Delivering Rehabilitation Care Around the World: Voices From the Field

OBJECTIVES

To identify the challenges and common issues that the rehabilitation health workforce experienced in delivering services in different practice settings across the world. These experiences could suggest approaches to improving rehabilitation care to people in need.

DESIGN

A semi-structured interview protocol centering on 3 broad research questions was conducted to collect data. The data were analyzed to identify common themes across the cohort interviewed.

SETTING

Interviews were conducted using Zoom. Interviewees not able to access Zoom provided written responses to the questions.

PARTICIPANTS

Participants included 30 key rehabilitation opinion leaders from different disciplines from 24 countries, across world regions and income levels (N=30).

INTERVENTIONS

NA.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Although rehabilitation care deficiencies differ in severity, participants reported that the demand for services consistently outstrips available care, regardless of world region or income level. Access and social barriers, particularly in rural areas and remote regions, are common challenges for those delivering and receiving rehabilitation care.

RESULTS

Individual voices from the field reported both challenges and hopeful changes in making rehabilitation services available and accessible.

CONCLUSIONS

The descriptive approach undertaken has allowed individual voices, rarely included in studies, to be highlighted as meaningful data. Although the research findings are not generalizable beyond the convenience cohort included without further analysis and validation in specific local practice contexts, the authentic voices that spoke out on these issues demonstrated common themes of frustration with the current state of rehabilitation services delivery but also hopefulness that more solutions are on the horizon.

Bimekizumab for the treatment of moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis: efficacy, safety, pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics and transcriptomics from a phase IIa, randomized, double-blind multicentre study

BACKGROUND

Bimekizumab is a monoclonal antibody that selectively inhibits both interleukin (IL)-17A and IL-17F, which is currently under investigation for treatment of moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis. Maintenance dosing every 4 weeks is well established with IL-17 inhibitors for psoriasis.

OBJECTIVES

To investigate the possible dosing interval during bimekizumab maintenance therapy to maintain clear skin, to inform phase III studies.

METHODS

Forty-nine patients with moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis received bimekizumab 320 mg at weeks 0/4, followed at week 16 by bimekizumab 320 mg (n = 17) or placebo (n = 32). Efficacy, safety, pharmacokinetics, immunogenicity and biopsy transcriptomic analyses were assessed to week 28.

RESULTS

At week 8, 47% of patients achieved a 100% improvement from baseline in Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI 100), increasing to 57% at week 12 (8 weeks after the second dose) before decreasing. In those who received bimekizumab at week 16, PASI 100 rate increased to comparable peak levels at week 20, but reduced by week 28 to 41% (12 weeks after the third dose). The week 8 transcriptional signature observed in lesional psoriatic skin rapidly normalized to levels consistent with nonlesional skin, resulting in molecular remission. Keratinocyte-related gene products such as CXCL1 (C-X-C motif chemokine ligand 1), IL-8 (encoded by the CXCL8 gene), CCL20 (C-C motif chemokine 20), IL-36γ and IL-17C were profoundly normalized to levels associated with nonlesional skin.

CONCLUSIONS

Here, inhibition of IL-17F in addition to IL-17A resulted in rapid, deep clinical responses. Additionally, profound normalization of keratinocyte biology and the psoriatic transcriptome was observed, including normalization of both IL17 and IL23 gene expression by week 8. These data provide evidence to support evaluation of bimekizumab maintenance dosing both every 8 and every 4 weeks in phase III clinical trials.

Adverse neurological events after sodium tetradecyl sulfate foam sclerotherapy - A prospective, observational study of 8056 treatments

BACKGROUND

Ultrasound guided foam sclerotherapy (UGFS) is a flexible and highly utilised tool in the treatment of varicose veins (VVs), both as a primary treatment and as an adjunct to other treatments. Concern remains regarding the risk of neurological adverse events (AEs) such as migraine, visual disturbance and serious adverse events (SAEs) such as cerebrovascular accident that have been reported after UGFS treatments.

AIM

To determine the incidence of neurological AEs and SAEs after UGFS.

METHODS

A prospective, multicentre, post-authorisation safety study across Europe (both private and government) was performed between January 2015-2020. Neurological adverse events after UGFS with Fibrovein® (Sodium Tetradecyl Sulfate) 1 and 3% physician generated foam.

RESULTS

8056 patients underwent treatment. There were 46 AE (including 5 SAEs), 30 (65%) SAEs were in female patients. Mean age was 55 years with mean body mass index (BMI) of 27. Univariable logistic regression demonstrate that UGFS only treatment (i.e. no adjunctive treatment), liquid-to-gas ratio, gas type and total foam volume (1% sodium tetradecyl sulfate, STS) were significantly associated with the odds of experiencing the outcome. Multivariable logistic regression model exhibits that migraine and total foam volume (1% STS) maintained statistical significance thus associated with the odds of adverse events.

CONCLUSIONS

This study demonstrates that UGFS with Fibrovein is safe with a very low incidence of neurological AEs and SAEs. Past history of migraine, use of physiological gas (O₂/CO₂) and increasing volumes of 1% foam increase the risk of AEs.

Soliton-effect compression of picosecond pulses on a photonic chip

We report soliton-effect pulse compression of low energy (∼25pJ), picosecond pulses on a photonic chip. An ultra-low-loss, dispersion-engineered 40-cm-long waveguide is used to compress 1.2-ps pulses by a factor of 18, which represents, to our knowledge, the largest compression factor yet experimentally demonstrated on-chip. Our scheme allows for interfacing with an on-chip picosecond source and offers a path towards a fully integrated stabilized frequency comb source.

Impact of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 on ectopic pregnancy management in the United Kingdom: a multicentre observational study

Objective

To describe the impact of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) on the management of women with ectopic pregnancy.

Design

A multicentre observational study comparing outcomes from a prospective cohort during the pandemic [COVID‐19‐ectopic pregnancy registry (CEPR)] compared with a historical pre‐pandemic cohort [non‐COVID‐19‐ectopic pregnancy registry (NCEPR)].

Setting

Five London university hospitals.

Population and methods

Consecutive patients diagnosed clinically and/or radiologically with ectopic pregnancy (March 2020–August 2020) were entered into the CEPR and results were compared with the NCEPR cohort (January 2019–June 2019). An adjusted analysis was performed for potentially confounding variables.

Main outcome measures

Patient demographics, management (expectant, medical and surgical), length of treatment, number of hospital visits (non‐surgical management), length of stay (surgical management) and 30‐day complications.

Results

Three hundred and forty‐one women met the inclusion criteria: 162 CEPR and 179 NCEPR. A significantly lower percentage of women underwent surgical management versus non‐surgical management in the CEPR versus NCEPR (58.6%; 95/162 versus 72.6%; 130/179; P = 0.007). Among patients managed with expectant management, the CEPR had a significantly lower mean number of hospital visits compared with NCEPR (3.0, interquartile range [IQR] [3, 5] versus 9.0, [5, 14]; P = <0.001). Among patients managed with medical management, the CEPR had a significantly lower median number of hospital visits versus NCEPR (6.0, [5, 8] versus 9, [6, 10]; P = 0.003). There was no observed difference in complication rates between cohorts.

Conclusion

Women were found to undergo significantly higher rates of non‐surgical management during the COVID‐19 first wave compared with a pre‐pandemic cohort. Women managed non‐surgically in the CPER cohort were also managed with fewer hospital attendances. This did not lead to an increase in observed complication rates.

Tweetable abstract

A higher rate of non‐surgical management of ectopic pregnancy during the COVID‐19 pandemic did not increase complication rates.

A higher rate of non‐surgical management of ectopic pregnancy during the COVID‐19 pandemic did not increase complication rates.

No-reflow phenomenon and comparison to the normal-flow population postprimary percutaneous coronary intervention for ST elevation myocardial infarction: case-control study (NORM PPCI)

Introduction

No-reflow (NR) phenomenon is characterised by the failure of myocardial reperfusion despite the absence of mechanical coronary obstruction. NR negatively affects patient outcomes, emphasising the importance of prediction and management. The objective was to evaluate the incidence and independent predictors of NR in patients presenting with ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI).

Methods

This was a single-centre prospective case–control study. Cases were subjects who suffered NR, and the control comparators were those who did not. Clinical outcomes were documented. Salient variables relating to the patients and their presentation, history and angiographical findings were compared using one-way analysis of variance or χ² test. Multiple regression determined the independent predictors, and a risk score was established based on the β coefficient.

Results

Of 173 consecutive patients, 24 (13.9%) suffered from NR, with 46% occurring post stent implantation. Patients with NR had increased risk of in-hospital death (OR 7.0, 95% CI 1.3 to 36.7, p=0.022). From baseline variables available prior to percutaneous coronary intervention, the independent predictors of NR were increased lesion complexity, admission systolic hypertension, weight of <78 kg and history of hypertension. Continuous data were transformed into best-fit binary variables, and a risk score was defined. Significant difference was demonstrated between the risk score of patients with NR (4.1±1) compared with controls (2.6±1) (p<0.001), and the risk score was considered a good test (area under the curve=0.823). A score of ≥4 had 75% sensitivity and 76.5% specificity.

Conclusion

Patients with NR have a higher rate of mortality following STEMI. Predictors of NR include lesion complexity, systolic hypertension and low weight. Further validation of this risk model is required.

Anaemia: A disease or symptom

Anaemia is a common diagnosis for clinicians. This mini-review summarises criteria for diagnosing the cause of anaemia. Within the microcytic anaemias, iron-deficient anaemia is most common. In addition, we would like to raise awareness of thalassaemia as a differential diagnosis. A normocytic anaemia, such as anaemia of chronic disease, is a diagnosis of exclusion. A macrocytic anaemia scheme is provided and differentiates based on reticulocyte count. We aim to provide the readers a clear overview of anaemia and when to refer to haematologists.

Complete Revascularization with Multivessel PCI for Myocardial Infarction

BACKGROUND

In patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI), percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) of the culprit lesion reduces the risk of cardiovascular death or myocardial infarction. Whether PCI of nonculprit lesions further reduces the risk of such events is unclear.

METHODS

We randomly assigned patients with STEMI and multivessel coronary artery disease who had undergone successful culprit-lesion PCI to a strategy of either complete revascularization with PCI of angiographically significant nonculprit lesions or no further revascularization. Randomization was stratified according to the intended timing of nonculprit-lesion PCI (either during or after the index hospitalization). The first coprimary outcome was the composite of cardiovascular death or myocardial infarction; the second coprimary outcome was the composite of cardiovascular death, myocardial infarction, or ischemia-driven revascularization.

RESULTS

At a median follow-up of 3 years, the first coprimary outcome had occurred in 158 of the 2016 patients (7.8%) in the complete-revascularization group as compared with 213 of the 2025 patients (10.5%) in the culprit-lesion-only PCI group (hazard ratio, 0.74; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.60 to 0.91; P = 0.004). The second coprimary outcome had occurred in 179 patients (8.9%) in the complete-revascularization group as compared with 339 patients (16.7%) in the culprit-lesion-only PCI group (hazard ratio, 0.51; 95% CI, 0.43 to 0.61; P<0.001). For both coprimary outcomes, the benefit of complete revascularization was consistently observed regardless of the intended timing of nonculprit-lesion PCI (P = 0.62 and P = 0.27 for interaction for the first and second coprimary outcomes, respectively).

CONCLUSIONS

Among patients with STEMI and multivessel coronary artery disease, complete revascularization was superior to culprit-lesion-only PCI in reducing the risk of cardiovascular death or myocardial infarction, as well as the risk of cardiovascular death, myocardial infarction, or ischemia-driven revascularization. (Funded by the Canadian Institutes of Health Research and others; COMPLETE ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT01740479.).

The oral biome in the aetiology and management of dental disease: Current concepts and ethical considerations

Our understanding of the complexity of the oral biome and of the role of the various constituent bacteria in the aetiology of dental disease is growing. Probiotics and their relationship with prebiotics, as well as other microbiome-based interventions, could be useful in preventing and treating dental disease and in promoting oral health. However, given the promise and early stage of this treatment approach, there are also a number of ethical, social and regulatory issues associated with innovative probiotic therapy. In this article, a brief update is given on contemporary theories of the aetiology and management of the two commonest dental diseases, and on the roles of pre- and probiotics and oral biome transplant in the management of these diseases. The focus is primarily on four core issues: informed consent, risk-benefit assessment, how to determine suitable healthy donors, and commercialization and regulation. We discuss the safety and benefits of oral probiotics, not only concerning the products and quality control during their manufacture, but also regarding the depth of public knowledge about this topic. We point out that the requirement of listing ingredients honestly might be insufficient, and that the prevalent rhetoric of 'natural' and 'organic' as well as some health claims in the translational, innovative probiotic industry and markets are themselves misleading and should be carefully scrutinized. Finally, we suggest an ethical imperative to find a balance between scientific research and industry, and public health in the regulation of probiotics.

Impact of intended and relative dose intensity of R-CHOP in a large, consecutive cohort of elderly diffuse large B-cell lymphoma patients treated with curative intent: no difference in cumulative incidence of relapse comparing patients by age

BACKGROUND

The increasing incidence of diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) in ageing populations places a significant burden on healthcare systems. Co-morbidity, frailty, and reduced organ and physiological reserve contribute to treatment-related complications. The optimal dose intensity of R-CHOP to optimize outcome across different ages with variable frailty and comorbidity burden is unclear.

OBJECTIVES AND METHODS

We examined the influence of intended (IDI) and relative (RDI) dose intensity of the combination of cyclophosphamide and doxorubicin, age and comorbidity on outcomes for DLBCL patients ≥70 years in a representative, consecutive cohort across eight UK centres (2009-2018). We determined predictors of survival using multivariable Cox regression, and predictors of recurrence before death using competing risks regression.

RESULTS

Porgression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) were significantly inferior in patients ≥80 vs. 70-79 years (P < 0.001). In contrast, 2-year cumulative relapse incidence, when accounting for non-relapse mortality as a competing risk, was no different between 70-79 vs. ≥80 years (P = 0.27) or comorbidity status (CIRS-G: 0-6 vs. >6) (P = 0.27). In 70-79 years, patients with an IDI ≥80% had a significantly improved PFS and OS (P < 0.001) compared to IDI < 80%. Conversely, in patients ≥80 years, there was no difference in PFS (P = 0.88) or OS (P = 0.75) according to IDI <80% vs. ≥80%. On multivariable analysis, when comparing by age, there was a significantly higher cumulative relapse rate for patients aged 70-79 years with an IDI <80% (vs. >80%) (P = 0.04) but not for patients ≥80 years comparing IDI (P = 0.32).

CONCLUSION

'R-mini-CHOP' provides adequate lymphoma-specific disease control and represents a reasonable treatment option in elderly patients ≥80 years aiming for cure.

WITHDRAWN: Resorbable versus titanium plates for facial fractures

BACKGROUND

Rigid internal fixation of the jaw bones is a routine procedure for the management of facial fractures. Titanium plates and screws are routinely used for this purpose. The limitations of this system has led to the development of plates manufactured from bioresorbable materials which, in some cases, omits the necessity for the second surgery. However, concerns remain about the stability of fixation and the length of time required for their degradation and the possibility of foreign body reactions.

OBJECTIVES

To compare the effectiveness of bioresorbable fixation systems with titanium systems for the management of facial fractures.

SEARCH METHODS

We searched the following databases: The Cochrane Oral Health Group's Trials Register (to 20th August 2008), the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL) (The Cochrane Library 2008, Issue 3), MEDLINE (1950 to 20th August 2008), EMBASE (from 1980 to 20th August 2008), http://www.clinicaltrials.gov/ and http://www.controlled-trials.com (to 20th August 2008).

SELECTION CRITERIA

Randomised controlled trials comparing resorbable versus titanium fixation systems used for facial fractures.

DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS

Retrieved studies were independently screened by two review authors. Results were to be expressed as random-effects models using mean differences for continuous outcomes and risk ratios for dichotomous outcomes with 95% confidence intervals. Heterogeneity was to be investigated including both clinical and methodological factors.

MAIN RESULTS

The search strategy retrieved 53 potentially eligible studies. None of the retrieved studies met our inclusion criteria and all were excluded from this review. One study is awaiting classification as we failed to obtain the full text copy. Three ongoing trials were retrieved, two of which were stopped before recruiting the planned number of participants. In one study, the excess complications in the resorbable arm was declared as the reason for stopping the trial.

AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS

This review illustrates that there are no published randomised controlled clinical trials relevant to this review question. There is currently insufficient evidence for the effectiveness of resorbable fixation systems compared with conventional titanium systems for facial fractures. The findings of this review, based on the results of the aborted trials, do not suggest that resorbable plates are as effective as titanium plates. In future, the results of ongoing clinical trials may provide high level reliable evidence for assisting clinicians and patients for decision making. Trialists should design their studies accurately and comprehensively to meet the aims and objectives defined for the study.

Cardiogoniometry Compared to Fractional Flow Reserve at Identifying Physiologically Significant Coronary Stenosis: The CARDIOFLOW Study

Cardiogoniometry (CGM) is method of 3-dimensional electrocardiographic assessment which has been shown to identify patients with angiographically defined, stable coronary artery disease (CAD). However, angiographic evidence of CAD, does not always correlate to physiologically significant disease. The aim of our study was to assess the ability of CGM to detect physiologically significant coronary stenosis defined by fractional flow reserve (FFR). In a tertiary cardiology centre, elective patients with single vessel CAD were enrolled into a prospective double blinded observational study. A baseline CGM recording was performed at rest. A second CGM recording was performed during the FFR procedure, at the time of adenosine induced maximal hyperaemia. A significant CGM result was defined as an automatically calculated ischaemia score < 0 and a significant FFR ratio was defined as < 0.80. Measures of diagnostic performance (including sensitivity and specificity) were calculated for CGM at rest and during maximal hyperaemia. Forty-five patients were included (aged 61.1 ± 11.0; 60.0% male), of which eighteen (40%) were found to have significant CAD when assessed by FFR. At rest, CGM yielded a sensitivity of 33.3% and specificity of 63.0%. At maximal hyperaemia the sensitivity and specificity of CGM was 71.4 and 50.0% respectively. The diagnostic performance of CGM to detect physiologically significant stable CAD is poor at rest. Although, the diagnostic performance of CGM improves substantially during maximal hyperaemia, it does not reach sufficient levels of accuracy to be used routinely in clinical practice.

Foundational and Translational Research Opportunities to Improve Plant Health

Reader Comments | Submit a Comment The white paper reports the deliberations of a workshop focused on biotic challenges to plant health held in Washington, D.C. in September 2016. Ensuring health of food plants is critical to maintaining the quality and productivity of crops and for sustenance of the rapidly growing human population. There is a close linkage between food security and societal stability; however, global food security is threatened by the vulnerability of our agricultural systems to numerous pests, pathogens, weeds, and environmental stresses. These threats are aggravated by climate change, the globalization of agriculture, and an over-reliance on nonsustainable inputs. New analytical and computational technologies are providing unprecedented resolution at a variety of molecular, cellular, organismal, and population scales for crop plants as well as pathogens, pests, beneficial microbes, and weeds. It is now possible to both characterize useful or deleterious variation as well as precisely manipulate it. Data-driven, informed decisions based on knowledge of the variation of biotic challenges and of natural and synthetic variation in crop plants will enable deployment of durable interventions throughout the world. These should be integral, dynamic components of agricultural strategies for sustainable agriculture.