Incidence and Predictors of Community-Acquired Pneumonia in Patients With Hematological Cancers Between 2016 and 2019.

BACKGROUND: Patients with hematological cancers (HC) are at high risk of infections, in particular community-acquired pneumonia (CAP). Recent data on incidence and predictors of CAP among patients with HC are scarce. METHODS: We performed a cohort study (2016-2019) in 2 hospitals in the Netherlands among adults with HC to calculate incidence rates (IRs) of CAP. In addition, we performed a nested case-control study to identify predictors of CAP. RESULTS: We identified 275 CAP cases during 6264 patient-years of follow-up. The IR of CAP was 4390/100 000 patient-years of follow-up. Compared with the general population, IR ratios ranged from 5.4 to 55.3 for the different HCs. The case fatality and intensive care unit (ICU) admission rates were 5.5% and 9.8%, respectively. Predictors for CAP in patients with HC were male sex, anemia, lymphocytopenia, chronic kidney disease, cardiovascular disease, autologous and allogeneic stem cell transplantation, treatment with immunosuppressive medication for graft-vs-host disease, treatment with rituximab in the past year, and treatment with immunomodulators (lenalidomide, thalidomide, pomalidomide and/or methotrexate) in the past month. Independent predictors of a severe disease course (death or ICU admission) included neutropenia (odds ratio, 4.14 [95% confidence interval, 1.63-10.2]), pneumococcal pneumonia (10.24 [3.48-30.1]), chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (6.90 [2.07-23.0]), and the use of antibacterial prophylaxis (2.53 [1.05-6.08]). CONCLUSIONS: The burden of CAP in patients with HC is high, with significant morbidity and mortality rates. Therefore, vaccination against respiratory pathogens early in the disease course is recommended, in particular before starting certain immunosuppressive therapies.

Dutch patients, caregivers and healthcare professionals generate first nationwide research agenda for juvenile idiopathic arthritis.

BACKGROUND: Involving the end-users of scientific research (patients, carers and clinicians) in setting research priorities is important to formulate research questions that truly make a difference and are in tune with the needs of patients. We therefore aimed to generate a national research agenda for Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis (JIA) together with patients, their caregivers and healthcare professionals through conducting a nationwide survey among these stakeholders. METHODS: The James Lind Alliance method was used, tailored with additional focus groups held to involve younger patients. First, research questions were gathered through an online and hardcopy survey. The received questions that were in scope were summarised and a literature search was performed to verify that questions were unanswered. Questions were ranked in the interim survey, and the final top 10 was chosen during a prioritisation workshop. RESULTS: Two hundred and seventy-eight respondents submitted 604 questions, of which 519 were in scope. Of these 604 questions, 81 were generated in the focus groups with younger children. The questions were summarised into 53 summary questions. An evidence checking process verified that all questions were unanswered. A total of 303 respondents prioritised the questions in the interim survey. Focus groups with children generated a top 5 of their most important questions. Combining this top 5 with the top 10s of patients, carers, and clinicians led to a top 21. Out of these, the top 10 research priorities were chosen during a final workshop. Research into pain and fatigue, personalised treatment strategies and aetiology were ranked high in the Top 10. CONCLUSIONS: Through this study, the top 10 research priorities for JIA of patients, their caregivers and clinicians were identified to inform researchers and research funders of the research topics that matter most to them. The top priority involves the treatment and mechanisms behind persisting pain and fatigue when the disease is in remission.