Investigation of current clinical practices and perceptions of patients and caregivers regarding Alport syndrome in South Korea.

Background: Alport syndrome (AS) is a highly prevalent inherited kidney disease. Early diagnosis and intervention are crucial for improved kidney outcomes. This study evaluated awareness among Korean clinicians about AS and assessed the understanding of AS patients and caregivers. Methods: An online survey targeting registered members of the Korean Society of Nephrology, the Korean Society of Pediatric Nephrology, AS patients, and their caregivers was conducted from January to April 2023. Results: Out of 103 respondents, most had treated fewer than 10 AS patients. For certain kidney diseases, such as chronic kidney disease of unknown origin and focal segmental glomerulosclerosis, half or fewer considered AS as a potential diagnosis. Only half preferred immediate confirmation tests for suspected AS. Genetic testing was available at half of the medical centers, and fewer than half of the adult nephrologists considered genetic testing to be essential. While all the surveyed nephrologists would prescribe renin-angiotensin system blockade, the majority hesitated to initiate treatment. Vigilant genetic testing for donor candidates was not a common practice. While 80% of patients and 50% of caregivers understood the nature and prognosis of AS, they regretted the delayed diagnoses, insufficient explanations, and the absence of support groups. Conclusion: Not rarely, AS patients may have been unrecognized as AS. Despite the noteworthy advancement of AS, the recent guidelines have not been widely adopted in clinical practice in Korea. Considering the challenges in Korea, there is an urgent need for locally tailored clinical practice recommendations and a dedicated registry to optimize patient outcomes.

Deprescribing in Older Adults: Attitudes, Awareness, Training, and Clinical Practice Among Portuguese Physicians.

INTRODUCTION: The importance of deprescribing in clinical practice is growing, particularly in aging populations with polypharmacy scenarios, making it a crucial matter in Portugal, one of Europe's most aged nations. The aim of this study was to investigate deprescribing awareness, training, attitudes, and practices among Portuguese physicians to inform future healthcare strategies. METHODS: A cross-sectional study using an anonymous online questionnaire was disseminated through the Portuguese Medical Association. It gathered sociodemographic and professional data, and insights into deprescribing awareness, attitudes, training, and practices. Descriptive statistics were summarized as frequencies, percentages, medians, and interquartile ranges. For inferential analysis, the Chi-square test and Fisher's exact test were used to evaluate categorical variables, and the Mann-Whitney U test was used for continuous variables. The significance level was set at p < 0.05. RESULTS: A total of 425 valid questionnaires were included. The participants were mostly women (61.6%), with a median age of 45 (IQR 34 - 42). General practice/family medicine (34.1%) and internal medicine (16.2%) were the most common medical specialties. While 81.2% of the respondents were familiar with the term 'deprescribing', 55.4% reported no training. A vast majority (91.9%) reported practicing deprescribing, but a smaller fraction employed specific methodologies to deprescribe (39.8%) and criteria for identifying potentially inappropriate medications (38.7%). Training in deprescribing was significantly associated with higher deprescribing awareness (p < 0.001), the use of specific deprescribing methods (p < 0.001), the use of criteria to identify potentially inappropriate medications (p < 0.001) and having certification in geriatrics by the Portuguese Medical Association (p = 0.006). Family physicians showed higher familiarity with and training in deprescribing than hospital-based specialists (p < 0.001). Deprescribing methodologies were adopted more often by family physicians than by hospital-based specialists (p = 0.004). CONCLUSION: This study highlights widespread deprescribing awareness among Portuguese physicians, while simultaneously uncovering considerable gaps in training and inconsistencies in its application. These findings highlight the pressing need for targeted educational initiatives that could contribute to medication optimization for older adults in the national healthcare system. Furthermore, these findings emphasize the importance of policy development and medical education in promoting safe deprescribing.

Practice Patterns of Biologics Prescriptions and Surgery in Chronic Rhinosinusitis With Nasal Polyps.

BACKGROUND: Chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps (CRSwNP) remains challenging to manage effectively, with high symptom recurrence rates and significant impacts on quality of life, prompting a need to evaluate the real-world use of biologics and optimize treatment strategies. OBJECTIVE: To assess the real-world application and perspectives of American Rhinologic Society (ARS) members on biologic treatments and surgical interventions for CRSwNP, focusing on clinical practice patterns, adoption of biologics, and their impact on surgical practices. METHODS: A standardized questionnaire evaluated clinical practice patterns of biologics prescriptions and surgery in treating CRSwNP between July 2022 and August 2023. Data collected from 162 ARS members were analyzed. RESULTS: Of 162 participants, a substantial majority (95.06%, n = 154) reported prescribing biologics in their practice. Notably, 45.45% (n = 70) found biologics easily accessible, although accessibility challenges remained for some. The impact of biologics on surgical practices was significant, with 36.36% (n = 56) observing a marked reduction in revision sinus surgeries. Among the participants, 47.16% (n = 71) agreed that aspirin-exacerbated respiratory disease (AERD) was the highest phenotype that tended to increase the possibility of biological treatment by more than 20%. Adopting Patient-Reported Outcome Measures (PROMs) was prevalent, with 57.79% (n = 89) utilizing them in patient management. CONCLUSION: The study highlights the evolving landscape in managing CRSwNP, with a marked trend toward integrating biological treatments into clinical practice. It underscores the necessity for continued research, updates to clinical guidelines, and enhanced practitioner education to optimize treatment outcomes for CRSwNP patients.

Practice Trends in (C)APD Assessment and Management: A Survey of Audiologists in Kerala.

Aims Present study investigates the current trends in (Central) Auditory Processing Disorder [(C)APD] assessment and management practices among Audiologists practicing in Kerala, India. Materials and Methods The questionnaire for the survey was developed based on the Knowledge, Attitude, and Practices (KAP) model and underwent validation by experts in Audiology. Online survey was conducted to collect data from Audiologists practicing in Kerala, with a valid RCI-CRR number. Descriptive statistics were used to analyze the responses. Results The majority of participants held bachelor's degrees and completed training modules on the assessment of (C)APD during their undergraduate studies. However, clinical exposure was very low. Even though 59.2% of participants reported that they were performing screening for (C)APD, the use of standardized screening tools was limited. Only 35% of participants reported that they were performing diagnostic evaluation. However, the rest of the participants used only speech-in-noise tests for (C)APD evaluation. The participants who performed management of (C)APD were even fewer, at only 13.4%. Lack of facilities, inadequate patient load, and lack of practical exposure were major obstacles to (C)APD assessment and management. The majority of participants strongly agreed that Audiologists are the most qualified persons to deal with (C)APD; however, the practice trends obtained from the study suggest that Audiologists have a really poor practice in this area. Conclusion The study highlights the need for standardized assessment tools, improved training opportunities, and increased awareness among Audiologists regarding (C)APD. Multidisciplinary collaboration and further research are essential for enhancing (C)APD assessment and management practices in Kerala.

The Second Endourological Society Census Report.

Introduction and Objective: As part of the Endourological Society's (ES) initiative to continuously enhance the field of endourology, the second annual census was circulated after the World Congress of Endourology and Uro-Technology 2022 (WCET22). Methods: An anonymous survey was created using Qualtrics XM and was disseminated via email to all ES members (n = 1502) between October 4, 2022, and January 26, 2023. A total of 46 questions were included in the survey and covered different aspects, including demographics, practice patterns, satisfaction, impact of COVID-19, WCET22 attendance, and future opportunities. Results: A total of 404 (26.9%) ES members (91.8% male and 8.2% female), representing 63 different countries, participated in the survey. Fellowship-trained endourologists constituted 58.9% of respondents, and the most common practice setting was academic (55.2%). The most common practice scope was complex retrograde endoscopy (83.4%), followed by percutaneous nephrolithotomy (79.5%) and medical management of urolithiasis (72.5%). Work schedules were variable, with 51.1% working 40-60 hours/week and 35.3% working >60 hours/week. More than 80% were satisfied with t heir practice; however, 42.4% indicated that COVID-19 made satisfaction worse. Of the participants, 49.5% were satisfied with their compensation, and 7.3% plan to retire within the next 5 years. When asked about the future of endourology, 92.9% had a positive outlook. Of the respondents, only 36.8% attended WCET22, with the most chosen reason for attendance being an interest in learning new research and technology. For lack of attendance, the cost of travel and lodging was reported as a determining factor by 45.4%. Conclusion: These survey results report important trends within the field of endourology and demonstrate the robust outlook of ES members for the future. By demonstrating important practice patterns and member needs, this information can be used to improve the responsiveness of its members and to continually strengthen the ES.

"Do they think I'm good enough?": General practitioners' experiences when treating doctor-patients.

BACKGROUND: When doctors seek medical care, there is evidence that the treating doctor can struggle to provide optimal treatment. Guidelines state that doctor-patients should be treated like any other patient, but this is challenging for the treating doctor. This study set out to explore both the positive experiences general practitioners (GPs) have when caring for doctor-patients, and the challenges they confront. It sought to identify whether GPs believe they treat doctor-patients differently to other patients and if so, in what ways, for what reasons, and how this impacts their provision of care. The study also aimed to develop a model that makes sense of GPs' experiences when caring for a patient who is also a medical doctor. METHOD: Qualitative in-depth interviews with 26 GPs were carried out, with analysis of de-identified transcripts using pragmatic grounded theory. Evolving understandings were used to develop a model to make sense of GPs' experiences caring for their doctor-patients. RESULTS: The core aspects of GPs' experiences of treating fellow doctors centred around concepts of respect and collegiality. These play a central role in mediating how a treating doctor experiences a consultation with a doctor-patient, influencing the quality of care provided. GPs shared that the use of medical language (and assumptions about the doctor-patient's knowledge/behaviours), testing, the exploration of sensitive issues, and the degree of shared decision-making were areas where their treatment might vary when treating a doctor-patient. Treating doctors often experience anxiety about errors and the likely scrutiny from the medical, and wider community. The decision to treat the doctor-patient differently was driven by a desire to maintain a sense of collegiality, to not offend, to meet their doctor-patient's expectations, and to appear competent. CONCLUSION: The professional socialisation of doctors, with its emphasis on collegiality and respect, plays a significant role in the dynamics of the therapeutic relationship when a doctor treats a doctor-patient. Current guidelines make little reference to these dynamics with the over-simplified 'keep it normal' recommendations. Treating doctors need evidence-informed training to navigate these challenges and ensure they can effectively deliver quality care to their doctor-patients.

Knowledge, attitude and practices of surgeons regarding venous thromboembolism prophylaxis in tertiary healthcare hospitals of the Rawalpindi Districts.

Objective: To assess doctors' knowledge, attitudes and practices regarding venous thromboembolism prophylaxis. METHODS: The cross-sectional study was conducted from April to September 2021 in three public-sector hospitals affiliated with the Rawalpindi Medical University: Holy Family Hospital, Benazir Bhutto Hospital and Rawalpindi District Headquarters Hospital, Rawalpindi, Pakistan, and comprised physicians of either gender who were actively involved in patient care. Data was collected using a predesigned questionnaire regarding venous thromboembolism. Data was analysed using SPSS 25. RESULTS: All the 220(100%) subjects approached responded positively to the study questionnaire. There were 144(65.45%) general surgeons, 50(22.72%) gynaecologists and 26(11.81%) orthopaedic surgeons. Overall, there were 26(11.81%) senior consultants, 65(29.54%) postgraduate residents and 129(58.63%) house officers. There were 150(68.2%) doctors who reported having witnessed deep-vein thrombosis in their patients, and 113(51.4%) had witnessed deaths related to pulmonary embolism. Among the methods employed for DVT diagnosis, the use of clinical criteria was the most common 136(36.1%), while venography was the least common technique used by 8(2.2%). While 210(95.5%) subjects expressed the desire for adopting an institute-wide regimen for venous thromboembolism prophylaxis, only 66(30%) were currently following such a regimen.

Challenges in reliable preoperative blood ordering: A qualitative interview study.

BACKGROUND: Presurgical blood orders are important for patient safety during surgery, but excess orders can be costly to patients and the healthcare system. We aimed to assess clinician perceptions on the presurgical blood ordering process and perceived barriers to reliable decision-making. METHODS: This descriptive qualitative study was conducted at a single large academic medical center. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with surgeons, anesthesiologists, nurse anesthetists, nurse practitioners working in preoperative assessment clinics, and transfusion medicine physicians to assess perceptions of current blood ordering processes. Interview responses were analyzed using an inductive open coding approach followed by thematic analysis. RESULTS: Twenty-three clinicians were interviewed. Clinicians felt that the current blood ordering process was frequently inconsistent. One contributor was a lack of information on surgical transfusion risk, related to lack of experience in ordering clinicians, insufficient communication between stakeholders, high turnover in academic settings, and lack of awareness of the maximum surgical blood ordering schedule. Other contributors included differing opinions about the benefits and harms of over- and under-preparing blood products, leading to variation in transfusion risk thresholds between clinicians, and disagreement about the safety of emergency-release blood. CONCLUSION: Several barriers to reliable decision-making for presurgical blood orders exist. Future efforts to improve ordering consistency may benefit from improved information sharing between stakeholders and education on safe transfusion practices.

Demographic and temporal trends in mental health and substance use services provided by primary care physicians in British Columbia, Canada.

BACKGROUND: As the demand for mental health and substance use (MHSU) services increases, there will be an even greater need for health human resources to deliver this care. This study investigates how family physicians' (FP) contact volume, and more specifically, MHSU contact volume, is shaped by demographic trends among FPs in British Columbia, Canada. METHODS: We used annual physician-level administrative billing data and demographic information on FPs in British Columbia between 1996 and 2017. This study analyzes trends in primary care service provision among graduating cohorts of FPs, FPs of different ages (as measured by years since graduation), and FPs practicing during different time periods. Additionally, analyses are stratified by FP sex to account for potential differences in labour supply patterns between male and female FPs. RESULTS: Our results show that while FPs' overall contacts with patients decreased between 1996 and 2017, their annual number of MHSU contacts increased, which was largely driven by an increase in substance use visits. Demographically, the proportion of female FPs in the labour force rose over time. Observed trends were similar, though not identical in male and female FPs, as males tended to have higher overall contact volume (both total contacts and MHSU), but also steeper declines in contact volume in later careers. The number of contacts (both total and MHSU) changed across career stage - rising steadily from start to mid-career, peaking at 20-30 years in practice, and decreasing steadily thereafter. This was evident for all cohorts and consistent over the 21-year study period but flattened in amplitude over time. Our findings also point to potential cohort effects on labour supply. The inverse U-shaped career trend extended to MHSU contacts, but its peak seems to have shifted to a later career stage (peaking at 30-40 years of practice) over time. CONCLUSIONS: Our study shows changing dynamics in MHSU service delivery among FPs over time, across the life span and between FP sexes that are likely to influence access to care beyond simply the number of FPs. Given the healthcare needs of the population, these findings point to potential future changes in provision of MHSU services.

Physician practices in referring rheumatoid hand and thumb carpometacarpal arthritis cases to hand surgeons.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the referral practices across different medical specialties and identify possible barriers to hand surgery referral. Rheumatoid hand deformities (RHDs) and thumb carpometacarpal (CMC) arthritis may require surgery once deformities occur. However, in Saudi Arabia, the rate of referrals to hand surgeons remains low. METHODS: This was a cross-sectional study that included 102 consultants of family medicine, rheumatology, and orthopedics across various regions of Saudi Arabia. A total of 30 institutions were contacted and requested to distribute a survey questionnaire to their physicians; these institutions included 8 private hospitals, 16 government hospitals, and 6 primary healthcare centers. The survey included questions on the incidence, rate, management, knowledge, and referral of patients with RHD and CMC arthritis using a 5-point Likert scale. The Kruskal-Wallis H test was utilized in our analysis to evaluate the differences in responses among the 3 specialties. RESULTS: For RHD and thumb CMC arthritis, the referral rate was higher among orthopedic surgeons compared to rheumatologists and family medicine physicians. The main barriers to referral were patient refusal, medical treatment alone being deemed adequate, and a lack of awareness of surgical options for management. CONCLUSION: Our findings highlight discrepancies in patterns of physician referral of RHD and thumb CMC arthritis cases to hand surgeons, indicating the need for targeted interventions to improve referral rates and enhance patient outcomes.

The Attend-PE model: A feasibility study of a structured follow-up care model for patients with pulmonary embolism.

BACKGROUND: Pulmonary embolism may have both physical and psychological consequences for the affected person. Guidelines recommend structured follow-up care, yet this is still not widely practised. Therefore, a national research project was initiated in Denmark in 2021, with the aim of developing, testing, implementing, and evaluating a structured post-pulmonary embolism follow-up care model, 'Attend-PE'. The objective of this feasibility study was to examine the fidelity, acceptability, and appropriateness of the Attend-PE model in a Danish hospital setting. METHODS: This feasibility study was conducted in two Danish hospitals, using a prospective study design with six months' follow-up. The fidelity, acceptability, and appropriateness of the Attend-PE model's components were evaluated using surveys, registrations sheets, and interviews with two physicians, three nurses, and 29 patients. Qualitative data were analysed using a deductive content analysis, while quantitative data were analysed using descriptive statistics. RESULTS: Fidelity with the Attend-PE model was good, with a high participation rate of patients in all components of the model. Acceptability was likewise good, as both patients and health care professionals expressed a high level of satisfaction with the model. The health care professionals considered the model to be relevant and suitable in a Danish hospital setting, confirming appropriateness of the model. CONCLUSION: This study showed that the Attend-PE model for patients with pulmonary embolism is feasible and acceptable in a Danish hospital setting.

Treatment Patterns and Preferences for Graves' Disease in Korea: Insights from a Nationwide Cohort Study.

Treatment patterns and preferences for patients with Graves' disease (GD) vary across countries. In this study, we assessed the initial therapies and subsequent treatment modalities employed for GD in real-world clinical practice in Korea. We analyzed 452,001 patients with GD from 2004 to 2020, obtained from the Korean National Health Insurance Service database. Initial treatments included antithyroid drug (ATD) therapy (98% of cases), thyroidectomy (1.3%), and radioactive iodine (RAI) therapy (0.7%). The rates of initial treatment failure were 58.5% for ATDs, 21.3% for RAI, and 2.1% for thyroidectomy. Even among cases of ATD treatment failure or recurrence, the rates of RAI therapy remained low. Regarding initial treatment, the 5-year remission rate was 46.8% among patients administered ATDs versus 91.0% among recipients of RAI therapy; at 10 years, these rates were 59.2% and 94.0%, respectively. Our findings highlight a marked disparity in the use of RAI therapy in Korea compared to Western countries. Further research is required to understand the reasons for these differences in treatment patterns.

Pathological Features Associated with Lymph Node Disease in Patients with Appendiceal Neuroendocrine Tumors.

This study aimed to evaluate the role of pathological features beyond tumor size in the risk of lymph node metastasis in appendiceal neuroendocrine tumors. Analyzing data from the national cancer database, we found that among 5353 cases, 18.8% had lymph node metastasis. Focusing on tumors smaller than 2 cm, a subject of considerable debate in treatment strategies, we identified lymphovascular invasion as one of the strongest predictors of lymph node disease. Interestingly, extension into the subserosa and beyond, a current factor in the staging system, was not a strong predictor. These findings suggest that careful interpretation of pathological features is needed when selecting therapeutic approaches using current staging systems.

Evolving trends in treatment patterns for hepatocellular carcinoma in Korea from 2008 to 2022: a nationwide population-based study.

BACKGROUNDS/AIMS: The treatment landscape for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) has significantly evolved over the past decade. We aimed to analyze trends in treatment patterns for HCC using a nationwide claims database from the Korean Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service. METHODS: This retrospective population-based cohort study analyzed 171,002 newly diagnosed HCC patients between 2008 and 2022. Etiologies and treatment modalities were categorized based on the ICD-10 codes and insurance data. RESULTS: The annual incidence decreased from 11,814 in 2008 to 10,443 in 2022. However, patients aged ≥70 increased noticeably, with those aged ≥80 rising from 3.8% in 2008 to 13.1% in 2022. From 2008 to 2022, the predominant cause of hepatitis B virus decreased from 68.9% to 59.7%, whereas nonalcoholic fatty liver disease increased from 8.9% to 15.8%. The initial treatment trends shifted: surgical resection and systemic therapy increased from 12.2% to 21.3% and from 0.2% to 9.6%, whereas transarterial therapy decreased from 49.9% to 36.6%. Best supportive care decreased from 31.7% to 21.3%. In the subgroup analysis, laparoscopic resection rate increased from 10.6% to 60.6% among the surgical resections. Sorafenib initially accounted for 100%, lenvatinib peaked at 36.5% in 2021, and atezolizumab-bevacizumab became the most widely used (63.1%) by 2022 among the systemic therapies. CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrates the temporal changes in the treatment patterns of Korean HCC patients. Surgical resection, particularly laparoscopic liver resection, and systemic therapy has increased significantly. These changes may have been influenced by reimbursement policies and advances in clinical research.

The landscape of use of NCCN-guideline chemotherapy regimens in stage I-IIIA breast cancer in an integrated healthcare delivery system.

PURPOSE: The National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) guidelines recommend a variety of drug combinations with specific administration schedules for the treatment of early-stage breast cancer, allowing physicians to deliver treatments recognizing individual patient complexities, including comorbidities, and patient-physician preference. While use of guideline regimens has shifted over time, there is little data to describe changes in how treatment for early-stage breast cancer has evolved over time. METHODS: In a cohort of 34,109 women treated for stage I-IIIA breast cancer between 2006-2019 at Kaiser Permanente Northern California and Kaiser Permanente Washington, we present the changes in chemotherapy regimens over time, and explore use of NCCN-guideline regimens (GR), guideline regimens used when said regimens were not included in guidelines, referred to as time-discordant regimens (TDR), and non-guideline regimens (NGR). Results are presented by drug combination and over time. RESULTS: Among 12,506 women receiving chemotherapy, 77.4% (n = 9681) received GRs, 9.1% (n = 1140) received TDRs, and 13.5% (n = 1685) received NGRs. In 2006, AC-T (cyclophosphamide-doxorubicin, paclitaxel) was the most common regimen, with TC (cyclophosphamide-docetaxel) becoming the most prevalent by 2019. NGRs were more common in cyclophosphamide-methotrexate-5-fluorouracil (CMF); cyclophosphamide-doxorubicin-paclitaxel-trastuzumab (ACTH); and paclitaxel-trastuzumab (TH). The use of GR has increased over time (p-trend < 0.001), while use of NGR (both in terms of administration schedule and drug combination) and TDR have decreased, although patterns vary by drug combination. CONCLUSION: Chemotherapy delivery has changed markedly over time, with a move toward more use of GR. These data are important for understanding the landscape of chemotherapy delivery in community healthcare settings.

Person-Centered, Goal-Oriented Care Helped My Patients Improve Their Quality of Life.

When the goal is to help patients improve their quality of life, it makes sense to focus directly on the activities and relationships that are most important to each patient. This can be accomplished most effectively by following a three-step process that includes 1) connecting with the patient around what matters to them, 2) co-creating a goal-oriented plan, and 3) collaborating with patient, family, team members, and consultants to increase the probability of success. Once this approach has been mastered and the necessary systems, processes, and relationships are in place, this should not take more time than a problem-oriented approach, and it will almost certainly be more satisfying for both physician and patient. The impact on population-based quality metrics is uncertain. Though fewer patients may choose to follow standard recommendations, those who do may be more likely to adhere to them.

Optimal hyperglycemia thresholds in patients undergoing chemotherapy: a cross sectional study of oncologists' practices.

PURPOSE: Neither the United States nor the European oncology guidelines include details for appropriate management of hyperglycemia in cancer patients. The aim was to identify fasting and random blood glucose thresholds, and hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) targets used by oncologists in clinical practice when managing hyperglycemia in patients with cancer undergoing chemotherapy. METHODS: This national, cross sectional study utilized a questionnaire to collect oncologists' perceptions about optimal blood glucose thresholds and HbA1c targets in patients with cancer undergoing chemotherapy. Descriptive statistics were calculated to summarize glucose thresholds, HbA1c targets, and sample characteristics. Responses to an open-ended question about oncologists' approach to hyperglycemia management were analyzed via thematic analysis using an inductive approach. RESULTS: Respondents (n = 229) were on average 52.1 years of age, 67.7% men, and 91.3% White. For patients without diabetes but experiencing hyperglycemia, oncologists targeted lower and upper fasting blood glucose levels between 75-121 mg/dL and 105-135 mg/dL, respectively. For patients with diabetes, the targets for lower and upper fasting blood glucose levels ranged between 100-130 mg/dL and 128-150 mg/dL, respectively. Fasting blood glucose (95.6%) and HbA1c (78.6%) were the most commonly used clinical indicators to consider chemotherapy dose reduction, delay, or discontinuation due to hyperglycemia in patients receiving chemotherapy with curative intent. Among those receiving palliative intent chemotherapy, the preferred clinical parameters were random blood glucose (90.0%), patient-reported blood glucose readings (70.7%), continuous glucose monitoring readings (65.1%), and patient-reported symptoms of hyperglycemia (65.1%). Three main themes emerged about oncologists' approach to hyperglycemia management: 1) identification of high-risk patients; 2) need for early identification, screening, and diagnosis of hyperglycemia; and 3) multiple hyperglycemia management strategies. CONCLUSION: Oncologists reported a wide variation of target blood glucose ranges considered appropriate in patients undergoing chemotherapy. Lack of clear guidance for hyperglycemia management during chemotherapy in the United States may be contributing to a lack of consistency in clinical practice.

Perioperative Management of Antiplatelet and Anticoagulant Therapy in Patients Undergoing Interventional Techniques: 2024 Updated Guidelines from the American Society of Interventional Pain Physicians (ASIPP).

BACKGROUND: The frequency of performance of interventional techniques in chronic pain patients receiving anticoagulant and antiplatelet therapy continues to increase. Understanding the importance of continuing chronic anticoagulant therapy, the need for interventional techniques, and determining the duration and discontinuation or temporary suspension of anticoagulation is crucial to avoiding devastating complications, primarily when neuraxial procedures are performed. Anticoagulants and antiplatelets target the clotting system, increasing the bleeding risk. However, discontinuation of anticoagulant or antiplatelet drugs exposes patients to thrombosis risk, which can lead to significant morbidity and mortality, especially in those with coronary artery or cerebrovascular disease. These guidelines summarize the current peer reviewed literature and develop consensus-based guidelines based on the best evidence synthesis for patients receiving anticoagulant and antiplatelet therapy during interventional procedures. STUDY DESIGN: Review of the literature and development of guidelines based on best evidence synthesis. OBJECTIVES: To provide a current and concise appraisal of the literature regarding the assessment of bleeding and thrombosis risk during interventional techniques for patients taking anticoagulant and/or antiplatelet medications. METHODS: Development of consensus guidelines based on best evidence synthesis included review of the literature on bleeding risks during interventional pain procedures, practice patterns, and perioperative management of anticoagulant and antiplatelet therapy. A multidisciplinary panel of experts developed methodology, risk stratification based on best evidence synthesis, and management of anticoagulant and antiplatelet therapy. It also included risk of cessation of anticoagulant and antiplatelet therapy based on a multitude of factors. Multiple data sources on bleeding risk, practice patterns, risk of thrombosis, and perioperative management of anticoagulant and antiplatelet therapy were identified. The relevant literature was identified through searches of multiple databases from 1966 through 2023. In the development of consensus statements and guidelines, we used a modified Delphi technique, which has been described to minimize bias related to group interactions. Panelists without a primary conflict of interest voted on approving specific guideline statements. Each panelist could suggest edits to the guideline statement wording and could suggest additional qualifying remarks or comments as to the implementation of the guideline in clinical practice to achieve consensus and for inclusion in the final guidelines, each guideline statement required at least 80% agreement among eligible panel members without primary conflict of interest. RESULTS: A total of 34 authors participated in the development of these guidelines. Of these, 29 participated in the voting process. A total of 20 recommendations were developed. Overall, 100% acceptance was obtained for 16 of 20 items. Total items were reduced to 18 with second and third round voting. The final results were 100% acceptance for 16 items (89%). There was disagreement for 2 statements (statements 6 and 7) and recommendations by 3 authors. These remaining 2 items had an acceptance of 94% and 89%. The disagreement and dissent were by Byron J. Schneider, MD, with recommendation that all transforaminals be classified into low risk, whereas Sanjeeva Gupta, MD, desired all transforaminals to be in intermediate risk. The second disagreement was related to Vivekanand A. Manocha, MD, recommending that cervical and thoracic transforaminal to be high risk procedures.Thus, with appropriate literature review, consensus-based statements were developed for the perioperative management of patients receiving anticoagulants and antiplatelets These included the following: estimation of the thromboembolic risk, estimation of bleeding risk, and determination of the timing of restarting of anticoagulant or antiplatelet therapy.Risk stratification was provided classifying the interventional techniques into three categories of low risk, moderate or intermediate risk, and high risk. Further, on multiple occasions in low risk and moderate or intermediate risk categories, recommendations were provided against cessation of anticoagulant or antiplatelet therapy. LIMITATIONS: The continued paucity of literature with discordant recommendations. CONCLUSION: Based on the review of available literature, published clinical guidelines, and recommendations, a multidisciplinary panel of experts presented guidelines in managing interventional techniques in patients on anticoagulant or antiplatelet therapy in the perioperative period. These guidelines provide a comprehensive assessment of classification of risk, appropriate recommendations, and recommendations based on the best available evidence.

Vocal Fold Medialization Procedures in Previously Radiated Patients: A Survey of Practice Patterns.

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Head and neck radiation therapy (HNRT) has traditionally been considered a contraindication to vocal fold medialization procedures. Although safety has been demonstrated, we hypothesize that actual management varies. This study evaluates practice patterns of otolaryngologists regarding vocal fold medialization in patients after HNRT. METHODS: A 25-question survey evaluating respondents' management of patients status post HNRT with vocal fold paresis/paralysis was distributed to 357 otolaryngologists. Practice patterns regarding injection laryngoplasty (IL), medialization thyroplasty (MT), and arytenoid adduction (AA) were queried. RESULTS: Eight-two clinicians (23%) completed the survey. Ninety-one percent of respondents were laryngologists, 9% head and neck surgeons, 3% comprehensive otolaryngologists, and 3% "other." Eleven (15%) had been in practice <5 years, 19 (25%) for 5-10 years, and 46 (61%) for >10 years. No respondents considered HNRT a contraindication to IL, and 11 (14%) reported complications from the procedure. Hyaluronic acid (58, 75%) was most commonly injected. Twenty percent considered HNRT a contraindication to MT, and 37% considered it a contraindication to AA. Gore-Tex was used most commonly (65%). Twenty-seven percent reported major complications after MT. All complications occurred in the >10-year practice group, and this group was more likely to delay surgery after HNRT (p = 0.022). Respondents with complications were more likely to perform MT in HNRT patients (p = 0.0191). CONCLUSIONS: Otolaryngologists generally do not consider HNRT to be a contraindication to IL, but some consider it a contraindication to MT/AA. Previous complications do not appear to deter surgeons from performing MT. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: N/A (Survey Study) Laryngoscope, 2024.

Effectiveness of nurse-led heart failure clinic: A systematic review.

Objectives: Heart failure is a stage of various cardiovascular diseases and constitutes a growing major public health problem worldwide. Nurse-led heart failure clinics play an important role in managing heart failure. All nurse-led heart failure clinic services are clinic-based. We conducted a systematic review to describe the contents and impact of nurse-led heart failure clinics. Methods: A review of nurse-led heart failure clinic research was undertaken in PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, and Cochrane Library. The search was initially conducted on October 23, 2022 and updated on November 21, 2023. Articles were appraised using the Joanna Briggs Institute Appraisal criteria by two independent reviewers. This review was registered on PROSPERO (CRD42022352209). Results: Twelve articles were included in this systematic review. The nurse-led heart failure clinic contents were: medication uptitration, educational counselling, evidence-based transitional care, psychosocial support, physical examination and mental well-being assessment, therapy monitoring and adjustment, follow-up, and phone consultations. Most studies reported largely positive clinical outcomes in nurse-led heart failure clinics. Four studies examined the quality of life and reported conflicting results; four studies examined medication titration efficacy, and the results were generally positive. Only two studies examined cost-effectiveness. Conclusions: Nurse-led heart failure clinics have shown a largely positive impact on patient outcomes, quality of life, and medication titration efficacy. More randomised controlled trials and other studies are needed to obtain more robust conclusions.