Citations

Objective Individuals with serum elevations of anti–cyclic citrullinated peptide (anti‐CCP) antibodies are at increased risk for future rheumatoid arthritis (RA). No pharmacologic interventions have been approved for the prevention of RA in such at‐risk individuals. However, hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) is used without supporting clinical trial evidence. Methods In this phase 2 randomized trial, individuals at risk for RA with anti‐CCP3 ≥2 times the upper limit of normal (ULN) were assigned to receive HCQ or placebo for 12 months, with up to 24 months of postdrug follow‐up. The primary outcome was the development of clinical RA, as defined in the protocol, at 36 months. Secondary outcomes included safety, development of inflammatory arthritis (IA), and participant‐reported joint symptoms. Results Of 144 randomized participants, 71 were assigned to HCQ and 73 to placebo. In the modified intent‐to‐treat population, clinical RA occurred in 21 of 69 (30.4%) participants in the HCQ group and 24 of 73 (32.9%) in the placebo group. The risk of clinical RA at 36 months was 0.336 with HCQ and 0.394 with placebo (difference −0.058; 95% confidence interval −0.336 to 0.220; P = 0.52). Results for IA were similar. The occurrence and severity of joint symptoms were not observed to differ between groups. Adverse event incidence was similar between groups. Conclusion In this trial involving individuals with anti‐CCP3 levels ≥2 times the ULN, 12 months of HCQ did not prevent the development of clinical RA at 36 months. image

Abstract Context Data on diagnostic accuracy of dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEA-S) for mild autonomous cortisol secretion (MACS) and adrenal insufficiency (AI) are discrepant. Objective We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of published studies assessing the accuracy of DHEA-S in diagnosing MACS or AI. Methods From inception to January 8, 2024, we searched databases for original studies of at least 20 participants with MACS or AI. MACS was defined as postdexamethasone cortisol greater than 1.8 mcg/dL or postsurgical hypocortisolism. AI was defined by abnormal dynamic testing. QUADAS-2 was used to assess the risk of bias. Bivariate random effects meta-analysis was used to generate pooled diagnostic accuracy estimates. Results Seven studies on DHEA-S accuracy in diagnosing MACS (574 patients with MACS, 830 referent individuals), and 2 studies on DHEA-S accuracy in diagnosing AI (52 patients with AI, 59 referent individuals) were included. A meta-analysis of studies using DHEA-S cutoff between 60 and 70 mcg/dL to diagnose MACS demonstrated a sensitivity of 82% (95% CI, 64%-93%) and a specificity of 82% (95% CI, 74%-88%). In the 2 studies evaluating DHEA-S in diagnosing AI, the reference standard was a 1-mcg cosyntropin stimulation test. The sensitivity of DHEA-S for diagnosing AI ranged from 70.3% to 86.7%, and the specificity was 87.1%. Most studies were at a moderate risk of bias. Conclusion Based on limited heterogeneous evidence, measurement of DHEA-S provides additional value in diagnosing MACS, as well as AI.

This cross-sectional study analyzes patient-reported outcome findings from the Enhanced, Electronic Health Record–Facilitated Cancer Symptom Control (E2C2) trial to investigate level of symptom burden in adolescents and young adults with cancer.

Abstract Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC), one of the most aggressive forms of pancreatic cancer, is associated with poor survival outcomes and currently ranks as the third leading cause of cancer-related death in the United States. Despite its clinical significance, the mechanisms of PDAC development and progression remain, in part, poorly understood. In this study, we provide evidence of a novel role of sorting nexin 10 (SNX10), a member of the sorting nexin family, in the regulation of KRAS-induced pancreatic carcinogenesis. We demonstrate that SNX10 is downregulated in PDAC, especially in advanced cases. Furthermore, mutational analysis revealed SNX10 genetic alterations in PDAC cases. Functional studies demonstrated that SNX10 overexpression in human PDAC cells inhibited cell proliferation and colony formation. Moreover, SNX10 overexpression induced G1-phase cell-cycle arrest and decreased KRAS signaling activity. Using a novel Snx10 knockout mouse crossed with a Kras-driven PDAC model, we observed reduced survival, increased tumor cell proliferation, enhanced aggression, and heightened inflammation. Collectively, these findings highlight SNX10 as a tumor suppressor candidate in PDAC and underscore its promise as a foundation for new therapeutic approaches. Significance: SNX10 plays a crucial role in reducing pancreatic tumorigenesis. This discovery offers valuable insights into PDAC’s biology and the development of new effective treatments.

Background: Home telemetry has been shown to reduce 30-day readmissions in patients at high risk for readmission. It remains unclear whether this finding is due to the telemetry itself or the nurse contact that follows detection of an abnormal parameter. Purpose: This study was a subgroup analysis from a prior trial comparing patients on home telemetry for 30 days to usual care after discharge to determine if nurse contact affected readmission rates. Methods: Patients randomized to telemetry who had at least 1 nurse contact were compared to those who had none to see if the contact reduced the rate of readmissions. Results: Of 449 home telemetry patients, 292 (65.0%) received 1 or more nurse contacts. Single and multivariable logistic regression models exploring the association of contact with 30-day readmission did not find any statistically significant associations of nurse contact with readmission (all unadjusted P ≥ .13, all adjusted P ≥ .18). Conclusion: Our subset analysis did not show that the nurse contact was the factor that reduced readmission in patients on home telemetry.

Abstract Rumination syndrome (RS) is a common pediatric disorder of gut–brain interaction. However, a dearth of research on efficacious treatment to help guide clinical decision‐making remains. Thus, relying on well‐established treatment recommendations for other conditions with similar mechanisms or symptom profiles may be helpful; for example, conceptualizing RS treatment targets to address it as a “tic disorder of the gut” could be beneficial. To demonstrate the clinical utility of this conceptualization, we presented two cases that provide broad implications for treating pediatric RS. In both cases, akin to pediatric tic and related disorders, cognitive distress and physical discomfort were alleviated temporarily by rumination episodes. Thus, we recommend a targeted diagnostic assessment, including a functional analysis incorporating a transdiagnostic evaluation of symptoms. Close comanagement with specialty physicians and psychologists is also highly recommended. The patients represent complex yet standard cases seen in pediatric psychology outpatient clinics, suggesting the clinical utility of implications for psychologists and allied health professionals.

ABSTRACT Background Risk for medication error increases during care transitions. Error susceptibility increases in pediatrics due to age and weight‐based dosing. Governing bodies acknowledge errors endanger patients, and transplant pharmacotherapy experts are mandated by the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). Pharmacist‐led medication histories reduce errors; however, pharmacists' roles in the transitions of care between transplant centers are unaddressed by CMS. We assessed the impact of transplant pharmacist involvement in medication histories for pediatrics transitioning between transplant centers. Methods Pediatric patients pre‐ or post‐heart transplant transitioning to our center were proactively identified. Transplant pharmacists conducted medication histories by phone with caregivers and tracked discrepancies between existing medication lists and interview responses. Descriptive statistical analyses were completed. Results Of 27 patients identified, seven caregivers were uncontactable, one declined participation, and 19 underwent transplant pharmacist medication history. Medication list errors were detected in 100% of patients ( n = 19), with a median [IQR] of 5 [3–11] issues per patient. Of 122 issues, 72 (59%) were inaccurate or missing data, 17.2% ( n = 21) listed stopped drugs, 9.8% ( n = 12) revealed incorrect administration routes, 7.4% ( n = 9) were duplicate medications, and 6.6% ( n = 8) of errors were medications needing to be added. Corrections included updating 84 inaccuracies (68.8%); removing/adding drugs (30 [24.6%] and 8 [6.6%], respectively); and team communication. Conclusions Complex dosing strategies in pediatrics confer error vulnerability. Designing transition of care processes with transplant pharmacist involvement in medication histories can assist in ensuring medication list accuracy, thereby improving pediatric patient safety.

Ischemic monomelic neuropathy (IMN) is a rare peripheral neuropathy caused by limb ischemia and subsequent nerve degeneration, typically manifesting with unilateral pain, paresthesia, and numbness without overt signs of limb ischemia. This case report describes a 59-year-old female with extensive peripheral artery disease who developed IMN in her right lower extremity following an acute, intraoperative in-sheath thrombosis during a right femoral endarterectomy and external iliac artery stent placement, a rare etiology distinct from the more commonly reported associations with bypass surgery or hemodialysis access. Despite successful intraoperative revascularization, the patient developed diminished motor and sensory function with unremitting pain, and subsequent electromyography confirmed a length-dependent neuropathy with features of denervation, consistent with IMN. This case underscores the critical need for clinicians to consider IMN in the differential diagnosis of post-procedural neuropathic pain, even in the absence of classic ischemic signs and following seemingly successful vascular interventions, as acute thrombotic events during vascular procedures can precipitate this debilitating condition.