Association between somatostatin analogues and diabetes mellitus in gastroenteropancreatic neuroendocrine tumor patients: A Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results-Medicare analysis of 5235 patients.

BACKGROUND: Gastroenteropancreatic neuroendocrine tumors (GEP-NETs) are increasingly common malignancies and tend to have favorable long-term prognoses. Somatostatin analogues (SSA) are a first-line treatment for many NETs. Short-term experiments suggest an association between SSAs and hyperglycemia. However, it is unknown whether there is a relationship between SSAs and clinically significant hyperglycemia causing development of diabetes mellitus (DM), a chronic condition with significant morbidity and mortality. AIM: In this study, we aimed to compare risk of developing DM in patients treated with SSA vs no SSA treatment. METHODS AND RESULTS: Using the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) database and linked Medicare claims (1991-2016), we identified patients age 65+ with no prior DM diagnosis and a GEP-NET in the stomach, small intestine, appendix, colon, rectum, or pancreas. We used χ2 tests to compare SSA-treated and SSA-untreated patients and multivariable Cox regression to assess risk factors for developing DM. Among 8464 GEP-NET patients, 5235 patients had no prior DM and were included for analysis. Of these, 784 (15%) patients received SSAs. In multivariable analysis, the hazard ratio of developing DM with SSA treatment was 1.19, which was not statistically significant (95% CI 0.95-1.49). Significant risk factors for DM included black race, Hispanic ethnicity, prior pancreatic surgery, prior chemotherapy, tumor size >2 cm, pancreas tumors, and higher Charlson scores. CONCLUSION: DM was very common in GEP-NET patients, affecting 53% of our cohort. Despite prior studies suggesting an association between SSAs and hyperglycemia, our analysis found similar risk of DM in SSA-treated and SSA-untreated GEP-NET patients. Further studies are needed to better understand this relationship. As NET patients have increasingly prolonged survival, it is crucial to identify chronic conditions such as DM that these patients may be at elevated risk for.

Low Colorectal Cancer Screening Uptake and Persistent Disparities in an Underserved Urban Population.

Colorectal cancer screening has increased substantially in New York City in recent years. However, screening uptake measured by telephone surveys may not fully capture rates among underserved populations. We measured screening completion within 1 year of a primary care visit among previously unscreened patients in a large urban safety-net hospital and identified sociodemographic and health-related predictors of screening.We identified 21,256 patients ages 50 to 75 who were seen by primary care providers (PCP) in 2014, of whom 14,425 (67.9%) were not up-to-date with screening. Because PCPs facilitate the majority of screening, we compared patients who received screening within 1 year of an initial PCP visit to those who remained unscreened using multivariable logistic regression.Among patients not up-to-date with screening at study outset, 11.5% (1,658 patients) completed screening within 1 year of a PCP visit. Asian race, more PCP visits, and higher area-level income were associated with higher screening completion. Factors associated with remaining unscreened included morbid obesity, ever smoking, Elixhauser comorbidity index of 0, and having Medicaid/Medicare insurance. Age, sex, language, and travel time to the hospital were not associated with screening status. Overall, 39.9% of patients were up-to-date with screening by 2015.In an underserved urban population, colorectal cancer screening disparities remain, and overall screening uptake was low. Because more PCP visits were associated with modestly higher screening completion at 1 year, additional community-level education and outreach may be crucial to increase colorectal cancer screening in underserved populations.

Does Smoking Intensity Predict Cessation Rates? A Study of Light-Intermittent, Light-Daily, and Heavy Smokers Enrolled in Two Telephone-Based Counseling Interventions.

INTRODUCTION: Though many interventions have been shown to be effective in helping smokers quit, outcomes may differ between light and heavy smokers. We identified differences in baseline characteristics and post-intervention cessation rates among smoker groups at two safety-net hospitals. METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed cessation rates in 1604 patients randomized to either a quitline referral (1-2 telephone counseling sessions) or intensive counseling program (seven telephone sessions). Participants were stratified into light-intermittent (smoked on ≤24 of last 30 days), light-daily (smoked on >24/30 days, 1-9 cigarettes per day [CPD]), or heavy smokers (smoked on >24/30 days, ≥10 CPD). We compared baseline characteristics between smoker types using chi-squared tests, then identified predictors of 30-day abstinence using a multivariable model. RESULTS: Compared with light-daily and light-intermittent smokers, heavy smokers were more likely to be white, male, concomitant e-cigarette users, to have high-risk alcohol use, to have used quitting aids previously, to have current or lifetime substance use (excluding cannabis), and have lower confidence in quitting. However, in multivariable analysis, smoker type was not significantly associated with cessation. The statistically significant predictors of cessation at 6 months were higher confidence in quitting and enrollment in the intensive counseling intervention. CONCLUSIONS: Smoker type (light-intermittent, light-daily, or heavy) does not independently predict success in a cessation program. However, smoker type is strongly associated with patients' confidence in quitting, which may be one predictor of cessation. IMPLICATIONS: This study of two safety-net hospitals emphasizes that the number of cigarettes smoked per day does not independently predict smoking cessation. Additionally, heavy smokers are at highest risk for the detrimental health effects of tobacco, yet have lower confidence and motivation to quit. Confidence in quitting may be one factor that affects cessation rates; however, further study is needed to identify which other attributes predict cessation. These findings suggest that smoker type may still be a useful proxy for predicting cessation and that interventions specifically designed for and validated in heavy smokers are needed to better aid these individuals.

Paradox of age: older patients receive higher age-adjusted minimum alveolar concentration fractions of volatile anaesthetics yet display higher bispectral index values.

BACKGROUND: Minimum alveolar concentration (MAC) and MAC-awake decrease with age. We hypothesised that, in clinical practice, (i) end-tidal MAC fraction in older patients would decline by less than the predicted age-dependent MAC decrease (i.e. older patients would receive relatively excessive anaesthetic concentrations), and (ii) bispectral index (BIS) values would therefore be lower in older patients. METHODS: We examined the relationship between end-tidal MAC fraction, BIS values, and age in 4699 patients > 30 yr in age at a single centre using unadjusted local regression (locally estimated scatterplot smoothing), Spearman's correlation, stratification, and robust univariable and multivariable linear regression. RESULTS: The end-tidal MAC fraction in older patients declined by 3.01% per decade (95% confidence interval [CI]: 2.56-3.45; P<0.001), less than the 6.47% MAC decrease per decade that we found in a meta-regression analysis of published studies of age-dependent changes in MAC (P<0.001), and less than the age-dependent decrease in MAC-awake. The BIS values correlated positively with age (ρ=0.15; 95% CI: 0.12-0.17; P<0.001), and inversely with the age-adjusted end-tidal MAC (aaMAC) fraction (ρ= -0.13; 95% CI: -0.16, -0.11; P<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The age-dependent decline in end-tidal MAC fraction delivered in clinical practice at our institution was less than the age-dependent percentage decrease in MAC and MAC-awake determined from published studies. Despite receiving higher aaMAC fractions, older patients paradoxically showed higher BIS values. This most likely suggests that the BIS algorithm is inaccurate in older adults.

Five-year results of small incision lenticule extraction (SMILE) and femtosecond laser LASIK (FS-LASIK) for myopia.

PURPOSE: To compare visual outcomes and aberration outcomes in small incision lenticule extraction (SMILE) versus femtosecond laser LASIK (FS-LASIK). METHODS: This prospective, comparative, nonrandomized clinical study included 68 eyes of 37 patients receiving SMILE and 55 eyes of 30 patients receiving FS-LASIK between December 2011 and January 2013 at the Fudan University Eye and ENT Hospital (Shanghai, People's Republic of China). Patients were followed up at 3, 6 months and 5 years after surgery. Main outcome measurements included uncorrected (UDVA) and corrected (CDVA) distance visual acuity, manifest refraction, central corneal thickness (CCT), total corneal refractive power (TCRP) and wavefront aberrations. RESULTS: About 98% (49/50) of treated eyes in the SMILE group and 95% (39/41) in the FS-LASIK group had a postoperative logMAR UDVA of 0 or better. Spherical equivalent (SE) after 5 years was -0.01 ± 0.35 D in the SMILE group and -0.23 ± 0.41 D in the FS-LASIK group. A regression of -0.02 ± 0.39 D in the SMILE group and -0.12 ± 0.32 D in the FS-LASIK group was observed between 6 months and 5 years postoperative time-points. TCRP increased by 0.39 ± 0.38 D in the SMILE group and 0.45 ± 0.49 D in the FS-LASIK group between 6-month and 5-year time-points. However, no statistically significant difference was found between the SMILE and FS-LASIK groups in terms of ∆SE, ∆CCT and ∆TCRP between 6 months and 5 years postoperative time-points. CONCLUSION: Myopic regression was observed in terms of TCRP but not in subjective refraction. No statistically significant difference in stability was found between SMILE and FS-LASIK.

Thirty-month results after the treatment of post-LASIK ectasia with allogenic lenticule addition and corneal cross-linking: a case report.

BACKGROUND: To report a first case of lenticule addition and corneal cross-linking for post-LASIK ectasia with associated corneal thinning. CASE PRESENTATION: Lenticule addition followed by corneal cross-linking was performed on the left eye of a patient with post-LASIK ectasia. Postoperatively, the corneal power and elevation were stable with a remarkable improvement in corneal thickness, and the lenticule had merged with the adjacent corneal stroma at 30 months follow-up. The patient's corrected distance visual acuity gained two lines. CONCLUSIONS: This case provides a potential treatment option for patients with keratectasia and keratoconus in association with thin corneal thickness (less than 400 µm) and may provide the benefit of delaying or avoiding the need for keratoplasty, which has its own associated complications and is limited by the availability of donor corneas.

Predictive Formula for Refraction of Autologous Lenticule Implantation for Hyperopia Correction.

PURPOSE: To create a formula to predict refractive correction of autologous lenticule implantation for correction of hyperopia (with myopia in one eye and hyperopia in the contralateral eye). METHODS: In this prospective study, 10 consecutive patients (20 eyes) who had myopia in one eye and hyperopia in the contralateral eye were included. The preoperative spherical equivalent was -3.31 ± 1.73 diopters (D) for the myopic eyes and +4.46 ± 1.97 D for the hyperopic eyes. For each patient, the myopic eye was treated with small incision lenticule extraction and the lenticule was subsequently implanted into the contralateral hyperopic eye. The average length of follow-up was 17 months. RESULTS: All of the operations were successful without complications. At the last visit, the efficacy index (postoperative uncorrected distance visual acuity/preoperative corrected distance visual acuity [CDVA]) of the hyperopic eyes was 0.94 ± 0.35 and the safety index (postoperative CDVA/preoperative CDVA) was 1.36 ± 0.38. No eyes lost any lines of visual acuity. Six of 10 (60%) of the implanted eyes were within ±1.00 D of the intended refractive target. A predictive formula was derived: Lenticule implantation achieved correction (D) (LAC) = 1.224 Lenticule refractive power (D) (LRP) - 0.063 (R2 =0.92, P < .001). On corneal topography, there was a significant increase in the corneal anterior surface keratometry value postoperatively, whereas the posterior surface keratometry value remained stable (P > .05). CONCLUSIONS: Autologous lenticule implantation could provide a reliable method of correcting hyperopia. The refractive correction formula may require further verification and adjustment. [J Refract Surg. 2017;33(12):827-833.].

Late-onset diffuse lamellar keratitis 4 years after femtosecond laser-assisted small incision lenticule extraction: a case report.

BACKGROUND: To report a first case of late-onset diffuse lamellar keratitis (DLK) occurring 4 years after femtosecond laser-assisted small incision lenticule extraction (SMILE). CASE PRESENTATION: A 41-year-old man who underwent SMILE 4 years prior developed DLK in the right eye 1 day after he was struck in the eye by a finger while playing with his son. Slim-lamp microscopy and anterior segment optical coherence tomography (AS-OCT) were used to evaluate the cornea of the right eye. Slit-lamp examination of the right eye revealed epithelial exfoliation and stage 3 DLK with diffuse, dot-like, granular haze in the interface between the cap and stromal bed. After intensive treatment with topical corticosteroids, the DLK resolved and corneal transparency was achieved. CONCLUSIONS: This case indicates that DLK can occur several years after SMILE. Ocular trauma may be a risk factor for the development of DLK. The prognosis is usually favorable with early diagnosis and treatment with topical corticosteroids.

Confocal comparison of corneal reinnervation after small incision lenticule extraction (SMILE) and femtosecond laser in situ keratomileusis (FS-LASIK).

PURPOSE: To evaluate corneal reinnervation, and the corresponding corneal sensitivity and keratocyte density after small incision lenticule extraction (SMILE) and femtosecond laser in situ keratomileusis (FS-LASIK). METHODS: In this prospective, non-randomized observational study, 18 patients (32 eyes) received SMILE surgery, and 22 patients (42 eyes) received FS-LASIK surgery to correct myopia. The corneal subbasal nerve density and microscopic morphological changes in corneal architecture were evaluated by confocal microscopy prior to surgery and at 1 week, 1 month, 3 months, and 6 months after surgery. A correlation analysis was performed between subbasal corneal nerve density and the corresponding keratocyte density and corneal sensitivity. RESULTS: The decrease in subbasal nerve density was less severe in SMILE-treated eyes than in FS-LASIK-treated eyes at 1 week (P = 0.0147), 1 month (P = 0.0243), and 3 months (P = 0.0498), but no difference was detected at the 6-month visit (P = 0.5277). The subbasal nerve density correlated positively with central corneal sensitivity in both groups (r = 0.416, P<0.0001, and r = 0.2567, P = 0.0038 for SMILE group and FS-LASIK group, respectively). The SMILE-treated eyes have a lower risk of developing peripheral empty space with epithelial cells filling in (P = 0.0005). CONCLUSIONS: The decrease in subbasal nerve fiber density was less severe in the SMILE group than the FS-LASIK group in the first 3 months following the surgeries. The subbasal nerve density was correlated with central corneal sensitivity.