14 research outputs found
Incorporating Personalization Features in a Hospital-Stay Summary Generation System
Most of the currently available health resources contain vast amount of information that are created by keeping the âgeneralâ population in mind, which in reality, might not be useful for anyone. One approach to providing comprehensible health information to patients is to generate summaries that are personalized to each individual. This paper details the design of a personalized hospital-stay summary generation system that tailors its content to the patientâs understanding of medical terminologies and their level of engagement in improving their own health. Our summaries were found to cover around 80% of the health concepts that were considered as important by a doctor or a nurse. An online survey conducted on 150 participants verified that our algorithmâs interpretation of the personalization parameters is representative of that of a larger population
Experiences and Health Outcomes of Emerging Adults with Type 1 Diabetes: A Mixed Methods Study
Background Emerging adults with type 1 diabetes are at risk of poorer diabetes-related health outcomes than other age groups. Several factors affecting the health and experiences of the emerging adults are culture and healthcare specific.Objectives The aim of this study was to explore the experience of emerging adults living with type 1 diabetes in Lebanon, describe their diabetes self-care and diabetes-related health outcomes (HbA1c and diabetes distress), and identify the predictors of these outcomes.Methods A convergent mixed methods design was used with 90 participants aged 18-29 years. Sociodemographic, clinical data, and measures of diabetes distress, social support, and self-care were collected. Fifteen emerging adults participated in individual semi-structured interviews. Multiple linear regression was used to determine predictors of diabetes outcomes. Thematic analysis was used to analyze qualitative data. Data integration was used to present the mixed methods findings.Results The study sample had a mean HbA1c of 7.7% (SD = 1.36) and 81.1 % reported moderate to severe diabetes distress levels. The participants had good levels of diabetes self-care and high levels of social support. HbA1c was predicted by insulin treatment type, age at diagnosis, and diabetes self-care; while diabetes distress was predicted by diabetes knowledge, blood glucose monitoring approach, and diabetes self-care. âLiving with type 1 diabetes during emerging adulthood: the complex balance of a chemical reactionâ was the overarching theme of the qualitative data, with three underlying themes: âBreaking of bonds: changes and taking ownership of their diabetesâ, âThe reactants: factors affecting the diabetes experienceâ, and âAiming for equilibriumâ. The integrated mixed methods results revealed one divergence between the qualitative and quantitative findings related to the complexity of the effect of received social support.Discussion The suboptimal health of the emerging adults despite good self-care highlights the importance of addressing cultural and healthcare specific factors such as diabetes knowledge and public awareness, social support, and availability of technology to improve diabetes health. Findings of this study can guide future research, practice, and policy development
Effect of angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor and angiotensin receptor blocker initiation on organ support-free days in patients hospitalized with COVID-19
IMPORTANCE Overactivation of the renin-angiotensin system (RAS) may contribute to poor clinical outcomes in patients with COVID-19.
Objective To determine whether angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor or angiotensin receptor blocker (ARB) initiation improves outcomes in patients hospitalized for COVID-19.
DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS In an ongoing, adaptive platform randomized clinical trial, 721 critically ill and 58 nonâcritically ill hospitalized adults were randomized to receive an RAS inhibitor or control between March 16, 2021, and February 25, 2022, at 69 sites in 7 countries (final follow-up on June 1, 2022).
INTERVENTIONS Patients were randomized to receive open-label initiation of an ACE inhibitor (nâ=â257), ARB (nâ=â248), ARB in combination with DMX-200 (a chemokine receptor-2 inhibitor; nâ=â10), or no RAS inhibitor (control; nâ=â264) for up to 10 days.
MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES The primary outcome was organ supportâfree days, a composite of hospital survival and days alive without cardiovascular or respiratory organ support through 21 days. The primary analysis was a bayesian cumulative logistic model. Odds ratios (ORs) greater than 1 represent improved outcomes.
RESULTS On February 25, 2022, enrollment was discontinued due to safety concerns. Among 679 critically ill patients with available primary outcome data, the median age was 56 years and 239 participants (35.2%) were women. Median (IQR) organ supportâfree days among critically ill patients was 10 (â1 to 16) in the ACE inhibitor group (nâ=â231), 8 (â1 to 17) in the ARB group (nâ=â217), and 12 (0 to 17) in the control group (nâ=â231) (median adjusted odds ratios of 0.77 [95% bayesian credible interval, 0.58-1.06] for improvement for ACE inhibitor and 0.76 [95% credible interval, 0.56-1.05] for ARB compared with control). The posterior probabilities that ACE inhibitors and ARBs worsened organ supportâfree days compared with control were 94.9% and 95.4%, respectively. Hospital survival occurred in 166 of 231 critically ill participants (71.9%) in the ACE inhibitor group, 152 of 217 (70.0%) in the ARB group, and 182 of 231 (78.8%) in the control group (posterior probabilities that ACE inhibitor and ARB worsened hospital survival compared with control were 95.3% and 98.1%, respectively).
CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE In this trial, among critically ill adults with COVID-19, initiation of an ACE inhibitor or ARB did not improve, and likely worsened, clinical outcomes.
TRIAL REGISTRATION ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT0273570
Evaluating Diabetes Care for Patients With Serious Mental Illness Using the Chronic Care Model
People with serious mental illness (SMI) have a higher incidence of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and shorter life span due to medical health problems. The chronic care model (CCM) has been used to improve care of patients with T2DM. One clinical organization that provided primary care to patients with SMI had excellent diabetes outcomes but did not have information on how they achieved those outcomes. Thus, we conducted a pilot study chart review for 30 patients with T2DM and SMI to determine how well the clinicâs system aligned with the overall CCM components and which components correlated with diabetes control. We also evaluated use of the CCM using the Assessment of Chronic Illness Care provider survey. Results showed that the clinic had an overall basic implementation level of the CCM, which allows opportunity for improvement. Two elements of the CCM were correlated with hemoglobin A 1C and both were in an unexpected direction: self-management support in the variable of percentage of visits that included patient-specific goal-setting ( r s = .52; P = .004) and delivery system design in the variable of number of nurse practitioner visits per study period ( r s = .43; P = .02). These findings suggest that the clinic may have made more concentrated efforts to manage diabetes for patients who were not in good diabetes control. Providers noted the influence of SMI and social service organization support on these patientsâ clinical outcomes. The findings will be reexamined after a fuller implementation of the CCM to further improve management in this population
Hypoglycaemic treatment adherence and the association with psychological, selfâmanagement and glycaemic characteristics in adults with type 1 diabetes
Aim: The purpose of this study was to examine adherence to hypoglycaemia treatment guidelines in adults with type 1 diabetes (T1DM). The American Diabetes Association recommends consumption of 15â20 g of glucose to treat hypoglycaemia. Overtreatment may result in poor glycaemic control and greater glycaemic variability. It is not fully understood how well T1DM adults comply with hypoglycaemia treatment recommendations.
Design:A secondary analysis using a descriptive comparative design.
Methods: Using realâtime measures over six consecutive days, we examined (a) adherence to hypoglycaemia treatment guidelines and (b) comparisons of demographic selfâmanagement behaviour, psychological characteristics and glycaemia between adherent and nonâadherent groups.
Results:Findings revealed those who overtreated consumed more daily grain servings and reported higher stress and depressed mood compared with those who folâlowed treatment recommendations. Findings suggest that hypoglycaemia treatment practices and psychological factors influencing selfâmanagement should be assessed
Dietary Profiles of First-Generation South Asian Indian Adolescents in the United States
Little is known regarding how hypoglycemia and associated fears influence day-to-day life among adults with type 1 diabetes (T1DM) who use contemporary diabetes management strategies. To address this gap, we performed an exploratory qualitative study with five focus groups of 30 people aged 20 to 57 years with T1DM. Sessions were audiotaped and transcribed, then analyzed. Eight themes emerged: (1) hypoglycemic worry; (2) unpredictability and loss of control; (3) contending with life
stress; (4) exercise benefits and challenges; (5) a changed relationship with food; (6) sleep fears; (7) a love/hate relationship with technology; and (8) coping strategies to make it better. Fear of hypoglycemia, diabetes management, and work demands confer a high degree of stress. Challenges surround food, exercise, and sleep. Technology is important but does not relieve fear of hypoglycemia. Developing strong coping skills and creating a safety net of support are necessary
A cognitive behavioral therapy intervention to reduce fear of hypoglycemia in young adults with type 1 diabetes (FREE): study protocol for a randomized controlled trial
BACKGROUND: In persons with type 1 diabetes (T1D), hypoglycemia is the major limiting factor in achieving optimal glycemic control. All persons with T1D are at risk for hypoglycemia (blood glucose levelâ<â70âmg/dl), which is life-threatening and accompanied by serious physical and psychological symptoms, resulting in profound fear of hypoglycemia (FOH) and reduced quality of life. Young adults with T1D are at risk for FOH and have worse glycemic control and self-management behavior than other age groups with T1D. FOH also results in increased glycemic variability (GV). A major gap exists in how to manage FOH. Our overall objective is to reduce FOH and improve diabetes self-management, glycemic control, and GV in young adults with T1D to reduce or delay diabetes complications and improve quality of life. We aim to (1) determine the feasibility and acceptability of an eight-week cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)-based Fear Reduction Efficacy Evaluation (FREE) intervention in young adults with T1D who experience FOH; and (2) determine the impact of the FREE intervention, compared to an attention control group, on the outcomes FOH, self-management, glycemic control (A1C), and glycemic variability (continuous glucose monitoring recordings). METHODS/DESIGN: A randomized controlled trial in 50 young adults aged 18 to 35âyears with T1D will be used. Eligible subjects will be randomized to the intervention program (Fear Reduction Efficacy Evaluation [FREE]) or attention control group. A one-week run-in phase is planned, with baseline measures of FOH, self-management behavior, A1C, and real-time continuous glucose monitoring recordings (RT-CGM) to calculate GV for both groups. The intervention group will participate in eight weekly individual one-hour sessions using CBT and exposure treatment for specific fears. RT-CGM and a daily FOH diary will be used as feedback cues as part of the FREE program. The attention control group will participate in eight weekly individual one-hour diabetes self-management education (DSME) sessions and wear a RT-CGM device (to measure GV only) over 8 weeks. At completion, FOH will be measured, and RT-CGM recordings will be analyzed to determine differences between the FREE and control groups. DISCUSSION: Findings from this proposed pilot study will serve as the foundation for a larger trial to reduce FOH and improve self-management, glycemic control, and GV. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov: A cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) intervention to reduce fear of hypoglycemia in type 1 diabetes, NCT03549104. Registered June 7, 2018
Dietary Profiles of First-Generation South Asian Indian Adolescents in the United States
Background: This study aimed to describe the dietary profile and health characteristics of first-generation South Asian Indian (SAI) adolescents in the United States because SAIs have a high prevalence of cardiovascular disease and diabetes, and dietary risk factors for those diseases begin in youth.
Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional design was used to examine age, gender, usual dietary intake, body composition, blood pressure, blood glucose, and length of residency among 56 first-generation, urban SAI adolescents.
Results: Intake of saturated fat exceeded recommendations for all participants, and potassium, magnesium, calcium, vitamin D, and fiber intakes were insufficient in nearly all. Sodium intake exceeded recommendations for most males. Cholesterol intake and sweets consumption was lower among those who lived in the U.S. longer. There were no associations of dietary patterns with health characteristics.
Discussion: Dietary patterns that may increase future disease risk included high saturated fats and low potassium, magnesium, calcium, vitamin D, and fiber