Patient Demographic Characteristics Research Articles

Navigating Emergency Management of Cancer Patients: A Retrospective Study on First-Time, End-Stage, and Other Established Diagnoses in a High Turnover Emergency County Hospital

Background and Objectives: The incidence and prevalence of cancers are increasing worldwide, with special emphasis placed on prevention, early detection, and the development of new therapeutic strategies that strongly impact patient outcomes. Limited data are available about emergency care’s role in treating patients with cancer. This study aims to determine the burden of end-stage and first-time diagnosis of cancer on emergency care in a high-turnover emergency care center. Materials and Methods: A retrospective observational study was conducted to identify patients requesting emergent aid for cancer-related symptoms in the Emergency Department of “St. Spiridon” Hospital from Iasi (Romania) between 1 October 2022 and 30 September 2023. The proportion and demographic characteristics of end-stage patients and those who received a first-time diagnosis during the emergency visit were evaluated. Risk analysis was performed to understand these patients’ care needs (such as medical care, surgical care, specialty consults, intensive care, ward admission, and other hospital transfers) and immediate care outcomes (such as in-hospital mortality and home discharge). Results: 2318 patients with cancer requested emergent care (patient presentation rate of 3.08%), of which 444 (19.15%) were diagnosed for the first time, and 616 (26.57%) were at the end-stage. First-time diagnosed patients had a significantly different distribution of cancer types (p < 0.001), were more likely to need any form of medical care, to require a specialty consultation, or to be admitted to a ward (OR 2.65, 95% CI: 2.12–3.32; p < 0.001; OR 3.28, 95% CI: 2.48–4.35, p < 0.001; OR 2.09, 95% CI: 1.70–2.59; p < 0.001, respectively) but were less severe, while end-stage patients were more likely to address repeatedly to the emergency room (OR 1.86, 95% CI: 1.32–2.59; p = 0.001) and had higher odds of needing intensive care, assisted ventilation and death (OR-4.63, 95% CI: 1.10–19.45, p = 0.04; OR 2.59, 95% CI: 1.57–4.28; p < 0.001, and OR 4.06, 95% CI: 1.73–9.54; p = 0.001, respectively). Conclusions: The emergency department often carries the weight of diagnosing patients with cancer and treating patients with end-stage disease. These data highlight the importance of prehospital care, particularly for cancer screening and palliative care, and the importance of fostering multidisciplinary collaboration in the emergency room with oncologists, geriatricians, and palliative care specialists to improve patient outcomes.

Acne Relapse and Isotretinoin Retrial in Patients With Acne.

Isotretinoin is the only medical acne treatment capable of inducing acne remission; however, some patients experience acne relapse and require retrials of isotretinoin. There is a need to understand who is most at risk and how daily dose and cumulative dosage can influence outcomes. To assess rates of acne relapse and isotretinoin retrial and to identify associated factors among patients with acne who received an isotretinoin treatment course. This cohort study used data from the MarketScan commercial claims database from January 1, 2017, to December 31, 2020, to identify patients with acne who were 12 years or older and had received isotretinoin for 4 months or longer, with at least 1 year of continuous enrollment after completion of isotretinoin. Data analyses were performed from June 30, 2024, to August 1, 2024. Multivariable Cox proportional hazards regression was used to quantify associations of patient demographic and treatment characteristics with acne relapse and isotretinoin retrial. A total of 19 907 patients (mean [SD] age, 20.6 [7.8] years; 10 504 females [52.8%]) were included, among whom 4482 (22.5%) had acne relapse and 1639 (8.2%) had isotretinoin retrial. Female sex (hazard ratio [HR], 1.43; 95% CI, 1.35-1.52) was significantly associated with increased rates of acne relapse, and isotretinoin cumulative dosage (mg/kg) was associated with a decreased rate of acne relapse (HR, 0.996; 95% CI, 0.995-0.997). Furthermore, daily dose was not associated with decreased risk of acne relapse or isotretinoin retrial among those with conventional and high cumulative dosages. Female sex (HR, 0.68; 95% CI, 0.62-0.76) and isotretinoin cumulative dosage (HR, 0.99; 95% CI, 0.98-0.99) were associated with decreased rates of isotretinoin retrial. Stratification by cumulative dosage indicated that higher cumulative dosage was associated with decreased rates of retrial among patients with low (<120 mg/kg) and conventional (120-220 mg/kg), but not high (>220 mg/kg) cumulative dosage. Maximum daily dose (mg/kg/d) was not negatively associated with acne relapse or isotretinoin retrial in patients with cumulative dosage of 120 mg/kg or more. The findings of this cohort study suggest that higher cumulative dosage may potentially reduce risk of acne relapse and isotretinoin retrial. Furthermore, daily dose was not associated with decreased risk of the outcomes for conventional and high cumulative dosage; therefore, daily dosing could be individualized to patient goals and preferences.

Factors Associated with Early Postoperative Complications in Gastrointestinal Surgeries

Gastrointestinal surgeries´ postoperative complications are significant contributors to patient morbidity and healthcare economic burden. The outcomes could be influenced by some of the factors, such as the patient's demographic characteristics, surgical elements, and perioperative management. Early problems, which usually appear 30 days after surgery, can have a detrimental effect on patient outcomes, lengthen hospital stays, escalate medical expenses, and, in serious cases, cause death. This study aims to identify factors associated with early postoperative complications in gastrointestinal surgeries within the Iraqi population. This is a cross-sectional study that took place in hospitals of the Wasit province during the period from August to the end of December 2024. Two hundred patients of each group who had undergone GI surgeries participated. The questionnaire was pretested before it was sent for data collection. Included the patient's demographics, surgery details, and postoperative outcomes. The data were recorded by direct patient interviews. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS to identify associations between risk factors and complications. Half of the total (100/200) patients were aged between 30 and 50 years old. More than half of those were males (65%) and nonsmokers (60%). The most frequently performed surgeries were cholecystectomy (30%), bowel resection (25%), and appendectomy (20%). Most of these surgeries (70%) were elective and (55%) by laparoscopy. Around a third (30%) of samples reported early postoperative complications; surgical site infection was the most frequent (33.3%). Half (50%) of patients who had complications were aged more than 50 years old with a significant association (P &lt; 0.001). High body mass index (above 30), emergency surgeries, open surgeries, and no prophylactic antibiotics were also associated with early postoperative complications.

Demographic and Clinical Characteristics of Sino-Nasal Tumour Patients: A Cross-Sectional Study of 60 Cases

Introduction: Sino-nasal tumors are a rare yet clinically significant group of neoplasms that affect the nasal cavity and paranasal sinuses. Although these tumors represent a small percentage of head and neck cancers, they often present with complex symptoms and can be challenging to diagnose early. This study aimed to evaluate the demographic and clinical characteristics of sino-nasal tumor patients. Methods: This cross-sectional observational study was conducted at the ENT and Head-Neck Surgery department, Rajshahi Medical College Hospital, Rajshahi, from June 2014 to November 2014. A total of 60 patients presenting with sinonasal tumors were selected as study subjects by purposive sampling technique. Data analysis was done by Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 20.0. A descriptive method was adopted. Result: In this study of 60 sino-nasal tumor patients, the age groups 21-30 and 51-60 years had the highest representation (20% each), with the majority being male (76.67%) and primarily woodworkers (40%). Socioeconomically, 75% of patients were classified as "poor." Smoking was the most prevalent habit, affecting 50% of patients. Clinically, nasal obstruction was the most common symptom (93.33%), followed by loss of smell (70%) and epistaxis and headache (50% each). The majority of tumors were benign (93.33%), with only 6.67% being malignant. Among malignancy cases, nasal obstruction was a universal symptom, with facial pain, headache, and hyposmia observed in 75% of these patients. Conclusion: This study concludes that sino-nasal tumors predominantly affect middle-aged men, often with significant occupational exposure to carcinogenic materials like wood dust and industrial chemicals. Socioeconomic and lifestyle factors further compound the risk, highlighting the importance of comprehensive preventive measures and early detection strategies, particularly in high-risk occupations. Awareness of prevalent symptoms such as nasal obstruction, ...

Characterization of trends in preoperative hemoglobin A1c testing prior to metabolic and bariatric surgery: a retrospective, observational study

BackgroundIrrespective of baseline diabetes status, preoperative hemoglobin A1c (A1C) influences perioperative care in patients undergoing metabolic and bariatric surgery (MBS). Accordingly, the American Society of Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery (ASMBS) endorses that patients undergoing MBS should receive a preoperative A1C test. We aimed to assess the proportion of MBS patients who received a preoperative A1C test and determine whether baseline diabetes status influences receipt of a test.MethodsWe queried the 2017 to 2022 MBSAQIP database for patients undergoing open, laparoscopic, or robotic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) or sleeve gastrectomy. Using descriptive methods, we compared the clinical and demographic characteristics of patients who received a preoperative A1C test with patients who did not. We performed logistic regression analysis using diabetes status as a predictor variable and receipt of a test as the outcome, covarying for sociodemographic and clinical factors.ResultsWe identified 996,217 patients who underwent RYGB or sleeve gastrectomy between 2017 to 2022. The average age of the cohort was 43.8 years (SD = 11.9) and 81.0% were female. Overall, 45.7% received a preoperative A1C test. The proportion who was tested increased over the six-year study period, from 35.5% in 2017 to 56.0% in 2022. Compared to those who were not tested, patients who were tested were more likely to have several cardiopulmonary comorbidities, including COPD (1.4% vs 1.2%, p < 0.001), PE (1.4% vs 1.2%, p < 0.001), sleep apnea (39.3 vs. 36.4%, p < 0.001), HTN (47.1% vs 44.0%, p < 0.001), and MI (1.2% vs. 1.0%, p < 0.001), though the differences in proportions were small and may not be clinically significant. Compared to patients who did not have diabetes or had diabetes controlled by diet alone, patients with non-insulin dependent diabetes had 77% increased odds of receiving a A1C test (adjusted OR (aOR) 1.77, p < 0.001); insulin dependent patients had 113% increased odds (aOR 2.13, p < 0.001).ConclusionDespite society recommendations endorsing measurement of preoperative A1C prior to MBS, less than half of patients undergoing MBS between 2017 and 2022 received a preoperative A1C test. Additionally, there were differential patterns in testing based on diabetes status. Preoperative glycemic evaluation is an area for continued quality improvement.

Retrospective Examination of the Clinical and Demographic Characteristics of Patients with Geriatric Forensic Trauma Admitted to the Emergency Department: A Single-center Experience

Retrospective Examination of the Clinical and Demographic Characteristics of Patients with Geriatric Forensic Trauma Admitted to the Emergency Department: A Single-center Experience

Clinical values of serum platelet-activating factor in hypertensive disorders complicating pregnancy.

Serum platelet-activating factor (PAF) was proven to be associated with gestational hypertension. However, the predictive value of serum PAF at early pregnancy for the occurrence and outcomes of hypertensive disorders complicating pregnancy (HDCP) remained unclear. The demographic and clinical characteristics of patients were compared among the different subgroups. The serum PAF level was determined using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The predictive value of serum PAF for the occurrence and outcomes of HDCP was evaluated using receiver operating characteristic curve analysis. The correlation of serum PAF with blood pressure was assessed using Spearman analysis. Both systolic blood pressure and diastolic blood pressure were significantly higher in HDCP patients, as well as the serum levels of TNF-α and IL-1β at diagnosis/enrollment, while serum levels of IL-10 showed the opposite trend. Serum PAF levels were significantly higher in patients with HDCP compared to normal pregnant women. Furthermore, serum PAF levels were higher in HDCP patients with mild preeclampsia compared to those with gestational hypertension and even more elevated in HDCP patients with severe preeclampsia at the early pregnancy stage and at diagnosis. In HDCP patients, increased serum PAF levels at early pregnancy and at diagnosis were associated with poor outcomes. Additionally, serum PAF levels could predict the occurrence of HDCP and poor outcomes. Serum PAF from HDCP patients at both the early pregnancy and diagnosis stages could effectively predict the occurrence and outcome of HDCP.

Investigating the Effects of Performing the Early Mobilization Protocol on Postoperative Hemorrhaging in Cardiac Surgery Patients

Background: Most adverse effects following cardiac surgery, including hemorrhaging, are related to immobility. The early mobilization of the patient in enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) can counteract these adverse effects. Despite the awareness, however, the protocol has a low performance rate due to numerous barriers. The present research aims to investigate the effectiveness of performing the early mobilization protocol on hemorrhaging in cardiac surgery patients. Methods: This research is a clinical trial study conducted in 2023-2024 at Ali Ibn AbiTalib Hospital in Zahedan, Iran, on 100 patients undergoing cardiac surgery. Purposive sampling was used based on the inclusion criteria. Hemorrhaging risk assessment in patients was evaluated according to the preoperative checklist. The early mobilization protocol was performed on day 2 after surgery on patients in the intervention group with mild to low risk of hemorrhage. The statistical tests of repeated measures, chi-square, and independent t-test were used for data analysis in SPSS 26. Results: There were no statistically significant variations in the demographic characteristics of patients in the intervention and control groups. The mean and standard deviation (SD) of the blood volume loss in patients over three different time periods (days 2, 3, and 4 after surgery) were 326.500±16.81, 69.300±11.41, and 51.200±3.82 in the intervention group, respectively, and 350.00±16.81, 325.00±11.41, and 82.10±3.82 in the control group, respectively, indicating the effectiveness of performing the early mobilization protocol (P ˂ 0.001). Conclusion: Performing the early mobilization protocol can reduce the volume of bleeding after cardiac surgery and the early discharge of patients, thus leading to reduced complications. Nurses as the main care providers in intensive care units play a key role in performing the protocol.

Eye Emergencies in the Geriatric Population: Single Center Results from 2015-2023

Aim: To evaluate the clinical and demographic characteristics of geriatric patients who apply to the emergency department with ophthalmic complaints, to determine risk factors, design appropriate prevention strategies, and improve existing ones. Material and Methods: The records of patients aged ≥ 65 years who applied to the emergency department with ophthalmic complaints were evaluated retrospectively. The patients were divided into two groups traumatic and non-traumatic based on their presenting complaints. Results: The study included two hundred-five patients with a median age of 72 (65-100). Among the patients, 81 (39.51%) were women with a median age of 74 (65-100), and 124 (60.48%) were men with a median age of 71.5 (65-93). One hundred and twenty-four (60.48%) of the patients were admitted for traumatic reasons and 81 (39.51%) for non-traumatic reasons. Of the patients admitted for traumatic reasons, 25 (20.16%) were women and 99 (79.83%) were men; Of the patients admitted for non-traumatic reasons, 56 (69.13%) were women and 25 (30.86%) were men. Falls (24.19%) were the most common in those admitted for traumatic reasons. According to gender, eye traumas were statistically significantly more common in men than in women (p

Demographic and Clinical Characteristics of Patients With Charcot Neuro‐Osteoarthropathy in People With Diabetes Mellitus in Six Countries: A Multicenter Observational Study From 1996 to 2022

Demographic and Clinical Characteristics of Patients With Charcot Neuro‐Osteoarthropathy in People With Diabetes Mellitus in Six Countries: A Multicenter Observational Study From 1996 to 2022

Epidemiology of Rectal Cancer Patients in the Kingdom of Bahrain: A Retrospective Cohort Study.

As rectal cancer diagnosis becomes more prevalent due to the increased awareness caused by campaigns, this study aims to focus on the demographics of patients diagnosed with rectal cancer in the Kingdom of Bahrain. A retrospective cross-sectional study design was conducted on 184 patients diagnosed with primary or second primary rectal cancer. Stage and site of tumor at diagnosis, gender, BMI, family history, histology, and metastasis are discussed throughout the paper. The majority of the population (85.9%) were Bahraini, with males (57.6%) being more prevalent. A little over 50% of patients diagnosed with rectal cancer were aged 60 years or younger. In most cases, the tumors were spotted in the lower rectum (48.9%) and were diagnosed by the appearance of symptoms (91.8%). Kaplan-Meier Survival analysis showed that the overall survival for males is 95.3% and for females 93.6% for 1 year. The high number of Bahraini males diagnosed with rectal cancer highlights the importance of early screening and detection. The prevalence of the tumor in the lower rectum suggests the need for improved education on recognizing symptoms and seeking medical attention. Further research is required to establish a comprehensive national screening program for rectal cancer in Bahrain. Understanding the demographic and clinical characteristics of rectal cancer patients in the Kingdom of Bahrain is required to target early screening and public awareness. The findings of this study provide a solid foundation for future developments in rectal cancer diagnosis and treatment to improve survival outcomes. Juma IM, Saeed MF, Hamel LR, et al. Epidemiology of Rectal Cancer Patients in the Kingdom of Bahrain: A Retrospective Cohort Study. Euroasian J Hepato-Gastroenterol 2024;14(2):205-209.

Radiomic Consensus Clustering in Glioblastoma and Association with Gene Expression Profiles.

Glioblastoma (GBM) is the most common malignant primary central nervous system tumor with extremely poor prognosis and survival outcomes. Non-invasive methods like radiomic feature extraction, which assess sub-visual imaging features, provide a potentially powerful tool for distinguishing molecular profiles across groups of patients with GBM. Using consensus clustering of MRI-based radiomic features, this study aims to investigate differential gene expression profiles based on radiomic clusters. Patients from the TCGA and CPTAC datasets (n = 114) were included in this study. Radiomic features including T1, T1 with contrast, T2, and FLAIR MRI sequences were extracted using PyRadiomics. Selected radiomic features were then clustered using ConsensusClusterPlus (k-means base algorithm and Euclidean distance), which iteratively subsamples and clusters 80% of the data to identify stable clusters by calculating the frequency in which each patient is a member of a cluster across iterations. Gene expression data (available for n = 69 patients) was analyzed using differential gene expression (DEG) and gene set enrichment (GSEA) approaches, after batch correction using ComBat-seq. Three distinct clusters were identified based on the relative consensus matrix and cumulative distribution plots (Cluster 1, n = 25; Cluster 2, n = 46; Cluster 3, n = 43). No significant differences in patient demographic characteristics, MGMT methylation status, tumor location, or overall survival were identified across clusters. Differentially expressed genes were identified in Cluster 1, which have been previously associated with GBM prognosis, recurrence, and treatment sensitivity. GSEA of Cluster 1 showed an enrichment of genes upregulated for immune-related and DNA metabolism pathways and genes downregulated in pathways associated with protein and histone deacetylation. Clusters 2 and 3 exhibited fewer DEGs which failed to reach significance after multiple testing corrections. Consensus clustering of radiomic features revealed unique gene expression profiles in the GBM cohort which likely represent subtle differences in tumor biology and radiosensitivity that are not visually discernible, underscoring the potential of radiomics to serve as a non-invasive alternative for identifying GBM molecular heterogeneity. Further investigation is still required to validate these findings and their clinical implications.

Hepatitis C Virus Infection in Hemodialysis Patients in the Era of Direct-Acting Antiviral Treatment: Observational Study and Narrative Review.

Background and Objectives: Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is a major global public health concern, particularly in hemodialysis (HD) patients. This study aims to evaluate the demographic, clinical, and laboratory characteristics of HCV-positive patients undergoing HD and assess the long-term impact of direct-acting antivirals (DAAs) on patient outcomes. Moreover, a narrative review aims to summarize the current knowledge regarding HCV treatment in HD patients. The search in the PubMed, Google Scholar, and Scopus databases identified 48 studies relevant to our topic, 18 regarding clinical history and 29 related to HCV treatment. Methods: A retrospective analysis was performed on 165 HD patients from Bihor County HD centers, Romania, between 2014 and 2024. The cohort was divided into two groups: 54 patients who tested positive for HCV and 111 controls who were HCV-negative. Data collected from GPs included demographic information, comorbidities, laboratory parameters, and psychological assessments. Outcomes were evaluated at over 5 years after DAA treatment. A literature review was conducted using PubMed and Google Scholar to identify relevant studies on HCV in HD patients from 1989 to 2024. Results: Laboratory results showed similar parameters across groups, except for lower serum cholesterol levels in the HCV-positive DAA-treated group vs. HCV-positive non-treated ones (155.607 mg% vs. 170.174 mg%, p = 0.040) and increased ALT levels when comparing the same groups (29.107 vs. 22.261, p = 0.027), whereas comorbidities did not differ significantly. The incidence of malignancies was significantly higher among HCV-positive compared to HCV-negative patients (20.3% vs. 8.1%, p = 0.023), mainly among those treated with DAAs, highlighted by the multivariate analysis. Cardiovascular disease remains the leading cause of mortality regardless of HCV status or the use of antiviral therapy. Psychological assessments revealed more severe depression in HCV-positive patients compared to their HCV-negative counterparts. Conclusions: HCV infection in the hemodialysis population typically follows a subclinical course. At over five years after DAA therapy, the results indicate a stabilization of the liver function and the absence of major complications. However, the incidence of malignancies remains high in HCV-positive patients.

Does Merit-based Incentive Payment System Performance Differ Based on Orthopaedic Surgeon Gender?

Value-based care payment and delivery models such as the recently implemented Merit-based Incentive Payment System (MIPS) aim to both provide better care for patients and reduce costs of care. Gender disparities across orthopaedic surgery, encompassing reimbursement, industry payments, referrals, and patient perception, have been thoroughly studied over the years, with numerous disparities identified. However, differences in MIPS performance based on orthopaedic surgeon gender have not been comprehensively evaluated. After controlling for potentially confounding variables such as experience, geography, group size, and Medicare beneficiary characteristics, does MIPS performance differ between men and women orthopaedic surgeons? The Medicare Physician and Other Practitioners and the Physician Compare databases were queried for years 2017, the first year MIPS was incorporated, and 2021, the most recent year with MIPS data published, to identify all physicians with a self-reported specialty of orthopaedic surgery. Together, these databases include all physicians who submitted at least 11 Medicare claims each year. Physician gender, US census region, years in practice, group practice size, billing practices, and patient demographic characteristics were collected for each surgeon. The MIPS Performance database was used to extract an overall MIPS performance score for each surgeon for each year. Payment adjustments, which are determined based on overall MIPS performance score, were derived for each surgeon based on the thresholds published by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. Payment adjustments include a negative adjustment, neutral adjustment, positive adjustment, or exceptional performance bonus and are associated with different thresholds each year. Statistical differences based on surgeon gender were assessed utilizing chi-square tests for categorical data, Student t-test for parametric continuous data, and Wilcoxon signed-rank test for nonparametric continuous data. Univariable and multivariable analyses were performed to analyze the relationship between surgeon gender and MIPS performance. After controlling for other patient and surgeon variables, woman gender was associated with a slightly increased MIPS performance score in 2021 (β 1.5 [95% confidence interval (CI) 0.02 to 3.00]; p = 0.047). However, this finding was statistically fragile, with the lower bound 95% CI being very close to the line of no difference. No association between surgeon gender and MIPS performance score was found in 2017 (β 2.2 [95% CI -0.5 to 4.9]; p = 0.11). Additionally, no relationship was found between gender and receiving either an exceptional performance MIPS bonus or a MIPS penalty in either year. Women orthopaedic surgeons scored slightly higher on the MIPS in 2021, after controlling for surgeon and patient variables, despite providing care for a higher percentage of dual Medicare-Medicaid eligible patients and more medically complex patients. However, this finding was statistically fragile, with a small effect size, a 95% CI close to 0, and no consistent association in MIPS performance in 2017. Additionally, with no differences in MIPS performance bonuses or penalties, the clinical monetary impact of this difference may be minimal. The observed association between surgeon gender and MIPS performance scores in 2021, with women orthopaedic surgeons achieving slightly higher scores, raises interesting questions about potential differences in practice behaviors, communication styles, care quality, or other unmeasured variables. These findings may reflect true differences in how care is delivered or documented as scored by the MIPS. However, given the small effect size, statistical fragility, and inconsistency across years, there is a chance that this finding may be spurious. That being so, future research should aim to validate or refute these findings by examining a broader range of variables including documentation practices, practice behaviors, institutional differences, potential systemic biases in scoring methodologies, and patient outcomes. Understanding whether these differences are true is important to ensure that performance metrics like MIPS accurately and equitably reflect care quality.

Natural history of dolichoectatic vertebrobasilar aneurysms: a multinational study.

Dolichoectatic vertebrobasilar aneurysms (DVBAs) are expansions of arterial tissue leading to aneurysmal formations without an obvious neck. Their natural history is poorly understood; usually patients are admitted with thromboembolic complications and/or neurological symptoms from the mass effect. There have not been international collective data, and correct timing for highly risky treatments has been under discussion. The goal of this study was to define the natural history of DVBA by long-term follow-up in an international population of patients with DVBA. The authors collected data in 382 patients with DVBAs from 11 centers in Europe, the US, and Japan. The patients were followed until new ischemic or hemorrhagic stroke, symptomatic compression of the brainstem or cranial nerves, decline in modified Rankin Scale score, or death. Treatment excluded patients from further analysis. Demographic and radiological characteristics of patients were collected and a new classification was created based on the radiological characteristics of the DVBA. In total 223 patients were treated conservatively in the first phase of treatment. The data required for natural history calculations were available for 221 patients, with a cumulative follow-up of 622.3 patient-years. Kaplan-Meier and Cox regression analyses were used to assess risk factors with an influence on patient outcomes. In total, 21.5% of patients were admitted due to the mass effect, and there were 67 (30%) patient deaths during follow-up, 45 (20.2%) of which were related to aneurysms. The annual mortality and morbidity were 10.8% and 1.6%, respectively. Most of the patients with DVBAs were male, although sex did not affect prognosis when compared to the radiological characteristics of the lesion. The natural history of DVBAs was also impacted by a new classification, in which an age 50 years and older predicted mortality. Furthermore, a DVBA's maximum diameter was directly proportional to adverse events. This study verifies the malignancy of DVBAs and encourages invasive treatment in the early phase of disease progression based on radiological characteristics and patient age when a treatment option is considered suitable. This also stresses the need for continued investigations to develop new therapeutics with acceptable safety profiles.

How Is Preoperative Opioid Use Associated With Readmissions and Outcomes in Lower Extremity Trauma?

Opioid use disorder (OUD) has been implicated as a potential risk factor for adverse outcomes and readmissions in various surgical procedures. Patients admitted with an open fracture of the lower extremity often have multifarious pain needs, require surgical procedures, and have prolonged rehabilitation; previous OUD complicates this process. Our goal was to describe at a national level how OUD is associated with readmission, complications, and healthcare expenditure for patients admitted with open lower extremity fractures. (1) Do patients with OUD who were treated for open lower extremity fractures have higher odds of readmission compared with patients without OUD? (2) Do patients with OUD who were treated for open lower extremity fractures have higher healthcare utilization (specifically, length of stay and hospitalization charges and costs)? This was a retrospective, comparative study using the Nationwide Readmissions Database, which is the largest nationally representative readmissions database in the United States. Patients were included if they had an ICD-10-CM principal diagnosis of open lower extremity fracture. Between January 1, 2019, and September 30, 2019, a total of 17,811 patients were admitted for open lower extremity fractures and entered in the National Readmissions Database. Of the 17,811 patients, 2.3% (410) had a secondary diagnosis of OUD and 97.7% (17,401) did not. The mean age was 46 years for both groups. The most common operative procedure was debridement, and 1.5% of patients received a flap for reconstruction. Opioid disorders were identified using ICD-10-CM codes. Ninety-day complications and readmissions were characterized for the calendar year. Patients undergoing flap-based reconstructions were identified with ICD-10-PR codes. Confounders (patient demographic and hospital characteristics) were adjusted for using multivariable regression analysis models. After controlling for potentially confounding variables such as primary payer, Charlson comorbidity index, Gustillo type, and bone density, we found that patients with OUD had greater odds of readmission after open lower extremity fractures (adjusted OR 1.45 [95% confidence interval (CI) 1.0 to 2.0]; p = 0.03). The 90-day infection occurrence was higher in patients with OUD (adjusted OR 1.96 [95% CI 1.0 to 3.8]; p = 0.049) and was the primary reason for readmission in both groups. Moreover, 11% (11 of 103) of patients with OUD were readmitted with opioid-induced complications, which was exclusively observed in this cohort. Patients with OUD also had longer hospital stays (adjusted mean difference 2.2 days [95% CI 0.5 to 3.8]; p = 0.01) and higher hospitalization charges (adjusted mean difference in USD 34,000 [95% CI 1000 to 66,000]; p = 0.04) and costs (adjusted mean difference in USD 7000 [95% CI 2000 to 13,000]; p = 0.007) than those without OUD. These findings suggest that mitigating infection and opioid overdose, addiction, and constipation in patients with OUD could reduce readmissions in lower extremity fracture patients. Future research should focus on antibiotic and wound care compliance and the early and frequent engagement of postoperative opioid addiction support services. Level III, therapeutic study.

Impact of immigration background on feasibility of electronic patient-reported outcomes in advanced urothelial cancer patients

BackgroundElectronic patient-reported outcomes (ePROs) have been shown to enhance healthcare quality by improving patient symptom management or quality of life (QoL). However, ePROs data for urothelial cancer (UC) patients receiving systemic therapies are scarce, and the application of ePROs in this patient cohort may need specific setups. This study tested the feasibility of ePROs for UC patients receiving systemic therapies in the outpatient clinic of a tertiary care center.Patients and MethodsFrom January 2022 to April 2023, 30 UC patients receiving systemic cancer therapies received ePROs based on the Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events (CTCAE) and European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Core Quality of Life questionnaires (EORTC QLQ-30) to report their symptoms and QoL during systemic therapy, in total, 125 questions for every therapy cycle. The proportion of patients adherent to the ePROs was assessed to evaluate feasibility, with a preset threshold of 50%. At least half of all treatment cycles with a minimum of two consecutive ePROs (corresponding to two successive therapy cycles) had to be completed to be counted as adherent, and a maximum of six successive therapy cycles was followed by ePROs. Descriptive statistics were calculated for clinical and demographic patient characteristics. T-test and chi-square-test analyses were performed to study the association between ePROs adherence and clinical or demographic factors. The digital process was closely monitored for procedural impediments that could occur.Results21 (70%) of the included 30 patients adhered to the provided ePROs, significantly higher than the predetermined threshold of 50%. Adherence remained above 70% until the end of the observation period. A significant negative effect of immigration background on ePROs compliance was observed (p = 0.006). No other variables were significantly associated with ePROs compliance.ConclusionsIn this study, ePROs were a feasible method to assess symptoms and QoL during the systemic cancer therapy of UC patients at our center. The compliance of patients with immigration backgrounds was the most significant barrier to using ePROs in this setting. However, the study is limited by the exclusion of patients without email access and the lack of assessment of physician compliance with the ePROs data, which may affect the generalizability and implementation of the findings.

Variation in Case Exposure During Internal Medicine Residency

Variation in residency case exposure affects resident learning and readiness for future practice. Accurate reporting of case exposure for internal medicine (IM) residents is challenging because feasible and reliable methods for linking patient care to residents are lacking. To develop an integrated education-clinical database to characterize and measure case exposure variability among IM residents. In this cohort study, an integrated educational-clinical database was developed by linking patients admitted during overnight IM in-hospital call shifts at 5 teaching hospitals to senior on-call residents. The senior resident, who directly cares for all overnight IM admissions, was linked to their patients by the admission date, time, and hospital. The database included IM residents enrolled between July 1, 2010, and December 31, 2019, in 1 Canadian IM residency. Analysis occurred between August 1, 2023, and June 30, 2024. Case exposure was defined by patient demographic characteristics, discharge diagnoses, volumes, acuity (eg, critical care transfer), medical complexity (eg, Charlson Comorbidity Index), and social determinants of health (eg, from long-term care). Residents were grouped into quartiles for each exposure measure, and the top and bottom quartiles were compared using standardized mean difference (SMD). Variation between hospitals was evaluated by calculating the SMD between the hospitals with the highest and lowest proportions for each measure. Variation over time was assessed using linear and logistic regression. The integrated educational-clinical database included 143 632 admissions (median [IQR] age, 71 [55-83] years; 71 340 [49.7%] female) linked to 793 residents (median [IQR] admissions per shift, 8 [6-12]). At the resident level, there was substantial variation in case exposure for demographic characteristics, diagnoses, volumes, acuity, complexity, and social determinants. For example, residents in the highest quartile had nearly 4 times more admissions requiring critical care transfer compared with the lowest quartile (3071 of 30 228 [10.2%] vs 684 of 25 578 [2.7%]; SMD, 0.31). Hospital-level variation was also significant, particularly in patient volumes (busier hospital vs less busy hospital: median [IQR] admissions per shift, 10 [8-12] vs 7 [5-9]; SMD, 0.96). Over time, residents saw more median (IQR) admissions per shift (2010 vs 2019: 7.6 [6.6-8.4] vs 9.0 [7.6-10.0]; P = .04) and more complex patients (2010 vs 2019: Charlson Comorbidity Index ≥2, 3851 of 13 762 [28.0%] vs 2862 of 8188 [35.0%]; P = .03), while working similar shifts per year (median [IQR], 11 [8-14]). In this cohort study of IM residents in a Canadian residency program, significant variation in case exposure was found between residents, across sites, and over time.

Metastatic breast cancer patients' preferences for exercise programs: a latent class analysis using data from a survey in five European countries.

We aimed to identify metastatic breast cancer (MBC) patients' preferences for exercise programs and identify patients' characteristics associated with these preferences, to facilitate implementation of exercise programs for MBC patients. We used data from a multinational cross-sectional survey conducted among MBC patients. Patients reported their preferred exercise frequency, intensity, type, session duration, and supervision mode. We used latent class analysis to identify subgroups with similar preferences and descriptive statistics to compare demographic and clinical characteristics of patients within subgroups. Four distinct classes were identified based on data from 409 participants. Class 1 (47% of participants) is characterized by a preference for moderate exercise with supervision within the health care setting. Most participants in this class had bone metastases. Class 2 (30%) is characterized by a preference for vigorous exercise with supervision. This class included participants who were, on average, younger, and had a higher education level. Class 3 (13%) is characterized by a preference for active walking. These participants were less likely to have bone metastases or comorbidities. Class 4 (10%) is characterized by a preference for recreational walking and included participants who were, on average, older, and less likely to be employed. We identified four classes of patients with different preferences for exercise programs. Many patients with MBC express exercise preferences that meet the current guideline recommendations. Some patients with MBC may benefit from targeted education to align their preferences and behavior with the amount of exercise that is necessary to gain health benefits.

Comparación de población urbana y rural con infarto transmural al miocardio en la provincia del Biobío, Región del Biobío, Chile

One of the main causes of death in Chile and the world are cardiovascular diseases. Multiple strategies seek to reduce them, with local epidemiology becoming relevant for that. Objectives: To describe the demographic and clinical characteristics of rural and urban patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (IMEST) in the province of Biobío. Methods: A prospective registry was made of all patients admitted for IMEST between October 2019 and October 2020. Results: 100 records were obtained. 32% corresponded to rural population and 68% to urban population (p