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Utilization of computed tomography for extremity cellulitis: a retrospective single-center analysis

J Am Coll Radiol. 2024 Oct 26:S1546-1440(24)00852-4. doi: 10.1016/j.jacr.2024.10.011. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: Routine imaging of soft tissue infection is not recommended and represents a potential area of computed tomography (CT) overuse. The utility of CT in patients with superficial soft tissue infection of the extremities is unknown. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the utilization and clinical impact of CT ordered in the setting of extremity cellulitis.

METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed patients with extremity cellulitis examined with CT between 2012-2021 at a single center. We collected patient history, diagnostic imaging characteristics, and subsequent surgery decision. We hypothesized that yield of CT for deep infection was significantly lower than 10% and that yield was decreasing over time. These hypotheses were evaluated with Rao-Scott Chi-Square tests and repeated measures logistic regression.

RESULTS: There were 496 eligible encounters among 463 patients. Yield of positive CT among lower extremity patients was 5.5% (95%CI 3.33-7.75), significantly less than our hypothesis of 10% (p=0.003). In 71.8% of encounters, patients underwent diagnostic imaging studies in addition to CT. Utilization rose from 0.08% per hospital visit in 2012-2013 to 0.14% in 2020-2021, with differences in yield between time periods not reaching statistical significance (p=0.059). Among 496 encounters, 62 received surgery (12.1%), with 21 of these cases preceded by a positive CT for deep infection.

CONCLUSIONS: Our 10-year single-center analysis of CT use for extremity cellulitis demonstrated a low yield of positive CT findings for deep infection and limited impact of CT on surgical management. A high incidence of patients undergoing multiple radiologic exams suggests uncertainty in selecting appropriate imaging modalities in this clinical scenario.

PMID:39490568 | DOI:10.1016/j.jacr.2024.10.011

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Combination of grade and spread through air spaces (STAS) predicts recurrence in early stage lung adenocarcinoma: a retrospective cohort study

Updates Surg. 2024 Nov 3. doi: 10.1007/s13304-024-02000-4. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Adenocarcinomas, a common subtype of lung cancer, exhibit diverse histological patterns. In 2020, The International Association for the Study of Lung Cancer (IASLC) introduced a grading system emphasizing high-grade components, which has shown prognostic value. Spread through air spaces (STAS) is recognized as a prognostic feature increasing the risk of recurrence in lung cancer. This study evaluates the combination of STAS status and the IASLC-grading system in surgically resected Stage I lung adenocarcinomas. This study is a retrospective analysis of 123 patients with Stage I lung adenocarcinoma who underwent lobectomy between 2011 and 2019. Histological patterns were assessed according to the IASLC criteria, and STAS status was documented. Patients were categorized based on their IASLC Grade and STAS status. Statistical analyses included Kaplan-Meier survival estimates, Cox proportional hazards models, and comparisons using Chi-square and t-tests. The cohort comprised 43 females and 80 males with a mean age of 61.8 ± 7.6 years. STAS positivity was noted in 52.8% of patients. STAS positivity correlated significantly with Grade 3 tumors (p < 0.001). The 5-year recurrence-free survival was significantly lower in STAS-positive patients (70.7% vs. 88.7%, p = 0.026). Patients with Grade 3 and STAS positivity had significantly lower recurrence-free survival compared to other groups (p = 0.002). Grade 3 and STAS positivity were independent predictors of poor recurrence-free survival in multivariate analysis. IASLC Grade 3 tumors and STAS positivity are independent prognostic factors for poor recurrence-free survival in Stage I lung adenocarcinomas. Adjuvant treatment strategies should be considered for patients with these characteristics to improve outcomes.

PMID:39488820 | DOI:10.1007/s13304-024-02000-4

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Preparation and Evaluation of Poloxamer/Carbopol In-Situ Gel Loaded with Quercetin: In-Vitro Drug Release and Cell Viability Study

Tissue Eng Regen Med. 2024 Nov 3. doi: 10.1007/s13770-024-00671-z. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Periodontitis is a severe chronic inflammatory disease, whose traditional systemic antimicrobial therapy faces great limitations. In-situ gels provide an effective solution as an emerging local drug delivery system.

METHODS: In this study, the novel thermosensitive poloxamer/carbopol in-situ gels loaded with 20 μmol/L quercetin for the treatment of periodontitis were prepared by cold method. Thirteen batches of in-situ gels based on two independent factors (X1: poloxamer 407 and X2: carbopol 934P) were designed and optimized by the statistical method of central composite design (CCD). The transparency, pH, injectability, viscosity, gelation temperature, gelation time, elasticity modulus, degradation rate and in-vitro drug release studies of the batches were evaluated, and the percentage of drug release in the first hour, the time required for 90% drug release, gelation temperature, and gelation time were selected as dependent variables.

RESULTS: These two independent factors significantly affected the four dependent variables (p < 0.05). The optimization result displayed that the optimized concentration of poloxamer 407 was 20.84% (w/v), and carbopol 934P was 0.5% (w/v). The optimized formulation showed a clear appearance (++), acceptable injectability (Pass), viscosity(151,798 mPa s), gelation temperature (36 °C), gelation time (213 s), preferable cell viability and cell proliferation, conformed to first-order release kinetics, and had a significant antibacterial effect.

CONCLUSIONS: The article demonstrates the great potential of the quercetin in-situ gel as an effective treatment for periodontitis.

PMID:39488811 | DOI:10.1007/s13770-024-00671-z

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H-Coil Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation Relieves Pain and Symptoms of Anxiety and Depression in Patients With Chronic Peripheral Neuropathic Pain: A Randomized Sham-Controlled Crossover Study

Neuromodulation. 2024 Nov 2:S1094-7159(24)00707-4. doi: 10.1016/j.neurom.2024.09.002. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to investigate the analgesic effects of H-coil repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) primarily targeting the hand area of the primary motor cortex (M1) in patients with peripheral neuropathic pain. Given that the H-coil has a wider reach than conventional coils, there is a possibility that targeting the hand motor cortex also may stimulate prefrontal areas. Thus, we also aimed to examine whether rTMS with an M1 target could produce effects on psychologic outcomes.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: In total, 17 patients were randomly assigned to receive active or sham H-coil rTMS in a counterbalanced order. After a nine-week washout period, they crossed over to either active or sham rTMS, according to a double-blind crossover design. Each treatment period consisted of five daily rTMS sessions and a one- and three-week follow-up visit. The primary outcome was average usual pain intensity. Secondary outcomes included pain unpleasantness, dynamic and static mechanical allodynia, anxiety and depression, sleep, pain catastrophizing, function, and patients’ impression of change. Effects of rTMS were investigated using linear mixed model analyses.

RESULTS: We found two significant interactions between treatment and time, indicating that active H-coil rTMS induced significant analgesic effects (t [134] = -2.18; p = .03; d = -0.10) and significant reductions in anxiety and depression compared with sham stimulation over the treatment course (t [73] = -2.14; p = .04; d = -0.09). The analgesic effect occurred two weeks after the treatment, and the effect on anxiety and depression occurred three weeks after treatment. No other significant interactions were found for the secondary variables.

CONCLUSIONS: Five days of H-coil rTMS targeting the hand area of M1 induced statistically significant effects on pain intensity. Moreover, rTMS improved symptoms of anxiety and depression, possibly because of the wide and deep reach of the H-coil.

CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION: The Clinicaltrials.gov registration number for the study is NCT05488808.

PMID:39488777 | DOI:10.1016/j.neurom.2024.09.002

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Investigating the impact of Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT) on Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), depression, and anxiety symptoms in female victims of domestic violence

J Inj Violence Res. 2024 Nov 3;16(2). doi: 10.5249/jivr.v16i2.1842. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to investigate the effects of CPT on PTSD, depression, and anxiety symptoms in female victims of domestic violence.

METHODS: A two-arm randomized clinical trial was conducted in Bandar-Abbas involving 62 female victims of domestic violence referred from private gynecology and obstetrics clinics. Initial screening for domestic violence was based on the World Health Organization violence questionnaire. Participants were randomly assigned to either a control group (n=32) or an intervention group (n=28) for a study duration of six months in 2022. Twelve group CPT sessions were conducted. The domestic violence questionnaire, Beck’s Depression Inventory, Beck’s Anxiety Inventory, and the Impact of Event Scale-Revised were completed in three time points: pre-test, post-test, and follow-up.

RESULTS: There was a statistically significant difference in the mean scores of depression, PTSD, and domestic violence (P less than .001) between the two groups; however, no significant difference was found in anxiety scores (P greater than .050).

CONCLUSIONS: CPT is recommended for female victims of domestic violence to reduce symptoms of depression, PTSD, and domestic violence.

PMID:39488744 | DOI:10.5249/jivr.v16i2.1842

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Ramp Lesions with ACL Injuries Between MRI and Arthroscopic Evaluation

Chirurgia (Bucur). 2024 Oct;119(eCollection):1. doi: 10.21614/chirurgia.119.eC.3032.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: To compare the accuracy of arthroscopy with MRI in diagnosing ramp lesions associated with anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries.

DESIGN: Prospective observational study. Material and Methods: We included 100 patients with complete ACL tear.

EXCLUSION CRITERIA: 1) Partial ACL tear, 2) ACL revision surgery or previous knee surgery, 3) Multi-ligamentous knee injury, 4) Extensive medial meniscus tear. Results: Nine patients were diagnosed with ACL-associated ramp lesions. All nine had magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) signs, but these were not statistically significant ( 2=1.884, FEp=0.348). Mean medial meniscal slope for patients with ramp lesions was 2.88 +- 0.46, without was 2.47 +- 0.55 (T=2.146, P=0.034), implying statistical significance as visualized by arthroscopy. Arthroscopy is superior in diagnosing ramp lesions.

CONCLUSION: Arthroscopy is superior in diagnosing ramp lesions due to cost-effectiveness, direct visualization, and immediate treatment capability. The absence of specific MRI signs for ramp lesions further supports this conclusion.

PMID:39488742 | DOI:10.21614/chirurgia.119.eC.3032

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Prehabilitative/rehabilitative exercise, nutrition, and psychological support for bladder cancer: A scoping review of randomized clinical trials

Cancer. 2024 Nov 2. doi: 10.1002/cncr.35608. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

The study of prehabilitation and rehabilitation ([p]rehabilitation) to alleviate the sequelae of bladder cancer and its treatment has generated numerous opportunities to improve the quality of life of bladder cancer survivors. The authors conducted a scoping review of randomized clinical trials (RCTs) to identify knowledge gaps in and research directions for (p)rehabilitative support for those affected by bladder cancer. The authors systematically searched six databases and synthesized key findings from RCTs conducted from January 1, 2004, through March 15, 2022, that enrolled participants with bladder cancer, survivors, or caregivers in outpatient (p)rehabilitative programs (e.g., exercise, nutrition, or psychological support). Outcomes were characterized according to eight prespecified, clinically relevant categories. The search retrieved 10,968 records, 27 of which met the inclusion criteria, and 24 described unique RCTs with 2471 enrolled participants. Of 24 interventions, 17 (71%) yielded statistically significant results for the outcome of interest. Only one RCT included a cost-effectiveness analysis, and only two characterized the efficacy of interventions for caregivers. Of 11 RCTs involving psychological support, eight yielded statistically significant results, as did nine of 11 RCTs with physical exercise interventions, three of four RCTs with educational interventions, three of four RCTs with nutritional support interventions, one of two RCTs with pharmacologic medications, and zero of one RCT with physical therapy. The most promising interventions for inclusion in multimodal, personalized (p)rehabilitation programs included exercise, stress management training, cognitive training, smoking and alcohol cessation counseling, immunonutrition, stoma education, and penile rehabilitation. Further studies of the cost effectiveness and efficacy for caregivers of such interventions are needed. PLAIN LANGUAGE SUMMARY: In a scoping review of all randomized clinical trials involving prehabilitative or rehabilitative diet, exercise, and psychological support interventions for patients with bladder cancer, survivors, and their caregivers, 17 of 24 (71%) interventions yielded statistically significant improvements in the outcome of interest. Clinicians should consider implementing such interventions for those affected by bladder cancer.

PMID:39488730 | DOI:10.1002/cncr.35608

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Co-designing Medication Optimization Patient-Centered Outcomes Research With Older People and Caregivers as Research Partners

Sr Care Pharm. 2024 Nov 1;39(11):425-431. doi: 10.4140/TCP.n.2024.425.

ABSTRACT

Background: Additional evidence is required to address the unintended consequences of medication use in older people and the required caregiver support. To inform priorities for future research efforts, different stakeholder perspectives are needed, including those of older people, caregivers, clinicians, and researchers. Objective: To develop a co-designed medication-related research agenda. Methods: A 12-member Advisory Council, half of which were older people and caregivers, designed the research. An 11-question survey to identify priorities for medication-related patient-centered outcomes research (PCOR) topics was administered to members of the Elder Care Medicine Network (ECMN) (ie, older people, caregivers, clinicians, and researchers). Respondents were categorized into two groups with hierarchical assignment to the clinician/research group over the older adult/caregiver group. Chi-square tests compared priority areas for medication-related PCOR between the two groups. Results: There were 53 responses (48% response rate) from the ECMN, with 39.6% (n = 21) from the clinician/researcher group and 60.4% (n = 32) from the older adult/caregiver group. The priority areas from both groups included safe ways to simplify medicines (62.2%), communicating with pharmacists and prescribers about medications (58.5%), and information about safe supplements with prescription medications (52.8%). Statistically significant differences existed between the two groups in the proportions choosing the priority areas. Conclusion: Co-design of a survey to identify priority areas for PCOR demonstrated successful engagement of older people and caregivers as research partners. While older people and caregivers may have differing perspectives on the importance of specific medication-related PCOR topics, simplifying medication regimen and health care communications were germane to both groups.

PMID:39488722 | DOI:10.4140/TCP.n.2024.425

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Association between stress hyperglycemia ratio and postoperative major adverse cardiovascular and cerebrovascular events in noncardiac surgeries: a large perioperative cohort study

Cardiovasc Diabetol. 2024 Nov 2;23(1):392. doi: 10.1186/s12933-024-02467-w.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: There has been a concerning rise in the incidence of major adverse cardiovascular and cerebrovascular events (MACCE) following noncardiac surgeries (NCS), significantly impacting surgical outcomes and patient prognosis. Glucose metabolism abnormalities induced by stress response under acute medical conditions may be a risk factor for postoperative MACCE. This study aims to explore the association between stress hyperglycemia ratio (SHR) and postoperative MACCE in patients undergoing general anesthesia for NCS.

METHODS: There were 12,899 patients in this perioperative cohort study. The primary outcome was MACCE within 30 days postoperatively, defined as angina, acute myocardial infarction, cardiac arrest, arrhythmia, heart failure, stroke, or in-hospital all-cause mortality. Kaplan-Meier curves visualized the cumulative incidence of MACCE. Cox proportional hazard models were utilized to assess the association between the risk of MACCE and different SHR groups. Restricted cubic spline analyses were conducted to explore potential nonlinear relationships. Additionally, exploratory subgroup analyses and sensitivity analyses were performed.

RESULTS: A total of 592 (4.59%) participants experienced MACCE within 30 days after surgery, and 1,045 (8.10%) within 90 days. After adjusting for confounding factors, compared to the SHR T2 group, the risk of MACCE within 30 days after surgery increased by 1.34 times (95% CI 1.08-1.66) in the T3 group and by 1.35 times (95% CI 1.08-1.68) in the T1 group respectively. In the non-diabetes group, the risk of MACCE within 30 days after surgery increased by 1.60 times (95% CI 1.21-2.12) in the T3 group and by 1.61 times (95% CI 1.21-2.14) in the T1 group respectively, while no statistically significant increase in risk was observed in the diabetes group. Similar results were observed within 90 days after surgery in the non-diabetes group. Additionally, a statistically significant U-shaped nonlinear relationship was observed in the non-diabetes group (30 days: P for nonlinear = 0.010; 90 days: P for nonlinear = 0.008).

CONCLUSION: In this large perioperative cohort study, we observed that both higher and lower SHR were associated with an increased risk of MACCE within 30 and 90 days after NCS, especially in patients without diabetes. These findings suggest that SHR potentially plays a key role in stratifying cardiovascular and cerebrovascular risk after NCS.

PMID:39488717 | DOI:10.1186/s12933-024-02467-w

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Sexual behaviours and risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection among MSM during the first COVID-19 lockdown

BMC Public Health. 2024 Nov 2;24(1):3038. doi: 10.1186/s12889-024-20514-9.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: The social distancing measures associated with the COVID-19 pandemic had far reaching effects on sexual behavior worldwide. However, it remains unclear whether sexual contact with non-steady partners was a contributor to the spread of SARS-CoV-2. The aim of this study was to (i) describe risk factors for SARS-CoV-2 seropositivity after the first pandemic wave among people using HIV Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) in Zurich, Switzerland, including sexual contact with non-steady partners, and (ii) assess whether the SARS-CoV-2 seropositivity among PrEP users in this time period differed from that of a demographic matched population level comparison group.

METHODS: The study was conducted between July 2020 and October 2020 as a nested cross-sectional study within two ongoing cohort studies, SwissPrEPared (all eligible PrEP users in Switzerland ≥ 18 years old) and Corona Immunitas (a series of cross-sectional and longitudinal studies measuring the SARS-CoV-2 seroprevalence across Switzerland, beginning in April 2020). All SwissPrEPared participants were recruited from Checkpoint Zurich (the main PrEP clinic in Zurich) and were men having sex with men or transgender women. Data were collected on participants’ SARS-CoV-2 antibody status, social characteristics and behavioral data after the first wave of the pandemic in Switzerland, and seroprevalence was compared with a propensity score-matched sample from the general Zurich population.

RESULTS: Of the 218 participants enrolled, 8.7% (n = 19, 95% CI: 5.5-13.5%) were seropositive for SARS-CoV-2 during the first pandemic wave, higher than that of the general male population in Zurich aged 20-65 (5.5%, 95% CI: 3.8-8.2%). Participants on average reduced their social outings, but the seronegative were more socially active before, during, and after the first lockdown period. In a logistic model, increasing mean sexual partner count was not associated with seropositivity (OR: 1.02, 95% CI: 0.95, 1.07). The estimated risk ratio for seropositivity for the participants compared to the general Zurich population after propensity score matching was 1.46 (95% CI: 0.53, 3.99).

CONCLUSIONS: Our study suggests that SARS-CoV-2 seropositivity was slightly elevated among people taking PrEP in Zurich during the first wave of the pandemic, but that socializing and sexual activity were less important than other factors in contributing to risk.

PMID:39488716 | DOI:10.1186/s12889-024-20514-9