Time to treatment of esophageal cancer in Ontario: A population-level cross-sectional study

Objective

Timely cancer treatment improves survival and anxiety for some sites. Patients with esophageal cancer require specific workup before treatment, which can prolong the time from diagnosis to treatment (treatment interval [TI]). The geographical variation of this interval remains uninvestigated in patients with esophageal cancer.

Methods

This retrospective population-level study conducted in Ontario used linked administrative health care databases. Patients treated for esophageal cancer between 2013 and 2018 were included. The TI was time from diagnosis to treatment. Patients were assigned a geographical Local Health Integration Network on the basis of postal code. Covariates included patient, disease, and diagnosing physician characteristics. Quantile regression modeled TI length at the 50th and 90th percentile and identified associated factors.

Results

Of 7509 patients, 78% were male and most were aged between 60 and 69 years. The 50th and 90th percentile TI was 36 (interquartile range, 22-55) and 77 days, respectively. The difference between the Local Health Integration Network with the longest and shortest TI at the 50th and 90th percentile was 18 and 25 days, respectively. Older age (P < .0001), greater comorbidity (P = .0005), greater material deprivation (P = .001), rurality (P = .03), histology (P = .02), and treatment group (P < .0001) were associated with a longer median TI. Older age (P = .03), greater comorbidity (P = .003), greater material deprivation (P = .005), rurality (P = .04), and treatment group (P < .0001) were associated with a longer 90th percentile TI.

Conclusions

Geographic variability of time to treatment exists across Ontario. Investigation of facility-level differences is warranted. Patient and disease factors are associated with longer wait times. These results might inform future health care policy and resource allocation.

Time to Surgery for Patients with Esophageal Cancer Undergoing Trimodal Therapy in Ontario: A Population-Based Cross-Sectional Study

Patients with resectable esophageal cancer are recommended to undergo chemoradiotherapy before esophagectomy. A longer time to surgery (TTS) and/or time to consultation (TTC) may be associated with inferior cancer-related outcomes and heightened anxiety. Thoracic cancer surgery centers (TCSCs) oversee esophageal cancer management, but differences in TTC/TTS between centers have not yet been examined. This Ontario population-level study used linked administrative healthcare databases to investigate patients with esophageal cancer between 2013–2018, who underwent neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy and then surgery. TTC and TTS were time from diagnosis to the first surgical consultation and then to surgery, respectively. Patients were assigned a TCSC based on the location of the surgery. Patient, disease, and diagnosing physician characteristics were investigated. Quantile regression was used to model TTS/TTC at the 50th and 90th percentiles and identify associated factors. The median TTS and TTC were 130 and 29 days, respectively. The adjusted differences between the TCSCs with the longest and shortest median TTS and TTC were 32 and 18 days, respectively. Increasing age was associated with a 16-day longer median TTS. Increasing material deprivation was associated with a 6-day longer median TTC. Significant geographic variability exists in TTS and TTC. Therefore, the investigation of TCSC characteristics is warranted. Shortening wait times may reduce patient anxiety and improve the control of esophageal cancer.

Search for Subsolar-Mass Binaries in the First Half of Advanced LIGO's and Advanced Virgo's Third Observing Run

We report on a search for compact binary coalescences where at least one binary component has a mass between 0.2  M_{⊙} and 1.0  M_{⊙} in Advanced LIGO and Advanced Virgo data collected between 1 April 2019 1500 UTC and 1 October 2019 1500 UTC. We extend our previous analyses in two main ways: we include data from the Virgo detector and we allow for more unequal mass systems, with mass ratio q≥0.1. We do not report any gravitational-wave candidates. The most significant trigger has a false alarm rate of 0.14  yr^{-1}. This implies an upper limit on the merger rate of subsolar binaries in the range [220-24200]  Gpc^{-3} yr^{-1}, depending on the chirp mass of the binary. We use this upper limit to derive astrophysical constraints on two phenomenological models that could produce subsolar-mass compact objects. One is an isotropic distribution of equal-mass primordial black holes. Using this model, we find that the fraction of dark matter in primordial black holes in the mass range 0.2  M_{⊙}<m_{PBH}<1.0  M_{⊙} is f_{PBH}≡Ω_{PBH}/Ω_{DM}≲6%. This improves existing constraints on primordial black hole abundance by a factor of ∼3. The other is a dissipative dark matter model, in which fermionic dark matter can collapse and form black holes. The upper limit on the fraction of dark matter black holes depends on the minimum mass of the black holes that can be formed: the most constraining result is obtained at M_{min}=1  M_{⊙}, where f_{DBH}≡Ω_{DBH}/Ω_{DM}≲0.003%. These are the first constraints placed on dissipative dark models by subsolar-mass analyses.

A population-based validation study of the 8th edition UICC/AJCC TNM staging system for cutaneous melanoma

BACKGROUND

The 8th edition UICC/AJCC TNM8 (Tumour, Nodes, Metastasis) melanoma staging system introduced several modifications from the 7th edition (TNM7), resulting in changes in survival and subgroup composition. We set out to address the limited validation of TNM8 (stages I-IV) in large population-based datasets.

METHODS

This retrospective cohort-study included 6,414 patients from the population-based Ontario Cancer Registry diagnosed with cutaneous melanoma between January 1, 2007 and December 31, 2012. Kaplan-Meier curves estimated the melanoma-specific survival (MSS) and overall survival (OS). Cox proportional hazard models were used to estimate adjusted hazard ratios for MSS and OS across stage groups. The Schemper-Henderson measure was used to assess the variance explained in the Cox regression.

RESULTS

In our sample, 21.3% of patients were reclassified with TNM8 from TNM7; reclassifications in stage II were uncommon, and 44.1% of patients in stage III were reclassified to a higher subgroup. Minimal changes in MSS curves were observed between editions, but the stage IIB curve decreased and the stage IIIC curve increased. For TNM8, Stage I (n = 4,556), II (n = 1,206), III (n = 598), and IV (n = 54) had an estimated 5-year MSS of 98.4%, 82.5%, 66.4%, and 14.4%, respectively. Within stage III, IIIA 5-year MSS was 91.7% while stage IIID was 23.5%. HRs indicated that TNM8 more evenly separates subgroups once adjusted for patient- and disease-characteristics. The variance in MSS explained by TNM7 and TNM8 is 18.9% and 19.7%, respectively.

CONCLUSION

TNM8 performed well in our sample, with more even separation of stage subgroups and a modest improvement in predictive ability compared to TNM7.

A Resident-driven Quality Improvement Project to Increase Primary Care Follow-up after Congestive Heart Failure Exacerbation: Use of a Quality and Safety Award

OBJECTIVES

Congestive heart failure (CHF) is the most common cause of 30-day inpatient readmission. Studies have found that early follow-up with primary care physicians (PCP) within 7 days of discharge may improve 30-day readmission rates; however, many have used a multidisciplinary discharge coordination team, which is not a resource at all centers. Here, the authors present a resident-driven quality improvement initiative using a monthly quality and safety award to increase early PCP follow-up for veterans discharged following admissions due to a CHF exacerbation. Primary outcomes were percentage of PCP follow-up within 7 days and median time to PCP follow-up. Secondary outcomes included percentage of patients attending a PCP visit within 7 days, 30-day readmission, and 30-day mortality.

METHODS

This prepost quasi-experimental cohort study evaluated 3 concurrent quality improvement interventions to increase PCP follow-up after CHF exacerbation. Process maps and Ishikawa diagrams examined the discharge process. Interventions included a standardized discharge scheduling order, monthly education on the process, and monthly aggregated performance feedback for each medical resident. A patient safety and quality award was given to the team with the highest rate of PCP appointments scheduled within 7 days. Patient characteristics and outcomes were gathered for a 6-month historic period and 6-month intervention period. Test of proportions and Wilcoxon Rank-Sum test were used to compare groups.

RESULTS

A total of 294 patients were discharged (161 in historic group and 133 in intervention group). Appointments scheduled within 7 days of discharge increased from 43% to 79% ( P < 0.001). Median time to PCP follow-up decreased from 8 to 6 days ( P < 0.001). Patients who completed (showed up to) a PCP appointment within 7 days increased from 16% to 41% ( P < 0.001). There was no impact on 30-day readmission or mortality; however, the number of study subjects was too small to rule out an effect.

CONCLUSIONS

A standardized discharge scheduling order, more robust resident education, and a monthly patient safety and quality award resulted in a significant increase in the rate of primary care follow-up within 7 days of CHF exacerbation.

Exploring "the healthy immigrant effect" among elderly Asian patients with cancer: A nationwide population-based assessment

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Background: Asian Americans are the fastest-growing immigrant group in the U.S. As the oldest immigrant group on average, they are at heightened risk for cancer and other diseases. This study explored whether the risk is mitigated by the healthy immigrant effect (HIE), an epidemiological phenomenon that has been well documented among Latino immigrants. Evidence of a healthy immigrant effect among Asians as a whole or in specific Asian subgroups is limited, and almost none focus on the elderly with a cancer diagnosis. This original research study examines the evidence for an HIE in a large ethnically diverse sample of elderly persons with a cancer diagnosis. Methods: This is a retrospective observational study utilizing data collected across 14 regions of the U.S. SEER-Medicare Health Outcomes Survey (SEER-MHOS), a linked dataset sponsored by the NCI and the Center for Medicare & Medicaid Services. Logistic regression analyses were conducted to examine HIE among Asians in the aggregate and subgroups of Asians for smoking and body mass index (BMI), using survey language and ethnic concentration as proxies for nativity. Results: Asians, in the aggregate, had comparable social backgrounds and had better health behaviors (i.e., lower smoking and BMI) than non-Hispanic Whites. When Asians were disaggregated, Hawaiians and Japanese had higher smoking and obesity rates than Chinese. A protective effect was observed among Asians in the aggregate living in an ethnic enclave with lower smoking prevalence and lower BMI. Chinese respondents opting to complete surveys in their native language or living in ethnic enclaves were less likely to be overweight, but no significant associations were found in relation to their smoking. Conclusions: Support for a healthy immigrant effect was largely consistent for Asians in the aggregate with respect to both language and ethnic concentration, but support was mixed among subgroups of Chinese patients. The presence of the HIE suggests that the health status and needs of recent Asian immigrants seeking oncologic care may be different than Asians who have been in the U.S. longer. These findings suggest a need for community-based efforts to encourage preservation of a healthier living style observed among first-generation immigrants.

Identification and engagement of naturally occurring retirement communities to support healthy aging in Canada: A set of methods for replication

Background

Naturally occurring retirement communities (NORCs), unplanned communities with a high proportion of older adult residents, offer a model to support older adults to age well in place. The aim of this paper is to provide a comprehensive description of the methods used to identify and engage NORCs appropriate for the development of supportive service programming in Canada.

Methods

Three steps were used to identify and select NORCs in which to develop supportive service programming including: 1) identification of potential NORCs using Canadian Census Dissemination Areas, the Ontario Marginalization Index and Google Maps, 2) engagement of property owner/manager to determine the availability of common space for communal programming and willingness of the owner to support programming and, 3) engagement of older adult residents within the NORC to co-design programming.

Results

Four cities in the south-east, south-central, and south-west of Ontario, Canada were identified to develop NORCs with supportive service programming. Using the methods described, six NORCs were identified, landlords and older adult residents were engaged, and programs initiated between April 2018 and March 2019. The sites included two private high-rise apartments, a city-owned low-rise subsidized apartment complex, two multi-building private high-rise complexes and a mobile home community. An average of 35 (min 20, max 78) older adult members were engaged in an average of 20.5 unique activity sessions at each site per month. On average, social (54%) and physical activities (30%) were more common than nutritional (10%) and knowledge-sharing (8%).

Conclusions

The increased prevalence of unplanned, geographically-bound NORCs creates an opportunity for governments, social and health service providers and policy makers to support healthy aging in their communities. Our experience with the creation of six new NORCs with supportive service programming provides a tested set of methods that can be applied in other communities.

An AI-derived digital pathology-based biomarker to predict the benefit of androgen deprivation therapy in localized prostate cancer with validation in NRG/RTOG 9408

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Background: The current standard of care for men with intermediate- and high-risk localized prostate cancer treated with radiotherapy (RT) is the addition of androgen deprivation therapy (ADT). Presently, there are no validated predictive biomarkers to guide ADT use or duration in such men. Herein, we train and validate the first predictive biomarker for ADT use in prostate cancer using multiple phase III NRG Oncology randomized trials. Methods: Pre-treatment biopsy slides were digitized from five phase III NRG Oncology randomized trials of men receiving RT with or without ADT. The training set to develop the artificial intelligence (AI)-derived predictive biomarker included NRG/RTOG 9202, 9413, 9910, and 0126, and was trained to predict distant metastasis (DM). A multimodal deep learning architecture was developed to learn from both clinicopathologic and digital imaging histopathology data and identify differential outcomes by treatment type. After the model was locked, an independent biostatistician performed validation on NRG/RTOG 9408, a phase III randomized trial of RT +/- 4 months of ADT. The DM rates were calculated using cumulative incidence functions in biomarker positive and negative groups, and biomarker-treatment interaction was assessed using Fine-Gray regression such that death without DM was treated as a competing event. Results: Clinical and histopathological data was available for 5,654 of 7,957 eligible patients (71.1%). The training cohort included 3,935 patients and had a median follow-up of 13.6 years (IQR [10.2, 17.7]). After the AI-derived predictive ADT classifier was trained, it was validated in NRG/RTOG 9408 (n = 1719, median follow-up 17.6 years, IQR [15.0, 19.7]). In the NRG/RTOG 9408 validation cohort that had digital histopathology data, ADT significantly improved DM (HR 0.62, 95% CI [0.44, 0.87], p = 0.006), consistent with the published trial results. The biomarker-treatment interaction was significant (p-value = 0.0021). In patients with AI-biomarker positive disease (n = 673, 39%), ADT had a greater benefit compared to RT alone (HR 0.33, 95% CI [0.19, 0.57], p < 0.001). In the biomarker negative subgroup (n = 1046, 61%), the addition of ADT did not improve outcomes over RT alone (HR 1.00, 95% CI [0.64, 1.57], p = 0.99). The 15-year DM rate difference between RT versus RT+ADT in the biomarker negative group was 0.3%, vs biomarker positive group 9.4%. Conclusions: We have successfully validated in a phase III randomized trial the first predictive biomarker of ADT benefit with RT in localized intermediate risk prostate cancer using a novel AI-derived digital pathology-based platform. This AI-derived predictive biomarker demonstrates that a majority of patients treated with RT on NRG/RTOG 9408 did not require ADT and could have avoided the associated costs and side effects of this treatment.

A population-based study of administrative data linkage to measure melanoma surgical and pathology quality

Background

Continuous quality improvement is important for cancer systems. However, collecting and compiling quality indicator data can be time-consuming and resource-intensive. Here we explore the utility and feasibility of linked routinely collected health data to capture key elements of quality of care for melanoma in a single-payer, universal health care setting.

Method

This pilot study utilized a retrospective population-based cohort from a previously developed linked administrative data set, with a 65% random sample of all invasive cutaneous melanoma cases diagnosed 2007–2012 in the province of Ontario. Data from the Ontario Cancer Registry was utilized, supplemented with linked pathology report data from Cancer Care Ontario, and other linked administrative data describing health care utilization. Quality indicators identified through provincial guidelines and international consensus were evaluated for potential collection with administrative data and measured where possible.

Results

A total of 7,654 cases of melanoma were evaluated. Ten of 25 (40%) candidate quality indicators were feasible to be collected with the available administrative data. Many indicators (8/25) could not be measured due to unavailable clinical information (e.g. width of clinical margins). Insufficient pathology information (6/25) or health structure information (1/25) were less common reasons. Reporting of recommended variables in pathology reports varied from 65.2% (satellitosis) to 99.6% (body location). For stage IB-II or T1b-T4a melanoma patients where SLNB should be discussed, approximately two-thirds met with a surgeon experienced in SLNB. Of patients undergoing full lymph node dissection, 76.2% had adequate evaluation of the basin.

Conclusions

We found that use of linked administrative data sources is feasible for measurement of melanoma quality in some cases. In those cases, findings suggest opportunities for quality improvement. Consultation with surgeons offering SLNB was limited, and pathology report completeness was sub-optimal, but was prior to routine synoptic reporting. However, to measure more quality indicators, text-based data sources will require alternative approaches to manual collection such as natural language processing or standardized collection. We recommend development of robust data platforms to support continuous re-evaluation of melanoma quality indicators, with the goal of optimizing quality of care for melanoma patients on an ongoing basis.

Intravascular lithotripsy during percutaneous coronary intervention for calcified coronary lesions: analysis of patient and procedural characteristics and clinical outcomes

Funding Acknowledgements

Type of funding sources: None.

Background/Introduction

Coronary artery calcification is frequently encountered during percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). It can reduce PCI success and increase intra-procedural and post-procedural complications, including stent embolization, under-expansion and mal-apposition. Intravascular lithotripsy (IVL) is a new tool developed to treat calcified coronary lesions.

Purpose

Retrospective analysis of all cases of intravascular lithotripsy performed within our local health district to examine patient and procedural characteristics and clinical outcomes.

Methods

All patients undergoing PCI with intravascular lithotripsy between September 2019-August 2021 within our local health district were analysed. Patient and procedural characteristics and clinical outcomes were recorded.

Results

67 patients (50 men) were included with mean age 71.4 ± 8.7years. Risk factors prevalence included smoking (34%), hypertension (82%), dyslipidaemia (69%) and diabetes (46%). Trans-radial artery access was used in 38 patients (57%). IVL was performed most commonly in the left anterior descending artery (52%),[Figure 1]. IVL was utilised in 9 chronic total occlusions and 12 bifurcation lesions. Intracoronary (IC) imaging was performed in 59 patients (88%), intravascular ultrasound in 41(61%) and optical coherence tomography in 18 (27%). 41 (69%) patients had imaging performed pre and post IVL and post PCI.  IC imaging identified 14 cases with 270º calcification arc and 45 cases with 360º arc. Nine cases (13.4%) required rotational atherectomy prior to IVL (most commonly 1.75mm burr). Mean reference vessel diameter was 3.2 ± 0.3mm. Mean lesion length was 36.3 ± 16.5mm. Mean pre-PCI stenosis was 85.5 ± 10.8%. Drug eluting stents were successfully deployed in 57 cases (85%), 10 had balloon angioplasty alone. Mean stent length was 39.2 ± 17.8mm. Mean post-PCI stenosis was 4.5 ± 13.3% (median 0%). Figure 2 shows a statistically significant increase in minimum lumen diameter and minimum lumen area post-IVL and minimal-stent-area (MSA) post-PCI. Mean stent expansion was 83%. Mean screening time 35.8 ± 17.8 minutes with mean contrast used 207.3 ± 78.7mL. No sustained arrhythmias or side-branch loss occurred. Vessel rupture was recorded in one patient necessitating urgent cardiac surgery (due to oversized balloon) and in 4 cases the IVL balloon could not cross the lesion.

Conclusion

Our experience shows that IVL is safe and effective and facilitates stent delivery and expansion. Intracoronary imaging is important to determine the need for calcium modification and evaluate its success prior to stent delivery and to confirm optimised stent expansion. Abstract Figure. Breakdown of PCI Artery  Abstract Figure. IC Dimensions Pre/Post IVL/Post PCI

Preoperative anesthesiology consult utilization in Ontario - a population-based study

RATIONALE, AIMS AND OBJECTIVES

Physician consultations are a limited resource. Anesthesiologists provide anaesthesia during surgery and procedures, prepare patients for surgery in preoperative clinics, and provide postoperative care. This study sought to evaluate current consultation usage patterns, with an aim to determine possible opportunities for efficiency.

METHOD

A retrospective comprehensive population-based cohort study was performed, evaluating all hospitals in the Canadian province of Ontario from 2002 to 2018. The main outcome measures were American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) classification of the patients, and whether the patients underwent surgery within 3 months following the anaesthesia consultation.

RESULTS

A cohort of 2,023,499 patients, and a total of 2,920,100 preoperative anaesthesia consultations was obtained. The number of consults per year doubled between 2003 (112,983/year) and 2017 (246,427/year), despite a less than 40% increase in practicing Canadian Anesthesiologists over this same timeframe. Each year, an average of 19.3% of the consults (range: 17.7-20.5%) were for patients that did not progress to having surgery. Of those that did have surgery following the anaesthesia consult, 37.2% were ASA Classification I or II. The most common surgical procedures (percent of total) following anaesthesia consult were: Knee arthroplasty (9.5%), hip arthroplasty (5.8%), cataract extraction (4.1%), repair of muscle of chest/abdomen (3.3%), hysterectomy (2.8%), and cholecystectomy (2.7%).

CONCLUSIONS

This study reveals data on utilization and trends over time of preoperative anaesthesia consultations. Potential opportunities for optimization were found, including patients who did not proceed to surgery, and healthier patients undergoing low to moderate risk surgery.

Antagonism of the mu-delta opioid receptor heterodimer enhances opioid antinociception by activating Src and calcium/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II signaling

ABSTRACT

The opioid receptors are important regulators of pain, reward, and addiction. Limited evidence suggests the mu and delta opioid receptors form a heterodimer (MDOR), which may act as a negative feedback brake on opioid-induced analgesia. However, evidence for the MDOR in vivo is indirect and limited, and there are few selective tools available. We recently published the first MDOR-selective antagonist, D24M, allowing us to test the role of the MDOR in mice. We thus cotreated CD-1 mice with D24M and opioids in tail flick, paw incision, and chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy pain models. D24M treatment enhanced oxymorphone antinociception in all models by 54.7% to 628%. This enhancement could not be replicated with the mu and delta selective antagonists CTAP, naltrindole, and naloxonazine, and D24M had a mild transient effect in the rotarod test, suggesting this increase is selective to the MDOR. However, D24M had no effect on morphine or buprenorphine, suggesting that only specific opioids interact with the MDOR. To find a mechanism, we performed phosphoproteomic analysis on brainstems of mice. We found that the kinases Src and CaMKII were repressed by oxymorphone, which was restored by D24M. We were able to confirm the role of Src and CaMKII in D24M-enhanced antinociception using small molecule inhibitors (KN93 and Src-I1). Together, these results provide direct in vivo evidence that the MDOR acts as an opioid negative feedback brake, which occurs through the repression of Src and CaMKII signal transduction. These results further suggest that MDOR antagonism could be a means to improve clinical opioid therapy.

Point Absorber Limits to Future Gravitational-Wave Detectors

High-quality optical resonant cavities require low optical loss, typically on the scale of parts per million. However, unintended micron-scale contaminants on the resonator mirrors that absorb the light circulating in the cavity can deform the surface thermoelastically and thus increase losses by scattering light out of the resonant mode. The point absorber effect is a limiting factor in some high-power cavity experiments, for example, the Advanced LIGO gravitational-wave detector. In this Letter, we present a general approach to the point absorber effect from first principles and simulate its contribution to the increased scattering. The achievable circulating power in current and future gravitational-wave detectors is calculated statistically given different point absorber configurations. Our formulation is further confirmed experimentally in comparison with the scattered power in the arm cavity of Advanced LIGO measured by in situ photodiodes. The understanding presented here provides an important tool in the global effort to design future gravitational-wave detectors that support high optical power and thus reduce quantum noise.

Sepsis Hospitalizations With Versus Without Cancer: Epidemiology, Outcomes, and Trends in Nationwide Analysis From 2008 to 2017

BACKGROUND

Sepsis and cancer continue to be one of the leading causes of death in the United States. Concomitantly, hospitalizations for sepsis with underlying cancer over the years have shown a decrease in mortality. However, large-scale contemporary data on mortality trends in sepsis hospitalizations with underlying malignancy are lacking.

RESEARCH QUESTION

Are there any identifiable trends in patients hospitalized for sepsis with underlying malignancy versus without malignancy?

STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS

We performed a retrospective cohort study using the National Inpatient Sample database from 2008 to 2017 to identify sepsis hospitalizations with versus without cancer. Baseline variables and mortality trends were compared between the 2 groups.

RESULTS

Of the 19,160,734 sepsis hospitalizations identified between 2008 and 2017, 3,913,813 (20.4%) were associated with cancer and 15,246,921 (79.6%) did not have underlying malignancy. Compared with 2008 to 2009, the multivariable-adjusted odds ratio (aOR) of death was lower in 2016 to 2017 for both cancer (aOR: 0.55, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.53-0.57) and noncancer-associated (aOR: 0.55, 95% CI: 0.53-0.57) sepsis hospitalizations. The nonsignificant interaction term (P=0.2239) revealed that the rate of decline in mortality did not differ between the 2 groups. Stratification of the mortality in sepsis hospitalizations by various age groups revealed that the odds of death associated with cancer were highest in the younger population (18 to 44 y) with an aOR: 3.40, 95% CI: 3.24-3.57. The aOR: showed a declining trend with increasing age until cancer-associated admissions had slightly lower odds of mortality than the noncancer group at age 85 years old and older (aOR: 0.93, 95% CI: 0.91-0.95).

CONCLUSION

In the 10-year study period, mortality in cancer and noncancer-associated sepsis hospitalizations has shown a declining trend. Furthermore, differences in mortality between the 2 groups decreased with increasing age.

Opioid Prescriptions Following Otologic Surgery: A Population-Based Study

OBJECTIVE

To examine postoperative opioid-prescribing patterns following otologic surgery.

STUDY DESIGN

Retrospective population-based descriptive study.

SETTING

All hospitals in the Canadian province of Ontario.

METHODS

Of all patients with advanced ear surgery between July 1, 2012, and March 31, 2019, 7 cohorts were constructed: tympanoplasty with or without ossiculoplasty (n = 7812), atticotomy/limited mastoidectomy (n = 1371), mastoidectomy (n = 3717), semicircular canal occlusion (SCO; n = 179), stapedectomy (n = 2735), bone-implanted hearing aid insertion (n = 280), and cochlear implant (n = 2169). Prescriptions filled for narcotics postoperatively were calculated per morphine milligram equivalent (MME) opioid dose. Multivariable regression was used to determine predictors of higher opioid doses.

RESULTS

The mean ± SD MMEs prescribed were as follows: tympanoplasty with or without ossiculoplasty, 246.77 ± 1380.78; atticotomy/limited mastoidectomy, 283.32 ± 956.10; mastoidectomy, 280.56 ± 1018.50; SCO, 328.61 ± 1090.86; stapedectomy, 164.64 ± 657.18; bone-implanted hearing aid insertion, 326.11 ± 1054.66; and cochlear implant, 200.87 ± 639.93. SCO (odds ratio [OR], 1.69 [95% CI, 1.16-2.48]) and mastoidectomy (OR, 1.50 [95% CI, 1.36-1.66]) were associated with higher opioid doses than tympanoplasty-ossiculoplasty. Asthma (OR, 1.24 [95% CI, 1.12-1.38]), chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (OR, 1.29 [95% CI, 1.12-1.47]), myocardial infarction (OR, 1.33 [95% CI, 1.05-1.68]), diabetes (OR, 1.22 [95% CI, 1.08-1.39]), and substance-related and addictive disorders (OR, 2.59 [95% CI, 1.67-4.00]) were associated with higher opioid doses prescribed. Overall MME prescribed by year demonstrates a sharp drop from 2017-2018 to 2018-2019.

CONCLUSION

This large comprehensive population study provides insight into the prescribing patterns following otologic surgery. The large amounts prescribed and substantial variation require further study to determine barriers that limit good opioid-prescribing stewardship in the postoperative period.

P04.05 Targeted Gene-Expression analysis during malignant transformation in primary and secondary malignant meningioma

BACKGROUND

Malignant meningiomas comprise 2–5% of all meningiomas. The process of malignant transformation when benign meningiomas (WHO grade I-II) become malignant (WHO grade III) has not previously been investigated in sequential tumour surgeries. Upregulation of FOXM1 expression and DREAM-complex repression have shown phenotypical subgroups correlating with WHO grade and aggressiveness. We investigated the RNA expression of 30 genes central to meningioma biology and 770 genes involved in neuroinflammatory pathways in primary and secondary malignant meningioma patients who underwent one to several operations.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We identified a cohort of consecutive malignant meningioma patients treated at Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen from 2000–2020 (n=51) and gathered their malignant tumours and previous WHO grade I/II tumours. The malignant cohort (MC) was counter matched with a benign cohort (BC) where patients had no recurrences during follow-up. RNA expression signatures from 140 samples from the MC and 51 samples from the BC were analysed with the Nanostring Neuroinflammation panel customized with 30 genes known to be relevant in meningioma phenotypes.

RESULTS

49% of MC patients had a previous grade I/II meningioma making them secondary malignant meningioma patients. Progression-free survival calculated from first malignant surgery to first recurrence or death showed no significant difference in the primary vs. secondary patients. Preliminary results of single-gene analysis of MC tumours showed FOXM1, MYBL2, TOP2A, BIRC5 expression was higher in WHO grade III samples. Gene-expression signatures in the individual patients and gene ontology enrichment analyses are in process.

CONCLUSIONS

FOXM1, MYBL2, TOP2A, BIRC5 RNA expression levels seem to rise during malignant progression across patients. Gene-expression analysis using the Nanostring technology is feasible and a potentially powerful tool to distinguish meningiomas prone to malignant transformation from truly benign meningiomas.

Safety, satisfaction, and cost savings of accelerated infusions of standard and intensified-dose infliximab for inflammatory bowel disease

INTRODUCTION

Infliximab remains a mainstay for treatment of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), but a long infusion duration and subsequent monitoring can be burdensome to patients and health care providers. We assessed the safety of accelerated infusions for standard and dose-intensified infliximab regimens, and the effect on patient satisfaction and potential cost savings.

METHODS

Patients with IBD on a stable maintenance dose of infliximab and in clinical remission received one or more accelerated infusions; over 30 min if receiving standard-dose (5 mg/kg), or over 60 min if receiving dose-intensified infliximab (up to 10 mg/kg). Outcomes included incidence of reactions (acute or delayed), patient satisfaction, and potential cost savings. We also explored infliximab trough levels after one and three accelerated infusions.

RESULTS

52 patients who received 150 infusions were studied. Incidence of reactions to accelerated infusions was 3.3% (3 out of 89) with standard-dose and 0% (out of 61) with dose-intensified infliximab. Reactions were delayed, mild, and self-limiting. None requiring drug cessation. Patient satisfaction was improved with shortened infusion time as compared to the patients' previous experiences (p = 0.00002). Mean plasma trough level of infliximab reduced from 9.3 mg/L (± 4.9) to 7.9 mg/L (± 4.1) (p = 0.02) with accelerated infusions, but none developed anti-infliximab antibodies. Nursing cost savings were estimated as $123.52 and $247.04 per-patient per-year for standard and dose-intensified infliximab, respectively.

CONCLUSION

Accelerated infliximab infusions for standard and dose-intensified regimens seems to be safe and improved patient satisfaction. Potential impact on drug trough levels requires further investigations. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.