Inpatient Palliative Care Use Among Critically III Brain Metastasis Patients in the United States.

Objective: The objective of this study was to understand the trends and characteristics of palliative care delivery among critically ill brain metastasis patients using a nationally representative database.

Materials And Methods: This study was a retrospective analysis of Nationwide Inpatient Sample data collected during 2005 to 2014. This study included critically ill patients, 18 years and above, diagnosed with brain metastasis, identified using International Classification of Diseases-Ninth Revision-Clinical Modification diagnosis and procedure codes.

Addressing Climate Change Communication: Effective Engagement of Populations for Climate Action in the US and Globally.

Background: Communication about climate change is critical in addressing the greatest public health challenge of our time. Public health professionals must convey the human implications of climate change and educating populations regarding climate change as a threat to the health and wellbeing of people globally. Effective communication to engage individuals, communities, and populations is critical to debate as we focus on the most urgent public health problem of our time.

Prevalence and Inpatient Hospital Outcomes of Malignancy-Related Ascites in the United States.

Objective: Malignancy-related ascites (MRA) is the terminal stage of many advanced cancers, and the treatment is mainly palliative. This study looked for epidemiology and inpatient hospital outcomes of patients with MRA in the United States using a national database.

Methods: The current study was a cross-sectional analysis of 2015 National Inpatient Sample data and consisted of patients ≥18 years with MRA.

A risk model for prediction of 30-day readmission rates after surgical treatment for colon cancer.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to develop a risk model for the prediction of 30-day unplanned readmission rate after surgery for colon cancer.

Method: This study was a cross-sectional analysis of data from Nationwide Readmissions Database, collected during 2010-2014. Patients ≥ 18 years of age who underwent surgery for colon cancer were included in the study.

Recent Health Care Expenditure Trends Among Adult Cancer Survivors in United States, 2009-2016.

Objective: The objective of this study was to understand recent trends in direct health care expenditures among cancer survivors using novel cost-estimation methods and a nationally representative database.

Materials And Methods: This study was a retrospective analysis of 193,003 adults, ≥18 years of age, using the Medical Expenditure Panel Survey during the years 2009-2016. Manning and Mullahy two-part model was used to calculate adjusted mean and incremental medical expenditures after adjusting for covariates.

Lack of Efficacy of the Neutropenic Diet in Decreasing Infections among Cancer Patients: A Systematic Review.

The objective of this systematic review is to evaluate the existing evidence supporting the effectiveness of the neutropenic diet in decreasing infection and mortality among cancer patients. We searched MEDLINE, EMBASE, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials and Scopus for relevant articles published from database inception until March 2019. The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses (PRISMA) guidelines were followed for this review.

Prevalence of Cardiovascular Risk Factors Among Cancer Patients in the United States.

Cancer and cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are leading causes of morbidity and mortality. We analyzed national data to examine the prevalence of CVD risk factors among adult cancer survivors in the United States. Participants included adults ≥18 years of age from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2001-2002 to 2013-2014.

Palliative Care Consultation Trends Among Hospitalized Patients With Advanced Cancer in the United States, 2005 to 2014.

Background:: Although palliative care services are increasing in the United States, disparities exist in access and utilization. Hence, we explored these factors in hospitalized patients with advanced cancers using the National Inpatient Sample (NIS).

Methods:: This was a retrospective analysis of NIS data, 2005 to 2014, and included patients ≥18 years with advanced cancers with and without palliative care consultations.

Unhealthy substance-use behaviors as symptom-related self-care in persons with HIV/AIDS.

Unhealthy substance-use behaviors, including a heavy alcohol intake, illicit drug use, and cigarette smoking, are engaged in by many HIV-positive individuals, often as a way to manage their disease-related symptoms. This study, based on data from a larger randomized controlled trial of an HIV/AIDS symptom management manual, examines the prevalence and characteristics of unhealthy behaviors in relation to HIV/AIDS symptoms. The mean age of the sample (n = 775) was 42.

Prevalence, self-care behaviors, and self-care activities for peripheral neuropathy symptoms of HIV/AIDS.

As part of a larger randomized controlled trial examining the efficacy of an HIV/AIDS symptom management manual (n = 775), this study examined the prevalence of peripheral neuropathy in HIV-infected individuals at 12 sites in the USA, Puerto Rico, and Africa. Neuropathy was reported by 44% of the sample; however, only 29.4% reported initiating self-care behaviors to address the neuropathy symptoms.

Symptoms experienced by HIV-infected Individuals on antiretroviral therapy in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa.

Symptom management in HIV/AIDS is a critical issue that influences the quality of life of those living with the disease. Although the goals of treating the numbers living with HIV/AIDS have not yet been achieved, availability of antiretroviral therapies (ARVs) has been expanded to many clinical settings in KwaZulu-Natal, the epicenter of HIV infection in South Africa. The South African Department of Health (2007) estimates indicate that 5.

Distal sensory polyneuropathy in the context of HIV/AIDS.

Peripheral neuropathy, or distal sensory polyneuropathy (DSPN), is the most common neurological problem in HIV disease. DSPN also represents a complex symptom that occurs because of peripheral nerve damage related to advanced HIV disease and in association with the use of antiretroviral therapy-particularly in individuals treated with dideoxynucleosides. Although DSPN is a frequent symptom, the specific pathophysiology is not well understood.