Prevalence of metabolic syndrome in patients with psoriasis: a cross-sectional study in Singapore

INTRODUCTIONPsoriasis is a chronic inflammatory condition that affects the skin and joints, and is associated with cardiovascular risk factors, including metabolic syndrome (MetS). We aimed to assess the prevalence of MetS in patients with psoriasis and determine whether there was a correlation between psoriasis severity and MetS in a Singapore population.METHODSThis was a cross-sectional study of patients with psoriasis, aged 18–69 years, who attended a tertiary dermatology referral centre in Singapore from October 2007 to February 2009. Fasting glucose, lipids, blood pressure, Psoriasis Area and Severity Index, and body mass index were measured. MetS was diagnosed in the presence of three or more criteria of the modified National Cholesterol Education Program Adult Treatment Panel III.RESULTSAmong 338 patients with psoriasis, there were 238 (70.4%) men and 100 (29.6%) women, who were Chinese (n = 228; 67.5%), Malay (n = 52; 15.4%) and Indian (n = 58; 17.2%). The prevalence of MetS was 45.1%. MetS was 44% more prevalent in patients older than 50 years (p = 0.02). Malay patients with psoriasis were significantly more likely to have hypertriglyceridaemia, elevated fasting plasma glucose and abdominal obesity. There was no significant correlation between psoriasis severity and risk of MetS.CONCLUSIONThe prevalence of MetS in patients with psoriasis in Singapore was 45.1%, or nearly threefold higher than the Singapore general population. Patients with psoriasis should be screened yearly for MetS and any modifiable cardiovascular risk factors should be actively controlled.     

A Very Long-term Longitudinal Study on the Evolution and Clinical Outcomes of Persistent Iatrogenic Atrial Septal Defect After Cryoballoon Ablation

Background

Persistent iatrogenic atrial septal defect (iASD) is a common but poorly characterized complication after cryoballoon (CB) pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) procedures. We therefore investigate its prevalence, evolution, risk factors, and clinical outcomes in a prospective longitudinal study.

Characterization of infections and hypogammaglobulinemia treated with the combination of pertuzumab and trastuzumab

We update a patient series that reported a high incidence of infection with Gram-positive cocci in women treated with the combination of pertuzumab and trastuzumab and further characterize this clinical problem. Treating physicians and advanced practice partners identified women who developed infections while on treatment with pertuzumab and trastuzumab alone or in combination with chemotherapy and enrolled them onto this registry trial. Between March, 2014 and May, 2017, 48 patients with HER2-positive breast cancers were reported to have 59 individual infections. The median age was 48 years. Twenty-four patients received neoadjuvant therapy, 17 were treated for metastatic disease, and 7 were treated in the adjuvant setting. Pertuzumab and trastuzumab were combined with carboplatin and docetaxel in 24 (49%) patients, docetaxel in 10 (21%), nab-paclitaxel in 12 (24%), and without other agents in 2 (4%). Granulocyte growth factors were administered in 24 (49%) patients and no patients were documented to be neutropenic. Folliculitis developed in 25 (52%) patients and was counted as a single infection. Abscesses developed at a number of sites in 24 (49%) patients, including a septic knee requiring total knee replacement. Paronychia occurred in 7 (15%) patients, and 5 (10%) developed cellulitis. When cultures were obtained, Gram-positive cocci were consistently identified. Hypogammaglobulinemia was documented in 14 (36%) of the 33 patients tested. Our data continue to support an increased risk of infections with Gram-positive cocci as a potentially serious adverse event in women treated with pertuzumab and trastuzumab.     

Efficacy and safety of herbal medicines for idiopathic Parkinson's disease: a systematic review.

The objective of this study is to assess the efficacy and safety of herbal medicines (HMs), as a monotherapy or adjunct therapy, compared to placebo or conventional approaches in the treatment of idiopathic Parkinson's disease (PD). We conducted a systematic review of randomized controlled trials from both conventional and alternative medicine sources. Outcome measures were overall improvement, quality of life, reduction of levodopa dose, and adverse events. Nine studies were included, each testing a different HM. Six of the trials had limited internal validity due to major flaws in design, including the lack of proper randomization; insufficient blinding; unclear inclusive criteria in terms of diagnostic criteria, baseline staging, and duration of disease; lack of proper sample size calculation; and insufficient data analysis. Imbalances in gender and ethnicity among the patients in the included trials were observed. No major adverse events emerged, and no specific pattern was detected from the trials describing such data. In addition to major methodological defects, heterogeneity in (1) HM tested, (2) control treatment, and (3) outcome measure hindered in-depth data analysis and synthesis. Current evidence is insufficient to evaluate the efficacy and safety of various HMs. Further studies with improved trial design and reporting, with assessment on cost-effectiveness, quality of life, and qualitative data are warranted.