360 Health Analysis (H360)-A Comparison of Key Performance Indicators in Breast Cancer Management across Health Institution Settings in Portugal.

BACKGROUND: The increased focus on quality indicators (QIs) and the use of clinical registries in real-world cancer studies have increased compliance with therapeutic standards and patient survival. The European Society of Breast Cancer Specialists (EUSOMA) established QIs to assess compliance with current standards in breast cancer care. METHODS: This retrospective study is part of H360 Health Analysis and aims to describe compliance with EUSOMA QIs in breast cancer management in different hospital settings (public vs. private; general hospitals vs. oncology centers). A set of key performance indicators (KPIs) was selected based on EUSOMA and previously identified QIs. Secondary data were retrieved from patients' clinical records. Compliance with target KPIs in different disease stages was compared with minimum and target EUSOMA standards. RESULTS: A total of 259 patient records were assessed. In stages I, II, and III, 18 KPIs met target EUSOMA standards, 5 met minimum standards, and 8 failed to meet minimum standards. Compliance with KPIs varied according to the type of hospital (particularly regarding diagnosis) and disease stage. Although small differences were found in KPI compliance among institutions, several statistical differences were found among treatment KPIs according to disease stage, particularly in stage III. CONCLUSIONS: This study represents the first assessment of the quality of breast cancer care in different hospital settings in Portugal and shows that, although most QIs meet EUSOMA standards, there is room for improvement. Differences have been found across institutions, particularly between oncology centers and general hospitals, in diagnosis and compliance with KPIs among disease stages. Stage III showed the greatest variability in compliance with treatment KPIs, probably related to the lower specificity of the guidelines in this disease stage.

One-year mortality after hospitalization for acute heart failure: Predicting factors (PRECIC study subanalysis).

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES: One-year mortality after hospitalization for heart failure (HF) is high. This study aims to identify predictive factors of one-year mortality. METHODS: This is a retrospective, single-center and observational study. All patients hospitalized for acute HF during one year were enrolled. RESULTS: A total of 429 patients were enrolled, mean age of 79 years. The in-hospital and one-year all-cause mortality rates were 7.9% and 34.3%, respectively. In the univariable analysis, the factors significantly associated with higher one-year mortality risk were: age ≥80 years (odds ratio (OR)=2.05, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.35-3.11, p=0.001); active cancer (OR=2.93, 95% CI 1.36-6.32, p=0.008); dementia (OR=2.84, 95% CI 1.81-4.47, p<0.001); functional dependency (OR=2.63, 95% CI 1.65-4.19, p<0.001); atrial fibrillation (OR=1.86, 95% CI 1.24-2.80, p=0.004); higher creatinine (OR=2.03, 95% CI 1.29-3.21, p=0.002), urea (OR=2.92, 95% CI 1.95-4.36, p<0.001) and red cell distribution width (RDW; 4thQ OR=5.59, 95% CI 3.03-10.32, p=0.001); and lower hematocrit (OR=0.94, 95% CI 0.91-0.97, p<0.001), hemoglobin (OR=0.83, 95% CI 0.75-0.92, p<0.001) and platelet distribution width (PDW; OR=0.89, 95% CI 0.82-0.97, p=0.005). In the multivariable analysis, the independent predictors of higher one-year mortality risk were: age ≥80 years (OR=2.05, 95% CI 1.21-3.48); active cancer (OR=2.70, 95% CI 1.03-7.01); dementia (OR=2.69, 95% CI 1.53-4.74); higher urea (OR=2.97, 95% CI 1.84-4.80) and RDW (4thQ OR=5.24, 95% CI 2.55-10.76); and lower PDW (OR=0.88, 95% CI 0.80-0.97). CONCLUSIONS: Active cancer, dementia, and high values for urea and RDW at admission are predictors of one-year mortality in patients hospitalized for HF. These variables are readily available at admission and can support the clinical management of HF patients.

Cognition, function, and prevalent dementia in centenarians and near-centenarians: An individual participant data (IPD) meta-analysis of 18 studies.

INTRODUCTION: There are limited data on prevalence of dementia in centenarians and near-centenarians (C/NC), its determinants, and whether the risk of dementia continues to rise beyond 100. METHODS: Participant-level data were obtained from 18 community-based studies (N = 4427) in 11 countries that included individuals ≥95 years. A harmonization protocol was applied to cognitive and functional impairments, and a meta-analysis was performed. RESULTS: The mean age was 98.3 years (SD = 2.67); 79% were women. After adjusting for age, sex, and education, dementia prevalence was 53.2% in women and 45.5% in men, with risk continuing to increase with age. Education (OR 0.95;0.92-0.98) was protective, as was hypertension (odds ratio [OR] 0.51;0.35-0.74) in five studies. Dementia was not associated with diabetes, vision and hearing impairments, smoking, and body mass index (BMI). DISCUSSION: Among the exceptional old, dementia prevalence remains higher in the older participants. Education was protective against dementia, but other factors for dementia-free survival in C/NC remain to be understood.

Frailty-the missing constraint in radiotherapy treatment planning for older adults.

Current demographic changes translate into an increased frequency of cancer in older adults. Available data show that about 45-55% of the new cancer patients will need RT treatments, with an expected increase of 20-30% in the future. To provide the best cancer care it is mandatory to assess frailty, offer appropriate curative treatments to patients and personalise them for the frail. Based on published data, the median prevalence of frailty in older population is about 42%. Recently, the free radical theory of frailty has been proposed stating that oxidative damage is more prevalent in frail patients. In parallel, RT is one of the most frequent cancer treatments offered to older adults and is a source of external free radicals. RT dose constraints correlate with toxicity rates, so we open the question whether frailty should be considered when defining these constraints. Thus, for this paper, we will highlight the importance of frailty evaluation for RT treatment decisions and outcomes.

Baseline anaemia increases locally advanced rectal cancer mortality in older patients undergoing preoperative chemoradiation.

PURPOSE: The median diagnosis age of rectal cancer (RC) is 70 years old. The standard of care for locally advanced RC (LARC) is preoperative chemoradiation (CRT) followed by surgery. Anaemia is a frequent condition in older patients but is not a pure consequence of ageing. METHODS: The patients aged 65 years or over, with clinical stage II/III LARC, and treated with preoperative concurrent CRT were retrospectively reviewed. Baseline haemoglobin (Hb) levels were collected. RESULTS: One hundred and seven patients enrolled in this study, but 17 were excluded in relation with treatment disruption. Fifty-seven (63.3%) males and 33 (36.7%) females completed preoperative CRT whose median age at diagnosis was 73. Twenty-five (27.8%) patients presented with anaemia at rectal cancer diagnosis, and median Hb was 13.5 g/dL (IQR = 1.45) and 11.2 g/dL (IQR = 1.35), for non-anaemic and anaemic patients, respectively. For the enrolled older population, only 2 patients reported acute grade 3 toxicity. Baseline anaemia tended to decrease the LARC-free interval and was associated with a significantly higher hazard of all-cause and LARC mortality, approximately 5 times (HR = 5.25; 95% CI 1.48-18.66) and 10 times (HR = 10.09; 95% CI 2.40-42.48), respectively. Patients older than 75 presented a significantly negative impact on overall survival (OS) and LARC-specific survival (HR = 6.20, 95% CI 2.00-19.22; and HR = 7.61, 95% CI 2.08-27.87, respectively). Conversely, no significant impact was found for age-adjusted Charlson comorbidity index on OS, LARC-specific survival and LARC-free interval. CONCLUSIONS: Overall and LARC-specific survival were significantly lower for the baseline anaemic older patients and for those aged 75 years or over.

SINAS: Effective Impact in the Quality Improvement of Ambulatory Surgery at an Ambulatory Centre.

INTRODUCTION: The National Health Assessment System is a system designed by the Portuguese Health Regulatory Entity in order to evaluate the overall quality of the health care institutions. One of the key areas evaluated by the National Health Assessment System is ambulatory surgery. The aim of this study is to demonstrate that the introduction of the National Health Assessment System evaluation at our ambulatory centre not only improved the overall quality of ambulatory surgery but also the quality of the clinical record entries. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A retrospective analysis was performed from the hospital's clinical database. The study was carried out at the ambulatory centre of the Hospital and University Centre of Porto, and included 100 consecutive surgical procedures, across all surgical specialties, previously selected by the National Health Assessment System audit performed in 2015 in our ambulatory surgery centre and other 46 surgical procedures performed in 2008 at our hospital, before the National Health Assessment System was implemented. The main outcome measure was the validation and record of the seven indicators of National Health Assessment System for ambulatory surgery. RESULTS: We have seen an improvement in all indicators after the National Health Assessment System implementation, except for criterion 4. DISCUSSION: Our study demonstrates that the introduction of the National Health Assessment System in our ambulatory centre resulted in the improvement in the quality of both of clinical practice, and clinical record keepingConclusion: We can conclude that the application of evaluation of quality indicators and benchmarking practices can be used to enhance healthcare outcomes.

Introdução: O Sistema Nacional de Avaliação da Saúde é um sistema de avaliação da qualidade global dos prestadores de cuidados de saúde desenvolvido pela Entidade Reguladora da Saúde. Uma das áreas avaliadas pelo Sistema Nacional de Avaliação da Saúde é a cirurgia de ambulatório. O objetivo do nosso trabalho é demonstrar que a introdução da avaliação do Sistema Nacional de Avaliação da Saúde no nosso hospital melhorou não só a qualidade da cirurgia de ambulatório, mas também a qualidade do registo clinico. Material e Métodos: Estudo retrospectivo dos dados clínicos do hospital. O estudo foi realizado no centro integrado de cirurgia de ambulatório do Centro Hospitalar e Universitário do Porto. Foram analisados 100 procedimentos cirúrgicos consecutivos, de todas as especialidades cirúrgicas, previamente selecionados para a auditoria Sinas, realizada no ano de 2015 e 46 procedimentos cirúrgicos realizados em 2008 no nosso hospital, antes da implantação do Sistema Nacional de Avaliação da Saúde. Foi avaliada a validação e registo dos sete indicadores do Sistema Nacional de Avaliação da Saúde para cirurgia de ambulatório. Resultados: Verificou-se uma melhoria em todos os indicadores após a implementação do Sistema Nacional de Avaliação da Saúde, exceto para o indicador 4. Discussão: O nosso trabalho demonstra que a introdução do Sistema Nacional de Avaliação da Saúde no nosso centro de ambulatório resulta na melhoria não apenas das práticas clínicas, mas também dos registros clínicos. Conclusão: Concluímos assim que a aplicação de avaliação de indicadores de qualidade e benchmarking pode ser usada para melhorar os resultados de saúde.

Assessment of Major Neurocognitive Disorders in Primary Health Care: Predictors of Individual Risk Factors.

Major Neurocognitive Disorders describe the symptoms of a large group of diseases causing a progressive decline in individual's functioning. It is an umbrella term describing a decline in memory, intellectual ability, reasoning, and social skills, as well as changes in normal emotional reactions. The general practitioner is instrumental in the early diagnosis of Major Neurocognitive Disorder. Individual risk factors act as contributing variables affecting the probability of someone developing a Major Neurocognitive Disorder and may be considered predictive factors. This study aimed (i) to show the utility of using the Global Deterioration Scale in primary health care settings as a measure to assess the stage of cognitive function for individuals identified with Major Neurocognitive Disorders and (ii) to identify predictors of severe Major Neurocognitive Disorders. Potential predictors of Major Neurocognitive Disorders considered in this study were: sex, age, years of education, social isolation, hearing impairment, cardiovascular disease, hypertension, diabetes, smoking habits, alcohol consumption, physical activity, hand strength, and nutritional status. The sample comprised 250 adults, 30.4% were classified as having probable Major Neurocognitive Disorder. The variables significantly associated with probable Major Neurocognitive Disorder were age, years of education, hearing impairment, cardiovascular disease, hand strength, nutritional status, and physical activity. In the multivariable model, only age, education, physical activity and hand strength remained significant predictors of probable Major Neurocognitive Disorder. The Global Deterioration Scale seems to be a usefull instrument in primary healthcare settings, as it guides the general practitioner in observing the patients' cognitive functioning. Advanced age, lower education, lower hand strength and absence of physical activities should be taken into account as they increase the chance of severe Major Neurocognitive Disorders. Primary health care providers, including general practitioners are very important in the diagnosis and follow up of Major Neurocognitive Disorder. The general practitioner is in most cases the patients' first and for many patients the only contact, thus having a critical role in evaluating with caution what is part of normal or pathological aging, and the individual factors that can increase the likelihood of developing Major Neurocognitive Disorder to further support patients in the course of the disease.

Digital Versus Conventional Rehabilitation After Total Hip Arthroplasty: A Single-Center, Parallel-Group Pilot Study.

BACKGROUND: The demand for total hip arthroplasty (THA) is rising. In the face of rapidly increasing health care costs, ensuring widespread, cost-effective rehabilitation is a priority. Technologies allowing independent home-based rehabilitation may be the key to facilitate access, improve effectiveness, and lower costs of care. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to assess the feasibility of a novel artificial intelligence-powered digital biofeedback system following THA and compare the clinical outcomes against supervised conventional rehabilitation. METHODS: This was a single-center, parallel-group pilot study, with an 8-week intervention program. Patients were assessed at baseline, during the program (at 4 and 8 weeks), and 3 and 6 months after surgery. The primary outcome was the Timed Up and Go (TUG) score and secondary outcomes were the Hip dysfunction and Osteoarthritis Outcome Scale (HOOS; a patient-reported outcome) and hip range of motion (ROM). RESULTS: A total of 66 patients were included: 35 digital physiotherapy (PT) versus 31 conventional. There were no differences at baseline between groups except for lower HOOS quality of life (QoL) subscale scores in the digital PT group. Clinically relevant improvements were noted in both groups at all time points. The digital PT group showed a retention rate of 86% (30/35). Per-protocol analysis revealed a superiority of the digital PT group for all outcome measures. Intention-to-treat analysis revealed the superiority of the digital PT group at all time points for TUG (change between baseline and 4 and 8 weeks: P<.001; change between baseline and 3 and 6 months: P=.001 and P=.005, respectively), with a difference between median changes of -4.79 seconds (95% CI -7.24 to -1.71) at 6 months post-THA. Between baseline and month 6, results were also superior in the digital PT group for the HOOS sports and QoL subscales and all ROM except for standing flexion. CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrates this novel solution holds promise in rehabilitation after THA, ensuring better clinical outcomes than conventional rehabilitation while reducing dependence on human resources. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT03045549; https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT03045549.

Perioperative cardiac arrests - A subanalysis of the anesthesia -related cardiac arrests and associated mortality.

STUDY OBJECTIVE: To determine the incidence, risk factors, and predictors of survival of perioperative cardiac arrests (PCAs) occurring in patients who underwent non-cardiac and non-obstetric surgery from January 2008 to May 2015 at a tertiary hospital; determine the incidence and risk factors of anesthesia-related PCA. DESIGN: Retrospective observational study. SETTING: Operating room and postoperative recovery area. PATIENTS: Sixty-two PCA cases from an anesthesia database of 122,289 anesthetics. INTERVENTIONS: Each PCA was classified as anesthesia-related, partially anesthesia-related, or anesthesia unrelated. The main outcome variables were occurrence of PCA, survival at least 1 h after initial resuscitation and survival to hospital discharge. To determine the risk factors for PCA, for each patient who suffered a PCA, two other patients that underwent anesthesia on the same day and in the same operating suite were selected. MEASUREMENTS: Three sets of variables were collected; patient-related, surgical procedure-related, and PCA-related. MAIN RESULTS: The incidence of PCAs of all causes was 5.07 per 10,000 anesthetics, and the associated mortality was 2.9 per 10,000 anesthetics. The independent risk factors for occurrence were: ASA PS score higher than 3, diagnosed cardiac disease, and the use of vasopressors. Decreased survival was associated with: higher ASA PS score, urgent surgical procedures of a higher complexity, use of vasopressors, documented hypotension prior to PCA, and arrests due to bleeding. The incidence of anesthesia-related PCAs was 0.74 per 10,000 anesthetics, and the associated mortality was 0.08 per 10,000 anesthetics. The main causes of anesthesia-related PCAs were associated with medication and airway/ventilation, and the independent risk factors for occurrence were: ASA PS score higher than 3 and diagnosed cardiac disease. CONCLUSIONS: Most PCAs were not due to anesthesia-related causes, and anesthesia-related PCAs were associated with improved survival. Improvements in the management of high-risk patients, medication administration, and airway/ventilation management may result in better outcomes.

Versão Portuguesa da Escala Breve de Redes Sociais de Lubben (LSNS-6) / Portuguese version of the abbreviated Lubben Social Network Scale (LSNS-6)

A avaliação das redes sociais na investigação e prática gerontológica requer o uso de instrumentos válidos e eficazes que sejam simples, concisos e de fácil aplicação na população idosa. A Escala de Redes Sociais de Lubben (LSNS) é um dos instrumentos mais utilizados para avaliar a integração social e o risco de isolamento social em idosos residentes na comunidade. Este artigo debruça-se sobre a tradução e validação da versão abreviada da escala (LSNS-6) para o Português Europeu e expõe as suas principais características psicométricas.

The assessment of social networks in gerontological and research practice requires valid, concise and reliable short scales that can be easily used with older adults. The Lubben Social Network Scale (LSNS) is one of the most widely used instruments to assess social integration and to screen for social isolation among community-dwelling populations. This study presents the translation and validation process of the SNLS abbreviated version (LSNS-6) to European Portuguese. Main psychometric properties are discussed.