London Health Sciences Centre

Indocyanine green fluorescence angiography is being increasingly used in colorectal surgery to reduce anastomotic leak risk, but few studies have analyzed its cost efficacy. In this study, cost modeling was used to compare costs in the United States using versus not using indocyanine green fluorescence angiography. Exhaustive searches of PubMed/MEDLINE, EMBASE, and Scopus were used to identify all meta-analyses and randomized controlled trials assessing the effectiveness of indocyanine green fluorescence angiography in reducing anastomotic leaks. Additionally, we conducted our own meta-analysis restricted to randomized controlled trials with ≥100 patients in both indocyanine green fluorescence angiography and control groups. Three years (2021-2023) of Medicare Provider Analysis and Review billing data were then employed to identify direct health care costs. Minimum, intermediate, and maximum cost analysis models were created using indocyanine green fluorescence angiography-associated anastomotic leak reduction rates identified by synthesizing the results of meta-analyses and randomized controlled trials, procedural and complication-related costs identified via Medicare Provider Analysis and Review, and $225 as the per-unit cost of indocyanine green administration. Synthesis of the results of our own and 19 published meta-analyses revealed a 51.9% reduction in anastomotic leak rate with indocyanine green fluorescence angiography, whereas 5 meta-analyses restricted to randomized controlled trials, including our own, revealed level 1 evidence of at least a 36.5% reduction. Minimum and maximum cost analysis models were generated using conservative anastomotic leak reduction rates of 35% and 50%, from which mean per-patient cost reductions ranged from $962 to $1,138, and overall health care system savings ranged from $71 million to $84 million. For anastomotic assessments in colorectal surgery, indocyanine green fluorescence angiography reduces direct per-patient health care costs in the United States by $962 to $1,138. Additional savings may be derived from reduced rehospitalization and reoperation rates.

Acute kidney injury (AKI) is a known immune-related adverse event of cancer immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI) therapy. Further population-based data on AKI incidence, risk factors and practice patterns post-ICI therapy are needed. We measured the cumulative incidence of AKI among advanced cancer patients while receiving ICI therapy and non-ICI systemic therapy in Ontario, Canada (2012-18). An increase in serum creatinine was used to define AKI and graded according to event severity. Time to event modeling was used to compare the risk of developing AKI, pre-disposing factors and survival outcomes. We studied 16 425 patients with advanced cancer receiving either ICI or non-ICI systemic therapy. Among 4380 patients receiving ICI therapy, the overall crude 4-year incidence of AKI (any stage) was 29% and severe AKI (stage ≥2) was 7%. Characteristics associated with a higher risk of AKI included male sex, genitourinary (versus other) malignancy, the presence of hypertension, diabetes or chronic kidney disease, and prescription of a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug. The risk of experiencing AKI was significantly lower among patients treated with ICI versus non-ICI systemic therapy [adjusted hazards ratio (aHR) 0.80, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.74-0.86, P-value <.0001]. Among the 587 patients who experienced an AKI and were both alive and discontinued ICI therapy within 30days, 54 (9%) were re-challenged with ICI in the following 6months and 24 (44%) had a recurrent AKI event. Patients who were re-challenged with ICI therapy had improved overall survival as compared with patients that received other non-ICI systemic therapy (aHR 0.38, 95% CI 0.22-0.67, P-value <.001). Our real-world study demonstrates a modest risk for severe AKI among cancer patients receiving ICI therapy, lower than with exposure to other systemic cancer therapies. Among patients who developed AKI and stopped ICI therapy, re-challenge was uncommon but may warrant consideration for select patients.

Hematopoietic stem cell transplant (HSCT) recipients are at high risk for opportunistic infections due to profound immunosuppression and graft-versus-host disease (GvHD). Molds and nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) pose diagnostic and therapeutic challenges, especially when infections overlap. A 42-year-old woman with prior allogeneic HSCT for acute myeloid leukemia (AML) developed pulmonary infections with Microascus spp. and Mycobacterium chimaera, later complicated by Aspergillus calidoustus and RSV infection. Initial therapy included voriconazole, amphotericin B, and a macrolide-based multidrug regimen for NTM. Modifications were required for drug resistance and hepatotoxicity. Despite partial response, recurrent fungal infection necessitated prolonged antifungal therapy, including adjunctive inhaled amphotericin B and terbinafine. Ultimately, progressive bronchiolitis obliterans prompted bilateral lung transplantation. Explant pathology revealed necrotizing granulomas positive for NTM and Microascus spp. Post-transplant prophylaxis with voriconazole, rifabutin, azithromycin, and inhaled amikacin prevented recurrence, and the patient remained clinically stable at 6-month follow-up. This case illustrates the complexity of managing overlapping mold and NTM infections in HSCT recipients, highlighting the need for individualized, multidisciplinary care. Therapeutic drug monitoring, careful adjustment for drug-drug interactions, and the use of adjunctive inhaled antifungals were critical to achieving a favorable outcome.

This systematic review aimed to describe the prevalence, incidence, and associated factors of unmet health care needs among adults with osteoarthritis. We searched Medline (Ovid), Embase (Ovid), CINAHL (EBSCO), and PsycINFO (Ovid) from inception through May 15, 2024. Eligible studies were cross-sectional, cohort, and case-control studies investigating the prevalence, incidence, associated factors, or risk factors of unmet health care needs in adults with osteoarthritis. We restricted to articles published in English, French, Italian, and Chinese for feasibility. Reviewers independently screened articles, assessed risk of bias using the Joanna Briggs Institute Checklists, and extracted data. We descriptively synthesized results from low/moderate risk-of-bias studies, stratifying results by age (<60 vs ≥60 years). Of 3,589 citations screened, 7 cross-sectional studies with low/moderate risk-of-bias were included in the synthesis (3 from South Korea, 4 from the United States). In South Korea, the 12-month prevalence of unmet health care needs was 31.6% (95% confidence interval [CI] 29.9%-33.3%) among adults aged ≥50 years with osteoarthritis and 31% (95% CI 30.9%-31.1%) among those aged ≥65 years with arthritis. In the United States, the 12-month prevalence of unmet needs in the general population due to unaffordability ranged from 15% to 30% in adults with osteoarthritis or arthritis. Prevalence was higher among those who exclusively used complementary and alternative medicine and varied during the COVID-19 pandemic, peaking in the summer of 2020. Evidence suggests that unmet needs are associated with lower income, no insurance, and activity limitations. Unmet health care needs are common in adults with osteoarthritis, particularly those facing socioeconomic disadvantages or functional limitations. Given the paucity of high-quality studies, additional research is needed.