Mucosal Lesions Research Articles

GI genius endoscopy module: a clinical profile

ABSTRACT Introduction The identification of early-stage colorectal cancers (CRC) and the resection of pre-cancerous neoplastic lesions through colonoscopy allows to decrease both CRC incidence and mortality. However, colonoscopy miss rates up to 26% for adenomas and 9% for advanced adenomas have been reported. In recent years, artificial intelligence (AI) systems have been emerging as easy-to-use tools, potentially lowering the risk of missing lesions. Areas covered This review paper focuses on GI Genius device (Medtronic Co. Minneapolis, MN, U.S.A.) a computer-assisted tool designed to assist endoscopists during standard white-light colonoscopies in detecting mucosal lesions. Expert opinion Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) indicate that GI Genius is a safe and effective tool for improving adenoma detection, especially in CRC screening and surveillance colonoscopies. However, its impact seems to be less significant among experienced endoscopists and in real-world clinical scenarios compared to the controlled conditions of RCTs. Furthermore, the contribution of GI Genius appears to be mainly related to detection of non-advanced, diminutive polyps, while it doesn’t seem to affect the identification of advanced and difficult-to-detect adenomas. When using GI Genius, there were no documented side-events, with only a small number of studies reporting an increased withdrawal time or an increased removal of non-neoplastic lesions.

Clinical Correlation of Types and Forms of Smokeless Forms of Quid (Tobacco and Arecanut) and Occurrence of Oro Mucosal Lesions: A Cross-Sectional Study

ABSTRACT Aim: The aim of the study was to assess the prevalence of quid-induced oral mucosal lesion (QIOML) among the population in Jodhpur, western Rajasthan, and to ascertain if they are associated with chewing tobacco, arecanut, or both tobacco and arecanut. Materials and Methods: The study design was cross-sectional. All the subjects reporting to the out patient department at Vyas Dental College were screened, and 1209 quid users (using processed, unprocessed, and both processed and unprocessed forms of tobacco and arecanut) were identified and included. Results: Among 1209 (18.8%) chewers, 949 (78.49%) chewers were reported to have QIOML and the majority of QIOML occurred in the subjects chewing both tobacco and arecanut in processed forms. Conclusion: Further studies should be done to find out the actual composition of the processed form of quid along with its concentration and its role in the occurrence of QIOML.

Oral health status of prisoners in India: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Given the high prevalence of oral health problems among prisoners, the goal of this systematic review is to provide a better knowledge of the scope of this problem. Electronic searches of PubMed/MEDLINE, Embase, Scopus, and Google Scholar were performed. Studies that investigated inmates aged 18 or older with oral health problems were eligible. Variables reported in four or less studies were described narratively. Conversely, for variables reported in more than four studies, a meta-analysis was performed using random effect model. Furthermore, meta-regression and sensitivity analysis is also performed to evaluate moderator effect on outcome. Doi and LFT index is applied to assess publication bias. Out of 494 results, 12 studies were included. The pooled prevalence of caries among prisoners is 78.42% (59.48%-92.58%). On meta-regression, the prevalence of caries appears to be lower in studies with a higher male percentage; however, non-significant (p=.079) due to small sample size. Community periodontal index (CPI) scores revealed periodontal disease, with scores of 3 and 4. Moreover, a significant need for oral hygiene instruction, prosthesis, extraction, and tooth ache, periodontal disease, oral mucosal lesions, leucoplakia, attrition, abrasion, bruxism, and smoking behaviors were also reported. Poor oral health status in the incarcerated population highlights the urgent need for comprehensive oral health intervention in prisons.

A study on OGD Scopy Findings in Acute Pancreatitis

Background: The aim of the study was to list different mucosal lesions in the established acute form of pancreatitis in the upper part gastrointestinal tract in endoscopy. Methods: We performed a prospective study in patients over 18 years of age with acute pancreatitis. Abdominal pain with sudden onset or serum amylase and/or lipase > 2 times upper limit of normal. characteristic of acute pancreatitis in Abdominal computed tomography (CT) or typical findings of acute pancreatitis in Ultrasound scan. Patients who are unfit or not willing to undergo endoscopy or who have a peptic ulcer disease detected during endoscopy, peptic ulcer disease in the last 3 months is excluded. Results: In this study, the most common age group for acute pancreatitis was 30-60 years. In this study, alcohol is the most common cause of acute pancreatitis, accounting for 90% of the study. Abdominal pain is the most common symptom. CT scan is most (100%) confirmatory in the diagnostic study of acute pancreatitis. This study involved 30 patients with acute pancreatitis. In OGD, 24(80%) patients had a positive finding in the upper gastrointestinal tract, in that 16 patients(53.33%) significant Gastritis found. An enlarged pancreas is the only CT finding in most cases. Conclusions: Esophagitis and duodenal and gastric ulcer are common endoscopic findings in acute pancreatitis. They do not correlate with the severity of pancreatitis.

Amikacin induced Stevens Johnson syndrome and toxic epidermal necrolysis overlap: a rare case report

Stevens-Johnson syndrome (SJS) and toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN) are the most severe adverse drug reactions. They are characterized by necrosis and epidermal release in vesicobulosa skin, mucous orifice, and eyes, with more severe general symptoms. SJS/TEN-overlap syndrome is the term used to characterize situations where 10–30% of the body skin area is detached. TEN or SJS is one of the deadliest dermatological catastrophes. Despite being a rare condition, it frequently has a high death rate. Different types of purpuric macules or rounded patches with mucosal lesions are characteristic features of these type 3 hypersensitivity reactions. We are presenting a case of 50-year-old female patient brought to hospital on account of multiple black to red coloured raised lesions over body in the last 8 days. Patient was asymptomatic in the last 8 days after that patient noted red coloured lesions first over face followed by lower back, upper limb, lower limb followed by itching and Jiburning sensation all over the body. The patient had symptoms such as redness of eyes in the last 3-4 days, burning sensation and ulcers in mouth in the last 3-4 days. These symptoms developed day after she received amikacin. She was diagnosed with SJS-TEN overlap. This case highlights the precipitant of antibiotics for SJS. She was recovered completely after stopping the causative drug and treatment with Immunoglobulin with other symptomatic measures. The causative drug was found to be Amikacin and medicine taken for comorbid conditions like epilepsy, hypothyroidism and hypertension. Rarely, amikacin has been linked to a range of drug hypersensitivity reactions, including toxic epidermal necrolysis, Stevens-Johnson syndrome, and overlap between the two conditions.

Indexes of skin activity and damage in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus – CLASI and R-CLASI

Introduction. Cutaneous Lupus Disease Area and Severity Index (CLASI) and its modified version, the Revised Cutaneous Lupus Erythematosus Disease Areas and Severity Index (R-CLASI) are tools for quantifying skin and mucosal lesions in patients with both cutaneous lupus erythematosus and its systemic variant. Evaluation of the scales of activity and skin damage in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is associated with the need to stratify their quantitative characteristics. The Cutaneous Lupus Disease Area and Severity Index (CLASI) and its modified version the Revised Cutaneous Lupus Erythematosus Disease Area and Severity Index (R-CLASI) are a tool for quantifying skin and mucosal lesions in patients with both cutaneous lupus erythematosus (CLE) and its system version.Objective. To validate the indexes of objective assessment of skin activity and damage CLASI and R-CLASI in the Russian cohort of patients with systemic lupus erythematosus and compare it with dermatological assessments of the quality of life.Material and methods. The study included 55 patients with SLE with various types of skin and mucosal lesions, the median age was 30.0 [26.0; 40.0] years, the duration of the disease was 7.0 [3.0; 14.0] years. To assess the active (reversible) lesion and irreversible skin damage, the CLASI and R-CLASI indexes were used, for the general assessment of activity and damage in SLE, the SLEDAI-2K and SLICC/ACR DI were used.Results. The most common variant of skin lesions in patients with SLE is acute cutaneous lupus erythematosus (ACLE) – 45%, as well as alopecia, which occurs in 62% of cases. The median activity index for CLASI was 5.0 [2.0; 11.0], and R-CLASI was 7.0 [3.0; 18.0]; the median damage index for CLASI was 5.0 [2.0; 11.0], and R-CLASI was 2.0 [0.0; 7.0]. A significant relationship was revealed between the medians of CLASI and R-CLASI scores depending on the degree of activity according to SLEDAI-2K (Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Disease Activity Index) and the damage Index (DI) in SLE (SLICC/ACR DI, Systemic Lupus International Collaborating Clinics/American College of Rheumatology Damage Index) when recalculating these indexes only for skin and mucous lesions. According to the ROC analysis, the CLASI and R-CLASI skin activity and damage indices showed high sensitivity (CLASI activity index – 98%, R-CLASI – 93%, CLASI and R-CLASI damage index – 91%) and specificity (CLASI activity index – 64%, R-CLASI – 71%, CLASI and R-CLASI damage index – 86%).Conclusion. To assess the severity of skin and mucosal lesions in patients with SLE in the Russian Federation, it is reasonable to use the CLASI and R-CLASI indices. The CLASI and R-CLASI indices reflect the level of activity and severity of skin lesions, with higher values of these indices indicating more severe skin lesions and a significant impact on the overall well-being of SLE patients. Patients with high values of these indices often experience feelings of embarrassment, discomfort, difficulty in performing daily tasks, and limitations in social life. To assess the severity of skin and mucous lesions in patients with SLE in the Russian Federation, it is advisable to use the CLASI and R-CLASI indexes.

Surgical Management of Giant Condyloma Acuminata Involving Vulva, Perineum and Perianal Area

Condyloma acuminata (CA), also known as anogenital warts, are benign proliferative epidermal and/or mucosal lesions usually caused by Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) type 6 and 11. They initially manifest as variable sized and shaped soft papules or plaques on anogenital skin. However, they can grow as a large, bulky, lobulated growth. Lesions are commonly multiple and multifocal, affecting the vulva, perianal, vaginal and cervical regions. They represent the most common sexually transmitted disease (STD) and are highly contagious. Further, the incidence of CA is 5-7fold higher in Human Immunodeficiency virus (HIV) positive patients compared to immunocompetent patients. The HIV infection reduces the local immune control of HPV infection thus favours the proliferation of the HPV which results into large sized CA. The giant condyloma acuminata (GCA) and giant condyloma of Buschke-Löwenstein (GCBL) are uncommon variants of classical condyloma acuminata (CCA) which can reach the size of 10 to 30 cm. The treatment of CA should be individualized and based upon the extent of disease and treatment availability. The small CA which present as papules or plaques can be treated by Podophyllin, Imiquimod, electrosurgical ablation or cryotherapy. However, GCA require excision with cold knife, electrosurgery or CO2 laser. When the base of GCA is narrow, surgical excision with minimal skin loss allows primary closure of the wound, whereas when the base is broad and relatively fixed, one must keep the differential diagnoses of GCA versus GCBL which require wide excision and reconstruction of the tissue. This case report illustrates the surgical management of GCA with broad base in a 44-year-old female patient with HIV infection. She was treated by wide surgical excision followed by reconstruction of the defect with fascio-cutaneous V-Y advancement flaps. Histology confirmed the diagnosis of condyloma acuminatum. Six months following surgery, she had recurrence of a perianal wart that was cauterized. On further 12 month follow up there was no new recurrence of any condylomatous lesion.

Reliability of Ultrasonographic Assessment of Depth of Invasion and Tumor Thickness in Intraoral Mucosa Lesions: A Preliminary Experience

Introduction: Despite the progress made in multidisciplinary care, there has been little improvement in the oncologic outcomes of oral cavity squamous cell carcinomas (OSCCs). In the latest edition of the TNM staging, “depth of invasion” (DOI) has recently been introduced as one of the criteria for determining the T stage, alongside other factors. DOI is widely recognized as an independent risk factor for nodal metastases and is a crucial consideration in the preoperative staging of OSCCs, along with measurements of tumor thickness (TT). While various diagnostic methods exist for assessing DOI, intraoral ultrasonography (IOUS) has gained popularity for its efficacy in evaluating OSCCs. Methods: This study sought to evaluate the diagnostic accuracy and reliability of ultrahigh-frequency ultrasound (UHFUS) in assessing oral cavity lesions compared to histopathological analysis. Results: The results revealed strong reliability in ultrasonographic measurements (ICC TT: 0.94; ICC DOI: 0.97) and distinct ultrasonographic features specific to different oral pathologies. This highlights the potential of UHFUS as a non-invasive imaging tool for precise diagnostic evaluations. Conclusions: Despite limitations such as a small sample size and focus on specific lesions, these promising results suggest that UHFUS could significantly enhance oral lesion diagnostics. Further research involving larger cohorts is necessary to validate and build upon these initial findings.

Ocular Cicatricial Pemphigoid in Young Patients.

The purpose of this study is to report ocular cicatricial pemphigoid (OCP) occurring in young patients. Relevant literature is also reviewed. Medical records of patients aged 30 years or younger who were treated for OCP between August 2021 and May 2023 at a tertiary care eye institute were reviewed. The most common differential diagnoses of cicatrizing conjunctivitis, such as Stevens-Johnson syndrome sequelae, chemical injury, chronic topical/systemic drug use, autoimmune connective tissue disorders, or allergic eye diseases, were ruled out based on clinical history, examination, and the Cicatrizing Conjunctivitis Score described by Shanbhag et al. The diagnosis of OCP was confirmed by positive direct immunofluorescence of oral mucosal and/or conjunctival biopsy in a majority of the patients. Seven patients fulfilled the criteria for a diagnosis of OCP. The mean age at presentation was 21.86 ± 5.25 years (13-28 years). Some of the patients presented with relatively atypical features for OCP such as corneal immune ring infiltrate and bilateral corneal perforation. Six patients exhibited systemic mucosal lesions, and the direct immunofluorescence yield was 85.71%. All patients required aggressive immunosuppressive treatment. OCP is classically described as a rare disease that occurs in old age. This case series highlights the importance of a higher index of suspicion for diagnosing OCP at a younger age. Early administration of immunosuppressive agents can potentially control severe ocular surface inflammation and its sequelae.

Prevalence of denture induced oral mucosal lesions in removable denture wearers

Background: Dentures can cause pathological problems to the oral tissues known as denture-induced mucosal lesions; the most common type is denture stomatitis. Objective: To estimate the frequency of denture-induced mucosal lesions among denture wearer patients attending oral diagnosis clinic /Faculty of Dentistry in Tishk International University. Patients and Methods: A patient who uses either removable partial or complete dentures was included. The patient’s gender and age, denture-related data, and oral lesions induced by dentures were evaluated. The data were statistically analyzed using chi-square and multivariate logistic regression. Results: Oral lesions (23.5%) were more common in males; the lesions found include denture stomatitis, denture hyperplasia, traumatic ulcers, and angular cheilitis. Denture stomatitis was the most common type (7%). The correlation between vertical dimension state and oral lesions was very highly significant. Conclusion: The major cause of denture-induced mucosal lesions was a change in denture vertical dimension and mostly a reduction in vertical dimension. Keywords: Edentulous, dentures-induced mucosal lesions, Denture stomatitis.

Prevalence of denture induced oral mucosal lesions in removable denture wearers

Background: Dentures can cause pathological problems to the oral tissues known as denture-induced mucosal lesions; the most common type is denture stomatitis. Objective: To estimate the frequency of denture-induced mucosal lesions among denture wearer patients attending oral diagnosis clinic /Faculty of Dentistry in Tishk International University. Patients and Methods: A patient who uses either removable partial or complete dentures was included. The patient’s gender and age, denture-related data, and oral lesions induced by dentures were evaluated. The data were statistically analyzed using chi-square and multivariate logistic regression. Results: Oral lesions (23.5%) were more common in males; the lesions found include denture stomatitis, denture hyperplasia, traumatic ulcers, and angular cheilitis. Denture stomatitis was the most common type (7%). The correlation between vertical dimension state and oral lesions was very highly significant. Conclusion: The major cause of denture-induced mucosal lesions was a change in denture vertical dimension and mostly a reduction in vertical dimension.

A Rare Case of Other Iatrogenic Immunodeficiency-Associated Lymphoproliferative Disorders With Multiple Oral Mucosal Lesions During Methotrexate Therapy

A Rare Case of Other Iatrogenic Immunodeficiency-Associated Lymphoproliferative Disorders With Multiple Oral Mucosal Lesions During Methotrexate Therapy

Accuracy of Narrow-Band Imaging-Guided Histopathology and Ki-67 Index in Head and Neck Carcinoma

ABSTRACT As per Globocan 2012, every year the incidence of head and neck cancer is 683235/1000000 with a mortality of around 375665/1000000 thus being the sixth cause of cancer death throughout the world. Head and neck cancer includes cancer of the nasopharynx, oropharynx, hypopharynx, larynx, and oral cavity. Early diagnosis of head and neck cancer is very challenging, hence detecting mucosal lesions at an early stage decreases mortality thereby improving overall survival, disease-free survival, and quality of life. Out of different diagnostic modalities, narrow-band imaging (NBI) combined with endoscopic techniques can provide a promising diagnostic tool in detecting early lesions of head and neck cancer. Numerous studies have shown that Ki-67 is a good prognostic marker in oral cancers. Our study aims to evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of NBI and combine the Ki-67 index to diagnose head and neck cancer. Materials and Methods: All patients were first examined under white light and then under NBI endoscopy, and a biopsy was obtained from suspected lesions and sent for histopathological examination (HPE) and Ki-67 index. Results: Eighty patients were examined out of which, 68 patients having lesions in the oral cavity, oropharynx, larynx, and hypopharynx were examined. The rate of detecting cancerous lesion by white light and NBI were respectively 92% and 100% for oral cavity lesions, 69% and 100% for oropharyngeal lesions, 38% and 100% for hypopharyngeal lesions, and 37% and 100% for laryngeal carcinoma. However, we have found no significant difference in detecting T2-T4 tumors. Hence, we concluded that NBI mode can be a significantly better diagnostic tool than white light mode in detecting early mucosal cancer in head and neck cancer. Conclusion: We have concluded that NBI combined with Ki-67 estimation is a very promising tool that helps in the early diagnosis of mucosal lesions in head and and neck cancer.

Oral health status of 916 children in Tibetan settlement (Bylakuppe, India): A cross-sectional descriptive study.

Dietary and oral hygiene habits among integrated migrant cultural minorities can vary and could impact susceptibility to caries. This study aimed to assess and compare the oral health status of Tibetan schoolchildren living in the Tibetan settlement of Bylakuppe, India, stratified by type of residence. A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among Tibetan schoolchildren attending nine schools in the Bylakuppe region. The study population consisted of 916 children aged 5-17: 702 (76.6%) living in secular houses (LSH) and 214 (23.4%) living in monasteries (LM). The prevalence of dental caries was 70.9%, and the mean value of decayed, missing, filled teeth for mixed and primary dentition (DMFT*; dmft) of LSH children (1.56 ± 2.34/1.74 ± 2.66) was higher than of LM ones (1.14 ± 2.34/0.83 ± 2.80; p < .001). DMFT for LM children (1.46 ± 2.04) was slightly higher than for LSH children (1.38 ± 1.96; p > .05). Among the sample, 99.1% had a good simplified Oral Hygiene Index (OHI) and LM children showed higher rates of good values (99.5% vs. 98.2% in LSH children). Most children needed preventive/routine dental treatment, whereas 16.6% needed urgent dental treatment. In 4.5% of children, oral mucosal lesions were present. This study confirms the high need for dental treatment in the children of the Tibetan settlement investigated.

Comparative Analysis of Dental Health Outcomes from Two Outreach Camps in Zanzibar, Tanzania: 2019 and 2023

Background: In low- and middle-income countries, oral health is frequently marginalized due to limited dental care access. This cross-sectional study assesses the outcomes of dental outreach camps in Zanzibar, Tanzania, organized in 2019 and 2023, to understand their impact on addressing local oral health needs over a four-year span. Methods: The study involved a thorough examination and analysis of clinical dental health data from both outreach camps. In 2019, 224 patients were examined, and in 2023, the number increased to 354. The assessment covered various dental health parameters, including dental caries, DMFT/dmft indices, enamel fluorosis, dental trauma, oral mucosa lesions, and non-carious tooth surface loss. Results: The analysis demonstrated a significant reduction in dental caries among adolescents and teens, decreasing from 62.5% in 2019 to 35.59% in 2023 (p &lt; 0.0001). Similarly, the prevalence of teeth missing due to caries showed marked reductions from 40.2% to 9.04% in adolescents and teens (p &lt; 0.0001) and from 25.89% to 11.86% among preschool and school-aged children (p = 0.004). Moreover, a significant change was observed in the Basic Erosive Wear Examination (BEWE) scores, with cases showing no erosive tooth wear (BEWE = 0) decreasing from 49.1% to 33.3% (p = 0.016), and cases with initial loss of enamel surface texture (BEWE = 1) increasing from 47.3% to 61% (p = 0.044). Conclusions: The outreach camps conducted in 2019 and 2023 showed tangible improvements in certain dental health metrics, particularly a reduction in dental caries and missing teeth due to caries among adolescents and teens. However, the uptick in non-carious tooth surface loss points to emerging dental health concerns. These results underline the importance of sustained and targeted dental health interventions to improve oral health outcomes in underserved communities such as Zanzibar.

Diagnostic accuracy of artificial intelligence assisted clinical imaging in the detection of oral potentially malignant disorders and oral cancer: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

The objective of this study is to examine the application of AI algorithms in detecting OPMD and oral cancerous lesions, and to evaluate the accuracy variations among different imaging tools employed in these diagnostic processes. A systematic search was conducted in four databases: Embase, Web of Science, PubMed, and Scopus. The inclusion criteria included studies using machine learning algorithms to provide diagnostic information on specific oral lesions, prospective or retrospective design, and inclusion of OPMD. Sensitivity and specificity analyses were also required. Forest plots were generated to display overall diagnostic odds ratio (DOR), sensitivity, specificity, negative predictive values, and summary receiver operating characteristic (SROC) curves. Meta-regression analysis was conducted to examine potential differences among different imaging tools. The overall DOR for AI-based screening of OPMD and oral mucosal cancerous lesions from normal mucosa was 68.438 (95%CI= [39.484, 118.623], I2 = 86%). The area under the SROC curve was 0.938, indicating excellent diagnostic performance. AI-assisted screening showed a sensitivity of 89.9% (95%CI= [0.866,0.925]; I2 = 81%), specificity of 89.2% (95%CI= [0.851,0.922], I2 = 79%), and a high negative predictive value of 89.5% (95%CI= [0.851; 0.927], I2 = 96%). Meta-regression analysis revealed no significant difference among the three image tools. After generating a GOSH plot, the DOR was calculated to be 49.30, and the area under the SROC curve was 0.877. Additionally, sensitivity, specificity, and negative predictive value were 90.5% (95%CI [0.873,0.929], I2=4%), 87.0% (95%CI [0.813,0.912], I2=49%) and 90.1% (95%CI [0.860,0.931], I2=57%), respectively. Subgroup analysis showed that clinical photography had the highest diagnostic accuracy. AI-based detection using clinical photography shows a high diagnostic odds ratio and is easily accessible in the current era with billions of phone subscribers globally. This indicates that there is significant potential for AI to enhance the diagnostic capabilities of general practitioners to the level of specialists by utilizing clinical photographs, without the need for expensive specialized imaging equipment.

A rare case of classic Kaposi’s sarcoma with a lesion of the oral mucosa.

A rare case of classic Kaposi’s sarcoma with a lesion of the oral mucosa.

Denture-related Oral Mucosal Lesions in a Private Dental Institute: A Retrospective Study

Denture-related Oral Mucosal Lesions in a Private Dental Institute: A Retrospective Study

A comparison between vapor tunnel and virtual basket for the treatment of proximal ureteral stones using holmium:YAG laser (Cyber Ho): which is the best tool to reduce retropulsion?

To compare vapor tunnel (VT) and virtual basket (VB) tools to reduce retropulsion in the treatment of proximal ureteral stones. Patients with a single proximal ureteral stone were randomly assigned to holmium laser lithotripsy with the use of VT (Group A) or VB (Group B) tool. The 150W holmium:YAG cyber Ho generator was used. We compared operative time, dusting time, need for flexible ureteroscopy due to stone push-up and occurrence of ureteral lesions. The stone-free rate (SFR) and the occurrence of postoperative ureteral strictures were assessed. 186 patients were treated, of which 92 with the VT (49.5%, Group A) and 94 with the VB (50.5%, Group B). Mean stone size was 0.92 vs. 0.91cm in Groups A vs. B (p = 0.32). Mean total operative time and dusting time were comparable between groups. 7 (7.6%) vs. 6 (6.4%) patients in Groups A vs. B required a flexible ureteroscope because of stone push-up (p = 0.12). Ureteral mucosa lesions were observed in 15 (16.3%) vs. 18 (19.1%) cases in the VT vs. VB group (p = 0.09). 1-Month SFR was comparable (97.8% vs. 95.7%, p = 0.41). We observed one case (1.1%) of postoperative ureteral stricture in the VT group vs. two cases (2.1%) in the VB group (p = 0.19). VT and VB are equally safe and effective tools in reducing retropulsion of ureteral stones. Operative time, dusting time and SFR were comparable. They also equally avoided stone push-up and prevented ureteral lesions, which may later occur in ureteral strictures.

Efficacy and safety of the type I interferon receptor inhibitor anifrolumab in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (results of a 6-month study)

Objective: to evaluate the efficacy and safety of the type I interferon (IFN) receptor inhibitor anifrolumab (AFM, Safnelo®) in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) in real-life clinical practice over an observation period of 6 months.Material and methods. The prospective 6-month study included 21 patients with SLE fulfilling the 2012 SLICC criteria, predominantly women (n=17,81%), median age – 31 [27; 46] years, disease duration – 9 [6.0; 11.0] years. Standard laboratory values and immunological markers of SLE were examined in all patients. The SLEDAI-2K index was used to determine the activity of SLE, and the severity of the mucocutaneous syndrome was assessed using the Cutaneous Lupus Disease Area and Severity Index (CLASI) index. Organ damage was assessed using the SLICC/ACR Damage Index (DI). After 6 months, the achievement of low activity was assessed according to the Lupus Low Disease Activity State (LLDAS) indexResults and discussion. At the time of inclusion in the study, the mean SLEDAI-2K activity index for the group was 8 [6.0; 10.0] points, the median CLASI index – 8.6±8.2 points, 81% of patients had skin and mucosal lesions, 66% had non-erosive polyarthritis, and high immunological activity was observed in all cases. Various irreversible organ damage was observed in 86 of patients. The average DI was 2.2±1.5 points. At the start of AFM therapy, all patients received glucocorticoids (GCs) at a mean dose of 10.7±5.6 mg/day, 52% of patients received a dose above 10 mg/day, 76% of patients continued to take hydroxychloroquine, and 33% of patients took immunosuppressants. Significant positive dynamics were observed with AFM therapy. The average CLASI index for the group after 3 months of treatment was 1.2±4.1 points, after 6 months – 0.3±1.2 points (p&lt;0.0001). The SLEDAI-2K index fell significantly in the group on average from 8 [6.0; 10.0] to 2 [2.0; 4.0] points from the 3rd month of treatment (p&lt;0.0001) and remained at the same level after 6 months. At month 6 of treatment, 13 (62%) of 21 patients met the LLDAS criteria for low disease activity. After the 3rd month of treatment, a significant decrease in antibodies against dsDNA was observed, which persisted for 6 months after the start of treatment. In the group as a whole, there were no significant changes in complement fractions values during the observation period. There was no increase in irreversible organ damage (DI – mean 2.2±1.5 points). The mean daily dose of GCs was significantly reduced from 10.7±5.6 mg/day to 7.5±4.0 mg/day (p&lt;0.01) by the 3rd month and to 5.2±2.1 (p&lt;0.001) by the 6th month of treatment. No infusion reactions were observed in any case. Adverse events occurred in 9 (42%) out of 21 patients, mainly herpes infections of varying severity, mainly after the 1st to 3rd infusions. In one case, severe herpes zoster was observed, so the drug was discontinued.Conclusion. At a dose of 300 mg intravenously monthly AFM is a highly effective drug with a relatively good safety profile in patients with active SLE in whom autoantibodies are present and who do not respond adequately to standard therapy.