Staff Publication

Improving our departmental reporting of thyroid cytology specimens against national guidelines: a two-cycle retrospective audit (2020)

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Type of publication:
Journal article

Author(s):
*Halliday E.; *Ahsan S.F.; *Harrison E.; *Harrison K.; *Sansom H.

Citation:
Cytopathology : official journal of the British Society for Clinical Cytology; November 2020, Volume31, Issue6, Pages 514-524

Abstract:
OBJECTIVE: In the United Kingdom, guidelines from the Royal College of Pathologists (RCPath) facilitate consistent and reproducible reporting and classification of fine needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) thyroid specimens. The aim was to audit our department against RCPath guidelines to refine and improve our reporting process.
METHOD(S): Two-cycle retrospective observational audit of all patients undergoing thyroid FNAC over a two-year period (one year for each cycle). Final histology was correlated. The positive predictive value (PPV) for malignant neoplastic lesions was calculated; for Thy1, Thy1c, Thy2 and Thy2c all cases without final histology were assumed to be benign, while for Thy3a, Thy3f, Thy4 and Thy5 samples the PPV calculation was based only on those cytology samples with corresponding histology. 'False positive' and 'false negative' cases were reviewed.
RESULT(S): 288 cytology samples were included in the first cycle; 96 (33.3%) had corresponding histology. 287 samples were included in the second cycle; 119 (41.5%) had follow-up histology. The rate of non-diagnostic samples (Thy1/1c) decreased from 39.6% to 30.0%. The PPV for malignant neoplastic lesions was Thy1/1c 2.6%, Thy2/2c 0.0%, Thy3a 40.0%, Thy3f 19.4%, Thy4 75.0%, Thy5 100.0% (first cycle); Thy1/1c 4.7%, Thy2/2c 0.7%, Thy3a 13.3%, Thy3f, 7.7%, Thy4, 50.0%, Thy5 100.0% (second cycle).
CONCLUSION(S): Our department was able to reduce the rate of non-diagnostic FNAC samples and improve the diagnostic accuracy of FNAC. Auditing local outcomes helps refine and improve the reporting process. Review of 'false positive' and 'false negative' cases helps examine potential pitfalls of cytology.

Developing an intervention around referral and admissions to intensive care: a mixed-methods study (2019)

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Type of publication:
Journal article

Author(s):
Bassford C, Griffiths F, Svantesson M, Ryan M, Krucien N, Dale J, Rees S, Rees K, Ignatowicz A, Parsons H, Flowers N, Fritz Z, Perkins G, Quinton S, Symons S, White C, Huang H, Turner J, Brooke M, McCreedy A, Blake C & Slowther A.

Study involved patients at Shrewsbury and Telford Hospital NHS Trust

Citation:
Health Services and Delivery Research 2019, Vol 7, Issue 39

Abstract:
Background: Intensive care treatment can be life-saving, but it is invasive and distressing for patients receiving it and it is not always successful. Deciding whether or not a patient will benefit from intensive care is a difficult clinical and ethical challenge.
Objectives: To explore the decision-making process for referral and admission to the intensive care unit and to develop and test an intervention to improve it.
Methods: A mixed-methods study comprising (1) two systematic reviews investigating the factors associated with decisions to admit patients to the intensive care unit and the experiences of clinicians, patients and families; (2) observation of decisions and interviews with intensive care unit doctors, referring doctors, and patients and families in six NHS trusts in the Midlands, UK; (3) a choice experiment survey distributed to UK intensive care unit consultants and critical care outreach nurses, eliciting their preferences for factors used in decision-making for intensive care unit admission; (4) development of a decision-support intervention informed by the previous work streams, including an ethical framework for decision-making and supporting referral and decision-support forms and patient and family information leaflets. Implementation feasibility was tested in three NHS trusts; (5) development and testing of a tool to evaluate the ethical quality of decision-making related to intensive care unit admission, based on the assessment of patient records. The tool was tested for inter-rater and intersite reliability in 120 patient records.
Results: Influences on decision-making identified in the systematic review and ethnographic study included age, presence of chronic illness, functional status, presence of a do not attempt cardiopulmonary resuscitation order, referring specialty, referrer seniority and intensive care unit bed availability. Intensive care unit doctors used a gestalt assessment of the patient when making decisions. The choice experiment showed that age was the most important factor in consultants’ and critical care outreach nurses’ preferences for admission. The ethnographic study illuminated the complexity of the decision-making process, and the importance of interprofessional relationships and good communication between teams and with patients and families. Doctors found it difficult to articulate and balance the benefits and burdens of intensive care unit treatment for a patient. There was low uptake of the decision-support intervention, although doctors who used it noted that it improved articulation of reasons for decisions and communication with patients.
Limitations: Limitations existed in each of the component studies; for example, we had difficulty recruiting patients and families in our qualitative work. However, the project benefited from a mixed-method approach that mitigated the potential limitations of the component studies.
Conclusions: Decision-making surrounding referral and admission to the intensive care unit is complex. This study has provided evidence and resources to help clinicians and organisations aiming to improve the decision-making for and, ultimately, the care of critically ill patients.
Future work: Further research is needed into decision-making practices, particularly in how best to engage with patients and families during the decision process. The development and evaluation of training for clinicians involved in these decisions should be a priority for future work.
Study registration: The systematic reviews of this study are registered as PROSPERO CRD42016039054, CRD42015019711 and CRD42015019714.
Funding: The National Institute for Health Research Health Services and Delivery Research programme. The University of Aberdeen and the Chief Scientist Office of the Scottish Government Health and Social Care Directorates fund the Health Economics Research Unit.

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Age and Tightness of Repair Are Predictors of Heel-Rise Height After Achilles Tendon Rupture (2020)

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Type of publication:
Journal article

Author(s):
*Carmont, Michael R.; Zellers, Jennifer A.; Brorsson, Annelie; Nilsson-Helander, Katarina; Karlsson, Jón; Grävare Silbernagel, Karin

Citation:
Orthopaedic Journal of Sports Medicine; Mar 2020; vol. 8 (no. 3); p. 1-8

Abstract:
Background: Achilles tendon rupture leads to weakness of ankle plantarflexion. Treatment of Achilles tendon rupture should aim to restore function while minimizing weakness and complications of management. Purpose: To determine the influence of factors (age, sex, body mass index [BMI], weight, time from injury to operative repair, and tightness of repair) in the initial surgical management of patients after an acute Achilles tendon rupture on 12-month functional outcome assessment after percutaneous and minimally invasive repair. Study Design: Cohort study; Level of evidence, 3. Methods: From May 2012 to January 2018, patients sustaining an Achilles tendon rupture receiving operative repair were prospectively evaluated. Tightness of repair was quantified using the intraoperative Achilles tendon resting angle (ATRA). Heel-rise height index (HRHI) was used as the primary 12-month outcome variable. Secondary outcome measures included Achilles tendon total rupture score (ATRS) and Tegner score. Stepwise multiple regression was used to create a model to predict 12-month HRHI. Results: A total of 122 patients met the inclusion criteria for data analysis (mean ± SD age, 44.1 ± 10.8 years; 78% male; mean ± SD BMI, 28.1 ± 4.3 kg/m2). The elapsed time to surgery was 6.5 ± 4.0 days. At 12-month follow-up, patients had an HRHI of 82% ± 16% and performed 82% ± 17% of repetitions compared with the noninjured side. Participants had a mean ATRS of 87 ± 15 and a median Tegner score of 5 (range, 1-9), with a reduction in Tegner score of 2 from preinjury levels. The relative ATRA at 12 months was –4.8° ± 3.9°. Multiple regression identified younger age (B = ±0.006; P <.001) and greater intraoperative ATRA (B = 0.005; P =.053) as predictors of more symmetrical 12-month HRHI (R 2 = 0.19; P <.001; n = 120). Conclusion: Age was found to be the strongest predictor of outcome after Achilles tendon rupture. The most important modifiable risk factor was the tightness of repair. It is recommended that repair be performed as tight as possible to optimize heel-rise height 1 year after Achilles tendon rupture and possibly to reduce tendon elongation.

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Managing diabetes in primary care during Ramadan (2020)

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Type of publication:
Journal article

Author(s):
*Morris, David

Citation:
Practice Nursing; Apr 2020; vol. 31 (no. 4); p. 148-154

Abstract:
Individuals with diabetes may wish to fast during the holy month of Ramadan. David Morris provides an overview of the key considerations for practice nurses helping people with diabetes to manage their condition Ramadan is the holiest month of the Islamic calendar, during which healthy adult Muslims fast. Vulnerable people with diabetes can be exempted from fasting during Ramadan; however, many Muslims with diabetes feel strongly committed to observing Ramadan. The adoption of fasting together with alteration of mealtimes, sleeping arrangements and exercise, places physiological demands on the individual that are likely to be greater in those with diabetes. Health professionals involved in the care of these patients need to offer timely advice on the risks associated with fasting in those with diabetes and, where fasting is planned, support and empower these individuals.

Does perioperative use of tranexamic acid in hip fracture patients increase the risk of venous thromboembolism and reduce the need for postoperative transfusions? (2020)

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Type of publication:
Journal article

Author(s):
Geddes J.; *McConaghie G.

Citation:
Journal of Perioperative Practice; 2020 Dec;30(12):378-382

Abstract:
Perioperative tranexamic acid use is a popular choice among many surgeons for reducing surgical blood loss and its sequelae. While there is evidence in the literature that tranexamic acid use is effective in reducing blood loss in surgery for patients with hip fractures, there is less information on whether it leads to thromboembolic complications. We undertook a retrospective study in patients with hip fractures at two local hospitals to investigate if there was an increased risk of venous thromboembolism in patients who received tranexamic acid, and whether it reduced perioperative blood loss and the need for transfusion. We found that tranexamic acid used in patients undergoing hip fracture surgery reduced the drop in postoperative haemoglobin and the need for postoperative blood transfusion but was not associated with an increased risk of venous thromboembolism.

Severe anaemia complicating HIV in Malawi; Multiple co-existing aetiologies are associated with high mortality (2020)

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Type of publication:
Journal article

Author(s):
Huibers M.H.W.; van Hensbroek M.B.; Calis J.C.; Bates I.; *McKew S.; Allain T.J.; Phiri C.; Coupland S.E.; Phiri K.S.

Citation:
PLoS ONE; 2020; vol. 15 (no. 2)

Abstract:
Background Severe anaemia is a major cause of morbidity and mortality in HIV-infected adults living in resource-limited countries. Comprehensive data on the aetiology are lacking but are needed to improve outcomes. Methods HIV-infected adults with severe (haemoglobin <=70g/l) or very severe anaemia (haemoglobin <= 50 g/l) were recruited at Queen Elizabeth Central Hospital, Blantyre, Malawi. Fifteen potential causes and associations with anaemia severity and mortality were explored. Results 199 patients were enrolled: 42.2% had very severe anaemia and 45.7% were on ART. More than two potential causes for anaemia were present in 94% of the patients including iron deficiency (55.3%), underweight (BMI<20: 49.7%), TB infection (41.2%) and unsuppressed HIV infection (viral load >1000 copies/ml) (73.9%). EBV/CMV co-infection (16.5%) was associated with very severe anaemia (OR 2.8 95% CI 1.1-6.9). Overall mortality was high (53%; 100/199) with a median time to death of 17.5 days (IQR 6-55) days. Death was associated with folate deficiency (HR 2.2; 95% CI 1.2-3.8) and end stage renal disease (HR 3.2; 95% CI 1.6-6.2). Conclusion Mortality among severely anaemic HIV-infected adults is strikingly high. Clinicians should be aware of the urgent need for a multifactorial approach including starting or optimising HIV treatment, considering TB treatment, nutritional support and optimising renal management.

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Prevention of adrenal crisis: cortisol responses to major stress compared to stress dose hydrocortisone delivery (2020)

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Type of publication:
Journal article

Author(s):
Prete A.; Taylor A.E.; Bancos I.; Smith D.J.; O'Neil D.M.; Karavitaki N.; Arlt W.; Foster M.A.; Lord J.M.; Kohler S.; Fazal-Sanderson V.; Komninos J.; Wass J.A.H.; Vassiliadi D.A.; Mihai R.; *Mowatt C.J. ; Fallowfield J.L.; Annane D.; Keevil B.G.

Citation:
The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism; Volume 105, Issue 7, July 2020

Abstract:
CONTEXT: Patients with adrenal insufficiency require increased hydrocortisone cover during major stress to avoid life-threatening adrenal crisis. However, current treatment recommendations are not evidence-based. OBJECTIVE(S): To identify the most appropriate mode of hydrocortisone delivery in patients with adrenal insufficiency exposed to major stress. DESIGN AND PARTICIPANTS: Cross-sectional study: 122 unstressed healthy subjects and 288 subjects exposed to different stressors (major trauma [N=83], sepsis [N=100], and combat stress [N=105]). Longitudinal study: 22 patients with preserved adrenal function undergoing elective surgery. Pharmacokinetic study: 10 patients with primary adrenal insufficiency undergoing administration of 200mg hydrocortisone over 24 hours in four different delivery modes (continuous intravenous infusion; six-hourly oral, intramuscular or intravenous bolus administration). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: We measured total serum cortisol and cortisone, free serum cortisol and urinary glucocorticoid metabolite excretion by mass spectrometry. Linear pharmacokinetic modelling was used to determine the most appropriate mode and dose of hydrocortisone administration in patients with adrenal insufficiency exposed to major stress. RESULT(S): Serum cortisol was increased in all stress conditions, with the highest values observed in surgery and sepsis. Continuous intravenous hydrocortisone was the only administration mode persistently achieving median cortisol concentrations in the range observed during major stress. Linear pharmacokinetic modelling identified continuous intravenous infusion of 200mg hydrocortisone over 24 hours, preceded by an initial bolus of 50-100mg hydrocortisone, as best suited for maintaining cortisol concentrations in the required range. CONCLUSION(S): Continuous intravenous hydrocortisone infusion should be favored over intermittent bolus administration in the prevention and treatment of adrenal crisis during major stress.

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Total knee arthroplasty reduces knee extension torque in-vitro and patellofemoral arthroplasty does not (2020)

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Type of publication:
Journal article

Author(s):
Joseph M.N.; Stephen J.M.; Amis A.A.; *Carmont M.R.; Tailor H.

Citation:
Journal of Biomechanics; 2020 May 7;104:109739

Abstract:
Patients often have difficulty recovering knee extension strength post total knee arthroplasty (TKA), and that may reflect alteration of the mechanics including geometry and rollback kinematics, so the purpose of this work was to explore this by comparing the knee extension torque (KET) of the native knee, TKA and patellofemoral arthroplasty (PFA) in response to quadriceps tension. Eight fresh-frozen knees were mounted in a knee extension rig with quadriceps loading and tibial extension torque measurement. Each knee was subject to four conditions: native knee, PFA, cruciate-retaining (CR) and posterior-stabilized (PS) TKA. The KET was measured from 120degree to 0degree knee flexion. Data were analyzed using one-way ANOVA and post-hoc paired t-tests. The native KET was lowest in terminal extension and 70-100degree flexion, and maximal at 20-30degree flexion. PFA produced the greatest KET (p < 0.008) compared with native, CR- and PS-TKA, at 30-40degree flexion. CR- and PS-TKA had lower KET across 0-50degree flexion (p < 0.001 across 0-30degree), falling to 25% of the native knee KET or the PFA at full extension. PFA had the highest KET in early flexion possibly due to increased trochlear offset and/or preservation of the cruciate mechanism, so PFA may be more beneficial during the functional range of motion. The claimed benefits of PS- over CR-TKA in deep flexion were not detected. Both CR- and PS-TKAs led to lower KET than the native and PFA knee states across 0-50degree flexion. This mechanical effect may help to explain clinical findings of knee extension weakness post-TKA.

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