Background-Opioid dependence, misuse, and abuse in the United States continue to rise. Prior studies indicate an important risk factor for persistent opioid use includes elective surgical procedures, though the probability following thoracic procedures remains unknown. We analyzed the incidence and factors associated with new persistent opioid use after lung resection Methods-We evaluated data from opioid-naïve cancer patients undergoing lung resection between 2010 and 2014 using insurance claims from the Truven Health MarketScan Databases. New persistent opioid usage was defined as continued opioid prescription fills between 90 and 180 days following surgery. Variables with p<0.10 by univariate analysis were included in a multivariable logistic regression performed for risk adjustment. Multivariable results were each reported with odds ratio (OR) and confidence interval (CI) Results-3,026 patients (44.8% male; 55.2% female) were identified as opioid-naïve undergoing lung resection. Mean age was 64 ± 11 years and mean postoperative length of stay (LOS) was 5.2±3.3 days. 6.5% underwent neoadjuvant therapy, while 21.7% underwent adjuvant therapy. Among opioid-naïve patients, 14% continued to fill opioid prescriptions following lung resection. Multivariable analysis showed that age ≤ 64 (OR 1.28 [CI 1.03-1.59], p=0.028), male sex (1.40 [1.13-1.73], p=0.002), postoperative LOS (1.32 [1.05-1.65], p=0.016), thoracotomy (1.58 [1.24-2.02], p<0.001), and adjuvant therapy (2.19 [1.75-2.75], p<0.001) were independent risk factors for persistent opioid usage Conclusions-The greatest risk factors for persistent opioid use (14%) following lung resection were adjuvant therapy and thoracotomy. Future studies should focus on reducing excess prescribing, perioperative patient education, and safe opioid disposal.

Accessible summary Listening to young people with autism spectrum disorder is important. Researchers can help support young people to have their say. Each young person is different. The supports used need to match their needs. Summary This study draws on the first author's doctoral research on the mainstream schooling experiences of young people with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and their parents in Queensland, Australia. The aims are to share some of the practical strategies that were adapted and developed to engage the young people in the research and to critically reflect on what this means for future inclusive methodological approaches in this area. The key message is that diagnostic‐related assumptions about impairments can lead researchers to develop strategies which exclude or restrict rather than maximise participation of disabled people in research. To enable young people with ASD to provide rich and meaningful insights researchers need to acknowledge and plan creatively and flexibly for the interactive dynamic that is unique to each individual as well as for needs which might be shared.

Background The FLU-PRO Plus is a patient-reported outcome data collection instrument assessing symptoms of viral respiratory tract infections across eight body systems. This study evaluated the measurement properties of FLU-PRO Plus in a study enrolling individuals with COVID-19. Methods Data from a prospective cohort study (EPICC) in US Military Health System (MHS) beneficiaries evaluated for COVID-19 was utilized. Adults with symptomatic SARS-CoV-2 infection with FLU-PRO Plus survey information within one week of symptom onset were included. Reliability of FLU-PRO Plus was estimated using intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC; 2 days reproducibility). Known-groups validity was assessed using patient global assessments (PGA) of disease severity. Patient report of return to usual health was used to assess responsiveness (day 1-6/7). Results 226 SARS-CoV-2 positive participants were included in the analysis. Reliability among those who reported no change in their symptoms from one day to the next was high for most domains (ICC range 0.68-0.94 for day 1 to day 2). Construct validity was demonstrated by moderate to high correlation between the PGA rating of disease severity and domain and total scores (e.g., total scores correlation: 0.69 (influenza-like illness severity), 0.69 (interference in daily activities), and -0.58 (physical health)). In addition, FLU-PRO Plus demonstrated good known-groups validity, with increasing domain and total scores observed with increasing severity ratings. Conclusions FLU-PRO Plus performs well in measuring signs and symptoms in SARS-CoV-2 infection with excellent construct validity, known-groups validity, and responsiveness to change. Standardized data collection instruments facilitate meta-analyses, vaccine effectiveness studies, and other COVID-19 research activities.

Background. Virtual journal clubs on Twitter (TweetChats) provide a platform to globally discuss publications. The Thoracic Surgery Social Media Network (TSSMN) is an organization that focuses on bringing social media attention to key publications in cardiothoracic surgery. TSSMN recently formed a Trainee Group with the goal of conducting chats covering key topics in cardiothoracic surgical training. The aim of this study was to characterize the pilot experience of this group.Methods. The TSSMN trainee group held 3 TweetChats during the study period between 2017 and 2018. Each TweetChat was a structured discussion of 2 to 4 publications. The number of tweets, participants, most popular tweets, and impressions was assessed for each of the TweetChats.

No abstract