Megan Nicole Lau

All Publications

• Preventive and Sexual Health in LGBTQ+ Older Adults. Clinics in geriatric medicine Karris, M. Y., Lau, M., Blumenthal, J. 2024; 40 (2): 223-237

  Abstract

  Sexual health is an important but often overlooked health concern of LGBTQ + older adults. Multiple factors influence sexual health including intersecting identities; adverse life events; coping mechanisms; and psychological, social, and physical health domains. Thus, the use of a culturally competent and comprehensive person-centered approach to sexual health is warranted. In this review, we discuss approaches to engaging LGBTQ + older adults to ensure they are able to achieve their sexual health priorities and prevent new human immunodeficiency virus infections. We also discuss doxycycline postexposure prophylaxis to prevent other sexually transmitted infections and the impact of chemsex.

  View details for DOI 10.1016/j.cger.2023.10.002

  View details for PubMedID 38521594

• Impact of Home-Based Pediatric Palliative Care on Hospital and Emergency Department Utilization at a Single Institution. Journal of palliative medicine Bower, K. A., Lau, M., Short, R., Lawrence, S., Beauchamp-Walters, J., Marc-Aurele, K. 2022; 25 (2): 301-306

  Abstract

  Background: There is limited data on home-based pediatric palliative care (PPC) demographics and utilization outcomes. Objective: Describe who receives home-based PPC and compare emergency department visits, hospital admissions, and hospital days admitted in the one year before and after initiation of home-based PPC. Design: Exploratory retrospective medical chart review. Settings/Subjects: Patients, from birth to their 21st birthday, who received home-based PPC during January 1, 2015 to July 31, 2016 at a single site. Measurements: Demographics and hospital utilization were extracted from the medical chart. Results:N = 154. Comparing one year before and after initiation of home-based PPC, the median number of hospitalizations decreased from 2 to 1 (p < 0.001), and the median total number of hospital days admitted decreased from 16 to 4 days (p < 0.001). Conclusions: Children enrolled in a home-based PPC program experienced a significant decrease in the number of hospital admissions and hospital days admitted.

  View details for DOI 10.1089/jpm.2021.0307

  View details for PubMedID 35119955

• Expanding the genotypic spectrum of ACTG2-related visceral myopathy. Cold Spring Harbor molecular case studies James, K. N., Lau, M., Shayan, K., Lenberg, J., Mardach, R., Ignacio, R., Halbach, J., Choi, L., Kumar, S., Ellsworth, K. A. 2021; 7 (3)

  Abstract

  Visceral myopathies (VMs) encompass a spectrum of disorders characterized by chronic disruption of gastrointestinal function, with or without urinary system involvement. Pathogenic missense variation in smooth muscle γ-actin gene (ACTG2) is associated with autosomal dominant VM. Whole-genome sequencing of an infant presenting with chronic intestinal pseudo-obstruction revealed a homozygous 187 bp (c.589_613 + 163del188) deletion spanning the exon 6-intron 6 boundary within ACTG2 The patient's clinical course was marked by prolonged hospitalizations, multiple surgeries, and intermittent total parenteral nutrition dependence. This case supports the emerging understanding of allelic heterogeneity in ACTG2-related VM, in which both biallelic and monoallelic variants in ACTG2 are associated with gastrointestinal dysfunction of similar severity and overlapped clinical presentation. Moreover, it illustrates the clinical utility of rapid whole-genome sequencing, which can comprehensively and precisely detect different types of genomic variants including small deletions, leading to guidance of clinical care decisions.

  View details for DOI 10.1101/mcs.a006085

  View details for PubMedID 33883208

  View details for PubMedCentralID PMC8208046