Hospital-acquired anemia among patients in a university hospital and the affiliated general practices in the capital region of Denmark, 2019.

INTRODUCTION: Approximately 25% of the patients with hospital acquired anemia (HAA) develop moderate to severe HAA during hospitalization. This is related to an increased risk of prolonged stay, readmission and mortality. The primary aim was during one year to characterize a population with very frequent phlebotomies based on a university hospital in the Capital Region of Denmark and the related general practitioners. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We conducted a retrospective cohort study using administrative data on phlebotomies from 1 January 2019 to 31 December 2019 analyzed at a university hospital. RESULTS: A total of 203,811 patients had 10,083,207 requisitions and 1,373,013 tubes. One percent, 1985 patients, had an extreme of frequent phlebotomies >60 tubes and formed the basis for the study population. The study population was significantly older as compared to the excluded patients (<60 tubes) (mean 65.7 vs. 51.6 years, p < .001).The likelihood of hemoglobin decrease per 100 mL blood drawn were calculated at four levels of decreases: Hemoglobin decrease of 2 mmol/L (adjusted OR; 95%; 2.03, CI 1.79-2.31), hemoglobin decrease of 3 mmol/L (adjusted OR; 95%, 1.36, CI 1.28-1.45), hemoglobin decrease of 4 mmol/L, (adjusted OR; 95%, 1.27, CI 1.19-1.35) and hemoglobin decrease of 5 mmol/L, (adjusted OR; 95% 1.22, CI 1.13-1.31). CONCLUSIONS: Moderate to severe HAA occurred in a limited group with excessive many phlebotomies. It was a worrisome trend that the frailest patients had the highest risk of developing HAA.

Primary malignant melanoma of the urethra in a patient with rheumatoid arthritis treated with methotrexate.

We report a case of a 79-year-old woman with urinary incontinence who presented at a urogynaecology appointment. Her medical history included rheumatoid arthritis (RA) treated with methotrexate (MXT) for 22 years. A polypoidal lesion was protruding from the meatus urethrae. The histoimmunocytology confirmed a primary superficial spreading malignant melanoma. The tumour was extensively excised, but 8 months later, due to a lymphatic nodal swelling, a positron emission tomography/CT was performed showing a process suspicious of malignant melanoma and multiple distant metastasis. The subsequent treatment was palliative and 1 year later, the patient died. The aetiology of malignant melanomas in the urethra is poorly understood. There is consistent evidence that RA is associated with a number of cancers, but it remains controversial whether this risk is increased with MXT. This case emphasises the importance of gynaecological examination even in patients with only weak symptoms from the pelvic region, especially in patients undergoing immunosuppressive treatment.

A Danish national population-based cohort study of synthetic midurethral slings, 2007-2011.

INTRODUCTION AND HYPOTHESIS: Synthetic midurethral slings (MUSs) have shown similar cure rates in several short- and medium-term follow-up studies. Recently, long-term follow-up studies have indicated that the cure rate is higher following the retropubic midurethral sling (RPMUS) compared with the transobturator midurethral sling (TOMUS) procedure. The aim was to evaluate the efficacy of synthetic MUSs and to examine the influence of department and surgeon volume and patient-related factors on the cure rate of synthetic MUSs. METHODS: A retrospective cohort study based on a national population over a 5-year period (2007-2011) using data from the Danish Urogynaecological Database (DugaBase). RESULTS: A total of 4519 women with first-time MUS were registered in the DugaBase. Cure was achieved in 1242/1639 (75.78%) at a 3-month follow-up. RPMUSs were more frequently in use in high-volume departments compared with the other departments and more often implanted by high- than low-volume surgeons. Women treated by a medium- (adjusted OR 1.82; 95% CI 1.01-3.28, "frequency") or high-volume surgeon (1.98; 1.18-3.32, "frequency") had an increased probability of cure compared with women treated by a low-volume surgeon. The difference was only significant for women who received a TOMUS. CONCLUSIONS: This national population-based cohort study confirmed a high cure rate of synthetic MUSs at short-term follow-up. It is the largest study to indicate a learning curve for TOMUS. Patients were not actively involved in which synthetic MUS was to be performed as the choice of surgical option was made at the departmental level.

Surgical treatment for urinary incontinence in women - Danish nationwide cohort studies
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This PhD thesis is based on three original articles. The studies were performed at the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Herlev University Hospital and at the Center for Clinical Epidemiology, Odense University Hospital. 
Urinary incontinence (UI) is a frequent disorder among women, which for the individual can have physical, psychological and social consequences. The current standard of surgical treatment is the synthetic midurethral sling (MUS), which is a minimal invasive procedure.
As the synthetic MUSs (TVT,TVT-O,TOT) were introduced in the late 1990s, there are only a few studies at the long-term follow-up based on nationwide populations; only a few have reported on the risk of reoperation and there is sparse evidence on which treatment should be used subsequently to failure of synthetic MUSs.
Several surgical specialties have documented that department volume, surgeon volume and patient-related factors influence the quality of care. There is little knowledge regarding this in the surgical treatment for UI.
 The aims of the thesis were therefore:
1. To describe the five-year incidence of reoperation after different surgical procedures for UI based on a nationwide population over a ten-year period (1998-2007) and to evaluate the influence of department volume (Study I).
2. To describe the choice of repeat surgery after failed synthetic MUSs and the departmental volume for the surgical treatment at reoperation over a ten-year period (1998-2007) based on a nationwide background population (Study II).
3. To evaluate efficacy of urethral injection therapy (UIT) based on patient reported outcome measures (PROMs) and hospital contacts within 30 days for women registered in the Danish Urogynaecological Database (DugaBase) over a five-year period (2007-2011) and the influence of department volume, surgeon volume and patient-related factors (Study III).
 Study I: A total of 8671 women were recorded in the Danish National Patient Registry as having undergone surgical treatment for UI from 1998 through 2007.
The lowest rate of reoperation within five years was observed among women who had pubovaginal slings (6%), TVT (6%) and Burch colposuspension (6%) followed TOT (9%), and miscellaneous operations (12%), while the highest observed risk was for UIT (44%). After adjustment for patient´s age, department volume and calendar effect TOT carried a 2-fold higher risk of reoperation (HR, 2.1; 95% CI, 1.5 -2.9) compared with TVT.

 Study II: A total of 5820 women had synthetic MUSs at baseline from 1998 through 2007 and were registered in the Danish National Patient Registry and 354 (6%) of these women had a reoperation.
The first choice treatment for reoperation was a synthetic MUS and UIT was a frequent second choice. At reoperation, 289 (82%) of the women were treated at the department where they had undergone the primary synthetic MUS. Fewer treatment modalities were in usage and significantly more TOTs were implanted at low volume departments compared to high volume departments. 

Study III: A total of 731 women of age 18 or older with first time UITs were registered with first-time UIT in the DugaBase from 2007 through 2011. Logistic regression was used to predict the odds of success pertaining to department volume, surgeon volume and patient-related factors on the Incontinence Questionnaire-Short Form (ICIQ-SF) (frequency of UI, amount of leakage and impact of UI on daily life) and the rate of 30-day hospital contacts. 

We applied the definition of "cure" as set out by the steering committee of the DugaBase where a satisfactory result is leakage once a week or less, often or never based on the frequency score and similarly "no leakage at all" based on the frequency score as answering never to leakage.

Among the 252 women who pre- and postoperatively had answered both questionnaires, 75 (29.8%) were cured and 23 (9.1%) achieved no leakage at all at three months follow-up. There was a statistically significant improvement on all three scores of the ICIQ-SF. The mean total ICIQ-SF score was 16.0 (SD 3.8) and after injection at three months follow-up 10.6 (SD 6.2) (p < 0.001).

UIT was performed at 16 departments, of which four high volume departments performed 547 of 814 UITs (67.2%). The risk of hospital contacts was lower for women treated at a high volume department (adjusted OR 0.27; 95% CI 0.09-0.76). Women treated by a high volume surgeon (> 75 UITs during the career as a surgeon) had a higher chance of cure on the frequency score than the low volume surgeon (≤ 25 UITs) (adjusted OR 4.51; 95% CI, 1.21-16.82) and a lower risk of 30-day hospital contacts (adjusted OR 0.35; 95% CI, 0.16-0.79). Women with severe UI had less likelihood of cure in all ICIQ-SF scores. A preoperative use of antimuscarinic drugs lowered the chance of cure on the frequency (adjusted OR 0.14; 95%, CI 0.04-0.41) and the amount score (adjusted OR 0.33; 95%, CI 0.13-0.82). 

Conclusions:
 Study I: The study provided physicians with a representative evaluation of the rate of reoperations after different surgical procedures for UI. The observation that TOT was associated with a significantly higher risk of reoperation than TVT is novel in the literature and has important implications for both surgeons and patients when they consider surgical options for UI. 

Study II: The majority of women had reoperation at the same department as the primary synthetic MUS. Fewer treatment modalities were in use at low volume departments compared with high volume departments. It seems appropriate in the absence of evidence for the best treatment after failed synthetic MUSs, that women are referred to highly specialized departments for diagnosing and treatment.

 Study III: This national population-based cohort study represented cure among women who had UIT in an everyday life setting. Results seemed to be in the lower end of the spectrum compared to the literature. A learning curve for UIT indicated that the treatment should be restricted to fewer hands to improve the surgical education and consequently be a success for women with UIT. The severity of UI was a strong predictor for a lower degree of cure. Similarly, the use of antimuscarinic drug preoperatively decreased the likelihood of cure indicating that women with severe MUI or UUI also have less chance of cure.

A national population-based cohort study of urethral injection therapy for female stress and mixed urinary incontinence: the Danish Urogynaecological Database, 2007-2011.

INTRODUCTION AND HYPOTHESIS: Urethral injection therapy (UIT) has been performed since the early 20th century and a variety of agents have been launched. In 2006, polyacrylamide hydrogel (PAGH) was introduced and is now widely used as an agent. The objective was to evaluate the efficacy of PAGH based on a national population over a 5-year period (2007-2011) and the influence of patient-related factors, surgeon experience, and department volume. METHODS: A retrospective cohort study was carried out based on data from the Danish Urogynaecological Database (DugaBase). RESULTS: A total of 731 women were registered in the DugaBase. Cure was achieved in 75 out of 252 women (29.8%) and no leakage at all in 23 out of 252 (9.1%) at the 3-month follow-up. The mean total International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire-Short Form (ICIQ-SF) score decreased from 16 (SD 3.8) to 10.6 (SD 6.2; p < 0.001). UIT was performed at 16 departments, of which four high-volume departments performed 547 out of 814 UITs (67.2%). Women with severe UI had a decreased chance of cure (all ICIQ-SF scores), as did women on antimuscarinic drugs (adjusted OR 0.14; 95%, CI 0.04-0.41 "frequency") and (adjusted OR 0.33; 95%, CI 0.13-0.82, "amount"). Women treated by a high-volume surgeon had a higher chance of cure (OR 4.51; 95% CI, 1.21-16.82, "frequency") and a lower risk of 30-day hospital contacts (OR 0.27; 95% CI 0.09-0.76). CONCLUSION: The study represented a cure for UIT among women in an everyday life setting. A surgeon learning curve for UIT was indicated, as was assigning interventions to fewer hands to improve the surgical training value and consequently the cure rate for women with UIT.

Repeat surgery after failed midurethral slings: a nationwide cohort study, 1998-2007.

INTRODUCTION AND HYPOTHESIS: The objective was to describe the choice of subsequent surgery after failure of synthetic midurethral slings (MUS) based on a nationwide background population. METHODS: We used the Danish National Patient Registry to identify women who had undergone first-time synthetic MUS from 1998 through 2007. The outcome was repeat surgery with any subsequent procedure code for urinary incontinence within a 5-year period of the first procedure. RESULTS: A total of 5,820 women (mean age 55.4 years, ± 12.1) were registered with a synthetic MUS, and 354 (6 %) underwent reoperation. The first-choice treatment for reoperation was a synthetic MUS (45.5 %) followed by urethral injection therapy (36.7 %) and miscellaneous operations (13.8 %). Pubovaginal slings (2.8 %) and Burch colposuspension (1.1 %) were seldom used. At reoperation, 289 women (82 %) were treated at the department where they had undergone their primary synthetic MUS. CONCLUSION: In this nationwide cohort study of synthetic MUS a repeat synthetic MUS was the first choice and urethral injection therapy a frequent second choice. The majority of reoperations (82 %) took place in the same department as the primary operation.

[Menorrhagia as a consequence of atypical polypoid adenomyoma in uterus]. / Menoragi som følge af atypisk polypoidt adenomyom i uterus.

Atypical polypoid adenomyoma (APA) is an uncommon lesion of the uterus. APA is seen in perimenopausal women who have abnormal vaginal bleeding. We present a case of an APA, which in histological findings showed complex and atypical glands that could be confused with well-differentiated adenocarcinoma. The fact that it is a polypoid structure arising in the lower segment of uterus in younger women is helpful in diagnosing. The distinction between APA and a malignant condition is of high importance to treatment and prognosis.

Fast track accelerated diagnostic investigation for urinary incontinence in women.

INTRODUCTION: We have developed a one-hour standardised, accelerated diagnostic investigation programme to evaluate women with urinary incontinence (UI). The purpose of the study was to record how many patients followed the programme and had a diagnosis and a treatment plan after a one-hour visit and to describe the causes of deviation from the programme. A second purpose was to monitor patient satisfaction. METHODS: In this retrospective cohort study, 276 women with the diagnosis UI participated. All patients completed a standardised investigation programme that included their medical history and an evaluation of the fluid/urination schedule. Before patients left the clinic, they were given a diagnosis and a treatment plan. RESULTS: A total of 91% of the patients underwent examination and had a treatment plan after one consultation; 9% made multiple visits. The median patient age was 59 years (range 17-99 years); body mass index was 27 kg/m² (range 18-50 kg/m²); and the number of childbirths was 2.4; no significant difference were observed between the two groups. In the multiple-visits group, the number of previous gynaecological surgical procedures was significantly larger (67% versus 32%). These patients had significantly more chronic diseases (88% versus 58%). A total of 81 patients completed a post-examination questionnaire and (99%) were satisfied with the accelerated programme. CONCLUSION: A total of 91% of the patients underwent an examination and received a treatment plan after one consultation; 9% paid several visits due to chronic diseases and previous gynaecological surgery. The patients expressed great satisfaction with the accelerated investigation programme. FUNDING: not relevant. TRIAL REGISTRATION: not relevant.