Geodemographic analysis of pediatric firearm injuries in Miami,FL

PurposeFirearm injuries (GSW) are a growing public health concern and leading cause of morbidity and mortality among children, yet predictors of injury remain understudied. This study examines the correlates of pediatric GSW within our county.MethodsWe retrospectively queried an urban Level 1 trauma center registry for pediatric (0–18 years) GSW from September 2013 to January 2019, examining demographic, clinical, and injury information. We used a geographic information system to map GSW rates and perform spatial and spatiotemporal cluster analysis to identify zip code “hot spots.”Results393 cases were identified. The cohort was 877% male, 87% African American, 10% Hispanic, and 22% Caucasian/Other. Injuries were 92% violence-related and 4% accidental, with 63% occurring outside school hours. Mortality was 12%, with 53% of deaths occurring in the resuscitation unit. Zip-level GSW rates ranged from 0 to 9 (per 1000 < 18 years) by incident address and 0–6 by home address. Statistically significant hot spots were in predominantly underserved African American and Hispanic neighborhoods.ConclusionsGeodemographic analysis of pediatric GSW injuries can be utilized to identify at-risk neighborhoods. This methodology is applicable to other metropolitan areas where targeted interventions can reduce the burden of gun violence among children.Type of studyRetrospective study.Level of evidenceLevel III.     

Concurrent hiatal hernia repair and bariatric surgery: outcomes after sleeve gastrectomy and Roux-en-Y gastric bypass

BackgroundHiatal hernias are often repaired concurrently with bariatric surgery to reduce risk of gastroesophageal reflux disease–related complications.ObjectivesTo examine the association between concurrent hiatal hernia repair (HHR) and bariatric outcomes.SettingA 2010–2017 U.S. commercial insurance claims data set.MethodsWe conducted a retrospective cohort study. We identified adults who underwent sleeve gastrectomy (SG) or Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) alone or had bariatric surgery concurrently with HHR. We matched patients with and without HHR and followed patients up to 3 years for incident abdominal operative interventions, bariatric revisions/conversions, and endoscopy. Time to first event for each outcome was compared using multivariable Cox proportional hazards modeling.ResultsWe matched 1546 SG patients with HHR to 3170 SG patients without HHR, and we matched 457 RYGB patients with HHR to 1156 RYGB patients without HHR. A total of 73% had a full year of postoperative enrollment. Patients who underwent concurrent SG and HHR were more likely to have additional abdominal operations (adjusted hazard ratio [aHR], 2.1; 95% CI, 1.5–3.1) and endoscopies (aHR, 1.5; 95% CI, 1.2–1.8) but not bariatric revisions/conversions (aHR, 1.7; 95% CI, .6–4.6) by 1 year after surgery, a pattern maintained at 3 years of follow-up. Among RYGB patients, concurrent HHR was associated only with an increased risk of endoscopy (aHR, 1.4; 95% CI, 1.1–1.8)) at 1 year of follow-up, persisting at 3 years.ConclusionsConcurrent SG/HHR was associated with increased risk of some subsequent operative and nonoperative interventions, a pattern that was not consistently observed for RYGB. Additional studies could examine whether changes to concurrent HHR technique could reduce risk.     

Impact of COVID‐19 on wound care in Germany

Recent studies showed that the COVID‐19 pandemic caused collateral damage in health care in terms of reduced hospital submissions or postponed treatment of other acute or chronic ill patients. An anonymous survey was sent out by mail to patients with chronic wounds in order to evaluate the impact of the pandemic on wound care. Sixty‐three patients returned the survey. In 14%, diagnostic workup or hospitalisation was cancelled or postponed. Thirty‐six percent could not seek consultation by their primary care physician as usual. The use of public transport or long travel time was not related to limited access to medical service (P = .583). In ambulatory care, there was neither a significant difference in the frequency of changing wound dressings (P = .67), nor in the person, who performed wound care (P = .39). There were no significant changes in wound‐specific quality of life (P = .505). No patient used telemedicine in order to avoid face‐to‐face contact or anticipate to pandemic‐related restrictions. The COVID‐19 pandemic impaired access to clinical management of chronic wounds in Germany. It had no significant impact on ambulatory care or wound‐related quality of life. Telemedicine still plays a negligible role in wound care.     

Salivary Intraductal Carcinoma Arising within Intraparotid Lymph Node: A Report of 4 Cases with Identification of a Novel STRN-ALK Fusion

Intraductal carcinoma (IDC) is a rare salivary gland tumor that is considered analogous to ductal carcinoma in-situ of the breast, demonstrating a complex neoplastic epithelial proliferation surrounded by a continuous layer of presumed non-neoplastic myoepithelial cells. It is subcategorized into intercalated duct, apocrine, and hybrid subtypes based on morphologic and immunohistochemical features, with frequent NCOA4-RET and TRIM27-RET fusions, respectively, seen in intercalated duct and hybrid tumors. However, as an expanding clinicopathologic spectrum of IDC has been documented, controversy has emerged as to whether this tumor type is best defined by its intraductal growth pattern or distinctive molecular and immunophenotypic differentiation. Here, we further explore the nature of IDC by evaluating four cases that arose within intraparotid lymph nodes. These intercalated-duct phenotype tumors with diffuse S100 protein expression demonstrated a crowded and complex epithelial proliferation arranged in cystic, cribriform, and micropapillary architecture, surrounded by an intact myoepithelial cell layer, and were completely intranodal. Of two tumors with tissue available for molecular analysis, one demonstrated a NCOA4-RET fusion and one harbored a STRN-ALK fusion that is novel to IDC. Not only does the intranodal presence of IDC present a challenging differential diagnosis, but the complex nature of this proliferation within lymph node tissue raises questions as to whether the myoepithelial component of IDC is actually non-neoplastic in nature. Furthermore, identification of a STRN-ALK fusion expands the genetic spectrum of IDC and adds to evidence of an emerging role for ALK in salivary gland tumors. Further attention to the nature of the myoepithelial cells and documentation of alternate fusion events in IDC may inform continued discussion about its appropriate classification.     

Gingival Swelling as the Initial Manifestation of Granulomatosis with Polyangiitis

We describe a case of granulomatosis with polyangiitis (GPA; formerly named Wegener granulomatosis) that presented initially as florid areas of gingival swelling. The patient also had upper respiratory symptoms that included sinus congestion and cough of recent onset. Clinical-pathologic correlation aided the interpretation of non-specific biopsy findings and immediate referral to an appropriate medical specialist. Treatment was rendered at an early stage of disease with a good response to date. Review of the literature indicates that gingival swelling, often with the characteristic appearance of “strawberry gingivitis” may represent the initial sign of disease in 2% of patients with GPA. Biopsy of gingival lesions often shows a non-specific histologic appearance that should be interpreted in the context of the clinical appearance and pertinent medical history. The clinical investigations that lead to definitive diagnosis and treatment are presented to facilitate the management of this uncommon but potentially fatal condition.     

Debunking Lesbian Bed Death: Using Coarsened Exact Matching to Compare Sexual Practices and Satisfaction of Lesbian and Heterosexual Women

Archives of Sexual Behavior - The current study examined the prevalence and correlates of over 50 sexual practices in a national survey of heterosexual and lesbian women in relationships. Coarsened...     

Developing network adequacy standards for VA Community Care

ObjectivesTo inform how the VA should develop and implement network adequacy standards, we convened an expert panel to discuss Community Care Network (CCN) adequacy and how VA might implement network adequacy standards for community care.Data Sources/Study settingData were generated from expert panel ratings and from an audio‐recorded expert panel meeting conducted in Arlington, Virginia, in October 2017.Study DesignWe used a modified Delphi panel process involving one round of expert panel ratings provided by nine experts in network adequacy standards. Expert panel members received a list of network adequacy standard measures used in commercial and government market and were provided a rating form listing a total of 11 measures and characteristics to rate.Data Collection MethodsItems on the rating form were individually discussed during an expert panel meeting between the nine expert panel members and VA Office of Community Care leaders. Attendees addressed discordant views and generated revised or new standards accordingly. Recorded audio data were transcribed to facilitate thematic analysis regarding opportunities and challenges with implementing network adequacy standards in VA Community Care.Principal FindingsThe five highest ranked standards were network directories for Veterans, regular reporting of network adequacy data to VA, maximum wait time/distance standards, minimum ratio of providers to enrolled population, and qualitative assessments of network adequacy. During the expert panel discussion with VA Community Care leaders, opportunities and challenges implementing network adequacy standards were highlighted.ConclusionsOur expert panel shed light on priorities for network adequacy to be implemented under CCN contracts, such as developing comprehensive provider directories for Veterans to use when selecting community providers. Remaining questions focus on whether the VA could reasonably develop and implement network adequacy standards given current Congressional restraints on VA reimbursement to community providers.