All Publications


  • The effect of PM2.5 on acute sinusitis: A population-based study. International forum of allergy & rhinology Grimm, D., Qian, Z. J., Yong, M., Hwang, P. H. 2024

    Abstract

    PM2.5 exposure is a risk factor for the development of acute sinusitis. PM2.5 exposure affects acute sinusitis in a dose response fashion.

    View details for DOI 10.1002/alr.23328

    View details for PubMedID 38400591

  • Is Public Interest Associated with Real-World Management of Ankyloglossia? Otolaryngology--head and neck surgery : official journal of American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery Naseem, D. F., Sheth, A. H., Cheng, A. G., Qian, Z. J. 2024

    Abstract

    Assess the relationship between public interest in ankyloglossia as determined by internet search volume and real-world medical claims data.Retrospective Cohort Study.This retrospective cohort study was conducted using claims data from the Merative™ Marketscan® Research Databases. The internet search data was collected from Google Trends.Annual Google Trends data were compiled using search terms associated with "ankyloglossia" and "frenotomy" for the years 2011 to 2021. We obtained incidence of ankyloglossia diagnoses and frenotomy procedures in children under 12 months from Marketscan relative to all infants enrolled. We compared associations between search and incidence data among US states and over time.Google search correlated with ankyloglossia incidence (r = 0.4104, P = .0031) and with frenotomy incidence (r = 0.4062, P = .0034) per state. Ankyloglossia diagnoses increased with Google search index (coefficient = 0.336, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.284, 0.388) and year (coefficient = 0.028, 95% CI 0.025, 0.031). Similarly, frenotomy procedures increased with Google search index (coefficient = 0.371, 95% CI 0.313, 0.429) and year (coefficient = 0.027, 95% CI 0.024, 0.030).Associations between online ankyloglossia search trends and both diagnosis and treatment rates, persist across US regions and timeframes. Internet search trends are pivotal in shaping pediatric health care decisions, driving clinical consensus, and disseminating evidence-based information.

    View details for DOI 10.1002/ohn.643

    View details for PubMedID 38219744

  • Preliminary Guidelines for Replacing Word-Recognition in Quiet With Speech in Noise Assessment in the Routine Audiologic Test Battery. Ear and hearing Fitzgerald, M. B., Gianakas, S. P., Qian, Z. J., Losorelli, S., Swanson, A. C. 2023

    Abstract

    For decades, monosyllabic word-recognition in quiet (WRQ) has been the default test of speech recognition in routine audiologic assessment. The continued use of WRQ scores is noteworthy in part because difficulties understanding speech in noise (SIN) is perhaps the most common complaint of individuals with hearing loss. The easiest way to integrate SIN measures into routine clinical practice would be for SIN to replace WRQ assessment as the primary test of speech perception. To facilitate this goal, we predicted classifications of WRQ scores from the QuickSIN signal to noise ratio (SNR) loss and hearing thresholds.We examined data from 5808 patients who underwent audiometric assessment at the Stanford Ear Institute. All individuals completed pure-tone audiometry, and speech assessment consisting of monaural WRQ, and monaural QuickSIN. We then performed multiple-logistic regression to determine whether classification of WRQ scores could be predicted from pure-tone thresholds and QuickSIN SNR losses.Many patients displayed significant challenges on the QuickSIN despite having excellent WRQ scores. Performance on both measures decreased with hearing loss. However, decrements in performance were observed with less hearing loss for the QuickSIN than for WRQ. Most important, we demonstrate that classification of good or excellent word-recognition scores in quiet can be predicted with high accuracy by the high-frequency pure-tone average and the QuickSIN SNR loss.Taken together, these data suggest that SIN measures provide more information than WRQ. More important, the predictive power of our model suggests that SIN can replace WRQ in most instances, by providing guidelines as to when performance in quiet is likely to be excellent and does not need to be measured. Making this subtle, but profound shift to clinical practice would enable routine audiometric testing to be more sensitive to patient concerns, and may benefit both clinicians and researchers.

    View details for DOI 10.1097/AUD.0000000000001409

    View details for PubMedID 37703127

  • Environmental Risk Factors for Pediatric Epistaxis vary by Climate Zone. The Laryngoscope Wei, E. X., Green, A., Chang, M. T., Hwang, P. H., Sidell, D. R., Qian, Z. J. 2023

    Abstract

    Prior studies have provided variable results regarding environmental risk factors for epistaxis. These studies were conducted in varying climate zones, which may explain discrepancies in results. The objective of this study is to investigate correlations between season, temperature, and humidity on frequency of pediatric epistaxis across climate zones.Children seen in the outpatient setting for epistaxis were identified from the 2007-2010 IBM MarketScan database. Climate zones were assigned according to International Energy Conservation Code (IECC) classification, where temperature zones in the United States and territories were assigned on an ordinal scale from 1 (tropical) to 8 (subarctic), and humidity zones were categorized as moist, dry, or marine. The control population was a sample of all well-child visits matched by age and county.We identified 184,846 unique children seen for epistaxis and 1,897,012 matched controls. Moderate temperature zones were associated with lower odds of epistaxis compared with the hottest and coldest zones. Humidity was associated inversely with epistaxis rates in moderate temperature zones but was not a significant predictor of epistaxis in climates with extreme heat. Additionally, summer was associated with lower odds of epistaxis compared to winter. Interestingly, however, there were significantly higher rates of cautery procedures during summer months, driven largely by increased procedures performed in clinic, as opposed to the operating room or emergency room.Environmental risk factors for epistaxis vary by climate zone. The model presented reconciles prior reports and may allow for more personalized clinical management based on regional climate.Level 3 Laryngoscope, 2023.

    View details for DOI 10.1002/lary.30961

    View details for PubMedID 37589269

  • Ankyloglossia: Clinical and Sociodemographic Predictors of Diagnosis and Management in the United States, 2004 to 2019. Otolaryngology--head and neck surgery : official journal of American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery Wei, E. X., Meister, K. D., Balakrishnan, K., Cheng, A. G., Qian, Z. J. 2023

    Abstract

    OBJECTIVE: The past 2 decades have seen a rapid increase in the diagnosis of ankyloglossia. Patients are often managed by lingual frenotomy. The objective is to define the clinical and socioeconomic factors that determine which patients receive frenotomy.STUDY DESIGN: A retrospective analysis of commercially insured children.SETTING: Optum Data Mart database.METHODS: Trends in frenotomy including provider and setting were described. Multiple logistic regression was used to determine predictors of frenotomy.RESULTS: Diagnosis of ankyloglossia increased from 2004 to 2019 (from 3377 in 2004 to 13,200 in 2019), while lingual frenotomy similarly increased from 1483 in 2004 to 6213 in 2019. The proportion of inpatient frenotomy procedures increased from 6.2% to 16.6% from 2004 to 2019, with pediatricians having the highest odds of performing inpatient frenotomies (odds ratio:4.32, 95% confidence interval:4.08, 4.57). Additionally, during the study period, the proportion of frenotomies performed by pediatricians increased from 13.01% in 2004 to 28.38% in 2019. In multivariate regression analyses, frenotomy was significantly associated with the male sex, white non-Hispanic ethnicity, higher parental income and education, and a greater number of siblings.CONCLUSION: Ankyloglossia has been increasingly diagnosed in the past 2 decades, and amongpatients with ankyloglossia, frenotomy is increasingly performed. This trend was driven at least in part due to increasing rates of pediatricians as proceduralists. After accounting for maternal and patient-level clinical factors, socioeconomic differences in the management of ankyloglossia were observed.

    View details for DOI 10.1002/ohn.332

    View details for PubMedID 36994937

  • Clinicopathologic Features of Human Monkeypox Lymphadenitis. Histopathology Qian, Z. J., Gong, R., Mann, D. S., Walding, K., Miller, T., Nicholas, V., Kappagoda, S., Pinsky, B. A., Silva, O., Lau, H. D. 2023

    View details for DOI 10.1111/his.14878

    View details for PubMedID 36734592

  • Single Versus Multigene Testing for Hereditary Hearing Loss: Use and Costs in a Commercially Insured Cohort OTOLARYNGOLOGY-HEAD AND NECK SURGERY Moon, P. K., Qian, Z., Stevenson, D. A., Chang, K. W. 2023

    View details for DOI 10.1002/ohn.204

    View details for Web of Science ID 000919051300001

  • Single Versus Multigene Testing for Hereditary Hearing Loss: Use and Costs in a Commercially Insured Cohort. Otolaryngology--head and neck surgery : official journal of American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery Moon, P. K., Qian, Z. J., Stevenson, D. A., Chang, K. W. 2023

    Abstract

    The objectives of this study were to describe trends in single-gene GJB2/6 (connexin 26/30) and multigene hearing loss panel (HLP) testing for hereditary hearing loss using real-world evidence.Retrospective study using insurance claims data.Optum Data Mart database from 2015 to 2020.Rates of overall and hearing-specific genetic testing and costs to insurers and patients were reported. Linear regression models were used to assess the proportion of single-gene GJB2/6 testing over time. Additional linear regression models were used to assess changes in costs over time.From 2015 to 2020, 91,986 children received genetic testing for any indication, of which 601 (0.65%) received hearing-specific tests. The proportion of single-gene GJB2/6 testing remained similar over time (mean difference [MD]: -1.3% per year; 95% confidence interval [CI]: -4.3%, 1.7%), while multigene HLP use increased over time (MD: 4.0% per year; 95% CI: 0.4%, 7.5%). The median charge for single-gene GJB2/6 testing remained constant during the study period (MD: -$34; 95% CI: -$86, $18), while the median charge for multigene HLP decreased during the study period (MD: -$145 per year; 95% CI: -$278, -$12).Compared to molecular testing for GJB2/6, HLPs are becoming more common for hereditary hearing loss. The comprehensiveness of HLP and decreasing costs provide justification for its more widespread adoption moving forward.

    View details for DOI 10.1002/ohn.204

    View details for PubMedID 36939467

  • Diagnosis and Management of Vocal Complications after Chondrolaryngoplasty. The Laryngoscope Nuyen, B., Qian, Z. J., Rakkar, M., Thomas, J. P., Erickson-DiRenzo, E., Sung, C. K. 2022

    Abstract

    OBJECTIVE: Transfeminine patients (transwomen/feminine nonbinary folks assigned male at birth) can undergo chondrolaryngoplasty ("tracheal shave") to feminize their neck appearance. While isolated cases of vocal complications have been reported following the procedure, aggregated outcomes have not been quantitatively studied. We present acoustic and stroboscopic data to describe a patient cohort with vocal complications after chondrolaryngoplasty and discuss reparative surgical technique.METHODS: Subjective and objective data, including videostroboscopy, were collected from patients with voice complaints after chondrolaryngoplasty. Dislocated anterior commissures were reconstructed with feminization laryngoplasty. Postoperative voice data were recorded and statistically compared to preoperative data using paired t-tests.RESULTS: On consecutive chart review, of the 94 transfeminine women with prior outside history of chondrolaryngoplasty, 27 (29%) reported chronic postoperative hoarseness, deepened pitch, or loss of upper register. On endoscopy, short, lax vocal folds with persistent anterior glottic gap and phase asymmetry were commonly noted; anterior commissure dislocation was confirmed in-office by using needle localization through absent thyroid cartilage. After open resuspension of the anterior commissure with feminization laryngoplasty, post-repair modal-speaking, minimum, and maximum fundamental frequencies (F0) increased on average by 7, 8, and 5 semitones, respectively (p<0.01), when compared to pre-repair values. On average, perioperative maximum phonation time did not change significantly (p=0.15). Average self-assessment of vocal femininity increased by 48% (p<0.01).CONCLUSION: Anterior commissure dislocation should be suspected with signs of vocal impairment after chondrolaryngoplasty. Following proper diagnosis, resuspension of the anterior commissure via feminization laryngoplasty approach can be an effective reparative technique.LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: This work represents a 2011 OCEBM Level 4 evidence as a case series Laryngoscope, 2022.

    View details for DOI 10.1002/lary.30518

    View details for PubMedID 36576093

  • Use of Convolutional Neural Networks to Evaluate Auricular Reconstruction Outcomes for Microtia. The Laryngoscope Tolba, M., Qian, Z. J., Lin, H. F., Yeom, K. W., Truong, M. T. 2022

    Abstract

    The objective of this study is to determine whether machine learning may be used for objective assessment of aesthetic outcomes of auricular reconstructive surgery.Images of normal and reconstructed auricles were obtained from internet image search engines. Convolutional neural networks were constructed to identify auricles in 2D images in an auto-segmentation task and to evaluate whether an ear was normal versus reconstructed in a binary classification task. Images were then assigned a percent score for "normal" ear appearance based on confidence of the classification.Images of 1115 ears (600 normal and 515 reconstructed) were obtained. The auto-segmentation task identified auricles with 95.30% accuracy compared to manually segmented auricles. The binary classification task achieved 89.22% accuracy in identifying reconstructed ears. When the confidence of the classification was used to assign percent scores to "normal" appearance, the reconstructed ears were classified to a range of 2% (least like normal ears) to 98% (most like normal ears).Image-based analysis using machine learning can offer objective assessment without the bias of the patient or the surgeon. This methodology could be adapted to be used by surgeons to assess quality of operative outcome in clinical and research settings.4 Laryngoscope, 2022.

    View details for DOI 10.1002/lary.30499

    View details for PubMedID 36444914

  • Association Between Social Disadvantage and Otitis Media Treatment in US Children With Commercial Insurance. JAMA otolaryngology-- head & neck surgery Qian, Z. J., Rehkopf, D. H. 2022

    Abstract

    Importance: It is well established that social disadvantage is associated with earlier, more frequent, and more severe otitis media in children. Appropriate medical and surgical treatment of otitis media can prevent hearing loss and other complications, which may affect future academic and employment opportunities in socially disadvantaged populations. Clinical treatment patterns for otitis media in the US are unclear.Objective: To describe and quantify social disparities in the treatment patterns of otitis media in children in the US.Design, Setting, and Participants: This cross-sectional study included claims data from the Optum Clinformatics Data Mart Database between January 1, 2003, and March 31, 2021, with linked inpatient, outpatient, and pharmaceutical claims for 4 831 408 children with otitis media.Exposures: Age at first otitis media diagnosis, sex, environmental allergies, gastroesophageal reflux, adenotonsillar hyperplasia, zip code, social deprivation index score, social vulnerability index score.Main Outcomes and Measures: Treatment of recurrent and suppurative otitis media in children, insertion of tympanostomy tubes, and treatment for severe complications of undertreated otitis media. The principal measure of social disadvantage was the social deprivation index. The social vulnerability index was used for sensitivity analyses to ensure external validity. Multiple logistic regression analyses were used to quantify the association of all projected variables with the study outcomes.Results: Among 4 831 408 US children with otitis media (median [IQR] age, 4 [1-8] years; 2 491 557 boys [51.57%]), 994 921 (20.59%) were treated for recurrent otitis media, 717 978 (14.86%) were treated for suppurative otitis media, 335 949 (6.95%) received tympanostomy tubes, and 10 975 (0.23%) had severe complications of otitis media. In multivariable regression models including patient factors and social indices, earlier age at diagnosis, male sex, environmental allergies, gastroesophageal reflux, and adenotonsillar hyperplasia were associated with increased treatment for otitis media, whereas social deprivation index was associated with lower odds of medical treatment for recurrent otitis media (odds ratio [OR], 0.86; 95% CI, 0.85-0.87), suppurative otitis media (OR, 0.61; 95% CI, 0.60-0.62), and insertion of tympanostomy tubes (OR, 0.76; 95% CI, 0.75-0.78) but higher odds of having severe complications (OR, 1.28; 95% CI, 1.19-1.37).Conclusions and Relevance: The findings of this cross-sectional study suggest that children with otitis media who were socially disadvantaged were less likely to receive treatment and more likely to experience complications for undertreated otitis media. As otitis media is a modifiable risk factor for hearing loss, efforts need to be made to ensure equitable access to treatment for all children.

    View details for DOI 10.1001/jamaoto.2022.3560

    View details for PubMedID 36355356

  • Sociodemographic Disparities in the Diagnostic Management of Pediatric Thyroid Nodules. JAMA otolaryngology-- head & neck surgery Moon, P. K., Qian, Z. J., Noel, J. E., Orloff, L. A., Seeley, H., Hartman, G. E., Josephs, S., Meister, K. D. 2022

    Abstract

    Importance: Thyroid cancer is the most common pediatric endocrine malignant neoplasm. Disparities in the workup of thyroid nodules may be significantly associated with thyroid cancer outcomes.Objective: To determine the association of sociodemographic factors with the odds of receiving a biopsy, timeliness of the procedure, and risk of nodule malignancy.Design, Setting, and Participants: This was a retrospective cross-sectional study using insurance claims data from the Optum Clinformatics Data Mart database. The study cohort comprised pediatric patients diagnosed with single thyroid nodules between 2003 and 2020. Data analysis was performed from January 1, 2003, to June 30, 2020.Main Outcomes and Measures: Multivariable logistic regression models were used to identify demographic variables associated with biopsy and nodule malignant neoplasm. A multivariable linear regression model was used to assess the time between thyroid nodule diagnosis and biopsy.Results: Of 11 643 children (median [IQR] age at diagnosis or procedure, 15 [12-17] years; 8549 [73.2%] were female and 3126 [26.8%] were male) diagnosed with single thyroid nodules, 2117 (18.2%) received a biopsy. Among the patients who received a biopsy, 304 (14.4%) were found to have a malignant nodule. Greater parental education was associated with a shorter diagnosis-to-biopsy interval (mean difference, -7.24 days; 95% CI, -13.75 to -0.73). Older age at nodule diagnosis (odds ratio [OR], 1.11; 95% CI, 1.09-1.13) and female gender (OR, 1.25; 95% CI, 1.11-1.40) were associated with increased odds of receiving a biopsy, while Black/African American (OR, 0.80; 95% CI, 0.65-0.99) and Hispanic (OR, 0.84; 95% CI, 0.72-0.99) patients had lower odds of receiving a biopsy compared with White patients. Finally, female gender (OR, 1.08; 95% CI, 0.80-1.47) was not associated with lower odds of nodule malignant neoplasm.Conclusions and Relevance: Findings of this cross-sectional study highlight disparities in the diagnostic management of pediatric thyroid nodules. These results call for future work to ensure equitable access to thyroid care for all children.

    View details for DOI 10.1001/jamaoto.2022.3167

    View details for PubMedID 36227590

  • Use of Polysomnography and CPAP in Children Who Received Adenotonsillectomy, US 2004 to 2018. The Laryngoscope Qian, Z. J., Howard, J. M., Cohen, S. M., Jin, M. C., Bhargava, S., Cheng, A. G., Valdez, T. A. 2022

    Abstract

    OBJECTIVES: 1) To determine the prevalence polysomnogram (PSG) and continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy use in children who received adenotonsillectomy (AT) for sleep symptoms. 2) To identify health care disparities in these regards.STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective database analysis.METHODS: This study used data from Optum (Health Services Innovation Company) to identify 92,490 children who received AT for sleep symptoms between 2004 and 2018. Prevalence of preoperative PSG and postoperative PSG and CPAP were described. Clinical and demographic characteristics were compared between children who had preoperative PSG and those who did not. Characteristics of children with trisomy 21 (T21) were compared to assess PSG and CPAP use in a high-risk cohort. Predictive modeling was used to identify patient characteristics associated with postoperative PSG and CPAP use.RESULTS: Preoperative PSG was obtained in 5.5% of children overall and 33.2% of children with T21. Male sex, obesity, other medical comorbidities, non-White race/ethnicity, and higher parent education were associated with preoperative PSG. Fewer than 3% of children received postoperative PSGs and approximately 3% went on to receive CPAP therapy postoperatively. Multiple logistic regression showed that age at surgery, male sex, obesity, other medical comorbidities, non-White race/ethnicity, and higher parent education were associated with postoperative PSG and CPAP use.CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE: This study described the prevalence pre-AT PSG use and post-AT PSG and CPAP use for persistent symptoms and identified sleep health care disparities in these regards. These results show that increased, equitable access to PSG is needed in children, particularly in the workup and treatment persistent symptoms after AT.LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 4 Laryngoscope, 2022.

    View details for DOI 10.1002/lary.30103

    View details for PubMedID 35285524

  • Risk of Second Primary Malignancies After External Beam Radiotherapy for Thyroid Cancer. Anticancer research Jin, M. C., Qian, Z. J., Megwalu, U. C. 2022; 42 (3): 1359-1365

    Abstract

    AIM: To investigate the association between external beam radiotherapy (EBRT) and the incidence of second primary tumors in patients with thyroid cancer.MATERIALS AND METHODS: Data were extracted from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results 9 database. The study cohort included patients diagnosed with thyroid cancer between 1973 and 2017. Risk factors for second primary malignancies were identified with Cox proportional hazards models. Propensity score-matched analyses were used to assess the association between EBRT and second primary malignancies.RESULTS: Out of 72,392 patients with thyroid cancer, 7,684 (10.6%) developed a subsequent primary malignancy. Propensity score-matched analysis demonstrated patients receiving EBRT were more likely to develop second primary malignancies [30-year cumulative incidence=35.3% (95% confidence interval (CI)=30.4-39.8% vs. 28.1% (95% CI=27.0-29.2%); hazard ratio=1.17 (95% CI=1.03-1.33)].CONCLUSION: In patients with thyroid cancer, EBRT is associated with an increased incidence of second primary malignancies.

    View details for DOI 10.21873/anticanres.15605

    View details for PubMedID 35220228

  • Infectious Complications Following Cochlear Implant: Risk Factors, Natural History, and Management Patterns. Otolaryngology--head and neck surgery : official journal of American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery Moon, P. K., Qian, Z. J., Ahmad, I. N., Stankovic, K. M., Chang, K. W., Cheng, A. G. 2022: 1945998221082530

    Abstract

    OBJECTIVE: To describe the natural history, detail the treatment patterns, and identify the risk factors for cochlear implant (CI) infections in a large US cohort.STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective study based on insurance claims.SETTING: Optum Data Mart database: 6101 patients who received CIs from 2003 to 2019.METHODS: Infections, treatments patterns, and timelines were described. A multivariable logistic regression model was used to assess the association between postoperative oral antibiotics and CI infection.RESULTS: The cohort includes 4736 (77.6%) adults and 1365 (22.4%) children. Between adult and pediatric patients, rates of CI infection (5.1% vs 4.5%, P = .18) and explantation (1.2% vs 0.8%, P = .11) were not significantly different. Infections typically occurred within 5 months of surgery. Children were diagnosed with CI infection earlier than adults (median difference, -1.5 months; P = .001). Postoperative oral antibiotic supply was not associated with lower risk of CI infection in either children or adults. However, among adults, otitis media was associated with higher odds of CI infection (odds ratio, 1.41; P < .001), while higher income was associated with lower odds of CI infection (odds ratio, 0.71; P = .03).CONCLUSIONS: Postoperative oral antibiotics were not associated with lower risk of infection or interventions. Otitis media episodes and lower income were associated with increased risk of infection among adults as well as intervention overall. Infection typically presented within the first 6 months after surgery, with children presenting earlier than adults. Overall, our findings serve as a resource for providers to consider in their care of patients with CIs.

    View details for DOI 10.1177/01945998221082530

    View details for PubMedID 35192408

  • Racial Disparities in Surgical Treatment of Obstructive Sleep Apnea. OTO open Cohen, S. M., Howard, J. J., Jin, M. C., Qian, J., Capasso, R. 2022; 6 (1): 2473974X221088870

    Abstract

    Objective: Determine risk factors for failure to receive surgical treatment among patients with obstructive sleep apnea.Study Design: Population-based observational longitudinal cohort study.Setting: Population-based database.Methods: Multivariate analysis of 500,792 individuals with obstructive sleep apnea from Optum's deidentified Clinformatics Data Mart database (2004-2018).Results: Black race, increased age, diabetes, atrial fibrillation, obesity, and congestive heart failure were independently associated with a decreased rate of surgery for obstructive sleep apnea. Asian race, hypertension, arrhythmias other than atrial fibrillation, pulmonary disease, and liver disease were independently associated with an increased rate of surgery for obstructive sleep apnea.Conclusion: Racial disparities in health outcomes related to health care access and in economic resources have an enormous impact on public health and social equity. We found differences in rates of surgery for obstructive sleep apnea based on race. These data are consistent with others demonstrating disparities in medical treatment of sleep apnea with positive pressure and underline a need for a change in awareness and treatment in these populations.

    View details for DOI 10.1177/2473974X221088870

    View details for PubMedID 35321423

  • The Effect of Povidone-Iodine Nasal Spray on COVID-19 Nasopharyngeal Viral Load in Patients: A Randomized Control Trial. The Laryngoscope Zarabanda, D., Vukkadala, N., Phillips, K. M., Qian, Z. J., Mfuh, K. O., Hatter, M., Lee, I. T., Rao, V. K., Hwang, P. H., Domb, G., Patel, Z. M., Pinsky, B. A., Nayak, J. V. 2021

    Abstract

    OBJECTIVES: To determine the effect of povidone-iodine (PVP-I) nasal sprays on nasopharyngeal (NP) viral load as assessed by cycle threshold on quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) of SARS-CoV-2 in outpatients.STUDY DESIGN: Three arm, triple blinded, randomized, placebo-controlled clinical trial.METHODS: Participants were randomized within 5days of testing positive for COVID-19 to receive nasal sprays containing either placebo (0.9% saline), 0.5% PVP-I, or 2.0% PVP-I. NP swabs for qPCR analysis were taken at baseline, 1-hour post-PVP-I spray (2 sprays/nostril), and 3days post-PVP-I spray (20 sprays/nostril). Symptom and adverse event questionnaires were completed at baseline, day 3, and day 5. University of Pennsylvania Smell Identification Tests (UPSIT) were completed at baseline and day 30.RESULTS: Mean cycle threshold (Ct) values increased over time in all groups, indicating declining viral loads, with no statistically significant difference noted in the rate of change between placebo and PVP-I groups. 2.0% PVP-I group showed statistically significant improvement in all symptom categories, however also reported a high rate of nasal burning. Olfaction via UPSIT showed improvement by at least one category in all groups. There were no hospitalizations or mortalities within 30days of study enrollment.CONCLUSION: Saline and low concentration PVP-I nasal sprays are well tolerated. Similar reductions in SARS-CoV-2 nasopharyngeal viral load were seen over time in all groups. All treatment groups showed improvement in olfaction over 30days. These data suggest that dilute versions of PVP-I nasal spray are safe for topical use in the nasal cavity, but that PVP-I does not demonstrate virucidal activity in COVID-19 positive outpatients. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

    View details for DOI 10.1002/lary.29935

    View details for PubMedID 34724213

  • Comments on Use of Diagnostic Testing and Intervention for Sensorineural Hearing Loss in US Children-Reply. JAMA otolaryngology-- head & neck surgery Qian, Z. J., Chang, K. W., Cheng, A. G. 2021

    View details for DOI 10.1001/jamaoto.2021.2162

    View details for PubMedID 34436534

  • Feminization Laryngoplasty: 17-Year Review on Long-Term Outcomes, Safety, and Technique. Otolaryngology--head and neck surgery : official journal of American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery Nuyen, B. A., Qian, Z. J., Campbell, R. D., Erickson-DiRenzo, E., Thomas, J., Sung, C. K. 2021: 1945998211036870

    Abstract

    OBJECTIVES: Transfeminine patients can experience significant gender dysphoria in vocal communication. Feminization laryngoplasty (FL) is a gender-affirming surgery developed to elevate speaking vocal range, as well as alter vocal resonance and laryngeal cosmesis. The purpose here was to appraise FL's long-term voice outcomes across a 17-year review period.STUDY DESIGN: Level III, retrospective study and description of technique.SETTING: A single-institution transfeminine voice clinic.METHODS: Voice data (speaking fundamental frequency [F0], lowest F0, highest F0, F0 range in both Hertz and semitones, and maximum phonation time [MPT]) were collected and assessed. Self-assessment of voice femininity and complications were documented.RESULTS: The 162 patients, all transfeminine women, had a mean age of 40 years with 36-month mean follow-up. There were significant increases in mean speaking F0 (Delta = 50 ± 30 Hz, Delta = 6 ± 3 semitones; P < .001) and mean change in lowest F0 (Delta = 58 ± 31 Hz, Delta = 8 ± 4 semitones; P < .001). There was no significant difference in mean change in highest F0 or MPT. There was significant improvement (Delta = 60% ± 39%; P < .001) in perceptual self-assessment of vocal femininity. There was a 1.2% rate of major postoperative complications requiring inpatient admission or operative intervention. There were no differences in vocal outcomes between those patients who had less than 1-year follow-up and those who had 5-year follow-up.CONCLUSION: FL in this cohort was a safe and effective technique for increasing mean speaking F0, mean lowest F0, and voice gender perception over a prolonged follow-up period. These findings add to the possible treatments aimed at addressing the morbid dysphoria related to voice and communication for our transfeminine patients.

    View details for DOI 10.1177/01945998211036870

    View details for PubMedID 34399638

  • Trends and Healthcare Use Following Different Cholesteatoma Surgery Types in a National Cohort, 2003-2019. Otology & neurotology : official publication of the American Otological Society, American Neurotology Society [and] European Academy of Otology and Neurotology Qian, Z. J., Tran, E. D., Alyono, J. C., Cheng, A. G., Ahmad, I. N., Chang, K. W. 2021

    Abstract

    OBJECTIVE: To describe national trends in cholesteatoma management.STUDY DESIGN AND SETTING: Retrospective analysis Optum Clinformatics Database from 2003 to 2019.PATIENTS: 16,179 unique adult and pediatric patients who received cholesteatoma surgery.INTERVENTIONS AND MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Patients were categorized into three groups by initial surgical modality: canal wall down (CWD), canal wall up (CWU), and tympanoplasty without mastoidectomy (TnoM). Three major comparisons between groups were performed: 1) temporal trends, 2) clinical and sociodemographic determinants, and 3) healthcare use in terms of total costs and incidence of postoperative imaging and subsequent surgery.RESULTS: Overall, 23.2% received initial CWD surgery, 44.3% CWU, and 32.5% TnoM. 1) The incidence of initial CWD surgery decreased (odds ratios [OR] = 0.98, 95% confidence intervals [CI] [0.97,0.99]), while CWU increased (OR = 1.02, 95% CI [1.01,1.03]), and TnoM remained stable over the study period (OR = 0.99, 95% CI [0.98,1.00]). 2) Relative to CWU, TnoM surgery was less likely in adults, patients with prior complications, and non-White patients, while being more likely in patients with higher household income. CWD was more likely than CWU in adults, patients with prior complications, and non-White patients, while income had no effect. 3) Postoperative costs for CWU and CWD were similar. In 2 years following initial surgery, postoperative imaging and/or subsequent surgery was performed in 45.48% of CWD, 57.42% of CWU, and 41.62% of TnoM patients.CONCLUSIONS: Incidence of initial CWD surgery decreased and social disparities in cholesteatoma management were observed. Postoperative imaging or second-look surgery were performed in less than 60% of patients with initial CWU surgery and over 40% of patients with initial CWD.

    View details for DOI 10.1097/MAO.0000000000003284

    View details for PubMedID 34310551

  • National Trends in Opioid Prescriptions Following Outpatient Otologic Surgery, 2005-2017. Otolaryngology--head and neck surgery : official journal of American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery Cooperman, S. P., Jin, M. C., Qian, Z. J., Alyono, J. C. 2021: 194599821994755

    Abstract

    OBJECTIVE: To describe opioid stewardship in ambulatory otologic surgery from 2005 to 2017.STUDY DESIGN: Descriptive study of US private insurance claims.SETTING: Nationwide deidentified private insurance claims database (Clinformatics DataMart; Optum).METHODS: A total of 17,431 adult opioid-naive outpatients were included in the study. Patients were identified from CPT-4 codes (Current Procedural Terminology, Fourth Edition) as having undergone middle ear or mastoid surgery. Multiple regression was used to determine sociodemographic and geographic predictors of postoperative morphine milligram equivalents (MMEs) prescribed, including procedure type, year of procedure, age, sex, education, income level, and geographic region of the United States.RESULTS: The mean prescribed perioperative dose over the examined period was 203.03 MMEs (95% CI, 200.27-205.79; 5-mg hydrocodone pill equivalents, 40.61). In multivariate analysis, patients undergoing mastoid surgery were prescribed more opioids than those undergoing middle ear surgery (mean difference, 39.89 MME [95% CI, 34.37-45.41], P < .01; 5-mg hydrocodone pill equivalents, 8.0). Men were prescribed higher doses than women (mean difference, 15.39 [95% CI, 9.87-20.90], P < .01; 5-mg hydrocodone pill equivalents, 3.1). Overall MMEs prescribed by year demonstrates a sharp drop in MMEs from 2015 to 2017.CONCLUSION: While the amount of opioids prescribed perioperatively has declined in recent years, otologists should continue to be cognizant of potential overprescribing in light of previous studies of patients' relatively low opioid intake.

    View details for DOI 10.1177/0194599821994755

    View details for PubMedID 33618561

  • Social Perceptions of Pediatric Hearing Aids. The Laryngoscope Qian, Z. J., Nuyen, B. A., Kandathil, C. K., Truong, M., Tribble, M. S., Most, S. P., Chang, K. W. 2021

    Abstract

    OBJECTIVES: To determine whether hearing aid (HA) use affects social perceptions of general public adults and age-matched peers and if so, determine if effects are modulated by lack of societal representation of pediatric HAs.METHODS: A 10-year-old boy was presented in six photographic conditions with and without HAs and eyeglasses (a worn sensory aid with wider societal representation). HAs were presented in neutral skin tone and bright blue colors. Photographic conditions were embedded into web-based surveys with visual analog scales to capture social perceptions data and sourced to 206 adults (age 18-65) and 202 peers (age 10) with demographic characteristics representative of the general US population. Mean differences in scores for each condition compared to control images were computed using two-tailed t-tests.RESULTS: In both adult and child respondents, HAs were associated with decreased athleticism, confidence, health, leadership, and popularity. Glasses were associated with decreased athleticism and popularity but increased intelligence, overall success, and in the child respondents, friendliness. When worn in combination, the beneficial effects of glasses were mitigated by brightly colored but not neutrally colored HAs.CONCLUSION: Negative effects of pediatric HAs on social perceptions may be influenced by poor societal representation of HAs. These results suggest that greater representation of pediatric HAs is necessary to make society more inclusive for children with hearing loss.LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 4 Laryngoscope, 2021.

    View details for DOI 10.1002/lary.29369

    View details for PubMedID 33405290

  • Outpatient healthcare use and outcomes after pediatric tracheostomy. International journal of pediatric otorhinolaryngology Qian, Z. J., Megwalu, U. C., Cheng, A. G., Balakrishnan, K. 2021; 151: 110963

    Abstract

    To 1) describe health outcomes and outpatient healthcare use after pediatric tracheostomy, and 2) identify populations with higher morbidity that may benefit from improved post-operative monitoring.Optum's commercial insurance database was queried from 2003 to 2019. Children aged 0-18 who received tracheostomy identified. Mortality, decannulation, tracheostomy complications, and home ventilator dependence were determined, as well as physician office visits and specialty type. The effect that patient characteristics (age, sex, ethnicity, prematurity, and presence versus absence of chronic lung disease [CLD], congenital heart disease [CHD], neurologic impairment [NI], and upper airway obstruction [UAO]) had on outcomes were compared.1231 children were identified. Infants accounted for 33% of patients and 40% of the cohort was premature. The most common comorbid conditions were NI (76%), UAO (69%), CLD (48%), and CHD (35%). Within 5 years postoperatively, 25% died, 45% had home ventilator dependence, 53% had a complication, and 10% were decannulated. CHD was associated with higher risk of death (HR,1.98; 95% CI 1.22, 3.21), while UAO was associated with lower risk of death (HR,0.51; 95% CI 0.32, 0.83) and higher probability of decannulation (HR,3.56, 95% CI 1.08, 11.74). The median number of physician office visits was 6 per year (IQR 3,10). The most common specialty types were pediatrics (32%), pulmonary medicine (10%), and otolaryngology (8%). NI was associated with greater number of office visits (mean difference/year, 4.10; 95% CI 2.00, 6.19) while Hispanic ethnicity was associated with fewer visits (mean difference/year, -2.94; 95%CI -5.42, -0.45).UAO was associated with lower risk of mortality and higher probability of decannulation, while NI was associated with greater outpatient healthcare utilization. Social disparities in outpatient tracheostomy care were observed.

    View details for DOI 10.1016/j.ijporl.2021.110963

    View details for PubMedID 34736006

  • Post-Tonsillectomy Ibuprofen: Is There a Dose-Dependent Bleeding Risk? The Laryngoscope Losorelli, S. D., Scheffler, P., Qian, Z. J., Lin, H. C., Truong, M. T. 2021

    Abstract

    Post-tonsillectomy hemorrhage (PTH) is a potentially life-threatening complication. A recent meta-analysis suggests that ibuprofen may increase the risk of PTH. The aims of this study were to 1) re-evaluate the effect of ibuprofen on PTH given additional recent evidence and 2) to evaluate a potential dose effect of ibuprofen.Meta-analysis and meta-regression; single-institution retrospective review.We conducted a systematic review of the literature and a meta-analysis of 12 studies comparing postoperative ibuprofen analgesia to non-nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) controls. Next, we performed a meta-regression analysis to assess for an effect of dose, if any, on rates of PTH. Five studies specifying a dose of 5 mg/kg (828 patients, 1,411 controls) and 7 studies using 10 mg/kg (5,633 patients, 7,656 controls) were included. We then conducted a novel single-institution, retrospective review of data for 1,046 patients prescribed intermediate-dose 7.5 mg/kg ibuprofen.Ibuprofen was not associated with an increased rate of PTH (log odds ratio [OR], 0.21; 95% confidence interval [CI] -0.15, 0.57). Meta-regression showed that ibuprofen dose (5 and 10 mg/kg) did not have a statistically significant effect on PTH (OR, 1.32; 95% CI 0.30, 5.84). Uncontrolled, aggregate rates of PTH across all studies were 2.29% (N = 828) for 5 mg/kg and 4.65% (N = 5,633) for 10 mg/kg dosing. The rate of secondary hemorrhage in patients prescribed 7.5 mg/kg ibuprofen was 3.10% (N = 1,046).We found no statistically significant increased risk of PTH when ibuprofen is prescribed at the low or high range of commonly used clinical dosages, compared to a non-ibuprofen regimen. Further studies with less heterogeneity are needed to determine if there is a clinically relevant dose-dependent difference in PTH with ibuprofen.3 Laryngoscope, 2021.

    View details for DOI 10.1002/lary.29876

    View details for PubMedID 34559405

  • Oral Corticosteroids Following Endoscopic Sinus Surgery for Chronic Rhinosinusitis Without Nasal Polyposis: A Randomized Clinical Trial. JAMA otolaryngology-- head & neck surgery Chang, M. T., Noel, J. n., Ayoub, N. F., Qian, Z. J., Dholakia, S. n., Nayak, J. V., Patel, Z. M., Hwang, P. H. 2021

    Abstract

    Although oral corticosteroids are commonly prescribed following endoscopic sinus surgery (ESS) for chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) without nasal polyposis, there are little data to suggest that this is a beneficial practice.To assess the efficacy of oral corticosteroids following ESS in CRS without polyps.This prospective double-blinded, placebo-controlled, randomized noninferiority clinical trial conducted in a single academic tertiary rhinology practice included adults with CRS without polyps undergoing ESS. Of 81 patients recruited, 72 completed the study.Patients were randomized into 2 treatment groups: a 12-day postoperative taper of oral prednisone vs matched placebo tablets. All study patients also received a uniform 2-week postoperative regimen of oral antibiotics, fluticasone nasal spray, and saline rinses.The primary outcome measures were Sinonasal Outcome Test-22 (SNOT-22) scores and Lund-Kennedy endoscopy scores, collected preoperatively and postoperatively at 1 week, 1 month, 3 months, and 6 months. Scores were compared between treatment groups at each time point using longitudinal difference between treatment groups and analyzed using 2-way, repeated measures analysis of variance. Secondary outcome measures included treatment-related adverse effects.Overall, 72 patients (mean [SD] age, 49.4 [14.9] years; 36 men, 36 women) completed the study, with 33 in the prednisone arm and 39 in the placebo arm. When comparing longitudinal differences between treatment groups, there was no clinically meaningful difference observed in SNOT-22 total (F[4254] = 1.71, η2 = 0.01 [95% CI, 0.00-0.05]) or Lund-Kennedy scores (F[4247] = 1.23, η2 = 0.02 [95% CI, 0.00-0.50]). In SNOT-22 subdomain analyses, there was no clinically meaningful difference between treatment groups for rhinologic, extranasal rhinologic, ear/facial, or sleep subdomains. However, the prednisone group had worse longitudinal scores for psychological dysfunction compared with the placebo group (F[4254] = 3.18, η2 = 0.05 [95% CI, 0.02-0.09]). Reported adverse effects were similar between the 2 treatment groups.In this randomized clinical trial of patients with CRS without polyps, oral prednisone following ESS conferred no additional benefit over placebo in terms of SNOT-22 total scores, SNOT-22 rhinologic subscores, or Lund-Kennedy endoscopy scores up to 6 months after surgery. Patients receiving prednisone, however, did demonstrate worse SNOT-22 psychologic subdomain scores. These results suggest that the risks of oral corticosteroids may outweigh the benefits; thus use of oral corticosteroids after ESS for CRS without polyps should be carefully considered.ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT02748070.

    View details for DOI 10.1001/jamaoto.2021.0011

    View details for PubMedID 33662124

  • Use of Diagnostic Testing and Intervention for Sensorineural Hearing Loss in US Children From 2008 to 2018. JAMA otolaryngology-- head & neck surgery Qian, Z. J., Chang, K. W., Ahmad, I. N., Tribble, M. S., Cheng, A. G. 2020

    Abstract

    Importance: Early detection and intervention of pediatric hearing loss is critical for language development and academic achievement. However, variations in the diagnostic workup and management of pediatric sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL) exist.Objective: To identify patient and clinician factors that are associated with variation in practice on a national level.Design, Setting, and Participants: This cross-sectional study used the Optum claims database to identify 53 711 unique children with SNHL between January 1, 2008, and December 31, 2018.Main Outcomes and Measures: National use rates and mean costs for diagnostic modalities (electrocardiogram, cytomegalovirus testing, magnetic resonance imaging, computed tomography, and genetic testing) and interventions (speech-language pathology, billed hearing aid services, and cochlear implant surgery) were reported. The associations of age, sex, SNHL laterality, clinician type, race/ethnicity, and household income with diagnostic workup and intervention use were measured in multivariable analyses.Results: Of 53 711 patients, 23 735 (44.2%) were girls, 2934 (5.5%) were Asian, 3797 (7.1%) were Black, 5626 (10.5%) were Hispanic, 33 441 (62.3%) were White, and the mean (SD) age was 7.3 (5.3) years. Of all patients, 32 200 (60.0%) were seen by general otolaryngologists, while 7573 (14.10%) were seen by pediatric otolaryngologists. Diagnostic workup was received by 14 647 patients (27.3%), while 13 482 (25.1%) received intervention. Use of genetic testing increased (odds ratio, 1.22 per year; 95% CI, 1.20-1.24), whereas use of computed tomography decreased (odds ratio, 0.93 per year; 95% CI, 0.92-0.94) during the study period. After adjusting for relevant covariables, children who were seen by pediatric otolaryngologists and geneticists had the highest odds of receiving workup and intervention. Additionally, racial/ethnic and economic disparities were observed in the use of most modalities of diagnostic workup and intervention for pediatric SNHL.Conclusions and Relevance: This cross-sectional study identified factors associated with disparities in the diagnostic workup and intervention of pediatric SNHL, thus highlighting the need for increased education and standardization in the management of this common sensory disorder.

    View details for DOI 10.1001/jamaoto.2020.5030

    View details for PubMedID 33377936

  • Trends in Use and Timing of Intratympanic Corticosteroid Injections for Sudden Sensorineural Hearing Loss. Otolaryngology--head and neck surgery : official journal of American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery Jin, M. C., Qian, Z. J., Cooperman, S. P., Alyono, J. C. 2020: 194599820976177

    Abstract

    OBJECTIVE: Oral corticosteroids are treatment mainstays for idiopathic sudden sensorineural hearing loss (SSNHL). Recent studies suggest that intratympanic (IT) steroid injections may be effective as an alternate or adjunctive therapy. We sought to investigate nationwide trends in treatment patterns for SSNHL.STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective cross-sectional study.SETTING: A large nationwide health care claims database spanning 2007 to 2016.METHODS: Patients with SSNHL were identified from the IBM Watson Health MarketScan Database. Multivariable logistic, linear, and Cox regression were used for demographic- and comorbidity-adjusted analyses.RESULTS: Overall, 19,670 patients were included. Between 2007 and 2016, use of oral corticosteroids alone decreased (83.6% to 64.6%, P < .001), while use of IT corticosteroids alone and combination IT-oral corticosteroids increased (IT only, 7.9% to 15.1%, P = .002; IT-oral, 8.5% to 20.4%, P < .001). During the study period, time to treatment initiation decreased for both administration modalities, though more dramatically for IT corticosteroids (IT, 124.0 to 10.6 days, P < .001; oral, 42.6 to 12.7 days, P < .001). In patients receiving both IT and oral corticosteroids, concurrent first-line use increased (25.2% to 52.8%, P < .001). Repeat injections have also become more common but may raise risk of persistent tympanic membrane perforations (vs no injection; hazard ratio [first injection] = 7.95, 95% CI = 5.54-11.42; hazard ratio [fifth or higher injection] = 17.47, 95% CI = 6.93-44.05).CONCLUSION: SSNHL management increasingly involves early IT steroids as an alternative or adjunctive option to oral steroids. Use of repeat IT corticosteroid injections has also increased but may raise risk of persistent tympanic membrane perforations and subsequent tympanoplasty. Future decision analysis and cost-effectiveness studies are necessary to identify an optimal care pattern for SSNHL.

    View details for DOI 10.1177/0194599820976177

    View details for PubMedID 33287664

  • Promoting Tobacco Use Among Students: The U.S. Smokeless Tobacco Company College Marketing Program. The Laryngoscope Qian, Z. J., Hill, M. J., Ramamurthi, D., Jackler, R. K. 2020

    Abstract

    OBJECTIVES/HYPOTHESIS: From the 1970s-1990s the U.S. Smokeless Tobacco Company (USST) conducted aggressive campaigns to solicit college students to buy their smokeless tobacco (ST) products. The scope, scale, methods, and impact of this youth marketing campaign have yet to be analyzed in the academic literature.STUDY DESIGN: Historical research study.METHODS: Internal industry documents describing the USST campaigns were obtained via the University of California, San Francisco's repository of tobacco company records. Marketing materials were obtained from Stanford University's Research Into the Impact of Tobacco Advertising (SRITA) collection of 657 USST advertisements.RESULTS: USST's College Marketing Program (1978-mid 1980s) sponsored events in some 350 campuses and hired student representatives in at least 175 colleges and universities across America. College representatives were trained to provide free samples to fellow students. Over a typical school year approximately a quarter million Happy Days, Skoal, and Skoal Bandits samples were handed out to undergraduates. USST paid their student representatives well and offered them a variety of incentives based upon sales growth. During the 1990s, USST's Skoal Music program engaged students on campuses and at "spring break" venues such as Daytona Beach.CONCLUSIONS: Targeting of college students on campus was a common tobacco industry practice between the 1940s and early 1960s. From the 1970s through 1990s USST resurrected the method and pursued it with vigor including: distribution of free samples; sponsored events and concerts, branded intramural teams; visits by sports celebrities; logo wearables and merchandise; contests and incentives; and displays and promotions in stores on and surrounding campuses. Laryngoscope, 2020.

    View details for DOI 10.1002/lary.29265

    View details for PubMedID 33185280

  • Opioid Prescribing Patterns Following Pediatric Tonsillectomy in the United States, 2009-2017. The Laryngoscope Qian, Z. J., Alyono, J. C., Jin, M. C., Cooperman, S. P., Cheng, A. G., Balakrishnan, K. 2020

    Abstract

    OBJECTIVES: Assess national trends in opioid prescription following pediatric tonsillectomy: 1) overall percentage receiving opioids and mean quantity, 2) changes during 2009-2017, and 3) determinants of prescription patterns.METHODS: Cross-sectional analysis using 2009-2017 Optum claims data to identify opioid-naive children aged 1-18 with claims codes for tonsillectomy (n = 82,842). Quantities of opioids filled in outpatient pharmacies during the perioperative period were extracted and converted into milligram morphine equivalents (MMEs) for statistical comparison. Demographic, clinical, and socioeconomic predictors of opioid fill rate and quantity were determined using regression analyses.RESULTS: In 2009, 83.3% of children received opioids, decreasing to 58.3% by 2017. Rates of all-cause readmissions and post-tonsillectomy hemorrhages were similar over time. Mean quantity received was 153.47MME (95% confidence intervals [95%CI]: 151.19, 155.76) and did not significantly change during 2009-2017. Opioids were more likely in older children and those with higher household income, but less likely in children with obstructive sleep apnea, other comorbidities, and Hispanic race. Higher quantities of opioids were more likely in older children, while lower quantities were associated with female sex, Hispanic race, and higher household income. Outpatient steroids were prescribed to 8.04% of patients, who were less likely to receive opioids.CONCLUSION: While the percentage of children receiving post-tonsillectomy opioids decreased during 2009-2017, prescribed quantities remain high and have not decreased over time. Prescription practices were also influenced by clinical and sociodemographic factors. These results highlight the need for guidance, particularly with regard to opioid quantity, in children after tonsillectomy.LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: N/A Laryngoscope, 2020.

    View details for DOI 10.1002/lary.29159

    View details for PubMedID 33026683

  • Cerebral volume and diffusion MRI changes in children with sensorineural hearing loss. NeuroImage. Clinical Moon, P. K., Qian, J. Z., McKenna, E. n., Xi, K. n., Rowe, N. C., Ng, N. N., Zheng, J. n., Tam, L. T., MacEachern, S. J., Ahmad, I. n., Cheng, A. G., Forkert, N. D., Yeom, K. W. 2020; 27: 102328

    Abstract

    Sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL) is the most prevalent congenital sensory deficit in children. Information regarding underlying brain microstructure could offer insight into neural development in deaf children and potentially guide therapies that optimize language development. We sought to quantitatively evaluate MRI-based cerebral volume and gray matter microstructure children with SNHL.We conducted a retrospective study of children with SNHL who obtained brain MRI at 3 T. The study cohort comprised 63 children with congenital SNHL without known focal brain lesion or structural abnormality (33 males; mean age 5.3 years; age range 1 to 11.8 years) and 64 age-matched controls without neurological, developmental, or MRI-based brain macrostructure abnormality. An atlas-based analysis was used to extract quantitative volume and median diffusivity (ADC) in the following brain regions: cerebral cortex, thalamus, caudate, putamen, globus pallidus, hippocampus, amygdala, nucleus accumbens, brain stem, and cerebral white matter. SNHL patients were further stratified by severity scores and hearing loss etiology.Children with SNHL showed higher median ADC of the cortex (p = .019), thalamus (p < .001), caudate (p = .005), and brainstem (p = .003) and smaller brainstem volumes (p = .007) compared to controls. Patients with profound bilateral SNHL did not show any significant differences compared to patients with milder bilateral SNHL, but both cohorts independently had smaller brainstem volumes compared to controls. Children with unilateral SNHL showed greater amygdala volumes compared to controls (p = .021), but no differences were found comparing unilateral SNHL to bilateral SNHL. Based on etiology for SNHL, patients with Pendrin mutations showed higher ADC values in the brainstem (p = .029, respectively); patients with Connexin 26 showed higher ADC values in both the thalamus (p < .001) and brainstem (p < .001) compared to controls.SNHL patients showed significant differences in diffusion and volume in brain subregions, with region-specific findings for patients with Connexin 26 and Pendrin mutations. Future longitudinal studies could examine macro- and microstructure changes in children with SNHL over development and potential predictive role for MRI after interventions including cochlear implant outcome.

    View details for DOI 10.1016/j.nicl.2020.102328

    View details for PubMedID 32622314

  • Effects of cochlear hair cell ablation on spatial learning/memory. Scientific reports Qian, Z. J., Ricci, A. J. 2020; 10 (1): 20687

    Abstract

    Current clinical interest lies in the relationship between hearing loss and cognitive impairment. Previous work demonstrated that noise exposure, a common cause of sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL), leads to cognitive impairments in mice. However, in noise-induced models, it is difficult to distinguish the effects of noise trauma from subsequent SNHL on central processes. Here, we use cochlear hair cell ablation to isolate the effects of SNHL. Cochlear hair cells were conditionally and selectively ablated in mature, transgenic mice where the human diphtheria toxin (DT) receptor was expressed behind the hair-cell specific Pou4f3 promoter. Due to higher Pou4f3 expression in cochlear hair cells than vestibular hair cells, administration of a low dose of DT caused profound SNHL without vestibular dysfunction and had no effect on wild-type (WT) littermates. Spatial learning/memory was assayed using an automated radial 8-arm maze (RAM), where mice were trained to find food rewards over a 14-day period. The number of working memory errors (WME) and reference memory errors (RME) per training day were recorded. All animals were injected with DT during P30-60 and underwent the RAM assay during P90-120. SNHL animals committed more WME and RME than WT animals, demonstrating that isolated SNHL affected cognitive function. Duration of SNHL (60 versus 90 days post DT injection) had no effect on RAM performance. However, younger age of acquired SNHL (DT on P30 versus P60) was associated with fewer WME. This describes the previously undocumented effect of isolated SNHL on cognitive processes that do not directly rely on auditory sensory input.

    View details for DOI 10.1038/s41598-020-77803-7

    View details for PubMedID 33244175

  • Effects of Pregnancy on Otosclerosis. Otolaryngology--head and neck surgery : official journal of American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery Qian, Z. J., Alyono, J. C. 2020: 194599820907093

    Abstract

    The effect of pregnancy on otosclerosis is controversial. If pregnancy physiologically increases the risk of progression, females with children would be expected to receive stapedectomy earlier than childless females and males. Here, we seek to determine whether sex moderates the relationship between number of children and age at stapedectomy.Retrospective observational study of national health care claims.2003 to 2016 Optum Clinformatics Data Mart.In total, 6025 privately insured US adults (3553 females, 2472 males) who received stapedectomy for otosclerosis were queried for age and number of children at the time of initial surgery.The average age at stapedectomy was significantly lower in females than males (46.8 vs 48.1 years; t test, P < .0001). Females with children had a significantly lower age at surgery compared to childless females (39.3 vs 49.9 years; t test, P < .0001). Males with children similarly had a significantly lower age at surgery compared to childless males (40.5 vs 51.3 years; t test, P < .0001). A higher number of children was correlated with lower age for both females (Pearson, r = -0.3817, P < .0001) and males (Pearson, r = -0. 3675, P < .0001). Linear regression showed that younger age of surgery could be predicted by female sex and number of children (F(3, 6021) = 336.93, P < .001, R2 = 0.1437) with no significant interaction between sex and number of children (P = .186).Sex does not moderate the effect of increasing number of children on decreasing age at stapedectomy. Social, rather than biological, factors surrounding parenthood such as increased overall health care utilization may explain prior associations between pregnancy and otosclerosis.

    View details for DOI 10.1177/0194599820907093

    View details for PubMedID 32093549

  • Cerebral volume and diffusion MRI changes in children with sensorineural hearing loss. NeuroImage: Clinical Moon, P. K., Qian, J. Z., McKenna, E., Xi, K., Rowe, N. C., Ng, N. N., Zheng, J., Tam, L. T., MacEachern, S. J., Ahmad, I., Cheng, A. G., Forkert, N. D., Yeom, K. W. 2020; 27: 1-9
  • COVID-19 and the otolaryngologist - preliminary evidence-based review. The Laryngoscope Vukkadala, N. n., Qian, Z. J., Holsinger, F. C., Patel, Z. M., Rosenthal, E. n. 2020

    Abstract

    The SARS-CoV-2 virus which causes coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has rapidly swept across the world since its identification in December 2019. Otolaryngologists are at unique risk due to the close contact with mucus membranes of the upper respiratory tract and have been among the most affected healthcare workers in Wuhan, China. We present information on COVID-19 management relevant to otolaryngologists on the frontlines of this pandemic and provide preliminary guidance based on practices implemented in China and other countries and practical strategies deployed at Stanford University. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

    View details for DOI 10.1002/lary.28672

    View details for PubMedID 32219846

  • Health Literacy and Hearing Healthcare Use. The Laryngoscope Tran, E. D., Vaisbuch, Y. n., Qian, Z. J., Fitzgerald, M. B., Megwalu, U. C. 2020

    Abstract

    To assess whether health literacy is associated with: 1) degree of hearing loss at initial presentation for audiogram and 2) hearing aid adoption for hearing aid candidates.We identified 1376 patients who underwent audiometric testing and completed a brief health literacy questionnaire at our institution. The association between health literacy and degree of hearing loss at initial presentation was examined using linear regression, adjusted for age, gender, marital status, education level, race, language, employment status, and insurance coverage. The association between health literacy and hearing aid adoption was examined in the subset of patients identified as hearing aid candidates using logistic regression, adjusted for demographic factors and insurance coverage.Patients with inadequate health literacy were more likely to present with more severe hearing loss (adjusted mean pure-tone average [PTA] difference, 5.38 dB, 95% confidence interval [CI] 2.75 to 8.01). For hearing aid candidates (n = 472 [41.6%]), health literacy was not associated with hearing aid adoption rate (odds ratio [OR] 0.85, 95% CI 0.40 to 1.76). Hearing aid coverage through Medicaid (OR 2.22, 95% CI 1.13 to 4.37), and moderate (OR 2.70, 95% CI 1.58 to 4.69) or moderate-severe (OR 2.23, 95% CI 1.19 to 4.16) hearing loss were associated with hearing aid adoption.In our population, patients with low health literacy are more likely to present with higher degrees of hearing loss, but no less likely to obtain hearing aids compared with patients with adequate health literacy. Hearing loss severity and hearing aid coverage by insurance appear to be the main drivers of hearing aid adoption.3 Laryngoscope, 2020.

    View details for DOI 10.1002/lary.29313

    View details for PubMedID 33305829

  • Harms of Pediatric Thyroid Cancer Overdiagnosis-Reply. JAMA otolaryngology-- head & neck surgery Qian, Z. J., Megwalu, U. C. 2019

    View details for DOI 10.1001/jamaoto.2019.3054

    View details for PubMedID 31621811

  • Impact of lymph node sampling on survival in cN0 major salivary gland adenoid cystic carcinoma HEAD AND NECK-JOURNAL FOR THE SCIENCES AND SPECIALTIES OF THE HEAD AND NECK Qian, Z., Chen, M. M., Divi, V., Megwalu, U. C. 2019; 41 (6): 1903–7

    View details for DOI 10.1002/hed.25628

    View details for Web of Science ID 000468629500045

  • Impact of lymph node sampling on survival in cN0 major salivary gland adenoid cystic carcinoma. Head & neck Qian, Z. J., Chen, M. M., Divi, V., Megwalu, U. C. 2019

    Abstract

    BACKGROUND: The role of elective neck dissection in the management of major salivary gland adenoid cystic carcinoma is unclear.METHODS: Data were retrospectively extracted from the National Cancer Center Database. The study cohort included 1504 patients with adenoid cystic carcinoma of major salivary glands with clinical N0 necks who were treated with surgery between 2004 and 2014. The cohort was divided into four groups based on number of lymph nodes (LNs) examined on pathology: 0, 1-8, 9-17, and ≥18 LNs.RESULTS: The rate of occult nodal metastasis was 9.0%. Number of LNs removed was not associated with survival (Reference, 0 LNs; HR= 0.98, 95% CI 0.73-1.32 for 1-8 LNs; HR= 1.22, 95% CI 0.80-1.88 for 9-17 LNs; HR= 0.94, 95% CI 0.61-1.46 for ≥18 LNs) after adjusting for important covariates.CONCLUSIONS: LN sampling is not associated with survival in cN0 major salivary gland ACC.

    View details for PubMedID 30620437

  • Pediatric Thyroid Cancer Incidence and Mortality Trends in the United States, 1973-2013. JAMA otolaryngology-- head & neck surgery Qian, Z. J., Jin, M. C., Meister, K. D., Megwalu, U. C. 2019

    Abstract

    The incidence of thyroid cancer is increasing by 3% annually. This increase is often thought to be attributable to overdiagnosis in adults. A previous study reported a 1.1% annual increase in the incidence of pediatric thyroid cancer. However, the analysis was limited to the period from 1973 to 2004 and was performed in a linear fashion, which does not account for changes in incidence trends over time.To analyze trends in pediatric thyroid cancer incidence based on demographic and tumor characteristics at diagnosis.This cross-sectional study included individuals younger than 20 years who had a diagnosis of thyroid cancer in the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) 9 database from 1973 to 2013. Cases of thyroid cancer were identified using the International Classification of Diseases for Oncology, Third Edition and were categorized by histologic type, stage, and tumor size.Annual percent change (APC) in the incidence rates was calculated using joinpoint regression analysis.Among 1806 patients included in the analysis, 1454 (80.5%) were female and 1503 (83.2%) were white; most patients were aged 15 to 19 years. The overall incidence rates of thyroid cancer increased annually from 0.48 per 100 000 person-years in 1973 to 1.14 per 100 000 person-years in 2013. Incidence rates gradually increased from 1973 to 2006 (APC, 1.11%; 95% CI, 0.56%-1.67%) and then markedly increased from 2006 to 2013 (APC, 9.56%; 95% CI, 5.09%-14.22%). The incidence rates of large tumors (>20 mm) gradually increased from 1983 to 2006 (APC, 2.23%; 95% CI, 0.93%-3.54%) and then markedly increased from 2006 to 2013 (APC, 8.84%; 95% CI, 3.20%-14.79%); these rates were not significantly different from incidence rates of small (1-20 mm) tumors. The incidence rates of regionally extended thyroid cancer gradually increased from 1973 to 2006 (APC, 1.44%; 95% CI, 0.68%-2.21%) and then markedly increased from 2006 to 2013 (APC, 11.16%; 95% CI, 5.26%-17.40%); these rates were not significantly different from the incidence rates of localized disease.The incidence rates of pediatric thyroid cancer increased more rapidly from 2006 to 2013 than from 1973 to 2006. The findings suggest that there may be a co-occurring increase in thyroid cancer in the pediatric population in addition to enhanced detection.

    View details for DOI 10.1001/jamaoto.2019.0898

    View details for PubMedID 31120475

  • A Prospective Evaluation of Postoperative Opioid Use in Otologic Surgery. Otology & neurotology : official publication of the American Otological Society, American Neurotology Society [and] European Academy of Otology and Neurotology Qian, Z. J., Alyono, J. C., Woods, O. D., Ali, N. n., Blevins, N. H. 2019

    Abstract

    To prospectively evaluate opioid consumption following adult outpatient otologic surgery.Prospective observational.Single-tertiary referral center.Patients scheduled for otologic surgery who did not have a history of chronic opioid use were recruited between February 2018 and February 2019.Opioid consumption was queried using telephone or in-person surveys administered between postoperative days 5 and 15. Patient demographics, surgical details, and opioid prescription patterns were abstracted from medical records. Opioid distribution was determined by querying records maintained by the California Department of Justice through a state-wide prescription drug monitoring program mandated since 2016.Seventy patients were prescribed an average of 68.9 ± 31.8 mg of morphine equivalents (MME) and consumed 47.3 ± 42.9 MME over 2.4 ± 2.3 days postoperatively. Patients who received a postauricular incision were prescribed significantly more than those who underwent transcanal procedures (86.2 vs 55.9 MME; t test, p < 0.001), consumed significantly more (72.2 vs 28.6 MME; t test, p < 0.001), and for a significantly longer duration (3.4 vs 1.6 days; t test, p = 0.001). In the postauricular group, there was no significant difference in consumption between mastoidectomy and nonmastoidectomy subgroups (64.9 vs 89.2 MME; t test, p = 0.151). Eighty percent of transcanal patients consumed 50 MME (10 pills) or less, while 80% of postauricular patients consumed 80 MME (16 pills) or less.Patients in our cohort consumed approximately 3/4 of the prescribed opioids. Those with postauricular incisions used significantly more than those with transcanal incisions. Postoperative opioid prescription recommendations should be tailored according to the extent of surgery.

    View details for DOI 10.1097/MAO.0000000000002364

    View details for PubMedID 31469798

  • An association between marijuana use and tinnitus. American journal of otolaryngology Qian, Z. J., Alyono, J. C. 2019: 102314

    Abstract

    While some advocates have argued for marijuana as a treatment for tinnitus, the relationship between marijuana use and tinnitus is unknown. The objective of this study was to evaluate associations between marijuana use and the prevalence, severity, and rate of occurrence of tinnitus.Cross-sectional analysis of nationally representative data.National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2011-2012.Statistical analysis was performed on data collected from 2705 non-institutionalized adults aged 20-69 who underwent audiometric testing and were administered questionnaires about hearing, drug use, current health status, and medical history.The use of marijuana at least once per month for the previous 12 months was significantly associated with experiencing tinnitus during that 12-month month (X2(1) = 19.41, p < 0.001). Subjects who used marijuana were more likely to experience tinnitus after accounting for covariables including age, gender, audiometric hearing loss, noise exposure history, depression, anxiety, smoking, salicylate use, cardiovascular disease, hypertension, and diabetes (OR = 1.75, 95% CI 1.02-3.01, p = 0.043). There were no associations between the severity or frequency of tinnitus occurrence and the quantity or frequency of marijuana use. Use of other substances such as alcohol, cocaine, methamphetamine, and heroin was not associated with tinnitus.Regular marijuana use is associated with prevalent tinnitus. However, no dose response between marijuana use and tinnitus was observed. The relationship between marijuana use and tinnitus is complex and is likely modulated by psychosocial factors.

    View details for DOI 10.1016/j.amjoto.2019.102314

    View details for PubMedID 31732310

  • Association of Cardiovascular Comorbidities With Hearing Loss in the Older Old. JAMA otolaryngology-- head & neck surgery Wattamwar, K., Qian, Z. J., Otter, J., Leskowitz, M. J., Caruana, F. F., Siedlecki, B., Spitzer, J. B., Lalwani, A. K. 2018

    Abstract

    In the United States, the population of individuals older than 80 years is expected to double in the next 40 years. Cardiovascular comorbidities are prevalent in this older old population, and their relationship with hearing loss has not been well characterized.To investigate the association of cardiovascular disease (CVD)-related risk factors with auditory function among the older old (>80 years).Audiological data and medical records from 2001 through 2014 of 433 patients aged 80 to 106 years at an academic medical center were analyzed in 2017.The degree of low- and high-frequency hearing loss of participants with coronary artery disease, diabetes, hypertension, history of cerebrovascular accident, and smoking status was compared with that of disease-free individuals. Rate of hearing loss was also determined.Among the 433 patients (67% female; mean [SD] age, 89 [5.8] years), the presence of at least 1 cardiovascular morbidity was associated with elevated mean (SD) low-frequency pure-tone average (LFPTA) of 42.4 (1.6) vs 36.9 (3.5) decibels hearing loss (dB HL), a difference of 5.47 (95% CI, 4.15-9.49) dB HL. Among the 96 patients with 2 audiograms performed at age 80 years or older from which the rate of hearing loss could be calculated, 32 patients had CVD or related risk factors and 64 were healthy controls. Those with at least 1 disease had accelerated hearing loss. Patients with cardiovascular morbidity experienced a faster mean (SD) decline in LFPTA of 1.90 (0.27) vs 1.18 (0.42) dB HL/y, a difference of 0.72 (95% CI, 0.08-1.36) dB HL/y. Of the conditions studied, coronary artery disease had the highest association with audiometric thresholds and was associated with hearing loss at all frequencies tested and with poor word recognition score. Hearing loss was more strongly associated with CVD risk factors in men than in women.In this study of the older old, cardiovascular risk factors and disease were associated with worse hearing and a greater rate of hearing deterioration. Hearing loss in women was less associated with the presence of CVD, possibly owing to the cardioprotective effects of estrogen. The association of hearing with CVD severity and management remains to be determined.

    View details for DOI 10.1001/jamaoto.2018.0643

    View details for PubMedID 29902313

  • A novel method of quantifying brain atrophy associated with age-related hearing loss. NeuroImage. Clinical Qian, Z. J., Chang, P. D., Moonis, G., Lalwani, A. K. 2017; 16: 205-209

    Abstract

    A growing body of evidence has shown that a relationship between age-related hearing loss and structural brain changes exists. However, a method to measure brain atrophy associated with hearing loss from a single MRI study (i.e. without an interval study) that produces an independently interpretable output does not. Such a method would be beneficial for studying patterns of structural brain changes on a large scale. Here, we introduce our method for this. Audiometric evaluations and mini-mental state exams were obtained in 34 subjects over the age of 80 who have had brain MRIs in the past 6 years. CSF and parenchymal brain volumes (whole brain and by lobe) were obtained through a novel, fully automated algorithm. Atrophy was calculated by taking the ratio of CSF to parenchyma. High frequency hearing loss was associated with disproportional temporal lobe atrophy relative to whole brain atrophy independent of age (r = 0.471, p = 0.005). Mental state was associated with frontoparietal atrophy but not to temporal lobe atrophy, which is consistent with known results. Our method demonstrates that hearing loss is associated with temporal lobe atrophy and generalized whole brain atrophy. Our algorithm is efficient, fully automated, and able to detect significant associations in a small cohort.

    View details for DOI 10.1016/j.nicl.2017.07.021

    View details for PubMedID 28808617

    View details for PubMedCentralID PMC5544491

  • Increases in the Rate of Age-Related Hearing Loss in the Older Old JAMA OTOLARYNGOLOGY-HEAD & NECK SURGERY Wattamwar, K., Qian, Z. J., Otter, J., Leskowitz, M. J., Caruana, F. F., Siedlecki, B., Spitzer, J. B., Lalwani, A. K. 2017; 143 (1): 41-45

    Abstract

    There is a critical disparity in knowledge regarding the rate and nature of hearing loss in the older old (80 years and older).To determine if the rate of age-related hearing loss is constant in the older old.We performed a retrospective review that began on August 1, 2014, with audiometric evaluations at an academic medical center of 647 patients aged between 80 and 106 years, of whom 141 had multiple audiograms.From a population perspective, the degree of hearing loss was compared across the following age brackets: 80 to 84 years, 85 to 89 years, 90 to 94 years, and 95 years and older. From an individual perspective, the rate of hearing decrease between 2 audiograms was compared with age.Changes in hearing among age brackets were higher during the 10th decade of life than the 9th decade at all frequencies (5.4-11.9 dB hearing level [dB HL]) for the 647 patients (mean [SD] age, 90 [5.5] years). Correspondingly, the annual rate of low-frequency hearing loss was faster during the 10th decade by the 3.8 dB HL per year at 0.25 kHz, 3.8 dB HL per year at 0.5 kHz, and 3.2 dB HL per year at 1 kHz. Despite the universal presence of hearing loss in our sample, 382 patients (59%) used hearing aids.There is a significant increase in the rate of hearing loss in patients during the 10th decade of life compared with the 9th decade that represents a fundamental change in the mechanistic process of presbycusis. Despite the potential benefit of hearing aids, they remain underused in the older old. Use may be improved by changing the method of hearing rehabilitation counseling from a patient-initiated model to a chronic disease example.

    View details for DOI 10.1001/jamaoto.2016.2661

    View details for Web of Science ID 000394441000007

    View details for PubMedID 27632707

  • Prophages mediate defense against phage infection through diverse mechanisms ISME JOURNAL Bondy-Denomy, J., Qian, J., Westra, E. R., Buckling, A., Guttman, D. S., Davidson, A. R., Maxwell, K. L. 2016; 10 (12): 2854-2866

    Abstract

    The activity of bacteriophages poses a major threat to bacterial survival. Upon infection, a temperate phage can either kill the host cell or be maintained as a prophage. In this state, the bacteria carrying the prophage is at risk of superinfection, where another phage injects its genetic material and competes for host cell resources. To avoid this, many phages have evolved mechanisms that alter the bacteria and make it resistant to phage superinfection. The mechanisms underlying these phentoypic conversions and the fitness consequences for the host are poorly understood, and systematic studies of superinfection exclusion mechanisms are lacking. In this study, we examined a wide range of Pseudomonas aeruginosa phages and found that they mediate superinfection exclusion through a variety of mechanisms, some of which affected the type IV pilus and O-antigen, and others that functioned inside the cell. The strongest resistance mechanism was a surface modification that we showed is cost-free for the bacterial host in a natural soil environment and in a Caenorhabditis. elegans infection model. This study represents the first systematic approach to address how a population of prophages influences phage resistance and bacterial behavior in P. aeruginosa.

    View details for DOI 10.1038/ismej.2016.79

    View details for Web of Science ID 000394508000008

    View details for PubMedID 27258950

    View details for PubMedCentralID PMC5148200

  • Hearing Aid Use is Associated with Better Mini-Mental State Exam Performance. American journal of geriatric psychiatry Qian, Z. J., Wattamwar, K., Caruana, F. F., Otter, J., Leskowitz, M. J., Siedlecki, B., Spitzer, J. B., Lalwani, A. K. 2016; 24 (9): 694-702

    Abstract

    Hearing loss is associated with cognitive decline in the elderly. However, it is unknown if the use of hearing aids (HAs) is associated with enhanced cognitive function.In a cross-sectional study at an academic medical center, participants underwent audiometric evaluation, the Mini-Mental State Exam (MMSE), and the Trail Making Test, Part B (TMT-B). The impact of use versus disuse of HAs was assessed. Performance on cognitive tests was then compared with unaided hearing levels.HA users performed better on the MMSE (1.9 points; rank-sum, p = 0.008) despite having worse hearing at both high frequencies (15.3-dB hearing level; t test, p < 0.001) and low frequencies (15.7-dB hearing level; t test p < 0.001). HA use had no effect TMT-B performance. Better performance on the MMSE was correlated with both low frequency (ρ = -0.28, p = 0.021) and high frequency (ρ = -0.21, p = 0.038) hearing level, but there was no correlation between performance on the TMT-B and hearing at any frequency.Despite having poorer hearing, HA users performed better on the MMSE. Better performance on cognitive tests with auditory stimuli (MMSE) but not visual stimuli (TMT-B) suggests that hearing loss is associated with sensory-specific cognitive decline rather than global cognitive impairment. Because hearing loss is nearly universal in those older than 80 years, HAs should be strongly recommended to minimize cognitive impairment in the elderly.

    View details for DOI 10.1016/j.jagp.2016.03.005

    View details for PubMedID 27394684

  • Asymmetric Hearing Loss Is Common and Benign in Patients Aged 95 Years and Older LARYNGOSCOPE Leskowitz, M. J., Caruana, F. F., Siedlecki, B., Qian, Z. J., Spitzer, J. B., Lalwani, A. K. 2016; 126 (7): 1630-1632

    Abstract

    The objective of our study was to investigate age-specific auditory function in the patient population aged 95 years and older.Retrospective chart review at a tertiary medical center.Medical records of 51 patients older than 95 years (82% female, 18% male) who underwent audiologic testing were reviewed. The following information was collected: age at time of most recent audiogram and prior audiograms; results of pure tone, immittance, and speech audiometry; and findings on radiologic imaging.None of the subjects had hearing in the normal range. For the poorer hearing ear, average low-frequency, high-frequency, and overall pure tone averages (PTA) for the population were 67.9, 82.1, and 74.9 dB hearing level, respectively. Mean word recognition score (WRS) was 57.6% and deteriorated with increasing PTA (P = .0002). Asymmetry, defined by a 10-dB difference at two frequencies, was present in 39.2% of the sample, and WRS asymmetry, defined as a difference of 12% in WRS between ears, was present in 33.0% of the sample. Retrocochlear evaluation did not identify pathology in any of the cases tested. In the poorer hearing ear, average decline in PTA per year was 2.9 dB.In individuals >95 years of age, hearing loss was universal, moderately severe to profound in magnitude, and associated with substantial loss of speech recognition. Hearing loss progresses at a rate greater than for younger cohorts. In this "oldest old" population, asymmetry of loss and WRS was common and is not indicative of retrocochlear pathology.4 Laryngoscope, 126:1630-1632, 2016.

    View details for DOI 10.1002/lary.25503

    View details for Web of Science ID 000379983800032

    View details for PubMedID 27040356

  • Microperforations Significantly Enhance Diffusion Across Round Window Membrane OTOLOGY & NEUROTOLOGY Kelso, C. M., Watanabe, H., Wazen, J. M., Bucher, T., Qian, Z. J., Olson, E. S., Kysar, J. W., Lalwani, A. K. 2015; 36 (4): 694-700

    Abstract

    Introduction of microperforations in round window membrane (RWM) will allow reliable and predictable intracochlear delivery of pharmaceutical, molecular, or cellular therapeutic agents.Reliable delivery of medications into the inner ear remains a formidable challenge. The RWM is an attractive target for intracochlear delivery. However, simple diffusion across intact RWM is limited by what material can be delivered, size of material to be delivered, difficulty with precise dosing, timing, and precision of delivery over time. Further, absence of reliable methods for measuring diffusion across RWM in vitro is a significant experimental impediment.A novel model for measuring diffusion across guinea pig RWM, with and without microperforation, was developed and tested: cochleae, sparing the RWM, were embedded in 3D-printed acrylic holders using hybrid dental composite and light cured to adapt the round window niche to 3 ml Franz diffusion cells. Perforations were created with 12.5-μm-diameter needles and examined with light microscopy. Diffusion of 1 mM Rhodamine B across RWM in static diffusion cells was measured via fluorescence microscopy.The diffusion cell apparatus provided reliable and replicable measurements of diffusion across RWM. The permeability of Rhodamine B across intact RWM was 5.1 × 10(9-) m/s. Manual application of microperforation with a 12.5-μm-diameter tip produced an elliptical tear removing 0.22 ± 0.07% of the membrane and was associated with a 35× enhancement in diffusion (P < 0.05).Diffusion cells can be applied to the study of RWM permeability in vitro. Microperforation in RWM is an effective means of increasing diffusion across the RWM.

    View details for Web of Science ID 000351000600021

    View details for PubMedID 25310125