Patient and mentor language style matching as a predictor of working alliance, engagement with treatment as usual, and eating disorders symptoms over the course of an online guided self-help intervention for anorexia nervosa

Objective The aim of this study was to examine the processes involved in a guided self-help (GSH) pre-treatment intervention (RecoveryMANTRA) for patients with anorexia nervosa (AN), by measuring the levels of patient/mentor Language Style Matching (LSM). RecoveryMANTRA was supported by student mentors or peer mentors (recovered individuals) over six weekly chat-based sessions. We examined whether LSM during RecoveryMANTRA predicted patients'working alliance with the clinic therapist, motivation, eating disorder (ED) and general psychopathology. A further aim was to examine differences in LSM between student mentors and peer mentors. Method 87 AN adults received RecoveryMANTRA plus treatment as usual. The LSM algorithm was used to calculate verbal attunement between patient and mentor. Participants were assessed at baseline and at the end of the intervention. Results Both early (1(st) session) and late (6(th) session) LSM predicted higher working alliance with the clinic therapist. Moreover, late LSM predicted lower EDs symptoms at the end of the RecoveryMANTRA intervention. Patient/peer mentor dyads showed higher late verbal attunement than patient/student mentor dyads. Conclusions These findings suggests that in the early phase of treatment relational aspects can impact on engagement with treatment. Verbal attunement in a GSH for AN is associated with working alliance and better clinical outcome

Late outcomes of a randomized trial of high-frequency oscillation in neonates

BACKGROUND: Results from an observational study involving neonates suggested that high-frequency oscillatory ventilation (HFOV), as compared with conventional ventilation, was associated with superior small-airway function at follow-up. Data from randomized trials are needed to confirm this finding. METHODS: We studied 319 adolescents who had been born before 29 weeks of gestation and had been enrolled in a multicenter, randomized trial that compared HFOV with conventional ventilation immediately after birth. The trial involved 797 neonates, of whom 592 survived to hospital discharge. We compared follow-up data from adolescents who had been randomly assigned to HFOV with follow-up data from those who had been randomly assigned to conventional ventilation, with respect to lung function and respiratory health, health-related quality of life, and functional status, as assessed with the use of questionnaires completed when the participants were 11 to 14 years of age. The primary outcome was forced expiratory flow at 75% of the expired vital capacity (FEF(75)). RESULTS: The HFOV group had superior results on a test of small-airway function (z score for FEF(75), −0.97 with HFOV vs. −1.19 with conventional therapy; adjusted difference, 0.23 [95% confidence interval, 0.02 to 0.45]). There were significant differences in favor of HFOV in several other measures of respiratory function, including forced expiratory volume in 1 second, forced vital capacity, peak expiratory flow, diffusing capacity, and impulse-oscillometric findings. As compared with the conventional-therapy group, the HFOV group had significantly higher ratings from teachers in three of eight school subjects assessed, but there were no other significant differences in functional outcomes. CONCLUSIONS: In a randomized trial involving children who had been born extremely prematurely, those who had undergone HFOV, as compared with those who had received conventional ventilation, had superior lung function at 11 to 14 years of age, with no evidence of poorer functional outcomes. (Funded by the National Institute for Health Research Health Technology Assessment Programme and others.

Predicting Risk of End-Stage Liver Disease in Antiretroviral-Treated HIV/Hepatitis C Virus-Coinfected Patients

Background. End-stage liver disease (ESLD) is an important cause of morbidity among HIV/hepatitis C virus (HCV)-coinfected patients. Quantifying the risk of this outcome over time could help determine which coinfected patients should be targeted for risk factor modification and HCV treatment. We evaluated demographic, clinical, and laboratory variables to predict risk of ESLD in HIV/HCV-coinfected patients receiving antiretroviral therapy (ART). Methods. We conducted a retrospective cohort study among 6,016 HIV/HCV-coinfected patients who received ART within the Veterans Health Administration between 1997 and 2010. The main outcome was incident ESLD, defined by hepatic decompensation, hepatocellular carcinoma, or liver-related death. Cox regression was used to develop prognostic models based on baseline demographic, clinical, and laboratory variables, including FIB-4 and aspartate aminotransferase-to-platelet ratio index, previously validated markers of hepatic fibrosis. Model performance was assessed by discrimination and decision curve analysis. Results. Among 6,016 HIV/HCV patients, 532 (8.8%) developed ESLD over a median of 6.6 years. A model comprising FIB-4 and race had modest discrimination for ESLD (c-statistic, 0.73) and higher net benefit than alternative strategies of treating no or all coinfected patients at relevant risk thresholds. For FIB-4 \u3e3.25, ESLD risk ranged from 7.9% at 1 year to 26.0% at 5 years among non-blacks and from 2.4% at 1 year to 14.0% at 5 years among blacks. Conclusions. Race and FIB-4 provided important predictive information on ESLD risk among HIV/HCV patients. Estimating risk of ESLD using these variables could help direct HCV treatment decisions among HIV/HCV-coinfected patients

Changes in Inflammatory and Atherogenesis Biomarkers With the 2-Drug Regimen Dolutegravir Plus Lamivudine in Antiretroviral Therapy-Experienced, Virologically Suppressed People With HIV-1: A Systematic Literature Review

Background: The 2-drug regimen dolutegravir plus lamivudine has demonstrated long-term noninferior efficacy vs 3-/4-drug regimens (3/4DRs) in phase 3 trials. This systematic literature review summarizes clinical trial and real-world evidence evaluating impact of dolutegravir plus lamivudine on inflammatory and atherogenesis biomarkers in people with human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (PWH). Methods: Using Ovid MEDLINE, Embase, PubMed, and Cochrane library databases and conference proceedings, we searched for studies published from 1 January 2013 to 14 July 2021, reporting changes in inflammatory and atherogenesis biomarkers with dolutegravir plus lamivudine in antiretroviral therapy-experienced, virologically suppressed PWH aged 6518 years. Results: Four records representing 2 randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and 6 records of real-world evidence met eligibility criteria. All real-world studies evaluated CD4+/CD8+\u2005ratio, while only 1 assessed inflammatory biomarkers. Across both RCTs, no consistent pattern of change in biomarkers was observed between dolutegravir/lamivudine and 3/4DR comparators. There were significant changes in soluble CD14 favoring dolutegravir/lamivudine in TANGO at weeks 48 and 144 and SALSA at week 48, and in interleukin-6 favoring the control group in TANGO at weeks 48 and 144. In the real-world study evaluating inflammatory biomarkers, median soluble CD14 significantly decreased 48 weeks postswitch to dolutegravir plus lamivudine (P\u2005<\u2005.001), while other biomarkers remained stable. In all 6 real-world studies, increases in CD4+/CD8+\u2005ratio were reported after switch to dolutegravir plus lamivudine (follow-up, 12-60 months). Conclusions: Results show that dolutegravir plus lamivudine has a comparable impact on inflammatory and atherogenesis biomarkers vs 3/4DRs, with no consistent pattern of change after switch in virologically suppressed PWH

Increased Coronary Atherosclerotic Plaque Vulnerability by Coronary Computed Tomography Angiography in HIV-Infected Men

a Objective: Among HIV-infected patients, high rates of MI and sudden cardiac death have been observed. Exploring potential underlying mechanisms, we used multidetector spiral coronary computed tomography angiography (coronary CTA) to compare atherosclerotic plaque morphology in HIV-infected subjects and non-HIVinfected controls. Methods: Coronary atherosclerotic plaques visualized by CTA in HIV-infected (101) and non-HIV-infected (41) men without clinically apparent heart disease matched on cardiovascular risk factors were analyzed for 3 vulnerability features: low attenuation, positive remodeling, and spotty calcification. Results: 95% of HIV-infected subjects were receiving ART (median duration 7.9 years) and had well-controlled disease (median CD4 473 cells/mm3, median HIV RNA <50 copies/ml). Age and traditional cardiovascular risk factors were similar in HIV-infected subjects and controls. Among the HIV-infected (versus control) group, there was a higher prevalence of subjects with at least one: 1) low attenuation plaque (22.8% versus 7.3%, p ¼ 0.02), 2) positively remodeled plaque (49.5% versus 31.7%, p ¼ 0.05) and 3) high-risk 3-feature plaque (7.9% versus 0%, p ¼ 0.02). Moreover, subjects in the HIVinfected (versus control) group demonstrated a higher number of low attenuation plaques (p ¼ 0.01) and positively remodeled plaques (p ¼ 0.03) per subject. Conclusions: Our data demonstrate an increased prevalence of vulnerable plaque features among relatively young HIV-infected patients. Differences in coronary atherosclerotic plaque morphology -namely, increased vulnerable plaque among HIVinfected subjects -are here for the first time reported and may contribute to increased rates of MI and sudden cardiac death in this population

Creative Arts-Based Therapies for Stroke Survivors: A Qualitative Systematic Review

Background: Stroke is a life-threating cerebrovascular disease. Without proper and immediate treatment, it can cause long-term disabilities and even death. While current rehabilitation focuses on functional needs, it does not fully address the psychosocial issues. Creative arts-based therapies, however, may have the potential to be of assistance.Methods: A systematic review was conducted to synthesize the qualitative findings of the stroke survivors' positive and negative experiences in participating in creative arts-based therapies. A systematic literature search was conducted across diverse databases. A thematic synthesis was adopted to analyze the results from different qualitative studies and mix-method studies.Results: Among the 367 studies extracted from various databases, 11 studies met the inclusion criteria and were of acceptable quality. The following five analytical themes were identified: functional restoration, psychological support, social engagement, spiritual experience, and short-comings and barriers.Conclusion: Creative arts-based therapies have demonstrated their strengths in addressing psychosocial needs for stroke survivors. Different art modalities are perceived to be useful in achieving different therapeutic goals. Therapies based on a single art modality or combined modalities have different specialties and characteristics. Further research is needed to demonstrate the differential benefits or special advantages of using single or multiple art modalities as well as having qualified therapists in creative arts-based therapies

Does Industry-Driven Alcohol Marketing Influence Adolescent Drinking Behaviour? A Systematic Review.

AIM: To systematically review evidence on the influence of specific marketing components (Price, Promotion, Product attributes and Place of sale/availability) on key drinking outcomes (initiation, continuation, frequency and intensity) in young people aged 9–17. METHODS: MEDLINE, EMBASE, SCOPUS, PsychINFO, CINAHL and ProQuest were searched from inception to July 2015, supplemented with searches of Google Scholar, hand searches of key journals and backward and forward citation searches of reference lists of identified papers. RESULTS: Forty-eight papers covering 35 unique studies met inclusion criteria. Authors tended to report that greater exposure to alcohol marketing impacted on drinking initiation, continuation, frequency and intensity during adolescence. Nevertheless, 23 (66%) studies reported null results or negative associations, often in combination with positive associations, resulting in mixed findings within and across studies. Heterogeneity in study design, content and outcomes prevented estimation of effect sizes or exploration of variation between countries or age subgroups. The strength of the evidence base differed according to type of marketing exposure and drinking outcome studied, with support for an association between alcohol promotion (mainly advertising) and drinking outcomes in adolescence, whilst only two studies examined the relationship between alcohol price and the drinking behaviour of those under the age of 18. CONCLUSION: Despite the volume of work, evidence is inconclusive in all four areas of marketing but strongest for promotional activity. Future research with standardized measures is needed to build on this work and better inform interventions and policy responses

Cardiometabolic health in people with HIV: expert consensus review

Objectives To develop consensus data statements and clinical recommendations to provide guidance for improving cardiometabolic health outcomes in people with HIV based on the knowledge and experience of an international panel of experts.Methods A targeted literature review including 281 conference presentations, peer-reviewed articles, and background references on cardiometabolic health in adults with HIV published between January 2016 and April 2022 was conducted and used to develop draft consensus data statements. Using a modified Delphi method, an international panel of 16 experts convened in workshops and completed surveys to refine consensus data statements and generate clinical recommendations.Results Overall, 10 data statements, five data gaps and 14 clinical recommendations achieved consensus. In the data statements, the panel describes increased risk of cardiometabolic health concerns in people with HIV compared with the general population, known risk factors, and the potential impact of antiretroviral therapy. The panel also identified data gaps to inform future research in people with HIV. Finally, in the clinical recommendations, the panel emphasizes the need for a holistic approach to comprehensive care that includes regular assessment of cardiometabolic health, access to cardiometabolic health services, counselling on potential changes in weight after initiating or switching antiretroviral therapy and encouraging a healthy lifestyle to lower cardiometabolic health risk.Conclusions On the basis of available data and expert consensus, an international panel developed clinical recommendations to address the increased risk of cardiometabolic disorders in people with HIV to ensure appropriate cardiometabolic health management for this population