Predictors Of Treatment Success Research Articles

Impact of COVID-19 on Tuberculosis Case Detection and Treatment Outcomes in Sierra Leone

The COVID-19 pandemic has adversely affected tuberculosis (TB) care delivery in high burden countries. We therefore conducted a retrospective study to assess the impact of COVID-19 on TB case detection and treatment outcomes at the Chest Clinic at Connaught Hospital in Freetown, Sierra Leone. Overall, 2300 presumptive cases were tested during the first three quarters of 2020 (intra-COVID-19) versus 2636 in 2019 (baseline), representing a 12.7% decline. Testing declined by 25% in women, 20% in children and 81% in community-initiated referrals. Notwithstanding, laboratory-confirmed TB cases increased by 37.0% and treatment success rate was higher in 2020 (55.6% vs. 46.7%, p = 0.002). Multivariate logistic regression analysis found that age < 55 years (aOR 1.74, 95% CI (1.80, 2.56); p = 0.005), new diagnosis (aOR 1.69, 95% CI (1.16, 2.47); p = 0.007), pulmonary TB (aOR 3.17, 95% CI (1.67, 6.04); p < 0.001), HIV negative status (aOR 1.60, 95%CI (1.24, 2.06); p < 0.001) and self-administration of anti-TB drugs through monthly dispensing versus directly observed therapy (DOT) (aOR 1.56, 95% CI (1.21, 2.03); p = 0.001) independently predicted treatment success. These findings may have policy implications for DOTS in this setting and suggest that more resources are needed to reverse the negative impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on TB program activities in Sierra Leone.

Does local cerebellar volume predict treatment success in anorexia nervosa?

Anorexia nervosa (AN) is difficult to treat with up to half of patients failing to gain weight during treatment. Neurobiological factors predicting treatment response in AN are poorly understood. In this longitudinal study, we aimed to identify morphological characteristics in the grey matter which predict treatment success in patients with AN. Fifty patients with severe AN participated in an eating disorder-specific inpatient treatment. On admission, T1-weighted magnetic resonance images were acquired from all patients. Half of the patients successfully gained weight, reaching a body-mass index ≥ 17.5 kg/m2. Using voxel-based morphometry, local grey matter volumes were compared between the two groups of patients who gained weight and those who did not. This approach allowed us to identify anatomical characteristics which predict treatment success in terms of post-treatment weight status. Patients who did not reach the weight threshold at discharge had a smaller volume in the right cerebellar crus I at the time of admission. In this group, smaller volume was associated with a greater alexithymia score. The findings suggest that a trophic state within the cerebellum before treatment might be prognostic for treatment success. Consistent with previous reports, this result further substantiates the possible role of the cerebellum in the psychopathology of AN.

P–243 Improving ERICA’s (Embryo Ranking Intelligent Classification Assistant) performance. Should we train an AI to remain static or dynamic, adapting to specific conditions?

Abstract Study question Can ERICA’s deep-learning capabilities allow it to learn specifics from individual clinics, and improve its performance through a quality assurance and fine-tuning process? Summary answer Quality assurance and fine-tuning allowed ERICA to adapt to unique specifications of individual clinics, resulting in an improved performance at each clinic. What is known already Machine learning (ML) solutions to real-life problems have shown that generalizability (applicability of a model to different scenarios) of a single model is fundamentally a suboptimal approach, due to the risk of underspecification. Under-specification becomes relevant in environments where there is a myriad of protocols and approaches, like during IVF treatments. It is naïve to assume that different features extracted from embryos to predict treatment success weigh the same along the overall heterogeneity of protocols. This underspecification problem takes special relevance when deploying an ML-based product, like ERICA, in a clinical setting. Study design, size, duration Retrospective analysis of results from the quality assurance (QA) and fine-tuning (adaptation) process performed for a deep learning algorithm named ERICA (Embryo Ranking Intelligent Classification Assistant) at five clinics (1879 embryos) between August and September 2020. Participants/materials, setting, methods QA and fine-tuning consist of a transfer-learning approach (of the ERICA Core model) and re-training using embryos of each clinic exclusively. Results are assessed by a 10-fold cross validation approach, which splits the database in 10 and iteratively validates on each by training on the rest. Performance of ERICA is assessed both before and after the fine-tuning process and results are presented as averages per clinic. Embryos considered for QA and fine-tuning had known outcome. Main results and the role of chance After the fine-tuning, ERICA showed an average improvement of 13% in accuracy (from 50.2% to 63.2%); 36.6% in specificity (from 22.4% to 59%); 11% for Positive Predictive Value (from 51% to 62); 19.6% for Negative Predictive Value (from 44.6% to 64.2%), and 3.4% for F1 score (from 60% to 63.4%). Sensitivity decreased from 78% to 65.4%. Our results suggest ERICA’s Core is robust lending itself to be fine-tuned. It learns from individual laboratory specifics, and in this way adapts to new clinics. The results demonstrate that the Core model tends to classify embryos from new clinics as having a good prognosis, since it showed a high sensitivity and low specificity, both showing an improved balance following the fine-tune process. Additionally, the probability of finding a good prognosis embryo in the different labels, behaved as expected, decreasing its probability from Optimal (65.8%) to Poor prognosis (37.4%). Limitations, reasons for caution underspecification is a challenge to Artificial Intelligence (AI) based solutions pursuing a general model. For this study, our approach of QA followed by a fine-tuning process to overcome underspecification, was successful. However, it was only applied to 5 clinics, and the findings remain to be proven on a larger scale. Wider implications of the findings: Performance of QA should be considered standard before clinical implementation of any AI based solution. Our results should be interpreted as the theoretical/expected future performance of ERICA for each clinic. Regular assessments on performance for all models generated after fine-tuning are encouraged. Trial registration number Not applicable

Treatment outcomes of photodynamic therapy and findings predicting treatment success in pachychoroid-associated neovascularization.

To investigate the treatment outcomes and predictive factors affecting treatment success of half-fluence photodynamic therapy (hf-PDT) in pachychoroid-associated neovascularization (PNV). Twenty-four eyes of 23 PNV patients who underwent hf-PDT were included in this study. The results of optical coherence tomography (OCT) and OCT-angiography imaging were analyzed. The total choroidal area (CA), luminal area (LA), and stromal area (SA) were measured using ImageJ software. Baseline characteristics of the eyes showing complete response (group 1) and the eyes with partial response or unresponsive to hf-PDT (group 2) were compared. The mean age of the patients was 54.2±9.6 years. The mean follow-up time after hf-PDT was 20.7 ± 13.6 months. Three months after hf-PDT, the subretinal fluid had completely regressed in 18 eyes (75.0%), partial resolution was observed in 3 eyes (12.5%), and 3 eyes (12.5%) were unresponsive to hf-PDT. When the baseline characteristics before hf-PDT were evaluated between the groups, the mean central choroidal thickness (411.5 ± 115.1 µm vs 284.8 ± 69.4 µm), the mean CA (1.082 ± 0.315 mm2 vs 0.795 ± 0.242 mm2) and the mean LA (0.795 ± 0.234 mm2 vs 0.578 ± 0.200 mm2) was significantly higher in group 1 compared to group 2 (p = 0.019, p = 0.018, p = 0.018, respectively). Hf-PDT is an effective treatment method usually providing total resolution of subretinal fluid in PNV cases. A high baseline central choroidal thickness and large luminal area may be positive predictive factors in terms of full anatomical response to hf-PDT. It may be possible to plan a more effective treatment strategy by keeping these factors in mind.

Systematic review of risk prediction studies in bone and joint infection: are modifiable prognostic factors useful in predicting recurrence?

Background: Classification systems for orthopaedic infection include patient health status, but there is no consensus about which comorbidities affect prognosis. Modifiable factors including substance use, glycaemic control, malnutrition and obesity may predict post-operative recovery from infection. Aim: This systematic review aimed (1) to critically appraise clinical prediction models for individual prognosis following surgical treatment for orthopaedic infection where an implant is not retained; (2) to understand the usefulness of modifiable prognostic factors for predicting treatment success. Methods: EMBASE and MEDLINE databases were searched for clinical prediction and prognostic studies in adults with orthopaedic infections. Infection recurrence or re-infection after at least 6 months was the primary outcome. The estimated odds ratios for the primary outcome in participants with modifiable prognostic factors were extracted and the direction of the effect reported. Results: Thirty-five retrospective prognostic cohort studies of 92 693 patients were included, of which two reported clinical prediction models. No studies were at low risk of bias, and no externally validated prediction models were identified. Most focused on prosthetic joint infection. A positive association was reported between body mass index and infection recurrence in 19 of 22 studies, similarly in 8 of 14 studies reporting smoking history and 3 of 4 studies reporting alcohol intake. Glycaemic control and malnutrition were rarely considered. Conclusion: Modifiable aspects of patient health appear to predict outcomes after surgery for orthopaedic infection. There is a need to understand which factors may have a causal effect. Development and validation of clinical prediction models that include participant health status will facilitate treatment decisions for orthopaedic infections.

Microwave ablation as an efficient therapy for primary hyperparathyroidism: Efficacy and predictors of treatment success.

Microwave ablation (MWA) has great potential for the treatment of primary hyperparathyroidism, but as predictors and therapeutic efficiency have not been fully clarified, further investigations are required. The purpose of this study was to explore the predictors of MWA efficacy in patients with primary hyperparathyroidism (PHPT) induced by parathyroid adenoma. The study included patients with PHPT treated with MWA separated into two groups as response and no response group, according to the efficacy of the treatment. The two groups were compared with respect of possible predictors, such as age, gender, parathyroid adenoma volume, baseline levels of calcium (Ca), phosphorous (P), alkaline phosphate (ALP) and vitamin D, localisation of parathyroid adenoma, and instrumental parameters such as microwave ablation time and power. The statistical significance of possible predictors of MWA efficacy was investigated by using logistic regression analysis. Evaluation was made of 32 patients in respect of analysing predictors of MWA efficacy. In the comparison of the values of the response and no response groups, only baseline Ca level was determined to be a potential predictor of the efficacy of MWA (P<.05). Further logistic regression results showed the baseline Ca level to be insignificant for the construction of a mathematical model to predict the efficacy of MWA (P=.071). The clinical success rate was 87.5%. Compared with pre-MWA, the serum PTH, calcium, phosphorus and ALP levels were significantly improved at 6months post-MWA (PTH, 99 (86-154) ng/L vs 50 (46-58) ng/L; calcium, 2.94 (2.81-2.98) mmol/L vs 2.38 (2.28-2.50) mmol/L; phosphorus, 0.87 (0.82-1.01) mmol/L vs 1.16 (1.0-1.3) mmol/L; ALP, 82 (73-98) U/L vs 69 (54-84) U/L, respectively; all, P<.01. Although no predictor of treatment success could be determined, MWA might be an effective treatment in patients with PHPT.

Medical treatment of uterine arteriovenous malformation: a systematic review and meta-analysis

To quantify the efficacy of medical management of uterine arteriovenous malformation (AVM) and compare efficacy between different classes of medication. In addition, we evaluated for factors associated with treatment success and pregnancy outcomes after medical management. Systematic review and meta-analysis. Not applicable. Thirty-two studies representing 121 premenopausal women with medically-treated uterine AVM were identified via database searches of MEDLINE, Embase, Web of Science, and cited references. Medical treatment with progestins, gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonists (GnRH-a), methotrexate, combined hormonal contraception , uterotonics, danazol, or combination of the above. Primary outcome of treatment success was defined as AVM resolution without subsequent procedural interventions. Secondary outcome was treatment complication (readmission or transfusion). The overall success rate of medical management was 88% (106/121). After adjusting for clustering effects, success rates for progestin (82.5%; 95% confidence interval [CI], 70.1%-90.4%), GnRH-a (89.3%; 99% CI, 71.4%-96.5%) and methotrexate (90.0%; 99% CI, 55.8%-98.8%) were significantly different from the null hypothesis of 50% success. The agents with the lowest adjusted proportion of complications were progestins (10.0%; 99% CI, 3.3%-26.8%) and GnRH-a (10.7%; 99% CI, 3.5%-28.4%). No clinical factors were found to predict treatment success. Twenty-six subsequent pregnancies are described, with no reported recurrences of AVM. Medical management for uterine AVM is a reasonable approach in a well selected patient. These data should be interpreted in the context of significant publication bias.

Treatment success and its predictors as well as the complications of catheter ablation for atrial fibrillation in a high-volume centre

PurposeCatheter ablation for atrial fibrillation (AF) is a standard procedure for maintaining sinus rhythm. The aim of this study was to evaluate treatment success and its predictors and to provide quality control data on complications and redo operations in a centre with an initially a low but currently high annual volume.MethodsData on patients (n = 1,253) treated with catheter ablation for AF in Tays Heart Hospital between January 2010 and May 2018 was evaluated (n = 1178 ablation-naïve patients and n = 1514 AF ablations). Comprehensive data on patient characteristics, treatment results, redo operations and complications were collected. Treatment success (maintenance of sinus rhythm at 1 year) was evaluated among patients residing within the hospital district (45% of the entire study population).ResultsTreatment success was observed in approximately 62.9% of the ablation-naïve patients. Preoperative predictors of treatment success were paroxysmal AF type, previous use of antiarrhythmic drugs, left atrium diameter and age. The experience at the centre did not associate with the 1-year outcome. A relapse during the first 3-month blanking period was associated with a nine-fold risk of failure at 1 year (unadjusted OR 9.1, 95% CI 5.5–15.1, p < 0.001). The major complication rate was 4.5% (68/1514) with no deaths. Ten percent of the patients needed a redo procedure within the first year.ConclusionsPatient-related factors are the most significant predictors of treatment success. A relapse during a 3-month blanking period is associated with a very high risk of failure at 1 year.

Demographic and radiographic predictors of patient reported outcomes and revision surgery after stemless total shoulder arthroplasty

BackgroundStemless total shoulder arthroplasty (TSA) is aimed at better re-creating native anatomy, facilitating revision, and preserving bone. The purpose of this study is to determine which pre-operative patient characteristics or radiographic parameters were predictive of outcomes following stemless TSA. MethodsThis was a retrospective review of prospectively collected data. One hundred fifty-seven patients with glenohumeral osteoarthritis were prospectively enrolled as part of a multi-center FDA Investigational Device Exemption protocol in July 2011-November 2012. In the present study, one hundred forty-nine patients with minimum 2-year follow-up had imaging available for review and were included (107 men, 42 women). Mean age 65 years (range,37-84). Pre-operative patient demographics, baseline ASES and Constant scores, deltoid tuberosity index (DTI), combined cortical thickness, and postoperative glenoid version were analyzed to predict treatment success. Treatment success was defined by no revision procedures and an adjusted Constant score of >85% at final follow-up. Statistical analyses were performed using student T-test, multiple logistic regression, and Pearson correlation with a p-value of 0.05 defining significance. Intraclass correlation and kappa values were calculated to determine interrater reliability for radiographic measurements. ResultsThree patients (2.0%) underwent revision or explant due to infection, unstable implant, or glenoid loosening. Eleven (7.4%) had an adjusted Constant score <85% at 2-year follow-up. These patients made up the suboptimal treatment outcome cohort (n = 13), with a mean age of 55.5 compared to 66.6(P <0.001). Relative risk for suboptimal outcome for patients <60 years was 1.32(95% CI:1.05-1.66). Baseline Constant was lower in the suboptimal treatment group (47.9 vs. 57.0, p=0.001). There were no differences between groups when comparing radiographic parameters. Older age correlated with lower combined cortical thickness (r = 0.32, P <0.05), lower DTI(r = 0.17, P <0.05), greater Constant(r = 0.47, P <0.05) and ASES(r = 0.29, P <0.05) scores at follow-up. ConclusionPatients younger than 60 years old had a 1.3x risk of suboptimal treatment outcome following stemless TSA, similar to what is seen with stemmed implants. Low radiographic bone density was not predictive of suboptimal constant score or reoperation at final follow-up. Older patients had decreased combined cortical thickness and deltoid tuberosity index, yet were more likely to have a successful outcome following stemless TSA compared to younger patients. Level of evidenceLevel III; Retrospective Cohort

Effect and tolerability of perampanel in patients with drug-resistant epilepsy

ObjectivePerampanel is one of the most recently approved antiseizure medications. The aim of the present study was to assess clinical efficacy and tolerability, in combination with pharmacokinetic variability, of perampanel treatment in patients at a tertiary referral center for epilepsy. MethodsWe performed a retrospective observational study of patients given perampanel as adjunctive treatment in the period January 2013 - February 2019 at the National Center for Epilepsy at Oslo University Hospital, Norway. ResultsClinical data were available for 175 mainly adult patients with drug-resistant epilepsy with mean treatment duration of 16.1 months. We found that 23% (40 patients) were responders (i.e., achieving more than 50% reduction in seizure frequency), four of whom became seizure free, 29% (51 patients) experienced a modest effect, whereas for 29% (50 patients) perampanel had no seizure-reducing effect. A paradoxical effect, with seizure aggravation, was reported in 9% (15 patients). The responder rate was significantly higher in those with slow vs. fast dosage titration. Logistic regression analysis showed better efficacy among those with generalized vs. those with focal epilepsy. Adverse effects were reported by 135 patients (77%), ranging from mild (34%), to moderate (41%) and severe (2%). In 55 patients (41%), these adverse effects resulted in discontinuation of treatment with perampanel. The most frequent adverse effects were psychiatric symptoms (34%), dizziness (31%), and sleepiness (26%). Of the 31 patients for whom serum concentration measurements were available, the mean daily perampanel dose was 6.3 mg (SD 3.0), with a mean serum concentration at steady state of 1.03 μmol/L (range: 0.15–3.59 μmol/L). There were pronounced differences between patients, as demonstrated by a 12-fold variability in the range of concentration/dose (C/D)-ratios (0.06 to 0.69 μmol/L/mg), where enzyme inducers contributed. ConclusionOur results demonstrate that perampanel had a modest seizure-reducing effect in this very treatment-resistant patient group. Predictors of treatment success were generalized epilepsy and slow dosage titration. In patients without a history of psychiatric problems, clinicians could consider increasing dose of perampanel beyond 6 mg daily, taking co-medication and serum concentrations into account.

Sleep parameters improvement in PTSD soldiers after symptoms remission

Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) is a psychotherapy for the treatment of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). It is still unclear whether symptoms remission through EMDR therapy is associated with a beneficial effect on one of the PTSD symptoms, sleep disturbance. Our objective was therefore to study sleep parameters before and after symptom remission in soldiers with PTSD. The control group consisted of 20 healthy active duty military men who slept in a sleep lab with standard polysomnography (PSG) on two sessions separated by one month. The patient group consisted of 17 active duty military with PTSD who underwent EMDR therapy. PSG-recorded sleep was assessed 1 week before the EMDR therapy began and 1 week after PTSD remission. We found that the increased REMs density after remission was positively correlated with a greater decrease of symptoms. Also, the number of EMDR sessions required to reach remission was correlated with intra-sleep awakenings before treatment. These results confirm the improvement of some sleep parameters in PTSD after symptoms remission in a soldier's population and provide a possible predictor of treatment success. Further experiments will be required to establish whether this effect is specific to the EMDR therapy.

Modified Rio Score with Platform Therapy Predicts Treatment Success with Fingolimod and Natalizumab in Relapsing-Remitting Multiple Sclerosis Patients.

Background: Reliable markers of disease outcomes in multiple sclerosis (MS) would help to predict the response to treatment in patients treated with high efficacy drugs. No evidence of disease activity (NEDA) has become a treatment goal whereas the modified Rio score (MRS) predicts future suboptimal responders to treatment. The aim of our study was to identify factors that would predict poor response to treatment with natalizumab and fingolimod. Methods: In the multicenter prospective trial, 336 subjects were enrolled, initiating therapy with natalizumab (n = 135) or fingolimod (n = 201). Data on relapse rate, the expanded disability status scale, and MRI results were collected, and MRS was estimated. Results: NEDA-3 after the first year of therapy was 73.9% for natalizumab and 54.8% for fingolimod (p < 0.0001). Patients with MRS = 0 in the last year on platform therapy had the best NEDA-3 (71%) and patients with MRS = 3 had the worst NEDA-3 (41%) in the first year of treatment with the second-line therapy. Conclusion: We conclude that switching to the second-line therapy should occur earlier to enable better results for patients treated with natalizumab or fingolimod. The outcome on both drugs is better with better neurological conditions and lower MRS of the patient on the platform therapy.

Who benefits most?

We know from past meta-analyses that several clinical variables are associated with electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) outcome in major depression. In this lecture we give an update of clinical variables associated with ECT outcome and dig deeper into the fact that these variables also seem to be somehow associated with each other. We attempt to disentangle the interdependence between the clinical variables and try to distil the most important predictors of treatment success to help improve patient-treatment matching. Therefore we created a conceptual framework of interdependence between predictors capturing age, episode duration, and treatment resistance, all variables associated with ECT outcome, and the clinical symptoms of what we have called ‘core depression’, i.e., depression with psychomotor agitation, retardation, or psychotic features, or a combination of the three. We validated this model in a sample 73 patients using path analyses, with the size and direction of all direct and indirect paths being estimated using structural equation modelling. Results of these analyses were recently published and will also be disscussed at this symposium. The conceptual model could eb largely validated, the most important finding being that age was only indirectly associated with ECT outcome, meaning that age seems to be associated with ECT outcome only because more psychomotor and psychotic symptoms occur in elderly patients with a depressive disorder.DisclosureNo significant relationships.

AI-driven adaptive treatment strategies in internet-delivered CBT

Introduction: Adaptive Treatment Strategies warns therapists of patients at risk of treatment failure to prompt an adaption of the intervention. Internet-delivered Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (ICBT) collects a wide range of data before and during treatment and can quickly be adapted by adjusting the level of therapist support. Objectives: To evaluate how accurate machine learning algorithms can predict a single patient’s final outcome and evaluate the opportunities for using them within an Adaptive Treatment Strategy. Methods: Over 6000 patients at the Internet Psychiatry Clinic in Stockholm receiving ICBT for major depression, panic disorder or social anxiety disorder composed a training data set for eight different machine learning methods (e.g. k-Nearest Neighbour, random forest, and multilayer perceptrons). Symptom measures, messages between therapist and patient, homework reports, and other data from baseline to treatment week four was used to predict treatment success (either 50% reduction or under clinical cut-off) for each primary symptom outcome. Results: The Balanced Accuracy for predicting failure/success always were significantly better than chance, varied between 56% and 77% and outperformed the predictive precision in a previous Adaptive Treatment Strategy trial. Predictive power increased when data from treatment weeks was cumulatively added to baseline data. Conclusions: The machine learning algorithms outperformed a predictive algorithm previously used in a successful Adaptive Treatment Strategy, even though the latter also received input from a therapist. The next steps are to visualize what factors contributes most to a specific patient’s prediction and to enhance predictive power even further by so called Ensemble Learning.DisclosureNo significant relationships.

The UCLA Shoulder Score Is a Better Predictor of Treatment Success Than the Constant and Oxford Shoulder Scores After Arthroscopic Rotator Cuff Repair: A 2-Year Follow-Up Study

PurposeThe aim of this study was to determine the correlation between functional outcome scores and treatment success after arthroscopic rotator cuff repair.MethodsWe conducted a retrospective cohort study of patients who underwent unilateral rotator cuff repair at a tertiary hospital between 2010 and 2015. University of California at Los Angeles Shoulder Score (UCLASS), Constant Shoulder Score (CSS), and Oxford Shoulder Score (OSS) were measured before and at 6, 12, and 24 months after surgery. Patients were divided into 2 groups at each follow-up: (1) those with successful treatment and (2) those with unsuccessful treatment. Treatment success was defined as simultaneous fulfilment of 3 criteria: clinically significant improvement in pain, expectations for surgery met, and patient satisfied with surgery.ResultsA total of 214 subjects met the inclusion criteria. UCLASS was a consistent significant predictor of treatment success at 6 months (odds ratio [OR] 1.192, P = .005, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.054-1.348), 12 months (OR 1.274, P < .001, 95% CI 1.153-1.406), and 24 months (OR 1.266, P < .001, 95% CI 1.162-1.380). Lower preoperative CSS was significant in predicting treatment success at 6 months (OR 0.952, P = .001, 95% CI 0.926-0.979), while larger tear size was significant in predicting treatment success at 24 months (OR 1.773, P = .043, 95% CI 1.019-3.083).ConclusionUCLASS is a better tool for predicting treatment success than CSS and OSS in patients undergoing arthroscopic rotator cuff repair, up to a minimum of 24 months’ follow-up. A holistic assessment of shoulder function, taking into account both subjective and objective evaluation of function, as well as patient-reported satisfaction, is important in determining treatment success after arthroscopic rotator cuff repair.Level of EvidenceIII, retrospective comparative study.

Safety and Efficacy of Antiviral Therapy of Chronic Hepatitis C in Chronic Kidney Disease and Hemodialysis Patients

Background and Aims: To assess the efficacy and tolerability of sofosbuvir-based antiviral therapy for viral hepatitis C (HCV) patients with chronic kidney disease and on maintenance hemodialysis.&#x0D; Methods: We retrospectively reviewed all treated patients with HCV from January 2015 to November 2020. They were treated either with standard Interferon/Ribavirin or with Sofosbuvir combined to Daclatasvir or to Ledipasvir. We evaluated the sustained virologic response at 12 weeks (SVR12). Data were analyzed using SPSS 20.00.&#x0D; Results: Out of 61 patients, the mean age of our patients was 56,8±12,56 years and 42,6% were males. Six patients had eGFR&lt; 60 ml/mn/1,73 m2 (9,8%) and 26 patients were on maintenance hemodialysis (42,6%). The majority had genotype 1 and overall SVR12 was 70,1% with a rate of 75% in the Sofosbuvir-regimen subgroup. The adverse events were minor. On multivariate analysis, genotype, viral load and rapid virologic response were independent factors that significantly predicted treatment success.&#x0D; Conclusion: Sofosbuvir-based regimen appears to be safe and efficious in patients with chronic kidney disease and on maintenance hemodialysis, especially in countries with limited resources.

Behavioral Test (BAT-Back): Preliminary Evidence for a Successful Predictor of Treatment Outcome After Exposure Treatment for Chronic Low Back Pain.

Although several questionnaires assessing fear of movement exist, it is still a challenge to identify individuals who might benefit more from exposure for chronic pain than from other psychological approaches and vice versa. Psychological approaches to chronic pain cannot advance toward the often called-for "tailored approaches" because of limited knowledge about treatment predictors. Our aim was to evaluate the additional predictive value of avoidance behavior based on behavioral observation. This study examined pretreatment self-report and behavioral measures as predictors of treatment outcome for n=43 patients experiencing disabling chronic low back pain, who took part in a randomized controlled trial in which they received 10 to 15 sessions of exposure treatment. Only patients with elevated fear avoidance based on self-report measures were included. Data were analyzed using regression analyses and classification and regression trees. Regression analyses showed that higher avoidance behavior at pretreatment as measured by the Behavioral Avoidance Test-Back Pain (BAT-Back) significantly predicted reduction in global disability (with a small to medium effect), but not in specific disability. Self-report measures failed to predict treatment success for both outcome measures. Classification and regression trees divide subgroups who might benefit from exposure treatment through a BAT-Back score of >22 for Pain Disability Index. There is some preliminary evidence that pretreatment avoidance behavior might be an indicator for reduction in global disability after exposure treatments in patients experiencing disabling chronic low back pain and elevated fear avoidance. We identified preliminary cutoff scores that need further investigation.

Outcome of community-initiated treatment of drug-resistant tuberculosis patients in Lagos, Nigeria.

BackgroundWith the improvement in the capacity to diagnose multidrug-resistant/rifampicin-resistant tuberculosis (MDR/RR-TB) patients due to the increased number of GeneXpert machines in Nigeria, the number of patients diagnosed surpassed the bed capacity at MDR-TB treatment centres. Community DR-TB treatment is an important option to improve access to care for MDR/RR-TB patients. However, few studies have determined the outcome of community management of MDR-TB patients, which this study aims to address.MethodsWe conducted a retrospective study of MDR/RR-TB patients initiated on treatment in the community in Lagos, Nigeria, between 1 January 2015 and 31 December 2016. Data were retrieved from DR-TB treatment cards/registers. The treatment outcomes of these patients were assessed at the end of treatment and categorized according to national TB guidelines.ResultsA total of 150 DR-TB patients commenced treatment during the study period. Adherence was 64.7%, with the majority of patients experiencing mild (56.5%) adverse drug events. Treatment was successful in 70% of patients. The only predictor of successful treatment was treatment adherence.ConclusionsThe study shows that community initiation of MDR-TB treatment is feasible and results in a high treatment success rate. Adherence counselling before and during treatment is essential for a favourable treatment outcome.

Genomic Variations in Drug Resistant Mycobacterium tuberculosis Strains Collected from Patients with Different Localization of Infection.

Mycobacterium tuberculosis is a highly studied pathogen due to public health importance. Despite this, problems like early drug resistance, diagnostics and treatment success prediction are still not fully resolved. Here, we analyze the incidence of point mutations widely used for drug resistance detection in laboratory practice and conduct comparative analysis of whole-genome sequence (WGS) for clinical M. tuberculosis strains collected from patients with pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB) and extra-pulmonary tuberculosis (XPTB) localization. A total of 72 pulmonary and 73 extrapulmonary microbiologically characterized M. tuberculosis isolates were collected from patients from 2007 to 2014 in Russia. Genomic DNA was used for WGS and obtained data allowed identifying major mutations known to be associated with drug resistance to first-line and second-line antituberculous drugs. In some cases previously described mutations were not identified. Using genome-based phylogenetic analysis we identified M. tuberculosis substrains associated with distinctions in the occurrence in PTB vs. XPTB cases. Phylogenetic analyses did reveal M. tuberculosis genetic substrains associated with TB localization. XPTB was associated with Beijing sublineages Central Asia (Beijing CAO), Central Asia Clade A (Beijing A) and 4.8 groups, while PTB localization was associated with group LAM (4.3). Further, the XPTB strain in some cases showed elevated drug resistance patterns relative to PTB isolates. HIV was significantly associated with the development of XPTB in the Beijing B0/W148 group and among unclustered Beijing isolates.

Fibrinolysis with Lower Dose Urokinase in Patients with Complicated Parapneumonic Effusion.

BackgroundIntrapleural urokinase is one of the most widely used fibrinolytic agents in the treatment of complicated parapneumonic effusion (CPPE). However, little research has been performed on the optimal urokinase dosage. The aim of this study was to evaluate the treatment efficacy of half dose urokinase compared with conventional dose urokinase.MethodsWe retrospectively enrolled 92 patients with CPPE or empyema who underwent intrapleural urokinase treatment at two tertiary hospitals. Patients received antibiotics, chest tube drainage, and other treatments as part of routine care. The primary outcome was the treatment success rate in the half dose urokinase group (50,000 IU daily for maximal 6 days) and the conventional dose urokinase group (100,000 IU daily). Treatment success was defined as clinical and radiological improvements without surgical treatment or re-admission within one month.ResultsForty-four patients received half dose urokinase, whereas 48 patients were treated with conventional dose urokinase. Both groups were relatively well matched at baseline, excluding higher serum white blood cell count and higher empyema prevalence in the half dose urokinase group. The treatment success rate was not different between the two groups (p=0.048). There were no differences in the rate of in-hospital death and surgical treatment, hospitalization duration, and indwelling catheter duration. In the multivariate analysis, urokinase dose was not a predictor of treatment success.ConclusionHalf dose intrapleural urokinase is equally effective conventional dose urokinase in treating patients with CPPE or empyema.