Global Cardiac Surgery in Brazil: A Call to Action.

Global Cardiac Surgery is an innovative initiative with a focus on improving health outcomes and achieving healthcare equity for individuals worldwide affected by cardiac surgical conditions or in need of cardiac surgical care. Considering the existing disparities in access to cardiac surgery and the substantial burden of cardiac conditions amenable to surgical procedures in Brazil, it is imperative to support and scale Global Cardiac Surgery initiatives and leave no Brazilian patient behind. Here, we advocate for national initiatives within this field and highlight opportunities and challenges to support their development.

Attraction and achievement as 2 attributes of gamification in healthcare: an evolutionary concept analysis

This study conducted a conceptual analysis of gamification in healthcare utilizing Rogers' evolutionary concept analysis methodology to identify its attributes and provide a method for its applications in the healthcare field. Gamification has recently been used as a health intervention and education method, but the concept is used inconsistently and confusingly. A literature review was conducted to derive definitions, surrogate terms, antecedents, influencing factors, attributes (characteristics with dimensions and features), related concepts, consequences, implications, and hypotheses from various academic fields. A total of 56 journal articles in English and Korean, published between August 2 and August 7, 2023, were extracted from databases such as PubMed Central, the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, the Association for Computing Machinery Digital Library, the Research Information Sharing Service, and the Korean Studies Information Service System, using the keywords "gamification" and "healthcare." These articles were then analyzed. Gamification in healthcare is defined as the application of game elements in health-related contexts to improve health outcomes. The attributes of this concept were categorized into 2 main areas: attraction and achievement. These categories encompass various strategies for synchronization, enjoyable engagement, visual rewards, and goal-reinforcing frames. Through a multidisciplinary analysis of the concept's attributes and influencing factors, this paper provides practical strategies for implementing gamification in health interventions. When developing a gamification strategy, healthcare providers can reference this analysis to ensure the game elements are used both appropriately and effectively.

Atención farmacéutica y asma: protocolo de una revisión de revisiones sistemáticas / Pharmaceutical care and asthma: Protocol of an umbrella review of systematic reviews

Introducción las revisiones sistemáticas y metaanálisis recientes sugieren que las intervenciones por parte de farmacéuticos en pacientes asmáticos tienen un impacto positivo en resultados en salud. Sin embargo, la asociación no está bien establecida y el papel de los farmacéuticos clínicos está pobremente representado, así como el de los pacientes con asma grave. El objetivo de esta revisión de revisiones es identificar revisiones sistemáticas publicadas que evalúen el impacto de las intervenciones farmacéuticas en resultados en salud medidos en pacientes asmáticos, así como describir los componentes clave de las intervenciones, los resultados medidos y cualquier asociación entre las intervenciones farmacéuticas y los resultados en salud medidos. Métodos se hará una busqueda en PubMed, Embase, Scopus y la Cochrane Library desde el primer registro hasta diciembre de 2022. Se considerará la inclusión de revisiones sistemáticas de todo tipo de estudios primarios, severidad del asma o nivel asistencial que midan resultados en salud. La calidad metodológica se medirá usando A Measurement Tool to Assess Systematic Reviews 2. Dos investigadores independientes realizarán la selección de los estudios, la evaluación de la calidad y la extracción de datos. Cualquier discrepancia será solventada por un tercer investigador. Ambos resultados, narrativos y metaanálisis, de los estudios primarios incluidos en las revisiones sistemáticas serán sintetizados. Si los datos son apropiados para un análisis cuantitativo, las medidas de asociación se expresarán como cociente de riesgos y diferencia de medias. Discusión los primeros resultados del establecimiento de una red multidisciplinar para el manejo de los pacientes asmáticos mostraron beneficios en integrar los diferentes niveles asistenciales en el control de la enfermedad y la reducción de la morbilidad...(AU)

Introduction Recent systematic reviews and meta-analyses suggest that pharmacists' interventions in asthma patients have a positive impact on health-related outcomes. Nevertheless, the association is not well established and the role of clinical pharmacists is poorly represented, as well as severe asthma patients. The aim of this overview of systematic reviews is to identify published systematic reviews assessing the impact of pharmacists' interventions on health-related outcomes measured in asthma patients, as well as to describe key components of the interventions, the outcomes assessed and any associations between pharmacists' interventions and health-related outcomes. Methods PubMed, Embase, Scopus and the Cochrane Library will be searched from inception to December 2022. Systematic reviews of all study designs, severity of asthma and level of care that measured health-related outcomes will be considered. Methodological quality will be assessed using A Measurement Tool to Assess Systematic Reviews 2. Two independent investigators will perform the study selection, quality assessment and data collection, any discrepancy will be solved by a third investigator. Both narrative findings and meta-analysis of primary study data included in the systematic reviews will be synthesized. If data are appropriate for quantitative synthesis, the measures of association will be expressed as the risk ratio and difference in means. Discussion The first results on the establishment of a multidisciplinary network for the management of asthmatic patients have shown the benefits of integrating different levels of care in disease control and morbidity reduction. Further studies showed benefits in hospital admissions, patients' basal oral corticosteroid dose, exacerbations and quality of life of asthma patients...(AU)

Factores de complejidad de cuidados asociados a la reconsulta en un servicio de urgencias / Care complexity factors associated with revisits to an emergency department

Objetivo: Analizar la prevalencia de factores de complejidad de cuidados en los pacientes atendidos en el servicio de urgencias y determinar su relación con las reconsultas durante los 30 días posteriores a la vista inicial. Método: Estudio observacional transversal correlacional. Se incluyeron de forma consecutiva todos aquellos pacientes adultos que consultaron al servicio de urgencias de un hospital de tercer nivel durante un periodo de 6 meses. Las variables principales del estudio fueron la reconsulta a los 30 días y 26 factores individuales de complejidad de cuidados categorizados en 5 fuentes (psicoemocional, mental-cognitiva, sociocultural, evolutiva, comorbilidades-complicaciones). Los datos fueron recogidos de la historia clínica electrónica. Resultados: Se incluyeron un total de 15.556 episodios de pacientes. El 82,4% (12.811) presentó algún factor de complejidad de cuidados y el 11,9% (1.088) de los pacientes dados de alta reconsultaron durante los 30 días posteriores. La presencia de mayor número de factores de complejidad de cuidados se asoció a la reconsulta a los 30 días (OR: 1,26; IC 95%: 1,11-1,43; p < 0,05), y los siguientes factores se asociaron con reconsulta: incontinencia, inestabilidad hemodinámica, riesgo de hemorragia, extremo de edad, ansiedad y temor, deterioro de funciones cognitivas y analfabetismo (p < 0,05). Conclusiones: La prevalencia de factores de complejidad de cuidados en pacientes que consultan en el servicio de urgencias es elevada. Los pacientes que reconsultaron a los 30 días presentaron mayor número de factores de complejidad, por lo que su identificación precoz podría ayudar a estratificar los pacientes y diseñar estrategias preventivas para disminuir la incidencia de reconsultas. (AU)

Objectives: To analyze the prevalence of care complexity factors (CCFs) in patients coming to an emergency department (ED) and to analyze their relation to 30-day ED revisits. Methods: Observational, correlational, and cross-sectional study. Consecutive patients seeking care from a tertiarylevel hospital ED were included over a period of 6 months. The main variables studied were 30-day revisits to the ED and 26 CCFs categorized in 5 domains: psychoemotional, mental-cognitive, sociocultural, developmental, and comorbidity/complications. Data were collected from hospital records for analysis of descriptive and inferential statistics. Results: A total of 15 556 patient episodes were studied. A CCF was recorded in 12 811 patient records (82.4%), and 1088 (11.9%) of the patients discharged directly from the ED revisited within 30 days. The presence of more CCFswas associated with 30-day revisits (odds ratio, 1.26; 95% CI, 1.11-1.43; P < .05). The CCFs that were significantly associated with revisits were incontinence, hemodynamic instability, risk for bleeding, anxiety, very advanced age, anxiety and fear, cognitive impairment, and illiteracy. Conclusions: The prevalence of CCFs is high in patients who seek ED care. Patients revisiting within 30 days of an episode have more CCFs. Early identification of such patients would help to stratify risk and develop preventive strategies to decrease the incidence of revisiting. (AU)

Pharmaceutical care and asthma: Protocol of an umbrella review of systematic reviews. / [Artículo traducido] Atención farmacéutica y asma: protocolo de una revisión de revisiones sistemáticas.

INTRODUCTION: Recent systematic reviews and meta-analyses suggest that pharmacists' interventions in asthma patients have a positive impact on health-related outcomes. Nevertheless, the association is not well established and the role of clinical pharmacists is poorly represented, as well as severe asthma patients. The aim of this overview of systematic reviews is to identify published systematic reviews assessing the impact of pharmacists' interventions on health-related outcomes measured in asthma patients, as well as to describe key components of the interventions, the outcomes assessed and any associations between pharmacists' interventions and health-related outcomes. METHODS: PubMed, Embase, Scopus and the Cochrane Library will be searched from inception to December 2022. Systematic reviews of all study designs, severity of asthma and level of care that measured health-related outcomes will be considered. Methodological quality will be assessed using A Measurement Tool to Assess Systematic Reviews 2. Two independent investigators will perform the study selection, quality assessment and data collection, any discrepancy will be solved by a third investigator. Both narrative findings and meta-analysis of primary study data included in the systematic reviews will be synthesized. If data are appropriate for quantitative synthesis, the measures of association will be expressed as the risk ratio and difference in means. DISCUSSION: The first results on the establishment of a multidisciplinary network for the management of asthmatic patients have shown the benefits of integrating different levels of care in disease control and morbidity reduction. Further studies showed benefits in hospital admissions, patients' basal oral corticosteroid dose, exacerbations and quality of life of asthma patients. A systematic review is the most appropriate design in order to summarize the literature and identify the evidence of the benefits of interventions performed by clinical pharmacists in asthma patients, especially those with severe uncontrolled asthma, and encourage future studies to stablish the role of clinical pharmacists in asthma units. REGISTRATION DETAILS: Systematic review registration number: CRD42022372100.

Care complexity factors associated with revisits to an emergency department. / Factores de complejidad de cuidados asociados a la reconsulta en un servicio de urgencias.

OBJECTIVES: To analyze the prevalence of care complexity factors (CCFs) in patients coming to an emergency department (ED) and to analyze their relation to 30-day ED revisits. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Observational, correlational, and cross-sectional study. Consecutive patients seeking care from a tertiarylevel hospital ED were included over a period of 6 months. The main variables studied were 30-day revisits to the ED and 26 CCFs categorized in 5 domains: psychoemotional, mental-cognitive, sociocultural, developmental, and comorbidity/complications. Data were collected from hospital records for analysis of descriptive and inferential statistics. RESULTS: A total of 15 556 patient episodes were studied. A CCF was recorded in 12 811 patient records (82.4%), and 1088 (11.9%) of the patients discharged directly from the ED revisited within 30 days. The presence of more CCFs was associated with 30-day revisits (odds ratio, 1.26; 95% CI, 1.11-1.43; P .05). The CCFs that were significantly associated with revisits were incontinence, hemodynamic instability, risk for bleeding, anxiety, very advanced age, anxiety and fear, cognitive impairment, and illiteracy. CONCLUSION: The prevalence of CCFs is high in patients who seek ED care. Patients revisiting within 30 days of an episode have more CCFs. Early identification of such patients would help to stratify risk and develop preventive strategies to decrease the incidence of revisiting.

OBJETIVO: Analizar la prevalencia de factores de complejidad de cuidados en los pacientes atendidos en el servicio de urgencias y determinar su relación con las reconsultas durante los 30 días posteriores a la vista inicial. METODO: Estudio observacional transversal correlacional. Se incluyeron de forma consecutiva todos aquellos pacientes adultos que consultaron al servicio de urgencias de un hospital de tercer nivel durante un periodo de 6 meses. Las variables principales del estudio fueron la reconsulta a los 30 días y 26 factores individuales de complejidad de cuidados categorizados en 5 fuentes (psicoemocional, mental-cognitiva, sociocultural, evolutiva, comorbilidades-complicaciones). Los datos fueron recogidos de la historia clínica electrónica. RESULTADOS: Se incluyeron un total de 15.556 episodios de pacientes. El 82,4% (12.811) presentó algún factor de complejidad de cuidados y el 11,9% (1.088) de los pacientes dados de alta reconsultaron durante los 30 días posteriores. La presencia de mayor número de factores de complejidad de cuidados se asoció a la reconsulta a los 30 días (OR: 1,26; IC 95%: 1,11-1,43; p 0,05), y los siguientes factores se asociaron con reconsulta: incontinencia, inestabilidad hemodinámica, riesgo de hemorragia, extremo de edad, ansiedad y temor, deterioro de funciones cognitivas y analfabetismo (p 0,05). CONCLUSIONES: La prevalencia de factores de complejidad de cuidados en pacientes que consultan en el servicio de urgencias es elevada. Los pacientes que reconsultaron a los 30 días presentaron mayor número de factores de complejidad, por lo que su identificación precoz podría ayudar a estratificar los pacientes y diseñar estrategias preventivas para disminuir la incidencia de reconsultas.

[Health-related quality of life in chronic otitis media-measurement methods and their application in surgical therapy]. / Gesundheitsbezogene Lebensqualität bei der chronischen Otitis media ­ Messmethoden und deren Anwendung bei chirurgischen Therapien.

BACKGROUND: Chronic otitis media (COM) can lead to significant impairment of health-related quality of life (HRQoL) due to symptoms such as otorrhea, pain, hearing loss, tinnitus, or dizziness. A systematic assessment of HRQoL in COM is becoming increasingly important as it complements (semi-)objective outcome parameters in clinical practice and research. HRQoL is measured by means of patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs). There are two disease-specific validated PROMs available for COM in German-the Chronic Otitis Media Outcome Test (COMOT-15) and the Zurich Chronic Middle Ear Inventory (ZCMEI-21)-which have become increasingly popular in recent years. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this narrative review is to present the current state of research on measuring HRQoL in COM before and after surgical procedures. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: Hearing is the most important factor influencing HRQoL in COM. Surgical procedures usually result in a clinically relevant improvement in HRQoL in COM with or without cholesteatoma. However, if cholesteatoma is present, its extent does not correlate with HRQoL. While HRQoL plays a secondary role in establishment of the indication for surgical therapy in COM with cholesteatoma, it plays an important role in terms of relative surgical indications, e.g., a symptomatic open mastoid cavity after resection of the posterior canal wall. We encourage the regular use of disease-specific PROMs preoperatively as well as during follow-up to assess HRQoL in COM in individual patients, in research, and in the context of quality monitoring.

Comparison of Radiological and Clinical Outcomes between Expandable and Non-expandable Cages Following Cervical Corpectomy: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.

Anterior cervical corpectomy and fusion is considered the mainstay of surgical treatment in cervical pathology. Expandable and nonexpandable cages are preferred over autogenous bone graft because of donor-related morbidity. However, the choice of the cage type remains a debatable topic as studies report conflicting results. Thus, we evaluated the outcomes of expandable and non-expandable cages following cervical corpectomy. Studies were searched in various electronic databases (MEDLINE, PubMed, EMBASE, CINAHL, Scopus, and Cochrane) between 2011 and 2021. Forest plot was made to compare the radiological and clinical outcomes between expandable and non-expandable cages following cervical corpectomy. Altogether, 26 studies (1,170 patients) were included in the metaanalysis. The mean change in segmental angle was significantly greater in the expandable cage group than in the non-expandable cage group (6.7° vs. 3.0°, p <0.001). The mean subsidence rate was lower in the expandable cage group (6% vs. 41%, p <0.001). The mean fusion rate was lower (93% vs. 98%, p =0.06) and the mean displacement rate was significantly higher in the expandable cage group (29% vs. 5%, p <0.05). The mean reoperation rate was higher in the expandable cage group (16% vs. 2%, p >0.05). The improvement in segmental angle is better with expandable cages. Higher subsidence is a major problem with non-expandable cages, but it seems to be beneficial as evidenced by the high fusion rate and minimal effect on clinical outcome in patients with this cage.

GRINCIRCAR: una iniciativa para promover la cirugía académica e investigación quirúrgica en el caribe colombiano / GRINCIRCAR: an initiative to promote academic surgery and surgical research in the Colombian Caribbean

Introducción. La investigación quirúrgica es uno de los pilares de la cirugía académica, que integra el microambiente para lograr una adecuada práctica basada en la evidencia, realizar planteamientos y conseguir eventuales soluciones a necesidades quirúrgicas de una población. En el caribe colombiano existen brechas significativas en cuanto al aporte en investigación quirúrgica, comparado con otras regiones del país. Por ende, es necesaria una iniciativa que haga frente a estos retos. Métodos. El Grupo Colaborativo de Investigación en Cirugía General y Subespecialidades del Caribe Colombiano (GRINCIRCAR), es una iniciativa fundada por una colectividad de estudiantes de medicina, médicos residentes de cirugía y cirujanos académicos de universidades del caribe colombiano, que buscan impulsar la investigación quirúrgica y aportar a la resolución de problemas de salud en cirugía de la región. Discusión. De acuerdo al programa de investigación con políticas y prioridades en salud establecidos por el Instituto Nacional de Salud, existen por lo menos dos dimensiones donde se involucra directamente la cirugía. A pesar de esto, no existen datos sobre la distribución de recursos para la investigación quirúrgica en la región del Caribe colombiano, pese a que el acceso al cuidado quirúrgico básico y las enfermedades quirúrgicas, hace parte de las prioridades en salud y cirugía global. Conclusiones. Se necesita promover la cirugía académica y la investigación quirúrgica en la región del caribe colombiano. La investigación colaborativa podría ser una solución al integrar la participación de múltiples centros y participantes

Introduction. Surgical research is one of the cornerstones of academic surgery, which integrates the microenvironment to achieve an adequate evidence-based practice, asking the right questions to achieve eventual solutions to the surgical needs of a population. In the Colombian Caribbean, there are significant gaps in the contribution in surgical research, compared to other regions of the country. Therefore, an initiative is needed to address these challenges. Methods. The Collaborative Group for Research in General Surgery and Subspecialties of the Colombian Caribbean (GRINCIRCAR) is an initiative founded by a group of medical students, surgical residents and academic surgeons from Colombian Caribbean universities, who seek to promote surgical research and contribute to solutions of health problems in surgery in the region. Discussion. According to the research program, health policies and priorities established by the National Institute of Health, there are at least two dimensions where surgery is directly involved. Despite this, there are no data on the distribution of resources for surgical research in the Colombian Caribbean region, despite the fact that access to basic surgical care and surgical diseases are part of the priorities in global health and surgery. Conclusions. There is a need to promote academic surgery and surgical research in the Colombian Caribbean region. Collaborative research in the region could be a solution by integrating the participation of multiple centers and participants

Mortalidad perioperatoria en Tolima, perspectivas del cuarto indicador de The Lancet Commission on Global Surgery: Un análisis preliminar de la cohorte prospectiva del estudio Colombian Surgical Outcomes Study (ColSOS) / Perioperative mortality in Tolima and perspectives of the fourth indicator of The Lancet Commission on Global Surgery: A preliminary analysis of the prospective cohort of the Colombian Surgical Outcomes Study (ColSOS)

Introducción. La mortalidad perioperatoria en el mundo representa 4,2 millones de muertes anuales. El cuarto indicador de The Lancet Commission on Global Surgery permite estandarizar la mortalidad perioperatoria. En Colombia, existen aproximaciones por datos secundarios, limitando el análisis y las intervenciones aplicables a nuestra población. El objetivo de este estudio fue describir la mortalidad perioperatoria a través de datos primarios que permitan sustentar políticas públicas. Métodos. Se hizo el análisis preliminar de un estudio observacional, de cohorte prospectiva, multicéntrico en 6 instituciones del departamento de Tolima. Se incluyeron los pacientes llevados a procedimientos quirúrgicos por una semana, con posterior seguimiento hasta el egreso, fallecimiento o 30 días de hospitalización. La mortalidad perioperatoria fue el desenlace primario. Resultados. Fueron incluidos 378 pacientes, con mediana de 49 años (RIC 32-66), buen estado funcional (ASA I-II 80 %) y baja complejidad quirúrgica (42 %). Las cirugías más comunes fueron por Ortopedia (25,4 %) y Cirugía plástica (23,3 %). El 29,7 % presentaron complicaciones postoperatorias, las más comunes fueron síndrome de dificultad respiratoria agudo e íleo postoperatorio. La mortalidad perioperatoria fue de 1,3 %. Discusión. La mortalidad perioperatoria discrepó de la reportada en otros estudios nacionales, aun cuando los pacientes tenían un bajo perfil de riesgo y baja complejidad de los procedimientos. Sin embargo, coincide con la reportada internacionalmente y nos acerca a la realidad del país. Conclusión. La determinación del cuarto indicador es de vital importancia para mejorar la atención quirúrgica en Colombia. Este es el primer acercamiento con datos primarios que nos permite tener información aplicable a nuestra población

Introduction. Perioperative mortality accounts for 4.2 million deaths annually. The fourth indicator of The Lancet Commission on Global Surgery allows standardizing perioperative mortality. In Colombia, there are approximations based on secondary data, limiting the analysis and interventions applicable to our population. The objective of this study is to describe perioperative mortality through primary data that allow supporting public policies. Methods. A preliminary analysis of an observational, prospective cohort, multicenter study was carried out at six institutions in the District of Tolima. Patients undergoing surgical procedures were included for one week, for subsequent follow-up until discharge, death, or 30 days of hospitalization. Perioperative mortality was the primary outcome and was presented as a proportion. Results. A total of 378 patients were included, with a median age of 49 years (RIC 32-66), low-risk profile (ASA I-II 80%), and low surgical complexity (42%). The most common surgeries were Orthopedic (25.4%) and Plastic Surgery (23.3%). Postoperative complications occurred in 29.7%, the most common were ARDS and postoperative ileus. Perioperative mortality was 1.3%. Discussion. Perioperative mortality differed from that reported in national studies, even when the patients had a low-risk profile and low complexity of the procedures. However, it coincides with that reported internationally and brings us closer to the reality of the country. Conclusion. The determination of the fourth indicator is of vital importance to improving surgical care in Colombia. This is the first approach with primary data that allows us to have applicable information for our population

Consideraciones clínicas y desenlaces quirúrgicos del cáncer asociado a implante mamario: una enfermedad emergente de interés

El cáncer de mama sigue siendo una de las principales prioridades en salud global y salud pública y permanece como la neoplasia maligna más frecuente y mortal en mujeres en el mundo. El linfoma anaplásico de células grandes asociado a implante mamario (LACG-AIM) consiste en un linfoma no-Hodgkin de tipo raro, del cual se desconoce mucho sobre su patogenia y fisiopatología, pero que se ve cada vez con mayor frecuencia, debido al aumento de procedimientos estéticos. A la fecha, existen limitaciones en cuanto al conocimiento sobre el comportamiento clínico y se manifiesta de muchas formas, con un tiempo de evolución variable, y desenlaces quirúrgicos inciertos a mediano y largo plazo. Con base en lo anterior, el objetivo de esta revisión consiste en resumir evidencia sobre las consideraciones clínicas y desenlaces quirúrgicos del cáncer asociado a implante mamario, que faciliten la identificación y abordaje de esta condición. Se realizó una búsqueda bibliográfica en los motores de búsqueda y bases de datos PubMed, ScienceDirect, Embase, EBSCO y MEDLINE. Dentro de las consideraciones clínicas y quirúrgicas, se debe tener en cuenta el tipo de implante utilizado (texturizado), el tiempo del antecedente del implante, la severidad de las manifestaciones y la estadificación, para poder determinar la oportunidad de intervención quirúrgica y terapia neoadyuvante e intentar garantizar la supervivencia y evitar recurrencia. Aquellos pacientes sometidos a capsulectomía completa acompañado de radioterapia tienen mejores desenlaces.

Breast cancer continues to be one of the main priorities in global health and public health, and remains the most frequent and deadly malignant neoplasm in women worldwide. Breast implant-associated anaplastic large cell lymphoma (BIA-ALCL) is a rare type of Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, whose pathogenesis and pathophysiology are not well known, but which is seen with increasing frequency due to the increase in cosmetic procedures. To date, there are limitations in terms of knowledge about the clinical behavior of the disease, which can manifest itself in many forms, with a variable evolution time and uncertain surgical outcomes in the medium- and long-term. Based on the above, the aim of this review is to summarize evidence on the clinical considerations and surgical outcomes of breast implant-associated cancer to facilitate the identification and management of this condition. A bibliographic search was performed in the search engines and databases pubmed, sciencedirect, embase, ebsco and medline. Within the clinical and surgical considerations, the type of implant used (textured), the time of the implant history, the severity of the manifestations, and the staging, must be taken into account in order to determine the opportunity for surgical intervention and neoadjuvant therapy, and to try to guarantee survival and avoid recurrence. Patients who undergo complete capsulectomy with radiotherapy have better outcomes.

Estudio de los desenlaces perioperatorios de la apendicitis aguda durante la pandemia por COVID-19: un estudio observacional analítico de cohorte / Study of perioperative outcomes of acute appendicitis during the COVID-19 pandemic: An analytical observational cohort study

Introducción. La condición de pandemia por COVID-19 impactó a la sociedad y los sistemas de salud a nivel mundial. Las adaptaciones institucionales procuraron mantener la calidad de la atención a pesar de un contexto organizacional desfavorable. La apendicitis aguda requirió ser manejada en un nuevo escenario institucional. El objetivo de este estudio fue evaluar la efectividad del tratamiento quirúrgico de la apendicitis durante la pandemia. Métodos. Estudio observacional analítico, retrospectivo, en el que se incluyeron pacientes sometidos a apendicectomía, antes y durante la pandemia por COVID-19. Se evaluaron las complicaciones, infección del sitio operatorio, reingresos y estancia hospitalaria. Adicionalmente, se analizaron los desenlaces en los 3 picos epidemiológicos de la pandemia. Se efectuaron estadísticas descriptivas y analíticas entre los grupos a comparar. Resultados. Se incluyeron 1521 pacientes con apendicitis, 48,3 % operados antes y 51,7 % durante la pandemia. No hubo diferencias entre los grupos en complicaciones (p=0,352), infección del sitio operatorio (p=0,191), reingreso en los primeros 30 días (p=0,605) y estancia hospitalaria (p=0,514). El manejo de la apendicitis durante el tercer pico fue similar a las prácticas habituales. El tiempo de evolución fue mayor durante la pandemia (p=0,04) y los pacientes fueron llevados a cirugía más pronto que previo a la pandemia (p<0,001). Conclusiones. No se evidenció un incremento de complicaciones quirúrgicas, reingresos, estancia hospitalaria ni infección del sitio operatorio en los pacientes operados durante la pandemia. Hubo un efecto favorable para los pacientes como consecuencia de la adaptación institucional en la pandemia por COVID-19

Introduction. COVID-19 pandemic impacted society and health systems worldwide. The institutional adaptations sought to maintain the quality of care in an unfavorable organizational context. Acute appendicitis was required to be managed in a new institutional setting. The effectiveness of surgical treatment of appendicitis during the pandemic was evaluated. Methods. Retrospective analytical observational study, in patients with appendectomy, before and during COVID-19 pandemic. Complications, surgical site infections, readmissions, and hospital stay were evaluated. Additionally, the outcomes in the 3 epidemiological peaks of the pandemic were analyzed. Descriptive and analytical statistics were performed between the groups to be compared. Results. A total of 1521 patients with appendicitis were included, 48.3% before and 51.7% during the pandemic. There were no differences in complications (p=0.352), operative site infection (p=0.191), readmission at 30 days (p=0.605), and hospital stay (p=0.514) between the groups. Management of appendicitis during the 3rd peak was like usual practices. There was a long evolution time during the pandemic (p=0.04) and the patients were taken to surgery sooner than before the pandemic (p<0.001). Conclusions. There was no evidence of an increase in surgical complications, readmissions, hospital stay, and surgical site infections during patients who underwent surgery. There was a favorable effect for patients because of institutional adaptation in the COVID-19 pandemic

Effects of delay to stroke unit admission in patients with ischemic and hemorrhagic stroke.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the association between delay in transfer to a central stroke unit from peripheral institutions and outcomes. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective cohort study of all patients with acute stroke, admitted to a comprehensive stroke center (CSC) from three emergency departments (EDs), between 2016 and 2018. The primary outcomes were length of stay, functional status at 3 months, discharge destination, and time to stroke investigations. RESULTS: One thousand four hundred thirty-five patients were included, with a mean age of 72.9 years, and 92.4% ischemic stroke; 663 (46.2%) patients were female. Each additional day of delay was associated with 2.0 days of increase in length of stay (95% confidence interval [CI] 0.8-3.2, p = 0.001), 11.5 h of delay to vascular imaging (95% CI 9.6-13.4, p < 0.0001), 24.2 h of delay to Holter monitoring (95% CI 7.9-40.6, p = 0.004), and reduced odds of nondisabled functional status at 3 months (odds ratio 0.98, 95% CI 0.96-1.00, p = 0.01). Factors affecting delay included stroke onset within 6 h of ED arrival (605.9 min decrease in delay, 95% CI 407.9-803.9, p < 0.0001), delay to brain imaging (59.4 min increase in delay for each additional hour, 95% CI 48.0-71.4, p < 0.0001), admission from an alternative service (3918.7 min increase in delay, 95% CI 3621.2-4079.9, p < 0.0001), and transfer from a primary stroke center (PSC; 740.2 min increase in delay, 95% CI 456.2-1019.9, p < 0.0001). CONCLUSION: Delay to stroke unit admission in a system involving transfer from PSCs to a CSC was associated with longer hospital stay and poorer functional outcomes.

Leveraging Clinical Digitized Data to Understand Temporal Characteristics and Outcomes of Acute Myocardial Infarctions at a Tertiary Care Medical Centre in Pakistan from 1988-2018 - Methods and Results.

Background and Objective: Few data exist on trends in acute myocardial infarction (AMI) patterns spanning recent epidemiological shifts in low middle-income countries (LMICs). To understand temporal disease patterns of AMI characteristics and outcomes between 1988-2018, we used digitized legacy clinical data at a large tertiary care centre in Pakistan. Methods: We reviewed digital health information capture systems maintained across the Aga Khan University Hospital and obtained structured elements to create a master dataset. We included index admissions of patients >18 years that were discharged between January 1, 1988, and December 31, 2018, with a primary discharge diagnosis of AMI (using ICD-9 diagnoses). The outcome evaluated was in-hospital mortality.Clinical characteristics derived from the electronic database were validated against chart review in a random sample of cases (k 0.53-1.00). Results: The final population consisted of 14,601 patients of which 30.6% (n = 4,470) were female, 52.4% (n = 7,651) had ST elevation MI and 47.6% (n = 6,950) had non-ST elevation MI. The median (IQR) age at presentation was 61 (52-70) years. Overall unadjusted in-hospital mortality was 10.3%. Across the time period, increasing trends were noted for the following characteristics: age, proportion of women, prevalence of hypertension, diabetes, proportion with NSTEMI (all ptrend < 0.001). In-hospital mortality rates declined significantly between 1988-1997 and 2008-2018 (13.8% to 9.2%, p < 0.001). Conclusions: The patterns of AMI have changed over the last three decades with a concomitant decline in in-hospital mortality at a tertiary care centre in Pakistan. Clinical digitized data presents a unique opportunity for gaining insights into disease patterns in LMICs.

Living donor liver transplant outcomes during the COVID-19 pandemic: does a decrease in case volume impact the overall outcomes?

Background: High-volume centers (HVCs) are classically associated with better outcomes. During the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, there has been a decrease in the regular liver transplantation (LT) activity at our center. This study analyzed the effect of the decline in LT on posttransplant patient outcomes at our HVC. Methods: We compared the surgical outcomes of patients who underwent LT during the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown (April 1, 2020 to September 30, 2020) with outcomes in the pre-pandemic calendar year (April 1, 2019 to March 31, 2020). Results: During the 6 months of pandemic lockdown, 60 patients underwent LT (43 adults and 17 children) while 228 patients underwent LT (178 adults and 50 children) during the pre-pandemic calendar year. Patients in the pandemic group had significantly higher model for end-stage liver disease (MELD) scores (24.39±9.55 vs. 21.14±9.17, P=0.034), Child-Turcotte-Pugh scores (11.46±2.32 vs. 10.25±2.24, P=0.03), and incidence of acute-on-chronic liver failure (30.2% vs. 10.2%, P=0.002). Despite performing LT in sicker patients with COVID-19-related challenges, the 30-day (14% vs. 18.5%, P=0.479), 3-month (16.3% vs. 20.2%, P=0.557), and 6-month mortality rates (23.3% vs. 28.7%, P=0.477) were lower, but not statistically significant when compared to the pre-pandemic cohort. Conclusions: During the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown the number of LT procedures performed at our HVC declined by half because prevailing conditions allowed LT in very sick patients only. Despite these changes, outcomes were not inferior during the pandemic period compared to the pre-pandemic calendar year. Greater individualization of patient care contributed to non-inferior outcomes in these sick recipients.

Nonadherence to Clinical Practice Guidelines for Opioid Prescribing in Patients with Chronic Low Back Pain: A Pain Research Registry-Based Study.

INTRODUCTION: This study measured the prevalence and impact of nonadherence to clinical practice guidelines (CPGs) that recommend using nonpharmacological and nonopioid treatments such as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) before considering opioids in patients with chronic low back pain. METHODS: Participants within the PRECISION Pain Research Registry provided data during the period from April 2016 through October 2021. The prevalence of nonadherence to CPGs was based on current or prior use of 6 common nonpharmacological treatments, NSAIDs, and opioids for low back pain. The primary outcome measures were low back pain intensity, back-related disability, and pain impact on health-related quality of life. RESULTS: The prevalence of nonadherence to CPGs was 68 (18.0%) participants among the 378 participants currently using opioids. Participants having some post-high school education (OR, 0.41; 95% CI, 0.22-0.74) or at least a college education (OR, 0.26; 95% CI, 0.12-0.56) were at decreased risk of treatment that was nonadherent to CPGs in a multivariate analysis. Participants whose treatment was nonadherent to CPGs reported significantly worse clinical outcomes across all 3 measures (P ≤ .001; Cohen's d range, 0.41 to 0.62). CONCLUSION: Up to one-fifth of patients with chronic low back pain may be prescribed opioids in a manner that is not adherent to CPGs, thereby placing them at risk for poor outcomes.

Lesion-specific mortality due to congenital heart disease in U.S. adults from 1999 to 2017.

BACKGROUND: Adults with congenital heart disease (ACHD) comprise an increasing proportion of individuals living with CHD in the United States (US) although little is known regarding lesion or age-specific mortality in the modern era. Our study aimed to describe current era ACHD mortality rates by age and CHD lesion and provide temporal mortality rate trends for the last two decades. METHODS: We conducted a 19-year analysis (1999-2017) of publicly available, de-identified Multiple Cause of Death data compiled and produced by the National Center for Health Statistics. Age and lesion-specific mortality rates were calculated using joinpoint regression. RESULTS: ACHD mortality rates decreased by an average of 2%-4% per year for all adults. CHD lesions resulting in the highest ACHD-related mortality varied by age. Unlike the other lesions, mortality attributed to single ventricle physiology failed to improve in early adulthood (average of 1.6% increase per year). In decedents age 65 years or older, simpler forms of CHD like shunt lesions became more prominent contributors, accounting for 46% of deaths. CONCLUSION: Rates of mortality due to ACHD have declined significantly for adults with CHD, however, continued mortality due to single ventricle physiology remains an area requiring improved strategies to increase survival.

Factors associated with self-rated health in primary care in the South-Western health zone of Malawi.

BACKGROUND: Self-rated health (SRH) is a single-item measure of current health, which is often used in community surveys and has been associated with various objective health outcomes. The prevalence and factors associated with SRH in Sub-Saharan Africa remain largely unknown. This study sought to investigate: (1) the prevalence of poor SRH, (2) possible associations between SRH, and socio-demographic and clinical parameters, and (3) associations between SRH and the patients' assessment of the quality of primary care. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted in 12 primary care facilities in Blantyre, Neno, and Thyolo districts of Malawi among 962 participants who sought care in these facilities. An interviewer-administered questionnaire containing the Malawian primary care assessment tool, and questions on socio-demographic characteristics and self-rated health was used for data collection. Descriptive statistics were used to determine the distribution of variables of interest and binary logistic regression was used to determine factors associated with poor SRH. RESULTS: Poor SRH was associated with female sex, increasing age, decreasing education, frequent health care attendance, and with reported disability. Patients content with the service provided and who reported higher scores of relational continuity from their health care providers reported better SRH as compared with others. CONCLUSION: This study reports findings from a context where SRH is scarcely examined. The prevalence of poor SRH in Malawi is in line with findings from clinical populations in other countries. The associations between poor SRH and socio-demographic factors are also known from other populations. SRH might be improved by emphasizing continuity of care in primary care services.

Local Economic Inequality and the Primary Care Physician Workforce in North Carolina.

BACKGROUND: Income inequality has been associated with multiple adverse health outcomes including diabetes and obesity, with this relationship potentially mediated by limited access to primary care. We explore the association between county-level economic inequality and the primary care physician (PCP) workforce in North Carolina. METHODS: County-level economic and demographic data were obtained for 2013 to 2018. Economic inequality was quantified using the Gini coefficient of household income. PCP workforce data were obtained from a statewide database and correlated with county characteristics using fixed-effects linear regression. RESULTS: The analysis included 600 county-years. An increase of 0.1 in the Gini coefficient was correlated with a decrease in PCP workforce by 0.58 physicians/1000 residents in a given county. Within family medicine, a 0.1 increase in the Gini coefficient was associated with a decrease of 0.53 family medicine physicians per 1000 residents. CONCLUSIONS: Local increases in economic inequality are associated with local decreases in PCP workforce (per capita), particularly in family medicine. Although further research is needed to identify specific reasons for the decrease, medical schools in areas with high economic inequality should consider prioritizing training of physicians in family medicine and other primary care specialties to better serve community health care needs.