Patients with prediabetes improve insulin resistance after surgery for primary hyperparathyroidism.

BACKGROUND: The objective of this study was to evaluate the evolution of insulin resistance at 12 months after parathyroidectomy for primary hyperparathyroidism according to the preoperative severity of glucose metabolism abnormalities. METHODS: Observational study of patients who underwent parathyroidectomy between 2016 and 2021. Prediabetes and insulin resistance were defined as fasting glucose ≥1.00 g/L (American Diabetes Association) and homeostatic model assessment of insulin resistance >2.5, respectively. RESULTS: A total of 231 patients were included. Preoperatively, 75 patients (32%) had prediabetes, and 108 patients (47%) had insulin resistance. At 12 months postoperative, homeostatic model assessment of insulin resistance values significantly decreased in patients with prediabetes (-0.69; P = .04) and in patients with insulin resistance (-0.85; P < .001). In patients with prediabetes, 48/75 (64%) decreased their insulin resistance, including 15/48 (31%) with normalization of fasting glucose. In multivariate analysis, preoperative prediabetes (1.82, 1.03-3.21; P = .037) or preoperative homeostatic model assessment of insulin resistance >2.5 (3.90, 2.23-6.75; P < .001) remained independent predictors for insulin resistance reduction observed between preoperative and 12 months postoperative. CONCLUSION: Parathyroidectomy is more likely to reduce insulin resistance in patients with primary hyperparathyroidism and prediabetes or in patients with higher preoperative homeostatic model assessment of insulin resistance values. These data support the use of the preoperative prediabetes criterion in addition to the international workshop criteria for parathyroidectomy to better select patients for surgery.

Assessment of dynapenia and undernutrition in primary care, a systematic screening study in community medicine.

Screening for sarcopenia is a growing public health issue since associated with functional alterations and an increase in morbidity and mortality. OBJECTIVE: To analyze the prevalence of decreased muscle strength (dynapenia) in patients aged 18 to 74 in community medicine, as measured in the general practitioner's office, and to assess the prevalence of undernutrition in this population. METHOD: Muscle strength was measured with a Hand Grip (HG) dynamometer according to European recommended thresholds and French guidelines. Malnutrition was defined according to the GLIM criteria. RESULTS: Of 341 patients, 303 were evaluated (89%): mean age was 47.8 ± 17.4 years, including 51.2% women, 103 with an acute disease (AD) and 200 with a chronic disease (CD). 23.5% were below the 10th percentile threshold in the CD group and 19.4% in the AD group. For these patients, muscle age, evaluated on the median values for age, was higher by 39.3 ± 15.2 years for men and by 41.5 ± 13.6 years for women. Maximum HG values were significantly correlated with changes in International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ) score (F = 10.22; p = 0.0017) and weight changes (%) (F = 5.30; p = 0.0227) in women only, regardless of age, BMI, disease, professional status or type of work (manual or not); 19.1% suffered from malnutrition (10.9% Stage 1 and 8.3% Stage 2), with 20.0% in the CD group and 17.4% in the AD group. CONCLUSION: This study highlights the feasibility of screening for sarcopenia in primary care community medicine. The prevalence of dynapenia in the studied population (nearly one in 5 patients) and the observed higher-than-expected undernutrition (17.5%) justify their screening for appropriate management care. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION: NCT04451694; referred to as "observational research", "non-interventional", or « non-RIPH ¼.

Role of hospital and patient factors in the outcome of reoperations for primary hyperparathyroidism: a retrospective multicenter cohort study.

BACKGROUND: There are few data on outcomes after reintervention for persistent or recurrent primary hyperparathyroidism (PHPT). The authors hypothesized that the variation in outcomes at the hospital level after reoperation would be significant. After accounting for this variability, some patient-level clinical criteria could be identified to help inform treatment decisions in this patient population. The aim of this study was to determine whether there is significant variation in outcomes after reoperation for PHPT between hospitals (hospital-level analysis) and identify clinical factors (patient-level analysis) that influence postoperative outcomes. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This retrospective multicenter cohort study was performed using the Eurocrine registry. Data from 11 countries and 76 hospitals from January 2015 to October 2020 were extracted. A generalized linear mixed model was used to assess the variation in outcomes at the hospital level and to identify risk factors of postoperative outcomes at the patient level. The primary endpoint (textbook outcome) was achieved when all six of the following postoperative conditions were met: no hypocalcemia or persistent hypercalcemia, no laryngeal nerve injury, no negative exploration, no normal parathyroid gland only on histopathology, and no postoperative death. RESULTS: Among 13 593 patients who underwent parathyroidectomy for PHPT, 617 (4.5%) underwent reoperative parathyroidectomy. At follow-up, 231 patients (37.4%) were hypocalcemic, 346 (56.1%) were normocalcemic without treatment, and 40 (6.5%) had persistent hypercalcemia. Textbook outcomes were achieved in 321 (52.0%) patients. The hospital-level variation in textbook outcome rates was significant ( P <0.001), and this variation could explain 29.1% of the observed outcomes. The criterion that remained significant after controlling for inter-hospital variation was 'a single lesion on sestamibi scan or positron emission tomography (PET) imaging' (odds ratio 2.08, 95% confidence interval 1.24-3.48; P =0.005). CONCLUSION: Outcomes after reoperation are significantly associated with hospital-related factors. A 'single lesion observed on preoperative sestamibi scan or PET' appears relevant to select patients before reoperation.

Effectiveness of salvage catheters in home parenteral nutrition: A single-center study and systematic literature review.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: There are sparse data regarding the rate of catheter salvage and long-term effectiveness of antibiotic lock treatment outcome after central line-associated bloodstream infections (CLABSI). Objectives were to analyze the effectiveness of central venous catheter (CVC) rescue strategy and its impact on catheter lifespan. Secondary objective included effectiveness of taurolidine+4% citrate in primary prevention, compared to a secondary prevention strategy, by analyzing infection incidence during two successive periods. METHOD: Real-life 5-year observational study assessing CLABSI occurrence and CVC salvage outcomes in adult patients requiring Home Parenteral Nutrition (HPN) managed in a single-center Intestinal Failure Unit. RESULTS: Over the 5-year period, there were 106 confirmed infections (63/143 patients (44%)). Infection incidence was 0.92/1000 catheter-days. Incidence was 1.02/1000 catheter-days during the taurolidine+4% citrate period while lower at 0.84/1000 catheter-days (p = 0.034) during the systematic taurolidine lock period. Of the total number of infections, 89 CVCs were immediately removed and 17 were salvaged. The success rate of catheter salvage with antibiotic lock was 82.4%, with 53% remaining CLABSI-free at one year. The salvage strategy extended catheter lifespan by a median 165 days (IQR 50-214). However, the rate of new infection was significantly higher in instances of salvage (71.4%) vs. removal (36%). Parenteral Nutrition (PN) ≥12 months (p = 0.002), PN (vs. hydroelectrolytic support) (p = 0.028) and self-management by patients (p = 0.049) were independent risk factors of CLABSI. CONCLUSION: Catheter salvage appears to be an effective long-term strategy with >50% of CVCs remaining CLABSI-free at one year and a prolonged catheter life, although may expose to a more frequent and earlier infection recurrence. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION: Cohort approved by the French CNIL (National Committee for Data Protection, authorization number CNIL 2015-25). referred to as "observational research", "non-interventional", or « non-RIPH ¼.

Neurocognitive and radiological follow-up of children under 5 years of age treated for medulloblastoma according to the HIT-SKK protocol.

BACKGROUND: The HIT-SKK protocol is used for low/standard-risk medulloblastomas in young children with the aim to eliminate cranial irradiation and its neuropsychological (NP) sequelae. This therapy includes IV and intraventricular (ITV) methotrexate (MTX) potentially responsible for leukoencephalopathy (LE) and neurocognitive disorders. This study describes the risk factors and course of LE, and investigates its correlation with neurocognitive impact. METHODS: A retrospective, multicenter study was conducted in 35 children under 5 years old, with a median follow-up of 72 months (range 14 to 130). The main analysis was performed in 30 patients who received cumulative doses of MTX as per-protocol (group 1). Five patients who received higher cumulative doses of MTX were analyzed separately. All follow-up MRIs and NP assessments were centrally reviewed by experts. RESULTS: Twenty patients in group 1 developed LE, grade 2 and 3 abnormalities did not correlate with higher cumulative doses of ITV-MTX (p = 0.698). Considering the most recent NP evaluation, the Full-Scale IQ (FSIQ) and Wechsler indices were in the average to lower average range. The FSIQ was deficient in 6/17 evaluable patients. Cumulative dose of ITV-MTX was almost associated with decreased processing speed competence (p = 0.055) which was the most frequently impaired neurocognitive domain. Neuropsychological assessment scores were not statistically lower in patients with persistent grade 2 LE at the end of follow-up. CONCLUSION: This study described that the use of cumulative dose of MTX (IV and ITV) according to the HIT-SKK protocol resulted in LE that tented to decrease over time, without significant correlation with a decline in neuro-intellectual skills.

Fertility discussions and concerns in childhood cancer survivors, a systematic review for updated practice.

PURPOSE: To provide ways to improve the clinical practice of fertility preservation (FP) for children, adolescents, and young adults (AYA) with cancer. DESIGN: A systematic research of online databases was undertaken in March 2020 following the PRISMA criteria, including Medline and Web of Science. RESULTS: Fifty-nine articles were included. Surveys, interviews, and focus groups were used to collect data from patients, parents, and health care providers (HCPs). Four themes worth exploring emerged: (a) what do patients and professionals think of and know about FP? (b) what makes the fertility discussion happen or not? (c) what, retrospectively, led to FP being pursued or not? and (d) how do patients and HCPs feel about fertility issues? CONCLUSION: A minority of AYAs preserve their fertility (banking assay for 45% of boys and 23% of girls). Yet fertility concerns have a significant impact on the quality of life of young cancer survivors. Although recommendations and guidelines regarding FP are available internationally, there are no specific guidelines as to how to conduct fertility counseling for children and adolescents. Some barriers are not removable, such as a poor prognosis of an obvious severe disease, time constraints for starting treatment, and cultural and religious beliefs. In response to aspects hindering patients and families to be receptive to any discussion at the time of diagnosis, psychological support could reduce the level of emotional distress and help restore a degree of open-mindedness to open a window for discussion. Moreover, as the lack of knowledge of professionals about fertility is frequently pointed out as a limiting factor for fertility discussion, reinforcing professional training regarding FP could be proposed to promote fertility discussion and eventually referral for FP.

Rôle et organisation des unités transversales d'éducation thérapeutique du patient dans les CHU et les CHR de France.

Introduction : The creation of transversal patient education units (UTEP), resources center to help Therapeutic Patient Education (TPE) teams in hospitals, was recommended in 2008 by the High Authority of Health and the French Society of Public Health.Purpose of research : To realize a national inventory of the UTEPs function (creation, governance, composition, missions, and funding).Method : This qualitative survey by semi-directional interviews was conducted by phone using an interview guide to the 29 UTEPs identified in the University or Regional Hospitals of France.Results : Twenty-four UTEPs (83%) responded. Since the law of 2009, except Besançon and Montpellier, these multidisciplinary teams coordinated mainly by a doctor have a total staff ranging from 0.5 to 5.5 full-time equivalents. Ten UTEPs have an institutional steering committee. They are mainly attached to a public health division. All UTEPs provide support missions for the TPE programs, coordination, and transversality. Fourteen carry out training ; eleven are involved in research and one lead TPE session. Eight UTEPs are involved at the level of the Territorial Hospital Grouping or the department. These differences condition variations in funding.Conclusions : The UTEPs are mostly well entrenched in their institution, recognized by TPE teams and directors. Their organizations, operations and funding are very varied according to the hospitals with common lines given by the regional health agency within the same large region.

Insulin resistance is more severe in patients with primary hyperparathyroidism.

BACKGROUND: Primary hyperparathyroidism is associated with an increased cardiovascular mortality, and its underlying mechanisms remain unclear. Insulin resistance has been suggested with low level of evidence. The goal of this study was to evaluate glucose metabolism and insulin resistance in primary hyperparathyroidism patients, to compare with control subjects, and to identify risk factors for insulin resistance in patients with primary hyperparathyroidism. METHODS: Cross-sectional study of consecutive primary hyperparathyroidism patients without history of diabetes or severe chronic kidney disease (glomerular filtration rate ≤30 mL/min/1.73 m2). Fasting glucose and insulin were evaluated before parathyroidectomy. Glucose metabolism was compared with population-based control subjects (n = 171). RESULTS: One hundred and seventy-four patients with primary hyperparathyroidism (140 females) were included. Mean fasting glucose was 0.983 ± 0.129 g/L, and 63 patients (36%) had prediabetes (>1.0 g/L). Mean Homeostatic model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) was 3.386 ± 3.111 mUI/L, and 78 patients (45%) had insulin resistance (HOMA-IR >2.6). Blood calcium levels (0.171; P = .023) and body mass index (0.450; P < .001) were correlated positively with HOMA-IR. Insulin secretion (HOMA-B%) was correlated positively with preoperative systolic blood pressure in mm Hg (0.187; P = .013). In multivariate analysis, classic hypercalcemic primary hyperparathyroidism (18.47, 6.84-49.87; <.001), mild hypercalcemic primary hyperparathyroidism (5.35, 2.40-11.95; <.001), and body mass index (1.27, 1.17-1.38; <.001) remained independent predictors for insulin resistance (HOMA-IR >2.6). When compared with control subjects, mean HOMA-IR was significantly higher in primary hyperparathyroidism patients (3.386 ± 3.111 vs 1.919 ± 1.158; P < .001). CONCLUSION: Insulin resistance was significantly higher in primary hyperparathyroidism patients than in control subjects. The impact of parathyroidectomy on insulin resistance should be evaluated in patients with higher calcium levels.

Characteristics of obstructive sleep apnea syndrome in patients with partial laryngectomy.

OBJECTIVES: The impacts of partial laryngectomy on sleep-disordered breathing were rarely investigated and reported in a limited number of patients. The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence of obstructive sleep apnea-hypopnea syndrome (OSAHS) in patients with partial laryngectomy. STUDY DESIGN: Case series. METHODS: All patients undergoing partial laryngectomy by open approach (frontolateral vertical partial laryngectomy and supracricoid horizontal partial laryngectomy) for squamous cell carcinoma of the larynx between January 2006 and December 2019 were enrolled. Listed patients were contacted via telephone to propose participating in the study and plan a sleep study: self-assessments of sleep quality using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) following a home sleep recording using respiratory polygraphy. Daytime sleepiness was also self-assessed by using the Epworth sleepiness scale. RESULTS: Twenty patients with sleep record were included to the analyses. There were 11/20 patients (55%) diagnosed with moderate to severe OSASH. No relationship between OSAHS severity and age as well as body mass index (BMI) was observed. The Epworth sleepiness score was not necessarily high in patients with moderate/severe OSASH. Type of partial laryngectomy did not influence apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) results. There was no difference in terms of age, BMI, gender, type of partial laryngectomy, and the presence of adjuvant radiotherapy between two groups AHI < 15/h and AHI ≥ 15/h. CONCLUSION: A sleep study screening for OSAHS should be considered in patients with partial laryngectomy in order to improve their sleep quality and quality of life even though they did not exhibit daily sleepiness and obesity.

Long-Term Evolution of Malnutrition and Loss of Muscle Strength after COVID-19: A Major and Neglected Component of Long COVID-19.

Post-acute consequences of COVID-19, also termed long COVID, include signs and symptoms persisting for more than 12 weeks with prolonged multisystem involvement; most often, however, malnutrition is ignored. METHOD: The objective was to analyze persistent symptoms, nutritional status, the evolution of muscle strength and performance status (PS) at 6 months post-discharge in a cohort of COVID-19 survivors. RESULTS: Of 549 consecutive patients hospitalized for COVID-19 between 1 March and 29 April 2020, 23.7% died and 288 patients were at home at D30 post-discharge. At this date, 136 of them (47.2%) presented persistent malnutrition, a significant decrease in muscle strength or a PS ≥ 2. These patients received dietary counseling, nutritional supplementation, adapted physical activity guidance or physiotherapy assistance, or were admitted to post-care facilities. At 6 months post-discharge, 91.0% of the 136 patients (n = 119) were evaluated and 36.0% had persistent malnutrition, 14.3% complained of a significant decrease in muscle strength and 14.9% had a performance status > 2. Obesity was more frequent in patients with impairment than in those without (52.8% vs. 31.0%; p = 0.0071), with these patients being admitted more frequently to ICUs (50.9% vs. 31.3%; p = 0.010). Among those with persistent symptoms, 10% had psychiatric co-morbidities (mood disorders, anxiety, or post-traumatic stress syndrome), 7.6% had prolonged pneumological symptoms and 4.2% had neurological symptoms. CONCLUSIONS: Obese subjects as well as patients who have stayed in intensive care have a higher risk of functional loss or undernutrition 6 months after a severe COVID infection. Malnutrition and loss of muscle strength should be considered in the clinical assessment of these patients.

Impact of severe SARS-CoV-2 infection on nutritional status and subjective functional loss in a prospective cohort of COVID-19 survivors.

The nutritional sequelae of COVID-19 have not been explored in a large cohort study. OBJECTIVES: To identify factors associated with the change in nutritional status between discharge and 30 days post-discharge (D30). Secondary objectives were to determine the prevalence of subjective functional loss and severe disability at D30 and their associated factors. METHODS: Collected data included symptoms, nutritional status, self-evaluation of food intake, Performance Status (PS) Scale, Asthenia Scale, self-evaluation of strength (SES) for arms and legs at discharge and at D30. An SES <7 was used to determine subjective functional loss. A composite criteria for severe disability was elaborated combining malnutrition, subjective functional loss and PS >2. Patients were classified into three groups according to change in nutritional status between discharge and D30 (persistent malnutrition, correction of malnutrition and the absence of malnutrition). RESULTS: Of 549 consecutive patients hospitalised for COVID-19 between 1 March and 29 April 2020, 130 died including 17 after discharge (23.7%). At D30, 312 patients were at home, 288 (92.3%) of whom were interviewed. Of the latter, 33.3% were malnourished at discharge and still malnourished at D30, while 23.2% were malnourished at discharge but no longer malnourished at D30. The highest predictive factors of persistent malnutrition were intensive care unit (ICU) stay (OR=3.42, 95% CI: 2.04 to 5.75), subjective functional loss at discharge (OR=3.26, 95% CI: 1.75 to 6.08) and male sex (OR=2.39, 95% CI: 1.44 to 3.97). Subjective functional loss at discharge (76.8%) was the main predictive factor of subjective functional loss at D30 (26.3%) (OR=32.6, 95% CI: 4.36 to 244.0). Lastly, 8.3% had a severe disability, with a higher risk in patients requiring an ICU stay (OR=3.39, 95% CI: 1.43 to 8.06). CONCLUSION: Patients who survived a severe form of COVID-19 had a high risk of persistent malnutrition, functional loss and severe disability at D30. We believe that nutritional support and rehabilitation should be strengthened, particularly for male patients who were admitted in ICU and had subjective functional loss at discharge. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: NCT04451694.

Prevalence of orofacial trauma and the attitude towards mouthguard use in handball players: A survey in Lorraine, France.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Contact sports such as handball may lead to orofacial injuries that can often be prevented by the use of a properly fitted mouthguard. Several studies have investigated orofacial injuries during contact sports in different countries, but there is a lack of data that is specific for French handball players. Therefore, the aims of this study were to determine the prevalence of orofacial injuries and the proportion of handball players using a mouthguard in Eastern France. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Data were collected from handball players aged over 15 years old from five handball clubs in the Lorraine Region (Eastern France). A questionnaire containing 26 questions about the general characteristics of participants, orofacial injury experiences, emergency procedures following tooth avulsion, and use of mouthguards was self-administered. RESULTS: Two hundred and sixty-three handball players, of which 76.8% (202) were males, aged 23 ± 8 years on average, with a mean playing experience of 11 ± 6 years, participated in the study. Among them, 24.7% (65) reported at least one orofacial injury. A total of 237 orofacial injuries was declared. The main types of orofacial injuries including lip, cheek and tongue injuries were reported by 18.6% of handball players (49); dental injuries were reported by 9.9% (26) and injuries to the temporomandibular joint were reported by 4.9% (13). Most participants knew about mouthguards (97.3%, 254) and considered them efficient for preventing dental injuries in handball (95.3%, 242/254), but only 3.0% (8) used them. CONCLUSION: The prevalence of orofacial injuries among French handball players was high while mouthguards were very rarely used. Information should be provided to handball teams regarding mouthguard use and the management of dental injuries.

Symptomatic Hypoglycemia After Gastric Bypass: Incidence and Predictive Factors in a Cohort of 1,138 Consecutive Patients.

OBJECTIVE: After Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB), postprandial hyperinsulinemic hypoglycemia (PPHH) is particularly critical because of the risk of trauma. The aim of this study was to assess the incidence and identify risk factors for symptomatic PPHH. METHODS: Patients with RYGB were classified into moderate PPHH (MH) or severe hypoglycemia (SH), which is defined as patients with neuroglycopenic symptoms. Logistic multivariate linear regressions were performed to identify predictive factors for symptomatic PPHH and more specifically for SH with neuroglycopenic symptoms. Patients with diabetes and those with a follow-up shorter than 2 years were excluded. RESULTS: Among the 1,138 patients, 44.2% had at least one episode of hypoglycemia with a mean delay of 25.5 (21.3) months, 32.6% had MH, and 11.6% had SH. The annual incidence rate of SH was 2.5% the first year, 3.7% the second year, and 1.5% the third year. Independent predictive factors for higher risk of SH were: younger age (odds ratio [OR] = 1.01; 95% CI: 1.05-16.69; P = 0.0007), lower BMI after RYGB (OR = 1.61; 95% CI: 1.17-2.22; P = 0.0035), and maximal weight loss (OR = 1.04; 95% CI = 1.39-1.23; P = 0.0106), whereas higher preoperative BMI was protective (OR = 0.78; 95% CI: 0.64-0.95; P = 0.0112). CONCLUSIONS: This observational cohort study showed that the incidence of severe PPHH with neuroglycopenic symptoms after RYGB was higher than expected.

Hospital practices for the implementation of patient partnership in a multi-national European region.

BACKGROUND: The extent to which patients are involved in their care can be influenced by hospital policies and interventions. Nevertheless, the implementation of patient participation and involvement (PPI) at the organisational (meso) level has rarely been assessed systematically. The aim of this study was to assess the occurrence of PPI practises in hospitals in Belgium, France, Germany and Luxembourg and to analyze if, and to what extent, the hospital vision and the presence of a patient committee influence the implementation of PPI practises. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was carried out using an online questionnaire in hospitals in the border regions of the four countries. The data were analyzed for differences between regions and the maturity of PPI development. RESULTS: Full responses were obtained from 64 hospitals. A wide range of practices were observed, the degree of maturity was mixed. A majority of hospitals promoted patient partnership in the hospital's philosophy of care statement. However, the implementation of specific interventions for PPI was not found uniformly and differences could be observed between the countries. CONCLUSIONS: Hospitals in the region seem to be motivated to include patients more fully, however, implementation of PPI interventions seems incomplete and only partially integrated into the general functioning of the hospitals. The implementation of the concept seems to be more mature in the francophone part of the region perhaps due, in part, to a more favourable political context.

Assessment of bronchial obstruction and its reversibility by shape indexes of the flow-volume loop in asthmatic children.

Asthma assessment by spirometry is challenging in children as forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1) is frequently normal at baseline. Bronchodilator (BD) reversibility testing may reinforce asthma diagnosis but FEV1 sensitivity in children is controversial. Ventilation inhomogeneity, an early sign of airway obstruction, is described by the upward concavity of the descending limb of the forced expiratory flow-volume loop (FVL), not detected by FEV1. The aim was to test the sensitivity and specificity of FVL shape indexes as ß-angle and forced expiratory flow at 50% of the forced vital capacity (FEF50)/peak expiratory flow (PEF) ratio, to identify asthmatics from healthy children in comparison to "usual" spirometric parameters. Seventy-two school-aged asthmatic children and 29 controls were prospectively included. Children performed forced spirometry at baseline and after BD inhalation. Parameters were expressed at baseline as z-scores and BD reversibility as percentage of change reported to baseline value (Δ%). Receiver operating characteristic curves were generated and sensitivity and specificity at respective thresholds reported. Asthmatics presented significantly smaller zß-angle, zFEF50/PEF and zFEV1 (p ≤ .04) and higher BD reversibility, significant for Δ%FEF50/PEF (p = .02) with no difference for Δ%FEV1. zß-angle and zFEF50/PEF exhibited better sensitivity (0.58, respectively 0.60) than zFEV1 (0.50), and similar specificity (0.72). Δ%ß-angle showed higher sensitivity compared to Δ%FEV1 (0.72 vs. 0.42), but low specificity (0.52 vs. 0.86). Quantitative and qualitative assessment of FVL by adding shape indexes to spirometry interpretation may improve the ability to detect an airway obstruction, FEV1 reflecting more proximal while shape indexes peripheral bronchial obstruction.

Feasibility, acceptability of enteral tube feeding and self-insertion of a nasogastric tube in the nutritional management of digestive cancers, impact on quality of life.

No study has evaluated the feasibility of enteral tube feeding (ETF) in undernourished patients with newly diagnosed gastrointestinal (GI) cancer. OBJECTIVES: Evaluate the acceptability of ETF in patients unable to increase their dietary intake and with a weight loss >10% or albuminemia <30 g/L or BMI <18.5 before surgery, or a weight loss >5% during chemotherapy. The feasibility of self-insertion of a nasogastric tube was also assessed. RESULTS: A total of 308 patients were nutritionally screened during a one-year period. ETF was indicated in 123 cases. Overall acceptability was 78.9% and was higher when weight loss was >10% (p < 0.0001) and before surgery (p < 0.0001), lower during chemotherapy (p < 0.0001), while not influenced by dietary intake or location of the cancer. Forty patients managed a daily self-insertion of the feeding tube (45.5%) and 48 had a nasogastric tube maintained in place. All Quality of Life (QoL) parameters were significantly improved, notably physical role functioning (+20.9% ± 24.0, p < 0.005) and mental health (+21.0% ± 17.7 p < 0.005). CONCLUSION: According to the present algorithm, ETF was indicated in 39.9% of cases and accepted in 78.9% of newly diagnosed patients with primary GI cancer while improving QoL. This study strengthens the place of self-insertion of feeding tubes in clinical practise.

Coronary artery disease is more severe in patients with primary hyperparathyroidism.

BACKGROUND: Primary hyperparathyroidism is associated with an increased cardiovascular mortality, but mechanisms underlying this association are unclear. The goal of this study was to evaluate coronary artery calcifications via the coronary calcification score in primary hyperparathyroidism patients, to compare with control subjects, and to identify risk factors for high to intermediate risk coronary calcification scores (coronary calcification score >100). METHOD: Cross-sectional study of primary hyperparathyroidism patients without a history of coronary artery disease, diabetes, or severe, chronic kidney disease. Coronary calcification scores were compared with a cohort of population-based control subjects. RESULTS: The mean coronary calcification score was 120 ± 344 in 130 primary hyperparathyroidism patients. The coronary calcification score was >100 in 27 patients (21%). When compared with control subjects, the percentage of positive coronary calcification scores was similar in primary hyperparathyroidism patients (53% vs 50%); however, positive coronary calcification scores were at the 67th percentile of the control subjects cohort (P < .001). In multivariable regression, patient age (1.1; 1.1-1.2; P < .001), patients in the mild normocalcemic primary hyperparathyroidism group (5.1; 1.1-22.6; P = .037), and the need for antihypertensive medications (6.1; 1.8-20.9; P < .001) remained independent predictors for a coronary calcification score >100. CONCLUSION: Positive coronary calcification scores were greater in primary hyperparathyroidism patients than in population-based control subjects. These study data may provide new criteria for parathyroidectomy in patients with primary hyperparathyroidism.

Conversion During Laparoscopic Adrenalectomy for Pheochromocytoma: A Cohort Study in 244 Patients.

BACKGROUND: Recent advances in anesthetic and laparoscopic surgical management have improved perioperative outcomes in patients with pheochromocytoma. However, patients converted to laparotomy during laparoscopic adrenalectomy for pheochromocytoma have never been evaluated specifically in terms of intraoperative hemodynamic instability and postoperative complications. METHODS: Retrospective analysis of prospectively maintained databases in five medical centers from 2002 to 2013. Inclusion criteria were consecutive patients who underwent laparoscopic unilateral total adrenalectomy for pheochromocytoma. RESULTS: Two hundred forty-four patients were included. Mean tumor size was 43.9 ± 20 mm with 92 patients (38%) having a tumor diameter > 50 mm. During adrenalectomy, 19 of 244 patients (7.7%) had to be converted to laparotomy. In multivariable analysis, the need for preoperative hospitalization (3.379, 1.209-9.445; P = 0.020), tumor size > 6 cm (2.97, 0.996-8.868; P = 0.050), and ratio of intraoperative systolic blood pressure >200 mmHg duration to anesthesia duration (1.060, 1.007-1.117; P = 0.027) remained significantly associated with conversion. Conversion was significantly associated with postoperative grade II-V Clavien morbidity rate (4.259, 1.471-12.326; P = 0.007) and duration of hospitalization (12.92, 2.90-58.82; P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: This study shows that preoperative hospitalization and larger tumor were more frequent in patients undergoing conversion to laparotomy during laparoscopic adrenalectomy for pheochromocytoma. Conversion is associated with increased intraoperative hypertensive episodes and postoperative complications rate. Clinicians should be cognizant of these risks and prepare patients appropriately for conversion when deemed necessary.

Improvement of decision-making criteria for the care of elderly cancer patients by general practitioners (Lorraine, France).

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to identify changes in the decision-making criteria of general practitioners (GPs) concerning the care of elderly cancer patients after 1 year of corrective measures for care practices in the Lorraine region, France. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In 2014, a postal mail questionnaire was sent to all GPs in the Lorraine region. This questionnaire was designed to identify GPs' decision-making criteria. It was based on the results of a literature review and on existing guidelines. During 1 year, corrective measures were implemented to improve practices, especially training sessions for physicians and production of specific tools, including a guide to the accepted ideas in geriatric oncology. In 2015, the same questionnaire was resent to all GPs to compare the answers. RESULTS: In 2014, 430 questionnaires were returned out of 2,048 sent, and in 2015, 378 questionnaires were returned out of 2,066 sent. Our results show for the first time that there exists a significant difference in the overall decision criteria between the two survey periods. This difference mainly concerns criteria related to the cancerous diseases. Physicians tend to consider the principal decision criteria to be less important after the training period. GPs express the importance of accessibility to specialists for additional advice in both 2014 and 2015; the distance between the patient's home and an adapted care facility and the interval before care begins are viewed as similarly important. CONCLUSION: Training and information sessions for physicians remain the most important tool for improving care practices. Such training strategies are more effective when carried out at the geographical scale at which the cancer professionals practice, allowing them to exploit their local organizational structure. The analysis of our data makes it possible to further integrate the patient into the care path, which remains a public health issue in terms of cost and organization.

Decision making affecting care of older people with cancer: a comparison between general practitioners and oncologists in Lorraine.

The main objective of this study is to identify the decision criteria of general practitioners and oncologists in the management of older patients with cancer in Lorraine. The secondary objectives are to identify the difficulties encountered and to propose solutions to improve health path of these patients. 2,995 post mail questionnaires were sent to all general practitioners and oncologists in Lorraine. Some decision criteria differ between general practitioners and oncologists: civilian age and accessibility to a specialized advice for general practitioners; type of cancer, nutritional status, application of best practice recommendations, and multidisciplinary discussion for oncologists. The main difficulties reported are organizational and relate to time interval before specific care beginning, accessibility to a medical specialist, and post-diagnosis such link between primary care and hospital. General practitioners and oncologists mainly agree with the difficulties encountered and the solutions to find, even if some decision criteria differences are highlighted. The training of professionals remains the major lever for improvement of medical practices.