Ezetimibe/Simvastatin

Ezetimibe/simvastatin (Inegy, Vytorin) therapy combines two lipid-lowering compounds with complementary mechanisms of action, thereby blocking the two sources of plasma cholesterol and improving lipid profiles. Thus, intestinal absorption of dietary cholesterol and related phytosterols is blocked by ezetimibe, with the biosynthesis of cholesterol in the liver inhibited by simvastatin.Developing management trends for primary hypercholesterolemia include the aggressive reduction of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) to goals lower than previously considered appropriate, the targeting of lipid subfractions and atherogenic indices other than LDL-C alone, and the broader use of combination lipid-lowering therapy. In line with these trends, ezetimibe/simvastatin is an effective and generally well tolerated adjunct to dietary therapy for markedly reducing LDL-C levels, providing a 52% reduction with the recommended starting dosage. Furthermore, ezetimibe/simvastatin is formulated with variable doses of simvastatin (i.e. 10/10 mg, 10/20 mg, 10/40 mg, and 10/80 mg) and hence, the dosage may be adjusted to suit the individual patient's needs. As longer-term efficacy, tolerability, economic and outcome data accrue, ezetimibe/simvastatin will be positioned more definitively relative to existing and emerging lipid-lowering treatments. Currently, ezetimibe/simvastatin therapy represents a valuable novel option for the management of primary hypercholesterolemia across diverse patient populations and as an adjunct to other lipid-lowering treatments in those with homozygous familial hypercholesterolemia.     

Efficacy of erenumab and factors predicting response after 3 months in treatment resistant chronic migraine: a clinical service evaluation

BackgroundCalcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) inhibitors have been developed as options for treatment of chronic and episodic migraine. We present our experience of the use of erenumab in a tertiary headache centre.MethodsThis was a prospective clinical audit of all patients commenced on erenumab following a locally agreed pathway and criteria over a consecutive period. Patients received monthly erenumab 140 mg for 3 months. Data were collected prospectively at baseline and 3 months follow up.ResultsOne hundred three patients were commenced on erenumab during the study period. Patients had tried a median of 7 previous prophylactics, including onabotulinum toxin A in 94%. At 3 months there was a reduction in median total (28 to 20, 29% reduction, p < 0.0001) and severe (15 to 5, 67% reduction, p < 0.0001) headache days. 39.8% of patients achieved at least a 30% reduction in total headache days; 61.8% of patients achieved at least a 50% reduction in severe headache days. Meeting either of these thresholds was considered a positive response, 68% of patients achieved this. Presence of daily headache pattern was negatively associated with response, (56% response vs. 90% without daily headache, p = 0.0003). There was no association between age, gender, presence of medication overuse or number of previously tried prophylactic treatments and response to erenumab. 43% of patients reported at least one adverse effect, most commonly constipation (26%); treatment was discontinued in 3 patients due to adverse effects.ConclusionsErenumab was an effective treatment for chronic migraine in this treatment resistant population over 3 months of follow up. Presence of daily headache predicted poorer response but there was still a significant positive response rate in this group.     

Breast Nurse Intervention to Improve Adherence to Endocrine Therapy Among Breast Cancer Patients in South Ethiopia

IntroductionMany women in rural Ethiopia do not receive adjuvant therapy following breast cancer surgery despite the majority being diagnosed with estrogen-receptor-positive breast cancer and tamoxifen being available in the country. We aimed to compare a breast nurse intervention to improve adherence to tamoxifen therapy for breast cancer patients.Methods and MaterialsThe 8 hospitals were randomized to intervention and control sites. Between February 2018 and December 2019, patients with breast cancer were recruited after their initial surgery. The primary outcome of the study was adherence to tamoxifen therapy by evaluating 12-month medication-refill data with medication possession ratio (MPR) and using a simplified medication adherence scale (SMAQ) in a subjective assessment.ResultsA total of 162 patients were recruited (87 intervention and 75 control). Trained nurses delivered education and provided literacy material, gave additional empathetic counselling, phone call reminders, and monitoring of medication refill at the intervention hospitals. Adherence according to MPR at 12 months was high in both the intervention (90%) and control sites (79.3%) (P = .302). The SMAQ revealed that adherence at intervention sites was 70% compared with 44.8% in the control sites (P = .036) at 12 months. Persistence to therapy was found to be 91.2% in the intervention and 77.8% in the control sites during the one-year period (P = .010).ConclusionBreast nurses can improve cost-effective endocrine therapy adherence at peripheral hospitals in low-resource settings. We recommend such task sharing to overcome the shortage of oncologists and distances to central cancer centers.     

Woman and midwives: position, problems and potential

OBJECTIVE: to describe and analyse birthing models in a number of countries, particularly Samoa and China, that have been the focus of my recent research; to discuss how cultural frameworks, colonisation and ideas of what is 'modern' influence the nature, place of birth and its attendant. IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE: midwives need to reflect on their practice and consider broader health policy and how it affects health systems. They also need to understand the social, economic, historical and cultural context of practice, including the influence of gender inequality and attitudes to women and themselves as midwives.     

HIV infection, aging, and immune function: implications for cancer risk and prevention

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Combination antiretroviral therapy (ART) has turned HIV infection into a complex chronic disease. This article documents cancer risk among HIV-infected persons, reviews immune system effects of HIV infection in relation to cancer risk, discusses implications for cancer prevention, and suggests future research directions. RECENT FINDINGS: There has been a shift in the cancer spectrum from AIDS-defining cancers (ADC) to non-ADC, although the burden of ADC remains high. Although a high prevalence of non-HIV cancer risk factors among HIV-infected persons contributes to cancer risk, substantial evidence has accumulated in favor of an independent association between HIV-induced immunodeficiency and elevated risk of many specific cancer types, most of viral cause, although further work is needed to disentangle immunodeficiency and smoking effects for lung cancer, and immunodeficiency and hepatitis virus effects for liver cancer. Relationships between cancer risk and two other immune system hallmarks of HIV infection, chronic inflammation, and immune dysfunction/senescence, remain poorly understood. SUMMARY: Early, sustained ART is a crucial component of cancer prevention. Continued epidemiologic monitoring is needed to detect possible effects on cancer risk of specific ART classes or medications, long-term exposure to systemic inflammation or immune dysfunction, or earlier or more effective ART.