The Effects of Physical Quality of Life,Time, and Gender on Change in Symptoms of Anxiety and Depression after Liver Transplantation

Previous research demonstrated that physical health-related quality of life (HRQOL) improves after liver transplantation, but improvements in mental HRQOL are less dramatic. The aim of this study was to test the effects of physical HRQOL, time post-transplant, and gender on pre- to post-transplant change in anxiety and depression. Longitudinal HRQOL data were prospectively collected at specific times before and after liver transplantation using the SF-36® Health Survey (SF-36), Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CES-D), and Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI). Within-subject change scores were computed to represent the longest follow-up interval for each patient. Multiple regression was used to test the effects of baseline score, time post-transplant, gender, and SF-36 physical component summary scores (PCS) on change in BAI and CES-D scores. About 107 patients (74% male, age?=?54?±?8 years) were included in the analysis. Time post-transplant ranged 1 to 39 months (mean?=?9?±?8). Improvement in symptoms of anxiety and depression was greatest in those patients with the most severe pre-transplant symptoms. Significant improvement in symptoms of depression occurred after liver transplant, but the magnitude of improvement was smaller with time suggesting possible relapse of symptoms. Better post-transplant physical HRQOL was associated with a greater reduction in symptoms of anxiety and depression after liver transplantation. This demonstrates clear improvements in post-transplant mental HRQOL and the significant relationships between physical and mental HRQOL.     

Cystic fibrosis and portal hypertension: Distal splenorenal shunt can prevent the need for future liver transplant

BackgroundThe management of portal hypertension (PHT) in children with well compensated cirrhosis and cystic fibrosis (CF) is controversial. We present our experience with distal splenorenal shunting (DSRS) for the treatment of PHT as an alternative to liver transplantation (LT).MethodsBetween 2008 and 2017, 5 CF children underwent a DSRS at a pediatric hepatobiliary and transplantation referral center. LT (n = 9) was reserved for patients with decompensated cirrhosis. Statistical analysis was done using the paired t-test (p < 0.05 considered significant).ResultsMean PELD/MELD score was significantly lower for DSRS patients than LT (3 ± 6 vs 28 ± 4, p < 0.001). All 5 DSRS patients had grade III–IV varices. One bled prior to surgery. After DSRS, spleen size decreased significantly from 8.4 ± 1.5 cm to 4.4 ± 1.8 cm (p = 0.019). Mean platelet count remained stable (87.8 ± 48 to 91.8 ± 35, p = 0.9). There were no postoperative complications. No DSRS patient experienced variceal bleeding following shunt creation. Liver function tests remained stable in the DSRS group, and no patient required a liver transplant (median follow up 4.65 years, range 1.24–7.79).ConclusionsPatients with cystic fibrosis who have well-compensated cirrhosis and symptomatic portal hypertension can be palliated with distal splenorenal shunting and do not need liver transplants. These patients can undergo shunting with minimal morbidity.Type of studyCase series with no comparison group.Level of evidenceIV.     

Risk Factors for Post-Transplant Death in Donation after Circulatory Death Liver Transplantation

ABSTRACT

Purpose: In spite of the increasing success of liver transplantation, there remains inevitable risk of postoperative complications, re-operations, and even death. Risk factors that correlate with post-transplant death have not been fully identified. Materials and Methods: We performed a retrospective analysis of 65 adults that received donation after circulatory death liver transplantation. Binary logistic regression and Cox's proportional hazards regression were employed to identify risk factors that associate with postoperative death and the length of survival period. Results: Twenty-two recipients (33.8%) deceased during 392.3 ± 45.6 days. The higher preoperative Child–Pugh score (p = .007), prolonged postoperative ICU stay (p = .02), and more postoperative complications (p = .0005) were observed in deceased patients. Advanced pathological staging (p = .02) with more common nerve invasion (p = .03), lymph node invasion (p = .02), and para-tumor satellite lesion (p = .01) were found in deceased group. The higher pre-transplant Child–Pugh score was a risk factor for post-transplant death (OR = 4.38, p = .011), and was correlated with reduced post-transplant survival period (OR = 0.35, p = .009). Nerve invasion was also a risk factor for post-transplant death (OR = 13.85, p = .014), although it failed to affect survival period. Conclusions: Our study emphasizes the impact of recipient's pre-transplant liver function as well as pre-transplant nerve invasion by recipient's liver cancer cells on postoperative outcome and survival period in patients receiving liver transplantation.     

Psychological outcomes affect functional outcomes in patients with severe pelvic ring fractures

PurposeTo evaluate the correlation between post-traumatic functional and psychological outcomes in patients with severe pelvic ring injuries.MethodsForty-four patients who sustained a completely unstable pelvic ring injury (Tile C, AO/OTA 61C) treated in our institution from 2012 to 2017 were included. A telephone interview was performed in 16 of 44 patients to evaluate pelvic functionality, using the Majeed pelvic score, and psychological evaluation, using Hamilton anxiety and depression rating scales.ResultsThe mean Injury Severity Score (ISS) was 27 ± 12, and mean GCS at presentation was 13 ± 4. Average time from trauma to interview was 3 years (range, 1–5 years). Mean Majeed pelvic score was 67 ± 22. Majeed sub-scores were pain 19 ± 9, work 10 ± 7, sitting 8 ± 2, sexual intercourse 3 ± 2, walking aids 11 ± 2, gait unaided 9 ± 2, walking distance 8 ± 3. Mean depression and anxiety scores were 16 ± 12 and 17 ± 14, respectively. Significant correlations were observed between functional and psychological outcomes (P < 0.005). Majeed score was negatively correlated with depressive symptoms (r = -0.721, P = 0.002) and anxiety symptoms (r = -0.756, P = 0.001). Depression and anxiety scores were positively correlated (r = 0.945, P < 0.001).ConclusionLower functional outcomes in patients with Tile C pelvic injuries were correlated with more severe symptoms of depression and anxiety. We recommend that providers consider and treat patients’ mental health condition during posttraumatic recovery.     

Liver transplantation for primary biliary cirrhosis in a hepatitis endemic region: a single‐center Asian experience

Sun C‐K, Chen C‐L, Concejero AM, Wang C‐C, Wang S‐H, Liu Y‐W, Yang C‐H, Yong C‐C. Liver transplantation for primary biliary cirrhosis in a hepatitis endemic region: a single‐center Asian experience.
Clin Transplant 2011: 25: 47–53. © 2010 John Wiley & Sons A/S. Abstract: From March 1984 to November 2008, we performed 539 primary liver transplantations (LTs). Nineteen (19, 3.5%) were transplanted for end‐stage liver disease secondary to primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC). There were 17 (89%) female and 2 (11%) male recipients. The overall mean age was 50.3 ± 6.3 yr. The mean model for end‐stage liver disease, and Child–Turcotte–Pugh scores were 20.7 ± 2.1, and 11.0 ± 0.5, respectively. There were 2 (11%) United Network for Organ Sharing status 3, 16 (84%) 2B, and 1 (5%) 2A patients. Fourteen patients (14, 73.7%) underwent living donor LT, and five patients (26.3%) received deceased donor LT. The primary immunosuppression consisted of cyclosporine (n = 5) and tacrolimus (n = 14). Liver function returned to normal one month after transplantation. The overall mean follow‐up was 5.8 ± 0.8 yr (range, four months to 15.7 yr). The overall one‐, three‐, and five‐yr survival rates were 94.7%, 89.2%, and 89.2%, respectively. Without hepatitis B virus (HBV) prophylaxis, one patient acquired de novo HBV infection after receiving a graft from an anti‐HBc(+) donor. Another patient developed recurrent hepatitis C infection and expired 25 months after transplantation. Our results showed that HBV prophylaxis was effective not only against de novo infection, but it also worked on pre‐transplant HBV carrier with PBC and helped in virus clearance.     

A Pugh score of 8 adequately selects patients with parenchymal cirrhosis for liver transplantation

The aim of our study was to develop simple and highly effective scores to estimate prognosis at 1 year for patients with parenchymal cirrhosis and to define the optimum time for liver transplantation with the same degree of accuracy as the prognosis estimation for primary biliary cirrhosis. The prognostic value of 19 variables was studied retrospectively in 91 patients with parenchymal cirrhosis using multivariate analysis and logistic regression. The best prognostic index was obtained with two independent variables: ascites and aminopyrine breath test. Although the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve for these two variables was better than the ROC curve for Pugh score, the percentage of correct prediction was excellent for both indices: 92% and 87%, respectively. The critical cut-off value of the Pugh score was 8.8. The prognostic value of a Pugh score ≤ 8 or > 8 was confirmed in a prospective study of 145 cirrhotic patients with 78% correct prediction. During this period, 21 patients with parenchymal cirrhosis received transplants with a preoperative Pugh score of 9.5 ± 2.0 (mean ± SEM) and 60% 1- and 2-year survival. In conclusion in parenchymal cirrhosis, a Pugh score > 8 indicates a poor prognosis at 1 year. This is a simple, easy and highly effective tool to define the optimal time for liver transplantation in this category of patients.     

Effect of liver dysfunction on circulating sclerostin

Sclerostin is a Wnt inhibitor produced specifically by osteocytes. It decreases bone formation by repressing osteoblast differentiation and proliferation. Whether circulating sclerostin level is affected by liver function is not currently clear. The aim of the study was to evaluate this relationship. Our cross-sectional study included 47 patients with liver cirrhosis and 50 healthy controls. Serum sclerostin level was analyzed by ELISA. Serum sclerostin levels were significantly higher in patients with cirrhosis than in controls (50.8 ± 38.2 vs. 35.1 ± 8.8 pmol/L, p = 0.008). After further adjustment for age, sex, body mass index, serum creatinine, and presence of diabetes, cirrhosis patients had higher sclerostin than controls. Subgroup analysis found that patients with Child–Pugh class B or C had higher sclerostin levels than patients with class A or controls after adjusting for multiple confounding factors. Multiple regression analysis showed that gender (p = 0.022), presence of diabetes (p < 0.001), albumin (p = 0.010), and serum creatinine (p = 0.037) were independent factors for circulating sclerostin level. Circulating sclerostin was higher in patients with advanced liver cirrhosis than in healthy controls or patients with early liver cirrhosis. The elevated sclerostin levels clearly correlated with markers of liver dysfunction such as albumin. The relationship between circulating sclerostin and liver function indicates a possible role of the liver in sclerostin metabolism.     

双镜联合治疗肝硬化患者胆囊结石和胆总管结石的疗效分析

目的观察双镜联合（内镜下乳头切开取石联合腹腔镜胆囊切除）治疗肝硬化患者胆囊结石和胆总管结石的临床疗效。方法回顾性分析51例肝硬化患者胆囊结石和胆总管结石行双镜联合治疗的临床资料。结果双镜联合组取石成功率为90．2％,围手术期并发症发生率为15．7％、死亡率为5．9％;术前肝功能ChildC级患者的并发症发生率及死亡率均高于ChildA、B级患者。术后平均随访67．9个月,随访期内胆管炎发作2例、胆总管结石复发4例及迟发型胰腺炎1例。结论双镜联合治疗刨伤小、疗效满意,拓展了胆道微创手术范围,可作为ChildA、B级患者胆囊结石和胆总管结石的一线治疗方案。对ChildC级患者应重视围手术期处理,尽量将肝功能调整至ChildB级再行双镜联合治疗。     

Incidence and risk factors for radiocontrast-induced nephropathy in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma undergoing transcatheter arterial chemoembolization

Background

Transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE) is an effective treatment for unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC); however, large volumes of radiocontrast agents are used for TACE and may induce renal dysfunction. Most patients with HCC have coexisting liver cirrhosis (LC) at the time of diagnosis. Advanced cirrhosis is characterized by peripheral vasodilatation associated with decreased renal perfusion due to the activation of vasoconstrictor systems. We retrospectively investigated patients with HCC who had undergone TACE to determine the incidence and risk factors for radiocontrast-induced nephropathy (RCIN).

Methods

A total of 101 patients with HCC who underwent a combined 221 TACE treatment sessions were included. Follow-up serum creatinine levels within 96 h after TACE were confirmed in these patients. RCIN was defined as an increase of at least 25% in baseline serum creatinine levels between 48 and 96 h after TACE.

Results

RCIN developed in 20 (9%) of the 221 treatment sessions after TACE. A univariate analysis showed that the Child–Pugh score (6.0 ± 1.3 vs. 6.7 ± 1.9, P = 0.005), ascites (14.4 vs. 40%, P = 0.008), contrast medium volume (257.3 ± 66.8 vs. 275.0 ± 44.0 ml, P = 0.009), total bilirubin (1.3 ± 1.7 vs. 3.4 ± 8.0 mg/dl, P < 0.001), basal serum creatinine levels (0.9 ± 0.3 vs. 1.0 ± 0.5 mg/dl, P < 0.001) and glomerular filtration rate using the modification of diet in renal disease formula (90.5 ± 21.8 vs. 88.4 ± 29.6 ml/min, P = 0.015) were significantly associated with the development of RCIN. A multivariate analysis revealed that the Child–Pugh score was associated with RCIN [odds ratio (OR) 1.5; P = 0.015]. Overall, in-hospital mortality after TACE was 4.07% (with RCIN, 30%; without RCIN, 1.5%; P < 0.001). The multivariate analysis also showed that the Child–Pugh score and the occurrence of RCIN were associated with in-hospital mortality after TACE (OR 2.8; P = 0.001; OR 26.7, P = 0.002, respectively).

Conclusions

RCIN after TACE was closely associated with the severity of LC. Effective preventive measures remain to be determined in patients with HCC and advanced LC who are undergoing TACE.

     

颈椎人工椎间盘置换术后患者负性心理的改善及其对预后的影响

目的 观察颈椎病患者行颈椎人工椎间盘置换术后负性心理的改善情况,探讨颈椎病患者抑郁、焦虑等负性心理发生的危险因素及其对预后的影响.方法 回顾性分析2010年1月-2012年1月于本院行颈椎椎间盘置换术的85例患者术前术后抑郁、焦虑心理状况.于术前及术后1周、3个月、6个月、1年及末次随访时采用Zung抑郁自评量表（self-rating depression scale,SDS）和Zung焦虑自评量表（self-rating anxiety scale,SAS）评估患者负性心理,颈部及上肢疼痛视觉模拟量表（visual analogue scale,VAS）评分、日本骨科学会（Japan Orthopedic Association,JOA）评分评估神经功能,SF-36量表评估生活质量,以单因素相关分析对结果进行统计处理.结果 所有患者临床症状和神经功能改善满意.12例（14.12%）患者术前出现明显的抑郁,21例（24.70%）患者出现焦虑;术后1周患者SDS和SAS评分均较术前改善,焦虑改善程度有统计学意义,抑郁改善程度无统计学意义.末次随访时患者抑郁和焦虑评分与VAS和SF-36评分显著相关,但与年龄和JOA评分无显著相关.结论 部分颈椎病患者术前存在抑郁及焦虑,颈椎人工椎间盘置换术可以部分改善这2种心理,患者负性心理对其预后具有负性作用.     

Safety and effectiveness of umbilical hernia repair in patients with cirrhosis

Purpose

Umbilical hernia is a common complication in patients with cirrhosis. Early studies have reported a high morbidity and mortality associated with hernia repair. The traditional approach has been to non-operatively manage umbilical hernias in patients with cirrhosis. There are emerging data suggesting that an elective repair is a preferable approach. This study examined the outcomes of umbilical hernia repair in patients with advanced liver disease and compared this with a control group of non-cirrhotic patients.

Methods

Prospective data were collected regarding the outcome of umbilical hernia repairs performed between 2004 and 2013 at the Austin Hospital, Melbourne, Australia. Outcomes at 90 days were compared between patients with and without cirrhosis.

Results

79 patients with cirrhosis and 249 controls were analysed. Of the patients with cirrhosis, 9% were classified as Child–Pugh A, 61% were Child–Pugh B and 30% were Child–Pugh C. Emergency repairs for complicated hernias was undertaken in 18% of the cirrhosis population and 10% in controls (P?=?0.10). Post-operative complications occurred more commonly in patients with cirrhosis (26%) compared with controls (11%) (P?<?0.01). Emergency hernia repairs were associated with a higher complication rate in both patients with cirrhosis (62%) and controls (20%) (P?=?0.01). There was no significant difference in the rate of hernia recurrence as assessed by clinical examination between patients with cirrhosis (2.7%) and controls (6.8%) (P?=?0.17) nor in 90-day mortality between patients with cirrhosis (n?=?1, 1.3%) and the controls (n?=?0) (P?=?0.43).

Conclusions

Within the limitations of a small study cohort and therefore an underpowered study, elective surgical repair of umbilical hernias in patients with cirrhosis, including decompensated cirrhosis, may not be associated with a significant increase in mortality when compared to a control cohort. Whilst complications are higher in cirrhotic patients, there is no difference in the rate of hernia recurrence. Emergency repairs of umbilical hernias are associated with a high complication rate in cirrhotic patients.

     

早期肝癌的手术治疗:肝切除与肝移植比较

肝切除及肝移植被认为是可能治愈肝癌的主要方法.以往认为肝切除适合肝功能代偿良好的病人,而肝移植则适用肝功能不佳及肿瘤无法切除的病人.对于符合米兰标准的早期肝癌,哪种方式更适合?近年来,一些研究显示:肝移植病人在无瘤生存方面具有优势.但是由于肝移植相关并发症的存在,例如移植物排斥及免疫抑制等,在长期生存方面,肝移植并无明显优势.目前由于肝源紧张,肝癌病人在等待移植时,可能因肿瘤进展而失去移植机会.肝切除后补救性肝移植对于肝癌治疗同样是一个很好的策略.因此建议肝功能良好病人行肝切除治疗,必要时行补救性肝移植.如果等待肝源时间较短,可以选择肝移植而获得较好的无瘤生存.     

Validity of Self-rating Screening Scales for the Diagnosis of Depression and Anxiety in Adult Patients With Bronchiectasis

BackgroundThere are no previous studies aimed at assessing the validity of the screening scales for depression and anxiety in adult patients with bronchiectasis.AimsTo analyze the psychometric properties of Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) and Hamilton Anxiety Scale and to evaluate the concordance for the diagnosis of depression and anxiety between these screening scales and the structured clinical interview in adult patients with bronchiectasis.MethodCross sectional study. 52 patients with bronchiectasis completed HADS, BDI and Hamilton Anxiety Scale; afterwards, were individually interviewed by a mental health care professional using the structured Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview (MINI), which evaluates for depression and anxiety according to DSM-IV criteria.ResultsBased on MINI, 18 subjects (34.6%) had a diagnosis of depression and 25 (48.1%) had anxiety. Optimal cut-off values to detect depression were ≥9 for the HADS-D (sensitivity 0.833, specificity 0.971, AUC 0.962 [95% CI 0.918–1]), and 17 for BDI (sensitivity 0.889, specificity 0.912, AUC 0.978 [95% CI 0.945–1]). Optimal cut-off values to detect anxiety were ≥4 for the HADS-A (sensitivity 0.960, specificity 0.593, AUC 0.833 [95% CI 0.723–0.943]), and 17 for Hamilton Anxiety Scale (sensitivity 0.800, specificity 0.852, AUC 0.876 [95% CI 0.781–0.970]).ConclusionThe self-rating screening scales HADS, BDI and Hamilton Anxiety Scale are reliable tools to screen for depression and anxiety in adult patients with bronchiectasis. However, the use of specific cut-off values may improve the diagnostic accuracy of the previous scales in this specific group of patients.     

Preoperative evaluation of patients with liver cirrhosis undergoing open heart surgery

Objective  Clinical outcomes after open heart surgery in patients with liver cirrhosis are not satisfactory. For evaluating hepatic function, the Child-Pugh classification has been widely used. It has been reported that open heart surgery can be performed safely in patients with mild liver cirrhosis. In this study, we examined the clinical outcomes after open heart surgery in patients with liver cirrhosis and evaluated the usefulness of the Child-Pugh classification. Methods  There were 12 liver cirrhosis patients who underwent open heart surgery between January 2002 and December 2006 at our institution. The severity of cirrhosis was graded according to the Child-Pugh classification. We reviewed clinical outcomes, such as postoperative mortality and morbidity, and tried to determine the risk factors. Finally, we assessed the usefulness of the Child-Pugh classification. Results  Six patients were classified as having Child class A, and the other six patients were classified as B. The overall mortality of group A was 50%, and that of group B was 17%. Postoperative major morbidities occurred in half of the patients of Child class A and in all of the patients of Child class B. Patients who experienced major morbidities had markedly lower levels of serum cholinesterase (106 ± 46 vs. 199 ± 72 IU/l; P = 0.02) and lower platelet level (7.5 ± 2.9 vs. 11.9 ± 3.6 × 104/μl; P = 0.04). Conclusion  The mortality and morbidity rates were high even in the Child class A patients. The Child classification may be an insufficient method for evaluating hepatic function. We have to assess other factors, such as the serum cholinesterase level or the platelet count.     

Neuropsychologic changes in primary hyperparathyroidism after parathyroidectomy from a dual-institution prospective study

BackgroundThe impact of parathyroidectomy on neuropsychiatric symptoms in primary hyperparathyroidism remains poorly defined. The validated scales Patient Health Questionnaire-9 and Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 can be used to assess depression and anxiety, respectively. Our aim was to prospectively characterize the changes in neuropsychiatric symptoms after parathyroidectomy.MethodsPatients undergoing parathyroidectomy and thyroidectomy (control) from two institutions between 2014 and 2019 were prospectively administered a questionnaire assessing neuropsychiatric symptoms before and after surgery. Paired t tests compared preoperative with postoperative neuropsychiatric symptoms and t tests compared differences in neuropsychiatric symptoms between parathyroidectomy and thyroidectomy.ResultsA total of 244 patients underwent parathyroidectomy and 161 underwent thyroidectomy. We observed improvement in neuropsychiatric symptoms after parathyroidectomy (6.2 [5.0–7.4], P < .01). Preoperatively, neuropsychiatric symptoms were more prevalent in patients undergoing parathyroidectomy when compared with thyroidectomy (11.2 ± 11.5 vs 7.5 ± 8.2, P < .01); however, after surgery there was no difference between the two groups (5.1 ± 7.1 vs 5.4 ± 7.2, P = .59). Preoperatively, 27.5% and 18.0% of patients endorsed moderate to severe depression and anxiety, which fell to 8.2% and 5.3%, respectively, (P < .01) after surgery.ConclusionPatients undergoing parathyroidectomy showed significant improvement in neuropsychiatric symptoms after surgery. Neuropsychiatric symptoms are more prevalent in patients with primary hyperparathyroidism. Neuropsychiatric symptoms should be assessed in all patients with primary hyperparathyroidism and should be considered a relative indication for parathyroidectomy.     

Impact of preoperative uncontrollable hepatic hydrothorax and massive ascites in adult liver transplantation

Purpose

Uncontrollable hepatic hydrothorax and massive ascites (H&MA) requiring preoperative drainage are sometimes encountered in liver transplantation (LT). We retrospectively analyzed the characteristics of such patients and the impact of H&MA on the postoperative course.

Methods

We evaluated 237 adult patients who underwent LT in our institute between April 2006 and October 2010.

Results

Recipients with uncontrollable H&MA (group HA: n = 36) had more intraoperative bleeding, higher Child–Pugh scores, lower serum albumin concentrations and higher blood urea nitrogen concentrations than those without uncontrollable H&MA (group C: n = 201). They were also more likely to have preoperative hepatorenal syndrome and infections. The incidence of postoperative bacteremia was higher (55.6 vs. 46.7 %, P = 0.008) and the 1- and 3-year survival rates were lower (1 year: 58.9 vs. 82.9 %; 3 years: 58.9 vs. 77.7 %; P = 0.003) in group HA than in group C. The multivariate proportional regression analyses revealed that uncontrollable H&MA and the Child–Pugh score were independent risk factors for the postoperative prognosis.

Conclusions

Postoperative infection control may be an important means of improving the outcome for patients with uncontrollable H&MA undergoing LT, and clinicians should strive to perform surgery before H&MA becomes uncontrollable.     

Incidence and nature of anxiety–depression comorbidity in prostate cancer patients

BackgroundThe aim of this study was to measure the incidence of anxiety–depression comorbidity among a sample of prostate cancer (PCa) patients and to investigate the total score, factor score and scale item differences across subgroups defined according to the presence of anxiety and/or depression.Methods491 PCa patients who had received their initial diagnosis between 1 and 113 months previously completed a survey of background variables, as well as the Zung Self-Rating Anxiety and Depression Scales (SAS, SDS).ResultsIncidence of anxiety–depression comorbidity was nearly 16%, and higher than that previously reported in other samples. Although the directional differences of total anxiety and depression scores were as expected, analysis of underlying factor structures suggested significant overlap between anxiety and depression symptomatologies, and this was supported by analysis of scale item differences across disorder subgroups.ConclusionsComorbidity of anxiety and depression may be higher during treatment procedures and following treatment than has been previously suggested from data collected at the commencement of treatment for PCa. Diagnosis of anxiety or depression may benefit from consideration of symptoms that are more traditionally associated with the alternative disorder, thus potentially modifying treatment and support plans for PCa patients with these psychosocial disorders.     

Depression subtypes,binge eating,and weight loss in bariatric surgery candidates

BackgroundDepression and binge eating disorder (BED) are prevalent among bariatric surgery candidates. Depression subtypes may be differentially related to obesity, such that the atypical subtype predicts poorer outcomes. However, no research has examined depression subtypes, BED, and weight loss in bariatric candidates.ObjectiveTo examine whether presurgical atypical depressive symptoms, compared with no depressive and melancholic depressive symptoms, were associated with higher rates of presurgical BED, binge eating severity, and poorer postsurgical weight loss trajectories among bariatric candidates.SettingAn outpatient Midwest bariatric clinic.MethodsParticipants were 345 adults (aged 46.27 ± 12.78 yr, 76% female; body mass index = 49.84 ± 8.51 kg/m²) who received a presurgical evaluation. Depression subtypes (melancholic, atypical, and no depressive symptoms) were categorized using the Beck Depression Inventory-II. BED diagnosis and severity were evaluated using the Eating Disorder Diagnostic Scale and Binge Eating Scale, respectively. Weight loss trajectories were calculated as percent total weight loss postsurgery.ResultsUsing no depression as the referent, participants reporting melancholic symptoms (odds ratio = 7.60, P < .001 confidence interval₉₅ [2.59–22.28]) and atypical symptoms (odds ratio = 10.11, P < .01 confidence interval₉₅ [2.69–37.94]) were more likely to meet criteria for BED. Patients with atypical depressive symptoms exhibited the highest binge eating severity scores (mean = 23.03). Depression subtypes did not predict percent total weight loss trajectories within 18-months postbariatric surgery.ConclusionsPatients reporting preoperative atypical depressive symptoms were more likely to meet criteria for co-morbid BED diagnosis and have greater binge eating severity but did not have poorer weight loss within 18 months postsurgery. Future studies with longer-term follow-up and corresponding measures of postsurgical depression and binge eating pathology are warranted.     

Use of healthcare resources in patients with low back pain and comorbid depression or anxiety

Background ContextPsychological comorbidities are important prognostic factors for low back pain (LBP). To develop improved treatment paradigms, it is first necessary to characterize and determine current patterns of treatment in this population.PurposeIdentify how comorbid depression or anxiety in patients with LBP is related to use of healthcare resources.Study Design/SettingRetrospective cohort study using electronic health records from outpatient offices at a large multisite academic medical center.Patient SampleData from 513,088 unique patients seen between January 2010 and July 2020 (58.0% female, 52.6±19.5 years) with a diagnosis of LBP, indicated by predetermined ICD-9 and ICD-10 codes.Outcome MeasuresAverage self-reported pain scores, absolute differences and unadjusted risk ratios to compare opioid use, emergency department visits, hospitalizations, advanced imaging orders, spinal injections, and back surgeries between cohorts.MethodsClinical characteristics and data regarding use of healthcare resources were extracted from the electronic health record. Clinical features and patterns in healthcare utilization were determined for patients with depression or anxiety compared to those without.ResultsDepression or anxiety was coded for 21.4% of patients at first LBP visit. Those with depression or anxiety were more likely to be on opioids (unadjusted risk ratio: 1.22, CI: [1.22,1.23]), go to the emergency department (1.31 [1.30–1.33]), be hospitalized (1.15 [1.13, 1.17]), receive advanced imaging (1.09 [1.08, 1.11]), receive an epidural steroid injection (1.16 [1.15, 1.18]), and less likely to have back surgery (0.74 [0.72, 0.77]). Differences in pain scores for those with depression/anxiety compared to those without were not clinically significant.ConclusionsDepression/anxiety is associated with increased use of healthcare resources, and is not associated with clinically meaningful elevated pain scores. Limitations come from use of an aggregate data set and reliance on administrative coding.     

Laparoscopy Splenectomy for Massive Splenomegaly

ABSTRACT

Objective: This study is aimed to evaluate the feasibility of laparoscopic splenectomy (LS) for massive splenomegaly in patients with hypersplenism secondary to portal hypertension and liver cirrhosis. Method: A retrospective study of adult patients was conducted for splenectomy occurring from January 2006 to December 2010. We have performed the surgical procedures of splenectomy in 80 patients who were suffering from splenomegaly or hypersplenism secondary to portal hypertension and liver cirrhosis, among whom 40 patients underwent LS and another 40 patients received open surgery (OS). Results: Among the patients who had undergone LS, 2 patients were converted to OS and the other 38 patients underwent complete LS. The operation time, intraoperative blood loss, and the length of stay in LS group and OS group were 100–200 min (mean: 150 ± 30 min) vs. 120–210 min (mean: 100 ± 30 min), 50–1,000 ml (mean: 150 ± 110 ml) vs. 60–900 ml (mean: 140 ± 50 ml) and 4–9 days (mean: 6.1 ± 2.2 days) vs. 8–14 days (mean: 11.3 ± 2.3 days), respectively. No deaths occurred in the two groups, and there are no significant differences between the two groups in terms of estimated blood loss, complications, length of stay, and operating time. Conclusion: LS for treatment of massive splenomegaly is a feasible, effective, and safe surgical technique. Hypersplenism secondary to portal hypertension and liver cirrhosis are not supposed to be considered absolute contraindications to LS.