Articles related toPublic Health and Primary Care

Due to limited testing, inconsistent symptom severity, and asymptomatic infections, the seroprevalence of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), which causes coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), has been difficult to determine. In this research, the authors sought to determine the seroprevalence of SARS-CoV-2 in a community setting and to describe the difference in infection rate and reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT PCR) testing in the same rural community.

In this narrative review, the authors summarize the data that support the efficacy of sodium-glucose co-transporter-2 (SGLT2) inhibitors in reducing the risks of cardiovascular and renal outcomes in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus and comorbid conditions, and they clarify information relating to SGLT2 inhibitor-related adverse events.

In this timely study, the authors assessed how the International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision (ICD-10) codes input by medical students into the patient encounter logging system at the Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine could potentially act as a new syndromic surveillance tool by retrospectively analyzing the results from November 1, 2019 to March 30, 2020 for total daily influenza-like illness counts that would have exceeded alert thresholds, signaling the oncoming COVID-19 pandemic.

Red blood cell distribution width (RDW) has been used to predict mortality during infection and inflammatory diseases; it also been purported to be predictive of mortality following traumatic injury. To identify the role of RDW in predicting mortality and the development of sepsis, the authors conducted a retrospective observational review of 2545 adult trauma patients admitted to Loyola University Medical Center from 2007 to 2014.

In this review article, the authors outline the various nutrient deficiencies that can result from bariatric procedures and report previously-published recommendations for screening and medical treatment of patients with these deficiencies, to assist primary care practitioners as they deliver continuity of care.

The authors conducted a cross-sectional analysis of 2017 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) data to analyze the lifestyle behaviors of patients with and without a history of arthritis, since the combination of osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis affects nearly 1/4 of Americans and many of the risk factors for arthritis are lifestyle related. They encourage readers to consider how their findings can adjust allocation of resources and increased awareness around the care of patients with arthritis.

In this case report, the authors discuss a patient with a rare entity, Kikuchi Fujimoto Disease, which exhibited unique osteopathic structural examination findings, including enlarged cervical lymph nodes in conjunction with a Chapman reflex.

Remdesivir is currently being evaluated for clinical efficacy and safety in patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19); in this retrospective review of 76 patients, the authors describe the clinical outcomes of COVID-19 patients following treatment with remdesivir at their community hospital.

Type 2 diabetes (T2D) mellitus, once considered a disease affecting adults, is a growing problem among youths. Research now shows that T2D in youths is more progressive and associated with earlier onset of complications than adult-onset T2D. In this narrative review of previous literature, the authors discuss the necessity of prevention in pediatric T2D, which requires a high index of suspicion, routine screening of children and adolescents, and willingness to engage in family-based interventions for those at risk for prediabetes and T2D. They also discuss the unique role osteopathic physicians can play in considering the whole person – including environmental, societal, and lifestyle factors – to help patients achieve their health and wellness goals.

In this Commentary, the Executive Dean of Ohio University’s Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine (OUHCOM) describes the logistics and processes of novel coronavirus 2019 vaccine delivery at OUHCOM, both on campus and beyond; OUHCOM is the only vaccination site in Athens, Ohio. Among those logistical considerations is a partnership with the local health department and hospital system, as well as student involvement in vaccination efforts.