Citations

Background. Liver transplantation (LT) is the standard treatment for liver failure secondary to alcohol-associated liver disease, but limited literature and best practices exist for post-LT treatment of alcohol use disorder (AUD). This study explores current AUD management practices and providers’ perceived barriers to effective post-LT AUD management. Methods. A 45-item survey on post-LT AUD treatment practices was distributed to members of the American Society of Transplant Surgeons, the Association of Consult/Liaison Psychiatry Transplant Special Interest Group, and both the American Society of Transplantation’s Liver and Intestine Community of Practice and Psychosocial and Ethics Community of Practice discussion boards, between December 2021 and April 2022. Univariate analysis of categorical variables was performed using the chi-square test. Data were analyzed using center volume tertiles, country region, and provider professional activity. Results. Two hundred thirty-two respondents from 70 LT centers across all 11 United Network for Organ Sharing regions completed the survey. Half of the them were attending physicians and 16.4% were nurse coordinators. Most centers (84%) aimed for alcohol abstinence for all post-LT patients. Perceived barriers to AUD treatment efficacy included ongoing desire to drink (18%), denial about alcohol misuse (14.9%), and lack of posttransplant support (14%). Additionally, 62.1% of centers had no policy for prescribing medication-assisted therapy to treat AUD, and 32.7% of centers reported no center-level changes in AUD care. Providers identified primary needs as hiring additional mental health professionals (30.8%), dedicating specific staff to AUD care (24.7%), and standardizing psychiatric/psychological care in transplant clinics (17.2%). Conclusions. Despite the increasing volume of LT for alcohol-associated liver disease, significant perceived barriers to effective AUD treatment remain.

Abstract The substantial carbon footprint imparted by medical services warrants increased attention to their environmental impact. National guideline organizations such as the US Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) recommend multiple modalities for average-risk colorectal cancer (CRC) screening with varying resource intensity. The aim of this study was to quantify the environmental burden for 2 of the most used CRC screening modalities, colonoscopy and the multi-target stool DNA (mt-sDNA) test. A validated CRC microsimulation model was used to estimate the number of screening and follow-up tests for a cohort of 1 million average-risk individuals who underwent screening between ages 45 and 75. Component resources used for mt-sDNA, including waste products, energy, and transportation for colonoscopy and mt-sDNA, were collected from January 1, 2023, to January 1, 2024, and converted to carbon-equivalent emissions. Resources used for colonoscopy were captured from the literature. Resources devoted to screening colonoscopy were substantially (59%) higher than those to mt-sDNA, even when including follow-up colonoscopy. Of note, follow-up colonoscopy accounted for the majority (64%) of total emissions for the mt-sDNA screening strategy. Compared with colonoscopy screening, mt-sDNA substantially reduces the carbon emissions attributable to population-level CRC screening. Environmental impact should be included as a factor when choosing among guideline-recommended CRC screening strategies.

Abstract BACKGROUND ACNS1123 was a Phase 2 study to determine whether irradiation could be safely reduced without impacting survival in a subgroup of NGGCT patients. METHODS Patients with localized disease who achieved a complete (CR) or partial response (PR) to induction chemotherapy were eligible to receive reduced dose/volume of irradiation to 30.6Gy whole ventricular field with 54Gy tumor-bed boost. RESULTS 107 eligible NGGCT patients were accrued. The median age of patients at enrollment was 11 years (3.7-21.6). Eighty patients (75%) were male. Location was pineal in 58 (55%), suprasellar in 37 (35%), ventricles in 6 (6%), and bifocal in 6 patients (6%). Sixty-six (61.7%) patients achieved a CR/PR post-induction and were eligible and evaluable for the primary objective and received reduced dose and volume of irradiation. Eight patients progressed; 6 had a distant spinal relapse (outside the irradiation field) and 2 had a local plus distant relapse. As of December 31, 2023, the median follow-up time for eligible and evaluable patients was 5.6 years (0.9-7.9) from enrollment. Except for an unrelated death due to SARS-CoV-2 at 5.5 years from enrollment, there were no grade 3 or higher adverse events at the 60-month follow-up timepoint and no disease progressions beyond 2 years. The 5-year progression-free and overall survival for all eligible and evaluable patients are 87.9% (95% CI:79%-94.8%) and 92.4% (95% CI:82.8%- 96.8%), respectively. CONCLUSION Although the study was closed prematurely due to the concern of increased spinal relapse, the current data suggest that most patients with localized NGGCT and a CR/PR to chemotherapy will survive long-term, and, in fact, have similar survival (PFS and OS) to patients enrolled on ACNS0122 who received full dose craniospinal irradiation. The key to future biologic studies and clinical trials is identifying at diagnosis those patients at high risk for relapse.

Abstract BACKGROUND Primary intracranial germ cell tumors (GCTs) are rare heterogeneous tumors; germinoma accounts for two-thirds of cases. While neoadjuvant chemotherapy followed by response-based reduced radiotherapy dose and field is the established approach for managing localized CNS germinomas, controversy persists regarding the treatment of primary metastatic disease. Additionally, limited research exists on the utilization of neoadjuvant chemotherapy in primary metastatic germinoma. METHODS A retrospective multi-institutional analysis was conducted to assess overall survival (OS) and event-free survival (EFS) among patients diagnosed with metastatic germinoma who were treated with various modalities. RESULTS We identified 88 patients, including 63 males and 25 females. The median age at presentation was 13.5 years. All patients, who had undergone both brain and spine MRIs, had their diagnoses confirmed through a biopsy, positive CSF cytology, and/or positive CSF tumor markers at presentation. Primary Tumor location was pineal (n=37), suprasellar (n=27), bifocal (n=14) and others (n=9). Eight patients underwent subtotal resection. Craniospinal irradiation (CSI; 21-24 Gy) was administered to 71 patients (81%), while eight patients (9%) received whole ventricular irradiation (WVI; 23.4-30 Gy). Whole brain radiation was given to four patients (5%; 24 Gy), and two patients (2%) had unknown fields. Boosts to primary and/or metastatic sites were administered in all but seven patients. Notably, thirty patients (34%) received CSI without neoadjuvant chemotherapy. At the end of therapy, 69 patients had complete response, 10 partial response and the response was unknown in six. Three patients did not receive irradiation, all died of disease progression. The median follow-up was 64 months (range 6-159 months), yielding an OS of 96.6%. Ongoing multi-institutional data collection and analysis will be presented at the meeting. CONCLUSION Our study is one of the largest studies to date in metastatic germinoma and may provide insight into the role of neoadjuvant chemotherapy with lower CSI doses.

Objective Social determinants of health (SDoH) likely contribute to outcome disparities in lupus nephritis (LN). Understanding the overall burden and contribution of each domain could guide future health equity–focused interventions to improve outcomes and reduce disparities in LN. Objectives of this meta‐analysis were to 1) determine the association of overall SDoH and specific SDoH domains on LN outcomes and 2) develop a framework for the multidimensional impact of SDoH on LN outcomes. Methods We performed a comprehensive search of studies measuring associations between SDoH and LN outcomes. We examined pooled odds of poor LN outcomes including death, end‐stage kidney disease, or cardiovascular disease in patients with and without adverse SDoH. Additionally, we calculated the pooled odds ratios of outcomes by four SDoH domains: individual (eg, insurance), health care (eg, fragmented care), community (eg, neighborhood socioeconomic status), and health behaviors (eg, smoking). Results Among 531 screened studies, 31 meeting inclusion criteria and 13 with raw data were included in meta‐analysis. Pooled odds of poor outcomes were 1.47‐fold higher in patients with any adverse SDoH. Patients with adverse SDoH in individual and health care domains had 1.64‐fold and 1.77‐fold higher odds of poor outcomes. We found a multiplicative impact of having two or more adverse SDoH on LN outcomes. Black patients with public insurance and fragmented care had 12‐fold higher odds of poor LN outcomes. Conclusion Adverse SDoH is associated with poor LN outcomes. Having two or more adverse SDoH, specifically in different SDoH domains, had a multiplicative impact leading to worse LN outcomes, widening disparities. image

Objective As part of a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention–funded American College of Rheumatology (ACR) initiative, we sought to develop quality measures related to Patient Reported Outcome Measure (PROM) use for systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) clinical care. Methods An expert workgroup composed of physician, patient, and researcher representatives convened to identify patient‐reported outcome (PRO) domains of greatest importance to people with SLE. A patient advisory panel separately ranked domains. PROMs assessing priority domains were identified through structured literature review, and detailed psychometric reviews were conducted for each PROM. In a Delphi process, the expert workgroup rated PROMs on content validity, psychometric quality, feasibility of implementation, and importance for guiding patient self‐management. The patient advisory panel reviewed PROMs in parallel and contributed to the final recommendations. Results Among relevant PRO domains, the workgroup and patient partners ranked depression, physical function, pain, cognition, and fatigue as high‐priority domains. The workgroup recommended at least once yearly measurement for (1) assessment of depression using the Patient Health Questionnaire or Patient Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS) depression scales; (2) assessment of physical function using PROMIS physical function scales or the Multi‐Dimensional Health Assessment Questionnaire; and (3) optional assessments of fatigue and cognition. Pain scales evaluated were not found to be sufficiently superior to what is already assessed in most SLE clinic visits. Conclusion Expert workgroup members and patient partners recommend that clinicians assess depression and physical function at least once yearly in all people with SLE. Additional PROMs addressing cognition and fatigue can also be assessed. Next steps are to incorporate PROM‐based quality measures into the ACR The Rheumatology Informatics System for Effectiveness registry.

ObjectiveWe aimed to develop readily measurable digital quality measure statements for clinical care in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) using a multistep process guided by consensus methods.MethodsUsing a modified Delphi process, an American College of Rheumatology (ACR) workgroup of SLE experts reviewed all North American and European guidelines from 2000 to 2020 on treatment, monitoring, and phenotyping of patients with lupus. Workgroup members extracted quality constructs from guidelines, rated these by importance and feasibility, and generated evidence‐based quality measure statements. The ACR Rheumatology Informatics System for Effectiveness (RISE) Registry was queried for measurement data availability. In 3 consecutive Delphi sessions, a multidisciplinary Delphi panel voted on the importance and feasibility of each statement. Proposed measures with consensus on feasibility and importance were ranked to identify the top 3 measures.ResultsReview of guidelines and distillation of 57 quality constructs resulted in 15 quality measure statements. Among these, 5 met high consensus for importance and feasibility, including 2 on treatment and 3 on laboratory monitoring measures. The 3 highest‐ranked statements were recommended for further measure specification as SLE digital quality measures: 1) hydroxychloroquine use, 2) limiting glucocorticoid use >7.5 mg/day to <6 months, and 3) end‐organ monitoring of kidney function and urine protein excretion at least every 6 months.ConclusionThe Delphi process selected 3 quality measures for SLE care on hydroxychloroquine, glucocorticoid reduction, and kidney monitoring. Next, measures will undergo specification and validity testing in RISE and US rheumatology practices as the foundation for national implementation and use in quality improvement programs.image

Abstract Background: Group G streptococcal species can represent normal human flora as asymptomatic colonization. In the setting of infection, group G streptococcus can invade multiple structures and present broadly including bacteremia, toxic shock syndrome, endocarditis, septic arthritis, osteomyelitis, necrotizing skin infections, pharyngitis, and others. Severe cases tend to be more common in patients of increasing age or with chronic illnesses. Here we report a case of disseminated group G streptococcus mimicking systemic vasculitis. Case Presentation: A 41-year-old white male was hospitalized with a five-day history of fevers, chills, painful bilateral leg rash, generalized arthralgias, and right eye redness, pain and severe vision loss. Medical history was significant for minimal change disease treated with prednisone and cyclosporine. On admission, he was noted to be cushingoid with edematous erythema at the left hand, and bilateral lower limb rash. The right eye was inflamed with hypopyon. Laboratory studies demonstrated mild leukocytosis, modest thrombocytopenia, hyponatremia, hyperglycemia, with elevated CRP and creatinine. Urinalysis was positive for proteinuria, microscopic hematuria, and pyuria. CT chest demonstrated right upper lobe consolidation. There was concern for systemic vasculitis and cellulitis of the left hand. Intravenous methylprednisolone and empiric antibiotics were initiated. Ophthalmology was consulted for right uveitis and aspirated fluid from the anterior chamber. Dermatology biopsied the lower limb rash and identified leukocytoclastic vasculitis. Pulmonology performed bronchoscopy and bronchoalveolar lavage of the right upper lobe. Prior renal pathology was re-reviewed. Rheumatology was consulted due to suspicions for systemic vasculitis. Lancefield group G streptococcus was ultimately cultured from multiple blood samples, bronchoalveolar lavage fluid and right eye aspirate. There was no evidence of endocarditis on imaging. It was concluded that the source of the bacteremia and disseminated infection was most likely the left-hand cellulitis. Conclusions: To our knowledge, we present the first case of disseminated Group G streptococcal infection presenting with the constellation of bacteremia, endophthalmitis, focal mass-like lung consolidation, and leukocytoclastic vasculitis of lower extremities. The multi-organ distribution mimicked a systemic small vessel vasculitis. This case highlights the importance of infectious etiologies in the differential diagnosis of vasculitis – especially in the setting of infectious risk factors.

Abstract Background Craniopharyngioma is a histologically benign tumor of the suprasellar region for which survival is excellent but quality of life is often poor secondary to functional deficits from tumor and treatment. Standard therapy consists of maximal safe resection with or without radiation therapy. Few prospective trials have been performed, and response assessment has not been standardized. Methods The Response Assessment in Pediatric Neuro-Oncology (RAPNO) committee devised consensus guidelines to assess craniopharyngioma response prospectively. Results Magnetic resonance imaging is the recommended radiologic modality for baseline and follow-up assessments. Radiologic response is defined by 2-dimensional measurements of both solid and cystic tumor components. In certain clinical contexts, response to solid and cystic disease may be differentially considered based on their unique natural histories and responses to treatment. Importantly, the committee incorporated functional endpoints related to neuro-endocrine and visual assessments into craniopharyngioma response definitions. In most circumstances, the cystic disease should be considered progressive only if growth is associated with acute, new-onset or progressive functional impairment. Conclusions Craniopharyngioma is a common pediatric central nervous system tumor for which standardized response parameters have not been defined. A RAPNO committee devised guidelines for craniopharyngioma assessment to uniformly define response in future prospective trials.