Primary human papillomavirus testing by clinician- versus self-collection: Awareness and acceptance among cervical cancer screening-eligible women.

OBJECTIVES: Primary human papillomavirus (HPV) testing by clinician-collection is endorsed by U.S. guideline organizations for cervical cancer screening, but uptake remains low and insights into patients' understanding are limited. This study aims to primarily address patient awareness of primary HPV screening by clinician-collection and acceptance of primary HPV screening by clinician- and self-collection, and secondarily assess factors associated with awareness and acceptance. SETTING: Primary care practices affiliated with an academic medical center. METHODS: A cross-sectional survey study of screening-eligible women aged 30-65 years was conducted to assess awareness and acceptability of primary HPV screening. We analyzed bivariate associations of respondent characteristics with awareness of primary HPV screening by clinician-collection, willingness to have clinician- or self-collected primary HPV testing, and reasons for self-collection preference. RESULTS: Respondents (n = 351; response rate = 23.4%) reported cervical cancer screening adherence of 82.8% but awareness of clinician-collected primary HPV as an option was low (18.9%) and only associated with HPV testing with recent screening (p = 0.003). After reviewing a description of primary HPV screening, willingness for clinician-collected (81.8%) or home self-collected (76.1%) HPV testing was high, if recommended by a provider. Acceptability of clinician-collected HPV testing was associated with higher income (p = 0.009) and for self-collection was associated with higher income (p = 0.002) and higher education (p = 0.02). Higher education was associated with reporting self-collection as easier than clinic-collection (p = 0.02). Women expected self-collection to be more convenient (94%), less embarrassing (85%), easier (85%), and less painful (81%) than clinician-collection. CONCLUSIONS: Educational interventions are needed to address low awareness about the current clinician-collected primary HPV screening option and to prepare for anticipated federal licensure of self-collection kits. Informing women about self-collection allows them to recognize benefits which could address screening barriers.

Primary Human Papillomavirus Test Uptake and Cervical Cancer Screening Trends in the Midwest, United States.

INTRODUCTION/OBJECTIVES: Despite U.S. Preventive Services Task Force and American Cancer Society endorsement of primary HPV screening, limited published data shows low uptake. PRIMARY AIM: Assess cervical cancer screening rates over time, particularly primary HPV test uptake, among patients in a midwestern practice. SECONDARY AIM: Evaluate associations between sociodemographics and screening adherence. METHODS: Cross-sectional study. Qualifying subjects and type of screening test used were identified by applying ICD-9, ICD-10, lab test, and CPT codes to the Unified Data Platform. Sociodemographics were found through the electronic health record. RESULTS: Primary HPV uptake represented <1% of annual screening from 1/2017 to 1/2022. On 1/1/2022, only 55% of 21 to 29 year old and 63% of 30 to 65 year old were up to date with screening among the studied population. For 21 to 29 year old, compared with White women, Black women were 28% less likely to be screened [RR = 0.72 (0.66-0.79)]. Compared with never-smokers, current smokers were 9% less likely to be screened [RR = 0.91 (0.87-0.96)], past smokers were 14% more likely [RR = 1.14 (1.09-1.2)]. Among 30 to 65 year old, compared with White women, Black women were 14% less likely to be screened [RR = 0.86 (0.81-0.9)]. Compared with never-smokers, current smokers were 21% less likely to be screened [RR = 0.79 (0.77-0.81)], past smokers were 6% less likely [RR = 0.94 (0.92-0.95)]. Jointly considering race, ethnicity, smoking status, Charlson score, and rurality, findings were similar for 21 to 29 year old; Black women were screened less than White women [RR = 0.73 (0.67-0.79)]; current smokers [RR = 0.9 (0.85-0.94)] and past smokers [RR = 1.12 (1.06-1.17)] were screened less than never smokers. For 30 to 65 year old, Black women were screened less than White women [RR = 0.83 (0.79-0.88)]; current smokers [RR = 0.8 (0.78-0.81)] and past smokers [RR = 0.95 (0.93-0.96)] were screened less than never smokers. CONCLUSIONS: Screening rates remained below the Healthy People 2030 goal of 79.2% over time, particularly for younger Black women and current smokers, with minimal use of primary HPV screening.

Pharmacogenomic overlap between antidepressant treatment response in major depression & antidepressant associated treatment emergent mania in bipolar disorder.

There is increasing interest in individualizing treatment selection for more than 25 regulatory approved treatments for major depressive disorder (MDD). Despite an inconclusive efficacy evidence base, antidepressants (ADs) are prescribed for the depressive phase of bipolar disorder (BD) with oftentimes, an inadequate treatment response and or clinical concern for mood destabilization. This study explored the relationship between antidepressant response in MDD and antidepressant-associated treatment emergent mania (TEM) in BD. We conducted a genome-wide association study (GWAS) and polygenic score analysis of TEM and tested its association in a subset of BD-type I patients treated with SSRIs or SNRIs. Our results did not identify any genome-wide significant variants although, we found that a higher polygenic score (PGS) for antidepressant response in MDD was associated with higher odds of TEM in BD. Future studies with larger transdiagnostic depressed cohorts treated with antidepressants are encouraged to identify a neurobiological mechanism associated with a spectrum of depression improvement from response to emergent mania.

Multilevel Implementation Strategies for Adolescent Human Papillomavirus Vaccine Uptake: A Cluster Randomized Clinical Trial.

Importance: Despite availability of a safe and effective vaccine, an estimated 36 500 new cancers in the US result from human papillomavirus (HPV) annually. HPV vaccine uptake falls short of national public health goals and lags other adolescent vaccines. Objective: To evaluate the individual and combined impact of 2 evidence-based interventions on HPV vaccination rates among 11- and 12-year-old children. Design, Setting, and Participants: The study team conducted a cluster randomized clinical trial with a stepped-wedge factorial design at 6 primary care practices affiliated with Mayo Clinic in southeastern Minnesota. Using block randomization to ensure balance of patient volumes across interventions, each practice was allocated to a sequence of four 12-month steps with the initial baseline step followed by 2 intermediate steps (none, 1, or both interventions) and a final step wherein all practices implemented both interventions. Each month, all eligible children who turned 11 or 12 years in the 2 months prior were identified and followed until the end of the step. Data were analyzed from April 2018 through March 2019. Participants included children who turned 11 or 12 years old and were due for a dose of the HPV vaccine. Interventions: Parents of eligible patients were mailed reminder/recalls following their child's birthdays. Health care professionals received confidential audit/feedback on their personal in-office success with HPV vaccine uptake via intra-campus mail. These 2 interventions were assessed separately and in combination. Main Outcomes and Measures: Eligible patients' receipt of any valid dose of HPV vaccine during the study step. Results: The cohort was comprised of 9242 11-year-olds (5165 [55.9%]) and 12-year-olds (4077 [44.1%]), and slightly more males (4848 [52.5%]). Parent reminder/recall resulted in 34.6% receiving a dose of HPV vaccine, health care professional audit/feedback, 30.4%, both interventions together resulted in 39.7%-all contrasted to usual care, 21.9%. Compared with usual care, the odds of HPV vaccination were higher for parent reminder/recall (odds ratio [OR], 1.56; 95% CI, 1.23-1.97) and for the combination of parent reminder/recall and health care professional audit/feedback (OR, 2.03; 95% CI, 1.44-2.85). Health care professional audit/feedback alone did not differ significantly from usual care (OR, 1.19; 95% CI, 0.94-1.51). Conclusions and Relevance: In this cluster randomized trial, the combination of parent reminder/recall and health care professional audit/feedback increased the odds of HPV vaccination compared with usual care. These findings underscore the value of simultaneous implementation of evidence-based strategies to improve HPV vaccination.

Myocardial Recovery in Recent Onset Dilated Cardiomyopathy: Role of CDCP1 and Cardiac Fibrosis.

BACKGROUND: Dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) is a major cause of heart failure and carries a high mortality rate. Myocardial recovery in DCM-related heart failure patients is highly variable, with some patients having little or no response to standard drug therapy. A genome-wide association study may agnostically identify biomarkers and provide novel insight into the biology of myocardial recovery in DCM. METHODS: A genome-wide association study for change in left ventricular ejection fraction was performed in 686 White subjects with recent-onset DCM who received standard pharmacotherapy. Genome-wide association study signals were subsequently functionally validated and studied in relevant cellular models to understand molecular mechanisms that may have contributed to the change in left ventricular ejection fraction. RESULTS: The genome-wide association study identified a highly suggestive locus that mapped to the 5'-flanking region of the CDCP1 (CUB [complement C1r/C1s, Uegf, and Bmp1] domain containing protein 1) gene (rs6773435; P=7.12×10-7). The variant allele was associated with improved cardiac function and decreased CDCP1 transcription. CDCP1 expression was significantly upregulated in human cardiac fibroblasts (HCFs) in response to the PDGF (platelet-derived growth factor) signaling, and knockdown of CDCP1 significantly repressed HCF proliferation and decreased AKT (protein kinase B) phosphorylation. Transcriptomic profiling after CDCP1 knockdown in HCFs supported the conclusion that CDCP1 regulates HCF proliferation and mitosis. In addition, CDCP1 knockdown in HCFs resulted in significantly decreased expression of soluble ST2 (suppression of tumorigenicity-2), a prognostic biomarker for heart failure and inductor of cardiac fibrosis. CONCLUSIONS: CDCP1 may play an important role in myocardial recovery in recent-onset DCM and mediates its effect primarily by attenuating cardiac fibrosis.

Age-Dependent Sex Differences in the Prevalence of Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitor Treatment: A Retrospective Cohort Analysis.

Background: Antidepressants are among the most prescribed medications in the United States. The aim of this study was to explore the prevalence of antidepressant prescriptions and investigate sex differences and age-sex interactions in adults enrolled in the Right Drug, Right Dose, Right Time: Using Genomic Data to Individualize Treatment (RIGHT) study. Materials and Methods: We conducted a retrospective analysis of the RIGHT study. Using electronic prescriptions, we assessed 12-month prevalence of antidepressant treatment. Sex differences and age-sex interactions were evaluated using multivariable logistic regression and flexible recursive smoothing splines. Results: The sample consisted of 11,087 participants (60% women). Antidepressant prescription prevalence was 22.24% (27.96% women, 13.58% men). After adjusting for age and enrollment year, women had significantly greater odds of antidepressant prescription (odds ratio = 2.29; 95% confidence interval = 2.07, 2.54). Furthermore, selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) had a significant age-sex interaction. While SSRI prescriptions in men showed a sustained decrease with age, there was no such decline for women until after reaching ∼50 years of age. There are important limitations to consider in this study. Electronic prescription data were cross-sectional; information on treatment duration or adherence was not collected; this cohort is not nationally representative; and enrollment occurred over a broad period, introducing confounding by changes in temporal prescribing practices. Conclusions: Underscored by the significant interaction between age and sex on odds of SSRI prescription, our results warrant age to be incorporated as a mediator when investigating sex differences in mental illness, especially mood disorders and their treatment.

Cancer incidence in the Somali population of Olmsted County: A Rochester epidemiology project study.

BACKGROUND: Somali immigrants and refugees constitute one of the largest African ethnic groups immigrating to the United States over the past three decades with the majority resettling in the state of Minnesota. Previous studies have documented significant cancer screening disparities between the Somali population and the general population. However, little is known about cancer incidence among Somali groups living in the United States. METHODS: We determined the incidence of 18 types or sites of malignancy using ICD-9 and ICD-10 codes and compared them between Somali and non-Somali populations in Olmsted County, Minnesota utilizing the Rochester Epidemiology Project medical records-linkage infrastructure for the years 2000-2020. Poisson regression models were used to model the rates for each malignancy. RESULTS: There was a higher incidence and relative risk of liver malignancies among the Somali population versus non-Somali population, but lower relative risk and incidence of the following malignancies: breast, cervical, and melanoma. After direct age-sex adjustment to the United States 2000 Census population, liver was the most common cancer in Somali men, while breast cancer was the most common malignancy in women. CONCLUSION: Malignancies related to infectious agents such as viral hepatitis have a higher incidence in the Somali immigrant population of Olmsted County. There is a lower incidence of malignancies related to lifestyle factors in this Somali population. Findings of this study may help inform cancer prevention and screening strategies among Somali communities in the United States.

Myocardial Fibrosis and Cardiomyopathy Risk: A Genetic Link in the MESA.

BACKGROUND: Common genetic variants are associated with risk for hypertrophic cardiomyopathy and dilated cardiomyopathy and with left ventricular (LV) traits. Whether these variants are associated with myocardial fibrosis, an important pathophysiological mediator of cardiomyopathy, is unknown. METHODS: Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis participants with T1-mapping cardiac magnetic resonance imaging in-whom extracellular volume was assessed, and genotyping information was available were included (N=1255). Log extracellular volume (%) was regressed on 50 candidate single nucleotide polymorphisms (previously identified to be associated with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, dilated cardiomyopathy, and LV traits) adjusting for age, sex, diabetes, blood pressure, and principal components of ancestry. Ancestry-specific results were pooled by fixed-effect meta-analyses. Gene knockdown experiments were performed in human cardiac fibroblasts. RESULTS: The SMARCB1 rs2186370 intronic variant (minor allele frequency: 0.18 in White and 0.50 in Black participants), previously identified as a risk variant for dilated cardiomyopathy and hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, was significantly associated with increased extracellular volume (P=0.0002) after adjusting for confounding clinical variables. The SMARCB1 rs2070458 locus previously associated with increased LV wall thickness and mass was similarly significantly associated with increased extracellular volume (P=0.0002). The direction of effect was similar in all 4 ancestry groups, but the effect was strongest in Black participants. The variants are strong expression quantitative loci in human LV tissue and associated with genotype-dependent decreased expression of SMARCB1 (P=7.3×10-22). SMARCB1 knockdown in human cardiac fibroblasts resulted in increased TGF (transforming growth factor)-ß1-mediated α-smooth muscle actin and collagen expression. CONCLUSIONS: Common genetic variation in SMARCB1 previously associated with risk for cardiomyopathies and increased LV wall thickness is associated with increased cardiac magnetic resonance imaging-based myocardial fibrosis and increased TGF-ß1 mediated myocardial fibrosis in vitro. Whether these findings suggest a pathophysiologic link between myocardial fibrosis and cardiomyopathy risk remains to be proven.

Phenotypic distinctions in depression and anxiety: a comparative analysis of comorbid and isolated cases.

BACKGROUND: Anxiety and depression are frequently comorbid yet phenotypically distinct. This study identifies differences in the clinically observable phenome across a wide variety of physical and mental disorders comparing patients with diagnoses of depression without anxiety, anxiety without depression, or both depression and anxiety. METHODS: Using electronic health records for 14 994 participants with depression and/or anxiety in the Mayo Clinic Biobank, a phenotype-based phenome-wide association study (Phe2WAS) was performed to test for differences between these groups across a broad range of clinical diagnoses observed in the electronic health record. Additional analyses were performed to determine the temporal sequencing of diagnoses. RESULTS: Compared to patients diagnosed only with anxiety, those diagnosed only with depression were more likely to have diagnoses of obesity (OR 1.75; p = 1 × 10-27), sleep apnea (OR 1.71; p = 1 × 10-22), and type II diabetes (OR 1.74; p = 9 × 10-18). Compared to those diagnosed only with depression, those diagnosed only with anxiety were more likely to have diagnoses of palpitations (OR 1.91; p = 2 × 10-25), benign skin neoplasms (OR 1.61; p = 2 × 10-17), and cardiac dysrhythmias (OR 1.45; p = 2 × 10-12). Patients with comorbid depression and anxiety were more likely to have diagnoses of other mental health disorders, substance use disorders, sleep problems, and gastroesophageal reflux relative to isolated depression. CONCLUSIONS: While depression and anxiety are closely related, this study suggests that phenotypic distinctions exist between depression and anxiety. Improving phenotypic characterization within the broad categories of depression and anxiety could improve the clinical assessment of depression and anxiety.

Temporal Relationships Between Saharan Dust Proxies, Climate, and Meningitis in Senegal.

The Harmattan, a dry, northeasterly trade wind, transports large quantities of Saharan dust over the Sahelian region during the dry season (December-March). Studies have shown that bacterial meningitis outbreaks in Sahelian regions show hyper-endemic to endemic levels during high-dust months. We examine the (a) seasonality and intraseasonal variability of dust, climate, and meningitis and the (b) quantitative relationships between various dust proxies with meningitis lags of 0-10 weeks in Senegal from 2012 to 2017. The results show that the onset of the meningitis season occurs in February, roughly 2 months after the dusty season has begun. The meningitis season peaks at the beginning of April, when northeasterly wind speeds and particulate matter (PM) are relatively high, and the meningitis season ends near the end of June, when temperature and humidity rise and northeasterly wind speeds decline. Furthermore, we find that Senegal's relatively high humidity year-round may help slow the transmission of the infection, contributing to a lower disease incidence than landlocked countries in the meningitis belt. Lastly, our results suggest the desert dust may have a significant impact on the onset to the peak of the meningitis season in Senegal, particularly at the 0-2 and 10-week lag, whether that be directly through biological processes or indirectly through changes in human behavior. PM and visibility, however, are not in phase with aerosol optical depth throughout the year and consequently show different relationships with meningitis. This study further exemplifies the critical need for more PM, meteorological, and meningitis measurements in West Africa to further resolve these relationships.

The importance of social activity to risk of major depression in older adults.

BACKGROUND: Several social determinants of health (SDoH) have been associated with the onset of major depressive disorder (MDD). However, prior studies largely focused on individual SDoH and thus less is known about the relative importance (RI) of SDoH variables, especially in older adults. Given that risk factors for MDD may differ across the lifespan, we aimed to identify the SDoH that was most strongly related to newly diagnosed MDD in a cohort of older adults. METHODS: We used self-reported health-related survey data from 41 174 older adults (50-89 years, median age = 67 years) who participated in the Mayo Clinic Biobank, and linked ICD codes for MDD in the participants' electronic health records. Participants with a history of clinically documented or self-reported MDD prior to survey completion were excluded from analysis (N = 10 938, 27%). We used Cox proportional hazards models with a gradient boosting machine approach to quantify the RI of 30 pre-selected SDoH variables on the risk of future MDD diagnosis. RESULTS: Following biobank enrollment, 2073 older participants were diagnosed with MDD during the follow-up period (median duration = 6.7 years). The most influential SDoH was perceived level of social activity (RI = 0.17). Lower level of social activity was associated with a higher risk of MDD [hazard ratio = 2.27 (95% CI 2.00-2.50) for highest v. lowest level]. CONCLUSION: Across a range of SDoH variables, perceived level of social activity is most strongly related to MDD in older adults. Monitoring changes in the level of social activity may help identify older adults at an increased risk of MDD.

Employment Characteristics and Risk of Hospitalization Among Older Adults Participating in the Mayo Clinic Biobank.

Objective: To determine the relationship between characteristics of employment and future hospitalization in older adults. Patients and Methods: We conducted a survey of adults aged 65 years or older participating in the Mayo Clinic Biobank. Using a frequency-matched, case-control design, we compared patients who were hospitalized within 5 years of biobank enrollment (cases) with those who were not hospitalized (controls). We assessed the duration of work, age at first job, number of jobs, disability, retirement, and reasons for leaving work. We performed logistic regression analysis to assess the association of these factors with hospitalization, accounting for age, sex, comorbid conditions, and education level. Results: Among 3536 participants (1600 cases and 1936 controls; median age, 68.5 years; interquartile range, 63.4-73.9 years), cases were older, more likely to be male, and had lower education levels. Comorbid illnesses had the largest association with hospitalization (odds ratio [OR], 4.09; 95% CI, 3.37-4.97 [highest vs lowest quartile]). On adjusted analyses, odds of hospitalization increased with the presence of disability (OR, 1.31; 95% CI, 1.01-1.69) and decreased with having 1 or 2 lifetime jobs vs no employment (OR, 0.77; 95% CI, 0.60-1.00). The length of work, furlough, age of retirement, childcare issues, and reasons for leaving a job were not associated with hospitalization. Conclusion: This study reports an association between disability during work and hospitalization. On the basis of our findings, it may be important to obtain a more detailed work history from patients because it may provide further insight into their future health.

Identification of Two Genetic Loci Associated with Leukopenia after Chemotherapy in Patients with Breast Cancer.

PURPOSE: To identify molecular predictors of grade 3/4 neutropenic or leukopenic events (NLE) after chemotherapy using a genome-wide association study (GWAS). EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN: A GWAS was performed on patients in the phase III chemotherapy study SUCCESS-A (n = 3,322). Genotyping was done using the Illumina HumanOmniExpress-12v1 array. Findings were functionally validated with cell culture models and the genotypes and gene expression of possible causative genes were correlated with clinical treatment response and prognostic outcomes. RESULTS: One locus on chromosome 16 (rs4784750; NLRC5; P = 1.56E-8) and another locus on chromosome 13 (rs16972207; TNFSF13B; P = 3.42E-8) were identified at a genome-wide significance level. Functional validation revealed that expression of these two genes is altered by genotype-dependent and chemotherapy-dependent activity of two transcription factors. Genotypes also showed an association with disease-free survival in patients with an NLE. CONCLUSIONS: Two loci in NLRC5 and TNFSF13B are associated with NLEs. The involvement of the MHC I regulator NLRC5 implies the possible involvement of immuno-oncological pathways.

Four-limb wireless IMU sensor system for automatic gait detection in canines.

This study aims to develop a 4-limb canine gait analysis system using wireless inertial measurement units (IMUs). 3D printed sensor holders were designed to ensure quick and consistent sensor mounting. Signal analysis algorithms were developed to automatically determine the timing of swing start and end in a stride. To evaluate the accuracy of the new system, a synchronized study was conducted in which stride parameters in four dogs were measured simultaneously using the 4-limb IMU system and a pressure-sensor based walkway gait system. The results showed that stride parameters measured in both systems were highly correlated. Bland-Altman analyses revealed a nominal mean measurement bias between the two systems in both forelimbs and hindlimbs. Overall, the disagreement between the two systems was less than 10% of the mean value in over 92% of the data points acquired from forelimbs. The same performance was observed in hindlimbs except for one parameter due to small mean values. We demonstrated that this 4-limb system could successfully visualize the overall gait types and identify rapid gait changes in dogs. This method provides an effective, low-cost tool for gait studies in veterinary applications or in translational studies using dog models of neuromuscular diseases.

Awareness and Support of Clinician- and Patient-Collected Human Papillomavirus Testing for Cervical Cancer Screening Among Primary Care Clinicians.

Background: Cervical cancer screening has shifted toward human papillomavirus (HPV)-based testing, but uptake of primary HPV screening in the United States is unknown and previous studies highlight delays in clinician adoption of guideline updates. Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional electronic survey of primary care clinicians (n = 252; response rate = 30.9%) assessing awareness and support of primary HPV screening. We assessed factors for association with past use of HPV testing and support of clinician- and patient-collected HPV testing individually using Fisher's exact test and jointly using Firth's logistic regression. Results: Most clinicians (79%) were familiar with one or more primary HPV screening guidelines. Support for clinician-collected (89%) and patient-collected (82%) HPV testing was high, but only 34.5% reported prior use. Guideline familiarity was positively associated with HPV testing in practice (p = 0.0001). Support of clinician-collected testing was positively associated with more years in practice (p = 0.03), internal (vs. family) medicine specialty (p = 0.03), and guideline familiarity (p ≤ 0.0001). Male clinicians more frequently supported patient collection for patients overdue for screening (p = 0.013). Physicians more frequently than advanced practice providers (APPs) supported patient collection for screening-adherent women (p = 0.021). Multivariable analysis showed those unfamiliar with guidelines were less likely to have used HPV testing [odds ratio, OR: 0.10 (0.03-0.32)] or to support clinician-collected HPV testing [OR: 0.16 (0.07-0.37)]. APPs were less likely than physicians to support patient-collected HPV testing among screening-adherent women [OR: 0.42 (0.20-0.87)]. Conclusions: We observed high levels of guideline awareness and clinician support for primary HPV testing, despite relatively low use. This merits further exploration to inform future interventions to increase uptake.

Disparities Among Limited English Proficient Patients in Colon Cancer Screening with Multi-target DNA Stool Test.

Racial and language minority groups in the U.S. are at a higher risk for morbidity and mortality from colorectal cancer (CRC), partially due to lower screening rates. This is a retrospective cohort study comparing successful multi-target stool DNA test (mt-sDNA) test completion among patients with limited English proficiency (LEP) and English proficient (EP) patients, from 2015 to 2018. Patients with LEP were frequency matched to EP patients by age at a 3:1 ratio. The percentage of mt-sDNA tests without useful results was 53% among patients with LEP compared to 29% among EP patients (p < 0.0001). The median number of days from order placement to test completion was 62.5 among patients with LEP compared to 33 for EP patients (p = 0.003). This study demonstrates a significant disparity in CRC screening completion using the mt-sDNA test among populations with LEP, which may widen existing disparities in CRC mortality.

Socioeconomic disadvantage and human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination uptake.

IMPORTANCE: Despite availability of safe and effective human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccines, vaccination uptake remains low in the U.S. Research examining the impact of neighborhood socioeconomic status on HPV vaccination may help target interventions. OBJECTIVE: To examine the association between area deprivation and HPV vaccine initiation and completion. DESIGN, SETTING, PARTICIPANTS: Retrospective cohort study of individuals aged 11-18 years residing in the upper Midwest region. Receipt of HPV vaccination was examined over a three-year follow-up period (01/01/2016-12/31/2018). MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES: Outcomes of interest were initiation and completion of HPV vaccination. Demographic data were collected from the Rochester Epidemiology Project (REP). Area-level socioeconomic disadvantage was measured by calculating an Area Deprivation Index (ADI) score for each person, a measure of socioeconomic disadvantage derived from American Community Survey data. Multivariable mixed effect Cox proportional hazards models were used to examine the association of ADI quartiles (Q1-Q4) with HPV vaccine series initiation and completion, given initiation. RESULTS: Individuals residing in census block groups with higher deprivation had significantly lower likelihood of HPV vaccine initiation (Q2: HR = 0.91, 0.84-0.99 Q3: HR = 0.83, 0.76-0.90; Q4: HR = 0.84, 0.74-0.96) relative to those in the least-deprived block groups (Q1). Similarly, those living in block groups with higher deprivation had significantly lower likelihood of completion (Q2: HR = 0.91, 0.86-0.97; Q3: HR = 0.87, 0.81-0.94; Q4: HR = 0.82, 0.74-0.92) compared to individuals in the least-deprived block groups (Q1). CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE: Lower probability of both HPV vaccine-series initiation and completion were observed in areas with greater deprivation. Our results can inform allocation of resources to increase HPV vaccination rates in our primary care practice and provide an example of leveraging public data to inform similar efforts across diverse health systems.

Health Care Provider Characteristics Associated With Colorectal Cancer Screening Preferences and Use.

OBJECTIVE: To assess health care provider (HCP) preferences related to colorectal cancer (CRC) screening overall, and by HCP and patient characteristics. PARTICIPANTS AND METHODS: We developed a survey based on the Theoretical Domains Framework to assess factors associated with CRC screening preferences in clinical practice. The survey was administered online November 6 through December 6, 2019, to a validated panel of HCPs drawn from US national databases and professional organizations. The final analysis sample included 779 primary care clinicians (PCCs) and 159 gastroenterologists (GIs). RESULTS: HCPs chose colonoscopy as their preferred screening method for average-risk patients (96.9% (154/159) for GIs, 75.7% (590/779) for PCCs). Among PCCs, 12.2% (95/779) preferred multi-target stool DNA (mt-sDNA), followed by fecal immunochemical test (FIT), (7.3%; 57/779) and guaiac-based fecal occult blood test (gFOBT) (4.8%; 37/779). Preference among PCCs and GIs generally shifted toward noninvasive screening options for patients who were unable to undergo invasive procedures; concerned about taking time from work; unconvinced about need for screening; and refusing other screening recommendations. Among PCCs, preference for mt-sDNA over FIT and gFOBT was less frequent in larger compared with smaller clinical practices. Additionally, preference for mt-sDNA over FIT was more likely among PCCs with more years of clinical experience, higher patient volumes (> 25/day), and practice locations in suburban and rural settings (compared to urban). CONCLUSION: Both PCCs and GIs preferred colonoscopy for CRC screening of average-risk patients, although PCCs did so less frequently and with approximately a quarter preferring stool-based tests (particularly mt-sDNA). PCCs' preference varied by provider and patient characteristics. Our findings underscore the importance of informed choice and shared decision-making about CRC screening options.

Extensor carpi ulnaris muscle shows unexpected slow-to-fast fiber-type switch in Duchenne muscular dystrophy dogs.

Aged dystrophin-null canines are excellent models for studying experimental therapies for Duchenne muscular dystrophy, a lethal muscle disease caused by dystrophin deficiency. To establish the baseline, we studied the extensor carpi ulnaris (ECU) muscle in 15 terminal age (3-year-old) male affected dogs and 15 age/sex-matched normal dogs. Affected dogs showed histological and anatomical hallmarks of dystrophy, including muscle inflammation and fibrosis, myofiber size variation and centralized myonuclei, as well as a significant reduction of muscle weight, muscle-to-body weight ratio and muscle cross-sectional area. To rigorously characterize the contractile properties of the ECU muscle, we developed a novel in situ assay. Twitch and tetanic force, contraction and relaxation rate, and resistance to eccentric contraction-induced force loss were significantly decreased in affected dogs. Intriguingly, the time-to-peak tension and half-relaxation time were significantly shortened in affected dogs. Contractile kinetics predicted an unforeseen slow-to-fast myofiber-type switch, which we confirmed at the protein and transcript level. Our study establishes a foundation for studying long-term and late-stage therapeutic interventions in dystrophic canines. The unexpected myofiber-type switch highlights the complexity of muscle remodeling in dystrophic large mammals. This article has an associated First Person interview with the first author of the paper.