Sociocultural factors of cervical cancer screening uptake among migrant women: a mixed methods study

 

Cervical cancer has a high mortality in Europe despite being preventable by cervical cancer screening (CCS). Migrant women have a lower CCS attendance compared to non-migrants. This study aims to describe CCS uptake among migrant women in Portugal and explore sociocultural influences. Within a mixed-methods approach, an online survey and focus group discussions (FGs) were conducted. The survey included 655 migrant women and collected data on sociodemographics, attendance and attitudes toward CCS. Four FGs with 12 healthcare workers and a FG with 5 community workers were conducted exploring perceptions on CCS attendance and barriers among migrant women. Quantitative data was analyzed using descriptive analysis and Chi-Square test and qualitative data through content analysis. Survey data shows that 24.9% of women never had CCS or had it over 5 years ago, more Asian and African women (51.3% and 36.7%, respectively) (p < 0.001). Non-attenders reported significantly more often embarrassment towards CCS (21.7% vs. 18.8% of CCS attenders, p = 0.002) and being unaware of their risk of cancer and the relevance of CCS (28.8% vs. 12.5%, p < 0.001). Around 24% of non-attenders reported concern with having a consultation with a male doctor. For FGs participants, CCS is a taboo in some communities, particularly African, Asian and Muslim. Lack of information about CCS along with feelings of embarrassment and discomfort related to pap smear and with being seen by a male doctor were referred as reasons for avoidance of CCS. Participants also stated that some women have low autonomy and often their husbands have a key role in deciding whether they should attend CCS. Lack of a preventive mindset was also stated as reason for low CCS attendance. The sociocultural background can influence migrant women's attendance to CCS. A culturally grounded approach is needed to provide tailored information on CCS and to create opportunities to engage migrant communities on CCS and improve their uptake.

Key messages

Lack of information, embarrassment and low autonomy hinder some migrant women’s attendance to CCS. The sociocultural influences on CCS uptake call for a culturally grounded approach to provide tailored information and engage migrant communities on CCS.

Stent strategies in left main bifurcation lesions: the simpler, the better?

Introduction

Although percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) for ostial or midshaft lesions in left main (LM) disease has shown similar results as compared with coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG), distal LM bifurcations are associated with an increase in procedural complexity and higher rates of target lesion revascularization. Several studies have investigated the optimal stenting strategy in patients with coronary bifurcation lesions and showed no benefit for systematic two-stent approach in comparison with provisional stenting. This is reflected in the current guidelines that recommend provisional stenting of the side branch as the preferred approach for most bifurcation lesions. However, there is still debate about the optimal strategy according to lesion location.

Objectives

This analysis aimed to compare the clinical outcomes of LM bifurcation PCI using a provisional strategy versus a two-stent strategy.

Methods

Retrospective, observational study including patients submitted to LM bifurcation (Medina 1,1,1) PCI between January 2010 and December 2019. Data was collected from the emergency department and hospitalization registries. Patients were divided according to the stenting approach. We made a global analysis including baseline clinical and angiographic data. The primary endpoint was target lesion failure (TLF), defined as the composite of myocardial infarction, cardiac death, and target lesion revascularization (TLR). Secondary endpoints included the individual components.

Results

A total of 106 patients were included (median age 74 [66–82], 79 (74.5%) males), 57 (53.8%) submitted to provisional stenting and 49 (46.2%) to a two-stent technique. Baseline characteristics were well matched (table 1). The mean SYNTAX score was 29.6±10.0 and LM stenosis grade was ≥70% in all lesions. Median follow-up was 26.6 [12.0–48.6] months. No differences were found regarding the primary endpoint (TLF in provisional stenting was 21.7% vs 21.4%, HR 2.432; 95% confidence interval, 0.472–12.450; p=0.233.). Although target lesion revascularization within the LM complex was numerically higher in the two-stent group (10.2% vs. 3.5%, p=0.245), the opposite was found in cardiac death (provisional group 10.5% vs. 4.3%, p=0.289).

Conclusions

Besides being a “simpler” technique, provisional stenting had no significant differences in outcomes compared to two-stent techniques. Without further evidence, revascularization strategies should primarily rely on operator expertise.

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding sources: None.

Differences in obstetrical care and outcomes associated with the proportion of the obstetrician's shift completed

BACKGROUND

Understanding and improving obstetrical quality and safety is an important goal of professional societies, and many interventions such as checklists, safety bundles, educational interventions, or other culture changes have been implemented to improve the quality of care provided to obstetrical patients. Although many factors contribute to delivery decisions, a reduced workload has addressed how provider issues such as fatigue or behaviors surrounding impending shift changes may influence the delivery mode and outcomes.

OBJECTIVE

The objective was to assess whether intrapartum obstetrical interventions and adverse outcomes differ based on the temporal proximity of the delivery to the attending's shift change.

STUDY DESIGN

This was a secondary analysis from a multicenter obstetrical cohort in which all patients with cephalic, singleton gestations who attempted vaginal birth were eligible for inclusion. The primary exposure used to quantify the relationship between the proximity of the provider to their shift change and a delivery intervention was the ratio of time from the most recent attending shift change to vaginal delivery or decision for cesarean delivery to the total length of the shift. Ratios were used to represent the proportion of time completed in the shift by normalizing for varying shift lengths. A sensitivity analysis restricted to patients who were delivered by physicians working 12-hour shifts was performed. Outcomes chosen included cesarean delivery, episiotomy, third- or fourth-degree perineal laceration, 5-minute Apgar score of <4, and neonatal intensive care unit admission. Chi-squared tests were used to evaluate outcomes based on the proportion of the attending's shift completed. Adjusted and unadjusted logistic models fitting a cubic spline (when indicated) were used to determine whether the frequency of outcomes throughout the shift occurred in a statistically significant, nonlinear pattern RESULTS: Of the 82,851 patients eligible for inclusion, 47,262 (57%) had ratio data available and constituted the analyzable sample. Deliveries were evenly distributed throughout shifts, with 50.6% taking place in the first half of shifts. There were no statistically significant differences in the frequency of cesarean delivery, episiotomy, third- or fourth-degree perineal lacerations, or 5-minute Apgar scores of <4 based on the proportion of the shift completed. The findings were unchanged when evaluated with a cubic spline in unadjusted and adjusted logistic models. Sensitivity analyses performed on the 22.2% of patients who were delivered by a physician completing a 12-hour shift showed similar findings. There was a small increase in the frequency of neonatal intensive care unit admissions with a greater proportion of the shift completed (adjusted P=.009), but the findings did not persist in the sensitivity analysis.

CONCLUSION

Clinically significant differences in obstetrical interventions and outcomes do not seem to exist based on the temporal proximity to the attending physician's shift change. Future work should attempt to directly study unit culture and provider fatigue to further investigate opportunities to improve obstetrical quality of care, and additional studies are needed to corroborate these findings in community settings.

Histological findings after non-ablative Er:YAG laser therapy in women with severe vaginal atrophy

Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of non-ablative erbium vaginal laser treatment on vaginal mucosa tissue affected by severe atrophy.Methods: Ten patients with severe genitourinary syndrome of menopause were treated with two sessions of the non-ablative erbium-doped yttrium aluminium garnet laser (Er:YAG laser) separated by 4 weeks. Vaginal biopsies were performed before and 3 months after the second treatment. The improvement in vaginal atrophy was assessed using multiple measuring tools before and 6 months after the treatment. The degree of patients' satisfaction was also assessed.Results: Microscopic examination showed significant changes in the main structural components of the vaginal wall mucosa after two non-ablative Er:YAG laser sessions. The epithelial thickness increased from 45 µm (10-106 µm) to 153 µm (97-244 µm) measured 3 months after the final laser treatment. Vaginal atrophy improved in all patients by all measured outcomes. The degree of patient satisfaction was very high (3.6 on the Likert four-point scale). No adverse events or complications were observed in any of the sessions. Conclusion: The non-ablative Er:YAG laser seems to be a safe and effective method to increase epithelial thickness of the vaginal mucosa in patients with severe vaginal atrophy.

POS0359 MOLECULAR PROFILING OF RADIOGRAPHIC AXIAL SPONDYLOARTHRITIS PATIENTS REVEALS AN ASSOCIATION BETWEEN INNATE AND ADAPTIVE CELL POPULATIONS AND THERAPEUTIC RESPONSE TO ADALIMUMAB

Background:

The response to treatment in spondylarthropaties is heterogeneous, due to factors yet to be better described. For that reason, it is important to find tools that might help clinicians to decide what is the best available therapeutic option for each patient.

Objectives:

The goal of this study is to use comprehensive molecular profiling to characterize clinical response to therapy in a real-world setting. Specifically, to identify molecular biomarkers differentiating good responders and non-responders to TNF inhibitors (TNFi) treatment, using adalimumab, in radiographic axial spondyloarthritis | ankylosing spondylitis (r-axSpA|AS) patients context.

Methods:

Whole-blood mRNA and plasma proteins were measured in a cohort of biologic naïve r-axSpA|AS patients (n = 35) from the Bioefficacy study (Biomarkers identification of anti-TNF alpha agent efficacy in AS patients using RNA sequencing and mass spectrometry), pre and post (14 weeks) TNFi treatment using adalimumab. Response to treatment was categorized according to ASAS20. Results of differential expression analysis were used to identify the most enriched pathways and in predictive models to distinguish responses to TNFi.

Results:

A treatment-related signature, independent of the type of response, suggests a reduction in inflammatory disease activity. We found genes and proteins robustly differentially expressed between baseline and week 14 in responders, including the GWAS AS-associated genes TNFRSF1A, FCGR2A, TYK2, TBKBP1, IL1R1, IL6R, ICOSLG, IL7R, HHAT and LTBR. Moreover, CRP and HP proteins showed strong and early decrease in the plasma of AS patients, while a cluster of apolipoproteins (APO1, APO2, APO3) showed an increased expression at week 14. Good responders to TNFi treatment tend to have higher expression of innate immunity genes at baseline, and lower expression of markers associated with adaptive immunity, particularly B-cells. A logistic regression model incorporating ASDAS-CRP, gender and Gene x, the top differentially expressed gene at baseline between responders and non-responders, enabled an accurate prediction of response to adalimumab in our cohort (AUC=0.97).

Conclusion:

Differences in disease activity and/or innate/adaptive immune cell type composition at baseline may be a major contributor to response to adalimumab in r-axSpA|AS. Alternatively, a model including clinical and gene expression variables could be considered, particularly in patients with mild disease activity.

Disclosure of Interests:

None declared

POS1438 EARLY FACTORS ASSOCIATED WITH THE INITIATION OF TREATMENT WITH BIOLOGICS IN PATIENTS WITH AXIAL SPONDYLOARTHRITIS – RESULTS FROM A SINGLE CENTRE RETROSPECTIVE COHORT STUDY

Background:

Axial Spondyloarthritis (axSpA) refers to a group of rheumatic diseases that mainly affect the axial skeleton. Treatment with Biological Disease Modifying Anti-Rheumatic Drug (bDMARDs) is indicated when low disease activity is not achieved with Non-Steroid Anti-inflammatory Drugs. Some studies reported that some clinical and socio-demographic were associated with biologics initiation1,2. However, early factors associated with the initiation of bDMARDs have not been extensively studied.

The authors speculate that certain features early in disease presentation may be associated with future need for treatment with bDMARDs in patients with axSpA.

Objectives:

To study a population of patients with axSpA and determine whether the presence of certain factors at diagnosis is associated with a later need for biological treatment.

Methods:

A single centre retrospective study was conducted comprising patients fulfilling the ASAS criteria for axSpA that attended the Rheumatology Outpatient Clinic from January to December 2019. Patients with psoriatic arthritis and enteropathic spondyloarthritis were excluded. All data, except regarding use of bDMARD, refers to the two initial appointments. Between group comparisons were performed through independent sample t-test or Chi-Square as applicable. Logistic Multivariate Regression was performed to understand which factors independently contributed to the use of bDMARDs.

Results:

One hundred and fifty patients were included, and 52 patients (34,7%) were under biological treatment. In comparison to the group that was not under treatment with bDMARDs, these were significantly more likely to be hard-workers (57,8% vs 29,7%; p =,003), to have had elevated C-Reactive Protein (81,6% vs 48,9%; p <,001), to have had a grade of sacroiliitis greater than 2 (67,4% vs 29,5%; p <,001) and to have history of enthesitis, (32,7% vs 13,3%; p =,006). No differences between groups were found in sex, age, HLA-B27 positivity, state of employment, diagnostic delay, smoking status, history of dactylitis and history of uveitis. In multivariate regression analysis, only the hard-worker type and the highest grade of sacroiliitis were found to be independently associated with the use of bDMARDs as presented in Table 1. Although not statistically significant, a trend to association was found between elevated CRP at diagnosis and use of bDMARDs.

Table 1.

Multivariate logistic regression of variables associated with initiation of bDMARDs.

BS.E.WaldOR95% CIpWorker typeaNon-hardref.Hard1,127,5094,8903.09 1.14 – 8.37.027*HLA-B27Negativeref.Positive1,153,6702,9623.17 0.85 – 11.77.085CRPaNormalref.Elevated1,003,5293,5912.730.97 – 7.69.058Grade of Sacroiliitisa≤2ref.>21,485,4899,2264.411.69 – 11.50.002*History of EnthesitisaNoref.Yes,299,574,2721.35 0.44 – 4.15.602

aAt the time of diagnosis; ref. - reference

S.E. – Standard Error; OR – Odds Ratio; CI – Confidence Interval

Conclusion:

In our study, the performance of work associated with greater biomechanical stress and the presence of greater structural damage at diagnosis were shown to be associated with the latter use of bDMARDs. The authors highlight the importance of recognizing these factors that seem to relate to more aggressive disease, with more structural damage, thus suggesting a need for a tighter control management strategy in these patients accordingly current guidelines. More studies still needed to better depict the influence of certain early clinical and patient related variables in management of axSpA patients.

References:

[1]Png WY, Kwan YH, Lee YX, et al. Factors Associated with Initiation of Biologics in Patients With Axial Spondyloarthritis in an Urban Asian City: A PRESPOND Study. J Clin Rheumatol. 2019 Mar;25(2):59-64.

[2]Inman R, Garrido-Cumbrera M, Chan J, et al SAT0629-HPR FACTORS ASSOCIATED WITH USE OF BIOLOGICAL THERAPIES FOR AXIAL SPONDYLOARTHRITIS IN CANADA. RESULTS FROM THE IMAS SURVEY. Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases 2020;79:1274-1275.

Disclosure of Interests:

None declared

The predictive value of clinical, radiographic, echocardiographic variables and cardiac biomarkers for assessing risk of the onset of heart failure or cardiac death in dogs with preclinical myxomatous mitral valve disease enrolled in the DELAY study

OBJECTIVES

To identify the predictive value on time to onset of heart failure (HF) or cardiac death of clinical, radiographic, and echocardiographic variables, as well as cardiac biomarkers N-terminal pro brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) and cardiac troponin I in dogs with preclinical myxomatous mitral valve disease (MMVD).

ANIMALS

One hundred sixty-eight dogs with preclinical MMVD and left atrium to aortic root ratio ≥1.6 (LA:Ao) and normalized left ventricular end-diastolic diameter ≥1.7 were included.

METHODS

Prospective, randomized, multicenter, single-blinded, placebo-controlled study. Clinical, radiographic, echocardiographic variables and plasma cardiac biomarkers concentrations were compared at different time points. Using receiving operating curves analysis, best cutoff for selected variables was identified and the risk to develop the study endpoint at six-month intervals was calculated.

RESULTS

Left atrial to aortic root ratio >2.1 (hazard ratio [HR] 3.2, 95% confidence interval [95% CI] 1.9-5.6), normalized left ventricular end-diastolic diameter > 1.9 (HR: 6.3; 95% CI: 3.3-11.8), early transmitral peak velocity (E peak) > 1 m/sec (HR: 3.9; 95% CI: 2.3-6.7), and NT-proBNP > 1500 ρmol/L (HR: 5.7; 95% CI: 3.3-9.5) were associated with increased risk of HF or cardiac death. The best fit model to predict the risk to reach the endpoint was represented by the plasma NT-proBNP concentrations adjusted for LA:Ao and E peak.

CONCLUSIONS

Logistic and survival models including echocardiographic variables and NT-proBNP can be used to identify dogs with preclinical MMVD at higher risk to develop HF or cardiac death.

Electroconvulsive therapy and informed consent in compulsory treatment – an ethical dilemma

Introduction

Given the effectiveness and overall safety in several psychiatry conditions, electroconvulsive therapy remains a widely used procedure in current medical practice. Informed consent is still a requirement for the use of ECT both in voluntary and compulsory treatment; however, since severe mental illness can affect decision-making capacity and insight of the need for treatment, this requirement often constitutes an obstacle to its use. In addition, stigma around ECT still contributes to treatment refusal.

Objectives

To summarize the most recent evidence published about ECT and discuss the ethical and legal implications of its use, enlightened by the empirical description of a clinical vignette.

Methods

Review of literature on the ethical and legal issues involving the ECT use in patients on compulsory treatment, considering the efficacy, risks, the mental health legislation in Portugal, and several international directives.

Results

Informed consent is the basic tenet in the contemporary physician-patient relationship. In principle, ECT can only be administered to patients who prior consent to the treatment. In contemporary practice, providing the best medical assistance and respecting the patient’s autonomy are two fundamental principles. However, we often face an ethical dilemma, when severely ill patients, whose insight, the ability for self-determination and decision-making capacity may be impaired, refuse a potential beneficial treatment as ECT.

Conclusions

The use of ECT in severe mental illness is still hampered by legal and ethical constraints. A future revision of the law could protect patients from being excluded from a treatment that may change the course of the disease.

Disclosure

No significant relationships.

Longitudinal association between daytime sleepiness and cognitive decline in dementia: A study protocol

Introduction

Dementia is a major cause of disability worldwide. About 25%-40% of patients with mild to moderate dementia are affected by sleep-awake cycle disturbances, including increased daytime sleepiness and insomnia. However, little is known about the specific impact of excessive daytime sleepiness on the cognitive decline of dementia patients.

Objectives

To evaluate the impact of daytime sleepiness on the cognitive decline of dementia patients. Additionally, longitudinal associations with functional impairment and neuropsychiatric symptoms will be explored.

Methods

A longitudinal study will be conducted in a psychogeriatric consultation. Patients will be consecutively invited according to predefined eligibility criteria. Those aged ≥65 years, with dementia diagnosis or Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) <24, and with a knowledgeable caregiver, will be included. The exclusion criteria are: a caregiver <18 years, terminally ill, incapable to communicate or with a known diagnosis of insomnia, sleep related respiratory disorders, central hyperinsomnia, restless legs syndrome or sleep paralysis. Participants will undergo an assessment with a comprehensive protocol including: Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA), Barthel and Lawton Index, Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS), Neuropsychiatric Inventory (NPI) and Global Deterioration Scale (GDS). Participants will be re-assessed 6 months after the initial evaluation. The Health Ethics Committee of Hospital Universitário de São João granted the study authorization (nº 260/2020).

Results

Findings will be disseminated via publication in peer-reviewed journals and presentations at national and international scientific conferences.

Conclusions

This study will address key questions on the relation of daytime sleepiness and dementia outcomes, in order to undertake corrective and preventive non-pharmacological and pharmacological approaches.

Clinical outcomes and trans-syndesmotic screw frequency after posterior malleolar fracture osteosynthesis

AIM

This study aimed to evaluate the clinical outcomes and the trans-syndesmotic screw frequency after trimalleolar ankle fractures with a posterior malleolus fracture involving <25% of the articular surface.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Retrospective comparative study. Patients with trimalleolar ankle fracture who underwent surgery between January 2011 and January 2018 were identified within the departments' fracture database. General demographics, treatment details, and fracture specific details (CT-scans) were assessed. Patients were grouped per the posterior malleolus fragment treatment: osteosynthesis (group 1) and non-osteosynthesis (group 2).

RESULTS

64 patients, 58.6 ± 17.8 years (range: 23-75), 68.8% female were eligible and follow up time was 43.1 ± 22.2 (range 24-96) months. The mean size of the posterior malleolus fragment was 14.7 ± 5.3% (range: 5-24). Posterior malleolus fragment treatment distribution: osteosynthesis (group 1) 31.2% and non- osteosynthesis (group 2) 68.8%. Group 1 showed significantly better clinical outcomes (p<0.05), AOOS (93.9 ± 5.79 (range: 73-99), AOFAS (91.5 ± 6.22 (range: 72-100) and VAS (0.8 ± 1.22 (range: 0-5) compared to Group 2, AOOS (84.25±8.34 (range: 63-100); AOFAS (84.75±8.05 (range: 58-100) and VAS (1.7 ± 1.38 (range: 0-6). Osteosynthesis of the posterior malleolus fragment significantly reduced the frequency of trans-syndesmotic screw (0%) compared to non-osteosynthesis posterior malleolus fragment (15.9%) (p < 0.05). The EQ-5D score was better in group 1 (1.08±0.27 (range: 1-2.2) compared to group 2 (1.27 ± 0.27 (range: 1-2.4) but with no statistical significance (p> 0.15).

CONCLUSION

Posterior malleolus fragments (<25% of the articular surface) have significantly better clinical outcomes and significant decrease in trans-syndesmotic screw need following osteosynthesis.