Accuracy of Bladder Scanner in Measuring Bladder Volumes in Postpartum Women.

IMPORTANCE: Ultrasound bladder scanners may provide a less invasive method to measure postpartum urinary volume, but their accuracy must be validated. OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to evaluate the accuracy of a bladder scanner in measuring bladder volumes in postpartum women. The secondary objective was to evaluate the effect of obesity on scanner accuracy. STUDY DESIGN: This prospective cohort study included women older than 18 years who gave birth vaginally at term gestation. After delivery, we obtained 3 sequential measurements of the bladder volume using an ultrasound bladder scanner. We then measured true bladder volume by transurethral catheterization. The primary outcome was the absolute difference between the bladder scanner volume and the catheterized volume. A Wilcoxon signed-rank test was used to compare absolute median difference between the bladder scan volume and true catheter volume. Repeated-measures analysis of variance and linear regression were used to evaluate the effect of obesity on the accuracy of the bladder scanner. RESULTS: We enrolled 70 patients (61.4% nulliparous, 38.6% multiparous). One delivery was vacuum-assisted, 4 were forceps-assisted, and 65 were spontaneous vaginal. The median age was 34 years, and median body mass index was 30.5. Median difference between bladder scanner and catheter volume was 42.7 mL (P < 0.001), with the scanner underestimating true volume 82.9% of the time. The scanner was less accurate in patients with a body mass index ≥ 30 (P = 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The bladder scanner is less accurate than catheterized urine volume. However, the median difference between the bladder scanner and the catheterized volume is 42.7 mL, making it suitable for clinical use. Accuracy deteriorates in obese patients.

Consumer attitudes toward aging skin during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The impact of the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic on consumer attitudes toward their skin has not been well characterized. Objective: This study investigated how consumers' attitudes toward their skin changed during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted using REDCap. A total of 1,434 participants were recruited and consented to participate online through ResearchMatch. The survey gathered demographic information and assessed participants' attitudes toward their skin using a Likert scale. An ordered logistic regression analysis was performed. Results: Nearly one-third of participants felt unhappy with their skin. Forty four percent feel less happy about their skin compared with 5 years earlier. The top skin concerns were eye puffiness (86.5%), loose skin (85.1%), uneven tone (84.9%), uneven texture (83.5%), and dry skin (81.4%). Video conferencing (31%), wearing masks (23%), and increased stress (21%) during the COVID-19 pandemic affected how participants felt about their skin. Compared with men, women were 1.6 to 1.8 times (P < .01) more likely to "strongly agree" that all 3 pandemic-related factors-video conferencing, wearing masks, and increased stress-affected how they felt about their skin. Younger age groups were 1.5 to 2.8 times (P < .01) more likely to answer in the top category for all 3 pandemic-related factors compared with the oldest age group. Limitations: Recruitment of participants was limited to English-speaking adults aged 18 years or older who were registered on ResearchMatch, which underrepresents minority populations. Further studies should be conducted to elucidate how the pandemic affected perceptions of skin. Conclusion: Skin aging is a significant concern among adults of all ages. The COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated skin concerns. Women and young adults are more likely to be affected by the COVID-19 pandemic in their attitudes toward their skin.

Transition readiness in adolescents and young adults with chronic genetic skin conditions.

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Healthcare transition (HCT) refers to movement from pediatric to adult healthcare models. Lack of HCT preparation contributes to poor health outcomes. This study measures readiness to transition in individuals with genetic skin conditions. METHODS: Participants signed IRB-approved consents/assents. Participants ages 14-22 years with genetic skin disorders were surveyed with measures of QoL (Children's Dermatology Life Quality Index/CDLQI or DLQI) and HCT readiness using the Transition Readiness Assessment Questionnaire (TRAQ) and adapted non-validated measures of Skin Knowledge and Psychosocial Factors (5 = highest readiness). Mean TRAQ was compared with historical data on controls and other chronic conditions (t-tests) and correlated (Pearson) with Skin Knowledge and Psychosocial. Multivariable regression compared demographics and QoL with transition readiness. RESULTS: A total of 45 participants were enrolled (mean age 17.8 years, 67% female, 71% White; disorders of cornification [n = 31], ectodermal dysplasias [n = 7], epidermolysis bullosa [n = 4], tuberous sclerosis [n = 3]). Mean TRAQ (3.3 ± 0.9) was lower than controls (3.9; p < .001) and some chronic disorders (sickle cell [3.7; p < .05], type 1 diabetes [3.7; p < .01]), but higher than with spina bifida (2.8; p < .001) and congenital heart disease (2.9; p < .01). Mean Skin Knowledge was 4.2 ± 1.0, and mean Psychosocial was 3.4 ± 0.8. TRAQ correlated strongly with Skin Knowledge (r = .61; p < .05), but not Psychosocial (r = .12; p = .6). Ages 14-17 years versus 18-22 years and public versus private insurance predicted lower TRAQ scores. Poor DLQI predicted higher TRAQ and Skin Knowledge, but poor DLQI and CDLQI predicted lower Psychosocial. CONCLUSIONS: Adolescents and young adults with genetic skin disorders demonstrated low transition readiness, especially among younger-aged and lower socioeconomic groups. We recommend a HCT intervention to improve health outcomes.