Introduction: Atrial fibrillation (AFib) is the most common irregularity of heartbeats. It can cause significant symptoms and impair heart function. Its irregular and often very rapid heart rhythm can lead to blood clots that cause stroke or heart attack, especially as the patient ages. The irregularity of heartbeats has prevented visualization of the heart using […]
Introduction: Assessment of comorbidities is essential to clinical research and predicts adverse events and death. Prescription medications could be a tool for predicting risk independent of the Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI). Additionally, clinicians have access to prescription medication lists, facilitating assessment of comorbidities. Methods: Retrospective study conducted of US Veterans treated for metastatic castrate resistant […]
Introduction: Medication hoarding is an important health risk factor (Sorenson et al., 2005). In addition, hoarding is related to falls and injuries (Wick & Zanni, 2011) and may be particularly concerning in a community-dwelling older population (Dozier, Porter, & Ayers, 2016). Individuals with complex medication regimens who require assistance from family caregivers may be at […]
Introduction: Many studies have shown that the progression of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) varies substantially from patient to patient. It is important to identify subpopulations who may benefit from the investigational treatment. Subgroup identification can help clinicians select patients who are most likely to have a positive response to a treatment. It may also inform the […]
Introduction: The financial burden linked to the diagnosis and treatment of patients with chest pain on the healthcare system is considerable. Angina and non-obstructive coronary artery disease (ANOCA) are common, associated with adverse cardiovascular events, and may lead to repeat testing or hospitalizations. Diagnostic certainty can be achieved in patients with ANOCA using coronary reactivity […]
Introduction: Studies have shown the negative physical, psychosocial, and health system outcomes resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic. These outcomes have impacted screening, treatment, symptom management, and survivorship of breast cancer survivors. Understanding associations between breast cancer survivorship and COVID-19 outcomes is important to developing care guidelines to improve outcomes. The study goal of this reported […]
Introduction: The proliferation of illicit fentanyl and its analogues in the “third wave” of the opioid crisis has led to record overdose deaths disproportionately impacting Black individuals in the U.S.. Despite recent racialized shifts in opioid availability, little research has examined how the spatial epidemiology of opioid overdose death may have also shifted. This research […]
Introduction: Understanding factors affecting survival outcomes and quality of life is important in advising patients on treatment options for bladder cancer. We investigated whether the bladder cancer characteristics have any effect on the Health-Related Quality-of-Life (HRQoL) measures in older bladder cancer patients. This analysis improved the understanding and expectation management of these patients when making […]
Introduction: Chronic opioid use reduces fertility by suppressing the hypothalamic pituitary axis. The effect of medication to treat opioid use disorder (MOUD) on women’s fertility is understudied. Using national administrative claims, we identify the impact of MOUD on odds of conception in women with OUD. Methods: We conducted a retrospective case-crossover study using Merative™ MarketScan® […]
Introduction: In October 2018, the allocation policy for adult orthotopic heart transplant (OHTx) in the United States was changed, with the goal of reducing waitlist mortality and providing broader sharing of donor organs within the United States. The aim of this study was to assess the association of this policy change with changes in access […]