Implementation of quality indicators for vulvar cancer in gynaecological cancer centres certified by the German Cancer Society (DKG).

PURPOSE: In 2018, the first guideline-based quality indicators (QI) for vulvar cancer were implemented in the data-sheets of certified gynaecological cancer centres. The certification process includes guideline-based QIs as a fundamental component. These indicators are specifically designed to evaluate the level of care provided within the centres. This article aims to give an overview of the developing process of guideline based-QIs for women with vulvar cancer and presents the QIs results from the certified gynaecological cancer centres. METHODS: The QIs were derived in a standardized multiple step process during the update of the 2015 S2k guideline "Diagnosis, Therapy, and Follow-Up Care of Vulvar Cancer and its Precursors" (registry-number: no. 015/059) and are based on strong recommendations. RESULTS: In total, there are eight guideline-based QIs for vulvar cancer. Four QIs are part of the certification process. In the treatment year 2021, 2.466 cases of vulvar cancer were treated in 177 centres. The target values in the centres for pathology reports on tumour resection and lymphadenectomy as well as sentinel lymph nodes have increased since the beginning of the certification process and have been above 90% over the past three treatment years (2019-2021). DISCUSSION: QIs based on strong guideline recommendations, play a crucial role in measuring and allowing to quantify essential aspects of patient care. By utilizing QIs, centres are able to identify areas for process optimization and draw informed conclusions. Over the years the quality of treatment of vulvar cancer patients measured by the QIs was improved. The certification system is continuously reviewed to enhance patient care even further by using the outcomes from QIs revaluation.

Levels of evidence and grades of recommendation supporting European society for medical oncology clinical practice guidelines.

Background: The European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO) guidelines are among the most comprehensive and widely used clinical practice guidelines (CPGs) globally. However, the level of scientific evidence supporting ESMO CPG recommendations has not been systematically investigated. This study assessed ESMO CPG levels of evidence (LOE) and grades of recommendations (GOR), as well as their trends over time across various cancer settings. Methods: We manually extracted every recommendation with the Infectious Diseases Society of America (IDSA) classification from each CPG. We examined the distribution of LOE and GOR in all available ESMO CPG guidelines across different topics and cancer types. Results: Among the 1,823 recommendations in the current CPG, 30% were classified as LOE I, and 43% were classified as GOR A. Overall, there was a slight decrease in LOE I (-2%) and an increase in the proportion of GOR A (+1%) in the current CPG compared to previous versions. The proportion of GOR A recommendations based on higher levels of evidence such as randomized trials (LOE I-II) shows a decrease (71% vs. 63%, p = 0.009) while recommendations based on lower levels of evidence (LOE III-V) show an increase (29% vs. 37%, p = 0.01) between previous and current version. In the current versions, the highest proportion of LOE I (42%) was found in recommendations related to pharmacotherapy, while the highest proportion of GOR A recommendations was found in the areas of pathology (50%) and diagnostic (50%) recommendations. Significant variability in LOE I and GOR A recommendations and their changes over time was observed across different cancer types. Conclusion: One-third of the current ESMO CPG recommendations are supported by the highest level of evidence. More well-designed randomized clinical trials are needed to increase the proportion of LOE I and GOR A recommendations, ultimately leading to improved outcomes for cancer patients.

A systematic critical appraisal of clinical practice guidelines of antithrombotic agents in gastrointestinal endoscopy using the AGREE II tool.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: The quality of clinical practice guidelines (CPGs) for the management of antithrombotic agents in patients undergoing gastrointestinal (GI) endoscopy has not been systematically appraised. The goal of this study was to evaluate the methodological quality of CPGs for the management of antithrombotic agents in periendoscopic period published within last 6 years. METHODS: A systematic search of PubMed and Embase databases was performed to identify eligible CPGs published between January 1, 2016, and April 14, 2022, addressing the management of antithrombotic agents in the periendoscopic period. The quality of the CPG was independently assessed by six reviewers using the Appraisal of Guidelines for Research & Evaluation (AGREE) II instrument. Domain scores were considered of sufficient quality when > 60% and of good quality when > 80%. RESULTS: The search yielded 343 citations, of which seven CPGs published by the gastroenterology associations in Asia (n = 3), Europe (n = 2), and North America (n = 2) were included for the critical appraisal. The overall median score for the AGREE II domains was 93% (interquartile range [IQR] 11%) for scope and purpose, 79% (IQR 61%) for stakeholder involvement, 79% (IQR 36%) for rigor of development, 100% (IQR 14%) for clarity of presentation, 32% (IQR 36%) for applicability, 93% (IQR 29%) for editorial independence, and 86% (IQR 29%) for overall assessment. CONCLUSIONS: The findings show that the overall methodological quality of the CPGs for the management of antithrombotic agents in the periendoscopic period varies across the domains. There is significant scope for improvement in the methodological rigor and applicability of CPGs.

Identification and treatment of iron-deficiency anemia in pregnancy and postpartum: A systematic review and quality appraisal of guidelines using AGREE II.

BACKGROUND: Several international guidelines provide recommendations for the optimal management of iron-deficiency anemia (IDA) in the pregnant and postpartum populations. OBJECTIVES: To review the quality of guidelines containing recommendations for the identification and treatment of IDA in pregnancy and postpartum using the Appraisal of Guidelines for Research and Evaluation II (AGREE II) instrument and to summarize their recommendations. SEARCH STRATEGY: PubMed, Medline, and Embase databases were searched from inception to August 2, 2021. A web engine search was also performed. SELECTION CRITERIA: Clinical practice guidelines that focused on the management of IDA in pregnancy and/or postpartum populations were included. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS: Included guidelines were appraised using AGREE II independently by two reviewers. Domain scores greater than 70% were considered high-quality. Overall scores of six or seven (out of a possible seven) were considered high-quality guidelines. Recommendations on IDA management were extracted and summarized. MAIN RESULTS: Of 2887 citations, 16 guidelines were included. Only six (37.5%) guidelines were deemed high-quality and were recommended by the reviewers. All 16 (100%) guidelines discussed the management of IDA in pregnancy, and 10 (62.5%) also included information on the management of IDA in the postpartum period. CONCLUSIONS: The complex interplay of racial, ethnic, and socioeconomic disparities was rarely addressed, which limits the generalizability of the recommendations. In addition, many guidelines failed to identify barriers to implementation, strategies to improve uptake or iron treatment, and resource and cost implications of clinical recommendations. These findings highlight important areas to target future work.

Under-representation of black patients with multiple myeloma in studies supporting International Myeloma Working Group guidelines.

INTRODUCTION: Multiple myeloma (MM) is more common in Black persons when compared to non-Hispanic White persons. The International Myeloma Working Group (IMWG) provides consensus for diagnosis and treatment of MM. Our study aimed to assess the racial composition of supporting studies used by IMWG to publish their guidelines METHODS: We performed a cross sectional study that included all IMWG publications up to July 2022. References cited in each publication were reviewed. Review articles, comments, editorials, case reports, and animal-based studies were excluded. RESULTS: A total of 59 IMWG publications with 3956 references were reviewed. Final analysis included 2047 references of which 39 % (n = 804) were clinical trials, 35 % (n = 712) were observational studies, 20 % (n = 401) were diagnostic and or genetic testing-based studies, 3 % (n = 65) were population-based analysis and 3 % (n = 65) classified as others. Only 10.4 % of included references (n = 213/2047) reported race/ethnicity of studied patients. The total number of patients in all referenced studies were 5,747,920, only 2.6 % (n = 150,790) black patients. Of the trials referenced and done exclusively in the US, 41 out of 282 (14.5 %) reported race/ethnicity with a total number of patients of 38,050 of which 2493 (6.5 %) were black patients. CONCLUSION: IMWG guidelines were based mainly on studies that did not include enough Black patients. Guidelines should consider inclusion of observational, diagnostic and population-based studies with more black patients to allow for better reflection of disease prevalence, clinical characteristics and/or outcomes.

Elaboração de um guia sobre saúde vocal infantil / Elaboration of a guide on children's vocal health / Elaboración de una guía sobre salud vocal infantil

Introdução: Materiais educativos sobre cuidados com a voz dão apoio no atendimento clínico e prevenção de disfonia, entretanto, são escassos. Portanto, este estudo objetivou elaborar e avaliar um guia sobre saúde vocal infantil para pais e crianças. Descrição: A elaboração do guia abrangeu: Levantamento Bibliográfico nas bases de dados Biblioteca Virtual em Saúde (BVS) e Público/editora MEDLINE (PubMed); Escrita dos temas; Organização/escrita dos conteúdos/referências; Seleção de imagens. Estruturação do guia: Produção da voz; Sinais/sintomas mais comuns de alterações vocais; Causas dos distúrbios vocais infantis; Consequências do distúrbio vocal infantil; Profissionais envolvidos no diagnóstico e tratamento; Mito e Verdade sobre voz; Como prevenir o distúrbio vocal infantil; Atividades amigas da voz. A avaliação foi em grupo focal, via Google Meet, com três juízes mestrandos em Fonoaudiologia, que discutiram qualitativamente estética, conteúdo e organização. A discussão foi coordenada pela coorientadora e as indicações, realizadas por consenso entre os juízes: Estética - ajustar local das referências, elaborar jogo de trilha, uniformizar desenhos/cores e criar mascote; Conteúdo - material relevante, diminuir textos, adequar a linguagem para crianças, usar links/QR-Code para informações extras e acrescentar orientações para professores; Organização - tópicos em ordem hierárquica, conteúdo relacionado ao tema e separar assuntos por capítulos. Considerações Finais: Foram apontadas mudanças, porém, os juízes ressaltaram a importância deste material na clínica fonoaudiológica e na promoção de saúde vocal. O grupo focal foi importante para a primeira avaliação do guia. (AU)

Introduction: Educational materials on voice care support in clinical care and dysphonia prevention, however, are scarce. Therefore, this study aimed to elaborate and evaluate a guide on child vocal health for parents and children. Description: The elaboration of the guide covered: Bibliographic Survey in the databases Biblioteca Virtual em Saúde (BVS) and MEDLINE Public/Publisher (Pubmed); Themes writing; Organization/writing of the contents/references; Selection of images. Structure of the guide: Voice production; Most common signs/symptoms of vocal disorders; Causes of voice disorders in childhood; Consequences of voice disorders in childhood; Professionals involved in diagnosis and treatment; Myth and Truth about voice; How to prevent vocal disorder in childhood; Voice-friendly activities. The evaluation was in a focus group, via Google Meet, with three Master Judges in Speech Therapy, who discussed qualitatively aesthetics, content and organization. The discussion was coordinated by the co-supervisor and the following recommendations were consensus among the judges: Aesthetics - adjust location of references, elaborate track game, standardize drawings/colors and, create mascot; Content -relevant material, decrease texts, tailor language for children, use/QR-Code links for extra information and, add guidance for teachers; Organization - topics in hierarchical order, content according to theme and separate subjects by chapters. Final Considerations: Improvements were pointed out, however, the judges emphasized the importance of this material in the speech therapy clinic and vocal health promotion. The focus group was important for the guide's first evaluation. (AU)

Introducción: Los materiales educativos sobre cuidados con la voz dan apoyo en la atención clínica y prevención de la disfonía, sin embargo, son escasos. Por lo tanto, este estudio tuvo como objetivo elaborar y evaluar una guía sobre salud vocal infantil para padres e hijos. Descripción: La elaboración de la guía abarcó: Levantamiento Bibliográfico en las bases de datos Biblioteca Virtual en Salud (BVS)/MEDLINE Público/Editor (PubMed); Escritura de los temas; Organización/escritura de los contenidos/referencias; Selección de imágenes. Estructuración de la guía: Producción de la voz; Signos/síntomas más comunes de alteraciones vocales; Causas de los trastornos vocales infantiles; Consecuencias del trastorno vocal infantil; Profesionales involucrados en el diagnóstico y tratamiento; Mito y Verdad sobre voz; Cómo prevenir el trastorno vocal infantil; Actividades amigas de la voz. La evaluación fue en grupo focal, vía Google Meet, con tres jueces maestres en Fonoaudiología, que discutieron cualitativamente estética, contenido y organización. La discusión fue conducida por la coordinadora y las indicaciones, realizadas por consenso entre los jueces: Estética - ajustar lugar de las referencias, elaborar juego de pista, uniformizar dibujos/colores y crear mascota; Contenido - material relevante, disminuir textos, adecuar el lenguaje para niños, usar links/QR-Code para informaciones extras y añadir orientaciones para profesores; Organización - tópicos en orden jerárquico, contenido relacionado al tema y separar asuntos por capítulos. Consideraciones Finales: Se señalaron cambios, sin embargo, los jueces resaltaron la importancia de este material en la clínica fonoaudiológica y en la promoción de salud vocal. El grupo focal fue importante para la primera evaluación de la guía. (AU)

Quality evaluation of metabolic and bariatric surgical guidelines.

Objective: To evaluate the quality of surgical guidelines on bariatric/metabolic surgery. Methods: Four independent reviewers used the AGREE II (The Appraisal of Guidelines for Research and Evaluation II) tool to assess the methodological quality of the included guidelines and conducted a comparative analysis of the main recommendations for surgical methods of these guidelines. Results: Nine surgical guidelines were included in this study. Five articles with AGREE II scores over 60% are worthy of clinical recommendation. The field of rigor of development was relatively low, with an average score of 50.82%. Among 15 key recommendations and the corresponding best evidence in the guidelines, only 4 key recommendations were grade A recommendations. Conclusions: The quality of metabolic and bariatric guidelines is uneven, and there is much room for improvement.

Clinical practice guidelines on nutrition management in head and neck cancer: a systematic quality appraisal using the Appraisal of Guidelines for Research and Evaluation 2nd edition instrument.

OBJECTIVE: Several guidelines have been produced for the management of nutrition in patients with head and neck cancer. However, no systematic evaluation of the quality of these guidelines has been performed to date. METHOD: A comprehensive search was conducted up to August 2020. The quality of guidelines was assessed by four independent reviewers using the Appraisal of Guidelines for Research and Evaluation, 2nd edition. RESULTS: Nine guidelines were assessed for critical evaluation. Only two guidelines were classified as 'high quality'. The 'scope and purpose' domain achieved the highest mean score (75.5 ± 17.0 per cent), and the lowest domain mean score was 'applicability' (37.6 ± 23.0 per cent). CONCLUSION: These findings highlight the variability in the methodological quality of guidelines for the management of nutrition in head and neck cancer. These results may help to improve the reporting of future guidelines and guide the selection for use in clinical practice.

Hydroxychloroquine Dose per Ophthalmology Guidelines and the Risk of Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Flares.

This study of an academic medical center patient cohort with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) investigates the association between hydroxychloroquine dose based on current guidelines and risk of lupus flares.

Concordancia entre dos escalas para evaluar la clasificación del riesgo de eventos tromboembólicos y el requerimiento de profilaxis farmacológica en el posparto / Agreement between two scales used for assessing risk classification for thromboembolic events and the requirement of postpartum pharmacological prophylaxis

RESUMEN Objetivos: Establecer la concordancia para evaluar el requerimiento de profilaxis farmacológica en el puerperio entre la escala del Rojal College Obstetricians and Gynaecologists y la escala de la guía colombiana en una institución de cuarto nivel en Bogotá, Colombia. Materiales y métodos: Estudio de concordancia diagnóstica ensamblado sobre un estudio transversal. Se incluyeron mujeres embarazadas con 24 o más semanas de gestación que ingresaron para inducción de trabajo de parto, en trabajo de parto activo, para cesárea electiva, o que requirieron cesárea de urgencia, hospitalizadas entre el 1 de marzo y 30 de abril de 2021 en una institución privada de alta complejidad en Bogotá, Colombia. Se realizó un muestreo por conveniencia. Se midieron variables demográficas, factores de riesgo, clasificación del riesgo y profilaxis farmacológica según las dos escalas. Se calculó la prevalencia de los factores de riesgo por cada escala y la concordancia en la indicación de la profilaxis entre las dos escalas por medio del valor de kappa ponderado. Resultados: Se incluyeron 320 pacientes. La escala del Royal College Obstetricians and Gynaecologists clasificó al 54,7 % de las pacientes en riesgo bajo, riesgo intermedio al 42,5 % y riesgo alto al 2,8 %. La escala colombiana clasificó al 80 % de las pacientes en riesgo bajo, 17,2 % riesgo intermedio, 2,2 % riesgo alto y 0,6 % con riesgo muy alto. El valor kappa ponderado para la concordancia para indicación fue de 0,47 (IC 95 %: 0,38-0,56). Conclusiones: La concordancia de las dos escalas para definir requerimiento de profilaxis farmacológica en el posparto tiene un acuerdo moderado. Se considera es necesario validar los criterios de clasificación del riesgo de la escala colombiana en una segunda cohorte, además evaluar la capacidad predictiva de la herramienta de la guía colombiana en diferentes puntos de corte en términos de las consecuencias de falsos positivos y negativos.

ABSTRACT Objectives: To determine agreement in assessing the need for postpartum pharmacological prophylaxis between the scale of the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists and the Colombian guideline scale in a Level IV institution in Bogota, Colombia. Material and methods: Diagnostic agreement study assembled on a cross-sectional study. The included population consisted of pregnant women with 24 or more weeks of pregnancy admitted between March 1 and April 30 of 2021 to a high complexity private institution in Bogotá, Colombia, for labor induction, in active labor, for elective cesarean section, or who required urgent cesarean section. Convenience sampling was used. Measured variables included demographics, risk factors, risk classification and pharmacological prophylaxis according to the two scales. The prevalence of risk factors for each scale was estimated and agreement regarding prophylaxis indication between the two scales was measured using the weighted kappa value. Results: Overall, 320 patients were included. According to the scale of the Royal College Obstetricians and Gynaecologists, 54.7 % patients were classified as low risk, 42.5 % as intermediate risk and 2.8 % as high risk. The Colombian scale classified 80 % of patients as low risk, 17.2 % as intermediate risk, 2.2 % as high risk, and 0.6 % as very high risk. The weighted kappa value for agreement regarding the indication was 0.47 (95 % CI: 0.38-0.56). Conclusions: Agreement between the two scales to determine the need for postpartum pharmacological prophylaxis is moderate. Risk classification criteria for the Colombian scale should be validated in a second cohort. Moreover, the predictive ability of the Colombian guideline tool should be assessed at different cut-off points in terms of the consequences of false positive and false negative results.

Dermatoglifia Aplicada à Fonoaudiologia: possibilidade de interpretação / Dermatoglyphics applied to Speech Therapy: possibility of interpretation / Dermatoglifia aplicada a la Fonoaudiología: posibilidad de interpretación

Introdução: os avanços metodológicos e tecnológicos têm se apresentado em todas as áreas da Fonoaudiologia e não seria diferente nas Ciências da Fala, especificamente na Fonética Acústica. Dermatoglifia é o estudo científico das cristas dermopapilares, encontradas na impressão digital, considerada um marcador genético e identifica habilidades físicas básicas, como força, velocidade, resistência e coordenação motora. O método dermatoglífico vem sendo utilizado no diagnóstico diferencial de algumas síndromes, assim como parte integrante de processo de avaliação da qualidade vocal de profissionais da voz falada e cantada. Objetivo: descrever uma proposta de roteiro de análise dermatoglífica (DAF), que integre a avaliação da qualidade vocal, tanto de profissionais da voz falada e cantada, quanto daqueles falantes que não usam a voz profissionalmente. Descrição: o roteiro do método dermatoglífico como possibilidade de uso para Fonoaudiologia propõe a coleta das impressões digitais, a identificação dos desenhos digitais e seu predomínio, a detecção do perfil dermatoglífico, de fórmula digital, a soma da quantidade de linhas e de deltas dos dedos das mãos e a constatação das habilidades físicas potencializadas e não-potencializadas. Considerações finais: esta comunicação aponta para a integração do método dermatoglífico ao processo avaliativo da qualidade vocal de profissionais da voz falada e cantada. Representa também uma linha de investigação acerca do enfoque das habilidades musculares de indivíduos, não apenas na área de voz, mas nas demais áreas de atuação da Fonoaudiologia, por meio do Roteiro DAF ­ Dermatoglifia Aplicada à Fonoaudiologia.

Introduction: methodological and technological advances have figured in all areas of Speech Therapy and it would not be different in speech sciences, specifically in acoustic phonetics. Dermatoglyphics is the scientific study of dermatopapillary ridges, found in fingerprints, considered a genetic marker and identifying basic physical abilities, such as strength, speed, endurance and motor coordination. The dermatoglyphic method has been used in the differential diagnosis of some syndromes, and is also an integral part of the vocal quality assessment process and spoken and singing voice professionals. Objective: to describe a proposal for a dermatoglyphic analysis script (DAF), which integrates the assessment of vocal quality, both for speaking and singing voice professionals, as well as for speakers who do not use their voice professionally. Description: the script of the dermatoglyphic method as a possible tool in Speech Therapy proposes the collection of fingerprints, the identification of the digital patterns and their predominance, the detection of the dermatoglyphic profile, of the digital formula, the sum of the number of lines and deltas of the fingers of the hands and the verification of the potentiated and non-potentiated physical abilities. Final considerations: this communication points to the integration of the dermatoglyphic method into the vocal quality assessment process of vocal and singing voice professionals. It also represents a line of inquiry about the focus on the muscular abilities of individuals, not only in the area of voice, but in other areas of activity in Speech Therapy, through the DAF Script ­ Dermatoglyphics Applied to Speech Therapy.

Introducción: Los avances metodológicos y tecnológicos se han presentado en todas las áreas de la Fonoaudiología y no sería diferente en las Ciencias del Habla, específicamente en la Fonética Acústica. La dermatoglifia es el estudio científico de las crestas dermopapilares, que se encuentran en la huella dactilar, se considera un marcador genético e identifica capacidades físicas básicas como la fuerza, la velocidad, la resistencia y la coordinación motora. El método dermatoglífico ha sido utilizado en el diagnóstico diferencial de algunos síndromes, así como parte integral del proceso de evaluación de la calidad vocal de los profesionales de la voz hablada y cantada. Objetivo: describir una propuesta de roteiro de análisis dermatoglífica (DAF), que integra la evaluación de la calidad vocal, tanto para profesionales con la voz hablada y cantada, como para aquellos locutores que no utilizan su voz profesionalmente. Descripción: el roteiro del método dermatoglífico como posibilidad de uso para la Fonoaudiología propone la toma de huellas dactilares, la identificación de dibujos digitales y su predominio, la detección del perfil dermatoglífico, de la fórmula digital, la suma del número de líneas y deltas de los dedos de las manos y la verificación de capacidades físicas potenciadas y no potenciadas. Consideraciones finales: esta comunicación apunta a la integración del método dermatoglífico al proceso de evaluación de la calidad vocal de los profesionales de la voz hablada y cantada. También representa una línea de investigación sobre el enfoque de las capacidades musculares de los individuos, no sólo en el área de la voz, sino en otras áreas de actuación de la Fonoaudiología, a través del roteiro DAF ­ Dermatoglífia aplicada a la Fonoaudiología.

Economic Evaluation of National Patient Blood Management Clinical Guidelines in Cardiac Surgery.

OBJECTIVES: To the best of our knowledge, no published clinical guidelines have ever undergone an economic evaluation to determine whether their implementation represented an efficient allocation of resources. Here, we perform an economic evaluation of national clinical guidelines designed to reduce unnecessary blood transfusions before, during, and after surgery published in 2012 by Australia's sole public blood provider, the National Blood Authority (NBA). METHODS: We performed a cost analysis from the government perspective, comparing the NBA's cost of implementing their perioperative patient blood management guidelines with the estimated resource savings in the years after publication. The impact on blood products, patient outcomes, and medication use were estimated for cardiac surgeries only using a large national registry. We adopted conservative counterfactual positions over a base-case 3-year time horizon with outcomes predicted from an interrupted time-series model controlling for differences in patient characteristics and hospitals. RESULTS: The estimated indexed cost of implementing the guidelines of A$1.5 million (2018-2019 financial year prices) was outweighed by the predicted blood products resource saving alone of A$5.1 million (95% confidence interval A$1.4 million-A$8.8 million) including savings of A$2.4 million, A$1.6 million, and A$1.2 million from reduced red blood cell, platelet, and fresh frozen plasma use, respectively. Estimated differences in patient outcomes were highly uncertain and estimated differences in medication were financially insignificant. CONCLUSIONS: Insofar as they led to a reduction in red blood cell, platelet, and fresh frozen plasma use during cardiac surgery, implementing the perioperative patient blood management guidelines represented an efficient use of the NBA's resources.

Use of Adjuvant Bisphosphonates and Other Bone-Modifying Agents in Breast Cancer: ASCO-OH (CCO) Guideline Update.

PURPOSE: To update recommendations of the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO)-Ontario Health (Cancer Care Ontario [CCO]) adjuvant bone-modifying agents in breast cancer guideline. METHODS: An Expert Panel conducted a systematic review to identify new, potentially practice-changing data. RESULTS: Four articles met eligibility criteria and form the evidentiary basis for revision of the previous recommendations. RECOMMENDATIONS: Adjuvant bisphosphonate therapy should be discussed with all postmenopausal patients (natural or therapy-induced) with primary breast cancer, irrespective of hormone receptor status and human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 status, who are candidates to receive adjuvant systemic therapy. Adjuvant bisphosphonates, if used, are not substitutes for standard anticancer modalities. The benefit of adjuvant bisphosphonate therapy will vary depending on the underlying risk of recurrence and is associated with a modest improvement in overall survival. The NHS PREDICT tool provides estimates of the benefit of adjuvant bisphosphonate therapy and may aid in decision making. Factors influencing the decision to recommend adjuvant bisphosphonate use should include patients' risk of recurrence, risk of side effects, financial toxicity, drug availability, patient preferences, comorbidities, and life expectancy. When an adjuvant bisphosphonate is used to prevent breast cancer recurrence, the therapeutic options recommended by the Panel include oral clodronate, oral ibandronate, and intravenous zoledronic acid. The Panel supports starting bisphosphonate therapy early, consistent with the points outlined in the parent CCO-ASCO guideline; this is a consensus recommendation. The Panel does not recommend adjuvant denosumab to prevent breast cancer recurrence, because studies did not show a consistent reduction of breast cancer recurrence in any subset of those with early-stage breast cancer.Additional information can be found at www.asco.org/breast-cancer-guideline.

Pro-Con Debate: Cardiac Troponin Measurement as Part of Routine Follow-up of Myocardial Damage Following Noncardiac Surgery.

Elevated troponin levels within 3 days of surgery, independent of the presence of symptoms, are strongly linked to increased risk of short- and long-term morbidity and mortality. However, the value of screening with troponin measurements is controversial. The Canadian Cardiovascular Society guidelines on perioperative cardiac risk assessment and management for patients who undergo noncardiac surgery recommends measuring daily troponin for 48 to 72 hours after surgery in high-risk patients. Nevertheless, others doubt this recommendation, in part because postoperative elevated levels of troponin describe very little in terms of disease or event-specific pathogenesis and etiology, and thus, tailoring an intervention remains a challenge. This Pro-Con debate offers evidence-based data to stimulate physician understanding of daily practice and its significance in this matter, and assist in determining whether to use (Pro) or not to use (Con) this surveillance.

PROSPECT guidelines for video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery: a systematic review and procedure-specific postoperative pain management recommendations.

Video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery has become increasingly popular due to faster recovery times and reduced postoperative pain compared with thoracotomy. However, analgesic regimens for video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery vary significantly. The goal of this systematic review was to evaluate the available literature and develop recommendations for optimal pain management after video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery. A systematic review was undertaken using procedure-specific postoperative pain management (PROSPECT) methodology. Randomised controlled trials published in the English language, between January 2010 and January 2021 assessing the effect of analgesic, anaesthetic or surgical interventions were identified. We retrieved 1070 studies of which 69 randomised controlled trials and two reviews met inclusion criteria. We recommend the administration of basic analgesia including paracetamol and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs or cyclo-oxygenase-2-specific inhibitors pre-operatively or intra-operatively and continued postoperatively. Intra-operative intravenous dexmedetomidine infusion may be used, specifically when basic analgesia and regional analgesic techniques could not be given. In addition, a paravertebral block or erector spinae plane block is recommended as a first-choice option. A serratus anterior plane block could also be administered as a second-choice option. Opioids should be reserved as rescue analgesics in the postoperative period.

Overview of screening eligibility in patients undergoing ruptured AAA repair from 2003 to 2019 in the Vascular Quality Initiative.

OBJECTIVE: Although efforts such as the Screening Abdominal Aortic Aneurysms Very Efficiently (SAAAVE) Act have improved access to abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) screening, certain high-risk populations are currently excluded from the guidelines yet may benefit from screening. We therefore examined all patients who underwent repair of ruptured AAA (rAAA) to characterize those who are ineligible for screening under current guidelines and evaluate the potential impact of these restrictions on their disease. METHODS: We identified patients undergoing rAAA repair in the Vascular Quality Initiative (VQI) database between 2003 and 2019. These patients were stratified by AAA screening eligibility according to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid reimbursement guidelines. We then described baseline characteristics to identify high-risk features of these cohorts. Groups with disproportionate representation in the screening-ineligible cohort were identified as potential targets of screening expansion. Trends over time in screening eligibility and the proportion of AAA repairs performed for rAAA were also analyzed. RESULTS: A total of 5340 patients underwent rAAA repair. The majority (66%) were screening-ineligible. When characterizing the screening-ineligible group by sex and risk factors (smoking history or family history of AAA), the largest contributors to screening ineligibility were males less than 65 years of age with a smoking history or family history of AAA (25%), males greater than 75 years of age with a smoking history (25%), and females older than 65 years of age with a smoking history (19%). In comparison with rAAAs prior to implementation of the SAAAVE act, the proportion of AAA repair performed for rupture among males undergoing AAA repair in the VQI decreased from 12% to 8% (P < .001), whereas in females, there was no change (P = .990). There was no statically significant difference in screening eligibility for either males (P = .762) or females (P = .335). CONCLUSIONS: Most patients who underwent rAAA repair were ineligible for initial AAA screening or aged out of the screening window. Furthermore, rAAA rates and screening ineligibility have not improved as much as expected since the passage of the SAAAVE Act. Our data suggest that three high-risk populations may benefit from expansion of AAA screening guidelines: males with a smoking history or family history of AAA between ages 55 and 64 years, female smokers older than 65 years, and male smokers older than 75 years who are otherwise in good health. Increased efforts to screen these high-risk populations may increase elective AAA repair and minimize the morbidity and mortality associated with rAAAs.