TOPLINE:

Adult patients with type 2 diabetes and complex care needs receiving endocrinology treatment through telemedicine alone show worse glycemic outcomes compared with those receiving treatment either in-person or in mixed-care models.

The findings contrast with some previous studies showing similar glycemic outcomes with telemedicine care vs in-person care for type 2 diabetes management.

The study is believed to be the first to examine telemedicine care outcomes specifically in the endocrinology setting and based on clinical factors that affect treatment complexity.

METHODOLOGY:

• The retrospective cohort study included 3778 adults with type 2 diabetes in a single, large integrated US health system who had received either telemedicine-only, in-person, or a mix of telemedicine and in-person care between May and October 2020.
• Patients were followed up through May 2022 and evaluated for estimated A1c change after 12 months within each treatment cohort, as well as factors associated with any changes.
• Of the patients, 1182 received telemedicine-only, 1049 received in-person, and 1547 received mixed care. Mean ages in the groups ranged from 57 to 63 years, and women made up between 55% and 63%.

TAKEAWAY:

• Over the 12-month evaluation period, patients receiving telemedicine-only care had no significant changes or improvements in adjusted A1c (−0.06; P = .55), those receiving in-person care had an improvement of 0.37% (P < .001), and those receiving mixed care had an improvement of 0.22% (P = .004).
• The glycemic outcome patterns were similar among patients with a baseline A1c of 8% or higher.
• Of those prescribed multiple daily injections vs no insulin, estimated changes in A1c were 0.25% higher for those receiving telemedicine than for those receiving in-person care (P = .03).
• No associations were observed between changes in A1c and comorbidities.
• Regarding reasons for the differences, the authors noted that “the strategies to support glycemic improvement that are available during in-person appointments have not consistently been translated to telemedicine care.”
• Essential components of telemedicine such as self-management education support may not currently be routinely available through telemedicine or at the point-of-care during telemedicine visits, they added.
• “In our prior work in this care setting, practitioners described how inferior availability of glucose data limited their ability to intensify treatment through telemedicine.”
• “Implementation of approaches to overcome these differences, such as team-based virtual care and technological tools to automate blood glucose data sharing, are needed to ensure all patients receive high-quality diabetes care regardless of care modality.”

IN PRACTICE:

“These findings suggest that patients with type 2 diabetes who rely on telemedicine alone to access endocrinology care may require additional support to achieve glycemic goals,” the authors reported.

“Since some patients with barriers to in-person endocrinology care will continue to rely on telemedicine to access care, structured approaches to ensure routine delivery of high-quality team-based diabetes care are needed,” they asserted.

“Translation of successful strategies from clinical trials into routine telemedicine care, especially targeted toward adults with more complex diabetes, is critical to improve clinical outcomes for patients who rely on this care modality.”

SOURCE:

The study was conducted by first author Margaret F. Zupa, MD, of the division of endocrinology and metabolism, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pennsylvania, and colleagues.

It was published in JAMA Network Open.

LIMITATIONS:

While demographic differences between the groups were included as covariates, the treatment modality cohorts were not balanced based on baseline characteristics that could be confounders.

Various factors, such as treatment complexity, glycemic control, and transportation barriers, could have affected whether patients received care with telemedicine; therefore, causal associations could not be established.

DISCLOSURES:

The study received funding from the National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences, National Institutes of Health, Pittsburgh Foundation, and Fraternal Order of the Eagles Charity Foundation Diabetes Fund. The authors’ disclosures are detailed in the study.

A version of this article appeared on Medscape.com.

TOPLINE:

Adult patients with type 2 diabetes and complex care needs receiving endocrinology treatment through telemedicine alone show worse glycemic outcomes compared with those receiving treatment either in-person or in mixed-care models.

The findings contrast with some previous studies showing similar glycemic outcomes with telemedicine care vs in-person care for type 2 diabetes management.

The study is believed to be the first to examine telemedicine care outcomes specifically in the endocrinology setting and based on clinical factors that affect treatment complexity.

METHODOLOGY:

• The retrospective cohort study included 3778 adults with type 2 diabetes in a single, large integrated US health system who had received either telemedicine-only, in-person, or a mix of telemedicine and in-person care between May and October 2020.
• Patients were followed up through May 2022 and evaluated for estimated A1c change after 12 months within each treatment cohort, as well as factors associated with any changes.
• Of the patients, 1182 received telemedicine-only, 1049 received in-person, and 1547 received mixed care. Mean ages in the groups ranged from 57 to 63 years, and women made up between 55% and 63%.

TAKEAWAY:

• Over the 12-month evaluation period, patients receiving telemedicine-only care had no significant changes or improvements in adjusted A1c (−0.06; P = .55), those receiving in-person care had an improvement of 0.37% (P < .001), and those receiving mixed care had an improvement of 0.22% (P = .004).
• The glycemic outcome patterns were similar among patients with a baseline A1c of 8% or higher.
• Of those prescribed multiple daily injections vs no insulin, estimated changes in A1c were 0.25% higher for those receiving telemedicine than for those receiving in-person care (P = .03).
• No associations were observed between changes in A1c and comorbidities.
• Regarding reasons for the differences, the authors noted that “the strategies to support glycemic improvement that are available during in-person appointments have not consistently been translated to telemedicine care.”
• Essential components of telemedicine such as self-management education support may not currently be routinely available through telemedicine or at the point-of-care during telemedicine visits, they added.
• “In our prior work in this care setting, practitioners described how inferior availability of glucose data limited their ability to intensify treatment through telemedicine.”
• “Implementation of approaches to overcome these differences, such as team-based virtual care and technological tools to automate blood glucose data sharing, are needed to ensure all patients receive high-quality diabetes care regardless of care modality.”

IN PRACTICE:

“These findings suggest that patients with type 2 diabetes who rely on telemedicine alone to access endocrinology care may require additional support to achieve glycemic goals,” the authors reported.

“Since some patients with barriers to in-person endocrinology care will continue to rely on telemedicine to access care, structured approaches to ensure routine delivery of high-quality team-based diabetes care are needed,” they asserted.

“Translation of successful strategies from clinical trials into routine telemedicine care, especially targeted toward adults with more complex diabetes, is critical to improve clinical outcomes for patients who rely on this care modality.”

SOURCE:

The study was conducted by first author Margaret F. Zupa, MD, of the division of endocrinology and metabolism, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pennsylvania, and colleagues.

It was published in JAMA Network Open.

LIMITATIONS:

While demographic differences between the groups were included as covariates, the treatment modality cohorts were not balanced based on baseline characteristics that could be confounders.

Various factors, such as treatment complexity, glycemic control, and transportation barriers, could have affected whether patients received care with telemedicine; therefore, causal associations could not be established.

DISCLOSURES:

The study received funding from the National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences, National Institutes of Health, Pittsburgh Foundation, and Fraternal Order of the Eagles Charity Foundation Diabetes Fund. The authors’ disclosures are detailed in the study.

A version of this article appeared on Medscape.com.

TOPLINE:

Adult patients with type 2 diabetes and complex care needs receiving endocrinology treatment through telemedicine alone show worse glycemic outcomes compared with those receiving treatment either in-person or in mixed-care models.

The findings contrast with some previous studies showing similar glycemic outcomes with telemedicine care vs in-person care for type 2 diabetes management.

The study is believed to be the first to examine telemedicine care outcomes specifically in the endocrinology setting and based on clinical factors that affect treatment complexity.

METHODOLOGY:

• The retrospective cohort study included 3778 adults with type 2 diabetes in a single, large integrated US health system who had received either telemedicine-only, in-person, or a mix of telemedicine and in-person care between May and October 2020.
• Patients were followed up through May 2022 and evaluated for estimated A1c change after 12 months within each treatment cohort, as well as factors associated with any changes.
• Of the patients, 1182 received telemedicine-only, 1049 received in-person, and 1547 received mixed care. Mean ages in the groups ranged from 57 to 63 years, and women made up between 55% and 63%.

TAKEAWAY:

• Over the 12-month evaluation period, patients receiving telemedicine-only care had no significant changes or improvements in adjusted A1c (−0.06; P = .55), those receiving in-person care had an improvement of 0.37% (P < .001), and those receiving mixed care had an improvement of 0.22% (P = .004).
• The glycemic outcome patterns were similar among patients with a baseline A1c of 8% or higher.
• Of those prescribed multiple daily injections vs no insulin, estimated changes in A1c were 0.25% higher for those receiving telemedicine than for those receiving in-person care (P = .03).
• No associations were observed between changes in A1c and comorbidities.
• Regarding reasons for the differences, the authors noted that “the strategies to support glycemic improvement that are available during in-person appointments have not consistently been translated to telemedicine care.”
• Essential components of telemedicine such as self-management education support may not currently be routinely available through telemedicine or at the point-of-care during telemedicine visits, they added.
• “In our prior work in this care setting, practitioners described how inferior availability of glucose data limited their ability to intensify treatment through telemedicine.”
• “Implementation of approaches to overcome these differences, such as team-based virtual care and technological tools to automate blood glucose data sharing, are needed to ensure all patients receive high-quality diabetes care regardless of care modality.”

IN PRACTICE:

“These findings suggest that patients with type 2 diabetes who rely on telemedicine alone to access endocrinology care may require additional support to achieve glycemic goals,” the authors reported.

“Since some patients with barriers to in-person endocrinology care will continue to rely on telemedicine to access care, structured approaches to ensure routine delivery of high-quality team-based diabetes care are needed,” they asserted.

“Translation of successful strategies from clinical trials into routine telemedicine care, especially targeted toward adults with more complex diabetes, is critical to improve clinical outcomes for patients who rely on this care modality.”

SOURCE:

The study was conducted by first author Margaret F. Zupa, MD, of the division of endocrinology and metabolism, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pennsylvania, and colleagues.

It was published in JAMA Network Open.

LIMITATIONS:

While demographic differences between the groups were included as covariates, the treatment modality cohorts were not balanced based on baseline characteristics that could be confounders.

Various factors, such as treatment complexity, glycemic control, and transportation barriers, could have affected whether patients received care with telemedicine; therefore, causal associations could not be established.

DISCLOSURES:

The study received funding from the National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences, National Institutes of Health, Pittsburgh Foundation, and Fraternal Order of the Eagles Charity Foundation Diabetes Fund. The authors’ disclosures are detailed in the study.

A version of this article appeared on Medscape.com.

CASE A new patient office visit

A new patient is waiting for you in the exam room. You review the chart and see the sex demographic field is blank, and the patient’s name is Alex. As an ObGyn, most of your patients are female, but you have treated your patients’ partners for sexually transmitted infections. As you enter the room, you see 2 androgynously dressed individuals; you introduce yourself and ask,

“What brings you in today, and who is your friend?”

“This is my partner Charlie, and we are worried I have an STD.”
 

Estimates suggest that between 7% to 12% of the US population identifies as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender/non-binary, queer/questioning, intersex, or asexual (LGBTQI+).¹ If you practice in an urban area, the odds are quite high that you have encountered an LGBTQI+ person who openly identified as such; if you are in a rural area, you also likely have had an LGBTQI+ patient, but they may not have disclosed this about themselves.² Maybe you have had training in cultural relevance or are a member of this community and you feel confident in providing quality care to LGBTQI+ patients. Or maybe you think that, as a responsibly practicing health care clinician, you treat all patients the same, so whether or not you know their sexual orientation or gender identity does not impact the care you provide. As the proportion of US adults who identify as LGBTQI+ increases,¹ it becomes more important for health care clinicians to understand the challenges these patients face when trying to access health care. To start, let’s review the meaning of LGBTQI+, the history of the community, what it means to be culturally relevant or humble, and how to create a welcoming and safe practice environment.

LGBTQI+ terms and definitions

The first step in providing quality care to LGBTQI+ patients is to understand the terminology associated with sexual orientation, gender identity, and gender expression.^3–5

Sexual orientation refers to whom a person is sexually attracted. The term straight/heterosexual suggests a person is sexually attracted to a person of the opposite gender. Lesbian or gay refers to those who are attracted to their same gender. Some people use bisexual (attracted to both the same and opposite gender) and pansexual (attracted to all humans regardless of gender). Still others refer to themselves as queer—people who identify as someone who is not heterosexual or cisgender. A variety of other terms exist to describe one’s sexual attraction. There are also some people who identify as asexual, which suggests they are not sexually attracted to anyone.

Gender identity relates to how one views their own gender. If you were assigned female at birth and identify as a woman, you are cisgender. If you were assigned male at birth and identify as a woman, you may identify as transgender whether or not you have had gender transitioning surgery or have taken hormones. Some people do not identify with the terms male or female and may view themselves as nonbinary. The terms gender queer, gender fluid, gender diverse, and gender non-conforming also may be used to describe various ways that an individual may not identify as male or female. We also can refer to people as “assigned female at birth” or “assigned male at birth”. People with intersex conditions may require taking a unique medical history that includes asking about genetic testing (eg, 46,XX congenital adrenal hyperplasia or 46,XY complete gonadal dysgenesis).

Gender expression refers to how one pre-sents themselves to others through appearance, dress, and behavior. A person may be assigned female at birth, dress in a conventional male fashion, and still identify as a woman. Still others may choose to express their gender in a variety of ways that may not have anything to do with their sexual orientation or gender identity, such as dressing in ways that represent their culture.

People may be fluid in their sexual orientation or gender identity; it may change from day to day, month to month, or even year to year.^6,7

*The term LGBTQI+ is not used consistently in the literature. Throughout this article, the terminology used matches that used in the cited reference(s).

Continue to: Health care and the LGBTQI+ community...

Health care and the LGBTQI+ community

The LGBTQI+ community has a history of experiencing societal discrimination and stigma, which stems from medical mistrust often due to a lack of understanding of their medical and psychosocial needs.^8,9 A 2019 survey of US LGBTQ adults, found that about 50% of people who identified as transgender reported having negative or discriminatory experiences with a health care clinician.¹⁰ About 18% of transgender people anticipated being refused medical care due to their gender identity.¹⁰ About 18% of LGBTQ individuals avoid any type of medical care, fearing discrimination.¹⁰ Lesbian women are 3 times more likely to have not seen an ObGyn than women who identify as straight.¹¹ Sixty-two percent of lesbian women have biological children and received prenatal care; however, of those, 47% do not receive routine cancer screenings.^10,11 Only 45% of age-eligible lesbian women have received at least 1 dose of the HPV vaccine, compared with 60% of straight women.^10,11

Due to societal stigma, more than 40% of transgender people have attempted suicide.¹² Felt or perceived stigma is also associated with risky health behaviors that contribute to health disparities. LGBTQI+ people are more likely to use substances,¹³ lesbian women are more likely to be obese,¹⁴ and 19% of transgender men are living with HIV/AIDS.¹⁵ Rates of unintended pregnancy among lesbian women and transgender men are 28%, compared with 6% in straight women, and 12% in heterosexual teens.^15,16

In addition to real or perceived discrimination, there are medical misperceptions among the LGBTQI+ community. For instance, sexual minority women (SMW) are less likely to receive regular screening for cervical cancer. In one survey of more than 400 SMW, about 25% reported not receiving regular screening. SMW may mistakenly believe they do not need Pap testing and pelvic exams because they do not have penile-vaginal intercourse.^17,18 Transgender men may not identify with having a cervix, or may perceive ObGyns to be “gendered” toward people who identify as women.¹⁸

Embracing cultural humility

Cultural humility expands upon the term cultural competence, with the idea that one can never be fully competent in the culture of another person.^19,20 The National Institutes of Health defines cultural humility as “a lifelong process of self-reflection and self-critique whereby the individual not only learns about another’s culture, but one starts with an examination of his/her own beliefs and cultural identities.”²¹

Having cultural humility is the recognition that, in order to treat your ObGyn patient as a whole person and engage in shared medical decision making in the office setting, you need to know their sexual orientation and gender identity. Treating each patient the same is not providing equitable care (equality does not equal equity) because each patient has different medical and psychosocial needs. Embracing cultural humility is the first step in creating safe and welcoming spaces in the ObGyn office.²⁰

CASE Ways to better introduce yourself

To revisit the case, what options does the clinician have to start off on a best foot to create a safe space for Alex?

• Open with your own preferred pronouns. For instance, for an introduction, consider: “I’m Dr. X, my pronouns are she/her.”
• Don’t assume. Do not make assumptions about the relationship between Alex and the person accompanying them.

4 ways for creating welcoming and affirming spaces in ObGyn

1. Make sure your intake form is inclusive. Include a space for pronouns and the patient’s preferred name (which may differ from their legal name). Also allow patients to choose more than 1 sexual orientation and gender identity.²⁰ (An example form is available from the LGBT National Health Education Center: https://www.lgbtqiahealtheducation.org/publication/focus-forms-policy-creating-inclusive-environment-lgbt-patients/.)
2. Create a safe environment in the waiting area. Try to ensure that at least 1 bathroom is labeled “All Gender” or “Family.” Gendered bathrooms (eg, Ladies’ or Men’s rooms) are not welcoming. Make sure your non-discrimination policy is displayed and includes sexual orientation and gender identity. Review the patient education and reading materials in your waiting room to ensure they are inclusive. Do they show people with varied gender expression? Do they show same-sex couples or interracial couples?
3. Use a trauma-informed approach when taking a sexual history and while conducting a physical exam. Determine if a pelvic exam is necessary at this visit or can it be postponed for another visit, when trust has been established with the patient. Explain each part of the pelvic/vaginal exam prior to conducting and again while performing the exam. Before taking a sexual history, explain why you are asking the questions and be sure to remain neutral with your questioning. For instance, you can say, “It’s important for me to understand your medical history in detail to provide you with the best health care possible.” Instead of asking, “Do you have sex with men, women, or both?” ask, “Do you have sex with people with a penis, vagina, or both? Do you have anal sex?” Recognize that some patients may be in a polyamorous relationship and may have more than 1 committed partner. For sexually active patients consider asking if they have ever exchanged sex for money or other goods, making sure to avoid judgmental body language or wording. Patients who do engage in “survival sex” may benefit from a discussion on pre-exposure prophylaxis to reduce HIV transmission.²²
4. Provide appropriate counsel based on their feedback.

• Explain their risk for HPV infection and vaccination options.
• Respectfully ask if there is a need for contraception and review options appropriate for their situation.
• Ask about the use of “toys” and provide guidance on sanitation and risk of infection with shared toys.
• Determine current or past hormone use for patients who identify as transgender and nonbinary (although many do not take hormones and have not had gender-affirming procedures, some may be considering these procedures). Be sure to ask these patients if they have had any surgeries or other procedures.

The receipt of gynecologic care can be traumatic for some LGBTQI+ people. Explain to the patient why you are doing everything during your examination and how it might feel. If a pelvic exam is not absolutely necessary that day, perhaps the patient can return another time. For transgender men who have been taking testosterone,vaginal atrophy may be a concern, and you could consider a pediatric speculum.

Personal introspection may be necessary

In summary, the number of people who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender/nonbinary, queer/questioning, intersex, or asexual is not insignificant. Many of these patients or their partners may present for ObGyn care at your office. Clinicians need to understand that there is a new language relative to sexual orientation and gender identity. Incorporating cultural humility into one’s practice requires personal introspection and is a first step to creating safe and welcoming spaces in the ObGyn office. ●

CASE A new patient office visit

A new patient is waiting for you in the exam room. You review the chart and see the sex demographic field is blank, and the patient’s name is Alex. As an ObGyn, most of your patients are female, but you have treated your patients’ partners for sexually transmitted infections. As you enter the room, you see 2 androgynously dressed individuals; you introduce yourself and ask,

“What brings you in today, and who is your friend?”

“This is my partner Charlie, and we are worried I have an STD.”
 

Estimates suggest that between 7% to 12% of the US population identifies as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender/non-binary, queer/questioning, intersex, or asexual (LGBTQI+).¹ If you practice in an urban area, the odds are quite high that you have encountered an LGBTQI+ person who openly identified as such; if you are in a rural area, you also likely have had an LGBTQI+ patient, but they may not have disclosed this about themselves.² Maybe you have had training in cultural relevance or are a member of this community and you feel confident in providing quality care to LGBTQI+ patients. Or maybe you think that, as a responsibly practicing health care clinician, you treat all patients the same, so whether or not you know their sexual orientation or gender identity does not impact the care you provide. As the proportion of US adults who identify as LGBTQI+ increases,¹ it becomes more important for health care clinicians to understand the challenges these patients face when trying to access health care. To start, let’s review the meaning of LGBTQI+, the history of the community, what it means to be culturally relevant or humble, and how to create a welcoming and safe practice environment.

LGBTQI+ terms and definitions

The first step in providing quality care to LGBTQI+ patients is to understand the terminology associated with sexual orientation, gender identity, and gender expression.^3–5

Sexual orientation refers to whom a person is sexually attracted. The term straight/heterosexual suggests a person is sexually attracted to a person of the opposite gender. Lesbian or gay refers to those who are attracted to their same gender. Some people use bisexual (attracted to both the same and opposite gender) and pansexual (attracted to all humans regardless of gender). Still others refer to themselves as queer—people who identify as someone who is not heterosexual or cisgender. A variety of other terms exist to describe one’s sexual attraction. There are also some people who identify as asexual, which suggests they are not sexually attracted to anyone.

Gender identity relates to how one views their own gender. If you were assigned female at birth and identify as a woman, you are cisgender. If you were assigned male at birth and identify as a woman, you may identify as transgender whether or not you have had gender transitioning surgery or have taken hormones. Some people do not identify with the terms male or female and may view themselves as nonbinary. The terms gender queer, gender fluid, gender diverse, and gender non-conforming also may be used to describe various ways that an individual may not identify as male or female. We also can refer to people as “assigned female at birth” or “assigned male at birth”. People with intersex conditions may require taking a unique medical history that includes asking about genetic testing (eg, 46,XX congenital adrenal hyperplasia or 46,XY complete gonadal dysgenesis).

Gender expression refers to how one pre-sents themselves to others through appearance, dress, and behavior. A person may be assigned female at birth, dress in a conventional male fashion, and still identify as a woman. Still others may choose to express their gender in a variety of ways that may not have anything to do with their sexual orientation or gender identity, such as dressing in ways that represent their culture.

People may be fluid in their sexual orientation or gender identity; it may change from day to day, month to month, or even year to year.^6,7

*The term LGBTQI+ is not used consistently in the literature. Throughout this article, the terminology used matches that used in the cited reference(s).

Continue to: Health care and the LGBTQI+ community...

Health care and the LGBTQI+ community

The LGBTQI+ community has a history of experiencing societal discrimination and stigma, which stems from medical mistrust often due to a lack of understanding of their medical and psychosocial needs.^8,9 A 2019 survey of US LGBTQ adults, found that about 50% of people who identified as transgender reported having negative or discriminatory experiences with a health care clinician.¹⁰ About 18% of transgender people anticipated being refused medical care due to their gender identity.¹⁰ About 18% of LGBTQ individuals avoid any type of medical care, fearing discrimination.¹⁰ Lesbian women are 3 times more likely to have not seen an ObGyn than women who identify as straight.¹¹ Sixty-two percent of lesbian women have biological children and received prenatal care; however, of those, 47% do not receive routine cancer screenings.^10,11 Only 45% of age-eligible lesbian women have received at least 1 dose of the HPV vaccine, compared with 60% of straight women.^10,11

Due to societal stigma, more than 40% of transgender people have attempted suicide.¹² Felt or perceived stigma is also associated with risky health behaviors that contribute to health disparities. LGBTQI+ people are more likely to use substances,¹³ lesbian women are more likely to be obese,¹⁴ and 19% of transgender men are living with HIV/AIDS.¹⁵ Rates of unintended pregnancy among lesbian women and transgender men are 28%, compared with 6% in straight women, and 12% in heterosexual teens.^15,16

In addition to real or perceived discrimination, there are medical misperceptions among the LGBTQI+ community. For instance, sexual minority women (SMW) are less likely to receive regular screening for cervical cancer. In one survey of more than 400 SMW, about 25% reported not receiving regular screening. SMW may mistakenly believe they do not need Pap testing and pelvic exams because they do not have penile-vaginal intercourse.^17,18 Transgender men may not identify with having a cervix, or may perceive ObGyns to be “gendered” toward people who identify as women.¹⁸

Embracing cultural humility

Cultural humility expands upon the term cultural competence, with the idea that one can never be fully competent in the culture of another person.^19,20 The National Institutes of Health defines cultural humility as “a lifelong process of self-reflection and self-critique whereby the individual not only learns about another’s culture, but one starts with an examination of his/her own beliefs and cultural identities.”²¹

Having cultural humility is the recognition that, in order to treat your ObGyn patient as a whole person and engage in shared medical decision making in the office setting, you need to know their sexual orientation and gender identity. Treating each patient the same is not providing equitable care (equality does not equal equity) because each patient has different medical and psychosocial needs. Embracing cultural humility is the first step in creating safe and welcoming spaces in the ObGyn office.²⁰

CASE Ways to better introduce yourself

To revisit the case, what options does the clinician have to start off on a best foot to create a safe space for Alex?

• Open with your own preferred pronouns. For instance, for an introduction, consider: “I’m Dr. X, my pronouns are she/her.”
• Don’t assume. Do not make assumptions about the relationship between Alex and the person accompanying them.

4 ways for creating welcoming and affirming spaces in ObGyn

1. Make sure your intake form is inclusive. Include a space for pronouns and the patient’s preferred name (which may differ from their legal name). Also allow patients to choose more than 1 sexual orientation and gender identity.²⁰ (An example form is available from the LGBT National Health Education Center: https://www.lgbtqiahealtheducation.org/publication/focus-forms-policy-creating-inclusive-environment-lgbt-patients/.)
2. Create a safe environment in the waiting area. Try to ensure that at least 1 bathroom is labeled “All Gender” or “Family.” Gendered bathrooms (eg, Ladies’ or Men’s rooms) are not welcoming. Make sure your non-discrimination policy is displayed and includes sexual orientation and gender identity. Review the patient education and reading materials in your waiting room to ensure they are inclusive. Do they show people with varied gender expression? Do they show same-sex couples or interracial couples?
3. Use a trauma-informed approach when taking a sexual history and while conducting a physical exam. Determine if a pelvic exam is necessary at this visit or can it be postponed for another visit, when trust has been established with the patient. Explain each part of the pelvic/vaginal exam prior to conducting and again while performing the exam. Before taking a sexual history, explain why you are asking the questions and be sure to remain neutral with your questioning. For instance, you can say, “It’s important for me to understand your medical history in detail to provide you with the best health care possible.” Instead of asking, “Do you have sex with men, women, or both?” ask, “Do you have sex with people with a penis, vagina, or both? Do you have anal sex?” Recognize that some patients may be in a polyamorous relationship and may have more than 1 committed partner. For sexually active patients consider asking if they have ever exchanged sex for money or other goods, making sure to avoid judgmental body language or wording. Patients who do engage in “survival sex” may benefit from a discussion on pre-exposure prophylaxis to reduce HIV transmission.²²
4. Provide appropriate counsel based on their feedback.

• Explain their risk for HPV infection and vaccination options.
• Respectfully ask if there is a need for contraception and review options appropriate for their situation.
• Ask about the use of “toys” and provide guidance on sanitation and risk of infection with shared toys.
• Determine current or past hormone use for patients who identify as transgender and nonbinary (although many do not take hormones and have not had gender-affirming procedures, some may be considering these procedures). Be sure to ask these patients if they have had any surgeries or other procedures.

The receipt of gynecologic care can be traumatic for some LGBTQI+ people. Explain to the patient why you are doing everything during your examination and how it might feel. If a pelvic exam is not absolutely necessary that day, perhaps the patient can return another time. For transgender men who have been taking testosterone,vaginal atrophy may be a concern, and you could consider a pediatric speculum.

Personal introspection may be necessary

In summary, the number of people who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender/nonbinary, queer/questioning, intersex, or asexual is not insignificant. Many of these patients or their partners may present for ObGyn care at your office. Clinicians need to understand that there is a new language relative to sexual orientation and gender identity. Incorporating cultural humility into one’s practice requires personal introspection and is a first step to creating safe and welcoming spaces in the ObGyn office. ●

CASE A new patient office visit

A new patient is waiting for you in the exam room. You review the chart and see the sex demographic field is blank, and the patient’s name is Alex. As an ObGyn, most of your patients are female, but you have treated your patients’ partners for sexually transmitted infections. As you enter the room, you see 2 androgynously dressed individuals; you introduce yourself and ask,

“What brings you in today, and who is your friend?”

“This is my partner Charlie, and we are worried I have an STD.”
 

Estimates suggest that between 7% to 12% of the US population identifies as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender/non-binary, queer/questioning, intersex, or asexual (LGBTQI+).¹ If you practice in an urban area, the odds are quite high that you have encountered an LGBTQI+ person who openly identified as such; if you are in a rural area, you also likely have had an LGBTQI+ patient, but they may not have disclosed this about themselves.² Maybe you have had training in cultural relevance or are a member of this community and you feel confident in providing quality care to LGBTQI+ patients. Or maybe you think that, as a responsibly practicing health care clinician, you treat all patients the same, so whether or not you know their sexual orientation or gender identity does not impact the care you provide. As the proportion of US adults who identify as LGBTQI+ increases,¹ it becomes more important for health care clinicians to understand the challenges these patients face when trying to access health care. To start, let’s review the meaning of LGBTQI+, the history of the community, what it means to be culturally relevant or humble, and how to create a welcoming and safe practice environment.

LGBTQI+ terms and definitions

The first step in providing quality care to LGBTQI+ patients is to understand the terminology associated with sexual orientation, gender identity, and gender expression.^3–5

Sexual orientation refers to whom a person is sexually attracted. The term straight/heterosexual suggests a person is sexually attracted to a person of the opposite gender. Lesbian or gay refers to those who are attracted to their same gender. Some people use bisexual (attracted to both the same and opposite gender) and pansexual (attracted to all humans regardless of gender). Still others refer to themselves as queer—people who identify as someone who is not heterosexual or cisgender. A variety of other terms exist to describe one’s sexual attraction. There are also some people who identify as asexual, which suggests they are not sexually attracted to anyone.

Gender identity relates to how one views their own gender. If you were assigned female at birth and identify as a woman, you are cisgender. If you were assigned male at birth and identify as a woman, you may identify as transgender whether or not you have had gender transitioning surgery or have taken hormones. Some people do not identify with the terms male or female and may view themselves as nonbinary. The terms gender queer, gender fluid, gender diverse, and gender non-conforming also may be used to describe various ways that an individual may not identify as male or female. We also can refer to people as “assigned female at birth” or “assigned male at birth”. People with intersex conditions may require taking a unique medical history that includes asking about genetic testing (eg, 46,XX congenital adrenal hyperplasia or 46,XY complete gonadal dysgenesis).

Gender expression refers to how one pre-sents themselves to others through appearance, dress, and behavior. A person may be assigned female at birth, dress in a conventional male fashion, and still identify as a woman. Still others may choose to express their gender in a variety of ways that may not have anything to do with their sexual orientation or gender identity, such as dressing in ways that represent their culture.

People may be fluid in their sexual orientation or gender identity; it may change from day to day, month to month, or even year to year.^6,7

*The term LGBTQI+ is not used consistently in the literature. Throughout this article, the terminology used matches that used in the cited reference(s).

Continue to: Health care and the LGBTQI+ community...

Health care and the LGBTQI+ community

The LGBTQI+ community has a history of experiencing societal discrimination and stigma, which stems from medical mistrust often due to a lack of understanding of their medical and psychosocial needs.^8,9 A 2019 survey of US LGBTQ adults, found that about 50% of people who identified as transgender reported having negative or discriminatory experiences with a health care clinician.¹⁰ About 18% of transgender people anticipated being refused medical care due to their gender identity.¹⁰ About 18% of LGBTQ individuals avoid any type of medical care, fearing discrimination.¹⁰ Lesbian women are 3 times more likely to have not seen an ObGyn than women who identify as straight.¹¹ Sixty-two percent of lesbian women have biological children and received prenatal care; however, of those, 47% do not receive routine cancer screenings.^10,11 Only 45% of age-eligible lesbian women have received at least 1 dose of the HPV vaccine, compared with 60% of straight women.^10,11

Due to societal stigma, more than 40% of transgender people have attempted suicide.¹² Felt or perceived stigma is also associated with risky health behaviors that contribute to health disparities. LGBTQI+ people are more likely to use substances,¹³ lesbian women are more likely to be obese,¹⁴ and 19% of transgender men are living with HIV/AIDS.¹⁵ Rates of unintended pregnancy among lesbian women and transgender men are 28%, compared with 6% in straight women, and 12% in heterosexual teens.^15,16

In addition to real or perceived discrimination, there are medical misperceptions among the LGBTQI+ community. For instance, sexual minority women (SMW) are less likely to receive regular screening for cervical cancer. In one survey of more than 400 SMW, about 25% reported not receiving regular screening. SMW may mistakenly believe they do not need Pap testing and pelvic exams because they do not have penile-vaginal intercourse.^17,18 Transgender men may not identify with having a cervix, or may perceive ObGyns to be “gendered” toward people who identify as women.¹⁸

Embracing cultural humility

Cultural humility expands upon the term cultural competence, with the idea that one can never be fully competent in the culture of another person.^19,20 The National Institutes of Health defines cultural humility as “a lifelong process of self-reflection and self-critique whereby the individual not only learns about another’s culture, but one starts with an examination of his/her own beliefs and cultural identities.”²¹

Having cultural humility is the recognition that, in order to treat your ObGyn patient as a whole person and engage in shared medical decision making in the office setting, you need to know their sexual orientation and gender identity. Treating each patient the same is not providing equitable care (equality does not equal equity) because each patient has different medical and psychosocial needs. Embracing cultural humility is the first step in creating safe and welcoming spaces in the ObGyn office.²⁰

CASE Ways to better introduce yourself

To revisit the case, what options does the clinician have to start off on a best foot to create a safe space for Alex?

• Open with your own preferred pronouns. For instance, for an introduction, consider: “I’m Dr. X, my pronouns are she/her.”
• Don’t assume. Do not make assumptions about the relationship between Alex and the person accompanying them.

4 ways for creating welcoming and affirming spaces in ObGyn

1. Make sure your intake form is inclusive. Include a space for pronouns and the patient’s preferred name (which may differ from their legal name). Also allow patients to choose more than 1 sexual orientation and gender identity.²⁰ (An example form is available from the LGBT National Health Education Center: https://www.lgbtqiahealtheducation.org/publication/focus-forms-policy-creating-inclusive-environment-lgbt-patients/.)
2. Create a safe environment in the waiting area. Try to ensure that at least 1 bathroom is labeled “All Gender” or “Family.” Gendered bathrooms (eg, Ladies’ or Men’s rooms) are not welcoming. Make sure your non-discrimination policy is displayed and includes sexual orientation and gender identity. Review the patient education and reading materials in your waiting room to ensure they are inclusive. Do they show people with varied gender expression? Do they show same-sex couples or interracial couples?
3. Use a trauma-informed approach when taking a sexual history and while conducting a physical exam. Determine if a pelvic exam is necessary at this visit or can it be postponed for another visit, when trust has been established with the patient. Explain each part of the pelvic/vaginal exam prior to conducting and again while performing the exam. Before taking a sexual history, explain why you are asking the questions and be sure to remain neutral with your questioning. For instance, you can say, “It’s important for me to understand your medical history in detail to provide you with the best health care possible.” Instead of asking, “Do you have sex with men, women, or both?” ask, “Do you have sex with people with a penis, vagina, or both? Do you have anal sex?” Recognize that some patients may be in a polyamorous relationship and may have more than 1 committed partner. For sexually active patients consider asking if they have ever exchanged sex for money or other goods, making sure to avoid judgmental body language or wording. Patients who do engage in “survival sex” may benefit from a discussion on pre-exposure prophylaxis to reduce HIV transmission.²²
4. Provide appropriate counsel based on their feedback.

• Explain their risk for HPV infection and vaccination options.
• Respectfully ask if there is a need for contraception and review options appropriate for their situation.
• Ask about the use of “toys” and provide guidance on sanitation and risk of infection with shared toys.
• Determine current or past hormone use for patients who identify as transgender and nonbinary (although many do not take hormones and have not had gender-affirming procedures, some may be considering these procedures). Be sure to ask these patients if they have had any surgeries or other procedures.

The receipt of gynecologic care can be traumatic for some LGBTQI+ people. Explain to the patient why you are doing everything during your examination and how it might feel. If a pelvic exam is not absolutely necessary that day, perhaps the patient can return another time. For transgender men who have been taking testosterone,vaginal atrophy may be a concern, and you could consider a pediatric speculum.

Personal introspection may be necessary

In summary, the number of people who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender/nonbinary, queer/questioning, intersex, or asexual is not insignificant. Many of these patients or their partners may present for ObGyn care at your office. Clinicians need to understand that there is a new language relative to sexual orientation and gender identity. Incorporating cultural humility into one’s practice requires personal introspection and is a first step to creating safe and welcoming spaces in the ObGyn office. ●

Dear OBG Management Reader:

Frontline Medical Communications Inc has made the difficult decision to discontinue publication of OBG Management, effective with this issue. We thank OBG Management’s esteemed Editorial Board, loyal readers, and dedicated authors for their support. It has been our privilege to publish OBG Management for 35 years. 

The online archive of clinical content for OBG Management (2002–2023) remains accessible on MDedge ObGyn. Reprint requests can be directed to Wright’s Media via email [email protected] or telephone (877-652-5295). 

For the latest news and information on obstetrics and gynecology, continue to turn to MDedge ObGyn. 

Goodbye to OBG Management

Robert L. Barbieri, MD

OBG Management was founded in 1988 by Carroll Dowden, a giant in the field of medical publishing. During his career he served as the editor or publisher of Medical Economics, Physician’s Desk Reference, and Mayo Clinic Proceedings. In creating OBG Management, Mr. Dowden’s vision was to edit and publish a monthly magazine focused on issues that impact the practice of obstetrics and gynecology, including patient care and practice management. Dr. Jeffrey Phelan was the founding editor-in-chief of OBG Management, serving from 1988 through 2000, when I became the editor-in-chief. It is with the greatest sadness that we announce that publication of OBG Management will cease with the December 2023 issue, 35 years after its inception.

Over 4 decades, the work of the OBG Management editorial team and authors has been guided by our mission to “enhance the quality of women’s health care and the professional development of ObGyns and all women’s health care clinicians.” The teamwork of our editorial board is the primary reason for the success of OBG Management, ensuring that we consistently provided practical clinical guidance on the most important topics in our field with the goal of improving the health care of our patients. We are proud that OBG Management has been recognized as #1 in readership among obstetrics and gynecology publications.

Our editorial board members are nationally recognized experts in our field and innovators in clinical care. Our editorial members include: Arnold P. Advincula, MD; Linda D. Bradley, MD; Amy L. Garcia, MD; Steven R. Goldstein, MD, MSCP, CCD; Andrew M. Kaunitz, MD, MSCP; Barbara Levy, MD; David G. Mutch, MD; Errol R. Norwitz, MD, PhD, MBA; Jaimey Pauli, MD; JoAnn V. Pinkerton, MD, MSCP; Joseph S. Sanfilippo, MD; and James A. Simon, MD, CCD, IF, MSCP. Prior to his retirement, Dr. John Repke was an important member of our editorial board. Over the past decade our editorial team—Lila O’Connor, Editorial Manager, and Kathy Christie, Senior Medical Content Editor—have ensured that the articles written by our authors are expertly prepared for publication and presentation to our readers.

In clinical practice, we sometimes do not achieve the optimal patient outcomes we desire. Over the past 4 decades, the OBG Management team has strived to identify opportunities to improve patient outcomes and offer practical approaches to optimize practice. We will miss the opportunity to work with you, our community of clinical experts in women’s health care. ●

Dear OBG Management Reader:

Frontline Medical Communications Inc has made the difficult decision to discontinue publication of OBG Management, effective with this issue. We thank OBG Management’s esteemed Editorial Board, loyal readers, and dedicated authors for their support. It has been our privilege to publish OBG Management for 35 years. 

The online archive of clinical content for OBG Management (2002–2023) remains accessible on MDedge ObGyn. Reprint requests can be directed to Wright’s Media via email [email protected] or telephone (877-652-5295). 

For the latest news and information on obstetrics and gynecology, continue to turn to MDedge ObGyn. 

Goodbye to OBG Management

Robert L. Barbieri, MD

OBG Management was founded in 1988 by Carroll Dowden, a giant in the field of medical publishing. During his career he served as the editor or publisher of Medical Economics, Physician’s Desk Reference, and Mayo Clinic Proceedings. In creating OBG Management, Mr. Dowden’s vision was to edit and publish a monthly magazine focused on issues that impact the practice of obstetrics and gynecology, including patient care and practice management. Dr. Jeffrey Phelan was the founding editor-in-chief of OBG Management, serving from 1988 through 2000, when I became the editor-in-chief. It is with the greatest sadness that we announce that publication of OBG Management will cease with the December 2023 issue, 35 years after its inception.

Over 4 decades, the work of the OBG Management editorial team and authors has been guided by our mission to “enhance the quality of women’s health care and the professional development of ObGyns and all women’s health care clinicians.” The teamwork of our editorial board is the primary reason for the success of OBG Management, ensuring that we consistently provided practical clinical guidance on the most important topics in our field with the goal of improving the health care of our patients. We are proud that OBG Management has been recognized as #1 in readership among obstetrics and gynecology publications.

Our editorial board members are nationally recognized experts in our field and innovators in clinical care. Our editorial members include: Arnold P. Advincula, MD; Linda D. Bradley, MD; Amy L. Garcia, MD; Steven R. Goldstein, MD, MSCP, CCD; Andrew M. Kaunitz, MD, MSCP; Barbara Levy, MD; David G. Mutch, MD; Errol R. Norwitz, MD, PhD, MBA; Jaimey Pauli, MD; JoAnn V. Pinkerton, MD, MSCP; Joseph S. Sanfilippo, MD; and James A. Simon, MD, CCD, IF, MSCP. Prior to his retirement, Dr. John Repke was an important member of our editorial board. Over the past decade our editorial team—Lila O’Connor, Editorial Manager, and Kathy Christie, Senior Medical Content Editor—have ensured that the articles written by our authors are expertly prepared for publication and presentation to our readers.

In clinical practice, we sometimes do not achieve the optimal patient outcomes we desire. Over the past 4 decades, the OBG Management team has strived to identify opportunities to improve patient outcomes and offer practical approaches to optimize practice. We will miss the opportunity to work with you, our community of clinical experts in women’s health care. ●

Dear OBG Management Reader:

Frontline Medical Communications Inc has made the difficult decision to discontinue publication of OBG Management, effective with this issue. We thank OBG Management’s esteemed Editorial Board, loyal readers, and dedicated authors for their support. It has been our privilege to publish OBG Management for 35 years. 

The online archive of clinical content for OBG Management (2002–2023) remains accessible on MDedge ObGyn. Reprint requests can be directed to Wright’s Media via email [email protected] or telephone (877-652-5295). 

For the latest news and information on obstetrics and gynecology, continue to turn to MDedge ObGyn. 

Goodbye to OBG Management

Robert L. Barbieri, MD

OBG Management was founded in 1988 by Carroll Dowden, a giant in the field of medical publishing. During his career he served as the editor or publisher of Medical Economics, Physician’s Desk Reference, and Mayo Clinic Proceedings. In creating OBG Management, Mr. Dowden’s vision was to edit and publish a monthly magazine focused on issues that impact the practice of obstetrics and gynecology, including patient care and practice management. Dr. Jeffrey Phelan was the founding editor-in-chief of OBG Management, serving from 1988 through 2000, when I became the editor-in-chief. It is with the greatest sadness that we announce that publication of OBG Management will cease with the December 2023 issue, 35 years after its inception.

Over 4 decades, the work of the OBG Management editorial team and authors has been guided by our mission to “enhance the quality of women’s health care and the professional development of ObGyns and all women’s health care clinicians.” The teamwork of our editorial board is the primary reason for the success of OBG Management, ensuring that we consistently provided practical clinical guidance on the most important topics in our field with the goal of improving the health care of our patients. We are proud that OBG Management has been recognized as #1 in readership among obstetrics and gynecology publications.

Our editorial board members are nationally recognized experts in our field and innovators in clinical care. Our editorial members include: Arnold P. Advincula, MD; Linda D. Bradley, MD; Amy L. Garcia, MD; Steven R. Goldstein, MD, MSCP, CCD; Andrew M. Kaunitz, MD, MSCP; Barbara Levy, MD; David G. Mutch, MD; Errol R. Norwitz, MD, PhD, MBA; Jaimey Pauli, MD; JoAnn V. Pinkerton, MD, MSCP; Joseph S. Sanfilippo, MD; and James A. Simon, MD, CCD, IF, MSCP. Prior to his retirement, Dr. John Repke was an important member of our editorial board. Over the past decade our editorial team—Lila O’Connor, Editorial Manager, and Kathy Christie, Senior Medical Content Editor—have ensured that the articles written by our authors are expertly prepared for publication and presentation to our readers.

In clinical practice, we sometimes do not achieve the optimal patient outcomes we desire. Over the past 4 decades, the OBG Management team has strived to identify opportunities to improve patient outcomes and offer practical approaches to optimize practice. We will miss the opportunity to work with you, our community of clinical experts in women’s health care. ●

In the United States there is an epidemic of hypertensive disorders in pregnancy, with 16% of pregnant people being diagnosed with preeclampsia, gestational hypertension, chronic hypertension, preeclampsia superimposed on chronic hypertension, HELLP, or eclampsia.¹ Preeclampsia with severe features increases the maternal risk for stroke, pulmonary edema, kidney injury, abruption, and fetal and maternal death. Preeclampsia also increases the fetal risk for growth restriction, oligohydramnios, and preterm birth.

Angiogenic factors and the pathophysiology of preeclampsia—From bench to bedside

The pathophysiology of preeclampsia is not fully characterized, but a leading theory is that placental ischemia causes increased placental production of anti-angiogenesis factors and a decrease in placental production of pro-angiogenesis factors.^2-4 Clinical studies support the theory that preeclampsia is associated with an increase in placental production of anti-angiogenesis factors, including soluble fms-like tyrosine kinase 1 (sFlt-1) and soluble endoglin, and a decrease in the placental production of pro-angiogenesis factors, including placental growth factor (PlGF).^5-15

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has recently approved an assay for the measurement of sFlt-1 (Brahms sFlt-1 Kryptor) and PlGF (Brahms sFlt-1 Kryptor) (Thermo Fisher Scientific; Waltham, Massachusetts).¹⁶ This editorial focuses on the current and evolving indications for the measurement of sFlt-1 and PlGF in obstetric practice.

FDA approval of a preeclampsia blood test

The FDA approval of the tests to measure sFlt-1 and PlGF is narrowly tailored and focused on using the sFlt-1/PlGF ratio to assess the risk of progression to preeclampsia with severe features within 2 weeks among hospitalized patients with a hypertensive disorder in pregnancy with a singleton pregnancy between 23 weeks 0 days (23w0d) and 34w6d gestation.¹⁶ The test is meant to be used in conjunction with other laboratory tests and clinical assessment. The FDA advises that the test results should not be used to diagnose preeclampsia, nor should they be used to determine the timing of delivery or timing of patient discharge.¹⁶ The sFlt-1 and PIGF measurements are both reported as pg/mL, and the sFlt-1/PlGF ratio has no units.

The FDA approval is based on clinical studies that demonstrate the effectiveness of the test in predicting the progression of a hypertensive disorder in pregnancy to preeclampsia with severe features within 2 weeks of testing. In one study, the sFlt-1/PlGF ratio was measured in 556 pregnant patients with a singleton pregnancy who were between 23w0d and 34w6d gestation and hospitalized with a hypertensivedisorder in pregnancy without severe features at study enrollment.¹⁵ Those patients receiving intravenous heparin were excluded because of the effect of heparin on sFlt-1 levels. Participants’ mean age was 31.7 years, and their mean gestational age was 30w3d. The patients’ mean body mass index (BMI) was 34.2 kg/m², with mean maximal blood pressure (BP) at enrollment of 159 mm Hg systolic and 95 mm Hg diastolic.

In this cohort, 31% of enrolled patients progressed to preeclampsia with severe features within 2 weeks. At enrollment, the median sFlt-1/PlGF ratio was greater among the patients who progressed to preeclampsia with severe features than among those who did not have progression to preeclampsia with severe features (291 vs 7). An elevated sFlt-1/PlGF ratio (determined to be a ratio ≥ 40) predicted that patients would progress to severe preeclampsiawith severe features—with positive and negative predictive values of 65% and 96%, respectively. Among the subgroup of patients with a history of chronic hypertension, an sFlt-1/PlGF ratio ≥ 40 had positive and negative predictive values of 59% and 94%, respectively. Focusing the analysis on patients who self-reported their race as Black, representing 30% of the cohort, the positive and negative predictive values for a sFlt-1/PlGF ratio ≥ 40 were 66% and 99%, respectively.¹⁵

Receiver-operating curve analyses were used to compare the predictive performance of sFlt-1/PlGF measurement versus standard clinical factors and standard laboratory results, including systolic and diastolic BP; levels of aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), and creatinine; and platelet count.¹⁵ The area under the curve for predicting progression to preeclampsia with severe features was much greater for the sFlt-1/PlGF test (0.92) than for systolic (0.67) and diastolic BP (0.70), AST level (0.66), ALT level (0.61), creatinine level (0.65), and platelet count (0.57).¹⁵ These results demonstrate that measuring sFlt-1/PlGF ratios is a much better way to predict the progression of preeclampsia to severe disease than measuring standard clinical and laboratory results.

Patients with a sFlt-1/PlGF ratio ≥ 40 had higher rates of adverse maternal outcomes including severe hypertension, abruption, stroke, eclampsia, pulmonary edema, thrombocytopenia, low platelets, and/or coagulation disorder, than those patients with a ratio < 40, (16.1% vs 2.8%, respectively; relative risk [RR], 5.8; 95% confidence interval [CI], 2.8 to 12.2).¹⁵ Adverse fetal and neonatal outcomes (including fetal death, small for gestational age and early delivery due to progression of disease) were more common among patients with a sFlt-1/PlGF ratio of ≥ 40 (80% vs 26%; RR, 3.1; 95% CI, 2.5–3.8).¹⁵ Many other studies support the hypothesis that the sFlt-1/PlGF ratio is predictive of adverse outcomes among patients with hypertensive disorders in pregnancy.^6-15

Applying the bottom-line study findings. Patients with a hypertensive disorder in pregnancy and a sFlt-1/PlGF ratio < 40 have a low risk of progressing to preeclampsia with severe features over the following 2 weeks, with a negative predictive value of 96%. The remarkably high negative predictive value of a sFlt-1/PlGF ratio < 40 will help obstetricians generate a care plan that optimizes the use of limited health care resources. Conversely, about two-thirds of patients with a hypertensive disorder in pregnancy and a sFlt-1/PlGF test ≥ 40 will progress to preeclampsia with severe features and may need to prepare for a preterm delivery.

Continue to: Clinical utility of the sFlt-1/PlGF ratio in obstetric triage...

Measurement of the sFlt-1/PlGF ratio may help guide clinical care among patients referred to obstetric triage or admitted to the hospital for the evaluation of suspected preeclampsia. In one study, 402 patients with a singleton pregnancy referred to the hospital for evaluation of suspected preeclampsia, had a standard evaluation plus measurement of an sFlt-1/PlGF ratio.¹³ The clinicians caring for the patients did not have access to the sFlt-1/PlGF test results. In this cohort, 16% of the patients developed preeclampsia with severe features in the 2 weeks following the initial assessment in triage. In this cohort, a normal sFlt-1/PlGF ratio reliably predicted which patients were not going to develop preeclampsia with severe features over the following 2 weeks, with a negative predictive value of 98%. Among the patients with an elevated sFlt-1/PlGF ratio, however, the positive predictive value of the test was 47% for developing preeclampsia with severe features within the 2 weeks following initial evaluation. Among patients < 34 weeks’ gestation, an elevated sFlt-1/PlGF ratio had a positive predictive value of 65%, and a negative predictive value of 98%. Other studies also have reported that the sFlt-1/PlGF ratio is of value for assessing the risk for progression to preeclampsia with severe features in patients being evaluated for suspected preeclampsia.^6,17,18

In obstetric triage, it is difficult to predict the clinical course of patients referred for the evaluation of suspected preeclampsia based on BP measurements or standard laboratory tests. The sFlt-1/PlGF test will help clinicians identify patients at low and high risk of progressing to preeclampsia with severe features.¹⁹ Patients with a normal sFlt-1/PlGF test are at low risk of developing preeclampsia with severe features over the following 2 weeks. Patients with an elevated sFlt-1/PlGF test are at higher risk of progressing to preeclampsia with severe features and may warrant more intensive obstetric care. An enhanced care program might include:

• patient education
• remote monitoring of BP or hospitalization
• more frequent assessment of fetal well-being and growth
• administration of glucocorticoids to advance fetal maturity, if indicated by the gestational age.

Twin pregnancy complicated by preeclampsia

Twin pregnancy is associated with a high risk of developing preeclampsia and fetal growth restriction. For patients with a twin pregnancy and a hypertensive disorder in pregnancy, an elevated sFlt-1/PlGF ratio is associated with the need for delivery within 2 weeks and an increased rate of adverse maternal and neonatal outcomes. In a retrospective study involving 164 patients with twin pregnancy first evaluated for suspected preeclampsia at a median gestational age of 33w4d, the sFlt-1/PlGF ratio was positively correlated with progression of preeclampsia without severe features to severe features within 2 weeks.²⁰ In this cohort, at the initial evaluation for suspected preeclampsia, the sFlt-1/PlGF ratio was lower among patients who did not need delivery within 2 weeks compared with those who were delivered within 2 weeks, 24 versus 84 (P<.001). The mean sFlt-1/PlGF ratio was 99 among patients who needed delivery within 1 week following the initial evaluation for suspected preeclampsia. Among patients who delivered within 1 week of presentation, the reasons for delivery were the development of severe hypertension, severe dyspnea, placental abruption, rising levels of serum liver function enzymes, and/or onset of the HELLP syndrome.

An important finding in this study is that a normal sFlt-1/PlGF ratio predicted that the patient would not need delivery within 2 weeks, with a negative predictive value of 96%. Other studies also have reported that an elevated sFlt-1/PlGF ratio in twin pregnancies is associated with an increased risk of adverse outcomes and early delivery.^21-23 An adequately powered multicenter study of twin pregnancies is needed to identify the sFlt-1/PlGF ratio associated with the greatest combined negative and positive predictive values.

The sFlt-1/PlGF test is a welcome addition to OB care

FDA approval of laboratory tests to measure circulating levels of sFlt-1 and PlGF will advance obstetric practice by identifying patients with a hypertensive disorder in pregnancy who are at low and high risk of developing preeclampsia with severe features within 2 weeks of the test. No laboratory test can replace the clinical judgment of obstetricians who are responsible for balancing the maternal and fetal risks that can occur in the management of a patient with a hypertensive disorder in pregnancy. The sFlt-1/PlGF ratio is highly dependable for identifying those patients with a hypertensive disorder in pregnancy who will not progress to severe disease within 2 weeks. The sFlt-1/PlGF ratio also identifies those patients with preeclampsia who are most likely to have adverse maternal and neonatal outcomes. The patients with an elevated sFlt-1/PlGF ratio may need more intensive antenatal care and consideration for transfer to a health system with a higher level of maternal and neonatal services. The sFlt-1/PlGF test is a welcome addition to obstetric care because it will improve the precision of our management of pregnant patients with hypertension. ●

rbarbieri@mdedge.com

In the United States there is an epidemic of hypertensive disorders in pregnancy, with 16% of pregnant people being diagnosed with preeclampsia, gestational hypertension, chronic hypertension, preeclampsia superimposed on chronic hypertension, HELLP, or eclampsia.¹ Preeclampsia with severe features increases the maternal risk for stroke, pulmonary edema, kidney injury, abruption, and fetal and maternal death. Preeclampsia also increases the fetal risk for growth restriction, oligohydramnios, and preterm birth.

Angiogenic factors and the pathophysiology of preeclampsia—From bench to bedside

The pathophysiology of preeclampsia is not fully characterized, but a leading theory is that placental ischemia causes increased placental production of anti-angiogenesis factors and a decrease in placental production of pro-angiogenesis factors.^2-4 Clinical studies support the theory that preeclampsia is associated with an increase in placental production of anti-angiogenesis factors, including soluble fms-like tyrosine kinase 1 (sFlt-1) and soluble endoglin, and a decrease in the placental production of pro-angiogenesis factors, including placental growth factor (PlGF).^5-15

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has recently approved an assay for the measurement of sFlt-1 (Brahms sFlt-1 Kryptor) and PlGF (Brahms sFlt-1 Kryptor) (Thermo Fisher Scientific; Waltham, Massachusetts).¹⁶ This editorial focuses on the current and evolving indications for the measurement of sFlt-1 and PlGF in obstetric practice.

FDA approval of a preeclampsia blood test

The FDA approval of the tests to measure sFlt-1 and PlGF is narrowly tailored and focused on using the sFlt-1/PlGF ratio to assess the risk of progression to preeclampsia with severe features within 2 weeks among hospitalized patients with a hypertensive disorder in pregnancy with a singleton pregnancy between 23 weeks 0 days (23w0d) and 34w6d gestation.¹⁶ The test is meant to be used in conjunction with other laboratory tests and clinical assessment. The FDA advises that the test results should not be used to diagnose preeclampsia, nor should they be used to determine the timing of delivery or timing of patient discharge.¹⁶ The sFlt-1 and PIGF measurements are both reported as pg/mL, and the sFlt-1/PlGF ratio has no units.

The FDA approval is based on clinical studies that demonstrate the effectiveness of the test in predicting the progression of a hypertensive disorder in pregnancy to preeclampsia with severe features within 2 weeks of testing. In one study, the sFlt-1/PlGF ratio was measured in 556 pregnant patients with a singleton pregnancy who were between 23w0d and 34w6d gestation and hospitalized with a hypertensivedisorder in pregnancy without severe features at study enrollment.¹⁵ Those patients receiving intravenous heparin were excluded because of the effect of heparin on sFlt-1 levels. Participants’ mean age was 31.7 years, and their mean gestational age was 30w3d. The patients’ mean body mass index (BMI) was 34.2 kg/m², with mean maximal blood pressure (BP) at enrollment of 159 mm Hg systolic and 95 mm Hg diastolic.

In this cohort, 31% of enrolled patients progressed to preeclampsia with severe features within 2 weeks. At enrollment, the median sFlt-1/PlGF ratio was greater among the patients who progressed to preeclampsia with severe features than among those who did not have progression to preeclampsia with severe features (291 vs 7). An elevated sFlt-1/PlGF ratio (determined to be a ratio ≥ 40) predicted that patients would progress to severe preeclampsiawith severe features—with positive and negative predictive values of 65% and 96%, respectively. Among the subgroup of patients with a history of chronic hypertension, an sFlt-1/PlGF ratio ≥ 40 had positive and negative predictive values of 59% and 94%, respectively. Focusing the analysis on patients who self-reported their race as Black, representing 30% of the cohort, the positive and negative predictive values for a sFlt-1/PlGF ratio ≥ 40 were 66% and 99%, respectively.¹⁵

Receiver-operating curve analyses were used to compare the predictive performance of sFlt-1/PlGF measurement versus standard clinical factors and standard laboratory results, including systolic and diastolic BP; levels of aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), and creatinine; and platelet count.¹⁵ The area under the curve for predicting progression to preeclampsia with severe features was much greater for the sFlt-1/PlGF test (0.92) than for systolic (0.67) and diastolic BP (0.70), AST level (0.66), ALT level (0.61), creatinine level (0.65), and platelet count (0.57).¹⁵ These results demonstrate that measuring sFlt-1/PlGF ratios is a much better way to predict the progression of preeclampsia to severe disease than measuring standard clinical and laboratory results.

Patients with a sFlt-1/PlGF ratio ≥ 40 had higher rates of adverse maternal outcomes including severe hypertension, abruption, stroke, eclampsia, pulmonary edema, thrombocytopenia, low platelets, and/or coagulation disorder, than those patients with a ratio < 40, (16.1% vs 2.8%, respectively; relative risk [RR], 5.8; 95% confidence interval [CI], 2.8 to 12.2).¹⁵ Adverse fetal and neonatal outcomes (including fetal death, small for gestational age and early delivery due to progression of disease) were more common among patients with a sFlt-1/PlGF ratio of ≥ 40 (80% vs 26%; RR, 3.1; 95% CI, 2.5–3.8).¹⁵ Many other studies support the hypothesis that the sFlt-1/PlGF ratio is predictive of adverse outcomes among patients with hypertensive disorders in pregnancy.^6-15

Applying the bottom-line study findings. Patients with a hypertensive disorder in pregnancy and a sFlt-1/PlGF ratio < 40 have a low risk of progressing to preeclampsia with severe features over the following 2 weeks, with a negative predictive value of 96%. The remarkably high negative predictive value of a sFlt-1/PlGF ratio < 40 will help obstetricians generate a care plan that optimizes the use of limited health care resources. Conversely, about two-thirds of patients with a hypertensive disorder in pregnancy and a sFlt-1/PlGF test ≥ 40 will progress to preeclampsia with severe features and may need to prepare for a preterm delivery.

Continue to: Clinical utility of the sFlt-1/PlGF ratio in obstetric triage...

Measurement of the sFlt-1/PlGF ratio may help guide clinical care among patients referred to obstetric triage or admitted to the hospital for the evaluation of suspected preeclampsia. In one study, 402 patients with a singleton pregnancy referred to the hospital for evaluation of suspected preeclampsia, had a standard evaluation plus measurement of an sFlt-1/PlGF ratio.¹³ The clinicians caring for the patients did not have access to the sFlt-1/PlGF test results. In this cohort, 16% of the patients developed preeclampsia with severe features in the 2 weeks following the initial assessment in triage. In this cohort, a normal sFlt-1/PlGF ratio reliably predicted which patients were not going to develop preeclampsia with severe features over the following 2 weeks, with a negative predictive value of 98%. Among the patients with an elevated sFlt-1/PlGF ratio, however, the positive predictive value of the test was 47% for developing preeclampsia with severe features within the 2 weeks following initial evaluation. Among patients < 34 weeks’ gestation, an elevated sFlt-1/PlGF ratio had a positive predictive value of 65%, and a negative predictive value of 98%. Other studies also have reported that the sFlt-1/PlGF ratio is of value for assessing the risk for progression to preeclampsia with severe features in patients being evaluated for suspected preeclampsia.^6,17,18

In obstetric triage, it is difficult to predict the clinical course of patients referred for the evaluation of suspected preeclampsia based on BP measurements or standard laboratory tests. The sFlt-1/PlGF test will help clinicians identify patients at low and high risk of progressing to preeclampsia with severe features.¹⁹ Patients with a normal sFlt-1/PlGF test are at low risk of developing preeclampsia with severe features over the following 2 weeks. Patients with an elevated sFlt-1/PlGF test are at higher risk of progressing to preeclampsia with severe features and may warrant more intensive obstetric care. An enhanced care program might include:

• patient education
• remote monitoring of BP or hospitalization
• more frequent assessment of fetal well-being and growth
• administration of glucocorticoids to advance fetal maturity, if indicated by the gestational age.

Twin pregnancy complicated by preeclampsia

Twin pregnancy is associated with a high risk of developing preeclampsia and fetal growth restriction. For patients with a twin pregnancy and a hypertensive disorder in pregnancy, an elevated sFlt-1/PlGF ratio is associated with the need for delivery within 2 weeks and an increased rate of adverse maternal and neonatal outcomes. In a retrospective study involving 164 patients with twin pregnancy first evaluated for suspected preeclampsia at a median gestational age of 33w4d, the sFlt-1/PlGF ratio was positively correlated with progression of preeclampsia without severe features to severe features within 2 weeks.²⁰ In this cohort, at the initial evaluation for suspected preeclampsia, the sFlt-1/PlGF ratio was lower among patients who did not need delivery within 2 weeks compared with those who were delivered within 2 weeks, 24 versus 84 (P<.001). The mean sFlt-1/PlGF ratio was 99 among patients who needed delivery within 1 week following the initial evaluation for suspected preeclampsia. Among patients who delivered within 1 week of presentation, the reasons for delivery were the development of severe hypertension, severe dyspnea, placental abruption, rising levels of serum liver function enzymes, and/or onset of the HELLP syndrome.

An important finding in this study is that a normal sFlt-1/PlGF ratio predicted that the patient would not need delivery within 2 weeks, with a negative predictive value of 96%. Other studies also have reported that an elevated sFlt-1/PlGF ratio in twin pregnancies is associated with an increased risk of adverse outcomes and early delivery.^21-23 An adequately powered multicenter study of twin pregnancies is needed to identify the sFlt-1/PlGF ratio associated with the greatest combined negative and positive predictive values.

The sFlt-1/PlGF test is a welcome addition to OB care

FDA approval of laboratory tests to measure circulating levels of sFlt-1 and PlGF will advance obstetric practice by identifying patients with a hypertensive disorder in pregnancy who are at low and high risk of developing preeclampsia with severe features within 2 weeks of the test. No laboratory test can replace the clinical judgment of obstetricians who are responsible for balancing the maternal and fetal risks that can occur in the management of a patient with a hypertensive disorder in pregnancy. The sFlt-1/PlGF ratio is highly dependable for identifying those patients with a hypertensive disorder in pregnancy who will not progress to severe disease within 2 weeks. The sFlt-1/PlGF ratio also identifies those patients with preeclampsia who are most likely to have adverse maternal and neonatal outcomes. The patients with an elevated sFlt-1/PlGF ratio may need more intensive antenatal care and consideration for transfer to a health system with a higher level of maternal and neonatal services. The sFlt-1/PlGF test is a welcome addition to obstetric care because it will improve the precision of our management of pregnant patients with hypertension. ●

rbarbieri@mdedge.com

In the United States there is an epidemic of hypertensive disorders in pregnancy, with 16% of pregnant people being diagnosed with preeclampsia, gestational hypertension, chronic hypertension, preeclampsia superimposed on chronic hypertension, HELLP, or eclampsia.¹ Preeclampsia with severe features increases the maternal risk for stroke, pulmonary edema, kidney injury, abruption, and fetal and maternal death. Preeclampsia also increases the fetal risk for growth restriction, oligohydramnios, and preterm birth.

Angiogenic factors and the pathophysiology of preeclampsia—From bench to bedside

The pathophysiology of preeclampsia is not fully characterized, but a leading theory is that placental ischemia causes increased placental production of anti-angiogenesis factors and a decrease in placental production of pro-angiogenesis factors.^2-4 Clinical studies support the theory that preeclampsia is associated with an increase in placental production of anti-angiogenesis factors, including soluble fms-like tyrosine kinase 1 (sFlt-1) and soluble endoglin, and a decrease in the placental production of pro-angiogenesis factors, including placental growth factor (PlGF).^5-15

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has recently approved an assay for the measurement of sFlt-1 (Brahms sFlt-1 Kryptor) and PlGF (Brahms sFlt-1 Kryptor) (Thermo Fisher Scientific; Waltham, Massachusetts).¹⁶ This editorial focuses on the current and evolving indications for the measurement of sFlt-1 and PlGF in obstetric practice.

FDA approval of a preeclampsia blood test

The FDA approval of the tests to measure sFlt-1 and PlGF is narrowly tailored and focused on using the sFlt-1/PlGF ratio to assess the risk of progression to preeclampsia with severe features within 2 weeks among hospitalized patients with a hypertensive disorder in pregnancy with a singleton pregnancy between 23 weeks 0 days (23w0d) and 34w6d gestation.¹⁶ The test is meant to be used in conjunction with other laboratory tests and clinical assessment. The FDA advises that the test results should not be used to diagnose preeclampsia, nor should they be used to determine the timing of delivery or timing of patient discharge.¹⁶ The sFlt-1 and PIGF measurements are both reported as pg/mL, and the sFlt-1/PlGF ratio has no units.

The FDA approval is based on clinical studies that demonstrate the effectiveness of the test in predicting the progression of a hypertensive disorder in pregnancy to preeclampsia with severe features within 2 weeks of testing. In one study, the sFlt-1/PlGF ratio was measured in 556 pregnant patients with a singleton pregnancy who were between 23w0d and 34w6d gestation and hospitalized with a hypertensivedisorder in pregnancy without severe features at study enrollment.¹⁵ Those patients receiving intravenous heparin were excluded because of the effect of heparin on sFlt-1 levels. Participants’ mean age was 31.7 years, and their mean gestational age was 30w3d. The patients’ mean body mass index (BMI) was 34.2 kg/m², with mean maximal blood pressure (BP) at enrollment of 159 mm Hg systolic and 95 mm Hg diastolic.

In this cohort, 31% of enrolled patients progressed to preeclampsia with severe features within 2 weeks. At enrollment, the median sFlt-1/PlGF ratio was greater among the patients who progressed to preeclampsia with severe features than among those who did not have progression to preeclampsia with severe features (291 vs 7). An elevated sFlt-1/PlGF ratio (determined to be a ratio ≥ 40) predicted that patients would progress to severe preeclampsiawith severe features—with positive and negative predictive values of 65% and 96%, respectively. Among the subgroup of patients with a history of chronic hypertension, an sFlt-1/PlGF ratio ≥ 40 had positive and negative predictive values of 59% and 94%, respectively. Focusing the analysis on patients who self-reported their race as Black, representing 30% of the cohort, the positive and negative predictive values for a sFlt-1/PlGF ratio ≥ 40 were 66% and 99%, respectively.¹⁵

Receiver-operating curve analyses were used to compare the predictive performance of sFlt-1/PlGF measurement versus standard clinical factors and standard laboratory results, including systolic and diastolic BP; levels of aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), and creatinine; and platelet count.¹⁵ The area under the curve for predicting progression to preeclampsia with severe features was much greater for the sFlt-1/PlGF test (0.92) than for systolic (0.67) and diastolic BP (0.70), AST level (0.66), ALT level (0.61), creatinine level (0.65), and platelet count (0.57).¹⁵ These results demonstrate that measuring sFlt-1/PlGF ratios is a much better way to predict the progression of preeclampsia to severe disease than measuring standard clinical and laboratory results.

Patients with a sFlt-1/PlGF ratio ≥ 40 had higher rates of adverse maternal outcomes including severe hypertension, abruption, stroke, eclampsia, pulmonary edema, thrombocytopenia, low platelets, and/or coagulation disorder, than those patients with a ratio < 40, (16.1% vs 2.8%, respectively; relative risk [RR], 5.8; 95% confidence interval [CI], 2.8 to 12.2).¹⁵ Adverse fetal and neonatal outcomes (including fetal death, small for gestational age and early delivery due to progression of disease) were more common among patients with a sFlt-1/PlGF ratio of ≥ 40 (80% vs 26%; RR, 3.1; 95% CI, 2.5–3.8).¹⁵ Many other studies support the hypothesis that the sFlt-1/PlGF ratio is predictive of adverse outcomes among patients with hypertensive disorders in pregnancy.^6-15

Applying the bottom-line study findings. Patients with a hypertensive disorder in pregnancy and a sFlt-1/PlGF ratio < 40 have a low risk of progressing to preeclampsia with severe features over the following 2 weeks, with a negative predictive value of 96%. The remarkably high negative predictive value of a sFlt-1/PlGF ratio < 40 will help obstetricians generate a care plan that optimizes the use of limited health care resources. Conversely, about two-thirds of patients with a hypertensive disorder in pregnancy and a sFlt-1/PlGF test ≥ 40 will progress to preeclampsia with severe features and may need to prepare for a preterm delivery.

Continue to: Clinical utility of the sFlt-1/PlGF ratio in obstetric triage...

Measurement of the sFlt-1/PlGF ratio may help guide clinical care among patients referred to obstetric triage or admitted to the hospital for the evaluation of suspected preeclampsia. In one study, 402 patients with a singleton pregnancy referred to the hospital for evaluation of suspected preeclampsia, had a standard evaluation plus measurement of an sFlt-1/PlGF ratio.¹³ The clinicians caring for the patients did not have access to the sFlt-1/PlGF test results. In this cohort, 16% of the patients developed preeclampsia with severe features in the 2 weeks following the initial assessment in triage. In this cohort, a normal sFlt-1/PlGF ratio reliably predicted which patients were not going to develop preeclampsia with severe features over the following 2 weeks, with a negative predictive value of 98%. Among the patients with an elevated sFlt-1/PlGF ratio, however, the positive predictive value of the test was 47% for developing preeclampsia with severe features within the 2 weeks following initial evaluation. Among patients < 34 weeks’ gestation, an elevated sFlt-1/PlGF ratio had a positive predictive value of 65%, and a negative predictive value of 98%. Other studies also have reported that the sFlt-1/PlGF ratio is of value for assessing the risk for progression to preeclampsia with severe features in patients being evaluated for suspected preeclampsia.^6,17,18

In obstetric triage, it is difficult to predict the clinical course of patients referred for the evaluation of suspected preeclampsia based on BP measurements or standard laboratory tests. The sFlt-1/PlGF test will help clinicians identify patients at low and high risk of progressing to preeclampsia with severe features.¹⁹ Patients with a normal sFlt-1/PlGF test are at low risk of developing preeclampsia with severe features over the following 2 weeks. Patients with an elevated sFlt-1/PlGF test are at higher risk of progressing to preeclampsia with severe features and may warrant more intensive obstetric care. An enhanced care program might include:

• patient education
• remote monitoring of BP or hospitalization
• more frequent assessment of fetal well-being and growth
• administration of glucocorticoids to advance fetal maturity, if indicated by the gestational age.

Twin pregnancy complicated by preeclampsia

Twin pregnancy is associated with a high risk of developing preeclampsia and fetal growth restriction. For patients with a twin pregnancy and a hypertensive disorder in pregnancy, an elevated sFlt-1/PlGF ratio is associated with the need for delivery within 2 weeks and an increased rate of adverse maternal and neonatal outcomes. In a retrospective study involving 164 patients with twin pregnancy first evaluated for suspected preeclampsia at a median gestational age of 33w4d, the sFlt-1/PlGF ratio was positively correlated with progression of preeclampsia without severe features to severe features within 2 weeks.²⁰ In this cohort, at the initial evaluation for suspected preeclampsia, the sFlt-1/PlGF ratio was lower among patients who did not need delivery within 2 weeks compared with those who were delivered within 2 weeks, 24 versus 84 (P<.001). The mean sFlt-1/PlGF ratio was 99 among patients who needed delivery within 1 week following the initial evaluation for suspected preeclampsia. Among patients who delivered within 1 week of presentation, the reasons for delivery were the development of severe hypertension, severe dyspnea, placental abruption, rising levels of serum liver function enzymes, and/or onset of the HELLP syndrome.

An important finding in this study is that a normal sFlt-1/PlGF ratio predicted that the patient would not need delivery within 2 weeks, with a negative predictive value of 96%. Other studies also have reported that an elevated sFlt-1/PlGF ratio in twin pregnancies is associated with an increased risk of adverse outcomes and early delivery.^21-23 An adequately powered multicenter study of twin pregnancies is needed to identify the sFlt-1/PlGF ratio associated with the greatest combined negative and positive predictive values.

The sFlt-1/PlGF test is a welcome addition to OB care

FDA approval of laboratory tests to measure circulating levels of sFlt-1 and PlGF will advance obstetric practice by identifying patients with a hypertensive disorder in pregnancy who are at low and high risk of developing preeclampsia with severe features within 2 weeks of the test. No laboratory test can replace the clinical judgment of obstetricians who are responsible for balancing the maternal and fetal risks that can occur in the management of a patient with a hypertensive disorder in pregnancy. The sFlt-1/PlGF ratio is highly dependable for identifying those patients with a hypertensive disorder in pregnancy who will not progress to severe disease within 2 weeks. The sFlt-1/PlGF ratio also identifies those patients with preeclampsia who are most likely to have adverse maternal and neonatal outcomes. The patients with an elevated sFlt-1/PlGF ratio may need more intensive antenatal care and consideration for transfer to a health system with a higher level of maternal and neonatal services. The sFlt-1/PlGF test is a welcome addition to obstetric care because it will improve the precision of our management of pregnant patients with hypertension. ●

rbarbieri@mdedge.com

San Antonio – Taxane exposure during pregnancy appears to be safe for mothers and offspring, according to a new retrospective cohort analysis. The findings shed light on a relatively unstudied topic. “Our cohort with 103 patients represents the most extensive study to date, and our main goal was to have homogeneous reporting of adverse events,” Ana Ferrigno Guajardo, MD, said in an interview. She presented the results at the San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium.

“Breast cancer during pregnancy is a very challenging clinical situation as the expected antineoplastic effects of treatment must be carefully balanced against potential detrimental consequences on the developing fetus,” said Dr. Guajardo. She is a resident physician at Yale University School of Medicine.

Anthracycline-based chemotherapy agents are generally used during pregnancy because there is more safety data available for them, but some studies have shown that taxanes may have better efficacy in some clinical situations. “Cohort studies that have been done in the past [show] that taxane use is mostly deferred to the postpartum period, and we are not really sure of the impact that can have on survival in patients postponing treatment,” said Dr. Guajardo.

There are potential safety concerns with taxanes because neonates lack the cytochrome enzymes to metabolize the drugs, which creates a theoretical risk of adverse effects due to prolonged activity. On the other hand, pregnant women metabolize taxanes faster, and there are placental barriers that can inhibit high molecular weight molecules like taxanes from reaching the fetus, according to Dr. Guajardo.

In addition to pregnancy outcomes, the researchers followed 28 infants, and found that 87% were found to be completely healthy, “so we were relatively reassured. But of course we think that there’s a need for prospective studies that validate our findings regarding the safety taxanes,” said Dr. Guajardo.

Although there is no direct comparison group, the findings correlate well with studies of the general population and other chemotherapy agents. “We have large cohorts with mostly anthracycline-based chemotherapy agents during pregnancy that we can compare our results to, and overall, we were reassured that the prevalence of complications that we found in our cohort was very similar or even lower to those reported in the literature with patients treated with anthracycline-based therapy,” said Dr. Guajardo.

Compared with the general population, the team found higher rates of preterm births, neonatal ICU admissions, and premature membrane rupture, and infants that are small for gestational age. However, with the exception of the latter, all of these risks have been seen in pregnant women treated with other types of chemotherapy. “Perhaps it would be interesting to see if the incidence of small for gestational age neonates might be a bit higher in this population when compared to anthracycline-based therapy agents, but that does require a study that has a comparator group,” said Dr. Guajardo.

The researchers recruited 103 women with an average age of 34 years from 10 centers in 6 countries: United States, France, Spain, Mexico, Italy, and Costa Rica. The great majority were also treated with anthracyclines during gestation, and nearly all (97%) were treated with paclitaxel. The live birth rate was 98%, and 43.4% were preterm, 24% were small for gestational age, 16% were admitted to the neonate ICU, and 12.5% had hyperbilirubinemia.

Obstetric complications included intrauterine growth restriction (9%), preterm premature rupture of membranes (5%), gestational diabetes mellitus (5%), hypertensive disorders (4%), and pregnancy loss (2%).

After the presentation, Virginia Borges, MD, professor of medical oncology at University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Center, served as a discussant.

“Highlights of this study [include] that it is an international cohort from over six countries with over 100 cases of women included specifically focusing on the use of paclitaxel. They demonstrated safe outcomes for the pregnancies and the mothers,” Dr. Borges said during her presentation.

She went on to highlight several key points that physicians should consider when treating pregnancy-related breast cancer. “We want to achieve prepartum treatment wherever feasible to tackle that cancer before delivery of the child to prevent a pregnancy-related breast cancer from potentially turning into a postpartum breast cancer,” she said.

“If the tumor is ER+/HER2-, we now see we can safely give anthracyclines and taxanes from 12 to about 35 weeks of gestation. We don’t want to get too close to the delivery with chemotherapy. If a patient is HER2+, I prefer to give the anthracycline portion while the person is pregnant and then after delivery incorporate the taxane with the HER2 targeted therapies as there’s some older data showing concurrent therapy looks a bit better than sequential. In triple negative breast cancer, again I prefer to give the anthracycline and delay the taxane and carboplatin to overlap with immunotherapy so we are getting the necessary synergy there as well,” Dr. Borges added.

Dr. Guajardo has no relevant financial disclosures. Dr. Borges has consulted for SeaGen, Gilead, and AstraZeneca, and has received research funding from AstraZeneca, Gilead, Olema, and SeaGen.

San Antonio – Taxane exposure during pregnancy appears to be safe for mothers and offspring, according to a new retrospective cohort analysis. The findings shed light on a relatively unstudied topic. “Our cohort with 103 patients represents the most extensive study to date, and our main goal was to have homogeneous reporting of adverse events,” Ana Ferrigno Guajardo, MD, said in an interview. She presented the results at the San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium.

“Breast cancer during pregnancy is a very challenging clinical situation as the expected antineoplastic effects of treatment must be carefully balanced against potential detrimental consequences on the developing fetus,” said Dr. Guajardo. She is a resident physician at Yale University School of Medicine.

Anthracycline-based chemotherapy agents are generally used during pregnancy because there is more safety data available for them, but some studies have shown that taxanes may have better efficacy in some clinical situations. “Cohort studies that have been done in the past [show] that taxane use is mostly deferred to the postpartum period, and we are not really sure of the impact that can have on survival in patients postponing treatment,” said Dr. Guajardo.

There are potential safety concerns with taxanes because neonates lack the cytochrome enzymes to metabolize the drugs, which creates a theoretical risk of adverse effects due to prolonged activity. On the other hand, pregnant women metabolize taxanes faster, and there are placental barriers that can inhibit high molecular weight molecules like taxanes from reaching the fetus, according to Dr. Guajardo.

In addition to pregnancy outcomes, the researchers followed 28 infants, and found that 87% were found to be completely healthy, “so we were relatively reassured. But of course we think that there’s a need for prospective studies that validate our findings regarding the safety taxanes,” said Dr. Guajardo.

Although there is no direct comparison group, the findings correlate well with studies of the general population and other chemotherapy agents. “We have large cohorts with mostly anthracycline-based chemotherapy agents during pregnancy that we can compare our results to, and overall, we were reassured that the prevalence of complications that we found in our cohort was very similar or even lower to those reported in the literature with patients treated with anthracycline-based therapy,” said Dr. Guajardo.

Compared with the general population, the team found higher rates of preterm births, neonatal ICU admissions, and premature membrane rupture, and infants that are small for gestational age. However, with the exception of the latter, all of these risks have been seen in pregnant women treated with other types of chemotherapy. “Perhaps it would be interesting to see if the incidence of small for gestational age neonates might be a bit higher in this population when compared to anthracycline-based therapy agents, but that does require a study that has a comparator group,” said Dr. Guajardo.

The researchers recruited 103 women with an average age of 34 years from 10 centers in 6 countries: United States, France, Spain, Mexico, Italy, and Costa Rica. The great majority were also treated with anthracyclines during gestation, and nearly all (97%) were treated with paclitaxel. The live birth rate was 98%, and 43.4% were preterm, 24% were small for gestational age, 16% were admitted to the neonate ICU, and 12.5% had hyperbilirubinemia.

Obstetric complications included intrauterine growth restriction (9%), preterm premature rupture of membranes (5%), gestational diabetes mellitus (5%), hypertensive disorders (4%), and pregnancy loss (2%).

After the presentation, Virginia Borges, MD, professor of medical oncology at University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Center, served as a discussant.

“Highlights of this study [include] that it is an international cohort from over six countries with over 100 cases of women included specifically focusing on the use of paclitaxel. They demonstrated safe outcomes for the pregnancies and the mothers,” Dr. Borges said during her presentation.

She went on to highlight several key points that physicians should consider when treating pregnancy-related breast cancer. “We want to achieve prepartum treatment wherever feasible to tackle that cancer before delivery of the child to prevent a pregnancy-related breast cancer from potentially turning into a postpartum breast cancer,” she said.

“If the tumor is ER+/HER2-, we now see we can safely give anthracyclines and taxanes from 12 to about 35 weeks of gestation. We don’t want to get too close to the delivery with chemotherapy. If a patient is HER2+, I prefer to give the anthracycline portion while the person is pregnant and then after delivery incorporate the taxane with the HER2 targeted therapies as there’s some older data showing concurrent therapy looks a bit better than sequential. In triple negative breast cancer, again I prefer to give the anthracycline and delay the taxane and carboplatin to overlap with immunotherapy so we are getting the necessary synergy there as well,” Dr. Borges added.

Dr. Guajardo has no relevant financial disclosures. Dr. Borges has consulted for SeaGen, Gilead, and AstraZeneca, and has received research funding from AstraZeneca, Gilead, Olema, and SeaGen.

San Antonio – Taxane exposure during pregnancy appears to be safe for mothers and offspring, according to a new retrospective cohort analysis. The findings shed light on a relatively unstudied topic. “Our cohort with 103 patients represents the most extensive study to date, and our main goal was to have homogeneous reporting of adverse events,” Ana Ferrigno Guajardo, MD, said in an interview. She presented the results at the San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium.

“Breast cancer during pregnancy is a very challenging clinical situation as the expected antineoplastic effects of treatment must be carefully balanced against potential detrimental consequences on the developing fetus,” said Dr. Guajardo. She is a resident physician at Yale University School of Medicine.

Anthracycline-based chemotherapy agents are generally used during pregnancy because there is more safety data available for them, but some studies have shown that taxanes may have better efficacy in some clinical situations. “Cohort studies that have been done in the past [show] that taxane use is mostly deferred to the postpartum period, and we are not really sure of the impact that can have on survival in patients postponing treatment,” said Dr. Guajardo.

There are potential safety concerns with taxanes because neonates lack the cytochrome enzymes to metabolize the drugs, which creates a theoretical risk of adverse effects due to prolonged activity. On the other hand, pregnant women metabolize taxanes faster, and there are placental barriers that can inhibit high molecular weight molecules like taxanes from reaching the fetus, according to Dr. Guajardo.

In addition to pregnancy outcomes, the researchers followed 28 infants, and found that 87% were found to be completely healthy, “so we were relatively reassured. But of course we think that there’s a need for prospective studies that validate our findings regarding the safety taxanes,” said Dr. Guajardo.

Although there is no direct comparison group, the findings correlate well with studies of the general population and other chemotherapy agents. “We have large cohorts with mostly anthracycline-based chemotherapy agents during pregnancy that we can compare our results to, and overall, we were reassured that the prevalence of complications that we found in our cohort was very similar or even lower to those reported in the literature with patients treated with anthracycline-based therapy,” said Dr. Guajardo.

Compared with the general population, the team found higher rates of preterm births, neonatal ICU admissions, and premature membrane rupture, and infants that are small for gestational age. However, with the exception of the latter, all of these risks have been seen in pregnant women treated with other types of chemotherapy. “Perhaps it would be interesting to see if the incidence of small for gestational age neonates might be a bit higher in this population when compared to anthracycline-based therapy agents, but that does require a study that has a comparator group,” said Dr. Guajardo.

The researchers recruited 103 women with an average age of 34 years from 10 centers in 6 countries: United States, France, Spain, Mexico, Italy, and Costa Rica. The great majority were also treated with anthracyclines during gestation, and nearly all (97%) were treated with paclitaxel. The live birth rate was 98%, and 43.4% were preterm, 24% were small for gestational age, 16% were admitted to the neonate ICU, and 12.5% had hyperbilirubinemia.

Obstetric complications included intrauterine growth restriction (9%), preterm premature rupture of membranes (5%), gestational diabetes mellitus (5%), hypertensive disorders (4%), and pregnancy loss (2%).

After the presentation, Virginia Borges, MD, professor of medical oncology at University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Center, served as a discussant.

“Highlights of this study [include] that it is an international cohort from over six countries with over 100 cases of women included specifically focusing on the use of paclitaxel. They demonstrated safe outcomes for the pregnancies and the mothers,” Dr. Borges said during her presentation.

She went on to highlight several key points that physicians should consider when treating pregnancy-related breast cancer. “We want to achieve prepartum treatment wherever feasible to tackle that cancer before delivery of the child to prevent a pregnancy-related breast cancer from potentially turning into a postpartum breast cancer,” she said.

“If the tumor is ER+/HER2-, we now see we can safely give anthracyclines and taxanes from 12 to about 35 weeks of gestation. We don’t want to get too close to the delivery with chemotherapy. If a patient is HER2+, I prefer to give the anthracycline portion while the person is pregnant and then after delivery incorporate the taxane with the HER2 targeted therapies as there’s some older data showing concurrent therapy looks a bit better than sequential. In triple negative breast cancer, again I prefer to give the anthracycline and delay the taxane and carboplatin to overlap with immunotherapy so we are getting the necessary synergy there as well,” Dr. Borges added.

Dr. Guajardo has no relevant financial disclosures. Dr. Borges has consulted for SeaGen, Gilead, and AstraZeneca, and has received research funding from AstraZeneca, Gilead, Olema, and SeaGen.

TOPLINE:

People who are extroverted and conscientious and have a positive outlook may be at lower dementia risk, whereas those who score highly for neuroticism and have a negative outlook may be at increased risk, new research suggests. 

METHODOLOGY: 

• Researchers examined the link between the “big five” personality traits (conscientiousness, extraversion, openness to experience, neuroticism, and agreeableness) and subjective well-being (positive and negative affect and life satisfaction) and clinical symptoms of dementia (cognitive test performance) and neuropathology at autopsy. 
• Data for the meta-analysis came from eight longitudinal studies with 44,531 adults (aged 49-81 years at baseline; 26%-61% women) followed for up to 21 years, during which 1703 incident cases of dementia occurred. 
• Bayesian multilevel models tested whether personality traits and subjective well-being differentially predicted neuropsychological and neuropathologic characteristics of dementia. 

TAKEAWAY:

• High neuroticism, negative affect, and low conscientiousness were risk factors for dementia, whereas conscientiousness, extraversion, and positive affect were protective.
• Across all analyses, there was directional consistency in estimates across samples, which is noteworthy given between-study differences in sociodemographic and design characteristics. 
• No consistent associations were found between psychological factors and neuropathology. 
• However, individuals higher in conscientiousness who did not receive a clinical diagnosis tended to have a lower Braak stage at autopsy, suggesting the possibility that conscientiousness is related to cognitive resilience. 

IN PRACTICE:

“These results replicate and extend evidence that personality traits may assist in early identification and dementia-care planning strategies, as well as risk stratification for dementia diagnosis. Moreover, our findings provide further support for recommendations to incorporate psychological trait measures into clinical screening or diagnosis criteria,” the authors write. SOURCE:

The study, with first author Emorie Beck, PhD, Department of Psychology, University of California, Davis, was published online on November 29, 2023, in Alzheimer’s & Dementia.

 LIMITATIONS:

Access to autopsy data was limited. The findings may not generalize across racial groups. The analysis did not examine dynamic associations between changing personality and cognition and neuropathology over time.

DISCLOSURES:

The study was supported by grants from the National Institute on Aging. The authors have declared no conflicts of interest.

A version of this article first appeared on Medscape.com.

TOPLINE:

People who are extroverted and conscientious and have a positive outlook may be at lower dementia risk, whereas those who score highly for neuroticism and have a negative outlook may be at increased risk, new research suggests. 

METHODOLOGY: 

• Researchers examined the link between the “big five” personality traits (conscientiousness, extraversion, openness to experience, neuroticism, and agreeableness) and subjective well-being (positive and negative affect and life satisfaction) and clinical symptoms of dementia (cognitive test performance) and neuropathology at autopsy. 
• Data for the meta-analysis came from eight longitudinal studies with 44,531 adults (aged 49-81 years at baseline; 26%-61% women) followed for up to 21 years, during which 1703 incident cases of dementia occurred. 
• Bayesian multilevel models tested whether personality traits and subjective well-being differentially predicted neuropsychological and neuropathologic characteristics of dementia. 

TAKEAWAY:

• High neuroticism, negative affect, and low conscientiousness were risk factors for dementia, whereas conscientiousness, extraversion, and positive affect were protective.
• Across all analyses, there was directional consistency in estimates across samples, which is noteworthy given between-study differences in sociodemographic and design characteristics. 
• No consistent associations were found between psychological factors and neuropathology. 
• However, individuals higher in conscientiousness who did not receive a clinical diagnosis tended to have a lower Braak stage at autopsy, suggesting the possibility that conscientiousness is related to cognitive resilience. 

IN PRACTICE:

“These results replicate and extend evidence that personality traits may assist in early identification and dementia-care planning strategies, as well as risk stratification for dementia diagnosis. Moreover, our findings provide further support for recommendations to incorporate psychological trait measures into clinical screening or diagnosis criteria,” the authors write. SOURCE:

The study, with first author Emorie Beck, PhD, Department of Psychology, University of California, Davis, was published online on November 29, 2023, in Alzheimer’s & Dementia.

 LIMITATIONS:

Access to autopsy data was limited. The findings may not generalize across racial groups. The analysis did not examine dynamic associations between changing personality and cognition and neuropathology over time.

DISCLOSURES:

The study was supported by grants from the National Institute on Aging. The authors have declared no conflicts of interest.

A version of this article first appeared on Medscape.com.

TOPLINE:

People who are extroverted and conscientious and have a positive outlook may be at lower dementia risk, whereas those who score highly for neuroticism and have a negative outlook may be at increased risk, new research suggests. 

METHODOLOGY: 

• Researchers examined the link between the “big five” personality traits (conscientiousness, extraversion, openness to experience, neuroticism, and agreeableness) and subjective well-being (positive and negative affect and life satisfaction) and clinical symptoms of dementia (cognitive test performance) and neuropathology at autopsy. 
• Data for the meta-analysis came from eight longitudinal studies with 44,531 adults (aged 49-81 years at baseline; 26%-61% women) followed for up to 21 years, during which 1703 incident cases of dementia occurred. 
• Bayesian multilevel models tested whether personality traits and subjective well-being differentially predicted neuropsychological and neuropathologic characteristics of dementia. 

TAKEAWAY:

• High neuroticism, negative affect, and low conscientiousness were risk factors for dementia, whereas conscientiousness, extraversion, and positive affect were protective.
• Across all analyses, there was directional consistency in estimates across samples, which is noteworthy given between-study differences in sociodemographic and design characteristics. 
• No consistent associations were found between psychological factors and neuropathology. 
• However, individuals higher in conscientiousness who did not receive a clinical diagnosis tended to have a lower Braak stage at autopsy, suggesting the possibility that conscientiousness is related to cognitive resilience. 

IN PRACTICE:

“These results replicate and extend evidence that personality traits may assist in early identification and dementia-care planning strategies, as well as risk stratification for dementia diagnosis. Moreover, our findings provide further support for recommendations to incorporate psychological trait measures into clinical screening or diagnosis criteria,” the authors write. SOURCE:

The study, with first author Emorie Beck, PhD, Department of Psychology, University of California, Davis, was published online on November 29, 2023, in Alzheimer’s & Dementia.

 LIMITATIONS:

Access to autopsy data was limited. The findings may not generalize across racial groups. The analysis did not examine dynamic associations between changing personality and cognition and neuropathology over time.

DISCLOSURES:

The study was supported by grants from the National Institute on Aging. The authors have declared no conflicts of interest.

A version of this article first appeared on Medscape.com.

TOPLINE:

Adults diagnosed with coronary heart disease (CHD) are at an increased risk for dementia, including all-cause dementia, Alzheimer›s disease (AD), and vascular dementia (VD), with the risk highest — at 36% — if onset is before age 45, results of a large observational study show.

METHODOLOGY:

• The study included 432,667 of the more than 500,000 participants in the UK Biobank, with a mean age of 56.9 years, 50,685 (11.7%) of whom had CHD and 50,445 had data on age at CHD onset.
• Researchers divided participants into three groups according to age at CHD onset (below 45 years, 45-59 years, and 60 years and older), and carried out a propensity score matching analysis.
• Outcomes included all-cause dementia, AD, and VD.
• Covariates included age, sex, race, educational level, body mass index, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, smoking status, alcohol intake, exercise, depressed mood, hypertension, diabetes, statin use, and apolipoprotein E4 status.

TAKEAWAY:

• During a median follow-up of 12.8 years, researchers identified 5876 cases of all-cause dementia, 2540 cases of AD, and 1220 cases of VD.
• Fully adjusted models showed participants with CHD had significantly higher risks than those without CHD of developing all-cause dementia (hazard ratio [HR], 1.36; 95% CI, 1.28-1.45; P < .001), AD (HR, 1.13; 95% CI, 1.02-1.24; P = .019), and VD (HR, 1.78; 95% CI, 1.56-2.02; P < .001). The higher risk for VD suggests CHD has a more profound influence on neuropathologic changes involved in this dementia type, said the authors.
• Those with CHD diagnosed at a younger age had higher risks of developing dementia (HR per 10-year decrease in age, 1.25; 95% CI, 1.20-1.30 for all-cause dementia, 1.29; 95% CI, 1.20-1.38 for AD, and 1.22; 95% CI, 1.13-1.31 for VD; P for all < .001).
• Propensity score matching analysis showed patients with CHD had significantly higher risks for dementia compared with matched controls, with the highest risk seen in patients diagnosed before age 45 (HR, 2.40; 95% CI, 1.79-3.20; P < .001), followed by those diagnosed between 45 and 59 years (HR, 1.46; 95% CI, 1.32-1.62; P < .001) and at or above 60 years (HR, 1.11; 95% CI, 1.03-1.19; P = .005), with similar results for AD and VD.

IN PRACTICE:

The findings suggest “additional attention should be paid to the cognitive status of patients with CHD, especially the ones diagnosed with CHD at a young age,” the authors conclude, noting that “timely intervention, such as cognitive training, could be implemented once signs of cognitive deteriorations are detected.”

SOURCE:

The study was conducted by Jie Liang, BS, School of Nursing, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, and colleagues. It was published online on November 29, 2023, in the Journal of the American Heart Association.

LIMITATIONS:

As this is an observational study, it can’t conclude a causal relationship. Although the authors adjusted for many potential confounders, unknown risk factors that also contribute to CHD can’t be ruled out. As the study excluded 69,744 participants, selection bias is possible. The study included a mostly White population.

DISCLOSURES:

The study was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China, the Non-Profit Central Research Institute Fund of the Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, and the China Medical Board. The authors have no relevant conflicts of interest.

A version of this article first appeared on Medscape.com.

TOPLINE:

Adults diagnosed with coronary heart disease (CHD) are at an increased risk for dementia, including all-cause dementia, Alzheimer›s disease (AD), and vascular dementia (VD), with the risk highest — at 36% — if onset is before age 45, results of a large observational study show.

METHODOLOGY:

• The study included 432,667 of the more than 500,000 participants in the UK Biobank, with a mean age of 56.9 years, 50,685 (11.7%) of whom had CHD and 50,445 had data on age at CHD onset.
• Researchers divided participants into three groups according to age at CHD onset (below 45 years, 45-59 years, and 60 years and older), and carried out a propensity score matching analysis.
• Outcomes included all-cause dementia, AD, and VD.
• Covariates included age, sex, race, educational level, body mass index, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, smoking status, alcohol intake, exercise, depressed mood, hypertension, diabetes, statin use, and apolipoprotein E4 status.

TAKEAWAY:

• During a median follow-up of 12.8 years, researchers identified 5876 cases of all-cause dementia, 2540 cases of AD, and 1220 cases of VD.
• Fully adjusted models showed participants with CHD had significantly higher risks than those without CHD of developing all-cause dementia (hazard ratio [HR], 1.36; 95% CI, 1.28-1.45; P < .001), AD (HR, 1.13; 95% CI, 1.02-1.24; P = .019), and VD (HR, 1.78; 95% CI, 1.56-2.02; P < .001). The higher risk for VD suggests CHD has a more profound influence on neuropathologic changes involved in this dementia type, said the authors.
• Those with CHD diagnosed at a younger age had higher risks of developing dementia (HR per 10-year decrease in age, 1.25; 95% CI, 1.20-1.30 for all-cause dementia, 1.29; 95% CI, 1.20-1.38 for AD, and 1.22; 95% CI, 1.13-1.31 for VD; P for all < .001).
• Propensity score matching analysis showed patients with CHD had significantly higher risks for dementia compared with matched controls, with the highest risk seen in patients diagnosed before age 45 (HR, 2.40; 95% CI, 1.79-3.20; P < .001), followed by those diagnosed between 45 and 59 years (HR, 1.46; 95% CI, 1.32-1.62; P < .001) and at or above 60 years (HR, 1.11; 95% CI, 1.03-1.19; P = .005), with similar results for AD and VD.

IN PRACTICE:

The findings suggest “additional attention should be paid to the cognitive status of patients with CHD, especially the ones diagnosed with CHD at a young age,” the authors conclude, noting that “timely intervention, such as cognitive training, could be implemented once signs of cognitive deteriorations are detected.”

SOURCE:

The study was conducted by Jie Liang, BS, School of Nursing, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, and colleagues. It was published online on November 29, 2023, in the Journal of the American Heart Association.

LIMITATIONS:

As this is an observational study, it can’t conclude a causal relationship. Although the authors adjusted for many potential confounders, unknown risk factors that also contribute to CHD can’t be ruled out. As the study excluded 69,744 participants, selection bias is possible. The study included a mostly White population.

DISCLOSURES:

The study was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China, the Non-Profit Central Research Institute Fund of the Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, and the China Medical Board. The authors have no relevant conflicts of interest.

A version of this article first appeared on Medscape.com.

TOPLINE:

Adults diagnosed with coronary heart disease (CHD) are at an increased risk for dementia, including all-cause dementia, Alzheimer›s disease (AD), and vascular dementia (VD), with the risk highest — at 36% — if onset is before age 45, results of a large observational study show.

METHODOLOGY:

• The study included 432,667 of the more than 500,000 participants in the UK Biobank, with a mean age of 56.9 years, 50,685 (11.7%) of whom had CHD and 50,445 had data on age at CHD onset.
• Researchers divided participants into three groups according to age at CHD onset (below 45 years, 45-59 years, and 60 years and older), and carried out a propensity score matching analysis.
• Outcomes included all-cause dementia, AD, and VD.
• Covariates included age, sex, race, educational level, body mass index, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, smoking status, alcohol intake, exercise, depressed mood, hypertension, diabetes, statin use, and apolipoprotein E4 status.

TAKEAWAY:

• During a median follow-up of 12.8 years, researchers identified 5876 cases of all-cause dementia, 2540 cases of AD, and 1220 cases of VD.
• Fully adjusted models showed participants with CHD had significantly higher risks than those without CHD of developing all-cause dementia (hazard ratio [HR], 1.36; 95% CI, 1.28-1.45; P < .001), AD (HR, 1.13; 95% CI, 1.02-1.24; P = .019), and VD (HR, 1.78; 95% CI, 1.56-2.02; P < .001). The higher risk for VD suggests CHD has a more profound influence on neuropathologic changes involved in this dementia type, said the authors.
• Those with CHD diagnosed at a younger age had higher risks of developing dementia (HR per 10-year decrease in age, 1.25; 95% CI, 1.20-1.30 for all-cause dementia, 1.29; 95% CI, 1.20-1.38 for AD, and 1.22; 95% CI, 1.13-1.31 for VD; P for all < .001).
• Propensity score matching analysis showed patients with CHD had significantly higher risks for dementia compared with matched controls, with the highest risk seen in patients diagnosed before age 45 (HR, 2.40; 95% CI, 1.79-3.20; P < .001), followed by those diagnosed between 45 and 59 years (HR, 1.46; 95% CI, 1.32-1.62; P < .001) and at or above 60 years (HR, 1.11; 95% CI, 1.03-1.19; P = .005), with similar results for AD and VD.

IN PRACTICE:

The findings suggest “additional attention should be paid to the cognitive status of patients with CHD, especially the ones diagnosed with CHD at a young age,” the authors conclude, noting that “timely intervention, such as cognitive training, could be implemented once signs of cognitive deteriorations are detected.”

SOURCE:

The study was conducted by Jie Liang, BS, School of Nursing, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, and colleagues. It was published online on November 29, 2023, in the Journal of the American Heart Association.

LIMITATIONS:

As this is an observational study, it can’t conclude a causal relationship. Although the authors adjusted for many potential confounders, unknown risk factors that also contribute to CHD can’t be ruled out. As the study excluded 69,744 participants, selection bias is possible. The study included a mostly White population.

DISCLOSURES:

The study was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China, the Non-Profit Central Research Institute Fund of the Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, and the China Medical Board. The authors have no relevant conflicts of interest.

A version of this article first appeared on Medscape.com.

Individuals spend close to half of their lives preventing, or planning for, pregnancy. As such, contraception plays a major role in patient-provider interactions. Contraception counseling and management is a common scenario encountered in the general gynecologist’s practice. Luckily, we have 2 evidence-based guidelines developed by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) that support the provision of contraceptive care:

1. US Medical Eligibility for Contraceptive Use (US-MEC),¹ which provides guidance on which patients can safely use a method
2. US Selected Practice Recommendations for Contraceptive Use (US-SPR),² which provides method-specific guidance on how to use a method (including how to: initiate or start a method; manage adherence issues, such as a missed pill, etc; and manage common issues like breakthrough bleeding). 

Both of these guidelines are updated routinely and are publicly available online or for free, through smartphone applications.

While most contraceptive care is straightforward, there are circumstances that require additional consideration. In the concluding part of this series on contraceptive conundrums, we review 2 clinical cases, existing evidence to guide management decisions, and our recommendations.

CASE 1 Patient presents with hard-to-remove implant

A 44-year-old patient (G2P2) with a new diagnosis of estrogen and progesterone-receptor–positive breast cancer is undergoing her evaluation with her oncologist who recommends removal of her contraceptive implant, which has been in place for 2 years. She presents to your office for removal; however, the device is no longer palpable.

What are your next steps?

Conundrum 1. Should you attempt to remove it?

No, never attempt implant removal if you cannot palpate or localize it. Localization of the implant needs to occur prior to any attempt. However, we recommend checking the contra-lateral arm before sending the patient to obtain imaging, especially if you have no formal documentation regarding in which arm the implant was placed. The next step is identifying what type of implant the patient likely has so you can correctly interpret imaging studies.

Conundrum 2. What type of subdermal contraceptive device is it likely to be?

Currently, the only subdermal contraceptive device available for placement in the United States is the 68-mg etonogestrel implant, marketed with the brand name Nexplanon. This device was initially approved by the US Food and Drug Administration in 2001 and measures 4 cm in length by 2 mm in diameter. It is placed in the medial upper arm, about 8 cm proximal to the medial epicondyle and 3 cm posterior to the sulcus between the biceps and triceps muscles. (The implant should no longer be placed over the bicipital groove.) The implant is impregnated with 15 mg of barium sulfate, making it radiopaque and able to be seen on imaging modalities such as ultrasonography (10–18 mHz high frequency transducer) and x-ray (arm anteroposterior and lateral) for localization in cases in which the device becomes nonpalpable.³

Clinicians also may encounter devices which are no longer marketed in the United States, or which are only available in other countries, and thus should be aware of the appearance and imaging characteristics. It is important to let your imaging team know these characteristics as well:

• From 2006–2010, a 68-mg etonogestrel implant marketed under the name Implanon was available in the United States.⁴ It has the same dimensions and general placement recommendations as the Nexplanon etonogestrel device but is not able to be seen via imaging.
• A 2-arm, 75-mg levonorgestrel (LNG) device known as Jadelle (or, Norplant II; FIGURE 1) received FDA approval in 1996 and is currently only available overseas.⁵ It is also placed in the upper, inner arm in a V-shape using a single incision, and has dimensions similar to the etonogestrel implants.
• From 1990– 2002, the 6-rod device known as Norplant was available in the United States. Each rod measured 3.4 cm in length and contained 36 mg of LNG (FIGURE 2).

ILLUSTRATION: MARY ELLEN NIATAS FOR OBG MANAGEMENT

Continue to: How do you approach removal of a deep contraceptive implant?...

How do you approach removal of a deep contraceptive implant?

Clinicians who are not trained in deep or difficult implant removal should refer patients to a trained provider (eg, a complex family planning subspecialist), or if not available, partner with a health care practitioner that has expertise in the anatomy of the upper arm (eg, vascular surgery, orthopedics, or interventional radiology). A resource for finding a nearby trained provider is the Organon Information Center (1-877-467-5266). However, when these services are not readily available, consider the following 3-step approach to complex implant removal.

1. Be familiar with the anatomy of the upper arm (FIGURE 3). Nonpalpable implants may be close to or under the biceps or triceps fascia or be near critically important and fragile structures like the neurovascular bundle of the upper arm. Prior to attempting a difficult implant removal, ensure that you are well acquainted with critical structures in the upper arm. 
2. Locate the device. Prior to attempting removal, localize the device using either x-ray or ultrasonography, depending on local availability. Ultrasound offers the advantage of mapping the location in 3 dimensions, with the ability to map the device with skin markings immediately prior to removal. Typically, a highfrequency transducer (15- or 18-MHz) is used, such as for breast imaging, either in a clinician’s office or in coordination with radiology. If device removal is attempted the same day, the proximal, midportion, and distal aspects of the device should be marked with a skin pen, and it should be noted what position the arm is in when the device is marked (eg, arm flexed at elbow and externally rotated so that the wrist is parallel to the ear). 

ILLUSTRATION: MARY ELLEN NIATAS FOR OBG MANAGEMENT

Rarely, if a device is not seen in the expected extremity, imaging of the contralateral arm or a chest x-ray can be undertaken to rule out mis-documented laterality or a migrated device. Lastly, if no device is seen, and the patient has no memory of device removal, you can obtain the patient’s etonogestrel levels. (Resource: Merck National Service Center, 1-877-888-4231.)

Removal procedure. For nonpalpable implants, strong consideration should be given to performing the procedure with ultrasonography guidance. Rarely, fluoroscopic guidance may be useful for orientation in challenging cases, which may require coordination with other services, such as interventional radiology.

Cleaning and anesthetizing the site is similar to routine removal of a palpable implant. A 2- to 3-mm skin incision is made, either at the distal end of the implant (if one end is amenable to traditional pop-out technique) or over the midportion of the device (if a clinician has experience using the “U” technique).⁶ The incision should be parallel to the long axis of the implant and not perpendicular, to facilitate extension of the incision if needed during the procedure. Straight or curved hemostat clamps can then be used for blunt dissection of the subcutaneous tissues and to grasp the end of the device. Experienced clinicians may have access to a modified vasectomy clamp (with a 2.2-mm aperture) to grasp around the device in the midportion (the “U” technique). Blunt and careful sharp dissection may be needed to free the implant from the surrounding fibrin sheath or if under the muscle fascia. At the conclusion, the device should be measured to ensure that it was completely removed (4 cm).

Indications for referral. Typically, referral to a complex family planning specialist or vascular surgeon is required for cases that involve dissection of the muscular fascia or where dissection would be in close proximity to critical neurologic or vascular structures.

CASE 1 Conclusion

Ultrasonography of the patient’s extremity demonstrated a 4-cm radiopaque implant in the deep subcutaneous tissues of the upper arm, above the fascia and overlying the triceps muscle. The patient was counseled on the risks, benefits, and alternatives to an ultrasound-guided removal, and she desired to move forward with a procedure under sedation. She was able to schedule this concurrently with her chest port placement with interventional radiology. The device was again mapped using high frequency ultrasound. Her arm was then prepped, anesthetized, and a 3-mm linear incision was made over the most superficial portion, the distal 1/3 of the length of the device. The subcutaneous tissues were dissected using a curved Hemostat, and the implant was grasped with the modified vasectomy clamp. Blunt and sharp dissection were then used to free the device from the surrounding capsule of scar tissue, and the device was removed intact.

CASE 2 Patient enquires about immediate IUD insertion

A 28-year-old patient (G1P0) arrives at your clinic for a contraceptive consultation. They report a condom break during intercourse 4 days ago. Prior to that they used condoms consistently with each act of intercourse. They have used combined hormonal contraceptive pills in the past but had difficulty remembering to take them consistently. The patient and their partner have been mutually monogamous for 6 months and have no plans for pregnancy. Last menstrual period was 12 days ago. Their cycles are regular but heavy and painful. They are interested in using a hormonal IUD for contraception and would love to get it today.

Continue to: Is same-day IUD an option?...

Yes. This patient needs EC given the recent condom break, but they are still eligible for having an IUD placed today if their pregnancy test is negative and after counseling of the potential risks and benefits. According to the US-SPR it is reasonable to insert an IUD at any time during the cycle as long as you are reasonably certain the patient is not pregnant.⁷

Options for EC are:

• 1.5-mg oral LNG pill
• 30-mg oral UPA pill
• copper IUD (cu-IUD).

If they are interested in the cu-IUD for long-term contraception, by having a cu-IUD placed they can get both their needs met—EC and an ongoing method of contraception. Any patient receiving EC, whether a pill or an IUD, should be counseled to repeat a home urine pregnancy test in 2 to 4 weeks.

Given the favorable non–contraceptive benefits associated with 52-mg LNG-IUDs, many clinicians and patients have advocated for additional evidence regarding the use of hormonal IUDs alone for EC.

What is the evidence concerning LNG-IUD placement as EC?

The 52-mg LNG-IUD has not been mechanistically proven to work as an EC, but growing evidence exists showing that it is safe for same-day or “quick start” placement even in a population seeking EC—if their pregnancy test result is negative at the time of presentation.

Turok and colleagues performed a noninferiority trial comparing 1-month pregnancy rates after placement of either an LNG-IUD or a cu-IUD for EC.⁸ This study concluded that the LNG-IUD (which resulted in 1 pregnancy in 317 users; pregnancy rate, 0.3%; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.01–1.70) is noninferior to cu-IUD (0 pregnancies in 321 users; pregnancy rate, 0%; 95% CI, 0.0–1.1) for EC. Although encouraging, only a small percentage of the study population seeking EC who received an IUD were actually at high risk of pregnancy (eg, they were not mid-cycle or were recently using contraception), which is why it is difficult to determine if the LNG-IUD actually works mechanistically as an EC. More likely, the LNG-IUD helps prevent pregnancy due to its ongoing contraceptive effect.⁹ Ongoing acts of intercourse post–oral EC initiation without starting a method of contraception is one of the main reasons for EC failure, which is why starting a method immediately is so effective at preventing pregnancy.¹⁰

A systematic review conducted by Ramanadhan and colleagues concluded that Turok’s 2021 trial is the only relevant study specific to 52-mg LNG-IUD use as EC, but they also mention that its results are limited in the strength of its conclusions due to biases in randomization, including¹¹:

• the study groups were not balanced in that there was a 10% difference in reported use of contraception at last intercourse, which means that the LNG-IUD group had a lower baseline risk of pregnancy
• and a rare primary outcome (ie, pregnancy, which requires a larger sample size to know if the method works as an EC).

The review authors concluded that more studies are needed to further validate the effectiveness of using the 52-mg LNG-IUD as EC. Thus, for those at highest risk of pregnancy from recent unprotected sex and desiring a 52-mg IUD, it is probably best to continue combining oral EC with a 52-mg LNG-IUD and utilizing the LNG-IUD only as EC on a limited, case-by-case basis.

What we recommend

For anyone with a negative pregnancy test on the day of presentation, the studies mentioned further support the practice of same-day placement of a 52-mg LNG-IUD. However, those seeking EC who are at highest risk for an unplanned pregnancy (ie, the unprotected sex was mid-cycle), we recommend co-administering the LNG-IUD with oral LNG for EC.

CASE 2 Conclusion

After a conversation with the patient about all contraceptive options, through shared decision making the patient decided to take 1.5 mg of oral LNG and have a 52-mg LNG-IUD placed in the office today. They do not wish to be pregnant at this time and would choose termination if they became pregnant. They understood their pregnancy risk and opted to plan a urine pregnancy test at home in 2 weeks with a clear understanding that they should return to clinic immediately if the test is positive. ●

Individuals spend close to half of their lives preventing, or planning for, pregnancy. As such, contraception plays a major role in patient-provider interactions. Contraception counseling and management is a common scenario encountered in the general gynecologist’s practice. Luckily, we have 2 evidence-based guidelines developed by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) that support the provision of contraceptive care:

1. US Medical Eligibility for Contraceptive Use (US-MEC),¹ which provides guidance on which patients can safely use a method
2. US Selected Practice Recommendations for Contraceptive Use (US-SPR),² which provides method-specific guidance on how to use a method (including how to: initiate or start a method; manage adherence issues, such as a missed pill, etc; and manage common issues like breakthrough bleeding). 

Both of these guidelines are updated routinely and are publicly available online or for free, through smartphone applications.

While most contraceptive care is straightforward, there are circumstances that require additional consideration. In the concluding part of this series on contraceptive conundrums, we review 2 clinical cases, existing evidence to guide management decisions, and our recommendations.

CASE 1 Patient presents with hard-to-remove implant

A 44-year-old patient (G2P2) with a new diagnosis of estrogen and progesterone-receptor–positive breast cancer is undergoing her evaluation with her oncologist who recommends removal of her contraceptive implant, which has been in place for 2 years. She presents to your office for removal; however, the device is no longer palpable.

What are your next steps?

Conundrum 1. Should you attempt to remove it?

No, never attempt implant removal if you cannot palpate or localize it. Localization of the implant needs to occur prior to any attempt. However, we recommend checking the contra-lateral arm before sending the patient to obtain imaging, especially if you have no formal documentation regarding in which arm the implant was placed. The next step is identifying what type of implant the patient likely has so you can correctly interpret imaging studies.

Conundrum 2. What type of subdermal contraceptive device is it likely to be?

Currently, the only subdermal contraceptive device available for placement in the United States is the 68-mg etonogestrel implant, marketed with the brand name Nexplanon. This device was initially approved by the US Food and Drug Administration in 2001 and measures 4 cm in length by 2 mm in diameter. It is placed in the medial upper arm, about 8 cm proximal to the medial epicondyle and 3 cm posterior to the sulcus between the biceps and triceps muscles. (The implant should no longer be placed over the bicipital groove.) The implant is impregnated with 15 mg of barium sulfate, making it radiopaque and able to be seen on imaging modalities such as ultrasonography (10–18 mHz high frequency transducer) and x-ray (arm anteroposterior and lateral) for localization in cases in which the device becomes nonpalpable.³

Clinicians also may encounter devices which are no longer marketed in the United States, or which are only available in other countries, and thus should be aware of the appearance and imaging characteristics. It is important to let your imaging team know these characteristics as well:

• From 2006–2010, a 68-mg etonogestrel implant marketed under the name Implanon was available in the United States.⁴ It has the same dimensions and general placement recommendations as the Nexplanon etonogestrel device but is not able to be seen via imaging.
• A 2-arm, 75-mg levonorgestrel (LNG) device known as Jadelle (or, Norplant II; FIGURE 1) received FDA approval in 1996 and is currently only available overseas.⁵ It is also placed in the upper, inner arm in a V-shape using a single incision, and has dimensions similar to the etonogestrel implants.
• From 1990– 2002, the 6-rod device known as Norplant was available in the United States. Each rod measured 3.4 cm in length and contained 36 mg of LNG (FIGURE 2).

ILLUSTRATION: MARY ELLEN NIATAS FOR OBG MANAGEMENT

Continue to: How do you approach removal of a deep contraceptive implant?...

How do you approach removal of a deep contraceptive implant?

Clinicians who are not trained in deep or difficult implant removal should refer patients to a trained provider (eg, a complex family planning subspecialist), or if not available, partner with a health care practitioner that has expertise in the anatomy of the upper arm (eg, vascular surgery, orthopedics, or interventional radiology). A resource for finding a nearby trained provider is the Organon Information Center (1-877-467-5266). However, when these services are not readily available, consider the following 3-step approach to complex implant removal.

1. Be familiar with the anatomy of the upper arm (FIGURE 3). Nonpalpable implants may be close to or under the biceps or triceps fascia or be near critically important and fragile structures like the neurovascular bundle of the upper arm. Prior to attempting a difficult implant removal, ensure that you are well acquainted with critical structures in the upper arm. 
2. Locate the device. Prior to attempting removal, localize the device using either x-ray or ultrasonography, depending on local availability. Ultrasound offers the advantage of mapping the location in 3 dimensions, with the ability to map the device with skin markings immediately prior to removal. Typically, a highfrequency transducer (15- or 18-MHz) is used, such as for breast imaging, either in a clinician’s office or in coordination with radiology. If device removal is attempted the same day, the proximal, midportion, and distal aspects of the device should be marked with a skin pen, and it should be noted what position the arm is in when the device is marked (eg, arm flexed at elbow and externally rotated so that the wrist is parallel to the ear). 

ILLUSTRATION: MARY ELLEN NIATAS FOR OBG MANAGEMENT

Rarely, if a device is not seen in the expected extremity, imaging of the contralateral arm or a chest x-ray can be undertaken to rule out mis-documented laterality or a migrated device. Lastly, if no device is seen, and the patient has no memory of device removal, you can obtain the patient’s etonogestrel levels. (Resource: Merck National Service Center, 1-877-888-4231.)

Removal procedure. For nonpalpable implants, strong consideration should be given to performing the procedure with ultrasonography guidance. Rarely, fluoroscopic guidance may be useful for orientation in challenging cases, which may require coordination with other services, such as interventional radiology.

Cleaning and anesthetizing the site is similar to routine removal of a palpable implant. A 2- to 3-mm skin incision is made, either at the distal end of the implant (if one end is amenable to traditional pop-out technique) or over the midportion of the device (if a clinician has experience using the “U” technique).⁶ The incision should be parallel to the long axis of the implant and not perpendicular, to facilitate extension of the incision if needed during the procedure. Straight or curved hemostat clamps can then be used for blunt dissection of the subcutaneous tissues and to grasp the end of the device. Experienced clinicians may have access to a modified vasectomy clamp (with a 2.2-mm aperture) to grasp around the device in the midportion (the “U” technique). Blunt and careful sharp dissection may be needed to free the implant from the surrounding fibrin sheath or if under the muscle fascia. At the conclusion, the device should be measured to ensure that it was completely removed (4 cm).

Indications for referral. Typically, referral to a complex family planning specialist or vascular surgeon is required for cases that involve dissection of the muscular fascia or where dissection would be in close proximity to critical neurologic or vascular structures.

CASE 1 Conclusion

Ultrasonography of the patient’s extremity demonstrated a 4-cm radiopaque implant in the deep subcutaneous tissues of the upper arm, above the fascia and overlying the triceps muscle. The patient was counseled on the risks, benefits, and alternatives to an ultrasound-guided removal, and she desired to move forward with a procedure under sedation. She was able to schedule this concurrently with her chest port placement with interventional radiology. The device was again mapped using high frequency ultrasound. Her arm was then prepped, anesthetized, and a 3-mm linear incision was made over the most superficial portion, the distal 1/3 of the length of the device. The subcutaneous tissues were dissected using a curved Hemostat, and the implant was grasped with the modified vasectomy clamp. Blunt and sharp dissection were then used to free the device from the surrounding capsule of scar tissue, and the device was removed intact.

CASE 2 Patient enquires about immediate IUD insertion

A 28-year-old patient (G1P0) arrives at your clinic for a contraceptive consultation. They report a condom break during intercourse 4 days ago. Prior to that they used condoms consistently with each act of intercourse. They have used combined hormonal contraceptive pills in the past but had difficulty remembering to take them consistently. The patient and their partner have been mutually monogamous for 6 months and have no plans for pregnancy. Last menstrual period was 12 days ago. Their cycles are regular but heavy and painful. They are interested in using a hormonal IUD for contraception and would love to get it today.

Continue to: Is same-day IUD an option?...

Yes. This patient needs EC given the recent condom break, but they are still eligible for having an IUD placed today if their pregnancy test is negative and after counseling of the potential risks and benefits. According to the US-SPR it is reasonable to insert an IUD at any time during the cycle as long as you are reasonably certain the patient is not pregnant.⁷

Options for EC are:

• 1.5-mg oral LNG pill
• 30-mg oral UPA pill
• copper IUD (cu-IUD).

If they are interested in the cu-IUD for long-term contraception, by having a cu-IUD placed they can get both their needs met—EC and an ongoing method of contraception. Any patient receiving EC, whether a pill or an IUD, should be counseled to repeat a home urine pregnancy test in 2 to 4 weeks.

Given the favorable non–contraceptive benefits associated with 52-mg LNG-IUDs, many clinicians and patients have advocated for additional evidence regarding the use of hormonal IUDs alone for EC.

What is the evidence concerning LNG-IUD placement as EC?

The 52-mg LNG-IUD has not been mechanistically proven to work as an EC, but growing evidence exists showing that it is safe for same-day or “quick start” placement even in a population seeking EC—if their pregnancy test result is negative at the time of presentation.

Turok and colleagues performed a noninferiority trial comparing 1-month pregnancy rates after placement of either an LNG-IUD or a cu-IUD for EC.⁸ This study concluded that the LNG-IUD (which resulted in 1 pregnancy in 317 users; pregnancy rate, 0.3%; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.01–1.70) is noninferior to cu-IUD (0 pregnancies in 321 users; pregnancy rate, 0%; 95% CI, 0.0–1.1) for EC. Although encouraging, only a small percentage of the study population seeking EC who received an IUD were actually at high risk of pregnancy (eg, they were not mid-cycle or were recently using contraception), which is why it is difficult to determine if the LNG-IUD actually works mechanistically as an EC. More likely, the LNG-IUD helps prevent pregnancy due to its ongoing contraceptive effect.⁹ Ongoing acts of intercourse post–oral EC initiation without starting a method of contraception is one of the main reasons for EC failure, which is why starting a method immediately is so effective at preventing pregnancy.¹⁰

A systematic review conducted by Ramanadhan and colleagues concluded that Turok’s 2021 trial is the only relevant study specific to 52-mg LNG-IUD use as EC, but they also mention that its results are limited in the strength of its conclusions due to biases in randomization, including¹¹:

• the study groups were not balanced in that there was a 10% difference in reported use of contraception at last intercourse, which means that the LNG-IUD group had a lower baseline risk of pregnancy
• and a rare primary outcome (ie, pregnancy, which requires a larger sample size to know if the method works as an EC).

The review authors concluded that more studies are needed to further validate the effectiveness of using the 52-mg LNG-IUD as EC. Thus, for those at highest risk of pregnancy from recent unprotected sex and desiring a 52-mg IUD, it is probably best to continue combining oral EC with a 52-mg LNG-IUD and utilizing the LNG-IUD only as EC on a limited, case-by-case basis.

What we recommend

For anyone with a negative pregnancy test on the day of presentation, the studies mentioned further support the practice of same-day placement of a 52-mg LNG-IUD. However, those seeking EC who are at highest risk for an unplanned pregnancy (ie, the unprotected sex was mid-cycle), we recommend co-administering the LNG-IUD with oral LNG for EC.

CASE 2 Conclusion

After a conversation with the patient about all contraceptive options, through shared decision making the patient decided to take 1.5 mg of oral LNG and have a 52-mg LNG-IUD placed in the office today. They do not wish to be pregnant at this time and would choose termination if they became pregnant. They understood their pregnancy risk and opted to plan a urine pregnancy test at home in 2 weeks with a clear understanding that they should return to clinic immediately if the test is positive. ●

Individuals spend close to half of their lives preventing, or planning for, pregnancy. As such, contraception plays a major role in patient-provider interactions. Contraception counseling and management is a common scenario encountered in the general gynecologist’s practice. Luckily, we have 2 evidence-based guidelines developed by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) that support the provision of contraceptive care:

1. US Medical Eligibility for Contraceptive Use (US-MEC),¹ which provides guidance on which patients can safely use a method
2. US Selected Practice Recommendations for Contraceptive Use (US-SPR),² which provides method-specific guidance on how to use a method (including how to: initiate or start a method; manage adherence issues, such as a missed pill, etc; and manage common issues like breakthrough bleeding). 

Both of these guidelines are updated routinely and are publicly available online or for free, through smartphone applications.

While most contraceptive care is straightforward, there are circumstances that require additional consideration. In the concluding part of this series on contraceptive conundrums, we review 2 clinical cases, existing evidence to guide management decisions, and our recommendations.

CASE 1 Patient presents with hard-to-remove implant

A 44-year-old patient (G2P2) with a new diagnosis of estrogen and progesterone-receptor–positive breast cancer is undergoing her evaluation with her oncologist who recommends removal of her contraceptive implant, which has been in place for 2 years. She presents to your office for removal; however, the device is no longer palpable.

What are your next steps?

Conundrum 1. Should you attempt to remove it?

No, never attempt implant removal if you cannot palpate or localize it. Localization of the implant needs to occur prior to any attempt. However, we recommend checking the contra-lateral arm before sending the patient to obtain imaging, especially if you have no formal documentation regarding in which arm the implant was placed. The next step is identifying what type of implant the patient likely has so you can correctly interpret imaging studies.

Conundrum 2. What type of subdermal contraceptive device is it likely to be?

Currently, the only subdermal contraceptive device available for placement in the United States is the 68-mg etonogestrel implant, marketed with the brand name Nexplanon. This device was initially approved by the US Food and Drug Administration in 2001 and measures 4 cm in length by 2 mm in diameter. It is placed in the medial upper arm, about 8 cm proximal to the medial epicondyle and 3 cm posterior to the sulcus between the biceps and triceps muscles. (The implant should no longer be placed over the bicipital groove.) The implant is impregnated with 15 mg of barium sulfate, making it radiopaque and able to be seen on imaging modalities such as ultrasonography (10–18 mHz high frequency transducer) and x-ray (arm anteroposterior and lateral) for localization in cases in which the device becomes nonpalpable.³

Clinicians also may encounter devices which are no longer marketed in the United States, or which are only available in other countries, and thus should be aware of the appearance and imaging characteristics. It is important to let your imaging team know these characteristics as well:

• From 2006–2010, a 68-mg etonogestrel implant marketed under the name Implanon was available in the United States.⁴ It has the same dimensions and general placement recommendations as the Nexplanon etonogestrel device but is not able to be seen via imaging.
• A 2-arm, 75-mg levonorgestrel (LNG) device known as Jadelle (or, Norplant II; FIGURE 1) received FDA approval in 1996 and is currently only available overseas.⁵ It is also placed in the upper, inner arm in a V-shape using a single incision, and has dimensions similar to the etonogestrel implants.
• From 1990– 2002, the 6-rod device known as Norplant was available in the United States. Each rod measured 3.4 cm in length and contained 36 mg of LNG (FIGURE 2).

ILLUSTRATION: MARY ELLEN NIATAS FOR OBG MANAGEMENT

Continue to: How do you approach removal of a deep contraceptive implant?...

How do you approach removal of a deep contraceptive implant?

Clinicians who are not trained in deep or difficult implant removal should refer patients to a trained provider (eg, a complex family planning subspecialist), or if not available, partner with a health care practitioner that has expertise in the anatomy of the upper arm (eg, vascular surgery, orthopedics, or interventional radiology). A resource for finding a nearby trained provider is the Organon Information Center (1-877-467-5266). However, when these services are not readily available, consider the following 3-step approach to complex implant removal.

1. Be familiar with the anatomy of the upper arm (FIGURE 3). Nonpalpable implants may be close to or under the biceps or triceps fascia or be near critically important and fragile structures like the neurovascular bundle of the upper arm. Prior to attempting a difficult implant removal, ensure that you are well acquainted with critical structures in the upper arm. 
2. Locate the device. Prior to attempting removal, localize the device using either x-ray or ultrasonography, depending on local availability. Ultrasound offers the advantage of mapping the location in 3 dimensions, with the ability to map the device with skin markings immediately prior to removal. Typically, a highfrequency transducer (15- or 18-MHz) is used, such as for breast imaging, either in a clinician’s office or in coordination with radiology. If device removal is attempted the same day, the proximal, midportion, and distal aspects of the device should be marked with a skin pen, and it should be noted what position the arm is in when the device is marked (eg, arm flexed at elbow and externally rotated so that the wrist is parallel to the ear). 

ILLUSTRATION: MARY ELLEN NIATAS FOR OBG MANAGEMENT

Rarely, if a device is not seen in the expected extremity, imaging of the contralateral arm or a chest x-ray can be undertaken to rule out mis-documented laterality or a migrated device. Lastly, if no device is seen, and the patient has no memory of device removal, you can obtain the patient’s etonogestrel levels. (Resource: Merck National Service Center, 1-877-888-4231.)

Removal procedure. For nonpalpable implants, strong consideration should be given to performing the procedure with ultrasonography guidance. Rarely, fluoroscopic guidance may be useful for orientation in challenging cases, which may require coordination with other services, such as interventional radiology.

Cleaning and anesthetizing the site is similar to routine removal of a palpable implant. A 2- to 3-mm skin incision is made, either at the distal end of the implant (if one end is amenable to traditional pop-out technique) or over the midportion of the device (if a clinician has experience using the “U” technique).⁶ The incision should be parallel to the long axis of the implant and not perpendicular, to facilitate extension of the incision if needed during the procedure. Straight or curved hemostat clamps can then be used for blunt dissection of the subcutaneous tissues and to grasp the end of the device. Experienced clinicians may have access to a modified vasectomy clamp (with a 2.2-mm aperture) to grasp around the device in the midportion (the “U” technique). Blunt and careful sharp dissection may be needed to free the implant from the surrounding fibrin sheath or if under the muscle fascia. At the conclusion, the device should be measured to ensure that it was completely removed (4 cm).

Indications for referral. Typically, referral to a complex family planning specialist or vascular surgeon is required for cases that involve dissection of the muscular fascia or where dissection would be in close proximity to critical neurologic or vascular structures.

CASE 1 Conclusion

Ultrasonography of the patient’s extremity demonstrated a 4-cm radiopaque implant in the deep subcutaneous tissues of the upper arm, above the fascia and overlying the triceps muscle. The patient was counseled on the risks, benefits, and alternatives to an ultrasound-guided removal, and she desired to move forward with a procedure under sedation. She was able to schedule this concurrently with her chest port placement with interventional radiology. The device was again mapped using high frequency ultrasound. Her arm was then prepped, anesthetized, and a 3-mm linear incision was made over the most superficial portion, the distal 1/3 of the length of the device. The subcutaneous tissues were dissected using a curved Hemostat, and the implant was grasped with the modified vasectomy clamp. Blunt and sharp dissection were then used to free the device from the surrounding capsule of scar tissue, and the device was removed intact.

CASE 2 Patient enquires about immediate IUD insertion

A 28-year-old patient (G1P0) arrives at your clinic for a contraceptive consultation. They report a condom break during intercourse 4 days ago. Prior to that they used condoms consistently with each act of intercourse. They have used combined hormonal contraceptive pills in the past but had difficulty remembering to take them consistently. The patient and their partner have been mutually monogamous for 6 months and have no plans for pregnancy. Last menstrual period was 12 days ago. Their cycles are regular but heavy and painful. They are interested in using a hormonal IUD for contraception and would love to get it today.

Continue to: Is same-day IUD an option?...

Yes. This patient needs EC given the recent condom break, but they are still eligible for having an IUD placed today if their pregnancy test is negative and after counseling of the potential risks and benefits. According to the US-SPR it is reasonable to insert an IUD at any time during the cycle as long as you are reasonably certain the patient is not pregnant.⁷

Options for EC are:

• 1.5-mg oral LNG pill
• 30-mg oral UPA pill
• copper IUD (cu-IUD).

If they are interested in the cu-IUD for long-term contraception, by having a cu-IUD placed they can get both their needs met—EC and an ongoing method of contraception. Any patient receiving EC, whether a pill or an IUD, should be counseled to repeat a home urine pregnancy test in 2 to 4 weeks.

Given the favorable non–contraceptive benefits associated with 52-mg LNG-IUDs, many clinicians and patients have advocated for additional evidence regarding the use of hormonal IUDs alone for EC.

What is the evidence concerning LNG-IUD placement as EC?

The 52-mg LNG-IUD has not been mechanistically proven to work as an EC, but growing evidence exists showing that it is safe for same-day or “quick start” placement even in a population seeking EC—if their pregnancy test result is negative at the time of presentation.

Turok and colleagues performed a noninferiority trial comparing 1-month pregnancy rates after placement of either an LNG-IUD or a cu-IUD for EC.⁸ This study concluded that the LNG-IUD (which resulted in 1 pregnancy in 317 users; pregnancy rate, 0.3%; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.01–1.70) is noninferior to cu-IUD (0 pregnancies in 321 users; pregnancy rate, 0%; 95% CI, 0.0–1.1) for EC. Although encouraging, only a small percentage of the study population seeking EC who received an IUD were actually at high risk of pregnancy (eg, they were not mid-cycle or were recently using contraception), which is why it is difficult to determine if the LNG-IUD actually works mechanistically as an EC. More likely, the LNG-IUD helps prevent pregnancy due to its ongoing contraceptive effect.⁹ Ongoing acts of intercourse post–oral EC initiation without starting a method of contraception is one of the main reasons for EC failure, which is why starting a method immediately is so effective at preventing pregnancy.¹⁰

A systematic review conducted by Ramanadhan and colleagues concluded that Turok’s 2021 trial is the only relevant study specific to 52-mg LNG-IUD use as EC, but they also mention that its results are limited in the strength of its conclusions due to biases in randomization, including¹¹:

• the study groups were not balanced in that there was a 10% difference in reported use of contraception at last intercourse, which means that the LNG-IUD group had a lower baseline risk of pregnancy
• and a rare primary outcome (ie, pregnancy, which requires a larger sample size to know if the method works as an EC).

The review authors concluded that more studies are needed to further validate the effectiveness of using the 52-mg LNG-IUD as EC. Thus, for those at highest risk of pregnancy from recent unprotected sex and desiring a 52-mg IUD, it is probably best to continue combining oral EC with a 52-mg LNG-IUD and utilizing the LNG-IUD only as EC on a limited, case-by-case basis.

What we recommend

For anyone with a negative pregnancy test on the day of presentation, the studies mentioned further support the practice of same-day placement of a 52-mg LNG-IUD. However, those seeking EC who are at highest risk for an unplanned pregnancy (ie, the unprotected sex was mid-cycle), we recommend co-administering the LNG-IUD with oral LNG for EC.

CASE 2 Conclusion

After a conversation with the patient about all contraceptive options, through shared decision making the patient decided to take 1.5 mg of oral LNG and have a 52-mg LNG-IUD placed in the office today. They do not wish to be pregnant at this time and would choose termination if they became pregnant. They understood their pregnancy risk and opted to plan a urine pregnancy test at home in 2 weeks with a clear understanding that they should return to clinic immediately if the test is positive. ●

In the first 2 years of medical school, the most common reasons for unsuccessful performance are a deficiency in cognitive knowledge, inefficient time management, and poor study skills. Thereafter, however, the principal reasons for poor performance in training or practice are personality issues and/or unprofessional behavior.

In this article, I review the attributes expected of a physician and the factors that undermine professionalism. I then offer suggestions for smoothing the pathway for personal and professional success. I crafted these suggestions with the “help” of some unlikely medical philosophers. (Note: Some variations of the cited quotations may exist.) I have tempered their guidance with my own personal experiences as a spouse, parent, and grandparent and my professional experiences over almost 50 years, during which I served as a career military officer, student clerkship director, residency program director, fellowship program director, and associate dean for student affairs. I readily acknowledge that, as major league baseball player Yogi Berra reputedly said, “I made too many wrong mistakes,” and that bad experiences are a tough way to ultimately learn good judgment. I hope these suggestions will help you avoid many of my “wrong mistakes.”

High expectations for the medical professional

“To whom much is given, much shall be required.”

—Luke 12:48

Medicine is a higher calling. It is not the usual type of business, and our patients certainly are not just customers or clients. In the unique moment of personal contact, we are asked to put the interest and well-being of our patient above all else. Our patients rightly have high expectations for what type of person their physician should be. The personal strengths expected of a physician include:

• humility
• honesty—personal and fiscal
• integrity
• strong moral compass
• fairness
• responsible
• diligent
• accountable
• insightful
• wise
• technically competent
• perseverant
• sympathetic
• empathetic
• inspiring.

To exhibit all these characteristics consistently is a herculean task and one that is impossible to fulfill. Many factors conspire to undermine our ability to steadfastly be all that we can be. Among these factors are:

• time constraints
• financial pressures
• physical illness
• emotional illness
• the explosion of information technology and scientific knowledge
• bureaucratic inefficiencies.

Therefore, we need to acknowledge with the philosopher Voltaire that “Perfect is the enemy of good.” We need to set our performance bar at excellence, not perfection. If we expect perfection of ourselves, we are destined to be consistently disappointed.

What follows is a series of well-intentioned and good-natured suggestions for keeping ourselves on an even keel, personally and professionally, and maintaining our compass setting on true north.

Continue to: Practical suggestions...

Practical suggestions

“It may not be that the race always goes to the swift nor the battle to the strong, but that is the way to bet.”

—Damon Runyon, journalist

The message is to study hard, work hard, practice our technical skills, and stay on top of our game. We must commit ourselves to a lifetime of learning.

“Chance favors the prepared mind.”

—Louis Pasteur, scientist

One of the best examples of this adage is Alexander Fleming’s “chance” discovery of the bactericidal effect of a mold growing on a culture plate in his laboratory. This observation led to the development of penicillin, an amazing antibiotic that, over the course of the past century, has saved the lives of literally hundreds of thousands of patients. We need to sustain our scientific curiosity throughout our careers and always remain open to new discoveries. Moreover, we need to maintain our capacity for awe and wonder as we consider the exquisite beauty of the scientific world.

“I have a dream.”

—Martin Luther King Jr, civil rights leader

Like Reverend King, we must aspire to a world where civility, peace, and social justice prevail, a world where we embrace diversity and inclusiveness and eschew prejudice, mean-spiritedness, and narrow-mindedness. We must acknowledge that some truths and moral principles are absolute, not relative.

“Once you learn to quit, it becomes a habit.”

—Vince Lombardi, professional football coach

Our lesson: Never quit. We must be fiercely determined to do the right thing, even in troubled and confusing times.

“A pessimist sees the difficulty in every opportunity; an optimist sees the opportunity in every difficulty.”

—Winston Churchill, British prime minister

Until proven wrong, always think the best of everyone. The bright side is far superior to the dark side. We must strive to consistently have a positive attitude and to be part of the solution to a problem, not the problem itself.

“It’s all such a delicate balance.”

—From “It’s a Delicate Balance” by Tom Dundee, folk singer and songwriter

Our top 3 priorities should always be our own emotional and physical well-being, the well-being and security of our loved ones, and the well-being of our patients. The order of these priorities may change, depending upon circumstances. When urgent patient care demands our presence and we miss a birthday celebration, anniversary dinner, soccer game, or dance recital, we need to make certain that, the next time a conflict arises, we arrange to have a colleague cover our clinical or administrative responsibilities.

We must learn to say no when our plate is too full. Failure to say no inevitably leads to life-work imbalance. It is always flattering to be asked to make a presentation, serve on a committee, or prepare a textbook chapter, and it is natural to be concerned that, if we decline, we will not be invited again. However, that concern is unwarranted. Rather, others will respect us for acknowledging when we are too busy and will be grateful that we did not accept an invitation and then miss important deadlines. Conversely, when we do say yes, we need to honor that commitment in a timely manner.

Continue to: The importance of time...

The importance of time

Perhaps the most common complaints that patients have with respect to their interactions with physicians are that they were forced to wait too long and then felt rushed through their appointment. Therefore:

• We must respect our patients’ time and recognize that their time is as valuable as ours.
• We must schedule our patient appointments appropriately and allow different amounts of time depending upon the complexity of a patient’s condition. We should not consistently overschedule. We need to offer a genuine apology when we keep a patient waiting for more than 15 minutes in the absence of an outright emergency that requires our attention elsewhere.
• When we interact with patients, we should sit down, establish eye-to-eye contact, and never appear hurried.

“You don’t make your character in a crisis; you exhibit it.”

—Oren Arnold, journalist and novelist

In the often-chaotic environment of the operating room or the labor and delivery suite, we must be the calm voice of reason at the center of the storm. We should not yell and make demands of others. We must strive to be unflappable. The other members of the team will be appreciative if they recognize that we have a steady hand on the tiller.

“To do good is noble. To teach others to do good is nobler—and less trouble.”

—Mark Twain, humorist

We need to teach our patients about their condition(s) so that they can assume more responsibility for their own care. We also need to teach our students and colleagues so that they can help us provide the best possible care for our patients. Being a good teacher is inherent in being a good physician. As the famous scientist Albert Einstein said, “If you cannot explain it simply, you do not understand it well enough.”

“It ain’t the things you don’t know that get you. It’s the things you think you know that ain’t so.”

—Artemus Ward, humorist

We must constantly strive to practice evidence-based medicine. We should not be the first to embrace the new or the last to give up the old. In medicine, as opposed to the highway, the best place to be is usually in the middle of the road. However, our commitment to evidence-based medicine cannot be absolute. In fact, no more than half of all our present treatment guidelines are based on level 1 evidence. At times, good old-fashioned common sense tempered by years of sobering experience should carry the day.

“We may be lost, but we’re making good time.”

—Yogi Berra, major league baseball player

In my experience, only the minority of mistakes in medicine result from lack of fundamental knowledge or a deficiency in technical skill. Rather, most result from imprudent haste and/or attempts to multitask. Therefore, our lesson is to slow down, concentrate on one task at a time, complete that task, and then refocus on the next challenge.

“The single greatest problem in communication is the illusion that it has taken place.”

—George Bernard Shaw, playwright

We must be sure that we always “close the loop” in our written and verbal communication so that we can avoid misunderstandings that threaten personal relationships and/or patient safety.

“You raise me up so I can stand on mountains.”

—From “You Raise Me Up” as sung by Josh Groban

All of us need a mentor to raise us up. We must choose our mentors carefully and recognize that we may need different mentors at different stages of our career. As we benefit from effective mentoring, we must pay it forward and be a good mentor to others.

“Worrying is a total waste of time. It accomplishes nothing, changes nothing, and robs you of joy. It is like paying a debt that you don’t owe.”

—Mark Twain, humorist

We have to assiduously cultivate the strength of resilience. We must accept that mistakes inevitably will occur and that perfection in practice is simply not possible, despite our best intentions. We then have to learn from these errors and ensure that they never occur again. We need to apologize for our mistakes and move on. If we carry our last strikeout into our next at bat, we are likely doomed to more misfortune.

“Feeling gratitude and not expressing it is like wrapping a present and not giving it.”

—William Arthur Ward, motivational writer

Our lesson is to be keenly aware of the importance of showing gratitude to those around us. The height of our success will depend directly on the depth of our gratitude. The higher we rise in the hierarchy of the medical profession, the more gracious and kind we need to be.

“Kindness is the language which the deaf can hear and the blind can see.”

—Mark Twain, humorist

“Kindness is the only service that will stand the storm of life and not wash out.”

—Abraham Lincoln, American president

There is never an excuse for rudeness or hubris. We should never teach or conduct business by intimidation. The words please, thank you, and I’m sorry should be front and center in our vocabulary. We must learn not to take ourselves too seriously, to remember that the best part of life is the laughter, and to always strive for grace and humility.

“The secret of the care of the patient is in caring for the patient.”

—Francis Peabody, physician

Patients may quickly forget what we say to them or even what we do for them, but they will never forget how we made them feel. Observe intently, listen carefully, talk less. Most people do not listen with the intent to understand. Rather, they listen with the intent to reply. We need to break this pattern by learning to listen with our heart. In fact, the quieter we become, the more we can hear. There is great symbolism in the fact that we have two ears and only one mouth.

“You got to know when to hold ‘em, know when to fold ‘em.”

—From “The Gambler” as sung by Kenny Rogers

Sometimes the best medicine is no medicine at all, but rather a soft shoulder, an open ear, a kind heart, and a compassionate soul.

“Do small things with great love.”

—Mother Teresa, Catholic missionary

The vast majority of us will not rise to lofty political or administrative positions or ever achieve celebrity status. We are unlikely to win the Nobel Prize and unlikely to find the cure for cancer or preeclampsia. However, we can work diligently to complete each small task with precision so that, like a great artist views his or her work, we, too, will want to sign our name to the patient care plan we have created and implemented.

“Earn this.”

—From Saving Private Ryan, a Steven Spielberg movie

At the end of this movie, the mortally wounded infantry captain (played by Tom Hanks) looks up at Private Ryan (played by Matt Damon) and says, “Earn this,” meaning make sure that you live your life in a way to justify the sacrifices so many made to save you. Like Private Ryan, we have to recognize that our MD degree does not constitute a lifetime entitlement to respect and honor. Rather, we have to practice each day so we continue to earn the respect of our patients, students, and colleagues and, so that, with confidence, we can then say to our patients, “How can I be of help to you?” ●

In the first 2 years of medical school, the most common reasons for unsuccessful performance are a deficiency in cognitive knowledge, inefficient time management, and poor study skills. Thereafter, however, the principal reasons for poor performance in training or practice are personality issues and/or unprofessional behavior.

In this article, I review the attributes expected of a physician and the factors that undermine professionalism. I then offer suggestions for smoothing the pathway for personal and professional success. I crafted these suggestions with the “help” of some unlikely medical philosophers. (Note: Some variations of the cited quotations may exist.) I have tempered their guidance with my own personal experiences as a spouse, parent, and grandparent and my professional experiences over almost 50 years, during which I served as a career military officer, student clerkship director, residency program director, fellowship program director, and associate dean for student affairs. I readily acknowledge that, as major league baseball player Yogi Berra reputedly said, “I made too many wrong mistakes,” and that bad experiences are a tough way to ultimately learn good judgment. I hope these suggestions will help you avoid many of my “wrong mistakes.”

High expectations for the medical professional

“To whom much is given, much shall be required.”

—Luke 12:48

Medicine is a higher calling. It is not the usual type of business, and our patients certainly are not just customers or clients. In the unique moment of personal contact, we are asked to put the interest and well-being of our patient above all else. Our patients rightly have high expectations for what type of person their physician should be. The personal strengths expected of a physician include:

• humility
• honesty—personal and fiscal
• integrity
• strong moral compass
• fairness
• responsible
• diligent
• accountable
• insightful
• wise
• technically competent
• perseverant
• sympathetic
• empathetic
• inspiring.

To exhibit all these characteristics consistently is a herculean task and one that is impossible to fulfill. Many factors conspire to undermine our ability to steadfastly be all that we can be. Among these factors are:

• time constraints
• financial pressures
• physical illness
• emotional illness
• the explosion of information technology and scientific knowledge
• bureaucratic inefficiencies.

Therefore, we need to acknowledge with the philosopher Voltaire that “Perfect is the enemy of good.” We need to set our performance bar at excellence, not perfection. If we expect perfection of ourselves, we are destined to be consistently disappointed.

What follows is a series of well-intentioned and good-natured suggestions for keeping ourselves on an even keel, personally and professionally, and maintaining our compass setting on true north.

Continue to: Practical suggestions...

Practical suggestions

“It may not be that the race always goes to the swift nor the battle to the strong, but that is the way to bet.”

—Damon Runyon, journalist

The message is to study hard, work hard, practice our technical skills, and stay on top of our game. We must commit ourselves to a lifetime of learning.

“Chance favors the prepared mind.”

—Louis Pasteur, scientist

One of the best examples of this adage is Alexander Fleming’s “chance” discovery of the bactericidal effect of a mold growing on a culture plate in his laboratory. This observation led to the development of penicillin, an amazing antibiotic that, over the course of the past century, has saved the lives of literally hundreds of thousands of patients. We need to sustain our scientific curiosity throughout our careers and always remain open to new discoveries. Moreover, we need to maintain our capacity for awe and wonder as we consider the exquisite beauty of the scientific world.

“I have a dream.”

—Martin Luther King Jr, civil rights leader

Like Reverend King, we must aspire to a world where civility, peace, and social justice prevail, a world where we embrace diversity and inclusiveness and eschew prejudice, mean-spiritedness, and narrow-mindedness. We must acknowledge that some truths and moral principles are absolute, not relative.

“Once you learn to quit, it becomes a habit.”

—Vince Lombardi, professional football coach

Our lesson: Never quit. We must be fiercely determined to do the right thing, even in troubled and confusing times.

“A pessimist sees the difficulty in every opportunity; an optimist sees the opportunity in every difficulty.”

—Winston Churchill, British prime minister

Until proven wrong, always think the best of everyone. The bright side is far superior to the dark side. We must strive to consistently have a positive attitude and to be part of the solution to a problem, not the problem itself.

“It’s all such a delicate balance.”

—From “It’s a Delicate Balance” by Tom Dundee, folk singer and songwriter

Our top 3 priorities should always be our own emotional and physical well-being, the well-being and security of our loved ones, and the well-being of our patients. The order of these priorities may change, depending upon circumstances. When urgent patient care demands our presence and we miss a birthday celebration, anniversary dinner, soccer game, or dance recital, we need to make certain that, the next time a conflict arises, we arrange to have a colleague cover our clinical or administrative responsibilities.

We must learn to say no when our plate is too full. Failure to say no inevitably leads to life-work imbalance. It is always flattering to be asked to make a presentation, serve on a committee, or prepare a textbook chapter, and it is natural to be concerned that, if we decline, we will not be invited again. However, that concern is unwarranted. Rather, others will respect us for acknowledging when we are too busy and will be grateful that we did not accept an invitation and then miss important deadlines. Conversely, when we do say yes, we need to honor that commitment in a timely manner.

Continue to: The importance of time...

The importance of time

Perhaps the most common complaints that patients have with respect to their interactions with physicians are that they were forced to wait too long and then felt rushed through their appointment. Therefore:

• We must respect our patients’ time and recognize that their time is as valuable as ours.
• We must schedule our patient appointments appropriately and allow different amounts of time depending upon the complexity of a patient’s condition. We should not consistently overschedule. We need to offer a genuine apology when we keep a patient waiting for more than 15 minutes in the absence of an outright emergency that requires our attention elsewhere.
• When we interact with patients, we should sit down, establish eye-to-eye contact, and never appear hurried.

“You don’t make your character in a crisis; you exhibit it.”

—Oren Arnold, journalist and novelist

In the often-chaotic environment of the operating room or the labor and delivery suite, we must be the calm voice of reason at the center of the storm. We should not yell and make demands of others. We must strive to be unflappable. The other members of the team will be appreciative if they recognize that we have a steady hand on the tiller.

“To do good is noble. To teach others to do good is nobler—and less trouble.”

—Mark Twain, humorist

We need to teach our patients about their condition(s) so that they can assume more responsibility for their own care. We also need to teach our students and colleagues so that they can help us provide the best possible care for our patients. Being a good teacher is inherent in being a good physician. As the famous scientist Albert Einstein said, “If you cannot explain it simply, you do not understand it well enough.”

“It ain’t the things you don’t know that get you. It’s the things you think you know that ain’t so.”

—Artemus Ward, humorist

We must constantly strive to practice evidence-based medicine. We should not be the first to embrace the new or the last to give up the old. In medicine, as opposed to the highway, the best place to be is usually in the middle of the road. However, our commitment to evidence-based medicine cannot be absolute. In fact, no more than half of all our present treatment guidelines are based on level 1 evidence. At times, good old-fashioned common sense tempered by years of sobering experience should carry the day.

“We may be lost, but we’re making good time.”

—Yogi Berra, major league baseball player

In my experience, only the minority of mistakes in medicine result from lack of fundamental knowledge or a deficiency in technical skill. Rather, most result from imprudent haste and/or attempts to multitask. Therefore, our lesson is to slow down, concentrate on one task at a time, complete that task, and then refocus on the next challenge.

“The single greatest problem in communication is the illusion that it has taken place.”

—George Bernard Shaw, playwright

We must be sure that we always “close the loop” in our written and verbal communication so that we can avoid misunderstandings that threaten personal relationships and/or patient safety.

“You raise me up so I can stand on mountains.”

—From “You Raise Me Up” as sung by Josh Groban

All of us need a mentor to raise us up. We must choose our mentors carefully and recognize that we may need different mentors at different stages of our career. As we benefit from effective mentoring, we must pay it forward and be a good mentor to others.

“Worrying is a total waste of time. It accomplishes nothing, changes nothing, and robs you of joy. It is like paying a debt that you don’t owe.”

—Mark Twain, humorist

We have to assiduously cultivate the strength of resilience. We must accept that mistakes inevitably will occur and that perfection in practice is simply not possible, despite our best intentions. We then have to learn from these errors and ensure that they never occur again. We need to apologize for our mistakes and move on. If we carry our last strikeout into our next at bat, we are likely doomed to more misfortune.

“Feeling gratitude and not expressing it is like wrapping a present and not giving it.”

—William Arthur Ward, motivational writer

Our lesson is to be keenly aware of the importance of showing gratitude to those around us. The height of our success will depend directly on the depth of our gratitude. The higher we rise in the hierarchy of the medical profession, the more gracious and kind we need to be.

“Kindness is the language which the deaf can hear and the blind can see.”

—Mark Twain, humorist

“Kindness is the only service that will stand the storm of life and not wash out.”

—Abraham Lincoln, American president

There is never an excuse for rudeness or hubris. We should never teach or conduct business by intimidation. The words please, thank you, and I’m sorry should be front and center in our vocabulary. We must learn not to take ourselves too seriously, to remember that the best part of life is the laughter, and to always strive for grace and humility.

“The secret of the care of the patient is in caring for the patient.”

—Francis Peabody, physician

Patients may quickly forget what we say to them or even what we do for them, but they will never forget how we made them feel. Observe intently, listen carefully, talk less. Most people do not listen with the intent to understand. Rather, they listen with the intent to reply. We need to break this pattern by learning to listen with our heart. In fact, the quieter we become, the more we can hear. There is great symbolism in the fact that we have two ears and only one mouth.

“You got to know when to hold ‘em, know when to fold ‘em.”

—From “The Gambler” as sung by Kenny Rogers

Sometimes the best medicine is no medicine at all, but rather a soft shoulder, an open ear, a kind heart, and a compassionate soul.

“Do small things with great love.”

—Mother Teresa, Catholic missionary

The vast majority of us will not rise to lofty political or administrative positions or ever achieve celebrity status. We are unlikely to win the Nobel Prize and unlikely to find the cure for cancer or preeclampsia. However, we can work diligently to complete each small task with precision so that, like a great artist views his or her work, we, too, will want to sign our name to the patient care plan we have created and implemented.

“Earn this.”

—From Saving Private Ryan, a Steven Spielberg movie

At the end of this movie, the mortally wounded infantry captain (played by Tom Hanks) looks up at Private Ryan (played by Matt Damon) and says, “Earn this,” meaning make sure that you live your life in a way to justify the sacrifices so many made to save you. Like Private Ryan, we have to recognize that our MD degree does not constitute a lifetime entitlement to respect and honor. Rather, we have to practice each day so we continue to earn the respect of our patients, students, and colleagues and, so that, with confidence, we can then say to our patients, “How can I be of help to you?” ●

In the first 2 years of medical school, the most common reasons for unsuccessful performance are a deficiency in cognitive knowledge, inefficient time management, and poor study skills. Thereafter, however, the principal reasons for poor performance in training or practice are personality issues and/or unprofessional behavior.

In this article, I review the attributes expected of a physician and the factors that undermine professionalism. I then offer suggestions for smoothing the pathway for personal and professional success. I crafted these suggestions with the “help” of some unlikely medical philosophers. (Note: Some variations of the cited quotations may exist.) I have tempered their guidance with my own personal experiences as a spouse, parent, and grandparent and my professional experiences over almost 50 years, during which I served as a career military officer, student clerkship director, residency program director, fellowship program director, and associate dean for student affairs. I readily acknowledge that, as major league baseball player Yogi Berra reputedly said, “I made too many wrong mistakes,” and that bad experiences are a tough way to ultimately learn good judgment. I hope these suggestions will help you avoid many of my “wrong mistakes.”

High expectations for the medical professional

“To whom much is given, much shall be required.”

—Luke 12:48

Medicine is a higher calling. It is not the usual type of business, and our patients certainly are not just customers or clients. In the unique moment of personal contact, we are asked to put the interest and well-being of our patient above all else. Our patients rightly have high expectations for what type of person their physician should be. The personal strengths expected of a physician include:

• humility
• honesty—personal and fiscal
• integrity
• strong moral compass
• fairness
• responsible
• diligent
• accountable
• insightful
• wise
• technically competent
• perseverant
• sympathetic
• empathetic
• inspiring.

To exhibit all these characteristics consistently is a herculean task and one that is impossible to fulfill. Many factors conspire to undermine our ability to steadfastly be all that we can be. Among these factors are:

• time constraints
• financial pressures
• physical illness
• emotional illness
• the explosion of information technology and scientific knowledge
• bureaucratic inefficiencies.

Therefore, we need to acknowledge with the philosopher Voltaire that “Perfect is the enemy of good.” We need to set our performance bar at excellence, not perfection. If we expect perfection of ourselves, we are destined to be consistently disappointed.

What follows is a series of well-intentioned and good-natured suggestions for keeping ourselves on an even keel, personally and professionally, and maintaining our compass setting on true north.

Continue to: Practical suggestions...

Practical suggestions

“It may not be that the race always goes to the swift nor the battle to the strong, but that is the way to bet.”

—Damon Runyon, journalist

The message is to study hard, work hard, practice our technical skills, and stay on top of our game. We must commit ourselves to a lifetime of learning.

“Chance favors the prepared mind.”

—Louis Pasteur, scientist

One of the best examples of this adage is Alexander Fleming’s “chance” discovery of the bactericidal effect of a mold growing on a culture plate in his laboratory. This observation led to the development of penicillin, an amazing antibiotic that, over the course of the past century, has saved the lives of literally hundreds of thousands of patients. We need to sustain our scientific curiosity throughout our careers and always remain open to new discoveries. Moreover, we need to maintain our capacity for awe and wonder as we consider the exquisite beauty of the scientific world.

“I have a dream.”

—Martin Luther King Jr, civil rights leader

Like Reverend King, we must aspire to a world where civility, peace, and social justice prevail, a world where we embrace diversity and inclusiveness and eschew prejudice, mean-spiritedness, and narrow-mindedness. We must acknowledge that some truths and moral principles are absolute, not relative.

“Once you learn to quit, it becomes a habit.”

—Vince Lombardi, professional football coach

Our lesson: Never quit. We must be fiercely determined to do the right thing, even in troubled and confusing times.

“A pessimist sees the difficulty in every opportunity; an optimist sees the opportunity in every difficulty.”

—Winston Churchill, British prime minister

Until proven wrong, always think the best of everyone. The bright side is far superior to the dark side. We must strive to consistently have a positive attitude and to be part of the solution to a problem, not the problem itself.

“It’s all such a delicate balance.”

—From “It’s a Delicate Balance” by Tom Dundee, folk singer and songwriter

Our top 3 priorities should always be our own emotional and physical well-being, the well-being and security of our loved ones, and the well-being of our patients. The order of these priorities may change, depending upon circumstances. When urgent patient care demands our presence and we miss a birthday celebration, anniversary dinner, soccer game, or dance recital, we need to make certain that, the next time a conflict arises, we arrange to have a colleague cover our clinical or administrative responsibilities.

We must learn to say no when our plate is too full. Failure to say no inevitably leads to life-work imbalance. It is always flattering to be asked to make a presentation, serve on a committee, or prepare a textbook chapter, and it is natural to be concerned that, if we decline, we will not be invited again. However, that concern is unwarranted. Rather, others will respect us for acknowledging when we are too busy and will be grateful that we did not accept an invitation and then miss important deadlines. Conversely, when we do say yes, we need to honor that commitment in a timely manner.

Continue to: The importance of time...

The importance of time

Perhaps the most common complaints that patients have with respect to their interactions with physicians are that they were forced to wait too long and then felt rushed through their appointment. Therefore:

• We must respect our patients’ time and recognize that their time is as valuable as ours.
• We must schedule our patient appointments appropriately and allow different amounts of time depending upon the complexity of a patient’s condition. We should not consistently overschedule. We need to offer a genuine apology when we keep a patient waiting for more than 15 minutes in the absence of an outright emergency that requires our attention elsewhere.
• When we interact with patients, we should sit down, establish eye-to-eye contact, and never appear hurried.

“You don’t make your character in a crisis; you exhibit it.”

—Oren Arnold, journalist and novelist

In the often-chaotic environment of the operating room or the labor and delivery suite, we must be the calm voice of reason at the center of the storm. We should not yell and make demands of others. We must strive to be unflappable. The other members of the team will be appreciative if they recognize that we have a steady hand on the tiller.

“To do good is noble. To teach others to do good is nobler—and less trouble.”

—Mark Twain, humorist

We need to teach our patients about their condition(s) so that they can assume more responsibility for their own care. We also need to teach our students and colleagues so that they can help us provide the best possible care for our patients. Being a good teacher is inherent in being a good physician. As the famous scientist Albert Einstein said, “If you cannot explain it simply, you do not understand it well enough.”

“It ain’t the things you don’t know that get you. It’s the things you think you know that ain’t so.”

—Artemus Ward, humorist

We must constantly strive to practice evidence-based medicine. We should not be the first to embrace the new or the last to give up the old. In medicine, as opposed to the highway, the best place to be is usually in the middle of the road. However, our commitment to evidence-based medicine cannot be absolute. In fact, no more than half of all our present treatment guidelines are based on level 1 evidence. At times, good old-fashioned common sense tempered by years of sobering experience should carry the day.

“We may be lost, but we’re making good time.”

—Yogi Berra, major league baseball player

In my experience, only the minority of mistakes in medicine result from lack of fundamental knowledge or a deficiency in technical skill. Rather, most result from imprudent haste and/or attempts to multitask. Therefore, our lesson is to slow down, concentrate on one task at a time, complete that task, and then refocus on the next challenge.

“The single greatest problem in communication is the illusion that it has taken place.”

—George Bernard Shaw, playwright

We must be sure that we always “close the loop” in our written and verbal communication so that we can avoid misunderstandings that threaten personal relationships and/or patient safety.

“You raise me up so I can stand on mountains.”

—From “You Raise Me Up” as sung by Josh Groban

All of us need a mentor to raise us up. We must choose our mentors carefully and recognize that we may need different mentors at different stages of our career. As we benefit from effective mentoring, we must pay it forward and be a good mentor to others.

“Worrying is a total waste of time. It accomplishes nothing, changes nothing, and robs you of joy. It is like paying a debt that you don’t owe.”

—Mark Twain, humorist

We have to assiduously cultivate the strength of resilience. We must accept that mistakes inevitably will occur and that perfection in practice is simply not possible, despite our best intentions. We then have to learn from these errors and ensure that they never occur again. We need to apologize for our mistakes and move on. If we carry our last strikeout into our next at bat, we are likely doomed to more misfortune.

“Feeling gratitude and not expressing it is like wrapping a present and not giving it.”

—William Arthur Ward, motivational writer

Our lesson is to be keenly aware of the importance of showing gratitude to those around us. The height of our success will depend directly on the depth of our gratitude. The higher we rise in the hierarchy of the medical profession, the more gracious and kind we need to be.

“Kindness is the language which the deaf can hear and the blind can see.”

—Mark Twain, humorist

“Kindness is the only service that will stand the storm of life and not wash out.”

—Abraham Lincoln, American president

There is never an excuse for rudeness or hubris. We should never teach or conduct business by intimidation. The words please, thank you, and I’m sorry should be front and center in our vocabulary. We must learn not to take ourselves too seriously, to remember that the best part of life is the laughter, and to always strive for grace and humility.

“The secret of the care of the patient is in caring for the patient.”

—Francis Peabody, physician

Patients may quickly forget what we say to them or even what we do for them, but they will never forget how we made them feel. Observe intently, listen carefully, talk less. Most people do not listen with the intent to understand. Rather, they listen with the intent to reply. We need to break this pattern by learning to listen with our heart. In fact, the quieter we become, the more we can hear. There is great symbolism in the fact that we have two ears and only one mouth.

“You got to know when to hold ‘em, know when to fold ‘em.”

—From “The Gambler” as sung by Kenny Rogers

Sometimes the best medicine is no medicine at all, but rather a soft shoulder, an open ear, a kind heart, and a compassionate soul.

“Do small things with great love.”

—Mother Teresa, Catholic missionary

The vast majority of us will not rise to lofty political or administrative positions or ever achieve celebrity status. We are unlikely to win the Nobel Prize and unlikely to find the cure for cancer or preeclampsia. However, we can work diligently to complete each small task with precision so that, like a great artist views his or her work, we, too, will want to sign our name to the patient care plan we have created and implemented.

“Earn this.”

—From Saving Private Ryan, a Steven Spielberg movie

At the end of this movie, the mortally wounded infantry captain (played by Tom Hanks) looks up at Private Ryan (played by Matt Damon) and says, “Earn this,” meaning make sure that you live your life in a way to justify the sacrifices so many made to save you. Like Private Ryan, we have to recognize that our MD degree does not constitute a lifetime entitlement to respect and honor. Rather, we have to practice each day so we continue to earn the respect of our patients, students, and colleagues and, so that, with confidence, we can then say to our patients, “How can I be of help to you?” ●

SAN ANTONIO – Women aged 50 and over who have undergone curative treatment for breast cancer and remain cancer free after 3 years may safely de-escalate mammogram surveillance from the recommended annual schedule, according to results from a new randomized trial.

In the UK study, researchers found similar recurrence rates and overall survival between patients who continued to undergo annual screening versus women who underwent screening every 2 years after breast-conserving surgery or every 3 years after a mastectomy.

Current US guidelines recommend annual screening with no stopping point, while UK guidelines recommend annual screening for 5 years, followed by every 3 years after that.

The study was commissioned by the UK government after a previously commissioned systematic review showed lack of evidence for the existing frequency and duration of mammograms in this patient population, and a survey showed wide-ranging clinical practices. In response, the UK government funded the new study to evaluate whether it would be safe to reduce screening, according to Janet Dunn, PhD, who presented the study at the San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium.

“Ladies are going back for years and years and years [for mammograms], and it’s inappropriate, it’s not necessary,” Dr. Dunn, professor of clinical trials and head of cancer trials at University of Warwick in the UK, said in an interview.

The lower frequency schedule requires that the patient be cancer free at 3 years following curative treatment. “We know for anybody going through breast cancer there are a couple of peaks of recurrence. One peak is 2 to 3 years [after curative treatment] for high-risk patients. The other peak is when they start hormone therapy, so at 5 to 6 years you get the peak. But this particular set of patients are at low to moderate risk, so they’re not the high-risk patients going into treatment trials,” said Dr. Dunn.

When asked if the findings should change practice, Dr. Dunn suggested that they could. “We would say that this is providing clinical evidence and probably changing guidance for the management of these patients: Instead of giving annual mammograms for years and years and years, after three years post curative surgery, and having gone through treatment with a baseline mammogram that’s clear, in the UK we can manage these patients back within the screening program, certainly for the mastectomy patients,” said Dr. Dunn.

She emphasized the potential mental health impact. “Women who are going through mammograms waiting for the results are much more anxious if they’ve had breast cancer before than those who were who were just going through normal screening. So [deescalation] is reducing anxiety. It’s also reducing the cost. It’s just reducing the burden on the whole health care system,” said Dr. Dunn.

During the Q&A session after the talk, Bruce Mann, MBBS, PhD, asked if there were differences in the pathology of the cancers that occurred in the less frequent group than those that arose in the annual group. If more frequent screening leads to earlier diagnosis of a tumor, “you would expect that those who have less [frequent screening] may be diagnosed with more advanced recurrences or new cancers, and that would eventually lead to a difference in outcome,” Dr. Mann said in an interview. He is director of breast cancer services at the Royal Melbourne Hospital in Australia.

He acknowledged the need to reconsider screening frequency, and complimented the researchers. “This is a nice pragmatic study. It’s interesting. It’s provocative. I think it’s a bit too early [to change practice]. I think we do need to see more information,” he said.

The researchers randomized 5235 women aged 50 and older to annual or less frequent mammography. The disease type was invasive in 87% of women, while 13% had ductal carcinoma in situ.

Over a median follow-up of 8.7 years, 7% experienced a recurrence. At 5 years, breast cancer–specific survival was 98.1% and 98.3% in the annual and less frequent groups, respectively (hazard ratio [HR], 0.92; 95% CI, 0.64-1.32). There was also no difference in recurrence-free survival or overall survival.

Analyses showed noninferiority of less frequent mammograms at a 3% margin (P < .0001) and a 1% margin (P = .003).

The researchers found that 83% of women were compliant with the mammogram schedule in the annual group, versus 69% in the less frequent arm. The COVID-19 pandemic was responsible for 35% of missed mammograms overall.

Quality of life measures showed that levels of distress over mammograms was similar across time and between the two groups, with 24% of women reporting medium or high levels of distress.

Dr. Dunn and Dr. Mann have no relevant financial disclosures.

SAN ANTONIO – Women aged 50 and over who have undergone curative treatment for breast cancer and remain cancer free after 3 years may safely de-escalate mammogram surveillance from the recommended annual schedule, according to results from a new randomized trial.

In the UK study, researchers found similar recurrence rates and overall survival between patients who continued to undergo annual screening versus women who underwent screening every 2 years after breast-conserving surgery or every 3 years after a mastectomy.

Current US guidelines recommend annual screening with no stopping point, while UK guidelines recommend annual screening for 5 years, followed by every 3 years after that.

The study was commissioned by the UK government after a previously commissioned systematic review showed lack of evidence for the existing frequency and duration of mammograms in this patient population, and a survey showed wide-ranging clinical practices. In response, the UK government funded the new study to evaluate whether it would be safe to reduce screening, according to Janet Dunn, PhD, who presented the study at the San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium.

“Ladies are going back for years and years and years [for mammograms], and it’s inappropriate, it’s not necessary,” Dr. Dunn, professor of clinical trials and head of cancer trials at University of Warwick in the UK, said in an interview.

The lower frequency schedule requires that the patient be cancer free at 3 years following curative treatment. “We know for anybody going through breast cancer there are a couple of peaks of recurrence. One peak is 2 to 3 years [after curative treatment] for high-risk patients. The other peak is when they start hormone therapy, so at 5 to 6 years you get the peak. But this particular set of patients are at low to moderate risk, so they’re not the high-risk patients going into treatment trials,” said Dr. Dunn.

When asked if the findings should change practice, Dr. Dunn suggested that they could. “We would say that this is providing clinical evidence and probably changing guidance for the management of these patients: Instead of giving annual mammograms for years and years and years, after three years post curative surgery, and having gone through treatment with a baseline mammogram that’s clear, in the UK we can manage these patients back within the screening program, certainly for the mastectomy patients,” said Dr. Dunn.

She emphasized the potential mental health impact. “Women who are going through mammograms waiting for the results are much more anxious if they’ve had breast cancer before than those who were who were just going through normal screening. So [deescalation] is reducing anxiety. It’s also reducing the cost. It’s just reducing the burden on the whole health care system,” said Dr. Dunn.

During the Q&A session after the talk, Bruce Mann, MBBS, PhD, asked if there were differences in the pathology of the cancers that occurred in the less frequent group than those that arose in the annual group. If more frequent screening leads to earlier diagnosis of a tumor, “you would expect that those who have less [frequent screening] may be diagnosed with more advanced recurrences or new cancers, and that would eventually lead to a difference in outcome,” Dr. Mann said in an interview. He is director of breast cancer services at the Royal Melbourne Hospital in Australia.

He acknowledged the need to reconsider screening frequency, and complimented the researchers. “This is a nice pragmatic study. It’s interesting. It’s provocative. I think it’s a bit too early [to change practice]. I think we do need to see more information,” he said.

The researchers randomized 5235 women aged 50 and older to annual or less frequent mammography. The disease type was invasive in 87% of women, while 13% had ductal carcinoma in situ.

Over a median follow-up of 8.7 years, 7% experienced a recurrence. At 5 years, breast cancer–specific survival was 98.1% and 98.3% in the annual and less frequent groups, respectively (hazard ratio [HR], 0.92; 95% CI, 0.64-1.32). There was also no difference in recurrence-free survival or overall survival.

Analyses showed noninferiority of less frequent mammograms at a 3% margin (P < .0001) and a 1% margin (P = .003).

The researchers found that 83% of women were compliant with the mammogram schedule in the annual group, versus 69% in the less frequent arm. The COVID-19 pandemic was responsible for 35% of missed mammograms overall.

Quality of life measures showed that levels of distress over mammograms was similar across time and between the two groups, with 24% of women reporting medium or high levels of distress.

Dr. Dunn and Dr. Mann have no relevant financial disclosures.

SAN ANTONIO – Women aged 50 and over who have undergone curative treatment for breast cancer and remain cancer free after 3 years may safely de-escalate mammogram surveillance from the recommended annual schedule, according to results from a new randomized trial.

In the UK study, researchers found similar recurrence rates and overall survival between patients who continued to undergo annual screening versus women who underwent screening every 2 years after breast-conserving surgery or every 3 years after a mastectomy.

Current US guidelines recommend annual screening with no stopping point, while UK guidelines recommend annual screening for 5 years, followed by every 3 years after that.

The study was commissioned by the UK government after a previously commissioned systematic review showed lack of evidence for the existing frequency and duration of mammograms in this patient population, and a survey showed wide-ranging clinical practices. In response, the UK government funded the new study to evaluate whether it would be safe to reduce screening, according to Janet Dunn, PhD, who presented the study at the San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium.

“Ladies are going back for years and years and years [for mammograms], and it’s inappropriate, it’s not necessary,” Dr. Dunn, professor of clinical trials and head of cancer trials at University of Warwick in the UK, said in an interview.

The lower frequency schedule requires that the patient be cancer free at 3 years following curative treatment. “We know for anybody going through breast cancer there are a couple of peaks of recurrence. One peak is 2 to 3 years [after curative treatment] for high-risk patients. The other peak is when they start hormone therapy, so at 5 to 6 years you get the peak. But this particular set of patients are at low to moderate risk, so they’re not the high-risk patients going into treatment trials,” said Dr. Dunn.

When asked if the findings should change practice, Dr. Dunn suggested that they could. “We would say that this is providing clinical evidence and probably changing guidance for the management of these patients: Instead of giving annual mammograms for years and years and years, after three years post curative surgery, and having gone through treatment with a baseline mammogram that’s clear, in the UK we can manage these patients back within the screening program, certainly for the mastectomy patients,” said Dr. Dunn.

She emphasized the potential mental health impact. “Women who are going through mammograms waiting for the results are much more anxious if they’ve had breast cancer before than those who were who were just going through normal screening. So [deescalation] is reducing anxiety. It’s also reducing the cost. It’s just reducing the burden on the whole health care system,” said Dr. Dunn.

During the Q&A session after the talk, Bruce Mann, MBBS, PhD, asked if there were differences in the pathology of the cancers that occurred in the less frequent group than those that arose in the annual group. If more frequent screening leads to earlier diagnosis of a tumor, “you would expect that those who have less [frequent screening] may be diagnosed with more advanced recurrences or new cancers, and that would eventually lead to a difference in outcome,” Dr. Mann said in an interview. He is director of breast cancer services at the Royal Melbourne Hospital in Australia.

He acknowledged the need to reconsider screening frequency, and complimented the researchers. “This is a nice pragmatic study. It’s interesting. It’s provocative. I think it’s a bit too early [to change practice]. I think we do need to see more information,” he said.

The researchers randomized 5235 women aged 50 and older to annual or less frequent mammography. The disease type was invasive in 87% of women, while 13% had ductal carcinoma in situ.

Over a median follow-up of 8.7 years, 7% experienced a recurrence. At 5 years, breast cancer–specific survival was 98.1% and 98.3% in the annual and less frequent groups, respectively (hazard ratio [HR], 0.92; 95% CI, 0.64-1.32). There was also no difference in recurrence-free survival or overall survival.

Analyses showed noninferiority of less frequent mammograms at a 3% margin (P < .0001) and a 1% margin (P = .003).

The researchers found that 83% of women were compliant with the mammogram schedule in the annual group, versus 69% in the less frequent arm. The COVID-19 pandemic was responsible for 35% of missed mammograms overall.

Quality of life measures showed that levels of distress over mammograms was similar across time and between the two groups, with 24% of women reporting medium or high levels of distress.

Dr. Dunn and Dr. Mann have no relevant financial disclosures.