Amanda Artis

National Trends in Prostate Biopsy and Radical Prostatectomy Volumes Following the US Preventive Services Task Force Guidelines Against Prostate-Specific Antigen Screening

Importance Studies demonstrate that use of prostate-specific antigen screening decreased significantly following the US Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) recommendation against prostate-specific antigen screening in 2012. Objective To determine downstream effects on practice patterns in prostate cancer diagnosis and treatment following the 2012 USPSTF recommendation. Design, Setting, and Participants Procedural volumes of certifying and recertifying urologists from 2009 through 2016 were evaluated for variation in prostate biopsy and radical prostatectomy (RP) volume. Trends were confirmed using the New York Statewide Planning and Research Cooperative System and Nationwide Inpatient Sample. The study included a representative sample of urologists across practice settings and nationally representative sample of all RP discharges. We obtained operative case logs from the American Board of Urology and identified urologists performing at least 1 prostate biopsy (n = 5173) or RP (n = 3748), respectively. Exposures The 2012 USPSTF recommendation against routine population-wide prostate-specific antigen screening. Main Outcomes and Measures Change in median biopsy and RP volume per urologist and national procedural volume. Results Following the USPSTF recommendation, median biopsy volume per urologist decreased from 29 to 21 (interquartile range [IQR}, 12-34; P < .001). After adjusting for physician and practice characteristics, biopsy volume decreased by 28.7% following 2012 (parameter estimate, −0.25; SE, 0.03; P < .001). Similarly, following the USPSTF recommendation, median RP volume per urologist decreased from 7 (IQR, 3-15) to 6 (IQR, 2-12) (P < .001), and in adjusted analyses, RP volume decreased 16.2% (parameter estimate, −0.15; SE, 0.05; P = .003). Conclusions and Relevance Following the 2012 USPSTF recommendation, prostate biopsy and RP volumes decreased significantly. A panoramic vantage point is needed to evaluate the long-term consequences of the 2012 USPSTF recommendation.

Storm Impact and Depression Among Older Adults Living in Hurricane Sandy–Affected Areas

OBJECTIVE Research on the impact of natural disasters on the mental health of older adults finds both vulnerabilities and resilience. We report on the rates of clinically significant depression among older adults (aged ≥60 years) living in areas affected by Hurricane Sandy in 2012 and the factors associated with mental health need. METHODS The Sandy Mobilization, Assessment, Referral and Treatment for Mental Health (SMART-MH) program integrates community outreach and needs assessments to identify older adults with mental health and aging service needs. Older adults with significant anxiety or depressive symptoms were offered short-term psychotherapy. Social service referrals were made directly to community agencies. All SMART-MH activities were offered in Spanish, Russian, Mandarin/Cantonese, and English. RESULTS Across the full sample, 14% of participants screened positive for depression. Hurricane Sandy stressors predicted increased odds of depression, including storm injury, post-storm crime, and the total count of stressors. Outcomes varied significantly by age group, such that all Sandy-related variables remained significant for younger-old adults (aged 60-74 years), whereas only the loss of access to medical care was significant for older-old adults (aged ≥75 years). CONCLUSIONS Storm-affected communities show higher rates of depressive symptoms than seen in the general population, with storm stressors affecting mental health needs differentially by age group. (Disaster Med Public Health Preparedness. 2017;11:97-109).

Adherence to Depression Treatment in Primary Care: A Randomized Clinical Trial

Importance Nonadherence to antidepressant medication is common and leads to poor outcomes. Early nonadherence is especially problematic. Objective To test the effectiveness of a psychosocial intervention to improve early adherence among older patients whose primary care physician newly initiated an antidepressant for depression. Design, Setting, and Participants The Treatment Initiation and Participation Program (TIP) was offered in a 2-site randomized clinical effectiveness study between January 2011 and December 2014 at primary care practices in New York, New York, and Ann Arbor, Michigan. Analyses began in February 2016. All participants were middle-aged and older adults (aged ≥55 years) who received newly initiated depression treatment by their primary care physician and recruited within 10 days of their prescription. Analyses were intention-to-treat. Interventions Participants were randomly assigned to the intervention (TIP) or treatment as usual. Participants in the TIP group identified and addressed barriers to adherence, including stigma, misconceptions, and fears about treatment, before developing a personalized adherence strategy. The Treatment Initiation and Participation Program was delivered in three 30-minute contacts scheduled during a 6-week period just after the antidepressant was prescribed. Main Outcomes and Measures The primary outcome was self-reported adherence on the Brief Medication Questionnaire, with adequate early adherence defined as taking 80% or more of the prescribed doses at 6 and 12 weeks. The secondary outcome was depression severity. Results In total, 231 middle-aged and older adults (167 women [72.3%] and 64 men [27.7%]) without significant cognitive impairment were randomly assigned to the TIP intervention (n = 115) or treatment as usual (n = 116). Participants had a mean (SD) age of 67.3 (8.4) years. Participants in the TIP group were 5 times more likely to be adherent at 6 weeks (odds ratio, 5.54; 95% CI, 2.57 to 11.96; &khgr;21 = 19.05; P < .001) and 3 times more likely to be adherent at both 6 and 12 weeks (odds ratio, 3.27; 95% CI, 1.73 to 6.17; &khgr;21 = 13.34; P < .001). Participants in the TIP group showed a significant earlier reduction (24.9%) in depressive symptoms (95% CI, 13.9 to 35.9; t337 = 4.46; adjusted P < .001). In both groups, participants who were 80% adherent at weeks 6 and 12 had a 15% greater improvement in depressive symptoms from baseline over the course of treatment (95% CI, −0.2 to −30; t369 = 1.93; P = .051). Conclusions and Relevance The Treatment Initiation and Participation Program is an effective intervention to improve early adherence to pharmacotherapy. Improved adherence can promote improvement in depression. Trial Registration clinicaltrials.gov Identifier: NCT01301859

Two Behavioral Interventions for Patients with Major Depression and Severe COPD

OBJECTIVE Personalized Intervention for Depressed Patients with COPD (PID-C), a treatment mobilizing patients to participate in their care, was found more effective than usual care. To further improve its efficacy, we developed a Problem Solving-Adherence (PSA) intervention integrating problem solving into adherence enhancement procedures. We tested the hypothesis that PSA is more effective than PID-C in reducing depressive symptoms. Exploratory analyses sought to identify patients with distinct depressive symptom trajectories and compare their clinical profiles. DESIGN Randomized controlled trial. SETTING Acute inpatient rehabilitation and community. PARTICIPANTS A total of 101 diagnosed with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and major depression after screening 633 consecutive admissions for acute inpatient rehabilitation. INTERVENTION Fourteen sessions of PID-C versus PSA over 26 weeks. MEASUREMENTS 24-item Hamilton Depression Rating Scale. RESULTS PSA was not more efficacious than PID-C in reducing depressive symptoms. Exploratory latent class growth modeling identified two distinct depressive symptoms trajectories. Unlike patients with unfavorable course (28%) who remained symptomatic, patients with favorable course (72%) had a decline of symptoms during the hospitalization followed by a milder decline after discharge. Patients with unfavorable course were younger and had greater scores in disability, anxiety, neuroticism, and dyspnea related limitation in activities and lower self-efficacy scores. CONCLUSIONS Both interventions led to sustained improvement depressive symptoms. PID-C matches the skills of clinicians employed by community rehabilitation programs and can be integrated in the care of depressed COPD patients. Patients with severe disability, anxiety, neuroticism, and low self-efficacy are at risk for poor outcomes and in need of close follow-up and targeted interventions. .

A survey-based study of management of longitudinal melanonychia amongst attending and resident dermatologists

while working to increase access to care for the rural Atitl an community. The program thus far has been funded through the Penn Department of Dermatology, supplemented by patient and provider donations. Our aims are to educate both Penn and INDERMA residents in medical care in resourcelimited environments, foster a dialogue between residents with varied training experiences, and encourage interest in global health. INDERMA residents are urged to collaborate with local underserved communities and are introduced to Americanmedical practice. Intermittent yearly clinical support currently bears resemblance tomedicalmissions, but our goal is sustainable care. As such, long-term goals include building frameworks for local care, partnerships with long-term programs, including the year-round PennGuatemala Health Initiative, and establishment of telemedicine to connect local Guatemalan dermatologists to isolated communities. Milestones andmetrics are actively being developed to critically and objectively evaluate the community impact the program may have. We hope to grow this collaboration into a sustainable model of dermatology care that supports educational goals for both Penn and INDERMA residents and develop additional metrics to measure the success of the partnership.

Two Interventions for Patients with Major Depression and Severe Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease: Impact on Dyspnea-Related Disability.

OBJECTIVE The Personalized Intervention for Depressed Patients with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (PID-C) is an intervention aiming to help patients adhere to their rehabilitation and care. This study tested the hypothesis that the Problem-Solving Adherence (PSA) intervention, which integrates problem-solving into adherence enhancement procedures, reduces dyspnea-related disability more than PID-C. Exploratory analyses sought to identify patients with distinct dyspnea-related disability trajectories and to compare their clinical profiles. METHODS In this randomized controlled trial in an acute inpatient rehabilitation and community, 101 participants diagnosed with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and major depression were included after screening 633 consecutive admissions for acute inpatient rehabilitation. Participants underwent 14 sessions of PID-C versus PSA over 26 weeks using the Pulmonary Functional Status and Dyspnea Questionnaire. RESULTS The study hypothesis was not supported. Exploratory latent class growth modeling identified two distinct disability trajectories. Dyspnea-related disability improved in 39% of patients and remained unchanged in the rest. Patients whose dyspnea-related disability improved had more severe disability and less sense of control over their condition at baseline. CONCLUSION Improvement or no worsening of disability was noted in both treatment groups. This is a favorable course for depressed patients with a severe, deteriorating medical illness. PID-C is compatible with the expertise of clinicians working in community-based rehabilitation programs, and after further testing in the community, it can be integrated in the care of depressed COPD patients.

Assessment of Patient Knowledge of Longitudinal Melanonychia: A Survey Study of Patients in Outpatient Clinics

Importance: Subungual melanoma (SM) is a rare subtype of cutaneous melanoma but carries a worse prognosis than similarly staged cutaneous melanomas. Assessing patient knowledge of melanonychia is integral to early diagnosis of SM. Objectives: The aim of this paper is to determine patient knowledge of longitudinal melanonychia (LM) and warning signs for SM, frequency of nail self-examinations, and satisfaction of patients with their physicians nail examinations. Design, Setting, and Participants: We conducted a survey-based study of 363 random patients at Weill Cornell Medicine in New York, USA, performed at 3 different clinics: a general dermatology clinic (n = 167), a nail specialty clinic (n = 44), and a primary care clinic (n = 152). Main Outcomes and Measures: Knowledge of the ABCDEF mnemonic for SM was compared to the ABCD mnemonic for cutaneous melanoma. Analyses were performed for patient behavior regarding suspicious nail changes as well as satisfaction with nail counseling and examination. Results: Only 5% (18/363) of the patients in our study had heard of the ABCDEF mnemonic. In contrast, 9.9% (36/363) of the patients had heard of the ABCD mnemonic for cutaneous melanoma. In total, 37/363 (10.2%) patients reported having LM, 32.4% (12/37) of the patients noted changes in color or width of the band, and 10.8% (4/37) presented with pain or bleeding of the nail, with only 45.9% (17/37) seeking medical attention. Only 11.8% (43/363) of the patients stated that their physician asked them about nail changes, and 1.4% (5/363) of the patients stated that they were counseled about the ABCDEF mnemonic. In comparison, 13.8% (50/363) of the patients were advised on the ABCD mnemonic for the cutaneous melanoma mnemonic. While 70.2% (255/363) of the patients stated that they used sunscreen or wore sun-protective clothing, only 31.4% (114/363) assessed their nails for color changes, with 54.9% (128/233) of the patients categorizing themselves as “very unsatisfied” with the evaluation of their nails by their dermatologist. Conclusions and Relevance: Our data shows that there is a lack of patient knowledge of LM and warning signs for SM. Further testing is needed to determine whether educating patients about LM, warning signs for SM, and nail self-examinations would improve patient outcomes.

Stabilization treatment of remitted psychotic depression: the STOP-PD study

We conducted a 12‐week double‐blind study of stabilization pharmacotherapy in patients with remitted psychotic depression (PD).

Cytomegalovirus Retinitis Outcomes in HIV-Infected and Non–HIV Patients at a Tertiary Care Center

Purpose: To describe cytomegalovirus (CMV) retinitis outcomes in HIV-infected and non–HIV patients at a tertiary care center. Participants: Twenty-six eyes from 20 patients with active CMV retinitis were included in this study. Patients were immunocompromised due to HIV or secondary to immunosuppressive therapy for malignancy and organ transplantation. Methods: This is a retrospective, observational study of patients with newly diagnosed active CMV retinitis. The main outcomes included the incidence of visual acuity loss, the loss of visual acuity to 20/200 or worse, and the loss of 3 lines of vision or more. Secondary outcomes included the identification of risk factors for these visual results and the development of various complications such as retinal detachment (RD) and cataract formation. Results: In all, 51.9% (n = 14) of eyes lost vision from baseline at most recent follow-up and 34.6% (n = 9) lost 3 lines or more of vision, 34.6% (n = 9) of the eyes lost significant vision at most recent follow-up and had a final vision of 20/200 or worse, and 22.73% of phakic eyes underwent cataract surgery, whereas 23.1% (n = 6) of eyes developed RD. Patients presenting with a CD4+ T-cell count <100 cells/µL were more likely to lose vision when compared to those presenting with a count >100 cells/µL (P = .0440). Although not statistically significant, patients who were immunocompromised due to HIV were less likely to lose 3 or more lines of vision (P = .1881) and less likely to have a final visual acuity of 20/200 or worse (P = .1881), when compared to patients who were immunocompromised due to other reasons. There was also a nonsignificant trend for eyes affected by a larger area of CMV retinitis at baseline (>25%) to have a final visual acuity of 20/200 or worse when compared to eyes with CMV retinitis involving <25% of the total retina (P = .089). We did not detect trends or associations between any other risk factors tested and visual outcomes. We did not identify an association between HIV status and baseline area or zone affected by CMV retinitis. Conclusions: Our cohort demonstrated that CMV retinitis remains a vision-threatening problem among patients who are immunocompromised due to HIV or other conditions. Immunocompromised patients are still at a significant risk of vision loss and complications from CMV retinitis and should be managed by a multidisciplinary team of physicians. In the immediate future, improved therapies are necessary to achieve immune recovery in patients, particularly for those remaining chronically immunosuppressed.

Young, healthy South Asians have enhanced lipogenic sensitivity to dietary sugar

South Asians have higher rates of type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease compared to most other racial/ethnic groups. Increased hepatic de novo lipogenesis (DNL) in response to dietary sugar may accelerate the development of these chronic diseases in this population.