Antidepressant treatment and mortality in people with comorbid depression and type 2 diabetes: UK electronic health record study

BACKGROUND

Depression is associated with higher rates of premature mortality in people with physical comorbidities, such as type 2 diabetes. Conceptually, the successful treatment of depression in people with type 2 diabetes could prevent premature mortality.

AIMS

To investigate the association between antidepressant prescribing and the rates of all-cause and cause-specific (endocrine, cardiovascular, respiratory, cancer, unnatural) mortality in individuals with comorbid depression and type 2 diabetes.

METHOD

Using UK primary care records between years 2000 and 2018, we completed a nested case-control study in a cohort of people with comorbid depression and type 2 diabetes who were starting oral antidiabetic treatment for the first time. We used incident density sampling to identify cases who died and matched controls who remained alive after the same number of days observation. We estimated incidence rate ratios for the association between antidepressant prescribing and mortality, adjusting for demographic characteristics, comorbidities, medication use and health behaviours.

RESULTS

We included 5222 cases with a recorded date of death, and 18 675 controls, observed for a median of 7 years. Increased rates of all-cause mortality were associated with any antidepressant prescribing during the observation period (incidence rate ratio 2.77, 95% CI 2.48-3.10). These results were consistent across all causes of mortality that we investigated.

CONCLUSIONS

Antidepressant prescribing was highly associated with higher rates of mortality. However, we suspect that this is not a direct causal effect, but that antidepressant treatment is a marker of more severe and unsuccessfully treated depression.

Maternal diabetes and risk of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder in offspring in a multinational cohort of 3.6 million mother-child pairs

Previous studies report an association between maternal diabetes mellitus (MDM) and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), often overlooking unmeasured confounders such as shared genetics and environmental factors. We therefore conducted a multinational cohort study with linked mother-child pairs data in Hong Kong, New Zealand, Taiwan, Finland, Iceland, Norway and Sweden to evaluate associations between different MDM (any MDM, gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) and pregestational diabetes mellitus (PGDM)) and ADHD using Cox proportional hazards regression. We included over 3.6 million mother-child pairs between 2001 and 2014 with follow-up until 2020. Children who were born to mothers with any type of diabetes during pregnancy had a higher risk of ADHD than unexposed children (pooled hazard ratio (HR) = 1.16, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.08-1.24). Higher risks of ADHD were also observed for both GDM (pooled HR = 1.10, 95% CI = 1.04-1.17) and PGDM (pooled HR = 1.39, 95% CI = 1.25-1.55). However, siblings with discordant exposure to GDM in pregnancy had similar risks of ADHD (pooled HR = 1.05, 95% CI = 0.94-1.17), suggesting potential confounding by unmeasured, shared familial factors. Our findings indicate that there is a small-to-moderate association between MDM and ADHD, whereas the association between GDM and ADHD is unlikely to be causal. This finding contrast with previous studies, which reported substantially higher risk estimates, and underscores the need to reevaluate the precise roles of hyperglycemia and genetic factors in the relationship between MDM and ADHD.

Normative values of motor performance and their relationship with BMI status in Hong Kong preschoolers

This study aimed to establish sex- and age-specific reference values for motor performance (MP) in Hong Kong preschoolers aged 3-5 years old and examine the relationship between MP and BMI status. A cross-sectional study was conducted among 5579 preschoolers in Hong Kong. Three MP tests were administered, and height and weight information were collected. GAMLSS was used to compute the normative values of the motor tests. Boys outperformed girls in activities requiring muscle strength and power, while girls outperformed boys in activities requiring balance and coordination. The MP scores increased with age for both overarm beanbag throw and standing long jump for both sexes, while the one-leg balance scores showed larger differences between P50 and P95 in older preschoolers. Children with excessive weight performed worse in standing long jump and one-leg balance compared to their healthy weight peers. This study provides valuable information on the MP of preschoolers in Hong Kong, including sex- and age-specific reference values and the association between BMI status and MP scores. These findings can serve as a reference for future studies and clinical practice and highlight the importance of promoting motor skill development in preschoolers, particularly those who are overweight or obese.

Incidence of mental health diagnoses during the COVID-19 pandemic: a multinational network study

AIMS

Population-wide restrictions during the COVID-19 pandemic may create barriers to mental health diagnosis. This study aims to examine changes in the number of incident cases and the incidence rates of mental health diagnoses during the COVID-19 pandemic.

METHODS

By using electronic health records from France, Germany, Italy, South Korea and the UK and claims data from the US, this study conducted interrupted time-series analyses to compare the monthly incident cases and the incidence of depressive disorders, anxiety disorders, alcohol misuse or dependence, substance misuse or dependence, bipolar disorders, personality disorders and psychoses diagnoses before (January 2017 to February 2020) and after (April 2020 to the latest available date of each database [up to November 2021]) the introduction of COVID-related restrictions.

RESULTS

A total of 629,712,954 individuals were enrolled across nine databases. Following the introduction of restrictions, an immediate decline was observed in the number of incident cases of all mental health diagnoses in the US (rate ratios (RRs) ranged from 0.005 to 0.677) and in the incidence of all conditions in France, Germany, Italy and the US (RRs ranged from 0.002 to 0.422). In the UK, significant reductions were only observed in common mental illnesses. The number of incident cases and the incidence began to return to or exceed pre-pandemic levels in most countries from mid-2020 through 2021.

CONCLUSIONS

Healthcare providers should be prepared to deliver service adaptations to mitigate burdens directly or indirectly caused by delays in the diagnosis and treatment of mental health conditions.

Association of vitamin D-binding protein polymorphisms and serum 25(OH)D concentration varies among Chinese healthy infants of different VDR-FokI genotypes: A multi-centre cross-sectional study

Hypovitaminosis D during infancy is associated with the development of chronic diseases and poor health later in life. While the effect of environmental factors on vitamin D concentration has been extensively explored, this study aimed to explore the effect of genetic factors on vitamin D concentration among Chinese infants. We conducted a multi-centre cross-sectional study in Hong Kong from July 2019 to May 2021. A candidate genetic approach was adopted to study four selected genetic variants of the vitamin D-binding protein (DBP) and vitamin D receptor (VDR) (rs4588, rs7041, rs2282679 and rs2228570) to examine their associations with measured serum 25(OH)D concentration. A total of 378 Chinese infants aged 2-12 months were recruited in this study. Peripheral blood samples were collected from the infants to measure serum 25(OH)D concentration and extract DNA. Results showed that rs7041T and rs2282679C were significantly associated with lower serum 25(OH)D concentration. Further analysis of the DBP variants revealed that the GC1F allele was significantly associated with lower 25(OH)D concentration and identified as the risk DBP isoform in infants. While our results revealed that there is no direct association between VDR-FokI genotype and serum 25(OH)D concentration, a VDR-FokI genotype-specific pattern was observed in the association between DBP isoforms and serum 25(OH)D concentration. Specifically, significant associations were observed in the DBP genotypes GC1F/F, GC1F/2 and GC1S/2 among VDR-FokI TT/TC carriers, but not in VDR-FokI CC carriers. Our findings lay down the basis for the potential of genetic screening to identify high risk of hypovitaminosis D in Chinese infants.

Methylphenidate and Sleep Difficulties in Children and Adolescents With ADHD: Results From the 2-Year Naturalistic Pharmacovigilance ADDUCE Study

OBJECTIVE

Short-term RCTs have demonstrated that MPH-treatment significantly reduces ADHD-symptoms, but is also associated with adverse events, including sleep problems. However, data on long-term effects of MPH on sleep remain limited.

METHODS

We performed a 2-year naturalistic prospective pharmacovigilance multicentre study. Participants were recruited into three groups: ADHD patients intending to start MPH-treatment (MPH-group), those not intending to use ADHD-medication (no-MPH-group), and a non-ADHD control-group. Sleep problems were assessed with the Children's-Sleep-Habits-Questionnaire (CSHQ).

RESULTS

1,410 participants were enrolled. Baseline mean CSHQ-total-sleep-scores could be considered clinically significant for the MPH-group and the no-MPH-group, but not for controls. The only group to show a significant increase in any aspect of sleep from baseline to 24-months was the control-group. Comparing the MPH- to the no-MPH-group no differences in total-sleep-score changes were found.

CONCLUSION

Our findings support that sleep-problems are common in ADHD, but don't suggest significant negative long-term effects of MPH on sleep.

The association between antidepressant treatment and rates of insulin initiation in comorbid depression and type 2 diabetes: A UK electronic health record nested case-control study

AIMS

To investigate the association between antidepressant prescribing and the rate of insulin initiation in type 2 diabetes.

METHODS

Using UK primary care records we completed a nested-case control study in a individuals with comorbid depression and type 2 diabetes. Cases were defined as individuals initiating insulin, controls were individuals remaining on oral antidiabetic medication. We used conditional logistic regression to estimate incident rate ratios (IRR) and the 95% confidence intervals (CI) for the association between antidepressant prescribing and initiating insulin. We adjusted for demographic characteristics, comorbidities, health service and previous medication use.

RESULTS

We included 11,862 cases who initiated insulin, and 43,452 controls. Increased rates of insulin initiation were associated with any antidepressant prescription (IRR 3.78, 95% CI 3.53-4.04), longer (24+ months) durations of antidepressant treatment (IRR 5.61, 95% CI 5.23-6.03), and higher numbers (3+) of different antidepressant agents prescribed (IRR 5.72, 95% CI 5.25-6.24). There was no difference between recent and non-recent antidepressant prescriptions, or between different antidepressant agents.

CONCLUSIONS

Antidepressant prescribing was highly associated with the initiation of insulin therapy. However, this may not indicate a direct causal effect of the antidepressant medication itself, and may be a marker of more severe depression influencing diabetic control.

The Impact of Methylphenidate on Pubertal Maturation and Bone Age in ADHD Children and Adolescents: Results from the ADHD Drugs Use Chronic Effects (ADDUCE) Project

OBJECTIVE

The short-term safety of methylphenidate (MPH) has been widely demonstrated; however the long-term safety is less clear. The aim of this study was to investigate the safety of MPH in relation to pubertal maturation and to explore the monitoring of bone age.

METHOD

Participants from ADDUCE, a two-year observational longitudinal study with three parallel cohorts (MPH group, no-MPH group, and a non-ADHD control group), were compared with respect to Tanner staging. An Italian subsample of medicated-ADHD was further assessed by the monitoring of bone age.

RESULTS

The medicated and unmedicated ADHD groups did not differ in Tanner stages indicating no higher risk of sexual maturational delay in the MPH-treated patients. The medicated subsample monitored for bone age showed a slight acceleration of the bone maturation after 24 months, however their predicted adult height remained stable.

CONCLUSION

Our results do not suggest safety concerns on long-term treatment with MPH in relation to pubertal maturation and growth.

AACAP Endorses the Inclusion of Methylphenidate in the WHO Model Lists of Essential Medicines

Despite decades of clinical use and a large body of evidence, the WHO continues to exclude methylphenidate for attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) from its EML.1 The exclusion of methylphenidate has dire implications for millions of individuals with ADHD worldwide, especially those living in low and low-middle income countries (LMIC), where governmental decisions to make medicines available are contingent on EML listing.

Elevated risk of multimorbidity post-COVID-19 infection: protective effect of vaccination

BACKGROUND

It is unclear how the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) pandemic has affected multimorbidity incidence among those with one pre-existing chronic condition, as well as how vaccination could modify this association.

AIM

To examine the association of Covid-19 infection with multimorbidity incidence among people with one pre-existing chronic condition, including those with prior vaccination.

DESIGN

Nested case-control study.

METHODS

We conducted a territory-wide nested case-control study with incidence density sampling using Hong Kong electronic health records from public healthcare facilities and mandatory Covid-19 reports. People with one listed chronic condition (based on a list of 30) who developed multimorbidity during 1 January 2020-15 November 2022 were selected as case participants and randomly matched with up to 10 people of the same age, sex and with the same first chronic condition without having developed multimorbidity at that point. Conditional logistic regression was used to estimate adjusted odds ratios (aORs) of multimorbidity.

RESULTS

In total, 127 744 case participants were matched with 1 230 636 control participants. Adjusted analysis showed that there were 28%-increased odds of multimorbidity following Covid-19 [confidence interval (CI) 22% to 36%] but only 3% (non-significant) with prior full vaccination with BNT162b2 or CoronaVac (95% CI -2% to 7%). Similar associations were observed in men, women, older people aged 65 or more, and people aged 64 or younger.

CONCLUSIONS

We found a significantly elevated risk of multimorbidity following a Covid-19 episode among people with one pre-existing chronic condition. Full vaccination significantly reduced this risk increase.

Effects of sequential vs single pneumococcal vaccination on cardiovascular diseases among older adults: a population-based cohort study

BACKGROUND

Recommendations around the use of 23-valent pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine (PPSV23) and 13-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV13) seldom focus on potential benefits of vaccine on comorbidities. We aimed to investigate whether sequential vaccination with PCV13 and PPSV23 among older adults would provide protection against cardiovascular diseases (CVD) compared with using a single pneumococcal vaccine.

METHODS

We conducted a Hong Kong-wide retrospective cohort study between 2012 and 2020. Adults aged ≥65 years were identified as receiving either a single or sequential dual vaccination and followed up until the earliest CVD occurrence, death or study end. To minimize confounding, we matched each person receiving a single vaccination to a person receiving sequential vaccination according to their propensity scores. We estimated the hazard ratio (HR) of CVD risk using Cox regression and applied structural equation modelling to test whether the effect of sequential dual vaccination on CVD was mediated via the reduction in pneumonia.

RESULTS

After matching, 69 390 people remained in each group and the median (interquartile range) follow-up time was 1.89 (1.55) years. Compared with those receiving a single vaccine, those receiving sequential dual vaccination had a lower risk of CVD [HR (95% CI): 0.75 (0.71, 0.80), P < 0.001]. Post-hoc mediation analysis showed strong evidence that the decreased CVD risk was mediated by the reduction in all-cause pneumonia.

CONCLUSIONS

Sequential dual pneumococcal vaccination was associated with lower risk of CVD compared with single-dose PCV13 or PPSV23 in older adults. Such additional CVD benefits should be considered when making decisions about pneumococcal vaccination.

Psychopharmacology in children and adolescents: unmet needs and opportunities

Psychopharmacological treatment is an important component of the multimodal intervention approach to treating mental health conditions in children and adolescents. Currently, there are many unmet needs but also opportunities, alongside possible risks to consider, regarding the pharmacological treatment of mental health conditions in children and adolescents. In this Position Paper, we highlight and address these unmet needs and opportunities, including the perspectives of clinicians and researchers from the European College of Neuropsychopharmacology-Child and Adolescent Network, alongside those of experts by lived experience from national and international associations, via a survey involving 644 participants from 13 countries, and of regulators, through representation from the European Medicines Agency. We present and discuss the evidence base for medications currently used for mental disorders in children and adolescents, medications in the pipeline, opportunities in the development of novel medications, crucial priorities for the conduct of future clinical studies, challenges and opportunities in terms of the regulatory and legislative framework, and innovations in the way research is conducted, reported, and promoted.

Corrigendum: Concurrent use of oral anticoagulants and sulfonylureas in individuals with type 2 diabetes and risk of hypoglycemia: a UK population-based cohort study

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.3389/fmed.2022.893080.].

Dynamics of childhood obesity in Hong Kong throughout the COVID-19 pandemic before and after the school closures: a 3-year longitudinal study

OBJECTIVE

This study is to evaluate if there is any difference in the balance between incidence of and remission from overweight/obesity in Hong Kong school-age children before and during the COVID-19 pandemic over three years.

METHODS

This is a retrospective longitudinal study that involved children aged 6-16 years from a database of the School Physical Fitness Award Scheme.

RESULTS

2765 students were longitudinally followed up for two years. The prevalence of childhood overweight/obesity was increased between the 2019 and 2021 academic years (P < 0.001). During the COVID-19 pandemic, the rate of obesity remission significantly reduced by 7.9 % (P = 0.003), at a background of a plateau of obesity among children and adolescents.

CONCLUSIONS

Our study provides evidence on the impact of school closure and home confinement as a standard infection control measure for the prevention of COVID-19, which are likely to break the balance between incidence of and remission from childhood obesity.

Physical Fitness and Body Mass Index Status of Hong Kong Primary Schoolchildren across the COVID-19 Pandemic, before and after School Closure

OBJECTIVE

To determine whether health-related physical fitness and body mass index (BMI) status differed before and after school closure from the COVID-19 pandemic in a population-based cohort of Hong Kong primary schoolchildren.

STUDY DESIGN

We examined the BMI z score, BMI status, and physical fitness z scores including (i) upper limb muscle strength, (ii) 1-minute sit-up test, (iii) sit-and-reach test, and (iv) endurance run tests, among 3 epochs: prepandemic (September 2018-August 2019), before school closure (September 2019-January 2020), and partial school reopening (September 2021-August 2022), using a repeated cross-sectional approach.

RESULTS

A total of 137 752 primary schoolchildren aged 6-12 years were recruited over 3 academic years. Obesity increased significantly from 25.9% in 2018/19 to 31.0% in 2021/22, while underweight increased slightly from 6.1% to 6.5%. All tested parameters were adversely affected by the pandemic. The negative trend over time was far more pronounced in all 4 physical fitness scores in the underweight group, although performance in handgrip strength had no significance between 2018/19 and 2021/22.

CONCLUSIONS

Schoolchildren who are both underweight and overweight/obese are vulnerable to adverse changes in physical fitness during the COVID-19 pandemic. To eliminate the negative health and fitness outcomes, it is urgent to develop strategies for assisting schoolchildren in achieving a healthy weight, especially in the postpandemic era.

Cross-Regional Data Initiative for the Assessment and Development of Treatment for Neurological and Mental Disorders

Purpose

To describe and categorize detailed components of databases in the Neurological and Mental Health Global Epidemiology Network (NeuroGEN).

Methods

An online 132-item questionnaire was sent to key researchers and data custodians of NeuroGEN in North America, Europe, Asia and Oceania. From the responses, we assessed data characteristics including population coverage, data follow-up, clinical information, validity of diagnoses, medication use and data latency. We also evaluated the possibility of conversion into a common data model (CDM) to implement a federated network approach. Moreover, we used radar charts to visualize the data capacity assessments, based on different perspectives.

Results

The results indicated that the 15 databases covered approximately 320 million individuals, included in 7 nationwide claims databases from Australia, Finland, South Korea, Taiwan and the US, 6 population-based electronic health record databases from Hong Kong, Scotland, Taiwan, the Netherlands and the UK, and 2 biomedical databases from Taiwan and the UK.

Conclusion

The 15 databases showed good potential for a federated network approach using a common data model. Our study provided publicly accessible information on these databases for those seeking to employ real-world data to facilitate current assessment and future development of treatments for neurological and mental disorders.

Light exposure therapy for myopia control: a systematic review and Bayesian network meta-analysis

AIMS

To compare and rank the myopia control effects of different light wavelengths in children using a systematic review and Bayesian network meta-analysis (Bayesian NMA).

METHODS

The review protocol was registered with PROSPERO. We searched PubMed, EMBASE and MEDLINE for relevant clinical and animal studies published as of 2 February 2023. We included studies comparing red, violet or full-spectrum light with controls. Data extracted included descriptive statistics and study outcomes (axial length (AL) elongation and progression of spherical equivalent (SE) refraction). After quality assessment, estimates of treatment effect outcomes (mean differences (MDs) and 95% CIs) were first pooled for the animal and clinical studies in a traditional meta-analysis. To compare and rank the different light wavelengths, the Bayesian NMA was then conducted for all the included clinical studies (12 studies) and separately for only randomised controlled trials (8 studies). MDs, 95% credible intervals (CrIs) and ranks of the various light wavelengths were estimated in the Bayesian NMA.

RESULTS

When all clinical studies were included in the Bayesian NMA (12 studies), only red-light significantly slowed AL elongation, MD (95% CrI), -0.38 mm (-0.59 mm to -0.16 mm)/year and SE refraction progression, 0.72D (0.35D to 1.10D)/year compared with controls. It remained the only significant intervention when effect sizes from only RCTs (eight studies) were separately combined, (-0.28 mm (-0.40 mm to -0.15 mm)/year and 0.57D (0.22D to 0.92D)/year, for AL and SE refraction, respectively).

CONCLUSION

Myopia control efficacy varied among different wavelengths of light, with red light ranked as the most effective.

PROSPERO REGISTRATION NUMBER

Clinical studies: CRD42022368998; animal studies: CRD42022368671.

Risks of COVID-19-related hospitalisation and mortality among individuals with mental disorders following BNT162b2 and CoronaVac vaccinations: A case-control study

Concerns have been raised regarding potential weaker vaccine immunogenicity with higher immune suppression for individuals with pre-existing mental disorders. Yet, data on the effectiveness of COVID-19 vaccinations among this vulnerable population are limited. A case-control study was conducted to investigate the risks of COVID-19-related hospitalisation and mortality among individuals with mental disorders following one to three doses of BNT162b2 and CoronaVac vaccinations in Hong Kong. Data were extracted from electronic health records, vaccination and COVID-19 confirmed case records. Conditional logistic regression was applied with adjustment for comorbidities and medication history. Subgroup analyses were performed with stratification: by age (< 65 and ≥ 65) and mental disorders diagnosis (depression, schizophrenia, anxiety disorder, and bipolar disorder). Two doses of BNT162b2 and CoronaVac significantly reduced COVID-19-related hospitalisation and mortality. Further protection for both outcomes was provided after three doses of BNT162b2 and CoronaVac. The vaccine effectiveness magnitude of BNT162b2 was generally higher than CoronaVac, but the difference diminished after the third dose. Individuals with mental disorders should be prioritised in future mass vaccination programmes of booster doses or bivalent COVID-19 vaccines. Targeted strategies should be developed to resolve the reasons behind vaccine hesitancy among this population and increase their awareness on the benefits of vaccination.

Patient Biochemistry and Treatment Need in Chronic Hepatitis B Virus Infection Across Three Continents: Retrospective Cross-Sectional Cohort Studies

INTRODUCTION

Chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is associated with significant global morbidity and mortality. Low treatment rates are observed in patients living with HBV; the reasons for this are unclear. This study sought to describe patients' demographic, clinical and biochemical characteristics across three continents and their associated treatment need.

METHODS

This retrospective cross-sectional post hoc analysis of real-world data used four large electronic databases from the United States, United Kingdom and China (specifically Hong Kong and Fuzhou). Patients were identified by first evidence of chronic HBV infection in a given year (their index date) and characterized. An algorithm was designed and applied, wherein patients were categorized as treated, untreated but indicated for treatment and untreated and not indicated for treatment based on treatment status and demographic, clinical, biochemical and virological characteristics (age; evidence of fibrosis/cirrhosis; alanine aminotransferase [ALT] levels, HCV/HIV coinfection and HBV virology markers).

RESULTS

In total, 12,614 US patients, 503 UK patients, 34,135 patients from Hong Kong and 21,614 from Fuzhou were included. Adults (99.4%) and males (59.0%) predominated. Overall, 34.5% of patients were treated at index (range 15.9-49.6%), with nucleos(t)ide analogue monotherapy most commonly prescribed. The proportion of untreated-but-indicated patients ranged from 12.9% in Hong Kong to 18.2% in the UK; almost two-thirds of these patients (range 61.3-66.7%) had evidence of fibrosis/cirrhosis. A quarter (25.3%) of untreated-but-indicated patients were aged ≥ 65 years.

CONCLUSION

This large real-world dataset demonstrates that chronic hepatitis B infection remains a global health concern; despite the availability of effective suppressive therapy, a considerable proportion of predominantly adult patients apparently indicated for treatment are currently untreated, including many patients with fibrosis/cirrhosis. Causes of disparity in treatment status warrant further investigation.

Levothyroxine Treatment Among Pregnant Women and Risk of Seizure in Children: A Population-Based Cohort Study

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVE

The risk of seizure in offspring following prenatal exposure to levothyroxine is not well investigated. This study aimed to evaluate the association between levothyroxine treatment among pregnant women and the risk of seizure in their offspring.

METHODS

This population-based cohort study included all pregnant women who delivered a live birth between January 2001 to January 2018, with a follow-up to December 2020, using data from the Hong Kong Clinical Data Analysis and Reporting System. Propensity score fine-stratification weighted hazard ratios (wHR) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were presented to assess the association between maternal levothyroxine use during pregnancy and seizures in children.

RESULTS

Among 528,343 included mother-child pairs, 3044 children were prenatally exposed to levothyroxine at any time during the pregnancy period. A significantly increased risk of seizure was observed in children of the prenatally exposed group compared with the prenatally unexposed group (wHR 1.12, 95% CI 1.02-1.22). An increased risk of seizure was observed when comparing the prenatally exposed group with euthyroid mothers who had no history of thyroid-related diagnosis or prescriptions (wHR 1.12, 95% CI 1.02-1.23). However, no significant difference was observed between the prenatally exposed group and those previously exposed to levothyroxine but had stopped during pregnancy (wHR 0.97, 95% CI 0.66-1.44). No significant difference was observed in the sibling-matched analysis either (wHR 1.23, 95% CI 0.76-2.01).

CONCLUSION

The observed increased risk of seizure in children born from mothers exposed to levothyroxine during pregnancy might be due to residual confounding by maternal thyroid disease. The findings support the current guidelines on the safe use of levothyroxine treatment during pregnancy.

Cost-Effectiveness Analysis of Myopia Progression Interventions in Children

Importance

Several interventions exist for treating myopia progression in children. While these interventions' efficacy has been studied, their cost-effectiveness remains unknown and has not been compared.

Objective

To determine cost-effective options for controlling myopia progression in children.

Design, Setting, and Participants

In this cost-effectiveness analysis, a Markov model was designed to compare the cost-effectiveness of interventions for controlling myopia progression over 5 years from a societal perspective in a simulated hypothetical cohort of patients aged 10 years with myopia. Myopia interventions considered included atropine eye drops, 0.05% and 0.01%, defocus incorporated multiple segment spectacles, outdoor activity, soft contact lenses (daily disposable and multifocal), rigid gas-permeable contact lenses, progressive addition lenses, bifocal spectacle lenses, orthokeratology, highly aspherical lenslets (HALs), and red light therapy; all interventions were compared with single-vision lenses. Deterministic and probabilistic sensitivity analysis determined the association of model uncertainties with the cost-effectiveness. Costs were obtained from the charges of the Hospital Authority of Hong Kong and The Chinese University of Hong Kong Eye Center.

Main Outcome and Measures

The mean costs (in US dollars) per child included the cost of hospital visits, medications, and optical lenses. The outcomes of effectiveness were the annual spherical equivalent refraction (SER) and axial length (AL) reductions. Incremental cost-effectiveness ratios (ICERs) were calculated for each strategy relative to single-vision lenses over a time horizon of 5 years.

Results

Outdoor activity, atropine (0.05%), red light therapy, HALs, and orthokeratology were cost-effective. The ICER of atropine, 0.05%, was US $220/SER reduction; red light therapy, US $846/SER reduction; and HALs, US $448/SER reduction. Outdoor activity yielded a savings of US $5/SER reduction and US $8/AL reduction. Orthokeratology resulted in an ICER of US $2376/AL reduction.

Conclusions and Relevance

These findings suggest that atropine eye drops, 0.05%, and outdoor activity are cost-effective for controlling myopia progression in children. Though more expensive, red light therapy, HALs, and orthokeratology may also be cost-effective. The use of these interventions may help to control myopia in a cost-effective way.

Factors influencing choice of b/ts DMARDs in managing inflammatory arthritis from a patient perspective: a systematic review of global evidence and a patient-based survey from Hong Kong

OBJECTIVES

To investigate factors concerning patients regarding biological/target synthetic disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (b/ts DMARDs) in treating inflammatory arthritis (IA).

DESIGN

This study consists of a systematic review and a cross-sectional survey in Hong Kong. A systematic review of literature following Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses was conducted on PubMed, Web of Science, Cochrane and Embase between 1 January 2000 and 1 January 2022. Content analysis was conducted to summarise factors grouped by four themes-social aspects (SA), clinical aspects (CA), medicine characteristics (MC) and financial aspects (FA) in the decision-making process. One cross-sectional survey among Hong Kong patients with IA was conducted to add to global evidence.

SETTING

A systematic review of global evidence and a patient-based survey in Hong Kong to complement scarce evidence in Asia regions.

RESULTS

The systematic review resulted in 34 studies. The four themes were presented in descending order consistently but varied with frequency throughout decision-making processes. During decision-making involving medication initiation, preference and discontinuation, MC (reported frequency: 83%, 86%, 78%), SA (56%, 43%, 78%) and FA (39%, 33%, 56%) were the three most frequently reported factors, whereas CA was less studied. Local survey also revealed that MC factors such as treatment efficacy and the probability of severe adverse events, and SA factors such as the availability of government or charity subsidy, influenced patients' initiation and preference for b/ts DMARDs. Meanwhile, self-estimated improvement in disease conditions (SA), drug side effects (MC) and drug costs (FA) were associated with treatment discontinuation.

CONCLUSIONS

Global and local evidence consistently indicate that MC and SA are important considerations in patients' decisions regarding novel DMARDs. Health policies that reduce patients' financial burden and enhances healthcare professionals' engagement in decision-making and treatment delivery should be in place with an efficient healthcare system for managing IA optimistically.

Global trends in the consumption of benzodiazepines and Z-drugs in 67 countries and regions from 2008 to 2018: a sales data analysis

STUDY OBJECTIVES

To investigate the trends in the consumption of benzodiazepines (BZDs) and Z-drugs at global, regional, and national levels from 2008 to 2018, across 67 countries and regions.

METHODS

This cross-sectional descriptive study investigated the consumption of BZDs and Z-drugs analyzed by global pharmaceutical sales data from the IQVIA-Multinational Integrated Data Analysis System database between 2008 and 2018. Consumption was measured in defined daily dose (DDD) per 1000 inhabitants per day (DDD/TID). The global, regional, and national trends were estimated using linear mixed models. Additional analyses were conducted by grouping countries by income level. The association between consumption and Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and the prevalence of different medical conditions was explored in univariable linear models.

RESULTS

BZD consumption decreased annually by -1.88% (95% CI: -2.27%, -1.48%), and Z-drugs increased by + 3.28% (+2.55%, +4.01%). In 2008, the top ten countries for BZD and Z-drug consumption were all European, ranging from 63.69 to 128.24 DDD/TID. Very low levels were found in Russia, Kuwait, United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, French West Africa, and the Philippines, with DDD/TID < 1. The consumption in high-income countries was much higher than in middle-income countries. The results showed that increased consumption of BZDs and Z-drugs was statistically associated (p < 0.05) with higher GDP and increased prevalence of anxiety, self-harm, neurological disorders, chronic respiratory diseases, cardiovascular diseases, and cancers.

CONCLUSIONS

Distinct differences in consumption and trends of BZDs and Z-drugs were found across different countries and regions. Further exploration is needed to understand the association and safety of the use of BZDs and Z-drugs in patients with comorbidities.

Gabapentinoid consumption in 65 countries and regions from 2008 to 2018: a longitudinal trend study

Recent studies raised concerns about the increasing use of gabapentinoids in different countries. With their potential for misuse and addiction, understanding the global consumption of gabapentinoids will offer us a platform to examine the need for any interventional policies. This longitudinal trend study utilised pharmaceutical sales data from 65 countries and regions across the world to evaluate the global trends in gabapentinoid consumption between 2008-2018. The multinational average annual percentage change of gabapentinoid consumption was +17.20%, increased from 4.17 defined daily dose per ten thousand inhabitants per day (DDD/TID) in 2008 to 18.26 DDD/TID in 2018. High-income countries had the highest pooled gabapentinoid consumption rate (39.92 DDD/TID) in 2018, which was more than six times higher than the lower-middle income countries (6.11 DDD/TID). The study shows that despite differences in healthcare system and culture, a consistent increase in gabapentinoid consumption is observed worldwide, with high-income countries remaining the largest consumers.

Global Epidemiology of Hip Fractures: Secular Trends in Incidence Rate, Post-Fracture Treatment, and All-Cause Mortality

In this international study, we examined the incidence of hip fractures, postfracture treatment, and all-cause mortality following hip fractures, based on demographics, geography, and calendar year. We used patient-level healthcare data from 19 countries and regions to identify patients aged 50 years and older hospitalized with a hip fracture from 2005 to 2018. The age- and sex-standardized incidence rates of hip fractures, post-hip fracture treatment (defined as the proportion of patients receiving anti-osteoporosis medication with various mechanisms of action [bisphosphonates, denosumab, raloxifene, strontium ranelate, or teriparatide] following a hip fracture), and the all-cause mortality rates after hip fractures were estimated using a standardized protocol and common data model. The number of hip fractures in 2050 was projected based on trends in the incidence and estimated future population demographics. In total, 4,115,046 hip fractures were identified from 20 databases. The reported age- and sex-standardized incidence rates of hip fractures ranged from 95.1 (95% confidence interval [CI] 94.8-95.4) in Brazil to 315.9 (95% CI 314.0-317.7) in Denmark per 100,000 population. Incidence rates decreased over the study period in most countries; however, the estimated total annual number of hip fractures nearly doubled from 2018 to 2050. Within 1 year following a hip fracture, post-hip fracture treatment ranged from 11.5% (95% CI 11.1% to 11.9%) in Germany to 50.3% (95% CI 50.0% to 50.7%) in the United Kingdom, and all-cause mortality rates ranged from 14.4% (95% CI 14.0% to 14.8%) in Singapore to 28.3% (95% CI 28.0% to 28.6%) in the United Kingdom. Males had lower use of anti-osteoporosis medication than females, higher rates of all-cause mortality, and a larger increase in the projected number of hip fractures by 2050. Substantial variations exist in the global epidemiology of hip fractures and postfracture outcomes. Our findings inform possible actions to reduce the projected public health burden of osteoporotic fractures among the aging population. © 2023 The Authors. Journal of Bone and Mineral Research published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of American Society for Bone and Mineral Research (ASBMR).

Association between the pharmacological treatment of bipolar disorder and risk of traumatic injuries: a self-controlled case series study

BACKGROUND

Patients with bipolar disorder (BPD) are prone to engage in risk-taking behaviours and self-harm, contributing to higher risk of traumatic injuries requiring medical attention at the emergency room (ER).We hypothesize that pharmacological treatment of BPD could reduce the risk of traumatic injuries by alleviating symptoms but evidence remains unclear. This study aimed to examine the association between pharmacological treatment and the risk of ER admissions due to traumatic injuries.

METHODS

Individuals with BPD who received mood stabilizers and/or antipsychotics were identified using a population-based electronic healthcare records database in Hong Kong (2001-2019). A self-controlled case series design was applied to control for time-invariant confounders.

RESULTS

A total of 5040 out of 14 021 adults with BPD who received pharmacological treatment and had incident ER admissions due to traumatic injuries from 2001 to 2019 were included. An increased risk of traumatic injuries was found 30 days before treatment [incidence rate ratio (IRR) 4.44 (3.71-5.31), p < 0.0001]. After treatment initiation, the risk remained increased with a smaller magnitude, before returning to baseline [IRR 0.97 (0.88-1.06), p = 0.50] during maintenance treatment. The direct comparison of the risk during treatment to that before and after treatment showed a significant decrease. After treatment cessation, the risk was increased [IRR 1.34 (1.09-1.66), p = 0.006].

CONCLUSIONS

This study supports the hypothesis that pharmacological treatment of BPD was associated with a lower risk of ER admissions due to traumatic injuries but an increased risk after treatment cessation. Close monitoring of symptoms relapse is recommended to clinicians and patients if treatment cessation is warranted.

The association between dementia and the risk of hypoglycaemia events among patients with diabetes mellitus: a propensity-score matched cohort analysis

Background

Hypoglycaemia commonly occurs in patients diagnosed with diabetes mellitus (DM) and dementia. The impact of dementia on hypoglycaemic events is controversial. Thus, we evaluated whether dementia increases the risk of hypoglycaemic events in older patients diagnosed with DM.

Design

A retrospective cohort study.

Setting

We used the IQVIA Medical Research Data (IMRD-UK) database (formerly known as the THIN database).

Participants

All patients aged ≥55 years and diagnosed with DM who were prescribed at least two prescriptions of antidiabetic medication between 2000 and 2017. Two groups of patients, dementia and non-dementia group, were propensity-score (PS) matched at 1:2. The risk of hypoglycaemia was assessed through a Cox regression analysis.

Main outcome and measures

Hypoglycaemic events were determined during the follow-up period by Read codes.

Results

From the database, 133,664 diabetic patients were identified, with a mean follow-up of 6.11 years. During the study period, 7,762 diabetic patients diagnosed with dementia were matched with 12,944 diabetic patients who had not been diagnosed with dementia. The PS-matched Cox regression analysis showed that patients diagnosed with dementia were at a 2-fold increased risk for hypoglycaemic events compared with those not diagnosed with dementia (hazard ratio [HR], 2.00; 95% CI, 1.63-2.66). A similar result was shown for a multivariable analysis using all patient data (adjusted HR, 2.25; 95% CI, 2.22-2.32).

Conclusion

Our findings suggest that diabetic patients with a diagnosis of dementia have a statistically significant higher risk of experiencing hypoglycaemia.

Association between the mood stabilizing treatment of bipolar disorder and risk of suicide attempts: A self-controlled case series study

Bipolar disorder (BPD) is associated with high rates of suicide attempts but the anti-suicidal effect of mood stabilizing agents remains unclear. This study aimed to examine the association between mood stabilizing agents (lithium, valproate, lamotrigine, carbamazepine or antipsychotics) and risk of suicide attempts in patients with BPD using self-controlled case series study design. Among 14,087 patients with BPD who received mood stabilizing agents from 2001 to 2020 in Hong Kong, 1316 patients had at least one suicide attempts during the observation period. An increased risk of suicide attempts was observed 14 days before treatment initiation compared to non-exposed period. Following treatment initiation, an increased risk with smaller magnitude was found with the use of mood stabilizing agents. A lower risk was observed with lithium and antiepileptics while the risk remained attenuated with decreasing magnitude with antipsychotics. During 30-day post-treatment period, the risk was elevated. Therefore, this study suggests that use of mood stabilizing agents is not causally associated with an increased risk of suicide attempts. Indeed, there are potential protective effects of lithium and antiepileptics against suicide attempts. Assiduous monitoring of symptoms relapse and warning signs of suicide should be part of the management plan and discussed between clinicians, caregivers and patients.

Trends in the incidence of dementia in people with hypertension in the UK 2000 to 2021

INTRODUCTION

We investigated trends in the incidence of dementia in UK adults with hypertension.

METHODS

Primary care electronic health records from IQVIA Medical Research Data UK, previously known as THIN, were used to identify 2,133,118 adults aged ≥40 years with hypertension over 2000 to 2021. The annual incidence rate and average annual percentage change in recorded dementia diagnoses were estimated and stratified by sex, 10-year age bands, Townsend deprivation quintiles and dementia subtype.

RESULTS

The crude incidence rate of dementia in people with hypertension increased from 1.98 (95% confidence internal [CI] 1.89-2.07) per 1000 person-years at risk (PYAR) in 2000 to 5.29 per 1000 PYAR (95% CI 5.07-5.53) in 2021, corresponding to an average annual increase of 4.1% (95% CI 3.3-5.0). Those aged ≥80 years, the most economically deprived (Townsend = 5), and Alzheimer's disease subtype reported the highest incidence rate within their respective categories.

DISCUSSION

The annual incidence rate of dementia in the hypertensive population has increased over the last 22 years.

Highlights

New dementia diagnosis in the hypertensive population has increased over 22 years.The Alzheimer's disease subtype reported the highest incidence rate in people with hypertension.Difference in dementia incidence between hypertensive females and males has reduced.Difference in dementia incidence among deprivation categories has reduced in recent years.

Descriptive analysis of poisoning cases involving attention deficit hyperactivity disorder medications in Hong Kong

INTRODUCTION

The number of poisoning cases involving attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) medications has reportedly risen with their increased use. However, there is limited relevant evidence from Asia. We analysed the characteristics of poisoning events involving these medications in Hong Kong.

METHODS

We retrieved data regarding ADHD medication-related poisoning cases from the Hong Kong Poison Information Centre and conducted a descriptive analysis of the demographic information and poisoning information including sources of cases, exposure reason, exposure location, and outcome. The HKPIC data were linked with the Hospital Authority Clinical Data Analysis and Reporting System (CDARS) via de-identified Accident and Emergency numbers of public hospitals to investigate clinical characteristics. We also retrieved ADHD medication prescription records from the CDARS, then compared trends between poisoning cases and ADHD medication use.

RESULTS

We identified 72 poisoning cases involving ADHD medications between 2009 and 2019, of which approximately 70% occurred in the affected individual's residence; most were intentional poisoning events (65.3%). No statistically significant association was observed between ADHD medication prescription trends and poisoning events involving ADHD medications. Of the 66 cases (91.7%) successfully linked to CDARS, 40 (60.6%) occurred in individuals with ADHD (median age: 14 years); 26 (39.4%) occurred in individuals who lacked ADHD (median age: 33 years) but displayed higher rates of other mental disorders including depression and anxiety.

CONCLUSION

No significant correlation was evident between ADHD medication prescriptions and poisoning events involving ADHD medications. However, medication management and caregiver education must be emphasised to prevent potential poisoning events.

BNT162b2 or CoronaVac Vaccinations Are Associated With a Lower Risk of Myocardial Infarction and Stroke After SARS-CoV-2 Infection Among Patients With Cardiovascular Disease

Background COVID-19 vaccines have demonstrated effectiveness against SARS-CoV-2 infection, hospitalization, and mortality. The association between vaccination and risk of cardiovascular complications shortly after SARS-CoV-2 infection among patients with cardiovascular disease remains unknown. Methods and Results A case-control study was conducted with cases defined as patients who had myocardial infarction or stroke within 28 days after SARS-CoV-2 infection between January 1, 2022 and August 15, 2022. Controls were defined as all other patients who attended any health services and were not cases. Individuals without history of cardiovascular disease were excluded. Each case was randomly matched with 10 controls according to sex, age, Charlson comorbidity index, and date of hospital admission. Adjusted odds ratio with 95% CI was estimated using conditional logistic regression. We identified 808 cases matched with 7771 controls among all patients with cardiovascular disease. Results showed that vaccination with BNT162b2 or CoronaVac was associated with a lower risk of myocardial infarction or stroke after SARS-CoV-2 infection with a dose-response relationship. For BNT162b2, risk decreased from 0.49 (95% CI, 0.29-0.84) to 0.30 (95% CI, 0.20-0.44) and 0.17 (95% CI, 0.08-0.34) from 1 to 3 doses, respectively. Similar trends were observed for CoronaVac, with risk decreased from 0.69 (95% CI, 0.57-0.85) to 0.42 (95% CI, 0.34-0.52) and 0.32 (95% CI, 0.21-0.49) from 1 to 3 doses, respectively. Conclusions Vaccination with BNT162b2 or CoronaVac is associated with a lower risk of myocardial infarction or stroke after SARS-CoV-2 infection among patients with cardiovascular disease.

Analysis of Secondhand Smoke Exposure and Myopia Among Children Aged 6 to 8 Years in Hong Kong

Importance

Secondhand smoke (SHS) exposure potentially threatens ocular health; however, its association with myopia is unknown.

Objective

To examine the association between SHS exposure and childhood myopia.

Design, Setting, and Participants

Cross-sectional data from the population-based Hong Kong Children Eye Study were used. Data were collected from March 5, 2015, to September 12, 2021, at The Chinese University of Hong Kong Eye Center. Participants included children aged 6 to 8 years. Secondhand smoke exposure was evaluated using a validated questionnaire. All participants underwent comprehensive ophthalmic and physical examinations.

Exposure

Secondhand smoke exposure.

Main Outcomes and Measures

Generalized estimating equations were constructed to examine the association of SHS exposure with spherical equivalent and axial length; logistic regression models, with myopia rate; and linear regression models, with myopia onset.

Results

A total of 12 630 children (mean [SD] age, 7.37 [0.88] years; 53.2% boys) were included in the analysis. Among the participants, 4092 (32.4%) had SHS exposure. After adjusting for age, sex, parental myopia, body mass index, near-work time, outdoor time, and family income, SHS exposure was associated with greater myopic refraction (β = -0.09 [95% CI, -0.14 to -0.03]) and longer axial length (β = 0.05 [95% CI, 0.02-0.08]). Children with SHS exposure were more likely to develop moderate (odds ratio [OR], 1.30 [95% CI, 1.06-1.59]) and high myopia (OR, 2.64 [95% CI, 1.48-4.69]). The association of SHS exposure with spherical equivalence and axial length was magnified in younger children. For each younger year of a child's exposure to SHS, SHS exposure was associated with a 0.07-D decrease in spherical equivalence (β = 0.07 [95% CI, 0.01-0.13]) and a 0.05-mm increase in axial length (β = -0.05 [95% CI, -0.08 to -0.01]). Exposure to SHS was associated with an earlier mean (SD) age at onset of myopia (72.8 [0.9] vs 74.6 [0.6] months; P = .01). Every increase in SHS exposure in units of 10 cigarettes per day was associated with greater myopic refraction (β = -0.07 [95% CI, -0.11 to -0.02]), axial length (β = 0.04 [95% CI, 0.01-0.06]), and likelihood of developing moderate (OR, 1.23 [95% CI, 1.05-1.44]) and high myopia (OR, 1.75 [95% CI, 1.20-2.56]), and earlier myopia onset (β = -1.30 [95% CI, -2.32 to -0.27]).

Conclusions and Relevance

The findings of this cross-sectional study suggest that SHS exposure was associated with greater myopic refraction, longer axial length, greater likelihood of developing moderate and high myopia, and earlier myopia onset. The larger the quantity of SHS exposure and the younger the child, the more advanced myopia development and progression with which SHS exposure is associated.

Vaccine effectiveness of BNT162b2 and CoronaVac against SARS-CoV-2 omicron infection and related hospital admission among people with substance use disorder in Hong Kong: a matched case-control study

BACKGROUND

People with substance use disorder have a high risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection and subsequent poor outcomes. Few studies have evaluated COVID-19 vaccine effectiveness among people with substance use disorder. We aimed to estimate the vaccine effectiveness of BNT162b2 (Fosun-BioNTech) and CoronaVac (Sinovac) against SARS-CoV-2 omicron (B.1.1.529) infection and related hospital admission in this population.

METHODS

We did a matched case-control study using electronic health databases in Hong Kong. Individuals diagnosed with substance use disorder between Jan 1, 2016, and Jan 1, 2022, were identified. People aged 18 years and older with SARS-CoV-2 infection from Jan 1 to May 31, 2022, and people with COVID-19-related hospital admission from Feb 16 to May 31, 2022, were included as cases and were matched by age, sex, and previous clinical history with controls from all individuals diagnosed with substance use disorder who attended the Hospital Authority health services: up to three controls for SARS-CoV-2 infection and up to ten controls for hospital admission. Conditional logistical regression was used to evaluate the association between vaccination status (ie, one, two, or three doses of BNT162b2 or CoronaVac) and the risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection and COVID-19-related hospital admission, adjusted for baseline comorbidities and medication use.

FINDINGS

Among 57 674 individuals with substance use disorder, 9523 people with SARS-CoV-2 infections (mean age 61·00 years, SD 14·90; 8075 [84·8%] males and 1448 [15·2%] females) were identified and matched to 28 217 controls (mean age 60·99 years, 14·67; 24 006 [85·1%] males and 4211 [14·9%] females), and 843 people with COVID-19-related hospital admissions (mean age 70·48 years, SD 14·68; 754 [89·4%] males and 89 [10·6%] females) were identified and matched to 7459 controls (mean age 70·24 years, 13·87; 6837 [91·7%] males and 622 [8·3%] females). Data on ethnicity were not available. We observed significant vaccine effectiveness against SARS-CoV-2 infection for two-dose BNT162b2 vaccination (20·7%, 95% CI 14·0-27·0, p<0·0001) and three-dose vaccination (all BNT162b2 41·5%, 34·4-47·8, p<0·0001; all CoronaVac 13·6%, 5·4-21·0, p=0·0015; BNT162b2 booster after two-dose CoronaVac 31·3%, 19·8-41·1, p<0·0001), but not for one dose of either vaccine or two doses of CoronaVac. Significant vaccine effectiveness against COVID-19-related hospital admission was detected after one dose of BNT162b2 vaccination (35·7%, 3·8-57·1, p=0·032), two-dose vaccination (both BNT162b2 73·3%, 64·3 to 80·0, p<0·0001; both CoronaVac 59·9%, 50·2-67·7, p<0·0001), and three-dose vaccination (all BNT162b2 86·3%, 75·6-92·3, p<0·0001; all CoronaVac 73·5% 61·0-81·9, p<0·0001; BNT162b2 booster after two-dose CoronaVac 83·7%, 64·6-92·5, p<0·0001), but not after one dose of CoronaVac.

INTERPRETATION

For both BNT162b2 and CoronaVac, two-dose or three-dose vaccination was protective against COVID-19-related hospital admission and the booster dose provided protection against SARS-CoV-2 infection among people with substance use disorder. Our findings confirm the importance of booster doses in this population during the period dominated by the omicron variant.

FUNDING

Health Bureau, the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region.

Risk of Adverse Events and Delirium After COVID-19 Vaccination in Patients Living With Dementia

OBJECTIVES

The aim of this study was to compare incidences of adverse events of special interest (AESI) and delirium in 3 cohorts: after COVID-19 vaccination, prepandemic, and SARS-CoV-2 polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test positive.

DESIGN

This is a population-based cohort study using electronic medical records linked with vaccination records in Hong Kong.

SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS

A total of 17,449 older people with dementia received at least 1 dose of CoronaVac (n = 14,719) or BNT162b2 (n = 2730) between February 23, 2021, and March 31, 2022. Moreover, 43,396 prepandemic and 3592 SARS-CoV-2 test positive patients were also included in this study.

METHODS

The incidences of AESI and delirium up to 28 days after vaccination in the vaccinated dementia cohort were compared with the prepandemic and SARS-CoV-2 test positive dementia cohorts by calculating incidence rate ratios (IRRs). Patients who received multiple doses were followed up separately for each dose, up to the third dose.

RESULTS

We did not detect an increased risk of delirium and most AESI following vaccination compared to the prepandemic period and those tested positive for SARS-CoV-2. No AESI group nor delirium incidence exceeded 10 per 1000 person-days in vaccinated individuals.

CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS

The findings provide evidence for the safe use of COVID-19 vaccines in older patients with dementia. In the short run, benefit appears to outweigh the harm due to vaccine; however, longer follow-up should be continued to identify remote adverse events.

Changes in preterm birth and stillbirth during COVID-19 lockdowns in 26 countries

Preterm birth (PTB) is the leading cause of infant mortality worldwide. Changes in PTB rates, ranging from -90% to +30%, were reported in many countries following early COVID-19 pandemic response measures ('lockdowns'). It is unclear whether this variation reflects real differences in lockdown impacts, or perhaps differences in stillbirth rates and/or study designs. Here we present interrupted time series and meta-analyses using harmonized data from 52 million births in 26 countries, 18 of which had representative population-based data, with overall PTB rates ranging from 6% to 12% and stillbirth ranging from 2.5 to 10.5 per 1,000 births. We show small reductions in PTB in the first (odds ratio 0.96, 95% confidence interval 0.95-0.98, P value <0.0001), second (0.96, 0.92-0.99, 0.03) and third (0.97, 0.94-1.00, 0.09) months of lockdown, but not in the fourth month of lockdown (0.99, 0.96-1.01, 0.34), although there were some between-country differences after the first month. For high-income countries in this study, we did not observe an association between lockdown and stillbirths in the second (1.00, 0.88-1.14, 0.98), third (0.99, 0.88-1.12, 0.89) and fourth (1.01, 0.87-1.18, 0.86) months of lockdown, although we have imprecise estimates due to stillbirths being a relatively rare event. We did, however, find evidence of increased risk of stillbirth in the first month of lockdown in high-income countries (1.14, 1.02-1.29, 0.02) and, in Brazil, we found evidence for an association between lockdown and stillbirth in the second (1.09, 1.03-1.15, 0.002), third (1.10, 1.03-1.17, 0.003) and fourth (1.12, 1.05-1.19, <0.001) months of lockdown. With an estimated 14.8 million PTB annually worldwide, the modest reductions observed during early pandemic lockdowns translate into large numbers of PTB averted globally and warrant further research into causal pathways.

Impact of Introducing Infliximab Biosimilars on Total Infliximab Consumption and Originator Infliximab Prices in Eight Regions: An Interrupted Time-Series Analysis

OBJECTIVE

We aimed to assess whether the introduction of the first infliximab biosimilar was associated with changes in overall infliximab consumption (originator and biosimilars) and price changes to the originator infliximab.

METHODS

An interrupted time series analysis using infliximab sales data from 2010 to 2020 from the IQVIA Multinational Integrated Data Analysis System for eight selected regions: Australia, Canada, Hong Kong, Korea, India, Japan, the UK, and the USA. Quarterly measures of infliximab consumption and list prices were respectively defined as the number of standard units (SU)/1000 inhabitants and as 2020 USA dollars (USD)/SU.

RESULTS

Following the introduction of infliximab biosimilars, overall infliximab consumption increased in Australia [immediate change: 0.145 SU/1000 inhabitants (P = 0.014); long-term change: 0.022 SU/1000 inhabitants per quarter (P < 0.001)], Canada [immediate change 0.415 (P = 0.008)], the UK [long-term change 0.024 (P < 0.001)], and Hong Kong [immediate change: 0.042 (P < 0.001)]. The list price of originator infliximab also decreased following biosimilar introduction in Australia [immediate change: - 187.84 USD/SU (P < 0.001); long-term change - 6.46 USD/SU per quarter (P = 0.043)], Canada [immediate change: - 145.58 (P < 0.001)], the UK [immediate change: - 34.95 (P = 0.010); long-term change: - 4.77 (P < 0.001)], and Hong Kong [long-term change: - 4.065 (P = 0.046)]. Consumption and price changes were inconsistent in India, Japan, Korea, and the USA.

CONCLUSIONS

Introduction of the first infliximab biosimilar was not consistently associated with increased consumption across regions. Additional policy and healthcare system interventions to support biosimilar infliximab adoption are needed.

Long-term safety of methylphenidate in children and adolescents with ADHD: 2-year outcomes of the Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder Drugs Use Chronic Effects (ADDUCE) study

BACKGROUND

Methylphenidate is the most frequently prescribed medication for the treatment of ADHD in children and adolescents in many countries. Although many randomised controlled trials support short-term efficacy, tolerability, and safety, data on long-term safety and tolerability are scarce. The aim of this study was to investigate the safety of methylphenidate over a 2-year period in relation to growth and development, psychiatric health, neurological health, and cardiovascular function in children and adolescents.

METHODS

We conducted a naturalistic, longitudinal, controlled study as part of the ADDUCE research programme in 27 European child and adolescent mental health centres in the UK, Germany, Switzerland, Italy, and Hungary. Participants aged 6-17 years were recruited into three cohorts: medication-naive ADHD patients who intended to start methylphenidate treatment (methylphenidate group), medication-naive ADHD patients who did not intend to start any ADHD medication (no-methylphenidate group), and a control group without ADHD. Children with ADHD diagnosed by a qualified clinician according to the DSM-IV criteria and, in the control group, children who scored less than 1·5 on average on the Swanson, Nolan, and Pelham IV rating scale for ADHD items, and whose hyperactivity score on the parent-rated Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire was within the normal range (<6) were eligible for inclusion. Participants were excluded if they had previously taken any ADHD medications but remained eligible if they had previously taken or were currently taking other psychotropic drugs. The primary outcome was height velocity (height velocity SD score; estimated from at least two consecutive height measurements, and normalised with reference to the mean and SD of a population of the same age and sex).

FINDINGS

Between Feb 01, 2012, and Jan 31, 2016, 1410 participants were enrolled (756 in methylphenidate group, 391 in no-methylphenidate group, and 263 in control group). 1070 (76·3%) participants were male, 332 (23·7%) were female, and for eight gender was unknown. The average age for the cohort was 9·28 years (SD 2·78; IQR 7-11). 1312 (93·0%) of 1410 participants were White. The methylphenidate and no-methylphenidate groups differed in ADHD symptom severity and other characteristics. After controlling for the effects of these variables using propensity scores, there was little evidence of an effect on growth (24 months height velocity SD score difference -0·07 (95% CI -0·18 to 0·04; p=0·20) or increased risk of psychiatric or neurological adverse events in the methylphenidate group compared with the no-methylphenidate group. Pulse rate and systolic and diastolic blood pressure were higher in the methylphenidate group compared with the no-methylphenidate group after 24 months of treatment. No serious adverse events were reported during the study.

INTERPRETATION

Our results suggest that long-term treatment with methylphenidate for 2 years is safe. There was no evidence to support the hypothesis that methylphenidate treatment leads to reductions in growth. Methylphenidate-related pulse and blood pressure changes, although relatively small, require regular monitoring.

FUNDING

EU Seventh Framework Programme.

Sex-based differences in risk of ischemic stroke or systemic embolism after BNT162b2 or CoronaVac COVID-19 vaccination in patients with atrial fibrillation: A self-controlled case series and nested case-control study

AIMS

Patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) have a higher risk of ischemic stroke or systemic embolism with a greater risk for female patients. This study aims to evaluate the risk of ischemic stroke or systemic embolism and bleeding following COVID-19 vaccination in patients with AF and the sex differences.

METHODS AND RESULTS

Self-controlled case series (SCCS) analysis was conducted to evaluate the risk of ischemic stroke or systemic embolism and bleeding following BNT162b2 or CoronaVac in patients with AF, using the territory-wide electronic medical records from the Hospital Authority and vaccination records from the Department of Health in Hong Kong. Patients with a primary diagnosis of ischemic stroke or systemic embolism or bleeding in the inpatient setting between February 23, 2021 and March 31, 2022 were included. A nested case-control analysis was also conducted with each case randomly matched with ten controls according to sex, age, Charlson comorbidity index and date of hospital admission. Conditional Poisson regression was used in the SCCS analysis and conditional logistic regression was used in nested case-control analysis to assess the risks and all analyses were stratified by sex and type of vaccines. Among 51 158 patients with AF, we identified an increased risk of ischemic stroke or systemic embolism after the first dose of BNT162b2 in SCCS analysis during 0-13 days (incidence rate ratio 6.60[95% CI 1.51-28.77]) and 14-27 days (6.53[95% CI 1.31-32.51]), and nested case-control analysis during 0-13 days (adjusted odds ratio 6.21 [95% CI 1.14-33.91]) and 14-27 days (5.52 [95% CI 1.12-27.26]) only in female patients. The increased risk in female patients following the first dose of CoronaVac was only detected during 0-13 days (3.88 [95% CI 1.67-9.03]) in the nested case-control analysis. No increased risk of ischemic stroke or systemic embolism was identified in male patients and no increased risk of bleeding was detected in all patients with AF for both vaccines. An increased risk of ischemic stroke or systemic embolism after COVID-19 was also observed in both females (17.42 [95% CI 5.08-59.73]) and males (6.63 [95% CI 2.02-21.79]).

CONCLUSIONS

The risk of ischemic stroke or systemic embolism after COVID-19 vaccination was only increased in female patients with AF. However, as the risk after COVID-19 was even higher, proactive uptake of COVID-19 vaccines is recommended to prevent the potential severe outcomes after infection.

Treatment with methylphenidate and the risk of fractures among children and young people: a systematic review and self-controlled case series study

INTRODUCTION

Animal studies suggest that methylphenidate treatment for around 3 months may lead to less mineralized and weaker appendicular bones. A systematic review was conducted to summarize the evidence from observational studies, and a self-controlled case series study was used to compare the risk before and after treatment initiation.

METHODS

Literature search was conducted using PubMed, Embase, and the Cochrane Library to identify observational studies on methylphenidate and fractures. We also conducted a self-controlled case series study with individuals aged from 5-24 years who received methylphenidate treatment and experienced fractures from 2001-2020 in Hong Kong. Incidence rate ratios and 95% confidence intervals were calculated by comparing the incidence rate in the methylphenidate-exposed period compared to non-exposed period.

RESULTS

Six cohort studies and two case-control studies were included. For all-cause fractures, studies found a 39-74% lower risk in treated-ADHD group compared with untreated-ADHD, but no difference between stimulants and non-stimulants. Differences between sexes and treatment duration were also found - significant results were shown in males and those with longer treatment duration. Among 43,841 individuals with ADHD medication before year 2020, 2,203 were included in the self-controlled case series analysis. The risks of fractures were lower by 32-41% in the different treatment periods when compared with 6-month before treatment initiation.

CONCLUSION

In conclusion, methylphenidate treatment may lower the risk of all-cause fractures from both study designs, however, further evidence is needed about the treatment duration and sex effect. Conclusions on stress fractures are not yet established and further research is required.

Maternal Benzodiazepines and Z-Drugs Use during Pregnancy and Adverse Birth and Neurodevelopmental Outcomes in Offspring: A Population-Based Cohort Study

INTRODUCTION

The use of benzodiazepines and/or z-drugs in women of childbearing age has increased.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of the study was to evaluate whether gestational benzodiazepine and/or z-drug exposure is associated with adverse birth and neurodevelopmental outcomes.

METHODS

A population-based cohort including mother-child pairs from 2001 to 2018 in Hong Kong was analysed to compare gestationally exposed and nonexposed children on the risk of preterm birth, small for gestational age, autism spectrum disorder (ASD), and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) through logistic/Cox proportional hazards regression with a 95% confidence interval (CI). Sibling-matched analyses and negative control analyses were applied.

RESULTS

When comparing gestationally exposed with gestationally nonexposed children, the weighted odds ratio (wOR) was 1.10 (95% CI = 0.97-1.25) for preterm birth and 1.03 (95% CI = 0.76-1.39) for small for gestational age, while the weighted hazard ratio (wHR) was 1.40 (95% CI = 1.13-1.73) for ASD and 1.15 (95% CI = 0.94-1.40) for ADHD. Sibling-matched analyses showed no association between gestationally exposed children and their gestationally nonexposed siblings for all outcomes (preterm birth: wOR = 0.84, 95% CI = 0.66-1.06; small for gestational age: wOR = 1.02, 95% CI = 0.50-2.09; ASD: wHR = 1.10, 95% CI = 0.70-1.72; ADHD: wHR = 1.04, 95% CI = 0.57-1.90). Similarly, no significant differences were observed when comparing children whose mothers took benzodiazepines and/or z-drugs during pregnancy to children whose mothers took benzodiazepines and/or z-drugs before but not during pregnancy for all outcomes.

CONCLUSIONS

The findings do not support a causal relationship between gestational benzodiazepines and/or z-drugs exposure and preterm birth, small for gestational age, ASD, or ADHD. Clinicians and pregnant women should carefully balance the known risks of benzodiazepines and/or z-drugs use against those of untreated anxiety and sleep problems.

Prenatal and Infant Exposure to Acid-Suppressive Medications and Risk of Allergic Diseases in Children

Importance

Existing observational data have indicated positive associations of acid-suppressive medication (ASM) use in prenatal and early life with allergic diseases in children; however, no study to date has accounted for confounding by indication or within-familial factors.

Objective

To evaluate the association of prenatal or infant exposure to ASMs with risk of allergic diseases in children.

Design, Setting, and Participants

This nationwide, cohort study included data from South Korea's National Health Insurance Service mother-child-linked database from January 1, 2007, to December 31, 2020. Participants included mother-child pairs of neonates born from April 1, 2008, to December 31, 2019.

Exposures

Prenatal and infant exposure to ASMs (histamine 2 receptor antagonists [H2RAs] and proton pump inhibitors [PPIs]).

Main Outcomes and Measures

Composite and individual outcomes of allergic diseases (asthma, allergic rhinitis, atopic dermatitis, and food allergy) in children (followed up to 13 years of age) were assessed. The ASM-exposed individuals were compared with unexposed individuals in propensity score (PS)-matched and sibling-matched analyses to control for various potential confounders and within-familial factors. Hazard ratios (HRs) with 95% CIs were estimated using Cox proportional hazards regression models.

Results

The study included 4 149 257 mother-child pairs. Prenatal exposure analyses included 808 067 PS-matched pairs (763 755 received H2RAs, 36 529 received PPIs) among women with a mean (SD) age of 31.8 (4.2) years. The PS-matched HR was 1.01 (95% CI, 1.01-1.02) for allergic diseases overall (asthma: HR, 1.02 [95% CI, 1.01-1.03]; allergic rhinitis: HR, 1.02 [95% CI, 1.01-1.02]; atopic dermatitis: HR, 1.02 [95% CI, 1.01-1.02]; food allergy: HR, 1.03 [95% CI, 0.98-1.07]); in sibling-matched analyses, the HRs were similar to those of PS-matched analyses but were not significant (allergic diseases: HR, 1.01; 95% CI, 0.997-1.01). Infant exposure analyses included 84 263 PS-matched pairs (74 188 received H2RAs, 7496 received PPIs). The PS-matched HR was 1.06 (95% CI, 1.05-1.07) for allergic diseases overall (asthma: HR, 1.16 [95% CI, 1.14-1.18]; allergic rhinitis: HR, 1.02 [95% CI, 1.01-1.03]; atopic dermatitis: HR, 1.05 [95% CI, 1.02-1.08]; food allergy: HR, 1.28 [95% CI, 1.10-1.49]); asthma risk (HR, 1.13; 95% CI, 1.09-1.17) remained significantly higher among children exposed to ASMs during infancy in sibling-matched analyses. The findings were similar for H2RAs and PPIs analyzed separately and were robust across all sensitivity analyses.

Conclusions and Relevance

The findings of this cohort study suggest that there is no association between prenatal exposure to ASMs and allergic diseases in offspring. However, infant exposure to ASMs was associated with a higher risk of developing asthma, although the magnitude was more modest than previously reported. Clinicians should carefully weigh the benefits of prescribing ASMs to children, accompanied by subsequent close monitoring for any clinically relevant safety signals.

Rates of Antipsychotic Drug Prescribing Among People Living With Dementia During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Importance

Concerns have been raised that the use of antipsychotic medication for people living with dementia might have increased during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Objective

To examine multinational trends in antipsychotic drug prescribing for people living with dementia before and during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Design, Setting, and Participants

This multinational network cohort study used electronic health records and claims data from 8 databases in 6 countries (France, Germany, Italy, South Korea, the UK, and the US) for individuals aged 65 years or older between January 1, 2016, and November 30, 2021. Two databases each were included for South Korea and the US.

Exposures

The introduction of population-wide COVID-19 restrictions from April 2020 to the latest available date of each database.

Main Outcomes and Measures

The main outcomes were yearly and monthly incidence of dementia diagnosis and prevalence of people living with dementia who were prescribed antipsychotic drugs in each database. Interrupted time series analyses were used to quantify changes in prescribing rates before and after the introduction of population-wide COVID-19 restrictions.

Results

A total of 857 238 people with dementia aged 65 years or older (58.0% female) were identified in 2016. Reductions in the incidence of dementia were observed in 7 databases in the early phase of the pandemic (April, May, and June 2020), with the most pronounced reduction observed in 1 of the 2 US databases (rate ratio [RR], 0.30; 95% CI, 0.27-0.32); reductions were also observed in the total number of people with dementia prescribed antipsychotic drugs in France, Italy, South Korea, the UK, and the US. Rates of antipsychotic drug prescribing for people with dementia increased in 6 databases representing all countries. Compared with the corresponding month in 2019, the most pronounced increase in 2020 was observed in May in South Korea (Kangwon National University database) (RR, 2.11; 95% CI, 1.47-3.02) and June in the UK (RR, 1.96; 95% CI, 1.24-3.09). The rates of antipsychotic drug prescribing in these 6 databases remained high in 2021. Interrupted time series analyses revealed immediate increases in the prescribing rate in Italy (RR, 1.31; 95% CI, 1.08-1.58) and in the US Medicare database (RR, 1.43; 95% CI, 1.20-1.71) after the introduction of COVID-19 restrictions.

Conclusions and Relevance

This cohort study found converging evidence that the rate of antipsychotic drug prescribing to people with dementia increased in the initial months of the COVID-19 pandemic in the 6 countries studied and did not decrease to prepandemic levels after the acute phase of the pandemic had ended. These findings suggest that the pandemic disrupted the care of people living with dementia and that the development of intervention strategies is needed to ensure the quality of care.