Kathleen Akgün, MD, MS
Associate Professor of Medicine (Pulmonary); Member, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) Working Group, Pulmonary, Critical Care and Sleep Medicine, Internal Medicine; Director, Medical Intensive Care Unit, VA CT Healthcare System, Department of Medicine
Research & Publications
Biography
News
Locations
Research Summary
Dr. Akgun's research is focused on critical illness in immunocompromised patients. Specifically, she is working with the Veteran's Aging Cohort Study (VACS) to investigate the risk factors for and incidence of intensive care unit (ICU) admissions in HIV-infected patients. She received funding from the American Subspecialty Physicians-American College of Chest Physicians CHEST Foundation investigating ICU admissions in older HIV-infected patients and the impact of age on ICU admission diagnosis and outcome in this patient population. She was also funded by VISN from from the Department of Veteran Affairs to describe patient- and ICU-level risk factors for decrements in quality of life outcomes in ICU survivors. She is beginning to identify frequency and content of family meetings for patients admitted to the ICU using electronic health records.
Specialized Terms: Critical care, Pulmonary disease in HIV and other immunocompromised hosts, Aging, HIV and critical illness Palliative and end of life care in the intensive care unit (ICU), Resident debriefing and emotional distress during training
Coauthors
Research Interests
Aging; Critical Care; Epidemiology; HIV; Intensive Care Units; Medical Oncology; Terminal Care; Veterans; Pulmonary Medicine; Immunocompromised Host; Palliative Medicine
Selected Publications
- Medical Societies Must Choose Professional Meeting Locations Responsibly in a Post-Roe World.Lee A, Maley J, Hibbert K, Akgün K, Hauschildt K, Law A, Kaminski N, Hayes M, Gesthalter Y, Bosslet G, Santhosh L, Witkin A, Hills-Dunlap K, Çoruh B, Gershengorn H, Hardin C. Medical Societies Must Choose Professional Meeting Locations Responsibly in a Post-Roe World. Annals Of The American Thoracic Society 2023 PMID: 36812378, DOI: 10.1513/annalsats.202211-928ip.
- Delirium among people aging with and without HIV: Role of alcohol and Neurocognitively active medicationsAkgün K, Krishnan S, Tate J, Bryant K, Pisani M, Re V, Rentsch C, Crothers K, Gordon K, Justice A, team F. Delirium among people aging with and without HIV: Role of alcohol and Neurocognitively active medications Journal Of The American Geriatrics Society 2023 PMID: 36786300, DOI: 10.1111/jgs.18265.
- Variation in firearm screening and access by LGBT statusGoulet J, Warren A, Workman T, Skanderson M, Farmer M, Gordon K, Abel E, Akgün K, Bean‐Mayberry B, Zeng‐Treitler Q, Haderlein T, Haskell S, Bastian L, Womack J, Post L, Hwang U, Brandt C. Variation in firearm screening and access by LGBT status Academic Emergency Medicine 2023 PMID: 36661348, DOI: 10.1111/acem.14664.
- Longitudinal Patterns of Specialist Palliative Care Provision in the HEART-PAL Cohort (GP716)Feder S, Murphy T, Abel E, Ersek M, Gandhi P, Fried T, Redeker N, Akgün K. Longitudinal Patterns of Specialist Palliative Care Provision in the HEART-PAL Cohort (GP716) Journal Of Pain And Symptom Management 2022, 63: 1120-1121. DOI: 10.1016/j.jpainsymman.2022.04.107.
- Utilization of Advance Directives Among Patients Diagnosed with COVID-19Schwartz A, Tate J, Justice A, Lehmann L, King Jr. J, Harris K, Levin W, Feder S, Akgun K. Utilization of Advance Directives Among Patients Diagnosed with COVID-19 2022, a2667-a2667. DOI: 10.1164/ajrccm-conference.2022.205.1_meetingabstracts.a2667.
- Racial and Rural Disparities in COVID-19 Vaccination Uptake in a National Sample of VeteransBernstein E, DeRycke E, Han L, Bastian L, Bean-Mayberry B, Bade B, Brandt C, Farmer M, Crothers K, Skanderson M, Ruser C, Spelman J, Bazan I, Justice A, Rentsch C, Akgun K. Racial and Rural Disparities in COVID-19 Vaccination Uptake in a National Sample of Veterans 2022, a3695-a3695. DOI: 10.1164/ajrccm-conference.2022.205.1_meetingabstracts.a3695.
- Factors Associated with Influenza Vaccination Non-Adherence in a National Veteran CohortChen A, Runels T, DeRycke E, Bade B, Crothers K, Bastian L, Bazan I, Farmer M, Bean-Mayberry B, Bernstein E, Brandt C, Akgun K. Factors Associated with Influenza Vaccination Non-Adherence in a National Veteran Cohort 2022, a5370-a5370. DOI: 10.1164/ajrccm-conference.2022.205.1_meetingabstracts.a5370.
- Comparison of Current Smoking Status Based on the Biomarker Cotinine, Two Types of Self-Report, and ICD-10 Codes in the Veterans Health AdministrationMcginnis K, Skanderson M, Akgun K, Justice A, Tindle H, Wrona A, Farah K, Shahrir S, Freiberg M, Goetz M, Pisani M, Rodriguez-Barradas M, Crothers K, Veterans Aging Cohort Study. Comparison of Current Smoking Status Based on the Biomarker Cotinine, Two Types of Self-Report, and ICD-10 Codes in the Veterans Health Administration 2022, a5362-a5362. DOI: 10.1164/ajrccm-conference.2022.205.1_meetingabstracts.a5362.
- The Quality of Telehealth-Delivered Palliative Care During the Initial COVID-19 Pandemic Surge (S530)Soliman A, Akgün K, Coffee J, Kapo J, Morrison L, Blatt L, Schulman-Green D, Feder S. The Quality of Telehealth-Delivered Palliative Care During the Initial COVID-19 Pandemic Surge (S530) Journal Of Pain And Symptom Management 2022, 63: 921-922. PMCID: PMC9001042, DOI: 10.1016/j.jpainsymman.2022.02.153.
- Using the biomarker cotinine and survey self-report to validate smoking data from United States Veterans Health Administration electronic health recordsMcGinnis K, Skanderson M, Justice A, Tindle H, Akgün K, Wrona A, Freiberg M, Goetz M, Rodriguez-Barradas M, Brown S, Crothers K. Using the biomarker cotinine and survey self-report to validate smoking data from United States Veterans Health Administration electronic health records JAMIA Open 2022, 5 PMCID: PMC9154288, DOI: 10.1093/jamiaopen/ooac040.
- SEX DIFFERENCES IN NATRIURETIC PEPTIDE TESTING IN PATIENTS HOSPITALIZED WITH HEART FAILUREGandhi P, Runels T, Skanderson M, Bastian L, Brandt C, Hauser R, Feder S, Rodwin B, Farmer M, Bean-Mayberry B, Akgun K. SEX DIFFERENCES IN NATRIURETIC PEPTIDE TESTING IN PATIENTS HOSPITALIZED WITH HEART FAILURE Journal Of The American College Of Cardiology 2022, 79: 467. DOI: 10.1016/s0735-1097(22)01458-9.
- Palliative Care During a PandemicFeder S, Schulman-Green D, Akgün K. Palliative Care During a Pandemic 2021, 345-372. DOI: 10.1007/978-3-030-81788-6_18.
- "Lost to Follow-Up?" Barriers to Lung Cancer Screening Adherence in US VeteransBade B, DeRycke E, Kunitomo Y, Lerz K, Skanderson M, Rose M, DiDomenico P, Conti M, Taylor C, Crothers K, Federman D, Haskell S, Bean-Mayberry B, Brandt C, Bastian L, Akgun K, Cain H. "Lost to Follow-Up?" Barriers to Lung Cancer Screening Adherence in US Veterans 2021, a4775-a4775. DOI: 10.1164/ajrccm-conference.2021.203.1_meetingabstracts.a4775.
- A Systematic Review of Racial Disparities in Lung Cancer Screening AdherenceKunitomo Y, Bade B, Gunderson C, Akgun K, Brackett A, Tanoue L, Cain H, Bastian L. A Systematic Review of Racial Disparities in Lung Cancer Screening Adherence 2021, a1737-a1737. DOI: 10.1164/ajrccm-conference.2021.203.1_meetingabstracts.a1737.
- Machine Learning to Identify Symptoms Associated with Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) in a National Cohort of VeteransDatta R, Akgun K, Brandt C, Skanderson M, Workman T, Justice A, Womack J, VACS COVID-19 Clinical Workgroup. Machine Learning to Identify Symptoms Associated with Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) in a National Cohort of Veterans 2021, a1504-a1504. DOI: 10.1164/ajrccm-conference.2021.203.1_meetingabstracts.a1504.
- Sex Differences in the Use of Palliative Care Toward the End of Life Among Decedent Veterans from Contemporary Conflicts (SCI943)Feder S, Abel E, Bade B, Brandt C, Akgün K. Sex Differences in the Use of Palliative Care Toward the End of Life Among Decedent Veterans from Contemporary Conflicts (SCI943) Journal Of Pain And Symptom Management 2021, 61: 692-693. DOI: 10.1016/j.jpainsymman.2021.01.104.
- Associations of marijuana with markers of chronic lung disease in people living with HIVWenger D, Triplette M, Shahrir S, Akgun K, Wongtrakool C, Brown S, Kim J, Hoo G, Rodriguez‐Barradas M, Huang L, Feemster L, Zifodya J, Crothers K. Associations of marijuana with markers of chronic lung disease in people living with HIV HIV Medicine 2020, 22: 92-101. PMID: 33022830, DOI: 10.1111/hiv.12966.
- Incidence and Presentation of Sarcoidosis With and Without HIV InfectionHanberg JS, Team V, Akgün K, Hsieh E, Fraenkel L, Justice A. Incidence and Presentation of Sarcoidosis With and Without HIV Infection Open Forum Infectious Diseases 2020, 7: ofaa441. PMID: 33123611, PMCID: PMC7576681, DOI: 10.1093/ofid/ofaa441.
- National Variation in Palliative Care and Associated Outcomes Among Decedents with Heart Failure in Veterans Affairs Medical Centers (RP503)Feder S, Ersek M, Kutney-Lee A, Redeker N, Bastian L, Akgun K. National Variation in Palliative Care and Associated Outcomes Among Decedents with Heart Failure in Veterans Affairs Medical Centers (RP503) Journal Of Pain And Symptom Management 2020, 60: 230. DOI: 10.1016/j.jpainsymman.2020.04.095.
- Sex Differences in Asthma Management in a Veteran CohortBade B, Bielawski M, DeRycke E, Skanderson M, Crothers K, Haskell S, Bean-Mayberry B, Brandt C, Bastian L, Akgun K. Sex Differences in Asthma Management in a Veteran Cohort 2020, a1307-a1307. DOI: 10.1164/ajrccm-conference.2020.201.1_meetingabstracts.a1307.
- Comorbidities in Veterans Undergoing Lung Cancer ScreeningBade B, DeRycke E, Lerz K, Skanderson M, Rose M, Obando A, Taylor C, Crothers K, Haskell S, Bean-Mayberry B, Brandt C, Bastian L, Akgun K, Cain H. Comorbidities in Veterans Undergoing Lung Cancer Screening 2020, a5924-a5924. DOI: 10.1164/ajrccm-conference.2020.201.1_meetingabstracts.a5924.
- Long Term Impact of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease on Hospitalization and Mortality Among Persons Living with Human Immunodeficiency VirusEhteshami-Afshar S, McGinnis K, Farber S, Butt A, Rodriguez-Barradas M, Pisani M, Huang L, Soo Hoo G, Doyle M, Freiberg M, Crothers K, Akgun K, For VACS Project Team. Long Term Impact of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease on Hospitalization and Mortality Among Persons Living with Human Immunodeficiency Virus 2020, a7159-a7159. DOI: 10.1164/ajrccm-conference.2020.201.1_meetingabstracts.a7159.
- Sex Differences in Guideline Concordant Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Diagnosis and Management in a Primary Care SettingEhteshami-Afshar S, Brandt C, Akgun K. Sex Differences in Guideline Concordant Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Diagnosis and Management in a Primary Care Setting 2020, a7158-a7158. DOI: 10.1164/ajrccm-conference.2020.201.1_meetingabstracts.a7158.
- End-of-Life Care Quality Varies Among Facilities in the Department of Veterans Affairs for Patients with Heart Failure (S732)Feder S, Ersek M, Kutney-Lee A, Luhrs C, Bastian L, Akgun K. End-of-Life Care Quality Varies Among Facilities in the Department of Veterans Affairs for Patients with Heart Failure (S732) Journal Of Pain And Symptom Management 2020, 59: 546-547. DOI: 10.1016/j.jpainsymman.2019.12.294.
- Racial Differences in Change in Physical Functioning in Older Male Veterans with HIVMcKellar MS, Kuchibhatla MN, Oursler KAK, Crystal S, Akgün K, Crothers K, Gibert CL, Nieves-Lugo K, Womack J, Tate J, Fillenbaum GG. Racial Differences in Change in Physical Functioning in Older Male Veterans with HIV AIDS Research And Human Retroviruses 2019, 35: 1034-1043. PMID: 30963773, PMCID: PMC6862951, DOI: 10.1089/aid.2018.0296.
- Teaching Communication SkillsPossick J, Akgün K. Teaching Communication Skills 2019, 195-212. DOI: 10.1007/978-3-030-10680-5_11.
- The Intubated Patient's Experience: Are We Paying Attention?Sung C, Feder S, Crothers K, Akgun K. The Intubated Patient's Experience: Are We Paying Attention? 2019, a6484-a6484. DOI: 10.1164/ajrccm-conference.2019.199.1_meetingabstracts.a6484.
- Predictors of Pulmonary Function Test Acquisition in Veterans Hospitalized for Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease ExacerbationBade B, DeRycke E, Ramsey C, Skanderson M, Crothers K, Haskell S, Bean-Mayberry B, Brandt C, Bastian L, Akgun K. Predictors of Pulmonary Function Test Acquisition in Veterans Hospitalized for Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Exacerbation 2019, a1124-a1124. DOI: 10.1164/ajrccm-conference.2019.199.1_meetingabstracts.a1124.
- Polypharmacy and Risk of Medical Intensive Care Unit Admission Among Hospitalized Participants with and Without HIV InfectionGordon K, Crothers K, Butt A, Edelman E, Gilbert C, Pisani M, Rodriguez-Barradas M, Wyatt C, Justice A, Akgun K. Polypharmacy and Risk of Medical Intensive Care Unit Admission Among Hospitalized Participants with and Without HIV Infection 2019, a2473-a2473. DOI: 10.1164/ajrccm-conference.2019.199.1_meetingabstracts.a2473.
- Marijuana Use and Its Association with Markers of Lung Disease in People Living with HIVWenger D, Triplette M, Shahrir S, Akgun K, Wongtrakool C, Brown S, Kim J, Soo Hoo G, Rodriguez-Barradas M, Huang L, Feemster L, Crothers K. Marijuana Use and Its Association with Markers of Lung Disease in People Living with HIV 2019, a5185-a5185. DOI: 10.1164/ajrccm-conference.2019.199.1_meetingabstracts.a5185.
- Pulmonary Health and Healthy AgingClark B, Roeder N, Akgün K. Pulmonary Health and Healthy Aging 2019, 81-92. DOI: 10.1007/978-3-030-06200-2_8.
- Regional Variations in the Provision of Palliative Care in Patients Hospitalized with Heart Failure within the Veterans Health Administration (S730)Feder S, Tate J, Womack J, Akgün K, Justice A. Regional Variations in the Provision of Palliative Care in Patients Hospitalized with Heart Failure within the Veterans Health Administration (S730) Journal Of Pain And Symptom Management 2018, 55: 672-673. DOI: 10.1016/j.jpainsymman.2017.12.384.
- 929Johnston J, Heavner M, Liu C, Topal J, Casal G, Akgun K. 929 Critical Care Medicine 2018, 46: 448. DOI: 10.1097/01.ccm.0000528936.68760.0d.
- Determinants of Palliative Care in HIV-Infected and Uninfected Adults Hospitalized with Heart Failure (S751)Feder S, Akgün K, Jeon S, Tate J, Redeker N. Determinants of Palliative Care in HIV-Infected and Uninfected Adults Hospitalized with Heart Failure (S751) Journal Of Pain And Symptom Management 2017, 53: 438. DOI: 10.1016/j.jpainsymman.2016.12.262.
- Validation of the Diagnostic Code for Palliative Care in Patients Hospitalized with Heart Failure Within the Department of Veterans Affairs (S752)Feder S, Tate J, Womack J, Redeker N, Akgün K. Validation of the Diagnostic Code for Palliative Care in Patients Hospitalized with Heart Failure Within the Department of Veterans Affairs (S752) Journal Of Pain And Symptom Management 2017, 53: 438-439. DOI: 10.1016/j.jpainsymman.2016.12.263.
- Integrating Palliative Care into the ICU: Experiences, Attitudes and Barriers of ICU Clinicians (TH310C)Hui F, Kapo J, Akgün K. Integrating Palliative Care into the ICU: Experiences, Attitudes and Barriers of ICU Clinicians (TH310C) Journal Of Pain And Symptom Management 2016, 51: 321-322. DOI: 10.1016/j.jpainsymman.2015.12.138.
- Community Acquired Pneumonia (CAP) Requiring Hospitalization in HIV Infected (HIV+) and Un-Infected (HIV−) Patients: Evaluation of Patients Identified By ICD-9 CodesRodriguez-Barradas M, Akgun K, Brown S, Butt A, Fine M, Goetz M, Graber C, Huang L, Mcginnis K, Rimland D, Justice A, Crothers K. Community Acquired Pneumonia (CAP) Requiring Hospitalization in HIV Infected (HIV+) and Un-Infected (HIV−) Patients: Evaluation of Patients Identified By ICD-9 Codes Open Forum Infectious Diseases 2015, 2: 1583. DOI: 10.1093/ofid/ofv133.1136.
- 571Nhundu B, Weber U, Robinson J, Anderson N, Knies A, Huang K, Akgun K, Hwang D. 571 Critical Care Medicine 2015, 43: 144. DOI: 10.1097/01.ccm.0000474399.09363.f0.
- 360Hui F, Kapo J, Akgun K. 360 Critical Care Medicine 2015, 43: 91-92. DOI: 10.1097/01.ccm.0000474188.65536.6b.
- OSA and HIV infectionKunisaki K, Akgün K, Fiellin D, Gibert C, Kim J, Rimland D, Rodriguez‐Barradas M, Yaggi H, Crothers K. OSA and HIV infection HIV Medicine 2014, 16: 105-113. PMID: 25230851, PMCID: PMC4300288, DOI: 10.1111/hiv.12182.
- Implementation of an Electronic Clinical Reminder to Improve Rates of Lung Cancer ScreeningFederman DG, Kravetz JD, Lerz KA, Akgǖn K, Ruser C, Cain H, Anderson EF, Taylor C. Implementation of an Electronic Clinical Reminder to Improve Rates of Lung Cancer Screening The American Journal Of Medicine 2014, 127: 813-816. PMID: 24769298, DOI: 10.1016/j.amjmed.2014.04.010.
- Receptiveness To Smoking Cessation Among HIV-Infected And Uninfected PatientsShahrir S, McGinnis K, Tindle H, Fiellin D, Goulet J, Akgun K, Gibert C, Rodriguez-Barradas M, Engelberg R, Crothers K. Receptiveness To Smoking Cessation Among HIV-Infected And Uninfected Patients 2012, a2589-a2589. DOI: 10.1164/ajrccm-conference.2012.185.1_meetingabstracts.a2589.
- Predictors Of Elevated Oxidative Stress In Exhaled Breath Condensates Of HIV-Infected PatientsCrothers K, McGinnis K, Wongtrakool C, Lee P, Guidot D, Hoo G, Goetz M, Huang L, Sharafkhaneh A, Akgun K, Shahrir S, Rimland D, Brown L. Predictors Of Elevated Oxidative Stress In Exhaled Breath Condensates Of HIV-Infected Patients 2012, a4059-a4059. DOI: 10.1164/ajrccm-conference.2012.185.1_meetingabstracts.a4059.
- Prediction Of 30-Day Mortality After MICU Admission Among HIV-Infected PatientsAkgun K, Tate J, Pisani M, Butt A, Gibert C, Rimland D, Huang L, Justice A, Rodriguez-Barradas M, Crothers K. Prediction Of 30-Day Mortality After MICU Admission Among HIV-Infected Patients 2012, a2549-a2549. DOI: 10.1164/ajrccm-conference.2012.185.1_meetingabstracts.a2549.
- Risk Factors For Incidentally Detected Lung Nodules On Chest CT Scan In HIV-Positive And HIV-Negative VeteransNorman B, Pipavath S, Sigel K, Shahrir S, Akgun K, Kim J, Hoo G, Brown S, Rimland D, Rodriguez-Barradas M, Sharafkhaneh A, Huang L, Crothers K. Risk Factors For Incidentally Detected Lung Nodules On Chest CT Scan In HIV-Positive And HIV-Negative Veterans 2012, a4051-a4051. DOI: 10.1164/ajrccm-conference.2012.185.1_meetingabstracts.a4051.
- Lung Disease in Older Patients with HIVAkgün K, Crothers K. Lung Disease in Older Patients with HIV 2011, 227-252. PMCID: PMC7120014, DOI: 10.1007/978-1-60761-727-3_12.
- Impact Of Age On Medical Intensive Care Unit (MICU) Admissions In HIV-Infected PatientsAkgun K, Pisani M, Fried T, Butt A, Gibert C, Rimland D, Huang L, Justice A, Rodriguez-Barradas M, Crothers K. Impact Of Age On Medical Intensive Care Unit (MICU) Admissions In HIV-Infected Patients 2011, a6270-a6270. DOI: 10.1164/ajrccm-conference.2011.183.1_meetingabstracts.a6270.
- Smoking Behaviors And Utilization Of Smoking Cessation Therapies With Quit Attempts Among Current Compared To Former SmokersShahrir S, Tindle H, Rodriguez-Barradas M, Au D, Wongtrakool C, Hoo G, Akgun K, Huang L, Crothers K. Smoking Behaviors And Utilization Of Smoking Cessation Therapies With Quit Attempts Among Current Compared To Former Smokers 2011, a5456-a5456. DOI: 10.1164/ajrccm-conference.2011.183.1_meetingabstracts.a5456.
- Respiratory Symptoms Are Associated With Decreased Performance On 6-Minute Walk Test Among HIV-Infected PatientsCampo M, Shahrir S, Oursler K, Rimland D, Hoo G, Brown S, Goetz M, Huang L, Au D, Rodriguez-Barradas M, Sharafkhaneh A, Akgun K, Crothers K. Respiratory Symptoms Are Associated With Decreased Performance On 6-Minute Walk Test Among HIV-Infected Patients 2011, a6268-a6268. DOI: 10.1164/ajrccm-conference.2011.183.1_meetingabstracts.a6268.
- Risk Factors For MICU Admission Among HIV+ PatientsAkgun K, Pisani M, Fried T, Butt A, Gibert C, Rimland D, Justice A, Rodriguez-Barradas M, Crothers K. Risk Factors For MICU Admission Among HIV+ Patients 2010, a5199-a5199. DOI: 10.1164/ajrccm-conference.2010.181.1_meetingabstracts.a5199.
- Incidence And Mortality Of MICU Admission In HIV Infected (HIV+) And Non-Infected (HIV-) VeteransAkgun K, Pisani M, Butt A, Gibert C, Rodriguez-Barradas M, Justice A, Rimland D, Crothers K. Incidence And Mortality Of MICU Admission In HIV Infected (HIV+) And Non-Infected (HIV-) Veterans 2010, a5200-a5200. DOI: 10.1164/ajrccm-conference.2010.181.1_meetingabstracts.a5200.
- Obstructive Sleep Apnea in PregnancyAkgun K, Roux F. Obstructive Sleep Apnea in Pregnancy 2009, 123-133. DOI: 10.1007/978-1-59745-445-2_9.