Bourbonnais

Researchers are comparing the rates of surgical and minimally invasive interventions, as well as any harms, in Medicare beneficiaries treated with the MILD procedure versus those treated with interspinous process decompression IPD for lumbar spinal stenosis with neurogenic claudication. This observational study uses Medicare claims data to follow patients for 24 months after their initial procedure starting from January 1, 2017. The purpose is to evaluate outcomes between these two types of procedures without requiring prior patient enrollment or consent. The study includes two groups patients who received MILD, which is a percutaneous image-guided lumbar decompression performed under fluoroscopic guidance through a dorsal approach to the spine, and patients who received IPD, a different device-based decompression procedure. Data on reoperations and complications will be collected for both groups over a 24-month follow-up period using Medicare claims. Enrollment continues until the sponsor decides to stop. Participants involvement is passive as the study uses existing Medicare claims data. Researchers will monitor rates of harms related to the initial procedure and subsequent surgical or minimally invasive interventions over two years. No direct patient visits or interventions are conducted, and the study is exempt from institutional review board oversight. The total study duration extends to December 2026, covering cases treated since early 2017.

This research aims to evaluate the Shield blood tests performance for colorectal cancer CRC screening in people aged 45 to 81 who are at average risk for CRC. The study focuses on assessing the test during a second round of screening, using colonoscopy as the reference standard. CRC is a common and serious disease, especially affecting older adults and certain minority groups, with early detection being key to improving outcomes. Participants will undergo the Shield blood test as part of their routine standard care, and their results will be compared to colonoscopy findings. This study is observational and collects real-world evidence over a period of 33 to 42 months after enrollment to assess how well the Shield test performs in detecting CRC or its precursors during the second screening interval. Participants will be involved in scheduled study procedures and standard care assessments, with data collected on the tests accuracy and effectiveness over time. The main outcome measured is the performance of the Shield test during the second testing period. The study will continue until December 2030, monitoring participants to gather long-term information about CRC screening efficacy in an average-risk population.