Distress is defined in the NCCN Guidelines for Distress Management as a multifactorial, unpleasant experience of a psychologic (ie, cognitive, behavioral, emotional), social, spiritual, and/or physical nature that may interfere with the ability to cope effectively with cancer, its physical symptoms, and its treatment. Early evaluation and screening for distress leads to early and timely management of psychologic distress, which in turn improves medical management. The panel for the Distress Management Guidelines recently added a new principles section including guidance on implementation of standards of psychosocial care for patients with cancer.
Inherited variants at 3q13.33 and 3p24.1 are associated with risk of diffuse large B-cell lymphoma and implicate immune pathways
Abstract We previously identified five single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) at four susceptibility loci for diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) in individuals of European ancestry through a large genome-wide association study (GWAS). To further elucidate genetic susceptibility to DLBCL, we sought to validate two loci at 3q13.33 and 3p24.1 that were suggestive in the original GWAS with additional genotyping. In the meta-analysis (5662 cases and 9237 controls) of the four original GWAS discovery scans and three replication studies, the 3q13.33 locus (rs9831894; minor allele frequency [MAF] = 0.40) was associated with DLBCL risk [odds ratio (OR) = 0.83, P = 3.62 × 10−13]. rs9831894 is in linkage disequilibrium (LD) with additional variants that are part of a super-enhancer that physically interacts with promoters of CD86 and ILDR1. In the meta-analysis (5510 cases and 12 817 controls) of the four GWAS discovery scans and four replication studies, the 3p24.1 locus (rs6773363; MAF = 0.45) was also associated with DLBCL risk (OR = 1.20, P = 2.31 × 10−12). This SNP is 29 426-bp upstream of the nearest gene EOMES and in LD with additional SNPs that are part of a highly lineage-specific and tumor-acquired super-enhancer that shows long-range interaction with AZI2 promoter. These loci provide additional evidence for the role of immune function in the etiology of DLBCL, the most common lymphoma subtype.
Satiety testing in diabetic gastroparesis: Effects of insulin pump therapy with continuous glucose monitoring on upper gastrointestinal symptoms and gastric myoelectrical activity
Abstract Background Symptoms induced by caloric or non‐caloric satiety test meals and gastric myoelectrical activity (GMA) have not been studied in patients with diabetic gastroparesis (DGP) before and after intense glucose management. Aims We determined the effects of continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion (CSII) with continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) on GI symptoms, volume consumed, and GMA induced by the caloric meal satiety test (CMST) and water load satiety test (WLST) in DGP. Methods Forty‐five patients with DGP underwent CMST and WLST at baseline and 24 weeks after CSII with CGM. Subjects ingested the test meals until they were completely full. Visual analog scales were used to quantify pre‐ and postmeal symptoms, and GMA was recorded with cutaneous electrodes and analyzed visually and by computer. Key Results At baseline and 24‐week visits, nausea, bloating, abdominal discomfort, and fullness were immediately increased after CMST and WLST (Ps < 0.01). The meal volumes ingested were significantly less than normal controls at both visits in almost one‐third of the subjects. After the CMST, the percentage 3 cycle per minute GMA increased and bradygastria decreased compared with WLST (Ps < 0.05). After treatment for 24 weeks meal volumes ingested, postmeal symptoms and GMA were no different than baseline. Conclusions and inferences (a) Satiety test meals elicited symptoms of nausea, bloating, and abdominal discomfort; (b) CMST stimulated more symptoms and changes in GMA than WLST; and (c) CSII with CGM for 24 weeks did not improve symptoms, volumes ingested, or GMA elicited by the two satiety test meals in these patients with diabetic GP. Satiety tests in diabetic gastropresis are useful to study acute postprandial symptoms and GMA, but these measures were not improved by intensive insulin therapy.
EP16.27: Is sonographic stomach position in congenital diaphragmatic hernia reproducible for clinical use?
BACKGROUND: The evidence regarding the association of preoperative biologic exposure and postoperative outcomes remains controversial for both antitumor necrosis factor agents and vedolizumab and largely unknown for ustekinumab. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to determine differences in the rates of 30-day postoperative overall infectious complications and intra-abdominal septic complications among the 3 classes of biologic therapies as compared with no biologic therapy. DESIGN: This was a retrospective review. SETTINGS: The study was conducted at an IBD referral center. PATIENTS: Adult patients with Crohn’s disease who received an antitumor necrosis factor, vedolizumab, ustekinumab, or no biologic therapy within 12 weeks of a major abdominal operation between May 20, 2014, and December 31, 2017, were included. MAIN OUTCOMES MEASURES: Thirty-day overall postoperative infectious complications and intra-abdominal septic complications were measured. RESULTS: A total of 712 patients with Crohn’s disease were included; 272 patients were exposed to an antitumor necrosis factor agents, 127 to vedolizumab, 38 to ustekinumab, and 275 to no biologic therapy within the 12 weeks before an abdominal operation. Patients exposed to a biologic were more likely to be taking a concurrent immunomodulator, but there was no difference in concurrent corticosteroid usage. The particular class of biologic was not independently associated with total overall infectious complications. Vedolizumab was associated with an increased rate of intra-abdominal sepsis on univariate analysis but not on multivariable analysis. Combination immunosuppression was associated with both an increased rate of overall postoperative infectious complications and intra-abdominal sepsis. LIMITATIONS: The study was limited by its retrospective design and single-center data. CONCLUSIONS: The overall rate of total infectious complications or intra-abdominal septic complications was not increased based on preoperative exposure to a particular class of biologic. Rates increased with combination immunosuppression of biologic therapy with corticosteroids and previous abdominal resection. See Video Abstract at http://links.lww.com/DCR/B24. BIOLÓGICOS Y COMPLICACIONES POSTOPERATORIAS DE 30 DÍAS DESPUÉS DE LAS OPERACIONES ABDOMINALES PARA LA ENFERMEDAD DE CROHN: ¿EXISTEN DIFERENCIAS EN LOS PERFILES DE SEGURIDAD?: ANTECEDENTES: La evidencia sobre la asociación de la exposición biológica preoperatoria y los resultados postoperatorios sigue siendo controvertida controversial tanto para los agentes del factor de necrosis tumoral (anti-TNF) como para el vedolizumab, y en gran parte desconocida para el ustekinumab. OBJETIVO: Determinar las diferencias en las tasas de complicaciones infecciosas generales postoperatorias de 30 días y complicaciones sépticas intraabdominales entre las tres clases de terapias biológicas en comparación con ninguna terapia biológica. DISEÑO: Revisión retrospectiva. AMBIENTE: centro de referencia de la enfermedad inflamatoria intestinal. PACIENTES: Pacientes adultos con enfermedad de Crohn que recibieron un factor de necrosis antitumoral, vedolizumab, ustekinumab o ningún tratamiento biológico dentro de las 12 semanas de una operación abdominal mayor entre el 5/20/2014 y el 12/31/2017. PRINCIPALES MEDIDAS DE RESULTADOS: Complicaciones infecciosas postoperatorias generales de 30 días, complicaciones sépticas intraabdominales. RESULTADOS: Se incluyeron setecientos doce pacientes con enfermedad de Crohn; 272 pacientes fueron expuestos a un anti-TNF, 127 a vedolizumab, 38 a ustekinumab y 275 a ninguna terapia biológica dentro de las 12 semanas previas a una operación abdominal. Los pacientes expuestos a un producto biológico tenían más probabilidades de tomar un inmunomodulador concurrente, pero no hubo diferencias en el uso simultáneo de corticosteroides. La clase particular de productos biológicos no se asoció de forma independiente con las complicaciones infecciosas totales. Vedolizumab se asoció con una mayor tasa de sepsis intraabdominal en el análisis univariable, pero no en el análisis multivariable. La inmunosupresión combinada se asoció tanto con una mayor tasa de complicaciones infecciosas postoperatorias generales como con sepsis intraabdominal. LIMITACIONES: Diseño retrospectivo, datos de centro único. CONCLUSIONES: La tasa general de complicaciones infecciosas totales o complicaciones sépticas intraabdominales no aumentó en función de la exposición preoperatoria a una clase particular de productos biológicos. Las tasas aumentaron con la combinación de inmunosupresión de la terapia biológica con corticosteroides y resección abdominal previa. Vea el Resumen del Video en http://links.lww.com/DCR/B24.
Secondary Fracture Prevention: Consensus Clinical Recommendations from a Multistakeholder Coalition
Abstract Background: Pancreatic cancer is associated with development of cachexia, a wasting syndrome thought to limit survival. Few studies have longitudinally quantified peripheral tissues or identified biomarkers predictive of future tissue wasting. Methods: Adipose and muscle tissue were measured by computed tomography (CT) at diagnosis and 50 to 120 days later in 164 patients with advanced pancreatic cancer. Tissue changes and survival were evaluated by Cox proportional hazards regression. Baseline levels of circulating markers were examined in relation to future tissue wasting. Results: Compared with patients in the bottom quartile of muscle change per 30 days (average gain of 0.8 ± 2.0 cm2), those in the top quartile (average loss of 12.9 ± 4.9 cm2) had a hazard ratio (HR) for death of 2.01 [95% confidence interval (CI), 1.12–3.62]. Patients in the top quartile of muscle attenuation change (average decrease of 4.9 ± 2.4 Hounsfield units) had an HR of 2.19 (95% CI, 1.18–4.04) compared with those in the bottom quartile (average increase of 2.4 ± 1.6 Hounsfield units). Changes in adipose tissue were not associated with survival. Higher plasma branched chain amino acids (BCAA; P = 0.004) and lower monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1; P = 0.005) at diagnosis were associated with greater future muscle loss. Conclusions: In patients with advanced pancreatic cancer, muscle loss and decrease in muscle density in 2 to 4 months after diagnosis were associated with reduced survival. BCAAs and MCP-1 levels at diagnosis were associated with subsequent muscle loss. Impact: BCAAs and MCP-1 levels at diagnosis could identify a high-risk group for future tissue wasting.
Analysis of Sinonasal Microbiota in Exacerbations of Chronic Rhinosinusitis Subgroups
Objective Microbiome analyses now allow precise determination of the sinus microbiota of patients with exacerbations of chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS). The aim of this report is to describe the sinus microbiota of acute exacerbations in CRS clinical subgroups (with nasal polyps [CRSwNP], without nasal polyps [CRSsNP], and allergic fungal rhinosinusitis [AFRS]). Study Design Retrospective chart review. Setting Tertiary rhinology practice. Subjects and Methods A retrospective review was performed of all patients whose sinus microbiota were assayed via a commercially available microbiome technology during an acute CRS exacerbation during the 2‐year period ending December 31, 2016. All samples were sinus aspirates collected under endoscopic visualization in clinic. Results Samples from a total of 134 patients (65 CRSsNP, 55 CRSwNP, and 14 AFRS) were reviewed. The observed richness (number of taxa >2% relative abundance) ranged between 1 and 11 taxa, with an average of 3 taxa per specimen. The most common bacteria in all groups were Staphylococcal spp (including Staphylococcus aureus ), Streptococcus spp, Pseudomonas spp, and Escherichia spp. S aureus had an increased prevalence in CRSsNP and AFRS as compared with CRSwNP. Otherwise, the sinus microbiota were markedly similar among all 3 clinical subgroups. Conclusions Many bacterial types are identified during acute CRS exacerbation according to DNA‐based detection techniques. Bacterial richness was remarkably low in all samples. Few differences in the patterns among clinical subgroups were observed. Further investigation is warranted to determine the clinical significance of these observations and their role in current clinical algorithms.
A Multidisciplinary Team-Based Approach to Improve Communication With Surrogates of Patients With Chronic Critical Illness
Background: Clinicians need to deliver prognostic information to surrogates of nondecisional, critically ill patients so that surrogates can make informed medical decisions that reflect the patient’s values. Our objective was to implement a new approach for communicating with surrogates of patients with chronic critical illness. Methods: Surrogate decision makers of patients who were difficult to liberate from mechanical ventilation were prospectively enrolled. Surrogates met with different members of the intensive care unit treatment team for sequential 15-minute appointments to receive patient-specific assessments and education on chronic critical illness. The feasibility and acceptability of this approach were determined. A 24-question comprehension instrument was developed to assess a participant’s understanding that a family member was displaying features of chronic critical illness. Each question was scored from 1 to 5, with larger scores indicating greater comprehension. Results: Over a 15-week period, educational sessions for 9 mechanically ventilated patients were conducted. On average, 2 surrogates per patient (range: 1-4) and 6 members of the interdisciplinary team (range: 4-6) were at each meeting. Surrogates and clinicians had very positive impressions of the communication intervention. The average preintervention comprehension score was 85 of 120 (standard deviation [SD]: 8, range: 71-101). The postintervention comprehension score was greater by 5 points on average (SD: 9, range: −11 to +20 points, P = .04). Conclusions: Surrogates of critically ill patients approved of this novel communication approach and had a greater understanding of the patient’s medical condition after the intervention.
Benign notochordal cell tumor of the clivus with chordoma component: report of 2 cases
Benign notochordal cell tumors (BNCTs) are considered to be benign intraosseous lesions of notochord origin; however, recent spine studies have suggested the possibility that some chordomas arise from BNCTs. Here, the authors describe two cases demonstrating histological features of BNCT and concomitant chordoma involving the clivus, which, to the best of the authors’ knowledge, have not been previously documented at this anatomical site.An 18-year-old female presented with an incidentally discovered clival mass. Magnetic resonance imaging revealed a 2.8-cm nonenhancing lesion in the upper clivus that was T2 hyperintense and T1 hypointense. She underwent an uneventful endoscopic transsphenoidal resection. Histologically, the tumor demonstrated areas of classic chordoma and a distinct intraosseous BNCT component. The patient completed adjuvant radiation therapy. Follow-up showed no recurrence at 18 months.A 39-year-old male presented with an incidentally discovered 2.8-cm clival lesion. The nonenhancing mass was T2 hyperintense and T1 hypointense. Surgical removal of the lesion was performed through an endoscopic transsphenoidal approach. Histological analysis revealed areas of BNCT with typical features of chordoma. Follow-up did not demonstrate recurrence at 4 years.These cases document histologically concomitant BNCT and chordoma involving the clivus, suggesting that the BNCT component may be a precursor of chordoma.