Contemporary Epidemiology of and Risk Factors Associated with Removal of a Pathologically Normal Appendix in Children with Suspected Appendicitis

BackgroundThe goal of this study was to characterize contemporary performance benchmarks and risk factors associated with negative appendectomy (NA) in children with suspected appendicitis.MethodsA multicenter retrospective cohort analysis of children undergoing appendectomy for suspected appendicitis was performed using data from the 2016–2021 NSQIP-Pediatric Appendectomy Targeted Public Use Files. Multivariable regression was used to evaluate the influence of year, age, sex, and WBC count on NA rate, and to generate rate estimates for NA based on different combinations of demographic characteristics and WBC profiles.Results100,322 patients were included from 140 hospitals. The overall NA rate was 2.4%, and rates decreased significantly during the study period (2016: 3.1% vs. 2021: 2.3%, p < 0.001). In adjusted analyses, the highest risk for NA was associated with a normal WBC (<9000/mm³; OR 5.31 [95% CI: 4.87–5.80]), followed by female sex (OR 1.55 [95% CI: 1.42–1.68]) and age <5 years (OR 1.64 [95% CI 1.39, 1.94]). Model-estimated risk for NA varied significantly across demographic and WBC strata, with a 14.4-fold range in rates between subgroups with the lowest and highest predicted risk (males 13–17 years with elevated WBC [1.1%] vs. females 3–4 years with normal WBC [15.8%]).ConclusionsContemporary NA rates have decreased over time, however NA risk remains high in children without a leukocytosis, particularly for girls and children <5 years of age. These data provide contemporary performance benchmarks for NA in children with suspected appendicitis and identify high-risk populations where further efforts to mitigate NA risk should be targeted.Level of EvidenceIII.     

Reacreditación o recertificación de los cirujanos generales en España: esa es la cuestión. Resultados de una encuesta nacional

IntroductionThe Law for the Regulation of Health Professions (LOPS) indicates that health professionals will carry out continuous training throughout their professional life, and will regularly prove their professional competence. The objective of the study was to carry out a national survey to find out the opinion of Spanish surgeons and thus be able to prepare a recertification project by the Spanish Association of Surgeons (AEC).MethodsCross-sectional observational study carried out in June-July 2020, through a survey sent to the members of the AEC.ResultsThe survey had a total of 1230 visits and an overall completion rate of 784 responses (67.3%). 69.6% were unaware of the LOPS forecasts and 83.4% were unaware of similar initiatives in other specialties and 95.5% agreed to demand adequate information. 71.4% believed it necessary but only 57% believed that it should be mandatory. 82.9% would agree that it should be regulated through an objective and predictable official procedure.ConclusionsThe concept of re-accreditation is not well known in our specialty and in view of the results obtained, adequate and reliable information seems necessary. Therefore, it would be pertinent to propose by the AEC a specific project to assess activities and skills.     

COVID-19 Gender Disparities and Mitigation Recommendations: A Narrative Review

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has rapidly created widespread impacts on global health and the economy. Data suggest that women are less susceptible to severe illness. However, sex-disaggregated data are incomplete, leaving room for misinterpretation, and focusing only on biologic sex underestimates the gendered impact of the pandemic on women. This narrative review summarizes what is known about gender disparities during the COVID-19 pandemic and the economic, domestic, and health burdens along with overlapping vulnerabilities related to the pandemic. In addition, this review outlines recommended strategies that advocacy groups, community leaders, and policymakers should implement to mitigate the widening gender disparities related to COVID-19.     

流动人口基层医疗卫生机构首诊现状及影响因素分析

目的:了解流动人口基层首诊现状及其影响因素,为推进流动人口分级诊疗提供实证参考依据。方法:基于2017年全国流动人口动态监测调查数据中82734名最近1次患病(负伤)流动人口数据,利用SPSS 25.0统计软件分析其基层首诊情况及影响因素。结果:82734名最近1次患病(负伤)流动人口中首选到基层医疗卫生机构就诊15936人,基层首诊率仅为19.3%;二分类logistic回归分析结果显示:年龄≥65岁、农业户口、流动时间0~5年、患慢性病、至少参加1项医疗保险,居住地到最近医疗服务机构所需时间≤15 min的流动人口患病后更愿意选择到基层首诊。学历大专及以上、家庭月均收入>10000元、市跨县、东北地区、不愿意落户、自评健康状况为不健康的流动人口患病后更不愿意选择到基层首诊。结论:流动人口患病(负伤)后选择到基层首诊率较低,年龄、受教育程度、户口类型、家庭月均总收入、流动时间、流动范围、流入地区域、落户意愿、自评健康状况、是否患慢性病、有无参加医疗保险、居住地到最近医疗服务机构所需时间是影响流动人口患病(负伤)后选择到基层首诊的主要因素。     

甲状腺乳头状癌前上纵隔淋巴结转移临床病理特征初步分析

目的 探讨肿瘤位置、最大直径及甲状腺外浸等临床病理特征与甲状腺癌前上纵隔淋巴结转移的关系。 方法 研究分析初次手术治疗的60例甲状腺乳头状癌患者临床及病理资料,运用检验临床病理特征与前上纵隔淋巴结阳性率的相关性。 结果 肿块位置、最大直径、数量、腺体外侵、受累腺叶数及Ⅵ区淋巴结转移等特征,以及患者年龄等相关因素中,只有VI区淋巴结对前上纵隔淋巴结状态有影响;60例患者前上纵隔淋巴结转移率为10/60(16.67%)。相关因素的前上纵隔淋巴结转移率对比:≥55岁vs <55岁(20% vs 16.36%, P<0.05);肿块位于下极 vs 上极 vs 中极(P>0.05);最大直径≥1.5 cm vs 最大直径<1.5 cm(18.18% vs 15.79, P>0.05);单灶 vs 多灶(21.88% vs 10.71%, P>0.05);单叶 vs 多叶(17.5% vs 15%, P>0.05);男性vs女性(20% vs 15.55%, P>0.05); Ⅵ区淋巴结阳性vs 阴性(24.43% vs 3.57%, P<0.05); 结论 总体来说,甲状腺乳头状癌前上纵隔淋巴结转移率较低。本研究发现VI区淋巴结状态可能与前上纵隔淋巴结转移相关,未来仍需大样本前瞻性的研究验证。     

建设世界一流科技期刊的策略——基于Nature、Science、The Lancet和Cell的分析

【目的】 探索建设世界一流科技期刊的策略,以助力中国科技期刊冲刺世界一流水平。【方法】 通过研读相关政策和研究文献,结合对Nature、Science、The Lancet、Cell等不同类型的世界一流科技期刊的分析,解析世界一流科技期刊的概念及内涵,探讨建设世界一流科技期刊的充分条件和必要条件,提出建设世界一流科技期刊的建议。【结果】 卓越的办刊理念、全方位的国际化水平、世界一流的人才队伍、先进的经营管理水平以及汇聚一流前沿成果、卓著的科学声望是建设世界一流科技期刊的必要条件。“高、精、尖”和“稳、准、狠”的办刊策略,是建设世界一流科技期刊的充分条件。建设世界一流科技期刊要理性且准确地认知其内涵,始终坚持卓越的办刊理念、国际化战略、人才战略、质量战略和集群化战略。【结论】 中国科技期刊既要扎根祖国大地,又要学习世界一流期刊的成功经验,从办刊的硬实力和软实力方面吸收借鉴,才能探索出具有中国特色的世界一流科技期刊建设路径。