Association between hospital procedure volume, socioeconomic status, comorbidities, and adverse events related to surgical abortion: A nationwide population-based cohort study.

BACKGROUND: Limited evidence exists on the influence of hospital procedure volume, socioeconomic status, and comorbidities on surgical abortion outcomes. OBJECTIVE: Our study aimed to assess the association between hospital procedure volume, individual and neighborhood deprivation, comorbidities, and abortion-related adverse events. STUDY DESIGN: A nationwide population-based cohort study of all women hospitalized for surgical abortion was conducted from January 1, 2018, to December 31, 2019 in France. Annual hospital procedure volume was categorized into four levels based on spline function visualization: very low (<80), low ([80-300[), high ([300-650[), and very high-volume (≥650) centers. The primary outcome was the occurrence of at least one surgical-related adverse event, including hemorrhage, retained products of conception, genital tract and pelvic infection, transfusion, fistulas and neighboring lesions, local hematoma, failure of abortion, admission to an intensive care unit or death. These events were monitored during the index stay and during a subsequent hospitalization up to 90 days. The secondary outcome encompassed general adverse events not directly linked to surgery. RESULTS: Of the 112,842 hospital stays, 4,951 (4.39%) had surgical-related adverse events and 256 (0.23%) had general adverse events. The multivariate analysis showed a volume-outcome relationship, with lower rates of surgical-related adverse events in very high-volume (2.25%, aOR=0.34, 95%CI [0.29-0.39], p<0.001), high-volume (4.24%, aOR=0.61, 95%CI [0.55-0.69], p<0.001), and low-volume (4.69%, aOR=0.81, 95%CI [0.75-0.88], p<0.001) when compared to very low-volume centers (6.65%). Individual socioeconomic status (aOR=1.69, 95%CI [1.47-1.94], p<0.001), neighborhood deprivation (aOR=1.31, 95% CI [1.22-1.39], p<0.001), and comorbidities (aOR=1.79, 95%CI [1.35-2.38], p<0.001) were associated with surgical-related adverse events. Conversely, the multivariate analysis of general adverse events did not reveal any volume-outcome relationship. CONCLUSION: The presence of a volume-outcome relationship underscores the need for enhanced safety standards in low-volume centers to ensure equity in women's safety during surgical abortions. However, our findings also highlight the complexity of this safety concern which involves multiple other factors including socioeconomic status and comorbidities that policymakers must consider.

The impact of hospital saturation on non-COVID-19 hospital mortality during the pandemic in France: a national population-based cohort study.

BACKGROUND: A previous study reported significant excess mortality among non-COVID-19 patients due to disrupted surgical care caused by resource prioritization for COVID-19 cases in France. The primary objective was to investigate if a similar impact occurred for medical conditions and determine the effect of hospital saturation on non-COVID-19 hospital mortality during the first year of the pandemic in France. METHODS: We conducted a nationwide population-based cohort study including all adult patients hospitalized for non-COVID-19 acute medical conditions in France between March 1, 2020 and 31 May, 2020 (1st wave) and September 1, 2020 and December 31, 2020 (2nd wave). Hospital saturation was categorized into four levels based on weekly bed occupancy for COVID-19: no saturation (< 5%), low saturation (> 5% and ≤ 15%), moderate saturation (> 15% and ≤ 30%), and high saturation (> 30%). Multivariate generalized linear model analyzed the association between hospital saturation and mortality with adjustment for age, sex, COVID-19 wave, Charlson Comorbidity Index, case-mix, source of hospital admission, ICU admission, category of hospital and region of residence. RESULTS: A total of 2,264,871 adult patients were hospitalized for acute medical conditions. In the multivariate analysis, the hospital mortality was significantly higher in low saturated hospitals (adjusted Odds Ratio/aOR = 1.05, 95% CI [1.34-1.07], P < .001), moderate saturated hospitals (aOR = 1.12, 95% CI [1.09-1.14], P < .001), and highly saturated hospitals (aOR = 1.25, 95% CI [1.21-1.30], P < .001) compared to non-saturated hospitals. The proportion of deaths outside ICU was higher in highly saturated hospitals (87%) compared to non-, low- or moderate saturated hospitals (81-84%). The negative impact of hospital saturation on mortality was more pronounced in patients older than 65 years, those with fewer comorbidities (Charlson 1-2 and 3 vs. 0), patients with cancer, nervous and mental diseases, those admitted from home or through the emergency room (compared to transfers from other hospital wards), and those not admitted to the intensive care unit. CONCLUSIONS: Our study reveals a noteworthy "dose-effect" relationship: as hospital saturation intensifies, the non-COVID-19 hospital mortality risk also increases. These results raise concerns regarding hospitals' resilience and patient safety, underscoring the importance of identifying targeted strategies to enhance resilience for the future, particularly for high-risk patients.

High-resolution ultrasound of the paratenon of the Achilles calcaneal tendon: anatomical study and description of the paratendinous injection technique.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study is to determine if ultrasound (US) allows a precise assessment of the paratenon (PT) of the Achilles calcaneal tendon (AT), and to anatomically describe the US-guided paratendinous injection technique. METHODS: This study was initially conducted on eight cadaveric specimens using high-resolution ultrasound (HRUS) to examine the PT appearance, thickness, and its relationships with the AT, plantaris tendon (PLT), Kager's fat pad (KFP), sural nerve (SN), and fascia cruris (FC). US-guided paratendinous injection of China ink was performed in all specimens, followed by anatomical dissection to assess injectate distribution. Then, HRUS study of the PT was carried out bilaterally in twenty asymptomatic volunteers (40 legs). Two musculoskeletal radiologists recorded all data in consensus except PT thickness in volunteers which was recorded independently in order to calculate intra and inter-observer reliability. RESULTS: The PT was consistently identified with HRUS along its entire course in both cadaveric specimens (8/8) and volunteers (40/40). The mean PT thickness was 0.54 mm in cadavers and 0.39 mm in vivo, without any correlation with the AT thickness. Intra- and inter observer reliability were respectively excellent and good for PT thickness. All eight (100%) ex vivo China ink injections were accurate, demonstrating a circumferential distribution of the injectate between the PT and the AT, associated with an anterior spread to the KFP. CONCLUSION: HRUS allows visualization of the PT along its entire length, and assessment of its relationships to adjacent structures. US-guided paratendinous injections can accurately and safely deliver injectates in the paratendinous sheath.

Association of severe mental illness and septic shock case fatality rate in patients admitted to the intensive care unit: A national population-based cohort study.

BACKGROUND: Patients with severe mental illness (SMI) (i.e., schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, or major depressive disorder) have been reported to have excess mortality rates from infection compared to patients without SMI, but whether SMI is associated with higher or lower case fatality rates (CFRs) among infected patients remains unclear. The primary objective was to compare the 90-day CFR in septic shock patients with and without SMI admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU), after adjusting for social disadvantage and physical health comorbidity. METHODS AND FINDINGS: We conducted a nationwide, population-based cohort study of all adult patients with septic shock admitted to the ICU in France between January 1, 2014, and December 31, 2018, using the French national hospital database. We matched (within hospitals) in a ratio of 1:up to 4 patients with and without SMI (matched-controls) for age (5 years range), sex, degree of social deprivation, and year of hospitalization. Cox regression models were conducted with adjustment for smoking, alcohol and other substance addiction, overweight or obesity, Charlson comorbidity index, presence of trauma, surgical intervention, Simplified Acute Physiology Score II score, organ failures, source of hospital admission (home, transfer from other hospital ward), and the length of time between hospital admission and ICU admission. The primary outcome was 90-day CFR. Secondary outcomes were 30- and 365-day CFRs, and clinical profiles of patients. A total of 187,587 adult patients with septic shock admitted to the ICU were identified, including 3,812 with schizophrenia, 2,258 with bipolar disorder, and 5,246 with major depressive disorder. Compared to matched controls, the 90-day CFR was significantly lower in patients with schizophrenia (1,052/3,269 = 32.2% versus 5,000/10,894 = 45.5%; adjusted hazard ratio (aHR) = 0.70, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.65,0.75, p < 0.001), bipolar disorder (632/1,923 = 32.9% versus 2,854/6,303 = 45.3%; aHR = 0.70, 95% CI = 0.63,0.76, p < 0.001), and major depressive disorder (1,834/4,432 = 41.4% versus 6,798/14,452 = 47.1%; aHR = 0.85, 95% CI = 0.81,0.90, p < 0.001). Study limitations include inability to capture deaths occurring outside hospital, lack of data on processes of care, and problems associated with missing data and miscoding in medico-administrative databases. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggest that, after adjusting for social disadvantage and physical health comorbidity, there are improved septic shock outcome in patients with SMI compared to patients without. This finding may be the result of different immunological profiles and exposures to psychotropic medications, which should be further explored.

Mortality among inpatients with bipolar disorders and COVID-19: a propensity score matching analysis in a national French cohort study.

BACKGROUND: It remains unknown whether coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients with bipolar disorders (BDs) are at an increased risk of mortality. We aimed to establish whether health outcomes and care differed between patients infected with COVID-19 with BD and patients without a diagnosis of severe mental illness. METHODS: We conducted a population-based cohort study of all patients with identified COVID-19 and respiratory symptoms who were hospitalized in France between February and June 2020. The outcomes were in-hospital mortality and intensive care unit (ICU) admission. We used propensity score matching to control for confounding factors. RESULTS: In total, 50 407 patients were included, of whom 480 were patients with BD. Patients with BD were 2 years older, more frequently women and had more comorbidities than controls without a diagnosis of severe mental illness. Patients with BD had an increased in-hospital mortality rate (26.6% v. 21.9%; p = 0.034) and similar ICU admission rate (27.9% v. 28.4%, p = 0.799), as confirmed by propensity analysis [odds ratio, 95% confidence interval (OR, 95% CI) for mortality: 1.30 (1.16-1.45), p < 0.0001]. Significant interactions between BD and age and between BD and social deprivation were found, highlighting that the most important inequalities in mortality were observed in the youngest [OR, 95% CI 2.28 (1.18-4.41), p = 0.0015] and most deprived patients with BD [OR, 95% CI 1.60 (1.33-1.92), p < 0.001]. CONCLUSIONS: COVID-19 patients with BD were at an increased risk of mortality, which was exacerbated in the youngest and most deprived patients with BD. Patients with BD should thus be targeted as a high-risk population for severe forms of COVID-19, requiring enhanced preventive and disease management strategies.

Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on non-COVID-19 hospital mortality in patients with schizophrenia: a nationwide population-based cohort study.

It remains unknown to what degree resource prioritization toward SARS-CoV-2 (2019-nCoV) coronavirus (COVID-19) cases had disrupted usual acute care for non-COVID-19 patients, especially in the most vulnerable populations such as patients with schizophrenia. The objective was to establish whether the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on non-COVID-19 hospital mortality and access to hospital care differed between patients with schizophrenia versus without severe mental disorder. We conducted a nationwide population-based cohort study of all non-COVID-19 acute hospitalizations in the pre-COVID-19 (March 1, 2019 through December 31, 2019) and COVID-19 (March 1, 2020 through December 31, 2020) periods in France. We divided the population into patients with schizophrenia and age/sex-matched patients without severe mental disorder (1:10). Using a difference-in-differences approach, we performed multivariate patient-level logistic regression models (adjusted odds ratio, aOR) with adjustment for complementary health insurance, smoking, alcohol and substance addiction, Charlson comorbidity score, origin of the patient, category of care, intensive care unit (ICU) care, major diagnosis groups and hospital characteristics. A total of 198,186 patients with schizophrenia were matched with 1,981,860 controls. The 90-day hospital mortality in patients with schizophrenia increased significantly more versus controls (aOR = 1.18; p < 0.001). This increased mortality was found for poisoning and injury (aOR = 1.26; p = 0.033), respiratory diseases (aOR = 1.19; p = 0.008) and for both surgery (aOR = 1.26; p = 0.008) and medical care settings (aOR = 1.16; p = 0.001). Significant changes in the case mix were noted with reduced admission in the ICU and for several somatic diseases including cancer, circulatory and digestive diseases and stroke for patients with schizophrenia compared to controls. These results suggest a greater deterioration in access to, effectiveness and safety of non-COVID-19 acute care in patients with schizophrenia compared to patients without severe mental disorders. These findings question hospitals' resilience pertaining to patient safety and underline the importance of developing specific strategies for vulnerable patients in anticipation of future public health emergencies.

Early IL-1 receptor blockade in severe inflammatory respiratory failure complicating COVID-19.

Around the tenth day after diagnosis, ∼20% of patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)-associated pneumonia evolve toward severe oxygen dependence (stage 2b) and acute respiratory distress syndrome (stage 3) associated with systemic inflammation often termed a "cytokine storm." Because interleukin-1 (IL-1) blocks the production of IL-6 and other proinflammatory cytokines, we treated COVID-19 patients early in the disease with the IL-1 receptor antagonist, anakinra. We retrospectively compared 22 patients from three different centers in France with stages 2b and 3 COVID-19-associated pneumonia presenting with acute severe respiratory failure and systemic inflammation who received either standard-of-care treatment alone (10 patients) or combined with intravenous anakinra (12 patients). Treatment started at 300 mg⋅d-1 for 5 d, then tapered with lower dosing over 3 d. Both populations were comparable for age, comorbidities, clinical stage, and elevated biomarkers of systemic inflammation. All of the patients treated with anakinra improved clinically (P < 0.01), with no deaths, significant decreases in oxygen requirements (P < 0.05), and more days without invasive mechanical ventilation (P < 0.06), compared with the control group. The effect of anakinra was rapid, as judged by significant decrease of fever and C-reactive protein at day 3. A mean total dose of 1,950 mg was infused with no adverse side effects or bacterial infection. We conclude that early blockade of the IL-1 receptor is therapeutic in acute hyperinflammatory respiratory failure in COVID-19 patients.

Osteoid Osteoma: Percutaneous CT-guided Cryoablation Is a Safe, Effective, and Durable Treatment Option in Adults.

Background Cryoablation is playing an increasing role in the percutaneous treatment of bone tumors. However, despite its potential advantages over heat-based ablation techniques, the clinical safety and efficacy of cryoablation have not been established for osteoid osteoma treatment. Purpose To evaluate percutaneous CT-guided cryoablation for the treatment of osteoid osteoma in young patients and adults. Materials and Methods This retrospective study reviewed data from 50 consecutive patients who underwent percutaneous CT-guided cryoablation for the treatment of osteoid osteoma between January 2013 and June 2019 in a single institution. In 30 of 50 patients (60%), the procedure was carried out with the patient under local anesthesia and conscious sedation, with the cryoprobe covering the lesion from an extraosseous position, avoiding direct penetration of the nidus. Clinical and radiologic features, procedure-related data, visual analog scale (VAS) pain scores, complications, and overall success rate were evaluated. Statistical analyses were performed by using the nonparametric Friedman test and Wilcoxon signed rank test for repeated measures. Results Fifty patients (median age, 24 years; interquartile range [IQR], 19-38 years; 31 men) underwent CT-guided cryoablation for the treatment of osteoid osteoma, with a 96% (48 of 50 patients) overall clinical success rate. Of the two patients without clinical success, one patient had incomplete pain relief and the other experienced a recurrence of osteoid osteoma at 11 months, which was successfully treated with a second cryoablation procedure. The median VAS pain score was 8 (IQR, 7-8) before the procedure and 0 (IQR, 0-1; P < .001) after the procedure at both primary (6 weeks) and secondary (18-90 months) follow-up. Three of the 50 patients had minor complications (6%); no major complications were reported. Conclusion Osteoid osteoma was safely, effectively, and durably treated with CT-guided percutaneous cryoablation. In the majority of patients, treatment could be performed without general anesthesia, with the cryosphere covering the nidus from an extraosseous position. © RSNA, 2021.

Long-term exposure to ambient air pollution is associated with an increased incidence and mortality of acute respiratory distress syndrome in a large French region.

INTRODUCTION: Air pollution exposure is suspected to alter both the incidence and mortality in acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). The impact of chronic air pollutant exposure on the incidence and mortality of ARDS from various aetiologies in Europe remains unknown. The main objective of this study was to evaluate the incidence of ARDS in a large European region, 90-day mortality being the main secondary outcome. METHODS: The study was performed in the Provence-Alpes-Cote-d'Azur (PACA) region. Nitrogen dioxide (NO2), particulate matter (PM2.5 and PM10) and ozone (O3) were measured. The Programme de Médicalisation des Systèmes d'Information (PMSI), which captures all patient hospital stays in France, was used to identify adults coded as ARDS in an intensive care unit. RESULTS: From 2016 to 2018, 4733 adults with ARDS treated in intensive care units were analysed. The incidence rate ratios for 1-year average exposure to PM2.5 and PM10 were 1.207 ([95% confidence interval (95% CI), 1.145-1.390]; P < 0.01) and 1.168 (95% CI, 1.083-1.259; P < 0.001), respectively. The same trend was observed for both 2- and 3-year exposures, while only chronic 1- and 2-year exposure NO2 exposures were related to a higher incidence of ARDS. Increased PM2.5 exposure was associated with a higher 90-day mortality for both 1- and 3-year exposures (OR 1.096 (95% CI, 1.001-1.201) and 1.078 (95% CI, 1.009-1.152), respectively). O3 was not associated with either of incidence nor mortality. CONCLUSIONS: While chronic exposure to NO2, PM2.5, and PM10 was associated with an increased ARDS incidence and a higher mortality rate (for PM2.5) in those patients presenting with ARDS, further research on this topic is required.

Intensive end-of-life care in acute leukemia from a French national hospital database study (2017-2018).

BACKGROUND: A better understanding of how the care of acute leukemia patients is managed in the last days of life would help clinicians and health policy makers improve the quality of end-of-life care. This study aimed: (i) to describe the intensity of end-of-life care among patients with acute leukemia who died in the hospital (2017-2018) and (ii) to identify the factors associated with the intensity of end-of-life care. METHODS: This was a retrospective cohort study of decedents based on data from the French national hospital database. The population included patients with acute leukemia who died during a hospital stay between 2017 and 2018, in a palliative care situation (code palliative care Z515 and-or being in a inpatient palliative care support bed during the 3 months preceding death). Intensity end-of-life care was assessed using two endpoints: High intensive end-of-life (HI-EOL: intensive care unit admission, emergency department admission, acute care hospitalization, intravenous chemotherapy) care and most invasive end-of-life (MI-EOL: orotracheal intubation, mechanical ventilation, artificial feeding, cardiopulmonary resuscitation, gastrostomy, or hemodialysis) care. RESULTS: A total of 3658 patients were included. In the last 30 days of life, 63 and 13% of the patients received HI-EOL care and MI-EOL care, respectively. Being younger, having comorbidities, being care managed in a specialized hospital, and a lower time in a palliative care structure were the main factors associated with HI-EOL. CONCLUSIONS: A large majority of French young adults and adults with acute leukemia who died at the hospital experienced high intensity end-of-life care. Identification of factors associated with high-intensity end-of-life care, such as the access to palliative care and specialized cancer center care management, may help to improve end-of-life care quality.

Intradiscal oxygen-ozone therapy for the treatment of symptomatic lumbar disc herniation: A preliminary study.

PURPOSE: To assess safety and effectiveness of computed tomography (CT)-guided intradiscal oxygen-ozone therapy (O2-O3 therapy) for the treatment of symptomatic lumbar disc herniation and radiological changes. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study was conducted in twenty patients presenting lumbar disc herniation with resistant lumbar or lumbar radicular pain They underwent intradiscal oxygen-ozone therapy under CT guidance. They were treated at one- or two-disc levels, representing a total of 24 discs treated. MR imaging examinations were obtained before treatment and 2 months post-procedure to analyse treatment-related disc modifications including modification of the surfaces of the disc and of the herniated disc, and the variations in disc height according to the disc height index. Clinical outcomes were assessed using the visual analogue scale (VAS) to evaluate the severity of pain before the procedure, at primary (2 months) and at secondary (12 months) follow-ups. RESULTS: All the procedures were technically successful. The median VAS scores were 7.95 before the procedure, 3.9 at 2 months and 2.95 at 12 months. MRI analysis showed a significant decrease in herniation size at 2 months (-20%, p = 0.008). No immediate or late complications were observed. Only three patients (13.6%) underwent lumbar spine microdiscectomy in the year following ozone therapy. The treatment appeared to be more effective in cases of nerve root symptomatology. CONCLUSION: This study suggests that intradiscal O2-O3 therapy is safe and effective for the treatment of lumbar disc herniation associated with resistant lumbar or lumbar radicular pain.

Palliative and high-intensity end-of-life care in schizophrenia patients with lung cancer: results from a French national population-based study.

Schizophrenia is marked by inequities in cancer treatment and associated with high smoking rates. Lung cancer patients with schizophrenia may thus be at risk of receiving poorer end-of-life care compared to those without mental disorder. The objective was to compare end-of-life care delivered to patients with schizophrenia and lung cancer with patients without severe mental disorder. This population-based cohort study included all patients aged 15 and older who died from their terminal lung cancer in hospital in France (2014-2016). Schizophrenia patients and controls without severe mental disorder were selected and indicators of palliative care and high-intensity end-of-life care were compared. Multivariable generalized log-linear models were performed, adjusted for sex, age, year of death, social deprivation, time between cancer diagnosis and death, metastases, comorbidity, smoking addiction and hospital category. The analysis included 633 schizophrenia patients and 66,469 controls. The schizophrenia patients died 6 years earlier, had almost twice more frequently smoking addiction (38.1%), had more frequently chronic pulmonary disease (32.5%) and a shorter duration from cancer diagnosis to death. In multivariate analysis, they were found to have more and earlier palliative care (adjusted Odds Ratio 1.27 [1.03;1.56]; p = 0.04), and less high-intensity end-of-life care (e.g., chemotherapy 0.53 [0.41;0.70]; p < 0.0001; surgery 0.73 [0.59;0.90]; p < 0.01) than controls. Although the use and/or continuation of high-intensity end-of-life care is less important in schizophrenia patients with lung cancer, some findings suggest a loss of chance. Future studies should explore the expectations of patients with schizophrenia and lung cancer to define the optimal end-of-life care.

Laser-Assisted Hyaluronic Acid Delivery by Fractional Carbon Dioxide Laser in Facial Skin Remodeling: A Prospective Randomized Split-Face Study in France.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Combining the efficacy of ablative fractional carbon dioxide lasers (AFXL) to laser-assisted hyaluronic acid delivery (LAHAD) has not yet been studied. The objective of our study was to evaluate the safety and the efficacy of laser-assisted hyaluronic acid (HA) delivery with AFXL in facial skin remodeling. STUDY DESIGN/MATERIALS AND METHODS: We conducted a prospective, double-blinded, randomized split-face study on 20 patients from 30 to 70 years old, with a skin phototype from I to IV. Each patient received full-face treatment with AFXL, immediately followed by the application in droplets into the fractional ablative tunnels of 1 ml of HA gel on one hemiface and 1 ml of physiological saline on the other hemiface. To evaluate postlaser aftermath, the intensity of erythema, edema, and crusts was graded. To assess facial skin remodeling, we scored the improvement of skin texture, firmness, fine lines, and skin radiance from baseline. Patients were evaluated on the 3rd and 7th day, 1st and 3rd month using clinical evaluations, photographs, and patient questionnaires. RESULTS: We showed equivalence in postlaser aftermath between HA-treated and nontreated hemiface. Trend data analyses at the 3rd month suggested that immediate application of HA after AFXL resulted in a greater improvement in facial skin remodeling, especially for skin texture (mean score of 2.60 vs. 2.45) and skin firmness (mean score of 2.55 vs. 2.40). Skin radiance showed the best improvement, reaching almost a score of 5/10. CONCLUSIONS: LAHAD with AFXL is a safe treatment showing promising results in facial skin remodeling. These findings need to be confirmed by a larger study to evaluate the value of LAHAD in daily clinical practice. Lasers Surg. Med. © 2021 Wiley Periodicals LLC.

End-of-Life Care Among Patients With Bipolar Disorder and Cancer: A Nationwide Cohort Study.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to describe end-of-life (EOL) care in individuals with bipolar disorder (BD) who died of cancer compared with mentally healthy individuals. METHODS: This was a nationwide cohort study of all adult individuals who died of cancer in hospitals in France between 2013 and 2016. Outcomes were compared between individuals with BD and mentally healthy individuals in the last month of life including palliative care and high-intensity EOL care (chemotherapy, artificial nutrition, and other interventions). A subanalysis explored differences between patients with BD and patients with schizophrenia. RESULTS: The study included 2015 individuals with BD and 222,477 mentally healthy controls. Compared with the controls, individuals with BD died 5 years earlier, more often had comorbidities and thoracic cancer, and had fewer metastases, but did not have shorter delays from cancer diagnosis to death. After matching and adjustment for covariates, individuals with BD more often received palliative care in the last 3 days of life (25% versus 13%, p < .001) and less high-intensity care (e.g., chemotherapy 12% versus 15%, p = .004), but more artificial nutrition (6% versus 4.6%, p = .003). Compared with the schizophrenia comparison group, chemotherapy was received more by individuals with BD in the last 14 days of life (12.5% for BD versus 9.4%, p < .001). CONCLUSIONS: Individuals with BD were more likely to receive palliative care and less likely to receive high-intensity EOL care, except for artificial nutrition. These results may not be specific to BD, as no difference was found between patients with BD and schizophrenia except for chemotherapy.

Trauma-related mortality of patients with severe psychiatric disorders: population-based study from the French national hospital database.

BACKGROUND: Most research on mortality in people with severe psychiatric disorders has focused on natural causes of death. Little is known about trauma-related mortality, although bipolar disorder and schizophrenia have been associated with increased risk of self-administered injury and road accidents. AIMS: To determine if 30-day in-patient mortality from traumatic injury was increased in people with bipolar disorder and schizophrenia compared with those without psychiatric disorders. METHOD: A French national 2016 database of 144 058 hospital admissions for trauma was explored. Patients with bipolar disorder and schizophrenia were selected and matched with mentally healthy controls in a 1:3 ratio according to age, gender, social deprivation and region of residence. We collected the following data: sociodemographic characteristics, comorbidities, trauma severity characteristics and trauma circumstances. Study outcome was 30-day in-patient mortality. RESULTS: The study included 1059 people with bipolar disorder, 1575 people with schizophrenia and their respective controls (n = 3177 and n = 4725). The 30-day mortality was 5.7% in bipolar disorder, 5.1% in schizophrenia and 3.3 and 3.8% in the controls, respectively. Only bipolar disorder was associated with increased mortality in univariate analyses. This association remained significant after adjustment for sociodemographic characteristics and comorbidities but not after adjustment for trauma severity. Self-administered injuries were associated with increased mortality independent of the presence of a psychiatric diagnosis. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with bipolar disorder are at higher risk of 30-day mortality, probably through increased trauma severity. A self-administered injury is predictive of a poor survival prognosis regardless of psychiatric diagnosis.

Correction to: Flat-panel CT arthrography for cartilage defect detection in the ankle joint: first results in vivo.

The names of the following authors were inadvertently inverted in the original manuscript.

Flat-panel CT arthrography for cartilage defect detection in the ankle joint: first results in vivo.

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to compare the diagnostic performance of flat-panel computed tomography (FPCT) arthrography for cartilage defect detection in the ankle joint to direct magnetic resonance (MR) arthrography using multidetector computed tomography (MDCT) arthrography as the reference standard. METHODS: Twenty-seven patients with specific suspicion of articular cartilage lesion underwent ankle arthrography with injection of a mixture of diluted gadolinium and iobitridol and were examined consecutively with the use of FPCT, MDCT, and 1.5 T MR imaging. FPCT, MDCT, and MR arthrography examinations were blinded and randomly evaluated by two musculoskeletal radiologists in consensus. In each ankle, eight articular cartilage areas were assessed separately: medial talar surface, medial talar trochlea, lateral talar trochlea, lateral talar surface, tibial malleolus, medial tibial plafond, lateral tibial plafond, and fibular malleolus. Findings at FPCT and MR were compared with MDCT assessments in 216 cartilage areas. RESULTS: For the detection of cartilage defects, FPCT demonstrated a sensitivity of 97%, specificity of 95%, and accuracy of 96%; and MR arthrography showed a sensitivity of 69%, specificity of 94%, and accuracy of 87%. FPCT and MR arthrography presented almost perfect agreement (κ = 0.87) and moderate agreement (κ = 0.60), respectively, with MDCT arthrography. Mean diagnostic confidence was higher for FPCT (2.9/3) than for MR (2.3/3) and MDCT (2.7/3) arthrography. CONCLUSIONS: FPCT demonstrated better accuracy than did 1.5 T MR arthrography for cartilage defect detection in the ankle joint. Therefore, FPCT should be considered in patients scheduled for dedicated imaging of ankle articular cartilage.

High-intensity end-of-life care among children, adolescents, and young adults with cancer who die in the hospital: A population-based study from the French national hospital database.

BACKGROUND: Efforts to improve the quality of end-of-life (EOL) care depend on better knowledge of the care that children, adolescents, and young adults with cancer receive, including high-intensity EOL (HI-EOL) care. The objective was to assess the rates of HI-EOL care in this population and to determine patient- and hospital-related predictors of HI-EOL from the French national hospital database. METHODS: This was a population-based, retrospective study of a cohort of patients aged 0 to 25 years at the time of death who died at hospital as a result of cancer in France between 2014 and 2016. The primary outcome was HI-EOL care, defined as the occurrence of ≥1 chemotherapy session <14 days from death, receiving care in an intensive care unit ≥1 time, >1 emergency room admission, and >1 hospitalization in an acute care unit in the last 30 days of life. RESULTS: The study included 1899 individuals from 345 hospitals; 61.4% experienced HI-EOL care. HI-EOL was increased with social disadvantage (adjusted odds ratio [AOR], 1.30; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.03-1.65; P = .028), hematological malignancies (AOR, 2.09; 95% CI, 1.57-2.77; P < .001), complex chronic conditions (AOR, 1.60; 95% CI, 1.23-2.09; P = .001) and care delivered in a specialty center (AOR, 1.70; 95% CI, 1.22-2.36; P = .001). HI-EOL was reduced in cases of palliative care (AOR, 0.31; 95% CI, 0.24-0.41; P < .001). CONCLUSION: A majority of children, adolescents, and young adults experience HI-EOL care. Several features (eg, social disadvantage, cancer diagnosis, complex chronic conditions, and specialty center care) were associated with HI-EOL care. These findings should now be discussed with patients, families, and professionals to define the optimal EOL.

Impaired vocal communication, sleep-related discharges, and transient alteration of slow-wave sleep in developing mice lacking the GluN2A subunit of N-methyl-d-aspartate receptors.

OBJECTIVE: Glutamate-gated N-methyl-d-aspartate receptors (NMDARs) are instrumental to brain development and functioning. Defects in the GRIN2A gene, encoding the GluN2A subunit of NMDARs, cause slow-wave sleep (SWS)-related disorders of the epilepsy-aphasia spectrum (EAS). The as-yet poorly understood developmental sequence of early EAS-related phenotypes, and the role of GluN2A-containing NMDARs in the development of SWS and associated electroencephalographic (EEG) activity patterns, were investigated in Grin2a knockout (KO) mice. METHODS: Early social communication was investigated by ultrasonic vocalization (USV) recordings; the relationship of electrical activity of the cerebral cortex with SWS was studied using deep local field potential or chronic EEG recordings at various postnatal stages. RESULTS: Grin2a KO pups displayed altered USV and increased occurrence of high-voltage spindles. The pattern of slow-wave activity induced by low-dose isoflurane was altered in Grin2a KO mice in the 3rd postnatal week and at 1 month of age. These alterations included strong suppression of the delta oscillation power and an increase in the occurrence of the spike-wave bursts. The proportion of SWS and the sleep quality were transiently reduced in Grin2a KO mice aged 1 month but recovered by the age of 2 months. Grin2a KO mice also displayed spontaneous spike-wave discharges, which occurred nearly exclusively during SWS, at 1 and 2 months of age. SIGNIFICANCE: The impaired vocal communication, the spike-wave discharges occurring almost exclusively in SWS, and the age-dependent alteration of SWS that were all seen in Grin2a KO mice matched the sleep-related and age-dependent manifestations seen in children with EAS, hence validating the Grin2a KO as a reliable model of EAS disorders. Our data also show that GluN2A-containing NMDARs are involved in slow-wave activity, and that the period of postnatal brain development (postnatal day 30) when several anomalies peaked might be critical for GluN2A-dependent, sleep-related physiological and pathological processes.

Predictors of uterine fibroid volume reduction under ulipristal acetate: a prospective MRI study.

RESEARCH QUESTION: Can patient and/or uterine fibroid characteristics predict the volume reduction of fibroids under ulipristal acetate (UPA) treatment? DESIGN: This was a monocentric observational prospective cohort study of women with symptomatic fibroids who were willing to undergo surgery after a 3-month treatment of daily 5 mg doses of UPA. Patients underwent magnetic resonance imaging before and after treatment, and the volumes of the three largest fibroids were assessed. The reduction in volume was assessed qualitatively: fibroids decreasing in volume were considered to be 'responsive' to treatment, and fibroids that were stable or increased in volume were considered to be 'non-responsive'. Comparisons were made of patient (age and body mass index) and fibroid (initial volume, number and location) characteristics between fibroids that were responsive and non-responsive to UPA treatment. RESULTS: Fifty-three women were included in the final analysis and 116 fibroids were measured. The initial number and initial volume of the fibroids were statistically associated with the response to UPA treatment (adjusted odds ratio [OR] 0.645, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.461-0.903, P = 0.0115 for number of fibroids, and adjusted OR 1.447, 95% CI 1.063-1.970, P = 0.0195 for initial volume, with a log-linear relationship). Submucosal fibroids had a higher response rate to treatment (i.e. a decrease in volume) than intramural fibroids (21/25 [84.0%] versus 15/28 [53.6%]; P = 0.0490; adjusted OR 4.478, 95% CI 1.007-19.918). CONCLUSIONS: The location, initial volume and number of fibroids may allow prediction of the outcome of a single 3-month treatment course of daily 5 mg doses of UPA in terms of reduction in volume before surgery.