Predicting clinically significant prostate cancer in elderly patients: A nomogram approach with shear wave elastography.

PURPOSE: This study was to construct a nomogram utilizing shear wave elastography and assess its efficacy in detecting clinically significant prostate cancer (csPCa). METHODS: 290 elderly people with suspected PCa who received prostate biopsy and shear wave elastography (SWE) imaging were respectively registered from April 2022 to December 2023. The elderly participants were stratified into two groups: those with csPCa and those without csPCa, which encompassed cases of clinically insignificant prostate cancer (cisPCa) and non-prostate cancer tissue, as determined by pathology findings. The LASSO algorithm, known as the least absolute shrinkage and selection operator, was utilized to identify features. Logistic regression analysis was utilized to establish models. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) and calibration curves were utilized to evaluate the discriminatory ability of the nomogram. Bootstrap (1000 bootstrap iterations) was employed for internal validation and comparison with two models. A decision curve and a clinical impact curve were employed to assess the clinical usefulness. RESULTS: Our nomogram, which contained Emean, ΔEmean, prostate volume, prostate-specific antigen density (PSAD), and transrectal ultrasound (TRUS), showed better discrimination (AUC = 0.89; 95% CI: 0.83-0.94), compared to the clinical model without SWE parameters (p = 0.0007). Its accuracy, sensitivity and specificity were 0.83, 0.89 and 0.78, respectively. Based on the analysis of decision curve, the thresholds ranged from 5% to 90%. According to our nomogram, biopsying patients at a 20% probability threshold resulted in a 25% reduction in biopsies without missing any csPCa. The clinical impact curve demonstrated that the nomogram's predicted outcome is closer to the observed outcome when the probability threshold reaches 20% or greater. CONCLUSION: Our nomogram demonstrates efficacy in identifying elderly individuals with clinically significant prostate cancer, thereby facilitating informed clinical decision-making based on diagnostic outcomes and potential clinical benefits.

Age-dependent decrease of circulating T follicular helper cells correlates with disease severity in elderly patients with COVID-19.

Overwhelming evidence has shown that aging is a significant risk factor for COVID-19-related hospitalizations, death and other adverse health outcomes. Particular T cell subsets that susceptible to aging and associated with COVID-19 disease severity requires further elucidation. Our study recruited 57 elderly patients with acute COVID-19 and 27 convalescent donors. Adaptive immunity was assessed across the COVID-19 severity spectrum. Patients underwent age-dependent CD4+ T lymphopenia, preferential loss of circulating T follicular regulatory cells (cTfh) subsets including cTfh-em, cTfh-cm, cTfh1, cTfh2, cTfh17 and circulating T follicular regulatory cells (cTfr), which regulated antibody production through different pathways and correlated with COVID-19 severity, were observed. Moreover, vaccination improved cTfh-cm, cTfh2, cTfr proportion and promoted NAb production. In conclusion, the elderly had gone through age-dependent cTfh subsets deficiency, which impeded NAb production and enabled aggravation of COVID-19 to critical illness, whereas SARS-CoV-2 vaccine inoculation helped to rejuvenate cTfh, cTfr and intensify NAb responses.

Safety and efficacy of immunosuppressive therapy for elderly patients with severe aplastic anaemia.

Uncertainty remains regarding the safety and tolerability of immunosuppressive therapy (IST) with anti-thymocyte globulin (ATG) and cyclosporine (CSA) in older patients. We retrospectively analysed two prospective clinical trials of IST in treatment-naïve severe aplastic anaemia (SAA) to assess safety in older compared to younger patients. Patients ≥18 years of age who had received IST with ATG and CSA +/- eltrombopag (EPAG) were included. Pre-treatment baseline characteristics and co-morbidities were assessed as predictors of therapy-related complications in younger (<60 years) versus older (≥60 years) patients. Out of 245 eligible patients, 54 were older and 191 were younger. Older patients had a similar frequency of SAEs, ICU admissions and hospital length of stay compared to younger patients. Older patients had a higher frequency of cardiac events related to IST, but none resulted in death. Older patients had worse long-term overall survival, and more relapse and clonal evolution post-IST. However, older patients who responded to IST had a similar survival at a median follow-up to younger patients. Disease-related factors and limited therapeutic options in refractory disease likely contribute to poorer outcomes in older patients, not complications of upfront IST. Therefore, IST should be considered first-line therapy for most older SAA patients.

Combination of rituximab and methotrexate followed by rituximab and cytarabine in elderly patients with primary central nervous system lymphoma.

The optimal treatment strategy for newly diagnosed primary central nervous system lymphoma (PCNSL) has yet to be established, especially in the elderly. In the current study, we conducted a phase II study to evaluate the efficacy and safety of rituximab plus high-dose MTX followed by rituximab plus cytarabine in patients aged ≥60 years newly diagnosed with PCNSL. Patients received an induction treatment of high-dose methotrexate plus rituximab followed by two cycles of a consolidation treatment of cytarabine plus rituximab. The primary end-point was a 2-year progression-free survival (PFS) rate. A total of 35 patients were recruited, and their median age was 73 (range: 60-81). After induction treatment, the complete and partial responses (PRs) were 56% and 20% respectively. Twenty-six patients proceeded to the consolidation treatment; the complete and PRs were 59% and 9% respectively. After a median follow-up duration of 36.0 months, the 2-year PFS rate was 58.7%. Treatment was generally well-tolerated as only three patients were withdrawn from the study due to toxicity, and no treatment-related mortality was reported. The 2-year overall survival rate was 77.9%. The current study may suggest the feasibility of administering high-dose MTX plus cytarabine in PCNSL patients aged ≥60 years and the potential role of additive rituximab.

Comorbidity profiling identifies potential subtype of elderly patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma.

BACKGROUND: Few studies have assessed the comprehensive associations among comorbid diseases in elderly patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC). This study sought to identify potential comorbidity patterns and explore the relationship of comorbidity patterns with the mortality risk in elderly patients with NPC. METHODS: A total of 452 elderly patients with NPC were enrolled in the study. The network analysis and latent class analysis were applied to mine comorbidity patterns. Propensity score matching was used for adjusting confounders. A restricted cubic spline model was used to analyze the nonlinear association between age and the risk of all-cause mortality. RESULTS: We identified 2 comorbidity patterns, metabolic disease-related comorbidity (MDRC) and organ disease-related comorbidity (ODRC) in elderly patients with NPC. Patients in MDRC showed a significantly higher risk of all-cause mortality (71.41% vs 87.97%, HR 1.819 [95% CI, 1.106-2.994], P = .031) and locoregional relapse (68.73% vs 80.88%, HR 1.689 [95% CI, 1.055-2.704], P = .042). Moreover, in patients with MDRC pattern, we observed an intriguing inverted S-shaped relationship between age and all-cause mortality among patients aged 68 years and older. The risk of mortality up perpetually with age increasing in ODRC group, specifically within the age range of 68-77 years (HR 4.371, 1.958-9.757). CONCLUSION: Our study shed light on the potential comorbidity patterns in elderly patients with NPC, thereby providing valuable insights into the development of comprehensive health management strategies for this specific population.

Efficacy of adjuvant immune checkpoint inhibitors pembrolizumab or nivolumab in melanoma patients ≥ 75 years: results of a real-world cohort including 456 patients.

BACKGROUND: Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI) applied in patients with melanoma in an adjuvant setting have proven safety and efficacy in several studies, but data on elderly patients aged 75 years or more is scarce. Aim of this study was to investigate efficacy and safety of adjuvant ICI in patients aged ≥ 75 years compared to patients < 75 years in a real-world setting. METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed clinical data, including occurrence of immune-related adverse events (irAE) and outcome of 456 patients that had been treated with adjuvant ICI between January 1st, 2018 and December 20th, 2022. We then compared patients aged ≥ 75 years (n = 117) to patients < 75 years (n = 339) in terms of safety and disease-free survival (DFS). RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: ICI were well tolerated in both groups, with no significant difference observed in the overall occurrence of irAE. However, within the elderly subgroup, there was a significantly higher proportion of skin or nephrological toxicity and colitis/diarrhea compared to the other group. In terms of efficacy, a significantly shorter DFS in patients aged ≥ 75 years was observed. Adjuvant ICI in patients ≥ 75 years was less effective and furthermore associated with an increased risk for skin, renal or bowel toxicity. Therefore, in elderly patients, adjuvant ICI should be used with precaution.

Clinical outcomes in elderly patients receiving agalsidase alfa treatment in the Fabry Outcome Survey.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Treatment with agalsidase alfa in patients with Fabry disease is most effective when initiated early in the disease course; however, the clinical benefits in elderly patients are less well established. This analysis assesses outcomes in patients aged 65 years or older from the Fabry Outcome Survey (FOS) who were treated with agalsidase alfa. METHODS: FOS data were extracted for adult patients aged 65 years or older who received agalsidase alfa, had baseline data and at least 3 years of post-baseline data, and had undergone no renal transplantation and/or dialysis before treatment. The data of patients who had undergone renal transplantation and/or dialysis during follow-up were excluded from estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) analysis after the date of the renal transplantation and/or dialysis. Adult patients were stratified into two groups: those who started treatment before 65 years of age and who were still being treated when aged 65 years or older (group A), and those who started treatment when aged 65 years or older (group B). Mean annual changes in left ventricular mass index (LVMI), eGFR and proteinuria were assessed in group A (before and after the age of 65 years to understand if there was an age-related effect once patients turned 65 years of age) and in group B. RESULTS: Estimated mean (standard error [SE]) annual changes in LVMI were 0.46 (0.26) g/m2.7 and 0.21 (0.42) g/m2.7 in patients in group A when they were younger than 65 years and when they were aged 65 years or older, respectively, and 0.12 (0.65) g/m2.7 in patients in group B. For eGFR, mean (SE) annual changes were 0.83 (2.12) mL/min/1.73 m2 and 2.64 (2.18) mL/min/1.73 m2 in patients in group A when they were younger than 65 years and when they were aged 65 years or older, respectively, and 2.31 (1.44) mL/min/1.73 m2 in patients in group B. Proteinuria remained relatively stable in both subgroups of group A (before and after the age of 65 years) and group B. CONCLUSIONS: Continuation and initiation of agalsidase alfa treatment in patients aged 65 years or older with Fabry disease were associated with stabilization of proteinuria and minimal increases in cardiac (LVMI) and renal (eGFR) outcomes.

Surgery Plays a Leading Role in Breast Cancer Treatment for Patients Aged ≥90 Years: A Large Retrospective Cohort Study.

BACKGROUND: The population aged ≥90 years is increasing worldwide, yet nearly 50% of elderly breast cancer (BC) patients receive suboptimal treatments, resulting in high rates of BC-related mortality. We analyzed clinical and survival outcomes of nonagenarian BC patients to identify effective treatment strategies. METHODS: This single-institution retrospective cohort study analyzed patients aged ≥90 years diagnosed with stage I-III BC between 2007 and 2018. Patients were categorized into three treatment groups: traditional surgery (TS), performed according to local guidelines; current-standard surgery (CS), defined as breast surgery without axillary surgery (in concordance with 2016 Choosing Wisely guidelines) and/or cavity shaving; and non-surgical treatment (NS). Clinicopathological features were recorded and recurrence rates and survival outcomes were analyzed. RESULTS: We collected data from 113 nonagenarians with a median age of 93 years (range 90-99). Among these patients, 43/113 (38.1%) underwent TS, 34/113 (30.1%) underwent CS, and 36/113 (31.9%) underwent NS. The overall recurrence rate among surgical patients was 10.4%, while the disease progression rate in the NS group was 22.2%. Overall survival was significantly longer in surgical patients compared with NS patients (p = 0.04). BC-related mortality was significantly higher in the NS group than in the TS and CS groups (25.0% vs. 0% vs. 7.1%, respectively; p = 0.01). There were no significant differences in overall survival and disease-free survival between the TS and CS groups (p = 0.6 and p = 0.8, respectively), although the TS group experienced a significantly higher overall postoperative complication rate (p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Individualized treatment planning is essential for nonagenarian BC patients. Surgery, whenever feasible, remains the treatment of choice, with CS emerging as the best option for the majority of patients.

Assessing the Risk of Postoperative Delirium Through Comprehensive Geriatric Assessment and Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group Performance Status of Elderly Patients With Gastric Cancer.

BACKGROUND: Postoperative delirium is especially common and often problematic among elderly patients undergoing surgery. This study aimed to explore factors that can predict postoperative delirium in elderly patients undergoing gastric cancer surgery. METHODS: This cohort study included 255 patients age 75 years or older who underwent gastric cancer surgery between July 2010 and December 2020. All the patients underwent preoperative comprehensive geriatric assessment (CGA) evaluation by a geriatrician. In addition to the CGA items, this study investigated the association between postoperative delirium and clinicopathologic factors, including Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status (ECOG-PS). RESULTS: The most common postoperative complication was delirium, present in 31 patients (12.2%). The group with delirium was significantly more likely to have ECOG-PS ≥ 2, diabetes mellitus, cardiovascular disease, or cerebral infarction. The CGA showed frailty in the Instrumental Activities of Daily Living scale (IADL), the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE), the Vitality Index (VI), and the Geriatric Depression Scale 15 (GDS-15). In the multivariate analysis, the independent risk factors for delirium were ECOG-PS ≥ 2 (P = 0.002) and MMSE-frailty (P < 0.001). Using an MMSE score of ≤ 23 and an ECOG-PS score of ≥ 2 as cutoffs, postoperative delirium was predicted with a sensitivity of 80.7% and a specificity of 74.1%. CONCLUSION: Postoperative delirium might be more easily predicted based on the combination of MMSE and ECOG-PS for elderly patients with gastric cancer undergoing gastrectomy.

Comprehensive geriatric assessment predicts radiation-induced acute toxicity in prostate cancer patients.

PURPOSE: The purpose of the present prospective study was to evaluate the significance of geriatric conditions measured by a comprehensive geriatric assessment (GA) for the prediction of the risk of high-grade acute radiation-induced toxicity. METHODS: A total of 314 prostate cancer patients (age ≥ 65 years) undergoing definitive radiotherapy at a tertiary academic center were included. Prior to treatment, patients underwent a GA. High-grade toxicity was defined as acute toxicity grade ≥ 2 according to standard RTOG/EORTC criteria. To analyze the predictive value of the GA, univariable and multivariable logistic regression models were applied. RESULTS: A total of 40 patients (12.7%) developed acute toxicity grade ≥ 2; high grade genitourinary was found in 37 patients (11.8%) and rectal toxicity in 8 patients (2.5%), respectively. Multivariable analysis revealed a significant association of comorbidities with overall toxicity grade ≥ 2 (odds ratio [OR] 2.633, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.260-5.502; p = 0.010) as well as with high-grade genitourinary and rectal toxicity (OR 2.169, 95%CI1.017-4.625; p = 0.045 and OR 7.220, 95%CI 1.227-42.473; p = 0.029, respectively). Furthermore, the Activities of Daily Living score (OR 0.054, 95%CI 0.004-0.651; p = 0.022), social status (OR 0.159, 95%CI 0.028-0.891; p = 0.036), and polypharmacy (OR 4.618, 95%CI 1.045-20.405; p = 0.044) were identified as independent predictors of rectal toxicity grade ≥ 2. CONCLUSION: Geriatric conditions seem to be predictive of the development of high-grade radiation-induced toxicity in prostate cancer patients treated with definitive radiotherapy.

Multi-center study of COVID-19 infection in elderly patients with lymphoma: on behalf of Jiangsu Cooperative Lymphoma Group (JCLG).

Elderly patients with lymphoproliferative diseases (LPD) are vulnerable to severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection. Here, we retrospectively described the clinical features and outcomes of the first time infection of Omicron SARS-CoV-2 in 364 elderly patients with lymphoma enrolled in Jiangsu Cooperative Lymphoma Group (JCLG) between November 2022 and April 2023 in China. Median age was 69 years (range 60-92). 54.4% (198/364) of patients were confirmed as severe and critical COVID-19 infection. In univariable analysis, Age > 70 years (OR 1.88, p = 0.003), with multiple comorbidities (OR 1.41, p = 0.005), aggressive lymphoma (OR 2.33, p < 0.001), active disease (progressive or relapsed/refractory, OR 2.02, p < 0.001), and active anti-lymphoma therapy (OR 1.90, p < 0.001) were associated with severe COVID-19. Multiple (three or more) lines of previous anti-lymphoma therapy (OR 3.84, p = 0.021) remained an adverse factor for severe COVID-19 in multivariable analysis. Moreover, CD20 antibody (Rituximab or Obinutuzumab)-based treatments within the last 6 months was associated with severe COVID-19 in the entire cohort (OR 3.42, p < 0.001). Continuous BTK inhibitors might be protective effect on the outcome of COVID-19 infection (OR 0.44, p = 0.043) in the indolent lymphoma cohort. Overall, 7.7% (28/364) of the patients ceased, multiple lines of previous anti-lymphoma therapy (OR 3.46, p = 0.016) remained an adverse factor for mortality.

Distribution and prognostic role of BRCA status in elderly ovarian cancer patients.

OBJECTIVE: In the era of target therapy and personalized medicine, BRCA mutational status has a major influence on survival in ovarian cancer patients. Our aim is to verify if the poorer prognosis of elderly ovarian cancer patients can be related to the biology of the tumor beyond their own morbidities and/or suboptimal treatments. METHODS: This is a retrospective single-institution study evaluating prognosis of patients with a diagnosis of ovarian cancer and known BRCA status. We collected clinical and surgical characteristics and the distribution of BRCA mutational status according to age groups. RESULTS: 1840 patients were included in the analysis. The rate of BRCA mutated decreased over age-range from 49.7% in patients aged <50 years to 18.8% in ≥80 years old women. The prognostic role of BRCA status on survival is maintained when focusing on the elderly population, with improved Disease Free Survival (27.2 months vs 16.5 months for BRCA mutated and wild type respectively, p = 0.001) and Cancer Specific Survival (117.6 months vs 43.1 months for BRCA mutated and wild type respectively, p = 0.001) for BRCAmut compared to BRCAwt patients. In the multivariable analysis, among elderly women, upfront surgery and BRCA mutation are independent factors affecting survival. CONCLUSIONS: Elderly patients experiment a poorer prognosis due to multiple factors that include both their medical condition and comorbidities, under-treatment and most importantly disease characteristics. We found that beyond disparities, BRCA mutation is still the strongest independent prognostic factor affecting both the risk of recurrence and death due to disease.

Protocol of a randomised, controlled trial comparing immediate curative therapy with conservative treatment in men aged ≥75 years with non-metastatic high-risk prostate cancer (SPCG 19/GRand-P).

BACKGROUND: Older men (aged ≥75 years) with high risk, non-metastatic prostate cancer (PCa) are increasingly treated with curative therapy (surgery or radiotherapy). However, it is unclear if curative therapy prolongs life and improves health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in this age group compared to conservative therapy, which has evolved considerably during the last decade. STUDY DESIGN: The Scandinavian Prostate Cancer Group (SPCG) 19/Norwegian Get-Randomized Research Group-Prostate (GRand-P) is a randomised, two-armed, controlled, multicentre, phase III trial carried out at study centres in Norway, Denmark, Finland, and Sweden. ENDPOINTS: The primary endpoints are overall survival and HRQoL (burden of disease scale, European Organisation for the Research and Treatment of Cancer [EORTC] Elderly Cancer patients). Secondary endpoints are PCa-specific survival, metastasis-free survival, role-functioning scale (EORTC quality of life questionnaire 30-item core), urinary irritative/obstructive scale (26-item Expanded Prostate Cancer Index Composite [EPIC-26]), bowel scale (EPIC-26), intervention-free survival, PCa morbidity, use of secondary and tertiary systemic therapies, mean quality-adjusted life-years (QALYs), and mean total healthcare costs. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A total of 980 men (aged ≥75 years) with non-metastatic, high-risk PCa will initially be screened with Geriatric 8 (G8) health status screening tool and Mini-COG© brief cognitive test. Participants identified by G8 as 'fit' or 'frail' will be randomised (ratio 1:1) to either immediate curative therapy (radiotherapy or prostatectomy) or conservative therapy (endocrine therapy or observation). Participants who are unable or unwilling to participate in randomisation will be enrolled in a separate observation group. Randomised patients will be followed for 10 years. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Ethics approval has been granted in Norway (457593), Denmark (H-22051998), Finland (R23043) and Sweden (Dnr 2023-05296-01). The trial is registered on Clinicaltrials.org (NCT05448547).

Chlormethiazole as a hypnotic in elderly patients: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

The study objective was to estimate the efficacy and safety of chlormethiazole in older adults experiencing insomnia (sleep disorder). We therefore systematically searched Medline, Scopus, the Cochrane Library, PsycINFO, Ovid, ZB MED and PMC through December 2021 for randomized-controlled trials including patients > 60 years old with insomnia treated with chlormethiazole. Standardized mean differences or odds ratios with 95% confidence intervals were calculated for the main outcome parameters: sleep duration, onset of sleep, quality of sleep, adverse events or drop-out rates compared with placebo and other drugs. Risk of bias was assessed using the Cochrane tool. Eight randomized-controlled trials with 424 patients were included. Chlormethiazole significantly increased the duration of sleep when compared with placebo (standardized mean difference = 0.61; 95% confidence interval = 0.11-1.11; p = 0.02). More patients receiving chlormethiazole had adequate quality of sleep than those receiving other drugs (odds ratio = 1.44; 95% confidence interval = 1.04-1.98; p = 0.03). No differences were found regarding the onset of sleep (standardized mean difference = 1.07; 95% confidence interval = 0.79-1.46; p = 0.65). Drop-out rates were significantly lower under chlormethiazole treatment when compared with other drugs (odds ratio = 0.51; 95% confidence interval = 0.26-0.99; p = 0.05) and did not differ from placebo treatment (odds ratio = 1.37; 95% confidence interval = 0.23-8.21; p = 0.73). Side-effects such as "hangover" and daytime drowsiness occurred less frequently during chlormethiazole treatment compared with other drugs in three out of four studies, but differences were not significant (odds ratio = 0.24; 95% confidence interval = 0.04-1.48; p = 0.12). In conclusion, chlormethiazole showed significant effects on the duration and the quality of sleep with better tolerability if compared with other drugs in older adults with insomnia.

Predicting the Survival Benefit of Radiotherapy in Elderly Breast Cancer Patients: A Population-Based Analysis.

INTRODUCTION: This study aimed to establish two prediction tools predicting cancer-specific survival (CSS) and overall survival (OS) in elderly breast cancer patients with or without radiotherapy. METHODS: Clinicopathological data of breast cancer patients aged more than 70 y from 2010 to 2018 were retrospectively collected from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results database. Patients were randomly divided into the training and validation cohorts at 7:3, and the Cox proportional risk model was used to construct the nomograms. The concordance index, the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve, and the calibration plot are used to evaluate the discrimination and accuracy of the nomograms. RESULTS: One lakh twenty eight thousand two hundred twenty three elderly breast cancer patients were enrolled, including 57,915 who received radiotherapy. The Cox regression model was used to identify independent factors. These independent influencing factors are used to construct the prediction models. The calibration plots reflect the excellent consistency between the predicted and actual survival rates. The concordance index of nomograms for CSS and OS was more than 0.7 in both the radiotherapy group and the nonradiotherapy group, and similar results are also shown in area under the receiver operating characteristic curve. Decision curve analysis showed that the prognostication accuracy of the model was much higher than that of the traditional tumor, node, metastasis staging. CONCLUSIONS: Radiotherapy can benefit elderly breast cancer patients significantly. The two prediction tools provide a personalized survival scale for evaluating the CSS and OS of elderly breast cancer patients, which can better provide clinicians with better-individualized management for these patients.

Impact of an interventional bundle on complications associated with peripheral venous catheters in elderly patients.

PURPOSE: Elderly patients admitted to geriatrics departments often require peripheral venous catheters (PVC), which should be inserted and maintained following a series of preventive recommendations. Our objective was to evaluate the impact of a training bundle comprising measures aimed at reducing complications associated with the use of PVC in elderly patients admitted to a tertiary teaching hospital. METHODS: We performed a prospective study of patients who received a PVC within 24 h of admission to a geriatrics department. After a 10-month pre-interventional period, we implemented an educational and interventional bundle over a 9-month period. Follow-up was until catheter withdrawal. We analyzed and compared clinical and microbiological data between both study periods. RESULTS: A total of 344 patients (475 PVC) were included (pre-intervention period, 204 patients (285 PVC); post-intervention period, 140 patients (190 PVC)). No statistically significant differences in demographic characteristics were observed between the study periods. The colonization and phlebitis rates per 1000 admissions in both periods were, respectively, 36.7 vs. 24.3 (p = 0.198) and 81.5 vs. 65.1 (p = 0.457). The main reason for catheter withdrawal was obstruction/malfunctioning (33.3%). Obstruction rate was higher for those inserted in the hand than for those inserted at other sites (55.7% vs. 44.3%, p = 0.045). CONCLUSIONS: We found no statistically significant differences regarding phlebitis and catheter tip colonization rates. It is necessary to carry out randomized studies assessing the most cost-effective measure to reduce complications associated with PVC.

Characteristics of Helicobacter pylori Eradication Therapy in Patients 80 Years or Older Living in a Metropolitan Area: A Multicenter Retrospective Study.

BACKGROUND: The situation of Helicobacter pylori eradication therapy has been changing over time, owing to increases in antimicrobial-resistant strains, lifestyle improvements, and changes in indications for eradication. In Japan, eradication therapy is now available to all H. pylori-positive patients under the medical insurance system, and the potassium-competitive acid blocker vonoprazan has been used for eradication from 2015. Recently, with the aging of society, opportunities to provide eradication to elderly patients are increasing, but the current status and effectiveness of eradication in elderly patients remains unclear. Therefore, we aimed to investigate the trends of H. pylori eradication in a metropolitan area to determine the factors associated with successful H. pylori eradication in elderly patients older than 80 years. METHODS: Trends in the eradication rates of patients who received first- or second-line eradication at 20 hospitals in the Tokyo metropolitan area from 2013 to 2023 were investigated. RESULTS: The eradication rates in the per-protocol analysis were 82.3% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 81.2%-83.2%) for the first-line treatment (n = 6481), and 87.9% (86.9%-88.9%) for the second-line treatment (n = 4899). Multivariate analysis showed that independent factors for successful eradication in the first-line treatment were an age of older than 80 years (OR: 0.606; 95% CI: 0.448-0.822), peptic ulcers (vs. atrophic gastritis: 3.817; 3.286-4.433), and vonoprazan (vs. proton pump inhibiters (PPIs), 3.817; 3.286-4.433), and an age of older than 80 years (0.503; 0.362-0.699) and vonoprazan (1.386; 1.153-1.667) in the second-line treatment. CONCLUSION: After 2015, the eradication rate of both first- and second-line therapies were maintained at a higher level than before 2015, owing to the use of vonoprazan. As the H. pylori eradication rate in patients older than 80 years was low, an effective strategy for these patients needs to be developed in the future.

Construction and validation of a nomogram for predicting survival in elderly patients with severe acute pancreatitis: a retrospective study from a tertiary center.

PURPOSE: There is a lack of adequate models specifically designed for elderly patients with severe acute pancreatitis (SAP) to predict the risk of death. This study aimed to develop a nomogram for predicting the overall survival of SAP in elderly patients. METHODS: Elderly patients diagnosed with SAP between January 1, 2017 and December 31, 2022 were included in the study. Risk factors were identified through least absolute shrinkage and selection operator regression analysis. Subsequently, a novel nomogram model was developed using multivariable logistic regression analysis. The predictive performance of the nomogram was evaluated using metrics such as the receiver operating characteristic curve, calibration curve, and decision curve analysis (DCA). RESULTS: A total of 326 patients were included in the analysis, with 260 in the survival group and 66 in the deceased group. Multivariate logistic regression indicated that age, respiratory rate, arterial pH, total bilirubin, and calcium were independent prognostic factors for the survival of SAP patients. The nomogram demonstrated a performance comparable to sequential organ failure assessment (P = 0.065). Additionally, the calibration curve showed satisfactory predictive accuracy, and the DCA highlighted the clinical application value of the nomogram. CONCLUSION: We have identified key demographic and laboratory parameters that are associated with the survival of elderly patients with SAP. These parameters have been utilized to create a precise and user-friendly nomogram, which could be an effective and valuable clinical tool for clinicians.

A comprehensive study on non-cancer-related mortality risk factors in elderly gastric cancer patients post-curative surgery.

BACKGROUND: The increasing incidence of gastric cancer in the elderly underscores the need for an in-depth understanding of the challenges and risks associated with surgical interventions in this demographic. This study aims to investigate the risk factors and prognostic indicators for non-cancer-related mortality following curative surgery in elderly gastric cancer patients. METHODS: This retrospective analysis examined 684 patients with pathological Stage I-III gastric cancer who underwent curative resection between January 2012 and December 2021. The study focused on patients aged 70 years and above, evaluating various clinical and pathological variables. Univariate analysis was utilized to identify potential risk factors with to non-cancer-related mortality and to access prognostic outcomes. RESULTS: Out of the initial 684 patients, 244 elderly patients were included in the analysis, with 33 succumbing to non-cancer-related causes. Univariate analysis identified advanced age (≥ 80 years), low body mass index (BMI) (< 18.5), high Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI), and the presence of overall surgical complications as significant potential risk factors for non-cancer related mortality. These factors also correlated with poorer overall survival and prognosis. The most common cause of non-cancer-related deaths were respiratory issues and heart failure. CONCLUSION: In elderly gastric cancer patients, managing advanced age, low BMI, high CCI, and minimizing postoperative complications are essential for reducing non-cancer-related mortality following curative surgery.

Discontinuation of neoadjuvant therapy does not influence postoperative short-term outcomes in elderly patients (≥ 70 years) with resectable gastric cancer: a population-based study from the dutch upper gastrointestinal cancer audit (DUCA) data.

BACKGROUND: For the elderly patients with gastric cancer, it may be more challenging to tolerate complete neoadjuvant therapy (NAT). The impact of discontinued NAT on the surgical safety and pathological outcomes of elderly patients with poor tolerance remains poorly understood. METHODS: Gastric cancer patients received gastrectomy with curative intent from the Dutch upper GI cancer audit (DUCA) database were included in this study. The independent association of age with not initiating and discontinuation of NAT was assessed with restricted cubic splines (RCS). According to the RCS results, age ≥ 70 years was defined as elderly. Short-term postoperative outcomes and pathological results were compared between elderly patients who completed and discontinued NAT. RESULTS: Between 2011- 2021, total of 3049 patients were included. The risk of not initiating NAT increased from 70 years. In 1954 (64%) patients receiving NAT, the risk of discontinuation increased from 55 years, reaching the peak around 74 years. In the elderly, discontinued NAT was not independently associated with worse 30-day mortality, overall complications, anastomotic leakage, re-intervention, and pathologic complete response, but was associated with a higher risk of R1/2 resection (p-value = 0.001), higher ypT stage (p-value = 0.004), ypN + (p-value = 0.008), and non-response ( p-value = 0.012). CONCLUSION: A decreased utilization of NAT has been observed in Dutch gastric cancer patients from 70 years due to old age considerations, possibly because of their high risk of discontinuation. Increasing the utilization of NAT may not adversely impact the surgical safety of gastric cancer population ≥ 70 years and may contribute to better pathological results.