The UK Divide: Does Having a Pembrolizumab-Chemotherapy Option in Head and Neck Cancer Matter? Real-world Experience of First-line Palliative Pembrolizumab Monotherapy and Pembrolizumab-Chemotherapy Combination in Scotland

AIMS

The Scottish Medical Consortium recently approved first-line pembrolizumab monotherapy or in combination with chemotherapy for head and neck squamous cell carcinoma in the palliative setting, contrasting with the decision made by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence, who approved monotherapy alone in England and Wales. The aim of this study was to provide real-world performance data for first-line pembrolizumab-containing treatments for head and neck squamous cell carcinoma in the palliative setting in Scotland.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We analysed the electronic records of patients who started pembrolizumab-containing treatment between 1 March 2020 and 30 September 2021. Outcomes included overall survival, progression-free survival (PFS), the duration of response and the disease control rate. Data were compared with the KEYNOTE-048 study and clinical factors were evaluated for association with survival.

RESULTS

Our cohort included 91 patients (median follow-up 10.8 months). Patient characteristics were similar to those in the KEYNOTE-048 study, although our cohort had a higher proportion of patients with newly diagnosed, non-metastatic disease. For patients receiving monotherapy (n = 76), 12- and 24-month overall survival were 45% and 27%, respectively. For patients receiving pembrolizumab-chemotherapy (n = 15), 12-month overall survival was 60% (24-month overall survival had not yet been reached). Experiencing one or more immune-related adverse event (irAE; versus no irAEs), of any grade, was associated with favourable overall survival and PFS for patients receiving monotherapy in both univariable Log-rank analysis (median overall survival 17.4 months versus 8.6 months, respectively, P = 0.0033; median PFS 10.9 months versus 3.0 months, respectively, P < 0.0001) and multivariable analysis (Cox proportional hazards regression: overall survival hazard ratio 0.31, P = 0.0009; PFS hazard ratio 0.17, P < 0.0001).

CONCLUSION

Our real-world data support the KEYNOTE-048 study findings and the value of combination treatment options. Additionally, our data show that irAEs of any grade, as reported in routine clinical records, are associated with better outcomes in this patient group, adding to the growing body of evidence showing that irAEs are generally a positive marker of programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) inhibitor response.

Cross-cultural Adaptation and Psychometric Properties of Nepali Version of Developmental Coordination Disorder Questionnaire

Background Revised developmental coordination disorder questionnaire (DCDQ'07) is the best available population-based screening tool to identify developmental coordination disorder and being a parent reported tool, it needs to be available in Nepali language for its application in Nepali population. Objective The objective of this study was to cross-culturally adapt developmental coordination disorder questionnaire into Nepali (DCDQ-NP). The psychometric properties of Nepali version of Developmental coordination disorder questionnaire were established. Method The adaptation was done following Beaton's guideline and the psychometric properties was studied in the community sample of 165 parents of school going children of 5-15 years. Fifty parents were asked to refill the questionnaire after the two weeks period. The study determines internal consistency, test retest reliability, floor and ceiling effect and construct validity. Result Significant cultural adaptation was required to obtain relevant Nepali version. The Nepali version of Developmental coordination disorder questionnaire demonstrates high internal consistency (α = 0.912), excellent test-retest reliability (IC = 0.901) and the floor and ceiling effect were acceptable. Principal component analysis showed three factor structure accounting 62% of variance. Conclusion The developmental coordination disorder questionnaire into Nepali were successfully translated and culturally adapted preserving its original concept. It showed good psychometric properties in a Nepali population. The adapted questionnaire shall be of significance in carry out further research in developmental coordination disorder in Nepal.

92 CONTINUING TO ‘BE HIP’: ORTHOGERIATRIC SERVICE IMPROVEMENTS IN 2021

Background

Scotland first demonstrated that adherence to nationally agreed hip fracture standards improve patient survival, reduces the duration of admission, and reduces the need for high dependency care. Our study aims to assess adherence to the Irish Hip Fracture Standards (IHFS) in our hospital for 2021 amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, translating to improved clinical outcomes for our patients.

Methods

The IHF database was retrospectively analysed, comparing quarters 1-4 in 2021 with our 2020 results.

Results

IHFS1, patient time to the ward < 4hours, was maintained at 67% in 2021 versus 71% overall in 2020. There was improvement in IHFS2, time to surgery within 48 hours, up to 73% in 2021 versus 66% in 2020. IHFS3 was 4% in 2021 versus 3% overall in 2020. Further improvements were noted for IHFS4, with 95% of patients reviewed by a Geriatrician in 2021 versus 87% in 2020. IHFS5 also improved with 97% of patients receiving a bone health assessment in 2021 versus 87% in 2020. Moreover, IHFS6, improved with 97% of patients undergoing a specialised falls assessment in 2021 versus 87% in 2020.

Conclusion

The improvement in 2021 figures is reflective of the return of redeployed services during the COVID-19 pandemic inclusive of the Orthogeriatric Service, the Fracture Liaison Service Advanced Nurse Practitioner, the Trauma Co-ordinator, and the specialist Orthopaedic ward complete with its Orthopaedic nurses and Multi-Disciplinary Team, and improved Emergency Department pathways. These continued improvements in the IHFS further emphasise that success is dependent on a team that is joined at the hip

258 RISING TO THE CHALLENGE: ORTHOGERIATRIC SERVICE IMPROVEMENT AND COVID-19

Background

Nationally agreed hip fracture standards have contributed to the improvement of outcomes in hip fracture patients. In 2020, our hospital was awarded “The Golden Hip” for achieving highest compliance with Irish Hip Fracture Standards (IHFS) nationally for 2019.

Methods

Data from the Irish Hip Fracture Database (IHFD)was retrospectively analysed to assess our performance in 2020 versus 2019 in hip fracture patients over sixty. Multiple quality improvement interventions were put in place throughout 2019 to ensure improvement in IHFS1-6 compliance: Creation of the Hip Fracture Pathway Subgroup, IHFS 1 Breaches Audit, Orthogeriatric input at Orthopaedic inductions, weekly Multi-disciplinary Team meetings, a Nutritional Hip Fracture Pathway and addition of the Fracture Liaison Service Advanced Nurse Practitioner.

Results

There were 239 hip fracture patients in 2020 vs 249 in 2019. IHFS1 compliance improved with the percentage of patients admitted to the Orthopaedic ward within 4 hours increasing to 71% in 2020 from 56% in 2019. There was improvement in IHFS2-time to surgery &lt;48 hours- 66% in 2020 vs 60% in 2019. IHFS3-pressure ulcer rate-was at the national average, 3% in 2020 vs 2% in 2019. IHFS4 (reviewed by a Geriatrician), IHFS5 (received a bone health assessment) and IHFS6 (received a specialised falls assessment) were lower overall; 87% in 2020 vs 98% in 2019. For all quarters (Q),43% of patients met all IHFS in our hospital in 2020 vs 32% in 2019, resulting in €90,000 in Best Practice Tariff funding.

Conclusion

Lower results for IHFS 4,5 and 6 reflect the arrival of the COVID-19 pandemic which led to redeployment of the Orthogeriatric Service and redeployment of the MDT from end of Q1 to Q3. When services in 2020 were preserved,1 in 2 hip fracture patients met all IHFS, vs 1 in 3 patients in 2019. Despite the pandemic, we continued to achieve the highest level of IHFS compliance nationally, being awarded a second consecutive “Golden Hip” for 2020.

911 EVALUATION OF TYPE/LOCATION OF CLINIC APPOINTMENTS IN OLDER PERSONS SERVICES PARKINSON DISEASE PATIENTS IN RURAL EAST SUFFOLK

Introduction

We have 262 patients under the care of older persons movement disorders service in East Suffolk, whom due to a combination of retirement and COVID pandemic hadn’t seen a consultant for their follow up in up to 18 months. There are the facilities to see patients closer to their homes with satellite outpatient clinics in Eye, Stowmarket, Felixstowe and Aldeburgh, and via telephone and video consultation. We found that 137 of these patients live in rural areas closer to these satellite clinics. An opportunity was sensed to tailor the future service to the preferences of our patients, with the aim of improving experience and satisfaction.

Method

We sent a postal survey to these 137 patients asking them about the importance of having one responsible consultant, the type and location of their appointment.

Results

We sent a postal survey to these 137 patients, we received 81 Reponses. 91% of respondents ranked it either important, quite important or very important that they see the same consultant. It was the 1st preference to be seen at a local healthcare facility with 71% of patients choosing this as their first choice versus 22% for Ipswich hospital. 7% had a 1st preference of telephone appointment. 0 patients had a 1st choice preference of video conference it was the least favourable preference for 52% of respondents.

Conclusion

Our cohort of patients place a high value on continuity of care and would prefer to be seen at a community clinic that is closer to home. These preferences have been discussed with PDUK and CCG and have informed how we deliver our service as of August 2021 with all patients having a locality based clinic and named consultant. Our results are at odds with the ethos of NHSX [1] and the drive to see patients virtually.

Sensitivity and Specificity of Lateral Flow Antigen Test Kits for COVID-19 in Asymptomatic Population of Quarantine Centre of Province 3

Background Nearly after 6 months of the spread of Corona Virus Disease 19, along with the world Nepal is still trying to control the spread and prevent general population from acquiring it. With limited resources in manpower, technology and evidence it has been a difficult battle. But with time and more understanding of the virus new technology to detect the virus are coming up. It is a major breakthrough in the diagnostic field as this helps us in not only detecting the virus but also helps us to mobilize our human resources. This comes in a time where the cases are increasing at an alarming rate. Although numbers of Polymerase Chain Reaction testing have increased but due to the time consuming and the cost wise, we need a faster and equally reliable alternative. Antigen test approved by different countries can be used for point of care, screening and surveillance depending upon the requirements after calculating its sensitivity, specificity and accuracy. Objective To find out sensitivity and specificity of the Antigen test kit for COVID-19. Method Antigen tests were compared with Reverse Transcription Polymerase Chain Reaction as a reference standard in calculated sample size of 113 subjects in a high risk population. Both Reverse Transcription Polymerase Chain Reaction and antigen test were performed in a same subject with in maximum of 2 days' interval. Convenience sampling technique was used to select the subjects. Ethical approval was taken from Nepal Health Research Council before data collection. Study was done from August to September 2020 from Quarantine center of Province 3. Result There were total of 113 test carried out, among those 47 were positive and 66 were negative in Reverse Transcription Polymerase Chain Reaction. After preparing two by two table, Sensitivity and specificity of the tested was calculated which came out to be 85% and 100% respectively, with accuracy of 93.80%. Conclusion Even though the sensitivity and specificity came to be higher, this test should be interpreted cautiously depending upon the prevalence of Corona Virus Disease 19 in that particular community and the clinical and epidemiological context of the person who has been tested. When in doubt by clinical correlation should be confirmed with Reverse Transcription Polymerase Chain Reaction.

Outcome of head injury patients undergoing surgical management: a tertiary level experience

BACKGROUND

Head injury is the major cause of death in a neurosurgical patient.

OBJECTIVE

To find the outcome, and treatment modality affecting the outcome in patients with head injury.

METHODS

Nine hundred eighty seven patients presenting to National Institute of Neurological and Allied Sciences, Kathmandu, with head injury from September 2009 to October 2010 were included in the study. Patients were categorized according to post resuscitation Glasgow Coma Score. Outcome was assessed at discharge using Glasgow Outcome Score and analyzed for any correlation with modality of treatment and severity of injury.

RESULTS

Among 987 patients with head injury,152 (15.4%) had severe, 126 (12.8%) had moderate and 709 (71.8%) had mild head injuries. Three hundred twelve (31.6%) patients required definitive and supportive surgical intervention. One hundred eighty two required cranial surgical intervention. Overall mortality was 10% (99), 137 patients (13.9%) had unfavorable outcome and 850 (86.1%) had favorable Glasgow Outcome Score of 4 and 5. Mortality was 53.2%, 9.5% and 0.8% in severe, moderate and mild head injury group respectively. Mortality rate was significantly higher (64.6%) in severe head injury group managed conservatively than those in same group treated with supportive and definite surgical intervention (44.8%) (p=0.016).

CONCLUSION

Mortality in head injury patients depend upon severity of injury. Mortality in severe head injury group can be reduced by supportive and definite surgical intervention.

Reasons for failure of nonsurgical root canal treatment in Nepali population

Non surgical root canal treatment is carried out to salvage the teeth in oral cavity. Although the success rate is found to be ranging from 81-95%, for variety of reasons failure of root canal is still seen in day to day practice. This is a cross sectional study done in Nepali population to evaluate the causes for such failures. It was found that inadequate obturation (45%) was the major cause of failure followed by missed canal, (32%) and fractured or dislodged restoration (14%). This study shows that the basis for successful non surgical root canal treatment depends on operators knowledge on individual tooth anatomy and skill to properly clean, shape, obturate and restore the tooth in function.

Neurogenic fever

Fever in patients with severe head injury is a commonly-encountered diagnostic and management problem. Neurogenic fever (NF) is a non-infectious source of fever in the patient with head injury and, if untreated, can cause damage to the brain in many ways. Until recently, NF was thought to be a relatively rare consequence of traumatic brain injury (TBI), but other studies have reported that four to 37 percent of TBI survivors experience this sequela. Patients with TBI are immunocompromised to a certain extent and this predisposes them to sepsis, which should be a primary concern particularly in comatose patients. NF is essentially a diagnosis of exclusion. It is only when sepsis is excluded, can we consider NF. Though in the acute phase of severe TBI, brain temperature is indeed higher than the core temperature, but that significance is uncertain with regard to outcome prediction, since there has been a paucity of work on the use of direct methods of brain temperature monitoring. In summary, the pathophysiology and management of NF is not well understood and needs more research and understanding for better management and a favourable outcome.