Longitudinal Study Comparing Mental Health Outcomes in Frontline Emergency Department Healthcare Workers through the Different Waves of the COVID-19 Pandemic.

As countries transition from the COVID-19 pandemic to endemic status, healthcare systems continue to be under pressure. We aimed to quantify changes in depression, anxiety, stress and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) between 3 cohorts (2020, 2021 and 2022) of our Emergency Department (ED) healthcare workers (HCWs) and those who had worked through all 3 phases of the pandemic; and identify factors associated with poorer mental health outcomes (MHOs). In this longitudinal single-centre study in Singapore, three surveys were carried out yearly (2020, 2021 and 2022) since the COVID-19 outbreak. Depression, anxiety and stress were measured using DASS-21, and PTSD was measured using IES-R. A total of 327 HCWs (90.1%) participated in 2020, 279 (71.5%) in 2021 and 397 (92.8%) in 2022. In 2022, ED HCWs had greater concerns about workload (Mean score ± SD: 2022: 4.81 ± 0.86, vs. 2021: 4.37 ± 0.89, vs. 2020: 4.04 ± 0.97) and perceived to have less workplace support (2022: 4.48 ± 0.76, vs. 2021: 4.66 ± 0.70, vs. 2020: 4.80 ± 0.69). There was overall worsening depression (27.5% in 2020, 29.7% in 2021 and 32.2% in 2022) and stress (12.2% in 2020, 14.0% in 2021 and 17.4% in 2022). Healthcare assistants as a subgroup had improving MHOs. ED HCWs who were female and had psychiatric history, were living with the elderly, and had concerns about their working environment, workload and infection had poorer MHOs. This study will guide us in refining existing and devising more focused interventions to further support our ED HCWs' wellbeing.

Case series: acupuncture-related pneumothorax.

BACKGROUND: Acupuncture has become a more popular complementary and alternative medicine worldwide. As pneumothorax is a rare acupuncture-related adverse event (AE), it is thought to be under-recognized by acupuncturists and emergency physicians, and the public is often not aware of this potential AE resulting in delayed hospital presentation. METHODS: This is a case series of acupuncture-related pneumothoraces diagnosed in an emergency department (ED) in Singapore. Data was collected retrospectively from patients' notes and prospectively from the patients over the phone. CASE PRESENTATIONS: Between 2017 and 2021, 4 out of 474 (0.84%) pneumothoraces were acupuncture related. Three of these patients consented to participate in this study. One patient developed bilateral pneumothoraces. All 3 patients claimed that they were not informed by the acupuncturists of potential serious AEs prior to acupuncture treatments and that they were not aware that such AE could occur. All 3 patients had reported their symptoms of chest pain and/or breathlessness to their acupuncturists post-treatment, but they were not advised to seek urgent medical attention. When the 3 patients had informed their acupuncturists about their diagnosis of pneumothorax, 2 of the acupuncturists did not seem to be aware of this acupuncture-related AE. DISCUSSION: When pneumothorax manifests, there is a potential need for an invasive procedure and continuous monitoring as it may devolve into a life-threatening condition with cardiovascular compromise. Early medical recognition and attention are needed to ensure optimal patient outcomes. In the appropriate population cohort, a history of prior acupuncture treatments should be included as part of history-taking assessment in patients presenting with chest pain and/or breathlessness. CONCLUSION: Emergency physicians should be vigilant of this potentially serious and life-threatening complication for anyone presenting with chest discomfort and/or breathlessness after recently undergoing acupuncture to ensure earlier diagnosis, management, and better patient outcome.

Splenic irradiation contributes to grade ≥ 3 lymphopenia after adjuvant chemoradiation for stomach cancer.

Introduction: Adjuvant chemoradiation therapy (CRT) in gastric cancer inevitably results in an unintentional spleen radiation dose. We aimed to determine the association between the spleen radiation dose and the observed severity of lymphopenia which may affect the clinical outcomes (survival time and infection risk). Methods: Patients who received adjuvant CRT for gastric cancer between January 2015 and December 2020 were analyzed. The splenic dose-volume histogram (DVH) parameters were reported as mean splenic dose (MSD) and percentage of splenic volume receiving at least × Gray (Gy). Peripheral blood counts were recorded pre- and post-CRT. The development of severe (Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events, version 5.0, grade ≥ 3) post-CRT lymphopenia (absolute lymphocyte count [ALC] < 0.5 K/µL) was assessed by multivariable logistic regression using patient and dosimetric factors. Overall survival (OS), recurrence-free survival (RFS), and cumulative incidence of infectious events were estimated and analyzed using the Cox model or competing risk analysis. Results: Eighty-four patients with a median follow-up duration of 42 months were analyzed. Pre- and post-CRT median ALC values were 1.8 K/µL (0.9-3.1 K/µL) and 0.9 K/µL (0.0-4.9 K/µL), respectively (P < 0.001). MSD > 40 Gy (odds ratio [OR], 1.13; 95 % confidence interval [CI], 1.01-1.26; P = 0.041), sex (OR for male to female, 0.25; 95 % CI, 0.09-0.70; P = 0.008), and baseline absolute neutrophil count (OR per 1 unit increase, 1.61; 95 % CI, 1.02-2.58; P = 0.040) were associated with the development of severe post-CRT lymphopenia, which was a risk factor for poorer OS (hazard ratio [HR] = 2.47; 95 % CI, 1.24-4.92; P = 0.010) and RFS (HR = 2.27; 95 % CI, 1.16-4.46; P = 0.017). The cumulative incidence of infections was higher among severe post-CRT lymphopenia patients (2.53, 95 % CI, 1.03-6.23, P = 0.043). Conclusion: High splenic radiation doses increase the odds of severe post-CRT lymphopenia, an independent predictor of lower OS and higher risks of recurrence and infections in gastric cancer patients receiving adjuvant CRT. Therefore, optimizing the splenic DVH parameters may decrease the risk of severe post-CRT lymphopenia.

A One-Year Longitudinal Study: Changes in Depression and Anxiety in Frontline Emergency Department Healthcare Workers in the COVID-19 Pandemic.

Frontline healthcare workers (HCWs) fighting COVID-19 have been associated with depression and anxiety, but there is limited data to illustrate these changes over time. We aim to quantify the changes in depression and anxiety amongst Emergency Department (ED) HCWs over one year and examine the factors associated with these changes. In this longitudinal single-centre study in Singapore, all ED HCWs were prospectively recruited face-to-face. Paper-based surveys were administered in June 2020 and June 2021. Depression and anxiety were measured using DASS-21. The results of 241 HCWs who had completed both surveys were matched. There was significant improvement in anxiety amongst all HCWs (Mean: 2020: 2.85 (±3.19) vs. 2021: 2.54 (±3.11); Median: 2020: 2 (0-4) vs. 2021: 2 (0-4), p = 0.045). HCWs living with elderly and with concerns about infection risk had higher odds of anxiety; those living with young children had lower odds of anxiety. There was significant worsening depression amongst doctors (Mean: 2020: 2.71 (±4.18) vs. 2021: 3.60 (±4.50); Median: 2020: 1 (0-3) vs. 2021: 3 (0-5), p = 0.018). HCWs ≥ 41 years, living with elderly and with greater concerns about workload had higher odds of depression. HCWs who perceived better workplace support and better social connectedness had lower odds of depression. In summary, our study showed significant improvement in anxiety amongst ED HCWs and significant worsening depression amongst ED doctors over one year. Age, living with elderly, and concerns about workload and infection risk were associated with higher odds of depression and anxiety.

Evaluation of plasma microRNA-122, high-mobility group box 1 and keratin-18 concentrations to stratify acute gallstone disease: a pilot observational cohort study in an emergency general surgery unit.

OBJECTIVE: To obtain pilot data to evaluate the discriminatory power of biomarkers microRNA-122 (miR-122), high-mobility group box 1 (HMGB1), full-length keratin-18 (flk-18) and caspase-cleaved keratin-18 (cck-18) in plasma to identify potential biliary complications that may require acute intervention. DESIGN: An observational biomarker cohort pilot study. SETTING: In a Scottish University teaching hospital for 12 months beginning on 3 September 2014. PARTICIPANTS: Blood samples were collected from adults (≥16 years old) referred with acute biliary-type symptoms who have presented to hospital within 24 hours prior were recruited. Patients unable or refused to give informed consent or were transferred from a hospital outside the National Health Service regional trust were excluded. PRIMARY OUTCOME MEASURES: To evaluate whether circulating miR-122, HMGB1, flk-18 and cck-18 can discriminate between people with and without gallstone disease and uncomplicated from complicated gallstone disease during the first 24 hours of hospital admission. RESULTS: 300 patients were screened of which 285 patients were included. Plasma miR-122, cck-18 and flk-18 concentrations were increased in patients with gallstones compared with those without (miR-122: median: 2.89×104 copies/mL vs 0.90×104 copies/mL (p<0.001); cck-18: 121.2 U/L vs 103.5 U/L (p=0.031); flk-18: 252.4 U/L vs 145.1 U/L (p<0.001)). Uncomplicated gallstone disease was associated with higher miR-122 and cck-18 concentrations than complicated disease (miR-122: 5.72×104 copies/mL vs 2.26×104 copies/mL (p=0.023); cck-18: 139.7 U/L vs 113.6 U/L (p=0.047)). There was no significant difference in HMGB1 concentration between patients with and without gallstones (p=0.559). Separation between groups for all biomarkers was modest. CONCLUSION: miR-122 and keratin-18 plasma concentrations are elevated in patients with gallstones. However, this result is confounded by the association between biomarker concentrations, age and gender. In this pilot study, miR-122 and keratin-18 were not sufficiently discriminatory to be progressed as clinically useful biomarkers in this context.

Emergency general surgery 'Hot Clinics' reduce admission rates and duration of inpatient stay.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the impact of a 'Hot Clinic' (HC) on emergency general surgery patient flow-through. DESIGN: Prospective service evaluation study. SETTING: HC is a four-bedded area coordinated by a specialist nurse. The HC consultant sees emergency patients referred from the emergency department, general practitioners or those in preceding 24 h considered suitable for interim discharge while awaiting investigations and HC reassessment. PATIENTS: All patients with acute abdominal pain were evaluated in three 4 week groups: before (group 1), 1 month (group 2) and 6 months after the HC was introduced (group 3). Interhospital transfers, intrahospital ward referrals and trauma patients were excluded. INTERVENTION: Introduction of consultant-led surgical HC every weekday afternoon. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Proportion of patients admitted under general surgeons, length of inpatient stay and the proportion of patients referred again within 3 months were investigated. RESULTS: 1409 patients were referred, of which 1061 met the inclusion criteria: 307 in group 1, 326 in group 2 and 428 in group 3. There was no difference in gender distribution (p=0.759). Inpatient admissions were significantly reduced (85.0% vs 78.2% vs 54.4%; p<0.001) and the inpatient duration of stay was significantly shorter after HC introduction (median (IQR) (95% CI) 63.8 (29.0-111.6) (51.8 to 72.8) hours vs 48.8 (21.7-101.2) (42.0 to 55.6) hours vs 47.7 (20.9-92.7) (42.8 to 56.9) hours; p=0.011). CONCLUSIONS: Emergency general surgery HCs are associated with significant reductions in admission rates and inpatient bed occupancy. This service redesign has the potential to dramatically relieve pressure on acute surgical services.

Assessment of tumor heterogeneity by CT texture analysis: can the largest cross-sectional area be used as an alternative to whole tumor analysis?

OBJECTIVE: To determine if there is a difference between contrast enhanced CT texture features from the largest cross-sectional area versus the whole tumor, and its effect on clinical outcome prediction. METHODS: Entropy (E) and uniformity (U) were derived for different filter values (1.0-2.5: fine to coarse textures) for the largest primary tumor cross-sectional area and the whole tumor of the staging contrast enhanced CT in 55 patients with primary colorectal cancer. Parameters were compared using non-parametric Wilcoxon test. Kaplan-Meier analysis was performed to determine the relationship between CT texture and 5-year overall survival. RESULTS: E was higher and U lower for the whole tumor indicating greater heterogeneity at all filter levels (1.0-2.5): median (range) for E and U for whole tumor versus largest cross-sectional area of 7.89 (7.43-8.31) versus 7.62 (6.94-8.08) and 0.005 (0.004-0.01) versus 0.006 (0.005-0.01) for filter 1.0; 7.88 (7.22-8.48) versus 7.54 (6.86-8.1) and 0.005 (0.003-0.01) versus 0.007 (0.004-0.01) for filter 1.5; 7.88 (7.17-8.54) versus 7.48 (5.84-8.25) and 0.005 (0.003-0.01) versus 0.007 (0.004-0.02) for filter 2.0; and 7.83 (7.03-8.57) versus 7.42 (5.19-8.26) and 0.005 (0.003-0.01) versus 0.006 (0.004-0.03) for filter 2.5 respectively (p ≤ 0.001). Kaplan-Meier analysis demonstrated better separation of E and U for whole tumor analysis for 5-year overall survival. CONCLUSION: Whole tumor analysis appears more representative of tumor heterogeneity.

Assessment of primary colorectal cancer heterogeneity by using whole-tumor texture analysis: contrast-enhanced CT texture as a biomarker of 5-year survival.

PURPOSE: To determine if computed tomographic (CT) texture features of primary colorectal cancer are related to 5-year overall survival rate. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Institutional review board waiver was obtained for this retrospective analysis. Texture features of the entire primary tumor were assessed with contrast material-enhanced staging CT studies obtained in 57 patients as part of an ethically approved study and by using proprietary software. Entropy, uniformity, kurtosis, skewness, and standard deviation of the pixel distribution histogram were derived from CT images without filtration and with filter values corresponding to fine (1.0), medium (1.5, 2.0), and coarse (2.5) textures. Patients were followed up until death and were censored at 5 years if they were still alive. Kaplan-Meier analysis was performed to determine the relationship, if any, between CT texture and 5-year overall survival rate. The Cox proportional hazards model was used to assess independence of texture parameters from stage. RESULTS: Follow-up data were available for 55 of 57 patients. There were eight stage I, 19 stage II, 17 stage III, and 11 stage IV cancers. Fine-texture feature Kaplan-Meier survival plots for entropy, uniformity, kurtosis, skewness, and standard deviation of the pixel distribution histogram were significantly different for tumors above and below each respective threshold receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve optimal cutoff value (P = .001, P = .018, P = .032, P = .008, and P = .001, respectively), with poorer prognosis for ROC optimal values (a) less than 7.89 for entropy, (b) at least 0.01 for uniformity, (c) less than 2.48 for kurtosis, (d) at least -0.38 for skewness, and (e) less than 61.83 for standard deviation. Multivariate Cox proportional hazards regression analysis showed that each parameter was independent from the stage predictor of overall survival rate (P = .001, P = .009, P = .006, P = .02, and P = .001, respectively). CONCLUSION: Fine-texture features are associated with poorer 5-year overall survival rate in patients with primary colorectal cancer. SUPPLEMENTAL MATERIAL: http://radiology.rsna.org/lookup/suppl/doi:10.1148/radiol.12120254/-/DC1.

Assessment of tumor heterogeneity: an emerging imaging tool for clinical practice?

BACKGROUND: Tumor spatial heterogeneity is an important prognostic factor, which may be reflected in medical images METHODS: Image texture analysis is an approach of quantifying heterogeneity that may not be appreciated by the naked eye. Different methods can be applied including statistical-, model-, and transform-based methods. RESULTS: Early evidence suggests that texture analysis has the potential to augment diagnosis and characterization as well as improve tumor staging and therapy response assessment in oncological practice. CONCLUSION: This review provides an overview of the application of texture analysis with different imaging modalities, CT, MRI, and PET, to date and describes the technical challenges that have limited its widespread clinical implementation so far. With further efforts to refine its application, image texture analysis has the potential to develop into a valuable clinical tool for oncologic imaging. TEACHING POINTS : • Tumor spatial heterogeneity is an important prognostic factor. • Image texture analysis is an approach of quantifying heterogeneity. • Different methods can be applied, including statistical-, model-, and transform-based methods. • Texture analysis could improve the diagnosis, tumor staging, and therapy response assessment.

An unusual case of infective endocarditis presenting as acute myocardial infarction.

A 39-year-old Zimbabwean man presented with a 1 week history of fever, general malaise and acute onset chest pain. He had a urethral stricture, which had been managed with an indwelling supra-pubic catheter. The electrocardiography on admission showed inferior ST-T segments elevation. His chest pain and electrocardiography changes resolved subsequent to thrombolysis, and he remained haemodynamically stable. The 12 h troponin I was increased at 10.5 µg/l (NR <0.04 µg/l). Echocardiography confirmed severe mitral regurgitation and a flail anterior mitral valve leaflet with an independently oscillating mobile vegetation. Enterococci faecalis were grown on blood cultures. A diagnosis of enterococci infective endocarditis with concomitant acute myocardial infarction due to possible septic emboli was made. Despite the successful outcome from thrombolysis in the setting of acute myocardial infarction with infective endocarditis, the case highlights the current lack of definitive data on the optimal acute management of such an unusual clinical scenario. Although there is serious concern that thrombolytic treatment for myocardial infarction in the setting of infective endocarditis may be associated with higher risk of cerebral haemorrhage, there is little documented evidence supporting the safety of primary percutaneous coronary intervention with these patients.

An unusual case of infective endocarditis presenting as acute myocardial infarction.

A 39-year-old Zimbabwean man presented with a 1 week history of fever, general malaise and acute-onset chest pain. He had a urethral stricture, which had been managed with an indwelling supra-pubic catheter. The electrocardiography on admission showed inferior ST-T segments elevation. His chest pain and electrocardiography changes resolved subsequent to thrombolysis, and he remained haemodynamically stable. The 12-h troponin I was increased at 10.5 microg/l (NR <0.04 microg/l). Echocardiography confirmed severe mitral regurgitation and a flail anterior mitral valve leaflet with an independently oscillating mobile vegetation. Enterococci faecalis were grown on blood cultures. A diagnosis of enterococci infective endocarditis with concomitant acute myocardial infarction due to possible septic emboli was made. Despite the successful outcome from thrombolysis in the setting of acute myocardial infarction with infective endocarditis, the case highlights the current lack of definitive data on the optimal acute management of such an unusual clinical scenario. Although there is serious concern that thrombolytic treatment for myocardial infarction in the setting of infective endocarditis may be associated with higher risk of cerebral haemorrhage, there is little documented evidence supporting the safety of primary percutaneous coronary intervention with these patients.