Journal of general internal medicine
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Multicenter Study Comparative Study
Symptoms of anxiety and cardiac hospitalizations at 12 months in patients with heart failure.
Heart failure (HF) is a leading cause of hospitalization. Clinical and socio-demographic factors have been associated with cardiac admissions, but little is known about the role of anxiety. We examined whether symptoms of anxiety were associated with cardiac hospitalizations at 12 months in HF patients. ⋯ The current study found no significant association between symptoms of anxiety and cardiac hospitalizations at 12 months in HF patients. In contrast, clinical indicators (i.e., NYHA class III and a history of HF-related hospitalizations) were significantly associated with admissions due to a cardiac cause. Future studies are warranted to investigate the importance of symptoms of anxiety in HF using a larger sample size and a longer follow-up duration.
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Multicenter Study Comparative Study
Evaluation of the PHQ-9 Item 3 as a screen for sleep disturbance in primary care.
Sleep disturbance is a significant problem for adults presenting to primary care. Though it is recommended that primary care providers screen for sleep problems, a brief, effective screening tool is not available. ⋯ Item 3 of the PHQ-9 shows promise as a screener for sleep problems in primary care. Using this one-item of a popular screening measure for depression in primary care allows providers to easily screen for two important issues without unnecessarily adding significant burden.
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Multicenter Study Comparative Study
Association between statins given in hospital and mortality in pneumonia patients.
Statins are prescribed to lower cholesterol, but also have anti-inflammatory properties. Some observational studies suggest that statins may reduce mortality from sepsis. ⋯ Inpatient treatment with statins is associated with a modest reduction in pneumonia mortality outside of intensive care.
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Multicenter Study Comparative Study
Governance around quality of care at hospitals that disproportionately care for black patients.
Hospital boards of directors can play a pivotal role in improving care, yet we know little about how the boards of hospitals that disproportionately serve minority patients engage in this issue. ⋯ Board chairpersons of black-serving hospitals report less expertise with quality of care issues and are less likely to give high priority to these issues than board chairpersons of non-black-serving hospitals. Interventions to engage and educate board members in issues of quality and racial disparities may be needed to improve quality and reduce disparities in care.