Epidemiology of abdominal wall and groin hernia repairs in children.

PURPOSE: We sought to estimate the prevalence, incidence, and timing of surgery for elective and non-elective hernia repairs. METHODS: We performed a retrospective cohort study, abstracting data on children < 18 years from the 2005-2014 DoD Military Health System Data Repository, which includes > 3 million dependents of U.S. Armed Services members. Our primary outcome was initial hernia repair (inguinal, umbilical, ventral, or femoral), stratified by elective versus non-elective repair and by age. We calculated prevalence, incidence rate, and time from diagnosis to repair. RESULTS: 19,398 children underwent hernia repair (12,220 inguinal, 5761 umbilical, 1373 ventral, 44 femoral). Prevalence of non-elective repairs ranged from 6% (umbilical) to 22% (ventral). Incidence rates of elective repairs ranged from 0.03 [95% CI: 0.02-0.04] (femoral) to 8.92 [95% CI: 8.76-9.09] (inguinal) per 10,000 person-years, while incidence rates of non-elective repairs ranged from 0.005 [95% CI: 0.002-0.01] (femoral) to 0.68 [95% CI: 0.64-0.73] (inguinal) per 10,000 person-years. Inguinal (median = 20, interquartile range [IQR] = 0-46 days), ventral (median = 23, IQR = 5-62 days), and femoral hernias (median = 0, IQR = 0-12 days) were repaired more promptly and with less variation than umbilical hernias (median = 66, IQR = 23-422 days). CONCLUSIONS: These data describe the burden of hernia repair in the U.S. The large variation in time between diagnosis and repair by hernia type identifies an important area of research to understand mechanisms underlying such heterogeneity and determine the ideal timing for repair. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Prognosis study II.

Opioid Prescription Patterns for Children Following Laparoscopic Appendectomy.

OBJECTIVE: To describe variability in and consequences of opioid prescriptions following pediatric laparoscopic appendectomy. SUMMARY BACKGROUND DATA: Postoperative opioid prescribing patterns may contribute to persistent opioid use in both adults and children. METHODS: We included children <18 years enrolled as dependents in the Military Health System Data Repository who underwent uncomplicated laparoscopic appendectomy (2006-2014). For the primary outcome of days of opioids prescribed, we evaluated associations with discharging service, standardized to the distribution of baseline covariates. Secondary outcomes included refill, Emergency Department (ED) visit for constipation, and ED visit for pain. RESULTS: Among 6732 children, 68% were prescribed opioids (range = 1-65 d, median = 4 d, IQR = 3-5 d). Patients discharged by general surgery services were prescribed 1.23 (95% CI = 1.06-1.42) excess days of opioids, compared with those discharged by pediatric surgery services. Risk of ED visit for constipation (n = 61, 1%) was increased with opioid prescription [1-3 d, risk ratio (RR) = 2.46, 95% CI = 1.31-5.78; 4-6 d, RR = 1.89, 95% CI = 0.83-4.67; 7-14 d, RR = 3.75, 95% CI = 1.38-9.44; >14 d, RR = 6.27, 95% CI = 1.23-19.68], compared with no opioid prescription. There was similar or increased risk of ED visit for pain (n = 319, 5%) with opioid prescription [1-3 d, RR = 1.00, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.74-1.32; 4-6 d, RR = 1.31, 95% CI = 0.99-1.73; 7-14 d, RR = 1.52, 95% CI = 1.00-2.18], compared with no opioid prescription. Likewise, need for refill (n = 157, 3%) was not associated with initial days of opioid prescribed (reference 1-3 d; 4-6 d, RR = 0.96, 95% CI = 0.68-1.35; 7-14 d, RR = 0.91, 95% CI = 0.49-1.46; and >14 d, RR = 1.22, 95% CI = 0.59-2.07). CONCLUSIONS: There was substantial variation in opioid prescribing patterns. Opioid prescription duration increased risk of ED visits for constipation, but not for pain or refill.

Management of Reducible Ventral Hernias: Clinical Outcomes and Cost-effectiveness of Repair at Diagnosis Versus Watchful Waiting.

OBJECTIVE: To compare long-term clinical and economic outcomes associated with 3 management strategies for reducible ventral hernia: repair at diagnosis (open or laparoscopic) and watchful waiting. BACKGROUND: There is variability in ventral hernia management. Recent data suggest watchful waiting is safe; however, long-term clinical and economic outcomes for different management strategies remain unknown. METHODS: We built a state-transition microsimulation model to forecast outcomes for individuals with reducible ventral hernia, simulating a cohort of 1 million individuals for each strategy. We derived cohort characteristics (mean age 58 years, 63% female), hospital costs, and perioperative mortality from the Nationwide Inpatient Sample (2003-2011), and additional probabilities, costs, and utilities from the literature. Outcomes included prevalence of any repair, emergent repair, and recurrence; lifetime costs; quality-adjusted life years (QALYs); and incremental cost-effectiveness ratios. We performed stochastic and probabilistic sensitivity analyses to identify parameter thresholds that affect optimal management, using a willingness-to-pay threshold of $50,000/QALY. RESULTS: With watchful waiting, 39% ultimately required repair (14% emergent) and 24% recurred. Seventy per cent recurred with repair at diagnosis. Laparoscopic repair at diagnosis was cost-effective compared with open repair at diagnosis (incremental cost-effectiveness ratio $27,700/QALY). The choice of operative strategy (open vs laparoscopic) was sensitive to cost and postoperative quality of life. When perioperative mortality exceeded 5.2% or yearly recurrence exceeded 19.2%, watchful waiting became preferred. CONCLUSIONS: Ventral hernia repair at diagnosis is very cost-effective. The choice between open and laparoscopic repair depends on surgical costs and postoperative quality of life. In patients with high risk of perioperative mortality or recurrence, watchful waiting is preferred.

Comparison of Military Health System Data Repository and American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program-Pediatric.

BACKGROUND: Given the rarity of pediatric surgical disease, it is important to consider available large-scale data resources as a means to better study and understand relevant disease-processes and their treatments. The Military Health System Data Repository (MDR) includes claims-based information for > 3 million pediatric patients who are dependents of members and retirees of the United States Armed Services, but has not been externally validated. We hypothesized that demographics and selected outcome metrics would be similar between MDR and the previously validated American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program-Pediatric (NSQIP-P) for several common pediatric surgical operations. METHODS: We selected five commonly performed pediatric surgical operations: appendectomy, pyeloplasty, pyloromyotomy, spinal arthrodesis for scoliosis, and facial reconstruction for cleft palate. Among children who underwent these operations, we compared demographics (age, sex, and race) and clinical outcomes (length of hospital stay [LOS] and mortality) in the MDR and NSQIP-P, including all available overlapping years (2012-2014). RESULTS: Age, sex, and race were generally similar between the NSQIP-P and MDR. Specifically, these demographics were generally similar between the resources for appendectomy (NSQIP-P, n = 20,602 vs. MDR, n = 4363; median age 11 vs. 12 years; female 40% vs. 41%; white 75% vs. 84%), pyeloplasty (NSQIP-P, n = 786 vs. MDR, n = 112; median age 0.9 vs. 2 years; female 28% vs. 28%; white 71% vs. 80%), pyloromyotomy, (NSQIP-P, n = 3827 vs. MDR, n = 227; median age 34 vs. < 1 year, female 17% vs. 16%; white 76% vs. 89%), scoliosis surgery (NSQIP-P, n = 5743 vs. MDR, n = 95; median age 14.2 vs. 14 years; female 75% vs. 67%; white 72% vs. 75%), and cleft lip/palate repair (NSQIP-P, n = 6202 vs. MDR, n = 749; median age, 1 vs. 1 year; female 42% vs. 45%; white 69% vs. 84%). Length of stay and 30-day mortality were similar between resources. LOS and 30-day mortality were also similar between datasets. CONCLUSION: For the selected common pediatric surgical operations, patients included in the MDR were comparable to those included in the validated NSQIP-P. The MDR may comprise a valuable clinical outcomes research resource, especially for studying infrequent diseases with follow-up beyond the 30-day peri-operative period.

Insurance status and pediatric mortality in nonaccidental trauma.

BACKGROUND: Nonaccidental trauma (NAT) is a leading cause of injury and death in early childhood. We sought to understand the association between insurance status and mortality in a national sample of pediatric NAT patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We performed a retrospective cohort study using the 2012-2014 National Trauma Databank. We included children ≤18 y hospitalized with NAT (The International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision codes: E967-968). The primary exposure was insurance status (categorized as public, private, and uninsured). The primary outcome was emergency department or inpatient mortality from NAT. RESULTS: We identified 6389 children with NAT. Mean age was 1.6 y (standard deviation 3.7), with 41% female and 42% of an ethnic or racial minority. Most were publicly insured (77%), with 17% privately insured and 6% uninsured. Mean injury severity score (ISS) was 13.9 (standard deviation 10.3). Overall, 516 (8%) patients died following NAT. Compared to patients who survived, those who died were more likely to be younger (mean age 1.0 y versus 1.6 y; P < 0.001), uninsured (13% versus 6%; P < 0.001), transferred to a higher-care facility (57% versus 49%; P < 0.001), and more severely injured (mean ISS 25.9 versus 12.8; P < 0.001). After adjusting for age, race, transfer status, and ISS, uninsured patients had 3.3-fold (95% CI = 2.4-4.6) greater odds of death compared to those with public insurance. For every 1 point increase in ISS, children had 12% (95% CI = 11%-13%) increased adjusted odds of death. CONCLUSIONS: Pediatric patients without insurance had significantly greater odds of death following NAT, compared to children with public insurance. Knowledge that uninsured children comprise an especially vulnerable population is important for targeting potential interventions.

Testicular atrophy following inguinal hernia repair in children.

PURPOSE: We sought to determine the incidence and timing of testicular atrophy following inguinal hernia repair in children. METHODS: We used the TRICARE database, which tracks care delivered to active and retired members of the US Armed Forces and their dependents, including > 3 million children. We abstracted data on male children < 12 years who underwent inguinal hernia repair (2005-2014). We excluded patients with history of testicular atrophy, malignancy or prior related operation. Our primary outcome was the incidence of the diagnosis of testicular atrophy. Among children with atrophy, we calculated median time to diagnosis, stratified by age/undescended testis. RESULTS: 8897 children met inclusion criteria. Median age at hernia repair was 2 years (IQR 1-5). Median follow-up was 3.57 years (IQR 1.69-6.19). Overall incidence of testicular atrophy was 5.1/10,000 person-years, with the highest incidence in those with an undescended testis (13.9/10,000 person-years). All cases occurred in children [Formula: see text] 5 years, with 72% in children < 2 years. Median time to atrophy was 2.4 years (IQR 0.64-3), with 30% occurring within 1 year and 75% within 3 years. CONCLUSION: Testicular atrophy is a rare complication following inguinal hernia repair, with children < 2 years and those with an undescended testis at highest risk. While 30% of cases were diagnosed within a year after repair, atrophy may be diagnosed substantially later. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Prognosis Study, Level II.

Factors Associated with Pediatric Mortality from Motor Vehicle Crashes in the United States: A State-Based Analysis.

OBJECTIVE: To examine geographic variation in motor vehicle crash (MVC)-related pediatric mortality and identify state-level predictors of mortality. STUDY DESIGN: Using the 2010-2014 Fatality Analysis Reporting System, we identified passengers <15 years of age involved in fatal MVCs, defined as crashes on US public roads with ≥1 death (adult or pediatric) within 30 days. We assessed passenger, driver, vehicle, crash, and state policy characteristics as factors potentially associated with MVC-related pediatric mortality. Our outcomes were age-adjusted, MVC-related mortality rate per 100 000 children and percentage of children who died of those in fatal MVCs. Unit of analysis was US state. We used multivariable linear regression to define state characteristics associated with higher levels of each outcome. RESULTS: Of 18 116 children in fatal MVCs, 15.9% died. The age-adjusted, MVC-related mortality rate per 100 000 children varied from 0.25 in Massachusetts to 3.23 in Mississippi (mean national rate of 0.94). Predictors of greater age-adjusted, MVC-related mortality rate per 100 000 children included greater percentage of children who were unrestrained or inappropriately restrained (P < .001) and greater percentage of crashes on rural roads (P = .016). Additionally, greater percentages of children died in states without red light camera legislation (P < .001). For 10% absolute improvement in appropriate child restraint use nationally, our risk-adjusted model predicted >1100 pediatric deaths averted over 5 years. CONCLUSIONS: MVC-related pediatric mortality varied by state and was associated with restraint nonuse or misuse, rural roads, vehicle type, and red light camera policy. Revising state regulations and improving enforcement around these factors may prevent substantial pediatric mortality.

State-level geographic variation in prompt access to care for children after motor vehicle crashes.

BACKGROUND: Motor vehicle crashes (MVCs) are a principal cause of death in children; fatal MVCs and pediatric trauma resources vary by state. We sought to examine state-level variability in and predictors of prompt access to care for children in MVCs. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Using the 2010-2014 Fatality Analysis Reporting System, we identified passengers aged <15 y involved in fatal MVCs (crashes on US public roads with ≥1 death, adult or pediatric, within 30 d). We included children requiring transport for medical care from the crash scene with documented time of hospital arrival. Our primary outcome was transport time to first hospital, defined as >1 or ≤1 h. We used multivariable logistic regression to establish state-level variability in the percentage of children with transport time >1 h, adjusting for injury severity (no injury, possible injury, suspected minor injury, suspected severe injury, fatal injury, and unknown severity), mode of transport (emergency medical services [EMS] air, EMS ground, and non-EMS), and rural roads. RESULTS: We identified 18,116 children involved in fatal MVCs from 2010 to 2014; 10,407 (57%) required transport for medical care. Median transport time was 1 h (interquartile range: [1, 1]; range: [0, 23]). The percent of children with transport time >1 h varied significantly by state, from 0% in several states to 69% in New Mexico. Children with no injuries identified at the scene and crashes on rural roads were more likely to have transport times >1 h. CONCLUSIONS: Transport times for children after fatal MVCs varied substantially across states. These results may inform state-level pediatric trauma response planning.

Late-onset hypertrophic pyloric stenosis with gastric outlet obstruction: case report and review of the literature.

We report late-onset hypertrophic pyloric stenosis in a 17-year-old female. She presented with abdominal pain and an episode of upper gastrointestinal hemorrhage and subsequently developed gastric outlet obstruction. Work-up revealed circumferential pyloric thickening, delayed gastric emptying, and a stenotic, elongated pyloric channel. Biopsies showed benign gastropathy, negative for Helicobacter pylori, without eosinophilic infiltrates. Botulinum toxin injection provided limited relief. Diagnostic laparoscopy confirmed the hypertrophic pylorus and we performed laparoscopic pyloromyotomy. The patient tolerated the procedure well and had complete symptom resolution at 1-year follow-up. Hypertrophic pyloric stenosis is a rare cause of gastric outlet obstruction in adolescents and may be managed successfully with laparoscopic pyloromyotomy.

Implementation of Guidelines Limiting Postoperative Opioid Prescribing at a Children's Hospital.

OBJECTIVES: Variability in opioid-prescribing practices after common pediatric surgical procedures at our institution prompted the development of opioid-prescribing guidelines that provided suggested dose limitations for narcotics. The aims of this study were to improve opioid prescription practices through implementation of the developed guidelines and to assess compliance and identify barriers preventing guideline utilization. METHODS: We conducted a single-center cohort study of all children who underwent the most common outpatient general surgery procedures at our institution from August 1, 2018, to February 1, 2020. We created guidelines designed to limit opioid prescription doses based on data obtained from standardized postoperative telephone interviews. Three 6-month periods were evaluated: before guideline implementation, after guideline initiation, and after addressing barriers to guideline compliance. Targeted interventions to increase compliance included modification of electronic medical record defaults and provider educations. Differences in opioid weight-based doses prescribed, filled, and taken, as well as protocol adherence between the 3 timeframes were evaluated. RESULTS: A total of 1033 children underwent an outpatient procedure during the 1.5-year time frame. Phone call response rate was 72.22%. There was a significant sustained decrease in opioid doses prescribed ( P < 0.0001), prescriptions filled ( P = 0.009), and opioid doses taken ( P = 0.001) after implementation, without subsequent increase in reported pain on postoperative phone call ( P = 0.96). Protocol compliance significantly improved (62.39% versus 83.98%, P < 0.0001) after obstacles were addressed. CONCLUSIONS: Implementation of a protocol limiting opioid prescribing after frequently performed pediatric general surgery procedures reduced opioids prescribed and taken postoperatively. Interventions that addressed barriers to application led to increased protocol compliance and sustained decreases in opioids prescribed and taken without a deleterious effect on pain control.

Esophagogastroduodenoscopy in a public referral hospital in Lilongwe, Malawi: spectrum of disease and associated risk factors.

BACKGROUND: Esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD) is a valuable tool for diagnosing and treating upper gastrointestinal disease. Prioritizing the use of EGD in resource-limited settings must be customized to local populations to maximize population benefit from the examination. METHODS: Cross-sectional, retrospective review of EGD reports was conducted at Kamuzu Central Hospital (KCH), Lilongwe, Malawi. Esophageal tumors were defined as obstructive or nonobstructive and esophageal varices were graded on a scale of I to IV. Descriptive statistics were calculated and logistic regression performed for each disease state compared with all other reports. RESULTS: A total of 1,034 cases were reviewed (56% male; mean age (standard deviation), 44 (17) years). The most common indications were dysphagia (37%), hematemesis (21%), and epigastric pain (16%). The most common diagnoses were normal (36%), esophageal cancer (27%), and esophageal varices (17%). Eighty-six percent of esophageal tumors were obstructive and 45% of esophageal varices were grade III or IV. Normal examinations were more likely to be female, younger, and present with dyspepsia. Esophageal cancers were more likely to be male, older, present with dysphagia, and present from districts outside Lilongwe. Esophageal varices were more likely to present with hematemesis. CONCLUSIONS: EGD is a limited resource at KCH; patient selection should be guided by patient age and indication. The high burden of esophageal cancer and varices in Malawi suggests that therapeutic endoscopy would be beneficial.

When to start antiretroviral therapy in resource-limited settings.

BACKGROUND: The results of international clinical trials that are assessing when to initiate antiretroviral therapy (ART) will not be available for several years. OBJECTIVE: To inform HIV treatment decisions about the optimal CD4 threshold at which to initiate ART in South Africa while awaiting the results of these trials. DESIGN: Cost-effectiveness analysis by using a computer simulation model of HIV disease. DATA SOURCES: Published data from randomized trials and observational cohorts in South Africa. TARGET POPULATION: HIV-infected patients in South Africa. TIME HORIZON: 5-year and lifetime. PERSPECTIVE: Modified societal. INTERVENTION: No treatment, ART initiated at a CD4 count less than 0.250 x 10(9) cells/L, and ART initiated at a CD4 count less than 0.350 x 10(9) cells/L. OUTCOME MEASURES: Morbidity, mortality, life expectancy, medical costs, and cost-effectiveness. RESULTS OF BASE-CASE ANALYSIS: If 10% to 100% of HIV-infected patients are identified and linked to care, a CD4 count threshold for ART initiation of 0.350 x 10(9) cells/L would reduce severe opportunistic diseases by 22,000 to 221,000 and deaths by 25,000 to 253,000 during the next 5 years compared with ART initiation at 0.250 x 10(9) cells/L; cost increases would range from $142 million (10%) to $1.4 billion (100%). Either ART initiation strategy would increase long-term survival by at least 7.9 years, with a mean per-person life expectancy of 3.8 years with no ART and 12.5 years with an initiation threshold of 0.350 x 10(9) cells/L. Compared with an initiation threshold of 0.250 x 10(9) cells/L, a threshold of 0.350 x 10(9) cells/L has an incremental cost-effectiveness ratio of $1200 per year of life saved. RESULTS OF SENSITIVITY ANALYSIS: Initiating ART at a CD4 count less than 0.350 x 10(9) cells/L would remain cost-effective over the next 5 years even if the probability that the trial would demonstrate the superiority of earlier therapy is as low as 17%. LIMITATION: This model does not consider the possible benefits of initiating ART at a CD4 count greater than 0.350 x 10(9) cells/L or of reduced HIV transmission. CONCLUSION: Earlier initiation of ART in South Africa will probably reduce morbidity and mortality, improve long-term survival, and be cost-effective. While awaiting trial results, treatment guidelines should be liberalized to allow initiation at CD4 counts less than 0.350 x 10(9) cells/L, earlier than is currently recommended. PRIMARY FUNDING SOURCE: National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases and the Doris Duke Charitable Foundation.

Road Traffic Accidents and Disparities in Child Mortality.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Road traffic accidents are a leading cause of child deaths in the United States. Although this has been examined at the national and state levels, there is more value in acquiring information at the county level to guide local policies. We aimed to estimate county-specific child mortality from road traffic accidents in the United States. METHODS: We queried the Fatality Analysis Reporting System database, 2010-2017, for road traffic accidents that resulted in a death within 30 days of the auto crash. We included all children <15 years old who were fatally injured. We estimated county-specific age- and sex-standardized mortality. We evaluated the impact of the availability of trauma centers and urban-rural classification of counties on mortality. RESULTS: We included 9271 child deaths. Among those, 45% died at the scene. The median age was 7 years. The overall mortality was 1.87 deaths per 100 000 children. County-specific mortality ranged between 0.25 and 21.91 deaths per 100 000 children. The availability of a trauma center in a county was associated with decreased mortality (adult trauma center [odds ratio (OR): 0.59; 95% credibility interval (CI), 0.52-0.66]; pediatric trauma center [OR: 0.56; 95% CI, 0.46-0.67]). Less urbanized counties were associated with higher mortality, compared with large central metropolitan counties (noncore counties [OR: 2.33; 95% CI, 1.85-2.91]). CONCLUSIONS: There are marked differences in child mortality from road traffic accidents among US counties. Our findings can guide targeted public health interventions in high-risk counties with excessive child mortality and limited access to trauma care.

Incidence and risk factors for sepsis after childhood splenectomy.

BACKGROUND: Children who have undergone splenectomy may develop impaired immunologic function and heightened risk of overwhelming postsplenectomy infection. We sought to define the long-term rate of and risk factors for postsplenectomy sepsis. METHODS: We leveraged the Military Health System Data Repository, a nationally representative claims database including >3 million children registered as dependents of members of the United States Armed Services (2005-2014). Inclusion criterion was splenectomy at age 18 years or prior. The primary outcome was hospitalization for sepsis. RESULTS: Among 195 children who underwent splenectomy, 7% (n = 13) were hospitalized with sepsis, with an incidence of 1.8 (95% CI = 1.0-3.1) events per 100 person-years. The median time to sepsis was 224 days (IQR = 109-606) and 38% (5/13) of events occurred within the first postsplenectomy year. The postsplenectomy mortality rate was 1% (n = 3). After adjusting for underlying diagnosis, older age at splenectomy (HR = 0.90 per year, 95% CI = 0.81-0.99) was associated with decreased hazard of sepsis. CONCLUSIONS: In a contemporary national cohort, the prevalence of postsplenectomy sepsis was 7% (1.8 events per 100 person-years). Although most presented during the first year after splenectomy, many (62%) sepsis events occurred later, suggesting that postsplenectomy immunologic dysfunction persists beyond one year. The immunologic consequences of asplenia must continue to be acknowledged, as postsplenectomy sepsis remains a serious concern. TYPE OF STUDY: Prognosis study. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level III.

HIV morbidity and mortality in Jamaica: analysis of national surveillance data, 1993--2005.

OBJECTIVES: Pre-antiretroviral therapy (ART) HIV-related survival and timing of HIV identification have not been reported from the Caribbean. Using Jamaican national surveillance data, we estimated overall, AIDS-free, and AIDS survival, identified factors influencing HIV-related mortality, and examined factors associated with late HIV/AIDS identification. METHODS: The Jamaican HIV/AIDS tracking system (HATS) national surveillance data included timing of first positive HIV test, stage at identification, date of AIDS diagnosis, and death. We estimated overall and AIDS-free survival by initial stage, using a proportional hazard model to identify factors associated with worse survival, and logistic regression to examine factors related to later case identification. RESULTS: Of 10674 reported HIV cases, 48% were asymptomatic, 14% symptomatic, and 38% first reported with AIDS. Five-year AIDS-free survival was 77% for asymptomatic persons and 63% for symptomatic. Median survival after AIDS diagnosis was 1.02 years. Age, number of opportunistic diseases, and initial stage were strongly associated with mortality. Older age, drug use, and sex with a commercial sex worker were associated with later identification. CONCLUSIONS: In the pre-ART era, over one-third of HIV-infected persons in Jamaica were first identified with advanced disease. This highlights the need for earlier diagnosis as ART programs roll out in the Caribbean.

The "mortality ascent": Hourly risk of death for hemodynamically unstable trauma patients at Level II versus Level I trauma centers.

BACKGROUND: Severely injured trauma patients have higher in-hospital mortality at Level II versus Level I trauma centers (TCs). To better understand these differences, we sought to determine if there were any periods during which hemodynamically unstable trauma patients are at higher risk of death at Level II versus Level I TCs within the first 24 hours postadmission. STUDY DESIGN: Trauma patients aged 18 years to 64 years, with Injury Severity Score of 15 or greater, systolic blood pressure less than 90 mm Hg at admission, and treated at Level II or Level I TCs, were identified using the 2007 to 2012 National Trauma Data Bank. Burn patients, transfers, and patients dead on arrival were excluded. Log-binomial regression models, adjusted for patient- and hospital-level confounders, were used to compare mortality at Level II versus Level I TCs over the first 24 hours postadmission. RESULTS: Of 13,846 hemodynamically unstable patients, 4,212 (30.4%) were treated at 149 Level II TCs, and 9,634 (69.6%) at 116 Level I TCs. Within the first 24 hours, 3,059 (22.1%) patients died. In risk-adjusted models, mortality risk was significantly elevated at Level II versus Level I TCs during the 24 hours postadmission (relative risk, 1.08; 95% confidence interval, 1.01-1.16). Hourly mortality risk was significantly different between Level II and Level I TCs during 4 hours to 7 hours postadmission, with a maximal difference at 7 hours (relative risk, 1.70; 95% confidence interval, 1.23-2.36) and comparable mortality risk beyond 7 hours postadmission. CONCLUSION: The 4-hour to 7-hour time window postadmission is critical for hemodynamically unstable trauma patients. Variations in available treatment modalities may account for higher relative mortality at Level II TCs during this time. Further investigation to elucidate specific risk factors for mortality during this period may lead to reductions in in-hospital mortality among hemodynamically unstable trauma patients. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Therapeutic/care management, level IV.

Contemporary Factors Associated with the Use of Laparoscopy for Inguinal Hernia Repair Among Department of Defense Beneficiaries.

INTRODUCTION: The factors that contribute to variation in utilization of laparoscopic inguinal hernia repair are unknown. We sought to determine the current usage patterns of laparoscopic and open surgery in the elective repair of uncomplicated unilateral inguinal hernia in a large population with universal health care coverage comprised of Department of Defense (DoD) beneficiaries. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The DoD Military Health System Data Repository (MDR) tracks health care delivered to a universally insured population of active/reserve/retired members of the U.S. Armed Services and their dependents. The MDR was queried for elective unilateral inguinal hernia repair among adult patients between 2008 and 2014. The primary outcome was laparoscopic (vs. open) approach to hernia repair. We conducted univariable and multivariable analyses of patient- and systems-level factors associated with approach to inguinal hernia repair. This research was approved by our institutional review board prior to commencement of the study and need for informed consent was waived given the design of this study. RESULTS: Among 37,742 elective uncomplicated unilateral inguinal hernia repairs, 35% (n = 13,114) were performed laparoscopically. In 2014, 40% of inguinal hernia repairs were performed laparoscopically, compared with 27% of repairs in 2008 (P < 0.01). In multivariable analysis, laparoscopic hernia repair was more likely for male patients (OR = 1.38, 95% CI = 1.23-1.54, P < 0.01), military (vs. civilian) institutions (OR = 1.34, 95% CI = 1.28-1.41, P < 0.01), active-duty officers (vs. active-duty enlisted; OR = 1.21, 95% CI = 1.12-1.30, P < 0.01), and more recent year of surgery (P < 0.01). Laparoscopic repair was significantly less likely among patients with greater than one comorbidity (vs. none; OR = 0.68, 95% CI = 0.61-0.76, P < 0.01). CONCLUSION: In a large, universally insured population of military service members and their dependents, laparoscopic inguinal repair is increasingly used and was preferred over open repair for younger, healthier, active-duty patients and those treated within the military (vs. non-military) care system.

Hernia recurrence following inguinal hernia repair in children.

PURPOSE: We aimed to describe the incidence, timing, and predictors of recurrence following inguinal hernia repair (IHR) in children. METHODS: We used the TRICARE claims database, a national cohort of >3 million child dependents of members of the U.S. Armed Forces. We abstracted data on children <12y who underwent IHR (2005-2014). Our primary outcome was recurrence (ICD9-CM diagnosis codes). We calculated incidence rates for the population and stratified by age, time from repair to recurrence, and multivariable logistic regression to determine predictors. RESULTS: Nine thousand nine hundred ninety-three children met inclusion criteria. Age at time of IHR was ≤1y in 37%, 2-3y in 23%, 4-5y in 16%, and 5-12y in 24%. Median follow-up time was 3.5y (IQR:1.6-6.1). 137 patients recurred (1.4%), with an incidence of 3.46 per 1000 person-years. Over half occurred in children 0-1y at repair (60%). The majority occurred within a year following repair (median 209 days [IQR:79-486]). Children 0-1y had 2.53 times greater odds of recurrence (compared to >5y). Children with multiple comorbidities had 5.45 times greater odds compared to those with no comorbidities. CONCLUSIONS: The incidence of recurrence following IHR is 3.46 per 1000 person-years. The majority occurred within a year of repair. Children ≤1y and those with multiple comorbidities were at increased risk. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Prognosis Study, Level II.

The independent effect of highly active antiretroviral therapy on severe opportunistic disease incidence and mortality in HIV-infected adults in Côte d'Ivoire.

BACKGROUND: Studies in developed countries have shown highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) decreases incidence of severe opportunistic diseases (ODs) in HIV-infected patients beyond that which is expected from changes in CD4+ T-cell count. OBJECTIVE: To estimate the independent impact of HAART on reducing ODs and mortality in Côte d'Ivoire. METHODS: Within two longitudinal studies of HIV-infected adults (1996-2003), we identified time on 'cotrimoxazole alone' and 'HAART plus cotrimoxazole' WHO stage 3-4 defining events and severe malaria were divided into those preventable and not preventable with cotrimoxazole. Incidence of ODs by CD4 count stratum was estimated using incidence density analysis. CD4+ T-cell count at time of OD was estimated using linear interpolation. Using Poisson regression, we estimated the effect of HAART on OD incidence and mortality by CD4 count stratum. RESULTS: Totals of 446 and 135 adults were followed during 6,216 and 3,412 person-months in the cotrimoxazole alone and HAART plus cotrimoxazole periods, respectively. There was a CD4+ T-cell-independent risk reduction for ODs and mortality during the HAART plus cotrimoxazole period compared with cotrimoxazole alone, which varied by time on HAART, CD4 count stratum and OD type. It was mainly seen after 6 months on HAART and for ODs not preventable by cotrimoxazole. The HAART effect differed significantly by CD4 count stratum (P=0.02), but was significant in all strata after 6 months on HAART. CONCLUSIONS: In these sub-Saharan African adults, HAART initiation reduced ODs and mortality beyond that which was expected through the HAART-induced CD4+ T-cell increase. Further studies should examine practical implications of this independent 'HAART effect' on clinical outcomes in patients on HAART.

Visual screening for malignant melanoma: a cost-effectiveness analysis.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the cost-effectiveness of various melanoma screening strategies proposed in the United States. DESIGN: We developed a computer simulation Markov model to evaluate alternative melanoma screening strategies. PARTICIPANTS: Hypothetical cohort of the general population and siblings of patients with melanoma. Intervention We considered the following 4 strategies: background screening only, and screening 1 time, every 2 years, and annually, all beginning at age 50 years. Prevalence, incidence, and mortality data were taken from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results Program. Sibling risk, recurrence rates, and treatment costs were taken from the literature. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Outcomes included life expectancy, quality-adjusted life expectancy, and lifetime costs. Cost-effectiveness ratios were in dollars per quality-adjusted life year (US dollars/QALY) gained. RESULTS: In the general population, screening 1 time, every 2 years, and annually saved 1.6, 4.4, and 5.2 QALYs per 1000 persons screened, with incremental cost-effectiveness ratios of US dollars 10,100/QALY, US dollars 80,700/QALY, and US dollars 586,800/QALY, respectively. In siblings of patients with melanoma (relative risk, 2.24 compared with the general population), 1-time, every-2-years, and annual screenings saved 3.6, 9.8, and 11.4 QALYs per 1000 persons screened, with incremental cost-effectiveness ratios of US dollars 4000/QALY, US dollars 35,500/QALY, and US dollars 257,800/QALY, respectively. In higher risk siblings of patients with melanoma (relative risk, 5.56), screening was more cost-effective. Results were most sensitive to screening cost, melanoma progression rate, and specificity of visual screening. CONCLUSIONS: One-time melanoma screening of the general population older than 50 years is very cost-effective compared with other cancer screening programs in the United States. Screening every 2 years in siblings of patients with melanoma is also cost-effective.