Current medical research and opinion
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The Prescription Opioid Misuse and Abuse Questionnaire (POMAQ) was developed to identify prescription opioid misuse and abuse among patients with chronic pain. A clinical scoring algorithm was developed and refined to align with the patient experience. ⋯ The clinical scoring algorithm for the POMAQ was developed and refined to reflect clinically relevant patient behaviors identified by expert review. Future testing is needed to determine the sensitivity and specificity of this measure.
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Recent increases in the practice of parallel publication, during which a peer-reviewed manuscript is published concurrently with the first dissemination of the same key data at a medical congress as a late-breaking abstract, have highlighted substantial value for this method of publication. Parallel publication can increase access to new clinical information for healthcare providers and patients, as well as promote engagement and reach of the publication and presentation. As the practice becomes more common, there is a need for strategies to address the multiple challenges involved in the development process, such as shortened timelines, journal and congress policies, and stakeholder alignment. ⋯ Insights from a community of publication professionals showed that timelines and the author review process were among the key challenges of parallel publication development and stressed the importance of clear roles and expectations for authors. To provide real-world insights, we present 3 case studies of successful parallel publication development, highlighting the crucial role of journal selection, planning around data availability, and adapting to unpredictable circumstances. The recommendations described here may provide publication professionals with strategies to successfully plan, execute, and carry out parallel publication.
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Telehealth is delivering health care services remotely from healthcare facilities using telecommunications and virtual technology. Egypt is aiming to reach Universal Health Coverage; this increases the demand for telehealth in routine health services. Telehealth helps in increasing access to areas with no available medical services as patients can be monitored remotely. ⋯ Large percentages of attendees to primary health care centers are aware of telehealth and are willing to implement it. The major cause of refusal to implement telehealth was ignorance of using telecommunication devices and the desire to be in close contact with the physicians.
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Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a heterogeneous autoimmune disorder characterized by disturbed cellular and humoral immune responses. Dysregulations of immune system and immunosuppressive medications predispose SLE patients to infection. This study aims to investigate the alterations and absolute concentrations of lymphocyte subpopulations in SLE patients with different infection and their responses of low-dose IL-2 therapy. ⋯ Patients with SLE had insufficiency of circulating lymphocyte subsets. This phenomenon was more obverse in those accompanying infection, suggesting the low concentration of lymphocytes may be used as indicators of high infection risk in SLE patients. Low-dose IL-2 induced expansion of Treg cells and NK cells, which may contribute to the restoration of immune homeostasis in SLE patients.
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Statins are extensively used in clinical practice for the primary and secondary prevention of cardiovascular diseases. Statins are usually taken in combination with other medications. This may increase the risk of statin-drug interactions. The study aimed to evaluate the prevalence, patterns, and predictors of clinically significant statin-drug interactions among patients on statin therapy. ⋯ Patients with polypharmacy and those with three or more comorbidities had a higher risk for statin-drug interactions. Therefore, routine screening by physicians and pharmacists for potential interactions should occur before prescribing or dispensing any medication to avoid clinically significant statin-drug interactions.