Current medical research and opinion
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Chronic cough (CC) symptoms can persist as refractory or unexplained CC (RCC). We sought to characterize the clinical and economic burden of RCC. ⋯ After adjusting for baseline differences, persistent symptoms of CC were associated with significantly higher comorbidity, healthcare resource use, and healthcare costs compared to CC that resolved. Effective treatments for RCC would thus be expected to result in improved health as well as substantial healthcare cost offsets.
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This study aims to evaluate the diagnostic significance of serum uric acid (UA), glutathione (GSH), and amyloid-β1-42 (Aβ1-42) levels in relation to disease progression and cognitive impairment in patients with Parkinson's disease (PD). ⋯ Serum UA, GSH, and Aβ1-42 are independent predictors of disease progression and cognitive decline in PD patients. Their combined use offers enhanced diagnostic accuracy for disease staging and cognitive impairment in PD.
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The recent outbreak of monkeypox (mpox) poses significant public health challenges, particularly for immunocompromised populations such as patients with cancer. However, misinformation poses a significant challenge during new outbreaks for patients with chronic diseases, as observed during the COVID-19 pandemic. Therefore, we aimed to assess perspectives and knowledge of patients with cancer on mpox and their willingness to receive mpox vaccination. ⋯ A substantial proportion of cancer patients in Turkey are hesitant to receive the mpox vaccine, primarily due to concerns about safety and its implications for cancer treatment. Targeted educational interventions that address these specific concerns and enhance understanding of the benefits of vaccination are critical to improving vaccine uptake in this vulnerable population.
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Observational Study
Characteristics, blood counts, treatments, and clinical outcomes of 5871 patients with polycythemia vera treated in US community practices.
This study aimed to describe clinical characteristics-including blood counts and pharmacologic cytoreductive treatment patterns-and outcomes after 6 months of hydroxyurea (HU) treatment among patients with polycythemia vera (PV) in US community practices. ⋯ Nearly half of high-risk patients with PV did not receive pharmacologic cytoreductive treatment. Of those who did, over half had suboptimal response, suggesting these patients may need dose adjustments, improved adverse effect management, or alternative treatments. Longer follow-up may be needed to assess an association between HU response and survival.
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Randomized Controlled Trial Multicenter Study
Efficacy and safety of lebrikizumab combined with topical corticosteroids in Japanese patients with moderate-to-severe atopic dermatitis: a phase 3, double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized clinical trial (ADhere-J).
To evaluate efficacy and safety of lebrikizumab combined with topical corticosteroids (TCS) in Japanese patients with moderate-to-severe atopic dermatitis (AD). ⋯ Consistent with global data, lebrikizumab demonstrated clinical improvements with a positive benefit-risk profile in Japanese adults and adolescents with moderate-to-severe AD through 16 weeks.