Decisional regret after robotic-assisted laparoscopic prostatectomy is higher in African American men

ObjectivesLongitudinal studies report racial disparities in prostate cancer (PCa) including greater incidence, more aggressive tumor biology, and increased cancer-specific mortality in African American (AA) men. Regret concerning primary treatment selection is underevaluated in patients with PCa. We investigated the relationships between clinicopathologic variables across racial and socioeconomic lines following robotic-assisted laparoscopic prostatectomy.Materials and methodsWe assessed treatment decisional regret using a validated questionnaire in a total of 484 white and 72 AA patients with PCa who were followed up for a median of 16.6 months post–robotic-assisted laparoscopic prostatectomy. Socioeconomic status (SES) information was aggregated from 2010 US census zip code data. Perioperative clinicopathologic characteristics and functional outcomes were compared between groups. Univariate and multivariate regression analyses were used to evaluate the influence of race, aggregate SES, and other clinical and demographic characteristics on decisional regret.ResultsThe majority (87.7%) of the population was not regretful of their decision to undergo treatment. However, a greater proportion of AA vs. white patients were regretful (20.6% vs. 11.2%, respectively; P = 0.03). AA and white men were similar on all functional, clinical, and pathologic features with the exception of younger age among AA men (56 vs. 60 y, respectively; P<0.001). Although there were significant differences in SES by race (P<0.001), regret did not differ by SES (β =?1.53; P = 0.15). Race, postoperative sexual dysfunction, pad usage, and length of hospital stay, however, were significantly associated with decisional regret.ConclusionsAA men were more regretful than white men, after adjusting for clinicopathologic characteristics and postoperative functional outcomes.     

Health insurance status and type associated with varying levels of glycemic control in the US: The multi-ethnic study of atherosclerosis (MESA)

AimsTo investigate associations of health insurance with measures of glucose metabolism, and whether associations vary by diabetes status or insurance type.MethodsCross-sectional analysis of baseline data from the Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis. Cohort a priori stratified by age <65 (N = 3,665) and ≥65 years (N = 2,924). Multivariable linear and logistic regression assessed associations between insurance and fasting glucose, HOMA-IR, and prevalent diabetes, controlling for relevant confounders, including age, sex, race/ethnicity, income, and education.ResultsIn participants <65, compared to uninsured, having any insurance was associated with lower fasting glucose in participants with diabetes (Mean Difference = ?20.4 mg/dL, P = 0.01), but not in participants without diabetes. Compared to Private insurance, uninsured participants had higher fasting glucose (Mean Difference = 3.8 mg/dL, P = 0.03), while participants with Medicaid had higher HOMA-IR (Mean Difference = 3.5 mg/dL, P < 0.01). In participants ≥65, compared to Private insurance, uninsured participants (Mean Difference = 7.5 mg/dL, P = 0.02), and participants with Medicaid only (Mean Difference = 19.9 mg/dL, P < 0.01) or Medicare + Medicaid (Mean Difference = 5.2 mg/dL, P = 0.03) had higher fasting glucose.ConclusionsIn this large multiethnic cohort, having any insurance was associated with significantly lower fasting glucose for individuals with diabetes. Levels of fasting glucose and insulin resistance varied across different insurance types.     

Racial Differences in Discharge Location After a Traumatic Brain Injury Among Older Adults

ObjectiveTo determine if there were racial differences in discharge location among older adults treated for traumatic brain injury (TBI) at a level 1 trauma center.DesignRetrospective cohort study.SettingR Adams Cowley Shock Trauma Center.ParticipantsBlack and white adults aged ≥65 years treated for TBI between 1998 and 2012 and discharged to home without services or inpatient rehabilitation (N=2902).Main Outcome MeasuresWe assessed the association between race and discharge location via logistic regression. Covariates included age, sex, Abbreviated Injury Scale-Head score, insurance type, Glasgow Coma Scale score, and comorbidities.ResultsThere were 2487 (86%) whites and 415 blacks (14%) in the sample. A total of 1513 (52%) were discharged to inpatient rehabilitation and 1389 (48%) were discharged home without services. In adjusted logistic regression, blacks were more likely to be discharged to inpatient rehabilitation than to home without services compared to whites (odds ratio 1.34, 95% confidence interval, 1.06-1.70).ConclusionsIn this group of Medicare-eligible older adults, blacks were more likely to be discharged to inpatient rehabilitation compared to whites.     

Multiple Types of Harassment: Associations With Emotional Well-Being and Unhealthy Behaviors in Adolescents

PurposeTo explore relationships between harassment (i.e., race-, weight-, socioeconomic-status (SES)-based, and sexual) and health-related outcomes, including self-esteem, depressive symptoms, body satisfaction, substance use, and self-harm behavior, among diverse adolescents.MethodCross-sectional analysis using data from a population-based study of adolescents participating in Eating and Activity in Teens 2010 (EAT 2010) (n = 2,793; mean age = 14.4 years). Sample was socioeconomically and racially/ethnically diverse (81% racial/ethnic minority; 54% low or low-middle income).ResultsHaving experienced any type of harassment was significantly associated with poor self-esteem, depressive symptoms, low body satisfaction, substance use, and self-harm behaviors. After mutually adjusting for other types of harassment, weight-based harassment was consistently associated with lower self-esteem and lower body satisfaction in both genders (standardized βs ranged in magnitude from .39 to .48); sexual harassment was significantly associated with self-harm and substance use in both genders (ORs: 1.64 to 2.92); and both weight-based and sexual harassment were significantly associated with depressive symptoms among girls (standardized βs = .34 and .37). Increases in the number of different harassment types reported by adolescents were associated with elevated risk for alcohol, cigarette, and marijuana use, and self-harm (ORs: 1.22 to 1.42) as well as emotional well-being (standardized βs: .13 to .26).ConclusionsHaving had any harassment experience was significantly associated with a variety of negative health and well-being outcomes among adolescents, and risk for these outcomes increases with the number of harassment types an adolescent experiences. Early detection and intervention to decrease harassment experiences may be particularly important in mitigating psychological and behavioral harm among adolescents.     

The Relationship Between Discrimination and High-Risk Social Ties by Race/Ethnicity: Examining Social Pathways of HIV Risk

High-risk social ties portend differences in opportunity for HIV exposures and may contribute to racial/ethnic disparities in HIV transmission. Discrimination may affect the formation of high-risk social ties and has not been explored as a possible explanation for these persistent disparities. Using data from injection and non-injection drug users, we examined the association between the number of high-risk sex and drug ties with discrimination due to race, drug use, and incarceration stratified by race/ethnicity. Negative binomial regression models were used. While blacks had significantly fewer injecting ties than Latinos and whites, blacks who reported racial discrimination compared to blacks who did not, had more sex and injecting ties. Latinos who reported drug use discrimination compared to Latinos who did not also had more sex ties. Latinos and whites who reported drug use discrimination had more injecting ties than Latinos and whites who did not. Discrimination is associated with high-risk social ties among all racial/ethnic groups. But, these data highlight different forms of discrimination within racial/ethnic group are associated with risky social ties. More research is needed to confirm these findings and further explore the association between various forms of discrimination and social ties that may help explain racial/ethnic disparities in HIV.     

Race- and sex-associated differences in rate-adjusted QT,QTpeak, ST elevation and other regional measures of repolarization: The Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities (ARIC) Study

Background

Data are limited about race-and sex-associated differences in prognostically important ECG measures of regional repolarization.

Methods and results

The normal reference group from the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities (ARIC) study included 8,676 white and African-American men and women aged 40–65 years. Exclusion criteria included cardiovascular disease, hypertension, diabetes and major ECG abnormalities. Notable sex differences (p < 0.001) were observed in the upper 98% limits for rate-adjusted QTend (QT_ea) which was 435 ms in white and African-American men and 445 ms in white and African-American women, and for left ventricular epicardial repolarization time (RT_epi) which was 345 ms in white and African-American men and 465 ms in white and African-American women. These sex differences reflect earlier onset and end of repolarization in men than in women. Upper normal limits for STJ amplitude in V2–V3 were 100 μV in white and African-American women, 150 μV in white men and 200 μV in African-American men (p < 0.001 for sex differences), and for other chest leads, aVL and aVF 50 μV in white women, 100 μV in African-American women, 100 μV in white men and 150 μV in African-American men (p < 0.001 for sex and race differences).

Conclusions

Shorter QT_ea and RT_epi in men than in women reflect earlier onset and end of repolarization in men. STJ amplitudes in African-American men were higher than in other subgroups by race and sex. These sex and race differences need to be considered in clinical and epidemiological applications of normal standards.     

The lived experiences of racial bias for Black,Asian and Minority Ethnic students in practice: A hermeneutic phenomenological study

AimThis study explored the lived experiences of racial bias for Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic students undertaking an undergraduate or post-graduate degree in nursing, midwifery and allied health courses in the United Kingdom.BackgroundPrevious research indicates that students from Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic groups have fewer opportunities to succeed at university and this has brought about a race awarding gap in their degree attainment. The reasons for this awarding gap are complex and multi-factorial and it is crucial that the lived experiences of racial bias are explored from the student perspective.DesignA hermeneutic phenomenological approach was adopted to elicit individual and collective experiences in the practice environment, a mandatory component of the student’s degree.MethodsA focus group and individual semi-structured interviews were conducted to collect data from sixteen participants and analysed using thematic analysisResultsThree encompassing themes were identified which included a sense of not belonging, trauma impact on mental health and understanding covert and overt racism. Participants reported incidences of racism and appeared to be traumatised by their experiences within practice and the university. They also reported poor mental health and well-being as shared experiences and a lack of confidence in the university and practice to mitigate racial issues.ConclusionsMeaningful action must be taken by universities and practice partners to advance racial inequality initiatives by having robust anti-racism action plans and processes. These should be co-created with students and staff to reduce the race awarding gap.