Stress Exposure and PTSD in a Cross-Sectional Residential Substance Use Treatment Sample.

BACKGROUND: Aim 1 of this cross-sectional, observational study with people in residential treatment for substance use disorders (SUDs) was to document stress exposure. Aim 2 was to assess potential sociodemographic and health differences based on probable posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) status. Aim 3 was to assess relative contributions of Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (DSM)-congruent versus DSM-incongruent stressors (Criterion A vs non-Criterion A) to mental and physical health. We hypothesized that both types of stressors would significantly contribute to impairment across indicators and that DSM-congruent stressor exposure would be more strongly associated with impairment than DSM-incongruent exposure. METHODS: We assessed exposure to DSM-congruent traumatic stressors and DSM-incongruent life stressors, PTSD and depressive symptoms, emotion regulation difficulties, substance use recovery capital, and physical/mental health-related quality of life among 136 people in residential SUD treatment who were 64% men, 36% women; 49% white, 41% Black, 11% multiracial/another race; 18% lesbian, gay, or bisexual (LGB+); mean age = 39.82 (standard deviation = 12.24) years. RESULTS: Participants reported experiencing a mean of 9.76 (SD = 6.11) DSM-congruent events. Those with probable PTSD were younger and more likely to be LGB+ than those without probable PTSD (P < .05). Experiencing higher numbers of DSM-congruent events was associated with more severe PTSD and depressive symptoms, emotion regulation difficulties, and lower physical health-related quality of life (P < .05). DSM-incongruent stressor exposure was not independently associated with any indicators. Recovery capital was not associated with either type of stress exposure. CONCLUSIONS: Stressful event exposure among people in residential SUD treatment is very high. Those who are younger or LGB+ in residential SUD treatment may be at greater risk of developing PTSD. DSM-congruent stressors are more consistently associated with mental health indicators than are DSM-incongruent stressors. Prioritizing treatment targets and identifying implementable treatment strategies can be challenging with this complex population.

Discrepancies between self-report and objective sleep outcomes are associated with cognitive impairment and fatigue in people with multiple sclerosis and insomnia.

OBJECTIVES: The primary aim of this study was to assess the degree to which discrepancies between self-reported and actigraphy-based measures of sleep are associated with specific demographic, disease characteristics, and clinical features in a sample of individuals with multiple sclerosis (MS) reporting clinically significant insomnia symptoms. METHODS: Participants were 90 community-based participants with MS and insomnia. Measures included the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), Beck Depression Inventory-Fast Screen (BDI-FS), Modified Fatigue Impact Scale (MFIS), and MS Neuropsychological Screening Questionnaire (MSNQ), and wrist actigraphy-derived sleep parameters. Discrepancy scores were calculated by subtracting actigraphy-derived values from PSQI-derived values for sleep latency (SL), total sleep time (TST), and sleep efficiency (SE). RESULTS: Correlations between PSQI and actigraphy-derived values were weak. Significant discrepancies, with moderate-to-large effect sizes, were observed between PSQI and actigraphy for SL, TST, and SE, whereby the PSQI yielded longer SL, shorter TST, and less SE than actigraphy. MSNQ elevations correlated with greater PSQI-actigraphy discrepancies in SL and TST. MFIS elevations correlated with greater discrepancies in TST. Discrepancies were not significantly related to BDI-FS, gender, race, education level, or MS type. CONCLUSIONS: Results emphasize the importance of assessing fatigue with sleep, and when feasible, inclusion of both self-report and actigraphy measures.

Long-Term Outcomes of Robotic-Assisted Laparoscopic Sacrocolpopexy Using Lightweight Y-Mesh.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to describe anatomic and symptomatic outcomes at 5 years or longer after robotic-assisted laparoscopic sacrocolpopexy using very lightweight polypropylene Y-mesh. METHODS: A prospective analysis of consecutive patients who underwent surgery at a single center between 2007 and 2011 was performed. Patients consented to objective and subjective assessment at 5 years or longer postoperatively. Surgical success was defined as meeting all of the following: (1) no retreatment for pelvic organ prolapse (POP) since surgery, (2) no prolapse beyond the introitus, (3) no apical descent below -5, and (4) no prolapse symptoms reported. Secondary outcome measures included Sandvik Incontinence Severity Index, the PFDI-20, the PFIQ-7, the PISQ-12, and the SSQ-8), rates of dyspareunia, mesh complications, and subjects' need for any surgical or nonsurgical prolapse treatment since their index surgery. RESULTS: Eighty percent of the potential study group (253/316) presented for examination and subjective assessment at 5 years or longer after their index surgeries.The surgical success rate was 226 (89.3%) of 253 with no apical failures. Only 4.4% (11/253) of the group met both objective and subjective failure criteria. Sixteen patients were classified as surgical failure owing to subjective criteria alone despite having no significant objective prolapse on examination. Ten patients (4%) elected to undergo subsequent POP repair. These operations consisted of 5 native tissue anterior repairs and 5 native tissue posterior repairs. In addition, 1 patient elected to use a pessary for recurrent anterior POP. The remaining 16 patients who experienced surgical failure elected no further prolapse treatment. CONCLUSIONS: Robotic-assisted laparoscopic sacrocolpopexy using very lightweight mesh provided excellent long-term results with no mesh-related complications.

Sexual Satisfaction Changes Reported by Men After Their Partners' Robotic-Assisted Laparoscopic Sacrocolpopexies.

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to compare the preoperative and postoperative sexual satisfaction reported by male sexual partners of women undergoing surgical correction of pelvic organ prolapse. METHODS: This was a single-center prospective cohort study. Heterosexual, sexually active English-speaking couples in which the women were planning to undergo robotic-assisted laparoscopic sacrocolpopexy for correction of pelvic organ prolapse were eligible for enrollment in the study. Validated sexual function questionnaires-the Sexual Experience Questionnaire (SEX-Q; Mulhall et al. J Sex Med. 2008) and Pelvic Organ Prolapse/Urinary Incontinence Sexual Questionnaire-12 (Rogers, et al. Int Urogynecol J Pelvic Floor Dysfunct. 2003)-were used to evaluate preoperative and postoperative male and female sexual experience, respectively. These preoperative scores were compared using paired t tests. The Student t and the Mann-Whitney tests were used to compare study-eligible couples with noneligible couples and to compare study participants with nonparticipants. RESULTS: During the study enrollment period, 92 couples met the inclusion criteria and 45 of those were enrolled. Complete data sets of preoperative and postoperative questionnaires were obtained for 36 couples. After their partners' successful reconstructive surgery, male study subjects reported improved total SEX-Q scores (mean ± SD, 71 ± 16.7 vs 76.5 ± 17.8; P = 0.025). Within the subscales of the SEX-Q, there was significant improvement between preoperative and postoperative "individual satisfaction" scores (mean ± SD, 65.7 ± 16.8 vs 78.9 ± 17.5; P < 0.0001), but not within the "erectile dysfunction" or "couple satisfaction" subscales. Female partners reported improved Pelvic Organ Prolapse/Urinary Incontinence Sexual Questionnaire-12 scores after surgery (mean ± SD, 36.6 ± 5.5 vs 40.0 ± 4.6; P = 0.003). CONCLUSIONS: Sexually active heterosexual men and women reported improved sexual experience after successful prolapse repair.

Intranasal naloxone and related strategies for opioid overdose intervention by nonmedical personnel: a review.

Deaths due to prescription and illicit opioid overdose have been rising at an alarming rate, particularly in the USA. Although naloxone injection is a safe and effective treatment for opioid overdose, it is frequently unavailable in a timely manner due to legal and practical restrictions on its use by laypeople. As a result, an effort spanning decades has resulted in the development of strategies to make naloxone available for layperson or "take-home" use. This has included the development of naloxone formulations that are easier to administer for nonmedical users, such as intranasal and autoinjector intramuscular delivery systems, efforts to distribute naloxone to potentially high-impact categories of nonmedical users, as well as efforts to reduce regulatory barriers to more widespread distribution and use. Here we review the historical and current literature on the efficacy and safety of naloxone for use by nonmedical persons, provide an evidence-based discussion of the controversies regarding the safety and efficacy of different formulations of take-home naloxone, and assess the status of current efforts to increase its public distribution. Take-home naloxone is safe and effective for the treatment of opioid overdose when administered by laypeople in a community setting, shortening the time to reversal of opioid toxicity and reducing opioid-related deaths. Complementary strategies have together shown promise for increased dissemination of take-home naloxone, including 1) provision of education and training; 2) distribution to critical populations such as persons with opioid addiction, family members, and first responders; 3) reduction of prescribing barriers to access; and 4) reduction of legal recrimination fears as barriers to use. Although there has been considerable progress in decreasing the regulatory and legal barriers to effective implementation of community naloxone programs, significant barriers still exist, and much work remains to be done to integrate these programs into efforts to provide effective treatment of opioid use disorders.

Genetic Mutation that May Contribute to Failure of Prolapse Surgery in White Women: A Case-Control Study.

OBJECTIVE: To identify a potential genetic basis for early failure after prolapse surgery. DESIGN: Case-control study (Canadian Task Force classification II). SETTING: This study was carried out in 1 academic community medical center referral practice, and all patients had surgery at 1 of 2 hospitals. PATIENTS: Ten women with early, multicompartment prolapse recurrence after robotic sacrocolpopexy compared with 40 control subjects with known success after the same procedure. INTERVENTIONS: Patients were treated with robotic sacrocolpopexy. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: DNA was isolated and initially genotyped on a single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) array to direct more detailed exome analyses. Exome sequences were mapped to the Human Genome Reference Sequence (GRCh37), and variants were compared between groups and to participants in the 1000 Genomes Project. Statistical analyses were performed using a software package commonly used in genetics research. TaqMan assay was used for verification, and p values were adjusted using the false discovery rate. Demographics of groups were compared using χ(2), Mann-Whitney U, and t tests. A SNP [rs171821] located near the ZFYVE16 gene was associated with patients but not control subjects, and the false discovery rate-adjusted p value was .046 (odds ratio, 45.2; 95% confidence interval, 5.06-403). Exome analyses of this gene yielded another SNP [rs249038 (G/A)] in 6 of 10 patients and none of the control subjects (p = .02). This SNP causes a heterozygous missense mutation of glycine to serine predicted to be deleterious by the Protein Variation Effect Analyzer and was also very rare among participants in the 1000 Genomes Project (p < .001). CONCLUSIONS: Two SNPs located near the ZFYVE16 gene on chromosome 5 may have played a role in the early, multicompartment sacrocolpopexy failure experienced by our patients. (www.clinicaltrials.gov Identifier: NCT01614587).

A prospective study of a single-incision sling at the time of robotic sacrocolpopexy.

INTRODUCTION AND HYPOTHESIS: The objective of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of the Miniarc Precise® single-incision sling (American Medical Systems, Minnetonka, MN, USA) placed at the time of a robotic sacrocolpopexy. METHODS: This was a prospective study of a single-incision suburethral sling placed at the time of robotic sacrocolpopexy in women with stress urinary incontinence (SUI) and pelvic organ prolapse. Primary outcome measure was cure at 1 year, defined objectively by a negative cough stress test (CST) and subjectively by a score of "0 or 1" on question 17 of the Pelvic Floor Distress Inventory (PFDI-20): "Do you experience urine leakage related to coughing/sneezing/laughing?" Secondary outcome measures included the change in Urinary Distress Inventory (UDI-6) and Urinary Impact Questionnaire (UIQ-7) scores at 1 year. All sling-related complications were reported. Paired Student's t test and the Wilcoxon signed-rank test were used for statistical analysis. RESULTS: One hundred and one patients were included between August 2010 and July 2012. One-year follow-up was available for 97 out of 101 patients (96 %). Objective cure was 90 % and subjective cure was 87 %. Baseline UDI-6 scores improved from 34.8 ± 25.1 to 6.7 ± 11.2 at 1 year (p < 0.001). Similarly, UIQ-7 scores improved from 21.1 ± 22.8 to 2.4 ± 8.2 at 1 year (p < 0.001). There were no intraoperative cystotomies, no mesh erosions, no sling revisions, and no cases of urinary retention. The retreatment rate for persistent SUI was 8 % (8 out of 97). CONCLUSIONS: The addition of a single-incision suburethral sling at the time of robotic sacrocolpopexy in women with SUI resulted in an 87 % cure rate at 1 year.

Prospective cohort study of bowel function after robotic sacrocolpopexy.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to determine bowel function changes 12 months after robotic sacrocolpopexy. METHODS: We performed a single-center prospective cohort study evaluating bowel function 12 months after robotic sacrocolpopexy between 2007 and 2011. Bowel function symptoms were measured by the Colorectal-Anal Distress Inventory, Short Form 8 (CRADI-8). Specific impacts on quality of life with regard to bowel function were evaluated using the Colorectal-Anal Impact Questionnaire, Short Form 7 (CRAIQ-7). "Splinting to defecate" was defined as any positive response to question 4 of the Pelvic Floor Distress Inventory-20 which reads, "do you ever have to push on the vagina or around the rectum to have or complete a bowel movement?." Lastly, patients were grouped according to perineorrhaphy versus no perineorrhaphy and bowel function scores were examined. RESULTS: Of 423 consecutive patients who underwent robotic sacrocolpopexy at our institution, 393 (93%) completed a 12-month follow-up. Mean CRADI-8 scores at baseline and 12 months were 21.1 (20) and 7.3 (11), respectively (P < 0.0001). Mean CRAIQ-7 scores at baseline and 12 months were 11.1 (20) and 2.4 (9), respectively (P < 0.0001). Preoperatively, 152 patients reported a need to splint the vagina or perineum to complete a bowel movement. At 12 months, 70% reported complete resolution of "splinting." Con comitant perineorrhaphy was performed on 87 patients and there were no differences in 12-month CRADI-8 or CRAIQ-7 scores between groups. CONCLUSIONS: Robotic sacrocolpopexy was associated with significant improvements in bowel function as measured by CRADI-8 as well as improvements in impact on quality of life as measured by CRAIQ-7.

Subjective and objective results 1 year after robotic sacrocolpopexy using a lightweight Y-mesh.

INTRODUCTION AND HYPOTHESIS: The objective of this study was to assess outcomes following robotic sacrocolpopexy using a lightweight polypropylene Y-mesh. METHODS: During our study period, all patients who underwent robotic sacrocolpopexy were enrolled in this single-arm prospective trial. Endpoints included Pelvic Organ Prolapse Quantification (POP-Q) values; Pelvic Floor Distress Inventory, short form 20 (PFDI-20); Pelvic Floor Impact Questionnaire, short form 7 (PFIQ-7); Surgical Satisfaction scores; and the Sandvik Incontinence Severity Index. All surgeries were performed with a pre-configured monofilament type 1 polypropylene Y-mesh (Alyte©, C.R. Bard, Covington, GA, USA). Cure rates at 12 months were calculated using two separate definitions: (1) "clinical cure": no POP-Q points > 0, point C ≤ -5, no prolapse symptoms on the PFDI-20, and no reoperations for prolapse and (2) "objective anatomic cure": POP-Q stage 0 or 1, point C of ≤ -5, and no reoperations for prolapse. RESULTS: A total of 150 patients underwent robotic sacrocolpopexy and 143 (95 %) were available for 12-month follow-up. Mean age was 58.6 ± 9.8 and mean body mass index was 26.3 ± 4.5. Mean operative time and blood loss were 148 ± 27.6 min (range 75-250 min) and 51.2 ± 32, respectively. There were no mesh erosions or exposures, and mesh edges were not palpable in any patient. At 12 months the clinical cure rate was 95 %, and the objective anatomic cure rate was 84 %. The PFDI-20 mean score improved from 98 at baseline to 17 at 12 months (p < 0.0001); PFIQ-7 scores improved from 59 to 6.5 (p < 0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: Robotic sacrocolpopexy using this lightweight polypropylene Y-mesh offers excellent subjective and objective results at 1 year.

Predictive validity of a training protocol using a robotic surgery simulator.

BACKGROUND: Robotic surgery simulation may provide a way for surgeons to acquire specific robotic surgical skills without practicing on live patients. METHODS: Five robotic surgery experts performed 10 simulator skills to the best of their ability, and thus, established expert benchmarks for all parameters of these skills. A group of credentialed gynecologic surgeons naive to robotics practiced the simulator skills until they were able to perform each one as well as our experts. Within a week of doing so, they completed robotic pig laboratory training, after which they performed supracervical hysterectomies as their first-ever live human robotic surgery. Time, blood loss, and blinded assessments of surgical skill were compared among the experts, novices, and a group of control surgeons who had robotic privileges but no simulator exposure. Sample size estimates called for 11 robotic novices to achieve 90% power to detect a 1 SD difference between operative times of experts and novices (α = 0.05). RESULTS: Fourteen novice surgeons completed the study-spending an average of 20 hours (range, 9.7-38.2 hours) in the simulation laboratory to pass the expert protocol. The mean operative times for the expert and novices were 20.2 (2.3) and 21.7 (3.3) minutes, respectively (P = 0.12; 95% confidence interval, -1.7 to 4.7), whereas the mean time for control surgeons was 30.9 (0.6) minutes (P < 0.0001; 95% confidence interval, 6.3-12.3). Comparisons of estimated blood loss (EBL) and blinded video assessment of skill yielded similar differences between groups. CONCLUSIONS: Completing this protocol of robotic simulator skills translated to expert-level surgical times during live human surgery. As such, we have established predictive validity of this protocol.

Sexual function before and 1 year after laparoscopic sacrocolpopexy.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to compare sexual function before and 1 year after laparoscopic sacrocolpopexy using a porcine dermis or a polypropylene mesh material. METHODS: This was a secondary analysis of sexual function measured before and 1 year after laparoscopic sacrocolpopexy in a group of 81 sexually active women participating in a randomized controlled trial comparing porcine dermis and polypropylene mesh. Sexual function was assessed using the short form of the Pelvic Organ Prolapse/Urinary Incontinence Sexual Questionnaire (PISQ-12). Responses to individual questions from the physical domain of the PISQ-12 were also analyzed. Additional information included the type of mesh material used and whether a concomitant suburethral sling or perineorrhaphy was performed. RESULTS: There was a significant postoperative improvement in total PISQ-12 scores for the entire cohort (33.2 vs 38.3, P < 0.01). Similarly, PISQ-12 scores were significantly improved in both groups (33.2 preoperative vs 37.4 one year postoperative in the porcine dermis, P < 0.01 and 33.2 vs 39.2 in the polypropylene mesh, P < 0.01). There were no differences between the 2 graft material groups. Preoperatively, 63.0% (48/76) of women reported avoiding sexual intercourse because of bulging in vagina (PISQ12-question #8), at 1 year postoperatively only 4% (3/76) had a positive response (P < 0.01). We observed a significant decrease in the number of women who reported pain during intercourse at 12 months as evidenced by the responses to the PISQ12-question #5, 47.4% (36/76) versus 26.3% (20/76) (P < 0.01). The addition of a suburethral sling or a perineorrhaphy did not negatively impact sexual function at 1 year. CONCLUSIONS: Laparoscopic sacrocolpopexy had a positive impact on sexual function at 1 year regardless of whether a porcine dermis or a polypropylene mesh material was used.

Prospective study of an ultra-lightweight polypropylene Y mesh for robotic sacrocolpopexy.

INTRODUCTION AND HYPOTHESIS: To prospectively evaluate the use of a particular polypropylene Y mesh for robotic sacrocolpopexy. METHODS: This was a prospective study of 120 patients who underwent robotic sacrocolpopexy. We compared preoperative and 12-month postoperative objective and subjective assessments via the Pelvic Organ Prolapse Quantification (POP-Q), the Pelvic Floor Distress Inventory, Short Form 20 (PFDI-20); the Pelvic Floor Impact Questionnaire, Short Form 7 (PFIQ-7); and the Pelvic Organ Prolapse/Urinary Incontinence Sexual Questionnaire 12 (PISQ-12). Objective "anatomical success" was defined as POP-Q stage 0 or 1 at all postoperative intervals. We further defined "clinical cure" by simultaneously considering POP-Q points and subjective measures. To be considered a "clinical cure," a given patient had to have all POP-Q points ≤0, apical POP-Q point C ≤5, no reported pelvic organ prolapse symptoms on the PFDI-20, and no reoperation for prolapse at all postoperative intervals. RESULTS: Of the 120 patients, 118 patients completed the 1-year follow-up. The objective "anatomical success" rate was 89 % and the "clinical cure" rate was 94 %. The PFDI-20 mean score improved from 100.4 at baseline to 21.0 at 12 months (p < 0.0001); PFIQ-7 scores improved from 61.6 to 8.0 (p < 0.0001); and PISQ-12 scores improved from 35.7 to 38.6 (p < 0.0009). No mesh erosions or mesh-related complications occurred. CONCLUSION: The use of this ultra-lightweight Y mesh for sacrocolpopexy, eliminated the mesh-related complications in the first postoperative year, and provided significant improvement in subjective and objective outcomes.

Sacrohysteropexy followed by successful pregnancy and eventual reoperation for prolapse.

A multitude of uterine-sparing prolapse repairs exist in the literature, but little is published on subsequent pregnancy and long-term success following a repair. A 35-year-old gravida 2 para 2 underwent laparoscopic sacrohysteropexy and suburethral sling for stage III prolapse and stress urinary incontinence. She conceived 6 months postprocedure. Her antepartum course was complicated by third trimester pelvic pressure--successfully managed with a pessary. She delivered via cesarean section at term. At 12 months postpartum she had no signs of prolapse. Two years postpartum, she reprolapsed and underwent robotic assisted laparoscopic supracervical hysterectomy, sacrocolpopexy, and perineorrhaphy. Two years postoperatively she remained without any prolapse symptoms. Laparoscopic sacrohysteropexy is a reasonable surgical option for patients with pelvic organ prolapse considering future pregnancies.

Uncomplicated vaginal delivery following midurethral sling.

BACKGROUND: : Delivery mode following midurethral sling remains controversial. There are no formal guidelines as to the preferred mode of delivery following midurethral sling. CASE: : A 33-year-old gravida 2 para 2 underwent midurethral sling placement 16 months after the delivery of her first child for severe stress urinary incontinence (SUI). She conceived 2 months postprocedure and had an uneventful antepartum course. She remained without any SUI and delivered via uncomplicated spontaneous vaginal delivery at 38 weeks' gestation. One year after her delivery, she was still free of SUI symptoms. CONCLUSIONS: : Midurethral sling placement may be a valid treatment option for patients with stress incontinence even if they are contemplating future pregnancies and subsequent vaginal delivery.

Overactive bladder medication adherence when medication is free to patients.

PURPOSE: We examined overactive bladder medication compliance in a health care system in which patients do not pay for medication. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Pharmacy dispensing records were reviewed for antimuscarinic agents from January 2003 to December 2006 for the United States Military Health System National Capital Region. Medication nonpersistence, switching and adherence were examined. Kaplan-Meier survival analysis was done to compare medication persistence duration. RESULTS: Overactive bladder medications were dispensed to 7,879 adults. Tolterodine extended release (4,716 patients or 60%) and oxybutynin immediate release (2,003 or 25.5%) were most commonly prescribed. The medication nonpersistence rate, defined as the proportion of patients who never refilled a prescription for antimuscarinics during the study period, was 35.1% (2,760 of 7,858). Of 5,098 patients who refilled a prescription 1,305 changed the medication or dose at least once for a medication switch rate of 25.6%. The overall median medication possession ratio, defined as the total days of medication dispensed except for the last refill divided by the number of days between the first dispense date and the last refill date, was 0.82 in all cases. Men had a significantly higher median medication possession ratio than women (0.86 vs 0.81, p <0.001). Of patients who obtained at least 1 refill women remained on medication longer than men (median 606 vs 547 days, p = 0.01). Patients on tolterodine extended release had a higher medication nonpersistence rate than those on oxybutynin immediate release (0.89 vs 0.68, p <0.01). There was no difference between extended release medications. CONCLUSIONS: In a health care system in which patients do not pay for medications 35% of patients did not refill a prescription for overactive bladder medication, similar to previous reports. However, other measures of medication compliance were higher than those published previously in systems with copays.