Feasibility of Universal Screening for Preeclampsia Risk and Aspirin Recommendation in the Ultrasound Unit.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the feasibility and impact of using the first-trimester ultrasound visit to identify and counsel women at increased risk of preeclampsia about the benefits of low-dose aspirin (LDA) for preventing preeclampsia. We also assessed patient-reported utilization of LDA, perceived risk for preeclampsia, and clinical outcomes. STUDY DESIGN: Women presenting for routine first-trimester nuchal-translucency (NT) ultrasounds were screened for clinical preeclampsia risks using a self-administered risk assessment. Women at moderate or high risk for preeclampsia were counseled to take LDA, if not already taking it. LDA utilization and perceived risk for preeclampsia were assessed during the second-trimester ultrasound. Factors associated with LDA utilization were analyzed. Pregnancy outcomes were compared between those who used LDA and those who did not. RESULTS: Slightly more than 20% of patients (765/3,669) screened at increased risk for developing preeclampsia. Of those, 67.8% (519/765) had not received LDA recommendations from their referring obstetrician and 97 had not been taking LDA despite being advised to do so. Combined, 94.6% (583/616) of these patients eligible to start LDA prophylaxis received the indicated counseling during the ultrasound visit. A total of 61.4% (358/583) of women completed the follow-up form and of those 77.9% (279/358) reported taking LDA. Screening at increased risk for preeclampsia and perception of increased risk were positively associated with LDA utilization, whereas concerns for LDA safety were negatively associated with use. African American/Black patients and Medicaid recipients were less likely to use LDA. Pregnancy outcomes were similar between those who used LDA and those who did not. CONCLUSION: Assessing preeclampsia risk and counseling patients about LDA at the time of the NT ultrasound are feasible in the ultrasound unit and led to good LDA utilization among women at increased risk for preeclampsia. This intervention may standardize patient care and help close the disparity in maternal health. KEY POINTS: · A simple intervention captured 2/3 of eligible patients.. · Aspirin utilization rate was good after the intervention.. · Screening high risk for preeclampsia and self-perception of risk correlated with aspirin use..

Diagnostic Accuracy of MRI in Predicting Breast Tumor Size: Comparative Analysis of MRI vs Histopathological Assessed Breast Tumor Size.

BACKGROUND: Diagnostic accuracy of MRI in predicting breast tumor size: comparative analysis of breast tumor size byMRI vs histopathological assessment. PURPOSE: Tumor size is one of the most important factors in making a clinical and pathological assessment of breast cancer. The purpose of this study is to evaluate if MRI imaging is helpful for the surgeon in the preoperative accurate assessment of tumor size. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the charts of 124 patients who were diagnosed or managed at the Saint Francis /Mt. Sinai Regional Cancer Center. We then compared the preoperative MRI tumor size with the histopathological tumor size obtained at surgical resection. Tumors were divided into four histological groups: invasive ductal carcinoma (IDC), invasive lobular carcinoma (ILC), ductal carcinomain situ (DCIS), and mixed tumors (including mucinous, papillary, tubular, and apocrine breast carcinoma). MRI measurement of tumor size was compared against the reference size obtained from the microscopic measurement of the largest diameter of tumors. Concordance was defined as a difference ≤ 0.5 cm between MRI and pathology. RESULTS: A total of 124 patients with 147 breast tumors were included in our study. The mean age was 59.8 ± 12.72 years. Histologically, there were 81 IDC (55.10%), 35 DCIS (23.81%), 15 ILC (10.20%), and 16 mixed tumors (10.88%). Out of 147 tumors, 55.78% showed concordance of MRI and pathologic tumor size within 0.5 cm. MRI overestimated 31.97% and underestimated 12.24% of tumors. CONCLUSION: Breast MRI provides an additional tool for preoperative assessment of tumor size. In our study, we noted 56% concordance between MRI with pathological tumor size within 0.5 cm. Several factors, including grading of tumor, cancer type, and size, strongly affect the accuracy of MRI in the preoperative assessment of tumor size. High-grade tumor and DCIS are the two strongest negative factors resulting in overestimation of tumor size on MRI.

Comparative effectiveness of zinc protoporphyrin and hemoglobin concentrations in identifying iron deficiency in a group of low-income, preschool-aged children: practical implications of recent illness.

OBJECTIVE: The goal was to assess the influence of recent infection on screening tests for iron depletion (zinc protoporphyrin and hemoglobin) among low-income, preschool-aged children. METHODS: This cross-sectional study was conducted at community sites and ambulatory care clinics in Hartford, Connecticut, and included 180 preschool-aged children. Iron depletion was defined as serum ferritin levels of < or = 15 microg/L. Recent illness was defined by parent or guardian (caretaker) report or evidence of elevated C-reactive protein concentrations. History of anemia was determined through medical records review. Sensitivity, specificity and positive predictive values of hemoglobin and zinc protoporphyrin were calculated overall and for children with and without recent illness. RESULTS: At enrollment, more than one half of the children had a recent illness, and 57.5% had a history of anemia. More than one third had iron depletion. Serum ferritin levels were significantly higher among recently ill children. Secondary to recent illness, the positive predictive value of elevated zinc protoporphyrin, but not low hemoglobin, was reduced significantly. Zinc protoporphyrin levels of >69 micromol/mol heme identified significantly more iron-deficient children. CONCLUSIONS: Compared with anemia, elevated zinc protoporphyrin levels identified significantly more iron-deficient children. Recently ill children were one half as likely to have low serum ferritin levels, compared with children without recent illness. The negative effect of recent illness on the positive predictive value of zinc protoporphyrin when ferritin is used to determine iron status has many practical implications.

Differing perspectives of inner-city parents and pediatric clinicians impact management of iron-deficiency anemia.

OBJECTIVE: To ascertain the beliefs and experiences of inner-city pediatric clinicians and parents regarding anemia in young children. DESIGN: Focus groups and in-depth interviews. SETTING: Pediatric clinics and community agencies in Hartford, Connecticut. PARTICIPANTS: Convenience sample of 41 pediatric clinicians (93% white, 73% female) and 85 parents (100% minority, 88% female, 47% < 12 years education). PHENOMENON OF INTEREST: Identification, understanding, and management of anemia. ANALYSIS: Researcher pairs coded complete transcriptions. Recurrent themes were identified, which were then contrasted and compared between clinicians and parents. RESULTS: Both clinicians and parents were familiar with, but frustrated by the persistence of anemia. They noted time constraints and poor communication during office visits as contributing to the problem. Parents felt alarmed upon initial diagnosis; linked anemia with heredity, food patterns, and activity; reported culturally linked management strategies; but were uncertain of the seriousness. Health clinicians saw physiological processes as outside the parents' understanding and emphasized prevention through feeding recommendations. CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS: In order to address childhood anemia effectively, differing socio-cultural perspectives of clinicians and parents need to be incorporated into a unified health care plan. Nutritionists are well suited to collaborate on the health care team to effectively address this issue.