Utilizing Community Based Participatory Research Methods in Black/African American and Hispanic/Latinx Communities in the US: The CDC Minority HIV Research Initiative (MARI-Round 4).

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Minority HIV Research Initiative (MARI) funded 8 investigators in 2016 to develop HIV prevention and treatment interventions in highly affected communities. We describe MARI studies who used community-based participatory research methods to inform the development of interventions in Black/African American and Hispanic/Latinx communities focused on sexual minority men (SMM) or heterosexual populations. Each study implemented best practice strategies for engaging with communities, informing recruitment strategies, navigating through the impacts of COVID-19, and disseminating findings. Best practice strategies common to all MARI studies included establishing community advisory boards, engaging community members in all stages of HIV research, and integrating technology to sustain interventions during the COVID-19 pandemic. Implementing community-informed approaches is crucial to intervention uptake and long-term sustainability in communities of color. MARI investigators' research studies provide a framework for developing effective programs tailored to reducing HIV-related racial/ethnic disparities.

Immunodeficient patient experience of emergency switch from intravenous to rapid push subcutaneous immunoglobulin replacement therapy during coronavirus disease 2019 shielding.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Welsh immunodeficient patients on immunoglobulin replacement therapy (IgRT) who were considered high risk for severe coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) were directed to shield. Consequently, patients receiving hospital-based intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIg) quickly transitioned to home-based self-administered subcutaneous immunoglobulin (SCIg). This evaluation aimed to assess patients' perceptions and experiences and laboratory outcomes of emergency IgRT transition during COVID-19. RECENT FINDINGS: A quick transition from in-hospital IVIg to home-based rapid push SCIg is achievable, however, patient IgRT administration preference remains key outside of emergency shielding measures. SUMMARY: Subjective self-reported experiences ( n  = 23) and objective immunoglobulin G (IgG) concentration ( n  = 28) assessments were prospectively collected from patients pre/post-IgRT switch. In total, 41/55 (75%) patients transitioned from IVIg to rapid push SCIg and all completed training to self-administer subcutaneously within 24 days. Twenty-two percent ( n  = 5) of patients preferred SCIg and 35% ( n  = 8) wanted to return to hospital-based IVIg at 6 weeks post-transition. Mean IgG levels were similar pre vs. post-SCIg switch (10.3 g/l vs. 10.6 g/l, respectively). Patients reported greater infection anxiety during COVID-19 and adapted behaviours to mitigate risk. Although a third of patients wished to return to IVIg following cessation of shielding, over time the percentage electing to remain on SCIg rose from 22% to 59%.

Study protocol: SOcial LImitations Turn Up DEmentia (SOLITUDE)—Impact of COVID-19 social isolation on patients’ cognition and mental health and on carers’ wellbeing

Background Social isolation and loneliness are both known to exert detrimental effects on mental health and cognitive functioning, as well as on medial temporal lobe volume in older adults. Reduced social interactions have also been found to increase the risk of cognitive decline and dementia in older people. Since restrictions to social contacts have been imposed to tackle the current Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, this study aims to investigate the long-term impact of the resulting social isolation on people with mild dementia and their carers. Method This study has been implemented using a multi-centre longitudinal observational design to monitor mental health (9-item Patient Health Questionnaire and Neuropsychiatric Inventory Questionnaire), cognitive performance (telephone Mini-Mental State Examination and Telephone Assessment of Cognitive Function) and quality of life (Quality of Life in Alzheimer's Disease) of patients with mild dementia due to neurodegenerative aetiologies, as well as carers? burden (12-item Zarit Burden Interview). Additionally, a structured interview is included to assess the potential impact of social isolation on everyday functioning of patients and carers. Participants are assessed telephonically at three time-points: baseline and two follow-ups after 3 and 6 months. Result Six centres across the UK have confirmed capacity and capability to recruit up to eighty participants. Between September and December 2020, twenty-nine participants have been recruited across different sites and completed the baseline assessment. Moreover, nine participants have already completed the 3-month follow-up. Conclusion This study (predicted completion date: July 2021) is expected to provide valuable insights into the potential long-term consequences of lockdown measures on people with dementia and their carers. Moreover, it will enable the identification of potential risk/protective factors for decline in mental health and cognition due to extensive changes in patients? social environment. Findings from the SOLITUDE study may inform preventative and management strategies for decline in mental function targeting people with dementia, who may be the most affected by social isolation and loneliness.