Transnational Mortality Comparisons Between Archipelago and Mainland Puerto Ricans

Puerto Ricans in the US experience higher deaths from diabetes and other causes compared to non-Hispanic Whites and other Hispanic groups. We compared mortality in Puerto Rico to that of Puerto Ricans in the US as a first step to investigate if similar or worse mortality patterns originate from the sending country (Puerto Rico). Age-adjusted death rates were generated using national vital statistics databases in the US and territories for all-cause and the top ten causes of death among Hispanics in 2009. Mortality ratios in the archipelago of Puerto Rico (APR) were compared to mainland US Puerto Ricans (MPR). Rates for other ethnic/racial groups (Mexican Americans, Cubans, and non-Hispanic Whites, Blacks, American Indians, and Asians) were calculated to provide a context. APR had significantly higher all-cause mortality and death rates for diabetes, nephritis, pneumonia/influenza, and homicide/assault compared to MPR (APR/MPR ratio for all-cause: 1.08, diabetes: 2.04, nephritis: 1.84, pneumonia/influenza: 1.33, homicide/assault: 3.15). Death rates for diabetes and homicide/assault (particularly among men) were higher among APR compared to any other racial/ethnic groups in the US. In contrast, deaths from heart disease, cancer, and chronic liver disease were significantly lower for APR compared to MPR (MPR/APR ratio 0.72, 0.91, 0.41, respectively). Among APR women, death rates for these causes were also lower compared to any other group in the US. Substantial mortality variability exists between Puerto Ricans in Puerto Rico and those in the US, re-emphasizing the need to study of how socio-environmental determinants of health differ in sending and receiving countries. Explanations for disparate rates include access to and availability of healthcare and unique factors related to the migration experience of this group.     

Investigation on the antibacterial properties of garlic (Allium sativum) on pneumonia causing bacteria

The antibacterial activity of the crude aqueous extract of garlic was investigated against some pneumonia causing bacteria by an agar dilution technique. The results revealed that Streptococcus pneumoniae standard test organism was completely inhibited by 7.8 mg/ml of media and the clinical isolate of Klebsiella pneumoniae was completely inhibited by 24.38 mg/ml of media, indicating that Streptococcus pneumoniae is the most sensitive and Klebsiella pneumoniae the least. Garlic could be used as an effective antibacterial agent for these pathogenic microorganisms.     

心-踝血管指数与颈动脉内膜中膜厚度在动脉硬化评价中的诊断效度比较

目的通过对新近开发应用的动脉硬化度测定指标——心-踝血管指数与已用于临床多年的颈动脉内膜中膜厚度两种非侵袭性测定方法的各自优势与不足的比较,获得各自的诊断效度,从而向临床医师提供依据,以求在今后的动脉硬化度评价中能够更为客观地反映临床实际。方法对受检的同时具备有心-踝血管指数和颈动脉内膜中膜厚度检查报告的连续病人183例,各自左右侧测定值的差异度进行了比较。按相差百分比的不同进行区段划分,求出各自区段内所出现的频数,由此比较不同相差百分比区段时各自出现的频度百分比。在30例连续的无动脉硬化危险因素和动脉硬化疾病的人群及42例冠状动脉狭窄和47例已患脑梗死的患者人群中,分别进行心-踝血管指数和颈动脉内膜中膜厚度各自特异度和敏感度的比较。并作出各自的ROC曲线,比较各自的曲线下面积。结果心-踝血管指数测定值左右两侧差异度在5%和10%以内的出现频度分别为86.7%和99.1%,而颈动脉内膜中膜厚度测定值其两侧浮动幅度在10%以内的人数仅占24.6%,浮动度>20%而≤30%之间者占66.6%,甚至有8.8%的受检个体其两侧测定值的差异度超过了30%。即两侧测定值的不一致程度内膜中膜厚度要远远大于心-踝血管指数测定...     

The role of personal and household members’ substance use in health-related quality of life in women living with HIV/AIDS

Advances in HIV treatments have led to a greater focus on health-related quality of life (HRQOL) among people living with HIV/AIDS. The current study examined factors associated with HRQOL among 378 women in HIV care. HRQOL was measured using a modified version of the 12-Item Short Form Health Survey; scores were derived for the mental and physical composite summaries (MCS and PCS). We measured personal alcohol use and drug use. Household members’ substance use were assessed by asking participants about the alcohol/drug status of persons with whom they live. Multivariate generalized linear models were used to estimate the linear association between MCS and PCS scores and personal and household members’ alcohol and drug use. We found lower MCS scores were significantly associated with personal alcohol use and living with someone with alcohol or/and drug problems. Lower PCS scores were not significantly associated with personal alcohol use or living with someone with alcohol or/and drug problems. Findings suggest that universal screening and targeted interventions for alcohol use by the patient or household members may offer potential strategies for improving mental health quality of life among women living with HIV/AIDS.     

New-onset retroperitoneal fibrosis following COVID-19 mRNA vaccination: Coincidental or vaccine-induced phenomenon?

The Pfizer-BioNTech mRNA vaccine is a US Food and Drug Administration-approved coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccine. Although it is reported to be safe and effective, immune dysregulation leading to autoimmunity has become an area of concern. Retroperitoneal fibrosis (RPF) is an immune-mediated fibroinflammatory disease characterized by the deposition of fibrous tissues, primarily around the abdominal aorta and iliac arteries. Herein, we report a case of RPF following Pfizer BioNTech COVID-19 mRNA vaccination. To the best of our knowledge, there have been no published reports on RPF after COVID-19 mRNA vaccination. A 58-year-old woman with no history of autoimmune diseases presented with acute onset of epigastric pain 5 weeks after the second dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine. She had been diagnosed with stage I breast cancer 9 years ago and was in complete remission on admission. Abdominal computed tomography showed preaortic soft-tissue infiltration around the origin of the superior mesenteric artery but no evidence of breast cancer recurrence. Considering the temporal relationship between current symptoms and vaccination and the absence of other possible causes, she was diagnosed with RPF secondary to Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine-induced autoimmunity. This case may raise awareness of the possibility of RPF development following COVID-19 mRNA vaccination.     

Are the new IADPSG criteria for gestational diabetes useful in a country with a very high prevalence?

The International Association of Diabetes and Pregnancy Study Groups released new recommendations on screening methods and diagnostic criteria for gestational diabetes. The main objectives of the present study were to analyze characteristics of mothers who underwent the new screening test, and to assess the prevalence of gestational diabetes and related pregnancy complications such as the 5-minute Apgar score <7, in a urban maternity clinic in Djibouti. The effect of treating gestational diabetes was also evaluated. Totally, 231 mothers underwent the new screening test, and 106 were diagnosed as having gestational diabetes (45.9%). Mothers with gestational diabetes had an excess risk of low Apgar scores, even after adjustment for socio-economic and medical covariates, with an odds ratio of 6.34 (1.77–22.66), p value <0.005. Only 46.2% of mothers with gestational diabetes followed the recommendations regarding treatment. Among these patients, 18.6% of infants from untreated mothers had a 5-minute Apgar score <7, compared to 3.9% infants from treated mothers (p value?=?0.017). After adjustment, untreated mothers still had a high excess risk of low Apgar scores, although non-significant, with an odds ratio of 4.67 (0.78–27.87), p value?=?0.09. In conclusion, gestational diabetes is highly prevalent in Djibouti and is related to low Apgar scores.     

Clinical manifestations of trisomy 4p syndrome

Conclusion

The 4p-syndrome is a distinct entity but without cytogenetic evaluation, the syndrome can not be recognized.     

Harambee! 2.0: The Impact of HIV-Related and Intersectional Stigmas on HIV Testing Behaviors Among African Immigrant Communities in Seattle,Washington

African immigrants are disproportionately affected by HIV compared to U.S.-born individuals, and early HIV testing is the key challenge in ending the HIV epidemic in these communities. HIV-related stigma appears to be the most significant barrier to testing for HIV among African communities in King County, WA. In this formative study, we conducted thirty key informant interviews and five focus group discussions (n = total 72 participants) with Ethiopian, Somali, and Eritrean people living with HIV, health professionals, religious and other community leaders, and lay community members in King County to better understand HIV-related and intersectional stigmas’ impact on HIV testing behaviors. We used inductive coding and thematic analysis. Participants from all communities reported similar themes for HIV-related and intersectional stigmas’ influences on HIV testing behaviors. Misconceptions or poor messaging, e.g., regarding treatability of HIV, as well as normative or religious/moral beliefs around pre/extramarital sex contributed to HIV-related stigma. Intersecting identities such as immigrant status, race/ethnicity, and having a non-English language preference, all intermingle to further influence access to the U.S. healthcare system, including for HIV testing. These findings can be used to inform future research on community-led approaches to addressing early HIV testing amongst African immigrant communities.

     

Factors Affecting Clinician Educator Encouragement of Routine HIV Testing Among Trainees

BACKGROUND

Adoption of CDC recommendations for routine, voluntary HIV screening of all Americans age 13–64 years has been slow. One method to increase adherence to clinical practice guidelines is through medical school and residency training.

OBJECTIVE

To explore the attitudes, barriers, and behaviors of clinician educators (CEs) regarding advocating routine HIV testing to their trainees.

DESIGN/PARTICIPANTS

We analyzed CE responses to a 2009 survey of Society of General Internal Medicine members from community, VA, and university-affiliated clinics regarding HIV testing practices.

MAIN MEASURES

Clinician educators were asked about their outpatient practices, knowledge and attitudes regarding the revised CDC recommendations and whether they encouraged trainees to perform routine HIV testing. Associations between HIV testing knowledge and attitudes and encouraging trainees to perform routine HIV testing were estimated using bivariate and multivariable logistic regression.

RESULTS

Of 515 respondents, 367 (71.3%) indicated they supervised trainees in an outpatient general internal medicine clinic. These CEs demonstrated suboptimal knowledge of CDC guidelines and over a third reported continued risk-based testing. Among CEs, 196 (53.4%) reported that they encourage trainees to perform routine HIV testing. Higher knowledge scores (aOR 5.10 (2.16, 12.0)) and more positive attitudes toward testing (aOR 8.83 (4.21, 18.5)) were independently associated with encouraging trainees to screen for HIV. Reasons for not encouraging trainees to screen included perceived low local prevalence (37.2%), competing teaching priorities (34.6%), and a busy clinic environment (34.0%).

CONCLUSIONS

Clinician educators have a special role in the dissemination of the CDC recommendations as they impact the knowledge and attitudes of newly practicing physicians. Despite awareness of CDC recommendations, many CEs do not recommend universal HIV testing to trainees. Interventions that improve faculty knowledge of HIV testing recommendations and address barriers in resident clinics may enhance adoption of routine HIV testing.KEY WORDS: HIV, screening, clinician educator, residency training