Incidence of HBV Reactivation in Psoriasis Patients Undergoing Cytokine Inhibitor Therapy: A Single-Center Study and Systematic Review with a Meta-Analysis.

Background: Psoriasis patients who are seropositive for hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) or hepatitis B core antibody (HBcAb) face an elevated risk of hepatitis B virus reactivation (HBVr) when treated with cytokine inhibitors. This study aims to elucidate the risk in this population.

Methods: A retrospective chart review was conducted to assess the risk of HBVr in 73 psoriasis patients treated with cytokine inhibitors from 2013 to 2023.

Health-Care Utilisation and Costs of Transition from Paliperidone Palmitate 1-Monthly to 3-Monthly Treatment for Schizophrenia: A Real-World, Retrospective, 24-Month Mirror-Image Study.

Introduction: Poor adherence to antipsychotics in patients with schizophrenia is a leading cause of relapse and functional deterioration. Long-acting injectable paliperidone may reduce relapse risks, health-care utilisation, and health-care costs in these patients.

Methods: In this 24-month mirror-image study, we compared health-care utilization and costs before and after the initiation of paliperidone palmitate 3-monthly (PP3M) treatment in patients with schizophrenia spectrum disorders.

The Risk of Hepatitis B Virus Reactivation in Rheumatoid Arthritis Patients Receiving Tocilizumab: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Background: Tocilizumab has demonstrated optimal efficacy and safety in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) from clinical trials. However, the risk of hepatitis B virus reactivation (HBVr) in these patients remains uncertain because patients with underlying HBV have been excluded in phase III studies.

Methods: Systematical reviews were conducted on PubMed, Embase, and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials up to 21 February 2023.

Impact of Low Muscle Mass on Hepatocellular Carcinoma Patients Undergoing Transcatheter Liver-Directed Therapies: Systematic Review & Meta-Analysis.

Background And Aim: Transcatheter liver-directed intra-arterial therapies are mainstream treatment options for intermediate-stage hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). However, the effect of low skeletal muscle mass (LSMM) on overall survival (OS) in these patients remains uncertain. We aimed to ascertain the prevalence and prognostic effect of LSMM in this population.

Prevalence and Effect of Low Skeletal Muscle Mass among Hepatocellular Carcinoma Patients Undergoing Systemic Therapy: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Low skeletal muscle mass (LSMM) is associated with poor outcomes in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients. With the emergence of new systemic therapeutics, understanding the effect of LSMM on HCC treatment outcomes is critically important. This systematic review and meta-analysis investigates the prevalence and effect of LSMM among HCC patients undergoing systemic therapy as reported in studies identified in searches of the PubMed and Embase databases published through 5 April 2023.

Identification and management of contraindicated drug-drug interactions through pharmaceutical care programs: Experience in direct-acting antivirals therapy.

Background/purpose: To investigate the impact of pharmaceutical care programs for the management of contraindicated drug-drug interactions (DDIs) in direct-acting antivirals (DAAs) therapy.

Methods: A prospective observational study was performed at Dalin Tzu Chi Hospital between January 2018 and December 2019. Pharmacists screened DDIs for all hepatitis C patients before DAA therapy.

Drug-drug interactions between direct-acting antivirals and statins in the treatment of chronic hepatitis C.

As the first line of treatment for hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection, direct-acting antivirals (DAAs) have greater efficacy and fewer adverse effects than other treatments; however, drug-drug interactions (DDIs) must be avoided when used in combination with other medications, such as statins. HCV patients are mostly in the need for polypharmacy, particularly the comedication of DAAs and cardiovascular drugs such as statins. This poses a risk of pharmacokinetic interactions between the two classes of drugs that may lead to severe myopathy or even rhabdomyolysis.

Moderate Risk of Hepatitis B Virus Reactivation in HBsAg/HBcAb Carriers Receiving Rituximab for Rheumatoid Arthritis.

To investigate the incidence and risk factors of hepatitis B virus (HBV) reactivation in HBV surface antigen (HBsAg)/ HBV core antibody (HBcAb) patients who underwent rituximab (RTX) therapy for rheumatoid arthritis (RA). From January 2000 through December 2017, a total of 134 RA patients with various HBV serostatuses who received RTX at Dalin Tzu Chi Hospital were screened. Finally, 50 HBsAg/HBcAb patients were enrolled in this retrospective study.