Psychological Distress After Inpatient Noncardiac Surgery: A Secondary Analysis of the Measurement of Exercise Tolerance Before Surgery Prospective Cohort Study.

OBJECTIVE: To describe the incidence and natural progression of psychological distress after major surgery. BACKGROUND: The recovery process after surgery imposes physical and mental burdens that put patients at risk of psychological distress. Understanding the natural course of psychological distress after surgery is critical to supporting the timely and tailored management of high-risk individuals. METHODS: We conducted a secondary analysis of the "Measurement of Exercise Tolerance before Surgery" multicentre cohort study (Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and the UK). Measurement of Exercise Tolerance before Surgery recruited adult participants (≥40 years) undergoing elective inpatient noncardiac surgery and followed them for 1 year. The primary outcome was the severity of psychological distress measured using the anxiety-depression item of EQ-5D-3L. We used cumulative link mixed models to characterize the time trajectory of psychological distress among relevant patient subgroups. We also explored potential predictors of severe and/or worsened psychological distress at 1 year using multivariable logistic regression models. RESULTS: Of 1546 participants, moderate-to-severe psychological distress was reported by 32.6% of participants before surgery, 27.3% at 30 days after surgery, and 26.2% at 1 year after surgery. Psychological distress appeared to improve over time among females [odds ratio (OR): 0.80, 95% CI: 0.65-0.95] and patients undergoing orthopedic procedures (OR: 0.73, 95% CI: 0.55-0.91), but not among males (OR: 0.87, 95% CI: 0.87-1.07) or patients undergoing nonorthopedic procedures (OR: 0.95, 95% CI: 0.87-1.04). Among the average middle-aged adult, there were no time-related changes (OR: 0.94, 97% CI: 0.75-1.13), whereas the young-old (OR: 0.89, 95% CI: 0.79-0.99) and middle-old (OR: 0.87, 95% CI: 0.73-1.01) had small improvements. Predictors of severe and/or worsened psychological distress at 1 year were younger age, poor self-reported functional capacity, smoking history, and undergoing open surgery. CONCLUSIONS: One-third of adults experience moderate to severe psychological distress before major elective noncardiac surgery. This distress tends to persist or worsen over time among select patient subgroups.

The Association of Cannabis Use After Discharge From Surgery With Opioid Consumption and Patient-reported Outcomes.

OBJECTIVE: To compare outcomes of patients using versus not using cannabis as a treatment for pain after discharge from surgery. BACKGROUND: Cannabis is increasingly available and is often taken by patients to relieve pain. However, it is unclear whether cannabis use for pain after surgery impacts opioid consumption and postoperative outcomes. METHODS: Using Michigan Surgical Quality Collaborative registry data at 69 hospitals, we analyzed a cohort of patients undergoing 16 procedure types between January 1, 2021, and October 31, 2021. The key exposure was cannabis use for pain after surgery. Outcomes included postdischarge opioid consumption (primary) and patient-reported outcomes of pain, satisfaction, quality of life, and regret to undergo surgery (secondary). RESULTS: Of 11,314 included patients (58% females, mean age: 55.1 years), 581 (5.1%) reported using cannabis to treat pain after surgery. In adjusted models, patients who used cannabis consumed an additional 1.0 (95% CI: 0.4-1.5) opioid pills after surgery. Patients who used cannabis were more likely to report moderate-to-severe surgical site pain at 1 week (adjusted odds ratio: 1.7, 95% CIL 1.4-2.1) and 1 month (adjusted odds ratio: 2.1, 95% CI: 1.7-2.7) after surgery. Patients who used cannabis were less likely to endorse high satisfaction (72.1% vs 82.6%), best quality of life (46.7% vs 63.0%), and no regret (87.6% vs 92.7%) (all P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Patient-reported cannabis use, to treat postoperative pain, was associated with increased opioid consumption after discharge from surgery that was of clinically insignificant amounts, but worse pain and other postoperative patient-reported outcomes.

Perioperative Naltrexone Management: A Scoping Review by the Perioperative Pain and Addiction Interdisciplinary Network.

Substance use disorders, including alcohol use disorder, are a public health concern that affect more than 150 million people globally. The opioid antagonist naltrexone is being increasingly prescribed to treat opioid use disorder, alcohol use disorder, and chronic pain. Perioperative management of patients on naltrexone is inconsistent and remains a controversial topic, with mismanagement posing a significant risk to the long-term health of these patients. This scoping review was conducted to identify human studies in which the perioperative management of naltrexone was described. This review includes a systematic literature search involving Medline, Medline In-Process, Embase, PsycINFO, and Web of Science. Seventeen articles that describe perioperative naltrexone management strategies were included, including thirteen guidelines, one case report, and three randomized trials. Despite its use in patients with alcohol use disorder and chronic pain, no clinical studies, case reports, or guidelines addressed naltrexone use in these clinical populations. All of the guideline documents recommended the preoperative cessation of naltrexone, irrespective of dose, indication, or route of administration. None of these guideline documents were designed on the basis of a systematic literature search or a Delphi protocol. As described by the primary studies, perioperative pain relief varied depending on naltrexone dose and route of administration, time since last naltrexone administration, and underlying substance use disorder. None of the studies commented on the maintenance of recovery for the patient's substance use disorder in the context of perioperative naltrexone management. The current understanding of the risks and benefits of continuing or stopping naltrexone perioperatively is limited by a lack of high-quality evidence. In patients with risk factors for return to use of opioids or alcohol, the discontinuation of naltrexone should have a strong rationale. Future studies and guidelines should seek to address both acute pain management and maintaining recovery when discussing perioperative naltrexone management strategies.

Intraoperative Hypotension in Patients Having Major Noncardiac Surgery Under General Anesthesia: A Systematic Review of Blood Pressure Optimization Strategies.

INTRODUCTION: Intraoperative hypotension is associated with increased risks of postoperative complications. Consequently, a variety of blood pressure optimization strategies have been tested to prevent or promptly treat intraoperative hypotension. We performed a systematic review to summarize randomized controlled trials that evaluated the efficacy of blood pressure optimization interventions in either mitigating exposure to intraoperative hypotension or reducing risks of postoperative complications. METHODS: Medline, Embase, PubMed, and Cochrane Controlled Register of Trials were searched from database inception to August 2, 2023, for randomized controlled trials (without language restriction) that evaluated the impact of any blood pressure optimization intervention on intraoperative hypotension and/or postoperative outcomes. RESULTS: The review included 48 studies (N = 46,377), which evaluated 10 classes of blood pressure optimization interventions. Commonly assessed interventions included hemodynamic protocols using arterial waveform analysis, preoperative withholding of antihypertensive medications, continuous blood pressure monitoring, and adjuvant agents (vasopressors, anticholinergics, anticonvulsants). These same interventions reduced intraoperative exposure to hypotension. Conversely, low blood pressure alarms had an inconsistent impact on exposure to hypotension. Aside from limited evidence that higher prespecified intraoperative blood pressure targets led to a reduced risk of complications, there were few data suggesting that these interventions prevented postoperative complications. Heterogeneity in interventions and outcomes precluded meta-analysis. CONCLUSIONS: Several different blood pressure optimization interventions show promise in reducing exposure to intraoperative hypotension. Nonetheless, the impact of these interventions on clinical outcomes remains unclear. Future trials should assess promising interventions in samples sufficiently large to identify clinically plausible treatment effects on important outcomes.

A Prospective Cohort Study of Acute Pain and In-Hospital Opioid Consumption After Cardiac Surgery: Associations With Psychological and Medical Factors and Chronic Postsurgical Pain.

BACKGROUND: Understanding the association of acute pain intensity and opioid consumption after cardiac surgery with chronic postsurgical pain (CPSP) can facilitate implementation of personalized prevention measures to improve outcomes. The objectives were to (1) examine acute pain intensity and daily mg morphine equivalent dose (MME/day) trajectories after cardiac surgery, (2) identify factors associated with pain intensity and opioid consumption trajectories, and (3) assess whether pain intensity and opioid consumption trajectories are risk factors for CPSP. METHODS: Prospective observational cohort study design conducted between August 2012 and June 2020 with 1-year follow-up. A total of 1115 adults undergoing cardiac surgery were recruited from the preoperative clinic. Of the 959 participants included in the analyses, 573 completed the 1-year follow-up. Main outcomes were pain intensity scores and MME/day consumption over the first 6 postoperative days (PODs) analyzed using latent growth mixture modeling (GMM). Secondary outcome was 12-month CPSP status. RESULTS: Participants were mostly male (76%), with a mean age of 61 ± 13 years. Three distinct linear acute postoperative pain intensity trajectories were identified: "initially moderate pain intensity remaining moderate" (n = 62), "initially mild pain intensity remaining mild" (n = 221), and "initially moderate pain intensity decreasing to mild" (n = 251). Age, sex, emotional distress in response to bodily sensations, and sensitivity to pain traumatization were significantly associated with pain intensity trajectories. Three distinct opioid consumption trajectories were identified on the log MME/day: "initially high level of MME/day gradually decreasing" (n = 89), "initially low level of MME/day remaining low" (n = 108), and "initially moderate level of MME/day decreasing to low" (n = 329). Age and emotional distress in response to bodily sensations were associated with trajectory membership. Individuals in the "initially mild pain intensity remaining mild" trajectory were less likely than those in the "initially moderate pain intensity remaining moderate" trajectory to report CPSP (odds ratio [95% confidence interval, CI], 0.23 [0.06-0.88]). No significant associations were observed between opioid consumption trajectory membership and CPSP status (odds ratio [95% CI], 0.84 [0.28-2.54] and 0.95 [0.22-4.13]). CONCLUSIONS: Those with moderate pain intensity right after surgery are more likely to develop CPSP suggesting that those patients should be flagged early on in their postoperative recovery to attempt to alter their trajectory and prevent CPSP. Emotional distress in response to bodily sensations is the only consistent modifiable factor associated with both pain and opioid trajectories.

Incidence and relative risk of delirium after major surgery for patients with pre-operative depression: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Delirium is a common and potentially serious complication after major surgery. A previous history of depression is a known risk factor for experiencing delirium in patients admitted to the hospital, but the generalised risk has not been estimated in surgical patients. METHODS: We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of studies reporting the incidence or relative risk (or relative odds) of delirium in the immediate postoperative period for adults with pre-operative depression. We included studies that defined depression as either a formal pre-existing diagnosis or having clinically important depressive symptoms measured using a patient-reported instrument before surgery. Multilevel random effects meta-analyses were used to estimate the pooled incidences and pooled relative risks. We also conducted subgroup analyses by various study-level characteristics to identify important moderators of pooled estimates. RESULTS: Forty-two studies (n = 4,664,051) from five continents were included. The pooled incidence of postoperative delirium for patients with pre-operative depression was 29% (95%CI 17-43%, I2 = 99.0%), compared with 15% (95%CI 6-28%, I2 = 99.8%) in patients without pre-operative depression and 21% (95% CI 11-33%, I2 = 99.8%) in the cohorts overall. For patients with pre-operative depression, the risk of delirium was 1.91 times greater (95%CI 1.68-2.17, I2 = 42.0%) compared with patients without pre-operative depression. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with a previous diagnosis of depression or clinically important depressive symptoms before surgery have substantially greater risk of experiencing delirium after surgery. Clinicians and patients should be informed of these increased risks. Robust screening and other risk mitigation strategies for postoperative delirium are warranted, especially for patients with pre-operative depression.

Prevalence and Risk Factors for Chronic Postsurgical Pain After Thoracic Surgery: A Prospective Cohort Study.

OBJECTIVE: Thoracic surgery is associated with one of the highest rates of chronic postsurgical pain (CPSP) among all surgical subtypes. Chronic postsurgical pain carries significant medical, psychological, and economic consequences, and further interventions are needed to prevent its development. This study aimed to determine the prevalence, characteristics, and risk factors associated with CPSP after thoracic surgery. DESIGN: A prospective cohort study. SETTING: Single-center tertiary care hospital. PARTICIPANTS: This study included 285 adult patients who underwent thoracic surgery at Toronto General Hospital in Toronto, Canada, between 2012 and 2020. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Demographic, psychological, and clinical data were collected perioperatively, and follow-up evaluations were administered at 3, 6, and 12 months after surgery to assess CPSP. Chronic postsurgical pain was reported in 32.4%, 25.4%, and 18.2% of patients at 3, 6, and 12 months postoperatively, respectively. Average CPSP pain intensity was rated to be 3.37 (SD 1.82) at 3 months. Features of neuropathic pain were present in 48.7% of patients with CPSP at 3 months and 71% at 1 year. Multivariate logistic regression models indicated that independent predictors for CPSP at 3 months were scores on the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] of 1.07, 95% CI of 1.02 to 1.14, p = 0.012) and acute postoperative pain (aOR of 2.75, 95% CI of 1.19 to 6.36, p = 0.018). INTERVENTIONS: None. CONCLUSIONS: Approximately 1 in 3 patients will continue to have pain at 3 months after surgery, with a large proportion reporting neuropathic features. Risk factors for pain at 3 months may include preoperative anxiety and depression and acute postoperative pain.

Improved Re-estimation of Perioperative Cardiac Risk Using the Surgical Apgar Score: A Retrospective Cohort Study.

OBJECTIVE: To assess whether the Surgical Apgar Score (SAS) improves re-estimation of perioperative cardiac risk. BACKGROUND: The SAS is a novel risk index that integrates three relevant and easily measurable intraoperative parameters (blood loss, heart rate, mean arterial pressure) to predict outcomes. The incremental prognostic value of the SAS when used in combination with standard preoperative risk indices is unclear. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective cohort study of adults (18 years and older) who underwent elective noncardiac surgery at a quaternary care hospital in Canada (2009-2014). The primary outcome was postoperative acute myocardial injury. The SAS (range 0-10) was calculated based on intraoperative estimated blood loss, lowest mean arterial pressure, and lowest heart rate documented in electronic medical records. Incremental prognostic value of the SAS when combined with the Revised Cardiac Risk Index was assessed based on discrimination (c-statistic), reclassification (integrated discrimination improvement, net reclassification index), and clinical utility (decision curve analysis). RESULTS: The cohort included 16,835 patients, of whom 607 (3.6%) patients had acute postoperative myocardial injury. Addition of the SAS to the Revised Cardiac Risk Index improved risk estimation based on the integrated discrimination improvement [2.0%; 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.5%-2.4%], continuous net reclassification index (54%; 95% CI: 46%-62%), and c-index, which increased from 0.68 (95% CI: 0.65-0.70) to 0.75 (95% CI: 0.73-0.77). On decision curve analysis, addition of the SAS to the Revised Cardiac Risk Index resulted in a higher net benefit at all decision thresholds. CONCLUSIONS: When combined with a validated preoperative risk index, the SAS improved the accuracy of cardiac risk assessment for noncardiac surgery. Further research is needed to delineate how intraoperative data can better guide postoperative decision-making.

The Effect of Cryotherapy Application on Postoperative Pain: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.

OBJECTIVE: To systematically review and meta-analyze whether the application of cryotherapy on closed incisions reduces postoperative pain and opioid consumption. BACKGROUND: Reduction of acute pain and opioid use is important in the postoperative phase of patient care. ''Cryotherapy'' refers to the use of low temperatures for therapeutic purposes. METHODS: MEDLINE, EMBASE, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials and Online registries of clinical trial were search until October 2019. RCT that examined postoperative application of cryotherapy over surgical incisions in adults compared to no cryotherapy were eligible. Selection, extraction, and risk of bias appraisal were completed in duplicate. Data were synthesized using random effects meta-analyses. The outcomes of interest were postoperative pain, opioid use, hospital length of stay (LOS) and surgical site infection (SSI). RESULTS: Fifty-one RCTs (N = 3425 patients) were included. With moderate certainty evidence, patients treated with cryotherapy experienced a reduction in pain on postoperative day 1 (standardized mean differences -0.50, 95% CI -0.71 to -0.29, l 2= 74%) and day 2 (standardized mean differences -0.63, 95% CI -0.91 to -0.35, I 2 = 83%) relative to without cryotherapy application. With moderate certainty of evidence, cryotherapy reduces opioid consumption in morphine milliequivalents and morphine milliequivalents/kg, (mean differences -7.43, 95% CI -12.42, -2.44, I 2 = 96%) and (mean differences -0.89, 95% CI -1.45, -0.33, I 2 = 99%), respectively. With low certainty evidence, cryotherapy does not affect hospital LOS or rate of SSI. CONCLUSION: Cryotherapy is a pragmatic, noncostly intervention that reduces postoperative pain and opioid consumption with no effect on SSI rate or hospital LOS.

Surgeon Postoperative Opioid Prescribing Intensity and Risk of Persistent Opioid Use Among Opioid-naive Adult Patients: A Population-based Cohort Study.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to determine the relationship between surgeon opioid prescribing intensity and subsequent persistent opioid use among patients undergoing surgery. SUMMARY BACKGROUND DATA: The extent to which different postoperative prescribing practices lead to persistent opioid use among surgical patients is poorly understood. METHODS: Retrospective population-based cohort study assessing opioid-naive adults who underwent 1 of 4 common surgeries. For each surgical procedure, the surgeons' opioid prescribing intensity was categorized into quartiles based on the median daily dose of morphine equivalents of opioids dispensed within 7 days of the surgical visit for all the surgeons' patients. The primary outcome was persistent opioid use in the year after surgery, defined as 180 days or more of opioids supplied within the year after the index date excluding prescriptions filled within 30 days of the index date. Secondary outcomes included a refill for an opioid within 30 days and emergency department visits and hospitalizations within 1 year. RESULTS: Among 112,744 surgical patients, patients with surgeons in the highest intensity quartile (Q4) were more likely to fill an opioid prescription within 7 days after surgery compared with those in the lowest quartile (Q1) (83.3% Q4 vs 65.4% Q1). In the primary analysis, the incidence of persistent opioid use in the year after surgery was rare in both highest and lowest quartiles (0.3% Q4 vs 0.3% Q1), adjusted odds ratio (AOR) of 1.18, 95% CI 0.83-1.66). However, multiple analyses using stricter definitions of persistent use that included the requirement of a prescription filled within 7 days of discharge after surgery showed a significant association with surgeon quartile (up to an AOR 1.36, 95% CI 1.25, 1.47). Patients in Q4 were more likely to refill a prescription within 30 days (4.8% Q4 vs 4.0% Q1, AOR 1.14, 95% CI 1.04-1.24). CONCLUSIONS: Surgeons' overall prescribing practices may contribute to persistent opioid use and represent a target for quality improvement. However, the association was highly sensitive to the definition of persistent use used.

Use of Psychedelics for Pain: A Scoping Review.

Chronic pain is a public health concern that affects approximately 1.5 billion people globally. Conventional therapeutic agents including opioid and non-opioid analgesics have been associated with adverse side effects, issues with addiction, and ineffective analgesia. Novel agents repurposed to treat pain via different mechanisms are needed to fill the therapeutic gap in chronic pain management. Psychedelics such as lysergic acid diethylamide and psilocybin (the active ingredient in psychedelic mushrooms) are thought to alter pain perception through direct serotonin receptor agonism, anti-inflammatory effects, and synaptic remodeling. This scoping review was conducted to identify human studies in which psychedelic agents were used for the treatment of pain. Twenty-one articles that assessed the effects of psychedelics in treating various pain states were included. The present scarcity of clinical trials and small sample sizes limit their application for clinical use. Overall, psychedelics appear to show promise for analgesia in patients with certain headache disorders and cancer pain diagnoses. Future studies must aim to examine the combined effects of psychotherapy and psychedelics on chronic pain.

Nonopioid Analgesic Prescriptions Filled after Surgery among Older Adults in Ontario, Canada: A Population-based Cohort Study.

BACKGROUND: The objective was to assess changes over time in prescriptions filled for nonopioid analgesics for older postoperative patients in the immediate postdischarge period. The authors hypothesized that the number of patients who filled a nonopioid analgesic prescription increased during the study period. METHODS: The authors performed a population-based cohort study using linked health administrative data of 278,366 admissions aged 66 yr or older undergoing surgery between fiscal year 2013 and 2019 in Ontario, Canada. The primary outcome was the percentage of patients with new filled prescriptions for nonopioid analgesics within 7 days of discharge, and the secondary outcome was the analgesic class. The authors assessed whether patients filled prescriptions for a nonopioid only, an opioid only, both opioid and nonopioid prescriptions, or a combination opioid/nonopioid. RESULTS: Overall, 22% (n = 60,181) of patients filled no opioid prescription, 2% (n = 5,534) filled a nonopioid only, 21% (n = 59,608) filled an opioid only, and 55% (n = 153,043) filled some combination of opioid and nonopioid. The percentage of patients who filled a nonopioid prescription within 7 days postoperatively increased from 9% (n = 2,119) in 2013 to 28% (n = 13,090) in 2019, with the greatest increase for acetaminophen: 3% (n = 701) to 20% (n = 9,559). The percentage of patients who filled a combination analgesic prescription decreased from 53% (n = 12,939) in 2013 to 28% (n = 13,453) in 2019. However, the percentage who filled both an opioid and nonopioid prescription increased: 4% (n = 938) to 21% (n = 9,880) so that the overall percentage of patients who received both an opioid and a nonopioid remained constant over time 76% (n = 18,642) in 2013 to 75% (n = 35,391) in 2019. CONCLUSIONS: The proportion of postoperative patients who fill prescriptions for nonopioid analgesics has increased. However, rather than a move to use of nonopioids alone for analgesia, this represents a shift away from combination medications toward separate prescriptions for opioids and nonopioids.

Factors influencing withdrawal of life-supporting treatment in cervical spinal cord injury: a large multicenter observational cohort study.

BACKGROUND: Traumatic spinal cord injury (SCI) leads to profound neurologic sequelae, and the provision of life-supporting treatment serves great importance among this patient population. The decision for withdrawal of life-supporting treatment (WLST) in complete traumatic SCI is complex with the lack of guidelines and limited understanding of practice patterns. We aimed to evaluate the individual and contextual factors associated with the decision for WLST and assess between-center differences in practice patterns across North American trauma centers for patients with complete cervical SCI. METHODS: This retrospective multicenter observational cohort study utilized data derived from the American College of Surgeons Trauma Quality Improvement Program database between 2017 and 2020. The study included adult patients (> 16 years) with complete cervical SCI. We constructed a multilevel mixed effect logistic regression model to adjust for patient, injury and hospital factors influencing WLST. Factors associated with WLST were estimated through odds ratios with 95% confidence intervals. Hospital variability was characterized using the median odds ratio. Unexplained residual variability was assessed through the proportional change in variation between models. RESULTS: We identified 5070 patients with complete cervical SCI treated across 477 hospitals, of which 960 (18.9%) had WLST. Patient-level factors associated with significantly increased likelihood of WLST were advanced age, male sex, white race, prior dementia, low presenting Glasgow Coma Scale score, having a pre-hospital cardiac arrest, SCI level of C3 or above, and concurrent severe injury to the head or thorax. Patient-level factors associated with significantly decreased likelihood of WLST included being racially Black or Asian. There was significant variability across hospitals in the likelihood for WLST while accounting for case-mix, hospital size, and teaching status (MOR 1.51 95% CI 1.22-1.75). CONCLUSIONS: A notable proportion of patients with complete cervical SCI undergo WLST during their in-hospital admission. We have highlighted several factors associated with this decision and identified considerable variability between hospitals. Further work to standardize WLST guidelines may improve equity of care provided to this patient population.

Impact of COVID-19 on electroconvulsive therapy practice across Canadian provinces during the first wave of the pandemic.

BACKGROUND: Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) is a procedural treatment that is potentially life-saving for some patients with severe psychiatric illness. At the start of the global coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, ECT practice was remarkably disrupted, putting vulnerable individuals at increased risk of symptom exacerbation and death by suicide. This study aimed to capture the self-reported experiences of psychiatrists based at healthcare facilities across Canadian provinces who were delivering ECT treatments during the first phase of the COVID-19 pandemic (i.e., from mid-March 2020 to mid-May 2020). METHODS: A multidisciplinary team of experts developed a survey focusing on five domains: ECT unit operations, decision-making, hospital resources, ECT procedure, and mitigating patient impact. Responses were collected from psychiatrists providing ECT at 67 ECT centres in Canada, grouped by four geographical regions (Ontario, Quebec, Atlantic Canada, and Western Canada). RESULTS: Clinical operations of ECT programs were disrupted across all four regions - however, centres in Atlantic Canada were able to best preserve outpatient and maintenance care, while centres in Western Canada were able to best preserve inpatient and acute care. Similarly, Atlantic and Western Canada demonstrated the best decision-making practices of involving the ECT team and clinical ethicists in the development of pandemic-related guidelines. Across all four regions, ECT practice was affected by the redeployment of professionals, the shortage of personal protective equipment, and the need to enforce social distancing. Attempts to introduce modifications to the ECT delivery room and minimize bag-valve-mask ventilation were consistently reported. All four regions developed a new patient prioritization framework, and Western Canada, notably, aimed to provide ECT to only the most severe cases. CONCLUSIONS: The results suggest that ECT provision was disproportionately affected across different parts of Canada. Possible factors that could explain these interregional differences include population, distribution of urban vs. rural areas, pre-pandemic barriers in access to ECT, number of cases, ability to control the spread of infection, and the general reduction in physicians' activities across different areas of health care. Studying these factors in the future will inform how medical centres should respond to public health emergencies and pandemic-related circumstances in the context of procedural treatments.

Use of injections for chronic pain from 2010 to 2019 in Ontario, Canada.

PURPOSE: The management of chronic pain often involves interventional procedures such as injections. Nevertheless, there have been concerns raised regarding the frequency with which these injections are being performed. We conducted a descriptive study to examine trends in the use of pain injections over a ten-year time period in Ontario, Canada. METHODS: We used provincial administrative data to conduct a retrospective observational study of the most common pain injections performed from 2010 to 2019 in Ontario. We determined the frequency of pain injections and their associated physician billings from physician billing data. RESULTS: A total of 18,050,058 pain injections were included in this study with an associated total cost of CAD 865,431,605. There was a threefold increase in the number of blocks performed annually and associated costs, rising from 1,009,324 blocks (CAD 50,026,678) in 2010 to 3,198,679 blocks (CAD 156,809,081) in 2019. The majority of injections were performed by general practioners (70.8%), followed by anesthesiologists (8.3%). CONCLUSION: This descriptive study revealed a rapid increase in the frequency of pain injections performed in Ontario from 2010 to 2019. Given the associated costs and potential risks, this warrants further investigation to ensure that these interventions are being administered appropriately.

RéSUMé: OBJECTIF: La prise en charge de la douleur chronique implique souvent des procédures interventionnelles telles que des injections. Néanmoins, des préoccupations ont été soulevées quant à la fréquence à laquelle ces injections sont administrées. Nous avons réalisé une étude descriptive pour examiner les tendances dans l'utilisation d'injections pour soulager la douleur sur une période de dix ans en Ontario, au Canada. MéTHODE: Nous avons utilisé les données administratives provinciales pour réaliser une étude observationnelle rétrospective des injections pour soulager la douleur les plus courantes effectuées de 2010 à 2019 en Ontario. Nous avons déterminé la fréquence des injections pour soulager la douleur et les facturations des médecins associées à partir des données de facturation des médecins. RéSULTATS: Au total, 18 050 058 injections pour soulager la douleur ont été incluses dans cette étude, avec un coût total associé de 865 431 605 CAD. Le nombre de blocs exécutés chaque année et les coûts associés ont triplé, passant de 1 009 324 blocs (50 026 678 CAD) en 2010 à 3 198 679 blocs (156 809 081 CAD) en 2019. La majorité des injections ont été administrées par des médecins généralistes (70,8 %), suivis par des anesthésiologistes (8,3 %). CONCLUSION: Cette étude descriptive a révélé une augmentation rapide de la fréquence des injections pour soulager la douleur et administrées en Ontario de 2010 à 2019. Compte tenu des coûts associés et des risques potentiels, cela justifie une enquête plus approfondie pour s'assurer que ces interventions sont administrées de manière appropriée.

Interventional pain blocks in Ontario: a population-based cross-sectional study on 2019 procedural volumes, clustering, and physician billings.

PURPOSE: Multidisciplinary chronic pain management includes pharmacologic, psychological, and interventional strategies. In Canada, the use of interventional pain blocks (PBs) has increased in recent years. We sought to determine the distribution and clustering of PBs among physicians in Ontario, and to examine differences in the patient and physician characteristics by volume of PBs administered. METHODS: We conducted a population-based cross-sectional study of PBs administered for chronic pain to Ontario residents between 1 January and 31 December 2019. Our primary outcome was the total number of PBs administered in an outpatient setting for chronic pain by eligible physicians. We used Lorenz curves, overall and stratified by PB type and physician specialty, to examine clustering of PBs among physicians, and compared patient and physician characteristics using standardized differences. RESULTS: Among physicians who provided PBs, provision was highly clustered, with the top 1% of physicians providing 39% of blocks. In these high-volume PB providers, the majority of whom were general practitioners (88.4%), PBs made up the vast majority (median [interquartile range (IQR)], 87% [84-89]) of their billings, with the majority of the patients in their practices (63.0%) receiving at least one PB in 2019. Patients who received a PB from a high-volume provider had a higher annual frequency of visit for PBs (median [IQR], 10 [3-23]) and number of PBs administered per visit (median [IQR], 5 [4-6]). CONCLUSION: Pain block administration is highly clustered in Ontario, with many patients receiving PBs in ways that are not supported by best evidence. Further research is required to determine whether the Ontario fee-for-service model of billing has created a suboptimal use of these health care resources.

RéSUMé: OBJECTIF: La prise en charge multidisciplinaire de la douleur chronique comprend des stratégies pharmacologiques, psychologiques et interventionnelles. Au Canada, l'utilisation de blocs interventionnels pour la douleur (PB pour 'pain block') a augmenté au cours des dernières années. Nous avons cherché à déterminer la répartition et le regroupement des PB parmi les médecins en Ontario, et à examiner les différences dans les caractéristiques de la patientèle et des médecins selon le volume de blocs administrés. MéTHODE: Nous avons mené une étude transversale basée sur la population des PB administrés pour traiter la douleur chronique aux personnes résidant en Ontario entre le 1er janvier et le 31 décembre 2019. Notre critère d'évaluation principal était le nombre total de blocs pour la douleur administrés en ambulatoire pour la douleur chronique par des médecins éligibles. Nous avons utilisé les courbes de Lorenz, globalement et stratifiées par type de blocs pour la douleur et par spécialité médicale, pour examiner le regroupement des PB parmi les médecins, et comparé les caractéristiques de la patientèle et des médecins en utilisant des différences standardisées. RéSULTATS: Parmi les médecins qui réalisaient des PB, l'offre était fortement regroupée, le 1 % supérieur des médecins réalisant 39 % des blocs. Parmi ces médecins réalisant un volume élevé de PB, dont la majorité étaient des médecins généralistes (88,4 %), les PB représentaient la grande majorité ([écart interquartile (ÉIQ)] médian, 87 % [84-89]) de leur facturation, la majorité (63,0 %) des patient·es de leur cabinet recevant au moins un bloc pour la douleur en 2019. Les patient·es qui ont reçu un PB d'un prestataire à volume élevé avaient une fréquence annuelle de visite plus élevée pour les PB (médiane [ÉIQ], 10 [3-23]) et un nombre plus élevé de PB administrés par visite (médiane [ÉIQ], 5 [4-6]). CONCLUSION: L'administration de blocs pour la douleur est fortement concentrée en Ontario, bon nombre de patient·es recevant des PB d'une manière qui n'est pas appuyée par les meilleures données probantes. D'autres recherches sont nécessaires pour déterminer si le modèle de facturation à l'acte de l'Ontario a créé une utilisation sous-optimale de ces ressources en soins de santé.

Association between preoperative cardiac risk assessment and health care costs in major noncardiac surgery: a multicentre health economic analysis.

PURPOSE: Patients with impaired functional capacity who undergo major surgery are at increased risk of postoperative morbidity including complications and increased length of stay. These outcomes have been associated with increased hospital and health system costs. We aimed to assess whether common preoperative risk indices are associated with postoperative cost. METHODS: We conducted a health economic analysis focused on the subset of Measurement of Exercise Tolerance before Surgery (METS) study participants in Ontario, Canada. Participants were scheduled for major elective noncardiac surgery and underwent several preoperative assessments of cardiac risk, including physicians' subjective assessment, Duke Activity Status Index (DASI) questionnaire, peak oxygen consumption, and N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide concentration. Using linked health administrative data, postoperative costs were calculated for both one year and in-hospital. Using multiple regression models, we tested for association between the preoperative measures of cardiac risk and postoperative costs. RESULTS: Our study included 487 patients (mean [standard deviation] age 68 [11] yr and 47.0% female) who underwent noncardiac surgery between 13 June 2013 and 8 March 2016. Overall, the median [interquartile range] cost incurred within one year postoperatively was CAD 27,587 [13,902-32,590], of which CAD 12,928 [10,253-12,810] were incurred in-hospital and CAD 14,497 [10,917-15,017] were incurred by 30 days. None of the four preoperative measures of cardiac risk assessment were associated with costs incurred in hospital or at one year postoperatively. This lack of strong association persisted in sensitivity analyses considering type of surgical procedure, burden of preoperative cost, and when costs were categorized as quantiles. CONCLUSION: In patients undergoing major noncardiac surgery, common measures of functional capacity are not consistently associated with total postoperative cost. Until further data exist that differ from this analysis, clinicians and health care funders should not assume that preoperative measures of cardiac risk are associated with annual health care or hospital costs for such surgeries.

RéSUMé: OBJECTIF: La patientèle présentant une capacité fonctionnelle dégradée qui bénéficie d'une intervention chirurgicale majeure court un risque accru de morbidité postopératoire, y compris de complications et de prolongation de la durée de séjour. Ces issues ont été associées à une augmentation des coûts hospitaliers et du système de santé. Notre objectif était d'évaluer si des indices de risque préopératoires communs étaient associés aux coûts postopératoires. MéTHODE: Nous avons effectué une analyse de l'économie de la santé axée sur le sous-ensemble des participant·es à l'étude METS (Measurement of Exercise Tolerance before Surgery) en Ontario, au Canada. Les participant·es devaient bénéficier d'une chirurgie non cardiaque et non urgente majeure et ont complété plusieurs évaluations préopératoires du risque cardiaque, notamment l'évaluation subjective des médecins, le questionnaire DASI (Duke Activity Status Index), la consommation maximale d'oxygène et la concentration de prohormone N-terminale du peptide natriurétique de type B (cérébral) (NT-proBNP). À l'aide de données administratives couplées de santé, les coûts postopératoires ont été calculés à la fois pour une année et à l'hôpital. À l'aide de modèles de régression multiples, nous avons testé l'association entre les mesures préopératoires du risque cardiaque et les coûts postopératoires. RéSULTATS: Notre étude a inclus 487 personnes (âge moyen [écart type] 68 [11] ans et 47,0 % de femmes) ayant bénéficié d'une chirurgie non cardiaque entre le 13 juin 2013 et le 8 mars 2016. Dans l'ensemble, le coût médian [écart interquartile] engagé dans l'année qui a suivi l'opération était de 27 587 CAD [13 902­32 590], dont 12 928 CAD [10 253­12 810] ont été encourus à l'hôpital et 14 497 CAD [10 917­15 017] ont été encourus dans les premiers 30 jours. Aucune des quatre mesures préopératoires de l'évaluation du risque cardiaque n'était associée aux coûts engagés à l'hôpital ou un an après l'opération. Cette absence d'association forte persistait dans les analyses de sensibilité tenant compte du type d'intervention chirurgicale, du fardeau des coûts préopératoires et lorsque les coûts étaient classés en quantiles. CONCLUSION: Chez la patientèle bénéficiant d'une chirurgie non cardiaque majeure, les mesures courantes de la capacité fonctionnelle ne sont pas systématiquement associées au coût postopératoire total. Jusqu'à ce qu'il existe d'autres données qui diffèrent de cette analyse, les cliniciens et cliniciennes et les organismes finançant les soins de santé ne devraient pas présumer que les mesures préopératoires du risque cardiaque sont associées aux coûts annuels des soins de santé ou des hôpitaux pour de telles chirurgies.

The relationship between cannabis use and legalization frameworks: A cross-sectional analysis using a nationally representative survey.

State policies related to cannabis have rapidly evolved but the impact of current legislative frameworks on usage is not well characterized. This study explored cannabis use patterns under different legalization statuses in the United States. The dataset included individuals from the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System survey in 2017 and 2018. Respondents were categorized into limited medical use, full medical use, or full legalization groups based on their state's cannabis policies. The primary outcome was cannabis use in the past 30 days. Among users, we characterized frequency, method, and reason for use. Logistic regression models were estimated to assess associations between legal status and these outcome measures. The study sample included 168,299 respondents. The unweighted proportion of respondents reporting cannabis use were: 4.96% in states with limited medical use, 6.50% in states with full medical use, and 12.33% in states with full legalization. Adjusted odds of use were greater for the full medical use group (1.13, 95%CI:1.02-1.25) and the full legalization group (2.53, 95%CI:2.28-2.82) compared to the limited medical use group. Users were more likely to use non-smoking methods in the full legalization group compared to the limited medical use group (1.77, 95%CI:1.41-2.22). A greater proportion of users in the full legalization group reported medical usage than in the other two groups. Policymakers should consider these findings in order to allow for use while safeguarding public health.

Nitrous oxide for the treatment of psychiatric disorders: A systematic review of the clinical trial landscape.

OBJECTIVE: To systematically review published research studies and ongoing clinical trials investigating nitrous oxide (N2 O) in psychiatric disorders, providing an up-to-date snapshot of the clinical research landscape. METHODS: A comprehensive literature search was conducted for studies published until June 2021 using the OVID databases (MEDLINE, Embase, APA PsycInfo) and the clinical trial registries (ClinicalTrials.gov, ICTRP). RESULTS: In total, five relevant published articles were identified, among which four investigated N2 O for depression. One single-dose randomized controlled trial (RCT) for treatment-resistant depression (TRD), one triple crossover RCT comparing 50% vs. 25% N2 O for TRD, and one repeated-dose RCT for major depressive disorder (MDD) suggest that N2 O has preliminary feasibility with rapid-acting effects on symptoms of depression. From the public registries, 10 relevant ongoing clinical trials were identified. They aim to explore the use of N2 O for MDD, post-traumatic stress disorder, bipolar disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and suicidal ideation. To date, the typical treatment protocol parameters were a single session of 50% N2 O delivered for 60 min, although the concentration of 25% is also being explored. Projected enrolment numbers for ongoing trials (M = 55.0) were much higher than sample sizes for published studies (M = 13.0), suggesting that there potentially will be more large-scale RCTs published in the next few years. CONCLUSION: Preliminary studies support the feasibility of administering N2 O for depression; however, appropriate blinding is a critical challenge. Larger-scale RCTs with repeated doses of N2 O and follow-up times beyond 1 month are needed to confirm the feasibility, therapeutic efficacy, and sustainability of response.

Predictors of ICU admission associated with gastrointestinal endoscopy in medical inpatients: A retrospective cohort study.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: Gastrointestinal (GI) endoscopic procedures are commonly performed in medical inpatients. Limited prior research has examined factors associated with intensive care unit (ICU) admission after GI endoscopy in medical inpatients. METHODS: This retrospective cohort study was conducted using routinely-collected clinical and administrative data from all general medicine hospitalizations at five academic hospitals in Toronto, Canada between 2010 and 2020. We describe ICU admission and death within 48 h of GI endoscopy in medical inpatients. We examined adjusted associations of patient and procedural factors with ICU admission or death using multivariable logistic regression. RESULTS: Among 18 290 medical inpatients who underwent endoscopy, 900 (4.9%) required ICU admission or died within 48 h of endoscopy. Following risk adjustment, ICU admission or death were associated with the following procedural factors: endoscopy on the day of hospital admission (aOR 3.16 [2.38-4.21]) or 1 day after admission (aOR 1.92 [1.51-2.44]) and esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD) procedures; and the following patient factors: Charlson comorbidity index of two (aOR 1.38 [1.05-1.81]) or three or greater (aOR 1.84 [1.47-2.29]), older age, male sex, lower hemoglobin prior to endoscopy, increased creatinine prior to endoscopy, an admitting diagnosis of liver disease and certain medications (antiplatelet agents and corticosteroids). CONCLUSIONS: ICU admission or death after endoscopy was associated with procedural factors such as EGD and timing of endoscopy, and patient factors indicative of acute illness and greater comorbidity. These findings can contribute to improved triage and monitoring for patients requiring inpatient endoscopy.