Impact of Clevidipine Versus Nicardipine on Time in Range when Lowering Blood Pressure.

Background: Two intravenous medications commonly used as first-line therapy for rapid blood pressure control are nicardipine and clevidipine, both of which are available as titratable infusions. Despite pharmacokinetic differences, no data clearly support a preferred agent. Objective: To evaluate efficacy and safety outcomes associated with current use of these medications across a variety of indications in a hospital system. Methods: This study was a multi-center, retrospective chart review conducted within a hospital system from June 1, 2020 to June 30, 2021. Records of patients were matched in a one-to-one fashion based on indication for blood pressure control and similar pre-intervention blood pressure. The primary outcome was time within target blood pressure range. Results: A total of 569 patients were screened, resulting in 100 matched pairs. The percent of time in blood pressure range was similar between nicardipine and clevidipine when stratified by location of care (51.5% vs 51.7%, P = 0.970 for ED; 68.1% vs 68.8%, P = 0.913 for ICU). Overall, the median (IQR) time to target blood pressure range was significantly faster with clevidipine than nicardipine [20 (7-43) min. vs 34 (14.5-57) min., resp.; P = 0.013). There were numerically higher rates of hypotension with nicardipine than clevidipine, but this finding was not significant (17% vs 10%; P = 0.093). Conclusions: This study shows a statistically significant difference in time to target blood pressure range with clevidipine compared to nicardipine. Although there was no difference in the percentage of time in blood pressure range, nicardipine was associated with a non-significant increase in the incidence of hypotension.

Evaluation of Timing of Antimicrobial Surgical Prophylaxis on Rates of Surgical Site Infections.

Background: Surgical site infections (SSIs) are common healthcare-associated infections, and national guidelines recommend that antimicrobial prophylaxis (AP) be administered 60 min prior to incision. However, there are limited data regarding the "most optimal" time for administration within the 60-min window. Patients and Methods: This was a multicenter, retrospective study of adult (≥18-year-old) patients that underwent an abdominal hysterectomy, colorectal surgery, or craniotomy and received AP within 60 min of incision. Incidence of SSI was compared between patients who received AP 0-30 versus 31-60 min of incision. In addition, a predefined subgroup analysis evaluated incidence of SSI for 15-min intervals within the 60-min timeframe. Results: Of the 277 patients included in the primary analysis, 233 (84.1%) and 44 (15.9%) received AP 0-30 min and 31-60 min prior to incision, respectively. SSIs were documented in 6.0% (14/233) versus 4.5% (2/44) of patients in the primary analysis (p = 0.703). In the secondary analysis, 137 (49.5%), 95 (34.3%), 34 (12.3%), and 11 (4.0%) patients received AP 0-15, 16-30, 31-45, and 46-60 min prior to incision, respectively. There was no difference in incidence of SSIs among the 15-min intervals (4.4% vs. 8.4% vs. 2.9% vs. 9.1%, p = 0.487). Of the 16 patients in this study that incurred a SSI, 5 patients had positive cultures, of which 3 contained bacteria that proved to be resistant to the antibiotic used for AP. Conclusions: The results of our analysis support current national guidelines. Future investigation of different intervals (e.g., AP 15-45 min prior to incision) may be beneficial on the basis of pharmacokinetics of routinely prescribed AP.

Disparities in Liver Transplantation for Nonalcoholic Steatohepatitis in Women.

BACKGROUND: Nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) is the fastest-growing indication for liver transplantation (LT). Sex disparities among patients with cirrhosis on the LT waitlist are well known. We wanted to understand these disparities further in women with end-stage liver disease patients listed for NASH cirrhosis in a contemporary cohort. METHODS: We used data from the Scientific Registry of Transplant Recipients to assess sex racial, and ethnic differences in NASH patients listed for LT. Adults transplanted from August 1997 to June 2021 were included. Inferential statistics were used to evaluate differences with univariate and multivariate comparisons, including competitive risk analysis. RESULTS: During the study time period, we evaluated 12 844 LT for NASH cirrhosis. Women were transplanted at a lower rate (46.5% versus 53.5%; P  < 0.001) and higher model for end-stage liver disease (MELD) (23.8 versus 22.6; P < 0.001) than men. Non-White women were transplanted at a higher MELD (26.1 versus 23.1; P  < 0.001) than White women and non-White male patients (26.1 versus 24.8; P  < 0.001). Graft and patient survivals were significantly different ( P  < 0.001) between non-White women and White women and men (White and non-White). CONCLUSIONS: Evaluation of LT candidates in the United States demonstrates women with NASH cirrhosis have a higher MELD than men at LT. Additional disparities exist among non-White women with NASH as they have higher MELD and creatinine at LT compared with White women. After LT, non-White women have worse graft and patient survival compared with men or White women. These data indicate that non-White women with NASH are the most vulnerable on the LT waitlist.

The Impact of Vaginal Probiotics on Pessary Use: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

IMPORTANCE: Pessary-related adverse effects are common, and treatment options are limited. Probiotics may improve pessary-related adverse effects by altering the vaginal microenvironment. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to evaluate the effect of a vaginal probiotic suppository on the vaginal microenvironment among pessary users. STUDY DESIGN: Women who used pessaries were randomized to vaginal probiotic suppository use versus without use. The intervention was a vaginal probiotic suppository and moisturizing vaginal gel. The vaginal microenvironment was assessed using Gram stain and Nugent's criteria at baseline and 3 months by a microbiologist blinded to group allocation. Symptoms and experience with use of the probiotic were assessed using questionnaires. The primary outcome was change in lactobacilli count on Nugent subscore at 3 months. RESULTS: A total of 147 postmenopausal women were randomized (86 to the intervention arm and 61 to the control arm), and 124 (87.9%) presented for a 3-month follow-up. There was no difference between the arms in age, race, body mass index, and Charlson Comorbidity Index. A majority of participants had the pessary managed by the health care professional (intervention arm vs control arm, 46 [76.7%] vs 55 [68.8%]; P = 0.30). Composition of the vaginal microenvironment did not differ with or without probiotic treatment at 3 months. Bother from vaginal symptoms, including discharge, itching, and discomfort, did not differ between arms. Adverse effects from the intervention were minor, resolved with discontinuation, and occurred at 39.1%. CONCLUSION: Vaginal probiotic suppository use did not affect the composition of the vaginal microenvironment, patient satisfaction, or vaginal symptoms after 3 months of use in pessary users.

Assessing the optimal MAP target in pre-capillary PH patients with RV failure: A retrospective analysis.

Right ventricular failure (RVF) in pre-capillary pulmonary hypertension (PH) is associated with high morbidity and mortality. While mean arterial pressure (MAP) goals have been well established in critical care literature, the optimal MAP target for patients with RVF secondary to pre-capillary PH remains unknown. The objective of this study was to evaluate the difference in outcomes between patients who were managed with different MAP targets. We retrospectively analyzed records of 60 patients who were admitted to the intensive care unit for decompensated RVF secondary to pre-capillary PH. The records were stratified into two groups: 30 patients who were treated with a static MAP goal of either 65 or 70 mmHg (MAP65/70) and 30 patients who received a dynamic MAP goal (MAPCVP) determined by invasively obtained central venous pressure or right atrial pressure. The dynamic MAP group had a statistically significant decrease in in-hospital mortality and incidence of acute kidney injury compared to the static MAP cohort.

The PH-ILD Detection tool: External validation and use in patients with ILD.

Pulmonary hypertension (PH) results in increased morbidity and mortality in patients with interstitial lung disease (ILD). Early recognition of PH in this population is essential for planning diagnostic testing, initiating therapy, and evaluating for lung transplantation. The previously developed PH-ILD Detection tool has significant potential in the evaluation and treatment of ILD patients; the aim of this study was to validate the tool in an independent, multicenter cohort of patients. We conducted a retrospective review of prospectively collected data from 161 ILD patients. Patients were stratified into low- (n = 78, 48.4%), intermediate- (n = 54, 33.5%), and high-risk (n = 29, 18.0%) groups based on the score obtained with the tool. Intermediate- and high-risk patients underwent follow-up echocardiogram (TTE); 49.4% (n = 41) had an abnormal TTE suggestive of underlying PH. These patients underwent right heart catheterization; PH-ILD was diagnosed in 73.2% (n = 30) of these cases. The PH-ILD Detection tool has a sensitivity of 93.3%, specificity of 90.9%, and area-under-the-curve of 0.921 for diagnosing PH in ILD patients, validating the findings from the original study and establishing the tool as a fundamental resource for early recognition of PH in ILD patients.

Clean-Catch Urine Specimen More Likely to Be Contaminated After Vaginal Surgery for Pelvic Organ Prolapse.

IMPORTANCE: Accurate diagnosis of urinary tract infection after pelvic organ prolapse (POP) surgery is essential to postoperative care. OBJECTIVE: Our aim was to determine the agreement between the urinalysis of a clean-catch versus a straight catheter urine specimen in women who underwent vaginal surgery for POP. STUDY DESIGN: This was a cross-sectional study evaluating patients after vaginal surgery for POP. A clean-catch and straight catheter urine specimen were collected at routine postoperative appointments. Routine urinalyses and urine cultures were performed for all patients. A urine culture yielding mixed urogenital flora (which includes Lactobacillus species), coagulase-negative staphylococci, and Streptococcus species was considered a contaminated result. The agreement between the characteristics of urinalysis obtained via the clean catch versus the straight catheter at 3 weeks postoperatively was evaluated using weighted κ statistic. RESULTS: Fifty-nine participants enrolled. The agreement between the characteristics of urinalysis obtained via the clean catch versus the straight catheter was poor (κ = 0.018). The urine culture was more likely to be contaminated from the clean-catch urine specimen than from the straight catheter urine specimen (53.7% vs 23.1%).The positive and negative predictive values of leukocyte esterase on clean catch were 22.6% and 100%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Diagnosing urinary tract infection based on contaminated urinalyses may lead to antibiotic overuse and misdiagnosis of postoperative complications. Our results can help educate health care partners and discourage the use of clean-catch urine specimens when assessing women who have recently undergone vaginal surgery.

Incidence of Sport Injuries in the Manchester 2019 World Taekwondo Championships: A Prospective Study of 936 Athletes from 145 Countries.

We aimed to describe injury incidence and patterns at the 2019 World Taekwondo Championships (WTC), and to compare them with those of previous WTCs, based on new World Taekwondo (WT) competition rules, medical codes, and the Protector and Scoring System (PSS). This prospective cohort study utilized data obtained through the WT Injury Surveillance System. All athletes with injuries were evaluated by on-site sports medicine specialists, and ultrasonography was used to assess all musculoskeletal injuries. Of 936 athletes, 60 injuries were recorded (6.4 injuries/100 athletes, 95% confidence intervals [CI]: 4.8-8.0), and 4.5% (n = 42) sustained at least one injury. Males had a higher risk of sustaining injuries than females (incidence rate ratio: 1.57; 95% CI: 0.89-2.76). The most common sites, type, and mechanism were lower extremities (n = 26, 43.33%), contusion/hematoma/bruises (n = 33, 55.0%), and contact with another athlete (n = 50, 83.33%). Overall, the injury patterns associated with the mechanism of injury were similar in both the 2019 and 2017 WTCs. Refined WT competition rules and a re-established PSS at the 2019 WTC reduced the overall and severe injury incidence. Our findings can help revise Taekwondo competition rules, enhance protective equipment, optimize on-site venue medical systems, and develop injury prevention projects.

Patient-Initiated Telephone Calls Before and After Introduction of an Enhanced Recovery After Surgery Protocol for Female Pelvic Reconstructive Surgery.

IMPORTANCE: An evaluation of Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) effect on perioperative patient phone calls. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to compare perioperative patient phone calls before and after implementation of ERAS. STUDY DESIGN: This is a retrospective chart review of women who underwent surgery by urogynecologists where ERAS was implemented. Patients who underwent surgery were identified before the implementation and compared with the same time period after implementation. Perioperative phone calls were reviewed and categorized by reason for call. Differences between the 2 groups were compared with a Student t test if normally distributed or with a Mann-Whitney U test if not. Categorical outcomes were reported with a percentage and compared with a χ2 test with an α level of 0.05. RESULTS: We reviewed 387 records. There was no difference in the percentage of patient calls before and after implementation of ERAS (preoperatively: 19.8% vs 25.1% [ P = 0.21], postoperatively: 64.1% vs 61.5% [ P = 0.61]). Questions about chronic home medications were the most common reasons for calling before surgery (pre-ERAS: 16 [42.1%]; post-ERAS: 12 [28.6%]). Questions related to medications, pain, and bowels were the top reasons people called postoperatively. These remained the top 3 in the post-ERAS time period; however, bowel-related questions switched with medications for the top reason. CONCLUSIONS: Despite patient education being an essential component of ERAS with written and verbal instructions provided, our study found no difference in preoperative or postoperative calls with the implementation. By focusing on common concerns, we may be able to improve the patients experience and reduce office phone calls.

Short- and Long-Term Outcomes for Ethnic Minorities in the United States After Liver Transplantation: Parsing the Hispanic Paradox.

BACKGROUND: Racial and ethnic minorities are disproportionally affected by end-stage liver disease. Unfortunately, disparities in referrals to liver transplantation (LT), organ allocation, and posttransplant outcomes exist in this population. METHODS: We performed a retrospective analysis of patients over the age of 18 years undergoing LT in the United States using the Scientific Registry of Transplant Recipients from 2002 to 2016. We evaluated factors associated with patient and graft outcomes and explored the effect of race and ethnicity along with social variables. RESULTS: During the study time period, 78,999 patients received LT. Of these, 60,102 were non-Hispanic White (NHW), 7988 were African American (AA), and 10,909 were Hispanic. AA had significantly lower patient survival, graft survival, and death-censored graft survival at both 1 and 5 years when compared to NHW. Conversely, at 1 and 5 years, patient survival and graft survival were significantly higher for Hispanics compared to NWH. In addition, AA had significantly lower survival outcomes compared to Hispanics. On multivariate analysis after controlling for race/ethnicity, age, AA race, diagnosis, and deceased donor were independent risk factors for patient death and graft failure. CONCLUSIONS: Despite socioeconomic disadvantages seen among Hispanics, this population appears to have improved short- and long-term survival after LT compared to NHW and AA.

Postoperative Utilization of Opioids After Midurethral Sling Surgery: A Prospective Clinical Practice Study.

IMPORTANCE: This study was performed to understand opioid consumption after midurethral sling (MUS) procedures to provide surgeons with guidelines on appropriate prescription regimens. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to evaluate postdischarge narcotic use (PDNU) after MUS surgery using a restrictive postdischarge opioid regimen. STUDY DESIGN: This prospective clinical practice study included women undergoing MUS surgery from December 2018 to October 2019. Patients were discharged with an electronic prescription for 5 tablets of an oral narcotic. Brief Pain Inventory (BPI) surveys were collected preoperatively. Patients answered questions regarding remaining number of opioid tablets, BPI scores, and patient satisfaction on day 1, week 1 (postoperative week [POW] 1), and 4-6 weeks (POW4-6) postoperatively. Electronic records were reviewed to determine narcotic refills. Primary outcome was PDNU measured in morphine milligram equivalents (MME). Secondary outcomes evaluated refill rate, BPI scores, and patient satisfaction. Standard statistical tests were applied. RESULTS: Fifty-six patients were included in the analysis. Total median (interquartile range) PDNU was 12.5 (0-37.5) MME at POW1 and 15.0 (0-37.5) MME at POW4-6, which is approximately equivalent to 2 oxycodone (5 mg) tablets. Eighteen patients (32.1%) took 0 narcotics postdischarge. Brief Pain Inventory scores showed that "worst pain" was highest on postoperative day 1 with a median (interquartile range) score of 6 (4-8). At the POW1 and POW4-6 mark, 94.3% and 92% of patients, respectively, were satisfied or extremely satisfied with their pain control. Seven patients (11.8%) required a refill. CONCLUSIONS: Most patients undergoing MUS surgery used no more than 2 oxycodone (5 mg) tablets during their 6-week postoperative course, with almost a third not requiring any narcotics. Low pain scores and high patient satisfaction rates were noted.

Pulmonary hypertension in patients with interstitial lung disease: a tool for early detection.

Pulmonary hypertension (PH) complicates the treatment of interstitial lung disease (ILD) patients resulting in poor functional status and worse outcomes. Early recognition of PH in ILD is important for initiating therapy and considering lung transplantation. However, no standard exists regarding which patients to screen for PH-ILD or the optimal method to do so. The aim of this study was to create a risk assessment tool that could reliably predict PH in ILD patients. We developed a PH-ILD Detection tool that incorporated history, exam, 6-min walk distance, diffusion capacity for carbon monoxide, chest imaging, and cardiac biomarkers to create an eight-component score. This tool was analyzed retrospectively in 154 ILD patients where each patient was given a score ranging from 0 to 12. The sensitivity (SN) and specificity (SP) of the PH-ILD Detection tool and an area-under-the-curve (AUC) were calculated. In this cohort, 74 patients (48.1%) had PH-ILD. A score of ≥6 on the PH-ILD Detection tool was associated with a diagnosis of PH-ILD (SN: 86.5%; SP: 86.3%; area-under-the-curve: 0.920, p < 0.001). The PH-ILD Detection tool provides high SN and SP for detecting PH in ILD patients. With confirmation in larger cohorts, this tool could improve the diagnosis of PH in ILD and may suggest further testing with right heart catheterization and earlier intervention with inhaled treprostinil and/or lung transplant evaluation.

Healthcare Worker Mental Health and Wellbeing During COVID-19: Mid-Pandemic Survey Results.

Introduction/Background: HealthCare worker (HCW) mental health and wellbeing are uniquely affected by the complexities of COVID-19 due to exposure to the virus, isolation from family and friends, risk and uncertainty. Little if any inquiry has examined the effects on an entire healthcare system, particularly immediately post-surge. We sought to examine the prevalence of psychiatric symptoms and behavioral health difficulties as a healthcare system transitioned out of the first wave. We assessed the effects of work role, setting and individual diversity factors on employee distress and coping strategies. Materials and Methods: This was an Institutional Review Board approved, unfunded, voluntary survey sent via REDCap link, to all employees of Hartford HealthCare, a mid-sized healthcare system (N ≈ 29,900) between May 15th and June 26th, 2020. Two system-wide emails and two emails targeting managers were sent during this time frame. Eight thousand four hundred and ninety four employees (28.4% of all e-mails distributed) participated in the survey, representing clinical, support, administrative, and medical staff across hospital, outpatient, residential, and business settings. The survey contained items assessing personal background, work environment/culture, and formal measures, including: patient health questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9), general anxiety disorder-7 (GAD-7), primary care post-traumatic stress disorder screen for DSM-5 (PC-PTSD), alcohol use disorders identification test (AUDIT-C), and the insomnia severity index (ISI). Results: Almost 1/3 of respondents (31%) reported symptoms of clinically significant anxiety; 83% moderate to severe depression; and 51% moderate to severe insomnia. Thirteen percent screened positive for post-traumatic stress disorder. Frontline staff (p ≤ 0.001 vs. others) and females (p < 0.001 vs. males) endorsed the highest levels of distress, while race (p ≤ 0.005) and ethnicity (p < 0.03 for anxiety, PTSD and insomnia) had a complex and nuanced interaction with symptoms. Conclusion: Pandemic stress effects all healthcare employees, though not equally. The effects of work role and environment are intuitive though critical. These data suggest individual diversity factors also play an important role in mental health and wellbeing. All must be considered to optimize employee functioning.

Delayed high school start times and graduation and attendance rates over 4 years: the impact of race and socioeconomics.

STUDY OBJECTIVES: The current study was designed to examine if improvements in high school graduation and attendance rates persist 4 years after start times later than 8:30 am. Socioeconomic status and race were accounted for in the graduation analysis. METHODS: School-wide attendance and graduation records (n = 28 schools) from 1999-2017 were analyzed in August of 2021 using a repeated-measures analysis of variance at 5 points in time, 1 year predelay and 4 consecutive years postdelay start times. RESULTS: Graduation rates for students in grade 12 (n > 47,000) after postdelay year 4 increased from 80% to 90% (P < .001) and attendance rates in grades 9-12 (n > 80,000) improved from 90% to 93% (P = .012). CONCLUSIONS: Attendance and graduation rates for all students improved after 4 years following a delayed start. Economically disadvantaged students and Black students showed significant changes in graduation rates postdelay year 4 and White students significantly improved postdelay years 2, 3, and 4. Adolescent students, especially economically and racially disadvantaged students, have a vulnerability for obtaining adequate sleep. Delaying high school start times is a cost-effective intervention that could promote sufficient sleep and boost graduation and attendance rates. CITATION: McKeever PM, Dodd R, O'Sullivan DM. Delayed high school start times and graduation and attendance rates over 4 years: the impact of race and socioeconomics. J Clin Sleep Med. 2022;18(11):2537-2543.

The Association of Serum Magnesium Levels and QT Interval with Neurological Outcomes After Targeted Temperature Management.

Targeted temperature management (TTM) is associated with corrected QT (QTc) prolongation and decrease in serum magnesium (Mg) levels that may lead to recurrent ventricular arrhythmia and poor neurological outcomes. We aimed to evaluate the association between QTc interval and Mg levels during TTM with neurological outcomes. We reviewed the electrocardiograms of 366 patients who underwent TTM during the induction, maintenance, and rewarming phase after cardiac arrest. We reviewed the association of change in QTc interval, and Mg levels with neurological outcomes. In total, 71.3% of the patients had a significant increase in QTc interval defined as >60 ms or any QTc >500 ms during TTM. Poor neurological outcome was associated with persistent prolongation of QTc after rewarming (507 vs. 483 ms, p = 0.046) and higher Mg levels at presentation (2.08 ± 0.41 mg/dL, p = 0.014). Supplemental Mg did not have any significant change in their QTc. Patients with prolonged QTc during TTM should be promptly evaluated for QTc-prolonging factors given its association with worse neurological outcomes. The inverse correlation between Mg levels and poor neurological outcomes deserves further investigation.

The Value of a Support Person During the Surgical Consent Process: A Prospective Cohort Study.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study is to investigate the impact of support person participation during the preoperative appointment. METHODS: This is a prospective cohort study involving patients scheduled to undergo pelvic reconstructive surgery. Eligible patients were enrolled at the preoperative appointment and compared by presence or absence of a support person. Questionnaires were completed before and after the preoperative appointment, 1-3 days before surgery, and at the postoperative appointment. Previsit questionnaires included the Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7, 6-item short form of the Spielberger State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI-6), and Brief Health Literacy screen. Postvisit questionnaires included the STAI-6, satisfaction with decision scale for pelvic floor disorders, preoperative preparedness questionnaire, and knowledge questionnaire. At the postoperative appointment, participants completed the patient global impression of improvement and postoperative symptom and satisfaction questionnaire. Primary outcome was patient anxiety measured by the STAI-6. RESULTS: Seventy-six patients participated in the study: 37 were categorized in the support person cohort and 39 were categorized in the no support person cohort. The mean scores of the STAI-6 did not differ between the support person and no support person cohorts at all time points (previsit: 42.97 ± 13.23 vs 41.53 ± 17.11, P = 0.68; postvisit: 38.11 ± 12.76 vs 36.33 ± 11.72, P = 0.53, and 1-3 days before surgery: 42.61 ± 13.0 vs 41.05 ± 16.39, P = 0.65). Overall preparedness, satisfaction with decision scale for pelvic floor disorders, and knowledge questionnaire did not differ between cohorts at both time points. Perioperative phone calls were similar between cohorts. CONCLUSION: Our study suggests that the presence of a support person at preoperative counseling for pelvic floor surgery should be a personal preference and not a recommendation.

Host inflammatory response in women with vaginal epithelial abnormalities after pessary use.

BACKGROUND: Vaginal epithelial abnormalities (VEA) are a common complication associated with pessary use. The objective of this study was to determine if there is a host pro-inflammatory response associated with pessary use and VEA. METHODS: Patients wearing pessaries for at least two weeks for the management of pelvic organ prolapse and/or urinary incontinence were screened for eligibility. Vaginal swabs were collected from women with VEA (cases) and without VEA (controls). Cases were matched to controls in a 1:3 ratio. Cytokine analysis of the collected samples was performed using multiplex analysis to determine the concentrations of interleukin (IL)6, interferon alpha 2 (IFNα2), tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFα) and IL1ß. A cross-sectional analysis was performed, comparing vaginal cytokine concentrations in women with and without VEA. RESULTS: We enrolled 211 patients in this analysis: 50 cases and 161 controls. The median concentrations (pg/mL) of the four cytokines for cases and controls respectively were; IL6: 6.7 (IQR <2.9 [the lower limit of detection, LLD]-14.2) and < 2.9 (LLD) (IQR <2.9 [LLD]-5.5), IFNα2: 8.2 (IQR 6.1-13.9) and 7.9 (IQR 3.9-13.6), TNFα: 15.2 (IQR 6.1-30.4) and 4.68 (IQR <2.3 [LLD]-16.3), IL1ß 195.7 (IQR 54.5-388.6) and 38.5 (IQR 6.7-154.9). The differences in median cytokine levels were statistically higher in cases for IL6, TNFα, and IL1ß (all p < 0.001) compared to controls. Older age (OR: 1.062, 95% CI, 1.015-1.112), lower BMI (OR: 0.910, 95% CI, 0.839-0.986) and presence of VEA at last check (OR: 5.377, 95% CI, 2.049-14.108) were associated with higher odds of having VEA on multivariate analysis. CONCLUSION: Pro-inflammatory cytokines, specifically IL6, TNFα, and IL1ß, are elevated in pessary-wearing patients who have VEA. Additional prospective studies are needed to assess baseline vaginal inflammatory profiles before and after pessary placement to understand VEA formation in pessary patients.

Types and severity of physical impairments of para taekwondo athletes.

BACKGROUND: Para taekwondo has only recently been added to the Paralympic games scheduled to be held in 2021; however, there is limited research on the classification of the para taekwondo athletes. This study aimed to provide details on the impairments and disabilities of the para taekwondo players. The secondary objective was to investigate the relationship between some of the proposed factors and the athletes' rankings. METHODS: The data of 556 para taekwondo athletes (119 females and 437 males), who had been classified over the past 5 years, were analyzed. RESULTS: The K44 class was the most popular, and 61% of the classified athletes belonged to this class. Acute injury from trauma was the most frequent cause of impairment, and 62.3% of all impairments/disabilities occurred during 0-5 years of age. Approximately 28% of the athletes had <1 year of training prior to international competitions. One-way analysis of variance performed for the combined length of the upper limbs showed significant differences (F(3,311)=455.78, P<0.001) among the K41-K44 classes. There were weak correlations (ρ<0.1) between the ranking and the age of the disability/impairment onset, combined length of the upper limbs, and type of disability. CONCLUSIONS: Continued data collection that provides insights into the impairment profiles of para taekwondo athletes is needed to improve the current classification system in order to enhance the safety and fairness.

Evaluation of a multimodal analgesic regimen on outcomes following laparoscopic living donor nephrectomy.

Postoperative pain is a significant source of morbidity in patients undergoing living donor nephrectomy (LDN) and a deterrent for candidates. We implemented a standardized multimodal analgesic regimen, which consists of pharmacist-led pre-procedure pain management education, a combination transversus abdominis plane and rectus sheath block performed by the regional anesthesia team, scheduled acetaminophen and gabapentin, and as-needed opioids. This single-center retrospective study evaluated outcomes between patients undergoing LDN who received a multimodal analgesic regimen and a historical cohort. The multimodal cohort had a significantly shorter length of stay (LOS) (days, mean ± SD: 1.8 ± 0.7 vs. 2.6 ± 0.8; p < .001) and a greater proportion who were discharged on postoperative day (POD) 1 (38.6% vs. 1.5%; p < .001). The total morphine milligram equivalents (MME) that patients received during hospitalization were significantly less in the multimodal cohort on POD 0-2. The outpatient MME prescribed through POD 60 was also significantly less in the multimodal cohort (median [IQR]; 180 [150-188] vs. 225 [150-300]; p < .001). The mean patient-reported pain score (PRPS) was significantly lower in the multimodal cohort on POD 0-2. The maximum PRPS was significantly lower on POD 0 (mean ± SD: 7 ± 2 vs. 8 ± 1, respectively; p = .02). This study suggests that our multimodal regimen significantly reduces LOS, PRPS, and opioid requirements and has the potential to improve the donation experience.