Mental Health Trends in Patients With Symptomatic Macromastia After Reduction Mammoplasty.

BACKGROUND: Symptomatic macromastia can significantly affect both physical and mental health. Although previous studies suggested that breast reduction (BR) improves quality of life and mental health conditions, they were limited to smaller sample sizes and largely based on survey feedback. This study aims to further assess the impact of BR on mental health outcomes, specifically looking at prescribing patterns for common antidepressants. METHODS: A national insurance-based database was utilized for data collection. Patients with a diagnosis of macromastia (ICD-10 N62) between the years 2010 and 2021 that either underwent bilateral BR (CPT 19318) or did not undergo BR were included in the study. Demographics and medical comorbidities were compared. Among those who underwent BR, preoperative and postoperative rates of mental health diagnoses and antidepressant use were compared. Logistic regression analysis was performed to determine variables associated with surgery. RESULTS: Patients with a history of macromastia with a history of BR were compared with those with a history of macromastia without BR. A significantly higher percentage of patients in the BR group reported a history of depression (48.5%), obesity (55.7%), and selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI)/serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor (SNRI) use (55.3%) when compared with that of the no-reduction group (46.3%, 50.8%, and 52.6%). Patients with history of depression and obesity were more likely to undergo BR (odds ratio of 1.11 and 1.31). Patients who underwent BR had significantly reduced rates of mental health outcomes including depression (38.6% to 27.4%), anxiety (4.3% to 3.1%), and SSRI or SNRI prescriptions (46.3% to 29.5%) postoperatively. CONCLUSIONS: Patients who underwent BR for symptomatic macromastia showed significantly reduced rates of depression, anxiety, and most importantly, rates of SSRI/SNRI prescriptions postoperatively when compared to those who did not undergo BR for symptomatic macromastia.

Determinants of pressure injury development in patients with COVID-19.

OBJECTIVE: Pressure injuries (PIs) often develop in critically ill patients due to immobility, and underlying comorbidities that decrease tissue perfusion and wound healing capacity. This study sought to provide epidemiological data on determinants and current managements practices of PI in patients with COVID-19. METHOD: A US national insurance-based database consisting of patients with coronavirus or COVID-19 diagnoses was used for data collection. Patients were filtered by International Classification of Diseases (ICD) codes corresponding to coronavirus or COVID-19 diagnosis between 2019-2020. Diagnosis of PI following COVID-19 diagnosis was queried. Demographic data and comorbidity information was compared. Logistic regression analysis was used to determine predictors for both PI development and likelihood of operative debridement. RESULTS: A total of 1,477,851 patients with COVID-19 were identified. Of these, 15,613 (1.06%) subsequently developed a PI, and 8074 (51.7%) of these patients had an intensive care unit (ICU) admission. The average and median time between diagnosis of COVID-19 and PI was 39.4 and 26 days, respectively. PI was more likely to occur in patients with COVID-19 with: diabetes (odds ratio (OR): 1.39, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.29-1.49; p<0.001); coronary artery disease (OR: 1.11, 95% CI: 1.04-1.18, p=0.002), hypertension (OR: 1.43, 95% CI: 1.26-1.64; p<0.001); chronic kidney disease (OR: 1.18, 95% CI: 1.10-1.26; p<0.001); depression (OR: 1.45, 95% CI 1.36-1.54; p<0.001); and long-term non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug use (OR: 1.21, 95% CI: 1.05-1.40; p=0.007). They were also more likely in critically ill patients admitted to the ICU (OR: 1.40, 95% CI: 1.31-1.48; p<0.001); and patients requiring vasopressors (OR:1.25, 95% CI: 1.13-1.38; p<0.001), intubation (OR: 1.21, 95% CI 1.07-1.39; p=0.004), or with a diagnosis of sepsis (OR: 2.38, 95% CI 2.22-2.55; p<0.001). ICU admission, sepsis, buttock and lower back PI along with increasing Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI) (OR: 1.04, 95% CI 1.00-1.08; p=0.043) was associated with surgical debridement. The vast majority of patients with COVID-19 did not undergo operative debridement or wound coverage. CONCLUSION: PIs are widely prevalent in patients with COVID-19, especially in those who are critically ill, yet the vast majority do not undergo operative procedures. DECLARATION OF INTEREST: The authors have no conflicts of interest to declare.

Case-matched Comparison of Implant-based Breast Reconstruction with and without Acellular Dermal Matrix.

Background: Acellular dermal matrix (ADM) is commonly used in implant-based breast reconstruction due to improved soft-tissue support and control of the implant pocket and decreased capsular contracture. However, concerns about complications have prompted the FDA to request more clinical data. This large-scale study aims to examine perioperative outcomes of ADM use in breast reconstruction. Methods: This study utilized a national insurance-based database to identify patients who underwent mastectomy between 2011 and 2019, with and without ADM. The groups were matched for age, region, and comorbidities. Complications within 90 days were compared using univariate and multivariate analyses. Results: A total of 49,366 patients were identified with 26,266 patients in the ADM group and 23,100 in the non-ADM group. Infection rates (4.7% ADM versus 4.4% no ADM) and seroma rates (3.9% ADM versus 4% no ADM) were similar. However, the ADM group had a 1% higher rate of implant removal (4.9% ADM versus 3.9% no ADM, P < 0.001). In direct-to-implant procedures, ADM use was associated with higher explantation rates (8.2% versus 6.3%, P = 0.002). Multivariate analysis identified tobacco use, hypertension, depression, obesity, ADM usage, and direct-to-implant surgery as risk factors for implant removal. Conclusions: This study found comparable infection and seroma rates in implant-based breast reconstruction with and without ADM. ADM use was associated with a 1% higher risk of implant removal, with risk factors including tobacco use, obesity, hypertension, depression, and direct-to-implant procedures. Multicenter studies and registry data on prepectoral breast reconstruction are warranted to help interpret these findings.

Gender-Affirming Surgery Improves Mental Health Outcomes and Decreases Anti-Depressant Use in Patients with Gender Dysphoria.

BACKGROUND: Patients with gender dysphoria face significant health disparities and barriers to care. Transition-related care includes hormonal therapy, mental healthcare, and gender-affirming surgeries. Studies have described favorable surgical outcomes and patient satisfaction, however, the degree to which these procedures impact mental health conditions is not fully understood. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of gender-affirming plastic surgery on mental health and substance abuse in the transgender population. METHODS: A national insurance claims-based database was used for data collection. Patients with a diagnosis of gender dysphoria were propensity score-matched for the likelihood of undergoing gender-affirming surgery (no surgery being the control cohort), based on comorbidities, age, and sex. Primary outcomes included post-operative antidepressant use and the prevalence of mental health conditions. RESULTS: A total of 3,134 patients with gender dysphoria were included in each cohort. Patients in the surgery group had overall lower rates of mental health conditions, substance abuse, and SSRI/SNRI use. There was an absolute decrease of 8.8% in SSRI or SNRI prescription after gender-affirming plastic surgery (p<0.001), and significant decreases in post-operative depression (7.7%), anxiety (1.6%), suicidal ideation (5.2%) and attempts (2.3%), alcohol abuse (2.1%), and drug abuse (1.9%). CONCLUSION: Gender-affirming surgery in appropriately selected gender dysphoric patients is associated with decreased postoperative rates of SSRI or SNRI use and improved mental health.