Evaluation of mobility recovery after hip fracture: a scoping review of randomized controlled studies

Few older adults regain their pre-fracture mobility after a hip fracture. Intervention studies evaluating effects on gait typically use short clinical tests or in-lab parameters that are often limited to gait speed only. Measurements of mobility in daily life settings exist and should be considered to a greater extent than today. Less than half of hip fracture patients regain their pre-fracture mobility. Mobility recovery is closely linked to health status and quality of life, but there is no comprehensive overview of how gait has been evaluated in intervention studies on hip fracture patients. The purpose was to identify what gait parameters have been used in randomized controlled trials to assess intervention effects on older people's mobility recovery after hip fracture. This scoping review is a secondary paper that identified relevant peer-reviewed and grey literature from 11 databases. After abstract and full-text screening, 24 papers from the original review and 8 from an updated search and manual screening were included. Records were eligible if they included gait parameters in RCTs on hip fracture patients. We included 32 papers from 29 trials (2754 unique participants). Gait parameters were primary endpoint in six studies only. Gait was predominantly evaluated as short walking, with gait speed being most frequently studied. Only five studies reported gait parameters from wearable sensors. Evidence on mobility improvement after interventions in hip fracture patients is largely limited to gait speed as assessed in a controlled setting. The transition from traditional clinical and in-lab to out-of-lab gait assessment is needed to assess effects of interventions on mobility recovery after hip fracture at higher granularity in all aspects of patients' lives, so that optimal care pathways can be defined.

Overview of global real-world data sources for pediatric pharmacoepidemiologic research

PURPOSE

Given limited information available on real-world data (RWD) sources with pediatric populations, this study describes features of globally available RWD sources for pediatric pharmacoepidemiologic research.

METHODS

An online questionnaire about pediatric RWD sources and their attributes and capabilities was completed by members and affiliates of the International Society for Pharmacoepidemiology and representatives of nominated databases. All responses were verified by database representatives and summarized.

RESULTS

Of 93 RWD sources identified, 55 unique pediatric RWD sources were verified, including data from Europe (47%), United States (38%), multiregion (7%), Asia-Pacific (5%), and South America (2%). Most databases had nationwide coverage (82%), contained electronic health/medical records (47%) and/or administrative claims data (42%) and were linkable to other databases (65%). Most (71%) had limited outside access (e.g., by approval or through local collaborators); only 10 (18%) databases were publicly available. Six databases (11%) reported having >20 million pediatric observations. Most (91%) included children of all ages (birth until 18th birthday) and contained outpatient medication data (93%), while half (49%) contained inpatient medication data. Many databases captured vaccine information for children (71%), and one-third had regularly updated data on pediatric height (31%) and weight (33%). Other pediatric data attributes captured include diagnoses and comorbidities (89%), lab results (58%), vital signs (55%), devices (55%), imaging results (42%), narrative patient histories (35%), and genetic/biomarker data (22%).

CONCLUSIONS

This study provides an overview with key details about diverse databases that allow researchers to identify fit-for-purpose RWD sources suitable for pediatric pharmacoepidemiologic research.

Estimating prevalence and characteristics of statin intolerance among high and very high cardiovascular risk patients in Germany between 2017–2020

Background

Statins remain the backbone of lipid management. Nevertheless, the degree to which statins can be used and dosed in clinical practice remains a great challenge, also due to statin intolerance (SI). The lack of widely accepted SI definition leads to poor understanding of the condition and SI patient profile

Purpose

To estimate the current SI prevalence and understand better the patient characteristics, using machine learning techniques

Methods

Retrospective cohort study, based on representative sample of electronic patient records from outpatient setting in Germany. Patients were included if they had high CV risk, atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) or hypercholesterolemia (HC), between 2017 and 2020. Patients were categorized as having “absolute” (history of SI events and permanent statin discontinuation) or “partial” (history of SI events while treated with statins) SI. Machine learning techniques were utilized to calibrate the prevalence estimates and to identify patient clusters. Estimates of SI prevalence were derived based on different rules and confidence levels (high, moderate and low). The low confidence estimates contain the most uncertainty in identifying SI

Results

The study population consisted of 292,603 patients (57.3% aged >70 years; 55.6% male). Of these, ∼24% had high CV risk, ∼56% had ASCVD, and ∼20% had HC. After deploying machine learning, the SI identification improved by ∼27% in absolute SI and by ∼57% in partial SI patients, resulting in a maximum estimate of 12.5% SI with high/moderate confidence and further 11.8% with low confidence (absolute SI 15.8%, partial SI 8.5%). The low confidence group may contain patients with insufficient statin treatment due to reasons other than SI (e.g. clinical inertia). Statistically significant risk factors for SI were hypothyroidism, vitamin D deficiency, liver and chronic kidney disease. Cramps, muscle spasms, myalgia and myopathy were the most common statin associated muscle symptoms (SAMS) observed in the SI population. Atorvastatin 40mg was the most frequently down-titrated statin, while simvastatin to atorvastatin was the most predominant class switch in SI patients. Machine learning techniques applied on high confidence SI patients characteristics and the most commonly observed cluster for patients over 60 years showed predominant musculoskeletal disorders, concomitant high SAMS incidence and high use of multiple statins. In males under 60 years, depression and somatoform disorders along with musculoskeletal disorders, pain, and gastric events were common, while females under 60 years had predominant depressive episodes, along with musculoskeletal, mental, and metabolic disorders

Conclusion

Addressing the complexity in defining SI using advanced analytics, this study provides prevalence estimates and describes distinct patients clusters that may inform diagnosis and optimal treatment pathways for SI patients in Germany

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding sources: Private company. Main funding source(s): Daiichi Sankyo Europe GmbH

Simulation study on LDL cholesterol target attainment, ASCVD events, and treatment cost of bempedoic acid in a representative German cohort of high- and very-high-CV risk patients

Background

The LDL cholesterol (LDL-C) treatment goals recommended by the 2019 ESC/EAS guidelines are only achieved in a minority of patients. For patients above goal despite statins and ezetimibe, additional LDL-C lowering can be achieved by treatment with bempedoic acid (BA) or PCSK9 inhibitors (PCSK9i).

Purpose

Simulation of LDL-C target attainment with BA as additional lipid-lowering medication in a representative cohort of German outpatients at high or very-high cardiovascular (CV) risk, calculation of the number of prevented atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) events and budget impact.

Methods

Data were obtained from IQVIA™ Disease Analyzer database containing a representative sample of German outpatients. We selected patients with high or very-high CV risk (based on ESC/EAS guidelines), diagnosed hypercholesterolaemia and treatment with lipid-lowering medication. In patients with uncontrolled LDL-C, sequentially adding ezetimibe and BA was simulated using a Monte Carlo approach. Drug costs to control LDL-C by adding BA vs. PCSK9i were calculated based on current pricing in Germany. Considered were a scenario without BA and one with BA, in which BA was replaced by PCSK9i if LDL-C was still not controlled. The number of prevented events was calculated based on simulated LDL-C reduction.

Results

105,577 patients met the inclusion criteria and entered the simulation model. 76,900 patients had very-high and 28,677 high CV risk. The baseline characteristics are depicted in Table 1. Only a minority of total patients (11.2%) achieved their risk-based LDL-C goal. Simulation of the sequential addition of ezetimibe to statins resulted in controlled LDL-C in 33.1% of total patients. Simulated addition of BA in patients with uncontrolled LDL-C despite statin and ezetimibe increased the percentage of controlled patients to 61.9% of total. The proportion of patients achieving LDL-C goals was higher in high- compared to very-high risk patients (Figure 1). Treatment with BA reduced the need for PCSK9i in patients on statin and ezetimibe from 66.6% to 37.8%. The considered scenario resulted in an anticipated reduction of drug costs by 35.9% per year on stable lipid-lowering medication. This effect was more pronounced in high-risk compared to very-high-risk patients (cost reductions of 40.6% and 34.4%, respectively). In this simulation model, the BA/PCSK9i strategy is projected to prevent 6,148 ASCVD events annually per 1 million patients on top of statin+ezetimibe, whereas LDL-C target achievement with PCSK9i alone would prevent 7,939 events.

Conclusions

A considerable larger proportion of high- and very-high-risk patients can achieve guideline-recommended LDL-C targets with escalated lipid-lowering medication. BA is projected to substantially decrease the need for PCSK9i treatment to achieve LDL-C targets which reduces drug costs compared to PCSK9i. LDL-C target attainment is projected to markedly reduce ASCVD events.

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding sources: Private company. Main funding source(s): Daiichi Sankyo Deutschland GmbH

Antimicrobial drug use and the risk of glioma: A case-control study

BACKGROUND

The use of antibiotics has been associated with increased risks of various cancers. Comprehensive information on the association of antibiotic use with the risk of glioma is lacking.

METHODS

We performed a large case-control study based on the Clinical Practice Research Datalink (CPRD) GOLD from the United Kingdom. We identified 4423 glioma cases recorded between 1995 and 2020 and matched them to controls (1:10) on the date of diagnosis (i.e., the index date), age, sex, general practice, and number of years of medical history in the database prior to the index date. We conducted conditional logistic regression analyses to calculate odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs). The exposures of interest were the use of antimicrobial drugs, including antibacterial, antiviral, antifungal, antiprotozoal, and anthelmintic drugs with specific subclasses, where possible.

RESULTS

We found no substantially increased risk of glioma after ever-use of antibiotics (OR 1.13, 95% CI 1.03-1.24). The risk did not increase with the increasing number of prescriptions received or with increasing time from first use to cancer diagnosis. The use of polyenes was associated with a weakly decreased risk of glioma (OR 0.81, 95% CI 0.67-0.96).

O-305 SPIRIT long-term extension study: two-year efficacy and safety of relugolix combination therapy in women with endometriosis-associated pain

Study question

To assess the long-term efficacy and safety of once-daily Relugolix combination therapy (Relugolix-CT) in the treatment of endometriosis-associated pain over two years.

Summary answer

Relugolix-CT previously demonstrated sustained improvement of endometriosis-associated pain and was generally well tolerated over 52 weeks. Research is ongoing: two-year results will be reported.

What is known already

SPIRIT 1&2 were international, Phase 3, replicate, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled studies of Relugolix-CT (relugolix 40mg, estradiol 1mg, norethisterone acetate 0.5mg) in premenopausal women with moderate-to-severe endometriosis-associated pain, which were followed by the open-label, 80-week, long-term extension. 52-week results showed sustained improvement in dysmenorrhea and non-menstrual pelvic pain (NMPP) with 84.8% and 73.3% of responders, respectively. Efficacy was evidenced by reductions in dysmenorrhea (82.8%,) NMPP (62.9%,) proportion of women using opioids, and improvements in function. Relugolix-CT was generally well tolerated. Bone mineral density (BMD) assessment showed minimal initial decline (<1%) from baseline followed by stabilization from Week 24 to 52.

Study design, size, duration

Women who completed the 24-week pivotal studies (SPIRIT 1&2) were eligible to enroll in an 80-week open-label, single-arm, long-term extension study of safety and efficacy, representing up to 104 weeks of treatment in total. All women enrolled in the long-term extension study received once-daily oral Relugolix-CT. Analyses were performed based on the initial randomized treatment groups in pivotal studies: Relugolix-CT, delayed Relugolix-CT (relugolix 40mg alone for 12 weeks, then Relugolix-CT for 12 weeks), or placebo.

Participants/materials, setting, methods

Primary endpoints are proportion of dysmenorrhea and NMPP responders at Weeks 52 and 104 based on daily Numerical Rating Scale (NRS) scores (0=no pain, 10=worst pain imaginable) and analgesic use. Responders are women who achieved a predefined, clinically meaningful reduction from baseline in NRS score and no increase in analgesic use. Secondary efficacy endpoints include change in Endometriosis Health Profile-30 pain domain scores, use of opioids/analgesics. Safety endpoints include adverse events and BMD (percent change).

Main results and the role of chance

Of 1251 randomized patients in SPIRIT 1&2, 1044 (83.4%) completed the pivotal studies; 802 (76.8%) enrolled in the long-term extension, and 681 (84.9%) completed 52 weeks of treatment. Baseline demographics and clinical characteristics of the long-term extension population were consistent with those of the pivotal study population. The study remains ongoing at the time of writing. Efficacy and safety data with Relugolix-CT for up to Week 104, will be presented at the scientific session of the 2022 congress.

Limitations, reasons for caution

The study was conducted as an open-label study without a control group over the 80 weeks of the extension period.

Wider implications of the findings

Through 52 weeks of treatment, Relugolix-CT demonstrated sustained improvement of dysmenorrhea, NMPP, function, and reduced need for opiates in women with endometriosis-associated pain. No new safety concerns were identified, and treatment was associated with BMD loss <1%. Data from 104 weeks of treatment will be presented at the 2022 congress.

Trial registration number

NCT03654274

O-027 Small extracellular vesicle (sEV) protein cargo as potential biomarker for endometriosis

Study question

Can an endometriosis-specific protein signature in small extracellular vesicles (sEV) from peritoneal fluid (PF) be utilised as a non-invasive biomarker of the condition?

Summary answer

Yes, potentially. We found differences in the concentrations and protein cargo of PF-derived sEV between controls and endometriosis samples, most notably in CD44 expression.

What is known already

Endometriosis, defined as endometrial-like tissue outside the uterus, causes pain and/or subfertility in 10% of reproductive age women. The cause is unknown, resulting in inadequate diagnostic methods and treatment options. There is no clinically relevant biomarker for endometriosis yet. Small extracellular vesicles (sEV), produced by virtually every cell, have been described in diseases such as cancer, diabetes, and pre-eclampsia, and could similarly be important in endometriosis. We previously identified sEV in PF of women with endometriosis, and here investigated the protein cargo of PF sEV as biomarker of the disease.

Study design, size, duration

PF samples were obtained from participants in the ENDOX study, Endometriosis CaRe Centre, Nuffield Department of Women’s and Reproductive Health, University of Oxford (REC ref. 09/H0604/58) according to WERF EPHect standards. Women between 18-49 years of age (n = 63) who had undergone diagnostic laparoscopy were classified according to cycle phase (proliferative/secretory/menstrual) and severity of endometriosis (ASRM stages I+II or stages III+IV). Exclusion criteria were hormonal treatment, malignancy, pregnancy, breastfeeding, and inability to understand the consent form.

Participants/materials, setting, methods

The participant groups were control proliferative, n = 7; control secretory, n = 9; control menstrual, n = 3; StI+II proliferative, n = 8; StI+II secretory, n = 10; St1+II menstrual, n = 7; StIII+IV proliferative, n = 5; StIII+IV secretory, n = 11; StIII+IV menstrual, n = 3. 1 mL PF was centrifuged to remove cells, debris, and microvesicles. sEV were isolated using size exclusion chromatography (SEC) and analysed by nanoparticle tracking analysis (NTA), immunoblotting, and mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS).

Main results and the role of chance

We confirmed the presence of exosomes in PF from women at different stages of endometriosis and from disease-free patients at different menstrual cycle phases by NTA, immunoblotting and mass spectrometry. Enriched sEV were positive for ALIX, CD9, and syntenin. The mode size of PF particles from women with endometriosis was 115 ± 15.5 nm, whereas in non-endometriotic women it was 95 ± 17.3 nm (n.s.). sEV concentrations were higher in endometriosis compared to controls, and highest in stage III-IV endometriosis, followed by stage I-II endometriosis and controls, irrespective of menstrual cycle phase (P = 0.0210). sEV concentration in stage III-IV endometriosis decreased consistent with a transition from proliferative to secretory phase. Likewise, PF-derived sEV numbers within stage I-II endometriosis samples increased, as these samples transitioned from proliferative to secretory cycle phases. Proteomic analysis showed distinct distribution patterns of proteins within endometriosis PF-derived sEVs compared to controls. Consistent with earlier studies, we found CD44 as an sEV protein uniquely within the endometriosis population and contributing significantly to the separation of endometriosis and control samples by the highest variable importance projection (VIP) score in our data set.

Limitations, reasons for caution

The main limitation of this study is the small number of samples across the different groups, and the limited amount of PF per sample.

Wider implications of the findings

PF-derived sEV differ between endometriosis and control patients. Concentrations vary regardless of cycle phase and disease stage, and this difference appears to be reflected in the proteomics analysis. The presence of CD44 within sEV could help diagnose endometriosis.

Trial registration number

not applicable

O-178 Timed intercourse for couples trying to conceive: an updated Cochrane systematic review and meta-analysis

Study question

Does timing intercourse around the ‘fertile window’ using ovulation detection methods increase the chance of pregnancy in couples trying to conceive?

Summary answer

This update suggests that timed intercourse using urinary ovulation detection may increase the chances of pregnancy in couples trying to conceive. 

What is known already

Development of health apps has surged, with many tracking menstrual cycles, generating ‘fertile window’ predictions for couples hoping to conceive as well as avoid pregnancy. Adjuncts have been marketed to improve the accuracy of ovulation detection, using LH/oestrogen urinary tests and fertility-based awareness method (FAMB) biosensors. These may all influence sexual behaviours, making timed intercourse more widely practiced. Thus, there is an increased need for clinicians and couples to understand the effectiveness of these methods and potential adverse effects such as stress.

Study design, size, duration

A Cochrane systematic review and meta-analysis was performed. The Cochrane Gynaecology and Fertility (CGF) Group trials register, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL), MEDLINE, EMBASE, and PsycINFO were searched in January 2022 to identify relevant randomised controlled trials (RCTs). In addition, relevant references lists were checked, and study authors were contacted to obtain unpublished data. 

Participants/materials, setting, methods

Participants: Couples (fertile and subfertile) trying to conceive.

Intervention: Timed intercourse using ovulation detection methods such as digital apps, LH/oestrogen urine ovulation tests, and FABM.

Comparison: Intercourse not timed around the ‘fertile window’.

Two independent authors screened studies and extracted data. Risk ratios (RR) were calculated for dichotomous data and mean differences (MD) for continuous data, with 95% confidence intervals (CI). Heterogeneity was examined via the I² statistic. 

Main results and the role of chance

In this update, 881 references were screened. Six studies were included, involving 2,374 women. 

We are uncertain whether timed intercourse using FAMB resulted in a difference in live birth (RR 0.92, 95%CI 0.73 to 1.16, I²= 0%, 2 studies, 160 women: low-certainty evidence). No other studies reported live birth. We are uncertain whether timed intercourse using FAMB resulted in a difference in clinical or self-reported pregnancy (RR 0.96, 95% CI 0.8 to 1.15, I²=0, 2 studies, 160 women; low-certainty evidence). However, timed intercourse using urinary ovulation detection was associated with higher clinical or self-reported pregnancy (RR 1.28, 95% CI 1.10 to 1.50, I²=0, four studies, 2214 women; moderate-certainty evidence). This suggested that if the chance of a clinical or self-reported pregnancy following intercourse without ovulation prediction is assumed 18%, the chance following timed intercourse with urinary ovulation detection would be 20% to 28%. Subgroup analysis of all ovulation detection methods showed no difference between couples trying to conceive for under 12 months versus couples trying for over 12 months (subfertile). Finally, we are uncertain whether timed intercourse using urinary ovulation detection resulted in a difference in stress (MD 1.98, 95 CI% -0.87 to 4.83, 1 study, 77 women, low-certainty evidence). 

Limitations, reasons for caution

Insufficient studies reported our specified outcomes including live birth (primary outcome), time to pregnancy, stress, and quality of life. Moreover, there were insufficient studies with large sample sizes assessing FABM, a key method used in timed intercourse and fertility apps.

Wider implications of the findings

This update provides evidence for the practice of timed intercourse using urinary ovulation detection. However, the majority of menstrual cycle apps use FABM for which there is currently insufficient evidence to support the use of when trying to conceive. This review highlights key areas where future research should be conducted. 

Trial registration number

not applicable

P-313 The Cyprus women’s health research (COHERE) initiative: estimating the prevalence, symptomatology, associated risk factors and economic burden of endometriosis in an Eastern Mediterranean population

Study question

In this previous undescribed population of women, what is the prevalence of endometriosis and associated symptomatology, and how are women affected?

Summary answer

Prevalence of endometriosis was 5.4% (95%CI; 4.9%-5.9%). Cases suffered from worse physical health, higher use of pain medication and decreased productivity at work.

What is known already

There is a lack of population level data on prevalence and distribution of women’s health conditions, such as endometriosis, from the Eastern Mediterranean region, despite their known negative effects on quality of life. In addition, there is a complete absence of any health statistics from Northern Cyprus, an emerging region in Europe. Most current endometriosis research comes from Western populations and is not generalisable to non-Western populations due to differences in culture, lifestyle, and care seeking patterns. Therefore, it is important to investigate endometriosis in a variety of settings.

Study design, size, duration

The COHERE Initiative is a cross-sectional, population-based study that recruited 7,646 women between the ages 18-55 residing in Northern Cyprus between January 31st 2018, and January 31st 2020. Recruitment took place face-to-face (90%) and online (10%). Participants completed an expanded version of the WERF Endometriosis Phenome and Biobanking Harmonisation Project (EPHect) questionnaire, consisting of previously validated measurement instruments, such as the Short-Form-36-version-2 questionnaire (SF-36v2) and the Work Productivity and Impairment Questionnaire: General Health (WPAI:GH).

Participants/materials, setting, methods

Endometriosis cases were defined using a combination of self-reported and pelvic ultrasound data. Controls were women without endometriosis. Chi-square, Fisher’s exact test, Student’s t-test, linear regression, and multivariable logistic regression were used for data analysis. The significance level was set at p < 0.05.

Main results and the role of chance

Endometriosis prevalence was 5.4% (95%CI; 4.9%-5.9%;n=410). The mean age women with endometriosis reported to first experience related-symptoms was 25.9-years, despite average age of first menstrual-pain occurring at 16.2-years. Average age of first gynaecologist visit was 21.0-years and endometriosis diagnostic-delay was 1.5-years. Physical health-related-quality-of-life was lower in women with endometriosis compared to those without (48.4 vs 50.2, p = 0.001). Cases had a higher mean percentage of activity impairment (25.8% vs 22.5%, p = 0.03) and reduced effectiveness whilst working (23.4% vs 19.5%, p = 0.006) than controls. Hormone-use was higher in women with endometriosis compared to controls for heavy-bleeding (5.9% vs 1.4%, p < 0.001), irregular periods (14.4% vs 7.2%, p < 0.001) and pelvic-pain (9.3% vs 1.7%, p < 0.001), though overall hormone use was low at 24.1%. Iron and vitamin-D deficiency were the most reported co-morbidities, and these proportions were significantly different from women without endometriosis (38.8% vs 28.3%, 23.9% vs 17.0% respectively, p < 0.001). Migraine headaches were more frequent in women with endometriosis than in those without (19.8% vs 13.2%, p < 0.001). Women with endometriosis were more likely to have ever used drugs for pain relief (77.1% vs 60.5%, p < 0.001). Further analysis will include estimation of economic burden of endometriosis and investigation into Mediterranean-specific factors including sun-exposure and dietary-habits.

Limitations, reasons for caution

Given the cross-sectional nature of this study, causality cannot be inferred. The majority of endometriosis cases are self-reported which is not as reliable as hospital diagnosis/surgeries and laparoscopy is not available in Northern Cyprus. However, research has shown that women self-report endometriosis diagnoses with reasonable accuracy (>70%).

Wider implications of the findings

This is the first study that has estimated prevalence of endometriosis in the region and provided insight into the current-status of healthcare. It has highlighted gaps in the public’s general knowledge of common gynaecological conditions. The results form the basis for targeted follow-up-studies and promotes evidence-based reproductive-medicine in the Eastern-Mediterranean-region.

Trial registration number

Not applicable

O-283 Evidence based management of endometriosis – what has changed since 2013?

In 2005, under the auspices of ESHRE, a group of international experts evaluated the existing best evidence and published the first European guideline on the management of endometriosis. This highly successful project was the first guideline by ESHRE and was adopted by many counties as their national standard. A second, fully-updated edition was presented in 2013.

For the new ESHRE Endometriosis Guideline, published in February 2022, all available evidence for twelve chosen topics was gathered by a senior research specialist. Subgroups comprised of patient representatives and experts in healthcare, reproductive science and epidemiology evaluated the data according to GRADE criteria. Each subgroup wrote a chapter and formulated their recommendations which were then presented by a representative to the core group. There, a provisional document was generated and made available for stakeholder review. The resulting comments were taken into account and where relevant incorporated into the final guideline document for which approval was sought and gained from the ESHRE Executive Committee.

35 PICO (Patients, Interventions, Comparison, Outcome) and seven narrative questions were addressed resulting in 78 Research Recommendations were formulated. Where sufficient scientific evidence was lacking and the Guideline Development Group (GDG) was of the opinion that an important topic needed to be highlighted Good Clinical Practice Points where created based on experts’ experience.

During the process of reviewing the literature it became apparent that large knowledge gaps of the best clinical approach to endometriosis exist. As a result, 30 research recommendations were also produced.

One of the main differences to the 2013 version of the ESHRE guidelines is that laparoscopy is no longer the gold standard for endometriosis per se as there exist sufficient data to support the use of transvaginal ultrasound performed by an experienced operator or MRI can equally identify or rule out ovarian and most of deep endometriosis. However, it is recognised by the GDG that the required imaging standards are not ubiquitously available and for peritoneal disease both sensitivity and specificity using either imaging modalities are still poor. As opposed to the 2013 recommendation, the GDG does not anymore recommend an ultralong protocol for the women with rASRM stage III/IV endometriosis to improve IVF success rates. Furthermore, gonadotropin releasing hormone antagonists seem to be effective in the treatment of endometriosis-associate pain and, where available, could be considered as second-line treatment.

Other changes were specific chapters on endometriosis in adolescents and in menopausal women as the GDG strongly felt that these groups are concerningly underrepresented in clinical care and research. Finally, a chapter focussing on the association of endometriosis with certain forms of cancer namely subgroups of ovarian cancer, breast and thyroid cancer was added to give both patients and clinicians a better insight into the current evidence of this complex topic.

The GDG hope that the new ESHRE Endometriosis Guideline will improve the clinical management of a highly prevalent and heterogenous disease and that the freely-available patient-friendly version of the guideline empowers symptomatic and asymptomatic women to seek the best available advice, support and treatment.

Association between glycemic control and risk of venous thromboembolism in diabetic patients: a nested case-control study

BACKGROUND

Previous studies suggested an elevated risk of venous thromboembolism (VTE) among patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), with a possible sex difference. The impact of glycemic control on the risk of VTE is unclear. Our objective was to analyze the association between glycemic control and the risk of unprovoked (idiopathic) VTE in men and women with T2DM.

METHODS

We conducted a nested case-control analysis (1:4 matching) within a cohort of patients with incident T2DM between 1995 and 2019 using data from the CPRD GOLD. We excluded patients with known risk factors for VTE prior to onset of DM. Cases were T2DM patients with an unprovoked treated VTE. The exposure of interest was glycemic control measured as HbA1c levels. We conducted conditional logistic regression analyses adjusted for several confounders.

RESULTS

We identified 2'653 VTE cases and 10'612 controls (53.1% females). We found no association between the HbA1c level and the risk of VTE in our analyses. However, when the most recent HbA1c value was recorded within 90 days before the index date, women with HbA1c levels > 7.0% had a 36-55% increased relative risk of VTE when compared to women with HbA1c > 6.5-7.0%.

CONCLUSIONS

Our study raises the possibility that female T2DM patients with HbA1c levels > 7% may have a slightly higher risk for unprovoked VTE compared to women with HbA1c levels > 6.5-7.0%. This increase may not be causal and may reflect differences in life style or other characteristics. We observed no effect of glycemic control on the risk of VTE in men.

Post-acute COVID-19 geriatric rehabilitation : A European perspective

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) poses a threat to the health and independence of older people in particular. In this article we elaborate on the content and importance of post-acute COVID-19 geriatric rehabilitation from a European perspective. We explain the geriatric rehabilitation paradox and how this can and should be solved. We also present what post-acute COVID-19 geriatric rehabilitation should entail. This might not only help us to develop better geriatric rehabilitation services, but it should also inform pandemic preparedness in the future.

A concentration-QTc analysis of vericiguat

Introduction

Vericiguat is a soluble guanylate cyclase stimulator developed for the treatment of symptomatic chronic heart failure (HF) in patients with ejection fraction less than 45% who had a previous decompensation event. A dedicated, randomised, Phase Ib, QT study of vericiguat (NCT03504982) in 74 adult patients with stable coronary artery disease demonstrated no clinically significant prolongation of the time-matched, placebo-adjusted change from baseline in the Fridericia-corrected QT interval (QTcF) after vericiguat 10 mg once daily at steady state.

Purpose

We conducted a concentration–QTc (C-QTc) modelling analysis, on data from the QT study, to investigate the potential effect of vericiguat on QTcF and define the vericiguat plasma concentration window within which a relevant prolongation in QTcF can be excluded.

Methods

In the QT study, the effect of vericiguat once daily (2.5 mg titrated to 5 mg and then to 10 mg [treatments A, B, C] over 42±9 days) on the QT interval was investigated. The positive control was a single dose of moxifloxacin 400 mg (treatment D) on Day 8 or Day 50 (7 days before the first vericiguat dose or 7 days after the last vericiguat dose), depending on the treatment sequence (Figure 1).

Baseline electrocardiogram assessments were performed 24 h before the start of treatment (“baseline”) and at follow-up (“back-up baseline”; Figure 1). Time-matched, baseline- and placebo-adjusted QTcF (ΔΔQTc) mean values and 90% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated. Two analytical approaches were used to calculate ΔΔQTc. The first one (“single baseline ΔΔQTc” approach) was data-driven, where ΔΔQTc was adjusted with placebo- and either “baseline” or “back-up baseline”. The second one (“modelled baseline ΔΔQTc”) accounted for individual baseline and placebo effects, such as diurnal time course, used linear mixed effects and integrated all individual baseline and placebo data. Calculated ΔΔQTc values were then related to observed vericiguat concentrations in the C-QTc modelling step, performed with linear mixed effects implemented in R (R, the R Foundation for Statistical Computing, version 3.2.5).

Results

The C-QTc modelling of ΔΔQTc calculated with the “single baseline ΔΔQTc” approach indicated a positive, but non-significant, slope (Figure 2A). The “modelled baseline ΔΔQTc” approach indicated a positive and statistically significant slope (Figure 2B). In both cases, the upper limits of the 90% CI were below the threshold of clinical relevance of 10 ms within the investigated exposure range (up to 745 μg/l).

Conclusion

Based on the presented analysis, a clinically meaningful QT prolongation was robustly excluded within the plasma concentration range associated with the recommended target dose of vericiguat 10 mg. The C-QTc analysis supports the conclusion of the primary study statistical analysis that administration of vericiguat between 2.5 and 10 mg is not associated with a clinically meaningful QTc prolongation.

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding sources: Private company. Main funding source(s): Funding was provided by Bayer AG, Berlin, Germany and Merck Sharp & Dohme Corp., a subsidiary of Merck & Co., Inc., Kenilworth, NJ, USA Figure 1Figure 2

Leveraging translational approaches for accelerated clinical development of vericiguat

Background/Introduction

Vericiguat is a soluble guanylate cyclase (sGC) stimulator, like riociguat and nelociguat, and entered clinical development in 2012. Before entering Phase 2, pharmacokinetics (PK) and pharmacodynamics (PD) of vericiguat had been studied in healthy volunteers only, whereas riociguat and nelociguat had also been studied in patients with pulmonary hypertension (PH) and left ventricular dysfunction (LVD) or biventricular chronic heart failure (HF). We hypothesised that integrating all PK/PD data from these compounds into population PK/PD (popPK/PD) and physiology-based PK (PBPK) models could be used to predict optimal and safe dose ranges of vericiguat for Phase 2b studies in patients with worsening chronic HF. This novel bridging approach was applied in one of several translational stages to accelerate the development of vericiguat (Figure 1).

Purpose

We used prior knowledge from other sGC stimulators in a combined PK/PD and PBPK modelling approach to directly initiate Phase 2b studies of vericiguat in patients after Phase 1 studies in healthy volunteers.

Methods

PK, heart rate (HR) and systemic vascular resistance (SVR) data for vericiguat, nelociguat and riociguat were used to calculate PK/PD slopes of linear models, corrected with fraction unbound percentages (2.2%, 3.6% and 3.9%, respectively), to compare potency relative to riociguat based on unbound concentrations. PK estimates for nelociguat and riociguat were derived using population PK modelling (NONMEM) from patient studies with sparse PK sampling. PBPK models informed by preclinical physicochemical and PK data as well as clinical data for vericiguat were used to predict vericiguat PK in patients with HF (PK-Sim). Exposure–response data for riociguat in patients indicated the optimal range of PD responses for vericiguat (blood pressure for safety and cardiac index for efficacy).

Results

Vericiguat and nelociguat had lower potency than riociguat when comparing PK/PD slopes for HR and SVR (slope ratios of 0.23–0.32 for vericiguat and 0.33–0.47 for nelociguat). Plasma concentrations of vericiguat would need to be ∼3.6 times that of riociguat for equivalent responses. In patients with PH and LVD the optimal plasma concentration range for riociguat was ∼10–100 μg/l in exposure–response and safety studies, which translates to a target exposure range of ∼90–900 μg/l for vericiguat in patients with HF. PBPK modelling showed that vericiguat 2.5 mg and 10 mg would cover the target exposure range and that 1.25 mg would be a “non-effective” dose level with respect to haemodynamics.

Conclusions

Our novel translational approach combining popPK/PD analyses of other sGC stimulators with PBPK modelling enabled vericiguat to move directly from Phase 1 to Phase 2b, reducing development time by ∼2 years. PK and safety results from Phase 2b (SOCRATES-REDUCED) and Phase 3 (VICTORIA) trials confirmed that use of this translational approach to predict dose ranges of vericiguat was successful.

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding sources: Private company. Main funding source(s): Funding for this research was provided by Bayer AG, Berlin, Germany Figure 1

Vericiguat: a QTc interval study in patients with coronary artery disease

Background

Vericiguat is a soluble guanylate cyclase stimulator developed for the treatment of symptomatic chronic heart failure (HF) in adult patients with ejection fraction less than 45% who had a previous decompensation event. Guidelines on QT studies recommend evaluation of investigational drugs at supratherapeutic exposures in healthy volunteers. We anticipated that supratherapeutic doses of vericiguat would decrease blood pressure. We conducted an adjusted QT study using the therapeutic range of vericiguat in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD), who were expected to be more haemodynamically stable with fewer confounders (e.g., on the electrocardiogram) than a HF population.

Purpose

To assess the effect of vericiguat 10 mg once-daily on placebo-adjusted change from baseline of the Fridericia-corrected QT interval (QTcF) in patients with stable CAD.

Methods

This was a randomised, Phase Ib, placebo-controlled, double blind, double-dummy, multicentre study (NCT03504982). Test drug was vericiguat once-daily (up-titrated from 2.5 mg to 5 mg and then to 10 mg [treatments A, B, C] at 14-day intervals). The positive control was moxifloxacin 400 mg (single dose on Day 8 or Day 50 with placebo on other days [treatment D]; Figure). Patients were randomised to one of two sequences.

We evaluated QTcF interval prolongation potential of vericiguat at increasing doses up to 10 mg, steady state. We investigated the pharmacokinetics, safety and tolerability of vericiguat. A clinically meaningful effect was defined as a QTcF change from baseline >10 ms relative to placebo. Assay sensitivity for moxifloxacin was confirmed by the lower limit of the 90% confidence interval (CI) of the time-matched, baseline-adjusted mean difference to placebo exceeding 5 ms at >1 time point.

Results

A total of 74 patients (66 males and 8 females) with CAD, mean (standard deviation) age 63.4 (8.0) years, were included. Mean difference between vericiguat and placebo in QTcF change from baseline (≤7 h post-dose) was <6 ms; no upper limit of the 90% CIs crossed the threshold of 10 ms. Lower limits of the two-sided 90% CI of the differences between moxifloxacin and placebo in QTcF change from baseline were >5 ms at 3 of 4 time points (Table).

Peak plasma concentration (Cmax) of vericiguat following administration of vericiguat 10 mg was 322 μg/l and median time of maximum concentration (Tmax) was 4.5 h post-dose, in line with concentrations observed following administration of vericiguat 10 mg to patients with HF [1]. For moxifloxacin 400 mg, Cmax was 1960 μg/l and median Tmax was 3 h post-dose, in line with previously reported values [2]. Vericiguat up to 10 mg was generally safe and well tolerated.

Conclusion

This study supports the assessment that administration of vericiguat 10 mg is not associated with clinically meaningful QTc prolongation. These data contribute to the overall safety profile of vericiguat for the treatment of patients with HF.

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding sources: Private company. Main funding source(s): Funding was provided by Bayer AG, Berlin, Germany, and Merck Sharp & Dohme Corp., a subsidiary of Merck & Co., Inc., Kenilworth, NJ, USA QTc study design

O-132 Sustained efficacy and safety of relugolix combination therapy in women with endometriosis-associated pain: SPIRIT 52-week data

Study question

To assess the long-term (52-week) efficacy and safety of relugolix combination therapy (Relugolix-CT) in the treatment of endometriosis-associated pain.

Summary answer

Relugolix-CT demonstrated a sustained improvement of endometriosis-associated pain and maintenance of bone mineral density (BMD) over the extension treatment period. It was well tolerated.

What is known already

Endometriosis is a chronic condition characterized by symptoms of menstrual and non-menstrual pain, and dyspareunia, which have a substantial impact on women’s lives. SPIRIT 1 and 2 were Phase 3, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled studies of once-daily Relugolix-CT (relugolix 40 mg, estradiol 1 mg, norethindrone acetate 0.5 mg) in premenopausal women (age 18–50 years) with surgically diagnosed endometriosis and moderate-to-severe dysmenorrhea and non-menstrual pelvic pain (NMPP) at baseline. These trials demonstrated a significant improvement of dysmenorrhea, NMPP and dyspareunia in women treated with Relugolix-CT, with a minimal decline in BMD vs placebo over 24 weeks.

Study design, size, duration

Women who completed the 24-week pivotal studies (SPIRIT 1 and 2 trials) were eligible to enroll in an open-label, single-arm, long-term safety and efficacy extension study for an additional 80 weeks. All women received once-daily oral Relugolix-CT. Analyses were done based on original randomization in pivotal studies: Relugolix-CT, delayed Relugolix-CT (relugolix 40 mg alone for 12 weeks, then Relugolix-CT for 12 weeks), or placebo. Here, 52-week efficacy and safety outcomes are presented.

Participants/materials, setting, methods

The primary endpoints were the proportion of dysmenorrhea and NMPP responders at Week 52, based on daily Numerical Rating Scale (NRS) scores (0=no pain, 10=worst pain imaginable). A responder was a woman who achieved a predefined, clinically meaningful reduction from baseline in NRS score with no increase in analgesic use. Secondary efficacy endpoints included change in Endometriosis Health Profile-30 (EHP-30) pain domain scores, and analgesic/opioid use. Safety endpoints included adverse events (AEs) and BMD evaluation.

Main results and the role of chance

Of 1261 randomized patients, 1044 completed the primary studies; 802 enrolled in the long-term extension and 681 completed 52 weeks of treatment. Baseline demographics and clinical characteristics of the extension population were consistent with those of the original randomized population.

Sustained improvement of endometriosis-associated pain was demonstrated with Relugolix-CT through 52 weeks, the proportion of responders for dysmenorrhea was 84.8% and 73.3% for NMPP.

NRS least squares (LS) mean scores for dysmenorrhea and NMPP decreased from 7.4 (severe) and 6.0 (moderate) at SPIRIT study baseline to 1.3 (mild) and 2.2 (mild) at Week 52, equating to 82.8% and 62.9% reduction in dysmenorrhea and NMPP, respectively. Mean NRS for dyspareunia decreased from 5.9 (moderate) to 2.4 (mild), demonstrating 60.1% reduction with Relugolix-CT.

Daily functioning measured by the EHP-30 pain domain score was improved (–38.1 point) and the majority of women (85.6%) were opioid-free at Week 52. There was no disproportionate increase in the incidence of AEs in the Relugolix-CT group with no new safety signals identified through the 52 weeks. BMD was preserved over the extension period with overall LS mean change from baseline to Week 52 of –0.83% (95% CI: –1.34, –0.32) for lumbar spine in the Relugolix-CT group.

Limitations, reasons for caution

The study was conducted as an open-label study without a control group over the 28 weeks of the extension period.

Wider implications of the findings

Relugolix-CT demonstrated a sustained improvement of dysmenorrhea, NMPP, and dyspareunia, and reduced pain-related functional limitations and the need for opioids over 52 weeks in women with moderate-to-severe endometriosis-associated pain. Relugolix-CT was generally well tolerated and associated with minimal BMD loss after treatment initiation followed by BMD maintenance over 52 weeks.

Trial registration number

NCT03654274

O-131 The effect of time since surgical diagnosis of endometriosis on treatment outcomes with relugolix combination therapy in women with endometriosis-associated pain: SPIRIT program

Study question

To assess the efficacy of Relugolix-CT vs placebo in women who were surgically diagnosed with endometriosis <5 and > = 5 years ago.

Summary answer

Treatment outcomes did not differ for dysmenorrhea and daily functioning between subgroups of patients with <5 years or ≥ 5 years since surgical diagnosis.

What is known already

Time since clinical manifestation and diagnosis of endometriosis may influence the treatment success of patients with endometriosis-associated pain. SPIRIT 1 and 2 were randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled Phase 3 studies of Relugolix-CT (relugolix 40 mg, estradiol 1 mg, norethindrone acetate 0.5 mg) in premenopausal women (age 18–50 years) with surgically diagnosed endometriosis and a history of moderate-to-severe dysmenorrhea and non-menstrual pelvic pain (NMPP). These studies previously demonstrated that Relugolix-CT significantly reduced dysmenorrhea and NMPP, and improved daily functioning measured by the Endometriosis Health Profile-30 (EHP-30) pain domain score vs placebo over 24 weeks.

Study design, size, duration

Premenopausal women with surgically diagnosed endometriosis and moderate-to-severe dysmenorrhea and NMPP at baseline were randomized 1:1:1 to 24 weeks of treatment with once daily oral Relugolix-CT, delayed Relugolix-CT (relugolix 40 mg monotherapy for 12 weeks followed by Relugolix-CT for 12 weeks), or placebo. The proportion of dysmenorrhea and NMPP responders at Week 24/End-of-Treatment (EoT), based on daily Numerical Rating Scale (NRS), and analgesic use status were co-primary endpoints.

Participants/materials, setting, methods

Pooled SPIRIT 1 and 2 data of patients who received 24 weeks of treatment with once daily Relugolix-CT (N = 418) or placebo (N = 416) are presented. Outcomes for the delayed Relugolix-CT group were only for the safety assessment and therefore not reported here. Analyses of NRS scores for dysmenorrhea, NMPP, and EHP-30 pain domain score were carried out in the subgroups of patients with time since diagnosis of < 5 years (N = 579) and ≥5 years (N = 255).

Main results and the role of chance

Baseline demographics and clinical characteristics were comparable between the time since diagnosis subgroups except for a numerically higher mean age in the ≥5-years subgroup. Mean time since diagnosis (standard deviation) was 2.1 (1.5) years with both Relugolix-CT and placebo for <5-years subgroup, and 8.0 (2.8) and 7.8 (2.3) years, respectively, for ≥5-years subgroup.

In Relugolix-CT-treated patients, mean NRS score for dysmenorrhea decreased from 7.5 (severe) to 1.8 (mild) in the <5-years subgroup and from 6.9 (moderate) to 1.8 (mild) in the ≥5-years subgroup with a significant difference to placebo (p < 0.0001, both subgroups), and demonstrating 74.8% and 72.7% reduction in pain from baseline to Week 24/EoT, respectively. Mean NRS score for NMPP decreased from 6.0 (moderate) to 3.0 (mild) with a significant difference compared with placebo (p < 0.0001), equating to 48.8% pain reduction in the <5-years subgroup, and from 5.6 (moderate) to 2.7 (mild) equating to 51.5% pain reduction (p = 0.089) in the ≥5-years subgroup. Improvement of daily functioning as measured by EHP-30 pain domain score was significantly greater with Relugolix-CT vs placebo in both subgroups, with decrease in EHP-30 pain score from 59.1 to 24.0 in the <5-years subgroup, and from 57.4 to 21.1 in the ≥5-years subgroup (p < 0.0001, both subgroups).

Limitations, reasons for caution

A lower number of patients were included into the subgroup with ≥5-years since surgically diagnosed endometriosis. Five-year dichotomy was close to the mean time since surgical diagnosis in the studies and to certain extent is arbitrary. Furthermore, time since surgical diagnosis is not the same as time since symptom onset.

Wider implications of the findings

In women with endometriosis-associated pain, Relugolix-CT vs placebo significantly reduced dysmenorrhea and improved daily functioning in both groups: with surgical diagnosis of < 5 years or ≥ 5 years. Substantial decrease in NMPP was also observed and was significantly different to placebo in the <5-years subgroup.

Trial registration number

NCT03204318 and NCT03204331

[Clear resection margins to avoid escalation of adjuvant therapy in oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma]

BACKGROUND

Resection margins in patients with oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (OPSCC) are a predictive marker for overall survival (OS) and recurrence-free interval (RFI). Adjuvant therapy is influenced by TNM status, extracapsular extension (ECE), and resection margin status (R) of the primary tumor. The R status can be directly influenced by the head and neck surgeon. The aim of the current study was to evaluate the impact of R status on treatment decisions, RFI, and OS.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

All patients with OPSCC who underwent surgery (with/without adjuvant therapy) between 2001 and 2011 were enrolled. Clinical data, survival parameters, histologic data such as ECE, resection margin status, and tumor size were retrospectively collected and analyzed.

RESULTS

A total of 208 patients were enrolled. Survival parameters showed that patients with microscopically clear (R0) resection margins had an RFI/OS of 89/87 months. These values decreased in patients with R1 (65/65 months), R2 (38/33 months), and Rx (unclear) resections (59/45 months; p =  0.036/p = 0.001). In patients with ECE and R1 resection, but also in those with R0 resections achieved by follow-up resection and those with Rx resections, adjuvant therapy was escalated.

CONCLUSION

Unclear resection status reduces OS and RFI in patients with OPSCC. Therefore, in surgical therapy, clear resection status in the first pass should be strived for to avoid escalation of adjuvant therapy due to an unclear R status.

[COVID-19 in old age-The geriatric perspective]

Predominantly the older population is affected by a severe course of COVID-19. The mortality of hospitalized patients with COVID-19 above the age of 80 years is up to 54% in international studies. These observations indicate the necessity to highlight the geriatric perspective on this disease. The diagnostics and treatment of COVID-19 do not differ between younger and older patients but atypical symptoms should be expected more frequently in old age. Older subjects show an increased need for rehabilitation after COVID-19. Paradoxically, increasing rehabilitation demands go along with a reduced availability of geriatric rehabilitation options, the latter being a consequence of closure or downsizing of rehabilitation departments during the pandemic. In general, measures of isolation and quarantine should be diligently balanced as the health and emotional consequences of such measures may be severe in older persons. In light of the poor prognosis of older COVID-19 patients, advanced care planning becomes even more relevant. Caregivers and physicians should be encouraged to compose advanced care directives that also reflect the specific circumstances of COVID-19. Fortunately, current data suggest that the effectiveness of the vaccination with the mRNA-vaccines approved in Germany may be equally high in older compared to younger persons.

Concordance of the molecular subtype classification between core needle biopsy and surgical specimen in primary breast cancer

BACKGROUND

Molecular profiling of breast cancer (BC) classifies several intrinsic subtypes based on different patterns of gene expression. Multigene assays estimate the risk of recurrence and help to select high-risk patients for adjuvant chemotherapy. However, these tests are associated with significant costs. Immunohistochemistry (IHC) offers a surrogate classification for molecular subtypes by determining estrogen (ER) and progesterone receptors (PR), human epidermal growth factor (Her2neu), as well as the proliferation marker Ki67. Core needle biopsy (CNB) is well established in BC diagnosis and allows a pre-operative assessment of biomarkers. The aim of this study was to analyze the concordance of these markers between CNB and surgical specimens to assess whether re-testing of the surgical specimen is mandatory.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Within a 3-year period, patients with primary BC and paired samples of CNB and surgical specimens were analyzed retrospectively. Concordance rates of ER, PR, Her2neu, Ki67, and the surrogate classification for molecular subtypes were calculated using the Landis and Koch agreement grades.

RESULTS

Out of 2254 patients with primary breast cancer, 1307 paired specimens without pre-operative treatment were available for analysis Concordance rates for ER, PR, Her2neu, and Ki67 status showed substantial-to-almost perfect agreement grades (κ = 0.91, 0.75, 0.89, and 0.61, respectively). Though substantial concordance was also found for the subtype classification (κ = 0.70), the molecular subtype changed in 18.5% of patients based on the testing of the surgical specimen, mainly from luminal A-like to luminal B-like.

CONCLUSIONS

Though the concordance rates for single markers were convincing, a significant proportion of the molecular subtypes differed between CNB and the surgical specimen. Re-testing of PR and Ki67 is mandatory to ensure optimal treatment decisions. Further research is necessary to define safe, efficient, and cost-effective predictive models in adjuvant breast cancer therapy.

[Functional outcomes after surgical treatment of oropharyngeal carcinomas]

INTRODUCTION

The primary goal of surgical resection of oropharyngeal carcinoma (OPSCC) is an R0 resection. The extension of the primary tumor is decisive for selection of access route, which should be as circumscribed as possible but as radical as necessary. To date, there are no prospective comparative studies that compared functional outcome in terms of surgical access route.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A selective literature search was carried out for the period from 01/01/2000 to 12/31/2019 to assess the functional result after different surgical approaches in the treatment of OPSCC. The search strategy aimed to identify publications that investigated the functional result of transoral approaches, robot-assisted transoral resections (TORS), and surgical resection using pharyngotomies or transmandibular approaches.

RESULTS

Various measures were identified which enable subjective and objective assessment of swallowing and speaking restrictions. For all surgical access routes, studies were identified that examined the functional aspects of the respective access, but there are no direct comparisons between the individual approaches.

CONCLUSION

There are various surgical approaches available for resection of OPSCC, each of which has been examined in various studies with regard to its oncological and functional results.

[The 8th edition of the TNM staging system-a curse or a blessing for oropharyngeal carcinoma?]

At the beginning of 2017, the 8th edition of the TNM classification was presented. For oropharyngeal carcinoma, this was accompanied by a paradigm shift, as a separation of the classification depending on the association with human papillomavirus (HPV) status has been established. By considering the literature, this paper provides an overview of the characteristics of HPV-associated carcinomas, the new features of the TNM classification, and the existing points of discussion. The revision has improved the prognostic significance of the TNM classification; however, there are still tumor- and patient-dependent influencing factors that must be considered for future versions.

Antidiabetic Treatment, Level of Glycemic Control, and Risk of Fracture in Type 2 Diabetes: a Nested, Case-Control Study

CONTEXT

Patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) have an increased risk of low-trauma fractures. However, the effect of antidiabetic medication in relation to glycemic control on the risk of fracture is poorly understood.

OBJECTIVE

This work aimed to evaluate the association between the level of glycemic control, use of antidiabetic medication, and risk of low-trauma fractures in patients with newly diagnosed T2DM.

METHODS

We conducted a nested case-control analysis among individuals registered in the Clinical Practice Research Datalink. The base population consisted of patients with newly diagnosed T2DM from 1995 to 2017. Cases were patients with a low-trauma fracture after T2DM diagnosis. We matched 4 controls to each case. Exposures of interest were glycemic control (last glycated hemoglobin [HbA1c] level before fracture) and type of diabetes treatment. We conducted conditional logistic regression analyses adjusted for several confounders.

RESULTS

We identified 8809 cases and 35 219 controls. Patients with current metformin use and HbA1c levels of less than 7.0% and between 7.0-8.0% had a reduced risk of fractures (adjusted odds ratio 0.89; 95% CI, 0.83-0.96 and 0.81; 95% CI, 0.73-0.90, respectively) compared with untreated patients. However, in patients receiving metformin plus 1 or 2 other antidiabetic drugs, or insulin (alone or in addition to other antidiabetic medication), the level of glycemic control was not associated with the risk of fracture compared with untreated patients.

CONCLUSIONS

While patients with good or medium glycemic control receiving current metformin monotherapy had a lower risk of fracture compared with untreated patients, glycemic control in patients receiving treatment other than metformin was not associated with risk of fracture.

Physiologically-based pharmacokinetic (PBPK) exploration of extrinsic factors influencing vericiguat pharmacokinetics

Introduction

Vericiguat is a once daily, novel oral stimulator of soluble guanylate cyclase (sGC) that showed clinical benefit in the Phase III VICTORIA study in heart failure patients with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF, NCT02861534). Nonclinical and clinical studies demonstrated that the primary route of elimination of vericiguat was glucuronidation to an inactive metabolite M-1 (N-glucuronide). This glucuronidation was catalyzed by uridine 5'-diphospho-glucuronosyltransferases (UGT)1A9 as well as UGT1A1, thus vericiguat may have a potential for victim drug-drug interaction (DDI) when co-administered with potent UGT inhibitors.

Purpose

In a clinical DDI study with mefenamic acid as an UGT1A9 inhibitor no clinically relevant increase in vericiguat exposure in healthy subjects was observed (EudraCT 2014–000764–17). This analysis aims to prospectively investigate as extrinsic factors the DDI potential with atazanavir as a selective UGT1A1 inhibitor via full dynamic physiologically-based pharmacokinetic (PBPK) modelling.

Methods

A PBPK model for vericiguat and M-1 in healthy adults was built with PK-Sim (PBPK platform as part of the Open Systems Pharmacology Suite) by integrating physicochemical, in vitro metabolism and transporter data as well as PK data from clinical pharmacology studies in order to assess the victim DDI potential of vericiguat when co-administered with UGT inhibitors. First, PBPK models for mefenamic acid and atazanavir were separately developed and verified using published literature data. The PBPK model for vericiguat was then verified with regard to its fraction of metabolism by UGTs by comparing simulated and observed data of the clinical mefenamic acid DDI study. Finally, the UGT1A1 DDI potential of vericiguat was prospectively predicted by simulating an in silico study between the UGT1A1 inhibitor atazanavir and vericiguat.

Results

In line with the results of the clinical DDI study with mefenamic acid, an increase in total vericiguat exposure by 14% (area under the concentration time curve ratio (AUCR) of 1.14 (geoCV 5.3%; 90% population interval: 1.06 to 1.25) and peak exposure increase by 6% (CmaxR of 1.06; geoCV 5.9%; 90% population interval: 1.01 to 1.20) was simulated using the PBPK model. A prospective prediction of a virtual DDI trial between the UGT1A1 inhibitor atazanavir yielded an AUCR of 1.12 (geoCV 2.9%; 90% population interval: 1.07 to 1.17) and a CmaxR of 1.04 (geoCV 1.1%; 90% population interval: 1.03 to 1.06). The proposed population intervals for AUCR and CmaxR for both DDI studies lie within the default no-effect boundary of 0.80 to 1.25 according to the to January 2020 FDA DDI guideline.

Conclusion(s)

Results of UGT1A9-DDI simulations were consistent with those of the clinical study-The prospective UGT1A1-DDI simulation results suggest a low potential for vericiguat to be subject to DDI when co-administered with UGT1A1 inhibitors.

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding source: Private company. Main funding source(s): Funding for this research was provided by Bayer and Merck Sharp & Dohme Corp., a subsidiary of Merck & Co., Inc., Kenilworth, NJ, USA

Vericiguat clinical pharmacology programme: biopharmaceutical properties and potential intrinsic and extrinsic factor effects

Introduction

The Phase III VICTORIA study (NCT02861534), which evaluated vericiguat vs placebo in patients with worsening chronic heart failure (WCHF) with ejection fraction <45%, demonstrated a significant reduction in the primary composite endpoint of cardiovascular death and HF hospitalisation.

Purpose

A comprehensive clinical pharmacological programme of 28 Phase I trials in >650 participants was performed to inform use of vericiguat.

Methods

Biopharmaceutical properties, pharmacokinetics (PK) and the potential for intrinsic factors to influence vericiguat dose administration were investigated. The PK and pharmacodynamic (PD) interaction potential of vericiguat with other drugs was assessed.

Results

Vericiguat had a mean half-life of approximately 24 h and high bioavailability when taken with food, leading to the recommendation of once daily dosing with food. Due to the multi-pathway metabolism and excretion profile of vericiguat, there was a low risk of PK drug–drug interactions (DDI; Table). No clinically relevant PD DDI were identified between vericiguat and aspirin, warfarin, sacubitril/valsartan or nitrates. There was a relatively minor influence of intrinsic factors on vericiguat PK.

Conclusion

This clinical pharmacology programme supports use of vericiguat in patients with WCHF who are characterised by multiple comorbidities and polypharmacy.

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding source: Private company. Main funding source(s): Funding for this research was provided by Bayer AG, Berlin, Germany and Merck Sharp & Dohme Corp., a subsidiary of Merck & Co., Inc., Kenilworth, NJ, USA

A cavity optomechanical locking scheme based on the optical spring effect

We present a novel locking scheme for active length-stabilization and frequency detuning of a cavity optomechanical device based on the optical spring effect. The error signal is generated by utilizing the position measurement of a thermally driven intra-cavity nanomechanical device and employing its detuning-dependent frequency shift caused by the dispersive coupling to the cavity field. The scheme neither requires external modulation of the laser or the cavity nor does it demand for additional error signal readout, rendering its technical implementation rather simple for a large variety of existing optomechanical devices. Specifically, for large-linewidth microcavities or in situations where other locking schemes appear unfavorable conceptually or are hard to realize technically, the optical spring lock represents a potential alternative for stabilizing the cavity length. We explain the functional principle of the lock and characterize its performance in terms of bandwidth and gain profile.

["Online from tomorrow on please": comparison of digital framework conditions of curricular teaching at national university ENT clinics in times of COVID-19 : Digital teaching at national university ENT clinics]

Hintergrund

Die Corona-Krise beeinflusst nicht nur das professionelle Handeln, sondern auch die Lehre an den Universitäten. Schlagworte wie „E-Learning“ und „Digitalisierung“ suggerieren die Möglichkeit innovativer, ad hoc verfügbarer Lösungsansätze für die Lehre in der aktuellen COVID-19-Situation. Die aktuelle Umstellung auf digitale Lehre ist aber nicht primär durch eine didaktische Sinnhaftigkeit oder institutionelle Strategie, sondern durch äußere Notwendigkeit geprägt.

Ziel der Arbeit

Ziel der Arbeit war die Erfassung der Lehrsituation an nationalen Universitäts-HNO-Kliniken und akademischen Lehrkrankenhäusern zu Beginn des virtuellen Corona-Sommersemesters 2020.

Material und Methode

Ein eigens erstellter Fragebogen zur jeweiligen lokalen Situation, den örtlichen Rahmenbedingungen sowie zu bundesweiten Szenarien wurde an alle 39 nationalen Universitäts-HNO-Kliniken und 20 akademischen Lehrkrankenhäuser mit HNO-Hauptabteilung versandt.

Ergebnisse

Die ausgefüllten Fragebögen von 31 Universitätskliniken (UK) und 10 akademische Lehrkrankenhäuser (ALK) gingen in die Auswertung ein. Es zeigten sich offensichtliche Diskrepanzen zwischen verfügbaren Ressourcen und tatsächlich verfügbaren digitalisierten Lehrinhalten. Weitere Kritikpunkte offenbarten sich in Bezug auf die Kommunikation mit der Medizinischen Fakultät, die digitale Infrastruktur und insbesondere in der oftmals mangelnden Kollaboration mit den zentralen Supportstrukturen, wie Medien‑, Didaktik- und Rechenzentren.

Schlussfolgerung

Es gibt durchaus positive Beispiele für eine gelungene Überführung der Präsenzlehre in das ausschließlich virtuelle Sommersemester 2020 innerhalb der Universitäts-HNO-Kliniken. Mehrheitlich aber überwiegen kritische Einschätzungen der Lehrbeauftragten bzw. Ärztlichen Direktoren gegenüber der aktuellen Lehrsituation. Eine zeitkritische strategische Weiterentwicklung ist dringend erforderlich.

Use of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, other antidepressant medication, and risk of cataract: a case-control study based on Swiss claims data

PURPOSE

Three previous studies reported controversial results regarding selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) exposure and cataract development. We therefore aimed to assess risk of cataract associated with previous exposure to SSRI using data from a large health insurance in Switzerland.

METHODS

In a case-control study, we analyzed individuals insured by the Helsana Group, a large Swiss health insurance provider. We matched patients aged 40 years or older with cataract extraction (i.e., a proxy for a cataract diagnosis) in 2014 or 2015 to four control patients, on age, sex, date of cataract extraction, and area of residence. Exposure of interest was the number of SSRI claims prior to cataract extraction. We conducted conditional logistic regression analyses to calculate odds ratios (OR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI). We adjusted our analyses for the presence of hypertension, diabetes, glaucoma, systemic steroid use, and use of other antidepressant drugs.

RESULTS

We identified 13,773 cataract cases and 51,625 matched controls. Compared with non-use, long-term use of SSRI (≥ 20 claims) was not associated with an altered risk of cataract (adjusted OR 0.93, 95% CI 0.84-1.04). The analysis of the individual drug substances also yielded no statistically significant association between drug exposure and the risk of cataract.

CONCLUSIONS

According to our study, use of SSRI does not change the risk of cataract in the overall population.

Analysis of mortality after hip fracture on patient, hospital, and regional level in Germany

Knowledge about risk factors of mortality after hip fracture might encourage prevention and further improvements in care. This study identified patient risk factors as well as hospital and regional characteristics associated with a decreased risk. Variation of mortality was largest on patient level and modest on hospital and regional level.

INTRODUCTION

Among numerous studies analyzing mortality as worst consequence after hip fracture, the majority focused on patient level and fewer on hospital and regional level. Comprehensive knowledge about contributing factors on all levels might help to reveal relevant inequalities, which would encourage prevention and further improvements in care. This study aimed at investigating variation of mortality after hip fracture on patient, hospital, and regional level in Germany.

METHODS

We performed a retrospective cohort study on hip fracture patients aged 65 and older using statutory health insurance claims data from Jan 2009 through Dec. 2012 and additional information from the Federal Statistical Office Germany. Regions were classified based on two-digit postal code. We applied a multilevel Cox proportional hazard model with random intercepts on hospital and regional level to investigate the risk factors for mortality within 6 and 12 months after hip fracture.

RESULTS

The dataset contained information on 123,119 hip fracture patients in 1014 hospitals in 95 German regions. Within 6/12 months, 20.9%/27.6% of the patients died. On patient level, male sex, increasing age, increased pre-fracture care level, and increasing comorbidity were associated with an increased hazard of mortality. Hospitals with increasing hip fracture volume or with orthogeriatric co-management and regions with increased population density were associated with a decreased hazard. Variation was largest on patient level and rather modest on hospital and regional level.

CONCLUSIONS

The identification of patient-related risk factors enables prognosticating mortality after hip fracture. After adjusting for those, variation seemed to be attributable rather to hospitals than to regions.

Risk of traumatic intracranial haemorrhage is increased in older people exposed to oral anticoagulation with phenprocoumon

BACKGROUND

Hospital admissions resulting from traumatic intracranial haemorrhages (TIH) in older people are increasing. There are concerns regarding an increased risk of a TIH in people taking oral anticoagulants (OAC) like phenprocoumon.

AIMS

The aim of this study was to estimate the incremental risk of a TIH associated with OAC in older people. Furthermore, this study explored differences in risk according to functional status.

METHODS

The study took data from a large German health insurance provider and combined hospital diagnoses with data regarding drug dispensing to estimate rates of a TIH in people with and without exposure to phenprocoumon. Analyses were stratified by sex and by severe functional impairment as disclosed by the long-term care insurance provider.

RESULTS

Overall, exposure to OAC resulted in 2.7 times higher rates of TIH. People with severe functional impairment had a higher baseline risk of TIH than people without severe functional impairment. However, the incremental risk in those exposed to OAC was similar among people with and without severe functional impairment (standardised incidence rate difference 15.73 (95% CI 7.84; 23.61) and 12.10 (95% CI 9.63; 14.57) per 10,000 person-years, respectively).

CONCLUSIONS

OAC increases the risk of TIH considerably. The incremental risk of TIH in those exposed to OAC is comparable between people with and without severe functional impairment. The presence of severe functional impairment per se should not exclude such patients from the potential benefits of OAC. For now, the prescription should be personalized based on individual fall risk factors and risk-taking behaviour.

Understanding the links between cardiovascular disease and Parkinson's disease

Studies investigating the associations between genetic or environmental factors and Parkinson's disease (PD) have uncovered a number of factors shared with cardiovascular disease, either as risk factors or manifestations of cardiovascular disease itself. Older age, male sex, and possibly type 2 diabetes are examples. On the other hand, coffee consumption and physical activity are each associated with a lower risk of both PD and cardiovascular disease. This observation raises questions about the underlying pathophysiological links between cardiovascular disease and PD. There is evidence for common mechanisms in the areas of glucose metabolism, cellular stress, lipid metabolism, and inflammation. On the other hand, smoking and total/low-density lipoprotein cholesterol appear to have opposite associations with cardiovascular disease and PD. Thus, it is uncertain whether the treatment of cardiovascular risk factors will impact on the onset or progression of PD. The available data suggest that a nuanced approach is necessary to manage risk factors such as cholesterol levels once the associations are better understood. Ultimately, the choice of therapy may be tailored to a patient's comorbidity profile. This review presents the epidemiological evidence for both concordant and discordant associations between cardiovascular disease and PD, discusses the cellular and metabolic processes that may underlie these links, and explores the implications this has for patient care and future research. © 2019 International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society.

Autoimmune diseases and immunosuppressive therapy in relation to the risk of glioma

Effectors from the immune system can modulate the course and possibly the early development of gliomas. We, therefore, hypothesized that autoimmune diseases associated with increased immune‐surveillance may also modulate the risk of human glioma. To test this hypothesis, we used data from the well‐validated Clinical Practice Research Datalink (CPRD) GOLD from the UK to analyze the association of immune‐related disorders or use of immunosuppressive drugs and the risk of glioma. We identified 3112 incident glioma cases diagnosed between 1995 and 2017. We randomly selected up to 10 controls, matching them to glioma cases on age, sex, index date, general practice, and number of years of active history in the database prior to the index date. We performed conditional logistic regression analyses to estimate Odds Ratios (ORs) of glioma among those exposed to allergies, autoimmune diseases, and immunosuppressive drugs. Overall, we found no materially altered association between a history of any autoimmune disease (OR 0.98, 95% CI 0.86‐1.11), allergy (OR 0.97, 95% CI 0.89‐1.05), or use of immunosuppressive drugs and the risk of glioma. However, subgroup analyses among younger patients found a statistically significant increased risk of glioma in patients with a history of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) (OR 2.59, 95% CI 1.31‐5.12). There was also an inverse association between asthma and risk of glioma in patients with longer survival (OR 0.73, 95% CI 0.58‐0.91) and between long‐term duration diabetes and risk of glioma (OR 0.71, 95% CI 0.53‐0.96).

[Incomplete partition type III revisited-long-term results following cochlear implant. German version]

BACKGROUND

Incomplete partition type III (IP III) is defined by a missing lamina cribrosa between the cochlea and the internal auditory canal (IAC). Cochlear implantation (CI) may result in an insertion of the electrode array into the IAC. The aim of this study is to evaluate CI surgery protocols, long-term audiological outcome, mapping and electrophysiological data after CI in IP III patients.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Nine IP III patients were implanted with perimodiolar electrode arrays between 1999 and 2014; eight of them were included in this study. We evaluated mapping data, stapedius reflexes, electrode impedances and ECAP thresholds. We matched them with 3 CI patients each with normal cochlear morphology regarding sex, age, side, implant type and surgical date. Speech discrimination was evaluated with the Oldenburger sentence test for adults, Göttingen audiometric speech test for children and the Freiburger monosyllabic word test.

RESULTS

3 years after CI IP III patients showed a significant increase in pulse width, calculated electric load and electrode impedances in basal electrodes. Intraoperative electrically-evoked stapedius reflexes could be measured in all patients. Speech recognition scores were lower than average scores for matched patients, but without statistical significance.

CONCLUSIONS

The significant increase of pulse width, electric load and electrode impedances of basal electrodes over time seem to be characteristic for IP III patients probably occurring due to fibrosis and neurodegeneration of the cochlear nerve. The long term audiological results are stable. Intraoperative imaging and stapedius reflexes are highly recommended to control the right position of the electrode array.

A-23 Mental Illness and Emotional Functioning as Moderated by Executive Functioning: Incarcerated Population

Objective

The purpose of this study is to investigate whether executive functioning will moderate the relationship of a history of mental illness on aggression in a male forensic population.

Method

Using an archival database from a larger study, 232 male inmates (ages 21 and 49 years old) from three medium/maximum Maryland Correctional facilities were recruited using a pseudo-random selection process during intake. Participants were administered three EF tasks (Cambridge Decision Making Task, Logan Stop-Signal Task, and Stroop Interference Task), history of mental illness was obtained using the Symptom Checklist-90, and aggression was assessed with the Novaco Reaction to Provocation Questionnaire.

Results

Hierarchical multiple regressions were conducted. For overall aggression reactivity, inhibition moderated depression (IR2 = .025, F(3, 224) = 9.977, p < .001, β = -.246, p = .015) and psychoticism (IR2 = .019, F(3, 224) = 8.216, p < .001, β = -.136, p = .031). For reactive aggression subtype, inhibition moderated depression (IR2 = .025, F(3, 224) = 2.679, p = .048, β = .071, p = .017). For proactive aggression subtype, cognitive flexibility moderated anxiety (IR2 = .018, F(3, 224) = 4.731, p = .003, β = -.014, p = .039); and depression (IR2 = .022, F(3, 224) = 3.888, p = .010, β = -.017, p = .025).

Conclusions

Overall, there was mixed findings for inhibition. On Cambridge Decision Making task, inhibition moderated the predictive relationship of depression on reactive aggression and psychoticism and overall aggression but not for other measures of inhibition. For another inhibition task (Stroop), inhibition did not significantly moderate any mental illness on severity of aggression. Cognitive flexibility moderated the predictive relationships of anxiety and depression on proactive aggression. Findings suggest targeting cognitive flexibility for inmates diagnosed with anxiety depression, and psychosis when treating aggression in a male forensic population.

[Epidemiology and prevention of heat-related adverse health effects on elderly people]

Heat waves increase the morbidity and mortality in Germany, particularly of older patients in need of care. Due to climate change the number of heat waves in Germany will increase threefold by the end of the century. In addition, the proportion of patients at risk will grow due to demographic change. Therefore, the Government and the Federal States have developed recommendations for heat action plans, in which the medical profession should also participate in the prevention of heat-related damage to health. Physicians and their team should first become acquainted with the topic. In addition, they should inform patients at risk and their relatives of the risks and preventive measures. In the summer a critical check of drugs is also needed because medications impair cooling mechanisms in heat waves, the pharmacokinetics can change and unwanted side effects of drugs occur more frequently. Lastly, due to their central position in the healthcare system, physicians should participate in the coordination of a good nursing care and intensification of social contacts during heat waves.

Risk of institutionalization following fragility fractures in older people

Previously independent living older people suffering fractures of the hip have a high risk of new admission to a nursing home during the subsequent months. This study shows that older people admitted to hospital for fractures of the pelvis and spine have a similar risk of admission to a nursing home.

INTRODUCTION

Fall-related fractures are a serious threat to the health and well-being of older persons. Long-term consequences of hip fractures such as institutionalization and mortality are well-known. The impact of other fragility fractures is less well-understood. The aim of this study was to estimate risks of institutionalization and death for different fragility fractures and compare them with the corresponding risks after hip fracture.

METHODS

Data was retrieved from a German health insurance company. Between 2005 and 2008 more than 56,000 community-dwelling people with a hospital admission or discharge diagnosis of a fracture of the femur, spine, pelvis, proximal humerus, distal radius, tibia, or fibula were included. Crude and age-adjusted 6-month incidence rates for institutionalization and death were calculated. To compare the risks of institutionalization or mortality of non-hip fractures with the risk after hip fracture, multivariate regression models were applied.

RESULTS

Crude institutionalization rates and mortality were highest in patients with hip fracture. However, after adjustment for age, functional status, and comorbidity, risks of institutionalization after fractures of pelvis (relative risk (RR), 0.94; 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.86; 1.02 in women and 0.89; 95% CI 0.70; 1.12 in men), and spine (RR, 0.95; 95% CI 0.87; 1.03 in women and 0.91; 95% CI 0.76; 1.08 in men) were not statistically different compared to the risk after hip fracture.

CONCLUSIONS

The risk of institutionalization after fractures of the spine and pelvis was similar to the risk after hip fracture. These fracture sites seem to be associated with a significant decline in physical function.

Association Between Glycemic Control and Risk of Fracture in Diabetic Patients: A Nested Case-Control Study

CONTEXT

Diabetes mellitus (DM) has been associated with an increased risk of fractures. However, the effect of glycemic control on the risk of fracture is not well understood.

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the association between glycemic control and the risk of low-trauma fractures in patients with type 1 DM (T1DM) and type 2 DM (T2DM).

DESIGN

Nested case-control analysis.

SETTING

UK-based Clinical Practice Research Datalink.

PATIENTS OR OTHER PARTICIPANTS

The study population was patients whose T1DM or T2DM had been newly diagnosed between 1995 and 2015. The cases were patients with a low-trauma fracture after DM onset. We matched four controls to each case by age, sex, general practice, fracture date, and DM type and duration.

STATISTICAL ANALYSIS

Conditional logistic regression analyses were performed, adjusted for covariates, including body mass index, smoking, DM complications and medications.

RESULTS

The study population included 3329 patients with T1DM and 44,275 patients with T2DM. The median duration between DM onset and fracture date was 4.5 years for both T1DM and T2DM. The risk of fracture was increased in the patients with T1DM with a mean hemoglobin A1c >8.0% (adjusted OR, 1.39; 95% CI, 1.06 to 1.83) compared with those patients with T1DM and a mean hemoglobin A1c ≤7.0%. No such effect was found in the patients with T2DM. Independently of glycemic control, the risk of fracture was elevated in patients with T2DM and the current use of rosiglitazone and pioglitazone.

CONCLUSIONS

The effect of glycemic control on the risk of low-trauma fracture differs between patients with T1DM and T2DM. Poor glycemic control increased the risk of fractures in patients with T1DM but not in those with T2DM.

Shaping femtosecond laser pulses at short wavelength with grazing-incidence optics

We present the design of an extreme ultraviolet (XUV) pulse shaper relying on reflective optics. The instrument will allow tailoring of the time-frequency spectrum of femtosecond pulses generated by seeded free-electron lasers (FEL) and high-harmonic generation (HHG) sources down to a central wavelength of ~15 nm. The device is based on the geometry of a 4f grating compressor that is a standard concept in ultrafast laser science and technology. We apply it to shorter wavelengths using grazing-incidence optics operated under ultra-high vacuum conditions. The design blaze angle and the line density of the gratings allow the manipulation of all different harmonics typical for seeded FEL and HHG photon sources without the need of realignment of the instrument and even simultaneously in multi-color experiments. A proof-of-principle pulse shaping experiment using 266 nm laser light has been performed, demonstrating relative phase-control of femtosecond UV pulses.

Protective ventilation with high versus low positive end-expiratory pressure during one-lung ventilation for thoracic surgery (PROTHOR): study protocol for a randomized controlled trial

BACKGROUND

Postoperative pulmonary complications (PPC) may result in longer duration of in-hospital stay and even mortality. Both thoracic surgery and intraoperative mechanical ventilation settings add considerably to the risk of PPC. It is unclear if one-lung ventilation (OLV) for thoracic surgery with a strategy of intraoperative high positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP) and recruitment maneuvers (RM) reduces PPC, compared to low PEEP without RM.

METHODS

PROTHOR is an international, multicenter, randomized, controlled, assessor-blinded, two-arm trial initiated by investigators of the PROtective VEntilation NETwork. In total, 2378 patients will be randomly assigned to one of two different intraoperative mechanical ventilation strategies. Investigators screen patients aged 18 years or older, scheduled for open thoracic or video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery under general anesthesia requiring OLV, with a maximal body mass index of 35 kg/m2, and a planned duration of surgery of more than 60 min. Further, the expected duration of OLV shall be longer than two-lung ventilation, and lung separation is planned with a double lumen tube. Patients will be randomly assigned to PEEP of 10 cmH2O with lung RM, or PEEP of 5 cmH2O without RM. During two-lung ventilation tidal volume is set at 7 mL/kg predicted body weight and, during OLV, it will be decreased to 5 mL/kg. The occurrence of PPC will be recorded as a collapsed composite of single adverse pulmonary events and represents the primary endpoint.

DISCUSSION

PROTHOR is the first randomized controlled trial in patients undergoing thoracic surgery with OLV that is adequately powered to compare the effects of intraoperative high PEEP with RM versus low PEEP without RM on PPC. The results of the PROTHOR trial will support anesthesiologists in their decision to set intraoperative PEEP during protective ventilation for OLV in thoracic surgery.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

The trial was registered in clinicaltrials.gov ( NCT02963025 ) on 15 November 2016.

ACE inhibitor use and risk of cataract: a case-control analysis

BACKGROUND/AIM

Use of ACE inhibitors (ACEIs) has been associated with an increased risk of cataract in a previous observational study in humans. In contrast, ACEIs were associated with beneficial effects on cataract development in experimental studies. We assessed the risk of cataract in relation to exposure to ACEI and other antihypertensive drugs.

METHODS

This is a case-control study based on data from the UK-based Clinical Practice Research Datalink (CPRD). We included first-time cataract patients aged ≥40 years between 1995 and 2015 and an equal number of cataract-free controls. We matched the controls to cases on age, sex, general practice, date of first cataract (ie, index date) and years of history in the CPRD prior to the index date. We assessed the number of prescriptions for ACEI and other antihypertensive drugs in detail and explored the use of single ACEI substances. We performed conditional logistic regression and conducted various sensitivity analyses to test the robustness of our findings. We calculated the risk of cataract associated with previous exposure to ACEI, measured as OR with 95% CIs, and adjusted the multivariable model for body mass index, smoking, diabetes, hypertension, prescriptions of systemic corticosteroids and other antihypertensive drugs.

RESULTS

We identified 206 931 cataract cases and the same number of matched controls. Use of ACEI was not associated with a materially altered risk of cataract compared with non-use of ACEI, neither in the main analysis (OR 1.06, 95% CI 1.04 to 1.08) nor in any of the sensitivity or stratified analyses.

CONCLUSION

In our large observational study, use of ACEI was not associated with an altered risk of cataract.