The Cost of Waiting for a Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement in Medicare Beneficiaries With Severe Aortic Stenosis.

Background: Aortic stenosis (AS) is a prevalent valvular disorder necessitating timely intervention, particularly when symptomatic. Aortic valve replacement (AVR) is the recommended treatment, but delays in access to AVR are common and linked to adverse outcomes and increased health care costs. This study aims to assess the health care cost burden associated with delaying transcatheter AVR (TAVR) in Medicare Advantage beneficiaries with clinically significant AS.

Association between genomic instability score and progression-free/overall survival in patients with newly diagnosed non-BRCA1/2 ovarian cancer.

Objective: We sought to describe the association between genomic instability score (GIS) and progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) in patients with newly diagnosed, non-BRCA1/2 ovarian cancer.

Methods: Homologous recombinant deficiency (HRD) status was based on a cutoff of ≥42 GIS; patients <42 were categorized with homologous recombination proficiency (HRP). We collected type and duration of maintenance therapy, among other variables, and built a multivariate model with landmark analysis at 6 months from baseline and applied it for time-dependent variables.

Real-world rates and risk factors for subsequent treatment with vertebroplasty or balloon kyphoplasty after initial vertebral augmentation: a retrospective cohort study.

Unlabelled: The purpose of this study was to determine the real-world incidence and predictors of additional vertebroplasty or balloon kyphoplasty after initial vertebral augmentation, as a proxy for subsequent symptomatic vertebral fracture. Of patients, 15.5% underwent subsequent vertebral augmentation.

Headaches in Sjogren's disease: A narrative review.

Objective: To review the most common types of primary and secondary headaches that are associated with Sjogren's disease (SjD).

Background: Sjogren's disease is a chronic systemic autoimmune disease that typically presents with xerophthalmia, xerostomia, and arthralgias. Sensory and motor neuropathies are commonly reported neurological complications with SjD.

Somatic co-alteration signatures are prognostic in high-grade TP53-mutated myeloid neoplasms.

To assess the relevance of co-occurring somatic mutations in TP53-mutated myeloid neoplasms with ≥10% blasts, we pooled 325 individuals from 10 centres. We focused on comparing three published somatic co-alteration signatures comprising (1) nine MDS-related genes ('ICC-MDSR'), (2) ICC-MDSR + additional secondary mutations-related genes ('Tazi signature') and (3) EPI6 (comprising six genes). Outcomes examined were 24-month overall survival (OS24) and front-line complete response (CR1).

A pilot trial of integrating the Patient-Reported Outcome Measurement Information System (PROMIS®) into rheumatology care.

Objectives: Utilising Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS®) questionnaires can enhance clinical care by measuring longitudinal changes in symptom severity as reported by the patient. The aim of this pilot study was to assess the feasibility and impact of incorporating PROMIS® questionnaires at the point-of-care in rheumatology practice.

Methods: Patients with rheumatic diseases and decrements in ≥1 PROMIS® domain (pain intensity, physical function, or sleep disturbance) were stratified by their concerning domain, then randomised to either receive an interpretation of their PROMIS® scores prior to their rheumatology appointment (Arm 1) or to usual care (Arm 2) (ClinicalTrials.

Aortic Dissections in the Elderly: Older Age in Patients With Acute Aortic Syndromes Is Associated With Delayed Time to Surgery.

Objective: In the setting of acute aortic syndromes, timely access to definitive surgical repair is of paramount importance. Older patients, primarily septuagenarians and octogenarians, undergoing emergent ascending arch repair experience higher rates of mortality compared to younger patients. Despite this risk, studies show that surgical management is still superior to medical management for this patient population.

Treatment of Unruptured Small and Medium-Sized Wide Necked Aneurysms Using the 64-Wire Surpass Evolve: A Subanalysis From the SEASE International Registry.

Background: Flow diversion has revolutionized the management of wide-necked intracranial aneurysms (IAs). We aimed to assess the effectiveness and safety of the new generation 64-wire Surpass Evolve for the treatment of unruptured small/medium-sized IAs.

Methods And Results: This is a subanalysis from the SEASE (Safety and Effectiveness Assessment of the Surpass Evolve) registry, an observational cohort study including 15 academic institutions in North America and Europe between July 2020 and October 2022.

Validation of a holistic composite outcome measure for the evaluation of chronic pain interventions.

Introduction: Chronic pain is a personal experience influenced by multiple biopsychosocial factors. Using a pain intensity measure alone to assess the effectiveness of a chronic pain intervention fails to fully evaluate its impact on the multifaceted chronic pain experience. The holistic minimal clinically important difference (MCID) is a composite outcome developed to provide a comprehensive assessment of chronic pain in response to intervention, across 5 outcome domains: pain intensity, health-related quality of life, sleep quality, physical, and emotional function.

Biportal Endoscopic Transforaminal Lumbar Interbody Fusion: How to Improve Fusion Rate?

Background: Biportal endoscopic transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (BE-TLIF) is a minimally invasive surgical technique for treating degenerative lumbar spine conditions. It offers advantages such as reduced soft tissue trauma and lower infection rates, but certain technical aspects may be challenging. The current study aims to identify strategies to enhance the fusion rate in BE-TLIF by addressing these specific challenges.