First-time use of electronic patient-reported outcome measures in a cluster randomized trial: a qualitative study.

Background: Although there is clear evidence supporting the beneficial effects of regularly assessing patient-reported outcomes (PROs), the comprehensive integration of patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) into routine cancer care remains limited. This study aimed to explore the facilitators and barriers encountered by principal investigators (PIs) (oncologists) and study nurses during the implementation of the Eir ePROM within a cluster randomized trial (c-RCT) in cancer outpatient clinics. Additionally, we sought to examine the influence of Eir on the working routines of the participants.

How Should Clinicians Discuss Deprescribing with Caregivers of Older Adults Living with Dementia? A Qualitative Study.

Background: Preventive medications are potential targets for deprescribing in older adults with dementia as goals of care change from preventive to palliative. Yet, prescribers lack communication guidance to address deprescribing.

Objective: Using bisphosphonates as a case example, we sought to characterize and compare communication preferences of prescribers and family/informal caregivers regarding deprescribing.

Impact of Lookback Duration on the Performance of a Claims-Based Frailty Proxy in Women With Stage I-III Breast Cancer.

Background: Frailty is an important prognostic indicator in older women with breast cancer. The Faurot frailty index, a validated claims-based frailty proxy measure, uses healthcare billing codes during a user-specified ascertainment window to predict frailty. We assessed how the duration of frailty ascertainment affected the ability of the Faurot frailty index to predict one-year mortality in women with stage I-II breast cancer.

Survival and quality of life after first-time diagnosis of brain metastases: a multicenter, prospective, observational study.

Background: A major concern in anticancer treatment (ACT) of brain metastases (BM) is exposing patients with short expected survival to treatments that negatively impact on quality of life (QoL). Such futile ACT at the end of life is time-consuming and burdensome for patients and their families and entails unnecessary healthcare costs. Refraining from ACT is challenging for both physicians and patients.

Time-resolved effects of short-term overfeeding on energy balance in mice.

To curb the obesity epidemic, it is imperative that we improve our understanding of the mechanisms controlling fat mass and body weight regulation. While great progress has been made in mapping the biological feedback forces opposing weight loss, the mechanisms countering weight gain remain less well defined. Here, we integrate a mouse model of intragastric overfeeding with a comprehensive evaluation of the regulatory aspects of energy balance, encompassing food intake, energy expenditure, and fecal energy excretion.

Registry versus claims-based index dates for studies of cancer diagnosis in administrative data.

Purpose: Studies of healthcare encounters leading to cancer diagnosis have increased over recent years. While some studies examine healthcare utilization before the cancer registry date of diagnosis, relevant pre-diagnosis interactions are not always immediately prior to this date due to date abstraction guidelines. We evaluated agreement of a registry date with a claims-based index and examined Emergency Department (ED) involvement in cancer diagnosis as an example of possible pre-diagnostic healthcare misclassification that could arise from improper date choice.

Evaluating the intersection of climate vulnerability and cancer burden in North Carolina.

Climate-related extreme weather events disrupt healthcare systems and exacerbate health disparities, particularly affecting individuals diagnosed with cancer. This study explores the intersection of climate vulnerability and cancer burden in North Carolina (NC). Using county-level data from the US Climate Vulnerability Index (CVI) and the NC Department of Health and Human Services, we analyzed cancer incidence and mortality rates from 2017-2021.

A comprehensive analysis framework for evaluating commercial single-cell RNA sequencing technologies.

This study examined nine prominent commercially available single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) kits across four technology groups. Each kit was characterized using peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from a single donor, which enabled consistent assessment of factors such as analytical performance, protocol duration and cost. The Chromium Fixed RNA Profiling kit from 10× Genomics, with its probe-based RNA detection method, demonstrated the best overall performance.

Evaluation of real-world evidence to assess health outcomes related to deprescribing medications in older adults: an International Society for Pharmacoepidemiology-endorsed systematic review of methodology.

Background: Observational studies using real-world data (RWD) can address gaps in knowledge on deprescribing medications but are subject to methodological issues. Limited data exist on the methods employed to use RWD to measure the effects of deprescribing.

Objective: To describe methodological approaches used in observational studies of deprescribing medications in older adults.

Diphenhydramine Overdose: A Case Report and Topic Review of Prehospital Diagnosis and Treatment.

Diphenhydramine (DPH), a readily available first-generation H1 receptor antihistamine, can have severe consequences when taken in excessive amounts and can lead to grave outcomes such as seizures, dysrhythmias, coma, and death. Recognizing the early signs and symptoms of DPH toxicity is crucial. Fortunately, fatal adult cases of DPH overdose are rare.

The Oncology QCARD Initiative: Fostering efficient evaluation of initial real-world data proposals.

Purpose: The oncology quality, characterization, and assessment of real-world data (Oncology QCARD) Initiative was formed to develop a set of minimum study design and data elements needed to evaluate the fitness of the real-world data (RWD) source(s) proposed in an initial study concept as part of early interaction with scientific reviewers.

Methods: A multidisciplinary executive committee (EC) was established to guide the Oncology QCARD Initiative. The EC conducted a landscape review of published literature, guidances, and guidelines to evaluate relevant dimensions of data quality measurement.

Overloading And unpacKing (OAK) - droplet-based combinatorial indexing for ultra-high throughput single-cell multiomic profiling.

Multiomic profiling of single cells by sequencing is a powerful technique for investigating cellular diversity. Existing droplet-based microfluidic methods produce many cell-free droplets, underutilizing bead barcodes and reagents. Combinatorial indexing on microplates is more efficient for barcoding but labor-intensive.

Over-reliance on land for carbon dioxide removal in net-zero climate pledges.

Achieving net-zero climate targets requires some level of carbon dioxide removal. Current assessments focus on tonnes of CO removed, without specifying what form these removals will take. Here, we show that countries' climate pledges require approximately 1 (0.

Impact of observability period on the classification of COPD diagnosis timing among Medicare beneficiaries with lung cancer.

Background: Investigators often use claims data to estimate the diagnosis timing of chronic conditions. However, misclassification of chronic conditions is common due to variability in healthcare utilization and in claims history across patients.

Objective: We aimed to quantify the effect of various Medicare fee-for-service continuous enrollment period and lookback period (LBP) on misclassification of COPD and sample size.

Pharmacist-facilitated Patient Reported Outcome Measure (PROM) monitoring: developing an EHR SmartForm© to monitor side effects of oral oncolytics during routine telehealth encounters.

Purpose: Patient reported outcome measures (PROMs) are increasingly used in oncology care, but pharmacists providing direct patient care have been overlooked. We engaged pharmacists and adults receiving oral oncolytics (chemotherapy medication taken by mouth) to develop a SmartForm© in the electronic health record (EHR) for PROM monitoring. Pharmacists verbally ask the patient side effect questions during routine telehealth encounters and enter responses in real time.