1227. A Survey Study of Healthcare Resource Use, and Direct and Indirect Costs, Among Females with an Uncomplicated Urinary Tract Infection in the United States

Background

Uncomplicated urinary tract infections (uUTI) account for a large proportion of primary care antibiotic (AB) prescriptions. This study assessed uUTI-related healthcare resource use (HRU) and costs in US females with a self-reported uUTI.

Methods

We surveyed US females aged ≥ 18 years who participated in web-based surveys (fielded August 28–September 28, 2020 by Dynata, EMI, Lucid/Federated, and Kantar Profiles). Participants had a self-reported uUTI ≤ 60 days prior, and took ≥ 1 oral AB for their uUTI. Those reporting signs of complicated UTI were excluded. HRU was measured via self-reported primary care provider (PCP), specialist, urgent care, emergency room (ER) visits, and hospitalizations. Direct costs were calculated as sum of self-reported and HRU monetized with Medical Expenditure Panel Survey estimates. Indirect costs were calculated via Work Productivity and Impairment metrics monetized with Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates. Participants were stratified by number of oral ABs prescribed (1/2/3+) and therapy appropriateness (1 AB [1^st line/2^nd line]/multiple [any line] AB) for most recent uUTI. Multivariable regression modeling was used to compare strata; 1:1 propensity score matching assessed uUTI burden vs matched population (derived from the 2020 National Health and Wellness Survey [NHWS]).

Results

In total, 375 participants were eligible for this analysis. PCP visits (68.8%) were the most common HRU. Across participants, there were an average of 1.46 PCP, 0.31 obstetrician/gynecologist, 0.41 urgent care and 0.08 ER visits, and 0.01 hospitalizations for most recent uUTI (Table 1). Total mean uUTI-related direct and indirect costs were &1289 and &515, respectively (Table 1). Adjusted mean total direct costs were significantly higher (Table 2) for participants in the ‘2 AB’ cohort vs the ‘1 AB’ cohort (&2090 vs &776, p < 0.0001), and for the ‘multiple AB’ vs ‘1 AB, 1^st line’ cohorts (&1642 vs &875, p=0.002). Participants in the uUTI cohort reported worse absenteeism (+15.3%), presenteeism (+46.5%), overall work impairment (+52.4%), and impact on daily activities (+50.7%) vs NHWS cohort (p < 0.0001, Table 3).

Table 1. Overall mean uUTI-related healthcare resource use, direct, and indirect cost data

Table 2. Estimated uUTI-related direct costs stratified by (A) number of AB and (B) appropriateness of AB therapy used to treat last uUTI

Table 3. Mean Work Productivity and Activity Impairment data for uUTI and NHWS cohorts

Conclusion

Inadequate treatment response, evident by multiple AB use, was associated with an increase in uUTI-related costs, including productivity loss.

Disclosures

Jeffrey Thompson, PhD, Kantar Health (Employee, Employee of Kantar Health, which received funding from GlaxoSmithKline plc. to conduct this study) Alen Marijam, MSc, GlaxoSmithKline plc. (Employee, Shareholder) Fanny S. Mitrani-Gold, MPH, GlaxoSmithKline plc. (Employee, Shareholder) Jonathon Wright, BSc, Kantar Health (Employee, Employee of Kantar Health, which received funding from GlaxoSmithKline plc. to conduct this study) Ashish V. Joshi, PhD, GlaxoSmithKline plc. (Employee, Shareholder)

196. Activity Impairment and Health-Related Quality of Life Associated with an Uncomplicated Urinary Tract Infection Among US Females

Background

Uncomplicated urinary tract infections (uUTI) are among the most common infections in women; however, there are few data on the impact of uUTIs on daily activity and health-related quality of life (HRQoL).

Methods

This was a prospective, cross-sectional survey of US females aged ≥ 18 years with a self-reported uUTI in the 60 days prior to participation. Participants were included if they received oral antibiotic treatment and participated in surveys fielded by Dynata, Lucid/Federated, or Kantar Profiles. See Table 1 for inclusion/exclusion criteria. Study objectives were to describe activity impairment (using the Activity Impairment Assessment [AIA]) and HRQoL (assessed with Short Form 36 version 2, Physical Component Score [PCS], Mental Component Score [MCS], and health utility index [SF-6D]) associated with uUTI. After screening, participants completed an online questionnaire on their most recent uUTI. Outcomes were reported with descriptive statistics, chi-squared tests, and t-tests. Analysis of HRQoL used 1:1 propensity score matching to compare to a matched US population from the 2020 National Health and Wellness Survey.

Table 1. Inclusion and exclusion criteria

Results

In total, 375 participants completed the questionnaire. Common impaired activities were: sexual intercourse (66.9%), sleep (60.8%), exercise (52.3%), housework (51.5%), and social activities (46.9%; Table 2). Overall mean AIA score was 11.1/20 (higher score = more impairment). Most participants (58.7%) had a PCS that was the same or better than the matched population, while for MCS, most participants (52.8%) had scores well below the matched population average. Overall PCS, MCS, and SF-6D composite scores were 46.5, 40.0, and 0.63, respectively; these outcomes were significantly worse compared to the matched population, most notably MCS (Table 3). Stratification by number of antibiotics used revealed statistically significant differences in the effect of uUTI on exercise, PCS, SF-6D (based on use of 1 or ≥ 3 therapies), and on sleep (based on use of 2 or ≥ 3 therapies; Table 4).

Table 2. Activities impacted by uUTI

Table 3. Matched analysis of SF-36v2-measured HRQoL outcomes

Table 4. Outcomes stratified by number of oral antibiotics used to treat last uUTI

Conclusion

uUTIs are significantly associated with adverse patient outcomes for daily activities and HRQoL, compounded by suboptimal treatment evident by the use of multiple antibiotics. MCS was notably affected, which is important as this is not often studied in uUTI.

Disclosures

Jeffrey Thompson, PhD, Kantar Health (Employee, Employee of Kantar Health, which received funding from GlaxoSmithKline plc. to conduct this study) Alen Marijam, MSc, GlaxoSmithKline plc. (Employee, Shareholder) Fanny S. Mitrani-Gold, MPH, GlaxoSmithKline plc. (Employee, Shareholder) Jonathon Wright, BSc, Kantar Health (Employee, Employee of Kantar Health, which received funding from GlaxoSmithKline plc. to conduct this study) Ashish V. Joshi, PhD, GlaxoSmithKline plc. (Employee, Shareholder)

1415. Allergies to Antimicrobial Agents Among US Females with Uncomplicated Urinary Tract Infection

Background

Uncomplicated urinary tract infections (uUTI) are generally treated empirically with antibiotics. However, antibiotic (AB) allergies limit the available oral treatment options for some patients. We assessed the proportion of self-reported AB allergies among US females with uUTI.

Methods

We performed a cross-sectional survey of US females ≥ 18 years of age with a self-reported urinary tract infection (UTI) in the 60 days prior to participation and a prescription of oral AB. Participants were further screened for evidence of a complicated urinary tract infection and, after exclusions, participants with a uUTI completed an online questionnaire about their most recent episode. Participants were from the Northeast (20%), Midwest (44%), South (20%), and West (16%) US. Descriptive self-reported allergy data were stratified into subgroups by whether the participant had recurrent UTI (defined as ≥ 2 uUTIs in the past 6 months or ≥ 3 uUTIs in past 12 months including index UTI), the number of different ABs given for the index episode (1, 2, ≥ 3), and whether the treatment was clinically appropriate according to Infectious Diseases Society of America uUTI guidelines.

Results

Overall, 375 female participants completed the questionnaire. The most commonly prescribed ABs for participants’ most recent uUTI were trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (TMP-SMX; 38.7%), ciprofloxacin (22.7%), and nitrofurantoin (18.9%) (Table 1). Most participants received only 1 AB for their uUTI (62.7%) and the majority were classified as having a non-recurrent uUTI (56.5%). No AB allergies were reported for most participants (69.3%); overall, 24.0% reported 1 AB allergy and 6.7% reported ≥ 2. A higher proportion of participants reported ≥ 2 allergies in the recurrent uUTI, ≥ 3 AB, and multiple AB subgroups (Table 2). The most common allergy was to TMP-SMX (15.7%), followed by amoxicillin-clavulanate (8.3%) and ciprofloxacin (5.3%) (Table 2). Similar allergy trends were seen across subgroups, except higher rates of ciprofloxacin allergy were seen in participants given multiple ABs (Table 2).

Table 1. Antibiotics used to treat most recent uUTI

Table 2 . Frequency of antibiotic allergies across cohort subgroups

Conclusion

AB allergies were relatively frequent in this uUTI cohort and the most common allergy was to TMP-SMX, which was the most prescribed AB. Allergies to ABs reduce the available treatment options for uUTI in some patients.

Disclosures

Jeffrey Thompson, PhD, Kantar Health (Employee, Employee of Kantar Health, which received funding from GlaxoSmithKline plc. to conduct this study) Alen Marijam, MSc, GlaxoSmithKline plc. (Employee, Shareholder) Fanny S. Mitrani-Gold, MPH, GlaxoSmithKline plc. (Employee, Shareholder) Jonathon Wright, BSc, Kantar Health (Employee, Employee of Kantar Health, which received funding from GlaxoSmithKline plc. to conduct this study) Ashish V. Joshi, PhD, GlaxoSmithKline plc. (Employee, Shareholder)

Efficient and Precise Processing of the Optimized Pri-amiRNA in a Huntingtin-Lowering AAV Gene Therapy in Vitro and in Mice and Nonhuman Primates

Huntington's Disease is a fatal neurodegenerative disorder caused by an inherited mutation in the huntingtin gene (HTT) comprising an expanded cytosine-adenine-guanine (CAG) trinucleotide repeat sequence that results in a pathogenic huntingtin protein. AAV gene therapy containing a primary artificial microRNA (pri-amiRNA) specifically targeting HTT mRNA has the potential to provide long-lasting therapeutic benefit, via durable reduction of mutant HTT expression after a single administration. The efficiency and precision of processing of the pri-amiRNA precursor to the mature guide strand by transduced cells is critical for specific and potent HTT lowering. The selection of the optimized pri-amiRNA comprised a series of in vitro studies followed by in vivo studies in small and then large mammals. Our studies demonstrate the predictivity of certain cell culture systems and rodent models for nonhuman primates (NHP) with respect to some, but not all key features of pri-amiRNA processing. In addition, our results show that the processing of pri-amiRNAs to the mature guide strand can differ greatly across different scaffolds and sequences while providing the same levels of target lowering. Importantly, our data demonstrate that there is a combinatorial effect of guide and passenger strand sequences, together with the scaffold, on pri-amiRNA processing, with different guide and passenger strand sequences within the same scaffold dramatically altering pri-amiRNA processing. Taken together, our results highlight the importance of optimizing not only target lowering, but also the efficiency and precision of pri-amiRNA processing in vitro, in rodents and in large mammals to identify the most potent and selective AAV gene therapy that harnesses the endogenous miRNA biogenesis pathway for target lowering without perturbing the endogenous cellular miRNA profile. The optimized pri-amiRNA was selected with this focus on efficiency and precision of pri-amiRNA processing in addition to its pharmacological activity on HTT lowering, and general tolerability in vivo.

Estimating power for clinical trials with Patient Reported Outcomes - using Item Response Theory

OBJECTIVES

Patient reported outcomes (PRO) are widely used in quality of life (QOL) studies, health outcomes research, and clinical trials. The importance of PRO has been advocated by health authorities. Patient Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS) is a collection of standardized measures of PROs using Item Response Theory (IRT). However, in clinical trials with PROs as endpoints, observed scores are routinely used for power estimation rather than IRT scores. This paper aims to fill this gap and estimate power in a two-arm clinical trials with PROMIS measures as endpoints with IRT model.

STUDY DESIGN AND SETTING

We conducted a series of simulations to study the IRT power with validated PROMIS measures controlling factors including sample size, effect size, number of items, and missing data proportion.

RESULTS

Our results showed that sample size, effect size, and number of items are important indicators of IRT based power estimation for PROMIS measures. When effect size is small and sample size is limited, IRT model provides higher power than the closed form formula.

CONCLUSION

IRT based simulation should be used for power estimation in two-armed clinical, especially when there is small effect size or small sample size.

902 Safe Elective & Emergency Surgery During the COVID-19 Crisis: Experience of a Large Tertiary Centre During the First Wave of the Pandemic

Aim

In addition to a reduction in elective surgery, the COVID-19 pandemic has been associated with concerning rates of post-operative mortality in COVID-19 patients highlighting the threat of nosocomial transmission. Relocation of elective patients into a protected cold wing of a tertiary centre, vigilant testing and staff test, and trace were implemented to address these issues.

Method

Retrospective analysis of 5069 consecutive patients who underwent procedures in theatre from 11/03/20 – 08/09/20 was performed. Comparison of numbers of procedures was compared with the same study dates in 2019. Detailed analysis of nosocomial transmission of COVID-19 and mortality was performed using patient notes and death certificates.

Results

5854 procedures were performed in 2020 compared with 13219 in 2019, representing a reduction of 55.7%. The overall mortality in 2020 was 2.7% (135/5069). COVID-19 negative mortality was 2.36% (119/5033). 74 patients tested positive for COVID-19 at any time (1.3%); mortality amongst patients who tested positive seven days pre- to 30 days post-procedure was 5.4% (4/74). Nosocomial transmission rate was 0.27% in elective admissions (10/3773) and 0.97% in acute admissions (20/2052).

Conclusions

The first wave of the pandemic has predictably caused a significant reduction in elective activity. Our hospital infection prevention measures have kept nosocomial transmission rates low, particularly for elective admissions. We have observed lower rates of post-operative mortality in COVID-19 patients than published in other centres. Continuation of surgical services is important for patient outcomes, and essential for training the surgeons of tomorrow.

Inflammatory Biomarkers Aid in Diagnosis of Dementia

Dual pathology of Alzheimer's disease (AD) and vascular cognitive impairment and dementia (VCID) commonly are found together at autopsy, but mixed dementia (MX) is difficult to diagnose during life. Biological criteria to diagnose AD have been defined, but are not available for vascular disease. We used the biological criteria for AD and white matter injury based on MRI to diagnose MX. Then we measured multiple biomarkers in CSF and blood with multiplex biomarker kits for proteases, angiogenic factors, and cytokines to explore pathophysiology in each group. Finally, we used machine learning with the Random forest algorithm to select the biomarkers of maximal importance; that analysis identified three proteases, matrix metalloproteinase-10 (MMP-10), MMP-3 and MMP-1; three angiogenic factors, VEGF-C, Tie-2 and PLGF, and three cytokines interleukin-2 (IL-2), IL-6, IL-13. To confirm the clinical importance of the variables, we showed that they correlated with results of neuropsychological testing.

A framework for personalized mammogram screening

Breast cancer screening guidelines serve as crucial evidence-based recommendations in deciding when to begin regular screenings. However, due to developments in breast cancer research and differences in research interpretation, screening guidelines can vary between organizations and within organizations over time. This leads to significant lapses in adopting updated guidelines, variable decision making between physicians, and unnecessary screening for low to moderate risk patients (Jacobson and Kadiyala, 2017; Corbelli et al., 2014). For analysis, risk factors were assessed for patient screening behaviors and results. The outcome variable for the first analysis was whether the patient had undergone screening. The risk factors considered were age, marital status, education level, rural versus urban residence, and family history of breast cancer. The outcome variable for the second analysis was whether patients who had undergone breast cancer screening presented abnormal results. The risk factors considered were age, Body Mass Index, family history, smoking and alcohol status, hormonal contraceptive use, Hormone Replacement Therapy use, age of first pregnancy, number of pregnancies (parity), age of first menses, rural versus urban residence, and whether or not patients had at least one child. Logistic regression analysis displayed strong associations for both outcome variables. Risk of screening nonattendance was negatively associated with age as a continuous variable, age as a dichotomous variable, being married, any college education, and family history. Risk of one or more abnormal mammogram findings was positively associated with family history, and hormonal contraceptive use. This procedure will be further developed to incorporate additional risk factors and refine the analysis of currently implemented risk factors.

Real-world use and acceptance of biosimilar monoclonal antibodies of rituximab in oncology practice in the USA

Aim: To describe treatment patterns and patient and provider characteristics associated with the recently introduced biosimilar rituximab-pvvr. Methods: This retrospective analysis included adult patients with one or more claims for rituximab-pvvr, with an index date of 23 January 2020 and a study period covering 1 January 2019-31 July 2020. Results: Of 249 patients included, the most common rituximab-pvvr indications were non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (77.5%) and chronic lymphocytic leukemia (11.2%). Some patients with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (42.5%) and chronic lymphocytic leukemia (39.3%) switched to rituximab-pvvr from the reference product or another rituximab biosimilar. Most patients were aged ≥65 years (63.5%) and were male (54.6%). Most (59.0%) rituximab-pvvr prescribers practiced in the south of the USA. Conclusion: Utilization occurred in approved and extrapolated indications. These preliminary findings suggest switching between reference product and rituximab biosimilars; rituximab-pvvr combination regimens are being adopted in real-world oncology practice.

Abstract 2280: A comprehensive sample tracking and data processing workflow for next generation sequencing

The successful application of Next Generation Sequencing (NGS) to drug discovery requires systems to manage and document each step of the sequencing process from sample receipt through data generation and data processing. We combined BenchlingTM, a solution for tracking NGS lab processes, with FONDA (Framework Of Next generation sequencing Data Analysis) an internally developed data processing platform, to support multiple types of NGS data generation and processing. Benchling combines a digital notebook and a laboratory information management system (LIMS). The system documents and automates steps in the NGS process including: sample registration, nucleic acid extraction, library construction, flow cell construction, sequencer sample sheet generation and BCL2FASTQ conversion. This enables wet lab scientists to easily retrieve an appropriate protocol for each sample and sequencing library type. We connected our sequencers to Benchling in order to monitor each sequencing run and to keep track of the quality of NGS data. In addition, it generates “analysis ready sample sheet” (contains project and study information, location of FASTQ, sample species and library type) and uploads it into designated S3 buckets for data processing. Benchling dashboards provide overviews of NGS sample preparation, data generation and quality control. In summary, Benchling interconnects the original sample, the labels, the barcodes, the cDNA/DNA, the library, and all the QC results. We process NGS data using pipelines implemented in FONDA on a dockerized Amazon Web Services cloud platform. Analyses can be configured automatically from information exported by Benchling or launched manually. After data processing is completed, output files such as gene expression counts or variant calls are deposited into project-specific folders, ready for secondary analysis. In the current FONDA version (as of Nov 2020), we have developed pipelines for single cell multi-omics (CITE-seq and single-cell immune profiling) and bulk RNA-seq. The modular design of FONDA facilitates the development, the updating, and the extension of pipelines to new sequencing technologies. In summary, Benchling and FONDA enable high quality sample and NGS data flows from the lab for target identification, understanding mechanism of action, patient stratification and biomarker discovery. Availability and implementation: FONDA is implemented in Java and released under the Apache License 2.0. FONDA can be downloaded from GitHub at https://github.com/epam/fonda.

Citation Format: Chandra Sekhar Pedamallu, Joon Sang Lee, Shu Yan, Adalis Maisonet, Aleksandr Sidoruk, Tengui Chen, Yulia Kamyshova, Mariia Zueva, Mark Magid, Quan Wan, Jeffrey Thompson, Valerie Zebrouck, Immanuel Gadaczek, Mikhail Alperovich, Brian McNatt, Alexei Protopopov, Donald Jackson, Jack Pollard. A comprehensive sample tracking and data processing workflow for next generation sequencing [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2021; 2021 Apr 10-15 and May 17-21. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2021;81(13_Suppl):Abstract nr 2280.

Impact of Fellowship-Trained Andrology and Sexual Medicine Specialists on Performance on the Annual American Urological Association In-Service Examination

OBJECTIVE

To demonstrate the distribution and impact of fellowship-trained andrology and/or sexual medicine urological specialists (FTAUS) on resident in-service examination (ISE) performance.

METHODS

Residency program websites were accessed to create a database of FTAUS in the United States between 2007 and 2017. This database was reviewed by three separate FTAUS and cross referenced with membership lists to the Sexual Medicine of North America Society and the Society for the Study of Male Reproduction. De-identified ISE scores were obtained from the American Urological Association from 2007-2017 and scores from trainees at programs with a FTAUS were identified for comparison. Resident performance was analyzed using a linear model of the effect of a resident being at a program with an FTAUS, adjusting for post-graduate year.

RESULTS

ISE data from 13,757 residents were obtained for the years 2007-2017. The number of FTAUS in the United States increased from 40-102 during this study period. Mean raw scores on the "Sexual Dysfunction, Endocrinopathy, Fertility Problems" (SDEFP) section of the ISE ranged from 52.1% ± 17.7% to 65.7% ± 16% (mean ± SD). Throughout the study period, there was no difference in performance within the SDEFP section (P < .01). Residents at a program with a FTAUS answered 0.95% more questions correctly in the SDEFP than those without a FTAUS (P < .001). For these residents, there was an improvement of approximately 0.66% on the percentage of questions answered correctly on the ISE overall (P < .001). Performance improved significantly as residents progressed from PGY-2-PGY-5.

CONCLUSION

There is a small but statistically significant improvement in overall ISE and SDEFP sub-section performance.

Intensive preoperative ostomy education for the radical cystectomy patient

OBJECTIVES

Patients undergoing radical cystectomy with ileal conduit formation usually receive training on the use of their stoma during their initial hospitalization - while actively recovering from surgery - often with little follow-up or reinforcement. Many of these patients are not equipped to deal with these significant body changes, which can lead to additional clinic visits, stoma-related complications, and decreased patient satisfaction/health-related quality of life (HRQOL). In an effort to improve patient education, we sought to evaluate the feasibility of implementing a preoperative comprehensive stoma education session termed the "stoma bootcamp" for patients scheduled for a radical cystectomy and ileal conduit (RCIC). We tracked patient related outcomes to determine its impact.

METHODS

We performed a longitudinal, quality-improvement feasibility study at the University of Kansas Health System. All patients who were scheduled to undergo a RCIC for bladder cancer were offered enrollment into the study at their preoperative clinic visit. The "stoma boot camp" consisted of a 3-hour group session within 2 weeks of the surgery date. Patients were given a short presentation by residents and advanced practice providers regarding the operation, recovery, and expectations for their post-operative care. Ostomy nurses then demonstrated basic urostomy care - pouching, sizing, emptying - along with trouble-shooting tips for common ostomy problems. Measurements of HRQOL questionnaires were completed at the initial visit, after "boot camp," and at defined time points after surgery for 12 weeks. This included using an ostomy adjustment score. Length of stay, unplanned stoma-related interventions, and re-admissions within 30 days were also tracked.

RESULTS

In this initial pilot program, 51 patients participated in the stoma bootcamp. The patients had an average ostomy adjustment score (OAS) of 150.4 (95% CI 142.0, 158.8) at discharge from the hospital, and these high OAS levels persisted throughout the 12 weeks of follow-up data without any significant decline. Short-form 36 (SF-36) scores demonstrated numerical improvements in each individual category at the 6-week mark above baseline. These improvements persisted at the 12-week mark.

CONCLUSIONS

In this study we were able to establish the feasibility of implementing a preoperative comprehensive stoma education session for patients scheduled for a RCIC. Additionally, we were able to document favorable HRQOL data and improved ostomy adjustment scores surrounding the education session.

OP0280-PARE A MINDFULNESS PROGRAM DOSING STUDY TO EVALUATE IMPROVEMENT IN EMOTIONAL DISTRESS AMONG PEOPLE WITH RHEUMATIC DISEASE

Background:

Mindfulness-based interventions for chronic pain and emotional distress have increased in popularity as complementary therapies among people living with rheumatic and musculoskeletal disease (RMD).1,2 Despite growing evidence that mindfulness meditation reduces pain and anxiety associated with RMD, more research is needed to specify the optimal duration of mindfulness training necessary to be effective for short- and long-term benefit.

Objectives:

To evaluate and compare the effectiveness of full-length versus brief mindfulness training programs for improving anxiety among people living with RMD.

Methods:

Adult US participants (pts) within the ArthritisPower registry were invited to participate in the Healthy Mind Healthy You study comparing the effectiveness of two online mindfulness training programs of different lengths accessed via the MoodNetwork platform. The full-length mindfulness based cognitive therapy program lasted 8 weeks, while the brief evidence-based mindfulness program lasted 3 weeks. Pts were randomized to one of the two programs and completed assessments every two weeks during the program and then every four weeks during the 12-week follow-up period. Assessments included World Health Organization-Five Well-Being Index (WHO-5), Five Facet Mindfulness Questionnaire (FFMQ), Perceived Stress Scale (PSS), and two measures of emotional distress, PROMIS Short Forms for Anxiety and Depression. Analyses compared demographic characteristics and assessment scores by program length.

Results:

324 pts completed assessments at baseline and 70 pts completed them at week 8, an attrition rate of 78% in each of the program arms. The majority of pts were female, White, with 67% between the ages of 45-64 years. No statistically significant differences were observed at baseline between participants randomized to each of the two programs, and in their assessment scores at week 8 (Table 1); PROMIS Anxiety and Depression scores improved from baseline to week 8 for pts in both programs (Figure 1). Overall, mean (SD) PROMIS Depression scores improved from 58.4 (7.7) at baseline to 55.4 (7.2) at week 8 (p=0.018), a meaningfully important difference, among the 70 pts reporting scores at both time points.

Table 1.

Assessment Scores at Baseline and Week 8, Mean (SD)

BaselineWeek 8All (n=324)8-week course (n=163)3-week course (n=161)p-valueAll (n=70)8-week course (n=35)3-week course (n=35)p-valueWHO-5 b10.6 (4.9)10.4 (4.8)10.9 (5.0)0.37812.0 (5.1)12.5 (5.5)11.6 (4.7)0.488FFMQ c42.7 (6.1)42.7 (6.1)42.7 (6.1)0.93239.2 (5.7)38.9 (6.1)39.4 (5.3)0.741PSS d18.7 (7.5)19.2 (6.8)18.3 (8.2)0.30416.6 (7.3)15.7 (7.8)17.6 (6.8)0.291PROMIS Depression e56.5 (8.3)57.3 (8.0)55.7 (8.6)0.09755.1 (8.5)54.8 (9.3)55.5 (7.8)0.735PROMIS Anxiety f58.7 (8.2)59.0 (8.2)58.4 (8.1)0.47055.4 (7.2)54.6 (7.4)56.1 (7.1)0.404

a denotes use of Fisher’s Exact Test b Range 0 (worse) to 25 (better), c Range 3 (worse) to 15 (better), d Range 0 (better) to 40 (worse), e Range 24.7 (better) to 63.5 (worse), f Range 25.7 (better) to 62.0 (worse)

Conclusion:

People living with RMD who are part of a real-world US registry are willing to participate in an online mindfulness training program study, but may require additional support to remain engaged and adherent throughout the program and to participate to study conclusion. Participation in a mindfulness training program, whether full-length or brief, appears to improve symptoms of emotional distress among people with RMD.

References:

[1]Zhou, B. et al. Comp. Ther. in Clin. Prac. 2020; 39:1-7

[2]Reiner, K. et al. Pain Medicine. 2013; 14(2): 230-242

Acknowledgements:

The authors would like to thank ArthritisPower members for participating in the study, and the Healthy Mind Healthy You study team at Massachusetts General Hospital (see MoodNetwork.org) for leading it. The study was funded by the Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute (XPPRN-1512-33786).

Disclosure of Interests:

Julia Thompson: None declared, Nupur Parikh: None declared, Kelly Gavigan: None declared, Shilpa Venkatachalam: None declared, W. Benjamin Nowell Grant/research support from: Full-time employee of Global Healthy Living Foundation, an independent nonprofit organization, which has received funding to conduct research; Principal Investigator for studies with grant support from AbbVie, Amgen and Eli Lilly.

Dancing for Parkinson's: A Gateway for Connectedness to Peers and Social Assurance

The first-year student experience in college is a crucial time for personal and professional development, especially for students entering science, technology, education, and mathematics (STEM) disciplines. Unfortunately, it is also the time when students most commonly leave STEM, largely due to disconnection from faculty and peers. The Freshman Research Initiative (FRI) is a program that introduces first-year undergraduates to research in a variety of fields. The program has shown positive outcomes for student success and retention in STEM fields. However, it has not been demonstrated whether this program can increase social connectedness and assurance, potentially contributing to students' longer-term retention in STEM. In this pilot study, we measured social connectedness/assurance among students before and after a 16-week course in neurophysiology. We found that combined scores of social connectedness and assurance significantly increased by the end of the course. We also found that individual constructs of social connectedness and assurance significantly increased. Furthermore, the majority of students from FRI were retained in STEM fields. We plan future studies to include collection of longitudinal data and measures to identify additional reasons that the FRI increased these positive outcomes among our student participants.

Non-cancer clinical trials start-up metrics at an academic medical center: Implications for advancing research

The primary goal for any clinical trial after it receives a funding notification is to receive regulatory approval and initiate the trial for recruitment. Every trial must go through documentation and regulatory process before it can start recruiting participants and collecting data; this initial process of review and approval is known as the study start-up process (SSU). We evaluated the average time taken for studies to receive approvals. Using data from clinical trials conducted at the University of Kansas Medical Center, various times to reach the start of the study were calculated based on the dates of individual study. The results of this analysis showed that chart review studies and investigator-initiated trials had a shorter time to activation than other types of studies. Additionally, single-center studies had a shorter activation time than multi-center studies. The analysis also demonstrated that the overall processing time consistently had been reduced over time.

•

The 2018 year’s trend shows reduced time to study start.

•

SSU process for non-cancer trial on an average requires four to six months.

•

The activation time of the SSU process varied for different study types and scopes.

Water quality sampling methods may bias evaluations of watershed management practices

Accurate measurement of the discharge of total suspended solids (TSS) from watersheds is complicated by the extreme temporal variability of suspended solid concentrations during periods of high stream flow. Consequently, TSS loads estimated from data collected at different temporal frequencies may differ in accuracy and precision. Moreover, there remains a need for optimal sampling methods which yield the highest possible accuracy for the least effort. We investigated the effect of sampling frequency on estimations of TSS loads and retention within a restored stream in Maryland, USA. We found that coarser temporal sampling methods can lead to erroneous conclusions of restoration efficacy with poor accuracy and precision in estimates of sediment retention. Additionally, we synthesized 28 years of continuous turbidity-based TSS data from Europe and North America to assess the effect of sampling frequency. Our synthesis suggests that flow-paced composite sampling may be the most accurate and precise sampling method. This method is also economical, requiring analysis of only one sample per week. Thus, the flow-paced method may be a potential solution to economize and standardize water quality monitoring.

A double-dichotomy clustering of dual pathology dementia patients

INTRODUCTION

Subcortical ischemic vascular disease (SIVD) and Alzheimer's disease (AD) related dementia can coexist in older subjects, leading to mixed dementia (MX). Identification of dementia sub-groups is important for designing proper treatment plans and clinical trials.

METHOD

An Alzheimer's disease severity (ADS) score and a vascular disease severity (VDS) score are calculated from CSF and MRI biomarkers, respectively. These scores, being sensitive to different Alzheimer's and vascular disease processes are combined orthogonally in a double-dichotomy plot. This formed an objective basis for clustering the subjects into four groups, consisting of AD, SIVD, MX and leukoaraiosis (LA). The relationship of these four groups is examined with respect to cognitive assessments and clinical diagnosis.

RESULTS

Cluster analysis had at least 83% agreement with the clinical diagnosis for groups based either on Alzheimer's or on vascular sensitive biomarkers, and a combined agreement of 68.8% for clustering the four groups. The VDS score was correlated to executive function (r = -0.28, p < 0.01) and the ADS score to memory function (r = -0.35, p < 0.002) after adjusting for age, sex, and education. In the subset of patients for which the cluster scores and clinical diagnoses agreed, the correlations were stronger (VDS score-executive function: r = -0.37, p < 0.006 and ADS score-memory function: r = -0.58, p < 0.0001).

CONCLUSIONS

The double-dichotomy clustering based on imaging and fluid biomarkers offers an unbiased method for identifying mixed dementia patients and selecting better defined sub-groups. Differential correlations with neuropsychological tests support the hypothesis that the categories of dementia represent different etiologies.