Management of Moderate-to-Severe Atopic Dermatitis in Adults: A Cross-Sectional Survey of Dermatologists Within the Asia-Pacific Region.

Introduction: Limited evidence is available on real-world management of atopic dermatitis (AD) among Asian adults. This cross-sectional study aimed to assess current approaches in AD diagnosis and management in Asia.

Methods: Practising dermatologists regularly treating patients with moderate-to-severe AD were recruited from eight Asia-Pacific territories, namely Mainland China, Hong Kong, India, Japan, Singapore, South Korea, Taiwan, and Thailand.

Quality of Life and Burden of Moderate-to-Severe Atopic Dermatitis in Adult Patients Within the Asia-Pacific Region: A Cross-sectional Survey.

Introduction: The burden of atopic dermatitis (AD) is significant, with a substantial impact on quality of life (QoL). This cross-sectional study aimed to ascertain the burden of AD, its impact on QoL, and associated costs.

Methods: Patients with moderate-to-severe AD were enrolled from eight territories, namely Hong Kong, India, Japan, Mainland China, Singapore, South Korea, Taiwan, and Thailand.

Bridging the Gap: Comparing Patient-Clinician Views on Treatment Goals and Communication in the Management of Atopic Dermatitis Within the Asia-Pacific Region.

Introduction: It remains unclear how patients with atopic dermatitis (AD) and clinicians perceive the level of patient-clinician communication and if there could be potential lapses. This cross-sectional study aims to compare perspectives between patients with AD and dermatologists regarding communication and treatment expectations in Asia.

Methods: Moderate-to-severe patients with AD and practicing dermatologists were recruited from eight Asia-Pacific territories, including Mainland China, Hong Kong, India, Japan, Singapore, South Korea, Taiwan, and Thailand.

Development of a real-world database for asthma and COPD: The SingHealth-Duke-NUS-GSK COPD and Asthma Real-World Evidence (SDG-CARE) collaboration.

Purpose: The SingHealth-Duke-GlaxoSmithKline COPD and Asthma Real-world Evidence (SDG-CARE) collaboration was formed to accelerate the use of Singaporean real-world evidence in research and clinical care. A centerpiece of the collaboration was to develop a near real-time database from clinical and operational data sources to inform healthcare decision making and research studies on asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

Methods: Our multidisciplinary team, including clinicians, epidemiologists, data scientists, medical informaticians and IT engineers, adopted the hybrid waterfall-agile project management methodology to develop the SingHealth COPD and Asthma Data Mart (SCDM).

Treatment patterns and cost of exacerbations in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease using multiple inhaler triple therapy in South Korea.

Background: Multiple inhaler triple therapy (MITT), comprising inhaled corticosteroids (ICS), long-acting beta-agonists (LABA), and long-acting muscarinic antagonists (LAMA), has been used as an escalation treatment for patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). However, real-world use of MITT has not been investigated in Asia, including South Korea. This study reports baseline characteristics of patients with COPD initiated on MITT in South Korea, and their treatment patterns.

Long-Acting Bronchodilator Use in Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease in Primary Care in New Zealand: A Retrospective Study of Treatment Patterns and Evolution Using the HealthStat Database.

Purpose: Long-acting bronchodilator (LABD) use is the mainstay of pharmacologic treatment for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Few studies describe evolving patterns of LABD use in the setting of changing inhaler availability and updated clinical guidelines.

Methods: A retrospective cohort study in New Zealand using the HealthStat general practice database (01/2014 to 04/2018).

Temporal Trends and Patient Characteristics Associated With Drug Utilisation After First-Ever Stroke: Insights From Chronic Disease Registry Data in Singapore.

Introduction: Data on drug utilisation among stroke patients of Asian ethnicities are lacking. The objectives of the study were to examine the temporal trends and patient characteristics associated with prescription of thrombolytic, antithrombotic and statin medications among patients with first-ever stroke.

Materials And Methods: First-ever ischaemic and haemorrhagic stroke patients admitted to 2 Singapore tertiary hospitals between 2010‒2014 were included.

Impact of medication nonadherence on stroke recurrence and mortality in patients after first-ever ischemic stroke: Insights from registry data in Singapore.

Purpose: This retrospective cohort study aims to examine adherence to secondary stroke preventive medications and their association with risk of stroke recurrence and mortality in patients after first-ever ischemic stroke.

Methods: Using data from the National Healthcare Group and Singapore Stroke Registry, patients with first-ever ischemic stroke between 2010 and 2014 were included, and categorized based on antithrombotic or statin adherence using the proportion of days covered: high (≥75%), intermediate (50%-74%), low (25%-49%), and very low (<25%). The primary outcome was first recurrent ischemic stroke within a year after hospital discharge, while the secondary composite outcomes were (a) stroke recurrence and all-cause mortality and (b) stroke recurrence and cardiovascular mortality.

Use of Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors and Outcomes in Stroke Rehabilitation: A Prospective Observational Pilot Cohort Study.

Purpose: The aim of this study was to examine the association between selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) therapy and rehabilitation outcomes, specifically disability and quality of life (QOL), in a real-world setting of multi-ethnic Asian patients with first-ever stroke.

Methods: In this prospective observational pilot cohort study, we included patients with first-ever stroke admitted to two inpatient rehabilitation centres in Singapore between January and July 2018. Outcomes were measured using Functional Independence Measure (FIM)-motor scale, modified Barthel Index (MBI) and the Stroke and Aphasia Quality of Life Scale-39 generic (SAQOL-39g) questionnaire.

Temporal Trends and Predictors of Drug Utilization and Outcomes in First-Ever Stroke Patients: A Population-Based Study Using the Singapore Stroke Registry.

Introduction: Drug utilization and outcomes research in multi-ethnic Asian stroke populations is lacking.

Objectives: Our objective was to examine temporal trends and predictors of drug utilization and outcomes in a multi-ethnic Asian stroke population.

Methods: This registry-based study included ischemic and hemorrhagic first-ever stroke patients hospitalized between 2009 and 2016.

Effects of Central Nervous System Drugs on Recovery After Stroke: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials.

Background And Objective: Pilot trials have suggested that pharmacotherapy may aid stroke recovery. The aim of this study was to systematically review the effects of antidepressants, anti-Alzheimer drugs, anti-Parkinson drugs, central nervous system (CNS) stimulants and piracetam on gross motor function, cognition, disability, dependency and quality of life (QOL) after stroke.

Methods: PubMed, EMBASE and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials databases were searched, and 44 randomized controlled trials that compared outcomes of interest between drug treatment and placebo or no treatment were included.

Efficacy and safety of inhaled corticosteroids relative to fluticasone propionate: a systematic review of randomized controlled trials in asthma.

Many trials have been published comparing inhaled corticosteroid (ICS) treatments in asthma. However, mixed results necessitate the summarization of available evidence to aid in decision-making. Areas covered: This systematic review evaluated randomized controlled trials (RCTs) that compared the efficacy and safety of inhaled fluticasone propionate (FP) with other ICS including beclomethasone dipropionate (BDP), budesonide (BUD) and ciclesonide (CIC).