Predictors of Post-Acute Sequelae of COVID-19 in a Diverse Urban Population.

Background: Post-acute sequelae of SARS-CoV-2 infection (PASC) are ongoing, relapsing, or new symptoms present at least 3 months after infection. Predictors of PASC, particularly across diverse racial and ethnic groups, remain unclear.

Objectives: Assess the prevalence of PASC 1 year after infection, examining differences in PASC prevalence by the social construct of race.

Training of Peer Coaches to Assist Individuals with Knee Osteoarthritis Prepare and Recover From Total Knee Replacement.

Objective: The objective of this study is to outline the training of peer coaches in the Moving Well intervention, which was designed to reduce anxiety, depression, and pain catastrophizing in patients before and after total knee replacement (TKR).

Methods: Selected peer coaches had a history of knee osteoarthritis (KOA), a TKR of 12 months or more before training, and were 60 or older. Training was primarily conducted virtually, with a later addition of one in-person session.

A single-center, open-label, randomized, parallel-group trial to pilot the effectiveness of a peer coach behavioral intervention versus an active control in reducing anxiety and depression in patients scheduled for total knee replacement.

Background: Moving Well is a behavioral intervention for patients with knee osteoarthritis (KOA) scheduled for a total knee replacement (TKR). The objective of this intervention is to help patients with KOA mentally and physically prepare for and recover from TKR.

Methods: This is an open-label pilot randomized clinical trial that will test the feasibility and effectiveness of the Moving Well intervention compared to an attention control group, Staying Well, to reduce symptoms of anxiety and depression in patients with KOA undergoing TKR.

Virtual training of rheumatoid arthritis peer coaches in motivational interviewing skills and concepts of cardiovascular disease.

Background: Peer coaching interventions are effective in helping individuals with chronic conditions understand their disease. Most peer coach training programs occur in person, which has become an obstacle during the COVID pandemic. We describe our experiences with virtual training for future peer coach interventions.

Protocol for the pilot randomized trial of the CArdiovascular Risk assEssment for Rheumatoid Arthritis (CARE RA) intervention: a peer coach behavioral intervention.

Background: Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the most common cause of death among people with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), with an estimated increased risk of 50-60% compared to the general population. Lipid-lowering strategies have been shown to lower CVD risk significantly in people with RA and hyperlipidemia. Thus, CVD risk assessment has an important role to play in reducing CVD among people with RA.

Development of a Practice-based Community Outreach Intervention to Prevent Inequities in COVID-19 Vaccinations.

Despite disproportionately higher rates of morbidity and mortality from COVID-19 among Black and Hispanic adults in the United States, ethnoracial disparities in vaccination rates emerged rapidly. The objective of this quality improvement study was to rapidly develop and implement an equity-focused community outreach intervention that facilitated COVID-19 vaccine appointments. Using the Plan-Do-Study-Act model, this multipronged, primary care-based outreach intervention developed call/recall systems that addressed vaccine hesitancy and facilitated real-time vaccine scheduling.

Health Status, Persistent Symptoms, and Effort Intolerance One Year After Acute COVID-19 Infection.

Background: The long-term prevalence and risk factors for post-acute COVID-19 sequelae (PASC) are not well described and may have important implications for unvaccinated populations and policy makers.

Objective: To assess health status, persistent symptoms, and effort tolerance approximately 1 year after COVID-19 infection DESIGN: Retrospective observational cohort study using surveys and clinical data PARTICIPANTS: Survey respondents who were survivors of acute COVID-19 infection requiring Emergency Department presentation or hospitalization between March 3 and May 15, 2020.

Main Measure(s): Self-reported health status, persistent symptoms, and effort tolerance KEY RESULTS: The 530 respondents (median time between hospital presentation and survey 332 days [IQR 325-344]) had mean age 59.

The Diagnostic Accuracy Of Procalcitonin for Urinary Tract Infection in Hospitalized Older Adults: a Prospective Study.

Background: The diagnosis of urinary tract infection (UTI) is challenging among hospitalized older adults, particularly among those with altered mental status.

Objective: To determine the diagnostic accuracy of procalcitonin (PCT) for UTI in hospitalized older adults.

Design: We performed a prospective cohort study of older adults (≥65 years old) admitted to a single hospital with evidence of pyuria on urinalysis.

Comparing automated vs. manual data collection for COVID-specific medications from electronic health records.

Introduction: Data extraction from electronic health record (EHR) systems occurs through manual abstraction, automated extraction, or a combination of both. While each method has its strengths and weaknesses, both are necessary for retrospective observational research as well as sudden clinical events, like the COVID-19 pandemic. Assessing the strengths, weaknesses, and potentials of these methods is important to continue to understand optimal approaches to extracting clinical data.