Socioeconomic Factors Associated with ≥2-year Delayed Diagnosis of Neuromyelitis Optica Spectrum Disorder (NMOSD) in the United States.

Objective: The objective of this study is to explore the impact of socioeconomic factors on risk of ≥2-year delayed diagnosis of NMOSD.

Background: Consequences of delayed diagnosis in NMOSD could be as severe as complete blindness or quadriplegia. Female sex and African ancestry are risk factors for delayed diagnosis across many disease states in the US.

Polychlorinated biphenyls and incident coronary heart disease-related outcomes in Great Lakes fish consumers.

Background: Exposure to polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) has been linked to risk factors for cardiovascular disease such as increased inflammation, accelerated atherosclerosis, diabetes, and sex hormone dysregulation. Furthermore, there is increasing evidence suggesting associations between internal dose of PCBs and cardiovascular outcomes.

Objectives: The purpose of this study is to investigate longitudinal associations of PCBs with coronary heart disease (CHD)-related outcomes in a cohort of Great Lakes sport fish consumers.

Economic Analysis of Renal Replacement Therapy Modality in Acute Kidney Injury Patients With Fluid Overload.

Unlabelled: Acute kidney injury (AKI) and fluid overload (FO) are among the top reasons to initiate intermittent hemodialysis (IHD) or continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT). Prior research suggests CRRT provides more precise volume control, but whether CRRT is cost-effective remains unclear. We assessed the cost-effectiveness of CRRT for volume control compared with IHD from a U.

Health Care Resource Utilization and Costs of Persistent Severe Acute Kidney Injury (PS-AKI) Among Hospitalized Stage 2/3 AKI Patients.

Key Points: Among hospitalized patients with stage 2/3 AKI, persistent severe acute kidney injury (PS-AKI) is associated with significantly longer length of stay (LOS) and higher costs during index hospitalization and 30 days postdischarge. Relative differences in LOS and costs for PS-AKI versus NPS-AKI were similar for intensive care (ICU) and non-ICU patients. Preventing PS-AKI among patients with stage 2/3 AKI may reduce hospital LOS and costs.

Clinical Outcomes of Persistent Severe Acute Kidney Injury among Patients with Kidney Disease Improving Global Outcomes Stage 2 or 3 Acute Kidney Injury.

Introduction: The burden of persistent (≥3 days) severe AKI (PS-AKI) is poorly described among inpatients with stage 2-3 AKI in the ward or ICU. Quantification could motivate targeted interventions to decrease duration of AKI in these high-risk patients.

Methods: This retrospective cohort study included adult patients discharged from January 1, 2017, to December 31, 2019, from US hospitals in the PINC AI Healthcare Database.

Economic evaluation of expanded hemodialysis with the Theranova 400 dialyzer: A post hoc evaluation of a randomized clinical trial in the United States.

Introduction: The Theranova 400 is a medium cut-off dialyzer that allows for superior clearance of larger middle molecules than traditional high-flux dialyzers. This study evaluates the association of expanded hemodialysis (HDx) using the Theranova dialyzer versus conventional hemodialysis (HD) with a high-flux dialyzer on hospitalization rates and healthcare costs as compared to conventional HD in a post hoc analysis of a randomized controlled trial.

Methods: In a non-concealed, 24-week clinical trial, maintenance HD patients were randomized to receive treatment with either Theranova 400 or a similar size high-flux dialyzer.

The outcomes of total hip arthroplasty in patients with and without multiple sclerosis: a retrospective cohort study.

Background: Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a neuroinflammatory disease with debilitating manifestations that may predispose patients to hip fracture and osteoarthritis, and may affect recovery from total hip arthroplasty (THA). With increased longevity of MS patients and growth in demand for arthroplasty in this population, it is important to understand outcomes of THA in patients with MS.

Aim: We sought to compare outcomes of THA among persons with MS and without MS.

Cost-effectiveness of the TherMax blood warmer during continuous renal replacement therapy.

Hypothermia is a common adverse event during continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT), affecting multiple organ systems and increasing risk of poor health outcomes among patients with acute kidney injury (AKI) undergoing CRRT. TheraMax blood warmers are the next generation of extracorporeal blood warmers which reduce risk of hypothermia during CRRT. The purpose of this study is to elucidate the potential health economic impacts of avoiding CRRT-induced hypothermia by using the novel TherMax blood warming device.

Meaningful Change in Depression Symptoms Assessed with the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9) and Montgomery-Åsberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS) Among Patients with Treatment Resistant Depression in Two, Randomized, Double-blind, Active-controlled Trials of Esketamine Nasal Spray Combined With a New Oral Antidepressant.

Background: Patients with major depressive disorder who do not respond to ≥2 different pharmacological treatments within the current depressive episode are considered to have treatment resistant depression (TRD). This analysis determined meaningful change thresholds (MCT) of the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9) and Montgomery-Åsberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS) using anchor-based methods and compared proportions of meaningful changes in patients with TRD across treatment groups from two Phase 3 trials for esketamine nasal spray (SPRAVATO).

Methods: Data from two Phase 3 trials in patients with TRD, TRANSFORM-1 and -2, were used in this analysis.

Impact of the Ebola epidemic on clinical outcomes of HIV-infected soldiers and their dependents in Sierra Leone.

The impact of the 2014-2016 Ebola epidemic in West Africa on human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) treatment in Sierra Leone is unknown, especially for groups with higher HIV prevalence such as the military. Using a retrospective study design, clinical outcomes were evaluated prior to and during the epidemic for 264 HIV-infected soldiers of the Republic of Sierra Leone Armed Forces (RSLAF) and their dependents receiving HIV treatment at the primary RSLAF HIV clinic. Medical records were abstracted for baseline clinical data and clinic attendance.

Perfluoroalkyl substances and fish consumption.

Background: Perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are an emerging class of contaminants. Certain PFAS are regulated or voluntarily limited due to concern about environmental persistence and adverse health effects, including thyroid disease and dyslipidemia. The major source of PFAS exposure in the general population is thought to be consumption of seafood.

The Impact of Low-Level Lead Toxicity on School Performance among Hispanic Subgroups in the Chicago Public Schools.

Background: Environmental lead exposure detrimentally affects children's educational performance, even at very low blood lead levels (BLLs). Among children in Chicago Public Schools (CPS), the severity of the effects of BLL on reading and math vary by racial subgroup (White vs. Hispanic vs.