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Younger patients and those receiving orthopedic procedures may be at greatest risk for postoperative pain. Patients with high pain reported a significantly greater degree of nausea on DOS through the first 5 days postdischarge. As the majority of surgeries are now conducted in the ambulatory setting, it is imperative that we determine pain management regimens and patient education practices that will allow for a more comfortable recovery for our patients.

Depression and diabetes have been linked in a variety of ways, and the presence of depression in those with diabetes can negatively affect adherence to care recommendations. A sample of 201 participants with Type 2 Diabetes completed a cross-sectional survey that assessed depressive symptoms, adherence, self-efficacy, social support, and personal characteristics. Multiple regression analysis was used to test whether self-efficacy and social support mediate the relationship between depressive symptoms and adherence. The findings suggest complete mediation via self-efficacy and some types of social support. Intervening to bolster self-efficacy and social support may decrease the negative effect of depression on adherence.

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Poor self-care is common among adults with heart failure and leads to poor health outcomes. Low self-efficacy, depression, and low social support are associated with poor self-care, but knowledge about these relationships in heart failure is limited. Secondary data analysis of cross-sectional data from 346 adults with heart failure measuring self-efficacy, depressive symptoms, social support, and self-care adherence was conducted. Tests of mediation using multiple linear regressions indicate that self-efficacy fully mediates the relationships between depression and adherence, and social support and adherence. Bolstering self-efficacy may have a greater impact on self-care adherence than targeting either depression or social support alone.

Patients with CLD who developed VTE had significantly lower AST, ALT, albumin, and Hct compared to those of control patients. Studies are necessary to further examine the significance of this finding.

Exclusive breastfeeding (EBF) is the most efficacious form of infant feeding and nutrition. Hispanic mothers in the US are more likely than mothers of other racial/ethnic groups to supplement with formula in the first 2 days of life. The purpose of this study was to explore infant feeding intentions during the prenatal period as a predictor of EBF at postpartum discharge in a sample of Hispanic women (n = 99). At discharge, 51 % of the women were EBF, 44 % were breastfeeding and supplementing with formula, and 5 % were feeding only formula. Intention to breastfeed was found to be a strong and potentially modifiable predictor of breastfeeding behavior, showing a significant association with EBF upon discharge from the hospital after birth when linked with acceptance of pregnancy and method of delivery. Prenatal care offers a unique opportunity to enhance intentions to breastfeed that may lead to improved EBF in this health vulnerable population.

Background/Objectives Low back pain (LBP), a prevalent costly condition, has evidenced-based pharmacologic and non-pharmacologic treatments. Because the prevalence of LBP and opioids use differs between the U.S. Census Regions, we compared the treatments used for LBP and their related costs between regions. Methods De-identified patient health claims data from persons with LBP along with treatments received was extracted from a large commercially insured dataset (2007-2009; N=1,630,438). Descriptive statistics and ANOVA analyses were used during data analysis. Results An opioid was used by 49.8% (n=812,479) of this sample while nonpharmacologic therapies were rarely used (8%-psychological therapies; 19%-exercise therapies; 12%-PT). The median costs for pharmacologic and non-pharmacologic treatments are variable. We found significant differences in the medications and therapies used in the U.S. Census Regions (p<.0001). Conclusion Overuse of pharmacologic and underuse of non-pharmacologic treatments is common among persons with LBP. Differences exist in the receipt of various LBP treatments geographically.