Antiretroviral Therapy Concealment Behaviors and their Association with Antiretroviral Therapy Adherence among People with HIV: Findings from the Florida Cohort Study.

Little is known about HIV medication concealment behaviors and the effect of medication concealment on antiretroviral therapy (ART) adherence among people with HIV (PWH). This study aims to (1) to describe medication concealment behaviors and factors associated with these behaviors, and (2) assess the association between medication concealment and suboptimal ART adherence. The Florida Cohort Study enrolled adult PWH from community-based clinics around the state from October 2020 to September 2022 (n = 416, 62% aged 50+, 56% male, 44% non-Hispanic Black, 18% Hispanic). Participants responded to questions about sociodemographics, stigma, ART adherence (≥ 85%), symptoms of depression, social networks and disclosure to their networks, and actions to conceal ART to avoid inadvertent disclosure of their HIV status. Analyses were conducted using multivariable logistic regressions models. The most common concealment behavior was hiding ART while having guests over (32%), followed by removing ART labels (26%), and putting ART into a different bottle (16%). Overall, 43% reported ≥ 1 behavior. In multivariable models, depressive symptoms, incomplete disclosure of HIV to close social networks, and not having a close social network were associated with ART concealment. After adjusting for risk factors for suboptimal ART adherence, endorsing hiding medication while having guests was associated with suboptimal ART adherence (aOR 2.87, 95% CI 1.15-7.55). Taking any action and other individual behaviors were not associated. ART concealment behaviors were common but did not consistently negatively influence adherence when accounting for other factors. PWH may want to receive ART medications in ways that ensure privacy and reduce the risk of inadvertent disclosure.

The effect of smoking status on inguinal hernia repair outcomes: An ACHQC analysis.

BACKGROUND: Smoking has been shown to negatively affect surgical outcomes, so smoking cessation prior to elective operations is often recommended. However, the effects of smoking status on inguinal hernia repair outcomes have not been extensively studied. Hence, we investigated the association between smoking status and short-term adverse outcomes following inguinal hernia repair. METHODS: Abdominal Core Health Quality Collaborative database was queried for elective, clean inguinal hernia repairs, excluding those with concomitant procedures or where length of stay > 30 days. The resulting cohort was divided into three groups: current smokers, former smokers, and never smokers. Baseline patient, hernia, operative characteristics, and 30-day outcomes were compared. Multivariable logistic regression was used to evaluate the association between smoking status and overall and wound complications. RESULTS: 19,866 inguinal hernia repairs were included (current smokers = 2239, former smokers = 4064 and never smokers = 13,563). Current smokers and former smokers, compared to never smokers, had slightly higher unadjusted rates of overall complication rates (9% and 9% versus 7%, p = 0.003) and surgical site occurrences/infection (6% and 6% versus 4%, p < 0.001). However, on multivariable analysis, compared to current smokers, neither the rates of overall complications nor surgical site occurrences were significantly different in former smokers (OR = 0.93, 95% CI [0.76, 1.13] and OR = 0.92, 95% CI [0.73, 1.17]) and never smokers (OR = 0.99, 95% CI [0.83, 1.18] and OR = 0.86, 95% CI [0.70,1.06]) respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Smoking status is not associated with short-term adverse outcomes following inguinal hernia repair. Mandating smoking cessation does not appear necessary to prevent short-term adverse outcomes.

Determining the Incidence of Asymptomatic SARS-CoV-2 Among Early Recipients of COVID-19 Vaccines (DISCOVER-COVID-19): A Prospective Cohort Study of Healthcare Workers Before, During and After Vaccination.

The impact of coronavirus disease 2019 vaccination on viral characteristics of breakthrough infections is unknown. In this prospective cohort study, incidence of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 infection decreased following vaccination. Although asymptomatic positive tests were observed following vaccination, the higher cycle thresholds, repeat negative tests, and inability to culture virus raise questions about their clinical significance.

Estimating resource utilization for emergency department visits by patients' HIV seropositivity in the United States, 2009 to 2018.

INTRODUCTION: The Emergency Department (ED) plays a key role in linkage to and engagement in care for people with HIV (PWH) in the United States, particularly for individuals without a routine source or schedule for care. Assessing patterns of ED resource utilization by PWH can help elucidate the role of EDs across the HIV care continuum. The aim of this study was to use visit-level data to characterize resource utilization patterns for HIV-related ED visit diagnoses compared to those of other ED visit types. METHODS: HIV-related ED visits were identified as either having answered 'have HIV' in a survey question, been diagnosed with HIV, or had HIV noted as a reason for a visit. Weighted, pooled cross-sectional analyses were performed using the National Hospital Ambulatory Medical Care Survey (NHAMCS) for 2009-2018. ED visits were restricted to those aged 13 years and older. Both descriptive and multivariable regression analyses were performed using Stata 15.1 to measure differences in ED resource utilization. RESULTS: A weighted total of 6.10 million ED visits occurred among PWH, representing 5.5 visits per 1000 ED visits. The rates of HIV-related ED visits (per 1000 ED visits) were higher among patients aged 50-64 years (9.1), males (7.9), African Americans (11.1), Medicaid recipients (7.8), patients in the Northeast (6.8), and patients in metropolitan areas (MSA) (6.1). HIV-related ED visits reflected higher resource utilization: including higher utilization of the ambulance, diagnostic tests, blood tests, urinalysis, HIV tests, intravenous fluids, medications, consultants, critical care units, longer visits, and hospital admissions. Multivariable regression models revealed higher ED resource utilization and showed that patients making HIV-related visits were 57% more likely to result in hospital admission, spending 17% more time compared to patients making non-HIV-related visits. CONCLUSION: Hospitals should be prepared to meet the unique needs of PWH presenting for ED services. Continued surveillance of resource utilization patterns among PWH in EDs is important to plan successful HIV care engagement interventions in these settings.

Special Challenges of Sensitive Images: A HIMSS-SIIM Enterprise Imaging Community Whitepaper.

Sensitive images represent a new challenge in enterprise imaging. These images, often containing nudity or gruesome content, have the potential to cause emotional harm to patients and people who view the images. Unfortunately, the interoperability standards used in imaging informatics have not yet addressed this issue. Because of this, the software solutions used in healthcare information technology are not able to offer patients and other viewers of image protections. In this Health Information Management Systems Society (HIMSS)/Society for Imaging Informatics in Medicine (SIIM) Enterprise Imaging Community Whitepaper, we define sensitive images, identify unique challenges related to their management, and provide recommendations for future solutions to protect our patients.

The association of hernia-specific and procedural risk factors with early complications in ventral hernia repair: ACHQC analysis.

BACKGROUND: Many surgical risk assessment tools emphasize patient-specific risk factors. Our objective was to use a hernia-specific database to assess risk factors of complications in ventral hernia repair (VHR) focusing on hernia-specific and procedural factors. METHODS: The ACHQC database was queried for elective VHR in adults from 2012 to 2023. Primary outcome was overall 30-day complications. Multivariable logistic regression was used for analysis. RESULTS: 41,526 VHR were included. The rate of 30-day complications was 18%, surgical site infection 3%, surgical site occurrence requiring procedural intervention 4%, readmission 4%, reoperation 2%, and mortality 0.2%. Multivariable analysis demonstrated that BMI, ASA, frailty, COPD, anticoagulants, defect width, incisional and recurrent hernias, presence of stoma or prior mesh, prior abdominal wall infection, non-clean wound, operative time, open approach and myofascial release were associated with 30-day complications (OR â€‹= â€‹1.01-1.66). Preoperative chlorhexidine, bowel preparation and fascial closure were associated with lower complication risk (OR â€‹= â€‹0.70-0.89). CONCLUSION: Hernia and procedural risk factors are associated with early complications following elective VHR. These factors need to be included in surgical risk assessment tools, to supplement patient-specific factors.

Dermoscopy of Cutaneous Neoplasms in Skin of Color - A Systematic review by the International Dermoscopy Society "Imaging in Skin of Color" Task Force.

Over the last few decades, dermoscopy has been showed to facilitate the non-invasive diagnosis of both benign and malignant skin tumors, yet literature data mainly comes from studies on light photo-types. However, there is growing evidence that skin neoplasms may benefit from dermoscopic assessment even for skin of color. This systematic literature review evaluated published data in dark-skinned patients (dermoscopic features, used setting, pathological correlation, and level of evidence of studies), also providing a standardized and homogeneous terminology for reported dermoscopic findings. A total of 20 articles describing 46 different tumors (four melanocytic neoplasms, eight keratinocytic tumors, 15 adnexal cutaneous neoplasms, seven vascular tumors, four connective tissue tumors, and eight cystic neoplasms/others) for a total of 1724 instances were included in the analysis. Most of them showed a level of evidence of V (12 single case reports and six case series), with only two studies featuring a level of evidence of IV (case-control analysis). Additionally, this review also underlined that some neoplasms and phototypes are underrepresented in published analyses as they included only small samples and mainly certain tones of "dark skin" spectrum (especially phototype IV). Therefore, further studies considering such limitations are required for a better characterization.

Dermoscopy of Hair and Scalp Disorders (Trichoscopy) in Skin of Color - A Systematic Review by the International Dermoscopy Society "Imaging in Skin of Color" Task Force.

Hair and scalp disorders are of significant interest for physicians dealing with dark phototypes due to their prevalence and potential aesthetic impact resulting from a higher tendency for scarring. In order to facilitate their non-invasive diagnosis, several dermoscopic studies have been published, yet data are sparse and no systematic analysis of the literature has been performed so far. This systematic literature review summarizes published data on trichoscopy of hair and scalp diseases (trichoscopic findings, used setting, pathological correlation, and level of evidence of studies). A total of 60 papers addressing 19 different disorders (eight non-cicatricial alopecias, nine cicatricial alopecias, and two hair shaft disorders) were assessed, for a total of 2636 instances. They included one cross-sectional analysis, 20 case-control studies, 25 case-series, and 14 single case-reports, so the level of evidence was V and IV in 65% and 33% of cases, respectively, with only one study showing a level of evidence of III. Notably, although there is a considerable body of literature on trichoscopy of hair/scalp diseases, our review underlined that potentially significant variables (e.g., disease stage or hair texture) are often not taken into account in published analyses, with possible biases on trichoscopic patterns, especially when it comes to hair shaft changes. Further analyses considering all such issues are therefore needed.

Dermoscopy of Infectious Dermatoses (Infectiouscopy) in Skin of Color - A Systematic Review by the International Dermoscopy Society "Imaging in Skin of Color" Task Force.

Dermoscopy has been showed to facilitate the non-invasive recognition of several infectious disorders (infectiouscopy) thanks to the detection of peculiar clues. Although most of the knowledge on this topic comes from studies involving light-skinned patients, there is growing evidence about its use also in dark phototypes. This systematic literature review summarizes published data on dermoscopy of parasitic, bacterial, viral and fungal dermatoses (dermoscopic findings, used setting, pathological correlation, and level of evidence of studies) and provides a homogeneous terminology of reported dermoscopic features according to a standardized methodology. A total of 66 papers addressing 41 different dermatoses (14 bacterial, 5 viral, 11 fungal infections, and 11 parasitoses/bites and stings) and involving a total of 1096 instances were included in the analysis. The majority of them displayed a level of evidence of V (44 single case reports and 21 case series), with only 1 study showing a level of evidence of IV (case-control analysis). Moreover, our analysis also highlighted a high variability in the terminology used in the retrieved studies. Thus, although promising, further studies designed according to a systematic and standardized approach are needed for better characterization of dermoscopy of infectious skin infections.

Dermoscopy of Inflammatory Dermatoses (Inflammoscopy) in Skin of Color - A Systematic Review by the International Dermoscopy Society "Imaging in Skin of Color" Task Force.

Dermoscopic patterns of inflammatory dermatoses (inflammoscopy) have been extensively studied in the recent years, though data on patients with darker phototypes (IV-VI) are sparse. The aims of this systematic review were to summarize the current state of knowledge on inflammoscopy applied to skin of color and provide a standardized nomenclature of reported findings. Besides dermoscopic features, type of setting and magnification, number of cases, and histopathological correlation were analyzed. Eighty-five papers addressing 78 different dermatoses (25 papulosquamous dermatoses, 19 hyperpigmented dermatoses, eight hypopigmented dermatoses, four granulomatous dermatoses, two sclerotic dermatoses, five facial inflammatory dermatoses, and 15 miscellaneous conditions) for a total of 2073 instances were retrieved. Only one study showed a level of evidence of III (cross-sectional study), whereas 10 and 74 displayed a level of evidence of IV (case-control studies) and V (case-series and case-reports), respectively. Moreover, our analysis also highlighted that most of papers focalized on a limited number of dermatoses, with several conditions having only single dermoscopic descriptions. Additionally, few studies compared findings among phototypes belonging to the "skin of color" spectrum. Further studies designed according to a systematic approach and considering the above-mentioned issues are therefore needed.

The cost-effectiveness of a resilience-based psychosocial intervention for HIV prevention among MSM in India.

OBJECTIVE: MSM in India are at a high risk for HIV infection given psychosocial challenges, sexual orientation stress, and stigma. We examined the cost-effectiveness of a novel resilience-based psychosocial intervention for MSM in India. DESIGN: We parameterized a validated microsimulation model (CEPAC) with India-specific data and results from a randomized trial and examined two strategies for MSM: status quo HIV care ( SQ ), and a trial-based psychosocial intervention ( INT ) focused on building resilience to stress, improving mental health, and reducing condomless anal sex (CAS). METHODS: We projected lifetime clinical and economic outcomes for MSM without HIV initially. Intervention effectiveness, defined as reduction in self-reported CAS, was estimated at 38%; cost was $49.37/participant. We used a willingness-to-pay threshold of US$2100 (2019 Indian per capita GDP) per year of life saved (YLS) to define cost-effectiveness. We also assessed the 5-year budget impact of offering this intervention to 20% of Indian MSM. RESULTS: Model projections showed the intervention would avert 2940 HIV infections among MSM over 10 years. Over a lifetime horizon, the intervention was cost-effective (ICER = $900/YLS). Results were most sensitive to intervention effectiveness and cost; the intervention remained cost-effective under plausible ranges of these parameters. Offering this intervention in the public sector would require an additional US$28 M over 5 years compared with SQ . CONCLUSION: A resilience-based psychosocial intervention integrated with HIV risk reduction counseling among MSM in India would reduce HIV infections and be cost-effective. Programs using this approach should be expanded as a part of comprehensive HIV prevention in India.

In our war against the opioid epidemic, could 'weed' be a winner?

INTRODUCTION: The opioid epidemic has resulted in the deaths of millions of Americans and was declared a public health emergency in 2017. In response, many states have enacted policies and analyzed various interventions for harm reduction and overdose prevention, which have embraced limited success. With more states legalizing medical marijuana, another intervention of interest in pain management, much research has since focused on the potential for medical marijuana laws (MMLs) to curb the opioid epidemic. Nonetheless, marijuana legalization and its use for medical purposes has been a polarizing debate from ethical, social, and clinical perspectives. AREAS COVERED: We examine evidence on the merits of medical marijuana to address its potential as a diversion from prescription painkillers. Additionally, we review the impact of MMLs on opioid-related outcomes. Furthermore, we provide multi-layered recommendations for future directions in the evaluation of medical marijuana and MMLs as potential mitigators of the opioid epidemic. EXPERT OPINION: Despite limited and mixed evidence of efficacy, medical marijuana may still play an important role in addressing the opioid epidemic in the United States. Furthermore, we believe coordinated responses among the federal government, states, researchers, and patients are crucial in producing more robust evaluations of medical marijuana and MMLs.