Evaluation of classic and novel ultrasound signs of placenta accreta spectrum

OBJECTIVES

Improvement in the antenatal diagnosis of placenta accreta spectrum (PAS) would allow preparation for delivery in a referral center, leading to decreased maternal morbidity and mortality. Our objectives were to assess the performance of classic ultrasound signs and to determine the value of novel ultrasound signs in the detection of PAS.

METHODS

This was a retrospective cohort study of women with second-trimester placenta previa who underwent third-trimester transvaginal ultrasound and all women with PAS in seven medical centers. A retrospective image review for signs of PAS was conducted by three maternal-fetal medicine physicians. Classic signs of PAS were defined as placental lacunae, bladder-wall interruption, myometrial thinning and subplacental hypervascularity. Novel signs were defined as small placental lacunae, irregular placenta-myometrium interface (PMI), vascular PMI, non-tapered placental edge and placental bulge towards the bladder. PAS was diagnosed based on difficulty in removing the placenta or pathological examination of the placenta. Multivariate regression analysis was performed and receiver-operating-characteristics (ROC) curves were generated to assess the performance of combined novel signs, combined classic signs and a model combining classic and novel signs.

RESULTS

A total of 385 cases with placenta previa were included, of which 55 had PAS (28 had placenta accreta, 11 had placenta increta and 16 had placenta percreta). The areas under the ROC curves for classic markers, novel markers and a model combining classic and novel markers for the detection of PAS were 0.81 (95% CI, 0.75-0.88), 0.84 (95% CI, 0.77-0.90) and 0.88 (95% CI, 0.82-0.94), respectively. A model combining classic and novel signs performed better than did the classic or novel markers individually (P = 0.03). An increasing number of signs was associated with a greater likelihood of PAS. With the presence of 0, 1, 2 and ≥ 3 classic ultrasound signs, PAS was present in 5%, 24%, 57% and 94% of cases, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

We have confirmed the value of classic ultrasound signs of PAS. The use of novel ultrasound signs in combination with classic signs improved the detection of PAS. These findings have clinical implications for the detection of PAS and may help guide the obstetric management of patients diagnosed with these placental disorders. © 2021 International Society of Ultrasound in Obstetrics and Gynecology.

Formalizing planning and information search in naturalistic decision-making

Decisions made by mammals and birds are often temporally extended. They require planning and sampling of decision-relevant information. Our understanding of such decision-making remains in its infancy compared with simpler, forced-choice paradigms. However, recent advances in algorithms supporting planning and information search provide a lens through which we can explain neural and behavioral data in these tasks. We review these advances to obtain a clearer understanding for why planning and curiosity originated in certain species but not others; how activity in the medial temporal lobe, prefrontal and cingulate cortices may support these behaviors; and how planning and information search may complement each other as means to improve future action selection.

AB0196 SURVIVAL ANALYSIS OF TIME TO FIRST ADVERSE DRUG REACTION AND DRUG SURVIVAL IN RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS PATIENTS TREATED WITH ADALIMUMAB AND ETANERCEPT

Background:

Treatment of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) with biologic disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (bDMARDs) has been common practice in the last two decades. However, differences in patients experiencing adverse drug reactions (ADRs) between individual bDMARDs, such as adalimumab (ADA) and etanercept (ETN), during first time treatment has not been studied yet in real-world settings.

Objectives:

To compare proportions of RA patients experiencing ADRs as well as survival to first ADR and drug survival during treatment with ADA and ETN.

Methods:

Retrospective single centre cohort study including adult patients with RA, treated with either ADA or ETN between 1 January 2003 and 30 April 2020. The proportions of patients experiencing an ADR were compared by assessing the percentage of patients, treated with either ADA or ETN, experiencing at least one ADR during their first time treatment. Survival to first ADR and drug survival were assessed by calculating time between start of treatment and first ADR and start of treatment and discontinuation of treatment respectively. Stop and restart of treatment within 90 days was considered as continuous use. Differences in proportions were statistically tested using Fisher’s Exact Test. Differences in drug survival between ADA and ETN were tested by Kaplan-Meier analysis and Log Rank tests.

Results:

A total of 422 patients were included in this study (ADA 259, ETN 163). For 93 patients (21.2%) an ADR was registered during first time treatment. The proportion of patients experiencing at least one ADR during their first time treatment was 22.7% for ADA and 20.2% for ETN (p=0.628). Survival time to first ADR did not differ significantly between ADA and ETN (median survival ADA 10.34 years (95% CI [7.62-13.06], median survival ETN not reached, p=0.109, figure 1A). Median drug survival was 1.75 years for ADA (95 CI [1.38-2.11]) and 2.68 years for ETN (95% CI [1.73-3.64]). Drug survival differed significantly (p<0.001, figure 1B).

Figure 1.

Kaplan-Meier survival curves for adalimumab and etanercept with (a) survival to first ADR and (b) drug survival.

Conclusion:

Neither the proportion of patients experiencing ADRs nor survival to first ADR during first time treatment with ADA and ETN differed significantly. Drug survival of first time drug treatment of ADA was significantly lower compared to drug survival of first time drug treatment of ETN.

Disclosure of Interests:

My Nguyen: None declared, Kimberly Velthuis: None declared, Joep Scholl: None declared, Jurriaan Jansen: None declared, Leanne Kosse: None declared, Peter ten Klooster: None declared, Naomi Jessurun: None declared, Harald Vonkeman Consultant of: BMS, Celgene, Celltrion, Galapagos, Gilead, Janssen-Cilag, Lilly, Novartis, Pfizer, Sanofi-Genzyme, Grant/research support from: Abbvie

POS0648 SURVIVAL ANALYSIS OF TIME TO FIRST ADVERSE DRUG REACTION AND DRUG SURVIVAL IN RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS PATIENTS TREATED WITH METHOTREXATE AND HYDROXYCHLOROQUINE MONOTHERAPIES OR COMBINATION THERAPY

Background:

Methotrexate (MTX) and hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) are first line treatments of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Adverse drug reactions (ADRs) during treatment with these drugs are common. Survival analysis on time to first ADR and on first time drug use duration have not yet been performed for these drugs in real-world settings.

Objectives:

To compare proportions of patients with ADRs during first time use of either MTX monotherapy, HCQ monotherapy or MTX+HCQ combination therapy and to compare survival to first ADR and drug survival between these drugs.

Methods:

Retrospective single centre cohort study including adult RA patients treated with either MTX monotherapy, HCQ monotherapy or MTX+HCQ combination therapy. First time users between 1 January 2003 and 30 April 2020 were followed until discontinuation of their first time drug use. The proportion of patients with ADRs was defined as the percentage of patients experiencing an ADR during their first time drug use. Survival to first ADR and drug survival of first time drug use were also assessed. MTX+HCQ use was considered combination therapy when the start dates of these drugs differed less than 14 days. For both monotherapies, end of first time drug use was defined as drug discontinuation for more than 90 days. For MTX+HCQ combination therapy, end of first time drug use was defined as discontinuation of either MTX, HCQ or both for more than 90 days. Differences in the proportion of patients experiencing an ADR during first time drug use of MTX, HCQ or a combination of both was statistically tested using Fisher’s Exact Test. Survival to first ADR and drug survival were studied by Kaplan-Meier analysis and statistically tested by performing Log Rank tests.

Results:

In total, 794 patients were included (MTX 363, HCQ 77, MTX+HCQ 354). For 156 patients (19.6%) at least one ADR was registered during first time drug use (MTX 59 [16.3%], HCQ 9 [11.7%], MTX+HCQ 88 [24.9%]). Proportions of ADRs differed significantly between MTX monotherapy and MTX+HCQ combination therapy (p=0.005) and between HCQ monotherapy and MTX+HCQ combination therapy (p=0.011). Survival to first ADR also differed significantly for both monotherapies compared to MTX+HCQ combination therapy (medians not reached, p<0.001 and p<0.008, respectively (figure 1A)). Drug survival differed significantly between MTX and HCQ monotherapy and between MTX monotherapy and MTX+HCQ combination therapy (median survival MTX 3.32 years (95% CI [2.81-3.83]; HCQ 1.39 years (95% CI [1.03-1.75]); MTX+HCQ 1.23 years (95% CI [1.11-1.34]), both p<0.001 (figure 1B)).

Figure 1.

Kaplan-Meier curves of MTX and HCQ monotherapies and MTX+HCQ combination therapy, with (a) survival to first ADR and (b) drug survival.

Conclusion:

Patients using MTX+HCQ combination therapy are more likely to experience an ADR during the first time drug use compared to MTX and HCQ monotherapies. MTX+HCQ combination therapy also leads to experiencing an ADR sooner compared to both monotherapies. Drug survival of patients treated with HCQ monotherapy as well as MTX+HCQ combination therapy is shorter compared to MTX monotherapy.

Disclosure of Interests:

Kimberly Velthuis: None declared, My Nguyen: None declared, Joep Scholl: None declared, Jurriaan Jansen: None declared, Jette van Lint: None declared, Peter ten Klooster: None declared, Harald Vonkeman Consultant of: BMS, Celgene, Celltrion, Galapagos, Gilead, Janssen-Cilag, Lilly, Novartis, Pfizer, Sanofi-Genzyme, Grant/research support from: Abbvie, Naomi Jessurun: None declared

Biochemical characterization of adenosine deaminase (CD26; EC 3.5.4.4) activity in human lymphocyte-rich peripheral blood mononuclear cells

The conversion of adenosine to inosine is catalyzed by adenosine deaminase (ADA) (EC 3.5.4.4), which has two isoforms in humans (ADA1 and ADA2) and belongs to the zinc-dependent hydrolase family. ADA modulates lymphocyte function and differentiation, and regulates inflammatory and immune responses. This study investigated ADA activity in lymphocyte-rich peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) in the absence of disease. The viability of lymphocyte-rich PBMCs isolated from humans and kept in 0.9% saline solution at 4-8°C was analyzed over 20 h. The incubation time and biochemical properties of the enzyme, such as its Michaelis-Menten constant (Km) and maximum velocity (Vmax), were characterized through the liberation of ammonia from the adenosine substrate. Additionally, the presence of ADA protein on the lymphocyte surface was determined by flow cytometry using an anti-CD26 monoclonal human antibody, and the PBMCs showed long-term viability after 20 h. The ADA enzymatic activity was linear from 15 to 120 min of incubation, from 2.5 to 12.5 µg of protein, and pH 6.0 to 7.4. The Km and Vmax values were 0.103±0.051 mM and 0.025±0.001 nmol NH3·mg-1·s-1, respectively. Zinc and erythro-9-(2-hydroxy-3-nonyl) adenine (EHNA) inhibited enzymatic activity, and substrate preference was given to adenosine over 2'-deoxyadenosine and guanosine. The present study provides the biochemical characterization of ADA in human lymphocyte-rich PBMCs, and indicates the appropriate conditions for enzyme activity quantification.

Contribution of cardiorespiratory fitness, relative to traditional cardiovascular disease risk factors, to common carotid intima-media thickness

BACKGROUND

Studies have suggested that being slightly overweight but fit is better for cardiovascular health than being somewhat leaner but unfit. Here, we sought to determine the contribution of cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF), relative to the presence of risk factors, to common carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT), a measurement of atherosclerosis and cardiovascular disease risk.

METHODS

Data were analysed from a cohort of 7300 German employed individuals aged 46 (±7) years who participated in a preventive health check-up at a specialized prevention centre. In addition to traditional cardiovascular disease risk factor assessment, participants performed an exercise test with spirometry to exhaustion, and common CIMT was measured. Individuals were defined as being fit or unfit based on the median age- and sex-specific relative maximum oxygen consumption.

RESULTS

In a multivariable analysis, there was a strong inverse association between CRF and common CIMT. Individuals who were considered fit and did not have any cardiovascular disease risk factors had the lowest common CIMT values (reference group). Those who were unfit and had an increased risk factor level always had the highest common CIMT values. Good CRF partly compensated for the increased common CIMT due to a risk factor. However, unfit individuals without increased risk factor levels had a common CIMT that was not significantly different from that of the reference group, whereas fit individuals who smoked, had a high body mass index, a low HDL cholesterol concentration or a high systolic blood pressure had an increase in common CIMT.

CONCLUSION

Cardiorespiratory fitness is a major determinant of common CIMT. Improved CRF does slightly, but not completely, abolish the adverse consequences of cardiovascular disease risk factors on common CIMT.

Quality indicators for the prevention of type 2 diabetes in Europe--IMAGE

BACKGROUND

The marked increase of type 2 diabetes necessitates active development and implementation of efficient prevention programs. A European level action has been taken by launching the IMAGE project to unify and improve the various prevention management concepts, which currently exist within the EU. This report describes the background and the methods used in the development of the IMAGE project quality indicators for diabetes primary prevention programs. It is targeted to the persons responsible for diabetes prevention at different levels of the health care systems.

METHODS

Development of the quality indicators was conducted by a group of specialists representing different professional groups from several European countries. Indicators and measurement recommendations were produced by the expert group in consensus meetings and further developed by combining evidence and expert opinion.

RESULTS

The quality indicators were developed for different prevention strategies: population level prevention strategy, screening for high risk, and high risk prevention strategy. Totally, 22 quality indicators were generated. They constitute the minimum level of quality assurance recommended for diabetes prevention programs. In addition, 20 scientific evaluation indicators with measurement standards were produced. These micro level indicators describe measurements, which should be used if evaluation, reporting, and scientific analysis are planned.

CONCLUSIONS

We hope that these quality tools together with the IMAGE guidelines will provide a useful tool for improving the quality of diabetes prevention in Europe and make different prevention approaches comparable.

Take action to prevent diabetes--the IMAGE toolkit for the prevention of type 2 diabetes in Europe

When we ask people what they value most, health is usually top of the list. While effective care is available for many chronic diseases, the fact remains that for the patient, the tax payer and the whole of society: prevention is better than cure. Diabetes and its complications are a serious threat to the survival and well-being of an increasing number of people. It is predicted that one in ten Europeans aged 20-79 will have developed diabetes by 2030. Once a disease of old age, diabetes is now common among adults of all ages and is beginning to affect adolescents and even children. Diabetes accounts for up to 18 % of total healthcare expenditure in Europe. The good news is that diabetes is preventable. Compelling evidence shows that the onset of diabetes can be prevented or delayed greatly in individuals at high risk (people with impaired glucose regulation). Clinical research has shown a reduction in risk of developing diabetes of over 50 % following relatively modest changes in lifestyle that include adopting a healthy diet, increasing physical activity, and maintaining a healthy body weight. These results have since been reproduced in real-world prevention programmes. Even a delay of a few years in the progression to diabetes is expected to reduce diabetes-related complications, such as heart, kidney and eye disease and, consequently, to reduce the cost to society. A comprehensive approach to diabetes prevention should combine population based primary prevention with programmes targeted at those who are at high risk. This approach should take account of the local circumstances and diversity within modern society (e.g. social inequalities). The challenge goes beyond the healthcare system. We need to encourage collaboration across many different sectors: education providers, non-governmental organisations, the food industry, the media, urban planners and politicians all have a very important role to play. Small changes in lifestyle will bring big changes in health. Through joint efforts, more people will be reached. The time to act is now.

A European evidence-based guideline for the prevention of type 2 diabetes

BACKGROUND

The prevalence and socioeconomic burden of type 2 diabetes (T2DM) and associated co-morbidities are rising worldwide.

AIMS

This guideline provides evidence-based recommendations for preventing T2DM.

METHODS

A European multidisciplinary consortium systematically reviewed the evidence on the effectiveness of screening and interventions for T2DM prevention using SIGN criteria.

RESULTS

Obesity and sedentary lifestyle are the main modifiable risk factors. Age and ethnicity are non-modifiable risk factors. Case-finding should follow a step-wise procedure using risk questionnaires and oral glucose tolerance testing. Persons with impaired glucose tolerance and/or fasting glucose are at high-risk and should be prioritized for intensive intervention. Interventions supporting lifestyle changes delay the onset of T2DM in high-risk adults (number-needed-to-treat: 6.4 over 1.8-4.6 years). These should be supported by inter-sectoral strategies that create health promoting environments. Sustained body weight reduction by >or= 5 % lowers risk. Currently metformin, acarbose and orlistat can be considered as second-line prevention options. The population approach should use organized measures to raise awareness and change lifestyle with specific approaches for adolescents, minorities and disadvantaged people. Interventions promoting lifestyle changes are more effective if they target both diet and physical activity, mobilize social support, involve the planned use of established behaviour change techniques, and provide frequent contacts. Cost-effectiveness analysis should take a societal perspective.

CONCLUSIONS

Prevention using lifestyle modifications in high-risk individuals is cost-effective and should be embedded in evaluated models of care. Effective prevention plans are predicated upon sustained government initiatives comprising advocacy, community support, fiscal and legislative changes, private sector engagement and continuous media communication.

Can video mobile phones improve CPR quality when used for dispatcher assistance during simulated cardiac arrest?

BACKGROUND

Because mobile telephones may support video calls, emergency medical dispatchers may now connect visually with bystanders during pre-hospital cardio-pulmonary resuscitation (CPR). We studied the quality of simulated dispatcher-assisted CPR when guidance was delivered to rescuers by video calls or audio calls from mobile phones.

METHODS

One hundred and eighty high school students were randomly assigned in groups of three to communicate via video calls or audio calls with experienced nurse dispatchers at a Hospital Emergency Medical Dispatch Center. CPR was performed on a recording resuscitation manikin during simulated cardiac arrest. Quality of CPR and time factors were compared depending on the type of communication used.

RESULTS

The median CPR time without chest compression ('hands-off time') was shorter in the video-call group vs. the audio-call group (303 vs. 331 s; P=0.048), but the median time to first compression was not shorter (104 vs. 102 s; P=0.29). The median time to first ventilation was insignificantly shorter in the video-call group (176 vs. 205 s; P=0.16). This group also had a slightly higher proportion of ventiliations without error (0.11 vs. 0.06; P=0.30).

CONCLUSION

Video communication is unlikely to improve telephone CPR (t-CPR) significantly without proper training of dispatchers and when using dispatch protocols written for audio-only calls. Improved dispatch procedures and training for handling video calls require further investigation.

[Prevention of metabolic syndrome and type 2 diabetes]

Type 2 diabetes does not represent inescapable fate, but is an avoidable disease, when the main prophylactic approach targets the central problem of insulin resistance. This means daily physical exercise, the reduction of the glycemic load in the diet and--provided there are no contraindications--certainly a daily glass of wine.

Psychosocial and clinical risk factor profiles in managers

OBJECTIVES

Over the past 10 years the IAS Foundation has performed more than 15,000 PREVENT check-ups on managers. In addition to a comprehensive clinical program of preventive examinations, the main emphasis is placed on extensive counseling. This counseling centres not only on personal behaviour patterns affecting the individual's health, but also on the psychomental capabilities of the patient within the context of the psychosocial stresses in managerial positions.

METHODS

Three cross-sectional studies examined: (1) the major cardiovascular risk factors (n = 974), (2) the psychosocial structure (n = 2,800) and (3) the relationships between clinical risk factors and psychological structural features (n = 200).

RESULTS

According to expectations, managers showed somewhat lower cardiovascular risk levels than did other professional groups. However, nearly 70% of them reported various unspecific, psychovegetative complaints. Managers were subdivided into four psychological types, each representing roughly one quarter of the series: Type 1: anxiety, tension (20.5%); Type 2: repression, lack of self-control (22.2%); Type 3: challenge, ambition, self-control (27.6%); Type 4: healthy living, with self-control (29.7%). Type 3 resembles most closely classic type A behaviour and is seen in a good quarter of the overall cohort. This may indicate that not only people showing type A behaviour are predestined to occupy managerial positions, but that people with a type B structure also take up managerial positions. It is, however, in particular the type B behavioural patterns that are also associated with increased psychovegetative complaints. The relationships between psychosocial structural variables and clinical risk factors such as hypercholesteremia and high blood pressure are not very strong.

CONCLUSIONS

Occupational health measures in organisations should also be established for managers, as they present an important employee group within the enterprise. In addition to examining them for cardiovascular risks, counseling and coaching programmes on preventive measures and recommended behaviour at work should be a primary concern.

Helicobacter pylori-associated gastritis: does it play a role in functional dyspepsia?

OBJECTIVES

The goal of this study is to averiguate whether Helicobacter pylori (Hp)-associated gastritis is involved in the etiology of functional dyspepsia (FD) or, at least in a subset of these patients.

METHODS

103 consecutive FD patients were prospectively analyzed and subdivided according to their main complaints into ulcer-like FD (n = 31), dysmotility-like FD (n = 24) or nonspecific FD (n = 48). After endoscopy with gastric biopsy, gastritis and Hp infection were assessed and graded by histology according to the Sydney System. The prevalence of gastritis, Hp and disease activity were analyzed among the three FD subtypes and against 42 age, sex and race matched controls.

RESULTS

Hp was identified in 64 (62%) of the FD group and in 23 (55%) of the controls (p > 0.20, NS). We neither observed any increased prevalence of the infection among FD subgroups (dysmotility-like 58%, ulcer-like 58%, unspecified 67%), nor in the activity of gastritis among FD subgroups and controls. We conclude that Helicobacter pylori gastritis per se is not associated with functional dyspepsia.

Polarization-resolved nondegenerate two-wave mixing in shaped microparticle suspensions

We observe polarization-resolved coherent beam combination through nondegenerate two-wave mixing in water-glycerol suspensions of shaped polytetrafluoroethylene microparticles. Coherent energy transfer that arises from translational and orientational moving index gratings was observed. A theory for beam combination through nondegenerate two-wave mixing is presented and found to be in excellent agreement with these measurements.

Birefringence and scattering in highly oriented artificial Kerr media

We have measured both electric birefringence and polarization-resolved static light scattering at visible wave-lengths in highly oriented aqueous suspensions of shaped microparticles. In these experiments the microparticles were oriented by a high-frequency electric field, and saturation effects were clearly observed in both the Kerr effect and light scattering. The transient dynamics of the Kerr effect was studied and a field-dependent medium response time measured.

Polarization-resolved coherent transient beam combination in optical Kerr media

We have observed transient, coherent beam combination by degenerate two-wave mixing of frequency-doubled Nd:YAG picosecond laser pulses in carbon disulfide, using a circularly polarized pump wave and a linearly polarized probe beam. The important role of beam polarization is observed, and its part in energy transfer is discussed. A theory that treats polarization effects in transient two-wave mixing is presented, applied to the carbon disulfide experiments, and found to be in excellent agreement with the data.

Serum antibodies to a normal cellular protein (P-65) in patients with Hodgkin's disease

Samples from the L-428 Hodgkin's cell line and from several other lymphoma cell lines were lysed and the soluble proteins were subjected to one- or two-dimensional gel electrophoresis. The separated proteins were transferred to nitrocellulose by the Western Blot technique; antibody reactivity was detected by an immunoperoxidase reaction. Of 152 sera from patients with Hodgkin's disease (HD) 26 (17%) reacted with protein P-65 whereas in the control group, consisting of 35 healthy persons and 20 patients with other malignant diseases only 1 serum was reactive. Thus, the difference between the two groups was highly significant (P less than 0.01). These antibodies were most common in stage III HD. Splenectomy had no effect on the incidence of these antibodies, and there seemed to be no correlation with B-symptoms or with the histological subtype.