Effect of Androgen Suppression on Clinical Outcomes in Hospitalized Men With COVID-19: The HITCH Randomized Clinical Trial.

Importance: SARS-CoV-2 entry requires the TMPRSS2 cell surface protease. Antiandrogen therapies reduce expression of TMPRSS2.

Objective: To determine if temporary androgen suppression induced by degarelix improves clinical outcomes of inpatients hospitalized with COVID-19.

Predictors of Death, Survival, Need for Intubation, and Need for Oxygen Support Among Admitted COVID-19 Patients of the Veterans Affairs Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System.

Introduction: While risk factors for severe COVID-19 infections have been well explored among the public, population-specific studies for the U.S. Veteran community are limited in the literature.

Sequelae of an Evidence-based Approach to Management for Access to Care in the Veterans Health Administration.

Background: Access to health care is a critical concept in the design, delivery, and evaluation of high quality care. Meaningful evaluation of access requires research evidence and the integration of perspectives of patients, providers, and administrators.

Objective: Because of high-profile access challenges, the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) invested in research and implemented initiatives to address access management.

Variable validity of computer extracted problem lists for complications of diabetes mellitus within the VA Greater Los Angeles Health System.

Purpose: Electronic health data in the form of International Classification of Disease, Ninth Revision (ICD-9) codes is routinely used for clinical research, yet the accuracy of specific diagnoses is largely unknown. The purpose of this study is to assess the validity of computer extracted problem lists for diabetic retinopathy (DR) and other complications of diabetes mellitus (DM) within the VA Greater Los Angeles Health Administration (VHAGLA).

Methods: The study population consisted of patients at the VHAGLA with an ICD-9 diagnosis of DM between Jan 1st 1999 and March 22nd 2016 with visits to the eye clinic.

Electronic health record-based interventions for improving appropriate diagnostic imaging: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: One driver of increasing health care costs is the use of radiologic imaging procedures. More appropriate use could improve quality and reduce costs.

Purpose: To review interventions that use the computerized clinical decision-support (CCDS) capabilities of electronic health records to improve appropriate use of diagnostic radiologic test ordering.

Electronic patient portals: evidence on health outcomes, satisfaction, efficiency, and attitudes: a systematic review.

Background: Patient portals tied to provider electronic health record (EHR) systems are increasingly popular.

Purpose: To systematically review the literature reporting the effect of patient portals on clinical care.

Data Sources: PubMed and Web of Science searches from 1 January 1990 to 24 January 2013.

Exploring barriers and facilitators to the use of computerized clinical reminders.

Objective: Evidence-based practices in preventive care and chronic disease management are inconsistently implemented. Computerized clinical reminders (CRs) can improve compliance with these practices in outpatient settings. However, since clinician adherence to CR recommendations is quite variable and declines over time, we conducted observations to determine barriers and facilitators to the effective use of CRs.

Severe hepatotoxicity associated with the dietary supplement LipoKinetix.

Background: LipoKinetix (Syntrax, Cape Girardeau, Missouri) is a dietary supplement marketed for weight loss.

Objective: To describe a possible causal association between LipoKinetix and hepatotoxicity.

Design: Case series.