Impacts of social determinants of health on chronic opioid therapy for chronic non-cancer pain.

Aim: We aimed to investigate the association between social determinants of health and chronic opioid therapy.Materials & methods: We conducted a retrospective analysis of electronic health records from five family medicine and internal medicine clinics in Oregon in 2020 and 2021. Our outcome variable was whether a patient was receiving chronic opioid therapy for chronic non-cancer pain. Our variables of interest included financial difficulty, insurance types, transportation barriers, currently married or living with a partner and organizations participation.Results: Our results showed that patients with financial difficulty were more likely to have chronic opioid therapy (OR: 2.69; 95% CI: 1.14, 6.33).Conclusion: Addressing patients' social determinants of health disadvantages is important for optimizing pain management.

What is this article about? Addressing the opioid crisis is a national priority in the USA. Our objective was to focus on a broad set of social determinants of health (SDOH) and examine whether patients with SDOH disadvantages were more likely to receive chronic opioid therapy for chronic non-cancer pain. Current literature has not assessed some important SDOH characteristics. We aimed to address this limitation by using electronic health records that incorporated SDOH data.What were the results? Patients with financial difficulty in this study had approximately two-times higher odds of receiving chronic opioid therapy.What do the results of the study mean? Our study has important clinical and policy implications. Clinicians should screen for patient SDOH disadvantages and provide support as an integral part of patient-centered pain management. Payers and policymakers should also consider expanding coverage and reimbursement for multimodal treatments for pain.

Population screening shows risk of inherited cancer and familial hypercholesterolemia in Oregon.

The Healthy Oregon Project (HOP) is a statewide effort that aims to build a large research repository and influence the health of Oregonians through providing no-cost genetic screening to participants for a next-generation sequencing 32-gene panel comprising genes related to inherited cancers and familial hypercholesterolemia. This type of unbiased population screening can detect at-risk individuals who may otherwise be missed by conventional medical approaches. However, challenges exist for this type of high-throughput testing in an academic setting, including developing a low-cost high-efficiency test and scaling up the clinical laboratory for processing large numbers of samples. Modifications to our academic clinical laboratory including efficient test design, robotics, and a streamlined analysis approach increased our ability to test more than 1,000 samples per month for HOP using only one dedicated HOP laboratory technologist. Additionally, enrollment using a HIPAA-compliant smartphone app and sample collection using mouthwash increased efficiency and reduced cost. Here, we present our experience three years into HOP and discuss the lessons learned, including our successes, challenges, opportunities, and future directions, as well as the genetic screening results for the first 13,670 participants tested. Overall, we have identified 730 pathogenic/likely pathogenic variants in 710 participants in 24 of the 32 genes on the panel. The carrier rate for pathogenic/likely pathogenic variants in the inherited cancer genes on the panel for an unselected population was 5.0% and for familial hypercholesterolemia was 0.3%. Our laboratory experience described here may provide a useful model for population screening projects in other states.

Human immunodeficiency virus pre-exposure prophylaxis awareness among people who inject drugs in Portland, Oregon.

BACKGROUND: Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) to prevent transmission of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) among people who inject drugs (PWID) has demonstrated efficacy yet awareness of PrEP among PWID is low. METHODS: 2018 National Behavioral Health Survey data from the Portland, Oregon metropolitan statistical area was analyzed with chi-squared tests and generalized linear models to determine correlates of PrEP awareness among PWID. RESULTS: 80% of the sample had at least one indication for PrEP and 15% of the sample was aware of PrEP. Factors associated with higher PrEP awareness were: higher education level (PR = 1.083, CI = 1.018-1.153, p = .012), reporting transactional sex (PR = 1.154, CI = 1.019-1.307, p = .024), and men who have sex with men reporting condomless sex (PR = 1.376, CI = 1.081-1.752, p = .010). Lack of a usual source of care (PR = 0.884, CI = 0.824-0.949, p < .001) was negatively associated with PrEP awareness. CONCLUSIONS: Interventions to increase PrEP awareness need to target groups with particularly low awareness and be delivered in settings accessible to PWID.

Substance Use Disorders Are Prevalent in Adults With Congenital Heart Disease and Are Associated With Increased Healthcare Use.

Adults with congenital heart disease (CHD) represent a heterogeneous group with significant long-term health risks. Previous studies have demonstrated a high prevalence of psychiatric disorders among adults with CHD; however, little is known about the frequency of co-morbid substance use disorders (SUDs) in patients with CHD. The Oregon All Payer All Claims (APAC) database for the years 2014 to 2017 was queried for adults aged 18 to 65 years with International Classification of Diseases, Ninth or Tenth Revision codes consistent with CHD. Alcohol and substance use were identified by International Classification of Diseases codes for use or dependence and classified in mutually exclusive categories of none, alcohol only, and other drugs (with or without alcohol). Descriptive statistics were used to characterize prevalence and chi-square tests were used to test for associations between variables. A total of 12,366 adults with CHD were identified. The prevalence of substance use was 15.7%. The prevalence of isolated alcohol use was 3.9%. A total of 19% of patients used tobacco. Insurance type, presence of a concurrent mental health diagnosis, and age were associated with substance use, whereas CHD complexity was not. Cardiovascular co-morbidities were more common in patients with reported substance use. Inpatient and emergency care use were higher in those with SUD. In conclusion, this study of substance and alcohol use among adults with CHD demonstrates high rates of co-morbid SUD, particularly among patients with mental health disorders and Medicaid insurance, associated with increased healthcare utilization. We identify a population in need of targeted interventions to improve long-term health.

Newborn screening for Fabry disease in Oregon: Approaching the iceberg of A143T and variants of uncertain significance.

Fabry disease newborn screening (NBS) has been ongoing in Oregon for over 41 months by first-tier enzyme quantitation and second-tier DNA testing. During that period the majority of abnormal referrals received (34/60) were for the presence of the controversial c.427G > A (p.Ala143Thr) aka A143T and the majority of non-A143T referrals were for other variants of uncertain significance (17/60) resulting in at least 32 infants with an inconclusive case outcome even after clinical evaluation and/or diagnostic testing. To date there has been no significant family history or onset of symptoms in individuals with an inconclusive outcome. Based on our experience, we have developed a framework for approaching A143T and other variants of uncertain clinical significance in an attempt to balance sensitivity with the unnecessary medicalization of healthy infants.

A cross-sectional survey of cannabis use by people with MS in Oregon and Southwest Washington.

BACKGROUND: Evidence supports that cannabinoids reduce self-reported spasticity and neuropathic pain in people with MS (PwMS), and legal access to cannabis for medical and recreational use continues to rise. However, there are limited data regarding patterns of cannabis use and perceived benefits of cannabis among PwMS in the US. This study describes the prevalence of cannabis use, routes of administration, perceived benefit of cannabis for MS, and characteristics associated with cannabis use and perception of benefit among a population of PwMS living in two states where cannabis is legal for both medical and recreational use. METHODS: A survey about treatments used by PwMS, focusing on complementary and alternative medicine (CAM), was sent to PwMS living in Oregon and Southwest Washington. This survey included questions about current and past cannabis use, route of cannabis administration, and perceived benefits, as well as personal demographics. RESULTS: Of the 1188 returned surveys, 1000 had at least 75% complete survey responses and also completed the questions about current and past cannabis use. Thirty percent (n=303) of respondents reported currently using cannabis, 21% (n=210) used in the past but not currently, and 49% (n=487) had never used cannabis. Among current users, rates of use by smoking, vaping, topicals, tinctures and oils, or edibles were similar (35-46%), and most (59%) reported using multiple routes of administration. Most (64-78%, varying by route) current and past users reported cannabis being very or somewhat beneficial for their MS. The odds of current cannabis use were higher in PwMS who: 1) were younger (OR 2.24 [95% CI 1.39-3.61] for those age 18-40 compared with age >60]; 2) had lower household income (OR 3.94 [95% CI 2.55-6.09] with annual income <$25k compared with those with >$100k); 3) had secondary progressive MS (OR 1.77 [95% CI 1.07-2.92]); and 4) had more than minimal MS disability (OR 2.05 [95% CI 1.03-4.10] for those using a walker compared to those with none/minimal disability). The odds of perceiving cannabis as beneficial for MS were higher in: 1) younger individuals (OR 5.61 [95% CI 2.62-11.98] for those age 18-40 compared with age >60); 2) those with lower household income (OR 3.35 [95% CI 1.65-6.80] with annual income <$25k compared with those with >$100k), 3) those not currently using disease modifying therapies (OR 2.32 [95% CI 1.30-4.13]), and 4) those with the greatest disability (OR 17.96; [95% CI 2.00-161.22]). CONCLUSION: In this survey, 30% of PwMS reported currently using cannabis for their MS, mostly by multiple routes of administration, and most of these people report this being helpful for their MS. People who were younger, had lower household income, had progressive disease, and had more than minimal disability were more likely to use cannabis and report it was beneficial for their MS. People who were not using disease modifying therapies were also more likely to report benefit from cannabis use.

The Impact of the SARS-CoV-2 Pandemic on Human Immunodeficiency Virus and Bacterial Sexually Transmitted Infection Testing and Diagnosis in Oregon.

ABSTRACT: Human immunodeficiency virus, Neisseria gonorrhoeae/Chlamydia trachomatis, and syphilis testing decreased with the implementation of mitigation measures for SARS-CoV-2 and did not return to 2019 levels by September 2020. However, primary and secondary syphilis diagnoses increased during mitigation measures. Sexual health services are essential during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic.

US Rural Surgeons Leading During COVID-19: Where Are They Now?

Rural surgeons from disparate areas of the United States report on the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic in their communities as the virus has spread across the country. The pandemic has brought significant changes to the professional, economic, and social lives of the individual surgeons and their communities.

Rallying All Resources: A Multidisciplinary Innovation to Plan for the Projected COVID-19 Inpatient Surge.

BACKGROUND: The COVID-19 pandemic resulted in the need for hospitals to plan for a potential "surge" of COVID-19 patients. PROBLEM: Prior to the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, our hospital adult acute care capacity ranged 90% to 100%, and a potential hospital surge was projected for Oregon that would exceed existing capacity. APPROACH: A multidisciplinary team with stakeholders from nursing leadership, nursing units, nurse-led case management, and physicians from hospital medicine was convened to explore the conversion of an ambulatory surgical center to overflow patient acute care capacity. OUTCOMES: A protocol was rapidly created and implemented, ultimately transferring 12 patients to an ambulatory surgery unit. CONCLUSIONS: This project highlighted the ability for stakeholders and innovators to work together in an interprofessional, multidisciplinary way to rapidly create an overflow unit. While this innovation was designed to address COVID-19, the lessons learned can be applied to any other emerging infectious disease or acute care capacity crisis.

Disparities in E-Cigarette and Tobacco Use Among Adolescents With Disabilities.

INTRODUCTION: In 2019, nearly 30% of US high-school students reported current (past 30 day) e-cigarette use. Adolescents with disabilities are consistently more likely to smoke cigarettes compared with their nondisabled peers, yet little is known about their use of other forms of tobacco, including e-cigarettes. We compared the prevalence of tobacco use (e-cigarettes, cigarettes, little cigars, large cigars, hookahs, and smokeless tobacco) among high school students with at least 1 disability to those without disability. METHODS: Data were from the 2015 and 2017 Oregon Healthy Teens survey, a statewide representative sample of 11th-grade students. We estimated the prevalence of current (past 30 day) tobacco use by product type and disability status (yes or no). We used multivariable Poisson regression to estimate prevalence ratios measuring the association between disability status and current tobacco use, by product: 1) combustible products only, 2) e-cigarettes only, and 3) dual use of combustibles and e-cigarettes. RESULTS: Students with disabilities were more likely to use a variety of tobacco products compared with their nondisabled peers, including cigarettes (12.3% vs 5.4%), little cigars (7.0% vs 5.4%), hookahs (6.2% vs 3.8%), and e-cigarettes (18.3% vs 12.3%). In adjusted models, students with a disability were more likely to report using combustibles only (adjusted prevalence ratio [aPR], 1.55; 95% CI, 1.31-1.84), e-cigarettes only (aPR, 1.36; 95% CI, 1.16-1.59), or dual use (aPR, 1.52; 95% CI, 1.29-1.80) compared with nondisabled students. CONCLUSION: Effective tobacco control programs should target populations with the greatest burden of tobacco use. Results suggest that tobacco prevention and reduction efforts should explicitly include adolescents with disabilities and employ accommodations that support their participation in program activities.

Field Therapy in Solid Organ Transplant Recipients: Are We Initiating Early Enough?

Organ transplant recipients (OTRs) are at increased risk for more aggressive non-melanoma skin cancer (NMSC). Recent emphasis on field therapy has complimented the canonical surgical treatment paradigm. This retrospective analysis of survey responses by patients seen at Oregon Health and Science University from 2013-2018 offers insights into patient trends and practice gaps in caring for OTRs. All patients completed a 57-point questionnaire at their first clinic visit, which included questions regarding demographics, transplant history, dermatologic history, and use of field therapy. Of the 295 patients (mean age, 56 years; M/F: 193/102) who completed the questionnaire, field therapy was reported by 31 (11%) patients. Field therapy patients noted an overall higher AK and SCC burden, with a greater proportion of patients reporting >20 AKs and >10 SCCs. Field therapy use was sparse in the low AK/low SCC group (n=25) when compared to those reporting high AK/high SCC (n=11) burden (n=4 (16%) vs n=8 (73%), P<0.01). This data suggests that OTRs with several clinically evident AKs and/or a low number of SCCs are less likely to have been treated with field therapy modalities compared to OTRs who have developed >10 AKs or ≥6 SCCs. A delay in initiation of preventative measures or field therapy in this population, however, may be a missed opportunity for intervention. Early intervention with field therapy in particularly high-risk OTRs with a low skin cancer burden may mitigate future skin cancer development.J Drugs Dermatol. 2020;19(3): doi:10.36849/JDD.2020.4759.

Association of Sarcopenia With Oncologic Outcomes of Primary Surgery or Definitive Radiotherapy Among Patients With Localized Oropharyngeal Squamous Cell Carcinoma.

Importance: The negative association of low lean muscle mass (sarcopenia) with survival outcomes in head and neck cancers, including oropharyngeal carcinoma, is established. However, it is not known whether the choice of primary treatment modality (surgery or radiotherapy) is associated with oncologic outcomes of patients with sarcopenia and oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (OPSCC). Objective: To examine whether primary surgical resection or definitive radiotherapy is associated with improved survival for patients with sarcopenia and localized OPSCC. Design, Setting, and Participants: A cohort study was conducted of patients with clinically staged T1 to T2, N0 to N2 OPSCC with cross-sectional abdominal imaging within 60 days prior to treatment and treated between January 1, 2005, and December 31, 2017. Skeletal muscle mass was measured at the third lumbar vertebra using previously defined techniques and sarcopenia was defined as less than 52.4 cm2/m2 of muscle for men and less than 38.5 cm2/m2 for women. In addition, associated patient demographic characteristics, cancer data, treatment information, and survival outcomes were assessed. Statistical analysis was performed from December 3, 2018, to August 28, 2019. Main Outcomes and Measures: Primary outcomes were overall survival and disease-specific survival. Results: Among the 245 patients who met study inclusion criteria, 209 were men (85.3%) and the mean (SD) age was 62.3 (7.8) years. Sarcopenia was detected in 135 patients (55.1%), while normal skeletal muscle mass was detected in 110 patients (44.9%). For the 110 patients without sarcopenia, primary treatment modality was not associated with improved survival. For patients with sarcopenia at diagnosis, primary surgical resection was associated with improved overall survival (hazard ratio [HR], 0.37; 95% CI, 0.17-0.82) and disease-specific survival (HR, 0.22; 95% CI, 0.07-0.68). This association persisted after propensity score matching, as up-front surgery was associated with improved overall survival (HR, 0.33; 95% CI, 0.12-0.91) and disease-specific survival (HR, 0.17; 95% CI, 0.04-0.75) survival. Conclusions and Relevance: This study suggests that sarcopenia has a negative association with survival for patients with OPSCC. Primary surgery and radiotherapy confer similar survival associations for patients with normal skeletal muscle mass and localized OPSCC. However, up-front surgical resection may be associated with improved survival outcomes for patients with sarcopenia.

Kidney disease progression and all-cause mortality across estimated glomerular filtration rate and albuminuria categories among patients with vs. without type 2 diabetes.

BACKGROUND: Studies of progression of kidney dysfunction typically focus on renal replacement therapy or percentage decline in estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) as outcomes. Our aim was to compare real-world patients with and without T2D to estimate progression from and to clinically defined categories of kidney disease and all-cause mortality. METHODS: This was an observational cohort study of 31,931 patients with and 33,201 age/sex matched patients without type 2 diabetes (T2D) who had a serum creatinine and urine albumin-to-creatinine ratio (UACR) or dipstick proteinuria (DP) values. We used the first available serum creatinine value between 2006 and 2012 to calculate baseline eGFR and categorized them and the corresponding UACR/DP values using the Kidney Disease Improving Global Outcomes (KDIGO) categories. To assess our primary outcomes, we extracted probabilities of eGFR progression or mortality from life-table analyses and conducted multivariable Cox regression analyses of relative risk adjusted for age, sex, race/ethnicity, smoking, ischemic heart disease, heart failure, and use of renal-angiotensin-aldosterone system inhibitors. RESULTS: Patterns of eGFR decline were comparable among patients with vs. without T2D with larger percentage declines at higher albuminuria levels across all eGFR categories. eGFR decline was generally larger among T2D patients, particularly in those with severely increased albuminuria. Across all CKD categories, risk of progression to the next higher category of eGFR was substantially increased with increasing albuminuria. For example, the risk was 23.5, 36.2, and 65.1% among T2D patients with eGFR 30-59 ml/min/1.73m2 and UACR < 30, 30-299, and > 300 mg/dL, respectively (p < 0.001). Other comparisons were similarly significant. Among patients with low eGFR and normal to mildly increased albuminuria, the relative risk was up to 8-fold greater for all-cause mortality compared with the non-CKD subgroup (eGFR> 60 ml/min/1.73m2 with normal to mildly increased albuminuria). CONCLUSIONS: Presence of albuminuria was associated with accelerated eGFR decline independent of T2D. Risk for adverse outcomes was remarkably high among patients with CKD and normal to mildly increased albuminuria levels. Independent of T2D or albuminuria, a substantial risk for adverse outcomes exists for CKD patients in a routine care setting.

Review of diseases and health management in zebrafish Danio rerio (Hamilton 1822) in research facilities.

The use of zebrafish (Danio rerio) in biomedical research has expanded at a tremendous rate over the last two decades. Along with increases in laboratories using this model, we are discovering new and important diseases. We review here the important pathogens and diseases based on some 20 years of research and findings from our diagnostic service at the NIH-funded Zebrafish International Resource Center. Descriptions of the present status of biosecurity programmes and diagnostic and treatment approaches are included. The most common and important diseases and pathogens are two parasites, Pseudoloma neurophilia and Pseudocapillaria tomentosa, and mycobacteriosis caused by Mycobacterium chelonae, M. marinum and M. haemophilum. Less common but deadly diseases are caused by Edwardsiella ictaluri and infectious spleen and kidney necrosis virus (ISKNV). Hepatic megalocytosis and egg-associated inflammation and fibroplasia are common, apparently non-infectious, in zebrafish laboratories. Water quality diseases include supersaturation and nephrocalcinosis. Common neoplasms are spindle cell sarcomas, ultimobranchial tumours, spermatocytic seminomas and a small-cell carcinoma that is caused by a transmissible agent. Despite the clear biosecurity risk, researchers continue to use fish from pet stores, and here, we document two novel coccidia associated with significant lesions in zebrafish from one of these stores.

Time-to-completed-imaging, survival and function in patients with spinal epidural abscess: Description of a series of 34 patients, 2015-2018.

INTRODUCTION: Spinal epidural abscess (SEA) is a rare and life-threatening infection with increasing incidence over the past two decades. Delays in diagnosis can cause significant morbidity and mortality among patients. OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to describe trends in time-to-imaging and intervention, risk factors, and outcomes among patients presenting to the emergency department with SEA at a single academic medical center in Portland, Oregon. METHODS: This retrospective cohort study analyzed data from patients with new SEA diagnosis at a single hospital from October 1, 2015 to April 1, 2018. We describe averages to time-to-imaging and interventions, and frequencies of risk factors and outcomes among patients presenting to the emergency department with SEA. RESULTS: Of the 34 patients included, 7 (20%) died or were discharged with plegia during the study period. Those who died or were discharged with plegia (n = 7) had shorter mean time-to-imaging order (20.8 h versus 29.2 h). Patients with a history of intravenous drug use had a longer mean time-to-imaging order (30.2 h versus 23.7 h) as compared to those without intravenous drug use. Patients who died or acquired plegia had longer times from imaging completed to final imaging read (20.9 h versus 7.1 h), but shorter times from final imaging read to surgical intervention among patients who received surgery (4.9 h versus 46.2 h). Further, only three (42.9%) of the seven patients who died or acquired plegia presented with the three-symptom classic triad of fever, neurologic symptoms, and neck or back pain. CONCLUSIONS: SEA is a potentially deadly infection that requires prompt identification and treatment. This research provides baseline data for potential quality improvement work at the study site. Future research should evaluate multi-center approaches for identifying and intervening to treat SEA, particularly among patients with intravenous drug use.

The association between wildfire smoke exposure and asthma-specific medical care utilization in Oregon during the 2013 wildfire season.

Wildfire smoke (WFS) increases the risk of respiratory hospitalizations. We evaluated the association between WFS and asthma healthcare utilization (AHCU) during the 2013 wildfire season in Oregon. WFS particulate matter ≤ 2.5 µm in diameter (PM2.5) was estimated using a blended model of in situ monitoring, chemical transport models, and satellite-based data. Asthma claims and place of service were identified from Oregon All Payer All Claims data from 1 May 2013 to 30 September 2013. The association with WFS PM2.5 was evaluated using time-stratified case-crossover designs. The maximum WFS PM2.5 concentration during the study period was 172 µg/m3. A 10 µg/m3 increase in WFS increased risk in asthma diagnosis at emergency departments (odds ratio [OR]: 1.089, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.043-1.136), office visit (OR: 1.050, 95% CI: 1.038-1.063), and outpatient visits (OR: 1.065, 95% CI: 1.029-1.103); an association was observed with asthma rescue inhaler medication fills (OR: 1.077, 95% CI: 1.065-1.088). WFS increased the risk for asthma morbidity during the 2013 wildfire season in Oregon. Communities impacted by WFS could see increases in AHCU for tertiary, secondary, and primary care.

Direct-to-member mailed colorectal cancer screening outreach for Medicaid and Medicare enrollees: Implementation and effectiveness outcomes from the BeneFIT study.

BACKGROUND: Colorectal cancer screening uptake is low, particularly among individuals enrolled in Medicaid. To the authors' knowledge, little is known regarding the effectiveness of direct-to-member outreach by Medicaid health insurance plans to raise colorectal cancer screening use, nor how best to deliver such outreach. METHODS: BeneFIT is a hybrid implementation-effectiveness study of 2 program models that health plans developed for a mailed fecal immunochemical test (FIT) intervention. The programs differed with regard to whether they used a centralized approach (Health Plan Washington) or collaborated with health centers (Health Plan Oregon). The primary implementation outcome of the current study was the percentage of eligible enrollees to whom the plans delivered each intervention component. The primary effectiveness outcome was the rate of FIT completion within 6 months of mailing of the introductory letter. RESULTS: The health plans identified 12,000 eligible enrollees (8551 in Health Plan Washington and 3449 in Health Plan Oregon). Health Plan Washington mailed an introductory letter and FIT kit to 8551 enrollees (100%) and delivered a reminder call to 839 (10.3% of the 8132 attempted). Health Plan Oregon mailed an introductory letter, and a letter and FIT kit plus a reminder postcard to 2812 enrollees (81.5%) and 2650 enrollees (76.8%), respectively. FIT completion rates were 18.2% (1557 of 8551 enrollees) in Health Plan Washington. In Health Plan Oregon, completion rates were 17.4% (488 of 2812 enrollees) among enrollees who were mailed an introductory letter and 18.3% (484 of 2650 enrollees) among enrollees who also were mailed a FIT kit plus reminder postcard. CONCLUSIONS: The implementation of mailed FIT outreach by health plans may be effective and could reach many individuals at risk of developing colorectal cancer.

Examining the Prevalence of Adverse Childhood Experiences and Associated Cardiovascular Disease Risk Factors Among Low-Income Uninsured Adults.

BACKGROUND: Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) are linked to poor adult health outcomes, including cardiovascular disease. However, little is known about its prevalence, specifically in low-income populations. The objective of this study was to estimate the extent of ACEs in a low-income, nonclinical, uninsured adult population and assess the relationship between ACEs and cardiovascular disease risk factors. METHODS AND RESULTS: This study leverages the OHIE's (Oregon Health Insurance Experiment) study population, uninsured adults who were randomly selected to apply for Medicaid, and data collected through in-person health screenings. We objectively measured obesity, cholesterol, blood pressure, and blood sugar. Smoking, physical activity, and history of chronic disease were self-reported. Independent variables were the 10-item ACEs questions covering neglect, abuse, and household dysfunction. The sample consisted of 12 229 low-income, nonelderly uninsured adults who participated in the OHIE health screenings from 2009 to 2010. A total of 5929 (48%) returned a follow-up survey reporting ACEs in 2012. ACEs were more prevalent in low-income adults compared with previous estimates in a general clinical population, with notably high rates of emotional abuse, emotional neglect, and household dysfunction. ACEs were statistically associated with higher rates of obesity, smoking, and physical inactivity, but not high cholesterol or diabetes mellitus. We detected a strong relationship between ACEs and a self-reported history of a hypertension diagnosis but no statistically significant differences in being hypertensive. CONCLUSIONS: This study design allowed us to assess the prevalence of ACEs among uninsured low-income adults and the association between ACEs and clinical indicators of cardiovascular disease risk that are difficult to ordinarily observe. Low-income adults have high rates of ACEs than previous prevalence estimates and ACEs were associated with higher rates of multiple cardiovascular disease risk factors. As states continue to expand Medicaid to the previously uninsured, providers may want to consider incorporating trauma-based approaches to care delivery.

Factors Associated With Increased Syphilis Screening Among People Living With Human Immunodeficiency Virus.

BACKGROUND: Antiretroviral therapy effectively reduces the risk of human immunodeficiency virus transmission, but in the context of undetectable equals untransmittable and decreased condom use, rates of syphilis are increasing. In Oregon, syphilis has risen over 20-fold in the past decade, from less than 30 to approximately 600 cases annually during 2016 and 2017. Although many cases are among people living with human immunodeficiency virus infection (PLWH), screening for syphilis among PLWH is often lacking. The objective of this study was to estimate the prevalence of past-year syphilis testing among PLWH in Oregon to identify facility-level and individual-level factors associated with testing. METHODS: We examined 2015 to 2016 Medical Monitoring Project interview and medical records data in Oregon and conducted supplemental interviews with participants' medical providers. We used generalized mixed effects models to identify factors associated with syphilis screening. RESULTS: Sixty-nine percent of Medical Monitoring Project participants had past-year syphilis screening. Patients receiving care from facilities with written sexually transmitted infection screening policies were far more likely to be screened than those receiving care from facilities without written policies (94% vs. 43%, P < 0.001). Participants who identified as male were more likely to have been tested, even after adjusting for facility-level characteristics. Clustering within facility accounted for about 15% of the unexplained variability in the adjusted mixed effects models. CONCLUSIONS: Written sexually transmitted infection screening policies at medical facilities appear to be an important tool for ensuring syphilis screening occurs as recommended to prevent the continued rise in syphilis.

Association Between Sarcopenia and Mortality in Patients Undergoing Surgical Excision of Head and Neck Cancer.

Importance: Sarcopenia, or the loss of muscle mass, is associated with poor treatment outcomes in a variety of surgical fields. However, the association between sarcopenia and long-term survival in a broad cohort of patients with head and neck cancer (HNC) is unknown. Objective: To determine whether sarcopenia is associated with long-term survival in patients undergoing major head and neck surgery for HNC. Design, Setting, and Participants: A retrospective medical records review was conducted at a tertiary care academic hospital. Two hundred sixty patients undergoing major head and neck ablative procedures with cross-sectional abdominal imaging performed within 45 days prior to surgery were included in the analysis. The study was conducted from January 1, 2005, to December 31, 2016. Data analysis was performed from June 1, 2018, to February 28, 2019. Interventions: Measurement of cross-sectional muscle area at the L3 vertebra level. Main Outcomes and Measures: Two- and 5-year overall survival were the primary outcomes. Results: Of the 260 patients included in the study, 193 were men (74.2%); mean (SD) age was 61.1 (11) years. Sarcopenia was present in 144 patients (55.4%). Two-year overall survival was 71.9% of the patients (n = 82) in the sarcopenia group compared with 88.5% of the patients (n = 85) in the nonsarcopenia group (odds ratio [OR], 0.33; 95% CI, 0.16-0.70). At 5 years, overall survival was 36.5% in patients (n = 23) with sarcopenia and 60.5% in patients (n = 26) without sarcopenia (OR, 0.38; 95% CI, 0.17-0.84). On multivariate analysis, sarcopenia was a significant negative predictor of both 2-year (OR, 0.33; 95% CI, 0.14-0.77) and 5-year (OR, 0.38; 95% CI, 0.17-0.84) overall survival. Conclusions and Relevance: Sarcopenia appears to be a significant negative predictor of long-term overall survival in patients with HNC undergoing major head and neck surgery. Sarcopenia may be accurately assessed on cross-sectional imaging and may be useful clinically as a prognostic variable and as an area for intervention to improve treatment outcomes.