Photodynamic therapy during second surgery for recurrent gliomas improves survival

BackgroundGlioma accounts for most central nervous system tumors, and the degree of invasion and malignancy are higher in the recurrent glioma. Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is an effective strategy in glioma. This study aimed to explore the risk factors for re-recurrence after a second glioma surgery and the effects of PDT on re-recurrence.MethodsThis was a retrospective study in the Second Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University in China, and 43 patients that received the secondary surgery for recurrent glioma were included. The Kaplan-Meier test and Cox proportional hazard method were used to analyze.ResultsThe total re-recurrence rate after the second surgery for recurrent glioma was 48.84%. When the age increased by 1, the risk of re-recurrence increased 1.065 times (95% CI 1.000–1.134, P = 0.049). High matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) 2 expression was associated with a significantly higher risk of re-recurrence than low MMP2 expression (HR = 25.550, 95% CI 3.190–204.650, P = 0.002). Pathological grades IV and III were associated with a significantly higher risk of re-recurrence than pathological grade II (HR = 17.121, 95% CI 2.345–124.986, P = 0.005; HR = 2863.470, 95% CI 100.697–81,427.197, P < 0.001). PDT decreased the risk of re-recurrence (HR = 25.550, 95% CI 3.190–204.650, P = 0.002) and increased survival time (HR = 3.611, 95% CI 1.012–12.888, P = 0.048).ConclusionThe age, MMP2 expression, and pathological grade are independent risk factors for re-recurrence after a second surgery for recurrent glioma. PDT during the second surgery decreased the risk of re-recurrence and increased survival time.     

复发性肝癌再次手术方式的选择:一项基于倾向评分匹配的研究

目的本研究基于倾向评分匹配(PSM)比较挽救性肝移植(sLT)及再次肝切除(RR)的疗效,同时探讨影响复发性肝癌患者预后的危险因素。方法回顾分析2012年1月至2018年8月宁波大学附属李惠利医院124例肝癌切除术后肝内复发再手术的患者,按照再次所行手术方式的不同,分成sLT组(46例)和RR组(78例),通过1∶1倾向评分匹配(PSM),筛选出34例患者用于数据分析,比较匹配前后两组的临床基本资料、总生存期(OS)及无瘤生存期(DFS)来探讨两种手术方式的优劣以及影响患者预后的因素。结果匹配前sLT组的术前血清总胆红素、多发肿瘤的比例、术前行经导管动脉化疗栓塞术(TACE)的比例及符合米兰标准的比例均要高于RR组(P<0.05),最大肿瘤直径sLT组要小于RR组(P<0.05);手术时间、术中出血量、微血管侵犯(MVI)阳性率及术后ClavienⅢ级以上的并发症的比例均要高于RR组(P<0.05)。匹配后sLT组的手术时间、术中出血量、术后并发症ClavienⅢ以上的比例均高于RR组(P<0.05);sLT组的1、3、5年OS与RR组相比差异无统计学意义(P>0.05),sLT组的1、3、5年DFS与RR组相比较优(P<0.05);甲胎蛋白(AFP)≥100μg/L是OS的独立危险因素,手术方式、AFP≥100μg/L是DFS的独立危险因素。结论sLT组术前病情更重,手术时间、术中出血量及术后严重并发症率高于RR组;sLT组较RR组可取得更长的DFS,但对OS来说,两组之间差异无统计学意义。     

Work productivity loss among adults aged 18–64 years with Multiple Sclerosis in the United States: A propensity score matched study

BackgroundScarce data exists regarding United States (US) national-level work productivity loss among adults with Multiple Sclerosis (MS).ObjectiveTo address this significant knowledge gap, we examined the national-level productivity loss among adults (18≤ age ≤64 years) with MS compared to propensity score matched non-MS controls.MethodsWe adopted a retrospective, cross-sectional, matched cohort study design with pooled data from alternate years (2005/2007/2009/2011/2013/2015) of the Medical Expenditure Panel Survey (MEPS). We included adults who were employed and alive during the calendar year. Clinical Classification System code of “80” was used to identify individuals with MS. We matched adults with MS to non-MS adults utilizing propensity scores generated based on age, gender, and race/ethnicity using a greedy matching algorithm (8:1-digit matching). Missed workdays measured productivity loss of MEPS respondents. We selected Negative Binomial Regression (NBR) analysis as the count data model for this study. Analyses were conducted using SAS 9.4 and STATA 15.0 and accounted for the complex survey design of MEPS to generate US national-level estimates.ResultsThe final propensity-score matched sample consisted of 104 and 312 (unweighted) adults with and without MS, respectively. US national-level mean [Standard Error (SE)] annual missed workdays among individuals with MS [8.94 (SE:1.59)] was significantly higher (p = 0.001) compared to propensity score matched non-MS controls [3.15 (SE:0.40)]. After adjusting for several factors, NBR showed an approximately two-fold higher rate of missed work days among individuals with MS compared to propensity score matched non-MS controls (Incidence Rate Ratio: 1.98, 95% Confidence Interval: 1.18–3.33). Severity of pain, marital status, region, and hypertension also negatively impacted work productivity in this sample.ConclusionsIndividuals with MS in the US experience significantly higher productivity loss compared to propensity score matched non-MS controls. Interventions (e.g., improved management of MS symptoms) are warranted to reduce productivity loss among individuals with MS.     

Clinical characteristics and surgical outcomes of resectable acinar cell carcinoma of the pancreas-propensity score matching analysis with pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma

BackgroundSurgical resection is recommended for patients with resectable acinar cell carcinoma (ACC). The aim of this study was to investigate the clinical characteristics and surgical outcomes of resectable ACC in comparison to pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC).MethodA retrospective analysis was performed on all patients who consecutively underwent radical resection with pathologically confirmed ACC and PDAC from December 2011 to December 2018. Clinicopathologic characteristics and follow-up information were analyzed. A 1:3 propensity score matching (PSM) method was used to minimize the bias between ACC and PDAC.ResultsA total of 26 patients with ACC and 1351 with PDAC were included. Compared to PDAC, ACC tended to be larger (4.5 vs. 3.0 cm; p < 0.001) and more frequently located in the pancreatic body/tail (61.5% vs. 36.6%, p = 0.009), with lower total bilirubin levels, lower neutrophil lymphocyte ratio (NLR) levels and lower carbohydrate antigen 19-9 (CA19-9) levels and carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) levels. There was no difference in postoperative morbidities in patients with ACC and PDAC. The median OS and RFS were longer in ACC when compared to PDAC (OS: 43.5 mo vs. 19.0 mo, p = 0.004; RFS: 24.5 mo vs. 11.6 mo, p = 0.023). After the 1:3 PSM, ACC remained to be a better histological type for OS (p = 0.024), but had comparable RFS with PDAC (p = 0.164).ConclusionPatients with ACC after radical resection had better OS than that with PDAC. However, ACC is also an aggressive tumor with a similar trend of RFS with PDAC after the matching, necessitating the multidisciplinary treatment for resectable ACC disease.     

猪尾巴导管在单孔胸腔镜肺肿瘤手术中应用的有效性评估:基于倾向性评分匹配法的研究

目的评估猪尾巴导管在单孔胸腔镜肺肿瘤手术中应用的有效性。方法回顾性分析2020年1月至12月上海交通大学医学院附属仁济医院东院接受单孔胸腔镜肺肿瘤手术的患者共441例,根据是否放置猪尾巴导管分为胸管组和猪尾巴管组,通过倾向性评分匹配法进行1∶1匹配,对比两组患者围手术期的各项指标。结果匹配后每组143例配对成功,匹配后两组间基线特征无统计学差异。对比两组围手术期指标发现,猪尾巴管组患者术后3天胸腔引流总量显著多于胸管组(375.49 ml对285.03 ml,P<0.001),术后两周复查CT示胸腔积液量显著少于胸管组(131.77 ml对178.84 ml,P=0.032),两组术后疼痛评分、引流天数及住院天数无明显统计学差异。结论加放猪尾巴导管可有效改善单孔胸腔镜肺肿瘤术后胸腔引流情况,且不增加患者术后疼痛,不延长胸腔引流及住院天数。     

The effect of different statistical approaches on image quality data obtained from radiological examinations

IntroductionSelection of optimal image acquisition protocols in medical imaging remains a grey area, the superimposed use of the Likert scale in radiological image quality evaluations creates an additional challenge for the statistical analysis of image quality data.Using a simulation study, we have trialled a novel approach to analysing radiological image quality Likert scale data.MethodsA simulation study was undertaken where simulated datasets were generated based on the distribution of Likert scale values according to varying image acquisition protocols from a real dataset. Simulated Likert scale values were pooled in four different ways; the mean, median, mode and the summation of patient Likert scale values of which the total was assigned a categorical Likert scale value. Estimates of bias, MAPE and RMSPE were then calculated for all four pooling approaches to determine which method most accurately represented an expert's opinion.ResultsWhen compared to an expert's opinion, the method of summation and categorisation of Likert scale values was most accurate 49 times out of the 114 (43.0%) tests. The mean 28 times out of 114 (24.6%), the median 23 times out of 114 (20.2%) and the mode 17 times out of 114 (14.9%).ConclusionWe conclude that our method of summation and categorisation of Likert scale values is most often the best representation of the simulated data compared to the expert's opinion.Implications for practiceThere is scope to reproduce this simulation study with multiple observers to reflect clinical reality more accurately with the dynamic nature of multiple observers. This also prompts future investigation into other anatomical areas, to see if the same methods produce similar results.     

Comparative outcomes of vascular access in patients older than 70 years with end-stage renal disease

Objective

The advantage of arteriovenous fistulas (AVFs) in older patients requiring dialysis is controversial. We reviewed our vascular access experience in patients ≥70 years of age (older group) compared with younger patients.

Prospective validation of the Parkland Grading Scale for Cholecystitis

Background

The Parkland Grading Scale for Cholecystitis (PGS) was developed as an intraoperative grading scale to stratify gallbladder (GB) disease severity during laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC). We aimed to prospectively validate this scale as a measure of LC outcomes.