Beyond regulatory compliance: evaluating radiology artificial intelligence applications in deployment

The implementation of artificial intelligence (AI) applications in routine practice, following regulatory approval, is currently limited by practical concerns around reliability, accountability, trust, safety, and governance, in addition to factors such as cost-effectiveness and institutional information technology support. When a technology is new and relatively untested in a field, professional confidence is lacking and there is a sense of the need to go above the baseline level of validation and compliance. In this article, we propose an approach that goes beyond standard regulatory compliance for AI apps that are approved for marketing, including independent benchmarking in the lab as well as clinical audit in practice, with the aims of increasing trust and preventing harm.

Transnasal Humidified Rapid Insufflation Ventilatory Exchange in Endoscopic Esophageal Surgery

OBJECTIVES

Transnasal humidified rapid insufflation ventilatory exchange (THRIVE) describes apneic oxygenation using humidified high flow nasal-cannula oxygen. Although it has been described as a sole mode of oxygenation in endoscopic laryngotracheal surgery, its use in endoscopic esophageal surgery under general anesthesia with neuromuscular paralysis has not previously been described. The objective of this study is to assess the safety and efficacy of THRIVE in esophagology.

METHODS

We conducted a retrospective review of adult patients undergoing esophageal procedures under general anesthesia who were oxygenated using THRIVE at two academic institutions. Demographic, clinical, and anesthesiologic data were collected and analyzed.

RESULTS

14 cases performed from March 2021 to March 2022 met inclusion criteria. 13/14 (92.9%) of patients were able to maintain oxygenation throughout the entirety of their procedure. The mean apneic time was 17.9 minutes with a maximum of 32 minutes. One patient required "rescue" intubation due to failure to maintain oxygenation. Excluding the sole THRIVE failure, the median SpO2 at the conclusion of surgery was 99% (range 94-100%). A linear regression model yielded an increase in EtCO2 of 0.95 mmHg/min or 0.127 kPa/min. SpO2 was negatively associated with both tobacco pack-year smoking history (R2 = 0.343, P = .014) and BMI (R2 = 0.238, P = .038).

CONCLUSION

THRIVE is a feasible, safe, and efficacious means of apneic oxygenation for patients undergoing esophageal endoscopic surgery under general anesthesia with neuromuscular paralysis, which may be particularly beneficial in patients with airway stenosis, as post-intubation changes can have severe clinical implications for this patient population. Obese patients and tobacco smokers may be at increased risk of oxygen desaturation when using THRIVE.

Immediate and Short-term Effects of Straw Phonation in Air or Water on Vocal Fold Vibration and Supraglottic Activity of Adult Patients with Voice Disorders Visualized with Strobovideolaryngoscopy: A Pilot Study

Purpose The first purpose of this study was to investigate and compare the short-term effects after a semi-occluded vocal tract (SOVT) therapy session consisting of straw phonation (SP) in air or water on vocal fold vibration and supraglottic activity of adult patients with voice disorders, visualized with strobovideolaryngoscopy (SVL). The second purpose of this study was to investigate and compare immediate changes in the patients' vocal fold vibration and supraglottic activity during SP in air or water, visualized with SVL. Methods Twelve adult patients with voice disorders (eight women and four men, mean age 52 years) were assigned randomly to one of two study groups: SP in air or SP in water. Immediately before and after a therapy session of 15 min, participants underwent a rigid SVL to determine the short-term effects of the SP session. At the posttherapy examination, flexible SVL while performing SP was added to determine the effects occurring during SP. The visual-perceptual ratings were performed blindly and in random order by three laryngologists, using the Voice-Vibratory Assessment with Laryngeal Imaging rating form for stroboscopy. ResultsShort-term effects after SP: After the SP-in-air session, the supraglottic mediolateral compression decreased significantly. The SP-in-water session led to significantly increased left vibrational amplitude. Immediate effects during SP: During SP in air, a significantly increased left amplitude and mucosal wave, and significantly decreased mediolateral supraglottic activity, were found. SP in water tended to decrease the vibrational amplitude during performance of the task. A trend toward higher anteroposterior supraglottic compression was observed during both SP in air and water, being more prominent in the latter. Conclusion SP in air led to less false vocal fold adduction and consequently less hyperfunction. The small increment in anteroposterior supraglottic activity during SP in air and water might be related to epilarynx narrowing, an economic phenomenon associated with SOVT exercises. The effects on vibrational amplitude were rather ambiguous. The small reduction in amplitude during SP in water is expected to diminish vocal fold impact stress and therefore creates an ideal basis for voice therapy. The increment in amplitude and mucosal wave during SP in air might indicate insufficient supraglottic pressure to obtain the favorable effects of semi-occlusion. Whether or not the rise in amplitude after the SP-in-water session is due to voice efficiency or voice fatigue remains unknown. Future larger-scale investigation in subgroups of voice patients is needed to explore these hypotheses.

Measurement of Electron-Neutrino Charged-Current Cross Sections on ^{127}I with the COHERENT NaIνE Detector

Using an 185-kg NaI[Tl] array, COHERENT has measured the inclusive electron-neutrino charged-current cross section on ^{127}I with pion decay-at-rest neutrinos produced by the Spallation Neutron Source at Oak Ridge National Laboratory. Iodine is one the heaviest targets for which low-energy (≤50  MeV) inelastic neutrino-nucleus processes have been measured, and this is the first measurement of its inclusive cross section. After a five-year detector exposure, COHERENT reports a flux-averaged cross section for electron neutrinos of 9.2_{-1.8}^{+2.1}×10^{-40}  cm^{2}. This corresponds to a value that is ∼41% lower than predicted using the MARLEY event generator with a measured Gamow-Teller strength distribution. In addition, the observed visible spectrum from charged-current scattering on ^{127}I has been measured between 10 and 55 MeV, and the exclusive zero-neutron and one-or-more-neutron emission cross sections are measured to be 5.2_{-3.1}^{+3.4}×10^{-40} and 2.2_{-0.5}^{+0.4}×10^{-40}  cm^{2}, respectively.

Diagnosing Laryngopharyngeal Reflux: A Comparison between 24-hour pH-Impedance Testing and Pharyngeal Probe (Restech) Testing, with Introduction of the Sataloff Score

OBJECTIVE

The purpose of this study was to compare the diagnostic utility of pH monitoring using 24-hour esophageal pH-Impedance (HEMII-pH) testing versus pharyngeal pH (Restech) testing (Respiratory Technology Corporation, Houston, Texas) for diagnosing laryngopharyngeal reflux (LPR).

METHODS

Retrospectively, patients were reviewed who had completed a Reflux Symptom Index (RSI) survey and stroboscopy within 60 days before or after undergoing simultaneous esophageal pH-Impedance monitoring and Restech testing. Reflux Finding Score (RFS) was determined by 4 blinded observers. 80.45% of patients were on anti-reflux medications at the time of study and had incomplete response to treatment for reflux. Improvement on reflux treatment was determined by evaluating presenting pre-pH monitoring RFS, post treatment RFS, and improvement of symptoms. Pearson correlation coefficients were calculated to assess relationships among RSI, RFS, and test results from HEMII-pH and Restech tests.

RESULTS

Eighty-seven patients were included in the analysis. The inter-rater reliability of the RFS determination was 74.57%, and the intra-rater reliability was 67.00%. Subjects who had a positive RYAN Score had a significant correlation with RFS (r of 0.222 and p-value of 0.0492). There was no correlation between RFS and number or percent time of reflux events, longest event, total number of events, or percent of time at alkaline pH for either HEMII-PH or Restech test. RSI correlated better with HEMII-pH test than with Restech for percent time spent in both upright (r of 0.226 and p-value of 0.029) and supine position (r of 0.261 and a p-value of 0.032). Restech correlated better with total patient symptom Scores including cough, heartburn, burping, and throat clearing, with a r of 0.242 and a p-value of 0.048. Restech detected more percent time in reflux for total reflux, supine reflux, and upright reflux (p-value less than 0.0001). Restech also detected longer event times than Impedance (p-value of less than 0.0001). When diagnosis of LPR is based on the definition of CRC, the Sataloff Score test had 70.45% sensitivity and 80.95% specificity. The RYAN Score had a sensitivity of 72%, and a specificity of 56.45%, and the Wu Score had a sensitivity of 62.16%, and specificity of 54.05%. When the Sataloff and Wu Score were used together, the sensitivity was 71.45%, specificity 100%, positive predictive value of 100%, and a negative predictive value of 59.46%.

CONCLUSION

The amount of time of reflux events correlates with symptoms better than the number of events. The HEMII-pH test was able to detect more events of pH<4 than Restech, possibly because there might have been more acid events below than above the upper esophageal sphincter, while Restech detected more total events. Restech recorded longer event times than HEMII-pH test. Since length of time correlates with RFS (probably reflecting laryngeal inflammation), and since laryngeal clearance of acid is more similar to pharyngeal than esophageal clearance, this finding might prove valuable clinically. The Sataloff Score has a sensitivity of 70.45%, and a specificity of 80.95% and appears useful clinically to detect mild to moderate that is missed by the RYAN Score. A combination of Sataloff Score and Wu Score may be clinically valuable to identify LPR with an increased sensitivity of 71.45% and increased specificity of 100%. The Wu Score is not yet available for the general clinical use, but the Sataloff Score is.

First Probe of Sub-GeV Dark Matter beyond the Cosmological Expectation with the COHERENT CsI Detector at the SNS

The COHERENT Collaboration searched for scalar dark matter particles produced at the Spallation Neutron Source with masses between 1 and 220  MeV/c^{2} using a CsI[Na] scintillation detector sensitive to nuclear recoils above 9  keV_{nr}. No evidence for dark matter is found and we thus place limits on allowed parameter space. With this low-threshold detector, we are sensitive to coherent elastic scattering between dark matter and nuclei. The cross section for this process is orders of magnitude higher than for other processes historically used for accelerator-based direct-detection searches so that our small, 14.6 kg detector significantly improves on past constraints. At peak sensitivity, we reject the flux consistent with the cosmologically observed dark-matter concentration for all coupling constants α_{D}<0.64, assuming a scalar dark-matter particle. We also calculate the sensitivity of future COHERENT detectors to dark-matter signals which will ambitiously test multiple dark-matter spin scenarios.

The time is now: making the case for a UK registry of deployment of radiology artificial intelligence applications

Artificial intelligence (AI)-based healthcare applications (apps) are rapidly evolving, and radiology is a target specialty for their implementation. In this paper, we put the case for a national deployment registry to track the spread of AI apps into clinical use in radiology in the UK. By gathering data on the specific locations, purposes, and people associated with AI app deployment, such a registry would provide greater transparency on their spread in the radiology field. In combination with other regulatory and audit mechanisms, it would provide radiologists and patients with greater confidence and trust in AI apps. At the same time, coordination of this information would reduce costs for the National Health Service (NHS) by preventing duplication of piloting activities. This commentary discusses the need for a UK-wide registry for such apps, its benefits and risks, and critical success factors for its establishment. We conclude by noting that a critical window of opportunity has opened up for the development of a deployment registry, before the current pattern of localised clusters of activity turns into the widespread proliferation of AI apps across clinical practice.

The Validity and Reliability of the Reflux Finding Score

Laryngopharyngeal reflux (LPR) disease is common. The incidence of newly diagnosed cases has increased substantially due to awareness and development of new diagnostic measurements. The reflux finding score (RFS) and reflux symptom index (RSI) are believed to be useful in the assessment process, including after the initiation of therapy. However, many authors have suggested concerns about the reliability and validity of the RFS.

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the validity and reliability of the RFS.

METHODS

Ninety-two patients diagnosed with LPR who had undergone 24-hour pH-Impedance tests were included. All patients underwent stroboscopy and 24-Hour pH-Impedance monitoring within thirty days. Fifty-nine patients filled out a RSI prior to stroboscopic exam. The RFS was determined by four blinded observers: one otolaryngology resident, two laryngology fellows, and one laryngologist. Stroboscopic images were reviewed again one year later to assess intrarater reliability. RFS and RSI were correlated with 24-hour pH Impedance testing.

RESULTS

The Kappa value between reviewers was 0.479. The percent agreement of the four observers for total RFS was 74.04%.The percent agreement between reviewers for subglottic edema was 78.77%; for ventricular obliteration was 65.55%; for erythema/hyperemia was 69.62%, for vocal fold edema was 68.32%; for diffuse laryngeal edema was 66.86%, for posterior commissure hypertrophy was 73.54%; for granuloma/granulation was 96.80%; for thick endolaryngeal mucus was 72.81%. The intrarater reliability of the four observers for total RFS was 67.5% with an intrarater reliability range of 50%-90%. The intrarater reliability for subglottic edema was 85% with a range of 70%-100%; for ventricular obliteration was 77.50% with a range of 70%-90%; for erythema/hyperemia was 65.00% with a range of 50%-90%; for vocal fold edema was 52.50% with a range of 30%-70%; for diffuse laryngeal edema was 62.50% with a range of 20%-80%; for posterior commissure hypertrophy was 52.50% with a range of 10%-80%; for granuloma/granulation was 100%; for thick endolaryngeal mucus was 55.00% with a range of 10%-90%. There was no correlation between RFS and any parameter of the 24-Hr pH-Impedance Test. RSI had a significant correlation with number of upright events (r value of 0.271, R² of 0.0733 and P-value of 0.037), total symptoms experienced (r value of 0.0.267, R² of 0.0715 and P-value of 0.041), and symptom correlation score (r value of -0.297, R² of 0.0884 and P-value of 0.022).

CONCLUSION

Many authors have expressed concerns about the reliability and validity of the RFS. In our study we found a fair/substantial interrater reliability, and a modest intra-rater reliability. We found no correlation between the RFS and 24-Hr pH Impedance testing. This study suggests that the concerns about the validity and reliability of the RFS may be warranted. This widely used clinical score should be interpreted with caution and further research and refinement should be considered.

Understanding the tool influence function during sub-aperture belt-on-wheel glass polishing

The tool influence function (TIF) during sub-aperture belt-on-wheel polishing has been evaluated as a function of various process conditions (belt use/wear, dwell time, displacement, belt velocity, and wheel modulus and diameter) on fused silica glass workpieces using C e O ₂ polishing media. TIF spots are circular or elliptical in shape with a largely flat bottom character. The volumetric removal rate varies significantly with belt use (or wear), stabilizing after ∼15m i n of use. A modified Preston model, where the pressure dependence is adjusted using a different scaling of the wheel modulus (E w0.5), largely predicts the volumetric removal rate over the range of process conditions evaluated. The relatively high volumetric removal rate of 30-60m m ³/h using a fixed C e O ₂-in-resin-host belt offers a rapid, and hence, more economical, initial polish of aspheric and freeform optics.

Energetic and myocellular pathways in cardiac and skeletal muscle following anthracycline chemotherapy

Background

Anthracycline-related cardiac dysfunction is a recognised consequence of cancer therapies. Here we assess resting cardiac and skeletal muscle energic status as an early mechanistic pathway of myocyte derangement and explore molecular targets of skeletal myocyte metabolism, protein synthesis/degradation and mitochondrial biogenesis signalling.

Methods

We conducted a prospective, mechanistic, observational, longitudinal study of chemotherapy-naive breast cancer patients undergoing anthracycline-based chemotherapy, compared to a healthy control group. 31P-Magnetic Resonance spectroscopy in cardiac and skeletal muscle (phosphocreatine/gamma adenosine triphosphate (PCr/yATP) and inorganic phosphate/phosphocreatine (Pi/PCr) ratios respectively), cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) imaging inclusive of T1 and T2 mapping, echocardiography-derived global longitudinal strain function, serum NT-pro-BNP and skeletal muscle biopsies from the right vastus lateralis were assessed before and after 3 cycles of Flurouracil, Epirubicin and Cyclophosphamide followed by 3 cycles of Docetaxel. Statistical significance was set at p&lt;0.05.

Results

Twenty-five female breast cancer patients (median age 53 years, range 32–74 years) receiving a mean epirubicin dose 307 mg/m2) and twenty-eight controls (median age 44 years, range 23–65) were recruited. All study assessments in breast cancer patients at pre-chemotherapy stage were comparable to the matched healthy controls. However, following chemotherapy, breast cancer patients demonstrated a small but significant reduction in cardiac function (global longitudinal strain −22.9±3.9 vs −19.1±3.3%, p=0.01 and CMR-derived ejection fraction 65±5 vs 62±4%, p=0.047), a mild increase in CMR-derived indexed left ventricular volumes (end diastolic 65±10 vs 74±11 ml/m2, p=0.014 and end systolic 23±5 vs 28±5 ml/m2, p=0.01) as well as an increase in left ventricular T1 and T2-mapping (1289±29 vs 1321±31 ms, p=0.004 and 50±4 vs 55±7 ms, p=0.027, respectively) and serum NT-Pro-BNP (49±25 vs 108±84 pg/m, p=0.008). After epirubicin, there was significant reduction in cardiac PCr/yATP ratio (2.0±0.7 vs 1.2±0.6, p=0.007) and a significant increase in skeletal muscle Pi/PCr ratio (0.13±0.04 vs 0.22±0.2, p=0.008) – Figure 1.

Following chemotherapy, there was significant upregulation of skeletal myocyte protein synthesis (mammalian target of rapamycin, 0.44±0.4 vs 0.53±0.2, p&lt;0.001) and degradation (Calcium/calmodulin dependent protein kinase II, 1.4±0.7 vs 2.7±1.1, p&lt;0.001), metabolism (peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma, 0.35±0.2 vs 0.60±0.1, p&lt;0.001) and muscle mass regulator myostatin-2 (0.16±0.1 vs 0.24±0.1, p&lt;0.001).

Conclusion

Contemporary doses of epirubicin for breast cancer result in significant reduction of cardiac and skeletal muscle high energy 31P-metabolism alongside skeletal myocellular alterations of protein synthesis and metabolic regulation pathways.

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding sources: Foundation. Main funding source(s): Tenovus ScotlandNHS Grampian Endowment fund

Measurement of the Coherent Elastic Neutrino-Nucleus Scattering Cross Section on CsI by COHERENT

We measured the cross section of coherent elastic neutrino-nucleus scattering (CEvNS) using a CsI[Na] scintillating crystal in a high flux of neutrinos produced at the Spallation Neutron Source at Oak Ridge National Laboratory. New data collected before detector decommissioning have more than doubled the dataset since the first observation of CEvNS, achieved with this detector. Systematic uncertainties have also been reduced with an updated quenching model, allowing for improved precision. With these analysis improvements, the COHERENT Collaboration determined the cross section to be (165_{-25}^{+30})×10^{-40}  cm^{2}, consistent with the standard model, giving the most precise measurement of CEvNS yet. The timing structure of the neutrino beam has been exploited to compare the CEvNS cross section from scattering of different neutrino flavors. This result places leading constraints on neutrino nonstandard interactions while testing lepton flavor universality and measures the weak mixing angle as sin^{2}θ_{W}=0.220_{-0.026}^{+0.028} at Q^{2}≈(50  MeV)^{2}.

Residual neuromuscular blockade in the ICU: a prospective observational study and national survey

Residual neuromuscular blockade is associated with significant morbidity. It has been widely studied in anaesthesia; however, the incidence of residual neuromuscular blockade in patients managed in the ICU is unknown. We conducted a prospective observational study in a tertiary ICU to determine the incidence of residual neuromuscular blockade using quantitative accelerographic monitoring. We tested for residual neuromuscular blockade (defined as a train-of-four ratio < 0.9) before cessation of sedation in anticipation of tracheal extubation. We also surveyed 16 other ICUs in New Zealand to determine their use of neuromuscular monitoring. A total of 191 patients were included in the final analysis. The incidence (95%CI) of residual neuromuscular blockade was 43% (36-50%), with a similar incidence observed in non-postoperative and postoperative patients. There was a lower risk of residual neuromuscular blockade with atracurium than rocuronium (risk ratio (95%CI) of 0.39 (0.12-0.78)) and a higher risk with pancuronium than rocuronium (1.59 (1.06-2.49)). Our survey shows that, in New Zealand ICUs, monitoring of neuromuscular function is rarely carried out before tracheal extubation. When neuromuscular monitoring is undertaken, it is based on individual clinician suspicion and performed using qualitative measurements. No ICU reported using a quantitative monitor or a clinical guideline. The results demonstrate a high incidence of residual neuromuscular blockade in our ICU patients and identify the type of neuromuscular blocking drug as a possible risk factor. Monitoring neuromuscular function before tracheal extubation is not currently the standard of care in New Zealand ICUs. These data suggest that residual neuromuscular blockade may be an under-recognised problem in ICU practice.

A highly virulent variant of HIV-1 circulating in the Netherlands

We discovered a highly virulent variant of subtype-B HIV-1 in the Netherlands. One hundred nine individuals with this variant had a 0.54 to 0.74 log₁₀ increase (i.e., a ~3.5-fold to 5.5-fold increase) in viral load compared with, and exhibited CD4 cell decline twice as fast as, 6604 individuals with other subtype-B strains. Without treatment, advanced HIV-CD4 cell counts below 350 cells per cubic millimeter, with long-term clinical consequences-is expected to be reached, on average, 9 months after diagnosis for individuals in their thirties with this variant. Age, sex, suspected mode of transmission, and place of birth for the aforementioned 109 individuals were typical for HIV-positive people in the Netherlands, which suggests that the increased virulence is attributable to the viral strain. Genetic sequence analysis suggests that this variant arose in the 1990s from de novo mutation, not recombination, with increased transmissibility and an unfamiliar molecular mechanism of virulence.

The risk of miscarriage following surgical treatment of heterotopic extrauterine pregnancies

STUDY QUESTION

What is the risk of loss of a live normally sited (eutopic) pregnancy following surgical treatment of the concomitant extrauterine ectopic pregnancy?

SUMMARY ANSWER

In women diagnosed with heterotopic pregnancies, minimally invasive surgery to treat the extrauterine ectopic pregnancy does not increase the risk of miscarriage of the concomitant live eutopic pregnancy.

WHAT IS KNOWN ALREADY

Previous studies have indicated that surgical treatment of the concomitant ectopic pregnancy in women with live eutopic pregnancies could be associated with an increased risk of miscarriage. The findings of our study did not confirm that.

STUDY DESIGN, SIZE, DURATION

A retrospective observational case–control study of 52 women diagnosed with live eutopic and concomitant extrauterine pregnancies matched to 156 women with live normally sited singleton pregnancies. The study was carried out in three London early pregnancy units (EPUs) covering a 20-year period between April 2000 and November 2019.

PARTICIPANTS/MATERIALS, SETTING, METHODS

All women attended EPUs because of suspected early pregnancy complications. The diagnosis of heterotopic pregnancy was made on ultrasound scan and women were subsequently offered surgical or expectant management.

There were three controls per each case who were randomly selected from our clinical database and were matched for maternal age, mode of conception and gestational age at presentation.

MAIN RESULTS AND THE ROLE OF CHANCE

In the study group 49/52 (94%) women had surgery and 3/52 (6%) were managed expectantly. There were 9/52 (17%, 95% CI 8.2–30.3) miscarriages <12 weeks’ gestation and 9/49 (18%, 95% CI 8.7–32) miscarriages in those treated surgically. In the control group, there were 28/156 (18%, 95% CI 12.2–24.8) miscarriages <12 weeks’ gestation, which was not significantly different from heterotopic pregnancies who were treated surgically [odds ratio (OR) 1.03 95% CI 0.44–2.36]. There was a further second trimester miscarriage in the study group and one in the control group. The live birth rate in the study group was 41/51 (80%, 95% CI 66.9–90.2) and 38/48 (79%, 95% CI 65–89.5) for those who were treated surgically. These results were similar to 127/156 (81%, 95% CI 74.4–87.2) live births in the control group (OR 0.87, 95% CI 0.39–1.94).

LIMITATIONS, REASONS FOR CAUTION

This study is retrospective, and the number of patients is relatively small, which reflects the rarity of heterotopic pregnancies. Heterotopic pregnancies without a known outcome were excluded from analysis.

WIDER IMPLICATIONS OF THE FINDINGS

This study demonstrates that in women diagnosed with heterotopic pregnancies, minimally invasive surgery to treat the extrauterine pregnancy does not increase the risk of miscarriage of the concomitant live eutopic pregnancy. This finding will be helpful to women and their clinicians when discussing the options for treating heterotopic pregnancies.

STUDY FUNDING/COMPETING INTEREST(S)

This work did not receive any funding. None of the authors has any conflict of interest to declare.

TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER

Research Registry: researchregistry6430.

2021 European Guideline on the management of proctitis, proctocolitis and enteritis caused by sexually transmissible pathogens

This guideline intents to offer guidance on the diagnosis and management of patients with gastrointestinal symptoms and a suspected sexually transmitted cause. Proctitis is defined as an inflammatory syndrome of the anal canal and/or the rectum. Infectious proctitis can be sexually transmitted via genital-anal mucosal contact, but some also via digital contact and toys. Neisseria gonorrhoeae, Chlamydia trachomatis (including lymphogranuloma venereum), Treponema pallidum and herpes simplex virus are the most common sexually transmitted anorectal pathogens. Shigellosis can be transferred via oral-anal contact and may lead to proctocolitis or enteritis. Although most studies on these infections have concentrated on men who have sex with men (MSM), women having anal intercourse may also be at risk. A presumptive clinical diagnosis of proctitis can be made when there are symptoms and signs, and a definitive diagnosis when the results of laboratory tests are available. The symptoms of proctitis include anorectal itching, pain, tenesmus, bleeding, constipation and discharge in and around the anal canal. The majority of rectal chlamydia and gonococcal infections are asymptomatic and can only be detected by laboratory tests. Therefore, especially when there is a history of receptive anal contact, exclusion of anorectal infections is generally indicated as part of standard screening for sexually transmitted infections (STIs). Condom use does not guarantee protection from STIs, which are often spread without penile penetration. New in this updated guideline is: (i) lymphogranuloma venereum proctitis is increasingly found in HIV-negative MSM, (ii) anorectal Mycoplasma genitalium infection should be considered in patients with symptomatic proctitis after exclusion of other common causations such N. gonorrhoeae, C. trachomatis, syphilis and herpes, (iii) intestinal spirochetosis incidentally found in colonic biopsies should not be confused with syphilis, and (iv) traumatic causes of proctitis should be considered in sexually active patients.

Cost-effectiveness of mifepristone and misoprostol versus misoprostol alone for the management of missed miscarriage: an economic evaluation based on the MifeMiso trial

OBJECTIVE

To assess the cost-effectiveness of mifepristone and misoprostol (MifeMiso) compared with misoprostol only for the medical management of a missed miscarriage.

DESIGN

Within-trial economic evaluation and model-based analysis to set the findings in the context of the wider economic evidence for a range of comparators. Incremental costs and outcomes were calculated using nonparametric bootstrapping and reported using cost-effectiveness acceptability curves. Analyses were performed from the perspective of the UK's National Health Service (NHS).

SETTING

Twenty-eight UK NHS early pregnancy units.

SAMPLE

A cohort of 711 women aged 16-39 years with ultrasound evidence of a missed miscarriage.

METHODS

Treatment with mifepristone and misoprostol or with matched placebo and misoprostol tablets.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Cost per additional successfully managed miscarriage and quality-adjusted life years (QALYs).

RESULTS

For the within-trial analysis, MifeMiso intervention resulted in an absolute effect difference of 6.6% (95% CI 0.7-12.5%) per successfully managed miscarriage and a QALYs difference of 0.04% (95% CI -0.01 to 0.1%). The average cost per successfully managed miscarriage was lower in the MifeMiso arm than in the placebo and misoprostol arm, with a cost saving of £182 (95% CI £26-£338). Hence, the MifeMiso intervention dominated the use of misoprostol alone. The model-based analysis showed that the MifeMiso intervention is preferable, compared with expectant management, and this is the current medical management strategy. However, the model-based evidence suggests that the intervention is a less effective but less costly strategy than surgical management.

CONCLUSIONS

The within-trial analysis found that based on cost-effectiveness grounds, the MifeMiso intervention is likely to be recommended by decision makers for the medical management of women presenting with a missed miscarriage.

TWEETABLE ABSTRACT

The combination of mifepristone and misoprostol is more effective and less costly than misoprostol alone for the management of missed miscarriages.

2019 IUSTI-Europe guideline for the management of anogenital warts

This guideline is an update of the 2011 European Guideline for the Management of Anogenital Warts. It is intended to support best practice in the care of patients with anogenital warts by including evidence-based recommendations on diagnosis, treatment, follow-up and advice to patients. It is intended for use by healthcare professionals in sexual healthcare or dermato-venereology clinics in Europe but may be adapted for use in other settings where the management of anogenital warts is undertaken. As a European guideline, recommendations should be adapted according to national circumstances and healthcare systems. Despite the availability of vaccine to prevent HPV types 6 and 11, the cause of >95% anogenital warts, they remain an important and frequent health problem. The previous systematic review of randomized controlled trials for anogenital warts was updated. The changes in the present guideline include the following: Updated background information on the prevalence, natural history and transmission of human papillomavirus (HPV) infection and anogenital warts. Key recommendations for diagnosis and treatment have been graded according to the strength of the recommendation and the quality of supporting evidence. 5-fluorouracil, local interferon and photodynamic therapy have been evaluated and included as potential second-line treatment options. Evidence of the impact of HPV vaccination on the incidence of anogenital warts has been updated.

Exploring overcrowding trends in an inner city emergence department in the UK before and during COVID-19 epidemic

Background

The COVID-19 pandemic and the associated lockdowns have caused significant disruptions across society, including changes in the number of emergency department (ED) visits. This study aims to investigate the impact of three pre-COVID-19 interventions and of the COVID-19 UK-epidemic and the first UK national lockdown on overcrowding within University College London Hospital Emergency Department (UCLH ED). The three interventions: target the influx of patients at ED (A), reduce the pressure on in-patients’ beds (B) and improve ED processes to improve the flow of patents out from ED (C).

Methods

We collected overcrowding metrics (daily attendances, the proportion of people leaving within 4 h of arrival (four-hours target) and the reduction in overall waiting time) during 01/04/2017–31/05/2020. We then performed three different analyses, considering three different timeframes. The first analysis used data 01/04/2017–31/12–2019 to calculate changes over a period of 6 months before and after the start of interventions A-C. The second and third analyses focused on evaluating the impact of the COVID-19 epidemic, comparing the first 10 months in 2020 and 2019, and of the first national lockdown (23/03/2020–31/05/2020).

Results

Pre-COVID-19 all interventions led to small reductions in waiting time (17%, p < 0.001 for A and C; an 9%, p = 0.322 for B) but also to a small decrease in the number of patients leaving within 4 h of arrival (6.6,7.4,6.2% respectively A-C,p < 0.001).

In presence of the COVID-19 pandemic, attendance and waiting time were reduced (40% and 8%; p < 0.001), and the number of people leaving within 4 h of arrival was increased (6%,p < 0.001). During the first lockdown, there was 65% reduction in attendance, 22% reduction in waiting time and 8% increase in number of people leaving within 4 h of arrival (p < 0.001). Crucially, when the lockdown was lifted, there was an increase (6.5%,p < 0.001) in the percentage of people leaving within 4 h, together with a larger (12.5%,p < 0.001) decrease in waiting time. This occurred despite the increase of 49.6%(p < 0.001) in attendance after lockdown ended.

Conclusions

The mixed results pre-COVID-19 (significant improvements in waiting time with some interventions but not improvement in the four-hours target), may be due to indirect impacts of these interventions, where increasing pressure on one part of the ED system affected other parts. This underlines the need for multifaceted interventions and a system-wide approach to improve the pathway of flow through the ED system is necessary.

During 2020 and in presence of the COVID-19 epidemic, a shift in public behaviour with anxiety over attending hospitals and higher use of virtual consultations, led to notable drop in UCLH ED attendance and consequential curbing of overcrowding.

Importantly, once the lockdown was lifted, although there was an increase in arrivals at UCLH ED, overcrowding metrics were reduced. Thus, the combination of shifted public behaviour and the restructuring changes during COVID-19 epidemic, maybe be able to curb future ED overcrowding, but longer timeframe analysis is required to confirm this.

Art boxes supporting parents and infants to share creative interactions at home: an art-based response to improve well-being during COVID-19 restrictions

OBJECTIVES

This article seeks to demonstrate the impact of distributing boxes of art resources and guided activities for vulnerable parents and infants to do together at home.

STUDY DESIGN

Designed in conjunction with the local arts centre and the psychology team at the University of Dundee, the art boxes were a response to planned face-to-face art interventions with families being cancelled due to COVID-19 restrictions. The aim of the art boxes is to encourage parents to make art together with their infants, fostering connection through playful, creative shared experiences. This research is currently being expanded to reach out to new families through referrals from health visitors, family nurses, and charity partners.

METHODS

Data is being collected on how the art boxes are experienced by families using a mixed-methods approach. Families complete feedback cards (online, or using the stamped addressed card included in the box) rating their experience on quantitative scales and providing open comments. Visual data are gathered through parents sharing images with us on social media. An initial sample of 10 participants has been interviewed using semistructured interviews, allowing more in-depth qualitative understanding of their experiences. These preliminary findings are discussed here.

RESULTS

The thematic analysis of initial interviews provided a rich picture of the disconnection families experienced during lockdown, why art boxes may be beneficial to parental well-being, and the mechanisms by which the boxes may help to develop connections for the parent and infant together.

CONCLUSIONS

Preliminary findings show parents reporting feeling more confident and undertaking new activities which they plan to continue. This was of particular importance during lockdown where parents report opportunities for different experiences being more limited. Parent's describe positive playful interactions and reported improvements to their own well-being from doing creative activities together with their child. Analysis of these initial interviews gives a framework of barriers and supports to connection which highlights how art boxes can facilitate connectedness between dyads with the potential to strengthen attachments.

Association of body mass index with immune recovery, virological failure and cardiovascular disease risk among people living with HIV

OBJECTIVES

We conducted a longitudinal cohort analysis to evaluate the association of pre-treatment body mass index (BMI) with CD4 recovery, virological failure (VF) and cardiovascular risk disease (CVD) markers among people living with HIV (PLHIV).

METHODS

Participants who were enrolled between January 2003 and March 2019 in a regional Asia HIV cohort with weight and height measurements prior to antiretroviral therapy (ART) initiation were included. Factors associated with mean CD4 increase were analysed using repeated-measures linear regression. Time to first VF after 6 months on ART and time to first development of CVD risk markers were analysed using Cox regression models. Sensitivity analyses were done adjusting for Asian BMI thresholds.

RESULTS

Of 4993 PLHIV (66% male), 62% had pre-treatment BMI in the normal range (18.5-25.0 kg/m² ), while 26%, 10% and 2% were underweight (< 18.5 kg/m² ), overweight (25-30 kg/m2) and obese (> 30 kg/m² ), respectively. Both higher baseline and time-updated BMI were associated with larger CD4 gains compared with normal BMI. After adjusting for Asian BMI thresholds, higher baseline BMIs of 23-27.5 and > 27.5 kg/m² were associated with larger CD4 increases of 15.6 cells/µL [95% confidence interval (CI): 2.9-28.3] and 28.8 cells/µL (95% CI: 6.6-50.9), respectively, compared with normal BMI (18.5-23 kg/m² ). PLHIV with BMIs of 25-30 and > 30 kg/m² were 1.27 times (95% CI: 1.10-1.47) and 1.61 times (95% CI: 1.13-2.24) more likely to develop CVD risk factors. No relationship between pre-treatment BMI and VF was observed.

CONCLUSIONS

High pre-treatment BMI was associated with better immune reconstitution and CVD risk factor development in an Asian PLHIV cohort.

Virological failure and HIV drug resistance among adults living with HIV on second-line antiretroviral therapy in the Asia-Pacific

OBJECTIVES

To assess second-line antiretroviral therapy (ART) virological failure and HIV drug resistance-associated mutations (RAMs), in support of third-line regimen planning in Asia.

METHODS

Adults > 18 years of age on second-line ART for ≥ 6 months were eligible. Cross-sectional data on HIV viral load (VL) and genotypic resistance testing were collected or testing was conducted between July 2015 and May 2017 at 12 Asia-Pacific sites. Virological failure (VF) was defined as VL > 1000 copies/mL with a second VL > 1000 copies/mL within 3-6 months. FASTA files were submitted to Stanford University HIV Drug Resistance Database and RAMs were compared against the IAS-USA 2019 mutations list. VF risk factors were analysed using logistic regression.

RESULTS

Of 1378 patients, 74% were male and 70% acquired HIV through heterosexual exposure. At second-line switch, median [interquartile range (IQR)] age was 37 (32-42) years and median (IQR) CD4 count was 103 (43.5-229.5) cells/µL; 93% received regimens with boosted protease inhibitors (PIs). Median duration on second line was 3 years. Among 101 patients (7%) with VF, CD4 count > 200 cells/µL at switch [odds ratio (OR) = 0.36, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.17-0.77 vs. CD4 ≤ 50) and HIV exposure through male-male sex (OR = 0.32, 95% CI: 0.17-0.64 vs. heterosexual) or injecting drug use (OR = 0.24, 95% CI: 0.12-0.49) were associated with reduced VF. Of 41 (41%) patients with resistance data, 80% had at least one RAM to nonnucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NNRTIs), 63% to NRTIs, and 35% to PIs. Of those with PI RAMs, 71% had two or more.

CONCLUSIONS

There were low proportions with VF and significant RAMs in our cohort, reflecting the durability of current second-line regimens.

Predictors of not working among treatment-seeking UK veterans: a cross-sectional study

INTRODUCTION

Many veterans do well reintegrating to civilian life following military service. Yet, many face difficulties in finding and securing work. Veterans are more likely than civilians to experience work difficulties, but there remains little research investigating contributing factors, particularly among samples of treatment-seeking veterans. As such, the study examines predictors of not working among UK treatment-seeking veterans.

DESIGN

The study employed a cross-sectional design.

METHODS

Of 667 treatment-seeking UK veterans, 403 (M_age =50.94) provided information on a range of demographic variables, military-related experiences, the total number of physical health conditions and mental health outcomes. Work status was categorised as not working due to illness (M_age =48.15), not working due to other reasons (M_age =61.92) and currently working (M_age = 46.13).

RESULTS

Prevalence rates of not working was 69%. Not working was predicted by a greater number of physical health problems as well as more years since leaving the military. Not working due to poor health was independently predicted by symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and younger age, while not working due to other reasons was predicted by older age.

CONCLUSIONS

The study revealed that treatment-seeking veterans of younger age with a high number of physical health difficulties, symptoms of PTSD and more years since leaving the military are most at risk of not working due to ill health. The findings have important implications for identifying veterans most at risk of not working and offer the opportunity to tailor rehabilitation programmes to promote successful veteran reintegration into civilian life.

The chondrogenic differentiation potential of dental pulp stem cells

Dental pulp stem cells (DPSCs) are particularly promising for tissue engineering (TE) due to the ease of their isolation procedure, great expansion potential and capability to differentiate towards several cell types of the mesodermal, ectodermal and endodermal lineages. Although several studies hint that DPSCs exhibit potential for cartilage tissue formation, the chondrogenic potential of DPSCs has only been marginally explored. Thus, the aim of the present study was to closely investigate the chondrogenic differentiation capacity of DPSCs for TE applications. More specifically, the potential of DPSCs for engineering hyaline and fibrous cartilage was determined. DPSCs obtained from 7 human molars were expanded and chondrogenically differentiated in a 3D pellet culture model. After 21 d of differentiation with chondrogenic stimuli, DPSCs displayed glycosaminoglycan, aggrecan and limited collagen type II deposition. Cells presented an elongated morphology and produced a collagen-rich extracellular matrix, with a predominance of collagen type I in most of the samples, a characteristic of fibrous cartilage tissue. Variations in the administration periods of several chondro-inductive growth factors, including transforming growth factor beta 3, bone morphogenetic protein-2, -6, -7 and insulin-like growth factor-1, did not increase glycosaminoglycan or collagen type II deposition, typical markers of hyaline cartilage tissue. Furthermore, DPSCs could not be stimulated to go into hypertrophic chondrogenesis. These results indicated that under a large variety of chondro-inductive culture conditions, DPSCs could form fibrocartilaginous tissues but not hyaline cartilage. Thus, DPSCs represent a valuable cell source for the regeneration of fibrocartilage in joints.

Atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease screening and management protocols among adult HIV clinics in Asia

OBJECTIVES

Integration of HIV and non-communicable disease services improves the quality and efficiency of care in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). We aimed to describe current practices for the screening and management of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) among adult HIV clinics in Asia.

METHODS

Sixteen LMIC sites included in the International Epidemiology Databases to Evaluate AIDS - Asia-Pacific network were surveyed.

RESULTS

Sites were mostly (81%) based in urban public referral hospitals. Half had protocols to assess tobacco and alcohol use. Protocols for assessing physical inactivity and obesity were in place at 31% and 38% of sites, respectively. Most sites provided educational material on ASCVD risk factors (between 56% and 75% depending on risk factors). A total of 94% reported performing routine screening for hypertension, 100% for hyperlipidaemia and 88% for diabetes. Routine ASCVD risk assessment was reported by 94% of sites. Protocols for the management of hypertension, hyperlipidaemia, diabetes, high ASCVD risk and chronic ischaemic stroke were in place at 50%, 69%, 56%, 19% and 38% of sites, respectively. Blood pressure monitoring was free for patients at 69% of sites; however, most required patients to pay some or all the costs for other ASCVD-related procedures. Medications available in the clinic or within the same facility included angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (81%), statins (94%) and sulphonylureas (94%).

CONCLUSION

The consistent availability of clinical screening, diagnostic testing and procedures and the availability of ASCVD medications in the Asian LMIC clinics surveyed are strengths that should be leveraged to improve the implementation of cardiovascular care protocols.

The cost-effectiveness of progesterone in preventing miscarriages in women with early pregnancy bleeding: an economic evaluation based on the PRISM trial

OBJECTIVES

To assess the cost-effectiveness of progesterone compared with placebo in preventing pregnancy loss in women with early pregnancy vaginal bleeding.

DESIGN

Economic evaluation alongside a large multi-centre randomised placebo-controlled trial.

SETTING

Forty-eight UK NHS early pregnancy units.

POPULATION

Four thousand one hundred and fifty-three women aged 16-39 years with bleeding in early pregnancy and ultrasound evidence of an intrauterine sac.

METHODS

An incremental cost-effectiveness analysis was performed from National Health Service (NHS) and NHS and Personal Social Services perspectives. Subgroup analyses were carried out on women with one or more and three or more previous miscarriages.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Cost per additional live birth at ≥34 weeks of gestation.

RESULTS

Progesterone intervention led to an effect difference of 0.022 (95% CI -0.004 to 0.050) in the trial. The mean cost per woman in the progesterone group was £76 (95% CI -£559 to £711) more than the mean cost in the placebo group. The incremental cost-effectiveness ratio for progesterone compared with placebo was £3305 per additional live birth. For women with at least one previous miscarriage, progesterone was more effective than placebo with an effect difference of 0.055 (95% CI 0.014-0.096) and this was associated with a cost saving of £322 (95% CI -£1318 to £673).

CONCLUSIONS

The results suggest that progesterone is associated with a small positive impact and a small additional cost. Both subgroup analyses were more favourable, especially for women who had one or more previous miscarriages. Given available evidence, progesterone is likely to be a cost-effective intervention, particularly for women with previous miscarriage(s).

TWEETABLE ABSTRACT

Progesterone treatment is likely to be cost-effective in women with early pregnancy bleeding and a history of miscarriage.

Early mortality after late initiation of antiretroviral therapy in the TREAT Asia HIV Observational Database (TAHOD) of the International Epidemiologic Databases to Evaluate AIDS (IeDEA) Asia-Pacific

OBJECTIVES

Early mortality among those still initiating antiretroviral therapy (ART) with advanced stages of HIV infection in resource-limited settings remains high despite recommendations for universal HIV treatment. We investigated risk factors associated with early mortality in people living with HIV (PLHIV) starting ART at low CD4 levels in the Asia-Pacific.

METHODS

PLHIV enrolled in the Therapeutics, Research, Education and AIDS Training in Asia (TREAT Asia) HIV Observational Database (TAHOD) who initiated ART with a CD4 count < 100 cells/μL between 2003 and 2018 were included in the study. Early mortality was defined as death within 1 year of ART initiation. PLHIV in follow-up for > 1 year were censored at 12 months. Competing risk regression was used to analyse risk factors with loss to follow-up as a competing risk.

RESULTS

A total of 1813 PLHIV were included in the study, of whom 74% were male. With 73 (4%) deaths, the overall first-year mortality rate was 4.27 per 100 person-years (PY). Thirty-eight deaths (52%) were AIDS-related, 10 (14%) were immune reconstituted inflammatory syndrome (IRIS)-related, 13 (18%) were non-AIDS-related and 12 (16%) had an unknown cause. Risk factors included having a body mass index (BMI) < 18.5 [sub-hazard ratio (SHR) 2.91; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.60-5.32] compared to BMI 18.5-24.9, and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) ≥ 5 times its upper limit of normal (ULN) (SHR 6.14; 95% CI 1.62-23.20) compared to ALT < 5 times its ULN. A higher CD4 count (51-100 cells/μL: SHR 0.28; 95% CI 0.14-0.55; and > 100 cells/μL: SHR 0.12; 95% CI 0.05-0.26) was associated with reduced hazard for mortality compared to CD4 count ≤ 25 cells/μL.

CONCLUSIONS

Fifty-two per cent of early deaths were AIDS-related. Efforts to initiate ART at CD4 counts > 50 cell/μL are associated with improved short-term survival rates, even in those with late stages of HIV disease.

Recurrent hyperactive ESR1 fusion proteins in endocrine therapy-resistant breast cancer

Background

Estrogen receptor-positive (ER-positive) metastatic breast cancer is often intractable due to endocrine therapy resistance. Although ESR1 promoter switching events have been associated with endocrine-therapy resistance, recurrent ESR1 fusion proteins have yet to be identified in advanced breast cancer.

Patients and methods

To identify genomic structural rearrangements (REs) including gene fusions in acquired resistance, we undertook a multimodal sequencing effort in three breast cancer patient cohorts: (i) mate-pair and/or RNAseq in 6 patient-matched primary-metastatic tumors and 51 metastases, (ii) high coverage (>500×) comprehensive genomic profiling of 287-395 cancer-related genes across 9542 solid tumors (5216 from metastatic disease), and (iii) ultra-high coverage (>5000×) genomic profiling of 62 cancer-related genes in 254 ctDNA samples. In addition to traditional gene fusion detection methods (i.e. discordant reads, split reads), ESR1 REs were detected from targeted sequencing data by applying a novel algorithm (copyshift) that identifies major copy number shifts at rearrangement hotspots.

Results

We identify 88 ESR1 REs across 83 unique patients with direct confirmation of 9 ESR1 fusion proteins (including 2 via immunoblot). ESR1 REs are highly enriched in ER-positive, metastatic disease and co-occur with known ESR1 missense alterations, suggestive of polyclonal resistance. Importantly, all fusions result from a breakpoint in or near ESR1 intron 6 and therefore lack an intact ligand binding domain (LBD). In vitro characterization of three fusions reveals ligand-independence and hyperactivity dependent upon the 3' partner gene. Our lower-bound estimate of ESR1 fusions is at least 1% of metastatic solid breast cancers, the prevalence in ctDNA is at least 10× enriched. We postulate this enrichment may represent secondary resistance to more aggressive endocrine therapies applied to patients with ESR1 LBD missense alterations.

Conclusions

Collectively, these data indicate that N-terminal ESR1 fusions involving exons 6-7 are a recurrent driver of endocrine therapy resistance and are impervious to ER-targeted therapies.

Evaluation of VIDAS Listeria monocytogenes II (LMO2) Immunoassay Method for the Detection of Listeria monocytogenes in Foods: Collaborative Study

A multilaboratory study was conducted to compare the VIDAS®Listeria monocytogenes II (LMO2) immunoassay and the standard cultural methods for the detection of Listeria monocytogenes in foods. Five food types—vanilla ice cream, brie cheese, cooked roast beef, frozen green beans, and frozen tilapia fish—at 3 levels were analyzed by each method. A total of 26 laboratories representing government and industry participated. In this study, 1404 test portions were analyzed of which 1152 were used in the statistical analysis. There were 448 positive by the VIDAS LMO2 assay and 457 positive by the standard culture methods. A χ2 analysis of each of the 5 food types, at the 3 inoculation levels tested, was performed. The resulting χ2 value, 0.36, indicates that overall, there are no statistical differences between the VIDAS LMO2 assay and the standard methods at the 5% level of significance.

Utility of Audiometry in the Evaluation of Patients Presenting with Dysphonia

Objectives:

Hearing loss has been implicated in dysphonia secondary to voice misuse, although the data supporting this claim are scant. Determining the prevalence of hearing loss in patients with dysphonia and correlating it with self-perception of vocal handicap may help clarify the value of audiometry in evaluation of patients with dysphonia.

Methods:

This is a retrospective chart review of all new voice patients (n = 405) presenting with dysphonia to the primary investigator between 2015 and 2018. Each new patient routinely undergoes audiometric and voice objective analyses. Main outcomes measured include prevalence, severity of hearing loss, and voice handicap index-10 (VHI-10).

Results:

Of the 405 subjects reviewed, mean age was 49.0 years (SD = 17.4). 60.7% of subjects were female and 39.3% male. Patients with hearing loss defined as >25 dB in worse ear with pure tone average (PTA) thresholds at 0.5, 1, 2, and 3 kHz (PTA-S) accounted for 18% of the total cohort. The prevalence of previously undiagnosed hearing loss in this cohort was 13.1% (53 of 405 subjects). Of these subjects, 62.3% (33 subjects) reported no perception of hearing loss while 37.7% (20 subjects) suspected they had some hearing loss, yet never sought evaluation. Only increased PTA-S, speech discrimination, Reflux Symptom Index, and female gender demonstrated a significant relationship with VHI-10 when analyzed with multivariate linear regression analysis.

Conclusions:

The prevalence of hearing loss in patients presenting with dysphonia in this cohort is similar to normative population data. This study has also demonstrated that the majority of these patients did not perceive any hearing loss. The reasons behind this may be a result of or associated with the patients’ dysphonia. Furthermore, clinicians should consider performing audiometric evaluation in patients with abnormal VHI-10 scores in the appropriate clinical context.

RET fusions in a small subset of advanced colorectal cancers at risk of being neglected

Background

Recognition of rare molecular subgroups is a challenge for precision oncology and may lead to tissue-agnostic approval of targeted agents. Here we aimed to comprehensively characterize the clinical, pathological and molecular landscape of RET rearranged metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC).

Patients and methods

In this case series, we compared clinical, pathological and molecular characteristics of 24 RET rearranged mCRC patients with those of a control group of 291 patients with RET negative tumors. RET rearranged and RET negative mCRCs were retrieved by systematic literature review and by taking advantage of three screening sources: (i) Ignyta's phase 1/1b study on RXDX-105 (NCT01877811), (ii) cohorts screened at two Italian and one South Korean Institutions and (iii) Foundation Medicine Inc. database. Next-generation sequencing data were analyzed for RET rearranged cases.

Results

RET fusions were more frequent in older patients (median age of 66 versus 60 years, P = 0.052), with ECOG PS 1-2 (90% versus 50%, P = 0.02), right-sided (55% versus 32%, P = 0.013), previously unresected primary tumors (58% versus 21%, P < 0.001), RAS and BRAF wild-type (100% versus 40%, P < 0.001) and MSI-high (48% versus 7%, P < 0.001). Notably, 11 (26%) out of 43 patients with right-sided, RAS and BRAF wild-type tumors harbored a RET rearrangement. At a median follow-up of 45.8 months, patients with RET fusion-positive tumors showed a significantly worse OS when compared with RET-negative ones (median OS 14.0 versus 38.0 months, HR: 4.59; 95% CI, 3.64-32.66; P < 0.001). In the multivariable model, RET rearrangements were still associated with shorter OS (HR: 2.97; 95% CI, 1.25-7.07; P = 0.014), while primary tumor location, RAS and BRAF mutations and MSI status were not.

Conclusions

Though very rare, RET rearrangements define a new subtype of mCRC that shows poor prognosis with conventional treatments and is therefore worth of a specific management.