Time from diagnosis does not improve diabetes care knowledge for older adults with type 2 diabetes

Uncontrolled diabetes is a risk factor for Alzheimer’s disease development. Knowledge of diabetes management is one tool in helping individuals with diabetes to control their blood glucose levels. The goal of this study was to determine whether there was a relationship between self-rated understanding of diabetes management and time since diagnosis, and whether there were differences in self-rated understanding based on time since diagnosis. This study used an observational, cross-sectional, self-report design with two delivery options. Participants were adults over 50 years of age participating either online or at a senior apartment. A survey was developed to include self-rated diabetes management knowledge, relatives with diabetes, and Alzheimer’s disease symptoms, as well as lifestyle behaviors. The data were filtered to include only those with a self-reported diabetes diagnosis, and analyzed using non-parametric statistics, the Mann-Whitney test and Spearman’s rho. There was no relationship or difference between time since diagnosis and self-rated understanding of diabetes management. Continuing education is needed to help people with diabetes to manage their condition, even years after diagnosis. Failure to understand diabetes management is likely to lead to uncontrolled diabetes, which is associated with increased risk of Alzheimer’s disease.

Years Since Diagnosis Among People Living With Diagnosed HIV in New York City

Antiretroviral treatment has greatly improved the survival of people living with diagnosed HIV (PLWDH), but little information is available on the time since diagnosis among them. Using New York City HIV surveillance data, we described the trend in the number of years since diagnosis among PLWDH during 2010-2019 and reported the mean, median, and interquartile range (IQR) of years since diagnosis among PLWDH in New York City in 2019, overall and by gender, race and ethnicity, and transmission risk. The median number of years since diagnosis among PLWDH in New York City increased from 10.5 years (IQR, 6.3-15.6) in 2010 to 16.3 years (IQR, 8.9-22.1) in 2019. By gender, transgender people had the shortest time since diagnosis, with a median of 11.4 years (IQR, 5.6-17.9), compared with men (median = 15.2 years; IQR, 8.1-21.6) and women (median, 18.5 years; IQR, 12.0-23.0). By race and ethnicity, non-Hispanic White people had been living with the diagnosis for the longest time (median = 17.4 years; IQR, 9.5-23.5), and Asian/Pacific Islander people had been living with the diagnosis for the shortest time (median = 10.1 years; IQR, 4.7-17.0). With an expected and continuing increase in the number of years since HIV diagnosis among PLWDH, programs that provide treatment and support services will need to be expanded, updated, and improved.

Health-Related Quality of Life for Patients Receiving Tumor Treating Fields for Glioblastoma

BackgroundTo date, there has been no large-scale, real-world study of the health-related quality of life outcomes for patients using tumor treating fields (TTFields) therapy for glioblastoma (GBM) treatment.MethodsA survey was mailed to 2,815 patients actively using TTFields for treatment of GBM in the USA (n = 2,182) and Europe (n = 633). The survey included patient-reported demographic and clinical information, as well as EuroQol’s EQ-5D-5L and visual analogue scale (EQ-VAS) overall health score.ResultsA total of 1,106 applicable patients responded to the survey (USA = 782 and Europe = 324), with a mean age of 58.6 years (SD = 12.3). The average time since diagnosis and time using TTFields were 21.5 months (SD = 25.1) and 13.5 months (SD = 13.2), respectively. Over 61% of patients had been diagnosed at least 1 year prior and 28.4% at least 2 years prior; 45 patients (4.2%) had been diagnosed at least 5 years prior. Progressed disease was reported in 307 patients, while 690 reported non-progressed disease. Regression analyses showed that GBM disease progression and older age had predictable negative associations (p < 0.001) with most EQ-5D-5L dimensions and the EQ-VAS. However, longer time since diagnosis was associated with improved self-care (p < 0.05), usual activities (p < 0.01), and EQ-VAS (p < 0.05) overall and in patients with progressed disease (p < 0.01, p < 0.05, and p < 0.01, respectively). Additionally, longer time using TTFields was associated with improved mobility (p < 0.05), self-care (p < 0.001), usual activities (p < 0.01), and EQ-VAS (p < 0.01) overall; with improved EQ-VAS in progression-free patients (p < 0.05); and with improved mobility (p < 0.05), self-care (p < 0.01), usual activities (p < 0.05), and EQ-VAS (p < 0.05) in patients with progressed disease.ConclusionThis is the largest real-world study of patient-reported quality of life in GBM and TTFields treatment to date. It shows unsurprising negative associations between quality of life and disease progression and older age, as well as more novel, positive associations between quality of life and longer time since diagnosis and time using TTFields therapy.

Body image in patients with different types of cancer

Background Cancer can cause physical changes and affect satisfaction with a persons’ physical appearance, which in turn can affect overall quality of life. Previous studies have primarily focused on women with breast cancer and few is known about body image in patients with other cancers and especially men. The present study compares satisfaction with body image of patients with different types of cancer with the general population and across sexes and identifies risk factors for diminished body image. Additionally, patients that were diagnosed within the last year and those living with cancer for longer are compared. Methods In this cross-sectional study, N = 531 cancer patients answered the German Self-Image Scale to assess body image. One sample t-tests are utilized to compare the body image of cancer patients with the general population. Stepwise regression analyses were used to identify factors associated with body image and ANOVAs with posthoc tests as well as t-tests were used to examine group differences. Results Cancer patients showed diminished body image compared to the general population. For men, higher relationship satisfaction and lower cancer-specific distress were associated with more positive body self-acceptance (SA), whereas younger age, higher relationship satisfaction, and lower cancer-specific distress resulted in better perceived partner-acceptance of one’s body (PA). In women, higher education, lower anxiety and cancer-specific distress were associated with more positive SA. Female cancer patients with breast/gynecological cancer reported better SA than those with visceral cancers. Higher relationship satisfaction and lower cancer-specific distress were found to be associated with more satisfactory PA in females. Time since diagnosis did not affect body image in this study. Conclusions Results indicate that cancer patients regardless of sex tend to have decreased body image satisfaction. Future research directions include examination of additional entities of cancer, deeper research in men and the role of time since diagnosis.

Association of COVID-19 with arterial and venous vascular diseases: a population-wide cohort study of 48 million adults in England and Wales

Importance: The long-term effects of COVID-19 on the incidence of vascular diseases are unclear. Objective: To quantify the association between time since diagnosis of COVID-19 and vascular disease, overall and by age, sex, ethnicity, and pre-existing disease. Design: Cohort study based on population-wide linked electronic health records, with follow up from January 1st to December 7th 2020. Setting and participants: Adults registered with an NHS general practice in England or Wales and alive on January 1st 2020. Exposures: Time since diagnosis of COVID-19 (categorised as 0-6 days, 1-2 weeks, 3-4, 5-8, 9-12, 13-26 and 27-49 weeks since diagnosis), with and without hospitalisation within 28 days of diagnosis. Main outcomes and measures: Primary outcomes were arterial thromboses (mainly acute myocardial infarction and ischaemic stroke) and venous thromboembolic events (VTE, mainly pulmonary embolism and lower limb deep vein thrombosis). We also studied other vascular events (transient ischaemic attack, haemorrhagic stroke, heart failure and angina). Hazard ratios were adjusted for demographic characteristics, previous disease diagnoses, comorbidities and medications. Results: Among 48 million adults, 130,930 were and 1,315,471 were not hospitalised within 28 days of COVID-19. In England, there were 259,742 first arterial thromboses and 60,066 first VTE during 41.6 million person-years follow-up. Adjusted hazard ratios (aHRs) for first arterial thrombosis compared with no COVID-19 declined rapidly from 21.7 (95% CI 21.0-22.4) to 3.87 (3.58-4.19) in weeks 1 and 2 after COVID-19, 2.80 (2.61-3.01) during weeks 3-4 then to 1.34 (1.21-1.48) during weeks 27-49. aHRs for first VTE declined from 33.2 (31.3-35.2) and 8.52 (7.59-9.58) in weeks 1 and 2 to 7.95 (7.28-8.68) and 4.26 (3.86-4.69) during weeks 3-4 and 5-8, then 2.20 (1.99-2.44) and 1.80 (1.50-2.17) during weeks 13-26 and 27-49 respectively. aHRs were higher, for longer after diagnosis, after hospitalised than non-hospitalised COVID-19. aHRs were also higher among people of Black and Asian than White ethnicity and among people without than with a previous event. Across the whole population estimated increases in risk of arterial thromboses and VTEs were 2.5% and 0.6% respectively 49 weeks after COVID-19, corresponding to 7,197 and 3,517 additional events respectively after 1.4 million COVID-19 diagnoses. Conclusions and Relevance: High rates of vascular disease early after COVID-19 diagnosis decline more rapidly for arterial thromboses than VTEs but rates remain elevated up to 49 weeks after COVID-19. These results support continued policies to avoid COVID-19 infection with effective COVID-19 vaccines and use of secondary preventive agents in high-risk patients.

Assessing Romiplostim Dose and Platelet Response-Guided Titration to Support Use of Romiplostim in ITP Patients Less Than 12 Months from Diagnosis

Background: Romiplostim, a subcutaneous treatment for adult ITP, uses a platelet response-guided dose adjustment algorithm (USPI dosing, Table 1) to maintain patients' platelet count (PC). Romiplostim was recently approved for patients with ITP ≤ 12 months from diagnosis. Objectives: The primary objective of this analysis was to confirm the appropriateness of romiplostim dose and platelet response-guided titration for patients with ITP ≤ 12 months from diagnosis using a model based approach. Methods: Data from 268 adult patients with ITP ≤ 12 months from diagnosis was extracted from 7 previously conducted clinical studies and used to develop a model based on a previously published model of romiplostim dose-response in ITP patients (Perez-Ruixo et al, 2012). Following the model update, patient characteristics (time from diagnosis, PC at baseline, sex, age, weight, number of prior therapies, region, and use of rescue medications) were assessed to identify any potential factors influencing dose or platelet response in ITP patients ≤ 12 months from diagnosis. The model was qualified for simulation using standard methods modified to account for response-guided dosing. Additionally, observed and predicted platelet responses (incidence of durable response, sustained response, and duration of response) were compared for patients stratified by time from ITP diagnosis (<3, 3 to ≤ 6, and 6 to ≤ 12 months). Simulations were then conducted using prescribed dosing guidance to predict PC and romiplostim doses over 52 weeks of treatment in patients ≤ 6 months and > 6 to ≤ 12 months from diagnosis. Results: The analysis dataset included 7854 PC from 268 patients (with median baseline PC of 18 x 10 9/L and median time since diagnosis of 3 months) receiving romiplostim weekly for up to 3 years at doses ranging from 1 to 15 mg/kg. The updated model (Figure 1) consisted of a drug-sensitive progenitor cell compartment (Pre), 4 maturation compartments (Transit), and a peripheral blood compartment (Circ). Romiplostim increased production of platelet precursors in Pre in 2 ways: 1. linearly with romiplostim exposure (immediate response), and 2. as a function of cumulative administered dose. Response to romiplostim was bimodal with approximately 50% of patients more sensitive to romiplostim treatment with drug sensitivity proportional to time since diagnosis. In the other 50% of patients, immediate response was reduced and there was no cumulative effect of romiplostim dosing on platelet response over time. Age was associated with average platelet transit time where a patient of 30, 60, or 90 years would have a platelet transit time of 6.3, 7.5, and 8.3 days respectively. No other covariates were found to influence any model parameters. Model predicted and observed platelet responses were similar for ITP patients stratified by time from ITP diagnosis (<3, 3 to ≤ 6 and 6 to ≤ 12 months). Simulations (Figure 2) showed that romiplostim prescribed dosing is effective in maintaining PC of 50 - 250 x 10 9/L following titration (approximately 65% of subjects) and minimizing the proportion <20 or >400 x 10 9/L regardless of time since ITP diagnosis or sensitivity to romiplostim treatment. The predicted <35% of subjects above 400 x 10 9/L is consistent with what was observed in the adult ITP safety datasets. Conclusions: An updated model of romiplostim dose and platelet response was developed using data from ITP patients ≤12 months from diagnosis. Clinical trial simulations using the updated model predicted that weekly dosing of romiplostim according to the dose titration rules in the label adequately maintained platelet counts in patients with ITP ≤ 12 months from diagnosis. Figure 1 Figure 1. Disclosures Gibiansky: Amgen: Consultancy. Serrano Castillo: Amgen: Current Employment, Current equity holder in publicly-traded company. Saad: Amgen: Current Employment, Current equity holder in publicly-traded company. Chow: Amgen: Current Employment, Current equity holder in publicly-traded company. Doshi: Amgen: Current equity holder in publicly-traded company; Amgen: Current Employment.

Adjustment disorder in cancer patients after treatment: prevalence and acceptance of psychological treatment

Purpose To investigate the prevalence of adjustment disorder (AD) among cancer patients and the acceptance of psychological treatment, in relation to sociodemographic, clinical, and psychological factors. Methods Breast, prostate, and head and neck cancer patients of all stages and treatment modalities (N = 200) participated in this observational study. Patients completed the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, Checklist Individual Strength, Distress Thermometer and problem list. Patients with increased risk on AD based on these questionnaires were scheduled for a diagnostic interview. Patients diagnosed with AD were invited to participate in a randomized controlled trial on the cost-effectiveness of psychological treatment. Participation in this trial was used as a proxy of acceptance of psychological treatment. Logistic regression analyses were used to investigate associated factors. Results The overall prevalence of AD was estimated at 13.1%. Sensitivity analyses showed prevalence rates of AD of 11.5%, 15.0%, and 23.5%. Acceptance of psychological treatment was estimated at 65%. AD was associated both with being employed (OR = 3.3, CI = 1.3–8.4) and having a shorter time since diagnosis (OR = 0.3, CI = 0.1–0.8). Conclusion Taking sensitivity analysis into account, the prevalence of AD among cancer patients is estimated at 13 to 15%, and is related to being employed and having a shorter time since diagnosis. The majority of cancer patients with AD accept psychological treatment.

Processing Speed and Time since Diagnosis Predict Adaptive Functioning Measured with WeeFIM in Pediatric Brain Tumor Survivors

(1) Background: Brain tumor (BT) survivors show difficulties in the acquisition of developmental milestones, related to academic achievement, vocational employment, social relationships, and autonomy. The skills underlying adaptive functioning (AF) are usually damaged in BT survivors due to the presence of the brain tumor, treatment-related factors, and other neurological sequelae. In this study, we aimed to explore the contribution of different cognitive factors in children with BT to AF, considering diagnosis-related variables. (2) Methods: Standardized cognitive assessment was undertaken and clinical information was collected from a retrospective cohort of 78 children with a BT, aged between 6 and 18 year old at the time of the assessment. Regression models were computed to investigate the influence of the selected variables on daily functional skills as measured by the Functional Independence Measure for Children (WeeFIM). (3) Results: The analyses showed that the main explanatory variables are processing speed and time since diagnosis. Other clinical variables, such as age at diagnosis and hydrocephalus, differentially influence functional skills according to distinct domains (i.e., self-care, mobility, and cognition). (4) Conclusions: The main explanatory variables of AF that emerged in our models point to a potential target of improving AF management in pediatric BT survivors.

Improving diabetic patients’ outcomes in family medicine in the United Arab Emirates

We evaluated a diabetic mini-clinic by assessing adherence to American Diabetes Association guidelines and changes in glycosylated haemoglobin levels. Of 1063 patients, 721 were multiple attenders. Single and multiple attenders showed no significant differences in age, sex, time since diagnosis or body mass index. Female and male multiple attenders showed significant declines in glycosylated haemoglobin levels over the first 12 and 18 months respectively. After 2 years, these levels were similar to those at entry to the clinic. The clinic’s compliance with standard measurement guidelines was high. The diabetic mini-clinic model, which is effective in industrialized countries, was equally effective in this setting.