ABSTRACT
Objective@#Examine the risks of fractures and osteoporosis after risk-reducing bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy (RRBSO) among women with BRCA1/2 mutations. @*Methods@#In this retrospective population-based study in British Columbia, Canada, between 1996 to 2017, we compared risks of osteoporosis and fractures among women with BRCA1/2 mutations who underwent RRBSO before the age of 50 (n=329) with two age-matched groups without known mutations: 1) women who underwent bilateral oophorectomy (BO) (n=3,290); 2) women with intact ovaries who had hysterectomy or salpingectomy (n=3,290). Secondary outcomes were: having dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) scan, and bisphosphonates use. @*Results@#The mean age at RRBSO was 42.4 years (range, 26–49) and the median follow-up for women with BRCA1/2 mutations was 6.9 years (range, 1.1–19.9). There was no increased hazard of fractures for women with BRCA1/2 mutations (adjusted hazard ratio [aHR]=0.80; 95% confidence interval [CI]=0.56–1.14 compared to women who had BO; aHR=1.02; 95% CI=0.65–1.61 compared to women with intact ovaries). Among women who had DEXA-scan, those with BRCA1/2 mutations had higher risk of osteoporosis (aHR=1.60; 95% CI=1.00–2.54 compared to women who had BO; aHR=2.49; 95% CI=1.44–4.28 compared to women with intact ovaries). Women with BRCA1/2 mutations were more likely to get DEXA-scan than either control groups, but only 46% of them were screened. Of the women with BRCA1/2 mutations diagnosed with osteoporosis, 36% received bisphosphonates. @*Conclusion@#Women with BRCA1/2 mutations had higher risk of osteoporosis after RRBSO, but were not at increased risk of fractures during our follow-up. Low rates of DEXA-scan and bisphosphonates use indicate we can improve prevention of bone loss.
ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVES: Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common sustained cardiac rhythm disorder associated with stroke. This study was done to describe risk factors, clinical features, and short-term outcomes of stroke patients with AF. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study was a part of the Indian Council of Medical Research funded "Ludhiana urban population based Stroke Registry." Data were collected using WHO STEPS stroke method. All patients ≥18 years of age, who developed ischemic stroke between March 26, 2011, and March 25, 2013, were included in this study. Data about demographic details, clinical features, and risk factors were collected. The outcome was assessed at 28 days using modified Rankin scale (mRs) (good outcome: mRS ≤2; poor outcome >2). The statistical measures calculated were descriptive statistics, Chi-square test, Fischer's exact test, and independent t-test. RESULTS: Of the total 7199 patients enrolled in the registry, data of 1942 patients who fulfilled inclusion criteria were analyzed, and AF was seen in 203 (10%) patients. AF patients were older (AF 62 ± 14 vs. non-AF 60 ± 15 years, P = 0.01), had more hypertension (AF 176 [87%] vs. non-AF 1396 [80%], P = 0.03), hyperlipidemia (AF 60 [32%] vs. non-AF 345 [21%], P = 0.001), coronary artery disease (AF 60 [30%] vs. non-AF 195 [11%], P < 0.0001), and carotid stenosis (AF 14 [7%] vs. non-AF 57 (3%), P = 0.02). They had worse outcome (mRS >2; AF 90 [50%] vs. non-AF 555 [37%], P = 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Ten percent of stroke patients had AF. They were older, had multiple risk factors and worse outcome. There was no gender difference in this large cohort.
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: To explore the relationship between persistent post-radiotherapy pain and locoregional recurrence in head and neck cancer patients. METHODS: Five year retrospective data was reviewed of 86 patients of head and neck cancer treated with radiotherapy who continued to have pain at 6 weeks after completion of treatment. At follow-up after 3 months, these patients were stratified into: Group A (n = 39) constituted of patients whose pain subsided and Group B (n = 47) were patients who continued to have persistent pain. RESULTS: At median follow-up time of 25 months (range: 8-47), one patient (2.6%) and 18 (38.3%) patients in group A and group B had locoregional recurrence respectively (P < 0.0001). Furthermore, group B patients had higher mean pain score levels as compared to group A (P = 0.03). Patients in whom pain subsided within 3 months had statistically much greater disease-free survival in comparison to those with persistent pain (P < 0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: Pain in head and neck cancer is an important symptom and should be considered a poor prognostic factor. In the current study, the majority of the patients with persistent pain had recurrent disease as compared to those in whom pain subsided within 3 months of post-treatment. It is suggested that patients with persistent pain need more intense follow-up and should be investigated thoroughly to detect recurrence at an early stage to provide a better quality of life.
