Squamous Cell Carcinoma Arising in a Zenker's Diverticulum.

Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) developing in a Zenker's diverticulum (ZD) is an uncommon condition. The preferred treatment for SCC in the pharyngeal pouch is complete diverticulum resection. Only histopathological evaluation of the pouch can rule out SCC. Here, we present a case of a 62-year-old male patient, who was evaluated for repeated episodes of aspiration and dysphagia, and diagnosed to have a large ZD, the patient underwent Zenker's diverticulectomy with cricopharyngeal myotomy with wide margins due to clinically suspicious specimen. Histopathological examination revealed well-differentiated SCC arising within ZD, involving the whole thickness of the wall and almost touching the serosa (1 mm). The patient developed metastatic lung nodule on PET-CT, so metastatic lung nodule was excised with video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS), and chemotherapy and immunotherapy were given. On follow-up imaging patient is tumor-free to date, two years after the surgery. The occurrence of synchronous or metachronous lung cancer makes it one of the rarest cases.

Cowden Syndrome With Gall Bladder Polyps and Incidental Gall Bladder Carcinoma.

Cowden syndrome is an uncommon autosomal dominant disorder characterized by multiple hamartomas in various tissues. It is associated with germline mutation in the phosphatase and tensin homolog (PTEN) gene. It has an increased risk of malignancies of various organs (commonly breast, thyroid, and endometrium) and benign overgrowth of tissues like skin, colon, and thyroid. Here, we present a case of Cowden syndrome in a middle-aged female who presented with acute cholecystitis with gall bladder polyps along with intestinal polyps. She underwent total proctocolectomy with ileal pouch-anal anastomosis (IPAA) with diversion ileostomy and cholecystectomy, which was further proceeded to completion of radical cholecystectomy based on the final histopathology report as incidental gall bladder carcinoma. To the best of our knowledge, this association is seen for the first time in the literature. In Cowden syndrome, patients should be counseled for regular follow-up and instructed to be aware of the signs and symptoms of different types of cancers with higher incidence.

Male-to-Female Gender Affirmation Vaginoplasty via Laparoscopic Pedicled Peritoneal Flap-An Initial Experience.

Objective The objective of this study was to describe our early experience with laparoscopic pedicled peritoneal flap in patients undergoing male-to-female gender affirmation vaginoplasty. Methods This is a case series of five patients who underwent laparoscopic pedicled peritoneal flap vaginoplasty for gender reaffirmation from October 2020 to July 2021. The clinical and functional outcomes were recorded. Results Two patients underwent the surgery as a primary procedure, and three patients underwent surgery as a secondary deepening procedure after failed penile skin inversion. There were no complications after surgery, and the median length of hospital stay was 3 days. No patient developed vaginal stenosis in 6-month follow-up period, and the median vaginal depth was 6 inches with a healthy vaginal surface. Conclusion Laparoscopic pedicled peritoneal flap can be considered as a first choice in gender affirmation surgeries for patients with inadequate penoscrotal skin or failed penile skin inversion.

Post-transplant Lymphoproliferative Disorder Presenting as Breast Nodule and Intestinal Obstruction in a Renal Transplant Recipient: A Case Report.

Post-transplant lymphoproliferative disease (PTLD) is a life-threatening complication among kidney transplant recipients. The clinical presentation of patients with PTLD is highly variable. The type of PTLD and the area of involvement determine its presentation, which includes constitutional symptoms such as fever, weight loss, fatigue, and other symptoms related to dysfunction of involved organs, or compression of surrounding structures. Most present with extranodal masses involving the gastrointestinal tract (stomach, intestine), lungs, skin, liver, central nervous system, and the allograft itself. In our case, a 33-year-old woman developed Epstein-Barr virus-negative PTLD plasmablastic lymphoma (PbL) in her right breast and small intestine presenting as intestinal obstruction, 15 years after renal transplant. Her condition was managed with intestinal mass resection and chemotherapy. A follow-up positron emission tomography scan showed near-complete resolution. Thus, PTLD should always be kept in mind in renal transplant recipients who present with features of a mass effect involving any organ.

A prospective study of two methods of analgesia in shoulder arthroscopic procedures as day case surgery.

BACKGROUND & PURPOSE: The recent advances in anaesthesia and analgesia have significantly improved the early recovery and effective post-operative pain control in day care surgery e.g. shoulder arthroscopic procedures. Adequate analgesia improves the early rehabilitation for a better outcome. We prospectively evaluated the post-operative pain relief following the two methods of analgesia i.e. regional Inter-scalene block (ISB) vs Intra-articular (IA) injection using 0.5% Chirocaine in various therapeutic arthroscopic shoulder procedures. METHODS: A prospective comparative study was performed on a group of 105 patients (ASA grade I or II) who underwent the following procedures at two different hospitals: diagnostic arthroscopy, subacromial decompression (SAD) alone, SAD in combination with mini open cuff repairs or distal clavicle excision, anterior stabilization (Bankart's repair) and inferior capsular shift. A successful Inter-scalene block (0.5% Chirocaine-30mls) preceded the general anaesthesia (Group 1-52 patients). Local intra-articular infiltration (0.5% Chirocaine - 20 mls) was given postoperatively (Group 2-53 patients). Post operatively visual analogue scores (VAS) from 0 (no pain) to 10 (severe pain) were assessed in post-anaesthesia care unit (PACU), at 4hrs, at 24hrs and at 48 h. The amount of morphine consumption for the first 2 days after surgery was recorded. RESULTS: Patient characteristics were similar in both groups at both the hospitals. The median postoperative pain score of VAS <3 was observed in both groups. Significant difference (p < 0.0001) was observed in the VAS scores between the two groups at all the time intervals. The mean length of adequate sensory block in group 1 was significantly higher than in group 2 [20.5 h: 4.2 h] (p < 0.001). The mean analgesic (morphine) consumption was lower in Group 1 as compared to Group 2 [4.6 mg/24 h: 18.8mg/24 h](p < 0.0001). Bone shaving procedures e.g. SAD, SAD + Rotator Cuff repair, SAD + Lateral clavicular excision required significantly higher analgesia in both groups compared to the soft tissue procedures. CONCLUSION: Single dose ISB provided longer and effective postoperative analgesia. The bone shaving procedures required more analgesia in IA Group as compared to ISB Group.

Death and Chronic Disease Risk Associated With Poor Life Satisfaction: A Population-Based Cohort Study.

Life satisfaction is increasingly recognized as an important determinant of health; however, prospective population-based studies on this topic are limited. We estimated the risk of chronic disease and death according to life satisfaction among a population-based cohort in Ontario, Canada (n = 73,904). The cohort included 3 pooled cycles of the Canadian Community Health Survey (2003-2008) linked to 6 years of follow-up (to 2015), using population-based health databases and validated disease-specific registries. The databases capture incident and prevalent cases of diabetes, cancer, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, heart disease, and death. Multivariable Cox proportional hazard models were used to estimate hazards of incident chronic disease and death, and were adjusted for sociodemographic, behavioral, and clinical confounders, including age, sex, comorbidity, mood disorder, smoking, alcohol consumption, physical activity, body mass index, immigrant status, education, and income. In the fully adjusted models, risk of both death and incident chronic disease was highest for those most dissatisfied with life (for mortality, hazard ratio = 1.59, 95% confidence interval: 1.15, 2.19; for chronic disease, hazard ratio = 1.70, 95% confidence interval: 1.16, 2.51). In this population-based cohort, poor life satisfaction was an independent risk factor for incident chronic disease and death, supporting the idea that interventions and programs that improve life satisfaction will affect population health.

The Canadian Partnership for Tomorrow Project: a pan-Canadian platform for research on chronic disease prevention.

BACKGROUND: Understanding the complex interaction of risk factors that increase the likelihood of developing common diseases is challenging. The Canadian Partnership for Tomorrow Project (CPTP) is a prospective cohort study created as a population-health research platform for assessing the effect of genetics, behaviour, family health history and environment (among other factors) on chronic diseases. METHODS: Volunteer participants were recruited from the general Canadian population for a confederation of 5 regional cohorts. Participants were enrolled in the study and core information obtained using 2 approaches: attendance at a study assessment centre for all study measures (questionnaire, venous blood sample and physical measurements) or completion of the core questionnaire (online or paper), with later collection of other study measures where possible. Physical measurements included height, weight, percentage body fat and blood pressure. Participants consented to passive follow-up through linkage with administrative health databases and active follow-up through recontact. All participant data across the 5 regional cohorts were harmonized. RESULTS: A total of 307 017 participants aged 30-74 from 8 provinces were recruited. More than half provided a venous blood sample and/or other biological sample, and 33% completed physical measurements. A total of 709 harmonized variables were created; almost 25% are available for all participants and 60% for at least 220 000 participants. INTERPRETATION: Primary recruitment for the CPTP is complete, and data and biosamples are available to Canadian and international researchers through a data-access process. The CPTP will support research into how modifiable risk factors, genetics and the environment interact to affect the development of cancer and other chronic diseases, ultimately contributing evidence to reduce the global burden of chronic disease.

Barriers and facilitators to establishing a national public health observatory / Barreras y facilitadores para el establecimiento de un observatorio de salud pública nacional

OBJECTIVE: To determine what stakeholders perceive as barriers and facilitators to creating a national public health observatory (PHO) in Trinidad and Tobago. METHODS: A descriptive study was conducted based on 15 key informant interviews carried out from April to September 2013. The key informants worked within the health care sector in Trinidad and Tobago. Using a semi-structured interview guide, information was collected on knowledge, attitudes, and beliefs about creating a PHO; barriers and facilitators to creating and sustaining a PHO; legal considerations; and human resource and information technology requirements. Common themes of the responses were identified. RESULTS: The majority of participants supported the development of a national PHO, recognized its value in informing their work, and indicated that a national PHO could 1) provide information to support evidence-informed decision-making for health policy and strategic planning; 2) facilitate data management by establishing data policies, procedures, and standards; 3) increase the use of data by synthesizing and disseminating information; and 4) provide data for benchmarking. However, a number of barriers were identified, including 1) the perception that data collection is not valued; 2) untimely availability of data; 3) limited data synthesis, dissemination, and utilization to inform decision-making; and 4) challenges related to the allocation of human resources and existing information technology. CONCLUSIONS: Key informants support the development of a national PHO in Trinidad and Tobago. The findings align well within the components of the conceptual framework for establishing national health observatories. A stepwise approach to establishing a national PHO in Trinidad and Tobago, beginning with structural components and followed by functional components, is recommended. A national PHO in Trinidad and Tobago could serve as a model for other countries in the Caribbean.

OBJETIVO:Determinar las barreras y los facilitadores percibidos por los interesados directos para crear un observatorio de salud pública (OSP) nacional en Trinidad y Tabago. MÉTODOS: Se realizó un estudio descriptivo basado en 15 entrevistas a informantes clave llevadas a cabo de abril a septiembre del 2013. Los informantes clave trabajaban en el sector de la atención de la salud en Trinidad y Tabago. Mediante el empleo de una guía de entrevista semiestructurada, se recopiló información sobre conocimientos, actitudes y creencias acerca de la creación de un OSP; barreras y facilitadores para crear y mantener un OSP; consideraciones legales; y necesidades en cuanto a recursos humanos y tecnología de la información. Se determinaron los temas comunes de las respuestas. RESULTADOS: La mayor parte de los participantes brindaron apoyo a la creación de un OSP nacional, reconocieron su valor para fundamentar su trabajo e indicaron que un OSP nacional podría 1) suministrar información para brindar apoyo a la toma de decisiones basada en la evidencia a efectos de política sanitaria y planificación estratégica; 2) facilitar el manejo de datos mediante el establecimiento de políticas, procedimientos y estándares de datos; 3) incrementar la utilización de los datos mediante la síntesis y la difusión de la información; y 4) proporcionar datos para la evaluación comparativa. Sin embargo, se indicaron varias barreras, incluidas 1) la percepción de que la recopilación de datos no se evalúa; 2) la inoportunidad de la disponibilidad de los datos; 3) las limitaciones en la síntesis, difusión y utilización de los datos para fundamentar la toma de decisiones; y 4) las dificultades relacionadas con la asignación de recursos humanos y de la tecnología de la información existente. CONCLUSIONES: Los informantes clave brindan apoyo al desarrollo de un OSP nacional en Trinidad y Tabago. Los resultados se alinean bien dentro de los componentes del marco conceptual para establecer observatorios de salud nacionales. Se recomienda un método progresivo para establecer un OSP nacional en Trinidad y Tabago, empezando por los componentes estructurales y siguiendo con los componentes funcionales. Un OSP nacional en Trinidad y Tabago podría servir de modelo para otros países del Caribe.

Looking Beyond Income and Education: Socioeconomic Status Gradients Among Future High-Cost Users of Health Care.

INTRODUCTION: Healthcare spending occurs disproportionately among a very small portion of the population. Research on these high-cost users (HCUs) of health care has been overwhelmingly cross-sectional in nature and limited to the few sociodemographic and clinical characteristics available in health administrative databases. This study is the first to bridge this knowledge gap by applying a population health lens to HCUs. We investigate associations between a broad range of SES characteristics and future HCUs. METHODS: A cohort of adults from two cycles of large, nationally representative health surveys conducted in 2003 and 2005 was linked to population-based health administrative databases from a universal healthcare plan for Ontario, Canada. Comprehensive person-centered estimates of annual healthcare spending were calculated for the subsequent 5 years following interview. Baseline HCUs (top 5%) were excluded and healthcare spending for non-HCUs was analyzed. Adjusted for predisposition and need factors, the odds of future HCU status (over 5 years) were estimated according to various individual, household, and neighborhood SES factors. Analyses were conducted in 2014. RESULTS: Low income (personal and household); less than post-secondary education; and living in high-dependency neighborhoods greatly increased the odds of future HCUs. After adjustment, future HCU status was most strongly associated with food insecurity, personal income, and non-homeownership. Living in highly deprived or low ethnic concentration neighborhoods also increased the odds of becoming an HCU. CONCLUSIONS: Findings suggest that addressing social determinants of health, such as food and housing security, may be important components of interventions aiming to improve health outcomes and reduce costs.

Women's intentions to receive cervical cancer screening with primary human papillomavirus testing.

We explored the potential impact of human papillomavirus (HPV) testing on women's intentions to be screened for cervical cancer in a cohort of Canadian women. Participants aged 25-65 years from an ongoing trial were sent a questionnaire to assess women's intentions to be screened for cervical cancer with HPV testing instead of Pap smears and to be screened every 4 years or after 25 years of age. We created scales for attitudes about HPV testing, perceived behavioral control, and direct and indirect subjective norms. Demographic data and scales that were significantly different (p < 0.1) between women who intended to be screened with HPV and those who did not intend were included in a stepwise logistic regression model. Of the 2,016 invitations emailed, 1,538 were received, and 981 completed surveys for a response rate of 63% (981/1,538). Eighty-four percent of women (826/981) responded that they intended to attend for HPV-based cervical cancer screening, which decreased to 54.2% when the screening interval was extended, and decreased further to 51.4% when screening start was delayed to age of 25. Predictors of intentions to undergo screening were attitudes (odds ratio [OR]: 1.22; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.15, 1.30), indirect subjective norms (OR: 1.02; 95% CI: 1.01, 1.03) and perceived behavioral control (OR: 1.16; 95% CI: 1.10; 1.22). Intentions to be screened for cervical cancer with HPV testing decreased substantially when the screening interval was extended and screening started at age of 25. Use of primary HPV testing may optimize the screening paradigm, but programs should ensure robust planning and education to mitigate any negative impact on screening attendance rates.

Congenital scoliosis - Quo vadis?

Congenital spinal vertebral anomalies can present as scoliosis or kyphosis or both. The worldwide prevalence of the vertebral anomalies is 0.5-1 per 1000 live births. Vertebral anomalies can range from hemi vertebrae (HV) which may be single or multiple, vertebral bar with or without HV, block vertebrae, wedge shaped or butterfly vertebrae. Seventy per cent of congenital vertebral anomalies result in progressive deformities. The risk factors for progression include: type of defect, site of defect (junctional regions) and patient's age at the time of diagnosis. The key to success in managing these spinal deformities is early diagnosis and anticipation of progression. One must intervene surgically to halt the progression of deformity and prevent further complications associated with progressive deformity. Planning for surgery includes a preoperative MRI scan to rule out spinal anomalies such as diastematomyelia. The goals of surgical treatment for congenital spinal deformity are to achieve a straight growing spine, a normal standing sagittal profile, and a short fusion segment. The options of surgery include in situ fusion, convex hemi epiphysiodesis and hemi vertebra excision. These basic surgical procedures can be combined with curve correction, instrumentation and short segment fusion. Most surgeons prefer posterior (only) surgery for uncomplicated HV excision and short segment fusion. These surgical procedures can be performed through posterior, anterior or combined approaches. The advocates of combined approaches suggest greater deformity correction possibilities with reduced incidence of pseudoarthrosis and minimize crankshaft phenomenon. We recommend posterior surgery for curves involving only an element of kyphosis or modest deformity, whereas combined anterior and posterior approach is indicated for large or lordotic deformities. In the last decade, the use of growing rods and vertebral expandable prosthetic titanium rib has improved the armamentarium of the spinal surgeon in dealing with certain difficult congenital spinal deformities. The goal of growing rod treatment is to provide simultaneous deformity correction and allow for continued spinal growth. Once maximal spinal growth has been achieved, definitive fusion and instrumentation is performed.

Pituitary apoplexy after joint arthroplasty.

Pituitary apoplexy is a rare but potentially life-threatening condition caused by the sudden enlargement of a pituitary adenoma secondary to infarction and hemorrhage. The clinical syndrome is characterized by sudden onset of headache, ocular palsies, visual disturbances, and altered state of consciousness. We report 2 patients who had postoperative pituitary apoplexy after total hip and total knee arthroplasty. Asymptomatic pituitary adenomas are difficult to diagnose preoperatively. Its existence is an unlikely suspect until the clinical symptoms develop after surgery. This is the first reported case following total hip arthroplasty.

Stakeholder preferences for cancer care performance indicators.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this paper is to show that performance data use could be promoted with a better understanding of the type of indicators that are important to different stakeholders. This study explored patient, nurse, physician and manager preferences for cancer care quality indicators. DESIGN/METHODOLOGY/APPROACH: Interviews were held with 30 stakeholders between March and June 2004. They were asked to describe how they would use a cancer "report card", and which indicators they would want reported. Transcripts were reviewed using qualitative analysis. FINDINGS: Role (patient, nurse, physician, manager) influenced preferences and perceived use of performance data. Patients and physicians were more skeptical than nurses and managers; patients and managers expressed some preferences distinct from nurses and physicians; and patients and nurses interpreted indicators more broadly than physicians and managers. All groups preferred technical process over outcome or interpersonal process indicators. RESEARCH LIMITATIONS/IMPLICATIONS: Expressed views are not directly applicable beyond this setting, or to the general public but findings are congruent with attitudes to performance data for other conditions, and serve as a conceptual basis for further study. PRACTICAL IMPLICATIONS: Strategies for maximizing the relevance of performance reports might include technical process indicators, selection by multi-stakeholder deliberation, information that facilitates information application and customizable report interfaces. ORIGINALITY/VALUE: Performance data preferences have not been thoroughly examined, particularly in the context of cancer care. Factors were identified that influence stakeholder views of performance data, and this framework could be used to confirm findings among larger and different populations.

Barriers to patient involvement in health service planning and evaluation: an exploratory study.

OBJECTIVE: Patient involvement in health service planning and evaluation is considered important yet not widely practiced. This study explored stakeholder beliefs about patient participation in performance indicator selection to better understand hypothesized barriers. METHODS: Interviews with 30 cancer patients and health professionals from two teaching hospitals were analyzed qualitatively. RESULTS: All groups believed patients, not members of the public, should be involved in the selection of indicators. Ongoing, interactive methods such as committee involvement, rather than single, passive efforts such as surveys were preferred. Health professionals recommended patients assume a consultative, rather than decision-making role. Older patients agreed with this. CONCLUSION: Variable patient interest, health professional attitudes, and a lack of insight on appropriate methods may be limiting patient involvement in this, and other service planning and evaluation activities. More research is required to validate expressed views among the populations these stakeholders represent, and to establish effective methods for engaging patients. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS: Efforts to encourage a change in health professional attitude may be required, along with dedicated organizational resources, coordinators and training. Methods to engage patients should involve deliberation, which can be achieved through modified Delphi panel or participatory research approaches.

The impact of context on evidence utilization: a framework for expert groups developing health policy recommendations.

Should the same evidence lead to the same decision outcomes in different decision-making contexts? In order to improve comprehension of this issue, this study considers how context influences evidence utilization in the development of health policy recommendations. We used an embedded multiple case study design to study how four expert groups formulated policy recommendations for breast, cervical, colorectal, and prostate cancer screening in Ontario, Canada. We interviewed expert group members and analysed meeting agendas/minutes, interim/final reports and other case-related documents. Our analyses revealed varying policy objectives; the use, neglect, or overextended consideration of three key decision support tools; the varying skills/abilities of expert group members in using different decision support tools; the varying impact of effect modifiers, resource constraints and political interests; and the differing development/consideration of context-specific evidence to address uncertainty in the external decision-making context. While more work is needed to determine if these findings are generalizable beyond cancer screening policy, we believe the central challenge for evidence-based policy is not to develop international evidence, but rather to develop more systematic, rigorous, and global methods for identifying, interpreting, and applying evidence in different decision-making contexts. Our analyses suggest that identification of evidence must distinguish between different policy objectives in order to link a broad conceptualization of evidence to appropriate policy questions. Interpretation of evidence must acknowledge the varying nature of evidence for different policy objectives, balancing existing emphasis on evidentiary quality with more sophisticated methods for assessing the generalizability of evidence. The application of evidence must also acknowledge different policy objectives, appropriately employing rule-based grading schemes and agreement-based consensus methods that are sensitive to the nature of the evidence and contexts involved.

Risks and benefits of population-based genetic testing for Mendelian subsets of common diseases were examined using the example of colorectal cancer risk.

OBJECTIVE: Genetic testing for adult-onset, common diseases is becoming more commonplace in clinical medicine. We modeled the proportions of hypothetic populations that would potentially benefit or suffer harm from widespread predisposition testing. METHODS: Using the traditional two-by-two table from the discipline of epidemiology, we modeled three hypothetic populations using the example of genetic testing for hereditary colorectal cancer in three groups: the general population, a genetically increased-risk population, and a population at increased risk due to nongenetic factors. RESULTS: We demonstrate that the potential benefits are increased and risks are reduced when testing is limited to those at increased genetic risk when compared with testing in the general population. Where disease incidence is increased due to nongenetic factors, genetic testing has the potential to detract from the detection and reduction of other potentially important risk factors. CONCLUSION: While targeted testing can benefit those truly at increased risk, broadly applied genetic testing can do more harm than good.

Screening with prostate specific antigen and metastatic prostate cancer risk: a population based case-control study.

PURPOSE: Screening of asymptomatic men with prostate specific antigen (PSA) remains a controversial issue. There is limited evidence that screening is effective in reducing mortality from prostate cancer. In the current study we determined if screening with PSA reduces the risk of metastatic prostate cancer. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We conducted a population based case-control study among the residents of Metropolitan Toronto and 5 surrounding counties in Ontario, Canada. Data were obtained from 236 cases of metastatic prostate cancer and 462 controls randomly sampled from the source population and frequency matched to cases for age and area of residence. History of PSA testing, digital rectal examination, symptoms and other data were obtained from medical records and a self-administered questionnaire. The association between PSA screening and metastatic prostate cancer was measured by the Mantel-Haenszel odds ratio stratified by exposure observation time and other potential confounding factors. RESULTS: In asymptomatic men, the frequency of PSA screening as determined from medical records was significantly lower among the cases compared with the controls (odds ratio 0.65, 95% confidence interval 0.45 to 0.93). The odds ratio was 0.52 (0.28 to 0.98) in men 45 to 59 years old and 0.67 (0.41 to 1.09) in those 60 to 84 years old. CONCLUSIONS: In this case-control study screening of asymptomatic men with PSA was associated with a significantly reduced risk of metastatic prostate cancer. The results need to be confirmed in randomized controlled trials.

A reliable coding system to define screening prostate-specific antigen tests was developed in a case-control study.

OBJECTIVE: To establish the reliability of a coding system for screening and diagnostic prostate-specific antigen (PSA) testing from patient charts. STUDY DESIGN AND SETTING: Two investigators reviewed 448 chart abstractions from a population-based case-control study of PSA screening in the Toronto area. The tests evaluated for reliability were transrectal ultrasound (TRUS), digital rectal examination (DRE), and prostate-specific antigen (PSA). RESULTS: DRE results were found in 87%, PSA results in 65%, and TRUS results in 12% of the 749 charts. Interobserver agreement was 94% for DRE texture (kappa =.885), 95% for DRE asymmetry (kappa = .868), 85% for DRE physician interpretation (kappa = .698), 97% for final DRE result (kappa = .856), and 87% for TRUS (kappa = .769). Physician interpretation modified the final result in only 6.2% of DREs. Interobserver agreement for PSA coding was 91% (kappa = .787). Of PSA results, pure PSA screening with no symptoms of obstructive urination was found in 19%, symptomatic PSA screening in 46%, and diagnostic PSA testing in 35%. CONCLUSION: We have developed a practical and reliable coding system for TRUS, DRE, and PSA in the context of a case-control study of PSA screening.

Predictors of quality of life in women with a bilateral prophylactic mastectomy.

The purpose of this study was to assess the quality of life in women who had previously undergone a bilateral prophylactic mastectomy and to determine what factors predict quality of life in this population. Women in Ontario who had undergone prophylactic mastectomy between 1991 and 2000 were asked to complete several questionnaires that assessed current psychosocial functioning, including the Quality of Life Index (QLI). The mean score for the QLI was 23.34 (range 9.53-30.00). QLI scores were negatively correlated with cancer-related distress, body image difficulties, and psychological distress. Conversely, QLI scores were positively correlated with social support. Significant predictors of quality of life included psychological distress and one subscale of body image (vulnerability). Vulnerability and psychological distress are important predictors of quality of life in women who have previously undergone bilateral prophylactic mastectomy.