The impact of the housing status on clinical outcomes and health care utilization among individuals living with HIV

ABSTRACT

The lack of stable housing can impair access and continuity of care for patients living with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). This study investigated the relationship between housing status assessed at multiple time points and several core HIV-related outcomes within the same group of HIV patients experiencing homelessness. Patients with consistently stable housing (CSH) during the year were compared to patients who lacked CSH (non-CSH group). The study outcomes included HIV viral load (VL), CD4 counts, and health care utilization. Multivariable and propensity weighted analyses were used to assess outcomes adjusting for potential group differences. Of 208 patients, 88 (42%) had CSH and 120 (58%) were non-CSH. Patients with CSH had significantly higher proportion of VL suppression and higher mean CD4 counts. The frequency of nurse visits in the CSH group was less than a half of that in the non-CSH group. Patients with CSH were less likely to be admitted to the medical respite facility, and if admitted, their length of stay was about a half of that for the non-CSH group. Our study findings show that patients with CSH had significantly better HIV virologic control and immune status as well as improved health care utilization.     

Rucaparib in the landscape of PARP inhibition in ovarian cancer

Introduction: The landscape of poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) inhibition in ovarian cancer is rapidly evolving and becoming increasingly complex. Ovarian cancer is leading therapeutic innovation by providing the proof of concept for DNA repair as a target. Three different PARP inhibitors have now received approvals in the US and Europe in different indications. Subtle but crucial differences can be found among the licensed indications for each PARP inhibitor in terms of histology, type of BRCA mutation (germline and/or somatic), number of prior lines of chemotherapy and whether the indication is in the treatment or maintenance settings.

Areas covered: We review the latest clinical data regarding the PARP inhibitor rucaparib in ovarian cancer, provide an update on the evolving landscape of PARP inhibition in ovarian cancer, and summarize avenues of ongoing and future research.

Expert opinion: All eligible patients should be offered a PARP inhibitor. SOLO1 trial results demonstrated an unprecedented benefit maintenance with PARP inhibitors in first line. Results from trials evaluating PARP inhibitors as maintenance in first line regardless of BRCA status and from trials evaluating combinatorial strategies are eagerly awaited.     

华坪县2013-2015年健康人群麻疹抗体水平监测结果分析

目的了解华坪县健康人群麻疹抗体水平,发现工作薄弱地区和免疫空白人群,为实现消除麻疹的目标提供科学依据。方法采用分层抽样方法对华坪县8个乡镇不同年龄段健康人群开展麻疹抗体监测,采用间接酶联免疫吸附试验(ELISA间接法)检测血清麻疹Ig G抗体。结果 2013-2015年共检测1 106人,麻疹抗体总阳性率96.47%。其中,阳性率较低的是2014年(93.13%),人群是8~17月龄组(89.22%)。尚有新庄乡(89.92%)、船房乡(93.98%),通达乡(94.86%)3个乡镇麻疹抗体阳性低于95%。有免疫史者人群阳性率较无免疫史者高(χ~2=5.1830,P=0.023),男女性别间无差异。结论华坪县人群麻疹免疫效果较好,但存在免疫薄弱地区和免疫空白人群,应结合该监测结果,加强重点乡镇麻疹疫苗两剂次接种工作和抗体阴性人群的重新免疫接种。     

穿刺技术的改进和创新是穴位埋线疗法的第三次飞跃

穴位埋线是长效针灸,是在传统针具和针法基础上建立和发展起来的,是针灸技术的发展和延伸,穴位埋线的核心技术是穿刺技术,穴位埋线的三大要素中,针具、埋藏物、穿刺技巧之间是互相影响、互相促进的。针具的改进成功实现了穴位埋线疗法的第一次飞跃,埋藏物的改进成功实现了穴位埋线疗法的第二次飞跃,穿刺技术的改进和创新是穴位埋线疗法的第三次飞跃。