Vitamin D3 Repletion Improves Vascular Function, as Measured by Cardiorenal Biomarkers in a High-Risk African American Cohort.

Background: 25-hydroxy vitamin D (Vit D)-deficiency is common among patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) and contributes to cardiovascular disease (CVD). African Americans (AAs) suffer disproportionately from CKD and CVD, and 80% of AAs are Vit D-deficient. The impact of Vit D repletion on cardio-renal biomarkers in AAs is unknown. We examined Vit D repletion on full-length osteopontin (flOPN), c-terminal fibroblast growth factor-23 (FGF-23), and plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1), which are implicated in vascular and kidney pathology. Methods: We performed a randomized, placebo-controlled study of high-risk AAs with Vit D deficiency, treated with 100,000 IU Vit D3 (cholecalciferol; n = 65) or placebo (n = 65) every 4 weeks for 12 weeks. We measured kidney function (CKD-EPI eGFR), protein-to-creatinine ratio, vascular function (pulse wave velocity; PWV), augmentation index, waist circumference, sitting, and 24-h-ambulatory blood pressure (BP), intact parathyroid hormone (iPTH) and serum calcium at baseline and study end, and compared Vit D levels with laboratory variables. We quantified plasma FGF-23, PAI-1, and flOPN by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Multiple regression analyzed the relationship between log flOPN, FGF-23, and PAI-1 with vascular and renal risk factors. Results: Compared to placebo, Vit D3 repletion increased Vit D3 2-fold (p < 0.0001), decreased iPTH by 12% (p < 0.01) and was significantly correlated with PWV (p < 0.009). Log flOPN decreased (p = 0.03), log FGF-23 increased (p = 0.04), but log PAI-1 did not change. Multiple regression indicated association between log flOPN and PWV (p = 0.04) and diastolic BP (p = 0.02), while log FGF-23 was associated with diastolic BP (p = 0.05), and a trend with eGFR (p = 0.06). Conclusion: Vit D3 repletion may reduce flOPN and improve vascular function in high risk AAs with Vit D deficiency.

Gastroenterology visitation and reminders predict surveillance uptake for patients with adenomas with high-risk features.

Individuals diagnosed with colorectal adenomas with high-risk features during screening colonoscopy have increased risk for the development of subsequent adenomas and colorectal cancer. While US guidelines recommend surveillance colonoscopy at 3 years in this high-risk population, surveillance uptake is suboptimal. To inform future interventions to improve surveillance uptake, we sought to assess surveillance rates and identify facilitators of uptake in a large integrated health system. We utilized a cohort of patients with a diagnosis of ≥ 1 tubular adenoma (TA) with high-risk features (TA ≥ 1 cm, TA with villous features, TA with high-grade dysplasia, or ≥ 3 TA of any size) on colonoscopy between 2013 and 2016. Surveillance colonoscopy completion within 3.5 years of diagnosis of an adenoma with high-risk features was our primary outcome. We evaluated surveillance uptake over time and utilized logistic regression to detect factors associated with completion of surveillance colonoscopy. The final cohort was comprised of 405 patients. 172 (42.5%) patients successfully completed surveillance colonoscopy by 3.5 years. Use of a patient reminder (telephone, electronic message, or letter) for due surveillance (adjusted odds = 1.9; 95%CI = 1.2-2.8) and having ≥ 1 gastroenterology (GI) visit after diagnosis of an adenoma with high-risk features (adjusted odds = 2.6; 95%CI = 1.6-4.2) significantly predicted surveillance colonoscopy completion at 3.5 years. For patients diagnosed with adenomas with high-risk features, surveillance colonoscopy uptake is suboptimal and frequently occurs after the 3-year surveillance recommendation. Patient reminders and visitation with GI after index colonoscopy are associated with timely surveillance completion. Our findings highlight potential health system interventions to increase timely surveillance uptake for patients diagnosed with adenomas with high-risk features.

Community-Driven Health Priorities for Healthy Aging With HIV.

Palm Springs, CA, is a retirement community with the highest prevalence of gay men living with HIV older than 50 years in the United States. Through a community-academic partnership, we explored the major health issues, resiliencies, and priority research topics related to HIV and aging. We conducted five community facilitated focus groups with different stakeholders, including two focus groups with older adults living with HIV, one with their caregivers, one with HIV-focused community-based organizations, and a joint focus group with researchers and HIV care providers. Using the rigorous and accelerated data reduction technique, five major themes emerged, which included long-term side effects of medication, social determinants of health, mental health, resiliencies, and involving community in research. These data are important for developing effective interventions, conducting useful and impactful research, and providing health care providers with the tools and knowledge to provide optimal care.