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Cook SC, Deb B, Pastor T, Hobson C, Walsh K, Ofner S, Salciccioli K, Gonzalez V, Reardon LC, Carazo M. Patient comfort with sexual orientation and gender identity questions in adult congenital cardiology clinics. Cardiol Young 2024:1-8. [PMID: 39267597 DOI: 10.1017/s1047951124025344] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/17/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Lack of sexual orientation and gender identity (SOGI) data creates barriers for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ+) people in health care. Barriers to SOGI data collection include physician misperception that patients do not want to answer these questions and discomfort asking SOGI questions. This study aimed to assess patient comfort towards SOGI questions across five quaternary care adult congenital heart disease (ACHD) centres. METHODS A survey administered to ACHD patients (≥18 years) asked (1) two-step gender identity and birth sex, (2) acceptance of SOGI data, and (3) the importance for ACHD physicians to know SOGI data. Chi-square tests were used to analyse differences among demographic groups and logistic regression modelled agreement with statement of patient disclosure of SOGI improving patient-physician communication. RESULTS Among 322 ACHD patients, 82% identified as heterosexual and 16% identified as LGBTQ+, across the age ranges 18-29 years (39.4%), 30-49 years (47.8%), 50-64 years (8.7%), and > 65 years (4.0%). Respondents (90.4%) felt comfortable answering SOGI questions. Respondents with bachelor's/higher education were more likely to "agree" that disclosure of SOGI improves patient-physician communication compared to those with less than bachelor's education (OR = 2.45; 95% CI 1.41, 4.25; p = .0015). CONCLUSION These findings suggest that in this largely heterosexual population, SOGI data collection is unlikely to cause patient discomfort. Respondents with higher education were twice as likely to agree that SOGI disclosure improves patient-physician communication. The inclusion of SOGI data in future studies will provide larger samples of underrepresented minorities (e.g. LGBTQ+ population), thereby reducing healthcare disparities within the field of cardiovascular research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephen C Cook
- Indiana University Adult Congenital Program, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, USA
| | - Brototo Deb
- Medstar Georgetown University - Washington Hospital Center, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Tony Pastor
- Yale Adult Congenital Heart Program, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Clare Hobson
- Boston Adult Congenital Heart Program, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Kaitlyn Walsh
- Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, USA
| | - Susan Ofner
- Indiana University Department of Biostatistics and Health Data Science, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, USA
| | - Katherine Salciccioli
- Adult Congenital Heart Program at Texas Children's Hospital, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Vincent Gonzalez
- Adult Congenital Heart Program at Texas Children's Hospital, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Leigh C Reardon
- Ahmanson/UCLA Adult Congenital Heart Disease Center, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Matthew Carazo
- Adult Congenital Heart Disease Program, University of California San Diego, San Diego, CA, USA
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Prichard R, Maneze D, Straiton N, Inglis SC, McDonagh J. Strategies for improving diversity, equity, and inclusion in cardiovascular research: a primer. Eur J Cardiovasc Nurs 2024; 23:313-322. [PMID: 38190724 DOI: 10.1093/eurjcn/zvae002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2023] [Accepted: 01/02/2024] [Indexed: 01/10/2024]
Abstract
This paper aims to empower cardiovascular (CV) researchers by promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion (DE&I) principles throughout the research cycle. It defines DE&I and introduces practical strategies for implementation in recruitment, retention, and team dynamics within CV research. Evidence-based approaches supporting underrepresented populations' participation are outlined for each research phase. Emphasizing the significance of inclusive research environments, the paper offers guidance and resources. We invite CV researchers to actively embrace DE&I principles, enhancing research relevance and addressing longstanding CV health disparities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roslyn Prichard
- Faculty of Health, University of the Sunshine Coast, 90 Sippy Downs Drive, Sippy Downs, 4556 Queensland, Australia
| | - Della Maneze
- School of Nursing, Faculty of Science, Medicine, and Health, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Nicola Straiton
- St Vincent's Health Network, Nursing Research Institute, Australian Catholic University, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Sally C Inglis
- IMPACCT, Faculty of Health, University of Technology Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Julee McDonagh
- School of Nursing, Faculty of Science, Medicine, and Health, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, New South Wales, Australia
- Centre for Chronic and Complex Care Research, Blacktown Hospital, Blacktown, New South Wales, Australia
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3
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Marques FZ. Rethinking Culture to Unlock the Potential of Medical Research. Hypertension 2024; 81:110-113. [PMID: 37990913 DOI: 10.1161/hypertensionaha.123.22321] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Francine Z Marques
- Hypertension Research Laboratory, School of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia. Institute for Medical Research, Ministry of Health Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Victorian Heart Institute, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia. Heart Failure Research Group, Baker Heart and Diabetes Institute, Melbourne, Australia
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4
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Chen C, Kang J, Wang S, Chen S, Guo H, Chen M. An electrochemical immunosensor based on polyaniline microtubules and zinc gallinate for detection of human growth differentiation factor-15. Mikrochim Acta 2023; 190:92. [PMID: 36790563 DOI: 10.1007/s00604-023-05674-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2022] [Accepted: 01/25/2023] [Indexed: 02/16/2023]
Abstract
The incidence rate of cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) remains high, and their mortality rate is significantly higher than that of other diseases. Growth differentiation factor-15 (GDF-15) is a recently developed biomarker for the early diagnosis and prognostic evaluation of CVDs because its concentration in serum increases substantially after a cardiovascular injury or an inflammatory reaction. In this study, a sandwich-type immunosensor was constructed for the sensitive detection of GDF-15. Specifically, peony-like zinc gallinate (ZnGa2O4) prepared using a hydrothermal method, which exhibits excellent electrocatalytic performance, was coupled with Au nanoparticles (NPs) to obtain golden-peony-like ZnGa2O4/Au NPs. They preserved the immune activity of GDF-15 antibody molecules and further enhanced the conductivity, thereby realizing additional signal amplification. Hollow polyaniline (PANI) microtubules decorated with Pd NPs were used as the sensing platform (PANI/Pd NPs). The hollow microtubules provided abundant active sites and considerably improved the electron-transfer rate. Under optimal conditions, a linear range and remarkably low detection limit of 100 fg mL-1-10 ng mL-1 and 42.23 fg mL-1, respectively, were achieved. These experimental results indicate that the strategy reported herein can be adopted as a novel approach for the convenient and rapid detection of GDF-15.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cizhi Chen
- Clinical Laboratory, Clinical Medical College and The First Affiliated Hospital of Chengdu Medical College, Chengdu, Sichuan, 610500, People's Republic of China.,School of Public Health, Chengdu Medical College, Chengdu, Sichuan, 610500, People's Republic of China
| | - Jiao Kang
- School of Bioscience and Technology, Chengdu Medical College, Chengdu, Sichuan, 610500, People's Republic of China
| | - Siyi Wang
- School of Bioscience and Technology, Chengdu Medical College, Chengdu, Sichuan, 610500, People's Republic of China
| | - Siyu Chen
- School of Bioscience and Technology, Chengdu Medical College, Chengdu, Sichuan, 610500, People's Republic of China
| | - Hong Guo
- School of Public Health, Chengdu Medical College, Chengdu, Sichuan, 610500, People's Republic of China
| | - Mei Chen
- Clinical Laboratory, Clinical Medical College and The First Affiliated Hospital of Chengdu Medical College, Chengdu, Sichuan, 610500, People's Republic of China.
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Trentini A, Manfrinato MC, Castellazzi M, Bellini T. Sex-Related Differences of Matrix Metalloproteinases (MMPs): New Perspectives for These Biomarkers in Cardiovascular and Neurological Diseases. J Pers Med 2022; 12:jpm12081196. [PMID: 35893290 PMCID: PMC9331234 DOI: 10.3390/jpm12081196] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2022] [Revised: 07/19/2022] [Accepted: 07/20/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
It is now established that sex differences occur in clinical manifestation, disease progression, and prognosis for both cardiovascular (CVDs) and central nervous system (CNS) disorders. As such, a great deal of effort is now being put into understanding these differences and turning them into “advantages”: (a) for the discovery of new sex-specific biomarkers and (b) through a review of old biomarkers from the perspective of the “newly” discovered sex/gender medicine. This is also true for matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), enzymes involved in extracellular matrix (ECM) remodelling, which play a role in both CVDs and CNS disorders. However, most of the studies conducted up to now relegated sex to a mere confounding variable used for statistical model correction rather than a determining factor that can influence MMP levels and, in turn, disease prognosis. Consistently, this approach causes a loss of information that might help clinicians in identifying novel patterns and improve the applicability of MMPs in clinical practice by providing sex-specific threshold values. In this scenario, the current review aims to gather the available knowledge on sex-related differences in MMPs levels in CVDs and CNS conditions, hoping to shed light on their use as sex-specific biomarkers of disease prognosis or progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alessandro Trentini
- Department of Environmental and Prevention Sciences, University of Ferrara, Via Luigi Borsari 46, 44121 Ferrara, Italy;
- University Center for Studies on Gender Medicine, University of Ferrara, 44121 Ferrara, Italy
| | - Maria Cristina Manfrinato
- University Center for Studies on Gender Medicine, University of Ferrara, 44121 Ferrara, Italy
- Department of Neuroscience and Rehabilitation, University of Ferrara, Via Luigi Borsari 46, 44121 Ferrara, Italy; (M.C.M.); (T.B.)
| | - Massimiliano Castellazzi
- University Center for Studies on Gender Medicine, University of Ferrara, 44121 Ferrara, Italy
- Department of Neuroscience and Rehabilitation, University of Ferrara, Via Luigi Borsari 46, 44121 Ferrara, Italy; (M.C.M.); (T.B.)
- Interdepartmental Research Center for the Study of Multiple Sclerosis and Inflammatory and Degenerative Diseases of the Nervous System, University of Ferrara, 44121 Ferrara, Italy
- Correspondence:
| | - Tiziana Bellini
- University Center for Studies on Gender Medicine, University of Ferrara, 44121 Ferrara, Italy
- Department of Neuroscience and Rehabilitation, University of Ferrara, Via Luigi Borsari 46, 44121 Ferrara, Italy; (M.C.M.); (T.B.)
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Marques FZ, Thomas E, Chapman N. Supporting cardiovascular researchers takes a village but it starts with us. Eur Heart J 2022; 43:3382-3384. [PMID: 35818678 DOI: 10.1093/eurheartj/ehac366] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Francine Z Marques
- Hypertension Research Laboratory, School of Biological Sciences, 25 Rainforest Walk, Clayton, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia.,Heart Failure Research Group, Baker Heart and Diabetes Institute, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Emma Thomas
- Centre for Online Health, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia.,Centre for Health Services Research, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia
| | - Niamh Chapman
- University of Tasmania Menzies Institute for Medical Research, Hobart, Australia
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