Patterns of care for non-small cell lung cancer patients in Belgium: A population-based study.

Guidelines recommend surgery for Stage I-II, chemoradiation for Stage III and systemic therapy for Stage IV non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). However, patient related factors and patient preferences influence treatment decisions. We investigated patterns of care for Belgian NSCLC patients in 2010-2011, based on population-based data from the Belgian Cancer Registry and administrative databases. The relationship between patient characteristics, institutional diagnostic volume, type of treatment and survival was investigated. Overall, 20.8% of patients received no oncological treatment. 59% and 22.1% of Stage I-II patients received primary surgery or (chemo)radiation respectively. 34% of Stage III patients received chemoradiation and 17% of Stage IIIA patients had surgery. 70% of Stage IV patients received chemotherapy or targeted therapy. Moderate variability between centres was observed. For Stage IV, systemic therapy was less frequently used in higher volume centres and 1-year survival was lower in centres that had ≥ 50 new patients yearly. Although not all NSCLC patients received treatment as ideally recommended by guidelines, these results do not necessarily represent poor quality of care as patient characteristics and preferences need to be taken into account. Treatment options targeted towards patients with co-morbidity or unfit patients is warranted to improve outcomes of all NSCLC patients.

Socio-economic aspects of neglected diseases: sleeping sickness and visceral leishmaniasis.

Several tropical diseases that are essentially poverty-related have recently gained more attention under the label of 'neglected tropical diseases' or NTD. It is estimated that over 1000 million people currently suffer from one or more NTD. Here, the socio-economic aspects of two NTD - human African trypanosomiasis and human visceral leishmaniasis - are reviewed. Both of these diseases affect the poorest of the poor in endemic countries, cause considerable direct and indirect costs (even though the national control programmes tend to provide free care) and push affected households deeper into poverty.

Eflornithine is a cost-effective alternative to melarsoprol for the treatment of second-stage human West African trypanosomiasis in Caxito, Angola.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the cost-effectiveness of eflornithine and melarsoprol in the treatment of human African trypanosomiasis. METHOD: We used data from a Médecins Sans Frontières treatment project in Caxito, Angola to do a formal cost-effectiveness analysis, comparing the efficiency of an eflornithine-based approach with melarsoprol. Endpoints calculated were: cost per death avoided; incremental cost per additional life saved; cost per years of life lost (YLL) averted; incremental cost per YLL averted. Sensitivity analysis was done for all parameters for which uncertainty existed over the plausible range. We did an analysis with and without cost of trypanocidal drugs included. RESULTS: Effectiveness was 95.6% for melarsoprol and 98.7% for eflornithine. Cost/patient was 504.6 for melarsoprol and 552.3 for eflornithine, cost per life saved was 527.5 USD for melarsoprol and 559.8 USD for eflornithine without cost of trypanocidal drugs but it increases to 600.4 USD and 844.6 USD per patient saved and 627.6 USD and 856.1 USD per life saved when cost of trypanocidal drugs are included. Incremental cost-effectiveness ratio is 1596 USD per additional life saved and 58 USD per additional life year saved in the baseline scenario without cost of trypanocidal drugs but it increases to 8169 USD per additional life saved and 299 USD per additional life year saved if costs of trypanocidal drugs are included. CONCLUSION: Eflornithine saves more lives than melarsoprol, but melarsoprol is slightly more cost-effective. Switching from melarsoprol to eflornithine can be considered as a cost-effective option according to the WHO choice criteria.

Combining pharmacotherapy and psychotherapy or monotherapy for major depression? A meta-analysis on the long-term effects.

BACKGROUND: The present meta-analysis aimed to examine to what extent combined pharmacotherapy with psychotherapy results in a different response to treatment compared to psychotherapy or pharmacotherapy alone in adults with major depression at six months or longer postrandomization. METHODS: A systematic literature search resulted in 23 randomized controlled trials with 2184 participants. Combined treatment was compared to either psychotherapy or anti-depressant medication alone in both the acute phase and the maintenance phase. Odds ratios of a positive outcome were calculated for all comparisons. RESULTS: In acute phase treatment, combined psychotherapy with antidepressants outperformed antidepressants alone at six months or longer postrandomization in patients with major depressive disorder (OR=2.93, 95%CI 2.15-3.99, p<0.001). Heterogeneity was zero (95%CI 0-57%, p>0.05). However, combined therapy resulted in equal response to treatment compared to psychotherapy alone at six months or longer postrandomization. As for the maintenance treatment, combined maintenance psychotherapy with antidepressants resulted in better-sustained treatment response compared to antidepressants at six months or longer postrandomization (OR=1.61, 95%CI 1.14-2.27, p<0.05). Heterogeneity was zero (95%CI 0-68%, p>0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Combined therapy results in a superior enduring effect compared to antidepressants alone in patients with major depression. Psychotherapy is an adequate alternative for combined treatment in the acute phase as it is as effective as combined treatment in the long-term.

Artificial insemination history: hurdles and milestones.

Artificial insemination with homologous (AIH) or donor semen (AID) is nowadays a very popular treatment procedure used for many subfertile women worldwide. The rationale behind artificial insemination is to increase gamete density at the site of fertilisation. The sequence of events leading to today's common use of artificial insemination traces back to scientific studies and experimentation many centuries ago. Modern techniques used in human artificial insemination programmes are mostly adapted from the work on cattle by dairy farmers wishing to improve milk production by using artificial insemination with sperm of selected bulls with well chosen genetic traits. The main reason for the renewed interest in artificial insemination in human was associated with the refinement of techniques for the preparation of washed motile spermatozoa in the early years of IVF. The history of artificial insemination is reviewed with particular interest to the most important hurdles and milestones.

Pooled analysis of the surgical treatment for colorectal cancer liver metastases.

Liver metastases in colorectal cancer patients decreases the expected 5 year survival rates by a factor close to nine. It is generally accepted that resection of liver metastases should be attempted whenever feasible. This manuscript addresses the optimal therapeutic plan regarding timing of resection of synchronous liver metastases and the use of chemotherapy in combination with resection of synchronous metachronous liver metastases. The aim is to pool all published results in order to attribute a level of evidence to outcomes and identify lacking evidence areas. A systematic search of guidelines, reviews, randomised controlled, observational studies and updating a meta-analysis was performed. Data were extracted and analysed. Data failed to demonstrate an effect of timing of surgery or use of chemotherapy on overall survival. Concomitant resection of liver metastases and the primary tumour may result in lower postoperative morbidity. Systemic peri-operative chemotherapy may improve progression free survival compared to surgery alone.

Trisomy 13, 18, 21, Triploidy and Turner syndrome: the 5T's. Look at the hands.

First trimester spontaneous abortions occur in 15 to 20% of all clinically recognized pregnancies. Chromosomal -anomalies are responsible for more than 50% of spontaneous abortions. The majority (90%) of these chromosomal anomalies are numerical, particularly autosomal trisomies (involving chromosomes 13,16, 18, 21, 22), polyploidy and monosomy X. At birth chromosomal anomalies are still an important cause of congenital malformations occurring in 0,55% of newborns (autosomal: 0,40%, sex chromosomal: 0,15%). Autosomal trisomies result from maternal -meiotic nondisjunction of gametogenesis and the risk increases with maternal age. Polyploidy (triploidy (3n = 69) or tetraploidy (4n = 92)), results from a contribution of one or more extra haploid chromosome sets at fertilization. Unlike the risk for autosomal trisomies, the risk for polyploidies and for monosomy X (Turner syndrome) does not increase with maternal age. In the prenatal period the ultrasonographic diagnosis of some autosomal trisomies such as trisomy 13 and 18 is feasible based on the frequently seen major malformations while the diagnosis of trisomy 21 often remains challenging due to the absence of major malformations in > 50% of cases. For Turner syndrome (monosomy X), the lethal form will present with cystic hygroma colli and hydrops but the non lethal form is difficult to recognize by -ultrasound in the second trimester. The 5 frequently encountered chromosomal anomalies (Trisomy 13, 18, 21, Turner syndrome and Triploidy) referred here as the 5T's have specific hand features which will be discussed.

Drug toxicity and cost as barriers to community participation in HAT control in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

INTRODUCTION: Active case-finding programmes by mobile teams are the cornerstone of West African Human African Trypanosomiasis (HAT) control. Low attendance rates of screening and low uptake of treatment after diagnosis are major problems. The objectives of this survey were to explore community perception of HAT, to assess acceptability of control activities and to identify barriers amenable to intervention. METHODS: In September 2004, we conducted 33 focus group discussions with beneficiaries of the HAT control programme among various ethnic groups in two ecological settings (savannah and fluvial) of the Democratic Republic of Congo. RESULTS: The population had a very detailed knowledge and understanding of HAT transmission, utility of screening, symptoms and treatment. Melarsoprol treatment was feared for its side effects. The sudden death of previously asymptomatic people during treatment was attributed to witchcraft, to which one becomes more vulnerable when the diagnosis is disclosed in public. Lack of confidentiality was also a problem because HAT carries a stigma as a mental disease. Lumbar punctures, especially when performed in public, were disliked but less feared. Financial barriers were a major obstacle for many patients. CONCLUSION: Less toxic drugs, lowering financial barriers and improving confidentiality would have considerable impact on the participation in population screening for HAT.

[Validity, cost and feasibility of the mAECT and CTC confirmation tests after diagnosis of African of sleeping sickness]. / Validité, coût et faisabilité de la mAECT et CTC comme tests de confirmation dans la détection de la Trypanosomiase Humaine Africaine.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the validity, cost and feasibility of two parasitological tests for the confirmation of Human African Trypanosomiasis (HAT): the mini Anion-exchange Centrifugation Technique (mAECT) and Capillary Tube Centrifugation (CTC). METHODS: During a sleeping sickness screening campaign in 2004 we screened 6502 people in Kwamouth, DRC. Those with a positive result in the Card Agglutination Test for Trypanosomiasis (CATT) had a gland puncture, fresh blood examination, stained thick blood film, mAECT, CTC and CATT titration. Sensitivity and specificity of the confirmation tests were calculated using the combination of all parasitological tests as a reference standard. Each method was costed and its feasibility was assessed with structured interviews of the technicians. RESULTS: Sensitivity of classical parasitological methods was 44.8% (36.8-53.0), of CTC 56.5% (48.3-64.5) and of mAECT 75.3% (95% CI: 67.7-81.9). Cost per test was 2.82 Euro for mAECT and 0.76 Euro for CTC. Time per test was 29.78 min for mAECT and 18.25 min for CTC. These two tests were judged feasible in field conditions. CONCLUSION: CTC and mAECT used alone or in combination would bring a considerable improvement to HAT active case finding when used as confirmation tests in CATT-whole blood-positive persons. They proved feasible in operational conditions if a 220 V power supply can be guaranteed. As mAECT is more sensitive but also considerably more expensive, efficiency as well as feasibility considerations will have to guide the choice of the best algorithm.

Human African trypanosomiasis amongst urban residents in Kinshasa: a case-control study.

BACKGROUND: Increasing numbers of human African trypanosomiasis (HAT) cases have been reported in urban residents of Kinshasa, Democratic Republic Congo since 1996. We set up a case-control study to identify risk factors for the disease. METHODS: All residents of the urban part of Kinshasa with parasitologically confirmed HAT and presenting for treatment to the city's specialized HAT clinics between 1 August, 2002 and 28 February, 2003 were included as cases. We defined the urban part as the area with contiguous habitation and a population density >5000 inhabitants per square kilometre. A digital map of the area was drawn based on a satellite image. For each case, two serologically negative controls were selected, matched on age, sex and neighbourhood. Logistic regression models were fitted to control for confounding. RESULTS: The following risk factors were independently associated with HAT: travel, commerce and cultivating fields in Bandundu, and commerce and cultivating fields in the rural part of Kinshasa. No association with activities in the city itself was found. DISCUSSION: In 2002, the emergence of HAT in urban residents of Kinshasa appears mainly linked to disease transmission in Bandundu and rural Kinshasa. We recommend to intensify control of these foci, to target HAT screening in urban residents to people with contact with these foci, to increase awareness of HAT amongst health workers in the urban health structures and to strengthen disease surveillance.