Presenteeism and sleep duration on workdays and days off

BACKGROUND

Presenteeism refers to being present at work but experiencing reduced productivity due to health problems, and has been known to be related to sleep loss. Workers commonly sleep longer on days off than on workdays, and presenteeism may be reduced with extended sleep on days off.

AIMS

This study aimed to determine the association between sleep duration both on workdays and days off and presenteeism.

METHODS

The participants were 1967 workers who engaged in work for 5 days and rested for 2 days weekly. Sleep duration was classified into less than 6 hours (short; S), 6-8 hours (medium; M), and 9 hours or longer (long; L), for workdays and days off, respectively. Presenteeism was assessed using the World Health Organization Health and Work Performance Questionnaire.

RESULTS

On both workdays and days off, compared to medium sleep duration, short sleep duration was significantly associated with increased odds of presenteeism. The odds of presenteeism were significantly increased for S-S (odds ratio [OR] 2.17, 95% confidence interval [CI]1.40-3.37), S-M (OR 1.59, 95% CI 1.14-2.22), S-L (OR 2.71, 95% CI 1.05-7.00), and M-S (OR 6.82, 95% CI 2.71-17.17) combined sleep duration for workdays and days off, respectively, compared to an M-M (reference).

CONCLUSIONS

Sleep loss on workdays cannot be compensated for with longer sleep on days off. This study suggests that sufficient sleep duration on both workdays and days off is important for reducing presenteeism.

Distribution of water turnover by sex and age as estimated by prediction equation in Japanese adolescents and adults: the 2016 National Health and Nutrition Survey, Japan

BACKGROUND

Although water is essential to the maintenance of health and life, standard values for human water requirements are yet to be determined. This study aimed to evaluate the distribution of water turnover (WT) according to sex and age, estimated using a prediction equation, in Japanese adolescents and adults.

METHODS

This cross-sectional study used data from the 2016 National Health and Nutrition Survey, Japan. Data were obtained from electronically available aggregated reports in the survey's official website. Participants aged between 15 and 80 years (10,546 men, 12,355 women) were selected using stratified random sampling. WT was calculated considering lifestyle and environmental factors, and using an equation (coefficient of determination = 0.471) previously developed by the international doubly labelled water (DLW) database group. As data on physical activity levels (PAL) were not collected in the survey, we used two evaluation methods: (1) energy intake assessed by dietary records and (2) total energy expenditure measured by the DLW method reported in previous Japanese studies, divided by basal metabolic rate predicted using the equation. We evaluated the relationship between WT and age using a restricted cubic spline model.

RESULTS

The average WT for the 15-19, 20-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, 60-69, and ≥ 70 years was 3291, 3151, 3213, 3243, 3205, 3104, and 2790 ml/day, respectively in men, and 2641, 2594, 2741, 2739, 2753, 2707, and 2482 ml/day, respectively in women. In the spline model, WT showed an inverse association with age in men older than 50 years, whereas women showed a reverse U-shaped relationship between WT and age (p for non-linearity < 0.001), although results differed with body weight adjustment. Similar results were found for both PAL evaluation methods, and the range of WT per body weight was 45-56 ml/day for both sexes.

CONCLUSIONS

We determined the standard values of WT in Japanese population using a prediction equation and national large-scale survey data. These findings may be useful for setting water requirements for dietary guidelines in future.

Multi-Institutional Fact-Finding Study: Association between Geriatric Assessment and Reduction in Intensity of Radiotherapy for Elderly Cancer Patients without Metastasis

PURPOSE/OBJECTIVE(S)

Vulnerable patients receive a low-intensity, palliative treatment rather than the standard treatment. Defining vulnerability in terms of standard or reduced radiation intensity can result in appropriate radiotherapy for elderly cancer patients without excessive adverse events and poor outcomes. However, it is difficult to define vulnerability, because radiation oncologists hesitate to include vulnerable patients in clinical trials involving radical radiotherapy. We hypothesized that for elderly cancer patients without metastasis, vulnerability scores, obtained by geriatric assessment (GA), could help in predicting the reduction in radiation intensity determined by radiation oncologists based on their experience.

MATERIALS/METHODS

In this multicenter prospective study, we enrolled cancer patients (70 years or older) without metastasis. The reduction in radiation intensity was categorized into 3 groups as follows: i) standard schedule of radiotherapy, but conversion of irradiation fields, ii) standard irradiation fields, but converted schedule of radiotherapy, and iii) conversion of radiotherapy schedule and irradiation fields. Standard radiotherapy was defined as recommended doses and radiation fields according to the guidelines for the primary tumors analyzed. GA was performed by calculating geriatric 8 (G8) and vulnerable elders survey (VES-13) scores before radiotherapy and 3-5 and 8-16 weeks after completion of radiotherapy. The primary endpoint was to evaluate the correlation between vulnerability assessed by G8 and change in radiation intensity.

RESULTS

Between November 2020 and February 2022, 317 patients were included in this study at 13 centers in Japan. The median age was 77 (range, 70-90) years. The primary cancer sites were head and neck, esophagus, lungs, breasts, pancreas, bladder, uterus, and prostate in 63, 22, 62, 48, 6, 5, 26, and 85 patients, respectively. High-precision radiotherapy was performed for 199 patients (63%). Of the 31 patients (10%) whose radiation intensity was reduced, 14, 9, and 8 patients were provided i, ii, and iii category, respectively. Planned radiotherapy was completed for 312 patients (98%). G8 and VES-13 vulnerability scores were obtained for 201 and 61 patients, respectively, before radiotherapy. The mean G8 and VES-13 scores were 13.3 ± 2.4 and 1.8 ± 1.8, 12.9 ± 2.6 and 2.0 ± 2.0, and 13.4 ± 2.4 and 2.0 ± 1.9 before radiotherapy and 3-5 and 8-16 weeks after completion of radiotherapy, respectively. Multivariate analysis revealed that reduction in radiation intensity was significantly associated with vulnerability assessed using VES-13 (p < 0.001) but not G8 (p = 0.06).

CONCLUSION

An excellent completion rate was obtained for planned radiotherapy, and vulnerability assessed using VES-13, not G8, was associated with the reduction in intensity of radiotherapy.

A community cluster of influenza A(H3N2) virus infection with reduced susceptibility to baloxavir due to a PA E199G substitution in Japan, February to March 2023

A community cluster of influenza A(H3N2) caused by viruses with an E199G substitution in PA was detected in Nara, Japan, between February and March 2023. The three patients with these mutant viruses had not received antiviral treatment before specimen collection but patients in the same hospital had. The sequences of the mutant viruses were closely related, suggesting clonal spread in Nara. They showed reduced susceptibility to baloxavir in vitro; however, the clinical significance of the PA E199G substitution remains unclear.

Development of advanced photon calibrator for Kamioka gravitational wave detector (KAGRA)

The Kamioka Gravitational wave detector (KAGRA) cryogenic gravitational-wave observatory has commenced joint observations with the worldwide gravitational wave detector network. Precise calibration of the detector response is essential for accurately estimating parameters of gravitational wave sources. A photon calibrator is a crucial calibration tool used in laser interferometer gravitational-wave observatory, Virgo, and KAGRA, and it was utilized in joint observation 3 with GEO600 in Germany in April 2020. In this paper, KAGRA implemented three key enhancements: a high-power laser, a power stabilization system, and remote beam position control. KAGRA employs a 20 W laser divided into two beams that are injected onto the mirror surface. By utilizing a high-power laser, the response of the detector at kHz frequencies can be calibrated. To independently control the power of each laser beam, an optical follower servo was installed for power stabilization. The optical path of the photon calibrator's beam positions was controlled using pico-motors, allowing for the characterization of the detector's rotation response. Additionally, a telephoto camera and quadrant photodetectors were installed to monitor beam positions, and beam position control was implemented to optimize the mirror response. In this paper, we discuss the statistical errors associated with the measurement of relative power noise. We also address systematic errors related to the power calibration model of the photon calibrator and the simulation of elastic deformation effects using finite element analysis. Ultimately, we have successfully reduced the total systematic error from the photon calibrator to 2.0%.

Toxicokinetic evaluation during intoxication of psychotropic drugs using brain microdialysis in mice

In the event of an overdose, the pharmacokinetics of the drug may be altered, resulting in an unexpectedly rapid increase in blood and tissue drug concentrations. Because central nervous system (CNS)-acting drugs are the major cause of hospitalization for overdose, brain concentrations, which are closely related to the development of acute psychotropic symptoms, would be important. However, due to the lack of an appropriate model for overdose, it is difficult to predict the CNS symptoms of patients with acute poisoning. To clarify the toxicokinetics during intoxication with CNS-acting drugs, we investigated the relationship between the dose and concentrations in the blood and brain in mice. Therapeutic or toxic doses of phenobarbital, flunitrazepam, imipramine, and amoxapine were administered intraperitoneally to mice. Serum and extracellular fluid of the brain were collected up to 24 hr after administration and analyzed using LC-MS/MS to determine the pharmacokinetic parameters in the serum and brain. A comparison of the four psychotropic drugs showed that the toxicokinetics of amoxapine in the blood and brain are clearly different from others, with the brain concentrations being specifically highly susceptible to increase during dose escalation. These results are consistent with the CNS-related symptoms observed in amoxapine overdose. Therefore, the methodology of the current study could be useful for predicting CNS toxicity during psychotropic drug poisoning.

Eccrine sweat glands' maximum ion reabsorption rates during passive heating in older adults (50-84 years)

PURPOSE

We examined whether eccrine sweat glands ion reabsorption rate declined with age in 35 adults aged 50-84 years. Aerobic fitness (VO_2max) and salivary aldosterone were measured to see if they modulated ion reabsorption rates.

METHODS

During a passive heating protocol (lower leg 42 °C water submersion) the maximum ion reabsorption rates from the chest, forearm and thigh were measured, alongside other thermophysiological responses. The maximum ion reabsorption rate was defined as the inflection point in the slope of the relation between galvanic skin conductance and sweat rate.

RESULTS

The maximum ion reabsorption rate at the forearm, chest and thigh (0.29 ± 0.16, 0.33 ± 0.15, 0.18 ± 0.16 mg/cm²/min, respectively) were weakly correlated with age (r ≤  - 0.232, P ≥ 0.05) and salivary aldosterone concentrations (r ≤  - 0.180, P ≥ 0.179). A moderate positive correlation was observed between maximum ion reabsorption rate at the thigh and VO_2max (r = 0.384, P = 0.015). Salivary aldosterone concentration moderately declined with age (r =  - 0.342, P = 0.021). Whole body sweat rate and pilocarpine-induced sudomotor responses to iontophoresis increased with VO_2max (r ≥ 0.323, P ≤ 0.027) but only moderate (r =  - 0.326, P = 0.032) or no relations (r ≤  - 0.113, P ≥ 0.256) were observed with age.

CONCLUSION

The eccrine sweat glands' maximum ion reabsorption rate is not affected by age, spanning 50-84 years. Aldosterone concentration in an aged cohort does not appear to modulate the ion reabsorption rate. We provide further support for maintaining cardiorespiratory fitness to attenuate any decline in sudomotor function.

Constraints on Cosmic Strings Using Data from the Third Advanced LIGO-Virgo Observing Run

We search for gravitational-wave signals produced by cosmic strings in the Advanced LIGO and Virgo full O3 dataset. Search results are presented for gravitational waves produced by cosmic string loop features such as cusps, kinks, and, for the first time, kink-kink collisions. A template-based search for short-duration transient signals does not yield a detection. We also use the stochastic gravitational-wave background energy density upper limits derived from the O3 data to constrain the cosmic string tension Gμ as a function of the number of kinks, or the number of cusps, for two cosmic string loop distribution models. Additionally, we develop and test a third model that interpolates between these two models. Our results improve upon the previous LIGO-Virgo constraints on Gμ by 1 to 2 orders of magnitude depending on the model that is tested. In particular, for the one-loop distribution model, we set the most competitive constraints to date: Gμ≲4×10^{-15}. In the case of cosmic strings formed at the end of inflation in the context of grand unified theories, these results challenge simple inflationary models.

Constraints on Cosmic Strings Using Data from the Third Advanced LIGO-Virgo Observing Run

We search for gravitational-wave signals produced by cosmic strings in the Advanced LIGO and Virgo full O3 dataset. Search results are presented for gravitational waves produced by cosmic string loop features such as cusps, kinks, and, for the first time, kink-kink collisions. A template-based search for short-duration transient signals does not yield a detection. We also use the stochastic gravitational-wave background energy density upper limits derived from the O3 data to constrain the cosmic string tension Gμ as a function of the number of kinks, or the number of cusps, for two cosmic string loop distribution models. Additionally, we develop and test a third model that interpolates between these two models. Our results improve upon the previous LIGO-Virgo constraints on Gμ by 1 to 2 orders of magnitude depending on the model that is tested. In particular, for the one-loop distribution model, we set the most competitive constraints to date: Gμ≲4×10^{-15}. In the case of cosmic strings formed at the end of inflation in the context of grand unified theories, these results challenge simple inflationary models.

POS1396 DAMAGE PROGRESSION OF FINGER JOINT CARTILAGE EVALUATED BY ULTRASOUND AND X-RAY IN PATIENTS WITH RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS (RA)

Background:

Cartilage damage in RA has been evaluated by joint space narrowing (JSN) in X-ray, while it is not a direct evaluation of cartilage. Previously we have confirmed the usefulness of the direct imaging of finger joint cartilage by ultrasound (US) in patients with RA [1].

Objectives:

We aimed to examine the temporal changes of US cartilage thickness in RA patients.

Methods:

We enrolled 53 RA patients in whom the cartilage thickness of finger joints was measured by US and had radiographs of both hands at baseline and 1-year later. The cartilage of metacapophalangeal and proximal interphalangeal joints of 2nd to 5th fingers were bilaterally visualized at the middle portion from a longitudinal dorsal view. Cartilage thickness was measured from the base of the cartilage to the interface artefact at the cartilage surface by static images. In addition, the JSN of the corresponding joints was scored using a hand X-ray by van der Heijde-modified Sharp method. Continuous variables from the two groups were analyzed using the Mann-Whitney U test or Wilcoxon signed-rank test. The relationships among the continuous variables were assessed using the Spearman’s rank correlation coefficient.

Results:

The median age of the patients was 68 years and the median disease duration was 6.3 years. The sum of total cartilage thickness from 16 joints per patient ranged from 3.1 to 9.1mm (median 6.5 mm) at baseline, and it was significantly correlated with total JSN score of the same joints (ρ=-0.63, p<0.001). The cartilage thickness was inversely correlated with disease duration (rho=-0.40, p=0.003), but not associated with age nor height. The decrease in cartilage thickness over 1 year was evident in patients with persistent moderate to high disease activity by the DAS28-CRP (n=10; median -6.2%) as compared with other patients (n=43; median -1.2%, p=0.004 versus active patients).

Conclusion:

This pilot study demonstrated the progression of cartilage damage by sustained RA activity, supporting the validity and usefulness of joint cartilage thickness evaluation by ultrasound in patients with RA.

References:

[1]Ogura T, et al. Arthritis Care Res 2019 Oct 25.

Table 1.

SALIENT FEATURES OF THE 9 PATIENTS PRESENTING WITH RETINAL TOXICITY DUE TO HCQ

Sl.NoAgeGenderWeight(Kg)Primary DiagnosisDoseDuration(Years)Detection Method UsedRecommended Dose(mg/Day)Received Dose(mg/Day)Cumulative Dose(grams)FUNDUSEXAM.SD-OCTHVF10-2FAF147F58SLE2904004383RPE ChangesThinning/Photoreceptor LossDefects seen-220F46SLE2302001462Multiple Small Drusens In Paramacular AreaMultipleDrusensNormalPerifoveal autofluorescence spots-drusens323F50SLE2504001461RPE ChangesRPEDisruptionsDefects seen-430F55SLE275200731NormalNormalParacentral Scotoma-550F49RA2452005117Early Bull’s Eye MaculopathyRPEAtrophyDefects seen-672F60RA30020073010RPE AtrophyFR AbsentRPEAtrophyGeneral reduction in sensitivity-765M57.4RA2872001462RPE ChangesRPEDisruptions & Thinning NotedDefects seen-862F70RA3502002193Chorioretinal AtrophyAlteredRPEMembraneDefects seen-959M71.6RA3582002924RPE ChangesRPEDisruptionsNormal-

F:Female; M:Male; SLE:Systemic Lupus Erythematosus; RA: Rheumatoid Arthritis, FUNDUS EXAM.: Fundus Examination; SD-OCT:Spectral Domain-Optical Coherence Tomography, HVF 10-2:Humphrey Visual Field 10-2; FAF: Fundus Autofluorescence, RPE:Retinal Pigment Epithelium; FR:Foveal Reflex

Disclosure of Interests:

None declared

Staging laparoscopy for pancreatic cancer using intraoperative ultrasonography and fluorescence imaging: the SLING trial

This prospective trial revealed the additional diagnostic value of staging laparoscopy with contrast-enhanced intraoperative ultrasonography and indocyanine green-fluorescence imaging, detecting radiologically occult liver metastases and other occult metastases effectively for patients with high-risk resectable or borderline resectable pancreatic cancer. The 2-year survival rate of patients without occult metastasis was significantly better than that of patients with occult metastasis. These favourable results for patients without occult metastasis indicate that an enhanced screening strategy and modern multidisciplinary treatment may improve the outcome even of patients affected by high-risk advanced pancreatic cancer.

State-of-the-art staging worth the effort

A genetically defined signature of responsiveness to erlotinib in early-stage pancreatic cancer patients: Results from the CONKO-005 trial

Background

high recurrence rates of up to 75% within 2 years in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) patients resected for cure indicate a high medical need for clinical prediction tools and patient specific treatment approaches. Addition of the EGFR inhibitor erlotinib to adjuvant chemotherapy failed to improve outcome but its efficacy in some patients warrants predictors of responsiveness.

Patients and Methods

we analysed tumour samples from 293 R0-resected patients from the randomized, multicentre phase III CONKO-005 trial (gemcitabine ± erlotinib) with targeted sequencing, copy number, and RNA expression analyses.

Findings

a total of 1086 mutations and 4157 copy-number aberrations (CNAs) with a mean of 17.9 /tumour were identified. Main pathways affected by genetic aberrations were the MAPK-pathway (99%), cell cycle control (92%), TGFβ signalling (77%), chromatin remodelling (71%), and the PI3K/AKT pathway (65%). Based on genetic signatures extracted with non-negative matrix factorization we could define five patient clusters, which differed in mutation patterns, gene expression profiles, and survival. In multivariable Cox regression analysis, SMAD4 aberrations were identified as a negative prognostic marker in the gemcitabine arm, an effect that was counteracted when treated with erlotinib (DFS: HR=1.59, p = 0.016, and OS: HR = 1.67, p = 0.014). Integration of differential gene expression analysis established SMAD4 alterations with low MAPK9 expression (n = 91) as a predictive biomarker for longer DFS (HR=0.49; test for interaction, p = 0.02) and OS (HR = 0.32; test for interaction, p = 0.001).

Interpretation

this study identified five biologically distinct patient clusters with different actionable lesions and unravelled a previously unappreciated association of SMAD4 alteration status with erlotinib effectiveness. Confirmatory studies and mechanistic experiments are warranted to challenge the hypothesis that SMAD4 status might guide addition of erlotinib treatment in early-stage PDAC patients.

Esm1 and Stc1 as Angiogenic Factors Responsible for Protective Actions of Adipose-Derived Stem Cell Sheets on Chronic Heart Failure After Rat Myocardial Infarction

BACKGROUND

Although adipose-derived stem cell (ADSC) sheets improve the cardiac function after myocardial infarction (MI), underlying mechanisms remain to be elucidated. The aim of this study was to determine the fate of transplanted ADSC sheets and candidate angiogenic factors released from ADSCs for their cardiac protective actions.Methods and Results:MI was induced by ligation of the left anterior descending coronary artery. Sheets of transgenic (Tg)-ADSCs expressing green fluorescence protein (GFP) and luciferase or wild-type (WT)-ADSCs were transplanted 1 week after MI. Both WT- and Tg-ADSC sheets improved cardiac functions evaluated by echocardiography at 3 and 5 weeks after MI. Histological examination at 5 weeks after MI demonstrated that either sheet suppressed fibrosis and increased vasculogenesis. Luciferase signals from Tg-ADSC sheets were detected at 1 and 2 weeks, but not at 4 weeks, after transplantation. RNA sequencing of PKH (yellow-orange fluorescent dye with long aliphatic tails)-labeled Tg-ADSCs identified mRNAs of 4 molecules related to angiogenesis, including those of Esm1 and Stc1 that increased under hypoxia. Administration of Esm1 or Stc1 promoted tube formation by human umbilical vein endothelial cells.

CONCLUSIONS

ADSC sheets improved cardiac contractile functions after MI by suppressing cardiac fibrosis and enhancing neovascularization. Transplanted ADSCs existed for >2 weeks on MI hearts and produced the angiogenic factors Esm1 and Stc1, which may improve cardiac functions after MI.

Urinary free metanephrines measurement in dogs with adrenal gland diseases using a new simple liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry method

Measurement of urinary metanephrines in spot samples is used for the diagnosis of canine pheochromocytoma (PC). We describe a simple analytical method based on liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) for measuring free metanephrine (MN) and normetanephrine (NMN) in spot urine samples. Using the developed method, we evaluated the stability of urinary free-MN and free-NMN at various storing conditions. In addition, we assessed the feasibility of urinary free-MN and -NMN measurement for diagnosing PC. Urine samples were mixed with stable isotope internal standards and thereafter purified by ultrafiltration. The purified samples were analyzed by LC-MS/MS in the multiple reaction monitoring mode after separation on a multimode octa decyl silyl column. The coefficient of variation of free-MN and -NMN measurement was 7.6% and 5.5%, respectively. The linearity range was 0.5–10 µg/l for both analytes. Degradation was less than 10% for both analytes under any of the storage conditions. The median free-NMN ratio to creatinine of 9 PC dogs (595, range 144–47,961) was significantly higher (P<0.05) than that of 13 dogs with hypercortisolism (125, range 52–224) or 15 healthy dogs (85, range 50–117). The developed method is simple and may not require acidification of spot urine. The results of this preliminary retrospective study suggest that the measurement of urinary free metanephrines is a promising tool for diagnosing canine PC.

Ventricular tachycardia in cardiac sarcoidosis -prognosis, characterization of ventricular substrates and outcomes of treatment-

Background

The prognosis, the underlying substrate and clinical outcomes of treatment are unclear in patients with cardiac sarcoidosis (CS)-related ventricular tachycardia (VT).

Objective

This study investigated the prognosis and the relationship between electroanatomical mapping (EAM) and imaging findings in patients with CS-related VT.

Methods

A total of 203 CS patients (Age 68.1±11.6 years, 87 males) were enrolled at two tertiary care medical centers between 2000 and 2018. All met the 2016 Japanese Circulation Society guidelines for diagnosis of CS. They were followed for a composite of major adverse cardiac events (MACE) including cardiac death, heart transplantation, unscheduled hospitalization for heart failure, and life-threatening ventricular arrhythmias. Distribution of late gadolinium enhancement (LGE) on cardiac MRI (CMR) and/or an abnormal myocardial 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) uptake on positron emission tomography at diagnosis were examined. The relationship between EAM and the image findings were also analyzed in patients with radiofrequency ablation (RFA) for VT.

Results

During a median follow-up of 53 months, 87 of the 203 patients (43%) experienced a MACE. Baseline factors associated with MACE were presence of sustained VT (HR, 2.43, 95% CI 1.54–3.85, P&lt;0.001), left ventricular ejection fraction below 50% (HR, 1.95 95% CI 1.07–3.56, P=0.029), and abnormal myocardial FDG uptake (HR, 2.42 95% CI 1.04–5.61, P=0.039). Overall, 69 of the 203 patients (34%) experienced sustained VT. Abnormal myocardial FDG uptake was significantly more prevalent in patients with VT than in those without (92.7% vs. 78.5%, P=0.02). A total of 25 patients (9.9%) required RFA for CS-related VT (Age 64.0±8.7 years, 12 males, 1.32±0.56 RFAs per patient). Abnormal electrocardiograms (EGM) were observed in 22 of the 25 patients (88%). LGE was more frequent than abnormal FDG uptake in areas with an abnormal EGM (77% vs. 41%; P=0.002). Over a mean follow-up period of 67-months, 13 of the 25 patients with RFA (52%) remained free of VT episodes (Figure). VT recurred in nine of the 12 patients with RFA and in 17 of the 47 patients without RFA, but was suppressed by intensive pharmacologic therapy such as the combined use of amiodarone and sotalol. In patients with CS-related VT, survival without experiencing a MACE did not differ in participants with or without RFA.

Conclusions

In our 203 CS patients, sustained VT and abnormal FDG uptake were associated with worse cardiac outcomes. The prevalence of abnormal FDG uptake was significantly higher in patients with CS-related VT, LGE on CMR was more frequent within localized areas of an abnormal EGM, suggesting that both scar itself and the associated inflammation were involved in the pathogenesis of CS-related VT. Successful RFA of CS-related VT is still challenging, and recurrence is common. Preprocedural CMR can be useful in detecting abnormal EGMs that are potential targets for substrate ablation.

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding source: None

Safety and tolerability of ultrasound-guided synovial needle biopsy in Japanese arthritis patients

OBJECTIVES

We sought to clarify the safety and tolerability of ultrasound (US)-guided synovial needle biopsy in hand and knee joints in Japanese arthritis patients.

METHODS

A total of nine consecutive arthritis patients were recruited and scheduled for US-guided synovial needle biopsies. Patients completed a safety questionnaire and patient-reported outcomes (PRO) data of joint pain, stiffness, and swelling pre- and postbiopsy. We also recorded patients' characteristics and willingness to undergo a second biopsy by the same technique. All synovial needle biopsy samples were assessed with pathological and microbial examination to verify whether clinical evaluation was possible.

RESULTS

Five and 4 patients underwent US-guided biopsy from hand and knee joints, respectively. PRO data showed no significant differences in pain, swelling, or stiffness levels before and after biopsy, with a mean 11.8 samples collected per procedure. No significant complications, including joint infection, bleeding, or vasovagal signs, were reported. Histologically adequate synovial tissue was identified in 83 (78%) samples. We were able to submit the biopsy samples to pathological and bacterial analysis to exclude septic arthritis.

CONCLUSION

We demonstrated that a minimally invasive US-guided needle biopsy is a safe and well-tolerated procedure and the synovial tissue collected was of adequate quality for pathological analysis.

Cardiac function at diagnosis is important prognostic factor in patients with cardiac sarcoidosis -from Japanese nationwide questionnaire survey-

Background

Sarcoidosis is a systemic non-caseating granulomatous disease of unknown etiology. Cardiac involvement (cardiac sarcoidosis, CS) has been reported to be an important prognostic factor in this disease because of heart failure and/or ventricular arrhythmia, and corticosteroid therapy is usually prescribed to prevent cardiac events. However, little is known about the relationship of cardiac function and concomitant corticosteroid therapy on later cardiac events in CS.

Objective

We evaluated the relationship between prognosis and left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) at the time of diagnosis in CS patients from the Japanese nationwide questionnaire survey.

Methods

Total of 757 Japanese patients from 57 hospitals who diagnosed CS were examined. Patients who unsatisfied the criteria of the Japanese new guidelines, or who underwent cardiac transplantations were excluded, and 420 patients (287 females, mean age 60±13 years old, median follow-up periods 1864 days [interquartile range: 845–3159 days]) were analyzed. The relationship of adverse events (all-cause death, cardiovascular death, and appropriate ICD [Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillator] discharge) and LVEF (with corticosteroid 84%) (low LVEF: LVEF≤35% n=98 [with corticosteroid in 78%], moderate LVEF: LVEF 35–50% n=104 [with corticosteroid in 93%], normal LVEF: 50≤LVEF n=218 [with corticosteroid in 83%]) were evaluated respectively.

Results

89 CS patients developed all-cause death (n=50), cardiovascular death (n=30) or appropriate ICD discharge (n=48). The frequency of corticosteroid therapy was not different in the each LVEF group, but Kaplan-Meier analysis revealed that all-cause death, cardiovascular death, and all cardiovascular adverse events were more observed in lower LVEF group (log-rank p&lt;0.0001). Furthermore, multivariate Cox hazard analysis revealed that LVEF was a most important independent prognostic factor in CS.

Conclusion

This Japanese nationwide questionnaire survey data showed that initial LVEF was an independent and strong prognostic predictor in CS, therefore primary prevention would be needed even after starting corticosteroid in patients with decreased cardiac function.

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding source: None

Long time clinical course of cardiac sarcoidosis with corticosteroid therapy -from Japanese nationwide questionnaire survey-

Background

Sarcoidosis is a systemic inflammatory syndrome of unknown etiology and cardiac involvement has been reported to be an important prognostic factor in this disease. An autopsy study has reported that the frequency of this cardiac involvement (cardiac sarcoidosis: CS) varies in the different countries and races and very frequent in Japanese patients. We therefore performed the nationwide questionnaire survey and try to clarify the clinical characteristics and corticosteroid effect in CS, especially focused on arrhythmic events in this disease.

Methods

Total of 757 Japanese patients from 57 hospitals who diagnosed CS were examined. Patients who unsatisfied the criteria of the Japanese new guidelines, or who underwent cardiac transplantations were excluded, and 420 patients (287 females, median follow-up periods 1864 days [interquartile range: 845–3159 days]) were analyzed. The clinical outcome and corticosteroid effect were evaluated.

Results

Clinical characteristics at diagnosis was as follows: female dominant (68%), mean age of 60±13 years old, mean left ventricular ejection fraction was 49±16%. Arrhythmic events were very frequently observed as an initial cardiac manifestation in 263 patients (62%) of CS, of which atrioventricular block (AVB) in 174 (41%), ventricular tachycardia (VT) in 73 (17%) and AVB with VT in 17 (4%) (Figure 1A). Pacemaker was implanted in 166 patients (40%) and defibrillators was 137 patients (33%). Corticosteroid was prescribed in 144 (83%) of 174 patients with AVB and in 62 (85%) of 73 patients with VT. Initial dose was mean 47.9 mg and maintenance dose of mean 7.3 mg. Corticosteroid improved VT as good as AVB (27% vs. 29%). However, corticosteroid sometimes worsened VT events compared with AVB (10% vs. 2%) (Figure 1B). During the course of follow-up, 32 patients were needed to increase corticosteroid in 23 of AVB and 10 of VT cases. However, there were no difference in mortality between the groups, whether or not to increase corticosteroid. All survival rate was 92% (5-year mortality), 83% (10-year mortality) and free from all cause death and defibrillator charge was 81% (5 year), 71% (10 year).

Conclusion

Fatal arrhythmia is commonly observed in CS as a primary symptom. Corticosteroid sometimes worsen ventricular arrhythmia and appropriate defibrillator discharge was common. Thus, careful attention for activating ventricular arrhythmia would be needed during the follow-up period even after corticosteroid therapy.

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding source: None

Long-term follow up ventricular tachycardia patients with preserved cardiac function -from Japanese cardiac sarcoidosis nationwide questionnaire survey-

Background

Prior ventricular tachycardia (VT) and low left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) are the most important prognostic factors in cardiac sarcoidosis (CS). Recently diagnosis of CS was renewed according to Japanese new guidelines. Patients with preserved cardiac function often have VT events, thus new guidelines recommends to assess the implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) implantation for CS patients with preserved LVEF (35%≤LVEF&lt;50%). However, the long-term prognosis of CS patients with preserved LVEF is unclear.

Objective

In CS patients with preserved LVEF, we evaluated the prognosis between VT manifestation and non-VT manifestation groups at CS diagnosis from Japanese nationwide questionnaire survey.

Methods

Total of 757 Japanese patients from 57 hospitals who diagnosed CS were examined. Patients who unsatisfied the criteria of the Japanese new guidelines, who had LVEF≤35%, LVEF&gt;50%, or who underwent cardiac transplantations were excluded. 104 patients with LVEF 35–50% (67 females, mean age 60±15 years old, median follow-up periods 2134 days [interquartile range: 758–2935 days]) were analyzed. The prognosis between VT manifestation and non-VT manifestation groups at CS diagnosis were evaluated.

Results

30 patients had VT manifestation at CS diagnosis and 24 patients (80%) received ICDs. 74 patients had no VT manifestation at CS diagnosis and 19 patients (44%) received ICDs during follow up period. All-cause mortality was not different between two groups (Figure). Appropriate ICD therapy of non-VT manifestation group was significantly lower compared with that of VT manifestation group (log-rank p=0.001), however considerable number (n=7, 15%) of non-VT manifestation group had appropriate ICD therapy event during follow-up period. Cox hazard analysis revealed that concomitant non-sustained VT (NSVT) with atrioventricular block (AVB) was a predictor of appropriate ICD therapy in non-VT manifestation group.

Conclusion

This nationwide survey showed that considerable number of CS patients with preserved LVEF had VT events, independent of VT manifestation. Concomitant NSVT with AVB was a predictor of VT events, and ICD implantation should be assessed.

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding source: None

Beneficial effects of balloon pulmonary angioplasty on clinical outcomes in patients with residual pulmonary hypertension after pulmonary endarterectomy

Background

Although pulmonary endarterectomy (PEA) is an established surgical treatment for chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH), a part of patients after PEA show residual pulmonary hypertension, leading to limited exercise capacity. Recently, several studies have indicated that balloon pulmonary angioplasty (BPA) improves hemodynamics, exercise capacity and prognosis in inoperable CTEPH patients. However, the effects of BPA in patients with residual pulmonary hypertension after PEA remain to be elucidated.

Aim

In the present study, we investigated comprehensive efficacy of BPA on hemodynamics, exercise capacity and right ventricular function in those with residual pulmonary hypertension after PEA.

Methods

From October 2010 to February 2019, 227 patients with CTEPH underwent PEA in our institution. Right heart catheterization after PEA (median follow up period from PEA to right heart catheterization 39 [10.5, 90] months) showed that 55 patients showed residual PH (mean pulmonary artery pressure (mPAP)≥25mmHg), and 38 of them referred to BPA (mean age 57 years old, male 8 (21%)) due to residual symptoms. In 29 out of 38 patients (76%) who completed BPA and underwent follow-up right heart catheterization, we examined hemodynamics, exercise capacity and right ventricular function before and after BPA. Follow-up examination was performed 3 months after last BPA session.

Results

In this study population (N=29), PEA significantly improved mPAP (47±7 to 38±10 mmHg), pulmonary vascular resistance (PVR, 14.6±4.6 to 9.2±4.6 WU) and right ventricular ejection fraction measured by magnetic resonance imaging (26.6±11.3 to 38.4±6.8%) (Figure). Median period from PEA to first BPA procedure was 42 [13.5, 94] months. Total session number during study period was 160 sessions, and mean session number of BPA was 5.5±1.5 per patient. Follow-up study revealed that BPA additionally improved mPAP (38±10 to 27±8 mmHg) and PVR (9.2±4.6 to 5.1±2.2 WU) (Figure). Similarly, 6-minute walk distance (393±125 to 452±125 m) and peak VO2 (16.4±3.8 to 18.1±4.6 ml/min/kg, p&lt;0.05) were increased, and WHO functional class also significantly improved by BPA (I/II/III/IV, 0/21/8/ 0 to 1/27/1/0, p&lt;0.01). In addition, right ventricular ejection fraction (38.4±6.8 to 44.2±7.1%) was increased after BPA (Figure). There were no procedure-related deaths and major lung injuries requiring oral intubation during study period. 3-year survival in patients after BPA was 100% (median follow-up period after last BPA session, 32 [18, 46] months).

Conclusion

In CTEPH patients with residual pulmonary hypertension after PEA, additional BPA significantly improved hemodynamics, right ventricular function, exercise capacity and residual symptoms without severe complications, leading to good prognosis. These results suggest that combination therapy of PEA and BPA could be an effective therapeutic option for post PEA patients with residual symptoms and exercise limitation.

Figure 1

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding source: None

Micro-embolic risks during radiofrequency and cryoballoon-ablation of atrial fibrillation -analysis from real-time carotid artery doppler monitoring-

Background

Catheter ablation of atrial fibrillation (AF) is associated with risks of silent cerebral events. However, the timing of intraprocedural micro-embolic events or differences between open-irrigated radiofrequency (RF) and cryoballoon (Cryo) ablation are unclear. Newly developed real-time carotid artery Doppler is a simple non-invasive method to detect micro-embolic signals (MESs) during ablation.

Objective

We investigated the timing of detecting MESs during RF and Cryo ablation of AF.

Methods

During the first pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) session of AF, MESs were monitored by real-time carotid artery Doppler monitoring throughout the procedure. The MES counts were collected and evaluated separately during the different steps of the procedure (Figure).

Results

Thirty-three AF patients (RF/Cryo: 22/11 cases, 9 females, 69.5±11.6 y.o) were included. PVI was successfully accomplished in all patients with no major complications. The MES count was significantly greater in the RF group than Cryo group (table). In both groups, left atrial (LA) access (interatrial puncture) and sheaths insertion to the LA generated a significant number of MESs (RF: 1690 of 9116 MESs [18.5% of the total MESs], Cryo: 793 of 2285 MESs [34.7%]). In the RF group, MESs were observed incessantly during PVI (Figure). The LA dwell time was significantly longer in the RF group than Cryo group (table). In the RF group, the MES count was significantly greater in the longer LA dwell time group (LA dwell time &gt;130min) than the shorter group (464.2±179.7 vs 302.6±138.2: P=0.049). During the cryo-applications in the Cryo group, the MESs were greatest during the first cryoballoon application (625 of 2285 MESs [27.4%]).

Conclusions

There were more MESs during RF ablation than cryoablation. MESs were recorded during a variety of steps throughout the procedure. In the RF group, most of MESs were recorded incessantly during radiofrequency ablation and greater number of MESs were recorded in patients with longer LA dwell time. In the Cryo group, most of MESs occurred during phases with a high probability of gaseous emboli.

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding source: None

The safety of catheter ablation of atrial fibrillation in elderly patients -analysis of the nationwide database in Japan, JROAD-DPC-

Background

“Age” is one of the major concerns and determinants of the indications for catheter ablation (CA) of atrial fibrillation (AF). There are little safety data on CA of AF according to the age. This study aimed to assess the safety of CA in elderly patients undergoing CA of AF.

Methods and results

We investigated the complication rate of CA of AF for the different age groups (&lt;60 years, 60–65, 65–70, 70–75, 75–80, 80–85, and ≥85) by a nationwide database (Japanese Registry Of All cardiac and vascular Diseases [JROAD]-DPC). The JROAD-DPC included 73,296 patients (65±11 years, 52,883 men) who underwent CA of AF from 516 hospitals in Japan. Aged patients had more comorbidities and a significantly increased CHADS2 score and higher rate of female according to a higher age. The overall complication rate was 2.6% and in-hospital mortality was 0.05%. By comparing each age group, complications occurred more frequently in higher aged groups. A multivariate adjusted hazard ratio revealed an increased age was independently and significantly associated with the overall complications (odds ratio was 1.25, 1.35, 1.72, 1.86, 2.76 and 3.13 respectively; reference &lt;60 years).

Conclusions

The frequency of complications was significantly higher according to a higher age. We should take note of the indications and procedure for CA of AF in aged patients.

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding source: Public Institution(s). Main funding source(s): Intramural Research Fund 17 (Kusano) for Cardiovascular Diseases of the National Cerebral and Cardiovascular Center

SAT0113 DISCORDANCE OF CLINICAL REMISSION AND IMAGING REMISSION BY ULTRASONOGRAPHY IN PATIENTS WITH RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS WITH BIOLOGIC AGENTS

Background:

Residual synovitis can be detected by sensitive modalities such as ultrasonography in patients with rheumatoid arthritis in clinical remission. On the other hand, a previous study has shown that ultrasound-guided treatment provides modest benefit compared to a conventional strategy aiming clinical remission in early patients. It is still unclear how discordant clinical remission is from imaging remission by ultrasonography in patients treated with biologic agents

Objectives:

To clarify the discordance between clinical remission and imaging remission in patients with rheumatoid arthritis treated with biologic agents.

Methods:

Patients with rheumatoid arthritis who were treated with biologic agents and in clinical remission defined as disease activity score for 28 joints (DAS28)<2.6 were enrolled. All patients were performed comprehensive ultrasound examination of 44 joints as well as physical examinations. Ultrasound images of gray scale (GS) and power doppler (PD) were evaluated with a semi-quantitative score of 0-3. Imaging remission with ultrasound was defined as no PD signal detected in any joints. Clinical information was collected from their medical charts.

Results:

A total of 41 patients were enrolled with 22 patients treated with tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α inhibitors and 19 with interleukin (IL)-6 inhibitors. The mean age, female ratio, the mean disease duration, and the mean duration of clinical remission were 60 years old, 87%, 5.1 years and 11.5 years. The imaging remission by ultrasonography was observed only in 51.2 %. When patients were divided according to biologic agents, baseline characteristics including median age, disease duration and clinically remission duration were comparable between both groups, while the rates of seropositivity and the stage of radiological progression was higher in IL-6 group (seropositivity, p=0.04; radiological progression, p=0.02). The mean DAS28 was 1.93 in the TNFα group and 1.02 in the IL-6 group. The discordance of clinical remission and imaging remission was observed in 28.6% of the TNFα group and 71.4% of the IL-6 group (p=0.03). The residual synovitis scores of GS and PD in 44 joints were significantly lower in the TNFα than the IL-6 group (GS, 1.1±1.8 vs 4.7 ± 4.6, p<0.01; PD, 0.6 ± 1.3 vs 3.3 ± 3.5, p<0.01, respectively). A receiver operating characteristic curve demonstrated an optimal score of DAS28 that discriminated imaging remission as 1.89 in the TNFα group and 1.25 in the IL-6 group.

Conclusion:

Our results showed that there was substantial discordance between clinical remission and imaging remission, especially in the patients treated with IL-6 inhibitors. In patients treated with biologic agents, clinical remission should be assessed more stringently than the usual 2.6, and ulltrasound-guided management may be useful.

References:

[1]Smolen JS, et al. Ann Rheum Dis 2020;0:1–15.

[2]Iwamoto T, et al. Arthritis Care Res (Hoboken). 2014;66(10):1576-81

[3]Tanaka Y. Ann Rheum Dis 2010;69:1286 –91

[4]Kaneko Y, et al. Ann Rheum Dis 2018;77:1268–1275

[5]Brown AK, et al. Arthritis Rheum 2008;58: 2958 – 67.

Acknowledgments:

We would like to thank Harumi Kondo for their assistance.

Disclosure of Interests:

Yasushi Kondo: None declared, Yuko Kaneko Speakers bureau: Dr. Kaneko reports personal fees from AbbVie, personal fees from Astellas, personal fees from Ayumi, personal fees from Bristol-Myers Squibb, personal fees from Chugai, personal fees from Eisai, personal fees from Eli Lilly, personal fees from Hisamitsu, personal fees from Jansen, personal fees from Kissei, personal fees from Pfizer, personal fees from Sanofi, personal fees from Takeda, personal fees from Tanabe-Mitsubishi, personal fees from UCB, Shuntaro Saito: None declared, Yuichiro Ohta: None declared, Komei Sakata: None declared, Yumiko Inoue: None declared, Chihiro Takahashi: None declared, Kazuoto Hiramoto: None declared, Jun Inamo: None declared, Tsutomu Takeuchi Grant/research support from: Eisai Co., Ltd, Astellas Pharma Inc., AbbVie GK, Asahi Kasei Pharma Corporation, Nippon Kayaku Co., Ltd, Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Ltd, UCB Pharma, Shionogi & Co., Ltd., Mitsubishi-Tanabe Pharma Corp., Daiichi Sankyo Co., Ltd., Chugai Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd., Consultant of: Chugai Pharmaceutical Co Ltd, Astellas Pharma Inc., Eli Lilly Japan KK, Speakers bureau: AbbVie GK, Eisai Co., Ltd, Mitsubishi-Tanabe Pharma Corporation, Chugai Pharmaceutical Co Ltd, Bristol-Myers Squibb Company, AYUMI Pharmaceutical Corp., Eisai Co., Ltd, Daiichi Sankyo Co., Ltd., Gilead Sciences, Inc., Novartis Pharma K.K., Pfizer Japan Inc., Sanofi K.K., Dainippon Sumitomo Co., Ltd.

AB1123 PROGRESSION OF FINGER JOINT CARTILAGE DAMAGE EVALUATED BY ULTRASOUND IN PATIENTS WITH RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS

Background:

Cartilage damage in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) has been evaluated by joint space narrowing (JSN) in X-ray, despite the fact that it is not a direct evaluation of cartilage. We have recently reported that direct evaluation of finger joint cartilage thickness evaluated by ultrasound (US) is valid and useful for patients with RA1).

Objectives:

In this study, we aimed to examine the progression of cartilage damage in RA patients.

Methods:

Forty-six patients with RA who had completed the US evaluation of finger joint cartilage thickness at baseline and after 1 year were included in this study. The cartilage thickness of metacarpophalangeal (MCP) and proximal interphalangeal (PIP) joints of 2nd to 5th fingers were bilaterally visualized and measured at the middle portion of MCP and PIP joints from a longitudinal dorsal view, with approximately 90 degrees flexion. Cartilage thickness was measured from the base of the cartilage to the interface artefact at the cartilage surface by calculating the pixel counts on DICOM images.

Results:

In patients, 78% were female, the median age was 68 years and the median disease duration of the patients was 6 years. The median DAS28-CRP at baseline was 2.6. The sum of total cartilage thickness from 16 joints per patient ranged from 3.1 to 9.1 mm (median 6.4 mm) at baseline, and it was significantly correlated with disease duration (ρ=-0.423, p=0.003). A significant decrease from the baseline in the cartilage thickness (median -1.6%) was observed after 1 year (p=0.041). Furthermore, patients with persistently moderate/high disease activity for 1 year by DAS28-CRP (n=9) showed a greater decrease in the cartilage thickness than the remaining patients with controlled disease activity (n=37) (median -5.9% versus -1.5%, respectively, p=0.029).

Conclusion:

This study further supported the validity and usefulness of joint cartilage thickness evaluation by US in patients with RA.

References:

[1]Ogura T, et al. Arthritis Care Res 2019 Oct 25.

Disclosure of Interests:

Takehisa Ogura: None declared, Ayako Hirata: None declared, Sayaka Takenaka: None declared, Yuki Inoue: None declared, Takaharu Kagtagiri: None declared, Yuto Takakura: None declared, Hideki Ito: None declared, Hideto Kameda Grant/research support from: Abbvie, Asahi-Kasei, Chugai, Eisai, Mitsubishi-Tanabe and Novartis, Consultant of: Abbvie, Boehringer, Celgene, Eli Lilly, Janssen, Novartis, Sanofi, UCB, Speakers bureau: Abbvie, Asahi-Kasei, BMS, Chugai, Eisai, Eli Lilly, Janssen, Mitsubishi-Tanabe, Novartis and Pfizer

0594 Can a Deep Convolutional Neural Network Extract Diagnostic Information on Obstructive Sleep Apnea from Images?

Introduction

Lateral cephalometric radiography is a simple way to provide craniofacial soft/hard tissue profiles specific for patients with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and may thus offer diagnostic information on the disease. We hypothesized that a machine learning technology, a deep convolutional neural network (DCNN), could make it possible to detect OSA based solely on lateral cephalometric radiographs without the need for either large amounts of subjective/laboratory data or skilled analyses.

Methods

In this diagnostic study, a DCNN was developed (n=1,258) and tested (n=131) using data from 1,389 lateral cephalometric radiographs obtained from individuals diagnosed with severe OSA (n=867; apnea hypopnea index &gt;30/hour) or non-OSA (n=522; apnea hypopnea index &lt; 5) at a single center for sleep disorders from March, 2006 to February, 2017. Three kinds of data sets were prepared by changing the area of interest using a single image; original image without any modification (Full Image), image containing a facial profile, upper airway, craniofacial soft/hard tissues, and image containing part of the occipital region (upper left corner of the image; Head Only). A radiologist and an orthodontist also performed a manual cephalometric analysis of the Full Image for comparison. Observers were blinded to the patient groupings. Data analysis was performed from April, 2018 to August, 2019. When the predictive score obtained from the DCNN analysis exceeded the threshold (0.50), the patient was judged to have OSA. The primary outcome was diagnostic accuracy in terms of area under the receiver-operating characteristic curve.

Results

The sensitivity/specificity was 0.87/0.82 for Full Image, 0.88/0.75 for Main Region, 0.71/0.63 for Head Only, and 0.54/0.80 for the manual analysis. The area under the curve was the highest for Main Region (0.92): 0.89 for Full Image, 0.70 for Head Only, and 0.75 for the manual analysis.

Conclusion

A DCNN identified individuals with OSA with high accuracy. This is a useful approach that does not require any laborious analyses in a primary care setting or in remote areas where an initial specialized OSA diagnosis is not feasible.

Support

This study was supported in part by the Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (grant numbers 17K11793, 19K10236).

0486 Impact of Intrinsic Factors on Efficacy of Lemborexant: Subgroup Analyses of SUNRISE-2

Introduction

Lemborexant (LEM), a dual orexin receptor antagonist, demonstrated significant benefits vs placebo on patient-reported sleep outcomes in adults age ≥18y in SUNRISE-2 (NCT02952820; E2006-G000-303). The impact of intrinsic factors (sex, race, and region) on LEM efficacy outcomes was assessed.

Methods

SUNRISE-2 was a randomized, double-blind, global phase 3 study in adults age ≥18y with insomnia disorder (Full Analysis Set, n=949). Subjects received placebo (n=318) or LEM (5mg [LEM5], n=316; 10mg [LEM10]; n=315) for 6 months. At 6 months, placebo subjects were rerandomized to LEM for another 6 months (not reported here); LEM subjects remained on their assigned dose. Sleep diary-based (subjective) sleep onset latency (sSOL) and wake after sleep onset (sWASO) were assessed for prespecified patient subgroups including: sex (male [n=302], female [n=647]), race (white [n=679], black [n=76], Asian [n=178]), and region (North America [n=302], Europe/New Zealand [n=483], Asia [n=164]). Analyses were not controlled for multiplicity.

Results

LEM5 and LEM10 provided numerically greater median reductions (improvement) from baseline in sSOL vs placebo at 6 months in across all subgroups examined. Also, LEM5 and LEM10 led to mean reductions (improvement) from baseline at 6 months in sWASO for all subgroups. While several subgroups had small numbers of subjects, changes from baseline in sSOL and sWASO were in the direction of improvement in the majority of subgroups. Pharmacokinetic analyses showed no important differences in exposure by these factors.

Conclusion

LEM treatment demonstrated efficacy in improving sSOL and sWASO across patient subgroups, supporting common dosing instructions for both sexes and all races.

Support

Eisai Inc.

0474 Long-Term Efficacy and Safety of Lemborexant in Elderly Adults with Insomnia Disorder: Results from SUNRISE-2

Introduction

In SUNRISE-2 (NCT02952820; E2006-G000-303), the dual orexin receptor antagonist lemborexant (LEM) demonstrated significant benefit versus placebo (PBO) on subjective sleep endpoints over 6mo in subjects age ≥18y; benefits were sustained over 12mo. Here we present 12mo efficacy and safety data for LEM from the elderly (≥65y) subgroup.

Methods

SUNRISE-2 was a 12mo, randomized, double-blind, PBO-controlled (first 6mo [Period 1]), global phase 3 study. During Period 1, subjects were randomized to PBO or LEM (5mg, [LEM5]; 10mg, [LEM10]). During Period 2 (second 6mo), LEM subjects continued their assigned dose while PBO subjects were rerandomized to LEM5 or LEM10 (not reported here). Patient-reported (subjective) sleep endpoints were assessed from sleep diary data (sleep onset latency [sSOL]; sleep efficiency [sSE]; wake after sleep onset [sWASO]).

Results

Of the 949 subjects in the Full Analysis Set, 262 were age ≥65y. At 6mo, in subjects ≥65y, median sSOL significantly decreased from baseline for LEM5 (−21.7) and LEM10 (−26.0) versus PBO (−10.8; P&lt;0.0001, P&lt;0.01, respectively). At 12mo, LEM5 and LEM10 subjects maintained decreases in median sSOL (−29.3, −34.3, respectively). At 6mo, the mean (SD) increase from baseline in sSE was significantly larger versus PBO (8.5[13.3]) for LEM5 (16.9[13.6]; P&lt;0.001) and LEM10 (14.9[15.9]; P&lt;0.01). At 12mo, mean (SD) increase in sSE was maintained for LEM5 (18.1[12.5]) and LEM10 (18.0[16.8]). At 6mo, mean (SD) change from baseline in sWASO was significantly decreased versus PBO (−26.5 [52.9]) for LEM5 and LEM10 (−54.8[64.4], P&lt;0.01; −51.4[69.3], P&lt;0.05, respectively). At 12mo, mean (SD) decrease in sWASO was maintained for LEM5 (−58.6[46.0]) and LEM10 (−60.9[80.4]). Over 12mo, the most common (&gt;10% either group) treatment emergent adverse events with LEM5 and LEM10, respectively, were somnolence (9.3%, 19.0%), nasopharyngitis (9.3%, 10.7%), and headache (10.5%, 6.0%).

Conclusion

In elderly subjects, LEM demonstrated efficacy at 6mo, which persisted at 12mo; LEM was well tolerated.

Support

Eisai Inc.

0473 Effectiveness and Safety of Lemborexant in Subjects Previously Treated with Placebo for 6 Months in SUNRISE-2

Introduction

In SUNRISE-2 (NCT02952820; E2006-G000-303), while lemborexant (LEM) provided significant benefit versus placebo (PBO) on sleep-diary measurements over 6mo, some improvement was noted in PBO subjects. We report outcomes from PBO subjects rerandomized to LEM during the last 6mo of SUNRISE-2.

Methods

SUNRISE-2 was a randomized, double-blind, global phase 3 study in adults (≥18y) with insomnia disorder. Subjects received PBO or LEM (5mg [LEM5]; 10mg [LEM10]) for 6mo. PBO subjects were rerandomized to LEM for another 6mo; LEM subjects continued assigned treatment. Changes from 6mo baseline (calculated after PBO completion) in subjective sleep onset latency (sSOL), subjective sleep efficiency (sSE), and subjective wake after sleep onset (sWASO) are reported for rerandomized subjects.

Results

At study baseline for PBO subjects (n=318), median sSOL (min) was 55.9, mean (SD) sSE (%) and sWASO (min) were 61.3 (17.8) and 132.5 (80.2), respectively. The 6mo baseline values for rerandomized PBO-LEM5 (n=133) and PBO-LEM10 (n=125) subjects, respectively, were: median sSOL, 31.2, 34.3; mean (SD) sSE, 70.5 (20.2), 71.1 (18.0); mean (SD) sWASO, 105.1 (80.6), 100.1 (84.6). Median sSOL decreased from the 6mo baseline after 1mo (PBO-LEM5, −3.2; PBO-LEM10, −2.9) and 6mo (PBO-LEM5, −2.7; PBO-LEM10, −5.0). Mean (SD) sSE increased from the 6mo baseline after 1mo (PBO-LEM5, 3.9 [12.1]; PBO-LEM10, 3.5 [8.1]) and 6mo (PBO-LEM5, 3.9 [13.6]; PBO-LEM10, 4.5 [13.0]). Mean (SD) sWASO decreased after 1mo (PBO-LEM5, −8.5 [49.4]; PBO-LEM10, −5.7 [36.1]) and 6mo (PBO-LEM5, −8.2 [49.0]; PBO-LEM10, −10.0 [58.8]). Treatment-emergent adverse events incidence was similar during PBO (62.7%) and LEM treatment (PBO-LEM5, 54.9%; PBO-LEM10, 57.7%). Adverse events were consistent with those seen in the initial 6mo of treatment for patients originally randomized to LEM.

Conclusion

Rerandomization to LEM was associated with additional improvement in sleep outcomes following the PBO-related response. LEM benefit was evident after 1mo and was sustained throughout treatment. LEM was well tolerated.

Support

Eisai Inc.

Search for η^{'} Bound Nuclei in the ^{12}C(γ,p) Reaction with Simultaneous Detection of Decay Products

We measured missing mass spectrum of the ^{12}C(γ,p) reaction for the first time in coincidence with potential decay products from η^{'} bound nuclei. We tagged an (η+p) pair associated with the η^{'}N→ηN process in a nucleus. After applying kinematical selections to reduce backgrounds, no signal events were observed in the bound-state region. An upper limit of the signal cross section in the opening angle cosθ_{lab}^{ηp}<-0.9 was obtained to be 2.2  nb/sr at the 90% confidence level. It is compared with theoretical cross sections, whose normalization ambiguity is suppressed by measuring a quasifree η^{'} production rate. Our results indicate a small branching fraction of the η^{'}N→ηN process and/or a shallow η^{'}-nucleus potential.

Association of Propionibacterium acnes with the efficacy of minocycline therapy for cutaneous sarcoidosis

BACKGROUND

Although tetracycline has been used to treat cutaneous sarcoidosis, the mechanism of action for this treatment remains unclear. This study evaluated the efficacy of minocycline treatment on cutaneous sarcoidosis and the relationship between its efficacy and the presence of Propionibacterium acnes in skin sarcoid lesions.

METHODS

We retrospectively reviewed results in 13 patients with cutaneous sarcoidosis treated with minocycline at Saitama Medical Center between 2010 and 2017. To demonstrate the presence of P. acnes in the skin lesions, skin biopsy specimens from 11 of the 13 patients were evaluated with immunohistochemistry using a specific monoclonal antibody against P. acnes (PAB antibody).

RESULTS

Of the 13 patients treated with minocycline, six patients (46%) achieved a complete response (CR) and seven (54%) had a partial response (PR). The skin lesions regressed in 1.5-5 months (average, 3.2 months) after treatment with minocycline. No relapse had occurred during the minocycline therapy. Elevated serum angiotensin-converting enzyme levels were observed in five of the patients, and the levels reduced after treatment with minocycline. P. acnes, identified as round bodies that reacted with PAB antibody, were observed in the skin sarcoid granulomas in all patients tested. The number of PAB-positive round bodies was significantly higher in the skin lesions of patients who had CR than in those who had PR.

CONCLUSIONS

These results suggest the effectiveness of minocycline for the treatment of cutaneous sarcoidosis and an association of P. acnes with the efficacy of minocycline therapy for cutaneous sarcoidosis.

Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder and physical multimorbidity: A population-based study

Background:

There has been little research on the association of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) with co-occurring physical diseases. The aim of this study was to examine the association between possible ADHD and physical multimorbidity (i.e. = 2 physical diseases) among adults in the English general population.

Methods:

Data were analyzed from 7274 individuals aged = 18 years that came from the Adult Psychiatric Morbidity Survey 2007. ADHD symptoms were assessed with the Adult Self-Report Scale (ASRS) Screener. Information was also obtained on 20 self-reported doctor/other health professional diagnosed physical health conditions present in the past 12 months. Multivariable logistic regression and mediation analyses were conducted to assess the associations.

Results:

There was a monotonic relation between the number of physical diseases and possible ADHD (ASRS score = 14). Compared to those with no diseases, individuals with = 5 diseases had over 3 times higher odds for possible ADHD (odds ratio [OR]: 3.30, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 2.48–4.37). This association was observed in all age groups. Stressful life events (% mediated 10.3–24.3%), disordered eating (6.8%), depression (12.8%), and anxiety (24.8%) were significant mediators in the association between possible ADHD and physical multimorbidity.

Conclusion:

Adults that screen positive for ADHD are at an increased risk for multimorbidity and several factors are important in this association. As many adults with ADHD remain undiagnosed, the results of this study highlight the importance of detecting adult ADHD as it may confer an increased risk for poorer health outcomes, including physical multimorbidity.

Regional pancreatoduodenectomy versus standard pancreatoduodenectomy with portal vein resection for pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma with portal vein invasion

Background

Pancreatoduodenectomy (PD) with portal vein resection (PVR) is a standard operation for pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) with portal vein (PV) invasion, but positive margin rates remain high. It was hypothesized that regional pancreatoduodenectomy (RPD), in which soft tissue around the PV is resected en bloc, could enhance oncological clearance and survival.

Methods

This retrospective study included consecutive patients who underwent PD with PVR between January 2005 and December 2016 in a single high‐volume centre. In standard PD (SPD) with PVR, the PV was skeletonized and the surrounding soft tissue dissected. In RPD, the retropancreatic segment of the PV was resected en bloc with its surrounding soft tissue. The extent of lymphadenectomy was similar between the procedures.

Results

A total of 268 patients were included (177 SPD, 91 RPD). Tumours were more often resectable in patients undergoing SPD (60·5 per cent versus 38 per cent in those having RPD; P = 0·014), and consequently they received neoadjuvant therapy less often (7·9 versus 25 per cent respectively; P < 0·001). R0 resection was achieved in 73 patients (80 per cent) in the RPD group, compared with 117 (66·1 per cent) of those in the SPD group (P = 0·016), although perioperative outcomes were comparable between the groups. Median recurrence‐free (RFS) and overall (OS) survival were 17 and 32 months respectively in patients who had RPD, compared with 11 and 21 months in those who had SPD (RFS: P = 0·003; OS: P = 0·004).

Conclusion

RPD is as safe and feasible as SPD, and may increase the survival of patients with PDAC with PV invasion.

Nintedanib in patients with progressive fibrosing interstitial lung diseases-subgroup analyses by interstitial lung disease diagnosis in the INBUILD trial: a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel-group trial

BACKGROUND

The INBUILD trial investigated the efficacy and safety of nintedanib versus placebo in patients with progressive fibrosing interstitial lung diseases (ILDs) other than idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF). We aimed to establish the effects of nintedanib in subgroups based on ILD diagnosis.

METHODS

The INBUILD trial was a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel group trial done at 153 sites in 15 countries. Participants had an investigator-diagnosed fibrosing ILD other than IPF, with chest imaging features of fibrosis of more than 10% extent on high resolution CT (HRCT), forced vital capacity (FVC) of 45% or more predicted, and diffusing capacity of the lung for carbon monoxide (DLco) of at least 30% and less than 80% predicted. Participants fulfilled protocol-defined criteria for ILD progression in the 24 months before screening, despite management considered appropriate in clinical practice for the individual ILD. Participants were randomly assigned 1:1 by means of a pseudo-random number generator to receive nintedanib 150 mg twice daily or placebo for at least 52 weeks. Participants, investigators, and other personnel involved in the trial and analysis were masked to treatment assignment until after database lock. In this subgroup analysis, we assessed the rate of decline in FVC (mL/year) over 52 weeks in patients who received at least one dose of nintedanib or placebo in five prespecified subgroups based on the ILD diagnoses documented by the investigators: hypersensitivity pneumonitis, autoimmune ILDs, idiopathic non-specific interstitial pneumonia, unclassifiable idiopathic interstitial pneumonia, and other ILDs. The trial has been completed and is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, number NCT02999178.

FINDINGS

Participants were recruited between Feb 23, 2017, and April 27, 2018. Of 663 participants who received at least one dose of nintedanib or placebo, 173 (26%) had chronic hypersensitivity pneumonitis, 170 (26%) an autoimmune ILD, 125 (19%) idiopathic non-specific interstitial pneumonia, 114 (17%) unclassifiable idiopathic interstitial pneumonia, and 81 (12%) other ILDs. The effect of nintedanib versus placebo on reducing the rate of FVC decline (mL/year) was consistent across the five subgroups by ILD diagnosis in the overall population (hypersensitivity pneumonitis 73·1 [95% CI -8·6 to 154·8]; autoimmune ILDs 104·0 [21·1 to 186·9]; idiopathic non-specific interstitial pneumonia 141·6 [46·0 to 237·2]; unclassifiable idiopathic interstitial pneumonia 68·3 [-31·4 to 168·1]; and other ILDs 197·1 [77·6 to 316·7]; p=0·41 for treatment by subgroup by time interaction). Adverse events reported in the subgroups were consistent with those reported in the overall population.

INTERPRETATION

The INBUILD trial was not designed or powered to provide evidence for a benefit of nintedanib in specific diagnostic subgroups. However, its results suggest that nintedanib reduces the rate of ILD progression, as measured by FVC decline, in patients who have a chronic fibrosing ILD and progressive phenotype, irrespective of the underlying ILD diagnosis.

FUNDING

Boehringer Ingelheim.

Prospects for observing and localizing gravitational-wave transients with Advanced LIGO, Advanced Virgo and KAGRA

We present our current best estimate of the plausible observing scenarios for the Advanced LIGO, Advanced Virgo and KAGRA gravitational-wave detectors over the next several years, with the intention of providing information to facilitate planning for multi-messenger astronomy with gravitational waves. We estimate the sensitivity of the network to transient gravitational-wave signals for the third (O3), fourth (O4) and fifth observing (O5) runs, including the planned upgrades of the Advanced LIGO and Advanced Virgo detectors. We study the capability of the network to determine the sky location of the source for gravitational-wave signals from the inspiral of binary systems of compact objects, that is binary neutron star, neutron star-black hole, and binary black hole systems. The ability to localize the sources is given as a sky-area probability, luminosity distance, and comoving volume. The median sky localization area (90% credible region) is expected to be a few hundreds of square degrees for all types of binary systems during O3 with the Advanced LIGO and Virgo (HLV) network. The median sky localization area will improve to a few tens of square degrees during O4 with the Advanced LIGO, Virgo, and KAGRA (HLVK) network. During O3, the median localization volume (90% credible region) is expected to be on the order of 10 5 , 10 6 , 10 7 Mpc 3 for binary neutron star, neutron star-black hole, and binary black hole systems, respectively. The localization volume in O4 is expected to be about a factor two smaller than in O3. We predict a detection count of 1 - 1 + 12 ( 10 - 10 + 52 ) for binary neutron star mergers, of 0 - 0 + 19 ( 1 - 1 + 91 ) for neutron star-black hole mergers, and 17 - 11 + 22 ( 79 - 44 + 89 ) for binary black hole mergers in a one-calendar-year observing run of the HLV network during O3 (HLVK network during O4). We evaluate sensitivity and localization expectations for unmodeled signal searches, including the search for intermediate mass black hole binary mergers.