Hospital Surgical Volume, Utilization, Costs and Outcomes of Retroperitoneal Lymph Node Dissection for Testis Cancer

Objectives. Retroperitoneal lymph node dissection (RPLND) outcomes for testis cancer originate mostly from single-center series. We characterized population-based utilization, costs, and outcomes and assessed whether higher volume affects outcomes. Methods and Materials. Using the US Nationwide Inpatient Sample from 2001–2008, we identified 993 RPLND and used propensity score methods to assess utilization, costs, and inpatient outcomes based on hospital surgical volume. Results. 51.6% of RPLND were performed at hospitals where there were two or fewer cases per year. RPLND was more commonly performed at large urban teaching hospitals, where men were younger, more likely to be white and earning incomes exceeding the 50th percentile (all P ≤ .05). Higher hospital volumes were associated with fewer complications and more routine home discharges (all P ≤ .047). However, higher volume hospitals had more transfusions (P = .004) and incurred $1,435 more in median costs (P < .001). Limitations include inability to adjust for tumor characteristics and absence of outpatient outcomes. Conclusions. Sociodemographic differences exist between high versus low volume RPLND hospitals. Although higher volume hospitals had more transfusions and higher costs, perhaps due to more complex cases, they experienced fewer complications. However, most RPLND are performed at hospitals where there were two or fewer cases per year

Preoperative Electrocardiograms Patient Factors Predictive of Abnormalities

Background: Age is often the sole criterion for determining the need for preoperative electrocardiograms. However, screening electrocardiograms have not been shown to add value above clinical information. This study was designed to determine whether it is possible to target electrocardiograms ordering to patients most likely to have an abnormality that would affect management and if age alone is predictive of significant electrocardiograms abnormalities. Methods: A list was developed of electrocardiograms abnormalities considered significant enough to impact management, as well as a list of patient factors believed to increase cardiovascular risk. electrocardiograms in all patients over 50 yr of age presenting for preoperative evaluation during a 2-month period were reviewed. Results: A total of 1,149 electrocardiograms were reviewed, with 89 patients (7.8%) having at least one significant abnormality. These patients were compared with a group of 195 patients who had electrocardiograms that did not contain significant abnormalities. Patients at higher risk of having a significantly abnormal electrocardiograms that would potentially affect management were those older than 65 yr of age or who had a history of heart failure, high cholesterol, angina, myocardial infarction, or severe valvular disease. Five patients (0.44%) had an abnormal electrocardiograms in the absence of risk factors. The sensitivity of the model is 87.6%. Conclusion: Age greater than 65 yr remains an independent predictor for significant preoperative electrocardiograms abnormalities. The specific clinical risk factors that were found have a high sensitivity and identified all but 0.44% of patients with electrocardiograms abnormalities that may affect preoperative management

Comparative methods for handling missing data in large databases

ObjectiveAnalysis of complex survey databases is an important tool for health services researchers. Missing data elements are challenging because the reasons for “missingness” are multifactorial, especially categorical variables such as race. We simulated missing data for race and analyzed the bias from five methods used in predicting major amputation in patients with critical limb ischemia (CLI).MethodsPatient discharges with fully observed data containing lower extremity revascularization or major amputation and CLI were selected from the 2003 to 2007 Nationwide Inpatient Sample, a complex survey database (weighted n = 684,057). Considering several random missing data schemes, we compared five missing data methods: complete case analysis, replacement with observed frequencies, missing indicator variable, multiple imputation, and reweighted estimating equations. We created 100 simulated data sets, with 5%, 15%, or 30% of subjects' race drawn to be missing from the full data set. Bias was estimated by comparing the estimated regression coefficients averaged over 100 simulated data sets (βmiss) from each method vs estimates from the fully observed data set (βfull), with relative bias calculated as (βfull – βmiss/βfull) × 100%.ResultsOur results demonstrate that reweighted estimating equations produce the least biased and the missing indicator variable produces the most biased coefficients. Complete case analysis, replacement with observed frequencies, and multiple imputation resulted in moderate bias. Sensitivity analysis demonstrated the optimal method choice depends on the quantity and type of missing data encountered.ConclusionsMissing data are an important analytic topic in research with large databases. The commonly used missing indicator variable method introduces severe bias and should be used with caution. We present empiric evidence to guide method selection for handling missing data

Cancer-Related Direct-to-Consumer Advertising: Awareness, Perceptions, and Reported Impact Among Patients Undergoing Active Cancer Treatment

PURPOSE: Although cancer-related direct-to-consumer advertising (CR-DTCA) is prevalent, little is known about cancer patients' experiences with this controversial medium of medical communication. METHODS: We administered a 41-item, mailed questionnaire to consecutive patients with breast and hematologic malignancies who were undergoing active treatment at our institution. We assessed awareness of CR-DTCA within the prior year, perceptions of CR-DTCA, and CR-DTCA–prompted patient and provider behaviors. RESULTS: We received 348 completed questionnaires (response rate, 75.0%). Overall, 86.2% reported being aware of CR-DTCA, most frequently from television (77.7%). Awareness did not vary with clinical or sociodemographic factors except that patients were more likely to be aware of CR-DTCA for products specific to their cancer types (P < .0001). A majority of those aware reported that CR-DTCA made them “aware of treatments they did not know about” (62.2%), provided information in “a balanced manner” (65.2%), and helped them to have “better discussions” with their provider (56.8%). These perceptions were significantly more favorable among those who had not graduated from college (P < .05 for each). Overall, 11.2% reported that CR-DTCA made them “less confident” in their providers' judgment. Of those aware, 17.3% reported talking to their provider about an advertised medication, although less than one fifth of those reported receiving a prescription for the advertised medication. CONCLUSION: The patients in our cohort were highly aware of CR-DTCA. CR-DTCA was found to be accessible and useful; however, it decreased some patients' confidence in their providers' judgment. CR-DTCA prompted a modest amount of patient-provider discussion but infrequent patient-reported changes in therapy

Socioeconomic and hospital-related predictors of amputation for critical limb ischemia

ObjectiveDisparities in limb salvage procedures may be driven by socioeconomic status (SES) and access to high-volume hospitals. We sought to identify SES factors associated with major amputation in the setting of critical limb ischemia (CLI).MethodsThe 2003-2007 Nationwide Inpatient Sample was queried for discharges containing lower extremity revascularization (LER) or major amputation and chronic CLI (N = 958,120). The Elixhauser method was used to adjust for comorbidities. Significant predictors in bivariate logistic regression were entered into a multivariate logistic regression for the dependent variable of amputation vs LER.ResultsOverall, 24.2% of CLI patients underwent amputation. Significant differences were seen between both groups in bivariate and multivariate analysis of SES factors, including race, income, and insurance status. Lower-income patients were more likely to be treated at low-LER-volume institutions (odds ratio [OR], 1.74; P < .001). Patients at higher-LER-volume centers (OR, 15.16; P <.001) admitted electively (OR, 2.19; P < .001) and evaluated with diagnostic imaging (OR, 10.63; P < .001) were more likely to receive LER.ConclusionsAfter controlling for comorbidities, minority patients, those with lower SES, and patients with Medicaid were more likely receive amputation for CLI in low-volume hospitals. Addressing SES and hospital factors may reduce amputation rates for CLI

Statins are independently associated with reduced mortality in patients undergoing infrainguinal bypass graft surgery for critical limb ischemia

OBJECTIVE: Evidence suggesting a beneficial effect of cardioprotective medications in patients with lower extremity atherosclerosis derives largely from secondary prevention studies of heterogeneous populations. Patients with critical limb ischemia (CLI) have a large atherosclerotic burden with related high mortality. The effect of such therapies in this population is largely inferred and unproven. METHODS: The Project of Ex-Vivo vein graft Engineering via Transfection III (PREVENT III) cohort comprised 1404 patients with CLI who underwent lower extremity bypass grafting in a multicenter, randomized prospective trial testing the efficacy of edifoligide for the prevention of graft failure. Propensity scores were used to evaluate the influence of statins, beta-blockers, and antiplatelet agents on outcomes while adjusting for demographics, comorbidities, medications, and surgical variables that may influence drug use. Primary outcomes were major adverse cardiovascular events 75 (HR, 2.1; 95% CI, 1.60-2.82; P = .001), coronary artery disease (HR, 1.5; 95% CI, 1.15-2.01; P = .001), chronic kidney disease stages 4 (HR, 2.0; 95% CI, 1.17-3.55; P = .001) and 5 (HR, 3.4; 95% CI, 2.39-4.73; P < .001), and tissue loss (HR, 1.9; 95% CI, 1.23-2.80; P = .003). CONCLUSIONS: Statin use is associated with improved survival in CLI patients 1 year after surgical revascularization. Further studies are indicated to determine optimal dosing in this population and to definitively address the question of relationship to graft patency. These data add to the growing literature supporting statin use in patients with advanced peripheral arterial disease