Adjunctive Measures Research Articles

Implementation of contact precautions for multidrug-resistant organisms in the post-COVID-19 pandemic era: An updated national Emerging Infections Network (EIN) survey.

To understand how healthcare facilities employ contact precautions for patients with multidrug-resistant organisms (MDROs) in the post-coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) era and explore changes since 2014. Cross-sectional survey. Emerging Infections Network (EIN) physicians involved in infection prevention or hospital epidemiology. In September 2022, we sent via email an 8-question survey on contact precautions and adjunctive measures to reduce MDRO transmission in inpatient facilities. We also asked about changes since the COVID-19 pandemic. We used descriptive statistics to summarize data and compared results to a similar survey administered in 2014. Of 708 EIN members, 283 (40%) responded to the survey and 201 reported working in infection prevention. A majority of facilities (66% and 69%) routinely use contact precautions for methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and vancomycin-resistant enterococci (VRE) respectively, compared to 93% and 92% in 2014. Nearly all (>90%) use contact precautions for Candida auris, carbapenem-resistant Enterobacterales (CRE), and carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii. More variability was reported for carbapenem-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa and extended-spectrum β-lactamase-producing gram-negative organisms. Compared to 2014, fewer hospitals perform active surveillance for MRSA and VRE. Overall, 90% of facilities used chlorhexidine gluconate bathing in all or select inpatients, and 53% used ultraviolet light or hydrogen peroxide vapor disinfection at discharge. Many respondents (44%) reported changes to contact precautions since COVID-19 that remain in place. Heterogeneity exists in the use of transmission-based precautions and adjunctive infection prevention measures aimed at reducing MDRO transmission. This variation reflects a need for updated and specific guidance, as well as further research on the use of contact precautions in healthcare facilities.

Fractional flow reserve measurements and long-term mortality-results from the FLORIDA study.

Randomized evidence suggested improved outcomes in fractional flow reserve (FFR) guidance of coronary revascularization compared to medical therapy in well-defined patient cohorts. However, the impact of FFR-guided revascularization on long-term outcomes of unselected patients with chronic or acute coronary syndromes (ACS) is unknown. The FLORIDA (Fractional FLOw Reserve In cardiovascular DiseAses) study sought to investigate outcomes of FFR-guided vs. angiography-guided treatment strategies in a large, real-world cohort. This study included patients enrolled into the German InGef Research Database. Patients undergoing coronary angiography between January 2014 and December 2015 were included in the analysis. Eligible patients had at least one inpatient coronary angiogram for suspected coronary artery disease between January 2014 and December 2015. Patients were stratified into FFR arm if a coronary angiography with adjunctive FFR measurement was performed, otherwise into the angiography-only arm. Matching was applied to ensure a balanced distribution of baseline characteristics in the study cohort. Patients were followed for 3 years after index date and primary endpoint was all-cause mortality. In the matched population, mortality at 3 years was 9.6% in the FFR-assessed group and 12.6% in the angiography-only group (p = 0.002), corresponding to a 24% relative risk reduction with use of FFR. This effect was most pronounced in patients in whom revascularization was deferred based on FFR (8.7% vs. 12.3%, p = 0.04) and in high-risk subgroups including patients aged ≥75 years (14.9% vs. 20.1%, p < 0.01) and those presenting with ACS (10.2% vs. 14.0%, p = 0.04). FFR-based revascularization strategy was associated with reduced mortality at 3 years. These findings further support the use of FFR in everyday clinical practice.

(311) Reduced Glans Engorgement After Inflatable Penile Prosthesis – A Scoping Review of Factors Involved and Management Strategies

Abstract Introduction Inflatable penile prosthesis (IPP) provides a reliable stiffness along the length of the penile shaft, yet patients may express dissatisfaction as it may still differ from their recollection of their previously normal erections. A common complaint is reduced engorgement of the glans penis, which can manifest as subjective reduction in penile length or the feeling of a cold insensitive glans. Patient factors often ensure a sound justification for this complaint, namely vasculogenic erectile dysfunction (ED) or their corporo-glandular morphology despite a well-sized and well-positioned implant. Objective To identify factors that may contribute to reduced glans engorgement and possible management strategies. Methods Intervention: Any method of treating or avoiding reduced glans engorgement post-IPP. Population: Men undergoing IPP insertion or men with glans complaints post-operatively Inclusion Criteria: Articles published in English with full text available and objective outcome measures Search Strategy: Literature search was performed in June 2023 using Medline, PubMed, Embase and Scopus. PubMed search included both “Mesh” protocols and “free text” to capture the correct study population and intervention utilized. Review Type &amp; Analysis: Although an initial systematic model was considered, a scoping model was ultimately selected due to the limited literature and inconsistent outcome measures. This approach aimed to identify gaps in knowledge and provide an overview of the existing literature, thus informing future studies in this area. The variability in outcome measures across studies prevented higher-powered analyses from being conducted. Results Initial search strategy retrieved 98 non-duplicate studies with 40 being selected for initial screening after applying inclusion criteria. Ultimately, a total of 7 articles were included and categorized by theme: Cavernous-sparing technique (1-3); Pharmacotherapy for post-IPP glans complaints (4-7) (Table 1 &amp; 2). The cavernous-sparing technique described aims to limit disruption of cavernous tissue around the implanted cylinder. This was achieved by omitting dilatation and using Furlow directly for measurements, or by intraoperative intracavernosal (IC) prostaglandin followed by dilatation only with size 7 or 8 Hegar alone. In all studies that compared penile dimensions, girth was significantly greater in the cavernous-sparing group. A higher proportion of men in this group also had detectable cavernous arteries, thicker residual corporal tissue, better residual tumescence post-IPP and demonstrated significant increases in both PSV and EDV post-PDE5i, compared to no PDE5i. Men who had standard dilatation also responded to post-IPP PDE5i but fewer had identifiable cavernous artery and had significant increase in only PSV, compared to no PDE5i. Other articles relating to post-IPP pharmacotherapy unanimously demonstrated that post-IPP glans engorgement was improved. This equated to reported statistically improved satisfaction when compared to the IPP alone groups, as measured by IIEF and EDITS questionnaires. Post-IPP PDE5i were better tolerated than intraurethral alprostadil, which was associated with discomfort. Conclusions Post-IPP pharmacotherapy appears to enhance residual erectile tissue engorgement. It can be used as an adjunctive after-care measure. Cavernous-sparing techniques show the importance of viable residual tissue for improved prosthetic erections. More comprehensive studies are needed to enhance patient experience and explore the microanatomical and hemodynamic role of residual tissue post-IPP. Disclosure No.

The Efficacy of Ten Different Adjunctive Measures in Patients with Nonsurgically Treated Peri-Implant Disease: A Network Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials.

Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the impact of 10 adjunctive measures on non-surgical therapy outcomes for peri-implant disease. Methods: We formulated the study question and keywords following the Population, Intervention, Comparator, Outcome framework. Randomized controlled trials were identified through searches in PubMed, Embase, the Cochrane Library, and the Web of Science. Two researchers assessed the quality of included literature according to the Cochrane Risk of Bias Assessment Tool. Data analysis and ranking were performed using Stata 15.0 software. Results: This study, involving 51 pieces of literature and 2660 samples, conducted a network meta-analysis (NMA), which revealed that photodynamic therapy (PDT) significantly reduced probing pocket depth values in patients with peri-implant mucositis (SUCRA = 96.3%) and peri-implantitis (SUCRA = 96.7%). In addition, it showed an improvement in bleeding on probing (BOP) values for peri-implantitis (SUCRA = 91.6%). Furthermore, diode lasers improved BOP values for peri-implant mucositis (SUCRA = 76.5%). Conclusions: According to the NMA results and the surface under the cumulative ranking curve (SUCRA), PDT and diode laser outperform other adjuncts in peri-implant disease.

P484 Intestinal Ultrasound Can Detect Active Inflammation In Inflammatory Bowel Disease Patients Despite Combined Clinical And Biomarker Remission

Abstract Background Intestinal ultrasound (IUS) has only recently been implemented in the USA for inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) monitoring. Colonoscopy is considered the gold standard for evaluation of inflammation but may not be feasible for every assessment due to cost, time, and accessibility. Clinical activity scores and biomarkers are used instead as adjunct measures of disease. Since IUS incurs low cost and time with easy accessibility, our study aimed to demonstrate the utility of incorporating IUS into IBD practice by evaluating the sensitivity and specificity of these adjunct measures of inflammation and the impact of decisions made based on IUS. Methods This retrospective cohort analysis evaluated patients with IBD at our institution who underwent IUS from July 2020 to May 2021. The patients were reviewed for repeat IUS visits until July 2022. Patients received IUS regardless of clinical or biomarker remission, and/or if they were able to receive a colonoscopy. Clinical remission was defined as UCAI ≤ 5 and partial Mayo ≤ 2 or HBI ≤ 5. Biomarker remission was defined as ESR ≤ 40 mm/hour; CRP ≤ 8 mg/L; FCP ≤ 125 mg/mg; and fecal lactoferrin ≤ 30 mcg/mL. Combined remission was defined as both clinical and biomarker remission. The sensitivity and specificity of these groups was evaluated based on IUS. Treatment plans were decided based on IUS findings. Patients with normal IUS maintained therapy while those with positive findings required a change/escalation of therapy. These patients had repeat IUS to ensure the changes resulted in reduction of inflammation. Results In 148 total patients receiving IUS, 62% (N=92) had active disease. Clinical remission (figure 1) was 41% sensitive and 75% specific while biomarker remission was 49% sensitive and 58% specific to IUS findings. When combined (clinical + biomarker remission), sensitivity increased to 62% and specificity decreased to 52% (figure 2). There was a total of 39 repeat ultrasounds. Inflammation was improved at repeat IUS, measured by a decrease in overall bowel wall thickness in 77% (30/39) patients for a mean of 0.121 cm. Vascular flow improved in 79% (15/19) of patients with abnormal Doppler at initial IUS by a mean of 0.65, and mural stratification improved in 80% (20/25) of patients with mural disruption at initial IUS. Conclusion Our study showed that even when combining biomarker results and clinical scores, the sensitivity for detecting inflammation was 62%. Additionally, as demonstrated by the improvement in inflammation at IUS follow up, clinical decisions based on IUS results effectively reduced inflammation in IBD patients. As such, IUS is necessary in the management of IBD to effectively identify and treat patients with masked inflammation.

Effects of acupressure on sleep quality and anxiety of patients with second- or third-degree burns: a randomized sham-controlled trial

BackgroundAlthough acupressure is proposed to boost sleep quality and alleviate anxiety in various disorders, no trials have yet documented these consequences in burn victims. Considering the high importance of managing sleep quality and anxiety among burn patients utilizing adjunctive non-pharmacological measures, this study sought to investigate the impacts of acupressure on sleep quality and anxiety among a population of Iranian patients with burn injuries.MethodsThis trial was performed on 72 patients with second- or third-degree burns, who were divided into two equal arms to receive routine care plus 10-minute acupressure on either real acupoints (i.e., Yintang and Shen men) or sham points for three consecutive nights. Sleep quality and anxiety were investigated at baseline (T1) and on the fourth day (T2) by using St. Mary’s Hospital Sleep Questionnaire (SMHSQ) and Spielberger’s State-Trait Anxiety Inventory for State Anxiety (STAI-S), respectively.ResultsThe mean scores of SMHSQ and STAI-S were significantly lower in the real acupressure arm at T2 (P < 0.001 in two cases), implying better sleep quality improvement and higher anxiety alleviation. Also, the reduction in mean changes of SMHSQ and STAI-S scores from T1 to T2 was significantly more in the real acupressure arm (P < 0.001 in two cases).ConclusionAcupressure, as a low-cost complementary method, could be potentially helpful in enhancing sleep quality and decreasing the anxiety of burn patients. Additional long-term trials are required to identify the sustainability of the findings.Trial Registration NoIRCT20130424013110N13 (Registration date: 19/03/2021, https://www.irct.ir/trial/55076).

Evaluation of Thoracic Endovascular Repair for the Treatment of Type B Aortic Dissection Complicated by Malperfusion.

Objectives: This study aims to investigate the efficacy of thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR) for type B aortic dissection (TBAD) complicated by malperfusion. Methods: This retrospective study included patients who underwent TEVAR for the treatment of TBAD complicated by malperfusion from June 1998 to June 2022 in four institutions. In addition to the common outcomes, including short- and medium-term mortality and morbidity, the preservation of each organ was investigated. Results: A total of 23 patients were included in this analysis. The 30-day mortality was 4% (1/23) of the patients. The overall survival rate was 87% at 1 year. The preservation rate of each organ was 33% (4/12) for the visceral organs, 85% (17/20) for the kidneys, and 100% (18/18) for the legs. Fisher's exact test showed a significant difference in the preservation rate between the viscera and the other organs (P = 0.018 vs. kidneys, P = 0.0025 vs. legs). It was shown that the survival rate of patients with visceral malperfusion was significantly lower than that of patients with non-visceral malperfusion (P = 0.006). Conclusion: In terms of mortality, TEVAR showed satisfactory results. The preservation of visceral organs was still challenging even with TEVAR and adjunctive measures.

Minimally Invasive Management of Neonatal Piriform Fossa Sinus Tract: A Scoping Review.

In rare situations, neonates may present with respiratory distress and neck swelling from a piriform fossa sinus tract (PFST) lesion. Open surgical excision of PFST may be associated with higher complication rates, especially in neonates. Endoscopic treatment has been shown to have high success rates in older children, but neonatal outcomes appear to be less promising. The objective of this study was to review the existing literature on endoscopic treatment of PFST in neonates. PRISMA-ScR guidelines for scoping reviews were employed. Medline and Embase databases were searched in accordance with a detailed search strategy. Nine studies met criteria for inclusion. A total of 21 neonates with PFST treated endoscopically were reviewed. Mean age at onset of symptoms was 11.6 days. Neck swelling was the most common presenting symptom (20/21, 95%), followed by respiratory distress (6/9, 66.6%). Success rate after initial endoscopic treatment was 57% (12/21); among those, seven patients required additional concurrent treatments such as neck/pharyngeal swelling decompression or sclerotherapy. Nine patients underwent a second intervention (43%) and three patients (14%) required three interventions. Notably, 90% of patients (19/21) achieved success with only minimally invasive approaches. Two patients underwent open salvage surgical excision after recurrence following initial endoscopic treatment. Neonates with PFST and cystic neck masses are prone to recurrence after initial minimally invasive endoscopic treatment; however, high success rate may be achieved after repeat interventions. Adjunctive measures to optimize outcome may include swelling decompression w/wo sclerotherapy to cause fibrosis and postoperative nasogastric tube feeding. NA Laryngoscope, 134:2585-2591, 2024.

Key pathways and genes that are altered during treatment with hyperbaric oxygen in patients with sepsis due to necrotizing soft tissue infection (HBOmic study)

BackgroundFor decades, the basic treatment strategies of necrotizing soft tissue infections (NSTI) have remained unchanged, primarily relying on aggressive surgical removal of infected tissue, broad-spectrum antibiotics, and supportive intensive care. One treatment strategy that has been proposed as an adjunctive measure to improve patient outcomes is hyperbaric oxygen (HBO2) treatment. HBO2 treatment has been linked to several immune modulatory effects; however, investigating these effects is complicated due to the disease's acute life-threatening nature, metabolic and cell homeostasis dependent variability in treatment effects, and heterogeneity with respect to both patient characteristics and involved pathogens. To embrace this complexity, we aimed to explore the underlying biological mechanisms of HBO2 treatment in patients with NSTI on the gene expression level.MethodsWe conducted an observational cohort study on prospective collected data, including 85 patients admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) for NSTI. All patients were treated with one or two HBO2 treatments and had one blood sample taken before and after the intervention. Total RNAs from blood samples were extracted and mRNA purified with rRNA depletion, followed by whole-transcriptome RNA sequencing with a targeted sequencing depth of 20 million reads. A model for differentially expressed genes (DEGs) was fitted, and the functional aspects of the obtained set of genes was predicted with GO (Gene Ontology) and KEGG (Kyoto Encyclopedia of genes and Genomes) enrichment analyses. All analyses were corrected for multiple testing with FDR.ResultsAfter sequential steps of quality control, a final of 160 biological replicates were included in the present study. We found 394 protein coding genes that were significantly DEGs between the two conditions with FDR < 0.01, of which 205 were upregulated and 189 were downregulated. The enrichment analysis of these DEGs revealed 20 GO terms in biological processes and 12 KEGG pathways that were significantly overrepresented in the upregulated DEGs, of which the term; “adaptive immune response” (GO:0002250) (FDR = 9.88E-13) and “T cell receptor signaling pathway” (hsa04660) (FDR = 1.20E-07) were the most significant. Among the downregulated DEGs two biological processes were significantly enriched, of which the GO term “apoptotic process” (GO:0006915) was the most significant (FDR = 0.001), followed by “Positive regulation of T helper 1 cell cytokine production” (GO:2000556), and “NF-kappa B signaling pathway” (hsa04064) was the only KEGG pathway that was significantly overrepresented (FDR = 0.001).ConclusionsWhen one or two sessions of HBO2 treatment were administered to patients with a dysregulated immune response and systemic inflammation due to NSTI, the important genes that were regulated during the intervention were involved in activation of T helper cells and downregulation of the disease-induced highly inflammatory pathway NF-κB, which was associated with a decrease in the mRNA level of pro-inflammatory factors.Trial registration: Biological material was collected during the INFECT study, registered at ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT01790698).

Cognitive Failure in Adults with Spinal Cord Injury: A Valuable Adjunct Measure for Enhancing Cognitive Assessment and Rehabilitation Outcomes.

Cognitive impairment is common in persons with spinal cord injury (SCI), impacting their daily functioning and rehabilitation. This study assesses the extent of self-reported cognitive failures in everyday life in persons with SCI and its relationships with objective neurocognitive measures and psychosocial factors, including depressive mood, anxiety, perceived control, and fatigue. The differences between forty-one adults with a chronic SCI and forty-one able-bodied controls were examined. The participants completed the Cognitive Failures Questionnaire (CFQ) to assess cognitive failure and neurocognitive tests assessing attention and executive functions, as well as a psychosocial assessment. The SCI group reported higher cognitive failure rates than the able-bodied group (31.7% versus 19%, p > 0.05). Objective neurocognitive tests did not significantly correlate with the CFQ scores in either group. However, the CFQ scores were positively associated with most psychosocial factors, even after controlling for covariates. The CFQ scores were significantly associated with depressive mood in persons with SCI. These findings highlight the importance of incorporating self-reported cognitive measures into neurocognitive assessments and rehabilitation planning for adults with SCI. Self-reports capture everyday cognitive challenges that objective tests may miss. Additionally, this study highlights the strong connections between cognitive failures and psychosocial issues, particularly mood disorders, emphasizing the need for comprehensive rehabilitation and psychosocial support post-SCI, addressing both cognitive and emotional wellbeing.

Diagnostic Challenges of Rosai-Dorfman Disease Presenting as Pachymeningitis and Meningiomatosis: A Report of Two Unusual Cases Involving the Spinal Cord

Rosai-Dorfman disease (RDD) is an exceptionally rare medical condition, with spinal cord involvement even more infrequent. It is frequently misidentified as another malignancy or infectious disease. In this report, we present two cases of RDD with spinal cord involvement. Each patient presented with spinal intradural extramedullary masses within the thoracic and cervical levels, respectively. The differential diagnoses remained uncertain, with the potential for pachymeningitis and meningiomatosis due to the shared nature of nonspecific imaging findings and clinical symptoms in both conditions. Given the presence of neurologic symptoms and spinal cord compression, the individual lesions were surgically excised. Subsequent pathological analysis definitively confirmed the diagnosis of RDD. As an adjunctive therapeutic measure, both patients were orally administered prednisolone. Both patients exhibited favorable neurologic improvement. These cases highlight the diagnostic challenges of RDD when solely relying on imaging studies. Surgical intervention, in conjunction with a meticulous pathologic examination, is imperative for a precise diagnosis and guides appropriate treatment strategies. The multifaceted spatial manifestation of this disease further underscores the potential for multifocal occurrences within the central nervous system, providing an avenue for improved comprehension of the underlying mechanisms contributing to its dissemination.

Effectiveness of Mouthwashes in Managing Oral Diseases and Conditions: Do They Have a Role?

Antimicrobial mouthwashes are considered to reduce dental plaque biofilm and thus the potential to prevent plaque-induced oral diseases, particularly periodontal diseases. The effectiveness of mouthwashes relates to this antiplaque role, as well as, their tooth-whitening potential and ability to mask/mange malodour (halitosis). There is also a growing interest in the use of mouthwashes as an adjunctive measure in post surgical and post-dental care, while the COVID-19 pandemic has given a new lease of life to mouthwashes as an oral antispetic that may be useful in reducing the oral viral load. The mode of action of mouthwashes varies, depending on their active ingredients, concentrations, and mode and frequency of use, as does their potential effectiveness. This article aims to provide a narrative overview of the evidence of the effectiveness of the most widely used mouthwashes in managing oral diseases, oral conditions, and adjunctive care roles.

MRI-based volume measurement methods for staging primary lower extremity lymphedema: a single-center study of asymmetric volume difference-a diagnostic study

BackgroundLower extremity lymphedema (LEL) staging is mainly assessed by systems that solely depend on physical examinations and lack quantitative assessment based on modern imaging.ObjectiveTo explore the value of MRI-based asymmetric volume measurements in the clinical staging of primary LEL.Methods92 patients with unilateral primary LEL underwent MRI examinations to determine the volume of the mid-calf (Vcl) calculated using the clinical dermatome method as well as the total volume (Vmri), musculoskeletal volume (VM), and subcutaneous volume (VS) volume of the middle calves. The difference between Vmri (DVmri) and VS (DVS) of the affected and unaffected calves was obtained and defined as the asymmetric volume difference. Meanwhile, the volume of the mid-calf (Vcl) and the difference in volume (DVcl) were calculated using the clinical circumferential method. The relationship between the asymmetric volume difference and clinical staging was then evaluated. Interobserver consistency was assessed through the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC). Volume comparisons between the three groups were performed using the one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) or the Kruskal-Wallis test. Spearman’s correlation was used to assess volume and clinical stage correlation. The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was used to evaluate the value of asymmetric volume difference for clinical staging.ResultsThe asymmetric volume difference was statistically significant in stage I compared to stages II and III (p < 0.05). The asymmetric volume difference (DVmri: r = 0.753; DVS: r = 0.759) correlated more with the clinical stage than the affected Vcl (r = 0.581), Vmri (r = 0.628), VS (r = 0.743), and DVcl (r = 0.718). The area under the ROC curve (AUC) for identifying the clinical stage by the asymmetric volume difference was greater than that for the affected Vcl, Vmri, VS, and DVcl, with DVS (AUC = 0.951) having the largest area under the curve to distinguish between stages I and II.ConclusionMRI-based asymmetric volume difference is an adjunctive measure for LEL clinical staging with good reproducibility. DVS could be the best indicator for differentiating between stages I and II of primary LEL.

Association of Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Disease Activity With Choroidal Thickness.

To determine the association between disease activity and choroidal thickness in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). We conducted a cohort study of 24 SLE patients and 13 healthy controls recruited at Washington University School of Medicine between June 2019 and November 2021. SLE disease activity was assessed using the SLE Disease Activity Index-2000 Responder Index-50 (S2K RI-50). Patients were divided into four groups: high disease activity/no lupus nephritis (HDA/no LN; S2K RI-50 > 4), HDA/active LN (HDA/active LN; S2K RI-50 > 4), low disease activity/inactive LN (LDA/inactive LN; S2K RI-50 ≤ 4), and LDA/no LN (LDA/no LN; S2K RI-50 ≤ 4). LDA/no LN patients were age-, sex-, and race-matched to healthy controls and patients in other SLE groups. Choroidal thickness of the right eye was measured blinded to disease activity on a horizontal section through the fovea on optical coherence tomography images taken within a week of disease assessment. Patients with HDA had choroidal thickening compared with matched patients with LDA. After controlling for multiplicity, choroidal thinning remained statistically significant at 1000 μm nasal to the fovea (308 ± 68 vs 228 ± 64 μm, p = 0.001). Choroidal thickness was not different between LDA/no LN and LDA/inactive LN or healthy controls. HDA in patient with SLE is associated with increased choroidal thickness whereas comorbid inactive LN did not affect choroidal thickness. Additional studies in a larger longitudinal cohort are needed to study whether choroidal thickness may be used as a noninvasive, adjunctive measure for disease activity in SLE.

Percutaneous Intra-arterial Hyaluronidase Injection for Hyaluronic Acid Filler Embolism Threatening Skin Barrier Integrity: Implementation of a Stepwise Treatment Protocol.

Hyaluronic acid (HA) filler-induced vascular embolism that threatens skin integrity is an urgent situation. There is increasing evidence that percutaneous intra-arterial hyaluronidase injection is an effective therapeutic technique for it. However, until now, there is a lack of a unifying protocol about the technique. This study aims to provide a conclusion of percutaneous intra-arterial hyaluronidase injection along with adjunctive measures on the treatment of occlusions precipitated by HA-based filler and develop a stepwise treatment protocol. We searched PubMed for peer-reviewed studies, consensus statements, case series, and case reports using a variety of keywords. High-dose, pulsed hyaluronidase is the mainstay for the treatment of HA filler-induced embolism, but percutaneous intra-arterial hyaluronidase injection is a more effective technique. Until now, hyaluronidase is injected into three arteries percutaneously, including facial artery, supratrochlear artery, and superficial temporal artery. Furthermore, the adjunctive measures that may optimize clearance of an occlusion and/or skin barrier repair such as the use of image guidance and CGF should be considered. Vascular occlusions that threaten skin integrity are an urgent matter which requires accurate diagnosis and effective intervention. Percutaneous intra-arterial hyaluronidase injection along with adjunctive measures performed in a stepwise manner is key to an optimal outcome. This journal requires that authors assign a level of evidence to each submission to which Evidence-Based Medicine rankings are applicable. This excludes Review Articles, Book Reviews, and manuscripts that concern Basic Science, Animal Studies, Cadaver Studies, and Experimental Studies. For a full description of these Evidence-Based Medicine ratings, please refer to the Table of Contents or the online Instructions to Authors www.springer.com/00266 .

Association of drug overdoses and user characteristics of Canada’s national mobile/virtual overdose response hotline: the National Overdose Response Service (NORS)

BackgroundSeveral novel overdose response technology interventions, also known as mobile overdose response services (MORS), have emerged as adjunct measures to reduce the harms associated with the drug poisoning epidemic. This retrospective observational study aims to identify the characteristics and outcomes of individuals utilizing one such service, the National Overdose Response Service (NORS).MethodsA retrospective analysis was conducted using NORS call logs from December 2020 to April 2023 imputed by operators. A variety of variables were examined including demographics, substance use and route, location, and call outcomes. Odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals were calculated around variables of interest to test the association between key indicators and drug poisonings.ResultsOf the 6528 completed calls on the line, 3994 (61.2%) were for supervised drug consumption, 1703 (26.1%) were for mental health support, 354 (5.42%) were for harm reduction education or resources, and 477 (7.31%) were for other purposes. Overall, there were 77 (1.18%) overdose events requiring a physical/ in-person intervention. Of the total calls, 3235 (49.5%) were from women, and 1070 (16.3%) were from people who identified as gender diverse. Calls mostly originated from urban locations (n = 5796, 88.7%) and the province of Ontario (n = 4137, 63.3%). Odds ratios indicate that using opioids (OR 6.72, CI 95% 3.69–13.52), opioids in combination with methamphetamine (OR 9.70, CI 95% 3.24–23.06), multiple consumption routes (OR 6.54, CI 95% 2.46–14.37), and calls occurring in British Columbia (B.C) (OR 3.55, CI 95% 1.46–7.33) had a significantly higher likelihood of a drug poisoning. No deaths were recorded and only 3 false callouts had occurred. The overall drug poisoning event incidence to phone calls was 1.2%.ConclusionNORS presents a complimentary opportunity to access harm reduction services for individuals that prefer to use alone or face barriers to accessing in-person supervised consumption services especially gender minorities with high-risk use patterns.

Evidence of Hematoma Prevention After Facelift.

Hematoma is a common complication after facelift procedures. Multiple factors have been shown to increase the risk of hematoma formation such as male gender, anticoagulant medication use, perioperative hypertension, increased intrathoracic pressure, and operative technique. The purpose of this manuscript is to provide an overview of existing literature to provide surgeons with evidence-based recommendations on how to minimize hematoma risk during facelift surgery. A literature search for hematoma and facelift surgery was performed which identified 478 unique manuscripts. Abstracts were reviewed, excluding articles not describing facelift surgery, those written before 1970, studies with a sample size less than 5 patients, non-English studies, and those that did not provide postoperative hematoma rates. Forty-five articles were included in this text with their recommendations. Measures such as the prophylactic management of pain, nausea, and hypertension, the use of fibrin glue tissue sealants, the use of local anesthesia over general anesthesia, and strict blood pressure control of at least <140mmHg were found to significantly reduce hematoma formation. The use of quilting sutures has shown benefit in some high-risk patients. Measures such as drains, compression dressings, perioperative use of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), and perioperative steroids had no significant effect on hematoma formation. In addition to appropriate patient selection and careful intraoperative hemostasis, many adjunctive measures have been shown to reduce post-operative hematoma formation in facelift procedures.

Assessment of COVID-19-related olfactory dysfunction and its association with psychological, neuropsychiatric, and cognitive symptoms.

To provide a detailed overview of the assessment of COVID-19-related olfactory dysfunction and its association with psychological, neuropsychiatric, and cognitive symptoms. COVID-19-related olfactory dysfunction can have a detrimental impact to the quality of life of patients. Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, olfactory and taste disorders were a common but under-rated, under-researched and under-treated sensory loss. The pandemic has exacerbated the current unmet need for accessing good healthcare for patients living with olfactory disorders and other symptoms secondary to COVID-19. This review thus explores the associations that COVID-19 has with psychological, neuropsychiatric, and cognitive symptoms, and provide a framework and rationale for the assessment of patients presenting with COVID-19 olfactory dysfunction. Acute COVID-19 infection and long COVID is not solely a disease of the respiratory and vascular systems. These two conditions have strong associations with psychological, neuropsychiatric, and cognitive symptoms. A systematic approach with history taking and examination particularly with nasal endoscopy can determine the impact that this has on the patient. Specific olfactory disorder questionnaires can demonstrate the impact on quality of life, while psychophysical testing can objectively assess and monitor olfaction over time. The role of cross-sectional imaging is not yet described for COVID-19-related olfactory dysfunction. Management options are limited to conservative adjunctive measures, with some medical therapies described.

SARS-CoV-2 spike-protein targeted serology test results and their association with subsequent COVID-19-related outcomes.

In the absence of evidence of clinical utility, the United States' Centers for Disease Control and Prevention does not currently recommend the assessment of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) spike-protein antibody levels. Clinicians and their patients, especially immunocompromised patients, may benefit from an adjunctive objective clinical laboratory measure of risk, using SARS-CoV-2 serology. The aim of this study is to estimate the association between SARS-CoV-2 spike-protein targeted antibody levels and clinically relevant outcomes overall and among clinically relevant subgroups, such as vaccine and immunocompetency statuses. A retrospective cohort study was conducted using laboratory-based data containing SARS-CoV-2 antibody testing results, as well as medical and pharmacy claim data. SARS-CoV-2 testing was performed by two large United States-based reference clinical laboratories, Labcorp® and Quest Diagnostics, and was linked to medical insurance claims, including vaccination receipt, through the HealthVerity Marketplace. Follow-up for outcomes began after each eligible individual's first SARS-CoV-2 semiquantitative spike-protein targeted antibody test, from 16 November 2020 to 30 December 2021. Exposure is defined as having SARS-CoV-2 spike-protein targeted antibody testing. Study outcomes were SARS-CoV-2 infection and a serious composite outcome (hospitalization with an associated SARS-CoV-2 infection or all-cause death). Cox proportional hazards models were used to estimate hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Propensity score matching was used for confounding covariate control. In total, 143,091 (73.2%) and 52,355 (26.8%) eligible individuals had detectable and non-detectable levels of SARS-CoV-2 spike-protein targeted antibodies, respectively. In the overall population, having detectable vs. non-detectable antibodies was associated with an estimated 44% relative reduction in SARS-CoV-2 subsequent infection risk (HR, 0.56; 95% CI 0.53-0.59) and an 80% relative reduction in the risk of serious composite outcomes (HR 0.20; 95% CI 0.15-0.26). Relative risk reductions were observed across subgroups, including among immunocompromised persons. Individuals with detectable SARS-CoV-2 spike-protein targeted antibody levels had fewer associated subsequent SARS-CoV-2 infections and serious adverse clinical outcomes. Policymakers and clinicians may find SARS-CoV-2 spike-protein targeted serology testing to be a useful adjunct in counseling patients with non-detectable antibody levels about adverse risks and reinforcing appropriate actions to mitigate such risks.

An Overview of Emerging Trends and Technologies in Ulcerative Colitis

&#x0D; This report provides an overview of the evolving therapeutic landscape for moderate to severe ulcerative colitis (UC), including recent changes to clinical practice guidelines, key trends in therapeutic strategies, and new or emerging treatment options, with a focus on biologics and small-molecule therapies.&#x0D; Recent guidelines on the medical management of patients with UC include those of the American Gastroenterological Association (AGA), American College of Gastroenterology (ACG), and European Crohn’s and Colitis Organisation (ECCO), which were published in 2019, 2020, and 2022, respectively. These guidelines provide an accurate reflection of how clinical practice has changed to incorporate newer therapies that have entered the market and newer evidence that has been published since the release of the Canadian guidelines in 2015. The ACG, AGA, and ECCO guidelines all recommend use of a tumour necrosis factor (TNF) antagonist, vedolizumab, or tofacitinib for induction of remission in patients with moderate to severe UC; the AGA and ECCO guidelines also recommend ustekinumab as an option and recommend vedolizumab over adalimumab, whereas the AGA guidelines recommend early use of biologic drugs over a step-up approach after failure of 5-aminosalicylates.&#x0D; Two important trends in therapeutic strategies for UC include changes in the use and definition of treatment targets and recommendations regarding therapeutic drug monitoring (TDM).&#x0D; &#x0D; The 2021 Selecting Therapeutic Targets in Inflammatory Bowel Disease (STRIDE-II) guidelines provide contemporary consensus recommendations for using new and updated targets throughout an individualized treatment timeline in patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Although histologic remission is not considered a formal UC treatment target in STRIDE-II, it is acknowledged as an adjunctive measure to endoscopic remission to represent a deeper level of healing and is the focus of many current studies.&#x0D; The use of TDM emerged from challenges associated with the use of older biologics (primarily TNF antagonists), which posed difficulties related to immunogenicity and dosing. The relevance of TDM for newer biologics with different mechanisms of action, reduced immunogenicity, and fixed dosing (e.g., vedolizumab and ustekinumab) is a topic of ongoing debate. Although AGA guidelines on TDM in IBD and expert consensus statements support the use of reactive TDM for patients with UC who lose response to a TNF antagonist, evidence gaps remain regarding appropriate use of proactive TDM, utility of TDM for small molecules and biologics outside of the TNF antagonist class, and consistent target concentration thresholds to guide dose changes.&#x0D; &#x0D; &#x0D; There is a substantial pipeline of new and emerging drugs for the treatment of adults with moderate to severe UC, with many in phase IIb or III of clinical development; several notable trends of emerging pharmacotherapies exist, including an increasing number of Janus kinase inhibitors, several therapies with biologic targets that are new in UC (e.g., interleukin-23 antibodies, TNF-like ligand 1A inhibitors), an increasing number of oral therapies, and the first combination of 2 biologic therapies in UC.&#x0D; The Canadian health care system should be prepared to adapt to the rapidly evolving treatment landscape and potential clinical practice changes in moderate to severe UC. Drugs with new mechanisms of action in the treatment area and the new paradigm of combination therapy with multiple biologics of different classes may lead to improved patient outcomes but can also further complicate the treatment decision-making process. Therefore, it is important for health care providers to stay up to date on new and upcoming treatment options, which may require educational initiatives for both providers and patients as well as updates to the Canadian treatment guidelines. Overall, potential changes on the horizon may have substantial implications for the health care system given the prevalence of UC in Canada, the costs of advanced therapies, and the increasing number of available treatment options.&#x0D;