First epidemiological study on occupational radar exposure in the French Navy: a 26-year cohort study

This retrospective cohort study deals with the causes of death among 57,000 military personnel who served in the French Navy surface vessels and were observed over the period 1975–2000. We successively compared the mortality rate and the specific causes of death between two groups differing in their potential exposure levels to radar. Occupational exposure was defined according to the on-board workplace (radar and control groups). The age-adjusted death ratios of the navy personnel were compared. For all causes of death, the results showed that 885 deaths in the radar group and 299 in the control group occurred (RR = 1.00 (95?% CI: 0.88–1.14)). RRs were 0.92 (95?% CI: 0.69–1.24) for neoplasms. For the duration of follow-up, the results did not show an increased health risk for military personnel exposed to higher levels of radio frequencies in the radar group, but the number of deaths was very small for some cancer sites.     

Low-dose hydrocortisone in patients with COVID-19 and severe hypoxia (COVID STEROID) trial—Protocol and statistical analysis plan

Introduction

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 has caused a pandemic of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) with many patients developing hypoxic respiratory failure. Corticosteroids reduce the time on mechanical ventilation, length of stay in the intensive care unit and potentially also mortality in similar patient populations. However, corticosteroids have undesirable effects, including longer time to viral clearance. Clinical equipoise on the use of corticosteroids for COVID-19 exists.

Methods

The COVID STEROID trial is an international, randomised, stratified, blinded clinical trial. We will allocate 1000 adult patients with COVID-19 receiving ≥10 L/min of oxygen or on mechanical ventilation to intravenous hydrocortisone 200 mg daily vs placebo (0.9% saline) for 7 days. The primary outcome is days alive without life support (ie mechanical ventilation, circulatory support, and renal replacement therapy) at day 28. Secondary outcomes are serious adverse reactions at day 14; days alive without life support at day 90; days alive and out of hospital at day 90; all-cause mortality at day 28, day 90, and 1 year; and health-related quality of life at 1 year. We will conduct the statistical analyses according to this protocol, including interim analyses for every 250 patients followed for 28 days. The primary outcome will be compared using the Kryger Jensen and Lange test in the intention to treat population and reported as differences in means and medians with 95% confidence intervals.

Discussion

The COVID STEROID trial will provide important evidence to guide the use of corticosteroids in COVID-19 and severe hypoxia.

     

An Innovative Oat‐Based Sterile Emollient Cream in the Maintenance Therapy of Childhood Atopic Dermatitis

Although emollients are recommended in the management of atopic dermatitis (AD), regimens for emollient maintenance therapy are awaiting validation. We conducted an international, multicenter, open‐label trial to assess the effects of a 3‐month maintenance treatment regimen with a sterile, preservative‐free emollient cream containing oat plantlets in children (ages 6 mos–6 yrs) with moderate AD. After a 14‐day run‐in stabilization phase using a topical corticosteroid (TCS) treatment of medium potency, 108 children with a SCORing Atopic Dermatitis (SCORAD) index of 20 or less were included in the study. Emollient was applied twice daily for 3 months. Rescue TCS treatment was used only in cases of flare‐ups. The SCORAD index, Patient‐Oriented SCORAD (PO‐SCORAD) index, number of flares, TCS use, and tolerance were assessed at months 1, 2, and 3 (M1, M2, M3). AD severity improved, with a highly significant decrease in the SCORAD and PO‐SCORAD indexes at M2 and M3 (p < 0.001). Changes from baseline to M3 were 48.6 ± 73.6% for SCORAD and 29.6 ± 125.3% for PO‐SCORAD. The number of flares and TCS use significantly decreased by M3 (both p < 0.001). Very good tolerance was recorded in 100% of children at M2 and M3. Notwithstanding the limitations inherent in open‐label trials, twice daily application of the oat‐based sterile emollient cream led to a significant improvement of clinical symptoms, evidenced by parallel changes in the SCORAD and PO‐SCORAD indexes and fewer flare‐ups. Clinical benefit and less TCS use were maintained at M3. Tolerance was very good.     

Isothiazolinones: Sensitizers Not to Miss in Children

Isothiazolinone is known to be a sensitizer and a frequent cause of contact dermatitis in adults. Cases of contact dermatitis have also recently been reported in children. Derivatives of isothiazolinone, such as methylisothiazolinone (MI) and methylchloroisothiazolinone (MCI), are commonly used in the care products of babies and children. This allergen should not be missed.