The Influence of Comorbidities, General Health Status, and Self-Care Self-Efficacy on COVID-19 Symptoms During the Omicron Wave.

Background The emergence of the less virulent COVID-19 strains such as Omicron and its subvariants shifted the paradigm of COVID-19 treatment from inpatient treatment to regular outpatient care. The individual health determinants affecting COVID-19 disease severity among vulnerable adults treated in outpatient settings are an under-researched area. Methods This study conducted in an outpatient COVID-19 antibody infusion center employed a cross-sectional survey design to explore the impact of comorbidities, general health status, and self-care self-efficacy on COVID-19 symptom severity. We recruited 120 COVID-19-positive participants over 40 years of age, of which 117 completed the study with 87 providing complete data. After the screening and consenting process, the participants completed the following surveys in a secure REDCap survey software (Vanderbilt University, Nashville, USA) on an iPad (Apple Inc., Cupertino, USA): 1) sociodemographic questionnaire, 2) Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI) to capture comorbidities, 3) Medical Outcomes Study Short-Form (SF-12) to assess general health including physical (PCS) and mental (MCS) health subscales, 4) Self-Care Self-Efficacy Scale (SCSES) to measure self-care self-efficacy, and 5) the COVID-19 Symptom rating scale (COVID-19 SRS). Statistical analysis used were Chi-square and Pearson correlations.  Results As evidenced by CCI, the top five comorbidities were hypertension (42%), diabetes mellitus (31%), pulmonary disease (19%), depression (14%), and solid tumors (11%). Age was statistically significantly correlated to comorbidity burden (p<0.0001). Severe COVID-19 symptoms reported were fatigue, myalgia, cough, runny nose, and sore throat. The general health status measure (SF-12) subscales showed that the patient's mental component summary (MCS) was more statistically significant to COVID-19 symptom severity than the physical component summary (PCS). The MCS demonstrated a statistically significant correlation with fatigue and myalgia (p<0.0001), headache and breathing difficulties (p<0.001), nausea/vomiting (p<0.01), and abdominal pain/diarrhea (p<0.05). The PCS showed a lesser statistically significant correlation with fatigue, myalgia, headaches (p<0.01), fever/chills, cough, congestion/runny nose, night sweats, breathing difficulties, nausea/vomiting, and abdominal pain/diarrhea (p<0.05). Interestingly, the 'loss of smell' which is the hallmark symptom of COVID-19 was the only symptom that showed a statically significant correlation with the Charlson Comorbidity Index (p<0.05), and it did not show any association with either mental (SF-12 MCS) or physical (SF-12 PCS) health status. The SF-12 MCS also showed a statistically significant correlation with a diagnosis of depression (p< 0.01), validating it as a true measure of mental health among vulnerable adults. The SCSES was not correlated with any of the COVID-19 symptoms. Conclusions The patient's general health status, especially mental health was more statistically significant to COVID-19 symptoms. The COVID-19 hallmark symptom of 'loss of smell' was the only symptom that showed statistical significance with comorbidities. Within the limitations of a cross-sectional survey design and convenient sampling methods, this study calls to tailor general health status, especially mental health, and cumulative comorbidity burden to risk assessment/risk stratification of COVID-19 care.

Health Disparities Influence Childhood Melanoma Stage at Diagnosis and Outcome.

OBJECTIVE: To identify health disparities in pediatric patients with melanoma that affect disease presentation and outcome. STUDY DESIGN: This was a retrospective cohort study of all persons aged ≤18 years diagnosed with melanoma and enrolled in the Texas Cancer Registry between 1995 and 2009. Socioeconomic status (SES) and driving distance to the nearest pediatric cancer treatment center were calculated for each patient. Logistic regression was used to determine factors associated with advanced-stage disease. Life table methods and Cox regression were used to estimate survival probability and hazard ratios. RESULTS: A total of 185 adolescents (age >10 years) and 50 young children (age ≤10 years) were identified. Hispanics (n = 27; 12%) were 3 times more likely than non-Hispanic whites (n = 177; 75%) to present with advanced disease (OR, 3.8; 95% CI, 1.7-8.8). Young children were twice as likely as adolescents to present with advanced disease (OR, 2.2; 95% CI, 1.1-4.3). Distance to treatment center and SES did not affect stage of disease at presentation. Hispanics and those in the lowest SES quartile had a significantly higher mortality risk (hazard ratios, 3.0 [95% CI, 1.2-7.8] and 4.3 [95% CI, 1.4-13.9], respectively). In the adjusted survival model, only advanced disease was predictive of mortality (P < .001). CONCLUSION: Hispanics and young children with melanoma are more likely to present with advanced disease, and advanced disease is the single most important predictor of survival. Heightened awareness among physicians is needed to facilitate early detection of melanoma within these groups.

Self-reported physical activity among middle-aged cancer survivors in the United States: Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System Survey, 2009.

INTRODUCTION: Regular physical activity (PA) can improve health outcomes in cancer survivors, but the rate of adherence to PA recommendations among middle-aged survivors is unclear. We examined adherence to PA recommendations among cancer survivors and controls. We sought to identify correlates of adherence to PA and to determine whether PA adherence is associated with health-related quality of life (HRQOL) among cancer survivors. METHODS: We examined PA adherence among 8,655 cancer survivors and 144,213 control subjects aged 45-64 years who were respondents to the 2009 Behavior Risk Factor Surveillance System survey. We used multinomial logistic regression to assess associations between PA adherence and demographic, psychosocial, and clinical factors, and multivariable linear regression to assess the relationship between PA adherence and HRQOL of cancer survivors. RESULTS: Cancer survivors and control subjects had similar rates of PA adherence. Of the survivors, 47% met the recommendations of 150 minutes of moderate-intensity PA or 120 minutes of vigorous-intensity PA per week, 41% were somewhat active, and 12% were sedentary. Compared with cancer survivors who were sedentary, survivors who were somewhat active were less likely to be obese (odds ratio [OR], 0.65; P < .007), and those who met PA recommendations were less likely to be overweight (OR, 0.61; P < .002) or obese (OR, 0.33, P < .001). Regression analysis indicated that PA adherence was positively correlated with HRQOL (P < .001). CONCLUSION: Most cancer survivors did not meet PA recommendations, but those who are active seem to have improved HRQOL. Therefore, targeted interventions to improve adherence to PA among cancer survivors are needed.

Evaluation of the PAH and water-extractable phenols content in used cross ties from the French rail network.

Recycling used railway sleepers is a major economic and environmental issue since nearly 50000 tons of those are incinerated every year in France. Therefore, it appeared essential to determine the real toxicity of sleepers and particularly for very old one. They are treated with creosote, which contains toxic and carcinogen compounds such as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). This study aims at measuring the amount of 16 priority PAHs and water extractable phenols in 12 sleepers implemented between 1936 and 1978. Results showed that the creosote content was systematically far above 1000mgkg(-1), even after 76years ageing. Crossties should then be considered as a hazardous waste according to European regulations. Less creosote and PAHs were detected in the sleepers centers. Moreover, the fraction of volatile PAHs was lower in the surface part, due to their evaporation. It appeared that a long ageing process was not sufficient to remove the major part of volatile PAHs and that they could be yet released in the atmospheric environment. Moreover, most of the treated crossties contained huge amount of the highly toxic benzo[a]pyrene, between 179mgkg(-1) and up to 853mgkg(-1) in wood. In contrast, the study revealed that concentrations of water extractable phenols were well below European regulations (3% by mass of creosote).

Risk and outcomes of chemotherapy-induced diarrhea (CID) among patients with colorectal cancer receiving multi-cycle chemotherapy.

BACKGROUND: Diarrhea is a common toxicity of chemotherapy, but the practice of reporting only severe grades (≥ 3) in clinical trials results in misleading conclusions of significance. Epidemiology remains poorly described, and effects of multi-cycle regimens have not been investigated. To better understand the risks, symptom burden and consequences of CID, we studied patients receiving chemotherapy for colorectal cancer (CRC). METHODS: One hundred and fourteen patients receiving FOLFOX (95 patients, 530 cycles), FOLFOX + monoclonal antibodies (10 patients, 49 cycles) or FOLFIRI (9 patients, 50 cycles) were enrolled. CID was identified from diaries at baseline and daily during up to 8 chemotherapy cycles using supplemental questions on the Oral Mucositis Daily Questionnaire, a valid tool for collecting patient-reported outcomes of regimen-related mucosal injury. Patients scored CID severity from 0 "none" to 10 "worst possible," and quantity from "little" to "severe" on a 5-point scale. Quality of life was measured using the FACT-G, and fatigue using the FACIT fatigue scale. RESULTS: CID occurred in 89% of patients on FOLFIRI, 50% on FOLFOX + monoclonal antibodies and 56% on FOLFOX alone. The risk of a first episode was highest during Cycle 1 (35 %) and dropped to <10% during Cycles 3-5. Patients with CID reported poorer quality of life scores than those without CID (77.1 vs 80.7). CONCLUSIONS: Diarrhea occurs more commonly than typically appreciated during chemotherapy for CRC. Risk is highest during first exposure, suggesting variable susceptibility. Identification of this high-risk subgroup for prophylaxis could improve the quality of life.

Geographic disparities in mammography capacity in the South: a longitudinal assessment of supply and demand.

OBJECTIVE: Studies have shown that there is sufficient availability of mammography; however, little is known about geographic variation in capacity. The purpose of this study was to determine the locations and extent of over/undersupply of mammography in 14 southern states from 2002 to 2008. DATA SOURCES: Mammography facility data were collected from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Population estimates, used to estimate the potential demand for mammography, were obtained from GeoLytics Inc. STUDY DESIGN: Using the two-step floating catchment area method, we calculated spatial accessibility at the block group level and categorized the resulting index to represent the extent of under/oversupply relative to the potential demand. PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: Results show decreasing availability of mammography over time. The extent of over/undersupply varied significantly across the South. Reductions in capacity occurred primarily in areas with an oversupply of machines, resulting in a 68 percent decrease in the percent of women living in excess capacity areas from 2002 to 2008. The percent of women living in poor capacity areas rose by 10 percent from 2002 to 2008. CONCLUSIONS: Our study found decreasing mammography availability and capacity over time, with substantial variation across states. This information can assist providers and policy makers in their business planning and resource allocation decisions.

Low rates of bone mineral density measurement in Medicare beneficiaries with prostate cancer initiating androgen deprivation therapy.

BACKGROUND: Men with prostate cancer who undergo androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) are at risk for bone loss and fractures. Our objective was to determine if Medicare beneficiaries with prostate cancer in the state of Texas underwent DXA scans when initiating ADT. METHODS: We identified men diagnosed with prostate cancer between 2005 and 2007 in the Texas Cancer Registry/Medicare linked database, and who received parenteral ADT or orchiectomy. We identified DXA claims within 1 year before or 6 months after starting ADT. We examined use of bone conservation agents in the subgroup of patients enrolled in Medicare Part D. Multivariate logistic regression models were used to examine determinants of DXA use. RESULTS: The analysis included 2,290 men (2,262 parenteral ADT, 28 orchiectomy); 197 (8.6 %) underwent DXA within 1 year before and 6 months after starting ADT. Men aged 75 years or older were more likely to undergo DXA than men aged 66-74 years (OR 1.5; 95 % CI 1.1-2.1). Those living in small urban areas were less likely to undergo DXA than those in big areas (OR 0.40; 95 % CI 0.19-0.82). Of the 1,060 men enrolled in Medicare part D, 59 (5.6 %) received bone conservation agents when starting ADT; 134 (12.6 %) either received bone conservation agents or underwent DXA. CONCLUSIONS: Fewer than one in ten Medicare beneficiaries with prostate cancer initiating ADT underwent a DXA exam. Variation in utilization was also related to residence area size. Further research is needed to identify whether the use of DXA in patients with prostate cancer receiving ADT will result in fracture prevention.

The impact of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and smoking on mortality and kidney transplantation in end-stage kidney disease.

BACKGROUND: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and tobacco use are leading causes of morbidity and mortality. The prevalence and clinical impact of COPD on mortality and kidney transplantation among patients who begin dialysis therapy is unclear. METHODS: We explored the clinical impact of COPD and continued tobacco use on overall mortality and kidney transplantation in a national cohort study of US dialysis patients. National data on all dialysis patients (n = 769,984), incident between May 1995 and December 2004 and followed until October 31, 2006, were analyzed from the United States Renal Data System. Prevalence and period trends were determined while multivariable Cox regression evaluated relative hazard ratios (RR) for death and kidney transplantation. RESULTS: The prevalence of COPD was 7.5% overall and increased from 6.7 to 8.1% from 1995-2004. COPD correlated significantly with older age, cardiovascular conditions, cancer, malnutrition, poor functional status, and tobacco use. Adjusted mortality risks were significantly higher for patients with COPD (RR = 1.20, 95% CI 1.18-1.21), especially among current smokers (RR = 1.28, 95% CI 1.25-1.32), and varied inversely with advancing age. In contrast, the adjusted risks of kidney transplantation were significantly lower for patients with COPD (RR = 0.47, 95% CI 0.41-0.54, for smokers and RR = 0.54, 95% CI 0.50-0.58, for non-smokers) than without COPD [RR = 0.72, 95% CI 0.70-0.75, for smokers and RR = 1.00 for non-smokers (referent category)]. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with COPD who begin dialysis therapy in the US experience higher mortality and lower rates of kidney transplantation, outcomes that are far worse among current smokers.

[Peyronie's disease. Therapeutic difficulties]. / La maladie de la Peyronie. Difficultés thérapeutiques.

The authors report their experience of the treatment of Peyronie's disease on the basis of 27 cases. In the light of their results and the data reported in the literature, they study the place of infiltrations, plication of the corpora cavernosa and implants in the treatment of this disease.