Citations

Summary Cannabis use is becoming increasingly common, both for recreational and medical purposes. However, there is a paucity of data regarding cannabis use in the context of eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE). We aimed to determine the impact of cannabis use on presentation and treatment response in EoE. To this end, we conducted a retrospective cohort study at a large academic medical center of newly diagnosed EoE patients age ≥ 12 years. Self-reported cannabis use status, baseline characteristics, and treatment response to topical corticosteroids and dietary therapy data were extracted. Bivariate and multivariable analyses were used to compare cannabis users and non-users at time of EoE diagnosis and to assess treatment response. Of 983 EoE patients, 80 reported using cannabis, with the majority reporting daily use and administration by inhalation. Baseline symptoms and peak eosinophil count were similar between cannabis users and non-users; cannabis users were less likely to have baseline endoscopic findings of exudates, edema, and stricture, and lower total Endoscopic Reference Score. On multivariable analysis, younger age, male sex, non-White race, and psychiatric diagnosis were independently associated with history of cannabis use at EoE presentation and stricture was independently associated with cannabis non-use. Post-treatment symptom and histologic responses were similar between cannabis users and non-users though there was a higher odds of post-treatment endoscopic inflammatory features with cannabis use. In conclusion, despite presenting with milder initial endoscopic findings, cannabis users exhibited greater inflammatory findings after treatment, highlighting a potential negative influence of cannabis use on EoE management.

Abstract Objective Menopause symptoms affect quality of life and financial well-being but are often unaddressed in primary care clinics. Therefore, we evaluated the extent of menopause symptom documentation in electronic health records (EHRs) by primary health care professionals. Methods We retrospectively reviewed adult women who reported moderate or higher vasomotor symptoms on a Mayo Clinic survey conducted from March 1, 2021, through June 30, 2021. We then assessed adequacy of menopause symptom documentation in the EHRs of these women who had primary care visits during the survey period. We reviewed the percentage of documented vasomotor symptoms from May 1, 2019, through May 1, 2021. Results In the Mayo Clinic Health System—Northwest Wisconsin Region, 229 women self-reported moderate or higher vasomotor symptoms in the Mayo Clinic survey. Although only 23% of these women had vasomotor symptoms listed in the EHR clinical problem lists, 60% of these women had vasomotor symptoms documented in their clinic notes from the primary care visit. Approximately 6% of women reported hormone therapy use for management of menopause symptoms, and nearly 15% reported use of nonhormone prescription therapies for vasomotor symptoms. Conclusions A greater proportion of women in our study had EHR documentation of bothersome menopause symptoms than those reported in other studies, but vasomotor symptoms remain generally untreated. We need better methods for identifying midlife women with bothersome menopause symptoms in primary care clinics so that appropriate treatment options, including hormone therapy, can be discussed and offered.

Importance In 2022, the US House of Representatives passed a bipartisan resolution (House of Representatives Resolution 1118 at the 117th Congress [2021-2022]) calling for meaningful nutrition education for medical trainees. This was prompted by increasing health care spending attributed to the growing prevalence of nutrition-related diseases and the substantial federal funding via Medicare that supports graduate medical education. In March 2023, medical education professional organizations agreed to identify nutrition competencies for medical education. Objective To recommend nutrition competencies for inclusion in medical education to improve patient and population health. Evidence Review The research team conducted a rapid literature review to identify existing nutrition-related competencies published between July 2013 and July 2023. Additional competencies were identified from learning objectives in selected nutrition, culinary medicine, and teaching kitchen curricula; dietetic core competencies; and research team–generated de novo competencies. An expert panel of 22 nutrition subject matter experts and 15 residency program directors participated in a modified Delphi process and completed 4 rounds of voting to reach consensus on recommended nutrition competencies, the level of medical education at which they should be included, and recommendations for monitoring implementation and evaluation of these competencies. Findings A total of 15 articles met inclusion criteria for competency extraction and yielded 187 competencies. Through review of gray literature and other sources, researchers identified 167 additional competencies for a total of 354 competencies. These competencies were compiled and refined prior to voting. After 4 rounds of voting, 36 competencies were identified for recommendation: 30 at both undergraduate and graduate levels, 2 at the undergraduate level only, and 4 at the graduate level only. Competencies fell into the following nutrition-related themes: foundational nutrition knowledge, assessment and diagnosis, communication skills, public health, collaborative support and treatment for specific conditions, and indications for referral. A total of 36 panelists (97%) recommended nutrition competencies be assessed as part of licensing and board certification examinations. Conclusions and Relevance These competencies represent a US-based effort to use a modified Delphi process to establish consensus on nutrition competencies for medical students and physician trainees. These competencies will require an iterative process of institutional prioritization, refinement, and inclusion in current and future educational curricula as well as licensure and certification examinations.

The Clinical Update series is intended to help busy clinicians stay up-to-date with recently published important and potentially practice-changing articles on topics pertinent to the care of women. In this update on sexual health, we review studies on the sexual health content of healthcare professional curricula, sexual health and intimacy after cancer in women of color, sexual function in women with polycystic ovarian syndrome, as well as the risks associated with the use of testosterone in women.

AbstractINTRODUCTIONWe investigated longitudinal associations between self‐reported exercise and Alzheimer's disease (AD)‐related biomarkers in individuals with autosomal dominant AD (ADAD) mutations.METHODSParticipants were 308 ADAD mutation carriers aged 39.7 ± 10.8 years from the Dominantly Inherited Alzheimer's Network. Weekly exercise volume was measured via questionnaire and associations with brain volume (magnetic resonance imaging), cerebrospinal fluid biomarkers, and brain amyloid beta (Aβ) measured by positron emission tomography were investigated.RESULTSGreater volume of weekly exercise at baseline was associated with slower accumulation of brain Aβ at preclinical disease stages β = –0.16 [–0.23 to –0.08], and a slower decline in multiple brain regions including hippocampal volume β = 0.06 [0.03 to 0.08].DISCUSSIONExercise is associated with more favorable profiles of AD‐related biomarkers in individuals with ADAD mutations. Exercise may have therapeutic potential for delaying the onset of AD; however, randomized controlled trials are vital to determine a causal relationship before a clinical recommendation of exercise is implemented.Highlights Greater self‐reported weekly exercise predicts slower declines in brain volume in autosomal dominant Alzheimer's disease (ADAD). Greater self‐reported weekly exercise predicts slower accumulation of brain amyloid beta in ADAD. Associations varied depending on closeness to estimated symptom onset.

Introduction The implementation of cervical cancer screening and human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination has significantly reduced cervical cancer rates. However, it remains the fourth most common cancer among women globally. Barriers to screening include personal, health system, and insurance factors. Methods To address these barriers, a “Saturday Pap smear Clinic” was established to increase accessibility. The study included female patients aged 21 to 65 from Southeast Minnesota, USA, who attended the clinic from September 2021 to April 2023. Results A total of 357 women attended the Saturday clinic, with a median age of 44 years; 70.6% were White. Abnormal Pap smear results were found in 13.8% of attendees, with 7.8% testing positive for HPV. Additional health maintenance was addressed. The majority of patients had a physician primary care provider (58.3%), followed by residents (26.3%), and nurse practitioner/physician associates (15.4%). Discussion The clinic demonstrated a high fill rate of 86.15%, indicating demand for non-traditional appointment times. Despite this, disparities in access were noted, with primarily White and English-speaking women utilizing the clinic. The clinic showed improved outcomes compared to national screening rates, highlighting the importance of timely preventative care.

ObjectiveDe novo variants in cullin‐3 ubiquitin ligase (CUL3) have been strongly associated with neurodevelopmental disorders (NDDs), but no large case series have been reported so far. Here, we aimed to collect sporadic cases carrying rare variants in CUL3, describe the genotype–phenotype correlation, and investigate the underlying pathogenic mechanism.MethodsGenetic data and detailed clinical records were collected via multicenter collaboration. Dysmorphic facial features were analyzed using GestaltMatcher. Variant effects on CUL3 protein stability were assessed using patient‐derived T‐cells.ResultsWe assembled a cohort of 37 individuals with heterozygous CUL3 variants presenting a syndromic NDD characterized by intellectual disability with or without autistic features. Of these, 35 have loss‐of‐function (LoF) and 2 have missense variants. CUL3 LoF variants in patients may affect protein stability leading to perturbations in protein homeostasis, as evidenced by decreased ubiquitin‐protein conjugates in vitro. Notably, we show that 4E‐BP1 (EIF4EBP1), a prominent substrate of CUL3, fails to be targeted for proteasomal degradation in patient‐derived cells.InterpretationOur study further refines the clinical and mutational spectrum of CUL3‐associated NDDs, expands the spectrum of cullin RING E3 ligase‐associated neuropsychiatric disorders, and suggests haploinsufficiency via LoF variants is the predominant pathogenic mechanism. ANN NEUROL 2025;97:76–89

Endometrial cancer (EC) patients make up the second largest group of female cancer survivors. Patient-reported outcomes (PROs) including quality of life (QOL) and sexual function and satisfaction (SF and S) are critical facets of survivorship. This prospective, longitudinal study assesses associations between baseline characteristics and PROs after treatment. Herein, we report the baseline clinical characteristics and PROs prior to treatment initiation. Outcomes post-treatment over time will be reported separately. Patients with planned surgery for EC were prospectively enrolled in 2019–2021 and administered the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC) QOL Questionnaire Core 30 (QLQ-C30), EORTC QLQ EC Module (EN24), Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS), and the Mayo Clinic lower extremity lymphedema (LEL) questionnaire. This study enrolled 198 patients with a mean (SD) age of 63.6 (9.8) years and body mass index of 35.5 (8.3) kg/m2. No significant differences in the PROs for the QOL were seen when compared to the reference means (SD) except for the lower interest in sexual activity (31.9 (9.8) vs. 47.5 (SE0.70)) and lower fatigue (21.3 (19.8) vs. 31.7 (25.9)). Increased obesity was associated with an increased likelihood of LEL (p < 0.01) and multiple QOL scales, including poorer global health status (p < 0.01) and physical functioning (p < 0.01). Prior to treatment initiation for EC, the patients had a similar QOL compared to that of the general population. The patients with increasing obesity, a known risk factor for EC, had worse overall global health status and physical functioning. A better understanding of these QOL measures is imperative for earlier identification and intervention of patients at risk of chronic impairments from EC treatment.

AbstractThe gold standard for enrollment and endpoint assessment in metabolic dysfunction‐associated steatosis clinical trials is histologic assessment of a liver biopsy performed on glass slides. However, obtaining the evaluations from several expert pathologists on glass is challenging, as shipping the slides around the country or around the world is time‐consuming and comes with the hazards of slide breakage. This study demonstrated that pathologic assessment of disease activity in steatohepatitis, performed using digital images on the AISight whole slide image management system, yields results that are comparable to those obtained using glass slides. The accuracy of scoring for steatohepatitis (nonalcoholic fatty liver disease activity score ≥4 with ≥1 for each feature and absence of atypical features suggestive of other liver disease) performed on the system was evaluated against scoring conducted on glass slides. Both methods were assessed for overall percent agreement with a consensus “ground truth” score (defined as the median score of a panel of three pathologists’ glass slides). Each case was also read by three different pathologists, once on glass and once digitally with a minimum 2‐week washout period between the modalities. It was demonstrated that the average agreement across three pathologists of digital scoring with ground truth was noninferior to the average agreement of glass scoring with ground truth [noninferiority margin: −0.05; difference: −0.001; 95% CI: (−0.027, 0.026); and p < 0.0001]. For each pathologist, there was a similar average agreement of digital and glass reads with glass ground truth (pathologist A, 0.843 and 0.849; pathologist B, 0.633 and 0.605; and pathologist C, 0.755 and 0.780). Here, we demonstrate that the accuracy of digital reads for steatohepatitis using digital images is equivalent to glass reads in the context of a clinical trial for scoring using the Clinical Research Network scoring system.