Impact of OSA treatment success on changes in hypertension and obesity: A retrospective cohort study.

Objective: Pediatric obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) has been shown to lead to the development of chronic cardiometabolic conditions, including obesity and cardiovascular disease. We sought to describe the impact of the success of continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) and surgery, common treatment options for pediatric OSA, on cardiometabolic conditions.

Methods: A retrospective review of patients (≤18 years) diagnosed with OSA based on a polysomnogram at a tertiary care pediatric otolaryngology practice from 2015 to 2019 was conducted.

Bad Altitude: Categorizing Elevation Produces Spurious Association With Concussions in the National Football League (NFL).

To assess whether prior analyses, where there was a relationship between altitude and concussion rates in American football, would replicate using a larger data set and altitude as a continuous variable. Cohort study replication. We analyzed data from all NFL regular season games from 2012-2019.

Excess Pneumonia Mortality During a 2014-2015 Legionnaires' Disease Outbreak in Genesee County, Michigan.

Background: From June 2014 to October 2015, the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services reported an outbreak of 90 cases of Legionnaires' disease, including 10 deaths, in Genesee County, Michigan. As Legionnaires' disease is not routinely tested for as a cause of community-acquired pneumonia, we hypothesized that the size of the outbreak was underestimated.

Methods: We used Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Wide-ranging ONline Data for Epidemiologic Research data to compare pneumonia mortality in Genesee to similar counties from 2011 to 2017.

The association of comorbid depression with mortality and amputation in veterans with peripheral artery disease.

Objective: Peripheral artery disease (PAD) is an increasing health concern with rising incidence globally. Previous studies have shown an association between PAD incidence and depression. The objective of the study was to determine the association of comorbid depression with PAD outcomes (amputation and all-cause mortality rates) in veterans.

Race and Socioeconomic Status Independently Affect Risk of Major Amputation in Peripheral Artery Disease.

Background: Black race has been shown to be a risk factor for amputation in peripheral artery disease (PAD); however, race has been argued to be a marker for socioeconomic status (SES) rather than true disparity. The aim of this study is to study the impact of race and SES on amputation risk in PAD patients.

Methods And Results: Patients with incident PAD in the national Veterans Affairs Corporate Data Warehouse were identified from 2003 to 2014 (N=155 647).

Association of Statin Dose With Amputation and Survival in Patients With Peripheral Artery Disease.

Background: Statin dose guidelines for patients with peripheral artery disease (PAD) are largely based on coronary artery disease and stroke data. The aim of this study is to determine the effect of statin intensity on PAD outcomes of amputation and mortality.

Methods: Using an observational cohort study design and a validated algorithm, we identified patients with incident PAD (2003-2014) in the national Veterans Affairs data.

High hemoglobin A associated with increased adverse limb events in peripheral arterial disease patients undergoing revascularization.

Objective: Diabetes and peripheral arterial disease (PAD) are independently associated with increased risk of amputation. However, the effect of poor glycemic control on adverse limb events has not been studied. We examined the effects of poor glycemic control (high hemoglobin A level) on the risk of amputation and modified major adverse limb events (mMALEs) after lower extremity revascularization.

Prevalence, predictors, and outcomes of advance directives in implantable cardioverter-defibrillator recipients.

Background: Little is known about advance directive (AD) utilization in implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) recipients.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to define the prevalence and predictors of ADs in patients with ICDs.

Methods: We identified ICD recipients with ADs at our institution.

Respiratory Therapists' Experiences and Attitudes Regarding Terminal Extubations and End-of-Life Care.

Background: Respiratory therapists (RTs) routinely care for patients with life-limiting illnesses and in some hospitals are responsible for terminal extubations. Data on how such experiences affect RTs are scarce. The objective of this work was to survey RTs at 2 academic medical centers about their experiences caring for patients with terminal extubations.

Advance directives among hospitalized patients with heart failure.

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to assess the frequency and correlates of documented advance directives (ADs) among patients hospitalized for heart failure (HF).

Background: Discussing ADs with patients with HF is critical for identifying treatment goals consistent with patients' values and preferences and for facilitating health care team communication.

Methods: We retrospectively identified electronic medical records of adult patients admitted to 2 large tertiary care hospitals with either the primary or secondary discharge diagnosis of HF from September 2008 to August 2013 to assess the presence of ADs in electronic medical records.

Feasibility and economic impact of dedicated hospice inpatient units for terminally ill ICU patients.

Objectives: End-of-life care is frequently provided in the ICU because patients receiving life-sustaining treatments are often unsuitable for transfer to home or community hospices. In-hospital dedicated hospice inpatient units are a novel option. This study was designed to 1) demonstrate the feasibility of ICU to dedicated hospice inpatient unit transfer in critically ill terminal patients; 2) describe the clinical characteristics of those transferred and compare them to similar patients who were not transferred; and 3) assess the operational and economic impact of dedicated hospice inpatient units.