Longitudinal clustering of Life's Essential 8 health metrics: application of a novel unsupervised learning method in the CARDIA study.

OBJECTIVE: Changes in cardiovascular health (CVH) during the life course are associated with future cardiovascular disease (CVD). Longitudinal clustering analysis using subgraph augmented non-negative matrix factorization (SANMF) could create phenotypic risk profiles of clustered CVH metrics. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Life's Essential 8 (LE8) variables, demographics, and CVD events were queried over 15 ears in 5060 CARDIA participants with 18 years of subsequent follow-up. LE8 subgraphs were mined and a SANMF algorithm was applied to cluster frequently occurring subgraphs. K-fold cross-validation and diagnostics were performed to determine cluster assignment. Cox proportional hazard models were fit for future CV event risk and logistic regression was performed for cluster phenotyping. RESULTS: The cohort (54.6% female, 48.7% White) produced 3 clusters of CVH metrics: Healthy & Late Obesity (HLO) (29.0%), Healthy & Intermediate Sleep (HIS) (43.2%), and Unhealthy (27.8%). HLO had 5 ideal LE8 metrics between ages 18 and 39 years, until BMI increased at 40. HIS had 7 ideal LE8 metrics, except sleep. Unhealthy had poor levels of sleep, smoking, and diet but ideal glucose. Race and employment were significantly different by cluster (P < .001) but not sex (P = .734). For 301 incident CV events, multivariable hazard ratios (HRs) for HIS and Unhealthy were 0.73 (0.53-1.00, P = .052) and 2.00 (1.50-2.68, P < .001), respectively versus HLO. A 15-year event survival was 97.0% (HIS), 96.3% (HLO), and 90.4% (Unhealthy, P < .001). DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: SANMF of LE8 metrics identified 3 unique clusters of CVH behavior patterns. Clustering of longitudinal LE8 variables via SANMF is a robust tool for phenotypic risk assessment for future adverse cardiovascular events.

A Cohort Analysis of Statin Treatment Patterns Among Small-Sized Primary Care Practices.

BACKGROUND: Small-sized primary care practices, defined as practices with fewer than 10 clinicians, delivered the majority of outpatient visits in the USA. Statin therapy in high-risk individuals reduces atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) events, but prescribing patterns in small primary care practices are not well known. This study describes statin treatment patterns in small-sized primary care practices and examines patient- and practice-level factors associated with lack of statin treatment. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective cohort analysis of statin-eligible patients from practices that participated in Healthy Hearts in the Heartland (H3), a quality improvement initiative aimed at improving cardiovascular care measures in small primary care practices. All statin-eligible adults who received care in one of 53 H3 practices from 2013 to 2016. Statin-eligible adults include those aged at least 21 with (1) clinical ASCVD, (2) low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) ≥ 190 mg/dL, or (3) diabetes aged 40-75 and with LDL-C 70-189 mg/dL. Eligible patients with no record of moderate- to high-intensity statin prescription are defined by ACC/AHA guidelines. RESULTS: Among the 13,330 statin-eligible adults, the mean age was 58 years and 52% were women. Overall, there was no record of moderate- to high-intensity statin prescription among 5,780 (43%) patients. Younger age, female sex, and lower LDL-C were independently associated with a lack of appropriate intensity statin therapy. Higher proportions of patients insured by Medicaid and having only family medicine trained physicians (versus having at least one internal medicine trained physician) at the practice were also associated with lower appropriate intensity statin use. Lack of appropriate intensity statin therapy was higher in independent practices than in Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs) (50% vs. 40%, p value < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: There is an opportunity for improved ASCVD risk reduction in small primary care practices. Statin treatment patterns and factors influencing lack of treatment vary by practice setting, highlighting the importance of tailored approaches to each setting.

The family planning quotient and reproductive life index (FPQ/RepLI) tool: a solution for family planning, reproductive life planning and contraception counseling.

OBJECTIVE: Access to comprehensive and culturally appropriate reproductive life planning is essential to women's health. Although many strategies and tools exist, few are designed for longitudinal use or provide visual aids. Our objective is to present the Family Planning Quotient (FPQ) and Reproductive Life Index (RepLI) (FPQ/RepLI) tool we created to facilitate the discussion of family planning and reproductive life goals between patients and providers and to provide a summary our evaluation of the tool. This tool was developed as a response to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's charge of developing a tool that could help facilitate reproductive life planning by giving the patient a better understanding of their reproductive goals and trajectory. STUDY DESIGN: This cross-sectional evaluation of our tool took place with patients and providers at an urban, public hospital in Chicago. Patients spoke with a health educator about their sexual, gynecological, and obstetric history to complete the FPQ/RepLI tool. Our primary objective was to measure the proportion of women who indicated the tool was helpful and that they would use it to track their reproductive goals. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Patients and providers completed an evaluation survey rating their satisfaction with the tool. Survey responses were summarized using frequencies and percentages. RESULTS: During the study, 790 patients completed the evaluation.. Most patients (n = 725, 91.9%) agreed that the tool was helpful and that they would use it to track their reproductive goals. Fifty-five (83.5%) providers agreed that there is a need for reproductive health tools in clinical practice. CONCLUSIONS: Most agreed that the tool helped the patient communicate goals, aided in educating about contraception, and facilitated the discussion and decision-making process about available contraceptives. The tool gives patients a resource for family and reproductive goal planning. Broad dissemination amongst other medical specialties beyond obstetrics and gynecology may make reproductive life planning accessible to more women.

Early prediction of acute kidney injury following ICU admission using a multivariate panel of physiological measurements.

BACKGROUND: The development of acute kidney injury (AKI) during an intensive care unit (ICU) admission is associated with increased morbidity and mortality. METHODS: Our objective was to develop and validate a data driven multivariable clinical predictive model for early detection of AKI among a large cohort of adult critical care patients. We utilized data form the Medical Information Mart for Intensive Care III (MIMIC-III) for all patients who had a creatinine measured for 3 days following ICU admission and excluded patients with pre-existing condition of Chronic Kidney Disease and Acute Kidney Injury on admission. Data extracted included patient age, gender, ethnicity, creatinine, other vital signs and lab values during the first day of ICU admission, whether the patient was mechanically ventilated during the first day of ICU admission, and the hourly rate of urine output during the first day of ICU admission. RESULTS: Utilizing the demographics, the clinical data and the laboratory test measurements from Day 1 of ICU admission, we accurately predicted max serum creatinine level during Day 2 and Day 3 with a root mean square error of 0.224 mg/dL. We demonstrated that using machine learning models (multivariate logistic regression, random forest and artificial neural networks) with demographics and physiologic features can predict AKI onset as defined by the current clinical guideline with a competitive AUC (mean AUC 0.783 by our all-feature, logistic-regression model), while previous models aimed at more specific patient cohorts. CONCLUSIONS: Experimental results suggest that our model has the potential to assist clinicians in identifying patients at greater risk of new onset of AKI in critical care setting. Prospective trials with independent model training and external validation cohorts are needed to further evaluate the clinical utility of this approach and potentially instituting interventions to decrease the likelihood of developing AKI.

The Association Between Multiple Abortions Within 1 Year and Previous Postabortal Desired Contraception at an Urban, Public Hospital.

Objectives: To determine the proportion of women undergoing multiple abortions within 1 year at an urban, public hospital and the association with desired contraception after the index abortion. Materials and Methods: We conducted a retrospective analysis of all women undergoing abortion up to 13 weeks and 6 days gestation at Stroger Hospital from June 1, 2012 to May 31, 2014. We examined the proportion of women with additional abortions up to 1 year after the index abortion and contraception desired at the index abortion. We also collected data about Chlamydia trachomatis (CT) and Neisseria gonorrhea (GC) infection in surgical abortion patients, to assess suitability for intrauterine device insertion immediately postabortion. Results: Of the 5,104 women with an abortion in the study period, 720 (14.1%) had at least one additional abortion within 1 year. Among women with multiple abortions, 153 (21.3%) selected Tier 1 contraception, 359 (49.8%) Tier 2, 103 (14.3%) Tier 3, and 105 (14.6%) were undecided or desired no method. The contraception desired at the index abortion did not differ significantly between women with and without subsequent abortions (p = 0.107). CT/GC coinfection and CT infection alone were associated with having multiple abortions over the 1-year period (p = 0.020 and p = 0.006). Conclusions: Among women presenting for abortion at an urban, public hospital, desired contraception did not differ significantly between women with multiple abortions versus one abortion within 1 year, but prevalence of CT/GC did. Women at high risk for multiple abortions may benefit from immediate postabortion IUD insertion to avoid unintended pregnancy, provided risk of infection is carefully evaluated.

Pregnancy intention screening tools: a randomized trial to assess perceived helpfulness with communication about reproductive goals.

BACKGROUND: Federal and clinical guidelines support integration of reproductive life planning in the care of female patients to aid in the reduction of unplanned pregnancies. A multitude of tools have been created to help in the counseling component, but further research is needed regarding how and whether they facilitate patient-provider communication. RESEARCH: We performed a randomized controlled trial to evaluate if patients report whether a detailed or simple pregnancy intention screening tool is helpful for communication of reproductive life plans. We compared a novel reproductive counseling aid, the Family Planning Quotient (FPQ), to a simple tool based on the One Key Question® (OKQ). Providers also evaluated whether they thought the tool used at the visit was helpful. We randomized 93 patients to complete a survey including identical demographic questions and either the FPQ or OKQ reproductive counseling tool. We did not provide further instructions to either the patient or provider. Following the visits, we collected 84 subject evaluations and 79 provider evaluations. A similar proportion of subjects using either reproductive counseling tool found it helpful in communicating their reproductive life plans to their providers (approximately 66%), but there was no difference between the two tools studied. Less than half of providers reported that the FPQ tool was helpful (FPQ: 16/43, 37.2% versus OKQ: 18/36, 50%; p = 0.25). CONCLUSION: Two-thirds of patients reported either a detailed or simple reproductive plan screening tool was helpful to facilitate communication with their provider, but only half of providers found either tool helpful. Use of reproductive screening tools should be followed by patient-centered counseling to help patients meet their reproductive life goals.

A Novel Patient Recruitment Strategy: Patient Selection Directly from the Community through Linkage to Clinical Data.

OBJECTIVE: This article presents and describes our methods in developing a novel strategy for recruitment of underrepresented, community-based participants, for pragmatic research studies leveraging routinely collected electronic health record (EHR) data. METHODS: We designed a new approach for recruiting eligible patients from the community, while also leveraging affiliated health systems to extract clinical data for community participants. The strategy involves methods for data collection, linkage, and tracking. In this workflow, potential participants are identified in the community and surveyed regarding eligibility. These data are then encrypted and deidentified via a hashing algorithm for linkage of the community participant back to a record at a clinical site. The linkage allows for eligibility verification and automated follow-up. Longitudinal data are collected by querying the EHR data and surveying the community participant directly. We discuss this strategy within the context of two national research projects, a clinical trial and an observational cohort study. CONCLUSION: The community-based recruitment strategy is a novel, low-touch, clinical trial enrollment method to engage a diverse set of participants. Direct outreach to community participants, while utilizing EHR data for clinical information and follow-up, allows for efficient recruitment and follow-up strategies. This new strategy for recruitment links data reported from community participants to clinical data in the EHR and allows for eligibility verification and automated follow-up. The workflow has the potential to improve recruitment efficiency and engage traditionally underrepresented individuals in research.

Prevalence of Chlamydia trachomatis and Neisseria gonorrhoeae in an urban public hospital pregnancy termination clinic.

This study is a follow-up observational study to assess the prevalence of chlamydia (CT) and gonorrhea (GC) among women who undergo a first-trimester surgical termination in a large public, urban hospital-based termination clinic, and to compare the rates to previously published data. We conducted a retrospective chart review on 4197 patients who underwent CT and GC testing before an elective, first-trimester surgical termination between 1 June 2014 and 31 May 2015. The prevalence rates were calculated and compared by chi square tests to previously published data from 1 January 2006 to 30 June 2006 from the same publicly-funded pregnancy termination clinic. Our study population comprised mostly of African Americans (86.8%), and more than half were aged less than 25 years. The overall prevalence of CT in our population was 9.6%, which was significantly different to the prevalence of 11.4% in 2006 ( p value = 0.03). The overall prevalence of GC in our population was 1.9%, which was not significantly different to the prevalence of 2.6% in 2006. To conclude, this study demonstrates the high prevalence rate of CT-positive and GC-positive patients in our publicly-funded pregnancy termination clinic. The prevalence of infection with CT and GC in our study is higher than in other family planning clinics. Regular screening of all patients who undergo induced termination in pregnancy termination clinics can provide a valuable opportunity for physicians to counsel patients about sexually transmitted infection prevention and treatment prior to the procedure or distribution of medications.

Applicability of the modified ACOG/SGO referral criteria for adnexal mass within a limited-resource setting.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the performance of the modified American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG)/Society of Gynecologic Oncology (SGO) referral guidelines in a high-risk limited-resource setting. METHODS: In a retrospective study, data were assessed for all women who underwent surgery for an adnexal mass at John H. Stroger Jr Hospital, Chicago, IL, USA, between July 2006 and July 2011. Sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative predictive values were calculated both for actual practice referral patterns and for the modified ACOG/SGO guidelines. RESULTS: Among 542 study women, 176 (32.5%) were diagnosed with ovarian malignancy. The ACOG/SGO guidelines showed 81.3% sensitivity and 71.9% specificity for the prediction of malignancy at time of surgery, with positive and negative predictive values of 58.1% and 88.9%, respectively. Actual practice patterns demonstrated lower sensitivity (68.2%; P<0.001) but higher specificity (84.2%; P<0.001). CONCLUSION: As compared with practice patterns, the modified ACOG/SGO guidelines lacked sufficient specificity for referral and might not be applicable in high-risk, low-resource settings. For this population, screening should be based on stratifying patients into low-, intermediate-, and high-risk categories to allow limited resources to be focused on women at highest risk.

Predictors of Persistent or Recurrent Disease After Loop Electrosurgical Excision Procedure.

OBJECTIVE: Follow-up recommendations after an excisional procedure vary depending on whether or not there is a positive ectocervical or endocervical margin or endocervical curettage (ECC). The purpose of this study was to evaluate the importance of these findings in predicting recurrent/persistent (r/p) disease in a sample of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-seropositive and -negative patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Loop electrosurgical excision procedures with a concurrent ECC performed at the Cook County ambulatory clinic between September 29, 2008, and April 15, 2014 were included in this study. Chart review was performed to collect demographic data, pathology results, and all subsequent cytology or histology. We examined the association of these factors with r/p disease using χ and Fisher exact tests as well as log-binomial regression. RESULTS: There were 242 women included for analysis. Of these, 9 LEEP specimens showed invasive cancer or adenocarcinoma in situ, and 15.7% were HIV positive. Mean follow-up was 16.4 months. On bivariate analysis, HIV serostatus, LEEP histology, ectocervical margin, endocervical margin, and ECC were all associated with r/p disease. On multivariate regression, only HIV serostatus and ECC were associated with r/p disease. Among women with either a positive endocervical or ectocervical margin or ECC, the prevalence of r/p disease is 29% if they are HIV negative, and 75% if they are positive. CONCLUSIONS: In our study, ECC seems more predictive of r/p disease than margin status. Most HIV-positive women with positive margins or ECC have r/p disease, whereas most HIV-negative women do not. One should consider HIV serostatus when deciding whether or not to perform repeat excision.

Blood Loss as a Function of Body Surface Area: Redefining Parameters of Obstetric Blood Loss.

OBJECTIVE: To identify average blood loss in vaginal and cesarean deliveries in a cohort of women based on body surface area and compare this with the standard definitions. METHODS: In this descriptive study, we analyzed data from 459 deliveries. We identified the median estimated blood loss across the sample. Using body surface area, we calculated the total blood volume for each woman and represented estimated blood loss as a percentage of total blood volume. For each quintile of body surface area, we determined the median estimated blood loss at delivery, the median total blood volume, and the volumes of blood loss that represent 5%, 10% and 15% of total blood volume, respectively. RESULTS: A total of 459 women met inclusion criteria. Median body surface area was 1.9 m and median total blood volume was 5,046 mL. Median estimated blood loss was 300 mL and represented 5.9% of total blood volume. For each body surface area quintile, median estimated blood loss and percent total blood volume were: quintile 1, 250 mL, 5.7% total blood volume; quintile 2, 400 mL, 8.5% total blood volume; quintile 3, 300 mL, 5.9% total blood volume, quintile 4, 300 mL, 5.6% total blood volume, and quintile 5, 400 mL, 6.7% total blood volume. CONCLUSION: Redefining obstetric blood loss as a percentage of total blood volume rather than one universal value may help appropriate targeting of interventions.

Follow-Up After Molar Pregnancy Evacuation: Feasibility of Using Semi-Quantitative Urine Pregnancy Tests.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) trends after evacuation of complete hydatidiform moles to determine if urinary semiquantitative pregnancy tests (SQPTs) could replace blood draws. while still detecting early postmolar gestational trophoblastic neoplasia. STUDY DESIGN: A retrospective review of complete hydatidiform moles at a safety-net hospital from 2003-2013 was performed. hCG curves were used to extrapolate expected SQPT results over timefor a resolving hydatidiform mole. RESULTS: Of 61 complete moles, 37 had an uncomplicated hCG decline and at least 4 serum hCG results. All of those patients had hCG < 10,000 mIU/mL within 15 days, < 2,000 within 64 days, < 500 within 70 days (92.2% within 1 month), < 100 within 89 days (90% within 2 months), and < 25 within 152 days (95.2% within 3 months). After reaching levels < 25, hCG rose only in cases of new pregnancies. CONCLUSION: Based on this retrospective analysis, SQPT monitoring could have avoided 90% of blood draws while still flagging all patients with subsequent postmolar GTN within 45 days by limiting blood draws to (1) patients with SQPT levels of > 10,000, > 500, and >100 mIU/mL at 15, 30, and 45 days, respectively, (2) hCG > 25 after 60 days, or (3) increasing SQPT levels.

Impact of Parental Notification on Illinois Minors Seeking Abortion.

PURPOSE: To describe the impact of the Illinois Parental Notification of Abortion Act on minors presenting for first-trimester abortion at an urban clinic in Chicago, Illinois. METHODS: Descriptive, retrospective review looked at minors obtaining a first-trimester abortion at John H. Stroger Jr. Hospital Reproductive Health Services during the 12 months prior (August 15, 2012-August 14, 2013) and after (August 15, 2013-August 14, 2014) the Illinois Parental Notification Act was in effect. Young women, ages 18-21 years, unaffected by the law, served as the control group. RESULTS: Before the law, 320 minors of a total of 5,505 patients (5.8%) obtained a first-trimester abortion and after the law went into effect, 311 minors of a total of 6,311 patients (4.9%) obtained an abortion. This constituted a 2.8% decrease in procedures among minors before and after the law went into effect (p = .003). However, this decrease was not significant when compared to an 8.8% growth in procedures among the control group, ages 18-21 years (p = .079). Among minors, there was no difference in race/ethnicity, age, and mean gestational age at the time of abortion before and after the law (p = .189, p = .116, and p = .961). There was a trend toward a larger decline in the youngest minors, aged 12-15 years and in those with at least one prior abortion. CONCLUSIONS: The impact of a parental notification law on minors at an urban, public clinic is unclear. The 3% decrease warrants further study of both teen pregnancy rates and legislative barriers to minors' abortion access.

Misoprostol 1 to 3 h preprocedure vs. overnight osmotic dilators prior to early second-trimester surgical abortion.

OBJECTIVES: We sought to compare the effectiveness of at least 1 h of 400 mcg of buccal misoprostol to overnight osmotic dilators for early second-trimester surgical abortion cervical preparation. DESIGN: We conducted a retrospective cohort study, reviewing 145 consecutive charts to compare procedure duration for women who received 400 mcg of buccal misoprostol at least 1 h preprocedure vs. overnight osmotic dilators before dilation and evacuation between 14 weeks, 0 days and 15 weeks, 6 days' gestation. Primary outcome was procedure duration and secondary outcomes included maximum mechanical dilator size, estimated blood loss and side effects. RESULTS: Sixty-four women (44.1%) received buccal misoprostol (mean 1.6 h), and 81 women (55.9%) received overnight osmotic dilators. Groups did not differ regarding mean gestational age or gynecologic history. All procedures in both groups were completed. Procedure duration was not significantly different between the misoprostol and osmotic dilator groups (median 11.0 min vs. 10.0 min, p=.22), even after multivariable linear regression (p=.17). The mean total cervical preparation duration was 1.6 h for women in the misoprostol group compared to 20.3 h in the osmotic dilator group (p<.001). Secondary outcomes did not differ between groups. CONCLUSIONS: We found that at least 1 h of preprocedure misoprostol decreased the duration of cervical preparation for early second-trimester procedures performed by an experienced surgeon. IMPLICATIONS: In this small, retrospective review, at least 1 h of preprocedure buccal misoprostol decreased the duration from cervical preparation initiation to procedure completion in early second-trimester procedures performed by an experienced surgeon. These results should be considered as a pilot evaluation, and further prospective study is needed to further clarify whether this short interval could be applied in general practice.

Prevalence of rape-related pregnancy as an indication for abortion at two urban family planning clinics.

OBJECTIVE: We sought to estimate the prevalence of rape-related pregnancy as an indication for abortion at two public Chicago facilities and to describe demographic and clinical correlates of women who terminated rape-related pregnancies. METHODS: We performed a cross-sectional study of women obtaining abortion at the Center for Reproductive Health (CRH) at University of Illinois Health Sciences Center and Reproductive Health Services (RHS) at John H. Stroger, Jr. Hospital between August 2009 and August 2013. Gestational age limits at CRH and RHS were 23+6 and 13+6weeks, respectively. We estimated the prevalence of rape-related pregnancy based on billing code (CRH) or data from an administrative database (RHS), and examined relationships between rape-related pregnancy and demographic and clinical variables. RESULTS: Included were 19,465 visits for abortion. The majority of patients were Black (85.6%). Prevalence of abortion for rape-related pregnancy was 1.9%, and was higher at CRH (6.9%) than RHS (1.5%). Later gestational age was associated with abortion for rape-related pregnancy (median 12days, p<.001). Younger age and Black race were associated with abortion for rape-related pregnancy at CRH only (p<.001 for both). Chlamydia and gonorrhea infection were no more prevalent among women terminating rape-related pregnancy than among those terminating for other indications. CONCLUSION: Rape-related pregnancy as an indication for abortion had a low, but clinically significant prevalence at two urban Chicago family planning centers. Later gestational age was associated with abortion for rape-related pregnancy. IMPLICATIONS: Rape-related pregnancy may occur with higher prevalence among some subgroups of women seeking abortion than others. Efforts to address rape-related pregnancy in the abortion care setting are needed.