Patient preferences for life expectancy cutoffs for aggressive treatment in clinically localized prostate cancer.

Background: Guidelines for prostate cancer treatment in men with limited life expectancy are based on expert opinion. Patient preferences for when to defer treatment based on longevity are unknown. We sought to define life expectancy thresholds at which men are more likely to choose conservative management in the context of varying risks of cancer death and treatment-related side effects.

Comparing the efficacy of different proton pump inhibitor dosing regimens for the treatment of gastroesophageal reflux disease: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Several proton pump inhibitor (PPI) dosing regimens that vary by strength and frequency (once [Qday] or twice [BID] daily) are available to treat gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). We performed an updated systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) assessing the impact of various PPI regimens on esophageal healing and GERD and heartburn symptoms. To identify relevant studies, we searched EMBASE and PubMed in January 2023, which yielded 1381 records.

Bridging the Gap: Culturally Responsive Strategies for NIH Trial Recruitment.

Objective: To enhance recruitment and participation rates of non-Hispanic Black (NHB) and Hispanic adult patients in a NIH-funded clinical trial studying an emerging health technology.

Data Sources And Study Setting: This study includes primary data collected in Los Angeles, California from November 2020 through November 2023.

Study Design: To improve the representation of NHB and Hispanic patients in a NIH-funded (NCT04409353) trial on virtual reality for chronic lower back pain (cLBP), we conducted a multi-phase study utilizing a mixed-method approach.

Evaluating for Evidence of Sociodemographic Bias in Conversational AI for Mental Health Support.

The integration of large language models (LLMs) into healthcare highlights the need to ensure their efficacy while mitigating potential harms, such as the perpetuation of biases. Current evidence on the existence of bias within LLMs remains inconclusive. In this study, we present an approach to investigate the presence of bias within an LLM designed for mental health support.

The Cost Effectiveness of Adjunctive Treatments for Proton Pump Inhibitor-Refractory Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease.

Background And Objective: Half of patients with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) experience persistent symptoms while on proton pump inhibitors (PPIs), thus driving efforts to develop novel adjunctive therapies for PPI-refractory GERD. An economic analysis was performed to establish at what cost and efficacy such potential medications are likely to become cost effective in clinical practice.

Methods: A Markov decision model was used to examine a hypothetical cohort of patients being evaluated for PPI-refractory GERD in the USA.

The Role of Virtual Reality in the Management of Irritable Bowel Syndrome.

Purpose Of Review: Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a disorder of gut-brain interaction that significantly impacts health-related quality of life (HRQOL). This article explores the potential role of virtual reality (VR)-based cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) in treating patients with IBS.

Recent Findings: While CBT is a proven, skills-based therapy approach that modifies behaviors and alters dysfunctional thinking patterns to influence the gut-brain axis and improve IBS symptoms, it is rarely prescribed given a paucity of CBT-trained clinicians.

Engaging an African American Church-based Community in Developing a Technology-focused Virtual Reality Hypertension Program.

Background: African Americans are disproportionately affected by cardiovascular disease and hypertension. To address this, we partnered with local church leaders in developing a virtual reality (VR) hypertension reduction program.

Objectives: A community-based participatory research approach was adopted to develop a hypertension education program using VR, incorporating feedback from the African American church congregation members.

Patient Perceptions of Standardized Risk Language Used in ACR Prostate MRI PI-RADS Scores.

Introduction: Prostate MRI reports use standardized language to describe risk of clinically significant prostate cancer (csPCa) from "equivocal" (Prostate Imaging Reporting and Data System [PI-RADS] 3), "likely" (PI-RADS 4), to "highly likely" (PI-RADS 5). These terms correspond to risks of 11%, 37%, and 70% according to American Urological Association guidelines, respectively. We assessed how men perceive risk associated with standardized PI-RADS language.

Variation in content discussed by specialty in consultations for clinically localized prostate cancer.

Introduction: Multidisciplinary consultations improve decisional conflict and guideline-concordant treatment for men with prostate cancer (PC), but differences in the content discussed by specialty during consultations are unknown.

Methods: We audiorecorded and transcribed 50 treatment consultations for localized PC across a multidisciplinary sample of urologists, radiation oncologists, and medical oncologists. Conversation was coded for narrative content using an open coding approach, grouping similar topics into major content areas.

What Is Medical Extended Reality? A Taxonomy Defining the Current Breadth and Depth of an Evolving Field.

Medical extended reality (MXR) has emerged as a dynamic field at the intersection of health care and immersive technology, encompassing virtual, augmented, and mixed reality applications across a wide range of medical disciplines. Despite its rapid growth and recognition by regulatory bodies, the field lacks a standardized taxonomy to categorize its diverse research and applications. This American Medical Extended Reality Association guideline, authored by the editorial board of the , introduces a comprehensive taxonomy for MXR, developed through a multidisciplinary and international collaboration of experts.

Variation in communication of side effects in prostate cancer treatment consultations.

Background: Effective communication of treatment side effects (SE) is critical for shared decision-making (SDM) in localized prostate cancer. We sought to qualitatively characterize how physicians communicate SE in consultations.

Methods: We transcribed 50 initial prostate cancer treatment consultations across nine multidisciplinary providers (Urologists, Radiation Oncologists, Medical Oncologists) at our tertiary referral, academic center.

Use of Persuasive Language in Communication of Risk during Prostate Cancer Treatment Consultations.

Background: Physician treatment preference may influence how risks are communicated in prostate cancer consultations. We identified persuasive language used when describing cancer prognosis, life expectancy, and side effects in relation to a physician's recommendation for aggressive (surgery/radiation) or nonaggressive (active surveillance/watchful waiting) treatment.

Methods: A qualitative analysis was performed on transcribed treatment consultations of 40 men with low- and intermediate-risk prostate cancer across 10 multidisciplinary providers.

Concentrations of remdesivir and GS-441524 in human milk from lactating individuals diagnosed with COVID-19.

Findings from this study provide further reassuring evidence that infant exposure through human milk received from lactating individuals who require treatment with remdesivir is negligible.

Feasibility of combining spatial computing and AI for mental health support in anxiety and depression.

The increasing need for mental health support and a shortage of therapists have led to the development of the eXtended-reality Artificial Intelligence Assistant (XAIA). This platform combines spatial computing, virtual reality (VR), and artificial intelligence (AI) to provide immersive mental health support. Utilizing GPT-4 for AI-driven therapy, XAIA engaged participants with mild-to-moderate anxiety or depression in biophilic VR environments.

Comparative Effectiveness of Psychotherapy vs Antidepressants for Depression in Heart Failure: A Randomized Clinical Trial.

Importance: Heart failure (HF) affects more than 6 million adults in the US and more than 64 million adults worldwide, with 50% prevalence of depression. Patients and clinicians lack information on which interventions are more effective for depression in HF.

Objective: To compare the effectiveness of behavioral activation psychotherapy (BA) vs antidepressant medication management (MEDS) on patient-centered outcomes inpatients with HF and depression.

Perspectives, experiences, and concerns with cyclical vomiting syndrome: Insights from online targeted-disease forums.

Introduction: There is limited research examining the biopsychosocial impact of cyclic vomiting syndrome (CVS) on patients. This study aims to assess individuals' experiences, fears, and concerns associated with CVS and the impact of CVS on their daily lives.

Methods: We employed social netnography to analyze publicly available posts related to CVS that were identified from six US online forums and Twitter.

Patients' Perspectives, Experiences, and Concerns With Perianal Fistulae: Insights From Online Targeted-Disease Forums.

Background: Perianal fistulae can undermine physical, emotional, and social well-being in patients with Crohn's disease and are challenging to manage. Social media offers a rich opportunity to gain an in-depth understanding of the impact of perianal fistulae on patients' daily lives outside of controlled environments. In this study, we conducted social media analytics to examine patients' experiences with perianal fistulae and assessed the impact of perianal fistulae on patients' behavior and overall well-being.

Determining patient preferences for the medical management of osteoporosis using conjoint analysis.

Unlabelled: We used conjoint analysis-a method that assesses complex decision making-to quantify patients' choices when selecting an osteoporosis therapy. While 60% of people prioritized medication efficacy when deciding among treatments, the remaining 40% highly valued factors other than efficacy, suggesting the need for personalized shared decision-making tools.

Introduction: In this study, we aimed to examine patient decision-making surrounding osteoporosis medications using conjoint analysis.

Virtual Reality Improves Symptoms of Functional Dyspepsia: Results of a Randomized, Double-Blind, Sham-Controlled, Pilot Study.

Introduction: We investigated the efficacy and safety of virtual reality (VR) for functional dyspepsia.

Methods: Patients were randomized 2:1 between active vs sham VR. Symptoms were assessed using the Patient Assessment of Gastrointestinal Disorders-Symptom Severity Index (PAGI-SYM) over 2-week.

Web-Based Video Education to Improve Uptake of Influenza Vaccination and Other Preventive Health Recommendations in Adults With Inflammatory Bowel Disease: Randomized Controlled Trial of Project PREVENT.

Background: Patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) are at increased risk of infections, bone fractures, and skin cancers.

Objective: We developed preventive health videos using a patient-centered approach and tested their impact on preventive health uptake.

Methods: Five animated videos explaining preventive health recommendations in IBD were iteratively developed with patient-centered focus groups and interviews.