Pharmaceutical Industry Payments to Medical Oncologists in the Netherlands: Trends and Patterns Provided by an Open-Access Transparency Data Set.

PURPOSE: Health care expenditure related to oncologic treatments is skyrocketing although many treatments offer marginal, if any, clinical benefit. Financial conflicts of interest (fCOI) resulting from pharmaceutical industry (pharma) payments to physicians is increasingly recognized as a predictive factor for regulatory board approval and guideline incorporation of low-value treatments. We sought to study the extent to which pharma payments to medical oncologists occur in the Netherlands, the amount of money involved, and whether these occur more frequently and are higher for key opinion leaders (KOLs). METHODS: In our cross-sectional retrospective database study, we used several Dutch open-access databases and extracted data registered between 2019 and 2021. RESULTS: A cumulative amount of €899,863 was paid to 48.8% of the 408 registered medical oncologists. Over time, there was a marked decline in both the proportion of medical oncologists receiving payments (from 40.4% in 2019 to 19.1% in 2021) and the mean annual value of payments (from €2,962 in 2019 to €2,188 in 2021) with the latter mainly resulting from a decline in hospitality-related transactions. KOLs were more likely to receive industry payments and received a higher median payment value. DISCUSSION: Our findings should contribute to the increasing awareness in the Netherlands of the potential effects of fCOI.

The role of the clinical laboratory in diagnosing acid-base disorders.

Acid-base homeostasis is fundamental for life. The body is exceptionally sensitive to changes in pH, and as a result, potent mechanisms exist to regulate the body's acid-base balance to maintain it in a very narrow range. Accurate and timely interpretation of an acid-base disorder can be lifesaving but establishing a correct diagnosis may be challenging. The underlying cause of the acid-base disorder is generally responsible for a patient's signs and symptoms, but laboratory results and their integration into the clinical picture is crucial. Important acid-base parameters are often available within minutes in the acute hospital care setting, and with basic knowledge it should be easy to establish the diagnosis with a stepwise approach. Unfortunately, many caveats exist, beginning in the pre-analytical phase. In the post-analytical phase, studies on the arterial reference pH are scarce and therefore many different reference values are used in the literature without any solid evidence. The prediction models that are currently used to assess the acid-base status are approximations that are mostly based on older studies with several limitations. The two most commonly used methods are the physiological method and the base excess method, both easy to use. The secondary response equations in the base excess method are the most convenient. Evaluation of acid-base disorders should always include the assessment of electrolytes and the anion gap. A major limitation of the current acid-base laboratory tests available is the lack of rapid point-of-care laboratory tests to diagnose intoxications with toxic alcohols. These intoxications can be fatal if not recognized and treated within minutes to hours. The surrogate use of the osmolal gap is often an inadequate substitute in this respect. This article reviews the role of the clinical laboratory to evaluate acid-base disorders.

Climate Factors as Important Determinants of Dengue Incidence in Curaçao.

Macro- and microclimates may have variable impact on dengue incidence in different settings. We estimated the short-term impact and delayed effects of climate variables on dengue morbidity in Curaçao. Monthly dengue incidence data from 1999 to 2009 were included to estimate the short-term influences of climate variables by employing wavelet analysis, generalized additive models (GAM) and distributed lag nonlinear models (DLNM) on rainfall, temperature and relative humidity in relation to dengue incidence. Dengue incidence showed a significant irregular 4-year multi-annual cycle associated with climate variables. Based on GAM, temperature showed a U-shape, while humidity and rainfall exhibited a dome-shaped association, suggesting that deviation from mean temperature increases and deviation from mean humidity and rainfall decreases dengue incidence, respectively. Rainfall was associated with an immediate increase in dengue incidence of 4.1% (95% CI: 2.2-8.1%) after a 10-mm increase, with a maximum increase of 6.5% (95% CI: 3.2-10.0%) after 1.5 month lag. A 1 °C decrease of mean temperature was associated with a RR of 17.4% (95% CI: 11.2-27.0%); the effect was inversed for a 1°C increase of mean temperature (RR= 0.457, 95% CI: 0.278-0.752). Climate variables are important determinants of dengue incidence and provide insight into its short-term effects. An increase in mean temperature was associated with lower dengue incidence, whereas lower temperatures were associated with higher dengue incidence.

Global health and transfusion medicine: education and training in developing countries.

Education and training in transfusion medicine have improved over the past decade in developing countries but are still generally deficient for the purpose of maintaining the safety of the global blood supply. In 2009, the World Health Organization global database on blood safety indicated that only 72% of countries in the world were able to meet their training needs necessary for maintaining the safety of their local blood supply. Educational approaches in transfusion medicine vary widely between continents and world regions. In this article, we summarize a session on global health education and training in developing countries that took place at the 2012 AABB conference. The panel consisted of transfusion representatives from South America (Brazil), Asia (China), Africa (South Africa), and the Caribbean (Curaçao), as well as a description of capacitation issues in postearthquake Haiti and the pivotal role of the US President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) in transfusion training and education in Africa. We present here summaries of each of these panel presentations.

High incidence of intermittent care in HIV-1-infected patients in Curaçao before and after starting cART.

Retention in care is one of the major challenges to scaling up and maximizing the effectiveness of combination antiretroviral therapy (cART). High attrition rates have been reported in the Caribbean region, varying from 6% to 23%. We studied the incidence of and risk factors for intermittent care in a cohort of adult HIV-1-positive patients, who entered into care in Curaçao between January 2005 and July 2009. A total of 214 therapy-naïve HIV-1-infected patients aged 15 years or older, entered HIV care between January 2005 and July 2009. Intermittent care was defined as at least one period of 365 days or longer in which there was no HIV care contact in Curaçao. Cox regression models were used to identify characteristics associated with time to intermittent care. In all, 203 (95%) patients could be classified as having intermittent or continuous care. The incidence of intermittent care before starting cART was 25.4 per 100 person years observation (PYO), whilst it was 6.1 per 100 PYO after starting cART. Being born outside Curaçao was associated with intermittent care before and after starting cART. Time from diagnosis to entry into care was an independent predictor for intermittent care before starting cART. Younger age was independently associated with intermittent care after starting cART. Half of the patients returned to care after intermitting care. Upon returning to care, median CD4 count was 264 cells/mm(3) (IQR, 189-401) for those who intermitted care before starting cART, and 146 cells/mm(3) (IQR, 73-436) in those who intermitted care after starting cART. In conclusion, the incidence of intermitting care is high in Curaçao, especially before starting cART, and intermitting care before starting cART is an independent predictor for starting cART late.

Optimizing chronic HIV care in the Dutch Caribbean: a questionnaire based study on experience and perception of healthcare workers.

OBJECTIVE: Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection has become a chronic disorder for which adaptation of current healthcare practices is needed. In Curaçao, a new organization of chronic HIV care is being set up based on task shifting in which healthcare workers (HCWs) will deliver HIV care more prominently within the primary healthcare system. In preparation for implementation of the proposed task-shifting model, we investigated the perception of HCWs regarding existing HIV care in Curaçao and the need for training in HIV/AIDS among HCWs. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: An in-depth questionnaire based study was used. Nineteen HCWs of seven different cadres were interviewed. The questionnaire constituted four sections: quality of existing HIV care, respondents own knowledge and willingness to be trained, need for training in HIV/AIDS and preferred educational approaches. RESULTS: Quality of existing HIV services in Curaçao is considered acceptable but needs improvement mainly to facilitate integration of chronic HIV care. All respondents indicated that training in HIV/AIDS is needed among HCWs in Curaçao, especially for nurses and general practitioners. All were willing to participate in training with varying amounts of time to be spent. Training should be tailored to the level of expertise of HCWs and to the role a HCW is expected to have in the new healthcare delivery framework. CONCLUSION: There is need for training to ensure the effective integration of chronic HIV care into the existing healthcare delivery system in Curaçao.There is a willingness and need in all cadres for training with e-learning as a preferred educational tool.

Epidemiology of febrile diseases in the emergency department of a Caribbean island: the Curaçao experience.

OBJECTIVE: The aetiology of febrile diseases in tropical countries often remains poorly characterized. We aim to describe the aetiology and outcome of febrile illnesses at the Emergency Department (ED) in Curaçao. METHODS: From April 2008 - April 2009, all adult febrile patients (T> 38.5 degrees C) at the ED of the St Elisabeth Hospital, Curaçao, Netherlands Antilles, were included. Clinical data were recorded, routine laboratory measurements and blood cultures were taken. Final diagnoses were made at discharge by an independent physician and in retrospect by the main investigator RESULTS: Four hundred and three patients were included: 223 patients (55.6%) were hospitalized, 32 patients (7.9%) died and 18 patients (4.5%) were admitted to the Intensive Care Unit. In 129 febrile patients (32.0%), infection was proven; 84.4% of patients had bacterial (29.0% urinary tract infection, 23.2% pneumonia infection), 5.6% viral and 10.0% parasitic or fungal infections. Twenty-one patients (5.2%) were discharged with a non-infectious diagnosis and 172 patients (42.7%) without a clear diagnosis. CONCLUSION: A high mortality rate of 7.9% was observed. We found a high prevalence of bacterial infections, with pneumonia and urinary tract infections as the most common causes of fever. One in 20 patients did not have an infectious disease.

A case study of the implementation of a competency-based curriculum in a Caribbean teaching hospital.

OBJECTIVE: Several teaching hospitals are currently modifying their curriculum to comply with the changing demands in medical education. As a result, we decided to evaluate whether a competency-based curriculum implemented in a Caribbean teaching hospital fulfilled the requirements as defined by the CanMEDS framework. METHODS: We made use of a triangulation method in the survey to obtain information on the educational process. Two separate methods were used consisting of site visits by visiting professors and a medical educator. The focus was on the structure, content and assessments of the educational activities. RESULTS: Major recommendations included increased involvement of medical specialists in the educational activities in the clinical workplace. There was need for improvement of communication between medical specialists, patients, nurses, trainees and residents. Overall, improvements were observed in the structure of clinical rotations and content of the training programme. CONCLUSION: The implemented assessment programme provided necessary information for effective evaluation of the competency-based curriculum. We were able to identify new and feasible methods for improving the curriculum in our educational setting.

Procalcitonin as a potent marker of bacterial infection in febrile Afro-Caribbean patients at the emergency department.

Procalcitonin (PCT) has been shown to be of additional value in the work-up of a febrile patient. This study is the first to investigate the additional value of PCT in an Afro-Caribbean febrile population at the emergency department (ED) of a general hospital. Febrile patients were included at the ED. Prospective, blinded PCT measurements were performed in patients with a microbiologically or serologically confirmed diagnosis or a strongly suspected diagnosis on clinical grounds. PCT analysis was performed in 93 patients. PCT levels differentiated well between confirmed bacterial and confirmed viral infection (area under the curve [AUC] of 0.82, sensitivity 85%, specificity 69%, cut-off 0.24 ng/mL), between confirmed bacterial infection and non-infectious fever (AUC of 0.84, sensitivity 90%, specificity 71%, cut-off 0.21 ng/mL) and between all bacterial infections (confirmed and suspected) and non-infectious fever (AUC of 0.80, sensitivity 85%, specificity 71%, cut-off 0.21 ng/mL). C-reactive protein (CRP) levels were shown to be less accurate when comparing the same groups. This is the first study showing that, in a non-Caucasian febrile population at the ED, PCT is a more valuable marker of bacterial infection than CRP. These results may improve diagnostics and eventually decrease antibiotic prescriptions in resource-limited settings.

One-year epidemiology of fever at the Emergency Department.

BACKGROUND: Although fever is recognised as a major presentation symptom at Emergency Departments (EDs) and is often used as a rationale for the institution of antibiotics, few studies describing patients with fever as the sole inclusion criterion at the ED of a general hospital have been performed. The objective of this study is to describe epidemiology of non-surgical febrile patients at the ED and to identify risk factors for adverse outcome. METHODS: Blood, sputum, urine and faeces cultures, urine sediments and throat swaps for viral diagnostics were obtained from febrile ED patients. Outcome parameters were bacterial/viral infection, non-bacterial/non-viral infection, non-infectious febrile disease; mortality, hospital admission, admission to the intensive care unit (ICU) and length of hospital stay. RESULTS: 213 Patients were included (87.8% were hospitalised, 8.5% were admitted to ICU, 4.2% died). In 75 patients (35.2%), bacterial infection was confirmed; in 78 patients (36.6%) bacterial infection was suspected. In nine patients (4.2%), viral diagnosis was confirmed; in six patients (2.8%), a viral condition was suspected. The most frequently encountered infection was bacterial pneumonia (58 patients, 27.2%). Only older age was correlated with mortality (ρ=0.176, p=0.01). CONCLUSION: A majority of the febrile patients were admitted to the hospital, mostly for bacterial infection. An overall mortality rate of 4.2% was registered. Only a few risk factors for adverse outcome could be identified in this cohort. Overall, the outcome of patients presenting with fever at the ED is rather benign.

The diagnostic role of procalcitonin and other biomarkers in discriminating infectious from non-infectious fever.

Fever is not only observed in the course of a bacterial or viral infection, but can be a symptom of, for instance, auto-immune, malignant or thromboembolic disease. Determining the etiology of fever in a fast and reliable way is of pivotal importance, as different causes of fever may ask for different therapies. Neither clinical signs and symptoms, nor traditional biomarkers, such as CRP, leukocytes and ESR have sufficient sensitivity and specificity to guide treatment decisions. In this review we focus on the value of traditional and newer biomarkers in non-infectious febrile diseases. Procalcitonin (PCT) seems to be the most helpful laboratory marker for the differentiation of causes of fever, particularly in autoimmune, autoinflammatory and malignant diseases.

Plasma asymmetric dimethylarginine concentrations in sickle cell disease are related to the hemolytic phenotype.

Asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA) is associated with pulmonary hypertension (PHT) in sickle cell disease (SCD). We studied the relationship of ADMA to other SCD-related complications. Plasma ADMA and associated parameters were determined in 52 HbSS/HbSbeta(0)-thalassemia and 24 HbSC/HbSbeta(+)-thalassemia patients. As expected ADMA levels were higher in HbSS/HbSbeta(0)-thalassemia patients with PHT (p=0.018), but also in those with other hemolysis-associated complications such as leg ulcers (p=0.012), cholelithiasis (p=0.008) and priapism (p=0.02) compared with counterparts without these complications. ADMA levels did not differ between patients with and without other disease related complications such as retinopathy and avascular osteonecrosis. Higher ADMA concentrations therefore seem to be associated to the hemolytic phenotype of SCD.

Plasma annexin A5 and microparticle phosphatidylserine levels are elevated in sickle cell disease and increase further during painful crisis.

Expression of phosphatidylserine (PS) on the membrane surface of red blood cells and circulating microparticles (MP) plays an important role in etiology of the hypercoagulable state of sickle cell disease (SCD), as well as in the reduced red cell life span and adhesive interactions between red cells and endothelium. Annexin A5, an intracellular protein abundantly present in endothelial cells and platelets, exhibits high affinity for PS and has been shown to inhibit several of these PS-mediated pathophysiological processes. We determined plasma annexin A5 levels and MP-associated procoagulant activity, a measure of MP-PS exposure, in 17 sickle cell patients (12 HbSS and 5 HbSC) in steady state and at presentation with a painful crisis. Twenty-five HbAA blood donors served as controls. Both annexin A5 and MP-PS were highest in HbSS patients (5.7 ng/mL, IQR 3.7-7.6 and 37.9 nM, IQR 31.9-69.8) as compared to HbSC patients (1.8 ng/mL, IQR 1.7-7.6 and 20.9 nM, IQR 10.9-29.6) and healthy controls (2.5 ng/mL, IQR 1.4-4.4 and 13.1 nM, IQR 9.5-18.5) (p=0.01 and p<0.001, respectively). At presentation with a painful crisis, annexin A5 and MP-PS had increased in 16 of 17 patients (p=0.001 and p<0.001, respectively). Most interestingly, in 7 HbSS patients the proportional increase in MP-PS exposure was higher than the proportional increase in plasma annexin A5 concentration, leading to lower annexin A5/MP-PS ratio of HbSS patients during crisis than HbAA controls (0.0027 (0.0017-0.0049) vs 0.0048 (0.0027-0.0085), p=0.05). In conclusion, patients with SCD have elevated plasma levels of annexin A5- and PS-exposing MP. During crisis both levels increase, but in most HbSS patients MP-PS exposure increases more than annexin A5. Future studies must address a potential role of annexin A5 in modulating PS-related pathophysiological processes in SCD.

Elevated circulating stromal-derived factor-1 levels in sickle cell disease.

Inflammation and angiogenesis are of importance in the pathophysiology of sickle cell disease (SCD). Recently, the chemokine stromal-derived factor-1 (SDF-1) has been shown to be a key mediator of angiogenesis and inflammation. In this study we determined serum SDF-1 levels in consecutive adult sickle cell patients during the clinically asymptomatic state as well as during painful crisis. Serum SDF-1 levels were significantly elevated in HbSS/HbSbeta(0)-thalassaemia patients [n = 42; 5,177 pg/ml (2,438-7,246)] compared to HbSC/HbSbeta(+)-thalassaemia patients [n = 16; 2,405 pg/ml (1,365-3,047)] and healthy HbAA controls [n = 45; 2,894 pg/ml (2,577-3,334)] (p = 0.001). No significant increments were observed during painful crisis (n = 40). SDF-1 levels were significantly higher in SCD patients with pulmonary hypertension (PHT) compared to patients without PHT. Elevated circulating SDF-1 levels occur in patients with SCD and may play a role in the pathophysiology of SCD-related PHT.

Increased serum levels of anti-angiogenic factors soluble fms-like tyrosine kinase and soluble endoglin in sickle cell disease.

The anti-angiogenic factors soluble fms-like tyrosine kinase (sFlt)-1 and soluble endoglin (sEng) have been shown to be of importance in angiogenesis by sequestering and inhibiting vascular endothelial growth factor, placenta-like growth factor and transforming growth factor-beta(1) signaling. Given the potential role of angiogenesis in the pathophysiology of sickle cell disease (SCD)-related complications, serum levels of sFlt-1 and sEng were determined in SCD patients and controls. Both sFlt-1 (p = 0.002) and sEng (p = 0.004) were elevated in patients during clinically asymptomatic SCD with no further increment during painful crisis. These data suggest that sFlt-1 and sEng may be important in the regulation of angiogenesis in SCD.

Plasma levels of asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA), an endogenous nitric oxide synthase inhibitor, are elevated in sickle cell disease.

In recent years an important role has been ascribed to a reduced nitric oxide (NO) availability in the pathophysiology of sickle cell disease (SCD). Endogenously produced inhibitors of NO synthase, in particular asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA), are currently considered of importance in various vascular disease states characterized by reduced NO availability. We determined ADMA levels in plasma of 12 adult sickle cell patients (eight HbSS and four HbSC), and compared these to plasma levels in race- and age-matched controls. Sickle cell patients were characterized by strongly elevated levels of ADMA [HbSS: median 0.63 micromol/l (interquartile range 0.54-0.85), HbSC: 0.43 micromol/l (0.40-0.46), HbAA: 0.33 micromol/l (0.32-0.35) p<0.001]. ADMA levels were highest in HbSS patients with lowest hemoglobin levels and highest leukocyte counts, and in HbSS patients ADMA levels were positively associated with serum levels of soluble vascular cell adhesion molecule-1. These results suggest an important role of ADMA in limiting NO availability in SCD, and its role in the pathophysiology of SCD should be further investigated.

Protein C and S and inflammation in sickle cell disease.

Reduced activity of naturally occurring anticoagulants (NOAC) protein C and protein S may contribute to vaso-occlusion in sickle cell disease (SCD). We studied whether protein C and S are related to clinical vaso-occlusion, hematological markers of disease severity (hemoglobin levels, leukocyte counts, and percentage of fetal hemoglobin), and inflammation in SCD. Protein C activity, protein S (free and total) antigen, endothelial activation markers (soluble vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 [sVCAM-1], von Willebrand antigen [vWF]), and high sensitive C-reactive protein (hsCRP) levels were measured in 30 HbSS and 20 HbSC patients and in race-matched HbAA controls. NOAC levels were reduced in patients, and endothelial activation markers and hsCRP were elevated (except vWF in HbSC patients). Protein C activity and vWF levels were lower in HbSC patients who experienced painful crises compared to HbSC patients who were clinically asymptomatic. No other differences were observed between patients who did and did not experience vaso-occlusive events (painful crises, stroke, acute chest syndromes) or leg ulcers. A significant positive correlation between total protein S with hemoglobin levels and a significant negative correlation between total and free protein S and sVCAM-1 were detected in HbSS patients. Except perhaps for protein C in relation to painful crises in HbSC patients, these markers were not associated with the occurrence of clinical events. The protein S, hemoglobin, and sVCAM-1 associations may suggest decreased endothelial protein S production due to the more severe endothelial perturbation in HbSS patients with lower hemoglobin levels.

Sickle cell disease; a general overview.

Sickle cell disease (SCD) is a heterogeneous disorder, with clinical manifestations including chronic haemolysis, an increased susceptibility to infections and vaso-occlusive complications often requiring medical care. Patients with SCD can develop specific and sometimes life-threatening complications, as well as extensive organ damage reducing both their quality of life and their life expectancy. Proven effective treatment options for sickle cell patients are limited to hydroxyurea, blood transfusions and bone marrow transplantation. With the increasing prevalence of SCD in the Netherlands, a fundamental understanding of its pathophysiology and clinical syndromes is of importance for local medical practitioners.