Risk Factors For Clinical Outcomes Research Articles

Polymorphisms in vasoactive eicosanoid genes of kidney donors affect biopsy scores and clinical outcomes in renal transplantation.

Cytochrome P450 (CYP) enzymes metabolize arachidonic acid to vasoactive eicosanoids such as epoxyeicosatrienoic acids (EETs) and 20-Hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acid (20-HETE), whilst soluble epoxide hydrolase, encoded by the EPHX2 gene, is in charge of EETs degradation. We aimed to analyze the influence of common, functional polymorphisms in four genes of the donor on the renal biopsy scores independently assigned by pathologists. Additionally, we examined whether this score or the presence of these SNPs were independent risk factors of clinical outcomes in the first year after grafting. A cohort of 119 recipients and their corresponding 85 deceased donors were included in the study. Donors were genotyped for the CYP4F2 V433M, CYP2C8*3, CYP2J2*7, EPHX2 3’UTR A>G, EPHX2 K55R and EPHX2 R287Q polymorphisms. The association of the donors’ SNPs with the biopsy scores and clinical outcomes was retrospectively evaluated by multivariate regression analysis. The CYP2C8*3 polymorphism in the donor was significantly associated with higher scores assigned to pretransplant biopsies [OR = 3.35 (1.03–10.93), p = 0.045]. In turn, higher scores were related to an increased risk of acute rejection [OR = 5.28 (1.32–21.13), p = 0.019] and worse glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) (45.68±16.05 vs. 53.04±16.93 ml/min in patients whose grafts had lower scores, p = 0.010) one year after transplant. Patients whose donors carried the CYP4F2 433M variant showed lower eGFR values (48.96±16.89 vs. 55.94±18.62 ml/min in non-carriers, p = 0.038) and higher risk of acute rejection [OR = 6.18 (1.03–37.21), p = 0.047]. The CYP2J2*7 SNP in the donor was associated with elevated risk of delayed graft function [OR = 25.68 (1.52–43.53), p = 0.025]. Our results taken together suggest that donor genetic variability may be used as a predictor of tissue damage in the graft as well as to predict clinical outcomes and graft function in the recipient.

Characterization, epidemiological profile and risk factors for clinical outcome of infective endocarditis from a tertiary care centre in Turkey

Background: We aimed to investigate the clinical, laboratory, microbiological characteristics of IE in a single tertiary care centre in Turkey and to identify the factors associated with in-hospital mortality.Methods: A total of 155 consecutive adult patients (≥18 years) admitted to our single tertiary care hospital between 2009 and 2019 with definite infective endocarditis were retrospectively included in the study.Results: The mean age of the patients was 58 years. Among 155 endocarditis episodes, 60% involved prosthetic valves, 35.5% had native valve endocarditis (NVE) and 4.5% were device related. Prosthetic valve disease was the most frequent predisposing valve lesion followed by degenerative valvular disease. Vegetations were detected in 103 (66.5%) patients by transthoracic echocardiography and in 145 (93%) patients by transoesophageal echocardiography. The most commonly affected valve was the mitral valve in 84 (54.2%) patients, followed by 67 (43.2%) aortic valve. Staphylococci were the most frequent causative microorganisms isolated in both NVE (31.8%), prosthetic valve endocarditis (38.9%) and device related IE cases. At least one complication was present in 70 patients (45.2%). One hundred and eight patients underwent surgical therapy (69.7%). Age, syncope, heart failure, perforation, septic shock, renal failure, high red cell distribution width, atrial fibrillation, hypocalcaemia, pulmonary hypertension were associated with high mortality.Conclusions: We identified a 10-year presentation of IE in a referral centre in Turkey. Likely other series, we observed more staphylococcus endocarditis with the aging of the population. Surgery was associated with higher in-hospital survival. Age, syncope, perforation, septic shock were independent predictors of mortality.

Time to positivity of blood culture is a risk factor for clinical outcomes in Staphylococcus aureus bacteremia children: a retrospective study

BackgroundStaphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) is a common cause of bacteremia, which leads to significant morbidity and mortality. We investigated the relationship between time to positivity (TTP) and clinical outcomes in children with S.aureus bacteremia in the China.MethodsA retrospective study of Staphylococcus aureus bacteremia inpatient was performed in Children’s Hospital of Chongqing Medical University in China between 29 January 2014 and 29 August 2017. TTP and clinical parameters were determined and analyzed. The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were plotted for optimal cut-off selection, multivariate logistic regression tests were performed to evaluate the association between TTP and clinical outcomes.ResultsOverall, 84 cases were enrolled. We stated that in-hospital mortality is significantly higher in the early TTP (≤17 h) than in the late TTP (> 17 h) group (57.14% vs 7.14%, P = 0.000). Septic shock occurred in 57.14% of patients with early TTP and in 18.57% of patients with late TTP (P = 0.002). Detailed multivariate and statistical analysis revealed that early TTP, need for vasoactive agent were independent risk factors of in-hospital mortality; early TTP, need for vasoactive agent and APACHE II score ≥ 15 were independent risk factors of septic shock incidence in S. aureus bacteremia children.ConclusionsOverall, TTP of ≤17 h appeared to correlate with the worse outcomes for S. aureus bacteremia children. These results have important implications in the assessments and management of pediatric S. aureus bacteremia in a clinical setting.Trial registrationRetrospectively registered.

Research progress on ICU delirium assessment instrument at home and abroad

Delirium is an acute cognitive impairment syndrome. The incidence of delirium in intensive care unit (ICU) is higher than that in general wards which is an independent risk factor of clinical outcomes of ICU patients. At present, there is no unified standards in assessment instrument for ICU delirium in China which has influences on early diagnosis and assessment by medical staff and makes the incidence of ICU delirium high. This paper reviewed the research progress of assessment instrument for ICU delirium at home and abroad so as to provide a basis for assessment of ICU patients with delirium in China. Key words: Review; Delirium; Intensive care units; Assessment instrument

Do helminth infections underpin urban-rural differences in risk factors for allergy-related outcomes?

SummaryBackgroundIt is proposed that helminth exposure protects against allergy‐related disease, by mechanisms that include disconnecting risk factors (such as atopy) from effector responses.ObjectiveWe aimed to assess how helminth exposure influences rural‐urban differences in risk factors for allergy‐related outcomes in tropical low‐ and middle‐income countries.MethodsIn cross‐sectional surveys in Ugandan rural Schistosoma mansoni (Sm)‐endemic islands, and in nearby mainland urban communities with lower helminth exposure, we assessed risk factors for atopy (allergen‐specific skin prick test [SPT] reactivity and IgE [asIgE] sensitization) and clinical allergy‐related outcomes (wheeze, urticaria, rhinitis and visible flexural dermatitis), and effect modification by Sm exposure.ResultsDermatitis and SPT reactivity were more prevalent among urban participants, urticaria and asIgE sensitization among rural participants. Pairwise associations between clinical outcomes, and between atopy and clinical outcomes, were stronger in the urban survey. In the rural survey, SPT positivity was inversely associated with bathing in lakewater, Schistosoma‐specific IgG4 and Sm infection. In the urban survey, SPT positivity was positively associated with age, non‐Ugandan maternal tribe, being born in a city/town, BCG scar and light Sm infection. Setting (rural vs urban) was an effect modifier for risk factors including Sm‐ and Schistosoma‐specific IgG4. In both surveys, the dominant risk factors for asIgE sensitization were Schistosoma‐specific antibody levels and helminth infections. Handwashing and recent malaria treatment reduced odds of asIgE sensitization among rural but not urban participants. Risk factors for clinical outcomes also differed by setting. Despite suggestive trends, we did not find sufficient evidence to conclude that helminth (Sm) exposure explained rural‐urban differences in risk factors.Conclusions and clinical relevanceRisk factors for allergy‐related outcomes differ between rural and urban communities in Uganda but helminth exposure is unlikely to be the sole mechanism of the observed effect modification between the two settings. Other environmental exposures may contribute significantly.

Predictors of Attrition in Longitudinal Neuroimaging Research: Inhibitory Control, Head Movement, and Resting-State Functional Connectivity.

Attrition is a major problem in longitudinal neuroimaging studies, as it may lead to unreliable estimates of the stability of trait-like processes over time, of the identification of risk factors for clinical outcomes, and of the effects of treatment. Identification of characteristics associated with attrition has implications for participant recruitment and participant retention to achieve representative longitudinal samples. We investigated inhibitory control deficits, head motion, and resting-state functional connectivity within the cognitive control network (CCN) as predictors of attrition. Ninety-seven individuals with remitted major depressive disorder or healthy controls completed a functional magnetic resonance imaging scan, which included a go/no-go task and resting-state functional connectivity. Approximately 2 months later, participants were contacted and invited to return for a second scan. Seventeen individuals were lost to follow-up or declined to participate in the follow-up scan. Worse inhibitory control was correlated with greater movement within the scanner, and each predicted a greater likelihood of attrition, with movement mediating the effects of inhibitory control on attrition. Individuals who dropped out of the study exhibited greater movement than nondropouts across 9 of the 14 runs of the scan, with medium-to-large effect sizes. Finally, exploratory analyses suggested that attenuated resting-state connectivity with the CCN (particularly in bilateral dorsolateral prefrontal cortex) was associated with greater likelihood of attrition after accounting for head motion at several levels of analysis. Inhibitory control and movement within the scanner are associated with attrition, and should be considered for strategic oversampling and participant retention strategies to ensure generalizability of results in longitudinal studies.

Co-infection with hepatitis B virus among tuberculosis patients is associated with poor outcomes during anti-tuberculosis treatment

BackgroundTuberculosis (TB) and chronic Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection are common in China. Fist-line anti-TB medications often produce drug-induced liver injury (DILI). This study sought to investigate whether TB patients with chronic HBV co-infection are more susceptible to liver failure and poor outcomes during anti-TB treatment.MethodsEighty-four TB patients developed DILI during anti-TB treatment and were enrolled, including 58 with chronic HBV co-infection (TB-HBV group) and 26 with TB mono-infection (TB group). Clinical data and demographic characteristics were reviewed. The severity of DILI and incidences of liver failure and death were compared. Risk factors of clinical outcomes were defined.ResultsThe patterns of DILI were similar in both groups. Compared with patients in the TB group, patients in the TB-HBV group who did not receive anti-HBV therapy before anti-TB treatment were more susceptible to Grade-4 severity of DILI (36.2% vs. 7.7%, P = 0.005), liver failure (67.2% vs. 38.5%, P = 0.013) and poor outcomes (37.9% vs. 7.7%, P = 0.005). Age > 50 years (48.1% vs. 22.6%, P = 0.049), cirrhosis (50.0% vs. 15.4%, P = 0.046) and total bilirubin > 20 mg/dl (51.6% vs. 14.8%, P = 0.005) were independent risk factors for the rate of death in the TB-HBV group, and HBV DNA > 20,000 IU/ml had borderline significance (44.1% vs. 20.8%, P = 0.081). In the TB-HBV group, nucleos(t)ide analogues as rescue therapy were not able to reduce short-term death (33.3% vs. 36.8%, P = 0.659) once liver failure had occurred.ConclusionsPatients on anti-TB therapy with chronic HBV co-infection are more susceptible to developing liver failure and having poor outcomes during anti-TB treatment. Regular monitoring of liver function and HBV DNA level is mandatory. Anti-HBV treatment should be considered in those with high viral levels before anti-TB treatment.

Physiologic Preoperative Knee Hyperextension Is a Predictor of Failure in an Anterior Cruciate Ligament Revision Cohort: A Report From the MARS Group

Background: The occurrence of physiologic knee hyperextension (HE) in the revision anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR) population and its effect on outcomes have yet to be reported. Hypothesis/Purpose: The prevalence of knee HE in revision ACLR and its effect on 2-year outcome were studied with the hypothesis that preoperative physiologic knee HE ≥5° is a risk factor for anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) graft rupture. Study Design: Cohort study; Level of evidence, 2. Methods: Patients undergoing revision ACLR were identified and prospectively enrolled between 2006 and 2011. Study inclusion criteria were patients undergoing single-bundle graft reconstructions. Patients were followed up at 2 years and asked to complete an identical set of outcome instruments (International Knee Documentation Committee, Knee injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score, WOMAC, and Marx Activity Rating Scale) as well as provide information regarding revision ACL graft failure. A regression model with graft failure as the dependent variable included age, sex, graft type at the time of the revision ACL surgery, and physiologic preoperative passive HE ≥5° (yes/no) to assess these as potential risk factors for clinical outcomes 2 years after revision ACLR. Results: Analyses included 1145 patients, for whom 2-year follow-up was attained for 91%. The median age was 26 years, with age being a continuous variable. Those below the median were grouped as “younger” and those above as “older” (age: interquartile range = 20, 35 years), and 42% of patients were female. There were 50% autografts, 48% allografts, and 2% that had a combination of autograft plus allograft. Passive knee HE ≥5° was present in 374 (33%) patients in the revision cohort, with 52% being female. Graft rupture at 2-year follow-up occurred in 34 cases in the entire cohort, of which 12 were in the HE ≥5° group (3.2% failure rate) and 22 in the non-HE group (2.9% failure rate). The median age of patients who failed was 19 years, as opposed to 26 years for those with intact grafts. Three variables in the regression model were significant predictors of graft failure: younger age (odds ratio [OR] = 3.6; 95% CI, 1.6-7.9; P = .002), use of allograft (OR = 3.3; 95% CI, 1.5-7.4; P = .003), and HE ≥5° (OR = 2.12; 95% CI, 1.1-4.7; P = .03). Conclusion: This study revealed that preoperative physiologic passive knee HE ≥5° is present in one-third of patients who undergo revision ACLR. HE ≥5° was an independent significant predictor of graft failure after revision ACLR with a >2-fold OR of subsequent graft rupture in revision ACL surgery. Registration: NCT00625885 (ClinicalTrials.gov identifier).

Decreased Lymphocyte-to-Monocyte Ratio Predicts Poor Prognosis of Acute Ischemic Stroke Treated with Thrombolysis.

BackgroundOur previous study found that lower lymphocyte-to-monocyte ratio (LMR) is an independent risk factor of clinical outcome of acute ischemic stroke (AIS). However, whether lower LMR is independently associated with adverse prognosis of AIS treated with thrombolysis has not been determined. In this study, we explored the relationship between LMR and prognosis of AIS treated with thrombolysis.Material/MethodsWe retrospectively enrolled 108 patients treated with thrombolysis. LMR was calculated according to lymphocyte count and monocyte count on admission. Patients were classified into 3 groups according to LMR values on admission (group 1 LMR >4.34, group 2 LMR 2.79 to 4.34, group 3 LMR <2.79). Neurologic impairment was estimated by use of the National Institute of Health Stroke Scale. Clinical prognosis at 3 months was assessed by modified Rankin Scale. The relationship between LMR and neurologic impairment was analyzed by Spearman rank correlation. Receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC) was used to evaluate the ability of LMR to predict outcome.ResultsPatients in group 3 had lower lymphocyte counts and LMR values and higher monocyte counts (P<0.001). LMR value was negatively correlated with the degree of neurologic impairment (r=−0.372, P<0.001). The ROC suggested a moderate sensitivity (71.6%) and specificity (80.5%) of LMR for predicting prognosis with an optimal cut-off point at 3.48. Higher LMR value was an independent protective factor against adverse prognosis (odds ratio 0.683, 95% confidence interval 0.490−0.952, P=0.024).ConclusionsA lower LMR value is an independent predictor of poor prognosis of AIS treated with thrombolytic therapy.

Surgical Predictors of Clinical Outcomes After Revision Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction

Background: Revision anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction has been documented to have worse outcomes compared with primary ACL reconstruction. Hypothesis: Certain factors under the control of the surgeon at the time of revision surgery can both negatively and positively affect outcomes. Study Design: Case-control study; Level of evidence, 3. Methods: Patients undergoing revision ACL reconstruction were identified and prospectively enrolled between 2006 and 2011. Data collected included baseline demographics, intraoperative surgical technique and joint disorders, and a series of validated patient-reported outcome instruments (International Knee Documentation Committee [IKDC] subjective form, Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score [KOOS], Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index [WOMAC], and Marx activity rating scale) completed before surgery. Patients were followed up for 2 years and asked to complete an identical set of outcome instruments. Regression analysis was used to control for age, sex, body mass index (BMI), activity level, baseline outcome scores, revision number, time since last ACL reconstruction, and a variety of previous and current surgical variables to assess the surgical risk factors for clinical outcomes 2 years after revision ACL reconstruction. Results: A total of 1205 patients (697 male [58%]) met the inclusion criteria and were successfully enrolled. The median age was 26 years, and the median time since their last ACL reconstruction was 3.4 years. Two-year follow-up was obtained on 82% (989/1205). Both previous and current surgical factors were found to be significant contributors toward poorer clinical outcomes at 2 years. Having undergone previous arthrotomy (nonarthroscopic open approach) for ACL reconstruction compared with the 1-incision technique resulted in significantly poorer outcomes for the 2-year IKDC (P = .037; odds ratio [OR], 2.43; 95% CI, 1.05-5.88) and KOOS pain, sports/recreation, and quality of life (QOL) subscales (P ≤ .05; OR range, 2.38-4.35; 95% CI, 1.03-10.00). The use of a metal interference screw for current femoral fixation resulted in significantly better outcomes for the 2-year KOOS symptoms, pain, and QOL subscales (P ≤ .05; OR range, 1.70-1.96; 95% CI, 1.00-3.33) as well as WOMAC stiffness subscale (P = .041; OR, 1.75; 95% CI, 1.02-3.03). Not performing notchplasty at revision significantly improved 2-year outcomes for the IKDC (P = .013; OR, 1.47; 95% CI, 1.08-1.99), KOOS activities of daily living (ADL) and QOL subscales (P ≤ .04; OR range, 1.40-1.41; 95% CI, 1.03-1.93), and WOMAC stiffness and ADL subscales (P ≤ .04; OR range, 1.41-1.49; 95% CI, 1.03-2.05). Factors before revision ACL reconstruction that increased the risk of poorer clinical outcomes at 2 years included lower baseline outcome scores, a lower Marx activity score at the time of revision, a higher BMI, female sex, and a shorter time since the patient’s last ACL reconstruction. Prior femoral fixation, prior femoral tunnel aperture position, and knee flexion angle at the time of revision graft fixation were not found to affect 2-year outcomes in this revision cohort. Conclusion: There are certain surgical variables that the physician can control at the time of revision ACL reconstruction that can modify clinical outcomes at 2 years. Whenever possible, opting for an anteromedial portal or transtibial surgical exposure, choosing a metal interference screw for femoral fixation, and not performing notchplasty are associated with significantly better 2-year clinical outcomes.

Retrospective analysis of fosfomycin combinational therapy for sepsis caused by carbapenem-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae.

The aim of the present study was to compare the efficacy and safety of fosfomycin combinational therapy with other antibiotics for the treatment of infections caused by carbapenem-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae (CRKP). This retrospective cohort study examined 104 cases of sepsis caused by CRKP occurring between January 2012 and November 2014 in Shanghai Tenth People's Hospital. Three categories of patient outcome were assessed: Survival/mortality, duration of intensive care unit stays and duration of medical ventilation. Univariate ordinal analyses were adopted to evaluate the correlations between outcome and treatment. A total of 104 patients with physician-diagnosed CRKP were involved in the study. The overall mortality rate was 25.0%. The majority of the infections (84; 80.8%) were hospital acquired. Critical infections received more than one active antibiotic as therapy. Patients treated with fosfomycin combinational therapy were less likely to fail therapy (OR: 4.71, 95% CI: 1.03-21.65, P=0.034) and tended to have a shorter duration of mechanical ventilation. Gender (OR: 4.35, 95% CI: 1.08-3.60, P=0.037), history of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (OR: 9.35, 95% CI: 0.06-0.19, P=0.007) and peripheral catheter use (OR: 3.00, 95% CI: 0.07-0.19, P=0.002) are risk factors for clinical outcome. Therefore, the use of fosfomycin combinational therapy for treatment of infection due to CRKP appears to be associated with improved survival rate.

Rehabilitation Predictors of Clinical Outcome following Revision ACL Reconstruction

Objectives:Revision ACL reconstruction has been documented to have worse outcomes compared with primary ACL reconstructions. The reasons why remain unknown. The purpose of this study was to determine whether rehabilitation-related factors prescribed at the time of ACL revision reconstruction significantly influence two year outcomes, as well as the incidence of incurring a subsequent re-operation. Our hypothesis was that immediate versus passive, active range of motion (ROM) and weightbearing will result in improved outcomes without incidence of subsequent surgery. Use of postoperative and functional return to sport braces will not improve return to sports function.Methods:Revision ACL reconstruction patients were identified and prospectively enrolled between 2006 and 2011. Data collected included baseline demographics, surgical technique and pathology, prescribed post-op and rehabilitation instructions (ie. timing of weightbearing, timing of passive and active ROM, use of postoperative and return to sport braces) and a series of validated patient reported outcome instruments (IKDC, KOOS, and Marx activity rating score). Patients were followed up for 2 years, and asked to complete the identical set of outcome instruments. Because meniscal repair, meniscal transplants, HTOs, concurrent ligamentous reconstructions, and certain chondral treatments (ie. microfracture, abrasion arthroplasty, mosiacplasty, etc) are known to affect prescribed rehab treatments, patients with these pathologies were excluded from the analyses. Regression analysis was used to control for age, gender, activity level, baseline outcome scores, and the above-mentioned rehabilitation-related variables, in order to assess the risk factors for clinical outcomes 2 years after revision ACL reconstruction.Results:A total of 843 patients met the inclusion criteria and were successfully enrolled. 482 (57%) were males, with a median cohort age of 27 years. Baseline characteristics of the cohort are summarized in Table 1. At 2 years, follow-up was obtained on 82% (694/843). There were two rehabilitation-related factors which were found to be influential of 2 year outcomes. Patients who were prescribed an ACL brace for return to sport had significantly better KOOS sports/rec scores at 2 years (odds ratio=1.50; 95% CI=1.07-2.11; p=0.019). Patients who were prescribed an ACL derotation brace to be used in post-op rehab were 2.26 times more likely to have a subsequent surgery by 2 years (OR = 2.26; 95% CI=1.11-4.60; p=0.024). Lower baseline outcome scores, activity level, and female gender all significantly increased the odds of reporting poorer clinical outcomes (IKDC, all KOOS subscales, and Marx activity rating score) at 2 years. Alternatively, whether or not a physician restricted a patient’s passive or active ROM post-operatively, restricted full weight-bearing without support, or prescribed a motion control brace post-op, were all found not to be influential risk factors for 2 year outcomes in this revision cohort.Conclusion:There are rehabilitation-related factors that the physician can control at the time of an ACL revision which have the ability to modify clinical outcomes at 2 years. The odds of having a higher KOOS sports/rec score increases by 50% in patients who wore a functional brace for sports (versus patients who didn’t). However, patients who were prescribed a derotation brace used for post-op rehab were 2.3 times more likely to incur a subsequent surgery by 2 years.

Knee Hyperextension as a Predictor of Failure in Revision ACL Reconstruction

Objectives:We studied the minimum 2 year follow-up outcomes in an ACL revision cohort. The hypothesis is that knees that hyperextend will have a worse outcome and greater odds of graft failure than knees that do not hyperextend. The null hypothesis is that there is no difference in outcomes or graft rupture between the two groups.Methods:Revision ACL reconstruction patients were identified and prospectively enrolled between 2006 and 2011. Data collected included baseline demographics, surgical technique and pathology, and a series of validated patient reported outcome instruments (IKDC, KOOS, WOMAC, and Marx activity rating score). Patients were followed up for 2 years, and asked to complete the identical set of outcome instruments. A regression model using graft failure as the dependent variable included graft type, age, and hyperextension greater than or equal to 5 degrees yes/no (HE) in order to assess these potential surgical risk factors for clinical outcomes 2 years after revision ACL reconstruction.Results:There were 1,145 subjects included in the analyses. The median age of the cohort was 26 (IQR= 20, 35), and 58% were male. The proportion that were enrolled for their first revision surgery was 88%, their second 10%, and third or greater 2%. The number of subjects categorized as HE was 375 (33%). The median age of subjects that failed was 18, compared to 26 for those with intact grafts. All three variables included in our regression model were significant predictors of graft failure: younger age, inter-quartile range odds ratio (IQROR) = 3.32 (95%CI 1.5, 7.2) p= 0.002; use of allograft OR = 3.1 (95%CI 1.4, 6.9) p= 0.01, and HE 2.1 (95%CI 1.02, 4.42) p= 0.04.Conclusion:The MARS Study Group has previously reported that young age and the use of allograft as a graft source are independent predictors (over 3X odds ratio) of graft rupture after revision ACLR. This study found that knee hyperextension greater than or equal to 5 degrees is present in 1/3 of patients who undergo revision ACLR. HE is also an independent predictor of graft failure after revision ACLR. This is the first study to investigate and confirm knee physiologic hyperextension as a risk factor (over 2X odds ratio) of graft rupture in ACL surgery. Future reports on ACL reconstruction results should separately evaluate the group of knees that hyperextend 5 degrees or more as compared to those that do not.

Meniscal and Articular Cartilage Predictors of Clinical Outcome After Revision Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction

Background: Revision anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction has been documented to have worse outcomes compared with primary ACL reconstructions. Purpose/Hypothesis: The purpose of this study was to determine if the prevalence, location, and/or degree of meniscal and chondral damage noted at the time of revision ACL reconstruction predicts activity level, sports function, and osteoarthritis symptoms at 2-year follow-up. The hypothesis was that meniscal loss and high-grade chondral damage noted at the time of revision ACL reconstruction will result in lower activity levels, decreased sports participation, more pain, more stiffness, and more functional limitation at 2 years after revision surgery. Study Design: Cohort study; Level of evidence, 2. Methods: Between 2006 and 2011, a total of 1205 patients who underwent revision ACL reconstruction by 83 surgeons at 52 hospitals were accumulated for study of the relationship of meniscal and articular cartilage damage to outcome. Baseline demographic and intraoperative data, including the International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC) subjective knee evaluation, Knee injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (KOOS), Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC), and Marx activity score, were collected initially and at 2-year follow-up to test the hypothesis. Regression analysis was used to control for age, sex, body mass index, smoking status, activity level, baseline outcome scores, revision number, time since last ACL reconstruction, incidence of having a previous ACL reconstruction on the contralateral knee, previous and current meniscal and articular cartilage injury, graft choice, and surgeon years of experience to assess the meniscal and articular cartilage risk factors for clinical outcomes 2 years after revision ACL reconstruction. Results: At 2-year follow-up, 82% (989/1205) of the patients returned their questionnaires. It was found that previous meniscal injury and current articular cartilage damage were associated with the poorest outcomes, with prior lateral meniscectomy and current grade 3 to 4 trochlear articular cartilage changes having the worst outcome scores. Activity levels at 2 years were not affected by meniscal or articular cartilage pathologic changes. Conclusion: Prior lateral meniscectomy and current grade 3 to 4 changes of the trochlea were associated with worse outcomes in terms of decreased sports participation, more pain, more stiffness, and more functional limitation at 2 years after revision surgery, but they had no effect on activity levels. Registration: NCT00625885

Surgical outcomes following encephaloduroarteriosynangiosis in adult moyamoya disease associated with Type 2 diabetes.

OBJECTIVE Debate exists regarding the merits and shortcomings of an indirect bypass procedure for treating adult patients with moyamoya disease (MMD). Considerable variation in neovascularization occurs among different organs in patients with diabetes mellitus. Here, the effect of encephaloduroarteriosynangiosis on MMD associated with Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is evaluated. METHODS A retrospective and 1:2 matched case-control study was conducted in moyamoya patients with or without T2DM (n = 180). Postoperative collateral formations were graded according to the Modified Collateral Grading System that originated from the Matsushima Angiographic Stage Classification. Neurological function outcomes before and after the operation were evaluated according to the modified Rankin Scale. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed to determine the risk factors for clinical outcome. RESULTS There was no statistically significant difference in the constituent ratios of initial symptom and preoperative Suzuki stage between patients with and without T2DM. Progression of angiopathy around the circle of Willis was postoperatively observed in bilateral internal carotid arteries in both groups. Patients with T2DM had a higher postoperative Suzuki stage (p < 0.01) and more frequent development of collateral angiogenesis germinating from the external carotid after indirect revascularization procedures in the surgical cerebral hemisphere (82.7% vs 72.2%; p < 0.05). The extent of postoperative collateral formation in patients with diabetes mellitus was significantly higher (p < 0.01). Postoperative clinical improvement in the diabetes group was more common after revascularization procedures (p < 0.05), and the diabetes group had lower modified Rankin Scale scores (p < 0.05) in comparison with the nondiabetes group. Late postoperative stroke and posterior cerebral artery involvement were identified as predictors of unfavorable clinical outcome in both groups, while T2DM was associated with a favorable clinical outcome. CONCLUSIONS Encephaloduroarteriosynangiosis is an efficacious treatment for adult patients with MMD. Patients with T2DM could achieve better collateral circulation and clinical improvement following surgery.

Association of HLA-G*01:01:02:01/G*01:04:01 polymorphism with gastric adenocarcinoma

Human leukocyte antigen-G (HLA-G) plays an important role in tumor cell escape from immune surveillance and HLA-G polymorphisms might service as a potential risk factor for clinical outcomes in GAC (gastric adenocarcinoma). We investigated the association between HLA-G polymorphisms as well as soluble HLA-G level and accordance of GAC. This case-control study included 100 GAC patients and 102 unrelated Iranian individual’s samples as control. The clinical stages ranged from I to IV. PCR-RFLP method was carried out in order to specify the genotypes of the HLA-G gene. Concentrations of sHLA-G in serum were determined with the sHLA-G-specific enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) kit. The G*01:04:01 and G*01:01:02:01 alleles were the predominant alleles in GAC patients and healthy controls. The G*01:01:03:01 and G*01:01:08 allele distributions are significantly higher among controls comparing to cases and seem to have protective effect (P value=0.026 and 0.007 respectively). There is a substantial differences in G*01:01:02:01/G*01:04:01 genotype frequencies between cases and controls (OR=2.8, P value<0.001). The G*01:01:03:01/G*01:04:01 and G*01:01:02:01/G*01:01:08 genotypes frequency are higher among controls in comparison to patients (P value=0.028 and 0.007 respectively). The polymorphisms in HLA-G could affect GAC induction and its outcome. Also, increased sHLA-G levels in serum might be a useful biomarker for diagnosis.

Different risk factors for poor outcome between patients with positive and negative susceptibility vessel sign

PurposeThe absence of the susceptibility vessel sign (negative SVS) on gradient-recalled echo or susceptibility-weighted imaging (SWI) in thrombolytic therapy has not been well studied. Since positive and negative SVS may...

Blood conservation strategies can be applied safely to high-risk complex aortic surgery.

The present study aimed to evaluate the effect of blood conservation strategies on patient outcomes after aortic surgery. Retrospective cohort analysis of prospective data. University hospital. Patients undergoing thoracic aortic surgery. One hundred thirty-two consecutive high-risk patients (mean EuroSCORE 10.4%) underwent thoracic aortic aneurysm or dissection repair from January 2010 to September 2011. A blood conservation strategy (BCS) focused on limitation of hemodilution and tolerance of perioperative anemia was used in 57 patients (43.2%); the remaining 75 (56.8%) patients were managed by traditional methods. Mortality, major complications, and red blood cell transfusion requirements were assessed. Independent risk factors for clinical outcomes were determined by multivariate analyses. Hospital mortality was 9.8% (13 of 132). Lower preoperative hemoglobin was an independent predictor of mortality (p<0.01, odds ratio [OR] 1.7). Major complications were associated with perioperative transfusion: 0% complication rate in patients receiving<2 units of packed red blood cells versus 32.3% (20 of 62) in patients receiving ≥2 units. The blood conservation strategy had no significant impact on mortality (p = 0.4) or major complications (p = 0.9) despite the blood conservation patients having a higher incidence of aortic dissection and urgent/emergent procedures and lower preoperative and discharge hemoglobin. In patients with aortic aneurysms, BCS patients received 1.5 fewer units of red blood cells (58% reduction) than non-BCS patients (p = 0.01). Independent risk factors for transfusion were lower preoperative hemoglobin (p<0.01, OR 1.5) and lack of BCS (p = 0.02, OR 3.6). Clinical practice guidelines for blood conservation should be considered for high-risk complex aortic surgery patients.

Prognostic CT and MR imaging features in patients with untreated extranodal non-Hodgkin lymphoma of the head and neck region

To determine the prognostic CT and MR imaging features of extranodal non-Hodgkin lymphoma in the head and neck region. The clinical data and CT and MR imaging features of 59 patients with histologically confirmed extranodal non-Hodgkin lymphoma in the head and neck region were retrospectively reviewed. Subjects included 27 male and 32 female patients between 13 and 81 years of age, with a mean age of 60.3 years. The clinical outcomes were categorized according to whether relapse or metastasis occurred within 2 years after therapy. The association between the clinical outcome and radiologic factors including tumour size, margin, shape, local tumour invasiveness, regional lymph node involvement, number of involvement sites, and contrast enhancement patterns was determined using univariate and multiple logistic regression analysis. Radiologic factors including tumour size, margin, shape, and local tumour invasiveness were associated with poor clinical outcomes, as determined by univariate analysis (P < 0.05). Only the lesion margin category (ill-defined) remained an independent risk factor for clinical outcome in multivariate logistic regression analysis, with an OR of 8.14 (P < 0.05). Ill-defined margin of the primary lesion was indicative of unfavourable survival outcome for patients with extranodal non-Hodgkin lymphoma of the head and neck region. • Tumour size, margin, shape and local tumour invasiveness were prognostically relevant. • Tumour margin was an independent risk factor for clinical outcome. • Ill-defined margin of primary lesion was indicative of unfavourable survival outcome.

Meniscal and Articular Cartilage Predictors of Clinical Outcome following Revision ACL Reconstruction

Objectives:Revision ACL reconstruction has been documented to have worse outcomes compared with primary ACL reconstructions. The reasons why remain unknown. The purpose of this study was to determine if both the prevalence and/or degree of meniscal and chondral damage noted at the time of ACL revision reconstruction predicts activity level, sports function, and OA symptoms at two year follow-up.Methods:Revision ACL reconstruction patients were identified and prospectively enrolled between 2006 and 2011. Data collected included baseline demographics, surgical technique and pathology, and a series of validated patient reported outcome instruments (IKDC, KOOS, WOMAC, and Marx activity rating score). Patients were followed up for 2 years, and asked to complete the identical set of outcome instruments. Regression analysis was used to control for age, gender, BMI, smoking status, activity level, baseline outcome scores, revision number, time since last ACLR, previous and current meniscal and articular cartilage pathology, in order to assess the meniscal and AC pathology risk factors for clinical outcomes 2 years after revision ACL reconstruction.Results:1205 patients met the inclusion criteria and were successfully enrolled. 697 (58%) were males, with a median cohort age of 26 years. The median time since their last ACL reconstruction was 3.4 years. Surgeons noted previous pathology in the medial meniscus (39%), lateral meniscus (20%), and articular surfaces (12%) at the time of revision surgery. Surgeons reported current pathology in the medial meniscus (45%), lateral meniscus (37%), MFC (43%), LFC (29%), MTP (11%), LTP (17%), patella (30%), and trochlea (20%). At 2 years, follow-up was obtained on 82% (989/1205). Previous meniscal pathology (both medial and lateral), as well as current AC pathology (in the MFC, LFC, MTP, LTP, and trochlea) were found to be significant drivers of poorer outcomes at 2 years (Table 1). The most consistent cartilage-related factors driving outcome in revision patients were previous lateral meniscus pathology and current trochlea AC pathology. Having a previous excision on the lateral meniscus resulted in significantly poorer outcomes on the IKDC (odds ratio=1.69; 95% CI=1.16-2.44; p=0.005), all KOOS subscales (OR range=1.54-2.08; 95% CI=1.04-3.03; p<0.029), and all WOMAC subscales (OR=1.56; 95% CI=1.06-2.27; p=0.02). Having a current Grade 3-4 AC chondrosis of the trochlea resulted in significantly poorer outcomes in the IKDC (OR=1.89; 95% CI=1.25-2.94; p-0.003), 4 of 5 KOOS subscales (OR range = 1.64-2.70; 95% CI=1.09-4.17; p<0.02), and 2 of 3 WOMAC subscales (OR range = 1.61-2.70; 95% CI=1.04-4.17; p<0.03). Lower baseline outcome scores, lower baseline activity level, and shorter time since the patient’s last ACL reconstruction all significantly increased the odds of reporting poorer clinical outcomes at 2 years. Meniscal and AC pathology was not found to be a significant risk factor for 2 year activity levels. Interestingly, previous AC pathology and current meniscal pathology were not found to be significant risk factors for 2 year outcomes in this revision cohort.Conclusion:Having a previous meniscal excision, as well as grade 3-4 chondral damage noted at the time of ACL revision reconstruction results in decreased sports outcome scores and worse WOMAC scores at two years following revision surgery. However, incidence of meniscal and AC pathology was not found to be a predictor of a patient’s activity level at 2 years.