Association of multiple metabolic and cardiovascular markers with the risk of cognitive decline and mortality in adults with Alzheimer's disease and AD-related dementia or cognitive decline: a prospective cohort study.

Background and objectives: There is a scarcity of data stemming from large-scale epidemiological longitudinal studies focusing on potentially preventable and controllable risk factors for Alzheimer's disease (AD) and AD-related dementia (ADRD). This study aimed to examine the effect of multiple metabolic factors and cardiovascular disorders on the risk of cognitive decline and AD/ADRD. Methods: We analyzed a cohort of 6,440 participants aged 45-84 years at baseline. Multiple metabolic and cardiovascular disorder factors included the five components of the metabolic syndrome [waist circumference, high blood pressure (HBP), elevated glucose and triglyceride (TG) concentrations, and reduced high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) concentrations], C-reactive protein (CRP), fibrinogen, interleukin-6 (IL-6), factor VIII, D-dimer, and homocysteine concentrations, carotid intimal-medial thickness (CIMT), and urine albumin-to-creatinine ratio (ACR). Cognitive decline was defined using the Cognitive Abilities Screening Instrument (CASI) score, and AD/ADRD cases were classified using clinical diagnoses. Results: Over an average follow-up period of 13 years, HBP and elevated glucose, CRP, homocysteine, IL-6, and ACR concentrations were significantly associated with the risk of mortality in the individuals with incident AD/ADRD or cognitive decline. Elevated D-dimer and homocysteine concentrations, as well as elevated ACR were significantly associated with incident AD/ADRD. Elevated homocysteine and ACR were significantly associated with cognitive decline. A dose-response association was observed, indicating that an increased number of exposures to multiple risk factors corresponded to a higher risk of mortality in individuals with cognitive decline or with AD/ADRD. Conclusion: Findings from our study reaffirm the significance of preventable and controllable factors, including HBP, hyperglycemia, elevated CRP, D-dimer, and homocysteine concentrations, as well as, ACR, as potential risk factors for cognitive decline and AD/ADRD.

Effective Doses of Low-Dose Naltrexone for Chronic Pain - An Observational Study.

Purpose: Despite the availability of a wide variety of analgesics, many patients with chronic pain often experience suboptimal pain relief in part related to the absence of any medication to address the nociplastic component of common pain syndromes. Low-dose naltrexone has been used for the treatment of chronic pain, typically at 4.5 mg per day, even though it is also noted that effective doses of naltrexone for chronic pain presentations range from 0.1 to 4.5 mg per day. We performed an observational analysis to determine the range of effective naltrexone daily dosing in 41 patients with chronic musculoskeletal pain. Methods: Charts of 385 patients, 115 males, 270 females, ages 18-92, were reviewed. Two hundred and sixty patients with chronic diffuse, symmetrical pain were prescribed a titrating dose of naltrexone to determine a maximally effective dose established by self-report of 1) reduction of diffuse/generalized and/or severity level of pain and/or 2) positive effects on mood, energy, and mental clarity. Brief Pain Inventory and PROMIS scales were given pre- and post-determining a maximally effective naltrexone dose. Results: Forty-one patients met all criteria for inclusion, successfully attained a maximally effective dose, and completed a pre- and post-outcome questionnaire. Hormesis was demonstrated during the determination of the maximally effective dosing, which varied over a wide range, with statistically significant improvement in BPI. Conclusion: The maximally effective dose of low-dose naltrexone for the treatment of chronic pain is idiosyncratic, suggesting the need for 1) dosage titration to establish a maximally effective dose and 2) the possibility of re-introduction of low-dose naltrexone to patients who had failed initial trials on a fixed dose of naltrexone.

Low-dose naltrexone (LDN) has been used to treat chronic pain. There is, however, no agreed on effective dose, leaving clinicians without guidelines on initiating treatment with naltrexone. It appears that the dose of LDN for any patient is idiosyncratic, and in a small study, ranges from 0.1 to 6.0 mg/day. Understanding the various possible mechanisms of action of LDN may help the clinician to understand how and why it can effectively reduce chronic pain. A titration schedule to establish the maximally effective dose for chronic myofascial pain is presented.

Efficacy of the Grit Scale Score in Predicting Voice Therapy Adherence and Outcomes.

BACKGROUND: Voice therapy generally is considered first-line treatment for dysphonia and vocal fold paresis. It requires a commitment of time, effort and resources; currently, there is no good indicator to identify which patients are good candidates for voice therapy. The Grit scale, developed by psychologist Angela Duckworth, provides a method to quantify perseverance and commitment to long-term goals. OBJECTIVE: We hypothesized that the Grit scale score could correlate with patient adherence to voice therapy and outcomes, by which subjects with higher Grit scale scores demonstrate greater adherence and better outcomes. METHODS: Subjects were categorized into five groups, subjects who (1) were discharged from therapy after successful completion, (2) improved to normal, near-normal, or a level of voice function with which the patients were satisfied, and then stopped attending therapy (3) attended as at least the recommended number of sessions or greater than 8 sessions with some voice improvement (4) failed to improve to a voice function level satisfactory to the patient despite attending voice therapy, (5) failed to attend voice therapy as recommended. Subjects in groups 1-4 were considered adherent to voice therapy, whereas group 5 was considered not adherent. Category 1 was considered the most favorable outcome, whereas Category 5 was considered the least favorable outcome (1 > 2 > 3 > 4 > 5). RESULTS: Eighty-nine subjects are included in the study. The average age of subjects was 44.9 years old, and there was a nearly equal split between male and female subjects. The mean Grit score (48) of the adherent group (categories 1-4) was not significantly different from that of the non-adherent group (47, P = 0.190). Spearman's rho between Grit scale score and the categories (1 > 2 > 3 > 4 > 5) was 0.0674, P = 0.530. CONCLUSION: Neither the analysis by groups nor the Spearman correlation across all categories supported our hypothesis that higher Grit scale scores would be associated with better adherence and outcomes. The failure of the Grit scale score to predict adherence to voice therapy and outcomes emphasizes the need for further research to find a metric that will help predict and improve patient adherence with voice therapy and voice outcomes. Further research is needed to determine why it was unable to be predictive and to confirm or refute our findings.

Association between blood pressure levels and cognitive impairment in older women: a prospective analysis of the Women's Health Initiative Memory Study.

BACKGROUND: Whether blood pressure (BP), and at what level of controlled BP, reduces risk of cognitive impairment remains uncertain. We investigated the association of BP and hypertension treatment status with mild cognitive impairment and dementia in older women. METHODS: We prospectively analysed a sample of 7207 community-dwelling women aged 65-79 years participating in the Women's Health Initiative Memory Study (WHIMS). Participants were recruited between May 28, 1996, and Dec 13, 1999, at 39 US clinical centres, and they were followed up until Dec 31, 2019. Cognitive function was assessed annually. Mild cognitive impairment and probable dementia were defined through a centralised adjudication process. BP was measured by trained and certified staff at baseline. Pulse pressure (PP) was calculated as systolic BP (SBP) minus diastolic BP. Hypertension was defined using the American Heart Association 2017 Guideline for High BP in Adults. Outcomes were (1) mild cognitive impairment, (2) probable dementia, and (3) cognitive loss (the combined endpoint of either mild cognitive impairment or probable dementia, or both). We estimated hazard ratios (HRs) to assess the association between hypertension, SBP, and PP with the risk of study outcomes using Cox proportional hazards regression models, with adjustment for key covariates. FINDINGS: During a median follow-up of 9 years (IQR 6-15), 1132 (15·7%) participants were classified as mild cognitive impairment, 739 (10·3%) as probable dementia, and 1533 (21·3%) as cognitive loss. The incidence rates per 1000 person-years were 15·3 cases (95% CI 14·4-16·2) for mild cognitive impairment, 9·7 cases (9·0-10·4) for probable dementia, and 20·3 (19·3-21·3) for cognitive loss. Elevated SBP and PP were significantly associated with increased risk of mild cognitive impairment and cognitive loss (test for trends across SBP and PP strata, p<0·01). Individuals with hypertension, but with controlled SBP of less than 120 mm Hg did not have a significantly increased risk of mild cognitive impairment (HR 1·33, 95% CI 0·98-1·82, p=0·071), and of cognitive loss (1·09, 0·82-1·44, p=0·57) compared with normotension. Individuals on anti-hypertensive treatment with PP of less than 50 mm Hg did not have a significantly higher risk of mild cognitive impairment (1·26, 0·98-1·62, p=0·07) and of cognitive loss (1·17, 0·94-1·46, p=0·16). There were no significant associations between hypertension, SBP, or PP and probable dementia. INTERPRETATION: Results of our study show significant associations of hypertension and elevated SBP and PP levels with risk of mild cognitive impairment and the combined endpoint of either mild cognitive impairment or probable dementia, suggesting that intensive control of hypertension, SBP, and PP can preserve cognitive health in older women. FUNDING: National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, National Institutes of Health, and US Department of Health and Human Services.

Relationship of psychosocial factors and musculoskeletal pain among individuals with newly acquired spinal cord injury.

STUDY DESIGN: Cross-sectional analysis of baseline data of a longitudinal cohort study. OBJECTIVES: Little evidence exists on pain-related psychosocial factors in individuals with newly acquired spinal cord injury (SCI). To understand a biopsychosocial model of pain, we must first understand the presenting psychological pain-related factors at injury onset. Therefore, we assessed musculoskeletal pain and pain-related psychological constructs in a group of individuals with newly acquired SCI. We hypothesized that individuals with new SCI would report musculoskeletal shoulder pain with elevated levels of kinesiophobia and pain catastrophizing. SETTING: Data were collected in three rehabilitation hospitals located in urban and suburban communities. METHODS: Thirty-five individuals with newly acquired SCI participated. Demographics, Musculoskeletal Pain Survey shoulder subscale, Tampa Kinesiophobia Scale-11, Pain Catastrophizing Scale, Fear of Pain Questionnaire, Chronic Pain Coping Inventory-42, and Subjective Quality of Life Questionnaire were administered. Descriptive analysis of all measures was determined and relationships between pain and psychosocial measures determined. RESULTS: Moderate shoulder pain existed in 40% of people with new SCI along with clinically elevated kinesiophobia, pain catastrophizing, fear of pain, and reduced quality of life. Shoulder pain was statistically associated with pain catastrophizing (ρ = 0.41, p = 0.01). Kinesiophobia positively correlated with fear of pain (ρ = 0.38, p = 0.02) with an inverse relationship to quality of life (ρ = -0.47, p = 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Elevated pain, and pain-related psychological characteristics, such as catastrophizing and kinesiophobia exist during the early stages after SCI. Early identification of pain-related factors can guide clinical intervention potentially ameliorating pain-linked functional impairments. TRIAL REGISTRY: This trial is registered with ClinTrial.gov ID NCT03137394.

Comparison of Low-Dose Direct Acting Anticoagulant and Warfarin in patients Aged ≥80 years With Atrial Fibrillation.

Low dose direct acting oral anticoagulants (LDDOACS) were approved for elderly atrial Fibrillation (AF) patients with limited information. A retrospective analysis collecting baseline characteristics and outcomes in AF patients ≥ 80 prescribed LDDOAC or warfarin (W), from a multidisciplinary practice between 1/1/11 (First LDDOAC available) and 5/31/17 was conducted. From 9660 AF patients, 514 ≥ 80 received a LDDOAC and 422 W. A multivariable comparison found LDDOAC patients were older (p <0.001), had lower creatinine clearance (CrCl) (p = 0.006), used more anti-platelet drugs (p <0.001), and more often had new onset AF verses those prescribed W (p <0.001). There were no clinically significant differences among those patients receiving Dabigatran 75 mgs BID (D), Rivaroxaban 15mgs (R) or Apixaban 2.5mgs BID (A). Forty-eight and 50% of the patients remained on their LDDOAC or W for the observation period (p = 0.55). Stroke/systemic embolism (SSE) and CNS bleeds were 1.16 vs 2.22%/yr., (p = 0.143) and 1.46 vs 0.93%/yr., (p = 0.24). Mortality and major bleeds were 6.26 vs 1.67%/yr., and 12.3vs 3.77%/yr. (p <0.001). SSE were 1.1%/yr for D, R, and A (p = 0.94). CNS bleeds were 2.2 for D, 1.7 for R and 0.8%/yr. for A: p = 0.53. Major bleeding was: 14.3 for D, 14.1 for R and 9.1%/yr. for A, p = 0.048 (with A < R, p = 0.01). Mortality was 5.5 for D, 4.2 for R and 9.5% for A, p = 0.031. In conclusion, half the patients remained on their assigned anti-coagulant. SSE and intracranial bleed rates were similar and low. Major bleeds and deaths were different between groups emphasizing the need for prospective randomized trials in this growing population with AF.

The Role of Health Disparities and Socioeconomic Status in Emergent Gastrointestinal Procedures.

Objectives: There is limited data describing the role of health disparity factors and socioeconomic status (SES) on emergent versus nonemergent gastrointestinal (GI) procedures within pediatrics. We aimed to characterize risk factors and determine the role of SES on emergent versus nonemergent GI care. We hypothesized that patients with lower SES incur higher risk of having emergent procedures performed. Methods: Retrospective chart review was performed between 2012 and 2016, with 2556 patient records reviewed. Demographic data and SES categories were determined. The majority of emergent procedures were performed on an inpatient basis. Health disparity factors analyzed included age, gender, insurance type, race, language, and SES using census tracts. Logistic regression analyses and paired t-tests were utilized. Results: Two hundred eighty-six (11.2%) patients had emergent GI procedures performed. Logistic regression (odds ratio [OR], confidence interval (95% CI)] showed patients from 6-11 to 12-17 years of age were less likely to seek emergent care than the youngest group [0.47, 0.33-0.66 and 0.61, 0.45-0.84]. Patients with Medicaid insurance [1.68, 1.27-2.26], African American or "other" race [2.07, 1.48-2.90 and 2.43, 1.77-3.36, respectively], as well as "other" language [2.1, 1.14-3.99] more often sought emergent care. Using geocoded data, we found that as SES increases by 1, emergent risk for procedures decreased by 2.9% (OR 0.97, p=0.045). Conclusions: Children with lower SES, at extremes of age (<5, >18 years), non-English or Spanish speaking and with Medicaid insurance are at higher risk of undergoing emergent GI procedures. This study gives us an opportunity to plan targeted interventions to improve access and quality of care.

Participation-Based Student Goals in School-Based Physical Therapy Practice: Influence on Service Delivery and Outcomes.

Aims: Legislation, perspectives, and guidelines support the use of goals that address student participation in school. The purpose of this study was to determine if students with participation-based goals receive school-based physical therapy services differently and demonstrate better outcomes than students with non-participation-based goals.Methods: Secondary data analysis. School-based physical therapists (n = 109) provided services to students (n = 294) over 20 weeks. The physical therapists determined a primary goal for each student and classified this goal based on if it was (n = 181) or was not (n = 113) performed and measured within a school activity or routine (participation-based versus non-participation-based). The physical therapists documented the proportion of services provided within a school activity, on behalf of the student, and consisting of activity-focused functional activities. They also measured goal attainment and assessed participation via the School Function Assessment at the beginning and end of the study.Results: Students with participation-based goals received a significantly greater proportion of services within a school activity than those with non-participation-based goals (p < 0.001). There was no significant difference for the remaining service variables, nor for the outcome variables.Conclusions: Use of participation-based goals may promote school-based physical therapy service delivery within a school activity, thus supporting best practice.

Impact of diabetes mellitus and cardiometabolic syndrome on the risk of Alzheimer's disease among postmenopausal women.

BACKGROUND: In spite of an increase in the incidence and prevalence of diabetes mellitus (DM) and Alzheimer's disease (AD) in the aging population worldwide, limited attention has been paid to their potential association. AIM: To investigate the association of DM and cardiometabolic syndrome (CMS, a precursor to DM) with risk of incident AD among postmenopausal women. METHODS: Postmenopausal women aged 50-79 (n = 63117) who participated in the U.S. Women's Health Initiative Observational Study (WHIOS), recruited in 1993-1998, without baseline AD and followed up through March 1, 2019, were analyzed. AD was classified by participant-reported history of doctor-diagnosis of incident AD in the WHIOS. DM was defined by participant-report or treated because of diabetes or serum glucose concentrations ≥ 126 mg/dL. CMS was defined as having ≥ 3 of five CMS components: large waist circumference, high blood pressure, elevated triglycerides, elevated glucose, and low high-density lipoprotein cholesterol. The associations of DM and CMS with AD were analyzed using Cox's proportional hazards regression analysis. RESULTS: During a median follow-up of 20 years (range: 3.36 to 23.36 years), of 63117 participants, 8340 developed incident AD. Women with DM had significantly higher incidence of AD [8.5, 95% confidence interval (CI): 8.0-9.0 per 1000 person-years (PY)] than those without DM (7.1, 95%CI: 6.9-7.2 per 1000 PY). Multivariate Cox's regression analysis indicated that women with DM or CMS had a significantly higher risk of AD than those without DM or CMS. The corresponding hazard ratios [HR (95%CI)] were 1.22 (1.13-1.31, P < 0.001) in subjects with DM, and 1.18 (1.09-1.27, P < 0.001) in subjects with CMS. The HRs diminished with age and became non-significant in the oldest age group. CONCLUSION: During a median follow-up of 20 years, DM and CMS were significantly associated with the risk of AD among postmenopausal women. More specifically, women aged 50-69 with DM or CMS vs those without these conditions had significantly higher relative risks of AD than the relative risks of AD in those aged 70-79 with DM or CMS vs those without DM or CMS.

Smoking Cessation Counseling in the Inpatient Unit: A Survey of Pediatric Hospitalists.

OBJECTIVES: To determine practices and beliefs of pediatric hospitalists regarding smoking cessation counseling for caregivers of hospitalized children. METHODS: An electronic survey was distributed to 249 members of the Pediatric Research in Inpatient Settings Network over 6 weeks in 2017 (83 responses [33%]). Questions explored beliefs regarding the impact of tobacco smoke exposure (TSE) and practices in TSE screening, provision of counseling, resources, and pharmacotherapy. Nonparametric tests were used to compare groups on numeric variables, χ2 tests were used to compare groups on nominal variables, and McNemar's test was used to compare dichotomous responses within subjects. RESULTS: All respondents were familiar with the term "secondhand smoke," and >75% were familiar with "thirdhand smoke" (THS). Familiarity with THS was associated with more recent completion of training (P = .04). Former smokers (7%) were less likely to agree that THS has a significant impact on a child's health (P = .04). Hospitalists ask about TSE more often than they provide counseling, resources, or pharmacotherapy to caregivers who want to quit smoking. Hospitalists are more likely to ask about TSE and provide cessation counseling when patients have asthma as opposed to other diseases. Time was identified by 41% of respondents as a barrier for providing counseling and by 26% of respondents as a barrier for providing resources. Most respondents never prescribe pharmacotherapy (72%), nor do they follow-up with caregivers after hospitalization regarding cessation (87%). CONCLUSIONS: Although most respondents ask about TSE, opportunities are missed for counseling and providing support to caregivers who want to quit smoking. Providers should be educated about THS, and systems should be streamlined to facilitate brief counseling sessions.

Diagnostic Value of Acoustic and Aerodynamic Measurements in Vocal Fold Movement Disorders and their Correlation with Laryngeal Electromyography and Voice Handicap Index.

OBJECTIVES: Investigate the relationships between the Voice Handicap Index, laryngeal electromyography, and objective acoustic voice testing in order to determine the utility of these measures in the management of vocal fold movement disorders. METHODS: A retrospective review of patients who had completed a Voice Handicap Index-10 (VHI-10) questionnaire, laryngeal electromyography (LEMG), and objective acoustic measurements (including jitter, relative average perturbation, shimmer, noise-to-harmonic ratio, and standard deviation of fundamental frequency). All three tests had been completed within 30 days of the initial evaluation. All patients' results for acoustic measures were recorded as standard deviations from the norm. LEMG results were converted to grade of paresis (mild, moderate, severe) based on the muscle with the lowest recruitment. Spearman correlation coefficients were calculated to determine the relationship between these three parameters. RESULTS: A total of 313 subjects were included in the analysis. VHI-10, LEMG (grade of paresis), and objective acoustic measures were, at best, weakly correlated. VHI-10 was better correlated than LEMG to each acoustic parameter including the average acoustic scores; however, the highest correlation observed only reached ρ = 0.349 (P < 0.001). The acoustic variables that correlated best with VHI-10 and LEMG were the standard deviation of the fundamental frequency (ρ = 0.349, P < 0.001) and shimmer (ρ = 0.207, P < 0.001), respectively. CONCLUSION: This study demonstrates that these measures are, at best, weakly associated. VHI-10 correlated better than LEMG (grade of paresis) to each acoustic voice analysis parameter. However, the maximum correlation coefficient observed was 0.349. Therefore, VHI-10 scores and objective voice acoustic measurements are not useful for predicting the severity of vocal fold movement disorders. Moreover, a given severity of paresis can have different effects on voice handicap and acoustic output in different individuals.

Sequence of Pelvic Examination Does Not Affect Patients With Baseline Vulvovaginal Syndromes: A Randomized Clinical Trial.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study is to determine the optimal sequence in performing a pelvic examination to reduce discomfort in patients with baseline vaginal pain. METHODS: A randomized controlled trial of women presenting for a new appointment at the Drexel Vaginitis Center was conducted. Women were assigned to either group A, a Q-tip touch test, speculum examination, then bimanual examination, or group B, a Q-tip touch test, bimanual examination, then speculum examination. The primary outcome was visual analog scales to assess pain at baseline and after each portion of the examination. Secondary outcomes were responses to questionnaires for self-esteem, quality of life, and sexual function. RESULTS: Two hundred women were enrolled in the trial. For both group A and group B, each portion of the examination was similarly scored regardless of whether the speculum examination was performed before or after bimanual examination. Pain during the speculum examination was higher than pain during the other components of the examination, although not significant (P = 0.65).When looking at reported pain outcomes, outcomes did not differ as a whole or between groups in relation to sexual activity, sexual orientation, and previous hysterectomy. The data were not significantly different between groups for self-esteem scores, sexual dysfunction, or quality of life scores. CONCLUSION: In women with baseline vaginal pain, there was no difference in pain scores between the different components of the pelvic examination, nor is there a significant difference in pain during the examination compared with their baseline pain. Most patients reported minimal pain during each component.

Shoulder impairment and pain of individuals with newly acquired spinal cord injury compared to uninjured peers.

STUDY DESIGN: Cohort study. OBJECTIVES: Shoulder pain prevalence is high in those with spinal cord injury (SCI) and is associated with decreased function, participation restrictions and decreased quality of life. Limited evidence exists regarding physical impairments of newly acquired SCI. The current study compared musculoskeletal factors at rehabilitation initiation in individuals with newly acquired SCI to uninjured individuals. We hypothesized no impairment differences of shoulder pain, strength, mobility, muscle extensibility, or rotator cuff integrity would exist between groups. SETTING: Multi-site laboratory setting. METHODS: Thirty-five individuals with newly acquired SCI and age and gender-matched controls without SCI (n = 34) participated. Musculoskeletal Pain Survey, shoulder range of motion (ROM), strength, pectoralis minor muscle extensibility (PM) and tissue integrity [Ultrasound Pathology Rating Scale (USPRS)] were obtained. RESULTS: Higher pain was reported by individuals experiencing new SCI along with lower strength across all bilateral measures, reduced elevation, external rotation, and horizontal adduction ROM, with large effect sizes. PM bilateral extensibility was reduced compared to controls, with moderate between group effect size; however, no USPRS score difference existed. CONCLUSIONS: This study provided the first comprehensive clinical description for individuals with newly acquired SCI. In comparison to matched uninjured controls, participants with new SCI reported greater shoulder pain with impairments in mobility, strength, and extensibility. The identified early clinical impairments aligned with progressive impairment including further pain development and persistence. Awareness and modification of these early clinical impairments may lead to improved long-term outcomes, improving the overall health and well-being of individuals with newly acquired SCI. SPONSORSHIP: Spinal Cord Injury Research Program Investigator-Initiated Research Award under Award No. W81XWH-17-1-0476.

Hepatitis C antibody screening and determinants of initial and duplicate screening in the baby boomer patients of six urban primary care clinics.

INTRODUCTION: In 2012, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention released updated guidelines recommending universal, one-time hepatitis C virus screening for all individuals born between 1945 and 1965. Prior to the implementation of these guidelines, testing rates were inappropriately low, but unnecessary duplicate antibody testing was also problematic. In the era of increased efforts to screen "baby boomers", the prevalence and social determinants of initial and duplicate hepatitis C testing have not been well described. METHODS: A hepatitis C screening program was implemented at six urban primary care clinics affiliated with Drexel University College of Medicine. Data was collected regarding the screening patterns in these clinics. Annual screening rates for the program were assessed. Multivariate logistic regression analyses were used to examine the association of demographic variables and the outcomes of subjects having ever been tested and subjects having received duplicate testing. RESULTS: Following the implementation of the program, the screening rate increased from 16% in the first year of analysis to 82% in the final year of analysis. Of the 6,717 patients screened, 1,207 had duplicate testing, of which 14% had inappropriate duplicate antibody screening. African Americans and Asian patients had a higher odds of being screened. Patients with public insurance had a higher odds of duplicate screening. CONCLUSIONS: In the setting of an aggressive hepatitis C screening program, high testing rates may be attained in a target population. However, inappropriate duplicate antibody testing rates may be high, which may be a burden in resource-limited settings.

Predictors of medical students' ethical decision-making: A pilot study using the Theory of Interpersonal Behavior.

OBJECTIVE: To understand medical students' (MS) ethical decision-making using the Theory of Interpersonal Behavior (TIB). METHODS: We conducted two rounds of focus groups to develop a TIB-based questionnaire by eliciting students' perspectives on an ethical dilemma they will encounter in a standardized patient (SP) station, in which an SP "surgeon" asked them to intubate a sedated patient whom the student knew had requested no student involvement. We administrated questionnaires to 241 third-year MS following this SP station, asking for their decisions in the SP station and if a surgeon made the same request in their clerkship. Confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) was used to test whether observed data fit the proposed TIB-based model. RESULTS: The CFA provided an acceptable fit to the a priori proposed model. Fifty-five percent of students indicated they would intubate in an actual situation versus 18% in the SP station (p < 0.05). Using logistic regression, TIB domains affect and facilitating factors reported significant association with students' decisions in both the SP and hypothesized actual situations. CONCLUSIONS: The TIB appears to be an effective theoretical framework for explaining students' ethical decision-making. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS: The TIB may guide design and assessment of educational programs for professional formation.

Burden of Uncontrolled Hyperglycemia and Its Association with Patients Characteristics and Socioeconomic Status in Philadelphia, USA.

Purpose: To examine the burden of uncontrolled hyperglycemia in patients with diabetes mellitus (DM) and their characteristics in a large urban city. Methods: A randomized sample of 4993 patients with DM ≥18 years old who received routine health care in a large university teaching hospital in the city of Philadelphia was analyzed. Uncontrolled hyperglycemia was classified as blood hemoglobin A1c >8%. The associations of uncontrolled hyperglycemia with sociodemographic and cardiovascular factors were analyzed using univariate and multivariate analysis methods. Results: The results show that patients 18-54 years had the highest prevalence of uncontrolled hyperglycemia (36.0%), followed by those at age 55-64 (30.9%), 65-74 (22.9%), and ≥75 (20.6%) years (p<0.0001). Unadjusted hyperglycemia was significantly associated with patients with increased total cholesterol to high-density lipoprotein ratio (odds ratio [OR]=1.59, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.33-1.90, p<0.001), and with prevalent coronary heart disease (OR=1.39, 95% CI: 1.16-1.67, p=0.001). Patients living in neighborhoods with lower socioeconomic status (SES) had significantly higher uncontrolled hyperglycemia rates across the city (r=0.52, R 2=0.27, p=0.03). Conclusions: Findings of this study is one of the first studies to address that younger adults had higher rates of uncontrolled hyperglycemia. Further attention should be paid to the challenges of controlling DM in younger adults and patients who live in neighborhoods with lower SES.

Development of student goals in school-based practice: physical therapists' experiences and perceptions.

Purpose: Development of individualized student goals is integral to special education. Although United States federal legislation and state, local, and professional guidelines outline preferred goal development processes, actual practice does not always reflect ideal practice. The purposes of this research were to understand how physical therapists develop student goals and to identify facilitators and barriers to development of participation-based goals.Methods: Twenty school-based physical therapists participated in one of five semi-structured focus groups. Two researchers conducted thematic analysis of transcriptions of audio recordings to identify qualitative themes; a third researcher reviewed the analysis.Results: Five themes emerged related to therapists' recommendations for goal development: (1) Understand the student: The foundation for individualized goal development, (2) Teaming: The critical component to integrate varied perceptions and establish a common vision, (3) Relevant focus of goal: Addressing what is meaningful for a student's day, (4) Best practices: Embracing professional advances, and (5) Develop and write the goal: The art and science of writing goals. The first four themes also reflected facilitators and barriers to development of participation-based goals.Conclusions: Therapists' comments reflected striving to follow ideal practice recommendations despite identified challenges. This research helps educational teams understand and reflect on goal development processes.Implications for rehabilitationAlthough writing goals is a foundational task in school-based practice, meaningful goal development is a complex process.School-based physical therapists recommend working closely with students, parents, teachers, and other members of the educational team to establish good communication, trust, and a shared philosophy of collaboration and responsibility for student goalsA thorough understanding of the student serves as the foundation for developing individualized student goals.Educational teams are encouraged to understand professional, federal, state, and local guidelines and embrace professional advances in goal development practices.

Development of clinical tracheostomy score to identify cervical spinal cord injury patients requiring prolonged ventilator support.

BACKGROUND: Cervical spinal cord injuries often necessitate ventilator support (VS). Prolonged endotracheal tube use has conveyed substantial morbidity in prospective study. Tracheostomy is recommended if VS is anticipated to be 7 days or longer, which defines prolonged ventilation (PV). Identifying these patients on arrival and before tracheostomy need is readily evident could prevent morbidity while lowering hospital costs. We aimed to create a tracheostomy score (trach score) to identify patients requiring PV and who could benefit from immediate tracheostomy. METHODS: A review of patients with cervical spine fractures and cervical spinal cord injuries from 2005 to 2017 from the Pennsylvania Trauma Outcome Study database was performed. Patients were excluded for missing data, no use of VS or death in less than 7 days. Patients were selected for a training set or validation set by state identification number. We used automated forward stepwise selection to select a logistic model. Significant continuous variables were dichotomized to create a simplified screening score (trach score) and this was applied to the validation set. RESULTS: Needing ventilation for 7 or more days was positively associated with higher Injury Severity Scores having a complete or anterior injury, and having a motor cord injury from C1 to C4. Application of the logistic model to the validation data produced a receiver operating characteristic curve with area under the curve of 0.7712, with 95% confidence limit (CL) of 0.6943 to 0.8481. The validation receiver operating characteristic curve was statistically better than chance using a contrast test with χ with p value less than 0.01. In the validation set, a trach score of 0 correlated to 33% needing PV, a score of 1 with 67% needing PV, 2 with 85%, and 3 with 98%. CONCLUSION: Use of the trach score identified the majority of patients requiring prolonged VS in our study. An early tracheostomy protocol using predictive modeling could aid in reduction of intensive care unit length of stay and improving ventilator weaning in these patients. External verification of this predictive tool and of an early tracheostomy protocol is needed. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: This work is a retrospective prognostic cohort study and meets evidence Level III criteria.

The impact of sex on risk of cardiovascular disease and all-cause mortality in adults with or without diabetes mellitus: A comparison between the U.S. and Japan.

AIMS: To test a hypothesis that women with diabetes mellitus (DM) versus those without DM had a significantly higher risk of heart disease (HD), stroke and all-cause mortality than their male counterparts in the U.S. as well as in Japan. METHODS: We analyzed two nationally representative datasets, one from the U.S. NHANES III cohort (n = 13,169), and the other from the Japan NIPPON DATA90 cohort (n = 7445). Hazard ratios (HRs) of DM for risk of mortality and sex-DM interaction effect on mortality were analyzed prospectively using Cox's proportional hazards regression models. RESULTS: Patients with DM had significantly higher mortality from HD, stroke and all-cause mortality in the U.S. and in Japan. However, the HRs of DM versus non-DM for HD and all-cause mortality were significantly higher in women compared to men in the U.S. (sex-DM interaction: HR = 1.59, p = 0.01, and 1.24, p = 0.045 for HD and all-cause mortality), but the sex-DM interaction effect was not statistically significant in the Japanese cohort. DISCUSSION: Patients with DM had a significantly higher risk of mortality than those without DM in the U.S. and Japan. However, women with DM versus those without DM had a higher relative risk of HD and all-cause mortality than their counterparts in men in the U.S, but this sex difference by DM status was not observed in the Japanese cohort. Whether the sex-difference effect of DM on HD and all-cause mortality is due to a difference in metabolic disorders between the two populations warrants consideration and further studies.

Effects of a Collaborative Intervention Process on Parent Empowerment and Child Performance: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

AIMS: To examine the effects of a four-step collaborative intervention process on parent and child outcomes and describe parents' and therapists' experiences. METHODS: Eighteen children with physical disabilities, their mothers, and 16 physical therapists participated. Therapists randomized to the experimental group were instructed in the collaborative intervention process. All family-therapist dyads participated in six weekly sessions. Outcomes included the adapted Family Empowerment Scale (FES) and Canadian Occupational Performance Measure (COPM). A questionnaire was completed by parents and therapists to rate and describe their experiences. RESULTS: Mean scores on the FES (p <.05) and COPM (p <.001) increased after intervention but there were no group differences (p >.05). Effect size for change in child performance (.73) and parent satisfaction (1.08) on the COPM favored the experimental group. Parents in the experimental group were more confident in carrying out activities during daily routines (p =.01) and worked together with therapists to a greater extent (p =.01) than parents in the comparison group. Therapists in the experimental group perceived that they provided information/instruction (p <.01) and worked together with parents (p =.02) to a greater extent than therapists in the comparison group. CONCLUSIONS: Findings support the importance of shared goal setting for children's activities. Further research is recommended.