Structured benefit-risk assessment for enoxaparin, in the context of its label extension, for the extended treatment of deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism, and prevention of its recurrence in patients with active cancer.

Purpose: Guidelines recommend low-molecular-weight heparins (LMWHs) for patients with cancer-associated thrombosis. However, until recently, only dalteparin and tinzaparin were approved in the European Economic Area (EEA) for these patients. This study compares the benefit-risk profile of enoxaparin with dalteparin and tinzaparin for the extended treatment of deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and pulmonary embolism (PE), and prevention of recurrence in adult patients with active cancer.

Patient and Physician Perspectives on the Use of a Connected Ecosystem for Diabetes Management: International Cross-Sectional Observational Study.

Background: Collaboration between people with type 2 diabetes (T2DM) and their health care teams is important for optimal control of the disease and outcomes. Digital technologies could potentially tie together several health care-related devices and platforms into connected ecosystems (CES), but attitudes about CES are unknown.

Objective: We surveyed convenience samples of patients and physicians to better understand which patient characteristics are associated with higher likelihoods of (1) participating in a potential CES program, as self-reported by patients with T2DM and (2) clinical benefit from participation in a potential CES program, as reported by physicians.

A preliminary algorithm introducing immunogenicity assessment in the management of patients with RA receiving tumour necrosis factor inhibitor therapies.

Introduction: Clinical remission is today the treatment goal for rheumatoid arthritis (RA), which requires fast and assertive therapeutic decisions for a tight control of disease activity. Few objective parameters are available to guide clinical decisions, particularly in switcher patients. We designed a preliminary algorithm introducing immunogenicity assessment in the current approach to patients with RA receiving tumour necrosis factor inhibitors (TNFi).

The immunogenicity of anti-TNF therapy in immune-mediated inflammatory diseases: a systematic review of the literature with a meta-analysis.

Background: Immunogenicity of aTNFs is one of the mechanisms behind treatment failure.

Objective: To assess the effect of anti-drug antibodies (ADA) on drug response to infliximab, adalimumab and etanercept, and the effect of immunosuppression on ADA detection, in patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis, Spondyloarthritis, Psoriasis and Inflammatory Bowel Diseases.

Data Sources: PubMed, EMBASE, Cochrane databases, article reference lists (through August 19 2012).

Review of the disease course among adult ulcerative colitis population-based longitudinal cohorts.

Background: Ulcerative colitis (UC) has a large impact on patients' lives. Clinical course studies of population-based cohorts contribute to our understanding of the disease as it progresses. We reviewed the clinical course of UC as reported in adult population-based longitudinal cohort studies.

Behavioral and attitudes survey about Lyme disease among a Brazilian population in the endemic area of Martha's Vineyard, Massachusetts.

Disease prevention models have shown individuals are more likely to engage in precautionary behavior if they have confidence in their ability to identify disease symptoms and understand health risks. In immigrant populations, communicating the risks poses greater challenges since linguistic and cultural barriers may impede acceptance of the new behavior. The Brazilian population on Martha's Vineyard, Massachusetts, is at high risk for Lyme disease (LD), the most common vector-borne illness in the United States largely preventable by limiting tick exposure.

The effect of low-dose aspirin on the decreased risk of development of dyspepsia and gastrointestinal ulcers associated to cyclooxygenase-2 selective inhibitors.

Objective: To evaluate the risk of gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms and ulcers associated to the use of low-dose aspirin (ASA) among patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and osteoarthritis (OA) treated with cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) drugs, to clarify the controversy in the literature.

Methods: Using a longitudinal databank, a prospective study using Cox proportional hazards models was performed in patients receiving COX-2 therapy for RA or OA to examine the effect of ASA on GI events. In 4 separate analyses patients reported dyspeptic symptoms and GI ulcers at semiannual intervals for up to 3 years.

Protein, iron, and meat consumption and risk for rheumatoid arthritis: a prospective cohort study.

A recent prospective study showed that higher consumption of red meat and total protein was associated with increased risk for inflammatory polyarthritis. We therefore prospectively examined the relationship between diet (in particular, protein, iron, and corresponding food sources) and incident rheumatoid arthritis (RA) among 82,063 women in the Nurses' Health Study. From 1980 to 2002, 546 incident cases of RA were confirmed by a connective tissue disease screening questionnaire and medical record review for American College of Rheumatology criteria for RA.

Dietary caffeine intake does not affect methotrexate efficacy in patients with rheumatoid arthritis.

Objective: Methylxanthines, like caffeine, have been thought to reverse the antiinflammatory effects of methotrexate (MTX) in rheumatoid arthritis (RA). We investigated whether patients with RA taking MTX with a higher dietary caffeine intake have a worse clinical response to MTX than those with a lower intake.

Methods: Patients with RA enrolled in a prospective cohort study and currently taking MTX were divided equally into low, moderate, and high caffeine consumers.

Gastrointestinal prophylactic therapy among patients with arthritis treated by rheumatology specialists.

Objective: To determine rates of gastroprotective agent (GPA) use among patients with arthritis treated by rheumatologists, and to determine factors associated with GPA prescription.

Methods: In a longitudinal outcome study, 11,451 patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and osteoarthritis (OA) reported all medication use, ulcer history, functional status, and sociodemographic characteristics.

Results: GPA were used in 21-24% of all patients with RA and OA and in about 35-40% of all high risk patients.