Meaningful Use of an Electronic Personal Health Record (ePHR) among Pediatric Cancer Survivors.

Background and Objectivs: Survivors of pediatric and adolescent cancer are at an increased risk of chronic and debilitating health conditions and require life-long specialized care. Stand-alone electronic personal health records (ePHRs) may aid their self-management. This analysis characterizes young adult survivors and parents who meaningfully use an ePHR, Cancer SurvivorLinkTM, designed for survivors of pediatric and adolescent cancer. METHODS: This was a retrospective observational study of patients seen at a pediatric survivor clinic for annual survivor care. Young adult survivors and/or parent proxies for survivors <18 years old who completed ePHR registration prior to their appointment or within 90 days were classified as registrants. Registrants who uploaded or downloaded a document and/or shared their record were classified as meaningful users. RESULTS: Overall, 23.7% (148/624) of survivors/parents registered and 38% of registrants used SurvivorLink meaningfully. Young adult registrants who transferred to adult care during the study period were more likely to be meaningful users (aOR: 2.6 (95% CI: 1.1, 6.1)) and used the ePHR twice as frequently as those who continued to receive care in our institution's pediatric survivor clinic. Among survivors who continued to receive care at our institution, being a registrant was associated with having an annual follow-up visit (aOR: 2.6 (95% CI: 1.2, 5.8)). CONCLUSIONS: While ePHRs may not be utilized by all survivors, SurvivorLink is a resource for a subset and may serve as an important bridge for patients who transfer their care. Using SurvivorLink was also associated with receiving recommended annual survivor care.

Yield of screening echocardiograms during pediatric follow-up in survivors treated with anthracyclines and cardiotoxic radiation.

BACKGROUND: Guidelines published by the Children's Oncology Group recommend screening echocardiograms for childhood cancer survivors exposed to anthracyclines and/or cardiotoxic radiation. This study aims to assess risk factors for cardiac late effects while evaluating the overall yield of screening echocardiograms. PROCEDURE: Demographics, exposures, and echocardiogram results were abstracted from the medical records of survivors diagnosed at ≤ 21 years old and ≥ 2 years off therapy who were exposed to anthracyclines and/or potentially cardiotoxic radiotherapy. Descriptive statistics and logistic regressions were performed and the yield of screening echocardiograms was calculated. RESULTS: Of 853 patients, 1,728 screening echocardiograms were performed, and 37 patients had an abnormal echocardiogram (overall yield 2.1%). Yields were only somewhat higher in more frequently screened patients. Risk factors for an abnormal result included anthracycline dose of ≥300 mg/m2 (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 3.1; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.3-7.2; P < 0.01) with a synergist relationship in patients who also received radiation doses ≥30 Gy (aOR 7.0; 95% CI: 1.6-31.9; P = 0.01), as well as autologous bone marrow transplant (OR 3.3; 95% CI: 1.3-8.5; P = 0.01). Sex, race, age at diagnosis, and cyclophosphamide exposure were not statistically significant risk factors, and no patient receiving <100 mg/m2 anthracycline dose without concomitant radiation had an abnormal echocardiogram. CONCLUSIONS: Dose-dependent and synergist anthracycline and cardiotoxic radiotherapy risks for developing cardiomyopathy were confirmed. However, previously identified risk factors including female sex, black race, and early age at diagnosis were not replicated in this cohort. The yields showed weak correlation across frequency categories. Echocardiographic screening recommendations for low-risk pediatric patients may warrant re-evaluation.

Alcohol Electronic Screening and Brief Intervention: A Community Guide Systematic Review.

CONTEXT: Excessive drinking is responsible for one in ten deaths among working-age adults in the U.S. annually. Alcohol screening and brief intervention is an effective but underutilized intervention for reducing excessive drinking among adults. Electronic screening and brief intervention (e-SBI) uses electronic devices to deliver key elements of alcohol screening and brief intervention, with the potential to expand population reach. EVIDENCE ACQUISITION: Using Community Guide methods, a systematic review of the scientific literature on the effectiveness of e-SBI for reducing excessive alcohol consumption and related harms was conducted. The search covered studies published from 1967 to October 2011. A total of 31 studies with 36 study arms met quality criteria and were included in the review. Analyses were conducted in 2012. EVIDENCE SYNTHESIS: Twenty-four studies (28 study arms) provided results for excessive drinkers only and seven studies (eight study arms) reported results for all drinkers. Nearly all studies found that e-SBI reduced excessive alcohol consumption and related harms: nine study arms reported a median 23.9% reduction in binge-drinking intensity (maximum drinks/binge episode) and nine study arms reported a median 16.5% reduction in binge-drinking frequency. Reductions in drinking measures were sustained for up to 12 months. CONCLUSIONS: According to Community Guide rules of evidence, e-SBI is an effective method for reducing excessive alcohol consumption and related harms among intervention participants. Implementation of e-SBI could complement population-level strategies previously recommended by the Community Preventive Services Task Force for reducing excessive drinking (e.g., increasing alcohol taxes and regulating alcohol outlet density).

Multivitamin Use and Serum Vitamin B12 Concentrations in Older-Adult Metformin Users in REGARDS, 2003-2007.

Metformin, an insulin-sensitizing drug, is a first line treatment for type 2 diabetes. Long-term use of metformin has been associated with subsequent reductions in vitamin B12 concentrations. The objective of our study was to determine whether metformin use is associated with lower serum vitamin B12 concentrations in older adults, and whether concurrent use of multivitamins modifies this association. We examined 2,510 participants aged 50 years and over, participating in the national population-based Reasons for Geographic And Racial Differences in Stroke (REGARDS) Study. Multivariable linear and logistic regression models were used to assess associations between multivitamin use and serum vitamin B12 concentrations. We estimated adjusted odds ratios (aOR)s and confidence intervals (CI)s. Results were stratified by three metformin/diabetes sub-groups: 1) participants with diabetes who were metformin users; 2) participants with diabetes who were not metformin users; and 3) participants without diabetes. We found that diabetic metformin users had significantly lower geometric mean serum B12 concentrations (409 pmol/L) than the group with diabetes not taking metformin (485 pmol/L; P<0.01), and the group without diabetes (445 pmol/L; P = 0.02). The geometric mean serum B12 concentrations were greater for multivitamin users (509 pmol/L) compared to those who did not use multivitamins (376 pmol/L; p<0.01). Among the participants with diabetes who were on metformin therapy, multivitamin use was associated with geometric mean serum vitamin B12 concentrations that were 50% (or 161 pmol/L) higher, compared to those not using multivitamins. Among metformin users, multivitamin use was associated with lower prevalence of combined low and borderline vitamin B12 concentrations (aOR = 0.14; 95% CI = 0.04, 0.54) compared to those not using multivitamins. In conclusion, metformin use was associated with lower geometric mean serum vitamin B12 concentrations among diabetic older adults compared to their counterparts. Concurrent multivitamin use may potentially protect against low or borderline vitamin B12 concentrations in long-term metformin users. Additional research is needed to further examine this association as low or borderline vitamin B12 concentrations can be preventable, or treatable if detected at an early stage, in long-term metformin users.

The effects of hydroxyurea and bone marrow transplant on Anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) levels in females with sickle cell anemia.

Gonadal hypofunction is described in male and female patients with sickle cell anemia (SCA) after bone marrow transplant (BMT) and in males treated with hydroxyurea (HU). Anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) is a serum marker of ovarian reserve. This study describes AMH and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) levels in female SCA subjects treated with supportive care (SCA-SC), HU (SCA-HU) and BMT (SCA-BMT). SCA (SS/Sß(0)) subjects not on HU, on HU and status-post BMT, ages 10-21 years were recruited. SCA-HU subjects were treated with HU ≥ 20 mg/kg for ≥ 12 consecutive months. SCA-BMT subjects had received busulfan and cyclophosphamide. Serum AMH and random FSH levels were obtained. Diminished ovarian reserve (DOR) was defined as AMH level <5th percentile for age-matched controls. Subjects also with FSH >40 IU/L were classified as having premature ovarian insufficiency (POI). 14 SCA-SC (14.5 ± 2.7 years), 33 SCA-HU (14.4 ± 2.4 years) and 9 SCA-BMT (14.3 ± 2.7 years) females were included. AMH was undetectable in all SCA-BMT subjects and <5th percentile in 24% of SCA-HU subjects. FSH was menopausal (>40 IU/L) in 88.9% of SCA-BMT subjects. All SCA-BMT subjects and 24% of subjects on HU had DOR; 89% of SCA-BMT subjects had POI. AMH and FSH may be useful tools in assessing ovarian reserve and function.

College health as a partner in the care of pediatric cancer survivors.

OBJECTIVE: This study reviews an initiative to educate providers on pediatric cancer survivor care and to establish a cancer survivor registry in a college health center. PARTICIPANTS: PARTICIPANTS were University of Georgia (UGA) college health providers. METHODS: Providers attended lectures on survivor care and were encouraged to register on Cancer SurvivorLink. Changes in provider familiarity and practice were measured using baseline and follow-up surveys. A survivor registry was created using health entrance forms and medical records abstraction. RESULTS: Twenty-four providers registered on SurvivorLink, and 16 completed both surveys. Familiarity with survivor care (p = .003) and a survivor health care plan (p = .016) increased. Likelihood to deliver survivor care increased (p = .01). UGA follows 95 survivors; 71 diagnosed at < 21 years. Among survivors diagnosed at < 21 years, 91% reported their diagnosis on entrance forms. CONCLUSIONS: Through education and optimization of health informatics, college health centers can identify and provide survivor care to this medically vulnerable population.

Near-elimination of folate-deficiency anemia by mandatory folic acid fortification in older US adults: Reasons for Geographic and Racial Differences in Stroke study 2003-2007.

BACKGROUND: The United States implemented mandatory folic acid fortification of enriched cereal grains in 1998. Although several studies have documented the resulting decrease in anemia and folate deficiency, to our knowledge, no one has determined the prevalence of folate-deficiency anemia after fortification. OBJECTIVE: We determined the prevalence of folate deficiency and folate-deficiency anemia within a sample of the Reasons for Geographic and Racial Differences in Stroke (REGARDS) cohort. DESIGN: The REGARDS cohort is a prospective cohort of 30,239 black and white participants living in the contiguous United States. We measured serum folate concentrations in a random sample of 1546 REGARDS participants aged ≥50 y with baseline hemoglobin and red blood cell mean corpuscular volume measurements. Folate deficiency was defined as a serum folate concentration <6.6 nmol/L (<3.0 ng/mL), and anemia was defined as a hemoglobin concentration <13 g/dL in men and <12 g/dL in nonpregnant women (WHO criteria). Folate-deficiency anemia was defined as the presence of both folate deficiency and anemia. RESULTS: The mean hemoglobin concentration was 13.6 g/dL, and 15.9% of subjects had anemia. The median serum folate concentration was 34.2 nmol/L (15.1 ng/mL), and only 2 of 1546 participants 0.1%) were folate deficient. Both subjects were African American women with markedly elevated C-reactive protein concentrations, macrocytosis, and normal serum cobalamin concentrations; only one subject was anemic. Overall, the prevalence of folate-deficiency anemia was <0.1% (1 of 1546 subjects). CONCLUSION: Our data suggest that, after mandatory folic acid fortification, the prevalence of folate-deficiency anemia is nearly nonexistent in a community-dwelling population in the United States.

Valproate prescriptions for nonepilepsy disorders in reproductive-age women.

BACKGROUND: Scientific evidence has consistently shown taking valproate during pregnancy increases risks of congenital malformations and cognitive impairment. As such, elimination of its use would be an important step in birth defects prevention. There are guidelines discouraging its use among women with epilepsy, but none exists for women without epilepsy, nor is the prevalence of valproate for nonepilepsy indications known. METHODS: Using de-identified data from the National Hospital and Ambulatory Medical Care Surveys (1996-2007), we examined individual prescriptions for reproductive-age adolescent girls and adult women ages 15 to 44 years in the United States, and estimated the number of antiepileptic drug and valproate prescriptions in the aggregate. We classified our study population using International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision, Clinical Modification diagnosis codes, as women with epilepsy and women without epilepsy. The prevalence of antiepileptic drug and valproate prescriptions among women without epilepsy was estimated as prescriptions per 1000 patient visits for every 3-year time interval and the overall study period. RESULTS: We found 83% of valproate prescriptions were issued to women without epilepsy and 74% of these were for psychiatric diagnoses. The prevalence of antiepileptic drug prescriptions among women without epilepsy tripled during the study period (10.3 [1996-1998] vs. 34.9 [2005-2007] per 1000 patient visits), whereas valproate prescriptions remained relatively stable (3.1 [1996-1998] vs. 3.7 [2005-2007] per 1000 patient visits). CONCLUSION: Most women of reproductive age who receive a valproate prescription do not have epilepsy. Valproate prescriptions did not decline, despite increasing knowledge of its teratogenicity. Reducing valproate use among women of reproductive age, especially among those who use the drug for psychiatric indications, would prevent birth defects and cognitive deficits.

Association of biochemical B12 deficiency with metformin therapy and vitamin B12 supplements: the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, 1999-2006.

OBJECTIVE: To describe the prevalence of biochemical B(12) deficiency in adults with type 2 diabetes taking metformin compared with those not taking metformin and those without diabetes, and explore whether this relationship is modified by vitamin B(12) supplements. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: Analysis of data on U.S. adults ≥50 years of age with (n = 1,621) or without type 2 diabetes (n = 6,867) from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES), 1999-2006. Type 2 diabetes was defined as clinical diagnosis after age 30 without initiation of insulin therapy within 1 year. Those with diabetes were classified according to their current metformin use. Biochemical B(12) deficiency was defined as serum B(12) concentrations ≤148 pmol/L and borderline deficiency was defined as >148 to ≤221 pmol/L. RESULTS: Biochemical B(12) deficiency was present in 5.8% of those with diabetes using metformin compared with 2.4% of those not using metformin (P = 0.0026) and 3.3% of those without diabetes (P = 0.0002). Among those with diabetes, metformin use was associated with biochemical B(12) deficiency (adjusted odds ratio 2.92; 95% CI 1.26-6.78). Consumption of any supplement containing B(12) was not associated with a reduction in the prevalence of biochemical B(12) deficiency among those with diabetes, whereas consumption of any supplement containing B(12) was associated with a two-thirds reduction among those without diabetes. CONCLUSIONS: Metformin therapy is associated with a higher prevalence of biochemical B(12) deficiency. The amount of B(12) recommended by the Institute of Medicine (IOM) (2.4 µg/day) and the amount available in general multivitamins (6 µg) may not be enough to correct this deficiency among those with diabetes.