A national cross-sectional survey of financial toxicity among bladder cancer patients

ObjectiveFinancial toxicity (FT) has been defined as the patient-level impact of the costs of cancer care. Our objective was to better characterize FT among bladder cancer patients as well as oncologic, demographic and insurance characteristics related to FT.MethodsWe conducted a cross-sectional survey of the Bladder Cancer Advocacy Network Patient Survey Network using the validated COST (COmprehensive Score for financial Toxicity) questionnaire. Our primary outcome was relative degree of FT, with lower COST scores corresponding to worse FT. Wilcoxon rank sum tests and multiple regression were used to evaluate differences in demographic, diagnostic and treatment characteristics as they related to degree of FT.ResultsAmong 226 patients, median age was 68 years with 64% male, 83% married, and 49% with Medicare with supplemental insurance. Respondents reported an average of 65 months since diagnosis, with 62% reporting noninvasive disease. Mean COST was 28.4 (range 0–44). On multivariable analysis, patients who were younger, with a household annual income less than $50,000, not retired, or with insurance that was neither Medicare nor employer paid were significantly more likely to have worse FT. A majority of respondents (63.5%) agreed or strongly agreed that they would be interested in discussing cost in the context of their treatment preferences, independent of COST score (P = 0.24).ConclusionsA national cross-sectional survey demonstrated high prevalence of FT which was worse among younger patients with lower incomes, not retired, and without employer-paid or Medicare insurance. Most patients preferred to discuss treatment costs with their bladder cancer provider.     

Prognostic markers in pT3 bladder cancer: A study from the international bladder cancer tissue microarray project

PurposeWe evaluated the prognostic value of 10 putative tumor markers by immunohistochemistry in a large multi-institutional cohort of patients with locally advanced urothelial cancer of the bladder (UCB) with the aim to validate their clinical value and to harmonize protocols for their evaluation.Materials and MethodsPrimary tumor specimens from 576 patients with pathologic (p)T3 UCB were collected from 24 institutions in North America and Europe. Three replicate 0.6-mm core diameter samples were collected for the construction of a tissue microarray (TMA). Immunohistochemistry (IHC) for 10 previously described tumor markers was performed and scored at 3 laboratories independently according to a standardized protocol. Associations between marker positivity and freedom from recurrence (FFR) or overall survival (OS) were analyzed separately for each individual laboratory using Cox regression analysis.ResultsThe overall agreement of the IHC scoring among laboratories was poor. Correlation among the 3 laboratories varied across the 10 markers. There was generally a lack of association between the individual markers and FFR or OS. The number of altered cell cycle regulators (p53, Rb, and p21) was associated with increased risk of cancer recurrence (P < 0.032). There was no clear pattern in the relationship between the percentage of markers altered in an 8-marker panel and FFR or OS.ConclusionsThis large international TMA of locally advanced (pT3) UCB suggests that altered expression of p53, Rb, and p21 is associated with worse outcome. However this study also highlights limitations in the reproducibility of IHC even in the most expert hands.     

Relationships between anthropometric adiposity indexes and bone mineral density in a cross-sectional Chinese study

Background ContextPrevious studies have reported conflicting results for the relationships between anthropometric adiposity indexes and bone mineral density, based on dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA). However, few studies were published based on quantitative computed tomography (QCT), especially for Chinese population.PurposeTo evaluate the associations of spine bone mineral density (BMD) with body mass index (BMI), waist circumstance (WC), waist-to-hip ratio (WHR), waist-to-height ratio (WHtR) and a body shape index (ABSI) using QCT.Study Design/SettingA Cross-sectional study.Patient SampleAround 3,457 participants in multiple communities across 7 administrative regions of China.Outcome MeasuresSpine BMD was measured using QCT, and the classification of osteoporosis was defined as follows: 1) osteoporosis if BMD <80mg/cm³, 2) osteopenia if BMD 80–119 mg/cm³, and 3) normal bone mass if BMD≥120 mg/cm³.MethodsThis study was conducted using convenient sampling between 2013 and 2017. Multivariable linear regression model and logistic regression models were used for the associations of continuous and categorical BMD, respectively.ResultsAround 3,405 participants were included in the final analyses, including 1,272 males and 2,133 females, with spine BMD of 111.00±35.47 mg/cm³ and 99.38±40.60 mg/cm³, respectively. Spine BMD decreased significantly with the increase of ABSI in females (adjusted β, ?5.74; 95% confidence interval [CI], ?8.50 to ?2.98), and this trend also was kept in females aged at less than 60 years (adjusted β, ?14.54; 95% CI, ?20.40 to ?8.68), and females with age ≥60 years (adjusted β, ?7.59; 95% CI, ?10.91 to ?4.28). However, this inverse association was observed only in males with age ≥ 60 years (adjusted β, ?5.19; 95% CI, ?10.08 to ?0.29). Except ABSI, negative associations of Spine BMD with WC (adjusted β, ?0.46; 95% CI, ?0.77 to ?0.15), WHR (adjusted β, ?6.25; 95% CI, ?10.63 to ?1.86), WHtR (adjusted β, ?6.80; 95% CI, ?11.63 to ?1.97) were shown in females aged at <60 years, and positive association with BMI in males with age ≥60 years (adjusted β, 0.92; 95% CI, 0.29–1.55).ConclusionsABSI had more remarkable association with spine BMD, compared with the other four indexes.     

Effects of bariatric surgery on patients with obesity and polycystic ovary syndrome: a meta-analysis

BackgroundBariatric surgery is effective for polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), while the exact mechanism remains unclear.ObjectivesTo assess the impact of bariatric surgery on PCOS patients and further explore the possible mechanism.SettingA meta-analysis.MethodsWe searched PubMed, Web of Science, The Cochrane Library, and Embase to identify relevant studies published before November 2020.ResultsTwenty-one studies met our inclusion criteria, and we identified 552 patients with PCOS study. Results showed that the prevalence of preoperative PCOS, menstrual irregularity, hirsutism, type 2 diabetes (T2D), hypertension, infertility, and depression significantly decreased after bariatric surgery. Levels of total testosterone, fasting insulin, and luteinizing hormone (LH) decreased and estradiol increased, while levels of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and LH/FSH did not show significant changes during the 3-month follow-up. There were decreases in testosterone and fasting insulin levels when the postoperative follow-up time was 6 months or ≥12 months. Levels of fasting blood glucose and triglycerides were significantly reduced after 6 months or ≥12 months of bariatric surgery. High-density lipoprotein (HDL) and sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG) significantly improved ≥12 months after bariatric surgery.ConclusionSymptoms of PCOS and related complications are significantly alleviated after bariatric surgery. In addition, we found a significant improvement on anomalous secretion of gonadotropins, glucose metabolism, and lipid metabolism in patients with PCOS after bariatric surgery.     

腹腔镜食管胃吻合肌瓣成形术对于直径>5 cm食管胃结合部肿瘤近端胃切除术后消化道重建安全可行

目的探讨腹腔镜辅助食管胃吻合肌瓣成形术(Kamikawa吻合)在治疗肿瘤最大径>5 cm的食管胃结合部(EGJ)平滑肌瘤或胃肠间质瘤近端胃切除术后消化道重建的安全性及可行性。方法采用描述性病例系列研究方法,回顾性分析广东省中医院胃肠外科2017年9月至2019年3月期间,收治并施行腹腔镜辅助近端胃切除术和Kamikawa吻合的EGJ平滑肌瘤和胃肠间质瘤病例资料。肿瘤均侵犯贲门齿状线,且最大径>5 cm;排除需急诊手术和合并有严重心肺疾病患者后,共4例患者纳入本研究,男性3例,女性1例,年龄29-49岁。患者接受腹腔镜辅助近端胃切除术后,把残胃提出腹腔外,距残胃前壁近端3-4 cm处亚甲蓝标记"H"形,并沿"H"形切开胃壁浆肌层,沿纵行切开线向两侧分离黏膜下层和肌层之间的间隙,制作浆肌瓣;将残胃放回腹腔,腹腔镜下将"H"形上边与食管后壁距断端4-5 cm处间断缝合4针;切开食管残端,在"H"形的下边切开黏膜下层和黏膜层,进入胃腔;腹腔镜下将食管断端后壁与残胃黏膜层和黏膜下层连续缝合,食管断端前壁与残胃全层连续缝合,将胃前壁浆肌瓣缝合包埋食管,完成消化道重建。观察患者术中并发症和术后反流性食管炎和吻合口相关并发症的发生率。结果 4例患者均顺利完成手术,无中转开腹。手术中位时间为239(192-261)min,Kamikawa吻合中位时间为149(102-163)min,术中中位出血量为35(20-200)ml。4例患者均术后第1天拔除腹腔引流管和胃管,并恢复流质饮食,术后住院中位时间为6(6-8)d。术后病理提示,3例平滑肌瘤,1例胃肠间质瘤。术后无吻合口漏及狭窄等并发症,未观察到反流症状。术后中位随访时间22(11-29)个月,4例患者复查胃镜均未见反流性食管炎。结论对于>5 cm的EGJ平滑肌瘤或胃肠间质瘤,近端胃切除术后应用腹腔镜辅助Kamikawa吻合进行消化道重建,安全可行。     

“天玑”骨科手术机器人辅助与徒手穿刺椎体成形术治疗上胸椎骨质疏松性椎体压缩骨折的疗效比较

目的比较"天玑"骨科手术机器人辅助和徒手穿刺椎体成形术治疗上胸椎骨质疏松性椎体压缩骨折(OVCF)的疗效。方法回顾性分析西安交通大学医学院附属红会医院脊柱外科自2018年1月至2019年3月使用"天玑"骨科手术机器人辅助下穿刺完成椎体成形术的19例上胸椎OVCF患者(20个椎体)资料(机器人组)和自2016年1月至2017年12月徒手穿刺完成椎体成形术的21例上胸椎OVCF患者(21个椎体)资料(徒手组)。机器人组男5例,女14例;年龄62~88岁;徒手组男6例,女15例;年龄64~83岁。通过比较两组患者的手术时间、骨水泥注入量、术后并发症(骨水泥渗漏、感染和血管栓塞),术后1 d、末次随访时的疼痛视觉模拟评分(VAS)、Oswestry功能障碍指数(ODI)、伤椎椎体前缘高度(AH)和伤椎后凸角(KA)观察疗效。结果机器人组和徒手组患者术前一般资料比较差异均无统计学意义(P>0.05),具有可比性。机器人组中19例患者(20个椎体)和徒手组中21例患者(21个椎体)均顺利完成单侧穿刺入路椎体成形术。40例患者术后随访6~12个月,平均8.3个月。机器人组的手术时间[(37.9±8.2)min]、骨水泥注入量[(2.3±0.9)mL]、骨水泥渗漏发生率(10.0%,2/20)均少于或低于徒手组[(46.2±9.4)min、(4.2±1.3)mL、42.9%(9/21)],差异有统计学意义(P<0.05)。两组患者均无感染和血管栓塞发生。术后1 d、末次随访时两组间VAS评分、ODI、AH和KA比较差异均无统计学意义(P>0.05)。结论相比于传统徒手穿刺椎体成形术,"天玑"骨科手术机器人辅助下穿刺完成椎体成形术治疗上胸椎(T1~T4)OVCF临床疗效满意,可减少手术时间和骨水泥注入量,并降低骨水泥渗漏的发生率。     

经椎间孔入路经皮内窥镜下腰椎椎间盘切除术治疗腰椎椎间盘突出症的疗效及预后影响因素分析

目的探讨经椎间孔入路经皮内窥镜下腰椎椎间盘切除术(PETD)治疗腰椎椎间盘突出症(LDH)的临床疗效,并探讨影响患者预后的相关因素。方法采用前瞻性队列研究设计,纳入2015年8月—2016年9月诊断为LDH并行PETD治疗的102例患者。分别于术前1 d及术后1 d、3个月、6个月、12个月、36个月时评估疼痛视觉模拟量表(VAS)评分、Oswestry功能障碍指数(ODI)、日本骨科学会(JOA)评分,采用改良MacNab标准评估临床疗效。分析患者临床特征和影像学资料等因素对预后的影响。结果86例患者完成36个月及以上随访,其中男56例、女30例,年龄19~88(46.96±14.03)岁,随访36~46(40.91±3.21)个月。86例患者手术顺利完成,无术中转开放手术。并发症发生率为1.2%(1/86),复发率为5.8%(5/86)。术后1 d、3个月、6个月、12个月、36个月,腰痛和腿痛VAS评分及ODI均较术前下降,JOA评分较术前升高,差异均有统计学意义(P<0.05)。根据改良MacNab标准,术后36个月优良率为94.2%(81/86)。突出髓核(HNP)越大,术后腿痛VAS评分、ODI和JOA评分改善越明显,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05);与体质量指数(BMI)<25 kg/m^2的患者相比,BMI≥25 kg/m^2的患者JOA评分改善较小,差异无统计学意义(P>0.05)。结论PETD治疗LDH可取得满意疗效。HNP大小是影响患者预后的主要因素,BMI可能对预后也有一定影响,但尚需扩大样本量进一步研究。     

超声引导下多点注射抗生素治疗射频消融术后子宫感染

目的 观察超声引导下多点注射抗生素治疗射频消融术后子宫感染的疗效。方法 回顾性分析5例子宫肌瘤射频消融术后并发子宫感染并经超声引导下多点注射抗生素治疗患者,观察其疗效。结果 5例均顺利完成超声引导下多点注射抗生素,未出现相关并发症。5例中,3例治愈;1例好转,经静脉滴注抗生素1周后治愈;1例首次治疗无效,经再次治疗后治愈。治疗后7天,子宫体积显著小于治疗前（t=4.939,P<0.05）。结论 超声引导下多点注射抗生素治疗射频消融术后子宫感染安全、有效。     

A Multilevel Intervention to Increase HPV Vaccination among Asian American Adolescents

Human papillomavirus (HPV) is the most common sexually transmitted infection in the US. HPV vaccine is a viable source of prevention against high-risk strains that are likely to cause cancer. However, particularly among racial and ethnic minorities such as Chinese Americans, HPV vaccination rates are suboptimal. The goal of this study was to evaluate the effect of a culturally tailored intervention on HPV vaccine uptake in Chinese Americans. We designed and implemented a multilevel longitudinal pilot study to examine the efficacy of the HPV intervention among Chinese American parents/guardians. We recruited 180 participants from federally qualified health center and community-based clinics that serve predominantly low-income Chinese Americans in Philadelphia. Participants were randomized into an intervention group (n?=?110) or a control group (n?=?70). The intervention group received an HPV specific intervention, while the control group received a general health intervention. The primary outcome was medical record-confirmed receipt of first shot and completion of HPV vaccine within six months of receiving the interventions. Repeated measure ANOVA was utilized to examine the intervention effect on knowledge between intervention and control groups. Knowledge differed significantly, with participants in the intervention group demonstrating the greatest improvement following the intervention. A multivariable logistic regression was used to examine the association between HPV vaccine initiation and study group assignment. There was a significant effect of provider recommendation, parent’s gender, and health insurance status on HPV vaccine uptake. This study demonstrated positive impact of a culturally tailored intervention on HPV vaccination uptake among Chinese Americans.

     

腹膜外入路腹腔镜下膀胱颈悬吊术治疗压力性尿失禁TVT-O术后失败或复发患者的初步经验

目的报道6例经腹膜外途径腹腔镜下膀胱颈Cooper韧带悬吊术(Burch手术)治疗女性压力性尿失禁行经阴道经闭孔尿道中段无张力悬吊术(TVT-O)术后失败或复发患者的初步经验。方法回顾分析2015年6月至2019年9月我们采用经腹腔镜下腹膜外途径Burch手术治疗的6例女性压力性尿失禁TVT-O术后失败或复发患者。自脐下2 cm处切开皮肤并制造腹膜外空间,用2#0薇荞线将尿道旁侧的阴道壁肌层“8字”缝合后再缝合到同侧Cooper韧带上。观察患者手术时间、出血量、住院时间等。结果所有手术均成功,手术时间(37±6)min,术中出血量(17±7)ml,术后住院时间(4.5±0.5)d。6例随访时间3~45个月,所有病例尿失禁症状均消失,均无感染、膀胱损伤、排尿困难、复发等并发症。结论女性压力性尿失禁患者行TVT-O术失败或复发后,选择腹腔镜下经腹膜外途径Burch术安全、有效,可以获得完全尿控,为临床可选方案。