Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on breast cancer patient pathways and outcomes in the United Kingdom and the Republic of Ireland - a scoping review.

The COVID-19 pandemic brought unplanned service disruption for breast cancer diagnostic, treatment and support services. This scoping review describes these changes and their impact in the UK and the Republic of Ireland based on studies published between January 2020 and August 2023. Thirty-four of 569 papers were included. Data were extracted and results thematically organized. Findings include fewer new cases; stage shift (fewer early- and more late-stage disease); and changes to healthcare organization, breast screening and treatment. Examples are accepting fewer referrals, applying stricter referral criteria and relying more on virtual consultations and multi-disciplinary meetings. Screening service programs paused during the pandemic before enacting risk-based phased restarts with longer appointment times to accommodate reduced staffing numbers and enhanced infection-control regimes. Treatments shifted from predominantly conventional to hypofractionated radiotherapy, fewer surgical procedures and increased use of bridging endocrine therapy. The long-term impact of such changes are unknown so definitive guidelines for future emergencies are not yet available. Cancer registries, with their large sample sizes and population coverage, are well placed to monitor changes to stage and survival despite difficulties obtaining definitive staging during diagnosis because surgery and pathological assessments are delayed. Multisite longitudinal studies can also provide guidance for future disaster preparedness.

Long-term survival for lymphoid neoplasms and national health expenditure (EUROCARE-6): a retrospective, population-based study.

BACKGROUND: Management of lymphoid malignancies requires substantial health system resources. Total national health expenditure might influence population-based lymphoid malignancy survival. We studied the long-term survival of patients with 12 lymphoid malignancy types and examined whether different levels of national health expenditure might explain differences in lymphoid malignancy prognosis between European countries and regions. METHODS: For this observational, retrospective, population-based study, we analysed the EUROCARE-6 dataset of patients aged 15 or older diagnosed between 2001 and 2013 with one of 12 lymphoid malignancies defined according to International Classification of Disease for Oncology (third edition) and WHO classification, and followed up to 2014 (Jan 1, 2001-Dec 31, 2014). Countries were classified according to their mean total national health expenditure quartile in 2001-13. For each lymphoid malignancy, 5-year and 10-year age-standardised relative survival (ASRS) was calculated using the period approach. Generalised linear models indicated the effects of age at diagnosis, gender, and total national health expenditure on the relative excess risk of death (RER). FINDINGS: 82 cancer registries (61 regional and 21 national) from 27 European countries provided data eligible for 10-year survival estimates comprising 890 730 lymphoid malignancy cases diagnosed in 2001-13. Median follow-up time was 13 years (IQR 13-14). Of the 12 lymphoid malignancies, the 10-year ASRS in Europe was highest for hairy cell leukaemia (82·6% [95% CI 78·9-86·5) and Hodgkin lymphoma (79·3% [78·6-79·9]) and lowest for plasma cell neoplasms (29·5% [28·9-30·0]). RER increased with age at diagnosis, particularly from 55-64 years to 75 years or older, for all lymphoid malignancies. Women had higher ASRS than men for all lymphoid malignancies, except for precursor B, T, or natural killer cell, or not-otherwise specified lymphoblastic lymphoma or leukaemia. 10-year ASRS for each lymphoid malignancy was higher (and the RER lower) in countries in the highest national health expenditure quartile than in countries in the lowest quartile, with a decreasing pattern through quartiles for many lymphoid malignancies. 10-year ASRS for non-Hodgkin lymphoma, the most representative class for lymphoid malignancies based on the number of incident cases, was 59·3% (95% CI 58·7-60·0) in the first quartile, 57·6% (55·2-58·7) in the second quartile, 55·4% (54·3-56·5) in the third quartile, and 44·7% (43·6-45·8) in the fourth quartile; with reference to the European mean, the RER was 0·80 (95% CI 0·79-0·82) in the first, 0·91 (0·90-0·93) in the second, 0·94 (0·92-0·96) in the third, and 1·45 (1·42-1·48) in the fourth quartiles. INTERPRETATION: Total national health expenditure is associated with geographical inequalities in lymphoid malignancy prognosis. Policy decisions on allocating economic resources and implementing evidence-based models of care are needed to reduce these differences. FUNDING: Italian Ministry of Health, European Commission, Estonian Research Council.

Impact of COVID-19 on cancer incidence, presentation, diagnosis, treatment and survival in Northern Ireland.

The COVID-19 pandemic had a major impact on cancer patients and services but has been difficult to quantify. We examined how the entire cancer pathway-from incidence, presentation, diagnosis, stage, treatment and survival-was affected in Northern Ireland during April-December 2020 compared to equivalent 2018-2019 periods using retrospective, observational cancer registry data from the Northern Ireland Cancer Registry (NICR). There were 6748 cancer cases in April-December 2020 and an average 7724 patients in April-December 2018-2019. Incident cases decreased by 13% (almost 1000). Significant differences were found across age cohorts and deprivation quintiles, with reductions greatest for younger people (<55 years; 19% decrease) and less deprived (22% decrease). A higher proportion had emergency admission (16%-to-20%) with lower proportions diagnosed pathologically (85%-to-83%). There was a significant stage shift, with lower proportions of early stage (29%-to-25%) and higher late-stage (21%-to-23%). Lower proportions received surgery (41%-to-38%) and radiotherapy (24%-to-22%) with a higher proportion not receiving treatment (29%-to-33%). One-year observed-survival decreased from 73.7% to 69.8% and 1-year net-survival decreased from 76.1% to 72.9%, with differences driven by five tumours; Lung (40.3%-to-35.0%), Head-and-Neck (77.4%-to-68.4%), Oesophageal (53.5%-to-42.3%), Lymphoma (81.1%-to-75.2%) and Uterine cancer (87.4%-to-80.4%). Our study reveals profound adverse impact of COVID-19 on the entire cancer patient pathway, with 13% fewer cases, greater emergency admissions and significant stage-shift from early to more advanced-stage disease. There was major treatment impact with lower rates of surgery and radiotherapy and higher proportions receiving no treatment. There were significant reductions in 1-year survival. Our study will support service recovery and protect cancer services in future pandemics or disruptions.

Impact of COVID-19 control on lung, breast, and colorectal pathological cancer diagnoses. A comparison between the Netherlands, Aotearoa New Zealand, and Northern Ireland.

BACKGROUND: The COVID-19 pandemic was managed in Aotearoa New Zealand (NZ) by a COVID-19 elimination policy, involving border closure and an initial national lockdown. This was different to most other countries including Northern Ireland (NI) and the Netherlands (NED). We quantify the effect of these policies on the diagnosis of three major cancers, comparing NZ with these two European countries. METHOD: Data from NED, NZ and NI population-based cancer registries were used to assess trends in all pathologically diagnosed (PD) lung, breast, and colorectal cancers from March to December 2020 (pandemic period) and compared to the similar pre-pandemic period (2017-2019). Trend data were also collated on COVID-19 cases and deaths per 100,000 in each population. RESULTS: Comparing the pre-pandemic period to the pandemic period there were statistically significant reductions in numbers of lung (↓23%) and colorectal (↓15%) PD cancers in NI and numbers of breast (↓18%) and colorectal cancer (↓18.5%) diagnosed in the NED. In NZ there was no significant change in the number of lung (↑10%) or breast cancers (↑0.2%) but a statistically significant increase in numbers of colorectal cancer diagnosed (↑5%). CONCLUSION: The impact of COVID-19 on cancer services was mitigated in NZ as services continued as usual reflecting minimal healthcare disruption and protected cancer services linked with the elimination approach adopted. The reduction in PD cases diagnosed in NED and NI were linked with higher COVID-19 rates and reflect societal restrictions which resulted in delayed patient presentation to primary and secondary care, disruption to screening and healthcare services as a result of COVID-19 infections on staff and the need to shift intensive care to COVID-19 patients. Reductions in PD cancers in NI and the NED and in particularly lung cancers in NI, highlight the need for targeted public health campaigns to identify and treat 'missing' patients. Protecting cancer services should be a priority in any future pandemic or systemic healthcare system disruption.

Decision regret after primary hip and knee replacement surgery.

BACKGROUND: Decision regret (DR) is a recognised patient centered outcome measure following a therapeutic intervention. This study aimed to measure DR following primary total hip and knee arthroplasty (THA/TKA), to assess for differences between these patients and explore possible contributory factors. METHOD: DR was measured using the DR scale in a group of THA and TKA patients, between February 2017 and December 2018, who had made a decision to have joint replacement surgery within the previous year and were able to reflect on their outcomes. RESULTS: On analysis a significantly greater proportion of TKA patients reported moderate or severe (Mod/Sev) DR [17.1% (56/328)] compared to THA patients [4.8% (18/376)]. Conversely, a significantly reduced proportion of TKA patients reported having No DR [42.1% (138/328)] compared to THA patients [66.7% (251/376)]. On multivariate logistic regression analysis joint replacement type (TKA/THA) and change in Oxford score were significant predictors of DR with gender, age, BMI and ASA grade not significantly associated. TKA patients were more than twice as likely to have Mod/Sev DR compared THA patients (Odds Ratio = 2.33 (95% CI 1.24-4.39)). Patients with poorer improvements in pain and function 1-year post-operatively (measured by Oxford scores) reported greater levels of DR. CONCLUSION: TKA patients were significantly more likely to report greater levels of DR 1-year following surgery compared to THA patients. For both TKA and THA patients, greater levels of DR were associated with poorer Oxford scores. The use of decision aids to reduce post-operative DR in joint replacement patients should be examined especially for knee replacement patients.

Identifying pre-existing conditions and multimorbidity patterns associated with in-hospital mortality in patients with COVID-19.

We investigated the association between a wide range of comorbidities and COVID-19 in-hospital mortality and assessed the influence of multi morbidity on the risk of COVID-19-related death using a large, regional cohort of 6036 hospitalized patients. This retrospective cohort study was conducted using Patient Administration System Admissions and Discharges data. The International Classification of Diseases 10th edition (ICD-10) diagnosis codes were used to identify common comorbidities and the outcome measure. Individuals with lymphoma (odds ratio [OR], 2.78;95% CI,1.64-4.74), metastatic cancer (OR, 2.17; 95% CI,1.25-3.77), solid tumour without metastasis (OR, 1.67; 95% CI,1.16-2.41), liver disease (OR: 2.50, 95% CI,1.53-4.07), congestive heart failure (OR, 1.69; 95% CI,1.32-2.15), chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (OR, 1.43; 95% CI,1.18-1.72), obesity (OR, 5.28; 95% CI,2.92-9.52), renal disease (OR, 1.81; 95% CI,1.51-2.19), and dementia (OR, 1.44; 95% CI,1.17-1.76) were at increased risk of COVID-19 mortality. Asthma was associated with a lower risk of death compared to non-asthma controls (OR, 0.60; 95% CI,0.42-0.86). Individuals with two (OR, 1.79; 95% CI, 1.47-2.20; P < 0.001), and three or more comorbidities (OR, 1.80; 95% CI, 1.43-2.27; P < 0.001) were at increasingly higher risk of death when compared to those with no underlying conditions. Furthermore, multi morbidity patterns were analysed by identifying clusters of conditions in hospitalised COVID-19 patients using k-mode clustering, an unsupervised machine learning technique. Six patient clusters were identified, with recognisable co-occurrences of COVID-19 with different combinations of diseases, namely, cardiovascular (100%) and renal (15.6%) diseases in patient Cluster 1; mental and neurological disorders (100%) with metabolic and endocrine diseases (19.3%) in patient Cluster 2; respiratory (100%) and cardiovascular (15.0%) diseases in patient Cluster 3, cancer (5.9%) with genitourinary (9.0%) as well as metabolic and endocrine diseases (9.6%) in patient Cluster 4; metabolic and endocrine diseases (100%) and cardiovascular diseases (69.1%) in patient Cluster 5; mental and neurological disorders (100%) with cardiovascular diseases (100%) in patient Cluster 6. The highest mortality of 29.4% was reported in Cluster 6.

Foot drop following primary total hip arthroplasty.

INTRODUCTION: Foot drop is a potentially debilitating complication following injury to the sciatic nerve during primary total hip arthroplasty (THA). The aim of this study was to determine the incidence, risk factors and outcome of this complication within one large surgical practice. METHODS: We analysed the records of 10,624 primary THAs carried out between January 1993 and November 2017 using a posterior approach. All were under the care of the senior author. RESULTS: Overall, there were 47 cases (0.44%) of foot drop, but over time the incidence dropped from 0.6% to 0.3% (p = 0.033). Preoperative protrusio acetabulae (p < 0.001), female sex (p < 0.001) and junior grade of surgeon (p < 0.009) were all significant risk factors. In this series, dysplasia was not a risk factor. 1 year postoperatively, 25 (53.2%) had complete recovery, 12 (25.5%) had ongoing sensory deficit but normal power, and 10 (21.3%) had a residual sensory-motor deficit. CONCLUSION: Take home message:- In this series, protrusio acetabulae, female sex and junior grade of surgeon were significant risk factors for foot drop following primary THA.

Quality of life among symptomatic compared to PSA-detected prostate cancer survivors - results from a UK wide patient-reported outcomes study.

BACKGROUND: Quality of life among prostate cancer survivors varies by socio-demographic factors and treatment type received; however, less in known about differences in functional outcomes by method of presentation. We investigate differences in reported urinary, bowel, sexual and hormone-related problems between symptomatic and PSA-detected prostate cancer survivors. METHODS: A UK wide cross-sectional postal survey of prostate cancer survivors conducted 18-42 months post-diagnosis. Questions were included on presentation method and treatment. Functional outcome was determined using the EPIC-26 questionnaire. Reported outcomes were compared for symptomatic and PSA-detected survivors using ANOVA and multivariable log-linear regression. RESULTS: Thirty-five thousand eight hundred twenty-three men responded (response rate: 60.8%). Of these, 31.3% reported presenting via PSA test and 59.7% symptomatically. In multivariable analysis, symptomatic men reported more difficulty with urinary incontinence (Adjusted mean ratio (AMR): 0.96, 95% CI: 0.96-0.97), urinary irritation (AMR: 0.95, 95% CI: 0.95-0.96), bowel function (AMR: 0.97, 95% CI: 0.97-0.98), sexual function (AMR: 0.90, 95% CI: 0.88-0.92), and vitality/hormonal function (AMR: 0.96, 95% CI: 0.96-0.96) than PSA-detected men. Differences were consistent across respondents of differing age, stage, Gleason score and treatment type. CONCLUSION: Prostate cancer survivors presenting symptomatically report poorer functional outcomes than PSA-detected survivors. Differences were not explained by socio-demographic or clinical factors. Clinicians should be aware that men presenting with symptoms are more likely to report functional difficulties after prostate cancer treatment and may need additional aftercare if these difficulties persist. Method of presentation should be considered as a covariate in patient-reported outcome studies of prostate cancer.

Factors influencing job loss and early retirement in working men with prostate cancer-findings from the population-based Life After Prostate Cancer Diagnosis (LAPCD) study.

PURPOSE: To investigate factors associated with job loss and early retirement in men diagnosed with prostate cancer (PCa) 18-42 months previously. METHODS: Men ≤ 60 years at diagnosis who completed the Life After Prostate Cancer Diagnosis (LAPCD) survey were identified. Men who moved from employment at diagnosis to unemployment (EtoU) or retirement (EtoR) at survey (18-42 months post-diagnosis) were compared to men remaining in employment (EtoE). Sociodemographic, clinical and patient-reported factors were analysed in univariable and multivariable analysis. RESULTS: There were 3218 men (81.4%) in the EtoE, 245 (6.2%) in EtoU and 450 (11.4%) in the EtoR groups. Men with stage IV disease (OR = 4.7 95% CI 3.1-7.0, relative to stage I/II) and reporting moderate/big bowel (OR = 2.5, 95% CI 1.6-3.9) or urinary problems (OR = 2.0, 95% CI 1.4-3.0) had greater odds of becoming unemployed. Other clinical (≥ 1 comorbidities, symptomatic at diagnosis) and sociodemographic (higher deprivation, divorced/separated), living in Scotland or Northern Ireland (NI)) factors were predictors of becoming unemployed. Men who were older, from NI, with stage IV disease and with caring responsibilities had greater odds of retiring early. Self-employed and non-white men had lesser odds of retiring early. CONCLUSION: PCa survivors who retire early following diagnosis do not report worse urinary or bowel problems compared to men remaining in employment. However, we identified clinical and sociodemographic factors which increased unemployment risk in PCa survivors. IMPLICATIONS FOR CANCER SURVIVORS: Targeted support and engagement with PCa survivors at risk of unemployment, including their families and employers, is needed.

Non-visualized aorta in abdominal aortic aneurysm screening: Screening outcomes and the influence of subject and programme characteristics.

Objectives To compare abdominal aortic aneurysm screening outcomes of men with non-visualized aorta at original scan with subsequent scans and to determine predictors of non-visualized aorta. Methods In the Northern Ireland Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm screening programme, outcomes (discharge, annual surveillance, three-monthly surveillance, or vascular referral) and patient and programme characteristics (age, deprivation quintile, family history, technician experience, and screening location) for men with non-visualized aorta were investigated at original scan, and first and second rescans. Results Non-visualized aorta proportions were 2.9, 11.4, and 4.7% at original, first, and second rescan, respectively. There were no differences in screening outcomes between scanning stages (98.4, 97.6, and 97.4% <3 cm). There were 42 men (0.13%) with aortas ≥5.5 cm at original scan, but none at first and second rescan. A significantly greater proportion with non-visualized aorta were from more deprived (5.0%) than less deprived areas (1.7%). Deprivation quintile and staff role were significant independent non-visualized aorta predictors at original scan, and staff role at first rescan. Men from less deprived areas were three times as likely to have aortas visualized than those from more deprived areas (OR = 3.0, CI = 2.4-3.8) at original scan. A man scanned by screening technician compared with lead sonographer was 51% less likely to have aorta visualized at original scan and 94% less likely at first rescan. Conclusions The risk of abdominal aortic aneurysm in men with non-visualized aorta on first or subsequent rescans is no more than for those with visualized aorta on original scanning. Men from deprived areas are much more likely to have non-visualized aorta at original scan.

Peri-operative visual loss following total knee arthroplasty - A case report: Visual loss following TKA.

Perioperative visual loss (POVL) following non-ocular surgery is a rare but significant complication. This report describes a case of ischaemic optic neuropathy following total knee arthroplasty which resulted in permanent blindness.

Femoral nerve compression after migration of bone cement to the groin after hip arthroplasty.

Although often a benign complication of total hip arthroplasty, cement extrusion can cause nerve, vessel, and organ compression. We report the case of a 70-year-old male patient in whom an extruded cement mass migrated anteriorly and compressed the femoral nerve and impinged on the femoral artery producing acute, severe groin pain with neuralgia 9 years postoperatively. Paresthesia of the anterior and medial thigh was found on examination. Radiographic, ultrasound, and computed tomographic studies confirmed a 6 × 1.5-cm mass of bone cement in the right groin compressing the femoral nerve that was removed successfully at surgery. Six months postoperatively, the patient's pain had resolved, but hyperesthesia of the medial thigh remained.

Hip arthroplasty in morbidly obese patients - intra-operative and short term outcomes.

Morbidly obese patients experienced significantly longer operation times (66 minutes) and longer wounds (14.2 cm) compared to normal THA patients (58 minutes and 12.1 cm respectively). However, intra-operative anaesthetic time and length of hospital stay were not significantly different between the MO and normal patients. Improvements in patient outcomes following THA were not significantly different between the MO and normal patients at one year follow-up. Improvements in sagittal range of motion and external rotation were significantly less for MO patients. Intraoperative complication rates were 0% for the MO and 3.5% for the normal patients. Postoperative complication rates were 3.5% for the MO and 0% for the normal patients. THA operation times for MO patients were on average only 8 minutes longer and should not represent a barrier to surgery. Hospital length of stay was not longer for MO patients suggesting they do not represent a greater burden on healthcare resources during THA.

Comparison of hip and knee arthroplasty outcomes at early and intermediate follow-up.

A common perception among clinicians and patients is that recovery is similar following total hip arthroplasty (THA) and total knee arthroplasty (TKA). Improvement in the outcomes of 337 THAs and 256 TKAs implanted by the same surgeon between April 2003 and November 2005 were compared. Improvement was measured using changes in Oxford hip and knee scores measured preoperatively, at first follow-up, and 1 year postoperatively for each patient. Improvements between preoperative review and first follow-up and between preoperative review and 1-year postoperative follow-up were significantly greater for THA compared to TKA patients. Improvements between first postoperative follow-up and 1-year postoperative follow-up were not significantly different between THA and TKA patients. Although THA patients displayed a significantly worse score preoperatively, they displayed a significantly better score at both first follow-up and 1-year postoperative follow-up. While both procedures improve postoperative pain and physical function, as measured by the Oxford score, improvements measured relative to preoperative levels were significantly smaller for TKA compared to THA patients. Despite recent advances in knee arthroplasty surgery, a significant proportion of TKA patients achieve relatively poor outcome scores postoperatively. This study shows that pain and function improve less and more slowly in the early and intermediate postoperative periods for knee compared to hip arthroplasty patients.

Measurement of knee joint motion using digital imaging.

The measurement of joint motion is common practice in many aspects of orthopaedic surgery. A number of techniques and instruments have been developed for this purpose. We describe a method of recording and measuring knee joint motion using digital imaging which demonstrated high inter-observer reliability (r > 0.948) and intra-observer repeatability (r > 0.906). This technique may offer some practical advantages over other methods of measuring joint motion.

Comparison of immediate postoperative walking ability in patients receiving minimally invasive and standard-incision hip arthroplasty: a prospective blinded study.

Minimally invasive hip arthroplasty is thought to result in less soft tissue damage, earlier ambulation, and improved rehabilitation. This prospective blinded cohort study objectively analyzed early functional walking ability by stride analysis 2 days postoperatively. Ninety-five patients were analyzed, 43 of who received the minimal incision and 52 the traditional incision. Patients, physiotherapists, and assessors were blinded to the incision used. Velocity, cadence, stride length, operated and nonoperated limb step-length, and the ratio of step length of the operated to nonoperated limbs were recorded. No significant differences in any of these variables were shown between the minimal-incision and traditional-incision groups. This study demonstrates no functional benefits of the minimally invasive incision over the standard one in terms of early walking ability.