Category: Nevin Manimala

J Thorac Cardiovasc Surg. 2023 Apr 17:S0022-5223(23)00320-3. doi: 10.1016/j.jtcvs.2023.03.027. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: To investigate if gender influences letters of recommendation for cardiothoracic surgery fellowship.

METHODS: From applications to an Accreditation Council Graduate Medical Education cardiothoracic surgery fellowship program between 2016 and 2021, applicant and author characteristics were examined with descriptive statistics, analysis of variance, and Pearson-Chi square tests. Linguistic software was used to assess communication differences in letters of recommendation, stratified by author and applicant gender. An additional higher-level analysis was then performed using a Generalized Estimating Equations model to examine linguistic differences among author-applicant gender pairs.

RESULTS: 739 recommendation letters extracted from 196 individual applications were analyzed; 90% (n=665) of authors were men and 55.8% (n=412) of authors were cardiothoracic surgeons. Compared to women authors, authors who are men wrote more authentic (p=0.01) and informal (p=0.03) recommendation letters. When writing for women applicants, authors who are men were more likely to display their own leadership and status (p=0.03) and discuss women applicants’ social affiliations (p=0.01), like occupation of applicant’s father or husband. Women authors wrote longer letters (p=0.03) and discussed applicants’ work (p=0.01) more often than authors who are men. They also mentioned leisure activities (p=0.03) more often when writing for women applicants.

CONCLUSIONS: Our work identifies gender-specific differences in letters of recommendation. Women applicants may be disadvantaged because their recommendation letters are significantly more likely to focus on their social ties, leisure activities, and the status of the letter writer. Author and reviewer awareness of gender-biased use of language will aid in improvements to the candidate selection process.

PMID:37156362 | DOI:10.1016/j.jtcvs.2023.03.027

J Diabetes Complications. 2023 May 4;37(7):108495. doi: 10.1016/j.jdiacomp.2023.108495. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

AIMS: Diabetes-related distress can negatively affect disease management leading to worse complications, especially among marginalized populations. Prior studies mostly focus on distress’ impact on diabetes outcomes, with few examining distress predictors. The current study examined the impact of social needs on distress on its own and after controlling for other socio-demographic, psychosocial, and health factors.

METHODS: Adult Medicaid beneficiaries with type 2 diabetes and a recent HbA1c test documented in claims data (<120 days) were recruited for a 12-month social needs intervention trial. Baseline survey data assessed diabetes distress, social needs, psychosocial factors and health factors. Descriptive statistics were obtained, and bivariate and multivariable logistic regression analyses were used to identify predictors of moderate to severe distress.

RESULTS: Bivariate analyses revealed social needs, stress, depression, comorbidity and comorbidity burden, poor self-rated health, insulin use, a self-reported HbA1c ≥ 9.0, and difficulty remembering to take diabetes medications were all positively associated with greater odds of diabetes distress; greater social support, diabetes self-efficacy, and age were negatively associated. Four variables remained significant in the multivariate model: depression, diabetes self-efficacy, self-reported HbA1c ≥ 9.0, and younger age.

CONCLUSIONS: Targeted distress screening efforts might prioritize people with HbA1c values >9.0, greater depression, and worse diabetes self-efficacy.

PMID:37156052 | DOI:10.1016/j.jdiacomp.2023.108495

Mult Scler Relat Disord. 2023 Apr 24;75:104730. doi: 10.1016/j.msard.2023.104730. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorders (NMOSD) most commonly cause severe disability which is related to disease attacks. However, some patients retain good neurological function for a long time after disease onset.

OBJECTIVES: To determine the frequency, demographic and the clinical features of good outcome NMOSD, and analyze their predictive factors.

METHODS: We selected patients who met the 2015 International Panel for NMOSD diagnostic criteria from seven MS Centers. Assessed data included age at disease onset, sex, race, number of attacks within the first and three years from onset, annualized relapsing rate (ARR), total number of attacks, aquaporin-IgG serum status, presence of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF)-specific oligoclonal bands (OCB) and the Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) score at the last follow-up visit. NMOSD was classified as non-benign if patients developed sustained EDSS score >3.0 during the disease course, or benign if patients had EDSS score ≤3.0 after ≥15 years from disease onset. Patients with EDSS <3.0 and disease duration shorter than 15 years were not qualified for classification. We compared the demographic and clinical characteristics of benign and non-benign NMOSD. Logistic regression analysis identified predictive factors of outcome.

RESULTS: There were 16 patients with benign NMOSD (3% of the entire cohort; 4.2% of those qualified for classification; and 4.1% of those who tested positive for aquaporin 4-IgG), and 362 (67.7%) with non-benign NMOSD, whereas 157 (29.3%) did not qualify for classification. All patients with benign NMOSD were female, 75% were Caucasian, 75% tested positive for AQP4-IgG, and 28.6% had CSF-specific OCB. Regression analysis showed that female sex, pediatric onset, and optic neuritis, area postrema syndrome, and brainstem symptoms at disease onset, as well as fewer relapses in the first year and three years from onset, and CSF-specific OCB were more commonly found in benign NMOSD, but the difference did not reach statistical significance. Conversely, non-Caucasian race (OR: 0.29, 95% CI: 0.07-0.99; p = 0.038), myelitis at disease presentation (OR: 0.07, 95% CI: 0.01-0.52; p <0.001), and high ARR (OR: 0.07, 95% CI: 0.01-0.67; p = 0.011) were negative risk factors for benign NMOSD.

CONCLUSION: Benign NMOSD is very rare and occurs more frequently in Caucasians, patients with low ARR, and those who do not have myelitis at disease onset.

PMID:37156036 | DOI:10.1016/j.msard.2023.104730

Mult Scler Relat Disord. 2023 May 1;75:104742. doi: 10.1016/j.msard.2023.104742. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Although cannabis has become an increasingly common method for pain management among people with multiple sclerosis (PwMS), there is a dearth of knowledge regarding the types of cannabis products used as well as the characteristics of cannabis users. The current study aimed to (1) describe the prevalence of cannabis use and the routes of administration of cannabis products in adults with an existing chronic pain condition and MS, (2) to examine differences in demographic and disease-related variables between cannabis users and non-users, and (3) to examine differences between cannabis users and non-users in pain-related variables, including pain intensity, pain interference, neuropathic pain, pain medication use, and pain-related coping.

METHODS: Secondary analysis of baseline data from participants with multiple sclerosis (MS) and chronic pain (N = 242) enrolled in an RCT comparing mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT), cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), and usual care for chronic pain. Statistical methods included t-tests, Mann-Whitney tests, chi-square tests, and Fisher’s exact tests to assess for differences in demographic, disease-related, and pain-related variables between cannabis users and non-users.

RESULTS: Of the 242 participants included in the sample, 65 (27%) reported the use of cannabis for pain management. The most common route of administration was oil/tincture (reported by 42% of cannabis users), followed by vaped (22%) and edible (17%) products. Cannabis users were slightly younger than non-users (Med_age 51.0 vs 55.0, p = .019) and reported higher median pain intensity scores (6.0 vs 5.0, p = .022), higher median pain interference scores (5.9 vs 5.4, p = .027), and higher median levels of neuropathic pain (20.0 vs 16.0, p = .001).

CONCLUSIONS: The current study identified factors that may intersect with cannabis use for pain management and adds to our current knowledge of the types of cannabis products used by PwMS. Future research should continue to investigate trends in cannabis use for pain management, especially as the legality and availability of products continue to shift. Additionally, longitudinal studies are needed to examine the effects of cannabis use on pain-related outcomes over time.

PMID:37156034 | DOI:10.1016/j.msard.2023.104742

Acta Chir Orthop Traumatol Cech. 2023;90(2):138-145.

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE OF THE STUDY The aim of the study was to determine the incidence of primary malignancies metastasizing to the area of the proximal femur, to evaluate the localization of the lesions and fractures, to compare the results of the selected surgical therapy, survival time of the patients and postoperative complications. MATERIAL AND METHODS We retrospectively evaluated the group of patients operated on from 2012 to 2021. The study included 45 patients (24 women and 21 men) with a pathological lesion or a pathological fracture in the area of the proximal femur. The average age was 67 years (38-90). There were 30 (67%) cases of pathological fracture and 15 (33%) cases of pathological lesions in the cohort. In each patient, the perioperative biopsy or resected sample was sent for histological examination. The type of primary malignancy with the localization of lesions and fractures was assessed. Furthermore, we evaluated the outcomes of the surgical method chosen and its complications. We monitored the patients’ functional score using the Karnofsky performance status and survival interval. RESULTS The most common primary malignancy was multiple myeloma in 10 cases (22%), followed by seven cases (16%) of breast and lung cancer and 6 cases (13%) of clear cell renal cell carcinoma. Internal fixation was used in 15 cases (33%). Tumor resection with hip joint replacement was performed in 29 patients (64%). One patient was treated with percutaneous femoroplasty. Out of a total of 45 patients, 10 patients (22%) survived for less than three months. The survival rate of more than one year was observed in 21 patients (47%). A total of seven complications occurred in six patients (15%). Fewer complications occurred in the group of patients with a pathological fracture compared to the group with an impending fracture. DISCUSSION Pathological lesions in the bone or an already existing pathological fracture are signs of advanced cancer. Better outcomes are reported in patients who underwent prophylactic surgery, which was, however, not confirmed by our study. The incidence of individual primary malignancies, the postoperative complications and the patient survival corresponded to the statistical data reported by the other authors. CONCLUSIONS In patients with a pathological lesion of the proximal femur, operative treatment will increase the quality of life, either when choosing osteosynthesis or joint replacement, while prophylactic treatment is usually associated with a better prognosis. As a less invasive procedure with lower blood loss, osteosynthesis is indicated for palliative therapy in patients with a limited expected survival time or in patients with a prognosis of healing of the lesion. Reconstruction of the joint with an arthroplasty is indicated in patients with a better prognosis or in cases excluding safe osteosynthesis. Our study confirmed good outcomes with the use of an uncemented revision femoral component. Key words: metastasis, osteolysis, pathological fracture, proximal femur.

PMID:37156003

Acta Chir Orthop Traumatol Cech. 2023;90(2):124-132.

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE OF THE STUDY The increasing prevalance of patients with metastatic bone cancer and their improved survival puts more emphasis on the quality of treatment of bone metastases. Although most pelvic lesions are treated non-operatively, extensive destruction of the acetabular segment poses a therapeutic challenge. A potential treatment option may be the modified Harrington procedure. MATERIAL AND METHODS At our department, this surgical procedure has been opted for in 14 patients (5 men and 9 women) since 2018. The mean age at the time of surgery was 59 years (range 42 to 73). Twelve patients suffered from metastatic cancer, one patient had a fibrosarcoma metastasis and one female patient presented with aggressive pseudotumor. Radiological and clinical followup of the patients was performed. Pain was assessed using the Visual Analogue Scale, and the Harris Hip Score and the MSTS score were used to evaluate the functional outcome. The paired samples Wilcoxon test was used to analyze the statistical significance of the difference. RESULTS The mean follow-up period was 25 months. At the time of assessment, ten patients were alive with the mean follow-up of 29 months (range 2 to 54 months) and four patients had died of cancer progression, with the mean follow-up being 16 months. No perioperative death or mechanical failure were reported. One female patient developed a hematogenous infection during febrile neutropenia, which was successfully managed with early revision and implant preservation. Statistically, a significant improvement in the MSTS (median 23) and HHS (median 86) functional scores compared to the preoperative values (MSTS median 2, p<0.01, r-effect size = 0.6; HHS preop median 0, p<0.005, r-effect size = -0.7) was observed. There was also a statistically significant reduction in pain (VAS postoperative median 1, VAS preoperative median 8, p<0.01, r-effect size = -0.6). All patients were capable of independent ambulation after the surgery, nine patients walked without support. DISCUSSION There are not many alternatives to this surgical procedure. Apart from non-operative palliative treatment, the options include ice cream cone prostheses or customized 3D implants which are, impractical in terms of time and cost. Our results are comparable to other studies, confirming the reproducibility and reliability of the method. CONCLUSIONS The Harrington procedure is an efective method for management of large acetabular tumor defects with good functional outcomes, an acceptable perioperative risk and a low risk of failure in the medium term, thus suitable also for patients with good cancer prognosis. Key words: umor, metastasis, acetabulum, pelvis, Harrington, reconstruction.

PMID:37156001

Acta Chir Orthop Traumatol Cech. 2023;90(2):92-99.

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE OF THE STUDY Hip dislocation is one of the major causes of disability in children with cerebral palsy (CP). Surgical treatment can be achieved using different techniques including proximal femoral varus derotation osteotomy (FVDRO), pelvic osteotomies, and open hip reduction (OHR). However, we claim that pathologies originating from extraarticular structures in the dislocated hip in CP can be reconstructed by extraarticular methods and OHR may not always be necessary. Therefore, this study aims to discuss the results of hip reconstruction with extraarticular intervention in patients with CP. MATERIAL AND METHODS In total, 141 hips (95 patients) were included in the study. All patients underwent FVDRO, either with or without a Dega osteotomy. Changes in the Acetabular Index (AI), Migration Index (MI), neck-shaft angle (NSA), and center-edge angle (CEA) were assessed on the preoperative, postoperative, and final follow-up anterior-posterior radiographs of the pelvis. RESULTS Median age was 8 years (range between 4-18 years). The average follow-up duration was 5 years (range between 2-9 years). Changes in AI, MI, NSA and CEA values were statistically significant for postop and follow-up periods when compared to preoperative values. Of the 141 operated hips, 8 (5.6%) hips required revision surgery due to redislocation/resubluxation detected at the follow-ups, and unilateral operation can be accepted as a risk factor for redislocation. CONCLUSIONS Our results demonstrate that reconstructive treatment consisting of FVDRO, medial capsulotomy (in the case of reduction difficulty) and transiliac osteotomy (in the case of acetabular dysplasia) provides satisfactory outcomes in hip dislocation in CP. Key words: hip displacement, cerebral palsy, hip reduction.

PMID:37155997

Oncol Nurs Forum. 2023 Apr 21;50(3):337-347. doi: 10.1188/23.ONF.337-347.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVES: To examine the adherence to and the usefulness, satisfaction, and preliminary efficacy of a 12-week self-management energy conservation and active management intervention on fatigue.

SAMPLE &AMP; SETTING: A total of 19 Thai women diagnosed with stage I-III breast cancer receiving adjuvant chemotherapy were enrolled from a local hospital in the central region of Thailand.

METHODS &AMP; VARIABLES: A randomized controlled trial design was used. Fatigue was measured using the Piper Fatigue Scale-Revised and was collected at baseline and 12 weeks. Descriptive statistics and Student’s t tests were used to analyze the data.

RESULTS: Participants completed four interventional sessions. Of participants in the experimental group, nine were satisfied with the intervention, seven were satisfied with its effects on fatigue, and seven were very satisfied with the telephone delivery. Participants in the experimental group reported significantly less fatigue at 12 weeks compared to the attention control group (p = 0.008).

IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING: Teaching energy conservation principles and strategies to women with breast cancer undergoing chemotherapy is an intervention oncology nurses can easily deliver.

PMID:37155976 | DOI:10.1188/23.ONF.337-347

Oncol Nurs Forum. 2023 Apr 21;50(3):325-336. doi: 10.1188/23.ONF.325-336.

ABSTRACT

PROBLEM STATEMENT: Better understanding of oncology nurses’ perspectives about how interventions should be designed can promote physical activity (PA) in clinical settings.

DESIGN: 75 oncology nurses completed online surveys.

DATA SOURCES: A published survey, guided by the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research, was used to assess multilevel factors that influence implementation of evidence-based interventions.

ANALYSIS: Descriptive statistics were applied to quantitative data; directed content analyses were applied to qualitative data.

FINDINGS: Participants believed it was important to discuss PA with patients; however, they had limited self-efficacy and resources to provide PA counseling. Barriers to providing counseling included competing clinical demands and a lack of education about PA for cancer survivors and resources.

IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE: Findings inform how interventions can be designed for implementation and sustained practice change in clinical settings. Integration of PA education in routine clinical practice will lead to increased PA and, ultimately, improved quality of life among cancer survivors.

PMID:37155975 | DOI:10.1188/23.ONF.325-336

J Trauma Stress. 2023 May 8. doi: 10.1002/jts.22933. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Despite the therapeutic needs of aging Holocaust survivors, no randomized controlled trial (RCT) of psychotherapy exists for this population, with very few on older adults in general. This RCT aimed to compare the efficacy of Life Review Therapy for Holocaust survivors (LRT-HS) relative to a supportive control group. Holocaust survivors with a probable diagnosis of full or subsyndromal posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) or depressive disorder were included. Exclusion criteria were probable dementia, acute psychotic disorder, and acute suicidality. The predefined primary endpoint was the course of PTSD symptom scores. In total, 49 of 79 consecutive individuals assessed for eligibility were randomized and included in the intent-to-treat analyses (LRT-HS: n = 24, control: n = 25; M_age = 81.5 years, SD = 4.81, 77.6% female). Linear mixed models revealed no statistically significant superiority of LRT-HS for PTSD symptoms at posttreatment, with moderate effect sizes, Time x Condition interaction: t(75) = 1.46, p = .148, d_within = 0.70, d_between = 0.41, but analyses were significant at follow-up, with large effect sizes, t(79) = 2.89, p = .005, d_within = 1.20, d_between = 1.00. LRT-HS superiority for depression was observed at posttreatment, t(73) = 2.58, p = .012, but not follow-up, t(76) = 1.08, p = .282, with moderate effect sizes, d_within = 0.46-0.60, d_between = 0.53-0.70. The findings show that even in older age, PTSD and depression following exposure to multiple traumatic childhood events can be treated efficaciously using an age-appropriate treatment that includes structured life review and narrative exposure.

PMID:37155933 | DOI:10.1002/jts.22933