ICD-11 Personality Disorders: Utility and Implications of the New Model

The ICD-11 classification of personality disorders represents a paradigm shift in diagnosis. This was felt necessary because previous personality disorder classifications had major problems. These included unnecessary complexity, inconsistency with data on normal personality traits, and minimal consideration of severity despite this being shown to be the major predictor of outcome. The ICD-11 classification abolishes all categories of personality disorder except for a general description of personality disorder. This diagnosis can be further specified as “mild,” “moderate,” or “severe.” Patient behavior can be described using one or more of five personality trait domains; negative affectivity, dissociality, anankastia, detachment, and disinhibition. Clinicians may also specify a borderline pattern qualifier. The ICD-11 shows considerable alignment with the DSM-5 Alternative Model for Personality Disorders. Early evidence around the reliability and validity of the new model appear promising, although at present there is still limited specific evidence due to the model being so recently finalized. However, for the model to be successful, it needs to be embraced by clinicians and used widely in normal clinical practice.

Project NAME: not alone with my emotions

Aim and objectives: The aim of the project will be to acquire and understand, through storytelling (writing), the emotions of women who have recently given birth and their families during hospitalization. Materials and methods: The trial involves a population of 100 patients divided into three arms: women who have given birth according to normal clinical practice; women who have given birth supported by the tool of narrative medicine by operators trained by the project NAME; women who have given birth supported by the tool of narrative medicine by operators trained by the project verba curant. Results: The collection of narratives will offer qualitative and quantitative data: the content analysis will be able to offer a very detailed profile of the narrative under examination. Conclusions: From the data of the study will emerge the basis for the conduct of a project aimed at defining on a larger scale, in different types of patients, the real benefit of the introduction of the tool.

Comparison of the Mayo Endoscopy Score and the Ulcerative Colitis Endoscopy Index of Severity and the Ulcerative Colitis Colonoscopy Index of Severity

Background and study aims: Endoscopy plays an essential role in managing patients with ulcerative colitis (UC), as it allows us to visualize and assess the severity of the disease. As such assessments are not always objective, different scores have been devised to standardize the findings. The main aim of this study was to assess the interobserver variability between the Mayo Endoscopy Score (MES), Ulcerative Colitis Endoscopy Index of Severity (UCEIS) and Ulcerative Colitis Colonoscopy Index of Severity (UCCIS) analyzing the severity of the endoscopic lesions in patients with ulcerative colitis. Patients and methods: This was a single-cohort observational study in which a colonoscopy was carried out on patients with UC, as normal clinical practice, and a video was recorded. The results from the video were classified according to the MES, UCEIS and UCCIS by three endoscopic specialists independently, and they were compared to each other. The Mayo Endoscopy Score (MES) was used to assess the clinical situation of the patient. The therapeutic impact was analyzed after colonoscopy was carried out. Results: Sixty-seven patients were included in the study. The average age was 51 (SD ± 16.7) and the average MES was 3.07 (SD ± 2.54). The weighted Kappa index between endoscopists A and B for the MES was 0.8; between A and C 0.52; and between B and C 0.49. The intraclass correlation coefficient for UCEIS was 0.92 among the three endoscopists (CI 95 %: 0.83–0.96) and 0.96 for UCCIS among the three endoscopists (CI 95 % 0.94–0.97). A change in treatment for 34.3 % of the patients was implemented on seeing the results of the colonoscopy. Conclusions: There was an adequate, but not perfect, correlation between the different endoscopists for MES, UCEIS, UCCIS. This was higher with the last two scores. Thus, there is still some subjectivity to be minimized through special training, on assessing the seriousness of the endoscopic lesions in patients with UC.

Radiology imaging management in an Italian cancer center (IRST IRCCS) during the COVID-19 pandemic

In Italy, the first case of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) was officially reported on 20.02.2020. The disease has since rapidly evolved, causing a public health emergency throughout the country but especially in our region, one of the most widely affected areas. We reorganized the daily routine of our cancer center to reduce the risk of contagion. A temporary tensile structure was set up as an entry-point triage, and a COVID-19 route was created with a dedicated CT scanner. A pre-access telephonic triage was performed the day before a patient was scheduled to come in for an examination. At the time of writing (May 4), 4053 patients had been to our center since the emergency officially began (9.03.2020) and the COVID-19 route had been activated for only 9 paucisymptomatic outpatients and 7 symptomatic inpatients. We also re-evaluated patient radiology examination lists and rescheduled non-urgent tests in consensus with the referring oncologist. Out of a total of 1438 patients scheduled for radiological examinations, 456 were postponed for a total volume reduction of 29.1%. Nine asymptomatic patients with typical CT findings of COVID-19 were identified during routine CTs, but none were RT-PCR-positive for SARS-CoV-2. We guaranteed all urgent and semi-urgent examinations, including those to stage newly diagnosed cancers and to evaluate response to treatment, ensuring the continuation of the diagnostic and therapeutic pathway of our patients. The measures we took were instrumental in keeping the institute COVID-19-free. We also describe the planned measures to resume normal clinical practice at the center.

Drug Response Pharmacogenetics for 200,000 UK Biobank Participants

Pharmacogenetics studies how genetic variation leads to variability in drug response. Guidelines for selecting the right drug and right dose to patients based on their genetics are clinically effective, but are still widely unused. For some drugs, the normal clinical decision making process may lead to the optimal dose of a drug that minimizes side effects and maximizes effectiveness. Without measurements of genotype, physicians and patients may observe and adjust dosage in a manner that reflects the underlying genetics. The emergence of genetic data linked to longitudinal clinical data in large biobanks offers an opportunity to confirm known pharmacogenetic interactions as well as discover novel associations by investigating outcomes from normal clinical practice. Here we use the UK Biobank to search for pharmacogenetic interactions among 200 drugs and 9 genes among 200,000 participants. We identify associations between pharmacogene phenotypes and drug maintenance dose as well as side effect incidence. We find support for several known drug-gene associations as well as novel pharmacogenetic interactions.

OnabotulinumtoxinA is a well tolerated and effective treatment for refractory overactive bladder in real-world practice

Introduction and hypothesis In randomized clinical trials onabotulinumtoxinA was demonstrated to be an effective and well-tolerated treatment for overactive bladder (OAB) with urinary incontinence (UI). However, data reporting onabotulinumtoxinA use in everyday clinical practice are limited. Here, we present the results from a large, first-of-its-kind real-world study in patients with OAB. Methods This was a prospective, observational, multinational study (GRACE; ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT02161159) performed in four European countries. Patients (N = 504) aged ≥ 18 years with OAB inadequately managed with ≥ 1 anticholinergic received onabotulinumtoxinA per their physician’s normal clinical practice. Results Physicians primarily used rigid cystoscopes for onabotulinumtoxinA injection; anesthesia/analgesia was utilized during most treatment procedures. Significant reductions in UI episodes/day from baseline to weeks 1 and 12 were observed as well as in micturition, urgency, and nocturia episodes/day. These improvements in urinary symptoms corresponded to higher scores on the treatment benefit scale at week 12. The use of other OAB medications dropped from baseline to weeks 1 and 12 and was sustained to week 52, which paralleled a reduction in the number of incontinence products used during that time frame. Adverse reactions were reported in 2.6% of patients throughout the study. Conclusions In this real-world study, significant improvements in urinary symptoms were seen following onabotulinumtoxinA treatment as early as week 1 and sustained to at least week 12. This was accompanied by a reduced reliance upon incontinence products and reduction in concomitant OAB medication use. OnabotulinumtoxinA was well tolerated with no new safety signals.

Hydrothorax in liver disease: pathogenesis, diagnosis, treatment.

The review discusses the current understanding of the pathogenesis, diagnostic methods and principles of treatment of hepatic hydrothorax. To search for scientific articles, we used PubMed database, Google Scholar search system, Cochrane systematic reviews, and reference lists. The corresponding objectives of the review of the publication were selectedfor the periodfrom 1994 to 2016 by the terms: «cirrhosis of the liver», «portal hypertension», «hepatic hydrothorax», «pathogenesis», «diagnosis», «treatment». Inclusion criteria were limited to uncomplicated hydrothorax in patients with liver cirrhosis. Analysis of the literature data showed that, despite the success of modern Hepatology, the presence of hepatic hydrothorax is associated with poor prognosis and high mortality. The majority ofpatients suffering from it are candidates for orthotopic liver transplantation. In normal clinical practice, the key to successful management of such patients may be stratification of the risk of adverse outcome and the definition of individual treatment tactics. Pathogenetically sound approach to the choice of pharmacotherapy, as well as the optimization of minimally invasive treatments will improve the quality of life and increase the survival of this category ofpatients.

Treadmill training to improve mobility for people with sub-acute stroke: a phase II feasibility randomized controlled trial

Objective: This phase II study investigated the feasibility and potential effectiveness of treadmill training versus normal gait re-education for ambulant and non-ambulant people with sub-acute stroke delivered as part of normal clinical practice. Design: A single-blind, feasibility randomized controlled trial. Setting: Four hospital-based stroke units. Subjects: Participants within three months of stroke onset. Interventions: Participants were randomized to treadmill training (minimum twice weekly) plus normal gait re-education or normal gait re-education only (control) for up to eight weeks. Main Measures: Measures were taken at baseline, after eight weeks of intervention and at six-month follow-up. The primary outcome was the Rivermead Mobility Index. Other measures included the Functional Ambulation Category, 10-metre walk, 6-minute walk, Barthel Index, Motor Assessment Scale, Stroke Impact Scale and a measure of confidence in walking. Results: In all, 77 patients were randomized, 39 to treadmill and 38 to control. It was feasible to deliver treadmill training to people with sub-acute stroke. Only two adverse events occurred. No statistically significant differences were found between groups. For example, Rivermead Mobility Index, median (interquartile range (IQR)): after eight weeks treadmill 5 (4–9), control 6 (4–11) p = 0.33; or six-month follow-up treadmill 8.5 (3–12), control 8 (6–12.5) p = 0.42. The frequency and intensity of intervention was low. Conclusion: Treadmill training in sub-acute stroke patients was feasible but showed no significant difference in outcomes when compared to normal gait re-education. A large definitive randomized trial is now required to explore treadmill training in normal clinical practice.