Sequencing hour-level temporal patterns of polysubstance use among persons who use cocaine, alcohol, and cannabis: A back-translational approach.

BACKGROUND: Polysubstance use is highly prevalent among persons who use cocaine; however, little is known about how alcohol and cannabis are used with cocaine. We identified temporal patterns of cocaine+alcohol and cocaine+cannabis polysubstance use to inform more translationally relevant preclinical models. METHODS: Participants who used cocaine plus alcohol and/or cannabis at least once in the past 30 days (n=148) were interviewed using the computerized Substance Abuse Module and the newer Polysubstance Use-Temporal Patterns Section. For each day in the past 30 days, participants reported whether they had used cocaine, alcohol, and cannabis; if any combinations of use were endorsed, participants described detailed hourly use of each substance on the most "typical day" for the combination. Sequence analysis and hierarchical clustering were applied to identify patterns of timing of drug intake on typical days of cocaine polysubstance use. RESULTS: We identified five temporal patterns among the 180 sequences of reported cocaine polysubstance use: 1) limited cocaine/cocaine+alcohol use (53%); 2) extensive cannabis then cocaine+alcohol+cannabis use (22%); 3) limited alcohol/cannabis then cocaine+alcohol use (13%); 4) extensive cocaine+cannabis then cocaine+alcohol+cannabis use (4%); and 5) extensive cocaine then cocaine+alcohol use (8%). While drug intake patterns differed, prevalence of use disorders did not. CONCLUSIONS: Patterns were characterized by cocaine, alcohol, and cannabis polysubstance use and by the timing, order, duration, and quantity of episode-level substance use. The identification of real-world patterns of cocaine polysubstance use represents an important step toward developing laboratory models that accurately reflect human behavior.

Evaluation of an online research best practices training for community health workers and promotoras.

Introduction: Community health workers and promotoras (CHW/Ps) have a fundamental role in facilitating research with communities. However, no national standard training exists as part of the CHW/P job role. We developed and evaluated a culturally- and linguistically tailored online research best practices course for CHW/Ps to meet this gap. Methods: After the research best practices course was developed, we advertised the opportunity to CHW/Ps nationwide to complete the training online in English or Spanish. Following course completion, CHW/Ps received an online survey to rate their skills in community-engaged research and their perceptions of the course using Likert scales of agreement. A qualitative content analysis was conducted on open-ended response data. Results: 104 CHW/Ps completed the English or Spanish course (n = 52 for each language; mean age 42 years SD ± 12); 88% of individuals identified as female and 56% identified as Hispanic, Latino, or Spaniard. 96%-100% of respondents reported improvement in various skills. Nearly all CHW/Ps (97%) agreed the course was relevant to their work, and 96% felt the training was useful. Qualitative themes related to working more effectively as a result of training included enhanced skills, increased resources, and building bridges between communities and researchers. Discussion: The CHW/P research best practices course was rated as useful and relevant by CHW/Ps, particularly for communicating about research with community members. This course can be a professional development resource for CHW/Ps and could serve as the foundation for a national standardized training on their role related to research best practices.

Study Navigation and Enrollment in a Community Sample: Does Generational Cohort Matter?

The socioecological model (SEM) was used as a conceptual framework to examine the effect of generational cohorts on study navigation and enrollment in health research. The study population was 7,370 community-dwelling Gen Xers and Baby Boomers in North Central Florida. Analyses found that Leading-edge Boomers (individuals born between 1946 and 1955) [vs Gen Xers (individuals born between 1965 and 1955)] and individuals with higher trust (vs lower trust) were 41% and 25% respectively more likely to be enrolled in health research compared to their counterparts, controlling for factors at the individual, relationship, and community levels of the SEM. We conclude the study with a summary of the findings and the recruitment implications for study enrollment.

E-cigarette Use Among Community-Recruited Adults with a History of Asthma in North Central Florida.

Use of e-cigarettes have become an important public health concern in the US, particularly among those with health issues like asthma, which has remained high over the last decade. We examined associations between lifetime e-cigarette use and traditional cigarette use, cannabis use, and related health factors among community members with a history of asthma in North Central Florida. Data came from HealthStreet, a University of Florida community engagement program. Adults with a history of asthma (n = 1,475) were interviewed between 2014 and 2021. Bivariate and logistic regression analyses were conducted to examine differences between participants with and without a history of lifetime e-cigarette use. In this sample, lifetime prevalence of e-cigarette use was 19.9%. Over half of the sample reported ever smoking traditional cigarettes (54.4%) or cannabis (55.4%). Compared to those who identified as White, those who identified as Black/African American had lower odds for lifetime e-cigarette use (aOR = 0.30, 95% CI: 0.22, 0.42). Those reporting lifetime traditional cigarette use (aOR = 10.60, 95% CI: 6.93, 16.68) or cannabis use (aOR = 1.81, 95% CI: 1.27, 2.61) had higher odds for reporting lifetime e-cigarette use. Overall, among a community sample of adults with a history of asthma, nearly a fifth reported lifetime e-cigarette use. The use of e-cigarettes was most common among those with lifetime traditional cigarette use and cannabis use. Findings can inform prevention and intervention efforts in this population.

Hearing Impairment, Mental Health Services Use, and Perceived Unmet Needs Among Adults With Serious Mental Illness: A Cross-Sectional Study.

PURPOSE: Individuals with hearing impairment have higher risks of mental illnesses. We sought to develop a richer understanding of how the presence of any hearing impairment affects three types (prescription medication, outpatient services, and inpatient services) of mental health services utilization (MHSU) and perceived unmet needs for mental health care; also, we aimed to identify sociodemographic factors associated with outpatient mental health services use among those with hearing impairment and discuss potential implications under the U.S. health care system. METHOD: Using secondary data from the 2015-2019 National Survey on Drug Use and Health, our study included U.S. adults aged ≥ 18 years who reported serious mental illnesses (SMIs) in the past year. Multivariable logistic regression was used to examine associations of hearing impairment with MHSU and perceived unmet mental health care needs. RESULTS: The study sample comprised 12,541 adults with SMIs. Prevalence of MHSU (medication: 55.5% vs. 57.5%; outpatient: 37.1% vs. 44.2%; inpatient: 6.6% vs.7.1%) and unmet needs for mental health care (47.5% vs. 43.3%) were estimated among survey respondents who reported hearing impairment and those who did not, respectively. Those with hearing impairment were significantly less likely to report outpatient MHSU (OR = 0.73, 95% CI [0.60, 0.90]). CONCLUSIONS: MHSU was low while perceived unmet needs for mental health care were high among individuals with SMIs, regardless of hearing status. In addition, patients with hearing impairment were significantly less likely to report outpatient MHSU than their counterparts. Enhancing communication is essential to improve access to mental health care for those with hearing impairment.

Screening the "Invisible Population" of Older Adult Patients for Prescription Pain Reliever Non-Medical Use and Use Disorders.

Background: In the United States, the number of older adults reporting non-medical use of prescription pain relievers (NMUPPR) between 2015 and 2019 has remained constant, while those meeting criteria for opioid use disorders (OUDs) between 2013 and 2018 increased three-fold. These rates are expected to increase due to increased life expectancy among this population coupled with higher rates of substance use. However, they have consistently lower screening rates for problematic prescription pain reliever use, compared to younger cohorts. Objectives: This commentary reviewed trends in older adult NMUPPR and OUDs and reviewed several available screening tools. We then considered reasons why providers may not be screening their patients, with a focus on older adults, for NMUPPR and OUDs. Finally, we provided recommendations to increase screenings in healthcare settings. Results: Low screening rates in older adult patients may be due to several contributing factors, such as providers' implicit biases and lack of training, time constraints, and comorbid conditions that mask NMUPPR and OUD-related symptoms. Recommendations include incorporating more addiction-related curricula in medical schools, encouraging participation in CME training focused on substance use, attending implicit bias training, and breaking down the silos between pharmacy and geriatric, addiction, and family medicine. Conclusions: There is a growing need for older adult drug screenings, and we have provided several recommendations for improvement. By increasing screenings among older populations, providers will assist in the identification and referral of patients to appropriate and timely substance use treatment and resources to ultimately ameliorate the health of older adult patients.

Electronic Nicotine Delivery Systems (ENDS) use Among Members of a Community Engagement Program.

Electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS) are relatively new and ENDS use data from community engagement programs may help us understand usage patterns and facilitate targeted longitudinal studies. Community members in Florida, USA, were asked about ENDS use, tobacco use, and health history/concerns by Community Health Workers. Among 7253 members recruited during 2014 to 2021 into our HealthStreet program, 1177 had ever used ENDS; the proportion increased from 12 to 27% from 2014 to 2021 (adjusted odds ratio (aOR) 2.5; 95% CI 1.7-3.5; Ever versus never used ENDS). Ever tobacco use was strongly associated with ENDS use; 69% of ever users were current tobacco users. Demographic determinants (sex, age, race) and food insecurity were strongest predictors of ENDS use. Most who had ever used ENDS were aged 18-25 (aOR 5.9; 95% CI 4.6-7.6; vs. aged 60 + years), White (aOR 3.7; 95% CI 3.2-4.3; vs. Black/African American), male (aOR 1.5; 95% CI 1.3-1.7; vs. female), and recently food insecure (aOR 1.8; 95% CI 1.5-2.0; vs. not recently food insecure). Those with respiratory issues were more likely to have used ENDS compared to those without (aOR 2.0; 95% CI 1.6-2.6; aOR 1.3; 95% CI 1.1-1.5). Members concerned about hypertension were less likely to have used ENDS (aOR 0.7; 95% CI 0.5-0.9). In this relatively rural, micropolitan sample, tobacco use, socio-economic determinants, and certain health history/concerns were strongly associated with ENDS use. Community outreach approaches are needed to further understand these factors and implement interventions.

Polysubstance use profiles among US adults using Kratom (Mitragyna speciosa): A latent class analysis using The National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH).

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Kratom (Mitragyna speciosa) use is associated with polysubstance use (PSU) and use disorders. However, additional research on PSU heterogeneity in populations using this novel psychoactive substance is necessary. The authors investigated patterns of past 12-month PSU among US adults reporting past 12-month use of kratom and at least one additional substance. METHODS: Latent class models were fit using 2019 National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH) data which was collected from 412 US adults reporting past 12-month use of kratom and at least one of 11 additional substances. RESULTS: Three distinct profiles were identified: "marijuana/alcohol/tobacco" (63.3%), "marijuana/alcohol/tobacco + psychedelics" (19.3%), and "marijuana/alcohol/tobacco + psychedelics/heroin/prescriptions" (17.4%). CONCLUSIONS AND SCIENTIFIC SIGNIFICANCE: This is the first epidemiological study in which a latent class analysis was used to identify unique PSU profiles among US adults using kratom and other substances. Understanding the profiles of people using kratom in relation to the use of other drugs might help guide screening interventions, treatment needs, and policy.

Opioid Use Behaviors Among People With Disability in the United States: An Analysis of the National Survey on Drug Use and Health.

OBJECTIVE: People with disability (PWD) often experience chronic pain, and opioid is widely used prescription medication. However, population-based evidence of opioid use behaviors among PWD is lacking. This study examined the prevalence of opioid use behaviors by sociodemographic and health-related characteristics among PWD compared with people without disability (PWoD). METHODS: This cross-sectional study used data from 2015-2019 National Survey on Drug Use and Health. Three types of opioid use behaviors (any use, misuse, and use disorder) were defined and compared by disability status. Five self-reported disability types were measured, including hearing, vision, cognitive, mobility, and complex activity limitations. Complex survey design-adjusted descriptive and logistic regression models were used for statistical analysis. RESULTS: Of 201,376 respondents aged 18 years or older, 34.6% reported any opioid use, 4.2% opioid misuse, and 0.8% opioid use disorder. Compared with PWoD, PWD had higher prevalence of any opioid use (49.7% vs 30.7%), misuse (6.2% vs 3.7%), and use disorder (1.7% vs 0.8%). In adjusted analysis, PWD with mobility limitation (odds ratio [OR], 1.95; 95% confidence interval, 1.81-2.11) or multiple limitations (OR, 1.92; 95% CI, 1.83-2.02) were almost 2 times more likely to report any opioid use than PWoD. The likelihood of reporting any opioid use (ORs, 1.42-2.50), misuse (ORs, 1.24-2.41), and disorder (ORs, 1.38-2.54) increased as the number of limitations increased. CONCLUSIONS: People with vision, cognitive, or multiple limitations had higher rates of opioid misuse and disorder than PWoD. Development of more inclusive opioid abuse prevention strategies for PWD is warranted.

Perceptions of Research Participation among a Sample of Florida Residents Aged 50 and Over Reporting Dementia.

As the population ages, the prevalence of dementia will increase. More research is needed; however, low rates of research participation, especially by older adults, hinder progress. Data came from HealthStreet, a University of Florida community engagement program in which community health workers assess community members for their health conditions. Adults 50 and over were included in these analyses; their perceptions of health research studies were assessed. Our sample had an average age of 60.5 years and 4.3% reported dementia (n = 4,881). Overall, older adults reported a high willingness to participate in research. Individuals who reported dementia had 0.64 times the odds of reporting willingness to participate in a research study that required an overnight stay, compared to those who did not report dementia (95% CI: 0.45-0.89). We report on willingness to participate in research in a more granular basis than has been previously done. Community members reporting dementia, compared to those without, were as or more likely to desire future participation in health research. However, barriers to participation remain and must be addressed.

Psychiatric medications prescribed on-campus and off-campus for university students: Differences in demographics, types of medication, and satisfaction with services.

Objective: To describe the use of psychiatric medication and related health service utilization among college students receiving care on- and off-campus. Participants and methods: 3959 students from a large southern university participated in the Healthy Minds Study in May 2018. Results: Of students surveyed, 17.6% took psychiatric medication in the last year. Of these students, 22.0% received prescriptions on-campus, 61.7% received prescriptions off-campus, 6.4% received them both on- and off-campus, and 9.9% took medication without a prescription. Nonwhite, international, and younger students were more likely to utilize on-campus rather than off-campus psychiatric medication services (p < .05). Satisfaction with health services did not differ by location. Conclusions: The majority of students received psychiatric prescriptions off- rather than on-campus. While satisfaction with both on- and off-campus health services is equally high, minority, international, and younger students are more likely to seek care on- rather than off-campus.

Current psychiatric treatment for college students with depression only, anxiety only, or comorbid depression & anxiety (2013-2019).

BACKGROUND: This epidemiological study described changes in the estimated prevalence of current pharmacological and/or psychotherapy-based treatment utilization among college students with depression only, anxiety only, or comorbid depression & anxiety. METHODS: A sample of 190,500 weighted responses was collected through the 2013-2019 Healthy Minds Study questionnaires. Annual prevalence estimates of depression only, anxiety only, or comorbid depression & anxiety were computed. Current use of therapy, pharmacological services, or dual treatment among students with depression and/or anxiety were examined via descriptive statistics. RESULTS: Estimated prevalence of college students who screened positive for depression only, anxiety only, and comorbid depression & anxiety escalated from 2013 to 2018-2019. When assessed individually, rates of currently using any psychiatric medication, participating in therapy, and engaging in concurrent medication & therapy services significantly rose among students with depression and/or anxiety. However, temporal trends in the current use of specific classes of psychiatric medications among young adults with depression only, anxiety only, or comorbid depression & anxiety differed by medication class. LIMITATIONS: This study was unable to assess psychiatric prescribing practices, depression or anxiety diagnoses, and prior mental health treatment. CONCLUSIONS: An increasing proportion of college students are reporting depression and/or anxiety symptoms as well as pharmacological and/or psychotherapy service utilization when comparing rates from 2013 to 2018-19. Although this may indicate increasing acceptability to disclose and seek treatment for problematic symptomology, continued surveillance of college populations is needed to identify students at risk for adverse psychiatric health outcomes, especially during the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic.

E-cigarettes and non-suicidal self-injury: Prevalence of risk behavior and variation by substance inhaled.

Background: Nicotine and cannabis inhalation through vaping or electronic delivery systems has surged among young adults in the United States, particularly during the coronavirus disease pandemic. Tobacco and marijuana use are associated with select adverse mental health outcomes, including symptoms of major depressive disorder and suicidal behaviors. Given the need for addiction specialists to treat problematic substance use with an integrated approach, the association between non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI) and use of e-cigarettes, tobacco, marijuana, and alcohol was examined among a diverse sample of college students. Methods: Healthy Minds Study data from 47,016 weighted observations, collected from college students in the 2018-2019 academic year, was used to explore associations between NSSI-related behaviors and past 30-day use of a vaping product (nicotine or marijuana). These relationships were assessed among those using vaping products only, and then among individuals using vaping products and alcohol, conventional cigarettes, and/or marijuana. Hierarchical logistic regression models estimating the relationship between vaping and NSSI were computed to adjust for the effects of demographic factors, symptomatology of psychiatric disorders, and concurrent use of other substances. Results: A fifth (22.9%) of respondents disclosed past 12-month NSSI; they were significantly more likely to screen positive for depression or anxiety compared to young adults without NSSI. Rates of using vaping products, conventional cigarettes, marijuana, or other substances were higher among students with NSSI even after controlling for potential cofounders. Additionally, students who used a THC-based liquid in their e-cigarettes were more likely to endorse NSSI in comparison to those who used "just flavoring." However, young adults who vaped were less likely to disclose frequent NSSI-related behaviors than their peers who did not vape. Conclusions: These findings revealed an association between past 12-month NSSI and past 30-day vaping in a sample of young adults. Further surveillance among college populations and examination of potential sociodemographic confounders is necessary to confirm these findings and advance the substance use and addiction field.

Marijuana Use and Health Outcomes in Persons Living With HIV: Protocol for the Marijuana Associated Planning and Long-term Effects (MAPLE) Longitudinal Cohort Study.

BACKGROUND: Marijuana use is common in persons with HIV, but there is limited evidence of its relationship with potential health benefits or harms. OBJECTIVE: The Marijuana Associated Planning and Long-term Effects (MAPLE) study was designed to evaluate the impact of marijuana use on HIV-related health outcomes, cognitive function, and systemic inflammation. METHODS: The MAPLE study is a longitudinal cohort study of participants living with HIV who were recruited from 3 locations in Florida and were either current marijuana users or never regular marijuana users. At enrollment, participants completed questionnaires that included detailed marijuana use assessments, underwent interviewer-administered neurocognitive assessments, and provided blood and urine samples. Ongoing follow-ups included brief telephone assessments (every 3 months), detailed questionnaires (annually), repeated blood and urine samples (2 years), and linkage to medical records and statewide HIV surveillance data. Supplemental measures related to intracellular RNA, COVID-19, Alzheimer disease, and the gut microbiome were added after study initiation. RESULTS: The MAPLE study completed enrollment of 333 persons between 2018 and 2021. The majority of participants in the sample were ≥50 years of age (200/333, 60.1%), male (181/333, 54.4%), cisgender men (173/329, 52.6%), non-Hispanic Black (221/333, 66.4%), and self-reported marijuana users (260/333, 78.1%). Participant follow-up was completed in 2022, with annual updates to HIV surveillance data through at least 2027. CONCLUSIONS: The MAPLE study is the largest cohort specifically designed to understand the use of marijuana and its effects on HIV-related outcomes. The study population has significant diversity across age, sex, gender, and race. The data will help clinicians and public health officials to better understand patterns of marijuana use associated with both positive and negative health outcomes, and may inform recommendations for future clinical trials related to medical marijuana and HIV. INTERNATIONAL REGISTERED REPORT IDENTIFIER (IRRID): DERR1-10.2196/37153.

Test-retest reliability of a new assessment to detect detailed temporal patterns of polysubstance use.

OBJECTIVE: While polysubstance use is highly prevalent among people who use drugs, the field lacks a reliable assessment that can detect detailed temporal patterns of polysubstance use. This study assessed the test-retest reliability of the newly developed Polysubstance Use-Temporal Patterns Section (PSU-TPS). METHODS: Participants who used cocaine plus alcohol and/or marijuana at least once in the past 30 days (n = 48) were interviewed at baseline and approximately 7 days later (retest) using the Substance Abuse Module and the PSU-TPS. Reliability of PSU-TPS measures of quantity, frequency, and duration of polysubstance use was examined using intra-class correlation coefficients (ICCs) and kappa tests. RESULTS: Excellent reliability was observed for frequencies of concurrent polysubstance use patterns in the past 30 days (ICC range: 0.90-0.94) and quantity of alcohol use (ICC = 0.83), and fair to good reliability was observed for duration of substance use (ICC range: 0.52-0.73). CONCLUSION: Detailed information regarding cocaine, alcohol, and marijuana polysubstance use in the past 30 days can be reliably measured with the PSU-TPS. Data on the order and timing of polysubstance use at the hourly level will improve our understanding of the implications of sequential and simultaneous use patterns, which can help inform treatment and prevention efforts.

Virtual recruitment and participant engagement for substance use research during a pandemic.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: The coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic resulted in cataclysmic changes to the research enterprise, causing a forced shutdown or rapid pivot to virtual methods. Adapting studies to the virtual environment also impacted recruitment and retention strategies. This review elucidated challenges and offered pragmatic recommendations, drawing on published literature and our prior work, to assist researchers in re-evaluating and amending best-practice techniques to bolster inclusive recruitment and study engagement of people using substances, particularly for virtual interviews or focus groups. RECENT FINDINGS: Ameliorating recruitment strategies and research protocols to better fit virtual methods of recruitment and study administration required careful consideration of ethical and logistical implications. Many procedures to increase enrollment of underrepresented populations, such as building mutually beneficial and respectful community partnerships, recruiting via social media, or providing ambulatory research centers, existed prior to this specific pandemic. However, unprecedented disruptions in resources needed to participate in virtual interviews or focus groups, privacy concerns, and possible deteriorating trust in research necessitated continued adaptation and expansion of these strategies. SUMMARY: Building upon prepandemic, community-engaged strategies may continue to facilitate diverse recruitment efforts and advance science productivity in the substance use and addiction field during the pandemic and thereafter.

Health Effects Associated With Kratom (Mitragyna speciosa) and Polysubstance Use: A Narrative Review.

Background: Kratom (Mitragyna speciosa) consumption and associated health effects have raised debates in the United States. Although most people using this herb do not experience adverse health effects associated with kratom use, medical providers should be knowledgeable of emerging substances and concurrent, sequential, or simultaneous use of other drugs which may impact healthcare recommendations and prescribing practices. Methods: The objective of this narrative review was to elucidate selected health effects associated with using kratom-either alone or with other substances. Since scientifically controlled human subjects research on kratom use is still limited, relevant case reports were also described. Results: Cardiovascular, gastrointestinal, neurological, and psychiatric effects associated with kratom use were especially notable, and in-utero exposure accompanied concern regarding a neonate's risk for developing neonatal abstinence syndrome. Our ability to identify and understand the role of this herb in kratom-associated fatalities is complicated since kratom is not routinely screened for in standard forensic toxicology. If a screening is performed, it is usually for the major alkaloid, mitragynine, as a surrogate for kratom use. In addition to lacking a standard practice of screening decedents for kratom alkaloids, the association between mortality and kratom use may be confounded by polysubstance use, adulteration of kratom products, and drug-herb interactions. Conclusions: Increasing medical awareness of this herb is vital to ensuring prompt administration of best-practice medical advice or treatment for people seeking information related to kratom use or for patients experiencing an adverse health effect that may be associated with using or withdrawing from kratom. Knowledge gained from continued surveillance and study of kratom and its associated health effects may assist in guiding clinical decision-making and preventing development of adverse health effects among people using kratom.

The HealthStreet Cancer Survivor Cohort: a Community Registry for Cancer Research.

PURPOSE: This report describes a cancer survivor cohort from a community engagement program and compares characteristics and willingness to participate in health research between the cancer survivors and non-cancer community members. METHODS: Among 11,857 members enrolled in HealthStreet at the University of Florida (10/2011-03/2020), 991 cancer survivors were identified and 1:1 matched to control members without cancer on sex, age, and zip code. Demographics, body weight, height, social determinants of health, history of cancer, and willingness to participate in research were recorded by Community Health Workers as a part of the baseline Health Needs Assessment. RESULTS: Among the cancer survivors, 71.6% were female and 19.2% lived in rural areas with a mean age of 56.7 years in females and 60.8 years in males. At baseline, 44.7% received a cancer diagnosis within 5 years, while 15.8%, more than 20 years. Cancer survivors (vs. matched non-cancer controls) were less likely to be Black (31.1% vs. 63.6%) but more likely to be divorced, separated, or widowed (49.5% vs. 41.2%), be normal/underweight (34.0% vs. 25.6%) and have health insurance (80.0% vs. 68.6%; all p < 0.05). Cancer survivors versus matched controls reported higher rates of ever being in a health research study (32.4% vs. 24.9%) and interest in participating in studies ranging from minimal risk to greater-than-minimal risk. CONCLUSIONS: Cancer survivors from this community engagement program agnostic to cancer types and treatment are diverse in geography, race, and social determinants of health and can be a valuable resource for observational, interventional, and biospecimen research in cancer survivorship.

Hepatitis D-associated hospitalizations in the United States: 2010-2018.

In the United States, hepatitis D is not a reportable condition, leading to gaps in epidemiological and clinical knowledge. We aim to estimate the incidence of hepatitis D-associated hospitalizations in the United States and describe the clinical, demographic and geographic characteristics of those hospitalizations. We utilized hospitalization data from the 2010-2018 National Inpatient Sample from the Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project. Hepatitis D and hepatitis B only (HBV only) hospitalizations were identified by International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision (ICD-9) and International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision (ICD-10) codes. We identified 3825 hepatitis D-associated hospitalizations. The hospitalization rate of hepatitis D was between 6.9 and 20.7 per 10,000,000 but did not change significantly over time. Compared to HBV only, the hepatitis D cohort had a greater proportion of males, Hispanics, hospitalizations in the Northeast region. The hepatitis D-associated hospitalizations also had significantly greater frequencies of liver failure, non-alcoholic cirrhosis, portal hypertension, ascites and thrombocytopenia. While mortality in hepatitis D was similar to that of HBV only, age >65 years (odds ratio [OR] = 3.79; p = .020) and having a diagnosis of alcoholic cirrhosis (OR = 3.37; p = .044) increased the odds of mortality within the hepatitis D cohort. Although the hepatitis D-associated hospitalizations were relatively uncommon, they were associated with severe complications.