Faculty Bibliography

OBJECTIVES/OBJECTIVE:To compare lung function in a representative sample of World Trade Center (WTC)-exposed children with matched comparisons, and examine relationships with reported exposures. STUDY DESIGN/METHODS:Study population consisted of 402 participants. Oscillometry, spirometry, and plethysmography were performed on WTC Health Registry (WTCHR) respondents who were ≤8 years of age on September 11, 2001 (n = 180) and a sociodemographically matched group of New York City residents (n = 222). We compared lung function by study arm (WTCHR and comparison group) as well as dust cloud (acute); home dust (subchronic); and other traumatic, nondust exposures. RESULTS:In multivariable models, post-9/11 risk of incident asthma was higher in the WTCHR participants than in the comparison group (OR 1.109, 95% CI 1.021, 1.206; P = .015). Comparing by exposure rather than by group, dust cloud (OR 1.223, 95% CI 1.095, 1.365; P < .001) and home dust (OR 1.123, 95% CI 1.029, 1.226; P = .009) exposures were also associated with a greater risk of incidence of post-9/11 asthma. No differences were identified for lung function measures. CONCLUSIONS:Although we cannot exclude an alternative explanation to the null findings, these results may provide some measure of reassurance to exposed children and their families regarding long-term consequences. Further study with bronchodilation and/or methacholine challenge may be needed to identify and further evaluate effects of WTC exposure. Biomarker studies may also be more informative in delineating exposure-outcome relationships. TRIAL REGISTRATION/BACKGROUND:ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT02068183.

Diets with high inflammatory potential are suspected to increase risk for pancreatic cancer (PC). Using pooled analyses, we examined whether this association applies to populations from different geographic regions and population subgroups with varying risks for PC, including variation in ABO blood type. Data from six case-control studies (cases, n=2,414; controls, n=4,528) in the Pancreatic Cancer Case-Control Consortium (PanC4) were analyzed, followed by replication in five nested case-control studies (cases, n=1,268; controls, n=4,215) from the Pancreatic Cancer Cohort Consortium (PanScan). Two polymorphisms in the ABO locus (rs505922 and rs8176746) were used to infer participants' blood types. Dietary questionnaire-derived nutrient/food intake was used to compute energy-adjusted dietary inflammatory index (DII®) scores to assess inflammatory potential of diet. Pooled odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated using multivariable-adjusted logistic regression. Higher E-DII scores, reflecting greater inflammatory potential of diet, were associated with increased PC risk in PanC4 (ORQ5 vs. Q1=2.20, 95% CI=1.85-2.61, Ptrend<0.0001; ORcontinuous=1.20, 95% CI=1.17-1.24), and PanScan (ORQ5 vs. Q1=1.23, 95% CI=0.92-1.66, Ptrend=0.008; ORcontinuous=1.09, 95% CI=1.02-1.15). As expected, genotype-derived non-O blood type was associated with increased PC risk in both the PanC4 and PanScan studies. Stratified analyses of associations between E-DII quintiles and PC by genotype-derived ABO blood type did not show interaction by blood type (Pinteraction=0.10 in PanC4 and Pinteraction=0.13 in PanScan). The results show that consuming a pro-inflammatory diet and carrying non-O blood type are each individually, but not interactively, associated with increased PC risk.

Background/UNASSIGNED:Increasing evidence suggests that exposure to synthetic chemicals such as bisphenols and phthalates can influence fecundability. The current study describes associations of first trimester urinary concentrations of bisphenol A (BPA), BPA analogues and phthalate metabolites with time to pregnancy (TTP). Methods/UNASSIGNED:Among 877 participants in the population-based Generation R pregnancy cohort, we measured first trimester urinary concentrations of bisphenols and phthalates (median gestational age 12.9 weeks [inter-quartile range 12.1-14.4 weeks]). We used fitted covariate-adjusted Cox proportional hazard models to examine associations of bisphenol and phthalate concentrations with TTP. Participants who conceived using infertility treatment were censored at 12 months. Biologically plausible effect measure modification by folic acid supplement use was tested. Results/UNASSIGNED:In the main models, bisphenol and phthalate compounds were not associated with fecundability. In stratified models, total bisphenols and phthalic acid were associated with longer TTP among women who did not use folic acid supplements preconceptionally (respective fecundability ratios per each natural log increase were 0.90 [95% Confidence Interval (CI) 0.81, 1.00] and 0.88 [95% CI 0.79, 0.99]). Using an interaction term for the exposure and folic acid supplement use showed additional effect measure modification by folic acid supplement use for high molecular weight phthalate metabolites. Conclusions/UNASSIGNED:We found no associations of bisphenols and phthalates with fecundability. Preconception folic acid supplementation seems to modify effects of bisphenols and phthalates on fecundability. Folic acid supplements may protect against reduced fecundability among women exposed to these chemicals. Further studies are needed to replicate these findings and investigate potential mechanisms.

PURPOSE/OBJECTIVE:The aim of this study was to assess changing Medicare volumes of, and coverage for, secondary interpretations of diagnostic imaging examinations stratified by modality and body region service families. METHODS:Medicare Physician/Supplier Procedure Summary Master Files for 2003 to 2016 were obtained. Aggregate Part B fee-for-service claims frequency and payment data were isolated for noninvasive diagnostic imaging and stratified by service family. Using published Medicare payment rules, secondary interpretations were identified as studies billed using both modifiers 26 and 77. Billed and denied services volumes were calculated and compared across modality and body region service families. RESULTS:Seven service families showed a compound annual growth rate from 2003 to 2016 of >20% (an additional 12 service families, >10% growth). For select high-volume service families (chest radiography and fluoroscopy [R&F], brain MRI, and abdominal and pelvic CT), relative growth in billed secondary interpretation services exceeded that for primary interpretations. In 2016, body region and modality service families with the most billed secondary interpretations were chest R&F (674,124), abdominal and pelvic R&F (65,566), brain CT (45,642), extremity R&F (34,560), abdominal and pelvic CT (14,269), and chest CT (10,914). All service families had secondary interpretation denial rates <25% in 2016 (15 service families, <10%). CONCLUSIONS:Among Medicare beneficiaries, the frequency of billed secondary interpretation services for diagnostic imaging services increased from 2003 to 2016 across a broad range of modalities and body regions, often dramatically. Payment denial rates were consistently low across service families. As CMS continues to seek input on appropriate coverage for these services, these findings suggest increasing clinical demand for and payer acceptance of these value-added radiologist services.

The use of inhaled nitrites, or poppers, among men who have sex with men (MSM) is prevalent, yet has been associated with HIV seroconversion. We surveyed 580 MSM from a geosocial networking smartphone application in Paris, France, in 2016. Of the respondents, 46.7% reported popper use within the previous 3 months. Regression models adjusted for sociodemographic characteristics found that the use of poppers was significantly (P<0.05) associated with the following during the prior 3 months: condomless anal intercourse (adjusted relative risk (aRR) 1.27, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.07-1.50), use of alcohol and/or drugs during sex once or twice (adjusted relative risk ratio (aRRR) 2.33, 95% CI 1.44-2.03), three to five times (aRRR 5.41, 95% CI 2.98-9.84) or six or more times (aRRR 4.09, 95% CI 2.22-7.56), participation in group sex (aRRR 3.70, 95% CI 2.33-5.90) and self-reported diagnosis with any sexually transmissible infection over the previous year (aRR 1.63, 95% CI 1.18-2.27), specifically chlamydia (aRR 2.75, 95% CI 1.29-4.29) and syphilis (aRR 2.27, 95% CI 1.29-4.29).

Aim: Naltrexone is first-line pharmacotherapy for alcohol use disorders (AUD). Oral naltrexone (ONTX) is under-prescribed in primary care and possibly limited by poor adherence. Monthly injectable extended-release naltrexone (XR-NTX) may improve rates of medication adherence, retention, good clinical outcomes (Aim 1), and cost savings (Aim 2). Methods: This is an on-going randomized, open-label, comparative effectiveness trial of 24 weeks of XR-NTX vs. O-NTX as AUD treatment in primary care at a public hospital in New York City. Adults (>18 yo) with a DSM-V diagnosis of AUD randomized to XR-NTX (380 mg/month) vs. O-NTX (50-100 mg/day).Medical Management visits occur biweekly (weeks 1-8), then monthly.Major research assessments occur at baseline, weeks 13, 25, 48. The primary outcome is a Good Clinical Outcome (GCO) across weeks 5-24: abstinence or moderate drinking and 0-2 days of heavy drinking per month. This preliminary, descriptive analysis presentsWeek 0-5 results among all participants. Results: N = 237 participants were randomized from 6/14-9/17: mean age 48.5 (SD = 10.6); 71% male; 54% AA, 21%Hispanic; 41% employed, 81%reported other lifetime substance use. Mean AUDIT scores (instrument range 0-40) at baseline: 24.2 (SD = 8.0); mean OCDS (range 0-40) scores 17.1 (SD = 8.1); mean drinks/day 9.6 (SD = 11.6) with 29%abstinent vs. 61% heavy drinking days. Medication induction was robust, 115 of 117 (98.2%) initiating XR-NTX and 120 (100%) filled or received an initial O-NTX prescription. The GCO was reported by 41%XR-NTX and 47%ONTX atWeek 5. DuringWeek 1-5, mean drinks/day were 3.1 (SD = 6.1), 63% abstinent/22%heavy drinking days for XR-NTX; 2.4 (SD = 4.03), 61%abstinent/22%heavy drinking days for O-NTX. 62%received XR-NTX injection #2 and 67%received O-NTXmonthly refill #2. Adherence self-report for O-NTX at Week 5 indicated moderate average daily adherence,MMAS-8 mean (range <6 low, 6 to <8 moderate, =8 high) score 6.13 (SD = 3.02). Conclusion: This on-going XR vs. oral naltrexone alcohol primary care treatment trial recruited a primarily male, unemployed, ethnic minority adult population. Initial acceptance of both XR and ONTX was high. Primary outcomes will focus on drinking reductions and cost and value comparisons during weeks 5-24

The use of social media is increasing globally and is employed in a variety of ways in the prostate cancer community. In addition to their use in research, advocacy, and awareness campaigns, social media offer vast opportunities for education and networking for patients with prostate cancer and health-care professionals, and many educational resources and support networks are available to patients with prostate cancer and their caregivers. Despite the considerable potential for social media to be employed in the field of prostate cancer, concerns remain - particularly regarding the maintenance of patient confidentiality, variable information quality, and possible financial conflicts of interest. A number of professional societies have, therefore, issued guidance regarding social media use in medicine. Social media are used extensively in other cancer communities, particularly among patients with breast cancer, and both the quantity and type of information available are expected to grow in the future.

BACKGROUND:Little is known about the prevalence and correlates of burnout among providers who work in small independent primary care practices (<5 providers). METHODS:We conducted a cross-sectional analysis by using data collected from 235 providers practicing in 174 small independent primary care practices in New York City. RESULTS:= .034). CONCLUSION/CONCLUSIONS:The burnout rate was relatively low among our sample of providers compared with previous surveys that focused primarily on larger practices. The independence and autonomy providers have in these small practices may provide some protection against symptoms of burnout. In addition, the relationship between adaptive reserve and lower rates of burnout point toward potential interventions for reducing burnout that include strengthening primary care practices' learning and development capacity.

The objective of this study was to measure change in obesity prevalence among New York City (NYC) adults from 2004 to 2013-2014 and assess variation across sociodemographic subgroups. We used objectively measured height and weight data from the NYC Health and Nutrition Examination Survey to calculate relative percent change in obesity (≥ 30 kg/m²) between 2004 (n = 1987) and 2013-2014 (n = 1489) among all NYC adults and sociodemographic subgroups. We also examined changes in self-reported proxies for energy imbalance. Estimates were age-standardized and statistical significance was evaluated using two-tailed T tests and multivariable regression (p < 0.05). Between 2004 and 2013-2014, obesity increased from 27.5 to 32.4% (p = 0.01). Prevalence remained stable and high among women (31.2 to 32.8%, p = 0.53), but increased among men (23.4 to 32.0%, p = 0.002), especially among non-Latino White men and men age ≥ 65 years. Black adults had the highest prevalence in 2013-2014 (37.1%) and Asian adults experienced the largest increase (20.1 to 29.2%, p = 0.06), especially Asian women. Foreign-born participants and participants lacking health insurance also had large increases in obesity. We observed increases in eating out and screen time over time and no improvements in physical activity. Our findings show increases in obesity in NYC in the past decade, with important sociodemographic differences.