Validation of risk assessment scores in predicting venous thromboembolism in patients with lung cancer receiving immune checkpoint inhibitors.

INTRODUCTION: Several risk scores have been proposed to predict venous thromboembolism (VTE) in hospitalized patients. However, their predictive performances in lung cancer patients receiving immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) is unclear. We aimed to validate and compare their performances of the Caprini, Padua and Khorana risk scores in lung cancer patients receiving ICIs. METHODS: This was a retrospective cohort study of patients with lung cancer treated with ICIs at West China Hospital between January 2018 and March 2022. The primary outcome was VTE during 12 months of follow-up from the first day of treatment with ICIs. The predictive performances of risk scores was determined using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis. RESULTS: Among the 1115 eligible patients with lung cancer who received ICIs, 105 patients (9.4%) experienced VTE during the 12-month follow-up period. There was a statistically significant difference in the cumulative incidence of VTE between the different risk levels as determined by Caprini and Padua scores (all P < 0.001). However, no significant difference was observed for the Khorana score (P = 0.488). The Caprini and Padua scores demonstrated good discriminative performances (AUC 0.743, 95% CI 0.688-0.799 for Caprini score; AUC 0.745, 95% CI 0.687-0.803 for Padua score), which were significantly better than that of the Khorana score (AUC 0.553, 95% CI, 0.493-0.613) (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: In our study, the Caprini and Padua risk scores had better discriminative ability than the Khorana score to identify lung cancer patients treated with ICIs who were at high risk of VTE.

Impact of COVID-19 in the incidence of venous thromboembolism (VTE) and clinical outcomes in cancer patients: a cohort study.

PURPOSE: To determine the incidence of VTE and clinical outcomes in a cohort of cancer patients and COVID-19 infection, and to establish possible predictive factors of VTE. METHODS/PATIENTS: A single-center retrospective cohort study was performed to determine the incidence of VTE and mortality in 118 cancer patients with SARS-CoV-2 infection from March to August 2020. We calculated individual Khorana Risk and CATS-MICA scores in order to evaluate their utility to identify risk of VTE or death. Continuous variables were compared using Wilcoxon or Student's T test, and categorical variables were compared using the Chi-Square or Fisher's exact text among patients with and without VTE. A Log-Rank test was performed to detect mortality differences between the groups. RESULTS: A total of 118 patients were included. VTE global incidence was 4.2% (n = 5), and mortality 25.4% (n = 30). Obesity (p = 0.05), recent chemotherapy (p = 0.049) and use of steroids (p = 0.006) were related to higher risk of VTE in the univariate analysis, although they were not confirmed in the multivariate analysis as independent risk factors. Statistically significant differences in all-cause, COVID-19-related and cancer-related mortality according to the Khorana risk score (KRS) were observed. CATS-MICA score (CMS) also showed statistically significant differences in mortality between low- and high-risk patients. Prediction of risk of VTE development with these scores showed a tendency towards significance. CONCLUSIONS: In this cohort, VTE incidence was similar to previously reported in the general population with SARS-CoV-2 infection. KRS was associated with overall and specific-cause mortality, and might be a useful prognostic tool in this setting.

Importance of risk assessment, endoscopic hemostasis, and recent advancements in the management of acute non-variceal upper gastrointestinal bleeding.

Acute non-variceal upper gastrointestinal bleeding (ANVUGIB) is a common medical emergency in clinical practice. While the incidence has significantly reduced, the mortality rates have not undergone a similar reduction in the last few decades, thus presenting a significant challenge. This editorial outlines the key causes and risk factors of ANVUGIB and explores the current standards and recent updates in risk assessment scoring systems for predicting mortality and endoscopic treatments for achieving hemostasis. Since ANUVGIB predominantly affects the elderly population, the impact of comorbidities may be responsible for the poor outcomes. A thorough drug history is important due to the increasing use of antiplatelet agents and anticoagulants in the elderly. Early risk stratification plays a crucial role in deciding the line of management and predicting mortality. Emerging scoring systems such as the ABC (age, blood tests, co-morbidities) score show promise in predicting mortality and guiding clinical decisions. While conventional endoscopic therapies remain cornerstone approaches, novel techniques like hemostatic powders and over-the-scope clips offer promising alternatives, particularly in cases refractory to traditional modalities. By integrating validated scoring systems and leveraging novel therapeutic modalities, clinicians can enhance patient care and mitigate the substantial morbidity and mortality associated with ANVUGIB.

Thrombotic Risk Assessment in Patients with Lymphoid Neoplasm seen at the Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital, Nnewi, Anambra State.

BACKGROUND: Venous thromboembolism (VTE) is a cause of increased morbidity and mortality in cancer patients. VTE is the second leading cause of death in cancer patients. Risk assessment models have been developed to identify patients at risk of VTE for thromboprophylaxis. Risk scores of patients in our environment have not been adequately investigated. OBJECTIVE: The study evaluates the association of thrombotic risk assessment scores (using the modified Khorana risk assessment tool) and soluble P-selectin levels with thrombotic events in patients with lymphoid cancer. METHODS: This is a comparative cross-sectional study conducted at Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital (NAUTH, Nnewi, Anambra State). Forty-five patients with lymphoid malignancy and 45 apparently healthy subjects participated in the study. The modified Khorana risk assessment score was used to assess cancer-associated thrombotic risk. Blood sample was collected for soluble P-selectin estimation. Data were analyzed with SPSS version 23. RESULTS: The age of subjects with lymphoid neoplasm and controls were 49.1±15.8 years, and 49.6±11.1 years respectively (p = 0.548). Subjects with lymphoid neoplasm consist of 26 (57.8%) males and 19 (42.2%) females while the controls consist of 25 (55.6%) males and 20 (44.4%) females. Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma was the most frequent of lymphoid neoplasm (18, 40.0%), followed by multiple myeloma (10, 22%), CLL (9, 20%), ALL (6, 13.0%) and Hodgkin's lymphoma (2, 4.0%). Thirty-five (77.8%) subjects with lymphoid neoplasm had intermediate risk scores and 10 (22.2%) had high-risk scores. Nineteen (42.2%) of the controls had intermediate risk and 26 (57.8%) low risk. The differences in proportion were statistically significant (p < 0.001). The median (IQR) levels of soluble P-selectin were significantly higher in patients with lymphoid neoplasm (12.2 vs. 7.0ng/mL, p <0.001). Three (6.6%) patients with lymphoid malignancies had deep vein thrombosis confirmed by a Doppler ultrasound scan. CONCLUSION: Lymphoid malignancy is associated with relatively higher thrombotic risk scores, sP-selectin levels, and venous thromboembolic events. CONTEXTE: La thromboembolie veineuse (TEV) est une cause de morbidité et de mortalité accrues chez les patients atteints de cancer. La TEV est la deuxième cause de décès chez les patients atteints de cancer. Des modèles d'évaluation des risques ont été mis au point pour identifier les patients présentant un risque de TEV en vue d'une thromboprophylaxie. Les scores de risque des patients dans notre environnement n'ont pas été étudiés de manière adéquate. OBJECTIF: L'étude évalue l'association des scores d'évaluation du risque thrombotique (en utilisant l'outil modifié d'évaluation du risque de Khorana) et des niveaux de P-sélectine soluble avec les événements thrombotiques chez les patients atteints d'un cancer lymphoïde. MÉTHODES: Il s'agit d'une étude transversale comparative menée au Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital (NAUTH, Nnewi, État d'Anambra). Quarante-cinq patients atteints d'un cancer lymphoïde et 45 sujets apparemment sains ont participé à l'étude. Le score modifié d'évaluation du risque de Khorana a été utilisé pour évaluer le risque thrombotique associé au cancer. Un échantillon de sang a été prélevé pour l'estimation de la P-sélectine soluble. Les données ont été analysées avec SPSS version 23. RÉSULTATS: L'âge des sujets atteints de néoplasme lymphoïde et des témoins était respectivement de 49,1±15,8 ans et 49,6±11,1 ans (p = 0,548). Les sujets atteints de néoplasme lymphoïde sont 26 (57,8 %) hommes et 19 (42,2 %) femmes, tandis que les témoins sont 25 (55,6 %) hommes et 20 (44,4 %) femmes. Le lymphome non hodgkinien était le néoplasme lymphoïde le plus fréquent (18, 40 %), suivi du myélome multiple (10, 22 %), de la LLC (9, 20 %), de la LAL (6, 13 %) et du lymphome hodgkinien (2, 4 %). Trente-cinq (77,8 %) sujets atteints de néoplasmes lymphoïdes présentaient un score de risque intermédiaire et 10 (22,2 %) un score de risque élevé. Dix-neuf (42,2 %) des témoins présentaient un risque intermédiaire et 26 (57,8 %) un risque faible. Les différences de proportion étaient statistiquement significatives (p < 0,001). Les niveaux médians (IQR) de P-sélectine soluble étaient significativement plus élevés chez les patients atteints de néoplasme lymphoïde (12,2 vs. 7,0 ng/mL, p <0,001). Trois (6,6 %) patients atteints de tumeurs lymphoïdes ont présenté une thrombose veineuse profonde confirmée par une échographie Doppler. CONCLUSION: Les tumeurs malignes lymphoïdes sont associées à des scores de risque thrombotique, des taux de sP-sélectine et des événements thromboemboliques veineux relativement plus élevés. Mots-clés: Malignité lymphoïde, Thrombose, P-sélectine soluble, Scores d'évaluation du risqué.

Approach to Contemporary Risk Assessment, Prevention and Management of Thrombotic Complications in Multiple Myeloma.

Multiple myeloma (MM) is associated with an increased risk of thrombotic complications, which remains substantial despite the implementation of thromboprophylaxis. The procoagulant state that characterizes the disease is multifactorial, and a greater understanding of the underlying pathophysiology is required to inform appropriate thrombosis prevention. Currently, there is a shift towards using direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) in this setting; head-to-head comparisons in the context of controlled clinical trials between class agents are still missing. MM-specific VTE risk assessment scores have been developed to optimize management and minimize the associated mortality/morbidity. Their clinical utility remains to be evaluated. The value of adding biomarkers to clinical scores to optimize their performance and increase their discriminatory power is also under assessment.

Comparison of Two Risk Assessment Scores in Predicting Peri-Implantitis Occurrence during Implant Maintenance in Patients Treated for Periodontal Diseases: A Long-Term Retrospective Study.

BACKGROUND: There is a need for reliable risk assessment tools to better predict peri-implantitis occurrence. This study compared the long-term prognosis value of two models of risk assessment scoring in predicting peri-implantitis. METHODS: Seventy-three patients with treated periodontitis representing 232 implants and attending long-term implant maintenance were evaluated. The Periodontal Risk Assessment (PRA) score, which combines only periodontal risk factors/indicators, and the Implant Risk Assessment (IRA) score, which combines both periodontal and implant risk factors/indicators, were calculated during implant maintenance. Peri-implantitis was defined by the presence of probing depth ≥6 mm with bleeding on probing/suppuration and bone level ≥3 mm. Analyses were performed at the patient level. RESULTS: The mean implant follow-up was 6.5 years. Peri-implantitis incidence was 17.8%, and high-risk PRA and IRA percentages were 36.9% and 27.3%, respectively. High-risk PRA and IRA were significantly associated with peri-implantitis incidence, with hazard ratio (HR) = 4.8 and 3.65, respectively. Risk factors/indicators considered separately showed reduced associations with peri-implantitis. CONCLUSIONS: The PRA score combining periodontal parameters and IRA score combining both periodontal and implant parameters have comparable value in predicting peri-implantitis. These scores could allow practicians to intercept the risk of peri-implantitis and to manage follow-up modalities in patients with treated periodontitis.

Comparison of Risk Stratification Scores in Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension: A Monocentric Retrospective Study at Lausanne University Hospital.

BACKGROUND: Risk assessment is the cornerstone of pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) management. Risk stratification scores predict prognosis and help individualize treatment. OBJECTIVES: The aims of the study include the following: (1) to compare the prediction for transplant-free survival (TFs) of 3 risk assessment tools at 3 and 5 years after diagnosis and (2) to analyze whether the initial risk stratification was altered after 1 year of treatment. METHOD: We collected retrospectively data of 50 patients diagnosed with PAH Group 1. We categorized them as low, intermediate, and high mortality risk at baseline and at 1 year with the (1) Registry to Evaluate Early and Long-Term PAH Disease Management (REVEAL) risk score version 2.0, (2) Swedish/Comparative Prospective Registry of Newly Initiated Therapies for Pulmonary Hypertension (PH) (COMPERA) score, and (3) French PH Network Registry (FPHR) score. RESULTS: TFs at 3 years is predicted by the 3 scores computed at baseline with an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.73, 0.73, and 0.77, respectively. The predictive value increased when the scores were calculated after 1 year of treatment (AUC = 0.91, 0.89, and 0.78). The prediction of TFs at 5 years was better evaluated by the COMPERA and FPHR (AUC = 0.85) than by REVEAL 2.0 (AUC = 0.69) computed at baseline. A low risk status was associated with excellent TFs whatever the scoring used. CONCLUSION: In accordance with the original publications, the 3 scores are able to predict survival up to 5 years after diagnosis. The better performance of the scores after 1 year is a further evidence for their clinical use and an indirect proof for treatment efficacy.

Cumplimiento de las actividades de enfermería en la prevención de úlceras por presión / Accomplishment of nursing activities in the prevention of pressure ulcers

Introducción: las úlceras por presión prolongan la estancia hospitalaria, generan un impacto negativo en la persona hospitalizada y elevan costos de atención, por lo que constituyen un problema de salud pública y un indicador de la calidad del cuidado de enfermería. Objetivo: identificar el cumplimiento de las actividades de enfermería en la prevención de úlceras por presión. Método: estudio descriptivo, transversal, en tres instituciones de salud de Barranquilla durante 2010. Universo 97 enfermeras y auxiliares de enfermería. Se utilizó el instrumento cumplimiento de criterios básicos en la prevención de ulceras por presión a pacientes hospitalizado, formato F1PUPPH/05. Se conformó una base de datos en Microsoft Excel. Para evaluar el comportamiento de las variables del estudio se utilizó la estadística descriptiva (medidas de tendencia central y variabilidad, normalidad y detección de datos atípicos y ausentes). Resultados: los criterios de cumplimiento en la prevención de ulceras por presión más empleados fueron: ejecuta el plan de cuidados, utiliza los elementos disponibles en la prevención con un 54,53 por ciento y registra factores de riesgo con un 53,60 por ciento, los menos empleados: valora el riesgo utilizando las escalas reconocidas y revalora y ajusta de acuerdo al estado del paciente, con un 58,76 por ciento cada uno. El 45,36 por ciento de la muestra alcanza el nivel de No cumplimiento de las acciones de prevención y el 35,05 por ciento obtuvo un nivel de excelente. Conclusiones: la debilidad en la competencia de la aplicación de escalas de valoración de riesgo de úlceras por presión confirma la importancia del cumplimiento de las actividades de prevención como indicador de calidad del cuidado de enfermería, así mismo genera un aporte al currículo, investigación y práctica de enfermería(AU)

Introduction: pressure ulcers lengthen hospital stay, produce a negative impact on the hospitalized person and raise care costs, a reason why they constitute a public health concern and an indicator of the quality of nursing care. Objective: to identify the accomplishment of nursing activities in the prevention of pressure ulcers. Method: descriptive cross-sectional study carried out at three health facilities of Barranquilla during 2010. Target group: 97 nurses and nursing assistants. We used the instrument accomplishment of basic criteria for pressure ulcer prevention in hospitalized patients (F1-PUPPH/05). We created a database in Microsoft Excel. To assess the behavior of the studied variables, we used descriptive statistics (central tendency and variability measures, normality and detection of atypical and absent data). Results: the most used accomplishment criteria for pressure ulcer prevention were the care plan execution; the use of elements available in prevention, with a 54.53 percent; and risk factors recording, with a 53.60 percent. The least used were risk assessing by using the recognized scores; and reassessment and adjustment according to the patient's state, with 58.76 percent each. 45.36 percent of the sample reaches the level of unaccomplishment of the prevention actions and 35.05 percent obtained a level of excellent. Conclusions: competence weakness in applying pressure ulcer risk assessment scores confirms the importance of prevention activities accomplishment as a nursing care quality indicator, and produces a contribution to the resume, research and nursing practice(AU)