Category: Nevin Manimala

J Cancer Surviv. 2022 Feb 2. doi: 10.1007/s11764-021-01146-z. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: This article examines the extent to which employees worked from home because of the pandemic, focusing on differentials between people with and without disabilities with implications for cancer survivors.

METHODS: We use data on COVID-19 from the Current Population Survey over the May 2020 to June 2021 period. We present descriptive statistics and the results from regression and decomposition analysis.

RESULTS: While workers with disabilities were more likely than those without disabilities to be teleworking before the pandemic, they were less likely to be teleworking as a result of the pandemic. Differences in the occupational distribution account for most of this difference. People with disabilities experienced relatively more pandemic-related hardships as well, compared to people without disabilities, including a greater chance of not being able to work due to their employer losing business and more difficulty in accessing medical care.

CONCLUSIONS: Many people with disabilities benefit from working from home, and the pandemic has increased employer acceptance of these arrangements, but the potential is limited by the current occupational distribution.

IMPLICATIONS FOR CANCER SURVIVORS: While the CPS dataset does not have information on cancer survivorship, we use other data to impute that the average likelihood of cancer survivorship is 12.6% among people with disabilities, more than double the 6.1% rate among those without a disability. Hence cancer survivorship is partly picked up by the CPS questions on disability, and our results have implications for cancer survivors, especially because increased opportunities for telework have the potential to help cancer survivors maintain economic stability and avoid financial hardship.

PMID:35107797 | DOI:10.1007/s11764-021-01146-z

Breast Cancer Res Treat. 2022 Feb 2. doi: 10.1007/s10549-022-06515-5. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: Heart disease is a significant concern among breast cancer survivors, in part due to cardiotoxic treatments including chemotherapy and radiotherapy. Long-term trends in heart disease mortality have not been well characterized. We examined heart disease mortality trends among US breast cancer survivors by treatment type.

METHODS: We included first primary invasive breast cancer survivors diagnosed between 1975 and 2016 (aged 18-84; survived 12 + months; received initial chemotherapy, radiotherapy, or surgery) in the SEER-9 Database. Standardized mortality ratios (SMRs) and 10-year cumulative heart disease mortality estimates accounting for competing events were calculated by calendar year of diagnosis and initial treatment regimen. P_trends were assessed using Poisson regression. All statistical tests were 2-sided.

RESULTS: Of 516,916 breast cancer survivors, 40,812 died of heart disease through 2017. Heart disease SMRs declined overall from 1975-1979 to 2010-2016 (SMR 1.01 [95%CI: 0.98, 1.03] to 0.74 [0.69, 0.79], p_trend < 0.001). This decline was also observed for survivors treated with radiotherapy alone and chemotherapy plus radiotherapy. A sharper decline in heart disease SMRs was observed from 1975 to 1989 for left-sided radiotherapy, compared to right-sided. In contrast, there was a non-significant increasing trend in SMRs for chemotherapy alone, and significant by regional stage (p_trend = 0.036). Largest declines in 10-year cumulative mortality were observed from 1975-1984 to 2005-2016 among surgery only: 7.02% (95%CI: 6.80%, 7.23%) to 4.68% (95%CI: 4.39%, 4.99%) and radiotherapy alone: 6.35% (95%CI: 5.95%, 6.77%) to 2.94% (95%CI: 2.73%, 3.16%).

CONCLUSIONS: We observed declining heart disease mortality trends by most treatment types yet increasing for regional stage patients treated with chemotherapy alone, highlighting a need for additional studies with detailed treatment data and cardiovascular management throughout cancer survivorship.

PMID:35107712 | DOI:10.1007/s10549-022-06515-5

Adv Tech Stand Neurosurg. 2022;44:277-296. doi: 10.1007/978-3-030-87649-4_16.

ABSTRACT

Over the past 25 years the endovascular treatment of cerebral aneurysms has gained preference in some countries over the traditional surgical procedures. The review part of the article clearly demonstrates that the clinical results of both modalities are similar and the difference is seen only in technical effectivity. Surgical techniques fail far less frequently than the endovascular ones. Incompletely occluded or growing aneurysms after the endovascular approach expose the patient to the risk of rebleeding with all possible consequences. Markedly repeated procedures are much more common for endovascularly treated aneurysms, again with all the risks.In the authors institution over the past 20 years, a total of 2032 aneurysms were treated. In 1263 endovascularly managed aneurysms the regrowth or inclomplete initial occlusion necessitated 159 repeated propcedures (12.6%). In surgical group the total of 27 aneurysms needed retreatment (3.5%). The difference is statistically significant. In nine patients in endovascular group the rebleeding was the reason for repeated procedures. No rebleeding was seen in the surgical group.This fact, also shown in the review part of the article, is important in patients counseling. Given the similar clinical results of both modalities the patient should be advised on the necessity of repeated follow-ups and of possible technical failure and eventual repeated procedure which is more likely if endovascular procedure is chosen.

PMID:35107686 | DOI:10.1007/978-3-030-87649-4_16

J Robot Surg. 2022 Feb 2. doi: 10.1007/s11701-021-01364-8. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Fundoplication is often added to the crural repair for long-term relief of reflux in patients undergoing hiatal hernia repair. Fundoplication can be achieved surgically or with endoscopic means such as trans-oral incisionless fundoplication (TIF). Patients with hiatal hernias larger than 2 cm may undergo surgical hiatal hernia repair with concomitant TIF (hybrid repair). Our study aims to analyze the resources utilized for hybrid repair and compare it with hiatal hernia repair with surgical fundoplication (conventional repair). We conducted a retrospective review of 112 consecutive patients who underwent robotic-assisted hiatal hernia repair. Patients who underwent some form of fundoplication were selected and then divided into two groups-surgical fundoplication (conventional approach) or hybrid approach. This is a pool of patients operated by a single surgeon at a community hospital. Multiple variables were analyzed. The mean operative time was 39 min less; also the mean length of stay was 10 h less in hybrid approach group as compared to conventional repair group. Although statistically significant, there was no meaningful clinical significance to these findings. Cost analysis was performed for direct costs as well as indirect costs. Neither the 30-day outcomes nor the cost-effectiveness for hybrid repair was superior to those of conventional repair. Therefore, in our experience at the community-level hospital, we conclude that hiatal hernia repair with surgical fundoplication is more cost-effective than surgical repair of hiatal hernia with TIF.

PMID:35107709 | DOI:10.1007/s11701-021-01364-8

Adv Tech Stand Neurosurg. 2022;44:121-132. doi: 10.1007/978-3-030-87649-4_6.

ABSTRACT

Long-term functional outcomes of microsurgical resection for cavernous malformations of the brainstem (CMB) have been largely unknown. Favorable outcomes after CMB surgery might be related to the achievement of complete resection and mRS at 1 month after the surgery. Preoperative sensory, cerebellar, trigeminal nerve, and lower cranial nerve symptoms tended to improve after surgery.We evaluated 25 consecutive patients with CMB surgically treated at our center between 2006 and 2021. The subjects included 11 men and 14 women, with ages ranging from 13 to 61 years (mean ± SD = 37 ± 12 years). Modified Rankin Scale (mRS) scores and neurological symptoms of the patients were evaluated before surgery, 1 month after surgery, and at the final follow-up at the outpatient clinic. The mean number of previous hemorrhages was 7 ± 1.0 and the mean lesion size was 21 ± 8 mm. The mRS scores on admission and at the final follow-up were 2.9 points and 1.7 points, respectively. The mRS scores at the final follow-up were significantly improved compared to those on admission. There was no statistical difference between the preoperative mRS and mRS at 1 month after the operation. Multivariable analysis indicated that mRS scores at 1 month after surgery were the most significant predictive factors for favorable outcomes. Complete resection was achieved in 24 of 33 operations. Incomplete resection was significantly related to the frequency of subsequent recurrent hemorrhage and high mRS scores at the final follow-up. Preoperative sensory, cerebellar, trigeminal nerve, and lower cranial nerve symptoms improved significantly after surgery.

PMID:35107676 | DOI:10.1007/978-3-030-87649-4_6

J Patient Rep Outcomes. 2022 Feb 2;6(1):12. doi: 10.1186/s41687-022-00415-4.

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: The purposes of this investigation were to (1) identify the domains of health-related quality of life most impacted in people with RRMS, (2) compare the health-related QOL in people with RRMS to general population norms, and (3) to describe subgroups within the RRMS population that have similar health and wellness needs.

METHODS: This was a cross-sectional QOL investigation of adults with RRMS. The SF-36v2 survey and demographic information were collected electronically via Qualtrics. Participants (n = 120) were recruited through social media and the National Multiple Sclerosis Society of the United States. One-sample Z-tests were completed for all subscales, and component mean scores to determine if a difference between the sample and population norms existed.

RESULTS: All values of z were statistically significant, p < .01, for all subscale and composite scores. Social function, physical function, and the mental health component scores had the lowest subscale means. A first stage depression screen revealed that 49% of the surveyed population were at risk for depression, compared to 18% in the general population. Further dividing the sample into years since MS diagnosis, the recently diagnosed group had 61% at risk for depression.

CONCLUSIONS: Challenges related to the mental health of individuals with RRMS are influencing overall health-related QOL. Early on in the disease course (0-3 years), mental health affected QOL more than physical health. More attention must be given to the nonphysical domains of health to advance the QOL for people with RRMS.

PMID:35107657 | DOI:10.1186/s41687-022-00415-4

Wien Med Wochenschr. 2022 Feb 2. doi: 10.1007/s10354-021-00900-3. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

The new study program “Multiple Sclerosis Management” is aimed at physicians, therapists, nurses, scientists, pharmacists, psychologists and biologists who want to specialize in the field of multiple sclerosis (MS). After successful accreditation in 2019, the first students have been in the master’s program offered by Dresden International University (DIU) since 2020. Over a period of four semesters, it can be completed part-time and largely digitally. The master’s program is divided into six modules focusing on basics, clinical and diagnostic aspects, MS studies and statistics, disease-modifying and symptomatic therapy, disease monitoring and documentation. The teaching includes theoretical parts and numerous practical units. A further goal is to derive therapeutic intervention plans and problem-solving strategies from scientific publications and clinical studies, to develop them further and to apply them in patient care. The lecturers come from Germany, Austria and Switzerland and are predominantly professors. The German Multiple Sclerosis Society is the patron of the course. This article presents the study program in detail.

PMID:35107651 | DOI:10.1007/s10354-021-00900-3

Arch Orthop Trauma Surg. 2022 Feb 2. doi: 10.1007/s00402-022-04367-8. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION: This study aimed to assess the reliability and validity of the modified McGowan grading system and to determine its ability to distinguish the severity of cubital tunnel syndrome (CuTS) between the different grades.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: We prospectively enrolled 39 consecutive patients with CuTS from March 2018 to December 2020. Inter- and intra-observer reliability was assessed by two orthopaedic surgeons with a minimum 2-week interval using Cohen kappa coefficients. Validity was assessed by Spearman’s correlation with objective clinical outcomes (grip strength, Semmes-Weinstein monofilament test [SWMT], static two-point discrimination [2PD], and motor conduction velocity [MCV]). In addition, the relationship between the grading system and patient-reported outcomes (Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand score and Boston Questionnaire) was evaluated using Spearman’s correlation. The ability to distinguish the severity between the different grades was assessed using the Kruskal-Wallis analysis.

RESULTS: The inter-observer kappa value was 0.54 and intra-observer kappa value was 0.59, which imply a moderate reliability. The modified McGowan grade had a moderate correlation with objective clinical outcomes (grip strength [r = – 0.350, p = 0.029], SWMT [r = 0.552, p < 0.001], 2PD [r = 0.456, p = 0.004], and MCV [r = – 0.394, p = 0.021]). However, patient-reported outcomes did not correlate with this grading system. Kruskal-Wallis analysis revealed significant differences between grades in terms of SWMT, 2PD, grip strength, and Boston Questionnaire functional score (p = 0.006, 0.025, 0.014, and 0.043, respectively); however, these differences were statistically significant only for a limited number of parts.

CONCLUSIONS: The modified McGowan grade has a moderate inter- and intra-observer reliability. This grading system moderately correlates with objective sensory-motor functions and MCV of patients with CuTS. However, the modified McGowan grade does not reflect the patient’s perceived disabilities and has a weakness in distinguishing the severity of patients’ conditions among the different grades.

PMID:35107635 | DOI:10.1007/s00402-022-04367-8

Egypt Heart J. 2022 Feb 2;74(1):7. doi: 10.1186/s43044-022-00242-4.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: COVID-19 pandemic is associated with high morbidity and mortality. Cardiovascular insult is a leading cause of in-hospital mortality in COVID-19 patients, especially right ventricular (RV) dysfunction and massive pulmonary embolism. This study aims to assess short-term impact of COVID 19 infection on (RV) functions among hospitalized patients with moderate or severe illness using bed side trans-thoracic echocardiogram. This study was conducted in 3 isolation hospitals in Cairo, spanning over 3 months during the expected pandemic peak in Egypt in 2020. The study recruited 100 consecutive patients with moderate or severe COVID-19 infection. Four patients refused to participate in the study. Patients with pre-existing structural heart diseases were excluded. All patients underwent full history taking and clinical examination. Bed side echocardiography was done emphasizing on (RV), and (RA) dimensions, (LV) functions and pulmonary artery systolic pressure (PSAS). Cardiac biomarkers were withdrawn and CT angiography was ordered when clinically warranted.

RESULTS: The mean age of the studied cohort was 59.5 ± 8.6 years with males comprising 71.9% of the studied group. (RV) and (RA) dilatation was noted in 8 cases (8.3%). (LV) dysfunction was noted in 11 cases (11.4%). (PASP) showed a statistically significant negative correlation with (LV) function. However, (PSAP) was positively correlated to (RA) and (RV) dimensions, tricuspid regurgitation (TR) jet severity, previous COVID infection and elevated cardiac biomarkers. Mortality was noted in 3 cases (3.1%), all had LV dysfunction with elevated troponin level. Six patients (6.2%) had combined (LV) and (RV) dysfunction.

CONCLUSIONS: COVID-19 illness had a negative impact on (RV) and (LV) functions, that could be assessed accurately by trans-thoracic 2 D echocardiogram. The degree of ventricular dysfunction correlated with the rise in cardiac biomarkers as well as the degree of (PASP).

PMID:35107643 | DOI:10.1186/s43044-022-00242-4

Pediatr Cardiol. 2022 Feb 2. doi: 10.1007/s00246-022-02829-9. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Juxtaposition of the atrial appendages is known to occur in specific congenital heart lesions. Recognition of these variants is critical in balloon atrial septostomy and atrial switch operations. There remains little clinical data on the prevalence and associations of these lesions. This is the largest echocardiographic study of juxtaposition of the atrial appendages. This is a retrospective study using the Mt. Sinai echocardiogram database (EchoLAN), which contains echocardiogram reports performed or reviewed at Mt. Sinai Hospital (New York, NY) between 1992 and 2019. Each report was reviewed for associated intracardiac and extracardiac anomalies and the prevalence of juxtaposed atrial appendage among specific diagnosis, including tricuspid atresia, transposition of the great arteries, and double outlet right ventricle, was calculated. Descriptive and analytical statistics were performed as applicable, including Fisher’s exact test, with p value < 0.05 considered statistically significant. Forty-nine patients had juxtaposed atrial appendages (1.2/1000 patients): Thirty-eight had LJRAA (0.9 per 1000 patients) and eleven had RJLAA (0.3 per 1000 patients). LJRAA was seen in 22% of tricuspid atresia, 6% of d-TGA, 1% of l-TGA, and 5% of DORV. RJLAA was seen in 2% of DORV, and none of the other lesions. Of associated lesions, dextrocardia, mesocardia, transposition, tricuspid atresia, double inlet left ventricle, and pulmonary valve stenosis were more likely to be present in LJRAA, while bicuspid aortic valve and left ventricular hypoplasia were more likely to be present in RJLAA. This study reaffirms our understanding of juxtaposition of the atrial appendages, its prevalence, and clinical importance.

PMID:35107630 | DOI:10.1007/s00246-022-02829-9