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Background The obesity paradox has been recently demonstrated in trauma patients, where improved survival was associated with overweight and obese patients compared to patients with normal weight, despite increased morbidity. Little is known whether this effect is mediated by lower injury severity. We aim to explore the association between body mass index (BMI) and renal trauma injury grade, morbidity, and in-hospital mortality. Methods A retrospective cohort of adults with renal trauma was conducted using 2013–2016 National Trauma Data Bank. Multiple regression analyses were used to assess outcomes of interest across BMI categories with normal weight as reference, while adjusting for relevant covariates including kidney injury grade. Results We analyzed 15181 renal injuries. Increasing BMI above normal progressively decreased the risk of high-grade renal trauma (HGRT). Subgroup analysis showed that this relationship was maintained in blunt injury, but there was no association in penetrating injury. Overweight (OR 1.02, CI 0.83–1.25, p  = 0.841), class I (OR 0.92, CI 0.71–1.19, p  = 0.524), and class II (OR 1.38, CI 0.99–1.91, p  = 0.053) obesity were not protective against mortality, whereas class III obesity (OR 1.46, CI 1.03–2.06, p  = 0.034) increased mortality odds. Increasing BMI by category was associated with a stepwise increase in odds of acute kidney injury, cardiovascular events, total hospital length of stay (LOS), intensive care unit LOS, and ventilator days. Conclusions Increasing BMI was associated with decreased risk of HGRT in blunt trauma. Overweight and obesity were associated with increased morbidity but not with a protective effect on mortality. The obesity paradox does not exist in kidney trauma when injury grade is accounted for.

Although circumcision is the most commonly performed surgery in males, less is known about the incidence and indications of adult circumcision. In this study, we aim to present the incidence of adult circumcision across the United States. Using IBM MarketScan.sup.® Commercial Database from 2015 to 2018, we obtained claims for circumcision in men between 18 and 64 years of age. We calculated the incidence of adult circumcision over the study period and across the United States. We also collected data on indications for surgery using International Classification of Diseases codes. We identified a total of 12,298 claims for adult circumcisions. The mean age was 39 (±12.9) years. The average incidence rates remained relatively constant from 98.1 per 100,000 person-years in 2015 to 98.2 per 100,000 person-years in 2018 ([DELTA]+0.1%). The age-standardized incidence rates varied significantly across the United States (from 0 to 194.8 per 100,000 person-years) with South Dakota having the highest rate. The most common indications for adult circumcision were phimosis (52.5%), routine/ritual circumcision (28.7%), phimosis + balanitis/balanoposthitis (6.8%), balanitis (3.8%) and balanoposthitis (2.6%), and significantly varied by age groups. This study suggested a wide geographic variation in rates of adult circumcision between states with highest incidences in the Northeast United States. Future studies can identify the underlying causes for the observed variations.

Crowdfunding is increasingly used to offset the financial burdens of illness and health care. In the era of the COVID-19 pandemic and associated infodemic, the role of crowdfunding to support controversial COVID-19 stances is unknown. We sought to examine COVID-19-related crowdfunding focusing on the funding of alternative treatments not endorsed by major medical entities, including campaigns with an explicit antivaccine, antimask, or antihealth care stances. We performed a cross-sectional analysis of GoFundMe campaigns for individuals requesting donations for COVID-19 relief. Campaigns were identified by key word and manual review to categorize campaigns into \"Traditional treatments,\" \"Alternative treatments,\" \"Business-related,\" \"Mandate,\" \"First Response,\" and \"General.\" For each campaign, we extracted basic narrative, engagement, and financial variables. Among those that were manually reviewed, the additional variables of \"mandate type,\" \"mandate stance,\" and presence of COVID-19 misinformation within the campaign narrative were also included. COVID-19 misinformation was defined as \"false or misleading statements,\" where cited evidence could be provided to refute the claim. Descriptive statistics were used to characterize the study cohort. A total of 30,368 campaigns met the criteria for final analysis. After manual review, we identified 53 campaigns (0.17%) seeking funding for alternative medical treatment for COVID-19, including popularized treatments such as ivermectin (n=14, 26%), hydroxychloroquine (n=6, 11%), and vitamin D (n=4, 7.5%). Moreover, 23 (43%) of the 53 campaigns seeking support for alternative treatments contained COVID-19 misinformation. There were 80 campaigns that opposed mandating masks or vaccination, 48 (60%) of which contained COVID-19 misinformation. Alternative treatment campaigns had a lower median amount raised (US $1135) compared to traditional (US $2828) treatments (P<.001) and a lower median percentile of target achieved (11.9% vs 31.1%; P=.003). Campaigns for alternative treatments raised substantially lower amounts (US $115,000 vs US $52,715,000, respectively) and lower proportions of fundraising goals (2.1% vs 12.5%) for alternative versus conventional campaigns. The median goal for campaigns was significantly higher (US $25,000 vs US $10,000) for campaigns opposing mask or vaccine mandates relative to those in support of upholding mandates (P=.04). Campaigns seeking funding to lift mandates on health care workers reached US $622 (0.15%) out of a US $410,000 goal. A small minority of web-based crowdfunding campaigns for COVID-19 were directed at unproven COVID-19 treatments and support for campaigns aimed against masking or vaccine mandates. Approximately half (71/133, 53%) of these campaigns contained verifiably false or misleading information and had limited fundraising success. RR2-10.1001/jamainternmed.2019.3330.

Objectives We aimed to examine the association between patient age and procedural intervention, especially nephrectomy, in patients with renal trauma in the National Trauma Data Bank (NTDB). Materials and methods We queried the 2013–2020 NTDB for adult renal trauma patients with an American Association for the Surgery of Trauma (AAST) grade. Patients without AAST grade or with no sign of life were excluded. We constructed a multinomial logistic regression model to demonstrate the association between age and procedural interventions (renal angioembolization, renorrhaphy and nephrectomy). Models were adjusted for patient, hospital, and clinical factors. Results Our cohort was comprised of 49,884 patients with renal trauma aged 18–89 years, of which 691 (1.4%), 995 (1.9%), and 3,366 (6.8%) underwent angioembolization, renorrhaphy, and nephrectomy, respectively. After adjusting for relevant variables, the risks of nephrectomy and angioembolization were positively associated with patient age, particularly in those 40 years of age and older. Adjusted risk of nephrectomy (OR 0.07 per 10 years of age, 95% CI 0.03–0.11, p  < 0.001) and angioembolization (OR 0.19 per 10 years of age, 95% CI 0.14–0.24, p  < 0.001) ranged between ≈ 0.6% and ≈ 1%, and between ≈ 0.3% and ≈ 1% across the patient age range, respectively. Plots depicting marginal effect of age is demonstrated that in patients above 35–40 years of age, a 1-year increase in age is associated with a progressively higher increase in risk of both nephrectomy and angioembolization. The adjusted risk of Renorrhaphy (OR -0.003 per 10 years of age, 95% CI -0.06-0.06, p  = 0.92) did not vary substantially with age and the marginal effect of age was negligible across all ages. Conclusions Older patients with renal trauma are more likely to receive procedural intervention namely nephrectomy and renal angioembolization. These results suggest possible age-related cognitive bias in renal trauma management.

Introduction The mean number of emergency department visits for all-cause traumas has declined significantly during the COVID-19 pandemic. We aim to identify how a global pandemic and social distancing could affect the trends and pattern of genitourinary traumas. Methods We queried the National Electronic Injury Surveillance System to obtain consumer product-related genitourinary injuries leading to emergency department visits. Using three key events in 2020, we divided the study period to three intervals: January 20, when the first COVID-19 case was confirmed in the United States; March 13, when a national state of emergency was declared; April 20, when Texas became the first state to start a phased reopening of economy. We compared the injury characteristics in 2020 to their identical intervals in 2019. Results Daily emergency department visits dropped significantly during the national lockdown (mean 131.5 vs. 78; Δ-40.7%; p  < 0.01). The genitourinary injuries decreased significantly in children ≤ 17 years ( p  < 0.01), males ( p  < 0.001), and White population ( p  < 0.01). However, it did not change significantly in adults 18–64 years ( p  = 0.92), old adults ≥ 65 years ( p  = 0.37), females ( p  = 0.60), Black population ( p  = 0.90), other/unknown races ( p  = 0.93), and for injuries sustained at home ( p  = 0.75) and public ( p  = 0.11) locations. During the lockdown period, injuries associated with toilets/toilet seats (− 320, − 74.6%), day wear (− 266, − 77.7%), beds/bedframes (− 209, − 64.2%) decreased while injuries associated with knickknacks/statues/vases (+ 154, n/a), sofas/couches/divans (+ 130, 2,684%), and razors/shavers (+ 99, n/a) increased. Conclusions The COVID-19 lockdown had a significant impact on genitourinary traumas. The contributing factors could be investigated further to prevent such injuries during deconfinement periods.

Background Cancer patients incur high care costs; however, there is a paucity of literature characterizing unmet financial obligations for patients with urologic cancers. Kidney cancer patients are particularly burdened by costs associated with novel systemic treatments. This study aimed to ascertain the characteristics of GoFundMe® crowdfunding campaigns for patients with kidney cancer, in order to better understand the financial needs of this population. Methods We performed a cross‐sectional, quantitative, and qualitative analysis of all kidney cancer GoFundMe® campaigns since 2010. Fundraising metrics such as goal funds and amount raised, were extracted. Eight independent investigators collected patient, disease and campaign‐level variables from campaign stories (κ = 0.72). In addition, we performed a content analysis of campaign narratives spotlighting the primary appeal of the patient's life story. Results A total of 486 GoFundMe® kidney cancer campaigns were reviewed. The median goal funds were 10,000USD [IQR = 5000, 20,000] and the median amount raised was 1450USD [IQR = 578, 4050]. Most campaigns were for adult males (53%) and 62% of adults had children. A minority were for pediatric patients (17%). Thirty‐seven percent of adult patients were primary wage earners and 43% reported losing their job or substantially reducing hours due to illness. Twenty‐nine percent reported no insurance or insufficient coverage. Campaigns most frequently sought funds for medical bills (60%), nonmedical bills (27%), and medical travel (23%). Qualitative campaign narratives mostly emphasized patients’ hardship (46.3%) or high moral character (35.2%). Only 8% of campaigns achieved their target funds. Conclusions Despite fundraising efforts, patients with kidney cancer face persistent financial barriers, incurring both medical and nonmedical cost burdens. This may be compounded by limited or no insurance. Cancer care providers should be aware of financial constraints placed on kidney cancer patients, and consider how these may impact treatment regimens. This work spotlights online crowdfunding campaigns for patients with kidney cancer. By elucidating patient and campaign characteristics, we are able to better understand the financial needs of this population.

Objectives: Over the past 20 years, the utility of partial nephrectomy (PN), compared to radical nephrectomy (RN), for the management of localized renal cell carcinoma (RCC) has progressively increased, particularly for larger and more complex masses. We sought to compare the recurrence-free survival (RFS) outcomes of PN versus RN in a single-institution cohort. Methods: Between 2002 and 2017, 228 patients underwent RN or PN for lcT1a-T2b, N0M0 RCC at a single tertiary referral center, performed by five surgeons. The clinical end point result was (local or distant) RFS. Univariate and multivariate (cox regression) models were used to evaluate the association between type of surgery (PN vs. RN) and RFS, in the overall cohort and in a subgroup of patients with cT1b. Results: The median age was 59 (interquartile range [IQR] 48-66), and the median tumor size was 4.5 cm (IQR 3-7). There were 128 PN and 100 RN. Over a median follow-up of 4.2 years (IQR 2.2-6.9), the Kaplan-Meier analysis showed no significant RFS difference between PN and RN (logrank P = 0.53). On multivariate analysis, pathologic stage ≥T2a, Fuhrman Grade ≥3, and chromophobe histology were associated with a worse RFS. PN was not significantly associated with diminished RFS (Hazard ratio [HR] 1.78, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.74-4.3, P = 0.199) in the overall cohort compared to RN. However, in the cT1b subgroup, PN was associated with a significant increase in recurrence compared to RN (HR = 12.4, 95% CI 1.45-133.4, P = 0.038). Conclusions: Our institutional data highlight the possibility of compromise in RFS for clinically localized RCC treated with PN compared to RN, particularly for larger and more complex masses. These data raise concern, especially in light of the nonproven association of survival benefit of PN over RN, warranting future randomized prospective studies for further evaluation.

Introduction: Renal cell carcinoma (RCC) has various histopathological tumor subtypes which have a significant implication on the oncological outcome of these patients. We aimed to evaluate the distribution of RCC subtypes presenting at a tertiary care center in the Middle East, in comparison to the distribution reported in different geographic areas worldwide. Methods: A retrospective chart review was conducted on all patients who underwent partial or radical nephrectomy for RCC at the American University of Beirut Medical Center between January 2012 and January 2018. Data on histologic subtypes were compiled and compared to representative series from different continents. Results: One hundred and seventy-nine patients with RCC were identified, of whom 122 (68.2%) were classified as clear cell, 30 (16.8%) as papillary, 17 (9.5%) as chromophobe, and 10 (5.6%) as unclassified. When compared to other regions of the world, this Middle Eastern series demonstrated a higher prevalence of the chromophobe subtype compared to Western populations (9.5% in the Middle East vs. 5.3% in the US and 3.1% in Europe) and a lower prevalence of clear cell subtype (68.2% in the Middle East vs. 78.7% in the US and 85.8% in Europe). Conversely, there was a higher prevalence of papillary RCC in the Middle East (16.8%) compared to North America (13.1%, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 12.7-13.6), Europe (11.1%, 95% CI: 10.0-12.1), and Australia (10.2%). The prevalence of chromophobe and clear cell RCC in the Middle East was similar to that reported in South America. Conclusions: The distribution of RCC subtypes in this Middle Eastern cohort was significantly different from that reported in the Western hemisphere (Europe and the US) but similar to that reported in South America and Australia. These findings may point to a possible genetic predisposition underlying the global variation in distribution.

BackgroundConsumer product-related genital injuries in females across all age groups are understudied. Existing research focuses primarily on paediatric populations. We aimed to determine characteristics, trends and predictors of hospitalisation.MethodsThe National Electronic Injury Surveillance System database was queried for female genital injuries from 2013 to 2022. We stratified our population into four age groups (<18, 18–34, 35–54, >54 years). Automated text matching and manual reviews were employed for variable extraction. χ2 tests and logistic regression were conducted, accounting for survey design and weights.Results9054 cases representing a national estimate of 252 329 injuries (95% CI 188 059 to 316 599) were identified. Paediatric injuries were most common (61%) and seniors had the highest hospitalisation rates (28%). Falls were common in paediatric (51%) and senior (48%) groups, whereas self-induced and topical application injuries were more frequent among adults aged 18–34 and 35–54. Injuries predominantly involved playground equipment and bicycles in children, razors and massage devices in adults aged 18–34 and 35–54 and household structures in seniors. Hospitalisation increased over the decade from 7% to 9%; significant predictors of hospitalisation were Asian race (OR=3.39, 95% CI 1.83 to 6.30), fractures (OR=7.98, 95% CI 4.85 to 13.1) and urethral injury (OR=3.15, 95% CI 1.30 to 7.63).ConclusionsOur study identifies distinct patterns in female genital injuries across ages. In the paediatric cohort, injuries are often linked to playgrounds and bicycles. For adults, grooming products are frequently implicated. Seniors commonly suffer injuries from household structures such as bathtubs. These patterns may inform discussions on tailored preventive strategies.