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Clinical and Translational... Nov 2023The benefit of adding an immunomodulator to vedolizumab and ustekinumab remains unclear and may compromise the safety of these biologics. We evaluated the prevalence and... (Observational Study)
Observational Study
INTRODUCTION
The benefit of adding an immunomodulator to vedolizumab and ustekinumab remains unclear and may compromise the safety of these biologics. We evaluated the prevalence and predictors of immunomodulator use with vedolizumab or ustekinumab in patients with inflammatory bowel disease in a large longitudinal cohort.
METHODS
Clinical information was ascertained from electronic medical records of patients enrolled in TARGET-IBD, a prospective longitudinal observational cohort of patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) at 34 sites. The prevalence of immunomodulator use with vedolizumab, ustekinumab, and antitumor necrosis factor therapies and predictors of immunomodulator use with vedolizumab and ustekinumab were estimated. Rates of combination therapy were additionally stratified by time from drug approval.
RESULTS
Four thousand thirty-nine adults with IBD were identified, of whom 18.8% were treated with vedolizumab and 13.0% were treated with ustekinumab. Combination therapy with vedolizumab and ustekinumab exceeded 30% (30.7% and 36.2%, respectively) and was more likely in those with perianal disease or previous biologic exposure. Age and presence of extraintestinal manifestations did not consistently predict the use of an immunomodulator. Combination therapy decreased in the years after drug approval.
DISCUSSION
Combination therapy with vedolizumab or ustekinumab was common and was associated with perianal disease and greater exposure to other biologics, although the practice is decreasing with time. Further data are needed to determine the efficacy and safety of combination therapy in patients initiating vedolizumab or ustekinumab for IBD.
Topics: Adult; Humans; Biological Products; Immunologic Factors; Inflammatory Bowel Diseases; Prevalence; Prospective Studies; Ustekinumab; Drug Therapy, Combination
PubMed: 37450671
DOI: 10.14309/ctg.0000000000000620 -
Emerging Microbes & Infections Dec 2023The first locally acquired case in the Chinese mainland was reported on May 31, 2023, lagging behind other countries. In this study, we aimed to examine the early...
The first locally acquired case in the Chinese mainland was reported on May 31, 2023, lagging behind other countries. In this study, we aimed to examine the early clinical and epidemiological characteristics of the earliest cases of Mpox in Beijing, China. Additionally, we investigated the sequence and transmission patterns of the Mpox virus (MPXV). We analyzed 37 reported cases of Mpox in Beijing from May 31, 2023 to June 21, 2023. The age range of the subjects was 24-51 years. Thirty-six cases (97.3%) were identified in men who have sex with men (MSM), and 19 cases (51.4%) tested positive for the human immunodeficiency virus. Thirty-three cases were symptomatic, while four were asymptomatic. Skin lesions were observed in 32 cases (97.0%), fever in 26 (78.8%), and swollen lymph nodes in 17 (51.5%). Rash typically appeared in the genital or perianal area 1-3 days before fever onset, with a minimum incubation period of 2 days. For individuals with skin rashes, the skin lesion samples showed 100% positivity and low Ct values. There were high oropharyngeal swab (75.8%) and blood (84.6%) positivity rates. All MPXV strains belonged to the B.1.3 branch of the West African lineage. These strains carried 76-86 nucleotide substitutions compared with the reference human MPXV genome, and genetic diversity was observed. Our findings provide the first insights into the landscape of early transmission of Mpox in Beijing and help inform policy formulation in the Chinese mainland.
Topics: Male; Humans; Young Adult; Adult; Middle Aged; Beijing; Homosexuality, Male; Mpox (monkeypox); Sexual and Gender Minorities; China; Fever
PubMed: 37649257
DOI: 10.1080/22221751.2023.2254407 -
Prehospital and Disaster Medicine Dec 2023The Russian invasion of Ukraine in 2022 has affected more people and destroyed a local public health facility. When some territories in Ukraine were de-occupied,...
INTRODUCTION
The Russian invasion of Ukraine in 2022 has affected more people and destroyed a local public health facility. When some territories in Ukraine were de-occupied, national and international mobile clinics (MCs) were involved for medical assistance to local inhabitants. Knowledge about population health, medical, and humanitarian needs after they have been de-occupied has to improve planning for health system response.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study was to summarized the MC experience at the first month after the area was de-occupied, as well as to show out-patient visits and to identify a need for medicines and medical equipment in the MC.
METHODS
The information related to the missions was obtained by direct observation and estimation on empirical data gathering in the field during a twelve-day mission in April-May 2022. All patients were divided by age, sex, and diseases according to the International Classification of Diseases-10 (ICD-10). During the twelve-day MC mission, medical assistance was provided for 478 out-patients. Descriptive statistical methods were undertaken using Microsoft Office 2019, Excel with data analysis.
INTERVENTIONS
All out-patients were evaluated clinically. Personal medical cards were completed for each patient. Glucose testing as well as tests for coronavirus disease 2019/COVID-19 had been done, if it was necessary. All sick persons were treated for their disease.
RESULTS
The priority needs for emergency and primary medical care, medicines, and hygienic and sanitation supplies after the area was de-occupied were fixed. The most frequent reasons for visiting the МС were: hypertension (27.6%), musculoskeletal-related (arthritis) diseases (26.9%), heart and peripheral vascular diseases (12.1%), upper gastrointestinal disorder (5.4%), upper respiratory infection (5.0%), and diabetes Type-2 (3.7%). Other diagnoses such as lower respiratory tract infection, diagnoses of the digestive system (hemorrhoids and perianal venous thrombosis), chronic obstructive pulmonary disease/COPD or asthma, eye diseases, gynecology-related condition, menstrual condition, and urinary tract disorder were distributed almost equally (0.21%-2.51%) among the patient population.
CONCLUSIONS
In the de-occupied territories, a health responder could be ready for medical assistance to patients with noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) as well as to support a person with psychological reactions who asked for sedatives and sleep-inducing medicines. These data clearly demonstrate that MCs must be equipped by blood pressure (BP) monitor, stethoscope, pulse oximeter, and diabetes testing kit glucose with essential medicines. This study improves health response planning for local civilian populations in de-occupied territory.
Topics: Humans; Medical Assistance; Diabetes Mellitus; Glucose
PubMed: 37770387
DOI: 10.1017/S1049023X23006398 -
Digestive Diseases and Sciences Oct 2023Crohn's disease perianal fistulae (CD-PAF) occur in 25% of patients and are notoriously challenging to manage. Tumor necrosis factor inhibitors are first line agents.
BACKGROUND
Crohn's disease perianal fistulae (CD-PAF) occur in 25% of patients and are notoriously challenging to manage. Tumor necrosis factor inhibitors are first line agents.
AIMS
The aim of this study was to compare infliximab (IFX) versus adalimumab (ADA) efficacy in CD-PAF healing over time.
METHODS
A retrospective study at two large-tertiary medical centers was performed. Inclusion criteria were actively draining CD-PAF and initial treatment with IFX or ADA following CD-PAF diagnosis. The primary endpoints were perianal fistula response and remission at 6 and 12 months. Secondary endpoints included biologic persistence over time and dose escalation at 6 and 12 months.
RESULTS
Among 151 patients included in the study, 92 received IFX and 59 received ADA as first line agents after CD-PAF diagnosis. At 6 months, the 64.9% of the IFX group and 34.8% of the ADA group demonstrated CD-PAF clinical improvement (p < 0.01). Univariate and multivariate analyses demonstrated significant differences among the IFX and ADA groups for clinical response at 6-months and 12-months (p = 0.002 and p = 0.042, respectively). There were no factors that predicted response, with the exception of concomitant immunomodulator affecting the 6-month clinical response (p = 0.021). Biologic persistence, characterized by Kaplan Meier methods, was significantly longer in the IFX group compared to the ADA group (Log-rank p = 0.01).
CONCLUSION
IFX induction and maintenance is associated with higher rates of response and remission in CD-PAF healing as well as higher treatment persistence compared to ADA. Additionally, our study supports the use of concomitant immunomodulator therapy for CD-PAF healing and remission.
Topics: Humans; Infliximab; Adalimumab; Crohn Disease; Retrospective Studies; Treatment Outcome; Immunologic Factors; Rectal Fistula; Biological Products; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha
PubMed: 37540392
DOI: 10.1007/s10620-023-08060-7 -
Alimentary Pharmacology & Therapeutics Mar 2024
Topics: Humans; Prevalence; Crohn Disease
PubMed: 38349699
DOI: 10.1111/apt.17861 -
ANZ Journal of Surgery Nov 2023Anal cancer is an uncommon condition, occurring at higher rates in specific subpopulations. Clinical experience is limited and substantial changes have recently occurred...
BACKGROUNDS
Anal cancer is an uncommon condition, occurring at higher rates in specific subpopulations. Clinical experience is limited and substantial changes have recently occurred in our understanding of this condition. We, therefore, set out to characterize patients presenting with anal cancer and investigate whether there have been any changes over the past 20 years.
METHODS
Retrospective audit of cases identified from pathology and clinical databases during the period 1 January 2000 to 31 December 2019.
RESULTS
Two hundred and sixteen patients had anal squamous cell carcinomas, comprising 160 (74%) males and 56 (26%) females. Mean age at initial diagnosis was 55.1 ± 11.20 for males and 60.6 ± 15.18 for females (P = 0.02). At initial diagnosis, HIV-positive cases were significantly younger than HIV negative cases (mean 52.2 ± 9.35 vs. 62.8 ± 11.61, P < 0.001); 46% of cases were classified as intra-anal, 29% perianal and 25% both; 52% were > 2 cm at diagnosis. At presentation, intra-anal cases were larger and more advanced than perianal cases (P = 0.049). Compared with the period 2000-2009, anal cancers presented more commonly in 2010-2019 (148 vs. 76), were more likely to occur in HIV-negative people and to be diagnosed at a similar stage.
CONCLUSION
The number of anal cancer cases almost doubled over the study period and people living with HIV presented 10 years younger than others. Perianal cases presented earlier than those originating in intra-anal locations. Together with the large size at diagnosis, this suggests the potential value of screening, particularly for intra-anal cancers in those at high risk.
Topics: Male; Female; Humans; Retrospective Studies; Anus Neoplasms; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell; Anal Canal; HIV Infections
PubMed: 37475502
DOI: 10.1111/ans.18586 -
Crohn's & Colitis 360 Oct 2023Perianal fistulae can undermine physical, emotional, and social well-being in patients with Crohn's disease and are challenging to manage. Social media offers a rich...
BACKGROUND
Perianal fistulae can undermine physical, emotional, and social well-being in patients with Crohn's disease and are challenging to manage. Social media offers a rich opportunity to gain an in-depth understanding of the impact of perianal fistulae on patients' daily lives outside of controlled environments. In this study, we conducted social media analytics to examine patients' experiences with perianal fistulae and assessed the impact of perianal fistulae on patients' behavior and overall well-being.
METHODS
We used a mixed-method approach to examine 119 986 publicly available posts collected from 10 Crohn's disease forums in the United States between January 01, 2010 and January 01, 2020. Discussions related to Crohn's perianal fistulae were retrieved. We randomly selected 700 posts and qualitatively analyzed them using an inductive thematic approach. We then applied a latent Dirichlet allocation probabilistic topic model to explore themes in an unsupervised manner on the collection of 119 986 posts.
RESULTS
In the qualitative analysis, 5 major themes were identified: (1) burden of perianal fistula; (2) challenges associated with treatment; (3) online information seeking and sharing; (4) patient experiences with treatments; and (5) patients' apprehension about treatments. In the quantitative analysis, the percentages of posts related to the major themes were (1) 20%, (2) 29%, (3) 66%, and (4) 28%, while the topic model did not identify theme 5.
CONCLUSIONS
Social media reveals a dynamic range of themes governing patients' perspectives and experiences with Crohn's perianal fistulae. In addition to the biopsychosocial burden, patients frequently express dissatisfaction with current treatments and often struggle to navigate among available management options.
PubMed: 38046445
DOI: 10.1093/crocol/otad073 -
Journal of Clinical Medicine Mar 2024Inflammatory bowel diseases, comprising Crohn's disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC), are chronic, relapsing, and remitting immune-mediated inflammatory diseases... (Review)
Review
Inflammatory bowel diseases, comprising Crohn's disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC), are chronic, relapsing, and remitting immune-mediated inflammatory diseases affecting the gastrointestinal tract. Ustekinumab (UST) is a monoclonal antibody that blocks the p40 subunit of the anti-interleukin (IL) 12/23. Pivotal trials (CERTIFI and UNITI-IM for CD, UNIFI for UC) established the efficacy of UST for the induction and maintenance of remission in both CD and UC, with the most favorable results in naïve patients to biologics. In recent years, a wealth of 'real-world' data has emerged supporting positive clinical, endoscopic, and histological outcomes in patients treated with UST, as well as reassuring safety data. More recently, the results of the first head-to-head trials of UST and tumor necrosis factor (TNF) antagonists were reported. Moreover, a number of studies exploring the role of UST in specific clinical settings, such as perianal CD, postoperative complications and recurrence, extraintestinal manifestations, chronic antibiotic-refractory pouchitis, and pregnancy, were reported. This review explores the results reported to date on UST, including those from pivotal trials, real-world data, and emerging studies regarding therapeutic drug monitoring and immunogenicity. The safety profile of UST was also reviewed.
PubMed: 38592377
DOI: 10.3390/jcm13051519 -
Therapeutische Umschau. Revue... Dec 2023Endoscopic examinations play a very important role in the diagnosis, progress assessment, and therapy of inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD). This includes not only...
Endoscopic examinations play a very important role in the diagnosis, progress assessment, and therapy of inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD). This includes not only esophagogastroduodenoscopy, sigmoidoscopy, and ileo-colonoscopy, but also assessment of the small intestine. The work-up of the small intestine is primarily carried out using non-invasive techniques (intestinal ultrasound, magnetic resonance enterography (MRE)). However, if the diagnosis remains unclear, a histological proof is necessary or an endoscopic intervention is required, capsule endoscopy and balloon-assisted enteroscopy are used. Furthermore, endoscopic ultrasound is available to assess perianal fistulizing Crohn's disease, and ERCP (endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography) is used in certain patients with IBD-associated primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC). Given the high resolution of modern endoscopes and the availability of chromoendoscopy, dysplastic lesions are detected earlier and can often be resected endoscopically. In addition, short strictures/stenoses can be treated using balloon dilatations.
Topics: Humans; Crohn Disease; Inflammatory Bowel Diseases; Intestine, Small; Colonoscopy; Capsule Endoscopy
PubMed: 38095255
DOI: No ID Found -
Ceska Gynekologie 2024We conducted an analysis on 231 pregnant women. A proctologist examined the patients three times: in the 1st trimester (within the first 15 weeks), in the 3rd trimester...
MATERIALS AND METHODS
We conducted an analysis on 231 pregnant women. A proctologist examined the patients three times: in the 1st trimester (within the first 15 weeks), in the 3rd trimester (29-40 weeks), and 12 months after childbirth.
RESULTS
The total number of fecal incontinence observations among women included in the study was 66 cases (28.6%), detected at the final visit. Risk factors for fecal incontinence with a high probability were age over 36 years (P = 0.001), low physical activity (P = 0.034), three or more pregnancies resulting in childbirth (P = 0.022), history of hemorrhoids (P = 0.027), perianal discomfort on the first visit (P = 0.045), and constipation on the first visit (P = 0.006). Factors such as being overweight, marital status, education, living conditions, living area, and infant size did not have significance for fecal incontinence.
DISCUSSION
Pregnancy- and obstetric-related risk factors contributing to fecal incontinence are multifactorial, including factors such as multiple childbirths with trauma to the pelvic muscles or anal sphincter muscles, chronic constipation, age, and vaginal deliveries. However, currently, there is no clear concept for the prevention of fecal incontinence in pregnant women.
CONCLUSION
The prevalence of fecal incontinence among pregnant women is 12.9%, which increases to 28.6% one year after childbirth. The most common complaint was involuntary passage of intestinal gas. Risk factors for fecal incontinence with a high probability included being over 36-years old, low physical activity, three or more pregnancies resulting in childbirth, a history of hemorrhoids, perianal discomfort, and constipation in the 1st trimester of pregnancy.
Topics: Humans; Female; Pregnancy; Fecal Incontinence; Risk Factors; Adult; Pregnancy Complications; Prevalence
PubMed: 38704221
DOI: 10.48095/cccg2024102