Unintended Consequences of Code Status in the Intensive Care Unit: What Happens After a Do-Not-Resuscitate Order Is Placed? A Retrospective Cohort Study.

Background: Some clinicians suspect that patients with do-not-resuscitate (DNR) orders receive less aggressive care. Extrapolation from code status to goals of care could cause significant harm. This study asked the question: Do DNR orders in the intensive care unit (ICU) lead to a decrease in invasive interventions? Methods: This was a retrospective cohort study of ICU patients from three teaching hospitals. All ICU patients were assessed for inclusion. Exclusion criteria were medical futility and death, comfort care, or ICU discharge <48 hours after DNR initiation. Five hundred thirty-six patients met inclusion criteria. One hundred forty-five were included in the final analysis. Primary outcomes were occurrence of invasive interventions after DNR initiation-surgical operation, central line, ventilation, dialysis, or other procedure. Secondary outcomes were antibiotic administration, blood transfusion, mortality, and discharge location. Results: Patients with DNR orders underwent fewer surgical operations (14.5% vs. 31.1%, p = 0.002), but more central lines (42.1% vs. 23.0%, p = 0.009), ventilator use (49.0% vs. 18.9%, p < 0.001), and dialysis (20.0% vs. 4.1%, p = 0.002), compared with patients without DNR orders. Transfusions and antibiotic use decreased similarly over admission for both groups (transfusions: ß = 1.25; p = 0.59; and antibiotics: ß = 1.44; p = 0.27). Mortality and hospice discharges were higher for DNR patients (p < 0.001.). Conclusions: DNR status did not decrease the number of nonoperative interventions patients received as compared with full code counterparts. Although differences in populations existed, patients with DNR orders were likely to receive a similar number of invasive interventions. This finding suggests that providers do not wholesale limit these options for patients with code status limitations.

Patterns of mean age at drug use initiation by race and ethnicity, 2004-2019.

INTRODUCTION: Adolescent drug use can result in clinically significant psychiatric outcomes later in life mitigated by targeted prevention strategies. While mean age of drug initiation has increased over time, there is little research of mean age of drug initiation among adolescents by race/ethnicity. METHODS: The study used the National Survey on Drug Use and Health data (2004-2019). Sample included individuals aged 12 to 21 years. Year-by-year drug use initiation (i.e., first-time use within the past year) trends examined for each drug by race/ethnicity using jointpoint regression. RESULTS: Sample included 95,022 initiates for any of 18 drugs. Year-by-year mean initiation age significantly increased for alcohol (except Non-Hispanic [NH] White, 2004-2012), tobacco cigarettes (except NH American Indian/Alaska Native [AI/AN]), cigars, marijuana (except NH Asian or Pacific Islander, NH Multiracial), cocaine (except NH Black). Significant increase in mean initiation age found for heroin (Hispanic/Latinx only), hallucinogens (NH White, NH Black only), LSD (NH White only), methamphetamines (NH White only), smokeless tobacco (NH White, NH Black only), inhalants (only NH White, NH AI/AN; NH Multiracial, 2004-2011), sedatives (NH White, Hispanic/Latinx only), stimulants (NH White, Hispanic/Latinx only), and ecstasy (NH White, NH Black, Hispanic/Latinx only). Significant decrease in mean initiation age found for alcohol (only NH White, 2013-2019), smokeless tobacco (only Hispanic/Latinx, 2015-2019; NH AI/AN, 2012-2019), and inhalants (only NH Multiracial, 2012-2019). CONCLUSION: Mean initiation age differed widely by race/ethnicity. Mean initiation age in most racial/ethnic groups increased for several drugs including alcohol, marijuana, and tobacco products and decreased for some drugs such as inhalants. These findings could help inform groups to target for future prevention strategies.

Traumatic Brain Injury and Subsequent Risk of Brain Cancer in US Veterans of the Iraq and Afghanistan Wars.

Importance: While brain cancer is rare, it has a very poor prognosis and few established risk factors. To date, epidemiologic work examining the potential association of traumatic brain injury (TBI) with the subsequent risk of brain cancer is conflicting. Further data may be useful. Objective: To examine whether a history of TBI exposure is associated with the subsequent development of brain cancer. Design, Setting, and Participants: A retrospective cohort study was conducted from October 1, 2004, to September 20, 2019, and data analysis was performed between January 1 and June 26, 2023. The median follow-up for the cohort was 7.2 (IQR, 4.1-10.1) years. Veterans Affairs (VA) and Department of Defense (DoD) administrative data on 1 919 740 veterans from the Long-Term Impact of Military-Relevant Brain Injury Consortium-Chronic Effects of Neurotrauma Consortium were included. Exposure: The main exposure of interest was TBI severity (categorized as mild, moderate or severe [moderate/severe], and penetrating). Main Outcomes and Measures: The outcome of interest was the development of brain cancer based on International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision, Clinical Modification (ICD-9-CM) or International Statistical Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision, Clinical Modification (ICD-10-CM) diagnostic codes in either the DoD/VA medical records or from the National Death Index. Results: After 611 107 exclusions (predominately for no encounter during the study period), a cohort including 1 919 740 veterans was included, most of whom were male (80.25%) and non-Hispanic White (63.11%). Median age at index date was 31 (IQR, 25-42) years. The cohort included 449 880 individuals with TBI (mild, 385 848; moderate/severe, 46 859; and penetrating, 17 173). Brain cancer occurred in 318 individuals without TBI (0.02%), 80 with mild TBI (0.02%), 17 with moderate/severe TBI (0.04%), and 10 or fewer with penetrating TBI (≤0.06%). After adjustment, moderate/severe TBI (adjusted hazard ratio [AHR], 1.90; 95% CI, 1.16-3.12) and penetrating TBI (AHR, 3.33; 95% CI, 1.71-6.49), but not mild TBI (AHR, 1.14; 95% CI, 0.88-1.47), were associated with the subsequent development of brain cancer. Conclusions and Relevance: In this cohort study of veterans of the Iraq and Afghanistan wars, moderate/severe TBI and penetrating TBI, but not mild TBI, were associated with the subsequent development of brain cancer.

Intensive Care and Organ Support Related Mortality in Patients With COVID-19: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

To perform a systematic review and meta-analysis to generate estimates of mortality in patients with COVID-19 that required hospitalization, ICU admission, and organ support. DATA SOURCES: A systematic search of PubMed, Embase, and the Cochrane databases was conducted up to December 31, 2021. STUDY SELECTION: Previously peer-reviewed observational studies that reported ICU, mechanical ventilation (MV), renal replacement therapy (RRT) or extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO)-related mortality among greater than or equal to 100 individual patients. DATA EXTRACTION: Random-effects meta-analysis was used to generate pooled estimates of case fatality rates (CFRs) for in-hospital, ICU, MV, RRT, and ECMO-related mortality. ICU-related mortality was additionally analyzed by the study country of origin. Sensitivity analyses of CFR were assessed based on completeness of follow-up data, by year, and when only studies judged to be of high quality were included. DATA SYNTHESIS: One hundred fifty-seven studies evaluating 948,309 patients were included. The CFR for in-hospital mortality, ICU mortality, MV, RRT, and ECMO were 25.9% (95% CI: 24.0-27.8%), 37.3% (95% CI: 34.6-40.1%), 51.6% (95% CI: 46.1-57.0%), 66.1% (95% CI: 59.7-72.2%), and 58.0% (95% CI: 46.9-68.9%), respectively. MV (52.7%, 95% CI: 47.5-58.0% vs 31.3%, 95% CI: 16.1-48.9%; p = 0.023) and RRT-related mortality (66.7%, 95% CI: 60.1-73.0% vs 50.3%, 95% CI: 42.4-58.2%; p = 0.003) decreased from 2020 to 2021. CONCLUSIONS: We present updated estimates of CFR for patients hospitalized and requiring intensive care for the management of COVID-19. Although mortality remain high and varies considerably worldwide, we found the CFR in patients supported with MV significantly improved since 2020.

Long-Term Health Care Costs for Service Members Injured in Iraq and Afghanistan.

INTRODUCTION: Over the last two decades, the conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan have cost the United States significantly in terms of lives lost, disabling injuries, and budgetary expenditures. This manuscript calculates the differences in costs between veterans with combat injuries vs veterans without combat injuries. This work could be used to project future costs in subsequent studies. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this retrospective cohort study, we randomly selected 7,984 combat-injured veterans between February 1, 2002, and June 14, 2016, from Veterans Affairs Health System administrative data. We matched injured veterans 1:1 to noninjured veterans on year of birth (± 1 year), sex, and first service branch. We observed patients for a maximum of 10 years. This research protocol was reviewed and approved by the David Grant USAF Medical Center institutional review board (IRB), the University of Utah IRB, and the Research Review Committee of the VA Salt Lake City Health Care System in accordance with all applicable Federal regulations. RESULTS: Patients were primarily male (98.1% in both groups) and White (76.4% for injured patients, 72.3% for noninjured patients), with a mean (SD) age of 26.8 (6.6) years for the injured group and 27.7 (7.0) years for noninjured subjects. Average total costs for combat-injured service members were higher for each year studied. The difference was highest in the first year ($16,050 compared to $4,135 for noninjured). These differences remained significant after adjustment. Although this difference was greatest in the first year (marginal effect $12,386, 95% confidence interval $9,736-$15,036; P < 0.001), total costs continued to be elevated in years 2-10, with marginal effects ranging from $1,766 to $2,597 (P < 0.001 for all years). More severe injuries tended to increase costs in all categories. CONCLUSIONS: Combat injured patients have significantly higher long-term health care costs compared to their noninjured counterparts. If this random sample is extrapolated to the 53,251 total of combat wounded service members, it implies a total excess cost of $1.6 billion to date after adjustment for covariates and a median follow-up time of 10 years. These costs are likely to increase as injured veterans age and develop additional chronic conditions.

Factors Associated with Child Removal Among American Indian and Alaska Native People in an Alcohol Intervention Study.

This study was a secondary data analysis of factors associated with alcohol-related child removal among American Indian/Alaska Native (AI/AN) adults enrolled in a clinical trial of an alcohol intervention. Among 326 parent participants, 40% reported ever having a child removed from their care in part because of the parent's alcohol use, defined here as alcohol-related child removal. Seventy-five percent of parents reported at least one separation during their own childhood (M = 1.3, SD = 1.0). In a multivariable analysis, alcohol-related child removal was associated with parental boarding school attendance. No relationship was found between alcohol-related child removal and alcohol intervention outcomes. Results may provide evidence of multigenerational child removal impacts of boarding schools on AI/AN adults receiving an alcohol use disorder intervention. Assessment of parental history of child removal by practitioners, strategies to prevent alcohol-related separation and to support reunification should be integrated into addiction treatment in AI/AN communities.

Post-Combat-Injury Opioid Prescription and Alcohol Use Disorder in the Military.

INTRODUCTION: Previous studies have identified combat exposure and combat traumatic experience as problematic drinking risk factors. Increasing evidence suggests that opioid use increases the risk of alcohol use disorder. This study investigated the association between opioid prescription use after injury and (1) alcohol use disorder and (2) severity of alcohol use disorder among deployed military servicemembers. METHODS: Deidentified health records data of 9,029 deployed servicemembers from a retrospective cohort study were analyzed. Data were randomly selected from the Department of Defense Trauma Registry and included servicemembers with combat injuries during deployment in Iraq or Afghanistan (2002-2016). Pharmacy records and International Classification of Diseases, Ninth and Tenth Revision diagnosis codes were used. Three groups were identified (no opioid prescription use, nonpersistent opioid prescription use, and persistent opioid prescription use) and were compared on the basis of alcohol use disorder risk using Cox proportional hazard models. Data analyses were performed in 2021. RESULTS: Of the 9,029 servicemembers with combat injury, 2,262 developed alcohol use disorder (1,322 developed severe alcohol use disorder). Compared with no opioid prescription use, increased alcohol use disorder risk was associated with persistent opioid prescription use, with a hazard ratio of 1.13 (95% CI=1.02, 1.26). After covariate adjustment, increased risk remained statistically significant (hazards ratio=1.24; 95% CI=1.10, 1.39). There was no significant difference in alcohol use disorder risk between no opioid prescription use and nonpersistent opioid prescription use. The risk of severe alcohol use disorder did not vary by opioid use among servicemembers with alcohol use disorder diagnosis. CONCLUSIONS: The findings of the study suggest that the incidence of alcohol use disorder was higher among injured servicemembers with persistent opioid prescription use than among those without opioid use. If replicated in prospective studies, the findings highlight the need for clinicians to consider the current and history of alcohol use of patients in initiating treatment involving opioids.

SARS-CoV-2 Antibody Longitudinal Profile of Immune Globulin Preparations.

INTRODUCTION: Intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) preparations, used for the treatment of antibody deficiencies, provide a glimpse of the general population's antibody profile as each preparation is generated from a pool of thousands of donors. The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is the virus responsible for the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) pandemic, and a vaccine for the prevention of Covid-19 was authorized for emergency use in December 2020. We completed a longitudinal analysis of SARS-CoV-2 antibody levels in commercial IVIG preparations. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We collected IVIG samples from our infusion clinic. IVIG product lot number, product name, and manufacturer information were recorded, with the date of preparation verified from the manufacturer. SARS-CoV-2 antibody titers as well as total immunoglobulin levels were measured using commercially available assays. The study received Institutional Review Board approval. RESULTS: We found no SARS-CoV-2 antibodies in preparations generated on or before January 2020. Overall, SARS-CoV-2 antibody levels in IVIG preparations tended to increase with progressing preparation date. We observed a dramatic and continual rise of SARS-CoV-2 antibody levels in IVIG preparations made in the beginning after January 2021, coinciding with the peak in incidence of confirmed cases and availability of Covid-19 vaccines in the United States. CONCLUSION: SARS-CoV-2 antibody levels in IVIG mirror case prevalence, and vaccination resulted in a far more rapid rate of rise in antibody levels. IVIG preparations or serum repositories can provide an accessible way to model a population's evolving novel pathogen exposure, immunity, and vaccine response.

A Multicenter Evaluation of the Seraph 100 Microbind Affinity Blood Filter for the Treatment of Severe COVID-19.

The Seraph100 Microbind Affinity Blood Filter (Seraph 100) (ExThera Medical, Martinez, CA) is an extracorporeal therapy that can remove pathogens from blood, including severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2. The aim of this study was to evaluate safety and efficacy of Seraph 100 treatment for COVID-19. DESIGN: Retrospective cohort study. SETTING: Nine participating ICUs. PATIENTS: COVID-19 patients treated with Seraph 100 (n = 53) and control patients matched by study site (n = 53). INTERVENTION: Treatment with Seraph 100. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: At baseline, there were no differences between the groups in terms of sex, race/ethnicity, body mass index, and need for mechanical ventilation. However, patients in the Seraph 100 group were younger (median age, 54 yr; interquartile range [IQR], 41-65) compared with controls (median age, 64 yr; IQR, 56-69; p = 0.009). Charlson comorbidity index scores were lower in the Seraph 100 group (2; IQR, 0-3) compared with the control group (3; IQR, 2-4; p = 0.006). Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation II scores were also lower in Seraph 100 subjects (12; IQR, 9-17) compared with controls (16; IQR, 12-21; p = 0.011). The Seraph 100 group had higher vasopressor-free days with an incidence rate ratio of 1.30 on univariate analysis. This difference was not significant after adjustment. Seraph 100-treated subjects were less likely to die compared with controls (32.1% vs 64.2%; p = 0.001), a difference that remained significant after adjustment. However, no difference in mortality was observed in a post hoc analysis utilizing an external control group. In the full cohort of 86 treated patients, there were 177 total treatments, in which only three serious adverse events were recorded. CONCLUSIONS: Although this study did not demonstrate consistently significant clinical benefit across all endpoints and comparisons, the findings suggest that broad spectrum, pathogen agnostic, blood purification can be safely deployed to meet new pathogen threats while awaiting targeted therapies and vaccines.

Concordance Between Point-of-Care Urine Ethyl Glucuronide Alcohol Tests and Self-Reported Alcohol Use in Persons with HIV in Uganda.

Screening and assessing alcohol use accurately to maximize positive treatment outcomes remain problematic in regions with high rates of alcohol use and HIV and TB infections. In this study, we examined the concordance between self-reported measures of alcohol use and point-of-care (POC) urine ethyl glucuronide (uEtG) test results among persons with HIV (PWH) in Uganda who reported drinking in the prior 3 months. For analyses, we used the screening data of a trial designed to examine the use of incentives to reduce alcohol consumption and increase medication adherence to examine the concordance between POC uEtG (300 ng/mL cutoff) and six measures of self-reported alcohol use. Of the 2136 participants who completed the alcohol screening, 1080 (50.6%) tested positive in the POC uEtG test, and 1756 (82.2%) self-reported using alcohol during the prior 72 h. Seventy-two percent of those who reported drinking during the prior 24 h had a uEtG positive test, with lower proportions testing uEtG positive when drinking occurred 24-48 h (64.7%) or 48-72 h (28.6%) prior to sample collection. In multivariate models, recency of drinking, number of drinks at last alcohol use, and Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test - Consumption (AUDIT-C) score were associated with uEtG positivity. The highest area under the curve (AUC) for a uEtG positive test was for recency of drinking. Overall, we concluded that several measures of drinking were associated with POC uEtG positivity, with recency of drinking, particularly drinking within the past 24 h, being the strongest predictor of uEtG positivity.

Onset of alcohol use disorder among alcohol initiates by race/ethnicity.

Prevalence of alcohol use disorders (AUD) varies across racial/ethnic groups. It remains unclear whether rapid transition from first-time alcohol use to developing AUD varies by race and ethnicity. In this study, we investigate racial/ethnic differences in AUD onset among first-time alcohol drinkers and identify specific predictors of AUD onset by racial/ethnic group. The study population was non-institutionalized US residents aged 12 and older. Within four nationally representative probability samples (n ∼70,000/year) drawn from the 2015-2018 National Surveys on Drug Use and Health, we identified 9,381 individuals who initiated alcohol use within 1-12 months prior to the survey. The probability of AUD after initiation was estimated for the entire sample, followed by racial/ethnic group stratification. Bivariate and multivariable logistic regression models were used to identify predictors of AUD onset among alcohol initiates. The overall incidence estimate of AUD among alcohol initiates was 3.7% (95% CI = 3.0%, 4.6%). There was no significant variation in the incidence of AUD between racial/ethnic groups. Drug use, drug use disorders, and major depressive episode were significant predictors of AUD onset among all alcohol initiates. However, these predictors were not significant among non-Hispanic/Latinx Black individuals. Drug use and drug use disorders were strong predictors of AUD onset among alcohol initiates, except among non-Hispanic/Latinx Black individuals. These findings strengthen the importance of focusing on the co-use of alcohol and other drugs and the need to further investigate the risk profile differences between racial/ethnic groups.

Traumatic injury and atrial fibrillation among deployed service members.

INTRODUCTION: Atrial fibrillation and atrial flutter (AF/AFL), the most common atrial arrhythmias, have never been examined in combat casualties. In this study, we investigated the impact of traumatic injury on AF/AFL among service members with deployment history. METHODS: Sampled from the Department of Defense (DoD) Trauma Registry (n = 10,000), each injured patient in this retrospective cohort study was matched with a non-injured service member drawn from the Veterans Affairs/DoD Identity Repository. The primary outcome was AF/AFL diagnosis identified using ICD-9-CM and ICD-10-CM codes. Competing risk regressions based on Fine and Gray subdistribution hazards model with were utilized to assess the association between injury and AF/AFL. RESULTS: There were 130 reported AF/AFL cases, 90 of whom were injured and 40 were non-injured. The estimated cumulative incidence rates of AF/AFL for injured was higher compared to non-injured patients (hazards ratio [HR] = 2.04; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.44, 2.87). After adjustment demographics and tobacco use, the association did not appreciably decrease (HR = 1.90; 95% CI = 1.23, 2.93). Additional adjustment for obesity, hypertension, diabetes, and vascular disorders, the association between injury and AF/AFL was no longer statistically significant (HR = 1.51; 95% CI = 0.99, 2.52). CONCLUSION: Higher AF/AFL incidence rate was observed among deployed service members with combat injury compared to servicemembers without injury. The association did not remain significant after adjustment for cardiovascular-related covariates. These findings highlight the need for combat casualty surveillance to further understand the AF/AFL risk within the military population and to elucidate the potential underlying pathophysiologic mechanisms.

Clinical prediction of extra-medical use of prescription pain relievers from a representative United States sample.

Use of prescription opioids 'beyond the bounds' of medical guidance can lead to opioid dependence. Yet recent efforts to predict extra-medical use of prescription pain relievers (EMPPR) have relied on electronic medical or pharmacy records. Because peak incidence of EMPPR occurs during adolescence- a time of relative health- administrative data may be inadequate. In this study, with data from a United States (US) population sample, we develop and internally validate an EMPPR prediction model. We analyzed data from 234,593 individuals aged 12-to-17-years, as sampled by the US National Survey of Drug Use and Health, 2004-2018, an annual cross-sectional survey. We encoded 14 predictors with onset prior to EMPPR initiation, including age, sex, and facets of drug and psychiatric history. We ranked these predictors by clinical utility before sequentially adding each to a regularized logistic regression model. On held-out test data (n = 23,685), the model performs well with 14 predictors, with an area under the precision recall curve (AUPRC) is 0.155. The area under the receiver operator curve (AUC) is 0.819, exceeding a recent benchmark on this dataset. Results are robust to survey redesign that occurred in 2015, and are not moderated by past-year use of medical services. In conclusion, while selection of predictors is limited to those with known timing prior to initiation of EMPPR rather than any cross-sectional variable, this model discriminates well. Good classification occurs even with a small set of clinically available predictors- age, a history of depression and alcohol, cigarette, and cannabis use.

Mixed-methods trial of a phosphatidylethanol-based contingency management intervention to initiate and maintain alcohol abstinence in formerly homeless adults with alcohol use disorders.

BACKGROUND: Contingency management (CM) is an intervention where incentives are provided in exchange for biochemically confirmed alcohol abstinence. CM is effective at initiating alcohol abstinence, but it is less effective at maintaining long-term abstinence. Phosphatidylethanol (PEth), collected via a finger-stick, can detect alcohol use for 14-28 days. PEth allows for the development of a CM model that includes increasingly less frequent monitoring of abstinence to assist high risk groups, such as formerly homeless individuals, maintain long-term abstinence. AIMS: Investigate whether PEth-based CM intervention targeting alcohol abstinence in formerly homeless, currently housed individuals with alcohol use disorders is: (1) acceptable and feasible for housing program tenants and personnel; and is associated with increased (2) alcohol abstinence and (3) housing tenure. METHODS: Acceptability and feasibility will be assessed using a QUAL+quant mixed-methods design using qualitative interviews and quantitative measures of satisfaction and attrition. Effectiveness will be evaluated through a randomized pilot trial of 50 study participants who will receive 6 months of either treatment as usual (TAU) including incentives (e.g., gift cards) for providing blood samples (Control Condition) or TAU and incentives for negative PEth results (PEth-CM Condition). Outcomes will be assessed during the intervention and at a three-month follow-up visit. The trial will be conducted via telehealth as a result of COVID-19. DISCUSSION: This protocol seeks to utilize a novel alcohol biomarker to evaluate the acceptability, feasibility, and initial effectiveness of a CM model that encourages long-term abstinence in a high-risk group.

Effect of Incentives for Alcohol Abstinence in Partnership With 3 American Indian and Alaska Native Communities: A Randomized Clinical Trial.

Importance: Many American Indian and Alaska Native communities are disproportionately affected by problems with alcohol use and seek culturally appropriate and effective interventions for individuals with alcohol use disorders. Objective: To determine whether a culturally tailored contingency management intervention, in which incentives were offered for biologically verified alcohol abstinence, resulted in increased abstinence among American Indian and Alaska Native adults. This study hypothesized that adults assigned to receive a contingency management intervention would have higher levels of alcohol abstinence than those assigned to the control condition. Design, Setting, and Participants: This multisite randomized clinical trial, the Helping Our Native Ongoing Recovery (HONOR) study, included a 1-month observation period before randomization and a 3-month intervention period. The study was conducted at 3 American Indian and Alaska Native health care organizations located in Alaska, the Pacific Northwest, and the Northern Plains from October 10, 2014, to September 2, 2019. Recruitment occurred between October 10, 2014, and February 20, 2019. Eligible participants were American Indian or Alaska Native adults who had 1 or more days of high alcohol-use episodes within the last 30 days and a current diagnosis of alcohol dependence. Data were analyzed from February 1 to April 29, 2020. Interventions: Participants received treatment as usual and were randomized to either the contingency management group, in which individuals received 12 weeks of incentives for submitting a urine sample indicating alcohol abstinence, or the control group, in which individuals received 12 weeks of incentives for submitting a urine sample without the requirement of alcohol abstinence. Regression models fit with generalized estimating equations were used to assess differences in abstinence during the intervention period. Main Outcomes and Measures: Alcohol-negative ethyl glucuronide (EtG) urine test result (defined as EtG<150 ng/mL). Results: Among 1003 adults screened for eligibility, 400 individuals met the initial criteria. Of those, 158 individuals (39.5%; mean [SD] age, 42.1 [11.4] years; 83 men [52.5%]) met the criteria for randomization, which required submission of 4 or more urine samples and 1 alcohol-positive urine test result during the observation period before randomization. A total of 75 participants (47.5%) were randomized to the contingency management group, and 83 participants (52.5%) were randomized to the control group. At 16 weeks, the number who submitted an alcohol-negative urine sample was 19 (59.4%) in the intervention group vs 18 (38.3%) in the control group. Participants randomized to the contingency management group had a higher likelihood of submitting an alcohol-negative urine sample (averaged over time) compared with those randomized to the control group (odds ratio, 1.70; 95% CI, 1.05-2.76; P = .03). Conclusions and Relevance: The study's findings indicate that contingency management may be an effective strategy for increasing alcohol abstinence and a tool that can be used by American Indian and Alaska Native communities for the treatment of individuals with alcohol use disorders. Trial Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT02174315.

Cannabis use and metabolic syndrome among clients with first episode psychosis.

AIM: To explore the relationship between cannabis use and metabolic syndrome (MetS) among those who have experienced first episode psychosis (FEP). METHODS: A retrospective analysis of 404 participants enrolled in the Recovery After Initial Schizophrenia Episode-Early Treatment Program (RAISE-ETP) was conducted. Using multiple logistic regression, we investigated the correlation between cannabis use and rate of MetS at baseline and across time as well as the specific metabolic derangements among cannabis users and abstainers. RESULTS: Although cannabis users had similar rates of MetS at baseline when compared with abstainers, those who used cannabis at any time during the study period tended to have lower triglycerides and elevated high-density lipoprotein (HDL). Cannabis users were less likely to develop MetS, relative to nonusers. CONCLUSIONS: Cannabis use may be associated with lower incidence of MetS in patients who have experienced FEP. Further research is indicated to develop these observations.

Racial and ethnic differences in alcohol-, opioid-, and co-use-related deaths in Washington State from 2011 to 2017.

BACKGROUND: Few studies exist examining alcohol and opioid co-use mortality rates among racially and ethnically diverse communities, presenting a critical gap in understanding the contribution of alcohol on opioid-related deaths and strategies for prevention. The purpose of the study was to assess whether alcohol and opioid-related deaths differ by race/ethnicity subgroups and if there has been an increase in alcohol and opioid-related deaths between 2011 and 2017. DESIGN: Secondary data analysis of publicly available alcohol and opioid mortality data among non-Hispanic Whites, Black, Hispanic, Asian/Pacific Islander, and American Indian/Alaska Native individuals in Washington State. MEASUREMENTS: The primary outcomes were alcohol-only, opioid-only, and alcohol-opioid co-use mortality, 2011-2017. Alcohol and/or opioid-related deaths were assigned an International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems (ICD-10) code for the underlying or multiple cause of death. FINDINGS: Between 2011 and 2017, alcohol-only mortality rates increased among non-Hispanic White (P = 0.003) and Hispanic individuals (P = 0.008). Opioid-only mortality rates increased among American Indian/Alaska Native (P = 0.004) and Hispanic individuals (P = <0.001). American Indian/Alaska Native individuals had the highest alcohol-only, opioid-only, and co-use-related mortality rates when looking at between-group incidence rates. CONCLUSIONS: Although the opioid epidemic has been characterized as a public health crisis that predominantly impacts non-Hispanic White individuals, racial and ethnic minorities are increasingly impacted by fatal and non-fatal overdose related to co-occurring substance use. Our findings using data from Washington State, align with existing data and signal a dire need to address alcohol and opioid misuse through targeted interventions to prevent overdose and poisoning, with special considerations for American Indian/Alaska Native communities.

Assessing the Predictive Validity of the Stages of Change Readiness and Treatment Eagerness Scale (SOCRATES) in Alaska Native and American Indian People.

OBJECTIVES: The objective of this study was to examine the predictive validity of the Stages of Change Readiness and Treatment Eagerness Scale (SOCRATES) among Alaska Native and American Indian (ANAI) people with an alcohol use disorder. METHODS: The sample was 170 ANAI adults with an alcohol use disorder living in Anchorage, Alaska who were part of a larger alcohol intervention study. The primary outcome of this study was alcohol use as measured by mean urinary ethyl glucuronide (EtG). EtG urine tests were collected at baseline and then up to twice a week for four weeks. We conducted bivariate linear regression analyses to evaluate associations between mean EtG value and each of the three SOCRATES subscales (Recognition, Ambivalence, and Taking Steps) and other covariates such as demographic characteristics, alcohol use history, and chemical dependency service utilization. We then performed multivariable linear regression modeling to examine these associations after adjusting for covariates. RESULTS: After adjusting for covariates, mean EtG values were negatively associated with the Taking Steps (P = 0.017) and Recognition (P = 0.005) subscales of the SOCRATES among ANAI people living in Alaska. We did not find an association between mean EtG values and the Ambivalence subscale (P = 0.129) of the SOCRATES after adjusting for covariates. CONCLUSIONS: Higher scores on the Taking Steps and Recognition subscales of the SOCRATES at baseline among ANAI people predicted lower mean EtG values. This study has important implications for communities and clinicians who need tools to assist ANAI clients in initiating behavior changes related to alcohol use.

Proximity to Screening Site, Rurality, and Neighborhood Disadvantage: Treatment Status among Individuals with Sexually Transmitted Infections in Yakima County, Washington.

Background: Early sexually transmitted infections (STIs) diagnosis facilitates prompt treatment initiation and contributes to reduced transmission. This study examined the extent to which contextual characteristics such as proximity to screening site, rurality, and neighborhood disadvantage along with demographic variables, may influence treatment seeking behavior among individuals with STIs (i.e., chlamydia, gonorrhea, and syphilis). Methods: Data on 16,075 diagnosed cases of STIs between 2007 and 2018 in Yakima County were obtained from the Washington State Department of Health Database Surveillance System. Multilevel models were applied to explore the associations between contextual and demographic characteristics and two outcomes: (a) not receiving treatment and (b) the number of days to receiving treatment. Results: Contextual risk factors for not receiving treatment or having increased number of days to treatment were living ≥10 miles from the screening site and living in micropolitan, small towns, or rural areas. Older age was a protective factor and being female was a risk for both outcomes. Conclusions: Healthcare providers and facilities should be made aware of demographic and contextual characteristics that can impact treatment seeking behavior among individuals with STIs, especially among youth, females, and rural residents.