Habermann, Elizabeth B.

Objective: To characterize agreement between administrative and registry data in the determination of patient-level comorbidities. Background: Previous research finds poor agreement between these 2 types of data in the determination of outcomes. We hypothesized that concordance between administrative and registry data would also be poor. Methods: A cohort of inpatient operations (length of stay 1 day or greater) was obtained from a consortium of 8 hospitals. Within each hospital, National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (NSQIP) data were merged with intra-institutional inpatient administrative data. Twelve different comorbidities (diabetes, hypertension, congestive heart failure, hemodialysis-dependence, cancer diagnosis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, ascites, sepsis, smoking, steroid, congestive heart failure, acute renal failure, and dyspnea) were analyzed in terms of agreement between administrative and NSQIP data. Results: Forty-one thousand four hundred thirty-two inpatient surgical hospitalizations were analyzed in this study. Concordance (Cohen Kappa value) between the 2 data sources varied from 0.79 (diabetes) to 0.02 (dyspnea). Hospital variation in concordance (intersite variation) was quantified using a test of homogeneity. This test found significant intersite variation at a level of P < 0.001 for each of the comorbidities except for dialysis (P = 0.07) and acute renal failure (P = 0.19). These findings imply significant differences between hospitals in their generation of comorbidity data. Conclusion: This study finds significant differences in how administrative versus registry data assess patient-level comorbidity. These differences are of concern to patients, payers, and providers, each of which had a stake in the integrity of these data. Standardized definitions of comorbidity and periodic audits are necessary to ensure data accuracy and minimize bias.

BACKGROUND: Metabolic syndrome is associated with poorer postoperative outcomes after various abdominal operations. However, the impact of metabolic syndrome on outcomes after colorectal cancer surgery remains poorly described. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to determine the association between metabolic syndrome and short-term postoperative outcomes in patients undergoing elective colorectal cancer surgery. DESIGN: This was a retrospective cohort study. SETTINGS: This study used a national multicenter database. PATIENTS: Adult patients who underwent elective colectomy for colorectal cancer from 2010 to 2016 were identified in the American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program database. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Thirty-day postoperative mortality and morbidity, unplanned reoperation, unplanned readmission, operative time, and length of stay were measured. RESULTS: A total of 91,566 patients were analyzed; 7603 (8.3%) had metabolic syndrome. On unadjusted analysis, metabolic syndrome was associated with an increased risk of 30-day overall morbidity, pulmonary complications, renal complications, septic complications, cardiac complications, wound complications, blood transfusion, longer length of stay, and unplanned readmissions. On multivariable analysis, metabolic syndrome remained significantly associated with renal complications (OR = 1.44 (95% CI, 1.29–1.60)), superficial surgical site infection (OR = 1.46 (95% CI, 1.32–1.60)), deep surgical site infection (OR = 1.40 (95% CI, 1.15–1.70)), wound dehiscence (OR = 1.47 (95% CI, 1.20–1.80)), and unplanned readmissions (HR = 1.24 (95% CI, 1.15–1.34)). The risks of overall morbidity, cardiac and septic complications, and prolonged length of stay for laparoscopic procedures were significantly associated with diabetes mellitus rather than metabolic syndrome as a composite entity. LIMITATIONS: This study was limited by its retrospective design and inability to analyze outcomes beyond 30 days. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with metabolic syndrome undergoing elective surgery for colorectal cancer have an increased risk of 30-day postoperative renal complications, wound complications, and unplanned hospital readmissions. A multidisciplinary approach involving lifestyle modifications and pharmacologic interventions to improve the components of metabolic syndrome should be implemented preoperatively for these patients. See Video Abstract at http://links.lww.com/DCR/A909.

Background Age, tumor size and location, overall health, and patient preference are primary considerations driving treatment decision-making for intracranial meningiomas. However, even for the same individual patient, treatment recommendations may vary between centers and providers. Objective To study associations between geography, disease presentation, and management of intracranial meningioma in the United States. Methods The population-based Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results(SEER) data were queried between 2004 and 2014 for cases of intracranial meningioma. Results A total of 65,808 patients with intracranial meningioma were identified. Univariate analyses demonstrated strong associations between geographic location, age, and size of tumor at presentation. The mean age for all registries was 64.2 years, with a range from 62.0 (Utah registry) to 66.6 (Detroit registry). The greatest proportion of small tumors (<1 cm) were identified in the Utah registry (13.9% of tumors), while the greatest proportion of large tumors (> 4cm) were noted in the Hawaii registry (30.7% of tumors). Multivariable analysis demonstrated that the impact of geography on treatment selection was just as important as other established variables. For example, the distribution in tumor size between New Mexico and Greater California registries is nearly identical; however, the odds ratio for surgery was 1.5 times greater for the New Mexico population. Conclusion These data suggest that disease presentation and treatment are significantly influenced by regional referral patterns, provider or institutional treatment preferences, and regional availability of subspecialty expertise. Understanding such biases is important for patients, referring physicians, and treatment providers in an effort to provide balanced counseling and treatment.

BACKGROUND: Primary colorectal lymphoma is rare, representing 0.2% to 0.6% of all colorectal cancers. Because of its low incidence and histologic variety, no treatment guidelines exist. OBJECTIVE: The purpose was to report the experience of primary colorectal lymphoma in an institutional and a national cohort. DESIGN: This was a retrospective cohort study. SETTINGS: The study was conducted with institutional data composed of 3 tertiary referral centers and national data. PATIENTS: Patients with primary colorectal lymphoma were identified within the Mayo Clinic (1990–2016) and the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results database (1990–2014). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Primary outcomes were overall and 5-year survival. RESULTS: For the institutional cohort (N = 82), 5-year survival was 79.9%. Five-year survival was higher for rectal (88.4%) than for colon tumors (77.2%; p = 0.004). On multivariable analysis, age <50 years was associated with higher overall survival ( p = 0.04). Left-sided colon masses and aggressive histological subtypes were associated with worse survival (0.04 and 0.03). No effect of treatment modality on survival was noted. For the national cohort (N = 2942), 5-year survival was 58.4%. Five-year survival for rectal tumors was 61.0% and 57.8% for colon tumors. On multivariable analysis, factors associated with improved survival were age <70 y, ( p < 0.0001), female sex ( p = 0.005), right-sided masses ( p = 0.02), and diagnoses after 2000 compared with 1990–1999 ( p < 0.0001). Aggressive pathology ( p < 0.0001) and stage III or stage IV presentation compared with stage I ( p = 0.02 and p < 0.0001) were associated with worse survival. LIMITATIONS: The institutional cohort was limited by sample size to describe treatment effect on survival. A major limitation of the national cohort was the ability to describe treatment modalities other than surgery, including chemotherapy and/or no additional treatment. CONCLUSIONS: Poorer survival was noted in elderly patients and in those with aggressive pathology. An overall survival advantage was seen in women in the national cohort. Currently, optimal strategies should follow a patient-centered multidisciplinary approach. See Video Abstract at http://links.lww.com/DCR/A807. LINFOMA COLORECTAL PRIMARIO: EXPERIENCIA INSTITUCIONAL Y REVISIÓN DE UNA BASE DE DATOS NACIONAL ANTECEDENTES: El linfoma colorectal primario es poco frecuente, representando del 0.2% al 0.6% de todos los cánceres colorectales. Debido a su baja incidencia y variedad histológica, no existen guías de tratamiento. OBJETIVO: El propósito fue reportar la experiencia en linfoma colorectal primario en una cohorte institucional y una nacional. DISEÑO: Este fue un estudio de cohorte retrospectivo. ESCENARIO: El estudio se realizó con datos institucionales provenientes de 3 centros de referencia terciarios y datos nacionales. PACIENTES: Se identificaron pacientes con linfoma colorectal primario en la base de datos de la Clínica Mayo (1990–2016) y en la base de datos de vigilancia, epidemiología y resultados finales [Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results database (1990–2014)]. PRINCIPALES MEDIDAS DE RESULTADO: Los resultados primarios fueron la sobrevida general y a 5 años. RESULTADOS: Para la cohorte institucional (N = 82), la sobrevida a 5 años fue de 79.9%. La sobrevida a cinco años fue mayor en tumores rectales (88.4%) que en los de colon (77.2%; p = 0.004). En el análisis multivariable, la edad <50 años se asoció con una mayor sobrevida general (p = 0,04). Las masas de colon izquierdo y los subtipos histológicos agresivos se asociaron con una peor sobrevida (0.04 y 0.03). No se observó ningún efecto según la modalidad de tratamiento en la sobrevida. Para la cohorte nacional (N = 2942), la sobrevida a 5 años fue del 58.4%. La sobrevida a cinco años fue de 61.0% para los tumores rectales y 57.8% para los tumores de colon. En el análisis multivariable, los factores asociados con una mayor sobrevida fueron edad <70 años, (p <0.0001), sexo femenino (p = 0.005), masas derechas (p = 0.02) y los casos diagnósticados después del año 2000 comparados con los de 1990–1999 (p <0.0001). Histopatología agresiva (p <0.0001) y presentación en estadio III o estadio IV en comparación con estadio I (p = 0.02 y p <0.0001) se asociaron con una peor sobrevida. LIMITACIONES: La cohorte institucional estuvo limitada por el tamaño de la muestra para describir el efecto del tratamiento en la sobrevida. Una limitación mayor en la cohorte nacional fue la habilidad para describir modalidades de tratamiento distintas a la cirugía, incluyendo quimioterapia y/o ningún tratamiento adicional. CONCLUSIONES: Una menor sobrevida fue documentada en pacientes de edad avanzada y en aquellos con histopatología agresiva. Se observó ventaja en cuanto a sobrevida general en las mujeres de la cohorte nacional. Actualmente, las estrategias óptimas deben de seguir un abordaje multidisciplinario centrado en cada paciente. Vea el abstract en video en http://links.lww.com/DCR/A807.

The American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) Annual Meeting is the primary venue for anesthesiologists to present research, share innovations, and build networks. Herein, we describe gender representation for physician speakers at the Annual Meeting relative to the specialty overall. Details of ASA Annual Meeting presentations for individuals and panels were abstracted from the ASA archives for 2011–2016. Observed speaker gender composition was compared to expected composition based on the gender distribution of members of the ASA. There were 5167 speaker slots across 2025 presentations and panels. Of the speaker slots, 3874 were assigned to men and 1293 to women. Speaker slot gender composition was relatively consistent between 2011 and 2016 (annual percentage 22.3%–27.7% women, trend test P = .062). ASA membership composition of women increased slightly over the study period (24%–28%). The overall observed number of women in speaker slots over the study period did not differ significantly from what would be expected based on the ASA membership composition (25.0% observed versus 25.9% expected; P = .153). However, the percentage of single speakers who were women was significantly less than would be expected based on the ASA gender distribution (20.2% observed versus 25.9% expected; P < .001). Interestingly, for panels that included 2–5 anesthesiologists, single-gender panels were more common than would be expected by chance, with all-male panels predominating (all P < .01). The gender composition of speakers at the ASA Annual Meeting largely reflected gender composition within the specialty, although women were not overrepresented at any meeting. The predominance of single-gender panels and underrepresentation of women as single speakers is a potential target to improve gender representation.

BACKGROUND: Intra-abdominal sepsis complicates <10% of ileocolic resections for Crohn’s disease, but the impact of combination immunosuppression and repeat resection on its development remains unknown. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to determine risk factors for intra-abdominal sepsis after ileocolic resection, specifically examining the role of combination immunosuppression and repeat intestinal resection. DESIGN: This was a retrospective review of patient records from 2007 to 2017. SETTINGS: The study was conducted at a single-institution IBD tertiary referral center. PATIENTS: Patients with a diagnosis of Crohn’s disease who were undergoing ileocolic resection with primary anastomosis were included. Diverted patients were excluded. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Preoperative and intraoperative variables, including preoperative immunosuppressive regimens and previous intestinal resection, were evaluated as potential risk factors for intra-abdominal sepsis. RESULTS: A total of 621 patients (55% women) underwent ileocolic resection for Crohn’s disease; 393 (63%) were first-time resections. The rate of 30-day intra-abdominal sepsis was 8% (n = 50). On univariate analysis, triple immunosuppression (combination of a corticosteroid, immunomodulator, and biological) and previous intestinal resection were significantly associated with intra-abdominal sepsis. Both risk factors remained significant on multivariable analysis (OR for triple immunosuppression (vs none) = 3.53 (95% CI, 1.27–9.84); previous intestinal resection OR = 2.27 (95% CI, 1.25–4.13)). A significant trend was seen between an increasing number of these risk factors (triple immunosuppression and previous intestinal resection) and rate of intra-abdominal sepsis (5%, 12%, and 22% for 0, 1, and 2 risk factors; p < 0.01). A trend was observed between increasing number of previous intestinal resections and the rate of intra-abdominal sepsis (p < 0.01). LIMITATIONS: This study is limited by its single-institution tertiary referral center scope. CONCLUSIONS: Combination immunosuppression and previous intestinal resection were both associated with the development of intra-abdominal sepsis. In light of these results, surgeons should consider the effects of combination immunosuppression and a history of previous intestinal resection, in addition to other risk factors, when deciding which patients warrant temporary intestinal diversion. See Video Abstract at http://links.lww.com/DCR/A664.

Background: There are conflicting data regarding the impact of obesity on postoperative outcomes following radical cystectomy (RC) and how obesity and malnutrition interact in patients undergoing RC. Objective: To evaluate associations of body mass index (BMI), significant preoperative weight loss, and hypoalbuminemia with 30-day complications and mortality after RC. Methods: Review of the American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program database identified 2,055 patients who underwent RC (2006-12). Univariate and multivariable logistic regression models were developed to assess associations between hypoalbuminemia (<3.5 g/dL), >10% preoperative weight loss, obesity as characterized by BMI (class I: 30–34.9, II: 35–39.9, III: ≥40 kg/m 2 ), and 30-day complications and mortality. Results: The median BMI of the study cohort was 27.82 kg/m 2 with 22.4% classified as having class I, 7.5% class II, and 4.2% class III obesity, respectively. Hypoalbuminemia and >10% weight loss were present in 16.7% and 3.5%, respectively. Among obese patients, 13.4% had hypoalbuminemia. On multivariable analysis, class I (OR 1.43, p = 0.01), class II (OR 1.92, p < 0.001), and class III (OR 2.32, p < 0.001) obesity and hypoalbuminemia (OR 1.47, p = 0.02) were independently associated with 30-day complications, and class III obesity (OR 2.96, p = 0.02) and hypoalbuminemia (OR 2.33, p = 0.03) were independently associated with 30-day mortality. Conclusion: Increasing class of obesity and hypoalbuminemia were independently associated with increased complications following RC. Hypoalbuminemia and class III obesity were associated with early mortality. This study highlights the fact that malnutrition may coexist in obese patients and underscores the need to identify patients with malnutrition who may be candidates for preoperative nutritional optimization.