Development and Validation of Claims-Based Algorithms for Conjunctivitis and Keratitis.

Background: Ocular surface disorders have been reported among patients with various medical conditions, including atopic dermatitis (AD). Nonetheless, validated algorithms to identify conjunctivitis and keratitis in claims data are lacking.

Objective: Develop validated, claims-based algorithms for conjunctivitis and keratitis among patients with AD using medical records.

Application of multiple validated algorithms for identifying incident breast cancer among individuals with atopic dermatitis.

Purpose: Validated algorithms (VAs) in insurance claims databases are often used to estimate the prevalence and incidence of comorbidities and evaluate safety signals. However, although they are then used in different data sources or subpopulations from those in which they were developed the replicability of these VAs are rarely tested, making their application and performance in these settings potentially unknown. This paper describes testing multiple VAs used to identify incident breast cancer cases in a general population and in an indication-specific population, patients with atopic dermatitis (AD).

Association between allergic conditions and COVID-19 susceptibility and outcomes.

Background: The relationship between underlying type 2 inflammation and immune response to COVID-19 is unclear.

Objective: To assess the relationships between allergic conditions and COVID-19 susceptibility and outcomes.

Methods: In the Optum database, adult patients with and without major allergic conditions (asthma, atopic dermatitis [AD], allergic rhinitis, food allergy, anaphylaxis, or eosinophilic esophagitis) and patients with and without severe asthma/AD were identified.

Is Nutrition Specific Quality of Life Associated With Nutritional Status?

Objective: The study purpose was to explore the relationship between nutritional status, as measured by Subjective Global Assessment (SGA), and Health Related Quality of Life measured using the Nutrition Specific Quality of Life (NS-QoL), tool among participants on maintenance hemodialysis (MHD). The study aim was to determine if NS-QoL may be an adjuvant tool for detecting changes in nutritional status among patients on MHD.

Design, Setting, And Subjects: This is a cross-sectional, secondary analysis of data from a multi-center study.

Comparison of Calorie and Protein Intake of Very Low Birth Weight Infants Receiving Mother's Own Milk or Donor Milk When the Nutrient Composition of Human Milk Is Measured With a Breast Milk Analyzer.

Background: In premature infants, donor breast milk (DBM) is assumed to provide reduced nutrients vs. mother's own milk (MOM). This study examined calorie and protein delivery when very low birth weight infants were fed fortified MOM or DBM, with a known nutrient composition, relative to established nutrition recommendations and to determine if there were differences between the groups.

Modeling a Predictive Energy Equation Specific for Maintenance Hemodialysis.

Background: Hypermetabolism is theorized in patients diagnosed with chronic kidney disease who are receiving maintenance hemodialysis (MHD). We aimed to distinguish key disease-specific determinants of resting energy expenditure to create a predictive energy equation that more precisely establishes energy needs with the intent of preventing protein-energy wasting.

Materials And Methods: For this 3-year multisite cross-sectional study (N = 116), eligible participants were diagnosed with chronic kidney disease and were receiving MHD for at least 3 months.

Comparison of a Handheld Indirect Calorimetry Device and Predictive Energy Equations Among Individuals on Maintenance Hemodialysis.

Objectives: Practical methods for determining resting energy expenditure (REE) among individuals on maintenance hemodialysis (MHD) are needed because of the limitations of indirect calorimetry. Two disease-specific predictive energy equations (PEEs) have been developed for this metabolically complex population. The aim of this study was to compare estimated REE (eREE) by PEEs to measured REE (mREE) with a handheld indirect calorimetry device (HICD).

Comparison of Subjective Global Assessment and Protein Energy Wasting Score to Nutrition Evaluations Conducted by Registered Dietitian Nutritionists in Identifying Protein Energy Wasting Risk in Maintenance Hemodialysis Patients.

Objective: To compare the 7-point subjective global assessment (SGA) and the protein energy wasting (PEW) score with nutrition evaluations conducted by registered dietitian nutritionists in identifying PEW risk in stage 5 chronic kidney disease patients on maintenance hemodialysis.

Design And Methods: This study is a secondary analysis of a cross-sectional study entitled "Development and Validation of a Predictive energy Equation in Hemodialysis". PEW risk identified by the 7-point SGA and the PEW score was compared against the nutrition evaluations conducted by registered dietitian nutritionists through data examination from the original study (reference standard).

The Relationship between Social Support and Diet Quality in Middle-Aged and Older Adults in the United States.

Background: Social support has been associated with physical and mental health; however, the relationship between social support and diet quality is not well understood.

Objective: The purpose of this research was to assess the relationship between social support and overall diet quality among US adults.

Design/participants: This study was a secondary analysis of data from adults aged 40 years and older who participated in the cross-sectional 2007-2008 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (N=3,243).

Predictors of preoperative weight loss achievement in adult bariatric surgery candidates while following a low-calorie diet for 4 weeks.

Background: Achieving program-mandated preoperative weight loss poses a challenge for many bariatric surgery candidates. No systematic method exists to identify at-risk patients early in preoperative care.

Objectives: This study sought to explore predictors of preoperative weight loss achievement and to develop a treatment algorithm for guiding clinical decision-making.

Organ Procurement Organization Survey of Practices and Beliefs Regarding Prerecovery Percutaneous Liver Biopsy in Donation After Neurologic Determination of Death.

Background: Prerecovery liver biopsy (PLB) allows histological evaluation of the organ before procurement. The opinions and what factors might influence PLB use within Organ Procurement Organizations (OPOs) are unknown.

Methods: A survey instrument was distributed by the Association of OPOs to the clinical directors of all 58 OPOs.

Abbreviated Steady State Intervals for Measuring Resting Energy Expenditure in Patients on Maintenance Hemodialysis.

Background: Indirect calorimetry requires a steady state (SS) protocol to determine measured resting energy expenditure (mREE). Achieving stringent criteria for an SS interval may be difficult for patients on maintenance hemodialysis (MHD), as they may become uncomfortable because of the test itself or their health status. The study aim was to explore if a shortened SS interval was within acceptable limits for bias and precision.

The joint contribution of neighborhood poverty and social integration to mortality risk in the United States.

Purpose: A well-established literature has shown that social integration strongly patterns health, including mortality risk. However, the extent to which living in high-poverty neighborhoods and having few social ties jointly pattern survival in the United States has not been examined.

Methods: We analyzed data from the Third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (1988-1994) linked to mortality follow-up through 2006 and census-based neighborhood poverty.

Physical Activity Level Is Associated With Maintaining Anthropometric Improvements Among Participants in a Worksite Wellness Program.

. Physical activity (PA) can facilitate weight loss, help avoid weight regain, and improve body composition. This study examined the relationships between PA level and changes in anthropometric measures among university employees in a worksite wellness program.

Increased Physical Activity Leads to Improved Health-Related Quality of Life Among Employees Enrolled in a 12-Week Worksite Wellness Program.

Objective: To determine the relationship between physical activity (PA) and health-related quality of life among university employees who enrolled in a worksite wellness program (WWP).

Methods: The study was an interim analysis of data collected in a WWP. The sample consisted of 64 participants who completed 12- and 26-week follow-up appointments.

How Neighborhood Poverty Structures Types and Levels of Social Integration.

Social integration is fundamental to health and well-being. However, few studies have explored how neighborhood contexts pattern types and levels of social integration that individuals experience. We examined how neighborhood poverty structures two dimensions of social integration: integration with neighbors and social integration more generally.

Evaluating Evidence-Based Nutrition Support Practice Among Healthcare Professionals With and Without the Certified Nutrition Support Clinician Credential.

Background: The National Board of Nutrition Support Certification credentials healthcare professionals and certifies that holders of the Certified Nutrition Support Clinician (CNSC) credential have specialized knowledge of safe and effective nutrition support therapy. The purpose of this pilot study was to survey healthcare professionals affiliated with the American Society for Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition (A.S.

Improvements in Cardiometabolic Risk Factors Among Overweight and Obese Employees Participating in a University Worksite Wellness Program.

Objective: To determine immediate changes in weight and cardiometabolic risk of participants in a university worksite wellness program (WWP). It was hypothesized that there would be significant improvements in weight and waist circumference after 12 weeks.

Method: Employees volunteered for enrollment in a 12-week WWP that provided educational sessions in-person or online.

Public Knowledge and Use of Sexual Offender Internet Registries: Results From a Random Digit Dialing Telephone Survey.

The present study examines public knowledge and use of a sexual offender Internet registry in New Jersey. A 20-item random digit dial telephone survey of 1,016 New Jersey residents was completed to determine public awareness and use of the New Jersey Sex Offender Internet Registry (NJSOIR). Approximately 51% of respondents reported knowledge of the NJSOIR, while 17% had accessed the site.