Background:
We conducted a systematic literature review to identify key trends associated with remote patient monitoring (RPM) via noninvasive digital technologies over the last decade.
Materials and ...Methods:
A search was conducted in EMBASE and Ovid MEDLINE. Citations were screened for relevance against predefined selection criteria based on the PICOTS (Population, Intervention, Comparator, Outcomes, Timeframe, and Study Design)
format. We included studies published between January 1, 2005 and September 15, 2015 that used RPM via noninvasive digital technology (smartphones/personal digital assistants PDAs, wearables, biosensors, computerized systems, or multiple components of the formerly mentioned) in evaluating health outcomes compared to standard of care or another technology. Studies were quality appraised according to Critical Appraisal Skills Programme.
Results:
Of 347 articles identified, 62 met the selection criteria. Most studies were randomized control trials with older adult populations, small sample sizes, and limited follow-up. There was a trend toward multicomponent interventions (
n
= 26), followed by smartphones/PDAs (
n
= 12), wearables (
n
= 11), biosensor devices (
n
= 7), and computerized systems (
n
= 6). Another key trend was the monitoring of chronic conditions, including respiratory (23%), weight management (17%), metabolic (18%), and cardiovascular diseases (16%). Although substantial diversity in health-related outcomes was noted, studies predominantly reported positive findings.
Conclusions:
This review will help decision makers develop a better understanding of the current landscape of peer-reviewed literature, demonstrating the utility of noninvasive RPM in various patient populations. Future research is needed to determine the effectiveness of RPM via noninvasive digital technologies in delivering patient healthcare benefits and the feasibility of large-scale implementation.
The main objective of the present study is to evaluate the misalignment between psoriatic arthritis (PsA) patient- and physician-reported satisfaction with PsA control. Data came from the Adelphi ...Rheumatology Disease Specific Programme, a retrospective, cross-sectional survey of US-based rheumatologists and patients. Physicians provided satisfaction and clinical characteristics on tender joint count, swollen joint count, and percent body surface area (BSA) affected by psoriasis. Patients provided data on satisfaction, the Work Productivity Activity Impairment and Health Assessment Questionnaire-Disability Index (HAQ-DI) questionnaires. Based on their satisfaction response, patient-physician pairs were classified into aligned (both satisfied or dissatisfied) or misaligned (rated satisfaction differently) groups. Multivariate analysis evaluated association of characteristics with misalignment. Among 305 paired patient-physician records analyzed, 23.6% were misaligned and 76.4% were aligned. The misaligned group had shorter disease duration (mean years, 5.2 vs. 6.4), used fewer biologic disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (49.3 vs. 62.9%), had more swollen (mean, 3.7 vs. 1.9,
P
= 0.0002) and tender joints (mean, 5.6 vs. 2.9,
P
< 0.0001), greater proportion of patients with comorbidities (72.2 vs. 63.1%), and >3% BSA affected by psoriatic skin lesions (64.2 vs. 55.1%). Misaligned patients reported greater work impairment (mean, 38.7 vs. 21.4,
P
= 0.0004), daily activities (mean, 38.7 vs. 22.3,
P
< 0.0001), and higher disease burden (mean HAQ-DI; 0.56 vs. 0.37,
P
= 0.0001). Multivariate analysis found the number of swollen joints (
P
= 0.02) and HAQ-DI score (
P
= 0.03) was significantly associated with misalignment among all patients; however, not in the subgroup of employed patients. Patient-physician misalignment is associated with increased disease activity and disability among patients with PsA.
Parkinson's disease (PD) is the most common movement neurodegenerative movement disorder. An incomplete understanding of the molecular pathways involved in its pathogenesis impedes the development of ...effective disease-modifying treatments. To address this gap, we have previously generated a Drosophila model of PD that overexpresses PD pathogenic mutant form of the second most common causative gene of PD, Leucine-Rich Repeat Kinase 2 (LRRK2).
We employed this model in a genetic modifier screen and identified a gene that encodes for a core subunit of retromer - a complex essential for the sorting and recycling of specific cargo proteins from endosomes to the trans-Golgi network and cell surface. We present evidence that overexpression of the Vps35 or Vps26 component of the cargo-recognition subunit of the retromer complex ameliorates the pathogenic mutant LRRK2 eye phenotype. Furthermore, overexpression of Vps35 or Vps26 significantly protects from the locomotor deficits observed in mutant LRRK2 flies, as assessed by the negative geotaxis assay, and rescues their shortened lifespan. Strikingly, overexpressing Vps35 alone protects from toxicity of rotenone, a neurotoxin commonly used to model parkinsonism, both in terms of lifespan and locomotor activity of the flies, and this protection is sustained and even augmented in the presence of mutant LRRK2. Finally, we demonstrate that knocking down expression of Vps35 in dopaminergic neurons causes a significant locomotor impairment.
From these results we conclude that LRRK2 plays a role in the retromer pathway and that this pathway is involved in PD pathogenesis.
Human perception of sweetness, behind the felt pleasure, is thought to play a role as an indicator of energy density of foods. For humans, only a small number of plant proteins taste sweet. As ...non-caloric sweeteners, these plant proteins have attracted attention as candidates for the control of obesity, oral health and diabetic management. Significant advances have been made in the characterization of the sweet-tasting plant proteins, as well as their binding interactions with the appropriate receptors. The elucidation of sweet-taste receptor gene sequences represents an important step towards the understanding of sweet taste perception. However, many questions on the molecular basis of sweet-taste elicitation by plant proteins remain unanswered. In particular, why homologues of these proteins do not elicit similar responses? This question is discussed in this report, on the basis of available sequences and structures of sweet-tasting proteins, as well as of sweetness-sensing receptors. A simple procedure based on sequence comparisons between sweet-tasting protein and its homologous counterparts was proposed to identify critical residues for sweetness elicitation. The open question on the physiological function of sweet-tasting plant proteins is also considered. In particular, this review leads us to suggest that sweet-tasting proteins may interact with taste receptor in a serendipity manner.
Recent research aims at developing a biomarker to predict antidepressant treatment outcomes in major depressive disorder. The Antidepressant Treatment Response (ATR) index has been correlated with ...response to antidepressant medication (, ) but has not been assessed in a placebo-controlled trial. EEGs recorded at pretreatment baseline and after 1 week of randomized treatment were used to calculate ATR index for 23 subjects with major depressive disorder who were treated for 8 weeks with fluoxetine (FLX) 20 mg (n = 12) or placebo (n = 11). The 17-item Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HamD17) assessed symptom severity; ATR index was assessed as a predictor of percent change in HamD17 score, endpoint response (≥ 50% improvement) and remission (HamD17 score ≤ 7). The ATR index was significantly associated with improvement on FLX (r = 0.64, P = 0.01), with a higher mean ATR index for FLX responders than for nonresponders (t(10) = -2.07, P = 0.03). Receiver operating characteristic analysis found a 0.83 area under the curve (P = 0.03), for ATR index as a predictor for FLX, while an optimized ATR index cutoff of 47.3 yielded 100% sensitivity, 66.7% specificity, 75% positive predictive value, and 100% negative predictive value. Importantly, ATR index did not correlate significantly with placebo outcomes. Results extend ATR index findings to include predictive validity with fluoxetine, suggesting that this biomarker has specificity for drug effects.
Objective
To characterize psoriatic arthritis (PsA) patients with dactylitis or enthesitis and evaluate the associations of these manifestations with disease activity and patient‐reported outcomes.
...Methods
Using the Corrona PsA/Spondyloarthritis Registry, patient characteristics, disease activity, and patient‐reported outcomes at registry enrollment were assessed for PsA patients ages ≥18 years with or without dactylitis or enthesitis. Regression models were used to evaluate associations of dactylitis and enthesitis with outcomes, including minimal disease activity, Health Assessment Questionnaire scores, patient‐reported pain and fatigue, and work productivity (Work Productivity and Activity Impairment questionnaire). Adjustments were made for age, sex, race, body mass index, disease duration, and history of biologic agent, disease‐modifying antirheumatic drug, and prednisone use.
Results
This analysis included 1,567 PsA patients (420 with enthesitis; 228 with dactylitis). Patients with versus without dactylitis or enthesitis had greater disease activity and were less likely to be in minimal disease activity (P < 0.05). Patients with versus without enthesitis had poorer functional status as assessed by the Health Assessment Questionnaire (adjusted P = 4.15 x 10−5), greater patient‐reported pain and fatigue (adjusted P < 0.0001), and greater likelihood of any impairment while working (adjusted odds ratio OR 1.57, P = 0.027), overall work impairment (OR 1.85, P = 0.006), and activity impairment (OR 1.77, P = 0.008). Dactylitis was associated with similar numerical trends, but differences versus patients without dactylitis did not reach statistical significance.
Conclusion
Enthesitis and dactylitis are associated with greater overall disease burden of PsA, underscoring the importance of identifying, assessing, and effectively managing these periarticular manifestations.
A fixed-dose combination of ledipasvir/sofosbuvir (LDV/SOF) is efficacious in treating chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection; however, objective adherence to prescribed regimens in real-world ...clinical settings has not been well studied.
This study aimed to evaluate adherence and virologic outcomes in patients with chronic HCV infection treated with LDV/SOF using a novel digital medicine program that directly measures drug ingestion adherence.
This prospective, observational, open-label, single-arm pilot study was conducted at 2 clinical research sites and followed patients with HCV infection who were prescribed LDV/SOF along with an ingestible sensor. Patients were treated for 8 or 12 weeks. The main outcomes were ingestion adherence, medical interventions, virologic response, safety, and patient satisfaction.
Of the 28 patients (mean 59 years, SD 7), 61% (17/28) were male, 61% (17/28) were non-Caucasian, and 93% (26/28) were treatment naïve. All 28 had genotype 1 HCV, and of these, 27 completed an 8- or 12-week treatment. Patients used the digital medicine program for 92% of the expected days; the overall mean ingestion adherence rate was 97%. Providers used the digital medicine program data for same-day medication therapy management in 39% (11/28) of patients. End-of-treatment response was achieved in all the available 21 of 28 patients. Sustained virologic response at 12 weeks or more was achieved in 26 of 28 patients; of the 2 patients who relapsed, one had less than 90% adherence and the other had greater than or equal to 95% adherence, lending insights into reasons for treatment failure. A total of 4 subjects reported nonserious adverse events, which were resolved.
Conclusions: The findings of this study suggest that digital medicines can be used for wirelessly observed therapy to support adherence to antiviral HCV therapy, reduce unnecessary medication wastage and retreatment costs, and potentially optimize sustained virologic response rates, especially in populations at high risk for nonadherence.
Celotno besedilo
Dostopno za:
DOBA, IZUM, KILJ, NUK, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, UILJ, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK
Abstract only
e15116
Background: Fluorouracil-based adjuvant chemotherapy has been shown to improve survival of patients with early-stage colon cancer. Suboptimal adherence to oral chemotherapy, such ...as capecitabine, remains a serious issue and reduces treatment efficacy. Patient barriers to adherence include adverse effects and high medical costs. This study assesses the completion rates and associated factors in patients on capecitabine monotherapy (Cape) and capecitabine with oxaliplatin (CAPOX) for adjuvant treatment of early-stage colon cancer. Methods: Patients with a primary/secondary diagnosis of early-stage colon cancer between April 2013-March 2017, and 1+ claim of Cape or CAPOX within 60 days of colectomy were identified from the MarketScan Commercial/Medicare Database. Therapy completion rates (treatment ≥7 cycles) were calculated. Multivariate logistic regressions analyses were used to assess the factors (patients’ age, gender, payer type, geography, comorbidities, healthcare costs, etc.) associated with treatment completion. Results: A total of 679 patients met the eligibility criteria (mean age ± SD: 57.3 ± 11.5 years, 54% male), of which 382 (56%) were on Cape (mean age ± SD: 60.2±12.4) and 297 (44%) on CAPOX (mean age ± SD: 53.6±9.0). Completion rates were 43% in Cape and 42% in CAPOX. The baseline overall mean monthly healthcare cost was significantly higher in non-completers vs. completers (Cape: $9,870 vs $7,169, P=0.003; CAPOX: $10,009 vs $8,068, P=0.01). Multivariate logistic regression showed that patients <65 years of age on CAPOX were more likely to complete treatment than patients ≥65 years on CAPOX (Odds Ratio=5.1, P=0.03). Conclusions: Cape and CAPOX completion rates are suboptimal in patients with early-stage colon cancer. Non-completion of therapy is associated with significantly higher baseline healthcare costs for both Cape and CAPOX, as is older age for CAPOX. The low completion rates highlight the unmet need for more effective strategies to optimize oral chemotherapy for the adjuvant treatment of early-stage colon cancer. Table: see text
Real-world data regarding anti-tumor necrosis factor alpha (anti-TNFα) biologic therapy use in psoriatic arthritis (PsA) are limited; therefore, we described treatment patterns and costs of anti-TNFα ...therapy in PsA patients in the United States.
PsA patients (N = 990) aged ≥18 years who initiated anti-TNFα therapy were selected from MarketScan claims databases (10/1/2009 to 9/30/2010). Number of patients on first- (n = 881), second- (n = 72), or third- or greater (n = 37) line of anti-TNFα therapy, persistence, time-to-switch or modification, pharmacy and medical costs (measured per patient per month PPPM) for each line of therapy were observed during the 3-year follow-up.
PsA patients receiving only one line of anti-TNFα therapy remained on first-line for ~17 months while those who switched to second- or third- or greater persisted on first-line for ~11 to 12 months, respectively. Time to first-line modification was longer for patients who switched to third- or greater line therapy (7 months) than those who did not switch or switched to second-line (range, ~2 to 4 months). Time-to-switch and time to first-line modification was progressively shorter with each line of therapy for patients who received third- or greater line. PPPM medical costs were higher for patients who did not switch ($322) than those who switched to second- ($167) or third- or greater ($217) line. PPPM pharmacy costs were greater for patients with third- or greater line therapy ($2539) than those who did not switch ($1985) or switched to second-line ($2045).
While the majority of patients received only one line of anti-TNFα therapy, a subset of patients switched to multiple lines of therapy during the 3-year follow-up period. Persistence and therapy modifications differed between these patients and those receiving only one line. Overall medical costs were highest for patients who did not switch, and pharmacy costs increased as patients switched to each new line of therapy.
Celotno besedilo
Dostopno za:
DOBA, IZUM, KILJ, NUK, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, SIK, UILJ, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK
Approach to the Patient with a Murmur Landefeld, John; Tran-Reina, Melody; Henderson, Mark
The Medical clinics of North America
106, Številka:
3
Journal Article
Recenzirano
Patients with valvular heart disease may present with or without symptoms. A thorough cardiac physical examination can identify patients who require further evaluation and management. Although the ...utility of different cardiac findings varies widely, diastolic murmurs indicate important underlying valvular pathology requiring further investigation, typically with echocardiography. The proper examination of patients with systolic murmurs, the most common murmurs in clinical practice, is fundamental to cost-effective care. We will review the key components of the cardiac examination and findings relevant to functional murmurs, aortic stenosis, mitral valve prolapse and regurgitation, tricuspid regurgitation, hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, aortic regurgitation, and mitral stenosis.