Religion in the US during the time of a Pandemic: A Medical Perspective.

Approximately 80% of Americans identify as religious. As physicians caring for patients with COVID-19, we have seen both positive and negative effects of religious activity during the pandemic. Religious worship generally supports close social interaction, which provides many benefits, especially in mental health, but it can also contradict infection control measures. These forces do not necessarily have to be in opposition to each other. Herein, we present three case vignettes of religious patients who were infected with and recovered from COVID-19. We review the potential benefits and risks of religious activity in the current pandemic, as supported by the medical literature. Finally, we offer some thoughts on how to engage with patients so that the benefits of both religious activity and public health measures are optimized.

Tilt Table Testing.

This Diagnostic Test Interpretation uses a patient case to illustrate tilt table testing, useful for evaluating patients with syncope of unknown cause or postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS).

Characteristics, Treatment Patterns, and Clinical Outcomes After Heart Failure Hospitalizations During the COVID-19 Pandemic, March to October 2020.

OBJECTIVE: To compare clinical characteristics, treatment patterns, and 30-day all-cause readmission and mortality between patients hospitalized for heart failure (HF) before and during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The study was conducted at 16 hospitals across 3 geographically dispersed US states. The study included 6769 adults (mean age, 74 years; 56% [5033 of 8989] men) with cumulative 8989 HF hospitalizations: 2341 hospitalizations during the COVID-19 pandemic (March 1 through October 30, 2020) and 6648 in the pre-COVID-19 (October 1, 2018, through February 28, 2020) comparator group. We used Poisson regression, Kaplan-Meier estimates, multivariable logistic, and Cox regression analysis to determine whether prespecified study outcomes varied by time frames. RESULTS: The adjusted 30-day readmission rate decreased from 13.1% (872 of 6648) in the pre-COVID-19 period to 10.0% (234 of 2341) in the COVID-19 pandemic period (relative risk reduction, 23%; hazard ratio, 0.77; 95% CI, 0.66 to 0.89). Conversely, all-cause mortality increased from 9.7% (645 of 6648) in the pre-COVID-19 period to 11.3% (264 of 2341) in the COVID-19 pandemic period (relative risk increase, 16%; number of admissions needed for one additional death, 62.5; hazard ratio, 1.19; 95% CI, 1.02 to 1.39). Despite significant differences in rates of index hospitalization, readmission, and mortality across the study time frames, the disease severity, HF subtypes, and treatment patterns remained unchanged (P>0.05). CONCLUSION: The findings of this large tristate multicenter cohort study of HF hospitalizations suggest lower rates of index hospitalizations and 30-day readmissions but higher incidence of 30-day mortality with broadly similar use of HF medication, surgical interventions, and devices during the COVID-19 pandemic compared with the pre-COVID-19 time frame.

Serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D values and risk of incident cardiovascular disease: A population-based retrospective cohort study.

BACKGROUND: Concentrations of serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] below 20 ng/mL and above 50 ng/mL have been associated with chronic adverse events including cardiovascular disease. OBJECTIVE: To conduct a comprehensive population-based study in the United States of the relationship of low and high serum 25(OH)D levels with cardiovascular disease. METHODS: We identified all serum 25(OH)D measurements in adults age 18 years and older residing in Olmsted County, MN between January 1, 2005 and December 31, 2011, using the resources of the Rochester Epidemiology Project. Any new diagnosis of cardiovascular disease was the primary outcome, and time zero was 30 days after first 25(OH)D measurement. Patients were followed until their last clinical visit as an Olmsted County resident, December 31, 2014, or death. Categories of 25(OH)D values were examined using predetermined ranges of interest: <12, 12-19, 20-50 (reference range), and >50 ng/mL. Multivariable Cox proportional hazards models were adjusted for age, BMI, sex, race, smoking history, season of 25(OH)D measurement, hypertension, hyperlipidemia, socioeconomic status and Charlson comorbidity index at time of 25(OH)D measurement. RESULTS: A total of 11,002 unique persons had a 25(OH)D measurement, with a mean (±SD) value of 30.0 ± 12.9 ng/mL. Mean age was 54.3 ± 17.2 years, and the majority were female (77.1 %) and white (87.6 %). There were 4124 new diagnoses of cardiovascular disease in this cohort after a median overall follow-up of 4.8 years (IQR 3.4-6.2). Adjusted cardiovascular disease hazard ratios (HRs) (95 % confidence interval) for 25(OH)D values <12, 12-19, and >50 ng/mL, compared to the reference range 20-50 ng/mL, were 1.28 (1.12-1.46), 1.19 (1.09-1.31), and 1.10 (0.95-1.26), respectively. CONCLUSION: Values of 25(OH)D <20 ng/mL were associated with development of a new diagnosis of cardiovascular disease. There was no significant association between 25(OH)D values >50 ng/mL and cardiovascular disease.

Serum 25-Hydroxyvitamin D and Subsequent Cancer Incidence and Mortality: A Population-Based Retrospective Cohort Study.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the relationship between 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25[OH]D) values and subsequent cancer incidence and mortality. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We identified all adult patients living in Olmsted County, Minnesota, between January 1, 2005, and December 31, 2011, who had at least 1 25(OH)D measurement and no prior diagnosis of cancer. Cancer outcomes were retrieved starting 30 days after 25(OH)D measurement and until patients' final clinical visit as an Olmsted County resident; December 31, 2014; or death. Cox proportional hazards regression was used to analyze data. RESULTS: A total of 8700 individuals had a 25(OH)D measurement and no history of cancer, with a mean ± SD 25(OH)D value of 29.7±12.8 ng/mL (to convert to nmol/L, multiply by 2.496). The mean ± SD age was 51.5±16.4 years, and most were women (78.1%; n=6796) and White (85.7%; n=7460). A total of 761 individuals developed cancer (skin cancer, n=360; nonskin cancer, n=401) during a median follow-up of 4.6 (interquartile range, 3.4-6.1) years. Compared with participants with 25(OH)D values of 20 to 50 ng/mL (reference group), those with 25(OH)D values less than 12 ng/mL had a greater nonskin cancer incidence (hazard ratio [HR], 1.56; 95% CI, 1.03 to 2.36; P=.04) after adjustment. There was no association between 25(OH)D values and total cancer or skin cancer incidence. Compared with individuals from the reference group, 25(OH)D levels less than 12 ng/mL (HR, 2.35; 95% CI, 1.01 to 5.48; P=.047) and 12 to 19 ng/mL (HR, 2.10; 95% CI, 1.05 to 4.22; P=.04) were associated with increased cancer mortality. CONCLUSION: Low 25(OH)D levels were associated with increased risk for incident nonskin cancer and cancer-related mortality.

Physician Satisfaction With Telemedicine During the COVID-19 Pandemic: The Mayo Clinic Florida Experience.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate physician perceptions and attitudes toward telemedicine use at a tertiary care academic institution in northeast Florida during the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic. PATIENTS AND METHODS: An anonymous 38-question cross-sectional survey was developed using Qualtrics survey software (Qualtrics) and e-mailed to all staff physicians from all specialty disciplines at Mayo Clinic in Florida. The survey was open from August 17, 2020, through September 1, 2020. Collected data included general demographic characteristics and employment information, attitude and experience with telemedicine use before and during the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic, perception of patients' experience, and the effect of telemedicine on burnout. RESULTS: The survey was distributed to 529 eligible physicians at our institution, with 103 physicians responding (20%). The distribution of specialties was 22% primary care specialties, 41% other internal medicine subspecialties, and 18% surgical specialties. Collectively, 63% found comparable quality of care when provided virtually (vs in-person) whereas 80% perceived telemedicine as cost-effective. A total of 76% of physicians felt that telemedicine increased flexibility and control over patient care activities, with 36% reporting improved work-life balance and 30% reporting improved burnout symptoms. Overall, 42% preferred using telemedicine over in-person visits when possible. CONCLUSION: Physicians generally had positive attitudes regarding the adoption of telemedicine and perceived that the quality of health care delivery as generally comparable to in-person care. Future studies are needed to explore attitudes regarding telemedicine after the pandemic and how this virtual technology may be further used to improve physicians' professional and personal well-being.

The relationship of 25-hydroxyvitamin D concentrations and individual-level socioeconomic status.

Socioeconomic status (SES), defined as the ability to access desired resources, is associated with behaviors that may affect vitamin D status. Most studies of the effect of vitamin D status on outcomes do not account for individual-level SES. The ability to adjust for SES in epidemiologic studies, when data on conventional SES measures have not been obtained, would be advantageous. We identified all serum 25(OH)D measurements in adults age 18 years and older residing in Olmsted County, MN, a mixed urban-rural setting, between January 1, 2005 and December 31, 2011, through the Rochester Epidemiology Project. The first 25(OH)D measurement was considered the index measurement for each subject. SES was determined for each subject by the HOUsing-based SocioEconomic Status (HOUSES) index, derived from real property data. The HOUSES index is an aggregated z-score of assessed housing value, area of living space, number of bedrooms, and number of bathrooms, with higher scores indicating higher SES. Multivariable analyses were adjusted for age, BMI, sex, race, season of 25(OH)D measurement, and Charlson comorbidity index. HOUSES was matched for 10,378 of 11,002 subjects (94 %) with 25(OH)D measurements available. The mean (SD) age was 54.3 (17.1) years with 26.9 % ≥65 years; 77.3 % were women, and 12.1 % were non-white. The mean 25(OH)D concentration was 30.0 (12.9) ng/mL, and 598 (5.8 %) had a 25(OH)D value <12 ng/mL. The mean (SD) HOUSES was -1.55 (3.09),-0.97 (3.34), 0.14 (3.52), 0.24 (3.51) for serum 25(OH)D categories of <12, 12-19, 20-50, and >50 ng/mL, respectively (P = 0.12 for trend). 25(OH)D increased by 0.43 (95 % CI 0.36-0.50) ng/mL for each unit increase in HOUSES in univariate analysis and by 0.28 (0.21-0.35; P < 0.001) ng/mL in multivariable analysis. This represents a change of 4 ng/mL across the entire range of observed HOUSES, an effect similar in magnitude to the seasonal variation of 25(OH)D values. SES was independently associated with serum 25(OH)D concentrations in a dose-response manner after adjustment for important covariates. HOUSES is a useful tool to assess the role of individual-level SES in health outcomes when other SES measures are unavailable and to control for confounding by SES in examining the effect of 25(OH)D on clinical and metabolic outcomes.

Serum 25-Hydroxyvitamin D Values and Risk of All-Cause and Cause-Specific Mortality: A Population-Based Cohort Study.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the relationship between 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25[OH]D) values and all-cause and cause-specific mortality. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We identified all serum 25(OH)D measurements in adults residing in Olmsted County, Minnesota, between January 1, 2005, and December 31, 2011, through the Rochester Epidemiology Project. All-cause mortality was the primary outcome. Patients were followed up until their last clinical visit as an Olmsted County resident, December 31, 2014, or death. Multivariate analyses were adjusted for age, sex, race/ethnicity, month of measurement, and Charlson comorbidity index score. RESULTS: A total of 11,022 individuals had a 25(OH)D measurement between January 1, 2005, and December 31, 2011, with a mean ± SD value of 30.0±12.9 ng/mL. Mean age was 54.3±17.2 years, and most were female (77.1%) and white (87.6%). There were 723 deaths after a median follow-up of 4.8 years (interquartile range, 3.4-6.2 years). Unadjusted all-cause mortality hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% CIs for 25(OH)D values of less than 12, 12 to 19, and more than 50 ng/mL were 2.6 (95% CI, 2.0-3.2), 1.3 (95% CI, 1.0-1.6), and 1.0 (95% CI, 0.72-1.5), respectively, compared with the reference value of 20 to 50 ng/mL. In a multivariate model, the interaction between the effect of 25(OH)D and race/ethnicity on mortality was significant (P<.001). In white patients, adjusted HRs for 25(OH)D values of less than 12, 12 to 19, 20 to 50, and greater than 50 ng/mL were 2.5 (95% CI, 2.2-2.9), 1.4 (95% CI, 1.2-1.6), 1.0 (referent), and 1.0 (95% CI, 0.81-1.3), respectively. In patients of other race/ethnicity, adjusted HRs were 1.9 (95% CI, 1.5-2.3), 1.7 (95% CI, 1.1-2.6), 1.5 (95% CI, 1.0-2.0), and 2.1 (95% CI, 0.77-5.5). CONCLUSION: White patients with 25(OH)D values of less than 20 ng/mL had greater all-cause mortality than those with values of 20 to 50 ng/mL, and white patients had greater mortality associated with low 25(OH)D values than patients of other race/ethnicity. Values of 25(OH)D greater than 50 ng/mL were not associated with all-cause mortality.

Changing Incidence of Serum 25-Hydroxyvitamin D Values Above 50 ng/mL: A 10-Year Population-Based Study.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the incidence trend of 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) values above 50 ng/mL and associated toxicity. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We conducted a retrospective population-based study in Olmsted County, Minnesota, in the 10-year period from January 1, 2002, through December 31, 2011, by using the Rochester Epidemiology Project. Individuals were eligible if they resided in Olmsted County during the study period and had a measured 25(OH)D value above 50 ng/mL. The date of the first 25(OH)D value above 50 ng/mL was considered the index date for incidence determination. Hypercalcemia, the primary vitamin D toxicity, was considered potentially associated with the 25(OH)D concentration if it was measured within 3 months of the 25(OH)D measurement, and such cases had a medical record review. RESULTS: Of 20,308 total 25(OH)D measurements, 1714 (8.4%), 123 (0.6%), and 37 (0.2%) unique persons had 25(OH)D values above 50, 80 and above, and 100 ng/mL and above, respectively. The age- and sex-adjusted incidence of 25(OH)D values above 50 ng/mL increased from 9 to 233 cases per 100,000 person-years from 2002 to 2011 (P<.001), respectively, and was greatest in persons aged 65 years and older (P<.001) and in women (P<.001). Serum 25(OH)D values were not significantly related to serum calcium values (P=.20) or with the risk of hypercalcemia (P=.24). A medical record review identified 4 cases (0.2%) in whom 25(OH)D values above 50 ng/mL were temporally associated with hypercalcemia, but only 1 case had clinical toxicity associated with the highest observed 25(OH)D value of 364 ng/mL. CONCLUSION: The incidence of 25(OH)D values above 50 ng/mL increased significantly between 2002 and 2011 without a corresponding increase in acute clinical toxicity.