Prognostic factors for advanced-stage human immunodeficiency virus-associated classical Hodgkin lymphoma treated with doxorubicin, bleomycin, vinblastine, and dacarbazine plus combined antiretroviral therapy: a multi-institutional retrospective study.

BACKGROUND: The treatment and outcomes of patients with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-associated Hodgkin lymphoma (HL) continue to evolve. The International Prognostic Score (IPS) is used to predict the survival of patients with advanced-stage HL, but it has not been validated in patients with HIV infection. METHODS: This was a multi-institutional, retrospective study of 229 patients with HIV-associated, advanced-stage, classical HL who received doxorubicin, bleomycin, vinblastine, and dacarbazine (ABVD) plus combination antiretroviral therapy. Their clinical characteristics were presented descriptively, and multivariate analyses were performed to identify the factors that were predictive of response and prognostic of progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS). RESULTS: The overall and complete response rates to ABVD in patients with HIV-associated HL were 91% and 83%, respectively. After a median follow-up of 5 years, the 5-year PFS and OS rates were 69% and 78%, respectively. In multivariate analyses, there was a trend toward an IPS score >3 as an adverse factor for PFS (hazard ratio [HR], 1.49; P=.15) and OS (HR, 1.84; P=.06). A cluster of differentiation 4 (CD4)-positive (T-helper) cell count <200 cells/µL was associated independently with both PFS (HR, 2.60; P=.002) and OS (HR, 2.04; P=.04). The CD4-positive cell count was associated with an increased incidence of death from other causes (HR, 2.64; P=.04) but not with death from HL-related causes (HR, 1.55; P=.32). CONCLUSIONS: The current results indicate excellent response and survival rates in patients with HIV-associated, advanced-stage, classical HL who receive ABVD and combination antiretroviral therapy as well as the prognostic value of the CD4-positive cell count at the time of lymphoma diagnosis for PFS and OS.

Post-bariatric contour deformity correction: an endeavour to establish objective criteria nationally.

BACKGROUND: A marked increase in bariatric surgery has led to higher numbers of patients with contour deformities after massive weight loss seeking plastic surgical correction. Insurance coverage for these post-bariatric interventions is highly subjective and a common set of objective criteria has not yet been established. AIM: The aim was to evaluate the factors influencing insurance coverage for post-bariatric surgery, focusing on finding objective, reproducible criteria. METHODS: This was a retrospective single centre chart review of all post-bariatric patients with redundant skin requesting body contouring surgery from 2013 to 2018. Demographic, bariatric and surgical, as well as insurance information were collected. A logistic regression model was used to identify predictors of successful insurance coverage. RESULTS: 116 Patients were included in the study. Insurance approval for post-bariatric body contouring surgery was obtained for only 47 patients (41%). Mentioning the term "medical indication" in the application letter was associated with a 15.2 times higher rate of receiving a positive answer (p <0.001), whereas mentioning "mental suffering" was associated with 82.3% lower chance of getting a positive response (p <0.001). A high body mass index (BMI) (p <0.009) before the bariatric operation as well as a high BMI reduction (p <0.021) were associated with a higher approval rate by insurance companies . An additional application letter to the insurance company (p <0.024) as well as mentioning mechanical restriction (p <0.022) were associated with a positive response from the insurance companies. CONCLUSIONS: We were able to establish certain objective predictive criteria for insurance coverage of post-bariatric surgery. However, it appears that the decisions of insurance companies for this condition are still rather randomly taken. Therefore, the establishment of objective criteria for insurance coverage may allow fairer treatment for this growing patient population.