scholarly journals Adrenal lesions found incidentally: how to improve clinical and cost-effectiveness

2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
pp. e000572 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fahmy W F Hanna ◽  
Basil G Issa ◽  
Simon C Lea ◽  
Cherian George ◽  
Anurag Golash ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Multidisciplinary Team ◽  
Adrenal Incidentaloma ◽  
Automatic Generation ◽  
Evidence Base ◽  
University Hospital ◽  
Endocrine Disorders ◽  
Adrenal Incidentalomas ◽  
Health Economic Analysis ◽  
European Guidelines ◽  
Management Plans

IntroductionAdrenal incidentalomas are lesions that are incidentally identified while scanning for other conditions. While most are benign and hormonally non-functional, around 20% are malignant and/or hormonally active, requiring prompt intervention. Malignant lesions can be aggressive and life-threatening, while hormonally active tumours cause various endocrine disorders, with significant morbidity and mortality. Despite this, management of patients with adrenal incidentalomas is variable, with no robust evidence base. This project aimed to establish more effective and timely management of these patients.MethodsWe developed a web-based, electronic Adrenal Incidentaloma Management System (eAIMS), which incorporated the evidence-based and National Health Service–aligned 2016 European guidelines. The system captures key clinical, biochemical and radiological information necessary for adrenal incidentaloma patient management and generates a pre-populated outcome letter, saving clinical and administrative time while ensuring timely management plans with enhanced safety. Furthermore, we developed a prioritisation strategy, with members of the multidisciplinary team, which prioritised high-risk individuals for detailed discussion and management. Patient focus groups informed process-mapping and multidisciplinary team process re-design and patient information leaflet development. The project was partnered by University Hospital of South Manchester to maximise generalisability.ResultsImplementation of eAIMS, along with improvements in the prioritisation strategy, resulted in a 49% reduction in staff hands-on time, as well as a 78% reduction in the time from adrenal incidentaloma identification to multidisciplinary team decision. A health economic analysis identified a 28% reduction in costs.ConclusionsThe system’s in-built data validation and the automatic generation of the multidisciplinary team outcome letter improved patient safety through a reduction in transcription errors. We are currently developing the next stage of the programme to proactively identify all new adrenal incidentaloma cases.

scholarly journals Attenuation Value in Adrenal Incidentalomas: A Longitudinal Study

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Filippo Ceccato ◽  
Irene Tizianel ◽  
Giacomo Voltan ◽  
Gianmarco Maggetto ◽  
Isabella Merante Boschin ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Longitudinal Study ◽  
Lipid Content ◽  
Univariate Analysis ◽  
Adrenal Incidentaloma ◽  
University Hospital ◽  
Endocrine Function ◽  
Adrenal Incidentalomas ◽  
Attenuation Value ◽  
Mean Diameter

ContextA tendency to grow has been reported in adrenal incidentalomas. However, long-term data regarding attenuation value, a measure of lipid content, are not available.AimThis study aims to collect radiological data (diameter in mm and attenuation value in Hounsfield units, HU) with computed tomography (CT) in adrenal incidentalomas, in order to compare baseline characteristics with the last follow-up imaging.DesignThis is a longitudinal study which included patients with a new diagnosis of adrenal incidentaloma, evaluated from January 2002 to June 2020.SettingReferral University-Hospital center.PatientsTwo hundred seventy-seven patients with 355 different cortical adenomas (baseline group) were evaluated at the first outpatient visit; the follow-up cohort consists of 181 patients with 234 adenomas (12–175 months after baseline). Inclusion criteria were conservative management and radiological features able to minimize malignancy or risk of progression.Main Outcome MeasureCT modification according to endocrine function: autonomous cortisol secretion (ACS) if cortisol >50 nmol/L after 1-mg dexamethasone test (DST).ResultsAt baseline CT, mean diameter was 18.7 mm and attenuation value was 0.8 HU (higher in ACS, 66 cases >10 HU), without modification in early imaging (12–36 months). The size increased over time (r = 0.289), achieving the largest differences after at least 60 months of follow-up (mean diameter, +2 mm; attenuation value, −4 HU), combined with a reduction in the attenuation value (r = −0.195, especially in patients with ACS). Lipid-poor adenomas (>10 HU) presented a reduced cortisol suppression after 1-mg DST, an increase in size and the largest decrease in attenuation value during follow-up. Univariate analysis confirmed that larger adenomas presented reduced suppression after DST and increase in size during follow-up.ConclusionsGrowth is clinically modest in adrenal incidentaloma: the first follow-up CT 5 years after baseline is a reasonable choice, especially in ACS. Mean density is increased in patients with ACS and overt hypercortisolism. Mean density reduces during follow-up in all adrenal adenomas, suggesting an increase in lipid content, especially in those with ACS.

scholarly journals Adrenal incidentalomas: imaging challenges—role of MDCT scan versus MRI in evaluating adrenal incidentalomas

2021 ◽  
Vol 52 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Monica Maher Amin Nawar ◽  
Sameh Abdel Aziz Zaky Hanna ◽  
Shereen Sadik El-Sawy ◽  
Sally Yehia Shokralla
Keyword(s):  
Significant Risk ◽  
Adrenal Incidentaloma ◽  
Adrenal Incidentalomas ◽  
Specific Patient ◽  
Contrast Enhanced Ct ◽  
Contrast Enhanced ◽  
Enhanced Ct ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Adrenal Masses

Abstract Background The term adrenal incidentaloma (AI), by definition, is an adrenal mass that is unexpectedly detected through an imaging procedure performed for reasons unrelated to adrenal dysfunction or suspected dysfunction. Despite their frequent appearance, the challenge remains in recognizing and treating the small percentage of AI that poses a significant risk, either because of their hormonal activity or because of their malignant histology. The aim of this study is to study the role of MRI, specifically chemical shift imaging (CSI), against various MDCT scans (non-enhanced, enhanced, and delayed) in the characterization of incidentally discovered adrenal masses to offer a way for the patients to avoid unnecessary time and money-wasting imaging modalities used to reach a diagnosis of their incidentally discovered adrenal lesions. We examined a total number of 20 patients with total of 22 adrenal lesions. The mean age was 51.1 ± 15.27. Results In our study, we found that among CT parameters, APW and RPW showed the highest sensitivity and specificity for detection of lipid-rich adenomas. CSI has also proven to be the best MR technique. However, there is no statistically significant difference in the diagnostic capability of CSI versus the CT washout technique. Both modalities could be conducted, according to specific patient preferences and/or limitations, with comparable highly accurate outcomes. Conclusion This study demonstrates that a similar diagnostic outcome is obtained from contrast-enhanced CT (CECT) and MRI with CSI of adrenal lesions.

Effectiveness of a vancomycin dosing protocol guided by area under the concentration-time curve to minimal inhibitory concentration (AUC/MIC) with multidisciplinary team support to improve hospital-wide adherence to a vancomycin dosing protocol: A pilot study

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-6
Author(s):  
Panipak Katawethiwong ◽  
Anucha Apisarnthanarak ◽  
Kittiya Jantarathaneewat ◽  
David J. Weber ◽  
David K. Warren ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mortality Rate ◽  
Multidisciplinary Team ◽  
Kidney Injury ◽  
University Hospital ◽  
Routine Practice ◽  
Post Intervention ◽  
Coagulase Negative Staphylococci ◽  
Time Curve ◽  
Concentration Time ◽  
Quasi Experimental

Abstract Background: Limited data are available on the implementation of an area under the concentration-time curve (AUC)–based dosing protocol with multidisciplinary team (MT) support to improve adherence with vancomycin dosing protocol. Objective: To evaluate the effectiveness of an AUC-based dosing protocol with MT support intervention with adherence to a hospital-wide vancomycin dosing protocol at Thammasat University Hospital. Method: We conducted a quasi-experimental study in patients who were prescribed intravenous vancomycin. The study was divided into 2 periods; (1) the preintervention period when the vancomycin dosing protocol was already applied in routine practice and (2) the post-intervention period when the implementation of an AUC-based dosing protocol with MT support was added to the existing vancomycin dosing protocol. The primary outcome was the rate of adherence, and the secondary outcomes included acute kidney injury events, vancomycin-related adverse events, and 30-day mortality rate. Results: In total, 240 patients were enrolled. The most common infections were skin and soft-tissue infections (24.6%) and bacteremia (24.6%). The most common pathogens were coagulase-negative staphylococci (19.6%) and Enterococcus spp (15.4%). Adherence with the vancomycin dosing protocol was significantly higher in the postintervention period (90.8% vs 55%; P ≤ .001). By multivariate analysis, an AUC-based dosing protocol with MT support was the sole predictor for adherence with the vancomycin dosing protocol (adjusted odds ratio, 10.31; 95% confidence interval, 4.54–23.45; P ≤ .001). The 30-day mortality rate was significantly lower during the postintervention period (8.3% vs 20%; P = .015). Conclusions: AUC-based dosing protocol with MT support significantly improved adherence with vancomycin dosing protocol and was associated with a lower 30-day mortality rate.

scholarly journals Development of an intervention to increase adherence to nebuliser treatment in adults with cystic fibrosis: CFHealthHub

2021 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
M. A. Arden ◽  
M. Hutchings ◽  
P. Whelan ◽  
S. J. Drabble ◽  
D. Beever ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cystic Fibrosis ◽  
Development Strategy ◽  
Treatment Adherence ◽  
Behaviour Change ◽  
Multidisciplinary Team ◽  
Treatment Plan ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Intervention Development ◽  
Evidence Base ◽  
Behaviour Change Techniques

Abstract Background Cystic fibrosis (CF) is a life-limiting genetic condition in which daily therapies to maintain lung health are critical, yet treatment adherence is low. Previous interventions to increase adherence have been largely unsuccessful and this is likely due to a lack of focus on behavioural evidence and theory alongside input from people with CF. This intervention is based on a digital platform that collects and displays objective nebuliser adherence data. The purpose of this paper is to identify the specific components of an intervention to increase and maintain adherence to nebuliser treatments in adults with CF with a focus on reducing effort and treatment burden. Methods Intervention development was informed by the Behaviour Change Wheel (BCW) and person-based approach (PBA). A multidisciplinary team conducted qualitative research to inform a needs analysis, selected, and refined intervention components and methods of delivery, mapped adherence-related barriers and facilitators, associated intervention functions and behaviour change techniques, and utilised iterative feedback to develop and refine content and processes. Results Results indicated that people with CF need to understand their treatment, be able to monitor adherence, have treatment goals and feedback and confidence in their ability to adhere, have a treatment plan to develop habits for treatment, and be able to solve problems around treatment adherence. Behaviour change techniques were selected to address each of these needs and were incorporated into the digital intervention developed iteratively, alongside a manual and training for health professionals. Feedback from people with CF and clinicians helped to refine the intervention which could be tailored to individual patient needs. Conclusions The intervention development process is underpinned by a strong theoretical framework and evidence base and was developed by a multidisciplinary team with a range of skills and expertise integrated with substantial input from patients and clinicians. This multifaceted development strategy has ensured that the intervention is usable and acceptable to people with CF and clinicians, providing the best chance of success in supporting people with CF with different needs to increase and maintain their adherence. The intervention is being tested in a randomised controlled trial across 19 UK sites.

Approach to the Patient with Endocrine Disorders

2016 ◽  
Author(s):  
Graham T McMahon ◽  
Robert G. Dluhy
Keyword(s):  
Chronic Care ◽  
Adrenal Incidentaloma ◽  
Hormone Deficiency ◽  
Patient Specific ◽  
Endocrine Disorders ◽  
Endocrine Disease ◽  
Endocrine Diseases ◽  
Characteristic Sets ◽  
Patients Experience

The distribution of hormones throughout the human body results in presentations of endocrine disease that are diffuse and variable. Although some endocrine syndromes result in characteristic sets of symptoms and features, most patients experience a limited number of components of the syndrome and may note symptoms that are not typically syndromic. This review discusses presentations of endocrine diseases and the endocrine patient. Specific attention is given to endocrine testing, which can be achieved by measuring the hormone itself, stimulating or suppressing a hormone feedback loop, or measuring peripheral hormone receptor function. The chronic care relationship is explored as many patients with endocrine diseases require extended chronic care to achieve control of abnormal hormonal systems. The dependency on chronic care necessitates that endocrinologists develop particular expertise in managing illnesses over the long term. Tables list hormones and their associated syndromes, clusters of contrasting symptoms and signs of over- and underactivity of the thyroid and adrenal glands, approaches to endocrine testing and treatment, and variability in selected hormone concentrations over time. Figures show diagnostic criteria related to hypercalcemia, growth hormone deficiency, acromegaly, and adrenal incidentaloma. The chronic care model is also represented. This review contains 4 highly rendered figures, 4 tables, and 12 references.

scholarly journals Managing anorexia from a dietitian's perspective

2009 ◽  
Vol 68 (3) ◽  
pp. 281-288 ◽  
Author(s):  
Annette Cockfield ◽  
Ursula Philpot
Keyword(s):  
Eating Disorders ◽  
Anorexia Nervosa ◽  
Multidisciplinary Team ◽  
Best Practice ◽  
Tube Feeding ◽  
Evidence Base ◽  
Inpatient Setting ◽  
Team Approach ◽  
Normal Behaviour ◽  
Weight Restoration

Anorexia nervosa has the highest mortality rate of any psychiatric condition and its management is complex and multi-faceted, requiring a multidisciplinary team approach. Dietitians are an important part of the multidisciplinary team, offering objective nutritional advice with the aim of helping the patient to develop an improved relationship with food. Refeeding patients with a low body weight requires careful management; nonetheless, refeeding the low-weight patient with anorexia presents many additional complications, largely of a psychological nature. Treatment plans need to consider psychological, physical, behavioural and psycho-social factors relating to anorexia nervosa. Currently, there is no consistent approach and a paucity of evidence to support best practice for weight restoration in this group of patients. Tube feeding is utilised at varying BMI in anorexia nervosa, mainly in an inpatient setting. However, its use should be seen as a last resort and limited to a life-saving intervention. Weight restoration is best managed by an experienced dietitian within a specialist eating disorders team, using normal foods. This approach is ideal for nutrition rehabilitation, promoting skills for eating and normal behaviour and providing a longer-term solution by challenging unhelpful coping strategies from the onset. Dietitians have a unique mix of skills and knowledge in numerous areas including nutrition, physiology, psychology, sociology and behaviour change, which can be applied to support patients with thoughts and behaviours around food, weight and appetite. Further research is required into the effectiveness of dietetic interventions in eating disorders in order to establish an evidence base for best practice.

Fifteen-minute consultation: Bruising in the premobile child

2021 ◽  
pp. edpract-2021-321661
Author(s):  
Fiona Wallace ◽  
Julie-Ann Collins ◽  
Nishanthi Talawila Da Camara ◽  
Alison Mary Kemp ◽  
Ingrid Prosser ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Physical Abuse ◽  
Multidisciplinary Team ◽  
Emergency Departments ◽  
Evidence Base ◽  
Case Vignette

A bruise in a premobile infant is an uncommon finding and often results in referral to the paediatric or emergency departments, acknowledging the potential for physical abuse in this vulnerable cohort. Our role as clinicians is to undertake a thorough assessment, consider potential differentials and organise appropriate investigations, with involvement of the wider multidisciplinary team. In this article, we use a case vignette to discuss how one would approach a bruise in the premobile infant including the evidence base.

Adipocytokines in Non-functional Adrenal Incidentalomas and Relation with Insulin Resistance Parameters

2019 ◽  
Vol 19 (3) ◽  
pp. 326-332
Author(s):  
Gamze Akkus ◽  
Mehtap Evran ◽  
Murat Sert ◽  
Tamer Tetiker
Keyword(s):  
Insulin Resistance ◽  
Waist Circumference ◽  
Resistance Index ◽  
Adrenal Incidentaloma ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Adrenal Incidentalomas ◽  
Sodium Potassium ◽  
Insulin Resistance Index ◽  
High Insulin ◽  
Underlying Mechanisms

Objective: Adrenal incidentalomas are diagnosed incidentally during radiological screenings and require endocrinological investigations for hormonal activity and malignancy. In certain studies, it has been reported that non-functional incidentalomas can be associated with high adipocytokines levels affecting the insulin resistance just like the adipose tissue with metabolic syndrome. Here, we studied serum adipocytokine levels including leptin, resistin, visfatin, omentin 1 and adiponectin in subjects with non-functional adrenal incidentaloma. Methods: Seventy-seven (77) patients (Female 57; Male 20) with non-functional adrenal incidentaloma (NFAI) were enrolled in the study. All patients’ past medical history, physical examination including Body Mass Index (BMI) and waist circumference were performed. The patients’ demographic, radiologic, hormonal and biochemical parameters were recorded. To compare the parameters, a control group (CG) (n=30) was formed from healthy volunteers. Both groups were matched for age, gender, waist circumference and BMI. Serum adipocytokines including leptin, resistin, visfatin, omentin 1 and adiponectin were measured quantitatively by ELISA. Fasting plasma glucose, insulin, sodium, potassium, cortisol, adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH), lipid profiles, and dehidroepiandrostenedion sulphate (DHEAS) were measured. Results: Mean age of the patients was 52.2±10.4 years. BMI and waist circumference of NFAI patients were 26.2±3.28 kg/m2 and 90.2 ±7.5cm, respectively. The mean age of the control group was 48.0±8.16. BMI and waist circumference values for the control group were 25.3±3.5 kg/m2 and 88.3±9.6 cm, respectively. When both groups were compared for age, gender, BMI and waist circumference were non-significant (p>0.05). Serum fasting insulin, total cholesterol, LDL, triglyceride levels of the NFAI group were significantly higher than CG (p<0.05). The insulin resistance index (HOMAIR) values of the NFAI subjects were found to be higher than CG (2.5±1.37, 1.1±0.3 p=0.00). Resistin level of NFAI group was also found to be higher than CG [286.6 ng/L vs. 197 ng/L; (P=0,00)], respectively. Leptin levels of NFAI were significantly higher than CG [441.1 ng/mL vs. 186.5 ng/mL; (P=0.00)] respectively. Adiponectin levels were significantly reduced in the NFAI group than in the CG [10.7 mg/L vs. 30.8 mg/L; (P=0.00)]. Comparision of visfatin and omentin levels was nonsignificant. Conclusion: In this study on subjects with non-functional adrenal incidentaloma, we found not only significantly decreased serum adiponectin levels but also increased leptin, resistin levels as well as dyslipidemia, hypertension and high insulin resistance index. All of which could affect insulin resistance and cardiovascular risk factors. The underlying mechanisms of these findings are unknown, hence further studies are needed.

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