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Nevin Manimala Statistics

On the Eve of Integration: Community and Affiliated Residency Programs Pave the Way Towards the Assimilation of Osteopathic Surgery Residents

J Surg Educ. 2022 Jan 3:S1931-7204(21)00350-0. doi: 10.1016/j.jsurg.2021.12.006. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: The 2020 match integrated former osteopathic and allopathic residency programs under single Graduate Medical Education accreditation. We describe the composition of general surgery residency programs prior to the 2020 integration and provide a baseline to monitor future progress.

DESIGN: Retrospective, cross-sectional data provided by the Association of American Medical Colleges for the 2018 academic year were analyzed. Descriptive analyses were used to summarize the characteristics of residents by program type and program location. Logistic regression was used to estimate factors associated with the presence of osteopathic (DO) residents. An alpha of 0.05 defined statistical significance.

SETTING: Data were collected and analyzed at a United States osteopathic medical school.

PARTICIPANTS: All civilian surgery residencies that approved the 2018 Program Survey.

RESULTS: Out of 285 programs, the percentages with at least one DO resident were significantly different among university (44.0%), university-affiliated (62.7%) and community (78.4%) programs (p < 0.001). DO residents made up 41.4% of community residents, 13.3% of university-affiliated residents, and 2.8% of university residents (p < 0.001). A significant regional difference was observed, as DO residents made up 16.9% of residents in the central region, compared to 10.4% in the northeast, 7.0% in the south and 8.9% in the west (p = 0.004). The logistic regression analysis found that the presence of DO residents at a program was significantly related to the type of program (Affiliated vs University OR = 3.1, 95% CI 1.5-6.5; Community vs University OR = 5.2, 95% CI 1.9-14.4) and the presence of DO faculty (OR = 2.7, 95% CI 1.6-4.8) (all p < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS: We observed significant differences in the presence of DO residents in different program types. As surgical education transitions to single accreditation, this study identifies opportunities for greater integration between osteopathic and allopathic surgery training programs.

PMID:34991989 | DOI:10.1016/j.jsurg.2021.12.006

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Nevin Manimala Statistics

Accuracy of a CT density threshold enhancement in distinguishing pancreas parenchymal necrosis in cases of acute pancreatitis in the first week

Diagn Interv Imaging. 2022 Jan 3:S2211-5684(21)00265-5. doi: 10.1016/j.diii.2021.12.003. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to identify attenuation threshold value on computed tomography (CT) that allowed discriminating between interstitial edematous pancreatitis (IEP) and necrotizing pancreatitis (NP) in patients with acute pancreatitis during the first week of the disease and evaluate interobserver reproducibility for the diagnosis of acute pancreatitis category.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: Patients with acute pancreatitis who underwent CT examination of the abdomen between March 2015 and December 2019 were retrospectively included. Actual diagnosis of IEP or NP was based on final clinical report, follow-up evaluation, and complications. Six regions of interest were manually placed in the pancreatic gland and peripancreatic fat, and differences in CT attenuation values before contrast injection and during the portal venous phase of enhancement were computed. Performance in the diagnosis of AP category was evaluated using receiver operating characteristic analysis. Interobserver agreement was estimated by the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) and Bland Altman analysis was used to estimate reproducibility between pairs of observers.

RESULTS: Sixty-six patients with NP (46 men, 20 women; mean age, 55 ± 17 [SD] years; age range: 20-89 years) and 70 patients with IEP (39 men, 31 women; mean age, 54 ± 18 [SD] years; age range: 21-87 years) were included. An enhancement value less than 30 Hounsfield units (HU) in the pancreatic gland during the portal phase compared to non-contrast phase, yielded 90.9% sensitivity (60/66; 95% CI: 81.3-96.6), 94.3% specificity (66/70; 95% CI: 86.0-98.4) and an area under curve of 0.958 (95% CI: 0.919-0.996) for the diagnosis of NP versus IEP. Interobserver reproducibility for pancreas enhancement was good using Bland Altman plot and ICC was excellent for pancreatic gland analysis (ICC 0.978; 95% CI: 0.961-0.988) but poor or moderate (ICC ≤0.634) regarding peripancreatic fat necrosis.

CONCLUSION: By using a pancreas enhancement threshold value of 30 HU, CT is accurate and reproducible for the diagnosis of NP during the first week of the disease.

PMID:34991994 | DOI:10.1016/j.diii.2021.12.003

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Nevin Manimala Statistics

Prognostic factors in the management of osteonecrosis of the femoral head: A systematic review

Surgeon. 2022 Jan 4:S1479-666X(21)00199-2. doi: 10.1016/j.surge.2021.12.004. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Several hip preserving techniques have been described for the management of osteonecrosis of the femoral head (ONFH). This systematic review identified prognostic factors in the treatment of ONFH that are associated with treatment failure and conversion to total hip arthroplasty (THA).

MATERIAL AND METHODS: This study followed the PRISMA guidelines. The literature search was conducted in November 2021. All clinical trials comparing two or more treatments for femoral head osteonecrosis were accessed. A multivariate analysis was performed to investigate the association between baseline characteristics and the surgical outcome. A multiple linear model regression analysis through the Pearson Product-Moment Correlation Coefficient (r) was used.

RESULTS: Data from 88 articles (6112 procedures) were retrieved. Female gender was associated with increased time to THA (P = 0.03) and reduced rate of THA (P = 0.03). Longer symptom duration before treatment was associated with shorter time to failure (P = 0.03). Increased pre-treatment VAS was associated with reduced time to failure (P = 0.03) and time to THA (P = 0.04). Reduced pre-treatment hip function was associated with increased rate of THA (P = 0.02) and failure (P = 0.005). Patient age and BMI, aetiology, time from surgery to full weight bearing and the side did not show evidence of a statistically significant association with the surgical outcome.

CONCLUSION: Male gender, longer symptom duration before treatment, higher VAS scores, and lower HHS scores were negative prognostic factors after treatment for osteonecrosis of the femoral head.

PMID:34991986 | DOI:10.1016/j.surge.2021.12.004

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Nevin Manimala Statistics

The reliability of trabeculectomy surgical videos on the internet for educational purposes in the changing world

Surgeon. 2022 Jan 3:S1479-666X(21)00201-8. doi: 10.1016/j.surge.2021.12.006. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE OF THE STUDY: The use of social media that facilitates access to surgical training is increasing among general practitioners/surgeons. The present study aimed to evaluate the educational quality of videos on social media and the medical education websites in terms of trabeculectomy surgery.

METHODS: In this cross-sectional and register-based study, the term “trabeculectomy” has been searched on 22 websites containing medical surgery training videos. Demographical features and descriptive statistics of videos are noted. All videos were evaluated independently by two ophthalmologists according to DISCERN, Journal of American Medical Association, and Global Quality scoring system. The main 11 steps of trabeculectomy surgery were taken into consideration in each video and Video Quality Score was determined based on these steps.

THE MAIN FINDINGS: In total, 731 videos were watched and 634 were excluded and 97 videos were included in the study. The total quality of all videos according to DISCERN, JAMA, GQS, and VQS scores were 31.6 ± 9.1 (poor quality), 1.3 ± 0.4 (poor quality), 2.6 ± 0.9 (fair quality), and 6.9 ± 2.1 (poor quality) respectively. Only 6 of the 97 evaluated videos included all the steps of trabeculectomy surgery. Videos have longer duration, videos with narration or videos with descriptive subtitles were found to be significantly higher quality than those are not.

CONCLUSSION: The educational quality of internet videos may be far from the quality it should be and it is indisputable that it is necessary to be able to access surgical educational videos that are peer-viewed and whose quality is not doubted.

PMID:34991985 | DOI:10.1016/j.surge.2021.12.006

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Nevin Manimala Statistics

Patellar resurfacing in total knee arthroplasty leads to better isokinetic performance

J Orthop Sci. 2022 Jan 3:S0949-2658(21)00349-3. doi: 10.1016/j.jos.2021.10.004. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: For decades there have been concerns about patellar resurfacing (PR) in total knee arthroplasty (TKA) and the individual preference of the surgeon is still the main determinant of whether or not resurfacing is applied. According to preference, surgeons can be categorized in 3 main groups of those who usually, selectively, or rarely resurface. The aim of this prospective, randomized, controlled study was to compare the isokinetic performance and clinical outcome of TKAs with PR and without PR.

METHODS: A total of 50 patients scheduled to undergo TKA for primary osteoarthritis of the knee were randomly assigned to either the PR or non-PR groups. There were no significant differences between the groups in respect of age, BMI, gender and preoperative Knee Society Score (KSS) and isokinetic performance. Patients were evaluated at postoperative 3, 6, and 12 months with KSS and at 6 months and 1 year with isokinetic measurements.

RESULTS: The PR group had a higher mean score, especially in the functional component of KSS, but the difference was not statistically significant. Knee extension peak torque was significantly higher in the PR group at 6 months (p = 0.029) and 1 year (p = 0.004) postoperatively. There were no significant differences between the groups in respect of knee flexion peak torque values following TKA.

CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study demonstrated that PR during TKA is associated with better isokinetic performance and higher knee scores. These results support routine/usually resurfacing of the patella. For surgeons who selectively resurface the patella, the advantage of better isokinetic performance may be taking into consideration in favor of resurfacing the patella where they are undecided.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level I, therapeutic study.

PMID:34991940 | DOI:10.1016/j.jos.2021.10.004

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Evaluation of patient-specific motion management for radiotherapy planning computed tomography using a statistical method

Med Dosim. 2022 Jan 3:S0958-3947(21)00108-4. doi: 10.1016/j.meddos.2021.12.002. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

We evaluated the probabilistic randomness of predictions by using individual numerical data based on general data for treatment planning computed tomography (CT) and evaluated the importance of patient-specific management through statistical analysis of our facility’s data in lung stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT) and prostate volumetric modulated arc therapy (VMAT). The subjects were 30 patients who underwent lung SBRT with fiducial markers and 24 patients who underwent prostate VMAT. The average 3-dimensional (3D) displacement error between the fiducial marker and lung mass in 4DCT of lung SBRT was calculated and then compared with the 3D displacement error between the upper-lobe group (UG) and middle- or lower-lobe group (LG). The duty cycles between the lung tumor and fiducial marker at the <2-mm3 ambush area were compared between the UG and LG. In the prostate VMAT, the Shewhart control chart was analyzed by comparing multiple acquisition planning CT (MPCT) and cone-beam CT (CBCT) during the treatment period. The average 3D displacement errors in 4DCT for the lung tumor and fiducial marker were significantly different between the UG and middle- or lower-lobe group, but there was no correlation with the duty cycle. The Shewhart control chart for 3D displacement errors of the prostate for MPCT and CBCT showed that errors of >8 mm exceeded the control limit. In lung SBRT and prostate VMAT, overall statistical data from planning CT showed probabilistic randomness in predictions during the treatment period, and patient-specific motion management was needed to increase accuracy. A radiotherapy planning CT report showing a statistical analysis graph would be useful to objective share with staff.

PMID:34991966 | DOI:10.1016/j.meddos.2021.12.002

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Nevin Manimala Statistics

The association of comorbidities with the 25-question geriatric locomotive function scale and the diagnosis of locomotive syndrome

J Orthop Sci. 2022 Jan 3:S0949-2658(21)00392-4. doi: 10.1016/j.jos.2021.11.021. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: No studies have provided statistical evidence of the relationship between comorbidities and locomotive syndrome (LS). We therefore investigated the association of comorbidities with the 25-question Geriatric Locomotive Function Scale (GLFS-25) and the diagnosis of LS in community-dwelling residents.

METHODS: This cross-sectional study was conducted on 2612 community-dwelling residents (≥40 years old) who attended a ‘basic health checkup’. There were 432 participants with comorbidities (45 with cerebrovascular diseases, 133 with cardiovascular diseases, 83 with pulmonary diseases, 108 with renal diseases, and 63 with multiple diseases) and 2180 participants without comorbidities. Subjects with a GLFS-25 total score of ≤6 points, 7-15 points, 16-23 points, and ≥24 points were diagnosed with non-LS, LS-1, LS-2, and LS-3, respectively. The domain scores covered body pain (items 1-4), movement-related difficulty (items 5-7), usual care (items 8-11 and 14), social activities (items 12, 13, and 15-23), and cognition (items 24 and 25). A multivariate regression analysis and multivariate logistic regression analysis were performed to assess the association between the GLFS-25 scores and comorbidities and between the diagnosis of LS and comorbidities after adjusting for age, sex, body mass index, and smoking status.

RESULTS: A multivariate regression analysis showed that comorbidities were significantly related to the GLFS-25 total score and all domain scores. A multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that comorbidities were significantly related to a diagnosis of LS-1 or more, LS-2 or more, and LS-3 or more.

CONCLUSIONS: Comorbidities were associated with increased GLFS-25 domain scores and total score and consequent diagnosis of LS. Therefore, attention should also be paid to the presence of comorbidities when diagnosing LS. Nevertheless, the causal relationship between comorbidities and the GLFS-25 remains unclear, and further studies are therefore required.

PMID:34991939 | DOI:10.1016/j.jos.2021.11.021

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Nevin Manimala Statistics

Prescribing of Gabapentinoids with or without opioids after burn injury in the US, 2012-2018

Burns. 2021 Dec 22:S0305-4179(21)00361-2. doi: 10.1016/j.burns.2021.12.006. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Burn injury pain manifests as a combination of inflammatory, nociceptive, and neuropathic features. While opioids are the mainstay of burn pain management, non-opioid medications, such as gabapentinoids, have also been considered as they target the central nervous system. Increased opioid adverse events and overdose deaths in the United States led to the 2014 and 2016 guidelines to reduce opioid prescribing and consider alternatives, such as gabapentinoids. In the context of burn, the rate of gabapentinoid prescribing at the national level is unknown and it is unclear whether any shift has occurred in prescribing practices over time. We conducted a population level cohort study of adult burn patients from 2012 to 2018 to evaluate the rates and determinants of gabapentinoid prescribing, with and without opioids. Of 98,001 patients with burn, 22,521 (22.98%) received opioids and/or gabapentinoids (GABA). GABA represented 2.4% of prescriptions in 2012, but increased to 7.2% by 2018, while GABA-opioid co-prescriptions increased from 2.3% to 5.1%. The rate of increase in GABA prescriptions was higher for those aged 50-65 years or residing in the South. After adjustment, GABA was 44% more likely to be prescribed in 2017 and 2018 compared to 2012 and 2013, opioids were 38% less likely, while co-prescribing did not show a statistically significant change. Our study showed a modest increase in gabapentinoids’ outpatient prescribing for burn patients after the 2014 and 2016 guidelines, indicating more opportunities for prescribers to expand non-opioid pain management in this population.

PMID:34991930 | DOI:10.1016/j.burns.2021.12.006

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Nevin Manimala Statistics

Adolescent Technology-use Rules and Sleep in a Large Representative Sample

J Adolesc Health. 2022 Jan 3:S1054-139X(21)00555-3. doi: 10.1016/j.jadohealth.2021.10.025. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: This study investigated the prevalence of technology-use rules, typical sleep habits, and associations between rules and sleep using the representative 2017-2018 California Health Interview Survey adolescent sample.

METHODS: Adolescents aged 12-17 years completed the California Health Interview Survey, including queries of (1) rules at home regarding times to turn off or put away electronics and (2) school-night bedtime and rise time. Rates of rules and associations between rules and sleep were investigated using descriptive statistics and bivariate and multivariable analyses.

RESULTS: Seventy-two percent reported technology-use rules. Rates were comparable across subgroups. Rules and sleep were not significantly associated after adjusting for covariates. Reported time in bed fell below National Sleep Foundation guidelines for 38% of participants.

CONCLUSIONS: Most adolescents reported technology-use rules at home. Associations between rules and bedtime were mixed, suggesting that further exploration of contextual and developmental factors is needed. Many reported inadequate sleep duration, supporting sleep as a key topic in adolescent health.

PMID:34991931 | DOI:10.1016/j.jadohealth.2021.10.025

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Nevin Manimala Statistics

A principled approach to mediation analysis in perinatal epidemiology

Am J Obstet Gynecol. 2021 Nov 23:S0002-9378(21)01176-5. doi: 10.1016/j.ajog.2021.10.028. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

For many research questions in perinatal epidemiology, gestational age is a mediator that features the causal pathway between exposure and outcome. A mediator is an intermediate variable between an exposure and outcome, which is influenced by the exposure on the causal pathway to the outcome. Therefore, conventional analyses that adjust, stratify, or match for gestational age or its proxy (eg, preterm vs term deliveries) are problematic. This practice, which is entrenched in perinatal research, induces an overadjustment bias. Depending on the causal question, it may be inappropriate to adjust (or condition) for a mediator, such as gestational age, by either design or statistical analysis, but its effect can be quantified through causal mediation analysis. In an exposition of such methods, we demonstrated the relationship between the exposure and outcome and provided a formal analytical framework to quantify the extent to which a causal effect is influenced by a mediator. We reviewed concepts of confounding and causal inference, introduced the concept of a mediator and illustrated the perils of adjusting for a mediator in an exposure-outcome paradigm for a given causal question, adopted causal methods that call for an evaluation of a mediator in a causal exposure effect on the outcome, and discussed unmeasured confounding assumptions in mediation analysis. Furthermore, we reviewed other developments in the causal mediation analysis literature, including decomposition of a total effect when the mediator interacts with the exposure (4-way decomposition), methods for multiple mediators, mediation methods for case-control studies, mediation methods for time-to-event outcomes, sample size and power analysis for mediation analysis, and available software to apply these methods. To illustrate these methods, we provided a clinical example to estimate the risk of perinatal mortality (outcome) concerning placental abruption (exposure) and to determine the extent to which preterm delivery (mediator; a proxy for gestational age) plays a role in this causal effect. We hoped that the adoption of mediation methods described in this review will move research in perinatal epidemiology away from biased adjustments of mediators toward a more nuanced quantification of effects that pose unique challenges and provide unique insights in our field.

PMID:34991898 | DOI:10.1016/j.ajog.2021.10.028