Current medical research and opinion
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To estimate the comparative efficacy of ciltacabtagene autoleucel (cilta-cel) versus idecabtagene vicleucel (ide-cel) in patients with relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma (RRMM) treated with 2-4 prior lines of therapy. ⋯ For patients with triple-class exposed RRMM treated with 2-4 prior lines of treatment, cilta-cel was found to provide superior clinical benefit over ide-cel in terms of response and progression-free survival.
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Quality of bowel preparation and patient compliance are among the most important indicators to assess the quality of colonoscopy. To investigate the independent factors associated with the quality of bowel preparation in subjects undergoing colonoscopy and its impact on compliance. ⋯ Age, bowel preparation duration, and laxative dosage are independent influencing factors for bowel preparation adequacy and compliance among patients undergoing colonoscopy at the First Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University. It is recommended that a one-day low-residue diet combined with a 2000 mL laxative dosage be used as the bowel preparation protocol for the general colonoscopy population.
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Malnutrition is a prevalent, yet often underdiagnosed and undertreated, condition in older adults. It is characterized by weight loss and/or reduced muscle mass due to diminished caloric intake, inflammation, and/or disease burden. In return, malnutrition can lead to diminished skeletal muscle functionality and disability, among others. ⋯ A group of vulnerable populations to malnutrition, sarcopenia, and frailty are older patients with hip fractures, cancer patients, and those with sarcopenic dysphagia. This article highlights the importance of individualized nutritional assessment and treatment in the management of vulnerable populations such as older patients with hip fractures, cancer, and those suffering from sarcopenic dysphagia. It presents practical protocols and guidelines that can be instrumental in enhancing the nutritional care of these groups, thereby improving their overall health outcomes.
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Managing diabetes during Ramadan fasting is a challenge due lifestyle changes. We described the characteristics and patterns of care for type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) during Ramadan 2020 and 2022. ⋯ Ramadan fasting in T2DM is high. Multidisciplinary approach is required to mitigate complications. Our findings support current recommendations for safe fasting.
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In the United States (US), prescription drug coverage is subject to prior authorization (PA) criteria, which may vary between health plans and may exceed drug label requirements. This study aimed to characterize profiles and treatment history of patients with treatment-resistant depression (TRD) who initiated esketamine nasal spray, by stringency of their health plans' PA criteria relative to the esketamine label. ⋯ Regardless of health plan stringency, on average, patients exceeded US label-mandated number of antidepressant trials before esketamine initiation, which questions the need for health insurance plans PA criteria above label.