BACKGROUND The coronavirus disease 2019(COVID-19)disproportionately affected African Americans(AA)and Hispanics(HSP).AIM To analyze the significant effectors of outcome in African American patient population and make ...BACKGROUND The coronavirus disease 2019(COVID-19)disproportionately affected African Americans(AA)and Hispanics(HSP).AIM To analyze the significant effectors of outcome in African American patient population and make special emphasis on gastrointestinal(GI)symptoms,laboratory values and comorbidities METHODS We retrospectively evaluated the medical records of 386 COVID-19 positive patients admitted at Howard University Hospital between March and May 2020.We assessed the symptoms,including the GI manifestations,comorbidities,and mortality,using logistic regression analysis.RESULTS Of these 386 COVID-19 positive patients,257(63.7%)were AAs,102(25.3%)HSP,and 26(6.45%)Whites.There were 257(63.7%)AA,102(25.3%)HSP,26(6.45%)Whites.The mean age was 55.6 years(SD=18.5).However,the mean age of HSP was the lowest(43.7 years vs 61.2 for Whites vs 60 for AAs).The mortality rate was highest among the AAs(20.6%)and lowest among HSP(6.9%).Patients with shortness of breath(SOB)(OR2=3.64,CI=1.73-7.65)and elevated AST(OR2=8.01,CI=3.79-16.9)elevated Procalcitonin(OR2=8.27,CI=3.95-17.3),AST(OR2=8.01,CI=3.79-16.9),ferritin(OR2=2.69,CI=1.24-5.82),and Lymphopenia(OR2=2.77,CI=1.41-5.45)had a high mortality rate.Cough and fever were common but unrelated to the outcome.Hypertension and diabetes mellitus were the most common comorbidities.Glucocorticoid treatment was associated with higher mortality(OR2=5.40,CI=2.72-10.7).Diarrhea was prevalent(18.8%),and GI symptoms did not affect the outcome.CONCLUSION African Americans in our study had the highest mortality as they consisted of an older population and comorbidities.Age is the most important factor along with SOB in determining the mortality rate.Overall,elevated liver enzymes,ferritin,procalcitonin and C-reactive protein were associated with poor prognosis.GI symptoms did not affect the outcome.Glucocorticoids should be used judiciously,considering the poor outcomes associated with it.Attention should also be paid to monitor liver function during COVID-19,especially in AA and HSP patients with higher disease severity.展开更多
Hispanic Americans of Caribbean origin are a fast-growing subset of the US population, but there are no studies on bone density, microstructure and biomechanical integrity in this minority group. In this study, we aim...Hispanic Americans of Caribbean origin are a fast-growing subset of the US population, but there are no studies on bone density, microstructure and biomechanical integrity in this minority group. In this study, we aimed to compare Caucasian and Caribbean Hispanic postmenopausal American women with respect to these characteristics. Thirty-three Caribbean Hispanics were age-matched to thirty-three Caucasian postmenopausal women. At the lumbar spine, the Hispanic women had significantly lower areal bone mineral density （aBMD）. At the radius by high-resolution peripheral quantitative computed tomography （HR-pQCT）, there were minimal differences between Hispanic and Caucasian women. At the tibia, Hispanic women had lower trabecular volumetric bone density and trabecular number, and higher trabecular separation. Individual trabecula segmentation （ITS） analyses indicated that at the tibia, Hispanic women not only had significantly lower bone volume fraction, but also had significantly lower rod bone volume fraction, plate trabecular number, rod trabecular number and lower plate-plate, plate-rod and rod-rod junction densities compared to Caucasian women. The differences in bone quantity and quality contributed to lower whole bone stiffness at the radius, and both whole bone and trabecular bone stiffness at the tibia in Hispanic women. In conclusion, Hispanic women had poorer bone mechanical and microarchitectural properties than Caucasian women, especially at the load-bearing distal tibia.展开更多
The paper aims to compare the levels ofa＇ust Caucasians, African Americans, Hispanics, and other minority groups have in state courts. The paper presents four hypothesize which contend that African Americans, Hispani...The paper aims to compare the levels ofa＇ust Caucasians, African Americans, Hispanics, and other minority groups have in state courts. The paper presents four hypothesize which contend that African Americans, Hispanics, and other minority groups have lower levels of trust in state courts in comparison to Caucasians. Using data from a 2001 Justice at Stake Public Survey, a multivariate regression analysis was performed to assess the validity of each hypothesis. The variable for Race/Ethnicity was used as a baseline allowing for the comparison of levels of trust among each racial/ethnic group. The findings indicate that African Americans have a lower level of trust in state courts in comparison to their Caucasian and other minority counterparts and vice versa. Surprisingly, Hispanics were found to have no more or less trust in state courts when compared to Caucasians, African Americans, and other minority groups. Further research regarding trust in state courts should be carried out in both African American and Hispanic communities. Lastly, it is noteworthy to mention that the data set contained some limitations, such as its age and the exclusion of＂Asian＂ in the racial/ethnic categories.展开更多
Objectives: To investigate differences in sleep quality between Hispanics of Mexican descent (HMD) and Non-Hispanic Whites (NHW) and evaluate the effect of acculturation to the US lifestyle in sleep health. We hypothe...Objectives: To investigate differences in sleep quality between Hispanics of Mexican descent (HMD) and Non-Hispanic Whites (NHW) and evaluate the effect of acculturation to the US lifestyle in sleep health. We hypothesize that the detrimental effect of acculturation on health outcomes will impact sleep quality among HMD. Design: We performed a population-based random digit dialing telephone survey to determine sleep quality in HMD and NHW. We collected from 3667 subjects, demographics, previous diagnosis of depression or anxiety, past treatment for sleep disorders, the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) and the Short Acculturation Scale for Hispanics. Results: The prevalence of poor sleep quality (PSQI > 5) was 64.4% for HMD and 64.3% for NHW (p = 0.93). A prior diagnosis of depression or anxiety was an independent predictor of poor sleep quality in both groups (OR 3.4 and 2.7 for HMD and NHW. Ethnicity was not a predictor of poor sleep quality in HMD or NHW. Acculturation was not a predictor of poor sleep quality in HMD. However, highly acculturated young HMD males had significantly more prevalence of poor sleep quality compared to NHW (64.8% vs. 49.8%, p Conclusion: The absence of sleep quality differences in a large sample of HMD and NHW living in San Diego County is contrary to current data of having poorer sleep quality among Latinos. We found that neither ethnicity nor acculturation were predictors of poor sleep quality in HMD. However, we demonstrated a highly prevalent poor sleep quality among the two ethnic groups. The finding of significantly lower sleep quality in young highly acculturated HMD men may represent the heterogeneity of ethnicity related to sleep. Programs to improve sleep quality in subjects with depression and/or anxiety, and in young highly-acculturated HMD seems warranted.展开更多
The eight-item Perceived Health Competence Scale (PHCS) is a measure of self-efficacy in general health management that is used to predict health outcomes and behaviors. The PHCS has been shown to be a reliable and va...The eight-item Perceived Health Competence Scale (PHCS) is a measure of self-efficacy in general health management that is used to predict health outcomes and behaviors. The PHCS has been shown to be a reliable and valid instrument but has been used in primarily white European Americans. The PHCS is positively correlated to health status and coping abilities. Younger, healthier populations score higher on the PHCS compared to elderly who are managing chronic illness. This study examined the PHCS in three Midwestern samples: African American elders which revealed two separate factors in PHCS;Native Americans who evaluated the PHCS as a single construct;and a Spanish speaking sample. In the latter sample, findings suggest health competence may be a multi-dimensional construct. Further evaluation of the Spanish version of the PHCS and population characteristics are needed to measure health competence beliefs.展开更多
基金the National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities of the National Institutes of Health,No.G12MD007597.
文摘BACKGROUND The coronavirus disease 2019(COVID-19)disproportionately affected African Americans(AA)and Hispanics(HSP).AIM To analyze the significant effectors of outcome in African American patient population and make special emphasis on gastrointestinal(GI)symptoms,laboratory values and comorbidities METHODS We retrospectively evaluated the medical records of 386 COVID-19 positive patients admitted at Howard University Hospital between March and May 2020.We assessed the symptoms,including the GI manifestations,comorbidities,and mortality,using logistic regression analysis.RESULTS Of these 386 COVID-19 positive patients,257(63.7%)were AAs,102(25.3%)HSP,and 26(6.45%)Whites.There were 257(63.7%)AA,102(25.3%)HSP,26(6.45%)Whites.The mean age was 55.6 years(SD=18.5).However,the mean age of HSP was the lowest(43.7 years vs 61.2 for Whites vs 60 for AAs).The mortality rate was highest among the AAs(20.6%)and lowest among HSP(6.9%).Patients with shortness of breath(SOB)(OR2=3.64,CI=1.73-7.65)and elevated AST(OR2=8.01,CI=3.79-16.9)elevated Procalcitonin(OR2=8.27,CI=3.95-17.3),AST(OR2=8.01,CI=3.79-16.9),ferritin(OR2=2.69,CI=1.24-5.82),and Lymphopenia(OR2=2.77,CI=1.41-5.45)had a high mortality rate.Cough and fever were common but unrelated to the outcome.Hypertension and diabetes mellitus were the most common comorbidities.Glucocorticoid treatment was associated with higher mortality(OR2=5.40,CI=2.72-10.7).Diarrhea was prevalent(18.8%),and GI symptoms did not affect the outcome.CONCLUSION African Americans in our study had the highest mortality as they consisted of an older population and comorbidities.Age is the most important factor along with SOB in determining the mortality rate.Overall,elevated liver enzymes,ferritin,procalcitonin and C-reactive protein were associated with poor prognosis.GI symptoms did not affect the outcome.Glucocorticoids should be used judiciously,considering the poor outcomes associated with it.Attention should also be paid to monitor liver function during COVID-19,especially in AA and HSP patients with higher disease severity.
基金supported by NIH Grants R01 AR051376 (XEG), NIH R01 AR058004 (XEG, ES), NIH U01 AR055968 (ES)the Thomas L.Kempner and Katheryn C.Patterson Foundation
文摘Hispanic Americans of Caribbean origin are a fast-growing subset of the US population, but there are no studies on bone density, microstructure and biomechanical integrity in this minority group. In this study, we aimed to compare Caucasian and Caribbean Hispanic postmenopausal American women with respect to these characteristics. Thirty-three Caribbean Hispanics were age-matched to thirty-three Caucasian postmenopausal women. At the lumbar spine, the Hispanic women had significantly lower areal bone mineral density （aBMD）. At the radius by high-resolution peripheral quantitative computed tomography （HR-pQCT）, there were minimal differences between Hispanic and Caucasian women. At the tibia, Hispanic women had lower trabecular volumetric bone density and trabecular number, and higher trabecular separation. Individual trabecula segmentation （ITS） analyses indicated that at the tibia, Hispanic women not only had significantly lower bone volume fraction, but also had significantly lower rod bone volume fraction, plate trabecular number, rod trabecular number and lower plate-plate, plate-rod and rod-rod junction densities compared to Caucasian women. The differences in bone quantity and quality contributed to lower whole bone stiffness at the radius, and both whole bone and trabecular bone stiffness at the tibia in Hispanic women. In conclusion, Hispanic women had poorer bone mechanical and microarchitectural properties than Caucasian women, especially at the load-bearing distal tibia.
文摘The paper aims to compare the levels ofa＇ust Caucasians, African Americans, Hispanics, and other minority groups have in state courts. The paper presents four hypothesize which contend that African Americans, Hispanics, and other minority groups have lower levels of trust in state courts in comparison to Caucasians. Using data from a 2001 Justice at Stake Public Survey, a multivariate regression analysis was performed to assess the validity of each hypothesis. The variable for Race/Ethnicity was used as a baseline allowing for the comparison of levels of trust among each racial/ethnic group. The findings indicate that African Americans have a lower level of trust in state courts in comparison to their Caucasian and other minority counterparts and vice versa. Surprisingly, Hispanics were found to have no more or less trust in state courts when compared to Caucasians, African Americans, and other minority groups. Further research regarding trust in state courts should be carried out in both African American and Hispanic communities. Lastly, it is noteworthy to mention that the data set contained some limitations, such as its age and the exclusion of＂Asian＂ in the racial/ethnic categories.
文摘Objectives: To investigate differences in sleep quality between Hispanics of Mexican descent (HMD) and Non-Hispanic Whites (NHW) and evaluate the effect of acculturation to the US lifestyle in sleep health. We hypothesize that the detrimental effect of acculturation on health outcomes will impact sleep quality among HMD. Design: We performed a population-based random digit dialing telephone survey to determine sleep quality in HMD and NHW. We collected from 3667 subjects, demographics, previous diagnosis of depression or anxiety, past treatment for sleep disorders, the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) and the Short Acculturation Scale for Hispanics. Results: The prevalence of poor sleep quality (PSQI > 5) was 64.4% for HMD and 64.3% for NHW (p = 0.93). A prior diagnosis of depression or anxiety was an independent predictor of poor sleep quality in both groups (OR 3.4 and 2.7 for HMD and NHW. Ethnicity was not a predictor of poor sleep quality in HMD or NHW. Acculturation was not a predictor of poor sleep quality in HMD. However, highly acculturated young HMD males had significantly more prevalence of poor sleep quality compared to NHW (64.8% vs. 49.8%, p Conclusion: The absence of sleep quality differences in a large sample of HMD and NHW living in San Diego County is contrary to current data of having poorer sleep quality among Latinos. We found that neither ethnicity nor acculturation were predictors of poor sleep quality in HMD. However, we demonstrated a highly prevalent poor sleep quality among the two ethnic groups. The finding of significantly lower sleep quality in young highly acculturated HMD men may represent the heterogeneity of ethnicity related to sleep. Programs to improve sleep quality in subjects with depression and/or anxiety, and in young highly-acculturated HMD seems warranted.
文摘The eight-item Perceived Health Competence Scale (PHCS) is a measure of self-efficacy in general health management that is used to predict health outcomes and behaviors. The PHCS has been shown to be a reliable and valid instrument but has been used in primarily white European Americans. The PHCS is positively correlated to health status and coping abilities. Younger, healthier populations score higher on the PHCS compared to elderly who are managing chronic illness. This study examined the PHCS in three Midwestern samples: African American elders which revealed two separate factors in PHCS;Native Americans who evaluated the PHCS as a single construct;and a Spanish speaking sample. In the latter sample, findings suggest health competence may be a multi-dimensional construct. Further evaluation of the Spanish version of the PHCS and population characteristics are needed to measure health competence beliefs.
