Mail-Order Pharmacy Dispensing of Mifepristone for Medication Abortion After In-Person Screening

Importance

Before 2021, the US Food and Drug Administration required mifepristone to be dispensed in person, limiting access to medication abortion.

Objective

To estimate the effectiveness, acceptability, and feasibility of dispensing mifepristone for medication abortion using a mail-order pharmacy.

Design, Setting, and Participants

This prospective cohort study was conducted from January 2020 to May 2022 and included 11 clinics in 7 states (5 abortion clinics and 6 primary care sites, 4 of which were new to abortion provision). Eligible participants were seeking medication abortion at 63 or fewer days' gestation, spoke English or Spanish, were age 15 years or older, and were willing to take misoprostol buccally. After assessing eligibility for medication abortion through an in-person screening, mifepristone and misoprostol were prescribed using a mail-order pharmacy. Patients had standard follow-up care with the clinic. Clinical information was collected from medical records. Consenting participants completed online surveys about their experiences 3 and 14 days after enrolling. A total of 540 participants were enrolled; 10 withdrew or did not take medication. Data were analyzed from August 2022 to December 2023.

Intervention

Mifepristone, 200 mg, and misoprostol, 800 µg, prescribed to a mail-order pharmacy and mailed to participants instead of dispensed in person.

Main Outcomes and Measures

Proportion of patients with a complete abortion with medications only, reporting satisfaction with the medication abortion, and reporting timely delivery of medications.

Results

Clinical outcome information was obtained and analyzed for 510 abortions (96.2%) among 506 participants (median [IQR] age, 27 [23-31] years; 506 [100%] female; 194 [38.3%] Black, 88 [17.4%] Hispanic, 141 [27.9%] White, and 45 [8.9%] multiracial/other individuals). Of these, 436 participants (85.5%; 95% CI, 82.2%-88.4%) received medications within 3 days. Complete abortion occurred after medication use in 499 cases (97.8%; 95% CI, 96.2%-98.9%). There were 24 adverse events (4.7%) for which care was sought for medication abortion symptoms; 3 patients (0.6%; 95% CI, 0.1%-1.7%) experienced serious adverse events requiring hospitalization (1 with blood transfusion); however, no adverse events were associated with mail-order dispensing. Of 477 participants, 431 (90.4%; 95% CI, 87.3%-92.9%) indicated that they would use mail-order dispensing again for abortion care, and 435 participants (91.2%; 95% CI, 88.3%-93.6%) reported satisfaction with the medication abortion. Findings were similar to those of other published studies of medication abortion with in-person dispensing.

Conclusions and Relevance

The findings of this cohort study indicate that mail-order pharmacy dispensing of mifepristone for medication abortion was effective, acceptable to patients, and feasible, with a low prevalence of serious adverse events. This care model should be expanded to improve access to medication abortion services.

Use of monoclonal antibody therapy in hematologic patients with mild-to-moderate COVID-19: A retrospective single-center experience

INTRODUCTION

In November 2020, the FDA issued an emergency use authorization (EUA) for monoclonal antibody (mAb) therapy in patients with mild-to-moderate COVID-19 at high risk for disease progression.

METHODS

We retrospectively reviewed 38 adult hematology patients who received mAbs from 11/2020 to 2/2021.

RESULTS

Thirty (79%) patients received bamlanivimab and 8 (21%) casirivimab-imdevimab. Four (11%) patients were hospitalized due to COVID-19, two (5%) progressed to severe disease and one patient (3%) died within 30 days from COVID-19 disease. Most patients (n = 34, 89%) ultimately tested negative for SARS-CoV-2, with 34% (n = 13) clearing the virus within 14 days after mAb infusion. The median time to clearance of viral shedding was 25.5 days (range: 7-138). After mAb infusion, most patients with hematological malignancies (HM) (n = 10/15; 67%) resumed therapy for underlying disease with a median delay of 21.5 days (range: 12-42). We observed a significant difference in hospitalization among patients who received a HCT versus non-HCT (0% n = 0/26 and 36% n = 4/11, respectively; p < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONS

This study demonstrates that SARS-CoV-2 specific mAb was safe and may reduce hospitalization compared to what is reported in malignant hematology patients at high risk for disease progression. Our HCT cohort patients had less hospitalization rate compared with HM cohort patients.

Patient-centered perinatal palliative care: family birth plans, outcomes, and resource utilization in a diverse cohort

BACKGROUND

Perinatal palliative care is an emerging concept in fetal medicine that offers quality-of-life options and anticipatory grief management for families of fetuses with complex conditions. Few perinatal palliative care outcomes are detailed in peer-reviewed literature.

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to describe outcomes of perinatal palliative care at the Fetal Center of the University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston and Women's Center at Children's Memorial Hermann Hospital.

STUDY DESIGN

This was a retrospective cohort of families receiving perinatal palliative care for life-limiting fetal diagnosis, such as trisomy 13 or 18 and some major structural anomalies between 2016 and 2020. The primary outcome was whether delivery events matched families' birth plans, including fetal/neonatal clinical course matching expectations described by consultant notes. Secondary outcomes included maternal safety outcomes, use of perinatal interventions, delivery outcomes, and resource utilization outcomes.

RESULTS

Of 187 perinatal palliative care consults, delivery events matched families' plans and clinicians' expectations in 89% of cases (165/185); 39% (73/187) of families requested some perinatal interventions, 64% of whom planned postnatal comfort care even while choosing antenatal interventions. Demographics and median income were similar between families who chose some interventions and those who chose comfort care. Patients choosing any interventions had more mismatches between their plans and delivery events (19% vs 2%; P<.001), were more likely to change their plans (24% vs 6%; P=.001), and unsurprisingly used more healthcare resources. They were also more likely to have intraamniotic infection or postpartum hemorrhage (9% vs 22%; P=.02), but this was associated with mode of delivery and not choice of interventions.

CONCLUSION

Most families' perinatal experiences matched birth plans and expectations in this perinatal palliative care program. Families who desired interventions used more healthcare resources, but often did so with plans for postnatal comfort care, demonstrating insight into neonatal prognosis but achieving value-consistent goals, such as meeting a live neonate. Perinatal palliative care was safe for maternal patients and equitable across racial, ethnic, and income groups. Perinatal palliative care and some perinatal interventions are options for care of the whole family in complex fetal medicine cases.

92 Confirmatory genetic testing for all CF screen positive newborns: a 12-year analysis

Background

Cystic fibrosis (CF) is an autosomal recessive disease that can present with multisystem manifestations based on mutations in the CF transmembrane regulator (CFTR) gene. Screening for CF was added to the Newborn Screening Ontario (NSO) program in 2008 using immunoreactive trypsinogen and genetic testing with a panel of 39 + 3 polymorphisms. From 2008-2020, our centre had all referred screen positive individuals undergo confirmatory genetic testing with an expanded panel of 70 + 4 polymorphisms, occasionally identifying a second mutation of varying clinical consequence. If an individual had a second mutation identified on our panel, prospective follow-up was offered.

Objectives

The aim of the study is to evaluate the utility of our expanded panel and subsequent identification of individuals with possible CFTR dysfunction.

Design/Methods

We conducted a retrospective descriptive analysis of our database of screen positive individuals, focusing on the subset who had a second mutation identified through expanded panel and whom we have offered clinical follow-up for 12 years.

Results

From 2008 to 2020, 718 screen positive individuals were referred to our CF Canada-accredited centre. 566 had one mutation identified by NSO. 94 of these had a second mutation identified on expanded panel. Of these, 13 had a sweat chloride between 30-60 mmol/L and 7 had a positive sweat test. Of those with borderline or negative sweats, 9 individuals continued to be followed. Two have converted to positive sweats, with 1 of these individuals requiring antibiotics for pulmonary exacerbations and the other remaining asymptomatic. Another 2 individuals are trending toward positive sweats (> 50 mmol/L). All spirometry values (FEV1, FVC) have been normal to date, and none have grown Pseudomonas aeruginosa.

Conclusion

Use of a confirmatory expanded panel identified a second mutation in 94 newborns referred with a positive screen. Offering follow-up has allowed us to monitor clinical progression, including conversion to positive sweats in 2 individuals. While spirometry and cultures have been unremarkable, more sensitive measures such as lung clearance index could be considered for future study. As of 2020, NSO moved to the use of extended sequencing and analysis of this change is ongoing.

Evaluation of prognostic risk models for postoperative pulmonary complications in adult patients undergoing major abdominal surgery: a systematic review and international external validation cohort study

BACKGROUND

Stratifying risk of postoperative pulmonary complications after major abdominal surgery allows clinicians to modify risk through targeted interventions and enhanced monitoring. In this study, we aimed to identify and validate prognostic models against a new consensus definition of postoperative pulmonary complications.

METHODS

We did a systematic review and international external validation cohort study. The systematic review was done in accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines. We searched MEDLINE and Embase on March 1, 2020, for articles published in English that reported on risk prediction models for postoperative pulmonary complications following abdominal surgery. External validation of existing models was done within a prospective international cohort study of adult patients (≥18 years) undergoing major abdominal surgery. Data were collected between Jan 1, 2019, and April 30, 2019, in the UK, Ireland, and Australia. Discriminative ability and prognostic accuracy summary statistics were compared between models for the 30-day postoperative pulmonary complication rate as defined by the Standardised Endpoints in Perioperative Medicine Core Outcome Measures in Perioperative and Anaesthetic Care (StEP-COMPAC). Model performance was compared using the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUROCC).

FINDINGS

In total, we identified 2903 records from our literature search; of which, 2514 (86·6%) unique records were screened, 121 (4·8%) of 2514 full texts were assessed for eligibility, and 29 unique prognostic models were identified. Nine (31·0%) of 29 models had score development reported only, 19 (65·5%) had undergone internal validation, and only four (13·8%) had been externally validated. Data to validate six eligible models were collected in the international external validation cohort study. Data from 11 591 patients were available, with an overall postoperative pulmonary complication rate of 7·8% (n=903). None of the six models showed good discrimination (defined as AUROCC ≥0·70) for identifying postoperative pulmonary complications, with the Assess Respiratory Risk in Surgical Patients in Catalonia score showing the best discrimination (AUROCC 0·700 [95% CI 0·683-0·717]).

INTERPRETATION

In the pre-COVID-19 pandemic data, variability in the risk of pulmonary complications (StEP-COMPAC definition) following major abdominal surgery was poorly described by existing prognostication tools. To improve surgical safety during the COVID-19 pandemic recovery and beyond, novel risk stratification tools are required.

FUNDING

British Journal of Surgery Society.

KBG syndrome in a Chinese population: A case series

KBG syndrome (OMIM #148050) is an autosomal dominant neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by the presence of macrodontia of the permanent central upper incisors, characteristic facial features, delay in development, intellectual disability, short stature, and various skeletal abnormalities. Over 200 affected individuals have been described worldwide, though underdiagnosis is suspected because the characteristic features are variably present and affected individuals can have a mild phenotype. This case series provides a summary of the clinical and molecular characteristics of 10 Chinese KBG syndrome patients recruited from a single center. To our knowledge, this is the first case series for Chinese KBG patients. This case series aimed at exploring potential ethnicity-related variability in KBG syndrome.

The first case report of Strømme syndrome in a Chinese patient: Expanding the phenotype and literature review

Strømme syndrome (MIM #243605) is a rare autosomal recessive ciliopathy resulting from compound heterozygous or homozygous pathogenic alterations in the CENPF gene (# 600236). Although there are a number of case reports featuring individuals with clinically compatible Strømme syndrome, only 13 affected individuals had molecular confirmation worldwide. Herein, we report a 24 years old Chinese gentleman with molecularly confirmed Strømme syndrome with compound heterozygous pathogenic nonsense variants in NM_016343.3(CENPF):c.436C > T, p.(Gln146*) and c.9280C > T, p.(Arg3094*). He presented with microcephaly, unilateral microphthalmia, single central upper incisor and bilateral preaxial polydactyly. To our knowledge, this is the first reported Chinese individual with molecularly confirmed Strømme syndrome.

984. Diagnostic Utility of Bronchoalveolar Lavage Pneumocystis jirovecii DNA Polymerase Chain Reaction Assay in Patients with Hematological Malignancies and Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation

Background

Pneumocystis jirovecii, an ubiquitous fungus, can lead to opportunistic pneumonia (PJP) in patients with hematological malignancies (HM) and hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT) with mild to severe presentation. Unlike patients with HIV, diagnosis of PJP pneumonia is often challenging in patients with HM/HCT possibly related to lower fungal burden versus atypical presentation. The gold standard for diagnosis of PJP from bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) is cytology, followed by direct fluorescent antigen (DFA), however, in the context of lower fungal burden, quantitative polymerase chain reaction (PCR) is increasingly used. PCR DNA load cut-off for diagnosis of PJP is not established. The objective of this study is to assess the correlation between three tests (cytology, DFA and PCR) and diagnosis of PJP (colonization, possible, probable or proven infection).

Methods

In this retrospective study at City of Hope, HM/HCT patients with BALF performed to investigate pneumonia who tested positive for any of the 3 tests were included. The study period is from July 2014 to July 2020. All patients had a clinical and radiographic diagnosis of pneumonia.

Results

Eighty-five patients were identified to have at least one positive diagnostic test for PJP. Twenty (23.5%) patients had a PCR with less than 84 copies/mL, and colonization was suspected in these patients. Of the remaining 65 patients, 46 had all 3 tests done. Twenty seven (58.7%) patients only had positive PCR ranging from 106 to 588,000 copies/mL with negative DFA and cytology. Twelve (26.1%) patients had either DFA or cytology positive with a positive PCR, and in 6 patients (13%) all 3 tests were positive. All of these 18 patients had clinical presentation and radiographic findings consistent with PJP. Quantitative or qualitative serum beta-D-glucan (BDG) level was available in 28 patients and 17 had a positive test with a level &gt;80 pg/ml.

Conclusion

PJP PCR is a very sensitive test that can lead to early detection of PJP pneumonia in HM/HCT with lower sensitivity of DFA/cytology unless the fungal burden is high. However, the optimal cut off PCR value associated with disease needs to be clinically validated in our patient population and a concurrent serum BDG level can increase diagnostic yield.

Disclosures

All Authors: No reported disclosures

36. Evaluation of a Best Practice Alert (BPA) to Improve Pneumocystis jirovecii Prophylaxis Prescribing in Cancer Patients Receiving High-dose Corticosteroids in an Outpatient Setting

Background

In patients (pts) with cancer, the risk of Pneumocystis jirovecii pneumonia (PJP) is a function of dose and duration of corticosteroids (CS), underlying immunodeficiency, and immunosuppressive drugs. Trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole (TMP/SMX) and atovaquone (ATO) are effective prophylaxis (ppx) agents against PJP. Guidelines recommend PJP ppx for pts on &gt; 20 mg /day of prednisone or its equivalent for ≥ 1 month. A best practice alert (BPA) to identify pts receiving CS may assist with improving PJP ppx prescribing in cancer pts.

Methods

PJP BPA was created to identify pts on CS (excluding hydrocortisone) with no active prescription for TMP/SMX or ATO ppx in EMR. Dapsone and pentamidine excluded since not preferred agents at our institution. PJP case: positive PJP polymerase chain reaction (PCR) from bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) &gt; 84 copies or positive PJP direct fluorescent antibody (DFA) or cytology with clinical and radiographic suspicion. PJP PCR from BAL &lt; 84 copies/ml with negative DFA and cytology excluded. Preventable PJP (P-PJP): pts after CS &gt; = 30 days without PJP ppx. Non-preventable PJP (NP-PJP) : pts after CS &lt; 30 consecutive days, or on PJP ppx (non-compliance, failure), or day +1 to +30 post hematopoietic cell transplant (HCT). Pre-intervention (pre-i) PJP pts 3/1/2018 to 7/31/19 (17 months), post-intervention (post-i) PJP pts 8/1/19 to 2/1/20 (18 months) evaluated to assess BPA impact on PJP inpatient (inpt) admissions.

Results

In the post-i, the BPA fired 3,588 times in 1,302 pts. Pre-i: 20 P-PJP, 13 NP-PJP out of 33 pts. Post-i: 6 P-PJP, 25 NP-PJP out of 31 pts. The BPA fired in 4/31 PJP pts in the post-i period: 2/6 of P-PJP, 2/25 NP-PJP. The number of P-PJP decreased from 20 to 6 in the post-i period (p=0.0097).

Conclusion

Implementation of a decision support tool significantly decreased the number of P-PJP. The BPA was limited by identifying pts after CS were prescribed after the initial visit leading to periods of CS use without ppx and inability to calculate CS dosing and length of prescription. BPA provided passive education in the outpatient setting and future opportunities include refining the EMR to better identify pts at risk for developing PJP.

Disclosures

All Authors: No reported disclosures

Extending the phenotype of DeSanto-Shinawi syndrome: A case report and literature review

DeSanto-Shinawi syndrome (DESSH, OMIM #616708) is a rare autosomal dominant neurodevelopmental disorder caused by loss-of-function variants in the WAC gene. Affected individuals are characterized by neonatal hypotonia, developmental delay, intellectual disability, behavioral problems, and dysmorphism. Epilepsy is present in some of the patients with DESSH. By far, less than 30 affected individuals have been reported worldwide. Herein, we report a 9-year-old Chinese girl with molecularly substantiated DESSH with a de novo nonsense c. 1648C>T p.(Arg550*) variant identified in the WAC gene. Aside from developmental delay and the characteristic facial gestalt, our proband also exhibited tethered cord syndrome due to filar lipoma and left duplex kidney complicated with hydronephrosis, features not observed in any of the previously reported individuals with DESSH.

CTNNB1-related neurodevelopmental disorder in a Chinese population: A case series

CTNNB1-related disorder is an autosomal dominant neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by a variable degree of cognitive impairment, microcephaly, truncal hypotonia, peripheral spasticity, visual defects, and dysmorphic features. In this case series, we report the clinical and molecular findings of nine Chinese patients affected by CTNNB1-related disorders. The facial features of these affected individuals appear to resemble what had been previously described, with thin upper lip (77.8%) and hypoplastic alae nasi (77.8%) being the most common. Frequently reported clinical characteristics in our cohort include developmental delay (100%), peripheral spasticity (88.9%), truncal hypotonia (66.7%), microcephaly (66.7%), and dystonia (44.4%). While various eye manifestations were reported, two affected individuals (22.2%) in our cohort had familial exudative vitreoretinopathy. One of the affected individuals had craniosynostosis, a feature not reported in the literature before. To our knowledge, this is the first reported Chinese case series of CTNNB1-related neurodevelopmental disorders. Further studies are required to look into whether ethnic differences play a role in phenotypic variations.

Mail-order pharmacy dispensing of mifepristone for medication abortion after in-person clinical assessment

OBJECTIVE(S)

To estimate the effectiveness, acceptability, and feasibility of medication abortion with mifepristone dispensed by a mail-order pharmacy after in-person clinical assessment.

STUDY DESIGN

This is an interim analysis of an ongoing prospective cohort study conducted at five sites. Clinicians assessed patients in clinic and, if they were eligible for medication abortion and ≤ 63 days' gestation, electronically sent prescriptions for mifepristone 200 mg orally and misoprostol 800 mcg buccally to a mail-order pharmacy, which shipped medications for next-day delivery. Participants completed surveys three and 14 days after enrollment, and we abstracted medical chart data.

RESULTS

Between January 2020 and April 2021 we enrolled 240 participants and obtained clinical outcome information for 227 (94.6%); 3 reported not taking either medication. Of those with abortion outcome information (N = 224), 216 (96.4%) completed day-3 and 212 (94.6%) day-14 surveys. Of the 224 that took medications, none reported taking past 70 days' gestation, and complete medication abortion occurred for 217 participants (96.9%, 95% CI 93.7%-98.7%). Most received medications within three days (82.1%, 95% CI 76.5%-86.9%). In the day-3 survey, 95.4% (95% CI 91.7%-97.8%) reported being very (88.4%) or somewhat (6.9%) satisfied with receiving medications by mail. In the day-14 survey, 89.6% (95% CI 84.7%-93.4%) said they would use the mail-order service again if needed. Eleven (4.9%, 95% CI 2.5%-8.6%) experienced adverse events; two were serious (one blood transfusion, one hospitalization), and none were related to mail-order pharmacy dispensing.

CONCLUSIONS

Medication abortion with mail-order pharmacy dispensing of mifepristone appears effective, feasible, and acceptable to patients.

IMPLICATIONS

The in-person dispensing requirement for mifepristone, codified in the drug's Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategy, should be removed.

Prenatal phenotype of Kabuki syndrome: A case series and literature review

OBJECTIVES

Kabuki syndrome (KS) is a genetic disorder characterized by intellectual disability, facial dysmorphism and congenital anomalies. We aim to investigate the prenatal features of fetuses with KS and to provide a comprehensive review of the literature on prenatal sonographic abnormalities associated with KS.

METHODS

We retrospectively reviewed the prenatal ultrasound findings of all mothers of children with molecularly confirmed KS in Hong Kong, between 1991 and 2019. We also performed systematic review of the literature to identify studies on the prenatal findings in KS.

RESULTS

We identified 11 cases with KS with detectable fetal ultrasound findings ranging from no detectable abnormalities to a variety of non-specific findings including increased nuchal translucency, pleural effusion, cardiac anomalies, renal anomalies, intrauterine growth restriction, polyhydramnios, oligohydramnios and single umbilical artery. In combining our cases with the 77 cases published, 42 (50.6%) of them had more than one abnormal antenatal ultrasound finding. The most frequent ultrasound features observed were cardiac anomalies (49.4%), followed by polyhydramnios (28.9%), genitourinary anomalies (26.5%), single umbilical artery (15.7%), intrauterine growth restriction (14.5%) and hydrops fetalis/pleural effusion/ascites (12.0%).

CONCLUSIONS

These cases demonstrate the prenatal phenotypic heterogeneity associated with KS. Although the ultrasound abnormalities are non-specific, KS should be considered in the differential diagnosis when these fetal findings following normal microarray analysis/karyotyping.

Ibalizumab-uiyk as a bridge therapy for a patient with drug-resistant HIV-1 infection receiving chemotherapy: A case report

WHAT IS KNOWN AND OBJECTIVE

Treatment for diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) in persons with AIDS consists of chemotherapy alongside antiretroviral therapy (ART). To determine optimal HIV treatment, drug-drug interactions, toxic effects and ART resistance must be considered.

CASE DESCRIPTION

A 40-year-old man with drug-resistant HIV and DLBCL initiating chemotherapy which had drug interactions with his ART. During chemotherapy, darunavir/cobicistat was held and ibalizumab-uiyk was started to ensure he was on three active HIV medications.

WHAT IS NEW AND CONCLUSION

Ibalizumab-uiyk has no known drug-drug interactions and may be used as bridge therapy for patients with drug-resistant HIV undergoing chemotherapy.

The nature effect in motion: visual exposure to environmental scenes impacts cognitive load and human gait kinematics

Prolonged exposure to urban environments requires higher cognitive processing resources than exposure to nature environments, even if only visual cues are available. Here, we explored the moment-to-moment impact of environment type on visual cognitive processing load, measuring gait kinematics and reaction times. In Experiment 1, participants (n = 20) walked toward nature and urban images projected in front of them, one image per walk, and rated each image for visual discomfort. Gait speed and step length decreased for exposure to urban as compared with nature scenes in line with gait changes observed during verbal cognitive load tasks. We teased apart factors that might contribute to cognitive load: image statistics and visual discomfort. Gait changes correlated with subjective ratings of visual discomfort and their interaction with the environment but not with low-level image statistics. In Experiment 2, participants (n = 45) performed a classic shape discrimination task with the same environmental scenes serving as task-irrelevant distractors. Shape discrimination was slower when urban scenes were presented, suggesting that it is harder to disengage attention from urban than from nature scenes. This provides converging evidence that increased cognitive demands posed by exposure to urban scenes can be measured with gait kinematics and reaction times even for short exposure times.

SAT0445 TRABECULAR BONE SCORE IMPROVES FRACTURE RISK STRATIFICATION IN PATIENTS WITH REDUCED BONE MINERAL DENSITY

Background:

Trabecular bone score (TBS) is a textural index of bone microarchitecture and has been found to be related to 3D bone structure. A number of cohort studies have demonstrated the value of TBS as an independent fracture risk in clinical trials. Yet, very little is known about the performance and clinical value of TBS in real life practice.

Objectives:

To investigate the sensitivity and specificity of TBS in identifying prevalent fractures when compared with bone mineral density (BMD) measured by DXA. To evaluate the added value of TBS in fracture risk prediction above that obtained from DXA.

Methods:

Consecutive patients aged ≥ 18 with BMI 15-37 attnding a DXA plus TBS assessment were considered eligible. Sensitivity, specificity, and area under the curve (AUC) for prevalent major osteoporotic fracture (MOF) and clinical vertebral fractures (VF) were assessed for the following parameters: BMD lowest T-score ≤-2.5 (neck of femur, total hip, or spine), TBS T-score ≤-2.5, and either TBS or BMD T-score ≤-2.5. BMD categories (normal, osteopenia, and osteoporosis) were stratified by TBS T-score: normal (T-score ≥-1), moderate (-1≥T-score≥-2.5), and degraded TBS (T-score ≤-2.5) resulting in 9 risk groups. Odds ratios were calculated for all risk categories and fracture prevalence was compared between the best and worst TBS strata at each BMD level using chi-square test.

Results:

540 patients (87% females, 68.1 ± 11.6 years) were included. 238 (44%) had MOF including 81 (15%) clinical VF. For MOF, BMD had higher sensitivity (49.6% vs 30.7%), lower specificity (68.2% vs 82.1%), and similar AUC (0.59 vs 0.56) versus TBS. For VF, the sensitivity, specificity and AUC for BMD were 60%, 64%, and 0.62 respectively versus 42%, 79.7%, and 0.61 for TBS. Combining TBS and BMD (either T-score ≤ -2.5) increased the sensitivity to 63% for MOF and 75.3% for VF without affecting AUC (0.6 and 0.64 respectively). Patients with osteoporosis and degraded TBS had the highest OR of 2.65 for MOF and 3.8 for VF. The fracture risk increased at the same level of BMD when TBS was degraded. Numerically, the risk of MOF increased steadily from strata 1 to 9 and was statistically significant for osteoporosis with degraded TBS and osteoporosis with moderate TBS. When both TBS and BMD were normal, the risk of fracture was significantly reduced. In the osteopenia and osteoporosis BMD categories, patients with degraded TBS had significantly higher prevalence of fracture compared to those with normal TBS in the same BMD category.

Conclusion:

Fracture risk stratification can be improved when TBS is added to BMD. The sensitivity of predicting fracture may also improve when TBS and BMD are combined. Patients with both normal TBS and BMD have the lowest fracture risk, whereas those with degraded TBS and osteoporosis have the highest risk of fracture and should be targeted for early or more aggressive treatment.

References:

[1]Hans D et al. J Bone Miner Res. 2011;26(11).

[2]McCloskey EV et al. Calcif Tissue Int. 2015;96(6).

Table 1.

Prevalence and risk of MOF and VF according to BMD stratified by TBS T-score

Patients within categoryNumber of MOFOR for MOFNumber of VFOR for VFNormal BMD & TBS497 (14.3%)0.19(0.08-0.43)*00.83(0.80-.87)*Normal BMD moderate TBS195 (26.3%)0.44(0.16-1.24)2 (10.5%)0.66(0.15-2.9)Normal BMD degraded TBS72 (28.6%)0.50(0.1-2.6)1 (14.3%)0.94(0.11-7.9)Osteopenia normal TBS9633 (34.4%)0.61(0.39-0.97)7 (7.3%)0.39(0.18-0.88)*Osteopenia moderate TBS9843 (43.9%)0.99(0.64-1.54)11 (11.2%)0.67(0.34-1.32)Osteopenia degraded TBS5730 (52.6%)1.47(.085-2.55)11 (19.3%)1.41(0.7-2.86)Osteoporosis normal TBS3918 (46.2%)1.1(0.57-2.1)6 (15.4%)1(0.42-2.6)Osteoporosis moderate TBS11259 (52.7%)1.55(1.02-2.35)*21 (18.8%)1.42(0.82-2.45)Osteoporosis degraded TBS6341 (65.1%)2.65(1.53-4.59)*22 (34.9%)3.8(2.12-6.83)*Total54023881

Acknowledgments:

Bone density team, Robert Jones and Agnes Hunt Orthopaedic Hospital

Disclosure of Interests:

None declared

SAT0479 IMPACT OF TRABECULAR BONE SCORE ON INTERVENTION THRESHOLD FOR BONE SPARING THERAPY IN PATIENTS REFERRED FOR BONE MINERAL DENSITY

Background:

Trabecular bone score (TBS) is an index of skeletal quality that has been validated as an independent risk factor for fracture and incorporated into fracture risk assessment (FRAX). TBS provides information on bone microarchitecture not captured from standard bone mineral density (BMD) measured by dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA). Nonetheless, the clinical implications of using TBS in routine practice are not yet fully understood and warrant further evaluation.

Objectives:

To determine whether lumbar TBS can have an impact on clinician’s treatment threshold derived from DXA and clinical risk factors: does the addition of TBS to DXA measurements make the clinician more or less likely to recommend bone sparing therapy?

Methods:

A cross-sectional study at a tertiary metabolic bone centre in the West Midlands region of England. Three expert metabolic bone physicians, two rheumatologists and one elderly care, assessed consecutive patients referred for a DXA scan ± clinic review and provided treatment recommendations with and without TBS. Patients ≥ 18 years old with BMI of 15-37 who were not on bone sparing therapy were considered eligible. TBS was defined according to T-score as normal (T-score ≥ -1), moderate (-1 > T-score ≥ -2.5) or degraded (T-score ≤ -2.5). TBS groups were stratified by BMD T-scores (normal, osteopenia, or osteoporosis) using minimum T-score of total hip, femoral neck, and spine to identify categories in which TBS may be of more clinical use. The main outcome measure was the proportion of change in clinician’s treatment threshold between BMD alone and BMD plus TBS. The difference was assessed for significance using Chi-square test. Additionally, the change in UK National Osteoporosis Guideline Group (NOGG) threshold was also assessed using TBS-adjusted FRAX scores. Correlations between BMD-TBS strata and the change in intervention threshold (yes/no) were carried out using Spearman test.

Results:

540 patients were analysed. The inclusion of TBS resulted in 8.2% change in clinician’s treatment threshold (p <0.001) shifting the outcome 6.5 % for and 1.7 % against treatment. More than half of the cases in which the clinical decision was changed were for patients with osteopenia and degraded TBS (significant correlation; P <0.001). NOGG intervention threshold was changed in 7.4% of the cases (P<0.001); 6.1% for and 1.3% against treatment. 37.5% of NOGG changed outcome was related to osteopenia with degraded TBS (p<0.001). Kappa agreement between the clinician and NOGG was fair at 0.42 (p<0.001).

Conclusion:

These results demonstrate that using TBS in routine clinical practice is most likely to impact treatment decision in patients with osteopenia who have compromised bone microarchitecture. Incorporating TBS in routine DXA scans may lead to a net increase in bone protective therapy of approximately 5%. It is unknown whether adopting such an approach universally can reduce future fracture risk, and prospective studies are needed to address this question.

References:

[1]Hans D et al. J Bone Miner Res. 2011;26(11):2762-9.

[2]McCloskey EV et al. Calcif Tissue Int. 2015;96(6):500-9.

Table 1.

Demographic and baseline characteristics (n = 540)

Female470 (87%)Age (years)68.1 ± 11.6Body mass index (BMI)26.2 ± 4.6Femoral neck T-score-1.80 ± 1.04Total hip T-score-1.32 ± 1.07Lumbar spine T-score-1.37 ± 1.42Lumbar spine TBS1.32 ± 0.13Major osteoporotic fractures238 (44%)Spinal fractures81 (15%)FRAX major osteoporotic fracture14.43 ± 9.03FRAX hip fracture4.60 ± 6.20TBS-adjusted FRAX major osteoporotic fracture13.82 ± 8.80TBS-adjusted FRAX hip fracture4.45 ± 5.73Figure 1.

Distribution of changed clinical treatment threshold in normal, moderate, and degraded TBS according to BMD T-score

Acknowledgments:

Bone density unit &Rheumatology team, Robert Jones and Agnes Hunt Orthopaedic Hospital

Disclosure of Interests:

None declared

Mowat-Wilson syndrome in a Chinese population: A case series

Mowat-Wilson syndrome (MWS) is characterized clinically by a distinctive facial gestalt, intellectual disability, microcephaly, epilepsy, and nonobligatory congenital malformations such as Hirschsprung disease, urogenital anomalies, congenital heart disease, eye malformations. This article summarized the clinical features and molecular findings of 15 Chinese MWS patients. The results revealed a higher incidence of congenital heart disease in Chinese MWS patients compared to that previously reported in Caucasian cohorts, while the incidence of Hirschsprung disease and genitourinary malformation appeared to be lower. This suggests possible ethnicity-related modifying effects in the MWS phenotype.

Recognizing and Overcoming Resistance to New Beta-Lactam/Beta-Lactamase Inhibitor Combinations

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

To describe the mechanisms and clinical relevance of emergent resistance to three recently introduced beta-lactamase inhibitor combinations (BLICs) active against resistant Gram-negative organisms: ceftolozane-tazobactam, ceftazidime-avibactam, and meropenem-vaborbactam.

RECENT FINDINGS

Despite their recent introduction into practice, clinical reports of resistance to BLICs among typically susceptible organisms have already emerged, in some cases associated with therapeutic failure. The resistance mechanisms vary by agent, including mutations in beta-lactamase active sites, upregulation of efflux pumps, and alterations in the structure or expression of porin channels. These changes may confer cross-resistance or, rarely, increased susceptibility to related agents. Clinicians need to be aware of the potential for initial or emergent resistance to BLICs and ensure appropriate antimicrobial susceptibility testing is performed. Dose optimization and novel combinations of agents may play a role in preventing and managing resistance. Recently approved BLICs have provided important new therapeutic options against resistant Gram-negative organisms, but are already coming up against emergent resistance. Awareness of the potential for resistance, early detection, and dose optimization may be important in preserving the utility of these agents.

Abstract P1-12-07: Prospective 36-month follow-up to determine changes in body mass index and weight among Chinese breast cancer survivors

Background:Anticancer treatment for breast cancer has been associated with weight gain but such observation has mainly been reported in western patients. More recent data in Asian patients have inconsistent findings. Factors including socio-demographic, clinical and lifestyle may be associated with post-diagnosis weight gain. In this prospective cohort study of women with breast cancer, the objectives were to determine the body mass index (BMI) and weight changes over 36 months after initial diagnosis and the factors associated with such changes.

Methods: Chinese women with newly diagnosed early-stage breast cancer were recruited. Individual woman had her weight measured at breast cancer diagnosis (W0), at study entry (W1) and at 36-month follow-up (W2). Body height was measured at W0. We evaluated change in weight and body mass index (BMI) before and after breast cancer diagnosis.Socio-demographic, clinical and lifestyle factors were assessed to identify potential associated factors with weight changes.

Results: A total of 1133 women with breast cancer had detailed weight measurements at the 3 time-points of assessment. The mean age at diagnosis was 52 years. Fifty-four percent were premenopausal at W1. The proportion of patients with stage 0-I, II and III diseases were 35%, 46% and 19%, respectively.

The proportions of patients who were overweight and obese at the three assessment time-points were 21.2% and 28.5% at W0, 19.7% and 26.6% at W1, and 21.7% and 30.9% at W2 assessment, respectively. When compared to W0, the proportions of women who gained weight within 2-5kg at W1 and W2 were 2.4% and 20.6% respectively, that with weight gain of &gt;5kg at W1 and W2 were 0.5% and 10.0% respectively; 6.1% and 19.6% of women had weight loss &gt;2kg at W1 and W2 respectively.

Compared to W0, the median value of weight change was -0.5 kg (range: -11.4, 18.3) at W1 and 0.6 kg (range: -19.6, 20.5) at W2. On multivariate analysis, only BMI at diagnosis were significantly associated with weight change betweenassessments at diagnosis and W2; the median (range) for weight changes for women who were underweight, normal, overweight and obese were respectively 0.9 (-4.8, 7.6), 0.6 (-13.2, 20.5), 0.5 (-11.5, 13.0) and 0.5 (-19.6, 12.6) kg, p &lt;0.001.

Conclusions: In this prospective study of Chinese women with a history of breast cancer who were followed-up over a 36-months' period, the proportions of women with overweight and obese statuses were relatively stable; weight gain was uncommon among Hong Kong women with breast cancer during the same period. These findings are in contrast with studies conducted in the West, where weight gains were more commonly reported.

Funding: World Cancer Research Fund International (Grant Number WCRF 2010/249 and WCRF 2014/1197)

Citation Format: Yeo W, Lei YY, Cheng AC, Kwok CC, Cheung KL, Lee R, Lee IC, He YQ, Ho S. Prospective 36-month follow-up to determine changes in body mass index and weight among Chinese breast cancer survivors [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 2018 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium; 2018 Dec 4-8; San Antonio, TX. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2019;79(4 Suppl):Abstract nr P1-12-07.

Critical care usage after major gastrointestinal and liver surgery: a prospective, multicentre observational study

BACKGROUND

Patient selection for critical care admission must balance patient safety with optimal resource allocation. This study aimed to determine the relationship between critical care admission, and postoperative mortality after abdominal surgery.

METHODS

This prespecified secondary analysis of a multicentre, prospective, observational study included consecutive patients enrolled in the DISCOVER study from UK and Republic of Ireland undergoing major gastrointestinal and liver surgery between October and December 2014. The primary outcome was 30-day mortality. Multivariate logistic regression was used to explore associations between critical care admission (planned and unplanned) and mortality, and inter-centre variation in critical care admission after emergency laparotomy.

RESULTS

Of 4529 patients included, 37.8% (n=1713) underwent planned critical care admissions from theatre. Some 3.1% (n=86/2816) admitted to ward-level care subsequently underwent unplanned critical care admission. Overall 30-day mortality was 2.9% (n=133/4519), and the risk-adjusted association between 30-day mortality and critical care admission was higher in unplanned [odds ratio (OR): 8.65, 95% confidence interval (CI): 3.51-19.97) than planned admissions (OR: 2.32, 95% CI: 1.43-3.85). Some 26.7% of patients (n=1210/4529) underwent emergency laparotomies. After adjustment, 49.3% (95% CI: 46.8-51.9%, P<0.001) were predicted to have planned critical care admissions, with 7% (n=10/145) of centres outside the 95% CI.

CONCLUSIONS

After risk adjustment, no 30-day survival benefit was identified for either planned or unplanned postoperative admissions to critical care within this cohort. This likely represents appropriate admission of the highest-risk patients. Planned admissions in selected, intermediate-risk patients may present a strategy to mitigate the risk of unplanned admission. Substantial inter-centre variation exists in planned critical care admissions after emergency laparotomies.

Impact of a case management programme for women seeking later second-trimester abortion: the case of the Massachusetts Access Program

OBJECTIVE

The Massachusetts Access Program is a statewide, centralised referral and case management program created to address barriers to later second-trimester abortions. This study outlines the scope of, describes provider experiences with, and evaluates provider acceptability of the Program.

STUDY DESIGN

We invited physicians, nurses and staff working in hospitals within the later abortion provider referral network to participate in a mixed-methods study that included a web-based quantitative survey and/or a semi-structured qualitative interview. We used descriptive statistics to analyse survey data and inductive coding methods to analyse interview data.

RESULTS

From 2007-2012, 15-28% of abortions performed in Massachusetts at 19 weeks or greater gestational age annually were scheduled through the Access Program. We received 16 completed surveys and conducted seven interviews with providers who routinely receive referrals for later abortions through the Program. Providers overall reported positive experiences with the Program and found it highly acceptable. They described that the transportation, accommodation and financial assistance enabled patients access to care. The specialised and updated knowledge of the Access Coordinator in regards to abortion care also allowed her to act as a resource for providers.

CONCLUSIONS

The Access Program, through its referral and case management network, was a valuable resource both to patients seeking later second-trimester abortions and providers involved in abortion care. It acts as one example of an effective, highly acceptable and potentially replicable intervention to reduce barriers to obtaining later second-trimester abortions.

Bicycle and helmet use of adolescents in Markham, Canada

Bicycle crashes are the second most common sports- or recreation-associated cause of serious injury. While the literature suggests that wearing protective helmets can significantly decrease risks associated with bicycle-related injuries, overall helmet use remains sub-optimal. A recent study by Chow et al. suggested that helmet-wearing rates in adolescent boys are negatively correlated with age. The aim of this study was to determine if similar trends are observed in a co-educational high school setting. A questionnaire was circulated at Unionville High School, a co-ed public high school in Markham, Canada. Of the 144 participants, 27 of them were in Grade 9 or 10, and 117 of them were in Grade 11 or 12. While there was no statistical difference between helmet-wearing rates in Grade 9-10 and Grade 11-12 students, overall usage rates were low (41% and 38%, respectively, for recreational cyclists). This trend is interesting, considering that nearly 90% of all students were aware that wearing a helmet while cycling is required under Ontario law. Further studies should be conducted among the young adult population to determine whether the alarming trends discovered by this study and Chow et al. continue.