Initial treatment is associated with improved survival and end-of-life outcomes for patients with pancreatic cancer: a cohort study.

BACKGROUND: We describe the association between initial treatment and end-of-life (EOL) outcomes among patients with pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC). METHODS: This population-based cohort study included patients with PDAC who died from April 2010-December 2017 in Ontario, Canada using administrative databases. We used multivariable models to explore the association between index cancer treatment (no cancer-directed therapy, radiation, chemotherapy, surgery alone, and surgery and chemotherapy), and primary (mortality, healthcare encounters and palliative care) and secondary outcomes (location of death, hospitalizations, and receipt of chemotherapy within the last 30 days of life). RESULTS: In our cohort (N = 9950), 56% received no cancer-directed therapy, 5% underwent radiation, 27% underwent chemotherapy, 7% underwent surgery alone, and 6% underwent surgery and chemotherapy. Compared to no cancer-directed therapy, radiation therapy (HR = 0.63), chemotherapy (HR = 0.43) surgery alone (HR = 0.32), and surgery and chemotherapy (HR = 0.23) were all associated with decreased mortality. Radiation (AMD = - 3.64), chemotherapy (AMD = -6.35), surgery alone (AMD = -6.91), and surgery and chemotherapy (AMD = -6.74) were all associated with fewer healthcare encounters per 30 days in the last 6 months of life. Chemotherapy (AMD = -1.57), surgery alone (AMD = -1.65), and surgery and chemotherapy (AMD = -1.67) were associated with fewer palliative care visits (all p-values for estimates above < 0.05). Treatment groups were associated with lower odds of institutional death and hospitalization at EOL, and higher odds of chemotherapy at EOL. CONCLUSIONS: Receiving cancer-directed therapies was associated with higher survival, fewer healthcare visits, lower odds of dying in an institution and hospitalization at EOL, fewer palliative care visits, and higher odds of receiving chemotherapy at EOL.

Health Care Utilization and Costs for Patients With End-Stage Liver Disease Are Significantly Higher at the End of Life Compared to Those of Other Decedents.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: Patients with end-stage liver disease (ESLD) have progressively complex medical needs. However, little is known about their end-of-life health care utilization or associated costs. We performed a population-based study to evaluate the end-of-life direct utilization and costs for patients with ESLD among health care sectors in the province of Ontario. METHODS: We used linked Ontario health administrative databases to conduct a population-based retrospective cohort study of all decedents from April 1, 2010, through March 31, 2013. Patients with ESLD were compared with patients without ESLD with regard to total health care utilization and costs in the last year and last 90 days of life. RESULTS: The median age at death was significantly lower for ESLD decedents (65 y; interquartile range, 56-75 y) than for individuals without ESLD (80 y; interquartile range, 68-88 y). The median cost in the last year of life was significantly greater for patients with ESLD ($51,235 vs $44,456 without ESLD) (P < .001). Median ESLD end-of-life care costs also significantly exceeded those associated with 4 of the 5 most resource-intensive chronic conditions ($69,040 for ESLD vs $59,088 for non-ESLD) (P < .001). Cost differences were most pronounced in the final 90 days of life. During this period, patients with ESLD spent 4.7 more days in the hospital (95% CI, 4.3-5.1 d) than patients without ESLD (P < .0001), had significantly higher odds of dying in an institutional setting (odds ratio, 1.8; 95% CI, 1.7-1.9) (P < .0001), and incurred an additional $4201 in costs (95% CI, $3384-$5019; P < .0001). CONCLUSIONS: In a population-based study in Canada, we found that patients with ESLD incur significantly higher end-of-life care costs than decedents without ESLD, predominantly owing to increased time in the hospital during the final 90 days of life.

Recurrence of bipolar disorder during pregnancy: a systematic review.

We conducted a systematic review of the literature to determine the prevalence of mood episode recurrences during pregnancy among women with bipolar disorder. Included studies (n = 11) had wide variation in the reported proportions of pregnant women with bipolar disorder who experienced a recurrence (median = 24%, range = 4-73%). There is some evidence that pregnant women are more likely to have a depressive or mixed episode, rather than hypomanic or manic. The extant literature cannot answer the question of how pregnancy affects the course of bipolar disorder; it merely informs us of the effect of medication discontinuation during pregnancy.

Diagnostic Significance Of Bone Marrow Examination Amongst The Patients With Abnormal Haematological Parameters.

BACKGROUND: Bone Marrow examination is considered to be the most indispensable diagnostic tool for the evaluation of many neoplastic and non-neoplastic haematological disorders. After an initial assessment of suspicious cases on abnormal laboratory parameters along with the clinical presentation of the patient marrow examination is finally required for diagnosis as well as management of many haematological malignancies as it offers a clear cytological as well as histological picture of Bone Marrow aspirate and biopsy respectively. The Objective was to evaluate the significance of Bone Marrow examination in patients with abnormal haematological parameters. METHODS: A retrospective study conducted at the Pathology Department of Pak Emirates Military Hospital from (Jan-June 2022) On data from150 patients who were advised to undergo bone marrow examination due to abnormal lab parameters and peripheral smear findings after informed consent and approval from the ethics review committee, to find out the correlation of abnormal haematological parameters and aspirate findings which have led to a definitive diagnosis. Data comprising basic demographic variables (age, gender etc.), Abnormal Haematological Parameters (CBC), peripheral smear findings and Aspirate findings were analyzed using SPSS version 23.0. RESULTS: Out of 150 studied participants with abnormal haematological parameters 24 (16%) were diagnosed on bone marrow examination as acute leukaemia / Hodgkin's and Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma respectively, 13 (9%) cases of aplastic anaemia and Autoimmune HaemolyticAnaemia, 33 (22%)cases of hypersplenism, CML and multiple myeloma. While 22 (15%) cases were diagnosed with BME as CKD and reactive changes. Moreover, 22(15%) cases were found to have Iron Deficiency anaemia respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The study revealed that patients with abnormal haematological parameters should undergo bone marrow examination to ascertain the diagnosis for malignant as well as non-malignant conditions that could cause abnormal lab parameters.

High Diagnostic Yield of Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatography Brush Cytology for Indeterminate Strictures.

Background: Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) brush cytology is used frequently for sampling indeterminate biliary strictures. Studies have demonstrated that the diagnostic yield of brush cytology for malignant strictures is estimated to be 6%-70%. With improved diagnostic tools, sampling techniques and specimen processing, the yield of ERCP brush cytology may be higher. This study aimed to assess the yield of brush cytology and determine factors associated with a positive diagnosis. Methods: This was a cohort study of patients who underwent ERCP brush cytology from October 2017 to May 2020. Patient demographics, clinical, procedural and pathological data were collected using chart review. Sampling data were captured up to 3 months post-index ERCP to capture repeat brushings, biopsies or surgical resections. Outcomes included the diagnostic yield, true/false positive values and true/false negative values of malignancy detection using ERCP brush cytology. Results: A total of 126 patients underwent a brush cytology, 58% were male and 79% had a stricture in the extrahepatic region. Ninety-three patients were diagnosed with a malignancy, of which 78 had positive brush cytology results and 15 had a negative brush cytology result. The diagnostic yield, sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value and accuracy were 84%, 83%, 97%, 99%, 68% and 87% respectively. Conclusion: ERCP brush cytology performed using updated sampling technique is associated with high diagnostic yield. This allows for earlier malignancy diagnosis, timely treatment and decreased need for further investigation.

Learning curves in ERCP during advanced endoscopy training: a Canadian multicenter prospective study.

Background and study aims Growing emphasis on quality and patient safety has supported the shift toward competency-based medical education for advanced endoscopy trainees (AETs). In this study, we aimed to examine Canadian AETs learning curves and achievement of competence using an ERCP assessment tool with strong evidence of validity. Methods This prospective study was conducted at five institutions across Canada from 2017-2018. Data on every fifth procedure performed by trainees were collected using the United Kingdom Joint Advisory Joint Advisory Group of Gastrointestinal Endoscopy (JAG) ERCP Direct Observation of Procedural Skills (DOPS) tool, which includes a four-point rating scale for 27 items. Cumulative sum (CUSUM) analysis was used to create learning curves for overall supervision ratings and ERCP DOPS items by plotting scores for procedures performed during training. Results Eleven trainees who were evaluated for 261 procedures comprised our sample. The median number of evaluations by site was 49 (Interquartile range (IQR) 31-76) and by trainee was 15 (IQR 11-45). The overall cannulation rate by trainees was 82 % (241/261), and the native papilla cannulation rate was 78 % (149/191). All trainees achieved competence in the "overall supervision" domain of the ERCP DOPS by the end of their fellowship. Trainees achieved competency in all individual domains, except for tissue sampling and sphincteroplasty. Conclusions Canadian AETs are graduating from fellowship programs with acceptable levels of competence for overall ERCP performance and for the most specific tasks. Learning curves may help identify areas of deficiency that may require supplementary training, such as tissue sampling.

Standard reporting elements for the performance of EUS: Recommendations from the FOCUS working group.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Quality indicators for the performance of EUS have been developed to monitor and improve service value and patient outcomes. To support the incorporation of these indicators and standardize EUS documentation, we propose standard EUS reporting elements for endosonographers and endoscopy units. METHODS: A comprehensive literature search and review was performed to identify EUS quality indicators and key components of high-quality standardized EUS reporting. Guidance statements regarding standard EUS reporting elements were developed and reviewed at the Forum for Canadian Endoscopic Ultrasound (FOCUS) 2019 Annual Meeting. RESULTS: EUS reporting elements can be divided into preprocedural, intraprocedural, and postprocedural items. Preprocedural components include the type, indication, and urgency of the procedure and patient clinical information and consent. Intraprocedural components include the adequacy and extent of examination, relevant landmarks, lesion characteristics, sampling method, specimen quality, and intraprocedural adverse events. Postprocedural components include a summary and synthesis of relevant findings as well as recommended management and follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: Standardizing reporting elements may help improve the care of patients undergoing EUS procedures. Our review provides a practical guide and compilation of recommended reporting elements to ensure ongoing best practices and quality improvement in EUS.

The incremental benefit of EUS for the identification of malignancy in indeterminate extrahepatic biliary strictures: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

This systematic review aims to assess the literature to determine the impact of EUS for diagnosing malignancy among indeterminate extrahepatic biliary strictures. A systematic review was performed using MEDLINE, EMBASE, Cochrane, and conference proceedings from inception to July 2016. Pooled results were calculated using random-effects model, and heterogeneity was explored using stratified meta-analysis and meta-regression. The main outcome was the incremental benefit of EUS (IBEUS) for the diagnosis of malignancy among patients who have undergone ERCP with brushing cytology for extrahepatic biliary strictures. Of 3131 identified citations, ten met the inclusion criteria and were included in the final analyses (study periods from 1998 to 2014). Pooled IBEUS estimate with the adjustment for publication bias was 14% (95% confidence interval, 7%-20%). Individual studies demonstrate that the IBEUS is greater for distal biliary strictures or when an extrinsic mass is identified on cross-sectional imaging. EUS increases the identification of malignancy for indeterminate biliary strictures following a nondiagnostic ERCP, particularly those that are distal or related to extrinsic compression.