Publications by authors named "Adam Sima"
Background Chronic lower back pain is a significant global health issue, leading to disability and a substantial economic burden. A considerable number of cases are associated with the sacroiliac joint (SIJ), especially among patients with a history of lumbar fusions. Despite various treatments, persistent SIJ pain often requires surgical intervention, with minimally invasive techniques becoming the standard due to their benefits over open surgery.
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- This study examined how patient-reported disease burden and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) affect the decision to switch from nonbiologic to biologic therapy in people with plaque psoriasis.
- It included biologic-naive patients aged 18 and older who were using nonbiologic treatments and gathered data on their disease burden and quality of life when they entered the CorEvitas Psoriasis Registry from April 2015 to August 2022.
- Results showed that a higher reported burden was linked to a greater likelihood of switching to biologic treatment, indicating that patient experiences significantly influence treatment decisions alongside clinical assessments.
Background: The International Psoriasis Council (IPC) updated the classification of psoriasis severity to guide clinical decision-making. According to IPC guidelines, patients are considered candidates for systemic therapy when body surface area (BSA) is >10%, when lesions affect special body areas (ie, face, palms, soles, genitals, scalp, or nails), or when topical therapy fails to control symptoms.
Objective: To evaluate patient candidacy for systemic therapy in real-world settings, according to disease severity criteria.
Article Synopsis
- Minimally invasive spinal surgery techniques like oblique lateral lumbar interbody fusion (OLLIF) provide better outcomes but involve dual C-Arm imaging, which hasn't been fully studied for radiation exposure to surgeons.
- A study measured radiation doses during 121 OLLIF surgeries over 12 months, finding an average exposure of 0.06 mSv per surgery, well below safety limits.
- The results emphasize the need for protective measures and monitoring radiation exposure, potentially leading to new guidelines in surgical practice. Future research could explore larger surgeon cohorts and more complex procedures.
Article Synopsis
- Premature ventricular contractions (PVCs) are common in individuals with left ventricular (LV) systolic dysfunction, yet their prevalence in the general population is not well understood.
- A multicenter study evaluated the prevalence of frequent (PVCs >5%) and high burden (PVCs >10%) PVCs among patients monitored with ambulatory Holter monitors, analyzing demographics and left ventricle ejection fraction (LVEF).
- Results showed that PVCs >5% and >10% were present in 4% and 5% of participants, respectively, with higher prevalence in older males, while females had a lower occurrence of PVCs despite similar rates when LVEF <50%.
Introduction: Due to variable psoriasis symptoms, disease progression, and individual responses to therapy, patients may start, stop, or switch biologic therapies. Real-world data on the associated disease burden of patients with psoriasis who do and do not switch biologics are incomplete.
Methods: This study compared disease burden among patients from the CorEvitas Psoriasis Registry (July 2017-December 2021) who switched biologics and those who did not within 4-12 months following initiation.
Introduction: Patients with psoriasis (PSO) and psoriatic arthritis (PsA) may frequently switch biologic therapies over the course of treatment because of symptom variability and individual responses. Real-world studies analyzing patient characteristics and clinical factors associated with biologic switching are limited.
Methods: This longitudinal cohort study used real-world data from the CorEvitas Psoriasis Registry to evaluate the relationship between associated disease factors and biologic switching among patients with PSO and PsA in the United States (US) and Canada following initiation of a biologic.
Mathematical modeling of meningioma volume change after radiation treatment.
Clin Neurol Neurosurg
October 2024
Objective: Meningiomas are the most common primary central nervous tumor and are often treated with radiation therapy. This study examines the long-term volumetric changes of intracranial meningiomas in response to radiation therapy. The objective is to analyze and model the volumetric changes following treatment.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground: The impact of psoriasis in special areas (i.e., scalp, nails, palms, soles, genitals) on patient physical functioning, health-related quality of life (HRQoL), and work abilities has not been fully characterized.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFObjective: To examine the combined effects of neuromuscular electrical stimulation-resistance training (NMES-RT) and functional electrical stimulation-lower extremity cycling (FES-LEC) compared to passive movement training (PMT) and FES-LEC in adults with SCI on (1) oxygen uptake (VO), insulin sensitivity and glucose disposal in adults with SCI; (2) Metabolic and inflammatory biomarkers; (3) skeletal muscle, intramuscular fat (IMF) and visceral adipose tissue (VAT) cross-sectional areas (CSAs).
Materials And Methods: Thirty-three participants with chronic SCI (AIS A-C) were randomized to 24 weeks of NMES-RT + FES or PMT + FES. The NMES-RT + FES group underwent 12 weeks of evoked surface NMES-RT using ankle weights followed by an additional 12 weeks of progressive FES-LEC.
Introduction: Near-complete skin clearance has become a rapidly achievable treatment goal for patients with psoriasis receiving systemic biologic therapies. However, real-world evidence for durability of near-complete skin clearance and risk factors associated with loss of near-complete skin clearance is limited.
Methods: This study described durability of near-complete skin clearance (≥ 90% improvement in Psoriasis Area and Severity Index from initiation; PASI90) and identified clinical factors or patient characteristics associated with loss of PASI90 among patients with psoriasis from the CorEvitas Psoriasis Registry (April 2015-August 2021).
Introduction: Complete and near-complete skin clearance have become achievable treatment goals for patients with psoriasis receiving systemic biologic therapies. However, there is limited real-world evidence regarding the impact of the degree of skin clearance on biologic treatment patterns among these patients.
Methods: This longitudinal cohort study assessed the relationship between degree of skin clearance following initiation of a systemic biologic therapy and treatment failure among patients from the CorEvitas Psoriasis Registry (April 2015-August 2021).
Background: Psoriasis, an inflammatory skin disease, is often treated with biologic therapeutics.
Objective: To determine the real-world treatment effectiveness of risankizumab, an interleukin-23 inhibitor, in the treatment of moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis.
Methods: A retrospective, observational study was conducted using the CorEvitas Psoriasis Registry for eligible adults with a diagnosis of moderate-to-severe psoriasis and persistent use of risankizumab at 12 (±3) months after initiation.
Azithromycin versus erythromycin infusions prior to endoscopy in upper gastrointestinal bleeding.
Transl Gastroenterol Hepatol
October 2022
Background: Intravenous erythromycin prior to endoscopy for upper gastrointestinal bleeding (GIB) improves outcomes but requires immediate preparation delaying administration in emergency cases. Azithromycin is readily available and does not require prolonged preparation. The aim of the study was to assess the effect of azithromycin in improving the quality of endoscopic visualization in upper GIB compared to erythromycin.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFPurpose: To present the methods and summary findings of a nationwide survey on the current life experiences of Operation Iraqi Freedom/Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF/OIF) Veterans with limb loss.
Methods: A questionnaire was sent to Veterans with items covering sample demographics, summaries of health status, prosthesis usage and fit, employment experience, and use and satisfactions with support services and providers.
Results: 158 Veterans completed the survey.
Purpose: The population of veterans experiencing traumatic amputation grows at a rate disproportionate to the general population. This study explores the current employment experience of veterans living with traumatic amputation and the relationship among demographic, health and amputation related characteristics, employment status and service utilization, and perceived barriers to employment.
Methods: Survey data from veterans of Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom (OEF/OIF) were gathered on health and amputation, employment, service utilization, and perceived barriers to employment.
Growth Analysis of Untreated Meningiomas under Observation.
J Neurol Surg A Cent Eur Neurosurg
March 2023
Background: When meningiomas are small or asymptomatic, the decision to observe rather than treat requires balancing the growth potential of the lesion with the outcome and side effects of treatment. The aim of this study is to characterize the growth patterns of untreated meningiomas to better inform the clinical decision-making process.
Methods: Patients with meningiomas were identified from 2005 to 2015.
Context: Frontal- and transverse-plane kinematics have been prospectively identified as risk factors for running-related injuries in females. The Running Readiness Scale (RRS) may allow for clinical evaluation of these kinematics.
Objectives: To determine the reliability and validity of the RRS as an assessment of frontal- and transverse-plane running kinematics.
Intermittent theta burst stimulation (iTBS) is a form of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) that can increase corticomotor excitability in distal upper limb muscles, but the effect on the more proximal biceps is unknown. The study objective was to determine the effect of iTBS on corticomotor excitability of the biceps brachii in non-impaired individuals. Ten individuals completed three sessions, and an additional ten individuals completed one session in a secondary study; each session included sham and active iTBS.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFObjective: This study aims to determine whether social media platforms (SMPs) can influence article impact as measured by citations.
Methods: This is a cross-sectional study that analyzed articles published in the top ten otolaryngology journals by the Eigenfactor score in January 2015. Total accumulated twitter mentions and citations were recorded in 2021.
Clinical trials of severe sepsis that target crude mortality are underpowered to detect mortality differences due to intervention. We discuss the importance of including subcomponents of crude mortality in study design; how the proportion of attributable mortality affects sample size requirements; and how minor changes from predicted outcomes affect interpretation.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFUnderstanding the effects of age on longitudinal traumatic brain injury (TBI) outcomes requires attention to both chronic and evolving TBI effects and age-related changes in health and function. The present study examines the independent and interactive effects of aging and chronicity on functional outcomes after TBI. We leveraged a well-defined cohort of individuals who sustained a moderate/severe TBI and received acute inpatient rehabilitation at specialized centers with high follow up rate as part of their involvement in the TBI Model Systems longitudinal study.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFObjectives: To determine if there is an association between tobacco use and the development of postoperative skin reactions in patients undergoing percutaneous osseointegrated auditory implant (pOAI) surgery.
Study Design: Single surgeon retrospective cohort study.
Setting: Academic medical center.