Large-scale real-life analysis of survival and usage of therapies in multiple myeloma.

Survival in multiple myeloma has improved significantly in recent years, especially in young patients. We reviewed the evolution of the survival of patients with MM in three groups based on age at MM diagnosis over three time periods between 1999 and 2020 at our 12 de Octubre Hospital institution (H12O). Then, to confirm our results, we used data from TriNetx, a global health research platform that includes patients from Europe to US. Finally, we analysed differences in the patterns of treatment between networks across the world. Kaplan‒Meier analysis was used to estimate survival probabilities, and between-group differences were tested using the log-rank test and hazard ratio. For patients from H12O, the median OS was 35.61, 55.59 and 68.67 months for the 1999-2009, 2010-2014 and 2015-2020 cohorts, respectively (p = 0.0001). Among all patients included in the EMEA network, the median OS was 20.32 months versus 34.75 months from 1999-2009 versus 2010-2014. The median OS from the 2010-2014 versus 2015-2020 time cohorts was 34.75 months versus 54.43 months, respectively. In relation to the US cohort, the median OS from before 2010 versus 2010-2014 was not reached in either time cohort and neither when comparing the 2010-2014 versus 2015-2019 time cohorts. Bortezomib is the most commonly used drug in the EMEA cohort, while lenalidomide is the most commonly used drug in the US cohort. This large-scale study based on real-world data confirms the previous finding that MM patients have increased their survival in the last two decades.

Impact of COVID-19 in patients with multiple myeloma based on a global data network.

The COVID-19 pandemic has represented a major cause of morbidity/mortality worldwide, overstressing health systems. Multiple myeloma (MM) patients show an increased risk for infections and they are expected to be particularly vulnerable to SARS-CoV-2 infection. Here we have obtained a comprehensive picture of the impact of COVID-19 in MM patients on a local and a global scale using a federated data research network (TriNetX) that provided access to Electronic Medical Records (EMR) from Health Care Organizations (HCO) all over the world. Through propensity score matched analyses we found that the number of new diagnoses of MM was reduced in 2020 compared to 2019 (RR 0.86, 95%CI 0.76-0.96) and the survival of newly diagnosed MM cases decreased similarly (HR 0.61, 0.38-0.81). MM patients showed higher risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection (RR 2.09, 1.58-2.76) and a higher excess mortality in 2020 (difference in excess mortality 9%, 4.4-13.2) than non-MM patients. By interrogating large EMR datasets from HCO in Europe and globally, we confirmed that MM patients have been more severely impacted by COVID-19 pandemic than non-MM patients. This study highlights the necessity of extending preventive measures worlwide to protect vulnerable patients from SARS-CoV-2 infection by promoting social distancing and an intensive vaccination strategies.

[LASIK results of IntraLase femtosecond laser to correct myopia: efficacy, security and predictability]. / Resultados de LASIK realizado con láser de femtosegundo (IntraLase) para corrección de miopía: eficacia, predictibilidad y seguridad.

PURPOSE: To evaluate LASIK results obtained with the IntraLase femtosecond laser to correct myopia. METHODS: This was a prospective, single masked observer study. Flaps were created with the IntraLase femtosecond laser (FS). All laser procedures were performed by the same surgeon using the Technolas 217 excimer laser (Bausch & Lomb). We have analysed the uncorrected visual acuity (UCVA) at 1 day, 1 week, 1 month and 3 months after surgery and best spectacle-corrected visual acuity (BSCVA) after 3 months. RESULTS: 485 eyes with myopia were treated and their results evaluated. The mean preoperative sphere was of -3.9 D (SD 2.0) and a mean astigmatism of -0.9 D (SD 0.9) with BSCVA 1.1 (SD 0.1). The UCVA results were 0.94 (SD 0.1) at the first day postoperatively visit, 0.96 (SD 0.1) at first week, 1.00 (SD 0.1) at one month and 1.00 (SD 0.2) at 3 months. The refractive error at 3 months was -0.02 D (SD 0.3) and -0.1 D (SD 0.3) of myopia and astigmatism respectively. At 3 months 96.9% of eyes were within +/-1.00D and 93.6% of the eyes were within + 0.50 D. CONCLUSIONS: LASIK to correct myopia is a safe, effective and predictable procedure using IntraLase FS to create the flap.

[Evaluation of the efficacy of long term topical steroid treatment to prevent regression after hyperopic LASIK]. / Valoración de la eficacia de tratamiento corticoideo tópico prolongado para prevenir regresión en LASIK hipermetrópico.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the efficacy of long-term versus short-term steroid treatment in preventing regression after hyperopic LASIK. MATERIAL AND METHODS: This is a prospective single masked study. Hyperopic patients who were candidates for LASIK surgery were randomized to be treated with one week (topical dexametasone) in control group or one month (topical dexametasone the first week and topical fluormetalone the next three weeks) in study group. The three month postoperative manifest refraction was compared between the two groups. RESULTS: 105 eyes were included in each group. The mean preoperative spherical equivalent was 3.17 D SD 2.82 D (standard deviation) and 3.39 D SD 2.65 D in the study and control group, respectively (p=0.6). The final manifest refraction in the three-month postoperative visit was 0.62 D SD 0.68 D and 0.6 D SD 0.3 D in the study and control group respectively (p=0.6). CONCLUSIONS: Long-term topical steroid therapy does not appear to improve the refractive result in hyperopic LASIK.

Valoración de la eficacia de tratamiento corticoideo tópico prolongado para prevenir regresión en LASIK hipermetrópico / Evaluation of the efficacy of long term topical steroid treatment to prevent regression after hyperopic LASIK

Objetivo: Evaluar la eficacia del tratamiento corticoideo tópico prolongado en pacientes operados de LASIK hipermetrópico.Material y métodos: Se realiza un estudio prospectivo observador enmascarado. Pacientes candidatos a cirugía LASIK para la corrección de baja y moderada hipermetropía fueron asignados aleatoriamente a recibir tratamiento tópico corticoideo (dexametasona) una semana (grupo control) o un mes (dexametasona la primera semana y fluorometalona las tres siguientes), en el grupo estudio. Se comparó la refracción final manifiesta en ambos grupos.Resultados: Analizamos 105 ojos en cada grupo (estudio y control). El equivalente esférico medio preoperatorio era 3,17 D DE 2,82 D (desviación estándar) y 3,39 D DE 2,65 D en el grupo estudio y control respectivamente (p=0,6). La refracción final manifiesta a los 3 meses era 0,62 D DE 0,68 D y 0,6 D DE 0,3 D en el grupo estudio y control respectivamente (p=0,6).Conclusión: La regresión refractiva tras LASIK hipermetrópico, no parece ser modulable por el mayor o menor tratamiento corticoideo tópico

Purpose: To evaluate the efficacy of long-term versus short-term steroid treatment in preventing regression after hyperopic LASIK.Material and methods: This is a prospective single masked study. Hyperopic patients who were candidates for LASIK surgery were randomized to be treated with one week (topical dexametasone) in control group or one month (topical dexametasone the first week and topical fluormetalone the next three weeks) in study group.The three month postoperative manifest refraction was compared between the two groups.Results: 105 eyes were included in each group. The mean preoperative spherical equivalent was 3.17 D SD 2.82 D (standard deviation) and 3.39D SD 2.65D in the study and control group, respectively (p=0.6). The final manifest refraction in the three-month postoperative visit was 0.62D SD 0.68D and 0.6D SD 0.3D in the study and control group respectively (p=0.6).Conclusions: Long-term topical steroid therapy does not appear to improve the refractive result in hyperopic LASIK