ChatGPT for Patients: A Comprehensive Study on Atrial Fibrillation Awareness.

Due to the intricate nature of atrial fibrillation (AF), the diagnostic process often gives rise to a spectrum of concerns and inquiries. A 20-question survey on AF, covering general concerns, diagnosis, treatment, and post-diagnosis inquiries, was conducted via Google Forms (Google LLC, Mountain View, CA, USA). The questions were input into the Chat Generative Pre-trained Transformer (ChatGPT) system (OpenAI LP, San Francisco, CA, USA) in November 2023, and the responses were meticulously collated within the same Google Forms.

Comparison of tumor response and outcomes of patients with hepatocellular carcinoma after multimodal treatment including immune checkpoint inhibitors - a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: The efficacy of immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) combined with tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs), trans-arterial chemoembolization (TACE), and radiotherapy to treat hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) has not been well-defined. We performed a meta-analysis to characterize tumor response and survival associated with multimodal treatment of HCC.

Methods: PubMed, Embase, Medline, Scopus, and CINAHL databases were searched (1990-2022).

Postoperative morbidity after simultaneous versus staged resection of synchronous colorectal liver metastases: Impact of hepatic tumor burden.

Background: We sought to characterize the risk of postoperative complications relative to the surgical approach and overall synchronous colorectal liver metastases tumor burden score.

Methods: Patients with synchronous colorectal liver metastases who underwent curative-intent resection between 2000 and 2020 were identified from an international multi-institutional database. Propensity score matching was employed to control for heterogeneity between the 2 groups.

Poor Access to Mental Healthcare is Associated with Worse Postoperative Outcomes Among Patients with Gastrointestinal Cancer.

Background: Mental health has an important role in the care of cancer patients, and access to mental health services may be associated with improved outcomes. Thus, poor access to psychiatric services may contribute to suboptimal cancer treatment. We conducted a geospatial analysis to characterize psychiatrist distribution and assess the impact of mental healthcare shortages with surgical outcomes among patients with gastrointestinal cancer.

Optimal policy tree to assist in adjuvant therapy decision-making after resection of colorectal liver metastases.

Background: Although systemic postoperative therapy after surgery for colorectal liver metastases is generally recommended, the benefit of adjuvant chemotherapy has been debated. We used machine learning to develop a decision tree and define which patients may benefit from adjuvant chemotherapy after hepatectomy for colorectal liver metastases.

Methods: Patients who underwent curative-intent resection for colorectal liver metastases between 2000 and 2020 were identified from an international multi-institutional database.

Liver transplantation access and outcomes: Impact of variations in liver-specific specialty care.

Background: We sought to characterize the impact access to gastroenterologists/hepatologists has on liver transplantation listing, as well as time on the liver transplantation waitlist and post-transplant outcomes.

Methods: Liver transplantation registrants aged >18 years between January 1, 2004 and December 31, 2019 were identified from the Scientific Registry of Transplant Recipients Standard Analytic Files. The liver transplantation registration ratio was defined as the ratio of liver transplant waitlist registrations in a given county per 1,000 liver-related deaths.

Is surgical treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma at high-volume centers worth the additional cost?

Background: Case volume has been associated with improved outcomes for patients undergoing treatment for hepatocellular carcinoma, often with higher hospital expenditures. We sought to define the cost-effectiveness of hepatocellular carcinoma treatment at high-volume centers.

Methods: Patients diagnosed with hepatocellular carcinoma from 2013 to 2017 were identified from Medicare Standard Analytic Files.

Association of Minority-Serving Hospital Status with Post-Discharge Care Utilization and Expenditures in Gastrointestinal Cancer.

Background: Disparities in utilization of post-discharge care and overall expenditures may relate to site of care and race/ethnicity. We sought to define the impact of minority-serving hospitals (MSHs) on postoperative outcomes, discharge disposition, and overall expenditures associated with an episode of surgical care.

Methods: Patients who underwent resection for esophageal, colon, rectal, pancreatic, and liver cancer were identified from Medicare Standard Analytic Files (2013-2017).

Association of persistent poverty and U.S. News and World Report hospital rankings among patients undergoing major surgery.

Background: We sought to determine the association of persistent poverty on patient outcomes relative to US News World Report (USNWR) rankings among individuals undergoing common major surgical procedures.

Methods: Medicare beneficiaries who underwent AAA repair, CABG, colectomy, or lung resection were identified. Multivariable logistic regression was used to evaluate the relationship between care at USNWR hospitals, county-level duration of poverty (never-high poverty (NHP); intermittent high poverty (IHP): persistent-poverty (PP)) and 30-day mortality.

Modified integrated tumor burden, liver function, systemic inflammation, and tumor biology score to predict long-term outcomes after resection for hepatocellular carcinoma.

Background: A preoperative predictive score for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) can help stratify patients who undergo resection relative to long-term outcomes and tailor treatment strategies.

Methods: Patients who underwent curative-intent hepatectomy for HCC between 2000 and 2020 were identified from an international multi-institutional database. A risk score (mFIBA) was developed using an Eastern cohort and then validated using a Western cohort.

The Impact of Medicaid Expansion on Early-Stage Pancreatic Adenocarcinoma at High- Versus Low-Volume Facilities.

Introduction: While Medicaid Expansion (ME) has improved healthcare access, disparities in outcomes after volume-dependent surgical care persist. We sought to characterize the impact of ME on postoperative outcomes among patients undergoing resection for pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) at high-volume (HVF) versus low-volume (LVF) facilities.

Methods: Patients who underwent resection for PDAC were identified from the National Cancer Database (NCDB; 2011-2018).

Association between the Environmental Quality Index and Textbook Outcomes Among Medicare Beneficiaries Undergoing Surgery for Early-Stage Pancreatic Adenocarcinoma.

Background: Access to high-quality cancer care is affected by environmental exposures and structural inequities. This study sought to investigate the association between the environmental quality index (EQI) and achievement of textbook outcomes (TO) among Medicare beneficiaries over the age of 65 who underwent surgical resection for early-stage pancreatic adenocarcinoma (PDAC).

Methods: Patients diagnosed with early-stage PDAC from 2004 to 2015 were identified using the SEER-Medicare database and combined with the US Environmental Protection Agency's EQI data.

Persistence of Poverty and its Impact on Surgical Care and Postoperative Outcomes.

Objective: We sought to characterize the association between prolonged county-level poverty with postoperative outcomes.

Background: The impact of long-standing poverty on surgical outcomes remains ill-defined.

Methods: Patients who underwent lung resection, colectomy, coronary artery bypass graft, or lower extremity joint replacement were identified from Medicare Standard Analytical Files Database (2015-2017) and merged with data from the American Community Survey and the United States Department of Agriculture.

Utilization of Telemedicine among Medicare beneficiaries undergoing Hepatopancreatic Surgery during the COVID-19 Pandemic.

Introduction: Telemedicine may serve as an important avenue to address disparities in access to cancer care. We sought to define factors associated with telemedicine use among Medicare beneficiaries who underwent hepatopancreatic (HP) surgery, as well as characterize trends in telemedicine usage relative to community vulnerability based on the enactment of the Medicare telemedicine coverage waiver.

Methods: Patients who underwent HP surgery between 2013-2020 were identified from the Medicare Standard Analytic Files (SAF).

The impact of recurrence timing and tumor burden score on overall survival among patients undergoing repeat hepatectomy for colorectal liver metastases.

Introduction: Approximately 15% of patients experience a resectable intrahepatic recurrence after an index curative-intent hepatectomy for colorectal liver metastases (CRLM). We sought to investigate the impact of recurrence timing and tumor burden score (TBS) at the time of recurrence on overall survival among patients undergoing repeat hepatectomy.

Methods: Patients with CRLM who experienced recurrent intrahepatic disease after initial hepatectomy between 2000 and 2020 were identified from an international multi-institutional database.

Travel distance and social vulnerability index: Impact on liver-related mortality among patients with end-stage liver disease.

Introduction: The reasons for the geographic disparities in liver-related mortality across the US remain ill-defined. We sought to investigate the impact of travel distance to liver transplantation (LT) programs and social vulnerability on county differences in liver-related mortality.

Methods: Data on LT registrants were obtained from the Scientific Registry of Transplant Recipients Standard Analytic Files (SRTR SAFs) between 2004 and 2019.

Disparities in Socioeconomic Factors Mediate the Impact of Racial Segregation Among Patients With Hepatopancreaticobiliary Cancer.

Background: Structural racism within the U.S. health care system contributes to disparities in oncologic care.

Predictors and Prognostic Significance of Postoperative Complications for Patients with Intrahepatic Cholangiocarcinoma.

Background: The prognostic impact of major postoperative complications (POCs) for intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (ICC) remains ill-defined. We sought to analyze the relationship between POCs and outcomes relative to lymph node metastases (LNM) and tumor burden score (TBS).

Methods: Patients who underwent resection of ICC between 1990-2020 were included from an international database.

The Impact of a Liver Transplant Program on the Outcomes of Hepatocellular Carcinoma.

Objective: We sought to evaluate the impact of liver transplantation (LT) programs on the prognosis of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients who underwent liver resection (LR) and noncurative intent treatment.

Background: LT programs have an array of resources and services that would positively affect the prognosis of patients with HCC.

Methods: Patients who underwent LT, LR, radiotherapy (RT), or chemotherapy (CTx) for HCC between 2004 and 2018 were included in the National Cancer Database.

Association between the environmental quality index and textbook outcomes among Medicare beneficiaries undergoing surgery for colorectal cancer (CRC).

Background: Quality of cancer care received by individuals may be influenced by environmental factors resulting in inequalities within the healthcare system. We sought to investigate the association between the Environmental Quality Index (EQI) and achievement of textbook outcomes (TOs) among Medicare beneficiaries who underwent surgical resection for colorectal cancer (CRC).

Methods: Patients diagnosed with CRC from 2004 to 2015 were identified using the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results-Medicare database and merged with the US Environmental Protection Agency's EQI data.

The impact of tumor location on the value of lymphadenectomy for intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma.

Background: The therapeutic role of lymphadenectomy (LND) for intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (ICC) patients remains ill-defined. We sought to analyze the therapeutic value of LND relative to tumor location and preoperative lymph node metastasis (LNM) risk.

Methods: Patients who underwent curative-intent hepatic resection of ICC between 1990 and 2020 were included from a multi-institutional database.

TBS-Based Preoperative Score to Predict Non-transplantable Recurrence and Identify Candidates for Upfront Resection Versus Transplantation for Hepatocellular Carcinoma.

Background: Recurrence following liver resection (LR) for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) can be as high as 50-70%. While salvage liver transplantation may be feasible, patients may develop a non-transplantable recurrence (NTR) (recurrence beyond Milan criteria). We sought to identify preoperative risk factors to predict NTR after resection.

Colonoscopy, imaging, and carcinoembryonic antigen: Comparison of guideline adherence to surveillance strategies in patients who underwent resection of colorectal cancer - A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Introduction: Almost one-third of patients with colorectal cancer (CRC) experience recurrence after resection. Adherence to surveillance guidelines largely dictates efficacy in early detection of recurrence. We sought to assess and compare adherence to postoperative surveillance guidelines for colonoscopy, imaging, and Carcinoembryonic Antigen (CEA).

Disparities in NCCN Guideline-Compliant Care for Patients with Early-Stage Pancreatic Adenocarcinoma at Minority-Serving versus Non-Minority-Serving Hospitals.

Background: Racial/ethnic disparities in pancreatic adenocarcinoma (PDAC) outcomes may relate to receipt of National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) guideline-compliant care. We assessed the association between treatment at minority-serving hospitals (MSH) and receipt of NCCN-compliant care.

Patients And Methods: Patients who underwent resection of early-stage PDAC between 2006 and 2019 were identified from the National Cancer Database (NCDB).