ABSTRACT
Along with the rising burden of peripheral artery disease (PAD), mental health concerns are increasingly being recognized as a comorbidity to address in the chronic disease management of symptomatic PAD. Apart from a high prevalence of comorbid mental health conditions, the role of pain and changing health behaviors and the broader impacts of illness and adaptation to living with PAD require specialized behavioral health expertise. This scientific statement builds a case that this expertise should be integrated within the multidisciplinary PAD team. Furthermore, areas such as cognitive dysfunction and palliative care are highlighted as needing psychological interventions. Although much of the evidence of the efficacy of psychological and psychotropic interventions has been extrapolated from other cardiovascular populations, evidence for the role of psychological interventions for behavior change, for example, uptake of exercise regimens, is increasingly being accrued within PAD. Areas for behavioral health needs and interactions with PAD treatment are discussed, including the use of opioids, depression management, anxiety and stress reduction interventions, the use of benzodiazepines and antidepressants, smoking cessation, rehabilitation trajectories after amputation, and the role of cognitive decline for PAD treatment and outcomes. A case summary highlights the stigma around mental health and vascular disease and the fragmentation of care. This scientific statement provides remarks for building a road map for integrated behavioral PAD care and potential solutions to overcome these barriers. Instrumental to reaching these changes are interprofessional advocacy efforts and initiatives that help break down the stigma around mental health and promote evidence-based collaborative, nonhierarchical, and multidisciplinary PAD care.
Subject(s)
Mental Health , Peripheral Arterial Disease , Humans , Risk Factors , American Heart Association , Peripheral Arterial Disease/epidemiology , ComorbidityABSTRACT
Peripheral artery disease (PAD) is chronic in nature, and individualized chronic disease management is a central focus of care. To accommodate this reality, tools to measure the impact and quality of the PAD care delivered are necessary. Patient-reported outcomes (PROs) and instruments to measure them, that is, PRO measures, have been well studied in the research and clinical trial context, but a shift toward integrating them into clinical practice has yet to take place. A framework to use PRO measures as indicators of the quality of PAD care delivered, that is, PRO performance measures (PRO-PMs), is provided in this scientific statement. Measurement goals to consider by PAD clinical phenotypes are provided, as well as an overview of potential benefits of adopting PRO-PMs in the clinical practice of PAD care, including reducing unwanted variability and promoting health equity. A central discussion with considerations for risk adjustment of PRO-PMs, individualized PAD care, and the need for patient engagement strategies is offered. Furthermore, necessary conditions in terms of required competencies and training to handle PRO-PM data are discussed because the interpretation and handling of these data come with great responsibility and consequences for designing care that adopts a broader framework of risk that goes beyond the inclusion of biomedical variables. To conclude, health system perspectives and an agenda to reach the next steps in the implementation of PRO-PMs in PAD care are offered.
Subject(s)
American Heart Association , Peripheral Arterial Disease , Humans , United States , Patient Reported Outcome Measures , Peripheral Arterial Disease/diagnosis , Peripheral Arterial Disease/therapy , Patient Participation , Health StatusABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: African American women have a high prevalence of atherosclerotic risk factors. Many of these atherosclerotic risk factors can be modified through increased physical activity and a healthy diet. DESIGN: We conducted a phenomenological qualitative study on perceptions of physical activity and healthy eating among 26 African American women, 55 years and older. Interviews were conducted and coded for emerging themes on barriers and facilitators of physical activity and dietary behaviors. RESULTS: Perceived barriers were pain and motivation to be active, limited definition of physical activity, time, preparation, cost of healthy meals, and daily decisions on food choice and preference. Facilitators were a routine of regular physical activity, awareness of healthy food choices, and influence of family. CONCLUSIONS: Overall, participants had a general perception about the importance of physical activity and healthy eating; however, their motivation to engage in these behaviors depends on their definition, personal motivation, and food preference.
Subject(s)
Diabetes Mellitus , Hypertension , Humans , Female , Diet, Healthy , Black or African American , Qualitative Research , Exercise , HabitsABSTRACT
The aim of this systematic review is to synthesize evidence on treatment barriers among African-American women who seek treatment for substance use disorders. The authors reviewed articles from 1995 to 2018 on the topic of substance use disorders among African-American women. Based on the review of 13 articles, we found African-American women were more likely to encounter treatment readiness barriers compared to access barriers and system-related barriers. Personal and interpersonal barriers were more readily identified throughout the literature reviewed. However, African-American women did encounter other barriers such as access- and system-related barriers. In addition, the intersection of race, gender, and class was not addressed in the specific articles, but should be considered when working to remove treatment barriers for this population. While prevalence of alcohol and drug use is limited among African-American women, it is important to understand how treatment readiness barriers may limit successful completion of treatment and ongoing progress. Implications for treatment and future research in addressing barriers to treatment for African-American women are discussed.
Subject(s)
Black or African American/psychology , Substance-Related Disorders/therapy , Women's Health , Women/psychology , Female , Health Services Accessibility , HumansABSTRACT
In the United States, more than 9 million rural women (15-44 years old) experience limited access and delivery of reproductive healthcare services. Rurality coupled with lower socio-economic status are associated with increased maternal and neonatal morbidity and mortality. The purpose of this qualitative study was to gain in-depth information from underserved English- and Spanish-speaking pregnant and postpartum rural women on what they would value in a health promotion program. Three focus group sessions were conducted exploring four domains: (1) physical activity, (2) dietary habits, (3) fetal movement/kick counts, and (4) breastfeeding and other support resources. Five overarching themes were observed across domains, with the following health promotion needs: (1) information on safe exercises, (2) advice on healthy food and drink, (3) breastfeeding support, (4) guidance on counting fetal movement, and (5) self- and peer-education. Study findings will inform intervention programming that aims to improve pregnancy and birth outcomes.
Subject(s)
Health Promotion/organization & administration , Maternal Health Services/organization & administration , Postpartum Period , Rural Health Services/organization & administration , Rural Population/statistics & numerical data , Adolescent , Adult , Female , Hispanic or Latino/statistics & numerical data , Humans , Infant , Postnatal Care/organization & administration , Pregnancy , Young AdultABSTRACT
CONTEXT: Less than one-third of the US public health workforce has formal training in public health. Academic-public health agency partnerships aimed at addressing the nation's workforce challenges have shown great promise. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effectiveness of a piloted competency-based public health training program formed out of an academic-public health agency partnership. DESIGN: Mixed-methods design using pre- and postworkshop surveys and quizzes, open-ended questions, and document review. SETTING: Large, urban local health department located in south central Kansas. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Participant satisfaction with training, knowledge change, self-report application of new knowledge, and organizational change. RESULTS: Participants reported high satisfaction with the training program and valued the hands-on, practical approach used. Participation increased knowledge and confidence in public health competency areas covered in the program. At 3-month follow-up, 90% of participants reported applying new knowledge and skills in their primary job duties. At the organizational level, 3 major policy changes aimed at sustaining the program were implemented following its launch. CONCLUSION: Incorporating tailored, theory-driven approaches to trainings and collaborating with health department leadership to identify policy opportunities that help sustain the training program within the agency is recommended. Findings from this evaluation demonstrate the success of an academic-agency partnership's effort to develop and implement at a large, urban local health department.
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: General internal medicine (GIM) careers are increasingly viewed as challenging and unsustainable. OBJECTIVE: We aimed to assess academic GIM worklife and determine remediable predictors of stress and burnout. DESIGN: We conducted an email survey. PARTICIPANTS: Physicians, nurse practitioners, and physician assistants in 15 GIM divisions participated. MAIN MEASURES: A ten-item survey queried stress, burnout, and work conditions such as electronic medical record (EMR) challenges. An open-ended question assessed stressors and solutions. Results were categorized into burnout, high stress, high control, chaos, good teamwork, high values alignment, documentation time pressure, and excessive home EMR use. Frequencies were determined for national data, Veterans Affairs (VA) versus civilian populations, and hospitalist versus ambulatory roles. A General Linear Mixed Model (GLMM) evaluated associations with burnout. A formal content analysis was performed for open-ended question responses. KEY RESULTS: Of 1235 clinicians sampled, 579 responded (47 %). High stress was present in 67 %, with 38 % burned out (burnout range 10-56 % by division). Half of respondents had low work control, 60 % reported high documentation time pressure, half described too much home EMR time, and most reported very busy or chaotic workplaces. Two-thirds felt aligned with departmental leaders' values, and three-quarters were satisfied with teamwork. Burnout was associated with high stress, low work control, and low values alignment with leaders (all p < 0.001). The 45 VA faculty had less burnout than civilian counterparts (17 % vs. 40 %, p < 0.05). Hospitalists described better teamwork than ambulatory clinicians and fewer hospitalists noted documentation time pressure (both p < 0.001). Key themes from the qualitative analysis were short visits, insufficient support staff, a Relative Value Unit mentality, documentation time pressure, and undervaluing education. CONCLUSIONS: While GIM divisions overall demonstrate high stress and burnout, division rates vary widely. Sustainability efforts within GIM could focus on visit length, staff support, schedule control, clinic chaos, and EMR stress.
Subject(s)
Health Personnel/psychology , Health Personnel/statistics & numerical data , Internal Medicine/statistics & numerical data , Job Satisfaction , Surveys and Questionnaires , Workplace/statistics & numerical data , Academic Medical Centers/statistics & numerical data , Burnout, Professional/epidemiology , Burnout, Professional/psychology , Female , Humans , Male , Nurse Practitioners/psychology , Nurse Practitioners/statistics & numerical data , Physician Assistants/psychology , Physician Assistants/statistics & numerical data , Physicians/psychology , Physicians/statistics & numerical data , Stress, Psychological/epidemiology , Stress, Psychological/psychology , United States/epidemiology , Workplace/psychologyABSTRACT
We report recruitment strategies for an NIH-funded trial focused on African Americans with peripheral artery disease (PAD). We present complete recruitment efforts for this 1-year trial, 5-year study. Eligibility included the following: African American, a resting ankle-brachial index (ABI) ⩽ 0.99, a short physical performance battery (SPPB) score of 10 or lower, English speaking, telephone access, and absence of coronary ischemia during a submaximal treadmill test. Recruitment included mailings of brochures to zip codes in which more than 50% of residents were African American, advertisements, community events, and physician/clinic referrals. We telephone-screened 3511 persons, of whom 792 did not recall the method by which they learned about the study. We randomized 174 participants. Mailings yielded the highest percentage of randomized participants (n=60, 34.4%), followed by television advertisements (n=42, 24.1%), followed by community events (n=24, 13.8%). In conclusion, to recruit African Americans with PAD for a clinical trial, investigators should consider mailings of brochures, television advertisements, and community events. CLINICALTRIALSGOV IDENTIFIER NCT01321086.
Subject(s)
Black or African American/psychology , Health Behavior/ethnology , Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice/ethnology , Mass Media , Motivational Interviewing , Patient Selection , Peripheral Arterial Disease/ethnology , Peripheral Arterial Disease/therapy , Research Subjects/psychology , Advertising , Ankle Brachial Index , Exercise Test , Humans , Kansas/epidemiology , Pamphlets , Peripheral Arterial Disease/diagnosis , Peripheral Arterial Disease/psychology , Postal Service , Telephone , Television , WalkingSubject(s)
American Heart Association , Exercise Therapy/methods , Intermittent Claudication/therapy , Ischemia/therapy , Lower Extremity/blood supply , Peripheral Arterial Disease/therapy , Consensus , Exercise Test , Exercise Therapy/adverse effects , Humans , Intermittent Claudication/diagnosis , Intermittent Claudication/epidemiology , Intermittent Claudication/physiopathology , Ischemia/diagnosis , Ischemia/epidemiology , Ischemia/physiopathology , Peripheral Arterial Disease/diagnosis , Peripheral Arterial Disease/epidemiology , Peripheral Arterial Disease/physiopathology , Quality of Life , Recovery of Function , Treatment Outcome , United States/epidemiologyABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: This study investigated the effect of comorbidity, age, health insurance payer status, and race on the risk of patient nonadherence to NCCN Clinical Practice Guidelines in Oncology (NCCN Guidelines) for Colon and Rectal Cancers. In addition, the prognostic impact of NCCN treatment nonadherence on overall survival was assessed. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Patients with CRC who received primary treatment at Memorial University Medical Center from 2003 to 2010 were eligible for this study. Modified Poisson regression was used to obtain risk ratios for the outcome of nonadherence with NCCN Guidelines. Hazard ratios (HRs) for the relative risk of death from all causes were obtained through Cox regression. RESULTS: Guideline-adherent treatment was received by 82.7% of patients. Moderate/severe comorbidity, being uninsured, having rectal cancer, older age, and increasing tumor stage were associated with increased risks of receiving nonadherent treatment. Treatment nonadherence was associated with 3.6 times the risk of death (HR, 3.55; 95% CI, 2.16-5.85) in the first year after diagnosis and an 80% increased risk of death (HR, 1.80; 95% CI, 1.14-2.83) in years 2 to 5. The detrimental effect of nonadherence declined with increasing comorbidity and varied according to age. CONCLUSIONS: Although medically justifiable reasons exist for deviating from NCCN Guidelines when treating patients with colorectal cancer (CRC), those who received nonadherent treatment had much higher risks of death, especially in the first year after diagnosis. This study's results highlight the importance of cancer health services research to drive quality improvement efforts in cancer care for patients with CRC.
Subject(s)
Colorectal Neoplasms/epidemiology , Guideline Adherence , Adult , Aged , Aged, 80 and over , Cause of Death , Colorectal Neoplasms/diagnosis , Colorectal Neoplasms/mortality , Colorectal Neoplasms/therapy , Comorbidity , Female , Georgia (Republic)/epidemiology , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Neoplasm Grading , Neoplasm Staging , Odds Ratio , Prognosis , Registries , Retrospective Studies , Risk Factors , Treatment OutcomeABSTRACT
Smoking during pregnancy is associated with poor birth outcomes. The Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) is a public nutritional assistance program for low-income pregnant women and their children up to age five. This study examined differences in smoking behavior among women enrolled in the Kansas WIC program. A secondary analysis was conducted using the Pregnancy Nutrition Surveillance System dataset of enrolled women between 2005 and 2011. Geographic residency status was obtained through application of the Census tract-based rural-urban commuting area codes. Chi square tests of association were used to assess differences. Multi-variable binary logistic regression was used to assess maternal characteristics and smoking 3 months prior to pregnancy. Total sample size averaged 21,650 women for years 2005 through 2011. Low-income, rural pregnant women smoked at significantly higher rates before, during, and after pregnancy. High smoking rates have remained unchanged since 2008. The following characteristics were associated with reduced odds of smoking 3 months prior to pregnancy: being 17 years old or younger, Hispanic, a high school graduate, urban location, normal body mass index, no live births prior to current pregnancy, and using multi-vitamins. Results from this study indicate that the WIC population in rural areas may have different needs regarding smoking cessation programming than the urban WIC population. Findings help inform WIC program administrators and assist in enhancing current smoking cessation services to the Kansas WIC population.
Subject(s)
Poverty/statistics & numerical data , Public Assistance/statistics & numerical data , Residence Characteristics/statistics & numerical data , Smoking/epidemiology , Adolescent , Adult , Age Factors , Female , Humans , Kansas , Pregnancy , Socioeconomic Factors , Young AdultABSTRACT
The Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC) is a public nutritional assistance program for low-income women and their children up to age five. This study provides insight into maternal characteristics associated with breastfeeding among urban versus rural women. A secondary analysis was conducted using the Pregnancy Nutrition Surveillance System dataset of women enrolled in the Kansas WIC program in 2011. Geographic residency status was obtained through application of the Census tract-based rural-urban commuting area codes. Descriptive variables included maternal demographics, health, and lifestyle behaviors. A multivariable binary logistic regression was used to obtain adjusted odds ratios with 95 % confidence intervals. The outcome variable was initiation of breastfeeding. A P value of ≤0.05 was considered statistically significant. The total sample size was 17,067 women. Statistically significant differences regarding socio-demographics, program participation, and health behaviors for urban and rural WIC participants were observed. About 74 % of all WIC mothers initiated breastfeeding. Urban women who were Hispanic, aged 18-19, high school graduates, household income >$10,000/year, and started early prenatal care were more likely to breastfeed. Urban and rural women who were non-Hispanic black with some high school education were less likely to breastfeed. Increased breastfeeding initiation rates are the result of a collaborative effort between WIC and community organizations. Availability of prenatal services to rural women is critical in the success of breastfeeding promotion. Findings help inform WIC program administrators and assist in enhancing breastfeeding services to the Kansas WIC population.
Subject(s)
Breast Feeding/statistics & numerical data , Food Assistance/statistics & numerical data , Rural Population/statistics & numerical data , Urban Population/statistics & numerical data , Adolescent , Adult , Breast Feeding/psychology , Educational Status , Female , Humans , Income/statistics & numerical data , Infant , Infant Health/statistics & numerical data , Infant, Newborn , Kansas/epidemiology , Maternal Health/statistics & numerical data , Pregnancy , Racial Groups/statistics & numerical data , Young AdultABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: Identify perceptions regarding benefits of and barriers to receiving text messages for immunization reminders and preferred content for such text messages. DESIGN: Structured interviews. SETTING: Outpatient pediatric resident and faculty clinic. PARTICIPANTS: A convenience sample of 54 low-income urban Latino parents of children aged < or = 2 years. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Parent perspectives on text message reminders. RESULTS: Most respondents were female (70%), married (63%), and fluent only in Spanish (89%). Most (83%) had a health literacy score in the adequate range. All (100%) reported being interested in receiving immunization reminders by text message, and 81% reported being willing to receive general appointment reminders by text message. Parents made 72 comments regarding benefits of text message immunization reminders. The most common sub-category was usefulness of the reminders (53%). These comments reflected participants' busy schedules and the beneficial nature of text messages in reminding parents of appointments. Fifty-six comments were provided regarding barriers to receiving text message reminders. Most comments (77%) indicated no identifiable barriers. Twenty percent described barriers related to technology, such as costs or lack of text messaging service. Parents generated 108 comments regarding preferred content of reminders. The topics most frequently identified were appointment date and time (32%), names of the vaccines (19%), and the child's name (11%). CONCLUSIONS: Low-income Latino parents perceive text message immunization reminders as a feasible alternative to more traditional forms of communication.
Subject(s)
Hispanic or Latino/psychology , Immunization Schedule , Parents/psychology , Reminder Systems , Text Messaging , Adult , Delivery of Health Care , Female , Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice , Humans , Immunization Programs , Male , Poverty , Urban Population , Young AdultABSTRACT
In 2013, we administered a 15-item survey to determine the extent of text message usage among Latino adults in Kansas; for a subset of the survey participants, we also conducted a 6-week pilot trial to determine the effect of text messaging on exercise behaviors. Among the 82 survey participants, 78% had unlimited text messaging. At baseline, all trial participants were at the stage of contemplation; at 6 weeks, one (9%) trial participant remained at the contemplation stage and the other 10 (91%) participants progressed to the action/maintenance/termination stage. Use of text messaging to motivate exercise is feasible and potentially efficacious among Latinos.
Subject(s)
Atherosclerosis/prevention & control , Hispanic or Latino , Motor Activity , Peripheral Vascular Diseases/prevention & control , Text Messaging , Data Collection , Female , Humans , Kansas/epidemiology , Male , Middle Aged , Peripheral Vascular Diseases/epidemiology , Peripheral Vascular Diseases/ethnology , Pilot Projects , Socioeconomic FactorsABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Claudication is a common and disabling symptom of peripheral artery disease that can be treated with medication, supervised exercise (SE), or stent revascularization (ST). METHODS AND RESULTS: We randomly assigned 111 patients with aortoiliac peripheral artery disease to receive 1 of 3 treatments: optimal medical care (OMC), OMC plus SE, or OMC plus ST. The primary end point was the change in peak walking time on a graded treadmill test at 6 months compared with baseline. Secondary end points included free-living step activity, quality of life with the Walking Impairment Questionnaire, Peripheral Artery Questionnaire, Medical Outcomes Study 12-Item Short Form, and cardiovascular risk factors. At the 6-month follow-up, change in peak walking time (the primary end point) was greatest for SE, intermediate for ST, and least with OMC (mean change versus baseline, 5.8±4.6, 3.7±4.9, and 1.2±2.6 minutes, respectively; P<0.001 for the comparison of SE versus OMC, P=0.02 for ST versus OMC, and P=0.04 for SE versus ST). Although disease-specific quality of life as assessed by the Walking Impairment Questionnaire and Peripheral Artery Questionnaire also improved with both SE and ST compared with OMC, for most scales, the extent of improvement was greater with ST than SE. Free-living step activity increased more with ST than with either SE or OMC alone (114±274 versus 73±139 versus -6±109 steps per hour), but these differences were not statistically significant. CONCLUSIONS: SE results in superior treadmill walking performance than ST, even for those with aortoiliac peripheral artery disease. The contrast between better walking performance for SE and better patient-reported quality of life for ST warrants further study. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION: URL: http://clinicaltrials.gov/ct/show/NCT00132743?order=1. Unique identifier: NCT00132743.
Subject(s)
Aorta/pathology , Exercise Test/methods , Iliac Artery/pathology , Intermittent Claudication/therapy , Myocardial Revascularization/instrumentation , Peripheral Arterial Disease/therapy , Aged , Exercise Test/instrumentation , Female , Femoral Artery/pathology , Follow-Up Studies , Humans , Intermittent Claudication/physiopathology , Intermittent Claudication/psychology , Male , Middle Aged , Myocardial Revascularization/methods , Peripheral Arterial Disease/physiopathology , Peripheral Arterial Disease/psychology , Popliteal Artery/pathology , Prospective Studies , Quality of Life/psychology , Stents , Treatment Outcome , Walking/physiologyABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: The study objective was to determine the prevalence of diabetes and prediabetes among rural and urban populations in Kansas. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: This study utilized 2009 BRFSS data and included 18,912 respondents. Participants were identified through a stratified random sample of adult Kansans, living in a non-institutionalized setting, and with access to a land-based telephone line. Analyses were conducted using SAS to provide descriptive statistics for groups based on diabetes status. A logistic regression was conducted to explore significant variables associated with the likelihood of diabetes. RESULTS: Diabetes prevalence was lower among urban (11.8%) populations than rural (12.7%) areas of Kansas, but the inverse was true for pre-diabetes (3.7% urban, 3.1% in rural). Lower income and lower levels of educational attainment were associated with increased rates of diabetes and pre-diabetes, with the highest prevalence levels overall found among rural Latinos (19.3%) and urban African Americans (22.9%). Multivariate regression suggests that age, income, ethnicity, education, sex, rural vs urban status, and race all served as significant predicators of diabetes, net of other factors. CONCLUSIONS: Rural residents were more likely than urban residents to report having diabetes, whereas urban residents were more likely than rural residents to report having pre-diabetes. Although rural vs urban status played a significant role in the model's predicative ability for diabetes and pre-diabetes diagnosis, increased age was by far the most significant factor in diabetes and pre-diabetes diagnosis.
Subject(s)
Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2/epidemiology , Prediabetic State/epidemiology , Adolescent , Adult , Aged , Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2/ethnology , Educational Status , Female , Humans , Kansas/epidemiology , Male , Middle Aged , Prediabetic State/ethnology , Prevalence , Risk Factors , Rural Population , Socioeconomic Factors , Urban PopulationABSTRACT
Background: Preeclampsia, a condition in pregnancy characterized by new onset high blood pressure and proteinuria, complicates 2%-8% of pregnancies globally. Early detection, careful monitoring, and treatment of high blood pressure are crucial in preventing mortality related to preeclampsia disorders. There is limited data that examines obstetric/gynecologic (OBGYN) provider-type practices concerning management of hypertensive disorders of pregnancy to reduce early onset preeclampsia (EOP). We assessed the knowledge and practice patterns of OBGYN management to reduce EOP. Methods: We conducted a semistructured survey with OBGYN residents, maternal-fetal medicine fellows, and attending physicians (OBGYN and family medicine) at a single academic medical center to assess the management of hypertensive disorders to EOP. Results: Thirty-one participants (71% residents/fellows 29% attendings) completed the survey. Seventy-eight percent of attendings indicated they discuss blood pressure and preeclampsia with all patients compared to 50% of residents/fellows (p = 0.31). Eighty-nine percent of attendings reported they are extremely likely to monitor high-risk patients compared to 36% of residents/fellows (p = 0.07). Conclusion: Attending physicians were more likely to appropriately manage hypertension in women at risk for pregnancy compared to residents/fellows. Further research is needed on monitoring high-risk patients.
ABSTRACT
Background: In the US, diabetes affects 13.2% of African Americans, compared to 7.6% of Caucasians. Behavioral factors, such as poor diet, low physical activity, and general lack of good self-management skills and self-care knowledge are associated with poor glucose control among African Americans. African Americans are 77% more likely to develop diabetes and its associated health complications compared to non-Hispanic whites. A higher disease burden and lower adherence to self-management among this populations calls for innovative approaches to self-management training. Problem solving is a reliable tool for the behavior change necessary to improve self-management. The American Association of Diabetes Educators identifies problem-solving as one of seven core diabetes self-management behaviors. Methods: We are using a randomized control trial design. Participants are randomized to either traditional DECIDE or eDECIDE intervention. Both interventions run bi-weekly over 18 weeks. Participant recruitment will take place through community health clinics, University health system registry, and through private clinics. The eDECIDE is an 18-week intervention designed to deliver problem-solving skills, goal setting, and education on the link between diabetes and cardiovascular disease. Conclusion: This study will provide feasibility and acceptability of the eDECIDE intervention in community populations. This pilot trial will help inform a powered full-scale study using the eDECIDE design.
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Walking therapy improves functional outcomes in patients with peripheral artery disease (PAD). Less is known about the additive benefit of a dietary intervention. OBJECTIVE: Our objectives were to develop a smartphone app and, as a pilot, explore its potential efficacy as compared to motivational interviewing (MI) to increase walking distance and promote weight loss in overweight/obese adults with PAD. METHODS: We conducted a 3-month, 2-arm randomized pilot study at the University of Kansas. Inclusion criteria were BMI >27 kg/m2 and symptomatic PAD, defined by an ankle-brachial index <0.9. Patients were randomized into 2 groups: MI, delivered through in-person and telephone counseling, and app, a mobile smartphone app. Both interventions encouraged walking for exercise and healthy dietary habits (increasing fruits and vegetables and whole grains while reducing fat and sugary drinks). We assessed medical history at baseline. At baseline and 3 months, participants completed an assessment of 6-minute walking distance, weight, quality of life, exercise behaviors, and dietary habits. The primary outcome was 3-month change in walking distance. Secondary outcomes were changes in weight, quality of life, exercise behaviors, and dietary habits. We used a Wilcoxon rank-sum test to analyze the primary and secondary outcomes at 3 months within the MI and app groups and to compare the changes between the groups with adjustment for baseline. RESULTS: We randomized 29 participants with a mean age of 66.03 (SD 8.12) years; 25 participants completed the trial. At baseline, mean walking distance among completers was 260.40 (SD 94.32) meters and 326.15 (SD 69.28) meters for MI and app participants, respectively. At 3 months, the mean walking distance was 298.67 (SD 101.20) meters and 331.19 (SD 58.63) meters for MI and app participants, respectively (group difference P=.03, adjusting for baseline). Increase in walking distance at 3 months was 40.5 meters (95% CI 6.77 to 61.34; P=.02) in MI group. At baseline, mean body weight was 253.10 (SD 59.45) lbs and 225.13 (SD 58.93) lbs for MI and app participants, respectively. At 3 months, mean body weight was 242.14 (SD 58.54) lbs and 223.44 (SD 59.54) lbs for MI and app, respectively (group difference P=.006, adjusting for baseline). Pre-post study decrease in weight was 10.1 lbs (95% CI -17.9 to -3.0) and 2.3 lbs (95% CI -3.4 to -0.7) in MI and app group, respectively. Comparing baseline to 3 months, there were no statistically significant differences in quality of life, exercise behaviors, or dietary habits. CONCLUSIONS: Our study demonstrates that MI can promote walking and weight loss in overweight/obese adults with PAD. The smartphone app showed a small weight loss but no statistically significant increase in walking distance. As this was a pilot study, future large-scale studies are needed to replicate the efficacy of MI to promote weight loss in overweight or obese adults with PAD. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT03694652; https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT03694652.