Artery-to-Fistula Diameter Ratio as a Predictor of Early Re-Occlusion of Immature Right Radio-Cephalic Arteriovenous Fistula after Primary PTA.

Percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTA) is widely performed for arteriovenous fistula (AVF) that fails to mature after initial formation. We observed that some immature AVFs re-occlude earlier than others. We sought to investigate the predictors for early post-intervention failure of immature fistulas after primary PTA.

The impact of court-ordered psychiatric treatment on hospital length of stay: balancing legal and clinical concerns.

Purpose: Psychiatric hospital length of stay (LOS) is not affected solely by socio-clinical factors but also by legal procedures. This study examined the associations between legal procedures and LOS.

Methods: Data from 521 patients with psychiatric illnesses hospitalized over 2013-2015 were analyzed.

Serum Growth Differentiation Factor-15/Albumin Ratio as a 2-Year Survival Marker of End-Stage Renal Disease Patients Initiating Maintenance Hemodialysis.

It is important to identify risk factors related to mortality in end-stage renal disease (ESRD) patients starting renal replacement therapy. Recently, several studies proposed that growth-differentiation factor-15 (GDF-15) is a possible biomarker for the prognosis of patients on maintenance hemodialysis. Here, we investigated the predictive value of serum GDF-15/Albumin ratio on two-year mortality in ESRD patients initiating maintenance hemodialysis.

Body Fat Plays an Important Role in of Bioimpedance Spectroscopy-Based Dry Weight Measurement Error for Patients with Hemodialysis.

Accurate dry weight (DW) estimation is important for hemodialysis patients. Although bioimpedance spectroscopy (BIS) is commonly used to measure DW, the BIS-based DW frequently differs from the clinical DW. We analyzed the characteristics of patients whose BIS-based DWs were over- and underestimated.

Help-seeking behaviors for serious psychological distress among individuals with diabetes mellitus: The California Health Interview Survey, 2011-2012.

Aim: To investigate patterns of and factors associated with help-seeking behaviors among individuals with diabetes mellitus (DM) and/or serious psychological distress (SPD).

Methods: The analysis was conducted with the California Health Interview Survey (CHIS) 2011-2012 of 40,803 adults. Logistic regression was used to examine the associations between the multiple facilitating/preventing factors and outcome, guided by the Andersen's Health Care Utilization Model.

Screening for type 2 diabetes mellitus in patients with mental illness: application of a self-assessment score for diabetes mellitus risk.

Various methods for diabetes risk assessment have been developed over a decade, but they were not evaluated in patients with mental illness. This study examined the feasibility and utility of a self-assessment score for type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM2) risk among patients with mental illness. DM2 risk was assessed by patients with mental illness as well as clinicians via a self-assessment questionnaire, and the resulting scores were compared to each other as well as with actual diagnosis.

Factors associated with mental health service utilization among Korean American immigrants.

This study adapted Andersen's Health Belief Model to examine the predictors of mental health services utilization among Korean American (KA) immigrants. A cross-sectional survey was used to gather data on 363 KA immigrants 18 years and older residing in New York City. Predisposing factors included gender, age, marital status, education, length of stay in the US, and religion; the need factor was depression; and enabling factors included health insurance, English proficiency, income, and perceived need for help.

Weight changes and characteristics of patients associated with weight gain during inpatient psychiatric treatment.

This study investigated weight changes and patient characteristics associated with weight gain in a public psychiatric hospital. A retrospective chart review was conducted on a multi-racial population admitted for psychiatric inpatient treatment. Patients gained an average of 5.

Serious psychological distress, health risk behaviors, and diabetes care among adults with type 2 diabetes: the California Health Interview Survey 2007.

Aims: To examine the association between type 2 diabetes and serious psychological distress (SPD) and to assess if SPD was an independent risk factor for health risk behaviors and diabetes care among adults with diabetes.

Methods: Cross-sectional analysis was performed using the 2007 California Health Interview Survey with adults in California. Multiple logistic models were used to examine the associations between the multiple risk and outcome factors.

The interactive role of chronic medical conditions and sleep disturbance in predicting depressive symptoms among Korean American older adults.

Objectives: This study examined the independent and interactive effects of chronic medical conditions and sleep disturbance on depressive symptomatology. The sample (N = 675) consisted of community-dwelling Korean American older adults, a group that has been found to be particularly high in depressive symptomatology.

Methods: A hierarchical regression model of depressive symptoms was estimated with an array of predictors: (a) demographic variables, including immigration history, (b) chronic medical conditions, (c) sleep disturbance, and (d) an interaction between chronic medical conditions and sleep disturbance.

Acculturation, discrimination and depressive symptoms among Korean immigrants in New York City.

Immigrant mental health issues, especially depression in relation to discrimination and acculturation, are reported to be serious problems in the United States. The current study examines the prevalence of depressive symptoms among Korean immigrants in New York City (NYC) and its relation to self-reported discrimination and acculturation. A sample of 304 Korean immigrants residing in NYC completed a survey utilizing the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale-Korean version, Discrimination Scale, and Acculturation Stress Scale.

Understanding the experience and manifestation of depression among Korean immigrants in New York City.

Depression among immigrant groups, especially Korean immigrants, has often lacked a comprehensive understanding by the providers of Western health care. This study aims to explore the subjective experience of Korean immigrants suffering from depression during resettlement in the United States. A series of focus groups and in-depth interviews were conducted with Korean immigrants in New York City who identified themselves as depressed.

Inpatient stays of Asian patients with psychiatric diagnoses in New York City.

This study examines whether race, specifically Asian, contributes to longer inpatient stays for patients with psychiatric diagnoses in a large American city. Secondary data analyses were conducted using Statewide Planning and Research Cooperative System data sets for 983,584 inpatient discharges with psychiatric diagnoses in New York City between 1995 and 1999. Asians were admitted more often through the emergency room and showed a higher incidence of emergency admission than non-Asians.

Genetic polymorphism of the serum proteins of horses in Jeju.

The study was carried out to investigate the genetic polymorphism of the serum proteins of horses in Cheju. They were assigned to three groups; 45 Cheju native horses(CNH), 60 Cheju racing horses(CRH) and 60 Thoroughbreds(TB). We analyzed the phenotypes and gene frequencies of serum proteins which were albumin (Alb), vitamin-D binding protein(GC), esterase (ES), A1B glycoprotein(A1B) and transferrin(TF) loci using horizontal polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (HPAGE).

Help-seeking behaviors by Korean immigrants for depression.

Underutilization of mental health services by Asian immigrants has been an ongoing concern for those attempting to provide accessible care for people suffering from mental illness. The author investigated Korean immigrants' help-seeking behaviors for depression to understand their underutilization of mental health services. The study involved 6 focus group discussions and 24 in-depth interviews with 70 Korean immigrants in New York City.

Quality of care measurement in nursing home AIDS care: a pilot study.

A pilot study was conducted to identify which, if any, demographic or quality indicators differentiate HIV-positive patients from other long-term care patients. This study used the Minimum Data Set files for all New York state nursing homes submitted in 1997. Chi-square tests were used to assess difference in proportions of demographics and quality indicators between HIV-positive and HIV-negative patients.