Faculty Bibliography

BACKGROUND:Mobile health (mHealth) applications have recently proliferated, especially in low- and middle-income countries, complementing task-redistribution strategies with clinical decision support. Relatively few studies address usability and feasibility issues that may impact success or failure of implementation, and few have been conducted for non-communicable diseases such as hypertension. OBJECTIVE:To conduct iterative usability and feasibility testing of a tablet-based Decision Support and Integrated Record-keeping (DESIRE) tool, a technology intended to assist rural clinicians taking care of hypertension patients at the community level in a resource-limited setting in western Kenya. METHODS:Usability testing consisted of "think aloud" exercises and "mock patient encounters" with five nurses, as well as one focus group discussion. Feasibility testing consisted of semi-structured interviews of five nurses and two members of the implementation team, and one focus group discussion with nurses. Content analysis was performed using both deductive codes and significant inductive codes. Critical incidents were identified and ranked according to severity. A cause-of-error analysis was used to develop corresponding design change suggestions. RESULTS:Fifty-seven critical incidents were identified in usability testing, 21 of which were unique. The cause-of-error analysis yielded 23 design change suggestions. Feasibility themes included barriers to implementation along both human and technical axes, facilitators to implementation, provider issues, patient issues and feature requests. CONCLUSIONS:This participatory, iterative human-centered design process revealed previously unaddressed usability and feasibility issues affecting the implementation of the DESIRE tool in western Kenya. In addition to well-known technical issues, we highlight the importance of human factors that can impact implementation of mHealth interventions.

Achieving social and economic growth requires collaboration, especially in global health. If universities are to improve health globally, they will need to train students and to support faculty who can effectively collaborate with those from other disciplines and cultures.

OBJECTIVES/OBJECTIVE:To assess subclinical atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) using B-mode ultrasound, with special emphasis on the incremental value of performing imaging in multiple peripheral arteries, and to compare imaging findings with traditional risk factors for medical intervention eligibility. METHODS:Data from 2 asymptomatic cohorts from India with unknown ASCVD risk factors were compared to 2 cohorts from North America with known ASCVD risk factors. Carotid and iliofemoral arteries of the Indian cohorts were examined with automated ultrasound in a high-pace environment by non-experts. A simplified metric of atherosclerotic disease burden (FUster-Narula or FUN Score) was developed from 3D imaging data by summing intima-media volume (IMV) over 5-cm arterial segments. Effectiveness of ASCVD prevention guidelines to direct therapy was compared to results from direct imaging. RESULTS:Of the 941 (mean age 44.27 ± 13.76 years, 34% female) enrollees from India, 224 (24%) demonstrated plaques in at least 1 of the 4 arterial sites examined; 107 (11%) had plaques in only the carotids, 70 (7%) in both the carotids and iliofemoral arteries, and 47 (5%) had plaques in only the iliofemoral arteries. Older age and male sex were associated with the presence of plaque, but association with systolic blood pressure was not observed. Data from 2 North American clinics (n = 481, mean age 59.68 ± 11.95 years, 39% female) showed that 203 subjects (42%) had carotid plaque; 82% of whom would not have qualified for lipid-lowering therapy under the Adult Treatment Panel (ATP) III Guidelines. Using the recently published ATP IV Guidelines, 33% of the individuals with carotid plaque would also have failed to qualify for treatment. CONCLUSIONS:B-mode ultrasound examination of bilateral iliofemoral arteries provided an incremental yield in identifying subclinical atherosclerotic disease compared to carotid evaluation alone. Ultrasound examination allowed improved identification of individuals who could be targeted for prophylactic medical intervention compared to ATP III and ATP IV Guidelines.

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of mortality worldwide and also exerts a significant economic burden, especially in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). Detection of subclinical CVD, before an individual experiences a major event, may therefore offer the potential to prevent or delay morbidity and mortality, if combined with an appropriate care response. In this review, we discuss imaging technologies that can be used to detect subclinical atherosclerotic CVD (carotid ultrasound, coronary artery calcification) and nonatherosclerotic CVD (echocardiography). We review these imaging modalities, including aspects such as rationale, relevance, feasibility, utilization, and access in LMICs. The potential gains in detecting subclinical CVD may be substantial in LMICs, if earlier detection leads to earlier engagement with the health care system to prevent or delay cardiac events, morbidity, and premature mortality. Thus, dedicated studies examining the feasibility, utility, and cost-effectiveness of detecting subclinical CVD in LMICs are warranted.

BACKGROUND:Mobile health (mHealth) approaches for non-communicable disease (NCD) care seem particularly applicable to sub-Saharan Africa given the penetration of mobile phones in the region. The evidence to support its implementation has not been critically reviewed. METHODS:We systematically searched PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, Cochrane Central Register of Clinical Trials, a number of other databases, and grey literature for studies reported between 1992 and 2012 published in English or with an English abstract available. We extracted data using a standard form in accordance with Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines. RESULTS:Our search yielded 475 citations of which eleven were reviewed in full after applying exclusion criteria. Five of those studies met the inclusion criteria of using a mobile phone for non-communicable disease care in sub-Saharan Africa. Most studies lacked comparator arms, clinical endpoints, or were of short duration. mHealth for NCDs in sub-Saharan Africa appears feasible for follow-up and retention of patients, can support peer support networks, and uses a variety of mHealth modalities. Whether mHealth is associated with any adverse effect has not been systematically studied. Only a small number of mHealth strategies for NCDs have been studied in sub-Saharan Africa. CONCLUSIONS:There is insufficient evidence to support the effectiveness of mHealth for NCD care in sub-Saharan Africa. We present a framework for cataloging evidence on mHealth strategies that incorporates health system challenges and stages of NCD care. This framework can guide approaches to fill evidence gaps in this area. Systematic review registration: PROSPERO CRD42014007527.

Ischemic heart disease (IHD) is the greatest single cause of mortality and loss of disability-adjusted life years worldwide, and a substantial portion of this burden falls on low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). Deaths from IHD and acute coronary syndrome (ACS) occur, on average, at younger ages in LMICs than in high-income countries, often at economically productive ages, and likewise frequently affect the poor within LMICs. Although data about ACS in LMICs are limited, there is a growing literature in this area and the research gaps are being steadily filled. In high-income countries, decades of investigation into the risk factors for ACS and development of behavioral programs, medications, interventional procedures, and guidelines have provided us with the tools to prevent and treat events. Although similar tools can be, and in fact have been, implemented in many LMICs, challenges remain in the development and implementation of cardiovascular health promotion activities across the entire life course, as well as in access to treatment for ACS and IHD. Intersectoral policy initiatives and global coordination are critical elements of ACS and IHD control strategies. Addressing the hurdles and scaling successful health promotion, clinical and policy efforts in LMICs are necessary to adequately address the global burden of ACS and IHD.

Background: ED patients with acute drug overdose have been shown to suffer adverse cardiovascular events, but prediction of these events is difficult. Objectives: To validate previously derived features of the initial ECG associated with adverse cardiovascular events in this population. Methods: We performed a prospective validation cohort study to evaluate adult ED patients with acute drug overdose at two urban university hospitals over 5 years in whom ED admission ECGs were performed. Excluded were patients with alternate diagnoses, anaphylaxis, chronic drug toxicity, and missing outcome data. Adverse cardiovascular events were defined as any of the following: shock (vasopressor requirement), myocardial injury (MI, elevated troponin), ventricular dysrythmia, or cardiac arrest (pulseless). Blinded cardiologists interpreted ECGs for rhythm, intervals, QT dispersion, ischemia (T wave inversion, ST depression), and infarction (ST elevation, Q waves). Diagnostic test characteristics of the previously derived ECG rule (ectopy, non-sinus rhythm, QTc), as well as univariate statistics, odds ratios (OR), and 95% confidence intervals (CI) were calculated. Assuming 10% prevalence of predictor variables and baseline 8% adverse cardiovascular event rate in the population, we calculated the need to enroll 552 patients to show three-fold increased risk per factor with 80% power and 5% alpha. Results: Of 589 acute drug overdose patients who met inclusion criteria (48% male, mean age 42), there were 95 adverse cardiovascular events (39 shock, 64 MI, 26 dysrhythmia, 16 cardiac arrest). The most common drug exposures were benzodiazepines, opioids, and acetaminophen. All previously derived criteria were highly predictive of adverse events, with QTc >500 ms the highest risk feature associated with over 10-fold increased adverse cardiovascular event risk (OR 11.2, CI 4.6-27). All high-risk ECG features as well as diagnostic test characteristics of the ECG rule are presented in Table 217. Conclusion: This study val!

BACKGROUND:Hypertension is the leading global risk factor for mortality. Hypertension treatment and control rates are low worldwide, and delays in seeking care are associated with increased mortality. Thus, a critical component of hypertension management is to optimize linkage and retention to care. METHODS/DESIGN/METHODS:This study investigates whether community health workers, equipped with a tailored behavioral communication strategy and smartphone technology, can increase linkage and retention of hypertensive individuals to a hypertension care program and significantly reduce blood pressure among them. The study will be conducted in the Kosirai and Turbo Divisions of western Kenya. An initial phase of qualitative inquiry will assess facilitators and barriers of linkage and retention to care using a modified Health Belief Model as a conceptual framework. Subsequently, we will conduct a cluster randomized controlled trial with three arms: 1) usual care (community health workers with the standard level of hypertension care training); 2) community health workers with an additional tailored behavioral communication strategy; and 3) community health workers with a tailored behavioral communication strategy who are also equipped with smartphone technology. The co-primary outcome measures are: 1) linkage to hypertension care, and 2) one-year change in systolic blood pressure among hypertensive individuals. Cost-effectiveness analysis will be conducted in terms of costs per unit decrease in blood pressure and costs per disability-adjusted life year gained. DISCUSSION/CONCLUSIONS:This study will provide evidence regarding the effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of strategies to optimize linkage and retention to hypertension care that can be applicable to non-communicable disease management in low- and middle-income countries. TRIAL REGISTRATION/BACKGROUND:This trial is registered with (NCT01844596) on 30 April 2013.