Multivariate normal tissue complication probability modeling of vaginal late toxicity after brachytherapy for cervical cancer

PurposeTo explore the best variables combination for a predictive model of vaginal toxicity in cervical cancer patients undergoing brachytherapy (BT).Methods and MaterialsClinical and 3-dimensional dosimetric parameters were retrospectively extracted from an institutional database of consecutive patients undergoing intracavitary BT after external beam radiation therapy from 2006 to 2013 for a cervical cancer. A least absolute shrinkage and selection operator selection procedure in Cox's proportional hazards regression model was performed to select a set of relevant predictors for a multivariate normal tissue complication probability model of Grade ≥2 vaginal late toxicity. Outcomes reliability was internally assessed by bootstrap resampling method.ResultsOne hundred sixty-nine women were included in the present study with a median followup time of 3.8 years (interquartile range [IQR], 1.9–5.6 years). The 2 years and 5 years cumulative incidence rates of Grade ≥2 late vaginal toxicity were 19.9% and 27.5%, respectively. Among 31 metrics and six clinical factors extracted, the optimal model included two dosimetric variables: V70_Gy and D5_% (the percentage volume that received a dose greater or equal to 70 Gy and the minimum dose given to the hottest 5% volume, respectively). Area under the ROC curve at 2 and 5 years of followup were 0.85 and 0.91, respectively. Regarding internal validation, median area under the ROC curve of bootstrap predictions was 0.83 (IQR, 0.78–0.88) and 0.89 (IQR, 0.85–0.93) at 2 and 5 years of followup, respectively.ConclusionsA multivariate normal tissue complication probability model for severe vaginal toxicity based on two dosimetric variables (V70_Gy and D5_%) provides reliable discrimination capability in a cohort of cervical cancer treated with external beam radiation therapy and BT.     

Online Patient Information for Hysterectomies: A Systematic Environmental Scan of Quality and Readability

ObjectiveHysterectomy is a common gynaecological procedure, and therefore online information is highly valuable to patients. Our objective was to evaluate the quality, readability, and comprehensiveness of online patient information on hysterectomy.MethodsThe first 25 patient-directed websites on hysterectomy, identified using 5 online search engines (Google, Yahoo, AOL, Bing, Ask.com) as well as clinical professional societies, were assessed using validated tools for quality (DISCERN, JAMA benchmark), readability (Flesch-Kincaid Grade Level [FKGL], Gunning Fog, Simple Measure of Gobbledygook [SMOG], Flesch Reading Ease Score [FRES]), and completeness of information.ResultsWe identified 50 websites for inclusion. Overall, websites were of good quality (median DISCERN score 53/80 [interquartile range {IQR} 47–61]; median JAMA score 3/4 [IQR 1–4]). Most websites described surgical risks (39, 78%), benefits (45, 90%), and types of hysterectomy (48, 96%). Content readability corresponded to grade 11 using FKGL (median 11.1 [IQR 10.2–13.0]) and SMOG (median 10.9 [IQR 10.2–12.4]), or 15 years education using Gunning Fog (median 14.7 [IQR 13.8–16.4]). Websites were assessed as difficult to read using FRES (median 45.6/100 [IQR 37.9–50.9]). No differences were observed in readability scores when we compared websites from clinical professional societies, government, health care, or academic organizations with other websites (P > 0.05).ConclusionOnline patient information on hysterectomy is of good quality and comprehensive. However, the content is above the American Medical Association’s recommended grade 6 reading level. Website authors should consider readability to make their content more accessible to patients.     

Multiplex quantitative polymerase chain reaction assay for the identification and quantitation of major vaginal lactobacilli

Lactobacilli play a key role in promoting vaginal health. Depletion of these bacteria is associated with bacterial vaginosis (BV), the most common vaginal disorder. Here we describe the development and laboratory validation of a novel single-tube multiplex TaqMan quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) assay for the identification and quantitative assessment of the four major vaginal Lactobacillus species: L. crispatus, L. jensenii, L. gasseri, and L. iners. The assay utility was evaluated by the analysis of lactobacilli in non-cultured clinical vaginal swab specimens collected from BV patients and healthy individuals. As confirmed by the assay, L. crispatus, L. jensenii, and to a lesser extent L. gasseri, are common in the vagina of healthy women, whereas L. iners dominance is associated with BV. The major assay limitation was preferential detection of dominant Lactobacillus species in samples with mixed lactobacilli resulting in lower sensitivity for minor species. The multiplex qPCR assay described here is an advance in the detection and quantitation of the major vaginal lactobacilli, potentially facilitating the molecular diagnosis of BV and post-therapy restoration of the vaginal microflora.     

宫颈高危型HPV持续感染与细菌性阴道病和阴道微生态相关性研究

目的探究宫颈高危型HPV持续感染与细菌性阴道病和阴道微生态的相关性。方法在2018年4月-2019年4月于该院妇科进行体检的318例女性中,根据宫颈液基细胞学检测、高危HPV检测及阴道微生态的结果,将纳入研究的女性分为HPV阳性组与HPV阴性组,对HPV阳性组患者持续回访并分析HPV持续感染与阴道微生态的相关性。结果HPV阳性组患者的细菌性阴道病与不同类型阴道炎例数显著高于HPV阴性组(P<0.05);阴道微生态四项指标中,两组患者pH值差异无统计学意义(P>0.05),HPV阳性组患者白细胞酯酶、唾液酸苷酶、H2O2三项指标的阳性例数与四项指标全部阳性均显著高于HPV阴性组(P<0.05),HPV阴性组阴道微生态正常例数显著高于HPV阳性组(P<0.05);HPV阴性组无病变与不典型鳞状细胞例数显著高于HPV阳性组(P<0.05),两组患者低度鳞状上皮内病变例数比较,差异无统计学意义(P>0.05),HPV阳性组高度鳞状上皮内病变与鳞状细胞癌例数显著高于HPV阴性组(P<0.05)。结论阴道微生态指标的异常变化与高危型HPV持续感染呈现相关性,控制微生态的动态平衡,是预防女性生殖道疾病的关键。