Faculty Bibliography

AIMS: Scientific agencies rely on individuals to donate their DNA to support research on chronic conditions that disproportionately affect African Americans; however, donation is variable in this population. The purpose of this study was to identify sociodemographic characteristics, health care variables, and cultural values having significant independent associations with intentions to donate blood or saliva samples for cancer genetics research among African American adults. METHOD: Cross-sectional survey of donation intentions. RESULTS: The majority of respondents (73%) were willing to donate a biological sample for cancer genetics research. The results of the multivariate regression model found that respondents who received care at a facility other than a doctor's office (e.g., community center) were about five times more likely to be willing to donate a sample for cancer genetics research (odds ratio [OR]=5.28, 95% confidence interval [CI]=1.16-24.12, p=0.03); whereas, greater levels of religiosity (OR=0.09, 95% CI=0.01-0.75, p=0.02) and present temporal orientation (OR=0.23, 95% CI=0.06-0.79, p=0.02) were associated with a lower likelihood of donating a sample. CONCLUSION: Efforts to enhance donation of biological samples for cancer genetics research may need to target diverse clinical sites for recruitment. Additionally, recruitment materials may need to address cultural values related to religiosity and present temporal orientation.

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is associated with systemic inflammation and metabolic complications that might predispose patients to atherosclerosis. However, it remains unclear if HCV infection increases the risk of acute myocardial infarction (MI). To determine whether HCV infection is an independent risk factor for acute MI among adults followed in general practices in the United Kingdom (UK), a retrospective cohort study was conducted in The Health Improvement Network, from 1996 through 2008. Patients >/=18 years of age with at least 6 months of follow-up and without a prior history of MI were eligible for study inclusion. HCV-infected individuals, identified with previously validated HCV diagnostic codes (n = 4809), were matched on age, sex and practice with up to 15 randomly selected patients without HCV (n = 71 668). Rates of incident MI among patients with and without a diagnosis of HCV infection were calculated. Adjusted hazard ratios were estimated using Cox proportional hazards regression, controlling for established cardiovascular risk factors. During a median follow-up of 3.2 years, there was no difference in the incidence rates of MI between HCV-infected and -uninfected patients (1.02 vs 0.92 events per 1000 person-years; P = 0.7). HCV infection was not associated with an increased risk of incident MI (adjusted HR, 1.10; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.67-1.83). Sensitivity analyses including the exploration of a composite outcome of acute MI and coronary interventions yielded similar results (adjusted HR, 1.16; 95% CI, 0.77-1.74). In conclusion, HCV infection was not associated with an increased risk of incident MI.

Increasing epidemiological evidence suggests independent associations between psoriasis and cardiovascular and metabolic disease. Our objective was to test the hypothesis that directly assessed psoriasis severity relates to the prevalence of metabolic syndrome and its components. A population-based, cross-sectional study was undertaken using computerized medical records from the Health Improvement Network Study population including individuals in the age group of 45-65 years with psoriasis and practice-matched controls. The diagnosis and extent of psoriasis were determined using provider-based questionnaires. Metabolic syndrome was defined using the National Cholesterol Education Program Adult Treatment Panel III criteria. A total of 44,715 individuals were included: 4,065 with psoriasis and 40,650 controls. In all, 2,044 participants had mild psoriasis (10% BSA). Psoriasis was associated with metabolic syndrome, adjusted odds ratio (adj. OR 1.41, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.31-1.51), varying in a "dose-response" manner, from mild (adj. OR 1.22, 95% CI 1.11-1.35) to severe psoriasis (adj. OR 1.98, 95% CI 1.62-2.43). Psoriasis is associated with metabolic syndrome and the association increases with increasing disease severity. Furthermore, associations with obesity, hypertriglyceridemia, and hyperglycemia increase with increasing disease severity independently of other metabolic syndrome components. These findings suggest that screening for metabolic disease should be considered for psoriasis, especially when it is severe.

BACKGROUND: Despite increasing therapies for moderate to severe psoriasis, dermatologists' treatment preferences are unknown. OBJECTIVE: We sought to assess dermatologists' preferences for first-line treatments and their selection determinants. METHODS: We surveyed 1000 US dermatologists (500 National Psoriasis Foundation and 500 American Academy of Dermatology members who treat psoriasis) about their preferences for first-line treatment of moderate to severe psoriasis in healthy adults of childbearing age using standardized patient vignettes. RESULTS: The response rate was 39% (N = 387). Preferred therapies for male and female patients were: ultraviolet (UV) B (40% and 56%, respectively), etanercept (15% and 19%), methotrexate (16% and 4%), and adalimumab (12% and 10%). Of respondents, 66% administered phototherapy in their practice. After adjusting for all physician characteristics, those preferring first-line UVB for male or female patients were significantly more likely to have phototherapy in their practice (odds ratio [OR] 3.4, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.8-6.6 and OR 2.8, 95% CI 1.5-5.3, respectively) and to have used UVB in more than 10 patients in the last 3 months (OR 8.0, 95% CI 3.9-16.4; OR 9.6, 95% CI 4.3-21.6). Dermatologists in the Midwest were more likely than those in the Northeast to prefer adalimumab first line for male and female patients. LIMITATIONS: We surveyed only dermatologists with interest in treating psoriasis and elicited their treatment preferences for a single base case scenario. Treatment preferences may differ between survey respondents and nonrespondents. CONCLUSION: UVB is most commonly preferred as a first-line treatment for moderate to severe psoriasis in healthy adults, and preferences vary based on region, phototherapy availability, and prior treatment use.

INTRODUCTION: It has been noted that only 14% of all clinical trials are translated into practice. The objective of this paper is to promote translation of an efficacious rehabilitative exercise program for breast cancer survivors by clarifying for clinicians the safety profile of participants (e.g., rates of musculoskeletal injury and referral to medical professionals), and to use this evidence to make recommendations on the appropriate training of health and fitness staff who would be capable of safely, effectively, and sustainably delivering the program. METHODS: Breast cancer survivors with and at risk for lymphedema were randomized to twice-weekly weightlifting or standard care for 1 year. An injury survey and health care evaluation were administered after 1 year and in 3-month intervals, respectively. RESULTS: The cumulative incidence and rate of injury were higher in the weightlifting than in the control group. The injury rates were 2.3 and 0.3 per 1,000 bouts of weightlifting among breast cancer survivors with and at risk for lymphedema, respectively. Among breast cancer survivors with or at risk for lymphedema, 20.9% in the weightlifting group had an encounter with a health care provider that required cessation or dose modification of weightlifting. CONCLUSION: Despite the demonstrated efficacy of weightlifting, musculoskeletal injuries and other health problems did occur. Therefore, for the successful translation of this rehabilitative intervention into clinical practice, health and fitness professionals working with breast cancer survivors need the knowledge, skills, and abilities that clarify their scope of practice to address these health care needs.

PURPOSE: Short-term reactions to BRCA1 and BRCA2 (BRCA1/2) genetic test results have been described in several reports, but the long-terms effects of testing have not been examined extensively. METHODS: We conducted an observational study to characterize the long-term impact of genetic testing for BRCA1/2 mutations in 167 women who had received genetic test results at least 4 years ago. We also evaluated the relationship between genetic testing-specific reactions and breast and ovarian cancer screening to determine the behavioral significance of adverse reactions. RESULTS: Seventy-four percent of women were not experiencing any distress regarding their test result, 41% were not experiencing any uncertainty, and 51% had a score for positive experiences that was suggestive of low levels of adverse reactions in terms of family support and communication. Mutation carriers (odds ratio, 3.96; 95% CI, 1.44 to 10.89; P = .01) were most likely to experience distress. Only less time since disclosure was related significantly to experiencing uncertainty (odds ratio, 0.62; 95% CI, 0.44 to 0.88; P = .008). In terms of cancer screening, 81% of women had a mammogram during the year before study enrollment, 25% had magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), 20% had a transvaginal ultrasound, and 20% had a CA-125. Experiencing distress was associated significantly with having a CA-125 (chi(2) = 3.89, P = .05), and uncertainty was associated with having an MRI (chi(2) = 8.90, P = .003). CONCLUSION: Our findings show that women are not likely to experience genetic testing concerns several years after receiving BRCA1/2 test results; distress and uncertainty are not likely to have adverse effects on screening among women at risk for hereditary disease.