Assessment of WHO 07/202 reference material and human serum pools for commutability and for the potential to reduce variability among soluble transferrin receptor assays.

OBJECTIVES: The clinical use of soluble transferrin receptor (sTfR) as an iron status indicator is hindered by a lack of assay standardization and common reference ranges and decision thresholds. In 2009, the WHO and National Institute for Biological Standards and Controls (NIBSC) released a sTfR reference material (RM), 07/202, for assay standardization; however, a comprehensive, formal commutability study was not conducted. METHODS: This study evaluated the commutability of WHO 07/202 sTfR RM and human serum pools and the impacts of their use as common calibrators. Commutability was assessed for six different measurement procedures (MPs). Serum pools were prepared according to updated CLSI C37-A procedures (C37) or non-C37 procedures. The study design and analyses were based on Parts 2 and 3 of the 2018 IFCC Commutability in Metrological Traceability Working Group's Recommendations for Commutability Assessment. WHO 07/202 and serum pools were used for instrument/assay and mathematical recalibration, respectively, to determine if their use decreases inter-assay measurement variability for clinical samples. RESULTS: The WHO 07/202 RM dilutions were commutable for all 6 MPs assessed and, when used for instrument calibration, decreased inter-assay variability from 208 to 55.7 %. Non-C37 and C37 serum pools were commutable for all 6 MPs assessed and decreased inter-assay variability from 208 to 13.8 % and 4.6 %, respectively, when used for mathematical recalibration. CONCLUSIONS: All materials evaluated, when used as common calibrators, substantially decreased inter-assay sTfR measurement variability. MP calibration to non-C37 and C37 serum pools may reduce the sTfR IMPBR to a greater extent than WHO 07/202 RM.

Heterogeneity of colon and rectum cancer incidence across 612 SEER counties, 2000-2014.

Recent analyses have suggested decreases over time in colorectal cancer incidence at older ages (≥55 years) but increases at younger ages (20-54 years). Understanding the geographic heterogeneity of incidence facilitates resource allocation for potential interventions and advances our knowledge of differential etiologies for these cancers. We performed age-period-cohort analysis using 2000-2014 county-level incidence from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) database, estimating relative risk (RR) and age-adjusted annual percent change (Net Drifts) simultaneously for 612 counties via a hierarchical model, separately for colon and rectum cancer, stratified by age group (20-54 vs. 55-84). We also studied correlates of RR and Net Drift with various county-level characteristics. In all SEER counties, colon and rectum cancer incidence rates increased at ages 20-54, whereas rates decreased at ages 55-84. There was marked heterogeneity in both RR and Net Drift among states and counties for both cancer types. Maps of county RR and Net Drift revealed localized clusters in several states. For both cancer types, counties with high RR and unfavorable Net Drift tended to have higher prevalence of obesity and diabetes and to be of a lower socioeconomic status. Counties with higher overall screening rates tended to have lower Net Drifts for both cancer types. Increasing colorectal cancer incidence in the younger age group is geographically widespread, although there is significant heterogeneity in temporal trends and risk both within and between states. These geographic patterns correlate with different county-level characteristics depending on cancer type and age group.

Transitioning from intrathecal bupivacaine to mepivacaine for same-day discharge total joint arthroplasty: a quality improvement study.

INTRODUCTION: Same-day discharge total knee and hip arthroplasty is becoming more common. Anesthetic approaches that optimize readiness for discharge are important. Based on an institutional change from low-dose bupivacaine to mepivacaine, we aimed to assess the impact on postanesthesia care unit (PACU) recovery in a quaternary care, academic medical center. METHODS: In this quality improvement retrospective study, a single surgeon performed 96 combined total knee and hip arthroplasties booked as same-day discharge from September 20, 2021 to December 20, 2021. Starting on November 15, 2021 the subarachnoid block was performed with isobaric mepivacaine 37.5-45 mg instead of hyperbaric bupivacaine 9-10.5 mg. We compare these cohorts for time to discharge from PACU, perioperative oral morphine milligram equivalent (OMME) administration, PACU pain scores, conversion to general anesthesia (GA), and overnight admission. RESULTS: We found the use of isobaric mepivacaine as compared with hyperbaric bupivacaine for intrathecal block in same-day discharge total joint arthroplasty was associated with decreased length of PACU stay at our academic center (median 4.03 vs 5.33 hours; p=0.008), increased perioperative OMME (mean 22.5 vs 11.4 mg; p<0.001), increased PACU pain scores (mean 6.29 vs 3.41; p<0.01) and no difference in conversion to GA or overnight admission. CONCLUSIONS: Intrathecal mepivacaine was associated with increased perioperative OMME consumption and PACU pain scores, but still realized a decreased PACU length of stay.