Long-acting Antiretroviral Agents in the Prevention and Treatment of HIV/AIDS: A Review of Recent Advances in Sub-Saharan Africa.

Long-acting antiretroviral (LAARV) agents have the potential to enhance treatment and prevention by eliminating the need for daily oral medications and increasing available options. This paper reviewed recent evidence on LAARVs and explores the opportunities and challenges of implementing these innovative prevention and treatment strategies in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). Several clinical trials and studies on the effectiveness, drug-drug interactions, and resistance of LAARVs in key populations in SSA are ongoing or recently completed.

Marginal structural models to evaluate the association between adherence to direct oral anticoagulants and safety or efficacy outcomes among patients with Atrial Fibrillation.

Background: Although the management of AF has improved over the years, suboptimal adherence to direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) is a major health concern. Adherence and long-term persistence to DOACs declines over time resulting in increased risks of stroke, major bleeding and death. The objective of this study was to evaluate the association between adherence to DOACs and composite or bleeding events using marginal structural models (MSM).

Comparative effectiveness of high-efficacy and moderate efficacy disease-modifying agents in reducing the annualized relapse rates among multiple sclerosis patients in the United States.

Objective: The optimal treatment strategy for the management of multiple sclerosis is widely discussed due to the increasing availability of high-efficacy disease-modifying agents (heDMAs). This study evaluated the comparative effectiveness of heDMA and moderate-efficacy disease-modifying agents (meDMAs) use in reducing annualized relapse rate (ARR) among multiple sclerosis patients.

Methods: A retrospective cohort study was conducted using the 2015-2019 United States Merative MarketScan Commercial Claims Data.

Infection Risk Associated with High-Efficacy Disease-Modifying Agents in Multiple Sclerosis: A Retrospective Cohort Study.

In patients with multiple sclerosis (MS), infections represent a significant concern, particularly given the immunomodulatory effects of disease-modifying agents (DMAs). High-efficacy DMAs (heDMAs) play a pivotal role in delaying MS progression, yet their use also raises concerns regarding the risk of infection. This study aimed to compare the infection risk with the use of heDMA and moderate-efficacy disease-modifying agents (meDMAs) in MS patients.

Factors associated with the initiation of high-efficacy disease-modifying agents over moderate-efficacy disease-modifying agents in multiple sclerosis.

Background: With multiple treatment options, choosing the initial disease-modifying agent (DMA) could be crucial to managing multiple sclerosis (MS). Common treatment strategies recommend starting patients with moderate-efficacy disease-modifying agents (meDMAs), while others advocate initiating high-efficacy disease-modifying agents (heDMAs). However, limited real-world evidence exists regarding the factors associated with utilizing differing treatment strategies in the MS.

Impact of adherence on the cost-effectiveness of apixaban and rivaroxaban in stroke prevention among patients with atrial fibrillation in the United States.

Objective: Despite the beneficial effects of DOACs, suboptimal adherence is widely documented, and real-world adherence is lower than in clinical trials. The objective of this study is to compare the cost-effectiveness of apixaban versus rivaroxaban for stroke prevention by incorporating real-world adherence from the US payer's perspective.

Methods: We developed a Markov model with three health states to evaluate the total costs and quality-adjusted life years (QALY) at a willingness to pay threshold of $100,000.

Group-based trajectory modeling to identify adherence patterns for direct oral anticoagulants in Medicare beneficiaries with atrial fibrillation: a real-world study on medication adherence.

Background: Suboptimal adherence to direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) among atrial fibrillation (AF) patients remains currently a major concern due to the increased risk of cardiac and thromboembolic events.

Aim: To identify longitudinal distinct trajectories of DOAC adherence and sociodemographic and clinical factors associated with each trajectory.

Method: Patients with AF who were prescribed with DOAC from July 2016-December 2017 were identified among patients enrolled in the Medicare Advantage Plan.

Racial and Ethnic Disparity in Healthcare Expenditure and Resource Utilization Among Patients with Cardiovascular Diseases.

Background: Despite extensive research, significant gaps remain in understanding racial disparity among individuals with cardiovascular diseases (CVD). These disparities, influenced by factors such as access to care and comorbid conditions, necessitate further investigation to develop targeted interventions.

Aim: To evaluate the factors contributing to racial and ethnic disparities in healthcare resource utilization and total healthcare expenditure among individuals with CVD.

Disparities in Survival Outcomes Among Patients With Metastatic Melanoma in Texas: Implications for Policy and Interventions in the Era of Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors.

Objectives: Disparities exist in the length and quality of survival from melanoma. This study evaluated, in a Texas cohort, patient factors associated with melanoma survival and examined if newer immune-oncologic agents extend survival compared with conventional therapies.

Methods: A retrospective analysis of patients diagnosed with metastatic melanoma from 2011 to 2018 in the Texas Cancer Registry database.

The role of implementing instructional design principles on learner experience with training in current good manufacturing practices (cGMP).

Introduction: The objective of the study was to assess if improvement of the learner experience could be achieved through the use of instructional design strategies in current Good Manufacturing Practices (cGMP) training. This is a novel application in a topic that is known to be boring but is critical to ensuring patient safety.

Methods: An experimental randomized controlled repeated measures cross-over design was utilized in a sample of pharmacy students to determine the effect of an intervention training strategy (which utilized a mix of strategies including weeding, signaling, use of multimedia, and optimized space and type) on the learner experience (Evaluation, Overall Satisfaction, Perceived Knowledge, and Future Recommendation) compared with a control.

Intersection of Perceived COVID-19 Risk, Preparedness, and Preventive Health Behaviors: Latent Class Segmentation Analysis.

Background: COVID-19 risk perception is a factor that influences the pandemic spread. Understanding the potential behavioral responses to COVID-19, including preparedness and adoption of preventive measures, can inform interventions to curtail its spread.

Objective: We assessed self-perceived and latent class analysis (LCA)-based risks of COVID-19 and their associations with preparedness, misconception, information gap, and preventive practices among residents of a densely populated city in Nigeria.

Trajectories of adherence to ACEI/ARB medications following a motivational interviewing intervention among Medicare Advantage beneficiaries in Texas.

Objectives: To assess the impact of student telephone motivational interviewing intervention on angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors/angiotensin-receptor blockers (ACEI/ARBs) adherence trajectories and identify predictors of each trajectory.

Methods: The intervention group included continuously enrolled Medicare Advantage Plan patients non-adherent to ACEI/ARBs vs the control group (1:2 ratio). The intervention was tailored by pre-intervention trajectories and included an initial and five follow-up calls.

Development and internal validation of a risk prediction model for HIV disease severity among people living with HIV and mental illness or substance use disorder.

Purpose: Mental illness (MI) and substance use disorders (SUD) are highly prevalent among people living with HIV (PLWH), and have been linked to poor HIV clinical outcomes. Innovative tools for early risk identification can facilitate timely interventions for PLWH and MI/SUD to improve their health outcomes, however, this is currently lacking in Texas, a state with the 4 largest population of PLWH in the United States. To address this gap, we developed a predictive model to estimate the risk of suboptimal HIV clinical outcomes among PLWH and MI/SUD in Texas.

Management of metastatic melanoma in Texas: disparities in the utilization of immunotherapy following the regulatory approval of immune checkpoint inhibitors.

Background: The utilization of modern-immunotherapies, notably immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs), has increased markedly in patients with metastatic melanoma over the past decade and are recommended as standard treatment. Given their increasing adoption in routine care for melanoma, understanding patient access to immunotherapy and patterns of its use in Texas is crucial as it remains one of the few states without Medicaid expansion and with high rates of the uninsured population. The objectives of this study were to examine the trend in the utilization of immunotherapy and to determine factors associated with immunotherapy utilization among patients with metastatic melanoma in the era of ICIs in Texas.

Predictors of opioid prescription among outpatients with osteoarthritis in the United States.

Background: Osteoarthritis (OA) management targets pain reduction through multimodal strategies to improve functional status. Among pharmaceutical options, opioids have been selected as a treatment option for pain management, without endorsement by evidence-based guidelines.

Objective: To examine the predictors of opioid prescriptions for OA during outpatient visits in the United States (US).

COVID-19 Maternal Prevention Behavior and Future Intention to Vaccinate for Children.

Background: During the COVID-19 pandemic, this study aimed to understand how a mother's current COVID-19 prevention behaviors were associated with the mother's future intention to vaccinate their children against COVID-19.

Methods: Using a cross-sectional online survey, mothers who had at least one child between 3 and 15 years old were recruited. COVID-19 prevention behaviors evaluated were wearing a mask, appropriate coughing/sneezing, social distancing, staying home, and handwashing.

A Motivational Interviewing Intervention to Improve Adherence to ACEIs/ARBs among Nonadherent Older Adults with Comorbid Hypertension and Diabetes.

Background: Hypertension and diabetes mellitus are independent risk factors for cardiovascular diseases. Due to the cardioprotective nature of angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEIs) and angiotensin II receptor blockers (ARBs), they are recommended for patients with comorbid hypertension and diabetes. However, poor adherence to ACEIs/ARBs among older adults is a major public health concern.

Patient-Reported Barriers to Adherence Among ACEI/ARB Users from a Motivational Interviewing Telephonic Intervention.

Purpose: Hypertension is a common comorbidity among type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) patients, which increases the risk of cardiovascular diseases. Despite the proven benefit of angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEIs) and angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs) in this population, poor medication adherence is prevalent, resulting in higher complications and mortality rate. Motivational interviewing (MoI) has demonstrated effectiveness in improving medication adherence and identifying barriers.

Association of Puberty Stage and Weight Status with Cardiometabolic Risk in Children and Adolescents Living on the Texas-Mexico Border.

This retrospective cohort study aimed to examine the interaction effect between puberty stage and weight status on individual and clustering of cardiometabolic risk factors (CMRFs) among Mexican American children and adolescents. A total of 333 children and adolescents (aged 8-18 years) enrolled in the Cameron County Hispanic Cohort (CCHC) from 2014 to 2020 were included in the study. CCHC is a longitudinal, randomly recruited cohort based on the United States Census tracts/blocks of Mexican Americans living on the Texas-Mexico border.

Effect of inadequate care on diabetes complications and healthcare resource utilization during management of type 2 diabetes in the United States.

Objective: To estimate the effects of inadequate type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2D) care on health outcomes, utilizing a model that incorporates patient, physician, and health-system factors.

Methods: The most recently available (years 2016-2018) Medical Expenditure panel survey longitudinal data was used to identify adults with type 2 diabetes who had received inadequate diabetes care. American Diabetes Association Standards of Diabetes guidelines were used to define inadequate care, resulting in five categories: lifestyle management, immunization, pharmacologic therapy, physical examination, and laboratory evaluation.

Public opinion regarding government response to COVID-19: case study of a large commercial city in Nigeria.

Introduction: government measures to contain the COVID-19 pandemic cannot be effective without widespread compliance by the public. A greater understanding of citizens' perceptions of these measures can help government agencies adapt their strategies to boost compliance. We examined citizens' perceptions of government's measures to contain the COVID-19 pandemic and its implications on compliance using data from Onitsha city, Anambra State Nigeria.

Polypharmacy among COVID-19 patients: A systematic review.

Background: Polypharmacy, the concomitant use of 5 or more medications, is highly prevalent among older adults and individuals with multimorbid conditions and has been linked to suboptimal clinical outcomes in various diseases. However, little is known about the impact of polypharmacy on clinical outcomes among coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients.

Objective: This systematic review summarizes the available literature on the association between polypharmacy and specific drug classes, and clinical outcomes among COVID-19 patients.

Commercial Sex Work During Novel Coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) Era in the Niger Delta Region: Relationships Between Knowledge, Preventive Practice, and Transmission Potential.

Background: Sex workers, like others, are facing economic hardships and anxiety about their health and safety due to coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19), an infectious disease caused by a novel severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). Universally, most sex work has largely reduced, moved online, or undertaken covertly because of lockdown measures and need for social distancing to break the transmission of SARS-CoV-2. However, the ability of sex workers to protect themselves against COVID-19 depends on their individual and interpersonal behaviors and work environment.