The Imperative of Assessing Quality of Life in Patients Presenting to a Pancreaticobiliary Surgery Clinic.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to determine baseline health-related quality of life (QoL) in patients with pancreatic adenocarcinoma, periampullary cancers, and benign pancreaticobiliary (PB) conditions at the time of the first visit to a PB surgery clinic, and to explore the relationship between QoL, demographics, clinical parameters, complications, and survival. SUMMARY BACKGROUND DATA: Few studies have examined baseline QoL measures, the impact of comorbidities, age, sex, and smoking on subsequent postoperative complications and survival in patients with pancreatic adenocarcinoma, related PB cancers, and with benign PB conditions. METHODS: Data were collected from scheduled patients at a PB surgery clinic between 2013 and 2018. The Brief Pain Inventory, Fact-Hepatobiliary Scale, and Facit-Fatigue questionnaires were administered. QoL parameters were compared between PB cancer patients and those with benign disease. RESULTS: A total of 462 individuals with PB cancers and benign diseases exhibited baseline physical well-being, functional well-being, fatigue, and overall QoL at or below the 75th percentile of wellness at the time of the first office visit. Younger age, smoking, and mental health comorbidities contributed significantly to decreased QoL. PA patients were 7 times more likely to die in the follow-up period than the benign disease group. Black patients had higher pain scores and were 3 times more likely to have a postsurgery complication. Sex differences were identified regarding fatigue, pain, and overall QoL. CONCLUSIONS: This large cohort of PB cancer and benign disease patients exhibited significantly impaired baseline QoL. GI problems, weight loss, smoking, cardiovascular, pulmonary disease, and history of anxiety and depression contributed significantly to reduced QoL. The study sheds a cautionary light on the burden of PB disease at the time of surgical evaluation and its relationship to diminished QoL.

Outreach to primary care patients in lung cancer screening: A randomized controlled trial.

Current guidelines recommend annual lung cancer screening (LCS), but rates are low. The current study evaluated strategies to increase LCS. This study was a randomized controlled trial designed to evaluate the effects of patient outreach and shared decision making (SDM) about LCS among patients in four primary care practices. Patients 50 to 80 years of age and at high risk for lung cancer were randomized to Outreach Contact plus Decision Counseling (OC-DC, n = 314), Outreach Contact alone (OC, n = 314), or usual care (UC, n = 1748). LCS was significantly higher in the combined OC/OC-DC group versus UC controls (5.5% vs. 1.8%; hazard ratio, HR = 3.28; 95% confidence interval, CI: 1.98 to 5.41; p = 0.001). LCS was higher in the OC-DC group than in the OC group, although not significantly so (7% vs. 4%, respectively; HR = 1.75; 95% CI: 0.86 to 3.55; p = 0.123). LCS referral/scheduling was also significantly higher in the OC/OC-DC group compared to controls (11% v. 5%; odds ratio, OR = 2.02; p = 0.001). We observed a similar trend for appointment keeping, but the effect was not statistically significant (86% v. 76%; OR = 1.93; p = 0.351). Outreach contacts significantly increased LCS among primary care patients. Research is needed to assess the additional value of SDM on screening uptake.

Please Place Your Seat in the Full Upright Position: A Technical Framework for Landing Upright Radiation Therapy in the 21st Century.

Delivering radiotherapy to patients in an upright position can allow for increased patient comfort, reduction in normal tissue irradiation, or reduction of machine size and complexity. This paper gives an overview of the requirements for the delivery of contemporary arc and modulated radiation therapy to upright patients. We explore i) patient positioning and immobilization, ii) simulation imaging, iii) treatment planning and iv) online setup and image guidance. Treatment chairs have been designed to reproducibly position seated patients for treatment and can be augmented by several existing immobilisation systems or promising emerging technologies such as soft robotics. There are few solutions for acquiring CT images for upright patients, however, cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) scans of upright patients can be produced using the imaging capabilities of standard Linacs combined with an additional patient rotation device. While these images will require corrections to make them appropriate for treatment planning, several methods indicate the viability of this approach. Treatment planning is largely unchanged apart from translating gantry rotation to patient rotation, allowing for a fixed beam with a patient rotating relative to it. Rotation can be provided by a turntable during treatment delivery. Imaging the patient with the same machinery as used in treatment could be advantageous for online plan adaption. While the current focus is using clinical linacs in existing facilities, developments in this area could also extend to lower-cost and mobile linacs and heavy ion therapy.

The Medical Home Initiative in Italy: an Analysis of Changes in Healthcare Utilization.

BACKGROUND: Seventeen medical homes (MHs) were established in the Local Health Authority (LHA) of Parma (about 450,000 residents), Emilia Romagna, Italy, between 2011 and 2016. OBJECTIVE: To estimate the effects of MH implementation on healthcare utilization. DESIGN: We conducted a longitudinal cohort study (01/2011-12/2017) using the Parma LHA administrative healthcare database. PARTICIPANTS: Residents for ≥1 year and older than 14 years of age with a documented primary care physician (PCP) in Parma LHA. INTERVENTION: MH exposure status was classified for each resident as either receiving care from a PCP that (1) eventually practices in an MH (pre-MH), (2) is currently in an MH (post-MH), or (3) does not join an MH (non-MH). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Risks of ordinary inpatient hospital admissions, day hospital admissions, admissions for ambulatory care sensitive conditions (ACSCs), all-cause emergency department (ED) visits, and deferrable ED visits were compared using Cox proportional hazards regression and risks of all-cause 30- and 90-day readmissions for congestive heart failure (CHF) or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) were compared using logistic regression. KEY RESULTS: Prior to MH implementation, the risk of all-cause ED visits for pre-MH residents was 0.93 (95% CI: 0.92-0.94) that of non-MH residents. After MH implementation, the relative risk for post-MH versus non-MH was 0.86 (95% CI: 0.85-0.87) and, over time, post-MH versus pre-MH was 0.93 (95% CI: 0.92-0.94). Hospitalization risks were generally lower among the pre-MH and post-MH, compared to non-MH. However, hospitalizations and HF or COPD readmissions were not generally lower post-MH compared to pre-MH. CONCLUSIONS: This MH initiative was associated with a 7% reduction in risk of ED visits. More research is necessary to understand if ED visit risk will continue to improve and how other aspects of healthcare utilization might change as more MHs open and the length of exposure to MHs increases.

Preparing women experiencing symptoms of menopause for shared decision making about treatment.

OBJECTIVE: To develop a decision support intervention that can be used with women experiencing menopausal symptoms to facilitate treatment shared decision making. METHODS: Our research team contacted patients with reported menopausal symptoms by telephone to obtain consent and administer a baseline survey. Subsequently, we sent participants a booklet on the treatment of menopausal symptoms. A nurse educator then contacted participants by telephone to review the booklet and guide them through a structured decision counseling exercise designed to help clarify treatment preference. A 60-day endpoint telephone survey was completed. RESULTS: Forty-eight consenting participants completed the baseline survey and 37 (77%) also completed a decision counseling session. At baseline, 19 of the women who had decision counseling were not being treated for menopausal symptoms and 18 were being treated. After decision counseling, 13 (68%) participants who were not being treated and 14 (78%) who were being treated identified a preferred treatment. Comparison of baseline and endpoint survey data showed that participant treatment knowledge increased (P = 0.007) and treatment decisional conflict decreased (P < 0.001). Furthermore, 71% of participants reported that they had received new information about treatment and 94% said they believed better prepared to discuss treatment with their healthcare provider. CONCLUSIONS: Nurse-led decision counseling increased participant treatment knowledge, reduced treatment decisional conflict, and helped to clarify treatment preference. Implementation of this strategy could help to facilitate provider-patient shared decision making about the treatment of menopausal symptoms.

A Randomized Trial to Improve Adherence to Follow-up Eye Examinations Among People With Glaucoma.

INTRODUCTION: Appointment nonadherence is common among people with glaucoma, making it difficult for eye care providers to monitor glaucoma progression. Our objective was to determine whether the use of patient navigators, in conjunction with social worker support, could increase adherence to recommended follow-up eye appointments. METHODS: A randomized, controlled trial evaluated the effectiveness of an intervention that used patient navigators and social workers to improve patient adherence to follow-up eye care compared with usual care. Participants with glaucoma and other eye diseases (N = 344) were identified at primary care clinics in community settings through telemedicine screening of imaging and then randomized to enhanced intervention (EI) or usual care (UC). Data on participants' visits with local ophthalmologists were collected for up to 3 years from randomization. Groups were compared for timely attendance at the first visit with the local ophthalmologist and adherence to recommended follow-up visits. RESULTS: Timely attendance at the first visit was higher for EI than UC (74.4% vs 39.0%; average relative risk [aRR] = 1.85; 95% CI, 1.51-2.28; P < .001). Rates of adherence to recommended annual follow-up during year 1 were 18.6% in the EI group and 8.1% in the usual care group (aRR = 2.08; 95% CI, 1.14-3.76; P = .02). The aRR across years 2 and 3 was 3.92 (95% CI, 1.24-12.43; P = .02). CONCLUSION: An intervention using patient navigators and social workers doubled the rate of adherence to annual recommended follow-up eye care compared with usual care in community settings, and was effective at increasing connections with local ophthalmologists. Interventions to further improve long-term adherence are needed.

Resected WHO grade I meningioma and predictors of local control.

INTRODUCTION: Despite optimal surgical resection, meningiomas may recur, with increasing grade and the degree of resection being predictive of risk. We hypothesize that an increasing Ki67 correlates with a higher risk of recurrence of resected WHO grade I meningiomas. METHODS: The study population consisted of patients with resected WHO grade 1 meningiomas in locations outside of the base of skull. Digitally scanned slides stained for Ki67 were analyzed using automatic image analysis software in a standardized fashion. RESULTS: Recurrence was observed in 53 (17.7%) of cases with a median follow up time of 25.8 months. Ki67 ranged from 0 to 30%. Median Ki67 was 5.1% for patients with recurrence and 3.5% for patients without recurrence. In unadjusted analyses, high Ki-67 (≥ 5 vs. < 5) vs. ≥ 5) was associated with over a twofold increased risk of recurrence (13.1% vs. 27% respectively; HR 2.1731; 95% CI [1.2534, 3.764]; p = 0.006). After Adjusting for patient or tumor characteristics, elevated Ki-67 remained significantly correlated with recurrence. Grade 4 Simpson resection was noted in 71 (23.7%) of patients and it was associated with a significantly increased risk of recurrence (HR 2.56; 95% CI [1.41, 4.6364]; p = 0.002). CONCLUSIONS: WHO grade 1 meningiomas exhibit a significant rate of recurrence following resection. While Ki-67 is not part of the WHO grading criteria of meningiomas, a value greater than 5% is an independent predictor for increased risk of local recurrence following surgical resection.

Upright Radiation Therapy-A Historical Reflection and Opportunities for Future Applications.

Since the early days of megavoltage Radiation Therapy (RT), the potential of delivering treatment to a sub group of patients in an upright position has been recognized. Compared to lying horizontally, treating patients in an upright position offers potential benefits in terms of patient comfort especially for patients experiencing dyspnoea and saliva accumulation when lying down. Dosimetric benefits can also be gained from changes in the volume and location of lungs and heart in an upright position, which are potentially advantageous for clinical situations including Hodgkin's disease, lung and breast malignancies. Since the 1950's, upright stabilization mechanisms have ranged from standalone chair based apparatus to couch-top attachments with increasingly customizable solutions. The introduction of Computed-Tomography (CT) based three-dimensional (3D) dosimetry in the 1980's-90's necessitated image acquisition in a horizontal position (supine or prone), significantly reducing options for alternative patient positioning and upright techniques. Despite this, upright techniques have still been utilized where clinically indicated for palliative and novel approaches often involving non-standard treatment scenarios. More recently, a small number of centers have reported on specialized equipment capable of acquiring planning data with the patient in a vertical position. The possibility of acquiring planning quality Cone Beam CT (CBCT) on linear accelerators has recently reinvigorated the potential to deliver highly accurate and targeted treatments to patients in an upright position. This paper reflects on the historical applications of upright RT and explores new possibilities for this technology in modern RT departments.

Predictors of overall and test-specific colorectal Cancer screening adherence.

This study investigated predictors of overall and test-specific colorectal cancer screening (CRCS). Stool blood test (SBT) and/or colonoscopy screening were offered to primary care patients in two randomized controlled trials which assessed the impact of behavioral interventions on screening. Data were obtained through surveys and electronic medical records. Among 1942 participants, 646 (33%) screened. Exposure to interventions was associated with higher overall CRCS by twofold to threefold; older age, African American race, being married, and having a higher screening decision stage were also associated with higher overall CRCS (odds ratios = 1.30, 1.31, 1.34, and 5.59, respectively). Intervention, older age, female gender, and being married were associated with higher SBT adherence, while preference for colonoscopy was associated with lower SBT adherence. Intervention and higher decision stage were associated with higher colonoscopy adherence, while preference for SBT was associated with lower colonoscopy adherence. Among older individuals, African Americans had higher overall CRCS than whites, but this was not true among younger individuals (interaction p = .041). The higher screening adherence of African Americans over whites was due to stronger screening with a non-preferred test, i.e., higher SBT adherence only among individuals who preferred colonoscopy and higher colonoscopy adherence only among individuals who preferred SBT. Intervention exposure, sociodemographic background, and screening decision stage predicted overall CRCS adherence. Gender and test preference also affected test-specific screening adherence. Interactions involving race and test preference suggest that it is important to provide both colonoscopy and SBT screening options to patients, particularly African Americans.

Hyperlipidemia in patients newly treated with anticonvulsants: A population study.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the incidence of hyperlipidemia after first anticonvulsant treatment for seizures, using a large US administrative claims database. METHODS: We obtained data from the MarketScan Commercial and Medicare databases for 2005-2009 for all adult patients newly treated with an anticonvulsant for seizures who had no previous history of hyperlipidemia or treatment with a lipid-lowering agent. We divided the population based upon whether they were treated with an enzyme-inducing anticonvulsant (phenytoin, carbamazepine, phenobarbital, primidone) or a noninducing anticonvulsant (all others). The primary outcome measure was a new diagnosis of hyperlipidemia during subsequent follow-up. We accounted for a large number of demographic and clinical covariates. RESULTS: Of 11 374 subjects, 8778 (77%) were prescribed noninducers and 2596 (23%) were prescribed inducers. New hyperlipidemia diagnoses were seen in 14.6% of the patients started on inducing anticonvulsants and 10.7% of the patients started on noninducing anticonvulsants (P < .001). Both hyperlipidemia and the use of inducers were significantly associated with older age and male gender. After accounting for covariates, inducer prescription was still associated with 23% higher odds of a subsequent diagnosis of hyperlipidemia (odds ratio = 1.225, 95% confidence interval = 1.066-1.408, P < .001). SIGNIFICANCE: The use of enzyme-inducing anticonvulsants in patients with newly diagnosed epilepsy was associated with a significant increase in subsequent diagnoses of hyperlipidemia, suggesting that the lipid-elevating properties of these agents are of genuine clinical importance. This adds to the body of data demonstrating that these agents are likely associated with additional hassle, cost, and morbidity.

Mortality and Hospitalization Risk Following Oral Androgen Signaling Inhibitors Among Men with Advanced Prostate Cancer by Pre-existing Cardiovascular Comorbidities.

BACKGROUND: Elderly patients (≥65yr) with advanced prostate cancer and cardiovascular disease (CVD) conditions are often excluded from clinical trials of abiraterone acetate (AA) or enzalutamide (ENZ). Consequently, little is known about the effects of these medications on these vulnerable patients. OBJECTIVE: To assess the short-term outcomes of AA and ENZ in patients with pre-existing CVDs. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS: A population-based retrospective study. The Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results-Medicare-linked database was used to identify prostate cancer patients using AA or ENZ. OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS AND STATISTICAL ANALYSIS: The primary endpoint was 6-mo all-cause mortality, analyzed using modified Poisson regression modeling of relative risk (RR) adjusted for confounders and comorbidities. RESULTS AND LIMITATIONS: Among eligible patients (2845 with AA and 1031 with ENZ), 67% had at least one pre-existing CVD. Compared with those without pre-existing CVDs, having one to two pre-existing CVDs was associated with 16% higher 6-mo mortality (RR=1.16, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.00-1.36), and the risk increased further among those having three or more CVDs (RR=1.56, 95% CI: 1.29-1.88). Most of the differences in survival of patients with pre-existing CVD condition occurred within the first 6mo of treatment. CONCLUSIONS: After treatment with AA or ENZ, elderly prostate cancer patients with pre-existing CVDs experienced higher short-term mortality than otherwise similar patients without CVDs. Mortality associated with CVDs did not depend on having received AA versus ENZ. PATIENT SUMMARY: Patients with pre-existing cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) experienced higher short-term mortality after abiraterone acetate or enzalutamide than those without pre-existing CVDs. It is recommended that a multidisciplinary team, including a cardiologist, evaluate patients having pre-existing CVDs in the process of making treatment decisions and monitoring potential side effects.

Prevalence of Suspected Hereditary Cancer Syndromes and Germline Mutations Among a Diverse Cohort of Probands Reporting a Family History of Prostate Cancer: Toward Informing Cascade Testing for Men.

BACKGROUND: Prostate cancer (PCa) is increasingly recognized as part of hereditary cancer syndromes (HCSs). HCS prevalence among diverse probands seeking genetic evaluation with PCa family history (FHx) has not been reported and has implications for cascade genetic testing. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the rates of HCSs among probands reporting PCa FHx and germline mutations among probands. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS: A prospective genetic testing database queried for individuals with PCa FHx. Pedigrees analyzed for three HCSs: hereditary breast and ovarian cancer (HBOC), hereditary PCa, and Lynch syndrome. OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS AND STATISTICAL ANALYSIS: Associations between HCS overall, and with plausible link to PCA FHx and race evaluated using Fisher's exact test. Germline mutation rates described among probands with a suspicion of an HCS connected with PCa FHx. RESULTS AND LIMITATIONS: A total of 345 probands reported PCa FHx: 53 African American (AA) and 292 Caucasian (Wh). Overall, 220 probands (63.8%) met the criteria for at least one HCS with a potential link to PCa FHx (75.5% AA; 61.6% Wh). HBOC linked to PCa FHx was identified in a higher percentage of AA than Wh probands (90.2% vs 74.6%, p=0.04). Among probands who underwent genetic testing with any HCS potentially linked to PCa FHx (n=169), 19.5% had germline mutations identified; five AA probands had germline mutations (all in BRCA1/2), while 28 Wh probands had mutations in a spectrum of genes. CONCLUSIONS: A significant percentage of AA probands with PCa FHx meet the criteria for HCSs, with HBOC identified at the highest rate. Although limited in sample size, our findings implicate BRCA mutations in AA families with HCSs linked with PCa, underscoring the need for greater enrollment of AA participants in genetic studies. PATIENT SUMMARY: Hereditary cancer syndromes potentially linked to prostate cancer are common in patients reporting a family history of prostate cancer. African-American patients may need special attention with regard to testing for hereditary breast and ovarian cancer syndrome, which may impact men with prostate cancer in these families.

Evaluation of Care Processes and Health Care Utilization in Newly Implemented Medical Homes in Italy: A Population-Based Cross-sectional Study.

In the Local Health Authority (LHA) of Parma, Emilia Romagna, Italy, 16 medical homes were established between 2011 and 2014. The authors implemented a 1-year (January 1, 2015, to December 31, 2015) cross-sectional population-based design to compare utilization and processes of care between medical homes and comparison practices using the Parma LHA administrative health care database. Residents (n = 372 396) attributed to a primary care physician practicing in a medical home as of January 1, 2015, were considered exposed to medical homes. Adjusted rates of emergency department (ED) use (incidence rate ratio [IRR] = 0.86; 95% CI = 0.82-0.90), potentially avoidable ED use (IRR = 0.78; 95% CI = 0.72-0.84), and hospitalization for chronic ambulatory care sensitive conditions (ACSCs; IRR = 0.87, 95% CI = 0.78-0.97) were lower among patients in medical homes. Performance on process of care measures favored the medical home group; however, associations were generally weak. Receipt of care in medical homes in Parma LHA was associated with lower rates of avoidable ED visits and hospitalizations for chronic ACSCs.

Philadelphia Telemedicine Glaucoma Detection and Follow-Up Study: Cataract Classifications Following Eye Screening.

Background:Cataracts are a major cause of visual impairment and blindness in the United States and worldwide.Introduction:Risk factors for cataracts include age over 40 years, smoking, diabetes, low socioeconomic status, female sex, steroid use, ocular trauma, genetic factors, and exposure to ultraviolet-B light. Community-based telemedicine vision screenings can be an efficient method for detecting cataracts in underserved populations. The Philadelphia Telemedicine Glaucoma Detection and Follow-Up Study reports the prevalence and risk factors for cataracts in individuals screened and examined for glaucoma and other eye diseases.Materials and Methods:A total of 906 high-risk individuals were screened for glaucoma using telemedicine in seven primary care practices and four Federally Qualified Health Centers in Philadelphia. Participants with suspicious nerves or other abnormalities on fundus photographs, unreadable images, and ocular hypertension returned for an eye examination with an ophthalmologist at the same community location.Results:Of the participants screened through telemedicine, 347 (38.3%) completed a follow-up eye examination by an ophthalmologist. Of these, 267 (76.9%) were diagnosed with cataracts, of which 38 (14.2%) had visually significant cataracts. Participants who were diagnosed with visually significant cataract were more likely to be older (p < 0.001), have diabetes (p = 0.003), and worse visual acuity (p < 0.001).Discussion:Our study successfully detected and confirmed cataracts in a targeted, underserved urban population at high risk for eye disease.Conclusions:Telemedicine programs offer an opportunity to identify and refer individuals who would benefit from continuous follow-up eye care and treatment to improve visual function and quality of life.

Evaluation of a Technology-Based Survivor Care Plan for Breast Cancer Survivors: Pre-Post Pilot Study.

BACKGROUND: As of 2016, almost 16 million individuals were cancer survivors, including over 3.5 million survivors of breast cancer. Because cancer survivors are living longer and have unique health care needs, the Institute of Medicine proposed a survivor care plan as a way to alleviate the many medical, emotional, and care coordination problems of survivors. OBJECTIVE: This pilot study for breast cancer survivors was undertaken to: (1) examine self-reported changes in knowledge, confidence, and activation from before receipt to after receipt of a survivor care plan; and (2) describe survivor preferences for, and satisfaction with, a technology-based survivor care plan. METHODS: A single group pretest-posttest design was used to study breast cancer survivors in an academic cancer center and a community cancer center during their medical visit after they completed chemotherapy. The intervention was a technology-based survivor care plan. Measures were taken before, immediately after, and 1 month after receipt of the survivor care plan. RESULTS: A total of 38 breast cancer survivors agreed to participate in the study. Compared to baseline levels before receipt of the survivor care plan, participants reported increased knowledge both immediately after its receipt at the academic center (P<.001) and the community center (P<.001) as well as one month later at the academic center (P=.002) and the community center (P<.001). Participants also reported increased confidence immediately following receipt of the survivor care plan at the academic center (P=.63) and the community center (P=.003) and one month later at both the academic center (P=.63) and the community center (P<.001). Activation was increased from baseline to post-survivor care plan at both the academic center (P=.05) and community center (P<.001) as well as from baseline to 1-month follow-up at the academic center (P=.56) and the community center (P<.001). Overall, community center participants had lower knowledge, confidence, and activation at baseline compared with academic center participants. Overall, 22/38 (58%) participants chose the fully functional electronic survivor care plan. However, 12/23 (52%) in the community center group chose the paper version compared to 4/15 (27%) in the academic center group. Satisfaction with the format (38/38 participants) and the content (37/38 participants) of the survivor care plan was high for both groups. CONCLUSIONS: This study provides evidence that knowledge, confidence, and activation of survivors were associated with implementation of the survivor care plan. This research agrees with previous research showing that cancer survivors found the technology-based survivor care plan to be acceptable. More research is needed to determine the optimal approach to survivor care planning to ensure that all cancer survivors can benefit from it.

Strabismus Surgery Infection Prophylaxis and Timing of First Postoperative Visit.

PURPOSE: To characterize the practice patterns of pediatric ophthalmologists regarding infection prophylaxis for strabismus surgery and timing of the first postoperative visit. METHODS: A ten-question multiple-choice, close-ended questionnaire was e-mailed to members of the American Association for Pediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus listserv. Survey responses were summarized using frequencies and percentages. Univariable tests of association between prophylactic measures and surgeons reporting a prior episode of postoperative cellulitis or endophthalmitis were performed. RESULTS: Three hundred eighty pediatric ophthalmologists completed the survey. Most ophthalmologists instill 5% povidone-iodine solution during surgical preparation (88.4%), use topical antibiotics with or without steroids at the conclusion of surgery (90%), and prescribe oral or topical antibiotics postoperatively (85.5%). Eighty-five percent of strabismus surgeons routinely see patients for the first postoperative visit within the first week, although there is no consensus as to which day is preferred. Responders previously reporting experience with a postoperative infection were more likely to use intraoperative intravenous antibiotics (P = .002) and Tegaderm tape (3M, St. Paul, MN) or other adhesive drape to isolate the eyelids/eyelashes (P = .047). CONCLUSIONS: A common practice pattern appears to exist regarding the use of 5% povidone-iodine solution in surgical preparation, application of topical antibiotics at the end of surgery, and a postoperative regimen of topical antibiotics/steroids. There is no prevailing practice pattern regarding the timing of the first postoperative visit. Previous experience with postoperative cellulitis or endophthalmitis may lead to the adoption of more formidable infection prophylaxis measures such as intravenous antibiotics prior to surgery. [J Pediatr Ophthalmol Strabismus. 2019;56(6):354-359.].

Awareness of ocular diagnosis, transportation means, and barriers to ophthalmology follow-up in the Philadelphia Telemedicine Glaucoma Detection and Follow-up Study.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to assess factors affecting follow-up eye care in participants enrolled in the Philadelphia Telemedicine Glaucoma Detection and Follow-up Study, such as awareness of ocular diagnosis, availability of transportation methods, and reasons for missing eye care appointments. Methods: The sample included 172 participants who were randomized to the intervention group and contacted by the social worker. Results: A total of 155 participants completed the assessment form, which was used as an instrument to assess factors affecting adherence to follow-up eye care. The main reasons for missing eye exam appointments were feeling ill (38.1%, n = 59) and forgetting the appointment (34.2%, n = 53). In addition, 45 (29.2%) participants were unaware of or did not comprehend the severity of their ocular diagnosis. Common methods of transportation included public transportation (31.6%, n = 49), driving (29.7%, n = 46), and being driven (27.7%, n = 43) to their appointment. Conclusion: These results suggest that individuals in need of eye care may benefit from additional assistance of a social worker regarding ongoing eye exam appointment reminders and in-depth explanation of their ocular diagnosis.

Philadelphia Telemedicine Glaucoma Detection and Follow-up Study: Intraocular Pressure Measurements Found in a Population at High Risk for Glaucoma.

PRECIS: Intraocular pressure (IOP) measurements, when used during telemedicine eye screening alongside nonmydriatic fundus photography, were shown to improve the likelihood of accurate glaucoma and glaucoma-related diagnoses at the follow-up eye examination. PURPOSE: To determine if IOP measurements, used as an adjunct to nonmydriatic fundus photography, are useful in glaucoma telemedicine screening. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 902 high-risk individuals were screened for glaucoma at 7 primary care practices and 4 Federally Qualified Health Centers using telemedicine. Screening at visit 1 included fundus photography, assessing family history of glaucoma, and IOP measurements using a hand-held rebound tonometer. Participants with suspicious nerve findings for glaucoma, IOP>21 mm Hg or other ocular pathologies were invited for a follow-up appointment with an ophthalmologist (visit 2). RESULTS: Of the 902 individuals screened at visit 1, 19.6% (n=177/902) had elevated IOP (>21 mm Hg). Fifteen participants were found to have an IOP>30 mm Hg at visit 1, including 2 with an IOP of >40 mm Hg. Among all who attended visit 2 (n=347), 10.9% had glaucoma and 7.2% had ocular hypertension. For participants having both suspicious nerve findings and IOP>21 mm Hg compared with those with neither, the odds ratio (OR) of being diagnosed with glaucoma was 4.48 (95% CI, 1.50-13.93; P=0.007), whereas for participants with suspicious discs and IOP≤21 mm Hg the OR was 2.04 (95% CI, 0.83-5.53; P=0.15). CONCLUSIONS: In this telemedicine vision screening setting, having a higher IOP at the screening visit increased the likelihood of receiving a final diagnosis of glaucoma. Therefore, this study supports incorporating IOP measurements, using a portable tonometer, into vision screening programs in high-risk populations.

Quantitative sensory testing in children with sickle cell disease: additional insights and future possibilities.

Quantitative sensory testing (QST) is used in a variety of pain disorders to characterize pain and predict prognosis and response to specific therapies. In this study, we aimed to confirm results in the literature documenting altered QST thresholds in sickle cell disease (SCD) and assess the test-retest reliability of results over time. Fifty-seven SCD and 60 control subjects aged 8-20 years underwent heat and cold detection and pain threshold testing using a Medoc TSAII. Participants were tested at baseline and 3 months; SCD subjects were additionally tested at 6 months. An important facet of our study was the development and use of a novel QST modelling approach, allowing us to model all data together across modalities. We have not demonstrated significant differences in thermal thresholds between subjects with SCD and controls. Thermal thresholds were consistent over a 3- to 6-month period. Subjects on whom hydroxycarbamide (HC) was initiated shortly before or after baseline testing (new HC users) exhibited progressive decreases in thermal sensitivity from baseline to 6 months, suggesting that thermal testing may be sensitive to effective therapy to prevent vasoocclusive pain. These findings inform the use of QST as an endpoint in the evaluation of preventative pain therapies.