Tag: pubmed

J Low Genit Tract Dis. 2021 Nov 17. doi: 10.1097/LGT.0000000000000633. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVES: Vulvar cancer is a gynecological cancer for which posttreatment morbidity must be known to propose the appropriate medical strategy. The objectives of this article were to review and to summarize the available studies evaluating the impact of vulvar surgery on the quality of sex life.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: We searched MEDLINE abstracts (source PubMed) and included all studies published between 1990 and 2020 that evaluated the impact of vulvar surgery on the patients’ sex life. Articles were selected in accordance with Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses criteria. We evaluated the quality of the studies using the “study quality assessment tools” established by the National Heart Lung and Blood Institute and the health-related quality-of-life score. Summary statistics were used to report the results of the studies selected.

RESULTS: A total of 41 articles were screened, and 15 studies were included in this review. Two questionnaires, that is, European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer QLC C30 and Female Sexual Function Index, were used in 60% of the studies. The quality of the studies was heterogeneous. None of them had a high level of evidence. Eleven of the 16 studies reported an impairment of quality of sex life, mainly related to the size of the initial lesion and the type of surgery performed. Preoperative sexual status, that is, active sex life, age, and morbidity seemed to be important factors.

CONCLUSIONS: None of the studies had a high level of evidence, and their methodological quality was heterogeneous. More powerful studies using validated questionnaires are necessary. Because this is essential surgery, patients should be informed that if it impacts their sexual life, management strategies will be part of their postoperative care.

PMID:34798652 | DOI:10.1097/LGT.0000000000000633

J Neurosurg. 2021 Nov 19:1-2. doi: 10.3171/2021.8.JNS211708. Online ahead of print.

NO ABSTRACT

PMID:34798609 | DOI:10.3171/2021.8.JNS211708

Spine (Phila Pa 1976). 2021 Nov 18. doi: 10.1097/BRS.0000000000004277. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective review.

OBJECTIVE: Assess measures of spinal-pelvic balance in predicting functional outcome in patients who underwent posterior spinal fusion for adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) at minimum 40-year follow-up.

SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: Back pain and long-term function are considered when choosing levels for surgery in AIS patients. Three hundred and fourteen patients underwent fusion for AIS between 1961 and 1977. One hundred and thirty-four patients were located for potential long-term follow-up.

METHODS: With IRB approval, medical records and public resources were used to locate patients. Patients completed health related quality of life instruments, and returned for assessment including full radiographs. Radiographs were analyzed for scoliosis measures, and recognized spinal-pelvic measures including the lumbar lordosis (LL), sagittal vertical axis (SVA), pelvic incidence (PI) and pelvic tilt (PT). Bivariate and multivariable analyses were performed to assess the association between spinal-pelvic measures and patient-reported outcomes (PROs).

RESULTS: Thirty-five of 134 patients agreed to return for complete health related quality of life (HRQoL) and radiographic follow-up. There were no differences at baseline between those agreeing and declining participation. The cohort was 94% female, had an average age of 60.5 years, and average follow-up of 46 years. In bivariate analysis, PI-LL was the only spinal-pelvic parameter which statistically discriminated between patients doing well and not, as assessed by the Oswestry Disability Index and the PROMIS Pain Interference and Fatigue instruments. In multivariable analysis, (PI-LL > 9°) was associated with worse scores in PROMIS-Pain Interference, Physical Function, Depression, Fatigue, Social Function as well as the total Oswestry score. An SVA > 50 mm was associated with worse scores in the SRS-7.

CONCLUSIONS: In a cohort of 35 patients with average follow-up of 46 years after posterior spinal instrumentation with Harrington rods (PSIF) for adolescent idiopathic scoliosis, spinal-pelvic mismatch as identified by (PI-LL > 9°) was associated with inferior HRQoL outcomes. Other spinal-pelvic measures (SVA and PT) were not reliably associated with inferior HRQol.Level of Evidence: 4.

PMID:34798644 | DOI:10.1097/BRS.0000000000004277

J Neurosurg. 2021 Nov 19:1-11. doi: 10.3171/2021.9.JNS211698. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: Microsurgery for cerebral aneurysms is called definitive, yet some patients undergo a craniotomy that results in noncurative treatment. Furthermore, the overall rate of noncurative microsurgery for cerebral aneurysms is unclear. The objective of this study was to complete a systematic review and meta-analysis to quantify three scenarios of noncurative treatment: aneurysm wrapping, postclipping remnants, and late regrowth of completely obliterated aneurysms.

METHODS: A PRISMA-guided systematic literature review of the MEDLINE and Cochrane Library databases and meta-analysis was completed. Studies were included that detailed rates of aneurysm wrapping, residua confirmed with imaging, and regrowth after confirmed total occlusion. Pooled rates were subsequently calculated using a random-effects model. An assessment of statistical heterogeneity and publication bias among the included studies was also completed for each analysis, with resultant I2 values and p values determined with Egger’s test.

RESULTS: Sixty-four studies met the inclusion criteria for final analysis. In 41 studies, 573/15,715 aneurysms were wrapped, for a rate of 3.5% (95% CI 2.7%-4.2%, I2 = 88%). In 43 studies, 906/13,902 aneurysms had residual neck or dome filling, for a rate of 6.4% (95% CI 5.2%-7.6%, I2 = 93%). In 15 studies, 71/2568 originally fully occluded aneurysms showed regrowth, for a rate of 2.1% (95% CI 1.2%-3.1%, I2 = 58%). Together, there was a total rate of noncurative surgery of 12.0% (95% CI 11.5%-12.5%). Egger’s test suggested no significant publication bias among the studies. Meta-regression analysis revealed that the reported rate of aneurysm wrapping has significantly declined over time, whereas the rates of aneurysm residua and recurrence have not significantly changed.

CONCLUSIONS: Open microsurgery for cerebral aneurysm results in noncurative treatment approximately 12% of the time. This metric may be used to counsel patients and as a benchmark for other treatment modalities. This investigation is limited by the high degree of heterogeneity among the included studies.

PMID:34798602 | DOI:10.3171/2021.9.JNS211698

Am J Emerg Med. 2021 Oct 30;51:304-307. doi: 10.1016/j.ajem.2021.10.045. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Acute brain injury (ABI) can cause out of hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA). The aim of this study was to compare clinical features, mortality and potential for organ donation in patients with OHCA due to ABI vs other causes.

METHODS: From January 2017 to December 2018, all adult patients presenting to ED for OHCA were considered for the study. Two physicians established the definitive cause of OHCA, according to clinical, laboratory, diagnostic imaging and autoptic findings. Clinical features in patients with OHCA due to ABI or other causes were compared.

RESULTS: 280 patients were included in the analysis. ABI was the third most frequent cause of OHCA (21, 7.5%); ABIs were 8 subarachnoid hemorrhage, 8 intracerebral hemorrhage, 2 ischemic stroke, 2 traumatic spinal cord injury and 1 status epilepticus respectively. Neurological prodromes such as seizure, headache and focal neurological signs were significantly more frequent in patients with OHCA due to ABI (OR 5.34, p = 0.03; OR 12.90, p = 0.02; and OR 66.53, p < 0.01 respectively) while among non-neurological prodromes chest pain and dyspnea were significantly more frequent in patients with OHCA due to other causes (OR 14.5, p < 0.01; and OR 10.4, p = 0.02 respectively). Anisocoria was present in 19% of patients with OHCA due to ABI vs 2.7% due to other causes (OR 8.47, p < 0.01). In 90.5% of patients with ABI and in 53.1% of patients with other causes the first cardiac rhythm was non shockable (OR 8.1; p = 0.05). Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that older age, active smoking, post-traumatic OHCA, neurological prodromes, anisocoria at pupillary examination were independently associated with OHCA due to ABI. Patients with ABI showed a higher mortality compared with the other causes group (19 pts., 90.5% versus 167 pts., 64.5%; p = 0.015). Potential organ donors were more frequent among ABI than other causes group (10 pts., 47.6% vs 75 pts., 28.9%) however the difference did not reach the statistical significance (p = 0.07).

CONCLUSIONS: ABI is the third cause of OHCA. Neurological prodromes, absence of chest pain and dyspnea before cardiac arrest, anisocoria and initial non-shockable rhythm might suggest a neurological etiology of the cardiac arrest. Patients with OHCA due to ABI has an unfavorable outcome, however, they could be candidate to organ donation.

PMID:34798571 | DOI:10.1016/j.ajem.2021.10.045

Lung Cancer. 2021 Nov 2;162:135-139. doi: 10.1016/j.lungcan.2021.10.012. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to assess the effect of home-based preoperative pulmonary rehabilitation (HBPPR) on the incidence of postoperative complications, length of stay (LOS), and duration of intercostal catheterization in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients who underwent lung resection.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this retrospective cohort study, 144 patients who underwent lung resection were recruited, 51 of whom received HBPPR, comprising respiratory muscle training and was supervised (for patients undergoing it for the first time). Patients continued these programs for 2-4 weeks during the preoperative waiting period, in their homes. Data on postoperative complications graded according to the Clavien-Dindo classification, LOS, and intercostal catheterization duration were collected from medical records. These outcomes were compared between the HBPPR and non-HBPPR groups using Fisher’s exact test and Wilcoxon rank sum test, after 1:1 propensity score matching to avoid selection bias.

RESULTS: Forty-nine matched pairs were extracted using propensity score matching. HBPPR reduced the onset of postoperative complications (p = 0.04), with the relative ratio (RR) for Clavien-Dindo Class I postoperative complications showing a significant difference (RR 0.55, 95% CI 0.30-1.02; p = 0.05), whereas RRs for the other Clavien-Dindo classes were not statistically significant. There was no significant difference in LOS or the duration of intercostal catheterization.

CONCLUSION: HBPPR reduced the incidence of Clavien-Dindo Class I postoperative complications after lung resection. Implementing HBPPR practices in a clinical setting would benefit patients unable to receive supervised preoperative pulmonary rehabilitation due to access barriers, time, and financial constraints.

PMID:34798590 | DOI:10.1016/j.lungcan.2021.10.012

Eur J Obstet Gynecol Reprod Biol. 2021 Oct 31;268:37-42. doi: 10.1016/j.ejogrb.2021.10.028. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION: Endometrial injury (ES) has been suggested as intervention to increase probability of pregnancy in women undergoing assisted reproductive technologies. Majority of studies reported that ES improves outcome in Invitro fertilisation,Intrauterine Insemination(IUI) and natural conceptions: however, the size and quality of studies are poor which questions the presence of any beneficial effect. The present study was done to evaluate the effect of endometrial scratching on pregnancy rate after previous failed Intrauterine Insemination and to assess the pain and bleeding following the procedure.

MATERIAL AND METHODS: Randomized controlled trial. One hundred sixty-eight women (Eighty-four in each group) with primary/secondary infertility were recruited and randomized into intervention and control group using block randomization. Intervention group underwent ES using pipelle’s canula on D8 or D9 of menstrual cycle. Three cycles of ovulation induction with Clomiphene citrate and gonadotrophins followed by IUI was done. The primary end point was clinical pregnancy rate. Pain and bleeding after the procedure were evaluated as secondary outcomes.The study was conducted from June 2017 to June 2019.

MAIN RESULTS: The cumulative clinical pregnancy rate in ES group was 22.2 % in comparison 9.8 % in control group. In the intent to treat analysis, with a p value of 0.03 calculated from Chi-square test(p < 0.05) there was statistically significant difference in the pregnancy rate between Intervention and Control group. Efficacy of intervention was found to be Fourteen Percent (14 %). Fifty-one women (63 %) had marked a VAS pain score of 4-5 and Twelve women(12.2 %) experienced mild spotting post procedure. Two patients in ES group had miscarriage and no case of multiple pregnancy in both the groups.

CONCLUSION: Endometrial Scratching improves clinical pregnancy rate in patients with Unexplained infertility and mild male factor infertility with previous failed IUI cycles. ES will be an inexpensive alternative to IVF for couples after IUI failures especially in developing countries, with an acceptable pregnancy rate and does not demand any special qualification or equipment and can be trained easily in primary settings. Larger and adequately powered studies are needed to elucidate the beneficial effects of endometrial scratching on implantation.

PMID:34798531 | DOI:10.1016/j.ejogrb.2021.10.028

Clin Imaging. 2021 Nov 14;82:73-76. doi: 10.1016/j.clinimag.2021.11.003. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

RATIONAL AND OBJECTIVE: To investigate the utility of digital breast tomosynthesis (DBT) in the evaluation of focal breast pain, considering breast density and breast cancer risk.

METHODS: Ninety-one cases of focal breast pain evaluated with DBT and ultrasound (US) from 12/30/2014 to 11/9/2017 with 2-year follow-up were identified. Exclusion criteria were non-focal, axillary, or radiating pain; palpable or skin changes; pregnancy or lactation; and history of ipsilateral cancer, trauma, or infection. Demographic data, Tyrer-Cuzick Score (TCS), medical history, breast density, imaging results, and pathology were recorded. Descriptive statistics were reported.

RESULTS: Eighteen percent (16/91) of cases demonstrated findings, all benign. Of these, 6% (1/16) were detected by DBT only, 88% (14/16) by US only, and 6% (1/16) by DBT and US. US resulted in 3 benign biopsies. Ninety-nine percent (75/76) of cases with no findings at the site of pain on US also had no findings on DBT. Ninety-eight percent (89/91) of cases with no cancer detected at the site of pain on US also did not have cancer on DBT. DBT detected 2 incidental cancers not associated with pain. DBT and US agreed that there was no finding at the site of pain in 82% (75/91) of cases. A high degree of agreement between DBT and US was seen when stratified by breast density and TCS.

CONCLUSION: DBT may be appropriate for the evaluation of focal pain. Low breast cancer incidence was observed at the site of focal pain across all mammographic breast densities and breast cancer risks.

PMID:34798561 | DOI:10.1016/j.clinimag.2021.11.003

Horm Behav. 2021 Nov 16;137:105082. doi: 10.1016/j.yhbeh.2021.105082. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Salivary hormone analyses provide a useful alternative to fecal and urinary hormone analyses in non-invasive studies of behavioral endocrinology. Here, we use saliva to assess cortisol levels in a wild population of spotted hyenas (Crocuta crocuta), a gregarious carnivore living in complex social groups. We first describe a novel, non-invasive method of collecting saliva from juvenile hyenas and validate a salivary cortisol assay for use in this species. We then analyze over 260 saliva samples collected from nearly 70 juveniles to investigate the relationships between cortisol and temporal and social variables in these animals. We obtain some evidence of a bimodal daily rhythm with salivary cortisol concentrations dropping around dawn and dusk, times at which cub activity levels are changing substantially. We also find that dominant littermates have lower cortisol than singleton juveniles, but that cortisol does not vary with age, sex, or maternal social rank. Finally, we examine how social behaviors such as aggression or play affect salivary cortisol concentrations. We find that inflicting aggression on others was associated with lower cortisol concentrations. We hope that the detailed description of our methods provides wildlife researchers with the tools to measure salivary cortisol in other wild carnivores.

PMID:34798449 | DOI:10.1016/j.yhbeh.2021.105082

Neuroimage. 2021 Nov 16;245:118715. doi: 10.1016/j.neuroimage.2021.118715. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Normative modelling is becoming more popular in neuroimaging due to its ability to make predictions of deviation from a normal trajectory at the level of individual participants. It allows the user to model the distribution of several neuroimaging modalities, giving an estimation for the mean and centiles of variation. With the increase in the availability of big data in neuroimaging, there is a need to scale normative modelling to big data sets. However, the scaling of normative models has come with several challenges. So far, most normative modelling approaches used Gaussian process regression, and although suitable for smaller datasets (up to a few thousand participants) it does not scale well to the large cohorts currently available and being acquired. Furthermore, most neuroimaging modelling methods that are available assume the predictive distribution to be Gaussian in shape. However, deviations from Gaussianity can be frequently found, which may lead to incorrect inferences, particularly in the outer centiles of the distribution. In normative modelling, we use the centiles to give an estimation of the deviation of a particular participant from the ‘normal’ trend. Therefore, especially in normative modelling, the correct estimation of the outer centiles is of utmost importance, which is also where data are sparsest. Here, we present a novel framework based on Bayesian linear regression with likelihood warping that allows us to address these problems, that is, to correctly model non-Gaussian predictive distributions and scale normative modelling elegantly to big data cohorts. In addition, this method provides likelihood-based statistics, which are useful for model selection. To evaluate this framework, we use a range of neuroimaging-derived measures from the UK Biobank study, including image-derived phenotypes (IDPs) and whole-brain voxel-wise measures derived from diffusion tensor imaging. We show good computational scaling and improved accuracy of the warped BLR for certain IDPs and voxels if there was a deviation from normality of these parameters in their residuals. The present results indicate the advantage of a warped BLR in terms of; computational scalability and the flexibility to incorporate non-linearity and non-Gaussianity of the data, giving a wider range of neuroimaging datasets that can be correctly modelled.

PMID:34798518 | DOI:10.1016/j.neuroimage.2021.118715