Antiangiogenic exclusion rules in glioma trials: Historical perspectives and guidance for future trial design

Background

Despite the lack of proven therapies for recurrent high-grade glioma (HGG), only 8%-11% of patients with glioblastoma participate in clinical trials, partly due to stringent eligibility criteria. Prior bevacizumab treatment is a frequent exclusion criterion, due to difficulty with response assessment and concerns for rebound edema following antiangiogenic discontinuation. There are no standardized trial eligibility rules related to prior antiangiogenic use.

Methods

We reviewed ClinicalTrials.gov listings for glioma studies starting between May 2009 and July 2022 for eligibility rules related to antiangiogenics. We also reviewed the literature pertaining to bevacizumab withdrawal.

Results

Two hundred and ninety-seven studies for patients with recurrent glioma were reviewed. Most were phase 1 (n = 145, 49%), non-randomized (n = 257, 87%), evaluated a drug-only intervention (n = 223, 75%), and had a safety and tolerability primary objective (n = 181, 61%). Fifty-one (17%) excluded participants who received any antiangiogenic, one (0.3%) excluded participants who received any non-temozolomide systemic therapy. Fifty-nine (20%) outlined washout rules for bevacizumab (range 2-24 weeks, 4-week washout n = 35, 12% most common). Seventy-eight required a systemic therapy washout (range 1-6 weeks, 4-week washout n = 34, 11% most common). Nine permitted prior bevacizumab use with limitations, 18 (6%) permitted any prior bevacizumab, 5 (2%) were for bevacizumab-refractory disease, and 76 (26%) had no rules regarding antiangiogenic use. A literature review is then presented to define standardized eligibility criteria with a 6-week washout period proposed for future trial design.

Conclusions

Interventional clinical trials for patients with HGG have substantial heterogeneity regarding eligibility criteria pertaining to bevacizumab use, demonstrating a need for standardizing clinical trial design.

Phlebectomy versus Sclerotherapy in Varicose Vein Patients: A Comparative Study

Varicose veins are part of the spectrum of chronic venous disease and include spider telangiectasias, reticular veins, and true varicosities. It may present without advanced signs of chronic venous insufficiency. Sclerotherapy is a treatment choice for patients with varicose veins of lower extremity; it uses the intravenous injection of chemical drugs to achieve the goal of inflammatory occlusion. Phlebectomy, a minimally invasive procedure usually used for higher diameter of varicose veins at the surface of the skin. Objective of the study was to compare the outcome of Phlebectomy and Sclerotherapy in varicose vein patients. It was a quasi experimental study was conducted in the Department of Vascular Surgery in Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University (BSMMU), Dhaka during the period of June 2019 to May 2020. Patients admitted with varicose vein and varicosity of the lower limbs with valves and perforator incompetence in the Department of Vascular Surgery, BSMMU, Dhaka, Bangladesh. During this period 60 patients were selected purposive randomly. Patients were divided to 30 patients were treated with Phlebectomy (Group I) 30 patients were treated with Sclerotherapy (Group II). Data were collected according to the pre-designed semi-structured data collection sheet. After editing data analysis were carried out by using the Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS) version 22.0 Windows software. This study shows average age 40.73±15.50 years in Phlebectomy (Group I) and 38.43±11.08 years in Sclerotherapy (Group II). Males are more commonly involved than females between two groups which was 76.7% in Phlebectomy (Group I) and 70.0% in Sclerotherapy (Group II). The change CEAP improved to 93.3% in patients who underwent phlebectomy when compared to 83.3% in patients who underwent sclerotherapy. During the follow-up with duplex at treated veins showed 93.3% complete occlusion of treated veins in the phlebectomy group, while only 70.0% of the patients in the sclerotherapy group showed evidence of complete occlusion. In phlebectomy group recurrence of leg varicosities were found 6.7% of the patients, while 26.7% of the patients in the sclerotherapy group. The difference was statistically significant between two groups (p=0.038). This study shows phlebectomy to be much better option than sclerotherapy for the treatment of varicose veins and hence can be used routinely. Both phlebectomy and sclerotherapy not only revealed minimal time taken for return to normal activity but also proved to be safer with regard to complications.

Invasive weed (Parthenium hysterophorus) response to chemical and allelopathic extracts at different stages

Parthenium hysterophorus L. is a noxious alien invasive weed species rapidly spreading in Bangladesh. P. hysterophorus examined the prospects of using allelopathic extracts during the period of July 2021 to June 2022. Experiments were conducted in the net house at Sher-e-Bangla Agricultural University, in non-cropped areas of Khustia and cropped areas of Chudanga. The net house experiments were laid out in complete randomized design (CRD) and replicated three times separately for each growth stage. Results showed that by using pretilachlor, pendimethalin, bensulfuron methyl + pretilachlor, bensulfuron methyl + acetachlor, oxadiazon, and pyrazosulfuron-ethyl + pretilachlor decreased the seed germination of parthenium at pot bioassay under both puddle and dry sown condition. At rosette stage of parthenium weed, glyphosate and carfentrazone ethyl (5%) + glyphosate with ½, ¾, and full doses gave 100% mortality at three weeks after treatment (WAT). In cropped areas carfentrazone Ethyl (5%) + glyphosate (36%) and quizalofop-p-ethyl resulted in a 100% and 90% mortality rate at 21 DAT. Overall, the efficacy of herbicides was more effective on rosette parthenium than bolted plants. A phytotoxic response to weed growth was induced by aqueous extracts of Oryza sativa L. var. Boteswar, Triticum aestivum L. var. BARI gom-21, Helianthus annus L., Datura metel, Mangifera indica L., Delonix regia, and Acacia nilotica. Delonix regia was the most effective for inhibition of germination (29%). Whereas Datura metel extracts and Oryza sativa var. Boteswar straw extracts significantly reduced root (1.5 mm) and shoot (3.8 mm) length. SAARC J. Agric., 21(1): 239-252 (2023)

Domestic Violence against the Female Garment Workers in Selected Area of Bangladesh

Domestic violence is a global problem and it affects millions of people and often results in physical, sexual and emotional injuries and even deaths. The study was to assess the prevalence, form and reasons of domestic violence among the female garment workers in Dhaka, Gazipur and Narayanganj of Bangladesh. This Cross sectional descriptive study was conducted at four Garments in Bangladesh named Tusuka Fashions Limited Dhaka, Ananta Casual Wear Limited, Gazipur, Spectra Sweaters Limited, Dhaka and Modele de capital Limited Narayanganj from January 2019 to December 2019. Three hundred and six (306) female garment workers were taken as sample. A semi-structured questionnaire and Abuse Assessment Screen was used. Then in-depth interviews were conducted. The study results revealed that the mean age of the respondents was 29.85 years and almost two-third (69.0%) of the respondents was Muslim. About 246(81.0%) were married and 164 (64.06%) had 1-2 children. Two third respondents (63.0%) were married for 5-15 years and 72.0% lived in nuclear families and the majority (39.5%) of the respondents had monthly income of BDT 15000-30000 where mean monthly income was BDT ±23,529. Proportion of Domestic Violence was 15.4% and all of them (100.0%) were the victim of both physical and mental violence. Husband was the perpetrators in 98.0% cases and most of the cases (43.0%) reason of domestic violence was relationship doubt with another person. Significant difference (p<0.05) found between domestic violence with religion and marital status, duration of marriage, number of children and family monthly income. The study findings demand an intensified effort should be made towards creating awareness about the domestic violence and solved this to improve their quality of life.

Socioeconomic vulnerability and the risk of genitourinary cancer mortality among United States counties

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Background: The impact of socioeconomic status on genitourinary (GU) cancer mortality in the United States (US) is unclear. Hence, we evaluated the association of the socioeconomic status with GU cancer mortality across the US counties. Methods: County-level age-adjusted mortality rates (AAMR) per 100,000 person-years (PY) for populations diagnosed with GU cancers were abstracted from the wide-ranging online data for epidemiological research (WONDER) database. The agency for toxic substances and disease registry (ATSDR) was queried to obtain county-level social vulnerability indices from 2014-2018. Percentile ranking scores (PRS: ranging from 0-1) were computed for each US county and further categorized into quartiles (Q: 1st: 0-0.25 [least vulnerable]; 4th: 0.75-1.00 [most vulnerable]). AAMRs were then linked with quartile rankings. A population-weighted, Poisson regression analysis was conducted to compute rate ratios (RR) of AAMRs between 4th and 1st Q with the corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CI). Results: A total 3142 US counties were included in this analysis. The AAMR for GU cancers was 22.6 overall deaths (OD) and 4.20 premature deaths (PD; defined as death at age <65 years) per 100,000 PY. GU cancer-related mortality increased in a stepwise fashion from the 1st Q to the 4th Q (OD: 21.6 vs 24.1; PD: 3.48 vs 5.19). In terms of OD by specific GU cancers, significantly higher AAMRs were observed in the 4th Q compared to the 1st Q for patients with prostate cancer (RR; 1.19 [95% CI;1.14-1.24]), and renal cell carcinoma (RCC; 1.12 [1.04-1.21]) but not for those with lower urothelial tract cancers (0.92 [0.87-0.96]). Among subgroups, non-Hispanic Blacks (1.19 [1.07-1.33]), and Hispanics (1.28 [1.08-1.51]) with prostate cancer and men with RCC (1.11; 1.03-1.19) in the 4th Q experienced significantly higher overall mortality when compared to those in the 1st Q. With regards to PD, significantly higher AAMRs were observed in the 4th Q vs 1st Q for patients with prostate cancer (1.54 [1.34-1.77]), and RCC (1.28 [1.12-1.45]). Consistently, men with RCC in the 4th Q also experienced higher premature mortality when compared to the 1st Q. Sparsity of mortality data among different ethnic/racial subgroups across the US counties precluded any formal assessment of disparity by specific GU cancers. A sensitivity analysis, conducted using the weighted linear regression approach, showed consistent results. Conclusions: Population level data suggest that socially vulnerable populations, especially Non-Hispanic Black and Hispanic men with prostate cancer, and men with renal cell carcinoma may be at an increased risk of cancer-related mortality. Hence, there is a dire need to address this mortality gap across different socioeconomic subgroups to ensure health-care equity. Investigations at the patient level are required to further ascertain these findings.

Adjuvant immunotherapy in renal cell carcinoma: A living systematic review and network meta-analysis (NMA)

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Background: The treatment landscape of localized renal cell carcinoma (RCC) is rapidly evolving. Recent trials have demonstrated contrasting efficacy with adjuvant immunotherapy. Therefore, we sought to assess the mixed treatment comparisons among different adjuvant treatment options using updated data from trials and quantified the absolute effect with these treatments stratified by risk categories. Methods: This living network meta-analysis was conducted using the living interactive evidence (LIvE) synthesis framework. We used stratified baseline risks of disease progression from observational data and at 5, 10, 15 years from the Leibovich risk stratification system (based on risk scores ranging from 0 to ≥15). Corresponding intervention risks were then approximated using relative effect estimates (from NMA) and baseline risks. The difference between CIRs and baseline risks were calculated to present absolute risk differences in each risk category. Results: This NMA included eight RCTs with 8480 participants and seven unique treatment options. Pembrolizumab (pembro; rank 1) was associated with improved disease-free survival (DFS) when compared to atezolizumab (atezo; rank 6; hazard ratio: 0.68; 0.49;0.93), and nivolumab-ipilimumab (nivoipi; rank 5; 0.68; 0.48-0.97). However, no statistically significant difference was observed between pembro and atezo for overall survival (0.53; 0.28-1.01). Survival data for nivoIpi was not reported. No new statistically significant differences were observed since last update. The absolute benefit of atezo and nivoipi was minimal with higher T and N patients (Table). The results were similar with increasing Leibovich risk scores. Conclusions: Current evidence favors the use of a risk adapted approach when offering adjuvant immunotherapy. Adjuvant pembrolizumab remains a preferred treatment in patients with RCC who underwent nephrectomy. [Table: see text]

Source of funding and enrollment disparity in prostate cancer (PCa) clinical trials

40

Background: Previously we have reported enrollment disparities in PCa clinical trials. Funding source can influence minority representation in clinical trials. Hence, we aimed to evaluate the impact of source of funding on enrollment disparities in PCa clinical trials. Methods: MEDLINE and EMBASE were searched to identify phase II/III PCa trials. All relevant trials reporting age by 65 years were considered eligible for inclusion. Trials recruiting from the United States (US) were considered eligible for analysis by race and ethnicity. The trial proportions of age, or racial/ethnic subgroup category and the global incidence in the corresponding age subgroup (from the global burden of disease database), or the US-population-based incidence in the corresponding racial/ethnic subgroup (from SEER 21 database) were used to compute enrollment incidence ratio (EIR) at each trial. EIRs with corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CI) were then meta-analyzed using a random-effects model and stratified by sources of funding (industry, US-government, and others [academic and non-US govt]). A univariate meta-regression was conducted to assess the temporal changes in EIR by each funding category. Results: Of 127 trials recruiting from the US, 89 (70%) reported race, and 35 (27%) reported ethnicity. Among those, 57 (64%), 14 (16%), and 18 (20%) trials reported industry, US-government, and other sources of funding, respectively. Of those reporting ethnicity, 23 (66%), 4 (11%), and 8 (23%) trials reported industry, US-government, and other sources of funding, respectively. Among the 287 eligible trials, 49 trials (17%) reported age by 65 years. Of those, 36 (73%), 6 (12%), and 7 (13%) reported industry, US-government, and other sources of funding, respectively. In terms of racial/ethnic enrollment, Black patients were significantly under-represented in industry funded trials (0.33; 0.27-0.41). No significant disparity was observed in US-government funded trials (0.75: 0.57-1.00). The P-value of interaction was <0.0001. Hispanics were significantly under-represented in industry funded clinical trials (0.56; 0.43-0.74). The number of US-government funded trials reporting Hispanics were small (<10) which precluded any meaningful statistics. No significant disparity was observed in terms of older adults (EIR: 1.00; 95% CI: 0.95; 1.05) overall and by funding sources. Black patients’ representation in industry funded PCa trials has significantly decreased over the last three decades. No significant change was observed in US-government funded PCa trials over the last three decades (P:0.004). Conclusions: Black and Hispanic men with PCa are likely to be under-represented in industry sponsored clinical trials. Black patients’ representation in industry sponsored trials has declined over time, thus widening the cancer-care inequities in these patients.

Social vulnerability and gastrointestinal cancer mortality among United States counties

499

Background: The impact of socioeconomic status on gastrointestinal (GI) cancer mortality in the United States (US) is not well-established. We hypothesized that socially vulnerable populations have disproportionately higher mortality rates. Hence, we assessed the association of the social vulnerability index (SVI) with GI cancer mortality across US counties. Methods: Social vulnerability indices were obtained from the agency for toxic substances and disease registry (ATSDR) from 2014-2018 to compute percentile ranking scores (PRS: ranging from 0-1) for each US county. PRS were further categorized into quartiles (Q: 1st: 0-0.25 [least vulnerable]; 4th:0.75-1.00 [most vulnerable]). The wide-ranging online data for epidemiological research (WONDER) database was queried to abstract county-level age-adjusted mortality rates (AAMR) per 100,000 person-years (PY) for populations diagnosed with GI cancers. AAMRs were then linked with quartile rankings. Rate ratios (RR) of AAMRs between 4th and 1st Q were subsequently estimated with 95% confidence intervals using population-weighted, Poisson regression. Results: A total of 3142 counties were included in this analysis. The AAMR for overall deaths (OD) and premature deaths (PD; defined as death at age <65) in the GI cancer population was 53.8 and 17.7 per 100,000 PY. A gradient increase in GI cancer-related mortality was observed from 1st Q to 4th Q (OD: 49.2 vs 59.3; PD: 14.1 vs 21.3). This stepwise increase in AAMR over the quartiles was consistent across gender, different racial/ethnic subgroups, and rural/urban categories of counties. The AAMRs for OD were significantly higher in the 4th Q as compared to the 1st Q for gastric (RR: 1.67 [95% CI, 1.51-1.86]), hepatocellular including intrahepatic biliary (1.52 [1.45-1.61]), colorectal (1.21 [1.16-1.26]) and biliary (1.17 [1.06-1.28]) cancer. Similarly, significantly higher AAMRs for PD were observed in 4th Q vs1st Q for gastric (1.81 [1.60-2.05]), hepatocellular including intrahepatic biliary (1.78 [1.58-2.00]), biliary (1.64 [1.35-1.99]), colorectal (1.29 [1.21-1.39]) and pancreatic (1.16 [1.07-1.25]) cancer. However, no significant differences were observed for esophageal and small intestinal cancers. Men with gastric (1.58 [1.41-1.78]) and hepatocellular cancer (1.54 [1.43-1.66]), non-Hispanic Black population (1.54 [1.31-1.80]) with hepatocellular cancer, and Hispanic population with colorectal cancer (1.50 [1.31-1.72]) were observed to have higher overall mortality in the 4th Q compared to the 1st Q. The findings were similar for premature mortality. Conclusions: Population-level data suggests that the US counties with higher socio-economic adversities may be at an increased risk of GI cancer-related mortality. Investigations using patient-level data are required to probe the impact of socioeconomic vulnerabilities on cancer-related mortality.

Disparities in the Inclusion of Racial and Ethnic Minority Groups and Older Adults in Prostate Cancer Clinical Trials: A Meta-analysis

Importance

Prostate cancer (PCa) is marked by disparities in clinical outcomes by race, ethnicity, and age. Equitable enrollment in clinical trials is fundamental to promoting health equity.

Objective

To evaluate disparities in the inclusion of racial and ethnic minority groups and older adults across PCa clinical trials.

Data Sources

MEDLINE, Embase, and ClinicalTrials.gov were searched to identify primary trial reports from each database's inception through February 2021. Global incidence in age subgroups and US population-based incidence in racial and ethnic subgroups were acquired from the Global Burden of Disease and Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results 21 incidence databases respectively.

Study Selection

All phase 2/3 randomized PCa clinical trials were eligible for age disparity analyses. Trials recruiting exclusively from the US were eligible for primary racial and ethnic disparity analyses.

Data Extraction and Synthesis

This study was reported in accordance with Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses (PRISMA) reporting guidelines. Data were pooled using a random-effects model.

Main Outcomes and Measures

Enrollment incidence ratios (EIRs), trial proportions (TPs) of participants 65 years or older or members of a racial and ethnic subgroup divided by global incidence in the corresponding age group, or US population-based incidence in the corresponding racial and ethnic subgroup, were calculated. Meta-regression was used to explore associations between trial characteristics and EIRs and trends in EIRs during the past 3 decades.

Results

Of 9552 participants among trials reporting race, 954 (10.8%) were African American/Black, 80 (1.5%) were Asian/Pacific Islander, and 8518 (78.5) were White. Of 65 US trials, 45 (69.2%) reported race and only 9 (13.8%) reported data on all 5 US racial categories. Of 286 global trials, 75 (26.2%) reported the enrollment proportion of older adults. Outcomes by race and age were reported in 2 (3.1%) and 41 (15.0%) trials, respectively. Black (EIR, 0.70; 95% CI, 0.59-0.83) and Hispanic (EIR, 0.70; 95% CI, 0.59-0.83) patients were significantly underrepresented in US trials. There was no disparity in older adult representation (TP, 21 143 [71.1%]; EIR, 1.00; 95% CI, 0.95-1.05). The representation of Black patients was lower in larger trials (meta-regression coefficient, -0.06; 95% CI, -0.10 to -0.02; P = .002).

Conclusions and Relevance

The results of this meta-analysis suggest that Black and Hispanic men are underrepresented in trials compared with their share of PCa incidence. The representation of Black patients has consistently remained low during the past 2 decades.

Source of funding and enrollment disparities in the inclusion of minorities in colorectal clinical trials: A systematic review and meta-analysis

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Background: Identification of factors associated with enrollment disparities in clinical trials can narrow cancer care inequities. Funding source can influence minority representation in clinical trials. Therefore, we aimed to assess the impact of funding sources on enrollment disparities in colorectal (CRC) clinical trials. Methods: CRC phase II/III randomized controlled trial (RCTs) identified through MEDLINE and EMBASE from each database’s inception through 2022 were considered eligible. Trial level enrollment incidence ratios (EIR) were computed; defined as the ratio of trial proportions of a gender, age, or racial/ethnic subgroup category and the global incidence in the corresponding gender/age subgroup (from the global burden of disease database), or the US-population-based incidence in the corresponding racial/ethnic subgroup (from SEER 21 database). EIRs were then meta-analyzed using a random-effects model for each funding source category (US- government, industry, others). Temporal trends were analyzed using a univariate meta-regression. Results: Using data from 287 RCTs, women were significantly under-represented in the industry sponsored trials (EIR: 0.85 [95% CI: 0.83 - 0.88]) but not in US-government sponsored trials (0.92 [0.84-1.00]). A total of 87 RCTs reported age proportions; older adults (above 65 years) were significantly under-represented in the industry sponsored (0.84 [0.74-0.96]) and as well as in US-government sponsored CRC trials (0.52 [0.44-0.61]). Only 56 and 15 trials reported race and ethnicity, respectively. Limited data on racial/ethnic enrollment revealed significant under-representation of Black (0.45 [0.36 -0.57]) and Hispanic (0.45 [0.31-0.66]) patients across industry sponsored CRC trials. In contrast, no significant disparity was observed in the inclusion of Asian race in the industry sponsored trials. The number of US-government sponsored trials reporting racial/ethnic subgroups were small ( < 10) which precluded any meaningful statistics. Trends show that the representation of women has improved ( P: 0.02) while the representation of Black ( P: 0.007) and Hispanic patients ( P: 0.04) has worsened over the last three decades in industry sponsored CRC trials. Conclusions: The reporting of race/ethnicity is suboptimal in CRC trials especially in those sponsored by US government. Older adults may be under-represented regardless of funding source. Women, Blacks and Hispanics may be under-represented in industry sponsored CRC clinical trials. While representation of women appears to be improving, representation of Black and Hispanic patients has worsened in industry sponsored CRC clinical trials over the last three decades.

Nasopharyngeal Carriage of Streptococcus pneumoniae Serotypes Among Healthy Children in Northern India

Streptococcus pneumoniae (SP) infections cause morbidity and mortality among children worldwide. Hence India introduced 13-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV-13) in 2017 in a phased manner. The primary objective of this study was to assess the proportion of healthy children having nasopharyngeal colonization (NP) with SP. Secondary objective was to determine prevalent serotype of SP among the PCV13 vaccinated and non-vaccinated children. This cross-sectional study was conducted in 4 hospitals of Lucknow District, Northern India. Three hundred healthy children (2-59 months) were recruited between July and August 2019 from vaccination-clinics of hospitals. NP specimen was cultured using 5% sheep blood agar plate containing gentamicin. Pneumococcal isolates were identified by optochin sensitivity and bile-solubility tests. Serotyping was done using Quellung Method. Of the 300 healthy children, 56.7% (170/300) were males and 59.3% (181/300) had received at least one dose of PCV13 vaccine. The NP carriage rate of SP among healthy children was 37.7% (113/300). Vaccine serotypes were found in 33.3% (22/66) in PCV vaccinated children and 48.9% (23/47) in non-vaccinated children (p 0.09). Common vaccine serotypes that isolated were: 18C, 19A, 19F, 23F, 3, 4, 6A, 6B, 9 V. Thus more than one-third of healthy children had NP colonization with SP. Adjusting for age, there was a trend for significant reduction in vaccine serotypes in the NP with one doses versus two or more doses (ptrend = 0.04).

1012 A Close Loop Audit of Acute Food Bolus Obstruction at a District General Hospital

Aim

The British Society of Gastroenterology (BSG) recommends biopsies from two different regions in the oesophagus. A close loop audit was undertaken to assess performance at a district general hospital, against these guidelines and following newly agreed trust guidelines after the first audit cycle of a follow up OGD within 6 weeks of the presentation.

Method

Data was collected of patients admitted with a food bolus over the first cycle (March2019 to February 2021) and the second cycle (1/10/21 to 14/10/21). Exclusion criteria were age of less than 18 and sharp food bolus.

Results

69 patients were identified. Average age was 60 years. There were 67% male patients and 33% female. 20% of patients underwent a follow up OGD in the first cycle and 45%underwent a follow up OGD within six weeks. 7% had two regions biopsy in the first cycle and21% in the second cycle. Average OGD follow up time was 92 days in the first cycle and 59days in the second cycle. Commonest findings on histology results were eosinophilic oesophagitis and Barrett's oesophagus (22% each), GORD (15%) and carcinoma (7%).

Discussion

Food bolus obstruction indicates the presence of pathology of the oesophagus and should be investigated as so, even despite spontaneous recovery from the acute event. Number of patients undergoing OGD within six weeks and a two regions biopsy improved through this audit by implementing the new trust guidelines.

Disparities in Representation of Women, Older Adults, and Racial/Ethnic Minorities in Immune Checkpoint Inhibitor Trials

PURPOSE

We aim to describe reporting and representation of minority patient populations in immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI) clinical trials and assess predictors of enrollment disparity.

METHODS

Trial-level data were acquired from eligible phase II and III trials. Population-based estimates were acquired from the SEER 18 and Global Burden of Disease incidence databases. Trials reporting race, age, and sex were summarized using descriptive statistics. Enrollment-incidence ratio (EIR) was used to assess representation of subgroups. Average annual percentage change (AAPC) in EIR was calculated using Joinpoint Regression Analysis. Trial-level characteristics associated with EIR were assessed using multivariable linear regression.

RESULTS

A total of 107 trials with 48,095 patients were identified. Participation of Black, White, Asian, Native American, Pacific Islander, and Hispanic participants was reported in 65 (61%), 77 (72%), 68 (64%), 40 (37%,) and 24 trials (22%), respectively. Subgroup analyses of clinical outcomes by race, age, and sex were reported in 17 (22%), 62 (78%), and 57 (57%) trials, respectively. Women (trial proportion [TP]: 32%; EIR: 0.90 [95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.84-0.96]), patients aged ≥65 years (TP: 42%; EIR: 0.78 [95% CI: 0.72-0.84]), Black participants (TP: 1.9%; EIR: 0.17 [95% CI: 0.13-0.22]) and Hispanics (TP: 5.9%; EIR: 0.67 [95% CI: 0.53-0.82]) were underrepresented. Representation of Black patients decreased significantly from 2009 to 2020 (AAPC: -23.13). Black participants were significantly underrepresented in phase III trials (P < .001).

CONCLUSION

The reporting of participation by racial or ethnic subgroup categories is inadequate. Women, older adults, as well as Black and Hispanic participants are significantly underrepresented in ICI clinical trials.

Quantifying the absolute benefit of neoadjuvant chemotherapy followed by definitive therapy in patients with muscle-invasive bladder cancer: A systematic review and meta-analysis

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Background: Cisplatin based neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) followed by definitive therapy improves survival in patients with muscle invasive bladder cancer (MIBC). However, the clinical benefit of NAC might vary with the choice of definitive therapy. Therefore, we assessed the absolute benefit of NAC followed by radical cystectomy or radical radiotherapy separately using the totality of evidence. Methods: MEDLINE and EMBASE were systematically searched to identify randomized trials assessing cisplatin based neoadjuvant chemotherapy followed by either radical cystectomy or definitive radiotherapy in patients with MIBC. Outcomes of interest included overall survival (OS) and disease-free survival (DFS). Treatment effects were expressed as hazard ratios (HR) with 95% confidence interval (CI). Incidence rate ratios were calculated to estimate time to event outcomes for trials not reporting HR. A random-effects DerSimonian-Laird meta-analysis was conducted. Absolute effects were then obtained using baseline risks from the control arm of RCTs. Results: Of 4887 studies identified, 13 trials with 2529 patients were included in this meta-analysis. Most trials included patients with T2-4 and N0 patients and only 3 trials included patients with node positive disease. Total of 180 (47%) DFS events were observed with NAC+RC compared to 213 (56%) events in RC alone (HR: 0.72; 95% CI: 0.59-0.89) and 346 (58%) OS events were observed with NAC+ RC compared to 385 (52%) events in RC alone (HR: 0.80; 95% CI: 0.69-0.92). Total of 186 (70%) DFS events were observed with NAC + radiotherapy compared to 205 (71%) events in radiotherapy alone (HR: 0.91; 95% CI: 0.74-1.12) and 263 (58%) OS events were observed with NAC+ radiotherapy compared to 294 (61%) events in radiotherapy alone (HR:0.93; 95% CI: 0.79-1.08). Conclusions: The choice of definitive therapy after cisplatin-based NAC impacts survival in patients with MIBC. RC after NAC improved DFS (114 fewer events per 1000 events) and OS (76 fewer per 1000 events) whereas radiotherapy after NAC showed no survival benefit. [Table: see text]

Indirect comparisons of triplet therapy as compared to novel hormonal therapy doublets in patients with metastatic castration sensitive prostate cancer

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Background: ARASENS and PEACE-1 trials suggests treatment intensification with novel hormonal therapy (NHT) in addition to androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) and docetaxel (DOC) provides survival benefit as compared to DOC+ADT in patients with metastatic castration sensitive prostate cancer (mCSPC). However, the performance of triplet therapy as compared to NHT+ADT remains unexplored. Methods: MEDLINE, EMBASE and recent conference proceedings were searched to include phase III trials evaluating triplet therapy in patients with mCSPC and reporting treatment effects in subgroup of patients with and without docetaxel. Outcomes included overall survival (OS) and radiographic progression free survival (rPFS). Precomputed hazard ratios (HRs) and confidence intervals (CIs) from non-randomized subgroup comparisons were pooled after logarithmic transformation using inverse-variance weighting approach. A DerSimonian-Laird random-effects meta-analysis was then performed to assess subgroup differences. Interaction between subgroups was assessed using P-value of heterogeneity. Mixed treatment comparisons were computed using a fixed-effect model within the frequentist framework using subgroup effect estimates from eligible trials. Results: This meta-analysis included five clinical trials (ARASENS, PEACE-1, ENZAMET, ARCHES and TITAN) with a total of 5804 patients (docetaxel: 2836; no docetaxel: 2836). Subgroup analysis showed statistically significant difference between treatment effects in patients who received docetaxel (NHT + DOC + ADT; HR: 0.74; 95% CI: 0.66-0.84; I2: 0%) and those who did not (NHT + ADT; HR: 0.61; 95% CI: 0.53-0.70; I2: 0%) for OS (p-value of interaction: 0.04). However, no statistically significant interaction was observed in terms of rPFS (p-value: 0.46). Mixed treatment comparisons showed improved OS with NHT + DOC + ADT (HR: 0.74; 95% CI: 0.66-0.84) as compared to DOC + ADT, but not when compared to NHT + ADT (HR: 0.97; 95% CI: 0.78-1.20). NHT + ADT significantly improved OS compared to DOC + ADT (HR: 0.77; 95% CI: 0.64-0.92). Consistently, significant rPFS improvement was observed with NHT + DOC + ADT when compared DOC + ADT (HR: 0.49; 95% CI: 0.42-0.57) but not when compared to NHT + ADT (HR: 0.82; 0.65-1.04). NHT + ADT was observed to improve rPFS compared to DOC + ADT (HR: 0.60; 95% CI: 0.50-0.72). Conclusions: This exploratory and hypothesis generating analysis suggests that addition of docetaxel (triplet therapy) may not delay progression or prolong survival compared to NHT-based doublets. These findings provide direction for future clinical trials in this space and suggest an equipoise to the question of how triplet regimens compare with NHT-doublets. The results should be interpreted with caution as this analysis does not account for potential confounding relationships such as volume of disease.

Triplet therapy in metastatic castration-sensitive prostate cancer: A systematic review and meta-analysis

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Background: Intensification of initial treatment of in patients with metastatic castration-sensitive prostate cancer (mCSPC) with androgen pathway inhibition (API) in addition to docetaxel (DOC) and androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) has shown promise to improve clinical outcomes. Thus, we synthesize the data from modern clinical trials to estimate overall estimates of progression and survival outcomes. Methods: A systematic search of electronic databases (MEDLINE and EMBASE) was conducted to include phase III randomized controlled trials (RCTs) evaluating triplet therapy (API+DOC+ADT) against doublet therapy (DOC+ADT) in mCSPC. Outcomes of interest included overall survival (OS) and radiographic progression-free survival (rPFS). A DerSimonian-Laird random-effects meta-analysis was performed to pool precomputed hazard ratios (HRs) and confidence intervals (CIs) after logarithmic transformation using inverse-variance weighting approach. Cochran’s Q statistical test was used to assess statistically significant heterogeneity not explained by chance, while I2 statistical test was used to quantify the total observed variability, due to between-study heterogeneity. I2 values >50% indicated substantial heterogeneity. A summary of findings table was constructed to translate relative estimates to absolute risks. Results: A total of 1,531 patients in four RCTs with direct comparative data between triplet and doublet therapies, were included in this meta-analysis. PEACE-1 was the only RCT directly assessing this question (AAP+DOC+ADT). ENZA+DOC+ADT was evaluated as a subgroup in two RCTs (ENZAMET; ARCHES), APA+DOC+ADT was evaluated as a subgroup in one (TITAN). To be able to pool studies, the relative efficacy of control arm in ENZAMET (first generation bicalutamide + ADT) was considered equivalent to ADT based on prior literature. A total of 672 rPFS events were observed (34%; 261 events in triplet therapy, 54%; 411 events in doublet therapy). The difference was statistically significant (HR: 0.49; 95% CI: 0.42-0.58; I2: 0%). Similarly, 469 OS events were observed (28%; 217 events in triplet therapy, 33%; 252 events in doublet therapy). The difference was statistically significant (HR: 0.80; 95% CI: 0.67-0.96; I2: 0%). The summary of findings is outlined in the table. Conclusions: The results of this meta-analysis support an improvement in rPFS and OS in favor of triplet therapy over doublet therapy for mCRPC. However, comparative effectiveness of different triplet regimens may be different and needs further exploration.[Table: see text]

A systematic review and network meta-analysis evaluating neoadjuvant treatments in muscle-invasive bladder cancer

518

Background: Cisplatin (C) based neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) has been the mainstay treatment for muscle invasive bladder cancer (MIBC). However, the optimal choice of NAC is not well-established. We therefore conducted a network-meta-analysis (NMA) to assess comparative efficacy of different treatment options. Methods: Several electronic databases (MEDLINE, and EMBASE) and conference proceedings were systematically used to identify randomized trials evaluating first-line treatments in neoadjuvant MIBC. Outcomes of interest included overall survival (OS), progression-free survival (PFS), objective response rate (ORR) and pathologic complete response (pCR). DerSimonian-Laird random-effects meta-analysis was used to compute direct comparisons between NAC and local therapy (LT) only. Fixed effect NMA was conducted within the frequentist framework for mixed treatment comparisons. P-scores were used to assess relative treatment rankings. All statistical analyses were conducted in R (v 4.1.1). Results: This systematic review included 23 trials (25 references) with a total of 5313 patients with 10 unique treatments. Direct comparisons showed significant benefit in PFS (HR: 0.82; 95% CI: 0.71-0.94), and in OS (HR: 0.85; 95% CI: 0.78-0.92) with NAC when compared to LT only. However, the likelihood of achieving an objective response (RR: 1.18; 95% CI: 0.72-1.95: I2: 85%) or CR (RR: 1.51; 95% CI: 0.87-2.61; I2: 79%) was not different between the two arms. Data available in 15 trials contributed to the network for PFS outcome while only eight trials contributed to OS outcome. Mixed treatment comparisons showed significantly improved PFS with nintedanib-gemcitabine-cisplatin (NinGC; HR: 0.42; 95% CI: 0.20-0.87) and dose-dense-methotrexate-vinblastine-doxorubicin-cisplatin (ddMVAC; HR: 0.61; 95% CI: 0.43-0.88) compared to LT only. Consistent benefit was observed when NinGC (HR: 0.48; 95% CI: 0.24-0.97) and ddMVAC (HR: 0.70; 95% CI: 0.51-0.96) were compared to GC only. However, no significant differences were observed between NinGC (rank 1) and ddMVAC (rank 2) or among other mixed treatment comparisons. Similarly, OS was significantly improved with NinGC (rank 1) relative to MVAC (HR: 0.41; 95% CI: 0.17-0.97), MVC (HR: 0.37; 95% CI: 0.16-0.88), MC (HR: 0.38; 95% CI: 0.16-0.92), AC (HR: 0.36; 95% CI: 0.15-0.91), and GC (HR: 0.39; 95% CI: 0.17-0.90). While similar results were observed with ddMVAC (rank 2) when compared to MVC (HR: 0.63; 95% CI: 0.42-0.94), MC (HR: 0.64; 95% CI: 0.42-0.98), and GC (HR: 0.66; 95% CI: 0.47-0.92), no significant differences were observed with ddMVAC when compared to MVAC (HR: 0.62; 95% CI: 0.38-1.01) and NinGC (HR: 1.70; 95% CI: 0.69-4.19). Conclusions: Current evidence shows improved PFS and OS with the use of neoadjuvant ddMVAC and Nin-GC in patients with MIBC relative to other treatment options.

A quantitative synthesis of disparities in the inclusion of racial/ethnic minorities and older adults in prostate cancer clinical trials over the last three decades

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Background: The underrepresentation of minority populations in clinical trials negatively impacts cancer and widens inequities. We aimed to quantify the enrollment disparities in prostate cancer (PC) clinical trials over the last three decades. Methods: MEDLINE and Embase were searched to identify primary reports of prostate cancer RCTs (1989-2020). Data for trial characteristics, the proportion of trials reporting race, ethnicity and age, and the proportion of patients by race, ethnicity and age enrolled in trials were summarized using descriptive statistics. Enrollment incidence ratios (EIR), which compare trial enrollment against global estimates of incidence in age-related subgroups (acquired from the Global Burden of Disease database) and U.S. population-based estimates of racial/ethnic subgroups (acquired from the SEER 18 incidence database) were calculated. Individual trial EIRs were pooled using random-effects meta-analyses to account for the substantial heterogeneity between trials. Multivariable meta-regression was used to explore associations between key trial characteristics and EIR. Annual percentage changes (APC) over the last three decades in enrollment disparities were analyzed using the Joinpoint Regression Analysis. Results: 281 trials from 1989 to 2020 with 99,588 patients were included in this analysis. 107 trials reported race (38%), of which only 25 trials (9%) reported data on all 5 U.S. racial categories (Black, White, Asian, Pacific Islander and Native American. 255 (91%) trials reported mean or median but only 71 trials (25%) specifically reported the enrollment proportion of older adults (age > 65 years). Clinical outcomes by race and age were reported in 9 (8%) and 37 (14%) trials, respectively. Results from meta-analyses showed that Black patients (summary EIR: 0.42 [95% CI: 0.35 - 0.51]), Hispanics (summary EIR: 0.50 [95% CI: 0.37 - 0.68]) and older adults (summary EIR: 0.95 [95% CI: 0.91 - 0.99]) were underrepresented in trials relative to their population estimates. Significantly fewer Black participants (EIR for Black patients = 0.42, EIR for White patients = 0.99; p < 0.0001), Hispanic participants (EIR for Hispanics = 0.50, EIR for non-Hispanics = 1.00; p = 0.001) and older adults (EIR for older adults = 0.95, EIR for younger adults = 1.06; p = 0.037) were enrolled. Representation of Black patients decreased significantly from 1989-2019 (APC: -4.25), while Hispanic representation increased significantly from 2000-2020 (APC: 5.89). Meta-regression showed Black patients were particularly underrepresented in larger-size trials (p < 0.0001). Conclusions: Black representation in PC clinical trials is less than 50% of their expected share based on cancer incidence and it has consistently decreased over last three decades, contributing to the disparities experienced by the population.

Differential efficacy of PARP inhibitors in metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer with DNA repair defects: A systematic review and meta-analysis

134

Background: Recent trials have suggested poly ADP-ribose polymerase inhibitors (PARPi) sensitivity in patients with treatment-refractory metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC) harboring mutations in DNA damage and response repair genes (DDR). However, the efficacy profile might differ with different genes and is still being explored in multiple studies. Methods: We systematically searched several electronic databases (MEDLINE, EMBASE), and conference proceedings to include abstracts and full-text publications of phase II/III trials evaluating PARPi in treatment-refractory mCRPC with DDR gene alterations. Outcomes of interest included objective response rate (ORR), complete response (CR), prostate specific antigen (PSA) 50% response, circulating tumor cells conversion (CTCc) from ≥ 5 to < 5 cells, composite response (CoR) and risk of progression. Data was pooled using Inverse-variance approach. A DerSimonian and Laird random-effect meta-analysis was conducted to estimate pooled proportion (PP) of events using the Freeman-Tukey transformation in each gene. Clopper-Pearson method was used to estimate the associated 95% confidence intervals (CI). Results: This systematic review and meta-analysis included five unique trials with 648 patients and four PARPi (niraparib, olaparib, rucaparib, talazoparib). Objective response to PARPi was observed in 44.7% of patients with mutations in either BRCA1 or 2 or both (95% CI: 36.0%-53.6%; I2: 0%), 23.5% with ATM (95% CI: 3.91%-51.0%; I2: 65%), 25.0% with CDK12 (95% CI: 8.66%-49.1%), and 45.3% with PALB2 alterations (95% CI: 14.8%-77.5%; I2: 0%). Consistent results were observed for CR outcome. PSA50% response to PARPi was observed in 60.3% of patients with BRCA1/2 mutations (95% CI: 50.3%-70.0%; I2: 57%), 5.54% (95% CI: 0.01-16.6; I2: 0%) with ATM, and 70.1% (95% CI: 35.6%-96.6%; I2: 0%) with PALB2 mutations while no PSA 50% response was observed in patients with CDK12 mutations (PP: 0.00%; 95% CI: 0%-16.84%). Moreover, CTCc was observed in 68.3% of patients with BRCA1/2 mutations (95% CI: 45.0%-87.8%; I2: 77), 34.2% (95% CI: 11.2-61.3%; I2: 45%) with ATM, 41.7% (95% CI: 15.2%-72.3%) with CDK12, and 48.5% (95% CI: 6.39%-92.9%; I2: 49%) with PALB2. CoR was observed in 76.5% patients with BRCA1/2 mutations (95% CI: 65.4%-86.1%; I2: 22%), 30.4% (95% CI: 16.0%-46.9%) with ATM, 25% (95% CI: 8.66%-49.1%) with CDK12, and 63.9% (95% CI: 31.0%-91.8%; I2: 0%) with PALB2 mutations. Similarly, the risk of progression was 50.9% in patients with BRCA1/2 mutations (95% CI: 37.7%-63.9%), 70.9% (95% CI: 60.0%-80.40%; I2: 0%) with ATM, and 75% (95% CI: 19.4-99.3%) with PALB2. Conclusions: Current evidence is sparse regarding efficacy by specific genes. Limited data favors the use of PARPi in mCRPC patients harboring mutations in BRCA1/2 and PALB2 genes.

Quantifying absolute benefit of adjuvant treatments in renal cell carcinoma: A systematic review and network-meta-analysis

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Background: Pembrolizumab has been established as an effective treatment option in adjuvant renal cell carcinoma after the publication of KEYNOTE-564. However, the magnitude of benefit based on different risk categories is not well defined. Methods: We included full-text publications of phase II/III randomized controlled trials (RCTs) evaluating immune checkpoint inhibitors or tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) in adjuvant renal cell carcinoma after a systematic search. The outcomes of interest included disease free survival (DFS), overall survival (OS), all grade or grade ≥3 treatment related, and all cause adverse events. Mixed treatment comparisons were computed through a fixed-effect multivariate meta-regression within the frequent framework. Relative treatment rankings were assessed using P-scores. We used stratified baseline risks of disease progression from observational data and at 5, 10, 15 years from the Leibovich risk stratification system (based on risk scores ranging from 0 to ≥15). Corresponding intervention risks (CIRs) were then approximated using relative effect estimates (from NMA) and baseline risks. The difference between CIRs and baseline risks were calculated to present absolute risk differences in each baseline category. Results: This NMA included six RCTs with a total of 7525 participants and five unique treatment options. Mixed treatment comparisons showed significant DFS and OS benefit with pembrolizumab (rank 1) when compared against sunitinib (DFS HR 0.74 [0.55-0.99]; OS HR 0.51 [0.27-0.94]). However, there were no significant differences with pembrolizumab compared to pazopanib (DFS HR 0.81 [0.60- 1.09]; OS HR 0.54[0.29-1.01]) and axitinib (DFS HR 0.78 [0.54-1.14]; OS HR 0.52 [0.24-1.16]). The safety profiles were comparable. Absolute benefit of TKIs in adjuvant setting was minimal whereas this benefit increased with higher T and N patients in patients treated with pembrolizumab (Table). Similarly, the treatment benefit increased with higher Leibovich’s risk scores at 5, 10 and 15 years of follow up. Conclusions: The current analysis suggests that a risk adapted approach may be useful when considering adjuvant pembrolizumab in RCC patients.[Table: see text]

Suicidal Behaviors among Patients Attending for Psychiatric Care in a Tertiary Care Hospital of Bangladesh

Suicide is a major preventable public health problem globally however, under attended in Bangladesh. It happens because of multi-factorial involvement; nevertheless, past suicidal attempt is a significant predictor of future suicidal behavior. We aimed to assess the suicidal behaviors among the patients visiting for psychiatric care in a tertiary care hospital of Bangladesh. This cross-sectional study was conducted among the patients attending at department of Psychiatry, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University, Dhaka, from March 2018 to February 2019. A total of 379 patients were interviewed with pre-tested semi structured questionnaire. Non probability purposive sampling was used to collect data. Data were entered into Statistical Package for the Social Sciences 16.0 software and analyzed Among the 379 respondents, 197(52%) were male, 52.5% were married. Mean±SD age of the respondents was 29.94±11.32 year ranging from 18 to 75 years. About 24% percent of the respondents had family history of mental illness, 4% had family history of completed suicides. Prevalence of life time suicidal ideation among the patients was found as 32.5%, one-year prevalence rate 26.4%, one month 17.2% and within last two days it was found as 11.3%. The rate of suicidal plan was 14.0%, preparation 10.0% and attempt was 7.4%. Mean±SD age of onset of suicidal ideation was 24.33±8.9 year ranging from 14 to 57 years. About one in three psychiatric patients had life time suicidal ideation. Third decade of life was found to be vulnerable for onset of suicidal thoughts.

Tracking Side Effects of the COVID-19 Vaccine in Mymensingh District of Bangladesh

The Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has turned into a worldwide human tragedy and economic devastation. There had an intensive search for an effective drug against the coronavirus but not led to any breakthrough agents. Only one choice was left namely an effective and safe vaccine. Many people are ambivalent regarding corona vaccines because they also fear possible side effects from vaccination. This study was designed to track the side effects after first and second dose of the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccines used in Mymensingh district of Bangladesh. This cross-sectional descriptive type of observational study was conducted in Mymensingh Medical College, Mymensingh, Bangladesh during the period of five months from 1 February, 2021 to 30 June, 2021 among 293 purposively selected vaccine recipients who received two doses of the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccines. Data were collected by face to face interview of the selected vaccine recipients using a semi-structured questionnaire. Data were inputted into SPSS version 26.0. Qualitative data were summarized by percentage and quantitative data were summarized by mean and standard deviation. Necessary bivariate and multivariate analysis was done. Mean age of the respondents was 40.3 years with a standard deviation of ±8.7 years. Among the vaccine recipients female were 159(54.3%) and male were 134(45.7%). The most of the vaccine recipients were graduate and master 256(87.3%) and more than half of the vaccine recipients (156, 53.2%) were government service holder. The most of the vaccine recipients (242, 86.0%) were from urban area and 263(89.8%) vaccine recipients were non-smoker. Sixty eight (23.2%) of the vaccine recipients had different types of co-morbidities. It was found that 217(74.1%) vaccine recipients had side effects after first dose while 162(55.3%) had side effects after second dose. The difference in occurrence of side effects of first and second dose was statistically highly significant (p<0.001). Pain on the injection site was present in 172(58.7%) vaccine recipients after first dose and in 142 (48.5%) after second dose. Fever was prevalent in 98 (33.4%) after first dose and in 61 (20.8) after second dose. Headache was in 61(20.8%) and in 22(7.5%) after first and second dose respectively. Thirty one (10.6%) vaccine recipients had loose motion after first dose and 26(8.9%) had this after second dose. First dose of vaccination caused nausea in 28(9.6%) and second dose caused it in 16(5.5%) vaccine recipients. Joint pain was prevalent in 24(8.2%) after first dose and in 15(5.1%) after second dose. Rash was present in 9(3.1%) and in 3(1.0%) after first and second dose respectively. Cough was present in 5(1.7%) after first dose and in 2(0.7%) after second dose. Each 2(0.7%) had history of fainting and bodyache and 1(0.3%) reported intense weakness after first dose only. Side effects of first dose of AstraZeneca vaccine were more prevalent in female (124, 78.0%) than male (93, 69.4%). The side effects of second dose of AstraZeneca vaccine were also more prevalent in female (103, 64.8%) than male (59, 44.0%). The study results revealed that 217(74.1%) vaccine recipients had side effects after first dose while 162(55.3%) had side effects on second dose of the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine. Commonly experienced side effects were pain in the injection site, fever, headache, diarrhoea and joint pain. Most of the people tolerated these side effects and did not use any medicine.

Expression analysis of transcription factors in sugarcane during cold stress

Transcription factors (TF) are a wide class of genes in plants, and these can regulate the expression of other genes in response to various environmental stresses (biotic and abiotic). In the current study, transcription factor activity in sugarcane was examined during cold stress. Initially, RNA transcript reads of two sugarcane cultivars (ROC22 and GT08-1108) under cold stress were downloaded from SRA NCBI database. The reads were aligned into a reference genome and the differential expression analyses were performed with the R/Bioconductor edgeR package. Based on our analyses in the ROC22 cultivar, 963 TF genes were significantly upregulated under cold stress among a total of 5649 upregulated genes, while 293 TF genes were downregulated among a total of 3,289 downregulated genes. In the GT08-1108 cultivar, 974 TF genes were identified among 5,649 upregulated genes and 283 TF genes were found among 3,289 downregulated genes. Most transcription factors were annotated with GO categories related to protein binding, transcription factor binding, DNA-sequence-specific binding, transcription factor complex, transcription factor activity in RNA polymerase II, the activity of nucleic acid binding transcription factor, transcription corepressor activity, sequence-specific regulatory region, the activity of transcription factor of RNA polymerase II, transcription factor cofactor activity, transcription factor activity from plastid promoter, transcription factor activity from RNA polymerase I promoter, polymerase II and RNA polymerase III. The findings of above results will help to identify differentially expressed transcription factors during cold stress. It also provides a comprehensive analysis of the regulation of the transcription activity of many genes. Therefore, this study provides the molecular basis for improving cold tolerance in sugarcane and other economically important grasses.

Depression, Anxiety and Stress among the Students and Their Academic Performance in Selected Medical Colleges of Bangladesh

Medical education is associated with a great psychological distress that affects many aspects of students' lives, including their academic performance and professional development. The objective of the study was to determine the level of depression, anxiety and stress and their academic performance among fifth year medical students. This was a cross-sectional descriptive study conducted in Dhaka Medical College, Mymensingh Medical College, Anwar Khan Modern Medical College and Community Based Medical College of Bangladesh. For this purpose, 359 students were taken as sample and self-administered semi-structured questionnaire was used to collect data. Depression, anxiety and stress were assessed by using short form DASS-21 BV score. The results showed that, the mean age of students was 22.74 years with female predominance 230(64.0%). Majority 319(88.9%) of the respondents' parents monthly income was ≤100000 taka and one third 126(35.1%) respondents' monthly study expenditure was in between 5001 to 10000 taka. Four fifth 317(88.0%) of the respondents came from nuclear type of family and two third 245(68.2%) lived in hostel. Half 178(50.0%) of the respondents were eldest in birth order. Majority 221(61.6%) of the students were admitted to medical college by their own motivation and interest. Symptoms of depression, anxiety and stress were present in 179(49.9%), 215(59.9%) and 161(44.8%) respectively. No significant association was found between academic performance with depression or anxiety or stress, except class attendance of Gynaecology and Obstetrics which was significantly associated with stress (p=0.016); the students who suffered from more stress, their class attendance were very poor. Students who reappeared in MBBS professional examination were significantly associated with depression (p=0.032) and stress (p=0.036). There was significant difference between students of public and private medical colleges in terms of anxiety (p=0.031) that is students of public medical colleges more suffered from depression, anxiety and stress in comparison to private medical colleges. Depression (p=0.001) and anxiety (p=0.010) were significantly associated with motivation to study MBBS. No significant difference of depression, anxiety or stress was found with sex difference. This study revealed that fifth year MBBS students suffered more from depression, anxiety and stress. The causes of depression, anxiety and stress should be identified and resolved to improve their mental health and academic performance.

Characterization of wheat-Thinopyrum bessarabicum genetic stock for stripe rust and Karnal bunt resistance

Utilization of modern breeding techniques for developing high yielding and uniform plant types ultimately narrowing the genetic makeup of most crops. Narrowed genetic makeup of these crops has made them vulnerable towards disease and insect epidemics. For sustainable crop production, genetic variability of these crops must be broadened against various biotic and abiotic stresses. One of the ways to widen genetic configuration of these crops is to identify novel additional sources of durable resistance. In this regard crops wild relatives are providing valuable sources of allelic diversity towards various biotic, abiotic stress tolerance and quality components. For incorporating novel variability from wild relative's wide hybridization technique has become a promising breeding method. For this purpose, wheat-Th. bessarabicum amphiploid, addition and translocation lines have been screened in field and screen house conditions to get novel sources of yellow rust and Karnal bunt resistant. Stripe rust screening under field conditions has revealed addition lines 4JJ and 6JJ as resistant to moderately resistant while addition lines 3JJ, 5JJ, 7JJ and translocation lines Tr-3, Tr-6 as moderately resistant wheat-Thinopyrum-bessarabicum genetic stock. Karnal bunt screening depicted addition lines 5JJ and 4JJ as highly resistant genetic stock. These genetic stocks may be used to introgression novel stripe rust and Karnal bunt resistance from the tertiary gene pool into susceptible wheat backgrounds.

Adjuvant Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitors in Renal Cell Carcinoma: A Concluded Living Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

PURPOSE

Multiple large clinical trials have investigated adjuvant tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) to reduce the risk of cancer recurrence and progression to metastasis in high-risk renal cell carcinoma. We sought to maintain living and interactive evidence on this topic, until a high level of certainty is reached for key clinical outcomes such that further updates become unnecessary and unlikely to change clinical practice.

METHODS

We created a living interactive evidence synthesis platform to maintain a continuously updated meta-analysis on TKI monotherapy in adjuvant renal cell carcinoma. We implemented an automated search strategy with weekly updates to identify randomized phase 2 and 3 clinical trials. Study selection, appraisal, and data extraction were done in duplicate. Cumulative meta-analysis was performed using Analyzer Module in Living Interactive Evidence platform. For each outcome (overall survival [OS], disease-free survival [DFS], and all-cause and treatment-related adverse events), we assessed certainty of evidence using GRADE approach and conducted trial sequential analysis.

RESULTS

This final update includes five randomized trials including recently updated data from PROTECT trial. Meta-analysis shows that adjuvant TKI monotherapy offers no benefit in OS (hazard ratio, 1.01; 95% CI, 0.91 to 1.12, high certainty) or DFS (hazard ratio, 0.92; 95% CI, 0.86 to 1.00, high certainty) and significantly increases adverse event risk. Lack of benefit was consistent across subgroups including highest-risk patients (test for subgroup differences: P = .32). Optimal information size criteria were met, and there was high certainty of evidence for lack of DFS and OS benefit for adjuvant TKIs.

CONCLUSION

There is no guidance on when to stop maintaining a living review. In this example, we used trial sequential analysis and high certainty of evidence (future clinical trials unlikely to change current conclusions) as a benchmark to conclude a living review in view of convincing evidence.

Episode of Hepatitis C viral infection in the people of Swat, Pakistan

Infectious agents cause serious diseases in humans worldwide and are responsible for the high rate of morbidity and mortality. The prevalence and epidemiology of infectious disease (HCV) in the hospital visited patients referred by the physicians through the initial findings and their associated risk factors were studied in Swat. The data of 174 infected patients were collected during the period of 2015 to 2017 from two clinical laboratories of Tehsil Matta Swat. Inform consent form was taken before blood collection. After taking informed consent blood samples were collected and ICT test was performed and then ICT positive cases were conform through PCR. A total of 174 ICT positive samples [106 male and 68 females] were included in this study. Age was considered from 10 to 72 years. Of the 174 ICT strip positive, 99 [63 males, 36 females] were confirmed through PCR. The prevalence rate was recorded 56.89%. I.V/I.M injection was recorded in 100% of the individuals. Visits to the barber shop was reported in (58%) of the individuals, married individuals were (81.0), surgical operation was reported in (44.8%), sharing toothbrush was observed in (29.9%), piercing was reported in (39.7%), family history was reported in (26.4%), dental treatment was observed in (21.8%), jaundice were (13.2%) and tattooing was (1.7%). Blood transfusion, surgical operations, Jaundice, family history and dental treatment were found significant risk factors for acquiring HCV infection. It was concluded that proper implementation of precautionary measures should be needed to control the spread of HCV in far near future.

Disparities in reporting and representation of women, older adults and racial minorities in immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI) clinical trials

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Background: Representation and outcomes of women, older adults, and racial minorities in ICI trials has not been previously described. Methods: MEDLINE and Embase were searched to identify ICI RCTs. Data for trial characteristics, proportion of trials reporting race, age and sex as well as the proportion of patients by race, age and sex enrolled in ICI trials was collected. Descriptive statistics were reported for trials reporting minority representation and proportion of included patients by race, age and sex. Disparities in representation were calculated using enrollment incidence disparity (EID) and enrollment incidence ratios (EIR) by comparing trial enrollment against U.S. population-based estimates acquired from the SEER 18 incidence database. The relationship of EID to key trial characteristics were compared using standard parametric and non-parametric statistical tests. Trends in EIR were analyzed using the Joinpoint Regression Analysis software. Results: 108 ICI trials from 2009 to 2020 with 48,360 patients were included in this analysis. All RCTs reported sex (101/101). 78 trials reported race (72%), of which only 41 trials (38%) reported data on all 5 U.S. racial categories (Black, White, Asian, Pacific Islander and Native American). Participation of Black patients was reported in 66 trials (61%), White participants in 78 trials (72%), Asians in 69 trials (64%), Native Americans and Pacific Islanders in 41 trials (38%), and Hispanics in 24 trials (22%). Age categories were inconsistently defined, and 80 trials (74%) reported the proportion of patient by age categories. Subgroup analyses of clinical outcomes by race, age and sex were reported in 17 (22%), 62 (79%) and 57 (73%) trials respectively. Women (trial proportion [TP]: 32%; EIR: 0.77), patients aged ≥ 65 years (TP: 42%; EIR: 0.74), Black participants (TP: 1.8%; EIR: 0.17) and Hispanic participants (TP: 5.9%; EIR: 0.67) were largely underrepresented, and Asians were overrepresented (TP: 15.9%; EIR: 2.64). Black patients were underrepresented across all cancer types. Similarly, women, older adults ( > 65 years of age) and Hispanic patients were consistently underrepresented across cancer types with few exceptions. Representation of older adults increased significantly from 2010-2020 (APC: 2.72), while representation of Black patients decreased significantly from 2009-2020 (APC: -23.37). Black patients were found to be significantly underrepresented in phase III trials (p = 0.0005), trials with OS as the primary endpoint (p = 0.004), and PD1 inhibitor trials (p = 0.002). Hispanics were significantly underrepresented in PD1 inhibitor trials (p = 0.003). Conclusions: There is both suboptimal reporting about participation and underrepresentation of women, racial minorities (particularly Black patients) and older adults in ICI trials as compared to their cancer incidence.

Effect of different protein based feed on the growth of mahseer

For the proper growth of fish, it is necessary to feed the fish with a proper and balanced diet. A study was conducted to find out the effect of different protein-based diets on fingerlings of Tor putitora (mahseer). A feed with dietary protein levels of 35%, 40%, 45%, and 50% were prepared. The effect of different protein-based feed on weight gain, standard growth rate (SGR), food conversion ratio (FCR), percent weight gain, food conversion efficiency (FCE), and protein efficiency ratio (PER) was studied. An increase was observed in the growth rate with an increase in protein concentration up to 45%. The fingerlings fed a 45% protein diet shown the highest growth, followed by 50%, 40%, and 35%. The SGR value was greatest for 45% protein diet (8.56) followed by 50% and 40%, while the least values were observed for 35% protein feed (1.57). The same trend was observed for FCE. The highest PER values was observed in fishes fed 45% protein-based feed (0.65) followed by 50% (0.56), 40% (0.38) and35% (0.17). The food conversion ratio was lowest for 45% protein diet (3.41), while the greatest for 35% protein feed (16.85). It was concluded that a 45% protein-based diet was the best feed formulation for higher production of Tor putitora. However, research on the same percentage of protein diet is recommended for yearlings.

Contemporary Management of Pancreatic Cancer from an Internist Perspective

Primary care physicians are in a favorable position to curb the growing burden of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma. This review aims to provide an overview of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma from a primary care perspective, with a specific focus on risk factors, selection of high-risk individuals for screening, patient presentation at the primary-care clinic, and the role of the internist in supportive care. Overall, the internist is an essential member of the multidisciplinary care team with respect to optimizing patients' quality of life across various stages of the pancreatic cancer.

Evaluation of microbial contamination level and the drug susceptible pattern of the isolates cultivated from famous dessert food

Present study endeavored to evaluate the microbial contamination level along with their drug resistant pattern in some popular desert food items collected from different food shops in Dhaka city, Bangladesh. The microbial evaluation was conducted through conventional cultural methods and drug susceptibility test was executed through disc diffusion method. All the samples were found to be contaminated with heterotrophic bacteria as well as fungi within the range of 103 to 105 CFU/g. In case of specific microflora, the growth of Staphylococcus spp. was very high in sweet, faluda, milk cake and ice cream as estimated up to 105 CFU/g, halua and sweet yogurt showed 104 CFU/g while rest of the samples revealed 103 CFU/g. E. coli was found only in faluda and ice cream up to 103 CFU/g whereas Klebsiella spp. was estimated in all the samples within the range of 102 CFU/g to 105 CFU/g. Salmonella spp., Pseudomonas spp. and Bacillus spp. were totally absent in all the samples. Most of the isolates were found to be resistant against most of the antibiotics. Meanwhile, streptomycin (10 µg), gentamicin (10 µg), azithromycin (15 µg), and nalidixic acid (5 µg) were effective drug against both E. coli and Staphylococcus spp.

Outcome of Management of Liver Abscess by Surgical Approach in a Tertiary Care Hospital

Liver abscess is a serious, life threatening condition. A recent development in the management of liver abscesses, facilitated by advances in diagnostic and interventional radiology, has decreased mortality rates. The purpose of this study is to search for the clinical presentations and surgical outcomes of liver abscess in our country. The markers of the outcome are mortality, duration of hospital stay and complications such as wound infection, residual disease following surgery, biliary leakage, intra abdominal abscess formation. This observational cross sectional study was conducted in Mymensingh Medical College & Hospital (MMCH), Bangladesh for 12 months from 1st January 2017 to 31st December 2017. Total 25 patients presenting with the features of liver abscess were included in this study by convenient and purposive sampling according to the inclusion and exclusion criteria. Surgical principles of liver abscess management were applied and outcomes were observed. The patients were diagnosed on the basis of clinical feature, findings of abdominal ultrasound and occasionally by doing CT scan. Most of the patients (28%) were in the age group of 51-60 years. Regarding sex distribution majority of the patients (64%) was male. Most of patients presented with fever (92%), anorexia and vomiting (32%), upper abdominal pain (84%). Hepatomegaly and reactive pleural effusion are the important findings present in 9(36%) and 8(32%) patients respectively. Size of the liver abscess was more than 5cm in 72% patients. Among the patients right lobe was predominantly involved. It was found during laparotomy that 4 patients (16%) had spontaneous rupture of abscess into peritoneal cavity. One (4%) patient developed biliary leakage after surgical drainage. No intra abdominal abscess or residual diseases was observed after surgery. Among the patients 24% developed wound infection. The overall mortality rate was 12%. The median length of hospital stay was 8 days (range: 1-15 days). Outcome of surgical drainage of liver abscess in tertiary care hospital of our country shows satisfactory result. So, patients with large multiple liver abscess, septic shock, failures of percutaneous drainage should be treated by early open surgical intervention.

Mortality and morbidity of stairlift injuries: Analysis of the UK TARN database

AIMS

To investigate the incidence and pattern of injury in patients with a diagnosis of a fall from a stairlift.

METHODS

Data was analysed from the Trauma Audit and Research Network (TARN) database from 2000 to 2018 for those recorded suffering stairlift related injuries between the ages of 40-100 years. Patient demographics, injury mechanism and pattern, mortality rate and height of fall were analysed.

RESULTS

1069 patients were identified in the initial search with 651 having an eligible mechanism of injury. The mean age was 82 (range 41.4-100.1) years. The most common site of injury was the limbs (49.2%) with the most severe injuries to the head (mean AIS 3.1). The mean ISS was 12.5 (Range 1-75). There was no relationship between height of fall and ISS (r_s 0.054 p = 0.4). Individuals were 78% more likely to have an ISS score of 15 or more if they had a head injury, (OR: 0.12; 95% CI: 0.06-0.24) and 79% more likely to have sustained an injury to the thorax (OR: 0.21; 95% CI: 0.11-0.41). Injury to the head was 95% more likely in individuals with an ISS score greater than 25 points or more (OR: 0.05; 95% CI: 0.01-0.16) and 69% more likely for those who sustain injury to the thorax. Individuals with an ISS score of 25 points or more were 18 times more likely to have sustained injury getting off their stair lift compared to any other method of falling from their stair lift. Mortality was associated with injuries to the thorax in those aged 70 years or below, injuries to the face, spine and limb for those aged 71-85 years and with head injury in those over 85 years. The overall mortality rate was 15.7%.

CONCLUSION

Falls from stairlifts commonly result in limb injuries and most severe injuries are sustained to the head. When patients fall getting off from astairlift, have injuries to their head or thorax they have a higher ISS. The overall mortality is 15.7%. Given the increasing use of stairlifts in our ageing population, strategies should be considered to make these safer.

Novel evidence synthesis system to support living systematic reviews and living guidelines for cancer immunotherapy

2054

Background: Systematic reviews that summarize the toxicity of Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) become outdated very soon after publication. Therefore, we reported results of a toxicity meta-analysis at 2019 ASCO meeting and informed the intent to create a living systematic review (LSR). LSRs combine human and machine effort and support rapid evidence synthesis and living clinical practice guidelines. Now, we report our experience maintaining a LSR on toxicity of ICIs. Methods: Steps include quarterly literature searches to identify new clinical trials reporting ICI-associated adverse events (AEs), AI-enabled screening of new citations which meet the inclusion criteria, automated cumulative meta-analysis and an online reporting platform. Standard data formats and protocols were designed for inputting text, tables and graphics. Software was written to interpret these data and output the information in the appropriate format, such as a forest plot and summary tables. Finally, a dynamic interface that enables user inputs and displays the associated output was designed. Results: The LSR is continuously updated incorporating toxicity data from new clinical trials as it becomes available. We have screened 8000 relevant citations and summarized the odds of Grade 3 or higher AEs and AEs of special interest in patient receiving ICIs. The results are updated on quarterly basis and are available online. The results are updated on quarterly basis and will be available on a website at the time of publication. Prototype with dummy data is available at this link . This interface can also be manipulated via user input to organize and sort data tables and forest plots by type of cancer, name or mechanism (PD-1 or PD-L1) of ICI agent, single agent or combination, type of control arm, line of treatment and several other clinically relevant filters. For example, a user can instantaneously generate a meta-analysis summarizing the risk of colitis or pneumonitis in metastatic lung cancer trials with pembrolizmuab. Conclusions: This LSR engine can prospectively synthesize toxicity data from ICI trials in an efficient manner providing accurate and timely information for advanced clinical decision support at point-of-care. Efforts are ongoing to improve efficiency of screening, improve AI-enabled processes for automated screening and data abstraction, and test across multiple clinical questions.

A Comparative Study of Craniosonogram and CT scan of Brain in CNS Complication of Perinatal Asphyxia

Pereinatal asphyxia is one of the most important complications related with the process of birth and this complications affect not only the brain but also many other organs. The purpose of this cross sectional study is to compare the role of craniosonogram and CT scan of the brain to delineate the cerebral pathology in respondent of preterm and term infant and to assess the Kappa test for agreement. This study was carried out in the department of Radiology & Imaging of Mymensingh Medical College Hospital, during the period of July 2015 to June 2017. A total number of 40 neonates clinically diagnosed as perinatal asphyxia referred for Craniosonogram and Computed tomography (CT) were included in this study. The test of agreement of USG in detection of neonatal cerebral pathology was calculated. Male to female ratio was 1:1.4. More than half (55.0%) patients were preterm age. The mean birth weight was found 2.3±0.6 kg and mean age was 22.7±12.7 days. Fifty five percent respondent mothers had antenatal check up and 27% had anemia, 11% had premature rupture of membrane, 9% had multiple pregnancy and 7% patient had hypertension. Cerebral pathology was found 28 and 31 cases by Craniosonogram and CT scan respectively. Germinal matrix hemorrhage/IVH (Intra ventricular hemorrhage) found 7(17.5%) in USG and 4(10.0%) in CT scan. Hypoxic ischaemic changes with mild ventriculomegaly observed 5(12.5%) in USG and 7(17.5%) in CT scan. Hypoxic ischaemic change found 4(10.0%) in USG and 5(12.5%) in CT scan. In USG evaluation of 28 patients having cerebral pathology & 16(72.7%) had in preterm group and 12(66.7%) in term group. In CT scan of brain 31 patients with cerebral pathology & 15(37.5%) in preterm group and 16(40.0%) in term group. CT scan found cerebral pathology 77.5% (31/40) cases and USG found 70.0% (28/40), with Kappa value was 0.551, which indicates that fair agreement between USG and CT scan for detection of cerebral pathology in respondent. Craniosonogram is a useful method in all neonates specially preterm to see the CNS complication of perinatal asphyxia.

Wide Stromal Mapping Using an Anterior Segment Optical Coherence Tomography

Purpose

To quantify and assess the reproducibility of the corneal stromal thickness profiles captured by the SD-OCT. Secondly, we correlated the zonal thicknesses to the age, gender and axial length.

Methods

We included 227 normal eyes of 227 patients with a maximum hypermetropia of +5 and myopia of –6 diopters (D). Subjects with an intraocular pressure exceeding 22 mm Hg, evidence of cataract formation, history of ophthalmic surgery or disease were excluded. Lastly, reproducibility was evaluated in a subset of 50 participants by means of an identical scan protocol repeated by 2 different OCT operators.

Results

Stromal values were consistently thicker in the peripheral cornea (p<0.001). Age was negatively correlated with approximately every sector of the stroma with notable exceptions of the center (r=0.117, p=0.088) and the superior inner (r=0.057, 0.409), middle (r=0.086, p=0.209) and outer locations (r=0.120, p=0.079). There was no statistical significance in most sectors when looking at the axial length, gender and K1/K2. This method was highly reproducible in terms of both the ICC and COV.

Conclusion

Corneal stromal mapping is highly reproducible and shows a negative correlation to age. Additionally, the periphery of the stroma is consistently thicker to the center. Other variables like gender and axial length show no relationship to the corneal stroma.

Adjuvant therapy in high-risk renal cell cancer: A systematic review and cumulative meta-analysis

708

Background: Patients with high risk non-metastatic renal cell cancer (RCC) are at significant risk of recurrence following nephrectomy. Previously, we reported no benefit of adjuvant tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) treatment in high-risk patients. Since our most recent publication, efficacy results from the multicenter double-blind SORCE trial have become available. We updated our meta-analysis to include these additional data and performed a cumulative meta-analysis. Methods: PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials were searched to identify relevant RCTs. A generic variance-weighted random effects model was used to derive estimates for efficacy. Heterogeneity was assessed using the Cochran Q statistic and was quantified using the I2 test. The primary outcome was disease-free survival (DFS), defined as the interval between randomization and the first recurrence, the occurrence of metastasis or a secondary cancer, or death due to any cause. Statistical analysis was performed using Comprehensive Meta-Analysis version 3 (Biostat). Results: Five phase 3 trials were identified, enrolling 6531 patients. Two trials compared sunitinib with placebo (S-TRAC and ECOG-ACRIN), two compared sorafenib with placebo (ECOG-ACRIN and SORCE) and one trial each compared pazopanib (PROTECT) and axitinib (ATLAS) vs placebo. Cumulative evidence suggests that adjuvant therapy with TKIs showed no significant improvement in (DFS) hazard ratio [HR] of 0.93 (95% CI, 0.85-1.02), compared to placebo. There was no significant heterogeneity among included trials ( I2= 52%, P= .41). Overall, the trials were at low risk of bias. Conclusions: Adjuvant vascular endothelial growth factor tyrosine kinase inhibitors in high-risk renal cell carcinoma did not improve DFS as compared to placebo. Improved patient selection using better prognostic biomarkers or scoring systems may identify subsets of patients who can benefit from adjuvant treatments. Toxicity estimates will be updated as data from SORCE trial publication becomes available.

Antithyroid Antibody Status in Non-Pregnant Adult Bangladeshi Patients with Subclinical Hypothyroidism

Sub clinical hypothyroidism (SCH) is common in clinical practice. Autoimmunity is thought to be the most important cause of SCH. In this cross-sectional study, we investigated 120 SCH patients and 100 healthy controls attending the Endocrinology Outpatient Department of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University (BSMMU), Dhaka, Bangladesh from June 2014 to April 2015 for anti-thyroid antibodies (anti-TPO and anti-Tg). Measurement of serum TSH, FT4, anti-TPO, and anti-Tg antibodies were done by using the chemiluminescent sequential immunometric assay. SCH patients had a higher mean age; the frequencies of female subjects, those having family history of thyroid disease or other autoimmune diseases, and goiter were higher in SCH group than in the control group. Forty-five percent (45%) of SCH patients were positive for anti-thyroid antibodies (23.3% for both anti-TPO and anti-Tg, 16.7% for only anti-TPO, and 5% positive for only anti-Tg) in comparison to only 10% anti-thyroid antibody positive controls (none for both antibodies, 8% for only anti-TPO, and 2% positive for only anti-Tg). The SCH subjects in the lower age group, females and with a TSH >10μIU/mL had the higher frequency of thyroid autoimmunity. Female gender, high socioeconomic condition, the presence of other autoimmune diseases, the presence of goiter and TSH >10μIU/mL were associated with higher odds of anti-thyroid antibody positivity in the SCH group, though none were statistically significant. The frequency of anti-thyroid antibody was higher in SCH and was more prevalent among the females, younger patients and those having a goiter, other autoimmune diseases, and TSH >10μIU/mL.

Lifestyle and Depression in Urban Elderly of Selected District of Bangladesh

Global population is ageing and Bangladesh has one of the fastest growing ageing populations in this region. Growth in the elderly population relative to other age groups challenges existing health services, family relationships and social security. Combined with this, depression has become a major mental health problem for elderly people especially for urban elderly for nuclear family norm in urban areas. The study was descriptive type of cross-sectional in nature and was conducted in Rangpur Medical College Hospital, Rangpur & Prime Medical College Hospital, Rangpur, Bangladesh. The objective of this study was to assess the lifestyle and level of depression in urban elderly. Depression was measured by questionnaire of geriatric depression scale among 254 respondents. 87.8% of the respondents were age between 60-70 years. Majorities (63%) of the respondents were male, 54% of the respondents lived in nuclear type family and the rest (46%) in joint type of family. Among respondents near half (47.2%) of the respondents found Mild depressive, around one third (32.7%) were severe depressive, and the rest (20.1%) were normal. There was significant association between occupational status of the respondents and depression (x² = 45.600, df=14, p=0.000). Farmers unemployed found severely depressive (52.1%) followed by day-labourer (50%) and businessmen (37.5%). There was significant association between financial self dependency and depression of the respondents (x²= 34.072, df=4, p=0.000). Severe depression (43.8%) was found among those who were not financially self dependent. There was also significant association between monthly income and depression of the respondents (x²= 67.327, df=8, p=0.000). The study also found that lower income group (<Tk 10000) suffer more from severe depression (42.1% vs. 16.67%) than that of higher income group (Tk 50000-99999). Another significant association found between respondents living with family and depression (x²=16.025, df=2, P=0.000). Respondents those not living with family were suffering more from severe depression (55.55%). Association between social activity and depression (x²=31.724, df=4, p=0.000) revealed that those not involved in social activities were in severe depression (40.55%). The study concluded that lifestyle factors and socio-demographic conditions directly influence the state of depression. Those who lead a healthy social life with friends and family, with a stable income source are less prone to severe depression and vice versa. The study recommended the formulation of strategies for the well being of urban elderly that should include social awareness about positive lifestyle changes, social mobilization, health assurance, and response from the government so that depression and its associated serious diseases can be prevented.