JAK inhibitors and black box warnings: what is the future for JAK inhibitors?

Introduction: Janus kinase inhibitors (JAKi) have dramatically improved the treatment of various autoimmune and myeloproliferative disorders. Recently, concern has arisen regarding their safety in patients with rheumatoid arthritis.

Areas Covered: Here, we provide a comprehensive summary of the major current and emerging JAKi and their indications, address recent studies on comparative safety, and provide insight into their future and use.

Gender differences in prosthesis-related outcomes among veterans: Results of a national survey of U.S. veterans.

Background: Women with lower extremity amputations (LEAs) tend to have poorer prosthesis-related outcomes than men, although the literature is sparse. To our knowledge, there are no prior studies examining prosthesis-related outcomes of women veterans with LEAs.

Objective: To examine gender differences (overall and by type of amputation) among veterans who underwent LEAs between 2005 and 2018, received care at the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) prior to undergoing amputation, and were prescribed a prosthesis.

Differences in Prosthetic Prescription Between Men and Women Veterans After Transtibial or Transfemoral Lower-Extremity Amputation: A Longitudinal Cohort Study (2005-2018).

Objective: To evaluate whether prosthetic prescription differed by gender and the extent to which differences were mediated by measured factors.

Design: Retrospective longitudinal cohort study using data from Veterans Health Administration (VHA) administrative databases.

Setting: VHA patients throughout the United States.

Associations of statin use with 30-day adverse outcomes among 4 801 406 US Veterans with and without SARS-CoV-2: an observational cohort study.

Objective: To estimate associations of statin use with hospitalisation, intensive care unit (ICU) admission and mortality at 30 days among individuals with and without a positive test for SARS-CoV-2.

Design: Retrospective cohort study.

Setting: US Veterans Health Administration (VHA).

The Incidence of Diabetes Among 2,777,768 Veterans With and Without Recent SARS-CoV-2 Infection.

Objective: To examine associations of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection/coronavirus disease 2019 with incident diabetes.

Research Design And Methods: We conducted a retrospective cohort study using Veterans Health Administration data. We defined all patients without preexisting diabetes with one or more nasal swabs positive for SARS-CoV-2 (1 March 2020-10 March 2021; n = 126,710) as exposed and those with no positive swab and one or more laboratory tests (1 March 2020-31 March 2021; n = 2,651,058) as unexposed.

Prior Glucose-Lowering Medication Use and 30-Day Outcomes Among 64,892 Veterans With Diabetes and COVID-19.

Objective: To identify preinfection risk factors for adverse outcomes among veterans with diabetes and coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) infection.

Research Design And Methods: We identified all Veterans Health Administration patients with diabetes and one or more positive nasal swab(s) for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (1 March 2020-10 March 2021) ( = 64,892). We examined associations of HbA and glucose-lowering medication use with hospitalization, intensive care unit (ICU) admission, and mortality at 30 days using logistic regression models and during 4.

Early Convalescent Plasma Therapy and Mortality Among US Veterans Hospitalized With Nonsevere COVID-19: An Observational Analysis Emulating a Target Trial.

Background: Early convalescent plasma transfusion may reduce mortality in patients with nonsevere coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).

Methods: This study emulates a (hypothetical) target trial using observational data from a cohort of US veterans admitted to a Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) facility between 1 May and 17 November 2020 with nonsevere COVID-19. The intervention was convalescent plasma initiated within 2 days of eligibility.

Risk factors for adverse outcomes among 35 879 veterans with and without diabetes after diagnosis with COVID-19.

Introduction: Risk factors and mediators of associations of diabetes with COVID-19 outcomes are unclear.

Research Design And Methods: We identified all veterans receiving Department of Veterans Affairs healthcare with ≥1 positive nasal swab for SARS-CoV-2 (28 February-31 July 2020; n=35 879). We assessed associations of diabetes (with and without insulin use) with hospitalization, intensive care unit (ICU) admission, or death at 30 days, and with hazard of death until the censoring date.

Minimally Important Difference in the Foot and Ankle Outcome Score Among Patients Undergoing Hallux Valgus Surgery.

Background: Patient-reported outcomes are increasingly used as measures of effectiveness of interventions. To make the tools more useful, therapeutic thresholds known as minimally important differences have been developed. The objective of this study was to calculate minimally important differences for the domains of the Foot and Ankle Outcome Score for hallux valgus surgery.

Validation of the Ankle Osteoarthritis Scale Instrument for Preoperative Evaluation of End-Stage Ankle Arthritis Patients Using Item Response Theory.

Background:: Significant ankle arthritis results in functional limitations and patient morbidity. There is a need to measure symptoms and the impact of interventions on patient's quality of life using valid and reliable patient-reported measurement instruments. The objective of this research was to validate the Ankle Osteoarthritis Scale instrument in the preoperative setting using factor analysis, item response theory, and differential item function methods.

Psychometric validation of the Stoma-QOL questionnaire in a Canadian cross-sectional sample of colostomy and ileostomy patients.

Objectives: The Stoma-QOL questionnaire is a patient-reported outcome (PRO) used to measure quality of life in patients with ileostomy or colostomy. This study assesses the Stoma-QOL's overall and item-level psychometric characteristics in patients with temporary stomas, and whether stoma-related quality of life differs by demographic characteristics.

Materials And Methods: Analysis of cross-sectional observational PRO data from hospitals in Vancouver, Canada.

Evaluation of the Fecal Incontinence Quality of Life Scale (FIQL) using item response theory reveals limitations and suggests revisions.

Purpose: The Fecal Incontinence Quality of Life Scale (FIQL) is a commonly used patient-reported outcome measure for fecal incontinence, often used in clinical trials, yet has not been validated in English since its initial development. This study uses modern methods to thoroughly evaluate the psychometric characteristics of the FIQL and its potential for differential functioning by gender.

Methods: This study analyzed prospectively collected patient-reported outcome data from a sample of patients prior to colorectal surgery.

Evaluating the 8-item overactive bladder questionnaire (OAB-v8) using item response theory.

Aims: The OAB-v8 is a patient-reported outcome questionnaire used to screen for overactive bladder and measure symptom bother. This study uses modern validation methods to assess the item and test characteristics of the OAB-v8, and determine whether it should be scored differently for men and women.

Methods: A secondary analysis of data from patients with lower urinary tract symptoms prospectively recruited from a urology clinic in Calgary, Canada.