Assess Patient Outcomes Research Articles

Randomized controlled trial demonstrates novel tools to assess patient outcomes of Indigenous cultural safety training

BackgroundHealth care routinely fails Indigenous peoples and anti-Indigenous racism is common in clinical encounters. Clinical training programs aimed to enhance Indigenous cultural safety (ICS) rely on learner reported impact assessment even though clinician self-assessment is poorly correlated with observational or patient outcome reporting. We aimed to compare the clinical impacts of intensive and brief ICS training to control, and to assess the feasibility of ICS training evaluation tools, including unannounced Indigenous standardized patient (UISP) visits.MethodUsing a prospective parallel group three-arm randomized controlled trial design and masked standardized patients, we compared the clinical impacts of the intensive interactive, professionally facilitated, 8- to10-h Sanyas ICS training; a brief 1-h anti-bias training adapted to address anti-Indigenous bias; and control continuing medical education time-attention matched to the intensive training. Participants included 58 non-Indigenous staff physicians, resident physicians and nurse practitioners from family practice clinics, and one emergency department across four teaching hospitals in Toronto, Canada. Main outcome measures were the quality of care provided during UISP visits including adjusted odds that clinician would be recommended by the UISP to a friend or family member; mean item scores on patient experience of care measure; and clinical practice guideline adherence for NSAID renewal and pain assessment.ResultsClinicians in the intensive or brief ICS groups had higher adjusted odds of being highly recommended to friends and family by standardized patients (OR 6.88, 95% CI 1.17 to 40.45 and OR 7.78, 95% CI 1.05 to 58.03, respectively). Adjusted mean item patient experience scores were 46% (95% CI 12% to 80%) and 40% (95% CI 2% to 78%) higher for clinicians enrolled in the intensive and brief training programs, respectively, compared to control. Small sample size precluded detection of training impacts on clinical practice guideline adherence; 100% of UISP visits were undetected by participating clinicians.ConclusionsPatient-oriented evaluation design and tools including UISPs were demonstrated as feasible and effective. Results show potential impact of cultural safety training on patient recommendation of clinician and improved patient experience. A larger trial to further ascertain impact on clinical practice is needed.Trial registrationClinicaltrials.org NCT05890144. Retrospectively registered on June 5, 2023.

Determinants of Hospital Stay Duration Post-Colorectal Surgery

Introduction: Hospital length of stay (LOS) remains a vital metric for assessing patient outcomes and healthcare resource utilization. Given the substantial financial impact of diagnosing and treating colorectal anomalies, coupled with an increased susceptibility to postoperative complications, it is crucial to understand the factors affecting LOS following colorectal surgery. Our primary objective was to investigate the preoperative, intraoperative, and postoperative risk factors that have substantial influence over LOS following a colorectal procedure.
 Methods: This study analyzed data from a retrospective study of adults who underwent various colorectal surgeries (colostomy, ileostomy, small bowel resection, etc.) at Cleveland Clinic Foundation (January 2005
 - December 2014). Predictor variables were categorized into preoperative (patient demographics, medical history, comorbidities, lifestyle factors), intraoperative, and postoperative factors. LOS was grouped into short-term (SLOS) (≤ 7 days), medium-term (MLOS) (8-30 days), and long-term (LLOS) (> 30 days) stays. Multinomial logistic regression models assessed predictor effects on LOS.
 Results: Among the 7874 patients, 50.7% were females, with a minimum age of 20 years. SLOS were observed in 61.1%, MLOS in 37.6%, and LLOS in 1.3% of patients. Advanced age correlated with prolonged LOS, possibly due to age-related health challenges like weak immune systems. Coagulopathy, and fluid and electrolyte disorders raised MLOS and LLOS risk, likely due to complications like significant bleeding and electrolyte imbalances. Surgery duration predicted longer LOS, elevating LLOS and MLOS by 52% and 42%. Postoperative infections were associated to extended stays, possibly due to subsequent interventions, monitoring and recovery delays.
 Conclusion: Our study revealed that key preoperative predictors of LOS included Age, coagulopathy, fluid and electrolyte disorders, severe weight loss, and drug abuse. Notably, intraoperative factors such as surgical approach (open vs laparoscopic) and surgery duration, alongside postoperative complications including superficial and serious infections, significantly influenced LOS. By incorporating these insights into the preoperative planning, clinicians could potentially develop tailored interventions to mitigate risk factors and enhance postoperative recovery, thus potentially reducing LOS and improving patient outcomes.

Assessment of Oncosurgical and Functional Outcomes in Patients undergoing Glossectomy for Advanced Carcinoma Tongue: A Cross-sectional Study at a Tertiary Cancer Care Centre in Northern India

Introduction: Tongue carcinoma presents a global oncological challenge due to its aggressive nature and late-stage diagnosis. Glossectomy, a key surgical procedure for advanced cases, significantly affects both cancer control and essential functions such as speech and swallowing. Aim: To analyse the impact of different glossectomy types on oncological and functional outcomes in patients with advanced carcinoma of the tongue. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in the Department of Surgical Oncology, Cancer Research Institute, Himalayan Institute of Medical Sciences, Swami Rama Himalayan University, Uttarakhand, India over a one-year period from September 1, 2022, to August 31, 2023. The study included 47 patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the oral and posterior tongue who underwent glossectomy. Oncological outcomes (mortality and hospital stay) and functional outcomes (swallowing, speech, dysphagia, and Quality of Life (QoL)) were assessed. The questionnaires used were the EORTC Core Quality of Life questionnaire (EORTC QLQ-C30), EORTC questionnaire for the assessment of QoL in head and neck cancer patients (EORTC QLQ-H&N35), M.D. Anderson Dysphagia Inventory (MDADI), and Speech Handicap Index (SHI). Follow-up was conducted at the 6th week to assess changes in the functional aspects compared to the baseline scores. Data were entered into Microsoft Excel, and the analysis was performed using Statistical Packages for Social Sciences (SPSS) software version 25.0. The data were analysed using the Wilcoxon Signed Rank test. A p-value of <0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: The study comprised 37 (78.72%) males and 10 (21.28%) females, with a mean age of 47.77±12.6 years. Preoperative staging indicated that 22 (46.81%) patients had T2N0 stage, 16 (34.04%) patients had T3, and 9 (19.15%) patients had T4a disease. Among the patients, 14 (29.79%) underwent partial glossectomy, 27 (57.45%) underwent hemiglossectomy, and 3 (6.38%) underwent subtotal glossectomy, and 3 (6.38%) underwent total glossectomy. The mean duration of hospital stay was 10.09±2.87 days. There were no instances of mortality or tumour recurrence at the 6th week. Regarding the functional outcomes, compared to baseline, at the 6th week, there was a significant decrease in EORTC QLQ-H&N35 median scores from 6.94 to 1.73 (p=0.005), but no significant change in the mean EORTC QLQ-C30 (90±8.22 versus (vs) 89.72±8.52, p=0.368), mean MDADI (4.51±1.2 vs 4.43±1.19, p=0.585), and mean SHI (15.81±25.76 vs 13.43±26.19, p=0.052). Conclusion: It can be inferred that glossectomy for advanced carcinoma of the tongue leads to a significant improvement in symptoms; however, the overall Quality of Life (QoL) and functions of the tongue such as swallowing and speech remain comparable to pre-surgery levels.

Predictive value of serum HIF-1α/HIF-2α and YKL-40 levels for vascular invasion and prognosis of follicular thyroid cancer

ObjectiveThis study investigated the significance of serum hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF)-1α/HIF-2 α and Chitinase 3-Like protein 1 (YKL-40) levels in the assessment of vascular invasion and prognostic outcomes in patients with Follicular Thyroid Cancer (FTC). MethodsThis prospective study comprised 83 patients diagnosed with FTC, who were subsequently categorized into a recurrence group (17 cases) and a non-recurrence group (66 cases). The pathological features of tumor vascular invasion were classified. Serum HIF-1α/HIF-2α and YKL-40 were quantified using a dual antibody sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, while serum Thyroglobulin (Tg) levels were measured using an electrochemiluminescence immunoassay method. The Spearman test was employed to assess the correlation between serum factors, and the predictive value of diagnostic factors was determined using receiver operating characteristic curve analysis. A Cox proportional hazards regression model was utilized to analyze independent factors influencing prognosis. ResultsSerum HIF-1α, HIF-2α, YKL-40, and Tg were elevated in patients exhibiting higher vascular invasion. A significant positive correlation was observed between Tg and HIF-1α, as well as between HIF-1α and YKL-40. The cut-off values for HIF-1α and YKL-40 in predicting recurrence were 48.25 pg/mL and 60.15 ng/mL, respectively. Patients exceeding these cut-off values experienced a lower recurrence-free survival rate. Furthermore, serum levels surpassing the cut-off value, in conjunction with vascular invasion (v2+), were identified as independent risk factors for recurrence in patients with FTC. ConclusionSerum HIF-1α/HIF-2α and YKL-40 levels correlate with vascular invasion in FTC, and the combination of HIF-1α and YKL-40 predicts recurrence in patients with FTC.

Correlation between Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Score and MRI Scoring in Patients with Ankylosing Spondylitis: A Cross-sectional Study

Introduction: Ankylosing Spondylitis (AS) is an inflammatory disorder of unknown cause that primarily affects the axial skeleton, peripheral joints, and extra-articular structures. Typically, the condition starts in the second or third decade. Lower back pain lasting longer than three months, morning stiffness lasting more than 30 minutes, relieved by daily activities, are signs of disease onset. Aim: To establish a correlation between disease severity score Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Score (ASDAS) and Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) scoring in patients with AS. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted on 66 patients attending the Medicine Emergency/ Outpatient Department (OPD)/ward of ESIPGIMSR and ESI Hospital, Basaidarapur, New Delhi, India, who were diagonsed with AS based on the modified New York Criteria. Clinical assessments included ASDAS based on Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate (ESR) and C-reactive Protein (CRP), while MRI disease activity scores were determined using the Spondyloarthritis Research Consortium of Canada (SPARCC) MRI scoring. The sample size was calculated with a coefficient limit of 10% and a confidence level of 95%. Data analysis was performed using Statistical Packages for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 21.0, a widely used statistical computing and graphics tool. Pearson’s correlation coefficients were computed to explore relationships between variables, including age, disease duration, ASDAS-ESR, and MRI changes. Results: In present study, a total of 66 patients were included, out of which 51 (77.3%) were males and 15 (22.7%) were females. The age group of patients included in present study was 33 years to 44 years with a mean of 37.96 years. In present study, the disease duration ranged from a minimum of two years to a maximum of 10 years with a mean of 5.4 years. The mean ASDAS CRP was 3.687 (minimum-2.80, maximum-4.60), and the disease activity as assessed by MRI score (SPARCC) had a minimum value of 8.85 and a maximum value of 26.2 with a mean of 16.359. In present study, the X-ray grading of sacroiliitis revealed that 19.7% of the subjects were classified as Grade-2, 60.6% as Grade-3, and 19.7% as Grade-4. Conclusion: The clinical disease activity index may not always reflect active inflammation, which is detectable by MRI. Incorporating MRI into diagnostic and treatment strategies for AS is crucial for the accurate assessment of disease severity and better patient outcomes.

Targeting Sensory Systems in the Treatment of Dystonia: Outcomes from a Case Series

Substantial scientific evidence has been gathered on the pathophysiology of dystonia, leading to proposed theoretical treatment protocols for rehabilitating patients with this disorder. This study aimed to assess patient outcomes following the application of novel functional neurology treatment protocols based on basic neuroscience research. A consecutive case series of patients diagnosed with dystonia and treated in a private practice setting was studied for their response to neural rehabilitation techniques based on published basic neuroscience research. Sensory stimulation techniques including non-invasive spinal cord stimulation, vestibular nerve neuromodulation based on targeted skull vibration and stimulation of reciprocal inhibitory nerve activity of dystonic muscles was used as novel add on therapy to standard care. The subjects included 6 cases of cervical dystonia and 3 cases of more generalized dystonia. The proposed rehabilitation procedures were explained in detail to the patients, including the investigational nature of these procedures, and written informed consent was obtained from each patient prior to treatment. Based on the comparison of total dystonia scores upon admission and prior to treatment with total dystonia scores at the completion of a course of care, all 9 patients in this case series demonstrated improvement in their dystonic symptoms after treatment. The group average pre-treatment dystonia score was 11.4, while the post-treatment group averaged dystonia score was 5.2 points. This represents a moderate, but clinically important improvement in global dystonia scores in a series of 9 patients treated in a private practice setting. Considering that dystonia is highly resistant to treatment, the improvement seen in this case series suggests that the methods involved warrant further investigation in a more formal research setting. The clinically meaningful improvements (approximately 50% for the group average) seen in these cases argue for more research into the role of the sensory systems in both the pathophysiology and treatment of dystonic conditions.

Characteristics and outcome of systemic treatment for metastatic or unresectable thymic carcinoma: A single institution experience.

Thymic carcinoma is a rare disease with an incidence of around 0.5 cases per million with a poor prognosis. The aim of this study was to assess patient outcomes with advanced thymic carcinoma receiving first-line chemotherapy. In our retrospective cohort study, we included patients who underwent treatment for metastatic thymic carcinoma between January 2013 to December 2019 in our hospital. Overall survival, progression-free survival (PFS), objective response rates (ORR) and chemotherapy regimens were assessed and analyzed. A total of 27 patients were retrospectively analyzed. All patients received a platinum (cisplatin or carboplatin) based regimen as first-line chemotherapy (29.6% received ADOC, 11.1% received PE, 40.7% received CP, 14.8% received CAP). The median PFS on first-line chemotherapy was 199 days. The response rate was 40.7%. Median overall survival (OS) was 585 days. Positive CD5 staining was associated with better PFS. We highlight the critical role of platinum-based chemotherapy agents as a primary treatment modality in advanced thymic carcinoma, underscoring the efficacy of platinum as a first-line option for recurrent disease, even in cases previously treated with platinum. Additionally, our findings indicate that CD5 positivity could be associated with improved PFS, suggesting its potential as a prognostic marker.

Comparative Assessment of Surgical Treatment Outcomes in Patients with Sacroiliac Joint Injury

stract The aim of the study is to evaluate the results of surgical treatment in patients with sacroiliac joint injury. Methods. An analysis of the results of surgical treatment of 60 patients with sacroiliac joint injury was conducted at the Center of polytrauma and orthopedic surgery of the State Public Healthcare Institution “Emergency Hospital” in Abai Region, the Trauma and Endoprosthetics Department of the State Public Healthcare Institution “Multispecialty City Hospital No. 1” in the city of Astana, and the “Shymkent City Clinical Hospital No. 1” from June 2019 to August 2022. Patients were divided into two groups. Patients in the control group underwent surgery using the standard technique, while patients in the experimental group underwent surgery using a device developed by us for minimally invasive locking osteosynthesis of sacroiliac joint injuries. The study was a randomized controlled trial by design. Results. The use of the device for minimally invasive locking osteosynthesis of sacroiliac joint injuries leads to a significant reduction in the length of hospitalization for all types of sacroiliac joint injuries regardless of the patient’s initial condition (p=0.001). Correlation analysis revealed a correlation between the observation group and patient pain assessment at 12 months (p=0.001). According to the Majeed Pelvic Score at 12 months, the maximum score in the experimental group was 98 points, while in the control group, it was 70 points. A satisfactory assessment on the Majeed Pelvic Score at 12 months was observed in 3 (10%) of patients in the control group and none in the experimental group. There were no unsatisfactory responses in both groups (significant differences were found, p=0.001). Conclusions. The use of the device developed by us for minimally invasive locking osteosynthesis of sacroiliac joint injuries reduces the length of hospitalization and the time to return to work (12 months in the control group and 8 months in the experimental group). The absence of pain in patients after 12 months in the experimental group was 26 (86.7%) and 20 (66.6%) in the control group. According to the Majeed Pelvic Score in the long term (3, 6, and 12 months), the frequency of excellent results increases from 13.3% to 90.0% in the experimental group and from 10% to 73.4% in the control group.

Real-world Assessment of Clinical Outcomes in Patients with Metastatic Renal Cell Carcinoma with or Without Sarcomatoid Features Treated with First-line Systemic Therapies

Background and objectiveMetastatic renal cell carcinoma (mRCC) patients have been reported to have better outcomes when treated with immunotherapies (IO) compared to targeted therapies (TT). This study aims to evaluate the impact of first-line systemic therapies on survival of mRCC patients with or without sarcomatoid features using real-world data. MethodsMetastatic RCC patients of International mRCC Database Consortium (IMDC) intermediate or high risk, diagnosed from January 2011 to December 2022, treated with first-line systemic therapies, and with histological documentation of the presence or absence of sarcomatoid features in nephrectomy specimens were identified using the Canadian Kidney Cancer information system. Patients were classified by initial treatment: (1) targeted therapy (TT) used alone or (2) immunotherapy (IO)-based systemic therapies used in combination of either IO-IO or IO-TT. The inverse probability of treatment weighting using propensity scores was used to balance for covariates. Cox proportional hazard models were used to assess the impact of initial treatment received on overall survival (OS). Key findings and limitationsOf the 1202 eligible patients, 791 were treated with TT and 411 with IO combinations. Of the patients, 76% were male, and the majority (91%) had a nephrectomy before systemic therapy. In nonsarcomatoid patients (639 TT and 320 IO patients), treatment with IO was associated with improved OS compared with patients treated with TT (median of 72 vs 48 mo, hazard ratio [HR] 0.63, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.50–0.80, objective response rate [ORR] of 38.5% for IO and 23.5% for TT). In sarcomatoid patients (152 TT and 91 IO patients), treatment with IO was associated with improved OS (median of 48 vs 18 mo, HR 0.41, 95% CI 0.26–0.64, ORR of 49.5% for IO and 13.8% for TT). Similar results were observed in patients with synchronous metastatic disease only. Conclusions and clinical implicationsIO treatment was associated with improved survival in mRCC patients. The magnitude of benefit is increased in patients with sarcomatoid mRCC, consequently, identifying the sarcomatoid status early on could help healthcare providers make a better treatment decision. Patient summaryMetastatic renal cell carcinoma (mRCC) patients of International mRCC Database Consortium intermediate and high risk, diagnosed from January 2011 to December 2022, treated with first-line systemic therapies, and with histological documentation of the presence or absence of sarcomatoid features in nephrectomy specimens were identified using the Canadian Kidney Cancer information system (CKCis). In this study, treatment with immunotherapy was associated to an improved survival and response rates for mRCC patients with and without sarcomatoid features. The magnitude of benefit is increased in patients with sarcomatoid mRCC.

What is the optimal assessment of speech? A multicentre, international evaluation of speech assessment in 2500 patients with a cleft

ObjectivesSpeech problems in patients with a cleft palate are often complex and multifactorial. Finding the optimal way of monitoring these problems is challenging. The International Consortium of Health Outcomes Measurement...

Patient profiling and outcome assessment in spinal cord stimulation for chronic back and/or leg pain (the PROSTIM study): a study protocol.

Spinal cord stimulation (SCS) is a well-established treatment option in the multidisciplinary approach to chronic back and leg pain. Nevertheless, careful patient selection remains crucial to provide the most optimal treatment and prevent treatment failure. We report the protocol for the PROSTIM study, an ongoing prospective, multicentric and observational clinical study (NCT05349695) that aims to identify different patient clusters and their outcomes after SCS. Patients are recruited in different centers in Europe. Analysis focuses on identifying significant patient clusters based on different health domains and the changes in biopsychosocial variables 6 weeks, 3 and 12 months after implantation. This study is the first to include a biopsychosocial cluster analysis to identify significant patient groups and their response to treatment with SCS.

The Burden of Human Parechoviruses Among Children in Oman

Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate the burden, clinical and laboratory features and outcomes of human parechoviruses (HPeVs) infection among children in Oman. Methods: This retrospective study included children (aged <18 years) with molecularly proven HPeV infection who were managed at Sultan Qaboos University Hospital, Muscat, Oman, between January 2017 and December 2019. Data were obtained from the patients’ medical records and analysed to describe their demographics, clinical and laboratory features, management and outcomes. Results: HPeV was detected in 61 patients, 44 (72%) of whom were males. The median age of these patients was nine months (interquartile range [IQR]: 6–15 months). HPeV was detected throughout the year without any significant peaks. Majority of the patients (n = 51, 84%) had co-infection with other viruses. Forty-eight (79%) children with HPeV infection required hospitalisation, and their median length of hospital stay was five days (IQR: 3–8 days). Ex-prematurity (n = 10, 16%) was the commonest comorbidity among this group. Fever (n = 41, 67%) and cough (n = 41, 67%) were the commonest presenting symptoms among the children. Two-thirds of the HPeV-infected children in this cohort were managed for lower respiratory tract infection; none was managed for meningitis. Gastroenteritis was not common in this cohort; only eight children had diarrhoea. All children made a full recovery. Conclusion: HPeVs infection does not show a clear seasonality in Oman. Most of the children were aged <2 years and had a viral co-infection. The outcomes of HPeV infection were favourable, with no mortalities, but a thorough follow-up for neurological outcomes was lacking. Keywords: Children; Parechovirus; Infection; Patient Outcome Assessment; Oman.

Evaluation of ISTH Severe Bleeding Criteria and Development of a Mortality Prognosis Model for Hospitalized Immune Thrombocytopenia Patients: A Multicenter, Retrospective and Prospective Cohort Study

Introduction: Immune thrombocytopenia (ITP) is an autoimmune disorder characterized by the immune system's erroneous destruction of platelets, which play a crucial role in blood clot formation. This condition precipitates a decreased platelet count and consequently heightens the risk of bleeding events, ranging from mild petechiae to severe, potentially fatal occurrences such as intracranial hemorrhage. Therefore, accurate anticipation and management of these severe bleeding risks form an integral facet of clinical care for ITP patients. The International Society on Thrombosis and Hemostasis (ISTH) has instituted criteria designed to classify and forecast severe bleeding in patients with thrombotic disorders. Despite their widespread use in diverse clinical scenarios, the validity and efficacy of these criteria for ITP patients remain underexplored. Furthermore, disparities in the application and interpretation of these criteria among practitioners underscore the necessity for a comprehensive evaluation within the ITP context. Consequently, our study is poised to fill these crucial gaps. We intend to evaluate the performance and applicability of the ISTH severe bleeding criteria specifically within the ITP patient population. Concurrently, we aspire to develop and validate a robust, reliable mortality prediction model for this unique group of hospitalized patients. Methods: This study was a multicenter, retrospective cohort investigation conducted across 20 medical centers nationwide. A total of 1487 adult patients diagnosed with immune thrombocytopenia were enrolled. The study period spanned from Jan 2020 to Jan 2023, ensuring a comprehensive assessment of patient outcomes. To further evaluate the joint impact of multiple prognostic factors, a multivariate Cox regression model was constructed. Prospective observational cohorts were subsequently established with the objective of assessing the real-world performance of the mortality prognosis model. Results: In our study, out of the 1487 enrolled adult patients with immune thrombocytopenia (ITP), 420 patients (28.24%) experienced bleeding events. The incidence of major bleeding types among these patients was assessed based on the critical bleeding diagnostic criteria. Intracranial bleeding was found to be the most common type, occurring in 229 patients (54.46%). This was followed by respiratory compromise in 87 patients (20.66%) and hemodynamic instability bleeding in 76 patients (18.08%). Intramuscular bleeding was the least common, observed in only 3 patients (0.70%). Furthermore, we evaluated the efficacy of the ISTH severe bleeding criteria in predicting mortality among ITP patients. Our analysis unveiled a significant association between meeting the ISTH severe bleeding criteria and increased mortality rates. Patients who met the criteria demonstrated a higher incidence of death compared to those who did not meet the criteria. Additionally, we developed a mortality prognosis model for hospitalized ITP patients, incorporating various clinical and laboratory parameters. The model considered the presence of intracranial bleeding, admission platelet count, cardiovascular disease, diabetes mellitus, and admission creatinine levels as predictive factors. The mortality prognosis model demonstrated strong predictive power, with an area under the receiver operating characteristic curve of 0.82. This indicates its ability to distinguish between patients at high and low risk of mortality. Kaplan‒Meier survival analyses further confirmed significant survival differences between patients who met the ISTH severe bleeding criteria and those who did not. Conclusions: Our study reaffirms the substantial relevance of ISTH severe bleeding criteria in assessing bleeding profiles and prognosis among hospitalized ITP patients. The developed mortality prognosis model demonstrates excellent predictive capabilities for mortality in this patient population and is currently undergoing validation in a prospective cohort. These findings emphasize the importance of individualized management strategies to optimize outcomes in ITP patients. Further research and validation are warranted to refine and validate the mortality prognosis model for broader clinical application.

Identifying Correlation Among Patient-Reported Outcome Measures: A Study of PROMIS-29, ODI, and VAS in Adult Spinal Deformity Patients

Adult spinal deformity (ASD) is becoming increasingly common in aging populations. Patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) are self-reported patient surveys administered pre- and postoperatively that provide insight into patient improvement. We aim to compare 3 of the most utilized PROMs: PROMIS-29, Oswestry Disability Index (ODI), and Visual Analogue Scale (VAS), to investigate whether they provide unique and independent assessments of patient outcomes when assessed longitudinally. We retrospectively reviewed a database of ASD at UT Southwestern Medical Center between 2016 and 2021. Adult patients (>18years old) were included if they underwent long-segment (>4 levels) thoracolumbar fusion. PROMIS-29, ODI, and VAS scores were collected preoperatively and at 3-, 6-, 12-, 18-, 24-, 30-, and 36-month follow-ups. Scores were recorded ±1month of the time points. Pearson correlation coefficients for each PROM were then calculated in a pairwise fashion. A total of 163 patients were included in our analysis. ODI and VAS showed significant covariance, with VAS Neck and VAS Back having Pearson coefficients of 0.95 and 0.94, respectively. ODI and PROMIS-29 also showed significant covariance, with Physical Function and ODI showing a Pearson coefficient of 0.95. PROMIS-29 and VAS demonstrated less correlation regarding Pain and Physical Function; however, they showed a significantly high Pearson coefficient when comparing VAS Back with PROMIS-29 Sleep and Pain Intensity (r=0.97 and r=0.96, respectively). All 3 PROMs demonstrated significant correlation over 36months, indicating that simultaneous administration of each during follow-up is redundant. The measure that provided the least unique information was ODI, as both VAS and PROMIS-29 demonstrated similar progression and assessed additional metrics. PROMIS-29 provided the same information as VAS and ODI, with extra facets of patient-reported outcomes, indicating that it may be a more comprehensive measure of longitudinal patient improvement.

Assessment of Patient Satisfaction and Outcomes After Outpatient Joint Arthroplasty in Academic Medical Centers

BackgroundThere is limited literature evaluating patient satisfaction and outcomes after outpatient joint arthroplasty procedures in academic medical centers (AMCs). The aims of this study are to determine: (1) patients' desires to repeat their procedures and be discharged on the same day, (2) patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs), (3) time to discharge, (4) readmission rates, and (5) factors that predict PROMs in patients undergoing outpatient joint arthroplasty in AMCs. MethodsA prospective survey was completed by 66 total hip arthroplasty (THA), 35 total knee arthroplasty (TKA), and 180 unicondylar knee arthroplasty (UKA) outpatients who underwent surgery from May 2018 to December 2020 in 2 AMCs. The survey consisted of questions regarding hip or knee PROMs (Hip Disability and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score for Joint Replacement, and Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score for Joint Replacement), satisfaction with outpatient procedures and discharges, and reasons for readmissions. Linear regression analysis was conducted with statistical significance set at P < .05. Results100% of THA, 93.8% of TKA, and 93.0% of UKA outpatients stated that they would re-elect to undergo their respective procedure. Furthermore, 94% of THA, 81% of TKA, and 95% of UKA patients stated they would like same-day discharge again. THA, TKA, and UKA patients reported respective mean PROM scores of 94.7, 89.9, and 86.1. Readmission rates were 1.5%, 0.0%, and 0.5%, for THA, TKA, and UKA, respectively. ConclusionsPatients who underwent outpatient joint arthroplasty procedures at 2 AMCs experienced minimal readmissions and reported a high desire to repeat their outpatient procedures.

COVID-19: An evaluation of predictive scoring systems in South Africa

Background| The Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, caused by SARS-CoV-2, has resulted in more than 700 million cases worldwide. Sepsis and pneumonia severity scores assist in risk assessment of critical outcomes in patients with COVID-19. This allows healthcare workers to triage patients, by using clinical parameters and limited special investigations, thus offering the most appropriate level of care. Methods| A retrospective cohort study of 605 adult patients hospitalised with moderate to severe COVID-19, at a tertiary state hospital in South Africa. Evaluating the utility of the CURB65, NEWS2 and ISARIC-4C Mortality Score, in predicting critical outcomes, using clinical characteristics on admission. Outcomes included in-hospital mortality, invasive mechanical ventilation, and intensive care unit admission (ICU). Performance of severity scores and risk factors was assessed by area under the receiver operator characteristics (AUROC) analysis and logistic regression. Findings |A total of 605 records were used, 129 (21 %) non-survivors, 101 (17 %) ICU admissions and 77 (13 %) requiring invasive ventilation. Greater odds of mortality was associated with moderate and severe risk groups of the CURB65, ISARIC-4C and NEWS2 score. Mortality AUROC curve analysis for the CURB65 score was 0·76 (95 % CI: 0·71–0·8), 0·77 (95 % CI: 0·73–0·81) for the ISARIC-4C and 0·77 (95 % CI: 0·73–0·82) for the NEWS2 score. The CURB65 score had a sensitivity of 86 % with 12·8 % mortality, ISARIC-4C score a sensitivity of 87·6 % with 8 % mortality and NEWS2 score a sensitivity of 92·2 % with 8·6 % mortality. Interpretation |In 605 hospitalised patients with moderate to severe COVID-19, predominantly infected by the ancestral strain, good performance of the NEWS2 and ISARIC-4C score in predicting in-hospital mortality was noted. The CURB65 score had a high mortality rate in its low-risk group suggesting unexplained risk factors, not accounted for in the score, thus limiting its utility in the South African setting.

Applying the MD Codes™ to Treat Emotional and Social Attributes with HA Fillers: A Retrospective Serial Case Study.

Aesthetic treatment directed at improving facial emotional messages and social attributes may maximize patient satisfaction with treatment results. The MD Codes™ is an approach to facial aesthetic treatment that accounts for emotional messages and social attributes while minimizing variability in patient assessment, injection technique, injection sites, and treatment outcomes. To assess the impact of the MD Codes systematic treatment approach on emotional and social attributes and natural appearance after facial aesthetic treatment with hyaluronic acid (HA) fillers. A retrospective analysis was performed in patients treated with 12 mL of HA fillers (Juvéderm® Vycross™ products) per patient using the MD Codes. Study injectors, experienced clinician observers, clinical staff, laypeople, and patients evaluated impact of treatment on emotional and social attributes and natural appearance based on pre- and post-treatment photographs of patients. Twelve patients and 49 external observers, from 12 countries, evaluated the images. More than 90% of patients named "eye bags" as the facial area most in need of aesthetic treatment; >55% of external observers identified "cheeks." The top 3 facial emotional attributes noted by all evaluators after treatment were, in order, "less tired", "less saggy", and "younger." All patients reported a visible and positive change in emotional attributes except for "less sad." After 9 months, most patients reported looking "less tired" (n=11/12), "less saggy" (n=8/12), and "less sad" (n=6/12). At months 6 and 9, all patients rated their appearance as natural looking. At least 90% of external observers considered the frontal view results natural for all but 1 patient. Patients reported improved positive social attributes (eg, "looking friendlier") and improvements in well-being after treatment. No serious side effects were reported. Implementing the MD Codes for facial aesthetic treatment may improve facial emotional attributes as well as enhance social attributes and well-being, with natural-looking results.

Biomarkers Associated with Drugs for the Treatment of Lupus Nephritis.

The constant updating of lupus drug treatment guidelines has led to a question. How can the efficacy of treatment be more effectively monitored? Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a complex autoimmune disease that often presents clinically with multi-organ involvement, and approximately 30% of patients with SLE develop lupus nephritis (LN). Therefore, it is important to better track disease progression and drug efficacy. Now, kidney biopsy is still the gold standard for diagnosing and guiding the treatment of LN, but it is invasive and expensive. If simple, non-invasive and effective biomarkers can be found, drug intervention and prognosis can be better monitored and targeted. In this review, we focus on LN and explore biomarkers related to LN therapeutics, providing clinicians with more possibilities to track the therapeutic effect of drugs, improve treatment options and assess patient outcomes.

Healthcare utilization impacts of an eConsult program for headache at an academic medical center.

Interprofessional consultations ("eConsults") can reduce healthcare utilization. However, the impact of eConsults on healthcare utilization remains poorly characterized among patients with headache. We performed a retrospective, 1:1 matched cohort study comparing patients evaluated for headache via eConsult request or in-person referral at the Mount Sinai Health System in New York. Groups were matched on clinical and demographic characteristics. Our primary outcome was one or more outpatient headache-related encounters in 6 months following referral date. Secondary outcomes included one or more all-cause outpatient neurology and headache-related emergency department (ED) encounters during the same period. We used univariable and multivariable logistic regression to model associations between independent variables and outcomes. We identified 74 patients with headache eConsults who were matched to 74 patients with in-person referrals. Patients in the eConsult group were less likely to achieve the primary outcome (29.7% vs 62.2%, P < 0.0001) or have an all-cause outpatient neurology encounter (33.8% vs 79.7%, P < 0.0001) than patients in the comparison group. Both groups did not significantly differ by headache-related ED encounters. In multivariable analyses, patients in the eConsult group had significantly lower odds of having one or more headache-related or all-cause neurology encounters than patients in the comparison group (odds ratio (OR) 0.3, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.1-0.6; OR 0.1, 95% CI 0.1-0.3, respectively). In comparison to in-person referrals, eConsult requests for headache were associated with reduced likelihood of outpatient neurology encounters in the short-term but not with differential use of headache-related ED encounters. Larger-scale, prospective studies should validate our findings and assess patient outcomes.

Clinical and Etiological Exploration of Ventilator-Associated Pneumonia in the Intensive Care Unit of a Developing Country.

Background Ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) is a critical concern in the intensive care unit(ICU), with significant implications for patient outcomes. This retrospective cross-sectional study aimed to determine the prevalence of VAP in an ICU of a developing country, identify the predominant etiological factors, assess patient outcomes, and underscore the need for tailored interventions in high-risk patient groups. Methods This retrospective cross-sectional study included 589 ICU patients who underwent ventilator-assisted breathing for over 48 hours. Among them, 151 developed VAP. The diagnosis was made on clinical, laboratory, and radiological findings, and tracheal aspirate cultures. Exclusions included pediatric patients, less than 48 hours of ventilation, and pre-existing lung infections. Patient data encompassed gender, age, comorbidities, outcomes, admission reasons, isolated microorganisms, and clinical findings. Results 151 patients out of the 589 developed VAP. The age of the patients ranged between 31 to 69 years and the mean age was 45.43 ± 8.92 years. Clinical diagnoses upon ICU admission varied, including sepsis, trauma, stroke, and metabolic disorders. Chest X-rays commonly revealed atelectasis (19.2%), consolidation (21.9%), pleural effusion (11.9%), and lobar pneumonia (45.7%). Tracheal aspirate cultures predominantly isolated multidrug-resistant gram-negative rods, with methicillin-resistant gram-positive cocci and fungal pneumonia prevalent in neutropenic sepsis cases. Notably, only 54 (35.8%) of patients survived, with significantly poorer outcomes observed in sepsis, neutropenic sepsis, and stroke cases compared to trauma and post-operative admissions. Conclusion Multidrug-resistant organisms and the spread of nosocomial infections are the predominant causes ofVAP in the ICU. This emphasizes the urgent need for multifaceted interventions to prevent and manage VAP effectively. Developing and implementing targeted strategies, considering the unique challenges faced in resource-constrained healthcare settings can aid in decreasing the mortality associated with it.