Financial Stressors for Parents of Children and Emerging Adults With Congenital Heart Disease: A Qualitative Study.

INTRODUCTION: Congenital heart disease (CHD) is the most prevalent congenital disability globally. This study aimed to describe parents' perspectives on financial stressors related to having a child with CHD using a descriptive qualitative approach. METHOD: Qualitative data were obtained from parents of children with CHD in a cross-sectional web-based survey study. Iterative data analysis was used to develop essential themes that enabled a rich description of 147 parents' perspectives. RESULTS: Parents identified five financial stressors: perpetual worries about health insurance, facing the dilemma of "making too much money," struggling to balance work, worrying over having an emerging adult with CHD, and constant constraints because of financial needs. DISCUSSION: As experts in pediatric care, pediatric advanced practice providers need to work with policymakers to provide further financial assistance and sufficient insurance coverage for families that struggle to balance finances for the whole family and children with CHD.

Neurologic Statistical Prognostication and Risk Assessment for Kids on Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation-Neuro SPARK.

This study presents Neuro-SPARK, the first scoring system developed to assess the risk of neurologic injury in pediatric and neonatal patients on extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO). Using the extracorporeal life support organization (ELSO) registry, we applied robust machine learning methodologies and clinical expertise to a 10 years dataset. We produced separate models for veno-venous (V-V ECMO) and veno-arterial (V-A ECMO) configurations due to their different risk factors and prevalence of neurologic injury. Our models identified 14 predictor variables for V-V ECMO and 20 for V-A ECMO, which demonstrated moderate accuracy in predicting neurologic injury as defined by the area under the receiver operating characteristic (AUROC) (V-V = 0.63, V-A = 0.64) and good calibration as measured by the Brier score (V-V = 0.1, V-A = 0.15). Furthermore, our post-hoc analysis identified high- and low-risk groups that may aid clinicians in targeted neuromonitoring and guide future research on ECMO-associated neurologic injury. Despite the inherent limitations, Neuro-SPARK lays the foundation for a risk-assessment tool for neurologic injury in ECMO patients, with potential implications for improved patient outcomes.

Lipid Association of India 2023 update on cardiovascular risk assessment and lipid management in Indian patients: Consensus statement IV.

OBJECTIVE: In 2016, the Lipid Association of India (LAI) developed a cardiovascular risk assessment algorithm and defined low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) goals for prevention of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) in Indians. The recent refinements in the role of various risk factors and subclinical atherosclerosis in prediction of ASCVD risk necessitated updating the risk algorithm and treatment goals. METHODS: The LAI core committee held twenty-one meetings and webinars from June 2022 to July 2023 with experts across India and critically reviewed the latest evidence regarding the strategies for ASCVD risk prediction and the benefits and modalities for intensive lipid lowering. Based on the expert consensus and extensive review of published data, consensus statement IV was commissioned. RESULTS: The young age of onset and a more aggressive nature of ASCVD in Indians necessitates emphasis on lifetime ASCVD risk instead of the conventional 10-year risk. It also demands early institution of aggressive preventive measures to protect the young population prior to development of ASCVD events. Wide availability and low cost of statins in India enable implementation of effective LDL-C-lowering therapy in individuals at high risk of ASCVD. Subjects with any evidence of subclinical atherosclerosis are likely to benefit the most from early aggressive interventions. CONCLUSIONS: This document presents the updated risk stratification and treatment algorithm and describes the rationale for each modification. The intent of these updated recommendations is to modernize management of dyslipidemia in Indian patients with the goal of reducing the epidemic of ASCVD among Indians in Asia and worldwide.

Health Disparities in Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation Utilization and Outcomes: A Scoping Review and Methodologic Critique of the Literature.

OBJECTIVES: To map the scope, methodological rigor, quality, and direction of associations between social determinants of health (SDoH) and extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) utilization or outcomes. DATA SOURCES: PubMed, Web of Science, Embase, and Cochrane Library databases were systematically searched for citations from January 2000 to January 2023, examining socioeconomic status (SES), race, ethnicity, hospital and ECMO program characteristics, transport, and geographic location (context) with utilization and outcomes (concept) in ECMO patients (population). STUDY SELECTION: Methodology followed Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses scoping review extension. Two reviewers independently evaluated abstracts and full text of identified publications. Exclusion criteria included non-English, unavailable, less than 40 patients, and periprocedural or mixed mechanical support. DATA EXTRACTION: Content analysis used a standardized data extraction tool and inductive thematic analysis for author-proposed mediators of disparities. Risk of bias was assessed using the Quality in Prognosis Studies tool. DATA SYNTHESIS: Of 8,214 citations screened, 219 studies were identified. Primary analysis focuses on 148 (68%) including race/ethnicity/SES/payer variables including investigation of ECMO outcomes 114 (77%) and utilization 43 (29%). SDoH were the primary predictor in 15 (10%). Overall quality and methodologic rigor was poor with advanced statistics in 7%. Direction of associations between ECMO outcomes or utilization according to race, ethnicity, SES, or payer varied. In 38% adverse outcomes or lower use was reported in underrepresented, under-resourced or diverse populations, while improved outcomes or greater use were observed in these populations in 7%, and 55% had no statistically significant result. Only 26 studies (18%) discussed mechanistic drivers of disparities, primarily focusing on individual- and hospital-level rather than systemic/structural factors. CONCLUSIONS: Associations between ECMO utilization and outcomes with SDoH are inconsistent, complicated by population heterogeneity and analytic shortcomings with limited consideration of systemic contributors. Findings and research gaps have implications for measuring, analyzing, and interpreting SDoH in ECMO research and healthcare.

Streamlining the Cochlear Implant Evaluation: Utility of Community Audiometry in Cochlear Implant Candidacy Assessment.

OBJECTIVE: To identify redundancy in the cochlear implant candidacy evaluation and assess its financial impact. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective chart review. SETTING: Tertiary care academic cochlear implant center. PATIENTS: One hundred thirty-five patients referred for cochlear implant candidacy evaluation from 2004 through 2019. INTERVENTION: Community and academic audiometry were compared in a matched-pair analysis. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Pure-tone audiometry and word recognition scores (WRS) were compared using the Wilcoxon signed-rank test. Cost of repeated audiometry was estimated using the Medicare Provider Utilization and Payment data. RESULTS: The majority of pure-tone thresholds (PTT) and pure-tone averages (PTA) had no statistically significant differences between community and academic centers. Only air PTT at 2000 Hz on the right and air PTA on the right demonstrated differences with α = 0.05 after Bonferroni correction. Despite statistical differences, mean differences in PTT and PTA were all under 3.5 dB. WRS were on average lower at the academic center, by 14.7% on the right (p < 0.001) and 10.6% on the left (p = 0.003). Repeating initial audiometry costs patients up to $60.58 and costs the healthcare system up to $42.94 per patient. CONCLUSIONS: Pure-tone audiometry between community and academic centers did not demonstrate clinically significant differences. Lower academic WRS implies that patients identified as potential cochlear implant candidates based on community WRS are likely suitable to proceed to sentence testing without repeating audiometry, saving patients and the healthcare system time and resources.

A Monte Carlo Simulation Approach to Optimizing Capacity in a High-Volume Congenital Heart Pediatric Surgical Center.

Importance: Elective surgeries are primarily scheduled according to surgeon availability with less consideration of patients' postoperative cardiac intensive care unit (CICU) length of stay. Furthermore, the CICU census can exhibit a high rate of variation in which the CICU is operating at over-capacity, resulting in admission delays and cancellations; or under-capacity, resulting in underutilized labor and overhead expenditures. Objective: To identify strategies to reduce variation in CICU occupancy levels and avoid late patient surgery cancellation. Design: Monte Carlo simulation study of the daily and weekly CICU census at Boston Children's Hospital Heart Center. Data on all surgical admissions to and discharges from the CICU at Boston Children's Hospital between September 1, 2009 and November 2019 were included to obtain the distribution of length of stay for the simulation study. The available data allows us to model realistic length of stay samples that include short and extended lengths of stay. Main Outcomes: Annual number of patient surgical cancellations and change in average daily census. Results: We demonstrate that the models of strategic scheduling would result in up to 57% reduction in patient surgical cancellations, increase the historically low Monday census and decrease the historically higher late-mid-week (Wednesday and Thursday) censuses in our center. Conclusions and Relevance: Use of strategic scheduling may improve surgical capacity and reduce the number of annual cancellations. The reduction of peaks and valleys in the weekly census corresponds to a reduction of underutilization and overutilization of the system.

Sociodemographic Factors Influencing Rhegmatogenous Retinal Detachment Presentation and Outcome.

PURPOSE: The impact of sociodemographic factors on the presentation and outcomes of rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (RRD) in the United States has not been described. We analyzed the impact of these factors on the presenting fovea-on or off status of RRD, single operation anatomic success (SOAS) of repair, and postoperative visual acuity (VA). DESIGN: Retrospective, single-center, cohort study. PARTICIPANTS: Participants included 4061 patients from Wills Eye Hospital/Mid Atlantic Retina from February 2015 to February 2020. METHODS: Sociodemographic factors including age, gender, race, and regional mean household income (MHI) as determined by ZIP code were recorded. The VA at baseline and 12 months post-RRD repair was recorded. Multiple regression analysis was used to evaluate the relationship between sociodemographic factors to fovea-on or off presentation of RRD, SOAS, and 12-month VA. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Foveal attachment at presentation of RRD, SOAS, and 12-month VA. RESULTS: Older age (odds ratio [OR], 1.34 per decade, 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.27-1.41, P < 0.001), male gender (OR, 1.27, 95% CI, 1.11-1.45, P < 0.001), non-White race (OR, 2.41, 95% CI, 1.92-3.03, P < 0.001), and lower MHI (OR, 0.94 per $10 000, 95% CI, 0.91-0.98, P = 0.005) were independent risk factors for fovea-off presentation of RD. The need for reoperation to repair RRD within 90 days was independently associated with fovea-off presentation (OR, 1.47, 95% CI, 1.24-1.74, P < 0.001) and non-White race (OR, 1.72, 95% CI, 1.27-2.39, P < 0.001). Finally, 12-month postoperative VA was worse in patients who were fovea-off (P < 0.001), older (P = 0.041), male (P = 0.038), and non-White (P = 0.007) but was not related to MHI (P = 0.24). CONCLUSIONS: These findings reveal associations between the sociodemographic factors and the presentation and outcomes of RRD. Physicians should be aware that socioeconomic disparities can negatively impact the prognosis of patients with RRD. Further study confirming these findings and efforts to mitigate their effects are warranted and will be of interest to the greater ophthalmology community.

The Assessment of Health-Related Quality of Life in Patients With Chronic Liver Disease: A Single-Center Study.

Aim The aim of this study was to investigate the factors affecting health-related quality of life (HRQOL) in Nepalese patients with chronic liver disease (CLD). Methods In this study, HRQOL was measured with validated Nepali versions of the short-form 36 (SF-36) survey. Socioeconomic factors, etiology, laboratory parameters, disease severity, and self-rated health perceptions on HRQOL were recorded for analysis. Results Sixty CLD patients were enrolled in the study. The following HRQOL scores were obtained: physical functioning (PF) (34.4 ±26.7), role limitation due to physical health (RLPH) (7.5 ±17.8), role limitation due to emotional problems (RLEP) (27.7 ±38.2), energy or fatigue (E/F) (38.5 ±21.5), emotional well-being (EWB) (57.7 ±22.8), social functioning (SF) (55.2 ±23.5), pain (44.8 ±30.3), and general health (GH) (38.2 ±17). Employed status and higher annual family income had a positive impact on HRQOL. Ascites and abnormal upper gastrointestinal endoscopic findings were associated with poor health status perceptions. More severe disease (higher Child-Pugh class) was associated with lower HRQOL scores. A significant negative correlation between the model for end-stage liver disease (MELD) score and HRQOL domains was observed (p: <0.05). Age, gender, religion, education, and duration of the diagnosis of CLD had no effect on HRQOL of CLD patients. Conclusion HRQOL in patients with CLD was lower than that in the general population. Unemployed status, low annual family income, ascites, abnormal upper gastrointestinal endoscopic findings, and higher Child-Pugh class and MELD scores were important factors that adversely affected HRQOL.

Barriers to diabetic foot care in a disadvantaged population: A qualitative assessment.

OBJECTIVE: We explored barriers to proper foot care in this population using a qualitative approach with focus group discussions (FGD). METHODS: Participants were recruited from clinics at a safety-net hospital in Atlanta, Georgia and stratified into two groups: diabetic foot ulcer (DFU) and minor amputation (below ankle). The FGDs addressed patient experience in receiving care with a goal of understanding: foot care knowledge, barriers to care, and preferred educational methods. Surveys were performed to supplement FGDs. RESULTS: Forty participants (90% Black) were enrolled. Dominant themes emerging from FGDs were: 1-Patients reported adequate understanding of recommended foot care practices; 2-Personal barriers to self-care included lack of motivation, high cost, poor insurance coverage of supplies, and difficulty limiting activity for proper offloading; 3-Hospital system barriers included difficulty making timely appointments and reaching a provider to arrange care; 4-Access to footcare-related information and services improved with greater disease severity. Participants stressed that improved access often came too late to alter their course. They expressed interest in developing peer support groups to facilitate learning and sharing information relating to DFU. CONCLUSION: We found that patients with DFU or minor amputations have adequate footcare-related knowledge, but personal and systemic barriers limited appropriate foot care.

Evaluation of Hip Preservation-related Patient Education Materials From Leading Orthopaedic Academic Centers in the United States and Description of a Novel Video Assessment Tool.

The readability, reliability, and quality of online hip preservation-related patient education materials from the top 20 orthopaedic academic centers in the United States were evaluated. Methods: The patient educational materials were evaluated with the following assessment tools: Flesch-Kincaid (FK) readability test, Flesch Reading Ease formula, LIDA instrument, and DISCERN tool. Videos were assessed using the Patient Educational Video Assessment Tool (PEVAT), an author-developed scoring system. Results: A total of 121 educational items were reviewed. Median (interquartile range) or mean ± SD of the FK level, Flesch Reading Ease, LIDA, and DISCERN scores were 11.00 (3.00), 47.32 ± 12.14, 41.00 (6.00), and 64.00 (7.00), respectively. Higher ranking was correlated with higher FK (ρ = -0.21, P value = 0.034), higher DISCERN score (ρ = -0.39, P value < 0.005), and a lower PEVAT score (r = 0.61, P value = 0.034). The PEVAT score found that 83% of videos were classified as high quality. Discussion: An analysis of the hip preservation patient education text articles found low readability. Overall, high ranking was associated with poorer readability, higher quality text content, and lower quality video content. Video content was found to be predominantly of high quality. Improving the educational accessibility and effect of hip preservation-related topics may result in improved treatment outcomes.

Association of Type of Treatment Facility With Overall Survival After a Diagnosis of Head and Neck Cancer.

Importance: Patients with head and neck cancer receive care at academic comprehensive cancer programs (ACCPs), integrated network cancer programs (INCPs), comprehensive community cancer programs (CCCPs), and community cancer programs (CCPs). The type of treatment facility may be associated with overall survival. Objective: To examine whether type of treatment facility is associated with overall survival after a diagnosis of head and neck cancer. Design, Setting, and Participants: This population-based retrospective cohort study included patients from the National Cancer Database, a prospectively maintained, hospital-based cancer registry of patients treated at more than 1500 US hospitals. Participants were diagnosed with malignant tumors of the head and neck from January 1, 2004, through December 31, 2016. Data were analyzed from May 1 through November 30, 2019. Exposures: Treatment at facilities classified as ACCPs, INCPs, CCCPs, or CCPs. Main Outcomes and Measures: Overall survival after diagnosis and treatment of head and neck cancer was the primary outcome. The secondary outcome was the odds of receiving treatment at ACCPs and INCPs vs CCCPs and CCPs. Multivariable Cox proportional hazards regression and univariable and multivariable logistic regression models were used for analysis. Results: A total of 525 740 patients (368 821 men [70.2%]; mean [SD] age, 63.3 [14.0] years) were diagnosed with malignant tumors of the head and neck during the study period. Among them, 36 595 patients (7.0%) were treated at CCPs; 174 658 (33.2%), at CCCPs; 232 867 (44.3%), at ACCPs; and 57 857 (11.0%), at INCPs. The median survival for patients with aerodigestive cancers was 69.2 (95% CI, 68.6-69.8) months; salivary gland cancers, 107.2 (95% CI, 103.9-110.2) months; and skin cancers, 113.2 (95% CI, 111.4-114.6) months. Improved overall survival was associated with treatment at ACCPs (hazard ratio [HR], 0.89; 95% CI, 0.88-0.91), INCPs (HR, 0.94; 95% CI, 0.92-0.96), and CCCPs (HR, 0.94; 95% CI, 0.92-0.95) compared with CCPs. Compared with patients with private insurance, those with government insurance (odds ratio [OR], 1.35; 95% CI, 1.29-1.41), no insurance (OR, 1.12; 95% CI, 1.09-1.16), or Medicaid (OR, 1.17; 95% CI, 1.14-1.20) were more likely to receive treatment at ACCPs and INCPs, whereas patients with Medicare were less likely to receive treatment at ACCPs and INCPs (OR, 0.95; 95% CI, 0.94-0.97). Compared with white patients, black (OR, 1.55; 95% CI, 1.52-1.59) and Asian (OR, 1.56; 95% CI, 1.49-1.63) patients were more likely to receive care at ACCPs and INCPs. Compared with patients from lower-income areas, patients from high-income areas were more likely to receive treatment at ACCPs and INCPs (OR, 1.25; 95% CI, 1.22-1.28). Conclusions and Relevance: These findings suggest that treatment at ACCPs and INCPs was associated with a better overall survival rate in patients with head and neck cancer. Key social determinants of health such as race/ethnicity, socioeconomic status, and type of insurance were associated with receiving treatment at ACCPs and INCPs.

Social Determinants of Health and Oral Cavity Cancer Treatment and Survival: A Competing Risk Analysis.

OBJECTIVE: Competing risk analysis is a powerful assessment for cancer risk factors and covariates. This method can better elucidate insurance status and other social determinants of health covariates in oral cavity cancer treatment, survival, and disparities. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective cohort study using the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) database. METHODS: Data regarding patient characteristics, clinical stage at diagnosis, treatment, and survival data for 20,271 patients diagnosed with oral cavity cancer was extracted from the SEER 18 Regs Research Data including Hurricane Katrina Impacted Louisiana Cases from 1973 to 2014. All statistical analyses were performed using SAS 9.5 (SAS Institute Inc., Cary, NC). The Fine-Gray method for assessing impact, risk, and covariates was employed. RESULTS: Medicaid patients presented with later stage disease, larger tumor size, more distant metastases, and more lymph node involvement at diagnosis compared to insured patients. Medicaid patients were less likely to receive cancer-directed surgery. Medicaid status was also associated with worse cancer-specific survival (subhazard ratios 1.87, 95% confidence interval 1.72-2.04, P < .0001) after adjustment for all covariates. CONCLUSION: This is the first study examining specifically how Medicaid status and social determinants of health covariates impact oral cavity cancer treatment and outcomes and is the first using methods validated for complex covariates. Patients with Medicaid present with more extensive oral cavity disease burden are less likely to receive definitive therapy and have significantly worse overall survival than those with other forms of insurance. This better identifies disparities and the need for improving health literacy, specifically for the at-risk Medicaid population, and can guide clinicians. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: NA Laryngoscope, 130:2160-2165, 2020.

Lower Socioeconomic Status Is Associated with Groin Wound Complications after Revascularization for Peripheral Artery Disease.

BACKGROUND: Surgical site infections (SSIs) after lower extremity revascularization are a common cause of increased morbidity in patients with peripheral artery disease (PAD). Understanding the multifaceted risk factors for SSIs may suggest closer monitoring for certain patients. The objective of this study is to evaluate the risk factors associated with incidence of SSIs, including patient demographics, operative factors, and socioeconomic status. METHODS: A retrospective review of a prospectively maintained database was queried for all patients who underwent any femoral exposure for the purposes of treating PAD from 2014 to 2017 at a single, academic, public hospital. Patient demographics, procedural data, and a variety of socioeconomic parameters were collected from chart review. Zip code geocoding was also used to obtain surrogates for local socioeconomic factors. The primary outcome measure was SSI within 90 days of operation. RESULTS: A total of 136 patients were identified, of which 19 (14%) developed an SSI. The only demographic variable associated with an increased risk of infection was body mass index (24.8 vs 30.1, P < 0.05). Major preoperative comorbid conditions, smoking status, and insurance status were not associated with an increased risk of complications. In addition, the type of procedure performed [infrainguinal bypass (n = 68), femoral endarterectomy (n = 36), aortofemoral bypass (n = 17), femoral-femoral bypass (n = 8), axillofemoral bypass (n = 7)] was not associated with any trend toward SSI. Estimated blood loss (292 vs 463 mL, P < 0.05), postoperative glucose (169 vs 212, P < 0.05), and postoperative white blood cell count (13.6 vs 18.3, P < 0.05) were the only periprocedural variables associated with SSIs. Lower mean household income, mean family income, and per capita income were all associated with an increased risk of postoperative infection (all P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Socioeconomic factors, including poorer household income, are strongly associated with an increased risk of postoperative SSIs after lower extremity revascularization. Modifiable variables, such as preoperative optimization and procedural conduct, also display an effect on the development of an SSI. As a result, health care providers should maintain a high index of suspicion for the development of SSI in patients with lower socioeconomic status.

Trends in Retina Specialist Imaging Utilization from 2012 to 2016 in the United States Medicare Fee-for-Service Population.

PURPOSE: To characterize temporal trends and regional variance in retinal imaging utilization in the United States Medicare fee-for-service population from 2012-2016. DESIGN: Cross-sectional, retrospective database analysis. METHODS: This study addresses office or operating-room based retinal imaging. Our study population included retina specialists, defined as ophthalmologists performing either intravitreal anti-vascular endothelial growth factor injections or posterior segment laser photocoagulation and no neodymium-doped yttrium aluminum garnet laser capsulotomy. We recorded fundus photography, optical coherence tomography (OCT), intravenous fluorescein angiography (IVFA), indocyanine-green angiography, and ophthalmic ultrasound (B-scan) billed in the Medicare fee-for-service population from 2012-2016. Imaging obtained on any platform or device was eligible for inclusion (eg, posterior pole imaging vs ultrawidefield imaging). The main outcome measure was the relative utilization of retinal imaging modalities. RESULTS: National relative utilization of OCT increased from 61.5% in 2012 to 70.5% in 2016 (P < .001), while IVFA fell from 20.9% to 15.1% over the same interval (P < .001). Fundus photography decreased from 14.6% in 2012 to 11.7% in 2016 (P < .001). By 2016, the Midwest region had the highest relative utilization of OCT (75.2%) and lowest of IVFA (12.0%), while the West region had the lowest OCT (68.4%) and highest IVFA (17.0%). CONCLUSIONS: Among retina specialists, OCT usage increased while the utilization of fundus photography and IVFA has declined. The Midwest region had the highest utilization of OCT and lowest of IVFA.

An assessment of social media usage by dermatology residency programs.

Despite the increasing popularity of social media, the activity of dermatology residency programs on top social media platforms has never been investigated to our knowledge. We investigated a total of 126 dermatology residency programs to assess their presence and popularity on social media. Searches were conducted to identify dermatology residency departments' accounts on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. The number of Facebook likes, Twitter followers, and Instagram followers were recorded. Of the 126 dermatology residency programs, 29 (23%) were active on Facebook, 14 (11%) on Twitter, and 9 (7%) on Instagram. There was a wide range in the number of Facebook likes, Twitter followers, and Instagram followers. The top ten dermatology residency programs with the highest Facebook likes, Twitter followers, and Instagram followers were charted. Our results demonstrate the sparse usage of social media by dermatology residency programs. Although social media continues to increase in prevalence, dermatology residency programs are underutilizing these valuable resources.

Assessment of Validity of SF 36 Questionnaire Using Nepali Language to Determine Health-related Quality of Life in Patients with Chronic Liver Disease: A Pilot Study.

OBJECTIVES: The main objective of this study was to translate and validate the short form 36 (SF-36) health survey questionnaire into the Nepali language using a standard protocol to determine health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in patients with chronic liver disease (CLD). METHODS: We conducted a cross-sectional study among 40 patients with CLD. A formal translation of SF-36 from English into the Nepali language was performed. Patients with CLD without other known co-morbidities were administered the Nepali version of SF-36. Cronbach's alpha and test-retest were performed for reliability analysis. RESULTS: Cronbach's alpha of overall SF-36 score was 0.85, and the test-retest correlation coefficient was 0.78 (p <0.05). CONCLUSION: The Nepali language version of SF-36 is valid and reliable.

An updated assessment of social media usage by dermatology journals and organizations.

Despite the increasing prevalence of social media usage, the activity of dermatology journals and professional and patient-centered organizations on top social media platforms has not been investigated since 2012. We investigated a total of 124 dermatology journals, 242 professional organizations, and 78 patient-centered organizations to assess their presence and popularity on social media. Searches were conducted to identify journals and organizations on Facebook and Twitter. Similar searches were done for organizations on LinkedIn. The number of Facebook likes, Twitter followers, and LinkedIn followers of the dermatological entities were quantified. There were 22 (17.7%) dermatology journals active on Facebook and 21 (16.9%) on Twitter. Amongst the professional organizations, 114 (47.1%) were on Facebook, 69 (28.5%) on Twitter, and 50 (20.7%) on LinkedIn. In comparison, 68 (87.2%) patient-centered organizations were on Facebook, 56 (71.8%) on Twitter, and 56 (71.8%) on LinkedIn. Our results demonstrate that the popularity of dermatology journals and professional and patient-centered organizations on top social networking sites has grown markedly since 2012. Although the number of dermatology journals on social media has increased since 2012, their presence continues to trail behind professional and patient-centered dermatological organizations, suggesting underutilization of a valuable resource.