Patient-reported outcomes and costs associated with vascular closure and same-day discharge following atrial fibrillation ablation.

Background: We aimed to measure patient-reported outcomes (PROs) and costs associated with same-day discharge (SDD) for atrial fibrillation (AF) ablation and vascular closure device implantation in clinical practice.

Methods: PROs were prospectively measured in 50 AF ablation patients, comparing complete vascular device closure (n = 25) versus manual compression hemostasis (n = 25). Health-system costs for SDD patients receiving vascular device closure were compared to matched controls with one-night stays who did not receive any closure device.

Impact of Coal Mining on Self-Rated Health among Appalachian Residents.

Objective: To determine the impact of coal mining, measured as the number of coal mining-related facilities nearby one's residence or employment in an occupation directly related to coal mining, on self-rated health in Appalachia.

Methods: Unadjusted and adjusted ordinal logistic regression models calculated odds ratio estimates and associated 95% confidence intervals for the probability of having an excellent self-rated health response versus another response. Covariates considered in the analyses included number of coal mining-related facilities nearby one's residence and employment in an occupation directly related to coal mining, as well as potential confounders age, sex, BMI, smoking status, income, and education.

Comparison of Mortality Disparities in Central Appalachian Coal- and Non-Coal-Mining Counties.

Objective: Determine whether select cause of death mortality disparities in four Appalachian regions is associated with coal mining or other factors.

Methods: We calculated direct age-adjusted mortality rates and associated 95% confidence intervals by sex and study group for each cause of death over 5-year time periods from 1960 to 2009 and compared mean demographic and socioeconomic values between study groups via two-sample t tests.

Results: Compared with non-coal-mining areas, we found higher rates of poverty in West Virginia and Virginia (VA) coal counties.

General mortality patterns in appalachian coal-mining and non-coal-mining counties.

Objective: To determine whether mortality disparities in Appalachia are due to coal mining or other factors.

Methods: Unadjusted and covariate adjusted rate ratio models calculated total, all external, and all cancer mortality rates from 1960 to 2009 for cumulative total, surface, and underground coal production in coal-mining counties compared with non-coal-mining counties.

Results: No coal-related statistically significant elevations in total or all external mortality were found.