Parallel Cohort Study Research Articles

Enhancing puncture skills training with generative AI and digital technologies: a parallel cohort study.

Traditional puncture skills training for refresher doctors faces limitations in effectiveness and efficiency. This study explored the application of generative AI (ChatGPT), templates, and digital imaging to enhance puncture skills training. 90 refresher doctors were enrolled sequentially into 3 groups: traditional training; template and digital imaging training; and ChatGPT, template and digital imaging training. Outcomes included theoretical knowledge, technical skills, and trainee satisfaction measured at baseline, post-training, and 3-month follow-up. The ChatGPT group increased theoretical knowledge scores by 17-21% over traditional training at post-training (81.6 ± 4.56 vs. 69.6 ± 4.58, p < 0.001) and follow-up (86.5 ± 4.08 vs. 71.3 ± 4.83, p < 0.001). It also outperformed template training by 4-5% at post-training (81.6 ± 4.56 vs. 78.5 ± 4.65, p = 0.032) and follow-up (86.5 ± 4.08 vs. 82.7 ± 4.68, p = 0.004). For technical skills, the ChatGPT (4.0 ± 0.32) and template (4.0 ± 0.18) groups showed similar scores at post-training, outperforming traditional training (3.6 ± 0.50) by 11% (p < 0.001). At follow-up, ChatGPT (4.0 ± 0.18) and template (4.0 ± 0.32) still exceeded traditional training (3.8 ± 0.43) by 5% (p = 0.071, p = 0.026). Learning curve analysis revealed fastest knowledge (slope 13.02) and skill (slope 0.62) acquisition for ChatGPT group over template (slope 11.28, 0.38) and traditional (slope 5.17, 0.53). ChatGPT responses showed 100% relevance, 50% completeness, 60% accuracy, with 15.9s response time. For training satisfaction, ChatGPT group had highest scores (4.2 ± 0.73), over template (3.8 ± 0.68) and traditional groups (2.6 ± 0.94) (p < 0.01). Integrating AI, templates and digital imaging significantly improved puncture knowledge and skills over traditional training. Combining technological innovations and AI shows promise for streamlining complex medical competency mastery.

Effectiveness of Eupatorium Perfoliatum 30C in Preventing Dengue Fever-A Prospective, Community-Based, Open Label, Parallel Cohort Study in Delhi, India.

The study was undertaken to evaluate the protective effect of Eupatorium perfoliatum (EP) 30C on the incidence of dengue fever. This study was designed as a prospective, open label, parallel cohort study. Participants were enrolled in two medicine cohort (MC) communities and one control cohort (CC) community. Participants in MC who were more than 5 years of age received four medicated globules and those aged between 1 and 5 years received two medicated globules of EP 30C once a week for 10 weeks. Participants in CC received no medical intervention. Both cohorts received information and educational material regarding dengue. The primary outcome was incidence of dengue cases based on laboratory confirmation or the clinical definition of dengue as per the case definition notified by the National Vector-Borne Disease Control Program, Government of India, during the 14 weeks of intervention and observation. The analysis included 20,607 participants residing in three slums of Delhi, of which MC and CC included 15,298 and 5,309 participants respectively. The overall protective effect of EP 30C in MC against probable/laboratory-confirmed dengue was 59.59% (95% confidence interval [CI], 50.74 to 66.85, p = 0.0001). The overall protective effect of EP 30C against laboratory-confirmed dengue was 72.78% (95% CI, 54.45 to 83.74, p = 0.0001): 26 cases per 15,298 (0.13 per 1,000 person-weeks) in MC versus 33 cases per 5,309 (0.46 per 1,000 person-weeks) in CC. The use of EP 30C was associated with some protection against probable and laboratory-confirmed dengue.

Indocyanine green in left side colorectal surgery segmental resection to decrease anastomotic leak: A parallel retrospective cohort study of 115 patients

BackgroundWe investigated the impact of Indocyanine Green (ICG) angiography on reducing anastomotic leakage (AL) after elective left segmental colon resection, including transverse resection. While ICG is widely used in colorectal surgery to assess vascularization, its true effect on AL, particularly in left segmental resections, remains unclear. Study designThis retrospective, monocentric cohort study included patients undergoing left and transverse colon resection from January 2017 to July 2023. Patients were divided into ICG and no-ICG groups. The primary outcome was AL, with secondary outcomes including postoperative morbidity and length of stay. ResultsOf the 115 patients enrolled, 53 received ICG and 63 did not. AL occurred in 6 patients in the no-ICG group, but none in the ICG group. No significant correlation was found between ICG use and other confounding factors. Postoperative length of stay was also shorter in the ICG group. ConclusionsThe use of ICG was associated with a reduction in AL, with no cases in the ICG group. These findings suggest a potential benefit of ICG, warranting confirmation in future large-scale studies. Clinical trial registrationclinicaltrial.gov (NCT05981937).

Cognitive and Social-Emotional Development in Girls With Fragile X Syndrome.

To evaluate the developmental trajectory of key cognitive, social, and emotional features in girls with fragile X syndrome (FXS). This longitudinal, parallel cohort study collected data between January 2018 and December 2022. Participants were evaluated 3 times with ∼12-18 months between visits. Participants included 65 girls with FXS, 6 to 16 years, and 52 age- and developmentally-matched girls without FXS. Participants' scores from direct assessment and caregiver report evaluated 3 cognitive domains (verbal abilities, nonverbal abilities, executive function) and 4 social-emotional domains (depression, general anxiety, social behavior, and social anxiety). Participants included 117 girls (mean [M] [SD] age at study entry: FXS M = 10.59 [3.00]; comparison M = 10.45 [2.40])). Omnibus tests showed 4 domains with significant group differences: Verbal (P < .0001, eg, Differential Abilities Scale-II(DAS-II), Picture Vocabulary (-6.25 [1.87])), nonverbal (P < .0001, eg, Kaufman Test of Educational Achievement, Third Edition, Brief Form, Math (-8.56 [2.90])), executive function (P < .0001, eg, NIH Toolbox List Sorting (-6.26 [1.48])), and social anxiety (P < .03, eg, Anxiety, Depression, and Mood Scale (ADAMS) Social Avoidance (1.50 [0.65])). Three domains had significant group by age interaction: Verbal (P < .04, eg, DAS-II, Word Definitions (-1.33 [0.55])), social behavior (P < .01, eg, Social Responsiveness Scale-2 Social Communication (1.57 [0.51])), and social anxiety (P < .01, eg, ADAMS Social Avoidance (0.46 [0.19])). These findings support the development of early, disorder specific interventions for girls with FXS targeting verbal and nonverbal skills, executive function, social behavior, and social anxiety.

Children’s Health in London and Luton (CHILL) cohort: a 12-month natural experimental study of the effects of the Ultra Low Emission Zone on children’s travel to school

BackgroundThe Ultra-Low Emission Zone (ULEZ), introduced in Central London in April 2019, aims to enhance air quality and improve public health. The Children's Health in London and Luton (CHILL) study evaluates the impact of the ULEZ on children's health. This analysis focuses on the one-year impacts on the shift towards active travel to school.MethodsCHILL is a prospective parallel cohort study of ethnically diverse children, aged 6–9 years attending 84 primary schools within or with catchment areas encompassing London’s ULEZ (intervention) and Luton (non-intervention area). Baseline (2018/19) and one-year follow-up (2019/20) data were collected at school visits from 1992 (58%) children who reported their mode of travel to school ‘today’ (day of assessment). Multilevel logistic regressions were performed to analyse associations between the introduction of the ULEZ and the likelihood of switching from inactive to active travel modes, and vice-versa. Interactions between intervention group status and pre-specified effect modifiers were also explored.ResultsAmong children who took inactive modes at baseline, 42% of children in London and 20% of children in Luton switched to active modes. For children taking active modes at baseline, 5% of children in London and 21% of children in Luton switched to inactive modes. Relative to the children in Luton, children in London were more likely to have switched from inactive to active modes (OR 3.64, 95% CI 1.21–10.92). Children in the intervention group were also less likely to switch from active to inactive modes (OR 0.11, 0.05–0.24). Moderator analyses showed that children living further from school were more likely to switch from inactive to active modes (OR 6.06,1.87–19.68) compared to those living closer (OR 1.43, 0.27–7.54).ConclusionsImplementation of clean air zones can increase uptake of active travel to school and was particularly associated with more sustainable and active travel in children living further from school.

Pediatric Health and System Impacts of Mass Incarceration, 2009–2020: A Matched Cohort Study

ObjectiveThe US has the highest incarceration rate in the world; incarceration’s direct and indirect toll on the health and health care use of youth is rarely investigated. We sought to compare the health of youth with known personal or family justice involvement and a matched cohort of youth without known personal/family justice involvement. MethodsA cross-sectional matched parallel cohort study was conducted. We queried electronic health records on youth (<21 years) with a visit in a large Midwestern pediatric hospital-based institution from January 2009 to December 2020. Youth were located by searching for justice-related (eg, prison, jail) keywords within all clinician notes. Health diagnostic profiles were measured using ICD 9/10 codes. Health care use included total admissions, inpatient days, emergent and urgent visits, and outpatient visits. ResultsAcross all youth at one institution over an 11-year period, 2.2% (N = 38,263) were identified as having probable personal or family justice-involvement. Youth with personal or familial justice involvement had 1.5–16.2 times the prevalence of mental health and physical health diagnoses across all domain groupings compared to a matched sample and the total population sample. From 2009–2020, approximately two-thirds of behavioral health care and nearly a quarter of all hospital inpatient days were attributed to the 2.2% of youth with probable personal or familial justice system involvement. ConclusionThe study illuminates the vast disparities between youth with indirect or direct contact with the criminal legal system and matched youth with no documented contact. Better investment in monitoring and prevention efforts are needed.

#3076 A UK parallel cohort study on renal ANCA associated vasculitis outcomes for avacopan exposed and matched unexposed cohorts

Abstract Background and Aims Avacopan was approved in the UK for severe ANCA associated vasculitis (AAV) in December 2022. The ADVOCATE trial found the differential effect of avacopan on kidney function was greatest in patients with the lowest estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), at highest risk of progression to end stage kidney disease (ESKD). Patients with an eGFR &amp;lt;15 ml/min/1.73 m2, pulmonary haemorrhage requiring invasive ventilation, under 12 months prognosis, use of plasma exchange and dual therapy with cyclophosphamide (CYC) and rituximab (RTX) were excluded from ADVOCATE; all common scenarios in real life practice. We aim to provide further information on these subgroups and evaluate 6 month renal outcome data in the UK. Method Parallel cohort study on renal AAV outcomes for avacopan exposed and matched unexposed cohorts, with severe, active GPA or MPA. 120 patients on avacopan from 7 UK centres have been recruited to date. Controls matched by renal function and age will be presented. Comparisons of ESKD, delta eGFR, eGFR recovery, reduction in proteinuria/haematuria, remission, relapse and mortality will be presented, with subgroup analyses for eGFR&amp;lt;15 ml/min/1.73 m2. Steroid exposure will be presented. Results Baseline characteristics of the avacopan cohort are below. Most received oral prednisolone at avacopan initiation (89%, n = 107) and 54% received intravenous methylprednisolone (n = 65). The majority received RTX alone (44%, n = 53) or RTX and CYC combination therapy (43%, n = 52). Fewer received CYC alone (9%, n = 11) and 3% were initiated on alternative immunosuppression (n = 4). 26% (n = 31) underwent plasma exchange and 13% required haemodialysis (n=16). 3% of patients have died. Excluding dialysis dependent patients at presentation, median eGFR was 22ml/min/1.73 m2 (IQR 10-36). eGFR at the time of avacopan initiation was 21ml/min/1.73 m2 (IQR 11-34). Conclusion Avacopan is commonly being used to treat nephritis in patients with a low eGFR, including haemodialysis dependent and elderly patients. Avacopan is frequently used with RTX and CYC combination therapy. 6 month outcome data will provide new data on important patient subgroups excluded from the ADVOCATE trial.

Health-seeking behaviour and beliefs around sore throat in The Gambia: A qualitative study.

Group A Streptococcus (Strep A) bacteria causes a broad spectrum of diseases. The most common manifestations of Strep A infection are sore throat and pus-producing skin infections such as impetigo. Complications of Strep A infection can lead to inflammation in the bones, muscles, joints, and internal organs causing acute rheumatic fever and rheumatic heart disease (RHD). In The Gambia, the RHD burden is thought to be very high. However, epidemiological data is minimal, and Strep A control programmes do not exist. This study aimed to explore common beliefs and practices related to sore throats among primary caregivers of children, and healthcare providers in a community with a high Strep A disease burden. Four informal conversations with providers and fifteen semi-structured interviews with caregivers were conducted in the peri-urban area of Sukuta, The Gambia. Sampling was purposive and gradual, beginning from households identified to have recently experienced sore throat through a parallel cohort study. Themes explored in qualitative analysis included: sore throat causal attributions and diagnoses, care practises, health-seeking behaviour, and perceived barriers to using the biomedical sector. We found that sore throats were typically perceived to affect one child in a family, disproportionately or exclusively. Sore throats were rarely perceived as life-threatening, and awareness of links between sore throat and ARF or RHD was not reported among caregivers or providers in this study population. Most cases of sore throat were initially managed at home using traditional medicine which delayed resort to antibiotics, though in two instances of severe pain with the presence of exudate, fear that the child's life was at risk prompted care-seeking through the formal health system. Our findings can inform the development of tailored strategies to increase community knowledge of the potential long-term consequences of sore throats and appropriate care-seeking, alongside improvements in the health system, to prevent Strep A sequelae effectively.

Introduction of a penicillin allergy de-labelling program with direct oral challenge and its effects on utilization of beta-lactam antimicrobials: a multicenter retrospective parallel cohort study

BackgroundSelf-reported penicillin allergy labels are common and often inaccurate after assessment. These labels can lead to reduced use of first-line beta-lactam antibiotics and worse outcomes. We measured the impact of a previously performed inpatient proactive systematic penicillin allergy de-labelling program on subsequent antibiotic use. This prior program included assessment, risk-stratification, and low risk direct oral amoxicillin challenge.MethodsWe performed a retrospective comparison of parallel cohorts from two separate tertiary care hospital campuses in Ottawa, Canada across two penicillin de-labelling intervention periods across April 15th to April 30th, 2021, and February 15th to March 8th, 2022. Outcomes, including penicillin allergy labelling and antibiotic use, were collected for the index admission and the subsequent 6-month period. Descriptive statistics and multivariate regression analyses were performed.ResultsA total of 368 patients with penicillin allergy label were included across two campuses and study periods. 24 (13.8%) patients in the intervention groups had sustained penicillin allergy label removal at 30 days from admission vs. 3 (1.5%) in the non-intervention group (p < 0.001). In the 6-months following admission, beta-lactams were prescribed more frequently in the intervention groups vs. the non-intervention groups for all patients (28 [16.1%] vs.15 [7.7%], p = 0.04) and were prescribed more frequently amongst those who received at least one antibiotic (28/46 [60.9%] vs.15/40 [37.5%], p = 0.097). In a multivariate regression analysis, the intervention groups were found to be associated with an increased odds of beta-lactam prescribing in all patients (OR 2.49, 95%CI 1.29–5.02) and in those prescribed at least one antibiotic (OR 2.44, 95%CI 1.00–6.15). No drug-related adverse events were reported.ConclusionsProactive penicillin allergy de-labelling for inpatients was associated with a reduction in penicillin allergy labels and increased utilization of beta-lactams in the subsequent 6-months.

The Roles of Protocols and Protocolization in Improving Outcome From Severe Traumatic Brain Injury.

Our Phase-I parallel-cohort study suggested that managing severe traumatic brain injury (sTBI) in the absence of intracranial pressure (ICP) monitoring using an ad hoc Imaging and Clinical Examination (ICE) treatment protocol was associated with superior outcome vs nonprotocolized management but could not differentiate the influence of protocolization from that of the specific protocol. Phase II investigates whether adopting the Consensus REVised Imaging and Clinical Examination (CREVICE) protocol improved outcome directly or indirectly via protocolization. We performed a Phase-II sequential parallel-cohort study examining adoption of the CREVICE protocol from no protocol vs a previous protocol in patients with sTBI older than 13 years presenting ≤24 hours after injury. Primary outcome was prespecified 6-month recovery. The study was done mostly at public South American centers managing sTBI without ICP monitoring. Fourteen Phase-I nonprotocol centers and 5 Phase-I protocol centers adopted CREVICE. Data were analyzed using generalized estimating equation regression adjusting for demographic imbalances. A total of 501 patients (86% male, mean age 35.4 years) enrolled; 81% had 6 months of follow-up. Adopting CREVICE from no protocol was associated with significantly superior results for overall 6-month extended Glasgow Outcome Score (GOSE) (protocol effect = 0.53 [0.11, 0.95], P = .013), mortality (36% vs 21%, HR = 0.59 [0.46, 0.76], P < .001), and orientation (Galveston Orientation and Amnesia Test discharge protocol effect = 10.9 [6.0, 15.8], P < .001, 6-month protocol effect = 11.4 [4.1, 18.6], P < .005). Adopting CREVICE from ICE was associated with significant benefits to GOSE (protocol effect = 0.51 [0.04, 0.98], P = .033), 6-month mortality (25% vs 18%, HR = 0.55 [0.39, 0.77], P < .001), and orientation (Galveston Orientation and Amnesia Test 6-month protocol effect = 9.2 [3.6, 14.7], P = .004). Comparing both groups using CREVICE, those who had used ICE previously had significantly better GOSE (protocol effect = 1.15 [0.09, 2.20], P = .033). Centers managing adult sTBI without ICP monitoring should strongly consider protocolization through adopting/adapting the CREVICE protocol. Protocolization is indirectly supported at sTBI centers regardless of resource availability.

Healthcare provider cost ofantimicrobial resistance intwo teaching hospitals inGhana.

Understanding the healthcare provider costs of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in lower-middle-income countries would motivate healthcare facilities to prioritize reducing the AMR burden. This study evaluates the extra length of stay and the associated healthcare provider costs due to AMR to estimate the potential economic benefits of AMR prevention strategies. We combined data from a parallel cohort study with administrative data from the participating hospitals. The parallel cohort study prospectively matched a cohort of patients with bloodstream infections caused by third-generation cephalosporin-resistant enterobacteria and methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (AMR cohort) with two control arms: patients infected with similar susceptible bacteria and a cohort of uninfected controls. Data collection took place from June to December 2021. We calculated the cost using aggregated micro-costing and step-down costing approaches and converted costs into purchasing power parity in international US dollars, adjusting for surviving patients, bacterial species and cost centres. We found that the AMR cohort spent a mean of 4.2 extra days (95% CI: 3.7-4.7) at Hospital 1 and 5.5 extra days (95% CI: 5.1-5.9) at Hospital 2 compared with the susceptible cohort. This corresponds to an estimated mean extra cost of $823 (95% CI: 812-863) and $946 (95% CI: US$929-US$964) per admission, respectively. For both hospitals, the estimated mean annual extra cost attributable to AMR was approximately US$650 000. The cost varies by organism and type of resistance expressed. The result calls for prioritization of interventions to mitigate the spread of AMR in Ghana.

Effectiveness of Eupatorium perfoliatum 30C in Prevention of Dengue Fever and Acute Febrile Illness during 2017 Dengue Outbreak in Urban Slums of Delhi: A Prospective, Open-Label, Community-Based, Parallel Cohort Study

Objective: This study was undertaken to assess the effectiveness of Eupatorium perfoliatum (EP) 30C on the incidence of dengue fever and acute febrile illness (AFI) during the 2017 dengue outbreak. Methods: We conducted a prospective, open-label, community-based parallel cohort study involving apparently healthy individuals residing in 06 urban slums (JJ colony) of Delhi. The participants were enrolled in two cohorts – the medicine cohort (MC) and the control cohort (CC). Participants in MC were given weekly one dose of EP 30C for 10 weeks along with Information, Education and Communication (IEC) material regarding dengue. Participants in the CC were provided with the IEC material only. The primary outcome measure was the incidence of dengue fever as per case definitions notified in the national guidelines for clinical management of dengue fever by the Government of India during the 10 weeks follow-up period. The secondary outcome measures were the incidence of AFI and the hospitalization of confirmed dengue cases. Results: The analysis included 40,769 participants residing in 06 slum clusters of Delhi out of which 28,321 participants were in MC and 12,448 participants were in CC. The incidence of laboratory-confirmed dengue in the MC was 2.57 per 10,000 person-weeks (95% confidence interval [CI], 2.02–3.22) in comparison with 7.55 per 10,000 person-weeks (95% CI, 6.12–9.21) in the CC. The incidence of AFI in the MC was 19.66 per 10,000 person-weeks (95% CI, 18.07–21.36) in comparison with 40.96 per 10,000 person-weeks (95% CI, 37.48–44.67) in the CC. The overall protective effect of EP against laboratory-confirmed dengue was 65.77% (95% CI, 53.37–74.87; p = 0.0001) and against AFI was 52.58% (95% CI, 46.37–58.07; p = 0.0001). Hospitalization reported in the MC was nil as against 4.35% in the CC. No dengue-related case fatalities were reported from either cohort. None of the participants from the MC reported any adverse events owing to the prophylactic intervention. Conclusion: The study concludes that EP 30C was able to prevent dengue significantly. Randomized controlled trials are needed to confirm or refute our findings.

Investigating the impact of London’s ultra low emission zone on children’s health: children’s health in London and Luton (CHILL) protocol for a prospective parallel cohort study

BackgroundAir pollution harms health across the life course. Children are at particular risk of adverse effects during development, which may impact on health in later life. Interventions that improve air quality are urgently needed both to improve public health now, and prevent longer-term increased vulnerability to chronic disease. Low Emission Zones are a public health policy intervention aimed at reducing traffic-derived contributions to urban air pollution, but evidence that they deliver health benefits is lacking. We describe a natural experiment study (CHILL: Children’s Health in London and Luton) to evaluate the impacts of the introduction of London’s Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) on children’s health.MethodsCHILL is a prospective two-arm parallel longitudinal cohort study recruiting children at age 6–9 years from primary schools in Central London (the focus of the first phase of the ULEZ) and Luton (a comparator site), with the primary outcome being the impact of changes in annual air pollutant exposures (nitrogen oxides [NOx], nitrogen dioxide [NO2], particulate matter with a diameter of less than 2.5micrograms [PM2.5], and less than 10 micrograms [PM10]) across the two sites on lung function growth, measured as post-bronchodilator forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1) over five years. Secondary outcomes include physical activity, cognitive development, mental health, quality of life, health inequalities, and a range of respiratory and health economic data.DiscussionCHILL’s prospective parallel cohort design will enable robust conclusions to be drawn on the effectiveness of the ULEZ at improving air quality and delivering improvements in children’s respiratory health. With increasing proportions of the world’s population now living in large urban areas exceeding World Health Organisation air pollution limit guidelines, our study findings will have important implications for the design and implementation of Low Emission and Clean Air Zones in the UK, and worldwide.ClinicalTrials.govNCT04695093 (05/01/2021).

Initial Report of Povetacicept, an Enhanced Dual BAFF/APRIL Antagonist, in Autoimmune Cytopenias: The RUBY-4 Study

Introduction: BAFF and APRIL are cytokines with key roles in B cell development, survival, differentiation into antibody-secreting cells (ASCs; plasmablasts and plasma cells), and production of antibodies, making them promising targets for the treatment of autoantibody-associated diseases such as immune thrombocytopenia (ITP), warm autoimmune hemolytic anemia (wAIHA), and cold agglutinin disease (CAD). Patients with ITP or AIHA have elevated serum BAFF and APRIL levels and belimumab, a BAFF inhibitor, has exhibited encouraging efficacy in the treatment of lupus-associated ITP as well as alone or in combination with rituximab for the treatment of primary ITP. Due to their overlapping but non-redundant roles, inhibition of both BAFF and APRIL may be required for optimal efficacy in autoimmune cytopenias. In preclinical studies, dual BAFF/APRIL inhibition achieved superior suppression of ASCs and immunoglobulin levels vs inhibitors of BAFF or APRIL alone or an anti-CD20 antibody, suggesting the potential of this novel mechanism to modify the underlying pathogenesis of autoimmune cytopenias. Povetacicept (ALPN-303) is a TACI-Fc fusion protein engineered for potent dual BAFF/APRIL inhibition. In a mouse model of AIHA, povetacicept suppressed anti-erythrocyte autoantibodies and increased hematocrit (ASH 2022 abstract #3763). In a first-in-human study in healthy volunteers, povetacicept was well tolerated and reduced levels of circulating ASCs and immunoglobulins. This is an initial report of an open-label study of povetacicept in autoimmune cytopenias (RUBY-4; NCT05757570). Methods: RUBY-4 is a phase 1b, group-sequential, parallel-cohort study evaluating povetacicept in participants aged ≥18 years with a documented diagnosis of primary ITP, wAIHA, or CAD of ≥12 weeks in duration (Figure). Eligible participants must have sustained thrombocytopenia (ITP cohort) or sustained symptomatic anemia (wAIHA/CAD cohorts)-i.e., platelet count &amp;lt;30 × 10 9/L or hemoglobin ≤10 g/dL on 2 occasions ≥7 days apart during screening-and a history of failure or relapse on ≥2 prior treatments (including a thrombopoietin receptor agonist for the ITP cohort). Background therapy, including corticosteroids, is allowed but must remain at stable doses for the durations specified in the protocol. Participants receive povetacicept 240 mg subcutaneously once every 4 weeks for 24 weeks, with an optional 24-week treatment extension, followed by an 8-week off-treatment follow-up period. The primary objective is safety and tolerability; secondary objectives include pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, immunogenicity, and efficacy. Results: As of 31 July 2023, 1 participant with ITP has enrolled and received 2 doses of povetacicept 240 mg without incident. Initial, preliminary observations include expected reductions in B cells and immunoglobulin levels. The RUBY-4 study continues to enroll in the US, Canada, Australia, and Turkey. At the time of presentation, available data including safety, pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, and preliminary efficacy (e.g., platelet or hemoglobin response rate, duration of response, and time to response) findings will be reported. Conclusions: To our knowledge, povetacicept is the first dual BAFF/APRIL inhibitor to be evaluated for the treatment of autoimmune cytopenias. Previous preclinical and healthy volunteer studies suggest the potential of povetacicept for suppression of the pathogenic autoimmunity that mediates platelet/erythrocyte destruction in ITP, wAIHA, and CAD, which may lead to more durable responses and improved outcomes for patients.

Mortality associated with third-generation cephalosporin resistance in Enterobacterales bloodstream infections at eight sub-Saharan African hospitals (MBIRA): a prospective cohort study

Bacteria of the order Enterobacterales are common pathogens causing bloodstream infections in sub-Saharan Africa and are frequently resistant to third-generation cephalosporin antibiotics. Although third-generation cephalosporin resistance is believed to lead to adverse outcomes, this relationship is difficult to quantify and has rarely been studied in this region. We aimed to measure the effects associated with resistance to third-generation cephalosporins in hospitalised patients with Enterobacterales bloodstream infection in Africa. We conducted a prospective, matched, parallel cohort study at eight hospitals across sub-Saharan Africa. We recruited consecutive patients of all age groups with laboratory-confirmed Enterobacterales bloodstream infection and matched them to at least one patient without bloodstream infection on the basis of age group, hospital ward, and admission date. Date of infection onset (and enrolment) was defined as the day of blood sample collection for culturing. Patients infected with bacteria with a cefotaxime minimum inhibitory concentration of 1 mg/L or lower were included in the third-generation cephalosporin-susceptible (3GC-S) cohort, and the remainder were included in the third-generation cephalosporin-resistant (3GC-R) cohort. The primary outcomes were in-hospital death and death within 30 days of enrolment. We used adjusted multivariable regression models to first compare patients with bloodstream infection against matched patients within the 3GC-S and 3GC-R cohorts, then compared estimates between cohorts. Between Nov 1, 2020, and Jan 31, 2022, we recruited 878 patients with Enterobacterales bloodstream infection (221 [25·2%] to the 3GC-S cohort and 657 [74·8%] to the 3GC-R cohort) and 1634 matched patients (420 [25·7%] and 1214 [74·3%], respectively). 502 (57·2%) bloodstream infections occurred in neonates and infants (age 0-364 days). Klebsiella pneumoniae (393 [44·8%] infections) and Escherichia coli (224 [25·5%] infections) were the most common Enterobacterales species identified. The proportion of patients who died in hospital was higher in patients with bloodstream infection than in matched controls in the 3GC-S cohort (62 [28·1%] of 221 vs 22 [5·2%] of 420; cause-specific hazard ratio 6·79 [95% CI 4·06-11·37] from Cox model) and the 3GC-R cohort (244 [37·1%] of 657 vs 115 [9·5%] of 1214; 5·01 [3·96-6·32]). The ratio of these cause-specific hazard ratios showed no significant difference in risk of in-hospital death in the 3GC-R cohort versus the 3GC-S cohort (0·74 [0·42-1·30]). The ratio of relative risk of death within 30 days (0·82 [95% CI 0·53-1·27]) also indicated no difference between the cohorts. Patients with bloodstream infections with Enterobacterales bacteria either resistant or susceptible to third-generation cephalosporins had increased mortality compared with uninfected matched patients, with no differential effect related to third-generation cephalosporin-resistance status. However, this finding does not account for time to appropriate antibiotic treatment, which remains clinically important to optimise. Measures to prevent transmission of Enterobacterales could reduce bloodstream infection-associated mortality from both drug-resistant and drug-susceptible bacterial strains in Africa. Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.

274-OR: Do-It-Yourself Automated Insulin Delivery (AID) Systems Are Noninferior to Commercial AID Systems in Glucose Management among Adults with Type 1 Diabetes

AIM: We aim to compare commercial automated insulin delivery (C-AID) systems with open-source do-it-yourself (DIY)-AID systems for glucose management among adults with type 1 diabetes (T1D) in real-life conditions. METHODS: A prospective observational, non-inferiority, parallel-cohort study involving 77 adults with T1D, having used an AID for ≥3 months and living in Canada (25 DIY-AID and 52 C-AID users): 59.7% females, mean age 44.0 ± 14.7 years old with mean diabetes duration of 26.9 ± 14.5 years and HbA1c of 6.7 ± 0.7%. A total of 30 days’ data from an additional blinded CGM (Dexcom G6) was used to assess effectiveness [Primary outcome: 24h time in range% (TIR%) for 30 days]. RESULTS: DIY-AIDs were non-inferior to C-AIDs regarding the TIR% [78.3±11.0% vs. 71.2±10.9%, mean difference 7.2% [95% CI 1.9% to 12.5%], P&amp;lt;0.001 for non-inferiority (non-inferiority margin 5%)], even after adjusting for various confounding factors (age, sex, auto-mode%, duration of AID use, annual household income, and educational level). The percentage of time in hypoglycemia (&amp;lt;70 mg/dL) was higher with DIY-AID (3.9±3.1%) than with C-AID (1.8±1.3%) but still below recommended threshold (Table). Differences between both systems are more pronounced during daytime. CONCLUSION: DIY-AIDs are non-inferior to C-AIDs for TIR% among adults with T1D in real-world settings. Disclosure Z.Wu: Other Relationship; Eli Lilly and Company. R.Rabasa-lhoret: Consultant; Dexcom, Inc., Abbott, Janssen Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Novo Nordisk Canada Inc., Sanofi, Lilly, Tandem Diabetes Care, Inc., Insulet Corporation. M.Lebbar: None. A.Bonhoure: Consultant; Dexcom, Inc. M.Raffray: None. M.Devaux: None. C.Grou: None. V.Messier: None. V.Boudreau: None. A.Brazeau: Other Relationship; Dexcom, Inc., Diabète québec, Ordre des diététistes nutritionnistes du Québec, Research Support; Canadian Institutes of Health Research, Fonds de recherche du Québec en Santé. Funding Canadian Institutes of Health Research (148464)

900-P: Patient-Reported Outcomes of Adults with Type 1 Diabetes Using Do-It-Yourself Compared with Commercial Automated Insulin Delivery Systems

Introduction: We aim to assess the difference between open-source do-it-yourself (DIY) and commercial automated insulin delivery (AID) systems in patient-reported outcomes (PRO) of adults with type 1 diabetes (T1D). Methods: Analysis from a prospective, non-inferiority, non-randomized, parallel-cohort study involving 78 non-pregnant adults with T1D, AID users ≥3 months and living in Canada. Participants (25 DIYAID and 53 commercial AID users, 60.3% females, mean age 41.2±14.6 years, mean T1D duration 27.0±14.7 years, median [Q1, Q3] duration of AID use 15.6 [7.8, 27, 4] months, mean HbA1c 6.7±0.7%, median time in range [TIR 70-180 mg/dl] 74.3% [66.8, 81.0]) completed the following validated PRO questionnaires: Diabetes Distress Scale (DDS, high distress level defined as &amp;gt;2.0), Diabetes Treatment Satisfaction Questionnaire (DTS-Q), An Audit of Diabetes-Dependent Quality of Life (ADD-QoL), Hypoglycemia Fear Score II (HFS-II, fear of hypoglycemia defined as scoring ≥3 in any worry subscale item), Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI, poor sleep defined as &amp;gt;5), Clarke and Gold score (hypoglycemia unawareness defined as either score ≥4). Results: DIYAID users reported better sleep quality (66.7% vs 33.3%, p=0.02) and lower HFS-II worry subscale score (28.2 vs 33.2, p=0.03) than commercial AID users, but results did not remain significant after adjusting for sex, age, level of education, T1D and AID use duration, HbA1c, and TIR. The two groups were otherwise comparable in other PROs. Overall, one third of participants reported diabetes distress, 88.3% reported poor sleep, 20.8% reported impaired hypoglycemia awareness and 80.5% reported fear of hypoglycemia. Conclusion: Similar broad QoL and other PROs were observed between DIYAID and commercial AID users, with a persistent and significant diabetes burden for all, despite advanced diabetes technology use and optimal glycemic management. Disclosure M.Lebbar: None. Z.Wu: Other Relationship; Eli Lilly and Company. A.C.Bonhoure: Consultant; Dexcom, Inc. V.Messier: None. A.Brazeau: Other Relationship; Dexcom, Inc., Diabète québec, Ordre des diététistes nutritionnistes du Québec, Research Support; Canadian Institutes of Health Research, Fonds de recherche du Québec en Santé. R.Rabasa-lhoret: Consultant; Dexcom, Inc., Abbott, Janssen Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Novo Nordisk Canada Inc., Sanofi, Lilly, Tandem Diabetes Care, Inc., Insulet Corporation. Funding Canadian Institutes of Health Research (148464)

ENVASARC: A pivotal trial of envafolimab and envafolimab in combination with ipilimumab in patients with advanced or metastatic undifferentiated pleomorphic sarcoma or myxofibrosarcoma who have progressed on prior chemotherapy.

TPS11583 Background: Metastatic undifferentiated pleomorphic sarcoma (UPS) and the genetically related myxofibrosarcoma (MFS) are soft tissue sarcoma (STS) subtypes with poor prognoses. While responses to first-line chemotherapy can approach 20%, efficacy remains limited in the 2nd-line setting and beyond. Pazopanib, the only FDA approved treatment in the refractory setting, has demonstrated an objective response rate (ORR) of 4%. Envafolimab is a single domain PD-L1 antibody administered by rapid subcutaneous (SQ) injection that is approved for the treatment of microsatellite instability-high (MSI-H) cancer in China. The activity of envafolimab appears to be similar to other PD-1 antibodies administered intravenously (i.v.). Envafolimab demonstrated a 32% ORR in MSI-H colorectal cancer patients with progressive disease following three approved chemotherapeutics, similar to the ORR of 28% and 33% with nivolumab and pembrolizumab in these patients, respectively. The rationale for the ENVASARC is based on envafolimab activity in STS in phase 1 trials and previously reported activity of checkpoint inhibition in UPS/MFS: single-agent pembrolizumab demonstrated a 23% ORR, while the combination of nivolumab and ipilimumab demonstrated a 29% ORR in refractory UPS/MFS. Methods: ENVASARC (NCT 04480502) is a pivotal multicenter (at 30 U.S. and U.K. centers) open-label, randomized, non-comparative, parallel cohort study of envafolimab 600 mg every 3 weeks by SQ injection (n = 80) or envafolimab 600 mg every 3 weeks by SQ injection combined with ipilimumab 1 mg/kg every 3 weeks i.v. for four doses (n = 80) in patients with locally advanced, unresectable or metastatic UPS/MFS with disease progression on one or two lines of prior therapy. The primary objective of each of parallel cohort is to demonstrate an ORR with a lower limit of the 95% confidence interval that excludes 5.0% in each cohort. If ≥ 9 responders are observed among the 80 patients enrolled in each cohort, then the lower bound of the 95% confidence interval will exclude 5.0%. Secondary endpoints include duration of response, PFS and OS. Key inclusion criteria: ≤ 2 prior lines of therapy ([neo]adjuvant therapy excluded), ECOG ≤ 1. Clinical trial information: NCT04480502 .

A prospective trial of apalutamide and abiraterone acetate plus prednisone in Black and White men with metastatic castrate-resistant prostate cancer.

5015 Background: Abi Race was the first prospective parallel cohort study of abiraterone acetate plus prednisone (AAP) in Black and White men with metastatic castrate-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC) and demonstrated greater prostate-specific antigen (PSA) response, time to PSA progression (TTP) and toxicity rates among Black patients (pts). We designed the PANTHER trial to estimate clinical outcomes among Black and White pts with mCRPC treated with apalutamide, abiraterone, plus prednisone. Methods: This parallel cohort multicenter study treated androgen receptor pathway inhibitor naïve mCRPC pts with oral apalutamide (240 mg/d), abiraterone (1000 mg/d) and prednisone (10 mg/d) (AAAP) continuously until disease progression, unacceptable toxicity or 2 years. The primary endpoint was radiographic progression free survival (rPFS); secondary endpoints were to estimate TTP, overall survival (OS) and best PSA response, among Black and White pts, separately. Exploratory endpoints included safety and correlative biomarkers of outcome by race and ancestry. Results: Between July 2017 and January 2021, we enrolled 43 Black and 50 White pts from 8 sites. Baseline prognostic characteristics were largely similar with some differences. We report an interim analysis as the pts are still followed for OS. At the time of the abstract submission, there were 18 and 36 rPFS events and 15 and 30 deaths in Black and White pts, respectively. We present the time to event endpoint rates at 12 and 24 mos and PSA declines for Black and White pts. Conclusions: We hypothesize that treatment with the combination of AAAP may result in clinical efficacy in Black men with mCRPC. Black pts were underrepresented in the phase III ACIS trial which compared AAP to AAAP and demonstrated longer rPFS but not OS. Further studies of AAAP combination therapy among Black men with advanced prostate cancer are needed to determine potential clinical benefits in this understudied population. Clinical trial information: NCT03098836 . [Table: see text]

A Phase I Clinical Trial Evaluating the Safety and Dosing of Relugolix with Novel Hormonal Therapy for the Treatment of Advanced Prostate Cancer.

Androgen deprivation therapy (ADT), a cornerstone of prostate cancer treatment, is commonly co-prescribed as combination therapy. To better understand the safety and tolerability profile of relugolix, an oral non-peptide gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) receptor antagonist, in combination with abiraterone acetate (abiraterone) and apalutamide, a phase I study was undertaken. This is an ongoing, 52-week, open-label, parallel cohort study of relugolix in combination with abiraterone in men with metastatic castration-sensitive prostate cancer (mCSPC) or metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC) [Part 1] and apalutamide in men with mCSPC or non-metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (nmCRPC) [Part 2]. Eligible patients treated with leuprolide acetate or degarelix with abiraterone or apalutamide prior to baseline, at which time they were transitioned to relugolix. Assessments included reporting of adverse events, clinical laboratory tests, vital sign measurements, electrocardiogram (ECG) parameters, and testosterone serum concentrations. In this interim report, patients completing ≥12 weeks were included. Overall, 15 men were enrolled in Part 1 and 10 in Part 2. Adverse events were mostly mild-to-moderate in intensity and were consistent with the known safety profiles of the individual medications. No transition (from prior ADT treatment)- or time-related trends in clinical laboratory tests, vital sign measurements, or ECG parameters were observed. Mean testosterone concentrations remained below castration levels. Combination therapy of relugolix and abiraterone or apalutamide was associated with a favorable safety and tolerability profile consistent with the known profiles of the individual medications. Castration levels of testosterone were maintained after transitioning to relugolix from other ADTs. ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT04666129.