Lung Cancer Survival Trends in the Veterans Health Administration

INTRODUCTION

Lung cancer survival is improving in the United States. We investigated whether there was a similar trend within the Veterans Health Administration (VHA), the largest integrated healthcare system in the United States.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Data from the Veterans Affairs Central Cancer Registry were analyzed for temporal survival trends using Kaplan-Meier estimates and linear regression.

RESULTS

A total number of 54,922 Veterans were identified with lung cancer diagnosed from 2010 to 2017. Histologies were classified as non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) (64.2%), small cell lung cancer (SCLC) (12.9%), and 'other' (22.9%). The proportion with stage I increased from 18.1% to 30.4%, while stage IV decreased from 38.9% to 34.6% (both P < .001). The 3-year overall survival (OS) improved for stage I (58.6% to 68.4%, P < .001), stage II (35.5% to 48.4%, P < .001), stage III (18.7% to 29.4%, P < .001), and stage IV (3.4% to 7.8%, P < .001). For NSCLC, the median OS increased from 12 to 21 months (P < .001), and the 3-year OS increased from 24.1% to 38.3% (P < .001). For SCLC, the median OS remained unchanged (8 to 9 months, P = .10), while the 3-year OS increased from 9.1% to 12.3% (P = .014). Compared to White Veterans, Black Veterans with NSCLC had similar OS (P = .81), and those with SCLC had higher OS (P = .003).

CONCLUSION

Lung cancer survival is improving within the VHA. Compared to White Veterans, Black Veterans had similar or higher survival rates. The observed racial equity in outcomes within a geographically and socioeconomically diverse population warrants further investigation to better understand and replicate this achievement in other healthcare systems.

Caregiver experiences of hospice dementia care: a systematic review and meta-ethnography

OBJECTIVES

Hospices are regarded as gold standard providers of end-of-life care. The term hospice, however, is broadly used, and can describe a type of care offered in a variety of health care services (e.g. nursing homes). It thus becomes complex for families to decide between services. We aimed to review the evidence around the experience of family carers of people with dementia accessing in-patient hospice settings for end-of-life care.

METHOD

We registered the review protocol on PROSPERO. We used PerSPE(C)TiF to systematically organise our search strategy. The evidence was reviewed across six databases: PubMed, EMBASE, PsycINFO, ASSIA, ISI Web, and CINAHL. We used meta-ethnography as per the eMERGe guidance for data interpretation.

RESULTS

Four studies were included. Two third-order constructs were generated through meta-ethnography: expectations of care and barriers to quality of care. We found that carers had expectations of care, and these could change over time. If discussion was not held with hospice staff early on, the carers could experience reduced care quality due to unmatched expectations. Unmatched expectations acted as barriers to care and these were found in terms of carers not feeling adequately supported, and/or having the person discharged from hospice, which would entail increased care responsibility for carers.

CONCLUSION

In view of an increase in new dementia cases over time and with hospice services being under pressure, integrating palliative care services within community-based models of care is key to reducing the risk of having inadequate and under resourced services for people with dementia.

Experiences of hospice dementia care: A qualitative study of bereaved carers and hospice clinicians

BACKGROUND

Nearly 50 million people worldwide have dementia and the increasing numbers requiring end-of-life and palliative care, has led to national efforts to define standards of care for this patient group. Little research, however, has been done to date about the experience of hospice care for people with dementia accessing these services. This study explores the views of hospice dementia care for bereaved carers of people with dementia and hospice clinicians.

METHODS

We used purposive sampling for participant recruitment. Semi-structured qualitative interviews were conducted with bereaved carers and hospice clinical staff. Interviews were audio recorded and the transcriptions were analysed through thematic analysis. A total of 12 participants were interviewed from one service in the Northwest region in the UK. All were female and white British.

RESULTS

Participants described their experience of hospice dementia care in three main themes: Pre-access to service, roles and responsibility within hospice care, ease and difficulty of last period of end-of-life care.

CONCLUSION

Rapid response teams delivering hospice home care could represent a better option to inpatient care and may be preferred by patients. This type of service, however, may require joined-up care with other community services, and this type of care needs to be considered and planned. Future studies should evaluate this type of community care.

Multiorgan MRI findings after hospitalisation with COVID-19 in the UK (C-MORE): a prospective, multicentre, observational cohort study

INTRODUCTION

The multiorgan impact of moderate to severe coronavirus infections in the post-acute phase is still poorly understood. We aimed to evaluate the excess burden of multiorgan abnormalities after hospitalisation with COVID-19, evaluate their determinants, and explore associations with patient-related outcome measures.

METHODS

In a prospective, UK-wide, multicentre MRI follow-up study (C-MORE), adults (aged ≥18 years) discharged from hospital following COVID-19 who were included in Tier 2 of the Post-hospitalisation COVID-19 study (PHOSP-COVID) and contemporary controls with no evidence of previous COVID-19 (SARS-CoV-2 nucleocapsid antibody negative) underwent multiorgan MRI (lungs, heart, brain, liver, and kidneys) with quantitative and qualitative assessment of images and clinical adjudication when relevant. Individuals with end-stage renal failure or contraindications to MRI were excluded. Participants also underwent detailed recording of symptoms, and physiological and biochemical tests. The primary outcome was the excess burden of multiorgan abnormalities (two or more organs) relative to controls, with further adjustments for potential confounders. The C-MORE study is ongoing and is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT04510025.

FINDINGS

Of 2710 participants in Tier 2 of PHOSP-COVID, 531 were recruited across 13 UK-wide C-MORE sites. After exclusions, 259 C-MORE patients (mean age 57 years [SD 12]; 158 [61%] male and 101 [39%] female) who were discharged from hospital with PCR-confirmed or clinically diagnosed COVID-19 between March 1, 2020, and Nov 1, 2021, and 52 non-COVID-19 controls from the community (mean age 49 years [SD 14]; 30 [58%] male and 22 [42%] female) were included in the analysis. Patients were assessed at a median of 5·0 months (IQR 4·2-6·3) after hospital discharge. Compared with non-COVID-19 controls, patients were older, living with more obesity, and had more comorbidities. Multiorgan abnormalities on MRI were more frequent in patients than in controls (157 [61%] of 259 vs 14 [27%] of 52; p<0·0001) and independently associated with COVID-19 status (odds ratio [OR] 2·9 [95% CI 1·5-5·8]; padjusted=0·0023) after adjusting for relevant confounders. Compared with controls, patients were more likely to have MRI evidence of lung abnormalities (p=0·0001; parenchymal abnormalities), brain abnormalities (p<0·0001; more white matter hyperintensities and regional brain volume reduction), and kidney abnormalities (p=0·014; lower medullary T1 and loss of corticomedullary differentiation), whereas cardiac and liver MRI abnormalities were similar between patients and controls. Patients with multiorgan abnormalities were older (difference in mean age 7 years [95% CI 4-10]; mean age of 59·8 years [SD 11·7] with multiorgan abnormalities vs mean age of 52·8 years [11·9] without multiorgan abnormalities; p<0·0001), more likely to have three or more comorbidities (OR 2·47 [1·32-4·82]; padjusted=0·0059), and more likely to have a more severe acute infection (acute CRP >5mg/L, OR 3·55 [1·23-11·88]; padjusted=0·025) than those without multiorgan abnormalities. Presence of lung MRI abnormalities was associated with a two-fold higher risk of chest tightness, and multiorgan MRI abnormalities were associated with severe and very severe persistent physical and mental health impairment (PHOSP-COVID symptom clusters) after hospitalisation.

INTERPRETATION

After hospitalisation for COVID-19, people are at risk of multiorgan abnormalities in the medium term. Our findings emphasise the need for proactive multidisciplinary care pathways, with the potential for imaging to guide surveillance frequency and therapeutic stratification.

FUNDING

UK Research and Innovation and National Institute for Health Research.

Clinical characteristics with inflammation profiling of long COVID and association with 1-year recovery following hospitalisation in the UK: a prospective observational study

BACKGROUND

No effective pharmacological or non-pharmacological interventions exist for patients with long COVID. We aimed to describe recovery 1 year after hospital discharge for COVID-19, identify factors associated with patient-perceived recovery, and identify potential therapeutic targets by describing the underlying inflammatory profiles of the previously described recovery clusters at 5 months after hospital discharge.

METHODS

The Post-hospitalisation COVID-19 study (PHOSP-COVID) is a prospective, longitudinal cohort study recruiting adults (aged ≥18 years) discharged from hospital with COVID-19 across the UK. Recovery was assessed using patient-reported outcome measures, physical performance, and organ function at 5 months and 1 year after hospital discharge, and stratified by both patient-perceived recovery and recovery cluster. Hierarchical logistic regression modelling was performed for patient-perceived recovery at 1 year. Cluster analysis was done using the clustering large applications k-medoids approach using clinical outcomes at 5 months. Inflammatory protein profiling was analysed from plasma at the 5-month visit. This study is registered on the ISRCTN Registry, ISRCTN10980107, and recruitment is ongoing.

FINDINGS

2320 participants discharged from hospital between March 7, 2020, and April 18, 2021, were assessed at 5 months after discharge and 807 (32·7%) participants completed both the 5-month and 1-year visits. 279 (35·6%) of these 807 patients were women and 505 (64·4%) were men, with a mean age of 58·7 (SD 12·5) years, and 224 (27·8%) had received invasive mechanical ventilation (WHO class 7-9). The proportion of patients reporting full recovery was unchanged between 5 months (501 [25·5%] of 1965) and 1 year (232 [28·9%] of 804). Factors associated with being less likely to report full recovery at 1 year were female sex (odds ratio 0·68 [95% CI 0·46-0·99]), obesity (0·50 [0·34-0·74]) and invasive mechanical ventilation (0·42 [0·23-0·76]). Cluster analysis (n=1636) corroborated the previously reported four clusters: very severe, severe, moderate with cognitive impairment, and mild, relating to the severity of physical health, mental health, and cognitive impairment at 5 months. We found increased inflammatory mediators of tissue damage and repair in both the very severe and the moderate with cognitive impairment clusters compared with the mild cluster, including IL-6 concentration, which was increased in both comparisons (n=626 participants). We found a substantial deficit in median EQ-5D-5L utility index from before COVID-19 (retrospective assessment; 0·88 [IQR 0·74-1·00]), at 5 months (0·74 [0·64-0·88]) to 1 year (0·75 [0·62-0·88]), with minimal improvements across all outcome measures at 1 year after discharge in the whole cohort and within each of the four clusters.

INTERPRETATION

The sequelae of a hospital admission with COVID-19 were substantial 1 year after discharge across a range of health domains, with the minority in our cohort feeling fully recovered. Patient-perceived health-related quality of life was reduced at 1 year compared with before hospital admission. Systematic inflammation and obesity are potential treatable traits that warrant further investigation in clinical trials.

FUNDING

UK Research and Innovation and National Institute for Health Research.

Impact of concomitant fibrates on immunotherapy outcomes for advanced non-small cell lung cancer

BACKGROUND

Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor agonists such as fibrates restore oxidative metabolism in cytotoxic T-lymphocytes, thereby enhancing response to immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI) in preclinical models. However, there is no evidence in humans on the clinical impact of fibrates as an adjunct to ICI.

METHODS

In this cohort study of Veterans with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) receiving ICI, fibrate exposure was defined as a prescription filled within 90 days of an ICI infusion. Overall survival (OS), measured from the start of ICI, was compared between exposed and unexposed Veterans. Cox multivariable analysis (MVA) was used to identify factors associated with OS. A sensitivity analysis of Veterans with stage IV NSCLC who received docetaxel without ICI was similarly performed.

RESULTS

The ICI cohort included 3593 Veterans, of whom 301 (8.5%) coincidentally received a fibrate. Veterans receiving fibrates were more likely to be older, white, male, and married, and to have greater comorbidity burden, but less likely to receive chemotherapy. Coincidental fibrates were associated with improved OS both on MVA (HR 0.86, 95%CI 0.75-0.99) and in a matched subset (HR 0.75, 95%CI 0.63-0.90). In contrast, among the cohort of 968 Veterans treated with chemotherapy, fibrates did not have a significant impact on OS by MVA (HR 0.99, 95%CI 0.79-1.25) or in a matched subset (HR 1.02, 95%CI CI 0.75-1.39).

CONCLUSIONS

Concomitant fibrates are associated with improved OS among NSCLC patients receiving ICI but not among those receiving chemotherapy. This hypothesis-generating observation supports a potential role for fibrates as an adjunct to immunotherapy.

779 IMPROVING USE OF COORDINATE MY CARE USING A QUALITY IMPROVEMENT APPROACH FOR MEDICAL PATIENTS ADMITTED TO BARNET HOSPITAL

Introduction

Coordinate My Care (CMC) is a digital care plan for communicating person-centred urgent and advance care planning. We recognised that it was not being consistently accessed on admission, nor updated on discharge, leading to a risk of ignoring patient wishes and previously clinician-agreed care plans. We used a quality improvement approach to increase use of CMC.

Method

We gathered baseline data on the number of users utilising their account, and explored current practice and barriers. A driver diagram was developed, a Steering Group met regularly, and interventions were tested using Plan, Do, Study, Act. Interventions began in January 2021, including electronic circulation of a guide to gain access to CMC, posters about CMC, departmental teaching, and drop-in training. A Core Group of clinicians repeatedly surveyed 12 medical ward areas and offered on-the-spot troubleshooting. To mitigate effects of staff turnover, we developed e-classroom training for new starters.

Results

53 people attended departmental teaching and drop-ins. The number of users utilising their account each month showed a steady increase, rising from 25 to 42 users. Monthly views of CMC records are increasing, with 167 in May 2021 compared to an average of 105 in the 5 months prior to the project. We have still to examine patient feedback.

Conclusion

Use of CMC is becoming more established. Future actions will concentrate on training (including in the emergency department and during junior doctor changeover), helping clinicians hold conversations, and establishing mentoring. Recording Advance Care Planning on CMC is a final step in a complex process of identifying that a patient may be in the last year of their life, starting conversations and taking actions. It follows that varied and sustained actions are needed to improve this, in order to realise the benefits of person-centred planning for our patients and those caring for them.

Effect of antibiotic therapy on immunotherapy outcomes for non-small cell lung cancer: Analysis from the Veterans Health Administration Database

9017

Background: Dysregulation of the gut microbiota induced by antibiotic therapy (Abx) may alter the anticancer immune response. Multiple small studies have associated Abx use with inferior immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI) efficacy in patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). We aimed to study the impact of Abx in a larger population of NSCLC patients treated with ICI within the Veterans Health Administration. Methods: We conducted a nested cohort study of Veterans who were diagnosed with NSCLC between 2010 & 2018 and treated with ICI. Two exposures to Abx were specified and separately analyzed: prior Abx (pAbx) was defined as receipt of an Abx prescription within 30 days prior to initiation of ICI, and concurrent Abx (cAbx) was defined as receipt of an Abx prescription within 60 days following ICI initiation. A landmark analysis of 2 months from ICI start was applied to the cAbx analysis to exclude any Veterans with an OS event before that time point. OS was measured from start of ICI using Cox proportional hazard multivariate analyses (MVA). Results: 3,634 Veterans received ICI, mostly nivolumab (59.3%) or pembrolizumab (35.1%). Their median age was 69, and a plurality had male gender (97.0%), white race (73.0%), comorbidity count ≥1 (60.4%), adenocarcinoma (47.8%), and stage IV disease at diagnosis (40.9%). Of the 762 (21.0%) Veterans prescribed pAbx, beta-lactams, quinolones, and macrolides were the most common classes. These patients had shorter OS than those without pAbx (median 7 versus 10 months). Receipt of pAbx was also associated with lower OS on MVA (HR 1.31, p<0.01). In the propensity-matched cohort analysis, Veterans receiving pAbx had lower OS (HR 1.27, p<0.01) (Table top). For the cAbx analysis, 3,223 Veterans survived to the 2-month landmark, of whom 970 (30.1%) received cAbx. These Veterans had shorter OS than those without cAbx (median 7 versus 10 months). Lower OS with cAbx was also observed both on Cox MVA (HR 1.33, p<0.01) and in the matched cohort (HR 1.32, p<0.01) (Table bottom). Conclusions: In the largest analysis to date of Abx use in NSCLC patients receiving ICI, receipt of Abx within either 30 days before or 60 days after start of ICI was associated with lower OS. These findings suggest Abx therapy may have a detrimental effect on immunotherapy outcomes.[Table: see text]

Association of proton pump inhibitors with survival in Veterans with non-small cell lung cancer receiving immunotherapy

e18729

Background: Proton pump inhibitors (PPI) can disrupt the gut microbiome and thereby modulate response to immunotherapy in cancer patients. In a recently published post-hoc analysis of 757 non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients receiving atezolizumab pooled from two prospective trials, overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival were significantly lower among the 234 patients receiving PPI. We investigated the impact of PPI in a larger cohort of NSCLC patients treated with ICI within the Veterans Health Administration. Methods: We conducted a nested cohort study of Veterans who were diagnosed with NSCLC between 2010 & 2018 and treated with ICI (immune checkpoint inhibitors). Exposure was defined as receipt of a PPI prescription within 90 days of an ICI infusion. Chi-square tests were used to compare characteristics of exposed versus unexposed Veterans. OS was measured from start of ICI. Cox proportional hazard multivariate (MV) regression was used to calculate hazard ratios (HR) corresponding to variables associated with OS. Results: We identified 3,634 Veterans receiving ICI with non-exclusive exposures to nivolumab (59.3%), pembrolizumab (35.1%), durvalumab (6.9%), and atezolizumab (3.3%). Their median age was 69, and a plurality had male gender (97.0%), white race (73.0%), comorbidity count ≥1 (60.4%), adenocarcinoma (47.8%), and stage IV disease at diagnosis (40.9%). In this nested cohort, 2,159 (59.4%) were exposed to PPI, predominantly omeprazole (1,264 or 85.6% of PPI group). Patients receiving PPI were more likely to be ≤71 years of age, to be white, to reside in rural areas, to have a higher comorbidity burden, to have adenocarcinoma histology, and to receive chemotherapy (all p≤0.04). On MV analysis, PPI use was not significantly associated with detriment in OS (HR 0.96 [0.89-1.04], p= 0.35). In the matched cohort analysis, median survival did not significantly differ between the 1,389 patients taking PPI and the 1,389 without PPI (median 10 versus 10 months, HR 0.98 [0.90-1.06], p= 0.59). Conclusions: In the largest analysis to date of concurrent PPI use in patients with NSCLC receiving ICI, there were no survival differences associated with concomitant PPI use. These results suggest that PPIs do not compromise ICI efficacy.

Association of concomitant NSAID and immunotherapy on outcomes in patients with non-small cell lung cancer: Analysis of the National Veterans Health Administration Database

9107

Background: Preclinical data suggests the efficacy of immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI) may be enhanced with concomitant nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory (NSAID) medications. Real-world evidence to support investigating this hypothesis in prospective randomized trials are needed. Methods: A retrospective cohort study queried the VA Corporate Data Warehouse (VA-CDW) to identify patients diagnosed with NSCLC who were treated with ICI between 2010-18. Exposure to concomitant NSAID was determined whenever NSAID prescriptions were released from the VA pharmacy within 90 days of the first ICI infusion. Chi-square and ANOVA tests were used to compare baseline characteristics. The outcome of overall survival (OS) was measured from the start of ICI. Cox proportional hazard regression was used to adjust for demographic, clinical, tumor, and treatment characteristics. Results: The study cohort consisted of 3,415 patients with NSCLC treated with ICI, and 2,336 (64%) were exposed to concomitant NSAID. The median age was 69, male 97%, race: white 73%, black 21%, and 66% lived in urban areas. Most patients were initially diagnosed with stage III or IV disease (68%); tumor histology: adenocarcinoma 48% and squamous cell 38%. Comorbidity counts were 0 in 40%, 1-3 in 30%, and 4+ in 30%. Chemotherapy was delivered before ICI in 54% and concurrently with ICI in 31%. The most commonly used NSAIDs were aspirin (35%), ketorolac (11%), and ibuprofen (7%); 44% were exposed to more than one NSAID. With a median follow-up of 8 months, exposure to concomitant NSAIDs was associated with a longer OS (HR = 0.90; 0.83-0.98, p = 0.01) after adjusting for all available potential confounders on multivariable analyses. Longer OS persisted following propensity score matching (HR = 0.89; 0.82-0.97 p = 0.007). Other factors significant for OS on multivariable testing included use of chemotherapy after ICI (HR = 0.53 [0.40-0.69], p < 0.001), concurrent chemotherapy during ICI (HR = 0.68 [0.62-0.74], p < 0.001), younger age, black race, female gender, and adenocarcinoma histology. Among the various NSAIDs analyzed on the multivariable analyses, only diclofenac approached statistical significance (HR = 0.78 [0.59-1.03], p = 0.08). Limiting the comparison to patients exposed to diclofenac (n = 101) versus no NSAIDs (n = 1,298), the comparison demonstrated a similar trend for OS (HR = 0.79 [0.60-1.04], p = 0.094), although the association was attenuated after propensity-score matching (HR = 0.90 [0.63-1.29], p = 0.57). Conclusions: This retrospective cohort study of Veterans with NSCLC who were treated with ICI identified that concomitant receipt of NSAIDs is associated with longer OS.

Association of azole antifungals with survival in patients with non-small cell lung cancer receiving immunotherapy

e18777

Background: Preclinical data suggest certain azole derivatives may have antitumor efficacy and modulate responses to immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs). Clinical evidence of synergy can support ongoing research that is investigating the role of repurposing current FDA-approved azole medications to improve outcomes in people with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). We evaluated the association of concomitant azole drugs in a population of NSCLC patients treated with ICI within the Veterans Health Administration. Methods: We conducted a retrospective cohort study of veterans diagnosed with NSCLC between 2010-2018 who were treated with ICI. Receipt of azole drugs was defined as taking a systemic azole within 90 days of ICI therapy. Overall survival (OS) was measured from the start of ICI therapy using Cox-Proportional Hazard (PH) multivariable regression. Patients whose earliest azole administration occurred more than 30 days after initiation of ICI were excluded. Results: We identified 3,413 Veterans treated with ICI; of these, 324 (9.5%) were treated with an azole, most commonly clotrimazole (3.0%) and fluconazole (2.5%). Patients had predominantly stage IV disease (40.8%) at initial diagnosis, followed by stage III (27.1%), stage I-II (19.9%), and unknown stage (12.1%). There was no significant difference in OS multivariable analysis (HR = 0.93 [0.81-1.06]; p = 0.28). Propensity score-matched analysis with 324 patients in each cohort also did not measure a significant difference in OS (HR = 0.89 [0.75-1.06]; p = 0.18) between patients who received any azole versus those who did not. When evaluating specific azole agents on multivariable analysis, there was an association of higher OS with receipt of clotrimazole (HR = 0.72 [0.56 – 0.92]; p = 0.009) and more than one azole (HR = 0.71 [0.53-0.96]; p = 0.026) when compared with no azole. There was an association of shorter OS with miconazole (HR = 1.92 [1.30-2.832]; p = 0.001) and no association with itraconazole (p = 0.08), fluconazole (p = 0.20), or ketoconazole (p = 0.87). In the matched analysis of 102 clotrimazole patients versus no azole, OS was longer in patients who received clotrimazole (HR = 0.76; 95% CI 0.55 – 1.04; p = 0.087), although this effect was not statistically significant. Conclusions: This analysis demonstrated a trend towards longer survival with concomitant clotrimazole and ICI for advanced NSCLC. This association was not seen for other azole mediations.

Effects of In-Person Navigation to Address Family Social Needs on Child Health Care Utilization: A Randomized Clinical Trial

IMPORTANCE

While many organizations endorse screening for social risk factors in clinical settings, few studies have examined the health and utilization effects of interventions to address social needs.

OBJECTIVE

To compare the acute care utilization effects of a written resources handout vs an in-person navigation service intervention to address social needs.

DESIGN, SETTINGS, AND PARTICIPANTS

In this secondary analysis of a randomized clinical trial, 1809 adult caregivers of pediatric patients seen in primary and urgent care clinics of 2 safety-net hospitals in northern California were recruited between October 13, 2013, and August 27, 2015. Each participating family was randomly assigned to an in-person navigator intervention vs active control to address the family's social needs. Analyses were conducted between February 28, 2018, and September 25, 2019.

INTERVENTIONS

Caregivers either received written information about relevant local resources related to social needs (active control) or met with a patient navigator focused on helping them resolve social needs (navigator intervention). After an initial in-person visit, navigation services included telephone, email, and/or in-person follow-up for up to 3 months.

MAIN OUTCOME AND MEASURES

Child emergency department visit or hospitalization within 12 months of study enrollment.

RESULTS

Among the 1300 caregivers enrolled in the study without missing follow-up data, most spoke English (878 [67.5%]) and were women (1127 [86.7%]), with a mean (SD) age of 33.0 (9.33) years. Most children were aged 0 to 5 years (779 of 1300 [59.9%]), 723 children (55.6%) had Hispanic ethnicity, and 462 children (35.5%) were in excellent health; 840 families (64.6%) were recruited from urgent care. In total, 637 families (49.0%) were randomized to the in-person navigator group and 663 (51.0%) to the active control group. There was no difference in risk of an emergency department visit between the 2 groups. Children enrolled in the in-person navigator group had a decreased risk of hospitalization within 12 months (hazard ratio, 0.59; 05% CI, 0.38-0.94; P = .03), making them 69% less likely to be hospitalized.

CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE

In this randomized clinical trial evaluating heath care utilization effects of programs designed to address social needs among families, children enrolled in the navigation group were significantly less likely to be hospitalized after the intervention but equally likely to have an emergency department visit. These findings strengthen our understanding of the effects of addressing social needs in clinical settings as part of a comprehensive strategy to improve health and reduce health care utilization.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT01939704.

1083 Nightmares Are Negatively Associated With Immediate Memory And Visuospatial Performance In Individuals With Ptsd

Introduction

Disturbing dreams and nightmares are common in individuals with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). At present, little research has investigated the associations between nightmares and cognition in these individuals. However, a robust body of research has shown memory and attention impairments among those with PTSD. The present study sought to investigate the potential relationships between cognitive performance and nightmares in this population.

Methods

Seventy-five individuals (49 female; Mage=31.8, SDage=8.8) were administered the Repeatable Battery for the Assessment of Neuropsychological Status (RBANS), the PTSD Checklist for the DSM-5 (PCL-5), the Insomnia Severity Index (ISI), the Functional Outcomes of Sleep Questionnaire (FOSQ), the Clinician-Administered PTSD Scale (CAPS), and the Disturbing Dreams and Nightmares Index (DDNSI). Five linear regressions were conducted with index scores on the RBANS subscales (immediate memory, visuospatial/constructional, language, attention, and delayed memory) as the dependent variables and PCL-5, ISI, FOSQ, CAPS symptom class subscales (intrusion, avoidance, cognition, and arousal), and DDNSI scores entered stepwise.

Results

A linear regression revealed that nightmares predicted 15% of the variance in RBANS immediate memory scores (R2 change=.152, β=-.390, p=.003). A second linear regression revealed that nightmares predicted 9.6% of the variance in RBANS visual memory scores (R2 change=.096, β=-.310, p=.019). No other independent variables added to either model. None of the independent variables predicted any variance in language, attention, or delayed memory scores.

Conclusion

Our analysis revealed a unique contribution of nightmares to immediate memory and visuospatial performance in individuals with PTSD. This finding was not better explained by variation in PTSD severity or sleep. Because sleep and dreams are implicated in memory consolidation, one explanation for our finding is that highly distressing trauma-related dreams (i.e. nightmares) may lack the same memory-improving qualities as ordinary dreams. Additionally, given that immediate memory and visuospatial functioning utilize working memory, perhaps nightmares and deficits in working memory share similar mechanisms.

Support

W81XWH-14-1-0570

1076 Self-referential Language In Trauma Narratives Predicts Shorter Sleep Duration In Women With Ptsd

Introduction

The use of self-referential language, defined as first-person singular pronouns (e.g. I, me, my), in trauma narratives has been found to predict post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) severity. Additionally, taking a self-immersed perspective correlates with higher blood pressure reactivity than a self-distanced perspective. Given this relationship between self-immersed perspectives and physiological processes, we investigated the relationship between self-referential language and sleep in people with PTSD, as dysfunctional sleep is a major treatment target in this disorder.

Methods

Seventy-five participants (49 females; Mage=31.8, SDage=8.8) meeting DSM-5 criteria for PTSD were administered the PTSD Checklist for the DSM-5 (PCL-5) and the Pittsburg Sleep Quality Index (PSQI). Sleep duration was assessed with the PSQI. Participants provided typed descriptions of their traumatic event, which were then analyzed using the Linguistic Inquiry and Word Count 2015 software to count instances of first-person singular pronouns (“I” words). Linear regression, with PCL-5 scores and “I” words entered stepwise, was used to predict scores on the PSQI sleep duration subscale. Use of “I” words between the sexes was also compared.

Results

For females but not males, PTSD severity significantly predicted sleep duration (R2=.207, p=.001). Additionally, the number of “I” words in the trauma narratives predicted an additional 8% of the variance in sleep duration for females (R2 change=.083, β=.288, p=.029) but not males. Females used significantly more self-referential language in their narratives (M=11.84, SD=8.42) compared to males (M=5.25, SD=6.10, p=.001).

Conclusion

After controlling for PTSD severity, self-referential language in trauma narratives significantly predicted shorter sleep duration in females. While speculative, this finding suggests that treatment approaches for PTSD may benefit from a focus on targeting self-referential processes to improve sleep and PTSD in females but not males. As dysfunctional sleep is a hallmark of PTSD, further investigation into this relationship may illuminate a new treatment avenue for this disorder.

Support

W81XWH-14-1-0570

0081 Habitual Sleep Duration is Negatively Correlated with Emotional Reactivity within the Rostral Anterior Cingulate Cortex in Individuals with PTSD

Introduction

Sleep difficulties, such as insomnia, are highly prevalent in individuals with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). However, sleep deprivation can also increase emotional reactivity to positive (as well as negative) stimuli. While the effects of sleep loss on emotional perception healthy individuals has been documented, it remains unclear how lack of sleep in individuals with PTSD may affect their emotional reactivity to positive stimuli. We hypothesized that lower habitual sleep duration would be associated with greater functional brain activation changes in response to subliminally presented happy faces in brain areas of the reward network, such as the rostral anterior cingulate cortex (rACC).

Methods

Thirty-nine individuals with DSM-5 confirmed PTSD were administered the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) as a measure of their average nightly sleep duration over the past month. Participants then underwent fMRI imagining while viewing subliminal presentations of faces displaying happiness, using a backward masked facial affect paradigm to minimize conscious awareness of the expressed emotion. Brain activation to masked happy expressions was regressed against sleep duration in SPM12.

Results

There was a negative correlation between habitual sleep duration and activation within the rACC in response to the masked happy faces (x=14,y=40,z=0; k=102, pFWE-corr= 0.008).

Conclusion

Individuals with PTSD who average less sleep at night showed greater emotional reactivity, as indexed by greater functional brain activation changes within an area of the reward network, than individuals who obtained more sleep per night. Future research involving actual sleep duration manipulation will be necessary to determine whether this finding reflects the well-known antidepressant effect of sleep deprivation or a form of greater emotional expression error monitoring among traumatized patients when lacking sleep. Regardless, these findings suggest that insufficient sleep could affect unconsciously perceived emotion in faces and potentially affect social and emotional responses among individuals with PTSD.

Support

US Army Medical Research and Materiel Command: W81XWH-14-1-0570

Optimising Radium 223 Therapy for Metastatic Castration-Resistant Prostate Cancer -5-year Real-World Outcome: Focusing on Treatment Sequence and Quality of Life

AIMS

Real-world evidence of radium 223 (Ra-223) for the treatment of men with metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer is emerging. In this prospective single-centre service evaluation, we report for the first time in the UK, real-world quality of life (QoL) and survival outcomes, including the sequencing impact, in 228 treated patients. We aim to share our 5-year experience on how to optimise Ra-223 treatment.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Patients who received Ra-223 therapy between 2014 and 2018 at the Northern Centre for Cancer Care, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK were included in this evaluation. Demographics, clinical characteristics, blood parameters, treatment sequencing and QoL data using abbreviated Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-Prostate questionnaires were prospectively collected and analysed.

RESULTS

In total, 228 patients were included; median age 72 years (51-87). The medium overall survival was 11.1 months. Overall survival in post-chemotherapy and chemotherapy-naïve patients was 8.1 and 12.3 months, respectively (P = 0.02, hazard ratio 1.52, 95% confidence interval 1.06-2.17); in pre-enzalutamide and post-enzalutamide patients was 11.3 and 10.4 months, respectively (P = 0.65, hazard ratio 0.92, 95% confidence interval 0.63-1.33); in pre-abiraterone and prednisolone and post-abiraterone and prednisolone patients was 11.8 and 10.5 months, respectively (P = 0.08, hazard ratio 0.74, 95% confidence interval 0.51-1.06); in this latter group, the fracture rate was 24% (15/63). QoL post Ra-223 (n = 101 evaluated) showed that pain scores improved in 54%, there was no change in 17% and pain scores worsened in 30% of treated patients. Overall QoL scores showed a similar trend. QoL was not significantly associated with overall survival.

CONCLUSIONS

Ra-223 palliates pain and improves disease-related QoL in most patients in the real-world setting. Our survival outcome is comparable with other real-world studies. Chemotherapy-naïve patients seemed to have better survival than those who received prior chemotherapy. No significant survival differences were observed between pre- and post-abiraterone and prednisolone or enzalutamide patients. The fracture rate in the post-abiraterone and prednisolone group seemed to be high. Bone health evaluation and protection should be incorporated as standard of care.

Utilization patterns of immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI) for non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) within the veterans health administration (VHA)

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Background: ICI are used routinely for treatment of lung cancer. We investigated the utilization of PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitors for NSCLC in the VHA. Methods: The VHA Corporate Data Warehouse was queried for data on ICI utilization in NSCLC [IRB #00113521]. The first date of any ICI dispensed was January 6, 2015 and therefore this investigation evaluated all patients diagnosed with NSCLC between 2015 –2019. Results: A total of 27,586 Veterans were diagnosed with NSCLC during the study period with demographics: 76.3% Caucasian, 16.3% black; 97.0% male; median age 71 years. Stage distribution was 27.9%, 7.9%, 15.8%, and 27.0% for stage I, II, III, or IV, respectively. A total of 3,990 patients were identified to have received any ICI, representing 20.1% of patients diagnosed with stage IV; 159 patients received more than one ICI. The median time from stage IV diagnosis to receipt of ICI was 5 months (IQR: 2-9 months). ICI was dispensed in 83.7% for duration of < 1 year, 13.3% for 1-2 years, and 3% for > = 2 years. The median duration of ICI receipt (with IQR in months): Nivolumab = 2.0 (0.5-5.5), Pembrolizumab = 2.1 (0.3-5.9), Durvalumab = 5.1 (1.8-9.2), and Atezolizumab = 0.3 (0.1-2.1). Multivariable analyses demonstrated female, not married, 0 comorbidity, and higher stage (II-IV) were independently associated with shorter time to receipt of ICI. Conclusions: The use of ICI for NSCLC is increasing within this integrated healthcare system and commonly prescribed within 5 months of stage IV diagnosis. Further investigations of this cohort using available clinical, pharmaceutical, and genomic data within the VHA present an opportunity to enhance our understanding of the efficacy of ICI for NSCLC. [Table: see text]

The AirTight Protocol for Mixed Criticality Wireless CPS

This article describes the motivation, design, analysis, and configuration of the criticality-aware multi-hop wireless communication protocol AirTight. Wireless communication has become a crucial part of the infrastructure of many cyber-physical applications. Many of these applications are real-time and also mixed-criticality, in that they have components/subsystems with different consequences of failure. Wireless communication is inevitably subject to levels of external interference. In this article, we represent this interference using a criticality-aware fault model; for each level of temporal interference in the fault model, we guarantee the timing behaviour of the protocol (i.e., we guarantee that packet deadlines are satisfied for certain levels of criticality). Although a new protocol, AirTight is built upon existing standards such as IEEE 802.15.4. A prototype implementation and protocol-accurate simulator have been produced. This article develops a series of schedulability analysis techniques for single-channel and multichannel wireless Cyber-Physical Systems (CPS). Heuristics are specified and evaluated as the starting point of design space exploration. Genetic algorithms are then defined and evaluated to assess their performance in developing schedule tables incorporating multichannel allocations in these systems.

Simultaneous Determination of Chlorothalonil and Hexachlorobenzene in Technical and Formulated Materials by Capillary Gas Chromatography: Collaborative Study

A collaborative study was conducted for the capillary gas chromatographic (GC) method for the simultaneous determination of the fungicide chlorothalonil (CTL) and the accompanying impurity, hexachlorobenzene (HCB), in technical and formulated materials. The method calls for the dissolution of technical and dry formulations of CTL and HCB from the aqueous flowable formulation. The 10 participating laboratories were asked to analyze the samples by adhering to the method as closely as their instrumentation and data systems allowed, and to note any deviations from the method. Collaborators were asked to prepare the standards and samples, set up the capillary GC systems, analyze the samples, and calculate the results. CTL produced reproducibility relative standard deviations (RSDR) of 0.4–2.5 (active ingredient concentrations ranged from approximately 52 to 98% by weight). HCB produced RSDR values of 5.2–22% (HCB concentrations were 0.02–0.04% by weight). The method was adopted First Action by AOAC INTERNATIONAL.

Relation between facial fractures and socioeconomic deprivation in the north east of England

Patients with a low socioeconomic status suffer disproportionately from trauma, and have a high incidence of mandibular fractures. To explore how deprivation affects the incidence of facial fractures in the north east of England, we reviewed 1096 patients who were admitted to the oral and maxillofacial surgical (OMFS) unit at Sunderland Royal Hospital for treatment of a facial fracture between December 2013 and December 2017. Levels of socioeconomic deprivation, which were obtained from postcodes and the UK Government Open Data Communities database, were compared with a random sample of deprivation data from the catchment area of our hospital. Patients with nasal and mandibular fractures were more likely to be socioeconomically deprived than those in the catchment area of our hospital (p = 0.006 and p < 0.001, respectively), but this was not the case in those with malar/maxillary or orbital floor fractures (p = 0.184 and p = 0.641, respectively). The incidence of fractures that were caused by assault was not associated with increased socioeconomic deprivation (p = 0.241). Patients of low socioeconomic status were more likely to have been under the influence of a substance when the injury occurred (p = 0.014). There is a strong association between socioeconomic deprivation and facial fractures. OMFS departments should therefore be as accessible as possible to patients from more disadvantaged backgrounds, given their greater risk of injury.

A Conceptual Framework for Integrated Ecosystem Assessment

This short communication presents an ecosystem assessment framework developed within ESMERALDA; a Horizon2020-funded EU project aimed at delivering a ‘flexible methodology’ to assist towards pan-European and regional Mapping and Assessment of Ecosystem Services (MAES).

The framework we present is closely aligned with assessment frameworks developed within the MAES (2014) and Millennium Ecosystem Assessment (2010) initiatives. Mapping, fundamental to the work of MAES as well as ESMERALDA, is placed at the heart of a wider suite of activities carried out within ecosystem assessment. This enables flexibility in where and how integration takes place. Beyond the biophysical parameters at the core of the framework, emphasis is given to the inclusion of social and economic factors to ensure policy relevance.

Consultation, both internal to the ESMERALDA Consortium and external - amongst those already conducting ecosystem assessments across Europe - helped guide the development of the framework. Online consultation will provide information about the development of guidance around the framework and initiate the collation of good practice examples. The framework and accompanying guidance will contribute towards a final guidance tool due at the end of the ESMERALDA project lifetime.

Pregnancy and parental leave among obstetrics and gynecology residents: results of a nationwide survey of program directors

BACKGROUND

The health and economic benefits of paid parental leave have been well-documented. In 2016, the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists released a policy statement about recommended parental leave for trainees; however, data on adoption of said guidelines are nonexistent, and published data on parental leave policies in obstetrics-gynecology are outdated. The objective of our study was to understand existing parental leave policies in obstetrics-gynecology training programs and to evaluate program director opinions on these policies and on parenting in residency.

OBJECTIVE

A Web-based survey regarding parental leave policies and coverage practices was sent to all program directors of accredited US obstetrics-gynecology residency programs.

STUDY DESIGN

Cross-sectional Web-based survey.

RESULTS

Sixty-five percent (163/250) of program directors completed the survey. Most program directors (71%) were either not aware of or not familiar with the recommendations of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists 2016 policy statement on parental leave. Nearly all responding programs (98%) had arranged parental leave for ≥1 residents in the past 5 years. Formal leave policies for childbearing and nonchildbearing parents exist at 83% and 55% of programs, respectively. Program directors reported that, on average, programs offer shorter parental leaves than program directors think trainees should receive. Coverage for residents on leave is most often provided by co-residents (98.7%), usually without compensation or schedule rearrangement to reduce work hours at another time (45.4%). Most program directors (82.8%) believed that becoming a parent negatively affected resident performance, and approximately one-half of the program directors believed that having a child in residency decreased well-being (50.9%), although 19.0% believed that it increased resident well-being. Qualitative responses were mixed and highlighted the complex challenges and competing priorities related to parental leave.

CONCLUSION

Most residency programs are not aligned with the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists recommendations on paid parental leave in residency. Complex issues regarding conflicting policies, burden to covering co-residents, and impaired training were raised.