Irish journal of medical science
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Proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9) regulates inflammatory response and CD4+ T cell differentiation in autoimmune diseases, while its clinical role in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) lacks sufficient evidence. Subsequently, this study intended to explore the vertical change of PCSK9, and its linkage with T helper (Th) cells, regulatory T (Treg) cells, clinical features, and treatment outcomes in RA patients. ⋯ Circulating PCSK9 shows the potency as a biomarker for disease management and treatment outcome prediction of csDMARDs in RA.
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Randomized Controlled Trial
Effects of perceptive rehabilitation and mobilization methods on symptoms and disability in patients with fibromyalgia: A preliminary randomized control trial.
Currently, there is no definitive cure for fibromyalgia. Instead, treatments focus of reducing symptoms and disability. ⋯ This study shows that perceptive rehabilitation and mobilization therapy are similarly effective in improving fibromyalgia symptoms and disability, but the effects disappear within 3 months. Further research is needed to understand how the improvements could be maintained longer.
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To investigate the frequency and characteristics of adverse drug reactions (ADRs) that occurred on the gerontopsychiatric ward of Hannover Medical School over a 6-year period. ⋯ Type and prevalence of ADRs in the present study were largely in accordance with previous reports. By contrast, we did not observe a relationship between advanced age or female sex and ADR occurrence. We detected a risk signal for cardiopulmonary ADRs related to general anaesthesia in the context of ECT that warrants further investigation. Elderly psychiatric patients should be carefully screened for cardiopulmonary comorbidities before initiation of ECT.
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Dupilumab was the first biological medicine to receive marketing authorisation, in Ireland, for the treatment of atopic dermatitis (AD). In 2019, Ireland's National Centre for Pharmacoeconomics recommended that dupilumab not be reimbursed at the submitted price; it was not cost effective. Following confidential price negotiations, the Health Service Executive (HSE) reimbursed dupilumab subject to a HSE-Managed Access Protocol (MAP). Patients with refractory, moderate-to-severe AD were deemed eligible to receive treatment under the MAP; the cohort for which dupilumab is expected to be most effective and most cost effective (versus standard of care). Approval, for treatment, is granted on an individual patient basis by the HSE-Medicines Management Programme. ⋯ The majority of applications submitted were approved. This work highlights how a MAP can facilitate access to treatment in patients who are deemed eligible whilst containing overall expenditure.
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To evaluate the short-term effect of intravitreal bevacizumab (avastin) injection on visual outcomes of patients with diabetic macular oedema. ⋯ Treatment with intravitreal bevacizumab injection produces short-term improvement in vision and reduction in central macular thickness in African patients with diabetic macular oedema.