No abstract

Context/objective: To compare outcomes among caregivers of adults with spinal cord injuries (SCIs) to caregivers of adults with other neurological conditions, and determine if caregiving for SCI is associated with poor health status and chronic conditions. Design: Secondary data analysis of 2009/2010 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System survey. Participants: Informal caregivers of adults with neurological conditions. Outcome measures: Sociodemographics, caregiving factors (e.g. role, emotional support, life satisfaction), lifestyle behaviors, chronic conditions, and health status. Results: Demographics and lifestyle behaviors did not differ in caregivers of adults with SCI vs. caregivers of adults with other neurological conditions (except younger age of SCI caregivers). Greater proportions of caregivers of adults with SCI had coronary heart disease (CHD) (12% vs. 6%, P = 0.06) and were obese (43% vs. 28%, P = 0.03). Frequent physical distress was reported by 20% of caregivers of persons with SCI (vs. 12% of other caregivers, P = 0.09), but mental health did not differ between caregiver groups. A greater proportion of caregivers of adults with SCI experienced insufficient sleep (47% vs. 30%, P = 0.008) and more days without enough sleep (13 vs. 9 days, P = 0.008). Odds of being younger, caregiver of a spouse, having CHD, and being obese were associated with being a caregiver of an adult with SCI. Conclusion: Caregivers of adults with SCI report similar mental health status, but more poor sleep, and have increased odds of CHD and obesity. Interventions to address physical distress, improve sleep, and address CHD and obesity are needed in this cohort.

Level IV-case series.

Approximately 10.3% of US children aged 6-18 years (population estimate 5.5 million) have 25(OH)D levels <16 ng/mL.

Emergency department (ED) utilization changed notably during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic in the United States. The purpose of the study was to gain a more thorough understanding of ED patient experience during the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic. This study used the consensual qualitative approach to analyze open-ended responses from post-ED patient experience surveys from February through July 2020. Comments were included in the analysis if they pertained to care during the pandemic (eg, mentioned “the virus,” “masks,” “PPE”). A total of 242 COVID-specific comments from 192 unique patients were analyzed (median age 49 years; 69% female). Six themes were identified: visually observed changes, experiences of process changes, expressions of understanding or appreciation, sense of security, COVID-19 disease-specific comments, and “classic” satisfaction comments that align with previous literature on patient experience. The COVID-19 pandemic has challenged health care systems across the world in unique and unprecedented ways. This study identified six themes that better elucidate ED patient experience during an unprecedented public health crisis.