Computed tomography assessment of robotic versus fluoroscopic implant accuracy in sacroiliac joint fusion.

OBJECTIVE: Computed tomography is considered the gold-standard imaging tool to evaluate spinal implant accuracy. However, there are no studies that evaluate the accuracy of robotic sacroiliac joint (SIJ) implant placement using CT to date. The aim of this study was to compare the accuracy of implant placement on CT between robotic and fluoroscopic navigation for SIJ fusion and the subsequent complications and clinical outcomes of suboptimally placed screws. METHODS: A retrospective analysis of SIJ fusions utilizing either robotic or fluoroscopic guidance at a single institution was conducted from 2014 to 2023. Implant placement accuracy was evaluated on intra- or postoperative CT. Primary endpoints were SIJ screw placement accuracy and complications. Secondary endpoints were pain status at the first and second follow-ups and rates of 2-year revision surgery. Statistical analysis was performed using chi-square tests. RESULTS: Sixty-nine patients who underwent 78 SIJ fusions were included, of which 63 were robotic and 15 were fluoroscopic. The mean age of the cohort at the time of surgery was 55.9 ± 14.2 years, and 35 patients (50.7%) were female. There were 135 robotically placed and 34 fluoroscopically placed implants. A significant difference was found in implant placement accuracy between robotic and fluoroscopic fusion (97.8% vs 76.5%, p < 0.001). When comparing optimal versus suboptimal implant placement, no difference was found in the presence of 30-day complications (p = 0.98). No intraoperative complications were present in this cohort. No difference was found in subjective pain status at the first (p = 0.69) and second (p = 0.45) follow-ups between optimal and suboptimal implant placement. No patients underwent 2-year revision surgery. CONCLUSIONS: Use of robotic navigation was significantly more accurate than the use of fluoroscopic navigation for SIJ implant placement. Complications overall were low and not different between optimally and suboptimally placed implants. Suboptimally placed implants did not differ in degree of subjective pain improvement or rates of revision surgery postoperatively.

Cost-effectiveness of a pediatric operating room installation in Sub-Saharan Africa.

The unmet need for pediatric surgery imposes enormous health and economic consequences globally, predominantly shouldered by Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) where children comprise almost half of the population. Lack of knowledge about the economic impact of improving pediatric surgical infrastructure in SSA inhibits the informed allocation of limited resources towards the most cost-effective interventions to bolster global surgery for children. We assessed the cost-effectiveness of installing and running two dedicated pediatric operating rooms (ORs) in a hospital in Nigeria with a pre-existing pediatric surgical service by constructing a decision tree model of pediatric surgical delivery at this facility over a year, comparing scenarios before and after the installation of the ORs, which were funded philanthropically. Health outcomes measured in disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) averted were informed by the hospital's operative registry and prior literature. We adopted an all healthcare payor's perspective including costs incurred by the local healthcare system, the installation (funded by the charity), and patients' families. Costs were annualized and reported in 2021 United States dollars ($). The incremental cost-effectiveness ratios (ICERs) of the annualized OR installation and operation were presented. One-way and probabilistic sensitivity analyses were performed. We found that installing and operating two dedicated pediatric ORs averted 538 DALYs and cost $177,527 annually. The ICER of the ORs' installation and operation was $330 per DALY averted (95% uncertainty interval [UI] 315-336) from the all healthcare payor's perspective. This ICER was well under the cost-effectiveness threshold of the country's half-GDP per capita in 2020 ($1043) and remained cost-effective in one-way and probabilistic sensitivity analyses. Installation of additional dedicated pediatric operating rooms in Nigeria with pre-existing pediatric surgical capacity is therefore very cost-effective, supporting investment in children's global surgical infrastructure as an economically sound intervention.

Future Role of Health Technology Assessment for Genomic Medicine in Oncology: A Canadian Laboratory Perspective.

Genome-based testing in oncology is a rapidly expanding area of health care that is the basis of the emerging area of precision medicine. The efficient and considered adoption of novel genomic medicine testing is hampered in Canada by the fragmented nature of health care oversight as well as by lack of clear and transparent processes to support rapid evaluation, assessment, and implementation of genomic tests. This article provides an overview of some key barriers and proposes approaches to addressing these challenges as a potential pathway to developing a national approach to genomic medicine in oncology.

Alternatives to DEXA for the assessment of bone density: a systematic review of the literature and future recommendations.

OBJECTIVE: Osteoporosis has significant implications in spine fusion surgery, for which reduced spinal bone mineral density (BMD) can result in complications and poorer outcomes. Currently, dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) is the gold standard for radiographic diagnosis of osteoporosis, although DEXA accuracy may be limited by the presence of degenerative spinal pathology. In recent years, there has been an evolving interest in using alternative imaging, including CT and MRI, to assess BMD. In this systematic review of the literature, the authors assessed the use and effectiveness of MRI, opportunistic CT (oCT), and quantitative CT (qCT) to measure BMD. METHODS: In accordance with the PRISMA guidelines, the authors conducted a systematic search for articles posted on PubMed between the years 2000 and 2022 by using the keywords "opportunistic CT, quantitative CT, MRI" AND "bone density" AND "spine." Inclusion criteria consisted of articles written in English that reported studies pertaining to human or cadaveric subjects, and studies including a measure of spinal BMD. Articles not related to spinal BMD, osteoporosis, or spinal surgery or reports of studies that did not include the use of spinal MRI or CT were excluded. Key study outcomes were extracted from included articles, and qualitative analysis was subsequently performed. RESULTS: The literature search yielded 302 articles. Forty-two articles reported studies that met the final inclusion criteria. Eighteen studies utilized MRI protocols to correlate spinal BMD with vertebral bone quality scores, M-scores, and quantitative perfusion markers. Eight studies correlated oCT with spinal BMD, and 16 studies correlated qCT with spinal BMD. With oCT and qCT imaging, there was consensus that Hounsfield unit (HU) values > 160 demonstrated significant reduction in risk of osteoporosis, whereas HU values < 110 were significantly correlated with osteoporosis. CONCLUSIONS: Osteoporosis is increasingly recognized as a significant risk factor for complications after spinal fusion surgery. Consequently, preoperative assessment of BMD is a critical factor to consider in planning surgical treatment. Although DEXA has been the gold standard for BMD measurement, other imaging modalities, including MRI, oCT, and qCT, appear to be viable alternatives and may offer cost and time savings.

The Additional Economic Burden of Frailty in Adult Cervical Deformity Patients Undergoing Surgical Intervention.

SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: The influence of frailty on economic burden following corrective surgery for the adult cervical deformity (CD) is understudied and may provide valuable insights for preoperative planning. OBJECTIVE: To assess the influence of baseline frailty status on the economic burden of CD surgery. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective cohort. MATERIALS AND METHODS: CD patients with frailty scores and baseline and two-year Neck Disability Index data were included. Frailty score was categorized patients by modified CD frailty index into not frail (NF) and frail (F). Analysis of covariance was used to estimate marginal means adjusting for age, sex, surgical approach, and baseline sacral slope, T1 slope minus cervical lordosis, C2-C7 angle, C2-C7 sagittal vertical axis. Costs were derived from PearlDiver registry data. Reimbursement consisted of a standardized estimate using regression analysis of Medicare payscales for services within a 30-day window including length of stay and death. This data is representative of the national average Medicare cost differentiated by complication/comorbidity outcome, surgical approach, and revision status. Cost per quality-adjusted life-year (QALY) at two years was calculated for NF and F patients. RESULTS: There were 126 patients included. There were 68 NF patients and 58 classified as F. Frailty groups did not differ by overall complications, instance of distal junctional kyphosis, or reoperations (all P >0.05). These groups had similar rates of radiographic and clinical improvement by two years. NF and F had similar overall cost ($36,731.03 vs. $37,356.75, P =0.793), resulting in equivocal costs per QALYs for both patients at two years ($90,113.79 vs. $80,866.66, P =0.097). CONCLUSION: F and NF patients experienced similar complication rates and upfront costs, with equivocal utility gained, leading to comparative cost-effectiveness with NF patients based on cost per QALYs at two years. Surgical correction for CD is an economical healthcare investment for F patients when accounting for anticipated utility gained and cost-effectiveness following the procedure. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: III.

Inferior Clinical Outcomes for Patients with Medicaid Insurance After Surgery for Degenerative Lumbar Spondylolisthesis: A Prospective Registry Analysis of 608 Patients.

BACKGROUND: It remains unclear how type of insurance coverage affects long-term, spine-specific patient-reported outcomes (PROs). This study sought to elucidate the impact of insurance on clinical outcomes after lumbar spondylolisthesis surgery. METHODS: The prospective Quality Outcomes Database registry was queried for patients with grade 1 degenerative lumbar spondylolisthesis who underwent single-segment surgery. Twenty-four-month PROs were compared and included Oswestry Disability Index, Numeric Rating Scale (NRS) back pain, NRS leg pain, EuroQol-5D, and North American Spine Society Satisfaction. RESULTS: A total of 608 patients undergoing surgery for grade 1 degenerative lumbar spondylolisthesis (mean age, 62.5 ± 11.5 years and 59.2% women) were selected. Insurance types included private insurance (n = 319; 52.5%), Medicare (n = 235; 38.7%), Medicaid (n = 36; 5.9%), and Veterans Affairs (VA)/government (n = 17; 2.8%). One patient (0.2%) was uninsured and was removed from the analyses. Regardless of insurance status, compared to baseline, all 4 cohorts improved significantly regarding ODI, NRS-BP, NRS-LP, and EQ-5D scores (P < 0.001). In adjusted multivariable analyses, compared with patients with private insurance, Medicaid was associated with worse 24-month postoperative Oswestry Disability Index (ß = 10.2; 95% confidence interval [CI], 3.9-16.5; P = 0.002) and NRS leg pain (ß =1.3; 95% CI, 0.3-2.4; P = 0.02). Medicaid was associated with worse EuroQol-5D scores compared with private insurance (ß = -0.07; 95% CI -0.01 to -0.14; P = 0.03), but not compared with Medicare and VA/government insurance (P > 0.05). Medicaid was associated with lower odds of reaching ODI minimal clinically important difference (odds ratio, 0.2; 95% CI, 0.03-0.7; P = 0.02) compared with VA/government insurance. NRS back pain and North American Spine Society satisfaction did not differ by insurance coverage (P > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Despite adjusting for potential confounding variables, Medicaid coverage was independently associated with worse 24-month PROs after lumbar spondylolisthesis surgery compared with other payer types. Although all improved postoperatively, those with Medicaid coverage had relatively inferior improvements.

High-impact chronic pain transition in surgical recipients with cervical spondylotic myelopathy.

OBJECTIVE: High-impact chronic pain (HICP) is a recently proposed metric that indicates the presence of a severe and troubling pain-related condition. Surgery for cervical spondylotic myelopathy (CSM) is designed to halt disease transition independent of chronic pain status. To date, the prevalence of HICP in individuals with CSM and their HICP transition from presurgery is unexplored. The authors sought to define HICP prevalence, transition, and outcomes in patients with CSM who underwent surgery and identify predictors of these HICP transition groups. METHODS: CSM surgical recipients were categorized as HICP at presurgery and 3 months if they exhibited pain that lasted 6-12 months or longer with at least one major activity restriction. HICP transition groups were categorized and evaluated for outcomes. Multivariate multinomial modeling was used to predict HICP transition categorization. RESULTS: A majority (56.1%) of individuals exhibited HICP preoperatively; this value declined to 15.9% at 3 months (71.6% reduction). The presence of HICP was also reflective of other self-reported outcomes at 3 and 12 months, as most demonstrated notable improvement. Higher severity in all categories of self-reported outcomes was related to a continued HICP condition at 3 months. Both social and biological factors predicted HICP translation, with social factors being predominant in transitioning to HICP (from none preoperatively). CONCLUSIONS: Many individuals who received CSM surgery changed HICP status at 3 months. In a surgical population where decisions are based on disease progression, most of the changed status went from HICP preoperatively to none at 3 months. Both social and biological risk factors predicted HICP transition assignment.

Social risk factors predicting outcomes of cervical myelopathy surgery.

OBJECTIVE: Combinations of certain social risk factors of race, sex, education, socioeconomic status (SES), insurance, education, employment, and one's housing situation have been associated with poorer pain and disability outcomes after lumbar spine surgery. To date, an exploration of such factors in patients with cervical spine surgery has not been conducted. The objective of the current work was to 1) define the social risk phenotypes of individuals who have undergone cervical spine surgery for myelopathy and 2) analyze their predictive capacity toward disability, pain, quality of life, and patient satisfaction-based outcomes. METHODS: The Cervical Myelopathy Quality Outcomes Database was queried for the period from January 2016 to December 2018. Race/ethnicity, educational attainment, SES, insurance payer, and employment status were modeled into unique social phenotypes using latent class analyses. Proportions of social groups were analyzed for demonstrating a minimal clinically important difference (MCID) of 30% from baseline for disability, neck and arm pain, quality of life, and patient satisfaction at the 3-month and 1-year follow-ups. RESULTS: A total of 730 individuals who had undergone cervical myelopathy surgery were included in the final cohort. Latent class analysis identified 2 subgroups: 1) high risk (non-White race and ethnicity, lower educational attainment, not working, poor insurance, and predominantly lower SES), n = 268, 36.7% (class 1); and 2) low risk (White, employed with good insurance, and higher education and SES), n = 462, 63.3% (class 2). For both 3-month and 1-year outcomes, the high-risk group (class 1) had decreased odds (all p < 0.05) of attaining an MCID score in disability, neck/arm pain, and health-related quality of life. Being in the low-risk group (class 2) resulted in an increased odds of attaining an MCID score in disability, neck/arm pain, and health-related quality of life. Neither group had increased or decreased odds of being satisfied with surgery. CONCLUSIONS: Although 2 groups underwent similar surgical approaches, the social phenotype involving non-White race/ethnicity, poor insurance, lower SES, and poor employment did not meet MCIDs for a variety of outcome measures. This finding should prompt surgeons to proactively incorporate socially conscience care pathways within healthcare systems, as well as to optimize community-based resources to improve outcomes and personalize care for populations at social risk.

Analysis of Factors Associated with Return-to-Work After Lumbar Surgery up to 2-Years Follow-up: A Michigan Spine Surgery Improvement Collaborative (MSSIC) Study.

STUDY DESIGN: Michigan Spine Surgery Improvement Collaborative (MSSIC) prospectively collects data on all patients undergoing operations for degenerative and/or deformity indications. OBJECTIVE: We aimed to identify which factors are significantly associated with return-to-work after lumbar surgery at long-term follow-up. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: Prior publications have created a clinically relevant predictive model for return-to-work, wherein education, gender, race, comorbidities, and preoperative symptoms increased likelihood of return-to-work at 3 months after lumbar surgery. We sought to determine if these trends 1) persisted at 1 year and 2 years postoperatively; or 2) differed among preoperatively employed versus unemployed patients. METHODS: MSSIC was queried for all patients undergoing lumbar operations (2014-2019). All patients intended to return-to-work postoperatively. Patients were followed for up to 2 years postoperatively. Measures of association were calculated with multivariable generalized estimating equations. RESULTS: Return-to-work increased from 63% (3542/5591) at 90 days postoperatively to 75% (3143/4147) at 1 year and 74% (2133/2866) at 2 years postoperatively. Following generalized estimating equations, neither clinical nor surgical variables predicted return-to-work at all three time intervals: 90 days, 1 year, and 2 years postoperatively. Only socioeconomic factors reached statistical significance at all follow-up points. Preoperative employment followed by insurance status had the greatest associations with return-to-work. In a subanalysis of patients who were preoperatively employed, insurance was the only factor with significant associations with return-to-work at all three follow-up intervals. The return-to-work rates among unemployed patients at baseline increased from 29% (455/1100) at 90 days, 44% (495/608) at 1 year, and 46% (366/426) at 2 years postoperatively. The only two significant factors associated with return-to-work at all three follow-up intervals were Medicaid, as compared with private insurance, and male gender. CONCLUSION: In patients inquiring about long-term return-to-work after lumbar surgery, insurance status represents the important determinant of employment status.Level of Evidence: 2.

The association of patient education level with outcomes after elective lumbar surgery: a Michigan Spine Surgery Improvement Collaborative study.

OBJECTIVE: Socioeconomic factors have been shown to impact a host of healthcare-related outcomes. Level of education is a marker of socioeconomic status. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between patient education level and outcomes after elective lumbar surgery and to characterize any education-related disparities. METHODS: The Michigan Spine Surgery Improvement Collaborative registry was queried for all lumbar spine operations. Primary outcomes included patient satisfaction determined by the North American Spine Society patient satisfaction index, and reaching the minimum clinically important difference of Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System Physical Function score and return to work up to 2 years after surgery. Multivariate Poisson generalized estimating equation models reported adjusted risk ratios. RESULTS: A total of 26,229 lumbar spine patients had data available for inclusion in this study. On multivariate generalized estimating equation analysis all comparisons were done versus the high school (HS)/general equivalency development (GED)-level cohort. For North American Spine Society satisfaction scores after surgery the authors observed the following: at 90 days the likelihood of satisfaction significantly decreased by 11% (p < 0.001) among < HS, but increased by 1% (p = 0.52) among college-educated and 3% (p = 0.011) among postcollege-educated cohorts compared to the HS/GED cohort; at 1 year there was a decrease of 9% (p = 0.02) among < HS and increases of 3% (p = 0.02) among college-educated and 9% (p < 0.001) among postcollege-educated patients; and at 2 years, there was an increase of 5% (p = 0.001) among postcollege-educated patients compared to the < HS group. The likelihood of reaching a minimum clinically important difference of Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System Physical Function score at 90 days increased by 5% (p = 0.005) among college-educated and 9% (p < 0.001) among postcollege-educated cohorts; at 1 year, all comparison cohorts demonstrated significance, with a decrease of 12% (p = 0.007) among < HS, but an increase by 6% (p < 0.001) among college-educated patients and 14% (p < 0.001) among postcollege-educated compared to the HS/GED cohort; at 2 years, there was a significant decrease by 19% (p = 0.003) among the < HS cohort, an increase by 8% (p = 0.001) among the college-educated group, and an increase by 16% (p < 0.001) among the postcollege-educated group. For return to work, a significant increase was demonstrated at 90 days and 1 year when comparing the HS or less group with college or postcollege cohorts. CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrated negative associations on all primary outcomes with lower levels of education. This finding suggests a potential disparity linked to education in elective spine surgery.

Disparities in outcomes after spine surgery: a Michigan Spine Surgery Improvement Collaborative study.

OBJECTIVE: Most studies on racial disparities in spine surgery lack data granularity to control for both comorbidities and self-assessment metrics. Analyses from large, multicenter surgical registries can provide an enhanced platform for understanding different factors that influence outcome. In this study, the authors aimed to determine the effects of race on outcomes after lumbar surgery, using patient-reported outcomes (PROs) in 3 areas: the North American Spine Society patient satisfaction index, the minimal clinically important difference (MCID) on the Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) for low-back pain, and return to work. METHODS: The Michigan Spine Surgery Improvement Collaborative was queried for all elective lumbar operations. Patient race/ethnicity was categorized as Caucasian, African American, and "other." Measures of association between race and PROs were calculated with generalized estimating equations (GEEs) to report adjusted risk ratios. RESULTS: The African American cohort consisted of a greater proportion of women with the highest comorbidity burden. Among the 7980 and 4222 patients followed up at 1 and 2 years postoperatively, respectively, African American patients experienced the lowest rates of satisfaction, MCID on ODI, and return to work. Following a GEE, African American race decreased the probability of satisfaction at both 1 and 2 years postoperatively. Race did not affect return to work or achieving MCID on the ODI. The variable of greatest association with all 3 PROs at both follow-up times was postoperative depression. CONCLUSIONS: While a complex myriad of socioeconomic factors interplay between race and surgical success, the authors identified modifiable risk factors, specifically depression, that may improve PROs among African American patients after elective lumbar spine surgery.

Do robot-related complications influence 1 year reoperations and other clinical outcomes after robot-assisted lumbar arthrodesis? A multicenter assessment of 320 patients.

BACKGROUND: Robot-assisted platforms in spine surgery have rapidly developed into an attractive technology for both the surgeon and patient. Although current literature is promising, more clinical data is needed. The purpose of this paper is to determine the effect of robot-related complications on clinical outcomes METHODS: This multicenter study included adult (≥18 years old) patients who underwent robot-assisted lumbar fusion surgery from 2012-2019. The minimum follow-up was 1 year after surgery. Both bivariate and multivariate analyses were performed to determine if robot-related factors were associated with reoperation within 1 year after primary surgery. RESULTS: A total of 320 patients were included in this study. The mean (standard deviation) Charlson Comorbidity Index was 1.2 (1.2) and 52.5% of patients were female. Intraoperative robot complications occurred in 3.4% of patients and included intraoperative exchange of screw (0.9%), robot abandonment (2.5%), and return to the operating room for screw exchange (1.3%). The 1-year reoperation rate was 4.4%. Robot factors, including robot time per screw, open vs. percutaneous, and robot system, were not statistically different between those who required revision surgery and those who did not (P>0.05). Patients with robot complications were more likely to have prolonged length of hospital stay and blood transfusion, but were not at higher risk for 1-year reoperations. The most common reasons for reoperation were wound complications (2.2%) and persistent symptoms due to inadequate decompression (1.5%). In the multivariate analysis, robot related factors and complications were not independent risk factors for 1-year reoperations. CONCLUSION: This is the largest multicenter study to focus on robot-assisted lumbar fusion outcomes. Our findings demonstrate that 1-year reoperation rates are low and do not appear to be influenced by robot-related factors and complications; however, robot-related complications may increase the risk for greater blood loss requiring a blood transfusion and longer length of stay.

Cervical Spine Injuries in the Ice Hockey Player: Current Concepts in Epidemiology, Management and Prevention.

STUDY DESIGN: This review article examines the biomechanics that underly hockey-related cervical spine injuries, the preventative measures to curtail them, optimal management strategies for the injured player and return to play criteria. OBJECTIVE: Hockey is a sport with one of the highest rates of cervical spine injury, but by understanding the underlying pathophysiology and context in which these injuries can occur, it is possible to reduce their incidence and successfully manage the injured player. METHODS: Multiple online databases including PubMed, Google Scholar, Columbia Libraries Catalog, Cochrane Library and Ovid MEDLINE were queried for original articles concerning spinal injuries in ice hockey. All relevant papers were screened and subsequently organized for discussion in our subtopics. RESULTS: Cervical fractures in ice hockey most often occur due to an increased axial load, with a check from behind the most common precipitating event. CONCLUSIONS: Despite the recognized risk for cervical spine trauma in ice hockey, further research is still needed to optimize protocols for both mitigating injury risk and managing injured players.

Availability, Costs and Stock-Outs of Essential NCD Drugs in Three Rural Rwandan Districts.

Background: To reduce the non-communicable diseases (NCDs) burden, the World Health Organization has set a target to reach 80% availability of the affordable essential medicines required to treat NCDs by 2025. Objectives: This study described the availability, costs, and stock-outs of essential NCD drugs in three rural Rwandan districts. Methods: We retrospectively assessed 54 NCD drugs listed for district hospitals or health centers in the Rwanda national essential medicines list. Data were collected from three district hospitals and 17 health centers that host NCD clinics. We extracted data on drug availability, quantity dispensed, costs, stock-outs, and the replenishing supplier for these drugs between January 1 and December 31, 2017. Results: Overall, 71% of essential medicines for health centers and 78% of essential medicines for district hospitals were available at facilities. Only 15% of health centers experienced a stock-out of beclomethasone, while 77% experienced at least one stock-out of amlodipine and metformin. The median length of stock-out ranged from nine to 72 days, and 78% of the stock-outs across all health centers were replenished by a Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) partner. Except for enoxaparin and metformin, all district hospitals experienced at least one stock-out of each drug. The median length of stock-out ranged from 3.5 to 228 days, and 82% of the stock-outs across all district hospitals were replenished by the Rwandan Ministry of Health (RMOH). The least expensive drug was digoxin ($0.02, Interquartile range (IQR): 0.01, 0.10), while the most expensive was beclomethasone ($9.35, IQR: 3.00, 13.20). Conclusions: This study shows the viability of drug-supported NCD care in rural settings of sub-Saharan Africa. Stock-outs are a challenge; our study emphasizes the importance of the MOH/NGO partnerships in this context. Medicine costs are also challenging, though, in these districts, drugs are more affordable through community-based health insurance, government, and NGO partner subsidies.

Burden of non-communicable diseases from infectious causes in 2017: a modelling study.

BACKGROUND: Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) cause a large burden of disease globally. Some infectious diseases cause an increased risk of developing specific NCDs. Although the NCD burden from some infectious causes has been quantified, in this study, we aimed to more comprehensively quantify the global burden of NCDs from infectious causes. METHODS: In this modelling study, we identified NCDs with established infectious risk factors and infectious diseases with long-term non-communicable sequelae, and did narrative reviews between April 11, 2018, and June 10, 2020, to obtain relative risks (RRs) or population attributable fractions (PAFs) from studies quantifying the contribution of infectious causes to NCDs. To determine infection-attributable burden for the year 2017, we applied estimates of PAFs to estimates of disease burden from the Global Burden of Disease Study (GBD) 2017 for pairs of infectious causes and NCDs, or used estimates of attributable burden directly from GBD 2017. Morbidity and mortality burden from these conditions was summarised with age-standardised rates of disability-adjusted life-years (DALYs), for geographical regions as defined by the GBD. Estimates of NCD burden attributable to infectious causes were compared with attributable burden for the groups of risk factors with the highest PAFs from GBD 2017. FINDINGS: Globally, we quantified 130 million DALYs from NCDs attributable to infection, comprising 8·4% of all NCD DALYs. The infection-NCD pairs with the largest burden were gastric cancer due to H pylori (14·6 million DALYs), cirrhosis and other chronic liver diseases due to hepatitis B virus (12·2 million) and hepatitis C virus (10·4 million), liver cancer due to hepatitis B virus (9·4 million), rheumatic heart disease due to streptococcal infection (9·4 million), and cervical cancer due to HPV (8·0 million). Age-standardised rates of infection-attributable NCD burden were highest in Oceania (3564 DALYs per 100 000 of the population) and central sub-Saharan Africa (2988 DALYs per 100 000) followed by the other sub-Saharan African regions, and lowest in Australia and New Zealand (803 DALYs per 100 000) followed by other high-income regions. In sub-Saharan Africa, the proportion of crude NCD burden attributable to infectious causes was 11·7%, which was higher than the proportion of burden attributable to each of several common risk factors of NCDs (tobacco, alcohol use, high systolic blood pressure, dietary risks, high fasting plasma glucose, air pollution, and high LDL cholesterol). In other broad regions, infectious causes ranked between fifth and eighth in terms of crude attributable proportions among the nine risks compared. The age-standardised attributable proportion for infectious risks remained highest in sub-Saharan Africa of the broad regions, but age-standardisation caused infectious risks to fall below dietary risks, high systolic blood pressure, and fasting plasma glucose in ranked attributable proportions within the region. INTERPRETATION: Infectious conditions cause substantial NCD burden with clear regional variation, and estimates of this burden are likely to increase as evidence that can be used for quantification expands. To comprehensively avert NCD burden, particularly in low-income and middle-income countries, the availability, coverage, and quality of cost-effective interventions for key infectious conditions need to be strengthened. Efforts to promote universal health coverage must address infectious risks leading to NCDs, particularly in populations with high rates of these infectious conditions, to reduce existing regional disparities in rates of NCD burden. FUNDING: Leona M and Harry B Helmsley Charitable Trust.

Association between timing of kyphoplasty and opioid prescribing risk after vertebral fracture.

OBJECTIVE: Approximately 550,000 Americans experience vertebral fracture annually, and most receive opioids to treat the resulting pain. Kyphoplasty of the fractured vertebra is a procedural alternative that may mitigate risks of even short-term opioid use. While reports of kyphoplasty's impact on pain scores are mixed, no large-scale data exist regarding opioid prescribing before and after the procedure. This study was conducted to determine whether timing of kyphoplasty following vertebral fracture is associated with duration or intensity of opioid prescribing. METHODS: This retrospective cohort study used 2001-2014 insurance claims data from a single, large private insurer in the US across multiple care settings. Patients were adults with vertebral fractures who were prescribed opioids and underwent balloon-assisted kyphoplasty within 4 months of fracture. Opioid overdose risk was stratified by prescribed average daily morphine milligram equivalents using CDC guidelines. Filled prescriptions and risk categories were evaluated at baseline and 90 days following kyphoplasty. RESULTS: Inclusion criteria were met by 7119 patients (median age 77 years, 71.7% female). Among included patients, 3505 (49.2%) were opioid naïve before fracture. Of these patients, 31.1% had new persistent opioid prescribing beyond 90 days after kyphoplasty, and multivariable logistic regression identified kyphoplasty after 8 weeks as a predictor (OR 1.34, 95% CI 1.02-1.76). For patients previously receiving opioids, kyphoplasty > 4 weeks after fracture was associated with persistently elevated prescribing risk (OR 1.84, 95% CI 1.23-2.74). CONCLUSIONS: New persistent opioid prescribing occurred in nearly one-third of patients undergoing kyphoplasty after vertebral fracture, although early treatment was associated with a reduction in this risk. For patients not naïve to opioids before fracture diagnosis, early kyphoplasty was associated with less persistent elevation of opioid overdose risk. Subsequent trials must compare opioid use by vertebral fracture patients treated via operative (kyphoplasty) and nonoperative (ongoing opioid) strategies before concluding that kyphoplasty lacks value, and early referral for kyphoplasty may be appropriate to avoid missing a window of efficacy.

Cost of integrated chronic care for severe non-communicable diseases at district hospitals in rural Rwanda.

BACKGROUND: Integrated clinical strategies to address non-communicable disease (NCDs) in sub-Saharan Africa have largely been directed to prevention and treatment of common conditions at primary health centres. This study examines the cost of organising integrated nurse-driven, physician-supervised chronic care for more severe NCDs at an outpatient specialty clinic associated with a district hospital in rural Rwanda. Conditions addressed included type 1 and type 2 diabetes, chronic respiratory disease, heart failure and rheumatic heart disease. METHODS: A retrospective costing analysis was conducted from the facility perspective using data from administrative sources and the electronic medical record systems of Butaro District Hospital in rural Rwanda. We determined initial start-up and annual operating financial cost of the Butaro district advanced NCD clinic for the fiscal year 2013-2014. Per-patient annual cost by disease category was determined. RESULTS: A total of US$47 976 in fixed start-up costs was necessary to establish a new advanced NCD clinic serving a population of approximately 300 000 people (US$0.16 per capita). The additional annual operating cost for this clinic was US$68 975 (US$0.23 per capita) to manage a 632-patient cohort and provide training, supervision and mentorship to primary health centres. Labour comprised 54% of total cost, followed by medications at 17%. Diabetes mellitus had the highest annual cost per patient (US$151), followed by heart failure (US$104), driven primarily by medication therapy and laboratory testing. CONCLUSIONS: This is the first study to evaluate the costs of integrated, decentralised chronic care for some severe NCDs in rural sub-Saharan Africa. The findings show that these services may be affordable to governments even in the most constrained health systems.

Cost of Treating Pediatric Cancer at the Butaro Cancer Center of Excellence in Rwanda.

PURPOSE: Improvements in childhood survival rates have been achieved in low- and middle- income countries that have made a commitment to improve access to cancer care. Accurate data on the costs of delivering cancer treatment in these settings will allow ministries of health and donors to accurately assess and plan for expansions of access to care. This study assessed the financial cost of treating two common pediatric cancers, nephroblastoma and Hodgkin lymphoma, at the Butaro Cancer Center of Excellence in rural Rwanda. METHODS: A microcosting approach was used to calculate the per-patient cost for Hodgkin lymphoma and nephroblastoma diagnosis and treatment. Costs were analyzed retrospectively from the provider perspective for the 2014 fiscal year. The cost per patient was determined using an idealized patient receiving a full course of treatment, follow-up, and recommended social support in accordance with the national treatment protocol for each cancer. RESULTS: The cost for a full course of treatment, follow-up, and social support was determined to be between $1,490 and $2,093 for a patient with nephroblastoma and between $1,140 and $1,793 for a pediatric patient with Hodgkin lymphoma. CONCLUSION: Task shifting, reduced labor costs, and locally adapted protocols contributed to significantly lower costs than those seen in middle- or high-income countries.

Impact of delayed care on surgical management of patients with gastric cancer in a low-resource setting.

BACKGROUND: Gastric cancer is the fifth most common cancer in Eastern Africa. Diagnostic delays in low-resource countries result in advanced disease presentation. We describe perioperative management of gastric cancer in Rwanda. METHODS: A retrospective review of records at three hospitals was performed to identify gastric adenocarcinoma cases from January 2012 to June 2016. Multiple perioperative and tumor-related variables were collected. Descriptive and bivariate analyses were performed. RESULTS: The final analysis included 229 patients with gastric cancer. Median age was 58 years (interquartile range [IQR] 49-65) and 49.6% were female (n = 114). Patients reported symptoms (ie, weight loss, epigastric pain) for a median time of 12 months (IQR 7.5-24). On presentation, 18.8% ( n = 43) had gastric outlet obstruction; 13.5% ( n = 31) had a palpable mass. Fifty-one percent ( n = 117) underwent an operation; of these, 74% ( n = 86) received gastrojejunostomy or were inoperable; and 29% ( n = 34) underwent curative resection. Palliative care referrals were made for 9% ( n = 20). Pathology reports were available for 190 patients (83.0%). Only 11.3% ( n = 26) had Helicobacter pylori ( H. pylori) testing of which 65.4% tested positive ( n = 17). CONCLUSIONS: A majority of patients presented with advanced disease. Very few patients had a curative resection. Significant advances in diagnosis and treatment are needed to improve the care of gastric cancer patients in Rwanda.

Cost of Providing Quality Cancer Care at the Butaro Cancer Center of Excellence in Rwanda.

PURPOSE: The cost of providing cancer care in low-income countries remains largely unknown, which creates a significant barrier to effective planning and resource allocation. This study examines the cost of providing comprehensive cancer care at the Butaro Cancer Center of Excellence (BCCOE) in Rwanda. METHODS: A retrospective costing analysis was conducted from the provider perspective by using secondary data from the administrative systems of the BCCOE. We identified the start-up funds necessary to begin initial implementation and determined the fiscal year 2013-2014 operating cost of the cancer program, including capital expenditures and fixed and variable costs. RESULTS: A total of $556,105 US dollars was assessed as necessary start-up funding to implement the program. The annual operating cost of the cancer program was found to be $957,203 US dollars. Radiotherapy, labor, and chemotherapy were the most significant cost drivers. Radiotherapy services, which require sending patients out of country because there are no radiation units in Rwanda, comprised 25% of program costs, labor accounted for 21%, and chemotherapy, supportive medications, and consumables accounted for 15%. Overhead, training, computed tomography scans, surgeries, blood products, pathology, and social services accounted for less than 10% of the total. CONCLUSION: This study is one of the first to examine operating costs for implementing a cancer center in a low-income country. Having a strong commitment to cancer care, adapting clinical protocols to the local setting, shifting tasks, and creating collaborative partnerships make it possible for BCCOE to provide quality cancer care at a fraction of the cost seen in middle- and high-income countries, which has saved many lives and improved survival. Not all therapies, though, were available because of limited financial resources.