Mi, Lanyu

Objective: There is little existing literature describing the evaluation and treatment of patients referred to surgical subspecialities for recurrent urinary tract infections (rUTIs). We hypothesised female patients referred to urology and urogynaecology for rUTI undergo multiple diagnostic tests and few would undergo surgery. Materials and Methods: This is a retrospective review of female patients referred to urology or urogynaecology at a single institution between 2016 and 2019. Data on demographics, provider speciality, diagnostic tests performed, and surgeries were abstracted. Descriptive statistics were used and a logistic regression was performed to determine the adjusted odds ratio of undergoing a surgery. Results: A total of 990 patients were included with a mean age of 62 and on average underwent 3.7 different testing modalities, including genitourinary (GU) examination (62.3%), urodynamic testing (72.7%), cystoscopy (66.0%), and imaging (70.7%). Urologists more commonly pursued urodynamic testing, cystoscopy, and imaging than urogynaecologists. Ultimately, 21.4% of all patients underwent a surgical procedure. Patients who were seen by urogynaecology, underwent GU examination, urodynamic testing, or cystoscopy had higher likelihoods of eventually undergoing surgery (procedure under anaesthesia). Conclusion: Female rUTI patients referred to urology or urogynaecology undergo considerable evaluation and testing. The majority of patients are ultimately managed medically rather than surgically, indicating continued need for resource stewardship. Level of evidence: Not applicable.

716 Background: Nadofaragene firadenovec is an FDA-approved gene therapy for Bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) unresponsive non-muscle invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC) with promising clinical trial results. However, real-world post-marketing efficacy or safety data remain lacking. We evaluated complete response rates and safety in a multisite experience. Methods: Per IRB protocol, we analyzed patients treated with nadofaragene firadenovec for BCG-unresponsive NMIBC across three Mayo Clinic sites. Outcomes included complete response (CR), high-grade recurrence-free survival (HGRFS), cystectomy-free survival (CFS), overall survival (OS), and adverse events (AEs). CR and HGRFS were reported for patients with carcinoma in situ (CIS) and patients with Ta/T1 without CIS respectively. Failure to retain was defined as any medication loss, including leakage around the catheter or early voiding. Results: Between November 2023 and October 2024, 45 patients were treated with nadofaragene firadenovec for BCG-unresponsive NMIBC. Fifteen patients with follow-up less than 6 months and one patient with extensive metastatic disease identified one week after first instillation were excluded from efficacy analysis. Our efficacy-evaluable population of 29 patients with median follow-up of 8.2 months is summarized in the Table. CR/HGRFS at 3 and 6 months was 72% and 62% respectively. CFS was 94% and OS was 100% at 6 months. Three patients experienced disease progression during follow-up: one to T1, another to T2, and a third with metastases to the abdomen and lungs. A separate patient developed a metachronous upper tract urothelial carcinoma (pT2) without bladder recurrence. Bladder spasms (62%) and failure to retain (31%) were the most common AEs. Most AEs were low-grade, although four (9%) patients had grade 3 events (fatigue, fever, and dizziness). No grade 4-5 AEs were reported. Conclusions: Early real-world data demonstrates encouraging clinical complete response rates in patients with BCG-unresponsive NMIBC and a favorable safety profile. Further investigation with larger cohorts and longer follow-up is warranted. Evaluable patients (N=29) CIS cohort (N=15) Ta/T1 only cohort (N=14) Prior pembrolizumab (N=9) Prior intravesical chemotherapy (N=16) Age, years 72 (67-77) 74 (69-77) 71 (67-77) 69 (67-78) 73 (67-81) Elixhauser Index 5 (4-6) 5 (4-7) 5 (4-6) 5 (3-5) 5 (3-6) Prior BCG instillations 12 (10-14) 12 (12-15) 11 (8-13) 12 (12-12) 12 (11-13) Prior intravesical chemotherapy among recipients 6 (6-11) 6 (6-10) 6 (6-11) 10 (7-12) 6 (6-11) Prior pembrolizumab doses among recipients 7 (4-8) 8 (7-8) 4 (4-4) 7 (4-8) 8 (5-8) Follow-up, months 8.2 (6.9-9.5) 7.6 (6.9-9.5) 8.5 (6.9-9.4) 9.1 (8.0-10.1) 8.6 (6.7-9.9) 3-month CR/HGRFS 72% [53-87] 73% [45-92] 71% [42-92] 67% [30-93] 56% [30-80] 6-month CR/HGRFS 62% [42-79] 67% [38-88] 57% [29-82] 44% [14-79] 44% [20-70] Data are median (IQR) or % [95% CI].

Background The American Urological Association (AUA)/Society of Urology Oncology (SUO) guidelines recommend a repeat transurethral resection of bladder tumor (TURBT) for high-risk, non-invasive (HR Ta) nonmuscle invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC) patients. The evidence base for this recommendation is weak (grade C) and fraught with methodological shortcomings, such as the lack of adjuvant intravesical Bacillus Calmette Guerin (BCG) and single-center study designs. Objective We sought to evaluate the effect of repeat TURBT on recurrence-free survival at a population level in HR Ta NMIBC patients who completed BCG induction therapy. Methods High-grade Ta NMIBC patients who underwent TURBT for a ≥5 cm tumor were identified within the SEER-Medicare database. All patients completed induction BCG and were stratified into two groups: repeat TURBT within eight weeks of initial TURBT and a group without repeat TURBT (control group). The primary endpoint was the 3-year high-risk recurrence rate. Results A cohort of 604 patients was identified, with 93 (15.4%) undergoing a repeat TURBT within eight weeks of initial TURBT and 511 (84.6%) without a repeat TURBT. Patient demographic and clinical characteristics were similar overall. No significant difference in the 3-year recurrence rate was noted (repeat TURBT: 20.4% vs. control group: 15.7%, p = 0.25). After adjusting for demographic and clinical characteristics, no association between repeat TURBT and 3-year high-risk recurrence was observed (HR (95% CI): 1.27 (0.76, 2.11); p = 0.36). Conclusion Although our study contains several major limitations, our results suggest that repeat TURBT in large volume HG Ta NMIBC treated with induction BCG therapy was not associated with improved high-risk recurrence-free survival.

BACKGROUND: Little is known about the impact of prior prostate radiation therapy (RT) on the Bacille Calmette-Guerin (BCG) immunotherapy response in patients with non-muscle invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC). OBJECTIVE: We hypothesized that the damaging radiation effects on the bladder could negatively influence BCG efficacy. METHODS: Men with a history of high-risk NMIBC were identified within the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results–Medicare database. All patients completed adequate BCG defined as at least 5 plus 2 treatments completed within 12 months. Patients were stratified into 2 groups: with prior RT for prostate cancer and without prior RT before the diagnosis of NMIBC. The primary endpoint was a 5-year composite for progression defined as disease progression requiring systemic chemotherapy, checkpoint inhibitors, radical or partial cystectomy, or cancer-specific death. RESULTS: We identified 3,466 patients with NMIBC, including 145 with prior RT for prostate cancer. Five-year progression occurred in 471 patients (13.6%). Patients with prior RT were older than patients without prior RT (77.0 vs 75.0 years; P < .001). The distribution of T stage was significantly different at diagnosis between the RT and non-RT groups (RT: Ta, 44.8%; Tis, 18.6%; T1, 36.6%; without RT: Ta, 40.9%; Tis, 10.8%; T1, 48.3%; P = .002). No difference in the risk of total progression was observed between patients with and without prior RT ( P = .67). Similarly, no difference was observed after multivariable adjustment (hazard ratio, 0.99; 95% CI, 0.61-1.58; P = .95). CONCLUSION: For patients with NMIBC who undergo adequate BCG treatment, prior RT for prostate cancer was not associated with worse 5-year progression-free survival.

Introduction: Postoperative pain management and postoperative nausea and vomiting are a persistent challenge for both health care providers and patients. Acupuncture is an effective and safe modality for the management of pain and nausea, and has the potential to play a key role in postoperative pain management. This study explores the utility and feasibility of acupuncture in the immediate postoperative setting. Methods: In a retrospective case–control study, 22 patients who underwent elective surgeries and received acupuncture in the post-anesthesia care unit (PACU) were compared with 88 case controls. Indications for acupuncture therapy included persistent pain, nausea, or anxiety. Patient satisfaction and symptom improvement after acupuncture were assessed. PACU nurses and patients were queried on their perspectives on using this therapy. Demographic data, perioperative opioid consumption, pain score in the PACU, incidence of postoperative nausea, PACU length of stay, and unintended hospital admission were assessed. The groups with/without acupuncture were compared using Wilcoxon rank sum test or Fisher's exact test as appropriate. Results: A total of 78.9% of patients receiving acupuncture felt improvement in their symptoms. 94.7% of recovery nurses who cared for patients who received acupuncture felt that it was helpful and 78.9% did not believe it was disruptive. Patients who opted for acupuncture had a statistically significant higher overall median (interquartile range) pain score in the PACU (7.0 [5.2, 9.5] vs. 5.0 [3.0, 7.0], p = 0.009) and higher postoperative opioid consumption (22.5 [9.8, 44.8] vs. 15.0 [0.0, 30.0], p = 0. 03). There was no difference between total perioperative opioid consumption between groups ( p = 0.94). Conclusions: Most patients who received acupuncture therapy in the PACU were satisfied with their therapy and would recommend it to future patients undergoing surgery. Most recovery nurses felt it was helpful, was not disruptive, and would like to see it utilized in the PACU.

AbstractBackgroundImmunotherapies have changed the landscape of late‐stage melanoma; however, data evaluating timely access to immunotherapy are lacking.MethodsA retrospective cohort study utilizing the National Cancer Database was conducted. Stage III and IV melanoma cases diagnosed between 2011 and 2018 that received systemic treatment with either immunotherapy or chemotherapy were included. Chemotherapy included BRAF/MEK inhibitors. Multivariable logistic regression models were utilized to evaluate factors associated with the likelihood of receiving immunotherapy as primary systemic treatment relative to chemotherapy; additionally, Cox proportional hazards models were utilized to incorporate time from diagnosis to primary systemic therapy into the analysis.ResultsThe study population was comprised of 14,446 cases. The cohort included 12,053 (83.4%) immunotherapy and 2393 (16.6%) chemotherapy cases. In multivariable logistic regression analysis, factors significantly associated with immunotherapy receipt included population density, circle distance, year of diagnosis, Breslow thickness, and cancer stage. Immunotherapy timing was evaluated using multivariable Cox regression analysis. Minorities were less likely to receive timely immunotherapy than non‐Hispanic Whites (HR 0.83, CI 0.74–0.93, p = 0.001). Patients at circle distances of 10–49 miles (HR 0.94, CI 0.89–0.99, p = 0.02) and ≥50 miles (HR 0.83, CI 0.77–0.90, p < 0.001) were less likely to receive timely immunotherapy.ConclusionPatients traveling ≥10 miles and minorities have a decreased likelihood of receiving timely immunotherapy administration for primary systemic treatment. Future research is needed to identify what barriers and approaches can be leveraged to address these inequities.

Introduction. Urinary tract infections (UTIs) and sexually transmitted infections (STIs) can have overlapping signs, symptoms, and findings on urinalysis. Our objective was to determine if patient or provider demographics are associated with differences in the diagnosis and management of UTIs and STIs in the emergency department (ED). Methods. We analyzed 38,062 ED patient encounters from a single healthcare system between April 18, 2014, and March 7, 2017. All encounters were women ≥18 years of age and not admitted to the hospital. We performed logistic regression using patient and provider demographics, laboratory testing results, ED triage data, and ED diagnoses. Results. The patient’s age, race, and marital status were not associated with having an ED UTI diagnosis with a urine culture ≥10,000 colony forming units (CFUs)/mL (vs. <10,000 CFUs/mL). Patient race and the sex of the ED provider were not associated with differences in empiric antibiotic treatment for gonorrhea and chlamydia during the ED encounter. Patient’s race and the sex of the ED provider were also not associated with discordance between empiric antibiotic therapy given in the ED and the results of gonorrhea and chlamydia tests that resulted following the ED encounter. Conclusion. In our multivariate analyses, we did not observe that the patient’s race resulted in significant differences in the diagnosis of UTIs with bacteriuria ≥10,000 CFU/mL or differences in the empiric treatment of gonorrhea and chlamydia infections among those tested for the infection in the ED. The patient’s age and marital status, but not the provider’s sex, were significantly associated with differences in the management of gonorrhea and chlamydia.

BACKGROUND: Promotions in academic medicine are frequently based on number of publications and leadership positions held. While prior study has established women publish less than men, many evaluations are limited to individual specialties and do not evaluate involvement with educational activities. OBJECTIVE: To compare gender differences in academic output, intramural leadership positions, and educational leadership positions of academic physicians. METHODS: The curriculum vitae and de-identified demographic data of all permanent physicians employed at a multi-site academic medical center were reviewed from April to May 2020. Multivariable logistic and Poisson regressions evaluated leadership positions and number of publications. RESULTS: Of 3,359 physicians in the demographic database, 32.3% (n = 1,087) were women and 72.5% were white (n = 2,510). Of the 3,015 physicians in the curriculum vitae database, 32% (n = 962) were women. Women were more likely (p < 0.001) to be assistant professor (54% vs. 42.7%) and less likely to be associate (18.1% vs. 20.3%) or full professor (14.6% vs. 29.1%). Women assistant professors published 22% fewer articles (ratio estimate = 0.78, p < 0.001), associate professors 18% less (coefficient = 0.82, p < 0.001), and full professors 23% less (coefficient = 0.77, p < 0.001). Fewer women were program directors for residencies (1.6% vs. 2.9%, p = 0.02) or fellowships (5.4% vs. 7.4%, p = 0.04), and held fewer division or department leadership positions (OR 0.8, 95% CI as [0.6, 1.0], p = 0.03). CONCLUSION: Women physicians do not outperform men across any education, leadership, or publication category. A cultural shift is needed to redefine traditional metrics for leadership appointments if academic medicine hopes to achieve equity.