Randomized controlled trials(RCTs)have long been recognized as the gold standard for establishing causal relationships in clinical research.Despite that,various limitations of RCTs prevent its widespread implementatio...Randomized controlled trials(RCTs)have long been recognized as the gold standard for establishing causal relationships in clinical research.Despite that,various limitations of RCTs prevent its widespread implementation,ranging from the ethicality of withholding potentially-lifesaving treatment from a group to relatively poor external validity due to stringent inclusion criteria,amongst others.However,with the introduction of propensity score matching(PSM)as a retrospective statistical tool,new frontiers in establishing causation in clinical research were opened up.PSM predicts treatment effects using observational data from existing sources such as registries or electronic health records,to create a matched sample of participants who received or did not receive the intervention based on their propensity scores,which takes into account characteristics such as age,gender and comorbidities.Given its retrospective nature and its use of observational data from existing sources,PSM circumvents the aforementioned ethical issues faced by RCTs.Majority of RCTs exclude elderly,pregnant women and young children;thus,evidence of therapy efficacy is rarely proven by robust clinical research for this population.On the other hand,by matching study patient characteristics to that of the population of interest,including the elderly,pregnant women and young children,PSM allows for generalization of results to the wider population and hence greatly increases the external validity.Instead of replacing RCTs with PSM,the synergistic integration of PSM into RCTs stands to provide better research outcomes with both methods complementing each other.For example,in an RCT investigating the impact of mannitol on outcomes among participants of the Intensive Blood Pressure Reduction in Acute Cerebral Hemorrhage Trial,the baseline characteristics of comorbidities and current medications between treatment and control arms were significantly different despite the randomization protocol.Therefore,PSM was incorporated in its analysis to create samples from the treatment and control arms that were matched in terms of these baseline characteristics,thus providing a fairer comparison for the impact of mannitol.This literature review reports the applications,advantages,and considerations of using PSM with RCTs,illustrating its utility in refining randomization,improving external validity,and accounting for non-compliance to protocol.Future research should consider integrating the use of PSM in RCTs to better generalize outcomes to target populations for clinical practice and thereby benefit a wider range of patients,while maintaining the robustness of randomization offered by RCTs.展开更多
BACKGROUND Varicosis is a common venous condition,which is typically treated surgically.However,selection of the optimal surgical approach can be challenging.Previous studies comparing endovenous laser treatment(EVLT)...BACKGROUND Varicosis is a common venous condition,which is typically treated surgically.However,selection of the optimal surgical approach can be challenging.Previous studies comparing endovenous laser treatment(EVLT)and conventional surgery were retrospective and observational in nature and the results may therefore have been influenced by selection bias and the presence of other confounding factors.In this study,we used propensity score matching to reduce selection bias when comparing EVLT and conventional surgery for the treatment of varicose great saphenous veins.METHODS We retrospectively reviewed the records of 1063 patients treated for primary varicosis of the great saphenous vein at the Second Affiliated Hospital of Xuzhou Medical University between January 2009 and December 2019.Among them,56 patients were excluded owing to additional small saphenous varicose vein involvement,81 owing to recurring varicose veins,83 owing to complicated varicose veins(CEAP clinical classification C5-C6),and 6 owing to perioperative phlebitis.Finally,772 patients were enrolled in this study.Standard demographic and clinicopathological data were collected from the medical records of the patients.For propensity score matching,522 patients(261 who underwent EVLT and 261 who underwent conventional surgery)were randomly matched 1:1 by age,sex,onset time,smoking status,presence of diabetes,family history,stress therapy,C class,and the affected leg.RESULTS Of the 772 patients included in the study,467 underwent EVLT and 305 underwent conventional surgery.There were significant differences in age,onset time,smoking and diabetes status,and family history between the two groups.Following propensity score matching,no significant differences in patients’characteristics remained between the two groups.ELVT was associated with a shorter operation time and hospital stay than conventional surgery,both before and after propensity score matching.There were no differences in complications between the two groups after propensity score matching.Patients who underwent EVLT had a higher recurrence rate during the two-year follow-up period than those who underwent conventional surgery(33.33%vs 21.46%,χ^(2)=11.506,P=0.001),and a greater percentage of patients who underwent EVLT experienced pain one week after the procedure(39.85%vs 19.54%,P=0.000).CONCLUSION EVLT may not always be the best option for the treatment of great saphenous vein varicosis.展开更多
BACKGROUND Although the location of proximal cancer of the remnant stomach is the same as that of primary proximal cancer of the stomach,its clinical characteristics and prognosis are still controversial.AIM To evalua...BACKGROUND Although the location of proximal cancer of the remnant stomach is the same as that of primary proximal cancer of the stomach,its clinical characteristics and prognosis are still controversial.AIM To evaluate the clinicopathological features and prognosis factors of gastric stump cancer(GSC)and primary proximal gastric cancer(PGC).METHODS From January,2005 to December,2016,178 patients with GSC and 957 cases with PGC who received surgical treatment were enrolled.Patients in both groups underwent 1:1 propensity score matching analysis,and both clinical and pathological data were systematically collected for statistical purposes.Quality of RESULTS One hundred and fifty-two pairs were successfully matched after propensity score matching analysis.Of the 15 demographic and pathological variables collected,the analysis further revealed that the number of lymph nodes and positive lymph nodes were different prognostic and clinicopathological factors between PGC and GSC.Univariate and multivariate analyses showed that gender,differentiation degree and tumor-node-metastasis stage were independent risk factors for patients with GSC.Gender,vascular invasion,differentiation degree,depth of infiltration,positive lymph nodes,and tumor-node-metastasis stage were independent risk factors for patients with PGC.The 5-year overall survival and cancer-specific survival of patients with GSC were significantly lower than those in the PGC group,the scores for overall quality of life in the GSC-malignant group were lower than the GSC-benign,and the differences were statistically significant.CONCLUSION The differences in clinicopathological characteristics between GSC and PGC were clarified,and PGC had a better prognosis than GSC.展开更多
Objective:To explore the effect of continuous non-invasive blood pressure monitoring on intraoperative hemodynamics and postoperative myocardial injury in craniotomy.Methods:120 cases of elective craniotomy were divid...Objective:To explore the effect of continuous non-invasive blood pressure monitoring on intraoperative hemodynamics and postoperative myocardial injury in craniotomy.Methods:120 cases of elective craniotomy were divided into the self-control group(continuous non-invasive blood pressure monitoring and intermittent cuff non-invasive blood pressure monitoring,CNAP group)and propensity score matching group(only intermittent cuff non-invasive blood pressure measurement in previous craniotomy,PSM group);Goal-directed hemodynamic management in CNAP group included heart rate(HR),blood pressure(BP),stroke volume(SV),stroke variability(SVV),and systemic vascular resistance index(SVRI).The main index is to compare the troponin level within 72 hours after operation between the CNAP group and the PSM group;The secondary indicators are the comparison of the hemodynamic conditions between the CNAP group and the PSM at 10 specific time points.Results:The incidence of postoperative myocardial injury in the CNAP group was significantly lower than that in the PSM group(12%vs.30%,P=0.01);in the CNAP group hypotensive episodes(6 vs.3,P=0.01),positive balance of fluid therapy(700 vs.500 mL,P<0.001),more use of vasoactive drugs(29 vs.18,P=0.04),more stable hemodynamics medical status(P=0.03)were recorded.Conclusion:The hemodynamic management strategy based on continuous non-invasive blood pressure monitoring can reduce the incidence of myocardial injury after elective craniotomy and maintain a more stable hemodynamic state.展开更多
Background:Hepatitis B virus-related acute-on-chronic liver failure(HBV-ACLF)has a high short-term mortality.However,the treatment progression for HBV-ACLF in China in the past decade has not been well characterized.T...Background:Hepatitis B virus-related acute-on-chronic liver failure(HBV-ACLF)has a high short-term mortality.However,the treatment progression for HBV-ACLF in China in the past decade has not been well characterized.The present study aimed to determine whether the HBV-ACLF treatment has significantly improved during the past decade.Methods:This study retrospectively compared short-term(28/56 days)survival rates of two different nationwide cohorts(cohort I:2008-2011 and cohort II:2012-2015).Eligible HBV-ACLF patients were enrolled retrospectively.Patients in the cohorts I and II were assigned either to the standard medical therapy(SMT)group(cohort I-SMT,cohort II-SMT)or artificial liver support system(ALSS)group(cohort IALSS,cohort II-ALSS).Propensity score matching analysis was conducted to eliminate baseline differences,and multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to explore the independent factors for 28-day survival.Results:Short-term(28/56 days)survival rates were significantly higher in the ALSS group than those in the SMT group(P<0.05)and were higher in the cohort II than those in the cohort I(P<0.001).After propensity score matching,short-term(28/56 days)survival rates were higher in the cohort II than those in the cohort I for both SMT(60.7%vs.53.0%,50.0%vs.39.8%,P<0.05)and ALSS(66.1%vs.56.5%,53.0%vs.44.4%,P<0.05)treatments.The 28-day survival rate was higher in patients treated with nucleos(t)ide analogs than in patients without such treatments(P=0.046).Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that ALSS(OR=0.962,95%CI:0.951-0.973,P=0.038),nucleos(t)ide analogs(OR=0.927,95%CI:0.871-0.983,P=0.046),old age(OR=1.028,95%CI:1.015-1.041,P<0.001),total bilirubin(OR=1.002,95%CI:1.001-1.003,P=0.004),INR(OR=1.569,95%CI:1.044-2.358,P<0.001),COSSH-ACLF grade(OR=2.683,95%CI:1.792-4.017,P<0.001),and albumin(OR=0.952,95%CI:0.924-0.982,P=0.002)were independent factors for 28-day mortality.Conclusions:The treatment for patients with HBV-ACLF has improved in the past decade.展开更多
Objective:To explore the association between cholecystectomy and the prognostic outcomes of patients with hepatocellular carcinoma(H CC)who underwent microwave ablation(MWA).Methods:Patients with HCC(«=921)who un...Objective:To explore the association between cholecystectomy and the prognostic outcomes of patients with hepatocellular carcinoma(H CC)who underwent microwave ablation(MWA).Methods:Patients with HCC(«=921)who underwent MWA were included and divided into cholecystectomy(n=114)and non-cholecystectomy groups(n=807).After propensity score matching(PSM)at a 1:2 ratio,overall survival(OS)and disease-free survival(DFS)rates were analyzed to compare prognostic outcomes between the cholecystectomy(«=114)and non-cholecystectomy groups(n=228).Univariate and multivariate Cox analyses were performed to assess potential risk factors for OS and DFS.Major complications were also compared between the groups.Results:After matching,no significant differences between groups were observed in baseline characteristics.The 1-,3-,and 5-year OS rates were 96.5%,82.1%,and 67.1%in the cholecystectomy group,and 97.4%,85.2%,and 74.4%in the non-cholecystectomy group(P=0.396);the 1-,3-,and 5-year DFS rates were 58.4%,34.5%,and 26.6%in the cholecystectomy group,and 73.6%,44.7%,and 32.2%in the non-cholecystectomy group(P=0.026),respectively.The intrahepatic distant recurrence rate in the cholecystectomy group was significantly higher than that in the non-cholecystectomy group(P=0.026),and the local tumor recurrence and extrahepatic recurrence rates did not significantly differ between the groups(P=0.609 and P=0.879).Multivariate analysis revealed that cholecystectomy(HR=1.364,95%Cl 1.023-1.819,P=0.035),number of tumors(2 vs.1:HR=2.744,95%Cl 1.925-3.912,P<0.001;3 vs.1:HR=3.411,95%Cl 2.021-5.759,P<0.001),and y-GT levels(HR=1.003,95%Cl 1.000-1.006,P<0.024)were independent risk factors for DFS.The best y-GT level cut-off value for predicting median DFS was 39.6 U/L(area under the curve=0.600,P<0.05).A positive correlation was observed between cholecystectomy and y-GT level(r=0.108,95%Cl-0.001-0.214,P=0.047).Subgroup analysis showed that the DFS rates were significantly higher in the non-cholecystectomy group than the cholecystectomy group when Y-GT>39.6 U/L(i3=0.044).The 5-,10-,15-,20-,and 25-year recurrence rates from the time of cholecystectomy were 2.63%,21.93%,42.11%,58.77%,and 65.79%,respectively.A significant positive correlation was observed between cholecystectomy and the time from cholecystectomy to recurrence(r=0.205,95%Cl 0.016-0.379,P=0.029).There were no significant differences in complications between groups(P=0.685).Conclusions:Patients with HCC who underwent cholecystectomy were more likely to develop intrahepatic distant recurrence after MWA,an outcome probably associated with increased y-GT levels.Moreover,the recurrence rates increased with time.展开更多
AIM To compare short-term results between laparoscopic hepatectomy and open hepatectomy using a propensity score matching. METHODS A patient in the laparoscopic liver resection(LLR) groupwas randomly matched with anot...AIM To compare short-term results between laparoscopic hepatectomy and open hepatectomy using a propensity score matching. METHODS A patient in the laparoscopic liver resection(LLR) groupwas randomly matched with another patient in the open liver resection(OLR) group using a 1:1 allocated ratio with the nearest estimated propensity score. Patients of the LLR group without matches were excluded. Matching criteria included age, gender, body mass index, American Society of Anesthesiologists score, potential co-morbidities, hepatopathies, size and number of nodules, preoperative chemotherapy, minor or major liver re-sections. Intraoperative and postoperative data were compared in both groups.RESULTS From January 2012 to January 2015, a total of 241 hepa-tectomies were consecutively performed, of which 169 in the OLR group(70.1%) and 72 in the LLR group(29.9%). The conversion rate was 9.7%(n = 7). The mortality rate was 4.2% in the OLR group and 0% in the LLR group. Prior to and after propensity score matching, there was a statistically significant difference favorable to the LLR group regarding shorter operative times(185 min vs 247.5 min; P = 0.002), less blood loss(100 m L vs 300 m L; P = 0.002), a shorter hospital stay(7 d vs 9 d; P = 0.004), and a significantly lower rate of medical complications(4.3% vs 26.4%; P < 0.001). CONCLUSION Laparoscopic liver resections seem to yield better short-term and mid-term results as compared to open hepatectomies and could well be considered a privileged approach and become the gold standard in carefully selected patients.展开更多
BACKGROUND Laparoscopic total gastrectomy(LTG)has drawn increasing attention over the years.Although LTG has shown surgical benefits compared to open TG(OTG)in early stage gastric cancer(GC),little is known about the ...BACKGROUND Laparoscopic total gastrectomy(LTG)has drawn increasing attention over the years.Although LTG has shown surgical benefits compared to open TG(OTG)in early stage gastric cancer(GC),little is known about the surgical and oncological outcomes of LTG for advanced GC following neoadjuvant therapy(NAT).AIM To compare the long-and short-term outcomes of advanced GC patients who underwent LTG vs OTG following NAT.METHODS Advanced GC patients who underwent TG following NAT between April 2011 and May 2018 at the Cancer Hospital of the Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences were enrolled and stratified into two groups:LTG and OTG.Propensity score matching analysis was performed at a 1:1 ratio to overcome possible bias.RESULTS In total,185 patients were enrolled(LTG:78;OTG:109).Of these,138 were paired after propensity score matching.After adjustment for propensity score matching,baseline parameters were similar between the two groups.Compared to OTG,LTG was associated with a significantly shorter length of hospital stay(P=0.012).The rates of R0 resection,lymph node harvest,and postoperative morbidity did not significantly differ between the two groups.Overall survival(OS)outcomes were comparable between the two groups.Pathological T and N stages were found to be independent risk factors for OS.CONCLUSION LTG can be a feasible method for advanced GC patients following NAT,as it appears to be associated with better short-and comparable long-term outcomes compared to OTG.展开更多
BACKGROUND Multiple gastrointestinal stromal tumors(MGISTs)are specific and rare.Little is known about the impact of MGISTs on the survival of patients with gastrointestinal stromal tumors(GIST).The diagnosis,treatmen...BACKGROUND Multiple gastrointestinal stromal tumors(MGISTs)are specific and rare.Little is known about the impact of MGISTs on the survival of patients with gastrointestinal stromal tumors(GIST).The diagnosis,treatment and follow-up strategies of MGISTs is not specifically described in guidelines.AIM To compare the clinicopathological characteristics and prognosis of MGISTs and solitary GISTs(SGISTs)METHODS Patients diagnosed with primary GISTs from March 2010 to January 2020 were included.Due to the inhomogeneous distribution of several baseline characteristics and uneven MGIST and SGIST group sizes,propensity score matching was performed according to comorbidities,body mass index,tumor location,mitotic index,sex,age and American Society of Anesthesiologists score.Differences in clinicopathological characteristics and prognosis between patients with MGISTs and patients with SGISTs were compared.RESULTS Among the entire cohort of 983 patients,the incidence of MGISTs was 4.17%.Before matching,patients with MGISTs and those with SGISTs had disparities in body mass index,surgical approach,tumor size and mitotic index.After 1:4 ratio matching,the clinical baseline data were comparable.The 5-year progression-free survival rate was 52.17%in the MGIST group and 75.00%in the SGIST group(P=0.031).On multivariate analysis,tumor location,tumor size,mitotic index,imatinib treatment and MGISTs(hazard ratio=2.431,95%confidence interval=1.097-5.386,P=0.029)were identified as independent prognostic factors of progression-free survival.However,overall survival was similar between the SGIST and MGIST groups.CONCLUSION Patients with MGISTs had poorer progression-free survival than patients with SGISTs.Risk criteria and diagnostic and treatment strategies should be developed to achieve personalized precision therapy and maximize the survival benefit.展开更多
BACKGROUND Cold polypectomy(CP)is a simple and safe procedure for polyps less than 10 mm in size;however,there is concern about local recurrence following CP because of unidentified margins of excised specimens and th...BACKGROUND Cold polypectomy(CP)is a simple and safe procedure for polyps less than 10 mm in size;however,there is concern about local recurrence following CP because of unidentified margins of excised specimens and the lack of tumor suppression effect by coagulation.Some clinical trials have evaluated local persistent recurrence;their results suggest that a higher rate of local recurrence has not been documented so far.There were few reports that observed the course over long periods of time after CP in clinical practice.AIM To evaluate the presence of local recurrence following CP and hot polypectomy(HP)using propensity score matching.METHODS We analyzed 275 patients who underwent polypectomy for non-pedunculated colorectal polyps less than 10 mm(959 Lesions)between October 2016 and 2017 and underwent follow-up endoscopy subsequently.We divided them into the CP group(706 Lesions),wherein CP was performed,and the HP group(253 Lesions),wherein HP was performed.Using propensity score matching,we extracted 215 Lesions in each group and evaluated the local recurrence and content of CP in the real clinic and adverse events using medical records.RESULTS After propensity score matching,there were no significant differences in the patients’and their endoscopic background(age,use of antithrombotics,indications,size,morphology,location of polyps,and polypectomy device)between the groups.The mean duration between colorectal polypectomy and the next follow-up colonoscopy was 17.5±7.1(range,6-39)mo in the CP group and 15.7±6.0(range,6-35)mo in the HP group,which was significantly longer in the CP group(P=0.005).The local recurrence rate was 0.93%in the CP group and 0.93%in the HP group,without a significant difference(P=0.688).Additionally,no differences were observed in the macroscopic en bloc resection rate,histopathological complete resection rate,and pathological results between the groups.Adverse events did not occur in either group.CONCLUSION Local recurrence after CP was equivalent to that following HP in clinical practice.CP is useful and safe in the treatment of non-pedunculated polyps of less than 10 mm.展开更多
BACKGROUND Surgical resection is regarded as the only potentially curative treatment option for patients with metastatic colorectal cancer(CRC).The National Comprehensive Cancer Network clinical practice guidelines do...BACKGROUND Surgical resection is regarded as the only potentially curative treatment option for patients with metastatic colorectal cancer(CRC).The National Comprehensive Cancer Network clinical practice guidelines do not recommend palliative surgery unless there is a risk of severe symptoms.However,accumulating evidence has shown that palliative surgery is associated with more favorable outcomes for patients with metastatic CRC.AIM To investigate the separate role of palliative primary tumor resection for patients with stage IVA(M1a diseases)and stage IVB(M1b diseases)colorectal adenocarcinoma(CRA).METHODS CRA patients diagnosed from 2010 to 2015 with definite M1a and M1b categories according to the 8th edition of American Joint Committee on Cancer staging system were selected from the Surveillance Epidemiology and End Results(SEER)database.To minimize potential selection bias,the data were adjusted by propensity score matching(PSM).Baseline characteristics,including gender,year of diagnosis,age,marital status,primary site,surgical information,race,grade,chemotherapy,and radiotherapy,were recorded and analyzed.Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to explore the separate role of palliative surgery for patients with M1a and M1b diseases.RESULTS A total of 19680 patients with metastatic CRA were collected from the SEER database,including 10399 cases of M1a diseases and 9281 cases of M1b diseases.Common independent prognostic factors for both M1a and M1b patients included year of diagnosis,age,race,marital status,primary site,grade,surgery,and chemotherapy.After PSM adjustment,3732 and 3568 matched patients in the M1a and M1b groups were included,respectively.Patients receiving palliative primary tumor resection had longer survival time than those without surgery(P<0.001).For patients with M1a diseases,palliative resection could increase the median survival time by 9 mo;for patients with M1b diseases,palliative resection could prolong the median survival time by 7 mo.For M1a diseases,patients with lung metastasis had more clinical benefit from palliative resection than those with liver metastasis(15 mo for lung metastasis vs 8 mo for liver metastasis,P<0.001).CONCLUSION CRA patients with M1a diseases gain more clinical benefits from palliative primary tumor resection than those with M1b diseases.Those patients with M1a(lung metastasis)have superior long-term outcomes after palliative primary tumor resection.展开更多
Health status is widely regarded as a correlate of depressive symptoms.However,health assessments based on clinical diagnosis in rural areas with poor medical conditions are very limited.Self-rated health(SRH)serves a...Health status is widely regarded as a correlate of depressive symptoms.However,health assessments based on clinical diagnosis in rural areas with poor medical conditions are very limited.Self-rated health(SRH)serves as a simple and convenient evaluation indicator,which may be used as an independent predictor of depressive symptoms.To confirm the relationship between SRH and depressive symptoms in rural adults,a longitudinal survey of rural households in China was conducted using the China Family Panel Studies(CFPS)from 2012 to 2016.Propensity score matching and logistic regression analysis were used to explore the association.After data cleansing,3,127 pairs(6,254 participants)aged 16 and older followed for 4 years were enrolled,of which the average age was(50.02±14.19)years old,and the proportions of male and female were 48.64%and 51.36%,respectively.The incidence rate of depressive symptoms within 4 years was 30.86%(95%CI:29.24–32.48)in the group with fair or poor SRH,and 21.59%(95%CI:20.14–23.03)in the group with good SRH.The difference between the two groups was statistically significant(χ^(2)=69.51,P<0.001).The results of univariate unconditional logistic regression analysis showed that there was a correlation between SRH and depressive symptoms in rural adults aged 30 and above(OR=1.65,95%CI:1.46–1.85,P<0.001).Thus,a simple and practical assessment tool based on SRH and other indicators should be established for early prevention and intervention in rural primary mental health care.展开更多
Introduction: A great number of software are currently used to digitalize the patient records in order to optimize the quality of services offered to patients. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects o...Introduction: A great number of software are currently used to digitalize the patient records in order to optimize the quality of services offered to patients. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of Electronic Health Records use in Burundi’s hospitals, taking into account the COVID-19 pandemic context. Methods: This was a quasi-experimental study based on difference in difference method. Ten district hospitals were included in the study, five of them had the Electronic Health Records and five of which did not yet have the Electronic Health Records. The hospital’s control group were chosen using the propensity score matching method. The period before the project’s implementation was 2014 and the period after were 2019 and 2020. Results: After 5 years of the Electronic Health Record’s implementation, the results showed an increase in outpatient consultation (70%), deliveries (more than 100%), caesarean sections (56%) and major surgeries (43%) indicators. The overall quality score of hospitals’ care had a regressive effect of 37% and the income from performance-based funding had an increase by 31%. The indicators which were affected by the context of the COVID-19 pandemic were especially outpatient consultation, caesarian section, income from performance-based funding decreased by 3%, 5% and 20% respectively. Conclusion: The effects of Electronic Health Records use are effective. As the COVID-19 pandemic impacted the hospital’s indicators negatively, the resilient strategies alongside the potential shocks are recommended.展开更多
Background:Enhanced recovery after surgery is used in gastrointestinal surgery.This study aimed to access the effects of early liquid drinking(ELD)on gastrointestinal function recovery in patients with gastric cancer(...Background:Enhanced recovery after surgery is used in gastrointestinal surgery.This study aimed to access the effects of early liquid drinking(ELD)on gastrointestinal function recovery in patients with gastric cancer(GC)who underwent radical gastrectomy,as high-quality evidence on the outcomes of ELD after gastrectomy is currently lacking.Methods:Clinicopathological data of patients with GC from 11 centers were retrospectively analysed.Clinical outcomes were investigated in 555 patients,including 225 who started drinking liquid within 48 h(ELD group)of surgery and 330 who started drinking liquid after flatus resumption(traditional liquid drinking[TLD]group).Propensity score matching(PSM)analysis was performed using a match ratio of 1:1 and 201 patients were selected from each group for the analysis.Primary outcome was time to first passage of flatus.Secondary outcomes included time to first defecation,post-operative hospitalization days,occurrence of short-term post-operative complications,and hospitalization costs.Results:After PSM,baseline characteristics were not significantly different between the two groups.The time to first flatus(2.7261.08 vs 3.3661.39 days),first defecation(4.3461.85 vs 4.7761.61 days),and post-operative hospital stay(8.2764.02 vs 12.9464.43 days)were shorter in the ELD group than in the TLD group(all P<0.05).The ELD group had lower hospitalization costs than the TLD group([7.8362.44 vs 8.7863.41]104 RMB,P=0.041).No significant differences were observed in the incidence of post-operative complications.Conclusions:Compared with TLD,post-operative ELD could promote rapid recovery of gastrointestinal function and reduce hospitalization costs;moreover,ELD does not increase the risk of post-operative complications.展开更多
Background:Nasogastric tube(NGT)placement is part of the post-operative management of upper gastrointestinal perforation,but its routine use in esophageal perforation(EP)caused by foreign bodies remains unclear.The pu...Background:Nasogastric tube(NGT)placement is part of the post-operative management of upper gastrointestinal perforation,but its routine use in esophageal perforation(EP)caused by foreign bodies remains unclear.The purpose of this research was to investigate the necessity for routine NGT placement in patients with EP after endoscopic foreign body removal.Methods:A total of 323 patients diagnosed with EP caused by foreign bodies at the First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University between January 2012 and December 2021 were included in this retrospective study.Patients were divided into the NGT group and the non-NGT group according to whether or not NGT placement was performed.The perforation healing rate,post-operative adverse events,hospital stay,and death rate were analysed using a 1:1 propensity score matching model.Results:Before matching,there were 263 patients in the NGT group and 60 patients in the non-NGT group.There were significant differences in the time to treatment,infection,albumin,and types of endoscopy between the two groups,while the length of hospital stay in the NGT group was significantly longer than that in the non-NGT group.After 1:1 propensity score matching,48 pairs of patients were matched between the two groups.The perforation healing rate,post-operative adverse events,length of hospital stay,and death rate did not show significant differences between the two groups.Conclusions:For patients with small EP caused by foreign bodies,routine NGT placement after endoscopic foreign body removal may be unnecessary.展开更多
Background:The predictive value of red blood cell distribution width(RDW)for mortality in patients withsepsis-induced acute kidney injury(SI-AKI)remains unclear.The present study aimed to investigate the potentialasso...Background:The predictive value of red blood cell distribution width(RDW)for mortality in patients withsepsis-induced acute kidney injury(SI-AKI)remains unclear.The present study aimed to investigate the potentialassociation between RDW at admission and outcomes in patients with SI-AKI.Methods:The Medical Information Mart for Intensive Care(MIMIC)-IV(version 2.0)database,released in Juneof 2022,provides medical data of SI-AKI patients to conduct our related research.Based on propensity scorematching(PSM)method,the main risk factors associated with mortality in SI-AKI were evaluated using Coxproportional hazards regression analysis to construct a predictive nomogram.The concordance index(C-index)and decision curve analysis were used to validate the predictive ability and clinical utility of this model.Patientswith SI-AKI were classified into the high-and low-RDW groups according to the best cut-off value obtained bycalculating the maximum value of the Youden index.Results:A total of 7574 patients with SI-AKI were identified according to the filter criteria.Compared withthe low-RDW group,the high-RDW group had higher 28-day(9.49%vs.31.40%,respectively,P<0.001)and7-day(3.96%vs.13.93%,respectively,P<0.001)mortality rates.Patients in the high-RDW group were moreprone to AKI progression than those in the low-RDW group(20.80%vs.13.60%,respectively,P<0.001).Basedon matched patients,we developed a nomogram model that included age,white blood cells,RDW,combinedhypertension and presence of a malignant tumor,treatment with vasopressor,dialysis,and invasive ventilation,sequential organ failure assessment,and AKI stages.The C-index for predicting the probability of 28-day survivalwas 0.799.Decision curve analysis revealed that the model with RDW offered greater net benefit than that withoutRDW.Conclusion:The present findings demonstrated the importance of RDW,which improved the predictive ability ofthe nomogram model for the probability of survival in patients with SI-AKI.展开更多
Background: Minimally invasive surgery is becoming increasingly popular in the field of pancreatic surgery. However, there are few studies of robotic distal pancreatectomy(RDP) for pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma(PDA...Background: Minimally invasive surgery is becoming increasingly popular in the field of pancreatic surgery. However, there are few studies of robotic distal pancreatectomy(RDP) for pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma(PDAC). This study aimed to investigate the efficacy and feasibility of RDP for PDAC. Methods: Patients who underwent RDP or laparoscopic distal pancreatectomy(LDP) for PDAC between January 2015 and September 2020 were reviewed. Propensity score matching analyses were performed. Results: Of the 335 patients included in the study, 24 underwent RDP and 311 underwent LDP. A total of 21 RDP patients were matched 1:1 with LDP patients. RDP was associated with longer operative time(209.7 vs. 163.2 min;P = 0.003), lower open conversion rate(0% vs. 4.8%;P < 0.001), higher cost(15 722 vs. 12 699 dollars;P = 0.003), and a higher rate of achievement of an R0 resection margin(90.5% vs. 61.9%;P = 0.042). However, postoperative pancreatic fistula grade B or C showed no significant intergroup difference(9.5% vs. 9.5%). The median disease-free survival(34.5 vs. 17.3 months;P = 0.588) and overall survival(37.7 vs. 21.9 months;P = 0.171) were comparable between the groups. Conclusions: RDP is associated with longer operative time, a higher cost of surgery, and a higher likelihood of achieving R0 margins than LDP.展开更多
Background: Significant portal hypertension(SPH) is a relative contraindication for patients with resectable hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC). However, increasing evidence indicates that liver resection is feasible for H...Background: Significant portal hypertension(SPH) is a relative contraindication for patients with resectable hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC). However, increasing evidence indicates that liver resection is feasible for HCC patients with SPH. Methods: HCC patients with cirrhosis who underwent laparoscopic liver resection(LLR) in two centers from January 2013 to April 2018 were included. Surgical and survival outcomes were analyzed to explore potential prognostic factors. Propensity score matching(PSM) analysis was performed to minimize bias. Results: A total of 165 patients were divided into two groups based on the presence(SPH, n = 76) or absence(non-SPH, n = 89) of SPH. Patients in the SPH group had longer operative time, more blood loss, and more advanced TNM stage than patients in the non-SPH group( P < 0.05). However, there were no significant differences in the postoperative 90-day mortality rate( n = 0), overall postoperative complications(47.4% vs. 41.6%, P = 0.455), Clavien-Dindo classification( P = 0.347), conversion to open surgery(9.2% vs. 6.7%, P = 0.557), or length of hospitalization(16 vs. 15 days, P = 0.203) between the SPH and non-SPH groups before PSM. Similar results were obtained after PSM. The 1-, 3-, and 5-year overall survival(OS) and recurrence-free survival rates in the SPH group were not significantly different from those in the non-SPH group both before and after PSM(log-rank P > 0.05). After PSM, alpha-fetoprotein(AFP) ≥ 400 μg/L [hazard ratio(HR) = 4.71, 95% confidence interval(CI): 2.69-8.25], ascites(HR = 2.18, 95% CI: 1.30-3.66), American Society of Anesthesiologists(ASA) classification(Ⅲ vs. Ⅱ)(HR = 2.13, 95% CI: 1.11-4.07) and tumor diameter > 5 cm(HR = 3.91, 95% CI: 2.02-7.56) independently predicted worse OS. Conclusions: LLR for patients with HCC complicated with SPH appears feasible at the price of increasing operative time and blood loss. AFP, ascites, ASA classification and tumor diameter may predict the prognosis of HCC complicated with SPH after LLR.展开更多
Background:A growing body of evidence supports the use of laparoscopic pancreaticoduodenectomy(LPD)as an efficient and feasible surgical technique.However,few studies have investigated its applicability in pancreatic ...Background:A growing body of evidence supports the use of laparoscopic pancreaticoduodenectomy(LPD)as an efficient and feasible surgical technique.However,few studies have investigated its applicability in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma(PDAC),and the long-term efficacy of LPD on PDAC remains unclear.This study aimed to compare the short-and long-term outcomes between LPD and open pancreaticoduodenectomy(OPD)for PDAC.Methods:The data of patients who had OPD or LPD for PDAC between January 2013 and September 2017 were retrieved.Their postoperative outcomes and survival were compared after propensity score matching.Results:A total of 309 patients were included.After a 2:1 matching,93 cases in the OPD group and 55 in the LPD group were identified.Delayed gastric emptying(DGE),particularly grade B/C DGE,occurred less frequently in the LPD group than in the OPD group(1.8%vs.36.6%,P<0.001;1.8%vs.22.6%,P=0.001).The overall complication rates were significantly lower in the LPD group than in the OPD group(49.1%vs.71.0%,P=0.008),whereas the rates of major complications were similar(10.9%vs.14.0%,P=0.590).In addition,the median overall survival was comparable between the two groups(20.0 vs.18.7 months,P=0.293).Conclusion:LPD was found to be technically feasible with efficacy similar to OPD for patients with PDAC.展开更多
Background:Capecitabine was previously used as a second-line or salvage therapy for metastatic nasopharyngeal carcinoma(NPC)and has shown satisfactory curative effect as maintenance therapy in other metastatic cancers...Background:Capecitabine was previously used as a second-line or salvage therapy for metastatic nasopharyngeal carcinoma(NPC)and has shown satisfactory curative effect as maintenance therapy in other metastatic cancers.This study aimed to explore the role of capecitabine as maintenance therapy in de novo metastatic NPC patients with different plasma Epstein-Barr virus(EBV)DNA levels before treatment.Methods:We selected de novo metastatic NPC patients treated with locoregional radiotherapy(LRRT)for this retrospective study.The propensity score matching(PSM)was applied to balance potential confounders between patients who underwent capecitabine maintenance therapy and those who did not with a ratio of 1:3.Overall survival(OS)was the primary endpoint.The association between capecitabine maintenance therapy and survival was assessed using the log-rank test and a Cox proportional hazard model.Results:Among all patients eligible for this study,64 received capecitabine maintenance therapy after LRRT.After PSM,192 patients were identified in the nonmaintenance group.In the matched cohort,patients treated with capecitabine achieved a higher 3-year OS rate compared with patients in the non-maintenance group(68.5%vs.61.8%,P=0.037).Multivariate analysis demonstrated that capecitabine maintenance therapy was an independent prognostic factor.In subgroup analysis,3-year OS rate was comparable between the maintenance and non-maintenance groups in patients with high pretreatment EBV DNA levels(˃30,000 copies/mL)(54.8%vs.45.8%,P=0.835),whereas patients with low pretreatment EBV DNA levels(≤30,000 copies/mL)could benefit from capecitabine maintenance therapy in OS(90.0%vs.68.1%,P=0.003).Conclusion:Capecitabine maintenance therapy may be superior to non-maintenance therapy in prolonging OS for de novo metastatic NPC patients with pretreatment EBV DNA≤30,000 copies/mL.groups in patients with high pretreatment EBV DNA levels(˃30,000 copies/mL)(54.8%vs.45.8%,P=0.835),whereas patients with low pretreatment EBV DNA levels(≤30,000 copies/mL)could benefit from capecitabine maintenance therapy in OS(90.0%vs.68.1%,P=0.003).Conclusion:Capecitabine maintenance therapy may be superior to non-maintenance therapy in prolonging OS for de novo metastatic NPC patients with pretreatment EBV DNA≤30,000 copies/mL.展开更多
文摘Randomized controlled trials(RCTs)have long been recognized as the gold standard for establishing causal relationships in clinical research.Despite that,various limitations of RCTs prevent its widespread implementation,ranging from the ethicality of withholding potentially-lifesaving treatment from a group to relatively poor external validity due to stringent inclusion criteria,amongst others.However,with the introduction of propensity score matching(PSM)as a retrospective statistical tool,new frontiers in establishing causation in clinical research were opened up.PSM predicts treatment effects using observational data from existing sources such as registries or electronic health records,to create a matched sample of participants who received or did not receive the intervention based on their propensity scores,which takes into account characteristics such as age,gender and comorbidities.Given its retrospective nature and its use of observational data from existing sources,PSM circumvents the aforementioned ethical issues faced by RCTs.Majority of RCTs exclude elderly,pregnant women and young children;thus,evidence of therapy efficacy is rarely proven by robust clinical research for this population.On the other hand,by matching study patient characteristics to that of the population of interest,including the elderly,pregnant women and young children,PSM allows for generalization of results to the wider population and hence greatly increases the external validity.Instead of replacing RCTs with PSM,the synergistic integration of PSM into RCTs stands to provide better research outcomes with both methods complementing each other.For example,in an RCT investigating the impact of mannitol on outcomes among participants of the Intensive Blood Pressure Reduction in Acute Cerebral Hemorrhage Trial,the baseline characteristics of comorbidities and current medications between treatment and control arms were significantly different despite the randomization protocol.Therefore,PSM was incorporated in its analysis to create samples from the treatment and control arms that were matched in terms of these baseline characteristics,thus providing a fairer comparison for the impact of mannitol.This literature review reports the applications,advantages,and considerations of using PSM with RCTs,illustrating its utility in refining randomization,improving external validity,and accounting for non-compliance to protocol.Future research should consider integrating the use of PSM in RCTs to better generalize outcomes to target populations for clinical practice and thereby benefit a wider range of patients,while maintaining the robustness of randomization offered by RCTs.
基金the Excellent Talents Fund Project of Xuzhou Medical University,No.XYFY2021019.
文摘BACKGROUND Varicosis is a common venous condition,which is typically treated surgically.However,selection of the optimal surgical approach can be challenging.Previous studies comparing endovenous laser treatment(EVLT)and conventional surgery were retrospective and observational in nature and the results may therefore have been influenced by selection bias and the presence of other confounding factors.In this study,we used propensity score matching to reduce selection bias when comparing EVLT and conventional surgery for the treatment of varicose great saphenous veins.METHODS We retrospectively reviewed the records of 1063 patients treated for primary varicosis of the great saphenous vein at the Second Affiliated Hospital of Xuzhou Medical University between January 2009 and December 2019.Among them,56 patients were excluded owing to additional small saphenous varicose vein involvement,81 owing to recurring varicose veins,83 owing to complicated varicose veins(CEAP clinical classification C5-C6),and 6 owing to perioperative phlebitis.Finally,772 patients were enrolled in this study.Standard demographic and clinicopathological data were collected from the medical records of the patients.For propensity score matching,522 patients(261 who underwent EVLT and 261 who underwent conventional surgery)were randomly matched 1:1 by age,sex,onset time,smoking status,presence of diabetes,family history,stress therapy,C class,and the affected leg.RESULTS Of the 772 patients included in the study,467 underwent EVLT and 305 underwent conventional surgery.There were significant differences in age,onset time,smoking and diabetes status,and family history between the two groups.Following propensity score matching,no significant differences in patients’characteristics remained between the two groups.ELVT was associated with a shorter operation time and hospital stay than conventional surgery,both before and after propensity score matching.There were no differences in complications between the two groups after propensity score matching.Patients who underwent EVLT had a higher recurrence rate during the two-year follow-up period than those who underwent conventional surgery(33.33%vs 21.46%,χ^(2)=11.506,P=0.001),and a greater percentage of patients who underwent EVLT experienced pain one week after the procedure(39.85%vs 19.54%,P=0.000).CONCLUSION EVLT may not always be the best option for the treatment of great saphenous vein varicosis.
文摘BACKGROUND Although the location of proximal cancer of the remnant stomach is the same as that of primary proximal cancer of the stomach,its clinical characteristics and prognosis are still controversial.AIM To evaluate the clinicopathological features and prognosis factors of gastric stump cancer(GSC)and primary proximal gastric cancer(PGC).METHODS From January,2005 to December,2016,178 patients with GSC and 957 cases with PGC who received surgical treatment were enrolled.Patients in both groups underwent 1:1 propensity score matching analysis,and both clinical and pathological data were systematically collected for statistical purposes.Quality of RESULTS One hundred and fifty-two pairs were successfully matched after propensity score matching analysis.Of the 15 demographic and pathological variables collected,the analysis further revealed that the number of lymph nodes and positive lymph nodes were different prognostic and clinicopathological factors between PGC and GSC.Univariate and multivariate analyses showed that gender,differentiation degree and tumor-node-metastasis stage were independent risk factors for patients with GSC.Gender,vascular invasion,differentiation degree,depth of infiltration,positive lymph nodes,and tumor-node-metastasis stage were independent risk factors for patients with PGC.The 5-year overall survival and cancer-specific survival of patients with GSC were significantly lower than those in the PGC group,the scores for overall quality of life in the GSC-malignant group were lower than the GSC-benign,and the differences were statistically significant.CONCLUSION The differences in clinicopathological characteristics between GSC and PGC were clarified,and PGC had a better prognosis than GSC.
文摘Objective:To explore the effect of continuous non-invasive blood pressure monitoring on intraoperative hemodynamics and postoperative myocardial injury in craniotomy.Methods:120 cases of elective craniotomy were divided into the self-control group(continuous non-invasive blood pressure monitoring and intermittent cuff non-invasive blood pressure monitoring,CNAP group)and propensity score matching group(only intermittent cuff non-invasive blood pressure measurement in previous craniotomy,PSM group);Goal-directed hemodynamic management in CNAP group included heart rate(HR),blood pressure(BP),stroke volume(SV),stroke variability(SVV),and systemic vascular resistance index(SVRI).The main index is to compare the troponin level within 72 hours after operation between the CNAP group and the PSM group;The secondary indicators are the comparison of the hemodynamic conditions between the CNAP group and the PSM at 10 specific time points.Results:The incidence of postoperative myocardial injury in the CNAP group was significantly lower than that in the PSM group(12%vs.30%,P=0.01);in the CNAP group hypotensive episodes(6 vs.3,P=0.01),positive balance of fluid therapy(700 vs.500 mL,P<0.001),more use of vasoactive drugs(29 vs.18,P=0.04),more stable hemodynamics medical status(P=0.03)were recorded.Conclusion:The hemodynamic management strategy based on continuous non-invasive blood pressure monitoring can reduce the incidence of myocardial injury after elective craniotomy and maintain a more stable hemodynamic state.
基金supported by grants from the Science&Technology Key Program of Zhejiang China(2017C03051)the National Science&Technology Major Project of China(2017ZX10203201)。
文摘Background:Hepatitis B virus-related acute-on-chronic liver failure(HBV-ACLF)has a high short-term mortality.However,the treatment progression for HBV-ACLF in China in the past decade has not been well characterized.The present study aimed to determine whether the HBV-ACLF treatment has significantly improved during the past decade.Methods:This study retrospectively compared short-term(28/56 days)survival rates of two different nationwide cohorts(cohort I:2008-2011 and cohort II:2012-2015).Eligible HBV-ACLF patients were enrolled retrospectively.Patients in the cohorts I and II were assigned either to the standard medical therapy(SMT)group(cohort I-SMT,cohort II-SMT)or artificial liver support system(ALSS)group(cohort IALSS,cohort II-ALSS).Propensity score matching analysis was conducted to eliminate baseline differences,and multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to explore the independent factors for 28-day survival.Results:Short-term(28/56 days)survival rates were significantly higher in the ALSS group than those in the SMT group(P<0.05)and were higher in the cohort II than those in the cohort I(P<0.001).After propensity score matching,short-term(28/56 days)survival rates were higher in the cohort II than those in the cohort I for both SMT(60.7%vs.53.0%,50.0%vs.39.8%,P<0.05)and ALSS(66.1%vs.56.5%,53.0%vs.44.4%,P<0.05)treatments.The 28-day survival rate was higher in patients treated with nucleos(t)ide analogs than in patients without such treatments(P=0.046).Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that ALSS(OR=0.962,95%CI:0.951-0.973,P=0.038),nucleos(t)ide analogs(OR=0.927,95%CI:0.871-0.983,P=0.046),old age(OR=1.028,95%CI:1.015-1.041,P<0.001),total bilirubin(OR=1.002,95%CI:1.001-1.003,P=0.004),INR(OR=1.569,95%CI:1.044-2.358,P<0.001),COSSH-ACLF grade(OR=2.683,95%CI:1.792-4.017,P<0.001),and albumin(OR=0.952,95%CI:0.924-0.982,P=0.002)were independent factors for 28-day mortality.Conclusions:The treatment for patients with HBV-ACLF has improved in the past decade.
基金the National Key R&D Program of China(Grant No.2017 YFC0112000)the National Natural Science Foundation of China(Grant Nos.81627803 and 91859201).
文摘Objective:To explore the association between cholecystectomy and the prognostic outcomes of patients with hepatocellular carcinoma(H CC)who underwent microwave ablation(MWA).Methods:Patients with HCC(«=921)who underwent MWA were included and divided into cholecystectomy(n=114)and non-cholecystectomy groups(n=807).After propensity score matching(PSM)at a 1:2 ratio,overall survival(OS)and disease-free survival(DFS)rates were analyzed to compare prognostic outcomes between the cholecystectomy(«=114)and non-cholecystectomy groups(n=228).Univariate and multivariate Cox analyses were performed to assess potential risk factors for OS and DFS.Major complications were also compared between the groups.Results:After matching,no significant differences between groups were observed in baseline characteristics.The 1-,3-,and 5-year OS rates were 96.5%,82.1%,and 67.1%in the cholecystectomy group,and 97.4%,85.2%,and 74.4%in the non-cholecystectomy group(P=0.396);the 1-,3-,and 5-year DFS rates were 58.4%,34.5%,and 26.6%in the cholecystectomy group,and 73.6%,44.7%,and 32.2%in the non-cholecystectomy group(P=0.026),respectively.The intrahepatic distant recurrence rate in the cholecystectomy group was significantly higher than that in the non-cholecystectomy group(P=0.026),and the local tumor recurrence and extrahepatic recurrence rates did not significantly differ between the groups(P=0.609 and P=0.879).Multivariate analysis revealed that cholecystectomy(HR=1.364,95%Cl 1.023-1.819,P=0.035),number of tumors(2 vs.1:HR=2.744,95%Cl 1.925-3.912,P<0.001;3 vs.1:HR=3.411,95%Cl 2.021-5.759,P<0.001),and y-GT levels(HR=1.003,95%Cl 1.000-1.006,P<0.024)were independent risk factors for DFS.The best y-GT level cut-off value for predicting median DFS was 39.6 U/L(area under the curve=0.600,P<0.05).A positive correlation was observed between cholecystectomy and y-GT level(r=0.108,95%Cl-0.001-0.214,P=0.047).Subgroup analysis showed that the DFS rates were significantly higher in the non-cholecystectomy group than the cholecystectomy group when Y-GT>39.6 U/L(i3=0.044).The 5-,10-,15-,20-,and 25-year recurrence rates from the time of cholecystectomy were 2.63%,21.93%,42.11%,58.77%,and 65.79%,respectively.A significant positive correlation was observed between cholecystectomy and the time from cholecystectomy to recurrence(r=0.205,95%Cl 0.016-0.379,P=0.029).There were no significant differences in complications between groups(P=0.685).Conclusions:Patients with HCC who underwent cholecystectomy were more likely to develop intrahepatic distant recurrence after MWA,an outcome probably associated with increased y-GT levels.Moreover,the recurrence rates increased with time.
文摘AIM To compare short-term results between laparoscopic hepatectomy and open hepatectomy using a propensity score matching. METHODS A patient in the laparoscopic liver resection(LLR) groupwas randomly matched with another patient in the open liver resection(OLR) group using a 1:1 allocated ratio with the nearest estimated propensity score. Patients of the LLR group without matches were excluded. Matching criteria included age, gender, body mass index, American Society of Anesthesiologists score, potential co-morbidities, hepatopathies, size and number of nodules, preoperative chemotherapy, minor or major liver re-sections. Intraoperative and postoperative data were compared in both groups.RESULTS From January 2012 to January 2015, a total of 241 hepa-tectomies were consecutively performed, of which 169 in the OLR group(70.1%) and 72 in the LLR group(29.9%). The conversion rate was 9.7%(n = 7). The mortality rate was 4.2% in the OLR group and 0% in the LLR group. Prior to and after propensity score matching, there was a statistically significant difference favorable to the LLR group regarding shorter operative times(185 min vs 247.5 min; P = 0.002), less blood loss(100 m L vs 300 m L; P = 0.002), a shorter hospital stay(7 d vs 9 d; P = 0.004), and a significantly lower rate of medical complications(4.3% vs 26.4%; P < 0.001). CONCLUSION Laparoscopic liver resections seem to yield better short-term and mid-term results as compared to open hepatectomies and could well be considered a privileged approach and become the gold standard in carefully selected patients.
基金National Natural Science Foundation of China,No.81772642.
文摘BACKGROUND Laparoscopic total gastrectomy(LTG)has drawn increasing attention over the years.Although LTG has shown surgical benefits compared to open TG(OTG)in early stage gastric cancer(GC),little is known about the surgical and oncological outcomes of LTG for advanced GC following neoadjuvant therapy(NAT).AIM To compare the long-and short-term outcomes of advanced GC patients who underwent LTG vs OTG following NAT.METHODS Advanced GC patients who underwent TG following NAT between April 2011 and May 2018 at the Cancer Hospital of the Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences were enrolled and stratified into two groups:LTG and OTG.Propensity score matching analysis was performed at a 1:1 ratio to overcome possible bias.RESULTS In total,185 patients were enrolled(LTG:78;OTG:109).Of these,138 were paired after propensity score matching.After adjustment for propensity score matching,baseline parameters were similar between the two groups.Compared to OTG,LTG was associated with a significantly shorter length of hospital stay(P=0.012).The rates of R0 resection,lymph node harvest,and postoperative morbidity did not significantly differ between the two groups.Overall survival(OS)outcomes were comparable between the two groups.Pathological T and N stages were found to be independent risk factors for OS.CONCLUSION LTG can be a feasible method for advanced GC patients following NAT,as it appears to be associated with better short-and comparable long-term outcomes compared to OTG.
基金Supported by Key Research and Development Program of Shandong Province,No.2019JZZY010104 and No.2019GSF108146Special Foundation for Taishan Scholars Program of Shandong Province,No.ts20190978and Academic Promotion Programme of Shandong First Medical University,No.2019QL021.
文摘BACKGROUND Multiple gastrointestinal stromal tumors(MGISTs)are specific and rare.Little is known about the impact of MGISTs on the survival of patients with gastrointestinal stromal tumors(GIST).The diagnosis,treatment and follow-up strategies of MGISTs is not specifically described in guidelines.AIM To compare the clinicopathological characteristics and prognosis of MGISTs and solitary GISTs(SGISTs)METHODS Patients diagnosed with primary GISTs from March 2010 to January 2020 were included.Due to the inhomogeneous distribution of several baseline characteristics and uneven MGIST and SGIST group sizes,propensity score matching was performed according to comorbidities,body mass index,tumor location,mitotic index,sex,age and American Society of Anesthesiologists score.Differences in clinicopathological characteristics and prognosis between patients with MGISTs and patients with SGISTs were compared.RESULTS Among the entire cohort of 983 patients,the incidence of MGISTs was 4.17%.Before matching,patients with MGISTs and those with SGISTs had disparities in body mass index,surgical approach,tumor size and mitotic index.After 1:4 ratio matching,the clinical baseline data were comparable.The 5-year progression-free survival rate was 52.17%in the MGIST group and 75.00%in the SGIST group(P=0.031).On multivariate analysis,tumor location,tumor size,mitotic index,imatinib treatment and MGISTs(hazard ratio=2.431,95%confidence interval=1.097-5.386,P=0.029)were identified as independent prognostic factors of progression-free survival.However,overall survival was similar between the SGIST and MGIST groups.CONCLUSION Patients with MGISTs had poorer progression-free survival than patients with SGISTs.Risk criteria and diagnostic and treatment strategies should be developed to achieve personalized precision therapy and maximize the survival benefit.
基金the Ethical Review Board of the Nagoya University Hospital(2015-0449).
文摘BACKGROUND Cold polypectomy(CP)is a simple and safe procedure for polyps less than 10 mm in size;however,there is concern about local recurrence following CP because of unidentified margins of excised specimens and the lack of tumor suppression effect by coagulation.Some clinical trials have evaluated local persistent recurrence;their results suggest that a higher rate of local recurrence has not been documented so far.There were few reports that observed the course over long periods of time after CP in clinical practice.AIM To evaluate the presence of local recurrence following CP and hot polypectomy(HP)using propensity score matching.METHODS We analyzed 275 patients who underwent polypectomy for non-pedunculated colorectal polyps less than 10 mm(959 Lesions)between October 2016 and 2017 and underwent follow-up endoscopy subsequently.We divided them into the CP group(706 Lesions),wherein CP was performed,and the HP group(253 Lesions),wherein HP was performed.Using propensity score matching,we extracted 215 Lesions in each group and evaluated the local recurrence and content of CP in the real clinic and adverse events using medical records.RESULTS After propensity score matching,there were no significant differences in the patients’and their endoscopic background(age,use of antithrombotics,indications,size,morphology,location of polyps,and polypectomy device)between the groups.The mean duration between colorectal polypectomy and the next follow-up colonoscopy was 17.5±7.1(range,6-39)mo in the CP group and 15.7±6.0(range,6-35)mo in the HP group,which was significantly longer in the CP group(P=0.005).The local recurrence rate was 0.93%in the CP group and 0.93%in the HP group,without a significant difference(P=0.688).Additionally,no differences were observed in the macroscopic en bloc resection rate,histopathological complete resection rate,and pathological results between the groups.Adverse events did not occur in either group.CONCLUSION Local recurrence after CP was equivalent to that following HP in clinical practice.CP is useful and safe in the treatment of non-pedunculated polyps of less than 10 mm.
文摘BACKGROUND Surgical resection is regarded as the only potentially curative treatment option for patients with metastatic colorectal cancer(CRC).The National Comprehensive Cancer Network clinical practice guidelines do not recommend palliative surgery unless there is a risk of severe symptoms.However,accumulating evidence has shown that palliative surgery is associated with more favorable outcomes for patients with metastatic CRC.AIM To investigate the separate role of palliative primary tumor resection for patients with stage IVA(M1a diseases)and stage IVB(M1b diseases)colorectal adenocarcinoma(CRA).METHODS CRA patients diagnosed from 2010 to 2015 with definite M1a and M1b categories according to the 8th edition of American Joint Committee on Cancer staging system were selected from the Surveillance Epidemiology and End Results(SEER)database.To minimize potential selection bias,the data were adjusted by propensity score matching(PSM).Baseline characteristics,including gender,year of diagnosis,age,marital status,primary site,surgical information,race,grade,chemotherapy,and radiotherapy,were recorded and analyzed.Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to explore the separate role of palliative surgery for patients with M1a and M1b diseases.RESULTS A total of 19680 patients with metastatic CRA were collected from the SEER database,including 10399 cases of M1a diseases and 9281 cases of M1b diseases.Common independent prognostic factors for both M1a and M1b patients included year of diagnosis,age,race,marital status,primary site,grade,surgery,and chemotherapy.After PSM adjustment,3732 and 3568 matched patients in the M1a and M1b groups were included,respectively.Patients receiving palliative primary tumor resection had longer survival time than those without surgery(P<0.001).For patients with M1a diseases,palliative resection could increase the median survival time by 9 mo;for patients with M1b diseases,palliative resection could prolong the median survival time by 7 mo.For M1a diseases,patients with lung metastasis had more clinical benefit from palliative resection than those with liver metastasis(15 mo for lung metastasis vs 8 mo for liver metastasis,P<0.001).CONCLUSION CRA patients with M1a diseases gain more clinical benefits from palliative primary tumor resection than those with M1b diseases.Those patients with M1a(lung metastasis)have superior long-term outcomes after palliative primary tumor resection.
文摘Health status is widely regarded as a correlate of depressive symptoms.However,health assessments based on clinical diagnosis in rural areas with poor medical conditions are very limited.Self-rated health(SRH)serves as a simple and convenient evaluation indicator,which may be used as an independent predictor of depressive symptoms.To confirm the relationship between SRH and depressive symptoms in rural adults,a longitudinal survey of rural households in China was conducted using the China Family Panel Studies(CFPS)from 2012 to 2016.Propensity score matching and logistic regression analysis were used to explore the association.After data cleansing,3,127 pairs(6,254 participants)aged 16 and older followed for 4 years were enrolled,of which the average age was(50.02±14.19)years old,and the proportions of male and female were 48.64%and 51.36%,respectively.The incidence rate of depressive symptoms within 4 years was 30.86%(95%CI:29.24–32.48)in the group with fair or poor SRH,and 21.59%(95%CI:20.14–23.03)in the group with good SRH.The difference between the two groups was statistically significant(χ^(2)=69.51,P<0.001).The results of univariate unconditional logistic regression analysis showed that there was a correlation between SRH and depressive symptoms in rural adults aged 30 and above(OR=1.65,95%CI:1.46–1.85,P<0.001).Thus,a simple and practical assessment tool based on SRH and other indicators should be established for early prevention and intervention in rural primary mental health care.
文摘Introduction: A great number of software are currently used to digitalize the patient records in order to optimize the quality of services offered to patients. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of Electronic Health Records use in Burundi’s hospitals, taking into account the COVID-19 pandemic context. Methods: This was a quasi-experimental study based on difference in difference method. Ten district hospitals were included in the study, five of them had the Electronic Health Records and five of which did not yet have the Electronic Health Records. The hospital’s control group were chosen using the propensity score matching method. The period before the project’s implementation was 2014 and the period after were 2019 and 2020. Results: After 5 years of the Electronic Health Record’s implementation, the results showed an increase in outpatient consultation (70%), deliveries (more than 100%), caesarean sections (56%) and major surgeries (43%) indicators. The overall quality score of hospitals’ care had a regressive effect of 37% and the income from performance-based funding had an increase by 31%. The indicators which were affected by the context of the COVID-19 pandemic were especially outpatient consultation, caesarian section, income from performance-based funding decreased by 3%, 5% and 20% respectively. Conclusion: The effects of Electronic Health Records use are effective. As the COVID-19 pandemic impacted the hospital’s indicators negatively, the resilient strategies alongside the potential shocks are recommended.
基金supported by an Ethicon Excellence in Surgery Grant(EESG)[grant number HZB-2018111949]the National Key Clinical Specialty Construction Project(2021-2024)[grant number 2022YW030009].
文摘Background:Enhanced recovery after surgery is used in gastrointestinal surgery.This study aimed to access the effects of early liquid drinking(ELD)on gastrointestinal function recovery in patients with gastric cancer(GC)who underwent radical gastrectomy,as high-quality evidence on the outcomes of ELD after gastrectomy is currently lacking.Methods:Clinicopathological data of patients with GC from 11 centers were retrospectively analysed.Clinical outcomes were investigated in 555 patients,including 225 who started drinking liquid within 48 h(ELD group)of surgery and 330 who started drinking liquid after flatus resumption(traditional liquid drinking[TLD]group).Propensity score matching(PSM)analysis was performed using a match ratio of 1:1 and 201 patients were selected from each group for the analysis.Primary outcome was time to first passage of flatus.Secondary outcomes included time to first defecation,post-operative hospitalization days,occurrence of short-term post-operative complications,and hospitalization costs.Results:After PSM,baseline characteristics were not significantly different between the two groups.The time to first flatus(2.7261.08 vs 3.3661.39 days),first defecation(4.3461.85 vs 4.7761.61 days),and post-operative hospital stay(8.2764.02 vs 12.9464.43 days)were shorter in the ELD group than in the TLD group(all P<0.05).The ELD group had lower hospitalization costs than the TLD group([7.8362.44 vs 8.7863.41]104 RMB,P=0.041).No significant differences were observed in the incidence of post-operative complications.Conclusions:Compared with TLD,post-operative ELD could promote rapid recovery of gastrointestinal function and reduce hospitalization costs;moreover,ELD does not increase the risk of post-operative complications.
基金support provided by Jiangxi Clinical Research Center for Gastroenterology(20201ZDG02007).
文摘Background:Nasogastric tube(NGT)placement is part of the post-operative management of upper gastrointestinal perforation,but its routine use in esophageal perforation(EP)caused by foreign bodies remains unclear.The purpose of this research was to investigate the necessity for routine NGT placement in patients with EP after endoscopic foreign body removal.Methods:A total of 323 patients diagnosed with EP caused by foreign bodies at the First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University between January 2012 and December 2021 were included in this retrospective study.Patients were divided into the NGT group and the non-NGT group according to whether or not NGT placement was performed.The perforation healing rate,post-operative adverse events,hospital stay,and death rate were analysed using a 1:1 propensity score matching model.Results:Before matching,there were 263 patients in the NGT group and 60 patients in the non-NGT group.There were significant differences in the time to treatment,infection,albumin,and types of endoscopy between the two groups,while the length of hospital stay in the NGT group was significantly longer than that in the non-NGT group.After 1:1 propensity score matching,48 pairs of patients were matched between the two groups.The perforation healing rate,post-operative adverse events,length of hospital stay,and death rate did not show significant differences between the two groups.Conclusions:For patients with small EP caused by foreign bodies,routine NGT placement after endoscopic foreign body removal may be unnecessary.
基金This work was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(grant numbers:81901960 and 81902006)the Foundation of Shanghai Hospital Development Center(grant number:SHDC2020CR4100).
文摘Background:The predictive value of red blood cell distribution width(RDW)for mortality in patients withsepsis-induced acute kidney injury(SI-AKI)remains unclear.The present study aimed to investigate the potentialassociation between RDW at admission and outcomes in patients with SI-AKI.Methods:The Medical Information Mart for Intensive Care(MIMIC)-IV(version 2.0)database,released in Juneof 2022,provides medical data of SI-AKI patients to conduct our related research.Based on propensity scorematching(PSM)method,the main risk factors associated with mortality in SI-AKI were evaluated using Coxproportional hazards regression analysis to construct a predictive nomogram.The concordance index(C-index)and decision curve analysis were used to validate the predictive ability and clinical utility of this model.Patientswith SI-AKI were classified into the high-and low-RDW groups according to the best cut-off value obtained bycalculating the maximum value of the Youden index.Results:A total of 7574 patients with SI-AKI were identified according to the filter criteria.Compared withthe low-RDW group,the high-RDW group had higher 28-day(9.49%vs.31.40%,respectively,P<0.001)and7-day(3.96%vs.13.93%,respectively,P<0.001)mortality rates.Patients in the high-RDW group were moreprone to AKI progression than those in the low-RDW group(20.80%vs.13.60%,respectively,P<0.001).Basedon matched patients,we developed a nomogram model that included age,white blood cells,RDW,combinedhypertension and presence of a malignant tumor,treatment with vasopressor,dialysis,and invasive ventilation,sequential organ failure assessment,and AKI stages.The C-index for predicting the probability of 28-day survivalwas 0.799.Decision curve analysis revealed that the model with RDW offered greater net benefit than that withoutRDW.Conclusion:The present findings demonstrated the importance of RDW,which improved the predictive ability ofthe nomogram model for the probability of survival in patients with SI-AKI.
文摘Background: Minimally invasive surgery is becoming increasingly popular in the field of pancreatic surgery. However, there are few studies of robotic distal pancreatectomy(RDP) for pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma(PDAC). This study aimed to investigate the efficacy and feasibility of RDP for PDAC. Methods: Patients who underwent RDP or laparoscopic distal pancreatectomy(LDP) for PDAC between January 2015 and September 2020 were reviewed. Propensity score matching analyses were performed. Results: Of the 335 patients included in the study, 24 underwent RDP and 311 underwent LDP. A total of 21 RDP patients were matched 1:1 with LDP patients. RDP was associated with longer operative time(209.7 vs. 163.2 min;P = 0.003), lower open conversion rate(0% vs. 4.8%;P < 0.001), higher cost(15 722 vs. 12 699 dollars;P = 0.003), and a higher rate of achievement of an R0 resection margin(90.5% vs. 61.9%;P = 0.042). However, postoperative pancreatic fistula grade B or C showed no significant intergroup difference(9.5% vs. 9.5%). The median disease-free survival(34.5 vs. 17.3 months;P = 0.588) and overall survival(37.7 vs. 21.9 months;P = 0.171) were comparable between the groups. Conclusions: RDP is associated with longer operative time, a higher cost of surgery, and a higher likelihood of achieving R0 margins than LDP.
基金supported by grants from the National Natu-ral Science Foundation of China(81701950 and 82172135)Medi-cal Research Projects of Chongqing for staffagainst the epidemic(2020FYYX248)the Kuanren Talents Program of the Second Affiliated Hospital,Chongqing Medical University(KY2019Y002).
文摘Background: Significant portal hypertension(SPH) is a relative contraindication for patients with resectable hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC). However, increasing evidence indicates that liver resection is feasible for HCC patients with SPH. Methods: HCC patients with cirrhosis who underwent laparoscopic liver resection(LLR) in two centers from January 2013 to April 2018 were included. Surgical and survival outcomes were analyzed to explore potential prognostic factors. Propensity score matching(PSM) analysis was performed to minimize bias. Results: A total of 165 patients were divided into two groups based on the presence(SPH, n = 76) or absence(non-SPH, n = 89) of SPH. Patients in the SPH group had longer operative time, more blood loss, and more advanced TNM stage than patients in the non-SPH group( P < 0.05). However, there were no significant differences in the postoperative 90-day mortality rate( n = 0), overall postoperative complications(47.4% vs. 41.6%, P = 0.455), Clavien-Dindo classification( P = 0.347), conversion to open surgery(9.2% vs. 6.7%, P = 0.557), or length of hospitalization(16 vs. 15 days, P = 0.203) between the SPH and non-SPH groups before PSM. Similar results were obtained after PSM. The 1-, 3-, and 5-year overall survival(OS) and recurrence-free survival rates in the SPH group were not significantly different from those in the non-SPH group both before and after PSM(log-rank P > 0.05). After PSM, alpha-fetoprotein(AFP) ≥ 400 μg/L [hazard ratio(HR) = 4.71, 95% confidence interval(CI): 2.69-8.25], ascites(HR = 2.18, 95% CI: 1.30-3.66), American Society of Anesthesiologists(ASA) classification(Ⅲ vs. Ⅱ)(HR = 2.13, 95% CI: 1.11-4.07) and tumor diameter > 5 cm(HR = 3.91, 95% CI: 2.02-7.56) independently predicted worse OS. Conclusions: LLR for patients with HCC complicated with SPH appears feasible at the price of increasing operative time and blood loss. AFP, ascites, ASA classification and tumor diameter may predict the prognosis of HCC complicated with SPH after LLR.
基金This study was supported by Technology Program of Zhejiang Province,China(2015C03049)
文摘Background:A growing body of evidence supports the use of laparoscopic pancreaticoduodenectomy(LPD)as an efficient and feasible surgical technique.However,few studies have investigated its applicability in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma(PDAC),and the long-term efficacy of LPD on PDAC remains unclear.This study aimed to compare the short-and long-term outcomes between LPD and open pancreaticoduodenectomy(OPD)for PDAC.Methods:The data of patients who had OPD or LPD for PDAC between January 2013 and September 2017 were retrieved.Their postoperative outcomes and survival were compared after propensity score matching.Results:A total of 309 patients were included.After a 2:1 matching,93 cases in the OPD group and 55 in the LPD group were identified.Delayed gastric emptying(DGE),particularly grade B/C DGE,occurred less frequently in the LPD group than in the OPD group(1.8%vs.36.6%,P<0.001;1.8%vs.22.6%,P=0.001).The overall complication rates were significantly lower in the LPD group than in the OPD group(49.1%vs.71.0%,P=0.008),whereas the rates of major complications were similar(10.9%vs.14.0%,P=0.590).In addition,the median overall survival was comparable between the two groups(20.0 vs.18.7 months,P=0.293).Conclusion:LPD was found to be technically feasible with efficacy similar to OPD for patients with PDAC.
基金National Key R&D Program of China,Grant/Award Numbers:2016YFC0902003,2017YFC1309003,2017YFC0908500National Natural Science Foundation of China,Grant/Award Numbers:81425018,81672868,81602371+9 种基金Sun Yat-sen University Clinical Research 5010 Program,Grant/Award Numbers:201707020039,2014A020212103,16zxyc02Sci-Tech Project Foundation of Guangzhou City,Grant/Award Number:201707020039National Key Basic Research Program of China,Grant/Award Number:2013CB910304Special Support Plan of Guangdong Province,Grant/Award Number:2014TX01R145Sci-Tech Project Foundation of Guangdong Province,Grant/Award Number:2014A020212103Health&Medical Collaborative Innovation Project of Guangzhou City,Grant/Award Number:201400000001National Science&Technology Pillar Program during the Twelfth Five-year Plan Period,Grant/Award Number:2014BAI09B10PhD Start-up Fund of Natural Science Foundation of Guangdong Province,China,Grant/Award Number:2016A030310221cultivation foundation for the junior teachers in Sun Yat-sen University,Grant/Award Number:16ykpy28foundation for major projects and new cross subjects in Sun Yat-sen University,Grant/Award Number:16ykjc38。
文摘Background:Capecitabine was previously used as a second-line or salvage therapy for metastatic nasopharyngeal carcinoma(NPC)and has shown satisfactory curative effect as maintenance therapy in other metastatic cancers.This study aimed to explore the role of capecitabine as maintenance therapy in de novo metastatic NPC patients with different plasma Epstein-Barr virus(EBV)DNA levels before treatment.Methods:We selected de novo metastatic NPC patients treated with locoregional radiotherapy(LRRT)for this retrospective study.The propensity score matching(PSM)was applied to balance potential confounders between patients who underwent capecitabine maintenance therapy and those who did not with a ratio of 1:3.Overall survival(OS)was the primary endpoint.The association between capecitabine maintenance therapy and survival was assessed using the log-rank test and a Cox proportional hazard model.Results:Among all patients eligible for this study,64 received capecitabine maintenance therapy after LRRT.After PSM,192 patients were identified in the nonmaintenance group.In the matched cohort,patients treated with capecitabine achieved a higher 3-year OS rate compared with patients in the non-maintenance group(68.5%vs.61.8%,P=0.037).Multivariate analysis demonstrated that capecitabine maintenance therapy was an independent prognostic factor.In subgroup analysis,3-year OS rate was comparable between the maintenance and non-maintenance groups in patients with high pretreatment EBV DNA levels(˃30,000 copies/mL)(54.8%vs.45.8%,P=0.835),whereas patients with low pretreatment EBV DNA levels(≤30,000 copies/mL)could benefit from capecitabine maintenance therapy in OS(90.0%vs.68.1%,P=0.003).Conclusion:Capecitabine maintenance therapy may be superior to non-maintenance therapy in prolonging OS for de novo metastatic NPC patients with pretreatment EBV DNA≤30,000 copies/mL.groups in patients with high pretreatment EBV DNA levels(˃30,000 copies/mL)(54.8%vs.45.8%,P=0.835),whereas patients with low pretreatment EBV DNA levels(≤30,000 copies/mL)could benefit from capecitabine maintenance therapy in OS(90.0%vs.68.1%,P=0.003).Conclusion:Capecitabine maintenance therapy may be superior to non-maintenance therapy in prolonging OS for de novo metastatic NPC patients with pretreatment EBV DNA≤30,000 copies/mL.
