Nationwide Evaluation of Quality of Care Indicators for Individuals with Severe Mental Illness and Diabetes Mellitus, Following Israel's Mental Health Reform.

Diabetes Mellitus (DM) is more common among individuals with severe mental illness (SMI). We aimed to assess quality-of-care-indicators in individuals with SMI following the 2015 Israel's Mental-Health-reform. We analyzed yearly changes in 2015-2019 of quality-of-care-measures and intermediate-DM-outcomes, with adjustment for gender, age-group, and socioeconomic status (SES) and compared individuals with SMI to the general adult population. Adults with SMI had higher prevalences of DM (odds ratio (OR) = 1.64; 95% confidence intervals (CI): 1.61-1.67) and obesity (OR = 2.11; 95% CI: 2.08-2.13), compared to the general population. DM prevalence, DM control, and obesity rates increased over the years in this population. In 2019, HbA1c testing was marginally lower (OR = 0.88; 95% CI: 0.83-0.94) and uncontrolled DM (HbA1c > 9%) slightly more common among patients with SMI (OR = 1.22; 95% CI: 1.14-1.30), control worsened by decreasing SES. After adjustment, uncontrolled DM (adj. OR = 1.02; 95% CI: 0.96-1.09) was not associated with SMI. Cardio-metabolic morbidity among patients with SMI may be related to high prevalences of obesity and DM rather than poor DM control. Effective screening for metabolic diseases in this population and social reforms are required.

Active Lifestyle and Mobility of Adults with Vision Impairment: A Multiphase Mixed-Methods Study.

Individuals with vision impairment (VI) are less physically active than their sighted peers, heightening their risk of chronic illness. This study aimed to explore real and perceived barriers and promoters of an active lifestyle among adults with VI. We used mixed-methods, including a quantitative analysis of spatial data and a qualitative analysis of input from focus groups. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, graphical and thematic analysis. The spatial analysis highlighted frequent impediments, including high proportions of inaccessible crosswalks and stairs, a high density of obstacles (12/km) and almost inexistent guidance markings (0.1/km). Factors influencing active lifestyle of individuals with VI reported in the focus groups included: VI severity and self-confidence; accessibility of the physical environment as well as support and consideration of the society; use of behavioral strategies, striving for good health and willpower. Combined psychosocial, behavioral and infrastructural modifications could enhance active lifestyles among adults with VI. Consideration of the needs of individuals with VI is critical among environmental planners. Sustainable solutions for improving accessibility and mobility in the city for individuals with VI will influence not only their social integration but will enable them to adopt an active lifestyle and reduce their risk of chronic illness.

A Comprehensive Assessment of Qualitative and Quantitative Prodromal Parkinsonian Features in Carriers of Gaucher Disease-Identifying Those at the Greatest Risk.

Carriers of GBA1 gene variants have a significant risk of developing Parkinson's disease (PD). A cohort study of GBA carriers between 40−75 years of age was initiated to study the presence of prodromal PD features. Participants underwent non-invasive tests to assess different domains of PD. Ninety-eight unrelated GBA carriers were enrolled (43 males) at a median age (range) of 51 (40−74) years; 71 carried the N370S variant (c.1226A > G) and 25 had a positive family history of PD. The Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) was the most frequently abnormal (23.7%, 95% CI 15.7−33.4%), followed by the ultrasound hyperechogenicity (22%, 95% CI 14−32%), Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale part III (UPDRS-III) (17.2%, 95% CI 10.2−26.4%), smell assessment (12.4%, 95% CI 6.6−20.6%) and abnormalities in sleep questionnaires (11%, 95% CI 5.7−19.4%). Significant correlations were found between tests from different domains. To define the risk for PD, we assessed the bottom 10th percentile of each prodromal test, defining this level as "abnormal". Then we calculated the percentage of "abnormal" tests for each subject; the median (range) was 4.55 (0−43.5%). Twenty-two subjects had more than 15% "abnormal" tests. The limitations of the study included ascertainment bias of individuals with GBA-related PD in relatives, some incomplete data due to technical issues, and a lack of well-characterized normal value ranges in some tests. We plan to enroll additional participants and conduct longitudinal follow-up assessments to build a model for identifying individuals at risk for PD and investigate interventions aiming to delay the onset or perhaps to prevent full-blown PD.

Associations between density and quality of health promotion programmes and built environment features across Jerusalem.

BACKGROUND: Health promotion programmes (HPPs) have the potential to influence individual health, depending on their quality and characteristics. Little is known about how they interact with built environment features and neighbourhood demographics in cities with substantial health disparities. METHODS: Using the European Quality Instrument for Health Promotion (EQUIHP), we assessed the quality of HPPs, operating between 2016 and 2017, among adults aged 18-75 in Jerusalem. Areas were characterized by ethnicity and area socioeconomic level. Health information (body mass index, physical activity level) was obtained from the city profile survey. Geospatial information on the location and length of walking paths and bicycle lanes was obtained. Spearman correlations were used to assess associations among variables. RESULTS: Ninety-three HPPs operating in 349 locations in Jerusalem were identified. Programmes were unevenly distributed across urban planning areas (UPAs), with the highest density observed in the southwest, areas populated mainly by non-orthodox Jewish residents. However, the best performing HPPs based on EQUIHP score were in the north and east UPAs, inhabited primarily by Arab residents. At a neighbourhood level, characteristics of the built environment positively correlated with higher total EQUIHP scores: the ratio between walking lane length to the neighbourhood's population size (r = 0.413, P < 0.001) and length of bicycle lane per population (r = 0.309, P = 0.5). Median EQUIHP score negatively correlated with the number of programmes per neighbourhood size (m2) (r = -0.327, P = 0.006) and neighbourhood average socioeconomic status (SES; r = -0.266, P = 0.027). CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggest that higher quality HPPs were preferentially located in areas of lower SES and served minority populations in Jerusalem.

Socioeconomic Disparity Trends in Cancer Screening Among Women After Introduction of National Quality Indicators.

PURPOSE: Primary care physicians have an important role in encouraging adequate cancer screening. Disparities in cancer screening by socioeconomic status (SES) may affect presentation stage and cancer survival. This study aimed to examine whether breast, colorectal, and cervical cancer screening rates in women differed by SES and age, and whether screening rates and SES disparities changed after introduction of a primary care-based national quality indicator program. METHODS: This repeated cross-sectional study spanning 2002-2017 included all female Israeli residents in age ranges appropriate for each cancer screening assessed. SES was measured both as an individual-level variable based on exemption from copayments and as an area-level variable using census data. RESULTS: In 2017, the most recent year in the study period, screening rates among 1,529,233 women were highest for breast cancer (70.5%), followed by colorectal cancer (64.3%) and cervical cancer (49.6%). Women in the highest area-level SES were more likely to undergo cervical cancer screening compared with those in the lowest (odds ratio = 3.56; 99.9% CI, 3.47-3.65). Temporal trends showed that after introduction of quality indicators for breast and colorectal cancer screening in 2004 and 2005, respectively, rates of screening for these cancers increased, with greater reductions in disparities for the former. The quality indicator for cervical cancer screening was introduced in 2015, and no substantial changes have occurred yet for this screening. CONCLUSIONS: We found increased uptake and reduced socioeconomic disparities after introduction of cancer screening indicators. Recent introduction of a cervical cancer screening indicator may increase participation and reduce disparities, as has occurred for breast and colorectal cancer screening. These findings related to Israel's quality indicators program highlight the importance of primary care clinicians in increasing cancer screening rates to improve outcomes and reduce disparities.

Holocaust Experience and Mortality Patterns: 4-Decade Follow-up in a Population-Based Cohort.

Research on mortality associated with exposure to the Holocaust is relevant for a better understanding of the effects of genocides on survivors. To our knowledge, previous studies have not investigated the long-term cause-specific mortality of Holocaust survivors. We compared mortality rates among Israelis born in European countries controlled by the Nazis during World War II with those among Israelis of European descent who did not have this exposure. Records of 22,671 people (45% women; 5,042 survivors) from the population-based Jerusalem Perinatal Study (1964-1976) were linked to the Israeli Population Registry, which was updated through 2016. Cox models were used for analysis, with 2-sided tests of statistical significance. Risk of all-cause mortality was higher among exposed women (hazard ratio (HR) = 1.15, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.05, 1.27) than in unexposed women. No association was found between Holocaust exposure and male all-cause mortality. In both sexes, survivors had higher cancer-specific mortality (HR = 1.17 (95% CI: 1.01, 1.35) in women and HR = 1.14 (95% CI: 1.01, 1.28) in men). Exposed men also had excess mortality due to coronary heart disease (HR = 1.39, 95% CI: 1.09, 1.77) and lower mortality from other known causes combined (HR = 0.86, 95% CI: 0.75, 0.99). In summary, experiencing the Holocaust was associated with excess all-cause and cancer-specific mortality in women and cancer- and coronary heart disease-specific mortality in men.

Adherence to national guidelines for colorectal cancer screening in Israel: Comprehensive multi-year assessment based on electronic medical records.

OBJECTIVES: To assess time trends in colorectal cancer screening uptake, time-to-colonoscopy completion following a positive fecal occult blood test and associated patient factors, and the extent and predictors of longitudinal screening adherence in Israel. SETTING: Nation-wide population-based study using data collected from four health maintenance organizations for the Quality Indicators in Community Healthcare Program. METHODS: Screening uptake for the eligible population (aged 50-74) was recorded 2003-2018 using aggregate data. For a subcohort (2008-2012, N = 1,342,617), time-to-colonoscopy following a positive fecal occult blood test and longitudinal adherence to screening guidelines were measured using individual-level data, and associated factors assessed in multivariate models. RESULTS: The annual proportion screened rose for both sexes from 11 to 65%, increasing five-fold for age group 60-74 and >six-fold for 50-59 year olds, respectively. From 2008 to 2012, 67,314 adults had a positive fecal occult blood test, of whom 71% eventually performed a colonoscopy after a median interval of 122 (95% confidence interval 110.2-113.7) days. Factors associated with time-to-colonoscopy included age, socioeconomic status, and comorbidities. Only 25.5% of the population demonstrated full longitudinal screening adherence, mainly attributable to colonoscopy in the past 10 years rather than annual fecal occult blood test performance (83% versus 17%, respectively). Smoking, diabetes, lower socioeconomic status, cardiovascular disease, and hypertension were associated with decreased adherence. Performance of other cancer screening tests and frequent primary care visits were strongly associated with adherence. CONCLUSIONS: Despite substantial improvement in colorectal cancer screening uptake on a population level, individual-level data uncovered gaps in colonoscopy completion after a positive fecal occult blood test and in longitudinal adherence to screening, which should be addressed using focused interventions.

A public-private partnership for dialysis provision in Ethiopia: a model for high-cost care in low-resource settings.

Our purpose was to explore whether private-public partnerships (PPPs) can serve as a model for access to high-cost care in low-resource settings by examining a unique PPP providing haemodialysis services in a remote setting, investigating challenges and enablers. The study setting is a 500-bed teaching hospital serving a catchment population of 8 million in Northern Ethiopia. Based on local data collection, observation and in-depth interviews, we identified the impetus for the PPP, described the partnership agreement, reported outcomes after 6 years of activity and examined challenges that have arisen since the programme's inception, including funding sustainability. The PPP was established in 2013 based on a decision by local leadership that treatment of patients with acute kidney injury (AKI) is a necessity rather than a luxury. A private partner was sought who could ensure service delivery as well as a reliable supply of consumables. The hospital contributions included infrastructure, personnel and sharing of maintenance costs. The partnership has facilitated uninterrupted haemodialysis service to 101 patients with AKI and 202 with chronic kidney disease. The former (>50% cured) were mainly supported by charitable donations procured by the hospital's leadership, while the latter were self-funded. The local university and community contributed to the charity. Utilization has increased yearly. Funding and logistical issues remain. In conclusion, this PPP enabled access to previously unavailable lifesaving care in Northern Ethiopia and could serve as a model for potential scale-up for haemodialysis provision in particular, and more broadly, high-cost care in low-resource settings. An ethical commitment to provide the service, combined with ongoing administrative and community involvement has contributed to its sustained success. Lack of affordability for most patients requiring chronic haemodialysis and reliance on charitable donations for treatment of patients with AKI pose challenges to long-term sustainability.

"Sell an Ox" - The Price of Cure for Hepatitis C in Two Countries.

Chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection, associated with severe liver disease and cancer, affects 70 million people worldwide. New treatments with direct-acting-antivirals offer cure for about 95% of affected individuals; however, treatment costs may be prohibitive in both the poorest and richest nations. Opting for cure may require sacrificing essential household assets. We highlight the financial dilemmas involved, drawing parallels between Ethiopia and the United States, countries where universal health coverage does not yet exist. The World Health Organization (WHO) declaration for HCV eradication by 2030 will only become reality if universal access to efficacious and affordable treatment is guaranteed for everyone.

[ANTIBIOTIC USE IN COMMUNITY HEALTHCARE IN ISRAEL AS REFLECTED IN THE NATIONAL PROGRAM FOR QUALITY INDICATORS].

AIMS: We sought to evaluate the extent of overall and second-line systemic antibiotic use in the Israeli community, to compare them to international data and to monitor temporal trends. BACKGROUND: Antibiotic overuse is prevalent and has grave implications, primarily the emergence of resistant pathogens - an urgent public health concern worldwide. METHODS: The Israel National Program for Quality Indicators in Community Healthcare (QICH) obtains data from electronic medical records from the 4 health-plans, covering the entire civilian population. We assessed 2 quality indicators, compatible with those of the OECD: 1. Overall volume of antibiotics for systemic use dispensed. 2. Volume of second-line antibiotics as a proportion of all systemic antibiotics. Analysis was stratified by gender, age and socio-economic position (SEP). RESULTS: The volume of systemic antibiotics dispensed in 2016 was 20.76 DDD/1000 person/day, with second-line antibiotics comprising 22.0% of the total. These values have been stable since 2014, and are higher compared with the OECD averages (20.61 DDD/1000 person/day, and 17.02% in 2015). Both overall volume and the proportion of second-line antibiotics rose with age and were higher among women especially in the 20-40 years age bracket (overall volume of 23.98 DDD/1000 person/day, proportion of second-line antibiotics of 23.98% VS 17.41 and 19.17% in men). Higher overall use was observed among patients of low SEP. CONCLUSIONS: The observed volume of systemic antibiotics and the proportion of second-line antibiotics dispensed in the Israeli community were stable and high. Higher use was observed among older individuals, women and patients of low SEP. Our results call for the implementation of a national-level, community-based antibiotic stewardship program. QICH might serve to monitor such a program.

Hodgkin lymphoma patients in first remission: routine positron emission tomography/computerized tomography imaging is not superior to clinical follow-up for patients with no residual mass.

There is no consensus regarding optimal follow-up mode for Hodgkin lymphoma (HL) patients that achieve complete remission following chemotherapy or combined chemo- and radiation therapy. Several studies demonstrated high sensitivity of positron emission tomography/computerized tomography (PET/CT) in detecting disease progression; however, these techniques are currently not recommended for routine follow-up. This retrospective study conducted in two Israeli (N = 291) and one New Zealand academic centres (N = 77), compared a group of HL patients, followed-up with routine imaging every 6 months during the first 2 years after achieving remission, once in the third year, with additional dedicated studies performed due to symptoms or physical findings (Group I) to a group of patients without residual masses who underwent clinically-based surveillance with dedicated imaging upon relapse suspicion (Group II). Five-year overall survival (OS) was 94% and median time to relapse was 8·6 months for both modes. Relapse rates in Groups I and II were 13% and 9%, respectively. During the first 3 years of follow-up, 47·5 and 4·7 studies were performed per detected relapse in Groups I and II, respectively. The current study demonstrated no benefit in either progression-free survival (PFS) or OS in HL patients followed by routine imaging versus clinical follow-up. The cost was 10 times higher for routine imaging.