Health-Related Quality of Life and Cosmesis After Thyroidectomy: Long-Term Outcomes.

BACKGROUND: Health-related quality of life (HRQoL) after thyroidectomy has been recently reported with conflicting conclusions. In this study, we assess HRQoL and neck scar cosmesis of thyroid patients several years after thyroidectomy for benign and malignant pathology. METHODS: Three hundred and thirty patients who underwent thyroidectomy between 2000 and 2010 answered the SF-36 Health Survey and Patient Scar Assessment Questionnaire (PSAQ) in 2010 and at the end of 2018. Changes in the SF-36 and PSAQ scores were analyzed taking into account various demographic, surgical and medical characteristics of the patients. RESULTS: Patients reported worse SF-36 scores after 8.5 years, in scales of physical functioning (p < 0.001), social role functioning (p = 0.002), bodily pain (p = 0.001) and general health perceptions (p < 0.001). Interestingly enough, there were no significant changes in scales of physical role functioning (p = 0.304), mental health (p = 0.681), emotional role functioning (p = 0.903) and vitality (p = 0.121). Multivariate analysis showed that several chronic diseases were related to worse HRQoL scores. On the other hand, PSAQ appearance, symptoms and consciousness scores improved during this period (p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: In the long term, patients undergoing thyroidectomy do not show worse HRQoL outcomes in terms of mental health, emotional functioning and vitality, whereas scar cosmesis perception is improved. They show deteriorated outcomes in terms of physical, social functioning and bodily pain, which is mainly related to specific chronic diseases that are common to the aging person.

Evaluation of the effect of Mozart music on pain and respiratory rate after thyroidectomy.

PURPOSE: Pain has always been a major concern in postoperative care. The aim of this study was to assess the impact of Mozart music on postoperative pain and physiological parameters in patients who underwent total thyroidectomy. METHODS: Patients scheduled for total thyroidectomy were randomly assigned to a music group or a control group. The music intervention was applied immediately after surgery, whereas the control group received only usual care. Measurements of pain perception and physiological parameters were performed before, during, and after the music intervention in the music group and at the same time points in the control group. Pain was evaluated with the visual analog scale. RESULTS: In a study population of 50 patients, a higher rate of decrease in pain was observed in the music group after the first 10 min of the music intervention compared to the control group (estimate = - 1.329; 95% CI [- 2.490, - 0.169]). Music also reduced respiratory rate by 1.31 rates/min more in the music group than in the control group at every assessment point (95% CI [- 2.171, - 0.451]). Changes in the remaining physiological parameters were not statistically significant between the music and the control group and within each group. CONCLUSION: This study suggests that the use of music during immediate postoperative care after thyroidectomy could accelerate pain relief and lead to a greater decline of respiratory rate compared to that achieved in usual care. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: NCT04699084, 30/12/2020.

Association of Continued Use of SGLT2 Inhibitors From the Ambulatory to Inpatient Setting With Hospital Outcomes in Patients With Diabetes: A Nationwide Cohort Study.

OBJECTIVE: Limited data are available on the continuation of outpatient sodium glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitors (SGLT2is) during hospitalization. The objective was to evaluate associations of SGLT2i continuation in the inpatient setting with hospital outcomes. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: This nationwide cohort study used Veterans Affairs health care system data of acute care hospitalizations between 1 April 2013 and 31 August 2021. A total of 36,505 admissions of patients with diabetes with an outpatient prescription for an SGLT2i prior to hospitalization were included. The exposure was defined as SGLT2i continuation during hospitalization. Admissions where SGLT2i was continued were compared with admissions where it was discontinued. The primary outcome was in-hospital mortality. Secondary outcomes were acute kidney injury (AKI) and length of stay (LOS). Negative binomial propensity score-weighted and zero-truncated analyses were used to compare outcomes and adjusted for multiple covariates, including demographics and comorbidities. RESULTS: Mean (SE) age was 67.2 (0.1) and 67.5 (0.1) years (P = 0.03), 97.0% and 96.6% were male (P = 0.1), 71.3% and 72.1% White, and 20.8% and 20.5% Black (P = 0.52) for the SGLT2i continued and discontinued groups, respectively. After adjustment for covariates (age, sex, race, BMI, Elixhauser Comorbidity Index, procedures/surgeries, and insulin use), the SGLT2i continued group had a 45% lower mortality rate (incidence rate ratio [IRR] 0.55, 95% CI 0.42-0.73, P < 0.01), no difference in AKI (IRR 0.96, 95% CI 0.90-1.02, P = 0.17), and decreased LOS (4.7 vs. 4.9 days) (IRR 0.95, 95% CI 0.93-0.98, P < 0.01) versus the SGLT2i discontinued group. Similar associations were observed across multiple sensitivity analyses. CONCLUSIONS: Continued SGLT2i during hospitalization among patients with diabetes was associated with lower mortality, no increased AKI, and shorter LOS.

Glucagon-Like Peptide 1 Analogues as Adjunctive Therapy for Patients With Type 1 Diabetes: An Updated Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.

CONTEXT: Concomitant obesity is common among patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM), yet adjunctive therapy options are scarce. OBJECTIVE: We assess the efficacy and adverse outcomes of glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1) analogues when used as adjunctive therapy for T1DM. METHOD: PubMed, EMBASE, Cochrane Central, and Scopus databases were searched for randomized controlled trials up to December 2022. Efficacy outcomes were A1c level, body weight, and total daily insulin (TDI) after ≥12 weeks of GLP-1 therapy. We also assessed 12 different adverse outcomes. Subgroup analysis was done for newly diagnosed or C-peptide positive (C-pos) patients. We report the certainty of evidence based on the GRADE assessment tool. RESULTS: A total of 24 studies using 4 different GLP-1 analogues with a total of 3377 patients were included. Liraglutide had the most substantial evidence with effect sizes on A1c (-0.09%/mg), weight (-2.2 kg/mg), and TDI (-4.32 IU/mg). Liraglutide dose was the greatest predictor of greater average weight loss and TDI decrease but was associated with higher odds of nausea (OR 6.5; 95% CI, 5.0-8.4) and ketosis (OR 1.8; 95% CI, 1.1-2.8). Odds of severe (OR 0.67; 95% CI, 0.43-1.04) or symptomatic hypoglycemia (OR 0.89; 95% CI, 0.53-1.51) were not significantly elevated. Among C-pos patients, greater A1c decrease (-0.51% vs -0.28%) but similar weight loss and TDI were seen. Effect sizes for exenatide were similar, but studies had higher risk of bias and safety data were sparse. CONCLUSION: Our meta-analysis supports therapeutic benefits of liraglutide for patients with T1DM mainly for weight loss and insulin dose reduction. Newly diagnosed or C-pos patients do not appear to experience greater weight loss benefits.

Recurrence of Thrombotic Thrombocytopenic Purpura After Vaccination with mRNA-1273 COVID-19 vaccine.

Thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP) is a rare disease characterized by thrombocytopenia, microangiopathic hemolytic anemia, and ischemic organ damage. Several cases of TTP associated with administration of COVID-19 vaccines have been reported. We report a case of a 63-year-old woman with a past medical history of hypertension, diabetes mellitus, chronic kidney disease, HIV infection, and remote history of TTP who presented with several days of shortness of breath on exertion, chest tightness, low-grade fever, and bruising thirty-three days after receiving the second dose of the mRNA-1273 COVID-19 vaccine. Thrombocytopenia and hemolytic anemia with schistocytes were noted on testing, and ADAMTS13 activity was <5%. Temporizing treatment with fresh frozen plasma was started immediately on presentation, and treatment was continued with daily therapeutic plasma exchange and corticosteroids. TTP should be considered in patients who present with thrombocytopenia after COVID-19 vaccination, especially if there is a past history of TTP.

Dogs: A Man's Best Friend or a Deadly Beast-A Discussion on Capnocytophaga canimorsus.

Capnocytophaga canimorsus is a catalase-positive and oxidase-positive gram-negative bacillus commonly found in dog saliva that is a rare cause of infection in immunocompromised individuals. We report the case of a 70-year-old woman with Waldenström macroglobulinemia treated with ibrutinib and a history of bilateral shoulder arthroplasty and bilateral knee arthroplasty who reported a 1-year history of multi-joint pain and swelling. The patient resides with two pet dogs that often scratch and bite, penetrating the skin, and on culture was found to have Capnocytophaga canimorsus.

Efficacy and safety of radiofrequency ablation in the treatment of low-risk papillary thyroid carcinoma: a review.

Ultrasound-guided radiofrequency ablation (RFA) has recently been used for the treatment of thyroid carcinomas. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of RFA for treating low-risk papillary thyroid carcinomas (PTCs). We searched the MEDLINE and the SCOPUS databases up to December 29, 2020, for studies assessing the efficacy and safety of RFA in the management of low-risk PTCs. Data on volume reduction ratio (VRR), complete disappearance, carcinoma recurrence, and complication frequency were collected. Thirteen studies with a total of 1389 patients and 1422 tumors were included in the synthesis of this study. Mean VRR varied between 47.8 and 100%, with most studies reporting a ratio of 98.5-100%. The ratio of complete disappearance ranged between 33.7 and 100%, although studies with a prolonged follow-up period reported a frequency of 56-100%. The tumor progression/recurrence frequency was 0-4.5%. Complications occurred in 45 patients (3.2%). Mild-moderate pain and cervical discomfort were the most common complications and no life-threatening complications were reported. Based on these data, we suggest that ultrasound-guided RFA can serve as an efficacious and safe alternative for the treatment of low-risk PTC in patients who are unable or unwilling to receive surgical therapy.

Knowledge, Attitudes and Perceptions about Cervical Cancer Risk, Prevention and Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) in Vulnerable Women in Greece.

Cervical cancer can be largely preventable through primary and secondary prevention activities. Following the financial crisis in Greece since 2011 and the increased number of refugees/migrants since 2015 the proportion of vulnerable population groups in Greece increased greatly and the ability of the healthcare sector to respond and to cover the health needs of the population is put under tremendous stress. A cross-sectional study was designed to assess the characteristics of vulnerable women in Greece regarding cervical cancer risk factors, prevention through screening activities and Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) knowledge. Two cohorts of women aged 18 to 70 years were studied (142 in 2012 and 122 in 2017) who completed an interviewer-administered questionnaire based on the behavioural model for vulnerable populations. According to this model, the factors that affect the behaviour of women in relation with their knowledge, attitudes and beliefs towards cervical cancer and the HPV vaccine in our study sample are categorised in predisposing factors (age, educational status, nationality menopausal status and housing) and enabling factors (lack of insurance coverage). Results from both univariate and multivariate analyses show that older age, low educational background, refugee/migrant or ethnic minority (Roma) background, menopausal status, housing conditions and lack of insurance coverage are linked with insufficient knowledge on risk factors for cervical cancer and false attitudes and perceptions on cervical cancer preventive activities (Pap smear and HPV vaccine). This is the first study in Greece showing the lack of knowledge and the poor attitudes and perceptions on cervical cancer screening and the HPV vaccine in various groups of vulnerable women. Our results indicate the need of health education and intervention activities according to the characteristics and needs of each group.