Patient Perspectives on the Drivers and Deterrents of Antibiotic Treatment of Acute Rhinosinusitis: a Qualitative Study.

BACKGROUND: Antibiotics are prescribed in >80% of outpatient acute rhinosinusitis (ARS) visits, despite the low incidence of bacterial infection. Previous studies have shown patient expectations are the most robust predictor of antibiotics prescription in ARS. However, patient perceptions are not well known or understood. OBJECTIVE: To understand patient perceptions regarding what drives or deters them from wanting, seeking, and taking antibiotic treatment of ARS. DESIGN: Iterative thematic analysis of semi-structured interviews. PARTICIPANTS: Nineteen adults diagnosed with ARS within the prior 60 days at the Northwestern Medicine General Internal Medicine clinic in Chicago, IL. MAIN MEASURES: Perceptions of patients with ARS. KEY RESULTS: We interviewed 19 patients, identifying the following drivers of antibiotic use: (1) symptoms, especially discolored rhinorrhea, and seeking relief, (2) belief that antibiotics are a convenient and/or effective way to relieve/cure sinusitis, and (3) desire for tangible outcomes of a clinic visit. For deterrents, the following themes emerged: (1) concern about antibiotic resistance, (2) preference for other treatments or preference to avoid medications, and (3) desire to avoid a healthcare visit. Patients identified that a trustworthy physician's recommendation for antibiotics was a driver, and a recommendation against antibiotics was a deterrent to taking antibiotics; a delayed antibiotic prescription also served as a deterrent. Antibiotic side effects were viewed neutrally by most participants, though they were a deterrent to some. CONCLUSIONS: Patients have misconceptions about the indications and effectiveness of antibiotics for ARS. Intimate knowledge of key antibiotic drivers and deterrents, from the perspective of patients with ARS, can be leveraged to engage and increase patients' knowledge, and set appropriate expectations for antibiotics for ARS.

Neonatal eyelid penetration from insertion of a fetal scalp electrode: a case report.

BACKGROUND: A fetal scalp electrode (FSE), first described by Edward Hon in 1967, is an intrapartum monitoring device embedded directly into the fetal scalp for an accurate measure of fetal heart rate. Though use of an FSE is generally safe, complications can occur from misplacement, including ophthalmic injury. CASE PRESENTATION: Patient was a 28-year-old G6P5006 who presented for induction of labor at 39 weeks due to asymptomatic bilateral pulmonary embolism. Concerning findings on external fetal monitoring led to placement of a fetal scalp electrode for close monitoring. Upon delivery, the neonate was noted to have the FSE embedded in the left upper eyelid. Ophthalmology was consulted and could not rule out ocular injury on external examination at the bedside. Examination under anesthesia in the operating room demonstrated no penetration of the ocular globe, and the eyelid laceration was sutured. The laceration was well-healing at one-week follow-up with no further complications. CONCLUSION: Facial or brow presentation during delivery is rare but may increase the risk for misplacement of an FSE. Ultrasound verification of vertex position is warranted immediately prior to placing an FSE for patients at higher risk of facial or brow presentation. Periorbital edema of neonates may protect against damage to deeper structures. However, Ophthalmology should be consulted to rule out ocular injury if the FSE is placed in the periocular region.

Association of pediatric atopic dermatitis and psoriasis with school absenteeism and parental work absenteeism: A cross-sectional United States population-based study.

BACKGROUND: The impact of childhood atopic dermatitis (AD) and psoriasis on school absenteeism is not fully elucidated. OBJECTIVE: To determine the burden and predictors of chronic school absenteeism in children with AD and psoriasis. METHODS: Data were analyzed from the 1999-2015 Medical Expenditure Panel Surveys, cross-sectional, population-based studies of health status and function in the United States. RESULTS: Among 3132 and 200 children with AD and psoriasis, respectively, 1544 (67.7%) and 97 (62.5%) missed ≥1 day, and 120 (3.9%) and 5 (3.6%) missed ≥15 days (chronically absent) per year due to illness. AD was associated with chronic absenteeism overall (logistic regression; adjusted odds ratio 1.42, 95% CI [1.13-1.78]) and with more severe disease (mild-moderate: 1.33 [1.04-1.70], severe: 2.00 [1.21-3.32]). No statistical difference in chronic absenteeism was found for children with versus those without psoriasis (1.26 [0.51-3.12]). Parents of children with AD were more likely to miss work for caregiving versus those of children without AD, whereas parents of children with psoriasis had similar rates of work absenteeism versus those of children without psoriasis. LIMITATIONS: The severity of AD and psoriasis was assessed by treatment pattern. CONCLUSION: Children in the United States with AD had increased chronic school absenteeism. Further interventions are warranted to prevent school absenteeism in childhood AD.

Palliative care utilization in hospitalized children with cancer.

BACKGROUND: There is growing evidence that palliative care (PC) is associated with increased quality of life in children with cancer. Despite increasing recommendations in support of PC to improve pediatric oncology care, little is known about its patterns of use. METHODS: We analyzed the 2005-2011 National Inpatient Sample, a representative, cross-sectional sample of US hospital admissions. Our study cohort comprised 10 960 hospitalizations of children with cancer and high in-hospital mortality risk. Survey-weighted regression models were constructed to determine associations of person- and hospital-level characteristics with PC involvement and healthcare costs. RESULTS: Overall, 4.4% of hospitalizations included PC involvement. In regression models invoking stepwise variable selection, a shorter length of stay (PC vs no PC; mean: 23.9 vs 32.6 days), solid cancer (solid vs hematologic vs brain cancer; PC use: 7.4% vs 2.8% vs 5.5%), and older age (PC vs no PC; mean: 10.2 vs 8.9 years) were associated with PC use. PC utilization was also associated with lower overall and daily hospital costs. CONCLUSIONS: One in 20 pediatric inpatients with cancer and high mortality risk receives PC, with differential utilization by socio-economic groups. These results have significant implications for public health resource allocation and the delivery of pediatric PC as high-value care. Future research should focus on the development of new tools to help physicians assess when PC is appropriate for their patients.

Predictors of hospital readmission in United States adults with psoriasis.

BACKGROUND: Previous studies showed a large inpatient burden of psoriasis in the United States. Less is known about the hospital readmission for psoriasis. OBJECTIVES: To determine the patterns and predictors of hospital readmission rates for psoriasis. METHODS: We analyzed data from the 2012-2014 Nationwide Readmissions Database, a representative sample of hospital readmissions in the United States. RESULTS: Among 2606 admissions for psoriasis, 216 had ≥1 readmissions for psoriasis (prevalence [95% confidence interval]: 8.3% [6.6%-10.0%]) and 918 for all-causes (35.2% [32.2%-38.3%]). The mean annual cost of first readmission for any reason was $3,500,141, with $8,357,961 for subsequent readmissions. In multivariable regression models, readmission for psoriasis was associated with ≥6 day-long index hospitalization (adjusted hazard ratio [95% confidence interval]: 1.82 [1.06-3.12]), teaching hospital (1.93 [1.13-3.31]), comorbid skin infection (2.13 [1.11-4.08]), and hospitalization in the autumn (4.51 [2.54-8.00]), but inversely associated with other infections (0.49 [0.26-0.92]). Readmissions for psoriasis increased from 2012 to 2014 (1.93 [1.26-2.93]). LIMITATIONS: No data on psoriasis characteristics. CONCLUSION: Inpatients with psoriasis had high rates of readmission overall but low rates of readmission for psoriasis per se. A subset of psoriasis patients was hospitalized repeatedly and responsible for most inpatients costs. Future interventions are needed to lower readmission rates among psoriasis patients.

Identifying a Safe Carotid Stump Pressure Threshold for Selective Shunting During Carotid Endarterectomy.

BACKGROUND: There is no current consensus on the best criteria for selective shunting during carotid endarterectomy (CEA). The choice of continuous neurologic assessment during awake CEA, intraoperative electroencephalogram, or carotid stump pressure monitoring as the basis for shunt placement is primarily dependent on surgeon preference. Our goal is to define a safe stump pressure threshold as a guide for selective shunting. METHODS: The study is a single-surgeon retrospective review of consecutive patients who underwent CEA under general anesthesia with selective shunting based on intraoperative stump pressure measurements from 2001 to 2019. Demographic and periprocedural variables were analyzed using standard statistical techniques. RESULTS: Among 399 patients, 68% were male with a mean age of 70. One-third of the patients were symptomatic, with amaurosis fugax in 12%, transient ischemic attack in 7%, and stroke in 16%. In total, 60 (15%) patients underwent shunting: 34 for a confirmed preoperative acute ischemic stroke, 22 for a stump pressure <30 mm Hg, and 4 for other indications. Overall 30-day death, ischemic ipsilateral stroke, myocardial infarction, and cranial nerve palsy rates were 0.5%, 0.8%, 1.8%, and 1.0%, respectively. No strokes occurred due to hypoperfusion, and all stroke symptoms resolved prior to discharge with a mean length of stay of 1.6 days. CONCLUSIONS: This is one of the largest contemporary series of CEA using a 30 mm Hg threshold for selective shunting that demonstrated exceedingly low 30-day death and stroke events. Intraoperative carotid stump pressure measurements are a useful guide for selective shunting and reduction in perioperative stroke complications after CEA.

Sarcopenia predicts mortality and adverse outcomes after endovascular aneurysm repair and can be used to risk stratify patients.

BACKGROUND: Endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR) is currently the most common treatment of abdominal aortic aneurysms. Potential predictors of long-term survival after EVAR include physiologic, functional, and cognitive status, but assessments of these conditions have been difficult to standardize. Objective radiographic findings, such as skeletal muscle atrophy, or sarcopenia, may provide an additional means for selection of patients. This study investigates sarcopenia as a method to predict 1-year survival in patients undergoing EVAR. METHODS: A single-institution retrospective review was conducted of all patients who underwent elective EVAR from September 2002 to June 2014. Patients with an available periprocedural computed tomography (CT) scan and clinical data were included in the analysis. Normalized total psoas cross-sectional area (nTPA) was measured on axial CT images using the area of the bilateral psoas muscle at the third lumbar vertebral level normalized to the square of patient height. A threshold for optimal estimate of sarcopenia based on nTPA was determined using a receiver operating characteristic curve. Sarcopenia was evaluated as an independent risk predictor using univariate, multivariate, and survival analysis. RESULTS: A total of 272 EVAR-treated patients were evaluated, including 237 men and 35 women with a median age of 72 years and mean body mass index of 28.6 kg/m2. There was a significant increase in overall mortality in patients in the lowest quartile of nTPA (Q1, 23.53%; Q2, 13.24%; Q3, 7.35%; Q4, 5.88%; P = .01). The estimated nTPA threshold for increased mortality after EVAR was 500 mm2/m2. Using this threshold, sarcopenia accounted for 57% of the risk effect in our 1-year survival model. CONCLUSIONS: Sarcopenia can assist in identifying EVAR candidates who are less likely to benefit from surgery. It can be readily evaluated from preoperative CT scans and may be a useful tool in evaluation of abdominal aortic aneurysm patients with applications in risk evaluation and telemedicine.

Predictors of hospital readmission in US children and adults with atopic dermatitis.

BACKGROUND: Decreasing readmissions is a health care priority in the United States. However, little is kanown about the determinants of hospital readmissions for atopic dermatitis (AD). OBJECTIVE: To determine readmission rates among inpatients hospitalized for AD in the United States. METHODS: We analyzed the 2012-2014 Nationwide Readmission Database, including a representative, cross-sectional sample of hospital readmissions in the United States. RESULTS: Overall, 17.0% of inpatients with AD were readmitted within 1 year for all causes, including 12.5% with only a single readmission and 4.6% for AD. In multivariable Cox proportional hazards regression models, hospital readmission for AD was associated with below-median household income, being uninsured, having a prolonged initial hospitalization, but inversely associated with older age and a diagnosis of infection. Inpatients admitted for AD on a weekend, in the summer, or in autumn were more likely to be readmitted for AD. Hospital characteristics associated with readmission for AD included nonmetropolitan hospital location and hospital teaching status. CONCLUSION: One in 5 inpatients with AD are readmitted within 1 year for all causes. There are socioeconomic and health care disparities in readmission rates for AD.

Depression and psychological distress in US adults with atopic dermatitis.

BACKGROUND: Symptoms of anxiety and depression appear to contribute to the overall burden of atopic dermatitis (AD). However, the burden of mental health symptoms and psychological distress in AD have not been fully elucidated. OBJECTIVE: To determine the prevalence and predictors of depressive symptoms and psychological distress among US adults with AD and how they compare with psoriasis and other disorders. METHODS: We analyzed the 2004-2015 Medical Expenditure Panel Surveys, a representative sample of US adults. Patient Health Questionnaire-2 (PHQ-2) and Kessler-6 index (K-6) scores assessed depressive symptoms and psychological distress, respectively. RESULTS: Atopic dermatitis in adults is associated with increased odds of screening positive for depressive symptoms (PHQ-2 ≥2) (44.3% vs 21.9%; adjusted odds ratio [aOR] [95% confidence interval (CI)]: 2.86 [1.14, 7.16]) and severe psychological distress (K-6≥13) (25.9% vs 5.5%; 6.04 [2.28, 15.99]). Adults with vs without AD had increased K6 scores overall (linear regression, P = .04) and severe psychological distress in particular (K-6≥13; logistic regression; adjusted odds ratio [95% CI]: 6.04 [2.28, 15.99]). K-6 scores were associated with lower household income (linear regression; adjusted beta [95% CI]: 6.22 [0.88, 11.56]) and middle income (4.49 [0.39, 8.59]), but inversely associated with black (-7.36 [-11.70, -3.03]) and multiracial/other (-2.85 [-5.67, -0.03]) race/ethnicity. CONCLUSION: Atopic dermatitis is associated with more depressive symptoms and psychological distress overall, and even worse than many other chronic diseases. These findings highlight the need for clinicians to consider screening for and monitoring mental health symptoms in AD patients. Future studies are needed to develop interventions to reduce psychological distress in AD.

There Is Limited Value in the One Month Post Endovascular Aortic Aneurysm Repair Surveillance Computed Tomography Scan.

BACKGROUND: Endovascular aortic aneurysm repair (EVAR) is the preferred first-line treatment for abdominal aortic aneurysms. Current postprocedure surveillance recommendations by manufacturers are a 1-month computed tomography angiography (CTA) followed by a 12-month CTA in most circumstances. The objective of this study is to determine the utility of the 1-month CTA following elective EVAR and determine if initial surveillance at 6-month CTA is appropriate. METHODS: A single-center retrospective chart review of all elective EVARs at a tertiary medical center over a 12-year period was conducted. Patients were excluded if postoperative surveillance imaging was not available. Data analysis encompassed demographics, chart review, and imaging including angiogram and cross-sectional imaging to asses for endoleaks and other findings. RESULTS: There were 363 patients who underwent elective EVAR and had available postoperative imaging during the study period. Within the 1-month follow-up, a CTA group of 316 patients was detected with 98 (31%) endoleaks. Of these, 5 (1.5%) required intervention: 1 for infolding of an iliac limb and 4 for type I endoleak which was present on completion angiogram-3 in patients treated outside of instructions for use and 1 with a type Ib endoleak on intraoperative completion imaging. In the 158 patients with 1 and 3-month CTAs, there were 47 persistent endoleaks, 9 previously undetected endoleaks not seen in 1-month CTA, and 13 resolved endoleaks. Three patients (1.2%) underwent intervention for type II endoleak and aneurysm expansion. In 47 patients with only a 6-month CTA, there were 16 endoleaks not seen on completion angiography and 2 of which were treated with reintervention-1 for a type I endoleak and 1 for a type II endoleak. CONCLUSIONS: There is limited utility to 1-month surveillance CTA in patients undergoing elective EVAR within the device instructions for use that has no evidence of type I endoleak on completion angiography. It is safe to start routine EVAR surveillance at 6 months in this patient population. This has implications when considering bundled and value-based payments in the longitudinal care of abdominal aortic aneurysm patients.

Association of household language and vision screening among children in the United States.

The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends annual testing in children beginning at 3 years of age to detect vision problems and prevent amblyopia. However, rates of vision testing in children from non-English primary language (NEPL) households are not well delineated. This study analyzed the 2018-2020 National Survey of Children's Health to examine patterns and predictors of vision testing among children from NEPL households. In this nationally representative cohort of 89,697 children 3-17 years of age, 70.9% of children received vision testing during the previous 12 months. Children from non-English-speaking households were less likely to undergo vision testing (64.3% vs 72.0%; aOR [95% CI] = 0.83 [0.72-0.95], P = 0.008). Decreased vision testing among children from NEPL households was driven by lower rates of testing at school (16.1% vs 21.0%; 0.72 [0.57-0.89], P = 0.009) or from an ophthalmologist or optometrist (49.0% vs 54.0%; 0.72 [0.61-0.85], P = 0.0004), whereas children from NEPL households were more likely to receive vision testing at health clinics (14.4% vs 3.1%; 3.25 [2.40-4.39], P < 0.0001). No differences were observed in rates of testing by a pediatrician (41.1% vs 44.0%; 1.05 [0.89-1.23], P = 0.69). Interventions to improve language services and health literacy are warranted to increase rates of vision testing among children from NEPL households.

Disease Awareness Among Patients With Age-Related Macular Degeneration: Patterns and Predictors.

Purpose: To examine the prevalence and predictors of patient awareness of their disease in adults with age-related macular degeneration (AMD). Methods: This study analyzed 5553 adults 40 years or older in the 2005-2008 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey who underwent retinal imaging. AMD was determined based on retinal images. Patient awareness of their AMD was assessed by a self-reported AMD diagnosis. Multivariable logistic regression models were constructed to examine the association of patient awareness of their AMD with sociodemographic characteristics and specific AMD lesion types on retinal imaging. Results: AMD was identified in 425 of the adults surveyed (6.5%) (95% confidence interval [CI], 5.5%-7.5%), including 87.7% (95% CI, 82.9%-92.5%) with early AMD and 12.3% (95% CI, 7.5%-17.1%) with late AMD. Among adults with either type of AMD on retinal imaging, 17.5% (95% CI, 13.1%-22.0%) were aware of their disease, which included 11.6% (95% CI, 8.4%-14.9%) with early AMD and 59.2% (95% CI, 43.1%-75.3%) with late AMD (P < .0001). In the same group, those aged 60 years or older (odds ratio [OR], 33.46; 95% CI, 7.67-146.03) and with a best-corrected visual acuity of 20/40 or worse (OR, 4.63; 95% CI, 2.95-7.26) had higher awareness of their AMD diagnosis, whereas Hispanic (OR, 0.28; 95% CI, 0.09-0.88) vs White adults and those who did not speak English at home (OR, 0.05; 95% CI, 0.01-0.41) had lower awareness of their diagnosis. Conclusions: Fewer than 1 in 5 adults with AMD were aware of their personal diagnosis, including fewer than 3 in 5 adults with late AMD. Older adults and those with worse vision were more likely to know they have AMD, whereas Hispanic adults and those who did not speak English at home were less likely. Efforts to increase patients' awareness of their AMD may improve rates of follow-up and prevent vision loss.

Association of Health Literacy and Health Care Utilization Among Glaucoma Patients.

PRCIS: Among 7846 adults with self-reported glaucoma, low health literacy (LHL) was associated with fewer outpatient ophthalmological follow-up visits, utilization of a greater number of ocular hypotensive medication classes, and higher costs for glaucoma medications. PURPOSE: Previous studies found LHL is associated with increased difficulty with treatment adherence among adults with glaucoma, which can lead to poor outcomes. This study examined patterns of glaucoma health care utilization associated with LHL. METHODS: We analyzed 7846 adults with self-reported glaucoma enrolled in the 1996-2017 Medical Expenditure Panel Survey. Adult glaucoma patients with LHL (defined by National Assessment of Adult Literacy score <226) were the compared with those with high health literacy. Multivariable regression models were constructed to examine the association of LHL with number of outpatient glaucoma visits, prescription medications, polypharmacy (≥2 ocular hypotensive classes prescribed), and associated costs. RESULTS: Self-reported glaucoma diagnosis was associated with higher rates of LHL [23.9% vs. 9.7%, odds ratio (95% CI): 2.43 (2.25-2.62), P <0.0001]. Among those with glaucoma, LHL was associated with fewer glaucoma outpatient visits [risk ratio: 0.94 (0.89-0.99), P =0.02] and the use of a greater number of ocular hypotensive medications [1.06 (1.01-1.12), P =0.03]. Moreover, those with LHL had higher health care spending on prescription medications [mean: $556.40 vs. $471.87, ß (95% CI): $57.05 ($30.22-$83.87)]. Adult glaucoma patients with LHL were also more likely to have polypharmacy [odds ratio (95% CI): 1.26 (1.01-1.59)]. CONCLUSION: LHL was more prevalent in patients with glaucoma, compared with those without. Glaucoma patients with LHL were prescribed more medications and had higher medication costs, however, they had fewer outpatient glaucoma visits. Improved glaucoma patient education to address LHL is needed, in addition to studies to understand the impact of these findings on treatment outcomes.

Hirsutism is associated with increased hospitalization for mental health disorders.

Hirsutism is a common condition characterized by excess hair growth and may lead to psychosocial distress and substantial mental health (MH) burden. These psychosocial manifestations may lead to MH emergencies and hospitalization. However, the prevalence and predictors of MH hospitalization associated with hirsutism are not well-understood. The objective of this study was to determine the likelihood and associations of MH hospitalization among females in the US with hirsutism. Data were analyzed from female inpatients in the 2005-2014 National Inpatient Sample, a representative sample of US hospitalizations. Multivariable logistic regression models were constructed to examine the association of MH hospitalization and comorbidities with hirsutism diagnosis. Patients with hirsutism were more likely to also have a comorbid MH disorder, compared to those without hirsutism (49.5% vs 27.5%, odds ratio [95% CI]: 3.33 [3.14-3.54]), including higher odds of having 14 of the 15 MH disorders studied. Moreover, those with hirsutism had higher odds of hospitalization for a MH disorder in multivariable logistic regression models adjusted for sex, age, and insurance coverage (14.0% vs 3.6%, 3.84 [3.50-4.21]). The mean length of hospital stay (LOS) for a MH disorder was greater among inpatients with vs without hirsutism (12.8 vs 7.1 days, ß [95% CI]: 5.71 [4.24-7.18]). There were two-way interactions of hirsutism and MH hospitalization as predictors of longer LOS. Among female inpatients with hirsutism, MH hospitalization was associated with younger age, having health insurance, and longer LOS, and inversely associated with elective admission. In conclusion, female inpatients with hirsutism have higher odds of comorbid MH disorders and MH hospitalizations, with much longer LOS. Patients may benefit from increased access to outpatient follow-up, as poor disease control may contribute to worse MH outcomes and more frequent hospitalization.