Accuracy of MRI-guided Versus Systematic Prostate Biopsy in Patients Under Active Surveillance: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

This meta-analysis focuses on the accuracy of upgrading to clinically significant prostate cancer (PCa) by multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging-targeted biopsy (MRI-TB) versus systematic biopsy (SB). We searched the Medline, Embase, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, Web of Science, Scopus, and Literatura Latino Americana em Ciências da Saúde databases through January 2020 for comparative, retrospective/prospective, paired-cohort, and randomized clinical trials with paired comparisons. The population consisted of patients with low-risk PCa in active surveillance with at least 1 index lesion on imaging. We evaluated the quality of evidence by using the Quality Assessment of Diagnostic Accuracy Studies-2 score. Group comparisons considered the differences between the area under the curve summary receiver operating characteristic curve in a 2-tailed method. We also compared the positive predictive value of the best single method (MRI-TB or SB) and the referral study test (combined biopsy, a combination of MRI-TB and SB). The meta-analysis included 6 studies enrolling 741 patients. The pooled sensitivity for the 2 groups was 0.79 (95% confidence interval, 0.74-0.83; I² = 75%) and 0.67 (95% confidence interval, 0.63-0.74; I² = 55.4%), respectively. The area under the curve for the MRI-TB and SB groups were 0.99 and 0.92 (P < .001), respectively. The positive predictive value for the MRI-TB and combined biopsy groups were similar. The accumulated evidence suggests better results for MRI-TB compared with SB. Therefore, use of MRI-TB alone may be preferable in patients in active surveillance harboring low-risk PCa.     

Impact of stereotactic body radiation therapy on geriatric assessment and management for older patients with head and neck cancer using G8

PurposeManagement of head and neck cancers (HNC) in older adults is a common but challenging clinical scenario. We assess the impact of Stereotactic Body Radiation Therapy (SBRT) on survival utilizing the Geriatric-8 (G8) questionnaire.Materials and methods171 HNC patients, deemed medically unfit for definitive treatment, were treated with SBRT ± systemic therapy. G8 questionnaires were collected at baseline, at 4–6 weeks, and at 2–3 months post-treatment. Patients were stratified according to their baseline G8 score: <11 as ‘vulnerable’, 11–14 as ‘intermediate’, and >14 as ‘fit’. Overall survival (OS) was assessed through univariate Kaplan Meier analysis. Repeated measures ANOVA was used to determine if baseline characteristics affected G8 score changes.ResultsMedian follow-up was seventeen months. 60% of patients presented with recurrent HNC, 30% with untreated HNC primaries, and 10% with metastatic non-HNC primaries. Median age was 75 years. Median Charlson Comorbidity Index score was 2. 51% of patients were ‘vulnerable’, 37% were ‘intermediate’, and 12% were ‘fit' at baseline, with median survival of 13.2, 24.3, and 41.0 months, respectively (p = .004). Patients who saw a decrease in their follow-up G8 score (n = 69) had significantly lower survival than patients who had stable or increased follow-up G8 scores (n = 102), with median survival of 8.6 vs 36.0 months (p < .001).ConclusionThe G8 questionnaire may be a useful tool in upfront treatment decision-making to predict prognosis and prevent older patients from receiving inappropriate anti-cancer treatment. Decline in follow-up G8 scores may also predict worse survival and aid in goals of care following treatment.     

The relationship between childhood maltreatment and psychopathology in adults undergoing bariatric surgery

Background

A history of childhood maltreatment and psychopathology are common in adults with obesity.

Riesgo de recurrencia tras retirada de la anticoagulación en pacientes con enfermedad tromboembólica venosa no provocada: validación externa del nomograma de Viena y del modelo predictivo DASH

IntroductionScales for predicting venous thromboembolism (VTE) recurrence are useful for deciding the duration of the anticoagulant treatment. Although there are several scales, the most appropriate for our setting has not been identified. For this reason, we aimed to validate the DASH prediction score and the Vienna nomogram at 12 months.MethodsThis was a retrospective study of unselected consecutive VTE patients seen between 2006 and 2014. We compared the ability of the DASH score and the Vienna nomogram to predict recurrences of VTE. The validation was performed by stratifying patients as low-risk or high-risk, according to each scale (discrimination) and comparing the observed recurrence with the expected rate (calibration).ResultsOf 353 patients evaluated, 195 were analyzed, with an average age of 53.5 ± 19 years. There were 21 recurrences in 1 year (10.8%, 95% CI: 6.8%-16%). According to the DASH score, 42% were classified as low risk, and the rate of VTE recurrence in this group was 4.9% (95% CI: 1.3%-12%) vs. the high-risk group that was 15% (95% CI: 9%-23%) (p <.05). According to the Vienna nomogram, 30% were classified as low risk, and the rate of VTE recurrence in the low risk group vs. the high risk group was 4.2% (95% CI:0.5%-14%) vs. 16.2% (95% CI: 9.9%-24.4%) (p <.05).ConclusionsOur study validates the DASH score and the Vienna nomogram in our population. The DASH prediction score may be the most advisable, both because of its simplicity and its ability to identify more low-risk patients than the Vienna nomogram (42% vs. 30%).     

Efectividad de un nuevo modelo de derivación telefónica compartida entre atención primaria y atención hospitalaria

Aim

The purpose of this study is to find out whether telephone referral from Primary Health Care to Internal Medicine Consult manages to reduce waiting days as compared to traditional referral. This study also aims to know how acceptable is the telephone referral to general practitioners and their patients.

Quality of Pulmonary Function Tests in Participants with Down Syndrome

IntroductionPeople with Down syndrome (DS) have high respiratory morbidity, evaluating their respiratory health with standardized, objective tests is desirable. Thus, the objective of this study was to evaluate the technical quality of Pulmonary Function Tests (PFTs) to determine which ones are most suitable for this population.MethodsParticipants included children, teenagers and adults with DS, 5 years of age or older (n = 302). The technical quality of the impulse oscillometry system (IOS), forced spirometry, lung-diffusing capacity for carbon monoxide (DL_CO), and 6-min walk test (6MWT) were analyzed by age group. Capnography and pulse oximetry were included in the study. Technical quality was determined on the basis of current international PFTs standards.ResultsFifty-one percent of participants were males. A total of 184 participants (71%) who completed the IOS fulfilled the quality criteria, while 210 (70%) completed the 6MWT. Performance on forced spirometry and DL_CO was poor. All pulse oximetries and 96% percent heart rates obtained had good quality, but exhaled carbon dioxide (PetCO₂) and respiratory rate (RR) showed deficient repeatability.ConclusionsIOS appears to be the most reliable instrument for evaluating lung mechanics in individuals with DS.     

Syringocystadenocarcinoma papilliferum associated with atypical stroma: A hitherto undocumented variant of sarcomatoid carcinoma

Carcinosarcomas are biphasic tumors composed of admixed malignant epithelial and mesenchymal components. Numerous terms have been used to name such neoplasms; therefore, terminological confusion is frequent. Most examples of carcinosarcomas are encountered in non‐cutaneous sites, with approximately 100 cases of cutaneous carcinosarcomas reported so far in the English literature. Although different theories have been suggested to explain the occurrence of these peculiar neoplasms, histogenetic mechanisms should be better hypothesized depending on each individual case. Even though prognosis tends to be related to the specific components of the lesion, especially the epithelial one, it seems that cases of cutaneous localization usually have a better outcome. We report an exceedingly rare case of syringocystadenocarcinoma papilliferum which showed an atypical stroma with sarcomatoid appearance, and highlight that the terminology used for this spectrum of lesions is disorganized and confusing.     

Molecular study of hypersensitivity to spores in adults and children from Castile & Leon

Introduction and objectivesBiological aerosols play a vital role in the interactions between the atmosphere, biosphere, climate and public health and fungal spores are a component with allergic importance.We constructed a database in Castile & Leon (Spain) and carry out molecular-level component-resolved diagnosis to complete the air quality study carried out since 2006 by our aerobiological network (RACYL) to aid clinical diagnosis and treatment.MethodsWe reviewed a database of 19,774 patients (adults and children) with allergic respiratory disease treated in our unit during the last 12 years. We also made a component-resolved diagnosis of the molecules involved in the pathology in a randomly selected population of 150 patients.ResultsThe dimeric glycoprotein Alt a1 from Alternaria is the most prevalent and most useful allergen in the diagnosis of patients with allergy to fungi in our area (94.4%), followed by enolase Alt a 6 (Alternaria), ribonuclease Asp f 1 of Aspergillus and mannitol dehydrogenase from Cla h 8 (Cladosporium).ConclusionsOur results have helped determine which spore molecules are most-closely associated with allergies. Molecular analysis will be useful to determine more accurate and useful immunotherapy in these patients.