Barriers and Strategies to Effective Serious Illness Communication for Patients with End-Stage Liver Disease in the Intensive Care Setting.

Patients with end-stage liver disease (ESLD) often require Intensive Care Unit (ICU) admission during the disease trajectory, but aggressive medical treatment has not resulted in increased quality of life for patients or caregivers. This narrative review synthesizes relevant data thematically exploring the current state of serious illness communication in the ICU with identification of barriers and potential strategies to improve performance. We provide a conceptual model underscoring the importance of providing comprehensible disease and prognosis knowledge, eliciting patient values and aligning these values with available goals of care options through a series of discussions.

Ambient Air Pollution Exposure and Sleep Quality in COPD.

Rationale: Ambient air pollution exposure is associated with respiratory morbidity among individuals with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), particularly among those with concomitant obesity. Although people with COPD report high incidence of poor sleep quality, no studies have evaluated the association between air pollution exposure, obesity, and sleep disturbances in COPD.

Methods: We analyzed data collected from current and former smokers with COPD enrolled in the Subpopulations and Intermediate Outcome Measures in COPD -Air Pollution ancillary study (SPIROMICS AIR).

Lung Function and the Risk of Exacerbation in the β-Blockers for the Prevention of Acute Exacerbations of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Trial.

The BLOCK COPD (β-Blockers for the Prevention of Acute Exacerbations of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease) study found that metoprolol was associated with a higher risk of severe exacerbation. To determine the mechanism underlying these results, we compared changes in lung function over the course of the study between treatment groups and evaluated whether baseline bronchodilator response or early reduction in forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV) or forced vital capacity (FVC) was associated with exacerbation risk. We compared changes in lung function (FEV and FVC) over the treatment period between treatment groups using linear mixed-effect models.

Reconsidering the Utility of Race-Specific Lung Function Prediction Equations.

African American individuals have worse outcomes in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). To assess whether race-specific approaches for estimating lung function contribute to racial inequities by failing to recognize pathological decrements and considering them normal. In a cohort with and at risk for COPD, we assessed whether lung function prediction equations applied in a race-specific versus universal manner better modeled the relationship between FEV, FVC, and other COPD outcomes, including the COPD Assessment Test, St.

Neighborhood Socioeconomic Deprivation in Young Adulthood and Future Respiratory Health: The CARDIA Lung Study.

Purpose: There are limited data on the relationship between neighborhood level factors and their association with lung health independent of individual socioeconomic status. We sought to determine whether baseline neighborhood level socioeconomic deprivation in young adults is associated with greater 20-year decline in lung function and higher risk of future lung disease, independent of baseline individual income, education, and smoking status.

Methods: This multicenter population-based cohort study included 2689 participants in Coronary Artery Risk Development in Young Adults (CARDIA) for whom neighborhood deprivation was determined at year 10 (baseline for study) and who had complete lung function measurements at years 10 and 30.

Racial Segregation and Respiratory Outcomes among Urban Black Residents with and at Risk of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease.

Racial residential segregation has been associated with worse health outcomes, but the link with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) morbidity has not been established. To investigate whether racial residential segregation is associated with COPD morbidity among urban Black adults with or at risk of COPD. Racial residential segregation was assessed using isolation index, based on 2010 decennial census and baseline address, for Black former and current smokers in the multicenter SPIROMICS (Subpopulations and Intermediate Outcome Measures in COPD Study), a study of adults with or at risk for COPD.

Disparities in access to food and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)-related outcomes: a cross-sectional analysis.

Background: Millions of Americans are living in food deserts in the United States, however the role of the local food environment on COPD has not been studied. The aim of this study is to determine the association between food deserts and COPD-related outcomes.

Method: In this cross-sectional analysis we linked data collected from SPIROMICS (SubPopulations and InteRmediate Outcome Measures in COPD Study) between 2010 and 2015 and food desert data, defined as an underserved area that lacks access to affordable healthy foods, from the Food Access Research Atlas.

Age-Dependent Associations Between 25-Hydroxy Vitamin D Levels and COPD Symptoms: Analysis of SPIROMICS.

Introduction: Age and vitamin D levels may affect symptom burden in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). We used the Subpopulations and Intermediate Outcome Measures in COPD Study (SPIROMICS) to determine independent associations between vitamin D levels and COPD symptoms in different age strata.

Methods: Serum 25-hydroxy (OH)-vitamin D levels were modeled continuously and categorically (<20 ng/ml versus ≥20 ng/ml).

The influence of social support on COPD outcomes mediated by depression.

Background: The purpose of this study was to explore the association between perceived social support and COPD outcomes and to determine whether the associations are mediated by depressive symptoms.

Methods: Subjects with COPD who were enrolled as part of SPIROMICS were included in this analysis. Questionnaires relating to quality of life, symptom burden, and functional status were administered at annual clinic visits for over a 3 year period.

Defining Resilience to Smoking-related Lung Disease: A Modified Delphi Approach from SPIROMICS.

Diagnosis of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) relies on abnormal spirometry. However, spirometry may underestimate the effects of smoking, missing smokers with respiratory disease who have minimal or no airflow obstruction. To develop a multidimensional definition of a lung-related "resilient smoker" that is useful in research studies and then identify a resilient smoker subgroup in the SPIROMICS (SubPopulations and InteRmediate Outcome Measures In COPD Study) cohort using this definition.

Contribution of Individual and Neighborhood Factors to Racial Disparities in Respiratory Outcomes.

Black adults have worse health outcomes compared with white adults in certain chronic diseases, including chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). To determine to what degree disadvantage by individual and neighborhood socioeconomic status (SES) may contribute to racial disparities in COPD outcomes. Individual and neighborhood-scale sociodemographic characteristics were determined in 2,649 current or former adult smokers with and without COPD at recruitment into SPIROMICS (Subpopulations and Intermediate Outcome Measures in COPD Study).

The Association Between Neighborhood Socioeconomic Disadvantage and Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease.

Rationale: Individual socioeconomic status has been shown to influence the outcomes of patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). However, contextual factors may also play a role. The objective of this study is to evaluate the association between neighborhood socioeconomic disadvantage measured by the area deprivation index (ADI) and COPD-related outcomes.

The Association of Low Income and High Stress with Acute Care Use in COPD Patients.

Introduction: Low-income chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) individuals are known to have higher rates of COPD-related hospitalizations and readmissions. Levels of psychological stress are also higher in low-income populations and may be associated with acute care use. We sought to: (1) determine the association between stress and acute care use in COPD, (2) evaluate the social determinants of health (SDH) in low and high stress individuals, and (3) determine the association between low income and high stress with acute care use.

Factors influencing decline in quality of life in smokers without airflow obstruction: The COPDGene study.

Introduction: Current and former smokers with normal spirometry and with Preserved Ratio Impaired Spirometry (PRISm) experience respiratory events similar to chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) exacerbations. Exacerbations significantly reduce quality of life (QoL) in COPD patients however the effect of respiratory exacerbations on QoL in these groups is unknown. We hypothesized that exacerbations and change in exacerbation status would predict QoL decline among normal spirometry and PRISm participants in COPDGene.

Adherence to Pulmonary Rehabilitation in COPD: A QUALITATIVE EXPLORATION OF PATIENT PERSPECTIVES ON BARRIERS AND FACILITATORS.

Purpose: Adherence to pulmonary rehabilitation (PR) is low. This qualitative study used the PRECEDE model to identify predisposing (intrapersonal), reinforcing (interpersonal), and enabling (structural) factors acting as barriers or facilitators of adherence to PR, and elicit recommendations for solutions from patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

Methods: Focus groups with COPD patients who had attended PR in the past year were conducted.

Application of the community health worker model in adult asthma and COPD in the U.S.: a systematic review.

Background: With rising medical costs, stakeholders and healthcare professionals are exploring community-based solutions to relieve the burden of chronic diseases and reduce health care spending. The community health worker (CHW) model is one example that has proven effective in improving patient outcomes globally. We sought to systematically describe the effectiveness of community health worker interventions in improving patient reported outcomes and reducing healthcare utilization in the adult asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) populations in the U.

Determinants of cigarette smoking status in a national cohort of black and white adult ever smokers in the USA: a cross-sectional analysis of the REGARDS study.

Objectives: While awareness of cigarette smoking's harmful effects has increased, determinants associated with smoking status remain understudied, including potential racial differences. We aim to examine factors associated with former versus current smoking status and assess whether these associations differed by race.

Setting: We performed a cross-sectional analysis using the population-based Reasons for Geographic and Racial Differences in Stroke(REGARDS)study.

Implications of DRG Classification in a Bundled Payment Initiative for COPD.

Objectives: Institutions participating in the Medicare Bundled Payments for Care Improvement (BPCI) initiative invest significantly in efforts to reduce readmissions and costs for patients who are included in the program. Eligibility for the BPCI initiative is determined by diagnosis-related group (DRG) classification. The implications of this methodology for chronic diseases are not known.

Results of a Medicare Bundled Payments for Care Improvement Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Readmissions.

Rationale: Approximately 20% of Medicare beneficiaries hospitalized for acute exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) are readmitted within 30 days of discharge. In addition to implementing penalties for excess readmissions, the U.S.

A case of peripheral T-cell lymphoma, not otherwise specified in a HCV and HTLV-II-positive patient, diagnosed by abdominal fluid cytology.

Background: Peripheral T-cell lymphoma, not otherwise specified (PTCL, NOS) is a rare neoplasm that typically presents as generalized lymphadenopathy. PTCL, NOS presenting as malignant ascites is rare.

Methods: A 61-year-old African-American man with past medical history of HCV, cryoglobulinemia, and cryptococcal pneumonia was admitted for dyspnea on exertion over a period of 1 month and new onset of abdominal distension.

Hypoglycemia after antimicrobial drug prescription for older patients using sulfonylureas.

Importance: Certain antimicrobial drugs interact with sulfonylureas to increase the risk of hypoglycemia.

Objective: To determine the risk of hypoglycemia and associated costs in older patients prescribed glipizide or glyburide who fill a prescription for an antimicrobial drug.

Design, Setting, And Participants: This was a retrospective cohort study of Texas Medicare claims from 2006 to 2009 for patients 66 years or older who were prescribed glipizide or glyburide and who also filled a prescription for 1 of the 16 antimicrobials most commonly prescribed for this population.