Breast and Colorectal Cancer Screening Utilization after Hurricane María and the COVID-19 Pandemic in Puerto Rico.

Puerto Rico (PR) has faced environmental and public health challenges that could have significantly affected cancer screening access. Using administrative claims data from PR's Medicaid population, this study assessed trends in colorectal and breast cancer screening from 2016 to 2021, the impact of disasters in screening, and the absolute deficit in screening due to the pandemic. The monthly rates of claims were analyzed using Poisson regression.

Human papillomavirus vaccine initiation and up-to-date vaccine coverage for adolescents after the implementation of school-entry policy in Puerto Rico.

The human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine has been proven effective in the prevention of infection with high-risk HPV types, which can lead to the development of six HPV-related cancers. Puerto Rico (PR) adopted a mandatory HPV vaccination school-entry policy that took effect in August 2018. While school-entry requirements are generally accepted as an effective approach for increasing vaccination rates, there are few studies that have documented their impact on improving HPV vaccination rates.

Effect of linagliptin plus insulin in comparison to insulin alone on metabolic control and prognosis in hospitalized patients with SARS-CoV-2 infection.

To evaluate the effect of the combination of linagliptin and insulin on metabolic control and prognosis in hospitalized patients with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection and hyperglycemia. A parallel double-blind randomized clinical trial including hospitalized patients with SARS-CoV-2 infection and hyperglycemia, randomized to receive 5 mg linagliptin + insulin (LI group) or insulin alone (I group) was performed. The main outcomes were the need for assisted mechanical ventilation and glucose levels during hospitalization.

Sex disparities in the prevalence of physical function disabilities: a population-based study in a low-income community.

Background: Functional disability continues to be a significant public health problem that increases older adults' vulnerability to experience a diminished quality of life, loss of independence, higher healthcare costs and health services utilization, and increased risks of mortality. Thus, we aimed to study the prevalence of functional disabilities by sex according to the types of daily living activities, controlling for specific sociodemographic variables among older Hispanics from low-income communities.

Methods: We used a cross-sectional epidemiological research design, considering a complex sampling design of households to interview adults ≥65 years living in low-income communities in Puerto Rico.

The combination of linagliptin, metformin and lifestyle modification to prevent type 2 diabetes (PRELLIM). A randomized clinical trial.

Background: Prediabetes is a highly prevalent health problem with a high risk of complications and progression to type 2 diabetes (T2D). The goals of this study were to evaluate the effect of the combination of lingaliptin + metformin + lifestyle on glucose tolerance, pancreatic β-cell function and T2D incidence in patients with prediabetes.

Methods: A single center parallel double-blind randomized clinical trial with 24 months of follow-up in patients with impaired glucose tolerance plus two T2D risk factors which were randomized to linagliptin 5 mg + metformin 1700 mg daily + lifestyle (LM group) or metformin 1700 mg daily + lifestyle (M group).

New Diagnoses among HIV+ Men and Women in Puerto Rico: Data from the HIV Surveillance System 2003-2014.

Objective: Describe the age-standardized rates of new HIV diagnoses and compare sex and time disparities using data from the HIV/AIDS Surveillance System in Puerto Rico (PR).

Methods: The study comprises data of new HIV diagnoses of persons 13 years of age and older in PR reported from 2003-2014. Other variables included were age, sex, and health regions.

Human Papillomavirus Correlates With Histologic Anal High-Grade Squamous Intraepithelial Lesions in Hispanics With HIV.

Objective: To estimate the magnitude of association between anal infection with high-risk human papilloma virus (HR-HPV) types and severity of biopsy-confirmed histopathological anal squamous intraepithelial lesions (SILs) among a clinic-based sample of HIV-infected adults in Puerto Rico.

Methods: This cross-sectional study analyzed data from medical records of adult patients who visited a specialized anal neoplasia clinic from June 2015 to December 2017 (n = 239); sociodemographics, behavioral risk factors, medical history, clinical data, and pathology reports were collected. The magnitude of association between anal HR-HPV and severity of anal SIL, adjusted for potential confounders, was assessed using a multinomial logistic model.

Measuring health literacy among people living with HIV who attend a community-based ambulatory clinic in Puerto Rico.

Objective: Health literacy is an important area for interventions aimed at reducing or eliminating the health disparities of people living with HIV (PLWH). We sought to determine the level of functional health literacy (FHL) and its association with medication adherence, symptoms, and their attendant management strategies in PLWH.

Methods: This was a cross-sectional study conducted with 200 adults from a community-based ambulatory clinic in San Juan, Puerto Rico.

Association Between the Hypertriglyceridemic Waist Phenotype, Prediabetes, and Diabetes Mellitus Among Adults in Puerto Rico.

This study assessed the association of the hypertriglyceridemic waist (HTGW) phenotype with prediabetes and diabetes (DM) in a group of Hispanics. Analysis of a cross-sectional study of 858 adults residing in Puerto Rico that collected data on blood pressure, biochemical, and anthropometric measurements was performed. HTGW phenotype was defined as elevated triglycerides and elevated waist circumference.