Predictors of prognosis of synchronous brain metastases in small-cell lung cancer patients.

Patients with small cell lung cancer (SCLC) are more likely to have synchronous brain metastasis (SBM) at the time of diagnosis than patients with any other extracranial primary malignancy. We sought to identify which factors predicted an increased risk of SBM in SCLC as well as which factors affected the prognosis of these patients. 38,956 Patients in the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) database with microscopically confirmed SCLC from 2010 to 2016 were identified. 6264 (16.1%) Patients with SCLC had SBM at the time of diagnosis. In the multivariable logistic regression, disease specific factors that were predictive of SBM were primary tumor size > 7 cm (adjusted OR = 1.14, 95% CI [1.02, 1.28], p = 0.02), synchronous lung metastases, and synchronous bone metastases. Demographic specific factors predictive of increased SBM risk in this model were younger age, male sex, and race (American Indian/Alaska Native and black patients). Patients insured through Medicaid were less likely to present with SBM. In the multivariate Cox proportional hazards model, lack of insurance was the strongest predictor of mortality (adjusted HR = 1.47, 95% CI [1.26, 1.73], p < 0.001). Other factors associated with an increased risk of mortality include male sex, older age, health insurance coverage through Medicaid, synchronous liver metastasis, synchronous lung metastasis, and primary tumor size > 7 cm. In contrast, Asian patients had a lower risk of mortality. This study identifies risk factors for SBM among patients with SCLC, as well as indicators of prognosis among this patient population.

Neurologic injuries following road traffic accidents in the Dominican Republic: Examining causes and potential solutions.

Objective: Road traffic accidents (RTAs) are the number one cause of traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) worldwide. This study examines RTA-related TBIs in the Dominican Republic, a country in the Caribbean with the highest RTA fatality rate in the Western Hemisphere. Methods: We interviewed 117 adult patients or medical guardians of patients admitted to Hospital Traumatológico Dr. Ney Arias Lora in Santo Domingo following an RTA. Information regarding the type of accident, patient demographics, and injuries sustained was collected for each patient. Results: Most study participants were males (79.5%), and the most common method of transportation was motorized 2-wheeled vehicle (MTW; 74.4%). Of the 69 patients who suffered a TBI, 66.7% were classified as moderate-severe TBIs and 30.3% were classified as mild TBIs. The most common types of intracranial hemorrhage were subdural hemorrhage (12%) and subarachnoid hemorrhage (9.4%). Helmet use among admitted MTW riders was reported at 22.4%, and none of the 9 MTW riders who died in the hospital were wearing a helmet. Only 58.1% of patients lived in an area that offered 911 emergency response services at the time of the study. At 66.2%, the majority of people living within the 911 service area utilized emergency response services following an RTA. Multiple logistic regression determined that the utilization of 911 emergency response services was associated with a decrease in the likelihood of presenting with a moderate/severe TBI by a factor of 0.78 (adjusted odds ratio [OR]; P < .008; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.65, 0.93). Nonuse of a helmet was associated with a 1.22 times increased risk of presenting with a moderate/severe TBI (adjusted OR; P < .04; 95% CI, 1.01, 1.61). Age and gender were not statistically significant in this model. Conclusions: The results of this study support 2 important avenues for reducing the burden of RTA-associated neurologic disease in the Dominican Republic. As with many other middle-income countries, MTWs represent an economical and efficient mode of transportation. Therefore, increasing helmet use may be the most effective way to reduce RTA-associated TBIs. In addition, continuing the expansion of postcrash emergency response services may mitigate the severity of RTA-associated neurologic disease.