Understanding the biases to sepsis surveillance and quality assurance caused by inaccurate coding in administrative health data

PURPOSE

Timely and accurate data on the epidemiology of sepsis are essential to inform policy decisions and research priorities. We aimed to investigate the validity of inpatient administrative health data (IAHD) for surveillance and quality assurance of sepsis care.

METHODS

We conducted a retrospective validation study in a disproportional stratified random sample of 10,334 inpatient cases of age ≥ 15 years treated in 2015-2017 in ten German hospitals. The accuracy of coding of sepsis and risk factors for mortality in IAHD was assessed compared to reference standard diagnoses obtained by a chart review. Hospital-level risk-adjusted mortality of sepsis as calculated from IAHD information was compared to mortality calculated from chart review information.

RESULTS

ICD-coding of sepsis in IAHD showed high positive predictive value (76.9-85.7% depending on sepsis definition), but low sensitivity (26.8-38%), which led to an underestimation of sepsis incidence (1.4% vs. 3.3% for severe sepsis-1). Not naming sepsis in the chart was strongly associated with under-coding of sepsis. The frequency of correctly naming sepsis and ICD-coding of sepsis varied strongly between hospitals (range of sensitivity of naming: 29-71.7%, of ICD-diagnosis: 10.7-58.5%). Risk-adjusted mortality of sepsis per hospital calculated from coding in IAHD showed no substantial correlation to reference standard risk-adjusted mortality (r = 0.09).

CONCLUSION

Due to the under-coding of sepsis in IAHD, previous epidemiological studies underestimated the burden of sepsis in Germany. There is a large variability between hospitals in accuracy of diagnosing and coding of sepsis. Therefore, IAHD alone is not suited to assess quality of sepsis care.

Ethnoracial Disparities in Rates of Non-Natural Causes of Death After the 2020 COVID-19 Outbreak in New York State

Introduction

COVID-19 was associated with increases in non-natural cause mortality in the U.S., including deaths due to drug overdose, homicide, and motor vehicle crashes. Initial reports indicated higher rates of non-natural mortality among ethnoracial minority groups. This report aims to clarify these disparities by documenting trends in non-natural mortality across ethnoracial groups during the 2020 COVID-19 surge in New York State.

Methods

We report monthly trends in non-natural cause mortality (overall and stratified by ethnoracial status) in New York State from January 2019 through December 2020, which included the COVID-19 onset in March 2020.

Results

Total mean monthly unintentional overdose rates per 100,000 increased from 17.45 (before surge: January 2019-February 2020) to 23.19 (after surge: March 2020-December 2020) (mean difference=5.73, 95% CI=3.82, 7.65; p<0.001). Mean monthly homicide death rates increased from 2.34 before surge to 3.55 after surge (mean difference=1.20, 95% CI=0.60, 1.81; p<0.001), with the increase seen primarily in the non-Latinx Black population. Although increasing unintentional overdose death rates before surge equally affected non-Latinx White, Latinx, and non-Latinx Black persons, they remained high for non-Latinx Black persons but dropped for the other 2 groups after the pandemic onset. None of the ethnoracial subgroups showed significant increases in suicide or motor vehicle crash death rates.

Conclusions

Non-Latinx Black persons showed disproportionately high and sustained increased rates of unintentional overdose and homicide death rates after the 2020 COVID-19 surge in New York State. Fatality review and death scene investigation research is needed to better understand these disparities.

Estimating Sepsis Incidence Using Administrative Data and Clinical Medical Record Review

Importance

Despite the large health burden, reliable data on sepsis epidemiology are lacking; studies using International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems (ICD)-coded hospital discharge diagnosis for sepsis identification suffer from limited sensitivity. Also, ICD data do not allow investigation of underlying pathogens and antimicrobial resistance.

Objectives

To generate reliable epidemiological estimates by linking data from a population-based database to a reference standard of clinical medical record review.

Design, Setting, and Participants

This was a retrospective, observational cohort study using a population-based administrative database including all acute care hospitals of the Scania region in Sweden in 2019 and 2020 to identify hospital-treated sepsis cases by ICD codes. From this database, clinical medical records were also selected for review within 6 strata defined by ICD discharge diagnosis (both with and without sepsis diagnosis). Data were analyzed from April to October 2022.

Main outcomes and measures

Hospital and population incidences of sepsis, case fatality, antimicrobial resistance, and temporal dynamics due to COVID-19 were assessed, as well as validity of ICD-10 case identification methods compared with the reference standard of clinical medical record review.

Results

Out of 295 531 hospitalizations in 2019 in the Scania region of Sweden, 997 patient medical records were reviewed, among which 457 had sepsis according to clinical criteria. Of the patients with clinical sepsis, 232 (51%) were female, and 357 (78%) had at least 1 comorbidity. The median (IQR) age of the cohort was 76 (67-85) years. The incidence of sepsis in hospitalized patients according to the Third International Consensus Definitions for Sepsis and Septic Shock (Sepsis-3) criteria in 2019 was 4.1% (95% CI, 3.6-4.5) by medical record review. This corresponds to an annual incidence rate of 747 (95% CI, 663-832) patients with sepsis per 100 000 population. No significant increase in sepsis during the COVID-19 pandemic nor a decrease in sepsis incidence when excluding COVID-19 sepsis was observed. Few sepsis cases caused by pathogens with antimicrobial resistance were found. The validity of ICD-10-based case identification in administrative data was low.

Conclusions and Relevance

In this cohort study of sepsis epidemiology, sepsis was a considerable burden to public health in Sweden. Supplying administrative data with information from clinical medical records can help to generate reliable data on sepsis epidemiology.

MHC class II antigen presentation by intestinal epithelial cells fine-tunes bacteria-reactive CD4 T cell responses

Although intestinal epithelial cells (IECs) can express major histocompatibility complex class II (MHC II), especially during intestinal inflammation, it remains unclear if antigen presentation by IECs favours pro- or anti-inflammatory CD4⁺ T cell responses. Using selective gene ablation of MHC II in IECs and IEC organoid cultures, we assessed the impact of MHC II expression by IECs on CD4⁺ T cell responses and disease outcomes in response to enteric bacterial pathogens. We found that intestinal bacterial infections elicit inflammatory cues that greatly increase expression of MHC II processing and presentation molecules in colonic IECs. Whilst IEC MHC II expression had little impact on disease severity following Citrobacter rodentium or Helicobacter hepaticus infection, using a colonic IEC organoid-CD4⁺ T cell co-culture system, we demonstrate that IECs can activate antigen-specific CD4⁺ T cells in an MHC II-dependent manner, modulating both regulatory and effector Th cell subsets. Furthermore, we assessed adoptively transferred H. hepaticus-specific CD4⁺ T cells during intestinal inflammation in vivo and report that IEC MHC II expression dampens pro-inflammatory effector Th cells. Our findings indicate that IECs can function as non-conventional antigen presenting cells and that IEC MHC II expression fine-tunes local effector CD4⁺ T cell responses during intestinal inflammation.

KS05.5.A Alterations in white matter fiber density associated with structural MRI and metabolic PET lesions following multimodal therapy in glioma patients

Background

In glioma patients, multimodal therapy and recurrent tumor result in local brain tissue changes, characterized by pathologic findings in structural MRI and metabolic PET images. Little is known about these different lesion types’ impact on the local white matter fiber architecture and clinical outcome.

Patients and Methods

This study included data from 121 pretreated patients (median age, 52 years; ECOG, 01) with histomolecularly characterized glioma (WHO grade IV glioblastoma, n=81; WHO grade III anaplastic astrocytoma, n=28; WHO grade III anaplastic oligodendroglioma, n=12), who had a resection, radiotherapy, alkylating chemotherapy, or combinations thereof. After a median time of 14 months (range, 1-214 months), post-therapeutic structural and metabolic findings were evaluated using anatomical MRI and O-(2-[18F]fluoroethyl)-L-tyrosine (FET) PET acquired on a 3T hybrid PET/MR scanner. Local fiber density was estimated from tractography based on highangular resolution diffusion-weighted imaging. A cohort of 121 healthy subjects selected from the 1000BRAINS study and matched for age, gender and education served as a control group.

Results

The median volume of resection cavities, contrast-enhancing regions, regions with pathologically increased FET uptake, and T2/FLAIR hyperintense regions amounted to 20.9, 7.9, 30.3, and 53.4 mL, respectively. Compared to the control group, the average local fiber density in these regions was significantly reduced (p&lt;0.001). Resection cavities showed the highest reduction, followed by contrast-enhancing lesions and metabolically active tumors on FET PET (relative fiber density reduction, -87%, -65%, -55%, respectively). The local fiber density was inversely related (p=0.005) to the FET uptake in recurrent tumors. T2/FLAIR hyperintense lesions, either assigned to peritumoral edema in recurrent glioma or radiation-induced gliosis, had a comparable impact on reducing fiber density (48% and 41%, respectively). The total fiber loss (average fiber loss multiplied by lesion volume) associated with contrast-enhancing lesions (p=0.006) and T2/FLAIR hyperintense lesions (p=0.013) had a significant impact on the general performance status of the patients (ECOG score).

Conclusions

Our results suggest that apart from resection cavities, reduction in local fiber density is greatest in contrast-enhancing recurrent tumors, but total fiber loss induced by edema or gliosis has an equal detrimental effect on the patients’ performance due to the larger volume affected.

Funding

Funded by the 1000BRAINS study (INM, Research Centre Juelich, Germany), Horizon 2020 (Grant No. 945539 (HBP SGA3; SC)), and Heinz Nixdorf Foundation.

P17.19.B Incidence of treatment-associated imaging changes in newly diagnosed MGMT promoter-methylated glioblastoma treated with cilengitide (EORTC 26071 - CENTRIC study): interim analysis

Background

In patients with glioblastoma, radiological recurrence of enhancing tissue after chemoradiotherapy can originate from progressive disease (PD) or from pseudoprogression/treatment-associated changes. There are no widely approved consensus criteria for treatment-associated changes. In the randomised EORTC-CENTRIC study (NCT00689221), patients with MGMT promoter-methylated glioblastoma were treated with chemoradiotherapy or chemoradiotherapy with cilengitide, an integrin inhibitor. We assessed the rate of treatment-associated changes in these groups according to the modified response assessment in neuro-oncology (RANO) criteria of 2017.

Methods

CENTRIC patients from both study arms with ≥3 follow-up MRIs were included. Preliminary PD (PPD) was defined as a ≥25% increase of the sum of perpendicular diameter (SPD) of a new or increasing lesion compared to baseline or nadir on the T1-MRI with gadolinium. Subsequent PD was defined as a second ≥25% increase of the SPD, at least 4 weeks later, or as a new lesion outside the radiation field. Treatment-associated changes were defined as stabilisation on ≥2 follow-up MRIs after PPD, each one 4 weeks later, or partial/complete regression on ≥1 follow-up MRI 4 weeks later.

Results

In total, 4,051 MRIs from 584 patients were available. This interim analysis included data on 462 patients with similar proportions in the cilengitide and control arm (50.9% and 49.1%). Due to missing MRIs or values, 128 were excluded. Of the remaining 334 patients, 157 (47%) patients showed RANO measurable disease at baseline or nadir (median SPD, 0mm2; interquartile range (IQR) 552.1 (0-552.1). After chemoradiotherapy with or without cilengitide, PPD occurred in 214 patients (64.1%) after a median time of 6.08 months after finishing radiation (IQR 11.4 (2.4-13.8), and 3.65 months after baseline or nadir (IQR 6.4 (2.1-8.5). After follow-up of these 214 patients, treatment-associated changes were diagnosed in 62 (18.6%) and PD was diagnosed in 48 (14.4%). The remaining 104 (31.1%) patients had no further follow-up MRI after PPD, mostly because a clinical decision to call PD was made. In the cilengitide group of 178 patients, 37 (20.8%) patients developed treatment-associated changes, and 23 (12.9%) patients developed PD, whereas in the control group of 156 patients, 25 (16%) patients developed treatment-associated changes, and 25 (16%) patients PD.

Conclusion

With the modified RANO criteria, the rate of treatment-associated changes was low compared to previous studies in newly diagnosed MGMT promoter-methylated glioblastoma. This rate did not change with addition of cilengitide. RANO-recommended radiological follow-up was not always awaited, which reflects clinical practice. Full data will be presented.

The Association of Socioeconomic Factors With Percutaneous Coronary Intervention Outcomes

BACKGROUND

Numerous studies have identified the association of socioeconomic factors with outcomes of cardiac surgical procedures. Most have focused on easily measured demographic factors or on socioeconomic characteristics of patients' 5-digit zip codes. The impact of socioeconomic information that is derived from smaller geographic regions has rarely been studied.

METHODS

The association of the Area Deprivation Index (ADI) with short-term mortality and readmissions was tested for patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in New York while adjusting for numerous patient risk factors, including race, ethnicity, and payer. Changes in hospitals' risk-adjusted outcomes and outlier status with the addition of socioeconomic factors were examined.

RESULTS

After adjustment, patients in the 2 most deprived ADI quintiles were more likely to experience in-hospital and 30-day mortality after PCI (adjusted odds ratios [95% confidence intervals] 1.39 [1.18-1.65] and 1.24 [1.03-1.49], respectively), than patients in the first quintile (least deprived). Also, patients in the second and fifth ADI quintiles had higher 30-day readmissions rates than patients in the first quintile (1.12 [1.01-1.25] and 1.17 [1.04-1.32], respectively). Medicare patients had higher mortality and readmission rates, Hispanics had lower mortality, and Medicaid patients had higher readmission rates.

CONCLUSIONS

Patients with the most deprived ADIs are more likely to experience short-term mortality and readmissions after PCI. Ethnicity and payer are significantly associated with adverse outcomes even after adjusting for ADI. This information should be considered when identifying patients who are at the highest risk for adverse events after PCI and when risk-adjusting hospital outcomes and assessing quality of care.

OS06.4A Identification of T cell receptors targeting ZFTA-RELA fusion-positive ependymoma

BACKGROUND

The oncogenic gene fusion between ZFTA (formerly C11orf95) and RELA has in recent years been highlighted as oncogenic driver event ultimately leading to malignant transformation and progression of ependymoma. Representing a genetic hallmark in 17.6% of ependymomas, ZFTA-RELA fusion-positive tumors qualified as separate diagnostic entity in the 2016 revision of the WHO classification of CNS tumors. This tumor entity mainly occurs in pediatric patients and is characterized by poor prognosis and the lack of biology-driven therapy.

RESULTS

De novo prediction of putative gene fusion-derived neoepitopes in malignant CNS diseases yielded several potential candidates suitable for screening. Of these, vaccination of A2.DR1-transgenic major histocompatibility complex (MHC)-humanized mice with in silico compiled peptide vaccines encompassing the ZFTA-RELA fusion sequence elicited robust antigen-specific CD4+-restricted immune responses. We identified ZFTA-RELA-reactive T cell clones by multiplexed Interferon-γ / Interleukin-2 recall response. Single-cell VDJ-sequencing of reactive T cells demonstrated a highly clonal T cell receptor (TCR) repertoire and shared clonotypes among all vaccinated animals. Matching TCRα/β chains have been assembled from single-cell sequencing data and cloned for functional testing of neoepitope-reactive TCR-transgenic T cells in vitro as well as in vivo using a transposon system-based immunocompetent, MHC-humanized ZFTA-RELA fusion-positive ependymoma model.

CONCLUSION

Here we identify the oncogenic ZFTA-RELA gene fusion product as a novel tumor-specific neoepitope that is recognized by MHC class II-restricted TCRs. Therapeutic efficacy of TCR-transgenic cell therapy can be further investigated using an immunocompetent MHC-humanized mouse model of ZFTA-RELA fusion-positive ependymoma. Our findings provide initial evidence for neoepitope-specific immunotherapy in pediatric CNS tumors.

OS12.4.A MHC class II-restricted transgenic T cell receptor therapy targeting mutant capicua transcriptional repressor in experimental gliomas

BACKGROUND

Glioma subtypes are classified according to their characteristic mutations and show a high degree of resistance to standard therapeutic interventions such as radiotherapy and alkylating chemotherapy. Some of these characteristic mutations have shown to generate immunogenic neoepitopes that can be targeted with immunotherapy. 70% of oligodendrogliomas carry capicua transcriptional repressor (CIC) inactivating mutations.

RESULTS

In a screen for potential immunogenic glioma neoepitopes we identified recurrent CIC hotspot mutations at position 215 (CICR215W/Q) expressed in a subset of oligodendrogliomas as an immunogenic major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class II-restricted neoepitopes. Peptide-based vaccination of MHC-humanized mice resulted in the generation of robust mutation-specific T cell responses against CICR215W/Q, restricted to MHC class II. Droplet-based single cell T cell receptor (TCR) sequencing from CICR215W-specific T cell lines enabled retrieval of MHC class II-restricted CICR215W-reactive TCRs. By retroviral transduction of T cells, we established a flow cytometry-based testing platform of retrieved TCRs and were able to show the top reactive TCR against CICR215W to be shared between individual mice. Using a newly developed glioma model in MHC-humanized mice induced by CRISPR-based delivery of tumor suppressor targeting guide RNAs, we show that adoptive intraventricular transfer of CICR215W-specific TCR-transgenic T cells exert anti-tumor responses against CICR215W-expressing syngeneic gliomas.

CONCLUSION

The integration of immunocompetent MHC-humanized orthotopic glioma models in the discovery of shared immunogenic glioma neoepitopes facilitates the identification and preclinical testing of HLA-restricted neoepitope-specific TCRs for locoregional TCR-transgenic T cell adoptive therapy.

KS01.6.A Comparative analysis of the immune compartment in human glioblastoma and IDH-mutant WHO grade 4 astrocytoma reveals profound differences in microglia phenotypes

BACKGROUND

Glioblastoma (GBM) are the most common primary brain tumors. If untreated the average survival is around 12–18 months. Unfortunately, despite extensive research efforts, the therapeutic options remain limited. One major aspect complicating therapeutic development is an immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment. Isocitrate dehydrogenase (IDH)-mutant, WHO grade 4 astrocytomas appear histologically indistinguishable from GBM, but show significantly longer survival times. IDH mutations lead to changes in the tumor microenvironment with accrual of the neometabolite R-2-hydroxyglutarate. Previous studies on bulk transcriptomes have shown differences in the immune compartment of both tumor entities that were linked to the differences in clinical behavior.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

We have conducted high-dimensional comparative analyses of the myeloid compartment in surgically resected human GBM and IDH-mutant WHO grade 4 astrocytomas using single-cell RNA-Sequencing and immunohistochemistry. Histologically normal brain regions from epilepsy patients were used as controls. For analysis, whole-cell suspensions were prepared from freshly resected tumors or controls. Fluorescence activated cell sorting was used for myeloid cell enrichment. Samples were processed using the high-sensitivity single-cell RNA sequencing protocol CEL-Seq2. Seurat and StemID2 algorithms were used for clustering, differential gene expression and pseudotime analysis. Protein validation was achieved using immunohistochemistry.

RESULTS

We identified profound transcriptional changes of glioma-associated microglia in GBM with respect to control brain samples. Namely, we observed a global upregulation of major histocompatibility complex associated genes in GBM across all clusters. Additionally, we identified distinct myeloid subsets with phagocytic, hypoxia-associated and chemotactic transcriptomic signatures. Pseudotime analysis finely resolved transitional cell states. These changes were dramatically attenuated in IDH-mutant WHO grade 4 astrocytomas. The myeloid cells in these tumors resembled homeostatic microglia and showed an increased expression of cytokine and chemokine genes.

CONCLUSION

Here, we present a high-dimensional transcriptomic atlas of the myeloid compartment in human GBM and IDH-mutant WHO grade 4 astrocytomas. The identified differences point towards targeted therapeutic options via the modulation of the tumor microenvironment.

Percutaneous Coronary Intervention for ST-Elevation Myocardial Infarction Before and During COVID in New York

Little is known about regional differences in volume, treatment, and outcomes of STEMI patients undergoing PCI during the pandemic. The objectives of this study were to compare COVID-19 pandemic and prepandemic periods with respect to regional volumes, outcomes, and treatment of patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) for ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) between January 1, 2019 and March 14, 2020 (pre-COVID period) and between March 15, 2020 and April 4, 2020 (COVID period) in 51 New York State hospitals certified to perform PCI. The hospitals were classified as being in either high-density or low-density COVID-19 counties on the basis of deaths/10,000 population. There was a decrease of 43% in procedures/week in high-density COVID-19 counties (p <0.0001) and only 4% in low-density counties (p = 0.64). There was no difference in the change in risk-adjusted in-hospital mortality rates in either type of county, but STEMI PCI patients in high-density counties had longer times from symptom onset to hospital arrival and lower cardiac arrest rates in the pandemic period. In conclusion, the decrease in STEMI PCIs during the pandemic was mainly limited to counties with a high density of COVID-19 deaths. The decrease appears to be primarily related to patients not presenting to hospitals in high-density COVID regions, rather than PCI being avoided in STEMI patients or a reduction in the incidence of STEMI. Also, high-density COVID-19 counties experienced delayed admissions and less severely ill STEMI PCI patients during the pandemic. This information can serve to focus efforts on convincing STEMI patients to seek life-saving hospital care during the pandemic.

Contrast-agent free evaluation of cardiomyopathies with T1 mapping and the new fast strain-encoded (fSENC) magnetic resonance imaging

Background

Cardiomyopathies (CMP) may cause impairment of cardiac function and structure. Cardiac Magnetic Resonance Imaging (CMR) is used for analysis and risk stratification of CMP by Late Gadolinium Enhancement (LGE). However, T1 mapping (T1) and fast strain encoded (f-SENC) sequences allow contrast-free and faster exams. The aim of this study was to characterize CMP by T1 and f-SENC to develop a faster and safer CMR protocol (fast-CMR).

Methods

CMP scans from our CMR database were retrospectively analyzed. All patients were scanned at 1.5T/3T scanner. Study groups were divided as follows: Patients with normal findings, dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM), hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM), hypertensive heart disease (HHD) and cardiac amyloidosis. Global T1 times, longitudinal (GLS) and circumferential (GCS) strain using f-SENC of study groups were compared to healthy individuals (controls). Scan time and amount of gadolinium-based contrast agent (CA) in CMR-protocol with LGE were compared to fast-CMR.

Results

174 patients and 31 controls were recruited. T1 times, GLS and GCS were similar between controls and normal individuals. T1 times were significantly increased (p&lt;0.05), while GLS and GCS were significantly reduced (p&lt;0.05) in all CMR study groups compared to controls (Table 1). Using fast-CMR 21 (±6) min of scan time were saved, about 47%, and 9 (±2) ml of CA were saved per patient.

Conclusion

Normal findings could be identified by fast-CMR without contrast agent. Fast CMR might also be a useful tool to identify different forms of CMP.

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding source: None

Racial And Ethnic Disparities In Care Following The New York State Sepsis Initiative

After 2013, when New York State mandated that hospitals follow protocols to treat sepsis, completion of the protocols increased and mortality declined. Whether these encouraging trends have equitably benefited racial/ethnic minority populations is unknown. Although there were no significant racial/ethnic differences in rates of protocol completion at the onset of New York's Sepsis Initiative, over time white patients experienced a greater increase in protocol completion rates (14.0 percentage points) compared to black patients (5.3 percentage points). The emergence of this disparity was due to smaller performance improvements among hospitals with higher proportions of black patients, though white and black patients showed similar improvements when treated within the same hospital. Our study suggests an urgent need to understand why improvements in sepsis care lagged in hospitals in New York that care for higher proportions of minority patients. Policy makers should anticipate and monitor the effects of quality improvement initiatives on disparities to ensure that all racial/ethnic groups realize their benefits equitably.

[Rare combination injury of traumatic spondylolisthesis of the lumbosacral junction and Malgaigne's C3 fracture of the pelvis : Lessons learned]

This article reports on the case of a rare combination injury of a C3 pelvic ring fracture (Malgaigne's fracture) and simultaneous unstable traumatic spondylolisthesis (Meyerding grade 2) of the lumbosacral spine. The patient had pronounced neurological deficits of the lower extremities and tearing of the thecal sac. The selected primary and secondary surgical treatment algorithm of the polytraumatized patient as well as the course are described and critically discussed on the basis of the sparsely available literature.

A survey on surgeon practice shows lack of consensus on the management of primary shoulder stiffness

Shoulder stiffness is a condition of painful restriction in active and passive glenohumeral range of motion, which can arise spontaneously or as consequence of a known cause. Numerous therapeutic approaches are available; however, no consensus has been reached on the best algorithm for successful treatment. The aim of this study was to investigate local practice patterns regarding management of primary shoulder stiffness. Randomized controlled trials reporting results of shoulder stiffness treatment were collected and analyzed prior to study begin. Controversial elements in the treatment of primary shoulder stiffness were identified and a survey was created and administrated to clinicians participating at an annual national congress dedicated to shoulder pathologies and their treatment. 55 completed questionnaires were collected. Physical therapy was recommended by 98% of the interviewed. The use of oral corticosteroids was considered by 58% and injections of corticosteroids by 60%. Injective therapy with local anaesthetics was considered by 56% of the clinicians and acupuncture by 36%. 38% of the interviewed did never treat shoulder stiffness surgically. Various strategies to manage shoulder stiffness have been proposed and high-level evidence has been published. Numerous controversial points and a substantial lack of consensus emerged both from literature reviews and from this survey. The treatment of shoulder stiffness should be tailored to the patient's clinical situation and the stage of its pathology, aiming primarily at identifying risk factors for recurrence, reducing pain, restoring range of motion and function and shortening the duration of symptoms.

P2718Interim study: analysis of myocardial deformation using fSENC-CMR on patients with chest pain

Background

In acute situations such as non-ST-elevation infarction (NSTEMI) or relevant coronary artery disease (CAD) CMR does not yet play a key role due to its lengthy protocols. fSENC is a new CMR technique which may detect subclinical signs of myocardial damage by measuring myocardial strain (change in length/ unit length). A whole-heart coverage is generated in 6 heart-beats and the information obtained is converted into a colour-coded map. fSENC does not require major post-processing, long breath-holds and the administration of contrast agents/medication.

Purpose

In this observational study fSENC is assessed in patients with chest pain and its capability to differentiate between an ischemic cause (NSTEMI, significant CAD), an underlying non-ischemic cardiac disease and non-cardiac chest pain. Additionally, we aim to identify the affected coronary arteries in the ischemic cohort. With fSENC it could be possible to successfully diagnose patients with suspected AMI in <1h after admission and also gain diagnostic information regarding the underlying pathology.

Methods

Patients with chest pain and an initial hscTnT level between 5pg/ml and 52 pg/ml are recruited. These patients then undergo an fSENC-CMR before 2nd hscTnT measurement. Additionally, a stress-induced fSENC-image is acquired (1-minute hyperventilation, followed by a single breath-hold). This breathing manoeuvre leads to an increase in oxygenation through vasodilation, therefore identifying ischemic areas. The fSENC analysis is later compared to the patient's final diagnosis and therapy.

Results

So far 50 patients have been analysed by fSENC in this observational study (26 female, aged 57±18). fSENC correctly identified 7 patients suffering from NSTEMI or significant CAD and their affected coronary arteries. 42 other patients were safely ruled-out by fSENC which was consistent with the serial hscTnT results. In 11 patients fSENC was able to detect generalized impaired myocardial deformation, implying an underlying cardiac disease (hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, myocarditis). fSENC currently exhibits a sensitivity of 100% and specificity of 97,7% for correct rule-in/-out of an ischemic cause.

Conclusions

At this stage fSENC allows correct identification of patients suffering from myocardial infarction and their affected coronary arteries. Additionally, fSENC can safely rule-out patients with chest pain but no underlying ischemic cause. This novel technique is a rapid additional diagnostic tool which assesses myocardial function non-invasively without radiation exposure.

[Endoprosthetic replacement of the proximal humerus in revision shoulder arthroplasty]

OBJECTIVE

Reconstruction of proximal humeral bone defects in the setting of shoulder revision arthroplasty by implantation of a modular humeral component.

INDICATIONS

Severe segmental humeral bone defects in revision total shoulder arthroplasty, after tumor resection, trauma, pathological fractures, post-infectious or after failed osteosynthesis.

CONTRAINDICATIONS

Acute or chronic local infections, large diaphyseal bone defects preventing adequate anchorage of the prosthesis, very short life expectancy (<3 months).

SURGICAL TECHNIQUE

Removal of the implant using an extended deltopectoral approach. Periarticular arthrolysis with preservation of neurovascular structures. Resection of the meta-diaphyseal bone and reconstruction of the humeral length with the help of different extension sleeves and a modular humeral component. Soft tissue management is crucial, especially with reverse shoulder arthroplasty.

POSTOPERATIVE MANAGEMENT

Three weeks postoperatively immobilization in a shoulder sling, active assisted movement therapy by gradual pain-adapted increase of movement, muscle coordination, and strength.

RESULTS

The results of 11 consecutive patients treated with a modular humeral component due to a failed shoulder arthroplasty between 2008 and 2016 were evaluated retrospectively. Mean length of reconstruction was 100 mm. Due to recurrent dislocations one patient required revision and conversion to a reverse component. No cases of aseptic loosening or periprosthetic infection were observed.

Mortality Changes Associated with Mandated Public Reporting for Sepsis. The Results of the New York State Initiative

RATIONALE

In 2013, the New York State Department of Health (NYSDOH) began a mandatory state-wide initiative to improve early recognition and treatment of severe sepsis and septic shock.

OBJECTIVES

This study examines protocol initiation, 3-hour and 6-hour sepsis bundle completion, and risk-adjusted hospital mortality among adult patients with severe sepsis and septic shock.

METHODS

Cohort analysis included all patients from all 185 hospitals in New York State reported to the NYSDOH from April 1, 2014, to June 30, 2016. A total of 113,380 cases were submitted to NYSDOH, of which 91,357 hospitalizations from 183 hospitals met study inclusion criteria. NYSDOH required all hospitals to submit and follow evidence-informed protocols (including elements of 3-h and 6-h sepsis bundles: lactate measurement, early blood cultures and antibiotic administration, fluids, and vasopressors) for early identification and treatment of severe sepsis or septic shock.

MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS

Compliance with elements of the sepsis bundles and risk-adjusted mortality were studied. Of 91,357 patients, 74,293 (81.3%) had the sepsis protocol initiated. Among these individuals, 3-hour bundle compliance increased from 53.4% to 64.7% during the study period (P < 0.001), whereas among those eligible for the 6-hour bundle (n = 35,307) compliance increased from 23.9% to 30.8% (P < 0.001). Risk-adjusted mortality decreased from 28.8% to 24.4% (P < 0.001) in patients among whom a sepsis protocol was initiated. Greater hospital compliance with 3-hour and 6-hour bundles was associated with shorter length of stay and lower risk and reliability-adjusted mortality.

CONCLUSIONS

New York's statewide initiative increased compliance with sepsis-performance measures. Risk-adjusted sepsis mortality decreased during the initiative and was associated with increased hospital-level compliance.

Model for Hormonal Emergency Contraception (HEC) in cycling and mated guinea pigs - Studies with the Progesterone Receptor Modulators (PRM) Ulipristal Acetate (UPA/CDB2914) and EC317

A guinea pig model for new HEC methods is proposed. Two targets for HEC (Hormonal Emergency Contraception), ovulation and conception (post-mating study), were investigated using adjusted PRM treatments: (a) Ovulation inhibition study: Injections on cycle days 10-17, study of ovarian histology on day 18; (b) post-mating study: Injections on cycle days 1 and 2; rate of pregnant females was recorded at autopsy on day 18. P plasma levels permitted assessment of effects on ovulation in non-conceiving animals.

RESULTS

(a) All controls had recently ovulated. Statistically significant anti-ovulatory effects (p < 0.05, Fisher's Exact Test) were seen at 10 mg UPA (ulipristal acetate, CDB2914) and ≥0.3 mg EC317; 100% inhibition was found for EC317 at 10, 3, and 1 mg/day. No dosage of UPA was 100% effective. (b) In post-mating studies, 16 of 30 controls were pregnant. Both PRMs (progesterone receptor modulator) exerted inhibitory effects on conception, none on imminent ovulation; 1 of 10 animals had living conceptuses after 10 mg UPA, none following 10 and 1 mg EC317/day, respectively. At pairwise comparison with controls, 10 mg was the lowest effective dosage for UPA (p < 0.05), and 1 mg for EC317 (p < 0.01). P plasma levels: Significantly lower P (p < 0.05) in subsequently pregnant vs non-pregnant controls was found on cycle day 3 or 4; this difference disappeared on day 8 or 9. This stage thus appears vulnerable to hormonal constellations and possibly PRM effects. HEC model: Effects on ovulation and conception were seen at the same dose levels of both PRM. Superior and more consistent effects of EC317 vs UPA (factor ≥10) suggest higher efficacy using EC317 for HEC.

LapTrain: multi-modality training curriculum for laparoscopic cholecystectomy-results of a randomized controlled trial

BACKGROUND

Multiple training modalities for laparoscopy have different advantages, but little research has been conducted on the benefit of a training program that includes multiple different training methods compared to one method only. This study aimed to evaluate benefits of a combined multi-modality training program for surgical residents.

METHODS

Laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) was performed on a porcine liver as the pre-test. Randomization was stratified for experience to the multi-modality Training group (12 h of training on Virtual Reality (VR) and box trainer) or Control group (no training). The post-test consisted of a VR LC and porcine LC. Performance was rated with the Global Operative Assessment of Laparoscopic Skills (GOALS) score by blinded experts.

RESULTS

Training (n = 33) and Control (n = 31) were similar in the pre-test (GOALS: 13.7 ± 3.4 vs. 14.7 ± 2.6; p = 0.198; operation time 57.0 ± 18.1 vs. 63.4 ± 17.5 min; p = 0.191). In the post-test porcine LC, Training had improved GOALS scores (+ 2.84 ± 2.85 points, p < 0.001), while Control did not (+ 0.55 ± 2.34 points, p = 0.154). Operation time in the post-test was shorter for Training vs. Control (40.0 ± 17.0 vs. 55.0 ± 22.2 min; p = 0.012). Junior residents improved GOALS scores to the level of senior residents (pre-test: 13.7 ± 2.7 vs. 18.3 ± 2.9; p = 0.010; post-test: 15.5 ± 3.4 vs. 18.8 ± 3.8; p = 0.120) but senior residents remained faster (50.1 ± 20.6 vs. 25.0 ± 1.9 min; p < 0.001). No differences were found between groups on the post-test VR trainer.

CONCLUSIONS

Structured multi-modality training is beneficial for novices to improve basics and overcome the initial learning curve in laparoscopy as well as to decrease operation time for LCs in different stages of experience. Future studies should evaluate multi-modality training in comparison with single modalities.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

German Clinical Trials Register DRKS00011040.

The Impact of Excluding Shock Patients on Hospital and Physician Risk-Adjusted Mortality Rates for Percutaneous Coronary Interventions: The Implications for Public Reporting

OBJECTIVES

The authors examined the impact of including shock patients in public reporting of percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) risk-adjusted mortality.

BACKGROUND

There is concern that an unintended consequence of statewide public reporting of medical outcomes is the avoidance of appropriate interventions for high-risk patients.

METHODS

New York State's PCI registry was used to compare hospital and physician risk-adjusted mortality rates and outliers from New York's public report models with rates and outliers based on statistical models that include refractory shock patients and exclude both refractory shock and other shock patients.

RESULTS

Correlations between the public report model and each of the other 2 models were above 0.92 for hospital risk-adjusted rates and were 0.99 for all physician risk-adjusted rates (p < 0.0001). There were 11 physicians with lower than expected mortality rates (low outliers) and 41 physicians with higher than expected mortality rates (high outliers) across the 3 time periods in the public report, compared with 10 low outliers and 40 high outliers if all shock patients had been excluded. There was considerable overlap among outliers identified by the 3 models. Findings were similar for hospital outliers.

CONCLUSIONS

Risk-adjusted hospital and physician mortality rates are highly correlated regardless of whether shock patients are included in public reporting. The numbers of outliers are similar, and outlier changes are minimal, although 10% to 15% of cardiologists who were outliers in either exclusion rule were not outliers in the other one. This information can form a basis for subsequent discussions regarding the exclusion of high-risk patients from public reporting.

Cancer-related fatigue in adolescents and young adults: A systematic review of the literature

Adolescents and young adults with cancer (AYA) represent a specific age cohort dealing with the disease in a stage of life characterized by development, upheavals, and establishment. The aim of this study was to point out the state of research on how AYA are affected by cancer-related fatigue (CRF).

RESULTS

Twelve articles were included. CRF was found to be higher in AYA than in either of the comparison groups, healthy peers and older cancer patients. Most included studies did not measure CRF with multidimensional, fatigue-specific instruments.

CONCLUSION

We found a gap in research concerning CRF in AYA. The existing findings suggest that CRF is a significant issue for AYA cancer patients. However, less is known about the prevalence, severity, and impact of CRF in AYA, and their treatment. This should be considered in future research, and risk and prevention factors should be ascertained. Multidimensional and fatigue-specific measuring tools should be used to do this.

A novel BCMA/CD3 bispecific T-cell engager for the treatment of multiple myeloma induces selective lysis in vitro and in vivo

This corrects the article DOI: 10.1038/leu.2016.388.