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Objective: Unexplained infertility affects nearly one‐third of infertile couples. Women with unexplained infertility are more likely to have a high‐normal thyroid‐stimulating hormone level (TSH: 2.5–5 mIU/L) compared to women with severe male factor infertility. Practice guidelines vary on whether treatment should be initiated for TSH levels >2.5 mIU/L in women attempting conception because the effects of treating a high‐normal TSH level with levothyroxine are not known. We evaluated conception and live birth rates in women with unexplained infertility and high‐normal TSH levels. Design, Patients and Measurements: Retrospective study including 96 women evaluated for unexplained infertility at a large academic medical centre between 1 January 2000 and 30 June 2017 with high‐normal TSH (TSH: 2.5–5 mIU/L and within the normal range of the assay) who were prescribed (n = 31) or not prescribed (n = 65) levothyroxine. Conception and live birth rates were assessed. Results: The conception rate in the levothyroxine group was 100% compared to 90% in the untreated group (p =.086 unadjusted; p <.05 adjusted for age; p =.370 adjusted for TSH; p =.287 adjusted for age and TSH). The live birth rate was lower in the levothyroxine group (63%) compared to the untreated group (84%) (p =.05 unadjusted; p =.094 adjusted for age; p =.035 adjusted for TSH; p =.057 adjusted for age and TSH). Conclusions: Women with unexplained infertility and high‐normal TSH levels treated with levothyroxine had a higher rate of conception but lower live birth rate compared to untreated women, with the limitation of a small sample size. These findings assert the need for prospective, randomized studies to determine whether treatment with levothyroxine in women with unexplained infertility and high‐normal TSH is beneficial. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An extremely rare form of breast cancer, breast carcinosarcoma accounts for less than a percent of all breast malignancies and is highly aggressive. Composed of both cancerous epithelial and mesenchymal cell types, breast carcinosarcoma is associated with a poor prognosis compared to more common breast cancers, and typically lack the receptors typical of other breast carcinomas, which minimize potential targets for treatment. In this case report, we discuss a 56‐year‐old patient affected by carcinosarcoma of the breast at a T2N1 stage, and the decision‐making process that factored into her treatment plan. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Psychological distress is more common in cancer survivors than the general population, and is associated with adverse outcomes. This cross-sectional study aimed to assess the relationship between socioeconomic status (SES), race and psychological distress, using data from a nationally representative sample of cancer survivors in the United States. Outcomes of interest were mild, moderate, and severe psychological distress as assessed by the Patient Health Questionnaire-4 (PHQ-4). In our univariate model, there was no statistically significant difference in the PHQ-4 scores of Caucasian and African American respondents. On the other hand, a lower SES correlated with a higher likelihood of psychological distress, and this persisted in our multivariate model. This study brings additional awareness to the negative impact of a lower socioeconomic status on mental health outcomes in cancer survivors, and further highlights the importance of the timely identification and screening of individuals at a high risk of psychological distress, in order to limit missed opportunities for relevant mental health interventions in this population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Human papillomavirus (HPV) is the most common sexually transmitted infection in the United States (US). It is often discussed within the context of women's sexual health due to its association with cervical cancer. However, HPV is also associated with other cancers and conditions which affect men. Gay and bisexual males (GBM) in the US have higher risks of HPV infection and a higher incidence of HPV-associated anal cancer than heterosexual males. In addition, GBM in the US have a higher prevalence of some high-risk strains of HPV than in other regions. HPV vaccination is highly effective at preventing HPV-associated cancers and genital warts. Several resources have been directed towards improving HPV awareness in the US over the past couple of years to improve vaccination rates. Given the low rates of HPV vaccination among GBM in the US, this study aimed to assess the trends in HPV and HPV vaccine awareness using a nationally representative sample of GBM. We found an overall increase in HPV and HPV vaccine awareness between 2017 and 2020. However, the sociodemographic differences in awareness levels highlight the need for more interventions to improve vaccination rates, especially in this high-risk population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of our study was to assess the impact of helmet legislations on the incidence and the mortality rate of motorcycle collision (MCC)-related traumatic brain injury (TBI) in young adult trauma patients. A 1-year (2011) retrospective analysis was performed of all patients under 21 years old with trauma-related hospitalization using the Nationwide Inpatient Sample database (representing 20% of all in-patient admissions). Patients with MCC were identified using E-codes. States were classified into three groups based on helmet legislations: universal age helmet legislation, <18 years helmet legislation, and <21 years helmet legislation. Outcome measures were the rates of TBI and mortality. Linear regression analysis was used to assess outcomes among the states. A total of 1,165,150 patients with trauma-related hospitalizations across 29 states were reviewed of which, 587 patients with MCC were included. Ten states had universal age legislation; 13 states had age <18 years legislation, and 6 states had age <21 years legislation. There was a lower incidence in the rate of TBI (P = 0.03) in states with universal helmet legislations compared with states with age-restricted helmet legislation. Universal helmet legislations lowered the rate of MCC-related TBI injures by a factor of 2.15 (β coefficient: 2.15; 95% confidence interval: 0.91-10.18; P = 0.04). States with age-restricted helmet legislations have a higher rate of traumatic brain injury and mortality compared with states with universal helmet legislations. Establishing universal helmet legislations across the states may provide a potential preventive strategy against traumatic brain injury. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The use of 1:1:1 (packed red blood cells: fresh frozen plasma: platelets) transfusion ratio has been shown to improve survival in severely injured trauma patients. The aim of this study was to assess the outcomes in patients with traumatic brain injury (TBI) receiving 1:1:1 ratio-based blood product transfusion (RBT). We hypothesized that RBT improves survival in patients with TBI as only major injury. We performed a 3-year retrospective analysis of all patients with TBI as only major injury presenting to our Level I trauma center. Patients receiving blood transfusion were included. Patients were stratified into two groups: those who received RBT and those who did not receive RBT (No-RBT). The outcome measure was inhospital mortality. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed. A total of 189 patients were included of which 29 per cent (n = 55) received RBT. The mean age was 48 ± 24 years, median (range) Glasgow Coma Scale score was 12 (3-15), and median head abbreviated injury severity scale was 3 (3-5). The overall mortality rate was 28.5 per cent. Patients in the RBT group had a higher survival rate compared with the patients in the No-RBT group (83.6% vs 66.5%, P = 0.02). In conclusion, the survival benefit of RBT exists even in patients with TBI as major injury. Guidelines for the initial management of TBI patients should focus on the use of RBT. The beneficial effect of platelets in RBT among TBI patients requires further evaluation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Disparities in the management of patients with various medical conditions are well established. Colorectal diseases continue to remain one of the most common causes for surgical intervention. The aim of this study was to assess disparities (rural versus urban) in the surgical management of patients with noncancerous benign colorectal diseases. We hypothesized that there is no difference among rural versus urban centers (UC) in the surgical management for noncancerous benign colorectal diseases. The national estimates of surgical procedures for benign colorectal diseases from the National Inpatient Sample database 2011 representing 20 per cent of all in-patient admissions were abstracted. Patients undergoing procedures (abscess drainage, hemmoroidectomy, fistulectomy, and bowel resections) were included. Patients with colon cancer and those who underwent emergency surgery were excluded. The population was divided into two groups: urban and rural, based on the location of treatment. Outcome measures were in-hospital complications, mortality, and hospital costs. Subanalysis of UC was preformed: centers with colorectal surgeons and centers without colorectal surgeons. Regression analysis was performed. A total of 20,617 patients who underwent surgical intervention for benign colorectal diseases across 496 (urban: 342, rural: 154) centers, were included. Of the UC, 38.3 per cent centers had colorectal surgeons. Patients managed in UC had lower complication rate (7.6% vs 10.2%, P < 0.001), shorter hospital length of stay (4.7 ± 3.1 vs 5.9 ± 3.6 days, P < 0.001), and higher hospital costs ($56,820 ± $27,691 vs $49,341 ± $2,598, P < 0.001) compared with rural centers. On subanalysis, patients managed in UC with colorectal surgeons had 11 per cent lower incidence of in-hospital complications [odds ratio: 0.89 (95% confidence interval: 0.76-0.94)] and a shorter hospital length of stay [Beta: -0.72 (95% confidence interval: -0.81 to -0.65)] when compared with patients managed in UC without colorectal specialization. Disparities exit in outcomes of the patients with noncancerous benign colorectal diseases managed surgically in urban versus rural centers. Specialized care with colorectal surgeons at UC helps reduce adverse patient outcomes. Steps to provide effective and safe surgical care in a cost-effective manner across rural as well as UC are warranted.Level Of Evidence: Level III, retrospective cohort analysis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Organ donation after cardiac death (DCD) is not optimal but still remains a valuable source of organ donation in trauma donors. The aim of this study was to assess national trends in DCD from trauma patients. Methods A 12-year (2002 to 2013) retrospective analysis of the United Network for Organ Sharing database was performed. Outcome measures were the following: proportion of DCD donors over the years and number and type of solid organs donated. Results DCD resulted in procurement of 16,248 solid organs from 8,724 donors. The number of organs donated per donor remained unchanged over the study period (P = .1). DCD increased significantly from 3.1% in 2002 to 14.6% in 2013 (P = .001). There was a significant increase in the proportion of kidney (2002: 3.4% vs 2013: 16.3%, P = .001) and liver (2002: 1.6% vs 2013: 5%, P = .041) donation among DCD donors over the study period. Conclusions DCD from trauma donors provides a significant source of solid organs. The proportion of DCD donors increased significantly over the last 12 years. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]