Caregiver Perceptions of Children's Psychological Well-being During the COVID-19 Pandemic

IMPORTANCE

Understanding youth well-being during the COVID-19 pandemic can help appropriately allocate resources and inform policies to support youth.

OBJECTIVE

To examine caregiver-reported changes in the psychological well-being of their children 3 to 4 months after the start of COVID-19 stay-at-home orders, and to examine the association of caregiver-reported COVID-19 exposure and family stressors with caregiver perceptions of child psychological well-being.

DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS

This survey study used an anonymous survey distributed via email from June 24 to July 15, 2020, to 350 000 families of students attending public schools in Chicago, Illinois. The a priori hypotheses were that caregivers would report worsening in child psychological well-being during the closure period compared with preclosure and that exposure to COVID-19-related stressors would be associated with a higher probability of worsening child psychological well-being. Data were analyzed from September 10, 2020, to March 15, 2021.

MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES

Outcomes were 7 mental health concerns and 5 positive adjustment characteristics reported by caregivers using a retrospective pre-post design. COVID-19 exposure and family stressors were also reported by caregivers.

RESULTS

Among 350 000 families invited to participate, 32 217 caregivers (10 827 [39.3%] White, 8320 [30.2%] Latinx, 6168 [22.4%] Black; 2223 [8.1%] with multiple or other races/ethnicities) completed the survey on behalf of 49 397 children in prekindergarten through 12th grade. Child-specific outcomes were reported for 40 723 to 40 852 children depending on the specific question. The frequency of caregiver endorsement of youth mental health concerns ranged from 0.1 percentage point (suicidal ideation or self-harm, reported by 191 caregivers [0.5%] preclosure vs 246 caregivers [0.6%] during closure; P < .001) to 28.3 percentage points (loneliness, reported by 1452 caregivers [3.6%] preclosure vs 13 019 caregivers [31.9%] during closure; P < .001) higher after the end of in-person instruction compared with preclosure. Frequency of caregiver endorsement of youth positive adjustment characteristics ranged from -13.4 percentage points (plans for the future, reported by 18 114 caregivers [44.3%] preclosure vs 12 601 caregivers [30.9%] during closure; P < .001) to -30.9 percentage points (positive peer relationships, reported by 24 666 caregivers [60.4%] preclosure vs 19 130 caregivers [46.8%] during closure; P < .001) lower after the end of in-person instruction. Significant differences in COVID-19 exposure were observed across racial/ethnic (F3,27 534 = 614.8; P < .001) and household income strata (F5,27 506 = 842.0; P < .001). After accounting for covariates, all mental health concerns increased in probability (eg, angry: odds ratio, 1.55 [95% CI, 1.48-1.62]; P < .001) and all the positive adjustment characteristics decreased in probability (eg, hopeful or positive: odds ratio, 0.88 [95% CI, 0.84-0.92]; P < .001) as COVID-19 exposure and family stressors increased.

CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE

In this survey study of caregivers during the COVID-19 pandemic, COVID-19 and resulting exposure to stress were associated with worse youth psychological well-being, demonstrating the need for a comprehensive public health approach that prioritizes children's well-being and draws broad public attention to the mental health needs of youth.

Nicotine Dependence in Dual Users of Cigarettes and E-Cigarettes: Common and Distinct Elements

INTRODUCTION

In a sample of dual users of cigarettes and electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS; e-cigarettes), we evaluated psychometric properties of ENDS versions of the Nicotine Dependence Syndrome Scale (NDSS), the brief Wisconsin Inventory of Smoking Dependence Motives (WISDM), and the Fagerström Test for Nicotine Dependence (FTND). Using the NDSS, we tested the hypothesis that there would be one common underlying factor of dependence across the cigarette and ENDS scales and other product-specific factors.

AIMS AND METHODS

Adult dual users (N = 404) completed baseline cigarette and ENDS versions of the NDSS, WISDM, and FTND, and biweekly surveys of their smoking and vaping. Analyses included bifactor modeling, which helps to identify both a general and product-specific factor for each item, and exploratory factor analyses of the combined cigarette and ENDS NDSS items and examinations of concurrent and predictive validity.

RESULTS

The bifactor model was not a good fit, suggesting the lack of one common underlying dependence factor. Factor analyses revealed separate, similar factors for both products, with only one factor (priority) showing overlap of cigarette and ENDS items. ENDS scales significantly predicted ENDS use over time, but not cigarette use. Cigarette scales did not predict ENDS use over time.

CONCLUSIONS

Although the cigarette and ENDS NDSS versions showed similar factor structure, there was not a primary common underlying factor reflecting drive or tolerance, but rather product-specific factors. The cigarette scales were not valid for predicting ENDS use. These results highlight the importance of separately assessing dependence for cigarettes and ENDS in dual users.

IMPLICATIONS

Although underlying dimensions of nicotine dependence may be similar for ENDS and cigarettes, separate, product-specific measures may be needed to understand differences in product-specific dependency and predict changes in use of each product over time.

Real-Time Continuous Glucose Monitoring During the Coronavirus Disease 2019 Pandemic and Its Impact on Time in Range

Background: The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic disrupted the lives of people with diabetes. Use of real-time continuous glucose monitoring (rtCGM) helped manage diabetes effectively. Some of these disruptions may be reflected in population-scale changes to metrics of glycemic control, such as time-in-range (TIR). Methods: We examined data from 65,067 U.S.-based users of the G6 rtCGM System (Dexcom, Inc., San Diego, CA) who had uploaded data before and during the COVID-19 pandemic. Users associated with three counties that included the cities of Los Angeles, Chicago, and New York or with five regions designated by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) were compared. Public data were used to associate regions with prepandemic and intrapandemic glycemic parameters, COVID-19 mortality, and median household income. Results: Compared with an 8-week prepandemic interval before stay-at-home orders (January 6, 2020, to March 1, 2020), overall mean (standard deviation) TIR improved from 59.0 (20.1)% to 61.0 (20.4)% during the early pandemic period (April 20, 2020 to June 14, 2020, P < 0.001). TIR improvements were noted in all three counties and in all five CDC-designated regions. Higher COVID-19 mortality was associated with higher proportions of individuals experiencing TIR improvements of ≥5 percentage points. Users in economically wealthier zip codes had higher pre- and intrapandemic TIR values and greater relative improvements in TIR. TIR and pandemic-related improvements in TIR varied across CDC-designated regions. Conclusions: Population-level rtCGM data may be used to monitor changes in glycemic control with temporal and geographic specificity. The COVID-19 pandemic is associated with improvements in TIR, which were not evenly distributed across the United States.

Risk Factors Associated With SARS-CoV-2 Seropositivity Among US Health Care Personnel

Importance

Risks for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection among health care personnel (HCP) are unclear.

Objective

To evaluate the risk factors associated with SARS-CoV-2 seropositivity among HCP with the a priori hypothesis that community exposure but not health care exposure was associated with seropositivity.

Design, Setting, and Participants

This cross-sectional study was conducted among volunteer HCP at 4 large health care systems in 3 US states. Sites shared deidentified data sets, including previously collected serology results, questionnaire results on community and workplace exposures at the time of serology, and 3-digit residential zip code prefix of HCP. Site-specific responses were mapped to a common metadata set. Residential weekly coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) cumulative incidence was calculated from state-based COVID-19 case and census data.

Exposures

Model variables included demographic (age, race, sex, ethnicity), community (known COVID-19 contact, COVID-19 cumulative incidence by 3-digit zip code prefix), and health care (workplace, job role, COVID-19 patient contact) factors.

Main Outcome and Measures

The main outcome was SARS-CoV-2 seropositivity. Risk factors for seropositivity were estimated using a mixed-effects logistic regression model with a random intercept to account for clustering by site.

Results

Among 24 749 HCP, most were younger than 50 years (17 233 [69.6%]), were women (19 361 [78.2%]), were White individuals (15 157 [61.2%]), and reported workplace contact with patients with COVID-19 (12 413 [50.2%]). Many HCP worked in the inpatient setting (8893 [35.9%]) and were nurses (7830 [31.6%]). Cumulative incidence of COVID-19 per 10 000 in the community up to 1 week prior to serology testing ranged from 8.2 to 275.6; 20 072 HCP (81.1%) reported no COVID-19 contact in the community. Seropositivity was 4.4% (95% CI, 4.1%-4.6%; 1080 HCP) overall. In multivariable analysis, community COVID-19 contact and community COVID-19 cumulative incidence were associated with seropositivity (community contact: adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 3.5; 95% CI, 2.9-4.1; community cumulative incidence: aOR, 1.8; 95% CI, 1.3-2.6). No assessed workplace factors were associated with seropositivity, including nurse job role (aOR, 1.1; 95% CI, 0.9-1.3), working in the emergency department (aOR, 1.0; 95% CI, 0.8-1.3), or workplace contact with patients with COVID-19 (aOR, 1.1; 95% CI, 0.9-1.3).

Conclusions and Relevance

In this cross-sectional study of US HCP in 3 states, community exposures were associated with seropositivity to SARS-CoV-2, but workplace factors, including workplace role, environment, or contact with patients with known COVID-19, were not. These findings provide reassurance that current infection prevention practices in diverse health care settings are effective in preventing transmission of SARS-CoV-2 from patients to HCP.

Epidemiology of COVID-19 vs. influenza: Differential failure of COVID-19 mitigation among Hispanics, Cook County Health, Illinois

Background

During the early phases of the COVID-19 pandemic in the U.S., African-American or Hispanic communities were disproportionately impacted. To better understand the epidemiology and relative effects of COVID-19 among hospitalized Hispanic patients, we compared individual and census-tract level characteristics of patients diagnosed with COVID-19 to those diagnosed with influenza, another viral infection with respiratory transmission. We evaluated temporal changes in epidemiology related to a shelter-in-place mandate.

Methods

We evaluated patients hospitalized at Cook County Health, the safety-net health system for the Chicago metropolitan area. Among self-identified hospitalized Hispanic patients, we compared those with influenza (2019–2020 season) to COVID-19 infection during March 16, 2020-May 11, 2020. We used multivariable analysis to identify differences in individual and census-tract level characteristics between the two groups.

Results

Relative to non-Hispanic blacks and whites, COVID-19 rapidly increased among Hispanics during promotion of social-distancing policies. Whereas non-Hispanic blacks were more likely to be hospitalized for influenza, Hispanic patients predominated among COVID-19 infections (40% relative increase compared to influenza). In the comparative analysis of influenza and COVID-19, Hispanic patients with COVID-19 were more likely to reside in census tracts with higher proportions of residents with the following characteristics: Hispanic; no high school diploma; non-US citizen; limited English speaking ability; employed in manufacturing or construction; and overcrowding. By multivariable analysis, Hispanic patients hospitalized with COVID-19 compared to those with influenza were more likely to be male (adjusted OR = 1.8; 95% CI 1.1 to 2.9), obese (aOR = 2.5; 95% CI 1.5 to 4.2), or reside in a census tract with ≥40% of residents without a high-school diploma (aOR = 2.5; 95% CI 1.3 to 4.8).

Conclusions

The rapid and disproportionate increase in COVID-19 hospitalizations among Hispanics after the shelter-in-place mandate indicates that public health strategies were inadequate in protecting this population—in particular, for those residing in neighborhoods with lower levels of educational attainment.

Unique Clindamycin-Resistant Clostridioides difficile Strain Related to Fluoroquinolone-Resistant Epidemic BI/RT027 Strain

During a surveillance study of patients in a long-term care facility and the affiliated acute care hospital in the United States, we identified a Clostridioides difficile strain related to the epidemic PCR ribotype (RT) 027 strain associated with hospital outbreaks of severe disease. Fifteen patients were infected with this strain, characterized as restriction endonuclease analysis group DQ and RT591. Like RT027, DQ/RT591 contained genes for toxin B and binary toxin CDT and a tcdC gene of identical sequence. Whole-genome sequencing and multilocus sequence typing showed that DQ/RT591 is a member of the same multilocus sequence typing clade 2 as RT027 but in a separate cluster. DQ/RT591 produced a similar cytopathic effect as RT027 but showed delayed toxin production in vitro. DQ/RT591 was susceptible to moxifloxacin but highly resistant to clindamycin. Continued surveillance is warranted for this clindamycin-resistant strain that is related to the fluoroquinolone-resistant epidemic RT027 strain.

Predictors of long-term opioid use and opioid use disorder among construction workers: Analysis of claims data

BACKGROUND

Construction workers have high rates of work-related musculoskeletal disorders, which lead to frequent opioid use and opioid use disorder (OUD). This paper quantified the incidence of opioid use and OUD among construction workers with and without musculoskeletal disorders.

METHODS

We conducted a retrospective study using union health claims from January 2015 to June 2018 from 19,909 construction workers. Claims for diagnoses of chronic musculoskeletal disorders, acute musculoskeletal injuries, musculoskeletal surgery, and other conditions were linked to new opioid prescriptions. We examined the effects of high doses (≥50 morphine mg equivalents per day), large supply (more than 7 days per fill), long-term opioid use (60 or more days supplied within a calendar quarter), and musculoskeletal disorders, on the odds of a future OUD.

RESULTS

There were high rates (42.8% per year) of chronic musculoskeletal disorders among workers, of whom 24.1% received new opioid prescriptions and 6.3% received long-term opioid prescriptions per year. Workers receiving opioids for chronic musculoskeletal disorders had the highest odds of future OUD: 4.71 (95% confidence interval 3.09-7.37); workers prescribed long-term opioids in any calendar quarter had a nearly 10-fold odds of developing an OUD.

CONCLUSIONS

Among construction workers, opioids initiated for musculoskeletal pain were strongly associated with incident long-term opioid use and OUD. Musculoskeletal pain from physically demanding work is likely one driver of the opioid epidemic in occupations like construction. Prevention of work injuries and alternative pain management are needed for workers at risk for musculoskeletal injuries.

Asymptomatic SARS-CoV-2 Infection and COVID-19 Mortality During an Outbreak Investigation in a Skilled Nursing Facility

BACKGROUND

Outbreaks of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) have been reported in nursing homes and assisted living facilities; however, the extent of asymptomatic and presymptomatic severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection in this high-risk population remains unclear.

METHODS

We conducted an investigation of the first known outbreak of SARS-CoV-2 at a skilled nursing facility (SNF) in Illinois on 15 March 2020 and followed residents for 30 days. We tested 126/127 residents for SARS-CoV-2 via reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction and performed symptom assessments. We calculated the point prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 and assessed symptom onset over 30-day follow-up to determine: (1) the proportion of cases who were symptomatic, presymptomatic, and asymptomatic and (2) incidence of symptoms among those who tested negative. We used the Kaplan-Meier method to determine the 30-day probability of death for cases.

RESULTS

Of 126 residents tested, 33 had confirmed SARS-CoV-2 on 15 March. Nineteen (58%) had symptoms at the time of testing, 1 (3%) developed symptoms over follow-up, and 13 (39%) remained asymptomatic. Thirty-five residents who tested negative on 15 March developed symptoms over follow-up; of these, 3 were re-tested and 2 were positive. The 30-day probability of death among cases was 29%.

CONCLUSIONS

SNFs are particularly vulnerable to SARS-CoV-2, and residents are at risk of severe outcomes. Attention must be paid to preventing outbreaks in these and other congregate care settings. Widespread testing and infection control are key to help prevent COVID-19 morbidity and mortality in these high-risk populations.

US Rural Surgeons Leading During COVID-19: Where Are They Now?

Rural surgeons from disparate areas of the United States report on the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic in their communities as the virus has spread across the country. The pandemic has brought significant changes to the professional, economic, and social lives of the individual surgeons and their communities.

An Innovative Virtual Poster Session for Doctor of Nursing Practice Student Project Presentations

BACKGROUND

The COVID-19 pandemic closed university campuses across the country. Nurse educators were challenged to develop innovative solutions for students to complete course requirements. The on-campus poster session used by a college of nursing as a scholarly forum for dissemination of all Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) student final projects was cancelled due to the pandemic.

METHOD

Nurse educators developed and implemented an interactive, synchronous virtual session using the Zoom Video Communications platform.

RESULTS

Twelve virtual sessions were held, and 73 students presented DNP project posters. More than 150 students and faculty attended the virtual poster sessions. Students and faculty had positive feedback regarding the virtual format. Student presentations were academically rigorous, and audiences engaged in robust discussion with DNP students.

CONCLUSION

The virtual platform was successfully used for an interactive presentation by DNP student and nursing faculty participants. This format may be especially valuable for use of scholarship dissemination by distance learning programs. [J Nurs Educ. 2020;59(12):697-700.].

Lactation Patterns in Women with Hypertensive Disorders of Pregnancy: An Analysis of Illinois 2012-2015 Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System (PRAMS) Data

BACKGROUND

Hypertensive disorders of pregnancy have lifelong implications on maternal cardiovascular health. Breastfeeding has a variety of maternal benefits, including improved lifelong maternal cardiovascular outcomes, with longer periods of lactation resulting in further improvement. Women with hypertensive disorders of pregnancy encounter many barriers to breastfeeding. Little is known about lactation initiation and duration rates in women with hypertensive disorders of pregnancy. The purpose of this study is to describe lactation patterns in women with HDP, hypertensive disorders of pregnancy, compared to normotensive controls using data from the phase 7 Illinois Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System (PRAMS).

SUBJECTS AND METHODS

Illinois PRAMS 2012-2015 (Phase 7) data was used to assess lactation patterns as well as rationale for not initiating breastfeeding or earlier cessation. Women who delivered during this time period were eligible to participate in the PRAMS survey, 5285 were included the analysis.

RESULTS

Overall, 17.6% of all women in the study reported their healthcare provider did not speak with them prenatally about breastfeeding. Women who reported they had HDP, were significantly less likely (p ≤ 0.001) to ever breastfeed or pump breast milk to feed their baby, even for a short period, than those women without an HDP. At the time the PRAMS survey was completed, more women without an HDP were still breastfeeding or providing their baby with pumped milk (54.9 v. 48%; p = 0.002). More women with HDP reported stopping breastfeeding because they got sick or had to stop for medical reasons (p = 0.002) and/or because their baby was jaundiced (p = 0.007).

CONCLUSION

Cardiovascular disease remains the leading cause of death among women and women with a history of HDP are at increased risk for cardiovascular related morbidity and mortality. Obstetrical providers and nurses caring for this high-risk population should ensure they educate women about the increased cardiovascular risk associated with HDP and the maternal cardiovascular benefits associated with lactation in order to promote and support lactation in this population of women.

Radiographic and clinical neurologic manifestations of COVID-19 related hypoxemia

The novel coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 is known to cause hypoxemia and acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) in a significant portion of those with severe disease. Survivors of critical illness and ARDS often experience neurocognitive impairment but, to date, there is scant literature correlating radiographic hypoxic brain injury to hypoxemia related to ARDS. In this case series, we describe three cases of hypoxic brain injury seen on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in patients with hypoxemia secondary to COVID-19-related ARDS. The lack of severe observed hypoxemia in two of the cases suggests that unrecognized or asymptomatic hypoxemia may play a role in hypoxic brain injury related to COVID-19.

Sociodemographic Characteristics Associated With Hospitalizations for Anxiety and Depression Among Youth in Illinois

OBJECTIVE

Anxiety and depression are common pediatric mental health diagnoses seen in emergency departments (EDs), and trends in ED visits for anxiety and depression provide an important metric for epidemiologic monitoring of pediatric mental illness. This study was undertaken to examine trends in ED encounters and hospitalizations for anxiety and depression among youth in Illinois.

METHODS

We examined ED encounters and subsequent hospitalizations from 2016 to 2017 among patients aged 5-19 years old with a principal diagnosis of anxiety or depression retrospectively using the Illinois Hospital Association Comparative Health Care and Hospital Data Reporting Services (COMPdata) for 190 nonfederal Illinois hospitals. Multivariable logistic regression was used to estimate the likelihood of hospital admission through the ED.

RESULTS

After controlling for sociodemographic characteristics, from 2016 to 2017, youth were more likely to be hospitalized if they had depression (odds ratio [OR] 4.53, 95% confidence interval [CI] 3.23-6.37), and had a secondary mental health diagnosis of serious mental illness (OR 4.83, CI 3.40-6.84), suicide attempt (OR 3.69, CI 2.55-5.32) or substance use (OR 3.55, CI 2.89-4.31). Hospital admissions were less likely for youth if they were Hispanic (OR 0.71, CI 0.52-0.98), on Medicaid (OR 0.68, CI 0.51-0.90), and seen on the weekend (OR 0.80, CI 0.70-0.91).

CONCLUSIONS

Hospitalizations for anxiety and depression among youth in Illinois are often compounded by serious mental illness, suicide attempts, and substance use, but disparities exist in hospital admissions among Hispanics and youth on Medicaid.

An evaluation of recurrent hypoglycemia across Chicago, Illinois

AIMS

Recurrent hypoglycemia is understudied. This study evaluates recurrent hypoglycemia, fragmentation of care and mortality in a large urban center.

METHODS

The Chicago HealthLNK Data Repository (CHDR), a de-identified electronic health record data set from institutions across Chicago, identified 9741 patients with diabetes (DM) who had hypoglycemia (emergency department (ED) or inpatient admission (IA)) from 2006 to 2012. Recurrence was defined as more than one hypoglycemia encounter, and fragmentation of health care was defined as an ED visit or IA for hypoglycemia at >1 site.

RESULTS

187,644 patients were identified with DM; of 9741 patients with hypoglycemia, 2857 (29.3%) had recurrence. Patients with ≥4 hypoglycemic encounters (n = 1035) represented 10.6%, but accounted for 40.3% hypoglycemic encounters. Of 2857 patients with recurrence, 304 patients (10.6%) had fragmented care. In those with high hypoglycemic encounters (≥4), 22% (N = 226) had ≥10 encounters; race and insurance status differences were associated with number of hypoglycemic encounters. Having hypoglycemia was associated with increased mortality compared to no hypoglycemia (n = 2696, 27.7% vs n = 20,188, 11.4%; p < 0.00001 by chi-square).

CONCLUSION

A small subset of patients with hypoglycemia accounted for a large subset of hypoglycemia encounters. Targeted interventions in this high-risk, high mortality group are needed.

Limbic-predominant age-related TDP-43 encephalopathy in Black and White decedents

OBJECTIVE

The association of limbic-predominant age-related transactive response DNA-binding protein 43 encephalopathy neuropathologic change (LATE-NC) with cognition and dementia was assessed in community-dwelling Black elders, and racial differences in these associations were tested.

METHODS

Black (n = 76) and White (n = 152) decedents from 4 longitudinal clinical pathologic studies of aging were matched 2 to 1 by age at death, sex, years of education, dementia status, and follow-up time. LATE-NC detected by immunohistochemistry was dichotomized into none/mild and moderate/severe groups. Distribution and clinical and pathologic characteristics of LATE-NC and its association with cognitive profiles and odds of dementia were determined in Black decedents, and racial differences in these associations were assessed.

RESULTS

The overall frequency of LATE-NC in Black and White decedents was similar (40.8% vs 45.4%). Black decedents with moderate/severe LATE-NC were older, had significantly lower global cognition scores, particularly in memory domains, and had higher frequency of Alzheimer disease, hippocampal sclerosis, and cerebral amyloid angiopathy than the LATE-NC none/mild group. LATE-NC in Black decents was independently associated with impaired global cognition, episodic and semantic memory, and visuospatial abilities. There were no racial differences in clinical features or pathologic distribution of LATE-NC except for a significant increase in the mean cytoplasmic inclusions in the entorhinal and mid temporal cortices in White compared to Black decedents. In addition, no racial differences in the cognitive profiles or the odds of dementia were observed in Black vs White decedents.

CONCLUSIONS

Consistent with findings in White decedents, LATE-NC in Black decedents is associated with impaired cognition, including memory domains.

Clinical outcomes of temperature related injuries treated in the hospital setting, 2011-2018

BACKGROUND

Concerns over climate change have prompted substantial interest in temperature related injuries resulting from extreme weather conditions. Climate models predict that as global temperatures increase, the frequency and severity of extreme heat and cold weather events will grow which will likely increase the incidence of temperature related injury. The aim of this study was to analyze the healthcare impacts of temperature related injuries in the state of Illinois in order to serve as a model to guide future public health policy.

METHODS

Outpatient and inpatient heat and cold related injuries treated in Illinois hospitals from 2011 to 2018 were analyzed. Weather data was linked to individual cases.

RESULTS

The crude annual total hospital utilization incidence rate for heat injuries was 23.6 per 100,000 residents compared to 23.2 per 100,000 residents for cold injuries, however, the crude annual inpatient admission incidence rate was more than four-fold higher for cold injuries compared to heat injuries (10.2 vs 2.4 per 100,000). Although hypothermia made up 27.0% of all temperature related injuries, it comprised 94.0% of all deaths. In the multivariable models, we identified demographic characteristics, temperature conditions and comorbidities strongly associated with both heat and cold related in-hospital mortality.

CONCLUSIONS

While climate change is increasing the number of extreme heat days, it may also impact cold adaptation resulting in more serious adverse health outcomes when severe cold weather events do occur. As electronic health records become more widely available, they can prove to be a valuable resource to monitor, treat and predict temperature related injuries in the near future. Our findings regarding the substantially elevated mortality among cold related injuries, demonstrate the need to tailor public health messages to different climate zones in the United States.

Community Health Workers Reduce Rehospitalizations and Emergency Department Visits for Low-Socioeconomic Urban Patients With Heart Failure

BACKGROUND

Low-socioeconomic, urban, minority patients with heart failure (HF) often have unique barriers to care. Community health workers (CHWs) are specially trained laypeople who serve as liaisons between underserved communities and the health system. It is not known whether CHWs improve outcomes in low-socioeconomic, urban, minority patients with HF.

HYPOTHESIS

CHWs reduce rehospitalizations, emergency department (ED) visits, and healthcare costs for low-socioeconomic urban patients with HF.

METHODS

Patients admitted with acute decompensated HF were assigned to receive weekly visits by CHW after discharge. Patients were propensity score matched with controls who received usual care. HF-related rehospitalizations, ED visits, and inpatient costs were compared for 12 months following index admission versus the same period before.

RESULTS

Twenty-eight patients who received weekly visits from a CHW for 12 months after discharge were matched with 28 control patients who did not receive CHWs. Patients who received a CHW had a 75% decrease in HF-related ED visits (0.71 vs. 0.18 visits per patient, P < 0.001), an 89% decrease in HF-related readmissions (0.64 vs. 0.07 admissions per patient, P < 0.005), and a significant decrease in inpatient cost for HF-related visits. In controls receiving usual care, there was no significant change in hospitalizations, ED visits, or costs.

CONCLUSIONS

In conclusion, CHWs are associated with reduced rehospitalizations, ED visits, and inpatient costs in low-socioeconomic, urban, minority patients with HF. CHWs may be a cost-effective method to reduce health care utilization and improve outcomes for this population.

Disparities in health related quality of life among Illinoisans diagnosed with depressive disorder: findings from the 2017 BRFSS

BACKGROUND

The United States experienced severe mental health budget cuts in many states across the nation during the years of the largest recession since the Great Depression. Illinois had one of the hardest hit mental health budgets in the country. The massive mental health funding cuts in Illinois, combined with the state's budget impasse, left fewer facilities available to provide treatment and support to those in need. Many of Illinois's most vulnerable populations either had reduced access, or no access to care. Serious spillover effects were felt by emergency rooms, community hospitals, and the criminal justice system. Therefore, the purpose of this research is to examine disparities in Health Related Quality of Life for those with depression after the funding cuts in Illinois.

METHODS

Data from the 2017 Behavior Risk Factor Surveillance System was analyzed by using multivariate logistic regression models of the Health Related Quality of Life measures for Illinoisans diagnosed with depressive disorders.

RESULTS

According to the regression models in this study, disparities exist in HRQOL for Illinoisans with depressive disorders. In all of the HRQOL models, income was associated with a reduction in HRQOL. Additionally, disparities exist in HRQOL for certain age groups and those who are unemployed. Interestingly, the models did not show any racial disparities as anticipated.

CONCLUSION

Without the basic policy-level deficiencies addressed, disparities in Health Related Quality of Life for Illinois's most vulnerable populations will continue to exist as will costly economic spillover effects.

Prevalence and characterization of asthma in hospitalized and nonhospitalized patients with COVID-19

Background

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention advises that patients with moderate to severe asthma belong to a high-risk group that is susceptible to severe coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). However, the association between asthma and COVID-19 has not been well-established.

Objective

The primary objective was to determine the prevalence of asthma among patients with COVID-19 in a major US health system. We assessed the clinical characteristics and comorbidities in asthmatic and nonasthmatic patients with COVID-19. We also determined the risk of hospitalization associated with asthma and/or inhaled corticosteroid use.

Methods

Medical records of patients with COVID-19 were searched by a computer algorithm (March 1 to April 15, 2020), and chart review was used to validate the diagnosis of asthma and medications prescribed for asthma. All patients had PCR-confirmed COVID-19. Demographic and clinical features were characterized. Regression models were used to assess the associations between asthma and corticosteroid use and the risk of COVID-19–related hospitalization.

Results

Of 1526 patients identified with COVID-19, 220 (14%) were classified as having asthma. Asthma was not associated with an increased risk of hospitalization (relative risk, 0.96; 95% CI, 0.77-1.19) after adjusting for age, sex, and comorbidities. The ongoing use of inhaled corticosteroids did not increase the risk of hospitalization in a similar adjusted model (relative risk, 1.39; 95% CI, 0.90-2.15).

Conclusions

Despite a substantial prevalence of asthma in our COVID-19 cohort, asthma was not associated with an increased risk of hospitalization. Similarly, the use of inhaled corticosteroids with or without systemic corticosteroids was not associated with COVID-19–related hospitalization.

Spatial access to primary care providers and colorectal cancer-specific survival in Cook County, Illinois

BACKGROUND

Spatial access to primary care has been associated with late-stage and fatal breast cancer, but less is known about its relation to outcomes of other screening-preventable cancers such as colorectal cancer. This population-based retrospective cohort study examined whether spatial access to primary care providers associates with colorectal cancer-specific survival.

METHODS

Approximately 26 600 incident colorectal cancers diagnosed between 2000 and 2008 in adults residing in Cook County, Illinois were identified through the state cancer registry and georeferenced to the census tract of residence at diagnosis. An enhanced two-step floating catchment area method measured tract-level access to primary care physicians (PCPs) in the year of diagnosis using practice locations obtained from the American Medical Association. Vital status and underlying cause of death were determined using the National Death Index. Fine-Gray proportional subdistribution hazard models analyzed the association between tract-level PCP access scores and colorectal cancer-specific survival after accounting for tract-level socioeconomic status, case demographics, tumor characteristics, and other factors.

RESULTS

Increased tract-level access to PCPs was associated with a lower risk of death from colorectal cancer (hazard ratio [HR], 95% confidence interval [CI]) = 0.87 [0.79, 0.96], P = .008, highest vs lowest quintile), especially among persons diagnosed with regional-stage tumors (HR, 95% CI = 0.80 [0.69, 0.93], P = .004, highest vs lowest quintile).

CONCLUSIONS

Spatial access to primary care providers is a predictor of colorectal cancer-specific survival in Cook County, Illinois. Future research is needed to determine which areas within the cancer care continuum are most affected by spatial accessibility to primary care such as referral for screening, accessibility of screening and diagnostic testing, referral for treatment, and access to appropriate survivorship-related care.

Comparison of Early Warning Scoring Systems for Hospitalized Patients With and Without Infection at Risk for In-Hospital Mortality and Transfer to the Intensive Care Unit

IMPORTANCE

Risk scores used in early warning systems exist for general inpatients and patients with suspected infection outside the intensive care unit (ICU), but their relative performance is incompletely characterized.

OBJECTIVE

To compare the performance of tools used to determine points-based risk scores among all hospitalized patients, including those with and without suspected infection, for identifying those at risk for death and/or ICU transfer.

DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS

In a cohort design, a retrospective analysis of prospectively collected data was conducted in 21 California and 7 Illinois hospitals between 2006 and 2018 among adult inpatients outside the ICU using points-based scores from 5 commonly used tools: National Early Warning Score (NEWS), Modified Early Warning Score (MEWS), Between the Flags (BTF), Quick Sequential Sepsis-Related Organ Failure Assessment (qSOFA), and Systemic Inflammatory Response Syndrome (SIRS). Data analysis was conducted from February 2019 to January 2020.

MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES

Risk model discrimination was assessed in each state for predicting in-hospital mortality and the combined outcome of ICU transfer or mortality with area under the receiver operating characteristic curves (AUCs). Stratified analyses were also conducted based on suspected infection.

RESULTS

The study included 773 477 hospitalized patients in California (mean [SD] age, 65.1 [17.6] years; 416 605 women [53.9%]) and 713 786 hospitalized patients in Illinois (mean [SD] age, 61.3 [19.9] years; 384 830 women [53.9%]). The NEWS exhibited the highest discrimination for mortality (AUC, 0.87; 95% CI, 0.87-0.87 in California vs AUC, 0.86; 95% CI, 0.85-0.86 in Illinois), followed by the MEWS (AUC, 0.83; 95% CI, 0.83-0.84 in California vs AUC, 0.84; 95% CI, 0.84-0.85 in Illinois), qSOFA (AUC, 0.78; 95% CI, 0.78-0.79 in California vs AUC, 0.78; 95% CI, 0.77-0.78 in Illinois), SIRS (AUC, 0.76; 95% CI, 0.76-0.76 in California vs AUC, 0.76; 95% CI, 0.75-0.76 in Illinois), and BTF (AUC, 0.73; 95% CI, 0.73-0.73 in California vs AUC, 0.74; 95% CI, 0.73-0.74 in Illinois). At specific decision thresholds, the NEWS outperformed the SIRS and qSOFA at all 28 hospitals either by reducing the percentage of at-risk patients who need to be screened by 5% to 20% or increasing the percentage of adverse outcomes identified by 3% to 25%.

CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE

In all hospitalized patients evaluated in this study, including those meeting criteria for suspected infection, the NEWS appeared to display the highest discrimination. Our results suggest that, among commonly used points-based scoring systems, determining the NEWS for inpatient risk stratification could identify patients with and without infection at high risk of mortality.