Artificial intelligence evaluation of electrocardiographic characteristics and interval changes in transgender patients on gender-affirming hormone therapy
Abstract Aims Gender-affirming hormone therapy (GAHT) is used by some transgender individuals (TG), who comprise 1.4% of US population. However, the effects of GAHT on electrocardiogram (ECG) remain unknown. The objective is to assess the effects of GAHT on ECG changes in TG. Methods and results Twelve-lead ECGs of TG on GAHT at the Mayo Clinic were inspected using a validated artificial intelligence (AI) algorithm. The algorithm assigns a patient’s ECG male pattern probability on a scale of 0 (female) to 1 (male). In the primary analysis, done separately for transgender women (TGW) and transgender men (TGM), 12-lead ECGs were used to estimate the male pattern probability before and after GAHT. In a subanalysis, only patients with both pre- and post-GAHT EGCs were included. Further, the autopopulated PR, QRS, and QTc intervals were compared before and after GAHT. Among TGW (n = 86), the probability (mean ± SD) of an ECG male pattern was 0.84 ± 0.25 in the pre-GAHT group, and it was lowered to 0.59 ± 0.36 in the post-GAHT group (n = 173, P < 7.8 × 10−10). Conversely, among TGM, male pattern probability was 0.16 ± 0.28 (n = 47) in the pre-GAHT group, and it was higher at 0.41 ± 0.38 in the post-GAHT group (n = 53, P < 2.4×10−4). The trend persisted in the subanalysis. Furthermore, both the PR (P = 5.68 × 10−4) and QTc intervals (P = 6.65×10−6) prolonged among TGW. Among TGM, the QTc interval shortened (P = 4.8 × 10−2). Conclusion Among TG, GAHT is associated with ECG changes trending towards gender congruence, as determined by the AI algorithm and ECG intervals. Prospective studies are warranted to understand GAHT effects on cardiac structure and function.
Abstract 15355: Evaluating the Electrocardiographic Characteristics of Transgender Patients Undergoing Gender-Affirming Hormone Therapy With Artificial Intelligence
Evaluating the Electrocardiographic Characteristics of Transgender Patients Undergoing Gender-affirming Hormone Therapy with Artificial Intelligence Introduction: An artificial intelligence (AI) electrocardiogram (ECG) algorithm has been demonstrated to identify a patient’s birth designated sex with 90.4% accuracy with an AUC = 0.97. However, the algorithm has not been evaluated in transgender and gender diverse individuals. We aimed to determine how the algorithm output varies among transgender individuals seen at the Mayo Clinic Transgender and Intersex Specialty Care Clinic (TISCC) who are undergoing gender-affirming hormonal treatment (GAHT). Methods: We applied the algorithm (which assessed the probability of “male” between 0 and 1, with < 0.5 considered as “female” and > 0.5 as “male”) to ECGs obtained from patients in the TISCC before and after the initiation of GAHT. GAHT frequently involves the use of testosterone in transgender men, and estrogen and anti-androgen agents in transgender women. Patient characteristics, including the date of the initiation of GAHT, were collected through chart review. Results: Among transgender women, the AI model probability of “male” decreased from 0.84± 0.25 (12/86 classified as males) to 0.59±0.36 (68/173 classified as male) with GAHT (p < 7.8e-10). Among transgender men, the AI model probability of “male” increased from 0.16 ± 0.28 (7/47 classified as male) to 0.41 ±0.38 (22/53 classified as male) with GAHT (p < 2.4e-4). Conclusion: After GAHT initiation, the Mayo Clinic AI ECG algorithm assigns a higher probability of being male among transgender men and a lower probability of being male among transgender women. These findings warrant further investigation into the electrocardiographic differences across genders and the effects of GAHT on the human heart.
Demographics and Characteristics of Orthopaedic Surgery Residency Program Directors
Introduction: To date, there has been a paucity of research evaluating the demographics, characteristics, and surgical training of orthopaedic residency program directors (PDs). Purpose: To determine the objective characteristics of orthopaedic residency PDs by analyzing their demographic characteristics, academic backgrounds, institutional histories, research productivity, and professional leadership affiliations. Methods: Data for each PD were collected by searching publicly available curriculum vitae , LinkedIn, Healthgrades, Doximity, and/or institutional biographies and consolidated into a database. Research productivities were collected by searching PubMed and Scopus. Results: Of the 210 PDs, 188 (89.5%) were male and 22 (10.5%) were female. One hundred seventy-four (82.9%) were non-Hispanic White, 14 (6.7%) Asian American and Pacific Islander, 12 (5.7%) Black or African American, 4 (1.9%) Hispanic or Latino, and 6 (2.9%) other/unknown. Twenty-four (11.4%) PDs had a military affiliation. Moreover, the most common subspecialties among orthopaedic PDs were orthopaedic traumatology (19.5%, n = 41), sports medicine (15.7%, n = 33), and hand surgery (11.9%, n = 25). The mean Scopus h -index, total number of publications at the time of data collection (June 2022), and total number of citations for all orthopaedic residency PDs were 10.5 ± 9.5, 33.9 ± 51.0, and 801.9 ± 1,536.4, respectively. Among all PDs, the mean tenure in the position was 8.9 ± 6.2 years to date, and the mean time from completion of residency to appointment as PD was 10.0 ± 6.2 years. Conclusions: Among orthopaedic surgery residency PDs, there is sparse female and minority representation. Overarchingly, orthopaedic PDs are White men in their early 50s. Moreover, 59.1% of PDs were appointed at an institution where they completed medical school, residency, or fellowship. orthopaedic traumatology (19.5%), sports medicine (15.7%), and hand surgery (11.9%) were the subspecialties most represented in current orthopaedic surgery PDs. Clinical Relevance: This study outlines important demographic characteristics among orthopaedic surgery residency PDs. Level of Evidence: III
Video Analysis of 26 Cases of Second ACL Injury Events in Collegiate and Professional Athletes
Background Significant effort has gone into the identification and quantification of the underlying mechanisms of primary ACL injury. Secondary ACL injury is observed in approximately 1/4 to 1/3 of athletes who return to sport following ACL reconstruction. However, little has been done to evaluate the mechanisms and playing circumstances surrounding these repeat injuries. Hypothesis/Purpose The purpose of this study was to characterize the mechanisms of non-contact secondary ACL injuries using video analysis. It was hypothesized that in video recordings of secondary ACL injury, athletes would exhibit greater frontal plane hip and knee angles, but not greater hip and knee flexion, at 66 ms following initial contact (IC) as compared to at IC and 33ms following IC. Study Design Cross-Sectional Study Methods Twenty-six video recordings of competitive athletes experiencing secondary ACL ruptures via noncontact mechanisms were analyzed for lower extremity joint kinematics, playing situation, and player attention. Kinematics were assessed at IC as well as 33 ms (1 broadcast frame) and 66 ms (2 broadcast frames) following IC. Results Knee flexion and knee frontal plane angles were greater at 66 ms than IC (p ≤ 0.03). Hip, trunk, and ankle frontal plane angles were not greater at 66 ms than IC (p ≥ 0.22). Injuries were distributed between attacking play (n=14) and defending (n=8). Player attention was most commonly focused on the ball (n=12) or an opponent (n=7). A single-leg landing accounted for just over half of the injuries (54%), while a cutting motion accounted for the remainder of the injuries (46%). Conclusion Secondary ACL injury was most likely to occur during landing or a sidestep cut with player attention external to their own body. Knee valgus collapse combined with limited hip motion was identified in the majority of secondary injuries. Level of Evidence Level IIIb
Hamstring Injuries: Critical Analysis Review of Current Nonoperative Treatments
» Hamstring injuries are common among active and athletic individuals, especially those involved in high-speed running, distance running, or sports requiring sudden directional changes. Acute hamstring strains often occur as an eccentric strain during running or a stretch-type injury caused by simultaneous hip flexion and knee extension. Proximal hamstring tendinopathy is an overuse injury of the hamstring tendon as a result of chronic cicatrization of the musculotendinous unit. » Repeated stress to the hamstring tendon leads to increased cellularity of tendon fibers, disruption of collagen, and subsequent microinjury of the tissue that attaches the tendon to bone. » Management of hamstring injuries generally begins with nonoperative modalities consisting of eccentric rehabilitative exercise programs. Although various other treatment modalities are available, the comparative efficacy of these supportive measures is not well differentiated at this time. » In this article, we review the current literature with regard to the nonoperative treatment of hamstring injuries, specifically focusing on acute hamstring muscle strains and proximal hamstring tendinopathy in order to provide supplementary insight on the effectiveness of current modalities.
Application of Shear-Wave Elastography in the Evaluation of Hamstring Stiffness in Young Basketball Athletes
Background Previous literature has postulated a relationship between greater hamstring stiffness and a higher risk of sustaining injury. Shear wave elastography (SWE) presents a relatively new means for non-invasive evaluation of soft tissue elasticity pre- and post- injury or intervention. Purpose 1. (1) To establish baseline hamstring stiffness measures for young competitive athletes and (2) determine effect of targeted neuromuscular training (TNMT) on shear wave stiffness of the hamstring. Study Design Un-blinded, prospective, non-randomized, cohort study. Methods Six-hundred forty-two lower extremities from 321 high school and collegiate basketball athletes (177 F: 139 M) were examined for hamstring stiffness prior to the start of their competitive basketball season. Teams were cluster assigned to either the control or intervention (TNMT) group. Subjects in the control group underwent regular season activities as directed, with no influence from the research team. For the TNMT group, the research team introduced a hamstring targeted dynamic warm-up program as an intervention focused on activating the hamstring musculature. Results Collegiate status was significant to hamstring stiffness for both sexes (p ≤ 0.02), but hamstring stiffness did not correlate to age or sex (r 2 ≤ 0.08). Intervention was a significant factor to hamstring stiffness when the hip was positioned in extension (p ≤ 0.01), but not in deeper flexion (p = 0.12). This effect was sex-specific as TNMT influenced hamstring stiffness in females (p = 0.03), but not in males (p ≥ 0.13). Control athletes suffered three HAM injuries; TNMT athletes suffered 0 hamstring injuries. Conclusion Higher SWE measurements correlated with increased risk of injury, male sex, and collegiate athletics. TNMT intervention can lessen muscle stiffness which may reduce relate to injury incidence. Intervention effectiveness may be sex specific. Level of Evidence II
Double-Minority: More on How Intersectional Identities Impact Health Care
Background: Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) affecting the metacarpophalangeal (MCP) joint may warrant arthroplasty. The purpose of this study was to investigate implant survivorship, complications, radiographic outcomes, and clinical outcomes in patients undergoing MCP arthroplasty with a pyrocarbon implant to treat RA. Methods: In all, 124 MCP joint pyrocarbon arthroplasties in 40 patients performed to treat RA were reviewed. Operations were at the index (n = 43, 35%), middle (n = 33, 27%), ring (n = 27, 22%), and small (n = 21, 17%) fingers from 1998 to 2009 in 105 (85%) female and 19 (15%) male joints with a mean age of 54 ± 11 years. Mean postoperative follow-up was 6 ± 3 years. All patients achieved at least 2 years of follow-up. Results: Rates of implant survivorship at 1, 2, 5, and 10 years were 98%, 98%, 90%, and 81%, respectively. Fifteen percent (n = 18) of arthroplasties underwent revision at a mean 5 ± 3 years postoperatively. The overall reoperation rate was 29% (n = 36). Rates of survival from reoperation at 1, 2, 5, and 10 years were 85%, 84%, 76%, and 68%, respectively. Complications occurred in 32% (n = 40). Pain ratings improved postoperatively ( P < .01). Arc of motion improved from 37 ± 21 to 43 ± 19 ( P = .03). Both appositional and oppositional strength improved after surgery; however, there was no improvement in grip strength ( P < .01). Conclusions: Metacarpophalangeal arthroplasty with a pyrocarbon implant demonstrated reliable improvement in pain and arc of motion in patients with RA. Complication and overall reoperation rates were high, while 1 in 10 undergo revision within 5 years postoperatively.