Stein J. Janssen

Allogeneic blood transfusions and postoperative infections after lumbar spine surgery

BACKGROUND CONTEXT Allogeneic blood transfusions have an immunomodulating effect, and the previous studies in other fields of medicine demonstrated an increased risk of infections after administration of allogeneic blood transfusions. PURPOSE Our primary null hypothesis is that exposure to allogeneic blood transfusion in patients undergoing lumbar spine surgery is not associated with postoperative infections after controlling for patient and treatment characteristics. Second, we assessed if there was a dose-response relationship per unit of blood transfused. STUDY DESIGN/SETTING This is a retrospective cohort study from a tertiary care spine referral center. PATIENT SAMPLE A total of 3,721 patients underwent laminectomy and/or arthrodesis of the lumbar spine. OUTCOMES MEASURES Postoperative infections, pneumonia, endocarditis, meningitis, urinary tract infection, central venous line infection, surgical site infection, and sepsis, within 90 days after lumbar spine surgery were included. METHODS Multivariable logistic regression analyses were used to assess the relationship of perioperative allogeneic blood transfusion with specific and overall postoperative infections accounting for age, duration of surgery, duration of hospital stay, comorbidity status, preoperative hemoglobin, sex, type of operation, multilevel treatment, operative approach, and year of surgery. RESULTS The adjusted odds ratio for exposure to allogeneic blood transfusion from multivariable logistic regression analysis was 2.6 for any postoperative infection (95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.7-3.9, p<.001); 2.2 for urinary tract infections (95% CI: 1.3-3.9, p=.004); 2.3 for pneumonia (95% CI: 0.96-5.3, p=.062); and 2.6 for surgical site infection requiring incision and drainage (95% CI: 1.3-5.3, p=.007). Secondary analyses demonstrated no dose-response relationship between the number of blood units transfused and any of the postoperative infections. Because of the low number of endocarditis (1 case, 0.031%), meningitis (1 case, 0.031%), central venous line infection (1 case, 0.031%), and sepsis (14 cases, 0.43%), we abstained from multivariable analysis. CONCLUSIONS Conscious of the limitations of this retrospective study, our data suggest an increased risk of surgical site infection, urinary tract infection, and overall postoperative infections, but not pneumonia, after exposure to allogeneic blood transfusion in patients undergoing lumbar spine surgery. These findings should be taken into account when considering blood transfusion and developing transfusion policies for patients undergoing lumbar spine procedures.

2015 Marshall Urist Young Investigator Award: Prognostication in Patients With Long Bone Metastases: Does a Boosting Algorithm Improve Survival Estimates?

BackgroundSurvival estimation guides surgical decision-making in metastatic bone disease. Traditionally, classic scoring systems, such as the Bauer score, provide survival estimates based on a summary score of prognostic factors. Identification of new factors might improve the accuracy of these models. Additionally, the use of different algorithms—nomograms or boosting algorithms—could further improve accuracy of prognostication relative to classic scoring systems. A nomogram is an extension of a classic scoring system and generates a more-individualized survival probability based on a patient’s set of characteristics using a figure. Boosting is a method that automatically trains to classify outcomes by applying classifiers (variables) in a sequential way and subsequently combines them. A boosting algorithm provides survival probabilities based on every possible combination of variables.Questions/purposesWe wished to (1) assess factors independently associated with decreased survival in patients with metastatic long bone fractures and (2) compare the accuracy of a classic scoring system, nomogram, and boosting algorithms in predicting 30-, 90-, and 365-day survival.MethodsWe included all 927 patients in our retrospective study who underwent surgery for a metastatic long bone fracture at two institutions between January 1999 and December 2013. We included only the first procedure if patients underwent multiple surgical procedures or had more than one fracture. Median followup was 8 months (interquartile range, 3-25 months); 369 of 412 (90%) patients who where alive at 1 year were still in followup. Multivariable Cox regression analysis was used to identify clinical and laboratory factors independently associated with decreased survival. We created a classic scoring system, nomogram, and boosting algorithms based on identified variables. Accuracy of the algorithms was assessed using area under the curve analysis through fivefold cross validation.ResultsThe following factors were associated with a decreased likelihood of survival after surgical treatment of a metastatic long bone fracture, after controlling for relevant confounding variables: older age (hazard ratio [HR], 1.0; 95% CI, 1.0–1.0; p < 0.001), additional comorbidity (HR, 1.2; 95% CI, 1.0–1.4; p = 0.034), BMI less than 18.5 kg/m2 (HR, 2.0; 95% CI, 1.2–3.5; p = 0.011), tumor type with poor prognosis (HR, 1.8; 95% CI, 1.6–2.2; p < 0.001), multiple bone metastases (HR, 1.3; 95% CI, 1.1–1.6; p = 0.008), visceral metastases (HR, 1.6; 95% CI, 1.4–1.9; p < 0.001), and lower hemoglobin level (HR, 0.91; 95% CI, 0.87–0.96; p < 0.001). The survival estimates by the nomogram were moderately accurate for predicting 30-day (area under the curve [AUC], 0.72), 90-day (AUC, 0.75), and 365-day (AUC, 0.73) survival and remained stable after correcting for optimism through fivefold cross validation. Boosting algorithms were better predictors of survival on the training datasets, but decreased to a performance level comparable to the nomogram when applied on testing datasets for 30-day (AUC, 0.69), 90-day (AUC, 0.75), and 365-day (AUC, 0.72) survival prediction. Performance of the classic scoring system was lowest for all prediction periods.ConclusionsComorbidity status and BMI are newly identified factors associated with decreased survival and should be taken into account when estimating survival. Performance of the boosting algorithms and nomogram were comparable on the testing datasets. However, the nomogram is easier to apply and therefore more useful to aid surgical decision making in clinical practice.Level of EvidenceLevel III, prognostic study.

What Is the Most Useful Questionnaire for Measurement of Coping Strategies in Response to Nociception

BackgroundThere are several measures of coping strategies in response to nociception. These measures all correlate highly both with each other and with symptom intensity and magnitude of disability in patients with upper limb illness. This study aims to determine if distinct measures of coping strategies in response to nociception address the same underlying aspect of human illness behavior.Questions/purposesOur primary study question was: is there one common aspect of human illness behavior measured by (1) the Pain Catastrophizing Scale (PCS); (2) the Psychological Inflexibility in Pain Scale (PIPS); (3) the Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System-Pain Interference (PROMIS-PI) Computer Adaptive Test (CAT); and (4) the Pain Self-Efficacy Questionnaire (PSEQ)? Secondarily, we aimed to determine which of the four questionnaires is most psychometrically sound. We measured correlations among questionnaires, coverage, reliability, completion time, and collinearity of these questionnaires when entered together in a multivariable model with the shortened version of the Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand (QuickDASH) upper extremity disability questionnaire.MethodsIn this prospective study, 138 consecutive new or followup English-speaking patients aged 18 years or older presenting to a tertiary care referral center with traumatic and nontraumatic upper extremity conditions were invited to participate between March and May 2014. One hundred thirty-four (97%) patients agreed to participate and completed the four questionnaires in random order before their visit with the physician. We used exploratory factor analysis to assess whether there was a single common trait–an underlying aspect of human illness behavior–measured by these questionnaires. Interquestionnaire correlation was assessed using Spearman rank correlation coefficients; coverage by assessing floor and ceiling effect (proportion of scores at lower and upper limit); reliability by Cronbach’s alpha measure of internal consistency; completion time in seconds using Kruskal-Wallis analysis; and collinearity statistics through a regression model with QuickDASH.ResultsExploratory factor analysis identified a common trait measured by these four measures–coping strategies in response to nociception–indicated by a substantial correlation of every individual questionnaire with the underlying trait (PCS: 0.74, PIPS: 0.84, PROMIS-PI: 0.83, PSEQ: −0.86). All interquestionnaire correlations were also large to substantial and were highest for PROMIS-PI with PSEQ (rho = −0.84, p < 0.001) and lowest for PROMIS-PI with PCS (rho = 0.67, p < 0.001). Internal consistencies were high (PCS: 0.93, PIPS: 0.88, PSEQ: 0.92, and not determined for the PROMIS-PI as a result of its CAT administration). PROMIS-PI was the quickest to complete (30 seconds [interquartile range, 24–44]) compared with the others (PCS: 91 seconds [66–122], p < 0.001; PIPS: 105 seconds [82–141], p < 0.001; PSEQ: 78 seconds [60–101], p < 0.001). The four coping questionnaires had a low partial r2 and a relatively high variation inflation factor, indicating multicollinearity. PROMIS-PI was found to have the strongest correlation with QuickDASH (β coefficient: 0.63; standard error: 0.10; p < 0.001).ConclusionsThere is evidence that the four widely used measures of coping strategies in response to nociception address a single common aspect of human illness behavior, which negatively impacts upper extremity disability. Future studies assessing functional outcome should incorporate a measure of human illness behavior as it strongly relates to disability.Clinical RelevanceGiven that all of these measures address the same important aspect of human illness behavior, we recommend the PROMIS-PI CAT as the most efficient measure.

An epidemic of the use, misuse and overdose of opioids and deaths due to overdose, in the United States and Canada: is Europe next?

The United States and Canada are in the midst of an epidemic of the use, misuse and overdose of opioids, and deaths related to overdose. This is the direct result of overstatement of the benefits and understatement of the risks of using opioids by advocates and pharmaceutical companies. Massive amounts of prescription opioids entered the community and were often diverted and misused. Most other parts of the world achieve comparable pain relief using fewer opioids. The misconceptions about opioids that created this epidemic are finding their way around the world. There is particular evidence of the increased prescription of strong opioids in Europe. Opioids are addictive and dangerous. Evidence is mounting that the best pain relief is obtained through resilience. Opioids are often prescribed when treatments to increase resilience would be more effective. Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2017;99-B:856-64.

Validation of the Spine Oncology Study Group-Outcomes Questionnaire to assess quality of life in patients with metastatic spine disease.

BACKGROUND CONTEXT General questionnaires are often used to assess quality of life in patients with spine metastases, although a disease-specific survey did not exist until recently. The Spine Oncology Study Group has developed an outcomes questionnaire (SOSG-OQ) to measure quality of life in these patients. However, a scoring system was not developed, and the questionnaire was not validated in a group of patients, nor was it compared with other general quality of life questionnaires such as the EuroQol 5 Dimensions (EQ-5D) questionnaire. PURPOSE Our primary null hypothesis is that there is no association between the SOSG-OQ and EQ-5D. Our secondary null hypothesis is that there is no difference in coverage and internal consistency between the SOSG-OQ and EQ-5D. We also assess coverage, consistency, and validity of the domains within the SOSG-OQ. STUDY DESIGN/SETTING A survey study from a tertiary care spine referral center was used for this study. PATIENT SAMPLE The patient sample consisted of 82 patients with spine metastases, myeloma, or lymphoma. OUTCOME MEASURES The SOSG-OQ (27 questions, 6 domains) score ranges from 0 to 80, with a higher score indicating worse quality of life. The EQ-5D (5 questions, 5 domains) index score ranges from 0 to 1, with a higher score indicating better quality of life. METHODS The association between the SOSG-OQ and EQ-5D index score was assessed using the Spearman rank correlation. Instrument coverage and precision were assessed by determining item completion rate, median score with range, and floor and ceiling effect. Internal consistency was assessed using Cronbach alpha. Multitrait analysis and exploratory factor analysis were used to analyze properties of the individual domains in the SOSG-OQ. RESULTS The Spearman rank correlation between the SOSG-OQ and EQ-5D questionnaire was high (r=-0.83, p<.001). Internal consistency of the SOSG-OQ (0.92, 95% CI: 0.89-0.94) was higher as compared to the internal consistency of the EQ-5D (0.73, 95% CI: 0.63-0.84; p<.001). The SOSG-OQ score had no floor or ceiling effect indicating good coverage (median 30, range 3-64), whereas the EQ-5D had a ceiling effect of 10% (median 0.71, range 0.05-1). CONCLUSIONS In conclusion, our study proposes a scoring methodology-after reversing four inversely scored items-for the SOSG-OQ and shows that the questionnaire is a valid tool for the assessment of quality of life in patients with metastatic spine disease. The SOSG-OQ is superior to the EQ-5D in terms of coverage and internal consistency but consists of more questions.

Sacral Insufficiency Fractures are Common After High-dose Radiation for Sacral Chordomas Treated With or Without Surgery

BackgroundSurgery with high-dose radiation and high-dose radiation alone for sacral chordomas have shown promising local control rates. However, we have noted frequent sacral insufficiency fractures and perceived this rate to be higher than previously reported.Questions/purposesWe wished (1) to characterize the incidence of sacral insufficiency fractures in patients with chordomas of the sacrum who received high-dose radiation, and (2) to determine whether patients treated with surgery plus high-dose radiation or high-dose radiation alone are more likely to experience a sacral fracture, and to compare time to fracture in these groups.MethodsSixty-two patients who received high-dose radiation for sacral chordomas with (n = 44) or without surgical resection (n = 18) between 1992 and 2013 were included in this retrospective study. At our institution, sacral chordomas generally are treated by preoperative radiotherapy, followed by en bloc resection, and postoperative radiotherapy. Radiation alone, with an intent to cure, is offered to patients who otherwise are not good surgical candidates or patients who elect radiotherapy based on tumor location and the anticipated morbidity after surgery (such as sexual, bowel, or bladder dysfunction). MRI and CT scans were evaluated for evidence of sacral insufficiency fractures. Complete followup was available at a minimum of 2 years (or until fracture or death) for all 18 patients who underwent radiation alone, whereas 14% (six of 44 patients) in the surgery plus radiation group (9% [three of 33] after high sacrectomy and 27% [three of 11] after low sacrectomy) were lost to followup before 2 years.ResultsSacral insufficiency fractures occurred in 29 of the 62 patients (47%). A total of 25 of 33 patients (76%) with high sacrectomy had fractures develop compared with zero of 11 (0%) after low sacrectomy, and four of the 18 patients (22%) who had high-dose radiation alone (p < 0.001). The fracture rate was greater in the high sacrectomy group than in the low sacrectomy group (p < 0.001) and the radiation only group (p < 0.001). There was no difference with the numbers evaluated in fracture probability between patients in the low-sacrectomy group and those treated with radiation alone (p = 0.112). The fracture-free survival probability was 0.99 for the low sacrectomy group at all times as there were no insufficiency fractures in this group; the 1-year fracture-free survival probability was 0.53 (95% CI, 0.35–0.69) after high sacrectomy, 0.83 (95% CI, 0.57–0.94) after radiation alone; the 2-year fracture-free survival probability was 0.36 (95% CI, 0.19–0.52) after high sacrectomy and 0.77 (95% CI, 0.50–0.91) after radiation alone; and the 5-year fracture-free survival probability was 0.14 (95% CI, 0.04–0.30) after high sacrectomy and 0.77 (95% CI, 0.50–0.91) after radiation alone.ConclusionsAcknowledging the limitations of potential differences in baseline and followup among treatment groups in our study, we found that almost ½ of our patients experienced an insufficiency fracture. We found that the fracture rate was greater in the surgery group compared with the radiation alone group and that high sacrectomy accounted for all fractures in the surgery group. These findings can be used to inform patients and also support the need for further research to elucidate the influence of high-dose radiation on bone quality.Level of EvidenceLevel III, therapeutic study.

Electronic health record-based triggers to detect adverse events after outpatient orthopaedic surgery

Background Adverse events (AEs) after outpatient orthopaedic surgery are common, but difficult to detect. Electronic health records facilitate abstraction of large quantities of data, and may allow automated identification of ‘triggers’ or clues indicating the possibility of an AE. We evaluated electronic health record-based triggers to detect AEs after outpatient orthopaedic surgery. Methods The medical records of 1464 patients undergoing outpatient surgical procedures in one of five orthopaedic services at our institution were manually reviewed for the occurrence of 90-day postoperative AEs. We used electronic health records to identify triggers suggestive of an AE. Each trigger was evaluated for positive predictive value (PPV). We constructed a logistic regression model to determine triggers associated with AEs and used the beta coefficients derived from the model to produce a formula for the likelihood of identifying an AE in the medical record. Results The overall rate of 90-day AEs was 10%, with surgical site infection being the most common (3.3%). Electronic triggers with the highest PPVs for the occurrence of 90-day AEs were antibiotic prescription (75%), emergency department visit (41%), bone/joint or blood culture (41%), repeat surgery (39%) and consult with infectious disease specialist (33%). Using our formula to predict the likelihood of identifying an AE in the medical record, a predicted probability of >0.10 had a specificity of 80% and sensitivity of 53% for actual AE. Conclusions Electronic health record-based triggers may facilitate quality-improvement efforts to monitor morbidity after outpatient orthopaedic surgery. Further research is needed to understand the optimal use of electronic triggers as surgical quality indicators and as screening tools to flag cases for manual review. Level of evidence Level III, prognostic study.

Are allogeneic blood transfusions associated with decreased survival after surgical treatment for spinal metastases

BACKGROUND CONTEXT Perioperative allogeneic blood transfusions have been associated with decreased survival after surgical resection of primary and metastatic cancer. Studies investigating this association for patients undergoing resection of bone metastases are scarce and controversial. PURPOSE We assessed (1) whether exposure to perioperative allogeneic blood transfusions was associated with decreased survival after surgery for spinal metastases and (2) if there was a dose-response relationship per unit of blood transfused. Additionally, we explored the risk factors associated with survival after surgery for spinal metastases. STUDY DESIGN/SETTING This is a retrospective cohort study from two university medical centers. PATIENT SAMPLE There were 649 patients who had operative treatment for metastatic disease of the spine between 2002 and 2014. Patients with lymphoma or multiple myeloma were also included. We excluded patients with a revision procedure, kyphoplasty, vertebroplasty, and radiosurgery alone. OUTCOME MEASURES The outcome measure was survival after surgery. The date of death was obtained from the Social Security Death Index and medical charts. METHODS Blood transfusions within 7 days before and 7 days after surgery were considered perioperative. A multivariate Cox proportional hazard model was used to assess the relationship between allogeneic blood transfusion as exposure versus non-exposure, and subsequently as continuous value; we accounted for clinical, laboratory, and treatment factors. RESULTS Four hundred fifty-three (70%) patients received perioperative blood transfusions, and the median number of units transfused was 3 (interquartile range: 2-6). Exposure to perioperative blood transfusion was not associated with decreased survival after accounting for all explanatory variables (hazard ratio [HR]: 1.03; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.80-1.31; p=.841). Neither did we find a dose-response relationship (HR: 1.01; 95% CI: 0.98-1.04; p=.420). Other factors associated with worse survival were older age, more severe comorbidity status, lower preoperativehemoglobin level, higher white blood cell count, higher calcium level, primary tumor type, previous systemic therapy, poor performance status, presence of lung, liver, or brain metastasis, and surgical approach. CONCLUSIONS Perioperative allogeneic blood transfusions were not associated with decreased survival after surgery for spinal metastases. More liberal transfusion policies might be warranted for patients undergoing surgery for spinal metastasis, although careful consideration is needed as other complications may occur.

Metastasectomy, intralesional resection, or stabilization only in the treatment of bone metastases from renal cell carcinoma

The mainstay of treatment for bone metastases from renal cell carcinoma is surgery. We assessed if there was a difference in local recurrence, reoperation, and survival between patients who underwent metastasectomy, intralesional curettage, or stabilization only for renal cell carcinoma metastasis to the appendicular skeleton, and if there was a difference in these outcomes based on margin status.

Complications After Surgical Management of Proximal Femoral Metastasis: A Retrospective Study of 417 Patients.

Background: Proximal femoral fractures resulting from metastatic disease often require surgical management. Few studies have compared surgical techniques, and physicians’ preferred strategies vary. This study compared revision and complication rates among surgical strategies.Methods: The study consisted of a retrospective review of electronic medical records of 417 consecutive patients with proximal femoral metastasis or multiple myeloma who underwent intramedullary nailing (n = 302), endoprosthetic reconstruction (n = 70), and open reduction and internal fixation (n = 45) between 1999 and 2014 at two orthopaedic oncology centers. Primary outcome measures were revisions and 30-day systemic complications. Secondary outcome measures were total estimated blood loss, anesthesia time, duration of hospital admission, and 30-day survival.Results: Revision rates did not differ between strategies (5.3% after intramedullary nailing, 11% after endoprosthetic reconstruction, and 13% after open reduction and internal fixation; P = 0.134). When reasons for revision were assessed separately, fixation failure was most common after open reduction and internal fixation (13% versus 3.0% after intramedullary nailing and none after endoprosthetic reconstruction; P < 0.001), whereas deep infection was most common after endoprosthetic reconstruction (8.6% versus 2.0% after intramedullary nailing and none after open reduction and internal fixation; P = 0.010). Overall systemic complication rates did not differ between strategies (8.3% after intramedullary nailing, 14% after endoprosthetic reconstruction, and 11% after open reduction and internal fixation; P = 0.268).Conclusion: Implant-specific complications and their timing should be considered in the choice of surgical strategy. Analysis of secondary outcomes and risk factors for systemic complications could aid in surgical decision making.Level of Evidence: Therapeutic Level III.