Classifying outcomes in secondary and tertiary care clinical quality registries-an organizational case study with the COMET taxonomy.

BACKGROUND: The choice of what patient outcomes are included in clinical quality registries is crucial for comparable and relevant data collection. Ideally, a uniform outcome framework could be used to classify the outcomes included in registries, steer the development of outcome measurement, and ultimately enable better patient care through benchmarking and registry research. The aim of this study was to compare clinical quality registry outcomes against the COMET taxonomy to assess its suitability in the registry context. METHODS: We conducted an organizational case study that included outcomes from 63 somatic clinical quality registries in use at HUS Helsinki University Hospital, Finland. Outcomes were extracted and classified according to the COMET taxonomy and the suitability of the taxonomy was assessed. RESULTS: HUS clinical quality registries showed great variation in outcome domains and in number of measures. Physiological outcomes were present in 98%, resource use in all, and functioning domains in 62% of the registries. Patient-reported outcome measures were found in 48% of the registries. CONCLUSIONS: The COMET taxonomy was found to be mostly suitable for classifying the choice of outcomes in clinical quality registries, but improvements are suggested. HUS Helsinki University Hospital clinical quality registries exist at different maturity levels, showing room for improvement in life impact outcomes and in outcome prioritization. This article offers an example of classifying the choice of outcomes included in clinical quality registries and a comparison point for other registry evaluators.

Molecular alterations in pediatric brainstem gliomas.

BACKGROUND: Diffuse intrinsic pontine gliomas (DIPGs) have a dismal prognosis. Previously, diagnosis was based on a typical clinical presentation and magnetic resonance imaging findings. After the start of the era of biopsies, DIPGs bearing H3 K27 mutations have been reclassified into a novel entity, diffuse midline glioma, based on the presence of this molecular alteration. However, it is not well established how clinically diagnosed DIPG overlap with H3 K27-mutated diffuse midline gliomas, and whether rare long-term survivors also belong to this group. METHODS: We studied tumor samples obtained at diagnosis or upon autopsy from 23 children, including two long-term survivors. Based on clinical, radiological, and histological findings, all tumors were previously diagnosed as DIPGs. All samples were analyzed for genetic alterations by next-generation sequencing (NGS) and for protein expression by immunohistochemistry (IHC). RESULTS: H3 K27 was mutated in NGS or IHC in 20 patients, excluding both long-term survivors. One of these long-term survivors harbored a mutation in IDH1, formerly considered to be an alteration absent in pediatric diffuse brainstem gliomas. Other altered genes in NGS included TP53 (10 patients), MET and PDGFRA (3 patients each), VEGFR and SMARCA4 (2 patients each), and PPARγ, PTEN and EGFR in 1 patient, respectively. IHC revealed cMYC expression in 15 of 24 (63%) of all samples, exclusively in the biopsies. CONCLUSIONS: Eighty-seven percent of the tumors formerly diagnosed as DIPGs could be reclassified as H3 K27-mutated diffuse midline gliomas. Both long-term survivors lacked this alteration. Contrary to former conceptions, IDH1 mutations may occur also in pediatric brainstem gliomas.

Development of the SIOPE DIPG network, registry and imaging repository: a collaborative effort to optimize research into a rare and lethal disease.

Diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma (DIPG) is a rare and deadly childhood malignancy. After 40 years of mostly single-center, often non-randomized trials with variable patient inclusions, there has been no improvement in survival. It is therefore time for international collaboration in DIPG research, to provide new hope for children, parents and medical professionals fighting DIPG. In a first step towards collaboration, in 2011, a network of biologists and clinicians working in the field of DIPG was established within the European Society for Paediatric Oncology (SIOPE) Brain Tumour Group: the SIOPE DIPG Network. By bringing together biomedical professionals and parents as patient representatives, several collaborative DIPG-related projects have been realized. With help from experts in the fields of information technology, and legal advisors, an international, web-based comprehensive database was developed, The SIOPE DIPG Registry and Imaging Repository, to centrally collect data of DIPG patients. As for April 2016, clinical data as well as MR-scans of 694 patients have been entered into the SIOPE DIPG Registry/Imaging Repository. The median progression free survival is 6.0 months (95% Confidence Interval (CI) 5.6-6.4 months) and the median overall survival is 11.0 months (95% CI 10.5-11.5 months). At two and five years post-diagnosis, 10 and 2% of patients are alive, respectively. The establishment of the SIOPE DIPG Network and SIOPE DIPG Registry means a paradigm shift towards collaborative research into DIPG. This is seen as an essential first step towards understanding the disease, improving care and (ultimately) cure for children with DIPG.

Metronomic therapy can increase quality of life during paediatric palliative cancer care, but careful patient selection is essential.

AIM: Children with refractory or high-risk malignancies frequently suffer from poor quality of life during palliative care. This study explored the effect of metronomic drug administration on survival and quality of life in paediatric patients with various refractory or high-risk tumours. METHODS: We treated 17 patients with a maintenance therapy that consisted of metronomic thalidomide, etoposide and celecoxib. The endpoints of the study were overall and progression-free survival, changes in the Karnofsky-Lansky scores from baseline to the end of the study therapy and radiological responses. RESULTS: The median overall survival after the start of the study therapy was 6.2 months (range 2.0-57.7), and the six-, 12- and 24-month survival rates were 59%, 18% and 18%, respectively. The median progression-free survival was 3.2 months (range 0.3-17.8). The Karnofsky-Lansky scores increased significantly during the study therapy (p = 0.02), with 35% of the patients having a transient improvement in their clinical status. Radiologically, one partial response and two disease stabilisations were encountered. Grade III-V adverse events occurred in 76% of the patients. CONCLUSION: Metronomic therapy may increase the quality of life during palliative care for childhood cancer, but requires careful patient selection to minimise the risk of serious adverse events.

Radiation therapy and concurrent topotecan followed by maintenance triple anti-angiogenic therapy with thalidomide, etoposide, and celecoxib for pediatric diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma.

BACKGROUND: Despite major treatment attempts, the prognosis for pediatric diffuse intrinsic pontine gliomas (DIPGs) remains dismal. Gliomas are highly vascularized tumors, suggesting that the prevention of vessel formation by anti-angiogenic treatment might be effective. PROCEDURE: Forty-one pediatric patients with DIPG were treated according to the Angiocomb protocol, starting with radiotherapy combined with topotecan and followed by anti-angiogenic triple medication consisting of thalidomide, etoposide, and celecoxib. Overall survival, radiological response, quality of life, requirement of corticosteroids, and adverse effects were monitored. Eight patients treated with only radiotherapy were used as controls. RESULTS: For study patients, the 12 and 24 months overall survival was 61% and 17%, respectively. The median overall survival was 12 months (range 4-60 months). Four radiological complete responses were seen, of which two were transient. Radiologically, 56% of the tumors reduced in size and 78% in signal intensity. Study patients were able to visit school or daycare and walk for a significantly longer time compared to controls (Log Rank 0.036 and 0.008, respectively). Adverse effects were generally minor. CONCLUSIONS: The Angiocomb protocol created a noticeable share of long-term survivors and was well tolerated, suggesting that anti-angiogenic therapy for patients with DIPG should be studied more in the future.

Ewing's sarcoma family of tumors in Finland during 1990-2009: a population-based study.

BACKGROUND: Ewing's sarcoma family of tumors (ESFTs) are rare bone and soft tissue tumors characterized by specific genetic alterations. Our aim was to carry out a nationwide analysis of ESFT, to survey the treatments used and to report the five-year disease specific and event-free survival rates (EFS and DSS). MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study data was gathered from the Finnish National Cancer Registry and all five University Hospitals and consisted of 76 bone and soft tissue ESFT patients diagnosed during 1990-2009. Their medical records were reviewed and data on their disease, treatments, complications and outcome were analyzed. RESULTS: The five-year EFS and DSS of patients with localized disease at diagnosis (n = 57) were 70% and 60%, respectively. Factors contributing to DSS and EFS were the axial vs. peripheral site of primary tumor and adequate surgical resection of the primary tumor. DSS was also affected by patient's age at diagnosis and the treatment employed. The five-year DSS of patients with metastatic disease at diagnosis (n = 19) was 33% and both preoperative and high dose chemotherapy were associated with improved survival. CONCLUSION: Population-based studies including both bone and soft tissue ESFTs are few. In this nationwide, population-based study on Finnish bone and soft tissue ESFT patients, we find their treatment successful and results comparable to those previously published. Absence of metastases, young age at diagnosis and a peripheral primary tumor site were associated with a better prognosis. It seems that surgical resection of the primary tumor should be performed whenever adequate resection margins can be achieved. The role of high dose chemotherapy merits further studies in this setting.

The Effects of Quality Assurance System Implementation on Work Well-Being and Patient Safety: Protocol for a Mixed Methods Study.

BACKGROUND: Systematic monitoring of work atmosphere and patient safety incidents is a necessary part of a quality assurance system, particularly an accredited system like the Joint Commission International (JCI). How the implementation of quality assurance systems affects well-being at work and patient safety is unclear. Evidence shows that accreditation improves workplace atmosphere and well-being. Thus, the assumption that an increase in employees' well-being at work improves patient safety is reasonable. OBJECTIVE: This study aims to describe the protocol for monitoring the effects of implementing the quality assurance system of JCI at Orton Orthopedic Hospital on employees' well-being (primary outcome) and patient safety (secondary outcome). METHODS: Quantitative (questionnaires and register data) and qualitative (semistructured interviews) methods will be used. In addition, quantitative data will be collected from register data. Both quantitative and register data will be analyzed. Register data analysis will be performed using generalized linear models with an appropriate distribution and link function. The study timeline covers the time before, during, and after the start of the accreditation process. The collected data will be used to compare job satisfaction, as a part of the well-being questionnaire, and the development of patient safety during the accreditation process. RESULTS: The results of the quality assurance system implementation illuminate its possible effects on the patient's safety and job satisfaction. The repeatability and internal consistency reliability of the well-being questionnaire will be reported. Data collection will begin in May, 2024. It will be followed by data analysis and the results are expected to be published by 2025. CONCLUSIONS: The planned study will contribute to the evaluation of the effects of JCI accreditation in terms of well-being at work and patient safety. INTERNATIONAL REGISTERED REPORT IDENTIFIER (IRRID): PRR1-10.2196/45200.

Treatment for recurrent medulloblastoma with intrathecal liposomal cytarabine and systemic metronomic combination therapy.

The prognosis of recurrent medulloblastoma is dismal, with a median survival of less than 1 year. Our patient was initially diagnosed with high-risk medulloblastoma when he was 14 years old. He had a recurrence 18 months after the end of therapy. Recurrence treatment consisted of 13 intrathecal applications of liposomal cytarabine over an 18-month period, and oral metronomic antiangiogenic therapy with thalidomide, celecoxib, and etoposide. Side effects from the intrathecal treatment were most likely related to arachnoiditis despite prolonged prophylaxis with steroids. He also developed partial hearing loss. Neutropenia was the main side effect of the metronomic therapy. He remains alive, with a good quality of life and without evidence of disease 34 months from the start of recurrence therapy. This combination of local antineoplastic and systemic antiangiogenic therapy seems to be promising for recurrent medulloblastoma. However, more patients and standardized protocols are needed to verify the benefit of this combination therapy and to define the correct duration of treatment.

Quantification of plasma and bone marrow VEGF and angiopoietin-2 levels in pediatric malignancies.

INTRODUCTION: Data on angiogenesis in pediatric patients with malignancy are scarce. Our aim was to study angiogenic growth factors vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and angiopoietin-2 (Ang2) in pediatric oncological patients at diagnosis and a few months after the beginning of the therapy. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Eighty-four consecutive patients with malignancy were included in this study. The levels of plasma and bone marrow VEGF and Ang2 were analyzed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. RESULTS: The levels of VEGF were higher in patients with solid tumors than in patients with leukemias (P=0.003), whereas Ang2 concentrations showed the opposite (P=0.003). Interestingly, the plasma concentrations of both VEGF and Ang2 correlated with concentrations in the bone marrow (P<0.05). Leukemia patients with lower VEGF level and patients with higher Ang2 level at follow-up had longer event-free survival than other patients (P=0.032 and 0.053, respectively). DISCUSSION: The results of our study enlighten the behavior of 2 different angiogenic factors in pediatric patients with malignancy. An interesting finding was the connection between survival of pediatric leukemia patients and angiogenic factor levels a few months after the beginning of therapy. Pathophysiology and clinical applications of these findings need further studies.

Implementing a New Electronic Health Record System in a University Hospital: The Effect on Reported Medication Errors.

Closed-loop electronic medication management systems (EMMS) have been seen as a potential technology to prevent medication errors (MEs), although the research on them is still limited. The aim of this paper was to describe the changes in reported MEs in Helsinki University Hospital (HUS) during and after implementing an EPIC-based electronic health record system (APOTTI), with the first features of a closed-loop EMMS. MEs reported from January 2018 to May 2021 were analysed to identify changes in ME trends with quantitative analysis. Severe MEs were also analysed via qualitative content analysis. A total of 30% (n = 23,492/79,272) of all reported patient safety incidents were MEs. Implementation phases momentarily increased the ME reporting, which soon decreased back to the earlier level. Administration and dispensing errors decreased, but medication reconciliation, ordering, and prescribing errors increased. The ranking of the TOP 10 medications related to MEs remained relatively stable. There were 92 severe MEs related to APOTTI (43% of all severe MEs). The majority of these (55%, n = 53) were related to use and user skills, 24% (n = 23) were technical failures and flaws, and 21% (n = 21) were related to both. Using EMMS required major changes in the medication process and new technical systems and technology. Our medication-use process is approaching a closed-loop system, which seems to provide safer dispensing and administration of medications. However, medication reconciliation, ordering, and prescribing still need to be improved.

Association between first language and SARS-CoV-2 infection rates, hospitalization, intensive care admissions and death in Finland: a population-based observational cohort study.

OBJECTIVES: Motivated by reports of increased risk of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in ethnic minorities of high-income countries, we explored whether patients with a foreign first language are at an increased risk of COVID-19 infections, more serious presentations, or worse outcomes. METHODS: In a retrospective observational population-based quality registry study covering a population of 1.7 million, we studied the incidence of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), admissions to specialist healthcare and the intensive care unit (ICU), and all-cause case fatality in different language groups between 27th February and 3rd August 2020 in Southern Finland. A first language other than Finnish, Swedish or Sámi served as a surrogate marker for a foreign ethnic background. RESULTS: In total, 124 240 individuals were tested, and among the 118 300 (95%) whose first language could be determined, 4005 (3.4%) were COVID-19-positive, 623 (0.5%) were admitted to specialized hospitals, and 147 (0.1%) were admitted to the ICU; 254 (0.2%) died. Those with a foreign first language had lower testing rates (348, 95%CI 340-355 versus 758, 95%CI 753-762 per 10 000, p < 0.0001), higher incidence (36, 95%CI 33-38 versus 22, 95%CI 21-23 per 10 000, p < 0.0001), and higher positivity rates (103, 95%CI 96-109 versus 29, 95%CI 28-30 per 1000, p < 0.0001). There was no significant difference in ICU admissions, disease severity at ICU admission, or ICU outcomes. Case fatality by 90 days was 7.7% in domestic cases and 1.2% in those with a foreign first language, explained by demographics (age- and sex-adjusted HR 0.49, 95%CI 0.21-1.15). CONCLUSIONS: The population with a foreign first language was at an increased risk for testing positive for SARS-CoV-2, but when hospitalized they had outcomes similar to those in the native, domestic language population. This suggests that special attention should be paid to the prevention and control of infectious diseases among language minorities.

The changing surgical management of juvenile nasopharyngeal angiofibroma.

The management of juvenile nasopharyngeal angiofibroma (JNA) has changed during the last decades but it still continues to be a challenge for the multidisciplinary head and neck surgical team. The aim of this study was to review the used treatment approach and outcome of JNA in a single institution series of 27 patients diagnosed and treated during the years 1970-2009. All patients were male, with the median age of 17 years (range 11-33 years). Surgery was used as the primary treatment in every case. Surgical approaches varied, transpalatal approach (N = 14) being the most common approach used in this series. During the last decade various other techniques were applied, including endoscopic (N = 3) resection. Two patients were additionally treated with antiangiogenic agents and one patient with stereotactic radiotherapy. The primary recurrence rate was 37% and it seemed to correlate with vascular density of tumour and the surgical approach used. We suggest that the management of JNA should be planned by an experienced head and neck surgeon, as part of a multidisciplinary team, preferably in a tertiary referral setting, and the recent development of the available therapies should be taken into account to minimise the risk of recurrence.

Zygomycosis presenting a major clinical challenge: case report on Rhizomucor pusillus infection in a stem-cell-transplant recipient.

Zygomycoses are opportunistic infections caused by the Mucorales fungi. They are typically seen in immunosuppressed patients. The incidence of zygomycosis cases seems to be increasing. We report on zygomycosis in a pediatric, female stem-cell-transplant recipient. This case report underlines the difficulty of taking care of patients with zygomycosis. In fungal infections of immunosuppressive patients on broad-coverage antibiotics, foci of skin necrosis are unique and typical for zygomycoses, and may be helpful in this challenging diagnosis.

Male predominance in disease severity and mortality in a low Covid-19 epidemic and low case-fatality area - a population-based registry study.

BACKGROUND: Men reportedly suffer from a more severe disease and higher mortality during the global SARS-CoV-2 (Covid-19) pandemic. We analysed sex differences in a low epidemic area with low overall mortality in Covid-19 in a population based setting with patients treated in specialized healthcare. METHODS: We entered all hospitalized laboratory-confirmed Covid-19 cases of all specialized healthcare hospitals of the Capital Province of Finland, into a population-based quality registry and described demographics, severity and case-fatality by sex of the first Covid-19 wave February-June 2020. RESULTS: Altogether 5471 patients (49% male) were identified. Patients hospitalized in the specialist healthcare (N = 585, 54% male, OR 1.25; 95% CI 1.05-1.48) were of the same age. Men had less asthma and thyroid insufficiency and more coronary artery disease compared to women. Mean time from symptom onset to diagnosis was at least one day longer for men (p=.005). Men required intensive care unit (ICU) more often (27% vs. 17%) with longer lengths-of-stays at ICU. Male sex associated with significantly higher case-fatality at 90-days (15% vs. 8%) and all excess male deaths occurring after three weeks from onset. Men with fatal outcomes had delays in both Covid-19 testing and hospital admission after a positive test. The delays in patients with the most severe and fatal outcomes differed markedly by sex. In multivariable analysis, male sex associated independently with case-fatality (OR 2.37; 95% CI 1.22-4.59). CONCLUSIONS: Male sex associated with higher disease severity and case-fatality. Late presentation of male fatal cases could represent different treatment-seeking behaviour or disease progression by sex.

[Thalidomide in oncological and hematological diseases]. / Talidomidi veri- ja syöpätaudeissa.

Thalidomide is a drug with bad reputation from the 1960's as it appeared to be teratogenic by causing foetal anomalies. However, in the beginning of 1990s it was shown very antiangiogenic. Its immunological effects were known already from earlier studies. Nowadays its use is accepted in myeloma therapy. It is also used in many study protocols, e.g. in pediatric patients with brainstem tumors. Thalidomide should be used very cautiously for fertile patients because of its teratogenity. Other adverse effects are tiredness, obstipation, thrombosis, and polyneuropathy.

Expression of vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 3 and Tie1 tyrosine kinase receptor on acute leukemia cells.

BACKGROUND: Recent data indicate a role for angiogenesis in hematologic malignancies. In addition to promoting new vessel growth in the bone marrow microenvironment, angiogenic factors are regulators of both hematopoietic and leukemic cells. Activation of vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 3 (VEGFR-3) and Tie1 tyrosine kinase receptor are known to promote leukemia cell survival. The details of this complex angiogenesis-related interaction are still uncertain. PROCEDURE: We studied bone marrow samples from 73 patients with acute lymphoblastic (ALL) or myelogenous (AML) leukemia by using immunological methods. RESULTS: Vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 3 expression was found in 15% of the samples, particularly in samples with pediatric lymphoblastic leukemias and monocytic AMLs. Tie1 protein expression was found in 11% of the samples, all of which were from adult AML patients. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggest that there are angiogenesis-related differences between pediatric and adult lymphoblastic leukemias as well as between lymphoid and myeloid leukemias.