Predicting mucosal inflammation in IBD patients using patient-reported symptom scores and a faecal calprotectin home test: protocol for a multicentre prospective validation study.

Introduction: Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis are chronic inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) with a relapsing-remitting nature. With adequate non-invasive prediction of mucosal inflammation, endoscopies can be prevented and treatment optimised earlier for better disease control. We aim to validate and recalibrate commonly used patient-reported symptom scores combined with a faecal calprotectin (FC) home test as non-invasive diagnostic tool for remote monitoring of IBD, both in daily practice and in a strict trial setting.

Association of Serum Biomarkers With Neurocognitive Decline After PCI in Small Cell Lung Cancer: An Exploratory Study of the Phase III NCT01780675 Trial.

Introduction: Blood samples were collected to explore potential serum biomarkers associated with neurocognitive function in small-cell lung cancer (SCLC) patients who received prophylactic cranial irradiation (PCI).

Methods: This pre-specified study included patients with blood samples available, who participated in a phase III trial (NCT01780675). Blood samples were collected before PCI and 3-days post-initiating PCI.

The Learning Curve of Total Breast Reconstruction With Autologous Fat Transfer.

Introduction: Total breast reconstruction with autologous fat transfer (AFT) is a relatively new breast reconstruction method. Although AFT was predominantly used to correct postsurgical defects, the surgical skills of a total breast reconstruction with AFT are different and can be facilitated for novices to accelerate their learning process. This study aims to assess the learning curve of plastic surgeons in total breast reconstruction with AFT in the Netherlands.

High-precision stereotactic irradiation for focal drug-resistant epilepsy versus standard treatment: a randomized waitlist-controlled trial (the PRECISION trial).

Introduction: The standard treatment for patients with focal drug-resistant epilepsy (DRE) who are not eligible for open brain surgery is the continuation of anti-seizure medication (ASM) and neuromodulation. This treatment does not cure epilepsy but only decreases severity. The PRECISION trial offers a non-invasive, possibly curative intervention for these patients, which consist of a single stereotactic radiotherapy (SRT) treatment.

The efficacy of sensory nerve coaptation in DIEP flap breast reconstruction - Preliminary results of a double-blind randomized controlled trial.

Background: Sensory nerve coaptation has great potential to restore sensation after autologous breast reconstruction. However, blinded and randomized studies are lacking. We therefore present the preliminary results of our ongoing double-blinded randomized controlled trial that compares sensory recovery of innervated versus non-innervated DIEP flaps.

Diagnostic Performance of Magnetic Resonance Imaging for Parathyroid Localization of Primary Hyperparathyroidism: A Systematic Review.

Accurate preoperative localization is crucial for successful minimally invasive parathyroidectomy in primary hyperparathyroidism (PHPT). Preoperative localization can be challenging in patients with recurrent and/or multigland disease (MGD). This has led clinicians to investigate multiple imaging techniques, most of which are associated with radiation exposure.

In-depth Analysis of Lorlatinib-related neurocognitive Adverse Events in Patients With Non-small-cell Lung Cancer.

Introduction: Lorlatinib is a potent, brain penetrant, next-generation ALK/ROS1 TKI, with high response rates and durable responses, including the brain. However, a significant drawback is the manifestation of neurocognitive adverse events (NCAEs). Despite being generally low-grade in severity, these NCAEs can be physically and mentally disabling.

Pericardial Fat Is Associated With Less Severe Multiorgan Failure Over Time in Patients With Coronavirus Disease-19: The Maastricht Intensive Care COVID Cohort.

Purpose: Pericardial fat (PF) and epicardial adipose tissue (EAT) may enhance the proinflammatory response in corona virus-19 (COVID-19) patients. Higher PF and EAT volumes might result in multiorgan failure and explain unfavorable trajectories.The aim of this study was to examine the association between the volume of PF and EAT and multiorgan failure over time.

Cost of illness of patients with small fiber neuropathy in the Netherlands.

Neuropathic pain is associated with substantial healthcare costs. However, cost-of-illness studies of small fiber neuropathy (SFN) are scarce. Our aim was to estimate the healthcare, patient and family, and productivity costs of patients with SFN in the Netherlands from a healthcare and societal perspective.

Preimplantation genetic testing for Neurofibromatosis type 1: more than 20 years of clinical experience.

Neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) is an autosomal dominant disorder that affects the skin and the nervous system. The condition is completely penetrant with extreme clinical variability, resulting in unpredictable manifestations in affected offspring, complicating reproductive decision-making. One of the reproductive options to prevent the birth of affected offspring is preimplantation genetic testing (PGT).

The Association of Gross Tumor Volume and Its Radiomics Features with Brain Metastases Development in Patients with Radically Treated Stage III Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer.

Purpose: To identify clinical risk factors, including gross tumor volume (GTV) and radiomics features, for developing brain metastases (BM) in patients with radically treated stage III non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).

Methods: Clinical data and planning CT scans for thoracic radiotherapy were retrieved from patients with radically treated stage III NSCLC. Radiomics features were extracted from the GTV, primary lung tumor (GTVp), and involved lymph nodes (GTVn), separately.

The Clinical Frailty Scale as a triage tool for ICU admission of dialysis patients with COVID-19: an ERACODA analysis.

Background: Several guidelines recommend using the Clinical Frailty Scale (CFS) for triage of critically ill coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients. This study evaluates the impact of CFS on intensive care unit (ICU) admission rate and hospital and ICU mortality rates in hospitalized dialysis patients with COVID-19.

Methods: We analysed data of dialysis patients diagnosed with COVID-19 from the European Renal Association COVID-19 Database.

Diagnostic Performance of Electronic Noses in Cancer Diagnoses Using Exhaled Breath: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.

Importance: There has been a growing interest in the use of electronic noses (e-noses) in detecting volatile organic compounds in exhaled breath for the diagnosis of cancer. However, no systematic evaluation has been performed of the overall diagnostic accuracy and methodologic challenges of using e-noses for cancer detection in exhaled breath.

Objective: To provide an overview of the diagnostic accuracy and methodologic challenges of using e-noses for the detection of cancer.

Timing of primary three-dose hepatitis B vaccination and postvaccination serologic testing among a large cohort of healthy adults.

This study evaluated the optimal timing of a primary three-dose hepatitis B vaccination and postvaccination serologic testing (PVST) among a large group of healthy naïve adults in the Netherlands. Data were collected from the Ease Travel Clinic hepatitis B vaccination database. The study population consisted of 22,997 adults who received three hepatitis B vaccinations.

Coronary Artery Calcifications Are Associated With More Severe Multiorgan Failure in Patients With Severe Coronavirus Disease 2019 Infection: Longitudinal Results of the Maastricht Intensive Care COVID Cohort.

Purpose: Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is regarded as a multisystemic disease. Patients with preexisting cardiovascular disease have an increased risk for a more severe disease course. This study aimed to investigate if a higher degree of coronary artery calcifications (CAC) on a standard chest computed tomography (CT) scan in mechanically ventilated patients was associated with a more severe multiorgan failure over time.

Laparoscopic versus open resections in the posterosuperior liver segments within an enhanced recovery programme (ORANGE Segments): study protocol for a multicentre randomised controlled trial.

Background: A shift towards parenchymal-sparing liver resections in open and laparoscopic surgery emerged in the last few years. Laparoscopic liver resection is technically feasible and safe, and consensus guidelines acknowledge the laparoscopic approach in the posterosuperior segments. Lesions situated in these segments are considered the most challenging for the laparoscopic approach.

Introduction of a new scoring tool to identify clinically stable heart failure patients.

Introduction: Heart failure (HF) poses a burden on specialist care, making referral of clinically stable HF patients to primary care a desirable goal. However, a structured approach to guide patient referral is lacking.

Methods: The Maastricht Instability Score-Heart Failure (MIS-HF) questionnaire was developed to objectively stratify the clinical status of HF patients: patients with a low MIS-HF (0-2 points, indicating a stable clinical condition) were considered for treatment in primary care, whereas high scores (> 2 points) indicated the need for specialised care.

The association between anti-acetylcholine receptor antibody level and clinical improvement in myasthenia gravis.

Background And Purpose: Anti-acetylcholine receptor (AChR) antibodies (ab) in the serum are detected in most patients with generalized myasthenia gravis (MG) and used as a diagnostic tool. The aim of this study was to analyse a possible association between anti-AChR-ab serum levels and clinical improvement of MG.

Methods: The Maastricht University Medical Center is a centre of expertise for the treatment of MG.

Patients with hereditary hemochromatosis reach safe range of transferrin saturation sooner with erythrocytaphereses than with phlebotomies.

Introduction: For the maintenance treatment of patients with hereditary hemochromatosis (HH), it is advised to keep the transferrin saturation (TSAT) <70% to prevent formation of non-transferrin-bound iron and labile plasma iron. The period of the initial iron depletion may last up to 1 year or longer and during this period, the patient is exposed to elevated TSAT levels. Therapeutic erythrocytapheresis (TE) is a modality which has proven to reduce treatment duration of patients with iron overload from HH.

The estimation of a preference-based single index for the IBS-QoL by mapping to the EQ-5D-5L in patients with irritable bowel syndrome.

Purpose: The Irritable Bowel Syndrome Quality of Life (IBS-QoL) questionnaire is a commonly used and validated IBS-specific QoL instrument. However, this questionnaire is in contrast to the EQ-5D-5L, not preference-based and as such does not allow calculation of QALYs. The objective of this study was to describe the convergent- and known-group validity of both questionnaires and to develop a mapping algorithm from EQ-5D-5L which enable IBS-QoL scores to be transformed into utility scores for use in economic evaluations.

Prognostic value of signs and symptoms in heart failure patients using remote telemonitoring.

Introduction: Heart failure is a serious burden on health care systems due to frequent hospital admissions. Early recognition of outpatients at risk for clinical deterioration could prevent hospitalization. Still, the role of signs and symptoms in monitoring heart failure patients is not clear.