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Despite evidence of socio-demographic disparities in outcomes of COVID-19, little is known about characteristics and clinical outcomes of patients admitted to public hospitals during the COVID-19 outbreak. To assess demographics, comorbid conditions, and clinical factors associated with critical illness and mortality among patients diagnosed with COVID-19 at a public hospital in New York City (NYC) during the first month of the COVID-19 outbreak. Retrospective chart review of patients diagnosed with COVID-19 admitted to NYC Health + Hospitals / Bellevue Hospital from March 9th to April 8th, 2020. A total of 337 patients were diagnosed with COVID-19 during the study period. Primary analyses were conducted among those requiring supplemental oxygen (n = 270); half of these patients (135) were admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU). A majority were male (67.4%) and the median age was 58 years. Approximately one-third (32.6%) of hypoxic patients managed outside the ICU required non-rebreather or non-invasive ventilation. Requirement of renal replacement therapy occurred in 42.3% of ICU patients without baseline end-stage renal disease. Overall, 30-day mortality among hypoxic patients was 28.9% (53.3% in the ICU, 4.4% outside the ICU). In adjusted analyses, risk factors associated with mortality included dementia (adjusted risk ratio (aRR) 2.11 95%CI 1.50-2.96), age 65 or older (aRR 1.97, 95%CI 1.31-2.95), obesity (aRR 1.37, 95%CI 1.07-1.74), and male sex (aRR 1.32, 95%CI 1.04-1.70). COVID-19 demonstrated severe morbidity and mortality in critically ill patients. Modifications in care delivery outside the ICU allowed the hospital to effectively care for a surge of critically ill and severely hypoxic patients.

Background While people who inject drugs (PWID) are vulnerable to the adverse outcomes of events like COVID-19, little is known regarding the impact of the current pandemic on PWID. We examine how COVID-19 has affected PWID in New York City across four domains: substance use, risk behaviors, mental health, and service utilization. Methods As part of a randomized trial to improve access to HCV treatment for PWID, we recruited 165 participants. Eligibility criteria included detectable HCV RNA and recent drug injection. The present cross-sectional analysis is based on a subsample of 106 participants. We compared responses between two separate samples: 60 participants interviewed prior to the pandemic (pre-COVID-19 sample) and 46 participants interviewed during the pandemic (COVID-19 sample). We also assessed differences by study group [accessible care (AC) and usual care (UC)]. Results Compared to the pre-COVID-19 sample, those interviewed during COVID-19 reported higher levels of mental health issues, syringe reuse, and alcohol consumption and greater reductions in syringe-service programs and buprenorphine utilization. In the analysis conducted by study group, the UC group reported significantly higher injection risk behaviors and lower access to buprenorphine treatment during COVID-19, while during the same period, the AC group reported lower levels of substance use and injection risk behaviors. Conclusion The current study provides insight on how COVID-19 has negatively affected PWID. Placing dispensing machines of harm-reduction supplies in communities where PWID live and increasing secondary exchange, mobile services, and mail delivery of supplies may help maintain access to lifesaving supplies during big events, such as COVID-19. Trial registration ClinicalTrials.gov NCT03214679. Registered July 11 2017. https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT03214679 .

Background Hepatitis C virus (HCV) treatment can effectively cure HCV among people who inject drugs (PWID). Perspectives of PWID treated in innovative models can reveal program features that address barriers to treatment, and guide implementation of similar models. Methods We interviewed 29 participants in the intervention arm of a randomized trial. The trial enrolled PWID with HCV in New York City from 2017 to 2020 and tested the effectiveness of a low-threshold HCV treatment model at a syringe services program. Participants were purposively sampled and interviewed in English or Spanish. The interview guide focused on prior experiences with HCV testing and treatment, and experiences during the trial. Interviews were inductively coded and analyzed using thematic analysis. Results Before enrollment, participants reported being tested for HCV in settings such as prison, drug treatment, and emergency rooms. Treatment was delayed because of not being seen as urgent by providers. Participants reported low self-efficacy, competing priorities, and systemic barriers to treatment such as insurance, waiting lists, and criminal-legal interactions. Stigma was a major factor. Treatment during the trial was facilitated through respect from staff, which overcame stigma. The flexible care model (allowing walk-ins and missed appointments) helped mitigate logistical barriers. The willingness of the staff to address social determinants of health was highly valued. Conclusion Our findings highlight the need for low-threshold programs with nonjudgmental behavior from program staff, and flexibility to adapt to participants’ needs. Social determinants of health remain a significant barrier, but programs’ efforts to address these factors can engender trust and facilitate treatment. Trial registration NCT03214679.

Background In the context of the current U.S. injection drug use epidemic, targeted public health harm reduction strategies have traditionally focused on overdose prevention and reducing transmission of blood-borne viral infections. Severe bacterial infections (SBI) associated with intravenous drug use have been increasing in frequency in the U.S. over the last decade. This qualitative study aims to identify the risk factors associated with SBI in hospitalized individuals with recent injection drug use. Methods Qualitative analysis ( n  = 15) was performed using an in-depth, semi-structured interview of participants admitted to Bellevue Hospital, NYC, with SBI and recent history of injection drug use. Participants were identified through a referral from either the Infectious Diseases or Addition Medicine consultative services. Interviews were transcribed, descriptively coded, and analyzed for key themes. Results Participants reported a basic understanding of prevention of blood-borne viral transmission but limited understanding of SBI risk. Participants described engagement in high risk injection behaviors prior to hospitalization with SBI. These practices included polysubstance use, repetitive tissue damage, nonsterile drug diluting water and multipurpose use of water container, lack of hand and skin hygiene, re-use of injection equipment, network sharing, and structural factors leading to an unstable drug injection environment. Qualitative analysis led to the proposal of an Ecosocial understanding of SBI risk, detailing the multi-level interplay between individuals and their social and physical environments in producing risk for negative health outcomes. Conclusions Structural factors and injection drug use networks directly impact drug use, injection drug use practices, and harm reduction knowledge, ultimately resulting in tissue damage and inoculation of bacteria into the host and subsequent development of SBI. Effective healthcare and community prevention efforts targeted toward reducing risk of bacterial infections could prevent long-term hospitalizations, decrease health care expenditures, and reduce morbidity and mortality.

The main mode of transmission of Hepatitis C in North America is through injection drug use. Availability of accessible care for people who inject drugs is crucial for achieving hepatitis C elimination. The objective of this analysis is to compare the changes in injection drug use frequency and high-risk injection behaviors in participants who were randomized to accessible hepatitis c care versus usual hepatitis c care. Participants who were hepatitis C virus RNA positive and had injected drugs in the last 90 days were enrolled and randomized 1:1 to an on-site, low threshold accessible care arm or a standard, referral-based usual care arm. Participants attended follow-up appointments at 3, 6, 9, and 12 months during which they answered questions regarding injection drug use frequency, behaviors, and treatment for opioid use disorder. The primary outcomes of this secondary analysis are the changes in the frequency of injection drug use, high-risk injection behaviors, and receiving medication for opioid use disorder in the last 30 days. A total of 165 participants were enrolled in the study, with 82 participants in the accessible care arm and 83 participants in the usual care arm. Participants in the accessible care arm were found to have a statistically significant higher likelihood of reporting a lower range of injection days (accessible care-by-time effect OR = 0.78, 95% CI = 0.62-0.98) and injection events (accessible care-by-time effect OR = 0.70, 95% CI = 0.56-0.88) in the last 30 days at a follow-up interview relative to those in the usual care arm. There were no statistically significant differences in the rates of decrease in receptive sharing of injection equipment or in the percentage of participants receiving treatment for opioid use disorders in the two arms. Hepatitis C treatment through an accessible care model resulted in statistically higher rates of decrease in injection drug use frequency in people who inject drugs.

Background Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is a major public health problem in correctional settings. HCV treatment is often not possible in U.S. jails due to short lengths of stay. Linkage to care is crucial in these settings, but competing priorities complicate community healthcare engagement and retention after incarceration. Methods We conducted a single arm clinical trial of a combined transitional care coordination (TCC) and patient navigation intervention and assessed the linkage rate and factors associated with linkage to HCV care after incarceration. Results During the intervention, 84 participants returned to the community after their index incarceration. Most participants were male and Hispanic, with a history of mental illness and a mean age of 45 years. Of those who returned to the community, 26 (31%) linked to HCV care within a median of 20.5 days; 17 (20%) initiated HCV treatment, 15 (18%) completed treatment, 9 (11%) had a follow-up lab drawn to confirm sustained virologic response (SVR), and 7 (8%) had a documented SVR. Among those with follow-up labs the known SVR rate was (7/9) 78%. Expressing a preference to be linked to the participant’s existing health system, being on methadone prior to incarceration, and feeling that family or a loved one were concerned about the participant’s wellbeing were associated with linkage to HCV care. Reporting drinking alcohol to intoxication prior to incarceration was negatively associated with linkage to HCV care. Conclusion We demonstrate that an integrated strategy with combined TCC and patient navigation may be effective in achieving timely linkage to HCV care. Additional multicomponent interventions aimed at treatment of substance use disorders and increasing social support could lead to further improvement. Trial registration Clinicaltrials.gov NCT04036760 July 30th, 2019 (retrospectively registered).

Abstract Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is a significant public health problem that disproportionately afflicts people who inject drugs. We describe outcomes of HCV treatment co-located within a syringe services program (SSP). Fifty-three participants started therapy, and 91% achieved sustained virologic response. SSPs provide an effective venue for HCV treatment.

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection remains a significant problem in the United States, with people who inject drugs (PWID) disproportionately afflicted. Over the last decade rates of heroin use have more than doubled, with young persons (18-25 years) demonstrating the largest increase. We conducted a cross-sectional study in New York City from 2005 to 2012 among young people who injected illicit drugs, and were age 18 to 35 or had injected drugs for ≤5 years, to examine potentially modifiable factors associated with HCV among young adults who began injecting during the era of syringe services. Among 714 participants, the median age was 24 years; the median duration of drug injection was 5 years; 31% were women; 75% identified as white; 69% reported being homeless; and 48% [95% CI 44-52] had HCV antibodies. Factors associated with HCV included older age (adjusted odds ratio [AOR], 1.99 [1.52-2.63]; p<0.001), longer duration of injection drug use (AOR, 1.68 [1.39-2.02]; p<0.001),more frequent injection (AOR, 1.26 [1.09-1.45]; p = 0.001), using a used syringe with more individuals (AOR, 1.26 [1.10-1.46]; p = 0.001), less confidence in remaining uninfected (AOR, 1.32 [1.07-1.63]; p<0.001), injecting primarily in public or outdoors spaces (AOR, 1.90 [1.33-2.72]; p<0.001), and arrest for carrying syringes (AOR, 3.17 [1.95-5.17]; p<0.001). Despite the availability of harm reduction services, the seroprevalence of HCV in young PWID in New York City remained high and constant during 2005-2012. Age and several injection behaviors conferred independent risk. Individuals were somewhat aware of their own risk. Public and outdoor injection and arrest for possession of a syringe are risk factors for HCV that can be modified through structural interventions.

Background/Objectives: In recent years, changing paradigms, both culturally and scientifically, have fundamentally altered the approach to the treatment of children with Disorders of Sexual Development (DSD) prior to reaching the age of legal consent. In Germany, the situation changed with the introduction of legislation that includes a partial ban on DSD surgery in children in 2021. This study aims to analyze the impact of this legislation on clinical practice. Methods: From 2014 to 2024, all patients with DSD in our institution were included. The study group comprised all patients operated on after the legislation. All patients operated on before the legislation served as the control group. Karyotype, phenotype, resulting type of DSD, age at presentation and age at operation were recorded. Results: A total of 35 patients were included in this study, with 15 in the study group and 20 in the control group. The operation was authorized by the family court for all patients in the study group. A total of 46,XY patients with severe hypospadias and clinical aspect of intersexual outer genitalia were the largest proportion (25 patients, 71.4%). Nine patients (25.7%) were 46,XX girls with classical congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH) type. One patient (2.9%) showed a mixed gonadal dysgenesis. The mean age of the patients at first presentation in our institution was 10.7 months in the control group and 11.0 months in the study group. The mean age at operation was significantly higher in the study group (20.1 months) compared to the control group (15.1 months; p = 0.032, unpaired t-test). Conclusions: The introduction of the legislation with a partial ban of genital surgery in DSD children in Germany has led to a significant delay in surgery. Since the majority of the patients comprise severe hypospadias and 46,XX CAH patients, further amendments of the law are proposed to minimize potential harm.

In this randomized, double-blind trial in 1062 adults hospitalized with Covid-19, remdesivir was superior to placebo in shortening the time to recovery (10 days, vs. 15 days with placebo). The estimates of mortality by day 29 were 11.4% with remdesivir and 15.2% with placebo. The benefit of remdesivir was most apparent in patients who were receiving low-flow oxygen at baseline.