Longitudinal Patient Outcomes in Chronic Dizziness: A Scoping Review.

BACKGROUND: Chronic dizziness can cause significant functional impairment. Outcome measures used in this patient population have not been examined systematically. Consequently, providers lack consensus on the ideal outcome measures to assess the impact of their interventions. OBJECTIVE AND METHODS: We conducted a scoping review to summarize existing literature on outcomes in chronic dizziness (with a minimum of 6 mo of patient follow-up). Among other details, we extracted and analyzed patient demographics, medical condition(s), and the specific outcome measures of each study. RESULTS: Of 19,426 articles meeting the original search terms, 416 met final exclusion after title/abstract and full-text review. Most studies focused on Ménière's disease (75%) and recurrent benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (21%). The most common outcome measures were hearing (62%) and number of attacks by American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery criteria (60%). A minority (35%) looked formally at quality-of-life metrics (Dizziness Handicap Index or other). CONCLUSIONS: Ménière's disease and benign paroxysmal positional vertigo are overrepresented in literature on outcome assessment in chronic dizziness. Objective clinical measures are used more frequently than quality-of-life metrics. Future work is needed to identify the optimal outcome measures that reflect new knowledge about the most common causes of chronic dizziness (including persistent postural-perceptual dizziness and vestibular migraine) and consider what is most important to patients.

A scoping review of complication prediction models in spinal surgery: An analysis of model development, validation and impact.

Background: Predictive analytics are being used increasingly in the field of spinal surgery with the development of models to predict post-surgical complications. Predictive models should be valid, generalizable, and clinically useful. The purpose of this review was to identify existing post-surgical complication prediction models for spinal surgery and to determine if these models are being adequately investigated with internal/external validation, model updating and model impact studies. Methods: This was a scoping review of studies pertaining to models for the prediction of post-surgical complication after spinal surgery published over 10 years (2010-2020). Qualitative data was extracted from the studies to include study classification, adherence to Transparent Reporting of a multivariable prediction model for Individual Prognosis Or Diagnosis (TRIPOD) guidelines and risk of bias (ROB) assessment using the Prediction model study Risk Of Bias Assessment Tool (PROBAST). Model evaluation was determined using area under the curve (AUC) when available. The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) statement was used as a basis for the search methodology in four different databases. Results: Thirty studies were included in the scoping review and 80% (24/30) included model development with or without internal validation. Twenty percent (6/30) were exclusively external validation studies and only one study included an impact analysis in addition to model development and internal validation. Two studies referenced the TRIPOD guidelines and there was a high ROB in 100% of the studies using the PROBAST tool. Conclusions: The majority of post-surgical complication prediction models in spinal surgery have not undergone standardized model development and internal validation or adequate external validation and impact evaluation. As such there is uncertainty as to their validity, generalizability, and clinical utility. Future efforts should be made to use existing tools to ensure standardization in development and rigorous evaluation of prediction models in spinal surgery.

De-Prescribing Proton Pump Inhibitors in Patients With End Stage Kidney Disease: A Quality Improvement Project.

Background: Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) are widely prescribed and may be associated with harm; hypomagnesemia and reduced effectiveness of calcium carbonate phosphate binders may be important in end-stage kidney disease (ESKD). Objectives: Our objectives included (1) discontinuing PPIs and H2 blockers and (2) assessing the impact on serum magnesium and markers of mineral metabolism. Design: Prospective cohort. Setting: Satellite hemodialysis unit of a tertiary care hospital. Patients: Incident and prevalent patients with ESKD treated with hemodialysis. Measurements: We assessed the impact of stopping PPI/H2 blockers in patients who did not have an absolute indication as per guidelines in the general population; serum magnesium, calcium, and phosphate were measured before and approximately 8 weeks later. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) test and Kruskal-Wallis was used to describe the population. Wilcoxon signed rank test for the paired change scores (from pre to post). Methods: The electronic medical record (EMR) was extensively searched for absolute indications for a PPI. Results were reviewed with the primary nephrology team before approaching patients about stopping the PPI. Basic demographic information and select medications were also collected. Results: Electronic medical records were reviewed for 179 patients, 74 had a PPI or H2 antagonist or both on their medication list (43%); 23 (31%) were assessed as appropriate. After primary team and patient review, 29 patients agreed to a trial of PPI withdrawal. Fourteen patients restarted their PPI, most for gastroesophageal reflux disease. Three patients had a GI bleed, 1 fatally. Serum calcium (P = .17) and the dose of phosphate binders (P = .075) did not change but serum phosphate increased (1.55 [0.29] to 1.85 [0.34] mmol/L; P = .0005). Serum magnesium also increased (1.01 [0.16] to 1.06 [0.14] mmol/L; P = .01). Limitations: Small patient numbers and observational nature of the study does not establish causation in this population at high risk to experience a gastrointestinal bleed. Conclusions: Our results suggest that PPI deprescribing as recommended in the general population may be associated with harm in patients with ESKD and requires further study. Trial Registration: Not registered.

Contexte: Les inhibiteurs de la pompe à protons (IPP) sont largement prescrits et peuvent être associés à une atteinte rénale; l'hypomagnésémie et la réduction de l'efficacité des chélateurs de phosphate à base de carbonate de calcium peuvent devenir significatifs chez les patients avec insuffisance rénale terminale (IRT). Objectifs: Nos objectifs comprenaient 1) l'arrêt des IPP et des antagonistes H2 et 2) l'évaluation des conséquences sur le taux de magnésium sérique et les marqueurs du métabolisme minéral. Conception: Étude de cohorte prospective. Cadre: L'unité d'hémodialyse satellite d'un hôpital de soins tertiaires. Sujets: Patients incidents et prévalents atteints d'IRT et traités par hémodialyse. Mesures: Nous avons évalué les conséquences de l'arrêt des IPP et antagonistes H2 chez les patients qui n'avaient pas d'indication absolue pour ces médicaments, conformément aux directives pour la population générale. Les taux sériques de magnésium, de calcium et de phosphate ont été mesurés avant l'arrêt et environ huit semaines plus tard. Les tests ANOVA et Kruskal-Wallis ont été utilisés pour décrire la population, et le test de rang de Wilcoxon pour les scores de changement appariés (de pré à post-intervention). Méthodologie: Les dossiers médicaux électroniques (DMÉ) ont été consultés rigoureusement à la recherche d'une indication absolue pour un IPP. Les résultats ont été revus avec l'équipe de néphrologie primaire avant d'approcher les patients quant à un arrêt des IPP. Les données démographiques initiales et les prescriptions pour certains médicaments ont également été recueillies. Résultats: Les DMÉ de 179 patients ont été consultés, révélant que 74 (43 %) d'entre eux prenaient soit un IPP, soit un antagoniste H2, soit les deux; chez 23 patients (31 %) la prescription était appropriée. Après évaluation par l'équipe médicale et discussion avec les patients, 29 patients ont accepté de cesser l'IPP. Quatorze patients ont recommencé les IPP, la plupart pour un reflux gastro-œsophagien. Trois patients ont souffert d'une hémorragie gastro-intestinale, dont une s'est avérée fatale. Le taux de calcium sérique (p=0,17) et la dose de chélateurs du phosphate (p=0,075) n'ont pas changé, mais le taux de phosphate sérique a augmenté (1,55 [0,29] à 1,85 [0,34] mmol/L; p=0,0005), tout comme le taux de magnésium sérique (1,01 [0,16] à 1,06 [0,14] mmol/L; p=0,01). Limites: Le faible échantillon de patients et la nature observationnelle de l'étude ne permettent pas d'établir un lien de causalité dans cette population présentant un risque élevé d'hémorragie gastro-intestinale. Conclusion: Nos résultats suggèrent que la déprescription des IPP recommandée dans la population générale pourrait être associée à un préjudice chez les patients atteints d'IRT. Des études plus approfondies sont nécessaires. Enregistrement de l'essai: Non enregistré.

Multidisciplinary Team versus a "Phosphate-Counting" App for Serum Phosphate Control: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

Background: Hyperphosphatemia is almost universal in well-nourished patients with ESKD treated with dialysis due to an imbalance between dietary intake and phosphate removal via residual kidney function and dialysis. Although food phosphate content can vary dramatically between meals, the current standard is to prescribe a fixed dose of phosphate binder that may not match meal phosphate intake. The primary objective of our study was to determine if the use of an app that matches phosphate binder dose with food phosphate content would be associated with an improvement in serum phosphate and a reduction in calcium carbonate intake compared with the multidisciplinary renal team. Methods: Eighty patients with ESKD treated with peritoneal dialysis at a tertiary care hospital in Canada were randomized to the standard of care for serum phosphate management (multidisciplinary renal team) versus the OkKidney app. Serum phosphate was measured at baseline and then monthly for 3 months with adjustments to phosphate management as deemed necessary by the multidisciplinary team (control) or the phosphate binder multiplier in the OkKidney app (intervention) on the basis of the laboratory values. The primary analysis was an unpaired t test of the serum phosphate at study completion. Results: The participants were 56 (±14) years old, and 54% were men; the most common cause of ESKD was diabetes mellitus. The serum phosphate values were 1.96 (0.41) and 1.85 (0.44) mmol/L in the control and intervention groups, respectively, at the end of 3 months (P=0.30). The median elemental daily dose of calcium carbonate did not differ between the groups at study completion (587 mg [309-928] versus 799 mg [567-1183], P=0.29). Conclusions: The OkKidney app was associated with similar but not superior serum phosphate control to the standard of care, which included renal dietician support. Clinical Trial registry name and registration number: US National Library Medicine ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT01643486.