Under-contouring of rods: a potential risk factor for proximal junctional kyphosis after posterior correction of Scheuermann kyphosis

2020 ◽  
Vol 33 (6) ◽  
pp. 830-837
Author(s):  
Michael Grelat ◽  
Chang-Zhi Du ◽  
Liang Xu ◽  
Xu Sun ◽  
Yong Qiu
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factor ◽  
Proximal Part ◽  
Proximal Junctional Kyphosis ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Scheuermann Kyphosis ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Posterior Correction ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Junctional Kyphosis

OBJECTIVEScheuermann kyphosis (SK) could require surgical treatment in certain situations. A posterior reduction is the most widespread treatment so far, although the development of proximal junctional kyphosis (PJK) is one of the possible complications of this procedure. The contour of the proximal part of the rod could influence the occurrence of PJK in SK patients. The objective of this study was to analyze the impact of the proximal rod contour on the occurrence of a PJK complication in SK patients.METHODSThis retrospective monocentric study was performed in the Nanjing Spine Surgery Department. All eligible patients had undergone posterior correction surgery with pedicle screws only between 2002 and 2017 and had at least 24 months of follow-up. The presence of PJK was quantified on radiographs using the proximal junctional angle (PJA > 10° at the last follow-up). The authors propose a new radiological parameter to measure the angulation of the proximal part of the instrumentation: the proximal contouring rod angle (PCRA) is the angle between the upper endplate of the upper instrumented vertebra (UIV) and the lower endplate of the second vertebra caudal to the UIV. The patients were analyzed according to the presence or absence of PJK. A t-test, receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis, and logistic regression analysis were performed for statistical analysis.RESULTSSixty-two patients treated for SK were included in this study. The mean age was 18.6 ± 8.5 years, and the mean follow-up was 42.5 ± 16.4 months. The mean correction rate of global kyphosis was 46.4% ± 13.7%. At the last follow-up, 17 patients (27.4%) presented with PJK. No significant difference was found between the PJK and non-PJK groups in terms of age and other preoperative variables. A significant difference in the postoperative PCRA was found between the PJK and non-PJK groups (8.2° ± 4.9° vs 15.7° ± 6.6°, respectively; p = 0.001). A postoperative PCRA less than 10.1° predicted a significantly higher risk for PJK (p = 0.002, OR 2.431, 95% CI 1.781–4.133).CONCLUSIONSUnder-contouring of the proximal part of the rods (lower than 10°) is a risk factor for PJK after posterior correction of SK.

scholarly journals Mismatch Between Proximal Rod Contour Angle and Proximal Junctional Angle: A Risk Factor Associated with Proximal Junctional Kyphosis After Growing Rods Treatment for Early-Onset Scoliosis

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bo Yang ◽  
Liang Xu ◽  
Yong Qiu ◽  
Muyi Wang ◽  
Changzhi Du ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
Logistic Regression ◽  
Risk Factor ◽  
Early Onset ◽  
Early Onset Scoliosis ◽  
Proximal Junctional Kyphosis ◽  
Growing Rod ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Junctional Kyphosis

Abstract Study Design: A retrospective studyObjectives: To investigate the impact of radiological and surgical factors as well as proximal rod contouring angle (PRCA) on the development of proximal junctional kyphosis (PJK) in early-onset scoliosis(EOS) patients after growing rod (GR) treatment.Methods: We reviewed a consecutive series of EOS patients who had undergone growing rod (GR) treatment between 2009 and 2018 (minimum follow-up of 2 years) at a single institution. Patients were divided into PJK and non-PJK groups according to the occurrence of PJK or not during the follow-up periods. The demographic data, surgical strategies, and radiographic parameters were recorded and compared between the PJK and non-PJK groups. PJK was defined as a PJA＞10° at the last follow-up. PRCA was defined as the angle between the cephalad endplate of the UIV and the lower endplate of the second vertebra caudal to UIV and the PJA-PRCA was defined as the difference between the values of PJA and PRCA. Logistic regression was also performed to identify the risk factors for the occurrence of PJK.Results: This study finally included 95 patients. The mean age at the index surgery was 6.5±2.2 years. Mean follow-up lasted 4.4±1.9 years. Lengthening procedures averaged 4.0 ± 1.8 times. There were 20 patients who were observed with PJK (the incidence, 21.1%). In comparison with the non-PJK group, the PJK group showed a larger preoperative coronal cobb angle (81.8±20.6° vs 70.4±12.4°, P=0.041) and global kyphosis (GK) (56.0±15.3° vs. 45.9±12.9°, P=0.044), as well as a larger GK correction (40.4%±10.0% vs. 30.0%±14.2%, P=0.035). In addition, the PJK group had significantly larger postoperative PJA (10.8±3.1 vs. 5.3±3.1, P＜0.001) and greater postoperative PJA-PRCA (5.3±3.0 vs. 3.66±2.9, P=0.031). The proportion of patients with a value of PJA-PRCA greater than 5° in PJK group was significantly higher than that in the non-PJK group. Multiple logistic regression showed that preoperative GK＞50°, postoperative PJA＞10 and postoperative PJA-PRCA＞5° were the risk factors in predicting PJK after GR treatment.Conclusions: More than one-fifth EOS patients experienced PJK after GR treatment. Besides greater preoperative GK and larger postoperative PJA, PJA-PRCA mismatch may be an independent risk factor of PJK occurrence.

Safety of trastuzumab in HER2-positive primary breast cancer in Japan: Initial safety report for the large-scale cohort study (JBCRG C-01).

2013 ◽  
Vol 31 (15_suppl) ◽  
pp. 613-613 ◽  
Author(s):  
Naohito Yamamoto ◽  
Hiroyasu Yamashiro ◽  
Hiroji Iwata ◽  
Norikazu Masuda ◽  
Shoichiro Ohtani ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Breast Cancer ◽  
Risk Factor ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Univariate Analysis ◽  
Concurrent Chemotherapy ◽  
Her2 Positive ◽  
Time Points ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
The Mean

613 Background: The global randomized trials with trastuzumab (H) shows increased cardiotoxicity in patients (pts) with HER2 positive early breast cancer (BC). Safety in Japanese has not been fully evaluated. We evaluated the safety, especially focused on cardiotoxicity, of H adjuvant (adj) therapy in an observational study in Japan (UMIN000002737). Methods: Pts with histopathologically confirmed HER2 positive invasive BC were registered. Women with stage I-IIIC disease who received H as neo-adj and/or adj therapy were eligible. Mean LVEF at 3, 6, 9 and 18 months (M) was evaluated. The time points represent examination on day 60-120, 150-210, 240-330 and 455-635, respectively. Results: A total of 2024 pts were registered from 56 institutes between July 2009 and June 2011. Data of 1875 pts were collected and finalized by September 2012, and 1800 of them were analyzed for safety. The median follow-up was 35 M. The mean age was 54.5 years. Elderly pts ≥60 years were 32.7%. Treatments after surgery were: concurrent chemotherapy (CT) and H in 20.1%, sequential CT and H in 43.5% and H monotherapy in 35.9%. Adverse events (AEs) associated with H were reported in 350 pts (19.4%) and grade (G) 3/4 AEs in 12 pts (0.7%). G 3/4 cardiotoxicity was reported in 7 pts (dysfunction, 4pts; angina, 1 pt; myocardial infarction, 1 pt and heart failure, 1 pt). The mean LVEF at the baseline was 69.4%. Mean LVEF at 3, 6, 9 and 18M were 66.9%, 66.3%, 65.3% and 66.3%, respectively. Compared to the baseline, LVEF decreased with significant difference at all time points (p<0.0001). LVEF decrease ≥10% occurred in 177 pts (during H treatment,130 and after H treatment, 47). Follow-up data were available in 66 pts: 34 pts recovered to the baseline. Mean time to recover was 262 days. The univariate analysis showed using anthracycline (odds ratio 2.312, p=0.003) was the only risk factor for cardiotoxicity. However, elderly, radiation concurrent/sequential treatment with CT and H had no impact. Conclusions: From our study, we found the AE profiles of H were consistent with previously known AEs. We found using anthracycline was the risk factor for cardiotoxicity at the moment. We should carefully follow pts and watch long-term safety. Clinical trial information: 000002737.

scholarly journals Proximal Junctional Kyphosis in Lenke 5 AIS Patients: The Important Factor of Pelvic Incidence

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Quan Zhou ◽  
Bowen Hu ◽  
Xi Yang ◽  
Yueming Song ◽  
Limin Liu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cobb Angle ◽  
Pelvic Incidence ◽  
Potential Mechanism ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Correction Surgery ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Radiographic Data ◽  
Junctional Kyphosis ◽  
Selection Of

Abstract BackgroundThe purpose of the study was to investigate whether pelvic incidence (PI) will affect the occurrence of PJK in Lenke 5 AIS patients after correction surgery and try to explore a better surgical scheme based on PI.MethodsLenke 5C AIS patients that underwent correction surgery for thoracolumbar/lumbar (TL/L) curves with a minimum of a 2-year follow-up were identified. Demographic and radiographic data were collected preoperatively, postoperatively, and at the final follow-up. The comparison between the PJK and the Non-PJK group was conducted and the subgroup analysis was performed based on the preoperative value of PI to investigate the potential mechanism of PJK. ResultsThe mean preoperative Cobb angle of the TL/L curve was 53.4°±8.6. At the final follow-up, the mean TL/L Cobb angle was drastically decreased to 7.3°±6.8 (P <0.001). The incidence of PJK was 21.9% (7/32) in the low PI group (PI<45°) and 15.8% (6/38) in the high PI group (PI≥45°), and there was no statistical difference between the two groups (2=0.425, P > 0.05). The UIV of the PJK subgroup was much closer to the cranial level than the Non-PJK subgroup for the high PI group (PJK vs. Non-PJK: 6.0±1.3 vs. 8.6±1.6, P = 0.003). There was no significant difference in the selection of LIV between the two groups.ConclusionsThe incidence of PJK in Lenke 5 AIS was 18.6%. Our results found no difference in the incidence of PJK according to PI, but the mechanisms of PJK may be different for different PI values. The design of surgical plans for Lenke 5 AIS patients should take individual PI into account to decrease the incidence of PJK.

scholarly journals The association between lower Hounsfield units of the upper instrumented vertebra and proximal junctional kyphosis in adult spinal deformity surgery with a minimum 2-year follow-up

2020 ◽  
Vol 49 (2) ◽  
pp. E7
Author(s):  
Ping-Guo Duan ◽  
Praveen V. Mummaneni ◽  
Joshua Rivera ◽  
Jeremy M. V. Guinn ◽  
Minghao Wang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Spinal Deformity ◽  
Adult Spinal Deformity ◽  
Youden Index ◽  
Proximal Junctional Kyphosis ◽  
Mineral Density ◽  
Hounsfield Units ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Upper Instrumented Vertebra ◽  
Junctional Kyphosis

OBJECTIVEPatients undergoing long-segment fusions from the lower thoracic (LT) spine to the sacrum for adult spinal deformity (ASD) correction are at risk for proximal junctional kyphosis (PJK). One mechanism of PJK is fracture of the upper instrumented vertebra (UIV) or higher (UIV+1), which may be related to bone mineral density (BMD). Because Hounsfield units (HUs) on CT correlate with BMD, the authors evaluated whether HU values were correlated with PJK after long fusions for ASD.METHODSThe authors performed a retrospective study of patients older than 50 years who had undergone ASD correction from the LT spine to the sacrum in the period from October 2007 to January 2018 and had a minimum 2-year follow-up. Demographic and spinopelvic parameters were measured. HU values were measured on preoperative CT at the UIV, UIV+1, and UIV+2 (2 levels above the UIV) levels and were assessed for correlations with PJK.RESULTSThe records of 127 patients were reviewed. Fifty-four patients (19 males and 35 females) with a mean age of 64.91 years and mean follow-up of 3.19 years met the study inclusion criteria; there were 29 patients with PJK and 25 patients without. There was no statistically significant difference in demographics or follow-up between these two groups. Neither was there a difference between the groups with regard to postoperative pelvic incidence (PI), sacral slope (SS), lumbar lordosis (LL), PI minus LL (PI-LL), thoracic kyphosis (TK), or sagittal vertical axis (SVA; all p > 0.05). Postoperative pelvic tilt (p = 0.003) and T1 pelvic angle (p = 0.014) were significantly higher in patients with PJK than in those without. Preoperative HUs at UIV, UIV+1, and UIV+2 were 120.41, 124.52, and 129.28 in the patients with PJK, respectively, and 152.80, 155.96, and 160.00 in the patients without PJK, respectively (p = 0.011, 0.02, and 0.018). Three receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves for preoperative HU values at the UIV, UIV+1, and UIV+2 as a predictor for PJK were established, with areas under the ROC curve of 0.710 (95% CI 0.574–0.847), 0.679 (95% CI 0.536–0.821), and 0.681 (95% CI 0.539–0.824), respectively. The optimal HU value by Youden index was 104 HU at the UIV (sensitivity 0.840, specificity 0.517), 113 HU at the UIV+1 (sensitivity 0.720, specificity 0.517), and 110 HU at the UIV+2 (sensitivity 0.880, specificity 0.448).CONCLUSIONSIn patients undergoing long-segment fusions from the LT spine to the sacrum for ASD, PJK was associated with lower HU values on CT at the UIV, UIV+1, and UIV+2. The measurement of HU values on preoperative CTs may be a useful adjunct for ASD surgery planning.

scholarly journals MO699PERITONITIS RISK OF PD MODALITIES AND TECHNICAL SURVIVAL ACCORDING TO BASELINE PERITONEAL TRANSPORT STATUS

2021 ◽  
Vol 36 (Supplement_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Hasan Haci Yeter ◽  
Omer Faruk Akcay ◽  
Galip Güz
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
Risk Factor ◽  
Peritoneal Dialysis ◽  
Survival Rates ◽  
Significant Risk ◽  
Technical Failure ◽  
Peritoneal Transport ◽  
The Mean ◽  
The Impact

Abstract Background and Aims The PD modality is usually modulated according to the PET and dialysis adequacy during follow-up but, initial modality choice generally depends on patient preferences and lifestyle regardless of patients’ baseline transport status. However, the relationship between baseline transport status, the PD modality chosen, and technical survival is not well established. Peritonitis is one of the leading causes of technical failure, hospitalization, and death in PD. While obesity, low albumin levels, exit-site infections, and nasal staphylococcus carriage are well-defined risk factors for peritonitis, some suggest CAPD could be another risk factor due to increased daily connection to PD. Many studies indicated that CAPD and APD have similar technical survival rates. In this study, we aimed to identify the impact of the baseline transport status on technical survival of CAPD and APD. We also investigated peritonitis risk of modalities considering all defined risk factors. Method This is a retrospective, single-center, cohort study of incident adult PD patients followed-up between January 2010 and January 2020. One hundred and thirty-six patients, followed-up for at least three years, were included. Patients with malignancy and who had less than 1.7 Kt/V per week were excluded. Peritonitis is defined according to the "International Society Peritoneal Dialysis" guideline. According to the baseline PET, patients were divided into two groups as follows; 1) high or high average transporters and 2) low or low average transporters. Risk factors for peritonitis, five years, and overall technical survival of both modalities according to baseline transport status were determined. Results The mean age was 35.5±12 years, and the median follow-up time was 47 (36-178) months. Sixty-six (48%) of the patients were female. Patients' first-year Kt/V per week was 2.18±0.4, and the mean ultrafiltration was 0.9±0.4 liters. 26 (19%) of the patients had diabetes mellitus, 57(42%) patients had hypertension, and 27 (20%) of the patients had a history of hemodialysis of more than three months. 89 (65%) of the patients were performing CAPD, 59 (66%) of whom were low or low-average transporters. 47(35%) of patients were performing APD and 28(60%) of whom were high or high-average transporters. During the follow-up, a total of 71 peritonitis episodes were observed, and the incidence of peritonitis was 0.13 episodes/year. Univariate logistic regression analysis showed that CAPD, low education level (being primary school graduate or illiterate), HD treatment before PD, and bathing less than once per week were associated with peritonitis risk. However, multivariate analysis of associated factors demonstrated that only CAPD was a significant risk factor for peritonitis [odds ratio:2.360 (95% confidence interval:1.075-5.180), p=0.03]. Kaplan-Meier survival analysis showed that low or low-average transporters and high or high-average transporters had similar technical survival rates in both CAPD or APD at the end of three years (figure 1). Similar rates were found in overall survival. Conclusion In our study, APD and CAPD patients had similar technical survival regardless of the peritoneal transport characteristics. However, CAPD was found to be a factor for peritonitis. Thus, it may be appropriate to initiate the PD treatment with APD modality and evaluate patients to switch modalities with PET only in case of peritoneal dialysis inadequacy.

scholarly journals Large Difference between Proximal Junctional Angle and Rod Contouring Angle is a Risk Factor for Proximal Junctional Kyphosis

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jie Wang ◽  
Ningning Yang ◽  
Ming Luo ◽  
Ning Li ◽  
Yonggang Fan ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factor ◽  
Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis ◽  
Idiopathic Scoliosis ◽  
Pearson Correlation ◽  
Spinal Instrumentation ◽  
Proximal Junctional Kyphosis ◽  
Single Institution ◽  
Junctional Kyphosis

Abstract Background: There are several risk factors for proximal junctional kyphosis (PJK) in adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) surgery. Decreased rod contouring angle (RCA) has been proposed as a risk factor for PJK, but the role of difference between proximal junctional angle (PJA) and RCA (PJA-RCA) has not been fully investigated. The aim of this study was to assess the role of PJA-RCA for the development of postoperative PJK in AIS. Methods: We performed a retrospective analysis of 96 AIS patients who underwent posterior segmental spinal instrumentation and fusion between the years 2012 and 2018 (minimum 1.5-year and average 2-year follow-up) at a single institution. Each patient was measured on preoperative, postoperative and final follow-up long-cassette standing radiographs. The PJA-RCA was regarded as a new definition that reflects the match degree between proximal rod contouring and vertebra curvature, and radiographic parameters were compared between PJK and non-PJK group. Results : Among the 96 patients with a mean age of 14.00 years (± 0.82), the overall incidence of PJK was 22%. PJK group showed a significantly greater preoperative SVA (P = 0.032) and larger correction of SVA (P = 0.007) than non-PJK group. At the last follow-up, PJK patients had significantly greater LL (P = 0.046). Patients in the PJK group had significantly greater preoperative PJA-RCA than the non-PJK group (4.07±3.30 vs. 1.42±4.28, P = 0.024). However, RCA was not significantly different between two groups (3.88 ± 4.34 vs. 2.86 ± 3.36, P = 0.405). In addition, Pearson correlation coefficient showed a significant correlation between the change of SVA and the last follow-up PJA (r = -0.208, P = 0.042). Preoperative PJA-RCA and postoperative PJA-RCA demonstrated similar results which showed a strong correlation with the last follow-up PJA (r = 0.528 and r = 0.532 respectively, P < 0.000). Conclusions: As a new reflex of improper rod contouring, large PJA-RCA is a risk factor for PJK in AIS, and PJK might be a compensation mechanism rather than complication when spine is shifted and overcorrected. Keywords: adolescent idiopathic scoliosis, proximal junctional kyphosis, proximal junctional angle, rod contouring angle.

Risk factors affecting the development of nephrocalcinosis, the most common complication of hypophosphatemic rickets

2015 ◽  
Vol 28 (11-12) ◽  
Author(s):  
Melikşah Keskin ◽  
Şenay Savaş-Erdeve ◽  
Elif Sağsak ◽  
Semra Çetinkaya ◽  
Zehra Aycan
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
Risk Factor ◽  
Significant Relationship ◽  
Combined Treatment ◽  
Hypophosphatemic Rickets ◽  
Common Complication ◽  
Factors Affecting ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
The Mean

AbstractThe aim of the present study was to analyse the effects of combined treatment with calcitriol and phosphate, to find out the incidence of the nephrocalcinosis, and to elucidate the risk factor of nephrocalcinosis in patients with hypophosphatemic rickets. We followed six patients. The median age at diagnosis was 3.25 (0.75–10.5) years. The median follow-up duration was 8.25 (3.5–12.5) years. The mean dose of calcitriol and phosphate treatments was 39.1±8 ng/kg/day, 90.5±57.1 mg/kg/day, respectively. Nephrocalcinosis was detected in three patients (50%). The mean dose of phosphate taken by the patients found to have nephrocalcinosis was detected to be high with a statistically significant difference (p=0.041). No significant relationship was found the mean dose of calcitriol. We found no relationship between the development of nephrocalcinosis and the incidence of hypercalciuria or hypercalcemia episodes. We found the increased phosphate dose administered for treatment to play a role in nephrocalcinosis development.

Sound Production Treatment for Acquired Apraxia of Speech: An Examination of Dosage in Relation to Probe Performance

2020 ◽  
pp. 1-16
Author(s):  
Julie L. Wambaugh ◽  
Lydia Kallhoff ◽  
Christina Nessler
Keyword(s):  
Retrospective Analysis ◽  
Sound Production ◽  
Apraxia Of Speech ◽  
Practice Schedule ◽  
Practice Schedules ◽  
Baseline Performance ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Number Of Treatment ◽  
The Impact

Purpose This study was designed to examine the association of dosage and effects of Sound Production Treatment (SPT) for acquired apraxia of speech. Method Treatment logs and probe data from 20 speakers with apraxia of speech and aphasia were submitted to a retrospective analysis. The number of treatment sessions and teaching episodes was examined relative to (a) change in articulation accuracy above baseline performance, (b) mastery of production, and (c) maintenance. The impact of practice schedule (SPT-Blocked vs. SPT-Random) was also examined. Results The average number of treatment sessions conducted prior to change was 5.4 for SPT-Blocked and 3.9 for SPT-Random. The mean number of teaching episodes preceding change was 334 for SPT-Blocked and 179 for SPT-Random. Mastery occurred within an average of 13.7 sessions (1,252 teaching episodes) and 12.4 sessions (1,082 teaching episodes) for SPT-Blocked and SPT-Random, respectively. Comparisons of dosage metric values across practice schedules did not reveal substantial differences. Significant negative correlations were found between follow-up probe performance and the dosage metrics. Conclusions Only a few treatment sessions were needed to achieve initial positive changes in articulation, with mastery occurring within 12–14 sessions for the majority of participants. Earlier occurrence of change or mastery was associated with better follow-up performance. Supplemental Material https://doi.org/10.23641/asha.12592190

(Preprint)

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Natalia Banasik ◽  
Dariusz Jemielniak ◽  
Wojciech P?dzich
Keyword(s):  
Medical Condition ◽  
Extended Period ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Marginal Effect ◽  
Life Duration ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Academic Teachers ◽  
Length Of Life ◽  
The Impact

BACKGROUND There have been mixed results of the studies checking whether prayers do actually extend the life duration of the people prayed for. Most studies on the topic included a small number of prayers and most of them focused on people already struggling with a medical condition. Intercessory prayer’s influence on health is of scholarly interest, yet it is unclear if its effect may be dependent on the number of prayers for a named individual received per annum. OBJECTIVE We sought to examine if there is a noticeable increased longevity effect of intercessory prayer for a named individual’s well-being, if he receives a very high number of prayers per annum for an extended period. METHODS We retrieved and conducted a statistical analysis of the data about the length of life for 857 Roman Catholic bishops, 500 Catholic priests, and 3038 male academics from the US, France, Italy, Poland, Brazil, and Mexico. We obtained information for these individuals who died between 1988 and 2018 from Wikidata, and conducted an observational cohort study. Bishops were chosen for the study, as they receive millions of individual prayers for well being, according to conservative estimates. RESULTS There was a main effect for occupation F(2, 4391) = 4.07, p = .017, ηp 2 = .002, with pairwise comparisons indicating significant differences between the mean life duration of bishops (M=30489) and of priests (M=29894), but none between the academic teachers (M=30147) and either of the other groups. A comparison analysis between bishops from the largest and the smallest dioceses showed no significant difference t(67.31)=1.61, p = .11. Our main outcome measure is covariance of the mean length of life in each of the categories: bishops, priests, academic teachers, controlled for nationality. CONCLUSIONS The first analysis proved that bishops live longer than priests, but due to a marginal effect size this result should be treated with caution. No difference was found between the mean length of life of bishops from the largest and the smallest dioceses. We found no difference between bishops and male academics. These results show that the impact of intercessory prayers on longevity is not observable.

scholarly journals 288. Follow-Up Blood Cultures in Gram-Negative Bacteremia: How Do They Impact Outcomes

2020 ◽  
Vol 7 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. S144-S144
Author(s):  
Azza Elamin ◽  
Faisal Khan ◽  
Ali Abunayla ◽  
Rajasekhar Jagarlamudi ◽  
aditee Dash
Keyword(s):  
Clinical Outcomes ◽  
Antibiotic Treatment ◽  
Readmission Rate ◽  
Blood Cultures ◽  
Categorical Variables ◽  
Gram Negative ◽  
Number Of Patients ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
The Impact

Abstract Background As opposed to Staphylococcus. aureus bacteremia, there are no guidelines to recommend repeating blood cultures in Gram-negative bacilli bacteremia (GNB). Several studies have questioned the utility of follow-up blood cultures (FUBCs) in GNB, but the impact of this practice on clinical outcomes is not fully understood. Our aim was to study the practice of obtaining FUBCs in GNB at our institution and to assess it’s impact on clinical outcomes. Methods We conducted a retrospective, single-center study of adult patients, ≥ 18 years of age admitted with GNB between January 2017 and December 2018. We aimed to compare clinical outcomes in those with and without FUBCs. Data collected included demographics, comorbidities, presumed source of bacteremia and need for intensive care unit (ICU) admission. Presence of fever, hypotension /shock and white blood cell (WBC) count on the day of FUBC was recorded. The primary objective was to compare 30-day mortality between the two groups. Secondary objectives were to compare differences in 30-day readmission rate, hospital length of stay (LOS) and duration of antibiotic treatment. Mean and standard deviation were used for continuous variables, frequency and proportion were used for categorical variables. P-value &lt; 0.05 was defined as statistically significant. Results 482 patients were included, and of these, 321 (67%) had FUBCs. 96% of FUBCs were negative and 2.8% had persistent bacteremia. There was no significant difference in 30-day mortality between those with and without FUBCs (2.9% and 2.7% respectively), or in 30-day readmission rate (21.4% and 23.4% respectively). In patients with FUBCs compared to those without FUBCs, hospital LOS was longer (7 days vs 5 days, P &lt; 0.001), and mean duration of antibiotic treatment was longer (14 days vs 11 days, P &lt; 0.001). A higher number of patients with FUBCs needed ICU care compared to those without FUBCs (41.4% and 25.5% respectively, P &lt; 0.001) Microbiology of index blood culture in those with and without FUBCs Outcomes in those with and without FUBCs FUBCs characteristics Conclusion Obtaining FUBCs in GNB had no impact on 30-day mortality or 30-day readmission rate. It was associated with longer LOS and antibiotic duration. Our findings suggest that FUBCs in GNB are low yield and may not be recommended in all patients. Prospective studies are needed to further examine the utility of this practice in GNB. Disclosures All Authors: No reported disclosures

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