Faculty Bibliography

Although case-control studies suggest that African Americans with common coding variants in the APOL1 gene are 5-29 times more likely than those individuals without such variants to have focal segmental glomerulosclerosis, HIV-associated nephropathy, or ESRD, prospective studies have not yet evaluated the impact of these variants on CKD in a community-based sample of African Americans. Here, we studied whether the APOL1 G1 and G2 risk alleles associate with the development of CKD and progression to ESRD by analyzing data from 3067 African Americans in the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities Study who did not have CKD at baseline. Carrying two risk alleles associated with a 1.49-fold increased risk of CKD (95% CI=1.02 to 2.17) and a 1.88-fold increased risk of ESRD (95% CI=1.20 to 2.93) compared with zero or one risk allele; associations persisted after adjusting for European ancestry. Among participants who developed CKD, those participants with two risk alleles were more likely to progress to ESRD than their counterparts with zero or one risk allele (HR=2.22, 95% CI=1.01 to 4.84). In conclusion, APOL1 risk variants are risk factors for the development of CKD and progression from CKD to ESRD among African Americans in the general population.

OBJECTIVE:To obtain focus group data regarding the perspectives of rural African American (AA) girls, parents/guardians, and community leaders on obesity, loss of control (LOC) eating, relationships, and interpersonal psychotherapy for the prevention of excessive weight gain (IPT-WG). METHODS:7 focus groups (N = 50 participants) were moderated and the transcripts analyzed by Westat researchers using widely accepted methods of qualitative and thematic analysis. A session was held with experts in health disparities to elucidate themes. RESULTS:Participants understood LOC eating; however, they had culturally specific perceptions including usage of alternative terms. Relationships were highly valued, specifically those between mothers and daughters. IPT-WG program components generally resonated with participants, although modifications were recommended to respect parental roles. Experts interpreted focus group themes and discussed potential barriers and solutions to recruitment and participation. CONCLUSION/CONCLUSIONS:Findings suggest that adapting IPT-WG may be acceptable to rural AA families. This research is the first step in developing a sustainable excessive weight gain and binge eating disorder prevention program for rural AA adolescents.

BACKGROUND:Malaria remains a substantial public health problem in Togo. An integrated child health campaign was conducted in Togo in October 2011. This campaign included a component of free distribution of 2,799,800 long-lasting, insecticide-treated nets (LLINs) to households throughout Togo. This distribution marked the first effort in Togo at universal LLIN coverage and was not targeted specifically to children under five years and pregnant women, but to all household members. This study reports the results of the LLIN distribution campaign in terms of bed net possession and utilization. METHODS:A representative household survey was implemented during the rainy season nine months after the LLIN distribution component of the campaign. Some 6,015 households selected through two stages of probability proportion to size stratified random sampling were interviewed using a brief questionnaire that included a demographic section with questions on the number of household members and sleeping spaces, and a campaign participation section with questions used to evaluate non-LLIN aspects of the campaign. A net roster listed all nets and their characteristics, and a household roster listed all members and visitors with information about bed net use. The questions addressed different aspects of bed net and LLIN possession and utilization. Crude weighted frequencies, percentages, and t- tests of association were calculated using the Stata 12.0 Survey features. RESULTS:Possession of at least one bed net and/or LLIN increased from 41.3% to 96.7% (P <0.001). Household possession of at least one campaign LLIN was 93.3%. Report LLIN among pregnant women was 77.5% and 79.3% for children under five. For the general population LLIN use was 68.3%. CONCLUSIONS:Due to the gap in LLIN possession and use and the significant number of individuals reporting a lack of nets as a reason for non-use, additional national LLIN distribution campaigns with a stronger educational component need to be implemented in order increase the use of available LLINs and to reach and maintain universal coverage of LLINs in Togo. The LLIN distribution campaign focusing on universal coverage of the general population in Togo was more successful at increasing LLIN possession and use of children under five years and pregnant women than other campaigns focusing only on these target groups.

BACKGROUND:Due to high rates of inactivity and related chronic illnesses among Latinas, the current study examined the feasibility and acceptability of using pedometers as an intervention tool in this underserved population. METHODS:Data were taken from a larger randomized, controlled trial2 and focused on the subsample of participants (N = 43) who were randomly assigned to receive a physical activity intervention with pedometers and instructions to log pedometer use daily and mail completed logs back to the research center each month for 6 months. RESULTS:Retention (90.7% at 6 months) and adherence to the pedometer protocol (68.89% returned ≥ 5 of the 6 monthly pedometer logs) were high. Overall, participants reported increased physical activity at 6 months and credited pedometer use for helping them achieve these gains (75.7%). Participants who completed a high proportion (≥ 5/6) of pedometer logs reported significantly greater increases in physical activity and related process variables (stages of change, self-efficacy, behavioral processes of change, social support from friends) than those who were less adherent (completed < 5 pedometer logs). CONCLUSIONS:Pedometers constitute a low-cost, useful tool for encouraging self-monitoring of physical activity behavior in this at-risk group.

High utilizers of alcohol and other drug treatment (AODTx) services are a priority for healthcare cost control. We examine characteristics of Medicaid-funded AODTx clients, comparing three groups: individuals <90th percentile of AODTx expenditures (n=41,054); high-cost clients in the top decile of AODTx expenditures (HC; n=5,718); and 1760 enrollees in a chronic care management (CM) program for HC clients implemented in 22 counties in New York State. Medicaid and state AODTx registry databases were combined to draw demographic, clinical, social needs and treatment history data. HC clients accounted for 49% of AODTx costs funded by Medicaid. As expected, HC clients had significant social welfare needs, comorbid medical and psychiatric conditions, and use of inpatient services. The CM program was successful in enrolling some high-needs, high-cost clients but faced barriers to reaching the most costly and disengaged individuals.

OBJECTIVE:The objective was to describe the design, implementation and preliminary results of a collaborative care pilot program using hybrid colocation and centralized care management for patients with depression and chronic medical illness in an urban accountable care organization. METHODS:Patients with chronic illness (diabetes mellitus, coronary artery disease and/or congestive heart failure) and comorbid depressive symptoms (Patient Health Questionnaire [PHQ]9 score ≥10) were enrolled. The interventions included collaborative care for depression and chronic conditions; behavioral support, including short-term psychotherapy by licensed clinical social worker on-site or telephonically; off-site nurse care management and psychiatrist consultation through an electronic medical record. RESULTS:Forty-four percent of patients (n=61) achieved a depression response. In a diabetes subgroup with depression and glycosylated hemoglobin level HbA1c >8 (n=21), 33% had a depression response with a minimum 0.5% HbA1c reduction. Among a subgroup (n=25) with Framingham risk score >15% and depression, mean PHQ9 depression scores and mean Framingham scores were reduced by 35% and 34%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS:Early experience of the pilot for multiple chronic illnesses and depression appears feasible and shows initial promise.

OBJECTIVE:To test the hypothesis that a change in glycated hemoglobin (A1c) over a follow-up interval of approximately 2 years would be associated with concomitant changes in fasting lipids in individuals with type 1 diabetes (T1D). STUDY DESIGN/METHODS:All subjects with T1D diagnosed in 2002-2005 in the SEARCH for Diabetes in Youth study with at least 2 study visits ∼12 and ∼24 months after an initial visit were included (age at initial visit, 10.6 ± 4.1 years; 48% female; diabetes duration, 10 ± 7 months; 76% non-Hispanic white; A1c = 7.7% ± 1.4%). Longitudinal mixed models were fit to examine the relationship between change in A1c and change in lipid levels (total cholesterol [TC], high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol [HDL-c], low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol [LDL-c], log triglycerides [TG], and non-HDL-c) with adjustment for possible confounders. RESULTS:Change in A1c over time was significantly associated with changes in TC, HDL-c, LDL-c, TG, and non-HDL-c over the range of A1c values. For example, for a person with an A1c of 10% and then a 2% decrease in A1c 2 years later (to 8%), the model predicted concomitant changes in TC (-0.29 mmol/L, -11.4 mg/dL), HDL-c (0.03 mmol/L, 1.3 mg/dL), LDL-c (-0.23 mmol/L, -9.0 mg/dL), and non-HDL-c (-0.32 mmol/L, -12.4 mg/dL) and an 8.5% decrease in TG (mmol/L). CONCLUSIONS:Improved glucose control over a 2-year follow-up was associated with a more favorable lipid profile but may be insufficient to normalize lipids in dyslipidemic T1D youth needing to decrease lipids to goal.

OBJECTIVE:To establish minimal clinically important difference (MCID) scores representing the smallest detectable change in quality of life (QOL), using the Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory (PedsQL) Generic Core and Diabetes Module among youth with diabetes and their parents, and to identify demographic and clinical correlates of QOL change over 1 year. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS/METHODS:Participants in the SEARCH for Diabetes in Youth Study aged >5 years and parents of youth aged <18 years completed PedsQL surveys at their initial and 12-month study visits. MCIDs for each PedsQL module were calculated using one standard error of measurement. Demographic and clinical characteristics associated with QOL change were identified through multiple linear and logistic regression analyses. RESULTS:The sample comprised 5,004 youth (mean age, 12.5 ± 4.7 years; mean diabetes duration, 3.4 ± 3.7 years). Of 100 possible points, PedsQL total score MCIDs for youth with type 1 and type 2 diabetes, respectively, were Generic Core, 4.88, 6.27 (parent) and 4.72, 5.41 (youth); Diabetes Module, 4.54, 6.06 (parent) and 5.27, 5.96 (youth). Among 1,402 youth with a follow-up visit, lower baseline QOL, male sex, private insurance, having type 1 diabetes, longer diabetes duration, and better glycemic control predicted improvements in youth- and parent-reported PedsQL total scores over 1 year. Clinically meaningful (≥1 MCID) improvements in total score for at least one PedsQL module were predicted by private insurance, lower BMI, and lower A1C at baseline. CONCLUSIONS:These diabetes-specific reference points to interpret clinically meaningful change in PedsQL scores can be used in clinical care and research for youth with type 1 and type 2 diabetes.

OBJECTIVES/OBJECTIVE:To examine whether the types of medical nutrition therapies (MNTs) taught to and used by youth with type 1 diabetes (T1D) vary by sociodemographic characteristics and cardiovascular (CVD) risk factors. DESIGN/METHODS:Cross-sectional study. SETTING/METHODS:The SEARCH for Diabetes in Youth study is a population-based cohort of individuals with clinical diagnosed diabetes. PARTICIPANTS/METHODS:A total of 1,191 individuals with T1D. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES/METHODS:Types of MNTs and frequency of use. ANALYSIS/METHODS:Bivariate analysis and multivariate linear regression (P < .05) RESULTS: More race/ethnic minorities (vs whites), individuals with parents with less than a high school education (vs high school or higher education), and overweight/obese (vs underweight/normal weight) were taught additional MNTs. For underweight/normal weight individuals exclusively taught carbohydrate counting, those who used this approach "often" had lower hemoglobin A1c (8.6% vs 8.9%) and triglycerides (73.5 vs 84.1 mg/dL) than those who used it "sometimes/never." "Often" use of additional MNTs beyond carbohydrate counting was not associated with better mean values for CVD risk factors. CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS/CONCLUSIONS:In individuals with T1D, race/ethnic minorities, individuals with parents with less than a high school education, and overweight/obese individuals are taught more MNTs. Further research is needed to understand the effectiveness of the various MNTs on CVD risk factors, and to identify how to translate nutrition knowledge to behavior and metabolic status.