Intermediate-term outcomes of combined phacoemulsification and Aurolab aqueous drainage implant in eyes with refractory glaucoma and coexistent cataract

International Ophthalmology - To investigate the efficacy and safety of non-valved Aurolab aqueous drainage implant (AADI) surgery combined with phacoemulsification in eyes with refractory glaucoma...     

The Effect of Prostate Cancer Educational Program on the level of Knowledge and Intention to Screen among Jordanian Men in Amman

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of prostate cancer educational program on the level of knowledge and intention to screen for prostate cancer among Jordanian men in Amman. Methods: A quasi-experimental, with nonequivalent control group design was used. 154 participants were randomly assigned to the intervention and control groups.  Level of Knowledge and intention to screen were measured at baseline and at 1 month after the application of the prostate cancer educational program. Independent sample t-test was used to analyze the data. Results: The results showed statistically significant change in the mean knowledge scores (8.7), p < 0.001 and the mean of intention to screen scores (3.71), p < 0.001, after 1 month from the application of the educational program in the experimental group compared to the control group. Conclusion: Implementing prostate cancer educational programs help enhance knowledge and intention to screen among Jordanian men.     

Evaluation of the bioequivalence and food effect on the bioavailability of CC-486 (oral azacitidine) tablets in adult patients with cancer

Cancer Chemotherapy and Pharmacology - CC-486 is an oral formulation of azacitidine that allows for extended dosing schedules to prolong azacitidine exposure to malignant cells and maximize...     

Effect of patient age on glioblastoma perioperative treatment costs: a value driven outcome database analysis

Introduction

Identification of groups of patients or interventions with higher associated treatment costs may be beneficial in efforts to decrease the overall financial burden of glioblastoma (GBM) treatment. The authors’ objective was to evaluate perioperative surgical treatment cost differences between elderly and nonelderly patients with GBM using the Value Driven Outcome (VDO) database.

Methods

The authors obtained data from a retrospective cohort of GBM patients treated surgically (resection or biopsy) at their institution from August 2011 to February 2018. Data were compiled using medical records and the VDO database.

Results

A total of 181 patients with GBM were included. Patients were grouped into age?<?70 years at time of surgery (nonelderly; n?=?121) and?≥?70 years (elderly; n?=?60). Costs were approximately 38% higher in the elderly group on average (each patient was mean 0.68% of total cohort cost vs. 0.49%, p?=?0.044). Higher age significantly, but weakly, correlated with higher treatment cost on linear regression analysis (p?=?0.007; R²?=?0.04). Length of stay was significantly associated with increased cost on linear regression (p?<?0.001, R²?=?0.84) and was significantly longer in the elderly group (8.7?±?11.3 vs. 5.2?±?4.3 days, p?=?0.025). The cost breakdown by facility, pharmacy, supply/implants, imaging, and laboratory costs was not significantly different between age groups. Elderly patients with any postoperative complication had 2.1 times greater total costs than those without complication (p?=?0.094), 2.9 times greater total costs than nonelderly patients with complication (p?=?0.013), and 2.3 times greater total costs than nonelderly patients without complication (p?=?0.022).

Conclusions

GBM surgical treatment costs are higher in older patients, particularly those who experience postoperative complications.

     

Histopathological Patterns and Characteristics of Abnormal Cervical Smear in Madinah Region of Saudi Arabia

Cervical cancer is a major public health problem that continues to be one of the leading female genital cancersworldwide. In the kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA), cervical cancer ranks the fifteenth most frequent cancer amongfemales. This study is the first published research study addressing the screening of cervical cancer in Madinah regionof KSA. Aim: To evaluate the abnormal cytological entities detected by cervical Pap smear in Madinah region of KSAand to compare the results with other national and international studies. Methods: This retrospective case-control studywas conducted in the Departments of Obstetrics and Gynecology, and Histopathology at the Maternity and ChildrenHospital (MCH), Madinah, KSA from January 2013 to December 2015. Results: Of the 1594 cases reviewed, only38 cases (2.4%) had epithelial cell abnormalities. High grade squamous intraepithelial lesions (HSIL) and low gradesquamous intraepithelial lesions (LSIL) were the most common diagnosis categories, and cervical cancer accountedfor 36.8% of the total cases for each, followed by atypical squamous cells of uncertain significance (ASCUS) foundin (15.9%). Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC ) was found in (5.3%) of the cases. Patients with abnormal epithelialchanges had higher parity (P=0.021) and presented more with a complaint of postcoital bleeding (P<0.0001), tend tohave abnormal cervical appearance (P=0.004), more likely bleeding on touch (P=0.001) and associated with cervicalerosion (P=0.014). Conclusion: The study showed a relatively low prevalence of epithelial cell lesions. These lesionswere mainly squamous cell lesions harbored by females who have an abnormal cervical appearance, and those withhigh parity who were lacking cervical screening program.     

Comparison of survival rate and crestal bone loss of narrow diameter dental implants versus regular dental implants: A systematic review and meta‐analysis

The aim of the present study was to establish survival rates, as well as crestal bone loss (CBL) of narrow diameter implants (NDI), compared to regular diameter implants (RDI). The current review followed the Enhancing the QUAlity and Transparency Of health Research guidelines and Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta‐Analyses statement. We searched main databases (MEDLINE, EMBASE, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, and Cochrane Oral Health Group Trials Register) for articles addressing the focused question up to and including May 2018. Meta‐analyses were conducted for CBL and survival rates. Qualitatively, three clinical studies showed comparable CBL and survival rates between NDI and RDI at follow up. Only one study showed increased CBL around NDI compared to RDI. The overall weighted mean difference (WMD) for CBL (WMD = .06, 95% confidence interval [CI] = ‐.38‐.51, P=.76) and risk difference for survival rate (risk difference = .88, 95% CI = .22‐3.50, P=.85) were not significant between the NDI and RDI groups at follow up. NDI and RDI showed comparable CBL and survival rates. However, the findings of the present study should be interpreted with caution due to significant heterogeneity and the low number of included studies. Further randomized, controlled trials should be performed in order to obtain strong conclusions.