Private equity in ophthalmology and optometry: a time series analysis from 2012 to 2021.

Purpose: To identify temporal and geographic trends in private equity (PE)-backed acquisitions of ophthalmology and optometry practices in the United States from 2012 to 2021. Methods: In this cross-sectional time series, acquisition data from 10/21/2019 to 9/1/2021 and previously published data from 1/1/2012 to 10/20/2019 were analyzed. Acquisition data were compiled from 6 financial databases, 5 industry news outlets, and publicly available press releases. Linear regression models were used to compare rates of acquisition. Outcomes included number of total acquisitions, practice type, locations, provider details, and geographic footprint. Results: A total of 245 practices associated with 614 clinical locations and 948 ophthalmologists or optometrists were acquired by 30 PE-backed platform companies between 10/21/2019 and 9/1/2021. Of 30 platform companies, 18 were new vis-à-vis our prior study. Of these acquisitions, 127 were comprehensive practices, 29 were retina practices, and 89 were optometry practices. From 2012 to 2021, monthly acquisitions increased by 0.947 acquisitions per year (P < 0.001*). Texas, Florida, Michigan, and New Jersey were the states with the greatest number of PE acquisitions, with 55, 48, 29, and 28 clinic acquisitions, respectively. Average monthly PE acquisitions were 5.71 per month from 1/1/2019 to 2/29/2020 (pre-COVID), 5.30 per month from 3/1/2020 to 12/31/2020 (COVID pre-vaccine [P = 0.81]), and 8.78 per month from 1/1/2021 to 9/1/2021 (COVID post-vaccine [P = 0.20]). Conclusions: PE acquisitions increased during the period 2012-2021 as companies continue to utilize regionally focused strategies for acquisitions.

EPIRETINAL MEMBRANE WITH FOVEAL HERNIATION: Visual and Surgical Outcomes.

PURPOSE: Foveal herniation occurs when neuroretinal tissue protrudes through and above the level of an epiretinal membrane. This study describes the visual symptoms and spectral domain optical coherence tomography findings associated with foveal herniation and evaluates the postoperative visual, anatomical, and surgical outcomes. METHODS: A multicenter retrospective review of patients diagnosed with epiretinal membrane identified 59 patients with preoperative foveal herniation on spectral domain optical coherence tomography. Data regarding visual symptoms, preoperative and postoperative best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), central retinal thickness, macular volume, and size of foveal herniation were collected, and statistical analysis was performed. RESULTS: A total of 58 of the 59 patients with foveal herniation underwent surgical epiretinal membrane peeling, with foveal contour restored in 53.5% of patients after surgery. Average BCVA improved from 20/80 to 20/40 Snellen equivalent at most-recent postoperative visit (P < 0.0001). The average central retinal thickness decreased from 632 µm to 432 µm (P < 0.0001) and the average macular volume decreased from 11.3 mm3 to 9.5 mm3 (P < 0.0001) at 3 months postoperatively. Preoperatively, greater herniation height was associated with worse BCVA (P = 0.008), greater central retinal thickness (P = 0.01), retinoschisis, cystoid macular edema, foveolar detachment, ellipsoid zone abnormality, and external limiting membrane abnormalities (P < 0.05). Postoperatively, there was a decrease in retinoschisis, cystoid macular edema, foveolar detachment, ellipsoid zone, and external limiting membrane abnormality (P < 0.05) on spectral domain optical coherence tomography. CONCLUSION: Patients with larger foveal herniation height had greater preoperative central retinal thickness, worse preoperative and postoperative BCVA, and more intraretinal abnormalities on spectral domain optical coherence tomography. Surgical epiretinal membrane peeling in patients with foveal herniation resulted in a significant improvement in patients' BCVA and microstructural abnormalities.

Anti-infliximab antibodies and clinical response in noninfectious uveitis and scleritis patients treated with infliximab: A retrospective review.

Purpose: To investigate the clinical response to infliximab in ocular inflammation patients who develop anti-infliximab antibodies (AIA) vs. those patients who do not develop AIA. Observations: A retrospective review was performed of patients treated with infliximab for noninfectious uveitis (NIU) or scleritis. Clinical response was determined as a composite clinical endpoint and classified as complete, partial, or absent. Nine of 32 infliximab-treated patients (28%) were found to develop AIA. Among the AIA-positive patients, clinical response was complete in 7 patients (78%) and partial in 2 patients (22%). Among the AIA-negative patients, clinical response was complete in 15 patients (65%), partial in 6 patients (26%) and absent in 2 patients (9%). Serum infliximab levels tended to decrease with appearance of AIA but rarely became undetectable. Conclusions and Importance: In this pilot study, AIA-positive patients did not have diminished clinical response to infliximab when compared with AIA-negative patients. There was a high rate of complete clinical response to infliximab in this group of NIU and scleritis patients. Approximately a quarter of patients developed AIA. AIA-positive patients did not have diminished rates of clinical response when compared with AIA-negative patients. This suggests that routine AIA monitoring may not be clinically useful, although validation of this finding in larger cohorts is necessary.

Bacillary Layer Detachment Associated With Endogenous Fungal Endophthalmitis.

Purpose: To recognize the novel finding of a bacillary layer detachment (BALAD) secondary to endogenous fungal endophthalmitis. Methods: Chart review, literature review. Results: BALAD is a recently described condition in which the photoreceptor layer splits at the level of the inner segment myoid. We describe a case of BALAD associated with endogenous fungal endophthalmitis and subsequent development of choroidal neovascularization, although it is unclear if BALAD contributed to neovessel formation. Conclusions: BALAD is generally seen in the setting of inflammatory or infectious retinal diseases. This is the first report of BALAD secondary to endogenous fungal endophthalmitis.

Inflammatory Complications of Intravitreal Anti-VEGF Injections.

Intravitreal injection of anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (anti-VEGF) agents is a commonly used therapy for numerous retinal diseases. The most commonly used of these medications are bevacizumab, ranibizumab, aflibercept, and brolucizumab. However, intravitreal administration of these agents is also associated with several inflammatory and non-inflammatory adverse events. The three inflammatory adverse events are sterile intraocular inflammation, brolucizumab-associated retinal vasculitis, and post-injection endophthalmitis. This narrative review summarizes the current literature regarding these conditions, including their epidemiology, presentation, management, outcomes, and pathogenesis. The inflammatory adverse events also share a number of overlapping features, which can make them difficult to discern from one another in a clinical context. This review discusses certain distinguishing features of these conditions that may aid providers in discerning between them and establishing the correct diagnosis.

Private Equity in Ophthalmology and Optometry: Analysis of Acquisitions from 2012 through 2019 in the United States.

PURPOSE: To identify temporal and geographic trends in private equity (PE)-backed acquisitions of ophthalmology and optometry practices in the United States. DESIGN: A cross-sectional study using private equity acquisition and investment data from January 1, 2012, through October 20, 2019. PARTICIPANTS: A total of 228 PE acquisitions of ophthalmology and optometry practices in the United States between 2012 and 2019. METHODS: Acquisition and financial investment data were compiled from 6 financial databases, 4 industry news outlets, and publicly available press releases from PE firms or platform companies. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Yearly trends in ophthalmology and optometry acquisitions, including number of total acquisitions, clinical locations, and providers of acquired practices as well as subsequent sales, median holding period, geographic footprint, and financing status of each platform company. RESULTS: A total of 228 practices associated with 1466 clinical locations and 2146 ophthalmologists or optometrists were acquired by 29 PE-backed platform companies. Of these acquisitions, 127, 9, and 92 were comprehensive or multispecialty, retina, and optometry practices, respectively. Acquisitions increased rapidly between 2012 and 2019: 42 practices were acquired between 2012 and 2016 compared to 186 from 2017 through 2019. Financing rounds of platform companies paralleled temporal acquisition trends. Three platform companies, comprising 60% of platforms formed before 2016, were subsequently sold or recapitalized to new PE investors by the end of this study period with a median holding period of 3.5 years. In terms of geographic distribution, acquisitions occurred in 40 states with most PE firms developing multistate platform companies. New York and California were the 2 states with the greatest number of PE acquisitions with 22 and 19, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Private equity-backed acquisitions of ophthalmology and optometry practices have increased rapidly since 2012, with some platform companies having already been sold or recapitalized to new investors. Additionally, private equity-backed platform companies have developed both regionally focused and multistate models of add-on acquisitions. Future research should assess the impact of PE investment on patient, provider, and practice metrics, including health outcomes, expenditures, procedural volume, and staff employment.

Outcomes and complications of iris-fixated intraocular lenses in cases with inadequate capsular support and complex ophthalmic history.

BACKGROUND: To report the indications, visual outcomes, and intra-operative and post-operative complications of iris-sutured posterior chamber intraocular lens (IOL) in eyes with inadequate capsular support and complex ocular history. METHODS: A chart review and data analysis of eyes that underwent iris fixation of posterior chamber (PC) IOL for correction of aphakia, dislocated and subluxed IOLs, ectopia lentis, and IOL exchange. Data included clinical risk factors, associated eye conditions, previous surgeries, and concomitant procedures. The pre-operative and post-operative vision, manifest refraction, endothelial cell density, intraocular pressure (IOP), as well as intra-operative and post-operative complications were also recorded. RESULTS: One hundred and seventeen eyes from 114 patients were examined with a mean follow-up of 22.4 months. The most common identifiable predisposing risk factor was high myopia in 23 eyes. A significant improvement in uncorrected and best corrected visual acuity compared with baseline was observed. The most common post-operative complications included recurrent IOL subluxation in 16 (13.7%) eyes, IOP spike in 7 (5.9%) eyes, cystoid macular oedema in 5 (4.3%) eyes, and epiretinal membrane formation in 4 (3.4%) eyes. There was one (0.85%) case of sterile endophthalmitis. CONCLUSIONS: Iris suture fixation of PC IOLs is a good treatment option for eyes with inadequate capsular support and complex ocular history.

Association of the Affordable Care Act Medicaid Expansion with Dilated Eye Examinations among the United States Population with Diabetes.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the association between Medicaid expansion and diabetic dilated eye examinations. DESIGN: A retrospective difference in differences (DiD) analysis using individual-level survey response data from January 1, 2009, to December 31, 2017. PARTICIPANTS: A total of 52 392 survey responses from 50 states and the District of Columbia between 2009 and 2017. Responders were adults aged 18 to 64 years reporting a previous diagnosis of diabetes and a household income below 138% of the US federal poverty line (FPL). METHODS: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System data were used to identify survey responders who were asked about the presence of dilated eye examinations from years before and after Medicaid expansion implementation. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The DiD in proportion of dilated eye examinations among diabetic persons aged 18 to 64 years with household incomes below 138% of the FPL between states that did and did not implement Medicaid expansion. RESULTS: Implementation of Medicaid expansion policies was associated with a 1.3% (95% confidence interval [CI], -3.8 to 6.4; P = 0.61), 6.3% (95% CI, 1.3-11.3; P = 0.016), 4.1% (95% CI, -0.8 to 9.0; P = 0.11), and 2.3% (95% CI, -1.6 to 6.2; P = 0.23) increase in the proportion of diabetic persons aged 18 to 64 years with incomes below 138% of the FPL receiving a dilated eye examination within the past year due to Medicaid expansion 1, 2, 3, and 4 cumulative years after expansion, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Medicaid expansion policies were significantly associated with an increase in dilated eye examination rates within the first 2 years after implementation. However, this increase did not persist beyond this period, with nonsignificant increases 3 and 4 cumulative years after implementation. Healthcare policymakers should be aware that additional measures beyond expanding insurance coverage may be necessary to increase and sustain the rate of dilated eye examinations among diabetic populations.

Blood Collection within the Maxillary Sinus following Orbital Fracture Repair: The Impact of Mesh Implants and Drains.

This article aimed to assess the effects of (1) mesh (e.g., uncoated anatomic titanium plates) versus non-mesh (e.g., porous polyethylene-coated titanium sheets) implant materials and (2) drain placement on the accumulation of blood within the maxillary sinus following surgical repair of orbital floor fractures. Ninety-two patients who received orbital floor fracture repair between 2008 and 2014 were selected, with equal case numbers between categories: (1) non-mesh implant, without drain; (2) non-mesh implant, with drain; (3) mesh implant, without drain; and (4) mesh implant, with drain. Lesion-mapping software was used to measure blood and sinus volumes in postoperative computed tomographic images. Average postoperative maxillary sinus filling was 49% ± 29%. Average sinus filling was similar between mesh and non-mesh implant materials; this was true in cases with a drain (45 vs. 40%, respectively) and without (57 vs. 52%, respectively). Orbital drain placement was associated with a significant reduction ( p = 0.048) in maxillary sinus filling of 12%. Mesh and non-mesh implant materials allow for similar drainage of orbital blood into the maxillary sinus postoperatively. In the majority of cases, space is available within the maxillary sinus to allow for drainage of orbital blood. Intraoperative drain placement is associated with reduced blood pooling within the maxillary sinus, suggesting it allows for drainage of orbital blood to the outside world.

Knowledge of pelvic floor disorders in women seeking primary care: a cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: Pelvic floor disorders including urinary incontinence (UI) and pelvic organ prolapse (POP) are common conditions; however, most women with these symptoms do not seek care. Failure to seek care may be related to misconceptions about these conditions. The aim of this study was to assess the baseline knowledge of UI and POP among adult women presenting to primary care clinics, as well as factors associated with knowledge levels. METHODS: A survey with questions from previously validated UI and POP knowledge questionnaires (PIKQ-UI and PIKQ-POP, respectively) was self-administered to a cross-sectional group of adult female patients presenting to three primary care clinics: geriatric, community-based, and hospital-based. Participants' demographics and medical histories were compared using ANOVA or Kruskal-Wallis for continuous variables and Chi-square test or Fisher's exact test for categorical variables. In order to compare various covariates with knowledge non-proficiency on PIKQ-UI and PIKQ-POP scales, unadjusted and adjusted ORs with 95% CIs were calculated using bivariate analysis and multivariate logistic regression, respectively. RESULTS: Of 346 participants, knowledge non-proficiency was similar and consistent across clinic sites and reached 72.0% for UI and 53.6% for POP. On multivariate analysis, lower educational attainment, being unaware of UI or POP as medical conditions, and having no history of care-seeking for these conditions were significantly associated with knowledge non-proficiency on UI, POP, or both. CONCLUSIONS: Knowledge non-proficiency for UI and POP is common among women presenting for primary care. For UI, healthcare providers should assess patients' actual understanding of the disease, especially among those with lower educational attainment, to eliminate any possible misconceptions. For POP, the focus should be on increasing awareness of this disease, as many women may have not previously heard of this condition. Simple strategies may increase knowledge in these areas and change care-seeking behaviors. STUDY REGISTRATION: None.

Visual Acuity Outcomes after Cataract Surgery: High-Volume versus Low-Volume Surgeons.

PURPOSE: The primary objective was to assess associations between annual surgeon case volume and visual acuity outcomes after cataract surgery. Secondary objectives included (1) assessing associations between other case and patient characteristics and visual acuity outcomes and (2) assessing associations between annual surgeon case volume and complication rates. DESIGN: Database study. PARTICIPANTS: All adult eyes that underwent small-incision cataract surgery (SICS) or phacoemulsification cataract extraction (PECE) with intraocular lens placement at the Aravind Eye Hospital, Madurai, India, during 2015. METHODS: Descriptive statistics were used to characterize the study population. Uncorrected visual acuity (UCVA) at follow-up was assessed relative to annual surgeon case volume and other case and demographic factors using bivariate linear regression with random effects modeling. Factors with P values of less than 0.20 on bivariate regression were included in multivariate linear regression with random effects modeling. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Postoperative UCVA after cataract surgery. RESULTS: Of 91 084 surgeries, 35 880 eyes were included in this study. Cases were performed by 69 surgeons, who varied in annual case volume from 76 to 2900 cases during the study period. Increasing annual surgeon case volume was independently associated with a statistically significant but clinically modest improvement in UCVA in PECE but not in SICS. This association was most pronounced when comparing surgeons with case volumes of 350 PECE/year or fewer; surgeons with more than 350 PECE/year had similar results to one another. Similarly, increased annual case volume was associated with significantly lower complication rates, both in PECE and SICS. Younger patient age was independently associated with improved visual acuity outcomes and lower complication rates in both PECE and SICS. Greater surgeon experience was associated with lower complication rates in PECE, but not SICS, and there was no significant association with visual acuity outcomes. CONCLUSIONS: High-volume cataract surgeons showed improved visual acuity outcomes in PECE and lower complication rates in PECE and SICS. These findings further support the benefit of high-output ophthalmology clinics wherein individual surgeons perform a high number of cataract extractions annually, particularly in developing nations where there is a large backlog of untreated cataracts and the cataract patient-to-surgeon ratio is high.

Similarity in Bilateral Isolated Internal Orbital Fractures.

PURPOSE: In evaluating patients sustaining bilateral isolated internal orbital fractures, the authors have observed both similar fracture locations and also similar expansion of orbital volumes. In this study, we aim to investigate if there is a propensity for the 2 orbits to fracture in symmetrically similar patterns when sustaining similar trauma. METHODS: A retrospective chart review was performed studying all cases at our institution of bilateral isolated internal orbital fractures involving the medial wall and/or the floor at the time of presentation. The similarity of the bilateral fracture locations was evaluated using the Fisher's exact test. The bilateral expanded orbital volumes were analyzed using the Wilcoxon signed-rank test to assess for orbital volume similarity. RESULTS: Twenty-four patients with bilateral internal orbital fractures were analyzed for fracture location similarity. Seventeen patients (70.8%) had 100% concordance in the orbital subregion fractured, and the association between the right and the left orbital fracture subregion locations was statistically significant (P < 0.0001). Fifteen patients were analyzed for orbital volume similarity. The average orbital cavity volume was 31.2 ± 3.8 cm on the right and 32.0 ± 3.7 cm on the left. There was a statistically significant difference between right and left orbital cavity volumes (P = 0.0026). CONCLUSIONS: The data from this study suggest that an individual who suffers isolated bilateral internal orbital fractures has a statistically significant similarity in the location of their orbital fractures. However, there does not appear to be statistically significant similarity in the expansion of the orbital volumes in these patients.

Pre-departure Training for Healthcare Students Going Abroad: Impact on Preparedness.

BACKGROUND: Many medical and nursing schools offer opportunities for students to participate in global health experiences abroad, but little is known about the efficacy of pre-departure training in preparing students for these experiences. OBJECTIVES: The primary aim was to identify characteristics of pre-departure training associated with participants' reporting a high level of preparedness for their global health experiences. Secondary objectives included identifying students' preferred subjects of study and teaching modalities for pre-departure training. METHODS: A questionnaire was distributed to all medical and nursing students at our institution from 2013 to 2015. Questions addressed prior global health experiences and pre-departure training, preferences for pre-departure training, and demographic information. Findings: Of 517 respondents, 55% reported having a prior global health experience abroad, 77% of whom felt prepared for their experience. Fifty-three percent received pre-departure training. Simply receiving pre-departure training was not associated with perceived preparedness, but pre-departure training in the following learning domains was: travel safety, personal health, clinical skills, cultural awareness, and leadership. Perceiving pre-departure training as useful was also independently associated with self-reported preparedness. Students' preferred instruction methods included discussion, lecture, and simulation, and their most desired subjects of study were travel safety (81%), cultural skills (87%), and personal health (82%). CONCLUSIONS: Incorporating travel safety, personal health, clinical skills, cultural awareness, and/or leadership into pre-departure training may increase students' preparedness for global health experiences. Student perceptions of the usefulness of pre-departure training is also associated with self-reported preparedness, suggesting a possible "buy-in" effect.

Trachomatous scarring among children in a formerly hyper-endemic district of Tanzania.

BACKGROUND: Associations between repeated ocular infections with Chlamydia trachomatis in childhood and conjunctival scarring in adulthood are well established. Trachomatous scarring (TS) in children has also been observed in hyper-endemic areas, but data are scant regarding childhood scarring in areas where trachoma has been reduced to hypo-endemic levels. METHODS/PRINCIPLE FINDINGS: In this cross-sectional study, a random sample of children, ages 1-9 years, were selected from 38 communities in the formerly hyper-endemic district of Kongwa, Tanzania. Each participant received an ocular examination and eye-swab test for C. trachomatis infection. Conjunctival photographs were taken and analyzed at 5x magnification to determine scarring presence and severity. Community-level case clustering was assessed using intra-class correlation coefficients, and associations between TS presence and demographic/clinical factors were assessed using contingency table analyses. 1,496 children (78% of eligible) participated in this study. The mean age was 5.5 years and 51% were female. Scarring prevalence was 2.1% (95% CI: 1.5%- 3.0%). The prevalence of follicular trachoma and ocular C. trachomatis infection were 3.2% and 6.5%, respectively. Most TS cases (68.7%) fell into the mildest category, grade S1. 18.7% were grade S2; 12.6% were grade S3. No significant associations were seen between TS presence and age, sex, follicular trachoma, or active ocular C. trachomatis infection (p-values: 0.14, 0.48, 0.27, 0.15, respectively). Thirty communities (78.9%) had 0-1 TS cases, and the most seen in any single community was four cases. Three years ago, follicular trachoma prevalence averaged 4.9% in communities with 0-1 TS cases, but 7.6% in communities with 2-4 TS cases (p-value: 0.08). CONCLUSIONS: In this formerly hyper-endemic district of Tanzania, TS was rare in 1-9 year-olds and usually mild when present. Communities with higher rates of follicular trachoma in the past were more likely to have ≥2 cases of scarring, but the association was not statistically significant.

Global Health Career Interest among Medical and Nursing Students: Survey and Analysis.

BACKGROUND: Global health experiences undertaken in international settings (GHEs) are becoming an increasingly prevalent aspect of health professions education and, as such, merit comprehensive analysis of the impact they have on students and host communities. OBJECTIVE: To assess the associations between demographic/experiential factors and the interest of health professions students in careers involving global health. METHODS: A cross-sectional survey was administered online to a convenience sample of medical and nursing students at Johns Hopkins University. Questions addressed level of interest in a global health career, prior GHEs, and demographic information. Items were either Likert scale or multiple choice. Various regression analyses were performed. FINDINGS: Of 510 respondents, 312 (61.2%) expressed interest in a global health career and 285 (55.9%) had prior GHEs. Multivariate logistic regression found female sex, age ≥27 years, household income <$100,000/y, and a prior research-related GHE independently associated with higher interest in global health careers. On subset analysis of participants with one or more prior GHEs: age ≥27 years, household income <$100,000/y, a prior research-related GHE, and having multiple GHEs were each independently associated with increased interest in a global health career. CONCLUSIONS: Simply participating in a global health experience abroad is not significantly associated with interest in a global health career. However, sex, age, household income, and research-related GHEs are significantly associated with global health career interest. These findings may inform the development of global health programs at medical and nursing schools and can guide efforts to increase the number of health care professionals entering global health careers.

Trachomatous Scarring and Infection With Non-Chlamydia Trachomatis Bacteria in Women in Kongwa, Tanzania.

Purpose: To assess for an association between conjunctival infection with nonchlamydial bacterial species and the presence of trachomatous scarring (TS) in women in central Tanzania. Methods: Cross-sectional data were collected from a random sample of women ages 18 and older in 47 trachoma-endemic communities in Kongwa, Tanzania. Each participant completed a survey, provided a conjunctival swab sample, and received an ocular exam to assess for TS. Biologic samples were cultured for bacterial growth and speciation. Contingency tables were used to assess the associations between TS and bacterial carriage. Results: Complete data was provided by 3882 women (80.7% of invitees). Of all samples, 14% resulted in a positive bacterial isolate. There was no association between TS and nonchlamydial bacterial carriage, whether assessed by species, pathogenicity, or in aggregate. There was a significant association between increasing age and TS severity, but not between age and bacterial carriage. No Corynebacterium was found in the swabs. Conclusions: This study found no association between TS and nonchlamydial ocular infections, although associations with Corynebacterium cannot be ruled out.

"Hiker's feet": a novel cutaneous finding in the inflammatory myopathies.

Mechanic's hands is a well-characterized manifestation of select idiopathic inflammatory myopathy (IIM) syndromes. Less well characterized is the hyperkeratosis of the toes and plantar surface of the feet that can also accompany these disorders. We aim to describe common pedal signs in the context of IIM, and suggest that it may be another key feature in the presentation of these syndromes. A cohort of 2145 myositis patient charts gathered since 2003 were retrospectively reviewed using the key search terms "mechanic's feet" and/or "mechanic's foot." Charts that included either phrase were further reviewed for clinical characteristics. Nine patients were identified with documentation describing "mechanic's feet" or "mechanic's foot." All nine affected individuals carried a diagnosis of DM, seven of whom also met criteria for antisynthetase syndrome. In eight patients (89%), it presented in conjunction with mechanic's hands. Six (67%) presented with anti-Jo-1 antibodies, and three (33%) were seronegative. Although the term "mechanic's feet" has been used to describe this clinical finding in patients in our myositis cohort, we propose the term "hiker's feet," given that the presentation resembles a callousing pattern more typical of avid hikers or long-distance walkers. Prevalence data are not yet known but should be considered for further study. If the presenting signs of IIM are expanded to include hiker's feet, it could aid in not only diagnosis and management but also provide insights into the pathophysiology of these diseases.