Surgical invasiveness, reoperation, and preoperative depression are predictive of super-utilization in adult spinal deformity surgery.

Purpose: A subset of adult spinal deformity (ASD) patients undergoing corrective surgery receive a disproportionate level of medical resources and incur greater costs. We examined the characteristics of such super-utilizers of health care resources among ASD patients.

Methods: This prospective, multicenter study analyzed data from ASD patients with > 4 levels of spinal fusion and a minimum 2-year follow-up.

Age and Baseline Disability Inform Tradeoffs in Cost Utility of Adult Spinal Deformity Surgery.

Background And Objectives: Surgery can be an effective intervention for adult spinal deformity (ASD), but it is expensive and associated with a high complication rate. The aim of this study was to analyze the cost-effectiveness of ASD surgery, with age and baseline (BL) disability as key variables.

Methods: Decision-analytic models were constructed to assess 3 treatment strategies: operative, nonoperative, and nonoperative with delayed surgery.

When is staging complex adult spinal deformity advantageous? Identifying subsets of patients who benefit from staged interventions.

Objective: The objective of this study was to identify baseline patient and surgical factors predictive of optimal outcomes in staged versus same-day combined-approach surgery.

Methods: Adult spinal deformity (ASD) patients with baseline and perioperative (by 6 weeks) data were stratified based on single-stage (same-day) or multistage (staged) surgery, excluding planned multiple hospitalizations. Means comparison analyses were used to assess baseline demographic, radiographic, and surgical differences between cohorts.

Thoracolumbar fusions for adult lumbar deformity show superior QALY gain and lower costs compared with upper thoracic fusions.

Purpose: Adult spinal deformity (ASD) patients with sagittal plane deformity (N) or structural lumbar/thoraco-lumbar (TL) curves can be treated with fusions stopping at the TL junction or extending to the upper thoracic (UT) spine. This study evaluates the impact on cost/cumulative quality-adjusted life year (QALY) in patients treated with TL vs UT fusion.

Methods: ASD patients with > 4-level fusion and 2-year follow-up were included.

Perfluoroalkyl substances exposure and immunity, allergic response, infection, and asthma in children: review of epidemiologic studies.

Background: Increased exposure to perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) potentially affects infant and childhood health through immunosuppression. Given rapidly evolving research on PFAS, it is important to comprehensively examine the impact of PFAS exposure among the pediatric population as new research becomes available due to potential fragility of the developing immune system.

Objectives: This review assessed the effects of PFAS fetal, infant and childhood exposures upon the development of immune function during early life stages.

"I'm Bored and I'm Stressed": A Qualitative Study of Exclusive Smokers, ENDS Users, and Transitioning Smokers or ENDS Users in the Time of COVID-19.

Background: To better understand the various influences of COVID-19 on tobacco use, we examined three different tobacco user groups using qualitative methods.

Methods: Ten online focus groups with 61 adults from the Atlanta, GA area were held in October-November 2020: four with exclusive smokers (n = 16), three with Electronic Nicotine Delivery System (ENDS) users (dual and exclusive, n = 22), and three with transitioning (recently quit or currently quitting) smokers and/or ENDS users (n = 23).

Results: Exclusive smokers reported smoking more frequently, driven by COVID-19-related stress, time at home, and boredom.

Racial/ethnic disparities in use of surveillance mammogram among breast cancer survivors: a systematic review.

Background: Increasing number of breast cancer survivors in the USA have led to greater focus on the long-term health outcomes and surveillance care among these women. However limited evidence exists of use of surveillance mammography among breast cancer survivors and how it varies across racial/ethnic groups.

Methods: We conducted a systematic review of the literature to explore disparities in use of surveillance mammogram among women breast cancer survivors by searching for relevant studies published between 2000 and 2020 from Medline (Ovid), PubMed (National Library of Medicine), and PsycINFO (Ovid) bibliographic databases.

Patterns and trends of dual use of e-cigarettes and cigarettes among U.S. adults, 2015-2018.

Introduction: If dual use of cigarettes and e-cigarettes is a transition state to tobacco and nicotine use cessation, it may be a tolerable temporary condition. But, if a long-term behavior, dual use may increase tobacco harm to the population as a whole, and efforts should aim to reduce it as much as possible. To develop effective tobacco control policy, the changes in dual use of e-cigarettes and cigarettes need to be better understood.

Contribution of Smoking to Tuberculosis Incidence and Mortality in High-Tuberculosis-Burden Countries.

Globally, 10 million incident cases of tuberculosis (TB) are reported annually, and 95% of TB cases and 80% of tobacco users reside in low- and middle-income countries. Smoking approximately doubles the risk of TB disease and TB mortality. We estimated the proportion of annual incident TB cases and TB mortality attributable to tobacco smoking in 32 high-TB-burden countries.

'No, the government doesn't need to, it's already self-regulated': a qualitative study among vape shop operators on perceptions of electronic vapor product regulation.

While the market share of electronic vapor products (EVPs), sold primarily through vape shops and other outlets, has increased rapidly, these products remained largely unregulated until 2016. This study, conducted prior to announcement of the deeming regulations, provides insights into vape shop operator attitudes toward potential government regulations of EVPs. In 2015, we conducted 37 in-person interviews of vape shop operators across nine US cities.

Assessing information needs and use of online resources for disease self-management in patients with rheumatoid arthritis: a qualitative study.

To explore the information needs of patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and their acceptance of online resources and Facebook in particular, as a source of information, interaction, and support among peers. Participants were adults with RA of ≤ 10 years duration, had ongoing or prior treatment with disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs or biologic agents, and internet access. We conducted 20 in-depth interviews using semi-structured interview guide to explore: (1) RA information needs, (2) use of self-management health behaviors, (3) use of internet resources for disease management, (4) role of peer support in health self-management, and (5) use of social networking sites (SNS) such as Facebook in disease management.

Reassessing the importance of 'lost pleasure' associated with smoking cessation: implications for social welfare and policy.

Introduction: Benefit-cost analyses of tobacco regulations include estimates of the informed choice of smokers to continue smoking. Few studies have focused on subjective feelings associated with continued smoking. This study estimates how smoker discontent and regret relate to risk perceptions and health concerns.

Prevalence of use and perceptions of risk of novel and other alternative tobacco products among sexual minority adults: Results from an online national survey, 2014-2015.

Sexual minority (lesbian, gay, and bisexual [LGB]) populations experience disparities in cigarette use, but sparse evidence exists about novel and other alternative tobacco product use. In this study, we compared rates of novel and other alternative tobacco product use, risk perceptions, and worldview between LGB and heterosexual (HET) adults. An online survey administered in 2014-2015, using a weighted probability sample of 11,525 U.

Regretting Ever Starting to Smoke: Results from a 2014 National Survey.

: The majority of smokers regret ever starting to smoke, yet the vast majority continue to smoke despite the fact that smoking kills nearly 50% of lifetime users. This study examined the relationships between regret and smoker characteristics, quit history, risk perceptions, experiential thinking, and beliefs and intentions at time of smoking initiation. : Data from the 2014 Tobacco Products and Risk Perceptions Survey, a nationally representative survey of United States adults, were analyzed to provide the latest prevalence estimates of regret and potential predictors.

Impact of Rheumatoid Arthritis on the Mortality of Elderly Patients Who Develop Cancer: A Population-Based Study.

Objective: Comorbidity among cancer patients poses additional risks for mortality. The possible impact of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) on cancer patient survival is unclear. Our objective was to examine survival among elderly patients with RA who develop cancer.

Electronic nicotine delivery system dual use and intention to quit smoking: Will the socioeconomic gap in smoking get greater?

Introduction: Electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS) are popular among cigarette smokers; however, it is not known whether the use of ENDS assists or delays quitting cigarettes, especially among certain priority populations. We examined predictors of intention to quit smoking and patterns of dual use of ENDS and traditional cigarettes among priority populations.

Methods: This study used data from a 2014 survey of a national probability sample of 5717 USA adults.

A Qualitative Study of Vape Shop Operators' Perceptions of Risks and Benefits of E-Cigarette Use and Attitude Toward Their Potential Regulation by the US Food and Drug Administration, Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, or North Carolina, 2015.

Introduction: Approximately 8,500 vape shops in the United States sell a variety of electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS). This study examined vape shop operators' perceptions of benefits and risk of ENDS use, what they perceive to be the reasons for ENDS use, their source of product information, what information they shared with customers, and the impact of existing and future regulation of ENDS on its use and on their business.

Methods: We conducted qualitative interviews with 20 vape shop operators located in Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, and North Carolina in spring 2015.

The Potential That Electronic Nicotine Delivery Systems Can be a Disruptive Technology: Results From a National Survey.

Introduction: This study evaluates the reasons for use and acceptance of Electronic Nicotine Delivery Systems (ENDS) among current and former cigarette smokers to assess if ENDS may become a satisfying alternative to cigarettes.

Methods: Data are from a national probability sample of 5717 US adults, surveyed June-November 2014. The survey contained questions on awareness, usage, and reasons for use of traditional and novel tobacco products.

Functional Impairment and Physical Activity Adherence Among Gynecologic Cancer Survivors: A Population-Based Study.

Objective: Adherence to physical activity guidelines after cancer diagnosis improves physical functioning. The purpose of this study was to estimate the prevalence of physical activity in a population-based sample of gynecologic cancer survivors (GCSs) and to examine the association between functional impairment and adherence to physical activity guidelines.

Methods: Using the 2009 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System survey, we identified 5,015 GCSs aged 20 years or older who were 1 year or more after diagnosis.

Racial and ethnic differences in health behaviors among cancer survivors.

Introduction: Previous studies of health behaviors of adult cancer survivors have not adequately examined racial and ethnic differences because of small sample sizes. A national data set was used to examine differences in health behaviors between cancer survivors and controls and between racial and ethnic groups among survivors.

Methods: The study analyzed 2009 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System survey data in 2012-2014.

Self-reported physical activity among middle-aged cancer survivors in the United States: Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System Survey, 2009.

Introduction: Regular physical activity (PA) can improve health outcomes in cancer survivors, but the rate of adherence to PA recommendations among middle-aged survivors is unclear. We examined adherence to PA recommendations among cancer survivors and controls. We sought to identify correlates of adherence to PA and to determine whether PA adherence is associated with health-related quality of life (HRQOL) among cancer survivors.

Chronic conditions and health status in older cancer survivors.

Background: With the aging population and improved cancer care, the number of cancer survivors is steadily increasing. Planning for their care requires an understanding of the impact of cancer and chronic conditions on quality of life. We sought to determine chronic conditions and health status in older cancer survivors compared to controls.

African-American breast cancer survivors' preferences for various types of physical activity interventions: a Sisters Network Inc. web-based survey.

Background: Needs assessments are essential to developing lifestyle interventions for minority populations. To our knowledge, no physical activity (PA) needs assessment studies have been conducted for African-American (AA) breast cancer survivors. The purpose of this study was to determine the PA intervention preferences of AA breast cancer survivors and determine whether these preferences differ according to medical and sociodemographic factors.