Financial Hardship and Sleep Quality Among Black American Women With and Without Systemic Lupus Erythematosus.

OBJECTIVE: To compare dimensions of financial hardship and self-reported sleep quality among Black women with versus without systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). METHODS: Participants were 402 Black women (50% with validated diagnosis of SLE) living in Georgia between 2017 and 2020. Black women with SLE were recruited from a population-based cohort established in Atlanta, and Black women without SLE were recruited to be of comparable age and from the same geographic areas as SLE women. Financial hardship was measured using three different scales: financial adjustments, financial setbacks, and financial strain. Sleep was assessed continuously using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) scale. Each dimension of financial hardship was analyzed separately in SLE-stratified multivariable linear regression models and adjusted by sociodemographic and health status factors. RESULTS: Dimensions of financial hardship were similarly distributed across the two groups. Sleep quality was worse in Black women with, versus without, SLE (p < .001). Among Black women with SLE, financial adjustment was positively associated with a 0.40-unit increase in poor sleep quality (95% CI = 0.12-0.67, p = .005). When accounting for cognitive depressive symptoms, financial setbacks and strain were somewhat attenuated for Black women with SLE. Overall, no associations between financial hardships and sleep quality were observed for the women without SLE. CONCLUSIONS: Black women with SLE who experience financial hardships may be more at risk for poor sleep quality than Black women without SLE. Economic interventions targeting this population may help improve their overall health and quality of life.

Financial responsibility, financial context, and ambulatory blood pressure in early middle-aged African-American women.

BACKGROUND: African-American women have excess rates of elevated blood pressure (BP) and hypertension compared to women of all other racial/ethnic backgrounds. Several researchers have speculated that race and gender-related socioeconomic status (SES) stressors might play a role. OBJECTIVE: To examine the association between a novel SES-related stressor highly salient among African-American women, financial responsibility for one's household, and 48-h ambulatory BP. We further examined whether aspects related to African-American women's financial context (e.g., single parenthood, household income, marital status) played a role. METHODS: Participants were N = 345 employed, healthy African-American women aged 30-46 from diverse SES backgrounds who underwent 48-h ambulatory BP monitoring. Linear regression analyses were conducted to examine associations between self-reported financial responsibility and daytime and nighttime BP, adjusting for age, SES and other sociodemographics, cardiovascular risk factors, financial strain and depressive symptoms. Interactions between financial responsibility and single parenthood, household income, and marital/partnered status were tested. RESULTS: In age-adjusted analyses, reporting financial responsibility was associated with higher daytime systolic (ß = 4.42, S.E. = 1.36, p = 0.0013), and diastolic (ß = 2.82, S.E. = 0.98, p = 0.004) BP. Associations persisted in fully adjusted models. Significant associations were also observed for nighttime systolic and diastolic BP. There were no significant interactions with single parenthood, household income, nor marital/partnered status. CONCLUSION: Having primary responsibility for one's household may be an important driver of BP in early middle-aged African-American women, independent of SES, financial strain, and across a range of financial contexts. Future studies examining prospective associations are needed, and policy interventions targeting structural factors contributing to financial responsibility in African-American women may be warranted.

Superwoman Schema and self-rated health in black women: Is socioeconomic status a moderator?

BACKGROUND: The Superwoman Schema (SWS) construct elucidates Black women's socialization to be strong, suppress their emotions, resist vulnerability, succeed despite limited resources, and help others at their own expense. Drawing from intersectionality and social psychological research on self-schemas, this study examined the extent to which SWS was associated with Black women's self-rated health. We also investigated whether socioeconomic status (SES) moderated the association between SWS, its five dimensions, and self-rated health. METHODS: Data were from the Mechanisms Underlying Stress and Emotions (MUSE) in African-American Women's Health Study, a cohort of African American self-identified women. SWS was assessed using Giscombé's 35-item Superwoman Schema Scale. Socioeconomic status was measured by household income and educational attainment. Ordered logistic regression models were used and statistical interactions were run to test for moderation (N = 408). RESULTS: First, SWS dimension "obligation to help others" was associated with worse self-rated health (p < .05). Second, household income, but not education, moderated the association between SWS and self-rated health (p < .05): SWS overall was associated with worse self-rated health among higher income women but better self-rated health among lower income women. Third, income moderated the association between SWS dimension "obligation to present an image of strength" and self-rated health (p < .05): presenting strength was associated with better self-rated health for lower income women only. Fourth, moderation results revealed that SWS dimension "obligation to help others" was inversely associated with self-rated health particularly among higher income women. CONCLUSIONS: Findings speak to the complex interplay between SES and SWS dimensions as they relate to Black women's perceived health.

Nested and multipart prospective observational studies, flaming fiasco or efficiently economical?: The Brain, Bone, Heart case study.

BACKGROUND: Collecting new data from cross-sectional/survey and cohort observational study designs can be expensive and time-consuming. Nested (hierarchically cocooned within an existing parent study) and/or Multipart (≥ 2 integrally interlinked projects) study designs can expand the scope of a prospective observational research program beyond what might otherwise be possible with available funding and personnel. The Brain, Bone, Heart (BBH) study provides an exemplary case to describe the real-world advantages, challenges, considerations, and insights from these complex designs. MAIN: BBH is a Nested, Multipart study conducted by the Specialized Center for Research Excellence (SCORE) on Sex Differences at Emory University. BBH is designed to examine whether estrogen insufficiency-induced inflammation compounds HIV-induced inflammation, leading to end-organ damage and aging-related co-morbidities affecting the neuro-hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis (brain), musculoskeletal (bone), and cardiovascular (heart) organ systems. Using BBH as a real-world case study, we describe the advantages and challenges of Nested and Multipart prospective cohort study design in practice. While excessive dependence on its parent study can pose challenges in a Nested study, there are significant advantages to the study design as well. These include the ability to leverage a parent study's resources and personnel; more comprehensive data collection and data sharing options; a broadened community of researchers for collaboration; dedicated longitudinal research participants; and, access to historical data. Multipart, interlinked studies that share a common cohort of participants and pool of resources have the advantage of dedicated key personnel and the challenge of increased organizational complexity. Important considerations for each study design include the stability and administration of the parent study (Nested) and the cohesiveness of linkage elements and staff organizational capacity (Multipart). CONCLUSION: Using the experience of BBH as an example, Nested and/or Multipart study designs have both distinct advantages and potential vulnerabilities that warrant consideration and require strong biostatistics and data management leadership to optimize programmatic success and impact.

Association of Net Worth and Ambulatory Blood Pressure in Early Middle-aged African American Women.

Importance: Low socioeconomic status (SES) in the form of educational level and income has been linked to greater cardiovascular risk across cohorts; however, associations have been inconsistent for African American individuals. Net worth, a measure of overall assets, may be a more relevant metric, especially for African American women, because it captures longer-term financial stability and economic reserve. Objective: To examine whether net worth is associated with increased ambulatory blood pressure (ABP), a marker of cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk, independent of educational level and income, in young to middle-aged African American women. Design, Setting, and Participants: A cross-sectional, community-based study conducted in the southeastern US was performed using 48-hour ambulatory BP monitoring. Participants included 384 African American women aged 30 to 46 years without clinical CVD recruited between December 16, 2016, and March 21, 2019; data analysis was performed from September 2020 to December 2021. Exposures: Self-reported net worth (total financial assets minus debts), self-reported educational level, and self-reported income. Main Outcomes and Measures: Mean daytime and nighttime BP levels, assessed via 48-hour ABP monitoring and sustained hypertension (ABP daytime and clinic BP ≥130/80 mm Hg). Results: The 384 African American women in this study represented a range of SES backgrounds; mean (SD) age was 38.0 (4.3) years. Excluding 66 women who were not receiving antihypertensive medications, in linear regression models adjusted for age, marital status, educational level, family income, and family size, women reporting a negative net worth (debt) had higher levels of daytime (ß = 6.7; SE = 1.5; P < .001) and nighttime (ß = 6.4; SE = 1.4; P < .001) systolic BP, compared with women reporting a positive net worth. Similar associations were observed with sustained hypertension: women reporting a negative net worth had 150% higher odds (odds ratio, 2.5; 95% CI, 1.3-4.7) of sustained hypertension than those reporting a positive net worth. Associations remained significant after additional adjustments for smoking, body mass index, psychosocial stress due to debt, and depressive symptoms and were similar, although attenuated, when women receiving antihypertensive medications were included and treatment was controlled for in all analyses. Conclusions and Relevance: In this cross-sectional study, having a negative net worth (ie, debt) was associated with elevated BP in African American women, independent of traditional indicators of SES. This finding suggests that limited assets or a lack of economic reserve may be associated with poor CVD outcomes in this at-risk group.

Practices and perceptions of cognitive assessment for adults with age-related hearing loss.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the landscape of cognitive impairment (CI) screening for adults with age-related hearing loss (ARHL) among otolaryngologists and audiologists. To identify provider factors and patient characteristics that impact rates of CI screening and referral. METHODS: A 15 question online survey was sent to members of the Georgia Society of Otolaryngology (GSO), Georgia Academy of Audiology (GAA), American Otological Society and American Neurotology Society (AOS/ANS), and posted on the web forum for two hearing disorders special interest groups within the American-Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA). Responses were collected anonymously. Chi-square tests were used to compare responses. RESULTS: Of the 66 included respondents, 61% (n = 40) were otolaryngologists and 35% (n = 23) were audiologists. Respondents were significantly more likely to refer patients for CI assessment than to screen (64% vs 21%, respectively, P < .001). The complaint of a neurological symptom, such as memory loss, would prompt screening or referral for only 27.3% (n = 18) and 51.52% (n = 34) of respondents, respectively. Forty-two percent (n = 28) of respondents suggested CI screening with the MMSE vs 20% (n = 13) with the Montreal Cognitive Assessment. CONCLUSIONS: Despite recommendations for cognitive assessment in high-risk populations, such as older adults with ARHL, the practice of CI screening and referral is not yet commonplace among otolaryngologists and audiologists. These providers have a unique opportunity to assess adults with ARHL for CI and ensure appropriate referral. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 5.

Treatment practices for aspirin-exacerbated respiratory disease: analysis of a national insurance claims database.

BACKGROUND: Aspirin-exacerbated respiratory disease (AERD) is the triad of asthma, nasal polyposis, and sensitivity to cyclooxygenase-1 inhibitors. Treatment options include medical management, surgical intervention, and aspirin desensitization (AsaD). METHODS: AERD patients were identified using the MarketScan Database from 2009 to 2015. Patients were included using International Classification of Diseases, 9th edition (ICD-9) codes for asthma, nasal polyposis, and drug allergy. Treatments were determined by Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) codes for drug desensitization and endonasal procedures. Geographic trends and timing of interventions between those exposed and not exposed to desensitization were explored. RESULTS: A total of 5628 patients met inclusion criteria for AERD, with mean age 46 years, 60% female; 395 (7%) underwent AsaD and 2171 (39%) underwent sinus surgery. Among patients who were desensitized, 229 (58%) underwent surgery, of whom 201 (88%) had surgery prior to AsaD (median [quartile 1, quartile 3]; 61 days [30, 208] prior to desensitization). For patients undergoing surgery following AsaD (n = 46), surgery was performed a median of 302 (163, 758) days after AsaD. Nineteen patients had multiple surgeries post-AsaD with median time between surgeries being 734 days (312, 1484); 261 patients were not desensitized to aspirin but did undergo multiple surgeries, with the median of the median time between surgeries being 287 days (15, 617), which is shorter than for patients post-AsaD (p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: A very small percentage of AERD patients undergo AsaD. Patients who had AsaD underwent surgery approximately 2 months prior to AsaD. Patients who underwent AsaD experienced an increased time between surgeries compared to patients who did not undergo AsaD.

Effects of financial incentives for the purchase of healthy groceries on dietary intake and weight outcomes among older adults: A randomized pilot study.

Providing financial incentives can be a useful behavioral economics strategy for increasing fruit and vegetable intake among consumers. It remains to be determined whether financial incentives can promote intake of other low energy-dense foods and if consumers who are already using promotional tools for their grocery purchases may be especially responsive to receiving incentives. This randomized controlled trial tested the effects of offering financial incentives for the purchase of healthy groceries on 3-month changes in dietary intake, weight outcomes, and the home food environment among older adults. A secondary aim was to compare frequent coupon users (FCU) and non-coupon users (NCU) on weight status, home food environment, and grocery shopping behavior. FCU (n = 28) and NCU (n = 26) were randomly assigned to either an incentive or a control group. Participants in the incentive group received $1 for every healthy food or beverage they purchased. All participants completed 3-day food records and a home food inventory and had their height, weight, and waist circumference measured at baseline and after 3 months. Participants who were responsive to the intervention and received financial incentives significantly increased their daily vegetable intake (P = 0.04). Participants in both groups showed significant improvements in their home food environment (P = 0.0003). No significant changes were observed in daily energy intake or weight-related outcomes across groups (P < 0.12). FCU and NCU did not differ significantly in any anthropometric variables or the level at which their home food environment may be considered 'obesogenic' (P > 0.73). Increased consumption of vegetables did not replace intake of more energy-dense foods. Incentivizing consumers to make healthy food choices while simultaneously reducing less healthy food choices may be important.

A high-throughput purification of monoclonal antibodies from glycoengineered Pichia pastoris.

Glycoengineered Pichia pastoris provides a unique platform for screening monoclonal antibody (mAb) leads and high expressing strains. A simple, economic, and high-throughput purification for mAb from P. pastoris fermentation has been developed that can be easily operated in various commercially available liquid handlers. The method includes the use of STREAMLINE rProtein A in a 96-well platform and demonstrates good linear alignment and reproducibility in a wide concentration range. The antibody titers measured by the method have less than 15% variation in comparison to spiking titers. The mAb titer and quality obtained from this method are comparable to that from conventional column chromatography. The method can process hundreds of expression screening samples in a day, not only to accurately determine titers, but also to generate milligram quantities of mAb for quality assessment, including purity, folding, glycosylation, and antigen binding affinity.

An Internet-based pediatric clerkship examination.

A traditional paper final exam was expensive and time consuming to create, administer and grade at two separate training sites. Our goal was to determine whether restructuring the final pediatric clerkship examination using Internet technology could lower costs and be more efficient, reliable and preferred by students. Costs and coordinator time were compared with the prior year of traditional testing. Student satisfaction was determined by an electronic post-test survey. To evaluate for reliability, the scores on our Internet test were compared with United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE) shelf scores. An estimated 1200 US dollars per year of department costs was saved, and coordinator time was greatly reduced. The post-test survey indicated the students were very satisfied with this testing. When compared with USMLE scores the Cronbach's alpha was 0. 70, and the Pearson Correlation was r = 0.414 (p<0. 001). It is concluded that a well-designed Internet-based test has advantages over a traditional paper exam. It reduces incremental department costs, is reliable,preferred by students and can be given simultaneously at multiple locations.