Predicting the drop out from the maternal, newborn and child healthcare continuum in three East African Community countries: application of machine learning models.

BACKGROUND: For optimal health, the maternal, newborn, and child healthcare (MNCH) continuum necessitates that the mother/child receive the full package of antenatal, intrapartum, and postnatal care. In sub-Saharan Africa, dropping out from the MNCH continuum remains a challenge. Using machine learning, the study sought to forecast the MNCH continuum drop out and determine important predictors in three East African Community (EAC) countries. METHODS: The study utilised Demographic Health Surveys data from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) (2013/14), Kenya (2014) and Tanzania (2015/16). STATA 17 was used to perform the multivariate logistic regression. Python 3.0 was used to build five machine learning classification models namely the Logistic Regression, Random Forest, Decision Tree, Support Vector Machine and Artificial Neural Network. Performance of the models was assessed using Accuracy, Precision, Recall, Specificity, F1 score and area under the Receiver Operating Characteristics (AUROC). RESULTS: The prevalence of the drop out from the MNCH continuum was 91.0% in the DRC, 72.4% in Kenya and 93.6% in Tanzania. Living in the rural areas significantly increased the odds of dropping out from the MNCH continuum in the DRC (AOR:1.76;95%CI:1.30-2.38), Kenya (AOR:1.23;95%CI:1.03-1.47) and Tanzania (AOR:1.41;95%CI:1.01-1.97). Lower maternal education also conferred a significant increase in the DRC (AOR:2.16;95%CI:1.67-2.79), Kenya (AOR:1.56;95%CI:1.30-1.84) and Tanzania (AOR:1.70;95%CI:1.24-2.34). Non exposure to mass media also conferred a significant positive influence in the DRC (AOR:1.49;95%CI:1.15-1.95), Kenya (AOR:1.46;95%CI:1.19-1.80) and Tanzania (AOR:1.65;95%CI:1.13-2.40). The Random Forest exhibited superior predictive accuracy (Accuracy = 75.7%, Precision = 79.1%, Recall = 92.1%, Specificity = 51.6%, F1 score = 85.1%, AUROC = 70%). The top four predictors with the greatest influence were household wealth, place of residence, maternal education and exposure to mass media. CONCLUSIONS: The MNCH continuum dropout rate is very high in the EAC countries. Maternal education, place of residence, and mass media exposure were common contributing factors to the drop out from MNCH continuum. The Random Forest had the highest predictive accuracy. Household wealth, place of residence, maternal education and exposure to mass media were ranked among the top four features with significant influence. The findings of this study can be used to support evidence-based decisions in MNCH interventions and to develop web-based services to improve continuity of care retention.

Attrition rate and predictors of a monitoring mHealth application in adolescents with obesity.

BACKGROUND: Integrating mobile health (mHealth) into paediatric obesity treatment can provide opportunities for more personalized and lifetime treatment. However, high attrition rates pose a significant challenge. The current study attempts to better understand attrition by exploring (1) attrition rates of a monitoring mHealth application for usage over 14 days and (2) testing predictors of attrition in adolescents with obesity. METHODS: Participants were 69 adolescents between 12 and 16 years old who engaged in a multidisciplinary obesity treatment centre (either outpatient or inpatient) in two countries (Belgium and France). To assess the attrition rates, frequency distributions were used. To test the predictors of attrition, zero-inflated negative binomial regression was performed. RESULTS: Attrition rates were high, in the outpatient group, more than half of the participants (53.3%) used the app for only 0-7 days. In the inpatient group, this percentage was 24.1%. Only deficits in initiating (a component of executive functions) were a negative predictor of attrition, indicating that deficits in initiating lead to lower attrition rates. CONCLUSIONS: This study provides evidence for high attrition rates in mHealth interventions for adolescents with obesity and was the first to investigate psychological predictors of attrition to an mHealth monitoring tool in adolescents with obesity in treatment. Findings regarding predictors of attrition should be approached with caution due to the small sample size.

Boletim Tuberculose 2022 / Tuberculosis Bulletin 2022

A tuberculose (TB) é um grande desafio para as autoridades de saúde pública no mundo. O Brasil é um dos 30 países onde a doença ainda está presente e, portanto, fazendo parte da lista e das prioridades nas agendas internacionais para estratégias de controle do agravo (BRASIL, 2020; 2021b). O plano nacional pelo fim da TB como problema de saúde pública 2021-2025 renova as metas a serem atingidas para melhoria das condições da doença, com redução da incidência para 90% e da mortalidade para 95%. Estas metas tomaram como base o resultado do ano de 2015 no país (BRASIL, 2021; 2022). Com a emergência sanitária causada pelo advento da COVID 19 houve piora das condições da tuberculose com queda dos diagnósticos em 2020 e, consequentemente, do registro de notificações, e aumento dos óbitos, causando piora nos indicadores tanto epidemiológicos quanto operacionais (BRASIL, 2022). O estado do Rio de Janeiro dentro deste quadro da TB situa-se em posição de destaque negativo, sendo o 2º em taxa de incidência e o 1º em taxa de mortalidade, segundo dados do último boletim de 2022 do Ministério da Saúde (BRASIL, 2022). Para que a situação da doença seja acompanhada por gestores e programas de saúde, bem como por toda comunidade científica e social é através do cálculo de seus principais indicadores, por meio dos sistemas oficiais de vigilância padronizados nacionalmente. Sendo os indicadores de morbidade extraídos da alimentação do Sistema de Informação de Agravo de Notificação ­ SINAN, com preenchimento da ficha de notificação/investigação da tuberculose. E para os dados de mortalidade o Sistema sobre Mortalidade ­ SIM, por meio do registro da Declaração de Óbitos.

Effects of a brief pre-admission telephone reminder on no-show and dropout rates in substance use disorder treatment: a quasi-experimental study.

BACKGROUND: Appointment no-show and early dropout from treatment represent major challenges in outpatient substance use disorder treatment, adversely affecting clinical outcomes and health care productivity. In this quasi-experimental study, we examined how a brief reminder intervention for new patients before their first appointment affected treatment participation and retention. No-shows (not attending any sessions) and dropouts (discontinuation of initiated treatment because of three consecutively missed appointments) were compared between a period with pre-admission telephone calls (intervention) and a period without such reminders (non-intervention). METHODS: Participants were all eligible patients (N = 262) admitted to a Norwegian specialist clinic for substance use disorder treatment. We used the Chi-square test for the no-show analysis. Of the eligible patients, 147 were included in a subsequent dropout analysis. We used the number of visits up to 10 appointments as a measure for time to event. Group differences were analyzed using a Kaplan-Meier plot and the log-rank test. To control for relevant sociodemographic variables, as well as substance use and mental distress severity, we used Cox regression. RESULTS: No-show rates did not differ between the two periods (12% for non-intervention vs. 14% for intervention; χ2 = 0.20, p = 0.653). Of those consenting to participate in the dropout analysis (n = 147), 28 (19%) discontinued treatment within the time frame of 10 appointments, with no differences between the two periods (log-rank test = 0.328, p = 0.567). Controlling for baseline characteristics did not alter this finding. In fact, of the registered covariates at baseline, only higher education level was associated with attrition, linked to a reduced risk for dropout (hazard ratio = 0.85, 95% CI = 0.74-0.98, p = 0.025). CONCLUSION: These findings do not provide support for the systematic use of a brief pre-admission telephone reminder in the current treatment setting. TRIAL REGISTRATION: The study was retrospectively registered 13 Jan 2021 at ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT04707599.

Programa de Controle do Tabaco: fatores associados ao risco de abandono do tratamento / obacco control program: factors associated with treatment dropout

No Brasil, a prevalência de tabagismo ainda é elevada em pessoas portadoras de Condições Crônicas não Transmissíveis (CCNT). A compreensão dos modelos de atenção ao tabagista é essencial para se reduzir o abandono do tratamento. Objetivos: identificar as características sociodemográficas e de saúde dos indivíduos que buscaram o Programa Nacional de Controle do Tabaco (PNCT) em duas Unidades Básicas de Saúde (UBS) do município de Campinas, estimar o percentual de abandono do tratamento e elencar os fatores associados a esse desfecho. Metodologia: coorte histórico cujos dados foram obtidos, entre 2016 e 2019, em grupos de tratamento do PNCT. Para a realização da análise exploratória, a pesquisa incluiu 276 participantes, dos quais foram registradas suas variáveis sociodemográficas, condições de saúde, formas de uso do tabaco e participação no programa. Foram estimados o índice de abandono do tratamento e as possíveis relações com as variáveis significativas através de regressão múltipla. Resultados: a média de idade foi de 50,7 anos, com 60% do sexo feminino, 57,7% brancos, 52,2% com companheiro, 84,7% com filhos, 52,5% com ensino fundamental, 64% com renda entre um e dois salários, 40,1% trabalhando em setor de serviços e 58% católicos. O percentual de abandono do tratamento foi de 31%. A hipertensão se relacionou com o abandono do tratamento (p=0,030), reduzindo-o. Conclusão: o perfil dos indivíduos foi semelhante ao encontrado em outras pesquisas; indivíduos não hipertensos apresentaram maioríndice de abandono. São necessários outros estudos que avaliem fatores associados ao abandono do tratamento

In Brazil, there is still a high prevalence of smoking among people with chronic diseases. The understanding of smoking treatments is essential to a reduction in treatment dropout. Objectives: to identify epidemiological and health aspects of smokers, estimate the dropout rates, and list the factorsassociated with treatment dropouts. Data from PNCT (National Program of Tobacco Control) treatment groups was obtained from a historical cohort between 2016 and 2019. The research included 276 participants with different sociodemographic realities, healthconditions, forms of tobacco use, and participation in the program to conduct an exploratory analysis. The treatment dropout rate and possible relations with significant variables were estimated through multiple regression. Results: The mean age was 50.7 years; 60% female; 57.7% white; 52.2% with a partner; 84.7% with children; 52.5% studied until elementary school; 64% received between one and two salaries; 40.1% worked in the service sector; 58% were Catholic. The percentage of treatment dropouts was 31%. Hypertension was related to treatment dropout (p = 0.030), reducing it. Conclusion: The profiles of individuals were similar to those in other surveys. Non-hypertensive individuals had a higher dropout rate. Further studies are needed to assess the factors associated with treatment dropout.

Effect of Weekly Subcutaneous Semaglutide vs Daily Liraglutide on Body Weight in Adults With Overweight or Obesity Without Diabetes: The STEP 8 Randomized Clinical Trial.

Importance: Phase 3 trials have not compared semaglutide and liraglutide, glucagon-like peptide-1 analogues available for weight management. Objective: To compare the efficacy and adverse event profiles of once-weekly subcutaneous semaglutide, 2.4 mg, vs once-daily subcutaneous liraglutide, 3.0 mg (both with diet and physical activity), in people with overweight or obesity. Design, Setting, and Participants: Randomized, open-label, 68-week, phase 3b trial conducted at 19 US sites from September 2019 (enrollment: September 11-November 26) to May 2021 (end of follow-up: May 11) in adults with body mass index of 30 or greater or 27 or greater with 1 or more weight-related comorbidities, without diabetes (N = 338). Interventions: Participants were randomized (3:1:3:1) to receive once-weekly subcutaneous semaglutide, 2.4 mg (16-week escalation; n = 126), or matching placebo, or once-daily subcutaneous liraglutide, 3.0 mg (4-week escalation; n = 127), or matching placebo, plus diet and physical activity. Participants unable to tolerate 2.4 mg of semaglutide could receive 1.7 mg; participants unable to tolerate 3.0 mg of liraglutide discontinued treatment and could restart the 4-week titration. Placebo groups were pooled (n = 85). Main Outcomes and Measures: The primary end point was percentage change in body weight, and confirmatory secondary end points were achievement of 10% or more, 15% or more, and 20% or more weight loss, assessed for semaglutide vs liraglutide at week 68. Semaglutide vs liraglutide comparisons were open-label, with active treatment groups double-blinded against matched placebo groups. Comparisons of active treatments vs pooled placebo were supportive secondary end points. Results: Of 338 randomized participants (mean [SD] age, 49 [13] years; 265 women [78.4%]; mean [SD] body weight, 104.5 [23.8] kg; mean [SD] body mass index, 37.5 [6.8]), 319 (94.4%) completed the trial, and 271 (80.2%) completed treatment. The mean weight change from baseline was -15.8% with semaglutide vs -6.4% with liraglutide (difference, -9.4 percentage points [95% CI, -12.0 to -6.8]; P < .001); weight change with pooled placebo was -1.9%. Participants had significantly greater odds of achieving 10% or more, 15% or more, and 20% or more weight loss with semaglutide vs liraglutide (70.9% of participants vs 25.6% [odds ratio, 6.3 {95% CI, 3.5 to 11.2}], 55.6% vs 12.0% [odds ratio, 7.9 {95% CI, 4.1 to 15.4}], and 38.5% vs 6.0% [odds ratio, 8.2 {95% CI, 3.5 to 19.1}], respectively; all P < .001). Proportions of participants discontinuing treatment for any reason were 13.5% with semaglutide and 27.6% with liraglutide. Gastrointestinal adverse events were reported by 84.1% with semaglutide and 82.7% with liraglutide. Conclusions and Relevance: Among adults with overweight or obesity without diabetes, once-weekly subcutaneous semaglutide compared with once-daily subcutaneous liraglutide, added to counseling for diet and physical activity, resulted in significantly greater weight loss at 68 weeks. Trial Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT04074161.

Antenatal care dropout and associated factors among mothers delivering in public health facilities of Dire Dawa Town, Eastern Ethiopia.

INTRODUCTION: More than two-thirds of the pregnant women in Africa have at least one antenatal care contact with a health care provider. However, to achieve the full life-saving potential that antenatal care promises for women and babies, four visits providing essential evidence-based interventions - a package often called focused antenatal care are required. Hence, identifying the factors associated with dropout of maternal health care utilization would have meaningful implications. The study aimed to assess antenatal care dropout and associated factors among mothers delivering in the public health facilities of Dire Dawa town, Ethiopia. METHODS: Facility-based cross-sectional study was conducted from January 1 to 30, 2020. Proportionate sampling and simple random sampling techniques were used to select 230 women. Data were collected using a structured and pretested interview administered questionnaire during delivery. The data were entered into Epidata version 3.1 and analyzed using SPSS version 20. A binary logistic regression model with a 95 % confidence interval was used to analyze the results. Bivariable analysis (COR [crude odds ratio]) and multivariable analysis (AOR [adjusted odds ratio]) was used to analyze the results. From the bivariable analysis, variables with a p-value < 0.25 were entered into the multivariable logistic regression analysis. From the multivariable logistic regression analysis, variables with a significance level of p-value < 0.05 were taken as factors independently associated with ANC dropout. RESULT: The proportion of antenatal care dropouts was 86 (37.4 %) (95 % CI: 31.3-43.9). In logistic regression analyses, those who had no past antenatal care follow up were more likely to have ANC dropout (AOR = 7.89; 95 % CI: 2.109-29.498) and those who had no professional advice were more likely to have antenatal care dropout (AOR = 4.64 95 % CI: 1.246-17.254). CONCLUSIONS: This study indicates that a high number of women had antenatal care dropout. Having no past ANC follow-up and professional advice were the major factors of ANC service utilization dropout. Hence, giving more information during the ANC visit is important to reduce the dropout rate from the maternity continuum of care.

The Effect of a Patient Navigator on Treatment Abandonment and Follow-up for High Grade Osteosarcoma Patients in the Philippine General Hospital.

INTRODUCTION: Treatment abandonment for osteosarcoma is a significant problem in developing countries with rates as high as 70%. This study aimed to determine the effect of a patient navigator on treatment abandonment and patient follow-up of osteosarcoma patients at a tertiary referral center. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective review of osteosarcoma patients was performed investigating 2 cohorts based on the start of the patient navigator. Group 1 (Pre-Patient Navigator, n=46) were treated from January 2016 to December 2017 while Group 2 (Post-Patient Navigator, n=29) were treated from January 2018 to June 2019. The primary outcome investigated was treatment abandonment defined as missing 4 or more consecutive weeks of treatment. Semi-structured interviews were conducted to investigate the effect of the patient navigator on the cohorts. RESULTS: Treatment abandonment rates for the Pre-Patient Navigator group was significantly higher compared to those with a patient navigator (50% vs 6%, p=0.0001). Abandonment for the pre-navigator group occurred at a mean of 2.9 months (0 - 9 months, median 3 months). Fourteen of 23 patients who abandoned from Group 1 did not proceed to neoadjuvant chemotherapy while 3 patients abandoned after completing 1 cycle of neoadjuvant chemotherapy. In the patient navigator group, no patients abandoned prior to completing 3 cycles of chemotherapy. One patient abandoned after refusing a below knee amputation after 3 cycles of neoadjuvant chemotherapy and 1 patient did not complete further chemotherapy after having a hip disarticulation. Patient feedback on the patient navigator experience was favorable. CONCLUSIONS: Having a patient navigator from diagnosis throughout treatment reduced treatment abandonment rates in osteosarcoma patients and may serve as a model for other low to middle income countries.

A meta-analysis of dropout from evidence-based psychological treatment for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in children and young people.

Background: Despite the established evidence base of psychological interventions in treating PTSD in children and young people, concern that these trauma-focused treatments may 'retraumatise' patients or exacerbate symptoms and cause dropout has been identified as a barrier to their implementation. Dropout from treatment is indicative of its relative acceptability in this population. Objective: Estimate the prevalence of dropout in children and young people receiving a psychological therapy for PTSD as part of a randomized controlled trial (RCT). Methods: A systematic search of the literature was conducted to identify RCTs of evidence-based treatment of PTSD in children and young people. Proportion meta-analyses estimated the prevalence of dropout. Odds ratios compared the relative likelihood of dropout between different treatments and controls. Subgroup analysis assessed the impact of potential moderating variables. Results: Forty RCTs were identified. Dropout from all treatment or active control arms was estimated to be 11.7%, 95% CI [9.0, 14.6]. Dropout from evidence-based treatment (TFCBTs and EMDR) was 11.2%, 95% CI [8.2, 14.6]. Dropout from non-trauma focused treatments or controls was 12.8%, 95% CI [7.6, 19.1]. There was no significant difference in the odds of dropout when comparing different modalities. Group rather than individual delivery, and lay versus professional delivery, were associated with less dropout. Conclusions: Evidence-based treatments for children and young people with PTSD do not result in higher prevalence of dropout than non-trauma focused treatment or waiting list conditions. Trauma-focused therapies appear to be well tolerated in children and young people.

Antecedentes: A pesar de la base de evidencia establecida de intervenciones psicológicas en el tratamiento del TEPT en niños y gente joven, la preocupación por el que estos tratamientos focalizados en el trauma puedan 'retraumatizar' a los pacientes o exacerbar sus síntomas y causar abandono, ha sido identificada como una barrera para su implementación. El abandono del tratamiento es indicador de su aceptabilidad relativa en esta población.Objetivo: Estimar la prevalencia de abandono en niños y gente joven que reciben una terapia psicológica para el TEPT como parte de un ensayo aleatorizado controlado (RCT en su sigla en inglés).Métodos: Se realizó una búsqueda sistemática de la literatura para identificar RCTs de tratamientos basados en evidencia para el TEPT en niños y gente joven. Mediante metaanálisis de proporción se estimó la prevalencia de abandono. Los Odds Ratio compararon la probabilidad relativa de abandono entre diferentes tratamientos y controles. Mediante análisis de subgrupo se evaluó el impacto de potenciales variables moderadoras.Resultados: Se identificaron cuarenta RCTs. El abandono de todas las ramas de tratamiento o control activo se estimó en 11.7%, IC de 95% [9.0, 14.6]. El abandono de tratamientos basados en la evidencia (TF-CBTs y EMDR) fue de 11.2%, IC de 95% [8.2, 14.6]. El abandono de tratamientos sin foco en trauma o controles fue de 12.8%, IC de 95% [7.6, 19.1]. No hubo diferencia significativa en la probabilidad de abandono al comparar las diferentes modalidades. La entrega en grupos Individual y por legos versus profesionales, se asociaron a menor abandono.Conclusiones: Los tratamientos basados en evidencia para niños y gente joven con tept no resultan en una mayor prevalencia de abandono que los tratamientos sin foco en trauma o condiciones de lista de espera. las terapias focalizadas en el trauma parecen ser bien toleradas en niños y gente joven.

Discontinuation or abandonment of mobility assistive technology among people with neurological conditions. / Interrupción o abandono en el uso de productos de apoyo para la movilidad en personas con afectación neurológica.

INTRODUCTION: Among other limitations, people with neurological conditions often experience problems with functional mobility. One of the intervention strategies employed to mitigate or compensate this limitation is the use of mobility assistive technology such as manual and electric wheelchairs, walkers, canes, crutches, etc. Although assistive technology is a commonly used intervention strategy among disabled people, the use of this technology is sometimes discontinued or abandoned due to a failure to meet the user's needs or a lack of training, among other reasons. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The sample used in this study comprises 80 users of mobility assistive technology, 14 of whom have abandoned or discontinued their use of Assistive Technology. The study variables include the Psychosocial Impact of Assistive Devices Scale for outcome measurement, as well as specific sociodemographic variables relating to the sample and the assistive device used. RESULTS: Significant values were obtained in the three subscales of the Psychosocial Impact of Assistive Devices Scale. 50% of abandonments of assistive technology occurred among people diagnosed with stroke. CONCLUSION: The Psychosocial Impact of Assistive Devices Scale can be a useful tool for assessing potential abandonment or non-use of Assistive Technology. More longitudinal studies are required to avoid this limitation on the use of assistive technology.

TITLE: Interrupción o abandono en el uso de productos de apoyo para la movilidad en personas con afectación neurológica.Introducción. Las personas con afectación neurológica suelen presentar, entre otras limitaciones, problemas en la movilidad funcional. Por ello, una estrategia de intervención para mitigar o compensar esta limitación es el uso de productos de apoyo para la movilidad, como sillas de ruedas tanto manuales como eléctricas, andadores, bastones, muletas, etc. Aunque los productos de apoyo son una estrategia habitual de intervención en personas con discapacidad, en ocasiones su uso es interrumpido o abandonado por no cubrir las necesidades del usuario o por falta de entrenamiento, entre otras causas. Pacientes y métodos. La muestra del análisis está formada por 80 usuarios de productos de apoyo para la movilidad, de los cuales 14 abandonaron o interrumpieron el uso del producto de apoyo. Las variables del estudio incluyen la escala Psychosocial Impact of Assistive Devices Scale (PIADS) como medida de resultados, además de variables sociodemográficas específicas de la muestra y del producto de apoyo empleado. Resultados. Se obtienen valores significativos en las tres subescalas de la PIADS. Un 50% de los productos de apoyo abandonados corresponde a personas con diagnóstico de ictus. Conclusiones. La PIADS puede ser una herramienta adecuada para evaluar el posible abandono o la falta de uso de los productos de apoyo. Aunque los productos de apoyo son una correcta estrategia de intervención para mitigar las limitaciones en la movilidad, algunos usuarios abandonan o interrumpen su uso por diferentes factores. Es necesario realizar más estudios longitudinales para evitar esta limitación en el uso de productos de apoyo.

Tracking the dropout patients of neoadjuvant chemotherapy with locally advanced oral cavity cancer.

BACKGROUND: Patients with locally advanced oral cavity cancer sometimes stopped treatment after neoadjuvant chemotherapy. There are no guidelines of the management for these patients. Before designing clinical trials, we conducted this study to investigate their characteristics, reasons of dropout, and the follow-up information. METHODS: Medical records were consecutively reviewed of patients with locally advanced oral cavity cancer who underwent neoadjuvant chemotherapy from Jan 2017 to Dec 2019.Variables were compared between patients stopped treating after chemotherapy and completed treatments by student t-test and Chi-square test. Logistic regression model was used to calculate the odd rations of potential predictors of dropout. The dropout patients were followed up for reasons and results of their decision. RESULTS: A total of 171 patients were included with 23 not undergoing surgery after chemotherapy. The odd ratios of age over 65 and single marital status were 3.11 (95%CI: 1.1, 8.7) and 4.935 (95%CI: 1.5, 16.1), respectively, for the dropout. The median survival of patients without surgery was 7.4 months. Believing that chemotherapy would be effective and being afraid of the consequence of surgery were the main reasons of refusing surgery. CONCLUSIONS: The prognosis was poor of these dropout patients. Symptom relief and fear of surgery were the reasons of dropout. Age and marital status affected their decision. Clinical trials are needed to be designed for these patients.

Pilot randomized placebo-controlled clinical trial of high-dose gabapentin for alcohol use disorder.

BACKGROUND: Despite advances in the development of pharmacotherapy for alcohol use disorder (AUD), there remains a need for medications that can be administered to actively drinking outpatients to promote a reduction in harmful alcohol consumption. The primary aim of this pilot study was to determine whether high-dose gabapentin (3600 mg/daily) is more effective than placebo in reducing harmful alcohol consumption in outpatients with AUD. METHODS: Forty patients (27 men) who met DSM-IV-TR criteria for alcohol dependence and reporting at least 4 heavy drinking days (HDD) per week were recruited at a single site. Participants were actively drinking at study entry and received double-blind gabapentin (3600 mg/day; n = 19) or placebo (n = 20) for 8 weeks. Study medication was titrated over 5 days and administered in three divided doses (1200 mg three times per day). The proportion of HDD (primary outcome) and percent days abstinent (PDA; secondary outcome) were analyzed using generalized longitudinal mixed models with the predictors being study arm, week, study arm by week interaction, and corresponding baseline drinking measure. RESULTS: There was a significant interaction between study arm and week for the proportion of HDD per week, F (7, 215) = 3.33, p = 0.002 . There was also a significant interaction between study arm and week for PDA per week, F (7, 215) = 3.11, p = 0.004. The overall retention rate was 67.5% with no significant difference in time-to-dropout between treatment groups. There were no serious adverse events. No participants were removed from the trial due to the development of moderate-to-severe alcohol withdrawal (CIWA-Ar ≥ 13). CONCLUSIONS: Gabapentin treatment rapidly titrated to a dosage of 3600 mg/day is associated with a reduction in the proportion of HDD per week and an increase in PDA per week in actively drinking outpatients with AUD. High-dose gabapentin is potentially a feasible approach to treating AUD and deserving of further study.

Cigarette Smoking in an Acute Partial Hospital Program.

ABSTRACT: This study explored demographic and clinical features, plus clinical outcomes, in a smoke-free acute partial hospital (PH) among current smokers, former smokers, and those who had never smoked (nonsmokers). Compared with nonsmokers, current smokers were younger and more likely to be unmarried and unpartnered, unemployed, or receiving disability benefits. They had more prior inpatient (IP) and PH episodes. They also had more problems with interpersonal relationships, mood lability, psychosis, and substance use. Compared with nonsmokers, current smokers were more likely to miss PH treatment days and drop out. They also had longer time to readmission to PH or IP. Former smokers resembled nonsmokers, except that former smokers also had a high rate of dropout. Changes in symptoms and functioning for patients who completed PH were the same among all groups. In an acute PH setting, smoking is a marker for psychiatric and psychosocial impairment plus treatment interruption.

Emergency Department Patients Who Leave Before Treatment Is Complete.

INTRODUCTION: Emergency department (ED) patients who leave before treatment is complete (LBTC) represent medicolegal risk and lost revenue. We sought to examine LBTC return visits characteristics and potential revenue effects for a large healthcare system. METHODS: This retrospective, multicenter study examined all encounters from January 1-December 31, 2019 at 18 EDs. The LBTC patients were divided into left without being seen (LWBS), defined as leaving prior to completed medical screening exam (MSE), and left subsequent to being seen (LSBS), defined as leaving after MSE was complete but before disposition. We recorded 30-day returns by facility type including median return hours, admission rate, and return to index ED. Expected realization rate and potential charges were calculated for each patient visit. RESULTS: During the study period 626,548 ED visits occurred; 20,158 (3.2%) LBTC index encounters occurred, and 6745 (33.5%) returned within 30 days. The majority (41.7%) returned in <24 hours with 76.1% returning in 10 days and 66.4% returning to index ED. Median return time was 43.3 hours, and 23.2% were admitted. Urban community EDs had the highest 30-day return rate (37.8%, 95% confidence interval, 36.41-39.1). Patients categorized as LSBS had longer median return hours (66.0) and higher admission rates (29.8%) than the LWBS cohort. There was a net potential realization rate of $9.5 million to the healthcare system. CONCLUSION: In our system, LSBS patients had longer return times and higher admission rates than LWBS patients. There was significant potential financial impact for the system. Further studies should examine how healthcare systems can reduce risk and financial impacts of LBTC patients.

Factors influencing TB treatment interruption and treatment outcomes among patients in Kiambu County, 2016-2019.

Tuberculosis (TB) is the leading cause of mortality as a single infectious agent globally with increasing numbers of case notification in developing countries. This study seeks to investigate the clinical and socio-demographic factors of time to TB treatment interruption among Tuberculosis patients in Kiambu County, 2016-2019. We retrospectively analyzed data for all treatment outcomes patients obtained from TB tracing form linked with the Tuberculosis Information Basic Unit (TIBU) of patients in Kiambu County health facilities using time to treatment interruption as the main outcome. Categorical variables were presented using frequency and percentages. Kaplan-Meir curve was used to analyze probabilities of time to treatment interruptions between intensive and continuation phases. Log-rank test statistics was used to compare the equality of the curves. Cox proportion model was used to determine determinants of treatment interruption. A total of 292 participants were included in this study. Males were 68%, with majority (35%) of the participants were aged 24-35 years; 5.8% were aged 0-14 years and 5.1% aged above 55 years. The overall treatment success rate was 66.8% (cured, 34.6%; completed 32.2%), 60.3% were on intensive phase of treatment. Lack of knowledge and relocation were the major reasons of treatment interruptions. Patients on intensive phase were 1.58 times likely to interrupt treatment compared to those on continuation phase (aHR: 1.581; 95%CI: 1.232-2.031). There is need to develop TB interventions that target men and middle aged population in order to reduce treatment interruption and increase the treatment success rates in the County and Country.

Subcutaneous Allergen Immunotherapy in Children: Real Life Compliance and Effect of COVID-19 Pandemic on Compliance.

BACKGROUND: Subcutaneous allergen immunotherapy (SCIT) is an effective treatment for allergic rhinitis, asthma, and venom allergy. Compliance is essential for SCIT to obtain maximal benefit as it is a long-term treatment. OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to determine the level of real-life SCIT compliance in pediatric patients and the associated factors. Additional aims were to determine how SCIT compliance was affected by the COVID-19 pandemic and why some patients dropped out SCIT. METHOD: Pediatric patients diagnosed with allergic rhinitis, allergic asthma, or venom allergy that received SCIT between September 2012 and July 2020 were analyzed. RESULTS: The study included 201 children (66.7% male) with a median (interquartile range) age of 12.8 years (9.4-15.2) at the time of the first SCIT injection. The overall compliance rate before COVID-19 pandemic was 86.1%. Short SCIT follow-up time and venom anaphylaxis were found to be risk factors for drop out. The leading causes of drop outs were moving to another city/country (32.1%), symptom improvement (17.8%), treatment ineffectiveness (14.2%), and adverse reactions (14.2%). Among the 108 patients that were still receiving SCIT during the COVID-19 pandemic, 31 (28.7%) dropped out the therapy. The most frequent reasons for drop-out were fear of being infected with COVID-19 (35.4%) and thinking that the AIT practise stopped due to COVID-19 pandemic (29%). Male gender and older age were found to be the independent risk factors for drop-out of SCIT. CONCLUSIONS: Real life compliance in children was found 13.9% and it was higher than adults. Nearly one-third of children dropped out during the CO-VID-19 pandemic. Male gender and older age are associated with SCIT drop-out during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Strategies to improve retention in randomised trials.

BACKGROUND: Poor retention of participants in randomised trials can lead to missing outcome data which can introduce bias and reduce study power, affecting the generalisability, validity and reliability of results. Many strategies are used to improve retention but few have been formally evaluated. OBJECTIVES: To quantify the effect of strategies to improve retention of participants in randomised trials and to investigate if the effect varied by trial setting. SEARCH METHODS: We searched the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL), MEDLINE, Scopus, PsycINFO, CINAHL, Web of Science Core Collection (SCI-expanded, SSCI, CPSI-S, CPCI-SSH and ESCI) either directly with a specified search strategy or indirectly through the ORRCA database. We also searched the SWAT repository to identify ongoing or recently completed retention trials. We did our most recent searches in January 2020. SELECTION CRITERIA: We included eligible randomised or quasi-randomised trials of evaluations of strategies to increase retention that were embedded in 'host' randomised trials from all disease areas and healthcare settings. We excluded studies aiming to increase treatment compliance. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS: We extracted data on: the retention strategy being evaluated; location of study; host trial setting; method of randomisation; numbers and proportions in each intervention and comparator group. We used a risk difference (RD) and 95% confidence interval (CI) to estimate the effectiveness of the strategies to improve retention. We assessed heterogeneity between trials. We applied GRADE to determine the certainty of the evidence within each comparison. MAIN RESULTS: We identified 70 eligible papers that reported data from 81 retention trials. We included 69 studies with more than 100,000 participants in the final meta-analyses, of which 67 studies evaluated interventions aimed at trial participants and two evaluated interventions aimed at trial staff involved in retention. All studies were in health care and most aimed to improve postal questionnaire response. Interventions were categorised into broad comparison groups: Data collection; Participants; Sites and site staff; Central study management; and Study design. These intervention groups consisted of 52 comparisons, none of which were supported by high-certainty evidence as determined by GRADE assessment. There were four comparisons presenting moderate-certainty evidence, three supporting retention (self-sampling kits, monetary reward together with reminder or prenotification and giving a pen at recruitment) and one reducing retention (inclusion of a diary with usual follow-up compared to usual follow-up alone). Of the remaining studies, 20 presented GRADE low-certainty evidence and 28 presented very low-certainty evidence. Our findings do provide a priority list for future replication studies, especially with regard to comparisons that currently rely on a single study. AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS: Most of the interventions we identified aimed to improve retention in the form of postal questionnaire response. There were few evaluations of ways to improve participants returning to trial sites for trial follow-up. None of the comparisons are supported by high-certainty evidence. Comparisons in the review where the evidence certainty could be improved with the addition of well-done studies should be the focus for future evaluations.

Coordinated treatment between addiction and mental health services vs. uncoordinated treatment for patients with dual diagnosis: higher dropout rates but lower impairement of functional disability.

Dual pathology is often found in addiction and mental health centers. Although there are integrated services for these patients, most countries have developed joint action protocols between addiction and mental health centers. The objective is to analyze the progress of patients diagnosed with dual pathology, comparing the therapeutic outcomes of those who exclusively attend either addiction or mental health centers with those patients who follow a program in which the two services are coordinated. It is hypothesized that patients assisted in coordinate manner will present a better evolution on psychopathological symptomatology, drug use and functional impairment.

Barriers and facilitators to use of a mobile HIV care model to re-engage and retain out-of-care people living with HIV in Atlanta, Georgia.

Novel strategies to re-engage and retain people living with HIV (PLWH) who are out of care are greatly needed. While mobile clinics have been used effectively for HIV testing and linkage, evidence guiding their use in providing HIV care domestically has been limited. To guide the development of a mobile HIV clinic (MHC) model as a strategy to re-engage and retain PLWH who are out of care, we aimed to explore stakeholder perceptions of barriers and facilitators to MHC implementation and use. From June 2019-July 2020, we conducted 41 in-depth interviews with HIV clinic providers, administrators, staff, legal authorities, and community advisory board members, PLWH, AIDS service organizations and city officials in Atlanta, Georgia, and domestic and international mobile health clinics to explore barriers and facilitators to use of MHCs. Interviews were transcribed, coded and thematically analysed. Barriers raised include potential for: breach of confidentiality with resulting heightened stigmatization, fractured continuity of care, safety concerns, staffing challenges, and low community acceptance of MHC presence in their locality. Participants provided suggestions regarding appropriate exterior design, location, timing, and co-delivery of non-HIV services that could facilitate MHC acceptance and address the concerns. In identifying key barriers and facilitators to MHC use, this study informs design and implementation of an MHC as a novel strategy for re-engaging and retaining PLWH who are out of care.