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Strunz PP, Risser LM, Englbrecht M, Witte T, Froehlich M, Schmalzing M, Gernert M, Hueper S, Bartz-Bazzanella P, von der Decken C, Karberg K, Gauler G, Späthling-Mestekemper S, Kuhn C, Vorbrüggen W, Welcker M, Kleinert S. Use of Janus kinase inhibitors before and after European Medicines Agency safety recommendations: a retrospective study. Front Immunol 2024; 15:1445680. [PMID: 39238648 PMCID: PMC11374631 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2024.1445680] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2024] [Accepted: 08/02/2024] [Indexed: 09/07/2024] Open
Abstract
Background Safety recommendations for Janus kinase inhibitors (JAKi) issued by the European Medical Agency (EMA) in 2023 could potentially influence treatment patterns for rheumatoid arthritis (RA) drugs, but little is known about the impact of these recommendations in routine clinical care. Methods We retrospectively analyzed the German RHADAR rheumatology database for adult patients with RA and documentation of a new therapy with a JAKi, tumor necrosis factor inhibitor (TNFi), or interleukin-6 receptor inhibitor (IL-6Ri). Data were grouped into half-yearly intervals from quarter (Q)2/2020 to Q3/2023. The period from Q4/2022 to Q1/2023 immediately followed the initial EMA endorsement of Pharmacovigilance Risk Assessment Committee (PRAC) recommendations and Q2/2023-Q3/2023 immediately followed the direct healthcare provider communication (DHPC) containing the new safety JAKi recommendations. Results Between April 1, 2020 and September 23, 2023, 3008 newly initiated therapies for TNFi (1499 [49.8%]), JAKi (1126 [37.4%]), and IL-6Ri (383 [12.7%]) were documented by the treating physicians. JAKi were increasingly used in the first two half-year periods (from 29.7% of these therapies in Q2/2020-Q3/2020 to 46.7% in Q2/2021-Q3/2021; odds ratio [OR] 2.08; p<0.001). The proportion of initiated JAKi therapies decreased significantly after the PRAC recommendations (32.9%; OR vs peak 0.56; p=0.001) and the DHPC letter (26.1%; OR vs peak 0.40; p<0.001). JAKi were more likely to be used as >3rd-line therapy in later time periods. Conclusions This exploratory study suggests that EMA safety recommendations for JAKi influenced treatment patterns of RA patients who received JAKi in Germany. Additional studies will be needed to confirm these findings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patrick-Pascal Strunz
- University Hospital of Würzburg, Department of Medicine II, Rheumatology/Clinical Immunology, Würzburg, Germany
| | | | | | - Torsten Witte
- Medical School Hannover, Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, Hannover, Germany
| | - Matthias Froehlich
- University Hospital of Würzburg, Department of Medicine II, Rheumatology/Clinical Immunology, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Marc Schmalzing
- University Hospital of Würzburg, Department of Medicine II, Rheumatology/Clinical Immunology, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Michael Gernert
- University Hospital of Würzburg, Department of Medicine II, Rheumatology/Clinical Immunology, Würzburg, Germany
| | | | - Peter Bartz-Bazzanella
- Klinik für Internistische Rheumatologie, Rhein-Maas-Klinikum, Würselen, Germany
- Medizinisches Versorgungszentrum, Stolberg, Germany
- RHADAR - RheumaDatenRheport GbR, Planegg, Germany
| | - Cay von der Decken
- Klinik für Internistische Rheumatologie, Rhein-Maas-Klinikum, Würselen, Germany
- Medizinisches Versorgungszentrum, Stolberg, Germany
- RHADAR - RheumaDatenRheport GbR, Planegg, Germany
- Verein zur Förderung der Rheumatologie e.V., Würselen, Germany
| | - Kirsten Karberg
- RHADAR - RheumaDatenRheport GbR, Planegg, Germany
- Rheumatologisches Versorgungszentrum Steglitz, Berlin, Germany
| | - Georg Gauler
- RHADAR - RheumaDatenRheport GbR, Planegg, Germany
- Rheumatology Practice, Osnabrück, Germany
| | | | - Christoph Kuhn
- RHADAR - RheumaDatenRheport GbR, Planegg, Germany
- Praxis für Rheumatologie, Karlsruhe, Germany
| | - Wolfgang Vorbrüggen
- RHADAR - RheumaDatenRheport GbR, Planegg, Germany
- Verein zur Förderung der Rheumatologie e.V., Würselen, Germany
| | - Martin Welcker
- RHADAR - RheumaDatenRheport GbR, Planegg, Germany
- Medizinisches Versorgungszentrum für Rheumatologie Dr. M. Welcker GmbH, Planegg, Germany
| | - Stefan Kleinert
- University Hospital of Würzburg, Department of Medicine II, Rheumatology/Clinical Immunology, Würzburg, Germany
- RHADAR - RheumaDatenRheport GbR, Planegg, Germany
- Praxisgemeinschaft Rheumatologie-Nephrologie, Erlangen, Germany
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Hsieh E, Dey D, Grainger R, Li M, Machado PM, Ugarte-Gil MF, Yazdany J. Global Perspective on the Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Rheumatology and Health Equity. Arthritis Care Res (Hoboken) 2024; 76:22-31. [PMID: 37277949 DOI: 10.1002/acr.25169] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2023] [Accepted: 05/30/2023] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
Although the public health emergency associated with the COVID-19 pandemic has ended, challenges remain, especially for individuals with rheumatic diseases. We aimed to assess the historical and ongoing effects of COVID-19 on individuals with rheumatic diseases and rheumatology practices globally, with specific attention to vulnerable communities and lessons learned. We reviewed literature from several countries and regions, including Africa, Australia and New Zealand, China, Europe, Latin America, and the US. In this review, we summarize literature that not only examines the impact of the pandemic on individuals with rheumatic diseases, but also research that reports the lasting changes to rheumatology patient care and practice, and health service use. Across countries, challenges faced by individuals with rheumatic diseases during the pandemic included disruptions in health care and medication supply shortages. These challenges were associated with worse disease and mental health outcomes in some studies, particularly among those who had social vulnerabilities defined by socioeconomic, race, or rurality. Moreover, rheumatology practice was impacted in all regions, with the uptake of telemedicine and changes in health care utilization. While many regions developed rapid guidelines to disseminate scientific information, misinformation and disinformation remained widespread. Finally, vaccine uptake among individuals with rheumatic diseases has been uneven across the world. As the acute phase of the pandemic wanes, ongoing efforts are needed to improve health care access, stabilize rheumatology drug supplies, improve public health communication, and implement evidence-based vaccination practices to reduce COVID-19 morbidity and mortality among individuals with rheumatic diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Evelyn Hsieh
- Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, and VA Connecticut Healthcare System, West Haven, Connecticut
| | - Dzifa Dey
- Korle-bu Teaching Hospital and the University of Ghana Medical School, Accra, Ghana
| | | | - Mengtao Li
- Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Peking Union Medical College, National Clinical Research Center for Dermatologic and Immunologic Diseases, Ministry of Science & Technology, State Key Laboratory of Complex Severe and Rare Diseases, and Key Laboratory of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, Ministry of Education, Beijing, China
| | - Pedro M Machado
- University College London, NIHR University College London Hospitals Biomedical Research Centre, University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Northwick Park Hospital, and London North West University Healthcare NHS Trust, London, UK
| | - Manuel F Ugarte-Gil
- Universidad Científica del Sur and Hospital Nacional Guillermo Almenara Irigoyen - EsSalud, Lima, Perú
| | - Jinoos Yazdany
- San Francisco General Hospital and University of California, San Francisco
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3
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van der Ven J, van den Bemt BJF, Wielsma S, Flendrie M, Verhoef LM. The Use of Remote Consultations and Associated Factors in Rheumatology: A Large Retrospective Cohort Study of Follow-Up Consultations Before, During, and After COVID-19. Arthritis Care Res (Hoboken) 2024; 76:72-80. [PMID: 37652748 DOI: 10.1002/acr.25224] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2023] [Revised: 07/28/2023] [Accepted: 08/14/2023] [Indexed: 09/02/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To investigate the use of remote consultations (RCs) and the influence of consultation, health care provider (HCP), and patient characteristics on the choice for remote or face-to-face consultation. METHODS A monocenter retrospective cohort study was conducted on follow-up consultations of patients with rheumatic diseases from January 1, 2019 to January 16, 2023, using data from electronic health records. Trends in the proportion of RCs before, during, and after COVID-19 were studied. Cross-classified multilevel logistic regression models were built to account for clustering of consultations (level 1) within both patients and HCPs (level 2). The influence of consultation, patient, and HCP characteristics on the type of consultation was assessed. RESULTS 157,028 consultations of 30,215 unique patients seen by 64 HCPs were included in the data set. After an initial sharp increase in RC use at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, the proportion of RCs decreased toward a seemingly steady state at around 30%. 90% of the variance in the use of RCs can be attributed to the consultation level, whereas 4% and 6% can be attributed to the patient and HCP level. Longer consultation durations and time since last consultation decreased the odds for a RC, as did higher patient age, shared care, and longer disease duration. Higher travel distance, consultation density, and patient digital access increased the odds for a RC. CONCLUSION The COVID pandemic resulted in a structural increase in the use of RCs. Although several patient characteristics are associated with the type of consultation, most variance resulted from consultation characteristics compared with patients and HCPs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jeffrey van der Ven
- Sint Maartenskliniek, Department of Research and Radboud University Medical Centre, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Bart J F van den Bemt
- Sint Maartenskliniek, Department of Research and Radboud University Medical Centre, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Sabien Wielsma
- Sint Maartenskliniek, Department of Rheumatology, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Marcel Flendrie
- Sint Maartenskliniek, Department of Research and Radboud University Medical Centre, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
- Sint Maartenskliniek, Department of Rheumatology, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Lise M Verhoef
- Sint Maartenskliniek, Department of Research, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
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Park J, Lee M, Lee H, Kim HJ, Kwon R, Yang H, Lee SW, Kim S, Rahmati M, Koyanagi A, Smith L, Kim MS, Jacob L, López Sánchez GF, Elena D, Shin JI, Rhee SY, Yoo MC, Yon DK. National trends in rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis prevalence in South Korea, 1998-2021. Sci Rep 2023; 13:19528. [PMID: 37945633 PMCID: PMC10636038 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-46279-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2023] [Accepted: 10/30/2023] [Indexed: 11/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Studies on the trends in the prevalence of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and osteoarthritis (OA) are limited, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic. This study aimed to analyze the temporal trend of RA and OA in South Korean adults from 1998 to 2021, including the COVID-19 pandemic period. The Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES) data on adults aged ≥ 19 years were analyzed to investigate the prevalence of RA and OA from 1998 to 2021. The prevalence trends were compared by the years, and βdiff (β difference) was calculated. Odds ratios (ORs) were computed for each disease to examine changes in disease prevalence before and during the pandemic in order to determine the impact of the pandemic on disease prevalence. Among 163,221 Korean adults, the prevalence of RA and OA showed a steady decrease from 2005 (RA: from 1.91% in 2005-2007 to 1.55% in 2016-2019 and OA: from 9.75% in 2005-2007 to 8.27% in 2016-2019), but there was a slight increased after the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic (RA: from 1.23% in 2020 to 1.36% in 2021 and OA: from 8.04% in 2020 to 8.27% in 2021). Vulnerable groups, including participants aged ≥ 60 years (versus 19-60 years, ratio of ORs: 1.222; 95% CI 1.011-1.477), urban residents (ratio of ORs: 1.289; 95% CI 1.007-1.650), and participants with higher education level (ratio of ORs: 1.360; 95% CI 1.119-1.653) showed higher ORs of OA, whereas no particularly vulnerable population was observed for RA. Our findings provide an insight into the long-term trends of RA and OA among adult population and highlight a novel perspective on the impact of COVID-19 on disease prevalence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jaeyu Park
- Center for Digital Health, Medical Science Research Institute, Kyung Hee University Medical Center, Kyung Hee University College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea
- Department of Regulatory Science, Kyung Hee University, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Myeongcheol Lee
- Center for Digital Health, Medical Science Research Institute, Kyung Hee University Medical Center, Kyung Hee University College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea
- Department of Regulatory Science, Kyung Hee University, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Hojae Lee
- Center for Digital Health, Medical Science Research Institute, Kyung Hee University Medical Center, Kyung Hee University College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea
- Department of Regulatory Science, Kyung Hee University, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Hyeon Jin Kim
- Center for Digital Health, Medical Science Research Institute, Kyung Hee University Medical Center, Kyung Hee University College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea
- Department of Regulatory Science, Kyung Hee University, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Rosie Kwon
- Center for Digital Health, Medical Science Research Institute, Kyung Hee University Medical Center, Kyung Hee University College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea
- Department of Regulatory Science, Kyung Hee University, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Hwi Yang
- Center for Digital Health, Medical Science Research Institute, Kyung Hee University Medical Center, Kyung Hee University College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea
- Department of Regulatory Science, Kyung Hee University, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Seung Won Lee
- Department of Precision Medicine, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Suwon, South Korea
| | - Sunyoung Kim
- Department of Family Medicine, Kyung Hee University Medical Center, Kyung Hee University College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Masoud Rahmati
- Department of Physical Education and Sport Sciences, Faculty of Literature and Human Sciences, Lorestan University, Khoramabad, Iran
- Department of Physical Education and Sport Sciences, Faculty of Literature and Humanities, Vali-E-Asr University of Rafsanjan, Rafsanjan, Iran
| | - Ai Koyanagi
- Research and Development Unit, Parc Sanitari Sant Joan de Deu, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Lee Smith
- Centre for Health, Performance and Wellbeing, Anglia Ruskin University, Cambridge, UK
| | - Min Seo Kim
- Cardiovascular Disease Initiative, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Louis Jacob
- Department of Physical Education and Sport Sciences, Faculty of Literature and Humanities, Vali-E-Asr University of Rafsanjan, Rafsanjan, Iran
- Research and Development Unit, Parc Sanitari Sant Joan de Deu, Barcelona, Spain
- Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Department, Lariboisière-Fernand Widal Hospital, AP-HP, Paris, France
- Epidemiology of Ageing and Neurodegenerative Diseases, Université Paris-Cité, Paris, France
| | - Guillermo Felipe López Sánchez
- Division of Preventive Medicine and Public Health, Department of Public Health Sciences, School of Medicine, University of Murcia, Murcia, Spain
| | - Dragioti Elena
- Pain and Rehabilitation Centre, and Department of Medical and Health Sciences, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden
- Research Laboratory Psychology of Patients, Families, and Health Professionals, Department of Nursing, School of Health Sciences, University of Ioannina, Ioannina, Greece
| | - Jae Il Shin
- Department of Pediatrics, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Sang Youl Rhee
- Department of Regulatory Science, Kyung Hee University, Seoul, South Korea
- Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Kyung Hee University School of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Myung Chul Yoo
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Kyung Hee University Medical Center, Kyung Hee University College of Medicine, 23 Kyungheedae-Ro, Dongdaemun-Gu, Seoul, 02447, South Korea.
| | - Dong Keon Yon
- Center for Digital Health, Medical Science Research Institute, Kyung Hee University Medical Center, Kyung Hee University College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea.
- Department of Regulatory Science, Kyung Hee University, Seoul, South Korea.
- Department of Pediatrics, Kyung Hee University Medical Center, Kyung Hee University College of Medicine, 23 Kyungheedae-Ro, Dongdaemun-Gu, Seoul, 02447, South Korea.
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Afzali A, Lukanova R, Hennessy F, Kakehi S, Knight H, Milligan G, Gupte-Singh K. Unmet Needs in Real-World Advanced Therapy-Naïve and -Experienced Patients with Moderately to Severely Active Ulcerative Colitis in the United States. Adv Ther 2023; 40:4321-4338. [PMID: 37458875 PMCID: PMC10499754 DOI: 10.1007/s12325-023-02605-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2023] [Accepted: 06/28/2023] [Indexed: 09/14/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Despite availability of advanced therapies (ATs) for ulcerative colitis (UC), many patients fail to respond to treatment. This study examined real-world clinical and humanistic outcomes associated with current treatments in patients with UC. METHODS This cross-sectional study used US data from the Adelphi Real World Disease Specific Programme for inflammatory bowel disease from before (2017-2018) and during the COVID-19 pandemic (2020-2021). Physicians (gastroenterologists) seeing > 5 patients/month reported patients' disease characteristics, current symptoms and treatments, and reasons for treatment choices for their next seven consecutive patients aged ≥ 18 years with moderately to severely active UC before current treatment. Patients were asked to complete the EQ-5D-5L health-related quality of life (HRQoL) measure. ATs included tumor necrosis factor inhibitors (TNFis), integrin receptor antagonists, interleukin-12/23 antagonists, and Janus kinase inhibitors. Patients were classified as AT-naïve or AT-experienced based on current treatment received for ≥ 8 weeks and further classified as responders or non-responders based on symptoms, disease flare status, and remission. Descriptive analyses are presented. RESULTS The 2017-2018 cohort included 92 physicians and 539 patients (208 [38.6%] AT-experienced). The 2020-2021 cohort included 73 physicians and 448 patients (349 [77.9%] AT-experienced). TNFis were the most common ATs. In 2017-2018, 195 (58.9%) AT-naïve and 113 (54.3%) AT-experienced patients were non-responders; in 2020-2021 this was 57 (57.6%) and 182 (52.1%). Efficacy and induction of remission were physicians' most common reasons for AT choice. Dislike of injections/infusions was the most common reason for eligible patients not receiving biologic therapy. Numerically, non-responders (both AT-naïve and AT-experienced) had more symptoms, overall pain and fatigue, and lower HRQoL scores than responders. CONCLUSIONS Before (2017-2018) and during the pandemic (2020-2021), over half of patients with UC did not respond to AT. Non-responders carried a high burden of disease. Alternative therapies are urgently needed to treat UC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anita Afzali
- Division of Digestive Diseases, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Cincinnati, College of Medicine, 231 Albert Sabin Way, ML 0551, Room 6065, Cincinnati, OH, 45267, USA.
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Siragusa L, Angelico R, Angrisani M, Zampogna B, Materazzo M, Sorge R, Giordano L, Meniconi R, Coppola A. How future surgery will benefit from SARS-COV-2-related measures: a SPIGC survey conveying the perspective of Italian surgeons. Updates Surg 2023; 75:1711-1727. [PMID: 37578735 PMCID: PMC10435629 DOI: 10.1007/s13304-023-01613-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2023] [Accepted: 07/23/2023] [Indexed: 08/15/2023]
Abstract
COVID-19 negatively affected surgical activity, but the potential benefits resulting from adopted measures remain unclear. The aim of this study was to evaluate the change in surgical activity and potential benefit from COVID-19 measures in perspective of Italian surgeons on behalf of SPIGC. A nationwide online survey on surgical practice before, during, and after COVID-19 pandemic was conducted in March-April 2022 (NCT:05323851). Effects of COVID-19 hospital-related measures on surgical patients' management and personal professional development across surgical specialties were explored. Data on demographics, pre-operative/peri-operative/post-operative management, and professional development were collected. Outcomes were matched with the corresponding volume. Four hundred and seventy-three respondents were included in final analysis across 14 surgical specialties. Since SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, application of telematic consultations (4.1% vs. 21.6%; p < 0.0001) and diagnostic evaluations (16.4% vs. 42.2%; p < 0.0001) increased. Elective surgical activities significantly reduced and surgeons opted more frequently for conservative management with a possible indication for elective (26.3% vs. 35.7%; p < 0.0001) or urgent (20.4% vs. 38.5%; p < 0.0001) surgery. All new COVID-related measures are perceived to be maintained in the future. Surgeons' personal education online increased from 12.6% (pre-COVID) to 86.6% (post-COVID; p < 0.0001). Online educational activities are considered a beneficial effect from COVID pandemic (56.4%). COVID-19 had a great impact on surgical specialties, with significant reduction of operation volume. However, some forced changes turned out to be benefits. Isolation measures pushed the use of telemedicine and telemetric devices for outpatient practice and favored communication for educational purposes and surgeon-patient/family communication. From the Italian surgeons' perspective, COVID-related measures will continue to influence future surgical clinical practice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leandro Siragusa
- Department of Surgical Sciences, University of Rome "Tor Vergata", Rome, Italy
| | - Roberta Angelico
- HPB and Transplant Unit, Department of Surgical Sciences, University of "Rome Tor Vergata", Rome, Italy
| | - Marco Angrisani
- Department of General Surgery and Liver Transplantation, San Camillo Forlanini Hospital, Rome, Italy
| | - Biagio Zampogna
- Operative Research Unit of Orthopaedic and Trauma Surgery, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Campus Bio-Medico, Rome, Italy
- Research Unit of Orthopaedic and Trauma Surgery, Department of Medicine and Surgery, Università Campus Bio-Medico di Roma, 00128, Rome, Italy
| | - Marco Materazzo
- Department of Surgical Sciences, University of Rome "Tor Vergata", Rome, Italy.
- HPB and Transplant Unit, Department of Surgical Sciences, University of "Rome Tor Vergata", Rome, Italy.
- PhD Program in Applied Medical-Surgical Sciences, Breast Oncoplastic Surgery, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy.
| | - Roberto Sorge
- Department of Biostatistics, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy
| | - Luca Giordano
- Department of Surgery, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Roberto Meniconi
- Department of General Surgery and Liver Transplantation, San Camillo Forlanini Hospital, Rome, Italy
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