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Nevin Manimala Statistics

Blood and Body Fluid Exposure Among Healthcare Workers and Personal Protective Equipment Usage in the United States

Workplace Health Saf. 2023 May 26:21650799231163132. doi: 10.1177/21650799231163132. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: The International Safety Center disseminates the Exposure Prevention Information Network (EPINet) surveillance system to standardize a system for healthcare facilities to track mucocutaneous blood and body fluid exposures.

METHODS: Occupational exposure incidents to blood and body fluids were recorded within the participant health systems and hospitals (N = 41), using the EPINet Blood and Body Fluid Exposure Report Form. Forms include detailed questions about the circumstances surrounding the exposure, including the type of exposure, body part(s) involved, and if the employee reporting the incident was wearing personal protective equipment (PPE).

RESULTS: There were statistically significant differences between participants who wore PPE at time of exposure versus those who did not. Differences were noted by job category (χ2 =32.91, p-value = <.001); where the exposure occurred (χ2 = 32.31, p-value = <.001); what the exposure was a result of (χ2 = 50.19, p-value = <.001); and day versus night shift (χ2 = 11.47, p-value = .001).

CONCLUSION/APPLICATIONS TO PRACTICE: The study found that occupational exposure to blood and body fluids in 2021 remain high risk given the frequency with which they happen, the exposure site (face) and lack of PPE use. The pandemic seemed to matter little in changing frequencies despite high awareness and growing PPE availability and supply. The findings provide robust information about how exposures occur, why they remain high risk, and how important it is to improve reporting and surveillance to prevent occupational exposures and disease in healthcare in future.

PMID:37232173 | DOI:10.1177/21650799231163132

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How can excess residual cement be reduced in implant-supported restorations?: An in vitro study

Clin Implant Dent Relat Res. 2023 May 26. doi: 10.1111/cid.13229. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of different cements and cementation techniques used in implant-supported restorations and the application of various vent modifications and extraoral replica techniques on the amount of overflowing cement in cemented systems.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this study, three different abutment designs were used as fully closed, occlusal vented, and occlusal + proximal vented. An extraoral replica was produced by milling the CAD/CAM ceramic block. The number of groups with and without replicas was determined as six (n = 10). For the cementation procedures, three different cements were tested: dual-cure resin, eugenol-free zinc oxide, and polycarboxylate cements. Cobalt-chromium superstructures to be cemented to the implant analog-abutment complex were produced by direct metal laser sintering method. Twenty-four hours after the cementation process, residual cement were measered with Micro-CT. In comparisons between groups, ANOVA test was used for normally distributed variables and Kruskall-Wallis H test was used for non-normally distributed variables at a significance level of p < 0.05.

RESULTS: The difference in residual cement volumes between the groups in terms of both cementation techniques (whether or not to use an extraoral replica and different vent desings) and cement types was found to be statistically significant (p < 0.05). There was significantly less residual cement in all groups that used extraoral replicas than those that did not. As for the cement types, the most residual cement occurred in the resin cement.

CONCLUSION: The use of extraoral replicas and vent designs on the abutment significantly reduces the amount of residual cement. Regardless of the cementation technique, the type of cement used affects the amount of excess cement.

CLINICAL RELEVANCE: To reduce residual cement, both the type of cement and the cementation technique used must be considered.

PMID:37232125 | DOI:10.1111/cid.13229

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Intra-Articular Antegrade Intramedullary Screw Fixation for Proximal Phalanx Fractures: Impact of Articular Surface Defects on Joint Contact Pressures

Hand (N Y). 2023 May 26:15589447231174045. doi: 10.1177/15589447231174045. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Intramedullary headless screw fixation is increasingly used for fixation of proximal phalanx fractures. However, the impact of screw entry defects on joint contact pressures is not well defined and may have implications for arthrosis. The objective of this cadaveric biomechanical study was to assess joint contact pressures at the metacarpophalangeal (MCP) joint before and after passage of 2 sizes of antegrade intramedullary fixation.

METHODS: Seven fresh frozen cadaver specimens without arthritis or deformity were included in this study. Antegrade intramedullary screw fixation of proximal phalanx fracture was simulated using an intra-articular technique. Flexible pressure sensors were inserted into the MCP joints and cyclic loading was performed. Peak contact pressures were determined and averaged across loading cycles for each finger in the native state, with 2.4- and 3.5-mm drill defects in line with the medullary canal.

RESULTS: Peak pressure increased with the size of the drill hole defect. Contact pressure increases were greater in extension, with peak contact pressures increased by 24% for the 2.4-mm defect and 52% for the 3.5-mm defect. Increase in peak contact pressure was statistically significant with a 3.5-mm articular defect. Contact pressures were not consistently increased for the 2.4-mm defect. Testing in flexion of 45° resulted in reduced contact pressure for these defects.

CONCLUSIONS: Our study demonstrates that antegrade intramedullary fixation of proximal phalanx fractures can increase MCP joint peak contact pressures, particularly in an extended joint position. Effect increases with defect size. This has implications for the management of proximal phalanx fractures using this technique.

PMID:37232109 | DOI:10.1177/15589447231174045

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The psychological and social impact of the digital self-support system ‘Brain in Hand’ on autistic people: prospective cohort study in England and Wales

BJPsych Open. 2023 May 26;9(3):e96. doi: 10.1192/bjo.2023.57.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Brain in Hand (BIH) is a UK-based digital self-support system for managing anxiety and social functioning.

AIMS: To identify the impact of BIH on the psychological and social functioning of adults with autism.

METHOD: Adults with diagnosed or suspected DSM-5 (level 1) autism, identified by seven NHS autism services in England and Wales, were recruited for a 12-week prospective mixed-methods cohort study. The primary quantitative outcome measures were the Health of the Nation Outcome Scales for People with Learning Disabilities (HONOS-LD) and the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS). Fisher’s exact test explored sociodemographic associations. Paired t-test was utilised for pre-post analysis of overall effectiveness of BIH. Multivariable linear regression models, univariable pre-post analysis, Wilcoxon signed-rank test, logistic regression analysis, Bonferroni correction and normative analysis were used to give confidence in changes identified. A thematic analysis of semi-structured exist interviews following Braun and Clarke’s six-step process of 10% of participants who completed the study was undertaken.

RESULTS: Sixty-six of 99 participants completed the study. There was significant reduction in mean HONOS-LD scores, with 0.65 s.d. decrease in those who used BIH for 12 weeks. Significant positive changes were identified in HONOS-LD subdomains of ‘self-injurious behaviours’, ‘memory and orientation’, ‘communication problems in understanding’, ‘occupation and activities’ and ‘problems with relationship’. A significant reduction in the anxiety, but not depression, component of the HADS scores was identified. Thematic analysis showed high confidence in BIH.

CONCLUSIONS: BIH improved anxiety and other clinical, social and functioning outcomes of adults with autism.

PMID:37232106 | DOI:10.1192/bjo.2023.57

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Virtual Reality to Assess Resident Recognition of Impending Respiratory Failure During COVID-19

Hosp Pediatr. 2023 May 26:e2022006917. doi: 10.1542/hpeds.2022-006917. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVES: To assess the performance of pediatric residents in recognizing a decompensating patient with impending respiratory failure and appropriately escalating care using a virtual reality (VR) simulated case of an infant with bronchiolitis after an extended period of decreased clinical volumes during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic.

METHODS: Sixty-two pediatric residents at a single academic pediatric referral center engaged in a 30-minute VR simulation on respiratory failure in a 3-month-old admitted to the pediatric hospital medicine service with bronchiolitis. This occurred in a socially distant manner across the Zoom platform during the COVID-19 pandemic (January-April 2021). Residents were assessed on their ability to (1) recognize altered mental status (AMS), (2) designate clinical status as “(impending) respiratory failure,” and (3) escalate care. Statistical differences between and across postgraduate year (PGY) levels were examined using χ2 or Fisher’s exact test, followed by pairwise comparison and posthoc multiple testing using the Hochberg test.

RESULTS: Among all residents, 53% successfully recognized AMS, 16% identified respiratory failure, and 23% escalated care. No significant differences were seen across PGY levels for recognizing AMS or identifying respiratory failure. PGY3+ residents were more likely to escalate care than PGY2 residents (P = .05).

CONCLUSIONS: In the setting of an extended period with decreased clinical volumes during the COVID-19 pandemic, pediatric residents across all PGY levels demonstrated challenges with identifying (impending) respiratory failure and appropriately escalating care during VR simulations. Though limited, VR simulation may serve as a safe adjunct for clinical training and assessment during times of decreased clinical exposure.

PMID:37232100 | DOI:10.1542/hpeds.2022-006917

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A Phase 3 Randomized Clinical Trial to Compare Efficacy and Safety between Combination Therapy and Monotherapy in Elderly Patients with Advanced Gastric Cancer (KCSG ST13-10)

Cancer Res Treat. 2023 May 25. doi: 10.4143/crt.2023.333. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: This study evaluated whether combination therapy is more effective than monotherapy in elderly patients with metastatic or recurrent gastric cancer (MRGC) as first-line chemotherapy.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: Elderly (≥70 years) chemo-naïve patients with MRGC were allocated to receive either combination therapy (group A: 5-FU/oxaliplatin, capecitabine/oxaliplatin, capecitabine/cisplatin, or S-1/cisplatin) or monotherapy (group B; 5-FU, capecitabine, or S-1). In group A, starting doses were 80% of standard doses, and they could be escalated to 100% at the discretion of the investigator. Primary endpoint was to confirm superior overall survival (OS) of combination therapy vs monotherapy.

RESULTS: After 111 of the planned 238 patients were randomized, enrollment was terminated due to poor accrual. In the full-analysis population [group A (n=53) and group B (n=51)], median OS of combination therapy vs. monotherapy was 11.5 vs. 7.5 months [hazard ratio (HR), 0.86; 95% confidence interval (CI), 0.56-1.30; p=0.231]. Median progression-free survival (PFS) was 5.6 vs. 3.7 months (HR, 0.53; 95% CI, 0.34-0.83; p=0.005). In subgroup analyses, patients aged 70-74 years tended to have superior OS with combination therapy [15.9 vs. 7.2 months (p=0.056)]. Treatment-related adverse events (TRAEs) occurred more frequently in group A vs. group B. However, among severe TRAEs (≥grade 3), there were no TRAEs with a frequency difference of > 5%.

CONCLUSION: Combination therapy was associated with numerically improved OS, although statistically insignificant, and a significant PFS benefit compared with monotherapy. Although combination therapy showed more frequent TRAEs, there was no difference in the frequency of severe TRAEs.

PMID:37232070 | DOI:10.4143/crt.2023.333

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The impact of collateral status on cerebral vasospasm and delayed cerebral ischemia in subarachnoid hemorrhage

J Cerebrovasc Endovasc Neurosurg. 2023 May 26. doi: 10.7461/jcen.2023.E2022.11.005. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: Cerebral collateral circulation may affect subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) induced cerebral vasospasm and delayed cerebral ischemia. In this study our aim was to investigate the relationship between collateral status, vasospasm and delayed cerebral ischemia (DCI) in both aneurysmal and nonaneurysmal SAH.

METHODS: Patients diagnosed as SAH with and without aneurysm were included and their data investigated retrospectively. After the patients diagnosed as SAH according to cerebral computed tomography (CT)/magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), they underwent cerebral angiography to check for cerebral aneurysm. The diagnosis of DCI was made according to the neurological examination and control CT/MRI. All the patients had their control cerebral angiography on days 7 to 10 in order to assess vasospasm and also collateral circulation. The American Society of Interventional and Therapeutic Neuroradiology/Society of Interventional Radiology (ASITN/SIR) Collateral Flow Grading System was modified to measure collateral circulation.

RESULTS: A total of 59 patients data were analyzed. Patients with aneurysmal SAH had higher Fisher scores and DCI was more common. Although there was no statistically significant difference between the patients with and without DCI in terms of demographics and mortality, patients with DCI had worse collateral circulation and more severe vasospasm. These patients had higher Fisher scores and more cerebral aneurysm overall.

CONCLUSIONS: According to our data, patients with higher Fisher scores, more severe vasospasm, and poor cerebral collateral circulation may experience DCI more frequently. Additionally aneurysmal SAH had higher Fisher scores and DCI was seen more common. To improve the clinical results for SAH patients, we believe that physicians should be aware of the DCI risk factors.

PMID:37232069 | DOI:10.7461/jcen.2023.E2022.11.005

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Risk factors for a failed trial without catheter following convective water vapor thermal therapy (CWVTT-Rezum)

Low Urin Tract Symptoms. 2023 May 26. doi: 10.1111/luts.12483. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVES: Convective water vapor thermal therapy (CWVTT-Rezum) is a minimally invasive surgical therapy that is being increasingly utilized for bladder outlet obstruction. Most patients leave the site of care with a Foley catheter in place for a mean reported duration of 3-4 days. A minority of men will fail their trial without catheter (TWOC). We aim to identify the frequency of TWOC failure following CWVTT and its associated risk factors.

METHODS: Patients who underwent CWVTT at a single institution from October 2018 to May 2021 were retrospectively identified and pertinent data extracted. The primary endpoint was TWOC failure. Descriptive statistics were performed, and rate of TWOC failure was determined. Potential risk factors for failed TWOC were assessed through univariate and multivariate logistic regression.

RESULTS: A total of 119 patients were analyzed. Seventeen percent (20/119) had a failed TWOC on their first attempt. Of those, 60% (12/20) failed in a delayed fashion. In patients who failed, the median number of total TWOC attempts required for success was two (interquartile range [IQR] = 2-3). All patients eventually had a successful TWOC. The median preoperative postvoid residual for successful and failed TWOC was 56 mL (IQR = 15-125) and 87 mL (IQR = 25-367), respectively. Preoperative elevated postvoid residual (unadjusted odds ratio [OR] 1.02, 95% CI: 1.01-1.04; adjusted OR 1.02, 95% CI: 1.01-1.04) was associated with TWOC failure.

CONCLUSIONS: Seventeen percent of patients failed their initial TWOC after CWVTT. Elevated postvoid residual was associated with TWOC failure.

PMID:37232068 | DOI:10.1111/luts.12483

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Mid-Term Outcomes of Arthroscopic Rotator Cuff Repair in Patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis

Orthop Surg. 2023 May 25. doi: 10.1111/os.13757. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: The effectiveness of arthroscopic rotator cuff repair (ARCR) on rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients remains a controversial topic. This study investigates the mid-term outcomes of ARCR in RA patients and identifies the factors influencing clinical efficacy.

METHODS: This retrospective study enrolled RA patients with small or medium rotator cuff tears (RCTs) between February 2014 and February 2019. Visual Analog Scale (VAS), American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons (ASES), and Constant-Murley scores were collected at each follow-up time. Ultimately, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and X-ray were employed to assess rotator cuff integrity and progression of shoulder bone destruction, respectively. Statistical methods used two-way repeated-measures ANOVA or generalized estimation equations.

RESULTS: A total of 157 patients were identified and divided into ARCR (n = 75) and conservative treatment (n = 82) groups. ARCR group continued to be divided into small tear (n = 35) and medium tear (n = 40) groups. At the final, all scores were better in ARCR group than in the conservative treatment group (p < 0.05). A radiographic evaluation of the final follow-up demonstrated that the progression rate in ARCR group (18.67%) was significantly lower than that of the conservative treatment group (39.02%, p < 0.05). In the comparison of the small tear and medium tear groups, all scores increased significantly after surgery (p < 0.05), and the final follow-up scores were better than preoperative scores (p < 0.05) but worse than those of the 6-month postoperative follow-up (p < 0.05). Comparison between the two groups revealed that all scores of the small tear group were significantly better than those of the medium tear group at 6-month postoperative follow-up (p < 0.05). Although the scores of small tear group remained better than those of the medium group at the final postoperative follow-up, the difference was not statistically significant (p > 0.05). Radiographic assessment of the final follow-up demonstrated that the progression rate in the small tear group (8.57%) was significantly lower than that in the medium group (27.50%, p < 0.05), and the retear rate of small tear group (14.29%) was significantly lower than that of the medium tear group (35.00%, p < 0.05).

CONCLUSION: ARCR could effectively improve the quality of life for RA patients with small or medium RCTs, at least in the medium term. Despite the progression of joint destruction in some patients, postoperative retear rates were comparable to those in the general population. ARCR is more likely to benefit RA patients than conservative treatment.

PMID:37232062 | DOI:10.1111/os.13757

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Preoperative Frailty Predicts Worse Outcomes after Microvascular Decompression for Trigeminal Neuralgia, Hemifacial Spasm, and Glossopharyngeal Neuralgia: A Multicenter Analysis of 1,473 Patients from a Prospective Surgical Registry

Stereotact Funct Neurosurg. 2023 May 16:1-7. doi: 10.1159/000529763. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION: Microvascular decompression (MVD) is an efficacious neurosurgical intervention for patients with medically intractable neurovascular compression syndromes. However, MVD may occasionally cause life-threatening or altering complications, particularly in patients unfit for surgical operations. Recent literature suggests a lack of association between chronological age and surgical outcomes for MVD. The Risk Analysis Index (RAI) is a validated frailty tool for surgical populations (both clinical and large database). The present study sought to evaluate the prognostic ability of frailty, as measured by RAI, to predict outcomes for patients undergoing MVD from a large multicenter surgical registry.

METHODS: The American College of Surgeons-National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (ACS-NSQIP) database (2011-2020) was queried using diagnosis/procedure codes for patients undergoing MVD procedures for trigeminal neuralgia (n = 1,211), hemifacial spasm (n = 236), or glossopharyngeal neuralgia (n = 26). The relationship between preoperative frailty (measured by RAI and 5-factor modified frailty index [mFI-5]) for primary endpoint of adverse discharge outcome (AD) was analyzed. AD was defined as discharge to a facility which was not home, hospice, or death within 30 days. Discriminatory accuracy for prediction of AD was assessed by computation of C-statistics (with 95% confidence interval) from receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis.

RESULTS: Patients undergoing MVD (N = 1,473) were stratified by RAI frailty bins: 71% with RAI 0-20, 28% with RAI 21-30, and 1.2% with RAI 31+. Compared to RAI score 19 and below, RAI 20 and above had significantly higher rates of postoperative major complications (2.8% vs. 1.1%, p = 0.01), Clavien-Dindo grade IV complications (2.8% vs. 0.7%, p = 0.001), and AD (6.1% vs. 1.0%, p &lt; 0.001). The rate of primary endpoint was 2.4% (N = 36) and was positively associated with increasing frailty tier: 1.5% in 0-20, 5.8% in 21-30, and 11.8% in 31+. RAI score demonstrated excellent discriminatory accuracy for primary endpoint in ROC analysis (C-statistic: 0.77, 95% CI: 0.74-0.79) and demonstrated superior discrimination compared to mFI-5 (C-statistic: 0.64, 95% CI: 0.61-0.66) (DeLong pairwise test, p = 0.003).

CONCLUSIONS: This was the first study to link preoperative frailty to worse surgical outcomes after MVD surgery. RAI frailty score predicts AD after MVD with excellent discrimination and holds promise for preoperative counseling and risk stratification of surgical candidates. A risk assessment tool was developed and deployed with a user-friendly calculator: <ext-link ext-link-type=”uri” xlink:href=”https://nsgyfrailtyoutcomeslab.shinyapps.io/microvascularDecompression” xmlns:xlink=”http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink”>https://nsgyfrailtyoutcomeslab.shinyapps.io/microvascularDecompression</ext-link>.

PMID:37232028 | DOI:10.1159/000529763