Literature Review

A 12-item case-finding tool correctly classifies most people with migraine and chronic migraine, according to research published in the March issue of Cephalalgia. The tool, which is called Identify Chronic Migraine (ID-CM), classifies migraine with a sensitivity of 83.5% and a specificity of 88.5% and chronic migraine with a sensitivity of 80.6% and a specificity of 88.6%.

Migraine, and chronic migraine in particular, is underdiagnosed and undertreated, said Richard B. Lipton, MD, Vice Chair of Neurology at Albert Einstein College of Medicine in the Bronx, New York, and colleagues. The authors sought to develop a valid case-finding tool for chronic migraine that would be applicable to people who reported severe headache.

Richard B. Lipton, MD

The researchers developed their instrument in four stages. In the first stage, they convened an international panel of expert clinicians and researchers that selected potential items from existing diagnostic tools. The panel also suggested additional items for consideration. In stage two, Dr. Lipton and colleagues conducted cognitive debriefing interviews with people with chronic migraine to determine whether the latter understood the tool’s instructions and whether the items were worded properly.

Researchers also administered the items that had emerged from stage two, along with a set of patient-reported outcome measures, to a Web-based sample of 1,600 people with migraine or other severe headache. Data from this stage enabled them to perform a psychometric assessment of the new tool’s candidate items. Finally, in stage four, investigators compared diagnoses assigned using ID-CM with independent diagnoses assigned by headache experts using a semistructured diagnostic interview for migraine. Patients who had participated in the third stage of development were invited to participate in this stage.

The final version of ID-CM includes two questions about headache frequency, four about headache symptoms, two about medication use, two about whether headache interferes with activities, and two about whether headache interferes with making plans.

“ID-CM has been rigorously evaluated and has strong psychometric properties and high classification accuracy, both for migraine and chronic migraine,” said Dr. Lipton. “Compared with other well-known and highly regarded screening and diagnostic tools for various diseases/disorders, the classification accuracy of ID-CM was both absolutely and relatively strong....The simplicity and accuracy of ID-CM will enable health care professionals with or without training in neurology, pain, or headache to correctly identify the majority of patients with migraine or chronic migraine,” Dr. Lipton said. “Clinicians will then be able to accurately diagnose or refer affected patients to specialists for effective treatment that will reduce the burden of illness experienced by those with migraine and chronic migraine.”

—Erik Greb

A 12-item case-finding tool correctly classifies most people with migraine and chronic migraine, according to research published in the March issue of Cephalalgia. The tool, which is called Identify Chronic Migraine (ID-CM), classifies migraine with a sensitivity of 83.5% and a specificity of 88.5% and chronic migraine with a sensitivity of 80.6% and a specificity of 88.6%.

Migraine, and chronic migraine in particular, is underdiagnosed and undertreated, said Richard B. Lipton, MD, Vice Chair of Neurology at Albert Einstein College of Medicine in the Bronx, New York, and colleagues. The authors sought to develop a valid case-finding tool for chronic migraine that would be applicable to people who reported severe headache.

Richard B. Lipton, MD

The researchers developed their instrument in four stages. In the first stage, they convened an international panel of expert clinicians and researchers that selected potential items from existing diagnostic tools. The panel also suggested additional items for consideration. In stage two, Dr. Lipton and colleagues conducted cognitive debriefing interviews with people with chronic migraine to determine whether the latter understood the tool’s instructions and whether the items were worded properly.

Researchers also administered the items that had emerged from stage two, along with a set of patient-reported outcome measures, to a Web-based sample of 1,600 people with migraine or other severe headache. Data from this stage enabled them to perform a psychometric assessment of the new tool’s candidate items. Finally, in stage four, investigators compared diagnoses assigned using ID-CM with independent diagnoses assigned by headache experts using a semistructured diagnostic interview for migraine. Patients who had participated in the third stage of development were invited to participate in this stage.

The final version of ID-CM includes two questions about headache frequency, four about headache symptoms, two about medication use, two about whether headache interferes with activities, and two about whether headache interferes with making plans.

“ID-CM has been rigorously evaluated and has strong psychometric properties and high classification accuracy, both for migraine and chronic migraine,” said Dr. Lipton. “Compared with other well-known and highly regarded screening and diagnostic tools for various diseases/disorders, the classification accuracy of ID-CM was both absolutely and relatively strong....The simplicity and accuracy of ID-CM will enable health care professionals with or without training in neurology, pain, or headache to correctly identify the majority of patients with migraine or chronic migraine,” Dr. Lipton said. “Clinicians will then be able to accurately diagnose or refer affected patients to specialists for effective treatment that will reduce the burden of illness experienced by those with migraine and chronic migraine.”

—Erik Greb

A 12-item case-finding tool correctly classifies most people with migraine and chronic migraine, according to research published in the March issue of Cephalalgia. The tool, which is called Identify Chronic Migraine (ID-CM), classifies migraine with a sensitivity of 83.5% and a specificity of 88.5% and chronic migraine with a sensitivity of 80.6% and a specificity of 88.6%.

Migraine, and chronic migraine in particular, is underdiagnosed and undertreated, said Richard B. Lipton, MD, Vice Chair of Neurology at Albert Einstein College of Medicine in the Bronx, New York, and colleagues. The authors sought to develop a valid case-finding tool for chronic migraine that would be applicable to people who reported severe headache.

Richard B. Lipton, MD

The researchers developed their instrument in four stages. In the first stage, they convened an international panel of expert clinicians and researchers that selected potential items from existing diagnostic tools. The panel also suggested additional items for consideration. In stage two, Dr. Lipton and colleagues conducted cognitive debriefing interviews with people with chronic migraine to determine whether the latter understood the tool’s instructions and whether the items were worded properly.

Researchers also administered the items that had emerged from stage two, along with a set of patient-reported outcome measures, to a Web-based sample of 1,600 people with migraine or other severe headache. Data from this stage enabled them to perform a psychometric assessment of the new tool’s candidate items. Finally, in stage four, investigators compared diagnoses assigned using ID-CM with independent diagnoses assigned by headache experts using a semistructured diagnostic interview for migraine. Patients who had participated in the third stage of development were invited to participate in this stage.

The final version of ID-CM includes two questions about headache frequency, four about headache symptoms, two about medication use, two about whether headache interferes with activities, and two about whether headache interferes with making plans.

“ID-CM has been rigorously evaluated and has strong psychometric properties and high classification accuracy, both for migraine and chronic migraine,” said Dr. Lipton. “Compared with other well-known and highly regarded screening and diagnostic tools for various diseases/disorders, the classification accuracy of ID-CM was both absolutely and relatively strong....The simplicity and accuracy of ID-CM will enable health care professionals with or without training in neurology, pain, or headache to correctly identify the majority of patients with migraine or chronic migraine,” Dr. Lipton said. “Clinicians will then be able to accurately diagnose or refer affected patients to specialists for effective treatment that will reduce the burden of illness experienced by those with migraine and chronic migraine.”

—Erik Greb

Clinical question: What are the factors that promote education in delivering high-value, cost-conscious care?

Background: Healthcare costs are increasing, with most recent numbers showing U.S. expenditures on healthcare of more than $3 trillion, almost 18% of the gross domestic product. High-value care focuses on understanding the benefits, risks, and costs of care and promoting interventions that add value.

Study design: Systematic review.

Setting: Physicians, resident physicians, and medical students in North America, Asia, and Oceania.

Synopsis: Seventy-nine articles were included in the analysis, with 14 being RCTs. Most of the studies were conducted in North America (78.5%) and used a pre-post interventional design (58.2%). Practicing physicians (36.7%) made up the majority of participants in the study, with residents (15.2%) and medical students (6.3%) in smaller numbers. Analysis of the studies identified three factors for successful learning:

• effective transmission of knowledge about prices of services and general health economics, scientific evidence, and patient preferences;
• facilitation of reflective practice through feedback and/or stimulating reflection; and
• creation of a supportive environment.

Bottom line: The most-effective interventions in educating physicians, resident physicians, and medical students on high-value, cost-conscious care are effective transmission of knowledge, reflective practice, and supportive environment.

Citation: Stammen LA, Stalmeijer RE, Paternotte E, et al. Training physicians to provide high-value, cost-conscious care: a systematic review. JAMA. 2015;314(22):2384-2400.

Clinical question: What are the factors that promote education in delivering high-value, cost-conscious care?

Background: Healthcare costs are increasing, with most recent numbers showing U.S. expenditures on healthcare of more than $3 trillion, almost 18% of the gross domestic product. High-value care focuses on understanding the benefits, risks, and costs of care and promoting interventions that add value.

Study design: Systematic review.

Setting: Physicians, resident physicians, and medical students in North America, Asia, and Oceania.

Synopsis: Seventy-nine articles were included in the analysis, with 14 being RCTs. Most of the studies were conducted in North America (78.5%) and used a pre-post interventional design (58.2%). Practicing physicians (36.7%) made up the majority of participants in the study, with residents (15.2%) and medical students (6.3%) in smaller numbers. Analysis of the studies identified three factors for successful learning:

• effective transmission of knowledge about prices of services and general health economics, scientific evidence, and patient preferences;
• facilitation of reflective practice through feedback and/or stimulating reflection; and
• creation of a supportive environment.

Bottom line: The most-effective interventions in educating physicians, resident physicians, and medical students on high-value, cost-conscious care are effective transmission of knowledge, reflective practice, and supportive environment.

Citation: Stammen LA, Stalmeijer RE, Paternotte E, et al. Training physicians to provide high-value, cost-conscious care: a systematic review. JAMA. 2015;314(22):2384-2400.

Clinical question: What are the factors that promote education in delivering high-value, cost-conscious care?

Background: Healthcare costs are increasing, with most recent numbers showing U.S. expenditures on healthcare of more than $3 trillion, almost 18% of the gross domestic product. High-value care focuses on understanding the benefits, risks, and costs of care and promoting interventions that add value.

Study design: Systematic review.

Setting: Physicians, resident physicians, and medical students in North America, Asia, and Oceania.

Synopsis: Seventy-nine articles were included in the analysis, with 14 being RCTs. Most of the studies were conducted in North America (78.5%) and used a pre-post interventional design (58.2%). Practicing physicians (36.7%) made up the majority of participants in the study, with residents (15.2%) and medical students (6.3%) in smaller numbers. Analysis of the studies identified three factors for successful learning:

• effective transmission of knowledge about prices of services and general health economics, scientific evidence, and patient preferences;
• facilitation of reflective practice through feedback and/or stimulating reflection; and
• creation of a supportive environment.

Bottom line: The most-effective interventions in educating physicians, resident physicians, and medical students on high-value, cost-conscious care are effective transmission of knowledge, reflective practice, and supportive environment.

Citation: Stammen LA, Stalmeijer RE, Paternotte E, et al. Training physicians to provide high-value, cost-conscious care: a systematic review. JAMA. 2015;314(22):2384-2400.

Clinical question: Is there a clinical difference in rates of return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC) and survival to discharge in patients with in-hospital cardiac arrest (IHCA) depending on time of day and day of the week?

Background: Current U.S. data from the American Hospital Association’s “Get with the Guidelines-Resuscitation” (AHA GWTG-R) show hospital survival is lower at night and on the weekends. However, little data exist in the U.K. describing patients already hospitalized and the outcomes of in-hospital cardiac arrest with respect to time of day and day of the week.

Study design: Observational cohort study.

Setting: One hundred forty-six hospitals in the United Kingdom.

Synopsis: Study investigators included 27,700 patients ≥16 years of age receiving chest compressions and/or defibrillation from the U.K. National Cardiac Arrest Audit (NCAA) from April 2011 to September 2013. When compared to weekday daytime, the risk-adjusted rates of ROSC were worse for weekend daytime (odds ratio [OR] ROSC >20 min. 0.88; 95% CI, 0.81–0.95) and nighttime (OR ROSC >20 min. 0.72; 95% CI, 0.68–0.76). Hospital survival had similar trends, with OR for the weekend daytime of 0.72 (95% CI, 0.64–0.80) and OR for nighttime 0.58 (95% CI, 0.54–0.63; P value for all was <0.001).

IHCAs were equally likely to occur during the day and night, and the patients were broadly similar, thus suggesting differences in outcomes were secondary to care differences. However, unmeasured patient characteristics may have affected the outcomes. Given that the study was observational, it is difficult to attribute causality, but results are similar to the large, multicenter study published by the AHA GWTG-R registry.

Bottom line: IHCAs that occur during the night or on weekends have increased odds of worse outcomes.

Citation: Robinson EJ, Smith GB, Power GS, et al. Risk-adjusted survival for adults following in-hospital cardiac arrest by day of week and time of day: observational cohort study [published online ahead of print December 11, 2015]. BMJ Qual Saf. doi:10.1136/bmjqs-2015-004223.

Short Take

USPSTF Recommends Statins for More Americans

The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force recommends a low- to moderate-dose statin for adults ages 40–75 with no history of cardiovascular disease and a calculated 10-year cardiovascular disease event risk of ≥10%.

Citation: U.S. Preventive Services Task Force. Draft recommendation statement: statin use for the primary prevention of cardiovascular disease in adults: preventive medication. Available at:

http://www.uspreventiveservicestaskforce.org/Page/Document/draft-recommendation-statement175/statin-use-in-adults-preventive-medication1. Published December 2015. Accessed April 1, 2016.

Clinical question: Is there a clinical difference in rates of return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC) and survival to discharge in patients with in-hospital cardiac arrest (IHCA) depending on time of day and day of the week?

Background: Current U.S. data from the American Hospital Association’s “Get with the Guidelines-Resuscitation” (AHA GWTG-R) show hospital survival is lower at night and on the weekends. However, little data exist in the U.K. describing patients already hospitalized and the outcomes of in-hospital cardiac arrest with respect to time of day and day of the week.

Study design: Observational cohort study.

Setting: One hundred forty-six hospitals in the United Kingdom.

Synopsis: Study investigators included 27,700 patients ≥16 years of age receiving chest compressions and/or defibrillation from the U.K. National Cardiac Arrest Audit (NCAA) from April 2011 to September 2013. When compared to weekday daytime, the risk-adjusted rates of ROSC were worse for weekend daytime (odds ratio [OR] ROSC >20 min. 0.88; 95% CI, 0.81–0.95) and nighttime (OR ROSC >20 min. 0.72; 95% CI, 0.68–0.76). Hospital survival had similar trends, with OR for the weekend daytime of 0.72 (95% CI, 0.64–0.80) and OR for nighttime 0.58 (95% CI, 0.54–0.63; P value for all was <0.001).

IHCAs were equally likely to occur during the day and night, and the patients were broadly similar, thus suggesting differences in outcomes were secondary to care differences. However, unmeasured patient characteristics may have affected the outcomes. Given that the study was observational, it is difficult to attribute causality, but results are similar to the large, multicenter study published by the AHA GWTG-R registry.

Bottom line: IHCAs that occur during the night or on weekends have increased odds of worse outcomes.

Citation: Robinson EJ, Smith GB, Power GS, et al. Risk-adjusted survival for adults following in-hospital cardiac arrest by day of week and time of day: observational cohort study [published online ahead of print December 11, 2015]. BMJ Qual Saf. doi:10.1136/bmjqs-2015-004223.

Short Take

USPSTF Recommends Statins for More Americans

The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force recommends a low- to moderate-dose statin for adults ages 40–75 with no history of cardiovascular disease and a calculated 10-year cardiovascular disease event risk of ≥10%.

Citation: U.S. Preventive Services Task Force. Draft recommendation statement: statin use for the primary prevention of cardiovascular disease in adults: preventive medication. Available at:

http://www.uspreventiveservicestaskforce.org/Page/Document/draft-recommendation-statement175/statin-use-in-adults-preventive-medication1. Published December 2015. Accessed April 1, 2016.

Clinical question: Is there a clinical difference in rates of return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC) and survival to discharge in patients with in-hospital cardiac arrest (IHCA) depending on time of day and day of the week?

Background: Current U.S. data from the American Hospital Association’s “Get with the Guidelines-Resuscitation” (AHA GWTG-R) show hospital survival is lower at night and on the weekends. However, little data exist in the U.K. describing patients already hospitalized and the outcomes of in-hospital cardiac arrest with respect to time of day and day of the week.

Study design: Observational cohort study.

Setting: One hundred forty-six hospitals in the United Kingdom.

Synopsis: Study investigators included 27,700 patients ≥16 years of age receiving chest compressions and/or defibrillation from the U.K. National Cardiac Arrest Audit (NCAA) from April 2011 to September 2013. When compared to weekday daytime, the risk-adjusted rates of ROSC were worse for weekend daytime (odds ratio [OR] ROSC >20 min. 0.88; 95% CI, 0.81–0.95) and nighttime (OR ROSC >20 min. 0.72; 95% CI, 0.68–0.76). Hospital survival had similar trends, with OR for the weekend daytime of 0.72 (95% CI, 0.64–0.80) and OR for nighttime 0.58 (95% CI, 0.54–0.63; P value for all was <0.001).

IHCAs were equally likely to occur during the day and night, and the patients were broadly similar, thus suggesting differences in outcomes were secondary to care differences. However, unmeasured patient characteristics may have affected the outcomes. Given that the study was observational, it is difficult to attribute causality, but results are similar to the large, multicenter study published by the AHA GWTG-R registry.

Bottom line: IHCAs that occur during the night or on weekends have increased odds of worse outcomes.

Citation: Robinson EJ, Smith GB, Power GS, et al. Risk-adjusted survival for adults following in-hospital cardiac arrest by day of week and time of day: observational cohort study [published online ahead of print December 11, 2015]. BMJ Qual Saf. doi:10.1136/bmjqs-2015-004223.

Short Take

USPSTF Recommends Statins for More Americans

The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force recommends a low- to moderate-dose statin for adults ages 40–75 with no history of cardiovascular disease and a calculated 10-year cardiovascular disease event risk of ≥10%.

Citation: U.S. Preventive Services Task Force. Draft recommendation statement: statin use for the primary prevention of cardiovascular disease in adults: preventive medication. Available at:

http://www.uspreventiveservicestaskforce.org/Page/Document/draft-recommendation-statement175/statin-use-in-adults-preventive-medication1. Published December 2015. Accessed April 1, 2016.

Clinical question: What is the harm associated with long-term beta-blocker therapy in patients with uncomplicated hypertension undergoing non-cardiac surgery?

Background: Given the recent concerns over the validity of prior studies, there is uncertainty about which patients benefit most from perioperative beta-blockade. Current guidelines suggest continuing beta-blockers in the perioperative period. More data are needed to delineate which patients maximally benefit from perioperative beta-blockade.

Study design: Association study.

Setting: Danish nationwide cohort of patients.

Synopsis: Study investigators included 55,320 uncomplicated hypertension (no cardiovascular, renal, or liver disease) patients >19 years of age on ≥2 antihypertensive drugs undergoing non-cardiac surgery. In the 14,664 patients who received beta-blockers, the rates of 30-day major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE; cardiovascular death, nonfatal ischemic stroke, and nonfatal myocardial infarction) and 30-day all-cause mortality were 1.32% and 1.93%, respectively. However, in the 40,676 patients who did not receive beta-blockers, 30-day MACEs and 30-day all-cause mortality rates were 0.84% and 1.32%, respectively (P<0.001). When looking at the individual MACEs, cardiovascular death was the only statistically significant event with higher incidence (0.9% versus 0.45%, P<0.001).

Combination therapy with beta-blocker and RAS inhibitor, calcium channel blockers, or thiazide was associated with statistically significant higher risks of MACEs and all-cause mortality when compared to the combination of RAS inhibitor plus thiazide. Men >70 years of age or undergoing urgent surgery had the highest risk of harm. This study was not a randomized control trial, so caution must be used when attributing causality to beta-blockers, MACEs, and all-cause mortality.

Bottom line: Antihypertensive regimens containing beta-blockers may increase risk of perioperative MACEs and all-cause mortality in patients with uncomplicated hypertension.

Citation: Jorgensen ME, Hlatky MA, Kober L, et al. β-blocker-associated risks in patients with uncomplicated hypertension undergoing noncardiac surgery. JAMA Intern Med. 2015;175(12):1923-1931.

Clinical question: What is the harm associated with long-term beta-blocker therapy in patients with uncomplicated hypertension undergoing non-cardiac surgery?

Background: Given the recent concerns over the validity of prior studies, there is uncertainty about which patients benefit most from perioperative beta-blockade. Current guidelines suggest continuing beta-blockers in the perioperative period. More data are needed to delineate which patients maximally benefit from perioperative beta-blockade.

Study design: Association study.

Setting: Danish nationwide cohort of patients.

Synopsis: Study investigators included 55,320 uncomplicated hypertension (no cardiovascular, renal, or liver disease) patients >19 years of age on ≥2 antihypertensive drugs undergoing non-cardiac surgery. In the 14,664 patients who received beta-blockers, the rates of 30-day major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE; cardiovascular death, nonfatal ischemic stroke, and nonfatal myocardial infarction) and 30-day all-cause mortality were 1.32% and 1.93%, respectively. However, in the 40,676 patients who did not receive beta-blockers, 30-day MACEs and 30-day all-cause mortality rates were 0.84% and 1.32%, respectively (P<0.001). When looking at the individual MACEs, cardiovascular death was the only statistically significant event with higher incidence (0.9% versus 0.45%, P<0.001).

Combination therapy with beta-blocker and RAS inhibitor, calcium channel blockers, or thiazide was associated with statistically significant higher risks of MACEs and all-cause mortality when compared to the combination of RAS inhibitor plus thiazide. Men >70 years of age or undergoing urgent surgery had the highest risk of harm. This study was not a randomized control trial, so caution must be used when attributing causality to beta-blockers, MACEs, and all-cause mortality.

Bottom line: Antihypertensive regimens containing beta-blockers may increase risk of perioperative MACEs and all-cause mortality in patients with uncomplicated hypertension.

Citation: Jorgensen ME, Hlatky MA, Kober L, et al. β-blocker-associated risks in patients with uncomplicated hypertension undergoing noncardiac surgery. JAMA Intern Med. 2015;175(12):1923-1931.

Clinical question: What is the harm associated with long-term beta-blocker therapy in patients with uncomplicated hypertension undergoing non-cardiac surgery?

Background: Given the recent concerns over the validity of prior studies, there is uncertainty about which patients benefit most from perioperative beta-blockade. Current guidelines suggest continuing beta-blockers in the perioperative period. More data are needed to delineate which patients maximally benefit from perioperative beta-blockade.

Study design: Association study.

Setting: Danish nationwide cohort of patients.

Synopsis: Study investigators included 55,320 uncomplicated hypertension (no cardiovascular, renal, or liver disease) patients >19 years of age on ≥2 antihypertensive drugs undergoing non-cardiac surgery. In the 14,664 patients who received beta-blockers, the rates of 30-day major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE; cardiovascular death, nonfatal ischemic stroke, and nonfatal myocardial infarction) and 30-day all-cause mortality were 1.32% and 1.93%, respectively. However, in the 40,676 patients who did not receive beta-blockers, 30-day MACEs and 30-day all-cause mortality rates were 0.84% and 1.32%, respectively (P<0.001). When looking at the individual MACEs, cardiovascular death was the only statistically significant event with higher incidence (0.9% versus 0.45%, P<0.001).

Combination therapy with beta-blocker and RAS inhibitor, calcium channel blockers, or thiazide was associated with statistically significant higher risks of MACEs and all-cause mortality when compared to the combination of RAS inhibitor plus thiazide. Men >70 years of age or undergoing urgent surgery had the highest risk of harm. This study was not a randomized control trial, so caution must be used when attributing causality to beta-blockers, MACEs, and all-cause mortality.

Bottom line: Antihypertensive regimens containing beta-blockers may increase risk of perioperative MACEs and all-cause mortality in patients with uncomplicated hypertension.

Citation: Jorgensen ME, Hlatky MA, Kober L, et al. β-blocker-associated risks in patients with uncomplicated hypertension undergoing noncardiac surgery. JAMA Intern Med. 2015;175(12):1923-1931.

Clinical question: What is the prevalence of depression or depressive symptoms in resident physicians?

Background: Depression in resident physicians can lead to poor-quality medical care, increased errors, and long-term morbidity. Prevalence of depression or depressive symptoms has varied in prior studies, and more data are needed to better understand the true prevalence.

Study design: Systematic review and meta-analysis.

Setting: Surgical and nonsurgical residency programs in North America, Asia, Europe, South America, and Africa

Synopsis: Thirty-one cross-sectional studies (9,447 individuals) and 23 longitudinal studies (8,113 individuals) from January 1963 to September 2015 were included in this analysis, with the majority using self-reporting to identify residents with depression or depressive symptoms. Overall prevalence of depression or depressive symptoms was 28.8%, with a range of 20.9% to 43.2%, depending on the screening tool (95% CI, 25.3%–32.5%; P<0.001). There was an increased prevalence in depression or depressive symptoms as the calendar year progressed (slope=0.5% per calendar year increase; 95% CI, 0.03%–0.09%), with no difference in prevalence rates between surgical versus nonsurgical residents, U.S. versus elsewhere, cross-sectional versus longitudinal, or interns versus upper-level residents.

Because studies were heterogeneous with respect to the screening tools and resident population, the prevalence of depression or depressive symptoms cannot be precisely determined.

Bottom line: Prevalence of depression or depressive symptoms ranged from 20.9% to 43.2%, with pooled prevalence of 28.8%, and increased with time.

Citation: Mata DA, Ramos MA, Bansal N, et al. Prevalence of depression and depressive symptoms among resident physicians: a systematic review and met-analysis. JAMA. 2015;314(22):2373-2383.

Clinical question: What is the prevalence of depression or depressive symptoms in resident physicians?

Background: Depression in resident physicians can lead to poor-quality medical care, increased errors, and long-term morbidity. Prevalence of depression or depressive symptoms has varied in prior studies, and more data are needed to better understand the true prevalence.

Study design: Systematic review and meta-analysis.

Setting: Surgical and nonsurgical residency programs in North America, Asia, Europe, South America, and Africa

Synopsis: Thirty-one cross-sectional studies (9,447 individuals) and 23 longitudinal studies (8,113 individuals) from January 1963 to September 2015 were included in this analysis, with the majority using self-reporting to identify residents with depression or depressive symptoms. Overall prevalence of depression or depressive symptoms was 28.8%, with a range of 20.9% to 43.2%, depending on the screening tool (95% CI, 25.3%–32.5%; P<0.001). There was an increased prevalence in depression or depressive symptoms as the calendar year progressed (slope=0.5% per calendar year increase; 95% CI, 0.03%–0.09%), with no difference in prevalence rates between surgical versus nonsurgical residents, U.S. versus elsewhere, cross-sectional versus longitudinal, or interns versus upper-level residents.

Because studies were heterogeneous with respect to the screening tools and resident population, the prevalence of depression or depressive symptoms cannot be precisely determined.

Bottom line: Prevalence of depression or depressive symptoms ranged from 20.9% to 43.2%, with pooled prevalence of 28.8%, and increased with time.

Citation: Mata DA, Ramos MA, Bansal N, et al. Prevalence of depression and depressive symptoms among resident physicians: a systematic review and met-analysis. JAMA. 2015;314(22):2373-2383.

Clinical question: What is the prevalence of depression or depressive symptoms in resident physicians?

Background: Depression in resident physicians can lead to poor-quality medical care, increased errors, and long-term morbidity. Prevalence of depression or depressive symptoms has varied in prior studies, and more data are needed to better understand the true prevalence.

Study design: Systematic review and meta-analysis.

Setting: Surgical and nonsurgical residency programs in North America, Asia, Europe, South America, and Africa

Synopsis: Thirty-one cross-sectional studies (9,447 individuals) and 23 longitudinal studies (8,113 individuals) from January 1963 to September 2015 were included in this analysis, with the majority using self-reporting to identify residents with depression or depressive symptoms. Overall prevalence of depression or depressive symptoms was 28.8%, with a range of 20.9% to 43.2%, depending on the screening tool (95% CI, 25.3%–32.5%; P<0.001). There was an increased prevalence in depression or depressive symptoms as the calendar year progressed (slope=0.5% per calendar year increase; 95% CI, 0.03%–0.09%), with no difference in prevalence rates between surgical versus nonsurgical residents, U.S. versus elsewhere, cross-sectional versus longitudinal, or interns versus upper-level residents.

Because studies were heterogeneous with respect to the screening tools and resident population, the prevalence of depression or depressive symptoms cannot be precisely determined.

Bottom line: Prevalence of depression or depressive symptoms ranged from 20.9% to 43.2%, with pooled prevalence of 28.8%, and increased with time.

Citation: Mata DA, Ramos MA, Bansal N, et al. Prevalence of depression and depressive symptoms among resident physicians: a systematic review and met-analysis. JAMA. 2015;314(22):2373-2383.

Clinical question: How frequent is contamination of skin and clothing during personal protective equipment (PPE) removal, and can it be prevented?

Background: PPE reduces transmission of pathogens to healthcare personnel and patients. However, improper removal can lead to contamination of the skin and clothing. Little information exists describing the frequency and sites of contamination after the removal of gloves or gowns.

Study design: Point prevalence study and quasi-experimental intervention.

Setting: Four northeast Ohio hospitals (university, community, county, and VA); intervention performed at VA hospital.

Synopsis: This study began with 435 glove and gown removal simulations performed at four northeast Ohio hospitals. Skin or clothing contamination occurred in 200 (46%) simulations, with similar frequencies across the four hospitals (42.5%–50.3%). Contamination occurred more frequently in the glove removal versus gown removal (52.9% versus 37.8%, P=0.002). Most common causes of contamination were gloves not covering the wrists, removing the gown over the head, donning gloves before the gown, and touching contaminated gloves.

The intervention, performed at the VA hospital, consisted of educational sessions, videos, demonstrations, and practice donning and doffing PPE, which resulted in reduced skin and clothing contamination (60% before versus 18.9% after, P<0.001) that was sustained at one and three months.

Given that the intervention was quasi-experimental and not randomized, it is difficult to attribute

causality to the intervention, and results must be interpreted with caution.

Bottom line: During the removal of gloves and gowns, skin and clothing contamination is frequent, and a simple educational intervention with visual feedback may reduce rates of contamination.

Citation: Tomas ME, Kundrapu S, Thota P, et al. Contamination of health care personnel during removal of personal protective equipment. JAMA Intern Med. 2015;175(12):1904-1910.

Clinical question: How frequent is contamination of skin and clothing during personal protective equipment (PPE) removal, and can it be prevented?

Background: PPE reduces transmission of pathogens to healthcare personnel and patients. However, improper removal can lead to contamination of the skin and clothing. Little information exists describing the frequency and sites of contamination after the removal of gloves or gowns.

Study design: Point prevalence study and quasi-experimental intervention.

Setting: Four northeast Ohio hospitals (university, community, county, and VA); intervention performed at VA hospital.

Synopsis: This study began with 435 glove and gown removal simulations performed at four northeast Ohio hospitals. Skin or clothing contamination occurred in 200 (46%) simulations, with similar frequencies across the four hospitals (42.5%–50.3%). Contamination occurred more frequently in the glove removal versus gown removal (52.9% versus 37.8%, P=0.002). Most common causes of contamination were gloves not covering the wrists, removing the gown over the head, donning gloves before the gown, and touching contaminated gloves.

The intervention, performed at the VA hospital, consisted of educational sessions, videos, demonstrations, and practice donning and doffing PPE, which resulted in reduced skin and clothing contamination (60% before versus 18.9% after, P<0.001) that was sustained at one and three months.

Given that the intervention was quasi-experimental and not randomized, it is difficult to attribute

causality to the intervention, and results must be interpreted with caution.

Bottom line: During the removal of gloves and gowns, skin and clothing contamination is frequent, and a simple educational intervention with visual feedback may reduce rates of contamination.

Citation: Tomas ME, Kundrapu S, Thota P, et al. Contamination of health care personnel during removal of personal protective equipment. JAMA Intern Med. 2015;175(12):1904-1910.

Clinical question: How frequent is contamination of skin and clothing during personal protective equipment (PPE) removal, and can it be prevented?

Background: PPE reduces transmission of pathogens to healthcare personnel and patients. However, improper removal can lead to contamination of the skin and clothing. Little information exists describing the frequency and sites of contamination after the removal of gloves or gowns.

Study design: Point prevalence study and quasi-experimental intervention.

Setting: Four northeast Ohio hospitals (university, community, county, and VA); intervention performed at VA hospital.

Synopsis: This study began with 435 glove and gown removal simulations performed at four northeast Ohio hospitals. Skin or clothing contamination occurred in 200 (46%) simulations, with similar frequencies across the four hospitals (42.5%–50.3%). Contamination occurred more frequently in the glove removal versus gown removal (52.9% versus 37.8%, P=0.002). Most common causes of contamination were gloves not covering the wrists, removing the gown over the head, donning gloves before the gown, and touching contaminated gloves.

The intervention, performed at the VA hospital, consisted of educational sessions, videos, demonstrations, and practice donning and doffing PPE, which resulted in reduced skin and clothing contamination (60% before versus 18.9% after, P<0.001) that was sustained at one and three months.

Given that the intervention was quasi-experimental and not randomized, it is difficult to attribute

causality to the intervention, and results must be interpreted with caution.

Bottom line: During the removal of gloves and gowns, skin and clothing contamination is frequent, and a simple educational intervention with visual feedback may reduce rates of contamination.

Citation: Tomas ME, Kundrapu S, Thota P, et al. Contamination of health care personnel during removal of personal protective equipment. JAMA Intern Med. 2015;175(12):1904-1910.

Clinical question: Can procalcitonin testing be used to determine whether antibiotics should be started and stopped?

Background: Procalcitonin naturally occurs in the body but increases with bacterial infection, with normal levels

Study design: Systematic review.

Setting: ICUs and EDs in Europe, China, and Brazil.

Synopsis: A systematic review of eight RCTs in the ICU showed that, in adults, procalcitonin testing decreased antibiotic duration (weighted mean difference [WMD] -3.2 days; 95% CI, -5.44 to -0.95), decreased hospital length of stay (WMD -3.85 days; 95% CI, -6.78 to -0.92), and trended toward decreased ICU length of stay (WMD -2.03 days; 95% CI, -4.19 to 0.13).

Further review of eight different trials looking at procalcitonin testing in the ED showed that, in adults with suspected bacterial infection, procalcitonin testing reduced proportion of adults receiving antibiotics (relative risk 0.77; 95% CI, 0.68–0.87) and a trend toward reduction in hospital stays. No strong conclusions could be made about the effect on duration of antibiotic therapy. Procalcitonin testing was demonstrated to be cost-effective in the study population, saving £3,268 in adults with sepsis in the ICU.

Most studies were of unclear quality and unclear risk of bias secondary to insufficient reporting; therefore, results must be interpreted with caution.

Bottom line: Procalcitonin testing may be a cost-saving measure for adults with sepsis in the ICU and adults with possible bacterial infections in the ED.

Citation: Westwood M, Raemaekers B, Whiting P, et al. Procalcitonin testing to guide antibiotic therapy for the treatment of sepsis in intensive care settings and for suspected bacterial infection in emergency department settings: a systematic review and cost-effectiveness analysis. Health Technol Assess. 2015;19(96):1-236.

Short Take

Adjuvant Flu Vaccine Approved for Prevention of Seasonal Influenza

The FDA approved Fluad, an adjuvanted trivalent vaccine, for the prevention of seasonal influenza in patients >65 years of age based on studies showing comparable safety and immunogenicity to Agriflu, a FDA-approved unadjuvanted trivalent vaccine.

Citation: FDA approves first seasonal influenza vaccine containing an adjuvant [news release]. Washington, DC: FDA; November 24, 2015

Clinical question: Can procalcitonin testing be used to determine whether antibiotics should be started and stopped?

Background: Procalcitonin naturally occurs in the body but increases with bacterial infection, with normal levels

Study design: Systematic review.

Setting: ICUs and EDs in Europe, China, and Brazil.

Synopsis: A systematic review of eight RCTs in the ICU showed that, in adults, procalcitonin testing decreased antibiotic duration (weighted mean difference [WMD] -3.2 days; 95% CI, -5.44 to -0.95), decreased hospital length of stay (WMD -3.85 days; 95% CI, -6.78 to -0.92), and trended toward decreased ICU length of stay (WMD -2.03 days; 95% CI, -4.19 to 0.13).

Further review of eight different trials looking at procalcitonin testing in the ED showed that, in adults with suspected bacterial infection, procalcitonin testing reduced proportion of adults receiving antibiotics (relative risk 0.77; 95% CI, 0.68–0.87) and a trend toward reduction in hospital stays. No strong conclusions could be made about the effect on duration of antibiotic therapy. Procalcitonin testing was demonstrated to be cost-effective in the study population, saving £3,268 in adults with sepsis in the ICU.

Most studies were of unclear quality and unclear risk of bias secondary to insufficient reporting; therefore, results must be interpreted with caution.

Bottom line: Procalcitonin testing may be a cost-saving measure for adults with sepsis in the ICU and adults with possible bacterial infections in the ED.

Citation: Westwood M, Raemaekers B, Whiting P, et al. Procalcitonin testing to guide antibiotic therapy for the treatment of sepsis in intensive care settings and for suspected bacterial infection in emergency department settings: a systematic review and cost-effectiveness analysis. Health Technol Assess. 2015;19(96):1-236.

Short Take

Adjuvant Flu Vaccine Approved for Prevention of Seasonal Influenza

The FDA approved Fluad, an adjuvanted trivalent vaccine, for the prevention of seasonal influenza in patients >65 years of age based on studies showing comparable safety and immunogenicity to Agriflu, a FDA-approved unadjuvanted trivalent vaccine.

Citation: FDA approves first seasonal influenza vaccine containing an adjuvant [news release]. Washington, DC: FDA; November 24, 2015

Clinical question: Can procalcitonin testing be used to determine whether antibiotics should be started and stopped?

Background: Procalcitonin naturally occurs in the body but increases with bacterial infection, with normal levels

Study design: Systematic review.

Setting: ICUs and EDs in Europe, China, and Brazil.

Synopsis: A systematic review of eight RCTs in the ICU showed that, in adults, procalcitonin testing decreased antibiotic duration (weighted mean difference [WMD] -3.2 days; 95% CI, -5.44 to -0.95), decreased hospital length of stay (WMD -3.85 days; 95% CI, -6.78 to -0.92), and trended toward decreased ICU length of stay (WMD -2.03 days; 95% CI, -4.19 to 0.13).

Further review of eight different trials looking at procalcitonin testing in the ED showed that, in adults with suspected bacterial infection, procalcitonin testing reduced proportion of adults receiving antibiotics (relative risk 0.77; 95% CI, 0.68–0.87) and a trend toward reduction in hospital stays. No strong conclusions could be made about the effect on duration of antibiotic therapy. Procalcitonin testing was demonstrated to be cost-effective in the study population, saving £3,268 in adults with sepsis in the ICU.

Most studies were of unclear quality and unclear risk of bias secondary to insufficient reporting; therefore, results must be interpreted with caution.

Bottom line: Procalcitonin testing may be a cost-saving measure for adults with sepsis in the ICU and adults with possible bacterial infections in the ED.

Citation: Westwood M, Raemaekers B, Whiting P, et al. Procalcitonin testing to guide antibiotic therapy for the treatment of sepsis in intensive care settings and for suspected bacterial infection in emergency department settings: a systematic review and cost-effectiveness analysis. Health Technol Assess. 2015;19(96):1-236.

Short Take

Adjuvant Flu Vaccine Approved for Prevention of Seasonal Influenza

The FDA approved Fluad, an adjuvanted trivalent vaccine, for the prevention of seasonal influenza in patients >65 years of age based on studies showing comparable safety and immunogenicity to Agriflu, a FDA-approved unadjuvanted trivalent vaccine.

Citation: FDA approves first seasonal influenza vaccine containing an adjuvant [news release]. Washington, DC: FDA; November 24, 2015

Clinical question: What is the risk of acute kidney injury after orthopedic surgery, and does it impact mortality?

Background: Current studies show that acute kidney injury is associated with increased long-term mortality, future development of chronic kidney disease, and increased healthcare costs. However, no externally validated models are available to predict patients undergoing non-cardiac surgery at risk of postoperative acute kidney injury.

Study design: Observational, cohort study.

Setting: Teaching and private hospitals in the National Health Service (NHS) in the Tayside region of Scotland.

Synopsis: Investigators enrolled 10,615 adults >18 years of age undergoing orthopedic surgery into two groups: development cohort (6,220 patients) and validation cohort (4,395 patients). Using the development cohort, seven predictors were identified in the risk model: age at operation, male sex, diabetes, lower estimated glomerular filtration rate (GFR), use of ACE inhibitor/ARB, number of prescribing drugs, and American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) grade.

The model’s predictive performance for discrimination was good in the development cohort (C statistic 0.74; 95% CI, 0.72–0.76) and validation cohort (C statistic 0.7). Calibration was good in the development cohort but overestimated the risk in the validation cohort. Postoperative acute kidney injury developed in 672 (10.8%) patients in the development cohort and 295 (6.7%) in the validation cohort. Thirty percent (3,166) of the 10,615 patients enrolled in this study died over the median follow-up of 4.58 years. Survival was worse in the patients with acute kidney injury (adjusted hazard ratio 1.53; 95% CI, 1.38–1.70), worse in the short term (90-day adjusted hazard ratio 2.36; 95% CI, 1.94–2.87), and diminished over time.

Bottom line: A predictive model using age, male sex, diabetes, lower GFR, use of ACE inhibitor/ARB, multiple medications, and ASA grades might predict risk of postoperative acute kidney injury in orthopedic patients.

Citation: Bell S, Dekker FW, Vadiveloo T, et al. Risk of postoperative acute kidney injury in patients undergoing orthopaedic surgery—development and validation of a risk score and effect of acute kidney injury on survival: observational cohort study. BMJ 2015; 351:h5639.

Clinical question: What is the risk of acute kidney injury after orthopedic surgery, and does it impact mortality?

Background: Current studies show that acute kidney injury is associated with increased long-term mortality, future development of chronic kidney disease, and increased healthcare costs. However, no externally validated models are available to predict patients undergoing non-cardiac surgery at risk of postoperative acute kidney injury.

Study design: Observational, cohort study.

Setting: Teaching and private hospitals in the National Health Service (NHS) in the Tayside region of Scotland.

Synopsis: Investigators enrolled 10,615 adults >18 years of age undergoing orthopedic surgery into two groups: development cohort (6,220 patients) and validation cohort (4,395 patients). Using the development cohort, seven predictors were identified in the risk model: age at operation, male sex, diabetes, lower estimated glomerular filtration rate (GFR), use of ACE inhibitor/ARB, number of prescribing drugs, and American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) grade.

The model’s predictive performance for discrimination was good in the development cohort (C statistic 0.74; 95% CI, 0.72–0.76) and validation cohort (C statistic 0.7). Calibration was good in the development cohort but overestimated the risk in the validation cohort. Postoperative acute kidney injury developed in 672 (10.8%) patients in the development cohort and 295 (6.7%) in the validation cohort. Thirty percent (3,166) of the 10,615 patients enrolled in this study died over the median follow-up of 4.58 years. Survival was worse in the patients with acute kidney injury (adjusted hazard ratio 1.53; 95% CI, 1.38–1.70), worse in the short term (90-day adjusted hazard ratio 2.36; 95% CI, 1.94–2.87), and diminished over time.

Bottom line: A predictive model using age, male sex, diabetes, lower GFR, use of ACE inhibitor/ARB, multiple medications, and ASA grades might predict risk of postoperative acute kidney injury in orthopedic patients.

Citation: Bell S, Dekker FW, Vadiveloo T, et al. Risk of postoperative acute kidney injury in patients undergoing orthopaedic surgery—development and validation of a risk score and effect of acute kidney injury on survival: observational cohort study. BMJ 2015; 351:h5639.

Clinical question: What is the risk of acute kidney injury after orthopedic surgery, and does it impact mortality?

Background: Current studies show that acute kidney injury is associated with increased long-term mortality, future development of chronic kidney disease, and increased healthcare costs. However, no externally validated models are available to predict patients undergoing non-cardiac surgery at risk of postoperative acute kidney injury.

Study design: Observational, cohort study.

Setting: Teaching and private hospitals in the National Health Service (NHS) in the Tayside region of Scotland.

Synopsis: Investigators enrolled 10,615 adults >18 years of age undergoing orthopedic surgery into two groups: development cohort (6,220 patients) and validation cohort (4,395 patients). Using the development cohort, seven predictors were identified in the risk model: age at operation, male sex, diabetes, lower estimated glomerular filtration rate (GFR), use of ACE inhibitor/ARB, number of prescribing drugs, and American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) grade.

The model’s predictive performance for discrimination was good in the development cohort (C statistic 0.74; 95% CI, 0.72–0.76) and validation cohort (C statistic 0.7). Calibration was good in the development cohort but overestimated the risk in the validation cohort. Postoperative acute kidney injury developed in 672 (10.8%) patients in the development cohort and 295 (6.7%) in the validation cohort. Thirty percent (3,166) of the 10,615 patients enrolled in this study died over the median follow-up of 4.58 years. Survival was worse in the patients with acute kidney injury (adjusted hazard ratio 1.53; 95% CI, 1.38–1.70), worse in the short term (90-day adjusted hazard ratio 2.36; 95% CI, 1.94–2.87), and diminished over time.

Bottom line: A predictive model using age, male sex, diabetes, lower GFR, use of ACE inhibitor/ARB, multiple medications, and ASA grades might predict risk of postoperative acute kidney injury in orthopedic patients.

Citation: Bell S, Dekker FW, Vadiveloo T, et al. Risk of postoperative acute kidney injury in patients undergoing orthopaedic surgery—development and validation of a risk score and effect of acute kidney injury on survival: observational cohort study. BMJ 2015; 351:h5639.

Clinical question: Does treating asymptomatic bacteriuria (AB) cause harm in women?

Background: In women with recurrent UTIs, AB is often treated, increasing the risk of multi-drug-resistant bacteria. At the same time, little data exist on the relationship between AB treatment and risk of higher antibiotic resistance in women with recurrent UTIs.

Study design: Follow-up observational, analytical, longitudinal study on a previously randomized clinical trial (RCT).

Setting: Sexually transmitted disease (STD) center in Florence, Italy.

Synopsis: Using the patients from the authors’ previous RCT, the study followed 550 women with recurrent UTIs and AB for a mean of 38.8 months in parallel groups: One group had AB treated, and the other group did not. In the group of women treated with antibiotics, the recurrence rate was 69.6% versus 37.7% in the group not treated (P<0.001). In addition, E. coli isolates showed more resistance to amoxicillin/clavulanic acid (P=0.03), trimethoprim/sulfamethazole (P=0.01), and ciprofloxacin (P=0.03) in the group previously treated with antibiotics.

Given the observational design of the study, data must be interpreted with caution in determining a causal relationship. However, prior studies have shown this relationship, and current Infectious Diseases Society of America guidelines support neither screening nor treating AB.

Bottom line: In women with recurrent UTIs, previous treatment of AB is associated with higher rates of antibiotic-resistant bacteria, causing symptomatic UTIs.

Citation: Cai T, Nsei G, Mazzoli S, et al. Asymptomatic bacteriuria treatment is associated with a higher prevalence of antibiotic resistant strains in women with urinary tract infection. Clin Infect Dis. 2015;61(11):1655-1661.

Short Take

National Healthcare Spending Increased in 2014

Led by expansions under the Affordable Care Act, healthcare spending increased 5.3% from the previous year and now totals $3 trillion, which represents 17.5% of the gross domestic product.

Citation: Martin AB, Hartman M, Benson J, Catlin A. National health spending in 2014: faster growth drive by coverage expansion and prescription drug spending. Health Aff. 2016;35(1):150-160.

Clinical question: Does treating asymptomatic bacteriuria (AB) cause harm in women?

Background: In women with recurrent UTIs, AB is often treated, increasing the risk of multi-drug-resistant bacteria. At the same time, little data exist on the relationship between AB treatment and risk of higher antibiotic resistance in women with recurrent UTIs.

Study design: Follow-up observational, analytical, longitudinal study on a previously randomized clinical trial (RCT).

Setting: Sexually transmitted disease (STD) center in Florence, Italy.

Synopsis: Using the patients from the authors’ previous RCT, the study followed 550 women with recurrent UTIs and AB for a mean of 38.8 months in parallel groups: One group had AB treated, and the other group did not. In the group of women treated with antibiotics, the recurrence rate was 69.6% versus 37.7% in the group not treated (P<0.001). In addition, E. coli isolates showed more resistance to amoxicillin/clavulanic acid (P=0.03), trimethoprim/sulfamethazole (P=0.01), and ciprofloxacin (P=0.03) in the group previously treated with antibiotics.

Given the observational design of the study, data must be interpreted with caution in determining a causal relationship. However, prior studies have shown this relationship, and current Infectious Diseases Society of America guidelines support neither screening nor treating AB.

Bottom line: In women with recurrent UTIs, previous treatment of AB is associated with higher rates of antibiotic-resistant bacteria, causing symptomatic UTIs.

Citation: Cai T, Nsei G, Mazzoli S, et al. Asymptomatic bacteriuria treatment is associated with a higher prevalence of antibiotic resistant strains in women with urinary tract infection. Clin Infect Dis. 2015;61(11):1655-1661.

Short Take

National Healthcare Spending Increased in 2014

Led by expansions under the Affordable Care Act, healthcare spending increased 5.3% from the previous year and now totals $3 trillion, which represents 17.5% of the gross domestic product.

Citation: Martin AB, Hartman M, Benson J, Catlin A. National health spending in 2014: faster growth drive by coverage expansion and prescription drug spending. Health Aff. 2016;35(1):150-160.

Clinical question: Does treating asymptomatic bacteriuria (AB) cause harm in women?

Background: In women with recurrent UTIs, AB is often treated, increasing the risk of multi-drug-resistant bacteria. At the same time, little data exist on the relationship between AB treatment and risk of higher antibiotic resistance in women with recurrent UTIs.

Study design: Follow-up observational, analytical, longitudinal study on a previously randomized clinical trial (RCT).

Setting: Sexually transmitted disease (STD) center in Florence, Italy.

Synopsis: Using the patients from the authors’ previous RCT, the study followed 550 women with recurrent UTIs and AB for a mean of 38.8 months in parallel groups: One group had AB treated, and the other group did not. In the group of women treated with antibiotics, the recurrence rate was 69.6% versus 37.7% in the group not treated (P<0.001). In addition, E. coli isolates showed more resistance to amoxicillin/clavulanic acid (P=0.03), trimethoprim/sulfamethazole (P=0.01), and ciprofloxacin (P=0.03) in the group previously treated with antibiotics.

Given the observational design of the study, data must be interpreted with caution in determining a causal relationship. However, prior studies have shown this relationship, and current Infectious Diseases Society of America guidelines support neither screening nor treating AB.

Bottom line: In women with recurrent UTIs, previous treatment of AB is associated with higher rates of antibiotic-resistant bacteria, causing symptomatic UTIs.

Citation: Cai T, Nsei G, Mazzoli S, et al. Asymptomatic bacteriuria treatment is associated with a higher prevalence of antibiotic resistant strains in women with urinary tract infection. Clin Infect Dis. 2015;61(11):1655-1661.

Short Take

National Healthcare Spending Increased in 2014

Led by expansions under the Affordable Care Act, healthcare spending increased 5.3% from the previous year and now totals $3 trillion, which represents 17.5% of the gross domestic product.

Citation: Martin AB, Hartman M, Benson J, Catlin A. National health spending in 2014: faster growth drive by coverage expansion and prescription drug spending. Health Aff. 2016;35(1):150-160.