The association between hepatitis C infection and survival after orthotopic liver transplantation

BACKGROUND & AIMS: The effect of hepatitis C viral (HCV) infection on patient and allograft survival after orthotopic liver transplantation is controversial. Hepatitis C recurrence after transplant is inevitable, but studies to date have not found a survival difference between recipients with and without HCV. METHODS: Using data from the United Network for Organ Sharing, we performed a retrospective cohort study of 11,036 patients who underwent 11,791 liver transplants between 1992 and 1998. The hazard rates of patient and allograft survival for patients who were HCV-positive as compared with patients who were HCV-negative were assessed by proportional-hazards analysis, with adjustment for potential confounding variables, including donor, recipient, and transplant center characteristics. RESULTS: Liver transplantation in HCV-positive recipients was associated with an increased rate of death (hazard ratio, 1.23; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.12-1.35) and allograft failure (hazard ratio, 1.30; 95% CI, 1.21-1.39), as compared with transplantation in HCV-negative recipients. This reduction in survival persisted after adjusting for potential confounders. There was an interaction between HCV and sex (P < 0.001) with the effect of HCV on survival being most pronounced in female recipients (patient survival hazard ratio, 1.56; 95% CI, 1.35-1.81; allograft survival hazard ratio, 1.51; 95% CI, 1.34-1.70). CONCLUSIONS: HCV infection significantly impairs patient and allograft survival after liver transplantation.     

Health Services Research in Rehabilitation and Disability—The Time is Now

Policy drives practice, and health services research (HSR) is at the intersection of policy, practice, and patient outcomes. HSR specific to rehabilitation and disability is particularly needed. As rehabilitation researchers and providers, we are uniquely positioned to provide the evidence that guides reforms targeting rehabilitative care. We have the expertise to define the value of rehabilitation in a policy-relevant context. HSR is a powerful tool for providing this evidence. We need to continue building capacity for conducting rigorous, timely rehabilitation-related HSR. Fostering stakeholder engagement in these research efforts will ensure we maintain a patient-centered focus as we address the “Triple Aim” of better care, better health, and better value. In this Special Communication we discuss the role of rehabilitation researchers in HSR. We also provide information on current resources available in our field for conducting HSR and identify gaps for capacity building and future research. Health care reforms are a reality, and through HSR we can give rehabilitation a strong voice during these transformative times.     

以社区为基础的静脉吸毒人群共用注射器具行为特征研究

目的 了解凉山彝族自治州某地静脉吸毒人群共用注射器具的行为特征。方法 以社区为基础调查静脉吸毒人群人口学和共用注射器具吸毒行为情况。结果 在静脉吸毒的379人中，曾经共用注射器具的247人(65．2％)；近3个月使用别人用过的注射器具吸毒的166人(43．8％)。本人静脉注射转变到与他人共用注射器具吸毒的平均时间为363．73天，其中87人(35．2％)首次静脉注射吸毒即与他人共用注射器具。彝族吸毒人群从本人静脉吸毒转变到与他人共用注射器具吸毒的时间短，与他人共用注射器具吸毒的次数，以及近3个月使用别人用过的注射器具吸毒的次数，高于其他吸毒人群。低文化水平吸毒人群从本人静脉吸毒转变到与他人共用注射器具吸毒的时间短，与他人共用注射器具吸毒的次数，以及近3个月使用别人用过的注射器具吸毒的次数，高于其他吸毒人群。结论 针对彝族和低文化水平吸毒人群开展干预，以改变共用注射器具静脉吸毒的高危行为。     

Early Changes in Liver Distribution Following Implementation of Share 35

In June 2013, a change to the liver waitlist priority algorithm was implemented. Under Share 35, regional candidates with MELD ≥ 35 receive higher priority than local candidates with MELD < 35. We compared liver distribution and mortality in the first 12 months of Share 35 to an equivalent time period before. Under Share 35, new listings with MELD ≥ 35 increased slightly from 752 (9.2% of listings) to 820 (9.7%, p = 0.3), but the proportion of deceased‐donor liver transplants (DDLTs) allocated to recipients with MELD ≥ 35 increased from 23.1% to 30.1% (p < 0.001). The proportion of regional shares increased from 18.9% to 30.4% (p < 0.001). Sharing of exports was less clustered among a handful of centers (Gini coefficient decreased from 0.49 to 0.34), but there was no evidence of change in CIT (p = 0.8). Total adult DDLT volume increased from 4133 to 4369, and adjusted odds of discard decreased by 14% (p = 0.03). Waitlist mortality decreased by 30% among patients with baseline MELD > 30 (SHR = 0.70, p < 0.001) with no change for patients with lower baseline MELD (p = 0.9). Posttransplant length‐of‐stay (p = 0.2) and posttransplant mortality (p = 0.9) remained unchanged. In the first 12 months, Share 35 was associated with more transplants, fewer discards, and lower waitlist mortality, but not at the expense of CIT or early posttransplant outcomes.     

Trends and Patterns in Reporting of Patient Safety Situations in Transplantation

Analysis and dissemination of transplant patient safety data are essential to understanding key issues facing the transplant community and fostering a “culture of safety.” The Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network's (OPTN) Operations and Safety Committee de‐identified safety situations reported through several mechanisms, including the OPTN's online patient safety portal, through which the number of reported cases has risen sharply. From 2012 to 2013, 438 events were received through either the online portal or other reporting pathways, and about half were self‐reports. Communication breakdowns (22.8%) and testing issues (16.0%) were the most common types. Events included preventable errors that led to organ discard as well as near misses. Among events reported by Organ Procurement Organization (OPOs), half came from just 10 of the 58 institutions, while half of events reported by transplant centers came from just 21 of 250 institutions. Thirteen (23%) OPOs and 155 (62%) transplant centers reported no events, suggesting substantial underreporting of safety‐related errors to the national database. This is the first comprehensive, published report of the OPTN's safety efforts. Our goals are to raise awareness of safety data recently reported to the OPTN, encourage additional reporting, and spur systems improvements to mitigate future risk.     

基于SWOT分析的中医院校大型仪器共享平台建设与管理

目的：通过对中医院校大型仪器平台建设进行可行性分析,实现大型仪器设备共享平台,提供有效服务,促进持续发展。方法：通过SWOT分析法,列举平台建设的内在优势和弱势、外在机会和挑战。结果：使用SWOT战略分析方法,提出大型仪器设备共享平台建设在进攻、调整、防御和生存四种状态识别的相应策略及建议。结论：实现大型仪器设备共享,须基于现实条件,将对外协同研究科研平台作为突破口,采取创新管理模式,争取国家项目支持,逐步筑牢开放、协作共享的战略手段与方法。     

中国的生物信息库和伦理问题

1998年,科技部在上海成立了国家南方和北方人类基因研究中心,两个研究中心建立了与疾病有关的信息库;2007年,泰州市开展了人群健康追踪研究项目;温州市于2008年建立了温州医学院中心生物信息库;中国法医DNA数据库自1998年开始建设,并发挥了具体作用;中国慢性病kadoorle研究与肿瘤基因组学研究项目也得以开展;香港建成了几个遗传信息库,台湾生物数据的研究也已开展。但有一些生物数据库在具体的实践中,也遇到了许多伦理难题,应随着生物信息库的建立和使用尽快解决。     

Risk factors for development of new-onset diabetes mellitus after transplant in adult lung transplant recipients

The objectives of this study are to examine the incidence of new-onset diabetes mellitus after transplant (NODAT) and to identify its risk factors in adult lung transplant recipients using the Organ Procurement and Transplant Network/United Network of Organ Sharing database. Between July 2004 and December 2007, a total of 3540 adults (≥18 yr old) received their first single- or double-lung transplant alone and had at least one follow-up report of post-transplant diabetic status. Among these, 2991 recipients were identified as not having diabetes mellitus (DM) pre-transplant. Risk factors for NODAT were examined. DM was newly reported in 33.4% of the 2991 recipients over the median follow-up time of 670 d. Significant independent risk factors for the development of NODAT included male gender (HR = 1.15), recipient age ≥50 (1.46), African American (1.39), higher body mass index (1.51 for ≥30 vs. 18-25), cystic fibrosis (3.30), and tacrolimus use at discharge (1.67). NODAT occurred in a third of adult lung transplant recipients during the median follow-up period. Some of the risk factors for NODAT after lung transplant are similar to those reported in other solid-organ transplants. Cystic fibrosis is a strong risk factor for development of NODAT after lung transplant.