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- Fearon, Nkechi J., et al.
(author)
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Reducing opioid prescribing after ambulatory breast reconstruction surgery
- 2023
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In: JOURNAL OF SURGICAL ONCOLOGY. - 0022-4790 .- 1096-9098. ; 128:8, s. 1235-1242
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- BackgroundThe lack of evidence-based guidelines for postoperative opioid prescriptions following breast reconstruction contributes to a wide variation in prescribing practices and increases potential for misuse and abuse.MethodsBetween August and December 2019, women who underwent outpatient breast reconstruction were surveyed 7-10 days before (n = 97) and after (n = 101) implementing a standardized opioid prescription reduction initiative. We compared postoperative opioid use, pain control, and refills in both groups. Patient reported outcomes were compared using the BREAST-Q physical wellbeing of the chest domain and a novel symptom Recovery Tracker.ResultsBefore changes in prescriptions, patients were prescribed a median of 30 pills and consumed three pills (interquartile range [IQR: 1,9]). After standardization, patients were prescribed eight pills and consumed three pills (IQR: 1,6). There was no evidence of a difference in the proportion of patients experiencing moderate to very severe pain on the Recovery Tracker or in the early BREAST-Q physical wellbeing of the chest scores (p = 0.8 and 0.3, respectively).ConclusionStandardizing and reducing opioid prescriptions for patients undergoing reconstructive breast surgery is feasible and can significantly decrease the number of excess pills prescribed. The was no adverse impact on early physical wellbeing, although larger studies are needed to obtain further data.
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- Pellegrino, Francesco, et al.
(author)
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Predictive value of kallikrein forms and β-microseminoprotein in blood from patients with evidence of detectable levels of PSA after radical prostatectomy
- 2023
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In: World Journal of Urology. - 1433-8726. ; 41, s. 1489-1495
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- PURPOSE: To determine whether β-microseminoprotein or any of the kallikrein forms in blood-free, total or intact PSA or total hK2-predict metastasis in patients with evidence of detectable levels of PSA in blood after radical prostatectomy.METHOD: We determined marker concentrations in blood from 173 men treated with radical prostatectomy and evidence of detectable levels of PSA in the blood (PSA ≥ 0.05) after surgery between 2014 and 2015 and at least 1 year after any adjuvant therapy. We used Cox regression to determine whether any marker was associated with metastasis using both univariate and multivariable models that included standard clinical predictors.RESULTS: Overall, 42 patients had metastasis, with a median follow-up of 67 months among patients without an event. The levels of intact and free PSA and free-to-total PSA ratio were significantly associated with metastasis. Discrimination was highest for free PSA (c-index: 0.645) and free-to-total PSA ratio (0.625). Only free-to-total PSA ratio remained associated with overall metastasis (either regional or distant) after including standard clinical predictors (p = 0.025) and increased discrimination from 0.686 to 0.697. Similar results were found using distant metastasis as an outcome (p = 0.011; c-index increased from 0.658 to 0.723).CONCLUSION: Our results provide evidence that free-to-total PSA ratio can risk stratifying patients with evidence of detectable levels of PSA in blood after RP. Further research is warranted on the biology of prostate cancer markers in patients with evidence of detectable levels of PSA in blood after radical prostatectomy. Our findings on the free-to-total ratio for predicting adverse oncologic outcomes need to be validated in other cohorts.
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- Salter, Carolyn A., et al.
(author)
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Predictors of Worsening Erectile Function in Men with Functional Erections Early After Radical Prostatectomy
- 2022
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In: JOURNAL OF SEXUAL MEDICINE. - : Oxford University Press (OUP). - 1743-6095 .- 1743-6109. ; 19:12, s. 1790-1796
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Background: Prior studies suggest that men with good erectile function shortly after radical prostatectomy (RP) can subsequently have worsened erectile function. Aim: To determine the prevalence and predictors of early erectile function recovery post-RP and of worsening erectile function after initial erectile function recovery. Methods: We retrospectively queried our institutional database. Men who underwent RP during 2008-2017 and who completed the International Index of Erectile Function erectile function domain both pre-RP and serially post-RP, constituted the population. Functional erections were defined as International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF)-6 erectile function domain scores >= 24. We analyzed factors predicting functional erections at 3 months post-RP as well as factors predicting a decrease in functional erections between 3 and 6 months, defined as >= 2-point drop in the erectile function domain. Multivariable logistic regression models were used to identify predictors of early erectile function recovery and also of subsequent decline. Outcomes: Erectile function recovery rates at 3 months post-RP and predictive factors; rates of erectile function decline between 3-6 months and associated predictors. Results: Eligible patients comprised 1,655 men with median age of 62 (IQR 57, 67) years. Bilateral nerve-sparing (NS) surgery was performed in 71% of men, unilateral NS in 19%, and no NS in 10%. Of this population, 224 men (14%; 95% CI 12%, 15%) had functional erections at 3 months post-RP. On multivariable analysis, significant predictors of early erectile function recovery included: younger age (OR 0.93, P <.001), higher baseline erectile function domain score (OR 1.14, P <.001) and bilateral NS (OR 3.81, P =.002). The presence of diabetes (OR 0.43, P =.028) and a former smoking history (OR 0.63, P =.008; reference group: never smoker) was associated with the erectile dysfunction at 3 months post-RP. Of the men with early functional erections, 41% (95% CI 33%, 48%) had a >= 2-point decline in erectile function between 3 and 6 months. No factors were identified as predictors for this decline. Clinical Implications: Only a small proportion of men have functional erections at 3 months post-RP and a notable number of them will experience a decline in erectile function between 3 and 6 months. Strengths and Limitations: Strengths: large patient population and the use of validated questionnaire. Limitations: single-center retrospective study. Conclusion: A minority of men had functional erections 3 months post-RP, about half of whom had a decline in erectile function by month 6. We recommend appropriately counseling post-RP patients on the risk of such a
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