Journal of investigative medicine : the official publication of the American Federation for Clinical Research
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Telemedicine is seen as a useful tool in reducing gaps in health care but this technology-enabled care can also exacerbate health inequity if not implemented with a focus on inclusivity. Though many studies have reported improvements as well as exacerbation of disparities in access to care in their telehealth programs, there does not exist a common evaluation tool to assess these programs. To mitigate the impact of COVID-19 on health care workers and protect medically vulnerable children, in March 2020 we expanded our pre-established specialty and subspecialty direct-to-patient pediatric telemedicine program in a high volume urban pediatric health system. ⋯ Future identification of these specific barriers is needed. The tool to evaluate telehealth impact/access to care through a "Pillars of Access" approach presented here could serve as a model for implementation of telehealth programs. Our study highlights telemedicine programs as a mechanism to address healthcare inequity and overcome barriers to care.
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Comorbid conditions represent a major risk for severe illness among persons with COVID-19. Previously healthy people with COVID-19 can also develop severe illness, but are expected to have better outcomes than those with comorbid conditions. Nevertheless, recent data suggest that the former may have, counterintuitively, higher risk of death among those with non-COVID sepsis. ⋯ On adjusted analyses, the odds of short-term mortality were lower among the previously healthy compared to those with comorbidities overall (adjusted odds ratio (aOR) 0.84 (95% CI: 0.73-0.98)), but did not differ among those with ≥3 organ dysfunctions (aOR 1.11 (95% CI: 0.84-1.46)) and the mechanically ventilated (aOR 0.87 (95% CI: 0.68-1.12)), while being higher among those with do-not-resuscitate status (aOR 1.40 (95% CI: 1.04-1.89)). Over one in eight ICU admissions with COVID-19 were previously healthy. Although being previously healthy was associated with lower risk of death compared to those with comorbidities overall, it had no prognostic advantage among the more severely ill.
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Observational Study
COVID-19 Related Mortality in Texas Border Counties vs Non-Border Counties.
The state of Texas ranked second in total cases of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in the United States during the pandemic. Counties near the US-Mexico border were severely impacted by the pandemic. Mortality and long-term consequences from COVID-19 are associated with comorbidities, illness severity, and patient demographics. ⋯ Patient mortality was 5.35% in border counties compared to 3.87% in non-border counties (p = 0.003). In border counties, 36.51% and 32.96% of patients required ICU and CCU admissions compared to 32.96% and 10.72%, respectively in non-border counties. Border counties had significantly higher risk of mortality (relative risk (RR) = 1.26; 95% CI: 1.09-1.46, p = 0.002), ICU admission (RR = 1.15; 95% CI: 1.15; 95% CI: 1.01-1.32, p = 0.038), CCU admission (RR = 2.87; 95% CI: 1.93, 4.27, p < 0.001), and ICU/CCU admission (RR = 1.28; 95% CI: 1.10, 1.48, p < 0.001) which reflects health disparities in the management of COVID-19 in border counties of Texas.
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Observational Study
EXPRESS: Disruption of the endothelial glycocalyx layer is associated with idiopathic complete atrioventricular block in the elderly population: An observational pilot study.
Idiopathic atrioventricular block (iCAVB) is the most common reason for the need for a permanent pacemaker in the elderly population. The fibrotic process that occurs in the conduction system of the heart with aging is the main pathogenesis in the development of iCAVB. However, the processes that trigger the development of iCAVB in the elderly population have not been fully elucidated. ⋯ In multivariable regression analysis, SDC1 was determined as an independent potential predictor for iCAVB (OR: 1.200; 95% CI: 1.119-1.287; p < 0.001). In the receiver operating characteristic curve analysis, SDC1 predicted iCAVB with 74% sensitivity and 72% specificity at the best cut-off value of 18.5 ng/mL (area under the curve: 0.777; confidence interval: 0.698-0.856; p < 0.001). Disruption of the endothelial glycolic layer may be one of the main triggering factors for the process leading to iCAVB.