[Antibiotic stewardship programs in the Spanish emergency services: PROA-URG Study]. / Programas de optimización del uso de antimicrobianos en los servicios de urgencias españoles: Estudio PROA-URG.

OBJECTIVE: Antimicrobial stewardship programs (ASP) have become a key tool in the adaptation of these drugs to the health system. The information available on the application and indicators used in these programs in emergency departments is scarce. The objective of this study is to know the extent of ASP implementation in the emergency departments, as well as the use of antimicrobials in these units. METHODS: Multicenter retrospective study. An invitation was sent to all participants of the REDFASTER-SEFH emergency pharmacist working group. A questionnaire was used consisting of 21 items, answered by a team made up of a pharmacist, emergency room specialist, infectious disease specialist and microbiologist. RESULTS: Eighteen hospitals completed the survey. Fourteen (77.8%) had an ASP manager. The DDD value per 1000 admissions ranged between 36.5 and 400.5 (median: 100.4 [IQR:57.2-157.3]). Both carbapenem and macrolide group presented wide variability in use. Six (33.3%) hospitals had an annual report on the specific resistance profile for urine and blood cultures. The percentage of multi-drug resistant strains in urine cultures was 12.5% and in blood cultures 12.2%. The percentage of adequacy in the bacteremia treatment was 81.0% (IQR:74.6-85.0%), while in urinary tract infections was 78.0% (IQR:71.5-88.0). CONCLUSIONS: Despite the existence of ASP members in emergency services, as well as the training activity and local guidelines is common. knowledge of the use of antimicrobials and resistances is limited. Future activities must be aimed at improving information about the ASP results in these units.

Análisis coste-utilidad del modelo de unidad de terapia intravítrea (UTI) frente a la administración tradicional de terapia intravítrea / Cost-utility model of new intravítreous units vs. current patient journey model in Spain

Objetivo Comparar la efectividad y los costes de la implantación del Modelo de Unidad de Terapia Intravítrea (UTI), avalado por la Sociedad Española de Retina y Vítreo (SERV), Sociedad Española de Calidad Asistencial (SECA), Sociedad Española de Oftalmología (SEO) y Sociedad Española de Directivos Sanitarios (SEDISA) vs. el procedimiento habitual. Método Modelo de decisión analítico que compara una organización asistencial tipo UTI con cuatro escenarios de práctica habitual en España, en cuanto al resultado en la calidad de vida por pérdida de agudeza visual y la utilización de recursos. Se estimó la probabilidad, el coste y los años de vida ajustados por calidad (AVAC) para cada escenario planteado. Se realizó un análisis de sensibilidad univariante para cada uno de los parámetros empleados. Resultado Se observó que la implantación del modelo UTI mejora la calidad de vida de los pacientes y presenta un menor coste frente a la práctica habitual. Se produjo ahorro de costes y ganancia de AVAC. El análisis de sensibilidad mostró que el resultado no cambiaría de signo con la modificación de ninguna variable de partida. Conclusiones En las patologías oculares con indicación de tratamiento intravítreo, cualquier reducción en el tiempo que transcurre desde la sospecha diagnóstica hasta la primera inyección intravítrea disminuye la pérdida de agudeza visual. Así, actuar para acortar los tiempos sospecha-aguja es clave para mantener la visión funcional de los pacientes. La mejora de la eficiencia de los servicios de oftalmología que se organizan siguiendo el modelo UTI puede generar ahorros que varían entre los 175 € y 85 € por paciente atendido y año (AU)

Aim To compare the effectiveness and costs of the implementation of the intravitreal therapy unit model, endorsed by the SERV, SECA, SEO and SEDISA, compared to the usual procedure. Method Analytical decision model that compares an UTI-type healthcare organization with four usual practice scenarios in Spain, in terms of quality-of-life results due to loss of visual acuity and the use of resources. The probability, cost, and quality-adjusted life years (QALYs) were estimated for each scenario proposed. A univariate sensitivity analysis was performed for each of the parameters used in the model. Result The model showed that from any of the initial scenarios of the usual practice, transitioning to the UTI-type implementation improves the quality of life of patients and requires lower cost. UTI-type is dominant respect usual practice. The sensitivity analysis showed that the results would not change sign with the variation of any starting variable. Conclusions Shorten suspicion-needle times is key to maintaining functional vision in patients requiring intravitreal treatment. The UTI-type model seeks the efficiency of ophthalmology services and can produce savings that vary between €175 and €85 per patient attended per year (AU)

Cost-utility model of new intravitreous units vs. current patient journey model in Spain.

AIM: To compare the effectiveness and costs of the implementation of the Intravitreal Therapy Unit Model, endorsed by the SERV, SECA, SEO and SEDISA, compared to the usual procedure. METHOD: Analytical decision model that compares an UTI-type healthcare organization with 4 usual practice scenarios in Spain, in terms of quality-of-life results due to loss of visual acuity and the use of resources. The probability, cost, and quality-adjusted life years (QALYs) were estimated for each scenario proposed. A univariate sensitivity analysis was performed for each of the parameters used in the model. RESULT: The model showed that from any of the initial scenarios of the usual practice, transitioning to the UTI-type implementation improves the quality of life of patients and requires lower cost. UTI-type is dominant respect usual practice. The sensitivity analysis showed that the results would not change sign with the variation of any starting variable. CONCLUSIONS: Shorten suspicion-needle times is key to maintaining functional vision in patients requiring intravitreal treatment. The UTI-type model seeks the efficiency of ophthalmology services and can produce savings that vary between Є175 and Є85 per patient attended per year.

Análisis de minimización de costes de brolucizumab en el tratamiento de la degeneración macular asociada a la edad neovascular / Cost minimization analysis of brolucizumab in the treatment of neovascular age-related macular degeneration

Introducción Brolucizumab es un nuevo fármaco antifactor de crecimiento endotelial vascular (anti-VEGF) administrado con una pauta fija de ocho o 12 semanas que en los estudios HAWK y HARRIER demostró ser no inferior a aflibercept con respecto a la mejor agudeza visual corregida, bajo una menor carga de administración. El objetivo del análisis fue comparar los costes directos sanitarios de ambos anti-VEGF como tratamiento en pacientes con degeneración macular asociada a la edad neovascular. Material y métodos Se realizó un análisis de minimización de costes bajo un horizonte temporal de 25 años y considerando el coste farmacológico, de administración, de pruebas de seguimiento y del manejo de eventos adversos. El uso de recursos fue obtenido de literatura relacionada y validada por expertos clínicos. Se llevaron a cabo diversos análisis de escenarios para comprobar la robustez de los resultados. Resultados Brolucizumab resultó con un menor coste por paciente en comparación con aflibercept, considerando el número de inyecciones derivadas de los estudios HAWK y HARRIER. Este resultado se mantuvo en los diferentes escenarios analizados, excepto frente al número de inyecciones de la pauta flexible de aflibercept del estudio ARIES, ya que la menor discontinuación de tratamiento con brolucizumab conlleva mantener el tratamiento de más pacientes. Al considerar la misma discontinuación, brolucizumab mantuvo los resultados observados en el caso base del análisis. Conclusiones El presente estudio muestra como la pauta de administración fija de brolucizumab puede ayudar a disminuir la carga asistencial para los centros sanitarios y los pacientes (AU)

Introduction Brolucizumab is a novel anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (anti-VEGF) drug administered in a fixed regimen of 8 or 12 weeks which, in the HAWK and HARRIER studies, was shown not to be inferior to aflibercept with respect to the best corrected visual acuity, with a less burdensome treatment regimen. The aim of the analysis was to compare the direct healthcare costs of both anti-VEGF as a treatment in patients with neovascular age-related macular degeneration.Material and methods A cost minimization analysis was performed under a 25-year time horizon and considering the drug costs, administration, follow-up tests, and management of adverse events. Resource use was obtained from the related literature and validated by clinical experts. Various scenario analysis were carried out to check the robustness of the results. Results Brolucizumab resulted in a lower cost per patient compared with aflibercept, considering the number of injections derived from the HAWK and HARRIER studies. This result was maintained in the different scenarios analysed, except for the number of injections of the flexible aflibercept regimen of the ARIES study, since the lower discontinuation of treatment with brolucizumab implies maintaining the treatment of more patients. Considering the same discontinuation, brolucizumab maintained the results observed in the base case of the analysis. Conclusions This study shows how the fixed administration regimen of brolucizumab can help reduce both healthcare and patients’ burden (AU)

Cost minimization analysis of brolucizumab in the treatment of neovascular age-related macular degeneration.

INTRODUCTION: Brolucizumab is a novel anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (anti-VEGF) drug administered in a fixed regimen of 8 or 12 weeks which, in the HAWK and HARRIER studies, was shown not to be inferior to aflibercept with respect to the best corrected visual acuity, with a less burdensome treatment regimen. The aim of the analysis was to compare the direct healthcare costs of both anti-VEGF as a treatment in patients with neovascular age-related macular degeneration. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A cost minimization analysis was performed under a 25-year time horizon and considering the drug costs, administration, follow-up tests, and management of adverse events. Resource use was obtained from the related literature and validated by clinical experts. Various scenario analysis were carried out to check the robustness of the results. RESULTS: Brolucizumab resulted in a lower cost per patient compared with aflibercept, considering the number of injections derived from the HAWK and HARRIER studies. This result was maintained in the different scenarios analysed, except for the number of injections of the flexible aflibercept regimen of the ARIES study, since the lower discontinuation of treatment with brolucizumab implies maintaining the treatment of more patients. Considering the same discontinuation, brolucizumab maintained the results observed in the base case of the analysis. CONCLUSIONS: This study shows how the fixed administration regimen of brolucizumab can help reduce both healthcare and patients' burden.

Meningitis por Listeria: administración de gentamicina intraventricular y monitorización de concentraciones en líquido cefalorraquídeo / Listeria meningitis: administration of intraventricular gentamicin and monitoring of concentrations in cerebrospinal fluid

La Listeria continúa siendo una posible etiología de meningitis bacteriana en nuestro medio, siendo causa más frecuente en neonatos, ancianos o pacientes inmunodeprimidos. Debido a la gravedad y la mortalidad asociada, resulta de gran interés disponer de nuevas herramientas que permitan un manejo clínico y farmacológico más eficaz.Presentamos un caso de meningitis por Listeria que ingresa en la Unidad de Cuidados Intensivos. Dada la escasa penetración de la gentamicina en el sistema nervioso central y siendo ésta uno de los tratamientos de elección en las guías clínicas de referencia, se decide la administración de gentamicina intraventricular llevando a cabo una monitorización de concentraciones de gentamicina en líquido cefalorraquídeo (LCR).Debido a la alta variabilidad farmacocinética del paciente crítico, la monitorización de concentraciones en LCR de gentamicina tras su administración intraventricular puede resultar de gran utilidad para asegurar el alcance de concentraciones de fármaco que permitan una mayor eficacia del tratamiento. (AU)

Listeria is currently a possible etiology of bacterial meningitis in our society, being one more frequent cause in neonates, elderly or immunosuppressed patients. Due to the severity and mortality associated, it is therefore very useful to have new tools that allow a more effective clinical and pharmacological management.We present a case of Listeria meningitis admitted to the Intensive Care Unit. Given the low penetration of gentamicin into the central nervous system and being one of the treatments of choice in the clinical reference guidelines, the administration of intraventricular gentamicin was decided by monitoring the concentrations of gentamicin in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF).Due to the high pharmacokinetic variability of the critically ill patient, monitoring CSF concentrations of gentamicin after intraventricular administration can be very useful to ensure the achievement of drug concentrations that allow greater treatment efficacy. (AU)

[Practical considerations for implementing health outcomes measurement projects within a healthcare organization: Delphi Expert Consensus Study]. / Consideraciones prácticas para la implementación de proyectos de medición de resultados en salud en una organización sanitaria: Estudio Delphi de consenso de expertos.

INTRODUCTION: Measuring health outcomes and costs per patient is an essential element of value-based healthcare (VBHC). The aim of the study was to generate expert consensus on the activities required to implement it. METHODS: A two-round modified Delphi study with healthcare professionals, quality and clinical management methodologists and managers with academic and/or practical experience in outcome measurement projects. A median equal to or greater than 4 and a relative interquartile range (RIQR) equal to or greater than 25% were established as consensus criteria. RESULTS: Consensus was obtained on 91% of the items (N=74/81). In terms of feasibility, the items that received the highest score and consensus were the existence of data protection guarantees (median=5; mean=4.8; RIQR=0%), the vision and motivation of healthcare professionals (median=5; mean=4.7; RIQR=20%), the existence and availability of ICT tools (or systems) for data recording (median=5; mean=4.5; RIQR=20%), and having sufficient funding to undertake the project (median=5; mean=4.2; RIQR=20%). The most highly rated factors adding complexity were the number of units or departments involved in the care process for the clinical condition (median=5; mean=4.4; RIQR=20%), having an accepted set of monitoring indicators for the condition (median=5; mean=4.4; RIQR=20%), and the involvement of several levels of care in the project (median=5; mean=4.3; RIQR=20%). CONCLUSIONS: We describe practical aspects for the application of systematic outcomes measurement in routine clinical practice. These results can serve as a tool for prioritising, sizing, resource planning, and estimating implementation costs.

Carga de la psoriasis en Cataluña: datos epidemiológicos, comorbilidades asociadas, uso de recursos sanitarios e incapacidad laboral / Burden of Psoriasis in Catalonia: Epidemiology, Associated Comorbidities, Health Care Utilization, and Sick Leave

Antecedentes y objetivo: Disponer de datos epidemiológicos y de carga de una enfermedad es crucial para su control y óptima planificación. El objetivo es estimar la carga de la psoriasis en términos epidemiológicos, las comorbilidades asociadas, el uso de recursos sanitarios y la incapacidad laboral. Material y método: Se han analizado los datos de la encuesta de salud de Cataluña (ESCA) del 2016, el registro de morbilidad y utilización de servicios sanitarios de Cataluña (MUSSCAT) del 2016 y los datos recopilados entre el 2012 y el 2016 del sistema integrado de gestión de la incapacidad temporal (IT) del Instituto Catalán de Evaluaciones Médicas. Resultados:La prevalecía de la psoriasis en Cataluña con base en los datos de la ESCA se sitúa en el 1,8%. Los datos del MUSSCAT muestran que el número de casos incidentes se ha mantenido estable en los últimos años. Las comorbilidades más frecuentes en el paciente con psoriasis son la hipertensión arterial (35%) y la diabetes (15%). La estratificación de la población con psoriasis por niveles de riesgo situó al 40% en riesgo moderado-alto. El uso anual de recursos sanitarios de las personas con psoriasis es elevado (8,7 visitas de atención primaria; 2,8 consultas externas; 0,5 de urgencias y hospital de día; 0,2 de salud mental y 6,1 medicamentos). Los procesos de IT asociados con la psoriasis o artropatía psoriásica representaron el 0,04% del total de registros. Conclusiones: La prevalencia de la psoriasis en Cataluña es del 1,8%. La carga de la enfermedad es elevada, tanto en términos de comorbilidades del paciente como en el requerimiento del uso de recursos (AU)

Background and objectives: Epidemiologic and disease burden data are essential for disease control and optimal health care resource planning. The aims of this study were to estimate the epidemiologic burden of psoriasis and evaluate associated comorbidities, health care utilization, and sick leave. Material and methods: We collected data from the 2016 Catalan Health Survey (ESCA), the Catalan Registry of Morbidity and Utilization of Health Care Services (MUSSCAT) (2016), and the database of the Catalan Medical Evaluations Institute (ICAM) (2012–2016). Results: The prevalence of psoriasis in Catalonia according to 2016 ESCA data is approximately 1.8%. The MUSSCAT registry data indicate that the incidence has remained stable in recent years. The most common comorbidities associated with psoriasis are hypertension (35%) and diabetes (15%). Forty percent of patients with psoriasis have a moderate to high risk for death or high health resource utilization. Annual use of resources by psoriasis patients is high: they make a mean of 8.7 primary care visits, 2.8 outpatient visits, 0.5 emergency and day hospital visits, 0.2 mental health visits, and use 6.1 medications. Sick leave due to psoriasis or psoriatic arthritis accounted for 0.04% of all cases. Conclusions:The prevalence of psoriasis in Catalonia is high at 1.8%. The disease burden is also high, both in terms of comorbidities and health care utilization (AU)

Burden of Psoriasis in Catalonia: Epidemiology, Associated Comorbidities, Health Care Utilization, and Sick Leave. / Carga de la psoriasis en Cataluña: datos epidemiológicos, comorbilidades asociadas, uso de recursos sanitarios e incapacidad laboral.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Epidemiologic and disease burden data are essential for disease control and optimal health care resource planning. The aims of this study were to estimate the epidemiologic burden of psoriasis and evaluate associated comorbidities, health care utilization, and sick leave. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We collected data from the 2016 Catalan Health Survey (ESCA), the Catalan Registry of Morbidity and Utilization of Health Care Services (MUSSCAT) (2016), and the database of the Catalan Medical Evaluations Institute (ICAM) (2012-2016). RESULTS: The prevalence of psoriasis in Catalonia according to 2016 ESCA data is approximately 1.8%. The MUSSCAT registry data indicate that the incidence has remained stable in recent years. The most common comorbidities associated with psoriasis are hypertension (35%) and diabetes (15%). Forty percent of patients with psoriasis have a moderate to high risk for death or high health resource utilization. Annual use of resources by psoriasis patients is high: they make a mean of 8.7 primary care visits, 2.8 outpatient visits, 0.5 emergency and day hospital visits, 0.2 mental health visits, and use 6.1 medications. Sick leave due to psoriasis or psoriatic arthritis accounted for 0.04% of all cases. CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of psoriasis in Catalonia is high at 1.8%. The disease burden is also high, both in terms of comorbidities and health care utilization.

Estimating the savings associated with a migraine-free life: results from the Spanish Atlas.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Migraine is a common and costly neurological disorder. The aims of this study were to quantify the costs of chronic (CM) and episodic migraine (EM) in Spain, evaluating the impact of psychiatric comorbidities and disability, and to estimate the economic savings associated with reducing the number of migraine-days by 50%. METHODS: This was an observational, cross-sectional analysis of data from migraine patients who participated in the Spanish Migraine Atlas. The participants were invited to complete a structured questionnaire including the following scales: the Headache Needs Assessment, the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, and the Migraine Disability Assessment Scale (MIDAS). RESULTS: A total of 475 patients were included, of whom 187 had CM (39.4%). Total costs per patient/year were: €16 578.2 ± €34 568.1 for CM and €6227.8 ± €6515.7 for EM. A higher degree of disability, according to MIDAS, significantly increased the total cost of migraine, while the presence of psychiatric comorbidity increased costs for EM patients only. A reduction of 1 migraine-day per month decreased average total costs by €744.14 per patient/year for EM and €663.20 per patient/year for CM, while a reduction in the number of migraine-days by 50% would result in economic savings of €2232.44 per patient/year (R2  = 0.927) for EM and €6631.99 per patient/year (R2  = 0.886) for CM. CONCLUSIONS: The costs associated with migraine were driven by migraine frequency and the degree of disability, whereas psychiatric comorbidity only influenced the cost of EM. These results highlight the need to optimize migraine management to reduce the economic migraine burden. Future studies are needed to confirm our results.

Enhancing social functioning in young people at Ultra High Risk (UHR) for psychosis: A pilot study of a novel strengths and mindfulness-based online social therapy.

BACKGROUND: Psychological and pharmacological treatments have been shown to reduce rates of transition to psychosis in Ultra High Risk (UHR) young people. However, social functioning deficits have been unresponsive to current treatments. AIMS: The study aims were to: i) describe the theoretical basis and therapeutic targets of a novel intervention targeting social functioning in UHR young people; and ii) examine its acceptability, safety and preliminary effect on social functioning. METHODS: An international, multidisciplinary team developed a new intervention (MOMENTUM) to improve social functioning in UHR young people. MOMENTUM blends two novel approaches to social recovery: strengths and mindfulness-based intervention embedded within a social media environment, and application of the self-determination theory of motivation. The acceptability and safety of MOMENTUM were tested through a 2-month pilot study with 14 UHR participants. RESULTS: System usage was high, with over 70% of users being actively engaged over the trial. All participants reported a positive experience using MOMENTUM, considered it safe and would recommend it to others. 93% reported it to be helpful. There were large, reliable improvements in social functioning (d = 1.83, p < 0.001) and subjective wellbeing (d = 0.75, p = 0.03) at follow-up. There were significant increases in the mechanisms targeted by the intervention including strengths usage (d = 0.70, p = 0.03), mindfulness skills (d = 0.66, p = 0.04) and components of social support. Social functioning improvement was significantly correlated with indicators of system usage. CONCLUSION: MOMENTUM is engaging and safe. MOMENTUM appeared to engage the hypothesized mechanisms and showed promise as a new avenue to improve social functioning in UHR young people.

Cognitive impairment in early stages of multiple sclerosis is associated with high cerebrospinal fluid levels of chitinase 3-like 1 and neurofilament light chain.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Chitinase 3-like 1 (CHI3L1) and neurofilament light chain (NF-L) are promising biomarkers of disability in multiple sclerosis (MS). However, their role in cognitive dysfunction remains elusive. Here, we aimed to correlate cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) levels of CHI3L1 and NF-L with cognitive status in MS. METHODS: Fifty one recently diagnosed patients were cognitively evaluated and CSF was collected. Levels of CHI3L1 and NF-L were determined by ELISA. Spearman's partial correlation coefficient was performed. RESULTS: After adjusting cognitive scores by age, anxiety and EDSS, association was detected between CHI3L1 levels and Trail Making Test A (rs = 0.348; p = 0.016) and between NF-L levels and Word List Generation (rs = -0.324; p = 0.025). CONCLUSION: High levels of CSF CHI3L1 and NF-L are associated with cognitive impairment in the early phases of MS.

Síncope en una deportista escolar / Syncope in a school athlete

Se presenta el caso de una niña de diez años que sufrió un síncope durante el esfuerzo y que fue diagnosticada de taquicardia ventricular polimórfica catecolaminérgica. Es una canalopatía arritmógena que puede desencadenar arritmias ventriculares graves y alto riesgo de muerte súbita en pacientes jóvenes con un corazón de estructura normal. El síncope es un problema médico común, con una prevalencia estimada del 40% en la población general. Suele tener una evolución benigna, aunque en un 2-3% también puede relacionarse con eventos cardiacos y ser un síntoma de posibilidad de muerte súbita. La anamnesis es esencial para identificar las causas y mecanismos desencadenantes y orientar las pruebas diagnósticas a realizar. En este caso la ergometría fue la prueba diagnóstica, ya que puso en evidencia la arritmia. La decisión sobre la aptitud deportiva será individualizada y dependerá de la etiología del síncope. Se debe establecer el pronóstico y valorar la posibilidad de recurrencias y de muerte súbita y evitar los diagnósticos erróneos tanto de contraindicación como de aptitud deportiva (AU)

We present the case of a 10-year-old girl who suffered syncope during the effort, who was diagnosed with catecholaminergic polymorphic ventricular tachycardia. It is an arrhythmogenic channelopathy that can trigger severe ventricular arrhythmias and has a high risk of sudden death in young patients witch normal heart structure. Syncope is a common medical problem, with an estimated prevalence of 40% in the general population. It usually has a benign course, although 2-3% can also be related to cardiac events and be a symptom of possibility of sudden death. The anamnesis is essential to identify the causes and trigger mechanisms and guide the diagnostic tests to be performed. In this case, the ergometry was the diagnostic test, since it showed the arrhythmia. The decision about the sport aptitude will be individualized and will depend on the aetiology of the syncope. The prognosis should be established and the possibility of recurrences and sudden death should be assessed and the misdiagnosis of both contraindication and sports aptitude should be avoided (AU)

Adherence, satisfaction and preferences for treatment in patients with psoriasis in the European Union: a systematic review of the literature.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Adherence to treatment in patients with psoriasis is often poor. An investigation of patient preferences and satisfaction with treatment may be important, based on the expected correlation with therapy compliance. This paper aims to examine and describe the current literature on patient preferences, satisfaction and adherence to treatment for psoriasis in the European Union (EU). METHODS: Electronic searches were conducted using PubMed, ISI Web of Knowledge, Scopus, Spanish databases and Google Scholar. European studies published in English or Spanish between January 1, 2009 and December 31, 2014 regarding patient-reported outcomes in psoriatic patients were included. Studies conducted in non-EU countries, letters to the editor, editorials, experts' opinions, case studies, congress proceedings, publications that did not differentiate between patients with psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis or studies related to specific treatment were excluded. RESULTS: A total of 1,769 titles were identified, of which 1,636 were excluded as they were duplicates or did not provide any relevant information. After a full-text reading and application of the inclusion/exclusion criteria, 46 publications were included. This paper will describe publications on adherence (n=4), preferences (n=5) and satisfaction with treatment (n=7). Results related to health-related quality of life articles (n=30) have been published elsewhere. Adherence rates are generally low in psoriasis patients regardless of the type of treatment, severity of disease or methods used to measure adherence. Biologic therapy is associated with greater clinical improvement. There is a direct association between physician recommendations, patient preferences and several domains of treatment satisfaction. CONCLUSION: The results of this review support the conclusion that adherence rates in patients with psoriasis are suboptimal and highlight the need to improve patient compliance and satisfaction with treatment. Patients' preferences should be taken into account in the treatment decision-making process in order to improve patients' clinical outcomes by ensuring satisfaction and adherence.

Beyond Clinical Remission in First Episode Psychosis: Thoughts on Antipsychotic Maintenance vs. Guided Discontinuation in the Functional Recovery Era.

Treatment guidelines for first episode psychosis (FEP) recommend at least 1 year of antipsychotic treatment following remission; however, in light of some recent research and the preference of some individuals to discontinue their medication sooner, this recommendation can be questioned. The aim of this article is to appraise the current discontinuation studies given our views on how this field should progress. We conducted a review of randomized controlled trials investigating dose-reduction/medication discontinuation compared with treatment maintenance in clinically remitted FEP patients. Seven trials were identified, and these reported a higher rate of relapse in the dose reduction or discontinuation groups. Relapse rates were higher when a lower threshold for relapse was utilized. However, only three studies specified that concurrent psychosocial interventions were also provided, despite an evidence base for these interventions in reducing symptom severity and relapse. Length of follow-up may also be important, as the study with the longest follow-up (7 years), albeit with some methodological shortcomings, found greater functional recovery in the dose-reduction group and that relapse rates between the two groups (dose-reduction vs. maintenance) were equal after 3 years. Finally, in addition to discontinuation or dose reduction, a diagnosis of schizophrenia, a longer duration of illness, and poor premorbid functioning were associated with a greater risk of relapse. Further trials are needed in this area to establish the long-term risk-benefit ratio of antipsychotic medication in FEP. Meanwhile, young people with FEP who do not fulfil criteria for a diagnosis of a schizophrenia disorder, achieve clinical remission for at least 3 months, attain early functional recovery, and have good social support may be possible candidates for discontinuation of antipsychotic medication bolstered by effective psychosocial interventions provided in the context of a specialized FEP service.

Nutritional composition and fatty acids profile in cocoa beans and chocolates with different geographical origin and processing conditions.

Nutritional composition and fatty acids (FA) profile were determined in cocoa and chocolates of different geographical origin and subject to different processing conditions. Cocoa butter was the major nutrient in cocoa beans and carbohydrates were the most important in chocolates. Cocoa composition and FA profile varied depending on geographical origin whilst in chocolates only carbohydrates and fat content varied significantly due to the effect of origin and no significant effect was observed for processing conditions. Both for cocoa and chocolates differences in FA profile were mainly explained as an effect of the geographical origin, and were not due to processing conditions in chocolate. For cocoa, differences in FA profile were found in C12:0, C14:0, C16:0, C16:1, C17:0, C17:1 and C18:0 whilst for chocolates only differences were found in C16:0, C18:0, C18:1 and C18:2. For all samples, C16:0, C18:0, C18:1 and C18:2 were quantitatively the most important FA. Ecuadorian chocolate showed a healthier FA profile having higher amounts of unsaturated FA and lower amounts of saturated FA than Ghanaian chocolate.

Longitudinal relationship between expressed emotion and cannabis misuse in young people with first-episode psychosis.

Carers' expressed emotion (EE) and patients' cannabis misuse are two of the most robust predictors of psychotic relapse. We aimed to examine the temporal relationship between EE and cannabis misuse. Sixty-three key carers of young people with first-episode psychosis (FEP) were assessed at baseline and 7-month follow-up. EE was measured in carers using the Family Questionnaire (FQ) and cannabis misuse in patients using the Alcohol, Smoking and Substance Involvement Screening Test (ASSIST). Correlational and hierarchical logistic regression analyses were conducted to examine the temporal relationship between EE components (i.e. criticism and emotional over involvement) and cannabis misuse. Carers' criticism at baseline significantly predicted cannabis misuse according to the ASSIST at 7-month follow-up. The association remained significant after controlling for baseline symptom severity and social functioning (B=0.15, P=.02). Conversely, baseline cannabis misuse was not associated with carers' criticism at 7-month follow-up. Patients in families with high criticism showed a tendency to increase cannabis misuse over time whereas the opposite trend was observed in those with carers with low criticism. A family environment characterized by high criticism may become a key risk factor for worsening cannabis misuse over time in young people with FEP. Further studies should investigate the potential mechanisms (e.g., patient's anxiety or perceived stress) through which criticism increases cannabis misuse in FEP.