Definition of a European pre-vasectomy scoring system to identify patients at risk of vasectomy regret.

Introduction: Vasectomy is a widely used, safe, effective method of permanent contraception and contributes to healthy sexuality.

Aims: We have conducted a 3-step observational clinical study to develop a vasectomy regret risk score and guide patients and clinicians when discussing a vasectomy.

Methods: A 3-step approach has been followed.

Decrease in Fracture Rate with Mandatory Bone-protecting Agents in the EORTC 1333/PEACE-3 Trial Comparing Radium-223 Combined with Enzalutamide Versus Enzalutamide Alone: A Safety Analysis.

Bone health is central to the management of patients with metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC). International guidelines recommend giving a bone-protecting agent (BPA) to patients with mCRPC and bone metastases. However, the data supporting these recommendations were generated before androgen receptor pathway inhibitors (ARPIs) were available.

Decentralized worker-centred occupational management in health care: nationwide survey and alpha testing.

Background: Occupational stress among healthcare workers negatively impacts job satisfaction and patient care quality, jeopardizing healthcare system sustainability. Traditional employer-driven approaches often fail to address these challenges comprehensively, leading to persistent gaps in work condition transparency and well-being.

Aims: To elucidate the working conditions of health workers and introduce a worker-centred, technology-based strategy moving beyond traditional practices and entrenched medical culture.

Change in fatigue in patients with ulcerative colitis or Crohn's disease initiating biologic therapy.

Background: Fatigue is common among patients with inflammatory bowel diseases (IBDs) and is associated with decreased quality of life (QoL).

Aims: Describe fatigue evolution and identify factors associated with fatigue outcomes in patients with ulcerative colitis (UC) or Crohn's disease (CD) initiating biologic treatment.

Methods: Data from adult Belgian patients with UC or CD enrolled in a prospective real-world study were utilized.

Prognosis Associated with Complete Pathological Response Following Neoadjuvant Treatment for PancreaTic AdenOcarciNOma in the FOFLIRINOX Era: the Multicenter TONO Study.

Background: The use of multiagent FOLFIRINOX chemotherapy for pancreatic adenocarcinoma in a neoadjuvant setting has been associated with an increased rate of complete pathological response (CPR) after surgery. This study investigated the long-term outcomes of patients with CPR in a multicenter setting to identify prognostic factors for overall survival (OS) and recurrence-free survival (RFS).

Methods: This retrospective cohort study examined biopsy-proven pancreatic adenocarcinomas with CPR after neoadjuvant chemotherapy or chemoradiotherapy and surgery, between January 2006 and December 2023 across 22 French and  2 Belgian centers.

Patient and physician expectations regarding disease and treatment of advanced HCC: The prospective PERCEPTION1 study.

Background & Aims: We aimed to explore patient expectations regarding their treatments and prognosis in comparison to physicians' assessments in patients with advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) receiving systemic treatments.

Methods: We prospectively enrolled 205 patients in France and Belgium with Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer (BCLC) stage B/C HCC receiving systemic treatment (NCT04823754). Patients completed a 28-question survey and the hospital anxiety and depression scale (HADS), while physicians filled a 17-question survey after the initial consultation.

Right ventricular reserve in cardiopulmonary disease: a simultaneous hemodynamic and three-dimensional echocardiographic study.

Background: RV reserve has been linked to exercise capacity and prognosis in cardiopulmonary diseases. However, evidence in this setting is limited, due to the complex shape and load dependency of the RV. We sought to study right ventricular (RV) adaptation to exercise by simultaneous three-dimensional echocardiography (3DE) and right heart catheterization (RHC).

Intracranial multimodal monitoring in neurocritical care (Neurocore-iMMM): an open, decentralized consensus.

Background: Intracranial multimodal monitoring (iMMM) is increasingly used in neurocritical care, but a lack of standardization hinders its evidence-based development. Here, we devised core outcome sets (COS) and reporting guidelines to harmonize iMMM practices and research.

Methods: An open, decentralized, three-round Delphi consensus study involved experts between December 2023 and June 2024.

The Clinical Relevance of Prior Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery in Alcohol-Related Liver Disease in a Nationwide Belgian Liver Transplant Population.

Background And Aims: Patients with a history of metabolic and bariatric surgery (MBS) are susceptible to developing alcohol use disorder. Outcome after transplantation for alcohol-related liver disease (ALD) has not been studied in-depth.

Methods: We included adult patients who underwent a liver transplantation (LT) in Belgium between 1 January 2013 and 31 December 2022 for ALD.

Integration of genetic testing into diagnostic pathways for cardiomyopathies: a clinical consensus statement by the ESC Council on Cardiovascular Genomics.

In the modern era, cardiologists managing patients and families with cardiomyopathies need to be familiar with every stage of the diagnostic pathway from clinical phenotyping to the prescription and interpretation of genetic tests. This clinical consensus statement from the ESC Council for Cardiovascular Genomics aims to promote the integration of genetic testing into routine cardiac care of patients with cardiomyopathies, as recommended in the 2023 ESC guidelines for cardiomyopathies. The document describes the types of genetic tests currently available and provides advice on their prescription and for counselling after the return of genetic findings, including the approach in patients and families with variants of unknown significance.

Correction: Enteroscopy-assisted ERCP in patients with surgically altered anatomy: Multicenter prospective registry (SAMISEN-B) using motorized spiral enteroscopy.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1055/a-2443-1514.].

Policy for transitioning childhood-onset growth hormone deficiency from pediatric to adult endocrine care in Belgium.

Growth hormone (GH) deficiency (GHD) in children and adolescents can vary in severity and origin, with GH replacement therapy proving effective in achieving genetic target height. Optimal outcomes are seen in those treated early and with higher doses. As patients approach adult height, priorities shift towards optimizing metabolic effects, maintaining body composition, and enhancing bone mass and muscle strength.

Clinical relevance of paramagnetic rim lesion heterogeneity in multiple sclerosis.

Objective: Previous studies reveal heterogeneity in terms of paramagnetic rim lesions (PRL) associated tissue damage. We investigated the physiopathology and clinical implications of this heterogeneity.

Methods: In 103 MS patients (72 relapsing and 31 progressive), brain lesions were manually segmented on 3T 3D-FLAIR and rim visibility was assessed with a visual confidence level score (VCLS) on 3D-EPI phase.

Aberrant oviduct pathway following vacuum aspiration: A case report and literature review.

We report the case of a patient addressed for abnormal uterine bleeding in the context of secondary infertility. Operative hysteroscopy under sedation showed multiple uterine adhesions (Asherman syndrome) and communication with the pelvic cavity suspecting uterine perforation. Combined laparoscopy showed that the right fallopian tube was incarcerated into the uterine wall.

Transrectal versus transperineal prostate fusion biopsy: a pair-matched analysis to evaluate accuracy and complications.

Purpose: To evaluate biopsy-related complications and detection rates of any PCa and clinically significant PCa (csPCa, intended as grade group ≥ 2) between MRI-targeted TP fusion biopsies (TPBx) and TR ones (TRBx).

Methods: We performed a multicentric study on 4841 patients who underwent fusion biopsy between 2016 and 2023. A case-control matching was performed to find comparable cohorts of 646 TPBx and 646 TRBx.

Interpretation of Sydney Swallow Questionnaire results using the oropharyngeal dysphagia risk matrix.

Background: Oropharyngeal dysphagia (OD) commonly occurs in neuromuscular diseases (NMD). Appropriate management involves early detection, clinical evaluation, and tailored follow-up to minimize complications. Various assessment tools exist, including the Sydney Swallow Questionnaire (SSQ), a patient-reported outcome measure for assessing OD severity in adult patients.

Combined portal and hepatic vein embolisation in perihilar cholangiocarcinoma.

Background: Major hepatectomy in perihilar cholangiocarcinoma (pCCA) patients with a small future liver remnant (FLR) risks posthepatectomy liver failure (PHLF). This study examines combined portal and hepatic vein embolisation (PVE/HVE) to increase preoperative FLR volume and potentially decrease PHLF rates.

Methods: In this retrospective, multicentre, observational study, data was collected from centres affiliated with the DRAGON Trials Collaborative and the EuroLVD registry.

Cerebral small vessel disease and glymphatic system dysfunction in multiple sclerosis: A narrative review.

As the multiple sclerosis (MS) population ages, the prevalence of vascular comorbidities increases, potentially accelerating disease progression and brain atrophy. Recent studies highlight the prevalence of cerebral small vessel disease (CSVD) in MS, suggesting a potential link between vascular comorbidities and accelerated disability. CSVD affects the brain's small vessels, often leading to identifiable markers on MRI such as enlarged perivascular spaces (EPVS).

Impact of COVID-19 infection on lung function and nutritional status amongst individuals with cystic fibrosis: A global cohort study.

Background: Factors associated with severe COVID-19 infection have been identified; however, the impact of infection on longer-term outcomes is unclear. The objective of this study was to examine the impact of COVID-19 infection on the trajectory of lung function and nutritional status in people with cystic fibrosis (pwCF).

Methods: This is a retrospective global cohort study of pwCF who had confirmed COVID-19 infection diagnosed between January 1, 2020 and December 31, 2021.