Thyroid Surgeries in Asymptomatic Patients

alexandrossfakianakis shared this article with you from Inoreader Thyroid Surgeries in Asymptomatic Patients via JAMA Otolaryngology–Head & Neck Surgery Online First In this issue of JAMA Otolaryngology−Head & Neck Surgery, Dr Sajisevi and colleagues report the findings of a retrospective analysis of 1328 patients in 16 centers in 4 countries who underwent thyroid surgery for thyroid pathology in 2019. Patients were classified by the mode of detection of the thyroid findings that led to surgery: endocrinopathic condition, patient-requested screening, clinician-screening physical examination, radiologic serendipity, diagnostic cascade, symptomatic thyroid disease, and under surveillance. The primary outcomes were the mode of detection and the proportion and size of thyroid cancers discovered in patients who were asymptomatic. The authors found that 41% of patients were asymptomatic at the time of the detection of the thyroid condition, while 34% of patients had structural thyroid symptoms at the time of detection. The remaining 25% of patients were either under surveillance for known thyroid pathology, such as thyroid nodules, or had an endocrinopathic condition, such as hyperthyroidism, hyperparathyroidism, or multiple endocrine neoplasia syndrome. Of the 1328 cases, 613 (46%) revealed thyroid cancer. The authors also found that 51% of these cancers were in asymptomatic patients, while only 30% were in symptomatic patients. Finally, the mean tumor size was significantly larger in symptomatic compared with asymptomatic patients (3.2 cm vs 2.1 cm). View on Web

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Postoperative Gabapentin's Effect on Opioid Consumption and Pain Control Following Sinonasal Surgery

alexandrossfakianakis shared this article with you from Inoreader Postoperative Gabapentin's Effect on Opioid Consumption and Pain Control Following Sinonasal Surgery via The Laryngoscope Objective This study investigates the impact of postoperative gabapentin on opioid consumption and pain control following endoscopic sinus surgery (ESS) and/or septoplasty. Methods Patients who underwent ESS and/or septoplasty at a single institution from 2021 to 2022 were enrolled. All patients received postoperative hydrocodone-acetaminophen for pain control. Half of the patients were also prescribed gabapentin for the first postoperative day in addition to hydrocodone-acetaminophen. Subjects completed the Revised American Pain Society Patient Outcome Questionnaire 24 h and 7 days after surgery. We conducted a multivariable regression analysis to assess opioid consumption and improvement in pain scores in the first week between gabapentin and non-gabapentin groups. Results A total of 102 subjects, 51 in each arm, were enrolled. The mean age was 52 years and 53% of participants were female. Controlling for important baseline demographic, clinical, and surgically related variables, the addition of postoperative gabapentin was associated with a 44% (9.5 mg from 21.6 mg) reduction in opioids consumed in the first postoperative week (B = −9.54, 95% C.I. = [−17.84, −1.24], p = 0.025). In addition, patients in both arms exhibited similar improvement in pain severity and sleep interference in the first 7 days (B = −1.59, 95% C.I. = [−5.03, 1.84], p = 0.36). Conclusion To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study to investigate the impact of postoperative gabapentin on opioid consumption and pain control following ESS and/or septoplasty. Our analysis demonstrated that postoperative gabapentin effectively reduced opioid use during the first postoperative week without compromising pain control. Level of Evidence 3 Laryngoscope, 2022 View on Web

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Acute toxicity in patients treated with concurrent chemoradiotherapy with proton versus intensity‐modulated radiation therapy for nonmetastatic head and neck cancers

alexandrossfakianakis shared this article with you from Inoreader Acute toxicity in patients treated with concurrent chemoradiotherapy with proton versus intensity‐modulated radiation therapy for nonmetastatic head and neck cancers via Head & Neck Abstract Background We evaluated if proton therapy is associated with decreased acute toxicities compared to intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) in patients receiving concurrent chemoradiotherapy for head and neck cancers. Methods We analyzed 580 patients with nonmetastatic head and neck cancers. Primary endpoint was any 90-day grade ≥3 toxicity, prospectively collected and graded per CTCAEv4. Modified Poisson regression models were used. Results Ninety-five patients received proton and 485 IMRT. The proton group had more HPV-positive tumors (65.6 vs. 58.0%, p = 0.049), postoperative treatment (76.8 vs. 62.1%, p = 0.008), unilateral neck treatment (18.9 vs. 6.6%, p < 0.001) and significantly lower doses to organs-at-risk compared to IMRT group. Adjusted for patient and treatment characteristics, the proton group had decreased grade 2 dysgeusia (RR0.67, 95%CI 0.53–0.84, p = 0.004) and a trend toward lower grade ≥3 toxicities (RR0.60, 95%CI 0.41–0.88, p = 0.06). Conclusions Proton therapy was associated with significantly reduced grade 2 dysgeusia and nonstatistically significant decrease in acute grade ≥3 toxicities compared to IMRT. View on Web

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Rhinovirus persistence during the COVID‐19 pandemic – impact on paediatric acute wheezing admissions

alexandrossfakianakis shared this article with you from Inoreader Rhinovirus persistence during the COVID‐19 pandemic – impact on paediatric acute wheezing admissions via Journal of Medical Virology Abstract Rhinoviruses have persisted throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, despite other seasonal respiratory viruses (influenza, parainfluenza, respiratory syncytial virus, adenoviruses, human metapneumovirus) being mostly suppressed by pandemic restrictions, such as masking and other forms social distancing, especially during the national lockdown periods. Rhinoviruses, as non-enveloped viruses, are known to transmit effectively via the airborne and fomite route, which has allowed infection amongst children and adults to continue despite pandemic restrictions. Rhinoviruses are also known to cause and exacerbate acute wheezing episodes in children predisposed to this condition. Non-infectious causes such as air pollutants (PM2.5, PM10) can also play a role. In this retrospective ecological study, we demonstrate the correlation between UK national sentinel rhinovirus surveillance, the level of airborne particulates and the changing patterns of paedi atric emergency department presentations for acute wheezing, before and during the COVID-19 pandemic (2018-2021) in a large UK teaching hospital. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved. View on Web

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Low compliance to post‐screening recommendations in a family‐based Helicobacter pylori screening and treatment program: A prospective cohort study

alexandrossfakianakis shared this article with you from Inoreader Low compliance to post‐screening recommendations in a family‐based Helicobacter pylori screening and treatment program: A prospective cohort study via Helicobacter Abstract Background Intra-family transmission is an important Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection route. Family-based screening and treatment of H. pylori is a promising strategy. However, limited data are available on patient compliance with post-screening recommendations for such a strategy. Materials and Methods A prospective cohort study of families from six regions in Shandong, China, from July 2021 to February 2022 was conducted. Demographic characteristics, prior testing, and treatment for H. pylori, prior gastroscopy, symptoms, and family history were collected. Infection status of participants was determined using the 13C-urea breath test. Infected participants were recommended to undergo eradication treatment, confirmation testing, and gastroscopy per expert consensus. Participants were monitored for 6 months to record recommendation compliance in a real-world setting. Logistic regression models were used to analyze the factors influencing compliance with the recommendations. Results The study included 1173 individuals from 386 families with the overall infection rate of 36.7%. The recommendation compliance for eradication treatment, confirmation testing, and gastroscopy was 69.3% (271/391), 32.5% (88/271), and 6.1% (19/309), respectively. Factors that increased the risk of lower compliance were male sex (odds ratio [OR], 1.917, 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.233–2.981), and living in a non-urban area (OR, 1.954, 95% CI, 1.241–3.074), for treatment recommendations; having more than one infected family member (OR, 2.138, 95% CI, 1.237–3.698), and a lower family income (¥100,000–¥300,000 per year, OR, 7.247, 95% CI, 1.788–29.363; or <¥100,000 per year, OR, 7.294, 95% CI, 1.832–29.042), for confirmation testing recommendations; and being asymptomatic (OR, 3.009, 95% CI, 1.105–8.196), for gastroscopy recommendations. Conclusions Post-screening recommendation compliance for this family-based H. pylori screening and treatment program was unsatisfactory. Further studies focusing on pre-screening education are warranted to improve compliance. View on Web

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Understanding Etiologic Pathways Through Multiple Sequential Mediators: An Application in Perinatal Epidemiology

alexandrossfakianakis shared this article with you from Inoreader Understanding Etiologic Pathways Through Multiple Sequential Mediators: An Application in Perinatal Epidemiology via Epidemiology - Published Ahead-of-Print Background: Causal mediation analysis facilitates decomposing the total effect into a direct effect and an indirect effect that operates through an intermediate variable. Recent developments in causal mediation analysis have clarified the process of evaluating how – and to what extent – different pathways via multiple causally ordered mediators link the exposure to the outcome. Methods: Through an application of natural effect models for multiple mediators, we show how placental abruption might affect perinatal mortality using small-for-gestational-age (SGA) birth and preterm delivery as two sequential mediators. We describe methods to disentangle the total effect into the proportions mediated via each of the sequential mediators, when evaluating natural direct and natural indirect effects. Results: Under the assumption that SGA births causally precedes preterm delivery, an analysis of 16.7 million singleton pregnancies is consistent with the hypothesis that abruption exerts powerful effects on perinatal mortality (adjusted risk ratio=11.9; 95% confidence interval 11.6, 12.1). The proportions of the estimated total effect mediated through SGA birth and preterm delivery were 2% and 58%, respectively. The proportion unmediated via either SGA or preterm delivery was 41%. Conclusions: Through an application of causal mediation analysis with sequential mediators, we uncovered new insights into the pathways along which abruption impacts perinatal mortality. Copyright © 2022 Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc. All rights reserved. View on Web

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The Problem of Appetite Loss After Major Abdominal Surgery: A Systematic Review

alexandrossfakianakis shared this article with you from Inoreader The Problem of Appetite Loss After Major Abdominal Surgery: A Systematic Review via Annals of Surgery - Most Popular Articles Objective: To systematically review the problem of appetite loss after major abdominal surgery. Summary of Background Data: Appetite loss is a common problem after major abdominal surgery. Understanding of etiology and treatment options is limited. Methods: We searched Medline, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, and Web of Science for studies describing postoperative appetite loss. Data were extracted to clarify definition, etiology, measurement, surgical influence, pharmacological, and nonpharmacological treatment. PROSPERO registration ID: CRD42021224489. Results: Out of 6144 articles, we included 165 studies, 121 of which were also analyzed quantitatively. A total of 19.8% were randomized, controlled trials (n = 24) and 80.2% were nonrandomized studies (n = 97). The studies included 20,506 patients undergoing the following surgeries: esophageal (n = 33 studies), gastric (n = 48), small bowel (n = 6), colon (n = 27), rectal (n = 20), hepatobiliary (n = 6), and pancreatic (n = 13). Appetite was mostly measured with the Quality of Life Questionnaire of the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC QLQ C30, n = 54). In a meta-analysis of 4 randomized controlled trials gum chewing reduced time to first hunger by 21.2 hours among patients who had bowel surgery. Other reported treatment options with positive effects on appetite but lower levels of evidence include, among others, intravenous ghrelin administration, the oral Japanese herbal medicine Rikkunshito, oral mosapride citrate, multidisciplin-ary-counseling, and watchin g cooking shows. No studies investigated the effect of well-known appetite stimulants such as cannabinoids, steroids, or megestrol acetate on surgical patients. Conclusions: Appetite loss after major abdominal surgery is common and associated with increased morbidity and reduced quality of life. Recent studies demonstrate the influence of reduced gastric volume and ghrelin secretion, and increased satiety hormone secretion. There are various treatment options available including level IA evidence for postoperative gum chewing. In the future, surgical trials should include the assessment of appetite loss as a relevant outcome measure. View on Web

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