Standardised MedDRA Query Research Articles

Hepatotoxicity of antipsychotics: an exploratory pharmacoepidemiologic and pharmacodynamic study integrating FAERS data and in vitro receptor-binding affinities.

Antipsychotic psychopharmacotherapy is associated with the risk of drug-induced liver injury (DILI). However, understanding specific risk factors remains challenging due to limited data. This study investigates the relationship between receptor binding affinities and occupancies of antipsychotics and their associated hepatotoxic risks. A disproportionality analysis with calculation of the Reporting Odds Ratio (ROR) and the Information Component (IC) was conducted using data fromthe FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS) to identify signals related to the Standardised MedDRA Query "drug-related hepatic disorders", which served as a proxy for drug-induced hepatotoxicity. This was followed by a pharmacoepidemiologic-pharmacodynamic approach to investigate the relationship between the ROR and substance-related receptor binding affinities and occupancy, which was estimated based on in vitro receptor-binding profiles. Significant signals were identified for several antipsychotics, including chlorpromazine, loxapine, olanzapine, and quetiapine, with chlorpromazine and loxapine showing the highest RORs for DILI. Gender-specific analysis revealed a higher frequency of signals in female patients. Statistically significant negative correlations were identified between the ROR for drug-related hepatic disorders and the affinity for serotonin receptor 5-HT1A (r (17) = -0.68, p = 0.0012), while a positive correlation was observed for cholinergic receptors (r (17) = 0.46, p = 0.048). No significant correlations were found related to other receptors or drug properties. Our findings suggest that the serotonin and probably the cholinergic system may play a role in the development of DILI related to antipsychotic medications. The identification of antipsychotics with a higher association with DILI, such as chlorpromazine, underscores the need for careful monitoring in clinical practice. However, our findings need further longitudinal studies to confirm causality. A better understanding of the associations may inform clinical decision-making, particularly in patients with an increased susceptibility to liver damage.

Suicidal behaviour and CFTR modulators: A case series and WHO database disproportionality analysis

BackgroundA highly effective therapy involving elexacaftor, tezacaftor, and ivacaftor (ETI) for cystic fibrosis (CF) patients has recently raised safety concerns regarding potential psychiatric disorders. The manuscript reports cases of suicide attempts in patients receiving ETI and investigates putative causality using the WHO spontaneous reporting database. MethodsFirst, four cases of suicide attempts/self-injury are described. Second, a disproportionality analysis was conducted using spontaneous reports collected in Vigibase through the standardised MedDRA Query (narrow version) "Suicide/Self-injury" and ETI exposure. Reporting Odds Ratio (ROR) was calculated for the main and subgroup (i/suicide attempt, ii/suicidal ideation) analyses. Sensitivity analyses were performed with variations in exposure, to ivacaftor/lumacaftor to assess the intrinsic psychiatric risk of CF patients, and paracetamol as a positive control for suicide attempt and a negative one for suicidal ideation. Exposure to reduced-dose ETI was studied to evaluate the dose-gradient effect. ResultsFour cases of suicide attempt/self-injury occurred 3 to 13 months after ETI initiation in CF patients and were reported to the Bordeaux Pharmacovigilance centre. Aside, in Vigibase, ETI is associated with an increased likelihood of reporting suicidal behaviour (ROR 2.5, 95 % CI[2.1; 2.8]). A signal of disproportionate reporting was found for the subgroup of suicide attempts (1.4, 95 % CI[1.2; 1.8]), unlike ivacaftor/lumacaftor, which was associated only with the risk of reporting suicidal ideation. Significant ROR values were also found for reduced-dose ETI for all psychiatric effects studied except suicide attempt. ConclusionsETI exposure is related with increased reporting of suicidal behaviour. A potential dose-dependent effect merits further investigation.

The Association Between Deep Vein Thrombosis, Pulmonary Embolism, and Janus Kinase Inhibitors: Reporting Status and Signal Detection in the Japanese Adverse Drug Event Report Database.

Although Janus kinase (JAK) inhibitors have expanding indications, deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and pulmonary embolism (PE) are serious adverse events associated with their use. Moreover, their analysis using the Japanese database of spontaneous adverse drug reaction reports has not yet been conducted. The objective of this study was to analyze the Japanese Adverse Drug Event Report database (JADER) to evaluate the association between JAK inhibitors and DVT and PE. JADER reports from April 2004 to October 2023 were analyzed. A classification of reports for the period covered was performed by drug, and an imbalance analysis was performed with oral JAK inhibitors as the target drug and DVT, PE, and "embolic and thrombotic events, venous" (Standardised MedDRA Query; SMQ) as the target adverse events. Reported odds ratios (ROR) and information components (IC) were calculated for signal detection. Overall, 6631 JAK inhibitor-related adverse events were reported, including 60 and 41 cases of DVT and PE, respectively. The ROR and IC of the JAK inhibitors for DVT were 2.52 (1.95-3.25) and 1.27 (0.41-2.13), while those of baricitinib for DVT were 4.37 (2.83-6.73) and 1.90 (0.47-3.33), respectively. ROR signals were detected for JAK inhibitors for PE and "embolic and thrombotic events, venous (SMQ)," overall and for several JAK inhibitors but none for IC. Several JAK inhibitors are under postmarketing phase vigilance, and the number of reported adverse events is low. However, when administering these drugs, care should be taken to avoid the development of thromboembolism, considering the patient's background.

Identification of Pregnancy Adverse Drug Reactions in Pharmacovigilance Reporting Systems: A Novel Algorithm Developed in EudraVigilance.

There is a need to strengthen the evidence base regarding medication use during pregnancy and to facilitate the early detection of safety signals. EudraVigilance (EV) serves as the primary system for managing and analysing information concerning suspected adverse drug reactions (ADRs) within the European Economic Area. Despite its various functionalities, the current format for electronic submissions of safety reports lacks a specific data element indicating medicine exposure during pregnancy. This paper aims to address the limitations of existing approaches by developing a rule-based algorithm in EV that more reliably identifies cases that are truly representative of an ADR during pregnancy. The study utilised the standardised MedDRA query (SMQ) 'Pregnancy and neonatal topics' (PNT) as a benchmark for comparison. Recognising that the SMQ PNT also retrieves healthy pregnancy outcomes, contraceptive failure, failed abortifacients as well as ADRs not associated with pregnancy, a novel algorithm was tailored to improve the accuracy of identifying suspected ADRs occurring during pregnancy. Upon testing, the algorithm demonstrated superior performance, correctly predicting 90% of cases reporting an ADR during pregnancy, compared to 54% achieved by the SMQ PNT. The implementation of the algorithm in EV led to the retrieval of 202,426 cases. The development and successful testing of the novel algorithm represents a step forward in pregnancy-specific signal detection in EV. Because signals associated with pregnancy may be diluted in a large database such as EV, this study lays the groundwork for future research to evaluate the effectiveness of disproportionality methods on a more refined subset of pregnancy-related ADR reports.

P524 Etrasimod shows low risk of adverse events following concomitant use with opioids or antidepressants in patients with ulcerative colitis

Abstract Background Etrasimod is an oral, once-daily (QD), selective sphingosine 1-phosphate (S1P)1,4,5 receptor modulator for the treatment of moderately to severely active ulcerative colitis (UC). Unlike the other S1P receptor modulator approved for UC, etrasimod and its metabolites do not have a molecular structure to inhibit monoamine oxidase (MAO).1 Coadministration of drugs that inhibit MAO with opioids and antidepressants may increase the risk of adverse events (AEs), including hypertension.2 This post hoc analysis evaluated the incidence of AEs potentially related to serotonin syndrome in patients taking etrasimod and concomitant opioids or antidepressants in the phase 3 ELEVATE UC 52 (NCT03945188) and ELEVATE UC 12 (NCT03996369) trials. Methods Safety data pooled from both trials were analysed in patients receiving etrasimod 2 mg QD (up to 52 weeks of exposure) with/without concomitant opioids or antidepressants. We report the proportions of patients who had ≥1 concurrent AE potentially related to serotonin syndrome, consisting of one standardised MedDRA Query, one query based on the Hunter Criteria and supplemental preferred terms (pyrexia, tachycardia and hypertension-related AEs).3 Results Among 527 patients receiving etrasimod, 77 (14.6%) and 35 (6.6%) patients were taking concomitant opioids or antidepressants, respectively. Most patients on concomitant opioids or antidepressants were White (80.0–88.3%); male (50.6–51.4%); their median age was 35.0 (18.0–70.0) and 41.0 (19.0–74.0) years, respectively. More patients with vs without concomitant opioids or antidepressants, respectively, consumed alcohol (40.3% vs 24.7% and 48.6% vs 25.4%) and used tobacco (40.3% vs 20.9% and 34.3% vs 23.0%). The incidence of other AEs potentially related to serotonin syndrome was low and generally comparable in all subgroups; reported rates of pyrexia and tachycardia were similar in patients with/without concomitant opioids or antidepressants (Table). Hypertension-related AEs were infrequent and generally balanced. No AEs per the Hunter Criteria were reported in patients on concomitant opioids or antidepressants (Table). No reported AEs were serious or led to treatment discontinuation among patients taking these concomitant medications. Conclusion The incidence of AEs was low and comparable in patients receiving etrasimod with or without concomitant opioids or antidepressants. This analysis supports the low likelihood of clinically relevant drug–drug interactions between etrasimod and medications commonly prescribed to patients with UC, such as opioids or antidepressants.

Assessment of safety profile of secukinumab in real-world scenario using United States food and drug administration adverse event reporting system database

Secukinumab is an anti-IL-17 monoclonal antibody approved for treating psoriasis and various arthritides. A comprehensive evaluation of its safety, especially in a real-world setting, is necessary. This study aimed to describe the adverse events (AE) associated with secukinumab use using the United States Food and Drug Administration Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS) database. FAERS data files containing AE reports from 2015 to 2021 were downloaded for data mining. Primary or secondary suspect medications indicated for psoriasis were identified and analyzed. Medical dictionary for regulatory activities (MedDRA version 24.1) was used to analyze the AE terms. To detect potential safety signals of AE from secukinumab use, disproportionality analysis was used. A total of 365,590 adverse event reports were identified; of these, 44,761 reports involved the use of secukinumab. Safety signals were identified for ocular infections and gastrointestinal adverse events at the standardised MedDRA query level. Safety signals for oral candidiasis, oral herpes, conjunctivitis, eye infections, and ulcerative colitis were identified at the preferred term level. The findings of our study are consistent with those of earlier studies, such as the increased risk of infections and inflammatory bowel disease. However, our study also identified additional safety signals that need to be further evaluated.

A real-world pharmacovigilance analysis of eslicarbazepine acetate using the FDA adverse events reporting system (FAERS) database from 2013 (Q4) to 2024 (Q1).

The approval of eslicarbazepine acetate (ESL) by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 2013 marked an advancement in the treatment of adult patients with partial-onset seizures. However, there still remains a paucity of real-world studies regarding the adverse events (AEs) associated with this compound. The principal aim of the present study was to scrutinize ESL-related AEs by leveraging data from the US Food and Drug Administration Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS) database. By extracting all available data since the FDA approval of ESL (2013Q4-2024Q1), disproportionality analysis was performed using reporting odds ratio (ROR), proportional reporting ratio (PRR), Bayesian confidence propagation neural network (BCPNN) and multi-item gamma Poisson shrinker (MGPS) algorithms. AE signals that simultaneously met the requirements of all four algorithms were identified as significant positive signals. Demographic information, time of onset and gender-specific signal detection were also examined. In addition, a special screening process for designated medical events (DME) was implemented to focus on the evaluation and comparison of safety signals within DME and System Organ Classification (SOC) level, as well as SMQ (Standardised MedDRA Queries) level. Stratified analysis by logistic regression is employed to examine the variations across different gender (male and female) and age groups (<18years old, 18-64years old, >65years old). A total of 5,719 AE reports and 1,907 reported cases were obtained. ESL related AEs were identified in relation to 27 SOCs, among which the significant positive SOCs were nervous system disorders, injury poisoning and procedural complications, etc. There were 86 severely disproportional preferred terms that complied with the four algorithms. Most AEs occurred within the first month after treatment. According to the 86 valuable positive signals with DME screening results, 3 signals of dermatitis exfoliative, stevens-johnson syndrome, drug reaction with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms were consistent with PT signals on the DME-list, with the 3 PTs focusing on skin and subcutaneous tissue disorders and hypersensitivity. Males are more commonly affected by seizures than females. Seizures, hyponatremia, and confusional states were more frequently observed in the elderly population, while aggression, irritability, DRESS (drug reaction with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms), and abnormal behavior were found to be more common in the pediatric population. Both the children and elderly groups exhibited a higher proportion of agitation than the adult group. Our research enhances the safety and tolerability profile of ESL, but the clinical use of ESL should be noticed and avoided in relation to AEs since it raises the risk of dermatitis exfoliative, stevens-johnson syndrome. Particular attention should be paid to DRESS in children and hyponatremia in the elderly.

Evaluation of neuroleptic malignant syndrome induced by antipsychotic drugs using spontaneous reporting system

Adverse events (AEs) of antipsychotic drugs include neuroleptic malignant syndrome (NMS), which presents complex clinical symptoms, resulting in a fatal outcome. In this study, the association between antipsychotic drugs and NMS was comprehensively evaluated by cluster and association analyses using the Japanese Adverse Drug Event Report (JADER) database.The analyses were performed using 20 typical antipsychotics (TAPs) alongside 9 atypical antipsychotics (AAPs). The Standardised MedDRA Queries (SMQ) database was used to analyze NMS (SMQ code: 20000044). Reporting odds ratios (RORs) were used for AE signal detection. The relationship between antipsychotic drugs and AEs for NMS was investigated by performing hierarchical cluster analysis using Ward's method.Between April 2004 and September 2021, the total number of JADER reports was 705,294. RORs (95 % confidence interval) of NMS for haloperidol, chlorpromazine, risperidone, and aripiprazole were 12.1 (11.1–13.3), 6.3 (5.7–7.0), 6.2 (5.8–6.6), and 4.7 (4.4–5.1), respectively. Three clusters were formed, with characteristics as follows: Cluster 1 consisted of only TAPs, such as bromperidol and fluphenazine, whilst having a high reporting rate of hypotension, tachycardia, dyskinesia, and dystonia. Cluster 2 consisted of all AAPs alongside several TAPs, such as haloperidol and chlorpromazine, with higher reporting rates of disturbance of consciousness, extrapyramidal disorders (excluding dyskinesia and dystonia), and serotonin syndrome. Cluster 3 consisted of only perphenazine, whilst having a higher reporting rate of coma, leukocytosis, and Parkinsonism.The results of this study may therefore aid in the management of NMS using antipsychotic drugs.

Root cause analysis of medication errors of the most frequently involved active substances in paediatric patients

Use of medicinal products in paediatric patients is identified as a risk factor for the occurrence of medication errors. To describe and identify root causes of medication errors in children and adolescents spontaneously reported to Agency for Medicinal Products and Medical Devices of Croatia (Agency). Agency's adverse drug reaction database was searched by using the Standardised MedDRA Query: medication errors (Broad) with data lock point set at 30th June 2022. Cases in which medication errors occurred in patients up to 18 years of age were analysed according to the patients' age group and gender, reporter's qualification, seriousness, reported preferred terms and active substances. For the first 30 most frequently reported active substances, an in-depth analysis was performed to identify the root cause of medication errors. Altogether, 6254 reports were spontaneously reported to the Agency, out of which 1947 (31%) contained at least one preferred term belonging to Standardised MedDRA Query medication errors. More than half of patients experiencing medication errors belonged to the age group 2-11 years (66%) and male gender (53%). The most frequently reported ME PTs included accidental exposure to product by a child (64%) and accidental overdose (17%). Medication error root causes for the first 30 most frequently involved active substances included misinterpretation of prescribed dosage due to a very small volume resulting in salbutamol overdose; replacing millilitre and milligram units resulting in paracetamol solution overdose; interchange between medicinal products due to primary package similarities resulting in cholecalciferol overdose and interchange between oral solution and syrup resulting in valproate overdose. Healthcare professionals should counsel caregivers about the importance of keeping medicinal products out of children's reach and provide detailed instructions on how to appropriately use medicinal products.

Vestibular disorders following BNT162b2 mRNA COVID-19 vaccination: A retrospective case series.

There are few publications regarding manifestations of vestibular disorders (VDs) following BNT162b2 mRNA COVID-19 vaccination. We describe cases of VD potentially related to BNT162b2 vaccination and calculate its reporting rate, in order to enlarge knowledge about this adverse effect. A retrospective analysis of cases of VD following BNT162b2 vaccination reported to the pharmacovigilance centre of Georges-Pompidou European Hospital (France), in 2021 was performed. In order to identify these cases from the pharmacovigilance database containing all our registered cases, we used the Standardised MedDRA Query (SMQ) 'vestibular disorders'. Then we analysed cases with vestibular symptoms, based on the association of typical manifestations. The reporting rate was calculated based on the number of VD cases and the number of vaccinated patients. Among 6608 cases reported to our centre related to COVID-19 vaccines during 2021, 34 VDs associated with BNT162b2 administration were included. They were mainly reported in females (79%), 62% occurred after the first dose and 32% were serious. Symptoms had completely resolved in 13 cases (38%). Vertigo was the most common symptom followed by balance disorders. Three patients received second dose without reappearance of VD. The final diagnosis was reported in 10 patients (six cases of vestibular neuritis, two cases of central VD, two cases of benign paroxysmal positional vertigo). The regional reporting rate was 26 [95% CI: 17-34] cases of VD per 1 million persons vaccinated. Although the relationship between vaccination and VD cannot be established, clinicians should be aware of this rare adverse effect.

CAR-T Cells and the Kidney: Insights from the WHO Safety Database.

Chimeric antigen receptor T (CAR-T) cells have proven to be a game changer for treating several hematologic malignancies. Randomized controlled trials have highlighted potential life-threatening adverse drug reactions (ADRs), including cytokine release syndrome (CRS). Acute renal failure (ARF) has also been reported in 20% of the patients treated. However, an analysis of renal safety supported by large-scale real-life data seems warranted. We queried VigiBase® for all reports of the Standardised MedDRA Query "acute renal failure" (ARF) involving a CAR-T cell, registered until 24 July 2022. Disproportionality for this ADR was analyzed through calculation of the Information Component [IC (95% confidence interval)]. A positive lower end of the 95% confidence interval of the IC is the threshold used in statistical signal detection in VigiBase®. The same analysis was carried out for various hydroelectrolytic disorders. We gathered 224 reports of ARF, and 125 reports of hydroelectrolytic disorders involving CAR-T cells. CAR-T cells were disproportionately reported with ARF [IC 1.5 (1.3-1.7)], even after excluding reports mentioning CRS. A significant disproportionate reporting was also found for hypernatremia [IC 3.1 (2.2-3.8)], hyperphosphatemia [IC 3.1 (1.8-3.9)], hypophosphatemia [IC 2.0 (0.6-2.9)], metabolic acidosis [IC 1.8 (1.2-2.2)], hyponatremia [IC 1.6 (1.1-2.0)], and hypercalcemia [IC 1.4 (0.5-2.1)]. There was no disproportionate reporting of dyskalemia. This study is limited by the inherent flaws of pharmacovigilance approaches. Nonetheless, our findings suggest that ARF and an array of hydroelectrolytic disorders are potential ADRs of CAR-T cell therapy, in real-life settings and in a nonselected population.

The opioid epidemic: A worldwide exploratory study using the WHO pharmacovigilance database.

The current opioid epidemic in the United States began 20 years ago and has become the leading cause of accidental deaths in the country. This crisis prompted us to explore trends in opioid abuse and dependence worldwide. We sought to identify other countries at high-risk of opioid use disorders, using the World Health Organization's (WHO) pharmacovigilance database. We performed a disproportionality analysis using VigiBase, the WHO Global Individual Case Safety Report (ICSR) database. Five opioids used worldwide were included: oxycodone, fentanyl, morphine, tramadol, and codeine. We extracted all ICSRs associated with the drugs of interest, considered as suspect medication and recorded up until 5 June 2021, using the narrow Standardised MedDRA Query (SMQ) for drug abuse and dependence. Countries with at least one ICSR for each of the five opioids were retained. The relationship between the use of a drug (i.e. an opioid) and the occurrence of an adverse drug reaction (i.e. drug abuse and dependence) for each country was assessed by calculating the information component (IC) and its 99.9% CI [IC0005 ; IC9995 ], using a quasi-Bayesian confidence propagation neural network (BCPNN). A hierarchical cluster analysis (Ward's method) of the IC0005 value for each of the five opioids was performed to identify subgroups of countries with similar reported risks of opioid abuse and dependence. Among 21 countries, the optimal number of clusters was calculated to be four, each with a Jaccard index >0.5 (0.95, 0.78, 0.65 and 0.75, respectively). Six countries with the highest signals of drug abuse and dependence were identified in cluster 1, with significant CIs for the five opioids of interest (IC0005 > 0), ranging from 0.9 to 5.8 for the lower endpoint. There appear to be four distinct clusters of countries with similar opioid abuse and dependence profiles. The group with the highest reported risk for the opioids oxycodone, fentanyl, morphine, tramadol and codeine includes Australia, Canada, France, Germans, the United Kingdom and the United States.

Thromboembolic events in Janus kinase inhibitors: A pharmacovigilance study from 2012 to 2021 based on the Food and Drug Administration's Adverse Event Reporting System.

As a new type of drug developed rapidly in recent years, Janus kinase inhibitors (JAKinibs) have caused controversy due to possible adverse reactions of thromboembolism. The aim of this study was to analyse and evaluate the association between thromboembolic events and the use of JAKinibs, on the base of the latest data in the Food and Drug Administration's Adverse Event Reporting System. A disproportionality analysis was conducted, utilizing data from 1 January 2012 to 30 September 2021 in the FAERS. For each drug-adverse event pair, reporting odds ratio (ROR) and information components (IC) were calculated. A total of 15 positive safety signals were detected within the FAERS: ruxolitinib was significantly associated with portal vein thrombosis (ROR025 = 3.49, IC025 = 1.50); tofacitinib immediate release with pulmonary embolism (ROR025 = 2.09, IC025 = 1.02) and thrombosis (ROR025 = 1.15, IC025 = 0.18); tofacitinib extended release with pulmonary embolism (ROR025 = 1.27, IC025 = 0.26) and thrombosis (ROR025 = 1.29, IC025 = 0.33); baricitinib with deep vein thrombosis (ROR025 = 8.27, IC025 = 3.00), portal vein thrombosis (ROR025 = 1.97, IC025 = 0.63), pulmonary embolism (ROR025 = 7.90, IC025 = 2.94), thrombosis (ROR025 = 2.04, IC025 = 0.93) and venous thrombosis (ROR025 = 2.15, IC025 = 0.81); upadacitinib with pulmonary embolism (ROR025 = 1.25, IC025 = 0.25), pulmonary thrombosis (ROR025 = 5.32, IC025 = 2.33) and thrombosis (ROR025 = 2.72, IC025 = 1.39); and filgotinib with pulmonary embolism (ROR025 = 4.83, IC025 = 2.10). In the analysis of the time to onset of thromboembolic events, no obviously recognizable pattern was found. Several safety signals with embolic and thrombotic events (Standardised MedDRA Query) were found in the study. This pharmacovigilance study covered 8 types of JAKinib that are already on the market, and provided new safety signals based on past safety information. Some of these signals still need more medical evidence.

OCEAN (OP-103): Melflufen/Dexamethasone (Dex) Compared with Pomalidomide (Pom)/Dex in Patients (Pts) with Relapsed/Refractory Multiple Myeloma (RRMM) - Safety and Tolerability Analyses

OCEAN (OP-103): Melflufen/Dexamethasone (Dex) Compared with Pomalidomide (Pom)/Dex in Patients (Pts) with Relapsed/Refractory Multiple Myeloma (RRMM) - Safety and Tolerability Analyses

Drug-induced liver injury in Switzerland: an analysis of drug-related hepatic disorders in the WHO pharmacovigilance database VigiBase from 2010 to 2020.

Our aim was to explore drug-induced liver injury (DILI) in Switzerland using the real-world data of the global pharmacovigilance database VigiBase&Ocirc;, with a special focus on the new drug class of checkpoint inhibitors. This is the first study investigating drug-related hepatic disorders in Switzerland in a global pharmacovigilance database. This was a retrospective study analysing the ICSRs (individual case safety reports) of the global pharmacovigilance database VigiBase&Ocirc;. We explored all ICSRs submitted in Switzerland within the last 10 years (1 July 2010 to 30 June 2020). For data extraction, the standardised MedDRA query (SMQ) &ldquo;narrow drug-related hepatic disorders &ndash; severe events only&rdquo; was applied. The ICSRs, drug-reaction pairs and adverse drug reactions were analysed descriptively, including a special focus on checkpoint inhibitors. For comparing the hepatic adverse drug reactions of pembrolizumab, nivolumab and ipilimumab, the reporting odds ratios (RORs) were calculated in a disproportionality analysis. In total, 2042 ICSRs could be investigated, comprising 10,646 drugs and 6436 adverse drug reactions. Gender was equally distributed between male and female. Patients were on average 57 years old. The mortality rate was high, with fatal adverse reactions in over 10% of cases. On average, patients used five drugs including two suspected drugs. Paracetamol, amoxicillin/clavulanic acid, esomeprazole and atorvastatin ranked among the most frequently suspected drugs for severe drug-related hepatic disorders. However, Vigibase&Ocirc; data are not appropriate for judging causality and these results should be interpreted with caution owing to the possible influences of comedication or comorbidity. An average of three adverse drug reactions per ICSR were reported, most frequently including hepatocellular injury, cholestatic liver injury, and liver injury. For checkpoint inhibitors, hepatitis was the most frequently reported hepatic adverse drug reaction. In comparison with nivolumab and ipilimumab, pembrolizumab had a significantly higher ROR for hepatitis (2.41, p = 0.016), but also a lower ROR for autoimmune hepatitis (0.11, p = 0.009). Our findings highlight the importance for healthcare providers in Switzerland to pay special attention to possible drug-induced liver injuries because of their high mortality rate. The analysis of real-world data confirms the previous assumption that hepatitis is the most frequent hepatic adverse event for checkpoint inhibitors. Further clinical studies are warranted to directly compare hepatic adverse drug reactions to different checkpoint inhibitors.

Overview of HIV treatment failure in Africa using the WHO Pharmacovigilance data.

To characterise the factors associated with HIV treatment failure (HIVTF) from reported pharmacovigilance data in Africa. This is an observational pharmacovigilance analysis of the safety data of HIVTF available in the WHO International Pharmacovigilance database 'VigiBase® '. We used the Standardised MedDRA Queries (SMQ) to identify all the terms corresponding to HIVTF. To identify all relevant molecules and classes of antiretroviral therapy, we used the anatomic, therapeutic, and chemical classification. We presented results as a percentage or an adjusted Reporting Odds Ratio (aROR) with a 95% confidence interval (95% CI). HIVTF was more reported in Africa compared with the rest of the world with 19.1% (18.1%-20.1%) corresponding to 1206 of all 6304 HIVTF reports. Among all the 37 WHO country members in Africa, South Africa was the main source of origin for these HIVTF reports with 86.8% (84.9%-88.7%). Compared to adults, children and adolescents were the most population groups affected by HIVTF, aROR=2.7, (95% CI) 1.7-4.2 and aROR=7.9, (95% CI) 4.5-13.9, respectively. South Africa was the leading country of the reporting of HIVTF in Africa. The proportion of HIVTF was higher in both HIV-infected children and adolescents than in adults. There is a need for the improvement of medical care for children and adolescents with HIV infection in Africa.

Liraglutide and semaglutide: Pooled post hoc analysis to evaluate risk of dementia in patients with type 2 diabetes

AbstractBackgroundGlucagon‐like peptide 1 receptor agonists (GLP‐1 RA) have previously shown improved measures of memory and reduced phospho‐tau burden in preclinical animal models relevant to progressive cognitive impairment (Hansen. J Alzheimers Dis.2015;46:877‐88; Hansen. Brain Res.2016;1634:158‐70). Liraglutide and semaglutide are structurally similar GLP‐1 RAs associated with potent glucose‐lowering effect, body weight loss and cardiovascular benefits shown in large cardiovascular outcomes trials (CVOTs) (Marso. N Engl J Med.2016;375:311‐22; Marso. N Engl J Med.2016;375:1834‐44; Husain. N Engl J Med.2019;381:841‐51). In order to investigate the potential effects of GLP‐1 RA on dementia in a clinical setting, a post‐hoc analysis was conducted based on pooled data from three CVOTs.MethodLEADER, SUSTAIN 6 and PIONEER 6 were randomised, double‐blind, multicentre, placebo‐controlled CVOTs evaluating the cardiovascular effect of liraglutide or semaglutide vs. placebo, added to standard of care. The trials included patients with type 2 diabetes and established or high risk of cardiovascular disease. A post‐hoc analysis on pooled data from the three CVOTs was considered appropriate due to the similarities in trial design, patient population and treatment effects. Across all trials 15,820 patients with median follow‐up of 3.6 years were included in this analysis. Dementia‐related adverse events (AEs) were identified using Standardised MedDRA (version 21.1) Query for “dementia” narrow search terms. AE data collection across the trials differed in line with the regulatory requirements at the time of trial conduct. In LEADER and PIONEER 6 only serious AEs were systematically collected, while all AEs were collected in SUSTAIN 6. A time‐to‐event analysis based on the Cox proportional‐hazards model using treatment as covariate was used to estimate the hazard ratio for developing dementia.ResultAcross the three CVOTs, 15 GLP‐1 RA‐treated patients and 32 placebo‐treated patients were identified with development of dementia (Figure). Post‐hoc analysis on the pooled data showed a significant estimated hazard ratio of 0.47 [0.25; 0.86]95%CI in favour of the GLP‐1 RA treatment versus placebo.Conclusion Post‐hoc analysis based on pooled data from three double‐blinded CVOTs suggests, albeit with a low number of events, a reduced risk of dementia with liraglutide or semaglutide treatment in patients with type 2 diabetes.

OP0225 TOFACITINIB AS MONOTHERAPY FOLLOWING METHOTREXATE WITHDRAWAL IN PATIENTS WITH PSORIATIC ARTHRITIS PREVIOUSLY TREATED WITH OPEN-LABEL TOFACITINIB + METHOTREXATE: A RANDOMISED, PLACEBO-CONTROLLED SUBSTUDY OF OPAL BALANCE

Background:Tofacitinib is an oral JAK inhibitor for the treatment of psoriatic arthritis (PsA).Objectives:To assess tofacitinib 5 mg BID as monotherapy after methotrexate (MTX) withdrawal vs with continued background MTX in patients (pts) with PsA.Methods:OPAL Balance (NCT01976364) was an open-label (OL) long-term extension (LTE) study of tofacitinib in pts with PsA who participated in Phase (P)3 studies (OPAL Broaden,NCT01877668; OPAL Beyond,NCT01882439). Pts who completed ≥24 months’ tofacitinib treatment in the LTE (stable 5 mg BID for ≥3 months) and were receiving oral MTX (7.5–20 mg/week; stable for ≥4 weeks) entered the multicentre, 12-month, double-blind, MTX withdrawal substudy. Pts remained on OL tofacitinib 5 mg BID and were randomised 1:1 to receive placebo (tofacitinib monotherapy, ie, blinded MTX withdrawal) or MTX (tofacitinib + MTX; same stable doses). Primary endpoints were changes from substudy baseline (Δ) in PASDAS and HAQ-DI at Month (M)6. Secondary efficacy endpoints were assessed at all time points. Safety was assessed throughout the substudy.Results:Of 180 pts randomised, 179 were treated (tofacitinib monotherapy n=90; tofacitinib + MTX n=89). Pt characteristics were similar between treatment arms. At M6, least squares mean (LSM) (standard error [SE]) ΔPASDAS was 0.229 (0.079) for tofacitinib monotherapy and 0.138 (0.081) for tofacitinib + MTX, and LSM (SE) ΔHAQ-DI was 0.043 (0.027) and 0.017 (0.028), respectively (Figure 1); no clinically meaningful differences were observed. Efficacy and pt-reported outcomes were generally similar between treatment arms at M6 and M12 (data not shown). Rates of pts achieving minimal disease activity, and maintaining an absence of enthesitis and dactylitis, were sustained to M12 in both treatment arms (Figure 2). Adverse event rates (Table) and laboratory parameters were comparable between treatment arms, but liver enzyme elevations were more common with tofacitinib + MTX.Conclusion:No clinically meaningful differences in efficacy and safety were observed in PsA pts who received OL tofacitinib 5 mg BID as monotherapy after MTX withdrawal vs with continued MTX. Safety was consistent with previous P3 studies. The substudy was an estimation study and not powered for hypothesis testing.Table.Safety outcomes to Month 12Pts with events, n (%) AEs of special interestTofacitinib monotherapy N=90Tofacitinib + MTXN=89AE43 (47.8)41 (46.1)Serious AE4 (4.4)3 (3.4)Discontinuations due to AE3 (3.3)4 (4.5)Death00 Herpes zoster (serious/non-serious)1 (1.1)2 (2.2) Serious infection02 (2.2) Opportunistic infectiona01 (1.1) Malignancy (excl. NMSC)a1 (1.1)1 (1.1) NMSCa00 Major adverse cardiovascular eventa00 Venous thromboembolismc00 Arterial thromboembolismc1 (1.1)0 Gastrointestinal perforationa00 Interstitial lung diseaseb00Laboratory parametersdALT ≥3×ULN05 (5.6) ALT (IU/L), mean (SE)-2.7 (1.6)2.5 (1.3)AST ≥3×ULN03 (3.4) AST (IU/L), mean (SE)-1.5 (1.2)1.7 (0.8)Reviewed by independentaexternal/binternal adjudication committeecPer Standardised MedDRA Query termsdWithout regard to baseline abnormalityALT, alanine aminotransferase; AST, aspartate aminotransferase; ULN, upper limit of normalAcknowledgments:Study sponsored by Pfizer Inc. Medical writing support was provided by Christina Viegelmann of CMC Connect and funded by Pfizer Inc.Disclosure of Interests:Peter Nash Grant/research support from: AbbVie, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Celgene, Eli Lilly and Company, Gilead, Janssen, MSD, Novartis, Pfizer Inc, Roche, Sanofi, UCB, Consultant of: AbbVie, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Celgene, Eli Lilly, Gilead, Janssen, MSD, Novartis, Pfizer Inc, Roche, Sanofi, UCB, Speakers bureau: AbbVie, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Celgene, Eli Lilly, Gilead, Janssen, MSD, Novartis, Pfizer Inc, Roche, Sanofi, UCB, Laura C Coates: None declared, Philip J Mease Grant/research support from: Abbott, Amgen, Biogen Idec, BMS, Celgene Corporation, Eli Lilly, Novartis, Pfizer, Sun Pharmaceutical, UCB – grant/research support, Consultant of: Abbott, Amgen, Biogen Idec, BMS, Celgene Corporation, Eli Lilly, Novartis, Pfizer, Sun Pharmaceutical, UCB – consultant, Speakers bureau: Abbott, Amgen, Biogen Idec, BMS, Eli Lilly, Genentech, Janssen, Pfizer, UCB – speakers bureau, Alan Kivitz Shareholder of: AbbVie, Amgen, Gilead, GSK, Pfizer Inc, Sanofi, Consultant of: AbbVie, Boehringer Ingelheim,,Flexion, Genzyme, Gilead, Janssen, Novartis, Pfizer Inc, Regeneron, Sanofi, SUN Pharma Advanced Research, UCB, Paid instructor for: Celgene, Genzyme, Horizon, Merck, Novartis, Pfizer, Regeneron, Sanofi, Speakers bureau: AbbVie, Celgene, Flexion, Genzyme, Horizon, Merck, Novartis, Pfizer Inc, Regeneron, Sanofi, Dafna D Gladman Grant/research support from: AbbVie, Amgen Inc., BMS, Celgene Corporation, Janssen, Novartis, Pfizer, UCB – grant/research support, Consultant of: AbbVie, Amgen Inc., BMS, Celgene Corporation, Janssen, Novartis, Pfizer, UCB – consultant, Frank Behrens Grant/research support from: Pfizer, Janssen, Chugai, Celgene, Lilly and Roche, Consultant of: Pfizer, AbbVie, Sanofi, Lilly, Novartis, Genzyme, Boehringer, Janssen, MSD, Celgene, Roche and Chugai, James Cheng-Chung Wei Grant/research support from: AbbVie, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Celgene, Eli Lilly, Janssen, Novartis, Pfizer Inc, UCB, Consultant of: AbbVie, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Celgene, Chugai, Eisai, Janssen, Novartis, Pfizer Inc, Sanofi-Aventis, UCB Pharma, Dona Fleishaker Shareholder of: Pfizer Inc, Employee of: Pfizer Inc, Joseph Wu Shareholder of: Pfizer Inc, Employee of: Pfizer Inc, Cunshan Wang Shareholder of: Pfizer Inc, Employee of: Pfizer Inc, Ana Belen Romero Shareholder of: Pfizer Inc, Employee of: Pfizer Inc, Lara Fallon Shareholder of: Pfizer Inc, Employee of: Pfizer Inc, Ming-Ann Hsu Shareholder of: Pfizer Inc, Employee of: Pfizer Inc, Keith Kanik Shareholder of: Pfizer Inc, Employee of: Pfizer Inc

Pacritinib Demonstrates Efficacy Versus Best Available Therapy in Myelofibrosis Patients with Severe Thrombocytopenia in Two Phase 3 Studies

Pacritinib Demonstrates Efficacy Versus Best Available Therapy in Myelofibrosis Patients with Severe Thrombocytopenia in Two Phase 3 Studies

Comparative study of hypoglycaemia induced by opioids. Is it a class effect?

ABSTRACTObjective: Drug-induced hypoglycaemia has been described with the use of tramadol and methadone. The authors aimed to determine if drug-induced hypoglycaemia could be a class effect for opioids.Methods: The authors performed a disproportionality analysis in VigiBase®, the WHO global individual case safety report database with nine opioids (codeine, fentanyl, hydromorphone, methadone, morphine, oxycodone, tramadol, buprenorphine and nalbuphine) using the broad Standardised MedDRA Query for hypoglycaemia. The authors also carried out a descriptive study of opioid-induced hypoglycaemia in the French PharmacoVigilance DataBase (FPVDB) using the MedDRA Preferred Term ‘hypoglycaemia’.Results: The global adjusted Reporting Odds Ratio (aROR) value for the 9 opioids was 1.53 (95% CI 1.52–1.54). The aROR ranged from 1.09 to 1.97 depending on the opioid, but all were statistically significant. A sex ratio of 0.74 was found for the reports of opioid-induced hypoglycaemia in Vigibase®. The authors also found 133 reports of hypoglycaemia in the FPVDB related to opioids. Among the reports, 55 were glycaemic imbalances in diabetics occurring shortly after the start of opioid treatment.Conclusion: This work highlighted a significant association between all opioids and hypoglycaemia, thereby indicating that opioid-induced hypoglycaemia is probably a class effect. Women and/or diabetics seem to be more at risk for developing opioid-induced hypoglycaemia.