scholarly journals Does the Identification of a Minimum Number of Cases Correlate With Better Adherence to International Guidelines Regarding the Treatment of Penile Cancer? Survey Results of the European PROspective Penile Cancer Study (E-PROPS)

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 ◽  
Author(s):  
Steffen Lebentrau ◽  
Gamal Anton Wakileh ◽  
Martin Schostak ◽  
Hans-Peter Schmid ◽  
Rodrigo Suarez-Ibarrola ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Guideline Adherence ◽  
Penile Cancer ◽  
Local Treatment ◽  
Treatment Strategies ◽  
Treatment Recommendations ◽  
Survey Study ◽  
Treatment Quality ◽  
Logistic Regression Models ◽  
Strict Guideline ◽  
Minimum Number

BackgroundPenile cancer represents a rare malignant disease, whereby a small caseload is associated with the risk of inadequate treatment expertise. Thus, we hypothesized that strict guideline adherence might be considered a potential surrogate for treatment quality. This study investigated the influence of the annual hospital caseload on guideline adherence regarding treatment recommendations for penile cancer.MethodsIn a 2018 survey study, 681 urologists from 45 hospitals in four European countries were queried about six hypothetical case scenarios (CS): local treatment of the primary tumor pTis (CS1) and pT1b (CS2); lymph node surgery inguinal (CS3) and pelvic (CS4); and chemotherapy neoadjuvant (CS5) and adjuvant (CS6). Only the responses from 206 head and senior physicians, as decision makers, were evaluated. The answers were assessed based on the applicable European Association of Urology (EAU) guidelines regarding their correctness. The real hospital caseload was analyzed based on multivariate logistic regression models regarding its effect on guideline adherence.ResultsThe median annual hospital caseload was 6 (interquartile range (IQR) 3–9). Recommendations for CS1–6 were correct in 79%, 66%, 39%, 27%, 28%, and 28%, respectively. The probability of a guideline-adherent recommendation increased with each patient treated per year in a clinic for CS1, CS2, CS3, and CS6 by 16%, 7.8%, 7.2%, and 9.5%, respectively (each p < 0.05); CS4 and CS5 were not influenced by caseload. A caseload threshold with a higher guideline adherence for all endpoints could not be perceived. The type of hospital care (academic vs. non-academic) did not affect guideline adherence in any scenario.ConclusionsGuideline adherence for most treatment recommendations increases with growing annual penile cancer caseload. Thus, the results of our study call for a stronger centralization of diagnosis and treatment strategies regarding penile cancer.

scholarly journals The Use of Digital Platforms for Adults’ and Adolescents’ Physical Activity During the COVID-19 Pandemic (Our Life at Home): Survey Study

10.2196/23389 ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 23 (2) ◽  
pp. e23389
Author(s):  
Kate Parker ◽  
Riaz Uddin ◽  
Nicola D Ridgers ◽  
Helen Brown ◽  
Jenny Veitch ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Guideline Adherence ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Critical Role ◽  
Survey Study ◽  
Activity Levels ◽  
Digital Platforms ◽  
Digital Platform ◽  
Logistic Regression Models ◽  
At Home

Background Government responses to managing the COVID-19 pandemic may have impacted the way individuals were able to engage in physical activity. Digital platforms are a promising way to support physical activity levels and may have provided an alternative for people to maintain their activity while at home. Objective This study aimed to examine associations between the use of digital platforms and adherence to the physical activity guidelines among Australian adults and adolescents during the COVID-19 stay-at-home restrictions in April and May 2020. Methods A national online survey was distributed in May 2020. Participants included 1188 adults (mean age 37.4 years, SD 15.1; 980/1188, 82.5% female) and 963 adolescents (mean age 16.2 years, SD 1.2; 685/963, 71.1% female). Participants reported demographic characteristics, use of digital platforms for physical activity over the previous month, and adherence to moderate- to vigorous-intensity physical activity (MVPA) and muscle-strengthening exercise (MSE) guidelines. Multilevel logistic regression models examined differences in guideline adherence between those who used digital platforms (ie, users) to support their physical activity compared to those who did not (ie, nonusers). Results Digital platforms include streaming services for exercise (eg, YouTube, Instagram, and Facebook); subscriber fitness programs, via an app or online (eg, Centr and MyFitnessPal); facilitated online live or recorded classes, via platforms such as Zoom (eg, dance, sport training, and fitness class); sport- or activity-specific apps designed by sporting organizations for participants to keep up their skills (eg, TeamBuildr); active electronic games (eg, Xbox Kinect); and/or online or digital training or racing platforms (eg, Zwift, FullGaz, and Rouvy). Overall, 39.5% (469/1188) of adults and 26.5% (255/963) of adolescents reported using digital platforms for physical activity. Among adults, MVPA (odds ratio [OR] 2.0, 95% CI 1.5-2.7), MSE (OR 3.3, 95% CI 2.5-4.5), and combined (OR 2.7, 95% CI 2.0-3.8) guideline adherence were higher among digital platform users relative to nonusers. Adolescents’ MVPA (OR 2.4, 95% CI 1.3-4.3), MSE (OR 3.1, 95% CI 2.1-4.4), and combined (OR 4.3, 95% CI 2.1-9.0) guideline adherence were also higher among users of digital platforms relative to nonusers. Conclusions Digital platform users were more likely than nonusers to meet MVPA and MSE guidelines during the COVID-19 stay-at-home restrictions in April and May 2020. Digital platforms may play a critical role in helping to support physical activity engagement when access to facilities or opportunities for physical activity outside the home are restricted.

Perceptions of radiation oncologists and urologists on the type of evidence that informs and changes the clinical practice of prostate cancer.

2014 ◽  
Vol 32 (4_suppl) ◽  
pp. 167-167
Author(s):  
Sophia D Delpe ◽  
Nilay Shah ◽  
Jon Charles Tilburt ◽  
R. Jeffrey Karnes ◽  
Paul Linh Nguyen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Prostate Cancer ◽  
Clinical Practice ◽  
Clinical Guidelines ◽  
Mail Survey ◽  
Treatment Recommendations ◽  
Localized Prostate Cancer ◽  
Survey Study ◽  
Level Of Evidence ◽  
Logistic Regression Models ◽  
Radiation Oncologists

167 Background: Physicians have a variety of resources available about the treatment of localized prostate cancer. Yet, it is largely unknown what resources and evidence radiation oncologists and urologists commonly use to inform patients and possibly alter clinical practice. In this national survey study, we assessed the types of resources prostate cancer specialists’ use and the level of evidence needed to change treatment recommendations in localized prostate cancer. Methods: From a random sample, 1,422 physicians were sent a mail survey assessing what type of information was used to guide prostate cancer treatment. The survey also queried what level of evidence could alter recommendations. Multivariable logistic regression models were used to identify for differences in physician characteristics for each outcome. Results: Survey response rates were similar for radiation oncologists and urologists (44% vs. 46%; p=0.46). Specialty-specific journals represented the most commonly used resource to inform the clinical practice for radiation oncologists (65%) and urologists (70%). Relative to radiation oncologists, urologists were less likely to utilize medical journals (25% vs. 38.7%, OR: 0.50; p=0.01), cancer journals (21.7% vs. 50.8%, OR: 0.50; p<0.001), but more likely to rely on clinical guidelines (46.3% vs. 37.7%,OR: 1.6; p=0.006). Radiation oncologists and urologists both viewed RCT’s as the most likely source of evidence needed to change treatment recommendations (85% vs. 77%). Conclusions: Both specialties most commonly rely on their specialty-specific journals to inform their clinical practice and view RCT’s as the level of evidence needed to change treatment recommendations for localized prostate cancer. Radiation oncologists embraced greater diversity in literature, while urologists were more likely to use clinical guidelines. Utilizing this information may overcome barriers to the dissemination and adoption of new treatment paradigms for localized prostate cancer.

scholarly journals The Use of Digital Platforms for Adults’ and Adolescents’ Physical Activity During the COVID-19 Pandemic (Our Life at Home): Survey Study (Preprint)

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kate Parker ◽  
Riaz Uddin ◽  
Nicola D Ridgers ◽  
Helen Brown ◽  
Jenny Veitch ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Guideline Adherence ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Critical Role ◽  
Survey Study ◽  
Activity Levels ◽  
Digital Platforms ◽  
Digital Platform ◽  
Logistic Regression Models ◽  
At Home

BACKGROUND Government responses to managing the COVID-19 pandemic may have impacted the way individuals were able to engage in physical activity. Digital platforms are a promising way to support physical activity levels and may have provided an alternative for people to maintain their activity while at home. OBJECTIVE This study aimed to examine associations between the use of digital platforms and adherence to the physical activity guidelines among Australian adults and adolescents during the COVID-19 stay-at-home restrictions in April and May 2020. METHODS A national online survey was distributed in May 2020. Participants included 1188 adults (mean age 37.4 years, SD 15.1; 980/1188, 82.5% female) and 963 adolescents (mean age 16.2 years, SD 1.2; 685/963, 71.1% female). Participants reported demographic characteristics, use of digital platforms for physical activity over the previous month, and adherence to moderate- to vigorous-intensity physical activity (MVPA) and muscle-strengthening exercise (MSE) guidelines. Multilevel logistic regression models examined differences in guideline adherence between those who used digital platforms (ie, users) to support their physical activity compared to those who did not (ie, nonusers). RESULTS Digital platforms include streaming services for exercise (eg, YouTube, Instagram, and Facebook); subscriber fitness programs, via an app or online (eg, Centr and MyFitnessPal); facilitated online live or recorded classes, via platforms such as Zoom (eg, dance, sport training, and fitness class); sport- or activity-specific apps designed by sporting organizations for participants to keep up their skills (eg, TeamBuildr); active electronic games (eg, Xbox Kinect); and/or online or digital training or racing platforms (eg, Zwift, FullGaz, and Rouvy). Overall, 39.5% (469/1188) of adults and 26.5% (255/963) of adolescents reported using digital platforms for physical activity. Among adults, MVPA (odds ratio [OR] 2.0, 95% CI 1.5-2.7), MSE (OR 3.3, 95% CI 2.5-4.5), and combined (OR 2.7, 95% CI 2.0-3.8) guideline adherence were higher among digital platform users relative to nonusers. Adolescents’ MVPA (OR 2.4, 95% CI 1.3-4.3), MSE (OR 3.1, 95% CI 2.1-4.4), and combined (OR 4.3, 95% CI 2.1-9.0) guideline adherence were also higher among users of digital platforms relative to nonusers. CONCLUSIONS Digital platform users were more likely than nonusers to meet MVPA and MSE guidelines during the COVID-19 stay-at-home restrictions in April and May 2020. Digital platforms may play a critical role in helping to support physical activity engagement when access to facilities or opportunities for physical activity outside the home are restricted.

Real-world experience of treatment decision-making in carotid stenosis in a neurovascular board

Neurology ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 89 (4) ◽  
pp. 399-407 ◽  
Author(s):  
David Leander Rimmele ◽  
Axel Larena-Avellaneda ◽  
Anna C. Alegiani ◽  
Michael Rosenkranz ◽  
Nils Ole Schmidt ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Decision Making ◽  
Carotid Artery ◽  
Medical Management ◽  
Treatment Strategies ◽  
Treatment Decision ◽  
Treatment Recommendations ◽  
Adherence To Treatment ◽  
Treatment Decision Making ◽  
Time Period ◽  
Ica Stenosis

Objective:To describe our experience with consensus-based decision-making for treatment of internal carotid artery (ICA) stenosis by neurologists, interventional neuroradiologists, vascular surgeons, and neurosurgeons in a multidisciplinary neurovascular board and to study adherence to treatment recommendations in the context of uncertainty with respect to the best treatment option.Methods:We established a multidisciplinary neurovascular board meeting twice a week with structured documentation of consensus decisions. Over a time period of 53 months, 614 cases with ICA stenosis were discussed, with 285 (46%) symptomatic and 279 (45%) asymptomatic cases.Results:Recommendation for symptomatic ICA stenosis was revascularization in 76%, medical management alone in 8%, and further diagnostics in 16%. For asymptomatic ICA stenosis, recommendation was randomization in a clinical trial in 29%, revascularization in 27%, medical management alone in 23%, and further diagnostics in 22%. Treatment recommendations were followed in 94% of symptomatic ICA stenosis and 69% of asymptomatic ICA stenosis. Patients in whom carotid artery stenting was recommended for revascularization were younger and showed a higher rate of severe (≥70%) ICA stenosis.Conclusions:Interdisciplinary board decisions are a helpful and transparent tool to assure adherence to guideline recommendations, and to provide consensus-based individualized treatment strategies in clinical practice in the absence of unequivocal evidence.

Abstract P214: Patient and Physician Factors Influence Decision-Making in Hypercholesterolemia

Circulation ◽  
2015 ◽  
Vol 131 (suppl_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Michel Krempf ◽  
Ross J Simpson ◽  
Dena R Ramey ◽  
Philippe Brudi ◽  
Hilde Giezek ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Decision Making ◽  
Goal Attainment ◽  
Clinical Decision Making ◽  
Treatment Strategies ◽  
Treatment Decision ◽  
Clinical Decision ◽  
Treatment Recommendations ◽  
Treatment Choice ◽  
Treatment Recommendation ◽  
Double Blind

Objectives: Little is known about how patient factors influence physicians’ treatment decision-making in hypercholesterolemia. We surveyed physicians’ treatment recommendations in high-risk patients with LDL-C not controlled on statin monotherapy. Methods: Physicians completed a questionnaire pre-randomization for each patient in a double-blind trial (NCT01154036) assessing LDL-C goal attainment rates with different treatment strategies. Patients had LDL-C ≥100 mg/dL after 5 weeks’ atorvastatin 10 mg/day and before randomization. Physicians were asked about treatment recommendations for three scenarios: (1) LDL-C near goal (100-105 mg/dL), (2) LDL-C far from goal (120 mg/dL), then (3) known baseline LDL-C of enrolled patients on atorvastatin 10 mg/day. Factors considered in their choice were specified. Physicians had been informed of projected LDL-C reductions for each treatment strategy in the trial. Regression analysis identified prognostic factors associated with each scenario, and projected LDL-C values for physicians’ treatment choices were compared to actual LDL-C values achieved in the trial. Results: Physicians at 296 sites completed questionnaires for 1535 patients. The most common treatment strategies for all three scenarios were: 1) not to change therapy, 2) double atorvastatin dose, 3) add ezetimibe, 4) double atorvastatin dose and add ezetimibe. Doubling atorvastatin dose was the most common treatment recommendation in all scenarios (43-52% of patients). ‘No change in therapy’ was recommended in 6.5% of patients when LDL-C was assumed far from goal. Treatment recommendations were more aggressive if actual LDL-C was known or considered far from goal. When compared with the ‘no change in therapy’ recommendation, CV risk factors and desire to achieve a more aggressive LDL-C goal were generally considered in decision-making for each treatment choice, regardless of LDL-C scenario. Patients randomized to a more aggressive regimen than recommended by physicians had larger reductions in LDL-C: the actual reduction in LDL-C in patients randomized to ‘add ezetimibe’ was -20.8% versus a projected reduction of -10.0% when physicians recommended ‘doubling atorvastatin dose’. Conclusions: This study provides insight into physicians’ perspectives on clinical management of hypercholesterolemia and highlights a gap in knowledge translation from guidelines to clinical practice. Targeting lower LDL-C and CV risk were key drivers in clinical decision-making but, generally, physicians were more conservative in their treatment choice than guidelines recommend, which may result in poorer LDL-C reduction. When compared with actual outcomes, projected LDL-C control was better if physicians used more comprehensive strategies rather than simply doubling the statin dose.

Regional Therapies for Extremity Sarcoma

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chiara Colombo ◽  
Sandro Pasquali
Keyword(s):  
Local Recurrence ◽  
Local Treatment ◽  
Tumor Resection ◽  
Treatment Strategies ◽  
Soft Tissue Sarcomas ◽  
Isolated Limb Perfusion ◽  
External Beam Radiation ◽  
Resection Margins ◽  
Beam Radiation ◽  
Limb Perfusion

Several regional therapies are used for the local treatment of patients with soft tissue sarcomas (STS), especially for tumors at high risk for local recurrence. Surgery with negative tumor resection margins is the main treatment for primary STS. External-beam radiation therapy is considered for deeply seated, large, and high-grade disease to lower the risk of local recurrence. A combination of preoperative chemo-radiation is associated with improved local control. TNF-α-based isolated limb perfusion is another regional chemotherapy strategy available at specialized surgical oncology units for unresectable STS. Other strategies suitable for management of advanced STS include cryoablation and radiofrequency. This review discusses these and other current regional treatment strategies.  This review contains 10 figures, 6 tables and 64 references Key words: cryoablation, extremity, hyperthermia, isolated limb perfusion, limb infusion, radiotherapy, regional therapy, sarcoma

scholarly journals The Diagnosis and Treatment of Craniopharyngioma

2019 ◽  
Vol 110 (9-10) ◽  
pp. 753-766
Author(s):  
Hermann L. Müller
Keyword(s):  
Histological Grade ◽  
Clinical Manifestations ◽  
Treatment Strategies ◽  
High Standard ◽  
Proton Beam Therapy ◽  
Braf V600e ◽  
Treatment Quality ◽  
Multidisciplinary Teams ◽  
Centers Of Excellence ◽  
Neuropsychological Sequelae

Craniopharyngioma (CP) is a rare embryonic malformation of the sellar/parasellar region with a low histological grade. Clinical manifestations are related to hypothalamic/pituitary deficiencies, visual impairment, and increased intracranial pressure. Recent insight into the molecular pathogenesis of CP opens new perspectives on targeted therapy in papillary CP harboring BRAF-V600E mutations. Further research to elucidate pathogenic mechanisms and hopefully prevent hypothalamic involvement of CP is warranted. If the tumor is favorably localized, the therapy of choice is complete resection, with care taken to preserve the optical and hypothalamic functions. In patients with unfavorable tumor localization (i.e., hypothalamic involvement), the recommended therapy is a limited hypothalamus-sparing surgical strategy followed by local irradiation. Surgical treatment strategies should be based on a multidisciplinary approach involving experienced teams. Centralizing the treatment of CP in experienced “centers of excellence” and multicenter-based networks for reference assessments should be considered to assure a high standard of treatment quality. CP recurrence and progression are frequent. Irradiation has proven effective in reducing recurrences and progression. Proton beam therapy, available in a wider range in the near future, will help to avoid radio-oncological side effects. Anatomical involvement and/or surgical lesions of posterior hypothalamic areas can result in serious sequelae that compromise quality of life (QoL), such as hypothalamic obesity and psychopathological symptoms. Novel insights into neuropsychological sequelae after CP occurrence should be the basis for the development of therapeutic neuropsychological interventions. CP should be managed as a frequently chronic disease, providing ongoing care of pediatric and adult patients’ clinical and QoL consequences by experienced multidisciplinary teams.

scholarly journals Comparison of Treatment Recommendations by Molecular Tumor Boards Worldwide

2018 ◽  
pp. 1-14 ◽  
Author(s):  
Damian T. Rieke ◽  
Mario Lamping ◽  
Marissa Schuh ◽  
Christophe Le Tourneau ◽  
Neus Basté ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Treatment Strategies ◽  
Treatment Recommendations ◽  
Tumor Board ◽  
Precision Oncology ◽  
Genomic Information ◽  
Specific Patient ◽  
Rational Decision Making ◽  
Copy Numbers ◽  
Tumor Boards ◽  
Molecular Profiles

Purpose Precision oncology holds the promise of improving patient outcome. It is based on the idea that the testing of genomic biomarkers can lead to the recommendation of a treatment option tailored to the specific patient. To derive treatment recommendations from molecular profiles, interdisciplinary molecular tumor boards (MTBs) have been established recently in many academic institutions. The recommendation process in MTBs, however, has not been well defined, which limits applicability to larger clinical trials and patient populations. Methods We created four fictional patients on the basis of recent real cases with genomic information on mutations, fusions, copy numbers, and gene expression. We identified 29 tumor boards from nine countries worldwide and asked them to provide treatment recommendations for the sample patients. In addition, a questionnaire regarding the setup and methods used by MTBs was circulated. Results Five MTBs from four countries provided treatment recommendations and answered the questionnaire. For one patient, three tumor board treatment recommendations were identical, and two tumor boards had identical treatment strategies for the other three patients. There was heterogeneity in the interpretation of tumor and germline aberrations as well as in standards of prioritization. Conclusion Differences in the interpretation and recommendation process contribute to heterogeneity in MTB recommendations. Additional comparative analyses of recommendations could help improve rational decision making and lead to standardization.

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