A mixed-methods study exploring and comparing the experiences of people who sustained a spinal cord injury earlier versus later in life.

STUDY DESIGN: Mixed-methods. OBJECTIVES: (1) To explore psychosocial and quality of life outcomes between those injured early versus later in life, and (2) to explore their post-injury experiences. SETTING: GF Strong Rehabilitation Centre, Vancouver, Canada. METHODS: For this community-based study, we recruited individuals with SCI (>55 years of age) who were either injured between the ages of 15-30 (n = 15) or after the age of 50 (n = 15). We collected quantitative data about participants' sociodemographics and participants completed standardised questionnaires assessing personal factors, environmental factors, life habits, and quality of life. An independent samples t test was performed for continuous variables and the Chi-square test was conducted for the categorical variables. Qualitative data were collected via semi-structured interviews. Thematic content analysis was performed on the interview transcripts. RESULTS: We found no statistically significant differences between the two groups on any of the psychosocial outcomes. However, those injured later in life were significantly more likely to be female, have a higher income, and live in residential care. We identified three main qualitative themes that were consistent across the two groups: 'dealing with health and changes in occupation', 'enacting interdependence', and 'living in the community'. Some sub-themes varied between groups. CONCLUSIONS: To facilitate better rehabilitation, clinicians need to be aware of disparities among people with SCI relating to age of injury. Across age cohorts, it is important to increase independence, provide greater support when entering or returning to the workforce, and reduce societal stigma.

External Beam Radiation Therapy in pT4 Well-Differentiated Thyroid Cancer: A Population-Based Study of 405 Patients.

PURPOSE: The benefit of external beam radiation therapy (EBRT) in locally advanced, well- differentiated thyroid cancer (WDTC) is uncertain. The purpose of this study is to evaluate locoregional recurrence (LRR), progression-free survival, and cause-specific survival (CSS) of patients with pT4 well-differentiated thyroid carcinoma. METHODS AND MATERIALS: A population-based retrospective review was conducted of consecutive patients with pT4 WDTC (per the American Joint Committee on Cancer, 8th edition, criteria) treated provincially between 1985 and 2013. The primary endpoints were cumulative incidence of LRR and CSS. To account for the competing risks of death from other causes, a Fine-Gray's test was used. A Cox-proportional hazards model was used to analyze overall survival (OS). Multivariate models and propensity matching were used to account for the effects of covariates. RESULTS: A total of 405 patients were identified with a median follow-up time of 14.3 years for a total of 4209 person-years of follow up. The median age at the time of diagnosis was 53 years (range, 20-87). There were 211 patients (52%) who received EBRT. EBRT was associated with age ≥55 years (56% vs 35%; P < .001), airway involvement (42% vs 8%; P < .001), and R1/2 resection (81% vs 51%; P < .001). The 10-year outcomes for the non-EBRT and EBRT groups were 21.6% versus 11.4%, respectively, for LRR, 84.1% versus 93.1%, respectively, for CSS, and 85.7% versus 67.5%, respectively, for OS. On multivariate analysis, EBRT was associated with a lower rate of LRR (hazard ratio [HR]: 0.334; P < .001), but not associated with CSS (HR: 1.56; P = .142) nor OS (HR: 1.216; P = .335). After propensity score matching, the EBRT cohort had lower rates of LRR relative to the non-EBRT cohort (HR: 0.261; P = .0003), but there were no differences in CSS or OS. CONCLUSIONS: In this large, population-based analysis of patients with pT4 WDTC, EBRT was associated with lower rates of LRR, but no difference in CSS or OS.