Transfer of Knowledge on Pneumoconiosis Care Among Rural-Based Members of a Digital Community of Practice: Cross-Sectional Study.

BACKGROUND: Given the re-emergence of coal workers' pneumoconiosis in Appalachia and Mountain West United States, there is a tremendous need to train rural professionals in its multidisciplinary management. Since 2016, the Miners' Wellness TeleECHO (Extension for Community Health Outcomes) Program held by the University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, and Miners' Colfax Medical Center, Raton, New Mexico, provides structured longitudinal multidisciplinary telementoring to diverse professionals taking care of miners by creating a digital community of practice. Program sessions emphasize active learning through discussion, rather than didactic training. Professional stakeholder groups include respiratory therapists, home health professionals, benefits counselors, lawyers or attorneys, clinicians, and others. Rural-urban differences in knowledge transfer in such a community of practice, however, remain unknown. OBJECTIVE: We aim to evaluate the role of the rurality of the patient or client base in the transfer of knowledge to professionals caring for miners using the digital community of practice approach. METHODS: This is a cross-sectional study of 70 professionals participating in the Miners' Wellness TeleECHO Program between 2018 and 2019. Drawing insights from social network analysis, we examined the association between the rurality of participants' patient or client base and their self-reported receipt of knowledge. Our focal independent variable was the respondent's self-reported percentage of patients or clients who reside in rural areas. We measured knowledge transfer sources by asking participants if they received knowledge regarding the care of miners during and outside of TeleECHO sessions from each of the other participants. Our dependent variables included the number of knowledge sources, number of cross-stakeholder knowledge sources, number of same stakeholder knowledge sources, and range and heterogeneity of knowledge sources. RESULTS: Respondents, on average, identified 4.46 (SD 3.16) unique knowledge sources within the community, with a greater number of cross-stakeholder knowledge sources (2.80) than same stakeholder knowledge sources (1.72). The mean knowledge source range was 2.50 (SD 1.29), indicating that, on average, respondents received knowledge sources from roughly half of the 5 stakeholder groups. Finally, the mean heterogeneity of knowledge sources, which can range between 0 and 0.80, was near the midpoint of the scale at 0.44 (SD 0.30). Multivariable analyses revealed that as the rurality of patient or client bases increased, participants reported more knowledge sources overall, more knowledge sources from outside of their stakeholder groups, a higher knowledge source range, and greater heterogeneity of knowledge sources (P<.05 for all comparisons). CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggest that participants who serve rural areas especially benefit from knowledge transfer within the TeleECHO community of practice. Additionally, the knowledge they receive comes from diverse information sources, emphasizing its multidisciplinary nature. Our results underscore the capacity of the TeleECHO model to leverage technology to promote rural health equity for miners.

Admission Rates, Healthcare Utilization, and Inpatient Cost of Radiation Cystitis in the United States.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the incidence, cumulative healthcare burden, and financial impact of inpatient admissions for radiation cystitis (RC), while exploring practice differences in RC management between teaching and nonteaching hospitals. METHODS: We focused on 19,613 patients with a diagnosis of RC within the National Inpatient Sample (NIS) from 2008 to 2014. ICD-9 diagnosis and procedure codes were used. Complex-survey procedures were used to study the descriptive characteristics of RC patients and the procedures received during admission, stratified by hospital teaching status. Inflation-adjusted cost and cumulative annual cost were calculated for the study period. Multivariable logistic regression was used to study the impact of teaching status on the high total cost of admission. RESULTS: Median age was 76 (interquartile range 67-82) years. Most of the patients were males (73%; P < .001). 59,571 (61%) patients received at least one procedure, of which, 24,816 (25.5%) received more than one procedure. Median length of stay was 5days (interquartile range 2-9). Female patients and patients with a higher comorbidity score were more frequently treated at teaching hospitals. A higher proportion of patients received a procedure at a teaching hospital (64% vs 59%; P < .001). The inflation-adjusted cost was 9207 USD and was higher in teaching hospitals. The cumulative cost of inpatient treatment of RC was 63.5 million USD per year and 952.2 million USD over the study period. CONCLUSION: The incidence of RC-associated admissions is rising in the US. This disease is a major burden to US healthcare. The awareness of the inpatient economic burden and healthcare utilization associated with RC may have funding implications.

Who Is Shaping the Future of Academic Urology? A Descriptive Analysis of Residency Program Directors.

OBJECTIVE: To characterize the demographics, educational background, and scholarly characteristics of current urology residency program directors (PDs). METHODS: Urology programs were identified by the listing on the "Accredited US Urology Programs" section of American Urological Association website as of October 2021. Demographics and academic data were collected via publicly available department website and Google search engine. Metrics obtained included years of service as PD from time of appointment, sex, medical school/residency/fellowship, all-time H-index, dual degrees obtained, and professorial ranking. RESULTS: One hundred and forty-seven accredited urological residencies were reviewed; every PD was included. The majority were male (78%) and fellowship trained (68%). Women represented only 22% of PDs. The median active time served as PD, as of 11/2021, was 4years (IQR: 2-7). Forty (28%) were faculty at the same program they completed their residency. The median all-time H-index was 12 (IQR: 7-19; range 1-61). Twelve PDs also served as chair of their department. CONCLUSION: The vast majority of PDs are male, fellowship trained, and have served for less than 5years. Future studies are necessary to follow the trends of representation in leaders of urology residency programs.

Impact of preexisting opioid dependence on morbidity, length of stay, and inpatient cost of urological oncological surgery.

OBJECTIVES: To determine the incidence of preexisting opioid dependence in patients undergoing elective urological oncological surgery. In addition, to quantify the impact of preexisting opioid dependence on outcomes and cost of common urologic oncological procedures at a national level in the USA. METHODS: We used the National Inpatient Sample (NIS) to study 1,609,948 admissions for elective partial/radical nephrectomy, radical prostatectomy, and cystectomy procedures. Trends of preexisting opioid dependence were studied over 2003-2014. We use multivariable-adjusted analysis to compare opioid-dependent patients to those without opioid dependence (reference group) in terms of outcomes, namely major complications, length of stay (LOS), and total cost. RESULTS: The incidence of opioid dependence steadily increased from 0.6 per 1000 patients in 2003 to 2 per 1000 in 2014. Opioid-dependent patients had a significantly higher rate of major complications (18 vs 10%; p < 0.001) and longer LOS (4 days (IQR 2-7) vs 2 days (IQR 1-4); p < 0.001), when compared to the non-opioid-dependent counterparts. Opioid dependence also increased the overall cost by 48% (adjusted median cost $18,290 [IQR 12,549-27,715] vs. $12,383 [IQR 9225-17,494] in non-opioid-dependent, p < 0.001). Multivariable analysis confirmed the independent association of preexisting opioid dependence with major complications, length of stay in 4th quartile, and total cost in 4th quartile. CONCLUSIONS: The incidence of preexisting opioid dependence before elective urological oncology is increasing and is associated with adverse outcomes after surgery. There is a need to further understand the challenges associated with opioid dependence before surgery and identify and optimize these patients to improve outcomes.

Evidence-based practice strategies for faculty professional development in clinical translational research at Institutional Development Award (IDeA) state institutions in the Mountain West.

The Mountain West Clinical Translational Research - Infrastructure Network (MW CTR-IN), established in 2013, is a research network of 13 university partners located among seven Institutional Development Award (IDeA) states targeting health disparities. This is an enormous undertaking because of the size of the infrastructure network (encompassing a third of the US landmass and spanning four time zones in predominantly rural and underserved areas, with populations that have major health disparities issues). In this paper, we apply the barriers, strategies, and metrics to an adapted educational conceptual model by Fink (2013). Applying this model, we used four tailored approaches across this regional infrastructure network to: (1) assess individual faculty specific needs, (2) reach out and engage with faculty, (3) provide customized services to meet the situational needs of faculty, and (4) utilize a "closed communication feedback loop" between Professional Development (PD) core and MW CTR-IN faculty within the context of their home institutional environment. Summary statement results from participating faculty show that these approaches were positive. Grounded in best educational practice approaches, we have an opportunity to refine and build from this sound foundation with implications for future use in other CTR-IN networks and institutions in the IDeA states.

Risk-Based Assessment Of the Impact Of Intravesical Therapy on Recurrence-Free Survival Rate Following Resection of Suspected Low-grade, Non-muscle-invasive Bladder Cancer (NMIBC): A Southwest Oncology Groups (SWOG) S0337 Posthoc Analysis.

BACKGROUND: Nonmuscle invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC) has an elevated risk of recurrence, and immediate postresection intravesical instillation of chemotherapy (IVC) significantly reduces the risk of recurrence. Questions remain about which subpopulation may maximally benefit from IVC. Our aim was to develop risk groups based on recurrence risk in NMIBC, and then evaluate the impact of a single, postoperative instillation of IVC on the subsequent risk of recurrence for each risk group. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Using the SWOG S0337 trial cohort, we performed a posthoc analysis of 345 patients who were diagnosed with suspected low-grade NMIBC, underwent transurethral resection of the bladder tumor (TURBT), and received post-operative IVC (gemcitabine vs. saline). Using regression tree analysis, the regression tree stratified patients based on their risk of recurrence into low-risk - single tumor and aged < 57 years, intermediate-risk - single tumor and aged ≥ 57 years, and high-risk - multiple tumors. We used Cox proportional hazard models to test the impact of recurrence-free rate, and after adjustment to available covariates. RESULTS: Median age of the cohort was 66.5 (IQR: 59.7-75.8 years) with 85% of patients being males. Median overall follow-up time was 3.07 years (IQR: 0.75-4.01 years). When testing the impact of treatment in each risk group separately, we found that patients in the intermediate-risk treated with gemcitabine had a 24-month recurrence free rate of 77% (95% CI: 68%-86%) vs. 59% (95% CI: 49%-70%) in the saline group. This survival difference was confirmed on multivariable analysis (hazard ratio: 0.39, 95% CI: 23%-66%, P < 0.001). This group represented 53% of our cohort. Conversely, we did not observe a significant difference in recurrence-free survival among patients in the low- (P = 0.7) and high-risk (P = 0.4) groups. CONCLUSION: Our findings indicate that older patients with a single tumor of suspected low-grade NMIBC at TURBT maximally benefit from immediate postresection IVC (gemcitabine).

Use of ultra-low dose computed tomography versus abdominal plain film for assessment of stone-free rates after shock-wave lithotripsy: implications on emergency room visits, surgical procedures, and cost-effectiveness.

The aims of this investigation were: (1) to compare residual stone-fragment (RSF) detection rates of ultra-low dose computed tomography (ULD-CT) and abdominal plain film (KUB) in urolithiasis patients undergoing shock-wave lithotripsy (SWL), and (2) to evaluate the downstream sequelae of utilizing these two disparate imaging pathways of differing diagnostic fidelity. A retrospective chart-review of patients undergoing SWL at two high-volume surgical centers was undertaken (2013-2016). RSF diagnostic rates of ULD-CT and KUB were assessed, and the impact of imaging modality used on subsequent emergency room (ER) visits, unplanned procedures, and cost-effectiveness was investigated. Adjusted analyses examined association between imaging modality used and outcomes, and Markov decision-tree analysis was performed to identify a cost advantageous scenario for ULD-CT over KUB. Of 417 patients studied, 57 (13.7%) underwent ULD-CT while the remaining 360 underwent KUB. The RSF rates were 36.8% and 22.8% in the ULD-CT and KUB groups, respectively (p = 0.019). A 5.6% and 18% of the patients deemed stone-free on ULD-CT and KUB, respectively, returned to the ER (p = 0.040). Similarly, 2.8% and 15.1% needed an unplanned surgery (p = 0.027). These findings were confirmed on multivariable analyses, Odds ratios CT-ULD versus KUB: 0.19 and 0.10, respectively, p < 0.05. With regards to cost-effectiveness, at low ULD-CT charges, the ULD-CT follow-up pathway was economically more favorable, but with increasing ULD-CT charges, the KUB follow-up pathway superseded. ULD-CT seems to provide a more 'true' estimate of stone-free status, and in consequence mitigates unwanted emergency and operating room visits by reducing untimely stent removals and false patient reassurances. Further, at low ULD-CT costs, it may also be economically more favorable.

COVID-19 as an occupational disease.

The impact of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 permeates all aspects of society worldwide. Initial medical reports and media coverage have increased awareness of the risk imposed on healthcare workers in particular, during this pandemic. However, the health implications of COVID-19 for the global workforce are multifaceted and complex, warranting careful reflection and consideration to mitigate the adverse effects on workers worldwide. Accordingly, our review offers a framework for considering this topic, highlighting key issues, with the aim to prompt and inform action, including research, to minimize the occupational hazards imposed by this ongoing challenge. We address respiratory disease as a primary concern, while recognizing the multisystem spectrum of COVID-19-related disease and how clinical aspects are interwoven with broader socioeconomic forces.

A virtual community-of-practice approach by rural stakeholders in managing pneumoconiosis in the USA: a cross-sectional analysis.

INTRODUCTION: The re-emergence of pneumoconiosis, particularly among coal miners (ie black lung), in the USA is a challenge for rural communities because more miners require specialized care while expertise is scarce. The Miners' Wellness TeleECHO (Extension for Community Health Outcomes) Clinic, jointly held by the University of New Mexico and a community hospital in New Mexico, provides structured telementoring to professionals caring for miners, including clinicians, respiratory therapists, home health professionals, benefits counselors, lawyers/attorneys and others, forming a virtual 'community of practice'. This approach has not been utilized and evaluated previously. METHODS: The study's bimonthly program uses the ECHO telementoring model, which uses technology to leverage scarce mentoring resources; uses a disease-management model that is proven to improve outcomes in other disease states, by reducing variation in processes of care and sharing best practices; uses the principle of case-based learning with highly contextualized discussions, which fulfils key learning theory principles; creates a virtual community of practice; and uses an internet-based database to monitor outcomes. This 1-year cross-sectional study from September 2018 to September 2019 used geographical mapping of all attendee locations, web-based continuing medical education surveys completed by attendees using iECHO software, and a Research Electronic Data Capture-based survey of a convenience sample of participants, which obtained detailed information on demographics, knowledge, self-efficacy and collective efficacy. Knowledge sharing among participants was examined using insights and methods from social network analysis. Subgroup analysis involved comparisons between clinical and non-clinical professional groups, and between new and existing participants. Groups were compared using Fisher's exact test for categorical variables, and non-parametric Wilcoxon ranked sum test or student's t-test for continuous variables. RESULTS: Participants were largely located in pneumoconiosis mortality hotspots of the USA. In a convenience sample of 70 participants, clinical professional groups such as clinicians (29%), home health professionals (20%) and respiratory therapists (17%) constituted the majority of the stakeholders. Participants demonstrated the lowest knowledge score on 'legal pneumoconiosis' among the knowledge areas questioned; reported low self-efficacy with respect to managing miners' conditions and interpreting test results; and rated the learning community highly in terms of trust (86%), willingness to help each other (93%) and being closely knit (87%). Analysis of knowledge sources indicated that participants receive substantial proportions of knowledge from individuals outside of their stakeholder and professional groups, but proportions differ among clinical and non-clinical professional groups, as well as among 'fresh' and existing participants. CONCLUSION: The present study demonstrates the successful creation of a virtual multidisciplinary community of practice in pneumoconiosis mortality hotspot rural regions of the USA, with participants reporting multidisciplinary knowledge transfer. The community is regarded highly by participants in relation to trust, willingness to help and being closely knit. This innovative educational approach may help ensure the delivery of high-quality interdisciplinary care to rural miners in pneumoconiosis mortality hotspots in the USA.

Effectiveness of a Faculty Mentor Development Program for Scholarship at an Academic Health Center.

INTRODUCTION: Mentors are in short supply at academic health centers (AHCs). The effectiveness of training mentors (without preselection for their research skills) to support faculty mentees in scholarly activities at AHCs is not well known. METHODS: The University of New Mexico Health Sciences Center has a two-component program to develop effective mentors for scholarship for faculty mentees. It has an online component supplemented by an optional face-to-face (F2F) component. Study outcomes included changes in self-reported knowledge scores for online users and Mentoring Competency Assessment scores for F2F users. RESULTS: One hundred five mentors, mostly women associate professors, used the online program. Online users demonstrated improvement in self-reported knowledge scores. Thirty-eight users additionally completed the F2F program-63% on a clinician-educator track and none with a National Institutes of Health-funded K-award mentee. The self-reported Mentoring Competency Assessment composite score rose from 4.3 ± 1.0 to 5.5 ± 0.8 (paired t = 7.37, df = 37, P < .001) for the F2F participants, with similar improvement noted in the clinician-educator subgroup. DISCUSSION: Users of the online and F2F components of the program improved their self-assessed knowledge and mentoring skill, respectively, demonstrating the effectiveness of the program. Such programs may help AHCs enhance the scholarship and the diversity of their scientific and clinician-educator workforce.

The association of hypoalbuminemia with early perioperative outcomes - A comprehensive assessment across 16 major procedures.

BACKGROUND: Poor nutritional status is thought to influence peri- and postoperative outcomes. We assessed the association of hypoalbuminemia, a surrogate for poor nutritional status, with perioperative outcomes in patients undergoing one of 16 major surgical procedures. METHODS: Patients undergoing one of 16 major surgeries were identified using the ACS-NSQIP (2005-2011). Risk-adjusted logistic regression models examined the association of hypoalbuminemia on perioperative outcomes. RESULTS: Overall, 204,819 complete cases were identified, of whom 25.4% underwent major cardiovascular, 19.0% orthopedic and 55.6% oncologic surgery. Patients with hypoalbuminemia had significantly higher rates of complications, reoperations, readmissions, prolonged length-of-stay and mortality (all p < 0.001). After adjustment, hypoalbuminemia was an independent predictor of overall complications in 12 of the procedures examined and 30-day mortality in 11 of the procedures. Individual perioperative complication profile varied widely among procedures. CONCLUSIONS: Hypoalbuminemia exerts significant impact on perioperative outcomes. Its effect is procedure-specific and thus warrants targeted management strategies to improve surgical outcomes. In the absence of clear recommendations, our findings invite surgeons to assess preoperative albumin levels and to manage nutritional status accordingly.

Emergency Department Utilization in Patients With Neurogenic Bladder: Contemporary Burden and National Trends in Prevalence, Inpatient Admission, and Associated Charges, 2006-2011.

OBJECTIVE: To quantify the national burden of neurogenic bladder disease, a chronic debilitating condition associated with frequent hospital visits, in the contemporary emergency care setting. METHODS: Relying on the Nationwide Emergency Department Sample, 2006-2011, we abstracted patients presenting to the emergency department (ED) with neurogenic bladder utilizing International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision (ICD-9) codes. National trends in ED presentation, subsequent inpatient admission vs discharge, and associated charges were examined using the estimated annual percent change methodology. RESULTS: Over the study period, a total of 875,066 patients with neurogenic bladder were seen in the ED, of which 538,532 (61.5%) were admitted. Total and median ED charges increased at an annual rate of 36.66% (P <.001) and 13.24% (P <.001), respectively, with total ED charges amounting to 87.48 million USD in the year 2011. Annual ED utilization also increased, although at a slower rate, 1.89% (P = .017). Inpatient admissions decreased at an annual rate of 3.67% (P <.001), whereas the use of long-term care facilities increased at 11.82% (P = .005). CONCLUSION: Total ED charges are increasing at a dramatic rate, driven by the increasing utilization of the ED as an entry point to health care as well as the increasing per-visit charges. Encouragingly, the rates of inpatient admission are decreasing, likely secondary to improved triaging in the ED and increased utilization of long-term care facilities. It remains to be seen, however, whether the increased spending in the ED for better triaging and investment in long-term care facilities will translate into an overall economic benefit by reducing inpatient charges or not.

Generalizability of the Prostate Cancer Intervention Versus Observation Trial (PIVOT) Results to Contemporary North American Men with Prostate Cancer.

The Prostate Cancer Intervention Versus Observation Trial (PIVOT) concluded that radical prostatectomy (RP) offered no survival benefit compared with observation in men with clinically localized prostate cancer (PCa). We identified patients within the National Cancer Database (NCDB) for the period 2004-2012 who met the inclusion criteria of PIVOT (ie, histologically confirmed PCa, clinical stage T1-2NxM0, prostate-specific antigen <50 ng/ml, age <75 yr, estimated life expectancy >10 yr, and undergoing RP or observation as initial treatment within 12 mo of diagnosis) to confirm the generalizability of the PIVOT results to the US population. Life expectancy was calculated using the US Social Security Administration life tables and was adjusted for comorbidities at diagnosis. Compared with PIVOT, men in the NCDB were younger (mean age 60.3 vs 67.0 yr) and healthier (Charlson-Deyo comorbidity index of 0: 93% vs 56%; both p < 0.001). Furthermore, 42% of men randomized to receive RP in PIVOT harbored D'Amico low-risk PCa, whereas 32% of men undergoing RP in the NCDB had low-risk disease. Our findings were confirmed in a sensitivity analysis including men regardless of life expectancy but satisfying all other inclusion criteria of PIVOT. Given that the NCDB represents nearly 70% of all incident cancers diagnosed in the United States, our data provide further evidence that PIVOT results may not be generalizable to contemporary clinical practice. PATIENT SUMMARY: We observed that men diagnosed with clinically localized prostate cancer within the National Cancer Database (2004-2012) were younger, healthier, and more likely to have radical prostatectomy for higher risk disease than men in the Prostate Cancer Intervention Versus Observation Trial (PIVOT), raising questions about the applicability of PIVOT conclusions to the contemporary US population.

Spirometric variability in smokers: transitions in COPD diagnosis in a five-year longitudinal study.

BACKGROUND: Spirometrically-defined chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is considered progressive but its natural history is inadequately studied. We hypothesized that spirometrically-defined COPD states could undergo beneficial transitions. METHODS: Participants in the Lovelace Smokers' Cohort (n = 1553), primarily women, were longitudinally studied over 5 years. Spirometric states included normal postbronchodilator spirometry, COPD Stage I, Unclassified state, and COPD Stage II+, as defined by GOLD guidelines. Beneficial transitions included either a decrease in disease severity, including resolution of spirometric abnormality, or maintenance of non-diseased state. 'All smokers' (n = 1553) and subgroups with normal and abnormal spirometry at baseline (n = 956 and 597 respectively) were separately analyzed. Markov-like model of transition probabilities over an average follow-up period of 5 years were calculated. RESULTS: Among 'all smokers', COPD Stage I, Unclassified, and COPD Stage II+ states were associated with probabilities of 16, 39, and 22 % respectively for beneficial transitions, and of 16, 35, and 4 % respectively for resolution. Beneficial transitions were more common for new-onset disease than for pre-existing disease (p < 0.001). Beneficial transitions were less common among older smokers, men, or those with bronchial hyperresponsiveness but more common among Hispanics and smokers with excess weight. CONCLUSIONS: This observational study of ever smokers, shows that spirometrically-defined COPD states, may not be uniformly progressive and can improve or resolve over time. The implication of these findings is that the spirometric diagnosis of COPD can be unstable. Furthermore, COPD may have a pre-disease state when interventions might help reverse or change its natural history. TRIAL REGISTRATION: NA.

An Innovative Approach to Enhancing Access to Medical Screening for Miners using a Mobile Clinic with Telemedicine Capability.

Inadequate access to medical care in underserved and geographically isolated rural communities may limit the delivery of quality screening care to miners. Use of mobile screening clinics, manned by a physician assistant or nurse practitioner, is one way to improve their access. Miners demonstrate a high level of satisfaction with services provided by the mobile screening clinic. The addition of telemedicine to mobile screening clinics allows miners to have access to university-based specialist care and provides an opportunity to specialists to tele-mentor other providers. Although inadequately studied, limited data suggest that miners accept telemedicine consultation. We expect that the innovative use of mobile screening clinics with telemedicine technology might allow efficient utilization of resources to meet the medical screening needs of a large number of miners in geographically remote locations in the United States.

Differences in Health-Related Quality of Life Between New Mexican Hispanic and Non-Hispanic White Smokers.

BACKGROUND: Smoking is associated with impaired health-related quality of life (HRQL) across all populations. Because decline in lung function and risk for COPD are lower in New Mexican Hispanic smokers compared with their non-Hispanic white (NHW) counterparts, the goal of this study was to ascertain whether HRQL differs between these two racial/ethnic groups and determine the factors that contribute to this difference. METHODS: We compared the score results of the Medical Outcomes Short-Form 36 Health Survey (SF-36) and St. George's Respiratory Questionnaire (SGRQ) in 378 Hispanic subjects and 1,597 NHW subjects enrolled in the Lovelace Smokers' Cohort (LSC) from New Mexico. The associations of race/ethnicity with SGRQ and SF-36 were assessed by using multivariable regression. RESULTS: Physical functioning (difference, -4.5; P = .0008) but not mental health or role emotional domains of the SF-36 was worse in Hispanic smokers than in their NWH counterparts in multivariable analysis. SGRQ total score and its activity and impact subscores were worse in Hispanic (vs NHW) smokers after adjustment for education level, current smoking, pack-years smoked, BMI, number of comorbidities, and FEV1 % predicted (difference range, 2.9-5.0; all comparisons, P ≤ .001). Although the difference in the SGRQ activity domain was above the clinically important difference of four units, the total score was not. CONCLUSIONS: New Mexican Hispanic smokers have clinically relevant, lower HRQL than their NHW counterparts. A perception of diminished physical functioning and impairment in daily life activities contribute to the poorer HRQL among Hispanic subjects.

Robotic Anatrophic Nephrolithotomy Utilizing Near-infrared Fluorescence Image-guidance: Idea, Development, Exploration, Assessment, and Long-term Monitoring (IDEAL) Stage 0 Animal Model Study.

OBJECTIVE: To test the feasibility of robotic anatrophic nephrolithotomy (RANL) using near-infrared fluorescence (NIRF) image-guidance for treating staghorn stones, in an in vivo stone surgery model. METHODS: We developed a novel technique of RANL in a preclinical setting following guidelines on safe surgical innovation from the Idea, Development, Exploration, Assessment, Long-term monitoring (IDEAL) collaborative. We performed 2 RANL procedures on 2 live Yorkshire porcine females (IDEAL stage 0 study). The robot was docked in the flank position and a mini-GelPOINT was placed periumbilically as an assistant port. A model staghorn "stone" was created in vivo by injecting low-viscosity DenMat precision material into the renal pelvis. NIRF image-guidance, following clamping of the posterior renal artery, was used to determine if an anatrophic plane could be identified. One procedure was assessed under cold ischemia, with ice-slush injected onto the renal surface via the mini-GelPOINT. RESULTS: Both porcine subjects underwent RANL successfully. Replica staghorn models could be created reliably (mean size 5.1 cm; solidification time 2-3 minutes). NIRF image-guidance afforded clear vascular demarcation for precise scoring of an anatrophic plane in both kidneys. The staghorn models were removed in toto through the anatrophic incision in both subjects. Mean blood loss was 160 cc. Mean console and ischemia times were 114 minutes and 34.5 minutes, respectively; ice-slush hypothermia led to a renal surface temperature of 15.4°C. CONCLUSION: In this IDEAL stage 0 preclinical study, we demonstrated that NIRF image-guidance is able to accurately identify the renal avascular plane, thus permitting an anatrophic approach for robotic excision of staghorn stones.

Trends of acute kidney injury after radical or partial nephrectomy for renal cell carcinoma.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the prevalence, temporal trends, and predictors of postoperative acute kidney injury (AKI) in a large cohort of patients with renal cell carcinoma treated with radical or partial nephrectomy. METHODS: Between January 1998 and December 2010, patients who underwent radical or partial tumor nephrectomy were identified within the Nationwide Inpatient Sample. First, prevalence and temporal trends of AKI were analyzed. Second, predictors of AKI were identified using multivariable regression analyses. Third, associations between AKI and in-hospital complications, length of stay, hospital costs, and in-hospital mortality were evaluated using logistic regression models adjusted for clustering. RESULTS: Of total 253,046 patients, 5.5% (14,303 in radical and 3,525 in partial nephrectomy) experienced AKI. Rates of AKI significantly increased from 2.0% in 1998 to 10.4% in 2010 (P<0.001). Predictors of AKI included male sex, radical nephrectomy, more contemporary years (2004-2010), older age, black race, higher comorbidities, higher preoperative chronic kidney disease stage, Medicare insurance status, and nephrectomy at urban hospitals (all P<0.01). Postoperative AKI during hospitalization was associated with an increased rate of in-hospital mortality, any complications, transfusion, prolonged length of stay, and higher hospital costs (all P<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Rising rates of in-hospital AKI after radical and partial nephrectomy were observed. Increasing awareness of AKI, identification of patients at risk before surgery, early postoperative AKI diagnosis, collaboration with nephrologists, implementation of renoprotective strategies, long-term renal functional follow-up, and a well-designed prospective study, may be warranted.