A systematic review of the experiences of vulnerable people participating in research on sensitive topics

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this paper is to systematically review studies that discuss the experiences of vulnerable populations participating in research on sensitive topics. DESIGN: Systematic review performed according to PRISMA guidelines. DATA SOURCES: Thirteen databases were searched, locating 197 articles. Following removal of duplicates, screening and full text review, 31 studies remained to be critically appraised. REVIEW METHODS: As there was a mix of qualitative and quantitative articles, the Critical Appraisal Skills Program (CASP) toolkit and Effective Public Health Practice Project (EPHPP) tool were used to appraise the methodological quality of the articles. Following critical appraisal, the remaining 11 articles were synthesised narratively to identify common themes across the studies. RESULTS: Despite some reports of distress, responses from participants were overwhelmingly positive. There was a strong link between symptomatology and potential for distress; however, the majority of those who did experience some level of discomfort stated they would still participate in future research. Three major themes were extracted: It was worth it ; Even if it hurt, I would do it again and Risk or benefit: fixing the location on the continuum . CONCLUSION: Although researchers frequently experience obstacles and the phenomenon known as gatekeeping when attempting to conduct research amongst vulnerable populations, there is little evidence of harm to participants. On the contrary, there is evidence of benefit for participants and evidence that they are willing to participate if given the opportunity. Although well-meaning, the actions of gatekeepers are not only paternalistic, they could be further marginalising vulnerable populations by denying them the benefits to be gained from research designed to identify and begin addressing their needs

Progress in treatment of ANCA-associated vasculitis.

Autoantibodies to neutrophil cytoplasmic antigen-associated vasculitis (AAV) is characterised by inflammation of blood vessels. The introduction of immunosuppressive therapy with glucocorticoids and cyclophosphamide transformed AAV from a fatal condition to a largely treatable condition. Over the past 30 years, considerable progress has been made refining immunosuppressive regimens with a focus on minimising toxicity. There is, however, a high unmet need in the treatment of AAV. A proportion of patients are refractory to current therapies; 50% experience a relapse within 5 years and treatment toxicity contributes to mortality and chronic disability. As knowledge of the pathogenesis of vasculitis grows, it is mirrored by the availability of biological agents, which herald a revolution in the treatment of vasculitis. Lymphocyte-targeted and cytokine-targeted agents have been evaluated for the treatment of AAV and are entering the routine therapeutic arena with the potential to improve patient outcomes. As rare diseases, treatment advances in vasculitis depend on international collaborative research networks both to establish an evidence base for newer agents and to develop recommendations for patient management

Bridging the 13-Year Evidence Gap:A Time for Age-Inclusive Research

[No abstract

497. Safety and tolerability of 2000mg intravenous sotrovimab dose in immunocompromised participants uninfected with SARS-CoV-2 in the PROTECT-V trial

Background: There remains a need for pre-exposure prophylaxis against SARS-CoV-2 infection in vulnerable patients in whom response to vaccination is often sub-optimal. The PROTECT-V platform trial is testing pre-exposure prophylactic interventions for COVID-19 in vulnerable patient populations: transplant recipients, individuals with oncological/haematological diagnoses, immune deficiency, autoimmune diseases requiring immunosuppression, and individuals receiving dialysis. Methods: Sotrovimab is a dual-action monoclonal antibody and the second agent to be added to the PROTECT-V platform (Clinicaltrials.gov: NCT04870333; EudraCT: 2020-004144-28). Although a single sotrovimab 500mg intravenous (IV) dose has been widely used for early treatment, data on a 2000mg IV dose are limited. Tolerability data in the first 143 participants randomized to this arm of the trial are presently available. Patients are randomized 1:1 sotrovimab to placebo. Data remain blinded. Results: Median age was 66 years (range 21 – 86) and 82 (57%) patients were female. 132 (96%) had received ≥3 doses of SARS-CoV-2 vaccine. Patient populations were: 82 (57%) autoimmune disease; 26 (18%) haematological/oncological diseases; 21 (15%) transplant recipients; 12 (8%) immunodeficiency; 2 (1%) on dialysis. Two (1%) participants experienced a mild infusion related reaction (IRR). The infusion was briefly interrupted, but completed. Thirty (21%) participants experienced at least one symptom in the 24 hours post-infusion, but none were severe or required hospital admission. The most common symptoms were dizziness (7 [5%]), headache (7 [5%]), rigors (5 [4%]) and fever (4 [3%]). No severe adverse events were reported within 72 hours of IMP infusion at the time of writing. The first 55 patients underwent routine hematological and biochemical blood test evaluation 72 hours post-infusion. Ten events from 9 participants exhibited worsening of laboratory parameters, meeting at least grade two DAIDS criteria or worse. None of these were clinically significant. Conclusion: A 2000mg IV dose of sotrovimab was tolerated well in this blinded analysis of immunocompromised participants, with no severe IRRs or significant change in haematological or biochemical markers up to 72 hours post infusion. Disclosures: Davinder Dosanjh, n/a, Astrazeneca: Honoraria|Astrazeneca: Employee|Boehringer Ingelheim: Advisor/Consultant|Boehringer Ingelheim: Honoraria|Gilead: Advisor/Consultant|GSK: Grant/Research Support|Synairgen: Advisor/Consultant Louise Crowley, n/a, GSK: Grant/Research Support Michael Chen-Xu, n/a, GSK: Grant/Research Support Rona M. Smith, MD MRCP, GSK: Grant/Research Support|Union Therapeutics: Grant/Research Suppor

The association between C-reactive protein, mood disorder, and cognitive function in UK Biobank

Background: Systemic inflammation has been linked with mood disorder and cognitive impairment. The extent of this relationship remains uncertain, with the effects of serum inflammatory biomarkers compared to genetic predisposition toward inflammation yet to be clearly established. Methods: We investigated the magnitude of associations between C-reactive protein (CRP) measures, lifetime history of bipolar disorder or major depression, and cognitive function (reaction time and visuospatial memory) in 84,268 UK Biobank participants. CRP was measured in serum and a polygenic risk score for CRP was calculated, based on a published genome-wide association study. Multiple regression models adjusted for sociodemographic and clinical confounders. Results: Increased serum CRP was significantly associated with mood disorder history (Kruskal–Wallis H = 196.06, p < 0.001, η2 = 0.002) but increased polygenic risk for CRP was not (F = 0.668, p = 0.648, η2 < 0.001). Compared to the lowest quintile, the highest serum CRP quintile was significantly associated with both negative and positive differences in cognitive performance (fully adjusted models: reaction time B = −0.030, 95% CI = −0.052, −0.008; visuospatial memory B = 0.066, 95% CI = 0.042, 0.089). More severe mood disorder categories were significantly associated with worse cognitive performance and this was not moderated by serum or genetic CRP level. Conclusions: In this large cohort study, we found that measured inflammation was associated with mood disorder history, but genetic predisposition to inflammation was not. The association between mood disorder and worse cognitive performance was very small and did not vary by CRP level. The inconsistent relationship between CRP measures and cognitive performance warrants further study

Polygenic Risk for Schizophrenia, Brain Structure, and Environmental Risk in UK Biobank

Schizophrenia is a heritable neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by neuroanatomical changes in the brain but exactly how increased genetic burden for schizophrenia influences brain structure is unknown. Similarly, the impact of environmental risk factors for schizophrenia on brain structure is not fully understood. We investigated how genetic burden for schizophrenia (indexed by a polygenic risk score, PRS-SCZ) was associated with cortical thickness (CT), cortical surface area (SA), cortical volume (CV) and multiple subcortical structures within 18,147 White British ancestry participants from UK Biobank. We also explored whether environmental risk factors for schizophrenia (cannabis use, childhood trauma, low birth weight and Townsend social deprivation index) exacerbated the impact of PRS-SCZ on brain structure. We found that PRS-SCZ was significantly associated with lower CT in the frontal lobe, insula lobe, lateral orbitofrontal cortex, medial orbitofrontal cortex, posterior cingulate cortex and inferior frontal cortex, as well as reduced SA and CV in the supramarginal cortex and superior temporal cortex, but not with differences in subcortical volumes. When models included environmental risk factors as covariates, PRS-SCZ was only associated with lower SA/CV within the supramarginal cortex, superior temporal cortex and inferior frontal cortex. Moreover, no interactions were observed between PRS-SCZ and each of the environmental risk factors on brain structure. Overall, we identified brain structural correlates of PRS-SCZ predominantly within frontal and temporal regions. Some of these associations were independent of environmental risk factors, suggesting that they may represent biomarkers of genetic risk for schizophrenia

Rituximab Associated Hypogammaglobulinemia in Autoimmune Disease.

Objective: To evaluate the characteristics of patients with autoimmune disease with hypogammaglobulinemia following rituximab (RTX) and describe their long-term outcomes, including those who commenced immunoglobulin replacement therapy. Methods: Patients received RTX for autoimmune disease between 2003 and 2012 with immunoglobulin G (IgG) <7g/L were included in this retrospective series. Hypogammaglobulinemia was classified by nadir IgG subgroups of 5 to <7g/L (mild), 3 to <5g/L (moderate) and <3g/L (severe). Characteristics of patients were compared across subgroups and examined for factors associated with greater likelihood of long term hypogammaglobulinemia or immunoglobulin replacement. Results: 142 patients were included; 101 (71%) had anti-neutrophil cytoplasm antibody (ANCA) associated vasculitis (AAV), 18 (13%) systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and 23 (16%) other conditions. Mean follow-up was 97.2 months from first RTX. Hypogammaglobulinemia continued to be identified during long-term follow-up. Median time to IgG <5g/L was 22.5 months. Greater likelihood of moderate hypogammaglobulinemia (IgG <5g/L) and/or use of immunoglobulin replacement therapy at 60 months was observed in patients with prior cyclophosphamide exposure (odds ratio (OR) 3.60 [95% confidence interval (CI) 1.03 - 12.53], glucocorticoid use at 12 months [OR 7.48 (95% CI 1.28 - 43.55], lower nadir IgG within 12 months of RTX commencement [OR 0.68 (95% CI 0.51 - 0.90)] and female sex [OR 8.57 (95% CI 2.07 - 35.43)]. Immunoglobulin replacement was commenced in 29/142 (20%) and associated with reduction in infection rates, but not severe infection rates. Conclusion: Hypogammaglobulinemia continues to occur in long-term follow-up post-RTX. In patients with recurrent infections, immunoglobulin replacement reduced rates of non-severe infections

Phenotypic and genetic associations between anhedonia and brain structure in UK Biobank

Anhedonia is a core symptom of multiple psychiatric disorders and has been associated with alterations in brain structure. Genome-wide association studies suggest that anhedonia is heritable, with a polygenic architecture, but few studies have explored the association between genetic loading for anhedonia—indexed by polygenic risk scores for anhedonia (PRS-anhedonia)—and structural brain imaging phenotypes. Here, we investigated how anhedonia and PRS-anhedonia were associated with brain structure within the UK Biobank cohort. Brain measures (including total grey/white matter volumes, subcortical volumes, cortical thickness (CT) and white matter integrity) were analysed using linear mixed models in relation to anhedonia and PRS-anhedonia in 19,592 participants (9225 males; mean age = 62.6 years, SD = 7.44). We found that state anhedonia was significantly associated with reduced total grey matter volume (GMV); increased total white matter volume (WMV); smaller volumes in thalamus and nucleus accumbens; reduced CT within the paracentral cortex, the opercular part of inferior frontal gyrus, precentral cortex, insula and rostral anterior cingulate cortex; and poorer integrity of many white matter tracts. PRS-anhedonia was associated with reduced total GMV; increased total WMV; reduced white matter integrity; and reduced CT within the parahippocampal cortex, superior temporal gyrus and insula. Overall, both state anhedonia and PRS-anhedonia were associated with individual differences in multiple brain structures, including within reward-related circuits. These associations may represent vulnerability markers for psychopathology relevant to a range of psychiatric disorders