Cigarette smoking rates among veterans: Association with rurality and psychiatric disorders

Patient-centered development of a bladder cancer survivorship care plan

PURPOSE

This study aimed to develop a patient-centered survivorship care plan (SCP) for US military Veteran bladder cancer (BC) survivors in accordance with the National Academy of Medicine recommendation that survivors receive an SCP at treatment completion. BC, which differentially impacts older men, is a costly and highly recurrent cancer associated with invasive procedures and long-term surveillance. Veteran BC survivors may face challenges navigating the patient-to-survivor transition due to their age and comorbidities.

METHODS

We conducted 20 one-on-one qualitative interviews and 2 focus groups with Veteran BC survivors to understand their preferences for information and support to inform SCP development. Data were analyzed using rapid analysis.

RESULTS

Participants voiced concerns about BC's impact on their psychosocial functioning and quality of life. They suggested information on BC recurrences, recommended surveillance schedules, long-term side effects and healthy living, and how and when to seek help if a medical problem arises should be included on the SCP to help manage expectations and access key resources during survivorship. Although participants had varying needs, many recommended including information on supportive resources (e.g., support groups, peer support programs) to manage cancer-related anxiety. Participants also suggested including Veteran-centered information (e.g., Veterans' BC risk factors).

CONCLUSION

We developed an SCP to help Veteran BC survivors navigate the transition from patient to survivor. Adapting an SCP to address specific needs of the Veteran population was an important step in supporting Veteran BC survivors. Future research should evaluate the potential effectiveness of this SCP at improving Veterans' health outcomes and healthcare experiences.

A smoking cessation intervention for rural veterans tailored to individual risk factors: A multicenter randomized clinical trial

INTRODUCTION

Rates of cigarette use remain elevated among those living in rural areas. Depressive symptoms, risky alcohol use, and weight concerns frequently accompany cigarette smoking and may adversely affect quitting. Whether treatment for tobacco use that simultaneously addresses these issues affects cessation outcomes is uncertain.

METHODS

The study was a multicenter, two-group, randomized controlled trial involving mostly rural veterans who smoke (N = 358) receiving treatment at one of five Veterans Affairs Medical Centers. The study randomly assigned participants to a tailored telephone counseling intervention or referral to their state tobacco quitline. Both groups received guideline-recommended smoking cessation pharmacotherapy, selected using a shared decision-making approach. The primary outcome was self-reported seven-day point prevalence abstinence (PPA) at three and six months. The study used salivary cotinine to verify self-reported quitting at six months.

RESULTS

Self-reported PPA was significantly greater in participants assigned to Tailored Counseling at three (OR = 1.66; 95 % CI: 1.07-2.58) but not six (OR = 1.35; 95 % CI: 0.85-2.15) months. Post hoc subgroup analyses examining treatment group differences based on whether participants had a positive screen for elevated depressive symptoms, risky alcohol use, and/or concerns about weight gain indicated that the cessation benefit of Tailored Counseling at three months was limited to those with ≥1 accompanying concern (OR = 2.02, 95 % CI: 1.20-3.42). Biochemical verification suggested low rates of misreporting.

CONCLUSIONS

A tailored smoking cessation intervention addressing concomitant risk factors enhanced short-term abstinence but did not significantly improve long-term quitting. Extending the duration of treatment may be necessary to sustain treatment effects.

"It Is A Carrot-Stick Model": A Qualitative Study of Rural-Serving Clinician and Rural-Residing Veteran Perceptions of Requirements to Quit Smoking prior to Elective Surgery

Introduction

Some medical centers and surgeons require patients to stop smoking cigarettes prior to elective orthopaedic surgeries in an effort to decrease surgical complications. Given higher rates of smoking among rural individuals, rural patients may be disproportionately impacted by these requirements. We assessed the perceptions and experiences of rural-residing Veterans and clinicians related to this requirement.

Methods

We conducted qualitative semistructured one-on-one interviews of 26 rural-residing veterans, 10 VA orthopaedic surgery staff (from two Veterans Integrated Services Networks), 24 PCPs who serve rural veterans (14 VA; 10 non-VA), and 4 VA pharmacists. Using the knowledge, attitudes, and behavior framework, we performed conventional content analysis.

Results

We found three primary themes across respondents: (1) knowledge of and the evidence base for the requirement varied widely; (2) strong personal attitudes toward the requirement; and (3) implementation and possible implications of this requirement. All surgery staff reported knowledge of requirements at their institution. VA PCPs reported knowledge of requirements but typically could not recall specifics. Most patients were unaware. The majority of respondents felt this requirement could increase motivation to quit smoking. Some PCPs felt a more thorough explanation of smoking-related complications would result in increased quit attempts. About half of all patients reported belief that the requirement was reasonable regardless of initial awareness. Respondents expressed little concern that the requirement might increase rural-urban disparities. Most PCPs and patients felt that there should be exceptions for allowing surgery, while surgical staff disagreed. Discussion. Most respondents thought elective surgery was a good motivator to quit smoking; but patients, PCPs, and surgical staff differed on whether there should be exceptions to the requirement that patients quit preoperatively. Future efforts to augment perioperative smoking cessation may benefit from improving coordination across services and educating patients more about the benefits of quitting.

A comprehensive analysis of lung cancer highlighting epidemiological factors and psychiatric comorbidities from the All of Us Research Program

Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer-related mortality in the United States. Investigating epidemiological and clinical parameters can contribute to an improved understanding of disease development and management. In this cross-sectional, case-control study, we used the All of Us database to compare healthcare access, family history, smoking-related behaviors, and psychiatric comorbidities in light smoking controls, matched smoking controls, and primary and secondary lung cancer patients. We found a decreased odds of primary lung cancer patients versus matched smoking controls reporting inability to afford follow-up or specialist care. Additionally, we found a significantly increased odds of secondary lung cancer patients having comorbid anxiety and insomnia when compared to matched smoking controls. Our study provides a profile of the psychiatric disease burden in lung cancer patients and reports key epidemiological factors in patients with primary and secondary lung cancer. By using two controls, we were able to separate smoking behavior from lung cancer and identify factors that were mediated by heavy smoking alone or by both smoking and lung cancer.

Barriers and facilitators to lung cancer screening and follow-up

Two randomized trials have shown that lung cancer screening (LCS) with low dose computed tomography (LDCT) reduces lung cancer mortality in patients at high-risk for lung malignancy by identifying early-stage cancers, when local cure and control is achievable. The implementation of LCS in the United States has revealed multiple barriers to preventive cancer care. Rates of LCS are disappointingly low with estimates between 5%-18% of eligible patients screened. Equally concerning, follow-up after baseline screening is far lower than that of clinical trials (44-66% v >90%). To optimize the benefits of LCS, programs must identify and address factors related to LCS participation and follow-up while concurrently recognizing and mitigating barriers. As a relatively new screening test, the most effective processes for LCS are uncertain. Therefore, LCS programs have adopted a wide range of approaches without clearly established best practices to guide them, particularly in rural and resource-limited settings. In this narrative review, we identify barriers and facilitators to LCS, focusing on those studies in non-clinical trial settings - reflecting "real world" challenges. Our goal is to identify effective and scalable LCS practices that will increase LCS participation, improve adherence to follow-up, inform strategies for quality improvement, and support new research approaches.

Assessing Smoking Status and Risk of SARS-CoV-2 Infection: A Machine Learning Approach among Veterans

The role of smoking in the risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection is unclear. We used a retrospective cohort design to study data from veterans’ Electronic Medical Record to assess the impact of smoking on the risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection. Veterans tested for the SARS-CoV-2 virus from 02/01/2020 to 02/28/2021 were classified as: Never Smokers (NS), Former Smokers (FS), and Current Smokers (CS). We report the adjusted odds ratios (aOR) for potential confounders obtained from a cascade machine learning algorithm. We found a 19.6% positivity rate among 1,176,306 veterans tested for SARS-CoV-2 infection. The positivity proportion among NS (22.0%) was higher compared with FS (19.2%) and CS (11.5%). The adjusted odds of testing positive for CS (aOR:0.51; 95%CI: 0.50, 0.52) and FS (aOR:0.89; 95%CI:0.88, 0.90) were significantly lower compared with NS. Four pre-existing conditions, including dementia, lower respiratory infections, pneumonia, and septic shock, were associated with a higher risk of testing positive, whereas the use of the decongestant drug phenylephrine or having a history of cancer were associated with a lower risk. CS and FS compared with NS had lower risks of testing positive for SARS-CoV-2. These findings highlight our evolving understanding of the role of smoking status on the risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection.

Associations of tobacco use and consumption with rurality among patients with psychiatric disorders: Does smoke-free policy matter?

PURPOSE

People with psychiatric disorders (PDs) have high risks for tobacco use and associated health effects; however, little is known about differences in tobacco use status and consumption by urban or rural residence. Among patients with PDs, we examined the association of smoke-free policy on tobacco use by rural/urban residence METHOD: A cross-sectional retrospective study (N = 2060) among patients in a psychiatric facility was conducted. Multi-logistic and multilinear regression analyses assessed differences in outcomes stratified by rural/urban status.

RESULTS

Among rural residents, a substance use history (odds ratios [ORs[ = 2.82, 95% CI: 2.01-3.96), high school education (OR = 0.71, 95% CI: 0.51-0.98), older age (OR = 0.99, 95% CI: 0.98-1.00), and longer length of hospital stay (OR = 0.99, 95% CI: 0.98-1.00) were associated with tobacco use. Among urban residents, male sex (OR = 1.38, 95% CI: 1.02-1.86), a substance use history (OR = 2.61, 95% CI: 1.86-3.66), and externalizing disorder diagnosis (OR = 2.72, 95% CI: 1.35-5.48) correlated with tobacco use. Increased tobacco consumption among rural residents was associated with being male (β = 0.12, p = 0.007) and having less than a high school education (β = 0.14, P = 0.001). Whereas, White ethnicity (β = 0.14, p = 0.006), having less than a high school education (β = 0.11, p = 0.022), and a psychotic disorder diagnosis (β = 0.25, p = 0.038) were associated with greater tobacco consumption in urban residents. Smoke-free policy was not associated with tobacco use (OR = 1.08, 95% CI: 0.87-1.34) and consumption (β = 0.05, p = 0.134).

CONCLUSIONS

Despite higher rates of tobacco use among rural patients with PDs, they have similar risk factors as their urban counterparts. However, residing in a location with a smoke-free policy may not contribute to tobacco use behaviors among those with PDs.

Connecting veterans with smoking cessation services in less than 3 minutes

ABSTRACT

Veterans smoke disproportionately higher (nearly 1.3 times greater) than the general population and puts them at greater risk for tobacco-related illnesses. Annual screenings by the primary care providers are conducted at Veterans Health Administration (VHA) primary care clinics, but this practice may be inadequate to overcome the chronicity of smoking. The Ask, Advise, Refer strategy for smoking cessation was integrated in the workflow and implemented by the nursing staff at a VHA outpatient surgery clinic. Nurses established smoking status, advised smokers to quit, and for those interested, provided the smoker a list of resources Department of Veterans Affairs' approved smoking cessation options (telephone, text, and web-based interventions). All the smokers took a referral card containing a list of resources to help them quit smoking. During the follow-up phone calls after the clinic visit, 19% of patients reported using at least one of the resources listed on the card. Each clinical encounter should be viewed by health care providers as a window of opportunity to promote smoking cessation. The simplicity of the AAR strategy is effective in promoting smoking cessation especially in busy outpatient settings.

Challenges in Managing Acute Cardiovascular Diseases and Follow Up Care in Rural Areas: A Narrative Review

This narrative review explores relevant literature that is related to the challenges in implementing evidence-based management for clinicians in rural and remote areas, while primarily focussing on management of acute coronary syndrome (ACS) and follow up care. A targeted literature search around rural/urban differences in the management of ACS, cardiovascular disease, and cardiac rehabilitation identified multiple issues that are related to access, including the ability to pay, transport and geographic distances, delays in patients seeking care, access to diagnostic testing, and timely treatment in an appropriate facility. Workforce shortages or lack of ready access to relevant expertise, cultural differences, and complexity that arises from comorbidities and from geographical isolation amplified diagnostic challenges. Given the urgency in management of ACS, rural clinicians must act quickly to achieve optimal patient outcomes. New technologies and quality improvement approaches enable better access to rapid diagnosis, as well as specialist input and care. Achieving an uptake of cardiac rehabilitation in rural and remote settings poses challenges that may reduce with the use of alternative models to centre-based rehabilitation and use of modern technologies. Expediting improvement in cardiovascular outcomes and reducing rural disparities requires system changes and that clinicians embrace attention to prevention, emergency management, and follow up care in rural contexts.