Browsing by Author "Severance, Sarah"

Now showing 1 - 2 of 2
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    Financial Toxicity Is Associated With Worse Physical and Emotional Long-term Outcomes After Traumatic Injury
    (Wolters Kluwer, 2019-11) Murphy, Patrick B.; Severance, Sarah; Savage, Stephanie; Obeng-Gyasi, Samilia; Timsina, Lava R.; Zarzaur, Ben L.; Surgery, School of Medicine
    Background Increasing healthcare costs and high deductible insurance plans have shifted more responsibility for medical costs to patients. After serious illnesses, financial responsibilities may result in lost wages, forced unemployment, and other financial burdens, collectively described as financial toxicity. Following cancer treatments, financial toxicity is associated with worse long-term health related quality of life outcomes (HRQOL). The purpose of this study was to determine the incidence of financial toxicity following injury, factors associated with financial toxicity, and the impact of financial toxicity on long-term HRQOL. Methods Adult patients with an injury severity score of 10 or greater and without head or spinal cord injury were prospectively followed for 1 year. The Short-Form-36 was used to determine overall quality of life at 1, 2, 4 and 12 months. Screens for depression and post-traumatic stress syndrome (PTSD) were administered. The primary outcome was any financial toxicity. A multivariable generalized estimating equation was used to account for variability over time. Results 500 patients were enrolled and 88% suffered financial toxicity during the year following injury (64% reduced income, 58% unemployment, 85% experienced stress due to financial burden). Financial toxicity remained stable over follow-up (80–85%). Factors independently associated with financial toxicity were lower age (OR 0.96 [0.94–0.98]), and lack of health insurance (OR 0.28 [0.14–0.56]) and larger household size (OR 1.37 [1.06–1.77]). After risk adjustment, patients with financial toxicity had worse HRQOL, and more depression and PTSD in a step-wise fashion based on severity of financial toxicity. Conclusions Financial toxicity following injury is extremely common and is associated with worse psychological and physical outcomes. Age, lack of insurance, and large household size are associated with financial toxicity. Patients at risk for financial toxicity can be identified and interventions to counteract the negative effects should be developed to improve long-term outcomes. Level of Evidence Prognostic/epidemiologic study, level III
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    Treatment of asymptomatic blunt cerebrovascular injury (BCVI): a systematic review
    (BMJ, 2021-04-26) Murphy, Patrick B.; Severance, Sarah; Holler, Emma; Menard, Laura; Savage, Stephanie; Zarzaur, Ben L.; Surgery, School of Medicine
    Background: The management of asymptomatic blunt cerebrovascular injury (BCVI) with respect to stroke prevention and vessel healing is challenging. Objectives: The aim of this systematic review was to determine if a specific treatment results in lower stroke rates and/or improved vessel healing in asymptomatic BCVI. Data sources: An electronic literature search of MEDLINE, EMBASE, Cochrane Library, CINAHL, SCOPUS, Web of Science, and ClinicalTrials.gov performed from inception to March 2020. Study eligibility criteria: Studies were included if they reported on a comparison of any treatment for BCVI and stroke and/or vessel healing rates. Participants and interventions: Adult patients diagnosed with asymptomatic BCVI(s) who were treated with any preventive medication or procedure. Study appraisal and synthesis methods: All studies were systematically reviewed and bias was evaluated by the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale. No meta-analysis was performed secondary to significant heterogeneity across studies in patient population, screening protocols, and treatment selection. The main outcomes were stroke and healing rate. Results: Of 8781 studies reviewed, 19 reported on treatment effects for asymptomatic BCVI and were included for review. Any choice of medical management was better than no treatment, but no specific differences between choice of medical management and stroke outcomes were found. Vessel healing was rare and the majority of healed vessels were following low-grade injuries. Limitations: Majority of the included studies were retrospective and at high risk of bias. Conclusions or implications of key findings: Asymptomatic BCVI should be treated medically using a consistent, local protocol. High-quality studies on the effect of individual antithrombotic agents on stroke rates and vessel healing for asymptomatic BCVI are required.