Adj RR Research Articles

Impact of COVID-19 vaccines in patients on hemodialysis: an Italian multicentre cohort study.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact on the national health system of COVID-19 infection in vaccinated patients undergoing haemodialysis. From the cohort of vaccinated dialysis patients enrolled in 118 dialysis centres, we calculated hospitalisation incidence in COVID-19-infected subjects. COVID-19-related hospitalisations and ICU admissions were analysed over two time periods (prior to administration of the third dose and following administration of the third dose of vaccine) and adjusted for several co-variates. Using the general population as the reference, we then calculated the Standardized Incidence Ratio (SIR) of hospitalisation. Eighty-two subjects out of 1096 infected patients were hospitalised (7.5%) and sixty-four hospitalisations occurred among the 824 infected persons after the third dose. Age ≥ 60years (Adj RR 2.91; 95% CI 1.34-6.30) and lung disease (Adj RR = 2.45; 95% CI 1.32-4.54) were the only risk factors associated with hospitalisation. The risk of ICU admission in the second time period (Time 2) was reduced by 86% (RR = 0.14; 95% CI 0.03-0.71) compared to the first time period (Time 1). The SIR of hospitalisation (SIR 14.51; 95% CI 11.37-17.65) and ICU admission (SIR 14.58; 95% CI 2.91-26.24) showed an increase in the number of events in dialysis patients compared to the general population. Our analysis revealed that while the second variant of the virus increased infection rates, it wasconcurrently associated withmitigated severity of infections. Dialysis patients exhibited a higher susceptibility to both COVID-19 hospitalisation and ICU admission than the general population throughout the pandemic.

Wandering Behavior and SARS-CoV-2 Infection in Veterans Affairs Community Living Center Residents

ObjectiveWandering behavior in nursing home (NH) residents could increase risk of infection. The objective of this study was to assess the association of wandering behavior with SARS-CoV-2 infection in Veterans Affairs (VA) Community Living Center (CLC) residents. DesignRetrospective cohort study. Setting & ParticipantsVeterans residing in 133 VA CLCs. MethodsWe included residents with SARS-CoV-2 test from March 1, 2020 to December 31, 2020 from VA electronic medical records. We identified CLC residents with wandering on Minimum Data Set 3.0 assessments and compared them with residents without wandering. The outcome was SARS-CoV-2 infection, as tested for surveillance testing, in those with and without wandering. Generalized linear model with Poisson link adjusted for relevant covariates was used. ResultsResidents (n = 9995) were included in the analytic cohort mean, (SD) age 73.4 (10.7); 388 (3.9%) women. The mean (SD) activities of daily living score in the overall cohort was 13.6 (8.25). Wandering was noted in 379 (3.8%) (n = 379) of the cohort. The exposure groups differed in prior dementia (92.6% vs 62.1%, standardized mean difference [SMD] = 0.8) and psychoses (41.4% vs 28.1%, SMD = 0.3). Overall, 12.5% (n = 1248) tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 and more residents among the wandering group were SARS-CoV-2 positive as compared with those in the group without wandering (19% [n = 72] vs 12.2% [n = 1176], SMD = 0.19). Adjusting for covariates, residents with wandering had 34% higher relative risk for SARS-CoV-2 infection (adjusted relative risk, 1.34; 95% CI, 1.04–1.69). Conclusions and ImplicationsCLC residents with wandering had a higher risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection. This may inform implementation of infection control and isolation policies as NHs attempt to balance ethical concepts of resident autonomy, proportionality, equity, and utilitarianism.

WaSH insecurity and anxiety among people who inject drugs in the Tijuana-San Diego border region

BackgroundWater, sanitation, and hygiene (WaSH) insecurity increases the risk of water-related diseases. However, limited research has been conducted on psychosocial distress as it relates to WaSH insecurity, especially among people who inject drugs (PWID). We examined the relationship between WaSH insecurity and related anxiety among PWID living in different housing conditions along the US-Mexico border region.MethodsFrom 2020–2021, a cross-sectional study was conducted among 585 people who injected drugs within the last month in Tijuana (N = 202), San Diego (N = 182), and in both Tijuana and San Diego (N = 201). Participants underwent interviewer-administered surveys related to WaSH access, substance use, and generalized anxiety disorder (GAD-7). Quasi-Poisson regressions were used to assess associations between WaSH insecurity and anxiety in the prior 6-months.ResultsParticipants were 75% male, 42% were unhoused and 91% experienced WaSH insecurity in the prior 6-months. After adjusting for housing status, gender, and age, lack of access to basic drinking water (Adj RR: 1.28; 95% CI: 1.02–1.58), sanitation (Adj RR:1.28; 95% CI: 1.07–1.55), and a daily bath/shower (Adj RR: 1.38; 95% CI: 1.15–1.66) were associated with mild-severe anxiety. The number of WaSH insecurities was independently associated with a 20% increased risk of experiencing anxiety per every additional insecurity experienced (Adj RR: 1.20; CI: 1.12–1.27). We also found a significant interaction between gender and housing status (p = 0.003), indicating that among people experiencing sheltered/unsheltered homelessness, women had a higher risk of mild-severe anxiety compared to men (Adj RR: 1.55; 95% CI: 1.27–1.89). At the same time, among women, those who are unhoused have 37% increased risk of anxiety than those who live in stable housing conditions (Adj RR: 1.37; 95% CI: 1.01–1.89).ConclusionThe lack of specific WaSH services, particularly lack of drinking water, toilets, and daily showers were associated with higher levels of anxiety among PWID in the Tijuana-San Diego border region. Women experiencing homelessness were especially vulnerable. WaSH interventions that provide safe, 24-h access may help to reduce anxiety and health risks associated with WaSH insecurity.

The impact of depression at preconception on pregnancy planning and unmet need for contraception in the first postpartum year: a cohort study from rural Malawi

BackgroundThe impact of depression on women’s use of contraception and degree of pregnancy planning in low-income settings has been poorly researched. Our study aims to explore if symptoms of depression at preconception are associated with unplanned pregnancy and nonuse of contraception at the point of conception and in the postpartum period.MethodsPopulation-based cohort of 4244 pregnant women in rural Malawi were recruited in 2013 and were followed up at 28 days, 6 months and 12 months postpartum. Women were asked about symptoms of depression in the year before pregnancy and assessed for depression symptoms at antenatal interview using the Self‐Reporting Questionnaire‐20, degree of pregnancy planning using the London Measure of Unplanned Pregnancy and use of contraception at conception and the three time points postpartum.ResultsOf the 3986 women who completed the antenatal interview, 553 (13.9%) reported depressive symptoms in the year before pregnancy and 907 (22.8%) showed current high depression symptoms. History of depression in the year before pregnancy was associated with inconsistent use of contraception at the time of conception [adjusted relative risk (adjRR) 1.52; 95% confidence interval (1.24–1.86)] and higher risk of unplanned [adjRR 2.18 (1.73–2.76)] or ambivalent [adj RR 1.75 (1.36–2.26)] pregnancy. At 28 days post-partum it was also associated with no use of contraception despite no desire for a further pregnancy [adjRR 1.49 (1.13–1.97)] as well as reduced use of modern contraceptives [adj RR 0.74 (0.58–0.96)]. These results remained significant after adjusting for socio-demographic factors known to impact on women’s access and use of family planning services, high depression symptoms at antenatal interview as well as disclosure of interpersonal violence. Although directions and magnitudes of effect were similar at six and 12 months, these relationships were not statistically significant.ConclusionsDepression in the year before pregnancy impacts on women’s use of contraception at conception and in the early postpartum period. This places these women at risk of unplanned pregnancies in this high fertility, high unmet need for contraception cohort of women in rural Malawi. Our results call for higher integration of mental health care into family planning services and for a focus on early postnatal contraception.

Bleeding risk in patients hospitalized for non-ST-segment elevation acute coronary syndromes in Switzerland: performance of the CRUSADE score

Abstract Background Evaluation of bleeding risk is critical to the management of patients with non-ST-segment elevation acute coronary syndromes (NSTE-ACS). The CRUSADE score is the most established tool to estimate major bleeding events following the index NSTE-ACS. Purpose We aimed to assess the performance of the CRUSADE score and the predictive utility of the individual score variables in contemporary European populations. Methods The CRUSADE score was studied in prospectively recruited Swiss patients with NSTE-ACS included in the multicentre SPUM-ACS study (n=4'787) and main findings were validated in the nation-wide AMIS Plus registry (n=46'939). Major bleeding during hospitalization was defined as Bleeding Academic Research Consortium (BARC) class IIIB, IIIC, IV, or V. Discrimination was evaluated by the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC). Multivariable-adjusted risk ratios (adj RR) were estimated for each of the 8 score variables. Hematocrit estimates were based on hemoglobin concentrations in AMIS Plus. Analyses were performed on complete and imputed data (multiple imputation using chained equations). Results CRUSADE showed poor discriminatory performance (SPUM-ACS: AUC, 0.65; 95% CI 0.57 to 0.72) and low balanced accuracy (SPUM-ACS: 0.50). Risk predicted by CRUSADE exceeded the observed risk across all predefined risk categories (very low, low, moderate, high, and very high). Decision curve analyses suggested little to no net benefit from using the score. Adjusting for other score variables, signs of heart failure (adj RR, 3.83; 95% CI, 1.93 to 7.37), low hematocrit (adj RR, 2.16; 95% CI, 0.55 to 7.70; <31% vs. >40%), and low systolic blood pressure (adj RR, 2.70; 95% CI, 1.14 to 6.16; <100 mmHg vs. >121 mmHg) were the strongest predictors of major in-hospital bleeds in SPUM-ACS. These findings were similarly observed in AMIS Plus. Conclusion The CRUSADE score overestimates bleeding risk in NSTE-ACS. Among all 8 score variables, signs of heart failure, low hematocrit, and low systolic blood pressure are the strongest predictors of major in-hospital bleeds in contemporary patients with NSTE-ACS. Funding Acknowledgement Type of funding sources: Public Institution(s). Main funding source(s): Swiss National Science FoundationSwiss Heart Foundation

Practice characteristics influencing variation in provision of depression care in general practice in Norway; a registry-based cohort study (The Norwegian GP-DEP study).

BackgroundThere is growing evidence of variation in treatment for patients with depression, not only across patient characteristics, but also with respect to the organizational and structural framework of general practitioners’ (GPs') practice. However, the reasons for these variations are sparsely examined. This study aimed to investigate associations of practice characteristics with provision of depression care in general practices in Norway.MethodsA nationwide cohort study of residents aged ≥ 18 years with a new depression episode in general practice during 2009–2015, based on linked registry data. Exposures were characteristics of GP practice: geographical location, practice list size, and duration of GP-patient relationship. Outcomes were talking therapy, antidepressant medication and sick listing provided by GP during 12 months from date of diagnosis. Associations between exposure and outcome were estimated using generalized linear models, adjusted for patients’ age, gender, education and immigrant status, and characteristics of GP practice.ResultsThe study population comprised 285 113 patients, mean age 43.5 years, 61.6% women. They were registered with 5 574 GPs. Of the patients, 52.5% received talking therapy, 34.1% antidepressant drugs and 54.1% were sick listed, while 17.3% received none of the above treatments. Patients in rural practices were less likely to receive talking therapy (adjusted relative risk (adj RR) = 0.68; 95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.64–0.73) and more likely to receive antidepressants (adj RR = 1.09; 95% CI = 1.04–1.14) compared to those in urban practices. Patients on short practice lists were more likely to receive medication (adj RR = 1.08; 95% CI = 1.05–1.12) than those on long practice lists. Patients with short GP-patient relationship were more likely to receive talking therapy (adj RR = 1.20; 95% CI = 1.17–1.23) and medication (adj RR = 1.08; 95% CI = 1.04–1.12), and less likely to be sick-listed (RR = 0.88; 95% CI = 0.87–0.89), than patients with long GP-patient relationship.ConclusionsProvision of GP depression care varied with practice characteristics. Talking therapy was less commonly provided in rural practices and among those with long-lasting GP-patient relationship. These differences may indicate some variation, and therefore, its reasons and clinical consequences need further investigation.Supplementary InformationThe online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12913-022-08579-x.

Sputum Metabolomic Profiling Reveals Metabolic Pathways and Signatures Associated With Inflammatory Phenotypes in Patients With Asthma.

PurposeThe molecular links between metabolism and inflammation that drive different inflammatory phenotypes in asthma are poorly understood. We aimed to identify the metabolic signatures and underlying molecular pathways of different inflammatory asthma phenotypes.MethodsIn the discovery set (n = 119), untargeted ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (UHPLC-MS) was applied to characterize the induced sputum metabolic profiles of asthmatic patients with different inflammatory phenotypes using orthogonal partial least-squares discriminant analysis (OPLS-DA), and pathway topology enrichment analysis. In the validation set (n = 114), differential metabolites were selected to perform targeted quantification. Correlations between targeted metabolites and clinical indices in asthmatic patients were analyzed. Logistic and negative binomial regression models were established to assess the association between metabolites and severe asthma exacerbations.ResultsSeventy-seven differential metabolites were identified in the discovery set. Pathway topology analysis uncovered that histidine metabolism, glycerophospholipid metabolism, nicotinate and nicotinamide metabolism, linoleic acid metabolism as well as phenylalanine, tyrosine and tryptophan biosynthesis were involved in the pathogenesis of different asthma phenotypes. In the validation set, 24 targeted quantification metabolites were significantly expressed between asthma inflammatory phenotypes. Finally, adenosine 5′-monophosphate (adjusted relative risk [adj RR] = 1.000; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.000–1.000; P = 0.050), allantoin (adj RR = 1.000; 95% CI = 1.000–1.000; P = 0.043) and nicotinamide (adj RR = 1.001; 95% CI = 1.000–1.002; P = 0.021) were demonstrated to predict severe asthma exacerbation rates.ConclusionsDifferent inflammatory asthma phenotypes have specific metabolic profiles in induced sputum. The potential metabolic signatures may identify therapeutic targets in different inflammatory asthma phenotypes.

Impact of a personalised, digital, HIV self-testing app-based program on linkages and new infections in the township populations of South Africa

IntroductionImplementation data for digital unsupervised HIV self-testing (HIVST) are sparse. We evaluated the impact of an app-based, personalised, oral HIVST program offered by healthcare workers in Western Cape, South Africa.MethodsIn...

Primary peritoneal drainage in neonates with necrotizing enterocolitis associated with congenital heart disease: a single experience in a Brazilian tertiary center.

Necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) is a common condition in preterm infants. The risk factors that contribute to NEC include asphyxia, apnea, hypotension, sepsis, and congenital heart diseases (CHD). The objective of this study was to evaluate the association between the treatment (surgery or drainage) and unfavorable outcomes in neonates with NEC and congenital heart diseases (NEC+CHD). A 19-year retrospective cohort study was conducted (2000-2019). Inclusion criterion was NEC Bell II stage. Exclusion criteria were associated malformation or genetic syndrome and those who did not undergo echocardiography or had a Bell I diagnosis. We included 100 neonates: NEC (n=52) and NEC+CHD (n=48). The groups were subdivided into NEC patients undergoing surgery (NECS, n=31), NEC patients undergoing peritoneal drainage (NECD, n=19), NEC+CHD patients undergoing surgery (NECCAS, n=21), and NEC+CHD patients who were drained (NECCAD, n=29). Multivariate analysis was performed to estimate the relative risk of death and the length of stay. Covariates were birth weight and gestational age. The group characteristics were similar. The adjusted relative risk of death was higher in the drainage groups [NECD (Adj RR=2.70 (95%CI: 1.47; 4.97) and NECCAD (Adj RR=1.97 (95%CI: 1.08; 3.61)], and they had the shortest time to death: NECD=8.72 (95%CI: 3.10; 24.54) and NECCAD=5.32 (95%CI: 1.95; 14.44). We concluded that performing primary peritoneal drainage in neonates with or without CHD did not improve the number of days of life, did not decrease the risk of death, and was associated with a higher mortality in newborns with NEC and clinical instability.

A comparison of swab types on sample adequacy, suspects comfort and provider preference in COVID-19

AimThis study was aimed to compare the virological, suspect reported outcomes and provider preferences during COVID-19 swab taking procedure used for sampling. MethodsThe COVID-19 suspects are subjected to nasopharyngeal (NP) and oropharyngeal (OP) swabs for testing. Two types of swabs (Nylon and Dacron) are used for sample collection. Prospectively each suspect's response is collected and assessed for self-reported comfort level. The provider's experience with each suspect and virological outcomes recorded separately. The sample adequacy was compared based on swab types and demographic characteristics. ResultsA total of 1008 COVID-19 suspects were considered for comparison of various outcomes. Dacron and flocked Nylon swab sticks are used for taking 530 and 478 samples, respectively. Suspects who underwent the procedure using Nylon swabs were six times more likely to have pain/discomfort compared to when Dacron swab was used (Adj RR (95% CI: 6.76 (3.53 to 13, p=0.0001))). The providers perceived six times more resistance with the Nylon swabs compared to Dacron Swabs (Adj RR (95% CI: 5.96 (3.88 to 9.14, p=0.0001))). The pediatric population had a higher rate of blood staining in Dacron swab [Dacron 66 (80.5%); Nylon 51 (54.8%) p=0.0001]. The sample adequacy rate and laboratory positivity rate were not significantly different from each other. ConclusionsGiven the comparable virological outcomes, the difference in suspect and providers comfort should drive swab selection based on characteristics of the suspects. The bulbous Nylon swab caused more pain/discomfort in adults compared to Dacron.

Plasma ceramide and phospholipid-based risk score and the risk of cardiovascular death in patients after acute coronary syndrome.

Ceramide (Cer) and phosphatidylcholine (PC) lipids are associated with pathophysiological processes in cardiovascular (CV) diseases. A previously derived and validated plasma Cer-PC risk score (CERT2) was associated with CV death risk in patients with stable disease, but its prognostic value has not been evaluated in patients early post-acute coronary syndrome (ACS). Prespecified plasma Cer and PC species in the CERT2 risk score were measured in 4871 subjects from SOLID-TIMI 52, which enrolled patients ≤30 days after ACS (median follow-up 2.5 years). The CERT2 score (scale 0-12 points) was calculated as previously defined. The primary outcome was CV death; Coronary heart disease death, all-cause death, hospitalization for heart failure (HF), myocardial infarction (MI) and stroke were also analyzed. Poisson models included baseline characteristics and established biomarkers. Patients with higher CERT2 risk scores were more likely to be older, female, current smokers, presenting with STEMI, and to have impaired renal function and higher LDL-C. After multivariable adjustment, patients in the highest risk score category remained at a nearly two-fold higher risk of CV death (adj relative risk [RR] 1.92, 95% CI 1.01-3.66, P = 0.047). Patients in the highest risk score category were also at higher risk of all-cause death (adj RR 2.01, 95% CI 1.21-3.35, P = 0.007), whereas the relationships with HF, MI, and stroke were attenuated with multivariable adjustment. A plasma ceramide and phospholipid-based risk score is associated with the risk of CV death independent of established clinical risk factors and biomarkers in patients after ACS.

Abstract 13907: Patients With NSTEMI Are at Higher Risk, Have Worse Outcomes, but Less Intense Cardiology Follow-up 1-3 Years Post-discharge: Findings From the TIGRIS Registry

Introduction: Non-ST-elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI) patients have more comorbidities and extensive CAD than STEMI patients. However, there is a need for comparative data on the long-term prognosis and resource utilization of stable patients after these MI subtypes. Methods: TIGRIS enrolled 9027 stable patients 1-3 years post-MI (369 centers, 25 countries) with ≥1 risk factor (age ≥65 years, diabetes, 2nd prior MI, multivessel CAD, CKD). The incidence of cardiovascular (CV) events and deaths, and self-reported EQ-D5 score were recorded over 2 years. Multivariable Poisson regression models were used to compare STEMI and NSTEMI patients for relative risks, adjusting for prognostically relevant patient factors. Results: MI subtype was known in 8494 patients (STEMI: 56%; NSTEMI: 44%). At enrollment, NSTEMI patients were more likely to be older, have diabetes, hypertension, hyperlipidemia, and prior CAD compared with STEMI patients. NSTEMI patients had significantly poorer self-rated health and a lower use of dual antiplatelet therapy at discharge and 1-3 years later. NSTEMI patients had a higher incidence of the composite of MI, stroke and CV death over 2 years (5.6% vs 4.0%, p<0.001) and higher all-cause mortality (4.1% vs 2.6%, p<0.001) vs STEMI patients (Figure). These excess risks for the composite outcome attenuated after adjusting for baseline characteristics (adj RR 1.18, 95% CI 0.96-1.45, p=0.11), but remained significant for all-cause mortality (adj RR 1.31, 95% CI 1.02-1.68, p=0.03). Resource utilization over 2 years was higher in NSTEMI patients, although the mean number of cardiologist visits were higher for STEMI patients (4.2 vs 2.8, p<0.001). Conclusions: NSTEMI patients had a less favorable risk profile and experienced more adverse CV events during long-term follow-up than STEMI patients, but had less intense cardiology follow-up. Continued efforts are needed to optimize secondary prevention and care of stable patients after NSTEMI.

Comparison of End-of-Life Care Quality Outcomes and Indicators of Palliative Needs between Medicare Beneficiaries with Solid and Hematologic Malignancies

Comparison of End-of-Life Care Quality Outcomes and Indicators of Palliative Needs between Medicare Beneficiaries with Solid and Hematologic Malignancies

Short communication: Self-reported sleep-wake disturbances preceding onset of full-threshold mood and/or psychotic syndromes in community residing adolescents and young adults

BackgroundInsomnia may predict onset of mental disorders in adults. However, it is unclear whether the same directional relationship exists during the peak age range for the onset of major mental disorders and/or whether other types of sleep-wake disturbance, such as hypersomnia, show similar associations. MethodsLongitudinal follow-up of >1800 community residing twins and non-twin siblings (mean age ~26; 57% female). Adjusted relative risk ratios and 95% confidence intervals (Adj RR and 95% CI) were estimated for onset of depression, hypomania and psychosis in individuals with prior self-reported exposure to Insomnia and/or Hypersomnia or proxies for insomnia disorder (Insomnia and Daytime Impairment) and atypical symptom profile (Hypersomnia and Anergia). ResultsRisk of onset differed somewhat according to type of syndrome and the nature of sleep-wake disturbance (e.g. Insomnia alone increased risk of first onset of psychosis). Overall, the risk for onset of any syndrome was best identified using composite measures (Adj RR were ~1.5–2.5) such as Insomnia and Hypersomnia, Insomnia and Daytime Impairment, or Hypersomnia and Anergia, rather than singular items describing night-time disruption only. ConclusionsThe magnitude of risk of onset of major mental health problems and the availability of effective, low-cost, individual and population-based interventions for sleep-wake disturbances, suggest that it is justifiable to introduce screening for and strategies to overcome sleep problems in youth.

Short- and long-term respiratory outcomes in neonates with ventilator-associated pneumonia.

Ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) is a common nosocomial infection in critical care settings and might have important long-term consequences in neonates. Our aim is to clarify the short- and long-term respiratory outcomes of neonates affected by VAP. Prospective, population-based, cohort study with 12 months follow-up based on clinical examinations and diary-based respiratory morbidity score, conducted in an academic tertiary referral neonatal unit with dedicated follow-up program. A total of 199 inborn neonates consecutively ventilated for at least 48 hours were eligible for the study. One hundred fifty-one were finally enrolled and classified as "exposed" or "unexposed" to VAP, if they fulfilled (or not) VAP criteria once during their stay. Bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) incidence was significantly higher in exposed (75%) than in unexposed babies (26.8%; relative risk [RR]: 2.8 [1.9-4.0]; Adj RR: 3.5 [1.002-12.7]; P = .049; number needed to harm = 2.07), although the composite BPD/mortality did not differ. Exposed patients showed longer intensive care unit stay (87 [43-116] vs 14 [8-52] days; St.β = 0.24; P < .0001) and duration of ventilation (15 [10-25] vs 5 [4-8] days; St.β = 0.29; P < .0001) than unexposed neonates. Exposed patients also showed less ventilator-free days (11 [5-17.7] vs 22 [14-24] days; St.β = -0.15; P = .05) compared to unexposed. Respiratory infections, use of drugs, rehospitalization for respiratory reasons, home oxygen therapy, their composite outcome, and diary-based clinical respiratory morbidity score were similar between the cohorts. Neonatal VAP seems associated to higher incidence of BPD, longer ventilation, and intensive care stay but it does not affect long-term respiratory morbidity.

A randomised controlled trial of treatments of childhood anxiety disorder in the context of maternal anxiety disorder: clinical and cost-effectiveness outcomes.

BackgroundThis study evaluated whether clinical and economic outcomes from CBT for child anxiety disorders in the context of maternal anxiety disorders are improved by adding treatment focused on (a) maternal anxiety disorders or (b) mother–child interactions.MethodsTwo hundred and eleven children (7–12 years, 85% White British, 52% female) with a primary anxiety disorder, whose mothers also had a current anxiety disorder, were randomised to receive (a) child‐focused CBT with nonspecific control interventions (CCBT+Con), (b) CCBT with CBT for the maternal anxiety disorder (CCBT+MCBT), or (c) CCBT with an intervention targeting the mother–child interaction (CCBT+MCI). A cost‐utility analysis from a societal perspective was conducted using mother/child combined quality‐adjusted life years (QALYs). [Trial registration: https://doi.org/10.1186/isrctn19762288].Results MCBT was associated with immediate reductions in maternal anxiety compared to the nonspecific control; however, after children had also received CCBT, maternal outcomes in the CCBT+MCI and CCBT+Con arms improved and CCBT+MCBT was no longer superior. Neither CCBT+MCBT nor CCBT+MCI conferred a benefit over CCBT+Con in terms of child anxiety disorder diagnoses post‐treatment [primary outcome] (adj RR: 1.22 (95% CI: 0.88, 1.67), p = .23; adj RR: 1.21 (95% CI: 0.88, 1.65), p = .24, respectively) or global improvement ratings (adj RR: 1.25 (95% CI: 0.99, 1.57), p = .06; adj RR: 1.18 (95% CI: 0.93, 1.50), p = .17) or six and 12 months later. No significant differences between the groups were found on the main economic outcome measures (child/mother combined QALY mean difference: CCBT+MCBT vs. CCBT+Con: −0.04 (95% CI: −0.12, 0.04), p = .29; CCBT+MCI vs. CCBT+Con: 0.02 (95% CI: −0.05, −0.09), p = .54). CCBT+MCI was associated with nonsignificantly higher costs than CCBT (mean difference: £154 (95% CI: −£1,239, £1,547), p = .83) but, when taking into account sampling uncertainty, it may be cost‐effective compared with CCBT alone.ConclusionsGood outcomes were achieved for children and their mothers across treatment arms. There was no evidence of significant clinical benefit from supplementing CCBT with either CBT for the maternal anxiety disorder or treatment focussed on mother–child interactions, but the addition of MCI (and not MCBT) may be cost‐effective.

739: Postpartum health service utilization by mothers of infants admitted to neonatal intensive care

Mothers of infants admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) must recover from birth while attending to a critically ill infant. These mothers also have higher rates of chronic disease and perinatal complications than mothers of well babies (MWB). We sought to quantify postpartum health utilization by NICU mothers, compared with MWB. We conducted a retrospective cohort study of mothers delivering liveborn infants at North Carolina Women's Hospital between 7/1/2014 and 6/30/2016. MWB were defined as mothers of infants not admitted to the NICU. NICU mothers were defined as mothers with one or more infants admitted to the NICU. We further subtyped NICU mothers into two groups: Mothers of medically fragile infants (MMFI), defined as NICU length of stay ≥3 days, and mothers of transiently ill infants (MTII), defined as NICU stays <3 days. We ascertained postpartum health service utilization through encounter data recorded in the UNC Health System Epic Electronic Medical Record (EMR) between discharge from the birth hospitalization and 12 weeks postpartum. We used Poisson regression to compare encounter counts and by encounter type, adjusting for mode of delivery, race/ethnicity, payer status, and maternal age. When differences were found between NICU mothers and MWB, we further compared utilization for MMFI vs. MTII. During the study period, 6849 mothers met criteria for inclusion, of whom 5768 were MWB, 743 were MMFI, and 338 were MTII,. Of these 6849 women, 4349 had at least one encounter in the UNC system during the 12-week postpartum period, comprising 9540 encounters. In crude analyses, NICU mothers were more likely to experience each type of encounter, compared with MWB (Table). In adjusted analyses, utilization rates remained significantly higher for NICU mothers for all encounter types other than emergency room visits. Exclusion of women without any postpartum encounters in the UNC Health System did not materially change our results. When we compared MTII with MMFI, we found that MTII had higher rates of outpatient office visits (adj RR 1.29, 95% CI 1.07-1.55) and psychiatry visits (adj RR 1.63, 95% CI 1.13-2.35). Mothers of NICU infants utilize health care at a higher rate in the postpartum period, compared with MWB.

Association between the Increase in Body Mass Index and Medical Absenteeism in a Peruvian Mining Population.

Background: Obesity and overweight are associated with work absenteeism of medical cause. However, there is little knowledge on the relationship between incremental body mass index (BMI) and absenteeism. Objective: To assess the effect of annual increase in BMI on amount of prolonged absenteeism. Methods: Data from a longitudinal historical cohort of workers of a mining camp in Peru between 2006 and 2014 were used for the analysis. Prolonged absenteeism of 30 days or more in one year was chosen as the dependent variable; annual increase in BMI was considered as the explanatory variable. Regression analysis with generalized estimating equation was used to determine the relative risk adjusted for age, sex and type of work. Results: There were 1347 cases of medical leave reported with a median of 6 days. Of all cases of medical leave, 11% of those who had an annual increase in BMI and 6% of those who maintained their BMI were cases of prolonged absenteeism. Prolonged absenteeism significantly increased in workers who had an annual increment in BMI (adj RR 1.16, 95% CI 1.05 to 1.29). Conclusion: The annual increase in BMI was marginally associated with prolonged absenteeism. Temporal increment in BMI, regardless of the baseline BMI, may be an independent determinant of the work absenteeism of medical cause.

Assessing Health Outcomes After Environmental Exposures Associated With Open Pit Burning in Deployed US Service Members

This study assessed the long-term health impact of environmental exposures associated with open pit burning in deployed US service members. Two hundred individuals deployed to Balad, Iraq, and Bagram, Afghanistan, with known exposure to open pits, were matched to 200 non-deployed service members. Both cohorts were observed for adverse health outcomes after returning from deployment. Slight increased risks were observed for respiratory diseases in the Bagram cohort (adj RR: 1.259), and for cardiovascular disease in the Balad cohort (adj RR: 1.072), but the findings were not significant. The combined deployed cohort showed lower risks for adverse health outcomes, suggesting a healthy deployer effect. In conclusion, this study did not find significantly increased risks for selected health outcomes after burn pit exposure during deployment among two deployed cohorts compared with a non-deployed cohort.

Depressive symptoms in mothers after perinatal and early infant loss in rural Bangladesh: a population-based study

PurposeWe examined stillbirth and neonatal death as predictors of depressive symptoms in women experiencing these events during the first 6 months postpartum. MethodsWe performed secondary analyses using data from 41,348 married women aged 13–44 years, originally collected for the JiVitA-1 study (2001–2007) in northwest Bangladesh. Adjusted relative risk ratios were estimated to determine the associations between stillbirth and early infant death and women's risk of reported depressive symptoms (trichotomized 0, 1–2, 3–5) up to 6 months after the death. Adjusted risk ratios, comparing 0–2 versus 3–5 depressive symptoms, were used in stratified analyses. ResultsWomen having fetal/infant deaths had elevated risk of experiencing 1–2 postpartum depressive symptoms (adj RRRs between 1.2 and 1.7) and of experiencing 3–5 postpartum depressive symptoms (adj RRRs between 1.9 and 3.3), relative to women without a fetal/infant death. Notably, those whose infants died in the early postneonatal period had over a three-fold risk of 3–5 depressive symptoms (adj relative risk ratio [RRR] = 3.3; 95% confidence interval [CI], 2.6–4.3) compared to a two-fold risk for women experiencing a stillbirth (adj RRR = 1.9; 95% CI, 1.7–2.1). After early postneonatal deaths, women with higher levels of education were more likely to suffer 3–5 depressive symptoms (adj relative risk [RR] = 10.6; 95% CI, 5.2–21.7, ≥10 years of education) compared to women with lower levels of education (adj RR = 2.0; 95% CI, 1.6–2.4, no education; adj RR = 2.2; 95% CI, 1.6–2.9, 1–9 years of education). ConclusionsWomen's mental health needs should be prioritized in low-resource settings, where these outcomes are relatively common and few mental health services are available.