Chlorthalidone for Hypertension in Advanced Chronic Kidney Disease.

BACKGROUND: Little evidence has been available to support the use of thiazide diuretics to treat hypertension in patients with advanced chronic kidney disease. METHODS: We randomly assigned patients with stage 4 chronic kidney disease and poorly controlled hypertension, as confirmed by 24-hour ambulatory blood-pressure monitoring, in a 1:1 ratio to receive chlorthalidone at an initial dose of 12.5 mg per day, with increases every 4 weeks if needed to a maximum dose of 50 mg per day, or placebo; randomization was stratified according to previous use of loop diuretics. The primary outcome was the change in 24-hour ambulatory systolic blood pressure from baseline to 12 weeks. Secondary outcomes were the change from baseline to 12 weeks in the urinary albumin-to-creatinine ratio, N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide level, plasma renin and aldosterone levels, and total body volume. Safety was also assessed. RESULTS: A total of 160 patients underwent randomization, of whom 121 (76%) had diabetes mellitus and 96 (60%) were receiving loop diuretics. At baseline, the mean (±SD) estimated glomerular filtration rate was 23.2±4.2 ml per minute per 1.73 m2 of body-surface area and the mean number of antihypertensive medications prescribed was 3.4±1.4. At randomization, the mean 24-hour ambulatory systolic blood pressure was 142.6±8.1 mm Hg in the chlorthalidone group and 140.1±8.1 mm Hg in the placebo group and the mean 24-hour ambulatory diastolic blood pressure was 74.6±10.1 mm Hg and 72.8±9.3 mm Hg, respectively. The adjusted change in 24-hour systolic blood pressure from baseline to 12 weeks was -11.0 mm Hg (95% confidence interval [CI], -13.9 to -8.1) in the chlorthalidone group and -0.5 mm Hg (95% CI, -3.5 to 2.5) in the placebo group. The between-group difference was -10.5 mm Hg (95% CI, -14.6 to -6.4) (P<0.001). The percent change in the urinary albumin-to-creatinine ratio from baseline to 12 weeks was lower in the chlorthalidone group than in the placebo group by 50 percentage points (95% CI, 37 to 60). Hypokalemia, reversible increases in serum creatinine level, hyperglycemia, dizziness, and hyperuricemia occurred more frequently in the chlorthalidone group than in the placebo group. CONCLUSIONS: Among patients with advanced chronic kidney disease and poorly controlled hypertension, chlorthalidone therapy improved blood-pressure control at 12 weeks as compared with placebo. (Funded by the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute and the Indiana Institute of Medical Research; CLICK ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT02841280.).

The point of diminishing returns in juvenile probation: Probation requirements and risk of technical probation violations among first-time probation-involved youth.

Technical probation violations are common among probation-involved youth, and across many jurisdictions, may result in detention or residential placement. The current study examined prevalence of technical violations occurring during one's first probation period, the average time to technical violation, and individual-level and justice-related factors related to technical violations among probation-involved youth in a juvenile justice system. We analyzed electronic criminal records of 18,289 probation-involved youth following their first arrest (68.7% male, 53.9% Black, Mage=15.2). Technical violation was defined as a violation resulting from a non-criminal incident. We examined effects of charge severity, probation conditions (e.g., electronic monitoring) and program referrals (e.g., mental health) on likelihood of technical violation utilizing survival analysis stratified by race. Across 18,289 youth, 15.3% received a technical violation during their first probation; Black youth violated more quickly compared to White youth (log-rank test p<.001). In multivariate survival analyses, the hazard for time to technical violation was higher for Black youth compared to white youth (p<.001), males (p=.04), and younger youth (p<.001). Youth assigned to more probation requirements violated more quickly. Electronic monitoring and education, mental health, and drug programs were associated with shorter time to violation, controlling for race, ethnicity, and charge severity. Black youth violate more quickly compared to White youth. Across all youth, assignment to more probation requirements increased risk of technical violation and shorter time to violation. Despite the benefit of probation interventions, system-level efforts are needed to help youth adhere to probation requirements and successfully complete probation.

Design and Baseline Characteristics of the Chlorthalidone in Chronic Kidney Disease (CLICK) Trial.

BACKGROUND: Hypertension often accompanies chronic kidney disease (CKD), and diuretics are widely prescribed to reduce blood pressure (BP). Chlorthalidone (CTD) is a thiazide-like diuretic and an effective antihypertensive drug, yet little data exist to support its use in treating hypertension in individuals with advanced CKD. METHODS: Chlorthalidone in Chronic Kidney Disease (CLICK) is a phase II, single-institution, multicenter, double-blind randomized control trial to test the hypothesis that CTD improves BP, through reduction of extracellular fluid volume, and results in target organ protection in patients with stage 4 CKD and poorly controlled hypertension. After a single-blind placebo run-in for 2 weeks and confirmation of hypertension by 24-h ambulatory blood pressure (ABP), patients are randomized to either placebo or CTD 12.5 mg once daily (QD) followed by dose escalation. Randomization is stratified by prior loop diuretic use, and the double-blind phase lasts 12 weeks. With a total of 160 patients, the study will have ≥80% power to detect a 6 mm Hg difference in systolic 24-h ABP between the 2 treatment groups. RESULTS: Between June 2016 and October 2019, 131 patients have been randomized. The baseline characteristics are as follows: average age 65.8 years, 79% men, 36% Black, 79% with diabetes, mean eGFR 23.2 mL/min/1.73 m2, median urine albumin/creatinine ratio 923 mg/g, average number of BP medications 3.4, 60% on loop diuretics, and 24-h ABP averaged 141.7/73.8 mm Hg. CONCLUSION: Among patients with stage 4 CKD and uncontrolled hypertension, CLICK should answer the question whether CTD is safe and effective.

Fecal microbiota transplantation for the treatment of recurrent and severe Clostridium difficile infection in solid organ transplant recipients: A multicenter experience.

Fecal microbiota transplant (FMT) is recommended for Clostridium difficile infection (CDI) treatment; however, use in solid organ transplantation (SOT) patients has theoretical safety concerns. This multicenter, retrospective study evaluated FMT safety, effectiveness, and risk factors for failure in SOT patients. Primary cure and overall cure were defined as resolution of diarrhea or negative C difficile stool test after a single FMT or after subsequent FMT(s) ± anti-CDI antibiotics, respectively. Ninety-four SOT patients underwent FMT, 78% for recurrent CDI and 22% for severe or fulminant CDI. FMT-related adverse events (AE) occurred in 22.3% of cases, mainly comprising self-limiting conditions including nausea, abdominal pain, and FMT-related diarrhea. Severe AEs occurred in 3.2% of cases, with no FMT-related bacteremia. After FMT, 25% of patients with underlying inflammatory bowel disease had worsening disease activity, while 14% of cytomegalovirus-seropositive patients had reactivation. At 3 months, primary cure was 58.7%, while overall cure was 91.3%. Predictors of failing a single FMT included inpatient status, severe and fulminant CDI, presence of pseudomembranous colitis, and use of non-CDI antibiotics at the time of FMT. These data suggest FMT is safe in SOT patients. However, repeated FMT(s) or additional antibiotics may be needed to optimize rates of cure with FMT.

Compliance With Skeletal Surveys for Child Abuse in General Hospitals: A Statewide Quality Improvement Process.

OBJECTIVE. The purpose of this study is to perform a statewide quality improvement process to improve compliance with the American College of Radiology (ACR) guidelines in performing skeletal surveys for suspected child abuse. SUBJECTS AND METHODS. We prospectively identified all outside hospital skeletal surveys for suspected child abuse in children younger than 3 years referred to our tertiary children's hospital in 2016-2017. We included a 3-month baseline and 21-month intervention period. The quality improvement process was based on sending educational material to all ACR member radiologists in the state and making telephone calls to radiology technologist team leaders whenever the surveys were not compliant, followed by e-mails with guidance on performing skeletal surveys. We documented the views obtained and compared them with the ACR guidelines. The percentage of compliance with each individual view was assessed with the chi-square test. The total number of compliant views per survey was evaluated with ANOVA. RESULTS. Two hundred twenty-seven patients (105 female) with a mean age of 0.8 year (SD, 0.67 year; range, 0.01-3 years) were evaluated. These 227 surveys (baseline, n = 27; postintervention, n = 200) were performed at 69 different outside hospitals. Compliance significantly (p = 0.006) improved from 25.9% (7/27) during baseline to 54.0% (108/200) after intervention. There was a nonsignificant trend of improved compliance between the first (51.9%; 41/79) and last 7-month (62.3%; 33/53) periods of intervention. Among individual views, only rib oblique views showed significantly (p = 0.02) improved compliance after the intervention, from 51.9% (14/27) to 73.5% (147/200). CONCLUSION. The compliance rate with ACR guidelines for skeletal surveys in suspected child abuse at outside general hospitals significantly increased after implementation of a quality improvement process.

Characteristics Associated with Confidential Consultation for Adolescents in Primary Care.

OBJECTIVE: To examine how provider report of confidential consultation in the electronic health record is associated with adolescent characteristics, health risk factors, and provider training. STUDY DESIGN: This prospective cohort study was conducted as part of a larger study implementing computerized clinical decision support in 2 urban primary care clinics. Adolescents used tablets to complete screening questions for specified risk factors in the waiting room. Adolescent-reported risk factors included sexual activity, substance use, and depressive symptoms. Providers were prompted on encounter forms to address identified risk factors and indicate whether confidential consultation was provided. Provider types included adolescent medicine board certified pediatrics and general pediatrics. Differences in proportions of adolescents reporting risk factors by provider type were assessed using χ2 tests. Associations between adolescent characteristics, risk factors, and provider-reported confidential consultation were examined using logistic regression analyses. RESULTS: The sample included 1233 English and Spanish-speaking adolescents 12-20 years of age (52% female; 60% black; 50% early adolescent). Patients seen by adolescent medicine board certified providers reported sexual activity, depressive symptoms, and substance use significantly more often than those seen by general pediatric providers. Among patients seen by board certified adolescent medicine providers, confidential consultation was provided to 90%. For those seen by general pediatric providers, confidential consultation was provided to 53%. Results of multiple logistic regression demonstrated that female sex, later adolescence, and clinic location were significantly associated with confidential consultation. CONCLUSIONS: Provider training is needed to reinforce the importance of confidential consultation for all adolescents.

Provider-specific quality measurement for ERCP using natural language processing.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Natural language processing (NLP) is an information retrieval technique that has been shown to accurately identify quality measures for colonoscopy. There are no systematic methods by which to track adherence to quality measures for ERCP, the highest risk endoscopic procedure widely used in practice. Our aim was to demonstrate the feasibility of using NLP to measure adherence to ERCP quality indicators across individual providers. METHODS: ERCPs performed by 6 providers at a single institution from 2006 to 2014 were identified. Quality measures were defined using society guidelines and from expert opinion, and then extracted using a combination of NLP and data mining (eg, ICD9-CM codes). Validation for each quality measure was performed by manual record review. Quality measures were grouped into preprocedure (5), intraprocedure (6), and postprocedure (2). NLP was evaluated using measures of precision and accuracy. RESULTS: A total of 23,674 ERCPs were analyzed (average patient age, 52.9 ± 17.8 years, 14,113 were women [59.6%]). Among 13 quality measures, precision of NLP ranged from 84% to 100% with intraprocedure measures having lower precision (84% for precut sphincterotomy). Accuracy of NLP ranged from 90% to 100% with intraprocedure measures having lower accuracy (90% for pancreatic stent placement). CONCLUSIONS: NLP in conjunction with data mining facilitates individualized tracking of ERCP providers for quality metrics without the need for manual medical record review. Incorporation of these tools across multiple centers may permit tracking of ERCP quality measures through national registries.

Changes in femoral head size and growth rate in young children with severe developmental dysplasia of the hip.

BACKGROUND: Developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH) is known to result in smaller femoral head size in toddlers; however, alterations in femoral head size and growth have not been documented in infants. OBJECTIVE: To determine with ultrasound (US) whether femoral head size and growth are altered in infants (younger than 1 year of age) with severe DDH. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We identified all patients at our tertiary care children's hospital from 2002 to 2014 who underwent US for DDH. We included studies with at least one hip with severe DDH, defined as <25% coverage of the femoral head, and excluded teratological DDH. We constructed a control group of randomized patients with normal US studies. Two pediatric radiologists blinded to diagnosis measured bilateral femoral head diameter. Inter-reader variability and femoral head diameter difference between dislocated and contralateral normal femoral heads were evaluated. Mean femoral head diameters were compared across types of hip joint; femoral head growth rates per month were calculated. RESULTS: Thirty-seven children with DDH (28 female) were identified (median age: 33 days). The control group contained 75 children (47 female) with a median age of 47 days. Fifty-three of the 74 hips in the study group had severe DDH. Twenty-four children with DDH had completely dislocated hips (nine bilateral, five with contralateral severe subluxations). Thirteen other children had severe subluxation, two bilaterally. There was good inter-reader agreement in the normal femoral head group and moderate agreement in the severe DDH group. In the study group, severe DDH femoral head diameter was significantly smaller than their contralateral normal hip. Severe DDH femoral head diameter was significantly smaller than normal femoral head diameter in the control group. The severe DDH femoral head growth rate was slightly less but not significantly slower than normal femoral head growth rate in the study group. CONCLUSION: On US during infancy, femoral head size is significantly reduced in severe cases of DDH.

Double-read of skeletal surveys in suspected non-accidental trauma: what we learned.

BACKGROUND: Missing a fracture in a child on skeletal surveys for suspected non-accidental trauma can have devastating results. Double-read has the potential to improve fracture detection. However the yield of double-read is unknown. OBJECTIVE: To determine the advantage of double-read versus single-read of radiographic skeletal surveys for suspected non-accidental trauma. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study was performed in two phases. In the first phase (April 2013 to September 2013), double-read was performed for all skeletal surveys obtained during weekday working hours. Because we had no new double-read findings in studies initially read as negative, we conducted a second phase (January 2014 to March 2014). In the second phase we limited double-reads to skeletal surveys found positive on the first read. At the end of this period, we retrospectively performed double-read for all initially negative skeletal surveys. We excluded follow-up skeletal surveys. The difference in discrepancy (new fracture or false diagnosis of a fracture) ratio between negative and positive skeletal surveys was evaluated using the Fisher exact test, and change in discrepancy ratio between the first and second study phases was evaluated using the stratified Cochran-Mantel-Haenszel test. RESULTS: Overall in the two phases, 178 skeletal surveys were performed in 178 children (67 girls) with mean age of 9 months (range 3 days to 3.7 years). Double-read found 16 discrepancies in 8/178 (4.5%) skeletal surveys. Seven of these studies showed additional fractures (n=15). In one study, an initial read of a skull fracture was read as a variant on the second read. There was a significant (P=0.01) difference between rate of disagreement in negative skeletal surveys (1/104, 1.0%) and positive skeletal surveys (7/74, 9.5%). No significant change in disagreement rate was demonstrated between the two phases of the study (P=0.59). CONCLUSION: Double-read of skeletal survey for suspected non-accidental trauma found false-negative fractures in a few cases and rarely found false-positive diagnosis of a fracture. Double-read uncommonly found discrepancies in an initially normal skeletal survey. Limiting double-read to initially positive studies improves the yield of the double-read.

Can ultrasound be used as the primary imaging in children with suspected Crohn disease?

BACKGROUND: There is growing literature on the use of ultrasound (US) for evaluation of Crohn disease in adults, but few studies have been conducted on children. Several studies demonstrated high accuracy of US in the diagnosis of Crohn disease. Using US as the primary screening imaging modality for Crohn disease can reduce health care costs, the need for sedation and ionizing radiation exposure. OBJECTIVE: The aim of our study is to determine if US can be used for screening evaluation of pediatric Crohn disease. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A prospective cohort study of pediatric patients undergoing MR enterography (MRE) for suspected or known history of Crohn disease was performed, with gray-scale and Doppler US of the terminal ileum done immediately before or after MRE. US images were interpreted by two radiologists (Reader 1 and Reader 2) not involved in image acquisition, in blinded and randomized fashion. US findings of Crohn disease including bowel wall thickening, wall stratification, increased vascularity on Doppler, lymphadenopathy, fat infiltration and extraintestinal complications were evaluated. MRE findings of terminal ileitis were considered the reference standard. Demographic data, body mass index (BMI), symptoms, and laboratory, endoscopic and histopathological data were obtained from electronic medical records. RESULTS: Forty-one patients (mean age: 13.7 years: 4.6-18.9 years) were evaluated. Mean BMI was 21.2 (range: 13-40.2); 10 patients (24.3%) were either overweight or obese. Final diagnoses were Crohn disease (n=24), ulcerative colitis (n=4) and normal/non-inflammatory bowel disease-related diagnoses (n=13). US demonstrated sensitivity of 67% and 78% and specificity of 78% and 83%, by Reader 1 and Reader 2, respectively. MRE sensitivity and specificity were 75% and 100%, respectively, compared to final clinicopathological diagnosis. Interobserver agreement between Reader 1 and Reader 2 was good (0.6< kappa <0.8). CONCLUSION: In screening for Crohn disease in children, US has limited sensitivity for detecting terminal ileitis.

How accurate is size-specific dose estimate in pediatric body CT examinations?

BACKGROUND: Size-specific dose estimate is gaining increased acceptance as the preferred index of CT dose in children. However it was developed based on non-clinical data. OBJECTIVE: To compare the accuracy of size-specific dose estimate (SSDE) based on geometric and body weight measures in pediatric chest and abdomen CT scans, versus the more accurate [Formula: see text] (mean SSDE based on water-equivalent diameter). MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrospectively identified 50 consecutive children (age <18 years) who underwent chest CT examination and 50 children who underwent abdomen CT. We measured anteroposterior diameter (DAP) and lateral diameter (DLAT) at the central slice (of scan length) of each patient and calculated DAP+LAT (anteroposterior diameter plus lateral diameter) and DED (effective diameter) for each patient. We calculated the following in each child: (1) SSDEs based on DAP, DLAT, DAP+LAT, DED, and body weight, and (2) SSDE based on software calculation of mean water-equivalent diameter ([Formula: see text] adopted standard within our study). We used intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) and Bland-Altman analysis to compare agreement between the SSDEs and [Formula: see text]. RESULTS: Gender and age distribution were similar between chest and abdomen CT groups; mean body weight was 37 kg for both groups, with ranges of 6-130 kg (chest) and 8-107 kg (abdomen). SSDEs had very strong agreement (ICC>0.9) with [Formula: see text]. SSDEs based on DLAT had 95% limits of agreement of up to 43% with [Formula: see text]. SSDEs based on other parameters (body weight, DAP, DAP+LAT, DED) had 95% limits of agreement of up to 25%. CONCLUSION: Differences between SSDEs calculated using various indications of patient size (geometric indices and patient weight) and the more accurate [Formula: see text] calculated using proprietary software were generally small, with the possible exception for lateral diameter, and provide acceptable dose estimates for body CT in children.

Stimulating and evaluating acquired knowledge of addiction among residents through repeat testing: a pilot study.

BACKGROUND: Addictive disorders receive little attention in medical school and residency program curricula. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate an innovative learning approach encouraging and stimulating residents to focus on key competencies by testing before and after their addiction psychiatry rotation. METHODS: We developed a 50-item test on substance use disorders. Twenty-six general psychiatry residents, post-graduate year I (PGY-I) and II (PGY-II), participated in the pilot study and were divided into three groups. PGY-I residents were divided into Group 1, who were tested the last day of the rotation and again 2 months later, and Group 2, who were tested on the first and the last day of the rotation. Eight of 11 PGY-II residents agreed to participate as controls (Group 3), as they had previously completed their 2-month addiction psychiatry rotation as PGY-I's. All residents were informed that the testing would not affect their individual grade. After taking the first test, all three groups received related study materials. RESULTS: A statistically significant increase in re-test scores occurred in the combined groups (p < .001). The largest changes in scores were among Group 2 (the group taking the test on first and last day of their addiction psychiatry rotation). CONCLUSION: The greatest learning seemed to occur when residents were tested at beginning and end of the rotation. However, all residents' test scores improved to some degree, regardless of their level of training or the timing of the test. SCIENTIFIC SIGNIFICANCE: This study offers support for testing as a learning guide and as a means of stimulating residents' learning.

Results From the POINT Pragmatic Randomized Trial: An Emergency Department-Based Peer Support Specialist Intervention to Increase Opioid Use Disorder Treatment Linkage and Reduce Recurrent Overdose.

BACKGROUND: People with opioid use disorder (OUD) frequently present at the emergency department (ED), a potentially critical point for intervention and treatment linkage. Peer recovery support specialist (PRSS) interventions have expanded in US-based EDs, although evidence supporting such interventions has not been firmly established. METHODS: Researchers conducted a pragmatic trial of POINT (Project Planned Outreach, Intervention, Naloxone, and Treatment), an ED-initiated intervention for harm reduction and recovery coaching/treatment linkage in 2 Indiana EDs. Cluster randomization allocated patients to the POINT intervention (n = 157) versus a control condition (n = 86). Participants completed a structured interview, and all outcomes were assessed using administrative data from an extensive state health exchange and state systems. Target patients (n = 243) presented to the ED for a possible opioid-related reason. The primary outcome was overdose-related ED re-presentation. Key secondary outcomes included OUD medication treatment linkage, duration of medication in days, all-cause ED re-presentation, all-cause inpatient re-presentation, and Medicaid enrollment. All outcomes were assessed at 3-, 6-, and 12-months post-enrollment. Ad hoc analyses were performed to assess treatment motivation and readiness. RESULTS: POINT and standard care participants did not differ significantly on any outcomes measured. Participants who presented to the ED for overdose had significantly lower scores (3.5 vs 4.2, P < .01) regarding readiness to begin treatment compared to those presenting for other opioid-related issues. CONCLUSIONS: This is the first randomized trial investigating overdose outcomes for an ED peer recovery support specialist intervention. Though underpowered, results suggest no benefit of PRSS services over standard care. Given the scope of PRSS, future work in this area should assess more recovery- and harm reduction-oriented outcomes, as well as the potential benefits of integrating PRSS within multimodal ED-based interventions for OUD.

Examining Patterns of Psychotherapy Service Utilization Among Medicaid-Enrolled Adolescents.

OBJECTIVE: Adolescents with behavioral health disorders (i.e., mental health disorders and substance use) often experience frequent recurrence of symptoms, suggesting a need for an ongoing behavioral health intervention, rather than a single course of treatment. However, little is known about mental health care service use among adolescents over longer periods. The authors examined longitudinal patterns of outpatient behavioral health service utilization in a large sample of adolescents. METHODS: Medicaid claims for 8,197 adolescents (ages 10.0-13.9 years, mean±SD=11.5±1.2; 61% male) from one Indiana county between 2006 and 2017 were examined, with a focus on outpatient psychotherapy visits. Latent class analysis (LCA) was used to detect clusters of longitudinal patterns of outpatient psychotherapy visits across 5 years, beginning with an adolescent's first behavioral health visit. RESULTS: A five-class LCA model emerged with unique classes of service use based on duration and level of engagement (frequency) of monthly outpatient psychotherapy visits. Most adolescents fell in the nonuse class (38.7% of the sample). Additional classes were defined as late-onset low engagement (17.1%), early-onset high engagement (15.5%), early-onset moderate engagement (16.7%), and continuously high engagement (11.9%). Statistically significant differences were found across the classes in average duration and frequency of involvement (p<0.001), as well as in demographic characteristics (race, age, gender, and ethnicity) and behavioral health diagnoses (p<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: These findings confirm that adolescents with behavioral health diagnoses do not follow a uniform pattern of psychotherapy utilization. The distinct patterns of service use point toward the need to identify appropriate long-term service recommendations for adolescents.

Evidence-based Treatment for Substance Use Disorders in Community Mental Health Centers: the ACCESS Program.

A significant gap remains in the availability and accessibility of evidence-based treatments (EBTs) in community substance use disorder (SUD) treatment. This study describes a 2-year statewide training initiative that sought to address this gap by training community-based therapists in motivational enhancement/cognitive behavioral therapy (MET/CBT). Therapists (N = 93) participated in a 2-day MET/CBT workshop followed by bi-weekly clinical consultation, fidelity monitoring, guided readings, and online resources. Therapists completed pre-training and follow-up assessments measuring knowledge, attitudes, confidence, and implementation barriers. Most therapists attended 10 or more consultation calls. Submission of session recordings for feedback was the least utilized training element. Therapists reported increased confidence in their ability to implement MET/CBT for SUD and demonstrated improvement in MI and CBT knowledge. Therapists reported several implementation barriers, including lack of time and opportunity to treat patients with MET/CBT. Recommendations for future training initiatives and addressing the barriers identified in this study are discussed.

Associations between outpatient treatment and the use of intensive psychiatric healthcare services.

The current manuscript examines concurrent and longitudinal associations between the utilization of outpatient and intensive psychiatric services among Medicaid-enrolled youth. Using an administrative dataset of Medicaid claims from 2007 to 2017, youth were included if they were between the ages of 10-18 (M = 13.4, SD = 2.6) and had a psychiatric Medicaid claim (N = 33,590). Psychiatric services were coded as outpatient, emergency department (ED), inpatient, or residential based on Medicaid codes. Logistic regression analyses indicated that the receipt of even one outpatient visit significantly reduced the odds of having an ED, inpatient, and residential visit within 60-, 90-, and 120-day windows. Survival analyses indicated most youth did not have any ED, inpatient, or residential visit following their first outpatient visit. For remaining youth, having an outpatient visit significantly increased the risk of having an ED, inpatient, and residential visit following their initial appointment, which may suggest these youth are being triaged to a more appropriate level of care. Classification accuracy analyses indicated a cutoff of 2 outpatient visits yielded maximum accuracy in determining youth with ED, inpatient, and residential visits. Findings highlight use of outpatient-level services in reducing risk of more intensive service utilization.

Inhibition of polyamine biosynthesis preserves ß cell function in type 1 diabetes.

In preclinical models, α-difluoromethylornithine (DFMO), an ornithine decarboxylase (ODC) inhibitor, delays the onset of type 1 diabetes (T1D) by reducing ß cell stress. However, the mechanism of DFMO action and its human tolerability remain unclear. In this study, we show that mice with ß cell ODC deletion are protected against toxin-induced diabetes, suggesting a cell-autonomous role of ODC during ß cell stress. In a randomized controlled trial (ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT02384889) involving 41 recent-onset T1D subjects (3:1 drug:placebo) over a 3-month treatment period with a 3-month follow-up, DFMO (125-1,000 mg/m2) is shown to meet its primary outcome of safety and tolerability. DFMO dose-dependently reduces urinary putrescine levels and, at higher doses, preserves C-peptide area under the curve without apparent immunomodulation. Transcriptomics and proteomics of DFMO-treated human islets exposed to cytokine stress reveal alterations in mRNA translation, nascent protein transport, and protein secretion. These findings suggest that DFMO may preserve ß cell function in T1D through islet cell-autonomous effects.

Rates of Tobacco Use Disorder, Pharmacologic Treatment, and Associated Mental Health Disorders in a Medicaid Claim Review Among Youth in Indiana, USA.

Purpose: This study delineates a number of Medicaid youth with tobacco use disorder (TUD), prescribing habits for treatment, and associated externalizing disorders. Methods: Youth Medicaid claims from 2007-2017 processed in a large Midwestern city were analyzed for a diagnosis of TUD, related pharmacotherapy, and externalizing mental health and substance use disorders. Results: Claims connected 6541 patients with 42 890 visits. Mean age was 16.4 with 40% female. 1232 of the 6541 charts contained a TUD diagnosis equating to 1848 visits. A comorbid diagnosis of ADHD, cannabis use, and conduct disorder were more common in males (3.9% vs 1.3% in females; 3.4% vs .8%; and 2.8% vs .8%; P < .05). 808 scripts were provided to 152 of the 1232 youths, with 4.7% of those scripts a nicotine replacement product. Conclusions: Pharmacotherapy is underutilized in this Medicaid claims data set. Certain externalizing factors were associated with males with TUD more than females.

Medicaid Coverage and Continuity for Juvenile Justice-Involved Youth.

This study examined Medicaid coverage and continuity for youth with varying levels of justice system involvement and the impact of a policy change allowing Medicaid suspension, rather than termination. Data for this study were collected using a retrospective cohort design using arrest records and Medicaid enrollment tables for 20,688 youth. Age, gender, race/ethnicity, and deepest level of justice system involvement all were associated with time to de-enrollment from Medicaid. Suspension was associated with a small improvement in Medicaid continuity for justice-involved youth. In addition, youth with deeper levels of justice system involvement had faster time to de-enrollment. This study highlights the importance of maximizing opportunities to keep youth enrolled, as gaps in coverage will likely affect juveniles' access to physical, mental, and behavioral health care.