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Nevin Manimala Statistics

Prolonged postoperative length of stay may be a valuable marker for susceptibility to relapse beyond established risk factors in patients with stage III colon cancer

World J Surg Oncol. 2022 Sep 2;20(1):277. doi: 10.1186/s12957-022-02742-8.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Delay from surgery to adjuvant chemotherapy causes impaired survival among patients undergoing radical resection for stage III colon cancer, and the underlying mechanism for this is incompletely clarified. It is established that prolonged postoperative hospital length of stay (LOS) is associated with delayed initiation of the adjuvant treatment driving the assumption that prolonged LOS is prognostically unfavorable due to this fact and case mix factors. We hypothesize that prolonged LOS after surgery is a valuable marker for susceptibility to relapse that is not detected in established prognostic factors and, alone, associated with a shorter disease-free survival (DFS).

MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 690 consecutive patients undergoing elective radical resection for stage III colon cancer in 2000-2015 were identified in a prospective detailed facility database. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed using Cox proportional hazards model in the evaluation of LOS as an independent prognostic factor.

RESULTS: Short postoperative LOS, low comorbidity, and few complications were associated with longer DFS (p < 0.01). Fewer patients in the short and intermediate LOS groups had a relapse in their disease (28% and 33%, respectively), compared to the patients with longer LOS (40%, p < 0.05). LOS was a prognostic factor for DFS in the unadjusted univariate model (HR 1.04 per unit change) and remained statistically significant in the adjusted multivariate analysis, with a HR of 1.03 per hospital day (p < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONS: Postoperative LOS independently correlates with the risk of recurrence and DFS, regardless of if adjuvant chemotherapy is given, along with the factors such as age, comorbidity, complications, and tumor features. We propose a further investigation into the causal mechanisms based on tumor and host biology linking LOS to DFS beyond established risk factors.

PMID:36056361 | DOI:10.1186/s12957-022-02742-8

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Development and validation of the MMCD score to predict kidney replacement therapy in COVID-19 patients

BMC Med. 2022 Sep 2;20(1):324. doi: 10.1186/s12916-022-02503-0.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Acute kidney injury (AKI) is frequently associated with COVID-19, and the need for kidney replacement therapy (KRT) is considered an indicator of disease severity. This study aimed to develop a prognostic score for predicting the need for KRT in hospitalised COVID-19 patients, and to assess the incidence of AKI and KRT requirement.

METHODS: This study is part of a multicentre cohort, the Brazilian COVID-19 Registry. A total of 5212 adult COVID-19 patients were included between March/2020 and September/2020. Variable selection was performed using generalised additive models (GAM), and least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) regression was used for score derivation. Accuracy was assessed using the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC-ROC).

RESULTS: The median age of the model-derivation cohort was 59 (IQR 47-70) years, 54.5% were men, 34.3% required ICU admission, 20.9% evolved with AKI, 9.3% required KRT, and 15.1% died during hospitalisation. The temporal validation cohort had similar age, sex, ICU admission, AKI, required KRT distribution and in-hospital mortality. The geographic validation cohort had similar age and sex; however, this cohort had higher rates of ICU admission, AKI, need for KRT and in-hospital mortality. Four predictors of the need for KRT were identified using GAM: need for mechanical ventilation, male sex, higher creatinine at hospital presentation and diabetes. The MMCD score had excellent discrimination in derivation (AUROC 0.929, 95% CI 0.918-0.939) and validation (temporal AUROC 0.927, 95% CI 0.911-0.941; geographic AUROC 0.819, 95% CI 0.792-0.845) cohorts and good overall performance (Brier score: 0.057, 0.056 and 0.122, respectively). The score is implemented in a freely available online risk calculator ( https://www.mmcdscore.com/ ).

CONCLUSIONS: The use of the MMCD score to predict the need for KRT may assist healthcare workers in identifying hospitalised COVID-19 patients who may require more intensive monitoring, and can be useful for resource allocation.

PMID:36056335 | DOI:10.1186/s12916-022-02503-0

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A comparative analysis of diagnostic values of high-frequency ultrasound and fiberoptic ductoscopy for pathologic nipple discharge

BMC Med Imaging. 2022 Sep 2;22(1):155. doi: 10.1186/s12880-022-00885-4.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to compare the diagnostic accuracy of high-frequency ultrasound (HFUS) and fiberoptic ductoscopy (FDS) for pathologic nipple discharge (PND).

METHODS: HFUS and FDS were conducted in 210 patients with PND (248 lesions) treated at our hospital. The diagnostic accuracy of these two methods was compared using pathological diagnosis as the standard.

RESULTS: Among 248 lesions, 16 and 15 of 16 malignant lesions were accurately diagnosed by HFUS and FDS, respectively. Of 232 benign lesions, 183 and 196 cases were accurately diagnosed by HFUS and FDS, respectively. The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV), and negative predictive value (NPV) of HFUS in diagnosis of intraductal lesions were 84.36% (95% CI 79.26-88.39%), 60% (95% CI 23.07-92.89%), 96.03% (95% CI 96.55-99.83%), and 7.31% (95% CI 2.52-19.4%) respectively. The sensitivity, specificity, PPV, and NPV of FDS in diagnosis of intraductal lesions were 86.83% (95% CI 82.00-90.52%), 100% (95% CI 56.55-100%), 100% (95% CI 98.21-100%), and 13.51% (95% CI 5.91-27.98%) respectively. Diagnostic accuracy rates of HFUS and FDS were 83.87% (208/248) and 85.08% (211/248), respectively, exhibiting no statistically differences (χ2 = 0.80, P > 0.05). The accuracy of HFUS combined with FDS was 93.14% (231/248), showing statistically differences (χ2 = 10.91, P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS: Both HFUS and FDS demonstrated high diagnostic values for PND. HFUS has the advantage of non-invasive for nipple discharge with duct ectasia, exhibited good qualitative and localization diagnostic values. It is the preferred evaluation method for patients with nipple discharge. When HFUS cannot identify the cause of PND, FDS can be considered.

PMID:36056332 | DOI:10.1186/s12880-022-00885-4

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Translation and validation of the Hungarian Version of the infection control standardized questionnaire: a cross-sectional study

BMC Nurs. 2022 Sep 2;21(1):244. doi: 10.1186/s12912-022-01024-8.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: To our knowledge, there is currently no psychometrically validated Hungarian scale to evaluate nurses’ knowledge about infection prevention and control (IPC) practices. Thus, we aim in this study to assess the validity and reliability of the infection control standardized questionnaire Hungarian version (ICSQ-H).

METHODS: A cross-sectional, multisite study was conducted among 591 nurses in Hungary. The original ICSQ included 25 questions. First, the questionnaire was translated into Hungarian. Then, content validity was assessed by a committee of four specialists. This was done by calculating the item content validity index and scale content validity index. Afterward, structural validity was evaluated in a two-step process using principal component analysis and confirmatory factor analysis. The goodness of fit for the model was measured through fit indices. Convergent validity was assessed by calculating the average variance extracted. Additionally, discriminant validity was evaluated by computing the Spearman correlation coefficient between the factors. Finally, the interitem correlations, the corrected item-total correlations, and the internal consistency were calculated.

RESULTS: The content validity of the questionnaire was established with 23 items. The final four-factor ICSQ-H including 10 items showed a good fit model. Convergent validity was met except for the alcohol-based hand rub (ABHR) factor, while discriminant validity was met for all factors. The interitem correlations and the corrected item-total correlations were met for all factors, but the internal consistency of ABHR was unsatisfactory due to the low number of items.

CONCLUSIONS: The results did not support the original three-factor structure of the ICSQ. However, the four-factor ICSQ-H demonstrated an adequate degree of good fit and was found to be reliable. Based on our findings, we believe that the ICSQ-H could pave the way for more research regarding nurses’ IPC knowledge to be conducted in Hungary. Nevertheless, its validation among other healthcare workers is important to tailor effective interventions to enhance knowledge and awareness.

PMID:36056329 | DOI:10.1186/s12912-022-01024-8

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Implementation and facilitation of post-resuscitation debriefing: a comparative crossover study of two post-resuscitation debriefing frameworks

BMC Emerg Med. 2022 Sep 2;22(1):152. doi: 10.1186/s12873-022-00707-4.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Post-resuscitation debriefing (PRD) is the process of facilitated, reflective discussion, enabling team-based interpersonal feedback and identification of systems-level barriers to patient care. The importance and benefits of PRD are well recognized; however, numerous barriers exist, preventing its practical implementation. Use of a debriefing tool can aid with facilitating debriefing, creating realistic objectives, and providing feedback.

OBJECTIVES: To assess utility of two PRD tools, Debriefing In Situ Conversation after Emergent Resuscitation Now (DISCERN) and Post-Code Pause (PCP), through user preference. Secondary aims included evaluating differences in quality, subject matter, and types of feedback between tools and implications on quality improvement and patient safety.

METHODS: Prospective, crossover study over a 12-month period from February 2019 to January 2020. Two PDR tools were implemented in 8 week-long blocks in acute care settings at a tertiary care children’s hospital. Debriefings were triggered for any intubation, resuscitation, serious/unanticipated patient outcome, or by request for distressing situations. Post-debriefing, team members completed survey evaluations of the PDR tool used. Descriptive statistics were used to analyze survey responses. A thematic analysis was conducted to identify themes that emerged from qualitative responses.

RESULTS: A total of 114 debriefings took place, representing 655 total survey responses, 327 (49.9%) using PCP and 328 (50.1%) using DISCERN. 65.2% of participants found that PCP provided emotional support while only 50% of respondents reported emotional support from DISCERN. PCP was found to more strongly support clinical education (61.2% vs 56.7%). There were no significant differences in ease of use, support of the debrief process, number of newly identified improvement opportunities, or comfort in making comments or raising questions during debriefs between tools. Thematic analysis revealed six key themes: communication, quality of care, team function & dynamics, resource allocation, preparation and response, and support.

CONCLUSION: Both tools provide teams with an opportunity to reflect on critical events. PCP provided a more organized approach to debriefing, guided the conversation to key areas, and discussed team member wellbeing. When implementing a PRD tool, environmental constraints, desired level of emotional support, and the extent to which open ended data is deemed valuable should be considered.

PMID:36056328 | DOI:10.1186/s12873-022-00707-4

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Future trends of life expectancy by education in the Netherlands

BMC Public Health. 2022 Sep 2;22(1):1664. doi: 10.1186/s12889-022-13275-w.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: National projections of life expectancy are made periodically by statistical offices or actuarial societies in Europe and are widely used, amongst others for reforms of pension systems. However, these projections may not provide a good estimate of the future trends in life expectancy of different social-economic groups. The objective of this study is to provide insight in future trends in life expectancies for low, mid and high educated men and women living in the Netherlands.

METHODS: We used a three-layer Li and Lee model with data from neighboring countries to complement Dutch time series.

RESULTS: Our results point at further increases of life expectancy between age 35 and 85 and of remaining life expectancy at age 35 and age 65, for all education groups in the Netherlands. The projected increase in life expectancy is slightly larger among the high educated than among the low educated. Life expectancy of low educated women, particularly between age 35 and 85, shows the smallest projected increase. Our results also suggest that inequalities in life expectancies between high and low educated will be similar or slightly increasing between 2018 and 2048. We see no indication of a decline in inequality between the life expectancy of the low and high educated.

CONCLUSIONS: The educational inequalities in life expectancy are expected to persist or slightly increase for both men and women. The persistence and possible increase of inequalities in life expectancy between the educational groups may cause equity concerns of increases in pension age that are equal among all socio-economic groups.

PMID:36056326 | DOI:10.1186/s12889-022-13275-w

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Investigation of risk factors for tunneled hemodialysis catheters dysfunction: competing risk analysis of a tertiary center data

BMC Nephrol. 2022 Sep 2;23(1):300. doi: 10.1186/s12882-022-02927-z.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Hemodialysis tunneled catheters are prone to failure due to infection or thrombosis. Prediction of catheter dysfunction chance and finding the predisposing risk factors might help clinicians to prolong proper catheter function. The multidimensional mechanism of failures following infection or thrombosis needs a multivariable and comprehensive analytic approach.

METHODS: A longitudinal cross-sectional study was implemented on 1048 patients admitted for the first hemodialysis tunneled catheterization attempt between 2013 and 2019 in Shahid Hasheminejdad hospital, Tehran, Iran. Patients’ information was extracted from digital and also paper records. Based on their criteria, single and multiple variable analyses were done separately in patients with catheter dysfunction due to thrombosis and infection. T-test and Chi-square test were performed in quantitative and categorical variables, respectively. Competing risk regression was performed under the assumption of proportionality for infection and thrombosis, and the sub-distributional hazard ratios (SHR) were calculated. All statistical inferences were made with a significance level of 0.05.

RESULTS: Four hundred sixty-six patients were enrolled in the analysis based on study criteria. Samples’ mean (SD) age was 54(15.54), and 322 (69.1%) patients were female. Three hundred sixty-five catheter dysfunction cases were observed due to thrombosis 123(26.4%) and infection 242(52%). The Median (range) time to catheter dysfunction event was 243(36-1131) days. Single variable analysis showed a statistically significant higher proportion of thrombosis in females (OR = 2.66, 95% CI: 1.77-4.00) and younger patients, respectively. Multivariate competing risk regression showed a statistically significant higher risk of thrombosis in females (Sub-distributional hazard (SHR) = 1.81), hypertensive (SHR = 1.82), and more obese patients (BMI SHR = 1.037). A higher risk of infection was calculated in younger (Age SHR = 0.98) and diabetic (SHR = 1.63) patients using the same method.

CONCLUSION: Female and hypertensive patients are considerably at higher risk of catheter thrombosis, whereas diabetes is the most critical risk factor for infectious catheter dysfunction. Competing risk regression analysis showed a comprehensive result in the assessment of risk factors of catheter dysfunction.

PMID:36056311 | DOI:10.1186/s12882-022-02927-z

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Effects of continuity of care on hospitalizations and healthcare costs in older adults with dementia

BMC Geriatr. 2022 Sep 2;22(1):724. doi: 10.1186/s12877-022-03407-7.

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION: People with dementia have high rates of hospitalization, and a share of these hospitalizations might be avoidable with appropriate ambulatory care, also known as potentially preventable hospitalization (PAH). This study investigates the associations between continuity of care and healthcare outcomes in the following year, including all-cause hospitalization, PAHs, and healthcare costs in patients with dementia.

METHODS: This is a longitudinal retrospective cohort study of 69,658 patients with dementia obtained from the Taiwan National Health Insurance Research Database. The Continuity of Care Index (COCI) was calculated to measure the continuity of dementia-related visits across physicians. The PAHs were classified into five types as defined by the Medicare Ambulatory Care Indicators for the Elderly (MACIEs). Logistic regression models were used to examine the effect of COCI on all-cause hospitalizations and PAHs, while generalized linear models were used to analyze the effect of COCI on outpatient, hospitalization, and total healthcare costs.

RESULTS: The high COCI group was significantly associated with a lower likelihood of all-cause hospitalization than the low COCI group (OR = 0.848, 95%CI: 0.821-0.875). The COCI had no significant effect on PAHs but was associated with lower outpatient costs (exp(β) = 0.960, 95%CI: 0.941 ~ 0.979), hospitalization costs (exp(β) = 0.663, 95%CI: 0.614 ~ 0.717), total healthcare costs (exp(β) = 0.962, 95%CI: 0.945-0.980).

CONCLUSION: Improving continuity of care for dementia-related outpatient visits is recommended to reduce hospitalization and healthcare costs, although there was no statistically significant effect of continuity of care found on PAHs.

PMID:36056303 | DOI:10.1186/s12877-022-03407-7

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Correction to: Estimating Unhealthy Food Effects on Childhood Overweight in Malawi Using an Observational Study

Matern Child Health J. 2022 Sep 2. doi: 10.1007/s10995-022-03505-3. Online ahead of print.

NO ABSTRACT

PMID:36056294 | DOI:10.1007/s10995-022-03505-3

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Evaluation of Clinical Outcomes of Intravenous Drug Use-Related Infective Endocarditis in Buprenorphine-Treated Patients

J Pharm Pharm Sci. 2022;25:266-273. doi: 10.18433/jpps32891.

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: Intravenous drug use (IVDU) is an independent risk factor for infective endocarditis (IE). IVDU-related IE is associated with poor clinical outcomes, such as infection-related and drug abuse-related readmissions and mortality. Critical interventions to treat addiction, such as medication for opioid use disorder (MOUD) with buprenorphine, may prevent these unfavorable outcomes. This study aimed to establish the effectiveness of buprenorphine prescriptions at hospital discharge for patients admitted for IVDU-related IE.

METHODS: A single center, retrospective cohort study evaluated the effectiveness of discharge prescriptions of buprenorphine in adult patients (≥18 years of age) with OUD and IVDU-related IE. Outcomes of 30-day readmissions, 180-day readmissions, and mortality were compared to a cohort of patients who were not prescribed buprenorphine at hospital discharge.

RESULTS: The primary endpoint of all cause 30-day readmission was lower in patients who received buprenorphine (n=11/122, 9%) at hospital discharge for IVDU-related IE compared to those who did not (n=9/48, 19%), although not statistically significant (unadjusted OR 0.429, 95% CI 0.165-1.138, p=0.082). After accounting for intensive care admission, infusion unit admission, and psychiatry consultation, the odds of all cause 30-day readmission were statistically lower in patients prescribed buprenorphine (adjusted OR 0.337, 95% CI 0.125-0.909, p=0.029). Additionally, significantly more patients prescribed buprenorphine at discharge followed-up in an outpatient treatment program, 57% and 15% respectively (p<0.001). Incidence of readmission at 180 days and mortality was similar between the two cohorts.

CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrated that buprenorphine prescriptions at hospital discharge in patients with OUD admitted for IVDU-related IE were effective at decreasing readmission rates at 30 days and increasing outpatient treatment follow-up. Therefore, it is imperative that an emphasis on addiction-focused interventions, such as initiating buprenorphine, be considered in this patient population at hospital discharge to decrease hospital readmissions and engage patients in outpatient treatment for OUD. This study is the first to evaluate the effects of MOUD on readmission rates for patients hospitalized with IVDU-related IE and contributes to the growing body of evidence to support addiction-focused interventions for this unique patient population.

PMID:36054929 | DOI:10.18433/jpps32891