Sociodemographic Characteristics and Physical Activity in Patients with COPD: A 3-Month Cohort Study.

Decreased physical activity (PA) is associated with morbidity and mortality in COPD patients. In this secondary analysis of data from a 12-week longitudinal study, we describe factors associated with PA in COPD. Participants completed the Physical Activity Checklist (PAC) daily for a 7- to 8-day period.

Differences in Syphilis Incidence Using a Laboratory Algorithm in People With and Without HIV in an 11-Year Nationwide Cohort Study.

Background: To measure the incidence of syphilis diagnoses among people with HIV vs those without HIV in a national multiyear retrospective cohort.

Methods: Treponemal and nontreponemal tests, HIV status, and demographic data were identified among all individuals receiving Veterans Health Administration (VHA) care between January 1, 2009, and December 31, 2019. Syphilis testing rates and incident syphilis diagnoses as defined by a laboratory algorithm were stratified by HIV status.

Alanine Aminotransferase Results Differ by Analyzer Manufacturer in a National Integrated Health Setting, 2012-2017.

Context.—: Disease guidelines specify universal alanine aminotransferase (ALT) thresholds for clinical decision-making, yet the effect of variability among ALT analyzers remains unclear.

Objective.

A Feasibility Trial of Two Rehabilitation Models in Severe Cardiopulmonary Illness.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to compare functional capacity and daily activity between two exercise rehabilitation interventions in severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) or heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) over 6 months. Secondarily, we compared intervention groups on symptoms, depression, quality of life, and cardiopulmonary function.

Design/methods: Ninety patients with severe COPD (n = 63) or HFrEF (n = 27) were randomized to either an exercise adherence intervention or standard cardiopulmonary rehabilitation.

Health Care Facility Characteristics are Associated with Variation in Human Immunodeficiency Virus Pre-exposure Prophylaxis Initiation in Veteran's Health Administration.

To quantify health care facility-level variation in pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) use in the Veteran's Health Administration (VHA); to identify facility characteristics associated with PrEP use. Retrospective analysis of the health care facility-level rate of PrEP initiation in VHA through June 30, 2017. Standardized PrEP initiation rates were used to rank facilities.

Use of a Remote Inhaler Monitoring Device to Measure Change in Inhaler Use with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Exacerbations.

Background: Remote inhaler monitoring is an emerging technology that enables the healthcare team to monitor the time and location of a patient's inhaler use. We assessed the feasibility of remote inhaler monitoring for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients and the pattern of albuterol inhaler use associated with COPD exacerbations.

Methods: Thirty-five participants with COPD used an electronic inhaler sensor for 12 weeks which recorded the date and time of each albuterol actuation.

Overuse of short-acting beta-agonist bronchodilators in COPD during periods of clinical stability.

Background: Overuse of short-acting beta-agonists (SABA) is described in asthma, but little is known about overuse of SABA in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

Methods: Prospective 3-month cohort study of patients with moderate-to-severe COPD who were provided a portable electronic inhaler sensor to monitor daily SABA use. Subjects wore a pedometer for 3 seven-day periods and were asked to complete a daily diary of symptoms and inhaler use.

Assessment and Management of Symptoms for Outpatients Newly Diagnosed With Lung Cancer.

Rationale: Little is known about symptom assessment around the time of lung cancer diagnosis. The purpose of this pilot study was to assess symptoms within 2 months of diagnosis and the frequency with which clinicians addressed symptoms among a cohort of veterans (n = 20) newly diagnosed with lung cancer. We administered questionnaires and then reviewed medical records to identify symptom assessment and management provided by subspecialty clinics for 6 months following diagnosis.

Association between hyperglycemia at admission during hospitalization for acute myocardial infarction and subsequent diabetes: insights from the veterans administration cardiac care follow-up clinical study.

Objective: Among patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI) without known diabetes, hyperglycemia at admission is common and associated with worse outcomes. It may represent developing diabetes, but this association is unclear. Therefore, we examined the association between hyperglycemia (≥140 mg/dL) at admission and evidence of diabetes among patients with AMI without known diabetes within 6 months of their hospitalization.

Diminished quality of life and physical function in community-dwelling elderly with anemia.

The occurrence of anemia in older adults has been associated with adverse outcomes including functional decline, disability, morbidity, and mortality. It is not clear to what extent these outcomes are the result of the anemia or concurrent illness. We performed a cross-sectional, observational study to determine whether lower hemoglobin concentrations in older adults are associated with reduced health-related quality of life, functional status, depression, disability, and physical strength, independent of chronic disease.