Nevin Manimala

BMC Cancer. 2022 Aug 31;22(1):938. doi: 10.1186/s12885-022-10035-2.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Primary thyroid lymphoma (PTL) and papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) are both thyroid malignancies, but their therapeutic methods and prognosis are different. This study aims to explore their sonographic and computed tomography(CT)features, and to improve the early diagnosis rate.

METHODS: The clinical and imaging data of 50 patients with non-diffuse PTL and 100 patients with PTC confirmed by pathology were retrospectively analysed.

RESULTS: Of the 150 patients, from the perspective of clinical data, between non-diffuse PTL and PTC patients existed significant difference in age, maximum diameter of nodule, asymmetric enlargement and Hashimoto’s thyroiditis (P < 0.001), but not in gender ratio, echo texture, cystic change and anteroposterior-to-transverse ratio (P > 0.05). With respect to sonographic feature, non-diffuse PTL patients had a higher proportion than PTC patients in markedly hypoechoic, internal linear echogenic strands, posterior echo enhancement, rich vascularity, lack of calcification and homogeneous enhancement, with statistically significant difference (P < 0.05), while PTC patients had a higher proportion than non-diffuse PTL patients in irregular border, circumscribed margin, capsular invasion and significant enhancement, with statistically significant difference (P < 0.001). With respect to CT feature, non-diffuse PTL patients were significantly different from PTC patients in the non-contrast CT value mean, venous phase CT value mean, enhanced intensity and homogeneity of nodules (P < 0.05). Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that age (OR = 1.226, 95%CI:1.056 ~ 1.423, P = 0.007), posterior echo enhancement (OR = 51.152, 95%CI: 2.934 ~ 891.738, P = 0.007), lack of calcification (OR = 0.013, 95%CI: 0.000 ~ 0.400, P = 0.013) and homogeneous enhancement (OR = 0.020, 95%CI: 0.001 ~ 0.507, P = 0.018) were independent risk factors.

CONCLUSIONS: Sonographic and CT features of the presence of posterior echo enhancement, lack of calcification and homogeneous enhancement were valuable to distinguishing non-diffuse PTL from PTC.

PMID:36042430 | DOI:10.1186/s12885-022-10035-2

BMC Musculoskelet Disord. 2022 Aug 30;23(1):824. doi: 10.1186/s12891-022-05773-0.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Osteoporosis is a disease of the skeletal system associated with loss of bone mass and an increased risk of fractures affecting women more often than men. Identification of the knowledge about osteoporosis and its preventive methods is the backbone of any awareness program. This study investigates the knowledge with a special focus on women with and without a migration background.

METHODS: Data from systematic patient interviews based on a questionnaire were collected at three different sites in Berlin between February and June 2021. The survey included questions assessing migrant background, demographic characteristics, lifestyle habits including physical exercise and smoking, prevention by vitamin D intake and bone densitometry, and information on personal and family medical history. According to the responses, a scale was created to assess the level of knowledge of preventive osteoporosis measures. The ethic committee of the Charité, Medical faculty has approved this study. SPSS (version 24.0) was used for the statistical analyses.

RESULTS: The survey of 502 female patients revealed that 25% had low and 34% no previous knowledge of osteoporosis. Older age and a better education level correlate with a higher knowledge. Patients with gynecologic cancer are less well informed. There is a significant difference in vitamin D intake between migrant and non-migrant women (57% vs. 49%). There were no significant differences regarding the use of bone densitometry.

CONCLUSION: Knowledge of osteoporosis and the possibility of a bone densitometry as well as the implementation of preventive measures is low among women. Therefore, informing patients better should be a priority, with particular attention on the risks and needs of women with a migration background. Specific programs for women with and without migration background should be developed to increase the awareness of osteoporosis.

PMID:36042427 | DOI:10.1186/s12891-022-05773-0

BMC Public Health. 2022 Aug 30;22(1):1646. doi: 10.1186/s12889-022-14046-3.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: High prevalence of Human Immune virus/Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (HIV/AIDS) in Female Sex Workers (FSWs) is identified as a bottleneck in fighting against HIV/AIDS. To this end, the international community planned a strategy of ‘Ending inequality’ and ‘Ending the AIDS epidemic’ by 2030. This could not be achieved without due attention to FSWs. Thus, this study attempted to assess HIV prevention behavior and associated factors among FSWs in Dima district of Gambella region, Ethiopia by using the Health Belief Model.

METHODS: A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted from March to May 2019 among 449 FSWs selected using the snowball sampling technique. Socio-demographic features, knowledge about HIV, attitude toward HIV prevention methods, and Health Belief Model (HBM) constructs (perceived susceptibility to and severity of HIV, perceived barriers, and benefits of performing the recommended HIV prevention methods, self-efficacy, and cues to practice HIV prevention methods) were collected using face to face interview. Data were entered into Epi-data 3.1 and analyzed using SPSS version 23. Bivariable and multivariable binary logistic regression analysis was done to identify the association between dependent and independent variables. P-value < 5% with 95 CI was used as a cutoff point to decide statistical significance of independent variables.

RESULTS: In this study, 449 FSWs participated making a response rate of 98.90%. Of these, 64.8% had high HIV prevention behavior. Age (AOR = 1.911, 95% CI: 1.100, 3.320), knowledge of HIV (AOR = 1.632, 95% CI: 1.083, 2.458), attitude towards HIV prevention methods (AOR = 2.335, 95% CI: 1.547, 3.523), perceived barriers (AOR = .627, 95% CI: .423, .930), and self-efficacy (AOR = 1.667, 95% CI: 1.107, 2.511) were significantly associated with high HIV prevention behavior.

CONCLUSION: The study identified that about two third of FSWs practiced the recommended HIV prevention methods. Age of respondents, knowledge of HIV, favorable attitude towards the recommended HIV prevention methods, high self-efficacy, and low perceived barrier were associated with high HIV prevention behavior. Therefore, focusing on these factors would be instrumental for improving effectiveness of the ongoing HIV prevention efforts and attaining the ‘Sustainable Development Goals of ‘Ending inequality’ and ‘Ending the AIDS epidemic’ by 2030.

PMID:36042424 | DOI:10.1186/s12889-022-14046-3

BMC Cancer. 2022 Aug 30;22(1):937. doi: 10.1186/s12885-022-10021-8.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Breast cancer-related lymphedema (BCRL) is a frequent issue that arises after mastectomy surgery in women and compromises physical and mental function. Previously published studies have shown positive effects with the use of Low-level laser therapy in another term Photo-biomodulation therapy (PBM). This research investigated the efficacy of clinical use of LLLT (PBM) in the treatment of metastatic breast cancer-related lymphedema.

METHODS: PubMed, PEDro, Medline, and the Cochrane Library were searched for LLLT clinical trials published before October 2021. The methodological quality of randomized trials and the effectiveness of Laser Therapy for BCRL were evaluated. The primary objectives were arm circumference or arm volume, whereas the secondary goals were to assess shoulder mobility and pain severity.

RESULTS: Eight clinical trials were analyzed in total. Typically, the included RCTs had good research quality. At four weeks, there was a considerable reduction in arm circumference/volume, and this continued with long-term follow-up. However, no statistically significant change in shoulder mobility or pain severity was seen between the laser and placebo groups at 0-, 1-, 2-, and 3-month short-term follow-up.

CONCLUSIONS: The findings of this comprehensive study demonstrated that LLLT (PBM) was successful in diminishing arm circumference and volume than improving shoulder mobility and pain. Data indicates that laser therapy (PBM) may be a beneficial treatment option for females with PML. Because of the scarcity of evidence, there is a strong need for well-conducted and longer-duration trials in this field.

TRIAL REGISTRATION: Details of the protocol for this systematic review were registered on PROSPERO and can be accessed at www.crd.york.ac.uk/PROSPERO/display_record.asp?ID=CRD42022315076 .

PMID:36042421 | DOI:10.1186/s12885-022-10021-8

BMC Geriatr. 2022 Aug 31;22(1):717. doi: 10.1186/s12877-022-03368-x.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: The activities of daily living (ADL) score is a widely used index to establish the degree of independence from any help in everyday life situations. Measuring ADL accurately is time-consuming and costly. This paper presents a framework to approximate ADL via variables usually collected in comprehensive geriatric assessments. We show that the selected variables serve as good indicators in explaining the physical disabilities of older patients.

METHODS: Our sample included information from a geriatric assessment of 326 patients aged between 64 and 99 years in a hospital in Tyrol, Austria. In addition to ADL, 23 variables reflecting the physical and mental status of these patients were recorded during the assessment. We performed least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) to determine which of these variables had the highest impact on explaining ADL. Then, we used receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis and logistic regression techniques to validate our model performance. Finally, we calculated cut-off points for each of the selected variables to show the values at which ADL fall below a certain threshold.

RESULTS: Mobility, urinary incontinence, nutritional status and cognitive function were most closely related to ADL and, therefore, to geriatric patients’ functional limitations. Jointly, the selected variables were able to detect neediness with high accuracy (area under the ROC curve (AUC) = 0.89 and 0.91, respectively). If a patient had a limitation in one of these variables, the probability of everyday life disability increased with a statistically significant factor between 2.4 (nutritional status, 95%-CI 1.5-3.9) and 15.1 (urinary incontinence, 95%-CI 3.6-63.4).

CONCLUSIONS: Our study highlights the most important impairments of everyday life to facilitate more efficient use of clinical resources, which in turn allows for more targeted treatment of geriatric patients. At the patient level, our approach enables early detection of functional limitations and timely indications of a possible need for assistance in everyday life.

PMID:36042419 | DOI:10.1186/s12877-022-03368-x

BMC Med Res Methodol. 2022 Aug 30;22(1):234. doi: 10.1186/s12874-022-01715-5.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Systematic reviews that synthesize safety outcomes pose challenges (e.g. rare events), which raise questions for grading the strength of the body of evidence. This is maybe one reason why in many potentially inappropriate medication (PIM) lists the recommendations are not based on formalized systems for assessing the quality of the body of evidence such as GRADE. In this contribution, we describe specifications and suggest adaptions of the GRADE system for grading the quality of evidence on safety outcomes, which were developed in the context of preparing a PIM-list, namely PRISCUS.

METHODS: We systematically assessed each of the five GRADE domains for rating-down (study limitations, imprecision, inconsistency, indirectness, publication bias) and the criteria for rating-up, considering if special considerations or revisions of the original approach were indicated. The result was gathered in a written document and discussed in a group-meeting of five members with various background until consensus. Subsequently, we performed a proof-of-concept application using a convenience sample of systematic reviews and applied the approach to systematic reviews on 19 different clinical questions.

RESULTS: We describe specifications and suggest adaptions for the criteria “study limitations”, imprecision, “publication bias” and “rating-up for large effect”. In addition, we suggest a new criterion to account for data from subgroup-analyses. The proof-of-concept application did not reveal a need for further revision and thus we used the approach for the systematic reviews that were prepared for the PRISCUS-list. We assessed 51 outcomes. Each of the proposed adaptions was applied. There were neither an excessive number of low and very low ratings, nor an excessive number of high ratings, but the different methodological quality of the safety outcomes appeared to be well reflected.

CONCLUSION: The suggestions appear to have the potential to overcome some of the challenges when grading the methodological quality of harms and thus may be helpful for producers of evidence syntheses considering safety.

PMID:36042413 | DOI:10.1186/s12874-022-01715-5

BMC Geriatr. 2022 Aug 30;22(1):716. doi: 10.1186/s12877-022-03390-z.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: To evaluate medication-related risks in older patients with cancer and their association with severe toxicity during antineoplastic therapy.

METHODS: This is a secondary analysis of two prospective, single-center observational studies which included patients ≥ 70 years with cancer. The patients’ medication lists were investigated regarding possible risks: polymedication (defined as the use of ≥ 5 drugs), potentially inappropriate medication (PIM), and relevant potential drug-drug interactions (rPDDI). The risks were analyzed before and after start of cancer therapy. Severe toxicity during antineoplastic therapy was captured from medical records according to the Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events (CTCAE). The association between grade ≥ 3 toxicity and medication risks was evaluated by univariate as well as multivariate regression adjusted by ECOG and age.

RESULTS: The study cohort comprised 136 patients (50% female, mean age 77 years, 42% hematological malignancies). Before the start of cancer therapy, patients took on average 5 drugs as long-term medication and 52% of patients were exposed to polymedication. More than half of patients used at least one PIM. Approximately one third of patients exhibited rPDDI. The prevalence of medication risks increased after start of cancer therapy. rPDDI were significantly associated with severe overall toxicity (OR, 5.07; p = 0.036; 95% Confidence Interval (CI) 1.11-23.14; toxicity in patients with rPDDI 94.1% (32/34) vs 75.9% (60/79) in patients without rPDDI) and hematological toxicity (OR, 3.95; p = 0.010; 95% CI 1.38-11.29; hematological toxicity in patients with rPDDI 85.3% (29/34) vs 59.5% (47/79) in patients without rPDDI). In the multivariate analysis adjusted by ECOG and age, only the association for rPDDI with hematological toxicity remained statistically significant (OR, 4.51; p = 0.007; 95% CI 1.52-13.38). These findings should be further investigated in larger studies.

CONCLUSION: Medication risks are common in older patients with cancer and might be associated with toxicity. This raises the need for tailored interventions to ensure medication safety in this patient cohort.

PMID:36042410 | DOI:10.1186/s12877-022-03390-z

Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2022 Aug 30;8:CD007697. doi: 10.1002/14651858.CD007697.pub3.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Ovarian cancer is the seventh most common cancer among women and the leading cause of death in women with gynaecological malignancies. Opinions differ regarding the role of ultra-radical (extensive) cytoreductive surgery in ovarian cancer treatment.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the effectiveness and morbidity associated with ultra-radical/extensive surgery in the management of advanced-stage epithelial ovarian cancer.

SEARCH METHODS: We searched CENTRAL (2021, Issue 11), MEDLINE Ovid and Embase Ovid up to November 2021. We also searched registers of clinical trials, abstracts of scientific meetings, reference lists of included studies and contacted experts in the field.

SELECTION CRITERIA: Randomised controlled trials (RCTs) or non-randomised studies (NRS), analysed using multivariate methods, that compared ultra-radical/extensive and standard surgery in women with advanced primary epithelial ovarian cancer.

DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS: Two review authors independently assessed whether potentially relevant studies met the inclusion criteria, abstracted data and assessed the risk of bias. We identified three NRS and conducted meta-analyses where possible.

MAIN RESULTS: We identified three retrospective observational studies for inclusion in the review. Two studies included women exclusively undergoing upfront primary debulking surgery (PDS) and the other study including both PDS and interval debulking surgical (IDS) procedures. All studies were at critical risk of bias due to retrospective and non-randomised study designs. Meta-analysis of two studies, assessing 397 participants, found that women who underwent radical procedures, as part of PDS, may have a lower risk of mortality compared to women who underwent standard surgery (adjusted HR 0.60, 95% CI 0.43 to 0.82; I² = 0%; very low-certainty evidence), but the evidence is very uncertain. The results were robust to a sensitivity analysis including women with more-extensive disease (carcinomatosis) (adjusted HR 0.61, 95% CI 0.44 to 0.85; I² = 0%; n = 283, very low-certainty evidence), but the evidence is very uncertain. One study reported a comparison of radical versus standard surgical procedures associated with both PDS and IDS procedures, but a multivariate analysis was only undertaken for disease-free survival (DFS) and therefore the certainty of the evidence was not assessable for overall survival (OS) and remains very low. The lack of reporting of OS meant the study was at high risk of bias for selective reporting of outcomes. One study, 203 participants, found that women who underwent radical procedures as part of PDS may have a lower risk of disease progression or death compared to women who underwent standard surgery (adjusted HR 0.62, 95% CI 0.42 to 0.92; very low-certainty evidence), but the evidence is very uncertain. The results were robust to a sensitivity analysis in one study including women with carcinomatosis (adjusted HR 0.52, 95% CI 0.33 to 0.82; n = 139; very low-certainty evidence), but the evidence is very uncertain. A combined analysis in one study found that women who underwent radical procedures (using both PDS and IDS) may have an increased chance of disease progression or death than those who received standard surgery (adjusted HR 1.60, 95% CI 1.11 to 2.31; I² = 0%; n = 527; very low-certainty evidence), but the evidence is very uncertain. In absolute and unadjusted terms, the DFS was 19.3 months in the standard surgery group, 15.8 in the PDS group and 15.9 months in the IDS group. All studies were at critical risk of bias and we only identified very low-certainty evidence for all outcomes reported in the review. Perioperative mortality, adverse events and quality of life (QoL) outcomes were either not reported or inadequately reported in the included studies. Two studies reported perioperative mortality (death within 30 days of surgery), but they did not use any statistical adjustment. In total, there were only four deaths within 30 days of surgery in both studies. All were observed in the standard surgery group, but we did not report a risk ratio (RR) to avoid potentially misleading results with so few deaths and very low-certainty evidence. Similarly, one study reported postoperative morbidity, but the authors did not use any statistical adjustment. Postoperative morbidity occurred more commonly in women who received ultra-radical surgery compared to standard surgery, but the certainty of the evidence was very low.

AUTHORS’ CONCLUSIONS: We found only very low-certainty evidence comparing ultra-radical surgery and standard surgery in women with advanced ovarian cancer. The evidence was limited to retrospective, NRSs and so is at critical risk of bias. The results may suggest that ultra-radical surgery could result in improved OS, but results are based on very few women who were chosen to undergo each intervention, rather than a randomised study and intention-to-treat analysis, and so the evidence is very uncertain. Results for progression/DFS were inconsistent and evidence was sparse. QoL and morbidity was incompletely or not reported in the three included studies. A separate prognostic review assessing residual disease as a prognostic factor in this area has been addressed elsewhere, which demonstrates the prognostic effect of macroscopic debulking to no macroscopic residual disease. In order to aid existing guidelines, the role of ultra-radical surgery in the management of advanced-stage ovarian cancer could be addressed through the conduct of a sufficiently powered, RCT comparing ultra-radical and standard surgery, or well-designed NRSs, if this is not possible.

PMID:36041232 | DOI:10.1002/14651858.CD007697.pub3

J Contin Educ Nurs. 2022 Sep;53(9):417-423. doi: 10.3928/00220124-20220805-08. Epub 2022 Sep 1.

ABSTRACT

Background Antibiotic resistance is a leading global public health threat. Nurses are well positioned to optimize antibiotic use via targeted antibiotic stewardship (AS) nursing practices. However, standardized AS education for nurses is lacking. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of an online AS for nurses continuing education program on nurses’ antibiotic resistance, antibiotic, and AS knowledge and their intent to integrate AS into their clinical practice. Method A quasi-experiential pretest-posttest design was used with a convenience sample of nurses at a U.S. academic medical center. Focus groups were conducted with those completing the program. Results Forty-seven of 100 eligible nurses completed the program and the pre- and posttest surveys. Participation resulted in statistically significant increases (p < .05) in antibiotic resistance, antibiotic, and AS knowledge, confidence, and perceptions related to the role of nursing in AS. Focus group participants had multiple recommendations for ways to integrate AS in daily nursing practice. Conclusion Completing a comprehensive AS nursing continuing education program could prove instrumental to motivating nurses to adopt AS nursing practices. [J Contin Educ Nurs. 2022;53(9):417-423.].

PMID:36041206 | DOI:10.3928/00220124-20220805-08

Am J Clin Nutr. 2022 Aug 30:nqac238. doi: 10.1093/ajcn/nqac238. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: High energy intake from non-nutrient dense sources correlates with poorer diet quality.

OBJECTIVES: To, 1) estimate total energy intake, and energy from solid fats and added sugars, and combined (SOFAS), and identify their top food category sources for ages 2-18 years in 2015-2018, and 2) describe trends over time in 2009-2018.

DESIGN: Data were from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. Pairwise differences were examined using univariate t statistics (2015-2018, n=5,038), and trends by age, and over time (2009-2018, n=14,038) examined using orthogonal polynomials.

RESULTS: In 2015-2018, SOFAS contributed (mean [SE], 30.0% [0.3%]) of total energy. Solid fats 16.1% [0.2%] and added sugars 13.8% [0.2%] each contributed >10%. The contribution of added sugars increased with age from 11.1% (2-3 years) to 14.4% (14-18 years), and was higher for all other race/Hispanic origins than Non-Hispanic Asians. Top five sources of energy were sweet bakery products, savory snacks, pizza, other mixed dishes, and unflavored milk, and for SOFAS also included soft drinks, other desserts, candy and snack bars. Total energy did not change between 2009-2018, but energy from SOFAS, and servings of solid fats, and added sugars declined. The contribution of unflavored milk to total energy declined for all ages and most race/Hispanic origins. Fruit drinks (all ages) and soft drinks (9-18 years) remained among top added sugars sources despite declines. The contribution of sweet bakery products to energy from SOFAS increased for most ages, and candy and snack bars to energy from added sugars.

CONCLUSIONS: In 2015-2018, SOFAS contributed over 30% of total energy for ages 2-18 years, which doubled the Dietary Guidelines for Americans’ recommended limit of 15%. Top five sources of total energy were similar to those of solid fats, and those of SOFAs similar to those of added sugars. These results may inform public health efforts for improving diet quality.

PMID:36041175 | DOI:10.1093/ajcn/nqac238