Healthcare Resource Utilization Associated with Leukopenia and Neutropenia in Kidney Transplant Recipients Receiving Valganciclovir in the United States.

Cytomegalovirus prophylaxis in kidney transplant recipients (KTRs) is limited by post-transplant neutropenia and leukopenia (PTN/PTL). Despite its clinical significance, the healthcare resource utilization (HCRU) related to PTN/PTL remains poorly characterized. To evaluate HCRU among KTRs taking valganciclovir during their first year post-transplant.

Anti-SARS-CoV-2 monoclonal antibodies for the treatment of mild-to-moderate COVID-19 in multiple sclerosis: A retrospective cohort study.

Background: The use and potential benefit of anti-severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) for the treatment of mild-to-moderate coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in people living with multiple sclerosis (pwMS) remains poorly studied. The objective of this study is to describe the therapeutic use of anti-SARS-CoV-2 mAbs among pwMS.

Methods: This retrospective cohort study used electronic medical records data from the TriNetX Dataworks USA Network and included adult pwMS, diagnosed with COVID-19, who received anti-SARS-CoV-2 mAbs in the outpatient setting between November 2020 and April 2022.

Comparative efficacy of growth factor therapy in healing diabetes-related foot ulcers: A network meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

Introduction: This study examined the relative efficacy of growth factor therapies in healing diabetes-related foot ulcers (DFU).

Methods: PubMed and Cochrane databases were searched for randomized controlled trials testing growth factor therapies for treating DFU. The primary outcome was complete wound closure.

Prevalence of Potential Drug-drug Interactions With Ritonavir-containing COVID-19 Therapy in the United States: An Analysis of the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey.

Purpose: The evolving epidemiology and treatment landscape of COVID-19 necessitates research into potential drug-drug interactions (pDDIs) from the use of new treatments for COVID-19, particularly those that contain ritonavir, a potent inhibitor of the cytochrome P350 3A4 (CYP3A4) metabolic pathway. In this study, we assessed the prevalence of pDDIs between medications for chronic conditions metabolized through the CYP3A4 metabolic pathway and ritonavir-containing COVID-19 medications in the US general population.

Methods: This study combined National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) waves 2015 to 2016 and 2017 to March 2020 to observe pDDI prevalence between ritonavir-containing therapy and coadministered medications among US adults 18 years or older.

Federated Electronic Health Record Database via a Public-Private Partnership to Enhance Health Care Equity by Disparity Discovery and Equitable Clinical Trial Recruitment.

Despite increasingly stringent requirements from regulatory agencies, clinical trials often fail to recruit study populations representative of real-world demographics and disease prevalence and are often skewed away from racial/ethnic minorities. Consequently, data produced by such trials can result in treatment guidelines and outcome expectations that do not apply to racial/ethnic minorities, further widening health disparities. In this study, we describe a new tool, the TriNetX Diversity Lens ("Diversity Lens"), which augments the existing electronic health record querying functionality of TriNetX and allows clinical trial sponsors to rapidly evaluate the potential impact of inclusion and exclusion criteria on the eligibility rates of different racial and ethnic groups.

Network Meta-Analysis of Trials Testing If Home Exercise Programs Informed by Wearables Measuring Activity Improve Peripheral Artery Disease Related Walking Impairment.

This study aimed to investigate whether home exercise programs informed by wearable activity monitors improved walking ability of patients with peripheral artery disease (PAD). A systematic literature search was performed to identify randomised controlled trials (RCT) testing home exercise that were or were not informed by wearable activity monitors. The primary outcome was the change in walking distance measured by a six-minute walking test or treadmill test over the course of the trial.

Transactional sex, HIV and health among young cisgender men and transgender women who have sex with men in Thailand.

Purpose: To examine how recent sex work is identified and the HIV risk factors and service needs among Thai cisgender men who have sex with men (MSM) and transgender women (TGW) who exchange sex.

Methods: MSM and TGW in Bangkok and Pattaya who exchanged sex in the last year (n = 890) were recruited through social media, outreach, and word-of-mouth. Recent sex exchange was based on the primary question, "In the last 30 days, have you sold or traded sex"; secondary questions (regarding income source and client encounters) were also investigated.

Characterizing Awareness of Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis for HIV Prevention in Manila and Cebu, Philippines: Web-Based Survey of Filipino Cisgender Men Who Have Sex With Men.

Background: The Philippines is experiencing an HIV crisis and is considering implementing pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) as a national public health strategy for HIV prevention for cisgender men who have sex with men (cis-MSM). However, critical information on the awareness of PrEP among cis-MSM is needed to roll out this public health initiative.

Objective: This study aims to assess PrEP awareness and related correlates (ie, sociodemographic variables, social factors, and health care access and use) among Filipino cis-MSM.

Gender-Inclusive and Gender-Specific Approaches in Trans Health Research.

The recent proliferation of trans health literature for the past 20 years has prompted a need to examine two contested approaches used in designing study protocols and analyses in trans health research, as either specific to only one gender group (gender-specific approach) or across gender groups (i.e., gender-inclusive approach).

Prevalence and Correlates of Self-Injurious Behaviors Among Justice-Involved Youth.

An estimated one in five adolescents exhibit self-injurious behavior (SIB), which poses serious public health concerns. The present analysis aims to describe the prevalence and correlates of lifetime SIB among first-time offending court-involved nonincarcerated youth. Baseline data from 412 youth enrolled in Epidemiological Project Involving Children in the Court (EPICC), a longitudinal cohort study, were analyzed to identify the prevalence and correlates of lifetime SIB.

Overview of the epidemiological conditions of HIV among key populations in Africa.

Introduction: Despite extraordinary progress in HIV treatment coverage and expanding access to HIV prevention services and that multiple African countries are on track in their efforts to reach 90-90-90 goals, the epidemic continues to persist, with prevalence and incidence rates too high in some parts of the continent to achieve epidemic control. While data sources are improving, and research studies on key populations in specific contexts have improved, work on understanding the HIV burdens and barriers to services for these populations remains sparse, uneven and absent altogether in multiple settings. More data have become available in the last several years, and data published in 2010 or more recently are reviewed here for each key population.

HIV Treatment Cascade and PrEP Care Continuum Among Serodiscordant Male Couples in the United States.

A large proportion of HIV infections among men who have sex with men occur within primary partnerships, however, there is a lack of research focused on serodiscordant male couples. We used baseline data collected as part of Project Stronger Together-a randomized controlled trial to improve treatment outcomes among 155 serodiscordant male couples. We described engagement in HIV care/prevention using the HIV treatment cascade and PrEP care continuum.

Better Communication Regarding Sexual Agreements Within Serodiscordant Male Couples Leads to Improved Antiretroviral Therapy Adherence Among the HIV-Positive Partner.

Sexual agreements (SAs)-guidelines that outline what type of sexual behaviors are permissible with sexual partners outside of their primary relationship-are often negotiated within same-sex male relationships to reduce their risk for HIV infection. However, HIV risk is not only a function of sexual behavior, but is also affected by factors such as antiretroviral therapy (ART) adherence. We examined whether HIV-positive partners in serodiscordant male couples who have better communication about SAs and report concordant SAs with their partners have greater odds of being adherent to ART to not only improve their health, but to also reduce the risk of transmitting HIV to partners.

Pancreaticoduodenectomy for stricturing primary eosinophilic duodenitis.

A 59-year-old woman was referred to a specialist gastroenterologist following a year of intermittent abdominal bloating and worsening reflux. In the month prior to referral, the patient developed intermittent large volume vomiting consisting of bile-stained undigested food. This was accompanied by a 10 kg weight loss.

Characterising the impact of COVID-19 environment on mental health, gender affirming services and socioeconomic loss in a global sample of transgender and non-binary people: a structural equation modelling.

Background: We characterised the impact of COVID-19 on the socioeconomic conditions, access to gender affirmation services and mental health outcomes in a sample of global transgender (trans) and non-binary populations.

Methods: Between 16 April 2020 and 3 August 2020, we conducted a cross-sectional survey with a global sample of trans and non-binary people (n=849) through an online social networking app. We conducted structural equational modelling procedures to determine direct, indirect and overall effects between poor mental health (ie, depression and anxiety) and latent variables across socioecological levels: social (ie, reduction in gender affirming services, socioeconomic loss impact) and environmental factors (ie, COVID-19 pandemic environment).

Substance Use, Mental Health Problems, and Physical and Sexual Violence Additively Increase HIV Risk Between Male Sex Workers and Their Male Clients in Northeastern United States.

Background: Male sex workers (MSW) are disproportionately affected by HIV/AIDS, with an estimated HIV prevalence in the United States of 19.3%. Existing research suggests that MSW are also at risk of adverse psychosocial problems.

Examining the Longitudinal Predictive Relationship Between HIV Treatment Outcomes and Pre-exposure Prophylaxis Use by Serodiscordant Male Couples.

Background: Men who have sex with men are disproportionately burdened by HIV/AIDS, and the advent of pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) has provided an effective strategy to reduce the risk of HIV transmission. Research has shown that improving one partner's health-promoting behaviors increases the likelihood that their partner adopts healthier behaviors. We examined the longitudinal relationship between favorable HIV treatment outcomes with current PrEP use among HIV serodiscordant male partners.

Differences in HIV risk and healthcare engagement factors in Filipinx transgender women and cisgender men who have sex with men who reported being HIV negative, HIV positive or HIV unknown.

Introduction: Understanding HIV risk and healthcare engagement of at-risk individuals by HIV status is vital to informing HIV programmes in settings where the HIV epidemic is rapidly expanding like the Philippines. This study examined differences in HIV risk and healthcare engagement factors among Filipinx transgender women and cisgender men who have sex with men (trans-WSM and cis-MSM respectively) who self-reported being HIV negative, HIV positive or HIV unknown.

Methods: Between 2018 and 2019, we conducted Project #ParaSaAtin, an online cross-sectional survey that examined the structural, social and behavioural factors impacting HIV services among Filipinx trans-WSM and cis-MSM (n = 318).

Legal gender marker and name change is associated with lower negative emotional response to gender-based mistreatment and improve mental health outcomes among trans populations.

Background: In recent years, Massachusetts (MA) and Rhode Island (RI) joined a growing list of states allowing residents to easily change the gender marker and name on government-identification (ID) documents. This was an important change for transgender and gender diverse (trans) residents, who face frequent mistreatment and thus for whom legal gender affirmation is critical. Little is known about associations between legal gender affirmation and psychological outcomes.

Global opioid agonist treatment: a review of clinical practices by country.

Aims: We assessed how opioid agonist treatment (OAT) for opioid use disorder (OUD), specifically methadone and buprenorphine, including buprenorphine-naloxone, is delivered in routine clinical practice, with a focus on factors that affect access to and delivery of these services. The aims of this review were to summarize eligibility criteria for entry to OAT, doses in routine clinical practice, access to and eligibility for unsupervised dosing and urine drug screening practices in OAT programs globally.

Methods: We completed searches of PubMed, Embase, and grey literature databases for cross-sectional or observational cohort studies of OAT using either methadone or buprenorphine.

Poor sleep health is associated with increased mental health problems, substance use, and HIV sexual risk behavior in a large, multistate sample of gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men (GBMSM) in Nigeria, Africa.

Background: Poor sleep health has been linked to mental health problems, substance use, and sexual risk-taking among gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men (GBMSM). No known published study has examined these relationships among African GBMSM. Consequently, we investigated poor sleep health and associated health-related factors among a large multistate sample of Nigerian GBMSM.

Prevalence and Risk Factors of Nonmedical Prescription Opioid Use Among Transgender Girls and Young Women.

Importance: Nonmedical prescription opioid use is a pressing public health issue in the United States. Transgender youth, including adolescent girls and young women who were assigned male at birth and currently identify as women, female, transgender women, or another diverse gender identity along the transfeminine gender spectrum, are more likely than their cisgender peers to report illicit substance use and meet diagnostic criteria for substance use disorders. However, relatively little is known about the experiences of these populations in the current era of opioid addiction and misuse.

Predictors of User Engagement With Facebook Posts Generated by a National Sample of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer Community Centers in the United States: Content Analysis.

Background: Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) community centers remain important venues for reaching and providing crucial health and social services to LGBTQ individuals in the United States. These organizations commonly use Facebook to reach their target audiences, but little is known about factors associated with user engagement with their social media presence.

Objective: This study aimed to identify factors associated with engagement with Facebook content generated by LGBTQ community centers in the United States.