bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Elucidation of qualitative patient-reported outcome (PRO) data using latent dirichlet allocation (LDA) in patients (pts) undergoing radical cystectomy.
Authors: Atkinson Thomas Michael , Rapkin Bruce D. , Schofield Elizabeth , Bochner Bernard H. , Li Yuelin 
Published: May 2019

e18245 Background: As PROs become commonplace in clinical trials and routine care, we must identify efficient analytic methods to better understand and ultimately integrate this information into clinical decision-making. While PROs are often captured via qualitative methods to provide context and pt voice to traditional objective and/or quantitative assessments, the current analytic standard is resource intensive and impractical for timely delivery of this information to clinicians and trialists. To address this problem, we propose the use of LDA, a natural language processing technique that automates the distillation of vast amounts of free-text data into underlying topics. Methods: As part of a prospective longitudinal trial of pts ( N = 200; M age = 63.8; 20% female; 46%) undergoing radical cystectomy (52% stage T2-T4) and urinary diversion (49% continent) for bladder cancer (ClinicalTrials.gov identifier NCT00745355), pts completed 30 minute interviews at baseline and 6-months post-surgery where they were asked to characterize their quality of life with respect to goals or milestones they would like to reach, problems they would like to solve, situations they would like to prevent, things they would like to remain the same, and commitments they would be willing to let go. LDA was used to extract latent topics and themes, stratified by time. Results: LDA extracted 7 latent topics and showed shifting patient priorities. At baseline, pt primary concerns were related to surgery and recovery. Six months post-surgery, pt goals transitioned toward themes related to concerns about cancer recurrence, regaining a sense of normalcy, return to work, enjoyment of life and increased appreciation of friends and family. Conclusions: LDA was used as an automated tool to illustrate a shift in pt goals and concerns as they transition into survivorship. This novel data analytic technique offers the possibility of significantly reducing the resources required to summarize qualitative PRO data. As such, this information may now be more readily available for immediate inclusion in the decision-making process as part of routine care and clinical trials. Clinical trial information: NCT00745355.
Utilization and outcomes of high-dose chemotherapy and stem-cell rescue in patient with testicular cancer from 2005 to 2014 in United States.
Authors: Desai Aakash , Desai Devashish , Khandwala Pushti , Giri Smith , Appleman Leonard Joseph , Parikh Rahul Atul , Mehta Kathan 
Published: May 2019

e18246 Background: Testicular tumors are potentially curable by means of high-dose chemotherapy plus hematopoietic stem-cell rescue. This regimen is commonly used as salvage therapy, third-line or later therapy in patients with platinum-refractory disease. The utilization and real-world outcomes and complications of patients with testicular cancer undergoing autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplant (aHSCT) in United States are unknown. Methods: We queried National Inpatient Sample, a large inpatient data set in the United States, from 2005 to 2014 for male patients with testicular cancer or multiple myeloma (control group) receiving aHSCT and compared outcomes between these groups. The primary outcome was in-hospital mortality rate, and the secondary outcomes included in-hospital complications of aHSCT, length of stay and total charges. Outcomes were assessed by means of univariate analysis, multivariate regression and propensity score matched-pair analysis. Results: A total of 391 patients (weighted N = 1,909) with testicular cancer and 4,809 male patients (weighted N = 23,501) with multiple myeloma who underwent aHSCT from 2005 to 2014 were identified. Mean age of patients with testicular cancer was 32.3 years vs 59 years for multiple myeloma patients (p < 0.001) There were no differences in in-hospital mortality rates (1.5% vs 1.4%, p = 0.85) or rates of intubation (2.3% vs 1.6%, p = 0.36), sepsis (7.7% vs 7.5%, p = 0.94), bacteremia (13.5% vs 15.6%, p = 0.42), or stomatitis (43.8% vs 38.8%, p = 0.87) between patients with testicular cancer and multiple myeloma receiving autologous HSCT. However, utilization of total parenteral nutrition was higher in patients with testicular cancer (12.9% vs 4.7%, p < 0.001). There was no difference in length of stay (17.5 vs 17.5 days, p = 0.77) and total charges (121,120$ vs 123,729$, p = 0.74) between two groups. The results were consistent in multivariate and propensity score matched-pair analysis. Conclusions: The in-hospital outcomes of patients with testicular cancer receiving aHSCT appears to be similar to patients with multiple myeloma. However, overall utilization of aHSCT for testicular cancer appears to be low in United States.
Immune-related adverse events in melanoma: A nationwide analysis 2016.
Authors: Rai Manoj P. , Bedi Prabhjot Singh , Vishwanth Rohanlal , Rous Fawzi Abu , Shrotriya Shiva , Dhakal Prajwal 
Published: May 2019

e18253 Background: Melanoma is an aggressive skin cancer. Immunotherapy is currently used as a first-line treatment for unresectable metastatic disease. Combination immunotherapy has been shown to improve overall response rate (ORR), progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) compared to single-agent immunotherapy. However, immunotherapy related adverse events (irAE's) are being increasingly seen. This study analyses the incidence of irAE's and the variation in the length of stay, and mortality. Methods: This is a retrospective cohort analysis of the 2016 NIS database. We identified hospitalizations with either primary or secondary diagnosis of Melanoma. Logistic regression of irAE's such as pneumonitis, colitis, hypophysitis, adrenal insufficiency, encephalitis, myocarditis was performed. We evaluated the association between irAE's and various parameters. Results: We identified 13170 hospitalizations with primary or secondary diagnosis of melanoma. Univariate logistic regression showed pneumonitis (OR: 1.39; p value: < 0.01), hypophysitis (OR: 20.61; p value < 001), adrenal insufficiency (OR: 10.36, p value = < 0.01), colitis (OR 23.94, p value < 001), myocarditis (OR: 1; p value was n/a), encephalitis (OR 1.71; p value was 0.5). Univariate logistic regression for LOS showed colitis (OR 1.23; p value: 0.01), adrenal insufficiency (OR 0.20; p value: 0.748), hypophysitis (OR -2.50; p value: 0), myocarditis no admissions, encephalitis (OR -2.15; p value 0.01). Univariate logistic regression for mortality showed pneumonitis (OR 6.07; p value: < 0.01), colitis (OR 0.86 p value: 0.721), adrenal insufficiency (OR 1; p value: 0.996). Conclusions: The above results suggest that the incidence of colitis is the highest among irAE’s in melanoma patients likely due to immunotherapy. Hypophysitis is the next most common side effect, it’s followed by adrenal insufficiency which can be life-threatening. A high index of suspicion and anticipation of the above complications can lead to their timely detection and treatment.
HIV associated cancers.
Authors: Bedi Prabhjot Singh , Rai Manoj P. , Rous Fawzi Abu , Vishwanth Rohanlal , Basnet Nishraj , Abro Calvin , Enofe Ikponmwosa , Kavuturu Shilpa , Rayamajhi Supratik 
Published: May 2019

e18254 Background: The incidence or the prevalence of AIDS-defining cancers has reduced drastically (70% or more in the United States) since the introduction of three-drug antiretroviral therapy (ART) in the mid-1990s. However, the data from the inpatient sample is lacking. Methods: This is a retrospective analysis using data from the 2014 National Inpatient Sample database. We identified patients with either primary or secondary diagnosis of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Then we identified patients with various cancers including AIDS-defining cancers. Afterward, we ran logistic regression to check the degree of association between the diagnosis of each cancer with the diagnosis of HIV during the identified hospitalizations. We also assessed the prevalence of each of the cancer among the identified HIV patients, as well as the mortality in this cohort. Results: A total of 115955 hospitalizations with a diagnosis of HIV were identified. Among them, there were 6985 hospitalizations with Non-Hodgkin lymphoma, 2230 with rectal and anal cancer, 1170 with Kaposi sarcoma, 870 with head and neck cancer, 865 with skin cancer, 840 with cervical cancer. Logistic regression showed odds ratio (OR) of 1632.857 (95% CI 1168 - 2284, p < 0.01) for Kaposi sarcoma, 9.13 (95% CI 5.7-14.5, p-value < 0.01) for other male cancer, 8.34 (95% CI 7.68-9.06; p-value < 0.01) for Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, 6.65 (95% CI was 5.5-8, p-value < 0.01) for Hodgkin's lymphoma, 5.04 (95% CI 4.5-5.6 p < 0.01) for rectal and anal cancer, 2.33 (95% CI 1.9-2.8, p < 0.01) for cervical cancer. Mortality was statistically significant with liver cancer, lung cancer, brain cancer, Hodgkin lymphoma, and Kaposi sarcoma. Conclusions: The prevalence of Kaposi sarcoma, Non-Hodgkin lymphoma, and cervical cancer are found to be high among hospitalized patients with HIV most likely because of nonadherence to their HIV medications. Future studies to check their correlation of these cancers with disease control is required. It is interesting to note that the prevalence of rectal and anal cancer, head and neck cancer, and skin cancer is high in this cohort.
Lung cancer in African-Americans and analysis of estrogen plus progestin use.
Authors: Amanam Idoroenyi Usua , Chlebowski Rowan T. , Nelson Rebecca A. , Salgia Ravi 
Published: May 2019

e18258 Background: The 15-year Women’s Health Initiative (WHI) sponsored by the NIH has provided a robust dataset on health risks for post-menopausal black women (BW), including the impact of hormone therapy (HRT) on cancer risk. Women enrolled in the WHI randomized, placebo-controlled trial and taking HRT demonstrated no increase in lung cancer incidence, but a statistically significant increase in mortality. However, effects of estrogen plus progestin on non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) incidence and outcomes has not been extensively examined, especially in African Ancestry (AA) and smoking history. Methods: Study participants were identified who met WHI clinical trial entry criteria. Cox regression models and Kaplan-Meier method plots were utilized. Analyses adjusted for age, BMI, education, smoking status, alcohol use, health status, and physical activity. A secondary analysis was performed on BW based on AA via Affymetrix Human SNP Array. Results: 161, 808 pts were enrolled from October 1993 to December 1998 (after exclusions total analytic cohort = 142,503). 128,682 (90%) were white (WW) and 13,821 (10%) were BW. BW had lower incidence of NSCLC compared to WW (HR 0.68; P < .0001). HRT participants had a 55% increase in incidence of NSCLC (p < .0001). Former alcohol users had highest risk of NSCLC incidence (HR 2.72; p < 0.0001). Age groups (55-59 years; 60-69 years; 70-79 years) were significantly less associated with BW compared to the youngest(50-54 years; P < .0001). HRT participants were more likely BW (OR 1.17; p < .0001). More current smokers were BW compared to WW (OR 1.75; p < .0001). HRT participants had increased risk of death to NSCLC (HR 1.29; p < .001). There was a trend for survival (p = 0.3667) in WW participants compared to BW (32 vs 28.0 months, respectively). BW who had > 80% AA had a decreased incidence NSCLC trend compared to BW with < 80% AA (HR 0.81; p = 0.2806). Conclusions: BW, especially those with high levels of AA had decreased incidence of NSCLC. Those patients who received HRT had higher incidence and death from NSCLC. Further investigations are required to understand the mechanisms that AA and HRT alter risks associated with NSCLC.
Improving quality care through it/analytics for team-based care interventions.
Authors: Rodgers Georgina T. , Lindberg Jacob 
Published: May 2019

e18263 Background: Team based care is essential to achieve coordinated, high-quality care. We recognized a responsibility to identify new treatment patients to provided targeted, team based interventions. Previous attempts at identifying new patients were difficult, manual, and delayed. Our aim was to provide personnel with the appropriate means to identify new patients for services such as patient education, financial navigation, social work assessments and outreach calls for care coordination. As a result of multiple barriers and challenges, only 51% of our new patients were being identified. This project fit well in the larger context of the transformation of health care delivery through our participation in the Oncology Care Model, which places an emphasis on team based care. Methods: We used the Plan-Do-Study-Act continuous improvement model to develop an automated data set to identify new treatment patients across the oncology service line and leveraged our Information Technology (IT) Analytics team. A report was established based utilizing logic to identify the first appointment scheduled within the department and a secondary tab to look back at new patients within a three week time frame. Information is housed within a business intelligence software system that is easy for end users to see and understand. The initial report was validated for accuracy at an identification rate of 93% and the 3 week “look back” report gives the ability to identify the remaining patients. Results: We have seen marked improvements metrics as a result of the utilization of this report. Our Financial Navigators have been able to sustain out of pocket estimate calls at > 94% YTD 2018. Social Work initial patient assessments have sustained at 79% for the last 6 months, and we have seen nearly 400 documented oncology patient education encounters each month. Identification of these patients allows us to target patient education, outreach, and psychosocial assessments at initiation of therapy. Care Coordinators are able to establish patient lists to track eligibility for survivorship at the appropriate time points. Conclusions: This project demonstrates the value of using IT/Data Analytics for continuous quality improvement projects related to patient centered team based care. The cross collaboration of stakeholders in data analysis should be explored as a mechanism to transform care through key services and interventions.
Assessment of contraception and fertility knowledge among female oncology patients of child bearing age and their providers.
Authors: Betman Samantha , Madrigal Jessica M , Stempinski-Metoyer Kelly , Rao Ruta D. , Patel Ashlesha 
Published: May 2019

e18270 Background: Understanding the implications for future fertility is a growing concern among young women diagnosed with cancer. Women are less likely than men to receive information regarding fertility preservation and possible infertility following cancer treatment. Our goal was to examine knowledge of contraception and cancer-related changes in fertility among women of childbearing age treated at John H. Stroger, Jr. Hospital of Cook County and to assess whether or not medical providers prioritized having these conversations with female patients. Methods: We interviewed 20 female oncology patients, and 14 completed an additional 12 question true/false question fertility knowledge survey. We administered a survey to providers in the Medical Oncology department to assess how they prioritize talking about contraception and fertility preservation with their female patients of childbearing age. Providers rated ten items using a five-item Likert scale ranging from strongly disagree to strongly agree. Data was summarized as frequencies and percentages. Results: Among the 20 patients interviewed, six (30%) were under age 35 and 14 (70%) had an income of under $30,000. Of these, only 50% had tried a tier 1 long acting reversible contraceptive method and 43% had tried a tier 2 method. Fertility knowledge scores ranged from 0 to 8, out of 12 (Table). The median score was 2 (IQR 3). Among the 17 oncology providers surveyed, only 24% (n = 4) agreed that they were confident educating their patients about fertility preservation, and only 35% (n = 6) prioritized talking to their female patients of reproductive age about different methods of contraception. Conclusions: Health disparities in cancer care are well-known. Low-income women who seek cancer care at a safety-net institution may have limited knowledge on contraception and fertility. A better understanding of how oncology providers can prioritize these topics when talking to patients about their cancer diagnosis is needed. [Table: see text]
Patients’ understanding and adherence to oral anti-cancer medication (OAM): Results of an institutional pilot study.
Authors: Rodday Angie Mae , Hackenyos Douglas W , Masood Raisa , Savidge Nicole , Lin Mingqian , Mao Daqin , Wang Feng Qing , Murphy-Banks Rachel , Weidner Ruth Ann , Buchsbaum Rachel J. , Erban John Kalil , Parsons Susan K. 
Published: May 2019

e18280 Background: Advancements in biopharmaceuticals have led to increasing availability and use of OAM. While oral medications allow patients (pts) to receive treatment at home, OAM use introduces new challenges related to prescription filling, monitoring for and reporting of side effects, safe medication handling, and adherence. We assessed understanding of and adherence to OAM in pts vulnerable to these home-based challenges. Methods: This 2018 pilot study defined vulnerable pts based on spoken language (Chinese), older age (≥65 yrs), and public insurance ( < 65 yrs). All pts had a cancer diagnosis, had been taking an OAM, and received prescriptions through the hospital’s specialty pharmacy. Prior to a clinic visit, pts completed patient-reported measures about OAM taking and handling. Clinical characteristics were extracted from medical records; medication information was extracted from pharmacy records. The study team’s specialty pharmacist (DH) classified patient-reported responses about OAM taking (days per week, times per day, special instructions) and handing (handling, storage, disposal) as adequate or inadequate. OAM regimens were classified by complexity based on number of drugs and schedule. Results: Of 61 eligible pts, 55 participated (90%). Mean age was 68 yrs (SD 12) and 53% were female. Pt subgroups were: 27% Chinese, 64% ≥65 yrs, and 9% < 65 yrs with public insurance. 33% had solid tumor and 67% had hematologic malignancy; tyrosine kinase inhibitor was the most OAM type (42%). 49% of pts were on front-line therapy and overall median time on OAM was 1 year (Q1 0.4, Q3 1.7). Adequacy of OAM taking (30%) and handling (15%) were low; only 15% had adequacy in both. Pt subgroup and regimen complexity did not vary by adequacy of OAM taking or handling. Patient-reported adherence was high 5.4 (SD 1) (possible range 1-6) and did not vary by adequacy of OAM taking or handling. Conclusions: Understanding of how OAM should be taken and handled in a group of vulnerable pts was strikingly low and did not align with pts’ self-reports of adherence. Future interventions are needed to ensure that pts understand how to safely take and handle OAM, thereby optimizing their therapeutic potential.
Quality of end-of-life care for veterans with metastatic cancer and advanced chronic kidney disease.
Authors: Grant Shakira Jeanene , Richards Claire A , Burwick Nicholas , Hebert Paul L , O'Hare Ann A 
Published: May 2019

e18281 Background: Patients with cancer receive less aggressive interventions and higher quality end-of-life care than those with advanced chronic kidney disease (ACKD). However, the relationship between ACKD and cancer and patterns and quality of end-of-life care is poorly understood. Methods: Among a retrospective cohort of all patients with ACKD (estimated glomerular filtration rate < 20 mL/min/1.73m2) who died in Veterans Affairs facilities between 2009-2015 ( N = 9993), we compared dialysis treatment patterns, end-of-life care and family rated quality of care among those who did and did not have a diagnosis of metastatic cancer during the year before death. Data sources included Veterans Affairs clinical and administrative data, Medicare claims, and the United States Renal Data System registry. Family ratings of end-of-life care were based on responses to the Bereaved Family Survey (BFS). We fit logistic regression models and converted the coefficients to predicted probabilities Results: Overall, 1,237(12.4%) patients had a diagnostic code for metastatic cancer during the year before death. These patients were less likely than other patients to have been treated with dialysis before death. In analyses adjusted for patient characteristics and dialysis receipt, patients with metastatic cancer were less likely than other patients to receive intensive procedures (predicted probability: 18.2% vs. 36.2%) and to be admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) within 30 days of death (30.7% vs. 50.1 %), or die in the ICU (16.2% vs. 33%). These patients were also more likely to receive a palliative care consultation within 90 days of death (46.6% vs. 37%) and to have hospice services at the time of death (55.3% vs. 33.4 %). Family-rated overall quality of care was higher for those with metastatic cancer (59.6% vs. 54.1%). Family members of patients with metastatic cancer also provided more favorable ratings for five individual BFS items including provider listening, informational, emotional support before death and pain control. All comparisons were statistically significant (i.e., P < 0.05). Conclusions: Within a national cohort of US Veterans with ACKD, the presence of metastatic cancer was associated with less dialysis utilization, less intensive medical care, and significantly higher bereaved family ratings of end-of-life care.
Implementing physician education to increase lung cancer screening compliance.
Authors: Olazagasti Coral , Sampat Devi , Rothman Adam , Seetharamu Nagashree , Steiger David 
Published: May 2019

e18282 Background: Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide. The USPSTF recommends annual low-dose CT chest (LDCT) for lung cancer screening in adults who meet the appropriate criteria: age 55-80, current smokers or former smokers who quit within 15years, with a 30 pack-year smoking history. Even with these recommendations, screening rates in these patients remain low. We created a study to assess compliance in an outpatient Internal Medicine clinic to assess the barriers for obtaining LDCT. We hypothesized that by providing an educational program, overall compliance would increase. Methods: The study was divided in two arms: a pre-intervention arm and a post-intervention assessment. Initially, 35 physicians completed a questionnaire on their attitudes to LDCT screening and their reasons for not screening high risk patients. We created a lung cancer screening education program, which consisted of lectures provided to physicians. Following the lectures, consecutive patient visits were reviewed to assess compliance with screening. Results: In the first arm, 678 visits were reviewed. 115 patients met USPSTF criteria of whom only 26% underwent screening with LDCT. The most common reasons for not ordering LDCT scans in patients meeting criteria included: poor knowledge of criteria (22%), failure to determine if patients qualified (13%), patient refusal (8%). Following the education, 208 patients out of the 955 visits reviewed met USPSTF criteria, of which 78% underwent LDCT. Our study showed how after education, physicians were ten times more likely to screen patients for lung cancer (Odds ratio 9.98, 95% CI 5.87-16.94, p < 0.0001). Conclusions: We confirmed there was suboptimal adherence to established LDCT lung cancer screening guidelines, mainly due to unfamiliarity with the screening criteria. By providing educational lectures, compliance improved significantly. We concluded that educating physicians about lung cancer screening guidelines increased LDCT screening tenfold, and therefore benefit patients that are at high risk for developing lung cancer.