Does oral appliance efficacy in treating obstructive sleep apnea depend on the appliance specialist's experience?

Purpose: In France, oral appliances (OAs) are the first-line treatment for moderate and second-line treatment for severe obstructive sleep apnea-hypopnea syndrome. In general, the sleep specialist refers his/her patient to the appliance specialist for the impressions and the fitting. However, is there a relationship between the volume of activity of the appliance specialist and the efficacy of this device?

Methods: Our unit includes seven appliance otolaryngology specialists whose activities are highly variable (number of patients varying by a factor of almost 10).

Factors associated with physicians' prescriptions for rheumatoid arthritis drugs not filled by patients.

Background: This study estimated the extent and predictors of primary nonadherence (i.e., prescriptions made by physicians but not initiated by patients) to methotrexate and to biologics or tofacitinib in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients who were newly prescribed these medications.

Presentation of SLE in UK primary care using the Clinical Practice Research Datalink.

Objectives: To describe the presenting symptoms of SLE in primary care using the Clinical Practice Research Database (CPRD) and to calculate the time from symptom presentation to SLE diagnosis.

Methods: Incident cases of SLE were identified from the CPRD between 2000 and 2012. Presenting symptoms were identified from the medical records of cases in the 5 years before diagnosis and grouped using the British Isles Lupus Activity Group (BILAG) symptom domains.

Cumulative Corticosteroid Dose Over Fifty-Two Weeks in Patients With Systemic Lupus Erythematosus: Pooled Analyses From the Phase III Belimumab Trials.

Objective: To examine the effects of treatment with belimumab on corticosteroid dose in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) over 52 weeks in 2 randomized, controlled trials.

Methods: Data on patients who were taking corticosteroids at baseline in the Study of Belimumab in Subjects with SLE trials were pooled post hoc to compare patients who received belimumab 10 mg/kg plus standard therapy with those who received placebo plus standard therapy. The primary end point was cumulative change from baseline in corticosteroid dose (prednisone equivalent) through week 52.

Long-term organ damage accrual and safety in patients with SLE treated with belimumab plus standard of care.

Objective: To examine long-term organ damage and safety following treatment with belimumab plus standard of care (SoC) in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE).

Methods: Pooled data were examined from two ongoing open-label studies that enrolled patients who completed BLISS-52 or BLISS-76. Patients received belimumab every four weeks plus SoC.