Impact of cost on prescribing diabetes medications for older adults with type 2 diabetes in the outpatient setting.

BACKGROUND: Newer diabetes medications have cardiorenal benefits beyond blood sugar lowering that make them a preferred treatment option in many patients. Despite this, studies have shown that prescribing of these medications remains suboptimal with medication costs being hypothesized as a reason for underutilization. OBJECTIVE: To understand clinicians' decision-making processes for prescribing diabetes medications in older adults, focusing on higher cost medications. METHODS: Observations of patient encounters and semi-structured interviews were conducted with clinicians from primary care, endocrinology, and geriatrics to elucidate themes into diabetes medication prescribing. A qualitative descriptive approach was used to analyze the data from interviews using an inductive coding scheme with themes derived from the data. RESULTS: Twenty-one interviews were conducted. Five themes were identified: 1) out-of-pocket costs drive prescribing decisions 2) out-of-pocket costs can be variable due to changing insurance plans or changing coverage 3) clinicians have difficulty with determining patient-specific out-of-pocket costs 4) clinicians manage the tradeoffs existing between cost, efficacy, and safety and 5) clinicians can use cost-modifying strategies such as patient assistance. CONCLUSION: Addressing the challenges that medication costs pose to prescribing evidence-based medications for type 2 diabetes is necessary to optimize diabetes care for older adults.

Hybrid noncovered open stents in repair of DeBakey type 1 acute aortic dissections.

OBJECTIVES: The indications for use, evidence base and experience with the novel noncovered open hybrid surgical stents for acute type A aortic dissection repair for concurrent stabilization of the 'downstream' aorta remains limited. We review the evidence base and the development of these stents. METHODS: Data were collected from Pubmed/Medline literature search to develop and review the evidence base for safety and efficacy of non-covered surgical stents. Existing guidelines for use and developments were reviewed. RESULTS: A single randomized control trial and 4 single-centre studies were included in the review with a total worldwide experience of 241 patients. The deployment was easy and did not add significantly to the primary operation. The mortality and new stroke ranged from 6.3-18.7%. Safe and complete deployment was accomplished in 92-100%. There was no device-related reintervention. There was a significant improvement in malperfusion in over 90% of the cases with varying degrees of remodelling (60-90%) of the downstream aorta. CONCLUSIONS: Open noncovered stent grafts represent a major technical advancement as an adjunct procedure for acute dissection repairs, e.g. hemiarch repair. It has potential for wider use by non-aortic surgeons due to simplicity of technique. Limited safety and efficacy data confirm the device to be safe, feasible and reproducible with potential for wider adoption. However, long-term trial and registry data are required before recommendations for standard use outside of high-volume experienced aortic centres.

Successful retrieval of a retained fractured ERCP guidewire in the pancreatic duct.

Video 1Demonstration of endoscopic retrieval of fractured wire in pancreatic duct.

Comparison of lumen-apposing metal stents versus endoscopic balloon dilation for the management of benign colorectal anastomotic strictures.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Limited data exist evaluating lumen-apposing metal stents (LAMSs) with endoscopic balloon dilation (EBD) for the treatment of benign colorectal anastomotic strictures (BCASs). This study compares outcomes of both interventions. METHODS: Patients with left-sided BCAS treated with LAMSs versus EBD were identified retrospectively. The primary outcome was a composite of crossover to another intervention to achieve clinical success or recurrence requiring reintervention. RESULTS: Twenty-nine patients (11 LAMS and 18 EBD) were identified with longer follow-up in the EBD group (734 vs 142 days; P = .003). No significant differences were found in the composite outcome, technical success, clinical success, or components of composite outcome. With LAMS, there was a nonsignificant trend toward fewer procedures (2.4 vs 3.3; P = .06) and adverse events (0% vs 16.7%; P = .26). CONCLUSIONS: LAMS appears to be as effective as EBD for the treatment of BCAS but may require fewer procedures and may be safer than EBD.

Locally Advanced Gastric Cancer Management: A Cost-Effectiveness Analysis.

Across the nation, patients with locally advanced gastric cancer (LAGC) are managed with modalities including upfront surgery (US) and perioperative chemotherapy (PCT). Preoperative therapies have demonstrated survival benefits over US and thus long-term outcomes are expected to vary between the options. However, as these 2 modalities continue to be regularly employed, we sought to perform a decision analysis comparing the costs and quality-of-life associated with the treatment of patients with LAGC to identify the most cost-effective option. We designed a decision tree model to investigate the survival and costs associated with the most commonly utilized management modalities for LAGC in the United States: US and PCT. The tree described costs and treatment strategies over a 6-month time horizon. Costs were derived from 2022 Medicare reimbursement rates using the third-party payer perspective for physicians and hospitals. Effectiveness was represented using quality-adjusted life-years (QALYs). One-way, two-way, and probabilistic sensitivity analyses were utilized to test the robustness of our findings. PCT was the most cost-effective treatment modality for patients with LAGC over US with a cost of $40,792.16 yielding 3.11 QALYs. US has a cost of $55,575.57 while yielding 3.15 QALYs; the incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER) was $369,585.25. One-way and two-way sensitivity analyses favored PCT in all variations of variables across their standard deviations. Across 100,000 Monte Carlo simulations, 100% of trials favored PCT. In our model simulating patients with LAGC, the most cost-effective treatment strategy was PCT. While US demonstrated improved QALYs over PCT, the associated cost was too great to justify its use.

Full metal jacket: salvage of EUS-guided gallbladder drainage.

Video 1Full metal jacket: salvage of EUS-guided gallbladder drainage.

Colon cancer epidemiology, race and socioeconomic status: Comparing trends in counties served by an urban hospital in Newark, NJ with overall NJ-state and nation-wide patterns.

PURPOSE: Disparities in colorectal cancer (CRC) trends are linked with socioeconomic status (SES) and race. To better understand the colon cancer trends at our medical center, this study characterizes the racial and socioeconomic profile of the population served by our center to identify modifiable risk factors amenable to interventions. METHODS: Colon cancer data from our center as well as New Jersey (NJ) and United States (US) were obtained from National Cancer Database. Demographic data on race and SES for NJ counties were obtained from public databases that sourced data from the American Community Survey and the US census. We compared the odds of being diagnosed with early-onset and late-stage colon cancer (III or IV), respectively in NJ and US, across different racial groups. We also quantified the association between Social Vulnerability Index (SVI) and age-adjusted CRC mortality in NJ counties, with and without accounting for the racial composition of each county. RESULTS: In 2015, our center recorded higher proportions of late-stage and early-onset colon cancer diagnoses compared to all hospitals in NJ and US. Trends for stage and patient age at diagnosis of colon cancer for NJ and the US (2010-2019) showed that Black, Hispanic, and Asian/Pacific Islander individuals had greater odds of being diagnosed with early-onset (age<50) and late-stage colon cancer (Stage III/IV) when compared to White population. NJ counties served by our center showed an overrepresentation of either Black or Hispanic-Latino populations and reported significant disadvantage in SES. For NJ counties, each 25 percentile increase in social vulnerability was associated with 1.04 times the rate of age-adjusted colorectal cancer death (95 % CI: 1.00-1.07). CONCLUSION: Public data on race and SES of the target population can help identify areas of social disparities at the county-level to guide targeted interventions such as improving healthcare access and screening rates.

Economic evaluation of robotic and laparoscopic paraesophageal hernia repair.

BACKGROUND: Robotic approach in paraesophageal hernia (PEH) repair may improve outcomes over laparoscopic approach, though at additional cost. This study aimed to compare cost-effectiveness of robotic and laparoscopic PEH repair. METHODS: A decision tree was created analyzing cost-effectiveness of robotic and laparoscopic PEH repair. Costs were obtained from 2021 Medicare data and were accumulated within 60 months after surgery. Effectiveness was measured in quality-adjusted life-years (QALYs). Branch-point probabilities and costs of robotic surgery consumables were obtained from published literature. The primary outcome of interest was incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER). One-way, two-way, and probabilistic sensitivity analyses were performed. A secondary analysis including attributable capital and maintenance costs of robotic surgery was conducted as well. RESULTS: Laparoscopic repair yielded 3.660 QALYs at $35,843.82. Robotic repair yielded 3.661 QALYs at $36,342.57, with an ICER of $779,488.62/QALY. Robotic repair was favored when rates of open conversion and symptom recurrence were low, or with reduced cost of robotic instruments. A probabilistic sensitivity analysis favored laparoscopic repair in 100% of simulations. When accounting for costs of robotic technology, robotic approach was preferred only in unrealistic clinical scenarios. CONCLUSIONS: Laparoscopic repair is likely more cost-effective for most institutions, though results were relatively similar. With experienced surgeons who surpass the initial learning curve, robotic surgery may improve outcomes enough to be cost-effective, but only when excluding capital and maintenance fees.

Escape from oncogene-induced senescence is controlled by POU2F2 and memorized by chromatin scars.

Although oncogene-induced senescence (OIS) is a potent tumor-suppressor mechanism, recent studies revealed that cells could escape from OIS with features of transformed cells. However, the mechanisms that promote OIS escape remain unclear, and evidence of post-senescent cells in human cancers is missing. Here, we unravel the regulatory mechanisms underlying OIS escape using dynamic multidimensional profiling. We demonstrate a critical role for AP1 and POU2F2 transcription factors in escape from OIS and identify senescence-associated chromatin scars (SACSs) as an epigenetic memory of OIS detectable during colorectal cancer progression. POU2F2 levels are already elevated in precancerous lesions and as cells escape from OIS, and its expression and binding activity to cis-regulatory elements are associated with decreased patient survival. Our results support a model in which POU2F2 exploits a precoded enhancer landscape necessary for senescence escape and reveal POU2F2 and SACS gene signatures as valuable biomarkers with diagnostic and prognostic potential.

The Mediating Effect of Operative Approach on Racial Disparities in Bariatric Surgery Complications.

INTRODUCTION: A laparoscopic approach to bariatric surgeries confers a favorable side-effect profile as compared to an open approach. However, literature regarding the independent association of race with access to and postoperative outcomes in laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) and sleeve gastrectomy (GS) is scarce. MATERIALS AND METHODS: All RYGB and GS cases recorded in American College of Surgeons National Quality Improvement Program data from 2012 to 2020 were subjected to propensity score matching to assess the independent association between Black self-identified race on access to a laparoscopic approach and postoperative complications. Finally, a series of logistic regressions enabled evaluation of the mediating effect of operative approach on racial disparities in postoperative complications. RESULTS: 55,846 cases of RYGB and 94,209 cases of GS were identified. Following propensity score matching, logistic regression identified Black race as an independent predictor of open approach to RYGB (P < 0.001) and GS (P = 0.019). Black patients had increased incidence of any, minor and severe postoperative complications and unplanned readmissions in both RYGB (P < 0.001, P < 0.001, P = 0.0412, and P < 0.001, respectively) and GS (P < 0.001, P < 0.001, P = 0.0037, and P < 0.001, respectively). Open approach to RYGB was identified as a partial mediator of the independent association between Black race and any complication, minor complications, and unplanned readmission. CONCLUSIONS: This methodology identified racial disparities in complications following RYGB and GS. Interestingly, reduced access to a laparoscopic approach mediated racial disparities in complications following RYGB but not GS. Further research might elucidate upstream determinants of health that catalyze these disparities.

Cost-effectiveness analysis of robotic cholecystectomy in the treatment of benign gallbladder disease.

BACKGROUND: Laparoscopic cholecystectomy is the current standard of care treatment for benign gallbladder disease. Robotic cholecystectomy is another approach for performing cholecystectomy that offers a surgeon better dexterity and visualization. However, robotic cholecystectomy may increase cost without sufficient evidence to suggest an improvement in clinical outcomes. The purpose of this study was to construct a decision tree model to compare cost-effectiveness of laparoscopic cholecystectomy and robotic cholecystectomy. METHODS: Complication rates and effectiveness associated with robotic cholecystectomy and laparoscopic cholecystectomy over a 1-year time frame were compared using a decision tree model populated with data from the published literature. Cost was calculated using Medicare data. Effectiveness was represented by quality-adjusted life-years. The primary outcome of the study was incremental cost-effectiveness ratio, which compares the cost per quality-adjusted life-year of the 2 interventions. The willingness-to-pay threshold was set at $100,000/quality-adjusted life-year. Results were confirmed with 1-way, 2-way, and probabilistic sensitivity analyses varying branch-point probabilities. RESULTS: The studies used in our analysis included 3,498 patients who underwent laparoscopic cholecystectomy, 1,833 patients who underwent robotic cholecystectomy, and 392 patients who required conversion to open cholecystectomy. Laparoscopic cholecystectomy produced 0.9722 quality-adjusted life-years, costing $9,370.06. Robotic cholecystectomy produced an additional 0.0017 quality-adjusted life-years at an additional $3,013.64. These results equate to an incremental cost-effectiveness ratio of $1,795,735.21/quality-adjusted life-year. This exceeds the willingness-to-pay threshold, making laparoscopic cholecystectomy the more cost-effective strategy. Sensitivity analyses did not alter results. CONCLUSION: Traditional laparoscopic cholecystectomy is the more cost-effective treatment modality for benign gallbladder disease. At present, robotic cholecystectomy is not able to improve clinical outcomes enough to justify its added cost.

Effectiveness of oral hygiene educational interventional programs on participants with Parkinson disease: a randomized controlled study.

OBJECTIVE: The objective was to evaluate oral health-related knowledge, and to compare the effectiveness of three different oral health education interventions (OHEI) on plaque removal in a cohort with Parkinson disease. METHOD AND MATERIALS: The three-arm, parallel-group, randomized controlled trial included 63 Parkinson disease stage 1 and 2 patients aged ≥ 40 years and scores ≥ 26 in both Montreal Cognitive Assessment test and Mini-Mental State Exam. These patients were allocated to three OHEI groups: lectures, presentation, and demonstration. The validated questionnaire assessed knowledge level at baseline (0), 1, 2, and 3 months. Oral hygiene at 0 and 3 months was assessed by the Plaque Index and the Patient Hygiene Performance Index (PHPI). Unstimulated whole saliva was collected to assess the salivary flow rate. RESULTS: Pairwise comparison using ANOVA showed a significant decrease in mean percentage knowledge 0, 1, 2, and 3 months in all three groups (P < .001). After Tukey post-hoc analysis the presentation group had significantly higher knowledge (P = .030). ANOVA showed that the percentage of knowledge decreased as time passed (P = .001). Comparison of means of Plaque Index and PHPI scores by MANOVA followed by Tukey post-hoc analysis showed significant decrease in Plaque Index scores from 0 to 3 months (P = .001). No significant change in the salivary flow rate was noted. CONCLUSION: Pictorial representation of OHEI is a better mode of intervention compared to lectures and demonstrations in Parkinson disease stage 1 and 2 patients. Despite the decline in knowledge with time, Plaque Index scores reduced significantly, implying that this form OHEI offers positive benefits.

Sentinel lymph node biopsy for head and neck cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma using the Brigham and Women's staging system: a cost analysis.

The objective is to determine the cost-effectiveness of sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) for cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (CSCC) according to the Brigham and Women's Hospital (BWH) Tumor Staging system. A decision analysis was utilized to examine costs and outcomes associated with the use of SLNB in patients with high-risk head and neck CSCC. Decision tree outcome probabilities were obtained from published literature. Costs were derived from Medicare reimbursement rates (US$) and effectiveness was represented by quality-adjusted life-years (QALYs). The primary outcome was the incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER), with a willingness-to-pay set at $100,000 per QALY gained. SLNB was found to be a cost-effective tool for patients with T3 tumors, with an ICER of $18,110.57. Withholding SLNB was the dominant strategy for both T2a and T2b lesions, with ICERs of - $2468.99 and - $16,694.00, respectively. Withholding SLNB remained the dominant strategy when examining immunosuppressed patients with T2a or T2b lesions. In patients with head and neck CSCC, those with T3 or T2b lesions with additional risk factors not accounted for in the staging system alone, may be considered for SLNB, while in other tumor stages it may be impractical. SLNB should only be offered on an individual patient basis.

Pleomorphic Rhabdomyosarcoma: A Systematic Review with Outcome Analysis and Report of a Rare Abdominal Wall Lesion.

Introduction. Pleomorphic rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS) is an aggressive and rare malignant neoplasm with a poor prognosis. As its name suggests, this tumor exhibits extensive pleomorphism with features of skeletal muscle differentiation. Due to its rarity, its diagnosis is often a clinical and pathological challenge. Since only small case series and a few scattered case reports exist in the literature, the impact of different demographic features, tumor site, and/or treatment modality on patient outcomes has yet to be extensively studied. Methods. We report a case of a pleomorphic RMS presenting atypically as an abdominal wall mass. We have also analyzed the National Cancer Institute's Surveillance, Epidemiology and End Results (SEER) database to determine the factors affecting the outcome of this neoplasm. Moreover, we present a review and summary of pleomorphic RMS cases arising from the abdominal wall reported in the English language literature. Results. We found two hundred and forty-two cases of pleomorphic RMS in the SEER database. The majority of the patients were diagnosed after the age of 40, with the age of diagnosis showing a unimodal distribution. The majority of the patients were Caucasian (82%) and male (59%). Age of diagnosis, tumor stage, and surgical management significantly affected the patients' outcome, while patients' ethnicity, sex, or tumor site did not affect the outcome. We only found five previously reported cases of pleomorphic RMS arising from the abdominal wall. Conclusions. Pleomorphic RMS arising from the abdominal wall is extremely rare. Our data sheds light on the factors affecting the outcome of pleomorphic RMS. We have also discussed the challenges involving the histopathological diagnosis of this rare neoplasm and how to best approach this task.

Perineal reconstruction after radical pelvic surgery: A cost-effectiveness analysis.

BACKGROUND: Radical resection of pelvic and low rectal malignancies leads to complex reconstructive challenges. Many pelvic reconstruction options have been described including primary closure, omental flaps, and various fasciocutaneous and myocutaneous flaps. Little consensus exists in the literature on which of the various options in the reconstructive armamentarium provides a superior outcome. The authors of this study set out to determine the costs and quality-of-life outcomes of primary closure, vertical rectus abdominus muscle flap, gluteal thigh flap, and gracilis flap to aid surgeons in identifying an optimal reconstructive algorithm. METHODS: A decision tree analysis was performed to analyze the cost, complications, and quality-of-life associated with reconstruction by primary closure, gluteal thigh flap, vertical rectus abdominus muscle flap, and gracilis flap. Costs were derived from Medicare reimbursement rates (FY2021), while quality-adjusted life-years were obtained from the literature. RESULTS: Gluteal thigh flap was the most cost-effective treatment strategy with an overall cost of $62,078.28 with 6.54 quality-adjusted life-years and an incremental cost-effectiveness ratio of $5,649.43. Gluteal thigh flap was always favored as the most cost-effective treatment strategy in our 1-way sensitivity analysis. Gracilis flap became more cost-effective than gluteal thigh flap, in the scenario where gluteal thigh flap complication rates increased by roughly 4% higher than gracilis flap complication rates. CONCLUSION: Our data suggest that, when available, gluteal thigh flap be the first-line option for reconstruction of pelvic defects as it provides the best quality-of-life at the most cost-effective price point. However, future studies directly comparing outcomes of gluteal thigh flap to vertical rectus abdominus muscle and gracilis flap are needed to further delineate superiority.

Comparative analysis of sulfiredoxin and total oxidative stress levels in diabetic individuals with periodontitis: A case-control study.

BACKGROUND: The delicate balance between oxidative stress and its antioxidant system can be disrupted in diabetes mellitus (DM), making the tissue susceptible to injury. Hence, this case-control study aims to estimate and correlate the gingival tissue sulfiredoxin and crevicular total oxidative stress (TOS) levels in generalized periodontitis Stage II individuals Grade C (PSII) with and without type II DM. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A total of 72 individuals were grouped based on their glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) levels and clinical parameters: group I, periodontally healthy non-diabetic (HbA1c < 5.7%) (n = 24); group II, non-diabetic with PSII (n = 24); and group III, diabetic individuals (HbA1c > 6.5%) with PSII (n = 24). Gingival tissues and crevicular fluid samples were collected. The samples with adequate protein concentrations (n = 72) were further estimated for sulfiredoxin and TOS levels by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and calorimetric method, respectively. RESULTS: Tissue sulfiredoxin and crevicular TOS levels are increased significantly in the periodontitis group compared to the non-periodontitis group (p < 0.001).The tissue sulfiredoxin levels did not vary significantly between the two periodontitis groups (p < 0.179). The TOS levels are significantly higher in the diabetic compared to non-diabetic periodontitis group (p < 0.001). Correlation statistics showed a significant positive correlation (r = 0.65 and p < 0.005) between sulfiredoxin and TOS levels in diabetes with PSII group, however, no such significant correlation was observed in the non-diabetic PSII group (r = 0.255 and p < 0.422). CONCLUSION: Diabetic individuals showed inadequate sulfiredoxin-mediated antioxidant response to an increase in oxidative stress levels in periodontitis Stage II Grade C individuals.

Neoadjuvant Treatment Versus Upfront Surgery in Resectable Pancreatic Cancer: A Cost-Effectiveness Analysis.

PURPOSE: Pancreatic cancer (PC) has an overall 5-year survival rate of 10%. The use of neoadjuvant chemoradiation is debated in resectable disease. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the cost-effectiveness of neoadjuvant chemoradiation followed by pancreaticoduodenectomy (NACRT) versus upfront pancreaticoduodenectomy and adjuvant chemotherapy (USR) in resectable PC. METHODS: A decision tree model was used to estimate the cost-effectiveness of NACRT versus USR. Values from the published literature populate the tree: costs from Medicare (FY2021) reimbursements, and morbidity and survival data for quality-adjusted life-years (QALYs). Patients with resectable pancreatic adenocarcinoma who qualified for resection were included. The ICER was the primary outcome. The model was validated using one-way and two-way deterministic, as well as probabilistic sensitivity analyses. RESULTS: The base case was modeled using a 65-year-old male. NACRT yielded 1.61 QALYs at $45,483.52 USD. USR yielded 1.47 QALYs at a discount of $6,840.96 USD. The ICER was $48,130 USD, which favors NACRT. One-way sensitivity analyses upheld these results except when ≤ 21.0% of NACRT patients proceeded to surgery and when ≤ 85.4% of NACRT patients were resectable at surgery. Two-way sensitivity analyses also favored NACRT except in cases when the proportion of resected disease after NACRT decreased. NACRT was favored in 94.3% of 100,000 random-sampling simulations. CONCLUSION: It is more cost-effective to administer NACRT before surgery for patients with resectable PC. On the basis of sensitivity analyses, USR with adjuvant therapy is only favored if rates of resection and eligibility for resection after NACRT decrease. NACRT should be considered in all patients unless there is an absolute contraindication.

Staging CT and Diagnostic Laparoscopy With Cytology Prior to the Treatment of Pancreatic Adenocarcinoma: A Case Series.

INTRODUCTION: Initial staging of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is performed with computed tomography (CT). Laparoscopy with peritoneal cytology at staging can uncover occult disease undetected by CT. This case series assessed clinical course following staging laparoscopy with cytology in patients with PDAC. METHODS: This single-center study examined patients with non-metastatic PDAC diagnosed from 2017 to 2020. Patients underwent CT and subsequent laparoscopy with cytology prior to treatment. Demographics, clinicopathologic status, treatment course, and survival were compared. RESULTS: Eight patients were identified. All had negative laparoscopies. Five cytologies were negative, two were atypical, and one was positive. Two patients with negative cytology received neoadjuvant chemotherapy and underwent resection, with an average follow-up time of 32.9 months since diagnosis. Of the three remaining patients with negative cytology, none underwent resection. One received delayed chemotherapy, while the others could not due to medical contraindications. The average survival was 3.5 months (n=2). Of two patients with atypical cytology, neither underwent resection. One could not receive chemotherapy due to medical contraindication, while the other was lost to follow-up shortly after diagnosis. The average survival was 1.3 months (n=1). The patient with positive cytology received definitive chemotherapy without resection and survived for 21.6 months. CONCLUSIONS: The patient with positive cytology may have been spared non-therapeutic surgery. Remaining unresected patients showed poor survival, though the lack of immediate chemotherapy may contribute to this finding. Further research is needed to determine optimal candidates for invasive staging and implications of atypical cytology.