Drug-induced acne with elexacaftor/tezacaftor/ivacaftor in people with cystic fibrosis

Elexacaftor/tezacaftor/ivacaftor (ELX-TEZ-IVA) is a Cystic Fibrosis Transmembrane Conductance Regulator (CFTR) modulator shown to improve lung function and reduce sweat chloride in people with Cystic Fibrosis (CF). The only commonly reported dermatologic adverse effect with CFTR modulators including ELX-TEZ-IVA is rash. In this case series, we describe 19 patients who reported new onset or worsening of acne after initiation of this drug to their CF pharmacist or another member of their CF care team. The mechanism and frequency of this adverse effect is unknown.     

Patient navigation across the cancer care continuum: An overview of systematic reviews and emerging literature

Patient navigation is a strategy for overcoming barriers to reduce disparities and to improve access and outcomes. The aim of this umbrella review was to identify, critically appraise, synthesize, and present the best available evidence to inform policy and planning regarding patient navigation across the cancer continuum. Systematic reviews examining navigation in cancer care were identified in the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL), PubMed, Embase, Cumulative Index of Nursing and Allied Health (CINAHL), Epistemonikos, and Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews (PROSPERO) databases and in the gray literature from January 1, 2012, to April 19, 2022. Data were screened, extracted, and appraised independently by two authors. The JBI Critical Appraisal Checklist for Systematic Review and Research Syntheses was used for quality appraisal. Emerging literature up to May 25, 2022, was also explored to capture primary research published beyond the coverage of included systematic reviews. Of the 2062 unique records identified, 61 systematic reviews were included. Fifty-four reviews were quantitative or mixed-methods reviews, reporting on the effectiveness of cancer patient navigation, including 12 reviews reporting costs or cost-effectiveness outcomes. Seven qualitative reviews explored navigation needs, barriers, and experiences. In addition, 53 primary studies published since 2021 were included. Patient navigation is effective in improving participation in cancer screening and reducing the time from screening to diagnosis and from diagnosis to treatment initiation. Emerging evidence suggests that patient navigation improves quality of life and patient satisfaction with care in the survivorship phase and reduces hospital readmission in the active treatment and survivorship care phases. Palliative care data were extremely limited. Economic evaluations from the United States suggest the potential cost-effectiveness of navigation in screening programs.     

Biological Disease-Modifying Antirheumatic Drugs and Osteoporotic Fracture Risk in Patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis: A Danish Cohort Study

ObjectivesClinical trials have shown a beneficial effect from biological disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (bDMARDs) on hand or axial bone loss in patients with rheumatoid arthritis; however, it is unclear if this translates to a reduced fracture risk. We investigated the effect of bDMARDs on osteoporotic fracture risk compared to no biological treatment in rheumatoid arthritis.MethodsA cohort of patients with rheumatoid arthritis aged 18+ from DANBIO was linked to population-based health registries in Denmark (2006-2016). Adopting a prevalent new-user design, we matched bDMARD users to bDMARD-naïve patients using time-conditional propensity scores. The risk of incident osteoporotic fractures (including hip, vertebrae, humerus, and forearm) was estimated among the matched patients by Cox proportional hazards models.ResultsOut of 24,678 patients with rheumatoid arthritis, 4265 bDMARD users were matched to the same number of bDMARD-naïve patients (mean age 56.2 years, 74% female). During follow-up, 229 osteoporotic fractures occurred among bDMARD users and 205 fractures among bDMARD-naïve patients (incidence rates 12.1 and 13.0 per 1000 person-years, respectively). The use of bDMARDs was not associated with a reduced risk of osteoporotic fractures among patients with rheumatoid arthritis (hazard ratio 0.97, 95% confidence interval 0.78-1.20), compared with no biological treatment. The risk estimates were similar for all osteoporotic fracture sites.ConclusionWe found no independent beneficial effect from using bDMARDs on reducing the risk of osteoporotic fractures in patients with rheumatoid arthritis.     

Socioeconomic Deprivation and Premature Cardiovascular Mortality in the United States

ObjectiveTo determine the variability in county cardiovascular (CV) premature mortality explained by integrated metrics of socioeconomic deprivation and to explore temporal trends in CV mortality by county socioeconomic deprivation.MethodsThis is a cross-sectional analysis of US county-level death certificate data from 1999 to 2018 of age-adjusted premature (25 to 64 years) CV mortality. Integrated metrics of socioeconomic deprivation (Social Deprivation Index [SDI] and county Area Deprivation Index [ADI]) were associated with mortality using linear regression analysis. Relative change in county CV mortality from 1999 to 2018 was associated with indices using linear regression analysis.ResultsCounties with higher quartile SDI and ADI had significantly higher total, non-Hispanic Black/African American, and female premature CV mortality (P<.001). Both SDI and ADI were significantly associated with CV mortality by linear regression (P<.001) explaining 40% and 44% of county variability in CV mortality, respectively. Counties with lower deprivation indices experienced a larger decreased in premature CV mortality (P<.001).ConclusionThis study demonstrates an association between multiple integrated metrics of socioeconomic deprivation and premature cardiovascular mortality and shows potentially worsening disparities.     

The Morphology of Coronary Artery Disease in South Asians vs White Caucasians and Its Implications

South Asians (SAs) experience a higher prevalence and earlier onset of coronary artery disease and have worse outcomes compared with White Caucasians (WCs) following invasive revascularisation procedures, a mainstay of coronary artery disease (CAD) management. We sought to review the differences in the CAD pattern and risk factors between SA and WC patients and to discuss their potential impact on the development of coronary disease, acute coronary syndrome, and revascularisation outcomes. SAs have a more diffuse pattern with multivessel involvement compared with WCs. However, less is known about other morphologic characteristics, such as calcification of atherosclerotic plaque and coronary diameter in SA populations. Despite a similar coronary calcification burden, higher noncalcified plaque composition, elevated thrombosis, and inflammatory markers likely contribute to the disease pattern. Although the current evidence on the role of coronary vessel size remains inconsistent, smaller diameters in SAs could play a potential role in the higher disease prevalence. This is especially important given the impact of coronary artery diameter on revascularisation outcomes. In conclusion, SAs have a unique CAD risk profile composed of traditional and novel risk factors. Our findings highlight the need for additional awareness of health professionals of this specific risk profile and potential therapeutic targets, as well as the need for further research in this vulnerable population.