Perceptions and Understanding of Patients with Cardiovascular Disease and Non-Licensed Caregivers about Patient-Centered Care: An Exploratory Study in Central Appalachia.

This study explored knowledge, understanding, and perceptions of patient-centered care (PCC) among patients with cardiovascular diseases and their non-licensed caregivers (NLCs) in Central Appalachia, a medically underserved rural environment. Seven focus group discussions (FGDs) involving 78 patients/NLCS were conducted across the six states of the region. Focus group discussions were audio-recorded, transcribed, and thematically coded.

Cardiovascular Diseases Health Literacy among Patients, Health Professionals, and Community-Based Stakeholders in a Predominantly Medically Underserved Rural Environment.

Objective: The central Appalachian region of the United States is disproportionately burdened with cardiovascular disease (CVD); however, the level of literacy about CVD among residents has not been well studied. This study aimed to examine the prevalence and factors of CVD health literacy (HL) among a sample of patients/caregivers, providers/professionals, and community stakeholders.

Methods: In 2018, data were collected from central Appalachian residents in six states: Kentucky, North Carolina, Ohio, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia.

Pulmonary evaluation and prevalence of non-invasive ventilation in patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis: a multicenter survey and proposal of a pulmonary protocol.

In order to evaluate the current standard of care for the management of respiratory failure in patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), a questionaire was mailed to the Medical Directors of 48 multidisciplinary ALS centers in the United States. Twenty centers reported information on 2357 patients, mean of 124 patients per center. Pulmonary function tests were performed at each visit in 17/20 institutions.

Herpes zoster in children with acute lymphocytic leukemia.

Herpes zoster (HZ) occurred in 25% (28/88) of a population of children with acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL) who were seropositive for varicella zoster virus antibody before its onset; 16.5% (33/199) of the total group of children with ALL developed HZ. There were no deaths and only one significant complication, cutaneous disseminated disease, as a result of HZ.

Risk of herpes zoster in children with leukemia: varicella vaccine compared with history of chickenpox.

A study was undertaken to determine whether children immunized with live varicella vaccine are at greater risk of acquiring herpes zoster than children who have had varicella. Children with acute lymphocytic leukemia who had had varicella were compared with those who received live varicella vaccine. During the period of observation, 15 of 73 children who had varicella acquired herpes zoster and none of the 34 children who had been vaccinated.