Patients without colonoscopic follow-up after abnormal fecal immunochemical tests are often unaware of the abnormal result and report several barriers to colonoscopy.

BackgroundThe fecal immunochemical test (FIT) is the second most commonly used colorectal cancer (CRC) screening modality in the United States; yet, follow-up of abnormal FIT results with diagnostic colonoscopy is underutilized. Our objective was to determine patient-reported barriers to diagnostic colonoscopy following abnormal FIT in an academic healthcare setting.MethodsWe included patients age 50-75 with an abnormal FIT result between 1/1/2015 and 10/31/2017 and no documented follow-up diagnostic colonoscopy. We abstracted demographic data from the electronic health record (EHR). Study personnel conducted telephone surveys with patients to confirm colonoscopy completion and elicit data on notification of FIT results and barriers to colonoscopy. We also provided brief verbal education about diagnostic colonoscopy. We calculated frequencies of demographic data and survey responses and compared survey responses by interest in colonoscopy after education.ResultsWe surveyed 67 patients. Fifty-one were aware of the abnormal FIT result, and a majority learned of the abnormal FIT result by direct communication with providers (19, 37.3%) or EHR messaging (11, 21.6%). Overall, fifty-three patients (79.1%) confirmed lack of colonoscopy, citing provider-related (19, 35.8%), patient-related (16, 30.2%), system-related (1, 1.9%), or multifactorial (17, 32.1%) reasons. Lack of knowledge of FIT result (14, 26.4%) was most common. After brief education, 20 (37.7%) patients requested colonoscopy.ConclusionPatients with an abnormal FIT reported various multi-level barriers to diagnostic colonoscopy after abnormal FIT, including knowledge of FIT results. When provided with brief education, participants expressed interest in diagnostic colonoscopy. Future efforts will evaluate interventions to improve colonoscopy follow-up

A Multi-Level Fit-Based Quality Improvement Initiative to Improve Colorectal Cancer Screening in a Managed Care Population.

IntroductionColorectal cancer (CRC) is a common but largely preventable disease with suboptimal screening rates despite national guidelines to screen individuals age 50-75. Single-component interventions aimed to improve screening uptake only modestly improve rates; data suggest that multi-modal approaches may be more effective.MethodsWe designed, implemented, and evaluated the impact of a multi-modal intervention on CRC screening uptake among unscreened patients in a large managed care population. Patient-level components included a mailed letter with education about screening options and pre-colonoscopy telephone counseling. For providers, we facilitated communication of screening test results and work-flow for abnormal results. System-level modifications included establishment of a patient navigator, expedited work-up for abnormal results, and stream-lined colonoscopy scheduling. We measured the rate of screening uptake overall, screening uptake by modality, change in the proportion of the population screened, and positive fecal immunochemical test (FIT) follow-up rates in the 1-year study period.ResultsThere were 5093 patients in the intervention cohort. Of these, 33.2% participated in FIT or colonoscopy screening within 1 year of the mailing. A total of 1078 (21.2%) participants completed a FIT and 611 (12.0%) completed a screening colonoscopy. The screening rate in the managed care population increased from 65.1 to 76.6%. Fifty-nine patients (5.5%) had a positive FIT, of which 30 (50.8%) completed a diagnostic colonoscopy.ConclusionMulti-modal interventions can result in substantial improvement in CRC screening uptake in large and diverse managed care populations.Translational impactHealth systems should shift their focus from single-level to multi-level interventions when addressing barriers to CRC screening

Metabolic syndrome does not affect sustained virologic response of direct-acting antivirals while hepatitis C clearance improves hemoglobin A1c.

AimTo determine whether successful treatment with directacting antivirals (DAA) is associated with improvements in hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) and if type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) or metabolic syndrome affects sustained virologic response (SVR).MethodsWe performed a retrospective analysis of all hepatitis C virus (HCV) patients at the VA Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System treated with varying DAA therapy between 2014-2016. Separate multivariable logistic regression was performed to determine predictors of HbA1c decrease ≥ 0.5 after DAA treatment and predictors of SVR 12-wk post treatment (SVR12).ResultsA total of 1068 patients were treated with DAA therapy between 2014-2016. The presence of T2DM or metabolic syndrome did not adversely affect SVR12. 106 patients had both HCV and T2DM. Within that cohort, patients who achieved SVR12 had lower mean HbA1c pre treatment (7.35 vs 8.60, P = 0.02), and lower mean HbA1c post-treatment compared to non-responders (6.55 vs 8.61, P = 0.01). The mean reduction in HbA1c after treatment was greater for those who achieved SVR12 than for non-responders (0.79 vs 0.01, P = 0.03). In adjusted models, patients that achieved SVR12 were more likely to have a HbA1c decrease of ≥ 0.5 than those that did not achieve SVR12 (adjusted OR = 7.24, 95%CI: 1.22-42.94).ConclusionIn HCV patients with T2DM, successful treatment with DAA was associated with a significant reduction in HbA1c suggesting that DAA may have a role in improving insulin sensitivity. Furthermore, the presence of T2DM or metabolic syndrome does not adversely affect SVR12 rates in patients treated with DAA

Race affects SVR12 in a large and ethnically diverse hepatitis C-infected patient population following treatment with direct-acting antivirals: Analysis of a single-center Department of Veterans Affairs cohort.

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is a major cause of chronic liver disease. HCV cure has been linked to improved patient outcomes. In the era of direct-acting antivirals (DAAs), HCV cure has become the goal, as defined by sustained virological response 12 weeks (SVR12) after completion of therapy. Historically, African-Americans have had lower SVR12 rates compared to White people in the interferon era, which had been attributed to the high prevalence of non-CC interleukin 28B (IL28B) type. Less is known about the association between race/ethnicity and SVR12 in DAA-treated era. The aim of the study is to evaluate the predictors of SVR12 in a diverse, single-center Veterans Affairs population. We conducted a retrospective study of patients undergoing HCV therapy with DAAs from 2014 to 2016 at the VA Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System. We performed a multivariable logistic regression analysis to determine predictors of SVR12, adjusting for age, HCV genotype, DAA regimen and duration, human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) status, fibrosis, nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) fibrosis score, homelessness, mental health, and adherence. Our cohort included 1068 patients, out of which 401 (37.5%) were White people and 400 (37.5%) were African-American. Genotype 1 was the most common genotype (83.9%, N = 896). In the adjusted models, race/ethnicity and the presence of fibrosis were statistically significant predictors of non-SVR. African-Americans had 57% lower odds for reaching SVR12 (adj.OR = 0.43, 95% CI = 1.5-4.1) compared to White people. Advanced fibrosis (adj.OR = 0.40, 95% CI = 0.26-0.68) was also a significant predictor of non-SVR. In a single-center VA population on DAAs, African-Americans were less likely than White people to reach SVR12 when adjusting for covariates

Barriers and Facilitators to Risk Reduction of Cardiovascular Disease in Hypertensive Patients in Nigeria

Background: In Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), the prevalence of hypertension is increasing due to many factors like rapid population growth, globalization, stress, and urbanization. We aimed to characterize the perceptions of cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk among individuals with hypertension living in Nigeria and identify barriers and facilitators to optimal hypertension management. Methods: This cross-sectional survey study was conducted at a large teaching hospital in Lagos, Nigeria. We used a convenient sample of males and females, aged 18 or older, with a diagnosis of hypertension who presented for outpatient visits in the cardiology, nephrology, or family medicine clinics between November 1 and 30, 2020. A semiquantitative approach was utilized with a survey consisting of closed and open-ended questionnaires focused on patient knowledge, perceptions of CVD risk, and barriers and facilitators of behavioral modifications to reduce CVD risk. Results: There were 256 subjects, and 62% were female. The mean age was 58.3 years (standard deviation (SD) = 12.6). The mean duration of the hypertension diagnosis was 10.1 years. Most participants were quite knowledgeable about hypertension; however, we observed some knowledge gaps, including a belief that too much “worrying or overthinking” was a major cause of hypertension and that an absence of symptoms indicated that hypertension was under control. Barriers to hypertension management include age, discomfort or pain, and lack of time as barriers to exercise. Tasteless meals and having to cook for multiple household members were barriers to decreasing salt intake. Cost and difficulty obtaining medications were barriers to medication adherence. Primary facilitators were family support or encouragement and incorporating lifestyle modifications into daily routines. Conclusion: We identified knowledge gaps about hypertension and CVD among our study population. These gaps enable opportunities to develop targeted interventions by healthcare providers, healthcare systems, and local governments. Our findings also help in the promotion of community-based interventions that address barriers to hypertension control and promote community and family involvement in hypertension management in these settings

Cost Utility of Competing Strategies to Prevent Endoscopic Transmission of Carbapenem-Resistant Enterobacteriaceae

Prior reports have linked patient transmission of carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae (CRE, or “superbug”) to endoscopes used during endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP). We performed a decision analysis to measure the cost-effectiveness of four competing strategies for CRE risk management

Black-White Disparities in Colorectal Cancer Incidence, Screening, and Outcomes

African Americans are disproportionately impacted by colorectal cancer (CRC) with higher incidence of disease, higher mortality from disease, and poorer disease survival. These disparities are likely the result of multiple factors, including a high prevalence of CRC risk factors, unfavorable tumor biology, and poor access to medical services among blacks. In addition, while national guidelines promote universal screening for CRC in all Americans, African Americans are less likely than white Americans to pursue screening. There is increasing emphasis in health services research to understand why CRC screening is underutilized in African Americans and to develop interventions that improve screening uptake in the racial subgroup. This dissertation consists of three distinct but related studies that explore black-white disparities in CRC incidence, screening, and outcomes in the United States. The first study evaluates trends in black-white disparities in CRC incidence and stage at diagnosis over the past four decades using the Surveillance, Epidemiology, & End Results (SEER) cancer registry database. Study two is a systematic review of the literature evaluating barriers to colonoscopic CRC screening in African Americans. Study three is a retrospective analysis to compare rates of colonoscopic screening in African Americans and non-African Americans and to identify patient-level, provider-level, and system-level factors associated with receipt and non-receipt of screening in a large Veteran Affairs Healthcare Network. The dissertation demonstrates that while disparities in both CRC incidence and late stage presentation have narrowed over the past four decades, an incidence gap persists. The findings highlight the success of CRC prevention and early detection tools that have come into use over the past three decades and emphasize a continued need for strategies to improve uptake of CRC screening in African Americans. In addition, the dissertation identifies several patient-, provider-, and system-level factors that hinder colonoscopic screening in blacks and contribute to the incidence disparity. While future efforts to address disparities in CRC incidence should focus on increasing the use of screening endoscopy among African Americans to reduce disease incidence, we must not rely on colonoscopic screening alone to decrease the overall burden of CRC on blacks. By determining programs, policy, and interventions to reduce lifestyle risk factors for CRC and optimize use of both preventive and early detection screening methods in varied clinical settings, we can further reduce black-white disparities in CRC incidence, screening, and outcomes

Black-White Disparities in Colorectal Cancer Incidence, Screening, and Outcomes

African Americans are disproportionately impacted by colorectal cancer (CRC) with higher incidence of disease, higher mortality from disease, and poorer disease survival. These disparities are likely the result of multiple factors, including a high prevalence of CRC risk factors, unfavorable tumor biology, and poor access to medical services among blacks. In addition, while national guidelines promote universal screening for CRC in all Americans, African Americans are less likely than white Americans to pursue screening. There is increasing emphasis in health services research to understand why CRC screening is underutilized in African Americans and to develop interventions that improve screening uptake in the racial subgroup. This dissertation consists of three distinct but related studies that explore black-white disparities in CRC incidence, screening, and outcomes in the United States. The first study evaluates trends in black-white disparities in CRC incidence and stage at diagnosis over the past four decades using the Surveillance, Epidemiology, & End Results (SEER) cancer registry database. Study two is a systematic review of the literature evaluating barriers to colonoscopic CRC screening in African Americans. Study three is a retrospective analysis to compare rates of colonoscopic screening in African Americans and non-African Americans and to identify patient-level, provider-level, and system-level factors associated with receipt and non-receipt of screening in a large Veteran Affairs Healthcare Network. The dissertation demonstrates that while disparities in both CRC incidence and late stage presentation have narrowed over the past four decades, an incidence gap persists. The findings highlight the success of CRC prevention and early detection tools that have come into use over the past three decades and emphasize a continued need for strategies to improve uptake of CRC screening in African Americans. In addition, the dissertation identifies several patient-, provider-, and system-level factors that hinder colonoscopic screening in blacks and contribute to the incidence disparity. While future efforts to address disparities in CRC incidence should focus on increasing the use of screening endoscopy among African Americans to reduce disease incidence, we must not rely on colonoscopic screening alone to decrease the overall burden of CRC on blacks. By determining programs, policy, and interventions to reduce lifestyle risk factors for CRC and optimize use of both preventive and early detection screening methods in varied clinical settings, we can further reduce black-white disparities in CRC incidence, screening, and outcomes