Socioeconomic deprivation and illness trajectory in the Scottish population after COVID-19 hospitalization.

BACKGROUND: The associations between deprivation and illness trajectory after hospitalisation for coronavirus disease-19 (COVID-19) are uncertain. METHODS: A prospective, multicentre cohort study was conducted on post-COVID-19 patients, enrolled either in-hospital or shortly post-discharge. Two evaluations were carried out: an initial assessment and a follow-up at 28-60 days post-discharge. The study encompassed research blood tests, patient-reported outcome measures, and multisystem imaging (including chest computed tomography (CT) with pulmonary and coronary angiography, cardiovascular and renal magnetic resonance imaging). Primary and secondary outcomes were analysed in relation to socioeconomic status, using the Scottish Index of Multiple Deprivation (SIMD). The EQ-5D-5L, Brief Illness Perception Questionnaire (BIPQ), Patient Health Questionnaire-4 (PHQ-4) for Anxiety and Depression, and the Duke Activity Status Index (DASI) were used to assess health status. RESULTS: Of the 252 enrolled patients (mean age 55.0 ± 12.0 years; 40% female; 23% with diabetes), deprivation status was linked with increased BMI and diabetes prevalence. 186 (74%) returned for the follow-up. Within this group, findings indicated associations between deprivation and lung abnormalities (p = 0.0085), coronary artery disease (p = 0.0128), and renal inflammation (p = 0.0421). Furthermore, patients with higher deprivation exhibited worse scores in health-related quality of life (EQ-5D-5L, p = 0.0084), illness perception (BIPQ, p = 0.0004), anxiety and depression levels (PHQ-4, p = 0.0038), and diminished physical activity (DASI, p = 0.002). At the 3-month mark, those with greater deprivation showed a higher frequency of referrals to secondary care due to ongoing COVID-19 symptoms (p = 0.0438). However, clinical outcomes were not influenced by deprivation. CONCLUSIONS: In a post-hospital COVID-19 population, socioeconomic deprivation was associated with impaired health status and secondary care episodes. Deprivation influences illness trajectory after COVID-19.

In our study, we aimed to understand how socioeconomic factors impact recovery from COVID-19 following hospitalisation. We followed 252 patients, collecting health data and utilising advanced imaging techniques. We discovered that individuals from deprived areas experienced more severe health complications, reported worse quality of life, and required more specialist care. However, their clinical outcomes were not significantly different. This underscores that socioeconomic deprivation affects health recovery, underlining the need for tailored care for these individuals. Our findings emphasise the importance of considering socioeconomic factors in recovery plans post-COVID-19, potentially improving healthcare for those in deprived areas.

Invasive Endotyping in Patients With Angina and No Obstructive Coronary Artery Disease: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

BACKGROUND: We investigated the usefulness of invasive coronary function testing to diagnose the cause of angina in patients with no obstructive coronary arteries. METHODS: Outpatients referred for coronary computed tomography angiography in 3 hospitals in the United Kingdom were prospectively screened. After coronary computed tomography angiography, patients with unobstructed coronary arteries, and who consented, underwent invasive endotyping. The diagnostic assessments included coronary angiography, fractional flow reserve (patient excluded if ≤0.80), and, for those without obstructive coronary artery disease, coronary flow reserve (abnormal <2.0), index of microvascular resistance (abnormal ≥25), and intracoronary infusion of acetylcholine (0.182, 1.82, and 18.2 µg/mL; 2 mL/min for 2 minutes) to assess for microvascular and coronary spasm. Participants were randomly assigned to disclosure of the results of the coronary function tests to the invasive cardiologist (intervention group) or nondisclosure (control group, blinded). In the control group, a diagnosis of vasomotor angina was based on medical history, noninvasive tests, and coronary angiography. The primary outcome was the between-group difference in the reclassification rate of the initial diagnosis on the basis of coronary computed tomography angiography versus the final diagnosis after invasive endotyping. The Seattle Angina Questionnaire summary score and Treatment Satisfaction Questionnaire for Medication were secondary outcomes. RESULTS: Of 322 eligible patients, 250 (77.6%) underwent invasive endotyping; 19 (7.6%) had obstructive coronary disease, 127 (55.0%) had microvascular angina, 27 (11.7%) had vasospastic angina, 17 (7.4%) had both, and 60 (26.0%) had no abnormality. A total of 231 patients (mean age, 55.7 years; 64.5% women) were randomly assigned and followed up (median duration, 19.9 [12.6-26.9] months). The clinician diagnosed vasomotor angina in 51 (44.3%) patients in the intervention group and in 55 (47.4%) patients in the control group. After randomization, patients in the intervention group were 4-fold (odds ratio, 4.05 [95% CI, 2.32-7.24]; P<0.001) more likely to be diagnosed with a coronary vasomotor disorder; the frequency of this diagnosis increased to 76.5%. The frequency of normal coronary function (ie, no vasomotor disorder) was not different between the groups before randomization (51.3% versus 50.9%) but was reduced in the intervention group after randomization (23.5% versus 50.9%, P<0.001). At 6 and 12 months, the Seattle Angina Questionnaire summary score in the intervention versus control groups was 59.2±24.2 (2.3±16.2 change from baseline) versus 60.4±23.9 (4.6±16.4 change) and 63.7±23.5 (4.7±14.7 change) versus 66.0±19.3 (7.9±17.1 change), respectively, and not different between groups (global P=0.36). Compared with the control group, global treatment satisfaction was higher in the intervention group at 12 months (69.9±22.8 versus 61.7±26.9, P=0.013). CONCLUSIONS: For patients with angina and no obstructive coronary arteries, a diagnosis informed by invasive functional assessment had no effect on long-term angina burden, whereas treatment satisfaction improved. REGISTRATION: URL: https://www.clinicaltrials.gov; Unique identifier: NCT03477890.

Post-COVID-19 illness and associations with sex and gender.

BACKGROUND: Post-COVID-19 syndromes have associated with female sex, but the pathophysiological basis is uncertain. AIM: There are sex differences in myocardial inflammation identified using cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) in post-COVID-19 patients, and in patient reported health outcomes following COVID-19 infection. DESIGN: This prospective study investigated the time-course of multiorgan injury in survivors of COVID-19 during convalescence. METHODS: Clinical information, blood biomarkers, and patient reported outcome measures were prospectively acquired at enrolment (visit 1) and 28-60 days post-discharge (visit 2). Chest computed tomography (CT) and CMR were performed at visit 2. Follow-up was carried out for serious adverse events, including death and rehospitalization. RESULTS: Sixty-nine (43%) of 159 patients recruited were female. During the index admission, females had a lower peak C-reactive protein (74 mg/l (21,163) versus 123 mg/l (70, 192) p = 0.008) and peak ferritin (229 µg/l (103, 551) versus 514 µg/l (228, 1122) p < 0.001). Using the Modified Lake-Louise criteria, females were more likely to have definite evidence of myocardial inflammation (54% (37/68) versus 33% (30/90) p = 0.003). At enrolment and 28-60 days post-discharge, enhanced illness perception, higher levels of anxiety and depression and lower predicted maximal oxygen utilization occurred more commonly in women. The mean (SD, range) duration of follow-up after hospital discharge was 450 (88) days (range 290, 627 days). Compared to men, women had lower rates of cardiovascular hospitalization (0% versus 8% (7/90); p = 0.018). CONCLUSIONS: Women demonstrated worse patient reported outcome measures at index admission and 28-60 days follow-up though cardiovascular hospitalization was lower.

Adjudicated myocarditis and multisystem illness trajectory in healthcare workers post-COVID-19.

BACKGROUND: We investigated the associations of healthcare worker status with multisystem illness trajectory in hospitalised post-COVID-19 individuals. METHODS AND RESULTS: One hundred and sixty-eight patients were evaluated 28-60 days after the last episode of hospital care. Thirty-six (21%) were healthcare workers. Compared with non-healthcare workers, healthcare workers were of similar age (51.3 (8.7) years vs 55.0 (12.4) years; p=0.09) more often women (26 (72%) vs 48 (38%); p<0.01) and had lower 10-year cardiovascular risk (%) (8.1 (7.9) vs 15.0 (11.5); p<0.01) and Coronavirus Clinical Characterisation Consortium in-hospital mortality risk (7.3 (10.2) vs 12.7 (9.8); p<0.01). Healthcare worker status associated with less acute inflammation (peak C reactive protein 48 mg/L (IQR: 14-165) vs 112 mg/L (52-181)), milder illness reflected by WHO clinical severity score distribution (p=0.04) and shorter duration of admission (4 days (IQR: 2-6) vs 6 days (3-12)).In adjusted multivariate logistic regression analysis, healthcare worker status associated with a binary classification (probable/very likely vs not present/unlikely) of adjudicated myocarditis (OR: 2.99; 95% CI (1.01 to 8.89) by 28-60 days postdischarge).After a mean (SD, range) duration of follow-up after hospital discharge of 450 (88) days (range 290, 627 days), fewer healthcare workers died or were rehospitalised (1 (3%) vs 22 (17%); p=0.038) and secondary care referrals for post-COVID-19 syndrome were common (42%) and similar to non-healthcare workers (38%; p=0.934). CONCLUSION: Healthcare worker status was independently associated with the likelihood of adjudicated myocarditis, despite better antecedent health. Two in five healthcare workers had a secondary care referral for post-COVID-19 syndrome. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: NCT04403607.

A multisystem, cardio-renal investigation of post-COVID-19 illness.

The pathophysiology and trajectory of post-Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) syndrome is uncertain. To clarify multisystem involvement, we undertook a prospective cohort study including patients who had been hospitalized with COVID-19 (ClinicalTrials.gov ID NCT04403607 ). Serial blood biomarkers, digital electrocardiography and patient-reported outcome measures were obtained in-hospital and at 28-60 days post-discharge when multisystem imaging using chest computed tomography with pulmonary and coronary angiography and cardio-renal magnetic resonance imaging was also obtained. Longer-term clinical outcomes were assessed using electronic health records. Compared to controls (n = 29), at 28-60 days post-discharge, people with COVID-19 (n = 159; mean age, 55 years; 43% female) had persisting evidence of cardio-renal involvement and hemostasis pathway activation. The adjudicated likelihood of myocarditis was 'very likely' in 21 (13%) patients, 'probable' in 65 (41%) patients, 'unlikely' in 56 (35%) patients and 'not present' in 17 (11%) patients. At 28-60 days post-discharge, COVID-19 was associated with worse health-related quality of life (EQ-5D-5L score 0.77 (0.23) versus 0.87 (0.20)), anxiety and depression (PHQ-4 total score 3.59 (3.71) versus 1.28 (2.67)) and aerobic exercise capacity reflected by predicted maximal oxygen utilization (20.0 (7.6) versus 29.5 (8.0) ml/kg/min) (all P < 0.01). During follow-up (mean, 450 days), 24 (15%) patients and two (7%) controls died or were rehospitalized, and 108 (68%) patients and seven (26%) controls received outpatient secondary care (P = 0.017). The illness trajectory of patients after hospitalization with COVID-19 includes persisting multisystem abnormalities and health impairments that could lead to substantial demand on healthcare services in the future.

Rationale and design of the British Heart Foundation (BHF) Coronary Microvascular Function and CT Coronary Angiogram (CorCTCA) study.

Microvascular and/or vasospastic anginas are relevant causes of ischemia with no obstructive coronary artery disease (INOCA) in patients after computed tomography coronary angiography (CTCA). OBJECTIVES: Our research has 2 objectives. The first is to undertake a diagnostic study, and the second is to undertake a nested, clinical trial of stratified medicine. DESIGN: A prospective, multicenter, randomized, blinded, sham-controlled trial of stratified medicine (NCT03477890) will be performed. All-comers referred for clinically indicated CTCA for investigation of suspected coronary artery disease (CAD) will be screened in 3 regional centers. Following informed consent, eligible patients with angina symptoms are enrolled before CTCA and remain eligible if CTCA excludes obstructive CAD. Diagnostic study: Invasive coronary angiography involving an interventional diagnostic procedure (IDP) to assess for disease endotypes: (1) angina due to obstructive CAD (fractional flow reserve ≤0.80); (2) microvascular angina (coronary flow reserve <2.0 and/or index of microvascular resistance >25); (3) microvascular angina due to small vessel spasm (acetylcholine); (4) vasospastic angina due to epicardial coronary spasm (acetylcholine); and (5) noncoronary etiology (normal coronary function). The IDP involves direct invasive measurements using a diagnostic coronary guidewire followed by provocation testing with intracoronary acetylcholine. The primary outcome of the diagnostic study is the reclassification of the initial CTCA diagnosis based on the IDP. Stratified medicine trial: Participants are immediately randomized 1:1 in the catheter laboratory to therapy stratified by endotype (intervention group) or not (control group). The primary outcome of the trial is the mean within-subject change in Seattle Angina Questionnaire score at 6 months. Secondary outcomes include safety, feasibility, diagnostic utility (impact on diagnosis and certainty), and clinical utility (impact on treatment and investigations). Health status assessments include quality of life, illness perception, anxiety-depression score, treatment satisfaction, and physical activity. Participants who are not randomized will enter a follow-up registry. Health and economic outcomes in the longer term will be assessed using electronic patient record linkage. VALUE: CorCTCA will prospectively characterize the prevalence of disease endotypes in INOCA and determine the clinical value of stratified medicine in this population.

12 week PET-CT has low positive predictive value for nodal residual disease in human papillomavirus-positive oropharyngeal cancers.

OBJECTIVES: Surveillance PET-CT scans at 12 weeks post-radiotherapy for head and neck cancer can be used to omit neck dissections with no detriment in overall survival. Human Papillomavirus (HPV) driven tumours behave differently on conventional imaging after radiotherapy but it is unknown if this effect is seen on PET-CT and if HPV status affects the accuracy of PET-CT. We aimed to determine the negative and positive predictive values (NPV and PPV) of 12 week surveillance PET-CT in HPV positive and negative tumours, and investigate predictors of relapse in equivocal responders. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective cohort study in a UK tertiary level oncology hospital, between 2013 and 2016 included adults with oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma, or HPV positive head and neck squamous cell cancers of unknown primary, treated with radiotherapy. RESULTS: The PPVs of 12 week PET-CT in HPV positive and negative disease are 30% and 81.8% respectively (p < 0.01). The NPVs of 12 week PET-CT in HPV positive and negative disease are 92.9% and 55.6% respectively (p < 0.01). 67% of HPV positive patients with equivocal responses on 12 week PET-CT achieved complete response by 24 weeks. Equivocal responses in HPV positive disease had statistically similar survival to patients with complete responses. Comparing disease and imaging characteristics, there were no predictors of residual tumour. CONCLUSIONS: HPV positive tumours have a poor PPV of 30% on 12 week surveillance PET-CTs and take longer to achieve complete response. A period of further surveillance can be considered instead of an immediate neck dissection in this group of patients.

Early Contrast Enhancement: A novel magnetic resonance imaging biomarker of pleural malignancy.

INTRODUCTION: Pleural Malignancy (PM) is often occult on subjective radiological assessment. We sought to define a novel, semi-objective Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) biomarker of PM, targeted to increased tumour microvessel density (MVD) and applicable to minimal pleural thickening. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 60 consecutive patients with suspected PM underwent contrast-enhanced 3-T MRI then pleural biopsy. In 58/60, parietal pleura signal intensity (SI) was measured in multiple regions of interest (ROI) at multiple time-points, generating ROI SI/time curves and Mean SI gradient (MSIG: SI increment/time). The diagnostic performance of Early Contrast Enhancement (ECE; which was defined as a SI peak in at least one ROI at or before 4.5 min) was compared with subjective MRI and Computed Tomography (CT) morphology results. MSIG was correlated against tumour MVD (based on Factor VIII immunostain) in 31 patients with Mesothelioma. RESULTS: 71% (41/58) patients had PM. Pleural thickening was <10 mm in 49/58 (84%). ECE sensitivity was 83% (95% CI 61-94%), specificity 83% (95% CI 68-91%), positive predictive value 68% (95% CI 47-84%), negative predictive value 92% (78-97%). ECE performance was similar or superior to subjective CT and MRI. MSIG correlated with MVD (r = 0.4258, p = .02). DISCUSSION: ECE is a semi-objective, perfusion-based biomarker of PM, measurable in minimal pleural thickening. Further studies are warranted.

The diagnostic performance of routinely acquired and reported computed tomography imaging in patients presenting with suspected pleural malignancy.

OBJECTIVES: Contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CT) provides essential cross-sectional imaging data in patients with suspected pleural malignancy (PM). The performance of CT in routine practice may be lower than in previously reported research. We assessed this relative to 'real-life' factors including use of early arterial-phase contrast enhancement (by CT pulmonary angiography (CTPA)) and non-specialist radiology reporting. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Routinely acquired and reported CT scans in patients recruited to the DIAPHRAGM study (a prospective, multi-centre observational study of mesothelioma biomarkers) between January 2014 and April 2016 were retrospectively reviewed. CT reports were classified as malignant if they included specific terms e.g. "suspicious of malignancy", "stage M1a" and benign if others were used e.g. "indeterminate", "no cause identified". All patients followed a standard diagnostic algorithm. The diagnostic performance of CT (overall and based on the above factors) was assessed using 2×2 Contingency Tables. RESULTS: 30/345 (9%) eligible patients were excluded (non-contrast (n=13) or non-contiguous CT (n=4), incomplete follow-up (n=13)). 195/315 (62%) patients studied had PM; 90% were cyto-histologically confirmed. 172/315 (55%) presented as an acute admission, of whom 31/172 (18%) had CTPA. Overall, CT sensitivity was 58% (95% CI 51-65%); specificity was 80% (95% CI 72-87%). Sensitivity of CTPA (performed in 31/315 (10%)) was lower (27% (95% CI 9-53%)) than venous-phase CT (61% (95% CI 53-68%) p=0.0056). Sensitivity of specialist thoracic radiologist reporting was higher (68% (95% CI 55-79%)) than non-specialist reporting (53% (95% CI 44-62%) p=0.0488). Specificity was not significantly different. CONCLUSION: The diagnostic performance of CT in routine clinical practice is insufficient to exclude or confirm PM. A benign CT report should not dissuade pleural sampling where the presence of primary or secondary pleural malignancy would alter management. Sensitivity is lower with non-thoracic radiology reporting and particularly low using CTPA.

Diagnostic and Prognostic Biomarkers in the Rational Assessment of Mesothelioma (DIAPHRAGM) study: protocol of a prospective, multicentre, observational study.

INTRODUCTION: Malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM) is an asbestos-related cancer, which is difficult to diagnose. Thoracoscopy is frequently required but is not widely available. An accurate, non-invasive diagnostic biomarker would allow early specialist referral, limit diagnostic delays and maximise clinical trial access. Current markers offer insufficient sensitivity and are not routinely used. The SOMAmer proteomic classifier and fibulin-3 have recently demonstrated sensitivity and specificity exceeding 90% in retrospective studies. DIAPHRAGM (Diagnostic and Prognostic Biomarkers in the Rational Assessment of Mesothelioma) is a suitably powered, multicentre, prospective observational study designed to determine whether these markers provide clinically useful diagnostic and prognostic information. METHODS AND ANALYSIS: Serum and plasma (for SOMAscan and fibulin-3, respectively) will be collected at presentation, prior to pleural biopsy/pleurodesis, from 83 to 120 patients with MPM, at least 480 patients with non-MPM pleural disease and 109 asbestos-exposed controls. Final numbers of MPM/non-MPM cases will depend on the incidence of MPM in the study population (estimated at 13-20%). Identical sampling and storage protocols will be used in 22 recruiting centres and histological confirmation sought in all cases. Markers will be measured using the SOMAscan proteomic assay (SomaLogic) and a commercially available fibulin-3 ELISA (USCN Life Science). The SE in the estimated sensitivity and specificity will be <5% for each marker and their performance will be compared with serum mesothelin. Blood levels will be compared with paired pleural fluid levels and MPM tumour volume (using MRI) in a nested substudy. The prognostic value of each marker will be assessed and a large bioresource created. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: The study has been approved by the West of Scotland Research Ethics Committee (Ref: 13/WS/0240). A Trial Management Group meets on a monthly basis. Results will be published in peer-reviewed journals, presented at international meetings and disseminated to patient groups. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: ISRCTN10079972, Pre-results.

Initial experience of 3 Tesla versus conventional field strength magnetic resonance imaging of small functioning pituitary tumours.

BACKGROUND: Higher field strength magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is becoming increasingly available and offers improved image quality; however, the clinical usefulness of this technique for the demonstration of surgically treatable functional pituitary adenomas has not been clearly established. OBJECTIVE: To determine whether 3 Tesla (3T) MRI improves the detection of ACTH- and GH-secreting microadenomas over conventional imaging at field strengths of up to 1·5 Tesla (1·5T). DESIGN: Data sets from postgadolinium T1-weighted MRI at 1·5T and 3T were blinded, randomly ordered and assessed for the presence of pituitary tumour by two radiologists. Where possible, lesion signal difference to noise ratio (SDNR) was calculated for quantitative comparison. Imaging diagnoses were correlated with subsequent surgical and histological findings. PATIENTS: Twenty-four patients (10 men, 14 women) with biochemical evidence of Cushing's disease (19) or acromegaly (5) were identified over a 5-year period. RESULTS: 1·5T MRI gave a clear diagnosis of 12 pituitary tumours, all confirmed at 3T. Four additional definite lesions and one suspicious case were correctly identified at 3T. Histological correlation in 21 cases showed sensitivity improving from 54% with 1·5T to 85% with 3T. Radiologists' subjective image preference favoured 3T in 92%. Quantitative difference between tumour and parenchymal signal was significantly greater at 3T (mean SDNR -7·9 [3T] and -2·8 [1·5T], paired t-test P < 0·05). CONCLUSIONS: 3T MRI appears to offer increased conspicuity and detection of GH- and ACTH-secreting pituitary microadenomas. It is potentially clinically useful when 1·5T imaging is negative or equivocal.