A personalized biomedical risk assessment infographic for people who smoke with COPD: a qualitative study.

BACKGROUND: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) causes 3 million deaths each year, yet 38% of COPD patients continue to smoke. Despite proof of effectiveness and universal guideline recommendations, smoking cessation interventions are underused in practice. We sought to develop an infographic featuring personalized biomedical risk assessment through future lung function decline prediction (with vs without ongoing smoking) to both prompt and enhance clinician delivery of smoking cessation advice and pharmacotherapy, and augment patient motivation to quit. METHODS: We recruited patients with COPD and pulmonologists from a quaternary care center in Toronto, Canada. Infographic prototype content and design was based on best evidence. After face validation, the prototype was optimized through rapid-cycle design. Each cycle consisted of: (1) infographic testing in a moderated focus group and a clinician interview (recorded/transcribed) (with questionnaire completion); (2) review of transcripts for emergent/critical findings; and (3) infographic modifications to address findings (until no new critical findings emerged). We performed iterative transcript analysis after each cycle and a summative qualitative transcript analysis with quantitative (descriptive) questionnaire analysis. RESULTS: Stopping criteria were met after 4 cycles, involving 20 patients (58% male) and 4 pulmonologists (50% male). The following qualitative themes emerged: Tool content (infographic content preferences); Tool Design (infographic design preferences); Advantages of Infographic Messaging (benefits of an infographic over other approaches); Impact of Tool on Determinants of Smoking Cessation Advice Delivery (impact on barriers and enablers to delivery of smoking cessation advice in practice); and Barriers and Enablers to Quitting (impact on barriers and enablers to quitting). Patient Likert scale ratings of infographic content and format/usability were highly positive, with improvements in scores for 20/21 questions through the design process. Providers scored the infographic at 77.8% ("superior") on the Suitability Assessment of Materials questionnaire. CONCLUSIONS: We developed a user preference-based personalized biomedical risk assessment infographic to drive smoking cessation in patients with COPD. Our findings suggest that this tool could impact behavioural determinants of provider smoking-cessation advice delivery, while increasing patient quit motivation. Impacts of the tool on provider care, patient motivation to quit, and smoking cessation success should now be evaluated in real-world settings.

Retrograde autologous priming in cardiac surgery: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

OBJECTIVES: Guidelines recommend retrograde autologous priming (RAP) of the cardiopulmonary bypass circuit. However, the efficacy and safety of RAP is not well-established. We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis to determine the effects of RAP on transfusion requirements, morbidity and mortality. METHODS: We searched Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, Medline, ScienceDirect, Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature and Embase for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and observational studies comparing RAP to no-RAP. We performed title and abstract review, full-text screening, data extraction and risk of bias assessment independently and in duplicate. We pooled data using a random effects model. RESULTS: Twelve RCTs (n = 1206) and 17 observational studies (n = 3565) were included. Fewer patients required blood transfusions with RAP [RCTs; risk ratio 0.58 [95% confidence interval (CI): 0.51, 0.65], P < 0.001, and observational studies; risk ratio 0.65 [95% CI: 0.53, 0.80], P < 0.001]. The number of units transfused per patient was also lower among patients who underwent RAP (RCTs; mean difference -0.38 unit [95% CI: -0.72, -0.04], P = 0.03, and observational studies; mean difference -1.03 unit [95% CI: -1.76, -0.29], P < 0.006). CONCLUSIONS: This meta-analysis supports the use of RAP as a blood conservation strategy since its use during cardiopulmonary bypass appears to reduce transfusion requirements.

Patient Risk Interpretation of Symptoms Model (PRISM): How Patients Assess Cardiac Risk.

BACKGROUND: While there is a prevailing perception that coronary artery disease (CAD) is a "man's disease," little is known about the factors which influence cardiac risk assessment and whether it varies by gender. OBJECTIVES: 1) Qualitatively capture the complexity of cardiac risk assessment from a patient-centered perspective. 2) Explore how risk assessment may vary by gender. 3) Quantitatively validate qualitative findings among a new sample. DESIGN: This study was conducted in two parts: (1) semi-structured in-depth interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed verbatim, and analyzed using modified grounded theory; (2) emergent themes were surveyed in a separate sample to validate findings quantitatively. Differences were estimated using 2-tailed t-tests and kappa. PARTICIPANTS: Participants who were referred for their first elective coronary angiogram for suspected CAD with at least 1 prior abnormal test were recruited from a tertiary care hospital. MAIN MEASURES: Patient-centered themes were derived from part one. In part two, patients estimated the probability that their symptoms were heart-related at multiple time points. RESULTS: Part 1 included 14 men and 17 women (mean age=63.3±11.8 years). Part 2 included 237 patients, of which 109 (46%) were women (mean age=66.0±11.3 years). Part 1 revealed that patients' risk assessment evolves in three distinct phases, which were captured using an Ishikawa framework entitled "Patient Risk Interpretation of Symptoms Model" (PRISM). Part 2 validated PRISM findings; while patients were more likely to attribute their symptoms to CAD over time (phase 1 vs. 3: 21% vs. 73%, p<0.001), women were marginally less likely than men to perceive symptoms as heart-related by phase 3 (67% women vs. 78% men, p=0.054). CONCLUSIONS: Patient assessment of CAD risk evolves, and women are more likely to underestimate their risk than men. PRISM may be used as a clinical aid to optimize patient-centered care. Future studies should validate PRISM in different clinical settings.

Acute cannabis intoxication in the emergency department: the effect of legalization.

BACKGROUND: On October 17, 2018, the Cannabis Act decriminalized the recreational use of cannabis in Canada. This study seeks to determine how legalization of cannabis has impacted emergency department (ED) visits for acute cannabis intoxication. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective chart review at an academic ED in Hamilton, Ontario. We assessed all visits with a cannabis-related ICD-10 discharge code 6 months before and after legalization (October 17, 2018) to determine cases of acute cannabis intoxication. The primary outcome was the rate of ED visits. Secondary outcomes included number of visits distributed by age, length of stay, co-ingestions, and clinical course in the emergency department (investigations and treatment). RESULTS: There was no difference in the overall rate of ED visits following legalization (2.44 vs. 2.94 visits/1000, p = 0.27). However, we noted a 56% increase in visits among adults aged 18-29 (p = 0.03). Following legalization, a larger portion of patients required observation without interventions (25% vs 48%, p < 0.05). Bloodwork and imaging studies decreased (53% vs. 12%, p < 0.05; 29% vs. 2%, p < 0.05); however, treatment with benzodiazepines increased (24% vs. 51%, p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Legalization was not associated with a change in the rate of cannabis-related ED visits in our study. More research is needed regarding changing methods of cannabis ingestion and trends among specific age groups.

Antiplatelet therapy and coronary artery bypass grafting: a systematic review and network meta-analysis.

OBJECTIVES: Acetylsalicylic acid (ASA) monotherapy is the standard of care after coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG), but the benefits of more intense antiplatelet therapy, specifically dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT), require further exploration in CABG patients. We performed a network meta-analysis to compare the effects of various antiplatelet regimens on saphenous vein graft patency, mortality, major adverse cardiovascular events and bleeding among CABG patients. METHODS: We searched Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, Medical Literature Analysis and Retrieval Systems Online, Excerpta Medica Database, Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature, American College of Physicians Journal Club and conference proceedings for randomized controlled trials. Screening, data extraction, risk of bias assessment and Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation were performed in duplicate. We conducted a random effect Bayesian network meta-analysis including both direct and indirect comparisons. RESULTS: We included 43 randomized controlled trials studying 15 511 patients. DAPT with low-dose ASA and ticagrelor [odds ratio (OR) 2.53, 95% credible interval (CrI) 1.35-4.72; I2 = 55; low certainty] or clopidogrel (OR 1.56, 95% CrI 1.02-2.39; I2 = 55; very low certainty) improved saphenous vein graft patency when compared to low-dose ASA monotherapy. DAPT with low-dose ASA and ticagrelor was associated with lower mortality (OR 0.52, 95% CrI 0.30-0.87; I2 = 14; high certainty) and lower major adverse cardiovascular events (OR 0.63, 95% CrI 0.44-0.91; I2 = 0; high certainty) when compared to low-dose ASA monotherapy. Based on moderate certainty evidence, DAPT was associated with an increase in major bleeding. CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that DAPT improves saphenous vein graft patency, mortality and major adverse cardiovascular event. As such, surgeons and physicians should consider re-initiating DAPT for acute coronary syndrome patients after their CABG, at the expense of an increased risk for major bleeding. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION: International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews ID Number CRD42019127695.

Intravenous iron therapy for patients with preoperative iron deficiency or anaemia undergoing cardiac surgery reduces blood transfusions: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

OBJECTIVES: The benefits of preoperative intravenous (IV) iron treatment in cardiac surgery patients with preoperative anaemia or iron deficiency have not been well-established. We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis to determine the effects of treating preoperative anaemia or iron deficiency with IV iron in adult cardiac surgery patients. METHODS: We searched Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, Medical Literature Analysis and Retrieval Systems Online and Excerpta Medica Database for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and observational studies comparing IV iron to oral iron or no iron. We performed title and abstract, full-text screening, data extraction and risk of bias assessment independently and in duplicate. We pooled data using a random effects model and evaluated the overall quality of evidence. RESULTS: We identified 4 RCTs and 7 observational studies. Pooled data from observational studies suggested a benefit of IV iron compared to no iron on mortality [relative risk 0.39, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.23-0.65; P < 0.001, very low quality], units transfused per patient (mean difference -1.22, 95% CI -1.85 to -0.60; P < 0.001, very low quality), renal injury (relative risk 0.50, 95% CI 0.36-0.69; P < 0.001, very low quality) and hospital length of stay (mean difference -4.24 days, 95% CI -6.86 to -1.63; P = 0.001, very low quality). Pooled data from RCTs demonstrated a reduction in the number of patients transfused with IV iron compared to oral or no iron (relative risk 0.81, 95% CI 0.70-0.94; P = 0.005, moderate quality). The pooled estimates of effect from RCTs for mortality, hospital length of stay, units transfused per patient and renal injury were consistent in direction with observational studies. CONCLUSIONS: This meta-analysis suggests that IV iron improves postoperative morbidity in adult cardiac surgery patients with preoperative anaemia or iron deficiency. A large, rigorous, placebo-controlled, double-blinded, multicentre trial is needed to clarify the role of IV iron in this patient population. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION: International prospective register of systematic reviews ID Number CRD42019122844.

Antiplatelet therapy and coronary artery bypass grafting: Protocol for a systematic review and network meta-analysis.

INTRODUCTION: Saphenous vein graft (SVG) is the most common conduit used for coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) surgery. Unfortunately, SVG are associated with poor long-term patency rates; a significant predictor of re-operation rates and survival. As such, medical therapy to prevent SVG narrowing or occlusion is of paramount importance. Aspirin (ASA) monotherapy is the standard of care after CABG, to improve long-term major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) and graft patency. Benefits of dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT) have not been well established in all CABG patients. We present a protocol for a network meta-analysis (NMA) comparing the effects of various antiplatelet therapy regimens on SVG patency, mortality, and bleeding among adult patients following CABG. METHODS: We will search CENTRAL, MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINAHL ACPJC, and grey literature sources (AHA, ACC, ESC, and CCC conference proceedings, ISRCTN Register, and WHO ICTRP) for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) which fit our criteria. RCTs that evaluate different antiplatelet regimens at least 3-months after CABG and have any of SVG patency, mortality, MACE, and major bleeding as outcomes will be selected. We will perform title and abstract screening, full-text screening, and data extraction independently and in duplicate. Two independent reviewers will also assess risk of bias (ROB) for each study, as well as evaluate quality of evidence using the GRADE framework. We will use R to perform the NMA and use low-dose ASA as reference within our network. We will report results as odds ratios with confidence intervals for direct comparisons, and credible intervals for indirect or mixed comparisons. We will use the surface under the cumulative ranking curve (SUCRA) to estimate the ranking of interventions. DISCUSSION: Given the limited direct comparison of various antiplatelet regimens, a network approach is ideal to clarify the optimum antiplatelet therapy after CABG. We hope that our NMA will be the largest quantitative synthesis evaluating antiplatelet regimens among patients requiring CABG. It should inform clinicians and guideline developers in selecting the most effective and safest antiplatelet regimen.Systematic Review registration: International Prospective Register for Systematic Reviews (PROSPERO)-CRD42019127695.

Identifying policies, financial support and professional regulations for medically necessary hair removal

Hair removal is a necessary pre-surgical procedure prior to performing genital gender-affirming surgeries such as vaginoplasty and phalloplasty. For example, a recent literature review on the topic notes that the use of hairbearing skin in gender-affirming surgical procedures can result in post-operative intra-vaginal and intra-urethral hair growth, which can lead to complications and lower satisfaction with the surgery.

International Normalized Ratio Targets for Left-Sided Mechanical Valve Replacement.

BACKGROUND: Guidelines recommend higher international normalized ratio (INR) targets for patients with mechanical valves believed to be at higher risk for thromboembolism. Higher INR targets are associated with increased bleeding risk. We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis assessing effects of lower and higher INR targets on thromboembolic and bleeding risk in patients with mechanical heart valves. METHODS: We searched Cochrane CENTRAL, MEDLINE and EMBASE for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) evaluating lower versus higher INR targets for adults with bileaflet mechanical valves. We performed title and abstract screening, full-text review, risk of bias evaluation and data collection independently and in duplicate. We pooled data using a random effects model and used the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation framework to evaluate overall quality of evidence. RESULTS: We identified six RCTs (n = 5,497). Lower INR targets were associated with significantly less bleeding-22% versus 40% (relative risk [RR]: 0.54, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.31, 0.93, p = 0.03, very low quality). There was no difference in thromboembolism-2% in both groups (RR: 1.28, 95% CI: 0.88, 1.85, p = 0.20, very low quality) or mortality-5.5% with lower INR targets versus 8.5% (RR: 1.00, 95% CI: 0.82, 1.21, p = 0.47, moderate quality). CONCLUSION: In patients with mechanical valves, higher INR targets are not supported by current evidence, which is of very low quality. In fact, our systematic review suggests that lower INR targets offer significantly lower bleeding risks with no significant difference in thromboembolic risk.

Identifying effective and cost-effective population-level approaches to promote healthy eating

There is a well-documented global trend toward increased consumption of energy-dense and high-fat foods, combined with increases in sedentary lifestyles.(1) These changes have contributed to a global epidemic of overweight and obesity, as well as significantly increased risks for many diseases, including cardiovascular disease, diabetes, musculoskeletal disorders, and a number of different types of cancer.

Identifying indicators and rates of poverty among older adults

At any age living in poverty and economic insecurity affects all aspects of an individual`s well-being, but there is a unique burden for seniors given that it is often combined with challenges associated with aging, such as multimorbidity, reduced mobility and independence, and loss of community and social supports.

Examining the costs and cost-effectiveness of policies for reducing alcohol consumption

Alcohol consumption is currently the world's third largest risk factor for disease, attributable for 5.1% of the global burden of disease, with clear links to conditions such as neuropsychiatric disorders, gastrointestinal diseases, cancer, intentional injuries, unintentional injuries, cardiovascular diseases and diabetes.(1; 2) As of 2014 alcohol was responsible for 3.3 million global deaths (or 5.9% of all deaths) annually.(2) In 2014, approximately 22 million Canadians, almost 80% of the population, reported that they drank alcohol in the previous year. In 2015, the Chief Public Health Officer of Canada reported that at least 3.1 million Canadians drank enough to be at risk for immediate injury and harm, and at least 4.4 million drank enough to be at risk for chronic health effects such as liver cirrhosis and forms of cancer.(3) Canadians are also among the largest consumers of alcohol in the world, with 2013 sales data indicating that Canada consumes 50% more alcohol than the global average, and has a higher prevalence of binge-drinking than most countries in the European Union.