Patient- and Procedure-Specific Variables Associated With Removal or Revision of Radial Head Arthroplasty.

Introduction The purpose of this retrospective review was to identify risk factors associated with removal or revision following radial head arthroplasty. Methods Patients undergoing primary radial head arthroplasty between 2009 and 2015 with a minimum follow-up of 1 year were identified. Descriptive and bivariate statistics were used to analyze the characteristics of patients requiring implant removal or revision and multivariable analysis was performed to calculate hazard ratios. Results There were 312 patients included in the final cohort with a median follow-up of 3.8 years. Thirty-five patients (11.2%) underwent prosthesis removal or revision. There was an increased percentage of implants removed or revised in patients under age 40, with surgery performed for chronic indications compared to acute trauma, and with the use of press-fit stems compared to polished. Discussion It appears younger patient age, chronic surgical indications, and certain aspects of prosthesis design may influence rates of removal or revision.

Comparison of coronary revascularization strategies in older adults presenting with acute coronary syndromes.

BACKGROUND: The optimal coronary revascularization strategy to maximize the patient-centered outcome of days alive and out of hospital (DAOH), in multimorbid older (≥65-years) adults after an acute coronary syndrome (ACS) is incompletely understood. METHODS: Using Kaiser Permanente Northern California Health Plan databases, we identified 3871 patients ≥65-years presenting with ACS between 1/1/2010-3/1/2018 who underwent coronary revascularization with either coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG, N = 1575) or multivessel percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI, N = 2296). Selection bias was accounted for through propensity score modeling techniques and inverse probability of treatment weighting. Cox proportional hazards models were fit to evaluate the association of revascularization type with outcomes. PRIMARY OUTCOMES: Absolute DAOH and the relative risk of achieving ≥90%DAOH during three time intervals. SECONDARY OUTCOMES: All-cause mortality, recurrent MI, stroke, rehospitalization, repeat revascularization, and dialysis initiation. RESULTS: CABG (compared to PCI) was associated with greater absolute number of DAOH, significant after the first year (mean difference at 1-year: +5.8 days, 95% confidence interval [CI], -1.6 to 13 days; 3-years: +56 days, 95%CI, +25 to +88 days; 5-years: + 131 days, 95%CI, +57 to +205 days). The relative risk of achieving ≥90% DAOH significantly favored CABG after the first year (1-year:1.02, 95%CI, 0.98-1.05; 3-years:1.06, 95%CI 1.002-1.11, 5-years:1.12, 95%CI, 1.03-1.22), and was related to lower incidences of all-cause mortality, repeat revascularization, rehospitalization, incident dialysis, and nonfatal MI with CABG. CONCLUSIONS: In older adults with multivessel or left main coronary artery disease who presented with ACS, CABG, after the first year, was associated with a greater absolute number of DAOH-a geriatric and patient-centered outcome, compared to PCI. CABG patients also had a higher probability of achieving ≥90%DAOH-with lower all-cause mortality, recurrent MI, repeat revascularization, new dialysis, and rehospitalization rates. Future randomized trials should study the impact of optimal revascularization strategies on the quality of life of older adults with multimorbidity.

Increased Rates of Obstetric Complications Prior to Systemic Sclerosis Diagnosis.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate whether obstetric complications prior to systemic sclerosis (SSc) diagnosis are more common in SSc patients compared to the general obstetric population. METHODS: A case-control study was performed at Kaiser Permanente Northern California to compare prior obstetric complications in adult women who later developed SSc (cases) with women from the general obstetric population who did not develop SSc (controls; matched 10:1 by age and year of delivery) from 2007 to 2016. Exposures included past hypertensive disorders of pregnancy (preeclampsia, eclampsia, gestational hypertension), premature rupture of membranes (PROM), intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR), maternal infections, neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) admission, and preterm birth. Fischer's exact tests were used to compare categorical variables. Conditional logistic regression models estimated the odds ratio (OR), and corresponding 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs) for the outcome SSc. RESULTS: Seventeen SSc cases and 170 non-SSc controls were identified, with median maternal age at delivery 34 years (range 23-46 years) and median time from delivery to SSc diagnosis 2 years (range 0.2-7.3 years). Women with SSc were more likely to be Hispanic and Black. Prior obstetric complications appeared higher in women with an eventual SSc diagnosis compared to controls (70.6% versus 50%), including hypertensive disorders (17.7% versus 9.4%), PROM (11.8% versus 4.1%), IUGR (5.9% versus 1.8%), maternal infection (29.4% versus 14.1%), NICU admissions (23.5% versus 7.7%), and preterm delivery (29.4% versus 21.8%). Women with SSc had a higher odds of delivering infants requiring NICU admission (OR 4.7 [95% CI 1.2-18.8]). CONCLUSION: Women who eventually develop SSc had trends toward more complicated pregnancy histories before overt diagnosis.

Variation in physician-directed immunohistochemistry screening among women with endometrial cancer.

OBJECTIVE: Immunohistochemistry screening is a reliable method for identifying women with endometrial cancer who are at risk for Lynch syndrome, but clinical workflows used to implement immunohistochemistry screening protocols can vary by institution. The goal of this study was to investigate variation in performance of immunohistochemistry screening when a physician order is required. METHODS: Retrospective study from an integrated healthcare system with a risk-based immunohistochemistry screening policy for Lynch syndrome from January 2015 to December 2016. Immunohistochemistry screening was indicated for all women with endometrial cancer aged <60 years and women with endometrial cancer aged ≥60 years who had a personal/family history suggestive of Lynch syndrome. However, a physician order was needed to have immunohistochemistry screening performed on the tumor specimen as our health system did not have reflex screening in the clinical workflow. Demographics and tumor characteristics were reviewed, and patients were stratified by immunohistochemistry screening status. Multivariable regression was performed to identify factors associated with immunohistochemistry performance and reported as odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs). RESULTS: There were 1399 eligible patients in the study. With a required physician order, immunohistochemistry screening rates (20% overall, 34% aged <60 years) were significantly lower than previous reports (36% overall, 90% aged <60 years, p≤0.0001 for both comparisons). Significant factors associated with immunohistochemistry screening performance identified by multivariable analysis included age, race, body mass index, personal/family cancer history, diabetes, endometrioid histology, and tumor grade. Asian women were most likely to have immunohistochemistry screening (OR 1.58, 95% CI 1.07 to 2.34) whereas black women were least likely (OR 0.43, 95% CI 0.22 to 0.91). CONCLUSIONS: Immunohistochemistry screening rates in women with endometrial cancer were lower in our health system compared with prior reports in the literature, and there were variations in screening performance according to patient age, race, and body mass index. Requiring a physician order for immunohistochemistry screening likely creates a barrier in screening uptake, therefore automated immunohistochemistry screening is recommended.

The Correlation of the Trans-Atlantic Inter-Society Consensus Classification to Outcomes of Pedal Amputations.

In an attempt at limb salvage for patients with peripheral arterial disease, revascularization is often performed prior to pedal amputation. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the association between proximal arterial lesions, based on Trans-Atlantic Inter-Society Consensus aortoiliac, femoropopliteal, and infrapopliteal classifications, and healing pedal amputations post endovascular revascularization. Patients with revascularization up to 90 days prior to pedal amputation with a minimum of 12 months postoperative follow-up were included. Each level of proximal disease was subdivided into Trans-Atlantic Inter-Society Consensus classifications A through D, which range in severity from a single short stenosis or occlusion to more complex stenoses and chronic total occlusion. For comparison, we categorized A and/or B lesions into Group 1 and C and/or D lesions into Group 2. The frequency of proximal lesions was recorded as either isolated, bi-level, or multilevel disease. Chi-square and Fisher's exact tests were used to compare categorical variables. Of the 310 patients, there were a total of 68 aortoiliac, 256 femoropopliteal, and 172 infrapopliteal lesions; 140 patients had isolated lesions, 154 had bi-level disease, and 16 had multilevel disease. Although not statistically significant, patients in Group 1 (A and/or B lesions) had higher proportion of failed amputation compared to Group 2 (C and/or D lesions) in either aortoiliac (84.4% vs 15.6%, p = .17), femoropopliteal (61.2% vs 38.8%, p = .72), or infrapopliteal (57.3% vs 42.7%, p = .44). Bi-level disease showed a higher proportion of failure (50.6%) compared to isolated lesions (43.8%) and multilevel disease (5.6%), (p = .86). To our knowledge, this is the first study to evaluate the association between Trans-Atlantic Inter-Society Consensus arterial lesions and incisional healing of pedal amputations. Despite our belief, there was no correlation between patients with simple, isolated lesions compared to either complex arterial lesions or multilevel disease in healing pedal amputations.

Risk of Non-Melanoma Skin Cancer in Connective Tissue Disease and The Impact of Immunosuppressive Therapy.

The risk of skin cancer in connective tissue disease and the impact of immunosuppressive therapy on this risk has not been well studied. The objective of this study is to investigate the risk of non-melanoma skin cancer in patients with connective tissue disease and to assess the impact of immunosuppressive therapy on this risk. This is a retrospective case control cohort study of 8281 patients with connective tissue disease (systemic lupus erythematosus, Sjogren’s disease and scleroderma) and 8281 age, race, and gender matched controls followed for a 5-year period between 2002-2012, who obtained their care from a large integrated multispecialty group practice in Northern California. The odds ratio for developing squamous cell skin cancer among patients with connective tissue disease was 1.47 (95% CI, 1.14-1.90) (P=0.003) while the odds ratio for developing all non-melanoma skin cancer was 1.26 (95% CI, 1.08-1.49) (P=0.005). Patients on immunosuppressive medication for at least one year had an OR of 1.69 (95% CI, 1.16-2.45) of developing non-melanoma skin cancer (P=0.006) when controlled for age, race, gender, type of connective tissue disease, smoking status, and health care utilization. Our study shows an increased risk of non-melanoma skin cancer among patients with connective tissue disease. We also note that patients on immunosuppressive therapy for at least one year had an increased incidence of non-melanoma skin cancer. Further studies are needed to confirm these findings. J Drugs Dermatol. 2020;19(5):  doi:10.36849/JDD.2020.4781.

Comparison of two Lynch screening strategies in endometrial cancer in a California health system.

OBJECTIVE: Compare detection of Lynch syndrome in endometrial cancer between regions of a health care system with different screening strategies. METHODS: A retrospective study of endometrial cancer (EC) cases from 2 regions of an integrated health care system (Kaiser Permanente Northern (KPNC) and Southern (KPSC) California). Within KPNC, immunohistochemistry tumor screening (IHC) was physician ordered and risk-based; within KPSC, IHC was universal and automated. Clinical risk factors associated with abnormal IHC and Lynch Syndrome (LS) were identified. RESULTS: During the study, there were 2045 endometrial cancers: 1399 in the physician-order group and 646 in the universal testing group. In the physician-order group: among women < age 60, 34% underwent IHC; 9.6% were abnormal, and 3% were possible LS after methylation testing; among women ≥60, 11% underwent IHC, 3% were abnormal and <1% were possible LS. In the universal group, 87% of women age <60 had IHC, 19.4% were abnormal, and 6% were possible LS; Among women age ≥60, 82% underwent IHC, 26% were abnormal, and 2% were possible LS. There were no differences in LS cases between the physician-order group and the universal group in either age strata (<60: 3% vs. 3.6%, p=0.62; ≥60: <1% vs. 1%, p=0.63) Factors associated with LS were younger age (odds ratio (OR) 0.11, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.04-0.29) and lower body mass index (BMI), (OR 0.38 95% CI 0.18-0.80). CONCLUSIONS: Universal IHC screening did not result in increased LS detection in EC.

The Effects of Endovascular Timing and In-line Flow on the Success of Pedal Amputations.

There has been a growing trend toward endovascular intervention to improve peripheral flow in patients with peripheral arterial disease. To date, there is no clear consensus regarding timing of lower-extremity amputations after revascularization. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of timing between endovascular intervention and minor lower-extremity amputations and its influence on wound healing and limb loss within 1 year. A secondary purpose was to evaluate the impact of restoring in-line flow on healing rates. A total of 310 patients who underwent endovascular intervention and a minor lower-extremity amputation within 90 days were included in the study. Healing rates were defined as optimal, delayed, or failure. There was a statistically significant difference between patients with optimal healing to delayed healing and amputation ≥30 days after endovascular intervention (p = .037). We found no difference in healing rates in regard to amputation timing when examining patients who ultimately healed versus patients who failed to heal (p = .6717). Absence of in-line flow (p = .0177), male sex (p = .0090) and diabetes mellitus (p = .0076) were statistically significant factors for failing to heal. Presence of infection (p ≤ .0001) and wound dehiscence (p ≤ .001) were also associated with a failure to heal. End-stage renal disease trended toward significance for failing to heal (p = .065). Amputation-free survival at 1 year after endovascular intervention and pedal amputation was 76.8% (n = 238). Our findings suggest that in the absence of infection, performing minor lower-extremity amputations 15 to 60 days after endovascular intervention may allow for improved healing. Absence of in-line flow, male sex, diabetes mellitus, postoperative infection, and wound dehiscence are significant factors for failure.

Increased Mortality in Asians With Systemic Sclerosis in Northern California.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study is to evaluate racial/ethnic differences in disease manifestations and survival in a US cohort of patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc), with a focus on Asian patients. METHODS: A retrospective cohort study was conducted among Kaiser Permanente Northern California adults with an incident SSc diagnosis by a rheumatologist from 2007 to 2016, confirmed by a chart review to fulfill 2013 American College of Rheumatology (ACR)/European League Against Rheumatism (EULAR) classification criteria. Self-reported race/ethnicity was categorized as non-Hispanic white, Asian, Hispanic, and black. Disease manifestations and survival were compared, using white patients as the reference. RESULTS: A total of 609 patients with incident SSc were identified: 89% were women, and 81% had limited cutaneous SSc, with a mean age at diagnosis of 55.4 ± 14.8 years. The racial/ethnic distribution was 51% non-Hispanic white (n = 310), 25% Hispanic (n = 154), 16% Asian (n = 96), and 8% black (n = 49). Compared with white patients, black patients had a greater prevalence of diffuse disease (14.5% vs. 44.9%; P < 0.001), and Asians had higher rates of anti-U1-RNP antibodies (32.1% vs. 11.9%; P = 0.005). Nine-year overall survival rates following SSc diagnosis were lower in Asian (52.3%), black (52.2%), and Hispanic patients (68.2%) compared with white patients (75.8%). Pulmonary hypertension and infections were the leading causes of death in Asian patients. Asian race was associated with higher mortality on univariable (hazard ratio [HR] 1.83 [95% confidence interval (CI) 1.08-2.99]; P = 0.020) and multivariable analyses (HR 1.80 [95% CI 0.99-3.16]; P = 0.047) when adjusting for age, sex, body mass index, cutaneous subtype, smoking status, interstitial lung disease, pulmonary hypertension, renal crisis, and malabsorption syndrome. CONCLUSION: Asian patients with SSc in this US cohort had increased mortality compared with white patients. These patients warrant close monitoring for disease progression.