Identification and Validation of the Prognostic Impact of Metastatic Prostate Cancer Phenotypes.

INTRODUCTION: Castration-sensitive metastatic prostate cancer is heterogeneous. Our objective is to identify metastatic prostate cancer phenotypes and their prognostic impact on survival. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The National Cancer Database was queried. The Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results database was used for validation. Patterns were split into: nonregional lymph node, bone only, and visceral (any brain/liver/lung). Hazard ratios (HR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI) were calculated for the univariate and multivariate Cox proportional hazards regression models, odds ratios were calculated, Kaplan-Meier curves were generated, and a nomogram of the multivariate regression model was created. RESULTS: The training set included 13,818 men; bone only was most common (n = 11,632, 84.2%), then nonregional lymph node (n = 1388, 10.0%), and any visceral (brain/liver/lung; n = 798, 5.8%). Risk of death was increased by metastases to a visceral organ versus nonregional lymph node (HR = 2.26; 95% CI [2.00, 2.56]), bone only metastases versus nonregional lymph node (HR = 1.57; 95% CI [1.43, 1.72]), T-stage 4 versus 1 (HR = 1.27; 95% CI [1.17, 1.36]), Grade Group 5 versus 1 (HR = 1.93; 95% CI [1.61, 2.31]), PSA > 20 ng/mL versus < 10 ng/mL (HR = 1.32; 95% CI [1.23, 1.42]), and age ≥ 80 versus < 50 (HR = 1.96; 95% CI [1.69, 2.29]). On internal validation, the model had C-indices 20.5%, 22.7%, and 14.6% higher than the current staging system for overall survival, 1-year, and 5-year survival, respectively. CONCLUSION: We developed and validated prognostic metastatic prostate cancer phenotypes that can assist risk stratification to potentially personalize therapy. Our nomogram (https://tinyurl.com/prostate-met) may be used to predict survival.

Effectiveness and Cost-Effectiveness of Different Weekly Frequencies of Pilates for Chronic Low Back Pain: Randomized Controlled Trial.

BACKGROUND: The Pilates method has been recommended to patients with low back pain, but the evidence on effectiveness is inconclusive. In addition, there is still no evidence for the cost-effectiveness of this method or for the ideal number of sessions to achieve the highest effectiveness. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study will be to investigate the effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of the Pilates method with different weekly frequencies in the treatment of patients with nonspecific low back pain. DESIGN: This is a randomized controlled trial with blinded assessor. SETTING: This study will be conducted at a physical therapy clinic in São Paulo, Brazil. PARTICIPANTS: Two hundred ninety-six patients with nonspecific low back pain between the ages of 18 and 80 years will be assessed and randomly allocated to 4 groups (n=74 patients per group). INTERVENTION: All groups will receive an educational booklet. The booklet group will not receive additional exercises. Pilates group 1 will follow a Pilates-based program once a week, Pilates group 2 will follow the same program twice a week, and Pilates group 3 will follow the same program 3 times a week. The intervention will last 6 weeks. MEASUREMENTS: A blinded assessor will evaluate pain, quality-adjusted life-years, general and specific disability, kinesiophobia, pain catastrophizing, and global perceived effect 6 weeks, 6 months, and 12 months after randomization. LIMITATIONS: Therapists and patients will not be blinded. CONCLUSIONS: This will be the first study to investigate different weekly frequencies of treatment sessions for nonspecific low back pain. The results of this study will contribute to a better definition of treatment programs for this population.