Clinical Characteristics and Predictors of Mortality in Obese African-Americans with COVID-19: a Single-Center Retrospective Study.

Background: This study aims to add to the body of evidence linking obesity as an established risk factor for COVID-19 infection and also look at predictors of mortality for COVID-19 in the African-Americans (AA) population.

Methods: A retrospective cohort study of patients with confirmed COVID-19 infection was done in a community hospital in New York City. The cohort was divided into two groups, with the non-obese group having a BMI < 30 kg/m and the obese group with a BMI ≥ 30 kg/m.

Patterns of Vitamin D Deficiency in a Community Outpatient Psychiatric Practice: a Real-World Evaluation of Treatment Gaps.

Vitamin D is traditionally recognized for its role in bone mineralization but recent observations suggest additional pertinent functions in neuronal biology. The present study examines the rate and pattern of Vitamin D deficiency in the outpatient mental health clinic of a community teaching hospital as well as the vitamin D supplementation practices of outpatient psychiatrists. Participants include 148 consecutive psychiatric outpatients.

Outcomes of Direct-Acting Antiviral Treatment of Psychiatric Patients with Comorbid Hepatitis C Virus Infection.

Background: The highest burden of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is seen in patients with psychiatric disorders who have been excluded from traditional treatments with Interferon due to treatment-emergent neuropsychiatric adverse effects. The goal of this study is to determine the tolerability, treatment retention, and efficacy of direct-acting antivirals with psychiatric disorders and comorbid substance use disorders in real-life settings.

Methods: This is a retrospective cohort observational study of HCV patients treated with direct-acting antivirals between January 2016 and December 2018.

Real-world study of hepatitis C treatment with direct-acting antivirals in patients with drug abuse and opioid agonist therapy.

Limited data exist evaluating the treatment outcomes with direct-acting antivirals (DAAs) in patients with drug use in the community setting. We aim to assess the treatment response of DAAs in this subset of patients with or without the opioid agonist therapy (OAT). All the hepatitis C virus (HCV) infected patients treated with DAAs were retrospectively analyzed.

Real-world study of tenofovir disoproxil fumarate to prevent hepatitis B transmission in mothers with high viral load.

Background: Data on tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF) therapy for preventing vertical transmission of hepatitis B virus (HBV) in the real-world setting are limited.

Aim: To investigate TDF for preventing vertical transmission of HBV in real-world practice.

Methods: Hepatitis B e-antigen (HBeAg)-positive mothers with HBV-DNA >6 log IU/mL to receive TDF between gestational weeks 24-33 and delivery were prospectively enrolled and followed until post-partum week 28.

Association Between Vitamin D Levels and Treatment Response to Direct-Acting Antivirals in Chronic Hepatitis C: A Real-World Study.

Background: Low serum vitamin D levels in chronic hepatitis C (CHC) is associated with advanced liver fibrosis; and there remains an imprecise relationship with the treatment response based on the vitamin D levels. Previous studies have shown conflicting results on the vitamin D levels, and association with treatment response in CHC treated with interferon-based regimens.

Methods: Patients with CHC treated with direct-acting antivirals (DAAs) between January 2016 and December 2017 in the community clinic setting were retrospectively analyzed.

Sofosbuvir based regimens in the treatment of chronic hepatitis C genotype 1 infection in African-American patients: a community-based retrospective cohort study.

Background: Direct-acting antiviral (DAA) drugs have been highly effective in the treatment of chronic hepatitis C (HCV) infection. Limited data exist comparing the safety, tolerability, and efficacy of DAAs in African-American (AA) patients with chronic hepatitis C genotype 1 (HCV GT-1) in the community practice setting. We aim to evaluate treatment response of DAAs in these patients.

Real-World Study on Sofosbuvir-based Therapies in Asian Americans With Chronic Hepatitis C.

Background: Limited data exist with regard to treatment outcomes in Asian Americans with chronic hepatitis C (CHC). We evaluated sofosbuvir (SOF)-based regimens in a national cohort of Asian Americans.

Methods: Eligible Asian Americans patients with CHC who had posttreatment follow-up of 24 weeks for SOF -based therapies from December 2013 to June 2017 were enrolled from 11 sites across the United States.