Medical Specialties Commons^™

Evaluating The Prevalence Of Postpartum Substance Use In South Jersey, Hebba Ahmad, Joanna Petrides

Rowan-Virtua Research Day

The goal of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of substance use among women who experience postpartum depression. Looking at South Jersey women in particular, we aimed to compare the rates of women who began to engage in substance use after undergoing labor within the past one year who are covered by private health insurance versus those with Medicaid coverage. A retrospective chart review was performed, and although the small sample size limited our attempts at data analysis, it revealed that there is work to be done in this field. There needs to be methods in reducing the stigma …

Biopsychosocial Case Report, David F. Lo, Gaurav Kumar, Don D. Shamilov

Rowan-Virtua Research Day

Ms. R, a 32-year-old Hispanic female, suffers from severe anxiety exacerbated by a car accident and past struggles with depression and substance use. Evaluation reveals hypothyroidism, mild anemia, and GAD as the primary diagnosis. Factors contributing to her condition include genetic predispositions, medical issues, and social stressors. Treatment involves pharmacotherapy, psychotherapy, and monitoring her physiological health. Research on wearable data for GAD severity offers potential insights for her treatment. A holistic approach, considering biological, psychological, and social factors, guides her tailored treatment plan for overall well-being.

Barriers To Healthcare Access Between English And Spanish Speakers In An Underserved Population, Adeena Javed, Dale Johnson, Gerardo J. Rivera-Colón, Nathaniel J. Byrnes, Kristin Bertsch, Anne C. Jones

Rowan-Virtua Research Day

• According to the NJ State Department of Health, Atlantic County has higher rates of smoking, respiratory disease, hypercholesterolemia, as well as death rates due to coronary heart disease, HIV, and all cancers compared to the NJ state average1,2.

• With over 20% of Atlantic County's population identifying as Hispanic, Spanish speakers encounter greater obstacles compared to their English-speaking counterparts in accessing healthcare services and improving health outcomes1,2 .

• Existing research indicates that various factors, including health insurance coverage, proximity to healthcare facilities, transportation options, health literacy levels, and trust in the medical profession, significantly influence access to healthcare …

How Does Schizophrenia Affect The Expression Of Alpha 7 Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptors In The Brain?, Shruti Varshney, Nimish Acharya

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Schizophrenia (SZ) is a psychiatric disorder with a pathophysiology that has not yet been fully understood. This mental illness is characterized by disruptions in cognition, social activity, affect, and perception, and affects approximately 0.085% of individuals worldwide. The Alpha 7 Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptor (α7nAChR) has been connected to auditory function gating deficits. The purpose of this review is to understand the current literature in how the levels of α7nAChR expression and function are affected by SZ, information that could be used to develop therapies to modulate auditory hallucinations in patients with SZ. A literature search was conducted for peer-reviewed journal …

Spot The Signs - Comunicación Es Lo Más Importante, Daniel Rios, Victoria Wong Murray, Alexus Weatherspoon, Amy Palen, Kenneth W. Stagliano, Stephen M. Scheinthal

Rowan-Virtua Research Day

Opiate overdose is an unfortunately common risk factor for suicide; suicide attempts accounted for an estimated 30% of fatal opioid overdoses during the pandemic. As a result, the Rowan School of Osteopathic Medicine Department of Psychiatry developed an Integrated Mental Health Awareness and Suicide Prevention program targeted at members of the community and frontline workers to increase awareness and provide brief interventions, which demonstrated an improvement of 89% in our English-speaking attendees.

Spanish is the most common non-English language in New Jersey, with an estimated 1.3 million speakers. Hispanic patients also frequently experience culturally bound stigmas, so it is vital …

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Trichotillomania Case Report, Kimberly Kluglein, David F. Lo, Don D. Shamilov

Rowan-Virtua Research Day

Trichotillomania is a psycho-dermatologic disorder involving self-inflicted hair loss through pulling. Often complicated by anxiety and depression. Multifactorial etiology and limited evidence-based treatment options makes management difficult. Treatment approaches include a combination of pharmacotherapy, CBT, HRT, and ACT. Case presentation involves a 24-year-old female, diagnosed with treatment-resistant trichotillomania who achieved remission and hair regrowth through mindset reframing, physical barriers, and community support. Novel approaches focusing on mindset and community support can yield positive outcomes.

Brain Connectivity Pattern Changes Associated With Psychedelic-Assisted Psychotherapy, Prince Patel, Samrat Gollapudi, Brian Joseph Mathew, Bhaumik Patel

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Psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy (PAP) has shown promising therapeutic benefits for various psychiatric disorders, but the underlying neural mechanisms remain unclear. This study aimed to investigate the effects of psychedelics on brain connectivity patterns using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI). A comprehensive literature search was conducted in PubMed and Google Scholar databases using relevant keywords related to psychedelics, connectivity, therapy, and fMRI. Only studies involving major psychedelic compounds (LSD, psilocybin, ayahuasca) and measuring outcomes via fMRI were included.

The findings from the reviewed studies suggest that psychedelics induce acute disruptions in normal large-scale brain network patterns, leading to a compromised modular but …

Factors Affecting Caregiver Burden In Informal Caregivers Of Patients With Autism Spectrum Disorder, Brian Joseph Mathew, Maduka Gunasinghe, Usmaan Al-Shehab, Samrat Gollapudi, Prince Patel, Maithri Goud

Rowan-Virtua Research Day

Individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) often require lifelong care to meet their daily needs, which is typically provided by informal sources like family members as well as formal caregivers from home health agencies. The persistent stress of raising a child with ASD can potentially lead to parental burnout, highlighting the importance of understanding the struggles faced by these caregivers. Clinicians must prioritize the well-being of both the individuals with ASD and their dedicated caregivers by gaining a comprehensive understanding of the challenges they encounter.

Our research aims to investigate and comprehend the specific challenges faced by caregivers of individuals …

Identifying The Relationship Between Post-Concussion Mental Health And Athletic Status: Is It The Same For All Demographics?, Mary Lorraine Zsolway, Jamie Shoop

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Purpose: The purpose of this study is to investigate whether athletic status was linked to fewer symptoms of anxiety and depression post-concussion, as well as to explore whether the impact of athletic status on mental health varied by demographics (i.e. age, sex, race, insurance status). The results of this study may assist in identifying at-risk individuals early to help prioritize those who may benefit from early referral to mental health resources.

Introduction: Mental health concerns post-concussion are relatively common, with roughly 1 in 3 individuals experiencing these symptoms. It has been previously shown that youth who participate in …

A Literature Review Of Current Treatments For The Hypermobility Subtype Of Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome, John Gericke, Mary Zsolway, Chelsea Reyes, Pooja Patel, Saad Ahmed, Julia Hwang, Venkateswar Venkataraman

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Purpose: The purpose of this study is to compare pharmacologic intervention, neurocognitive therapy, physical therapy, and orthotics in treating the hypermobility subtype of Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (hEDS) and determine which has the most positive effect on symptoms.

Introduction: Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome is an inheritable connective tissue disorder which results from a genetic mutation that alters the body’s ability to produce collagen. The most common subtype of Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome is hEDS, which leads to hypermobility and hyperextensibility and can cause frequent joint dislocations.

Methods: A review of literature was performed to compare each treatment based on reported results. The types of studies reviewed …

Association Between Cultural Factors And Postpartum Depression, Usha Modukuru

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Postpartum depression (PPD) is present in 17.22% of the world population. The negative physical and psychological impacts of PPD impact not only the mother, but also those around her. This raises the importance of identifying factors contributing to its onset. Studies have shown that PPD prevalence rates vary between non-Western and Western regions of the world. Cultural postpartum practices differed significantly region to region. Search terms including postpartum depression and cultures were used to find peer-reviewed articles, primary surveys, and patient interviews between 2013-2023. Qualitative analyses were performed on the results. Ethnokinship cultures, commonly present in non-Western countries, prioritized social …

Doxazosin Immediate Release As Alternative Treatment For Nightmares In Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder: A Case Report, Danyaal Khan, Christie Richardson, Martin Forsberg

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Nightmares and flashbacks are common debilitating symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) that can disrupt daily functioning in patients. Prazosin, an alpha-1 adrenergic antagonist, has been commonly used off-label for the treatment of PTSD intrusion symptoms, although its short half-life is limiting. Doxazosin, another alpha-1 antagonist, is starting to be investigated in the treatment of PTSD-related nightmares due to its smaller side effect profile and longer half-life. In our case report, we present a case of a patient with PTSD-related nightmares who was successfully treated with doxazosin following relapse of symptoms after discontinuation of prazosin. The success of doxazosin immediate …

Back From Baclofen: A Case Report Of Baclofen Overdose, Alexis M. Dunn, Andrew M. Vasta, James A. Espinosa, Alan Lucerna

Rowan-Virtua Research Day

We report a case of a 45-year-old female who presented with intentional Baclofen overdose. The patient was lethargic and then quickly unresponsive and hypotensive, intubated by EMS in the field. By the time the patient was admitted to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU), the patient was clinically brain dead. After several days of supportive care, patient slowly, and miraculously, regained full neurologic functioning and was admitted to the Psychiatric Unit.

Over The Counter Overdose: A Case Of Tylenol Toxicity, Swet M. Patel, James A. Espinosa, Alan Lucerna

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We report a case of a 51-year-old man presenting to the Emergency Department (ED) with suicidal ideations (SI) endorsing an intentional overdose of acetaminophen. Just as important is the clinical presentation; it is equally important to obtain a detailed history of patient's presentation leading to the ED visit when evaluating a suicide attempt. Tylenol (acetaminophen) is a common over the counter (OTC) medication available to the public. Management of Tylenol overdose follows a standard outline of things to observe and intervene on. In this case, we discuss how Tylenol overdose is managed in a clinical setting through a patient who …

Opioid Prescription Rates Before And After Alto Program And Various Factors Affecting Emergency Department Opioid Prescription Rates, Neel B. Patel, James F. Baird

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Opioid prescription rates vary between patient population, diagnosis, location, and emergency department characteristics. High prescription rates offer an avenue for potential opioid addiction and overdoses. Alternatives to opioids (ALTO) is a new program already implemented in certain emergency departments to help change opioid prescription rates by introducing new protocols for first line treatments for pain management. With current trends still showing that South Jersey opioids prescription rates are the highest in the state of New Jersey, ALTO was introduced at Inspira Health Network located in South Jersey. This study retrospectively analyzed opioids prescription rates for abdominal pain, renal colic, migraines, …

The Effects Of Psychedelic Microdosing On Mental Health: A Systematic Review, David F. Lo, Hasan Zia, Adarsh Thakur, Praneetha Rajkumar, Don D. Shamilov

Rowan-Virtua Research Day

This poster explores the effects of psychedelic microdosing on mental health conditions. Roughly 5.5 million individuals in the U.S. utilize psychedelics to treat their mental health issues. The primary substances used for microdosing currently include LSD and psilocybin, but mescaline, DMT, and amphetamines are used less commonly. This systematic review included 16 unique articles. The types of articles included: observational, placebo, self-reported, motivational, literature review, and comparative studies. The studies indicated lower levels of anxiety, depression, and stress among those that microdose. However, drawbacks such as difficulty sleeping and headaches were reported. Various studies have been published on the effects …

Social Media Addiction Affecting Mental Health Of College Women, Praneetha Rajkumar, Don D. Shamilov, David F. Lo

Rowan-Virtua Research Day

In our digital society, many teenagers and young adults use the many forms of social media, which are applications that enable users to create, share, and view content. Addiction to sites such as Instagram, TikTok, and Snapchat is a rising concern due to the impact it has on the mental health of young women, particularly those aged 18-25. Addiction can result in spending an unreasonable amount of time on social media, being overly preoccupied with social media content, or having day-to-day activities that revolve around social media usage. Different sources of data were reviewed to understand why mental health concerns …

Exploring The Connection Between Diabetes Distress And Diabulimia, Stephen Poos, Misha Faerovitch, Celeste Pinto, Nima Jamalkhani, Fahad Chaudhri, Satara Khan, David F. Lo, Kaitlin Mcgowan, Ashaki Martin, Don D. Shamilov

Rowan-Virtua Research Day

Diabulimia is a disordered eating behavior that involves an individual with type 1 DM withholding insulin injection to lose weight. Diabetes distress, a term used to describe the psychological stress associated with managing diabetes, is believed to be the cause of this condition. This review aims to assess whether individuals with diabulimia have measurable evidence of diabetes distress. Studies that described patients qualitative experiences with Diabulimia were matched and compared to the criteria in the Diabetes Distress Scale. Over 40 of the 185 individuals across twelve studies were found to meet one or more criteria from the Diabetes Distress Scale. …

Ketamine For Postpartum Depression: A Systematic Review, Jaylyn Thompson, David F. Lo, Alexis Foschini, Suvan Sundaresh, Don D. Shamilov

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The purpose of this review is to explore perinatal ketamine’s potential for reducing postpartum depression after cesarean section. Articles reviewed from Pubmed, Cochrane, and Web of Science using specific search terms. 8 final papers were used for review after excluding duplicates and irrelevant titles and abstracts. Ketamine showed potential in reducing postpartum depression symptoms post C-section, although some studies reported no significant effects. All studies were randomized control trials. Ketamine may help prevent or lessen postpartum depression symptoms post C-section, but more research is needed to understand dosing and its casual relationship with PPD in this context.

Investigation Of The Utility Of A Ptsd Coaching Mobile App To Address Mental Health Services Demand In A Primary Care Clinic: Analysis Of Caps-5 Measures, Sindhura Nemani, Danielle Rae Schweitzer, Anne C. Jones

Rowan-Virtua Research Day

The COVID-19 pandemic affected countless people globally, resulting in a greater need for mental health professionals and resources¹. The demand for mental health care is soaring yet the limitation of resources has strained the healthcare system, making it challenging to help patients in a timely manner². This poster represents a snapshot of a larger project that is striving to investigate an intervention to help bridge the gap between patient need and prompt referral through a warm handoff approach and use of the PTSD Coach mobile application as well as exploring patients’ satisfaction^3,4,5,6,8,9. In this …

Unveiling The Impact: Structural Racism And Childhood Lead Exposure's Health Consequences In Philadelphia, Mahhum Naqvi, Mahrukh Naqvi, Justin Stout, Colton Spencer

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Childhood lead exposure poses a significant risk to health and well-being, adversely affecting brain function, nervous system development, and behavioral patterns. This study examines the health disparities and inequities associated with childhood lead exposure in Philadelphia, focusing on structural racism and residential segregation as crucial lenses for analysis. By delving into the sociocultural context of lead exposure, this study underscores the imperative of collaborative efforts among stakeholders to safeguard Philadelphia's most vulnerable populations. Healthcare professionals and policymakers play pivotal roles in enhancing funding and prevention strategies. Addressing this issue through the prism of structural racism allows for the identification and …

The Efficacy Of Baricitinib As A Treatment Option For Alopecia, In Terms Of Promoting Hair Regrowth And Improving Patient Reported Outcomes, Bhaumik Patel, Abhiram Gollapudi, Samrat Gollapudi, Srinidhi Banala, Brian Joseph Mathew, Prince Patel

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Background: Alopecia, an autoimmune condition characterized by hair loss, significantly impacts millions globally, often leading to psychological distress such as anxiety and depression. Current treatments are variably effective and frequently associated with adverse effects that restrict long-term use. This study evaluates the efficacy of Baricitinib, a Janus Kinase inhibitor, in treating severe alopecia, focusing on hair regrowth and patient-reported outcomes.

Methods: This research synthesized data from recent publications (2018-2023) including clinical trials, reviews, meta-analyses, and systematic reviews, sourced from databases such as PubMed, Springer, and Elsevier. The inclusion criteria focused on recent studies in English evaluating Baricitinib's effectiveness in severe …

Interprofessional Team Collaboration To Study Integrated Behavioral Health Services In Primary Care, Priya Srivastava, Sindhura Nemani, Danielle Schweitzer, Anne C. Jones

Rowan-Virtua Research Day

• In Rowan Family Medicine (Sewell, NJ), an interprofessional team of medical and clinical psychology professionals and trainees collaborate to investigate the integration of behavioral health in patients’ primary care visits.

• We screen patients for PTSD symptoms using the DSM CAPS-5 during their primary care visits

• The PTSD Coach app is then encouraged to use 3x a day

• By making mental health care more accessible to patients, we strive to help meet the increased demand and alleviate the strain our healthcare system is currently experiencing.

• The team composed of Medicine and Clinical Psychology allows students to gain invaluable experience in interdisciplinary …

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Bridging Gaps In Opioid Use Disorder Treatment: Prehospital And Emergency Department Interventions, Quin W. Buob, Zachary J. Noll

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Since 2011, drug overdose has been the leading cause of accidental death in the United States, with two-thirds of these deaths related to opioid drugs. In 2020, the CDC reported an increase of over 91,000 overdose-related deaths. Also, non-fatal overdoses face a 5.5% one-year mortality rate post discharge, with a significant portion subsequently overdosing within 48 hours.

Access to Buprenorphine/Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT) has been instrumental in reducing opioid-related mortality by over two-thirds, yet treatment initiation remains significantly low. Limited access stems from socioeconomic disparities and insufficient substance use treatment resources.

Emergency departments (EDs) have pioneered Buprenorphine inductions, showcasing variable success …

The Correlation Of Consistent Exercise With Depressive Symptoms, John Gericke, Tara Pellegrino, Robert Steer

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Background: Depression is a major health issue that affects an estimated 350 million people worldwide. Typically, depression is associated with individuals who follow a poor diet and are physically inactive. Exercise is one form of treatment for depression and has been shown to reduce the risk of depression and protect against the onset of depression. The PHQ-9 Depression Score is a tool used to screen individuals for depression on a scale from 0-27. The goal of this study is to identify a relationship between consistent exercise and depression symptoms.

Methods: An original Qualtrics survey was created to be distributed with …

The Effect Of Covid-19 Pandemic On Sanitation Practices And Anxiety In The General Population, Leah Cliatt, Joanna Petrides

Rowan-Virtua Research Day

Background: Illness anxiety and fear of contracting coronavirus increased considerably during the COVID-19 pandemic. The media, being in lockdown, and cyberchondria had the largest impact on the population’s anxiety surrounding illness. While this kind of reaction to illness is expected during the pandemic, there is limited data on post-pandemic illness anxiety levels in the general population. Patients’ perception of disease impacts medicine at every level; medical professionals need to understand the concerns and fears of their patients in order to treat the post-pandemic patient. We hypothesized that sanitation practices and anxiety surrounding illness have not returned to baseline pre-COVID-19 …

Maternal Health Outcomes Of The Least And Most Vulnerable Counties In Nj, Nayarith Lopez

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- Maternal health continues to be of great concern in the United States.

-The maternal mortality rate for 2021 was 32.9 deaths per 100,000 live births, an increase from both 2020 and 2021.1

-The leading causes of pregnancy-related death are mental health, hemorrhage, and cardiovascular conditions. Most are preventable.2

-New Jersey ranks 27th, with 24.1 deaths occurring within 42 days of the end of a pregnancy per 100,000 live births.3

-While rates for the entire state show a need for improvement, in comparison to northern and central regions, rates in the southern region of NJ are approximately twice the state …

The Impact Of Stress During Adolescence And The Prevalence Of Pediatric Obesity, Olatunbosun Olakunri, Venkat Venkataraman

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Obesity is a chronic condition that can be attributed to myriad factors including socioeconomic status, biological risk factors, and various environmental factors. These factors can be considered stress factors, and exposure to various levels of stress can impact the development of stress within the pediatric patients. The purpose of this study is to assess the association between the environmental, mental, social, physical, and psychological stress adolescents are exposed to and how they contribute to the prevalence of pediatric obesity throughout the United States. Understanding these risk factors can help us as a community and most importantly as clinicians develop better …

Efficacy Of Psilocybin In The Treatment Of Substance And Alcohol Use Disorders, Hanna Brancaccio

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Introduction: Substance use disorder (SUD) and alcohol use disorder (AUD) are major public health crises, affecting millions of Americans. Current treatment options include behavioral therapies and medications. In this review, we explored psilocybin’s efficacy in treating SUD and AUD.

Methods: Key terms were used to search databases to identify articles that addressed psilocybin in the treatment of SUD. Included in the review were indexed, peer-reviewed, primary sources that were published within the last 10 years. Excluded studies were non-peer reviewed, not relevant to the thesis, and did not have an English translation.

Results: The psychodynamic antidepressant effects of psilocybin mark …

Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation Referrals In Cancer Patients, Bhumik Patel, Venkateswar Venkataraman, Deanna Janora, Jack Goldberg

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Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (PM&R) can address functional limitations in various conditions, including cancer. Cancer rehabilitation aims to address functional impairments resulting from both the disease itself and its treatments, striving to optimize physical, social, psychological, and vocational functioning. Existing literature indicates that PM&R services significantly benefit cancer patients by improving their overall quality of life. Studies have found that optimal utilization of PM&R services can increase the Functional Independence Measure (FIM) in cancer patients. Current National Comprehensive Cancer Network and American Cancer Society guidelines emphasize the importance of incorporating PM&R services into oncology care to enhance the function and …