Abstract Background: SCT is a standard therapeutic approach for patients with MM and has contributed to improved outcomes. While SCT utilization in MM has increased for all racial-ethnic subgroups over time, population-based studies have repeatedly shown that racial minorities are less likely to receive it. We explored factors that determine SCT utilization among patients within a given race to understand intra-racial disparities and how to address them in order to maximize the use of this imperative treatment among eligible patients. Methods: The 2016 National Cancer Database (NCDB) for MM with patients diagnosed between 2004-2013 was studied. Cases without information on the selected patient or facility characteristics evaluated in this analysis, including SCT use, race, median income, insurance status or facility type of initial MM diagnosis and/or treatment were excluded. The association between utilization of SCT as part of initial therapy of MM and socio-demographic factors was studied stratifying patients into mutually exclusive racial-ethnic subgroups non-Hispanic Whites (NHW), non-Hispanic Blacks (NHB), Hispanics, non-Hispanic Asians (NHA) and others using multivariate GEE logistic regression analysis (clustered on facility ID). Interactions between race and patient/facility characteristics and SCT utilization were tested using similar methods but including all races. Results: Of the 123480 unique MM patients in NCDB diagnosed between 2004-2013, 111799 met the inclusion criteria. Of these, 15021 patients (13.4%) received SCT as part of initial MM therapy. Of those who received SCT, 77.5% were NHW (14.4% of all NHW), 15.1% NHB (10.3% of all NHB), 5.2% Hispanics (13.2% of all Hispanics), 2% NHA (15.5% of all NHA) and <1% others. There was no difference by gender but significantly reduced odds of receiving SCT were noted for every 10-year increase in age at diagnosis for all racial subgroups. NHA were the only subgroup not to have a significant year-wise increase over time in odds of receiving SCT between 2004-2013. A significant increase in SCT utilization was seen with increasing median income (quartiles; 2008-2012 data), for NHW and Hispanics but not for NHB and NHA, while increased education (% population with high-school degree; 2008-2012 data) was associated with a significant increase in SCT use for NHW and NHB, but not among Hispanics or NHA. An increase in great circle distance (GCD) from the treating facility as well as a lower Charlson-Deyo comorbidity index (CCI) was associated with significantly increased odds of receiving SCT for all racial groups. Insurancepayer status significantly affected odds of receiving SCT among all races with those having private insurance to be most likely to receive SCT among NHW, NHB and Hispanics while those with "other government" insurance payer type being most likely among NHA. Among treating facility characteristics, patients of all races were more likely to receive SCT if treated at an academic/researchfacility (including NCI-designated centers) or centers with highest quartile of patientvolume seen. For analysis by geographicalregion, NHW and NHA had the highest odds of receiving SCT in mountain region but there was no impact of geography on SCT for NHB or Hispanics. Odds ratio (OR) of receiving SCT as part of initial MM therapy by socio-demographic and facility characteristics for patients of individual racial subgroups are shown in Table 1. A significant interaction between odds of receiving SCT and various racial subgroups was noted for patient age at diagnosis (p<.001, decreased odds among NHW and NHA), GCD from treating facility (p=0.013, increased odds among NHB and NHA), CCI (p=0.043, decreased odds among NHA) and treatment facility volumes (p=0.046, increased odds among NHA and Hispanics). Conclusions: In the largest analysis exploring socio-demographic factors affecting SCT utilization in MM we note a significant disparity within races for who gets SCT as a part of initial MM management and who does not. While some of these factors are non-modifiable, others including access to healthcare, income, insurance and literacy levels, proximity to treatment center, treating facility type as well as volumes are modifiable and appear to be barriers to SCT among in some races, while not in others. These must be addressed to minimize disparities within racial subgroups, especially the minorities and realize maximal benefit of SCT for MM. Disclosures Ailawadhi: Novartis: Consultancy, Honoraria; Pharmacyclics: Research Funding; Amgen: Consultancy, Honoraria; Takeda: Consultancy, Honoraria. Sher: LAM Therapeutics, Inc: Research Funding.
Respecting upper facial anatomy for treating the glabella with neuromodulators to avoid medial brow ptosis—A refined 3‐point injection technique
AbstractBackgroundCurrent injection algorithms for treating the glabella rely on a five‐ or seven‐point injection technique with possible medial eyebrow ptosis and lateral eyebrow elevation as undesirable outcomes.ObjectiveThe objective of this study was to investigate the efficacy and safety profile of a refined 3‐point injection technique targeting horizontal and vertical glabellar lines.MethodsA total of n=105 patients (27 males and 78 females) with a mean age of 40.90 ± 9.2 years were investigated. The injection technique relied on targeting the muscular origin of the procerus and the corrugator supercilii muscles exclusively. The time of effect onset and the injection‐related outcome 120 days after the treatment was evaluated using the 5‐point glabellar line severity scale.ResultsThe onset of the neuromodulator effect was on average 3.5 ± 1.5 days. There was no statistically significant difference in the amplitude of movement before or 14 days after the treatment with 2.99 ± 4.4 mm vs. 3.39 ± 3.6 mm (p = 0.149) for the medial head of the eyebrow and with 3.18 ± 4.7 mm vs. 3.33 ± 4.3 mm (p = 0.510) for the lateral head of the eyebrow, respectively.ConclusionIncorporating anatomic concepts into clinical practice for glabellar frown line neuromodulator treatments with the investigated 3‐point injection technique resulted in the absence of adverse events like eyebrow ptosis, upper eyelid ptosis, medial eyebrow ptosis, and lateral frontalis hyperactivity. This technique demonstrated efficacy throughout the 4‐month study period.
Proceedings of the Sleep and Epilepsy Workshop: Section 1 Decreasing Seizures: Improving Sleep and Seizures, Themes for Future Research
Epileptic seizures, sleep, and circadian timing share bilateral interactions, but concerted work to characterize these interactions and to leverage them to the advantage of patients with epilepsy remains in beginning stages. To further the field, a multidisciplinary group of sleep physicians, epileptologists, circadian timing experts, and others met to outline the state of the art, gaps of knowledge, and suggest ways forward in clinical, translational, and basic research. A multidisciplinary panel of experts discussed these interactions, centered on whether improvements in sleep or circadian rhythms improve decrease seizure frequency. In addition, education about sleep was lacking in among patients, their families, and physicians, and that focus on education was an extremely important “low hanging fruit” to harvest. Improvements in monitoring technology, experimental designs sensitive to the rigor required to dissect sleep versus circadian influences, and clinical trials in seizure reduction with sleep improvements were appropriate.
The Difference in Facial Movement Between the Medial and the Lateral Midface: A 3-Dimensional Skin Surface Vector Analysis
Abstract Background Our understanding of the functional anatomy of the face is constantly improving. To date, it is unclear whether the anatomic location of the line of ligaments has any functional importance during normal facial movements such as smiling. Objectives The authors sought to identify differences in facial movements between the medial and lateral midface by means of skin vector displacement analyses derived from 3-dimensional (3D) imaging and to further ascertain whether the line of ligaments has both a structural and functional significance in these movements. Methods The study sample consisted of 21 healthy volunteers (9 females and 12 males) of Caucasian ethnic background with a mean age of 30.6 (8.3) years and mean BMI of 22.57 (2.5) kg/m2. 3D images of the volunteers’ faces in repose and during smiling (Duchenne type) were taken. 3D imaging-based skin vector displacement analyses were conducted. Results The mean horizontal skin displacement was 0.08 (2.0) mm in the medial midface (lateral movement) and was −0.08 (1.96) mm in the lateral midface (medial movement) (P = 0.711). The mean vertical skin displacement (cranial movement of skin toward the forehead/temple) was 6.68 (2.4) mm in the medial midface, whereas it was 5.20 (2.07) mm in the lateral midface (P = 0.003). Conclusions The results of this study provide objective evidence for an antagonistic skin movement between the medial and lateral midface. The functional boundary identified by 3D imaging corresponds to the anatomic location of the line of ligaments. Level of Evidence: 4
Association Between Antifibrinolytic Therapy and Perioperative Outcomes in Patients With Coronary Artery Stents Undergoing Noncardiac Surgery
BACKGROUND: Patients with existing coronary artery stents are at an increased risk for major adverse cardiac events (MACEs) when undergoing noncardiac surgery (NCS). Although the use of antifibrinolytic (AF) therapy in NCS has significantly increased in the past decade, the relationship between perioperative AF use and its association with MACEs among patients with existing coronary artery stents has yet to be assessed. In this study, we aim to evaluate the association of MACEs in patients with existing coronary artery stents who receive perioperative AF therapy during orthopedic surgery. METHODS: A single-center retrospective cohort study was conducted in adult patients with existing coronary artery stents who underwent orthopedic surgery from 2008 to 2018. Two cohorts were established: patients with existing coronary artery stents who did not receive perioperative AF and patients with coronary artery stents who received perioperative AF. Associations between AF use and the primary outcome of MACEs within 30 days postoperatively and the secondary outcomes of thrombotic complications, excessive surgical bleeding, and intensive care unit (ICU) admissions were analyzed using logistic regression models. Inverse probability of treatment weighting was used to control for confounding. Secondary analyses examining the association between coronary stent type/timing and the outcomes of interest were performed using unadjusted logistic regression models. RESULTS: A total of 473 patients met study criteria, including 294 who did not receive AF and 179 patients who received AF. MACEs occurred in 15 (5.1%) patients who did not receive AF and 1 (0.6%) who received AF ( P = .007). In weighted analyses, no significant difference was found in patients who received AF with regard to MACEs (odds ratio [OR] = 0.13, 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.01-1.74, P = .12), thrombotic complications (OR = 1.19, 95% CI, 0.53-2.68, P = .68), or excessive surgical bleeding (OR = 0.13, 95% CI, 0.01-2.23, P = .16) compared to patients who did not receive AF. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study are inconclusive whether an association exists between perioperative AF use in patients with coronary artery stents and the outcome of MACEs compared to patients who did not receive perioperative AF therapy. The authors acknowledge that the imprecise CI hinders the ability to definitively determine whether an association exists in the study population. Further large prospective studies, powered to detect differences in MACEs, are needed to assess the safety of perioperative AF in patients with existing coronary artery stents and to clarify the mechanism of perioperative MACEs in this high-risk population.
Surgical management of a giant congenital left ventricular aneurysm in a 2-month-old infant.
This clinical case demonstrated surgical management of a giant congenital left ventricular aneurysm in a 2-month-old female using the Dor procedure. Transthoracic echocardiography performed at 6-month follow-up showed an ejection fraction of 66%.
Volumization of the young and the old temple using a highly cross‐linked HA filler
AbstractBackgroundA plethora of age‐related changes contribute to hollowing of the temples, as bone remodeling, atrophy of the temporalis muscle, thinning of the skin, and deflation of the subcutaneous and deep temporal fat create the appearance of a skeletonized face. In addition, previous studies have established a relationship between facial skeletonization, temporal hollowing, and postmenopausal sarcopenia.ObjectiveTo compare the volume change, adverse events, and patient satisfaction of soft‐tissue filler injections in the temple between young (<51) and old (>51) females.Material and MethodsA total of 30 women with a mean age of 53.1 ± 12.1 years underwent bilateral temporal volumization. Adverse events and satisfaction were assessed after 3 and 6 months. 3‐Dimensional surface imaging was performed at baseline and after 2 weeks, 3 and 6 months to assess volumetric changes.ResultsA mean volume of 5.55 ± 1.9 cc was injected into the temples. A total of 31 adverse events were observed in 13 patients. The overall satisfaction of the procedure was very high after 3 and 6 months in both patient groups, and raters showed a significant agreement in their assessment of the aesthetic improvement, while the self‐reported patient satisfaction was also substantially high. The surface‐volume coefficient differed significantly between 14 days and 3 months post‐injection only in pre‐menopausal patients, while no significant difference was detected between 3 and 6 months.ConclusionTemporal soft‐tissue filler injections are safe and provide long‐lasting aesthetic improvement both in pre‐ and postmenopausal women.
A Phase 2 Randomized Placebo-Controlled Adjuvant Trial of GI-4000, a Recombinant Yeast Expressing Mutated RAS Proteins in Patients with Resected Pancreas Cancer