Prescription opioid analgesic use in France: Trends and impact on morbidity-mortality

BACKGROUND

While data from USA and Canada demonstrate an opioid overdose epidemic, very little nation-wide European studies have been published on this topical subject.

METHODS

Using a nationally representative sample of the French Claims database (>700,000 patients), the exhaustive nationwide hospital discharge database, and national mortality registry, all patients dispensed at least one prescription opioid (PO) in 2004-2017 were identified, to describe trends in PO analgesic use, shopping behaviour, opioid-related hospitalizations and deaths. Annual prevalence of PO use and shopping behaviour (≥1 day of overlapping prescriptions from ≥2 prescribers, dispensed by ≥3 pharmacies) was estimated.

RESULTS

In 2004-2017, the annual prevalence of weak opioid use codeine, tramadol and opium rose by 150%, 123%, and 244%, respectively (p < 0.05). Strong opioid use increased from 0.54% to 1.1% (+104%, p < 0.05), significantly for oxycodone (+1950%). Strong opioid use in chronic noncancer pain rose by 88% (p < 0.05) and 1180% for oxycodone. Opioid shopping increased from 0.50% to 0.67% (+34%, p < 0.05), associated with higher mortality risk HR = 2.8 [95% confidence interval (CI): 1.2-6.4]. Opioid-related hospitalizations increased from 15 to 40 per 1,000,000 population (+167%, 2000-2017), and opioid-related deaths from 1.3 to 3.2 per 1,000,000 population (+146%, 2000-2015).

CONCLUSIONS

This study provided a first European approach to a nationwide estimation with complete access to several national registries. In 2004-2017 in France, PO use excluding dextropropoxyphene more than doubled. The increase in oxycodone and fentanyl use, and nontrivial increasing trend in opioid-related morbidity-mortality should prompt authorities to closely monitor PO consumption in order to prevent alarming increases in opioid-related morbidity-mortality.

SIGNIFICANCE

In 2004-2017, prescription opioid use in France at least doubled and oxycodone use increased particularly, associated with a nontrivial increase in opioid-related morbidity-mortality. Although giving no indication for an 'opioid epidemic,' these findings call for proper monitoring of opioid use.

Should we expand the indications for the DAIR (debridement, antibiotic therapy, and implant retention) procedure for Staphylococcus aureus prosthetic joint infections? A multicenter retrospective study

To evaluate factors associated with failure in patients treated with DAIR (debridement, antibiotic therapy, and implant retention) for Staphylococcus aureus prosthetic joint infections (PJIs). We retrospectively analyzed consecutive patients with stable PJI due to S. aureus treated with DAIR at six hospitals between 2010 and 2014. Cox proportional hazards regression was used to study factors associated with treatment failure at 2 years. Of 154 eligible patients, 137 were included (mean age 73 ± 13 years; male 56%). The estimated success rate according to the Kaplan-Meier method was 76.2 [95% CI 68-83] at 2 years of follow-up. In multivariate analysis, longer duration of treatment (hazard ratio (HR) 0.78 [0.69-0.88]; p < 0.001) and combination therapy including rifampin (HR 0.08 [0.018-0.36]; p = 0.001) were independently associated with success, whereas active smoking was independently associated with failure (HR 3.6 [1.09-11.84]; p = 0.036). When the analysis was restricted to patients with early infection onset (< 3 months), early acute infection was also predictive of a better prognosis (HR 0.25 [0.09-0.7]; p = 0.009). Failure was not associated with time from prosthesis insertion to debridement, nor with duration of symptoms > 3 weeks and type of prosthesis (hip or knee). These results remained unchanged when the 14 patients under immunosuppressive therapy were removed from analysis. These data suggest that DAIR can be performed even if infection and symptoms are delayed but reserved to patients who are able to follow rifampin-based combination therapy for a prolonged duration that should not be different for hip and knee PJI.

Employees' adherence to worksite physical activity programs: Profiles of compliers versus non-compliers

While worldwide public health policies have emphasized the necessity to create a culture that favors regular physical activity, stakeholders and health institutions keep looking for new strategies and opportune settings. Workplaces have been identified since employees spent a considerable part of their time at work and several worksite interventions have been developed lately. While the actual scientific literature clearly points out the beneficial effects of physical activity programs implemented within companies on employees overall health, available evidences however seem to question their adherence to such interventions. Based on previously published results and new observations, this paper discusses the adherence rate during workplace physical activity programs and suggests new strategies to favor increased physical activity among employees, considering their dropouters or finishers' profiles.

Early corrected serum calcium value can predict definitive calcium serum level after total thyroidectomy in asymptomatic patients

INTRODUCTION

Hypocalcemia is the most common complication of thyroidectomy, requiring supplementation as well as prolonged hospitalization. Our study's objective was to determine a corrected calcium (CCa) level on day 1 after thyroidectomy predictive of no calcium and vitamin supplementation.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A single-center prospective study conducted between January 2012 and July 2015 in 396 patients, consisting of 331 cases of total thyroidectomy, with seven completion surgeries. The data collected were age, sex, type of thyroid surgery, etiology, anatomical pathological analysis, and the need for calcium and vitamin supplementation therapy as well as its duration. CCa levels were analyzed 20 and 30 h after surgery then on days 2 and 3. To determine a cut-off value for CCa, a ROC curve analysis was performed. The population was described in terms of numbers and associated percentages for categorical variables, and mean.

RESULTS

Mean CCa on 20 h after surgery was 2.09 mmol/L (p < 0.001) and 30 h was 2.06 mmol/L p = 0.02. CCa of less than 2.13 mmol/L was predictive of calcium and vitamin supplementation with 56% sensitivity and 97% specificity. On the evening of day 1, the cut-off value for CCa was 2.06 mmol/L with 67% sensitivity and 65% specificity.

CONCLUSION

This prospective study confirms that CCa on the first morning after surgery is reliable when it is more than 2.13 mmol/L. In total, analyzing CCa on day 1 after total thyroidectomy allows the discharge of 70% of patients on the first day after surgery, with no risk of hypocalcemia.

Increased factor VIII plays a significant role in plasma hypercoagulability phenotype of patients with cirrhosis

Essentials The role of increased factor VIII in cirrhosis-induced hypercoagulability has never been demonstrated. Factor VIII and protein C effects were characterized by thrombin generation with thrombomodulin. Factor VIII elevation plays a significant role in cirrhosis-induced plasma hypercoagulability. Only protein C and factor VIII normalization led to thrombin generation similar to controls.

SUMMARY

Background In cirrhosis, thrombin generation (TG) studied in the presence of thrombomodulin (TM) indicates plasma hypercoagulability. Although the role of protein C (PC) deficiency has been investigated, the influence of an increase in the factor VIII level has never been addressed. Objectives We investigated the roles of high FVIII and low PC levels in increased TG in the presence of TM. Methods Blood samples were prospectively collected from 35 healthy controls and 93 patients with cirrhosis (Child-Turcotte-Pugh [CTP]-A, n = 61; CTP-B, n = 19; and CTP-C, n = 13) and FVIII levels > 150% (n = 48) and/or PC levels < 70% (n = 88). TG was performed with tissue factor (5 pm), phospholipids, and TM (4 nm). FVIII and PC levels were normalized by adding an inhibitory anti-FVIII antibody and exogenous PC, respectively. Results The endogenous thrombin potential (ETP) in the presence of TM was higher in patients than in controls. After FVIII normalization, the ETP (median) decreased from 929 nm min to 621 nm min (CTP-A), 1122 nm min to 1082 nm min (CTP-B), and 1221 nm min to 1143 nm min (CTP-C); after PC normalization, it decreased from 776 nm min to 566 nm min (CTP-A), 1120 nm min to 790 nm min (CTP-B), and 995 nm min to 790 nm min (CTP-C). The ETP was reduced by 17% and 30%, respectively, but normal TG was not restored. When both FVIII and PC levels were normalized, the ETP decreased from 929 nm min to 340 nm min (CTP-A), 1122 nm min to 506 nm min (CTP-B), and 1226 nm min to 586 nm min (CTP-C), becoming similar to control levels. Conclusion Cirrhosis-induced plasma hypercoagulability, as demonstrated in these experimental conditions, can be partly explained by opposite changes in two factors: PC level (decrease) and FVIII level (increase).

Peanut gastrointestinal delivery oral immunotherapy in adolescents: Results of the build-up phase of a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial (PITA study)

BACKGROUND

Oral immunotherapy to peanut is effective in desensitizing patients but has significant side effects including anaphylaxis and gastrointestinal symptoms. In most protocols, peanut is administered in a vehicle food.

OBJECTIVE

In an exclusively adolescent population, we tested a new approach using sealed capsules of peanut (gastrointestinal delivery oral immunotherapy or GIDOIT) to bypass the upper gastrointestinal tract. The primary aim was to assess the efficacy of the oral build-up phase of GIDOIT and the secondary aim to analyse its safety.

METHODS

Adolescents with a history of a clinical allergic reaction after peanut ingestion were included in a 2-armed, parallel-design, individually randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, multicentre trial after a positive double-blind placebo-controlled oral food challenge (DBPCFC1). A central randomization centre used computer-generated tables to allocate treatments. Peanut (or placebo) capsules were ingested daily over a period of 24 weeks with increments every 2 weeks from 2 to 400 mg of peanut protein (pp). Primary outcome was tolerance of 400 mg of pp at DBPCFC2.

RESULTS

Thirty patients were included between September 2013 and May 2014. At DBPCFC2, unresponsiveness to 400 mg of pp was achieved in 17/21 peanut group patients (2 withdrawn patients) and 1/9 in the placebo group (Intention-to-treat analysis, P < .001, absolute difference = 0.7, 95%IC 0.43 0.96). Oropharyngeal symptoms were equally frequent in both groups. No dysphagia or other signs of eosinophilic oesophagitis occurred. Digestive adverse events (AE) were more frequent in the treated group (P = .02), but mild and without compliance issues. Only one severe advent event led to withdrawal in a patient who ingested twice the investigated treatment. Peanut-specific humoral immune responses were modulated.

CONCLUSION

The GIDOIT protocol demonstrated clinical and immunological efficacy and had an acceptable level of safety with weak oropharyngeal symptoms, no dysphagia, mild digestive events and few severe systemic AE.

Efficacy and safety of a T-type calcium channel blocker in patients with neuropathic pain: A proof-of-concept, randomized, double-blind and controlled trial

BACKGROUND

T-type calcium channels have been shown to play an important role in the initiation and maintenance of neuropathic pain and represent a promising therapeutic target for new analgesic treatments. Ethosuximide (ETX), an anticonvulsant and a T-type channel blocker has shown analgesic effect in several chronic pain models but has not yet been evaluated in patients with neuropathic pain.

METHODS

This proof-of-concept, multicentre, double-blind, controlled and randomized trial compared the efficacy and safety of ETX (given as add-on therapy) to an inactive control (IC) in 114 patients with non-diabetic peripheral neuropathic pain. After a 7-day run-in period, eligible patients aged over 18 years were randomly assigned (1:1) to ETX or IC for 6 weeks. The primary outcome was the difference between groups in the pain intensity (% of change from the baseline to end of treatment) assessed in the intention-to-treat population. This study is registered with EudraCT (2013-004801-26) and ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT02100046).

RESULTS

The study was stopped during the interim analysis due to the high number of adverse events in the active treatment group. ETX failed to reduce total pain and showed a poor tolerance in comparison to IC. In the per-protocol analysis, ETX significantly reduced pain intensity by 15.6% (95% CI -25.8; -5.4) from baseline compared to IC (-7.8%, 95% CI -14.3; -1.3; p = 0.033), but this result must be interpreted with caution because of a small subgroup of patients.

CONCLUSION

Ethosuximide did not reduce the severity of neuropathic pain and induces, at the doses used, many adverse events.

SIGNIFICANCE

This article shows that ETX is not effective to treat neuropathic pain. Nevertheless, per-protocol analysis suggests a possible analgesic effect of ETX. Thus, our work adds significant knowledge to preclinical and clinical data on the benefits of T-type calcium channel inhibition for the treatment of neuropathic pain.

Radiotherapy plus temozolomide in elderly patients with glioblastoma: a "real-life" report

Background

The optimization of the management for elderly glioblastoma patients is crucial given the demographics of aging in many countries. We report the outcomes for a “real-life” patient cohort (i.e. unselected) comprising consecutive glioblastoma patients aged 70 years or more, treated with different radiotherapy +/− temozolomide regimens.

Methods

From 2003 to 2016, 104 patients ≥ 70 years of age, consecutively treated by radiotherapy for glioblastoma, were included in this study. All patients were diagnosed with IDH-wild type glioblastoma according to pathological criteria.

Results

Our patient cohort comprised 51 female patients (49%) and 53 male. The median cohort age was 75 years (70–88), and the median Karnofsky performance status (KPS) was 70 (30–100). Five (5%) patients underwent macroscopic complete resection, 9 (9%) had partial resection, and 90 (86%), a stereotactic biopsy. The MGMT promoter was methylated in 33/73 cases (45%). Fifty-two (50%), 38 (36%), and 14 (14%) patients were categorized with RPA scores of III, IV, and I-II. Thirty-three (32%) patients received normofractionated radiotherapy (60 Gy, 30 sessions) with temozolomide (Stupp), 37 (35%) received hypofractionated radiotherapy (median dose 40 Gy, 15 sessions) with temozolomide (HFRT + TMZ), and 34 (33%) HFRT alone. Patients receiving only HFRT were significantly older, with lower KPSs. The median overall survival (OS; all patients) was 5.2 months. OS rates at 12, 18, and 24 months, were 19%, 12%, and 5%, respectively, with no statistical differences between patients receiving Stupp or HFRT + TMZ (P = 0.22). In contrast, patients receiving HFRT alone manifested a significantly shorter survival time (3.9 months vs. 5.9 months, P = 0.018). In multivariate analyses, the prognostic factors for OS were: i) the type of surgery (HR: 0.47 [0.26–0.86], P = 0.014), ii) RPA class (HR: 2.15 [1.17–3.95], P = 0.014), and iii) temozolomide use irrespective of radiotherapy schedule (HR: 0.54 [0.33–0.88], P < 0.02). MGMT promoter methylation was neither a prognostic nor a predictive factor.

Conclusions

These outcomes agree with the literature in terms of optimal surgery and the use of HFRT as a standard treatment for elderly GBM patients. Our study emphasizes the potential benefit of using temozolomide with radiotherapy in a real-life cohort of elderly GBM patients, irrespective of their MGMT status.

[Results of conservative surgical management of ureteral injuries]

INTRODUCTION

The ureter is a retroperitoneal organ. Ureteral injuries are rare, with a prevalence of 0.083% of surgical interventions over 10 years. The objective of this study was to evaluate the surgical management of ureteric injuries according to the time of discovery, their size and their location. We also evaluated the results of this management on the renal repercussion as well as the predictive factors of the severity of the ureteric injuries.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

This was a monocentric retrospective study carried out on the basis of a systematic review of the CHU surgery files.

RESULTS

The average follow-up was 30 months. The average hospital stay was 8 days. Thirty-four patients (73.9%) underwent initial endoscopic management by attempting a double J probe. Only 20 patients received this double J probe and only 11 patients (55%) did not recidivate the ureteral injury with a median duration of maintenance of the double J probe of 90 days (28-240). Thirty-five patients received open surgical management (76.1%). We found 57% ureterovesical reimplantations (n=20), corresponding to pelvic ureteral injuries (n=32). We also found 20% of nephrectomies. No patient had recurrence of the ureteral injury. Eight patients had secondary dilatation of the pyelocalicious cavities (28.57%). The success of surgical treatment was therefore 57%.

CONCLUSION

The management of surgically treated ureter injuries provides good results but remains relatively diversified due to the different lesion levels. It was effective in 57% of cases including nephrectomies as failure of treatment.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

4.