Severity of hearing loss after platinum chemotherapy in childhood cancer survivors

alexandrossfakianakis shared this article with you from Inoreader Severity of hearing loss after platinum chemotherapy in childhood cancer survivors via Pediatric Blood & Cancer Abstract Background Hearing loss is a potential side effect from childhood cancer treatment. We described the severity of hearing loss assessed by audiometry in a representative national cohort of childhood cancer survivors (CCS) and identified clinical risk factors. Procedure We included all CCS from the Swiss Childhood Cancer Registry who were diagnosed ≤18 age and treated with platinum-based chemotherapy between 1990 and 2014. We extracted audiograms, treatment-related information, and demographic data from medical records. Two reviewers independently assessed the severity of hearing loss at latest follow-up using the Münster Ototoxicity Scale. We used ordered logistic regression to identify clinical risk factors for severity of hearing loss. Results We analyzed data from 270 CCS. Median time from cancer diagnosis to last audiogram was 5 years (interquartile range 2.5–8.1 years). We found 53 (20%) CCS with mild, 78 (29%) with moderate, and 75 (28%) with severe hearing loss. Higher severity grades were associated with (a) younger age at cancer diagnosis (odds ratio [OR] 5.4, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 2.5–12.0 for <5 years); (b) treatment in earlier years (OR 4.8, 95% CI: 2.1–11.0 for 1990–1995); (c) higher cumulative cisplatin doses (OR 13.5, 95% CI: 4.7–38.8 for >450 mg/m2); (d) concomitant cranial radiation therapy (CRT) (OR 4.4, 95% CI: 2.5–7.8); and (e) hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) (OR 2.7, 95% CI: 1.0–7.2). Conclusion Three of four CCS treated with platinum-based chemotherapy experienced some degree of hearing loss. We recommend closely monitoring patient's hearing function if treated at a young age with high cumulative cisplatin doses, and concomitant CRT as part of long-term care. View on Web

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The impact of pre‐transplant serum ferritin on haploidentical hematopoietic stem cell transplant for acquired severe aplastic anemia in children and adolescents

alexandrossfakianakis shared this article with you from Inoreader The impact of pre‐transplant serum ferritin on haploidentical hematopoietic stem cell transplant for acquired severe aplastic anemia in children and adolescents via Pediatric Blood & Cancer Abstract Haploidentical hematopoietic stem cell transplant (haplo-HSCT) provides an important alternative for children and adolescents with acquired severe aplastic anemia (SAA) lacking of matched donors. To test whether pre-transplant serum ferritin (SF) represents a candidate predictor for survival and a potential biomarker for graft-versus-host disease (GvHD) in pediatric haplo-HSCT, we retrospectively evaluated 147 eligible patients with SAA who underwent haplo-HSCT. The patients were divided into the low-SF group (< 1000 ng/ml) and the high-SF group (≥ 1000 ng/ml). We found that SF ≥1000 ng/ml independently increased the risk of grade II-IV aGvHD (HR = 2.596, 95% CI 1.304-5.167, p = .007) and grade III-IV aGvHD (HR = 3.350, 95% CI 1.162-9.658, p = .025). Similar probabilities of transplant-related mortality at 100 days were observed in the two groups (6.19 ± 2.45% vs 8.00 ± 3.84%, p = .168). The 2-year overall survival (85.29 ± 3.89% vs 92.00 ±3.84%, p = .746) and fai lure-free survival (83.23% ± 4.08% vs 83.37 ± 6.27%, p = .915) were comparable. GvHD-/failure-free survival were 60.06 ± 5.10% and 75.56 ± 6.87%, respectively (p = .056). In conclusion, the elevated pre-transplant SF level is associated with higher incidences of grade II-IV aGvHD and grade III-IV aGvHD. However, it is not associated with worse survival after haplo-HSCT for children and adolescent patients with SAA. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved View on Web

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Prospective registration of symptoms and times to diagnosis in children and adolescents with central nervous system tumors: A study of the Swedish Childhood Cancer Registry

alexandrossfakianakis shared this article with you from Inoreader Prospective registration of symptoms and times to diagnosis in children and adolescents with central nervous system tumors: A study of the Swedish Childhood Cancer Registry via Pediatric Blood & Cancer Abstract Background The elapsed time taken to diagnose tumors of the central nervous system in children and adolescents varies widely. The aim of the present study was to investigate such diagnostic time intervals at a national level in Sweden as they correlate with clinical features. Methods Data prospectively accumulated over a 4-year period in the Swedish Childhood Cancer Registry from patients aged 0–18 years were pooled, and diagnostic time intervals were analyzed considering tumor location, tumor type, patient age and sex, initial symptoms, and clinical timelines. All six pediatric oncology centers in Sweden contributed to collection of data. Time points for calculating the total diagnostic interval (TDI) defined as the time from symptom onset to diagnosis were reported in 257 of 319 patients (81%). Results The time from symptom onset to the first healthcare consultation, median 2.6 weeks, did not vary significantly between patients categorized according to tumor type or location. The median TDI was 8.3 weeks for the 4-year study period. Patients with optic pathway glioma (TDI 26.6 weeks), those with tumors of the spinal cord (TDI 25.9 weeks), and those with midline tumors (TDI 24.6 weeks) had the longest lead times. Additionally, older age, too few initial symptoms, and seeking initial redress outside an emergency ward were factors associated with a longer time to diagnosis. Conclusion This study identified several factors associated with delayed diagnosis of central nervous system tumors among Swedish children and adolescents. These novel data ought to help direct future efforts toward clinical improvement. View on Web

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Asphericity of tumor [123I]mIBG uptake as a prognostic factor in high‐risk neuroblastoma

alexandrossfakianakis shared this article with you from Inoreader Asphericity of tumor [123I]mIBG uptake as a prognostic factor in high‐risk neuroblastoma via Pediatric Blood & Cancer Abstract Background In recent years, many research groups have attempted to identify a subgroup of "ultra-high risk" patients within the high-risk neuroblastoma (NB) category. The aim of our study was to evaluate the prognostic significance of parameters derived from pretherapeutic 123I-meta-iodobenzylguanidine ([123I]mIBG) integrated single photon emission computed tomography and computed tomography in high-risk patients with NB. Methods The established parameters metabolic tumor volume (MTV), maximal standardized uptake value (SUVmax) and the novel parameter tumor asphericity as well as clinical (age, stage) and genetic factors (1p/11q deletions and MYCN amplification) were analyzed in this single-center retrospective study of high-risk patients with newly diagnosed NB. Univariate/multivariable Cox regression and propensity score matching were performed for clinical and radiological parameters. Results Twenty-eight high-risk patients with NB were included (14 males, median age 28.8 (11.3–41.0), range 3–74 months). Multivariable analysis of "full" cohort identified high asphericity (≥65%, adjusted hazard ratio [HR] 5.32, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.18–24.07, p = .03) and MTV (≥50 ml, adjusted HR 4.31, 95% CI: 1.18–15.80, p = .027) as the only factors associated with worse event-free survival. In matched cohort, tumor asphericity was a significant predictor of relapse/progression (HR 3.83, 95% CI: 1.03–14.26, p = .046). Conclusion In this exploratory study, imaging parameters related to tumor metabolic activity, tumor asphericity and MTV, provided prognostic value for event-free survival in high-risk NB patients. Asphericity ≥65% and MTV ≥50 ml may serve as additional prognostic factors to those already used. View on Web

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Can the Remote Use of a Peak Flow Meter Predict Severity of Subglottic Stenosis and Surgical Timing?

alexandrossfakianakis shared this article with you from Inoreader Can the Remote Use of a Peak Flow Meter Predict Severity of Subglottic Stenosis and Surgical Timing? via The Laryngoscope Objective We aimed to assess the relationship between patient-performed and patient-reported peak flow meter (PFM) measurements with pulmonary function testing (PFT) and Dyspnea Index (DI) scores as a tool for monitoring Subglottic stenosis (SGS) disease progression remotely. Methods Thirty-five SGS patients were prospectively enrolled. Patients were given PFMs to report serial measurements from home. DI scores and PFT were recorded at serial clinic visits. Data were analyzed to determine the correlation between PFM measurements and PFT data. Pre-operative and post-operative PFM measurements, PFT, and DI scores were analyzed for patients who underwent operative intervention. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were created for PFM measurements, PFT data, and DI scores to predict the likelihood of surgery. Results PFM measurements had a "strong" correlation with the peak expiratory flow rate (PEFR), r = 0.78. Means of PEFR, PIFR, EDI, PFM measurements, and DI scores all significantly improved after the operative intervention (p ≤ 0.05). The area under the curve for ROC curves for DI scores, PFM measurements, and EDI were highest in our cohort with values of 0.896, 0.823, and 0.806, respectively. Conclusion In our SGS cohort, PFM measurements correlate strongly with PEFR measurements. PFM measurements can adequately demonstrate disease progression and predict the need for surgery in this patient population. Together, DI scores and PFM measurements may be a useful tool to remotely follow patients with SGS and inform timing of in-person assessments. Level of Evidence 2 Laryngoscope, 2022 View on Web

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Preoperative hemoglobin A1c and perioperative blood glucose in patients with diabetes mellitus undergoing spinal cord stimulation surgery: a literature review of surgical site infection risk

alexandrossfakianakis shared this article with you from Inoreader Preoperative hemoglobin A1c and perioperative blood glucose in patients with diabetes mellitus undergoing spinal cord stimulation surgery: a literature review of surgical site infection risk via Pain Practice Abstract Aims The aim of our study was to review the surgical literature regarding the relationship between hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c), diagnosis of diabetes mellitus (DM), and risk of post-operative surgical site infection (SSI). Methods A librarian-assisted literature search was performed with two goals: 1) identify surgical publications related to SSI and HbA1c values, and 2) identify publications reporting infection risk with DM in spinal cord stimulation (SCS), intrathecal drug delivery systems (IDDS), and cardiovascular implantable electronic device (CIED) implantation surgeries. Published guidelines on perioperative management of DM are reviewed. Results We identified 30 studies reporting SSI and HbA1c values. The literature review indicated that for many surgical procedures elevated HbA1c is not correlated to rate of SSI. We identified 16 studies reporting infection rates within DM cohorts following SCS, IDDS, and CIED implantation surgeries. The data reviewed did not indicate DM as an independent risk factor for SSI. Conclusion Preoperative HbA1c levels in patients with a history of DM is not a singularly sufficient tool to estimate risk of perioperative infection in SCS implantation surgery. Published guidelines on perioperative management of DM do not suggest a specific HbA1c above which surgery should be delayed; intentional perioperative glycemic control is recommended. View on Web

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Recovery from chronic periodontal disease is associated with lower risk for incident diabetes

alexandrossfakianakis shared this article with you from Inoreader Recovery from chronic periodontal disease is associated with lower risk for incident diabetes via Journal of Clinical Periodontology Abstract Objective The presence of periodontal disease (PD) at a single time point has been suggested as a predictor of diabetes risk, but whether changes in PD status are associated with altered risk of diabetes has yet to be reported on a population scale. This study investigated whether recovery from or development of PD in a population is associated with an altered risk for diabetes occurrence. Methods Data of subjects who received health screening from 2002 to 2007 were obtained from the National Health Insurance Service - National Health Screening cohort database of Korea. Patients with a history of diabetes were excluded. Changes in PD status were determined from the first two health screenings. Study subjects were divided into 4 groups according to the changes of PD status: PD-free, PD-recovered, PD-developed, and PD-chronic. The outcome was the occurrence of diabetes. Results Overall, 111,611 subjects were included for analysis. During a median follow-up of 9.10 years, diabetes developed in 6,102 subjects. The adjusted hazard ratios (HR) for incident diabetes across various PD change groups (in reference to the PD-free group) were: PD-chronic group=1.096 (95% CI 1.026-1.170, P 0.006); PD-developed group=1.073 (95% CI 0.993-1.159, P 0.075); PD-recovered group=1.019 (CI 0.945-1.100, P 0.622). The subjects who recovered from PD had a lower diabetes risk than those who had consistent PD (adjusted HR 0.930, 95% CI 0.865-1.000, P 0.050), whereas those who developed PD had a higher risk for diabetes than those who remained PD-free. Conclusion Longitudinal change in PD status is associated with incident diabetes risk. Future intervention studies are necessary to determine if PD treatment can prevent incident diabetes. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved. View on Web

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Increased local concentrations of growth factors from leucocyte‐ and platelet‐rich fibrin do not translate into improved alveolar ridge preservation: an intraindividual mechanistic randomized controlled trial

alexandrossfakianakis shared this article with you from Inoreader Increased local concentrations of growth factors from leucocyte‐ and platelet‐rich fibrin do not translate into improved alveolar ridge preservation: an intraindividual mechanistic randomized controlled trial via Journal of Clinical Periodontology Abstract Aims Leucocyte- and platelet-rich fibrin (L-PRF) has been tested for enhancing alveolar ridge preservation (ARP), but little is known about the local release profile of growth factors (GF) and the clinical equipoise related to its efficacy remains. This study compared the patterns of GF release, early soft tissue healing and alveolar ridge resorption following unassisted healing and L-PRF application in non-molar extraction sockets. Materials and Methods Atraumatic tooth extraction of two hopeless teeth per patient was followed by unassisted healing or L-PRF placement to fill the socket in 18 systemically healthy, nonsmoking subjects. This intraindividual trial was powered to assess changes in horizontal alveolar ridge dimensions 1 mm below the crest of alveolar bone. GF concentrations in wound fluid were assessed with a multiplex assay at 6, 24, 72 and 168 hours. Early healing was evaluated with the wound-healing index and changes in soft tissue volumes on serial digital scans. Hard tissue changes were measured on superimposed CBCT images after 5 months of healing. Results L-PRF resulted in higher GF concentrations in WF as compared to the control, but no differences in release patterns or time of peak were observed. No intergroup differences in early healing parameters were observed. Alveolar bone resorption was observed in both groups. No significant intergroup differences were observed in hard tissue healing 1, 3 or 5 mm apical to the original bone crest, or in ability to digitally plan a prosthetically guided implant with or without bone augmentation. Conclusions L-PRF increased the GF concentrations in wound fluid of extraction sockets without shifting the pattern observed in unassisted healing, while the increased delivery did not translate into clinical benefits in early wound healing or ARP. The current findings question the assumption that increased local concentrations of GF by L-PRF translate into improved clinical outcomes. Additional definitive studies are needed to establish the benefits of L-PRF in ARP. (clinicaltrials.gov NCT03985033) View on Web

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When Effects Cannot be Estimated: Redefining Estimands to Understand the Effects of Naloxone Access Laws

alexandrossfakianakis shared this article with you from Inoreader When Effects Cannot be Estimated: Redefining Estimands to Understand the Effects of Naloxone Access Laws via Epidemiology - Published Ahead-of-Print Violations of the positivity assumption (also called the common support condition) challenge health policy research and can result in significant bias, large variance, and invalid inference. We define positivity in the single- and multiple-timepoint (i.e., longitudinal) health policy evaluation setting, and discuss real-world thr eats to positivity. We show empirical evidence of the practical positivity violations that can result when attempting to estimate the effects of health policies (in this case, Naloxone Access Laws). In such scenarios, an alternative is to estimate the effect of a shift in law enactment (e.g., the effect if enactment had been delayed by some number of years). Such an effect corresponds to what is called a modified treatment policy, and dramatically weakens the required positivity assumption, thereby offering a means to estimate policy effects even in scenarios with serious positivity problems. We apply the approach to define and estimate the longitudinal effects of Naloxone Access Laws on opioid overdose rates. Violations of the positivity assumption (also called the common support condition) challenge health policy research and can result in significant bias, large variance, and invalid inference. We define positivity in the single- and multiple-timepoint (i.e., longitudinal) health policy evaluation setting, and discuss real-world threats to positivity. We show empirical evidence of the practical positivity violations that can result when attempting to estimate the effects of health policies (in this case, Naloxone Access Laws). In such scenarios, an alternative is to estimate the effect of a shift in law enactment (e.g., the effect if enactment had been delayed by some number of years). Such an effect corresponds to what is called a modified treatment policy, and dramatically weakens the required positivity assumption, thereby offering a means to estimate policy effects even in scenarios with serious positivity problems. We apply the approach to define and estimate the longitudinal effec ts of Naloxone Access Laws on opioid overdose rates. Copyright © 2022 Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc. All rights reserved. View on Web

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Efficacy of platelet‐rich fibrin and connective tissue graft in papilla reconstruction

alexandrossfakianakis shared this article with you from Inoreader Efficacy of platelet‐rich fibrin and connective tissue graft in papilla reconstruction via Journal of Esthetic and Restorative Dentistry Abstract Purpose To evaluate efficacy of platelet-rich fibrin (PRF) or connective tissue graft (CTG) in papilla reconstruction (PR) with the semilunar incision (SI) technique. Materials and Methods The analysis consisted of 55 sites (27 CTG and 28 PRF) from 20 patients who underwent PR with either PRF or CTG placed in the maxillary anterior region with SI technique. Baseline (BL) and follow-up (T1, first month, T3, third month, T6, sixth month) clinical data including periodontal evaluations (gingival index (GI), plaque index (PI), pocket depth (PD), keratinized tissue width (KTW), gingival recession), papilla-associated recordings (alveolar crest-interdental contact point [AC-IC], alveolar crest-papilla tip [AC-PT], papilla tip-interdental contact point [PT-IC], papilla height loss [PHL], interdental tissue stroke [ITS] and papilla presence index [PPI]) and patient satisfaction were analyzed. Results CTG provided better PR outcomes. GI, PI, and PD showed a slight increase at T1 and then, turned to their BL levels. The other periodontal parameters showed significant improvement after both treatment modalities. No inter-group difference was found except for KTW, which was in favor of CTG. Conclusion Based on the results, CTG is recommended over PRF in PR treatment due to its superior outcomes with less recurrence risk. Clinical Significance Connective tissue graft provides superior results than platelet-rich fibrin in papilla reconstruction with the semilunar incision technique. View on Web

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