Causal Effects of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) Implementation on Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma Survival: A Difference-in-Differences Analysis.

INTRODUCTION: Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma (NHL) accounts for a substantial number of cancer cases in the United States, with a significant prevalence and mortality rate. The implementation of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) has the potential to impact cancer-specific survival among NHL patients by improving access to healthcare services and treatments. OBJECTIVE: This study aims to assess the impact of the implementation of the ACA on cancer-specific survival among patients diagnosed with NHL. METHODOLOGY: In this retrospective analysis, we leveraged data from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) registry to assess the impact of the ACA on cancer-specific survival among NHL patients. The study covered the years 2000-2020, divided into pre-ACA (2000-2013) and post-ACA (2017-2020) periods, with a three-year washout (2014-2016). Using a Difference-in-Differences approach, we compared Georgia (a non-expansion state) to New Jersey (an expansion state since 2014). We adjusted for patient demographics, income, metropolitan status, disease stage, and treatment modalities. RESULTS: Among 74,762 patients, 56.2% were in New Jersey (42,005), while 43.8% were in Georgia (32,757). The pre-ACA period included 32,851 patients (51.7% in Georgia and 56.7% in New Jersey), and 27,447 patients were in the post-ACA period (48.3% in Georgia and 43.4% in New Jersey). The post-ACA period exhibited a 34% survival improvement (OR=0.66, 95% CI 0.58-0.75). ACA implementation was associated with a 16% survival boost among NHL patients in New Jersey (OR=0.84, 95% CI 0.74-0.95). Other factors linked to improved survival included surgery (OR=0.86, 95% CI 0.81-0.91), radiotherapy (OR=0.77, 95% CI 0.72-0.82), and married status (OR=0.67, 95% CI 0.64-0.71). CONCLUSION: The study underscores the ACA's potential positive impact on cancer-specific survival among NHL patients, emphasizing the importance of healthcare policy interventions in improving patient outcomes.

Determinants of Neonatal Mortality in the United States.

Introduction Despite a notable reduction in infant mortality over recent decades, the United States, with a rate of 5.8 deaths per 1,000 live births, still ranks unfavorably compared to other developed countries. This improvement appears inadequate when contrasted with the country's healthcare spending, the highest among developed nations. A significant proportion of this infant mortality rate can be attributed to neonatal fatalities. Objective The present study aimed to determine the risk factors associated with neonatal deaths in the United States. Method Using the United States Vital Statistics records, we conducted a retrospective study on childbirths between 2015 and 2019 to identify risk factors for neonatal mortality. Our final multivariate analysis included maternal parameters like age, insurance type, education level, cesarean section rate, pregnancy inductions and augmentations, weight gain during pregnancy, birth weight, number of prenatal visits, pre-existing conditions like chronic hypertension and prediabetes, and pregnancy complications like gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM). These variables were incorporated to enhance our model's sensitivity and specificity. Result There were 51,174 neonatal mortalities. Mothers with augmentation of labor had a 25% reduction in neonatal mortalities (NM) (OR=0.75; 95% CI 0.72-0.79), while labor induction was associated with a 31% reduction in NM (OR=0.69; 95% CI 0.66-0.72). Women above 40 years had a 29% increase in NM rate (OR=1.29;95% CI 1.15-1.44). Women without prenatal care have a 22% increase in the risk of NM (OR=1.22; 95% CI 1.14-1.30). The present model has a 60.7% sensitivity and a 99.9% specificity. Conclusion In the present study, significant interventions such as labor induction, augmentation, and prenatal care were associated with improved neonatal outcomes. These findings could serve as an algorithm for improving neonatal outcomes in the United States.

Profiles and Outcomes of Women with Gestational Diabetes Mellitus in the United States.

Introduction Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is a major contributor to adverse pregnancy outcomes both in the United States and globally. As the prevalence of obesity continues to rise, the incidence of GDM is anticipated to increase as well. Despite the significant impact of GDM on maternal and neonatal health, research examining the independent associations between GDM and adverse outcomes remains limited in the U.S. context. Objective This study aims to address this knowledge gap and further elucidate the relationship between GDM and maternal and neonatal health outcomes. Method We performed a retrospective study using data from the United States Vital Statistics Records, encompassing deliveries that occurred between January 2015 and December 2019. Our analysis aimed to establish the independent association between GDM and various adverse maternal and neonatal outcomes. The multivariate analysis incorporated factors such as maternal socioeconomic demographics, preexisting comorbidities, and conditions during pregnancy to account for potential confounders and elucidate the relationship between GDM and the outcomes of interest. Result Between 2015 and 2019, there were 1,212,589 GDM-related deliveries, accounting for 6.3% of the 19,249,237 total deliveries during the study period. Among women with GDM, 46.4% were Non-Hispanic Whites, 11.4% were Non-Hispanic Blacks, 25.7% were Hispanics, and 16.5% belonged to other racial/ethnic groups. The median age of women with GDM was 31 years, with an interquartile range of 27-35 years. The cesarean section rate among these women was 46.5%. GDM was identified as an independent predictor of adverse maternal and neonatal outcomes, including cesarean section (OR=1.40; 95% CI: 1.39-1.40), maternal blood transfusion (OR=1.15; 95% CI: 1.12-1.18), intensive care unit admission (OR=1.16; 95% CI: 1.10-1.21), neonatal intensive care unit admission (OR=1.53; 95% CI: 1.52-1.54), assisted ventilation (OR=1.37; 95% CI: 1.35-1.39), and low 5-minute Apgar score (OR=1.01; 95% CI: 1.00-1.03). Conclusion GDM serves as an independent risk factor for adverse maternal and neonatal outcomes, emphasizing the importance of early detection and management in pregnant women.

Influence of Race/Ethnicity and Household Median Income on Penile Cancer Mortality.

INTRODUCTION: Penile cancer, while relatively rare in developed nations, presents substantial disparities in outcomes among different demographic groups. Previous research has shown race/ethnicity and socioeconomic status, often proxied by household median income, to be critical determinants of health outcomes across various diseases. OBJECTIVE: This study examines the association of race/ethnicity and household median income with survival among penile cancer patients in the United States. METHODS: We utilized the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) Registry to identify patients with a primary diagnosis of penile malignancies from 2000 to 2019. Our primary outcome of interest was the hazard of death following a diagnosis of penile cancer. We utilized the Cox regression model to explore the association between race/ethnicity and median household income and how this influences survival among these patients. We adjusted for patients' characteristics, disease stage at presentation, and treatment modalities. RESULT: Of the 6,520 penile cancer patients identified, 5,242 (80.4%) had primary malignancies. The distribution of patients was as follows: 64.1% non-Hispanic Whites, 8.9% non-Hispanic Blacks, 20.8% Hispanics, and 6.2% from other racial/ethnic groups. The median diagnosis age was 66 years (interquartile range: 56-74). Survival rates at 5, 10, and 15 years showed racial disparities: 76.4%, 72.5%, and 69.7% for non-Hispanic Whites; 70.6%, 64.1%, and 61.1% for non-Hispanic Blacks; and 70.5%, 67.4%, and 65.6% for Hispanics. Multivariate Cox regression revealed worst survival for Black (HR=1.40; 95% CI=1.08-1.81, p=0.01) and Hispanic patients (HR=1.24; 95% CI=1.01-1.52, p=0.04). No association was found between median household income and survival. Interaction analysis indicated that the poorest Black men had worse outcomes than the poorest Whites did (HR=2.08; 95% CI=1.27-3.41, p=0.003). CONCLUSION: Survival rates for non-Hispanic Black and Hispanic patients are significantly lower than those for non-Hispanic Whites. Furthermore, survival is worse for low-income Black patients than their White counterparts in the same income bracket.

Exploring the Relationship Between Community-Level Economic Deprivation and HIV Infection Among Hospital Admissions in Washington, DC.

Introduction Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection is a significant health concern in the United States, affecting 38 million Americans. Despite a recent decline in prevalence, social determinants of health remain an important factor driving infections, particularly among minority populations. However, the relationship between community-level economic deprivation indices and HIV infection among hospital admissions has been understudied in the literature. Objectives This study investigated the association between community-level economic deprivation, measured by the Distressed Community Index (DCI), and HIV infection among hospital admissions in Washington, District of Columbia (DC). Methods We utilized data from the State Inpatient Database (SID) for Washington, DC, between 2016 and 2019, identifying all admissions with a history of HIV. The multivariate analysis determined the association between DCI quintiles and HIV infection among hospital admissions. Also included in the multivariate analysis were patients' age, sex, race/ethnicity, insurance type, smoking status, obesity, sexually transmitted infections (STIs), hepatitis B infections, and mental health conditions. Results Of the 213,682 admissions captured in the DCI quintiles, 67.4% were Black, 17.2% were White, and 10.7% were Hispanic. The prevalence of HIV infection in the study population was 4.4%. There was a statistically significant association between the DCI quintiles and HIV infection among hospital admissions. The residents of the richest neighborhoods defined as prosperous quintile (also the reference group) had the lowest odds of HIV infections compared to the other quintiles (comfortable, odds ratio {OR}=1.94 and 95% confidence interval {CI}=1.38-2.74; mid-tier, OR=1.49 and 95% CI=1.04-2.14; at risk, OR=1.75 and 95% CI=1.22-2.49; and distressed, OR=1.97 and 95% CI=1.38-2.82). Other significant predictors of HIV infection were Black race (OR=1.82; 95% CI=1.41-2.33), age between 45 and 65 years (OR=1.55; 95% CI=1.32-1.80), male sex (OR=1.58; 95% CI=1.40-1.77), and depression (OR=1.21; 95% CI=1.03-1.43). Conclusion This study reveals a significant association between increased levels of economic distress and the prevalence of HIV among hospital admissions in Washington, DC. Our findings emphasize the importance of taking social determinants of health into account when addressing HIV prevention and management. Implementing targeted interventions and resources in economically distressed communities may be crucial for reducing HIV prevalence and improving health outcomes for affected populations.

Screening for Gestational Diabetes Mellitus: Is There a Need for Early Screening for All Women in Developing Countries?

BACKGROUND: Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is associated with significant adverse pregnancy outcomes. Early diagnosis and treatment have been proven to reduce adverse pregnancy outcomes among women diagnosed with GDM. Current guidelines recommend routine screening for GDM at 24-28 weeks of pregnancy, with early screening offered to those considered high risk. However, risk stratification may not always be helpful for those who would benefit from early screening, especially in non-Western settings. AIM: To determine the need for early screening for GDM among pregnant women attending antenatal clinics in two tertiary hospitals in Nigeria. METHODS: We conducted a cross-sectional study from December 2016 to May 2017. We identified women who presented at the antenatal clinics of the Federal Teaching Hospital Ido-Ekiti and Ekiti State University Teaching Hospital, Ado Ekiti. A total of 270 women who fulfilled the study inclusion criteria were enrolled. The 75 g oral glucose tolerance test was used to screen participants for GDM before 24 weeks and between 24 and 28 weeks for those who screened negative before 24 weeks. Pearson's chi-square test, Fisher's exact test, independent t-test, and Mann-Whitney U test were utilized in the final analysis. RESULTS: The median age of the women in the study was 30 (interquartile range: 27-32) years. Of our study participants, 40 (14.8%) were obese, 27 (10%) had a history of diabetes mellitus in a first-degree relative, and three (1.1%) women had a previous history of GDM. Twenty-one women (7.8%) were diagnosed with GDM, and six (28.6%) were diagnosed before 24 weeks. Women diagnosed with GDM before 24 weeks were older (37 years; interquartile range: 34-37) and more likely to be obese (80.0%). A significant number of these women also had identifiable risk factors for GDM: previous GDM (20.0%), family history of diabetes mellitus in a first-degree relative (80.0%), prior delivery of fetal macrosomia (60.0%), and previous history of congenital fetal anomaly (20.0%). CONCLUSION:  The findings from the present study did not justify universal screening for GDM in all pregnant women. Patients diagnosed before the 24-28 weeks of universal screening are more likely to have significant risk factors for GDM and, therefore, would have been selected for screening based on the risk factor screening.

Disparities in Incidences of Cesarean Section Among Women With Gestational Diabetes Mellitus in the United States.

Background In this study, we explored the interaction between women's race/ethnicity and insurance type and determined how these interactions affect the incidences of cesarean section (CS) among women with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM). Methodology We utilized the National Inpatient Sample (NIS) database from January 2000 to September 2015 to conduct a retrospective analysis of all GDM-associated hospitalizations. We then explored the interaction between race/ethnicity and insurance types and determined how these interactions affect the incidences of CS among GDM patients, controlling for traditional risk factors for CS and patients' sociodemographics. Subsequently, we determined the risk of primary postpartum hemorrhage (PPH) in the CS group and a propensity score-matched control group who had vaginal deliveries. Results There were 932,431 deliveries diagnosed with GDM in the NIS database from January 2000 to September 2015. The mean age of the study population was 30.6 ± 5.9 years, 44.5% were white, 14.0% were black, and 26.7% were Hispanic. The CS rate was 40.5%. After controlling for covariates, women who utilized private insurance had the highest CS rate across the different races/ethnicities; white (odds ratio (OR) = 1.21 (1.17-1.25)) blacks (OR = 1.33 (1.26-1.41)), and Hispanic (OR = 1.12 (1.06-1.18)). CS patients were less likely to develop PPH compared to their matched controls with vaginal deliveries (OR = 0.67 (0.63-0.71)). Conclusions Private insurance is associated with higher incidences of CS among women with GDM, irrespective of race/ethnicity.