Symptoms and Functional Outcomes Among Traumatic Brain Injury Patients 3- to 12-Months Post-Injury.

BACKGROUND: Patients with traumatic brain injury (TBI) experience a variety of physical, cognitive, and affective symptoms. However, the evolution of symptoms, especially during the 3- to 12-month convalescence period (when recovery of function is still possible), is understudied. OBJECTIVE: This study aims to identify symptoms and the relationships with functional outcomes that occur during the 3- to 12-month period after a TBI. METHODS: Participants who were 3 to 12 months post-TBI were recruited from a South Florida TBI clinic from May 2022 to June 2023. Clinical data were obtained from the electronic health record. Participants completed the Brain Injury Association of Virginia Symptom Checklist, Neuro-Quality of Life Cognitive Function, Anxiety, Depression, and Sleep Disturbance assessments to report symptoms, and the Disability Rating Scale and Satisfaction with Life Scale. Descriptive statistics were used to characterize demographics and symptoms. Linear regression was performed to analyze the relationships between symptoms and outcomes. RESULTS: A total of N = 39 patients participated in the study. Memory problems and difficulty concentrating were the most common symptoms. Hospital length of stay, intensive care unit length of stay, cognitive, and physical symptoms were significantly associated with the Disability Rating Scale score. Physical, cognitive, depressive, and anxiety symptoms had significant associations with the Satisfaction with Life Scale. CONCLUSION: Cognitive symptoms should be integrated into the clinical care of rehabilitating TBI patients. Nurses should monitor for physical, affective, and cognitive symptoms during the recovery phase of TBI.

Ethnic group differences in obesity in Asian Americans in California, 2013-2014.

BACKGROUND: Obesity has been generally understudied in Asian Americans. It is important to identify subgroups of Asian Americans at high risk of obesity to help develop targeted interventions for those subgroups. This study aimed to examine the disparities in obesity among Asians (i.e., Chinese, Filipino, Japanese, Korean, and Vietnamese) living in California. METHODS: A sample of Adult Americans in California (n = 47,970) including Asian American adults (n = 3810) aged 18 years or older were obtained from the 2013-2014 California Health Interview Survey (the U.S. nation's largest state cross-sectional health survey). Body mass index was calculated using self-reported height and weight. Weight status was determined using the WHO Asian BMI cut points in 4 categories: < 18.5 kg/m2 (underweight), 18.5-22.9 kg/m2 (normal weight), 23-27.5 kg/m2 (overweight), and ≥ 27.5 kg/m2 (obese). Multiple logistic regression analyses were used to estimate odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) after adjustment for covariates. RESULTS: Overall, the prevalence of Asians was 23.3% for obesity and 40.0% for overweight. The obesity prevalence was higher in Asians who were males, aged 45-64 years old, had higher family income, were current smokers, never got married, had lower education level, had an insufficient level of physical activity, and had more frequent consumption of fast foods. After adjusting for other factors, compared to Whites, being Hispanics and Blacks were associated with higher odds of obesity (OR = 1.47, 95%CI = 1.31-1.65; OR = 2.04, 95%CI = 1.65-2.53, respectively); being Chinese, Korean, and Vietnamese were associated with lower odds of obesity (OR = 0.28, 95%CI = 0.18-0.45; OR = 0.14, 95%CI = 0.04-0.46; OR = 0.28, 95%CI = 0.14-0.58, respectively). Compared to Chinese, being Japanese and Filipino were associated with higher odds of obesity (OR = 2.75, 95%CI = 1.52-4.95; OR = 2.90, 95%CI = 1.87-4.49, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of adult obesity was high among Asian Americans in California. Ethnic/racial disparities in obesity among Asian Americans in California were observed in 2013-2014. Compared to Whites, being Chinese, Korean, Vietnamese were associated with lower odds of obesity. Among Asians, compared to Chinese, being Japanese and being Filipino were associated with higher odds of obesity. These findings can help design better interventions to reduce racial and ethnic disparities in obesity, especially for Asian Americans.

Perceived Barriers to Contraceptive Access and Acceptance among Reproductive-Age Women Receiving Opioid Agonist Therapy in Northeast Tennessee.

OBJECTIVES: Women with substance use disorders experience unique challenges to contraceptive obtainment and user-dependent method adherence, contributing to higher than average rates of unintended pregnancy. This study estimated the prevalence of barriers to contraception and their associations with contraceptive use and unwanted pregnancies among women receiving opioid agonist therapy (OAT) in northeast Tennessee. METHODS: A cross-sectional survey was piloted among female patients aged 18 to 55 years from 2 OAT clinics. Logistic regression was used to evaluate associations between contraceptive barriers and current contraceptive use and previous unwanted pregnancies among women receiving OAT. RESULTS: Of 91 participants, most experienced previous pregnancies (97.8%), with more than half reporting unwanted pregnancies (52.8%). Although 60% expressed a strong desire to avoid pregnancy, ambivalence toward becoming pregnant was common (30.0%). Most experienced ≥1 barriers to contraceptive use or obtainment (75.8%), the most prevalent being aversion to adverse effects (53.8%), healthcare provider stigmatization (30.7%), scheduled appointment compliance (30.3%), and prohibitive cost (25.0%). Experience of any contraceptive barrier (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] 8.64, 95% confidence interval [CI] 2.03-36.79) and access to a contraceptive provider (AOR 5.01, 95% CI 1.34-18.77) were positively associated with current use of prescribed contraceptives, whereas prohibitive cost was negatively associated (AOR 0.28, 95% CI 0.08-0.94). CONCLUSIONS: Although most participants desired to avoid pregnancy, ambivalence or uncertainty of pregnancy intention was common. Most experienced barriers to contraception, which were more strongly associated with previous unwanted pregnancy than current contraceptive use. The provision of long-acting reversible contraceptives and contraceptive education at OAT clinics represents an opportunity to reduce the incidence of neonatal abstinence syndrome.

Community pharmacist engagement in opioid use disorder prevention and treatment behaviors: A descriptive analysis.

OBJECTIVES: This study describes community pharmacists' opioid analgesic and medication for opioid use disorder (MOUD) practice behaviors and behavioral intentions in the context of primary, secondary, and tertiary prevention of opioid use disorder (OUD). METHODS: The study sampling frame consisted of 2302 Tennessee community-practice pharmacists who were asked to complete a mailed, paper questionnaire. Behavioral intentions were elicited by asking pharmacists to indicate the number of times (0 to 10) they engage in a behavior, given 10 patients in 3 distinct vignettes. Perceptions of evidence-based MOUD and pain management patient care practices were also elicited. RESULTS: A response rate of 19.7% was achieved. Pharmacists reported using a brief questionnaire to evaluate risk of opioid misuse with 2.1 ± 3.7 (mean ± SD) out of 10 patients, screening 2.1 ± 3.7 patients for current opioid misuse, discussing co-dispensing of naloxone with 2.9 ± 3.4 to 3.3 ± 4 out of 10 patients at a risk of overdose, and dispensing buprenorphine/naloxone to a mean of 4.6 ± 4.2 patients when they presented a prescription. Respondents perceived 38% of pain management and 30% of MOUD prescribers in their area to practice evidenced-based care. CONCLUSION: Pharmacists have an opportunity to improve the outcomes for patients prescribed opioids by increasing engagement across OUD prevention levels.

Healthcare Access, Pregnancy Intention, and Contraceptive Practices Among Reproductive-Aged Women Receiving Opioid Agonist Therapy in Northeast Tennessee.

OBJECTIVES: Women with substance use disorders often experience unique challenges to obtaining contraception and adhering to user-dependent methods. As a result, this at-risk population of women tends to have higher than average rates of unintended pregnancy. The objective of this study was to describe contraceptive use, pregnancy intentions, and adequacy of access to reproductive healthcare among women receiving opioid agonist therapy in northeast Tennessee. METHODS: A cross-sectional survey was piloted among female patients aged 18 to 55 years from two opioid agonist therapy clinics. Descriptive analyses were conducted using logistic regression to evaluate the statistical significance of bivariate associations. RESULTS: Of 91 participants, 84% reported having health insurance, with 70% perceiving having adequate access to health care. More than half had a history of unwanted pregnancy (53%), among whom few (23.1%) reported the consistent use of contraception at time of conception. Although most desired to avoid pregnancy (90%), only 59% of women reported the current use of regular contraception. Most of those not using regular contraception believed that they were not at risk for pregnancy (54.3%). CONCLUSIONS: Although most participants reported adequate access to health care and a desire to avoid pregnancy, few reported the consistent use of regular contraception. Furthermore, misperceptions regarding pregnancy risk were common among participants. Research is needed to identify barriers to contraceptive acceptance and causes of pregnancy risk misperceptions in this population of women at increased risk of unintended pregnancy.

Association Between Multiple Modifiable Risk Factors of Cardiovascular Disease and Hypertension among Asymptomatic Patients in Central Appalachia.

OBJECTIVES: The central Appalachian region of the United States is disproportionately burdened with cardiovascular diseases (CVD) and associated risk factors; however, research to inform clinical practice and policies and programs is sparse. This study aimed to examine the association between multiple modifiable risk factors for CVD and hypertension in asymptomatic patients in central Appalachia. METHODS: Between January 2011 and December 2012, 1629 asymptomatic individuals from central Appalachia participated in screening for subclinical atherosclerosis. Participants were asked to report their hypertension status (yes/no). In addition, data on two nonmodifiable risk factors (sex, age) and five modifiable risk factors (obesity, diabetes mellitus, hypercholesterolemia, smoking, and sedentary lifestyle) were collected. Multivariable logistic regression analyses were conducted to assess association between hypertension and risk factors. RESULTS: Of the 1629 participants, approximately half (49.8%) had hypertension. Among people with hypertension, 31.4% were obese and 62.3% had hypercholesterolemia. After adjusting for sex and age, obesity and diabetes mellitus were associated with a more than twofold increased odds of having hypertension (odds ratio [OR] 2.02, confidence interval [CI] 1.57-2.60 and OR 2.30, CI 1.66-3.18, respectively). Hypercholesterolemia and sedentary lifestyle were associated with higher odds for hypertension (OR 1.26, CI 1.02-1.56 and OR 1.38, CI 1.12-1.70, respectively), compared with referent groups. Having two, three, and four to five modifiable risk factors was associated with increased odds of having hypertension by about twofold (OR 1.72, CI 1.21-2.44), 2.5-fold (OR 2.55, CI 1.74-3.74), and sixfold (OR 5.96, CI 3.42-10.41), respectively. CONCLUSIONS: This study suggests that the odds of having hypertension increases with a higher number of modifiable risk factors for CVD. As such, implementing an integrated CVD program for treating and controlling modifiable risk factors for hypertension would likely decrease the future risk of CVD.

The effects of multiple coronary artery disease risk factors on subclinical atherosclerosis in a rural population in the United States.

INTRODUCTION: The risk factors for cardiovascular disease (CVD) are associated with coronary atherosclerosis and having multiple risk factors potentiates atherosclerosis. This study examined the prevalence of multiple biological and lifestyle/behavioral risk factors and their association with coronary artery calcium (CAC), a marker for subclinical coronary atherosclerosis. METHODS: This is a cross-sectional study of 1607 community-dwelling asymptomatic individuals from central Appalachia who participated in CAC screening between January 2011 and December 2012. Data on demographics (sex and age) and 7 traditional risk factors for coronary artery disease (CAD) were collected and categorized into 5 groups (0-1, 2, 3, 4, and ≥5). Prevalence of these risk factors and CAC scores (0, 1-99, 100-399, ≥400) were assessed, and the impact of the number of risk factors on CAC scores were delineated using multiple logistic regression. RESULTS: Over 98% of participants had ≥1 risk factor. While obesity, diabetes, hypertension, and family history of CAD significantly increased the odds of having CAC, CAC scores significantly increased with number of risk factors. After adjusting for demographic factors, having 3, 4, and ≥5 risk factors was significantly associated with increased odds of having higher CAC scores when compared to zero CAC score by more than one and half times [OR=1.65, CI (1.20-2.25)], two times [OR=2.32, CI (1.67-3.23)] and three times [OR=3.45, CI (2.42-4.92)], respectively. CONCLUSION: The high prevalence of multiple risk factors in the study population suggests the need for aggressive multiple risk factors interventions for primary prevention of CAD, which could address CVD health disparities.

Correlates of Prescription Opioid Legitimacy Judgments Among Community Pharmacists.

BACKGROUND: Community pharmacists are legally required to evaluate and confirm the legitimacy of prescription opioids (POs) prior to dispensing. Yet, previous research has indicated community pharmacists perceive nearly 50% of dispensed POs to be issued lacking a legitimate medical purpose. OBJECTIVE: To analyze correlates of PO legitimacy judgments across pharmacist and pharmacy setting characteristics. METHODS: A cross-sectional study of 2000 Tennessee pharmacists was conducted during October and November of 2012. Community pharmacists' self-reported attitudes, beliefs, and behaviors specific to PO legitimacy were elicited. Step-wise multinomial logistic regression techniques were used to model correlates of PO legitimacy across low, moderate and high PO legitimacy estimations. RESULTS: Being female, practicing in a chain or independent practice setting, fear of employer disciplinary action if PO legitimacy is questioned, and self-confidence in one's ability to detect PO abuse increased the odds of low (vs. high) PO legitimacy estimation (p < 0.05). Employment in chain and independent pharmacies, having POs as a greater percent of total prescriptions filled, and having the perception of PO abuse as a problem in the practice setting were significant positive correlates of moderate (vs high) PO legitimacy estimation (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Both modifiable and non-modifiable correlates were statistically significantly associated with PO legitimacy judgments. Distinct correlates were noted across low and moderate as compared to high estimations of PO legitimacy. Legitimacy judgments can inform theoretical exploration of PO dispensing behaviors and inform intervention development targeted at reducing and preventing prescription drug abuse.

Prescription Disposal Practices: A 2-Year Ecological Study of Drug Drop Box Donations in Appalachia.

OBJECTIVES: We quantified controlled substance donations via permanent drug donation boxes over 2 years in a region with high prescription abuse, assessing medication characteristics, time between dispensing and donation, and weight of medications donated per capita. METHODS: In partnership with Drug Enforcement Administration and local law enforcement, we analyzed permanent drug donation box collections in 8 Northeast Tennessee locations from June 2012 to April 2014. We recorded controlled substance dosage units along with the product dispensing date. RESULTS: We collected 4841 pounds of pharmaceutical waste, 4.9% (238.5 pounds) of which were controlled substances, totaling 106,464 controlled substance doses. Analysis of dispensing dates for controlled substances indicated a median of 34 months lapsed from dispensing to donation (range = 1-484 months). The mean controlled substance donation rate was 1.39 pounds per 1000 residents. Communities with fewer than 10,000 residents had a statistically higher controlled substance donation rate (P = .002) compared with communities with 10,000 or more residents. CONCLUSIONS: Permanent drug donation boxes can be an effective mechanism to remove controlled substances from community settings. Rural and urban community residents should be provided convenient and timely access to drug disposal options.

Independent and joint effects of prenatal maternal smoking and maternal exposure to second-hand smoke on the development of adolescent obesity: a longitudinal study.

AIM: To examine associations of prenatal maternal smoking and second-hand smoke (SHS) exposure with the development of adolescent obesity. METHODS: Longitudinal data (1991-2007) from National Institute of Child Health and Human Development Study of Early Child Care and Youth Development involving mothers that smoked and or exposed to SHS during the year before birth were analysed. Adolescent obesity in ages 12.0-15.9 years was defined as a BMI ≥ 95th percentile. Generalised estimating equations (GEE) were used for the analyses. RESULTS: Obesity was more prevalent among adolescents whose mothers smoked or had SHS exposure than those that did not smoke or exposed to SHS. After adjusting for maternal and child factors, GEE models showed that odds of adolescent obesity increased with prenatal maternal smoking (OR = 1.57, 95% CI = 1.03-2.39) and SHS exposure (OR = 1.53, 95% CI = 1.04-2.27). The odds for obesity increased more than two times among adolescents exposed to both maternal smoking and SHS (OR = 2.10, 95% CI = 1.24, 3.56) compared with those without exposure. Additionally, not breastfeeding, maternal obesity, and longer screen viewing hours per day were associated with increased odds of obesity. CONCLUSIONS: There is possibly a long-term joint effect of prenatal maternal smoke (smoking and SHS) exposure on obesity among adolescent offspring, and the effect is independent of birthweight. These findings suggest that adolescent obesity could possibly be curtailed with the development and promotion of smoking cessation programmes for families during the year before birth.

Inflammatory markers and body mass index amoung hispanic children.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Body mass index (BMI) is inversely proportional with adiponectin levels among adults, while insulin, C-reactive protein (CRP), interleukin 6 (IL-6), resistin and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) have been linked with elevated BMI. The role and relation of these biomarkers with BMI among a Hispanic pediatric population are less known. Thus, the objective of this study was to examine the association of inflammatory markers with the odds of overweight/obesity while controlling for several sociodemographic factors among a Hispanic youth population in Northeast Tennessee. METHODS: Height, weight, demographic information, and blood samples were collected from 107 Hispanic children aged 2 to 10 years recruited at a large community health center in 2015-2016 in Northeast Tennessee. Data for this research were accessed and analyzed in 2022. Multivariable logistic regression was conducted to assess the relations between adiponectin, insulin, resistin, CRP, TNF-α, and IL-6, and overweight/obesity vs. having a healthy (normal) weight. RESULTS: Adiponectin levels were significantly lower among overweight/obese Hispanic children (p = 0.0144) compared to healthy weight children. The odds of overweight/obesity decreased by 4% for every one-unit increase in serum adiponectin. Insulin levels were significantly higher among overweight/obese Hispanic children compared to healthy weight children (p = 0.0048). The odds of overweight/obesity increased by 7% for every one-unit increase in serum insulin. Resistin, IL-6, TNF-α, and CRP were not significantly associated with overweight/obesity in this population. CONCLUSION: Adiponectin behaves similarly in Hispanic youth as it does in other pediatric populations, possibly making it a valuable marker when examining metabolic health status in this population.

A theoretical explanation of naloxone provision among primary care physicians and community pharmacists in Tennessee.

BACKGROUND: Increasing access to naloxone reduces opioid-related morbidity and mortality. Primary care and community pharmacy settings are critical access points, yet limited theoretical research has examined naloxone prescribing and dispensing behaviors. OBJECTIVES: To determine if the theory of planned behavior (TPB) combined with theoretical constructs from communication science explains intentions to co-prescribe and discuss co-dispensing naloxone among primary care physicians and community pharmacists, respectively. METHODS: This cross-sectional study surveyed cohorts of licensed primary care physicians and community pharmacists in Tennessee in 2017. Intentions were measured using profession-specific case vignettes, whereby they were asked given 10 similar patients, how many times (0-10) would they co-prescribe or discuss co-dispensing naloxone. Bivariate and multivariable analyses were used. RESULTS: The analytic sample included 295 physicians (response rate = 15.6 %) and 423 pharmacists (response rate = 19.4 %). Approximately 65 % of physicians reported never intending to co-prescribe naloxone (0 out of 10 patients), while 47 % of pharmacists reported never intending to discuss co-dispensing. All TPB constructs-attitudes (AOR = 1.32, CI = 1.16-1.50), subjective norms (AOR = 1.17, CI = 1.06-1.30), and perceived behavioral control (AOR 1.16, CI = 1.02-1.33)-were associated with an increased likelihood of pharmacists always (versus never) discussing co-dispensing. Similarly, two TPB constructs-attitudes (AOR = 1.41, CI = 1.19-1.68) and subjective norms (AOR = 1.22, CI = 1.08-1.39)-were associated with an increased likelihood of physicians always co-prescribing. Among physicians only, one communication construct-self-perceived communication competence (AOR = 1.19, CI = 1.01-1.41)-was associated with an increased likelihood of always co-prescribing. CONCLUSION: Findings support the value of theory, particularly TPB, in explaining primary care physician intentions to co-prescribe and community pharmacist intentions to discuss co-dispensing naloxone.

Multidimensional Frailty, Quality of Life and Self-Management in Aging Hispanics Living With HIV.

An observational cross-sectional study was conducted to examine multidimensional frailty and its potential impact on quality of life (QOL) in aging Hispanic people living with HIV (PLWH) and assess the extent to which HIV self-management moderates this association. The sample included 120 Hispanic PLWH aged 50 years and older (M = 59.11; SD = 7.04). The structural equation modeling analyses demonstrated that multidimensional frailty was significantly related to QOL in its two dimensions, physical and mental (p < .001). The relationship between multidimensional frailty and mental and physical QOL remained significant even after controlling for confounders (age and gender). The moderator analyses indicated no statistically significant moderator effect of HIV self-management on multidimensional frailty and mental or physical QOL. These study results have practical implications that highlight the need for early screening for frailty with a multidimensional focus. Age-appropriate and culturally tailored interventions to prevent or mitigate multidimensional frailty may improve QOL.

Cesarean section and the risk of overweight in grade 6 children.

UNLABELLED: We examined the relationship between cesarean section (C-section) and the risk of overweight and obesity in children in grade 6 (mean age, 11.92 years; standard deviation = 0.34). Data from phase I through phase III of the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development Study of Early Child Care and Youth Development were used. Children with complete data from 1991 through 2004 were included in this study (n = 917). Multiple logistic regression analyses were used to adjust for potential confounding and to evaluate the association of C-section and childhood overweight and obesity. Compared to children delivered vaginally, children delivered by C-section had approximately twice the likelihood of being overweight (odds ratio (OR) = 1.86, 95 % confidence interval (CI) = 1.27-2.73) or obese (OR = 1.87, 95 % CI = 1.19-2.95). However, when examined according to sex, males delivered by C-section had an increased risk for being overweight (OR = 1.78, 95 % CI = 1.01-3.12) and obese (OR = 2.58, 95 % CI = 1.36-4.88), while females had an increased risk only for being overweight (OR = 1.99, 95 % CI = 1.17-3.39). CONCLUSION: C-section was associated with an increased risk of overweight and obesity in children in grade 6, but the relationship differed according to gender. Further longitudinal studies are warranted to examine the long-term effect of delivery mode on the risk of childhood overweight.

Changes in Telomere Length and Indicators of Oxidative Stress in Critically Ill Mechanically Ventilated Adults - A Pilot Study.

BACKGROUND: Telomeres are structures at the end of chromosomes that shorten with each cell division. The purpose of this pilot project is to report changes in telomere length (T/S ratio), indicators of oxidative stress (serum protein carbonyl, vitamin C, GSH:GSSG, and total antioxidant capacity) from Intensive Care Unit (ICU) admission to ICU discharge, and to explore their association with ICU-related morbidities among critically ill mechanically ventilated adults. METHODS: Blood was collected from mechanically ventilated patients (n = 25) at enrollment and within 48 hours of ICU discharge. Telomere length from peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) was determined using RTqPCR. ELISAs were used to measure indicators of oxidative stress. Descriptive analysis, paired t-tests, and Pearson's correlations were performed. RESULTS: Mean age was 62.0 ± 12.3 years, 28.6% were male, and 76.2% were White with disease severity using APACHE III (74.6 ± 24.6) and SOFA (7.6 ± 3.2). Mean T/S ratios shortened (ICU: 0.712, post-ICU: 0.683, p < 0.001, n = 19) and serum protein carbonyl increased (ICU: 7437 nmol/mg ± 3328, post-ICU: 10,254 nmol/mg ± 3962, p < 0.005) as did the oxidative stress index (protein carbonyl/GSH:GSSG, ICU: 1049.972 ± 420.923, post-ICU: 1348.971 ± 417.175, p = 0.0104). T/S ratio was positively associated with APACHE III scores (ICU: r = 0.474, post-ICU: r = 0.628, p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Pilot findings suggest that critical illness significantly correlates with telomere attrition, perhaps due to increased oxidative stress. Future larger and longitudinal studies investigating mechanisms of telomere attrition and associations with clinical outcomes are needed to identify potential modifiable factors for subsequent intervention to improve outcomes for critically ill patients.

Factors Related to Multidimensional Frailty Among Hispanic People Living With HIV Aged 50 Years and Above: A Cross-sectional Study.

ABSTRACT: Among Hispanics, frailty has been extensively studied as a physical syndrome associated with an increased risk for adverse outcomes. Because of additional barriers to accessing care, the impact of frailty may be even more significant for people living with HIV (PLWH). Multidimensional frailty among Hispanic PLWH has not been studied. This study aimed to examine the factors related to multidimensional frailty among Hispanic PLWH aged 50 years and above. A cross-sectional design with 120 participants was used. Hypothesized factors related to multidimensional frailty were sociodemographic and psychosocial variables. Multidimensional frailty was measured with the Tilburg Frailty Indicator. We found that 45.83% of the participants were frail ( n = 55), and multidimensional frailty was significantly associated with higher depressive symptoms ( b = .26, p < .001) and a higher number of comorbidities ( b = .71, p < .001). This study identified factors that clinicians should be aware of when caring for Hispanic PLWH to prevent or manage frailty-related complications.

Individual and social determinants of multiple chronic disease behavioral risk factors among youth.

BACKGROUND: Behavioral risk factors are known to co-occur among youth, and to increase risks of chronic diseases morbidity and mortality later in life. However, little is known about determinants of multiple chronic disease behavioral risk factors, particularly among youth. Previous studies have been cross-sectional and carried out without a sound theoretical framework. METHODS: Using longitudinal data (n = 1135) from Cycle 4 (2000-2001), Cycle 5 (2002-2003) and Cycle 6 (2004-2005) of the National Longitudinal Survey of Children and Youth, a nationally representative sample of Canadian children who are followed biennially, the present study examines the influence of a set of conceptually-related individual/social distal variables (variables situated at an intermediate distance from behaviors), and individual/social ultimate variables (variables situated at an utmost distance from behaviors) on the rate of occurrence of multiple behavioral risk factors (physical inactivity, sedentary behavior, tobacco smoking, alcohol drinking, and high body mass index) in a sample of children aged 10-11 years at baseline. Multiple behavioral risk factors were assessed using a multiple risk factor score. All statistical analyses were performed using SAS, version 9.1, and SUDAAN, version 9.01. RESULTS: Multivariate longitudinal Poisson models showed that social distal variables including parental/peer smoking and peer drinking (Log-likelihood ratio (LLR) = 187.86, degrees of freedom (DF) = 8, p < .001), as well as individual distal variables including low self-esteem (LLR = 76.94, DF = 4, p < .001) increased the rate of occurrence of multiple behavioral risk factors. Individual ultimate variables including age, sex, and anxiety (LLR = 9.34, DF = 3, p < .05), as well as social ultimate variables including family socioeconomic status, and family structure (LLR = 10.93, DF = 5, p = .05) contributed minimally to the rate of co-occurrence of behavioral risk factors. CONCLUSIONS: The results suggest targeting individual/social distal variables in prevention programs of multiple chronic disease behavioral risk factors among youth.

A prospective cohort study of the association between key family and individual factors and obesity status among youth.

There remains a significant gap in our knowledge of the synergistic nature of family dynamics, child characteristics, and child-rearing features in the etiology of obesity from childhood through adolescence. We assessed the associations of family dynamics (poverty, family structure), child characteristics (child temperament), and child-rearing features (maternal depression, maternal sensitivity, and type of child care) with the development of childhood obesity. Children (n = 1240) whose weights and heights were measured at least once for ten time points (from 2 years through 15 years) from the NICHD Study of Early Child Care and Youth Development were included. Generalized estimating equation (GEE) was used to examine the associations of family and individual factors with the childhood obesity after adjusting for covariates. Adjusted GEE models showed that living below poverty level was associated with an increased odds of obesity (odds ratio = 1.62, 95% confidence interval 1.05, 2.53). Among these key family and individual factors, poverty status was observed to be the strongest predictor of obesity of offspring across time. Findings highlight the importance of systemic-level public health changes in obesity reduction efforts and suggest that poverty-reduction based prevention and intervention are likely more effective targets than more individual/family specific targets.

Income Disparities in Obesity Trends among U.S. Adults: An Analysis of the 2011-2014 California Health Interview Survey.

The aim of this study was to examine income disparities in obesity trends among California adults. Data were obtained from the 2011−2014 California Health Interview Survey (n = 83,175 adults). Obesity for adults was defined as a body mass index of 30 kg/m2 or above. Family income was categorized as below 100%, 100% to 299%, or 300% and above of the federal poverty level (FPL). Weighted multiple logistic regression analyses were used to examine the association between family income and obesity across survey years after controlling for age, sex, race/ethnicity, smoking status, marital status, education, physical activity, and healthy diet. Obesity prevalence among California adults increased slightly from 25.1% in 2011 to 27.0% in 2014. Compared to 300% FPL or above, <100% FPL and 100−299% FPL were associated with increased odds of obesity, respectively (OR = 1.35, 95% CI = 1.22−1.50, for 100−299% FPL; OR = 1.18, 95% CI = 1.10−1.27, for 300% FPL or above). Each year, lower FPL was associated with higher odds of obesity, except for the year 2014. An inverse association between obesity and family income in each survey year was observed, with the magnitude of the income disparity decreasing from 2011 to 2014. The findings of this study show that family income was negatively associated with obesity among adults in California from 2011−2014, and the magnitude of the income disparity in obesity prevalence decreased over this period. Future studies need to examine potential risk factors associated with the decreasing trend.

Biomarkers of Neuroinflammation in Traumatic Brain Injury.

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is characterized by neuroinflammation and structural damage leading to symptoms and altered brain function. Biomarkers are useful in understanding neuroinflammation and correlations with TBI sequalae. The purpose of this paper is to identify and discuss biomarkers of neuroinflammation used to study TBI and its sequalae. A systematic review was conducted using PubMed, CINAHL, Embase, and Web of Science. A total of 350 articles met criteria; 70 used biomarkers. PRISMA criteria were used for Quality Assessment. Articles included reviews (n = 17), case-control (n = 25), cross-sectional (n = 25) studies, and randomized controlled trials (n = 3). Twenty-seven biomarkers were identified, including inflammasomes, cytokines, neuropeptides, complement complexes, miRNA and exosomes, and glial cell-specific proteins. Biomarkers aid in predicting morbidity and mortality and advance our understanding of neuroinflammation in TBI. This systematic review advances our understanding of the neuroinflammatory response to better enable nurses and clinicians to provide informed care of TBI patients.