Citations

Abstract Eating disorders and substance use disorders frequently co‐occur. Twin studies reveal shared genetic variance between liabilities to eating disorders and substance use, with the strongest associations between symptoms of bulimia nervosa and problem alcohol use (genetic correlation [ r g ], twin‐based = 0.23‐0.53). We estimated the genetic correlation between eating disorder and substance use and disorder phenotypes using data from genome‐wide association studies (GWAS). Four eating disorder phenotypes (anorexia nervosa [AN], AN with binge eating, AN without binge eating, and a bulimia nervosa factor score), and eight substance‐use‐related phenotypes (drinks per week, alcohol use disorder [AUD], smoking initiation, current smoking, cigarettes per day, nicotine dependence, cannabis initiation, and cannabis use disorder) from eight studies were included. Significant genetic correlations were adjusted for variants associated with major depressive disorder and schizophrenia. Total study sample sizes per phenotype ranged from ~2400 to ~537 000 individuals. We used linkage disequilibrium score regression to calculate single nucleotide polymorphism‐based genetic correlations between eating disorder‐ and substance‐use‐related phenotypes. Significant positive genetic associations emerged between AUD and AN ( r g = 0.18; false discovery rate q = 0.0006), cannabis initiation and AN ( r g = 0.23; q < 0.0001), and cannabis initiation and AN with binge eating ( r g = 0.27; q = 0.0016). Conversely, significant negative genetic correlations were observed between three nondiagnostic smoking phenotypes (smoking initiation, current smoking, and cigarettes per day) and AN without binge eating ( r gs = −0.19 to −0.23; qs < 0.04). The genetic correlation between AUD and AN was no longer significant after co‐varying for major depressive disorder loci. The patterns of association between eating disorder‐ and substance‐use‐related phenotypes highlights the potentially complex and substance‐specific relationships among these behaviors.

AbstractBackground and ObjectivesThe ACS‐NSQIP surgical risk calculator is an online tool that estimates the risk of postoperative complications. Sacrectomies for chordoma are associated with a high rate of complications. This study was to determine if the ACS‐NSQIP calculator can predict postoperative complications following sacrectomy.MethodsSixty‐five (42 male, 23 female) patients who underwent sacrectomy were analyzed using the Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) codes: 49215 (excision of presacral/sacral tumor), 63001 (laminectomy of sacral vertebrae), 63728 (laminectomy for biopsy/excision of sacral neoplasm) and 63307 (sacral vertebral corpectomy for intraspinal lesion). The predicted rates of complications were compared to the observed rates.ResultsComplications were noted in 44 (68%) patients. Of the risk factors available to input to the ACS‐NSQIP calculator, tobacco use (OR, 20.4; P < .001) was predictive of complications. The predicted risk of complications based off the CPT codes were: 49215 (16%); 63011 (6%); 63278 (11%) and 63307 (15%). Based on ROC curves, the use of the ACS‐NSQIP score were poor predictors of complications (49215, AUC 0.65); (63011, AUC 0.66); (63307, AUC 0.67); (63278, AUC 0.64).ConclusionThe ACS‐NSQIP calculator was a poor predictor of complications and was marginally better than a coin flip in its ability to predict complications following sacrectomy for chordoma.

AbstractBackgroundConventional primary pelvic chondrosarcoma often presents as a low‐ or intermediate‐grade tumor in older patients. Although this is the most common variant of pelvic chondrosarcoma, studies examining treatment outcomes are lacking. The purpose of this study was to evaluate patients with these tumors to determine their outcomes of treatment.MethodsSeventy‐three patients (grade I [n = 19, 26%] and grade II [n = 54, 74%]) were reviewed including 55 (75%) males and 18 (25%) females, with a mean age of 51 (range, 17‐81) years and follow‐up of 9 ± 5 years.ResultsThe 10‐year disease‐specific survival was 71%. Grade II disease (hazard ratio [HR], 6.74; P = .04) and age ≥50 years (HR, 3.97; P = .02) was associated with death due to disease. The 10‐year local recurrence‐ and metastatic‐free survival were 79% and 72%. Of the patients with a local recurrence (n = 11), 7 (64%) recurred at a higher histological grade. Patient age ≥50 years was associated with local recurrence (HR, 10.03; P = .02) and metastatic disease (HR, 4.20; P = .02).ConclusionAdvancing patient age was an independent risk factor for worse survival and disease recurrence. Tumors often recurred locally at a higher grade and as such wide local excision remains the treatment of choice for these tumors.

Orthostatic hypotension (OH) is frequently observed with hypertension treatment, but its contribution to adverse outcomes is unknown. The SPRINT (Systolic Blood Pressure Intervention Trial) was a randomized trial of adults, age ≥50 years at high risk for cardiovascular disease with a seated systolic blood pressure (BP) of 130 to 180 mm Hg and a standing systolic BP ≥110 mm Hg. Participants were randomized to a systolic BP treatment goal of either <120 or <140 mm Hg. OH was defined as a drop in systolic BP ≥20 or diastolic BP ≥10 mm Hg 1 minute after standing from a seated position. We used Cox models to examine the association of OH with cardiovascular disease or adverse study events by randomized BP goal. During the follow-up period (median 3years), there were 1170 (5.7%) instances of OH among those assigned a standard BP goal and 1057 (5.0%) among those assigned the intensive BP goal. OH was not associated with higher risk of cardiovascular disease events (primary outcome: hazard ratio 1.06 [95% CI, 0.78–1.44]). Moreover, OH was not associated with syncope, electrolyte abnormalities, injurious falls, or acute renal failure. OH was associated with hypotension-related hospitalizations or emergency department visits (hazard ratio, 1.77 [95% CI, 1.11–2.82]) and bradycardia (hazard ratio, 1.94 [95% CI, 1.19–3.15]), but these associations did not differ by BP treatment goal. OH was not associated with a higher risk of cardiovascular disease events, and BP treatment goal had no effect on OH’s association with hypotension and bradycardia. Symptomless OH during hypertension treatment should not be viewed as a reason to down-titrate therapy even in the setting of a lower BP goal. Clinical Trial Registration URL: https://www.clinicaltrials.gov . Unique identifier: NCT01206062.

Objective: A retrospective cohort study was performed to evaluate whether birthweight was less among infants of women taking amphetamine–dextroamphetamine during pregnancy at our academic institution. Method: We identified mother–infant pairs with documented exposure to amphetamine–dextroamphetamine in pregnancy from 2005 through 2015. Patients were matched 2:1 with unexposed controls. Charts were reviewed for known causes of intrauterine growth restriction. Analysis of birthweight used generalized estimating equation blocking on matching. Medical histories were analyzed with χ 2 test or Fisher’s exact test. Results: We identified 53 exposed mother–infant pairs. The difference in mean birthweight of infants exposed to amphetamine–dextroamphetamine versus those not exposed was 26.9 g, which is not significant (95% confidence interval [CI] = [−141, 195 g]; p = .75). A significant difference was noted for exposed versus unexposed mothers for comorbid psychiatric illness and history of substance abuse ( p < .001). Conclusion: With a limited sample size, our study suggests no significant difference in birthweight.

Abstract Background and Objectives The purpose of this study is to present our experience using free fillet flaps to reconstruct massive oncologic defects of the upper and lower extremity. Methods A retrospective chart review was performed to include patients who underwent oncologic resection followed by reconstruction using free fillet flaps from July 2001 to October 2018. Patient demographics, clinical and surgical characteristics, and postoperative complications were reviewed. Results In total, 12 patients were identified and included in this study. Mean age was 48.9 years old. Five patients had extended forequarter amputations and seven patients had external hemipelvectomies, all for locally advanced tumors. Mean tumor size was 15 ± SD 6.4 cm, and negative tumor margins were achieved in all the patients. Mean flap size was 1028 ± SD 869 cm 2 . The mean follow‐up was 13 months. There were no partial or total flap losses in the postoperative period. Two patients had flap‐related postoperative complications, including flap bleeding and wound dehiscence. Median survival was 18 months. Conclusion The free fillet flap is a safe, reliable, and valuable approach for reconstructing oncological defects. It offers the advantage of avoiding donor site morbidity, while providing extensive soft‐tissue coverage as a one‐step solution for massive oncologic defects.

Background: Cognitive impairment occurs in approximately one-third of pediatric-onset multiple sclerosis (POMS) patients. The Symbol Digit Modalities Test (SDMT), a widely used cognitive screen in adults, has yet to be incorporated early into the standard care of POMS. Objective: To screen for cognitive impairment early in the course of POMS and analyze predictive factors. Methods: Of the 955 POMS or clinically isolated syndrome (CIS) patients prospectively assessed from March 2014 to July 2018, 500 POMS and 116 CIS patients met inclusion criteria (disease onset before the age of 18, one or more SDMTs, and 8 years or older at the time of testing). Those with relapse were analyzed separately from those who were relapse-free. Results: At initial assessment, the mean (interquartile range (IQR)) age at symptom onset was 13.5 years (12.0, 15.9) and the mean (±SD) disease duration was 3.0 ± 2.9 years. Impaired processing speed occurred in 23.4% of POMS and in 16.4% of CIS. On serial testing ( n = 383, mean follow-up: 1.8 years), 14.1% had clinically meaningful decline predicted by older age of multiple sclerosis (MS) onset and male gender. Disease relapse or steroid use led to transient worsening on the SDMT. Conclusion: Early in the disease, some POMS and CIS patients are at risk for cognitive impairment and subsequent decline.