A Real-World Data Study on the Healthcare Resource Use for Uncontrolled Moderate-to-Severe Atopic Dermatitis in Secondary Care in the United Kingdom Prior to the Introduction of Biologic Treatment.

Background: Whilst there is international evidence around the high healthcare resource utilization (HRU) associated with atopic dermatitis (AD), there is a lack of published data from the United Kingdom (UK). Methods: A retrospective, descriptive, observational study was conducted to evaluate the burden of moderate-to-severe AD on the National Health Service (NHS) in an adult UK population treated with traditional standard of care prior to the introduction of biologics. Patients (n=59) were recruited from 6 UK NHS Hospital Trusts and observed over three years. Results: 707 dermatology clinic visits were recorded over the observation period, amounting to 6.6 visits per patient-year, most commonly for routine check-ups most of which involved dermatology consultants (n=469, 66%). Physicians were the most consulted healthcare professional (n=652, 92%); emollients were the most common treatment (n=80 courses). 174 flares requiring additional medical advice were recorded in total (1.6 per patient-year). Discussion/Conclusions: Complex treatment pathways for adult patients in the UK with moderate-to-severe AD incur considerable HRU, particularly for those patients non-responsive to systemic therapies with broad immunosuppressant action. Recent advances in biologics-based AD management could possibly have a significant positive impact on HRU through significant reduction in the number of NHS touch points identified in this study.

Efficacy of dupilumab in patients with a history of prior sinus surgery for chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps.

BACKGROUND: Chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps (CRSwNP) is a type 2 inflammatory disease treated with sinus surgery when refractory to medical intervention. However, recurrence postsurgery is common. Dupilumab, a fully human monoclonal antibody, blocks the shared receptor for interleukin 4 (IL-4) and IL-13, key and central drivers of type 2 inflammation. We report the efficacy of dupilumab in patients with CRSwNP from the SINUS-24/SINUS-52 trials (NCT02912468/NCT02898454), by number of prior surgeries and time since last surgery. METHODS: Patients were randomized to placebo or dupilumab 300 mg every 2 weeks. Post hoc subgroup analyses were performed for patients with 0, ≥1, 1/2, or ≥3 prior surgeries, and for patients who had surgery within <3, 3 to <5, 5 to <10, or ≥10 years. Efficacy outcomes at 24 weeks included co-primary endpoints nasal polyp score (NPS) and nasal congestion (NC), and Lund-Mackay (LMK), 22-item Sino-Nasal Outcome Test (SNOT-22), and smell scores. RESULTS: Of 724 patients randomized, 459 (63.4%) had ≥1 prior surgery. Baseline sinus disease (NPS, NC, LMK) and olfactory dysfunction (University of Pennsylvania Smell Identification Test [UPSIT] and loss of smell) scores were worse for patients with ≥3 prior surgeries vs no surgery. Baseline NPS and LMK were worse in patients with <3 years since last surgery than in patients with ≥5 years since last surgery. Dupilumab significantly improved all outcome measures vs placebo in all subgroups by number of surgeries and by time since last surgery. Improvements in NPS and LMK were greater in patients with <3 years since last surgery than patients with ≥5 years. Safety results were consistent with the known dupilumab safety profile. CONCLUSION: Dupilumab improved CRSwNP outcomes irrespective of surgery history, with greater improvements in endoscopic outcomes in patients with shorter duration since last surgery.

The histological features of anteromedial gonarthrosis--the comparison of two grading systems in a human phenotype of osteoarthritis.

Anteromedial gonarthrosis (AMG) displays a well recognised pattern of cartilage damage on the medial tibial plateau. Anteriorly there is a full thickness cartilage defect, with transition to a partial thickness defect, becoming full thickness cartilage in the posterior third of the tibial plateau. The retained posterior cartilage is macroscopically normal. This study characterises the histological changes of AMG and examines the usefulness of two histological assessment tools. Sixteen unicompartmental resection specimens of patients with primary AMG were assessed. Samples were stained with Haematoxylin and Eosin and Safranin-O stains and scored using the modified Mankin grade, and the OOCHAS assessment tool. Each specimen was assessed at five regions along the antero-posterior axis starting from the exposed bone to the region of macroscopically normal cartilage. From anterior to posterior the staining showed a consistent increase in structural integrity and cellularity of the cartilage, matched by a qualitative increase in GAG content. Mean modified Mankin and OOCHAS scores showed a progressive decrease in grade (p < 0.001). The OOCHAS grade had a good correlation with the modified Mankin grade (ρ = 0.886) and there was good intra- and inter-observer variability with both assessment tools. We conclude that there is progressive decrease in histological score from anterior to posterior in AMG and that the macroscopically normal cartilage seen posteriorly is histologically normal. Both the modified Mankin and OOOCHAS assessment tools are useful in histological grading but we found the OOCHAS easier and quicker to use. We propose that AMG represents a spatial model of progressive cartilage damage.

Morton's neuroma: diagnostic accuracy, effect on treatment time and costs of direct referral to ultrasound by primary care physicians.

BACKGROUND: The first-line treatment for symptomatic Morton's neuroma in our hospital is a perineural ultrasound-guided injection of corticosteroid and local anaesthetic (USI). The NHS has recently implemented 18-week referral-to-treatment targets. When GPs specifically suggest a diagnosis of Morton's neuroma there are two referral pathways in our hospital: direct referral to radiology for USI (limited slots) or referral to the specialist foot and ankle clinic. Patients with less specific referral letters are also evaluated in clinic and referred for USI as appropriate. METHODS: A retrospective audit was performed reviewing referral letters from general practitioners (GPs) in 2005-2006. A comparison was made between the referral pathways for time-to-treatment (TTT), accuracy of GP diagnosis, and cost implications. RESULTS: In the directly referred group, the median TTT was 99 days, compared to 206 days for patients who went via a foot and ankle clinic (P < 0.001). Of 57 patients with a GP diagnosis of Morton's neuroma, 40 (70%) had the diagnosis confirmed on USI compared to 44 of 64 (69%) patients referred by a foot and ankle surgeon, showing no significant difference between the groups (P = 0.87). CONCLUSION: For patients with features highly suggestive of a Morton's neuroma, direct referral from primary care for USI had a similar accuracy to referral from a specialist hospital clinic and the time-to-treatment was significantly shorter. The mean waiting time of this group was within the 18-week government target without any changes to our current radiology protocols.