Improvement In Symptoms Research Articles

Pulmonary Vein Isolation vs Sham Intervention in Symptomatic Atrial Fibrillation: The SHAM-PVI Randomized Clinical Trial.

There are concerns that pulmonary vein isolation for atrial fibrillation may have a profound placebo effect, but no double-blind randomized clinical trials have been conducted. To determine whether pulmonary vein isolation is more effective than a sham procedure for improving outcomes in atrial fibrillation. Double-blind randomized clinical trial conducted at 2 tertiary centers in the UK between January 2020 and March 2024 among patients with symptomatic paroxysmal or persistent atrial fibrillation. Major exclusion criteria included long-standing persistent atrial fibrillation, prior left atrium ablation, other arrhythmias requiring ablative therapy, a left atrium of 5.5 cm or larger, and ejection fraction of less than 35%. Participants were randomly assigned to receive pulmonary vein isolation with cryoablation (n = 64) or a sham procedure with phrenic nerve pacing (n = 62). The primary end point was atrial fibrillation burden at 6 months, excluding a 3-month blanking period. Secondary outcomes included quality-of-life measures, time to events, and safety. Atrial fibrillation burden was measured by an implantable loop recorder. A total of 126 participants were randomized (mean age, 66.8 years; 89 men [70.63%]; 20.63% with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation). The absolute mean atrial fibrillation burden change from baseline to 6 months was 60.31% in the ablation group and 35.0% in the sham group (geometric mean difference, 0.25; 95% CI, 0.15-0.42; P < .001). The estimated difference in the overall Atrial Fibrillation Effect on Quality of Life score at 6 months, favoring catheter ablation, was 18.39 points (95% CI, 11.48-25.30 points). The Short Form 36 general health score also improved substantially more with ablation, with an estimated difference of 9.27 points at 6 months (95% CI, 3.78-14.76 points). Pulmonary vein isolation resulted in a statistically significant and clinically important decrease in atrial fibrillation burden at 6 months, with substantial improvements in symptoms and quality of life, compared with a sham procedure. ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT04272762.

A Systematic Review of the Relationship Between Traumatic Brain Injury and Disruptions in Heart Rate Variability.

Autonomic nervous system dysfunction is increasingly recognized as a common sequela of traumatic brain injury (TBI). Heart rate variability (HRV) is a specific measure of autonomic nervous system functioning that can be used to measure beat-to-beat changes in heart rate following TBI. The objective of this systematic review was to determine the state of the literature on HRV dysfunction following TBI, assess the level of support for HRV dysfunction following TBI, and determine if HRV dysfunction predicts mortality and the severity and subsequent recovery of TBI symptoms. We followed the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. Two raters coded each article and provided quality ratings with discrepancies resolved by consensus. Eighty-nine papers met the inclusion criteria. Findings indicated that TBI of any severity is associated with decreased (i.e., worse) HRV; the severity of TBI appears to moderate the relationship between HRV and recovery; decreased HRV following TBI predicts mortality beyond age; HRV disturbances may persist beyond return-to-play and symptom resolution following mild TBI. Overall, current literature suggests HRV is decreased following TBI and may be a good indicator of physiological change and predictor of important outcomes including mortality and symptom improvement following TBI.

Serial Changes in Ventricular Strain in Symptomatic Obstructive Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy Treated With Mavacamten: Insights From the VALOR-HCM Trial.

In severely symptomatic patients with obstructive hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, VALOR-HCM (A Study to Evaluate Mavacamten in Adults With Symptomatic Obstructive Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy Who Are Eligible for Septal Reduction Therapy) demonstrated that mavacamten reduces the need for septal reduction therapy with sustained improvement in left ventricular (LV) outflow tract gradients and symptoms. Global longitudinal strain (GLS), a measure of regional myocardial function, is a more sensitive marker of systolic function. In VALOR-HCM, we assessed serial changes in LV and right ventricular (RV) strain. VALOR-HCM included 112 patients with symptomatic obstructive hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (mean, 60 years; 51% male; LV ejection fraction, 68%). Patients assigned to mavacamten at baseline continued the drug for 56 weeks (n=56) and those assigned to placebo (n=52) transitioned to mavacamten from weeks 16 to 56 (40-week exposure). LV-GLS and RV-GLS assessment was performed using a vendor-neutral software. Non-foreshortened apical (4-, 3-, and 2-chamber) views were used to obtain peak LV-GLS. RV focused 4-chamber view was used to calculate RV 4-chamber and free wall strain. A more negative strain value is favorable. At baseline, the mean LV-GLS, RV 4-chamber, and free wall strain values were -14.7%, -22.2%, and -16.8%, respectively (all worse than reported normal means). In the total study sample, LV-GLS significantly improved from baseline to week 56 (P=0.02). Twelve patients had transient reduction in LV ejection fraction (<50%) requiring temporary drug interruption (including 3 permanent discontinuations). The LV-GLS in this subgroup was worse at baseline versus total study population (-11.4%), with no significant worsening from baseline through week 56 (P=0.64). Both free wall and 4-chamber RV-GLS remained unchanged from baseline to week 56 (P=0.62 and P=0.56, respectively). In VALOR-HCM, treatment with mavacamten improved LV-GLS from baseline through week 56 (with no significant worsening of LV-GLS in patients with a reduction in LV ejection fraction ≤50%), suggesting a favorable long-term impact on regional LV systolic function. Additionally, there was no detrimental impact on RV systolic function. URL: https://www.clinicaltrials.gov; Unique identifier: NCT04349072.

Depression in type 2 diabetes mellitus: Prevalence, characteristics, associated factors, and treatment outcomes

BackgroundPrevious studies have demonstrated that sertraline has a positive impact on improving depression; however, data on the prevalence and treatment outcomes of sertraline among patients with comorbid Type 2 diabetes mellitus and depression remain limited. ObjectivesDetermine the prevalence and associated factors of depression, and evaluate the treatment outcomes of sertraline intervention at two dosage levels (50 mg per day and 100 mg per day) in patients with comorbid depression and type 2 diabetes mellitus in Vietnam. Materials and methodsThe study included type 2 diabetes mellitus patients receiving outpatient treatment at Bac Lieu General Hospital from March 2023 to March 2024. Following the assessment of depression prevalence and associated factors, a randomized, single-blind clinical trial was conducted. Patients were randomly assigned to two groups: odd-numbered patients received treatment with 50 mg/day sertraline dosage, while even-numbered patients received treatment with 100 mg/day sertraline dosage. The criteria for success included improvement in symptoms and severity of depression after 6 months of treatment. ResultsA total of 225 type 2 diabetes mellitus patients with a mean age of 63.8 ± 10.7 years were included, among whom 72 were diagnosed with depression, accounting for a prevalence rate of 32 %. Among these patients, 51 were female (70.8 %) and 21 were male (29.2 %). Female gender, overweight, obesity, diabetes duration over 36 months, and a history of cardiovascular disease were found to be associated with depression. However, in the multivariate model, only overweight, obesity, HbA1c ≥ 6.5 %, and a history of cardiovascular disease were identified as independent factors contributing to depression in type 2 diabetes mellitus patients, with odds ratios of 4.12 (95 % CI: 1.78–9.56; p = 0.001), 0.37 (95 % CI: 0.15–0.95; p = 0.038) and 25.90 (95 % CI: 9.05–74.12; p < 0.001), respectively. Following 6 months of treatment, in the 50 mg/day dosage group, the proportion of patients with moderate to severe depression decreased from 77.8 % to 33.3 % (p < 0.001). Similarly, in the 100 mg/day dosage group, the proportion of patients with moderate to severe depression decreased from 94.4 % to 52.8 % (p < 0.001). ConclusionDepression accounts for approximately one-third of type 2 diabetes mellitus cases. Overweight, obesity, HbA1c levels, and cardiovascular disease are independent factors associated with depression. Intervention with sertraline for depression treatment at both 50 mg/day and 100 mg/day dosages demonstrates significant improvements in depression severity after 6 months of treatment.

54203 VISIBLE: Clearance and Symptom Improvement With Guselkumab at Week 16 in Skin of Color Participants With Moderate-to-Severe Plaque Psoriasis

54203 VISIBLE: Clearance and Symptom Improvement With Guselkumab at Week 16 in Skin of Color Participants With Moderate-to-Severe Plaque Psoriasis

52100 Improvement of itch and sleep disturbance symptoms in patients with moderate-to-severe atopic dermatitis treated with lebrikizumab is maintained over 52 weeks as measured weekly with POEM

52100 Improvement of itch and sleep disturbance symptoms in patients with moderate-to-severe atopic dermatitis treated with lebrikizumab is maintained over 52 weeks as measured weekly with POEM

Lack of Efficacy of JNJ-18038683 on Cognitive Impairment in Patients With Stable Bipolar Disorder

Background The serotonin type 7 (5-HT7) receptor is one of 14 5-HT receptors. It has received attention for its possible role in mood disorders and cognition. The 5-HT7 receptor antagonist, JNJ-18038683, has been reported to be effective in rodent models of depression and REM sleep. Also, 5-HT7 receptor blockade has been postulated to be a key component of cognitive enhancement in a number of drugs. Bipolar disorder (BD) usually endures cognitive impairment (CI); however, no treatment for CI in BD has been approved. This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of JNJ-18038683 to improve the CI of BD compared to a placebo. Methods We conducted a placebo-controlled, 8-week trial of JNJ-18038683 in BD patients. Each patient's data were analyzed and reassessed blindly with a comprehensive neuropsychological battery, depression and hypomania ratings, and overall social and work function measures. Results Of 60 patients, 38 (63%) were female, 43 (72%) had BD type 1, and most patients were Caucasian and married. The overall time effect for the combined group shows statistically significant improvement from baseline to week 8 for most of the neurocognitive battery measures. This indicates a significant improvement in psychopathology and cognition during the study time in both JNJ-18038683 and placebo groups, but no difference between groups. Conclusions This study showed no efficacy for the improvement of CIBD or mood symptoms with JNJ-18038683 compared to the placebo.

53750 Improvements in Patient-Reported Symptoms and Signs of Moderate-to-Severe Psoriasis With JNJ-77242113: Results of the FRONTIER 1 Study

53750 Improvements in Patient-Reported Symptoms and Signs of Moderate-to-Severe Psoriasis With JNJ-77242113: Results of the FRONTIER 1 Study

Long-term effect of mavacamten in obstructive hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.

Long-term safety and efficacy of mavacamten in patients with obstructive hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) are unknown. MAVA-LTE (NCT03723655) is an ongoing, 5-year, open-label extension study designed to evaluate the long-term effects of mavacamten. Participants from EXPLORER-HCM (NCT03470545) could enrol in MAVA-LTE upon study completion. At the latest data cut-off, 211 (91.3%) of 231 patients originally enrolled in MAVA-LTE still received mavacamten. Median (range) time on study was 166.1 (6.0-228.1) weeks; 185 (80.1%) and 99 (42.9%) patients had completed the week 156 and 180 visits, respectively. Sustained reductions from baseline to week 180 occurred in left ventricular outflow tract gradients (mean [standard deviation]: resting, -40.3 [32.7] mmHg; Valsalva, -55.3 [33.7] mmHg), NT-proBNP (median [interquartile range]: -562 [-1162.5, -209] ng/L), and EQ-5D-5L score (mean [standard deviation]: 0.09 [0.17]). Mean left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) decreased from 73.9% (baseline) to 66.6% (week 24) and 63.9% (week 180). At week 180, 74 (77.9%) of 95 patients improved by at least one New York Heart Association class from baseline. Over 739 patient-years exposure, 20 patients (8.7%; exposure-adjusted incidence: 2.77/100 patient-years) experienced 22 transient reductions in LVEF to <50% resulting in temporary treatment interruption (all recovered LVEF of ≥50%). Five (2.2%) patients died (all considered unrelated to mavacamten). Long-term mavacamten treatment resulted in sustained improvements in cardiac function and symptoms in patients with obstructive HCM, with no new safety concerns identified. Transient, reversible reductions in LVEF were observed in a small proportion of patients during long-term follow-up.

Analysis of Depression and Anxiety Scores Following Initiation of Elexacaftor/Tezacaftor/Ivacaftor in Adults With Cystic Fibrosis.

Elexacaftor/tezacaftor/ivacaftor (E/T/I) has provided life-changing pharmacotherapy for many people with cystic fibrosis (CF), but conflicting literature exists regarding the effect on mental health. While some reports suggest E/T/I may induce adverse psychiatric symptoms, others report improvements in mental health symptoms. To add to this growing body of knowledge, we retrospectively analyzed depression and anxiety symptoms before and after E/T/I initiation in adults with CF at a single large US CF center. Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) and Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 (GAD-7) scores recorded in a database were studied. Patients with scores collected before and after E/T/I initiation were included. Regression analyses described associations between score changes and age, race, ethnicity, sex, CFTR variant, and prior depression and/or anxiety diagnoses. Secondary analyses examined possible confounding effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. There was no change in mean GAD-7 (0.5 ± 5.3, p = 0.41) or PHQ-9 (-0.02 ± 6.0, p = 0.97) scores following initiation of E/T/I (N = 86). A trend between a prior diagnosis of depression and worsening in PHQ-9 post-E/T/I was observed (OR 3.58; p = 0.054). Treatment with E/T/I does not lead to changes in depression or anxiety symptoms at the population level in this single center cohort study. A prior diagnosis of depression trended towards an increased odds of worsening PHQ-9 scores after E/T/I initiation.

Lumen-apposing metal stents provide early and late clinical benefits for the management of benign gastrointestinal strictures: Is there a role for definitive therapy?

This study aimed to characterize the clinical outcomes, safety, and efficacy of lumen-apposing metal stents (LAMS) in treating benign gastrointestinal strictures. A single-center retrospective review of all patients who underwent LAMS placement for benign strictures from June 2017 to July 2023. Primary outcomes were technical success, early clinical success, late clinical success (LCS), and sustained post-LAMS clinical success (SPLCS). Secondary outcomes included stent dwell time, stenosis changes, adverse events, reintervention rates, and symptomatology evaluation. Thirty-five patients underwent placement of 42 LAMS (74% female, mean age: 54.2 ± 11.7 years). Anastomotic strictures accounted for 64% of cases (N=27, 45% at the gastrojejunal anastomosis). The median STD was 91.0 days (interquartile range [IQR]: 55.0-132.0). Technical success was obtained in all cases. Early clinical successand LCS were achieved in 80% of cases overall. SPLCS was achieved in 45% (n=15) of cases. The overall reintervention rate was 63%, with a median time to reintervention being 50.5 days (IQR: 24-105). adverse eventsoccurred in 28% (n=12) overall, with a 24% migration rate (n=10). Follow-up was completed in 83% of cases with a median duration of 629 days (range: 192.0-1297.0). Overall symptom improvement occurred in 79% (n=27) during indwelling LAMS versus 58% and 56% at 30- and 60-days post-removal, respectively. LAMS for benign gastrointestinal strictures are associated with high technical and early clinical success/LCS rates, positive quality-of-life metrics, and a tolerable adverse event rate. Overall, recurrence of symptoms and high reintervention rates post-LAMS removal reinforce the difficulty in managing benign gastrointestinal strictures but also argue for LAMS as a definitive therapy in select cases.

Chinese acupuncture: a potential treatment for autism rat model via improving synaptic function

PurposeAutistic symptom improvement can be observed in children treated with acupuncture, but the mechanism is still being explored. In the present study, we used scalp acupuncture to treat autism rat model, and then their improvement in the abnormal behaviors and specific mechanisms behind were revealed by detecting animal behaviors, analyzing the RNA sequencing of the prefrontal cortex (PFC), and observing the ultrastructure of PFC neurons under the transmission electron microscope. MethodsOn gestational day 12.5, Wistar rats were given valproic acid (VPA) by intraperitoneal injection, and their offspring were considered to be reliable rat models of autism. They were randomized to VPA or VPA-acupuncture group (n=8). Offspring of Wistar pregnant rats that were simultaneously injected with saline were randomly selected as the wild-type group (WT). VPA_acupuncture group rats received acupuncture intervention at 23 days of age for 4 weeks, and the other two groups followed without intervention. After the intervention, all experimental rats underwent behavioral tests. Immediately afterward, they were euthanized by cervical dislocation, and their prefrontal cortex was isolated for RNA sequencing and transmission electron microscopy. ResultsThe main results are as follows: 1. Animal behavioural tests: VPA group rats showed more anxiety-like behaviour and repetitive, stereotyped behaviour than WT group rats. While VPA group rats showed less spatial exploration ability, activity level, social interaction, and social novelty preference than WT group rats. It was gratifying to observe that acupuncture indeed improved these abnormal behaviors of autism rat model. 2. RNA-sequencing: The three groups of rats differed in the expression and enrichment pathways of multiple genes related to synaptic function, neural signal transduction, immune-inflammatory responses and circadian rhythm regulation. Our experiments indicated that acupuncture can alleviate the major symptoms of ASD by improving these neurological abnormalities. 3. Under the transmission electron microscopy, several lysosomes and mitochondrial structural abnormalities were observed in the prefrontal neurons of VPA group rats, which were manifested as atrophy of the mitochondrial membrane, blurring or disappearance of the mitochondrial cristae, and even vacuolization. Moreover, the number of synapses and synaptic vesicles was relatively small. Conversely, the mitochondrial structure of rats in the WT group and VPA_acupuncture was normal, and the number of synapses and synaptic vesicles was relatively large. ConclusionAcupuncture effectively improved the abnormal behaviors of autism rat model and the ultrastructure of the PFC neurons, which might worked by improving their abnormal synaptic function, synaptic plasticity promoting neuronal signal transduction and regulating immune-inflammatory responses.

Effects of calorie-restricted diet on health state and intestinal flora in Hashimoto's thyroiditis patients: Study protocol for a randomized controlled trial.

Hashimoto's thyroiditis (HT) is an autoimmune disease, characterized by abnormal elevation in thyroid peroxidase antibody and/or thyroglobulin antibody. In recent decades, HT disease has become more and more widespread. Patients always report multiple symptoms, even though their thyroid hormone levels are kept in normal ranges. However, no treatment exists to effectively reduce the levels of thyroid antibodies. Our study aims to determine whether calorie-restricted diet is helpful in improving health of HT patients. This is a 3-month randomized controlled trial. HT patients will be randomized into a calorie-restricted (CR) group or a calorie-unrestricted control group. All the participants will be instructed to consume a diet that includes a combination of 45-55% calories from carbohydrates, 20-30% from fats, and 15-25% from proteins, according to current Chinese Dietary Guidelines. Participants in CR group need to limit their calories intake equal to their basal energy expenditure, which means that their daily caloric intake will be limited by about 20-30%. The study population is planned to be 66 HT patients aged 18 to 65 years. The primary outcome is change of thyroid antibody levels from baseline. Secondary outcomes include the changes of non-hypothyroid symptoms scores, thyroid function indexes, morphology of thyroid, T lymphocyte subpopulations, inflammatory biomarkers and lipids from baseline to 12 weeks. This trial will have implications for nutrition treatment policy in regard to thyroid antibodies control, immune dysfunction and related non-hypothyroid symptoms improvement among HT patients.

Examining the impact of weight loss and exercise on pelvic organ prolapse (POP) management

Introduction: Pelvic organ prolapse is a descent of pelvic organs such as the bladder, cervix, apex of the vagina, and rectum which create herniation and slide into the direction of the vagina entrance. Pelvic prolapse is caused by ligament and muscle weakness, and its risk increases with age, parity, and obesity. Proper exercise and weight loss can be a key component of pelvic prolapse management, especially in the I-III stages. Those interventions may decrease the need for pelvic surgery and the risk of complications that can arise from it. Purpose of the study: This study aimed to explore the effectiveness of weight loss and exercise on pelvic organ prolapse (POP) symptoms and staging. Materials and methods: A comprehensive analysis of research papers available on PubMed, and Google Scholar was undertaken using the keywords: ‘weight loss pelvic prolapse’, ‘exercise in pelvic prolapse’, ‘pelvic floor dysfunction’, ‘pelvic floor muscle training’, ‘hypopressive exercises’, ‘biofeedback prolapse’ Results: Conventional weight loss does not reduce the intensity of the pelvic prolapse symptoms. However, weight loss that is achieved via bariatric surgery is effective in reducing symptoms arising from pelvic organ prolapse. Furthermore, the bigger the amount of weight loss the greater improvement in symptoms. Pelvic floor muscle training showed improvement in symptoms and in the staging of pelvic organ prolapse. Hypopressive exercises are not as effective as pelvic floor muscle training. Biofeedback and supervised exercises are helpful in proper exercise execution, and thus may improve the strength of the pelvic floor muscles.

Scurvy with Musculoskeletal Pain in Indonesian Pediatric Patient: A Case Report

Background: Scurvy is a potentially fatal disease caused by a severe deficiency of vitamin C, which can manifest as a musculoskeletal problem. Early diagnosis and treatment of vitamin C deficiency are crucial to prevent severe symptoms. Unfortunately, vitamin C level evaluations in Indonesia are very limited due to the lack of laboratory facilities. As a result, patients with scurvy are often underdiagnosed and do not receive adequate management. Case Presentation: 5-year-old boy with musculoskeletal pain and inability to walk. Radiographic findings showed a pathognomonic line of Fränkel, Trümmerfeld zone, and Wimberger ring sign, with laboratory evaluation showing an anemia and vitamin D deficiency. We did not perform a laboratory examination for vitamin C due to a lack of test facilities but the patient was given oral 250 mg of vitamin C daily instead. The patient showed significant improvement in symptoms and laboratory results after three months of vitamin C supplementation. To summarize, that vitamin C deficiency should be considered among patients with related musculoskeletal manifestations supported by imaging results.

In-office Eustachian Tube Dilation Reduces Symptoms Among Patients With Barometric Challenges.

Balloon dilation of the eustachian tube has gained ground in the treatment of chronic dysfunction. A new indication for a larger group of patients has emerged, which is characterized by barochallenge only, which affects even more patients. Given the recent validation of the balloon dilation, we set out to explore if this procedure could be useful in treating this specific sub-group of patients in an in-office setting. Balloon dilation was performed using inly nasal cottonoids soaked in 2% tretracainephenylephrine combined with xylocaine nasal spray and lidocaine/prilocaine gel and a mild oral sedative. The effect of eustachian tube balloon dilation on the function of the eustachian tube was evaluated by using the eustachian tube dysfunction questionnaire-7 (ETDQ-7) and a VAS score. The questionnaires were completed beforehand and 3 months and 12 months postoperatively to determine subjective surgical success. Two hundred and forty-six balloon dilation were performed in 132 participants. The results from the ETDQ-7 questionnaire and VAS scores showed a significant improvement in symptoms during pressurization after eustachian tube balloon dilation (p = 0.0001). A mean pain score during procedure in local anesthesia was 3.4 on a scale from 1 to 10. Eustachian tube balloon dilation significantly reduced symptoms of eustachian tube dysfunction during non-physiological pressure, which was determined by ETDQ-7 and Vas scores. Additionally, we found that the procedure is well suited for private practice or the outpatient clinic, using local anesthetics and a mild sedative. 4 Laryngoscope, 2024.

Safety and Efficacy of Bimekizumab in Patients with Psoriatic Arthritis: 2-Year Results from Two Phase 3 Studies.

Psoriatic arthritis (PsA) is a chronic inflammatory disease requiring long-term treatment. Bimekizumab, a monoclonal IgG1 antibody that selectively inhibits interleukin (IL)-17F in addition to IL-17A, has demonstrated tolerability and sustained clinical efficacy for up to 1year for patients with PsA. Here, we report the longer-‍term safety and efficacy of bimekizumab up to 2years. BE OPTIMAL (biologic disease-modifying antirheumatic drug [bDMARD]-naïve) and BE COMPLETE (prior inadequate response/intolerance to tumor necrosis factor inhibitors [TNFi-IR]) assessed subcutaneous bimekizumab 160mg every 4weeks in patients with PsA. BE OPTIMAL included a reference arm (adalimumab 40mg every 2weeks); patients switched to bimekizumab at week 52 with no washout between treatments. BE OPTIMAL week 52 and BE COMPLETE week 16 completers were eligible for the BE VITAL open-label extension. Efficacy outcomes are reported to week 104/100 (BE OPTIMAL/BE COMPLETE). A total of 710/852 (83.3%) bDMARD-naïve and 322/400 (80.5%) TNFi-IR patients completed week 104/100. Up to 104weeks, patients treated with bimekizumab in BE OPTIMAL and BE COMPLETE had treatment-emergent adverse event incidence rates (exposure-adjusted incidence rate/100 patient-years) of 179.9 (95% CI 166.9, 193.7) and 100.3 (89.2, ‍112.4), respectively. The proportion of patients achieving efficacy outcomes (≥ 50% improvement from baseline in American College of Rheumatology [ACR] response criteria, 100% improvement from baseline in Psorisis Area and Severity Index [PASI], minimal disease activity [MDA]) was sustained in all patients from week 52 to week 104/100. Bimekizumab was well tolerated for up to 2years of treatment and no new safety signals were observed. Sustained clinical efficacy was observed up to 2years in bDMARD-naïve and TNFi-IR patients with active PsA. Patients switching from adalimumab to bimekizumab demonstrated further improvement in skin and nail symptoms, and sustained efficacy in joint symptoms. BE OPTIMAL (NCT03895203), BE COMPLETE (NCT03896581), BE VITAL (NCT04009499).

Efficacy of Platelet-Rich Plasma Versus Steroids In Patients of Tennis Elbow

Objective: To compare the efficacy of Platelet Rich Plasma versus Steroids among patients managed for Tennis elbow at our Orthopaedic unit. Study Design: Quasi-experimental study. Place and Duration of Study: Orthopaedic Department, Combined Military Hospital, Rawalpindi Pakistan, from Jan 2021 to Jul 2022. Methodology: Patients with Tennis Elbow diagnosed by a consultant orthopaedic surgeon were included in the study. They were randomly allocated treatment with platelet-rich plasma and steroid injections. The team assessed them after three months of treatment using the Disabilities of Arm, Shoulder, and Hand score. Different factors, including mode of treatment, were associated with significant improvement in these patients at the end of three months. Results: Out of 250 patients with tennis elbow included in the final analysis, 193(77.2%) were male, and 57(22.3%) were female. Patients were divided into two groups for comparison, and Group-1 had significant improvement, while Group-2 had no improvement. Out of the total, 117(46.8%) patients received platelet-rich plasma, while 133(53.2%) patients were managed with corticosteroids. The presence of comorbid illnesses and the use of platelet-rich plasma was statistically significantly found in a group with significant improvement in Disabilities of Arm, Shoulder, and Hand score (p-value&lt;0.05) as compared to a group of patients without significant improvement. Conclusion: Most patients had significant improvement in symptoms at the end of three months. In our study, patients who were managed with platelet-rich plasma and had no comorbid illness had more chances of significant improvement at the end of three months.

Efficacy and safety of anti-reflux surgery in gastroesophageal-related cough: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is a prevalent condition that manifests a spectrum of symptoms, including gastroesophageal-related cough (GERC). Anti-reflux procedures have been employed to alleviate these symptoms, yet their efficacy varies. This systematic review and meta-analysis aim to evaluate the improvement in gastroesophageal-related cough and other reflux symptoms following anti-reflux procedures. A systematic review was performed by searching PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane Library. All observational studies reporting the improvement of GERC and other reflux symptoms after the anti-reflux procedures. Data were extracted and pooled using a random effects model to assess the overall effect size and heterogeneity between studies. We found that anti-reflux surgery has some clear benefits for common reflux-related symptoms. Fifty-nine eligible studies with 7431 patients with GERD were included in this study. The pooled cough remission rate was 80.0% (95%CI 75.4-84.2) and the mean time of follow up was 35.8 months. Anti-reflux surgery significantly improved overall reflux-related symptom scores (all P<0.001). We also assessed the rate of remission of other reflux symptoms. The pooled heartburn remission rate was 87.7% (95%CI 82.3-92.2) and the pooled regurgitation remission rate was 91.2%(95%CI 87.8-94.1). Anti-reflux procedures significantly improve gastroesophageal-related cough and other reflux symptoms. These findings support the use of anti-reflux procedures as a viable treatment option for patients with GERD symptoms. Further research is needed to identify predictors of success and to optimize patient selection for anti-reflux procedures.

A matched analysis of the use of high flow nasal cannula for pediatric severe acute asthma.

The high-flow nasal cannula (HFNC) device is commonly used to treat pediatric severe acute asthma. However, there is little evidence regarding its effectiveness in real-world practice. We sought to compare the physiologic effects and clinical outcomes for children treated for severe acute asthma with HFNC versus matched controls. This was a single-center retrospective matched cohort study at a quaternary care children's hospital. Children ages 2-18 hospitalized for severe acute asthma from 2015 to 2022 were included. Encounters receiving treatment with HFNC within the first 24 h of hospitalization were included as cases. Controls were primarily treated with oxygen facemask. Logistic regression 1:1 propensity score matching was done using demographics, initial vital signs, and medications. The primary outcome was an improvement in clinical asthma symptoms in the first 24 h of hospitalization measured as percent change from initial. Of 693 eligible cases, 443 were matched to eligible controls. Propensity scores were closely aligned between the cohorts, with the only significant difference in clinical characteristics being a higher percentage of patients of Black race in the control group (54.3% vs. 46.6%; p = 0.02). Compared to the matched controls, the HFNC cohort had smaller improvements in heart rate (-11.5% [-20.9; -0.9] vs. -14.7% [-22.6;-5.7]; p < 0.01), respiratory rate (-14.3% [-27.9;5.4] vs. -16.7% [-31.5;0.0]; p = 0.03), and pediatric asthma severity score (-14.3% [-28.6;0.0] vs. -20.0% [-33.3;0.0]; p < 0.01) after 24 h of hospitalization. The HFNC cohort also had longer pediatric intensive care unit (PICU) length of stay (LOS) (1.5 days [1.1;2.1] vs. 1.2 days [0.9;1.8]; p < 0.01) and hospital LOS (2.8 days [2.1;3.8] vs. 2.5 days [1.9;3.4]; p < 0.01). When subgrouping to younger patients (2-3 years old), or those with the highest severity scores (PASS > 9), those treated with HFNC had no difference in clinical symptom improvements but maintained a longer PICU LOS. Encounters using HFNC for severe acute pediatric asthma had decreased clinical improvement in 24 h of hospitalization compared to matched controls and increased LOS. Specific subgroups of younger patients and those with the highest severity scores showed no differences in clinical symptom improvement suggesting differential effects in specific patient populations.