Epidemiology Commons^™

Air Quality Risks In Public Housing, Brynn Sheehan, Carolyn Caraballo Velez, Vaughan W. Rees, Miasha T. O'Neal, Kristen E. Moore, Katie M. Jones, Jessica Meadows, Sarah Gehlert, Richard Grucza, Andrew Plunk, Kelli J. England

Department Psychiatry & Behavioral Science Faculty Publications

Importance Public housing residents face elevated environmental health risks, yet indoor air quality in these settings remains underexamined. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate indoor air quality in public housing 5 years after implementation of the federal smoke-free housing policy and compare it with outdoor air quality in the same regions.

Design, Setting, and Participants A 1-year cohort study of indoor air quality (particulate matter ≤2.5 μm in diameter [PM2.5]) across 12 multifamily public housing communities in southeastern Virgina for individuals 65 years and older or persons with disability in cities with the highest rated outdoor air quality. Indoor PM2.5 was continuously measured …

Forecasting Lung Cancer Burden Using Multicenter Real-World Data, Omer Aydin, Levent Korkmaz, Aybeyan Selim, Murat Kuzlu, Ferhat Ozgur Catak, Huseyin Kusetogullari, Umit Cali

Engineering Technology Faculty Publications

Background – Lung cancer continues to place a significant clinical and operational burden on healthcare infrastructure and systems. While essential epidemiological data can be obtained from population-based registries, these systems often fail to provide information on long-term follow-up and healthcare utilization dynamics. Real-world data collected from healthcare institutions offer valuable insights; however, in-depth and careful analysis is necessary to distinguish true diagnostic trends from changes in service utilization and access.

Objectives – The primary objective of this study is to characterize and forecast the prevalence of lung cancer diagnoses at the specified hospitals for future years. The study aims to …

Tezepelumab's Effects On Patient-Reported Symptoms In Severe Asthma, Overall And With History Of Comorbid Chronic Rhinosinusitis With Nasal Polyps (Crswnp), Njira L. Lugogo, Joseph K. Han, Anju T. Peters, Stella E. Lee, Monica Kraft, Mary Kay Margolis, Sonia F. Shenoy, Nicole Martin, Shradha Chandarana, Christopher S. Ambrose

Department of Otolaryngology (ENT) Faculty Publications

Background

Tezepelumab (an anti-thymic stromal lymphopoietin monoclonal antibody) treatment resulted in reduced exacerbations and improved sino-nasal symptoms and health-related quality of life in patients with severe uncontrolled asthma (SUA) and chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps (CRSwNP) in the NAVIGATOR study.

Objective

To evaluate the effect of tezepelumab versus placebo on sleep disturbances, activity levels, and physical exertion tolerance in NAVIGATOR patients with SUA overall and in those with past medical history of comorbid CRSwNP.

Methods

Patients (12-80 years old) with SUA were randomized to receive tezepelumab 210 mg or placebo subcutaneously every 4 weeks for 52 weeks. Patient responses to …

Socio-Spatial Patterns Of Suicide Mortality In The United States, Kushagra Tiwari, M. Amin Rahimian, Marie-Laure Charpignon, Philippe J. Giabbanelli, Praveen Kumar

VMASC Publications

Suicides cause more than 49,000 deaths per year in the United States, including 55% associated with the use of a firearm. Across states and counties in the US, suicide mortality exhibits substantial geographical and sociodemographic heterogeneity. However, the role of large-scale social networks in shaping this variation remains underexplored. To assess how both the risk of suicide mortality and the effect of firearm restriction policies propagate through inter-county social ties, we integrate data on county-level suicide mortality (2010–2022) and the Facebook Social Connectedness Index (SCI), a continuous measure of the strength of social ties between counties used to derive weighted …

Clinical Subtypes Of Co-Morbid Insomnia And Obstructive Sleep Apnea (Comisa): Results Of A Cluster Analysis, Yuan Shi, Xujun Feng, Fengyi Hao, Yuru Nie, Yihui Zhang, Zhaohua Chen, Siqi Guan, Larry D. Sanford, Michael V. Vitiello, Xiangdong Tang

Department of Pathology & Anatomy Faculty Publications

Background

Variations in the bidirectional relationship between obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and insomnia in co-morbid insomnia and OSA (COMISA) may form distinct subtypes of COMISA, which have not been previously characterized. This study aims to identify and characterize subtypes of COMISA.

Methods

From a community-recruited COMISA cohort 256 individuals who met diagnosis for COMISA were used to identify subtypes using a two-step clustering methodology. Demographics and multidimension clinical characteristics were collected and compared among obtained subtypes. Logistic models were used to evaluate whether these subtypes were associated with cardiometabolic and mental disorders. A clinical cohort of 1816 COMISA patients was …

Type 2-Low Asthma: Epidemiology, Multiomics, And Emerging Therapies, Philip Mendez, Alanis Rosado, Juan Carlos Cardet

Department of Pediatrics Faculty Publications

Purpose of Review

Type 2-low (T2-low) asthma, characterized by low blood and sputum eosinophils and low fractional exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO), remains a major unmet need because of frequent corticosteroid insensitivity and a lack of targeted therapies. This review summarizes recent advances in its epidemiology, multiomics, and therapeutic landscape.

Recent findings

T2-low inflammation is highly prevalent, affecting approximately 14%-39% of adults with current asthma and up to 60% of children. Its pathogenesis reflects complex non-T2 mechanisms, including IL-17 signaling, innate immune activation through IL-1β and IL-33, and neutrophilic inflammation. Heterogeneity is further shaped by systemic factors such as obesity and …

Expert Consensus On Osteoporosis Risk Management In Patients With Sleep Disorders, Siqi Leng, Jinming Yang, Yuming Jin, Jie Shi, Ye Zhang, Junying Zhou, Lusi Tan, Taomei Li, Peiyan Ni, Kejia Hu, Yuan Shi, Jiamin Liao, Yun Li, Pei Xue, Christian Benedict, Alexandros N. Vgontzas, Michael Furian, Talant Sooronbaev, Naima Covassin, Virend K. Somers, Zhoulong Yu, Hongqiang Sun, Xiao Tan, Jihui Zhang, Yun Kwok Wing, Yue Leng, Larry D. Sanford, Michael V. Vitiello, Katie L. Stone, Rong Ren, Lin Lu, Xiangdong Tang

Department of Biomedical and Translational Sciences Faculty Publications

A rate-limiting step in the prevention and early intervention of osteoporosis is identifying its asymptomatic onset. Accumulating evidence shows that sleep disorders are associated with an increased risk of osteoporosis. Given their early detectable and modifiable nature, integrating sleep disorder management into osteoporosis prevention and care pathways offers a novel approach for enhancing skeletal health. This expert consensus represents a collaborative effort by specialists in sleep medicine and orthopedics from across the world, integrating epidemiological, mechanistic, and interventional evidence to provide general guidance for prevention and clinical practice, and to foster multidisciplinary collaboration in the management of sleep disorders and …

Dupilumab For Patients With Allergic Fungal Rhinosinusitis, Amber U. Luong, Joshua M. Levy, Sarah K. Wise, Joseph K. Han, Mamoru Yoshikawa, Luo Zhang, Rodney Schlosser, Prerna Ranganathan, Paula Dakin, Jennifer Maloney, George D. Yancopoulos, Andrew P. Fontenot, Neelam A. Phadke, Lacey R. Robinson

Department of Otolaryngology (ENT) Faculty Publications

Background

Allergic fungal rhinosinusitis (AFRS) is a severe subtype of chronic rhinosinusitis characterized by fungal hypersensitivity and accentuated type 2 inflammation. Dupilumab-a fully human monoclonal antibody blocking interleukin-4/13, approved for type 2 inflammatory diseases, including chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps-may benefit patients with AFRS.

Objective

We sought to understand the effect of dupilumab in AFRS

Methods

In this phase 3 trial, patients with AFRS aged ≥6 years were randomized to dupilumab or matched placebo for 52 weeks. The primary end point was Lund-Mackay computed tomography (LMK-CT) score, quantifying sinus opacification, at 52 weeks. Secondary end points were multiplicity-controlled and hierarchically …

Assessment Of Major Adverse Cardiovascular Event Across Diverse Racial Groups Of Psoriasis Patients On Biologic Therapy: A Retrospective Cohort Study, Chunghwan Ro, Ana Ormaza Vera, Waleed Adawi, Clinton W. Enos

Department Dermatology Faculty Publications

Psoriasis is associated with an increased risk of major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE), and biologic therapy may reduce this risk by targeting systemic inflammation. However, limited data exist on whether long term MACE risk differs by biologic class or across racial groups. We conducted a retrospective cohort study to assess the risk of primary MACE in psoriasis patients receiving biological therapies, stratified by biological class, compared with biologic-naïve psoriasis patients. Whether MACE risk among biologic-treated patients varied by race was further examined. After 1:1 propensity score matching, 36 330 biologic-treated patients were compared with 36 330 non-biologic-treated patients. Incident MACE …

Prognostic Factors For Patients Under 45 Undergoing Surgery For Colorectal Liver Metastases: A Seer Population-Based Study, Gabrielle Grob, Fang Fang, Matvey Karpov, Eric Feliberti, Marybeth Hughes, Rachel Burke, Winifred Lo

Department Surgery Faculty Publications

Background and Objectives: Colorectal cancer (CRC) has been on the rise in adults younger than 50. Surgical resection is a potentially curative treatment option for patients with colorectal liver metastases (CRLM). The aim of this study was to describe patient and tumor characteristics associated with disease-specific survival in young patients (<  45 years) versus older patients (≥ 45 years) with isolated CRLM.

Methods: The SEER database was queried for patients with CRLM who underwent colon and liver resection from 2010 to 2021. Patients under age 20, with metastases beyond the liver, or who had not had surgery for liver metastases were excluded. Cox regression was used to analyze demographic factors, tumor …

Association Between Neighborhood Social Determinants Of Health And Stillbirth, Tetsuya Kawakita, Misa Hayasaka, Ann M. Harper, John Brush, George Saade

Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology Faculty Publications

OBJECTIVE:

To examine the association between neighborhood-level social determinants of health and stillbirth.

METHODS:

We performed a retrospective cohort study of deliveries that occurred at a gestational age of at least 20 weeks within a five-hospital system (2012-2022). Electronic health record data mapped to the Observational Medical Outcomes Partnership Common Data Model were geocoded using addresses at the time of delivery and linked to neighborhood health indices, which included the Area Deprivation Index (ADI), Maternal Vulnerability Index (MVI), and Social Vulnerability Index (SVI) at the Census tract level. Stillbirths were adjudicated by medical record review. Modified Poisson regression generated relative …

Differential Impact Of Admission Type And Clinical Complexity On Diabetes Hospitalization Costs Among African American And Hispanic Patients In Southeastern Virginia, Ismail El Moudden, Asra Amidi, Reem Sharaf-Alddin, Michael C. Bittner, Qi Zhang

Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology Faculty Publications

Background

Diabetes mellitus (DM) imposes substantial healthcare costs with documented disparities among African Americans and Hispanic patients. To inform care delivery and resource allocation, this study identified hospitalization cost predictors among African American and Hispanic patients with diabetes in Southeastern Virginia.

Methods

We analyzed 6,011 hospital discharges from the Virginia Health Information database (2016-2020) for adults aged 18-85 with diabetes. Discharges were classified by Medicare Severity Diagnosis-Related Groups: DM with complications/comorbidities (DCC, n = 3,328), DM with major complications/comorbidities (DMCC, n = 1,518), and DM without major complications/comorbidities (DWO, n = 1,165). Because cost distributions were right-skewed (skewness 3.5-8.24), we …

Directional Association Between Irritable Bowel Syndrome And Dermatological Disease: A Large-Scale Retrospective Study, Alex Y. Liu, Naomi T. Matsuno, Houston Nelson, David Johnson, David Pariser

Department of Medicine Faculty Publications

Background/Objectives: Microbial dysbiosis is implicated with a pathogenic role in both irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and several dermatological conditions. Yet, few studies have assessed a potential overlapping epidemiologic association. We aimed to assess the 1-year prevalence of common dermatologic conditions following an initial IBS diagnosis and to evaluate the reverse association using reciprocal analyses. Methods: We conducted a retrospective study using TriNetX. Patients aged 18–50 with no history of inflammatory bowel disease, celiac disease, or infectious intestinal disease were matched 1:1 to healthy controls by demographics and comorbidities. The primary outcome was the prevalence of acne vulgaris, psoriasis, …

Comparison Of Mental Illness Comorbidity Pre-Pandemic Vs. Pandemic-Era And Associations With Clinical And Demographic Characteristics For Virginia Public Hospital Inpatient Discharges With A Substance Use Disorder, Marilyn Bartholmae, Tharidu Gunawardena

Department of Medicine Faculty Publications

The rise in mental illnesses after the COVID-19 pandemic is well documented. However, it is not known whether the rates of mental illness comorbidity increased. The objectives of this study were to compare mental illness comorbidity rates before and after the pandemic among inpatients with SUD and to test associations between mental illness comorbidity, physical illness, and demographics. We used a retrospective cross-sectional design in a sample of inpatient discharges (N = 233,017) at Virginia public hospitals from January 2018 to December 2022. We used Z tests to compare rates of mental illness comorbidity pre- and post-pandemic and Chi-square tests …

Trends In Hypertension Prevalance And Control In The United States Over 25 Years, Omar Saleh, Neda Rehan, Saleh Mostafa, Rehan Qayyum

Department of Medicine Faculty Publications

Despite sustained public health efforts, hypertension remains highly prevalent in the United States, with persistent disparities across demographic and socioeconomic groups. We examined 25-year trends in hypertension prevalence, undiagnosed hypertension, and on-treatment uncontrolled hypertension in the United States using nationally representative National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) data from adults aged ≥18 years. Hypertension was defined as systolic BP ≥130 mmHg, diastolic BP ≥80 mmHg, or current antihypertensive use. Undiagnosed hypertension was defined as elevated BP without prior diagnosis or treatment, while on-treatment uncontrolled hypertension was defined as diagnosed hypertension with BP ≥130/80 mmHg despite treatment. Survey-weighted generalized linear …

Selenium And Liver Steatosis And Fibrosis: Opposing Direct And Steatosis-Mediated Associations In A Large Cohort, Neda Rehan, Jubilee Benedict, Rehan Qayyum

Department of Medicine Faculty Publications

Background and Aims

Epidemiologic studies have reported conflicting associations between selenium exposure and liver disease. Whether selenium exerts opposing direct and steatosis-mediated effects on liver fibrosis is unknown. To evaluate the associations of blood selenium with elastography-defined hepatic steatosis and fibrosis and to determine whether hepatic steatosis mediates the relationship between selenium and fibrosis.

Methods

We conducted a cross-sectional analysis of adults aged >= 18 years in NHANES 2017-2023. Hepatic steatosis was assessed using the controlled attenuation parameter (CAP) and fibrosis using liver stiffness measurement (LSM). Blood selenium was categorized into quartiles. Survey-weighted multivariable linear regression and structural equation modeling …

Seasonal And Geographic Patterns Of Gastroschisis In Canada: Protective Effect Of Periconceptional Sunlight Exposure, Shiliang Liu, Shin Jie Yong, Dunjin Chen, Gavin C. Hughes, Claude L. Hughes

Department of Medicine Faculty Publications

Background: Gastroschisis is a right-sided, full-thickness defect with extra-amnionic herniation of abdominal contents directly into the amniotic cavity. The causes of gastroschisis remain obscure. We hypothesized that limited periconceptional sunlight exposure might lead to insufficient vitamin D during fetal development and play a role in gastroschisis etiology.

Methods: We conducted a population-based cohort study of infants conceived in Canada between April 2006 and March 2020. We used winter months (i.e., November and December) and northern geographic latitudes as indicators of insufficient sunlight exposure, while summer months (July and August) and southern geographic latitudes were considered as reference. We examined the …

Glucagon-Like Peptide Receptor Agonists (Glp-1ras) As Cardiovascular Risk Modifiers In Obstructive Sleep Apnea And Obesity: A Real-World Study, Jaeun Ahn, Junmin Song, Kyle Admire, Yu Chang, Kuan-Yu Chi, Nathaniel T. Gordon, Joshua M. Sill

Department of Medicine Faculty Publications

Introduction

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a well-established risk factor for cardiovascular disease. Glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1RAs) have demonstrated potential in reducing cardiovascular risk and improving OSA severity. However, a significant knowledge gap remains regarding the impact of GLP-1RAs on cardiovascular events in OSA patients.

Methods

We examined patients with a BMI over 30 diagnosed with OSA between January 2010 and November 2021 without a previous diagnosis of heart failure, pulmonary hypertension, or myocardial infarction. Two cohorts were created: those prescribed GLP-1RAs within 1 year of their OSA diagnosis and patients who were never prescribed GLP-1RAs. Propensity score matching …

Association Of Valvular Disease Progression Using Echocardiographic Findings In A Large U.S. Cohort, Abes A. Bautista Neughebauer, Amin Yehya, Raymond L. Benza, Deepak Talreja

Department of Medicine Faculty Publications

Background

The prevalence of valvular disease in the US is approximately 2.5%. Given that over 5 million Americans are affected, it is crucial to find those at higher risk of progression. The goal of this paper is to uncover which patients are more likely to have valvular disease progression using demographic factors, EKG and echocardiogram (ECHO) findings.

Methods

This paper utilized the EchoNext Database, which pairs 100,000 electrocardiograms and echocardiograms based on specific structural heart disease labels. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression were used to find risk factors for progression for aortic stenosis (AS), aortic regurgitation (AR), mitral regurgitation (MR), …

Spectral Frequency And Broadband Noise Analysis Of The Firefighter Environment: Potential Implications For Cardiac Health, James Blando, Catherine Reed, Amya Turner

Epidemiology, Biostatistics, & Environmental Health Faculty Publications

Firefighters are well known to have elevated risk of adverse health outcomes across a wide range of diseases and injuries, including cancer, hearing loss, fatal cardiac events, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), sleep disorders, and many other adverse outcomes. It has been speculated that the noise environment is a significant risk factor for several of these diseases. In particular, the impact of noise on cardiac outcomes has recently been identified. An environmental survey of noise that included spectral and broadband analysis was conducted across all 14 firehouses in a southeastern city in the United States as a first step to investigate …

Examining The Association Of Maternal Oral Health Experiences With Adverse Birth Outcomes: Findings From Virginia's Prams Survey, May Salama, Abdullah Al-Taiar, Denise C. Mckinney, Li-Wu Chen, Anwar T. Merchant

Epidemiology, Biostatistics, & Environmental Health Faculty Publications

Background

Preterm birth (PTB) and low birth weight (LBW) are significant public health challenges globally, contributing to neonatal morbidity, mortality, and long-term complications. Maternal oral health has been increasingly recognized as a potential contributor to PTB and LBW, yet there is inconclusive evidence about the effectiveness of dental cleaning in preventing PTB and LBW. This study examined the association between dental cleaning during pregnancy and the prevalence of PTB and LBW using data from the Virginia Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System (PRAMS).

Methods

We analyzed data from Virginia PRAMS Phases 7 and 8, spanning a 10-year period from 2012 to …

Prenatal Exposure To Nicotine And Postpartum Depression: A Systematic Review And Meta-Analysis, Reem Sharaf-Alddin, May Salama, Denise Mckinney, George Saade, Qi Zhang

Health Behavior, Policy & Management Faculty Publications

Purpose: Postpartum Depression (PPD) is the most common mental health complication of childbirth, and has short-term and long-term consequences for mother, child, and the entire family. PPD is a function of several factors. Prenatal exposure to nicotine (PEN) by Active Tobacco Smoking (ATS), Secondhand Smoking (SHS), or Electronic Nicotine Products (ENPs) is a major potential risk factor. This systematic review and meta-analysis aim to summarize and evaluate all evidence regarding the association between PEN and PPD.

Methods: We searched the following databases, PubMed, Medline, Cochrane, EMBASE, and CINHAL, for studies published between Jan.1st ,2000&Sep.19th ,2024, with the outcome PPD. Studies …

A Modern Analytical Method To Forecast Cerebrovascular Diseases (Cd), And Heart Diseases (Hd) Using Multivariate Time Series Model Utilizing The Cdc Provisional Mortality Data, Aditya Chakraborty, Mohan Pant

Cardiovascular Research Symposium

Background: In this study, a new analytical approach was introduced to answer specific questions related to mortalities due to cerebrovascular diseases, heart diseases, and the association of these mortalities with twelve other causes of death (COD).

Methods: A multivariate time series forecasting model was developed utilizing each of the CODs by taking the weekly and yearly seasonality into account, and the mortality counts were forecasted using the most recent CDC weekly mortality count data. A new COD data matrix was structured for all CODs as a function of weeks by combining the observed and predicted values of the mortality counts. …

A Scoping Review Of Population Diversity In The Common Genomic Aberrations Of Clear Cell Renal Cell Carcinoma, Sean S. Kumar, Ninad Khandekar, Komal Dani, Saina R. Bhatt, Vinay Duddalwar, Anishka D' Souza

Department of Medicine Faculty Publications

Introduction: Previous literature has shown that clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC) is becoming a more prevalent diagnosis and that the incidence and mortality differ both regionally and racially. While the molecular profiles for ccRCC are studied regionally through biopsy and sequencing techniques, the genomic landscape and ccRCC diversity data are not well studied. We conducted a review of the known genomic data on 6 of the most clinically relevant DNA biomarkers in ccRCC: von Hippel-Lindau (vHL), Polybromo-1 (PBRM1), Breast Cancer Gene 1-Associated Protein 1 (BAP1), Histone-Lysine N-Methyltransferase Domain-Containing 2 (SETD2), Mammalian Target of Rapamycin (mTOR), and Lysine-Specific Demethylase 5C …

Systemic Therapy Targeting Psoriatic Inflammation Is Associated With Decreased Incidence Of Dementia: An Observational Retrospective Cohort Study, Madison P. Olexson, Ana Ormaza Vera, Chunghwan Ro, Clinton W. Enos

Department Dermatology Faculty Publications

[Introduction] To the Editor: Psoriasis, an immune-mediated chronic inflammatory skin disorder, has been implicated in cognitive impairment and dementia.1, 2, 3 Emerging evidence suggests that systemic inflammation contributes to neuroinflammation and resultant cytokine-driven neurodegeneration, although findings remain inconclusive.1, 2, 3 While systemic therapies such as biologics and conventional disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs are routinely used in psoriasis management, their role in modulating dementia in this population remains underexplored, with research yielding mixed results.1, 2, 3 We conducted a large-scale, retrospective cohort study to investigate the relationship between psoriasis and dementia and whether systemic treatments for psoriasis impact this association.

Clostridioides Difficile Infection Study Models And Prospectives For Probing The Microbe-Host Interface, Tatiana Zvonareva, David S. Courson, Erin B. Purcell

Chemistry & Biochemistry Faculty Publications

Clostridioides difficile infection (CDI) is an urgent public health threat with a high rate of recurrence and limited treatment options. In vivo models have been indispensable in understanding CDI pathophysiology and establishing treatment protocols and continue to be essential in pre-clinal testing. More importantly, in vivo models offer the opportunity to probe the complex systemic host response to the microbe, which is impossible to recapitulate in vitro. Nonetheless, constraints related to the availability of animal models, cost, ethical considerations, and regulatory control limit their accessibility for basic research. Furthermore, physiological and habitual divergences between animal models and humans often result …

Patterns Of Exclusive, Dual And Poly Tobacco Products Use Among Cancer Survivors In The United States, Ateeqa Ijaz, Miranda E. Gehris, Paul T. Harrell, Aditya Chakraborty, Rime Jebai, Wei Li, Olatokunbo Osibogun, Seyedeh Yasaman Alemohammad, Ziyad Ben Taleb, Ebbie Kalan

Department of Pediatrics Faculty Publications

Purpose

Identifying tobacco products use (TPU) patterns among cancer survivors (CSs) is critical to optimize survivorship care. This study examines exclusive cigarette/e-cigarette, dual (two tobacco-products) and poly (≥ 3 tobacco-products) use among CSs (vs. no cancer history) and its sub-types: smoking-related-cancers (SRCs) vs. non-smoking-related cancers (NSRCs) while also exploring socio-demographic factors.

Methods

The study analyzed 86,551 adults from the 2021–2023 National Health Interview Survey, including 10,846 (9.7%) CSs. Participants were categorized and analyzed based on their CSs status and TPU patterns. Weighted logistic regression models assessed the relationship between TPU and CSs status while adjusting for socio-demographic characteristics.

Results

CSs …

Assessment Of Primary Malignancy Risk Following Initiation Of Biologic Therapy In Psoriasis Patients, Chunghwan Ro, Ana Ormaza Vera, Waleed Adawi, Alexander Yap, Clinton W. Enos

Department Dermatology Faculty Publications

Limited evidence exists regarding the long-term oncologic safety of biologic therapies, particularly interleukin (IL)-17 inhibitors (IL-17i) and IL-23i, in the management of psoriasis. This propensity-score-matched retrospective-cohort study assessed the risk of developing a primary malignancy within 10-years following exposure to an FDA-approved biologic among psoriasis patients compared to biologic-naïve controls. After propensity-score-matching, 32,230 biologic-exposed patients were further grouped into cohorts of tumor necrosis factor inhibitors (TNFi, n=16,011), IL-23i (n=5,604), IL-12/23i (n=3,856), and IL-17i (n=5,467). During a 10-year period, TNFi-treated patients had a reduced risk of developing any primary malignancy compared to biologic-naïve psoriasis patients [HR 0.80(0.73-0.87)]. Similarly, a lower incidence …

Evaluating The Early Impact Of Ab 617: Air Pollution, Health Disparities, And Environmental Justice In California, Cherry Cheuk Lam Cheung, Adam Eckerd

School of Public Service Faculty Publications

This study evaluates the initial effectiveness of California’s Assembly Bill 617 (AB 617), enacted to address air pollution impacts in communities designated as environmental justice priorities, a policy approach that has recently been touted as a successful start. These claims of initial success stand in contrast to much of the research on remediation of environmental justice, particularly with respect to air pollution. Despite well-documented disparities in air pollution exposure and its health impacts among racial-ethnic minorities, previous policy efforts to mitigate these effects have had, at best, marginal effects. AB 617 mandates local air districts and the California Air Resources …

Multidisciplinary Lethal Means Safety Counseling Design And Implementation: Training And Identifying Barriers In A Children's Hospital, Cassandra L. Stegall, Brendon Carnell, Jaime M. Golden, Rupa Kapoor, John H. Fanton, Paul C. Mullan, Alexandra P. Leader

Department of Pediatrics Faculty Publications

Background

Access to lethal means contributes significantly to suicide completion. Lethal means safety counseling (LMSC) is an injury prevention strategy to limit access to firearms, medications, and other means of injury. Not previously evaluated in the trauma setting, this study aims to design and implement a standardized LMSC protocol for pediatric patient discharge education in emergency (ED), trauma, and inpatient psychiatry settings.

Methods

A single-center quality improvement study at an academic pediatric urban tertiary Level-one trauma center was performed from July 2023 to February 2024. Protocol was implemented for pediatric patients discharged from three departments: ED, surgery trauma service, and …