Journal of general internal medicine
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Editorial
A Chronic Condition Disguised as an Acute Event: the Case for Re-thinking Stimulant Overdose Death.
Recent reports indicate that stimulant-related deaths are increasing dramatically. People who die from acute stimulant toxicity have high rates of pre-existing cardiovascular disease (CVD), much of which is undiagnosed. Moreover, people who use stimulants with CVD often remain asymptomatic until presenting to an emergency department with an acute event. ⋯ Strategies tailored to the distinct etiology of stimulant overdose are needed. We propose a three-part approach including (1) implementing stimulant use interventions that promote not only abstinence, but also use reduction, (2) treating ongoing stimulant use as a chronic cardiovascular condition, and (3) making stimulant toxicity interventions relevant to the populations most affected, which includes people outside of the traditional health-care system. In short, to reduce stimulant-related fatality, we need to transform our approach in ways that are tailored to address its natural history.
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Integrated care for comorbid depression and chronic medical disease improved physical and mental health outcomes in randomized controlled trials. The Veterans Health Administration (VA) implemented Primary Care-Mental Health Integration (PC-MHI) across all primary care clinics nationally to increase access to mental/behavioral health treatment, alongside physical health management. ⋯ Primary care clinics where integrated mental health care reached a greater proportion of patients achieved modest albeit statistically significant gains in key chronic care quality metrics, providing optimism about the expected effects of large-scale PC-MHI implementation on physical health.
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The CHA2DS2-VASC score is used to assess the risk of cerebrovascular accident (CVA) in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) or atrial flutter (AFL). ⋯ The CHA2DS2-VASC score is a predictor for CVA/TIA during the first year after hospitalization in patients without AF. High CHA2DS2-VASC scores warrant work-up for occult AF/AFL and other risk factors for CVA/TIA.
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Randomized Controlled Trial
Health Within Reach-a Patient-Centered Intervention to Increase Hepatitis B Screening Among Asian Americans: a Randomized Clinical Trial.
There are few studies to date of interventions to increase viral hepatitis screening among Asian Americans, who have high rates of chronic hepatitis B (HBV) infection. ⋯ A multi-lingual educational intervention using a mobile application in primary care clinics was well received by Asian American patients, enhanced patient-provider communication about HBV, and increased HBV screening. Technology can improve healthcare quality among Asian Americans.