Surveying the Knowledge and Practices of Primary Care Residents in Managing Adult Patients with Obesity.

BACKGROUND: The prevalence of obesity is increasing worldwide at an alarming rate, yet obesity remains under-addressed during clinic encounters. A lack of training in how to treat obesity is one crucial factor contributing to this deficiency. OBJECTIVE: This study explored resident physicians' perceptions of their education on obesity and its relationship with confidence and practice behaviors when caring for patients with obesity. DESIGN: A survey was distributed to residency directors to share with residents in their programs. Participation was voluntary and anonymous. Data was collected over a 3-month period. PARTICIPANTS: Residents in Family Medicine and Internal Medicine programs in West Virginia and Indiana who saw adult patients in an ambulatory care setting. MAIN MEASURES: The electronic survey queried the presence of a formal curriculum on Obesity Medicine (OM) and each resident's knowledge, confidence, practice behaviors, and attitudes pertaining to OM. KEY RESULTS: The survey was distributed to 490 residents in 12 programs. Response rate was 22.9% (112 resident physicians). All respondents felt that medical training in obesity should be strengthened. Residents who reported having a formal curriculum on OM were more likely than those without a curriculum to rate their confidence as "high" when discussing weight (35.0% vs. 16.7%, p = 0.03) and when counseling patients about diet and nutrition (37.5% vs. 18.1%, p = 0.02). They also more frequently reported learning enough from faculty to manage obesity (65.0% vs. 29.2%, p < 0.001). Residents with an OM curriculum reported discussing obesity as a problem with patients (100.0% vs. 86.1%, p = 0.01), and completing motivational interviews (90.0% vs. 58.3%, p = < 0.001), more frequently than their peers without a curriculum. CONCLUSIONS: Residents with a formal OM curriculum were more confident in addressing and discussing obesity with patients. Formal training in OM will strengthen resident training to better address and treat patients with obesity.

Predictors and timeline of spontaneous conversion to normal sinus rhythm: A single center retrospective cohort study of patients with symptomatic atrial fibrillation.

INTRODUCTION: Annual healthcare expenditures associated with atrial fibrillation (AF) in the United States (US) continue to grow as more symptomatic patients present to emergency departments (ED). Predictors of spontaneous conversion to normal sinus rhythm (ScNSR) remain poorly understood, as well as the timeline of ScNSR remains unclear. We sought to 1) to assess the association of key demographics, anthropometric, and clinical factors to ScNSR and 2) to evaluate the timeline of ScNSR, and 3) determine clinical predictors of ScNSR. METHODS: This single center, retrospective cohort study analyzed patients aged ≥18 years with symptomatic AF as diagnosed and evaluated through the ED of a rural tertiary care center in West Virginia from September 2015 to December 2018. RESULTS: Our cohort consisted of 375 AF patients (mean age 65 years, 54% male). A total of 177 patients attained ScNSR either in the ED or after hospital admission with a mean conversion time of 14.7 h (±12). Onset of symptoms <24 hrs has strong positive association to ScNSR 3.97 (95% CI: 2.24-7.05; p < 0.0001). Male gender 0.55 (95% CI: 0.35-0.85; p = 0.007) and hypertension 0.48 (95% CI: 0.31-0.76; p = 0.002), showed a strong negative association to ScNSR. Of the patients that converted spontaneously (177), the majority, 136 (76.8%) achieved ScNSR within 24 h of ED triage without use of electrical or chemical cardioversion. CONCLUSION: Most patients with AF in the ED converted spontaneously to sinus rhythm within the first 24 h which underscores the importance of earlier watchful waiting over interventions to achieve normal sinus rhythm (NSR).

Outcomes of Hospitalized Patients With Fecal Occult Positive Stool Prior to Cardiac Catheterization in Acute Coronary Syndrome (ACS).

Introduction Cardiac catheterization is an essential component of patient care in Acute Coronary Syndrome (ACS). Fecal occult blood testing (FOBT) has been used in the inpatient setting to evaluate the risk of bleeding with dual anti-platelet therapy prior to cardiac catheterization although no guidelines exist for this indication and FOBT testing in the inpatient setting is not recommended for evaluation of GI blood loss. We sought to assess the outcomes of patients with fecal occult positive stool prior to cardiac catheterization compared to those that did not undergo FOBT during admission for non-ST-elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI). Methods We identified patients between 18 and 90 years old with admission for NSTEMI in the Trinetx Research Network from January 1, 2019 to December 31, 2020. Patients were then divided into those who had an FOBT prior to cardiac catheterization and those that did not have an FOBT. We compared all-cause mortality, bleeding, troponin levels, and length of stay between propensity-matched (PSM) pairs of patients. Results We identified 46,349 that met inclusion criteria, of which 1,728 had an FOBT (3.7%) and 44,621 (96.3%) had no FOBT prior to cardiac catheterization. Patients in the FOBT group were older and had a higher prevalence of hypertension, coronary artery disease, heart failure, diabetes, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and higher BMI. Two well-matched groups of n=1,728/1,728 were used for comparing outcomes. The FOBT group had similar 30-day mortality (4.45% vs 4.01, P=0.56) as well as similar bleeding events (0.98% vs 0.69%, P=0.35). Troponin levels in the FOBT group were on average lower (0.41 vs 0.95, P=0.04). The FOBT groups also had a similar average length of stay of (14.1 days vs 14.2 days, P=0.42). 233 patients who received FOBT underwent endoscopic evaluation with either upper endoscopy or colonoscopy (13.5%), and there was no significant difference in 30-day mortality (6.86% vs 4.7%, P=0.321). Among patients who underwent endoscopy, 72 had some form of endoscopic intervention (30.9%). There was no difference in 30-day mortality between patients undergoing endoscopy with intervention and without intervention (14.49%/14.49%) P=1.00. Readmission was similar between patients undergoing endoscopy with and without intervention. Conclusions In a large multi-center national database, we observed similar outcomes in patients who were admitted with NSTEMI and had FOBT and those not receiving FOBT in terms of all-cause mortality and bleeding events. In patients with positive FOBT, endoscopy with and without intervention we observed no significant difference in 30-day mortality. We conclude that there is no compelling evidence for FOBT testing in patients with NSTEMI.

Risk of COVID-19 Infection After Full Immunization in Patients With Inflammatory Bowel Disease on Treatment: A Research Network Analysis.

BACKGROUND: Acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) is an issue in treating patients with Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) due to concerns for infection risk and poor post-vaccination antibody response. We examined the potential impact of IBD treatments on SARS-CoV-2 infection rates after full immunization against COVID-19. METHODS: Patients who received vaccines between January 2020 and July 2021 were identified. The post-immunization Covid-19 infection rate at 3 and 6 months was assessed in IBD patients receiving treatment. The infection rates were compared to patients without IBD.  Results: The total number of IBD patients was 143,248; of those (n=9405), 6.6% were fully vaccinated. In IBD patients taking biologic agents/small molecules, no difference in Covid-19 infection rate was found at 3 (1.3% vs. 0.97%, p=0.30) and 6 months (2.2% vs. 1.7%, p=0.19) when compared to non-IBD patients. No significant difference in Covid-19 infection rate was found among patients receiving systemic steroids at 3 (1.6% vs. 1.6%, p=1) and 6 months (2.6% vs. 2.9%, p=0.50) between the IBD and non-IBD cohorts.  Conclusions: The COVID-19 immunization rate is suboptimal among IBD patients (6.6%). Vaccination in this cohort is under-utilized and should be encouraged by all healthcare providers.

A Nationwide Analysis of Fluid Resuscitation Outcomes in Patients With Acute Pancreatitis.

BACKGROUND: Traditionally, fluid resuscitation has been the foundation of effective acute pancreatitis (AP) treatment. Experts advocate for aggressive intravenous fluid (IVF) resuscitation, especially within the first 24 hours. Research suggests limited efficacy of this approach; in fact, some studies show there may be a risk of increased complications. The aim of this study was to assess outcomes of aggressive IVF resuscitation in patients with AP. METHODS: We queried the TriNetX Research Network (Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States) for patients admitted between January 1, 2010, and December 31, 2020, with a diagnosis of AP and who had received IVF on admission for at least 24 hours. We compared two cohorts; cohort 1 consisted of patients receiving aggressive IVF resuscitation (>3 ml/kg/hr), and cohort 2 was comprised of patients receiving non-aggressive (≤1.5 ml/kg/hr) IVF resuscitation. We compared mortality during index hospitalization, hospital length of stay (HLS), mechanical ventilation rates, acute kidney injury (AKI), and severe sepsis between the cohorts with propensity scoring matched (PSM) pairs of patients. A sub-analysis of patients with severe AP was performed. RESULTS: After comparing the two well-matched PSM cohorts (3,680/3,680), we found no significant differences in mortality, HLS, mechanical ventilation rates, AKI, or severe sepsis. We found similar results after conducting the sub-analysis of patients with severe pancreatitis. CONCLUSIONS: We found no significant differences in mortality and HLS when comparing rates of IVF resuscitation.

Case Reports of Heroin Injection Site Necrosis: A Novel Antecedent of Nicolau Syndrome.

Heroin injection-site necrosis (HISN) is a novel and poorly understood complication of intravenous drug abuse (IVDA). We present three cases of HISN that were evaluated and treated in Charleston, West Virginia, in 2019 and 2020. The documented cases show similarities involving patient care, follow-up, clinical progression, patient demographic, and dermatologic sequelae. We discuss these similarities, provide clinical recommendations, review proposed etiologies of HISN, and introduce Nicolau syndrome as a potential mechanism.

Pneumomediastinum and Pneumorrhachis Associated With Cannabinoid Hyperemesis Syndrome.

More complications continue to be reported with the increasing use of marijuana (MJ) in the United States, including the increasing prevalence of Cannabinoid Hyperemesis Syndrome (CHS). To our knowledge, based on a thorough review of the literature, we present the third case of CHS with associated pneumomediastinum (PM) and the first case of pneumorrhachis (PR) in a young healthy patient. The main objective of this paper is to heighten awareness of CHS and its potential complications. A brief discussion of a focused history is essential for diagnosis, proper evaluation, and treatment.

Usual opioid dosing does not adversely affect the course of healthcare-associated Clostridioides difficile infection.

Aim: We sought to determine if opioid exposure may have a detrimental effect on the course of Clostridioides difficile infection (CDI). Materials & methods: We compared opioid exposure in patients with well-defined severe CDI and non-severe CDI. Results: Following exclusions, 403 records were reviewed. Of this group, 128/403 (31.7%) were determined to have severe CDI by strict criteria, and 275/403 (68.3%) were found to have non-severe CDI. Full multivariate regression and reduced model of potential predictors for severe CDI showed no association with opioids prescribed. Conclusion: Opioid exposure (predominantly in modest range) does not appear to be a risk factor for severe healthcare-associated CDI.

Acute Pancreatitis Due to COVID-19 Active Infection.

Background This study investigates the relationship between coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) infection and acute pancreatitis. We present large registry data assessing the association between acute pancreatitis and mortality in patients with COVID-19 post-infection. Methods The researchers identified adult patients aged 18-90 years with COVID-19 infections in the TriNetX (COVID-19 research network) database between January 20, 2020, and June 1, 2021. The researchers identified n=1,039,688 cases divided into two cohorts: those with post-acute pancreatitis (n= 1,173) and those without post-acute pancreatitis (n=1,038,515) post COVID-19 infection having follow-up within a two-week period. The researchers then conducted a 1:1 propensity score match to account for differences in the cohorts and created two well-matched cohorts (n=1,173/1,173). Results Patients that developed acute pancreatitis had higher mortality (12.4% vs 3.7%, p<0.001), stroke (3.6% vs 1.7%, p=0.005), higher inpatient admissions (28.2% vs 10.6%, p<0.001), and higher rates of ICU admission (9.5% vs 3.2%, p<0.001). Conclusion In a large multinational federated database, we observed higher mortality, stroke, higher inpatient admissions, and higher rates of ICU admissions among patients with COVID-19 with pancreatitis.

A More Directive Living Will for Older Adult Patients with End-Stage Medical Conditions?

OBJECTIVES: Many older adult patients want to be treated aggressively for reversible conditions, even when their current quality of life is limited; however, most standard living wills focus on the very end of life and provide little guidance to acute care providers (ACPs) should their older adult patient be admitted with a potentially treatable acute condition and temporarily lose capacity. We developed what we believe is a more informational and directive living will for this population. We sought to determine whether ACPs would find our pilot living will more helpful when caring for their older adult patients. METHODS: Convenience sample of members of the Society of Hospital Medicine (SHM). Respondents were asked to compare the pilot living will with their state form and then answer five attitudinal questions. RESULTS: In total, 125 providers from 39 states completed the survey: 86% indicated that the pilot living will better helped them understand their patients' general end-of-life preferences, 87.5% indicated the pilot living will would be more helpful in making specific treatment decisions for their patients, and 85% indicated the pilot living will would better facilitate end-of-life discussions with surrogates. CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that it is possible to design a functional advanced directive that better reflects the wishes of the older adult patient who wants to be treated aggressively in selected clinical situations. By more clearly defining these wishes, acute providers (eg, hospitalists, intensivists) can make more informed, patient-centered recommendations to surrogates.

What information about sudden unexpected death in epilepsy (SUDEP) is available on YouTube?

OBJECTIVE: We sought to assess and analyze the information available about sudden unexpected death in epilepsy (SUDEP) and the general perception of this condition by the public on YouTube. METHODS: We evaluated all consecutive videos containing references to 'sudden unexpected death in epilepsy' and 'SUDEP' on YouTube. Data were extracted after applying the inclusion and exclusion criteria. Various characteristics of the videos including the type of content, uploading source, likes, dislikes, and comments received were classified and analyzed. RESULTS: A total of 113 videos were included, with the majority uploaded by individual users (51.3%) followed by activist groups (40.7%). The primary content from individual users created videos were tribute to family members who died because of SUDEP (43.1%) and personal narration (36.2%), whereas educational/scientific information (55%) and advertisements (45%) to raise SUDEP awareness comprised the videos from professional societies and activist groups. More than three-fourths of the comments to the videos were in response to individual user uploaded videos, and mainly comprised of positive statement conveying empathy or describing personal encounters. CONCLUSION: Substantial information is available regarding SUDEP on YouTube; however, the viewer engagement remains limited. Individual user-created videos about SUDEP are the most popular and viewer engaging. Incorporating personal/anecdotal experiences in addition to scientific information in the video content might further improve the viewer engagement.

Proton pump inhibitors not associated with hypomagnesemia, regardless of dose or concomitant diuretic use.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) are among the most commonly prescribed medications worldwide, with dramatic efficacy for upper gastrointestinal acid-related disorders. In recent years, however, the safety of long-term PPI use has been questioned. One issue based on scant and conflicting literature is the possibility of PPI-related hypomagnesemia. Our purpose was to assess for any clinically significant alteration in serum magnesium levels in large groups of patients taking different PPIs in varying doses, with or without diuretics. METHODS: This was a retrospective review of patient records at time of hospitalization, from February 2012 to December 2014. Two thousand four hundred patients were randomly selected from a pool of 12 058 magnesium levels performed at or within 24 h of hospital admission. Patients were categorized in six groups based on outpatient PPI and/or diuretic use. The main outcome studied was hypomagnesemia, defined as serum magnesium level < 1.6 mg/dL. RESULTS: Mean magnesium levels were normal in PPI users (1.84 ± 0.29 mg/dL [normal 1.6 to 2.5 mg/dL]) and PPI nonusers (1.85 ± 0.30 mg/dL), P = 0.40, and there was no statistical difference in the prevalence of hypomagnesemia (14.7% vs 15.1%, P = 0.77). In separate groups, there were also no significant differences in serum magnesium levels between those taking PPIs of varying doses, with or without concomitant diuretics, and those not taking PPIs or diuretics. CONCLUSION: Regardless of PPI dosage or concomitant diuretics prescribed, magnesium levels were unaffected. Routine screening of serum magnesium in PPI patients appears unnecessary.

La Crosse Encephalitis: An Adult Case Series.

BACKGROUND: La Crosse viral encephalitis is well described in children, but to date, there are only 2 adult cases described in the literature. Despite the fact that pediatric infection can be life threatening and typically presents as a febrile meningoencephalitis often complicated by seizures and mental status changes, little is known about the presentation and course of adult infection. We report the largest case series of adult La Crosse encephalitis. METHODS: Inpatient data were reviewed between 2001 and 2012 to identify adults (≥18 years of age) with possible La Crosse encephalitis. Subsequent review of serologic testing was followed by a comprehensive chart review. RESULTS: Ten cases were identified, with ages ranging from 20 to 80 years. Fever, headache, and hyponatremia were seen in the majority, while mental status changes occurred in 5 patients and seizures in 2 patients. The mean length of stay was 8.4 days (± 8.4); 3 patients required intensive care unit admission, 2 of them were intubated, and 4 patients required discharge to a rehabilitation facility. CONCLUSIONS: La Crosse Virus produces a clinically significant encephalitis in adults, and a high level of suspicion should be maintained, particularly in endemic areas. There were no deaths, but La Crosse encephalitis in adults remained a morbid illness often associated with mental status changes, prolonged length of stay or intensive care unit admission, and frequent need for postdischarge rehabilitation.

Detecting initial orthostatic hypotension: a novel approach.

Our purpose, by modification of standard bedside tilt-testing, was to search for lesser known but important initial orthostatic hypotension (IOH), occurring transiently within the first 30 seconds of standing, heretofore only detectable with sophisticated continuous photoplethysmographic monitoring systems, not readily available in most medical facilities. In screened outpatients over 60 years of age, supine blood pressure (BP) parameters were recorded. To achieve readiness for immediate BP after standing, the cuff was re-inflated prior to standing, rather than after. Immediate, 1-, and 3-minute standing BPs were recorded. One hundred fifteen patients were studied (mean age, 71.1 years; 50.5% male). Eighteen (15.6%) had OH, of whom 14 (12.1%) had classical OH, and four (3.5%) had IOH. Early standing BP detection time was 20.1 ± 5.3 seconds. Immediate transient physiologic systolic BP decline was detected in non-OH (-8.8 ± 9.9 mm Hg; P < .0001). In contrast to classical OH (with lesser but persistent orthostatic BP decrements), IOH patients had immediate mean orthostatic systolic/diastolic BP change of -32.8 (±13.8) mm Hg/-14.0 (±8.5) mm Hg (P < .02), with recovery back to baseline by 1 minute. Two of the four IOH patients had pre-syncopal symptoms. For the first time, using standard inflation-deflation BP equipment, immediate transient standing physiologic BP decrement and IOH were demonstrated. This preliminary study confirms proof of principle that manual BP cuff inflation prior to standing may be useful and practical in diagnosing IOH, and may stimulate direct comparative studies with continuous monitoring systems.

The impact of implementation of the Bethesda System for Reporting Thyroid Cytopathology on the surgical treatment of thyroid nodules.

Published data suggest that the Bethesda System for Reporting Thyroid Cytopathology (BSRTC) is valuable in directing therapy of thyroid nodules. Literature examining the effect of the BSRTC on management when compared with pre BSRTC is lacking, however. This study evaluates the impact of applying the BSRTC retrospectively to a series of patients who underwent surgery after a fine-needle aspiration biopsy (FNAB) classified using the pre BSRTC system, and investigates how the BSRTC application to the same population would have ultimately affected the management strategy. One hundred patients who had previously undergone both FNAB and thyroidectomy before implementation of the BSRTC were randomly selected. Each FNAB was examined by a single cytopathologist (blinded to both the original interpretation and the surgical pathology findings) and reclassified using the BSRTC. Accuracy of both systems was examined using the final pathology as the true diagnosis. Of 68 FNABs initially classified as indeterminate, 32 (47.1%) were reclassified as benign. There was no significant difference in overall rates of detection of malignancy on final pathology in specimens classified as benign, both pre and post application of the BSRTC (P = 0.70). Application of the BSRTC resulted in a significant percentage of indeterminate specimens being reclassified as benign, presumably due to more standardized criteria for interpretation and reporting. No significant change in detection of malignancy was observed. We conclude that application of the BSRTC may result in lower rates of thyroidectomy, while preserving the same diagnostic accuracy in the detection of thyroid malignancy.

The importance of location for tobacco cessation: rural-urban disparities in quit success in underserved West Virginia Counties.

CONTEXT: Adults who live in rural areas of the United States have among the highest smoking rates in the country. Rural populations, including Appalachian adults, have been historically underserved by tobacco control programs and policies and little is known about their effectiveness. PURPOSE: To examine the end-of-class quit success of participants in A Tobacco Cessation Project for Disadvantaged West Virginia Communities by place of residence (rural West Virginia and the urban area of Greater Charleston). METHODS: This collaborative program was implemented in 5 underserved rural counties in West Virginia and consisted of 4 intervention approaches: (1) a medical examination; (2) an 8-session educational and behavioral modification program; (3) an 8-week supply of pharmacotherapy; and (4) follow-up support group meetings. FINDINGS: Of the 725 program participants, 385 (53.1%) had successfully quit using tobacco at the last group cessation class they attended. Participants who lived in rural West Virginia counties had a lower end-of-class quit success rate than those who lived in the urban area of Greater Charleston (unadjusted odds ratio [OR]= 0.69, 95% confidence interval [CI]= 0.48, 0.99), even after taking into account other characteristics known to influence quit success (adjusted OR = 0.58, 95% CI = 0.35, 0.94). CONCLUSIONS: Tobacco control programs in rural West Virginia would do well to build upon the positive aspects of rural life while addressing the infrastructure and economic needs of the region. End-of-class quit success may usefully be viewed as a stage on the continuum of change toward long-term quit success.