Household versus incentive-based contact investigation for tuberculosis

alexandrossfakianakis shared this article with you from Inoreader Household versus incentive-based contact investigation for tuberculosis in rural South Africa: a cluster-randomized trial via Clinical Infectious Diseases Advance Access Abstract Background Household contact investigation for people newly diagnosed with tuberculosis (TB) is poorly implemented, particularly in low- and middle-income countries. Conditional cash incentives may improve uptake. Methods We conducted a pragmatic, cluster randomized cross-over trial of two TB contact investigation approaches (household-based and incentive-based) in 28 public primary care clinics in South Africa. Each clinic used one approach for 18 months, followed by a six-month washout period, after which the opposite approach was used. Fourteen clinics were randomized to each approach. In the household-based arm, we conducted TB screening and testing of contacts at the household. In the incentive-based arm, both index patients and up to ten of their close contacts (either within or outside the household). were given small cash incentives for presenting to study clinics for tuberculosis screening. The primary outcome was the number of people with incident tuberculosis who were diagnosed and started on treatment at study clinics. Results From July 2016 to January 2020, we randomized 28 clinics to each study arm, and enrolled 782 index tuberculosis patients and 1882 contacts in the household-based arm, and 780 index patients and 1940 contacts in the incentive-based arm. 1,413 individuals started on tuberculosis treatment in the household-based arm, and 1,510 in the incentive-based arm. The adjusted incidence rate ratio of tuberculosis treatment initiation in the incentive versus household-based arm was 1.05 (95% CI:0.97-1.13). Conclusion Incentive-based contact investigation for tuberculosis has similar effectiveness to traditional household-based approaches and may be a viable alternative or complementary approach to household-based investigation. View on Web

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The Omicron BA.4/BA.5 Sub-Variants

alexandrossfakianakis shared this article with you from Inoreader Trends in Cases, Hospitalization and Mortality Related to the Omicron BA.4/BA.5 Sub-Variants in South Africa via Clinical Infectious Diseases Advance Access ABSTRACT Background This study compared admission incidence risk across waves, and the risk of mortality in the Omicron BA.4/BA.5 wave, to the Omicron BA.1/BA.2 and Delta waves. Methods Data from South Africa's national hospital surveillance system, SARS-CoV-2 case linelist and Electronic Vaccine Data System were linked and analysed. Wave periods were defined when the country passed a weekly incidence of 30 cases/100,000 people. In-hospital case fatality ratios (CFR) in the Delta, Omicron BA.1/BA.2 and Omicron BA.4/BA.5 wave periods were compared by post-imputation random effect multivariable logistic regression models. Results The CFR was 25.9% (N = 37,538/144,778), 10.9% (N = 6,123/56,384) and 8.2% (N = 1,212/14,879) in the Delta, Omicron BA.1/BA.2, and Omicron BA.4/BA.5 waves respectively. After adjusting for age, sex, race, comorbidities, health sector and province, compared to the Omicron BA.4/BA.5 wave, pati ents had higher risk of mortality in the Omicron BA.1/BA.2 wave (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 1.3; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.2-1.4) and Delta (aOR 3.0; 95% CI 2.8-3.2) wave. Being partially vaccinated (aOR 0.9, CI 0.9-0.9), fully vaccinated (aOR 0.6, CI 0.6-0.7) and boosted (aOR 0.4, CI 0.4-0.5); and prior laboratory-confirmed infection (aOR 0.4, CI 0.3-0.4) were associated with reduced risks of mortality. Conclusion Overall, admission incidence risk and in-hospital mortality, which had increased progressively in South Africa's first three waves, decreased in the fourth Omicron BA.1/BA.2 wave and declined even further in the fifth Omicron BA.4/BA.5 wave. Mortality risk was lower in those with natural infection and vaccination, declining further as the number of vaccine doses increased. View on Web

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Number of lymph nodes sampled in SFCE/SIOP 2001 patients with Wilms tumour: Is the goal of more than six achievable?

alexandrossfakianakis shared this article with you from Inoreader Number of lymph nodes sampled in SFCE/SIOP 2001 patients with Wilms tumour: Is the goal of more than six achievable? via Pediatric Blood & Cancer Abstract Aim The number of lymph nodes (LN) that should be sampled during nephrectomy for Wilms tumour (WT) remains controversial but of utmost importance for staging purposes. The aim of this French national retrospective study of patients enrolled in SIOPWT2001 trial was to analyse the number of LN sampled according to their site and to determine if the number of six asked by the International Society of Paediatric Oncology - Renal Tumour Study Group (SIOP-RTSG) UMBRELLA protocol is achievable. Methods We reviewed the data collected on central pathology review forms from 2002 to 2014 for only unilateral WT. LN were divided whether they were clearly identified by surgeons at nephrectomy or only found by pathologists on the nephrectomy specimen. Results A total of 539 patients (240 male/299 female) were included (458 localized/81 metastatic). Median age at surgery was 41.3 months [0–189]. The number of LN sampled was 0, 1–6, ≥7 and unknown in 69 (12.8%), 293 (54.3%), 160 (29.7%) and 17 (3.2%) cases, respectively. The number of patients with sampled LN were higher if LN were identified by both the pathologist and the surgeon (n = 231, 42.8%) (p = < .001). At least one invaded LN (LN+) was found in 66 patients (12.2%), more than half being found among patients having LN sampled by both pathologist and surgeon (p < .001). The mean number of identified LN was six if no LN+ was detected on final histological analysis, while it was 11 in case of LN+ (p < .001). Conclusions The aim of sampling more than six LN is achievable, but only with the active collaboration of both surgeons and pathologists. View on Web

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Buccal bone thickness assessment for immediate anterior dental implant planning: A pilot study comparing cone‐beam computed tomography and 3D double‐echo steady‐state MRI

alexandrossfakianakis shared this article with you from Inoreader Buccal bone thickness assessment for immediate anterior dental implant planning: A pilot study comparing cone‐beam computed tomography and 3D double‐echo steady‐state MRI via Clinical Implant Dentistry and Related Research Abstract Purpose To evaluate image quality and diagnostic accuracy of buccal bone thickness assessment in maxillary and mandibular anterior region using cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) and 3-dimensional double-echo steady-state (DESS) MRI for preoperative planning of immediate dental implants in healthy individuals. Methods One hundred and twenty teeth in 10 volunteers were retrospectively evaluated for image quality and artifacts using Likert scale (4 = excellent to 0 = decreased). Buccal bone thickness was measured at three measurement points (M1 = 2 mm from the cementoenamel junction, M2 = middle of the root, and M3 = at the root apex) for each tooth in the maxillary (13–23) and the mandibular anterior region (33–43). Descriptive statistics and two-way ANOVA with Tukey's Post-hoc test were performed to evaluate the significant differences (α = 0.05) between both imaging modalities. Results Image quality showed little to no artifacts and enabled confident diagnostic interpretation (CBCT (3.72 ± 0.46); MRI (3.65 ± 0.49)), with no significant differences between both imaging modalities (p > 0.05). Regarding the assessment of buccal bone thickness at M1-M3 for the teeth 13–23 and 33–43, no significant differences were noted (p > 0.05). MRI demonstrated slight, nonsignificant overestimation of thickness with the canines having mainly a thick buccal bone wall, where thin buccal wall was evident for the central incisors. Conclusion Black bone MRI sequences, such as 3D-DESS MRI, for immediate implant planning provided confidential diagnostic accuracy in bone thickness assessment without significant disadvantages compared to CBCT. Thus, the implementation of no-dose protocols for dental rehabilitation using an immediate loading approach seems promising and could further improve the treatment strategy for dental rehabilitation. View on Web

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Killian Jamieson Diverticulum, the Great Mimicker: A Case Series and Contemporary Review

alexandrossfakianakis shared this article with you from Inoreader Killian Jamieson Diverticulum, the Great Mimicker: A Case Series and Contemporary Review via The Laryngoscope Prospective, multicenter cohort study of individuals enrolled in the Prospective OUtcomes of Cricopharyngeus Hypertonicity (POUCH) Collaborative. Killian Jamieson diverticula (KJD) are rare and represent 5% of hypopharyngeal diverticula undergoing surgical intervention. Open transcervical surgery significantly improves symptoms of dysphagia and reflux. Barium esophagram has high specificity but low sensitivity in detecting KJD. The interpretation of barium fluoroscopy is likely another limitation to not only this study, but our overall understanding of KJD, the great mimicker. Objective To assess barium esophagram (BAS) as a diagnostic marker for patients with Killian Jamieson diverticula (KJD). Methods Prospective, multicenter cohort study of individuals enrolled in the Prospective OUtcomes of Cricopharyngeus Hypertonicity (POUCH) Collaborative. Patient demographics, comorbidities, radiographic imaging reports, laryngoscopy findings, patient-reported outcome measures (PROM), and operative reporting were abstracted from a REDCap database and summarized using means, medians, percentages, frequencies. Paired t-tests and Wilcoxon Signed Rank test were used to test pre- to post-operative differences in RSI, EAT-10, and VHI-10 scores. Diagnostic test evaluation including sensitivity, specificity, positive, and negative predictive value with 95% confidence intervals were calculated comparing BAS findings to operative report. Results A total of 287 persons were enrolled; 13 (4%) patients were identified with confirmed KJD on operative reports. 100% underwent open transcervical excision. BAS has a 46.2% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 23.2, 70.9) sensitivity and 97.8% (95% CI: 95.3, 99.0) specificity in detecting a KJD and 50% (95% CI: 25.4, 74.6) positive predictive value but 97.4% (95%CI: 94.8, 98.7) negative predictive value. Preoperatively, patients reported mean (SD) RSI and EAT-10 of 19.4 (9) and 8.3 (7.5) accordingly. Postoperatively, patients reported mean (SD) RSI and EAT-10 as 5.4 (6.2) and 2.3 (3.3). Both changes in RSI and EAT-10 were statistically significant (p = 0.008, p = 0.03). Conclusion KJD are rare and represent <5% of hypopharyngeal diverticula undergoing surgical intervention. Open transcervical surgery significantly improves symptoms of dysphagia. BAS has high specificity but low sensitivity in detecting KJD. Level of Evidence Level 4 Laryngoscope, 2022 View on Web

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Comparison of Reflux Symptom Score versus Reflux Symptom Index in screening laryngopharyngeal reflux

alexandrossfakianakis shared this article with you from Inoreader Comparison of Reflux Symptom Score versus Reflux Symptom Index in screening laryngopharyngeal reflux via The Laryngoscope Reflux Symptom Index (RSI) is the easiest tool that universally used for screening LPR. However, in recent years, the effectiveness of RSI has been questioned by many scholars. The Reflux Symptom Score (RSS), a new questionnaire, is more comprehensive and less straightforward than the RSI. This study compares the consistency of RSS and RSI for the screening diagnosis of LPR, and RSS showed a better screening value than RSI. Objectives To compare the screening value of the Reflux Symptom Score (RSS) and the Reflux Symptom Index (RSI) for laryngopharyngeal reflux (LPR). Methods All included patients attending the Department of Otolaryngology at the Sixth Medical Center of the PLA General Hospital from February 2022 to August 2022, completed the RSS and the RSI and underwent 24-hour hypopharyngeal-esophageal multichannel intraluminal impedance-pH (24 h HEMII-pH) monitoring. The results of 24 h HEMII-pH were used as a diagnostic criterion for LPR, consistency between two questionnaires (RSS, RSI) and 24 h HEMII-pH was compared by the weighted Cohen's kappa statistic and the screening value of RSS and RSI for LPR was compared by receiver operating characteristics analysis. Results A total of 77 patients, 58 males, and 19 females, were included. The Kappa values of between RSS, RSI, and 24 h HEMII-pH were 0.663 (p < 0.001) and 0.213 (p < 0.05), respectively. The sensitivity of RSS and RSI were 92.8% and 48.2%, respectively, the specificity was 71.4% and 80.9%. The negative predictive value and positive predictive value of RSI were 36.9%, 87.1%, and that of RSS were 78.9%, 89.6%. The area under curve of the RSS (0.783; 95% CI = 0.53, 0.75) is significantly higher than RSI (0.633; 95% CI = 0.72, 0.90). Conclusion The RSS has a higher consistency and better screening value for LPR compared to RSI. In addition, the RSS includes more reflux symptoms, which may reduce the number of missed diagnoses in patients with LPR to some extent. Level of Evidence 3 Laryngoscope, 2022 View on Web

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Social Perception of External Laryngeal Anatomy Related to Gender Expression

alexandrossfakianakis shared this article with you from Inoreader Social Perception of External Laryngeal Anatomy Related to Gender Expression in a Web‐based Survey via The Laryngoscope Here we detail an original study examining the social perception of laryngeal contour, specifically as it relates to chondrolaryngoplasty and providing gender-affirming care to transgender patients. Over 1,000 study participants were divided into five cohorts, ranking their perceptions of images of graded laryngeal prominence sizes associated with perceived gender expression. This study provides new insights into maximizing ideal social perception of laryngeal contour as it relates to gender perception, while also balancing the essential consideration of preserving necessary thyroid cartilage to maintain laryngeal function. Objective(s) To quantify the effect of laryngeal prominence size on socially perceived attributes relating to gender expression. Chondrolaryngoplasty ("tracheal shave") is a common procedure performed for transgender women to feminize neck appearance. The extent of thyroid cartilage resection needed to convey socially-perceived feminine gender expression without destabilizing the voice is incompletely understood. Methods Cross-sectional evaluation of a randomized allocation of images of varying laryngeal prominence to a non-repeated, random sample from November 2021 to December 2021. Photos of laryngeal prominence were isolated against a constant neck baseline with lateral, oblique, and frontal views. The images were embedded into a web-based survey with visual analog scales to capture perceived scaled gender expression (masculinity, femininity) and social traits (e.g., attractiveness, friendliness, leadership). We performed bivariate and multivariate analyses relating the laryngeal prominence to perceived gender expression and social traits. Results The analytic sample included 1,026 respondents. Laryngeal grades similar to the demonstrated "grade M" in this study and smaller demonstrated similar perceptions of increased femininity and decreased masculinity. Grades larger than M demonstrate significantly increased perceived masculinity and significantly decreased perceived femininity. The lateral and oblique views of the neck appear to be the most gender-informative. Conclusion This crowd-sourced analysis of external laryngeal anatomy by a large population of observers provides clear, reproducible insights into social perceptions of gender identity and specifically femininity. These data will meaningfully inform patient counseling and surgical planning for gender-affirming interventions by establishing normative data representing the general public's perceptions. Level of Evidence N/A Laryngoscope, 2022 View on Web

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Current role of tailored therapy in treating Helicobacter pylori infections. A systematic review, meta‐analysis and critical analysis

alexandrossfakianakis shared this article with you from Inoreader Current role of tailored therapy in treating Helicobacter pylori infections. A systematic review, meta‐analysis and critical analysis via Helicobacter Abstract Background and Aims Recent guidelines dictate that all Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infected subjects should receive curative therapy. The efficacy of empirical regimens for H. pylori eradication might decline with bacterial, drug, and host factors. The necessity of a tailored therapy still remains controversial. Here we provide a meta-analysis of the current status of susceptibility-based (tailored) therapy in which susceptibility-based therapies were compared to the currently accepted choice of empiric therapy. In this rapidly closing era, neither the susceptibility nor empiric therapies were routinely optimized, such that we report the outcome of comparisons on the efficacy of unoptimized tailored vs. locally preferred empiric treatments. Methods PubMed, Medline, and Embase databases were searched using suitable keywords. Individual and pooled odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated using the fixed- or random-effects model as appropriate. Heterogeneity was calculated employing the Cochrane Q test and I 2 values, whereas the possibility of publication bias was examined by constructing funnel plots. Additionally, subgroup and sensitivity analyses were performed. Results Thirty-four studies were included with a total of 9613 patients. Tailored therapy proved superior to empiric treatment [OR 2.07 (95% CI 1.53–2.79)]. However, tailored therapy achieved eradication rates >90% in only 15 (44%) studies and >95% in only 6 (17.6%). Conclusions Although tailored therapy performed better than empiric treatment, the lack of optimization of therapies failed to reliably achieve high cure rates (>90%). These results emphasize that H. pylori infection, like other infectious diseases, should utilize the principles of antimicrobial stewardship in relation to treatment guidance. View on Web

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