Depression and Medication Beliefs in African Americans with Diabetes.

Medication non-adherence impacts health significantly in African Americans with diabetes. We performed a retrospective data analysis on 56 patients who presented to the emergency departments of two hospitals in Philadelphia, PA, USA. Demographic data, medical history, and point-of-care hemoglobin A1c were collected at baseline. Using Spearman rank correlations, we examined whether depressive symptoms measured with the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) were associated with diabetes health beliefs, which were assessed with the Diabetes Health Belief Scale (DHBS). PHQ-9 scores were significantly correlated with DHBS's Perceived Side Effects scores [r(56) = 0.474, p < 0.01] and Perceived Barriers scores [r(56) = 0.337, p < 0.05]. These findings suggest that negative health beliefs may play a role in the relationship between depression and low medication adherence. Treatment of diabetes in middle-aged and older African American individuals should address both depression and negative health beliefs on side effects and perceived barriers.

Diabetes Distress, Daily Functioning, and A1C in Older Black Individuals With Diabetes and Mild Cognitive Impairment.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of the cross-sectional study was to identify associations of diabetes distress, physical functioning, and cognition with A1C in older Black individuals with diabetes and mild cognitive impairment. METHODS: The investigators analyzed previously collected data from 101 older Black individuals with diabetes and mild cognitive impairment. Participants were administered surveys at baseline to assess diabetes distress, physical functioning, and cognitive functioning and had A1C testing. RESULTS: The mean age of participants was 68.4 years, and 62% were women. Participants with higher A1C showed worse self-reported daily functioning (r = -0.28, P <0.01). Three of four diabetes distress factors were positively correlated with A1C: emotional (r = 0.28, P <0.01), regimen-related (r = 0.33, P <0.01), and interpersonal distress (r = 0.27, P <0.01). In a multivariate regression with A1C as the dependent variable, only regimen-related diabetes distress (ß = 0.32, P = 0.008) and self-reported daily functioning (ß = -0.33, P = 0.019) were significant. CONCLUSION: Regimen-related diabetes distress and self-reported daily functioning were found to compromise glycemic control in Black individuals with mild cognitive impairment and diabetes. This finding suggests that diabetes interventions should be multifaceted to improve glycemic control in the high-risk population of Black individuals with diabetes.

Memory improvement in African Americans with amnestic mild cognitive impairment.

OBJECTIVE: Amnestic mild cognitive impairment (aMCI) has an uncertain course. Valid methods to evaluate memory change will best identify predictors of course. This issue is especially relevant to older persons in minority groups, who may have encountered life course factors that adversely affect cognition. METHODS/DESIGN: Growth curve mixture models were used to identify trajectories of memory test scores obtained every 6 months over 2 years in 221 African Americans with aMCI. RESULTS: Participants sorted into two classes, with clinically and statistically significant differences in memory scores over time. Class 1 (n = 28 [14.7%]) had sustained improved scores. Class 2 (n = 162 [85.3%]) scores remained low, fluctuated, or declined. Class 1 had better baseline cognition and daily function than class 2. CONCLUSIONS: The observed rate of improved memory is lower than reported reversion rates from aMCI to normal cognition. Evaluating trajectories of memory test scores rather than changes in categorical diagnoses of aMCI, which may depend on recalling (or not recalling) one or two words, may yield a more valid indicator of cognitive change. These approaches require further study in minority groups.

Trust and Glycemic Control in Black Patients With Diabetic Retinopathy: A Pilot Study.

Diabetic retinopathy (DR) is more prevalent in blacks than whites because, compared to whites, blacks on average have worse glycemic control. Both of these racial disparities reflect differences in sociocultural determinants of health, including physician mistrust. This randomized, controlled 6-month pilot trial compared the efficacy of a culturally tailored behavioral health/ophthalmologic intervention called Collaborative Care for Depression and Diabetic Retinopathy (CC-DDR) to enhanced usual care (EUC) for improving glycemic control in black patients with DR (n = 33). The mean age of participants was 68 years (SD 6.1 years), 76% were women, and the mean A1C was 8.7% (SD 1.5%). At baseline, 14 participants (42%) expressed mistrust about ophthalmologic diagnoses. After 6 months, CC-DDR participants had a clinically meaningful decline in A1C of 0.6% (SD 2.1%), whereas EUC participants had an increase of 0.2% (SD 1.1%) (f[1, 28] = 1.9; P = 0.176). Within CC-DDR, participants with trust had a reduction in A1C (1.4% [SD 2.5%]), whereas participants with mistrust had an increase in A1C (0.44% [SD 0.7%]) (f[1, 11] = 2.11; P = 0.177). EUC participants with trust had a reduction in A1C (0.1% [SD 1.1%]), whereas those with mistrust had an increase in A1C (0.70% [SD 1.1%]) (f[1, 16] = 2.01; P = 0.172). Mistrust adversely affected glycemic control independent of treatment. This finding, coupled with the high rate of mistrust, highlights the need to target mistrust in new interventions to improve glycemic control in black patients with DR.

Health Beliefs and Medication Adherence in Black Patients with Diabetes and Mild Cognitive Impairment.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate determinants of medication adherence and glycemic control in black patients with diabetes and mild cognitive impairment (MCI). METHODS: Cross-sectional study of 143 participants with mean age of 68.8 (SD: 6.7) years; 66.4% were women. RESULTS: Eighty-seven participants (60.8%) self-reported medication nonadherence; they had more negative beliefs about medicines, greater diabetes-related distress, and more difficulty with daily living activities and affording medications than adherent participants. There were no group differences in cognition, depressive symptoms, or glycemic control. Glycemic control negatively correlated with regimen distress, emotional burden, interpersonal distress, beliefs that physicians overprescribe medications, and beliefs that medications are harmful. CONCLUSIONS: Beliefs about medications, diabetes-related distress, functional disability, and medication affordability are associated with medication nonadherence in black individuals with diabetes and MCI. Interventions that respect personal health beliefs and compensate for impaired cognition may improve medication adherence and glycemic control in this population.

Determinants of Activity Levels in African Americans With Mild Cognitive Impairment.

Engaging in cognitive, social, and physical activities may prevent cognitive decline. In a sample of older African Americans with mild cognitive impairment (MCI; N=221), we investigated the cross-sectional relationships between activity levels and participants' demographic, clinical, and neuropsychological characteristics. The average age of participants was 75.4 years (SD, 7.0); 177 (80.1%) were women. Participation in cognitive/social activities was positively associated with education, depression, literacy, mobility, instrumental activities of daily living (IADL), verbal learning, and subcomponents of executive function. A linear regression identified IADLs, education, depression, and verbal learning as independent predictors. Participation in physical activities was positively associated with sex, depression, IADLs, and subcomponents of executive function. An ordinal regression identified executive function and depression as independent correlates. These data suggest that unique characteristics are associated with cognitive/social and physical activities in older African Americans with MCI. These characteristics, coupled with low activity levels, may increase the risk of progression from MCI to dementia. Culturally relevant behavioral interventions to reduce cognitive decline in this high-risk population are needed.

A qualitative analysis of interprofessional healthcare team members' perceptions of patient barriers to healthcare engagement.

BACKGROUND: Healthcare systems increasingly engage interprofessional healthcare team members such as case managers, social workers, and community health workers to work directly with patients and improve population health. This study elicited perspectives of interprofessional healthcare team members regarding patient barriers to health and suggestions to address these barriers. METHODS: This is a qualitative study employing focus groups and semi-structured interviews with 39 interprofessional healthcare team members in Philadelphia to elicit perceptions of patients' needs and experiences with the health system, and suggestions for positioning health care systems to better serve patients. Themes were identified using a content analysis approach. RESULTS: Three focus groups and 21 interviews were conducted with 26 hospital-based and 13 ambulatory-based participants. Three domains emerged to characterize barriers to care: social determinants, health system factors, and patient trust in the health system. Social determinants included insurance and financial shortcomings, mental health and substance abuse issues, housing and transportation-related limitations, and unpredictability associated with living in poverty. Suggestions for addressing these barriers included increased financial assistance from the health system, and building a workforce to address these determinants directly. Health care system factors included poor care coordination, inadequate communication of hospital discharge instructions, and difficulty navigating complex systems. Suggestions for addressing these barriers included enhanced communication between care sites, patient-centered scheduling, and improved patient education especially in discharge planning. Finally, factors related to patient trust of the health system emerged. Participants reported that patients are often intimidated by the health system, mistrusting of physicians, and fearful of receiving a serious diagnosis or prognosis. A suggestion for mitigating these issues was increased visibility of the health system within communities to foster trust and help providers gain a better understanding of unique community needs. CONCLUSION: This work explored interprofessional healthcare team members' perceptions of patient barriers to healthcare engagement. Participants identified barriers related to social determinants of health, complex system organization, and patient mistrust of the health system. Participants offered concrete suggestions to address these barriers, with suggestions supporting current healthcare reform efforts that aim at addressing social determinants and improving health system coordination and adding new insight into how systems might work to improve patient and community trust.

Cultural and Cognitive Determinants of Personal Control in Older African Americans with Diabetes.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS: The study was funded by Pennsylvania Department of Health's Commonwealth Universal Research Enhancement (CURE) Program (SAP#4100051727). OBJECTIVE: To describe the determinants of personal control over diabetes complications in older African Americans (N=123) with type 2 diabetes. METHODS: We administered structured instruments to assess perceptions of personal control, time orientation, religiosity, depression, and cognition in this cross-sectional study. RESULTS: More years of education (p ≤ .001), better Clock Drawing (p ≤ .001), higher levels of Religiosity (p ≤ .04), and lower Present Time Orientation (p ≤ .01 ) were independent predictors of higher levels of Personal Control. DISCUSSION: Risk perceptions of control over diabetes complications vary among older African Americans according to cultural constructs, executive function, and education. This finding highlights the cultural diversity in this population and the potential impact of culturally-determined views and cognitive function on health behaviors. Cognitive screening of older persons with diabetes and interventions that incorporate perceptions of time and religion to increase rates of eye examinations are needed.

Low vision depression prevention trial in age-related macular degeneration: a randomized clinical trial.

PURPOSE: To compare the efficacy of behavior activation (BA) + low vision rehabilitation (LVR) with supportive therapy (ST) + LVR to prevent depressive disorders in patients with age-related macular degeneration (AMD). DESIGN: Single-masked, attention-controlled, randomized, clinical trial with outcome assessment at 4 months. PARTICIPANTS: Patients with AMD and subsyndromal depressive symptoms attending retina practices (n = 188). INTERVENTIONS: Before randomization, all subjects had 2 outpatient LVR visits, and were then randomized to in-home BA+LVR or ST+LVR. Behavior activation is a structured behavioral treatment that aims to increase adaptive behaviors and achieve valued goals. Supportive therapy is a nondirective, psychological treatment that provides emotional support and controls for attention. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual IV defined depressive disorder based on the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (primary outcome), Activities Inventory, National Eye Institute Vision Function Questionnaire-25 plus Supplement (NEI-VFQ), and NEI-VFQ quality of life (secondary outcomes). RESULTS: At 4 months, 11 BA+LVR subjects (12.6%) and 18 ST+LVR subjects (23.4%) developed a depressive disorder (relative risk [RR], 0.54; 95% CI, 0.27-1.06; P = 0.067). In planned adjusted analyses the RR was 0.51 (95% CI, 0.27-0.98; P = 0.04). A mediational analysis suggested that BA+LVR prevented depression to the extent that it enabled subjects to remain socially engaged. In addition, BA+LVR was associated with greater improvements in functional vision than ST+LVR, although there was no significant between-group difference. There was no significant change or between-group difference in quality of life. CONCLUSIONS: An integrated mental health and low vision intervention halved the incidence of depressive disorders relative to standard outpatient LVR in patients with AMD. As the population ages, the number of persons with AMD and the adverse effects of comorbid depression will increase. Promoting interactions between ophthalmology, optometry, rehabilitation, psychiatry, and behavioral psychology may prevent depression in this population.

Depression and Risk Perceptions in Older African Americans With Diabetes.

Objective. The purpose of this study is to describe the impact of depression on perceptions of risks to health, diabetes self-management practices, and glycemic control in older African Americans with type 2 diabetes. Methods. The authors analyzed data on depression, risk perceptions, diabetes self-management, and A1C in African Americans with type 2 diabetes. T-tests, χ(2), and multivariate regression were used to analyze the data. Results. The sample included 177 African Americans (68% women) whose average age was 72.8 years. Thirty-four participants (19.2%) met criteria for depression. Compared to nondepressed participants, depressed participants scored significantly higher on Personal Disease Risk (the perception of being at increased risk for various medical problems), Environmental Risk (i.e., increased risk for environmental hazards), and Composite Risk Perception (i.e., overall perceptions of increased risk); adhered less to diabetes self-management practices; and had marginally worse glycemic control. Depression and fewer years of education were independent predictors of overall perception of increased health risks. Conclusion. Almost 20% of older African Americans with type 2 diabetes in this study were depressed. Compared to nondepressed participants, they tended to have fewer years of education, perceived themselves to be at higher risk for multiple health problems, and adhered less to diabetes self-management practices. It is important for diabetes educators to recognize the impact of low education and the fatalistic perceptions that depression engenders in this population.

Improving function in age-related macular degeneration: a randomized clinical trial.

PURPOSE: To compare the efficacy of problem-solving therapy (PST) with supportive therapy (ST) to improve targeted vision function (TVF) in age-related macular degeneration (AMD). DESIGN: Single-masked, attention-controlled, randomized clinical trial with outcome assessments at 3 months (main trial endpoint) and 6 months (maintenance effects). PARTICIPANTS: Patients with AMD (n = 241) attending retina practices. INTERVENTIONS: Whereas PST uses a structured problem-solving approach to reduce vision-related task difficulty, ST is a standardized attention-control treatment. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: We assessed TVF, the 25-item National Eye Institute Vision Function Questionnaire plus Supplement (NEI VFQ), the Activities Inventory (AI), and vision-related quality of life (QoL). RESULTS: There were no between-group differences in TVF scores at 3 (P = 0.47) or 6 (P = 0.62) months. For PST subjects, mean ± standard deviation TVF scores improved from 2.71±0.52 at baseline to 2.18±0.88 at 3 months (P = 0.001) and were 2.18±0.95 at 6 months (change from 3 to 6 months, P = 0.74). For ST subjects, TVF scores improved from 2.73±0.52 at baseline to 2.14±0.96 at 3 months (P = 0.001) and were 2.15±0.96 at 6 months (change from 3 to 6 months, P = 0.85). Similar proportions of PST and ST subjects had less difficulty performing a TVF goal at 3 months (77.4% vs 78.6%, respectively; P = 0.83) and 6 months (76.2% vs 79.1%, respectively; P = 0.61). There were no changes in the NEI VFQ or AI. Vision-related QoL improved for PST relative to ST subjects at 3 months (F(4, 192) = 2.46; P = 0.05) and at 6 months (F(4, 178) = 2.55; P = 0.05). The PST subjects also developed more adaptive coping strategies than ST subjects. CONCLUSIONS: We found that PST was not superior to ST at improving vision function in patients with AMD, but that PST improved their vision-related QoL. Despite the benefits of anti-vascular endothelial growth factor treatments, AMD remains associated with disability, depression, and diminished QoL. This clinical reality necessitates new rehabilitative interventions to improve the vision function and QoL of older persons with AMD. FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE(S): The authors have no proprietary or commercial interest in any of the materials discussed in this article.

Cultural diversity and views on Alzheimer disease in older African Americans.

Cultural constructs prevalent in older African Americans may influence their risk perceptions and knowledge of Alzheimer disease (AD). To examine this issue, we administered 3 sociocultural scales, the AD Knowledge Scale, and a Risk Perception questionnaire to 271 older African Americans who were recruited from a large community senior center and local churches. Higher Present Time Orientation was significantly related to perceptions of having little control over risks to health (P=0.004), God's Will in determining AD (P=0.001), and lower AD knowledge (P<0.0001) and marginally related to having little control over developing AD (P=0.052). Religiosity was marginally related to having little control over risks to health (P=0.055) and getting AD (P=0.057). Post hoc intergroup comparisons found significant differences in the highest versus lowest scoring Religiosity groups. There were no significant differences by Future Time Orientation. Most subjects (57.6%) were unaware that African Americans were at higher risk for AD than whites. These data indicate that cultural diversity within older African Americans may shape health perceptions and knowledge of AD. This diversity may contribute to disparities in the detection and treatment of AD in this high-risk population.

Antidepressant-induced excessive sweating: clinical features and treatment with terazosin.

BACKGROUND: Antidepressant-induced excessive sweating (ADIES) occurs in 5% to 14% of patients taking antidepressants, usually persists throughout treatment, and causes subjective distress and functional impairment. We conducted the first clinical trial of any treatment for ADIES. METHODS: Clinical features of ADIES were assessed using a semi-structured form. Twenty-three patients with moderate or greater ADIES were assessed for a 2-week baseline period , followed by 6 weeks of open-label treatment with flexible dose terazosin, 1 to 6 mg/d. Improvement in ADIES was measured by the Clinical Global Impressions (CGI) scale and other measures. RESULTS: ADIES commonly was prominent in the scalp (62%), face (95%), neck (48%), and chest (57%); usually occurred either episodically or with episodic bursts (82%); and was persistent (median 63 months). Twenty-two of the 23 patients responded to terazosin (CGI-I scores 1 or 2), with CGI-Severity improving from median of 5 to median of 2 (P < .0001). Patient-rated daytime and nighttime severity of ADIES and proportion of time in ADIES also improved significantly. The most common adverse effects of terazosin therapy were dizziness/lightheadedness (n = 9) and dry mouth (n = 4). No patient dropped out because of adverse effects. Sitting and standing systolic blood pressure decreased by median values of 3 (P = .044) and 5 (P = .063) mm Hg, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Terazosin may be an effective treatment for ADIES. Although dizziness/lightheadedness may occur in some patients, the treatment generally was well tolerated.

Update on depression and age-related macular degeneration.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: This review updates the literature on depression in age-related macular degeneration (AMD). Treatment for AMD has been revolutionized since the 2004 review of depression and AMD. New data describing the prevalence of depression in AMD, as well as novel interventions for managing depression in AMD, are discussed. RECENT FINDINGS: Depression continues to be prevalent in AMD and new information is available on the pathways by which impaired vision leads to depression. Strategies for the treatment of depression in patients with impaired vision have evolved. SUMMARY: AMD is still a major risk factor for depression and people with activity restriction due to vision loss are at greatest risk. An integrated approach to depression management in older adults with impaired vision may be the best course of action.

Sociocultural Influences on Diabetes Self-Management Behaviors in Older African Americans.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this observational study was to describe the associations between cultural beliefs that are prevalent in older African Americans and adherence to diabetes self-management (DSM) behaviors. METHODS: In a community population of 110 older African Americans with type 2 diabetes, the investigators administered surveys that assess present time orientation (PTO), future time orientation (FTO), and religiosity, as well as exercising habits, reading food labels, and checking blood glucose. RESULTS: Participants who reported regularly exercising had significantly lower PTO scores and higher FTO and religiosity scores than participants who did not regularly exercise. Similarly, participants who reported reading food labels had lower PTO scores and higher FTO scores but did not differ in religiosity. Participants who reported checking blood glucose levels tended to have higher FTO scores but did not differ in PTO or religiosity. Participants who engaged in all three DSM behaviors had significantly lower PTO scores and higher FTO and religiosity scores. CONCLUSION: These data indicate that cultural diversity within older African Americans may influence DSM behaviors and contribute to disparities in diabetes outcomes in this high-risk population. Efforts to prevent complications of diabetes might benefit from consideration of these cultural factors.

Interprofessional Intervention to Reduce Emergency Department Visits in Black Individuals with Diabetes.

Black individuals with diabetes have high rates of emergency department (ED) use. This randomized controlled trial compared the efficacy of Diabetes Interprofessional Team to Enhance Adherence to Medical Care (DM I-TEAM) versus Usual Medical Care (UMC) to reduce number of return ED visits/hospitalizations over 12 months in 200 Black individuals with diabetes after an ED visit. DM I-TEAM consisted of community health worker-delivered diabetes education and behavior activation, telehealth visits with a diabetes nurse educator and primary care physicians, and clinical pharmacist recommendations to reduce potentially inappropriate medications (PIMs). Secondary outcomes included glycemic control, PIMs use, diabetes self-management, diabetes self-efficacy, depression, and medical trust. Participants had a mean age of 64.9 years and 73.0% were women. The 2 treatment groups were similar in baseline characteristics. Sixty-eight (69.4%) DM I-TEAM participants and 69 (67.6%) UMC participants had at least 1 incident ED visit/hospitalization over 12 months. The adjusted incidence rate ratio for DM I-TEAM versus UMC was 1.11 (95% confidence interval 0.79-1.56; P = 0.54). DM I-TEAM participants attained significantly better diabetes self-management, diabetes self-efficacy, and institutional trust than UMC participants. There were no treatment group differences in hemoglobin A1c level nor PIMs use. Among Black individuals with diabetes, a novel culturally relevant intervention was no better than usual care at preventing return ED visits/hospitalizations over 1 year. Before reasonable clinical interventions such as DM I-TEAM can be effective, reducing system-level barriers to health, building community health care capacity, and designing interventions that better align with the everyday realities of patients' lives are necessary. clinicaltrials.gov NCT03393338.

Identifying potential adverse effects by patients' ratings: a proof-of-concept study of a novel approach.

OBJECTIVE: Methods to evaluate adverse effects of medications are significantly underdeveloped compared to those for efficacy. In this pilot proof-of-concept study, we preliminarily compared a novel approach-the Symptom Assessment Tool (SAT)-to a systematic and detailed assessment by a physician for identifying symptoms that were potentially adverse effects (sensitivity) and excluding symptoms that were unlikely to be adverse effects (specificity). METHODS: A symptom inventory and rating of symptom severity were completed before starting a psychotropic medication (or increasing its dose), and again 2 weeks later. Each symptom was systematically assessed by the patient-rated SAT and by a physician and was classified as either a potential or unlikely adverse effect. The primary analysis compared the classification of symptoms by the SAT to that by the physician. Potential adverse effects were also subcategorized as possible or probable adverse effects. RESULTS: A sample of 193 symptoms from 15 adults was evaluated, only 37.3% of which were considered potential adverse effects by the physician. Sensitivity of the SAT compared to physician's assessment was 90.3% for potential adverse effects and 97.5% for the subgroup of probable adverse effects. The SAT correctly identified 63.6% of the symptoms as unlikely adverse effects (specificity), and its negative predictive value was 91.7%. CONCLUSIONS: The SAT, appropriate for its intended use as a screening tool, had high sensitivity and moderate specificity and could present physicians with a limited number of potential adverse effects for further assessment and intervention. Further evaluation and refinement of this approach is warranted.

Racial differences in the recognition of cognitive dysfunction in older persons.

We assessed the influence of race and education on informants' reports of cognitive decline in 252 community-residing older persons who were receiving services from senior health agencies. An expert consensus panel made diagnoses of normal cognition, cognitive impairment no dementia (CIND), and dementia based on clinical evaluations and standardized neuropsychological testing (using both population and race-adjusted norms). Informants were interviewed using the Informant Questionnaire for Cognitive Decline in the Elderly (IQCODE). Informants of black participants with CIND reported less cognitive decline (lower IQCODE scores) than informants of white CIND participants [3.03 (0.61) vs. 3.23 (0.41); t (117)=2.12, P≤0.036] even though there were no significant differences in the participants' functional and neuropsychological impairments. An analysis of covariance which controlled for informant education indicated that this difference in IQCODE scores was attributable to the fact that black informants had fewer years of education than white informants. There was no statistically significant difference in IQCODE scores for black and white participants with dementia [4.0 (0.7) vs. 4.3 (0.7); t (67)=1.37, P=0.177]. We conclude that racially determined differences in perceptions of early cognitive decline and education may influence informant ratings of older persons. These differences may contribute to disparities in the detection and treatment of cognitive disorders in older black persons.