Primary care providers' views of discussing COVID-19 vaccination with vaccine hesitant patients: A qualitative study

OBJECTIVE

To describe primary care providers' (PCPs) perspectives on discussing COVID-19 vaccination with their patients.

METHODS

All PCPs from 11 primary care clinics at 3 health systems were invited to participate. Focus groups were conducted between December 2021-January 2022, and were recorded and transcribed. Participants were asked about their experience communicating about the COVID-19 vaccine. Themes and subthemes were inductively identified using thematic analysis.

RESULTS

40 PCPs participated. All PCPs viewed discussing COVID-19 vaccination as high priority. Strategies for promoting COVID-19 vaccination included influencing what people think and feel, building trust and leveraging their relationship with patients, and practical strategies such as on-site vaccination. Most strategies aimed at influencing what people think and feel and leveraging relationships were viewed as generally ineffective. On-site vaccine availability was identified as the most influential factor. PCPs expressed frustration by their interactions with vaccine hesitant patients, leading them to truncate their communication with these patients.

CONCLUSIONS

Despite using a broad range of strategies, most PCPs were unable to change the strongly held beliefs among the most vaccine hesitant patients that were often informed by misinformation and mistrust.

PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS

Promising strategies for promoting vaccination include social/relational (expressing empathy) and practical (on-site COVID-19 vaccine availability).

A pediatric primary care practice-based obesity intervention to support families: a cluster-randomized clinical trial

OBJECTIVE

The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that pediatric practices help families make lifestyle changes to improve BMI, but provider time and access to treatment are limited. This study compared the effectiveness of two pediatric practice-based referral interventions in reducing BMI.

METHODS

In this cluster-randomized clinical trial, 20 pediatric primary care practices were randomized to telephonic coaching (Fitline Coaching) or mailed workbook (Fitline Workbook). Parents and their 8- to 12-year-old children with BMI ≥ 85th percentile completed assessments at baseline and at 6 and 12 months post baseline. Primary outcomes were 12-month BMI percentile and z score.

RESULTS

A total of 501 children and their parents received Fitline Coaching (n = 243) or Fitline Workbook (n = 258); 26.8% had overweight, 55.4% had obesity, and 17.8% had severe obesity. Mean (SD) age was 10.5 (1.4), and 47.5% were female. BMI percentile improved in both groups; 12-month decline in continuous BMI z score was not statistically significant in either group. However, 20.8% of telephonic coaching participants and 12.4% of workbook participants achieved a clinically significant reduction of at least 0.25 in BMI z score, a significant between-group difference (p = 0.0415).

CONCLUSIONS

Both low-intensity interventions were acceptable and produced modest improvements in BMI percentile. One in five children in the telephonic coaching condition achieved clinically meaningful BMI z score improvements. However, more research is needed before such a program could be recommended for pediatric primary care practice.

The effect of experimentally induced sleep fragmentation and estradiol suppression on neurobehavioral performance and subjective sleepiness in premenopausal women

STUDY OBJECTIVES

Menopause is associated with nighttime sleep fragmentation, declining estradiol, and impaired cognition. In a model of pharmacologically induced estradiol suppression mimicking menopause, we examined the impact of menopause-pattern sleep fragmentation on daytime neurobehavioral performance and sleepiness in premenopausal women.

METHODS

Twenty premenopausal women completed two five-night inpatient studies in the mid-to-late follicular phase (estrogenized) and after pharmacological estradiol suppression (hypo-estrogenized). During each study, participants had an uninterrupted 8-hour sleep opportunity for two nights, followed by three nights where sleep was experimentally fragmented to mimic menopause-pattern sleep disturbance, and during which the sleep opportunity was extended to prevent shortening of the sleep duration. Neurobehavioral performance and subjective sleepiness were measured using the Psychomotor Vigilance Task and Karolinska Sleepiness Scale (KSS).

RESULTS

Compared to unfragmented sleep, sleep fragmentation increased attentional lapses (+ 0.6 lapses, p < .05), slowed reaction time (+ 9.4 milliseconds, p < .01), and increased daytime sleepiness (+ 0.5 KSS score, p < .001). Estradiol suppression increased attentional lapses (+ 0.8; p < .001) and reaction time (+ 12.3, p < .01) but did not significantly affect daytime sleepiness. The effect of sleep fragmentation on neurobehavioral performance differed by estradiol state, such that the adverse effects of sleep fragmentation on attentional lapses (+ 0.9, trend p = .06) and reaction time (+ 15, p < .05) were observed only when estrogenized.

CONCLUSIONS

Menopause-pattern sleep fragmentation and estradiol suppression worsened neurobehavioral performance and daytime sleepiness, even while sleep duration was not reduced. The adverse effects of sleep fragmentation in the context of an adequate sleep duration highlight the importance of sleep continuity as a vital aspect of good sleep health.

COVID-19 clinical trials: who is likely to participate and why?

Aim: To identify factors associated with willingness to participate in a COVID-19 clinical trial and reasons for and against participating. Materials & methods: We surveyed Massachusetts (MA, USA) residents online using the Dynata survey platform and via phone using random digit dialing between October and November 2021. Respondents were asked to imagine they were hospitalized with COVID-19 and invited to participate in a treatment trial. We assessed willingness to participate by asking, "Which way are you leaning" and why. We used multivariate logistic regression to model factors associated with leaning toward participation. Open-ended responses were analyzed using conventional content analysis. Results: Of 1071 respondents, 65.6% leaned toward participating. Multivariable analyses revealed college-education (OR: 1.59; 95% CI: 1.11, 2.27), trust in the healthcare system (OR: 1.32; 95% CI: 1.10, 1.58) and relying on doctors (OR: 1.77; 95% CI: 1.45, 2.17) and family or friends (OR: 1.31; 95% CI: 1.11, 1.54) to make health decisions were significantly associated with leaning toward participating. Respondents with lower health literacy (OR: 0.57; 95% CI: 0.36, 0.91) and who identify as Black (OR: 0.40; 95% CI: 0.24, 0.68), Hispanic (OR: 0.61; 95% CI: 0.38, 0.98), or republican (OR: 0.61; 95% CI: 0.38, 0.97) were significantly less likely to lean toward participating. Common reasons for participating included helping others, benefitting oneself and deeming the study low risk. Common reasons for leaning against were deeming the study high risk, disliking experimental treatments and not wanting to be a guinea pig. Conclusion: Our finding that vulnerable individuals and those with lower levels of trust in the healthcare system are less likely to be receptive to participating in a COVID-19 clinical trial highlights that work is needed to achieve a healthcare system that provides confidence to historically disadvantaged groups that their participation in research will benefit their community.

Long COVID awareness and receipt of medical care: a survey among populations at risk for disparities

Introduction

The COVID-19 pandemic has been characterized by disparities in disease burden and medical care provision. Whether these disparities extend to long COVID awareness and receipt of medical care is unknown. We aimed to characterize awareness of long COVID and receipt of medical care for long COVID symptoms among populations who experience disparities in the United States (US).

Methods

We conducted a cross-sectional survey among a national sample of US adults between January 26-February 5, 2023. We surveyed approximately 2,800 adults drawn from the Ipsos probability-based KnowledgePanel® who identify as White, Black, or Hispanic, with over-sampling of Black, Hispanic, and Spanish-proficient adults. Awareness of long COVID was assessed with the question, "Have you heard of long COVID? This is also referred to as post-COVID, Long-haul COVID, Post-acute COVID-19, or Chronic COVID." Respondents reporting COVID-19 symptoms lasting longer than 1 month were classified as having long COVID and asked about receipt of medical care.

Results

Of the 2,828 respondents, the mean age was 50.4 years, 52.8% were female, 40.2% identified as Hispanic, 29.8% as Black, and 26.7% as White. 18% completed the survey in Spanish. Overall, 62.5% had heard of long COVID. On multivariate analysis, long COVID awareness was lower among respondents who identified as Black (OR 0.64; 95% CI 0.51, 0.81), Hispanic and completed the survey in English (OR 0.59; 95% CI 0.46, 0.76), and Hispanic and completed the survey in Spanish (OR 0.31, 95% C.I. 0.23, 0.41), compared to White respondents (overall p < 0.001). Long COVID awareness was also associated with educational attainment, higher income, having health insurance, prior history of COVID-19 infection, and COVID-19 vaccination. Among those reporting symptoms consistent with long COVID (n = 272), 26.8% received medical care. Older age, longer symptom duration and greater symptom impact were associated with receipt of medical care for long COVID symptoms. Of those who received care, most (77.8%) rated it as less than excellent on a 5-point scale.

Discussion

This survey reveals limited awareness of long COVID and marked disparities in awareness according to race, ethnicity, and language. Targeted public health campaigns are needed to raise awareness.

Risk of major congenital heart disease in pregestational maternal diabetes is modified by hemoglobin A1c

OBJECTIVES

The association between pregestational diabetes mellitus (PDM) and risk of congenital heart disease (CHD) is well recognized; however, the importance of glycemic control and other coexisting risk factors during pregnancy is less clear. We sought to determine the relative risk (RR) of major CHD (mCHD) among offspring from pregnancies complicated by PDM and the effect of first-trimester glycemic control on mCHD risk.

METHODS

We determined the incidence of mCHD (requiring surgery within 1 year of birth or resulting in pregnancy termination or fetal demise) among registered births in Alberta, Canada. Linkage of diabetes status, maximum hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) at < 16 weeks' gestation and other covariates was performed using data from the Alberta Perinatal Health Program registry. Risk of mCHD according to HbA1c was estimated as an adjusted RR (aRR), calculated using log-binomial modeling.

RESULTS

Of 1412 cases of mCHD in 594 773 (2.37/1000) births in the study period, mCHD was present in 48/7497 with PDM (6.4/1000; RR, 2.8 (95% CI, 2.1-3.7); P < 0.0001). In the entire cohort, increased maternal age (aRR, 1.03 (95% CI, 1.02-1.04); P < 0.0001) and multiple gestation (aRR, 1.37 (95% CI, 1.1-1.8); P = 0.02) were also associated with mCHD risk, whereas maternal prepregnancy weight > 91 kg was not. The stratified risk for mCHD associated with HbA1c ≤ 6.1%, > 6.1-8.0% and > 8.0% was 4.2/1000, 6.8/1000 and 17.1/1000 PDM/gestational diabetes mellitus births, respectively; the aRR of mCHD associated with PDM and HbA1c > 8.0% was 8.5 (95% CI, 5.0-14.4) compared to those without diabetes and 5.5 (95% CI, 1.6-19.4) compared to PDM with normal HbA1c (≤ 6.1%).

CONCLUSIONS

PDM is associated with a RR of 2.8 for mCHD, increasing to 8.5 in those with HbA1c > 8%. These data should facilitate refinement of referral indications for high-risk pregnancy screening. © 2023 The Authors. Ultrasound in Obstetrics & Gynecology published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of International Society of Ultrasound in Obstetrics and Gynecology.

Comparing the Efficacy of Targeted and Blast Portal Messaging in Message Opening Rate and Anticoagulation Initiation in Patients With Atrial Fibrillation in the Preventing Preventable Strokes Study II: Prospective Cohort Study

BACKGROUND

The gap in anticoagulation use among patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) is a major public health threat. Inadequate patient education contributes to this gap. Patient portal-based messaging linked to educational materials may help bridge this gap, but the most effective messaging approach is unknown.

OBJECTIVE

This study aims to compare the responsiveness of patients with AF to an AF or anticoagulation educational message between 2 portal messaging approaches: sending messages targeted at patients with upcoming outpatient appointments 1 week before their scheduled appointment (targeted) versus sending messages to all eligible patients in 1 blast, regardless of appointment scheduling status (blast), at 2 different health systems: the University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School (UMass) and the University of Florida College of Medicine-Jacksonville (UFL).

METHODS

Using the 2 approaches, we sent patient portal messages to patients with AF and grouped patients by high-risk patients on anticoagulation (group 1), high-risk patients off anticoagulation (group 2), and low-risk patients who may become eligible for anticoagulation in the future (group 3). Risk was classified based on the congestive heart failure, hypertension, age ≥75 years, diabetes mellitus, stroke, vascular disease, age between 65 and 74 years, and sex category (CHA2DS2-VASc) score. The messages contained a link to the Upbeat website of the Heart Rhythm Society, which displays print and video materials about AF and anticoagulation. We then tracked message opening, review of the website, anticoagulation use, and administered patient surveys across messaging approaches and sites using Epic Systems (Epic Systems Corporation) electronic health record data and Google website traffic analytics. We then conducted chi-square tests to compare potential differences in the proportion of patients opening messages and other evaluation metrics, adjusting for potential confounders. All statistical analyses were performed in SAS (version 9.4; SAS Institute).

RESULTS

We sent 1686 targeted messages and 1450 blast messages. Message opening was significantly higher with the targeted approach for patients on anticoagulation (723/1156, 62.5% vs 382/668, 57.2%; P=.005) and trended the same in patients off anticoagulation; subsequent website reviews did not differ by messaging approach. More patients off anticoagulation at baseline started anticoagulation with the targeted approach than the blast approach (adjusted percentage 9.3% vs 2.1%; P<.001).

CONCLUSIONS

Patients were more responsive in terms of message opening and subsequent anticoagulation initiation with the targeted approach.

Multicomponent Pharmacist Intervention Did Not Reduce Clinically Important Medication Errors for Ambulatory Patients Initiating Direct Oral Anticoagulants

BACKGROUND

Anticoagulants including direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) are among the highest-risk medications in the United States. We postulated that routine consultation and follow-up from a clinical pharmacist would reduce clinically important medication errors (CIMEs) among patients beginning or resuming a DOAC in the ambulatory care setting.

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the effectiveness of a multicomponent intervention for reducing CIMEs.

DESIGN

Randomized controlled trial.

PARTICIPANTS

Ambulatory patients initiating a DOAC or resuming one after a complication.

INTERVENTION

Pharmacist evaluation and monitoring based on the implementation of a recently published checklist. Key elements included evaluation of the appropriateness of DOAC, need for DOAC affordability assistance, three pharmacist-initiated telephone consultations, access to a DOAC hotline, documented hand-off to the patient's continuity provider, and monitoring of follow-up laboratory tests.

CONTROL

Coupons and assistance to increase the affordability of DOACs.

MAIN MEASURE

Anticoagulant-related CIMEs (Anticoagulant-CIMEs) and non-anticoagulant-related CIMEs over 90 days from DOAC initiation; CIMEs identified through masked assessment process including two physician adjudication of events presented by a pharmacist distinct from intervention pharmacist who reviewed participant electronic medical records and interview data.

ANALYSIS

Incidence and incidence rate ratio (IRR) of CIMEs (intervention vs. control) using multivariable Poisson regression modeling.

KEY RESULTS

A total of 561 patients (281 intervention and 280 control patients) contributed 479 anticoagulant-CIMEs including 31 preventable and ameliorable ADEs and 448 significant anticoagulant medication errors without subsequent documented ADEs (0.95 per 100 person-days). Failure to perform required blood tests and concurrent, inappropriate usage of a DOAC with aspirin or NSAIDs were the most common anticoagulant-related CIMEs despite pharmacist documentation systematically identifying these issues when present. There was no reduction in anticoagulant-related CIMEs among intervention patients (IRR 1.17; 95% CI 0.98-1.42) or non-anticoagulant-related CIMEs (IRR 1.05; 95% CI 0.80-1.37).

CONCLUSION

A multi-component intervention in which clinical pharmacists implemented an evidence-based DOAC Checklist did not reduce CIMEs.

NIH TRIAL NUMBER

NCT04068727.

Prevalence and predictors of shared decision-making in goals-of-care clinician-family meetings for critically ill neurologic patients: a multi-center mixed-methods study

BACKGROUND

Shared decision-making is a joint process where patients, or their surrogates, and clinicians make health choices based on evidence and preferences. We aimed to determine the extent and predictors of shared decision-making for goals-of-care discussions for critically ill neurological patients, which is crucial for patient-goal-concordant care but currently unknown.

METHODS

We analyzed 72 audio-recorded routine clinician-family meetings during which goals-of-care were discussed from seven US hospitals. These occurred for 67 patients with 72 surrogates and 29 clinicians; one hospital provided 49/72 (68%) of the recordings. Using a previously validated 10-element shared decision-making instrument, we quantified the extent of shared decision-making in each meeting. We measured clinicians' and surrogates' characteristics and prognostic estimates for the patient's hospital survival and 6-month independent function using post-meeting questionnaires. We calculated clinician-family prognostic discordance, defined as ≥ 20% absolute difference between the clinician's and surrogate's estimates. We applied mixed-effects regression to identify independent associations with greater shared decision-making.

RESULTS

The median shared decision-making score was 7 (IQR 5-8). Only 6% of meetings contained all 10 shared decision-making elements. The most common elements were "discussing uncertainty"(89%) and "assessing family understanding"(86%); least frequent elements were "assessing the need for input from others"(36%) and "eliciting the context of the decision"(33%). Clinician-family prognostic discordance was present in 60% for hospital survival and 45% for 6-month independent function. Univariate analyses indicated associations between greater shared decision-making and younger clinician age, fewer years in practice, specialty (medical-surgical critical care > internal medicine > neurocritical care > other > trauma surgery), and higher clinician-family prognostic discordance for hospital survival. After adjustment, only higher clinician-family prognostic discordance for hospital survival remained independently associated with greater shared decision-making (p = 0.029).

CONCLUSION

Fewer than 1 in 10 goals-of-care clinician-family meetings for critically ill neurological patients contained all shared decision-making elements. Our findings highlight gaps in shared decision-making. Interventions promoting shared decision-making for high-stakes decisions in these patients may increase patient-value congruent care; future studies should also examine whether they will affect decision quality and surrogates' health outcomes.

Effects of Sleep Fragmentation and Estradiol Decline on Cortisol in a Human Experimental Model of Menopause

CONTEXT

Perturbations to the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis have been hypothesized to increase postmenopausal cardiometabolic risk. Although sleep disturbance, a known risk factor for cardiometabolic disease, is prevalent during the menopause transition, it is unknown whether menopause-related sleep disturbance and estradiol decline disturb the HPA axis.

OBJECTIVE

We examined the effect of experimental fragmentation of sleep and suppression of estradiol as a model of menopause on cortisol levels in healthy young women.

METHODS

Twenty-two women completed a 5-night inpatient study during the mid-to-late follicular phase (estrogenized). A subset (n = 14) repeated the protocol after gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist-induced estradiol suppression. Each inpatient study included 2 unfragmented sleep nights followed by 3 experimental sleep fragmentation nights. This study took place with premenopausal women at an academic medical center. Interventions included sleep fragmentation and pharmacological hypoestrogenism, and main outcome measures were serum bedtime cortisol levels and cortisol awakening response (CAR).

RESULTS

Bedtime cortisol increased 27% (P = .03) and CAR decreased 57% (P = .01) following sleep fragmentation compared to unfragmented sleep. Polysomnographic-derived wake after sleep-onset (WASO) was positively associated with bedtime cortisol levels (P = .047) and negatively associated with CAR (P < .01). Bedtime cortisol levels were 22% lower in the hypoestrogenized state compared to the estrogenized state (P = .02), while CAR was similar in both estradiol conditions (P = .38).

CONCLUSION

Estradiol suppression and modifiable menopause-related sleep fragmentation both independently perturb HPA axis activity. Sleep fragmentation, commonly seen in menopausal women, may disrupt the HPA axis, which in turn may lead to adverse health effects as women age.

Low-density lipoprotein subclasses over the menopausal transition and risk of coronary calcification and carotid atherosclerosis: the SWAN Heart and HDL ancillary studies

OBJECTIVE

Perimenopausal women experience a steep increase in low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) that is related to a higher risk of carotid plaque later in life. Low-density lipoprotein subclasses have been linked to cardiovascular diseases beyond LDL-C, promising a better risk stratification. We aim to characterize changes in LDL subclasses and assess their associations with presence of coronary artery calcium (CAC score ≥10) and carotid intima-media thickness (cIMT) over the menopausal transition (MT) and by menopause stage.

METHODS

Nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy LDL subclasses were measured for a maximum of five time points. Coronary artery calcification and cIMT were measured for a maximum of two time points. LOESS (locally weighted regression with scatter smoothing) plots, linear mixed-effects models, and generalized estimating equations were used for analyses.

RESULTS

The study included 471 women (baseline: age, 50.2 ± 2.7 years; 79.0% premenopausal/early perimenopausal), of whom 221 had data on CAC or cIMT. Low-density lipoprotein subclasses increased over the MT, whereas intermediate density-lipoprotein particles declined. In adjusted models, higher total LDL particles (LDL-P) and apolipoprotein B were associated with greater CAC prevalence and greater cIMT. Although none of the associations were modified by menopause stage, higher LDL-C, apolipoprotein B, and total LDL-P were associated with greater cIMT during the perimenopause or postmenopause stages, whereas higher LDL-C and small LDL-P were associated with greater CAC prevalence, mainly during perimenopause.

CONCLUSIONS

During the MT, women experience significant increases in LDL subclasses found to be related to greater cIMT levels and CAC prevalence. Whether these changes could better predict future risk of hard cardiovascular disease events beyond LDL-C remains a research question to address.

Prognostic Language in Critical Neurologic Illness: A Multicenter Mixed-Methods Study

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES

There are no evidence-based guidelines for discussing prognosis in critical neurologic illness, but in general, experts recommend that clinicians communicate prognosis using estimates, such as numerical or qualitative expressions of risk. Little is known about how real-world clinicians communicate prognosis in critical neurologic illness. Our primary objective was to characterize prognostic language clinicians used in critical neurologic illness. We additionally explored whether prognostic language differed between prognostic domains (e.g., survival, cognition).

METHODS

We conducted a multicenter cross-sectional mixed-methods study analyzing deidentified transcripts of audio-recorded clinician-family meetings for patients with neurologic illness requiring intensive care (e.g., intracerebral hemorrhage, traumatic brain injury, severe stroke) from 7 US centers. Two coders assigned codes for prognostic language type and domain of prognosis to each clinician prognostic statement. Prognostic language was coded as probabilistic (estimating the likelihood of an outcome occurring, e.g., "80% survival"; "She'll probably survive") or nonprobabilistic (characterizing outcomes without offering likelihood; e.g., "She may not survive"). We applied univariate and multivariate binomial logistic regression to examine independent associations between prognostic language and domain of prognosis.

RESULTS

We analyzed 43 clinician-family meetings for 39 patients with 78 surrogates and 27 clinicians. Clinicians made 512 statements about survival (median 0/meeting [interquartile range (IQR) 0-2]), physical function (median 2 [IQR 0-7]), cognition (median 2 [IQR 0-6]), and overall recovery (median 2 [IQR 1-4]). Most statements were nonprobabilistic (316/512 [62%]); 10 of 512 prognostic statements (2%) offered numeric estimates; and 21% (9/43) of family meetings only contained nonprobabilistic language. Compared with statements about cognition, statements about survival (odds ratio [OR] 2.50, 95% CI 1.01-6.18, p = 0.048) and physical function (OR 3.22, 95% 1.77-5.86, p < 0.001) were more frequently probabilistic. Statements about physical function were less likely to be uncertainty-based than statements about cognition (OR 0.34, 95% CI 0.17-0.66, p = 0.002).

DISCUSSION

Clinicians preferred not to use estimates (either numeric or qualitative) when discussing critical neurologic illness prognosis, especially when they discussed cognitive outcomes. These findings may inform interventions to improve prognostic communication in critical neurologic illness.

From COVID-19 Vaccine Hesitancy to Vaccine Acceptance: Results of a Longitudinal Survey

OBJECTIVES

COVID-19 vaccines are widely available, but uptake is suboptimal. To develop strategies to increase vaccination rates, we sought to (1) characterize adults initially hesitant to be vaccinated for COVID-19 who later received the vaccine and (2) identify factors associated with their vaccination decision.

METHODS

In January 2021, we conducted an online survey of US adults via Prolific that assessed vaccination intent, COVID-19-related knowledge and attitudes, and demographic characteristics. In May 2021, we recontacted respondents to assess vaccination status and factors influencing their vaccination decision. We used χ² statistics and t tests to examine associations between respondents' vaccination status and their characteristics, knowledge, and attitudes. We analyzed reasons for vaccination using thematic analysis.

RESULTS

Of 756 initially vaccine-hesitant respondents, 529 (70.0%) completed the follow-up survey. Nearly half of those initially not sure about vaccination (47.3%, 112 of 237) were vaccinated at follow-up, while 21.2% (62 of 292) of those initially planning not to be vaccinated were vaccinated at follow-up. Of those initially not sure, higher educational attainment, greater knowledge of COVID-19, and a doctor's recommendation were associated with vaccination. Of those initially intending not to be vaccinated, male sex, Democratic political affiliation, receipt of an influenza shot within 5 years, being more worried about COVID-19, and having greater COVID-19 knowledge were associated with increased likelihood of being vaccinated. Of 167 respondents who gave reasons for vaccination, protecting oneself and others (59.9%), practical issues (29.9%), social influences (17.4%), and vaccine safety (13.8%) were the main reasons.

CONCLUSION

Providing information on the protective value of vaccination, implementing rules that make remaining unvaccinated burdensome, making vaccination easy, and providing social support may influence vaccine-hesitant adults to accept vaccination.

Abstract P504: Prospective Associations of Midlife C3, C4 and Their Changes Since Midlife With Future Cognitive Performance: The Study of Women’s Health Across the Nation HDL Ancillary Study

Objective: Almost two-thirds of Americans over 65 with Alzheimer’s disease (AD) are women. The menopause transition is characterized by a systemic inflammatory state which increases atherosclerosis risk predisposing to dementia. Complement system was inappropriately activated in the brain of AD patients, which may contribute to local inflammation correlated with cognitive dysfunction. Complement factor 3 (C3) and 4 (C4) are the most clinically used complement components. Increased serum C3 and the presence of C4 null genes producing less C4 are risk factors of cardiovascular disease (CVD), indicating the necessity of analyzing the ratio of C3 and C4. Since serum C3 and C4 markedly increase over the menopause transition, we aimed to assess the associations of midlife C3, C4, and C3/C4 ratio and their changes since midlife with future cognitive function in women.

Design: Repeated measures of serum C3, C4, and measures of working memory (digit span backward test), processing speed (symbol digit modality test), episodic memory immediate and delayed recall (East Boston memory test) were evaluated among midlife women traversing menopause. Mixed effect models were applied to assess the associations.

Results: We included 305 women (706 observations) with mean age of 51 (SD=3) and 72% of them being pre- or perimenopausal at baseline. C3 and C4 were measured a median of 1.07 (Q1: 0.94, Q3: 1.81) years before cognitive performance assessment. In final models, higher C4 measured at midlife (baseline) was associated with better future episodic memory levels, and higher midlife C3/C4 ratio was associated with worse future episodic memory ( Table ). Changes in the complement factors were not associated with cognitive measures.

Conclusion: Among women, higher midlife C4 and lower midlife C3/C4 ratio, but not changes in C4 or C3/C4 ratio since midlife, were associated with better future episodic memory levels. Midlife complement protein levels could be early markers of cognitive impairment known to be linked with CVD.

Pharmacist-led, checklist intervention did not improve adherence in ambulatory patients starting/resuming DOACs

BACKGROUND

High adherence to direct-acting oral anticoagulant (DOAC) is critical to treat and prevent thromboembolic disease. The Anticoagulation Forum recently endorsed a checklist (DOAC checklist) that recommends care processes that may improve adherence.

OBJECTIVES

This study aimed to determine whether checklist-driven care from a clinical pharmacist improves adherence in ambulatory patients starting a DOAC or resuming it after a setback.

METHODS

This study included ambulatory patients starting a DOAC or resuming it after setback (thromboembolic event or bleeding) in an ambulatory setting. Settings included office, emergency department, and short-stay hospital visit. Following the DOAC checklist, a clinical pharmacist verified DOAC appropriateness, instructed dose de-escalation, educated through 3 tele-visits, fielded hotline calls, and handed off to a continuity provider after 3 months. Intervention and control patients received coupons and help with completing manufacturer-based medication assistance applications. Using pharmacy dispense records, our group measured medication possession ratio (MPR) at 90 days (primary outcome) and proportion of days covered (PDC) at 90 days and MPR and PDC at 180 and 365 days (secondary outcomes). Given skewing, our team analyzed adherence as < 80%, 80%-89%, and 90% or more and conducted ordered logistic regression.

RESULTS

Of 561 patients randomized, 427 had sufficient records to analyze. Adherence was high with only 41 patients (9.6%) having MPR less than 80% at 90 days. There was no difference in adherence between intervention and control patients for primary outcome (odds ratio 0.94 [95% CI 0.60-1.49]) or secondary outcomes.

CONCLUSION

Our checklist-driven intervention did not appreciably improve adherence beyond that seen in control patients treated with usual care (plus coupons and medication assistance we provided to all patients) in ambulatory patients starting or resuming DOACs, although it should be noted that high levels of adherence in both study groups were noted. Given high adherence, reassessing the DOAC checklist outside of a traditional trial may be more fruitful.

Impact of a pharmacist intervention on DOAC knowledge and satisfaction in ambulatory patients

Patient education of high-risk medications such as direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) is limited in ambulatory care settings. Clinical pharmacists are uniquely equipped to educate patients about DOACS but seldom interact with patients in those settings where patient education and satisfaction are often overlooked. Recently, the Anticoagulation Forum endorsed a checklist (DOAC Checklist) to guide and educate patients initiating or resuming DOACs. We assessed the impact on knowledge and satisfaction of an intervention framed around the checklist. Randomized clinical trial. Ambulatory patients starting a DOAC or resuming one after setback (bleeding, stroke, or transient ischemic attack) in an ambulatory setting (office, emergency department, or short stay hospitalization). Three educational clinical pharmacist tele-visits, hotline access to the pharmacist, and coordination with continuity providers in 3 months. Patient knowledge scores from a 15-item DOAC-related questionnaire and satisfaction scores from an abbreviated version of the Duke Anticoagulation Satisfaction Survey (DASS). Of 561 randomized patients, 436 completed our follow-up surveys. Knowledge scores were similar for the 233 intervention patients vs. 203 control patients (63.7% vs 62.2% correct). Satisfaction scores on the 7-point Likert scale were virtually identical (6.24 and 6.22). Our pharmacist-led intervention framed around the DOAC checklist had little impact on knowledge and satisfaction. Delays between intervention end and completion of the follow-up questionnaires may have obscured benefits experienced earlier. More intensive education or strategies other than telephone-based consultation may be required to produce sustained knowledge.TRN: NCT04068727 retrospectively registered on August 22, 2019.

The Role of Cryoablation in Breast Cancer Beyond the Oncologic Control: COST and Breast-Q Patient-Reported Outcomes

BACKGROUND

Cryoablation has been established as a minimally invasive alternative to resection of early-stage breast cancer; however, there are no data on the cost and impact on patients' financial, psychosocial, sexual, physical, and cosmetic outcomes utilizing this approach. This study compares cost-effectiveness and patient-reported quality-of-life factors in cryoablation versus resection.

METHODS

Women with early-stage, low-risk infiltrating ductal carcinomas ≤ 1.5 cm underwent cryoablation or resection. Adjuvant therapy was provided according to tumor board recommendations. Direct and indirect costs were tracked for both groups. Financial toxicity and well-being outcome were measured by administering the Comprehensive Score of Financial Toxicity (COST) and BREAST-Q surveys, respectively, at 6-month follow-up.

RESULTS

Of the 34 eligible patients, 14 (41.1%) consented for cryoablation and 20 (58.8%) underwent resection. The median (centile) (range) follow-up was 35.0 (21.3) (15-50) months for cryoablation vs. 25 (20.8) (17-50) months for resection [p = 0.6479]. Mean (standard deviation) cost of care for cryoablation versus resection was $2221.70 (615.70) versus $16,896.50 (1332.40) [p < 0.0001], and median financial well-being scores for the cryoablation versus resection groups were 38.0 (34.5, 40.0) versus 10 (5.3, 14.0) [p < 0.0001]. Poor financial well-being was directly correlated with the cost of care [p < 0.0001]. Median psychosocial well-being scores were similar across both groups, however the cryoablation group had higher scores for physical [100 (100, 100) vs. 89 (79, 100); p = 0.0141], sexual [100 (91, 100) vs. 91 (87.5, 91); p = 0.0079], and cosmetic [100 (100, 100) vs. 88 (88, 100); p = 0.0171] outcomes.

CONCLUSION

Cryoablation offers a cost-effective and quality-of-life advantage compared with resection for early-stage, low-risk breast cancer.

Anti-Müllerian Hormone Level Decline in Patients Undergoing Hysterectomy With and Without Oophorectomy Compared With Natural Menopause

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the relationship between hysterectomy with and without ovarian conservation and the onset of ovarian failure using anti-müllerian hormone (AMH) levels and imputed final menstrual period (FMP).

METHODS

A total of 1,428 women with an observed FMP and 232 women who underwent hysterectomy (159 with bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy [BSO], 13 with one ovary conserved, and 60 with both ovaries conserved) and who had serial AMH measurements were included from SWAN (The Study of Women's Health Across the Nation), a multi-ethnic, multi-site, community-based study. Anti-müllerian hormone levels were sampled annually with at least one presurgery or pre-FMP measurement at least one postsurgery or post-FMP measurement. Surgery-related differences in patterns of AMH levels with respect to surgery date or FMP were estimated using piecewise linear mixed modeling; differences in age at first undetectable AMH level were estimated using survival analyses.

RESULTS

Patients with conservation of one or both ovaries or natural menopause demonstrated similar patterns of decline in AMH levels when anchored to surgery or FMP. Patients with hysterectomy (all types) had a later counterfactual FMP (52.9±0.2 SEM) compared with the observed FMP in those with natural menopause (52.1±0.1 years, P =.002). Those undergoing BSO had an immediate reduction in AMH level to undetectable after surgery.

CONCLUSION

Hysterectomy does not lead to a more rapid decline in AMH levels postoperatively compared with natural menopause. Patients undergoing BSO have a rapid loss of AMH, consistent with complete removal of the ovaries. These data suggest that hysterectomy as currently performed does not compromise ovarian reserve.

The independent associations of anti-Müllerian hormone and estradiol levels over the menopause transition with lipids/lipoproteins: The Study of Women's health Across the Nation

BACKGROUND

The menopause transition (MT) is linked to adverse changes in lipids/lipoproteins. However, the related contributions of anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) and estradiol (E2) are not clear.

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the independent associations of premenopausal AMH and E2 levels and their changes with lipids/lipoproteins levels [total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), apolipoprotein B (apoB) and apolipoprotein A-1 (apoA-1)] over the MT.

METHODS

SWAN participants who transitioned to menopause without exogenous hormone use, hysterectomy, or bilateral oophorectomy with data available on both exposure and outcomes when they were premenopausal until the 1st visit postmenopausal were studied.

RESULTS

The study included 1,440 women (baseline-age:mean±SD=47.4±2.6) with data available from up to 9 visits (1997-2013). Lower premenopausal levels and greater declines in AMH were independently associated with greater TC and HDL-C, whereas lower premenopausal levels and greater declines in E2 were independently associated with greater TG and apo B and lower HDL-C. Greater declines in AMH were independently associated with greater apoA-1, and greater declines in E2 were independently associated with greater TC and LDL-C.

CONCLUSIONS

AMH and E2 and their changes over the MT relate differently to lipids/lipoproteins profile in women during midlife. Lower premenopausal and/or greater declines in E2 over the MT were associated with an atherogenic lipid/lipoprotein profile. On the other hand, lower premenopausal AMH and/or greater declines in AMH over the MT were linked to higher apo A-1 and HDL-C; the later found previously to be related to a greater atherosclerotic risk after menopause.

Impact of a physician recommendation on COVID-19 vaccination intent among vaccine hesitant individuals

OBJECTIVE

To test the impact of varied physician recommendations on COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy.

METHODS

We conducted a vignette-based experimental survey on Prolific, an online research platform. COVID-19 vaccine hesitant, adult panel members were assigned to one of five messages that varied by recommendation style (participatory vs explicit) and strategy (acknowledgement of concerns; comparison to the flu shot; statement that millions of people have already received it; emphasis on protecting others). Vaccine hesitancy was re-assessed with the question, "Would you get vaccinated at this visit?".

RESULTS

Of the 752 participants, 60.1% were female, 43.4% Black, 23.6% Latino, and 33.0% White; mean age was 35.6 years. Overall, 33.1% of the initially "not sure" and 13.1% of the initially "no" participants became less hesitant following any recommendation. Among the "not sure" participants, 20.3% of those who received a participatory recommendation became less hesitant compared with 34.3%- 39.5% for the explicit recommendations. The "protect others" message was most effective among initially "no" participants; 19.8% become less hesitant, compared to 8.7% for the participatory recommendation.

CONCLUSION

A physician recommendation may reduce COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy.

PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS

An explicit recommendation and "protect others" message appear to be important elements of a physician recommendation for COVID-19 vaccination.

Impact of COVID-19 on childhood obesity: Data from a paediatric weight management trial

There is growing concern that the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic is exacerbating childhood obesity. We sought to examine the effects of the pandemic on weight and weight-related behaviours among children with overweight and obesity participating in an ongoing cluster randomized controlled trial of a paediatric practice-based weight intervention with 2 study arms: nutritionist-delivered coaching telephone calls over 8 weeks with an accompanying workbook on lifestyle changes versus the same workbook in eight mailings without nutritionist coaching calls. In a pooled, secondary analysis of 373 children in central Massachusetts (aged 8-12 years, 29% Latinx, 55% White, 8% Black), the monthly rate of BMI increase more than doubled for those children whose 6-month study visit occurred post-pandemic onset (n = 91) compared to children whose 6-month study visit occurred pre-pandemic onset (n = 282) (0.13 kg/m² versus 0.05 kg/m² ; ratio = 2.47, p = 0.02). The post-pandemic onset group also had a significant decrease in activity levels (β -8.18 MVPA minutes/day, p = 0.01). Caloric intake and screen time did not differ between the pre- and post-pandemic onset groups. These findings show that after the start of the pandemic, children with overweight and obesity experienced an increase in weight and decrease in activity levels. This data can inform public health strategies to address pandemic-related effects on childhood obesity.

Disruption of Sleep Continuity During the Perimenopause: Associations with Female Reproductive Hormone Profiles

CONTEXT

Nocturnal vasomotor symptoms (nVMS), depressive symptoms (DepSx), and female reproductive hormone changes contribute to perimenopause-associated disruption in sleep continuity. Hormonal changes underlie both nVMS and DepSx. However, their association with sleep continuity parameters resulting in perimenopause-associated sleep disruption remains unclear.

OBJECTIVE

We aimed to determine the association between female reproductive hormones and perimenopausal sleep discontinuity independent of nVMS and DepSx.

METHODS

Daily sleep and VMS diaries, and weekly serum assays of female reproductive hormones were obtained for 8 consecutive weeks in 45 perimenopausal women with mild DepSx but no primary sleep disorder. Generalized estimating equations were used to examine associations of estradiol, progesterone, and follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) with mean number of nightly awakenings, wakefulness after sleep onset (WASO) and sleep-onset latency (SOL) adjusting for nVMS and DepSx.

RESULTS

Sleep disruption was common (median 1.5 awakenings/night, WASO 24.3 and SOL 20.0 minutes). More awakenings were associated with estradiol levels in the postmenopausal range (β = 0.14; 95% CI, 0.04 to 0.24; P = 0.007), and higher FSH levels (β [1-unit increase] = 0.12; 95% CI, 0.02 to 0.22; P = 0.02), but not with progesterone (β [1-unit increase] = -0.02; 95% CI, -0.06 to 0.01; P = 0.20) in adjusted models. Female reproductive hormones were not associated with WASO or SOL.

CONCLUSION

Associations of more awakenings with lower estradiol and higher FSH levels provide support for a perimenopause-associated sleep discontinuity condition that is linked with female reproductive hormone changes, independent of nVMS and DepSx.

Preoperative walking intervention did not appear to improve patient-reported postoperative recovery in older adults with frailty traits: Randomized trial

OBJECTIVES

To assess the impact of a preoperative walking intervention on improving postoperative recovery in at-risk frail older adult patients.

STUDY TYPE

Unblinded, randomized controlled trial which assigned patients to intervention versus control.

POPULATION

Patients aged 60+ scheduled for surgery 3-8 weeks from randomization scoring 4+ on the Edmonton Frail Scale.

INTERVENTION

Preoperative walking enhanced by goal setting with an activity monitor and telephonic coaching.

MAIN OUTCOMES

Quality of Recovery 9-item instrument total score and a modified version of the Abdominal Surgery Impact Scale total score.

RESULTS

A total of 83 patients were analyzed. Postoperative recovery scores were similar in intervention vs control - Quality of Recovery-9 item instrument total score 14.1 vs. 14.1 (P = .94) and modified Abdominal and Surgery Impact Scale total score 82.8 vs. 79.2 (P = .93). Few intervention patients met their daily step count goals. Despite this, intervention patients improved average daily step counts significantly.

CONCLUSIONS

Preoperative walking bolstered with activity monitor and remote coaching did not appear to lead to improved postoperative recovery in older adults with frailty traits. Further research is necessary to see if a similar intervention in specific surgery types or a more intense version of the intervention can improve recovery.

Strategies to improve the recruitment and retention of underserved children and families in clinical trials: A case example of a school-supervised asthma therapy pilot

BACKGROUND

Due to underrepresentation of racial/ethnic minority and low-income groups in clinical studies, there is a call to improve the recruitment and retention of these populations in research. Pilot studies can test recruitment and retention practices for better inclusion of medically underserved children and families in subsequent clinical trials. We examined this using a school-based asthma intervention, in preparation for a larger clinical trial in which our goal is to include an underserved study population.

METHODS

We recruited children with poorly controlled asthma in a two-site pilot cluster randomized controlled trial of school-supervised asthma therapy versus enhanced usual care (receipt of an educational asthma workbook). We sought a study population with a high percentage of children and families from racial/ethnic minority and low-income groups. The primary outcome of the pilot trial was recruitment/retention over 12 months. Strategies used to facilitate recruitment/retention of this study population included engaging pre-trial multi-level stakeholders, selecting trial sites with high percentages of underserved children and families, training diverse medical providers to recruit participants, conducting remote trial assessments, and providing multi-lingual study materials.

RESULTS

Twenty-six children [42.3% female, 11.5% Black, 30.8% Multiracial (Black & other), 76.9% Hispanic, and 92.3% with family income below $40,000] and their caregivers were enrolled in the study, which represents 55.3% of those initially referred by their provider, with 96.2%, 92.3%, and 96.2% retention at 3-, 6-, and 12-month follow-up, respectively.

CONCLUSION

Targeted strategies facilitated the inclusion of a medically underserved population of children and families in our pilot study, prior to expanding to a larger trial.