NEW ORLEANS – Comorbidities such as hyperlipidemia, hypertension, gastrointestinal disorders, and depression are significantly more common among patients with multiple sclerosis, compared with patients who do not have the condition.

The findings, based on a large analysis of national claims data that was presented at the annual meeting of the Consortium of Multiple Sclerosis Centers, may better inform physicians and patients about potential comorbidities in patients with MS, lead study author Kiren Kresa-Reahl, MD, said in an interview. “The challenge is, what is the underlying problem?” she asked. “Is it the chicken or the egg? It may be that MS lesions on the brain and microvascular disease look similar, so it’s hard to know. There are also conditions that are caused by MS, such as depression. Is it caused by MS the disease or is it a comorbidity with MS? That’s hard to know.”

[email protected]

NEW ORLEANS – Comorbidities such as hyperlipidemia, hypertension, gastrointestinal disorders, and depression are significantly more common among patients with multiple sclerosis, compared with patients who do not have the condition.

The findings, based on a large analysis of national claims data that was presented at the annual meeting of the Consortium of Multiple Sclerosis Centers, may better inform physicians and patients about potential comorbidities in patients with MS, lead study author Kiren Kresa-Reahl, MD, said in an interview. “The challenge is, what is the underlying problem?” she asked. “Is it the chicken or the egg? It may be that MS lesions on the brain and microvascular disease look similar, so it’s hard to know. There are also conditions that are caused by MS, such as depression. Is it caused by MS the disease or is it a comorbidity with MS? That’s hard to know.”

[email protected]

NEW ORLEANS – Comorbidities such as hyperlipidemia, hypertension, gastrointestinal disorders, and depression are significantly more common among patients with multiple sclerosis, compared with patients who do not have the condition.

The findings, based on a large analysis of national claims data that was presented at the annual meeting of the Consortium of Multiple Sclerosis Centers, may better inform physicians and patients about potential comorbidities in patients with MS, lead study author Kiren Kresa-Reahl, MD, said in an interview. “The challenge is, what is the underlying problem?” she asked. “Is it the chicken or the egg? It may be that MS lesions on the brain and microvascular disease look similar, so it’s hard to know. There are also conditions that are caused by MS, such as depression. Is it caused by MS the disease or is it a comorbidity with MS? That’s hard to know.”

[email protected]

CHICAGO – Severe health problems occurring 5 or more years after diagnosis of a childhood cancer have steadily declined, based on an analysis of 23,600 participants in the Childhood Cancer Survivor Study, funded by the National Institutes of Health.

For all childhood cancer survivors, the 15-year cumulative incidence of severe health conditions decreased from 12.7% in those diagnosed in the 1970s, to 10.1% in the 1980s, and to 8.8% among those diagnosed in the 1990s (per 10 years: hazard ratio, 0.84 [95% confidence interval, 0.80-0.89]), Todd M. Gibson, PhD, of St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Memphis, reported at a press conference at the annual meeting of the American Society of Clinical Oncology.

The association with diagnosis decade was attenuated (HR, 0.92 [95% CI, 0.85-1.00]) when detailed treatment data were included in the model, indicating that treatment reductions mediated risk.

Changes in childhood cancer treatment protocols to reduce the intensity of therapy – along with improved screening and early detection – have not only extended lifespan for many survivors, but also have reduced the incidence of serious chronic morbidity, Dr. Gibson said.

As the data address children diagnosed over 15 years ago, it is likely that improvements since then in determining patient risk and targeting therapy might result in further incremental improvements, he said in an interview.

By cancer type, severe health problems by 15 years after diagnosis decreased from 13% to 5% among survivors of Wilms’ tumor, from 18% to 11% among survivors of Hodgkin lymphoma, from 15% to 9% among survivors of astrocytoma, from 10% to 6% among survivors of non-Hodgkin lymphoma, and from 9% to 7% among survivors of acute lymphoblastic leukemia. The conclusions are based on the incidence of severe, disabling/life-threatening, or fatal chronic health conditions (Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events, grades 3-5) among 5-year survivors diagnosed prior to age 21 years from 1970 through 1999.

Adjusted for sex and attained age, significant reduction in risk over time was found among survivors of Wilms tumor (HR, 0.57 [95% CI, 0.46-0.70]), Hodgkin lymphoma (HR, 0.75 [95% CI, 0.65-0.85]), astrocytoma (HR, 0.77 [95% CI, 0.64-0.92]), non-Hodgkin lymphoma (HR, 0.79 [95% CI, 0.63-0.99]), and acute lymphoblastic leukemia (HR, 0.86 [95% CI, 0.76-0.98]).

The decreases in serious health conditions were largely driven by a reduced incidence of endocrine conditions (1970s: 4.0% vs. 1990s: 1.6%; HR, 0.66 [95% CI, 0.59-0.73]) and subsequent malignant neoplasms (1970s: 2.4% vs. 1990s: 1.6%; HR, 0.85 [95% CI, 0.76-0.96]).

Gastrointestinal (HR, 0.80 [95% CI, 0.66-0.97]) and neurological conditions (HR, 0.77 [95% CI, 0.65-0.91]) also were reduced, but cardiac and pulmonary conditions were not. Changes in childhood cancer treatment protocols have not only extended lifespan for many survivors, but also have reduced the incidence of serious chronic morbidity in this population, Dr. Gibson concluded.

[email protected]
On Twitter @maryjodales

CHICAGO – Severe health problems occurring 5 or more years after diagnosis of a childhood cancer have steadily declined, based on an analysis of 23,600 participants in the Childhood Cancer Survivor Study, funded by the National Institutes of Health.

For all childhood cancer survivors, the 15-year cumulative incidence of severe health conditions decreased from 12.7% in those diagnosed in the 1970s, to 10.1% in the 1980s, and to 8.8% among those diagnosed in the 1990s (per 10 years: hazard ratio, 0.84 [95% confidence interval, 0.80-0.89]), Todd M. Gibson, PhD, of St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Memphis, reported at a press conference at the annual meeting of the American Society of Clinical Oncology.

The association with diagnosis decade was attenuated (HR, 0.92 [95% CI, 0.85-1.00]) when detailed treatment data were included in the model, indicating that treatment reductions mediated risk.

Changes in childhood cancer treatment protocols to reduce the intensity of therapy – along with improved screening and early detection – have not only extended lifespan for many survivors, but also have reduced the incidence of serious chronic morbidity, Dr. Gibson said.

As the data address children diagnosed over 15 years ago, it is likely that improvements since then in determining patient risk and targeting therapy might result in further incremental improvements, he said in an interview.

By cancer type, severe health problems by 15 years after diagnosis decreased from 13% to 5% among survivors of Wilms’ tumor, from 18% to 11% among survivors of Hodgkin lymphoma, from 15% to 9% among survivors of astrocytoma, from 10% to 6% among survivors of non-Hodgkin lymphoma, and from 9% to 7% among survivors of acute lymphoblastic leukemia. The conclusions are based on the incidence of severe, disabling/life-threatening, or fatal chronic health conditions (Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events, grades 3-5) among 5-year survivors diagnosed prior to age 21 years from 1970 through 1999.

Adjusted for sex and attained age, significant reduction in risk over time was found among survivors of Wilms tumor (HR, 0.57 [95% CI, 0.46-0.70]), Hodgkin lymphoma (HR, 0.75 [95% CI, 0.65-0.85]), astrocytoma (HR, 0.77 [95% CI, 0.64-0.92]), non-Hodgkin lymphoma (HR, 0.79 [95% CI, 0.63-0.99]), and acute lymphoblastic leukemia (HR, 0.86 [95% CI, 0.76-0.98]).

The decreases in serious health conditions were largely driven by a reduced incidence of endocrine conditions (1970s: 4.0% vs. 1990s: 1.6%; HR, 0.66 [95% CI, 0.59-0.73]) and subsequent malignant neoplasms (1970s: 2.4% vs. 1990s: 1.6%; HR, 0.85 [95% CI, 0.76-0.96]).

Gastrointestinal (HR, 0.80 [95% CI, 0.66-0.97]) and neurological conditions (HR, 0.77 [95% CI, 0.65-0.91]) also were reduced, but cardiac and pulmonary conditions were not. Changes in childhood cancer treatment protocols have not only extended lifespan for many survivors, but also have reduced the incidence of serious chronic morbidity in this population, Dr. Gibson concluded.

[email protected]
On Twitter @maryjodales

CHICAGO – Severe health problems occurring 5 or more years after diagnosis of a childhood cancer have steadily declined, based on an analysis of 23,600 participants in the Childhood Cancer Survivor Study, funded by the National Institutes of Health.

For all childhood cancer survivors, the 15-year cumulative incidence of severe health conditions decreased from 12.7% in those diagnosed in the 1970s, to 10.1% in the 1980s, and to 8.8% among those diagnosed in the 1990s (per 10 years: hazard ratio, 0.84 [95% confidence interval, 0.80-0.89]), Todd M. Gibson, PhD, of St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Memphis, reported at a press conference at the annual meeting of the American Society of Clinical Oncology.

The association with diagnosis decade was attenuated (HR, 0.92 [95% CI, 0.85-1.00]) when detailed treatment data were included in the model, indicating that treatment reductions mediated risk.

Changes in childhood cancer treatment protocols to reduce the intensity of therapy – along with improved screening and early detection – have not only extended lifespan for many survivors, but also have reduced the incidence of serious chronic morbidity, Dr. Gibson said.

As the data address children diagnosed over 15 years ago, it is likely that improvements since then in determining patient risk and targeting therapy might result in further incremental improvements, he said in an interview.

By cancer type, severe health problems by 15 years after diagnosis decreased from 13% to 5% among survivors of Wilms’ tumor, from 18% to 11% among survivors of Hodgkin lymphoma, from 15% to 9% among survivors of astrocytoma, from 10% to 6% among survivors of non-Hodgkin lymphoma, and from 9% to 7% among survivors of acute lymphoblastic leukemia. The conclusions are based on the incidence of severe, disabling/life-threatening, or fatal chronic health conditions (Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events, grades 3-5) among 5-year survivors diagnosed prior to age 21 years from 1970 through 1999.

Adjusted for sex and attained age, significant reduction in risk over time was found among survivors of Wilms tumor (HR, 0.57 [95% CI, 0.46-0.70]), Hodgkin lymphoma (HR, 0.75 [95% CI, 0.65-0.85]), astrocytoma (HR, 0.77 [95% CI, 0.64-0.92]), non-Hodgkin lymphoma (HR, 0.79 [95% CI, 0.63-0.99]), and acute lymphoblastic leukemia (HR, 0.86 [95% CI, 0.76-0.98]).

The decreases in serious health conditions were largely driven by a reduced incidence of endocrine conditions (1970s: 4.0% vs. 1990s: 1.6%; HR, 0.66 [95% CI, 0.59-0.73]) and subsequent malignant neoplasms (1970s: 2.4% vs. 1990s: 1.6%; HR, 0.85 [95% CI, 0.76-0.96]).

Gastrointestinal (HR, 0.80 [95% CI, 0.66-0.97]) and neurological conditions (HR, 0.77 [95% CI, 0.65-0.91]) also were reduced, but cardiac and pulmonary conditions were not. Changes in childhood cancer treatment protocols have not only extended lifespan for many survivors, but also have reduced the incidence of serious chronic morbidity in this population, Dr. Gibson concluded.

[email protected]
On Twitter @maryjodales

CHICAGO – More than one-third of testicular cancer survivors have hypogonadism, according to an analysis of nearly 500 male patients conducted by the Platinum Study Group.

Lead author Mohammad Abu Zaid, MBBS, of Indiana University, Indianapolis, discusses the implications for long-term health, screening during follow-up, testing, and testosterone replacement therapy in a video interview at the annual meeting of the American Society of Clinical Oncology.

CHICAGO – More than one-third of testicular cancer survivors have hypogonadism, according to an analysis of nearly 500 male patients conducted by the Platinum Study Group.

Lead author Mohammad Abu Zaid, MBBS, of Indiana University, Indianapolis, discusses the implications for long-term health, screening during follow-up, testing, and testosterone replacement therapy in a video interview at the annual meeting of the American Society of Clinical Oncology.

CHICAGO – More than one-third of testicular cancer survivors have hypogonadism, according to an analysis of nearly 500 male patients conducted by the Platinum Study Group.

Lead author Mohammad Abu Zaid, MBBS, of Indiana University, Indianapolis, discusses the implications for long-term health, screening during follow-up, testing, and testosterone replacement therapy in a video interview at the annual meeting of the American Society of Clinical Oncology.

CHICAGO – The randomized SCORAD III trial shows that a single 8-Gy dose of radiation therapy has efficacy similar to that of a 20-Gy dose given over the course of a week for treating metastatic spinal cord compression in patients with modest survival, first author Peter Hoskin, MD, FCRP, FRCR, said in a video interview at the annual meeting of the American Society of Clinical Oncology. But will radiation oncologists adopt this new strategy?

CHICAGO – The randomized SCORAD III trial shows that a single 8-Gy dose of radiation therapy has efficacy similar to that of a 20-Gy dose given over the course of a week for treating metastatic spinal cord compression in patients with modest survival, first author Peter Hoskin, MD, FCRP, FRCR, said in a video interview at the annual meeting of the American Society of Clinical Oncology. But will radiation oncologists adopt this new strategy?

CHICAGO – The randomized SCORAD III trial shows that a single 8-Gy dose of radiation therapy has efficacy similar to that of a 20-Gy dose given over the course of a week for treating metastatic spinal cord compression in patients with modest survival, first author Peter Hoskin, MD, FCRP, FRCR, said in a video interview at the annual meeting of the American Society of Clinical Oncology. But will radiation oncologists adopt this new strategy?

CHICAGO – Oncologists are highly skilled at minimizing side effects associated with toxic but curative therapies, but are less adept at helping patients cope with the distress, anxiety, fear, and other emotions associated with cancer.

Three studies presented at the annual meeting of the American Society of Clinical Oncology detail randomized, controlled trials of psychological interventions aimed at helping patients cope with a new cancer diagnosis, reduce fears of a recurrence, and come to grips with the realities of advanced disease, including fears of death or disability.

Don S. Dizon, MD, from the Massachusetts General Hospital Cancer Center, Boston, discusses the social and financial barriers that cancer patients face when they experience distress, and the difficulties that providers face with limited time and financial resources to help patients cope in this video interview.

Dr. Dizon reported having no relevant disclosures.

CHICAGO – Oncologists are highly skilled at minimizing side effects associated with toxic but curative therapies, but are less adept at helping patients cope with the distress, anxiety, fear, and other emotions associated with cancer.

Three studies presented at the annual meeting of the American Society of Clinical Oncology detail randomized, controlled trials of psychological interventions aimed at helping patients cope with a new cancer diagnosis, reduce fears of a recurrence, and come to grips with the realities of advanced disease, including fears of death or disability.

Don S. Dizon, MD, from the Massachusetts General Hospital Cancer Center, Boston, discusses the social and financial barriers that cancer patients face when they experience distress, and the difficulties that providers face with limited time and financial resources to help patients cope in this video interview.

Dr. Dizon reported having no relevant disclosures.

CHICAGO – Oncologists are highly skilled at minimizing side effects associated with toxic but curative therapies, but are less adept at helping patients cope with the distress, anxiety, fear, and other emotions associated with cancer.

Three studies presented at the annual meeting of the American Society of Clinical Oncology detail randomized, controlled trials of psychological interventions aimed at helping patients cope with a new cancer diagnosis, reduce fears of a recurrence, and come to grips with the realities of advanced disease, including fears of death or disability.

Don S. Dizon, MD, from the Massachusetts General Hospital Cancer Center, Boston, discusses the social and financial barriers that cancer patients face when they experience distress, and the difficulties that providers face with limited time and financial resources to help patients cope in this video interview.

Dr. Dizon reported having no relevant disclosures.

CHICAGO – Severe health problems occurring 5 or more years after diagnosis of a childhood cancer have been steadily declining, based on an analysis of 23,600 participants in the Childhood Cancer Survivor Study (CCSS), funded by the National Institutes of Health.

Watch our video interview with lead author Todd M. Gibson, PhD, of St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Memphis, who reported the data at a press conference at the annual meeting of the American Society of Clinical Oncology.

[email protected]
On Twitter @maryjodales

CHICAGO – Severe health problems occurring 5 or more years after diagnosis of a childhood cancer have been steadily declining, based on an analysis of 23,600 participants in the Childhood Cancer Survivor Study (CCSS), funded by the National Institutes of Health.

Watch our video interview with lead author Todd M. Gibson, PhD, of St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Memphis, who reported the data at a press conference at the annual meeting of the American Society of Clinical Oncology.

[email protected]
On Twitter @maryjodales

CHICAGO – Severe health problems occurring 5 or more years after diagnosis of a childhood cancer have been steadily declining, based on an analysis of 23,600 participants in the Childhood Cancer Survivor Study (CCSS), funded by the National Institutes of Health.

Watch our video interview with lead author Todd M. Gibson, PhD, of St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Memphis, who reported the data at a press conference at the annual meeting of the American Society of Clinical Oncology.

[email protected]
On Twitter @maryjodales

Photo courtesy of the CDC

A multidisciplinary, international panel of experts has updated earlier clinical practice guidelines on managing fever and neutropenia (FN) in children with cancer and in those undergoing hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). And while most of the recommendations remained unchanged from the 2012 guidelines, a few key differences emerged. The changes included addition of a 4^th generation cephalosporin for empirical antifungal therapy and refinements in risk stratification for invasive fungal disease (IFD), among others.

The new guidelines were published by The International Pediatric Fever and Neutropenia Guideline Panel in the Journal of Clinical Oncology.

The recommendations were organized into 3 major sections: initial presentation, ongoing management, and empirical antifungal therapy. The guidelines panel followed procedures previously validated for creating evidence-based guidelines and used the Appraisal of Guidelines for Research & Evaluation II instrument as a framework.

For the initial presentation of FN, the panel increased the quality of evidence from low to moderate in the recommendation to obtain peripheral blood cultures concurrent with central venous catheter cultures.

In the treatment of FN, the panel added a 4^th-generation cephalosporin as empirical therapy in high-risk FN.

The panel refined the IFD risk factors and decreased the quality of evidence from moderate to low. Children with acute myeloid leukemia (AML), high-risk acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), relapsed acute leukemia, those undergoing allogeneic HSCT, those with prolonged neutropenia, and those receiving high-dose corticosteroids are at high risk of IFD. All others should be categorized as IFD low risk.

The panel suggested serum galactomannan not be used to guide empirical antifungal management for prolonged FN lasting 96 hours or more in high-risk IFD patients.  GM does not rule out non-Aspergillus molds, and therefore high negative values provide less useful predictions. Previously, the use of galactomannan was a weak recommendation.

The panel added a new recommendation against using fungal polymerase chain reaction (PCR) testing in blood. They explained PCR testing provides poor positive predictive values and negative predictive values are not sufficiently high to be clinically useful. Also, PCR testing is not yet standardized.

Another new recommendation is the addition of imaging of the abdomen in patients without localizing signs or symptoms. Even though the ideal imaging modality is not known, ultrasound is readily available, not associated with radiation exposure, and usually does not require sedation. For these reasons, the panel said it is preferable to computed tomography or magnetic resonance imaging.

The panel also changed a previously weak recommendation to administer empirical therapy for IFD low-risk patients with prolonged FN to a weak recommendation against administering therapy for these patients.

The panel's recommendations and their rationale can be found in the JCO article.

The guidelines update was supported by meeting grants from the Canadian Institutes of Health Research and the Garron Comprehensive Cancer Centre.

Photo courtesy of the CDC

A multidisciplinary, international panel of experts has updated earlier clinical practice guidelines on managing fever and neutropenia (FN) in children with cancer and in those undergoing hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). And while most of the recommendations remained unchanged from the 2012 guidelines, a few key differences emerged. The changes included addition of a 4^th generation cephalosporin for empirical antifungal therapy and refinements in risk stratification for invasive fungal disease (IFD), among others.

The new guidelines were published by The International Pediatric Fever and Neutropenia Guideline Panel in the Journal of Clinical Oncology.

The recommendations were organized into 3 major sections: initial presentation, ongoing management, and empirical antifungal therapy. The guidelines panel followed procedures previously validated for creating evidence-based guidelines and used the Appraisal of Guidelines for Research & Evaluation II instrument as a framework.

For the initial presentation of FN, the panel increased the quality of evidence from low to moderate in the recommendation to obtain peripheral blood cultures concurrent with central venous catheter cultures.

In the treatment of FN, the panel added a 4^th-generation cephalosporin as empirical therapy in high-risk FN.

The panel refined the IFD risk factors and decreased the quality of evidence from moderate to low. Children with acute myeloid leukemia (AML), high-risk acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), relapsed acute leukemia, those undergoing allogeneic HSCT, those with prolonged neutropenia, and those receiving high-dose corticosteroids are at high risk of IFD. All others should be categorized as IFD low risk.

The panel suggested serum galactomannan not be used to guide empirical antifungal management for prolonged FN lasting 96 hours or more in high-risk IFD patients.  GM does not rule out non-Aspergillus molds, and therefore high negative values provide less useful predictions. Previously, the use of galactomannan was a weak recommendation.

The panel added a new recommendation against using fungal polymerase chain reaction (PCR) testing in blood. They explained PCR testing provides poor positive predictive values and negative predictive values are not sufficiently high to be clinically useful. Also, PCR testing is not yet standardized.

Another new recommendation is the addition of imaging of the abdomen in patients without localizing signs or symptoms. Even though the ideal imaging modality is not known, ultrasound is readily available, not associated with radiation exposure, and usually does not require sedation. For these reasons, the panel said it is preferable to computed tomography or magnetic resonance imaging.

The panel also changed a previously weak recommendation to administer empirical therapy for IFD low-risk patients with prolonged FN to a weak recommendation against administering therapy for these patients.

The panel's recommendations and their rationale can be found in the JCO article.

The guidelines update was supported by meeting grants from the Canadian Institutes of Health Research and the Garron Comprehensive Cancer Centre.

Photo courtesy of the CDC

A multidisciplinary, international panel of experts has updated earlier clinical practice guidelines on managing fever and neutropenia (FN) in children with cancer and in those undergoing hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). And while most of the recommendations remained unchanged from the 2012 guidelines, a few key differences emerged. The changes included addition of a 4^th generation cephalosporin for empirical antifungal therapy and refinements in risk stratification for invasive fungal disease (IFD), among others.

The new guidelines were published by The International Pediatric Fever and Neutropenia Guideline Panel in the Journal of Clinical Oncology.

The recommendations were organized into 3 major sections: initial presentation, ongoing management, and empirical antifungal therapy. The guidelines panel followed procedures previously validated for creating evidence-based guidelines and used the Appraisal of Guidelines for Research & Evaluation II instrument as a framework.

For the initial presentation of FN, the panel increased the quality of evidence from low to moderate in the recommendation to obtain peripheral blood cultures concurrent with central venous catheter cultures.

In the treatment of FN, the panel added a 4^th-generation cephalosporin as empirical therapy in high-risk FN.

The panel refined the IFD risk factors and decreased the quality of evidence from moderate to low. Children with acute myeloid leukemia (AML), high-risk acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), relapsed acute leukemia, those undergoing allogeneic HSCT, those with prolonged neutropenia, and those receiving high-dose corticosteroids are at high risk of IFD. All others should be categorized as IFD low risk.

The panel suggested serum galactomannan not be used to guide empirical antifungal management for prolonged FN lasting 96 hours or more in high-risk IFD patients.  GM does not rule out non-Aspergillus molds, and therefore high negative values provide less useful predictions. Previously, the use of galactomannan was a weak recommendation.

The panel added a new recommendation against using fungal polymerase chain reaction (PCR) testing in blood. They explained PCR testing provides poor positive predictive values and negative predictive values are not sufficiently high to be clinically useful. Also, PCR testing is not yet standardized.

Another new recommendation is the addition of imaging of the abdomen in patients without localizing signs or symptoms. Even though the ideal imaging modality is not known, ultrasound is readily available, not associated with radiation exposure, and usually does not require sedation. For these reasons, the panel said it is preferable to computed tomography or magnetic resonance imaging.

The panel also changed a previously weak recommendation to administer empirical therapy for IFD low-risk patients with prolonged FN to a weak recommendation against administering therapy for these patients.

The panel's recommendations and their rationale can be found in the JCO article.

The guidelines update was supported by meeting grants from the Canadian Institutes of Health Research and the Garron Comprehensive Cancer Centre.

“The little blue book” has been an office standard as long as I’ve been in practice. Every practice has a dog-eared copy in a drawer somewhere that’s constantly being pulled out to look up hospitals, other doctors, and pharmacies.

As small as it is, it’s pretty useful in the daily flow of my office routine.

Dr. Block has a solo neurology practice in Scottsdale, Ariz.

“The little blue book” has been an office standard as long as I’ve been in practice. Every practice has a dog-eared copy in a drawer somewhere that’s constantly being pulled out to look up hospitals, other doctors, and pharmacies.

As small as it is, it’s pretty useful in the daily flow of my office routine.

Dr. Block has a solo neurology practice in Scottsdale, Ariz.

“The little blue book” has been an office standard as long as I’ve been in practice. Every practice has a dog-eared copy in a drawer somewhere that’s constantly being pulled out to look up hospitals, other doctors, and pharmacies.

As small as it is, it’s pretty useful in the daily flow of my office routine.

Dr. Block has a solo neurology practice in Scottsdale, Ariz.

NEW ORLEANS – Safety and efficacy laboratory monitoring of adherence to disease-modifying therapies for multiple sclerosis remains challenging, results from a small pilot study showed.

In an effort to determine if select patients on specific DMTs are receiving appropriate and adequate monitoring as outlined by each DMT’s internal guidance document, Felecia Hart, PharmD, and her associates retrospectively reviewed existing patients treated for MS at the Rocky Mountain Multiple Sclerosis Center at the University of Colorado, Denver, between June 1, 2013, and June 1, 2016.

Doug Brunk/Frontline Medical News

[email protected]

NEW ORLEANS – Safety and efficacy laboratory monitoring of adherence to disease-modifying therapies for multiple sclerosis remains challenging, results from a small pilot study showed.

In an effort to determine if select patients on specific DMTs are receiving appropriate and adequate monitoring as outlined by each DMT’s internal guidance document, Felecia Hart, PharmD, and her associates retrospectively reviewed existing patients treated for MS at the Rocky Mountain Multiple Sclerosis Center at the University of Colorado, Denver, between June 1, 2013, and June 1, 2016.

Doug Brunk/Frontline Medical News

[email protected]

NEW ORLEANS – Safety and efficacy laboratory monitoring of adherence to disease-modifying therapies for multiple sclerosis remains challenging, results from a small pilot study showed.

In an effort to determine if select patients on specific DMTs are receiving appropriate and adequate monitoring as outlined by each DMT’s internal guidance document, Felecia Hart, PharmD, and her associates retrospectively reviewed existing patients treated for MS at the Rocky Mountain Multiple Sclerosis Center at the University of Colorado, Denver, between June 1, 2013, and June 1, 2016.

Doug Brunk/Frontline Medical News

[email protected]

Clinical Question: Is the combination of lactulose plus albumin more effective than lactulose alone for treatment of hepatic encephalopathy?

Background: Hepatic encephalopathy is caused by the effect of toxins that build up in the bloodstream when the liver is not able to perform its normal functions. Lactulose is primarily directed at the reduction of blood ammonia levels. Albumin is thought to minimize oxidative injury and improve circulatory dysfunction present in cirrhosis.

Of patients receiving lactulose plus albumin, 75% had complete reversal of hepatic encephalopathy within 10 days, compared with 53% of patients receiving lactulose alone (P = .03). Patients in lactulose plus albumin group had shorter hospital length-of-stay (6.4 vs. 8.6 days; P = .01). There was lower mortality at 10 days in the lactulose plus albumin group (18.3% vs. 31.6%; P = .04).

Limitations of the study include the noted exclusion factors, including presence of alcohol intake, limitation to a single country (India), and a relatively high mortality rate in both groups.

Bottom Line: Combination of lactulose plus albumin is more effective than lactulose alone at reversing hepatic encephalopathy and is also associated with decreased length-of-stay and mortality.

Reference: Sharma BC, Singh J, Srivastava S, et al. A randomized controlled trial comparing lactulose plus albumin with lactulose alone for treatment of hepatic encephalopathy. J Gastroenterol Hepatol. Published online Nov 25, 2016. doi: 10.1111/jgh.13666.

Dr. Huang is associate clinical professor in the division of hospital medicine, department of medicine, University of California, San Diego.

Clinical Question: Is the combination of lactulose plus albumin more effective than lactulose alone for treatment of hepatic encephalopathy?

Background: Hepatic encephalopathy is caused by the effect of toxins that build up in the bloodstream when the liver is not able to perform its normal functions. Lactulose is primarily directed at the reduction of blood ammonia levels. Albumin is thought to minimize oxidative injury and improve circulatory dysfunction present in cirrhosis.

Of patients receiving lactulose plus albumin, 75% had complete reversal of hepatic encephalopathy within 10 days, compared with 53% of patients receiving lactulose alone (P = .03). Patients in lactulose plus albumin group had shorter hospital length-of-stay (6.4 vs. 8.6 days; P = .01). There was lower mortality at 10 days in the lactulose plus albumin group (18.3% vs. 31.6%; P = .04).

Limitations of the study include the noted exclusion factors, including presence of alcohol intake, limitation to a single country (India), and a relatively high mortality rate in both groups.

Bottom Line: Combination of lactulose plus albumin is more effective than lactulose alone at reversing hepatic encephalopathy and is also associated with decreased length-of-stay and mortality.

Reference: Sharma BC, Singh J, Srivastava S, et al. A randomized controlled trial comparing lactulose plus albumin with lactulose alone for treatment of hepatic encephalopathy. J Gastroenterol Hepatol. Published online Nov 25, 2016. doi: 10.1111/jgh.13666.

Dr. Huang is associate clinical professor in the division of hospital medicine, department of medicine, University of California, San Diego.

Clinical Question: Is the combination of lactulose plus albumin more effective than lactulose alone for treatment of hepatic encephalopathy?

Background: Hepatic encephalopathy is caused by the effect of toxins that build up in the bloodstream when the liver is not able to perform its normal functions. Lactulose is primarily directed at the reduction of blood ammonia levels. Albumin is thought to minimize oxidative injury and improve circulatory dysfunction present in cirrhosis.

Of patients receiving lactulose plus albumin, 75% had complete reversal of hepatic encephalopathy within 10 days, compared with 53% of patients receiving lactulose alone (P = .03). Patients in lactulose plus albumin group had shorter hospital length-of-stay (6.4 vs. 8.6 days; P = .01). There was lower mortality at 10 days in the lactulose plus albumin group (18.3% vs. 31.6%; P = .04).

Limitations of the study include the noted exclusion factors, including presence of alcohol intake, limitation to a single country (India), and a relatively high mortality rate in both groups.

Bottom Line: Combination of lactulose plus albumin is more effective than lactulose alone at reversing hepatic encephalopathy and is also associated with decreased length-of-stay and mortality.

Reference: Sharma BC, Singh J, Srivastava S, et al. A randomized controlled trial comparing lactulose plus albumin with lactulose alone for treatment of hepatic encephalopathy. J Gastroenterol Hepatol. Published online Nov 25, 2016. doi: 10.1111/jgh.13666.

Dr. Huang is associate clinical professor in the division of hospital medicine, department of medicine, University of California, San Diego.