Rituximab is associated with worse COVID-19 outcomes in patients with rheumatoid arthritis: A retrospective, nationally sampled cohort study from the U.S. National COVID Cohort Collaborative (N3C).

Objective: To assess whether rituximab (RTX) is associated with worse COVID-19 outcomes among patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

Methods: We used the National COVID Cohort Collaborative (N3C), the largest US cohort of COVID-19 cases and controls, to identify patients with RA (International Classification of Diseases (ICD)-10 code, M05.X or M06.

Recommendations for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis in Saudi Arabia: adolopment of the 2021 American College of Rheumatology guidelines.

Background: The 2021 American College of Rheumatology (ACR) rheumatoid arthritis (RA) guideline considers the specific context of the United States which differs from that of Saudi Arabia in many aspects that may impact recommendations. The objective of this project was to adapt a set of prioritized recommendations from the 2021 ACR guideline for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis RA for the context of Saudi Arabia, by the Saudi Society for Rheumatology (SSR).

Methods: The process followed the GRADE-ADOLOPMENT methodology, and the reporting adhered to the RIGHT-Ad@pt checklist.

Cognability: An Ecological Theory of neighborhoods and cognitive aging.

While a growing body of evidence points to potentially modifiable individual risk factors for dementia, the built and social environments in which people develop and navigate cognitive decline are largely overlooked. This paper proposes a new theoretical concept, Cognability, to conceptualize how supportive an area is to cognitive health among aging residents. Cognability incorporates a constellation of both positive and negative neighborhood features related to physical activity, social interaction and cognitive stimulation in later life.

Rural-urban differences in functional outcomes after acute stroke therapy within the stroke belt.

Introduction: The Southeastern United States (US) has the highest stroke mortality rate in the country. A high proportion of its population lives in rural areas. Rural patients with stroke have worse outcomes than their urban counterparts.

Mobility-related outcomes for periacetabular osteotomy in persons with acetabular dysplasia: setting the stage for measurement of real-world outcomes.

Periacetabular osteotomy (PAO) is a surgery for persons with symptomatic acetabular dysplasia (AD) that increases acetabular coverage of the femoral head for reducing hip pain and improving function. Patient-reported outcomes (PROs) are significantly improved following PAO, yet little is known regarding mobility-related outcomes. This narrative review provides a synthesis of evidence regarding PROs and mobility-related outcomes in persons with AD following PAO.

Measuring cognitive function by the SDMT across functional domains: Useful but not sufficient.

Background: The Symbol Digit Modalities Test (SDMT) is a common screen of cognitive function for people with Multiple Sclerosis (pwMS) but growing acknowledgement that people with cognitive impairment are a heterogeneous population suggests that a single screen may provide limited information.

Objective: To assess the adequacy of the SDMT in capturing impairment across specific cognitive domains as measured by a multi-domain cognitive assessment battery (CAB, NeuroTrax).

Methods: 113 pwMS were assessed with SDMT and the CAB.

Assessing Hispanic/Latino and Non-Hispanic White Social Determinants of Obesity Among a Community Sample of Residents in the Rural Southeast US.

Employing an ecological approach, we sought to identify social determinants of obesity among Hispanics/Latinos and non-Hispanic whites living in the Southeast US. Data on social determinants of obesity (individual, family, community and cultural/contextual) were collected from 217 participants [106 Hispanics/Latinos; 111 non-Hispanic whites]; height and weight  were objectively measured. We compared prevalence of overweight and obese between ethnic groups and BMI values within each group by social determinants.

On the Role of Atmospheric Weathering on Paint Dust Aerosol Generated by Mechanical Abrasion of TiO Containing Paints.

In recent years, the introduction and use of new nanomaterials in construction has increased at a rapid rate. Exterior surface paints have been a product that have had these nanomaterials added to them. In this study, the effects of natural weathering and exposure to atmospheric agents was examined to determine the detrimental effects on outdoor paint that has been created with nanomaterials.

Couple Efficacy and Communal Coping for HIV Prevention Among Kenyan Pregnant Couples.

Involving both partners of a couple in HIV prevention can improve maternal and child health outcomes in sub-Saharan Africa. Using data from 96 couples, we explored the actor and partner effects of perceived relationship dynamics on a couple's confidence and ability to reduce HIV risk together. Perceived relationship quality altered perceived confidence and ability to reduce HIV threat.

Diet Quality Assessment in Wheelchair Users with Multiple Sclerosis.

Background: Diet quality has not been distinctively examined in wheelchair users with multiple sclerosis (MS).

Methods: This cross-sectional study examined the Diet History Questionnaire (DHQ) III and the Automated Self-Administered 24-h (ASA24) Dietary Assessment Tool in 128 wheelchair users with MS. Participants were prompted to complete the DHQ-III and 3 ASA24 recalls during a seven-day data collection period.

Parent intentions to vaccinate children with autism spectrum disorder against COVID-19.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate associations between parent vaccine confidence and intention to have their child with autism vaccinated against COVID-19.

Design And Methods: A cross-sectional, web-based survey was conducted from May to July 2021 with parents of children with autism spectrum disorder (N = 322) who were members of an integrated healthcare system in Southern California.

Results: Approximately 35% of parents intended to vaccinate their child against COVID-19.

Primary care visits and ambulatory care sensitive diabetes hospitalizations among adult Alabama Medicaid beneficiaries.

Purpose: To describe patterns of care use for Alabama Medicaid adult beneficiaries with diabetes and the association between primary care utilization and ambulatory care sensitive (ACS) diabetes hospitalizations.

Methods: This retrospective cohort study analyzes Alabama Medicaid claims data from January 2010 to April 2018 for 52,549 covered adults ages 19-64 with diabetes. Individuals were characterized by demographics, comorbidities, and health care use including primary, specialty, mental health and hospital care.

Racial/ethnic and educational inequities in restrictive abortion policy variation and adverse birth outcomes in the United States.

Background: To examine racial/ethnic and educational inequities in the relationship between state-level restrictive abortion policies and adverse birth outcomes from 2005 to 2015 in the United States.

Methods: Using a state-level abortion restrictiveness index comprised of 18 restrictive abortion policies, we conducted a retrospective longitudinal analysis examining whether race/ethnicity and education level moderated the relationship between the restrictiveness index and individual-level probabilities of preterm birth (PTB) and low birthweight (LBW). Data were obtained from the 2005-2015 National Center for Health Statistics Period Linked Live Birth-Infant Death Files and analyzed with linear probability models adjusted for individual- and state-level characteristics and state and year fixed-effects.

Risk for ischemic stroke and coronary heart disease associated with migraine and migraine medication among older adults.

Background: Migraine has been associated with cardiovascular disease (CVD) events among middle-aged adults. The objective of this study was to determine the risk for ischemic stroke and coronary heart disease (CHD) events among older adults with versus without migraine.

Methods: This retrospective cohort study was conducted using data from US adults ≥66 years of age with Medicare health insurance between 2008 and 2017.

Contraceptive Use and Pregnancy Outcomes Among Women Enrolled in South Carolina Medicaid Programs.

Objective: State medicaid programs provide access to effective contraception for people with lower incomes. This study examined contraception use and pregnancy among reproductive-age women enrolled in the South Carolina Medicaid, by eligibility program and socio-demographic sub-groups.

Methods: A retrospective cohort of women aged 15-45 who were newly eligible for South Carolina Medicaid from 2012 to 2016 was examined.

The Projected Impact of Population-Wide Achievement of LDL Cholesterol <70 mg/dL on the Number of Recurrent Events Among US Adults with ASCVD.

Purpose: Adults with atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) are recommended high-intensity statins, with those at very high risk for recurrent events recommended adding ezetimibe and/or a proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 inhibitor if their low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) is ≥70 mg/dL. We estimated the number of recurrent ASCVD events potentially averted if all adults in the United States (US) ≥45 years of age with ASCVD achieved an LDL-C <70 mg/dL.

Methods: The number of US adults with ASCVD and LDL-C ≥70 mg/dL was estimated from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2009-2016 (n = 596).

Improving benefit-harm assessment of glucocorticoid therapy incorporating the patient perspective: The OMERACT glucocorticoid core domain set.

Objective: Our primary objective was to develop an Outcome Measures in Rheumatology (OMERACT) core domain set to capture the impact of glucocorticoids (GC), both positive and negative, on patients with Rheumatic conditions.

Methods: The OMERACT Filter 2.1 was used to guide core domain selection.

Self-reported reductions in tobacco and nicotine use following medical cannabis initiation: Results from a cross-sectional survey of authorized medical cannabis patients in Canada.

Background: Despite decades of campaigns aimed at reducing tobacco/nicotine (T/N) use and the development of many different T/N reduction and cessation strategies, the impacts on international public health remain significant. Some studies have found an association between medical and non-medical cannabis use and T/N use, although the evidence on whether cannabis/cannabinoids increase or decrease the odds of reducing or ceasing T/N use remain contradictory. This paper explores the self-reported use of cannabis and associated changes in T/N use among a Canadian medical cannabis patient population.

Neighborhood active aging infrastructure and cognitive function: A mixed-methods study of older Americans.

Physical exercise benefits cognitive functioning and can protect against neurodegeneration. Neighborhood environments may be pivotal to physically active aging, and thus help shape older adults' cognitive function. This mixed-methods study investigated where older adults exercised outside the home, and whether availability of these neighborhood sites was associated with cognitive function.

Aflatoxin Exposure Among Mothers and Their Infants from the Western Highlands of Guatemala.

Objectives: We examined breast milk of mothers and urine of infants before and after introduction of supplementary foods for aflatoxin M (AFM) and the association between AFM with maternal and infant diet.

Methods: A prospective cohort study was conducted among mothers and infants ages 0-6 months and 7-12 months from June-October 2014. Sociodemographic, dietary, birth, and health data were collected.

Human Papillomavirus, Related Diseases, and Vaccination: Knowledge and Awareness Among Health Care Students and Professionals in Nepal.

Human papillomavirus (HPV) is a common sexually transmitted disease worldwide. While burden of HPV-associated cancers and mortality is higher in low-income countries, there is limited data about knowledge of it among health care students and professionals. We assessed awareness and knowledge of HPV, its related diseases, and HPV vaccine among 333 participants, composed of 146 medical students (MSs) and professionals (MPs) and 187 nursing students (NSs) and professionals (NPs) using a 40-question survey between July 2018 and February 2019.