Geographic inequalities in need and provision of social prescribing link workers

BACKGROUND

Long-term health conditions are major challenges for care systems. Social prescribing link workers have been introduced via Primary Care Networks (PCNs) across England since 2019 to address the wider determinants of health by connecting individuals to activities, groups, or services within their local community.

AIM

To assess whether the rollout of social prescribing link workers was in areas with the highest need.

DESIGN AND SETTING

A retrospective study of social prescribing link workers in England from 2019 to 2023.

METHOD

We combined workforce, population, survey, and area-level data at the PCN-level from April 2020 to October 2023. We measured population need prior to the rollout of link workers using reported lack of support from local services in the 2019 GP Patient Survey. To assess if rollout reflected need, we used linear regression to relate provision of link workers (measured by full-time equivalent (FTE) per 10,000 patients) in each quarter to population need for support.

RESULTS

Populations in urban, more deprived areas and with higher proportions of minority ethnicities had the highest reported lack of support. Geographically these were in the North West and London. Initially, there was no association between need and provision; then from July 2022, this became negative and significant. By October 2023, a 10-percentage point higher need for support was associated with a 0.035 (95%CI(-0.634 to -0.066)) lower FTE per 10,000 patients.

CONCLUSION

Rollout of link workers has not been sufficiently targeted at areas with the highest need. Future deployments should be targeted at those areas.

Informal caregiving and the allocation of time: implications for opportunity costs and measurement

Informal care requires a considerable time investment from providers that inherently involves trade-offs against various uses of time. We examine what other uses of time are forgone when individuals provide informal care. We further consider how caregiving is linked to a range of rarely explored time use characteristics relating to multitasking, the fragmentation and the timing of activities. We use data from 5670 adults across 11003 diary days from the 2014/15 UK Time Use Survey. Using a 'doubly robust' approach of entropy balancing and regression adjustment, we find carers spend an additional 49.0 min on non-market work, 2.9 min on personal care, 5.8 min on leisure and 2.9 min on miscellaneous activities on weekdays. They spend 46.1 min less on market work and 14.4 min less on sleep. Carers report more time stress, more multitasking, and more fragmented time. We estimate with attribution factors that 16% and 11% of reported household task activity is due to caregiving on weekday and weekend days, respectively. These findings provide evidence on additional opportunity costs faced by carers and possible channels through which carer labour market and health outcomes are realised. The attribution factors we calculate can be applied to total reported caregiving time to avoid overestimation when this is incorporated into economic evaluations.

Protective intravenous BCG vaccination induces enhanced immune signaling in the airways

Intradermal (ID) Bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) is the most widely administered vaccine in the world. However, ID-BCG fails to achieve the level of protection needed in adults to alter the course of the tuberculosis epidemic. Recent studies in non-human primates have demonstrated high levels of protection against Mycobacterium tuberculosis ( Mtb ) following intravenous (IV) administration of BCG. However, the protective immune features that emerge following IV BCG vaccination remain incompletely defined. Here we used single-cell RNA-sequencing (scRNAseq) to transcriptionally profile 157,114 unstimulated and purified protein derivative (PPD)-stimulated bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) cells from 29 rhesus macaques immunized with BCG across routes of administration and doses to uncover cell composition-, gene expression-, and biological network-level signatures associated with IV BCG-mediated protection. Our analyses revealed that high-dose IV BCG drove an influx of polyfunctional T cells and macrophages into the airways. These macrophages exhibited a basal activation phenotype even in the absence of PPD-stimulation, defined in part by IFN and TNF-α signaling up to 6 months following BCG immunization. Furthermore, intercellular immune signaling pathways between key myeloid and T cell subsets were enhanced following PPD-stimulation in high-dose IV BCG-vaccinated macaques. High-dose IV BCG also engendered quantitatively and qualitatively stronger transcriptional responses to PPD-stimulation, with a robust Th1-Th17 transcriptional phenotype in T cells, and augmented transcriptional signatures of reactive oxygen species production, hypoxia, and IFN-γ response within alveolar macrophages. Collectively, this work supports that IV BCG immunization creates a unique cellular ecosystem in the airways, which primes and enables local myeloid cells to effectively clear Mtb upon challenge.

Effects of chain ownership and private equity financing on quality in the English care home sector: retrospective observational study

BACKGROUND

the structure of care homes markets in England is changing with the emergence of for-profit homes organised in chains and financed by private equity. Previous literature shows for-profit homes were rated lower quality than not-for-profit homes when inspected by the national regulator, but has not considered new forms of financing.

OBJECTIVES

to examine whether financing and organisation of care homes is associated with regulator assessments of quality.

METHODS

retrospective observational study of the Care Quality Commission's ratings of 10,803 care homes providing services to older people as of January 2020. We used generalised ordered logistic models to assess whether ratings differed between not-for-profit and for-profit homes categorised into three groups: (i) chained ownership, financed by private equity; (ii) chained ownership, not financed by private equity and (iii) independent ownership. We compared Overall and domain (caring, effective, responsive, safe, well-led) ratings adjusted for care home size, age and location.

RESULTS

all three for-profit ownership types had lower average overall ratings than not-for-profit homes, especially independent (6.8% points (p.p.) more likely rated as 'Requires Improvement/Inadequate', 95% CI: 4.7-8.9) and private equity chains (6.6 p.p. more likely rated as 'Requires Improvement/Inadequate', 95% CI: 2.9-10.2). Independent homes scored better than private equity chains in the safe, effective and responsive domains but worst in the well-led domain.

DISCUSSION

private equity financing and independent for-profit ownership are associated with lower quality. The consequences of the changing care homes market structure for quality of services should be monitored.

Diabetes Prevention Programme and socioeconomic inequalities in Type 2 Diabetes in England

 

The National Diabetes Prevention Programme (DPP) in England is a behavioural intervention for preventing Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM) among people with non-diabetic hyperglycaemia (NDH, HbA1c 42-47 mmol/mol or 6.0-6.4%). How this programme affects inequalities by age, gender, disability, ethnicity, or deprivation is not known. We used multinomial logistic regression models to compare population characteristics at three stages along the prevention programme pathway: prevalence of NDH [using survey data from UK Household Longitudinal Study (N = 794) and Health Survey for England (N = 1,383)]; identification in primary care and offer of the programme [using administrative data from the National Diabetes Audit (N = 1,267,350)]; and programme participation [using programme provider records (N = 98,024)]). Younger adults (aged under 40) [4% of the NDH population (95% CIs 2%-6%)] and older adults (aged 80 and above) [12% (95%CIs 10%-14%] were both underrepresented amongst DPP participants [2% of DPP participants (95%CIs 1.8%-2.2%) and 8% (95%CIs 7.7%-8.3%) respectively]. People with disabilities were underrepresented in the DPP [15% (95%CIs 14.9%-15.1%) vs 60% (95%CIs 58%-62%)] compared to the general population. People living in more deprived areas were under-represented [14% (95% CIs 13.7%-14.3%) vs 20% (95%CIs 16%-24%) in the general population]. Ethnic minorities were overrepresented [36% (95%CIs 35.8%-36.2%) vs 13% (95%CIs 9%-17%) in the general population] among DPP referrals, though the proportion dropped at programme completion stage [19% (95%CI 18.5%-19.5%)]. The DPP has the potential to reduce ethnic inequalities but may widen socioeconomic, age, and disability-related inequalities in T2DM. Whilst ethnic minority groups are overrepresented at identification and offer stage, efforts are required to support the completion of the programme. Programme providers should target underrepresented groups to ensure equitable access and narrow inequalities in T2DM.

Key messages

• The DPP intervention may result in a widening of socioeconomic and disability related inequalities amongst people with NDH as the programme had fewer adults in deprived areas and with a disability.

• The programme has the potential to reduce ethnic inequalities, but efforts are required to support the completion of the programme by minority ethnic groups.

Rapid and Facile Fabrication of Polyiodide Solid-State Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells Using Ambient Air Drying

Dye-sensitized solar cells are promising candidates for low-cost indoor power generation applications. However, they currently suffer from complex fabrication and stability issues arising from the liquid electrolyte. Consequently, the so-called zombie cell was developed, in which the liquid electrolyte is dried out to yield a solid through a pinhole after cell assembly. We report a method for faster, simpler, and potentially more reliable production of zombie cells through direct and rapid drying of the electrolyte on the working electrode prior to cell assembly, using an iodide-triiodide redox couple electrolyte as a basis. These "rapid-zombie" cells were fabricated with power conversion efficiencies reaching 5.0%, which was larger than the 4.5% achieved for equivalent "slow" zombie cells. On a large-area cell of 15.68 cm², over 2% efficiency was achieved at 0.2 suns. After 12 months of dark storage, the "rapid-zombie" cells were remarkably stable and actually showed a moderate increase in average efficiencies.

POS1093 EFFECT OF DISEASE MODIFYING ANTI-RHEUMATIC DRUGS ON DEPRESSION IN PATIENTS WITH PSORIATIC ARTHRITIS IN A LONGITUDINAL COHORT

Background

Depression, and its improvement with disease modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs) is understudied in psoriatic arthritis (PsA).

Objectives

To determine the effectiveness of DMARDs on depression in PsA patients.

Methods

Patients enrolled from January 2000 to May 2020 in a large PsA cohort were included. Depression was defined as medical outcomes study short form-36 (SF-36) mental component summary score (MCS) ≤ 40 or mental health (MH) subscale score ≤ 56. Primary outcome was resolution of depression within 1 year of DMARDs, defined by two definitions: 1) MCS > 40 and/or MH subscale score of > 56; 2) Increase in MCS by 2.5 and MH subscale score by 5, the minimal clinically important difference (MCID). Baseline medications [non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and/or conventional or targeted (c/t) DMARDs] were recorded for all patients and stratified into 3 mutually exclusive ordinal categories: I-No treatment/NSAIDs; II-cDMARDs±NSAIDs without tDMARDs; III-tDMARDs±cDMARDs/NSAIDs. Univariable and multivariable logistic regression models were created to determine the association between medications and resolution of depression, after controlling for age, sex, disease duration and baseline MCS/MH subscale score.

Results

Based on the MCS and MH subscale score definitions, 608 (48%) and 655 (52%) of the 1270 patients, respectively were depressed at baseline. 374 (50.8% males) and 399 (52.4% males) patients were followed up in the groups defined by MCS and MH subscales, respectively for 1 year. Patients in both groups had comparable body mass indices, baseline psoriasis area and severity index and active joint count. Mean MCS and MH subscale scores (standard deviation) were 33.2 (5.2) and 46.0 (10.2). A mean of 11.9 and 11.7 months was noted for resolution of depression in the MCS based analysis and MH subscale-based analysis groups, respectively. More patients achieved resolution of depression based on definition 2 (MCS, 64.7%; MH, 62.2%) as compared to definition 1 (MCS, 54.5%; MH, 53.9). The proportion of patients on each category of medications in both models is shown in the Figure 1. Table 1 depicts the univariate and multivariable regression results by both the definitions of primary outcome in the MH subscales model. The global p-value for medication categories showed a trend towards significance in both models using definition 2. There was a trend towards higher likelihood of response when comparing patients in treatment category III vs category I. A significant response was noted when comparing patients in category III with category II as reference (OR 1.71; 95% CI 1.05-2.76; p 0.03). No significant effect of treatment category on depression was noted using definition 1.

Table 1.

Association between treatment and resolution of depression in the MH Subscale model (n = 399)

VariableResolution by MCIDResolution by MH subscale reductionUnivariable modelMultivariable modelUnivariate modelMultivariate modelOR (95% CI)p valueOR (95% CI)p valueOR (95% CI)p valueOR (95% CI)p valueMale vs. Female0.81 (0.54–1.22)0.310.83 (0.5–1.26)0.391.02 (0.68–1.51)0.940.94 (0.63 –1.42)0.79Baseline age1.01 (1.00 –1.03)0.091.01 (1.00 –1.03)0.161.02 (1.00–1.03)0.051.01 (0.99 –1.03)0.30Baseline PsA duration1.02 (1.00 –1.04)0.121.01 (0.99 –1.03)0.371.02 (1.00– 1.04)0.071.01 (0.99 –1.03)0.22Baseline MH subscale score0.98 (0.96 –1.00)0.030.98 (0.95 –1.00)0.021.04 (1.02– 1.06)<0.00011.04 (1.02 –1.06)<0.0001Medication category0.07*0.09*0.20*0.20* IReference II0.81 (0.48 –1.36)0.420.83 (0.48 –1.41)0.481.09 (0.65– 1.82)0.751.12 (0.66 –1.91)0.67 III1.40 (0.84 –2.36)0.201.41 (0.83 –2.38)0.201.51 (0.92– 2.49)0.101.55 (0.92 –2.59)0.10

*global p value

Figure 1.

Patients in each drug category.

Conclusion

In an observational setting, resolution of depression occurs in majority of patients with PsA within 1 year. Patients on t-DMARDs may experience better improvement in depression compared to other treatments. Future effectiveness studies warrant better definitions of depression and treatment response.

Acknowledgements

AJM was supported by the National Psoriasis Foundation Fellowship grant.

Disclosure of Interests

Ashish Jacob Mathew Speakers bureau: Novartis, IPCA Laboratories, Grant/research support from: Novartis, IPCA Laboratories, Mitchell Sutton: None declared, Daniel Pereira: None declared, Dafna D Gladman Consultant of: AstraZeneca, Grant/research support from: AbbVie, Vinod Chandran Consultant of: AbbVie, Amgen, BMS, Eli Lilly, Janssen, Novartis, Pfizer and UCB, Grant/research support from: AbbVie, Amgen and Eli-Lilly

AB0929 Is there a correlation between skin severity and joint activity in Psoriatic Arthritis (PsA)?

Background

The majority if patients with PsA present with skin manifestations first. Few studies have examined the relationship between severity of skin and joint manifestations, but the results have been variable.

Objectives

To assess the correlation between the extent and severity of skin psoriasis and musculoskeletal manifestations of PsA over time.

Methods

This study is a retrospective analysis of prospectively collected data at a single center cohort study of patients who enrolled within 12 months of PsA diagnosis from 2000-2020. Patients are assessed according to a standard protocol which includes demographics, clinical assessment including skin and joint assessments, laboratory evaluation at 6–12-month intervals and radiographs every 2 years. Skin severity is measured by the PASI score, joint disease severity is measured by the number of tender and swollen joints. Axial disease was defined by the presence of bilateral grade sacroiliitis or unilateral grade 3 or 4. The Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Metrology Index (BASMI) was also measured. Spearman correlations were calculated between PASI scores and joint counts and BASMI (in patients with axial disease). Multivariable analysis was done using negative binomial model for the joint counts and a linear regression for BASMI. This preliminary analysis includes only the baseline information.

Results

397 patients were included. Characteristics are shown in the Table 1. There was a correlation significant correlation between PASI score and the active joint count (AJC) (ρ 0.14, p=0.0095), swollen joint count (ρ 0.15, p=0.0071). Among the patients with axial disease there was a strong correlation between the PASI and BASMI scores ((ρ 0.58, p=0.0001).

Table 1.

Baseline characteristics of 397 patients

VariableMean (SD)*, Number (%)** N=397Age (years)44.97 (13.01)*PsA duration (years)0.43 (0.66)*Psoriasis duration (years)14.64 (13.65)*Married236 (60.5)**Smoker ever193 (48.7)**Alcohol intake246 (62.3)**Employed309 (78.4)**Post secondary education277 (71.0)**BMI29.21 (8.85)*PASI6.11 (9.03)*Nail238 (61.2)**Active joint count (tender ± swollen)7.3 (13/15)*Swollen joint count2.96 (4.93)*Axial disease53 (17.8%)**Treatment level None/NSAIDS only272 (68.2)** DMARDS ± NSAIDs98 (24.7)** Biologics ± DMARDs27 (6.80)**

Multivariable analysis for AJC revealed traditional DMARDs (0.85 p=0.000). PASI score when patients were on no therapy (0.02 p=0.01) and those on biologics 0.04 p<0.05) were associated with higher AJC. Similarly for swollen joints the use of traditional DMARDs (0.85 P0.00), and the PASI score in those taking biologic DMARDs (0.07 p=0.003) were associated with higher swollen joint count.

In patients with axial disease Age (0/05, p=0.004), PASI score in patients on no treatment (0.06 p=0.000) or those taking biologics (0.28 p=0.000) were associated with higher BASMI scores.

Conclusion

In patients presenting within 12 months of diagnosis of PsA, there is a correlation between the severity of skin and joint disease. Further studies will assess whether this correlation persists over time.

Acknowledgements

The Toronto Psoriatic Arthritis Research Program is supported by a grant from the Krembil Foundation.

Disclosure of Interests

Ghaydaa Aldabie: None declared, Mitchell Sutton: None declared, Dafna D Gladman Consultant of: AstraZeneca

POS1217 ANTI-TNF THERAPY FOR IMMUNE MEDIATED INFLAMMATORY DISEASES MAY BE ASSOCIATED WITH LOWER ANTIBODY LEVELS AND VIRUS NEUTRALIZATION EFFICACY FOLLOWING SARS-CoV-2 mRNA VACCINATION

Background

The impact of immunosuppressants on COVID-19 vaccination response and durability in patients with immune-mediated inflammatory diseases (IMID) is yet to be fully characterized. Humoral response may be attenuated in these patients especially those on B cell depleting therapy and higher doses of corticosteroids, but data regarding other immunosuppressants are scarce.

Objectives

We aimed to investigate antibody and T cell responses and durability to SARS-CoV-2 mRNA vaccines (BNT162b and/or mRNA 1273) in IMID patients on immunomodulatory maintenance therapy other than B-cell depleting therapy and corticosteroids.

Methods

This prospective observational cohort study examined the immunogenicity of SARS-CoV-2 mRNA vaccines in adult patients with IMIDs (psoriatic arthritis, psoriasis, inflammatory bowel disease and rheumatoid arthritis) with or without maintenance immunosuppressive therapies (anti-TNF, methotrexate/azathioprine [MTX/AZA], anti-TNF + MTX/AZA, anti IL12/23, anti-IL-17, anti-IL23) compared to healthy controls. Automated ELISA for IgGs to spike trimer, spike receptor binding domain (RBD) and the nucleocapsid (NP) and T-cell release of 9 cytokines (IFNg, IL2, IL4, IL17A, TNF) and cytotoxic molecules (sFasL, GzmA, GzmB, Perforinin) in cell culture supernatants following stimulation with spike or NP peptide arrays were conducted at 4 time points: T1=pre vaccination, T2=median 26 days after dose 1, T3=median 16 days after dose 2 and T4=median 106 days after dose 2. Neutralization assays against four SARS-CoV-2 variants (wild type, delta, beta and gamma) were conducted at T3.

Results

We followed 150 subjects: 26 healthy controls and 124 IMID patients: 9 untreated, 44 on anti-TNF, 16 on anti-TNF with MTX/AZA, 10 on anti-IL23, 28 on anti-IL12/23, 9 on anti-IL17, 8 on MTX/AZA (Table 1). Most patients mounted antibody and T cell responses with increases from dose 1 to dose 2 (100% seroconversion at T3) and some decline by T4, with variability within groups. Antibody levels and neutralization efficacy was lower in anti-TNFgroups (anti-TNF, anti-TNF + MTX/AZA) compared to controls and waned by T4 (Figure 1). T cell responses were not consistently different between groups. Pooled data showed a higher antibody response to mRNA-1273 compared to BNT162b.

Table 1.

Baseline characteristics of study participants

Controluntreated IMIDAnti- TNFAnti- TNF +MTX/AZAAnti-IL-23Anti -IL-12/23Anti -IL-17MTX/AZAn=26n=9n=44n=16n=10n=28n=9n=8p-valueIMID*N/A IBD9301002704 Psoriasis1318122 PA0732172 AS0830010 RA1100011Age median years [IQR]36 [26-46]33 [27-41]38 [30-51]53 [44-59]48 [45-61]34 [28-47]49 [46-61]42 [31-55]<0.001^Sex male (%)16 (62)5 (56)18 (41)8 (50)5 (50)13 (46)6 (67)4 (50)0.772~BMImedian kg/m2 [IQR]25 [23-28]26 [22-27]22 [24-26]26 [24-28]27 [24-35]22 [21-24]32 [26-34]26[25-33]0.001^Vaccine interval median days [IQR]74 [35-84]54 [31-64]60 [45-69]64 [50-72]74 [35-84]62 [49-69]65 [52-75]58 [21-97]0.372^

*multiple IMIDs per patient possible

Figure 1.

Antibody responses (A) Anti spike and anti RBD IgG levels at indicated time points. Blue line represents median ratio in convalescent patients. The red line is the seropositivity threshold: the median antibody level of those that pass both a 1% false positive rate and show ≥3SD from the log means of the negative controls. (B) Relative ratio of RBD, spike and NP across time. Black and gray lines indicate median and mean values, respectively. *p≤0.05, **p≤0.01, ***p≤0.001, ****p≤0.0001

Conclusion

Following 2 doses of mRNA vaccination there is 100% seroconversion in IMID patients on maintenance therapy. Antibody levels and neutralization efficacy in anti-TNF group are lower than controls, and wane substantially by 3 months after dose 2. These findings highlight the need for third dose in patients undergoing treatment with anti-TNF therapy and continued monitoring of immunity in these patient groups, taking into consideration newer variants and additional vaccine doses.

Acknowledgements

This work was funded by a donation from Juan and Stefania Speck and by grants VR-1 172711, VS1-175545, FDN-143250, GA1- 177703 and GA2- 177716, from Canadian Institutes of Health Research and COVID Immunity task force and by Sinai Health Foundation

Disclosure of Interests

Naomi Finkelstein: None declared, Roya M. Dayam: None declared, Jaclyn Law: None declared, Rogier Goetgebuer: None declared, Gary Chao: None declared, Kento T. Abe: None declared, Mitchell Sutton: None declared, Joanne M. Stempak: None declared, Daniel Pereira: None declared, David Croitoru: None declared, Lily Acheampong: None declared, Saima Rizwan: None declared, Klaudia Rymaszewski: None declared, Raquel Milgrom: None declared, Darshini Ganatra: None declared, Nathalia V. Batista: None declared, Melanie Girard: None declared, Irene Lau: None declared, Ryan Law: None declared, Michelle Cheung: None declared, Bhavisha Rathod: None declared, Julia Kitaygorodsky: None declared, Reuben Samson: None declared, Queenie Hu: None declared, Nigil Haroon: None declared, Robert Inman Consultant of: AbbVie, Janssen, Lilly, Novartis., Grant/research support from: AbbVie, Novartis, Vincent Piguet Consultant of: AbbVie, Almirall, Celgene, Janssen, Kyowa Kirin Co. Ltd, LEO Pharma,

Novartis, Pfizer, Sanofi, UCB, and Union Therapeutic, Grant/research support from: Unrestricted educational grants from AbbVie, Bausch Health, Celgene, Janssen, LEO Pharma, Lilly, L’Oréal, NAOS, Novartis, Pfizer, Pierre-Fabre, Sandoz, and Sanofi, Mark Silverberg Speakers bureau: AbbVie, Janssen, Takeda, Pfizer, Gilead and Amgen, Consultant of: AbbVie, Janssen, Takeda, Pfizer, Gilead and Amgen, Grant/research support from: AbbVie, Janssen, Takeda, Pfizer, Gilead and Amgen, Anne-Claude Grigras: None declared, Tania H. Watts: None declared, Vinod Chandran Consultant of: AbbVie, Amgen, BMS, Eli Lilly, Janssen, Novartis, Pfizer and UCB, Grant/research support from: AbbVie, Amgen, Eli-Lilly.

AB0895 Residual burden and disease activity of Canadian PsA patients treated with advanced therapies: preliminary results from a multiple registry analysis (UNISON-PsA)

Background

Given the availability of advanced therapies in PsA with different modes of action, it is of interest to characterize their impact on overall clinical outcomes.

Objectives

To describe residual disease activity in Canadians with PsA treated with advanced therapies.

Methods

Multi-region, observational, retrospective analysis of data from Rhumadata (Quebec) and International Psoriasis and Arthritis Research Team (IPART) Canadian registries was performed. Data from each registry and region were analyzed separately using a common statistical analysis plan to generate descriptive statistics. Patients included in the registries were eligible if they were adults at the time of PsA diagnosis and were treated with an advanced therapy for ≥6 months initiated between January 2010 and December 2019. Residual disease activity was defined as failing to achieve MDA (defined as achieving ≥5 of: TJC ≤1; SJC ≤1; PASI ≤1 or BSA ≤3%; patient pain VAS score of ≤15 mm; patient global disease activity VAS score of ≤20 mm; HAQ score ≤0.5; and tender entheseal points ≤1) (primary endpoint), or DAPSA score ≥14 (secondary endpoint) within 6 months of initiation of an advanced therapy (TNFi, IL-12/23i, IL-17i, PDE4i, CTLA4i or JAKi).

Results

1,866 subjects (Atlantic [IPART; Newfoundland]: N=83; Quebec [Rhumadata]: N=687; Ontario [IPART]: N=966; West [IPART; British Columbia, Manitoba]: N=130) were included in this preliminary analysis. Baseline characteristics are presented in Table 1. Overall, 899 were receiving their 1st advanced therapy, 464 were receiving their 2nd, and 264 had received ≥3. The most common therapy class was TNFi, followed by IL-17i. 18/21 (85.7%) subjects in the Atlantic region with an assessment, 184/246 (74.8%) in Quebec, 391/571 (68.1%) in Ontario, and 30/43 (69.8%) in Western Canada failed to achieve MDA within 6 months following advanced therapy initiation. Failure to achieve MDA within the allotted period was higher among patients receiving an IL-17i compared with a TNFi. There was no appreciable effect of lines of therapy. Also, 74 of 110 (67.3%) patients with an assessment in Quebec, 201/365 (55.1%) in Ontario and 3/3 (100%) in the West failed to achieve at least low disease activity (LDA; DAPSA ≤14) within 6 months following initiation of an advanced therapy. Data were not available for the Atlantic region. The proportion of patients not achieving LDA by advanced therapy was similar for those receiving a TNFi and IL-17i but increased with line of therapy.

Table 1.

Patient demographic and baseline characteristics, and response to treatment

Atlantic (N=83)Quebec (N=687)Ontario (N=966)West (N=130)Age (years, mean [SD])50.3 (11.1)50.7 (12.1)49.1 (12.9)46.7 (12.1)Female (n [%])44/83 (53.0)346/687 (50.4)427/966 (44.2)81/128 (62.3)BMI (kg/m2, n, mean [SD])15, 30.8 (3.6)553, 29.6 (6.6)579, 30.6 (6.9)45, 32.8 (10.6)Time since diagnosis (years, N, mean [SD])83, 8.7 (8.7)687, 7.1 (7.9)895, 11.7 (11.1)74, 11.7 (8.9)HLA-B27 positive (n/N [%])N/A58/335 (17.3)86/648 (13.3)N/APresence of EAMs (n/N [%])4/44 (9.1)27/687 (3.9)65/693 (9.4)2/33 (6.1%)Fulfillment of CASPAR (n/N [%])N/A391/687 (56.9)100/100 (100)N/ATherapy class (n [%]):*TNFi66 (79.5)478 (69.6)651 (67.3)104 (80.0)IL-17i11 (13.3)106 (15.4)191 (19.9)21 (16.2)IL-12/23i6 (7.2)33 (4.8)124 (12.9)5 (3.9)PDE4i48 (7.0)Other22 (3.2)Failure to achieve MDA within 6 months of starting therapy (n/N [%])**18/21 (87.5)184/246 (74.8)391/571 (68.1)30/43 (69.8)Failure to achieve DAPSA ≤14 within 6 months of starting therapy (n/N [%])**N/A74/110 (67.3)201/365 (55.1)3/3 (100.0)

*Patients may be taking >1 advanced therapy, **Not all patients had assessments of disease activity.

Conclusion

Preliminary data show approximately three quarters of Canadians with PsA failed to achieve MDA or LDA within 6 months of initiating an advanced therapy. Disease duration is a possible explanation for not achieving MDA or LDA; better therapeutic approaches are needed to achieve these outcomes in patients with PsA.

Acknowledgements

The authors wish to thank Dr. Steve Ramkissoon, for supporting the statistical analysis of the IPART registry. Medical writing and statistical support (funded by Abbvie) were provided by John Howell and Hong Chen, respectively, from McDougall Scientific. Financial support for the study was provided by AbbVie. AbbVie participated in the design of the study, interpretation of data, review, and approval of this publication. All authors contributed to the development of the publication and maintained control over the final content.

Disclosure of Interests

Denis Choquette Speakers bureau: Amgen, Abbvie, CIHR, Novartis, Pfizer, Fresenius-Kabi, Eli Lilly, Sandoz, Tevapharm, Consultant of: Amgen, Abbvie, CIHR, Novartis, Pfizer, Fresenius-Kabi, Eli Lilly, Sandoz, Tevapharm, Grant/research support from: Rhumadata is supported through grants and research contracts from Amgen, Abbvie, CIHR, Novartis, Pfizer, Fresenius-Kabi, Eli Lilly, Sandoz, Tevapharm., Vinod Chandran Consultant of: AbbVie, Amgen, BMS, Eli Lilly, Janssen, Novartis, UCB, Pfizer, Employee of: Spouse is an employee of AstraZeneca, Marie-Claude Laliberté Shareholder of: AbbVie Corp., Employee of: AbbVie Corp., Pierre-André Fournier Shareholder of: AbbVie Corp., Employee of: AbbVie Corp., Tanya Girard Shareholder of: AbbVie Corp., Employee of: AbbVie Corp., Mitchell Sutton: None declared, Dafna D Gladman Consultant of: AbbVie, Amgen, BMS, Galapagos, Gilead, Eli Lilly, Janssen Novartis, Pfizer, UCB, Grant/research support from: AbbVie, Amgen, Eli Lilly, Janssen, Novartis, Pfizer, UCB

The role of lymphocyte subsets in preventing tuberculosis following intravenous vaccination with BCG

Background

We previously demonstrated in non-human primates (NHP) that intravenous (IV) administration of BCG induces substantial T cell responses and often sterilizing immunity against Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) infection. Here, we investigated the role of T cell populations in this unmatched response in the context of necessary immune mechanisms for protection against tuberculosis (TB).

Methods

Beginning 20 weeks after vaccination and through the end of the study, rhesus macaques were infused with antibodies to deplete CD4, CD8α, or CD8β expressing T cells, or with control IgG/saline. NHPs inoculated with ~15 CFU Mtb Erdman via bronchoscope were monitored for 8 weeks. Granulomas, areas of disease, lung tissue and thoracic lymph nodes (LNs) were harvested at necropsy using FDG PET CT as a map to identify inflamed lesions. Immune responses were analyzed by spectral flow cytometry and homogenates were plated for colony forming unit (CFU) quantification.

Results

Successful depletion of expected cell types was seen in blood, airways, LNs and lung tissue. Depletion of CD4 T cells ablated IV BCG mediated protection in all NHPs. CD8α and CD8β depleted NHPs retained varying levels of protection, leading to mixed outcomes by bacterial burden. Preliminary results indicate the loss of protection following CD8α (both innate and adaptive cells) and CD8β (mainly adaptive cells) depletion is similar, suggesting a key role for conventional CD8 T cells in vaccination.

Conclusions

Our results provide critical insight regarding roles played by CD4 and CD8 T cell populations in terms of defining desired responses for vaccination against progressive TB. Functionality of these cells in immunized NHPs will clarify the purposes of T cell subsets.

Supported by grants from Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and NIH NIAID (75N93019C00071)

Predictors of social participation: evidence from repeated cross-sectional population surveys in England

BACKGROUND

Social participation is linked to better health and well-being. However, there is limited research on the individual and area-level predictors of participation. This study aims to determine the characteristics associated with participation, particularly the impact of community asset availability.

METHODS

We used data from 34 582 adult respondents to the nationally representative Community Life Survey from 2013 to 2018. We measured social participation by reported participation in 15 types of groups. We used probit and negative binomial regression models and included a wide range of individual, household and area characteristics, and availability of 14 types of community assets.

RESULTS

The following characteristics were associated with higher levels of participation: being female (+3.0 percentage points (p.p.) (95% CI 1.8 to 4.1p.p.), Black, Asian or Minority Ethnicity (+3.7p.p. (1.9 to 5.5p.p.)), homeownership (+4.1 p.p. (2.7 to 5.6p.p.)) and living in a rural area (+2.1p.p. (0.5 to 3.6p.p)). Respondents from the most deprived areas were less likely to participate than those in average deprivation areas (-3.9p.p. (-5.9 to -1.99p.p.)). Higher availability of community assets was associated with increased participation in groups. The effect of availability on participation varied by type of asset.

CONCLUSION

Improving community assets infrastructure in high deprivation and urban areas would encourage more social participation in these areas.

Leveraging pleiotropic association using sparse group variable selection in genomics data

Background

Genome-wide association studies (GWAS) have identified genetic variants associated with multiple complex diseases. We can leverage this phenomenon, known as pleiotropy, to integrate multiple data sources in a joint analysis. Often integrating additional information such as gene pathway knowledge can improve statistical efficiency and biological interpretation. In this article, we propose statistical methods which incorporate both gene pathway and pleiotropy knowledge to increase statistical power and identify important risk variants affecting multiple traits.

Methods

We propose novel feature selection methods for the group variable selection in multi-task regression problem. We develop penalised likelihood methods exploiting different penalties to induce structured sparsity at a gene (or pathway) and SNP level across all studies. We implement an alternating direction method of multipliers (ADMM) algorithm for our penalised regression methods. The performance of our approaches are compared to a subset based meta analysis approach on simulated data sets. A bootstrap sampling strategy is provided to explore the stability of the penalised methods.

Results

Our methods are applied to identify potential pleiotropy in an application considering the joint analysis of thyroid and breast cancers. The methods were able to detect eleven potential pleiotropic SNPs and six pathways. A simulation study found that our method was able to detect more true signals than a popular competing method while retaining a similar false discovery rate.

Conclusion

We developed feature selection methods for jointly analysing multiple logistic regression tasks where prior grouping knowledge is available. Our method performed well on both simulation studies and when applied to a real data analysis of multiple cancers.

Recruitment and Consent in an observational study

OBJECTIVE

The study sought to explore the consent rate and associated potential bias across a cohort in a large longitudinal population based study.

RESEARCH DESIGN

Data were taken from a study designed to examine the effects of the reintroduction of community water fluoridation on children's oral health over a five-year period. Children were recruited from a fluoridated and non-fluoridated area in Cumbria, referred to as Group 1 and Group 2.

RESULTS

Data were available for 3138 individuals. The consent rate was 12.91 percentage points lower in Group 2 than Group 1 (95% CI -16.27 to -9.56, p⟨0.001). The population in Group 2 was more deprived (higher Index of Multiple Deprivation (IMD)) than Group 1 before consent was taken. Consent was not associated with deprivation in either group.

CONCLUSION

The cohort appeared to be unaffected by IMD-related non-consent. However there was a difference in consent rate between the two groups. With the population in Group 1 being more deprived than Group 2, it will be important to incorporate these differences into the analysis at the end of this longitudinal study.

Sociodemographic disparities in non-diabetic hyperglycaemia and the transition to type 2 diabetes: evidence from the English Longitudinal Study of Ageing

AIM

To explore whether there are social inequalities in non-diabetic hyperglycaemia (NDH) and in transitions to type 2 diabetes mellitus and NDH low-risk status in England.

METHODS

Some 9143 men and women aged over 50 years were analysed from waves 2, 4, 6 and 8 (2004-2016) of the English Longitudinal Study of Ageing (ELSA). Participants were categorized as: NDH 'low-risk' [HbA_1c < 42 mmol/mol (< 6.0%)], NDH [HbA_1c 42-47 mmol/mol (6.0-6.4%)] and type 2 diabetes [HbA_1c > 47 mmol/mol (> 6.4%)]. Logistic regression models estimated the association between sociodemographic characteristics and NDH, and the transitions from NDH to diagnosed or undiagnosed type 2 diabetes and low-risk status in future waves.

RESULTS

NDH was more prevalent in older participants, those reporting a disability, those living in deprived areas and in more disadvantaged social classes. Older participants with NDH were less likely to progress to undiagnosed type 2 diabetes [odds ratio (OR) 0.27, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.08, 0.96]. NDH individuals with limiting long-standing illness (OR 1.72, 95% CI 1.16, 2.53), who were economically inactive (OR 1.60, 95% CI 1.02, 2.51) or from disadvantaged social classes (OR 1.63, 95% CI 1.02, 2.61) were more likely to progress to type 2 diabetes. Socially disadvantaged individuals were less likely (OR 0.64, 95% CI 0.41, 0.98) to progress to NDH low-risk status.

CONCLUSIONS

There were socio-economic differences in NDH prevalence, transition to type 2 diabetes and transition to NDH low-risk status. Disparities in transitions included the greater likelihood of disadvantaged social groups with NDH developing type 2 diabetes and greater likelihood of advantaged social groups with NDH becoming low-risk. These socio-economic differences should be taken into account when targeting prevention initiatives.

Universal dynamics of coarsening during polymer-polymer thin-film spinodal dewetting kinetics

The dewetting dynamics of a supported bilayer polymer thin film on a solid substrate is investigated using grazing incidence x-ray photon correlation spectroscopy. We find that the top layer dewets via the spinodal mechanism. The kinetics of the dewetting is studied by monitoring the time evolution of the surface diffuse x-ray scattering intensity. We study the time evolution of fluctuations about the average surface structure by measuring the two-time x-ray intensity fluctuation correlation functions. Using these two-time correlation functions we quantify the crossover from early-time diffusive dynamics to hydrodynamics. The early diffusive regime satisfies dynamic universality. The two-time correlation functions also quantify the onset of hydrodynamic effects. The hydrodynamic regime is observed during the spinodal dewetting process as these interactions are not screened.

Is health research undertaken where the burden of disease is greatest? Observational study of geographical inequalities in recruitment to research in England 2013-2018

BACKGROUND

Research is fundamental to high-quality care, but concerns have been raised about whether health research is conducted in the populations most affected by high disease prevalence. Geographical distribution of research activity is important for many reasons. Recruitment is a major barrier to research delivery, and undertaking recruitment in areas of high prevalence could be more efficient. Regional variability exists in risk factors and outcomes, so research done in healthier populations may not generalise. Much applied health research evaluates interventions, and their impact may vary by context (including geography). Finally, fairness dictates that publically funded research should be accessible to all, so that benefits of participating can be fairly distributed. We explored whether recruitment of patients to health research is aligned with disease prevalence in England.

METHODS

We measured disease prevalence using the Quality and Outcomes Framework in England (total long-term conditions, mental health and diabetes). We measured research activity using data from the NIHR Clinical Research Network. We presented descriptive data on geographical variation in recruitment rates. We explored associations between the recruitment rate and disease prevalence rate. We calculated the share of patient recruitment that would need to be redistributed to align recruitment with prevalence. We assessed whether associations between recruitment rate and disease prevalence varied between conditions, and over time.

RESULTS

There was significant geographical variation in recruitment rates. When areas were ranked by disease prevalence, recruitment was not aligned with prevalence, with disproportionately low recruitment in areas with higher prevalence of total long-term and mental health conditions. At the level of 15 local networks, analyses suggested that around 12% of current recruitment activity would need to be redistributed to align with disease prevalence. Overall, alignment showed little change over time, but there was variation in the trends over time in individual conditions.

CONCLUSIONS

Geographical variations in recruitment do not reflect the suitability of the population for research. Indicators should be developed to assess the fit between research and need, and to allow assessment of interventions among funders, researchers and patients to encourage closer alignment between research activity and burden.

Vaccine-Elicited T cells are Important for Intravenous BCG Mediated Protection in a Rhesus macaque Model of Tuberculosis

Our laboratories have shown that intravenous (IV) vaccination with Bacille Calmette-Guerin (BCG; 5×107 CFU) provides robust protection against low-dose Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) infection in rhesus macaques (9/10 protected [&lt;50 thoracic Mtb CFU]; 100,000-fold reduction compared to intradermal [ID] BCG). IV BCG also resulted in a 100-fold increase in mycobacterium--specific T cells in the airways of animals compared to ID or aerosol administration. To investigate the role of T cells in this protective model, we employed two methodologies: 1. Vaccination with decreasing doses of BCG to stimulate lower-magnitude T cell responses and; 2. Antibody-mediated CD4 and CD8a T cell depletion post-vaccination but pre-infection. Animals were vaccinated for 6 months followed by a 2–3 month low-dose Mtb challenge. Surprisingly, even at low doses of BCG (0.4–2 × 105), a subset of animals was protected, with a range of outcomes across the doses. In the second study, depletion was successful in blood, airways and tissue. Interestingly, depletion of either T cell subset resulted in an intermediate total thoracic CFU phenotype. In both studies, correlates of immunity will be assessed comparing protection (CFU) to BAL and tissue resident immune responses. Our data supports that sterilizing protection is observed across the BCG IV dose spectrum and that T cells are important, but are likely not the only factors involved in this protection. Our findings are critical for identifying correlates of protection and generating a safe and effective vaccine against TB.

Method of Determination of Appropriate Heat Treatment of Animal Meal by Immunoassay Developed for Detection of Cooked Beef: Interlaboratory Study

An interlaboratory trial was conducted for the validation of an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) method for determination of appropriate heat treatment of animal meal. A commercially available ELISA test kit developed for the identification of beef in cooked food was used in the study. Twelve laboratories from 7 European countries examined 2 different analytical protocols to establish the most appropriate analytical method. Three different samples were used, 2 animal waste materials sterilized at 129 and 134°C (wet conditions), respectively, and a meat and bone meal material processed at dry conditions (maximum temperature, 140°C). Statistical evaluation applying t-statistics showed that the animal meal treated according to European legislation (&gt;133°C) was clearly distinguishable from the 2 other test materials at a 99% confidence level using both analytical protocols. This method can be considered as a complementary test to the immunoassay developed for the detection of pork in cooked food that is already applied in routine analysis for the surveillance of rendering plants.

Validation of an Immunoassay for Detection and Quantitation of a Genetically Modified Soybean in Food and Food Fractions Using Reference Materials: Interlaboratory Study

An immunoassay for detection of a specific genetically modified soybean (Roundup-Ready®) was validated on dried soybean powder in an interlaboratory study. Different percentages of genetically modified soybeans in nonmodified soybean matrix were evaluated in a blind study. Thirty-eight laboratories from 13 countries participated. The immunoassay was evaluated for 2 endpoints: (1) To give a semiquantitative result, i.e., determination of a given sample above or below a given threshold, or (2) to compute a quantitative result, i.e., percentage of genetically modified soybeans in the sample. Semiquantitative results showed that a given sample which contained &lt;2% genetically modified soybeans was identified as below 2% with a 99% confidence level. Quantitative use of the assay resulted in a repeatability (r) and reproducibility (R) that were computed to be RSDr = 7% and RSDR = 10%, respectively, for a sample containing 2% genetically modified soybeans. Application of this method depends on availability of appropriate reference materials for a specific food matrix. Only matrix-matched reference materials can be used for analysis of food or food fractions.

Estimating Joint Health Condition Utility Values

OBJECTIVES

To predict health state utility values (HSUVs) for individuals with up to 4 conditions simultaneously.

METHODS

Person-level data were taken from the General Practice Patient Survey, a national survey of adult patients registered with general practices in England. Individuals reported whether they had any 1 of 16 chronic conditions and completed the 3-level EuroQol 5-dimensional questionnaire. Four nonparametric methods (additive, multiplicative, minimum, and the adjusted decrement estimator) and 1 parametric estimator (the linear index) were used to predict HSUVs for individuals with a joint health condition (JHC). Predicted and actual utility scores were compared for precision using root mean square error and mean absolute error. Bias was assessed using mean error.

RESULTS

The analysis included 929,565 individuals, of which 30.5% had at least 2 conditions. Of the nonparametric estimators, the multiplicative approach produced estimates with the lowest bias and most precision for 2 JHCs. For populations with a long-term mental health condition within the JHC, the multiplicative approach overestimated utility scores. All nonparametric methods produced biased results when estimating HSUVs for 3 or 4 JHCs. The linear index generally produced unbiased results with the highest precision.

CONCLUSIONS

The multiplicative approach was the best nonparametric estimator when estimating HSUVs for 2 JHCs. None of the nonparametric approaches for estimating HSUVs can be recommended with more than 2 JHCs. The linear index was found to have good predictive properties but needs external validation before being recommended for routine use.

New professional roles and patient satisfaction: Evidence from a European survey along three clinical pathways

This paper reports the results of an empirical analysis exploring the impact of new professions (eg a physician associate) and new professional roles on patient experiences of and satisfaction with care. A sub set of data from a patient survey conducted as part of the MUNROS programme of work was used. The overall survey aim was to describe and quantify the use of new professionals and new roles for established health care professionals other than medical doctors, in primary and secondary care sectors in three care pathways in nine European countries Ordered logit models were used to investigate the association between: (1) patient satisfaction with the last visit; (2) with their care provider; (3) with the information provided and a set of covariates explaining the involvement of new professional roles in three clinical pathways: type 2 diabetes, heart disease and breast cancer. For patients with breast cancer, high levels of satisfaction are associated with the involvement of new professions/professional roles in the provision of conditions specific education and monitoring. For patients with heart disease, the involvement of new professions/professional roles is likely to have a negative impact on satisfaction. For patients with Type 2 diabetes results are ambivalent. Patients belonging to countries experiencing innovative models of healthcare delivery and with high levels of involvement of new professions/professional roles are generally more satisfied. In conclusion, the introduction of new professions does not affect patient satisfaction negatively, therefore introducing new health professional roles is a pursuable strategy from a patient satisfaction perspective, at least for breast cancer and type 2 diabetes.

Sparse partial least squares with group and subgroup structure

Integrative analysis of high dimensional omics datasets has been studied by many authors in recent years. By incorporating prior known relationships among the variables, these analyses have been successful in elucidating the relationships between different sets of omics data. In this article, our goal is to identify important relationships between genomic expression and cytokine data from a human immunodeficiency virus vaccine trial. We proposed a flexible partial least squares technique, which incorporates group and subgroup structure in the modelling process. Our new method accounts for both grouping of genetic markers (eg, gene sets) and temporal effects. The method generalises existing sparse modelling techniques in the partial least squares methodology and establishes theoretical connections to variable selection methods for supervised and unsupervised problems. Simulation studies are performed to investigate the performance of our methods over alternative sparse approaches. Our R package sgspls is available at https://github.com/matt-sutton/sgspls.

Sampling molecular conformations and dynamics in a multiuser virtual reality framework

We describe a framework for interactive molecular dynamics in a multiuser virtual reality (VR) environment, combining rigorous cloud-mounted atomistic physics simulations with commodity VR hardware, which we have made accessible to readers (see isci.itch.io/nsb-imd). It allows users to visualize and sample, with atomic-level precision, the structures and dynamics of complex molecular structures "on the fly" and to interact with other users in the same virtual environment. A series of controlled studies, in which participants were tasked with a range of molecular manipulation goals (threading methane through a nanotube, changing helical screw sense, and tying a protein knot), quantitatively demonstrate that users within the interactive VR environment can complete sophisticated molecular modeling tasks more quickly than they can using conventional interfaces, especially for molecular pathways and structural transitions whose conformational choreographies are intrinsically three-dimensional. This framework should accelerate progress in nanoscale molecular engineering areas including conformational mapping, drug development, synthetic biology, and catalyst design. More broadly, our findings highlight the potential of VR in scientific domains where three-dimensional dynamics matter, spanning research and education.

Collaborative case management to aid return to work after long-term sickness absence: a pilot randomised controlled trial

Background

Despite high levels of employment among working-age adults in the UK, there is still a significant minority who are off work with ill health at any one time (so-called ‘sickness absence’). Long-term sickness absence results in significant costs to the individual, to the employer and to wider society.

Objective

The overall objective of the intervention was to improve employee well-being with a view to aiding return to work. To meet this aim, a collaborative case management intervention was adapted to the needs of UK employees who were entering or experiencing long-term sickness absence.

Design

A pilot randomised controlled trial, using permuted block randomisation. Recruitment of patients with long-term conditions in settings such as primary care was achieved by screening of routine records, followed by mass mailing of invitations to participants. However, the proportion of patients responding to such invitations can be low, raising concerns about external validity. Recruitment in the Case Management to Enhance Occupational Support (CAMEOS) study used this method to test whether or not it would transfer to a population with long-term sickness absence in the context of occupational health (OH).

Participants

Employed people on long-term sickness absence (between 4 weeks and 12 months). The pilot was run with two different collaborators: a large organisation that provided OH services for a number of clients and a non-profit community-based organisation.

Intervention

Collaborative case management was delivered by specially trained case managers from the host organisations. Sessions were delivered by telephone and supported use of a self-help handbook. The comparator was usual care as provided by participants’ general practitioner (GP) or OH provider. This varied for participants according to the services available to them. Neither participants nor the research team were blind to randomisation.

Main outcome measures

Recruitment rates, intervention delivery and acceptability to participants were the main outcomes. Well-being, as measured by the Clinical Outcomes in Routine Evaluation Outcome Measure (CORE-OM), and return-to-work rates were also recorded.

Results

In total, over 1000 potentially eligible participants were identified across the sites and invited to participate. However, responses were received from just 61 of those invited (5.5%), of whom 16 (1.5%) were randomised to the trial (seven to treatment, nine to control). Detailed information on recruitment methods, intervention delivery, engagement and acceptability is presented. No harms were reported in either group.

Conclusions

This pilot study faced a number of barriers, particularly in terms of recruitment of employers to host the research. Our ability to respond to these challenges faced several barriers related to the OH context and the study set up. The intervention seemed feasible and acceptable when delivered, although caution is required because of the small number of randomised participants. However, employees’ lack of engagement in the research might imply that they did not see the intervention as valuable.

Future work

Developing effective and acceptable ways of reducing sickness absence remains a high priority. We discuss possible ways of overcoming these challenges in the future, including incentives for employers, alternative study designs and further modifications to recruitment methods.

Trial registration

Current Controlled Trials ISRCTN33560198.

Funding

This project was funded by the NIHR Public Health Research programme and will be published in full inPublic Health Research; Vol. 6, No. 2. See the NIHR Journals Library website for further project information.

Contemporary women's secure psychiatric services in the United Kingdom: A qualitative analysis of staff views

WHAT IS KNOWN ON THE SUBJECT?: Three pilot UK-only Women's Enhanced Medium Secure Services (WEMSS) was opened in 2007 to support women's movement from high secure care and provide a bespoke, women-only service. Evidence suggests that women's secure services are particularly challenging environments to work in and staffing issues (e.g., high turnover) can cause difficulties in establishing a therapeutic environment. Research in this area has focused on the experiences of service users. Studies which have examined staff views have focused on their feelings towards women in their care and the emotional burden of working in women's secure services. No papers have made a direct comparison between staff working in different services. WHAT DOES THIS STUDY ADD TO EXISTING KNOWLEDGE?: This is the first study to explore the views and experiences of staff in the three UK WEMSS pilot services and contrast them with staff from women's medium secure services. Drawing upon data from eighteen semi-structured interviews (nine WEMSS, nine non-WEMSS), key themes cover staff perceptions of factors important for women's recovery and their views on operational aspects of services. This study extends our understanding of the experiences of staff working with women in secure care and bears relevance for staff working internationally, as well as in UK services. WHAT ARE THE IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE?: The study reveals the importance of induction and training for bank and agency staff working in women's secure services. Further, regular clinical supervision should be mandatory for all staff so they are adequately supported.

ABSTRACT

Introduction Women's Enhanced Medium Secure Services (WEMSS) is bespoke, gender-sensitive services which opened in the UK in 2007 at three pilot sites. This study is the first of its kind to explore the experiences of WEMSS staff, directly comparing them to staff in a standard medium secure service for women. The literature to date has focused on the experiences of service users or staff views on working with women in secure care. Aim This qualitative study, embedded in a multimethod evaluation of WEMSS, aimed to explore the views and experiences of staff in WEMSS and comparator medium secure services. Methods Qualitative interviews took place with nine WEMSS staff and nine comparator medium secure staff. Interviews focused on factors important for recovery, barriers to facilitating recovery and operational aspects of the service. Discussion This study provides a rare insight into the perspectives of staff working in UK women's secure services, an under-researched area in the UK and internationally. Findings suggest that the success of services, including WEMSS, is compromised by operational factors such as the use of bank staff. Implications for practice Comprehensive training and supervision should be mandatory for all staff, so best practice is met and staff adequately supported.

Association between psychological health and wound complications after surgery

Background

Surgical wound complications remain a major cause of morbidity, leading to higher costs and reduced quality of life. Although psychological health is widely considered to affect wound healing, the evidence on wound outcomes after surgery is mixed. Studies generally focus on small samples of patients undergoing a specific procedure and have limited statistical power.

Methods

This study investigated the relationship between three different measures of anxiety and/or depression and seven adverse surgical outcomes using observational data collected before and after surgery between 2009 and 2011. A wide range of confounding factors was adjusted for, including patient demographics, physical co-morbidities, health-related behaviours, month of operation, procedure complexity and treating hospital.

Results

The estimation sample included 176 827 patients undergoing 59 410 hip replacements, 64 145 knee replacements, 38 328 hernia repairs and 14 944 varicose vein operations. Patients with moderate anxiety or depression had an increased probability of wound complications after a hip replacement (odds ratio (OR) 1·17, 95 per cent c.i. 1·11 to 1·24). They were more likely to be readmitted for a wound complication (OR 1·20, 1·02 to 1·41) and had an increased duration of hospital stay by 0·19 (95 per cent c.i. 0·15 to 0·24) days. Estimated associations were consistent across all four types of operation and for each measure of anxiety and/or depression.

Conclusion

Preoperative psychological health is a significant risk factor for adverse wound outcomes after surgery for four of the procedures most commonly performed in England.

Is the distribution of care quality provided under pay-for-performance equitable? Evidence from the Advancing Quality programme in England

BACKGROUND

The limited number of existing previous studies of the distribution of quality under NHS Pay-for-performance (P4P) by income deprivation have not analysed the relationship at the individual level and have been restricted to assessing P4P in the primary care setting. In this study, we set out to examine how achievement of P4P 'quality measures' for which NHS hospitals were paid was distributed by income deprivation.

METHODS

Design: Retrospective analysis of performance data reported by hospitals, examining how the probability of receiving 23 indicators varied by patients' area deprivation using logistic regression controlling for age and gender.

SAMPLE

We use anonymised observational data on 73,002 patients admitted to hospitals in the North West of England between October 2008 and March 2010 for the following five reasons: acute myocardial infarction; coronary artery bypass grafting; heart failure; hip and knee replacement; and pneumonia.

RESULTS

The relationship between quality and deprivation varies depending on the point of delivery in the treatment pathway, and on whether delivered for conditions in scheduled or unscheduled care. For diagnostic tests on arrival, receipt of quality was: pro-rich in scheduled care and pro-poor in unscheduled care. Receipt of quality was pro-poor for pre-surgery measures in scheduled care. Receipt of quality at discharge was pro-rich.

CONCLUSION

Unlike in primary care, in secondary care quality is not systemically distributed by income deprivation under P4P. Whilst improvements in health inequalities are important system objectives; they may not necessarily be achieved by the adoption of P4P schemes in hospitals.

Evaluation of a minor eye conditions scheme delivered by community optometrists

BACKGROUND

The establishment of minor eye conditions schemes (MECS) within community optometric practices provides a mechanism for the timely assessment of patients presenting with a range of acute eye conditions. This has the potential to reduce waiting times and avoid unnecessary referrals to hospital eye services (HES).

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the clinical effectiveness, impact on hospital attendances and patient satisfaction with a minor eye service provided by community optometrists.

METHODS

Activity and outcome data were collected for 12 months in the Lambeth and Lewisham MECS. A patient satisfaction questionnaire was given to patients at the end of their MECS appointment. A retrospective difference-in-differences analysis of hospital activity compared changes in the volume of referrals by general practitioners (GPs) from a period before (April 2011-March 2013) to after (April 2013-March 2015) the introduction of the scheme in Lambeth and Lewisham relative to a neighbouring area (Southwark) where the scheme had not been commissioned. Appropriateness of case management was assessed by consensus using clinical members of the research team.

RESULTS

A total of 2123 patients accessed the scheme. Approximately two-thirds of patients (67.5%) were referred by their GP. The commonest reasons for patients attending for a MECS assessment were 'red eye' (36.7% of patients), 'painful white eye' (11.1%) and 'flashes and floaters' (10.2%). A total of 64.1% of patients were managed in optometric practice and 18.9% were referred to the HES; of these, 89.2% had been appropriately referred. First attendances to HES referred by GPs reduced by 26.8% (95% CI -40.5% to -13.1%) in Lambeth and Lewisham compared to Southwark.

CONCLUSIONS

The Lambeth and Lewisham MECS demonstrates clinical effectiveness, reduction in hospital attendances and high patient satisfaction and represents a successful collaboration between commissioners, local HES units and primary healthcare providers.

The iMpact on practice, oUtcomes and costs of New roles for health pROfeSsionals: a study protocol for MUNROS

INTRODUCTION

The size and composition of the European Union healthcare workforce are key drivers of expenditure and performance; it now includes new health professions and enhanced roles for established professions. This project will systematically analyse how this has contributed to health service redesign, integration and performance in 9 European countries (Scotland, England, Netherlands, Germany, Italy, Czech Republic, Poland, Norway, and Turkey(i)). This paper describes the protocol for collection of survey data in 3 distinct care pathways, and sets it in the context of the wider programme.

METHODS

Questionnaires will be distributed to healthcare professionals (n=14,580), managers (n=3564) and patients (n=19,440) in 3 care pathways (breast cancer; type 2 diabetes; and coronary heart disease) within 12 hospitals and associated primary care settings in each country. Questionnaire topics will include demography, the different professionals working on the care pathway, the tasks they do and the time taken, their decision-making abilities when considering skill mix, specialisation and integration of care. Patient satisfaction, healthcare utilisation and preferences will be explored. In later work, register data and data from patient records will be used to record clinical outcomes. Data will also be collected on workforce and procedure costs. Descriptive analysis will identify the different models of care and multivariate analysis will establish the most clinically and cost-effective models.

ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION

This protocol was approved by ethical committees in each country. Findings will be disseminated through national/international clinical, health services research and health workforce conferences, and publications in national/international peer-reviewed journals.

The CATFISH study protocol: an evaluation of a water fluoridation scheme

Background

Tooth decay is the commonest disease of childhood. We have known for over 90 years that fluoride can prevent tooth decay; it is present in nearly all toothpastes and can be provided in mouthwashes, gels and varnishes. The oldest method of applying fluoride is via the water supply at a concentration of 1 part per million. The two most important reviews of water fluoridation in the United Kingdom (the York Review and MRC Report on water fluoridation and health) concluded that whilst there was evidence to suggest water fluoridation provided a benefit in caries reduction, there was a need to improve the evidence base in several areas.

Methods/Design

This study will use a natural experiment to assess the incidence of caries in two geographical areas, one in which the water supply is returned to being fluoridated following a discontinuation of fluoridation and one that continues to have a non-fluoridated water supply. The oral health of two discrete study populations will be evaluated - those born 9 months after the water fluoridation was introduced, and those who were in their 1st year of school after the introduction of fluoridated water. Both populations will be followed prospectively for 5 years using a census approach in the exposed group along with matched numbers recruitment in a non-exposed control. Parents of the younger cohort will complete questionnaires every 6 months with child clinical examination at ages 3 and 5, whilst the older cohort will have clinical examinations only, at approximately 5, 7 and 11 years old.

Discussion

This project provides a unique opportunity to conduct a high quality evaluation of the reintroduction of a water fluoridation scheme, which satisfies the inclusion criteria stipulated by the York systematic review and can address the design issues identified in the MRC report. The research will make a major contribution to the understanding of the costs and effects of water fluoridation in the UK in the 21st Century. Its findings will help inform UK policy on this important public health intervention and may have a significant impact on public health policy in other developed countries. There is currently true equipoise in relation to the effectiveness of water fluoridation in contemporary populations and while the biological plausibility is well established, there is a need to examine impact on the changing epidemiological status of dental decay.

The impact of paying treatment providers for outcomes: difference-in-differences analysis of the 'payment by results for drugs recovery' pilot

AIMS

To estimate the effect on drug misuse treatment completion of a pilot scheme to pay service providers according to rates of recovery.

DESIGN

A controlled, quasi-experimental (difference-in-differences) observational study using multi-level random effects logistic regression.

SETTING

Drug misuse treatment providers in all 149 commissioning areas in England in the financial years 2011-12 and 2012-13.

PARTICIPANTS

Service users treated in England in 2011-12 and 2012-13.

INTERVENTION AND COMPARATORS

Linkage of provider payments to performance indicators in eight pilot commissioning areas in England compared with all 141 non-pilot commissioning areas in England.

MEASUREMENTS

Recovery was measured by successful completion of treatment (free from drugs of dependence) and engagement with services was measured by rates of declining to continue with treatment.

FINDINGS

Following the introduction of the pilot scheme, service users treated in pilot areas were 1.3 percentage points [odds ratio (OR) = 0.859; 95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.788, 0.937] less likely to complete treatment compared with those treated in comparison areas. Service users treated in pilot areas were 0.9 percentage points (OR = 2.934; 95% CI = 2.094, 4.113) more likely to decline to continue with treatment compared with those treated in comparison areas.

CONCLUSIONS

In the first year of the pilot 'Payment by Results for Drugs Recovery' scheme in England, linking payments to outcomes reduced the probability of completing drug misuse treatment and increased the proportion service users declining to continue with treatment.

Long-term effect of hospital pay for performance on mortality in England

BACKGROUND

A pay-for-performance program based on the Hospital Quality Incentive Demonstration was introduced in all hospitals in the northwest region of England in 2008 and was associated with a short-term (18-month) reduction in mortality. We analyzed the long-term effects of this program, called Advancing Quality.

METHODS

We analyzed 30-day in-hospital mortality among 1,825,518 hospital admissions for eight conditions, three of which were covered by the financial-incentive program. The hospitals studied included the 24 hospitals in the northwest region that were participating in the program and 137 elsewhere in England that were not participating. We used difference-in-differences regression analysis to compare risk-adjusted mortality for an 18-month period before the program was introduced with subsequent mortality in the short term (the first 18 months of the program) and the longer term (the next 24 months).

RESULTS

Throughout the short-term and the long-term periods, the performance of hospitals in the incentive program continued to improve and mortality for the three conditions covered by the program continued to fall. However, the reduction in mortality among patients with these conditions was greater in the control hospitals (those not participating in the program) than in the hospitals that were participating in the program (by 0.7 percentage points; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.3 to 1.2). By the end of the 42-month follow-up period, the reduced mortality in the participating hospitals was no longer significant (-0.1 percentage points; 95% CI, -0.6 to 0.3). From the short term to the longer term, the mortality for conditions not covered by the program fell more in the participating hospitals than in the control hospitals (by 1.2 percentage points; 95% CI, 0.4 to 2.0), raising the possibility of a positive spillover effect on care for conditions not covered by the program.

CONCLUSIONS

Short-term relative reductions in mortality for conditions linked to financial incentives in hospitals participating in a pay-for-performance program in England were not maintained.

Does winning a pay-for-performance bonus improve subsequent quality performance? Evidence from the Hospital Quality Incentive Demonstration

OBJECTIVE

To test whether receiving a financial bonus for quality in the Premier Hospital Quality Incentive Demonstration (HQID) stimulated subsequent quality improvement.

DATA

Hospital-level data on process-of-care quality from Hospital Compare for the treatment of acute myocardial infarction (AMI), heart failure, and pneumonia for 260 hospitals participating in the HQID from 2004 to 2006; receipt of quality bonuses in the first 3 years of HQID from the Premier Inc. website; and hospital characteristics from the 2005 American Hospital Association Annual Survey.

STUDY DESIGN

Under the HQID, hospitals received a 1 percent bonus on Medicare payments for scoring between the 80th and 90th percentiles on a composite quality measure, and a 2 percent bonus for scoring at the 90th percentile or above. We used a regression discontinuity design to evaluate whether hospitals with quality scores just above these payment thresholds improved more in the subsequent year than hospitals with quality scores just below the thresholds. In alternative specifications, we examined samples of hospitals scoring within 3, 5, and 10 percentage point "bandwidths" of the thresholds. We used a Generalized Linear Model to estimate whether the relationship between quality and lagged quality was discontinuous at the lagged thresholds required for quality bonuses.

PRINCIPAL FINDINGS

There were no statistically significant associations between receipt of a bonus and subsequent quality performance, with the exception of the 2 percent bonus for AMI in 2006 using the 5 percentage point bandwidth (0.8 percentage point increase, p<.01), and the 1 percent bonus for pneumonia in 2005 using all bandwidths (3.7 percentage point increase using the 3 percentage point bandwidth, p<.05).

CONCLUSIONS

We found little evidence that hospitals' receipt of quality bonuses was associated with subsequent improvement in performance. This raises questions about whether winning in pay-for-performance programs, such as Hospital Value-Based Purchasing, will lead to subsequent quality improvement.

Not enough doctors or not enough needs? Refocusing health workforce planning from providers and services to populations and needs

The importance of allocating services in accordance with population needs is well-established. Needs-based approaches to geographical resource allocation were established in the National Health Service in the UK in the 1970s, but the role of population needs has not extended to planning for the quantity and mix of health care services or for the providers required to deliver these services. We present a framework that integrates health service and workforce planning focused on responding to population needs. Using data from the General Household Survey for England over the period 1985-2006, we illustrate trends in health needs and service use per capita. Despite needs per capita falling, service use has increased. Rates of increase in service use are greater among those with less needs illustrating that, in the absence of appropriate planning methods, increases in service use may result from supplier influence rather than policy decisions.

Relationship between antidepressant and anxiolytic/hypnotic prescribing: a mixed-methods study

BACKGROUND

Antidepressant prescribing has dramatically increased in Scotland, and the cause is unknown.

OBJECTIVE

To investigate if the increase in antidepressant prescribing coincided with a reduction in prescribing of anxiolytics and hypnotics; to investigate this relationship at practice level; and to explore whether general practitioners (GPs) explain the increase by their increased use for anxiety.

METHODS

STUDY DESIGN

analysis of routine prescribing data and interviews with GPs.

SETTING

Scottish general practices.

PARTICIPANTS

942 practices included in the analysis. Sixty-three GPs in 30 practices completed interviews.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Quantity of antidepressants, anxiolytics, and hypnotics prescribed. Relationship at practice level between anxiolytic/hypnotic and antidepressant prescribing. Spontaneous comments by GPs about prescribing antidepressants for anxiety.

RESULTS

Antidepressant prescribing increased from 28.9 million defined daily doses (DDDs) in 1992/3 to 128.3 million in 2004/5. Anxiolytic/hypnotic prescribing fell from 64.2 million to 55.1 million DDDs. There was a weak, positive correlation between levels of antidepressant and anxiolytic/hypnotic prescribing (+0.084, p=0.010). GPs treated anxiety with antidepressants, although many described an overlap between anxiety and depression. Some spontaneously identified a relationship with benzodiazepine prescribing when asked to explain the increase in antidepressant prescribing.

CONCLUSION

A small part of the increase in antidepressant prescribing is due to substitution for benzodiazepines to treat anxiety.

High contrast x-ray speckle from atomic-scale order in liquids and glasses

The availability of ultrafast pulses of coherent hard x rays from the Linac Coherent Light Source opens new opportunities for studies of atomic-scale dynamics in amorphous materials. Here, we show that single ultrafast coherent x-ray pulses can be used to observe the speckle contrast in the high-angle diffraction from liquid Ga and glassy Ni(2)Pd(2)P and B(2)O(3). We determine the thresholds above which the x-ray pulses disturb the atomic arrangements. Furthermore, high contrast speckle is observed in scattering patterns from the glasses integrated over many pulses, demonstrating that the source and optics are sufficiently stable for x-ray photon correlation spectroscopy studies of dynamics over a wide range of time scales.