Adherence to recommendations by infectious disease consultants and its influence on outcomes of intravenous antibiotic-treated hospitalized patients

BACKGROUND: Consultation to infectious diseases specialists (ID), although not always performed by treating physicians, is part of hospital's daily practice. This study analyses adherence by treating physicians to written ID recommendations (inserted in clinical records) and its effect on outcome in hospitalized antibiotic-treated patients in a tertiary hospital in Spain. METHODS: A prospective, randomized, one-year study was performed. Patients receiving intravenous antimicrobial therapy prescribed by treating physicians for 3 days were identified and randomised to intervention (insertion of written ID recommendations in clinical records) or non-intervention. Appropriateness of empirical treatments (by treating physicians) was classified as adequate, inadequate or unnecessary. In the intervention group, adherence to recommendations was classified as complete, partial or non-adherence. RESULTS: A total of 1173 patients were included, 602 in the non-intervention and 571 in the intervention group [199 (34.9%) showing complete adherence, 141 (24.7%) partial adherence and 231 (40.5%) non-adherence to recommendations]. In the multivariate analysis for adherence (R2 Cox=0.065, p=0.009), non-adherence was associated with prolonged antibiotic prophylaxis (p=0.004; OR=0.37, 95%CI=0.19-0.72). In the multivariate analysis for clinical failure (R2 Cox=0.126, p<0.001), Charlson index (p<0.001; OR=1.19, 95%CI=1.10-1.28), malnutrition (p=0.006; OR=2.00, 95%CI=1.22-3.26), nosocomial infection (p<0.001; OR=4.12, 95%CI=2.27-7.48) and length of hospitalization (p<0.001; OR=1.01, 95%CI=1.01-1.02) were positively associated with failure, while complete adherence (p=0.001; OR=0.35, 95%CI=0.19-0.64) and adequate initial treatment (p=0.010; OR=0.39, 95%CI=0.19-0.80) were negatively associated. CONCLUSIONS: Adherence to ID recommendations by treating physicians was associated with favorable outcome, in turn associated with shortened length of hospitalization. This may have important health-economic benefits and stimulates further investigation. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Current Controlled Trials ISRCTN83234896. http://www.controlled-trials.com/isrctn/sample_documentation.asp

Prospective Exploratory Analysis of Angiogenic Biomarkers in Peripheral Blood in Advanced NSCLC Patients Treated With Bevacizumab Plus Chemotherapy: The ANGIOMET Study

Finding angiogenic prognostic markers in advanced non-small-cell lung cancer is still an unmet medical need. We explored a set of genetic variants in the VEGF-pathway as potential biomarkers to predict clinical outcomes of patients with non-small-cell lung cancer treated with chemotherapy plus bevacizumab. We prospectively analyzed the relationship between VEGF-pathway components with both pathological and prognostic variables in response to chemotherapy plus bevacizumab in 168 patients with non-squamous non-small-cell lung cancer. Circulating levels of VEGF and VEGFR2 and expression of specific endothelial surface markers and single-nucleotide polymorphisms in VEGF-pathway genes were analyzed. The primary clinical endpoint was progression-free survival. Secondary endpoints included overall survival and objective tumor response. VEGFR-1 rs9582036 variants AA/AC were associated with increased progression-free survival (p = 0.012 and p = 0.035, respectively), and with improved overall survival (p = 0.019) with respect to CC allele. Patients with VEGF-A rs3025039 harboring allele TT had also reduced mortality risk (p = 0.049) compared with the CC allele. The VEGF-A rs833061 variant was found to be related with response to treatment, with 61.1% of patients harboring the CC allele achieving partial treatment response. High pre-treatment circulating levels of VEGF-A were associated with shorter progression-free survival (p = 0.036). In conclusion, in this prospective study, genetic variants in VEGFR-1 and VEGF-A and plasma levels of VEGF-A were associated with clinical benefit, progression-free survival, or overall survival in a cohort of advanced non-squamous non-small-cell lung cancer patients receiving chemotherapy plus antiangiogenic therapy

Nutrición parenteral domiciliaria en España, 2019: informe del Grupo de Nutrición Artificial Domiciliaria y Ambulatoria NADYA

RESUMEN Objetivo: comunicar los datos de nutrición parenteral domiciliaria (NPD) obtenidos del registro del grupo NADYA-SENPE (www.nadyasenpe.com) del año 2019. Material y métodos: análisis descriptivo de los datos recogidos de pacientes adultos y pediátricos con NPD en el registro NADYA-SENPE desde el 1 de enero al 31 de diciembre de 2019. Resultados: se registraron 283 pacientes (51,9 %, mujeres), 31 niños y 252 adultos procedentes de 47 hospitales españoles, lo que representa una tasa de prevalencia de 6,01 pacientes/millón de habitantes/año 2019. El diagnóstico más frecuente en los adultos fue “oncológico paliativo” y “otros” (21,0 %). En los niños fue la enfermedad de Hirschsprung junto a la enterocolitis necrotizante, las alteraciones de la motilidad intestinal y la pseudoobstrucción intestinal crónica, con 4 casos cada uno (12,9 %). El primer motivo de indicación fue el síndrome del intestino corto tanto en los niños (51,6 %) como en los adultos (37,3 %). El tipo de catéter más utilizado fue el tunelizado tanto en los niños (75,9 %) como en los adultos (40,8 %). Finalizaron 68 episodios, todos en adultos: la causa más frecuente fue el fallecimiento (54,4 %). Pasaron a la vía oral el 38,2 %. Conclusiones: el número de centros y profesionales colaboradores con el registro NADYA va incrementándose. Se mantienen estables las principales indicaciones y los motivos de finalización de la NPD

Identification of genetic variants associated with Huntington's disease progression: a genome-wide association study

Background Huntington's disease is caused by a CAG repeat expansion in the huntingtin gene, HTT. Age at onset has been used as a quantitative phenotype in genetic analysis looking for Huntington's disease modifiers, but is hard to define and not always available. Therefore, we aimed to generate a novel measure of disease progression and to identify genetic markers associated with this progression measure. Methods We generated a progression score on the basis of principal component analysis of prospectively acquired longitudinal changes in motor, cognitive, and imaging measures in the 218 indivduals in the TRACK-HD cohort of Huntington's disease gene mutation carriers (data collected 2008–11). We generated a parallel progression score using data from 1773 previously genotyped participants from the European Huntington's Disease Network REGISTRY study of Huntington's disease mutation carriers (data collected 2003–13). We did a genome-wide association analyses in terms of progression for 216 TRACK-HD participants and 1773 REGISTRY participants, then a meta-analysis of these results was undertaken. Findings Longitudinal motor, cognitive, and imaging scores were correlated with each other in TRACK-HD participants, justifying use of a single, cross-domain measure of disease progression in both studies. The TRACK-HD and REGISTRY progression measures were correlated with each other (r=0·674), and with age at onset (TRACK-HD, r=0·315; REGISTRY, r=0·234). The meta-analysis of progression in TRACK-HD and REGISTRY gave a genome-wide significant signal (p=1·12 × 10−10) on chromosome 5 spanning three genes: MSH3, DHFR, and MTRNR2L2. The genes in this locus were associated with progression in TRACK-HD (MSH3 p=2·94 × 10−8 DHFR p=8·37 × 10−7 MTRNR2L2 p=2·15 × 10−9) and to a lesser extent in REGISTRY (MSH3 p=9·36 × 10−4 DHFR p=8·45 × 10−4 MTRNR2L2 p=1·20 × 10−3). The lead single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) in TRACK-HD (rs557874766) was genome-wide significant in the meta-analysis (p=1·58 × 10−8), and encodes an aminoacid change (Pro67Ala) in MSH3. In TRACK-HD, each copy of the minor allele at this SNP was associated with a 0·4 units per year (95% CI 0·16–0·66) reduction in the rate of change of the Unified Huntington's Disease Rating Scale (UHDRS) Total Motor Score, and a reduction of 0·12 units per year (95% CI 0·06–0·18) in the rate of change of UHDRS Total Functional Capacity score. These associations remained significant after adjusting for age of onset. Interpretation The multidomain progression measure in TRACK-HD was associated with a functional variant that was genome-wide significant in our meta-analysis. The association in only 216 participants implies that the progression measure is a sensitive reflection of disease burden, that the effect size at this locus is large, or both. Knockout of Msh3 reduces somatic expansion in Huntington's disease mouse models, suggesting this mechanism as an area for future therapeutic investigation

A Home and Ambulatory Artificial Nutrition (NADYA) group report, Home Parenteral Nutrition in Spain, 2013.

AIM: To communicate the results of the Spanish Home Parenteral Nutrition (HPN) registry of the NADYA-SENPE group for the year 2013. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Data was recorded online by NADYA group collaborators that were responsible of the HPN follow-up from 1st January to 31st December 2013. RESULTS: A total of 197 patients and 202 episodes of HPN were registered from 35 hospitals that represents a rate of 4,22 patients/million habitants/year 2013. The median age was 53 years (IQR 40-64) for 189 adult patients and 7 months (IQR 6-35,5) for children. The most frequent disease in adults was neoplasm (30,7%) followed by other diseases (20,1%) and mesenteric ischemia (12,7%). Short bowel syndrome and intestinal obstruction (25,9%) were in 35.7% cases the indications for HPN. The most frequent diagnosis for children were the congenital intestinal disorders and other diagnosis, both with a (37,5%) and short bowel syndrome and intestinal obstruction were the indication for treatment, each was present in 50% of the sample. Tunneled catheters (50%) and subcutaneous reservoirs (27,7%) were frequently used. The septic complications related with catheter were commonly frequent with a rate of 0.74 infections/1000 HPN days. HPN duration presented a median of 1,69 days. A total of 86 episodes finalized during the year, death was the principal reason (45%), followed by "resumed oral via" (43,75%) while it happened inversely for children, 66,7% of them resumed oral via and 16,7% deceased. Fifteen per cent were considered for intestinal transplant, children were proportionally candidates, p-value 0.002. CONCLUSIONS: The number of participating centers and registered patients increased progressively respect to preceding years. Since 2003 Neoplasm is still being the principal pathological group. Death is adult's principal reason for finalizing HPN and "resuming oral via" for children. Despite that NADYA registry is consolidate as a essential source of relevant information about the advances in Home Artificial Nutrition in our country, currently is in an improvement process of the available information about patients characteristics with a special emphasis on children even though they still being a minority group.YesObjetivo: comunicar los datos del registro de Nutrición Parenteral Domiciliaria (NPD) del grupo de trabajo NADYA-SENPE del años 2013. Material y métodos: recopilación de los datos del registro “on-line” introducidos por los colaboradores del grupo NADYA responsables del seguimiento de la NPD desde el 1 de enero de 2013 al 31 de diciembre de 2013. Resultados: se registraron 197 pacientes, procedentes de 35 hospitales, lo que representa una tasa de 4,22 pacientes/ millón habitantes/año 2013, con 202 episodios de NPD. La edad media de los 189 pacientes mayores de 14 años fue de 53 años (IIQ 40 – 64), y en los niños de 7 meses (IIQ 6 – 35,5). La patología más frecuente en los adultos fue la neoplasia (30,7%) seguida por otras patologías (20,1%) y la isquemia mesentérica (12,7%). En el 35,4% de los casos el motivo de indicación fue el síndrome de intestino corto, seguido de la obstrucción intestinal (25,9%). En los niños el diagnóstico más frecuente fueron las alteraciones congénitas intestinales y ‘otros diagnósticos’, ambas con un 37,5 %, y la causa de la indicación el síndrome de intestino corto y la obstrucción intestinal, que se repartieron el 50% de la muestra. Los catéteres más utilizados fueron los tunelizados (50%) y los reservorios subcutáneos (27,7%). Las complicaciones más frecuentes fueron las sépticas, relacionadas con el catéter, con una tasa de 0,74 infecciones/1.000 días de NPD. La duración de la NPD presentó una mediana de 1,69 años. Durante el año finalizaron 86 episodios, la principal causa de la finalización en adultos fue el fallecimiento (45%) seguido del ‘paso a la vía oral’ (43,75%) y en los niños a la inversa 66,7% pasan a vía oral y 16,7% fallecen. Se consideraron candidatos para trasplante intestinal el 15% de los pacientes, siendo proporcionalmente los candidatos niños, p-valor 0,002. Conclusiones: se observa un aumento progresivo de los centros participantes y de los pacientes registrados respecto a años anteriores. El principal grupo patológico sigue siendo oncológico, ocupando el primer lugar desde 2003. La principal causa de finalización de la NPD es en los adultos el fallecimiento y en los niños el ‘paso a vía oral’. Aunque el registro NADYA es un registro consolidado y ha sido y es fuente imprescindible de información relevante para el conocimiento de los avances de la Nutrición Artificial Domiciliaria en nuestro país, se encuentra en proceso de mejorar la información que ofrece sobre las características de los pacientes, con especial atención en el grupo de niños, aunque estos siguen siendo un número reducido

Nutrición parenteral domiciliaria en España 2017. Informe del Grupo de Nutrición Artificial Domiciliaria y Ambulatoria NADYA.

to communicate HPN data obtained from the HPN registry of the NADYA-SENPE group (www.nadya-senpe.com) for the year 2017. descriptive analysis of the data collected from adult and pediatric patients with HPN in the NADYA-SENPE group registry from January 1st, 2017 to December 31st, 2017. there were 308 patients from 45 Spanish hospitals (54.5% women), 38 children and 270 adults, with 3,012 episodes, which represent a prevalence rate of 6.61 patients/million inhabitants/year 2017. The most frequent diagnosis in adults was "palliative cancer" (25.6%), followed by "others". In children, it was Hirschsprung's disease with six cases (15.8%). The first indication was short bowel syndrome in both children (55.3%) and adults (33.7%). The most frequently used type of catheter was tunneled in both children (73.4%) and adults (38.2%). Ending 81 episodes, the most frequent cause was death (62.9%) and transition to oral feeding (34.7%). the progressive increase of collaborating centers and professionals in the registry of patients receiving NPD is maintained. The main indications of HPN and the motive for ending have remained stable

Agreement in the assessment of metastatic spine disease using scoring systems

Licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-Non Commercial-No Derivatives 4.0 International http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0

Clinical manifestations of intermediate allele carriers in Huntington disease

Objective: There is controversy about the clinical consequences of intermediate alleles (IAs) in Huntington disease (HD). The main objective of this study was to establish the clinical manifestations of IA carriers for a prospective, international, European HD registry. Methods: We assessed a cohort of participants at risk with <36 CAG repeats of the huntingtin (HTT) gene. Outcome measures were the Unified Huntington's Disease Rating Scale (UHDRS) motor, cognitive, and behavior domains, Total Functional Capacity (TFC), and quality of life (Short Form-36 [SF-36]). This cohort was subdivided into IA carriers (27-35 CAG) and controls (<27 CAG) and younger vs older participants. IA carriers and controls were compared for sociodemographic, environmental, and outcome measures. We used regression analysis to estimate the association of age and CAG repeats on the UHDRS scores. Results: Of 12,190 participants, 657 (5.38%) with <36 CAG repeats were identified: 76 IA carriers (11.56%) and 581 controls (88.44%). After correcting for multiple comparisons, at baseline, we found no significant differences between IA carriers and controls for total UHDRS motor, SF-36, behavioral, cognitive, or TFC scores. However, older participants with IAs had higher chorea scores compared to controls (p 0.001). Linear regression analysis showed that aging was the most contributing factor to increased UHDRS motor scores (p 0.002). On the other hand, 1-year follow-up data analysis showed IA carriers had greater cognitive decline compared to controls (p 0.002). Conclusions: Although aging worsened the UHDRS scores independently of the genetic status, IAs might confer a late-onset abnormal motor and cognitive phenotype. These results might have important implications for genetic counseling. ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT01590589