Impact of Socioeconomic Status on Patient Adherence in Managing Renal Masses.

INTRODUCTION: Previous literature suggests socioeconomic status and racial disparities impact management decisions for patients with small renal masses. We aim to build upon these findings and examine how these modalities impact patient adherence to their management plan. METHODS: This retrospective study analyzed our Kidney Tumor Program database (n = 1476) containing patients from 2000 to 2020. Socioeconomic status was estimated using 2 modalities: Area Deprivation Index and household income. Patients were then evaluated for differences in adherence, nonadherence, and loss to follow-up. Adherent patients completed all recommended appointments within 6 months of their initial follow-up. Nonadherent patients did not complete all recommended appointments within 6 months of their originally scheduled follow-up but eventually did. Patients lost to follow-up were recommended to follow up but never did. RESULTS: Patient adherence was not significantly different across sex or primary treatment method but differed with respect to race/ethnicity. Black patients were significantly more likely to be nonadherent (P = .021) and lost to follow-up (P = .008). After adjusting for race/ethnicity, Area Deprivation Index and income bracket were significantly associated with adherence and loss to follow-up. Patients with a high socioeconomic status had significantly higher rates of adherence (ADI, quartile [Q] 1 vs Q4, P = .038; income, >$120,000 vs $30,000-$59,999, P < .003) and decreased loss to follow-up (ADI, Q1 vs Q4, P = .03; income, >$120,000 vs $30,000-$59,999, P = .002). CONCLUSIONS: Our results demonstrate that Black race and low socioeconomic status are associated with decreased adherence and increased loss to follow-up. Possible strategies to target these disparities include financial assistance programming, social determinants of health screening, and nurse navigator programs.

Geographic Variation of Infectious Complications Following Prostate Biopsy in The United States: Results From a Population-Based Cohort of Privately Insured Patients.

OBJECTIVE: To elucidate regional trends of infectious complications following transrectal ultrasound prostate biopsy (TRUS-PB) from a national, privately-insured database. MATEREIAL AND METHODS: Using Market Scan, we identified all men who underwent TRUS-PB from 2010 to 2015. Infectious complications (UTI, prostatitis, sepsis) occurring 30 days after the prostate biopsy from emergency room (ER) visits or hospital admissions constituted the primary outcomes. We analyzed unadjusted and adjusted rates of infectious complications from ER visits and hospital admissions per 100 prostate biopsies by state. Multivariable logistic regression analyses were used to identify patient covariates associated with infectious complications. RESULTS: During the study interval, we identified 193,490 patients who underwent TRUS-PB. The mean age was 57.6 years (SD: 5.0). Over time the unadjusted national rates of infectious complications remained similar from 0.4 ER visits per 100 prostate biopsies in 2010 -0.2 in 2015 (P = 0.83), and 1.2 hospital admissions per 100 prostate biopsies in 2010 to 1.1 in 2015 (P= 0.58). Connecticut had the lowest unadjusted infectious complication rate per 100 biopsies at 0.64, whereas West Virginia had the highest at 2.34. Multivariable analysis revealed higher Elixhauser status and patient age were associated with higher odds of infectious complications (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: While rates of infectious complications attributable to prostate biopsies remain relatively stable, significant variation exists at the state level regarding this adverse outcome.

Lessons Learned: Social Determinants of Health Screening Pilot in 2 Urology Clinics.

INTRODUCTION: Unmet social needs lead to adverse health outcomes and contribute to health inequities. Efforts to screen for social determinants of health (SDOH) have occurred primarily within primary care. Here, we describe the feasibility of implementing a workflow for SDOH screening within 2 urology clinics in Charlotte, North Carolina. METHODS: Our pilot was adapted from the WE CARE Model, which integrates a referral to community resources for patients identified with social needs and an optional followup with a navigator for additional assistance. Patients were screened with the validated Healthy Opportunities SDOH tool to assess food, housing, utilities, transportation and physical safety needs; 40 patients were screened at 2 urology clinics, totaling 80 patients. Surveys were sent to 16 clinicians and staff who participated in the pilot to assess feasibility of implementation. RESULTS: In all, 24/80 patients (30%) were screened for 1 or more social needs, with food and housing being the most frequent; 20/24 patients with social need (83%) successfully received a community resource guide, and 13 of those patients also requested a referral. All survey respondents either agreed or strongly agreed that screening was valuable and allowed them to better understand the needs of their patients. They also felt that understanding SDOH aligns with departmental goals and mission. CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that SDOH screening within a urological setting is feasible, and dedicated support staff should be available to ensure adequate followup for patients with unmet needs. Future work is needed to expand resources for patients and optimize workflow for clinicians.

Association of Surgical Approach and Urinary Diversion in Radical Cystectomy for Bladder Cancer With Costs and Readmission: Results From a Large Private Health Insurance Cohort.

INTRODUCTION: We sought to assess the comparative hospital outcomes and costs among a population-based cohort of bladder cancer patients by surgical approach and diversion. METHODS: From a privately insured national database, we identified all bladder cancer patients who underwent open or robotic radical cystectomy and ileal conduit or neobladder from 2010 to 2015. The primary outcomes were length of stay, readmissions, and total health care costs at 90 days from surgery. We used multivariable logistic regression and generalized estimating equations to assess for 90-day readmission and health care costs, respectively. RESULTS: Most patients underwent open radical cystectomy with ileal conduit (56.7%; n = 1,680) followed by open radical cystectomy with neobladder (22.7%; n = 672), robotic radical cystectomy with ileal conduit (17.4%; n = 516), and robotic radical cystectomy with neobladder (3.1%; n = 93). On multivariable analysis, patients had higher odds of 90-day readmissions for open radical cystectomy and neobladder (OR: 1.36; P = .002) and robotic radical cystectomy with neobladder (OR 1.60; P = .03) relative to open radical cystectomy with ileal conduit. After adjusting for patient covariates, we also found lower adjusted total 90-day health care costs for open radical cystectomy with ileal conduit ($67,915) and open radical cystectomy with neobladder ($67,371) compared to robotic radical cystectomy with ileal conduit ($70,677) and neobladder ($70,818; P < .05). CONCLUSIONS: In our study, neobladder diversion was associated with higher odds of 90-day readmission, while robotic surgery increased total 90-day health care costs.

Racial Disparities in Prostate Specific Antigen Screening and Referral to Urology in a Large, Integrated Health Care System: A Retrospective Cohort Study.

PURPOSE: Contemporary trends and racial disparities in prostate cancer screening and referral to urology for prostate cancer risk are not well characterized, despite consensus that Black men are at higher risk for poor prostate cancer outcomes. The objective of this study was to characterize current racial disparities in prostate cancer screening and referral from primary care to urology for prostate cancer concern within our large, integrated health care system. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This retrospective cohort study used data from Atrium Health's enterprise data warehouse, which includes patient information from more than 900 care locations across North Carolina, South Carolina and Georgia. We included all men seen in the ambulatory or outpatient setting between 2014 and 2019 who were ≥40 years old. Clinical and demographic data were collected for all men, including age and race. Racial outcomes were reported for all groups with >2% representation in the population. Between-group comparisons were determined using chi-squared analysis, Wilcoxon rank sum testing and multivariable logistic regression, with significance defined as p <0.05. RESULTS: We observed a significant decrease in prostate specific antigen testing across all age and racial groups in a cohort of 606,985 men at Atrium Health, including 87,189 Black men, with an overall relative decline of 56%. As compared to White men, Black men were more likely to undergo prostate specific antigen testing (adjusted OR 1.24, 95% CI 1.22-1.26) and be referred to urology for prostate cancer (adjusted OR 1.94, 95% CI 1.75-2.16). CONCLUSIONS: There was a continued significant decline in prostate cancer screening between 2014 and 2019. Despite having modestly elevated odds of being screened for prostate cancer compared to White men, Black men are relatively underscreened when considering that those who undergo prostate specific antigen screening are more likely to be referred by primary care to urology for additional prostate cancer diagnostic evaluation.

Demographic and Socioeconomic Factors Associated with Urinary Stone Disease Management in a Large Urban US Population.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the influence of socioeconomic parameters on urinary stone surgeries. METHODS: A retrospective cohort study analyzed patients undergoing urolithiasis surgery in our community network hospital in North Carolina from 2005-2018. RESULTS: Of 7731 patients, 2160 (28%), 5,174 (67%), and 397 (5%) underwent SWL, URS, and PCNL, respectively. A higher proportion of Whites underwent URS (67%) and SWL (74%) than PCNL (56%); whereas a larger percentage of Blacks underwent PCNL (24%) than URS (20%) and SWL (15%) groups (P <.001). Private insurance payers were greater in the SWL (95%) group than URS (80%) and PCNL (81%) (P <.001). The distribution of median income was significantly different amongst the 3 surgeries with higher income classes overutilizing SWL and underutilizing PCNL compared to lower income classes (P <.001). In linear regression modeling, the proportion of SWL in a postal code was positively associated with median income (R2=0.55, P <.001); URS and PCNL were negatively associated with median income (R2=0.40, P <.001 and R2=0.41, P <.001, respectively). On multivariate logistic regression modeling, Blacks were significantly more likely to undergo PCNL than Whites (aOR 1.32, 95% CI 1.01-1.74 P <.050). Private insurance payers were more likely to undergo SWL (aOR 11.0, 95% CI 7.26-16.8, P <.0001) than public insurance payers. Patients in higher median income brackets are significantly less likely to undergo PCNL than those in the <$40,000 income bracket (P <.0001). CONCLUSION: Our study suggests that socioeconomic status impacts urolithiasis surgical management, underscoring disparity recognition importance in endourologic care and ensuring appropriate surgical care regardless of socioeconomic status.

Blood loss associated with radical cystectomy: a prospective, randomized study comparing Impact LigaSure vs. stapling device.

OBJECTIVES: Radical cystectomy (RC) is associated with significant blood loss and transfusion requirement. We performed a prospective, randomized trial to compare blood loss, operative time, and cost using 2 different and commonly employed approaches to tissue ligation and division during RC: mechanical (stapler device) and electrosurgical (heat-sealing device). METHODS AND MATERIALS: Eighty patients undergoing RC for urothelial bladder carcinoma were randomized to use of either an Endo GIA Stapler or Impact LigaSure device for tissue ligation and division. Primary outcomes were blood loss, operative time, and device costs. Data were analyzed with Wilcoxon rank sum test and Welch 2-sample t test. RESULTS: There were no significant demographic or preoperative differences between the cohorts. Mean estimated blood loss was similar between the electrosurgical (687 ml) and stapler (708 ml) arms (P = 0.850). There were no significant differences between cohorts when comparing operative times or transfusion requirement. There was a significant increase in the mean number of adjunctive suture ligatures used in the stapling device arm (3.0 vs. 1.5, P = 0.047). Total device costs were significantly lower with the LigaSure compared with the GIA Stapler ($625.00 vs. $1490.10, P<0.001). There were no complications attributable to either device. CONCLUSIONS: This prospective, randomized study demonstrates no significant difference in blood loss, transfusion requirement, or safety between mechanical vs. electrosurgical control of the vascular pedicles. The LigaSure device, however, is significantly less costly than the GIA Stapler and required fewer additional measures for hemostasis.

Volume outcomes of cystectomy--is it the surgeon or the setting?

PURPOSE: Hospital volume and surgeon volume are each associated with outcomes after complex oncological surgery. However, the interplay between hospital and surgeon volume, and their impact on these outcomes has not been well characterized. We studied the relationship between surgeon and hospital volume, and overall mortality after radical cystectomy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The SEER (Surveillance, Epidemiology and End Results)-Medicare linked database was used to identify 7,127 patients with urothelial carcinoma of the bladder who underwent radical cystectomy from 1992 to 2006. Hospital volume and surgeon volume were expressed by tertile. The primary outcome measure was overall survival. Covariates included age, Charlson comorbidity index, stage, grade, node count, node density, number of positive nodes, urinary diversion and year of surgery. Multivariate analyses using generalized linear multilevel models were used to determine the independent association between hospital and surgeon volume and survival. RESULTS: When hospital volume or surgeon volume was included in the multivariate model, a significant volume-survival relationship was observed for each. However, when both were in the model, hospital volume attenuated the impact of surgeon volume on mortality while the significant hospital volume-mortality relationship persisted (HR 1.18, 95% CI 1.08-1.30, p <0.01). In addition, the adjusted 3-year probability of survival was significantly correlated with hospital volume in each distinct surgeon volume stratum while survival was not correlated with surgeon volume in each hospital volume stratum. CONCLUSIONS: After adjustment for patient and disease characteristics, the relationship between surgeon volume and survival after radical cystectomy is accounted for by hospital volume. In contrast, hospital volume remained an independent predictor of survival, suggesting that structure and process characteristics of high volume hospitals drive long-term outcomes after radical cystectomy.

A simple, effective method to create laparoscopic renal protective hypothermia with cold saline surface irrigation: clinical application and assessment.

PURPOSE: We previously described the use of cold saline surface irrigation to achieve protective renal hypothermia in a laparoscopic partial nephrectomy porcine model. We now present our clinical application of this technique and characterization of the hypothermic effect during laparoscopic partial nephrectomy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Seven patients underwent elective laparoscopic partial nephrectomy augmented with our hypothermia technique. Parenchymal temperature sensors were placed to confirm cooling efficacy and efficiency. After transperitoneal exposure of the kidney we performed temporary hilar vascular occlusion. Surface cooling with almost freezing normal saline was delivered with a laparoscopic suction/irrigation device. Tumor laparoscopic resection and renal reconstruction were completed. Outcome measures included intraoperative changes with hypothermia and postoperative estimated glomerular filtration rate changes. RESULTS: All patients successfully underwent laparoscopic partial nephrectomy without complications or evidence of residual disease. A protective renal parenchymal temperature of less than 20C was achieved at a mean application time of 8.3 minutes. The hypothermic window of 15C to 25C was maintained an average of 30.4 minutes. In 2 cases cooling was repeated and 4 minutes were required to lower the temperature below 20C. The overall mean core body temperature decrease was 1.28C. At a mean followup of 22.4 months the median preoperative, immediate postoperative and final estimated glomerular filtration rate was 75, 65 and 71 ml/minute/1.73 m(2), respectively. There was no evidence of disease recurrence on followup imaging. CONCLUSIONS: Our technique involving cold saline surface irrigation to achieve protective renal hypothermia is reproducible, and uses readily available laparoscopic instruments and equipment. This technique can be done simply and effectively, and may expand the use of laparoscopic partial nephrectomy.

Utility of frozen section analysis of resection margins during partial nephrectomy.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the utility of routine intraoperative frozen-section histologic analysis during partial nephrectomy to ensure negative surgical margins. Partial nephrectomy has gained acceptance for surgical treatment of small renal cancers. Many surgeons send specimens for intraoperative frozen section histologic analysis to ensure negative margins. METHODS: We reviewed the records of 78 patients who underwent partial nephrectomy for presumed malignancy. Patient demographics, intraoperative findings, and pathologic and clinical outcomes were analyzed. RESULTS: Seventy-nine partial nephrectomies were performed in 78 patients. Frozen sections were obtained intraoperatively in 76 cases. In 1 case (1.3%), a single margin was interpreted as positive for carcinoma, prompting deeper resection. The final histopathologic finding was interpreted as angiomyolipoma rather than carcinoma. The final pathologic examination revealed renal cell carcinoma in 52 (66%) of 79 cases. The mean oncologic follow-up was 16.2 months. One local recurrence was noted (1.9%). It arose in the resection bed 19 months after removal of a 4.5-cm tumor (pathologic Stage T3a). Both intraoperative frozen section margins and final pathologic margins were negative in this case. One patient developed pulmonary metastases and represented the only metastatic recurrence, as well as the only cancer-related death in our cohort (1.9%). CONCLUSIONS: Our data suggest that when partial nephrectomy is performed with attention to excising a perimeter of grossly normal-appearing parenchyma, sending specimens for intraoperative frozen section analyses may provide an unnecessary expense without providing meaningful, reliable information. Additional studies, including larger cohorts and extended follow-up, are needed to support these results.