Effect of the novel dual orexin receptor antagonist daridorexant on night-time respiratory function and sleep in patients with moderate chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

In patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), sleep is often fragmented while, conversely, the use of sleep medications is of concern in these patients due to potential impairment of nocturnal breathing. This randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled, two-period crossover study was conducted to evaluate the effect of the new dual orexin receptor antagonist daridorexant on night-time respiratory function and sleep in patients with moderate COPD. In each period, the highest Phase-III dose of 50 mg daridorexant or placebo was administered once daily in the evening for 5 consecutive days. The primary endpoint was peripheral oxygen saturation (SpO2 ) during total sleep time (TST) after last dosing. Night-time respiratory function and sleep were further evaluated based on the apnea-hypopnea index (AHI), sleep duration, and objective sleep parameters. Pharmacokinetics, safety, and tolerability were also assessed. Primary endpoint analysis revealed no significant mean treatment difference (i.e. daridorexant - placebo) for SpO2 during TST as it was 0.18% (90% confidence interval: -0.21 to 0.57). There was also no difference from placebo for SpO2 during non-rapid eye movement (REM) and REM sleep at Night 5 and after first dosing. The AHI was slightly increased compared to placebo, but not to a clinically meaningful extent. In addition, daridorexant improved objective sleep parameters (i.e. prolonged TST, increased sleep efficiency, and decreased wake after sleep onset), reached expected plasma concentrations, and was safe and well tolerated. In conclusion, single and multiple doses of 50 mg daridorexant do not impair night-time respiratory function and improves sleep in patients with moderate COPD.

Immunogenicity and Safety of MF59-Adjuvanted Quadrivalent Influenza Vaccine Compared with a Nonadjuvanted, Quadrivalent Influenza Vaccine in Adults 50-64 Years of Age.

Adults aged 50-64 years have a high incidence of symptomatic influenza associated with substantial disease and economic burden each year. We conducted a randomized, controlled trial to compare the immunogenicity and safety of an adjuvanted quadrivalent inactivated influenza vaccine (aIIV4; n = 1027) with a nonadjuvanted standard dose IIV4 (n = 1017) in this population. Immunogenicity was evaluated on Days 22, 181, and 271. On Day 22, upper limits (UL) of 95% confidence intervals (CI) for geometric mean titer (GMT) ratios (IIV4/aIIV4) were <1.5 and 95% CI ULs for the difference in seroconversion rate (SCR IIV4 - aIIV4) were <10% for all four vaccine strains, meeting primary endpoint noninferiority criteria. Protocol-defined superiority criteria (95% CI ULs < 1.0) were also met for A(H1N1) and A(H3N2). Immune responses following aIIV4 vaccination were more pronounced in persons with medical comorbidities and those not recently vaccinated against influenza. Safety data were consistent with previous studies of MF59 adjuvanted seasonal and pandemic influenza vaccines. These findings support the immunological benefit of aIIV4 for persons aged 50-64 years, especially those with comorbidities.

Oral budesonide therapy improves quality of life in patients with collagenous colitis.

INTRODUCTION: Collagenous colitis is an idiopathic microscopic colitis characterised by watery diarrhoea. The impact of collagenous colitis on quality of life has not been assessed. Our aim was to assess quality of life in patients with this condition and compare the effect of treatment with budesonide capsules or placebo on this parameter. METHODS: Patients with chronic diarrhoea and histologically-proven collagenous colitis were randomised to receive either budesonide controlled-release capsules (Entocort capsules, AstraZeneca, Lund, Sweden), 9 mg/day, or placebo for 6 weeks. Quality of life was measured using the validated Gastrointestinal Quality of Life Index (GIQLI) at baseline and after 6 weeks. With the GIQLI, scores range from 0 to 144, with higher scores representing better quality of life. RESULTS: Complete quality of life assessment was available in 29 patients (budesonide: n=17; placebo: n=12). At baseline, quality of life was low in patients with collagenous colitis (mean 76). After 6 weeks of treatment, the mean GIQLI score increased significantly in the budesonide group (from 67 to 92, p<0.001), but remained unchanged in the placebo group (86-88). The mean score of the dimensions symptoms (p=0.001), emotional functioning (p=0.003) and physical functioning (p=0.017) increased significantly in the budesonide group compared with the placebo group. A significantly larger proportion of patients in the budesonide group experienced improved stool consistency (p<0.01) and a significant reduction in the mean stool frequency compared with those in the placebo group (p<0.01). CONCLUSION: Quality of life is seriously reduced in patients with collagenous colitis. Six-week treatment with oral budesonide controlled-release capsules significantly improves quality of life and clinical symptoms compared with placebo in these patients.

Budesonide treatment for collagenous colitis: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, multicenter trial.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: Collagenous colitis is an idiopathic microscopic colitis characterized by chronic watery diarrhea, a typical subepithelial collagen layer, and lymphoplasmacellular infiltration. We investigated the effect of budesonide on symptoms and histology in patients with collagenous colitis in a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled multicenter trial. METHODS: Patients with chronic diarrhea and histologically proven collagenous colitis were randomized to receive either oral budesonide (Entocort capsules; AstraZeneca, Sodertalje, Sweden) 9 mg/day for 6 weeks or placebo. Complete colonoscopy was performed before and after treatment. Histopathology was assessed by a single pathologist blinded to the patients' treatment. Clinical symptoms were assessed by standardized questionnaires. RESULTS: Fifty-one patients were randomized; 45 patients were available for per protocol analysis. The rate of clinical remission was significantly higher (P < 0.001) in the budesonide group than in the placebo group (per protocol 86.9% vs. 13.6%, respectively; intention-to-treat 76.9% vs. 12.0%, respectively). Histologic improvement was observed in 14 patients of the budesonide group (60.9%) and in 1 patient of the placebo group (4.5%; P < 0.001). Two patients in the budesonide group (7.7%) and 1 patient in the placebo group (4.0%) discontinued treatment prematurely because of side effects. CONCLUSIONS: Oral budesonide (Entocort capsules) is an effective and safe treatment modality for patients with collagenous colitis. Long-term follow-up of these patients is necessary to investigate whether clinical and histologic remission is sustained.