Correlation of Platelet Indices in Patients With Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus and Associated Microvascular Complications: A Hospital-Based, Prospective, Case-Control Study

Background Diabetic patients exhibit increased platelet activity. Insulin inhibits the activation of platelets. Therefore, a relative or absolute deficiency of insulin would increase platelet reactivity. The younger (larger) platelets are also more metabolically and enzymatically active. If detected early, microvascular complications could alert us regarding the possible macrovascular complications. Thus, the aims and objectives of the present study were to determine platelet indices in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus with controls (non-diabetics) and to find an association of platelet indices with microvascular complications.  Material & methods In this prospective case-control study conducted from 2021 to 2022 (2 years), a total number of 200 subjects were taken and were divided into two groups of 100 each, cases (I) and controls (II). The cases included patients of diabetes mellitus (DM) of a duration of more than 5 years, which were further divided into two groups of 50 each, IA and IB. Group IA consisted of patients with diabetes mellitus of a duration of more than five years with at least one microvascular complication and group IB was diabetics of more than five years duration without any microvascular complications, which includes diabetic retinopathy, diabetic nephropathy, and diabetic neuropathy. An automated cell counter (Thermo Fisher Scientific, Waltham, MA, US) provided hemoglobin values along with the platelet count and platelet indices, i.e. mean platelet volume (MPV), platelet large cell ratio (P-LCR), and platelet distribution width (PDW). Results The present study consisted of 200 subjects divided into 2 groups of 100 each, cases (I) and controls (II). The average MPV (9.4-12.3 femtolitre) in diabetics was 12.089±1.450 fL as compared to the controls where it was 9.464±1.424 fL with a statistically significant p-value of 0.001. PDW among the cases was 16.868±2.352 fL while in controls, it was 12.753±10.559 fL (p=0.001). The mean P-LCR was 34.975±8.056% among the cases, in comparison to the mean P-LCR among the controls, which was 26.031±7.004 (p=0.001). In this study, the MPV, PDW, and P-LCR were significantly raised in individuals having diabetes with microvascular complications when compared with patients without complications. The mean MPV in diabetics with complications was 12.5960±0.95660 fL and in those without complications was 11.5820±1.67609 fL (with a p-value of P = 2×10-3)which is statistically significant. Similar results were obtained in cases of PDW and P-LCR. The mean PDW in diabetics with complications was 17.1140±2.58228 fL and without complications was 15.6220±2.10532 fL ((with a p-value of P = 2×10-3)). The mean P-LCR in diabetics with microvascular complications was 35.408±3.5490% and without complications was 33.542±4.8694% (with a p-value of P = 3.1×10-3). Conclusion Based on the findings of the present study, there is a statistical correlation between type 2 diabetes and variations in platelet indices, resulting in the associated microvascular complications. Higher MPV, PDW, and P-LCR values suggest that these parameters are more reliable predictors of early vascular complications in individuals with type 2 diabetes mellitus and can be utilized as an easy-to-use, low-cost method. They are a readily available, economical, practical, noninvasive, and simple-to-understand approach for assessing platelet dysfunction, which in turn helps anticipate the existence of microvascular complications.

OP0170 PHASE 2A, RANDOMIZED, DOUBLE-BLIND, PLACEBO-CONTROLLED STUDY OF THE EFFICACY AND SAFETY OF A TRANSDERMAL ALKALINIZING AND PAIN-RELIEVING TREATMENT FOR REDUCING PAIN ASSOCIATED WITH AN ACUTE GOUT FLARE

Background

Monosodium urate (MSU) deposition is pathognomonic for gouty arthropathy. MSU crystal formation and dissolution is affected by pH and theoretically, alkalinizing agents (eg, sodium bicarbonate, NaHCO₃) that raise the joint microenvironment pH, could facilitate MSU crystal dissolution1 and decrease the pain of an acute gout flare. However, oral NaHCO₃ use is fraught with intolerable gastrointestinal side effects.

Objectives

To determine if NaHCO₃ in a patented transdermal formulation could effectively and safely reduce the pain of an acute gout flare.

Methods

A Phase 2a prospective, double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled study enrolled 418 subjects across 20 US sites. Patients with a diagnosis of gout using ACR/EULAR criteria (Score ≥ 8), ages 18-75, history of ≥ 2 gout flares in 12 months prior to randomization and on stable doses of urate lowering therapy were included. Exclusion criteria were BMI > 40kg/m2, > 12 gout flares in the year prior to randomization, history of rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, evidence of septic arthritis, acute polyarticular gout (≥ 4 joints), and arthritis of any other cause. Patients were randomized to receive placebo lotion or transdermal NaHCO₃. Upon flare they initiated colchicine (1.2 mg followed by 0.6 mg 1 hour later) and applied study product to the limb of the affected joint. Outcome measures included pain-numeric rating scale (NRS, 0-10), time to resolution of pain (50% reduction), rescue medication use, joint tenderness, and physical function (PROMIS PF-20). Data were collected in patient diaries for the pain and PROMIS measures at several time points from baseline through Day 7, as were adverse events. Statistical analyses utilized ANCOVA (baseline pain as a covariate), Kaplan-Meier curves for homogeneity, and two-proportion z-test, all with α=0.05.

Results

98 patients had a gout flare during the 14-month study period. Those in the active arm (ITT, N=48) had an overall responder rate of 94.5% vs. 79.3% (p=0.01) in the placebo arm (ITT, N=50) over the 7-day follow up. Rescue medication use was lower in the active arm vs. placebo (6.3% vs. 20.0%, p=0.02); and PROMIS PF-20 showed greater improvements over 7 days (22.2 vs. 16.7 points, p=0.05). The most common adverse event was hypertension (14.2%) with no significant difference between arms. Per protocol analyses were conducted to adjust for adherence on Day 1 for time to resolution of pain (Figure 1) and additional 24hr endpoints (Table 1).

Table 1.

Key 24hr Endpoints (Per Protocol, n = 57)

Active (n = 28)Placebo (n = 29)P valueMedian time to resolution, hrs124720.03Change in 24hr PROMIS PF-20 score216.79.40.01Physician-assessed moderate-to-severe joint tenderness 24hr328.0%57.1%0.02

1≥ 50% reduction in pain; K-M Est.; Subjects using rescue medication, discontinuing study drug, or missing pain scores censored

2Consists of 20, 0-5-point questions; higher scores indicate better function

3LIKERT: 0 (no pain), 1 (pain), 2 (wincing), 3 (wincing and withdrawal)

Figure 1.

Time to resolution of pain1 (per protocol population, n = 57)

Conclusion

Transdermal NaHCO₃ reduced the pain intensity and duration of an acute gout flare with higher overall response rates, faster time to resolution, improvements in physical function and a reduction in rescue medication use. The lack of adverse events makes this topical a promising therapeutic choice; especially during debilitating acute gout flares in patients with concomitant comorbidities.

References

[1]Chhana et al, BMC Musculoskelet Disord, 2015

Disclosure of Interests

Puja Khanna Consultant of: Dyve, Horizon, Selecta, Cerecor, Grant/research support from: Dyve, Horizon, Selecta, Cerecor, Ryan Beal Shareholder of: Dyve, Employee of: Dyve

POS0135 REDUCING IMMUNOGENICITY OF PEGLOTICASE (RECIPE) WITH CONCOMITANT USE OF MYCOPHENOLATE MOFETIL IN PATIENTS WITH REFRACTORY GOUT: A PHASE II RANDOMIZED CONTROLLED TRIAL

Background:

Pegloticase is a recombinant, pegylated uricase, used for treatment of gout patients who fail oral urate lowering therapy (ULT). Its use has been limited due to immunogenicity leading to infusion reactions.1

Objectives:

We evaluated if co-administration of an immunomodulatory agent could prolong the efficacy of pegloticase.

Methods:

Participants were recruited in a Phase II, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial over 18 months and randomized in a 3:1 ratio by site. Inclusion criteria were: a) Age ≥ 18 years who met 2015 ACR/EULAR gout classification criteria and b) chronic refractory gout defined as symptoms inadequately controlled with ULT or contraindications. After a 2-week run-in of mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) 1000 mg twice daily or matching placebo (PBO), they received a combination of pegloticase 8 mg biweekly with MMF or PBO for 12 weeks. Subsequent to this MMF or PBO were discontinued but pegloticase was continued for another 12 weeks. The primary endpoint was proportion of patients who sustained a serum urate (SU) level of ≤ 6 mg/dl at 12 weeks. Secondary endpoints included 24-week durability of SU ≤ 6 mg/dl and rate of adverse events (AEs). Fisher’s exact test and Wilcoxon two-sample test were used for analyses along with Kaplan-Meier estimates and log-rank tests to compare survival curves between groups. Hypothesis tests were two-tailed and p-value (p) < 0.05 indicated statistical significance.

Results:

Of 42 subjects screened, 35 were randomized, and 32 who received at least one dose of pegloticase were included in modified intention to treat analyses. Subjects were predominantly men (88%), mean age of 55.2 years (SD=9.7). Mean duration of gout was 13.4 years (SD=9.0), mean baseline sUA was 9.2 mg/dL (SD=1.6). Tophi were present in 88% and majority were on optimized ULT - 59% on allopurinol and 16% on febuxostat, with 63% reporting > 1 flare in the past year. At baseline both arms (MMF vs. PBO) had similar comorbidities – (82% vs 70%), diabetes mellitus/metabolic syndrome (14% vs 20%), coronary artery disease/peripheral vascular disease (41% vs.70%), BMI>30 (86% vs. 90%) and renal insufficiency (defined as eGFR < 90 mL/min; 73% vs. 70%). At 12 weeks, 19 of 22 (86%) in the MMF arm achieved SU ≤ 6 mg/dl compared to 4 of 10 (40%) in PBO arm (p-value = 0.01). At 24 weeks, the SU was ≤ 6 mg/dl in 68% of MMF arm vs. 30% in PBO (p-value = 0.06), and rates of AEs per month were similar between groups with the PBO arm having more infusion reactions (30% vs. 0%). The MMF arm had higher AEs compared to placebo: musculoskeletal (41% vs. 10%), gastrointestinal (18% vs. 10%), and infections (9% vs. 0%). Figure 1 shows that the percentage of subjects maintaining a sUA < 6 mg/dL at 12 weeks was significantly higher (p=0.02) in the MMF arm, and a significant difference (p=0.03) at 24 weeks indicates sustained benefit from MMF.

Conclusion:

To our knowledge this is the first randomized-controlled proof of concept trial to demonstrate the ability of an immunomodulatory agent in prolonging the efficacy of pegloticase. Short-term concomitant use of MMF therapy with pegloticase was well tolerated and showed a clinically meaningful improvement in the targeted SU ≤6 mg/dL at 12 and 24 weeks. This study suggests an innovative approach to utilize pegloticase therapy in patients with chronic gout.

References:

[1]Sundy et al. Efficacy and tolerability of pegloticase for the treatment of chronic gout in patients refractory to conventional treatment: two randomized controlled trials. JAMA. 2011;306(7):711-20.

Figure 1.

Proportion of subjects maintaining serum urate (SU) ≤ 6 mg/dL over 24 week study period in mycophenolate mofetil + pegloticase vs. placebo + pegloticase

Disclosure of Interests:

Puja Khanna Consultant of: Horizon Pharmaceuticals, Swedish Orphan Biovitrum A, Grant/research support from: Selecta, 2)DYVE, Dinesh Khanna Consultant of: Horizon Pharmaceuticals, Gary Cutter: None declared, Jeff Foster: None declared, Josh Melnick: None declared, Sara Jaafar: None declared, Stephanie Biggers: None declared, Fazlur Rahman: None declared, Hui-Chen Kuo: None declared, Michelle Feese: None declared, Kenneth Saag Consultant of: AbbVie, Inc., Bayer, Daiichi Sankyo Company LTD, Gilead Services, Inc., Horizon Pharma plc, Mallinkrodt, Radius Health, Inc., Roche/Genentech, Shanton Pharma Co., LTD, Teijin, Dyve Bioscience, LG Chem, Regeneron Pharmaceuticals., Swedish Orphan Biovitrum AB, Takeda Pharmaceuticals America, Inc.,

SEVERE HYPERCALCEMIA SECONDARY TO PARAFFIN OIL INJECTIONS IN A BODYBUILDER WITH SIGNIFICANT FINDINGS ON SCINTIGRAPHY

Objective

Non-parathyroid hormone (PTH) mediated hypercalcemia in young patients is rare. It encompasses a broad differential including malignancy, granulomatous diseases, Addison disease, and toxicity of vitamin A and D. We present an unusual case of non-PTH mediated hyper-calcemia in a previously healthy bodybuilder, secondary to multifocal granulomatous disease from paraffin oil injections.

Methods

The patient was evaluated with laboratory tests including serum calcium, 25-hydroxyvitamin D, 1,25-hydroxyvitamin D, parathyroid hormone, and parathyroid hormone-related peptide. Imaging studies such as thorax computed tomography and bone scans were also performed.

Results

A 31-year-old male bodybuilder presented with severe hypercalcemia (corrected calcium 3.1 mmol/L) and renal failure (creatinine 840 μmol/L), with suppressed PTH 1.0 pmol/L (normal, 1.6 to 6.9 pmol/L), and 1,25-vitamin D 205 pmol/L (normal, 60 to 208 pmol/L). He had used anabolic steroids for bodybuilding purposes for 8 years, with the possibility that he may also have used paraffin oil injections. Computed tomography imaging along with patient history suggested multiple paraffinomas in the pectoralis muscles causing granulomatous foreign body reaction as a potential cause for his hypercalcemia. He was prescribed a trial of prednisone, but he discontinued it due to symptoms of acne. Unfortunately, due to poor adherence with medical direction, management of his hypercalcemia remains challenging with inconsistent use of steroids and pamidronate infusions.

Conclusion

Granulomatous foreign-body reactions are a rare side effect of paraffin oil injections used for muscle augmentation. These can lead to serious long-term side effects of severe hypercalcemia and renal failure, as seen in our patient. Prognosis is generally poor, with long term steroids as the preferred treatment.

THU0439 EFFICACY AND SAFETY OF ANAKINRA IN THE TREATMENT OF RECURRENT GOUT FLARES: RESULTS FROM THE EXTENSION PHASE OF THE ANAGO STUDY

Background:

The anaGO (anakinra ingout) study was a multi-center, randomized, double-blind, double-dummy, phase 2 study investigating the efficacy and safety of anakinra for recurrent gout flares. Results from subsequent flares (extension phase) are presented in relation to the previously reported results from the 1stflare (flare at study enrollment).

Objectives:

The objective of the extension phase was to evaluate the efficacy, safety and immunogenicity of two anakinra regimens (100 or 200 mg daily s.c. injections for 5 days) compared to triamcinolone (single i.m. injection 40 mg) for subsequent flares after initial study enrollment flare. The primary endpoint of the study was change in patient-assessed flare pain intensity from baseline to 24-72 hours (average of 24, 48 and 72 hours) in the most affected joint measured on a visual analogue scale (0-100 VAS). Secondary endpoints included: patient’s and physician’s assessments of global response, anti-drug antibodies (ADA) and safety.

Methods:

The study included patients with acute gout (ACR/EULAR 2015 gout classification criteria) unsuitable for anti-inflammatory therapy with NSAIDs and colchicine due to contraindication, intolerance or inefficacy. Patients were eligible for treatment of subsequent flares for up to 2 years. Each patient received the same treatment for all flares, starying with the flare at enrollment.

Results:

161 patients were treated for 1 flare, 61 patients for 2 flares, 31 patients for 3, and 20 patients for 4 or more flares with 1 patient treated for 9 flares. In total, 300 flares were treated in the full study; anakinra 100 mg and 200 mg, 107 and 106 flares, respectively; and triamcinolone, 87 flares. Both anakinra doses and triamcinolone provided a clinical meaningful reduction in patient-assessed pain intensity in both the 1stand subsequent flares. Mean changes in pain intensity from baseline to 24–72 hours for total anakinra and triamcinolone were: 1stflare -41.2 and -39.4; 2ndflare -33.9 and -31.1; 3rdflare -31.8 and -51.2, respectively. Mean differences in pain reduction between anakinra and triamcinolone treatment groups were (negative value favors anakinra): 1stflare -1.8, 2ndflare -2.8 3rdflare 19.4. The majority of secondary endpoints favored anakinra, including patient’s and physician’s global assessement of response and physician’s assessement of the joint. No unexpected safety findings during subsequent flares were identified. 21 patients (19.6%) developed ADA to anakinra in low titers at some time point; 7 (6.5%) had pre-existing ADA at baseline and 12 (11.2%) developed treatment induced ADA. 2 patients had pre-existing ADA to triamcinolone at baseline. 4 patients on anakinra (3.7%) developed neutralizing antibodies (NAbs). Pre-dose 72 hour anakinra serum concentrations were in similar range for ADA+ and ADA- patients. Presence of ADA was not associated with adverse events or had an impact on pain reduction.

Conclusion:

The efficacy and safety of anakinra and triamcinolone in subsequent flares were similar to the findings from 1stflare in patients with acute gout. Patient-assessed pain in the 1stand 2ndflare was reduced to similar degrees in all treatment groups, but to a larger extent in the 3rdflare in the small triamcinolone group. Secondary endpoints were in favor of anakinra across flares 1 to 3. The overall incidence of ADA and NAb was low also after repeated anakinra dosing and did not appear to impact exposure, efficacy or safety. In conclusion, anakinra was shown to be an option in the treatment of recurrent gout flares in patients for whom conventional therapy is unsuitable.

Disclosure of Interests: :

Kenneth Saag Grant/research support from: Horizon, Sobi, Shanton, Grant/research support from: Horizon Pharma, Sobi, Shanton, Consultant of: Horizon and Sobi, Consultant of: Horizon Pharma, Amgen, Radius, LG-Pharma, Takeda, Sobi, Atom, Arthrosi, Puja Khanna Grant/research support from: Dyve, Selecta, Sobi, Consultant of: Sobi, Horizon, Robert Keenan Consultant of: Sobi, Selecta, Horizon, Sven Ohlman Shareholder of: Sobi, Employee of: Former employee of Sobi, Erik Sparve Shareholder of: Sobi, Employee of: Sobi, Daniel Lindqvist Employee of: Sobi, Ann-Charlotte Åkerblad Shareholder of: Sobi, Employee of: Sobi, Margareta Wikén Shareholder of: Sobi, Employee of: Former employee of Sobi, Alexander So Consultant of: Sobi, Grünenthal, Michael H. Pillinger Grant/research support from: Horizon, Hikma, Consultant of: Sobi, Horizon, Robert Terkeltaub Consultant of: Sobi, Selecta, Horizon, Astra-Zeneca

THU0409 A RANDOMIZED, PHASE 2 STUDY EVALUATING THE EFFICACY AND SAFETY OF ANAKINRA IN DIFFICULT-TO-TREAT ACUTE GOUTY ARTHRITIS: THE ANAGO STUDY

Background:

In gout, urate crystals deposited in and around joints trigger episodes of acute arthritis, mediated by the proinflammatory cytokine IL-1β. In uncontrolled studies, the IL-1 receptor antagonist anakinra appears effective in reducing pain and signs of acute flares in patients with difficult-to-treat gout. However, confirmatory, adequately-powered, prospective trials are lacking. The ‘anaGO-study’ (anakinra ingout) was a multi-center, randomized, double-blind, double-dummy, phase 2 study investigating the efficacy and safety of anakinra in acute gout (NCT03002974).

Objectives:

The primary objective was to evaluate the efficacy of two regimens of anakinra (100 or 200 mg daily s.c. injections for 5 days) compared to triamcinolone (single i.m. injection 40 mg) with respect to patient-assessed pain intensity. The primary endpoint was change in pain intensity from baseline to 24-72 hours (average of 24, 48 and 72 hours) in the most affected joint measured on a visual analogue scale (0-100 VAS). Secondary outcomes included: time to onset of effect, time to response, time to pain resolution, time to rescue medication use, patient’s and physician’s assessments of global response, clinical signs, inflammatory biomarkers and safety.

Methods:

Patients were recruited who had acute gout based on ACR/EULAR 2015 gout classification criteria, and were unsuitable for anti-inflammatory therapy with NSAIDs and colchicine due to contraindication, intolerance or inefficacy. Patients were randomized to each group in a 1:1:1 ratio and stratified by urate-lowering therapy use (yes/no) and BMI (<30.0 or ≥30.0 kg/m2).

Results:

165 patients were randomized; 110 to anakinra (56 to 100 mg/day, 54 to 200 mg/day) and 55 to triamcinolone; 108 and 53 were included in the primary analysis, respectively. The median (range) age was 55 (25-83) years, 87% were male, mean disease duration was 8.7 years and mean number of self-reported flares during the past year was 4.5. The pain intensity, from baseline to 24-72 hours, decreased in both treatment groups; mean (95% CI) change was -39.4 (-46.8, -32.0) for triamcinolone and -41.2 (-46.3, -36.2) for anakinra. The 100 mg and 200 mg doses of anakinra were comparably effective in decreasing pain (100 mg/day: -41.8 [-48.9, -34.8] and 200 mg/day: -40.7 [-47.9, -33.4]). Mean (95% CI) difference in pain reduction between anakinra and triamcinolone treatment groups was -1.8 (-10.8, 7.1) (p-value = 0.688 for primary endpoint). The majority of secondary efficacy endpoints were numerically in favor of anakinra, and in most instances also statistically significant, in comparison to triamcinolone, e.g. physician’s assessment of clinical signs at 72 hours and patient’s and physician’s assessment of global response at Day 8. No unexpected safety findings were identified in any of the treatment groups.

Conclusion:

Anakinra and triamcinolone reduced patient-assessed gout flare pain to similar degrees in patients for whom conventional therapy was ineffective or contraindicated. Both doses of anakinra showed comparable efficacy in pain reduction. The majority of secondary efficacy endpoints favored anakinra. Anakinra was shown to be an additional option for use during acute gout flares.

Disclosure of Interests: :

Kenneth Saag Grant/research support from: Horizon, Sobi, Shanton, Grant/research support from: Horizon Pharma, Sobi, Shanton, Consultant of: Horizon and Sobi, Consultant of: Horizon Pharma, Amgen, Radius, LG-Pharma, Takeda, Sobi, Atom, Arthrosi, Alexander So Consultant of: Sobi, Grünenthal, Puja Khanna Grant/research support from: Dyve, Selecta, Sobi, Consultant of: Sobi, Horizon, Robert Keenan Consultant of: Sobi, Selecta, Horizon, Sven Ohlman Shareholder of: Sobi, Employee of: Former employee of Sobi, Torbjörn Kullenberg Shareholder of: Sobi, Employee of: Former employee of Sobi, Lisa Osterling Koskinen Shareholder of: Sobi, Employee of: Sobi, Michael H. Pillinger Grant/research support from: Horizon, Hikma, Consultant of: Sobi, Horizon, Robert Terkeltaub Consultant of: Sobi, Selecta, Horizon, Astra-Zeneca

THU0430 RENAL URATE DEPOSITION: SUMMARY OF PUBLISHED EVIDENCE

Background:

Gout is the most common inflammatory arthropathy in U.S. adults. Although the severity of this debilitating disease is often defined by the presence of tophi in the joints, systemic deposition of urate in major organ systems including the renal parenchyma is not as well established. Urate is primarily cleared through the kidneys and patients with gout often have concomitant renal disease along with other comorbidities such diabetes, coronary artery disease, and hypertension; however, a causal role between these entities has not yet been carefully established. We hypothesize that urate deposits serve as a trigger in the inflammatory nidus to propogate subclinical tissue damage that results in the chronicity of the disease. This could potentially explain its independent role in the development and progression of chronic kidney disease in gout patients.

Objectives:

To review the published literature for evidence of urate deposition in the renal parenchyma in patients with gout and summarize the histopathology and imaging findings.

Methods:

PubMed (from 1940 to 2020) was used to identify reports of autopsy, pathology and radiology imaging demonstrating urate deposition within the native renal parenchyma in patients with gout. Key words included: gout nephropathy, chronic urate nephropathy, renal tophi, gouty kidney, autopsy findings in gout, and renal imaging in gout. The reference lists from these publications were also used to identify additional articles. Literature referencing urate nephrolithiasis and renal transplants were excluded from the study.

Results:

There were 25 articles documenting renal parenchymal urate deposition in gout patients confirmed by autopsy, biopsy and/or radiology imaging in native kidneys. Among the 19 articles examining urate deposition by autopsy and/or biopsy, 100% found urate deposition in the collecting ducts and adjacent medullary interstitium. Based on these findings, the most commonly proposed mechanism for urate deposition is urate crystal precipitation in the collecting ducts with eventual desquamation of the collecting duct walls from inflammation and/or tubular obstruction with subsequent extrusion of crystals into the medullary interstitium. 89% of reports documented inflammatory cells and/or tubulointerstitial fibrosis adjacent to the renal urate deposits. 68% reported cortical thinning or scarring. In addition, 74% of included publications reported renal vascular pathology including arteriosclerosis, glomerosclerosis and nephrosclerosis. There were 6 imaging articles that all reported abnormal renal ultrasound findings with hyperechogenic renal medullas that were attributed to urate deposition.

Conclusion:

There is a growing body of literature documenting urate deposition in the renal parenchyma in gout patients based on autopsy, pathology and imaging findings. Inflammation and fibrosis adjacent to regions of urate deposition and vascular changes were common. Given the strong association of gout with renal disease, there is a critical need to elucidate the mechanism by which urate impairs the renal tissue. Thus dedicated investigation is key to determine the prevalence and clinical significance of urate deposition in the kidneys of gout patients.

References:

[1]Nickeleit, V, et al.Nephrol Dial Transplant.(1997) 12:1832-1838.

[2]Tchacarski, V, et al.Intl Urol Nephrol.1992; 24(6): 649-655.

[3]Modern, FW.Med Clin North Am.1952;21: 941-51.

[4]Linnane, JW, et al.Nephron.1981; 29: 216-22

[5]Greenbaum, D, et al. Br Med J. 1961 May 27; 1(5238): 1502–1504

[6]Bluestone, R, et al.Seminars in Arthr and Rheum.1977;7(2).

[7]Brown, J, et al.NEJM.1950; 243: 325-329.

[8]Braga, T., et al.Sci Rep.2017; 7: 39884.

Disclosure of Interests: :

Puja Khanna Grant/research support from: Dyve, Selecta, Sobi, Consultant of: Sobi, Horizon, Brad Marder Employee of: Horizon Therapeutics, Brian LaMoreaux Shareholder of: Horizon Therapeutics, Employee of: Horizon Therapeutics, Ada Kumar Shareholder of: Horizon Therapeutics, Employee of: Horizon Therapeutics

Mixed phenotypic presentation of autoimmune polyendocrine syndrome type II in adolescent female

Autoimmune polyendocrine syndrome (APS) is a constellation of multiple endocrine and various autoimmune diseases. The hallmark features of APS are gradual onset, circulating autoantibodies, and tissue or organ infiltration by lymphocytes. There are genetic basis and failure of the immune system to maintain self-tolerance to a variety of molecules, which manifest as autoimmunity over a period of time. Age of onset of the syndrome may range from early infancy to adulthood, new onset of autoimmunity of the given syndrome can manifest thoughout life. We report a case of an adolescent female with endocrine and non-endocrine manifestation of APS, starting at a very young age of 7 years with nephritis and hypertension as an unusual association.

SAT-140 Determining the Undetermined: The Role of Tumor Tissue Staining for Interpretation of Inconclusive Genetic Testing Results in Patients with Pheochromocytomas and Paragangliomas

Background:

Paragangliomas and pheochromocytomas are neuroendocrine tumors that can occur in several hereditary tumor syndromes. While these are generally rare, individuals with germline loss of function mutations in the succinate dehydrogenase (SDH) genes are at high risk of developing these tumours, with a penetrance of 70% by age 50. Functional SDHB acts as a tumor suppressor. Consequently, pathogenic mutations in the SDHB gene predispose to familial paraganglioma syndrome type 4, with high incidence of extra adrenal paragangliomas and high rates of metastasis. SDHB mutation carriers are also predisposed to developing tumors in other sites such as renal cell cancer, gastrointestinal stromal tumors and pituitary adenomas. Genetic testing for hereditary syndromes is recommended in patients who present with paragangliomas and pheochromocytomas, especially in those with aggressive tumours or who present at a young age. It is recommended that mutation carriers are monitored with routine clinical and imaging surveillance, and effort is made to identify and screen at-risk family members. In some cases, genetic testing can identify variants that are not clearly pathogenic or benign. In such “variants of undetermined significance”, immunohistochemistry or family history can be a helpful tool in discriminating between SDHB related and non-SDH-related pheochromocytomas and paragangliomas.

Clinical case:

We report on three families who presented with manifestations of paraganglioma syndrome and were found to have Variants of Uncertain Significance (VUSs) in the SDHB gene. Absence of SDHB staining was seen on tumour histopathology in two of the families; staining was not performed in the third. The proband in the third case initially presented at the age of 22 with a cardiac pheochromocytoma. Subsequently, her son was diagnosed with metastatic renal cancer at the age of 37. Genetic test results from both these patients identified a heterozygous VUS in SDHB. The son passed away from complications of his aggressive cancer shortly after diagnosis. Had familial screening and surveillance been initiated sooner in this family, this poor outcome may have been prevented.

Conclusion:

Our case highlights the important diagnostic dilemma that can arise in patients with VUSs in risk genes for hereditary pheochromocytomas and paragangliomas. While universally treating these VUSs as pathogenic would be costly, low-yield and potentially harmful, the incorporation of family history and tumour tissue staining for SDHB should be considered in all individuals with pheochromocytomas and paragangliomas to help guide interpretation of inconclusive genetic testing results, inform subsequent management and help predict risk for inheritance and recurrence.

Machine Learning Techniques for the Diagnosis of Alzheimer’s Disease

Alzheimer’s disease is an incurable neurodegenerative disease primarily affecting the elderly population. Efficient automated techniques are needed for early diagnosis of Alzheimer’s. Many novel approaches are proposed by researchers for classification of Alzheimer’s disease. However, to develop more efficient learning techniques, better understanding of the work done on Alzheimer’s is needed. Here, we provide a review on 165 papers from 2005 to 2019, using various feature extraction and machine learning techniques. The machine learning techniques are surveyed under three main categories: support vector machine (SVM), artificial neural network (ANN), and deep learning (DL) and ensemble methods. We present a detailed review on these three approaches for Alzheimer’s with possible future directions.

Correction to: Oral vitamin A supplementation in very low birth weight neonates: a randomized controlled trial

The authors regret that Ethical approval section was incorrect in the original publication; the authors have requested that this be noted.

Oral vitamin A supplementation in very low birth weight neonates: a randomized controlled trial

This randomized double-blind placebo-controlled trial evaluated the effects of early postnatal oral vitamin A supplementation (VAS) in 196 inborn very-low birth weight (VLBW) infants requiring respiratory support at 24 h of age. Eligible infants were randomized to receive aqueous syrup of vitamin A (10,000 IU of retinol/dose; n = 98) or placebo (n = 98) on alternate days for 28 days. Primary outcome variable was composite incidence of all-cause mortality and/or oxygen requirement for 28 days. Secondary outcome variables were safety/tolerability of VAS, serum retinol concentration at recruitment and day 28, duration of oxygen requirement and respiratory support and incidences of complications. On intention-to-treat analysis, composite incidence of all-cause mortality and oxygen requirement for 28 days was significantly lower in vitamin A group (relative risk (95% confidence interval), 0.440 (0.229-0.844); p < 0.05, number needed to benefit, 7). Requirement and duration of oxygen supplementation and non-invasive respiratory support, incidences of late-onset sepsis, patent ductus arteriosus, and duration of hospital stay were also significantly lower in vitamin A group. Serum retinol concentration improved significantly after VAS. No major adverse effect was observed.Conclusions: Early postnatal oral VAS was associated with better composite outcome of all-cause mortality and oxygen requirement without any major adverse effects.Clinical Trial Registration: Clinical Trials Registry of India (CTRI/2017/03/008131). What is Known: • Postnatal intramuscular vitamin A supplementation improves the survival, respiratory outcome and other morbidities in very low birth weight neonates without major adverse effects. • Limited studies on oral vitamin A supplementation did not document substantial benefits. What is New: • Early postnatal alternate-day oral vitamin A supplementation at the dose of 10,000 IU/dose for 28 days improves the composite outcome of death and oxygen requirement in very low birth weight neonates with respiratory distress • No major adverse effects were documented.

Optimal reference genes for RT-qPCR normalization in the newborn

It is difficult to identify reliable reference genes for transcriptomic analyses in biofluids such as saliva. This situation is particularly relevant for the newborn population, where rapid development is associated with dynamic changes in gene expression. Real-time gene expression monitoring holds great promise for elucidating disrupted pathways that result in morbidities unique to this population, such as retinopathy of prematurity, but its impact depends on identifying stable and consistently expressed genes across a wide range of gestational ages. We extracted total RNA from 400 neonatal saliva samples (postconceptional ages: 32 5/7 to 48 2/7 weeks), converted it to cDNA, and pre-amplified and analyzed it by qPCR for three commonly used reference genes, ACTB, GAPDH, and YWHAZ. Relative quantification was determined using the Δ Ct method. Data were analyzed as a whole and also stratified by age and sex. Descriptive statistics and homogeneity of variance were performed to identify optimal reference genes. Data analyzed from all ages and both sexes showed significant expression variation for ACTB, while GAPDH and YWHAZ showed greater stability. Male infants exhibited increased expression variation compared to females for ACTB, but neither GAPDH nor YWHAZ showed significant variance for either sex. We suggest that ACTB is an unreliable reference gene for the newborn population. Males showed significantly more variation in ACTB expression compared to females, which suggests a sex-specific developmental role for this biomarker. By contrast, GAPDH and YWHAZ were less variable and therefore preferable for use in neonates. Our findings may improve the use of reference genes for the RT-qPCR platform in the newborn over a wide range of gestational ages, thereby minimizing the likelihood of erroneous interpretation of gene expression during rapid growth, development, and differentiation.

Outcome of a screening programme for the prevention of neonatal invasive early-onset group B Streptococcus infection in a UK maternity unit: an observational study

BACKGROUND

Against a background of failure to prevent neonatal invasive early-onset group B Streptococcus infections (GBS) in our maternity unit using risk-based approach for intrapartum antibiotic prophylaxis, we introduced an antenatal GBS carriage screening programme to identify additional women to target for prophylaxis.

OBJECTIVES

To describe the implementation and outcome of an antepartum screening programme for prevention of invasive early-onset GBS infection in a UK maternity unit.

DESIGN

Observational study of outcome of screening programme (intervention) with comparison to historical controls (preintervention).

SETTING

Hospital and community-based maternity services provided by Northwick Park and Central Middlesex Hospitals in North West London.

PARTICIPANTS

Women who gave birth between March 2014 and December 2015 at Northwick Park Hospital.

METHODS

Women were screened for GBS at 35-37 weeks and carriers offered intrapartum antibiotic prophylaxis. Screening programme was first introduced in hospital (March 2014) and then in community (August 2014). Compliance was audited by review of randomly selected case records. Invasive early-onset GBS infections were defined through GBS being cultured from neonatal blood, cerebrospinal fluid or sterile fluids within 0-6 days of birth.

MAIN OUTCOME

Incidence of early-onset GBS infections.

RESULTS

6309 (69%) of the 9098 eligible women were tested. Screening rate improved progressively from 42% in 2014 to 75% in 2015. Audit showed that 98% of women accepted the offer of screening. Recto-vaginal GBS carriage rate was 29.4% (1822/6193). All strains were susceptible to penicillin but 11.3% (206/1822) were resistant to clindamycin. Early onset GBS rate fell from 0.99/1000 live births (25/25276) in the prescreening period to 0.33/1000 in the screening period (Rate Ratio=0.33; p=0.08). In the subset of mothers actually screened, the rate was 0.16/1000 live births (1/6309), (Rate Ratio=0.16; p<0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

Our findings confirm that an antenatal screening programme for prevention of early-onset GBS infection can be implemented in a UK maternity setting and is associated with a fall in infection rates.

Efficacy of epidural local anesthetic and dexamethasone in providing postoperative analgesia: A meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Dexamethasone is a potent anti-inflammatory, analgesic, and antiemetic drug. Individual randomized controlled trials found a possible benefit of epidural dexamethasone. The purpose of this meta-analysis is to estimate the benefit of epidural dexamethasone on postoperative pain and opioid consumption and to formulate a recommendation for evidence-based practice.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Prospective, randomized controlled trials comparing the analgesic efficacy of epidural local anesthetic and dexamethasone combination, with local anesthetic alone for postoperative pain management after abdominal surgery, were planned to be included in this meta-analysis. PubMed, PubMed Central, Scopus, and Central Register of Clinical Trials of the Cochrane Collaboration (CENTRAL) databases were searched for eligible controlled trials using the following search words: "Epidural", "dexamethasone", and "postoperative pain", until February 20, 2015.

RESULTS

Data from five randomized control trials have been included in this meta-analysis. Epidural dexamethasone significantly decreased postoperative morphine consumption (mean difference -7.89 mg; 95% confidence interval [CI]: -11.66 to -3.71) and number of patients required postoperative rescue analgesic boluses (risk ratio: 0.51; 95% CI: 0.41-0.63).

CONCLUSION

The present data shows that the addition of dexamethasone to local anesthetic in epidural is beneficial for postoperative pain management.

CD82/KAI expression prevents IL-8-mediated endothelial gap formation in late-stage melanomas

Melanoma cells facilitate endothelial gap formation, the first step during tumor transendothelial migration, which is mediated by both adhesion and endogenously produced chemokines (in particular, interleukin-8 (IL-8)). Tetraspanins are localized to the cell surface in cancer and participate in various functions including invasion of tissues mediated by secretion of cytokines and matrix metalloproteinases. However, little is known about the role of CD82 tetraspanins in malignant melanomas during cancer cell invasion. In this study, we investigated the functional importance of CD82 expression in melanoma-mediated gap formation by using cDNAs to induce CD82 expression in highly invasive melanoma cell lines. Results showed that CD82 expression inhibited melanoma cell-induced gap formation, melanoma cell extravasation in vitro and subsequent lung metastasis development in vivo. Mechanistic studies showed that inducible expression of CD82 in highly metastatic melanoma cells significantly increased p21 expression upon binding of Duffy antigen receptor group (DARC), inducing tumor cell senescence and interrupting IL-8-mediated vascular endothelial (VE)-cadherin disassembly. Taken together, these studies provide a rationale for using drug therapies that restore CD82 expression and inhibit IL-8 production to inhibit late-stage melanoma cell extravasation and subsequent metastasis development.

A complex dietary supplement augments spatial learning, brain mass, and mitochondrial electron transport chain activity in aging mice

We developed a complex dietary supplement designed to offset five key mechanisms of aging and tested its effectiveness in ameliorating age-related cognitive decline using a visually cued Morris water maze test. All younger mice (<1 year old) learned the task well. However, older untreated mice (>1 year) were unable to learn the maze even after 5 days, indicative of strong cognitive decline at older ages. In contrast, no cognitive decline was evident in older supplemented mice, even when ∼2 years old. Supplemented older mice were nearly 50% better at locating the platform than age-matched controls. Brain weights of supplemented mice were significantly greater than controls, even at younger ages. Reversal of cognitive decline in activity of complexes III and IV by supplementation was significantly associated with cognitive improvement, implicating energy supply as one possible mechanism. These results represent proof of principle that complex dietary supplements can provide powerful benefits for cognitive function and brain aging.

The 2010 British Association of Stroke Physicians Survey of interventional treatments for stroke in the United Kingdom

INTRODUCTION

The UK National Stroke Strategy (Department of Health 2007) states that patients should have access to a stroke service with neurointerventional capacity. This survey was conducted by the Clinical Standards Committee of the British Association of Stroke Physicians to get a snapshot of the availability of interventional treatments for stroke in the United Kingdom.

METHODS

Questionnaires covering availability of endovascular treatments for stroke, e.g. intra-arterial thrombolysis and mechanical thrombectomy, were emailed to all British Association of Stroke Physicians members in October 2010. Where more than one response was received from the same hospital, the data were only entered once. If there was a discrepancy between different respondents for the same hospital, details were cross-checked with the respondents to ensure accuracy.

RESULTS

Responses were received from 58 hospitals in England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland. Intra-arterial thrombolysis and/or mechanical thrombectomy were available in 23 hospitals. Of these, three had not performed any procedures in 2010. Twenty centres had conducted a mean (range) of eight (2-20) procedures during the 10-month period. Thirty-five hospitals were not offering endovascular treatments. Sixteen of these were not referring patients to centres which could provide interventional treatments. Hospitals offering endovascular treatments had a mean (range) of 5.2 (2-12) stroke physicians, 2.3 (0-4) interventional neuroradiologists, and 3.6 (0-9) noninterventional neuroradiologists. Only two hospitals providing interventions had four or more interventional neuroradiologists.

CONCLUSIONS

Only a small number of hospitals in the United Kingdom provide interventional treatments for stroke. Almost 50% of hospitals not providing interventions had no processes in place for referral to providers.