Prevalence of Micronutrient Deficiencies in Preoperative Bariatric Patients in a New Zealand Tertiary Centre.

PURPOSE: A potential complication of bariatric surgery is development of nutritional deficiencies. Study aims were to assess prevalence of micronutrient deficiencies in preoperative bariatric patients and to examine for ethnic differences. METHODS: Retrospective analysis of 573 patients that underwent bariatric surgery at Counties Manukau District Health Board was carried out. Mean preoperative levels of albumin, calcium, phosphate, folate, vitamin B12, vitamin D, magnesium, haemoglobin, haematocrit, mean cell volume, mean cell haemoglobin, ferritin, iron, and transferrin were calculated. Chi square, fisher exact test, and multiple logistic regression was used to assess for differences in prevalence of micronutrient deficiencies across ethnicities. RESULTS: The most common micronutrient deficiency was vitamin D (30.85%). There were statistically significant differences in vitamin D deficiency across ethnicities (p < 0.0001). Asians had the highest prevalence of vitamin D deficiency (60%), followed by Pacifica (44.57%), and Maori (31.68%). Asians were more likely to have vitamin D deficiency compared to NZ/Other Europeans (OR = 14.93, p < 0.001). Vitamin D deficiency was associated with higher BMI (OR = 1.05, p = 0.008). The second most common deficiency was iron (21.1%). Asians had the highest prevalence of iron deficiency (44%), followed by Maori (27.95%), and Pacifica (19.57%) (p = 0.0064). Compared to NZ/Other Europeans, Asians (OR = 4.26) and Maori (OR = 1.78) were more likely to be iron deficient (p = 0.004). Female gender was associated with iron deficiency (OR = 2.12, p = 0.007). CONCLUSION: Vitamin D and iron are the most common micronutrient deficiencies among preoperative bariatric patients in this cohort and ethnic differences were seen. There may be a role for preoperative supplementation in these at-risk ethnic groups.

Does the National Bariatric Prioritization Tool predict health outcomes?

BACKGROUND: The National Bariatric Prioritization Tool (NBPT), developed in Aotearoa New Zealand (AoNZ), has not been validated using real patient data. The aim was to determine the predictive validity of the NBPT on health outcomes. METHODS: An observational study was undertaken of consecutive patients undergoing elective bariatric surgery at Middlemore Hospital using the NBPT from December 2014 to December 2016. The primary outcome was the correlation between prioritization score and percentage total weight loss (%TWL) at 18 months follow-up, with secondary outcomes being correlation with change in HbA1c, lipids, resolution of OSA, resolution of hypertension, and reduction in arthritis medications. Equity of access was measured by the relationship to age group, gender and ethnicity. RESULTS: There were 294 patients included. There was no correlation between %TWL and prioritization score (correlation -0.09, P = 0.14). The benefit score correlated with %TWL (correlation 0.25, P < 0.0001). There were correlations between prioritization score and HbA1c reduction (correlation 0.28, P < 0.0001), resolution of OSA (correlation 0.20, P < 0.001) and resolution of hypertension (correlation 0.20, P < 0.001). There was a significant difference in prioritization score based on ethnicity, with Maori and Pasifika scoring higher than New Zealand European (P = 0.0023). CONCLUSIONS: While the NBPT does not correlate with %TWL, it may have predictive validity through correlations with improvement of comorbidities such as diabetes, OSA and hypertension. Given higher rates of obesity and comorbidities in Maori and Pasifika, the higher scores may suggest the tool may be used to achieve equity of access. Further modifications should be considered to optimize outcomes.

Improving Golden Hour Care Coordination: Using Defined Roles to Improve Nurse Confidence and Care Coordination of Neonates Following Admission.

STUDY AIM: To investigate whether use of admission lanyards improves nurse confidence, care coordination, and infant health outcomes during neonatal emergency admissions. METHODS: Admission lanyards that defined team roles, tasks, and responsibilities were evaluated in a mixed-methods, historically controlled, and nonrandomized intervention study. Methods included (i) 81 pre- and postintervention surveys to explore nurse confidence, (ii) 8 postintervention semistructured interviews to elicit nurse perceptions of care coordination and nurse confidence, and (iii) a quantitative comparison of infant care coordination and health outcomes for 71 infant admissions before and 72 during the intervention. RESULTS: Nurse participants reported that using lanyards during neonatal admissions improved clarity of roles and responsibilities, communication, and task delegation, contributing to better admission flow, team leadership, accountability, and improved nurse confidence. Care coordination outcomes showed significantly improved time to stabilization for intervention infants. Radiographies for line placement were performed 14.4 minutes faster, and infants commenced intravenous nutrition 27.7 minutes faster from time of admission. Infant health outcomes remained similar between groups. CONCLUSION: Admission lanyards were associated with improved nurse confidence and care coordination during neonatal emergency admissions, significantly reducing time to stabilization for infants, shifting outcomes closer to the Golden Hour.

Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma at risk of secondary CNS involvement: The inefficacy of intravenous high-dose methotrexate CNS prophylaxis and the importance of baseline cerebrospinal fluid analysis.

High-dose intravenous methotrexate (HD-MTX) CNS prophylaxis in high-risk diffuse large B cell lymphoma (DLBCL) remains controversial. We describe real-world CNS relapse incidence following baseline cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) analysis to exclude asymptomatic leptomeningeal involvement in newly diagnosed high-risk DLBCL patients with versus without single-route HD-MTX CNS prophylaxis. Consecutively diagnosed high-risk systemic DLBCL patients without leptomeningeal involvement by CSF analysis (noCNS) were identified retrospectively. Five-year CNS relapse incidence and survival outcomes were examined, as stratified by receipt of HD-MTX prophylaxis. Secondary analysis of survival outcomes in patients with synchronous leptomeningeal involvement (CNSinv) by CSF analysis at diagnosis were compared with the noCNS group. No significant difference in 5-year CNS relapse incidence was observed following HD-MTX prophylaxis versus no prophylaxis (total n = 445) despite similar CNS-IPI risk; 6.2% versus 5.6%, adjusted HR 1.08 (95% CI 0.41-2.85), p = .88; nor in 5-year progression free survival (PFS) or overall survival (OS) risk. Of CNSinv patients, 93.3% had ≥1 extranodal site. Increased CNS relapse/progression risk (5-year risk; HR 10.7 [95% CI 5.35-21.37], p < .0001) and inferior PFS and OS were observed in CNSinv versus all noCNS patients. The CNSinv group had superior OS compared with noCNS patients who later experienced CNS relapse (HR 0.55, p = .052). HD-MTX prophylaxis does not reduce CNS relapse risk in high-risk systemic DLBCL without leptomeningeal involvement by CSF analysis at diagnosis. Asymptomatic patients with synchronous leptomeningeal involvement on baseline CSF examination are at increased risk of further CNS disease events and inferior survival compared to patients without CSF involvement.

Bridging the gap between primary and secondary care: a utilisation evaluation of an otolaryngology GPwSI programme.

Introduction Counties Manukau Health Otolaryngology programme for general practitioners with special interest (GPwSI) was developed to provide a group of GPs with tools to manage low complexity, secondary otolaryngology (ORL) problems in their local communities. After clinical triaging, the medical records were retrieved to assess patient outcomes from community (GPwSI) review. This programme provides an example of how the aims of the Health NZ reforms may work in practice, by bridging primary and secondary services. Aim To assess whether the GPwSI programme provides patients with suitable specialty care in the community, compared to a specialised, hospital outpatient otolaryngology clinic (OPC). Methods This is a retrospective study of patients with an assigned priority of three (non-urgent) referred to Middlemore Hospital for a first specialist assessment (FSA) during 2018-19. Results Of the 6231 patients referred, one-fifth (22%) were directed to the GPwSI service, and the remainder (78%) were arranged to be seen in the OPC. GPwSI patients were more likely to be seen for their FSA earlier than OPC patients (RR 1.55, 95% CI 1.46-1.64, P Discussion Patients being seen through the GPwSI programme are suitably managed in the community, more efficiently than if they were to be seen in an outpatient specialist clinic.

Presenting characteristics, length of stay and oxygen use among COVID-19 cases at a single tertiary hospital in Auckland, New Zealand, using retrospective medical recorded data.

AIMS: The purpose of our current study was to analyse demographic and presenting characteristics of COVID-19 patients, including assigning clinical severity scores, and analyse with respect to oxygen utilisation and hospital course. METHODS: This was a retrospective observational study of COVID-positive patients presenting to the Emergency Department at Middlemore Hospital in Auckland, New Zealand. Data were collected between 1 August 2021 and 1 November 2021. They were followed through 20 December 2021. Data were obtained from both the EMR system and paper charts for all eligible patients during the study period. RESULTS: There were 171 patients included, with 187 patient presentations. Oxygen data were collected on 123 admitted patients and showed that 47% of admission time was spent off oxygen. Of the total presentations, the median length of stay (LOS) was 4 days. The severity of presenting illness was associated with disposition and predictive of LOS. CONCLUSIONS: Approximately half of the admitted patient's hospital time involved no oxygen use, which suggests that we may be able to further risk stratify in order to decrease the number and duration of hospital admissions going forward. As expected, clinical severity scores were associated with oxygen utilisation, disposition and LOS.

Tube thoracostomy for trauma at Counties Manukau District Health Board, Aotearoa New Zealand.

BACKGROUND: Tube thoracostomy (TT) in trauma is lifesaving. A previous audit at Counties Manukau District Health Board (CMDHB), New Zealand, showed a 22% complication rate for trauma TT. Subsequently CMDHB introduced a procedural guideline to reduce complications. The Health and Disability Commission published a report concerning oversights in TT removal. This led us to evaluate complications, documentation and procedural monitoring to identify ways to improve patient safety. METHOD: A 30-month retrospective audit of patients presenting to CMDHB, with injuries which may require TT. Those who had a TT in situ, did not require a TT or whose presentation was not secondary to trauma were excluded. RESULTS: One hundred and forty-three TTs were performed in one hundred and fifteen patients. About 87% had injuries secondary to blunt mechanism. Penetrating injuries were more likely to require TT (P = 0.015). Non-accidental injuries were more likely to need TT (P = 0.025). The complication rate was 25.2%. TT prior to imaging had a 31% complication rate (P < 0.03). About 23% had no TT insertion note. 40% had no TT removal note. About 9% TT insertions had no tertiary information to identify the proceduralist and a complication rate of 46%. About 22% of insertions and 4% of removals documented consent. About 2% of insertions documented anticoagulation status. Interventional radiology had the best documentation of data points assessed (P < 0.0001). Post-procedural monitoring recommendations were documented in 1% insertions and 11% removals. CONCLUSIONS: The complication rate has not reduced despite introduction of a guideline. Procedural documentation and monitoring were inadequate, potentially impacting patient safety.

Measuring health consumers' engagement at the governance level: development and validation of the Middlemore Consumer Engagement Questionnaire.

AIM: To develop and validate a questionnaire to measure health CE at governance level. METHOD: This study used qualitative and quantitative methods (including focus groups, cognitive interviews and an international survey), and consisted of two phases. In Phase 1, an initial list of items was generated and refined with feedback from health consumer representatives. In Phase 2, a draft survey was distributed to n=227 consumers from New Zealand, Australia and Canada. The benefit and relevance of using the questionnaire was explored through face-to-face interviews with five CE leaders from New Zealand healthcare organisations. RESULTS: The proposed questionnaire comprises 25 statements relating to CE. Respondents indicate their level of agreement with the statements on a five-point Likert-type scale. Focus group and cognitive interview participants found the questionnaire relevant and easy to understand. The questionnaire scores correlated with the PPEET, another instrument measuring consumer engagement, and showed excellent internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha=0.97), unidimensionality and test-retest reliability (r=0.84). CONCLUSION: The proposed questionnaire measures CE at governance level and can be used for international comparisons and benchmarking. It showed sound psychometric properties and its value and relevance was recognised by health consumer representatives and leaders with CE roles in New Zealand healthcare organisations.

Bullous pemphigoid: Its incidence, mortality and clinical outcome in New Zealand.

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Bullous pemphigoid (BP) is an uncommon autoimmune bullous disorder, with significant morbidity and mortality. Mortality may be as high as 23.5% in the first year after diagnosis. Clear epidemiologic data across Australasia are lacking. METHODS: A retrospective, multi-centred cohort study was designed to determine the incidence and mortality of bullous pemphigoid in New Zealand. Data from all histopathologically diagnosed patients with bullous pemphigoid between 2009 and 2015 from the Auckland region were obtained. Demographics, clinical characteristics and outcome 3 years from diagnosis (until 31 December 2018) were collected. Demographic data were compared against a denominator year-matched New Zealand Census population. RESULTS: One hundred sixty-one patients had confirmed bullous pemphigoid, with an incidence rate of 3.03/100 000 person-years [95% CI 2.58-3.54]; 70% were of European ethnicity; 12.4% were Pacific peoples; 11.2% were Asian; and 6.8% were Maori. 45.3% had associated cognitive impairment and/or stroke. In the 3-year follow-up, 25% had treatment complications mostly from prednisone therapy. The mortality rate was 40%, highest in the first year of diagnosis, with age at diagnosis a predictor. CONCLUSION: The incidence and mortality rates are comparable to the UK/Northern Europe. Knowledge of the epidemiology of bullous pemphigoid in New Zealand and within an international settling informs the provision of future care and treatments.

The evidence for introducing case-finding for delirium and dementia in older medical inpatients in a New Zealand hospital.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this project was to make the case to the managers of a large urban teaching hospital in New Zealand for the introduction of systematic case-finding for pre-existing cognitive impairment/dementia in older hospital inpatients that screen positive for delirium. METHOD: Two hundred consecutive acute admissions aged 75+ in four medical wards were assessed using the 4AT assessment tool for delirium and the Alzheimer Questionnaire (AQ) for pre-existing cognitive impairment/dementia. Length of stay and mortality at 1 year were also collected. RESULTS: Over a third of the sample screened positive for delirium and nearly two-thirds of these also screened positive for dementia. The median length of stay was 5 days for delirium without dementia and 7 days for delirium with dementia, compared to 3 days for those who screened negative for both. After adjustment for age, gender and ethnic group, people who screened positive for delirium (with or without dementia) had 50% longer length of stay (p < 0.05) and at least double the risk of death (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Older hospital inpatients that screen positive for delirium and dementia using 4AT and AQ have longer lengths of stay and higher mortality. Identification may lead to more timely interventions that help to improve health outcomes and reduce hospital costs.

A retrospective observational study of genital findings in adult women presenting to a New Zealand Adult Sexual Abuse Assessment and Treatment Service following an allegation of recent sexual assault.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to report on the prevalence of genital findings documented in women attending a forensic examination following an allegation of recent sexual assault. A secondary aim was to investigate for any associations between genital findings and variables related to population demographics and clinical factors. STUDY DESIGN: A retrospective review of clinical records was undertaken for 593 women, aged between 17 and 45 years of age, who underwent a forensic examination within 72 h following an alleged sexual assault at the Pohutukawa clinic, adult Sexual Abuse Assessment and Treatment Service (SAATS) in Auckland, New Zealand over a four-year period. Statistical analysis to examine for any associations between any documented genital findings and subject variables was performed. RESULTS: The key finding was that 66.4% (394/593) of the women had a normal genital examination. Of the 182 women with genital findings the presence of skin disruption and/or bruising was noted in 21.1% (125/593) and non-specific findings in 9.6% (57/593). 17 women were not included as the genital examination was incomplete. For 9.5% (56/593) of women the presence of abnormal genital skin was documented. From the adjusted odds ratios obtained by multivariate analysis there was a statistically significant association between the presence of genital findings and abnormal skin condition (OR 3.13, p = 0.0004). CONCLUSION: The study demonstrated that the majority of women seen within 72 h of an alleged sexual assault had a normal genital examination. Given the strength of the association between the presence of genital findings and skin condition, we recommend that documentation of the genital skin condition should become a routine part of a forensic examination following sexual assault. This is particularly important if genital findings are present, in order to present the full complexity of clinical examination findings to the court and provide an expert opinion regarding the limitations of attributing causation.

The impact of pain on function after spinal cord injury.

AIM: Pain is a common complication of spinal cord injuries (SCI). Our objective was to quantify those who had pain on discharge from rehabilitation, and the level of interference it had on their functionality. METHOD: This study used data collected prospectively from 2018 to 2019 via the New Zealand Spinal Cord Injury Registry (NZSCIR). Questionnaires completed by patients on discharge provided the necessary data. Primary outcomes were the number of patients reporting pain, and the level of interference with their activities of daily living (ADLs), mood and sleep. Level of interference was quantified via a score from zero to 10. Scores of seven and above were considered "severe" interference. RESULTS: Seventy-six-point six percent of patients in this study group reported having pain on discharge. The median scores for interference with functionality were all three out of 10. Twenty-three-point eight percent of patients reported severe interference with sleep, 16.7% with ADLs and 16.2% with mood. CONCLUSION: The number of patients being discharged with pain from SCI rehabilitation units in New Zealand is similar to figures from other literature. Although significant functional impairments were not found overall, focus remains to optimise management for patients who do report "severe" interference.

Are There Ethnic Differences in Micronutrient Deficiencies in Preoperative Bariatric Patients? A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.

The purpose of this systematic review was to determine if in patients presenting for bariatric surgery, patients of different ethnicities, have different micronutrient deficiencies preoperatively. Databases searched were PubMed, Embase, MEDLINE and Cochrane Library. A meta-analysis of prevalence of vitamin D insufficiency (<20ng/ml) was carried out using a random effects model. Twenty-eight articles were included assessing preoperative micronutrient status across different ethnic groups. The most common micronutrient assessed was vitamin D, and the most assessed ethnicity was Caucasian. African Americans had the greatest prevalence of vitamin D insufficiency when compared to other ethnicities with a pooled prevalence and 95% confidence interval of 0.80 [0.74; 0.85]. There was a significant difference in vitamin D insufficiency when compared across ethnicities (p <0.01).

Pregnancy outcomes in women with booking HbA1c ≤ 40 mmol/mol compared with 41-49 mmol/mol in South Auckland, New Zealand.

AIMS: There are few data on pregnancy outcomes in women with pre-diabetes (HbA1c 41-49 mmol/mmol) at pregnancy booking. We aimed to (i) identify the proportion of women in Counties Manukau Health (CMH), South Auckland, New Zealand (NZ), with pre-diabetes at booking and (ii) compare outcomes between women with normal HbA1c and pre-diabetes. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Using data from a multi-ethnic population of 10,869 singleton pregnancies, booked at <20 weeks from January 2017 to December 2018 in CMH, we compared outcomes between those with normal HbA1c (≤40 mmol/mol) and those with pre-diabetes (HbA1c 41-49 mmol/mol). The primary outcomes were gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) by NZ criteria and large for gestational age (LGA) defined as birthweight >90th customised centile. Logistic regression determined the contribution of HbA1c 41-49 mmol/mol to the development of GDM. RESULTS: Among 10,869 participants, 193 (1.78%) had an HbA1c 41-49 mmol/mol at <20 weeks' gestation. Those with HbA1c 41-49 mmol/mol were 11 times more likely to develop GDM (59.6 vs 7.9%; adjusted odds ratio (aOR) 11.16 (7.59, 16.41)) and were more likely to have an LGA baby (47 (24.4%) vs 1436 (13.5%) aOR 1.63 (1.10, 2.41)) versus those with normal HbA1c. They also had significantly higher rates of pre-eclampsia, caesarean sections, preterm births and perinatal deaths. CONCLUSIONS: Nearly two-thirds of women with a booking HbA1c of 41-49 mmol/mmol developed GDM as well as multiple other perinatal complications compared to women with HbA1c ≤40. Trials to evaluate the impact of treatment in early pregnancy on the risk of late-pregnancy complications are required.

Does Bariatric Surgery Improve Faecal Incontinence? A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.

INTRODUCTION: Obesity increases the risk of pelvic floor disorders in individuals with obesity, including faecal incontinence. Faecal incontinence (FI) is a condition with important clinical and psychosocial consequences. Though it is associated with obesity, the effect of bariatric surgery on the prevalence and severity of FI is not well reported. OBJECTIVE: To assess the effect of bariatric surgery on the prevalence and severity of FI in adult patients with obesity. METHODS: This systematic review was conducted in accordance with the PRISMA statement. Two independent reviewers performed a literature search in MEDLINE, PubMed, Cochrane and Embase from 1 January 1980 to 12 January 2019. We included published English-language randomized control trials and observational studies assessing pre- and post-bariatric surgery prevalence or severity of FI. Random-effects models with DerSimonian and Laird's variance estimator were used for meta-analysis. RESULTS: Thirteen studies were included, eight assessing prevalence (678 patients) and 11 assessing severity of FI (992 patients). There was no significant difference in prevalence post-operatively overall, though it trended towards a reduction [pooled OR=0.55; =0.075]. There was a significant reduction of FI prevalence in women post-bariatric surgery [95% CI 0.22 to 0.94, p=0.034]. There was a statistically significant reduction in FI prevalence following Roux-en-Y gastric bypass and one anastomosis gastric bypass [0.46, 95% CI 0.26 to 0.81; p=0.007]. There was no significant reduction of incontinence episodes post-operatively [pooled mean difference =-0.17, 95% CI -0.90 to 0.56; p=0.65]. Quality of life (QOL) was not significantly improved post-bariatric surgery [mean differences for the following facets of QOL: behaviour -0.35, 95% CI -0.94 to 0.24; depression 0.04, 95% CI -0.12 to 0.2; lifestyle -0.33, 95% CI -0.98 to 0.33; p values of 0.25, 0.61 and 0.33, respectively]. DISCUSSION: There was a significant reduction in FI prevalence in women and those who underwent Roux-en-Y or one anastomosis gastric bypass. Our results for FI prevalence overall, FI severity and impact on quality of life were not statistically significant. Larger studies are needed in this under-researched area to determine the true effect of bariatric surgery on FI.

The global epidemic of thyroid cancer overdiagnosis illustrated using 18 months of consecutive nodule biopsy correlating clinical priority, ACR-TIRADS and Bethesda scoring.

Low thyroid cancer mortality worldwide has not been altered by decades of increasing radiological, pathological and surgical intervention for thyroid nodules. Ultrasound-based risk stratification of thyroid nodules, such as TIRADS, has been introduced to reduce intervention for the 'global epidemic' of thyroid cancer 'overdiagnosis'. This article illustrates the use of TIRADS at a New Zealand tertiary centre, during its introduction, with all nodules undergoing fine-needle aspiration biopsy (FNAB) correlated with clinical referral priority and cytological Bethesda score. The correlation between TIRADS and Bethesda score was not significant but cytology had a strong association with clinical priority. Accuracy of TIRADS was poor though the risk of malignancy for TIRADS 5 nodules was 5.1 times those rated as TIRADS 3. After TIRADS was introduced, there was no significant trend in the proportion of malignant nodules diagnosed by FNAB. Despite an incomplete TIRADS programme, the ACR targets of malignancy rates were achieved. The number of patients, as well as the number of nodules per patient, referred for FNAB continues to rise. Changing papillary thyroid cancer nomenclature and other control measures by health policymakers, such as adjustments to payment systems, may be justified. Radiologists are wasting precious health resources that can be better deployed. The use of TIRADS is expensive and a symptom of health policy failure. Clear recommendations from professional societies to not report incidental small thyroid nodules may be a useful start. Whether TIRADS merits continuing use and promotion should be further investigated.

Epidemiology of haemorrhoids and publicly funded excisional haemorrhoidectomies in New Zealand (2007-2016): a population-based cross-sectional study.

AIM: Haemorrhoids are frequently encountered by the general or colorectal surgeon. Although a benign disease, those with symptomatic, advanced grades frequently require excisional haemorrhoidectomy for definitive management. Despite their widespread nature, the epidemiological burden of haemorrhoids and haemorrhoidectomies on populations is not well described. This study seeks to establish the incidence of both haemorrhoids diagnosed and haemorrhoidectomies performed in New Zealand. METHOD: This is a population-based cross-sectional study examining the incidence of all patients who were newly diagnosed with haemorrhoids in New Zealand public hospital outpatient clinics and those who received excisional haemorrhoidectomy in New Zealand public hospitals from 2007 to 2016. Data were extracted and linked using the New Zealand National Minimum Dataset and the National Non-Admitted Patient Collection. Variables collected included age group, sex, ethnicity and geographical location. RESULTS: A total of 46 095 recorded diagnoses of haemorrhoids were made, with a total of 18 739 haemorrhoidectomies in the 10-year period recorded. The incidence rate of diagnosis increased from 84.6 to 120.5 per 100 000 and the incidence rate of haemorrhoidectomies performed from 30.4 to 51.1 per 100 000, a significantly increased annual incidence. There was a unimodal peak prevalence in the fifth decade of life with women more affected. Europeans formed the largest group affected, with Asians showing the highest rate of increased incidence. CONCLUSION: There is an increasing incidence of patients with symptomatic haemorrhoids presenting to the New Zealand public healthcare system, with a preponderance in working age adults, especially women.

Impact of severe obesity on long-term success and complications of the retropubic midurethral sling.

INTRODUCTION AND HYPOTHESIS: With conflicting evidence in the literature, we hypothesised that the long-term subjective outcomes of the retropubic midurethral sling (MUS) are the same in the severely obese and non-obese populations. METHODS: A retrospective matched cohort study was performed on women with a BMI ≥ 35 and < 30 who had a retropubic MUS placed between 2010 and 2015 using telephone questionnaires. The primary outcome was the success rate of surgery defined by the Urogenital Distress Inventory Short Form (UDI-6) stress subscale. Statistical analysis was performed to test for associations between primary and secondary outcomes across the two groups. RESULTS: Seventy-eight severely obese (SOG) and 74 non-obese (NOG) were recruited. At a median time from surgery of 3.8 years the success rate was 47.4% in the SOG compared to 64.9% in the NOG (p = 0.03). There was a 22% reduction in the odds of success with every 5 unit increase in BMI (p = 0.03). There were higher rates of mixed urinary incontinence preoperatively (60.3% vs. 37.8%, p = 0.006) and persistent urinary urge incontinence postoperatively (48.7% vs. 32.4% p = 0.04) in the severely obese. Lower PGI-I scores were obtained in the severely obese group indicating less improvement in symptoms from surgery. There was no difference in complication rates between the groups. CONCLUSION: Long-term subjective outcomes from the retropubic MUS are lower in severely obese women than in non-obese women with no difference in complication rates. High satisfaction and recommendation rates were found in both groups.