Marshall, Ariela L.

1573 Background: There are no epidemiologic studies of SWM due to lack ofICD codes specific for smoldering status. Methods: The NCDB represents ~70% of cancer cases in the US. It records the time to initial treatment or reasons for not receiving treatment. Using the 2004-2012 database, we estimated the overall proportion of new adult WM cases that are smoldering and analyzed outcomes according to socio-geo-demographic subgroups. Patients who were recommended treatment (irrespective of administration status) or died within 120 days of diagnosis were considered to have active WM while those who did not require treatment and had follow-up ≥120 days after diagnosis were considered to have SWM. Results: 2322 (28%) of 8302 patients diagnosed with WM were SWM. Median age at diagnosis was 71 (range 28-90) years. Median age did not change significantly during 2004-2012 (P = 0.83) but the proportion of smoldering disease decreased with time (P = 0.02). The proportions of SWM according to socio-geo-demographic subgroups are shown in the Table. Conditional survival (given survival to 4 months) at 5-years was 66% vs. 70% and at 10-years was 38% vs. 46% for active WM vs. SWM, respectively. The OS for SWM was significantly better among females and those who were younger, privately insured, with less co-morbidities and residing closer to a health facility. However, the OS did not differ by racial groups or era of diagnosis 2004-2008 vs 2009-2012. On multivariate analysis, sex, age group and co-morbidity index were significant factors affecting OS while race, insurance, distance from health facility and era of diagnosis were not. Conclusions: Approximately 28% of WM cases in the US are smoldering at diagnosis. The prevalence of SWM varied among socio-geo-demographic subgroups. Sex, age and co-morbidities significantly affect survival of SWM. [Table: see text]

SummaryThrombocytopenic patients requiring invasive surgery have few options to improve their platelet count preoperatively. This is a single‐centre, retrospective review of thrombocytopenic patients receiving the thrombopoietin receptor agonist romiplostim perioperatively to allow for surgical interventions. Patient characteristics, romiplostim use, and surgical and safety outcomes (bleeding, thrombosis, transfusions) were collected and analysed. Forty‐seven patients underwent 51 surgical procedures (ranging from total hip arthroplasty to open cardiac surgery) with romiplostim support. Thrombocytopenia aetiologies included immune thrombocytopenia, chronic liver disease, haematological malignancy, drug‐related thrombocytopenia, and hereditary thrombocytopenia. Median (range) platelet counts improved, from 47 × 109/l (9–120 × 109/l) at romiplostim initiation to 164 × 109/l (28–603 × 109/l) at the time of surgery (P < 0·0001). A dose of 3 μg/kg per week for 2 doses increased the platelet count to >100 × 109/l in 79% of patients within 14 days. In 96% of cases, surgery proceeded on schedule without delay or cancellation. Four patients had bleeding events unrelated to thrombocytopenia and 1 patient developed deep venous thrombosis. Six patients required red cell transfusion and 3 patients required platelet transfusion perioperatively. In conclusion, romiplostim was effective in increasing platelet counts to allow surgery to proceed safely and on schedule. Bleeding and thromboembolic events were within acceptable limits for this surgical population.

Key Points Hematology-oncology fellowship graduates spend a relatively small proportion of their time practicing nonmalignant hematology. Factors that may increase interest in nonmalignant hematology include better access to mentors and improved opportunities for career growth.

Venous thromboembolism (VTE) contributes to significant morbidity, mortality, and socioeconomic burden. There is a paucity of literature regarding sex-based sociodemographic differences in VTE presentation and short-term outcomes. We aimed to compare clinical outcomes between men and women hospitalized for VTE management. We performed a retrospective analysis using data from the National Inpatient Sample (NIS) database from 2012 to 2013. Inclusion criteria were age 18 years and older and a primary discharge diagnosis of VTE. Sociodemographic features and medical comorbidities were analyzed, as were hospital length of stay and in-hospital mortality rates. A total of 107,896 patients met the inclusion criteria; 53% were female. Median age was 65 years (interquartile range 51–77) and women were older than men (65 vs 62 years, p<0.001). There were significant differences between men and women with respect to race, primary insurance payer and medical comorbidities, and small differences with respect to VTE location. Female sex was associated with a small but significantly longer hospital length of stay (mean ratio 1.04, 95% CI 1.03–1.05, p<0.001) but no significant difference in in-hospital mortality (2.2% vs 2.1%, p=0.15). In a multivariate model, there was no significant difference between women and men with respect to hospital length of stay or in-hospital mortality. In conclusion, we used data from the NIS to study over 100,000 patients hospitalized for VTE, and identified several sex-based disparities in sociodemographic factors and location of VTE. However, in a multivariable analysis correcting for these factors, sex was not associated with significant differences in clinical outcomes.