scholarly journals Oral Estrogen, Thromboembolic Events and Cardiometabolic Risk in Older vs. Younger Transgender Women Veterans

2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. A793-A793
Author(s):  
Sean J Iwamoto ◽  
Marnie T Janson ◽  
Laura K Grau ◽  
Samantha C Roberts ◽  
Troy A Moore ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
Age Groups ◽  
Women Veterans ◽  
Transgender Women ◽  
Smoking History ◽  
Veterans Health ◽  
Health Administration ◽  
Exact Tests ◽  
Chi Square ◽  
Few Data

Abstract Data support increases in absolute thromboembolic event (TE) risk and worsening of cardiometabolic (CM) risk factors associated with estrogen (E)-based feminizing gender-affirming hormone therapy (GAHT). Few data exist comparing age, E type and CM risk in transgender women (TW) veterans. We conducted a retrospective analysis in TW prescribed E through our local Veterans Health Administration (VHA) between 2014-2019. Rates of TE (venous and arterial) and CM risk factors (hypertension [HTN], hyperlipidemia [HLD], type 2 diabetes mellitus [T2DM], obesity and smoking) were stratified by age (<45 vs. ≥45 years) and oral vs. never-oral E therapy and compared using Fisher’s Exact Tests. We also compared TW rates with those of local men (N=77,514) and women (N=11,918) veterans using Chi-Square and Fisher’s Exact tests. Of 226 veterans with gender dysphoria, 130 identified as TW and 100 used VHA-prescribed E (<45 years: N=54, ≥45 years: N=46). Only 9 TW (9%) had a history of TE (55.6% venous: 4 deep venous thrombosis +/- pulmonary embolism, 1 superficial thrombophlebitis; 44.4% arterial: 2 myocardial infarction, 2 ischemic stroke). Of the 7 TW with documented age at TE (median: 67 years, range: 33-80) and duration of E prior to TE (median: 5 years, range: 0-22), 4 were on E at the time of TE (2 oral estradiol, 1 conjugated Es, 1 injectable), 2 discontinued E 1-2 years prior to TE, and 1 unknown. Age and HTN were predictors of TE (P<0.01) in univariate logistic regressions. Smoking history, body mass index (BMI) and oral E were not. Odds of TE were 10% higher (95% CI: 2-19%; P<0.05) for every 1-year of any E therapy and 9% higher (95% CI: 3-16%; P<0.01) for every 1-year increase in age at E initiation. TW ≥45 years had higher rates of CM risk including T2DM, 23.9%, HTN, 52.2%, and HLD, 54.3%, than TW <45 years (5.6%, 16.7% and 20.4%, respectively). Obesity rates were similar between age groups (<45 years: 53.7%; ≥45 years: 52.2%). Among TW with oral E, obesity rates were also similar between age groups (<45 years: 54.5%; ≥45 years: 51.4%). Increased levels of LDL-cholesterol, triglycerides, systolic blood pressure (BP), diastolic BP and BMI were observed after any E initiation (P<0.001). These increases remained significant after adjusting for time elapsed between pre-hormone and highest post-hormone values, age at initiation and oral E therapy. In addition, rates of HTN, HLD, obesity and smoking were significantly higher for TW compared to men and women in age-stratified analyses. TW <45 years had a higher rate of T2DM than women (P=0.04) of the same age. TW ≥45 years had higher rates of arterial TE compared to men (p<0.001) and women (P<0.001), and higher rates of venous TE (P=0.02) and T2DM (P=0.01) compared women of the same age. In TW, absolute TE risk was low, but GAHT increased CM risk factors regardless of age and oral E use. Clinicians should consider these findings when discussing risks and benefits of E-based GAHT with TW veterans.

Scaphotrapeziotrapezoid Arthrodesis: A 10-Year Follow-up Study of Complications in 58 Wrists

Hand ◽  
2020 ◽  
pp. 155894472096497
Author(s):  
Miranda J. Rogers ◽  
Chao-Chin Lu ◽  
Andrew R. Stephens ◽  
Brittany N. Garcia ◽  
Wei Chen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
Smoking History ◽  
Fixation Method ◽  
Veterans Health ◽  
Health Administration ◽  
Opioid Use ◽  
Factors Associated ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
Stt Arthrodesis

Background: Scaphotrapeziotrapezoid (STT) arthrodesis is a procedure used for specific degenerative arthritis and instability patterns of the wrist. This study evaluates nonunion rate and risk factors for reoperation after STT arthrodesis in the Veterans Affairs Department patient population. The purpose of our study was to assess the long-term nonunion rate following STT arthrodesis and to identify factors associated with reoperation. Methods: The national Veterans Health Administration Corporate Data Warehouse and Current Procedural Terminology codes identified STT arthrodesis procedures from 1995 to 2016. Frequencies of total wrist arthrodesis (TWA) and secondary operations were determined. Univariate analyses provided odds ratios for risk factors associated with complications. Results: Fifty-eight STT arthrodeses were performed in 54 patients with a mean follow-up of 120 months. Kirschner wires (K-wires) were the most common fixation method (69%). Six wrists (10%) required secondary procedures: 5 TWAs and 1 revision STT arthrodesis. Four patients underwent additional procedures for nonunion (7%). Twenty-four patients required K-wire removal, 8 (14%) of these in the operating room, which were not included in regression analysis. Every increase in 1 year of age resulted in a 15% decrease in likelihood of reoperation (95% confidence interval: 0.77-0.93; P < .0001). Opioid use within 90 days before surgery ( P = 1.00), positive smoking history ( P = 1.00), race ( P = .30), comorbidity count ( P = .25), and body mass index ( P = .19) were not associated with increased risk of reoperation. Conclusions: At a mean follow-up of 10 years, patients undergoing STT arthrodesis have a 10% risk of reoperation, and this risk decreases with older patient age. There was a symptomatic nonunion rate of 7%, similar to prior published rates. Patient demographics, comorbidity, smoking history, and opioid use did not appear to increase risk of reoperation.

scholarly journals Increase in migraine diagnoses and guideline-concordant treatment in veterans, 2004–2012

Cephalalgia ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 37 (1) ◽  
pp. 3-10 ◽  
Author(s):  
HH Altalib ◽  
BT Fenton ◽  
J Sico ◽  
JL Goulet ◽  
H Bathulapalli ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Women Veterans ◽  
Veterans Health ◽  
Health Administration ◽  
Chi Square ◽  
Policy Makers ◽  
National Health Care ◽  
Inappropriate Use ◽  
Before And After ◽  
Specific Medication ◽  
Using Data

Background and aim Health administrators, policy makers, and educators have attempted to increase guideline adherence of migraine medications while reducing inappropriate use of opioid- and barbiturate-containing medications. We evaluated the burden of migraine and proportion of guideline-concordant care in a large, national health care system over time. Methods We conducted a time-series study using data from the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) electronic health record. Veterans with migraines were identified by ICD-9 code (346.X). Prescriptions and comorbid conditions were evaluated before and after migraine diagnosis. Chi-square tests and logistic regression were performed. Results A total of 57,064 veterans were diagnosed with migraine headache (5.3%), with women significantly more likely diagnosed (11.6% vs. 4.4%, p < 0.0001). The number of veterans diagnosed with migraine has significantly increased over the years. By 2012, triptans were prescribed to 43% of people with migraine, with no difference by gender. However, triptan prescriptions increased from 2004 to 2012 in men, but not women, veterans. Preventive medicines showed a significant increase with the year of migraine diagnosis, after controlling for age, sex, race, and for comorbidities treated with medications used for migraine prevention. Conclusions The burden of migraines is increasing within the VHA, with a corresponding increase in the delivery of guideline-concordant acute and prophylactic migraine-specific medication.

scholarly journals Predicting COVID-19 mortality with electronic medical records

2021 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Hossein Estiri ◽  
Zachary H. Strasser ◽  
Jeffy G. Klann ◽  
Pourandokht Naseri ◽  
Kavishwar B. Wagholikar ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
Medical Information ◽  
Age Groups ◽  
Prognostic Models ◽  
Smoking History ◽  
Risk Scores ◽  
Gradient Boosting ◽  
Chronic Obstructive ◽  
Clinical Expertise ◽  
History Of

AbstractThis study aims to predict death after COVID-19 using only the past medical information routinely collected in electronic health records (EHRs) and to understand the differences in risk factors across age groups. Combining computational methods and clinical expertise, we curated clusters that represent 46 clinical conditions as potential risk factors for death after a COVID-19 infection. We trained age-stratified generalized linear models (GLMs) with component-wise gradient boosting to predict the probability of death based on what we know from the patients before they contracted the virus. Despite only relying on previously documented demographics and comorbidities, our models demonstrated similar performance to other prognostic models that require an assortment of symptoms, laboratory values, and images at the time of diagnosis or during the course of the illness. In general, we found age as the most important predictor of mortality in COVID-19 patients. A history of pneumonia, which is rarely asked in typical epidemiology studies, was one of the most important risk factors for predicting COVID-19 mortality. A history of diabetes with complications and cancer (breast and prostate) were notable risk factors for patients between the ages of 45 and 65 years. In patients aged 65–85 years, diseases that affect the pulmonary system, including interstitial lung disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, lung cancer, and a smoking history, were important for predicting mortality. The ability to compute precise individual-level risk scores exclusively based on the EHR is crucial for effectively allocating and distributing resources, such as prioritizing vaccination among the general population.

scholarly journals Development of Predictive Informatics Tool Using Electronic Health Records to Inform Personalized Evidence-Based Pressure Injury Management for Veterans with Spinal Cord Injury

2021 ◽  
Vol 186 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 651-658
Author(s):  
Kath M Bogie ◽  
Steven K Roggenkamp ◽  
Ningzhou Zeng ◽  
Jacinta M Seton ◽  
Katelyn R Schwartz ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
Health Care ◽  
Spinal Cord ◽  
Spinal Cord Injury ◽  
User Interface ◽  
Veterans Health Administration ◽  
Study Cohort ◽  
Veterans Health ◽  
Health Administration ◽  
Cord Injury

ABSTRACT Background Pressure injuries (PrI) are serious complications for many with spinal cord injury (SCI), significantly burdening health care systems, in particular the Veterans Health Administration. Clinical practice guidelines (CPG) provide recommendations. However, many risk factors span multiple domains. Effective prioritization of CPG recommendations has been identified as a need. Bioinformatics facilitates clinical decision support for complex challenges. The Veteran’s Administration Informatics and Computing Infrastructure provides access to electronic health record (EHR) data for all Veterans Health Administration health care encounters. The overall study objective was to expand our prototype structural model of environmental, social, and clinical factors and develop the foundation for resource which will provide weighted systemic insight into PrI risk in veterans with SCI. Methods The SCI PrI Resource (SCI-PIR) includes three integrated modules: (1) the SCIPUDSphere multidomain database of veterans’ EHR data extracted from October 2010 to September 2015 for ICD-9-CM coding consistency together with tissue health profiles, (2) the Spinal Cord Injury Pressure Ulcer and Deep Tissue Injury Ontology (SCIPUDO) developed from the cohort’s free text clinical note (Text Integration Utility) notes, and (3) the clinical user interface for direct SCI-PIR query. Results The SCI-PIR contains relevant EHR data for a study cohort of 36,626 veterans with SCI, representing 10% to 14% of the U.S. population with SCI. Extracted datasets include SCI diagnostics, demographics, comorbidities, rurality, medications, and laboratory tests. Many terminology variations for non-coded input data were found. SCIPUDO facilitates robust information extraction from over six million Text Integration Utility notes annually for the study cohort. Visual widgets in the clinical user interface can be directly populated with SCIPUDO terms, allowing patient-specific query construction. Conclusion The SCI-PIR contains valuable clinical data based on CPG-identified risk factors, providing a basis for personalized PrI risk management following SCI. Understanding the relative impact of risk factors supports PrI management for veterans with SCI. Personalized interactive programs can enhance best practices by decreasing both initial PrI formation and readmission rates due to PrI recurrence for veterans with SCI.

Women Veterans’ Experiences with Integrated, Biopsychosocial Pain Care: A Qualitative Study

Pain Medicine ◽  
2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Francesca M Nicosia ◽  
Carolyn J Gibson ◽  
Natalie Purcell ◽  
Kara Zamora ◽  
Jennifer Tighe ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Chronic Pain ◽  
San Francisco ◽  
Women Veterans ◽  
Self Management ◽  
Veterans Health ◽  
Health Administration ◽  
Care Models ◽  
Va Health Care System ◽  
Pain Care ◽  
Gender Specific

Abstract Objectives Biopsychosocial, integrated pain care models are increasingly implemented in the Veterans Health Administration to improve chronic pain care and reduce opioid-related risks, but little is known about how well these models address women veterans’ needs. Design Qualitative, interview-based study. Setting San Francisco VA Health Care System Integrated Pain Team (IPT), an interdisciplinary team that provides short-term, personalized chronic pain care emphasizing functional goals and active self-management. Subjects Women with chronic pain who completed ≥3 IPT sessions. Methods Semistructured phone interviews focused on overall experience with IPT, perceived effectiveness of IPT care, pain care preferences, and suggested changes for improving gender-sensitive pain care. We used a rapid approach to qualitative thematic analysis to analyze interviews. Results Fourteen women veterans (mean age 51 years; range 33–67 years) completed interviews. Interviews revealed several factors impacting women veterans’ experiences: 1) an overall preference for receiving both primary and IPT care in gender-specific settings, 2) varying levels of confidence that IPT could adequately address gender-specific pain issues, 3) barriers to participating in pain groups, and 4) barriers to IPT self-management recommendations due to caregiving responsibilities. Conclusions Women veterans reported varied experiences with IPT. Recommendations to improve gender-sensitive pain care include increased provider training; increased knowledge of and sensitivity to women’s health concerns; and improved accommodations for prior trauma, family and work obligations, and geographic barriers. To better meet the needs of women veterans with chronic pain, integrated pain care models must be informed by an understanding of gender-specific needs, challenges, and preferences.

Palliative Radiotherapy Within the Veterans Health Administration: Barriers to Referral and Timeliness of Treatment

2021 ◽  
pp. OP.20.00981
Author(s):  
Ruchika Gutt ◽  
Sheetal Malhotra ◽  
Michael P. Hagan ◽  
Steve P. Lee ◽  
Katherine Faricy-Anderson ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Palliative Radiotherapy ◽  
Veterans Health Administration ◽  
Cord Compression ◽  
Veterans Health ◽  
Radiation Oncologist ◽  
Health Administration ◽  
Chi Square ◽  
Palliative Radiation Therapy ◽  
Chi Square Analysis ◽  
The Impact

PURPOSE: Most Veterans Health Administration hospitals do not have radiation oncology (RO) departments on-site. The purpose of this study is to determine the impact of on-site RO on referral patterns and timeliness of palliative radiation therapy (PRT). MATERIALS AND METHODS: A survey was sent to medical directors at 149 Veterans Health Administration centers. Questions evaluated frequency of referral for PRT, timeliness of RO consults and treatment, and barriers to referral for PRT. Chi-square analysis was used to evaluate differences between centers that have on-site RO and centers that refer to outside facilities. RESULTS: Of 108 respondents, 33 (31%) have on-site RO. Chi-square analysis revealed that RO consult within 1 week is more likely at centers with on-site RO (68% v 31%; P = .01). Centers with on-site RO more frequently deliver PRT for spinal cord compression within 24 hours (94% v 70%; P = .01). Those without on-site RO were more likely to want increased radiation oncologist involvement (64% v 26%; P < .001). Barriers to referral for PRT included patient ability to travel (81%), patient noncompliance (31%), delays in consult and/or treatment (31%), difficulty contacting a radiation oncologist (14%), and concern regarding excessive number of treatments (13%). Respondents with on-site RO less frequently reported delays in consult and/or treatment (6% v 41%; P < .0001) and difficulty contacting a radiation oncologist (0% v 20%; P = .0056) as barriers. CONCLUSION: Respondents with on-site RO reported improved communication with radiation oncologists and more timely consultation and treatment initiation. Methods to improve timeliness of PRT for veterans at centers without on-site RO should be considered.

scholarly journals Gender Differences in Veterans Referred for Neuropsychological Evaluation in an Outpatient Neuropsychology Consultation Service

2020 ◽  
Vol 35 (5) ◽  
pp. 562-575
Author(s):  
Erin Sullivan-Baca ◽  
Kara Naylon ◽  
Andrea Zartman ◽  
Barry Ardolf ◽  
J Gregory Westhafer
Keyword(s):  
Gender Differences ◽  
Women Veterans ◽  
Neuropsychological Evaluation ◽  
Veterans Health ◽  
Performance Validity ◽  
Health Administration ◽  
Age Cohorts ◽  
Behavioral Observations ◽  
Validity Measures ◽  
Performance Validity Measures

Abstract Objective The number of women veterans seeking Veterans Health Administration services has substantially increased over the past decade. Neuropsychology remains an understudied area in the examination of gender differences. The present study sought to delineate similarities and differences in men and women veterans presenting for neuropsychological evaluation in terms of demographics, referral, medical conditions, effort, and outcome diagnosis. Method A database collected from an outpatient VA neuropsychology clinic from 2013 to 2019 was analyzed (n = 232 women, 2642 men). Additional analyses examined younger (n = 836 men, 155 women) and older (n = 1805 men, 77 women) age cohorts. Results Women veterans were younger and more educated than men, whereas men had higher prevalence of vascular risk factors. Both groups were most often referred from mental health clinics and memory was the most common referral question. Although men performed worse on performance validity measures, clinicians rated women as evidencing poorer effort on a cumulative rating based on formal and embedded performance validity measures, behavioral observations, and inconsistent test patterns. Older women reported more depressive symptoms than older men and were more commonly diagnosed with depression. Conclusions This exploratory study fills a gap in the understanding of gender differences in veterans presenting for neuropsychological evaluations. Findings emphasize consideration for the intersection of gender with demographics, medical factors, effort, and psychological symptoms by VA neuropsychologists. A better understanding of relationships between gender and these factors may inform neuropsychologists’ test selection, interpretation of behavioral observations, and diagnostic considerations to best treat women veterans.

Frequency of risk factors in patients of acute coronary syndrome due to coronary ectasia

2020 ◽  
Vol 28 (6) ◽  
pp. 312-315
Author(s):  
Noor Dastgir ◽  
Arslan Masood ◽  
Ahmed Muqeet ◽  
Gul Zaman Khan Niazi
Keyword(s):  
Diabetes Mellitus ◽  
Risk Factors ◽  
Acute Coronary Syndrome ◽  
Coronary Artery ◽  
Age Groups ◽  
Coronary Risk Factors ◽  
Coronary Risk ◽  
Coronary Syndrome ◽  
Coronary Ectasia ◽  
Few Data

Background Coronary artery ectasia is a relatively common entity characterized by inappropriate dilatation of the coronary vasculature. In some cases of acute coronary syndrome without obstructive coronary lesions, coronary ectasia is the sole cause. The exact mechanism of its development is unknown but evidence suggests a combination of genetic predisposition, common risk factors for coronary artery disease, and abnormal vessel wall metabolism. As there are few data regarding the pattern of coronary risk factors in patients with coronary ectasia, the objective of the study was to determine the frequency and distribution of coronary risk factors in patients with acute coronary syndrome solely due to coronary ectasia. Methods The study included 155 patients over a period of 6 months, with coronary angiographic evidence of coronary ectasia as the sole cause of acute coronary syndrome. There were 79 (51%) men and 76 (49%) women with a mean age 51.92 ± 7.83 years; 73 (47.10%) were aged 20–50 years and 82 (52.90%) were 51–80 years of age. The frequencies of coronary risk factors were stratified according to sex and the two age groups. Results Seventy-one patients (45.80%) had diabetes mellitus, 83 (53.54%) had hypertension, 55 (35.48%) were smokers, 46 (29.68%) had dyslipidemia, and 47 (30.3%) were obese. Conclusion Hypertension is the leading coronary risk factors in patients with acute coronary syndrome solely due to coronary ectasia, followed by diabetes mellitus and smoking.

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