Achieving Molecular Profiling in Pleural Biopsies: A Multicenter, Retrospective Cohort Study

BACKGROUND

Pleural biopsy findings offer greater diagnostic sensitivity in malignant pleural effusions compared with pleural fluid. The adequacy of pleural biopsy techniques in achieving molecular marker status has not been studied, and such information (termed "actionable" histology) is critical in providing a rational, efficient, and evidence-based approach to diagnostic investigation.

RESEARCH QUESTION

What is the adequacy of various pleural biopsy techniques at providing adequate molecular diagnostic information to guide treatment in malignant pleural effusions?

STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS

This study analyzed anonymized data on 183 patients from four sites across three countries in whom pleural biopsy results had confirmed a malignant diagnosis and molecular profiling was relevant for the diagnosed cancer type. The primary outcome measure was adequacy of pleural biopsy for achieving molecular marker status. Secondary outcomes included clinical factors predictive of achieving a molecular diagnosis.

RESULTS

The median age of patients was 71 years (interquartile range, 63-78 years), with 92 of 183 (50%) male. Of the 183 procedures, 105 (57%) were local anesthetic thoracoscopies (LAT), 12 (7%) were CT scan guided, and 66 (36%) were ultrasound guided. Successful molecular marker analysis was associated with mode of biopsy, with LAT having the highst yield and ultrasound-guided biopsy the lowest (LAT vs CT scan guided vs ultrasound guided: LAT yield, 95%; CT scan guided, 86%; and ultrasound guided, 77% [P = .004]). Biopsy technique and size of biopsy sample were independently associated with successful molecular marker analysis. LAT had an adjusted OR for successful diagnosis of 30.16 (95% CI, 3.15-288.56; P = .003) and biopsy sample size an OR of 1.18 (95% CI, 1.02-1.37) per millimeter increase in tissue sample size (P < .03).

INTERPRETATION

Although previous studies have shown comparable overall diagnostic yields, in the modern era of targeted therapies, this study found that LAT offers far superior results to image-guided techniques at achieving molecular profiling and remains the optimal diagnostic tool.

Management of stroke in the Australian Indigenous population: from hospitals to communities

BACKGROUND

Ischaemic strokes lead to significant morbidity and mortality within the Australian Indigenous population, with known variances in the management of strokes between indigenous and non-indigenous populations.

AIMS

To compare investigations and management of indigenous and non-indigenous patients presenting to a New South Wales rural referral hospital with an ischaemic stroke to the national stroke standards across inpatient and outpatient settings.

METHODS

Historical cohort study of 43 indigenous and 167 non-indigenous patients admitted to Tamworth Rural Referral Hospital with an ischaemic cerebrovascular accident.

RESULTS

Indigenous patients were significantly less likely to have investigations completed, including carotid imaging (93.8% vs 100%, P = 0.012) and echocardiography (73.3% vs 97.7%, P = 0.004). Discharge follow up was significantly lower for the indigenous population (74.4% vs 87.4%, P = 0.034). Indigenous stroke patients were 15.8 years younger than non-indigenous subjects (56.8 vs 72.6 years old; P < 0.001). Indigenous patients were more likely to have stroke risk factors, including smoking (51.2% vs 15.0%; P < 0.001), diabetes mellitus (37.2% vs 16.8%, P = 0.003) and past history of cerebrovascular accident or transient ischaemic attack (50.2% vs 31.1%, P = 0.032).

CONCLUSIONS

The investigation and post-discharge care of indigenous ischaemic stroke patients is inferior to non-indigenous patients. Indigenous patients within rural NSW have a higher prevalence of preventable disease, including those that confer a higher stroke risk. Further research is needed to investigate the cause of these discrepancies and to improving indigenous stroke care between hospitals and primary care providers.

Ongoing increase in incidence and prevalence of multiple sclerosis in Newcastle, Australia: A 50-year study

BACKGROUND

Since 1959, multiple sclerosis (MS) prevalence has been estimated for the east coast Australian city of Newcastle. Previous surveys, conducted in 1988 and 2003, have described an increase in the prevalence and incidence of MS.

OBJECTIVES

In this study, we evaluated whether these trends continue and provide 50 years of MS epidemiological follow-up for this southern hemisphere city.

METHODS

Expressed per 100,000 people, prevalence of MS in Newcastle was calculated for those with a confirmed diagnosis of MS on 9 August 2011 and incidence based on the number of cases with MS diagnosis made during the preceding decade. Data were age-standardised to the total Australian population. Statistical comparisons were undertaken using Poisson regression analysis.

RESULTS

In 2011, the estimate of MS prevalence was 124.2, with female-to-male ratio reaching 3.1, a 53% increase in female predominance since 1996. MS incidence increased to 6.7, with a significantly higher proportion of new female cases since the previous survey.

CONCLUSION

Prevalence of MS in Newcastle has risen linearly and is contributed to by a substantial increase in new cases over the preceding decade. Female predominance of MS cases continues to increase with a new diagnosis three times more likely in women.