Proportion of unplanned tube replacements and complications following gastrostomy: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

AIMS: Gastrostomy feeding represents a vital component of supportive care provided to people with swallowing or feeding difficulties; however, the rate of specific long-term complications is currently unknown in the adult population. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of specific long-term gastrostomy-related complications and unplanned replacements in adults. METHODS: A prospective systematic review of Medline, CINAHL and Embase databases was performed. Key complications of hypergranulation, infection and displacement among studies relevant to percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy tubes, radiologically inserted gastrostomy tubes and balloon replacement tubes were critically appraised by two independent reviewers. Results were synthesised quantitatively in a meta-analysis using random effects where the population and condition were sufficiently homogeneous. RESULTS: In total, 453 studies were identified, of which 17 met inclusion criteria. 8.5% of adults with a gastrostomy were found to have had an infection ≥42 days after initial tube insertion (p < 0.01), while 13% had hypergranulation (p < 0.01). Displacement occurred in 10.8% of adults (p < 0.01), with age (p < 0.001) and sex (p < 0.001) presenting as a risk factor (R2 = 75%) following meta-regression. CONCLUSIONS: Approximately 1 in 10 people with a gastrostomy will experience a complication related to either hypergranulation, infection or dislodgement. Age, in combination with sex, may provide a guide for risk of displacement among adult female cohorts, though further studies reporting prevalence of gastrostomy-related complications along with participant demographics are required.

Factors associated with assistive technology prescription and acceptance in motor neurone disease.

PURPOSE: The risk of delaying assistive technology (AT) prescription and implementation has significant implications on the safety and quality of life of people with Motor Neurone Disease (PwMND). This study aims to explore the barriers and enablers of AT prescription and implementation identified by PwMND and clinicians. METHODS: A qualitative study using semi-structured focus groups with clinicians and in-depth interviews with PwMND. Sixteen clinicians and ten PwMND were recruited. Thematic analysis was completed and results were compared and discussed to reach an agreement on the final themes. RESULTS: Three main factors were identified - PwMND, Clinician and Extrapersonal. For PwMND, personal characteristics, such as mindset, was the strongest enabler and inability to accept diagnosis and AT was the key barrier. For Clinician, communication approach was both the most identified enabler and barrier. For Extrapersonal, the availability of interactive education of AT was the strongest enabler and long wait time was a significant barrier. CONCLUSION: Our study identified themes that clinicians could have an impact on, such as, providing interactive education, engaging PwMND and their support network, and ongoing upskilling of clinicians working in this field. Themes identified that were beyond the control of clinicians were personal characteristics, acceptance and support networks. It highlights the importance for clinicians to be flexible with their communication approach to accommodate the needs of PwMND in the acceptance of AT.

There are many factors that may influence a person with Motor Neurone Disease's decision about Assistive Technology (AT) and not all are within the control of clinicians.It is important for clinicians to be reflective of the situation and barriers they encounter, and recognise their limits and what they can act on.For clinicians looking after people with Motor Neurone Disease (PwMND), it is important to develop your knowledge continuously, consider setting up an AT library, and engage PwMND and their support network in care decision making.

Religious service attendance and mortality among older Black men.

Religious institutions have been responsive to the needs of Black men and other marginalized populations. Religious service attendance is a common practice that has been associated with stress management and extended longevity. The objective of this study was to examine the relationship between religious service attendance and all-cause mortality among Black men 50 years of age and older. Data for this study were from NHANES III (1988-1994). The analytic sample (n = 839) was restricted to participants at least 50 years of age at the time of interview who self-identified as Black and male. Mortality was the primary outcome for this study and the NHANES III Linked Mortality File was used to estimate race-specific, non-injury-related death rates using a probabilistic matching algorithm, linked to the National Death Index through December 31, 2015, providing up to 27 years follow-up. The primary independent variable was religious service attendance, a categorical variable indicating that participants attended religious services at least weekly, three or fewer times per month, or not at all. The mean age of participants was 63.6±0.3 years and 36.4% of sample members reported that they attended religious services one or more times per week, exceeding those attending three or fewer times per month (31.7%), or not at all (31.9%). Cox proportional hazard logistic regression models were estimated to determine the association between religious service attendance and mortality. Participants with the most frequent religious service attendance had a 47% reduction of all-cause mortality risk compared their peer who did not attend religious services at all (HR 0.53, CI 0.35-0.79) in the fully adjusted model including socioeconomic status, non-cardiovascular medical conditions, health behaviors, social support and allostatic load. Our findings underscore the potential salience of religiosity and spirituality for health in Black men, an understudied group where elevated risk factors are often present.

An exploratory study to characterize the HIV testing-to-care continuum to improve outcomes for Black and Latinx residents of South Los Angeles.

BACKGROUND: South Los Angeles (SPA6), with mostly Black (27.4%) and Latinx (68.2%) residents, has the second highest rates of new HIV diagnoses (31 per 100,000) in Los Angeles County. However, there is limited understanding of the HIV testing-to-care continuum among newly diagnosed in this setting. METHODS: We conducted an exploratory study that analyzed de-identified data, including demographic characteristics and biomedical outcomes, from the electronic medical records of individuals newly diagnosed with HIV from 2016-2020 at the only public safety-net, county-run health department HIV clinic in SPA 6. We used Pearson Chi-square and Fisher's Exact test to explore associations with HIV outcomes and a Kaplan-Meier survival curve to assess the time to linkage to care. RESULTS: A total of 281 patients were identified. The majority (74.1%) presented with a baseline CD4 <500, many of which presented with a CD4<200 (39.2%). We found twice as many newly diagnosed Black individuals in our study population (48.2%) when compared to LAC (23%), despite only accounting for 27.4% of residents in SPA 6. The majority were linked to care within 30 days of positive test and prescribed anti-retroviral therapy. Viral suppression (59.8%) and undetectable VL (52.6%) were achieved within the year following diagnosis, with 9.3% lost to follow-up. Of those who became virally suppressed, 20.7% experienced viral rebound within the year following diagnosis. CONCLUSION: The large proportion of patients with a baseline CD4 <500 raises concerns about late diagnoses. Despite high rates of linkage to care and ART prescription, achievement of sustained viral suppression remains low with high rates of viral rebound. Longitudinal studies are needed to understand the barriers to early testing, retention in care, and treatment adherence to develop strategies and interventions with community organizations that respond to the unique needs of people living with HIV in South Los Angeles.