstructive CAD (no CAD 36.5% versus nonobstructive CAD 54.9% versus obstructive CAD 67.7%, P = 0.015). Conclusion. Absence of obstructive disease on CCTA is associated with lower rates of subsequent evaluations for chest pain and repeat testing with low MACE event rates over a 22-month followup.

Assessment of major adverse cardiovascular events and ischemic stroke with coronary computed tomography angiography based upon angiographic diagnosis in a high-volume single center.

BACKGROUND: Patient prognosis has been shown to directly correlate with the severity of coronary artery disease diagnosed by coronary computed tomography angiography (CCTA). Although the presence of coronary artery calcium has been associated with increased incidence of ischemic stroke, there are no data on the incidence of ischemic stroke based upon the severity of coronary artery disease by CCTA. Therefore, we sought to investigate the rate of major adverse cardiovascular events, including ischemic stroke, based upon the severity of coronary artery disease by CCTA over a 6-year period in a high-volume single military center. METHODS: We performed a retrospective chart review of all CCTA studies to evaluate the incidence of all-cause mortality, non-fatal myocardial infarction, ischemic stroke, and late revascularization (>90 days following CCTA) from January 2005 until July 2012. We reviewed 1518 CCTA reports, dividing patients into groups with obstructive (≥50% stenosis), non-obstructive (<50% stenosis), and no coronary artery disease (no angiographic disease). Subsequent major adverse cardiovascular events data (incidence of all-cause mortality, ischemic stroke, non-fatal myocardial infarction, and late revascularization) were obtained. RESULTS: Over a review period of 6 years with a resultant median follow-up period of 22 months (interquartile range = 13-34 months), the major adverse cardiovascular events rate was significantly higher with obstructive coronary artery disease compared to both non-obstructive coronary artery disease and no coronary artery disease (8.9% vs 0.7%, p < 0.001; 8.9% vs 1.6%, p < 0.001). The incidence of ischemic stroke alone was also significantly higher in those with obstructive coronary artery disease compared to those with no coronary artery disease (3.8% vs 0.4%, p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Being free of disease on CCTA was associated with excellent cardiovascular prognosis. Obstructive coronary artery disease was associated with a significantly increased incidence of ischemic stroke. There was also a direct correlation between the severity of coronary artery disease on CCTA and cardiovascular prognosis over the follow-up period of 24 months.

Congenital pulmonary airway malformation: a case report and review of the literature.

Congenital parenchymal lung malformations have an estimated incidence at 1:25,000-1:35,000 births. We present a case of this rare congenital abnormality in a 38 year-old male, review the current literature with discussion of proposed causes, malignant potential, and management strategies. A 38-year-old white male presented with a 4-day history of chronic stable hemoptysis. Social history was notable for a 50-pack-year active smoking history and remote heavy alcohol consumption. Physical examination was normal. Chest radiograph revealed an ill defined right lower lobe infiltrate. Chest computed tomography demonstrated an irregular, thin-walled, cystic lesion with adjacent nodularity and calcifications. The patient received a right lower lobectomy. Pathologic specimen demonstrated a 10-cm, mostly thin-walled cyst with features suggestive of a congenital cyst adenomatoid malformation and areas of adenocarcinoma (mixed subtype with acinar and bronchioloalveolar patterns). Congenital cyst adenomatoid malformations have recently been renamed as congenital pulmonary airway malformations and are the most common type of congenital parenchymal lung malformations. Individuals typically present with recurrent pulmonary infections, pneumothorax, or hemoptysis. The development is controversial but believed to be a result of arrested development of the fetal bronchial tree during the sixth and seventh week of fetal development. Defects in thyroid transcription factor 1 have also been proposed. With the increasing use and image resolution of ultrasound in modern obstetric practice, congenital pulmonary airway malformations rarely go undetected into adulthood. Management remains controversial; however, most authors agree with early surgical excision.

Isolated right ventricular failure in hyperthyroidism: a clinical dilemma.

We present a unique case of a 42-year-old gentleman with newly diagnosed Graves' disease and isolated right ventricular failure. Extensive evaluation to include echocardiogram and cardiac catheterization were negative for significant pulmonary hypertension or coronary artery disease as potential etiologies. Hyperthyroid induced vasospasm is a rare but reported clinical entity that serves to be a clinical and diagnostic dilemma.