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Top Medical News
Microscopic colitis a risk factor for rheumatoid arthritis
41 minutes ago
Individuals with microscopic colitis have a twofold greater risk of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) compared with those in the general population, as reported in a study.
Multistrain probiotics improve survival outcomes in preemies
Jairia Dela Cruz, 4 hours ago
Multistrain probiotics confer significant mortality-reduction benefit in preterm infants, according to the results of a network meta-analysis.
5-MTHF improves portal pressure reduction with propranolol in cirrhosis patients
5 hours ago
Treatment with 5-methyltetrahydrofolate (5-MTHF) significantly enhances the effect of propranolol in reducing hepatic venous pressure gradient (HVPG) in patients with cirrhosis and portal hypertension, a recent study has shown.
Increasing BP level in late adolescence ups risk of cardiovascular events
5 hours ago
Rising levels of blood pressure (BP), starting at 120/80 mm Hg, during late adolescence contribute to a gradual elevation in the risk of major cardiovascular events, reports a study in Sweden.
Quadpill trumps monotherapy in BP lowering
Stephen Padilla, 6 hours ago
Use of olmesartan in a combination therapy for advanced hypertension results in similar cardiovascular outcomes, including myocardial infarction (MI), relative to active comparators, according to a study. Additionally, there is no convincing evidence that olmesartan is harmful to patients with hypertension.
Preventing decompensation in cirrhosis: A 2nd youth for β blockers?
7 hours ago
The combination of hepatocyte-derived biomarkers and FibroTest or model for end-stage liver disease (MELD) scores can help identify patients with Child-Pugh class A alcohol-related cirrhosis who are prone to liver-related events at 2 years, reports a study.
COVID vs non-COVID ARDS: Are both mentally distressing for patients’ kin?
Audrey Abella, 8 hours ago
Mental health symptoms of family members of patients hospitalized for acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) were similar at 12 months regardless of whether it was caused by COVID-19 or not, a prospective cohort study suggests.
Special Reports
Real-world insights on comparative effectiveness of mRNA COVID-19 boosters
03 Oct 2023

Two target trials were emulated to compare the effectiveness of third doses of mRNA-based COVID-19 vaccines among US veteran population and across at-risk US veteran populations.

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Meeting individual needs of patients with atopic dermatitis
Prof. Martin Steinhoff, Dr. Mahreen Ameen, Dr. Chih-Ho Hong, 06 Sep 2023

Atopic dermatitis (AD) is an inflammatory skin disease with complex aetiology and presentation. Globally, AD incidence is heterogeneous – it is higher in Africa and Oceania and lower in India and northeastern and eastern Europe, said Prof Martin Steinhoff, director, Translational Research Institute, Hamad Medical Corporation in Doha, Qatar, who chaired a Pfizer-sponsored symposium during WCD 2023.

AD has a variable course, and its heterogeneous presentation adds complexity to how the disease is managed. The burden of AD is the highest among all skin diseases, added Steinhoff. It has mental health manifestations such as anxiety and depression, chronic itch, fatigue, skin pain, and sleep disturbance. AD may also co-exist with other comorbidities that could impact patients’ general health. “We need to assess every patient carefully and manage them optimally,” he pointed out.

Steinhoff is joined by renowned experts Dr Mahreen Ameen, consultant dermatologist, Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK, and Dr Chih-Ho Hong, dermatologist, Saint Paul Hospital in Vancouver, Canada. Together, they shared four global cases of AD, including treatment options for patients.

Atopic dermatitis: Key drivers in making treatment decisions
Prof. Johannes Ring, Prof. Sonja Ständer, Prof. Zuotao Zhao, 05 Sep 2023
Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a chronic relapsing skin disease that requires long-term control. At the 25th World Congress of Dermatology (WCD) in Singapore, Professor Sonja Ständer, professor of dermatology and neurodermatology at the University Hospital Münster, Germany, and Professor Zuotao Zhao, dermatologist from the First Hospital, Peking University, Beijing, China, shared clinical approaches to managing patients with moderate-to-severe AD. The session was chaired by Professor Johannes Ring, director, Department of Dermatology and Allergy, Biederstein at the Technical University of Munich, Germany. Among the key topics discussed were the multifactorial nature of AD, its primary symptoms, and the various therapeutic options for itch relief.
Updates on migraine management with rimegepant
03 Sep 2023

Migraine is a debilitating neurological condition that affects millions of people worldwide, causing intense headaches, sensory disturbances, and a significant decline in quality of life. Approximately one-third of patients encounter aura, which encompasses transient focal neurological disturbances that precede the attack. [Lancet 2017;390:1211-1259; Headache 2021;61:1021-1039]

Conference Reports
Serplulimab-chemo shows promise for squamous NSCLC
Audrey Abella, 03 Oct 2023
Patients with previously untreated, locally advanced, or metastatic squamous non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) may derive benefit from the addition of the novel anti-PD-1 monoclonal antibody serplulimab to chemotherapy, according to the final analysis of the phase III ASTRUM-004 study.
Semaglutide scores again, this time for HFpEF in obese
Elvira Manzano, 03 Oct 2023
Once weekly injection of semaglutide causes weight loss in obese patients with heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF), with positive shifts in symptoms and improvements in physical limitations in the STEP-HFpEF trial presented at ESC 2023.
Iruplinalkib trumps crizotinib for ALK TKI-naïve NSCLC
Audrey Abella, 02 Oct 2023
In the phase III INSPIRE study, the novel, potent ALK tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) iruplinalkib conferred a progression-free survival (PFS) benefit in patients with TKI-naïve, locally advanced, or metastatic ALK+ non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC).
Acetazolamide helps patients with COPD reach new peaks
Elvira Manzano, 02 Oct 2023
Acetazolamide helps to reduce the chances of altitude-related adverse health effects (ARAHE) in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in a study reported at ERS.
Tacrolimus or cyclosporine for CLAD: The better of 2 immunosuppressants
Elvira Manzano, 28 Sep 2023
Tacrolimus given once daily significantly reduced the 3-year incidence of chronic lung allograft dysfunction (CLAD) in lung transplant patients compared with standard immunosuppressant in the open label, multicentre, ScanCLAD trial presented at ERS 2023.
Atezolizumab-chemo confers durable survival benefit in ES-SCLC
Audrey Abella, 27 Sep 2023
In the merged analysis of the IMpower133 trial and IMbrella A open-label extension study, the combination of the PD-L1 inhibitor atezolizumab and a chemotherapy regimen comprising carboplatin and etoposide (CP/ET) demonstrated potential for survival benefit of up to 5 years in patients with extensive stage-small-cell lung cancer (ES-SCLC).
Dupilumab improves lung function in children with moderate-to-severe type 2 asthma
Elaine Soliven, 26 Sep 2023

Treatment with dupilumab significantly improves lung function in children with moderate-to-severe type 2 asthma compared with placebo, according to two post hoc analyses presented at ERS 2023.