Outpatient therapeutic recommendations by diabetes educators in a rural vermont hospital

Because of the rapid increase in the incidence of Type 2 diabetes that is occurring in southwestern Vermont (which correlates with the national increase), a "therapeutic guidelines" worksheet was developed to assist primary care providers with the management of Type 2 diabetes patients. Hospital-based diabetes nurse educators access cholesterol and A1C information from the hospital laboratory, assess the patient, and then make recommendations to the primary care provider. The worksheet is designed to be easily used by both the educator and the primary care provider. Feedback has been positive, as the worksheet serves to enhance providers' ability to treat patients and to achieve recommended treatment goals.     

Assessment of nicotine dependence among adolescent and young adult smokers: A comparison of measures

Introduction

Tobacco use often starts in adolescence, yet assessment of dependence among adolescent smokers remains a challenge, particularly given the potential discord between self-reports of smoking behavior and actual use. We could find no prior study, among adolescents, that directly compares the association between objective biomarkers of tobacco exposure (e.g., cotinine) and multiple measures of dependence. This study examined the concurrent validity of two common dependence measures: the Fagerström Test for Nicotine Dependence (FTND) and the Hooked on Nicotine Checklist (HONC). We further examined the FTND by removing the one item on cigarettes smoked per day.

Methods

Based within a parent clinical trial for adolescent smoking cessation, eligible participants were 12–21 years old, smoking ≥ 5 cigarettes per day on average, and with urine cotinine > 100 ng/ml at baseline. Results are based on participants who completed each measure and who provided a urine cotinine sample at baseline (N = 73).

Results

Results showed that the FTND was associated with cotinine (p < 0.001; R² = 0.25), and that this relationship held true for the revised FTND as well (p < 0.001; R² = 0.18). However, the HONC was only marginally associated with cotinine (p = 0.06; R² = 0.09).

Discussion

Our results suggest that the FTND may be better associated with actual smoking behavior in adolescents as compared to the HONC. Pending replication, our data provide caution with regard to assessment of nicotine dependence at least among established adolescent smokers who have more entrenched smoking behavior.     

Prognostic value of cardiovascular magnetic resonance in patients with suspected arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy

Background

Early recognition and accurate risk stratification are important in the management of arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy (ARVC). Identification of predictors of outcome by cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) in patients undergoing evaluation for ARVC is limited. We investigated the predictive value of morphological abnormalities detected by CMR for major clinical events in patients with suspected ARVC.

Methods

We performed a longitudinal study on 369 consecutive patients with at least one criterion for ARVC. Abnormal CMR was defined by the presence of one of the following: increased right ventricular (RV) volumes, reduced RV ejection fraction, RV regional wall motion abnormalities, myocardial fatty infiltration, and myocardial fibrosis. The end-point was a composite of cardiac death, sustained ventricular tachycardia, ventricular fibrillation, and appropriate ICD discharge.

Results

Twenty patients met the composite end-point over a mean follow-up of 4.3 ± 1.5 years. An abnormal CMR was an independent predictor of outcomes (p < 0.001). The presence of multiple abnormalities heralded a particular high risk of events (HR 23.0, 95% CI 5.7–93.2, p < 0.001 for 2 abnormalities; HR 35.8, 95% CI 9.7–132.6, p < 0.001 for 3 or more abnormalities). The positive predictive value of an abnormal CMR study was 21.0% for an adverse event, whilst the negative predictive value of a normal CMR study was 98.8% over the follow-up period.

Conclusions

CMR provides important prognostic information in patients under evaluation for ARVC. A normal study portends a good prognosis. Conversely, the presence of multiple abnormalities identifies a high risk group of patients who may benefit from ICD implantation.     

Genetic testing for alpha1-antitrypsin deficiency.

PURPOSE: The Alpha Coded Testing Study investigated the risks, benefits, and psychological impact of home genetic testing for alpha1-antitrypsin deficiency. METHODS: In the study, 996 adult individuals requested and returned a home-administered, confidential, fingerstick blood test. RESULTS: Individuals highly rated the benefits of establishing a diagnosis (82%), helping family members (86%), and anticipating peace of mind (79%). 78% of 239 current smokers reported a high likelihood of smoking cessation if diagnosed with AATD. After testing, more than 60% indicated that they would share the results with family and physicians but < 30% would share results with insurance companies. CONCLUSIONS: Confidential home testing for genetic disorders requires a comprehensive program of participant support.     

Psoralen and ultraviolet A irradiation (PUVA) as therapy for steroid-resistant cutaneous acute graft-versus-host disease.

Psoralen plus ultraviolet A irradiation (PUVA) has immunomodulatory effects and is used to treat a variety of immune-mediated dermatologic diseases. We administered PUVA to 103 patients for treatment of steroid-resistant acute graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) of the skin. Twenty-nine patients had related donors (12 HLA-mismatched) and 74 had unrelated donors (23 HLA-mismatched). The median onset of GVHD was day 13 after transplantation, and the median onset of PUVA treatment was day 46. PUVA was administered as secondary therapy for 86 patients and tertiary therapy or greater for 17 patients. The median number of treatments was 16, and the mean cumulative exposure was 41 J/cm2. PUVA was generally well tolerated with 8 patients discontinuing therapy because of toxicity. At the start of PUVA treatment, 48 patients had rash affecting >50% of their body surface area (BSA), and 91 had rash involving >25% BSA. Of 65 patients who were evaluated after 6 weeks of PUVA treatment, 11 still had rash involving >50% BSA, 24 had rash involving >25% BSA, and 24 had no rash. The mean daily dose of prednisone at the start of PUVA therapy was 1.6 mg/kg compared to 0.7 mg/kg after 6 weeks of therapy. Fifty-nine patients (57%) did not require additional therapy for skin GVHD after starting PUVA. Ninety-two percent of patients developed chronic GVHD. Fifty-three patients (51%) remain alive at 129-1883 days after transplantation. These results suggest that PUVA can be an effective therapy for steroid-resistant acute GVHD of the skin.     

Cementoblastoma: an innocuous neoplasm? A clinicopathologic study of 44 cases and review of the literature with special emphasis on recurrence

The clinicopathologic features of 44 cases of cementoblastoma were analyzed and compared with those of 74 cases from the literature with special emphasis on the clinical behavior, treatment, and recurrence rate of these relatively rare benign odontogenic neoplasms. The cases in the current series were accessioned at the Armed Forces Institute of Pathology, Washington, DC. Patient ages at diagnosis ranged from 8 years to 44 years, with a mean age of 20.7 years. The tumors affected 30 males and 14 females. The mandible was the site of occurrence in 31 cases (70.4%), with the mandibular first molar the most common tooth involved. Radiographically, more than 90% of the tumors presented as well-defined radiopaque or mixed-density masses confluent with the tooth root(s) and surrounded by a radiolucent rim. Two lesions were radiolucent. Microscopically, cementoblastomas share similar features with osteoblastomas but are unique because of their physical attachment to the tooth root(s). Follow-up was obtained in 35 of 44 cases, with a mean follow-up interval of 5.5 years. Recurrence was documented in 13 cases (37.1%), in contrast to the literature, where only 2 of 34 cases (5.9%) with adequate follow-up recurred. Jaw expansion and perforation of the cortex were noted in a higher percentage of recurrent than nonrecurrent tumors. Because recurrence and continued growth are possible if lesional tissue remains after initial surgery, appropriate treatment should consist of removal of the lesion along with the affected tooth or teeth, followed by thorough curettage or peripheral ostectomy.     

Characterization and Quantitation of Aggregates and Particles in Interferon-β Products: Potential Links Between Product Quality Attributes and Immunogenicity

Interferon- β (IFN-β) products have been used for many years in the treatment of multiple sclerosis and include recombinant IFN-β-1b (Betaseron®) and IFN-β-1a (Avonex® and Rebif®). All three products lead to the formation of neutralizing antibodies (NAbs) and resulting loss of efficacy in patients but to different extents. Across several clinical trials, the reported rates ofneutralizing-antibody formation were 22%–47% (Betaseron®), 5%–35% (Rebif®), and 2%–13% (Avonex®). In the current study, all products were purchased from the pharmacy and aggregates were characterized and/or quantified using size-exclusion chromatography (SEC), analytical ultracentrifugation, gel electrophoresis, and dot-blotting immunoassays. Particle characterization and counting were performed using microflow imaging, particle tracking analysis, and resonant mass measurement. Betaseron® and Rebif®, which are formulated with human serum albumin, had the greatest amount of aggregated protein and particles (e.g., 9%–15% high molecular weight species by SEC and > 100,000 particles/mL by flow imaging). Avonex® was found to have the least amount of aggregated protein, with > 95% monomer content by both SEC and analytical ultracentrifugation, and the particles detected in Avonex® were determined to be primarily silicone oil droplets. These results strongly suggest that protein aggregate and particle contents are key product quality attributes in a given product’s propensity to elicit the production of NAbs in patients. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. and the American Pharmacists Association J Pharm Sci 102:915–928, 2013