The relationship between neighborhood economic deprivation and asthma-associated emergency department visits in Maryland

BackgroundAsthma represents a substantial public health challenge in the United States, affecting over 25 million adults. This study investigates the impact of neighborhood economic deprivation on asthma-associated Emergency Department (ED) visits in Maryland, using the Distressed Communities Index (DCI) for analysis.MethodsA retrospective analysis of Maryland's Emergency Department Databases from January 2018 to December 2020 was conducted, focusing on asthma-associated ED visits.ResultsThe study involved 185,317 ED visits, majority of which were females (56.3%) and non-Hispanic whites (65.2%). A significant association was found between increased neighborhood socioeconomic deprivation and asthma-related ED visits. The poorest neighborhoods showed the highest rates of such visits. Compared to prosperous areas, neighborhoods classified from Comfortable to Distressed had progressively higher odds for asthma-related ED visits (Comfortable: OR = 1.14, Distressed OR = 1.65). Other significant asthma predictors included obesity, female gender, tobacco smoking, and older age.ConclusionThere is a substantive association between higher asthma-related ED visits and high neighborhood economic deprivation, underscoring the impact of socioeconomic factors on health outcomes.Public health implicationsAddressing healthcare disparities and improving access to care in economically distressed neighborhoods is crucial. Targeted interventions, such as community health clinics and asthma education programs, can help mitigate the impact of neighborhood disadvantage

Racial/Ethnic Disparities in Amputation and Revascularization: The Roles of Socioexonomic Reighborhood Stress and Allostatic Load

Blacks are several times more likely to undergo a leg amputation as compared to Whites. This is because while peripheral artery disease (PAD), the most common cause of amputation, is more likely to be treated by revascularization (restoration of blood flow) in Whites, PAD is more likely to be treated by amputation in Blacks. Whereas an ongoing debate argues as to whether this disparity is primarily a sociologic versus a biologic phenomenon, I proposed that there are socioeconomic neighborhood stressors that create more severe PAD and renders individuals less likely to undergo successful revascularization and more likely to undergo amputation. Three specific aims are addressed in this dissertation resulting in three manuscripts. In Study 1, utilizing the Nationwide Inpatient Sample Database (NIS) in a retrospective study design, I determined that among patients admitted to the hospital for severe PAD, low socioeconomic status (SES) correlates positively with the likelihood of amputation, but paradoxically correlates negatively with the severity of PAD. In Study 2, I used the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, in a cross-sectional study design, to evaluate if there was a relationship between PAD severity, as determined by the ankle-brachial index (ABI) and the level of allostatic load. I did not identify an association. In Study 3, I employed the Nationwide Readmission Databases to show that low SES positively correlates with readmission for amputation following surgical revascularization. Findings from these three papers indicate that there is a positive correlation between low SES and the likelihood of amputation both upon initial admission as well as during subsequent follow up after surgical revascularization. I was unable to establish a clear relationship between PAD severity and allostatic load. The paradoxical finding that low SES individuals present with less severe manifestation of PAD signifies that there are yet-to-be-established factors involved in this complex disparity. This dissertation underscores the dominant role of social determinants of health and submits that in order to adequately address this amputation-revascularization disparity and avoid unnecessary amputations, major investments need to be made not only in healthcare, but also in America’s social infrastructure

The effect of income and insurance on the likelihood of major leg amputation

Background: Although it has been suggested that individuals of low socioeconomic status and those with Medicaid or no insurance may be more likely to have their peripheral artery disease treated by leg amputation rather than by limb-saving revascularization, it is not clear if this disparity occurs consistently on a national basis, and if it does so in a linear fashion, such that poorer individuals are at progressively greater risk for amputation. Objective: We undertook this study to determine if lower median household income and Medicaid/no insurance status are associated with a higher risk for amputation, and if this occurs in a progressively linear fashion. Methods: The National (Nationwide) Inpatient Sample Database was queried to identify patients who were admitted with a diagnosis of critical limb ischemia from 2005 to 2014 and underwent either a major amputation or a revascularization procedure during that admission. Patients were stratified according to their insurance status and their median household income into four income quartiles. Multivariate logistic regression was performed to determine the effect of income and insurance status on the odds of undergoing amputation vs leg revascularization. Results: Across the different insurance types, there was a significant decrease in the odds ratios for amputation as one progressed from one MHI quartile to a higher one: namely, Medicare (2.23, 1.87, 1.65, and 1.42 for the first, second, third, and fourth MHI quartiles); Medicaid (2.50, 2.28, 2.04, and 1.80 for the first, second, third, and fourth MHI quartiles); private insurance (1.52, 1.21, 1.16, and 1.00 for the first, second, third, and fourth MHI quartiles), and uninsured (1.91, 1.64, 1.10, and 1.22, for the first, second, third, and fourth MHI quartiles). Conclusions: Lower MHI, Medicaid insurance, and uninsured status are associated with a greater likelihood of amputation and a lower likelihood of undergoing limb-saving revascularization. These disparities are exacerbated in stepwise fashion, such that lower income quartiles are at progressively greater risk for amputation

Atherosclerotic Peripheral Artery Disease in the United States: Gender and Ethnic Variation in a Multiple Cause-of-Death Analysis

Background: Atherosclerotic peripheral artery disease (PAD) is an important cause of morbidity in the United States. In this article, we conducted a multiple cause-of-death analysis of PAD to determine patterns and trends in its contribution to mortality. Methods: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention statistics data were used to determine the number of deaths with the following 10th revision of the International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems codes selected as an underlying cause of death (UCOD) or a contributing cause considering multiple causes of death (MCOD): 170.2, 170.9, 173.9, 174.3, and 174.4. The age-adjusted death rates per 100 000 population by age, gender, race, ethnicity, and region were computed for the United States between the years 1999 and 2017. In these years, there were 47 728 569 deaths from all causes. Results: In 1999 to 2017 combined, there were a total of 311 175 deaths associated with PAD as an UCOD. However, there were 1 361 253 deaths with PAD listed as an UCOD or a contributing cause in MCOD, which is 4.3 times higher than UCOD. Age-adjusted MCOD rates were higher in males (25.6) than in females (19.4). Among non-Hispanics, the rate in African American males and females was 1.2 times higher than in Caucasians. Age-adjusted MCOD rates have declined in African Americans and Caucasians irrespective of gender from 2000 to 2017. Conclusion: Peripheral artery disease is mentioned 4 times as often on death certificates as a contributing cause of death as it is chosen as the UCOD. Overall, age-adjusted MCOD rates were higher in African Americans than Caucasians, males than females, and declined between 2000 and 2017

SUPPLEMENTARY_MATERIAL - Burden of Peripheral Artery Disease in Sub-Saharan Africa and the Caribbean 1990 to 2015

<p>SUPPLEMENTARY_MATERIAL for Burden of Peripheral Artery Disease in Sub-Saharan Africa and the Caribbean 1990 to 2015 by Nitheesha Ganta, Shahabuddin Soherwadi, Kakra Hughes, and Richard F. Gillum in Vascular and Endovascular Surgery</p

Association Between Conduit Type and Outcomes After Open Repair of Popliteal Artery Aneurysms

IntroductionPrior studies have demonstrated acceptable midterm outcomes with prosthetic conduits for above-knee bypass for occlusive disease in patients with inadequate segment great saphenous vein (GSV). In this study we aimed to investigate whether this holds true for open repair of popliteal artery aneurysms (PAA).MethodsWe queried the Vascular Quality Initiative data for patients who underwent open PAA repair (OPAR). We divided the cohort into three groups based on the conduit used: GSV, other autologous veins, or prosthetic graft. Study outcomes included primary patency, freedom from major amputation, amputation-free survival, and overall survival at 1&nbsp;y. Kaplan-Meier survival estimates, log-rank tests and multivariable Cox regression were used to compare outcomes between study groups.ResultsA total of 4016 patients underwent bypass for PAA from January 2010 to October 2021. The three cohorts were significantly different in many demographic and clinical characteristics. The adjusted odds of postoperative amputation among symptomatic patients were 3-fold higher for prosthetic conduits compared to the GSV (odds ratio, 3.20; 95% CI, 1.72-5.92; P&nbsp;&lt;&nbsp;0.001). For the 1-y outcomes, the adjusted risk of major amputation was almost 3-fold higher for patients with symptomatic disease undergoing bypass with prosthetic conduits (hazard ratio [HR], 2.97; 95% CI, 1.35-6.52; P&nbsp;=&nbsp;0.007). When compared with GSV, prosthetic conduits were associated with 96% increased risk of death when used for repair in symptomatic patients (adjusted hazard ratio (aHR), 1.96; 95% CI, 1.29-2.97; P&nbsp;=&nbsp;0.002) but no significant association with mortality in asymptomatic patients (aHR, 0.83; 95% CI, 0.37-1.87; P&nbsp;=&nbsp;0.652). When compared with GSV, prosthetic conduits were associated with a 2-fold increased risk of 1-y major amputation or death when used for repair in symptomatic patients (aHR, 2.03; 95% CI, 1.40-2.94; P&nbsp;&lt;&nbsp;0.001) but no significant association with mortality in asymptomatic patients (aHR, 0.91; 95% CI, 0.42-1.98; P&nbsp;=&nbsp;0.816). Comparing bypass with other veins to the GSV among patients with symptomatic disease, there was no statistically significant difference in major amputation risk (HR; 2.44; 95% CI, 0.55-10.82; P&nbsp;=&nbsp;0.242) and no difference in the adjusted risk of all-cause mortality (aHR, 0.77; 95% CI, 0.26-2.44; P&nbsp;=&nbsp;0.653). There were no differences in the adjusted risk of loss of primary patency comparing other veins to GSV (HR, 1.53; 95% CI, 0.85-2.76; P&nbsp;=&nbsp;0.154) and prosthetic conduits to GSV (HR, 0.85; 95% CI, 0.57-1.26; P&nbsp;=&nbsp;0.422).ConclusionsThis large study shows that among patients undergoing OPAR, 1-y primary patency does not differ between conduit types. However, prosthetic conduits are associated with significantly higher risk of amputation and death compared to GSV among symptomatic patients. Though non-GSV autologous veins are less often used for OPAR, they have comparably acceptable outcomes as GSV

Patterns and Trends of Gun Violence Against Women in the United States

OBJECTIVE: To examine patterns and trends of firearm injuries in a nationally representative sample of US women. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: Gun violence in the United States exceeds rates seen in most other industrialized countries. Due to the paucity of data little is known regarding demographics and temporal variations in firearm injuries among women. METHODS: Data were extracted from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention\u27s Web-based Injury Statistics Query and Reporting System (2001-2017) for women 18 years and older. Number of nonfatal firearm assaults and homicide per year were extracted and crude population-based injury rates were calculated. Sub-stratification by age-group and time period were performed. RESULTS: Between 2001 and 2017, there were 88,823 nonfatal firearm assaults involving women and 29,106 firearm homicides. There were 4116 victims of nonfatal firearm assault in 2001 (3.8 per 105) and 12,959 by 2017 (10.0 per 105). Homicide rates were 1.5 per 105 in 2001 and 1.7 per 105 in 2017. Sub-stratification by age-group and time period showed that there were no significant changes in nonfatal firearm assault rates between 2001 and 2010 (P-trend = 0.132 in 18-44 yo; 0.298 in 45-64 yo). However between 2011 and 2017, nonfatal assault rates increased from 7.10 per 105 to 19.24 per 105 in 18-44 yo (P-trend = 0.013) and from 1.48 per 105 to 3.93 per 105 in 45-64 yo (P-trend = 0.003). Similar trends were seen with firearm homicide among 18-44 yo (1.91 per 105 to 2.47 per 105 in 2011-2017, P-trend = 0.022). However, the trends among 45-64 yo were not significant in both time periods. CONCLUSIONS: Female victims of gun violence are increasing and more recent years have been marked with higher rates of firearm injuries, particularly among younger women. These data suggest that improved public health strategies and policies may be beneficial in reducing gun violence against US women

Assessment of the “Weekend Effect” in Lower Extremity Vascular Trauma

Background: Studies suggest that patients admitted on weekends may have worse outcomes as compared with those admitted on weekdays. Lower extremity vascular trauma (LEVT) often requires emergent surgical intervention and might be particularly sensitive to this “weekend effect.” The objective of this study was to determine if a weekend effect exists for LEVT. Methods: The National and Nationwide Inpatient Sample Database (2005–2014) was queried to identify all adult patients who were admitted with an LEVT diagnosis. Patient and hospital characteristics were recorded or calculated and outcomes including in-hospital mortality, amputation, length of stay (LOS), and discharge disposition were assessed. Independent predictors of outcomes were identified using multivariable regression models. Results: There were 9,282 patients admitted with LEVT (2,866 weekend admissions vs. 6,416 weekday admissions). Patients admitted on weekends were likely to be younger than 45 years (68% weekend vs. 55% weekday, P \u3c 0.001), male (81% weekend vs. 75% weekday, P \u3c 0.001), and uninsured (22% weekend vs. 17% weekday, P \u3c 0.001) as compared with patients admitted on weekdays. There were no statistically significant differences in mortality (3.8% weekend vs. 3.3% weekday, P = 0.209), amputation (7.2% weekend vs. 6.6% weekday, P = 0.258), or discharge home (57.4% weekend vs. 56.1% weekday, P = 0.271). There was no clinically significant difference in LOS (median 7 days weekend vs. 7 days weekday), P = 0.009. On multivariable regression analyses, there were no statistically significant outcome differences between the groups. Conclusions: This study did not identify a weekend effect in LEVT patients in the United States. This suggests that factors other than the day of admission may be important in influencing outcomes after LEVT

The sleepy surgeon: Does night-time surgery for trauma affect mortality outcomes?

Background: Sleepiness and fatigue affect surgical outcomes. We wished to determine the association between time of day and outcomes following surgery for trauma. Methods: From the National Trauma Data Bank (2007 to 2010), we analyzed all adults who underwent an exploratory laparotomy between midnight and 6 am or between 7 am and 5 pm. We compared hospital mortality between these groups using multivariate logistic regression. Additionally, for each hour, a standardized mortality ratio was calculated. Results: About 16,096 patients and 15,109 patients were operated on in the night time and day time, respectively. No difference was found in the risk-adjusted mortality rate between the 2 time periods (odds ratio .97, 95% confidence interval .893 to 1.058). However, hourly variations in mortality during the 24-hour period were noted. Conclusion: Trauma surgery during the odd hours of the night did not have an increased risk-adjusted mortality when compared with surgery during the da