BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVESHigh‐flow nasal cannula (HFNC) oxygen may provide tailored benefits in patients with preset treatment limitations. The objective of this study was to assess the effectiveness of HFNC oxygen in patients with do‐not‐intubate (DNI) and/or do‐not‐resuscitate (DNR) orders.METHODSWe conducted a systematic review of interventional and observational studies. A search was performed using MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINAHL, Scopus, and Web of Science, from inception to October 15, 2018.RESULTSWe included six studies evaluating 293 patients. All studies had a high risk of bias. The hospital mortality rates of patients with DNI and/or DNR orders receiving HFNC oxygen were variable and ranged from 40% to 87%. In two before and after studies, the initiation of HFNC oxygen was associated with improved oxygenation and reduced respiratory rates. One comparative study found no difference in dyspnea reduction or morphine doses between patients using HFNC oxygen versus conventional oxygen. No studies evaluated quality of life in survivors or quality of death in nonsurvivors. HFNC was generally well tolerated with few adverse events identified.CONCLUSIONSWhile HFNC oxygen remains a viable treatment option for hospitalized patients who have acute respiratory failure and a DNI and/or DNR order, there is a paucity of high‐quality, comparative, effectiveness data to guide the usage of HFNC oxygen compared with other treatments, such as noninvasive ventilation, conventional oxygen, and palliative opioids.
Risk of Infections and Cancer in Patients With Rheumatologic Diseases Receiving Interleukin Inhibitors
241 Background: In a rapidly moving field, such as cancer immunotherapy, where immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) are used across 14 different tumor types, patients may receive suboptimal treatment or even be harmed if information on toxicity is not readily translated for use in clinical practice. Every single systematic review and meta-analysis which attempted to summarize toxicity of immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) quickly became outdated. A living systematic review, which is defined as a systematic review that is continually updated to incorporate relevant new evidence as it becomes available, is necessary in this situation. Methods: The process of creating a living systematic review started with the creation of a comprehensive search designed by a librarian experienced in systematic reviews in collaboration with the study’s principle investigator. Search was constantly updated every 3 months and evidence is synthesized in a series of steps (microtasks) using a combination of human and augmented intelligence. A complete infrastructure is being developed and it includes automated cumulative meta-analysis and an online reporting platform which will constantly update information for clinicians and patients in a live manner. Results: We screened 6746 studies during Sep 2018-March 2019 and identified 6746 studies and we were able to successfully maintain up-to-date toxicity estimates for immune mediated adverse events over this period while maintaining the rigor of a conventional systematic review. Eventually, we will integrate the steps of LSR into one, user-friendly, semi-automated format which can independently provide accurate estimates and feed into and support a living guidelines platform through shared Application Programing Interface (APIs). Conclusions: LSRs are feasible, efficient, and when fully developed can reduce redundancy and waste in medical research, improve the quality of evidence, reduce human effort and support living and dynamic guidelines to facilitate truly informed shared decision making.
Innovation in evidence synthesis: A living systematic review of immune checkpoint inhibitors in cancer patients.
80 Background: Several previous systematic reviews and meta-analyses have attempted to summarize toxicity of Immune Checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs). However, very soon after each one of these reviews has been published, it became outdated. ICIs are currently used in 14 different cancers and data is rapidly evolving from new clinical trials. A living Systematic review, which is defined as a systematic review that is continually updated to incorporate relevant new evidence as it becomes available, is necessary in this situations. Methods: In order to dynamically display content -- including textual data, tables, charts, and graphs – standard data formats and protocols were designed for various components of the systematic reviews carried out by researchers. Given these standardized formats, software was written to interpret this data and output the information in the appropriate format, such as a forest plot or data table. Finally, a dynamic interface that enables user inputs (such as which aspect of the meta-analysis to view) and displays the associated output was designed. The overall living Systematic Review infrastructure includes monthly literature searches, cumulative meta-analysis, and an online reporting platform. Results: We have developed a Living Systematic Review engine that can take in standardized data and reflect this data in an interactive, intuitive manner in the form of text, tables, and plots. This interface can also be manipulated via user input to organize and sort data tables or omit/highlight specific pieces of data. Conclusions: We have initiated the first living systematic review in immune-oncology that will be continuously updated, incorporating relevant new evidence as it becomes available, and will provide accurate and up to date toxicity estimates to support clinical decision making. The Living Systematic Review interface allows users to easily and intuitively access the most recent available clinical evidence on toxicity of ICIs.
Comparative Analysis of Azacitidine and Decitabine in Myelodysplastic Syndromes: A Systematic Review and Network Meta-Analysis
Abstract Background: Myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) are clonal hematological diseases which present with cytopenias. Hematopoietic cell transplantation is usually limited to fit patients with higher risk MDS and donor availability. Hypomethylating agents (azacitidine and decitabine) have been the mainstay option for the management of MDS with different clinical efficacy in low versus high risk MDS trials. No trials have compared the two agents. Aim: To conduct a systematic review and network analysis comparing the efficacy of azacitidine to decitabine. Methods: The protocol of the systematic review was developed a priori. A comprehensive search of several databases (MEDLINE, EMBASE, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, and Scopus) was conducted from each database's earliest inception through November 20th, 2014 without language restrictions. Trials enrolling adults diagnosed with MDS who received hypomethylating agents (azacitidine or decitabine) therapy were included. Studies were screened by two independent reviewers and differences were resolved by consensus. The Cochrane Risk of bias tool was used to appraise the trials. Random effects model was used to pool relative risks (RR) of outcomes (overall survival, overall response rate, hematologic improvement and grade 3 or 4 toxicity). Adjusted indirect comparisons were used to estimate RR for indirect comparisons (Glenny AM, et al. Health Technol Assess. 2005). All statistical analyses were conducted using STATA, version 13 (StataCorp LP, College Station, TX). Results: Only four trials met the eligibility criteria (Figure 1). Two trials compared Azacitidine (75mg/m²/day SC x 7 days) to the best suppurative care (BSC) and included 549 patients (278 azacitidine and 271 BSC, age average: 69; range: 31-92), and the other 2 compared decitabine (15 mg/m² IV q 8 hours x9) to BSC and included 403 patients (208 Decitabine and 195 BSC, age average: 69.7; range: 60-90) (Table 1). The proportion of patients with intermediate-2 and high-risk myelodysplastic syndrome (based on International Prognostic Scoring System (IPSS)) in trials comparing decitabine to BSC was 82.21% and 83.08%; respectively, and in trials comparing azacitidine to BSC was 62.59% and 61.26%; respectively. The risk of bias was moderate overall. Compared to BSC, azacitidine was significantly associated with lower risk of death (RR=0.83, 95% CI: 0.74-0.94, p=0.002) whereas the effect of decitabine did not reach statistical significance (RR=0.88, 95% CI: 0.77-1.001, p=0.053). Both drugs were superior to BSC in terms of partial and complete response. Head to head comparisons were not statistically significant (except for the outcome of complete response where low certainty evidence suggested that azacitidine treated patients were less likely to have complete response compared to decitabine (RR=0.11, 95% CI= 0.01, 0.86, p=0.04). (Table 2). Conclusion: Azacitidine and decitabine are both superior to BSC. The available indirect evidence comparing the two agents warrants low certainty and cannot reliably confirm superiority of either agent. Head-to-head trials are needed. In the meantime, the choice of agent should be driven by patients' preferences, drug availability and cost. Table 2. Results of meta-analysis Outcome Azacitidine VS. Decitabine Azacitidine VS. BSC Decitabine VS. BSC RR LCI HCI P value RR LCI HCI P value RR LCI HCI P value Death 0.95 0.79 1.13 0.54 0.83 0.74 0.94 0.002 0.88 0.77 1.001 0.05 Complete response 0.11 0.01 0.86 0.04* 2.56 1.44 4.58 0.001 23.46 3.22 170.84 0.002 Partial response 0.35 0.04 3.03 0.34 4.91 2.27 10.63 <0.0001 14.02 1.87 105.08 0.01 Major erythroid improvement 0.47 0.03 8.37 0.60 6.37 3.93 10.33 <0.0001 13.67 0.79 235.57 0.07 Major platelet improvement 1.51 0.30 7.56 0.62 4.80 2.98 7.70 <0.0001 3.19 0.68 14.89 0.14 Major neutrophil improvement 2.89 0.56 14.82 0.20 2.63 1.68 4.12 <0.0001 0.91 0.19 4.38 0.907 Hematologic improvement 0.25 0.06 1.09 0.07 2.18 1.67 2.85 <0.0001 8.62 2.05 36.32 0.003 Anemia 1.18 0.53 2.63 0.69 0.89 0.75 1.06 0.198 0.76 0.35 1.66 0.49 Neutropenia 0.99 0.75 1.30 0.92 1.87 1.63 2.14 <0.0001 1.90 1.49 2.42 <0.0001 Thrombocytopenia 0.87 0.64 1.18 0.37 1.63 1.43 1.86 <0.0001 1.87 1.43 2.45 <0.0001 Infection 1.13 0.52 2.43 0.76 1.25 0.60 2.60 0.55 1.11 0.87 1.42 0.41 *These results warrant low certainty due to imprecision (very small number of events) and are driven by 14 patients achieving complete response in BSC arm in one trial. Disclosures Al-Kali: Celgene: Research Funding.
Extracorporeal Photophoresis (ECP) For Chronic Graft Versus Host Disease (cGVHD): A Systemic Review and Meta-Analysis
Abstract Introduction Steroid refractory chronic graft-versus-host-disease (SR-cGVHD) is the leading cause of late morbidity and mortality in allogeneic transplant patients. Safety of extracorporeal photophoresis (ECP) has led to multiple studies evaluating its role in SR-cGVHD. Overall and organ specific response rates (RR) of SR-cGVHD have varied significantly between studies. We conducted a systemic review and meta-analysis to assess the efficacy of ECP in SR-cGVHD. Methods A comprehensive search of several databases (Ovid Medline In-Process & Other Non-Indexed Citations, MEDLINE, EMBASE, Cochrane Central register of Controlled Trials,, Scopus) for articles published in any language between 1984-2012 was conducted. Unpublished studies using electronic databases from the annual meetings abstracts of hematology/transplant societies were searched. Experts in the field were also contacted for selection of studies and missing data from selected trials. End points included complete response rate (CR), overall RR (ORR), and organ-specific RR's. Results Initial search generated 312 studies, out of which 18 studies (4 prospective) met selection criteria (N=595). Random effects model was used for pooled rates. Pooled CR rate (11 studies) was 29% (CI 19%-42%). Pooled ORR (16 studies) was 64% (CI 65-82%). 1 year overall survival was 49% (CI 29-70%). There was significant heterogeneity between studies (I²=72) likely due to differences in ECP schedules utilized, and a variety of scales used to measure outcomes. Pooled RR's for SR-cGVHD of skin was 74% (CI 60-85%), liver was 68% (CI 57-77%), ocular was 60% (CI 40-78%), oral was 72% (CI 51-86%), lung was 48% (CI 33-63%), gastrointestinal (GI) was 53% (CI 21-83%), and musculoskeletal (MSK) was 64% (CI 18-94%). No significant differences in responses to ECP for pediatric and adult populations were found. Sensitivity analysis could not be done due to limited number of prospective studies. Conclusions ECP is an effective therapy for oral, skin & liver SR-cGVHD, with modest activity in lung and GI SR-cGVHD. Further studies must report standardized outcomes with a uniform schedule of ECP. Disclosures: No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.
Accuracy of Accelerometers for Measuring Physical Activity and Levels of Sedentary Behavior in Children: A Systematic Review
Objectives: This systematic review evaluated the accuracy of triaxial and omnidirectional accelerometers for measuring physical activity and sedentary behavior in children. Design: Systematic review of the literature. Methods: We comprehensively searched several databases for studies published from January 1996 through June 2018 that reported diagnostic accuracy measures in children and adolescents (age 3-18 years) and compared accelerometers with energy expenditure using indirect calorimetry. Results: We included 11 studies that enrolled 570 participants. All studies used indirect calorimetry as the reference standard. Across the studies, median sensitivity ranged from 46% to 96% and median specificity ranged from 71% to 96%. Median area under the curve ranged from 69% to 98%. Conclusions: Accuracy measures were greatest when detecting sedentary behavior and lowest when detecting light physical activity. Accuracy was higher when the accelerometer was placed on the hip compared with the wrist. The current evidence suggests that triaxial and omnidirectional accelerometers are accurate in measuring sedentary behavior and physical activity levels in children.
Determinants of Latent Tuberculosis Treatment Acceptance and Completion in Healthcare Personnel
Abstract Background US public health strategy for eliminating tuberculosis (TB) prioritizes treatment of latent TB infection (LTBI). Healthcare personnel (HCP) are less willing to accept treatment than other populations. Little is known about factors associated with HCP LTBI therapy acceptance and completion. Methods We conducted a retrospective chart review to identify all employees with LTBI at time of hire at a large academic medical center during a 10-year period. Personal demographics, occupational factors, and clinic visit variables were correlated with LTBI treatment acceptance and completion rates using multivariate logistic regression. Results Of 470 HCP with LTBI for whom treatment was recommended, 193 (41.1%) accepted treatment, while 137 (29.1%) completed treatment. Treatment adherence was better with 4 months of rifampin than 9 months of isoniazid (95% vs 68%, P < .005). Increased age of the healthcare worker was independently associated with lower rates of treatment acceptance (odds ratio [95% confidence interval]: 0.97 [0.94–0.99] per year), as was having an occupation of clinician (0.47 [0.26–0.85]) or researcher (0.34 [0.19–0.64]). Male gender was associated with higher treatment acceptance (1.90 [1.21–2.99]). Treatment completion was associated with being from a low- (9.49 [2.06–43.73]) or medium- (8.51 [3.93–18.44]) TB-burden country. Conclusions Geographic and occupational factors affect acceptance and completion of LTBI therapy. Short-course regimens may improve adherence. Physicians, researchers, and HCP from high-TB-burden countries have lower treatment rates than other HCP. Improving LTBI treatment in HCP will require attending to cultural and occupational differences.
Volvulus of the ileal pouch–anal anastomosis: a meta-narrative systematic review of frequency, diagnosis, and treatment outcomes
Abstract Background Proctocolectomy with ileal pouch–anal anastomosis (IPAA) is the surgical procedure of choice for medically refractory ulcerative colitis and familial adenomatous polyposis. While rare, a pouch volvulus can occur. We aimed to determine the frequency, presentation, and management approach of pouch volvulus in patients with IPAA. Methods A systematic search of published literature was performed by a medical reference librarian on 10 August 2018 and two independent reviewers identified relevant publications, extracted data, and assessed the methodological quality based on a validated tool. A retrospective review of the Mayo Clinic electronic medical records identified one case of pouch volvulus between January 2008 and August 2018. Results The frequency of pouch volvulus from one large published study reporting long-term outcomes of IPAA was 0.18% (3/1,700). A total of 22 patients (18 ulcerative colitis) were included (median age 32 years, 73% females). Median time to volvulus after IPAA was 36 months while median interval to volvulus diagnosis from symptom onset was 24 hours. Abdominal pain was the most commonly reported symptom (76%). The diagnosis was made primarily by abdominal computed tomography (13/17 patients, 76%). Endoscopic treatment was successful in 1 of 11 patients (9%). Surgery was performed in 20 patients and pouch-pexy and pouch excision were the most frequent surgical operations. A redo IPAA was performed in five patients (25%). Conclusion Pouch volvulus is a rare but serious complication of IPAA and should be suspected even in the absence of obstruction symptoms. Endoscopic treatment often fails and surgery is effective when performed early.
Implementation strategies for interventions to improve the management of chronic kidney disease (CKD) by primary care clinicians: protocol for a systematic review
Introduction There is a considerable implementation gap in managing early stage chronic kidney disease (CKD) in primary care despite the high prevalence and risk for increased morbidity and mortality associated with CKD. This systematic review aims to synthesise the evidence of efficacy of implementation interventions aimed at primary care practitioners (PCPs) to improve CKD identification and management. We further aim to describe the interventions’ behavioural change components. Methods and analysis We will conduct a systematic review of studies from 2000 to October 2017 that evaluate implementation interventions targeting PCPs and which include at least one clinically meaningful CKD outcome. We will search several electronic data bases and conduct reference mining of related systematic reviews and publications. An interdisciplinary team will independently and in duplicate, screen publications, extract data and assess the risk of bias. Clinical outcomes will include all clinically meaningful medical management outcomes relevant to CKD management in primary care such as blood pressure, chronic heart disease and diabetes target achievements. Quantitative evidence synthesis will be performed, where possible. Planned subgroup analyses include by (1) study design, (2) length of follow-up, (3) type of intervention, (4) type of implementation strategy, (5) whether a behavioural or implementation theory was used to guide study, (6) baseline CKD severity, (7) patient minority status, (8) study location and (9) academic setting or not. Ethics and dissemination Approval by research ethics board is not required since the review will only include published and publicly accessible data. Review findings will inform a future trial of an intervention to promote uptake of CKD diagnosis and treatment guidelines in our primary care setting and the development of complementary tools to support its successful adoption and implementation. We will publish our findings in a peer-reviewed journal and develop accessible summaries of the results. PROSPERO registration number CRD42018102441.