Health-related quality of life and social determinants of health following COVID-19 infection in a predominantly Latino population.

BACKGROUND: As the COVID-19 pandemic evolves, more information is needed on its long-term impacts on health-related quality of life (HRQoL) and social determinants of health (SDoH). The aim of the study was to assess HRQoL and SDoH among a predominantly Latino population of COVID-19 survivors and to compare effects in Latinos versus non-Latinos. METHODS: This cross-sectional study consisted of a survey (in English and Spanish) of COVID-19 survivors from December 2020 to July 2021. The study assessed sociodemographic data, clinical characteristics, and SDoH, consisting of 10 COVID-19-related concerns. The PROMIS-29 + 2 (PROPr) measure, which captures 8 HRQoL domains and a preference-based health utility, was used to assess HRQoL. Bivariate analyses included chi-square tests and t-tests. Generalized linear models were conducted for multivariable analyses. RESULTS: Of 230 respondents (6.3% response rate), the mean [SD] age was 43.1 [14.3] years; 83.0% were Latino; the mean [SD] time since diagnosis was 8.1 [3.2] months; and 12.6% had a history of hospitalization with COVID-19. HRQoL scores were slightly worse than population norms on all domains, especially anxiety; the mean [SD] PROPr health utility was 0.36 [0.25]. Domain scores were similar by ethnicity except for cognitive function-abilities, where scores were lower in Latinos. Multivariable analyses revealed that: (1) financial concerns were associated with worse health utility, as well as worse scores on all 8 PROMIS domains; (2) interpersonal conflict was associated with worse health utility and worse scores on 6 of the 8 PROMIS domains (anxiety, depression, fatigue, sleep disturbance, social function, and pain interference); and (3) Latino ethnicity was only associated with 1 PROMIS domain (cognitive function-abilities) after controlling for covariates. CONCLUSION: COVID-19 infection is associated with HRQoL decrements long after the acute infection, and financial concerns and interpersonal conflict are particularly associated with worse HRQoL.

Blood biomarkers for cognitive decline and clinical progression in a Mexican American cohort.

Introduction: The clinical translation of biofluid markers for dementia requires validation in diverse cohorts. The study goal was to evaluate if blood biomarkers reflecting diverse pathophysiological processes predict disease progression in Mexican American adults. Methods: Mexican American adults (n = 745), 50 years of age and older, completed annual assessments over a mean of 4 years. Serum collected at baseline was assayed for total tau, neurofilament light (NFL), ubiquitin carboxyl-terminal hydrolase LI, glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP), soluble cluster of differentiation 14 (sCD14), and chitinase-3-like protein 1 (YKL-40). Results: Higher GFAP and NFL were associated with global cognitive decline. Only GFAP was associated with increased incident dementia risk (hazard ratio: 1.611 (95% confidence interval: 1.204-2.155)) and inclusion of additional biomarkers did not improve model fit. Discussion: Among a panel of six blood biomarkers previously associated with neurodegenerative disease, only GFAP predicted incident dementia in our cohort. The findings suggest that blood GFAP levels may aid dementia-risk prediction among Mexican American adults.

Absolute Prostate Specific Antigen after 6 Months of Androgen Deprivation Therapy Is a Predictor of Overall and Cancer-Specific Mortality in Men with Hormone-Sensitive Prostate Cancer.

PURPOSE: We sought to determine if absolute prostate specific antigen (PSA) value after 6 months of androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) is predictive of subsequent survival in patients with prostate adenocarcinoma. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We performed a retrospective review of men receiving care within the Veterans Health Administration who initiated ADT for prostate adenocarcinoma. We used low- (≤0.2 ng/ml), intermediate- (>0.2 to 4 ng/ml) and high-risk (>4 ng/ml) absolute PSA values after 6-9 months of ADT, previously described in Southwest Oncology Group trial 9346. The primary endpoints were all-cause mortality and prostate cancer-specific mortality (PCSM). Kaplan-Meier survival curves for each PSA category were estimated and log-rank test was conducted. We employed Cox regression analysis adjusted for covariates and inverse propensity score weights associated with PSA categories to estimate the PSA category association with PCSM and all-cause mortality. RESULTS: We identified 9,170 patients in our cohort. Following ADT induction, 3,508 patients had low, 3,419 had intermediate and 2,243 had high PSA values. Two- and 5-year survival rates for low, intermediate and high PSA groups were 93.9% and 85.2% vs 88.6% and 71.2% vs 63.6% and 38.6%, respectively (p <0.0001). Patients in the high and intermediate PSA categories had a 15-fold and 3-fold higher risk of PCSM compared to those with PSA <0.2 ng/ml (p <0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: Absolute PSA in hormone-sensitive prostate cancer after 6-9 months of ADT is a predictor of overall mortality and PCSM. This measure can rapidly assess the efficacy of new interventions in phase 2 clinical trials.

Intranasal Oxytocin Improves Lean Muscle Mass and Lowers LDL Cholesterol in Older Adults with Sarcopenic Obesity: A Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial.

OBJECTIVES: Obesity is associated with sarcopenia in older adults, and weight loss can lead to further muscle mass loss. Oxytocin decreases with age, and animal studies suggest that oxytocin administration has trophic effects on skeletal muscle cells and reduces adiposity. We conducted a clinical trial to examine the safety and preliminary efficacy of intranasal oxytocin for older adults with sarcopenic obesity. DESIGN: A double-blind, placebo-controlled randomized controlled trial of intranasal oxytocin (24 IU 4 times per day) for 8 weeks. SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS: Twenty-one older (67.5 ± 5.4 years), obese (30-43 kg/m2), sedentary (<2 strenuous exercise per week) adults with slow gait speed (<1 m/s, proxy measure of sarcopenia) were recruited. MEASURES: Generalized estimating equations were used to evaluate the effect of oxytocin on safety/tolerability of oxytocin administration and whole body muscle and fat mass. RESULTS: At baseline, body mass index (BMI) was 36.8 ± 3.6 kg/m2, fat mass 46.09 ± 6.99 kg, lean mass 50.98 ± 11.77 kg, fasting plasma glucose (FPG) 92.0 ± 8.9 mg/dL, hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) 5.7% ± 0.4%, low density lipoprotein (LDL) 111.3 ± 41.5 mg/dL, high-density lipoprotein (HDL) 47.85 ± 10.96 mg/dL, and triglycerides 140.55 ± 83.50 mg/dL. Oxytocin administration was well tolerated without any significant adverse events. Oxytocin led to a significant increase of 2.25 kg in whole body lean mass compared with placebo (P < .01) with a trend toward decreasing fat mass, and a significantly reduced plasma LDL cholesterol by -19.3 mg/dL (P = .023) compared against placebo. There were no significant changes in BMI, appetite scores, glycemia, plasma HDL, triglycerides, or depressive symptoms. CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS: This proof-of-concept study indicates that oxytocin may be useful for the treatment of sarcopenic obesity in older adults. Oxytocin administration may also provide additional cardiovascular benefits.

Persistent Pain, Physical Dysfunction, and Decreased Quality of Life After Combat Extremity Vascular Trauma.

BACKGROUND: Combat-related extremity vascular injuries (EVI) have long-lasting impact on Iraq/Afghanistan veterans. The purpose of this study is to describe long-term functional outcomes in veterans with EVI using survey measures and identify modifiable factors that may be improved to reduce chronic pain and injury-related dysfunction. METHODS: Veterans with upper and lower EVI undergoing an initial limb salvage attempt were identified using the Department of Defense Trauma Registry and validated with chart abstraction. Surveys measured pain; Short Musculoskeletal Function Assessment (SMFA) for self-reported bother and dysfunction; and Veterans RAND 12-Item Health Survey (VR-12) physical and mental component scores (PCS; MCS) for quality of life, depression, post-traumatic stress disorder, and the potentially modifiable factors of reintegration into civilian life, resilient coping, resilience, and family functioning. RESULTS: Eighty-one patients responded with an average time since injury of 129 months (SD: 31; range 67-180 months). Mechanism of injury included 64% explosions and 31% gunshot wounds; 16% of the respondents were diagnosed with moderate/severe/penetrating traumatic brain injury. Limb salvage rates were 100% and 77% for upper and lower extremities, respectively (P = 0.004). Respondents screened positive for probable depression (55%) and post-traumatic stress disorder (51%). Compared with population norms, SMFA bother and dysfunction indices were higher (worse), MCS was lower (worse), and PCS was similar. The multivariable models adjusted for age, marital status and pain. The higher SMFA is part of the results of the multivariable models. MCS decreased with difficulty reintegrating into civilian life and was positively correlated with increased resilience and resilient coping. SMFA scores were greater for patients with high pain intensity and increased 6-11 points per point increase in difficulty with civilian-life reintegration. SMFA dysfunction was associated with better family functioning. CONCLUSIONS: EVI results in significant long-term disability with lasting deficits in physical function, frequent depressive symptoms, and below average self-reported quality of life. Strengthening modifiable factors including resiliency and resilient coping, and providing ongoing assistance to improve reintegration into civilian life, may ameliorate the functional disabilities and chronic pain experienced by veterans with EVI.

A geriatrics walking clinic improves hemoglobin A1c and timed gait in older veterans with type 2 diabetes.

Over one quarter of older adults in the U.S. has diabetes; and, physical activity is important for the promotion of healthy aging in this population. The purpose of this clinical demonstration project is to evaluate the effect of physical activity in the form of walking on glycemic control and timed gait in older Veterans with type 2 diabetes (T2D). Veterans aged ≥60 years were enrolled in the Geriatrics Walking Clinic (GWC), a clinical demonstration project, at South Texas Veterans Health Care System. GWC is a 6-week clinical program that promotes physical activity and is delivered by a registered nurse/diabetes educator and geriatrician. Veterans were recruited from the VA clinics. Enrolled patients received a pedometer at an initial face-to-face visit, were followed with weekly phone calls to monitor steps/day, received encouragement, and participated in a final face-to-face visit at the end of 6 weeks. In a sub-set of patients with T2D, we performed a chart review and recorded Hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) at 3, 6, and 12 months after completion of the program. Timed Gait, a major characteristic of frailty, was measured at baseline and after completing the program. Change in HbA1c and timed gait compared to baseline was examined using paired t-tests. Sixty-two patients had HbA1c values available and were included in this analysis. Of these, 36, 52, and 61 patients had repeat HbA1c at 3, 6, and 12 months after the intervention, respectively. Mean age was 68 ± 6 years, 58% were Hispanic, and 92% males. HbA1c improved at 3 months (-0.49, 95% CI: -0.87 to -0.12, p=0.013), at 6 months (-0.40, 95% CI: -0.68 to -0.12, p=0.006), and at 12 months (-0.30, 95% CI: -0.57 to -0.029, p=0.031) compared to baseline. Timed Gait also improved (9.3 ±1.7 vs. 10.2 ±1.8, p<0.001). The finding highlights that older patients with T2D benefit from a GWC with improved glycemic control and timed gait.

Joint trajectories of cognition and gait speed in Mexican American and European American older adults: The San Antonio longitudinal study of aging.

OBJECTIVES: Cognitive decline and gait speed slowing are independent predictors of disability and mortality. While both factors increase in prevalence with advancing age, little is known about their combined patterns of change. The study goal was to identify joint trajectories of cognition and gait speed within an aging bi-ethnic cohort of Mexican Americans and European Americans. METHODS/DESIGN: Participants included 182 Mexican Americans and 188 European Americans, ages 65 to 74, who were followed over a mean of 9.5 years. Cognition was assessed with the mini-mental state examination and gait speed was examined with a timed 10-ft walk. Joint trajectory classes of cognition and gait speed were identified with latent growth mixture modeling. Odd-ratios assessed predictors for trajectory classes. RESULTS: Three latent trajectory classes were identified: (a) relatively stable cognition and gait (termed stable cognition and gait class, 65.4%); (b) deteriorating cognition and gait (termed cognitive and physical vulnerability class, 22.2%); (c) stable cognition and deteriorating gait (termed physical vulnerability class, 12.4%). The odds of classification in the cognitive and physical vulnerability class vs stable cognition and gait class was associated with Mexican American ethnicity (OR = 3.771, P = .016), age (OR = 1.186, P = .017), income (OR = 0.828, P = .029), education (OR = 0.703, P < .001), and diabetes (OR = 4.547, P = .010). The odds of classification in the physical vulnerability class was associated with female sex (OR = 6.481, P = .004) and body mass index (OR = 1.118, P = .025). CONCLUSIONS: The trajectories of cognition and gait speed were generally parallel, suggesting the two domains may act synergistically to shape important health outcomes. Socioeconomic disparities and Mexican American ethnicity independently conferred risk for accelerated decline.

Patency of arterial repairs from wartime extremity vascular injuries.

BACKGROUND: Extremity vascular injury (EVI) causes significant disability in Veterans of the Afghanistan/Iraq conflicts. Advancements in acute trauma care improved survival and decreased amputations. The study of wartime EVI has relied on successful limb salvage as a surrogate for vascular repair. We used imaging studies as a specific measure of arterial repair durability. METHODS: Service members with EVI were identified using the Department of Defense Trauma Registry and validated by chart abstraction. Inclusion criteria for the arterial patency subgroup included an initial repair attempt with subsequent imaging reports (duplex ultrasound, CT angiography, and angiogram) documenting initial patency. RESULTS: The cohort of 527 included 140 Veterans with available imaging studies for 143 arterial repairs; median follow-up from injury time to last available imaging study was 19 months (Q1-Q3: 3-58; range: 1-175). Injury mechanism was predominantly explosions (52%) and gunshot wounds (42%). Of the 143 arterial repairs, 81% were vein grafts. Eight repairs were occluded, replaced or included in extremity amputations. One upper extremity and three transtibial late amputations were performed for chronic pain and poor function averaging 27 months (SD: 4; range: 24-32). Kaplan-Meier analysis estimated patency rates of 99%, 97%, 95%, 91% and 91% at 3, 6, 12, 24, and 36 months, respectively, with similar results for upper and lower extremity repairs. Explosive and gunshot wound injury mechanisms had similar patency rates and upper extremity injuries repaired with vein grafts had increased patency. CONCLUSIONS: Arterial repair mid-term patency in combat-related extremity injuries is excellent based on imaging studies for 143 repairs. Assertive attempts at acute limb salvage and vascular repair are justified with decisions for amputation versus limb salvage based on the overall condition of the patient and degree of concomitant nerve, orthopedic and soft tissue injuries rather than the presence of arterial injuries. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Therapeutic/care management, level IV.

Metformin modifies disparity in hepatocellular carcinoma incidence in men with type 2 diabetes but without chronic liver diseases.

BACKGROUND: We assessed racial/ethnic disparity in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) incidence among men with type 2 diabetes (T2D) but without chronic liver diseases (CLD), and whether metformin use modified the disparity. METHODS: Study cohort: the nationwide Veterans Administration Health Care System electronic medical records among 40-89 years old men with T2D; without CLD, cancer, cardiovascular or renal diseases previously; insulin and thiazolidinedione naive. Logistic regression analyses compared HCC incidence between race/ethnicity groups under no metformin use adjusted for covariates and inverse propensity score weights (IPSW) for race/ethnicity. The generalizability technique integrated with IPSW was incorporated to compare covariates adjusted odds ratios (aOR) of HCC associated with metformin use among race/ethnicity groups. RESULTS: Study cohort: N = 84 433; 79.47% non-Hispanic white (NHW), 15.5% non-Hispanic African American (NHAA), 5.03% Hispanics; 36.76% metformin users; follow-up 6.10 ± 2.87 years; age 67.8 ± 9.8 years, HbA1c 6.57 ± 0.98%; 0.14% HCC cases. Under no metformin use, HCC incidence was lower for NHAA vs NHW (aOR = 0.60 [0.40-0.92]), similar between NHW and Hispanics. Metformin was associated with reduced HCC risk: aOR = 0.57 (0.40-0.81) for NHW; aOR = 0.35 (0.25-0.47) for NHAA; aOR = 0.31 (0.22-0.43) for Hispanics. Metformin dose >1000 mg/d was neutral for NHW; less effective for NHAA (P = 0.02); more effective for Hispanics (P = 0.002). CONCLUSIONS: In men with T2D but without CLD nor metformin use, HCC incidence was lower for NHAA compared to NHW or Hispanics; similar between NHW and Hispanics. Metformin use reduced HCC risk and modified the race/ethnicity disparity. IMPACT: Metformin's heterogeneous HCC prevention effect elucidates potential interventions to modify HCC disparity in patients with T2D.

A Pharmacist-Led Transitional Care Program to Reduce Hospital Readmissions in Older Adults.

Medication reconciliation and patient education during admission and after discharge helped older patients remain independent at home.

Association of parental status and diagnosis of posttraumatic stress disorder among veterans of Operations Iraqi and Enduring Freedom.

Research indicates that concerns about disruption of family relationships during military service may be associated with greater posttraumatic stress symptomatology. The current study sought to extend previous findings by examining the relative odds of a posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) diagnosis among Operations Enduring and Iraqi Freedom (OEF/OIF) veterans with dependent children versus veterans without dependent children. Administrative databases were queried to identify 36,334 OEF/OIF veterans with dependent children seeking care in the Veterans Health Administration (VA) during fiscal years 2006-2009. These veterans were matched 1:1 on age, gender, and demobilization date to veterans without dependent children (N = 72,668). In unconditional analyses, OEF/OIF veterans with dependent children versus those without were significantly more likely to incur a PTSD diagnosis (44% vs. 28%). After controlling for demographic variables, mental health utilization, and other serious mental illness, OEF/OIF veterans with dependent children were about 40% more likely to carry a diagnosis of PTSD. The association was stronger for men than for women. It may be of value for clinicians to consider parental status when assessing and treating veterans with PTSD. In-depth study of OEF/OIF veterans is needed to determine whether disruption of family relationships leads to increased psychological stress or parents are more likely than nonparents to seek VA mental health services for PTSD symptoms.

Use of Health Care System-Supplied Aspirin by Veterans With Postoperative Heart Attack or Unstable Angina.

Evidence-based guidelines for the use of aspirin in secondary prevention of cardiovascular disease events are well established. Despite this, the prevalence of aspirin use for secondary prevention is suboptimal. The study aimed to determine the prevalence of aspirin use for secondary prevention of cardiovascular disease events when it is dispensed as a prescription, as is performed in the Veterans Affairs (VA) managed care system. VA patients who had undergone major surgery and experienced a postoperative myocardial infarction (MI) or unstable angina between the years 2005 and 2009 were identified from administrative databases. VA pharmacy records were used to determine whether a prescription for aspirin was filled after the postoperative MI or unstable angina. Multivariable logistic regression models estimated odd ratios of filling aspirin prescriptions for the predictors of interest. Of the 321,131 men and women veterans who underwent major surgery, 7,700 experienced a postoperative MI or unstable angina. Among those 7,700, 47% filled an aspirin prescription. Only 59% of veterans with no co-pay filled an aspirin prescription. Aspirin fills were more common in younger veterans, Blacks, Hispanics, males, hypertensive veterans, mentally ill patients, those with no co-pay and those prescribed antiplatelets/anticoagulants in addition to aspirin postoperatively. These findings suggest that the impact of dispensing aspirin as a prescription may not be significant in increasing the appropriate use of aspirin for secondary prevention.

Posttransplantation Outcomes in Veterans With Serious Mental Illness.

BACKGROUND: Anticipating poor recovery due to impaired self-management and appointment-keeping, clinicians may consider serious mental illness (SMI) a significant concern in organ transplantation. However, little empirical evidence exists regarding posttransplantation outcomes for patients with SMI. METHODS: This study analyzed health services data to evaluate posttransplantation 3-year survival by SMI status in a nationwide cohort of patients in the Veterans Health Administration (VHA). RESULTS: A total of 960 recipients of solid organ or bone marrow transplants were identified from Veterans Health Administration administrative data extracts for fiscal years 2006 to 2009. Of these, 164 (17%) had an SMI diagnosis before transplantation (schizophrenia, posttraumatic stress, major depressive, and bipolar disorders); 301 (31%) had some other mental illness diagnosis (such as anxiety, adjustment reactions, or substance abuse); and 495 (52%) had no mental health diagnosis. Twenty-two patients (2%) required retransplantation and 208 patients (22%) died during follow-up. Data on whether these were primary or repeat transplantations were unavailable. Rates of attendance at postoperative outpatient visits and number of months for which immunosuppressive drugs fills were recorded were similar among mental illness groups, as were rates of diagnosed immunological rejection. Three-year mortality was equivalent among mental health groups: no mental health (19%) versus other mental illness (23%) versus SMI (27%; χ(2) = 5.11; df = 2; P = .08). In adjusted survival models, no effect of mental health status was observed. CONCLUSIONS: Serious mental illness diagnosis does not appear to be associated with adverse transplantation outcomes over the first 3 years; however, a potentially diverging survival curve may portend higher mortality at 5 years.

Prevalence of suicidality among Hispanic and African American veterans following surgery.

OBJECTIVES: We evaluated factors associated with suicidal behavior and ideation (SBI) during 3 years of follow-up among 89,995 Veterans Health Administration (VHA) patients who underwent major surgery from October 2005 to September 2006. METHODS: We analyzed administrative data using Cox proportional hazards models. SBI was ascertained by International Classification of Disease, 9th Revision codes. RESULTS: African Americans (18% of sample; 16,252) were at an increased risk for SBI (hazard ratio [HR] = 1.21; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.10, 1.32), whereas Hispanics were not (HR = 1.10; 95% CI = 0.95, 1.28). Other risk factors included schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, depression, posttraumatic stress disorder, pain disorders, postoperative new-onset depression, and postoperative complications; female gender and married status were protective against SBI. CONCLUSIONS: The postoperative period might be a time of heightened risk for SBI among minority patients in the VHA. Tailored monitoring and postoperative management by minority status might be required to achieve care equity.