Risultati per: Artrite psoriasica e altre comorbilità in pazienti con psoriasi nel setting della medicina generale

Objectives
Biological products have contributed to extraordinary advances in disease treatments over the last decade. However, the cost-saving potential of imitator products, so-called biosimilars, is still under-researched in Switzerland. This study aims to assess biosimilars’ prescriptions at treatment initiation and their determinants, as well as biological therapy switches.

Design
The study included all patients who had at least one biosimilar available on the market at the time when they were prescribed a biological product. We analysed longitudinal data for biosimilar prescriptions in Switzerland using descriptive statistics and logistic regression to quantify the associations with individual, pharmaceutical and provider-related variables.

Setting
The analysis is based on de-identified claims data of patients with mandatory health insurance at Helsana, one of the Swiss health insurance companies with a substantial enrollee base in mandatory health insurance.

Participants
Overall, 18 953 patients receiving at least one biological product between 2016 and 2021 were identified.

Outcome measures
We differentiated between initial prescriptions and follow-up prescriptions. Our regression focused on initial prescriptions due to evidence indicating that patients tend to follow the medication prescribed at therapy initiation.

Results
Although biosimilars’ market share was low (28.6%), the number of prescriptions has increased (from 1016 in 2016 to 6976 in 2021). Few patients with medication switches (n=1492, 8.5%) were detected. Increased relative price difference (difference in the price of available biosimilars relative to price of corresponding reference product) was associated with decreased probability of biosimilar prescriptions, whereas male sex, an increase of available imitator drugs on the market, larger packaging sizes, and prescriptions from specialists or physicians in outpatient settings were associated with increased biosimilar use.

Conclusion
The low number of biosimilar prescriptions, despite the proliferating biosimilar market, indicates a high potential for biosimilar diffusion. The findings indicate that patients typically adhere to the therapy options initially chosen and are less inclined to make changes following the initiation of treatment. Our research highlights the need for awareness initiatives to improve understanding among patients and physicians, enabling informed, shared decision-making about biosimilar prescriptions.

Objective
The objective of this study was to explore the outcomes of research engagement (patient engagement, PE) in the context of qualitative research.

Design
We observed engagement in two groups comprised of patients, clinicians and researchers tasked with conducting a qualitative preference exploration project in inflammatory bowel disease. One group was led by a patient research partner (PLG, partner led group) and the other by an academic researcher (RLG, researcher led group). A semistructured guide and a set of critical outcomes of research engagement were used as a framework to ground our analysis.

Setting
The study was conducted online.

Participants
Patient research partners (n=5), researchers (n=5) and clinicians (n=4) participated in this study.

Main outcome measures
Transcripts of meetings, descriptive and reflective observation data of engagement during meetings and email correspondence between group members were analysed to identify the outcomes of PE.

Results
Both projects were patient-centred, collaborative, meaningful, rigorous, adaptable, ethical, legitimate, understandable, feasible, timely and sustainable. Patient research partners (PRPs) in both groups wore dual hats as patients and researchers and influenced project decisions wearing both hats. They took on advisory and operational roles. Collaboration seemed easier in the PLG than in the RLG. The RLG PRPs spent more time than their counterparts in the PLG sharing their experience with biologics and helping their group identify a meaningful project question. A formal literature review informed the design, project materials and analysis in the RLG, while the formal review informed the project materials and analysis in the PLG. A PRP in the RLG and the PLG lead leveraged personal connections to facilitate recruitment. The outcomes of both projects were meaningful to all members of the groups.

Conclusions
Our findings show that engagement of PRPs in research has a positive influence on the project design and delivery in the context of qualitative research in both the patient-led and researcher-led group.

Donelli, permette diagnosi precoci e terapie più tempestive

Andos, ‘ ha effetti benefici sulla salute migliorando la qualità di vita’

Introduction
The English National Health Service (NHS) Diabetic Eye Screening Programme (DESP) performs around 2.3 million eye screening appointments annually, generating approximately 13 million retinal images that are graded by humans for the presence or severity of diabetic retinopathy. Previous research has shown that automated retinal image analysis systems, including artificial intelligence (AI), can identify images with no disease from those with diabetic retinopathy as safely and effectively as human graders, and could significantly reduce the workload for human graders. Some algorithms can also determine the level of severity of the retinopathy with similar performance to humans. There is a need to examine perceptions and concerns surrounding AI-assisted eye-screening among people living with diabetes and NHS staff, if AI was to be introduced into the DESP, to identify factors that may influence acceptance of this technology.

Methods and analysis
People living with diabetes and staff from the North East London (NEL) NHS DESP were invited to participate in two respective focus groups to codesign two online surveys exploring their perceptions and concerns around the potential introduction of AI-assisted screening.
Focus group participants were representative of the local population in terms of ages and ethnicity. Participants’ feedback was taken into consideration to update surveys which were circulated for further feedback. Surveys will be piloted at the NEL DESP and followed by semistructured interviews to assess accessibility, usability and to validate the surveys.
Validated surveys will be distributed by other NHS DESP sites, and also via patient groups on social media, relevant charities and the British Association of Retinal Screeners. Post-survey evaluative interviews will be undertaken among those who consent to participate in further research.

Ethics and dissemination
Ethical approval has been obtained by the NHS Research Ethics Committee (IRAS ID: 316631). Survey results will be shared and discussed with focus groups to facilitate preparation of findings for publication and to inform codesign of outreach activities to address concerns and perceptions identified.

Campagna Aiom su vaccinazioni, 80% malati non conosce i vantaggi

Circulation, Volume 148, Issue Suppl_1, Page A16917-A16917, November 6, 2023. Background:Guidelines suggested alternative for middle-aged adults undergoing aortic valve replacement is mechanical prosthesis, followed by the Ross procedure (Ross). However, increasingly more patients receive a biological prosthesis (bio AVR) even in young adult age. Is this practice justified?Objectives:To compare long-term outcomes in a single center after Ross vs bio AVR.Methods:For this retrospective study, we screened 2624 patients 04/2007 – 03/2020. Out of these, 231 received Ross, and 2393 received bio AVR ± CABG or aortic surgery. Exclusion criteria: emergency surgery and concomitant mitral or tricuspid valve surgery. Using 1:1 propensity score 99 matches were paired. Primary end-point was all-cause mortality. Secondary end-point was composite of death, need for repeat intervention, and stroke (MACCE). Median follow-up was 7.5 years (IQR: 4.4 – 10.6 years).Results:Mean age for Ross was 56.2±6.1, and for bio AVR was 56.2±5.9. Actuarial 10-year survival for Ross was 89.3%, but significantly lower for the bio AVR 57.9%. All-cause mortality was significantly lower after the Ross procedure compared to the bio AVR (log rank p

Circulation, Volume 148, Issue Suppl_1, Page A15893-A15893, November 6, 2023. Introduction:Given the astounding beneficial effects of SGLT2i in patients with heart failure, they continue to be underutilized especially in the outpatient setting. Our project looked at increasing empagliflozin usage in patients with heart failure, preserved and reduced ejection fraction, at James A Haley VA Hospital (JAHVA).Methods:Using Plan-Do-Study-Act (PDSA) quality improvement methodology, a multidisciplinary team was created to identify ways to increase utilization of empagliflozin in patients with heart failure. We created an actionable database using ICD codes for heart failure to identify eligible heart failure patients who were not on SGLT2i categorized by local primary care clinics at the JAHVA. We split up the responsibilities between clinic pharmacists and primary care physicians to safely start patients on SGLT2i from February to April 2023. Primary care physicians focused on patients scheduled for clinic during this period while pharmacists were responsible for patients not scheduled for clinic.Results:Our initial data showed only 19% of the 3,352 patients were on SGLT2i at JAHVA. From February to April 2023, we started 224 patients on empagliflozin with heart failure (preserved and reduced ejection fraction). We increased utilization by 13% in three months from 19% to 32% at JAHVA. Primary care physicians accounted for 46% of drug initiation while pharmacists accounted for 20% of new prescriptions. Cardiology providers prescribed 27% of all SGLT2i with 7% started by endocrinology or nephrology. Some of the characteristics of our sample included patients with an average age of 70 years old, 35% without diabetes, 50% with preserved heart failure.Conclusion:Our multi-disciplinary team approach involving pharmacists increased the utilization of SGLT2i in patients with heart failure through an actionable dashboard. Next steps for this project include improving the database to include other GDMT to further optimize medications.

Circulation, Volume 148, Issue Suppl_1, Page A13173-A13173, November 6, 2023. Introduction:COVID-19 disproportionately affects older, male obese patients leading to a high prevalence of adverse outcomes. SARS-CoV-2 mediated ACE2 loss may further increase the susceptibility of these patients to adverse outcomes. Loss of ACE2 may be a causative factor in cardiovascular (CV) injury independent of primary viral-mediated injury.Methods:Male, 6-month-old, diabetic, obesedb/db Ace2-/y(double mutant, DM) mice and respective WT,Ace2-/y, anddb/dbcontrols (n=12) were assessed for injury across the gut-heart axis. Cardiovascular parameters were evaluated by echocardiography, pressure-volume loops, and histology. Alterations in gut permeability were determined by measuring plasma peptidoglycan (PGN) levels and immunological staining of microvilli structure. Metagenomics and metatranscriptomics determined the functional and phyla alterations of the gut microbiota.Results:Loss of ACE2 in diabetic obese mice led to increased left atrium diameter (P

Circulation, Volume 148, Issue Suppl_1, Page A15748-A15748, November 6, 2023. Background:Clonal hematopoiesis of indeterminate potential (CHIP) is associated with cardiovascular disease (CVD) and common in HIV, but whether CHIP contributes to atherosclerosis in HIV is unknown. We hypothesized CHIP is associated with atherosclerosis and arterial inflammation among people with HIV (PWH).Methods:We studied treated, suppressed PWH ages 35-70 years old with ≥1 CVD risk factor. CHIP mutations were detected with a validated targeted sequencing assay. We measured carotid intima-media thickness (IMT) longitudinally with ultrasound and aortic inflammation and lymph node activity using cross-sectional18F-FDG-PET. Inflammatory biomarkers were measured with a multiplex electrochemiluminescence assay. We used linear regression with adjustment for age, sex, nadir CD4 count, smoking, hypertension, diabetes, and hyperlipidemia.Results:We included 231 PWH (52±9 years, 7% female). 32 (14%) had CHIP with median variant allele fraction of 3.1%. Common mutations were in DNM3TA (n=21) and TET2 (n=6). Only age was associated with CHIP (OR 2.3 per decade older, 95%CI 1.2-3.9; p=0.003). Among N=165 (CHIP=22), mean IMT was 1.0 mm with and without CHIP (p=0.63), unchanged after adjustment (Figure). CHIP was not associated with prevalent or incident plaque. Over 3.2 years, IMT progression was faster among those with CHIP (0.033 mm/year; p=0.10), attenuated after adjustment (0.022 mm/year; p=0.27). Among 80 with FDG-PET, CHIP (n=12) was associated with higher lymph node activity (SUV p=0.04) that was attenuated in reference to background activity and adjusted for risk factors. CHIP was not associated with arterial inflammation (p=0.83), inflammatory markers, or viral persistence markers.Conclusions:Among PWH, CHIP mutations were not associated with subclinical atherosclerosis or arterial inflammation, proposed mechanisms of how CHIP could cause CVD. Clinical outcomes studies are needed to ascertain the impact of CHIP on CVD in HIV.

Circulation, Volume 148, Issue Suppl_1, Page A13239-A13239, November 6, 2023. Background:Atrial fibrillation (AF) ablation with high-power short duration (HP-SD) setting has been widely recognized to decrease the procedure time and to improve the ablation outcome.Hypothesis:We hypothesized that AF ablation with HP-SD setting can minimize the change in periprocedural thrombotic markers and the risk of silent stroke (SS).Aims:The aim of the present study is to investigate the impact of HP-SD setting ablation for AF on thrombotic markers and SS.Methods:We enrolled 101 AF patients: HP-SD group (n =67) using 50W; and Conventional ablation group (n = 34) using 30 to 40W. D-dimer, thrombin antithrombin complex (TAT) and total plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (tPAI-1) were analyzed pre, post and 1 day after procedure. Magnetic resonance imaging was performed 1 day after procedure.Results:Left atrial (LA) dwelling time was significantly shorter in HP-SD group (P

Circulation, Volume 148, Issue Suppl_1, Page A15634-A15634, November 6, 2023. Introduction:Disparities in use of implantable cardioverter-defibrillators (ICD) for primary prevention have been documented; however, whether ICDs may be underutilized within a safety-net healthcare system has not been studied.Methods:Using an electronic health record cohort of all patients with heart failure (HF) who received care within the public safety-net system in San Francisco from 2001-2018 linked to device implantation records from two health systems, we identified all patients with ICD implantation (adjudicated with manual chart review) and primary prevention ICD-eligible with no indication for secondary prevention ICD, EF

Circulation, Volume 148, Issue Suppl_1, Page A16199-A16199, November 6, 2023. Introduction:Postsurgical Takotsubo cardiomyopathy (TCM) is associated with acute stress secondary to catecholamine release causing reversible left ventricular (LV) failure. We present a diagnostically challenging presentation of postsurgical TCM with underlying prothrombin gene mutation.Case Presentation:A 53 year old female underwent laparoscopic hysterectomy 2 days prior to presentation with chest pain and shortness of breath. Vitals were unremarkable, labs showed elevated troponin and EKG consistent with NSTEMI. CTA chest demonstrated significant clot burden to the ascending and descending aorta. Echocardiogram revealed a reduced ejection fraction (EF) of 25-30% with apical ballooning and thrombus. She was admitted on heparin drip and completed an infusion of eptifibatide for 24 hours. Repeat CTA chest demonstrated mildly reduced clot burden. Left heart catheterization (LHC) was precluded due to aortic arch clot. Coronary CTA revealed no CAD with a calcium score of 0. Coagulopathy workup showed heterozygous prothrombin G20210A variant. She was discharged on warfarin. Repeat echocardiography 1 month later showed improved EF to 40-45%.Discussion:TCM accounts for 1-3% of cases of acute coronary syndromes (ACS) and affects women at a rate of 90%. Studies have shown that TCM with apical ballooning is minimally associated with LV thrombus . The presence of heterozygous prothrombin gene mutation increases risk of clot formation by 2 to 3 times. Surgery can cause this risk to dramatically increase. Coronary CTA was the best noninvasive approach to make the diagnosis as the risk of LHC was too great given the anatomic challenge of the aortic arch clot. We advocate for hypercoagulable workups to inform management of anticoagulation in patients with clotting events without known risk factors for thrombus formation.

Circulation, Volume 148, Issue Suppl_1, Page A17520-A17520, November 6, 2023. Description of Case:A 35-year-old female non-smoker with ADHD on amphetamine for the past 3 months and family history of hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia (HHT) presented with significant exertional dyspnea for 1 week. She was hypoxic to 82% while walking, with normal oxygen saturation at rest. Transthoracic echocardiogram with agitated saline revealed extracardiac right-to-left shunting with exercise and Valsalva. This was confirmed by dobutamine stress echocardiogram with agitated saline (Figure 1A). Transesophageal echocardiogram with agitated saline (Figure 1B) revealed no shunt through the foramen ovale, but it demonstrated bubbles entering from the left upper pulmonary vein, suggestive of an extracardiac shunt from a pulmonary arteriovenous malformation (AVM). Right heart catheterization and pulmonary angiogram revealed normal pressures, and no pulmonary abnormalities with normal pulmonary venous return. Supine right heart catheterization with exercise revealed normal pressures, although the initial pulmonary artery (PA) saturation was 28%; repeat PA saturation one minute later was 48%. Arterial saturation was 95%. Pulmonary function testing, ventilation perfusion scan, high-resolution CT chest, and coronary CT angiogram were unremarkable. The patient was instructed to avoid all stimulants, and to take a non-hormonal contraceptive. At her 3-month follow-up, she reported significant improvement in her symptoms. She underwent a 6-minute walk test, and her lowest oxygen saturation was 88%.Discussion:This patient presented with exertional hypoxia, normal saturations at rest, evidence of an extracardiac shunt only with exertion and absence of clear sources of the shunt on imaging. With her family history of HHT, this is suggestive of a small pulmonary AVM that opened by elevated PA pressures, likely triggered by amphetamine use, and its discontinuation led to symptom resolution.

Circulation, Volume 148, Issue Suppl_1, Page A18056-A18056, November 6, 2023. Background:Rhythm control for atrial fibrillation (AF) is the preferred approach for symptomatic patients, particularly those with reduced ejection fraction. Catheter ablation primarily consists of pulmonary vein isolation via a transseptal approach. In patients with chronic occlusion of inferior vena cava (IVC), surgical ligation of IVC, or congenital venous system abnormalities, conventional femoral venous access may not feasible.Case Report:A 78-year-old male with history of Hypertension, diabetes, coronary artery disease, bilateral DVTs s/p thrombectomy, prior IVC stenting, presented with persistent, symptomatic AF on apixaban. Given a moderately reduced EF of 40-45%, amiodarone intolerance, and contraindication to other AADs, he was referred for catheter ablation. CT venogram showed chronically occluded IVC with patent hepatic veins, therefore transhepatic access to the right atrium was obtained. Transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) was planned for transseptal puncture; however, this showed an incidental PFO. This PFO was easily engaged using a manual modification of a VersaCross transseptal sheath and after entering the left atrium, the sheath was exchanged with a bi-directional sheath (Vizigo). Using this single left atrial access, pulmonary vein isolation and posterior wall isolation were performed. The transhepatic access site was closed with coil embolization to prevent track bleeding (figure 1).Conclusion:We present a case where successful AF ablation was achieved via percutaneous transhepatic approach, with improvised utilization of a conveniently located PFO. This was guided by pre-operative CT, and intra-operative TEE which allowed us to minimize any transseptal puncture related complications. The utilization of a multidisciplinary team comprising electrophysiologists, advanced imaging cardiologists and interventional radiologists is invaluable in executing complex procedures of this nature.

Circulation, Volume 148, Issue Suppl_1, Page A16357-A16357, November 6, 2023. Background:Transthoracic echocardiogram (TTE) is a common cardiovascular imaging test for hospitalized patients. Repeat TTE testing, defined as a TTE done within one year of a prior TTE, contribute to high resource utilization without clear impact on changes in management.Hypothesis:An interruptive electronic medical record (EMR) alert deployed for repeat TTEs will decrease TTE overordering and will help elucidate reasons behind TTE ordering practices.Methods:We created an interruptive EMR alert for five hospitals within the Johns Hopkins Health System (JHHS). The alert was triggered when an inpatient TTE was ordered for non-ICU/non-cardiology service patients with a completed TTE within the prior 90 days. The alert displayed most recent TTE results and prompted the clinician to continue with the order or not. If order continuation was selected a free text clinician reason was required. Outcomes were length of stay (LOS) and reduction in repeat TTE orders. Focus groups were held with internal medicine residents to understand practice behaviors, given this was a leading cohort that continued with orders.Results:From July 2021- July 2022 the alert triggered 4,976 times, of these 32% of orders were discontinued while 68% were continued. There was no significant reduction in repeat TTE order attempts per month. More orders were continued at academic hospitals compared to the community setting (71% vs 63%, p=