Barriers to the Treatment of Hepatitis C among Predominantly African American Patients Seeking Care in an Urban Teaching Hospital in Washington, D.C.

Background: In the United States, it is estimated that 2.4 million people are currently infected with the hepatitis C virus (HCV). In order to address HCV infection management in the U.

Patterns of Hepatitis C-Related Inpatient Mortality in the United States in the Era of Direct-Acting Antivirals.

Background & Aims: Direct-acting antivirals (DAA) have revolutionized the management of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. Data on national inpatient mortality in this new era are scarce. This study aimed to evaluate inpatient mortality among HCV-related hospital stays in the United States (US) during the years DAA were available.

Pharmacogenomics and Opioid Use Disorder: Clinical Decision Support in an African American Cohort.

Opioid use disorder (OUD) constitutes a significant public health burden as opioid overdose deaths have continued to rise in the United States. Although treatment modalities are available to manage OUD, some patients experience challenges achieving their OUD management goals. Some of these challenges may be attributable to inherited genetic variations, or polymorphisms, on the genes that code for proteins impacting the pharmacokinetics or pharmacodynamics of medications used in OUD management.

Predictive Factors of Vitamin D Inadequacy among Older Adults in the United States.

Optimal serum vitamin D levels are reported to be associated with many health benefits; however, few studies have determined predictive factors using national level data. An assessment of predictive factors for vitamin D inadequacy was conducted using National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 2001-2006 data. Using the study sample including adults aged 40 years or more, data analysis was performed using the weighted multivariate logistic regression statistical procedure.

The Economic Impact of Herpes Zoster Vaccine Disparities in Elderly United States Blacks.

There are persistent disparities with regard to receipt of herpes zoster vaccine among elderly blacks, but no data is available regarding the public health or economic impact of these disparities. A decision tree was constructed with multiple Markov nodes in order to estimate the preventable cases of herpes zoster occurring among elderly blacks due to disparities in receipt of herpes zoster vaccine and to quantify the economic costs associated with these disparities. The model was constructed to examine the number of herpes zoster cases occurring among elderly blacks from the age of 60 to 84 over a 20 year period and also calculated costs due to herpes zoster complications and lost productivity.

Factors Associated with Prescribing Broad-Spectrum Antibiotics for Children with Upper Respiratory Tract Infections in Ambulatory Care Settings.

Objectives: Broad-spectrum antibiotics are frequently prescribed for children with upper respiratory tract infections (URI). Excessive use of broad-spectrum antibiotics leads to the emergence of resistant bacteria. This study aimed to identify factors associated with prescribing broad-spectrum antibiotics among children younger than 18 years presenting with URI in outpatient settings.

An evaluation of hepatitis C knowledge and correlations with health belief model constructs among African American "baby boomers".

Background: Baby boomers (people born between 1945 and 1965) are responsible for three-quarters of Hepatitis C (HCV) infections in the US; however, HCV testing is distinctly underused by them.

Aim: To assess the status, predictors, and correlates of HCV knowledge among African-American baby boomers (AABBs) in Washington, DC.

Methods: A cross-sectional survey among persons aged 46-69 was conducted using audio computer-assisted self-interviewing (ACASI).

Long-term effect of the Women's Health Initiative study on antiosteoporosis medication prescribing.

Aim: To describe long-term prescribing patterns of osteoporosis therapy before and after the Women's Health Initiative (WHI) publication.

Methods: We conducted a time-series analysis from 1997 to 2005 using nationally representative data based on office-based physician and hospital ambulatory clinic visits. Bivariate and multivariable analyses were conducted using chi-square tests and logistic regression, respectively, and trends in the prevalence of osteoporosis therapies were evaluated per 6-month (semiannual) intervals.

National patterns of medication use during pregnancy.

Purpose: To describe patterns of medication use during pregnancy in ambulatory care settings according to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) pregnancy risk classification.

National patterns of dementia treatment among elderly ambulatory patients.

Purposes: To assess patterns of dementia/Alzheimer's disease (AD) management and to investigate predictive factors of cholinesterase inhibitor prescriptions.

Methodology: A cross-sectional study was conducted using a national survey among the elderly aged >60 from 2000 to 2002. Visit characteristics and cholinesterase inhibitor prescriptions associated with dementia/AD status were evaluated.