Stakeholders' priorities in the development of evidence-based practice competencies in rehabilitation students: a nominal group technique study.

PURPOSE: Clinically integrated teaching (CIT) is an effective approach for promoting evidence-based practice (EBP) competencies among medical students. Challenges towards the implementation of CIT in rehabilitation curricula include educators' different conceptualizations of EBP, the perceived complexity of EBP and the boundaries between the academic and the clinical setting. This study aimed to identify tailored strategies to implement in rehabilitation programs and their affiliated clinical sites to support the development of EBP competencies among students in occupational therapy (OT), physical therapy (PT) and speech-language pathology (S-LP). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Nominal group technique (NGT) with stakeholders from three rehabilitation programs in Canada, offering the professional master's in OT and PT (n = 35 participants) and in S-LP (n = 8). RESULTS: The top two strategies identified in the OT/PT NGT were: 1) Developing a flexible definition of EBP that recognizes its complexity; 2) Providing clinicians with more access to the teaching content by pairing faculty with preceptors. The top two strategies identified in the S-LP NGT were: 1) Providing students with opportunities for decision-making with experienced clinicians; 2) Increasing interactions between faculty and preceptors using formal group meetings. CONCLUSION: Findings laid foundations for future integrated knowledge translation projects to collaboratively implement, and test identified strategies.

Rehabilitation professions including occupational therapy, physical therapy and speech-language pathology acknowledge the importance of evidence-based practice (EBP).Current challenges in the teaching of EBP among rehabilitation students include educators' different conceptualizations of EBP, the perceived complexity of EBP, and the boundaries between the academic and the clinical setting.This study shows that increasing interactions between faculty and preceptors, for instance through an online community of practice, constitutes a stakeholder-endorsed priority to advance EBP education in rehabilitation.

Dental patients' communication preferences for learning about HPV-related topics.

Oropharyngeal cancer (OPC) has the highest incidence of any cancer caused by human papillomavirus (HPV). Oral health providers are urged to support the use of the HPV vaccine, which was approved by the US Food and Drug Administration for the prevention of OPC in 2020. This study evaluated the preferences of dental patients regarding 11 modalities for learning about HPV-related topics from their oral health providers. An online survey was administered to US adults aged 18 to 45 years (n = 285) to assess their communication modality preferences, prior experience discussing HPV with oral health providers, and demographic characteristics. Multiple items were combined to obtain preference scores for each modality. Preference scores were compared using 2 × 3 mixed analysis of variance. Age, sex, income, and HPV vaccination status were assessed as potential confounders. One-on-one discussions were the most preferred modality for learning about HPV-related topics; however, the preference scores differed based on whether the patient had prior HPV-related discussions with oral health providers (partial η2 = 0.054). Patients who had prior discussions showed a weaker preference for one-on-one discussions than did patients who had not had prior discussions. Oral health providers are called on to promote HPV vaccination, which will require increasing communication on this subject with patients. To assure greater acceptance of their recommendations, providers will need to match their communication styles to those desired by their patients. As part of a comprehensive HPV prevention strategy that includes administration of the vaccine, oral health providers should be educated on how to confidently discuss HPV-related issues with their patients.

Analyzing traditional and accelerated nursing student exam answer changing behaviors: A retrospective study.

OBJECTIVE: This study examined differences in exam answer changing behavior among baccalaureate students based on program pace, semester in the program, exam scores, and grade point average. DESIGN: The study is a retrospective review of quantitative data. SETTING: The data was collected using standardized testing results taken by students at a private, liberal arts university in the midwestern United States. PARTICIPANTS: 774 normed standardized nursing exams were reviewed retrospectively for number and type of answer changes and analyzed between traditional and accelerated baccalaureate students early, middle, and late in the curriculum. RESULTS: Most answer changes (50%) were beneficial to grades. Answer changing decreased late in the program. Students scoring higher changed fewer answers. Program pace and grade point average did not influence answer changing. CONCLUSION: Answer changing should not be generally discouraged. Promoting adequate preparation and test taking skills may benefit nursing students, especially early in programs.

Evaluation of Door-to-Balloon Times After Implementation of a ST-Segment Elevation Myocardial Infarction Network.

BACKGROUND: ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) requires prompt therapy. It is recommended for door-to-balloon (DTB) times to be less than 90 minutes. In the United States, some locations have difficulty meeting this goal. OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to determine whether implementation of a STEMI network decreased DTB times at a large, STEMI-receiving, metropolitan academic hospital in the southeastern United States. Furthermore, differences among presentation types, including walk-in, emergency medical services, and transfers, were explored. METHODS: A pre-post time series study of electronic medical record data was conducted to evaluate the efficacy of a STEMI network. RESULTS: The sample included 127 patients with a diagnosis of STEMI, collected during 3 periods (T1, T2, and T3). Patients were primarily White (78.0%) and male (67.7%), with a mean (SD) age of 58.9 (13.9) years. The 1-way analysis of variance revealed a significant difference in overall DTB times, F2 = 11.66, P < .001. Post hoc comparisons indicated longer mean DTB times for T1 compared with T3 ( P < .001) and T2 ( P < .001). When exploring presentation type, 1-way analysis of variance revealed a significant difference in mean DTB times in transfer patients between T1 and T2 ( P < .001) and T1 to T3 ( P < .001). No other statistical differences were noted; however, all DTB times with the exception of T2 for emergency medical services presentation decreased. CONCLUSIONS: Implementation of a STEMI network was effective at decreasing overall DTB times with patients who presented to the hospital with a diagnosis of STEMI.

Discussing HPV and oropharyngeal cancer in dental settings: gender and provider-type matter.

Human papillomavirus (HPV) is the most common sexually transmitted infection in the US and the leading cause of oropharyngeal cancer (OPC), an oral cancer most often identified by dental providers. Given the rise in HPV-associated OPC and recent Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval of the HPV vaccine to prevent OPC, dental providers have a unique role in HPV prevention. This study assessed US adults' comfort levels discussing HPV and OPC with dental providers. An online survey platform was used to recruit a nationally representative sample of US adults (n = 300). The questionnaire assessed participants' knowledge, acceptability, and comfort discussing HPV-related topics with dental providers. SPSS 24 was utilized for data analyses. In general, participants reported feeling comfortable discussing HPV and OPC with dental providers. Participants reported feeling more comfortable with dentists than dental hygienists when discussing (t = 2.85, p < .01) and receiving recommendations about the HPV vaccine (t = 2.09, p < .05). Participants were less comfortable discussing HPV as a risk factor for OPC compared to non-HPV related risk factors (t = 2.94, p < .01). Female participants preferred female providers, whereas male participants had no preference. Previous research has indicated dental providers recognize their role in HPV prevention, but research is needed to understand patients' perceptions of dental providers' role in HPV prevention. Findings demonstrate that US adults are comfortable discussing HPV and OPC with dental providers, which may be key to OPC-HPV prevention. Future research is needed to facilitate HPV communication between patients and dental providers.

A qualitative study exploring the relationship between mothers' vaccine hesitancy and health beliefs with COVID-19 vaccination intention and prevention during the early pandemic months.

Vaccine hesitancy is a top ten global health threat that can negatively impact COVID-19 vaccine uptake. It is assumed that vaccine refusers hold deep, negative beliefs, while acceptors hold strong, positive beliefs. However, vaccine hesitancy exists along a continuum and is multidimensional, varying by time, place, vaccine, subgroup, and person. Guided by the Health Belief Model and vaccine hesitancy frameworks, the study purpose was to qualitatively explore maternal COVID-19 threat perceptions and willingness to accept a COVID-19 vaccine in light of their expressed vaccine hesitancy toward past school required and routinely recommended vaccines and the HPV vaccine for their children. Researchers conducted twenty-five interviews with US Midwestern mothers during the early COVID-19 pandemic months. Mothers were grouped by vaccine hesitancy categories and thematic analysis was used to analyze the data within and across categories. Results showed that prior vaccine hesitancy attitudes and behavior did not fully capture maternal acceptance of COVID-19 vaccine or perception of COVID-19 threat. Perceptions of COVID-19 threat did influence mothers' decisions about COVID-19 protective behaviors (e.g., handwashing, mask wearing, and distancing). However, mothers were hesitant to accept the COVID-19 vaccine across vaccine hesitancy categories, primarily citing concerns about safety, efficacy, and confusion over conflicting information as barriers to immediate COVID-19 vaccine acceptance. Findings indicate that mothers cannot be grouped together based on hesitancy about, or acceptance of, other vaccines for purposes of assuming COVID-19 preventive behavior adherence or anticipated COVID-19 vaccine acceptance.

"We fear the unknown": Emergence, route and transfer of hesitancy and misinformation among HPV vaccine accepting mothers.

Although licensed since 2006, US HPV vaccination rates remain suboptimal. Since mothers are decision-makers for young adults' vaccination, assessing ongoing knowledge deficits and misunderstanding among parents is important for determining the content and mode of interventions to reach parents. Guided by the social-ecological model and health belief model, 30 interviews with vaccine accepting mothers in the U.S. Midwest were conducted from January through June 2020. Researchers examined ecological determinants of acceptance, perceptions of vaccination barriers, and perceived cues to action for empowering other mothers to vaccinate their children. Data were analyzed using thematic analysis. Results found vaccine accepting mothers exhibited ongoing misconceptions and negative attitudes toward HPV vaccine. Physicians, peers and the media were identified as primary pro-HPV vaccine sources, yet hesitancy and misinformation occurred with each source. Trust in provider recommendation was the primary source for decision-making, yet trust was still lacking. While mothers looked to the media for HPV information, the media were identified as the main source of confusion and distrust. Results show that parents who accept the HPV vaccine can still be hesitant. Thus, mothers who have vaccinated their children for HPV may still need attitudinal and educational training prior to establishing them as role models in interventions for empowering other parents to vaccinate their children. Results showing that the media sow confusion and hesitancy also call for more attention to social media policies to guard against misinformation about the HPV vaccine.

The role of the media on maternal confidence in provider HPV recommendation.

BACKGROUND: Despite a growing understanding of the importance of provider HPV recommendation on parental acceptance, U.S. HPV vaccination rates remain suboptimal. Given the prevalence and use of the media for health decisions, this study examined the relationship between the media and provider HPV recommendation on maternal HPV vaccine hesitancy. METHODS: Thirty individual interviews with HPV vaccine-accepting mothers in the Midwest U.S. were conducted to examine their feelings of hesitancy around the decision to accept HPV vaccination at the time of provider recommendation and their suggestions for improving the recommendation experience by addressing media concerns. RESULTS: Media exposure was an antecedent to hesitancy for three main vaccination concerns: safety, protection/efficacy and sexual stigma. Although mothers accepted vaccination, they continued to feel confused and hesitant about HPV vaccination. They had several recommendations for how providers could combat hesitancy to improve confidence in HPV vaccine acceptance. CONCLUSIONS: Providers' approach to HPV vaccination recommendation must consider concerns reported in the media with delivery techniques modified to adjust to maternal fears absorbed from adverse media information.

Evaluation of an electronic clinical algorithm to improve screening and evaluation of college students for depressive symptoms.

BACKGROUND: Depression is higher among college students compared with the general population, and lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and questioning/queer (LGBTQ+) persons have higher rates than heterosexuals. Evidence supports the implementation of automated depressive symptoms screenings to improve provider compliance. LOCAL PROBLEM: A student health clinic at a private, catholic university did not consistently collect Patient Health Questionnaire 2 (PHQ-2) and Patient Health Questionnaire 9 (PHQ-9) depressive screening scores or sexual orientation and gender identity (SOGI) data. METHODS: The Plan-Do-Study-Act method of quality improvement was used to improve depressive symptom screenings and SOGI data collection. Baseline assessment included a review of patient medical records during a 10-week period before the intervention. INTERVENTIONS: Patient Health Questionnaire 2 data were collected electronically and PHQ-9 data were collected automatically when indicated. Sexual orientation and gender identity data were added to the electronic intake form. The project was evaluated by: (1) comparing preimplementation and postimplementation compliance of PHQ-2 and PHQ-9 screenings; (2) assessing SOGI data collection; and (3) comparing LGBTQ+ and heterosexual student's PHQ-2 scores. RESULTS: Preimplementation data revealed a PHQ-2 compliance rate of 44.3%, with 0% PHQ-9 compliance, and no self-reported SOGI data collection. Postimplementation, PHQ-2 and PHQ-9 compliance increased to 93.2% and 100%, respectively. Patient Health Questionnaire 2 scores did not differ between LGBTQ+ and heterosexual students. CONCLUSIONS: The electronic clinical algorithm increased PHQ-2 and PHQ-9 data collection, supporting automated screenings for depressive symptoms. Collection of SOGI data also improved, thus potentially improving health outcomes. No differences between LGBTQ+ and heterosexual student's depressive symptoms were identified.

Promoting the use of self-management in patients with spine pain managed by chiropractors and chiropractic interns: barriers and design of a theory-based knowledge translation intervention.

Background: The literature supports the effectiveness of self-management support (SMS) to improve health outcomes of patients with chronic spine pain. However, patient engagement in SMS programs is suboptimal. The objectives of this study were to: 1) assess participation in self-care (i.e. activation) among patients with spine pain, 2) identify patients' barriers and enablers to using SMS, and 3) map behaviour change techniques (BCTs) to key barriers to inform the design of a knowledge translation (KT) intervention aimed to increase the use of SMS. Methods: In summer 2016, we invited 250 patients with spine pain seeking care at the Canadian Memorial Chiropractic College in Ontario, Canada to complete the Patient Activation Measure (PAM) survey to assess the level of participation in self-care. We subsequently conducted individual interviews, in summer 2017, based on the Theoretical Domains Framework (TDF) in a subset of patients to identify potential challenges to using SMS. The interview guide included 20 open-ended questions and accompanying probes. Findings were deductively analysed guided by the TDF. A panel of 7 experts mapped key barriers to BCTs, designed a KT intervention, and selected the modes of delivery. Results: Two hundred and twenty-three patients completed the PAM. Approximately 24% of respondents were not actively involved in their care. Interview findings from 13 spine pain patients suggested that the potential barriers to using SMS corresponded to four TDF domains: Environmental Context and Resources; Emotion; Memory, Attention & Decision-Making; and Behavioural Regulation. The proposed theory-based KT intervention includes paper-based educational materials, webinars and videos, summarising and demonstrating the therapeutic recommendations including exercises and other lifestyle changes. In addition, the KT intervention includes Brief Action Planning, a SMS strategy based on motivational interviewing, along with a SMART plan and reminders. Conclusions: Almost one quarter of study participants were not actively engaged in their spine care. Key barriers likely to influence uptake of SMS among patients were identified and used to inform the design of a theory-based KT intervention to increase their participation level. The proposed multi-component KT intervention may be an effective strategy to optimize the quality of spine pain care and improve patients' health-outcomes.

Guideline implementation in the Canadian chiropractic setting: a pilot cluster randomized controlled trial and parallel study.

Background: Feasibility and pilot studies are recommended prior to embarking on large-scale costly confirmatory trials. The objectives were to determine the feasibility of conducting a cluster randomized controlled trial (C-RCT) to evaluate a complex knowledge translation (KT) intervention to improve the management of people with neck pain, and to identify challenges and potential solutions to conducting a fully powered C-RCT in the chiropractic setting. Methods: Pilot C-RCT involving a nationally representative sample of chiropractors and patients. We invited 400 chiropractors and 150 patients to participate. Clinicians were randomized to receive either an online theory-based KT educational and brief action plan (BAP) intervention (intervention group) or a copy of a clinical practice guideline (control group). Study-related challenges were ascertained via mid-study phone interviews and end-of-study feedback questionnaires. Analyses focused on descriptive estimates of likely recruitment, retention, and adherence rates, and documentation of potential barriers. Results: In total, 47 chiropractors (12%) agreed to participate and were randomized after resampling. Fifteen withdrew from the study, leaving a total of 32 (8%) participants. Eleven chiropractors in the intervention group completed the webinars and e-learning modules, two partially completed them and three did not register. Participating chiropractors recruited a total of 29 patients. Sixty-three percent (n = 7) of intervention and 56% (n = 10) of control group patients completed all outcome measures at both baseline and 3-months follow-up, attended follow-up visits and performed home exercises. Patients in the intervention group reported significant reductions in pain (mean 1.6, 95% CI 0.26-2.94, P = 0.027) and disability scores (9.8, 95% CI 3.68-15.91, P = 0.033) from baseline to 3-month follow-up. Key barriers to participation reported by chiropractors included lack of time, difficulties in recruiting patients, problems with the administration of study questionnaires, concern that the clinician-patient relationship might be jeopardized, and lack of assistance from office staff. Over half (55%) of the respondents in the intervention group encountered some difficulty registering or completing the educational modules. Conclusion: Recruitment of clinicians and patients for a trial of a complex intervention can be challenging, and retention of participants after enrolment may be low. Future trials of this nature likely require multiple recruitment strategies to achieve desired sample sizes. Moreover, time-constraint issues are perceived particularly by clinicians as a major barrier to both study enrolment before, and protocol adherence during, their actual participation in a trial. Trial registration: The study was registered at, NCT02483091, on 17th June 2015.

Sleep-an Essential Component of Obesity Screening and Counseling: A Policy Analysis of the Affordable Care Act.

The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA) has provided access to health care for millions of people in the United States. One of the most beneficial aspects of the PPACA is the obesity screening and counseling provision. Currently, it is estimated that over 39% of US adults are obese. Research has linked sleep disturbances to obesity and obesity-related behaviors. The purpose of this article is to advocate for evidence-based care through the inclusion of sleep disturbance screening and management under the PPACA obesity screening and counseling provision. An in-depth policy analysis of the PPACA was conducted to examine the feasibility of adding sleep screenings to the obesity screening and counseling provision available under current law. Findings suggest that the adoption of this policy would require stakeholder advocacy and educational reform. Implementation of the policy would require additional economic investments, but the long-term savings could be significant. A campaign to raise awareness regarding the association between sleep disturbance and obesity among the public and health care professionals would be essential. Policy implementation would require interprofessional collaboration when performing sleep disordered screening and management. Preventative health care for individuals who have not previously accessed the health care system has the potential to socially and economically benefit society if policies provide for evidence-based care. Sleep screening and counseling is essential under the PPACA to adequately address the US obesity crisis.

Mediating effect of sleep behaviors when predicting weight-related behaviors in nursing students.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to identify whether or not sleep behaviors mediated bioecological predictors of weight-related behaviors among college students. METHODS: This descriptive, quantitative, cross-sectional study, guided by Bronfenbrenner's bioecological model, examined bioecological characteristics and path analysis to assess model fit. CONCLUSIONS: The fit indices indicated excellent fit of the final model to the data (χ (24) = 30.33, p = .17, root-mean-square error approximation = 0.04, comparative fit index = 0.96, standardized root-mean-square residual = 0.03). Sleep duration mediated significant bioecological predictors of weight-related behaviors, but sleep quality did not. Having children significantly predicted increased sugar-sweetened beverage (SSB) consumption and decreased physical activity (PA) among college students. Conversely, eating the majority of meals at home significantly predicted decreased consumption of SSBs and increased PA. IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE: Findings support inclusion of sleep duration and use of the bioecological model, when providing patient-centered healthcare focused on weight-related behaviors and weight management in college students.

Sleep behaviors in traditional-age college students: A state of the science review with implications for practice.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: The purpose of this systematic review was to examine influences affecting sleep behavior in traditional-age college students and to advocate for improved sleep behavior assessments. DATA SOURCES: A literature search of CINAHL, MEDLINE, and PubMed databases was performed using the search terms "college students" and "sleep" in the title that were published in English from 1978 to 2016. CONCLUSIONS: The circadian clock is reset in traditional-age college students leading to delayed sleep times. Newly realized autonomy and increased use of technology also prevent traditional-age college students from obtaining sufficient sleep. Insufficient sleep experienced by these students has been linked to insulin resistance, hypertension, diabetes, weight gain, and stress. Sleep insufficiency increases the risk for pedestrian, motor vehicle, and domestic and occupational injuries. Insufficient sleep may result in poor academic performance influencing subsequent health outcomes. IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE: Evidence supports the need for nurse practitioners and other healthcare providers to incorporate systematic sleep behavior assessments to improve health outcomes among traditional-age college students.

Compassion Fatigue in Pediatric Nurses.

Compassion fatigue in nursing has been shown to impact the quality of patient care and employee satisfaction and engagement. The aims of this study were to determine the prevalence and severity of compassion fatigue among pediatric nurses and variations in prevalence based on respondent demographics using a cross-sectional survey design. Nurses under 40 years of age, with 6-10 years of experience and/or working in a medical-surgical unit had significantly lower compassion satisfaction and higher levels of burnout. Secondary traumatic stress from caring for children with severe illness or injury or end of life was a key contributor to compassion fatigue.

Performance of methods to assess kidney function in a predominantly overweight sample of patients with liver disease.

The assessment of glomerular filtration rate (GFR) in patients with liver disease is necessary to make decisions about organ allocation. Creatinine is widely used as a marker of GFR; however, it is not reliable in patients with liver disease. The aims of this study were to (1) determine if iodine 125-labeled iothalamate ((125)I-iothalamate) clearance calculated using the plasma decay method is equal to renal clearance of (125)I-iothalamate and (2) estimate kidney function using the creatinine-based Cockcroft-Gault and the Modification of Diet in Renal Disease equations, a cystatin C-based equation, the urine collection method for creatinine clearance, and plasma clearance of vancomycin (V) and compare these estimates to renal clearance of (125)I-iothalamate in adult patients with liver disease. Adults with liver disease received (125)I-iothalamate and V and had a catheter placed for urine collection. Blood and urine samples were collected over 8 h for analysis of (125)I-iothalamate, creatinine, and V to determine kidney function. Estimates were compared to renal (125)I-iothalamate clearance. Eight patients classified as Child-Pugh class B were enrolled: age was 52 ± 6 years; body mass index was 36.5 ± 19 kg/m(2); and Model for End-Stage Liver Disease score was 13 ± 3. Mean estimates of kidney function did not differ significantly from mean renal (125)I-iothalamate clearance (74 ± 38 mL/min/1.73 m(2)). Other methods overestimated kidney function at lower levels of GFR (<60 mL/min/1.73 m(2)) and underestimated kidney function at higher GFR levels. Given the variability in performance of methods to assess kidney function in this population, direct measurement of GFR may be preferable to indirect estimates based on marker compounds such as creatinine and cystatin C until more accurate methods are developed.

Pharmacokinetics of doxycycline in adults with cystic fibrosis.

Cystic fibrosis (CF) is characterized by a chronic neutrophilic inflammatory response resulting in airway remodeling and progressive loss of lung function. Doxycycline is a tetracycline antibiotic that inhibits matrix metalloproteinase 9, a protease known to be associated with the severity of lung disease in CF. The pharmacokinetics of doxycycline was investigated during the course of a clinical trial to evaluate the short-term efficacy and safety in adults with CF. Plasma samples were obtained from 14 patients following a single intravenous dose and after 2 and 4 weeks of oral administration of doses ranging from 40 to 200 mg daily. The data were analyzed using noncompartmental and compartmental pharmacokinetics. The maximum concentration of drug in serum (C(max)) and area under the concentration-time curve from 0 h to infinity (AUC(0-∞)) values ranged from 1.0 to 3.16 mg/liter and 15.2 to 47.8 mg/liter × h, respectively, following single intravenous doses of 40 to 200 mg. C(max) and time to maximum concentration of drug in serum (T(max)) values following multiple-dose oral administration ranged from 1.15 to 3.04 mg/liter and 1.50 to 2.33 h, respectively, on day 14 and 1.48 to 3.57 mg/liter and 1.00 to 2.17 on day 28. Predose sputum/plasma concentration ratios on days 14 and 28 ranged from 0.33 to 1.1 (mean, 0.71 ± 0.33), indicating moderate pulmonary penetration. A 2-compartment model best described the combined intravenous and oral data. Absorption was slow and delayed (absorption rate constant [K(a)], 0.414 h(-1); lag time, 0.484 h) but complete (bioavailability [F], 1.16). The distribution and elimination half-lives were 0.557 and 18.1 h, respectively. Based on these data, the plasma concentrations at the highest dose, 200 mg/day, are in the range reported to produce anti-inflammatory effects in vivo and should be evaluated in clinical trials.

Estimation of glomerular filtration rate by using serum cystatin C and serum creatinine concentrations in patients with human immunodeficiency virus.

STUDY OBJECTIVE: To compare the predictive performance of four equations for estimating glomerular filtration rate (GFR) relative to the gold standard measurement, iothalamate clearance, in patients with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) who have various degrees of kidney function. DESIGN: Prospective, cross-sectional analysis. SETTING: General clinical research center. PATIENTS: Twenty-two adult (mean age 51 yrs) HIV-positive patients with various degrees of stable kidney function and with lean body mass considered normal for a well-nourished person. INTERVENTION: Patients were administered a single dose of intravenous iothalamate 456 mg as a rapid infusion over 3 minutes, 1 hour after an oral fluid load of 600 ml of caffeine-free, sugar-free liquids. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Serial blood and urine samples were obtained for determination of measured GFR. Estimated GFR values were calculated by using four equations: the Cockcroft-Gault equation, the simplified Modification of Diet in Renal Disease Study (MDRD) equation, an equation that incorporates serum creatinine and cystatin C concentrations, and an equation incorporating only serum cystatin C concentration. The predictive performance of the equations was determined by comparing the bias, accuracy, and precision of the estimates with the measured values. Body composition was determined by dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry. The four predictive equations underestimated the measured GFR obtained by the iothalamate method, but the differences were not statistically significant. The MDRD equation and the equation that included both serum cystatin C and creatinine concentrations, as well as age, sex, and race, provided the least bias, most precision, and best accuracy in estimating the measured GFR. CONCLUSION: The MDRD equation and the equation that included both serum cystatin C and creatinine concentrations appear to provide accurate, precise, and relatively unbiased estimates of GFR in patients with HIV. Larger studies are needed that include patients with muscle wasting and lipodystrophy in order to validate these preliminary observations and the effects of body composition on the predictability of GFR with use of these equations.