Disentangling the detrimental effects of local from systemic adipose tissue dysfunction on articular cartilage in the knee.

OBJECTIVE: Obesity increases osteoarthritis (OA) risk due to adipose tissue dysfunction with associated metabolic syndrome and excess weight. Lipodystrophy syndromes exhibit systemic metabolic and inflammatory abnormalities similar to obesity without biomechanical overloading. Here, we used lipodystrophy mouse models to investigate the effects of systemic versus intra-articular adipose tissue dysfunction on the knee. METHODS: Intra-articular adipose tissue development was studied using reporter mice. Mice with selective lipodystrophy of intra-articular adipose tissue were generated by conditional knockout (cKO) of Bscl2 in Gdf5-lineage cells, and compared with congenital Bscl2 knockout (KO) mice with generalised lipodystrophy and associated systemic metabolic dysfunction. OA was induced by surgically destabilising the medial meniscus (DMM) and obesity by high-fat diet (HFD). Gene expression was analysed by quantitative RT-PCR and tissues were analysed histologically. RESULTS: The infrapatellar fat pad (IFP), in contrast to overlying subcutaneous adipose tissue, developed from a template established from the Gdf5-expressing joint interzone during late embryogenesis, and was populated shortly after birth by adipocytes stochastically arising from Pdgfrα+ Gdf5-lineage progenitors. While female Bscl2 KO mice with generalised lipodystrophy developed spontaneous knee cartilage damage, Bscl2 cKO mice with intra-articular lipodystrophy did not, despite synovial hyperplasia and inflammation of the residual IFP. Furthermore, male Bscl2 cKO mice showed no worse cartilage damage after DMM. However, female Bscl2 cKO mice with intra-articular lipodystrophy showed increased susceptibility to the cartilage-damaging effects of HFD-induced obesity. CONCLUSION: Our findings emphasise the prevalent role of systemic metabolic and inflammatory effects in impairing cartilage homeostasis, with a modulatory role for intra-articular adipose tissue.

Rates of paclitaxel hypersensitivity reactions using a modified Markman's infusion protocol as primary prophylaxis.

PURPOSE: Markman's desensitisation protocol allows successful retreatment of patients who have had significant paclitaxel hypersensitivity reactions. We aimed to reduce the risk and severity of paclitaxel hypersensitivity reactions by introducing this protocol as primary prophylaxis. METHODS: We evaluated all patients with a gynaecological malignancy receiving paclitaxel before (December 2018 to September 2019) and after (October 2019 to July 2020) the implementation of a modified Markman's desensitisation protocol. The pre-implementation group received paclitaxel over a gradually up-titrated rate from 60 to 180 ml/h. The post-implementation group received paclitaxel via 3 fixed-dose infusion bags in the first 2 cycles. Rates and severity of paclitaxel hypersensitivity reactions were compared. RESULTS: A total of 426 paclitaxel infusions were administered to 78 patients. The median age was 64 years (range 34-81), and the most common diagnosis was ovarian, fallopian tube and primary peritoneal cancer (67%, n = 52/78). Paclitaxel hypersensitivity reaction rates were similar in the pre-implementation (8%, n = 16/195) and post-implementation groups (9%, n = 20/231; p = 0.87). Most paclitaxel hypersensitivity reactions occurred within 30 min (pre- vs. post-implementation, 88% [n = 14/16] vs. 75% [n = 15/20]; p = 0.45) and were grade 2 in severity (pre- vs. post-implementation, 81% [n = 13/16] vs. 75% [n = 15/20]; p = 0.37). There was one grade 3 paclitaxel hypersensitivity reaction in the pre-implementation group. All patients were successfully rechallenged in the post-implementation group compared to 81% (n = 13/16) in the pre-implementation group (p = 0.43). CONCLUSION: The modified Markman's desensitisation protocol as primary prophylaxis did not reduce the rate or severity of paclitaxel hypersensitivity reactions, although all patients could be successfully rechallenged.

Taxonomy of fibroblasts and progenitors in the synovial joint at single-cell resolution.

OBJECTIVES: Fibroblasts in synovium include fibroblast-like synoviocytes (FLS) in the lining and Thy1+ connective-tissue fibroblasts in the sublining. We aimed to investigate their developmental origin and relationship with adult progenitors. METHODS: To discriminate between Gdf5-lineage cells deriving from the embryonic joint interzone and other Pdgfrα-expressing fibroblasts and progenitors, adult Gdf5-Cre;Tom;Pdgfrα-H2BGFP mice were used and cartilage injury was induced to activate progenitors. Cells were isolated from knees, fibroblasts and progenitors were sorted by fluorescence-activated cell-sorting based on developmental origin, and analysed by single-cell RNA-sequencing. Flow cytometry and immunohistochemistry were used for validation. Clonal-lineage mapping was performed using Gdf5-Cre;Confetti mice. RESULTS: In steady state, Thy1+ sublining fibroblasts were of mixed ontogeny. In contrast, Thy1-Prg4+ lining fibroblasts predominantly derived from the embryonic joint interzone and included Prg4-expressing progenitors distinct from molecularly defined FLS. Clonal-lineage tracing revealed compartmentalisation of Gdf5-lineage fibroblasts between lining and sublining. Following injury, lining hyperplasia resulted from proliferation and differentiation of Prg4-expressing progenitors, with additional recruitment of non-Gdf5-lineage cells, into FLS. Consistent with this, a second population of proliferating cells, enriched near blood vessels in the sublining, supplied activated multipotent cells predicted to give rise to Thy1+ fibroblasts, and to feed into the FLS differentiation trajectory. Transcriptional programmes regulating fibroblast differentiation trajectories were uncovered, identifying Sox5 and Foxo1 as key FLS transcription factors in mice and humans. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings blueprint a cell atlas of mouse synovial fibroblasts and progenitors in healthy and injured knees, and provide novel insights into the cellular and molecular principles governing the organisation and maintenance of adult synovial joints.

Progress in the Treatment of Small Intestine Cancer.

OPINION STATEMENT: Small intestine cancer is rare, accounting for approximately 3% of all gastrointestinal malignancies. The most common histological subtypes include adenocarcinoma, neuroendocrine tumours (NETs) and gastrointestinal stromal tumours (GISTs). In localised disease, surgery remains the mainstay of treatment and the best approach to improve survival. Current treatment for small intestine adenocarcinoma (SIA) is extrapolated from small studies and data from colorectal cancer (CRC). There is limited evidence to guide therapy in the adjuvant setting. However, there are small phase II studies in the advanced setting providing evidence for the role of chemotherapy and immunotherapy. There is also limited evidence assessing the efficacy of targeted therapies. Small intestine NETs are rare, with evidence for somatostatin analogue therapy, particularly in the low to intermediate-grade well-differentiated tumours. Poorly differentiated NETs are generally managed with chemotherapy but have worse outcomes compared with well-differentiated NETs. The management of small intestine GISTs is largely targeting KIT mutations with imatinib. Recent trials have provided evidence for effective therapies in imatinib-resistant tumours and the potential role of immunotherapy. The aim of this article was to review the evidence for the current management and recent advances in the management of small intestine adenocarcinoma, NETs and GISTs.

Targeting the IL-6-Yap-Snail signalling axis in synovial fibroblasts ameliorates inflammatory arthritis.

OBJECTIVE: We aimed to understand the role of the transcriptional co-factor Yes-associated protein (Yap) in the molecular pathway underpinning the pathogenic transformation of synovial fibroblasts (SF) in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) to become invasive and cause joint destruction. METHODS: Synovium from patients with RA and mice with antigen-induced arthritis (AIA) was analysed by immunostaining and qRT-PCR. SF were targeted using Pdgfrα-CreER and Gdf5-Cre mice, crossed with fluorescent reporters for cell tracing and Yap-flox mice for conditional Yap ablation. Fibroblast phenotypes were analysed by flow cytometry, and arthritis severity was assessed by histology. Yap activation was detected using Yap-Tead reporter cells and Yap-Snail interaction by proximity ligation assay. SF invasiveness was analysed using matrigel-coated transwells. RESULTS: Yap, its binding partner Snail and downstream target connective tissue growth factor were upregulated in hyperplastic human RA and in mouse AIA synovium, with Yap detected in SF but not macrophages. Lineage tracing showed polyclonal expansion of Pdgfrα-expressing SF during AIA, with predominant expansion of the Gdf5-lineage SF subpopulation descending from the embryonic joint interzone. Gdf5-lineage SF showed increased expression of Yap and adopted an erosive phenotype (podoplanin+Thy-1 cell surface antigen-), invading cartilage and bone. Conditional ablation of Yap in Gdf5-lineage cells or Pdgfrα-expressing fibroblasts ameliorated AIA. Interleukin (IL)-6, but not tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) or IL-1ß, Jak-dependently activated Yap and induced Yap-Snail interaction. SF invasiveness induced by IL-6 stimulation or Snail overexpression was prevented by Yap knockdown, showing a critical role for Yap in SF transformation in RA. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings uncover the IL-6-Yap-Snail signalling axis in pathogenic SF in inflammatory arthritis.

Decision-making in Orthopaedic Oncology: Does Cognitive Bias Affect a Virtual Patient's Choice Between Limb Salvage and Amputation?

BACKGROUND: The local treatment of extremity sarcomas usually is predicated on a decision between limb salvage and amputation. The manner in which surgical options are presented in the context of shared decision-making may influence this decision. In a population of "simulated" patients-survey respondents presented with a mock clinical vignette and then asked to choose between treatments-we assessed cognitive bias by deliberate alteration of the subjective presentation of the same objective information. QUESTIONS/PURPOSES: (1) Will the manner in which information is presented to a simulated patient, in the setting of treatment for a bone sarcoma, bias their decision regarding pursuing amputation versus limb salvage? (2) At the time of decision-making, will a simulated patient's personal background, demographics, or mood affect their ultimate decision? METHODS: Survey respondents (Amazon MTurk platform) were presented with mock clinical vignettes simulating a sarcoma diagnosis and were asked to choose between amputation and limb salvage. Specific iterations were designed to assess several described types of cognitive bias. These scenarios were distributed, using anonymous online surveys, to potential participants aged 18 years or older. Recruitment was geographically restricted to individuals in the United States. Overall, 404 respondents completed the survey. The average age of respondents was 33 years (SD 1.2 years), 60% were male and 40% were female. In all, 12% of respondents worked in healthcare. Each respondent also completed questions regarding his or her demographics and his or her current mood. Associations between the type of bias presented and the respondent's choice of limb salvage versus amputation were examined. Independent sample t-tests were used to compare means. Statistical significance was defined as p < 0.05. RESULTS: When amputation was presented as an option to mitigate functional loss (framing bias), more patients chose it than when limb salvage was presented as means for increased functional gains (23% [23 of 100] versus 10% [12 of 118], odds ratio [OR], 2.26; p = 0.010). Older simulated patients were more likely to choose limb salvage when exposed to framing bias versus younger patients (mean age 33 years versus 30 years, p = 0.02). Respondents who were employed in healthcare more commonly chose amputation versus limb salvage when exposed to framing bias (24% [eight of 35] versus 9% [17 of 183]; OR, 2.46; p = 0.02). Those who chose amputation were more likely to score higher on scales that measured depression or negative affect. CONCLUSIONS: Shared decision-making in orthopaedic oncology represents a unique circumstance in which several variables may influence a patient's decision between limb salvage and amputation. Invoking cognitive bias in simulated patients appeared to affect treatment decisions. We cannot be sure that these findings translate to the experience of actual sarcoma patients; however, we can conclude that important treatment decisions may be affected by cognitive bias and that patient characteristics (in this study, age, healthcare profession, and mood) may be associated with an individual's susceptibility to cognitive bias. We hope these observations will assist providers in the thoughtful delivery of highly charged information to patients facing difficult decisions, and promote further study of this important concept. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level III, economic and decision analyses.

Perioperative hyperglycemia and risk of adverse events among patients with and without diabetes.

OBJECTIVE: To study the association between diabetes status, perioperative hyperglycemia, and adverse events in a statewide surgical cohort. BACKGROUND: Perioperative hyperglycemia may increase the risk of adverse events more significantly in patients without diabetes (NDM) than in those with diabetes (DM). METHODS: Using data from the Surgical Care and Outcomes Assessment Program, a cohort study (2010-2012) evaluated diabetes status, perioperative hyperglycemia, and composite adverse events in abdominal, vascular, and spine surgery at 53 hospitals in Washington State. RESULTS: Among 40,836 patients (mean age, 54 years; 53.6% women), 19% had diabetes; 47% underwent a perioperative blood glucose (BG) test, and of those, 18% had BG ≥180 mg/dL. DM patients had a higher rate of adverse events (12% vs 9%, P < 0.001) than NDM patients. After adjustment, among NDM patients, those with hyperglycemia had an increased risk of adverse events compared with those with normal BG. Among NDM patients, there was a dose-response relationship between the level of BG and composite adverse events [odds ratio (OR), 1.3 for BG 125-180 (95% confidence interval (CI), 1.1-1.5); OR, 1.6 for BG ≥180 (95% CI, 1.3-2.1)]. Conversely, hyperglycemic DM patients did not have an increased risk of adverse events, including those with a BG 180 or more (OR, 0.8; 95% CI, 0.6-1.0). NDM patients were less likely to receive insulin at each BG level. CONCLUSIONS: For NDM patients, but not DM patients, the risk of adverse events was linked to hyperglycemia. Underlying this paradoxical effect may be the underuse of insulin, but also that hyperglycemia indicates higher levels of stress in NDM patients than in DM patients.

Enteral contrast in the computed tomography diagnosis of appendicitis: comparative effectiveness in a prospective surgical cohort.

OBJECTIVE: Our goal was to perform a comparative effectiveness study of intravenous (IV)-only versus IV + enteral contrast in computed tomographic (CT) scans performed for patients undergoing appendectomy across a diverse group of hospitals. BACKGROUND: Small randomized trials from tertiary centers suggest that enteral contrast does not improve diagnostic performance of CT for suspected appendicitis, but generalizability has not been demonstrated. Eliminating enteral contrast may improve efficiency, patient comfort, and safety. METHODS: We analyzed data for adult patients who underwent nonelective appendectomy at 56 hospitals over a 2-year period. Data were obtained directly from patient charts by trained abstractors. Multivariate logistic regression was utilized to adjust for potential confounding. The main outcome measure was concordance between final radiology interpretation and final pathology report. RESULTS: A total of 9047 adults underwent appendectomy and 8089 (89.4%) underwent CT, 54.1% of these with IV contrast only and 28.5% with IV + enteral contrast. Pathology findings correlated with radiographic findings in 90.0% of patients who received IV + enteral contrast and 90.4% of patients scanned with IV contrast alone. Hospitals were categorized as rural or urban and by their teaching status. Regardless of hospital type, there was no difference in concordance between IV-only and IV + enteral contrast. After adjusting for age, sex, comorbid conditions, weight, hospital type, and perforation, odds ratio of concordance for IV + enteral contrast versus IV contrast alone was 0.95 (95% CI: 0.72-1.25). CONCLUSIONS: Enteral contrast does not improve CT evaluation of appendicitis in patients undergoing appendectomy. These broadly generalizable results from a diverse group of hospitals suggest that enteral contrast can be eliminated in CT scans for suspected appendicitis.

Peripheral venous and arterial blood gas analysis in adults: are they comparable? A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Peripheral venous blood gas (PVBG) analysis is increasingly being used as a substitute for arterial blood sampling; however, comparability has not been clearly established. To determine if the pH, PCO2 and PO2 obtained from PVBG analysis is comparable with arterial blood gas (ABG) analysis. A search was conducted of electronic databases as well as hand-searching of journals and reference lists through December 2012 to identify studies comparing PVBG with ABG analysis in adult subjects. A systematic review was conducted in accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses statement. A meta-analysis using a random effects model was used to calculate the average difference (bias) and the limits of agreement for the venous and arterial pH, PCO2 and PO2 . A total of 18 studies comprising 1768 subjects were included in the meta-analysis. There was considerable heterogeneity between studies with I(2) approaching 100%. There was little difference between the pH obtained from the PVBG and the ABG, with the arterial pH typically 0.03 higher than the venous pH (95% confidence interval 0.029-0.038). The venous and arterial PCO2 were not comparable because the 95% prediction interval of the bias for venous PCO2 was unacceptably wide, extending from -10.7 mm Hg to +2.4 mm Hg. The PO2 values compared poorly, the arterial PO2 typically 36.9 mm Hg greater than the venous with significant variability (95% confidence interval from 27.2 to 46.6 mm Hg). PVBG analysis compares well with ABG analysis for pH estimations in adults but not to the PCO2 or PO2 . These differences are sufficiently large to be of clinical significance.

Trends in treatment of advanced epithelial ovarian cancer in the Medicare population.

OBJECTIVE: Optimal care for most patients with advanced ovarian cancer generally includes both surgery and chemotherapy. Little is known about the proportion of women in the US who receive combination care or the sequence in which this care is delivered. This study evaluated patterns of care, frequency of completion of recommended therapy and factors associated with sequencing of therapy. METHODS: Using the Surveillance, Epidemiology and End-Results data we identified a cohort of 8211 women aged 65 and above with stage III/IV epithelial ovarian cancer diagnosed between 1995 and 2005. Receipt of chemotherapy or surgery was identified using Medicare claims. Logistic regression was used to evaluate factors associated with sequencing of treatment and the receipt of surgery. RESULTS: 3241 (39.1%) had surgery and at least 6 cycles of chemotherapy in either order. Surgery was performed initially in 4827 (58.8%) women and 3658/4827 (75.8%) had subsequent chemotherapy. 2017 (24.6%) had primary chemotherapy and 649/2017 (32.2%) of these women had subsequent surgery. Advanced age, African American race, stage IV disease, non-married status and increasing medical comorbidity were all associated with the failure to receive both surgery and at least 6 cycles of chemotherapy (all p<0.01). CONCLUSIONS: The majority of women with advanced ovarian cancer in the Medicare population do not receive both combination therapy with surgery and at least 6 cycles of chemotherapy. A large proportion of women are receiving chemotherapy as primary treatment for advanced ovarian cancer, and the majority of these patients do not have cancer-directed surgery.

Neoadjuvant chemotherapy in the Medicare cohort with advanced ovarian cancer.

OBJECTIVE: The value of neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) for the treatment of advanced ovarian cancer has yet to be determined. While NAC may facilitate and simplify complete cytoreduction and reduce the risk of surgery, the delay of surgery related to NAC needs to be balanced against any potential benefit. METHODS: Surveillance, Epidemiology and End-Results (SEER) data linked to Medicare claims were used to identify 6844 women with treated stage III/IV epithelial ovarian cancer (1995-2005). Patients were classified by primary treatment (surgery (PDS) or chemotherapy), and the primary chemotherapy group was characterized as having NAC or palliative chemotherapy (PC) based on whether there was documentation that surgery was recommended. We compared surgical complications and survival between the groups. RESULTS: 4827 (71%) of women were treated with PDS, 958 received NAC (14%) and 1059 (15%) had PC. Only 577 (60%) of women with NAC underwent surgery and they had fewer ostomies (8.5% vs. 19.2%, p<0.001) and fewer infections, gastrointestinal and pulmonary complications than PDS (all p<0.01). Comparing NAC to PDS there was a 16% increase in the risk of death at 2years (RR 1.16, 95%CI 1.01-1.34) for women with stage III disease and a 15% reduction in the risk for women with stage IV disease (RR 0.85, 95%CI 0.73-0.99). CONCLUSIONS: NAC followed by surgery was associated with fewer surgical complications than PDS. The direction and magnitude of the difference in survival between women receiving NAC and those receiving PDS differed according to the stage of disease and follow up time.

Communication Training, Adverse Events, and Quality Measures: 2 Retrospective Database Analyses in Washington State Hospitals.

OBJECTIVE: Washington State's HealthPact program was launched in 2011 as part of AHRQ's Patient Safety and Medical Liability Reform initiative. HealthPact delivered interdisciplinary communication training to health-care professionals with the goal of enhancing safety. We conducted 2 exploratory, retrospective database analyses to investigate training impact on the frequency of adverse events (AEs) and select quality measures across 3 time frames: pretraining (2009-2011), transition (2012), and posttraining (2013). METHODS: Using administrative data from Washington State's Comprehensive Hospital Abstract Reporting System (CHARS) and clinical registry data from the Surgical Care and Outcomes Assessment Program (SCOAP), we compared proportions of AEs and quality measures between HealthPact (n = 4) and non-HealthPact (n = 93-CHARS; n = 48-SCOAP) participating hospitals. Risk ratios enabled comparisons between the 2 groups. Multivariable logistic regression enabled investigation of the association between training and the frequency of AEs. RESULTS: Approximately 9.4% (CHARS) and 7.7% (SCOAP) of unique patients experienced 1 AE or greater. In CHARS, the odds of a patient experiencing an AE in a HealthPact hospital were initially (pretraining) higher than in a non-HealthPact hospital (odds ratio [OR], 1.13; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.10-1.17), lower in transition (OR, 0.80; 95% CI, 0.76-0.83) and posttraining (OR, 0.72; 95% CI, 0.69-0.75) periods. In SCOAP, ORs were consistently lower in HealthPact hospitals: pretraining (OR, 0.87; 95% CI, 0.80-0.95), transition (OR, 0.75; 95% CI, 0.70-0.81), and posttraining (OR, 0.63; 95% CI, 0.58-0.68). The proportion of at-risk patients that experienced each individual AE was low (<1%) throughout. Adherence to quality measures was high. CONCLUSIONS: Interprofessional communication training is an area of intense activity nationwide. A broad-based training initiative may play a role in mitigating AEs.

The significance of discharge to skilled care after abdominopelvic surgery in older adults.

CONTENT: Older adults frequently undergo abdominopelvic surgical operations, yet the risk and significance of postoperative discharge disposition has not been well characterized. OBJECTIVE: To describe the population-level risk of discharge to institutional care facilities and its impact on survival among older patients who undergo common abdominopelvic surgical procedures. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS: A retrospective, population-based cohort study, using the Washington State hospital discharge database for 89,405 adults aged 65 and older who underwent common abdominopelvic procedures (cholecystectomy, colectomy, hysterectomy/oophorectomy, and prostatectomy) between 1987 and 2004. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Discharge location and short-term and long-term mortality. RESULTS: Advancing age was associated with discharge to an institutional care facility (ICF) after surgery [age, 65-69 (3.3%); 70-74 (5.7%); 75-79 (10.8%); 80-84 (20.6%); 85-89 (31.8%); 90+ (43.9%); trend test, P < 0.001). Postoperative complications were also associated with discharge to an ICF (21.9% vs. 8.9%, P < 0.001). Patients discharged to an ICF after surgery had higher 30-day (4.3% vs. 0.4%), 90 day (12.6% vs. 1.4%), and 1-year mortality (22.2% vs. 5.9%) in comparison with those discharged home with self-care (P < 0.001). Compared with similarly aged adults discharged home, patients discharged to an ICF had 4 times higher 1-year mortality (odds ratio = 3.9; 95% confidence interval = 3.6-4.2). Of patients who died after discharge to an ICF, the majority died either at the ICF (53.7%) or on a subsequent hospital admission (31.0%). CONCLUSIONS: Advancing age and postoperative complications are associated with the risk of discharge to an ICF after abdominopelvic operations. Patients discharged to an ICF are much more likely to die within the first postoperative year and ICF disposition should be considered as either a marker of debility and/or a component of patient decline. These findings may be helpful while counseling patients regarding the expected outcomes of ICF placement after surgical intervention.

Stress Urinary Incontinence Surgery in Washington State Before and After Introduction of the Mesh Midurethral Sling.

OBJECTIVES: Mesh midurethral slings (MUSs) are safe, effective treatments for female stress urinary incontinence (SUI), but many companies have ceased production because of controversies surrounding transvaginal mesh. To determine if introduction of MUS has increased the complication rate associated with SUI surgery, we compared women undergoing SUI surgery in the MUS era to those who had surgery prior its introduction. METHODS: This was a retrospective cohort study of a statewide hospital discharge database. Stress urinary incontinence surgeries from 1987 to 1996 and 2007 to 2013 were identified using International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision codes. RESULTS: A total of 30,723 SUI surgeries were performed during the study periods. After 2006, slings accounted for 91.8% of SUI surgeries. Patients were older (54.5 vs 53.0 years, P < 0.001) and sicker (22.6% vs 9.7% had ≥1 comorbid condition, P < 0.0001). Blood transfusion was more common in the MUS era (1.2% vs 0.4%, P < 0.001) however, other complications were either similar between groups or less common in the MUS era including 30-day readmission (2.5% vs 2.4%, P = 0.543), reoperation for urinary retention (0.1% vs 0.2%, P < 0.0375), and wound infection (0.1% vs 0.5%, P < 0.001), despite more concomitant prolapse surgeries (69.0 vs 26.9%, P < 0.001) and hysterectomies (53.0 vs 35.4%, P < 0.001) in the MUS era. Hospital stays were shorter after 2006 (1.0 vs 3.0 days, P < 0.001), and fewer women required reoperation for SUI within 2 years (0.5% vs 1.8%, P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Following introduction of MUS, women who underwent SUI surgery were slightly older with more medical comorbidities yet did not appear to experience increased surgical complications. Fewer women underwent reoperation for recurrent SUI, and hospital stays were shorter, suggesting an improvement in care. This study supports the continued availability and use of MUSs.

Negative appendectomy and imaging accuracy in the Washington State Surgical Care and Outcomes Assessment Program.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate negative appendectomy (NA) and the relationship of NA and computed tomography (CT) and/or ultrasound (US). SUMMARY BACKGROUND INFORMATION: NA may be influenced by the use and accuracy of preoperative CT/US. The Surgical Care and Outcomes Assessment Program (SCOAP) gathers chart-abstracted process of care data (such as CT/US accuracy) for general surgical procedures (including appendectomy) at most Washington State hospitals. METHODS: We determined the prevalence of NA and CT/US concordance at the 15 SCOAP hospitals with >50 consecutive patients undergoing appendectomy (2006-2007). RESULTS: The number of patients who underwent urgent appendectomies was 3540. The percentage of patients who had imaging (CT-91%) was 86% (women-89%, men-83%). The use of imaging ranged across hospitals from 56% to 97%. There was 91% agreement between imaging and pathology report findings (92.3%-CT and 82.4%-US). The overall rate of NA was 6% (women-8%, men-4%). The prevalence of NA was 9.8% among patients having no imaging, 8.1% among those having an US, and 4.5% in those having a CT. Among patients with NA, CT/US was obtained in 75%; correct in 10% and incorrect or ambiguous in 65%. Higher rates of NA were correlated with lower rates of CT/US concordance (r = -0.57). There was no significant difference in rates of perforation between those with (17%) and without (15%) imaging (P = 0.2). There were significant increases in the use of CT/US and decreases in NA over the time period (P < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of NA at SCOAP hospitals decreased significantly. Variation in NA between hospitals was linked closely to CT/US accuracy suggesting CT/US accuracy should be considered a measure of quality in the care of patients with presumed appendicitis.

Reoperation for urinary incontinence.

OBJECTIVE(S): The objective of the study was to describe the rate and associated factors of reoperation for urinary incontinence. STUDY DESIGN: A cohort study using Washington state hospitalization records from 1987 to 2005 of inpatient urinary incontinence surgeries. The cumulative reoperation rate was estimated for the entire cohort and by procedure. Cox regression was used to estimate the hazard of reoperation. RESULTS: A total of 41,705 women underwent either a sling or retropubic colposuspension (Burch); 1895 underwent reoperation for urinary incontinence (8.6%; 95% confidence interval, 7.8-9.5%), a rate of 5.5 per 1000 woman-years. Women undergoing Burch had a lower reoperation rate than those undergoing slings (4.2 vs 6.7 per 1000 woman-years; P < .001). Concomitant hysterectomy was associated with a lower reoperation rate for Burch and sling repairs (5.4-2.9 and 7.7-4.2 per 1000 woman-years). CONCLUSION(S): Reoperation for urinary incontinence occurs commonly in the general population. The variable reoperation rate observed should be further investigated, given current trends toward increased Sling use.

Automating Electronic Clinical Data Capture for Quality Improvement and Research: The CERTAIN Validation Project of Real World Evidence.

BACKGROUND: The availability of high fidelity electronic health record (EHR) data is a hallmark of the learning health care system. Washington State's Surgical Care Outcomes and Assessment Program (SCOAP) is a network of hospitals participating in quality improvement (QI) registries wherein data are manually abstracted from EHRs. To create the Comparative Effectiveness Research and Translation Network (CERTAIN), we semi-automated SCOAP data abstraction using a centralized federated data model, created a central data repository (CDR), and assessed whether these data could be used as real world evidence for QI and research. OBJECTIVES: Describe the validation processes and complexities involved and lessons learned. METHODS: Investigators installed a commercial CDR to retrieve and store data from disparate EHRs. Manual and automated abstraction systems were conducted in parallel (10/2012-7/2013) and validated in three phases using the EHR as the gold standard: 1) ingestion, 2) standardization, and 3) concordance of automated versus manually abstracted cases. Information retrieval statistics were calculated. RESULTS: Four unaffiliated health systems provided data. Between 6 and 15 percent of data elements were abstracted: 51 to 86 percent from structured data; the remainder using natural language processing (NLP). In phase 1, data ingestion from 12 out of 20 feeds reached 95 percent accuracy. In phase 2, 55 percent of structured data elements performed with 96 to 100 percent accuracy; NLP with 89 to 91 percent accuracy. In phase 3, concordance ranged from 69 to 89 percent. Information retrieval statistics were consistently above 90 percent. CONCLUSIONS: Semi-automated data abstraction may be useful, although raw data collected as a byproduct of health care delivery is not immediately available for use as real world evidence. New approaches to gathering and analyzing extant data are required.

Outpatient Rehabilitation for Medicaid-Insured Children Hospitalized With Traumatic Brain Injury.

OBJECTIVES: To describe the prevalence of postdischarge outpatient rehabilitation among Medicaid-insured children hospitalized with a traumatic brain injury (TBI) and to identify factors associated with receipt of services. METHODS: Retrospective cohort of children <21 years, hospitalized for a TBI between 2007 and 2012, from a national Medicaid claims database. Outcome measures were receipt of outpatient rehabilitation (physical, occupational, or speech therapies or physician visits to a rehabilitation provider) 1 and 3 years after discharge. Multivariable regression analyses determined the association of demographic variables, injury severity, and receipt of inpatient services with receipt of outpatient rehabilitation at 1 and 3 years. The mean number of services was compared between racial/ethnic groups. RESULTS: Among 9361 children, only 29% received any type of outpatient rehabilitation therapy during the first year after injury, although 62% sustained a moderate to severe TBI. The proportion of children receiving outpatient therapies declined to 12% in the second and third years. The most important predictor of receipt of outpatient rehabilitation was receipt of inpatient therapies or consultation with a rehabilitation physician during acute care. Compared with children of other racial/ethnic groups, Hispanic children had lower rates of receipt of outpatient speech therapy. CONCLUSIONS: Hospitalized children who received inpatient assessment of rehabilitation needs were more likely to continue outpatient rehabilitation care. Hispanic children with TBI were less likely than non-Hispanics to receive speech therapy. Interventions to increase inpatient rehabilitation during acute care might increase outpatient rehabilitation and improve outcomes for all children.