The effect of coincidental SARS-CoV-2 infection on pre-operative cardiopulmonary exercise testing

This case report demonstrates the significant impact active infection with SARS-CoV-2 can have on functional capacity evaluated by cardiopulmonary exercise testing, even in minimally symptomatic individuals. A 75-year-old man underwent cardiopulmonary exercise testing before a right hemicolectomy; SARS-CoV-2 was incidentally diagnosed following his test. The patient underwent a period of isolation and recovery before a second pre-operative cardiopulmonary exercise test 6 weeks later. His resting pulmonary function tests did not vary between tests but his peak work, anaerobic threshold, oxygen pulse, pulse oximetry nadir, ventilation perfusion matching and heart rate response to exercise all improved significantly after this recovery period. These are unique results that add to the existing knowledge of the pathophysiology and management of SARS-CoV-2 in the peri-operative setting. While our patient demonstrated dramatic improvement in his functional capacity following 6 weeks of recovery, he remained in a high-risk group for surgery according to our local guidelines. Cardiopulmonary exercise testing has a valuable role in individualised risk assessment and shared decision-making in complex, urgent surgical cases where the benefits of delaying surgery to recover from SARS-CoV-2 infection should be balanced against the potential risks.

OP0241 SERIOUS INFECTION WITH TOCILIZUMAB COMPARED TO TNF-INHIBITORS AND OTHER BDMARDS IN RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS PATIENTS: DOES LINE OF THERAPY MATTER?

Background:

In the real-world, tocilizumab is prescribed to a population of patients different from those prescribed TNF-inhibitors, often older with longer disease duration, worse functional status and more previous b- or tsDMARDs.

Objectives:

The aim of this study was to evaluate if and how the risk of serious infection on tocilizumab and other bDMARDs differs when stratifying by line of therapy in a real-world population of rheumatoid arthritis patients.

Methods:

We included patients registered in the BSRBR-RA treated with tocilizumab, etanercept, adalimumab, infliximab, certolizumab, abatacept or rituximab, including biosimilars. Primary outcome was the occurrence of a serious infection (defined as infection requiring hospitalisation, intravenous antibiotics or resulting in death). Primary covariate of interest was line of therapy (from first to fifth line of therapy). Every change to another b- or tsDMARD was considered a new line of therapy, but not a change between a bio-original and a biosimilar.

Hazard ratios (HR) of serious infections were estimated using an inverse probability weighted Cox regression, based on a propensity score including baseline patient and disease characteristics, and adjusting for time in study (see Table). The reference group was etanercept, which included the highest number of patients. Treatment exposure was analysed without and with stratification by line of therapy.

Table.NETNTCZADAIFXCERTRTXABAN33,91610,6552,6327,8394,4301,6165,5561,188Patient-years19,1294,34214,5048,1352,72612,0091,686Infections8071926814817443374Incidence per 100 patient-years (95%CI)4.2 (3.9-4.5)4.4 (3.8-5.1)4.7 (4.4-5.1)5.9 (5.4-6.6)2.7 (2.2-3.4)3.6 (3.3-4.0)4.0 (3.2-5.1)Unadjusted HR (95%CI)Ref.1.0 (0.9-1.2)1.1 (1.0-1.2)1.4 (1.2-1.6)0.6 (0.5-0.8)0.9 (0.8-1.0)0.9 (0.7-1.2)Adjusted HR* (95% CI)All lines of therapy33,916Ref.1.2 (1.0-1.5)1.1 (1.0-1.3)1.3 (1.1-1.6)0.8 (0.6-1.0)1.0 (0.8-1.1)1.2 (0.8-1.7)1stline16,152Ref.0.9 (0.5-1.5)1.1 (1.0-1.3)1.3 (1.1-1.6)0.6 (0.5-0.9)1.6 (1.2-2.2)-2ndline10,378Ref.1.4 (1.0-2.0)1.1 (0.9-1.4)1.1 (0.7-1.6)0.9 (0.4-2.2)1.0 (0.8-1.2)0.9 (0.5-1.9)3rdline4,676Ref.1.4 (0.9-2.3)1.3 (0.8-2.2)0.9 (0.4-1.9)0.9 (0.3-2.9)0.8 (0.5-1.2)1.5 (0.7-2.9)4thline1,947Ref.1.0 (0.5-2.3)1.3 (0.4-3.7)1.4 (0.5-4.4)0.2 (0.0—2.1)1.0 (0.5.-2.2)0.9 (0.4-2.3)5thline763Ref.0.9 (0.2-3.5)2.5 (0.5-12.4)0.7 (0.1-7.1)3.3 (0.6-18.4)0.9 (0.2-3.5)0.8 (0.2-3.5)

ABA, abatacept; ADA, adalimumab; CERT, certolizumab; ETN, etanercept; HR, hazard ratio; IFX, infliximab; RTX, rituximab; TCZ, tocilizumab

*Adjusted using inverse probably weighting (with age, gender, concomitant steroids, concomitant DMARDs, comorbidities, seropositivity, smoking, disease duration, HAQ and DAS28 at baseline in the model) and time since study entry (categorised from 0 to 4, 0 starting just before or at the moment of entering study, 1 starting during the first year, 2 starting during the second year until 4 for the fourth year and more)

Results:

A total of 33,916 treatment courses were included (Table) contributing to 62,532 years of follow-up. Compared to etanercept, participants starting abatacept, tocilizumab and rituximab were older, had more previous bDMARDs, longer disease duration and more comorbidities. The crude HR of serious infections were higher with infliximab and adalimumab, lower with certolizumab and rituximab, and not significantly different for abatacept and tocilizumab compared to etanercept. After adjustment, HR of serious infections were higher with tocilizumab, adalimumab and infliximab. However, when stratified by line of therapy, HR were no longer significantly different compared to etanercept for tocilizumab, adalimumab and infliximab for most lines of therapy.

Conclusion:

Whilst initially there appears to be a difference in rates of serious infection between biologic therapies, line of therapy may be a confounding factor when comparing the risk of serious infections between bDMARDs.

Disclosure of Interests:

Kim Lauper Consultant of: Gilead-galapagos, Grant/research support from: AbbVie, Lianne Kearsley-Fleet: None declared, Rebecca Davies: None declared, Kath Watson: None declared, Mark Lunt: None declared, Kimme Hyrich Consultant of: AbbVie, Grant/research support from: Pfizer, BMS

Reduction in antimicrobial resistance prevalence in Escherichia coli from a pig farm following withdrawal of group antimicrobial treatment

An important element in the control of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is reduction in antimicrobial usage. In the veterinary sector individual antimicrobial treatment of livestock, rather than the use of group treatment, can help achieve this goal. The aim of this study was to investigate how cessation of group antimicrobial treatment impacted the prevalence of AMR in commensal Escherichia coli in pigs at one farm over an 11-month period. Minimum inhibitory concentrations of eight antimicrobials were determined for 259 E. coli isolates collected during the study. A significant reduction in the prevalence of multidrug resistance and a significant increase in the proportion of full susceptibility to the panel of nine antimicrobials tested was seen after 11 months. Whole genome sequencing of 48 multidrug resistant isolates revealed E. coli clones that persisted across multiple visits and provided evidence for the presence of plasmids harbouring AMR genes shared across multiple E. coli lineages. E. coli were also isolated from on-farm environmental samples. Whole genome sequencing of one multidrug resistant isolate obtained from cleaning tools showed it was clonal to pig-derived E. coli that persisted on the farm for 11 months. In this study we provide evidence that withdrawal of group antimicrobial use leads to significant reductions in key indicators for AMR prevalence and the importance of the farm environment as a reservoir of resistant bacteria. These findings support policy makers and producers in the implementation of measures to control AMR and reduce antimicrobial use.

Acute kidney injury following endovascular intervention for peripheral artery disease

BACKGROUND

The incidence of, and risk factors for, acute kidney injury (AKI) after endovascular intervention for peripheral artery disease (PAD) remain unknown. The aim of this study was to assess the proportion of patients who develop AKI and explore the risk factors.

METHODS

Prospectively collected data on patients undergoing femoropopliteal endovascular intervention for symptomatic PAD across three vascular centres were analysed. The proportion of patients developing AKI (according to the Kidney Disease Improving Global Outcomes definition) within 48 h, and the proportion developing the composite Major Adverse Kidney Events (MAKE) endpoints (death, dialysis, drop in estimated glomerular filtration rate at least 25 per cent) at 30 days (MAKE30) and remains 90 days (MAKE90) were calculated. Multivariable regression analysis was used to assess predictors of AKI, and the association between AKI and death.

RESULTS

Some 2041 patients were included in the analysis. AKI developed in 239 patients (11.7 per cent), with 47 (2.3 per cent) requiring dialysis within 30 days, and 18 (0.9 per cent) requiring ongoing dialysis. The MAKE30 and MAKE90 composite endpoints were reached in 358 (17.5 per cent) and 449 (22.0 per cent) patients respectively. Risk factors for AKI were age, sex, congestive heart failure, chronic limb-threatening ischaemia, emergency procedure, and pre-existing chronic kidney disease. AKI, dementia, congestive heart failure, and major amputation were risk factors for medium-term mortality.

CONCLUSION

AKI is a common complication after intervention for PAD and is associated with medium-term mortality.

Dental school before or after core surgical training? Consideration for medically qualified junior trainees prior to embarking on - their second degree

Medical graduates who are interested in pursuing a career in oral and maxillofacial surgery require attainment of a degree in dental surgery (BDS). A common question facing this cohort of junior trainees is whether to study dentistry before or after core surgical training; both routes have advantages and disadvantages that must be considered. Here we provide our perspective into this common dilemma.

Study design and baseline characteristics of patients on dialysis in the ASCEND-D trial

Background

The Anemia Studies in chronic kidney disease (CKD): Erythropoiesis via a Novel prolyl hydroxylase inhibitor Daprodustat-Dialysis (ASCEND-D) trial will test the hypothesis that daprodustat is noninferior to comparator epoetin alfa or darbepoetin alfa for two co-primary endpoints: hemoglobin (Hb) efficacy and cardiovascular (CV) safety.

Methods

We report the trial design, key demographic, clinical and laboratory findings, and baseline therapies of 2964 patients randomized in the open-label (sponsor-blinded) active-controlled, parallel-group, randomized ASCEND-D clinical trial. We also compare baseline characteristics of ASCEND-D patients with patients who are on dialysis (CKD G5D) enrolled in other large CV outcome trials (CVOTs) and in the most relevant registries.

Results

The median age of patients was 58 years, 43% were female; 67% were White and 16% were Black. The median Hb at baseline was 10.4 g/dL. Among randomized patients, 89% were receiving hemodialysis and 11% peritoneal dialysis. Among key comorbidities, 42% reported a history of diabetes mellitus and 45% a history of CV disease. Median blood pressure was 134/74 mmHg. The median weekly dose of epoetin was 5751 units. Intravenous and oral iron uses were noted in 64 and 11% of patients, respectively. Baseline demographics were similar to patients with CKD G5D enrolled in other CVOTs and renal patient registries.

Conclusions

ASCEND-D will evaluate the efficacy and safety of daprodustat compared with epoetin alfa or darbepoetin alfa in the treatment of patients with anemia with CKD G5D.

This trial is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT02879305. EudraCT Number: 2016-000541-31; Sponsor Protocol Number: 200807.

Optimal symptom combinations to aid COVID-19 case identification: Analysis from a community-based, prospective, observational cohort

Objectives

Diagnostic work-up following any COVID-19 associated symptom will lead to extensive testing, potentially overwhelming laboratory capacity whilst primarily yielding negative results. We aimed to identify optimal symptom combinations to capture most cases using fewer tests with implications for COVID-19 vaccine developers across different resource settings and public health.

Methods

UK and US users of the COVID-19 Symptom Study app who reported new-onset symptoms and an RT-PCR test within seven days of symptom onset were included. Sensitivity, specificity, and number of RT-PCR tests needed to identify one case (test per case [TPC]) were calculated for different symptom combinations. A multi-objective evolutionary algorithm was applied to generate combinations with optimal trade-offs between sensitivity and specificity.

Findings

UK and US cohorts included 122,305 (1,202 positives) and 3,162 (79 positive) individuals. Within three days of symptom onset, the COVID-19 specific symptom combination (cough, dyspnoea, fever, anosmia/ageusia) identified 69% of cases requiring 47 TPC. The combination with highest sensitivity (fatigue, anosmia/ageusia, cough, diarrhoea, headache, sore throat) identified 96% cases requiring 96 TPC.

Interpretation

We confirmed the significance of COVID-19 specific symptoms for triggering RT-PCR and identified additional symptom combinations with optimal trade-offs between sensitivity and specificity that maximize case capture given different resource settings.

Optimal symptom combinations to aid COVID-19 case identification: analysis from a community-based, prospective, observational cohort

OBJECTIVES

Diagnostic work-up following any COVID-19 associated symptom will lead to extensive testing, potentially overwhelming laboratory capacity whilst primarily yielding negative results. We aimed to identify optimal symptom combinations to capture most cases using fewer tests with implications for COVID-19 vaccine developers across different resource settings and public health.

METHODS

UK and US users of the COVID-19 Symptom Study app who reported new-onset symptoms and an RT-PCR test within seven days of symptom onset were included. Sensitivity, specificity, and number of RT-PCR tests needed to identify one case (test per case [TPC]) were calculated for different symptom combinations. A multi-objective evolutionary algorithm was applied to generate combinations with optimal trade-offs between sensitivity and specificity.

FINDINGS

UK and US cohorts included 122,305 (1,202 positives) and 3,162 (79 positive) individuals. Within three days of symptom onset, the COVID-19 specific symptom combination (cough, dyspnoea, fever, anosmia/ageusia) identified 69% of cases requiring 47 TPC. The combination with highest sensitivity (fatigue, anosmia/ageusia, cough, diarrhoea, headache, sore throat) identified 96% cases requiring 96 TPC.

INTERPRETATION

We confirmed the significance of COVID-19 specific symptoms for triggering RT-PCR and identified additional symptom combinations with optimal trade-offs between sensitivity and specificity that maximize case capture given different resource settings.

Temporal changes in the gut microbiota in farmed Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua) outweigh the response to diet supplementation with macroalgae

BACKGROUND

Aquaculture successfully meets global food demands for many fish species. However, aquaculture production of Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua) is just 2.5% of total market production. For cod farming to be a viable economic venture specific challenges on how to increase growth, health and farming productivity need to be addressed. Feed ingredients play a key role here. Macroalgae (seaweeds) have been suggested as a functional feed supplement with both health and economic benefits for terrestrial farmed animals and fish. The impact of such dietary supplements to cod gut integrity and microbiota, which contribute to overall fish robustness is unknown. The objective of this study was to supplement the diet of juvenile Atlantic cod with macroalgae and determine the impacts on fish condition and growth, gut morphology and hindgut microbiota composition (16S rRNA amplicon sequencing). Fish were fed one of three diets: control (no macroalgal inclusion), 10% inclusion of either egg wrack (Ascophyllum nodosum) or sea lettuce (Ulva rigida) macroalgae in a 12-week trial.

RESULTS

The results demonstrated there was no significant difference in fish condition, gut morphology or hindgut microbiota between the U. rigida supplemented fish group and the control group at any time-point. This trend was not observed with the A. nodosum treatment. Fish within this group were further categorised as either 'Normal' or 'Lower Growth'. 'Lower Growth' individuals found the diet unpalatable resulting in reduced weight and condition factor combined with an altered gut morphology and microbiome relative to the other treatments. Excluding this group, our results show that the hindgut microbiota was largely driven by temporal pressures with the microbial communities becoming more similar over time irrespective of dietary treatment. The core microbiome at the final time-point consisted of the orders Vibrionales (Vibrio and Photobacterium), Bacteroidales (Bacteroidetes and Macellibacteroides) and Clostridiales (Lachnoclostridium).

CONCLUSIONS

Our study indicates that U. rigida macroalgae can be supplemented at 10% inclusion levels in the diet of juvenile farmed Atlantic cod without any impact on fish condition or hindgut microbial community structure. We also conclude that 10% dietary inclusion of A. nodosum is not a suitable feed supplement in a farmed cod diet.

Modelling scenarios of environmental recovery after implementation of controls on emissions of persistent organic pollutants

Comparison of monitoring data with toxicologically-derived environmental quality standards (EQSs) forms the basis of assessments of the quality status of the water environment. Having established the status quo, the logical next step is to address instances of non-compliance with EQSs by applying remedial measures, including reducing the use or at least the emission of the substances of concern or by taking steps to reduce concentrations already present using technological solutions such as enhanced wastewater treatment. The selection of suitable remedial measures must be a compromise between cost, likely effectiveness and the timescale over which improvements might be acceptable. The decision on overall environmental management has also to take into account the need for demonstrable progress; this might mean that it is preferable to address some more readily achievable goal rather than to attempt to solve a more serious, but ultimately intractable problem. This paper describes the development and application of a generic modelling tool that provides a way of assessing the potential requirements for remedial actions and their likely outcomes over a timescale of up to forty years taking account of sediment partitioning, environmental degradation and biological accumulation. The tool was validated using a detailed UK wastewater treatment works effluent discharge dataset. Examples involving several chemicals that are of current concern are provided. Some substances (e.g. tributyltin, PFOS) are identified as likely to meet EQS values in sediments or biota in a relatively short timescale; others (PAHs, DEHP) appear to represent more intractable problems.

Physiological performance and inflammatory markers as indicators of complications after oesophageal cancer surgery

BACKGROUND

The extent to which physiological factors influence outcome following oesophageal cancer surgery is poorly understood. This study aimed to evaluate the extent to which cardiorespiratory fitness and selected metabolic factors predicted complications after surgery for carcinoma.

METHODS

Two hundred and twenty-five consecutive patients underwent preoperative cardiopulmonary exercise testing to determine peak oxygen uptake ( V ˙ o_2peak ), anaerobic threshold and the ventilatory equivalent for carbon dioxide ( V ˙ e/ V ˙ co₂ ). Cephalic venous blood was assayed for serum C-reactive protein (CRP) and albumin levels, and a full blood count was done. The primary outcome measure was the Morbidity Severity Score (MSS).

RESULTS

One hundred and ninety-eight patients had anatomical resection. A high MSS (Clavien-Dindo grade III or above) was found in 48 patients (24·2 per cent) and was related to an increased CRP concentration (area under the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve (AUC) 0·62, P = 0·001) and lower V ˙ o_2peak (AUC 0·36, P = 0·003). Dichotomization of CRP levels (above 10 mg/l) and V ˙ o_2peak (below 18·6 ml per kg per min) yielded adjusted odds ratios (ORs) for a high MSS of 2·86 (P = 0·025) and 2·92 (P = 0·002) respectively. Compared with a cohort with a low Combined Inflammatory and Physiology Score (CIPS), the OR was 1·70 (95 per cent c.i. 0·85 to 3·39) for intermediate and 27·47 (3·12 to 241·69) for high CIPS (P < 0·001).

CONCLUSION

CRP and V ˙ o_2peak were independently associated with major complications after potentially curative oesophagectomy for cancer. A composite risk score identified a group of patients with a high risk of developing complications.

SAT0103 THE EFFECT OF BODYWEIGHT ON RESPONSE TO INTRAVENOUS OR SUBCUTANEOUS TOCILIZUMAB IN PATIENTS WITH RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS

Background:

Tocilizumab is an IL-6 receptor humanised monoclonal antibody treatment option in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) who have not responded or are intolerant of disease modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs) or other biologics. Tocilizumab was available initially as an intravenous (IV) preparation, dosed according to weight, and more recently as a subcutaneous (SC) preparation given at 162mg/weekly irrespective of bodyweight.

Obesity is highly prevalent in RA and there has been concern that starting or switching patients to SC tocilizumab could reduce its effectiveness in those patients with a higher body weight when compared to IV tocilizumab.

Objectives:

To investigate the relationship between bodyweight and DAS28 response at 6 months in tocilizumab naïve RA patients starting IV or SC tocilizumab.

Methods:

The study population comprised RA subjects recruited to the BSRBR-RA up to 30/11/2018 commencing IV or SC tocilizumab for the first time. Patients had to be tocilizumab naïve and have at least one six monthly study follow-up recorded after starting tocilizumab. Baseline characteristics at point of starting tocilizumab are described. Linear regression, fully adjusted for relevant confounders, was used to investigate the relationship between change in DAS28 score from baseline to six months and body weight per ten kilograms (kg), and in a separate analysis, as BMI category. Multiple imputation was used to handle missing data.

Results:

1241 patients starting tocilizumab (902 IV, 339 SC) were eligible for analysis. The median age was 59 years, majority were female, and had median disease duration of 11 years at baseline. Over seventy percent had prior biologic exposure. Median weight was 77kg for IV and 76kg for SC starters, and the majority of patients were categorised as normal weight (30% IV, 37% SC) or pre-obesity (31% IV & SC) according to BMI. Median DAS28 score was 5.8 (IV) and 5.5 (SC) at start of treatment with median improvement after 6-months of 1.50 and 2.02 units respectively. The fully adjusted linear regression model showed no association between body weight or BMI and change in DAS28 score at six months for patients starting IV or SC tocilizumab. (Table).

TableBaseline VariableIntravenous TCZ patients (n=902)Subcutaneous TCZ patients (n=339)Age, median (IQR)58 (50-67)60 (51-70)Gender, n (%) female708 (78)233 (74)Disease duration, median (IQR) years11 (4-21)11 (4-21)DAS28 score, median (IQR)5.8 (5.1-6.6)5.5 (4.7-6.5)Change in DAS28 score, median (IQR)-1.50 (-3.10 - -0.23)-2.02 (-3.72- -0.37)Weight in KGs, median (IQR)77 (64-91)76 (64-88)Change in DAS28, coefficient (95% CI)Body weight per 10kgs*0.04 (-0.01-0.09)-0.005 (-0.11-0.10)BMI category*Normal weightrefrefUnderweight-0.41 (-1.27-0.46)0.08 (-1.62-1.77)Pre-obesity-0.26 (-0.57-0.05)0.02 (-0.44-0.48)Obesity class I, II & III-0.03 (-0.35-0.29)0.08 (-0.40-0.55)

*Fully adjusted for age, gender, disease duration, baseline DAS28 score, baseline HAQ score, co-morbidities, and number of previous biologics

Conclusion:

Data from this study show that body weight does not appear to affect initial response to IV or SC tocilizumab. This is reassuring given that patients are likely to be given SC tocilizumab due to ease of administration and reduced hospital costs.

Disclosure of Interests:

Rebecca Davies: None declared, Arani Vivekanantham: None declared, Mark Lunt: None declared, Kath Watson: None declared, Kimme Hyrich Grant/research support from: Pfizer, UCB, BMS, Speakers bureau: Abbvie, James Bluett: None declared

British Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons' National Facial Injury Surveys: hard tissue facial injuries presenting to UK emergency departments

The British Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons (BAOMS) and Saving Faces undertook two national prospective surveys 11 years apart. They recorded the facial injuries treated in UK emergency departments and collected data on 14872 patients. In this paper, which aims to act as a feasibility study for a third national survey of facial injuries, we have reviewed hard-tissue injuries and specifically focused on temporal changes in their morphology. The two sets of directly comparable, categorical, unpaired, cross-sectional data were evaluated independently for statistical significance. In 1997, there were 1977 hard-tissue facial injuries (33%) but in 2008 this had decreased to 1899 (22%) (p<0.05). In 1997, there were 1315 fractures (22%) and 662 dental injuries (11%) compared with 1462 (17%) fractures and 438 (5%) dental injuries in 2008 (p<0.05). There were proportional increases in orbital (21%), nasal (139%), and cranial fractures (340%) (p<0.05). The data showed a small reduction in the total number of hard-tissue injuries, but this was a considerable reduction as a proportion of the total injuries. Analysis of the type and subtype of injury generally pointed towards a reduction in their energy and severity, and to likely changes in mechanism. The project has proved the feasibility of a third national survey of facial injury.