Fluticasone Furoate/Vilanterol Use Trends and Characteristics in Patients With Obstructive Airway Disease: A Real-World Study of 10,374 Patients From India.

Introduction Obstructive Airway Diseases (OADs) are the leading cause of death among chronic respiratory diseases worldwide, and novel therapies are direly needed. Fluticasone furoate/vilanterol (FF/Vi) (100/25 µg) is the first once-daily ICS/uLABA marketed in India for COPD since 2021. Considering its limited real-world experience in OAD patients in Indian clinical settings, a large drug utilization study (DUS) was planned. Methodology We conducted a cross-sectional, observational DUS at 1900 outpatient clinics in India from October 2021 to March 2022. Prescription data and medical history of patients who were prescribed the FF/Vi combination were collected. Results It was observed that FF/Vi was prescribed in an almost equal number of patients with COPD (44.2%) and asthma (42.9%). The majority of the patients (74%) were switched from previous ICS/LABA to this ICS/uLABA, while 26% of patients were treatment naïve. The average CAT score was 19.5±7.8 (43.2% GOLD Group C and 32.2% GOLD Group B) in COPD patients, while the average ACQ-5 score was 2.6±1.3 (33.1% GINA Step 3, 29.5% GINA Step 2) in asthmatic patients. Most of the patients (63.9%) had raised biomarkers (Blood eosinophil count >300 cells/µl). Prior history of exacerbation was present in 65% of patients with annual exacerbation rates of 1.2 in COPD, 1.1 in asthma, and 1.2 in asthma-COPD overlap syndrome (ACOS). Leukotriene inhibitors (42%) and LAMAs (30.8%) were common add-on medications. Conclusion We observed a trend towards a shift to once-daily ICS/uLABA (FF/Vi) by physicians, especially in symptomatic and exacerbating OAD patients with underlying comorbidities.

Assessment of risk of bias in randomized controlled trials published in Indian journals pertaining to pharmacology.

Context: Number of trials in India shows an increasing trend. As these trials will shape clinical practice, their quality is of utmost importance. Among many tools to assess the quality of randomized control trials (RCTs), risk of bias (RoB) is most robust. Aims: To understand the quality of trials being carried out in India in terms of RoB. Settings and Design: We aimed to assess the RoB in a set of RCTs published in Indian pharmacology of randomized trials from journals pertaining to pharmacology. Subjects and Methods: We used published journal articles as source of information for randomized clinical trials and evaluated them using Cochrane RoB tool 2.0. Statistical Analysis Used: Descriptive statistics were used. Results: 158 trials published in seven journals were evaluated in six different domains. Overall evaluation for 97% (153) trials was "high risk," while 3% (5) were in "some concerns" category, with no trials categorized as "low risk. 74% articles showed a high risk of bias in the domain of 'selection of reported results. Nearly half articles scored "low risk" in domains of "missing data" and "deviations in assignment to intervention." The study results showed a slowly increasing trend of average RoB over the last 10 years. Conclusions: The study shows concerning rise in RoB in various domains RCTs published in Pharmacology journals in India.

Transurethral En bloc Excision of Pediatric Bladder Tumor using Holmium Laser.

A 12-year-old male child, during evaluation of chronic constipation, was incidentally diagnosed to have a fronded bladder growth. Transurethral en bloc excision of the tumor was achieved using holmium laser. Histopathology confirmed it to be an inflammatory pseudotumor. This case is reported for its unusual presentation and management by holmium laser.

Anterior Urethral Advancement as a Single-Stage Technique for Repair of Anterior Hypospadias: Our Experience.

PURPOSE: Many techniques have been described to correct anterior hypospadias with variable results. Anterior urethral advancement as one stage technique was first described by Ti Chang Shing in 1984. It was also used for the repair of strictures and urethrocutaneous fistulae involving distal urethra. We report our experience of using this technique with some modification for the repair of anterior hypospadias. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In the period between 2013-2015, 20 cases with anterior hypospadias including 2 cases of glanular, 3 cases of coronal, 12 cases of subcoronal and 3 cases of distal penile hypospadias were treated with anterior urethral advancement technique. Patients' age groups ranged from 18 months to 10 years. Postoperatively, patients were passing urine from tip of neomeatus with satisfactory stream during follow up period of 6 months to 2 years. RESULTS: There were no major complications in any of our patients except in one patient who developed meatal stenosis which was treated by periodic dilatation. Three fold urethral mobilization was sufficient in all cases. CONCLUSION: Anterior urethral advancement technique is a single-stage procedure with good cosmetic results and least complications for anterior hypospadias repair in properly selected cases.

Durham Smith Vest-Over-Pant Technique: Simple Procedure for a Complex Problem (Post-Hypospadias Repair Fistula).

OBJECTIVE: Urethrocutaneous fistula, which occurs after hypospadias surgery, is often a baffling problem and its treatment is challenging. The study aimed to evaluate the results of the simple procedure (Durham Smith vest-over-pant technique) for this complex problem (post-hypospadias repair fistula). METHODS: During the period from 2011 to 2015, 20 patients with post-hypospadias repair fistulas underwent Durham Smith repair. Common age group was between 5 and 12 years. Site wise distribution of fistula was coronal 2 (10%), distal penile 7 (35%), mid-penile 7 (35%), and proximal-penile 4 (20%). Out of 20 patients, 15 had fistula of size <5 mm (75%) and 5 patients had fistula of size >5 mm (25%). All cases were repaired with Durham Smith vest-over-pant technique by a single surgeon. In case of multiple fistulas adjacent to each other, all fistulas were joined to form single fistula and repaired. RESULTS: We have successfully repaired all post-hypospadias surgery urethrocutaneous fistulas using the technique described by Durham Smith with 100% success rate. CONCLUSION: Durham Smith vest-over-pant technique is a simple solution for a complex problem (post hypospadias surgery penile fistulas) in properly selected patients.