Current medical research and opinion
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Review
A systematic literature review of the economic and healthcare resource burden of cytomegalovirus.
Cytomegalovirus (CMV) can infect individuals at any age, including infants, who may contract it from infected mothers (congenital CMV [cCMV]). Whereas CMV infection is typically asymptomatic or causes mild illness in healthy individuals, infection can result in severe outcomes in immunocompromised individuals and in infants with cCMV. This systematic review aims to characterize the economic impact of CMV and cCMV infections. ⋯ CMV and cCMV infections impose a considerable economic impact on different countries, populations, and outcomes. There are substantial evidence gaps where further research is warranted.
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Review
Patient-reported outcomes validated in Phase 3 clinical trials: a targeted literature review.
Regulatory guidance advises validation of patient-reported outcome (PRO) instruments prior to use in pivotal clinical studies, which may then be used to generate critical patient-centered evidence and support labelling claims. This targeted literature review aimed to determine if PRO instruments psychometrically validated in a phase 3 trial setting could support label claims from the same phase 3 study (i.e. PRO data were generated as an endpoint). ⋯ These results suggest that quantitative validation of novel PRO instruments, and existing PROs for new indications, can occur within the context of phase 3 trials, and these PROs can also support label claims.
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Review Meta Analysis
Meta-analysis and GRADE assessment of randomized controlled trials on the efficacy and safety of bimekizumab in psoriatic arthritis patients.
A persistent immune-mediated inflammatory disorder called psoriatic arthritis affects about 25% of persons with psoriasis. Bimekizumab, a humanized monoclonal IgG1 antibody, is a novel therapeutic approach that inhibits homodimers and heterodimers of IL-17A and IL-17F by binding to comparable locations in these molecules. Bimekizumab was the subject of a meta-analysis to assess its efficacy and safety in psoriatic arthritis patients. ⋯ In comparison to a placebo, bimekizumab treatment significantly improved joint and skin efficacy outcomes. Also, its safety results were acceptable.
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The process of peripheral venous access (PVA) in children can be challenging for the patient and the clinician, as failed attempts often exceed the recommended two insertions, which can be painful. To speed up the process and increase success, near-infrared device (NIR) device technology has been introduced. This literature review aimed to investigate and critically evaluate the impact of NIR devices on the number of attempts and the time of the catheterization procedure in pediatric patients from 2015 to 2022. ⋯ While more research is needed to examine the training and application of NIR in preterm infants, some studies have shown improvement in placement success. The number of attempts and time required for a successful PVA may depend on several alternative factors, including general health, age, ethnicity, and knowledge and skills of healthcare providers. Future studies are expected to investigate how the level of experience of a healthcare provider performing venipuncture influences the outcome. More research is needed to explore additional factors that predict the success rate.
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Medical Information in the pharmaceutical industry involves the creation and dissemination of evidence-based scientific medical content in response to questions about medicines and therapy areas for patients and healthcare professionals. Health information equity can be broadly defined as the distribution of health information in a way that is accessible and understandable to all users, allowing them to benefit and reach their full potential for health. Ideally, this information would be made available to all those in need across the globe. ⋯ The World Health Organization defines health inequity as differences in health status or in the distribution of health resources between different population groups. Health inequities are influenced by the social conditions in which people are born, grow, live, work and age. This article explains select key factors influencing health information inequity and addresses opportunities where Medical Information departments can make a difference to improve global public health.