Diagnosis and treatment for clinically localized prostate cancer. Adherence to the European Association of Urology clinical guidelines in a nationwide population-based study - GESCAP group

OBJECTIVE

To assess the adherence to European Association of Urology (EAU) guidelines in the management of prostate cancer (PCa) in Spain.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Epidemiological, population-based, study including a national representative sample of 3,918 incident patients with histopathological confirmation during 2010; 95% of the patient's sample was followed up for at least one year. Diagnosis along with treatment related variables (for localized PCa -low, intermediate, high and locally-advanced by D'Amico risk stratification) was recorded. Differences between groups were tested with Chi-squared and Kruskal-Wallis tests.

RESULTS

Mean (SD) age of PCa patients was 68.48 (8.18). Regarding diagnostic by biopsy procedures, 64.56% of all patients had 8-12 cores in first biopsy and 46.5% of the patients over 75 years, with PSA<10ng/mL were biopsied. Staging by Computer Tomography (CT) or Bone Scan (BS) was used for determining tumor extension in 60.09% of high-risk cases and was applied differentially depending on patients' age; 3,293 (84.05%) patients received a treatment for localized PCa. Radical prostatectomy was done in 1,277 patients and 206 out of these patients also had a lymphadenectomy, being 4.64% low-risk, 22.81% intermediate-risk and 36.00% high-risk patients; 86.08% of 1,082 patients who had radiotherapy were treated with 3D or IMRT and 35.77% received a dose ≥75Gy; 419 patients were treated with brachytherapy (BT): 54.81% were low-risk patients, 22.84% intermediate-risk and 12.98% high-risk. Hormonotherapy (HT, n=521) was applied as single therapy in 9.46% of low-risk and 17.92% of intermediate-risk patients. Additionally, HT was combined with RT in 14.34% of lower-risk patients and 58.26% of high-risk patients, and 67.19% low-intermediate risk with RT and/or BT received neoadjuvant/concomitant/adjuvant HT. Finally, 83.75% of high-risk patients undergoing RT and/or BT also received HT.

CONCLUSIONS

Although EAU guidelines for PCa management are easily available in Europe, the adherence to their recommendations is low, finding the highest discrepancies in the need for a prostate biopsy and the diagnostic methods. Improve information and educational programs could allow a higher adherence to the guidelines and reduce the variability in daily practice. (Controlled-trials.com: ISRCTN19893319).

Treatment trends for clinically localised prostate cancer. National population analysis: GESCAP group

OBJECTIVES

To describe the established therapies for localised prostate cancer (PC) in Spain and to assess compliance with the 2010 UAE guidelines.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

This was an epidemiological, observational, prospective and multicentre study. Of the 3,918 patients diagnosed with PC during 2010, only those patients with localised PC were included. Follow-up was ultimately conducted for a minimum of one year from the diagnosis for 3,713 patients (94.77%). The treatment groups assessed were as follows: radical prostatectomy, radiation therapy, hormone therapy, brachytherapy, active surveillance or observation and experimental local treatment (cryotherapy or other treatment). Compliance with the recommendations of the EAU guidelines was studied, describing the treatment groups according to D'Amico risk stratification criteria (localised [low, intermediate and high risk] and locally advanced), age, PSA and Gleason score.

RESULTS

By applying the D'Amico criteria, we included 3,641 (92.93%) patients. Based on the UAE recommendations: 1) 68.87% of the patients at low-intermediate risk aged≤65 years underwent radical prostatectomy; 2) 34.51% of the patients>65 years at high risk with locally advanced disease were administered radiation therapy and hormone therapy; 3) 30.36% of the patients at high risk with locally advanced disease were only treated with hormone therapy; 4) 15.20% of the patients at low risk were only treated with brachytherapy; 5) active surveillance or observation was selected for 2.44% of the patients aged≤65 years and for 10.63% of the patients at low-intermediate risk who were>65 years. Lastly, 86.5% of the patients at low risk underwent a single treatment, and 43.62% of the patients at high risk with locally advanced disease underwent combined treatments.

CONCLUSIONS

This is the first national European study to evaluate the therapeutic management of localised PC based on the risk group to which the patient belonged. Most young patients (≤65 years) with low-intermediate risk localised PC were treated with surgery, which adheres to the recommendations of the 2010 UAE guidelines. Various therapeutic combinations have been employed for patients with high-risk, locally advanced localised tumours, revealing the need for a multidisciplinary approach (Controlled-trials.com number: ISRCTN19893319).

Adherence to the lymphadenectomy recommendations of the 2009 clinical guidelines in the 2010 National Prostate Cancer Registry

OBJECTIVE

To assess the adherence to the recommendations of the 2009 clinical guidelines in the implementation of lymphadenectomy during radical prostatectomy and analysis of the variables that influence this decision in the 2010 National Prostate Cancer Registry.

MATERIAL AND METHOD

Analysis of 1,272 patients who underwent prostatectomy in 25 national hospitals. Patient classification according to the pathological node-positive (pN+) risk criteria included in the clinical guidelines of the European Association of Urology (EAU) and National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN). Calculation of the raw agreement and index of agreement kappa. Logistic regression to assess the predictors in the decision to perform lymphadenectomy.

RESULTS

Lymphadenectomy was performed on 225 (17.7%) patients, with a variability among centers of 0-62.2% (p<.001). There was lymphocytic invasion (pN+) in 17 (7.5%) patients. The raw agreement with the EAU-09 clinical guidelines was .672 (.48-.96 in the various centers), and the kappa index was .289. The raw agreement with the NCCN-09 clinical guidelines was.814 (.51-1 in the various centers), and the kappa index was .228. In the multivariate analysis, the independent predictors for performing lymphadenectomy were the Gleason score, the clinical stage, the prostate-specific antigen, the hospital center and the surgical approach route to prostatectomy (all P<.001).

CONCLUSIONS

In our study, adherence to the recommendations of the clinical guidelines on the implementation of lymphadenectomy was moderate. When deciding on lymphadenectomy, the determinants (in addition to the classic clinical variables) were the approach route and the hospital where the prostatectomy was performed.

Severity profiles in patients diagnosed of benign prostatic hyperplasia in Spain

OBJECTIVES

To analyse the severity profiles and progression criteria in patients diagnosed of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) in urology clinics in Spain.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

A multicentre observational epidemiological study conducted in Spain between May-November 2008. A representative sample of 392 urologist gathered socio-demographic, clinical and patient-centered data from three consecutive patients with new diagnostic of BPH in urology clinics.

RESULTS

A total of 1.115 patients were evaluated. Mean age was 65.7 years old. Mean time from the onset of symptoms to diagnostic was 18,8 months. Mean IPSS score was 17.2. 63 patients (5,7%) had mild symptoms; 670 (60,1%) had moderate symptoms with a mean IPSS score of 14.6 and 382 (34.3%) had severe symptoms with a mean IPSS score of 23.7. Mean PSA was 2.6 ng/ml and ultrasound measured prostatic volume was 49.2cc. A total of 713 (63,9%) patients met progression criteria (PSA >1.5 ng/ml and volume>30 cc). Symptoms severity was directly correlated with age, prostatic volume, PSA, presence of progression criteria and time from the onset of symptoms and inversely correlated with urine flow rate (P<.001). Progression criteria was directly correlated with age, symptoms severity and inversely with urine flow rate (P<.01).

CONCLUSIONS

More than 90% of patients diagnosed of BPH in urology clinics in Spain had moderate to severe symptoms. Two thirds met progression criteria that correlate with age and severity of symptoms.

Health-related quality of life, patient satisfaction, and adherence to treatment in patients with moderate or severe atopic dermatitis on maintenance therapy: the CONDA-SAT study

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate health-related quality of life (HRQOL), patient satisfaction, and adherence to treatment in patients with moderate or severe atopic dermatitis on maintenance therapy.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

We performed a national, multicenter, cross-sectional, epidemiological study in adults and children with moderate or severe atopic dermatitis of at least 16 months' duration who were receiving maintenance therapy. We used the Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI), the children's version of this scale (cDLQI), and the Morisky medication adherence scale. Visual analog scales were used to measure treatment satisfaction. We used the Mann-Whitney U test to compare HRQOL between patients with moderate and severe disease and the Wilcoxon test to compare the frequency and duration of flares before and after the start of maintenance therapy.

RESULTS

We studied 141 children and 141 adults; the prevalence of moderate AD in these groups was 85.8% and 79.4%, respectively. The impact of AD on HRQOL was mild to moderate. Maintenance therapy led to a significant decrease in the frequency and duration of flares (P < .001). While treatment satisfaction was high in both groups, adherence was poor (18.4%-42.6% in children and 14.9%-27.0% in adults).

CONCLUSIONS

Patients with moderate and severe AD receiving maintenance therapy experience a reduction in the number and duration of flares and an improvement in HRQOL. While treatment satisfaction is high, adherence rates could be improved.

[National prostate cancer registry 2010 in Spain]

OBJECTIVES

To estimate the 2010 incidence of PCa in Spain and describe the clinical profile of newly-diagnosed cases using a nationwide hospital-based registry.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

National epidemiological study in 25 public hospitals with a specific reference population according to the National Health System. Sociodemographic and clinical variables of all newly diagnosed, histopathological confirmed PCa cases were collected in 2010, in the area of influence of each centre. The age-standardised PCa incidence was determined based on the age distribution of the Spanish population in Spain and in 3 regions: Andalusia, Catalonia and Region of Madrid.

RESULTS

4,087 new cases of PCa were diagnosed for a reference population of 4,933,940 men (21.8% of the Spanish male population). The estimated age-standardised PCa incidence was 82.27 cases per 100,000 men in Spain, 70,38 in Andalusia, 85,70 in Catalonia and 92,29 in the Region of Madrid. Mean age at diagnosis was 69 years. Median PSA was 8 ng/ml. Gleason score was ≤6 in 56.5%, 7 in 26.7% and >7 in 16.8% of patients. At diagnosis, 90% had localised disease.

CONCLUSIONS

In the 3 Regions analyzed, around 80-90% of the cases are diagnosed in a clinical localised stage. The incidence rates in Andalusía, Catalonia and Region of Madrid show a great difference between them due to several factors.

A mixture of Lactobacillus plantarum CECT 7315 and CECT 7316 enhances systemic immunity in elderly subjects. A dose-response, double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized pilot trial

BACKGROUND & AIM

Immunosenescence can increase morbi-mortality. Lactic acid producing bacteria may improve immunity and reduce morbidity and mortality in the elderly. We aimed to investigate the effects of a mixture of two new probiotic strains of Lactobacillus plantarum--CECT 7315 and 7316--on systemic immunity in elderly.

METHODS

50 institutionalized elderly subjects were randomized, in a double-blind fashion, to receive for 12 weeks 1) 5·10(8) cfu/day of L. plantarum CECT7315/7316 ("low probiotic dose") (n = 13), 2) 5·10(9) cfu/day of the probiotic mixture ("high probiotic dose") (n = 19), or 3) placebo (n = 15). Leukocyte subpopulations, and cytokine levels (IL-1 , IL-10, TGF-β1) were measured in venous blood at baseline, end of treatment (week 12), and end of follow-up (week 24). Infection and survival rates were recorded.

RESULTS

After treatment, high probiotic dose resulted in significant increases in the percentages of activated potentially T-suppressor (CD8+CD25+) and NK (CD56+ CD16+) cells, while low probiotic dose increased activated T-helper lymphocytes (CD4+CD25+), B lymphocytes (CD19+), and antigen presenting cells (HLA-DR+). Also, plasma TGF-β1 concentration significantly decreased after treatment with both probiotic doses. Most of these changes remained 12 weeks after probiotic discontinuation. Incidence of infections during treatment showed a significant trend to be lower in the high probiotic dose group. In addition, there was a significant trend for mortality to be greater in the placebo group vs. both probiotic groups.

CONCLUSIONS

Depending on the dose, L. plantarum CECT7315/7316 have different immune-enhancing effects in elderly subjects. These effects might result in a better clinical outcome.

Copy number variation in chemokine superfamily: the complex scene of CCL3L-CCL4L genes in health and disease

Genome copy number changes (copy number variations: CNVs) include inherited, de novo and somatically acquired deviations from a diploid state within a particular chromosomal segment. CNVs are frequent in higher eukaryotes and associated with a substantial portion of inherited and acquired risk for various human diseases. CNVs are distributed widely in the genomes of apparently healthy individuals and thus constitute significant amounts of population-based genomic variation. Human CNV loci are enriched for immune genes and one of the most striking examples of CNV in humans involves a genomic region containing the chemokine genes CCL3L and CCL4L. The CCL3L-CCL4L copy number variable region (CNVR) shows extensive architectural complexity, with smaller CNVs within the larger ones and with interindividual variation in breakpoints. Furthermore, the individual genes embedded in this CNVR account for an additional level of genetic and mRNA complexity: CCL4L1 and CCL4L2 have identical exonic sequences but produce a different pattern of mRNAs. CCL3L2 was considered previously as a CCL3L1 pseudogene, but is actually transcribed. Since 2005, CCL3L-CCL4L CNV has been associated extensively with various human immunodeficiency virus-related outcomes, but some recent studies called these associations into question. This controversy may be due in part to the differences in alternative methods for quantifying gene copy number and differentiating the individual genes. This review summarizes and discusses the current knowledge about CCL3L-CCL4L CNV and points out that elucidating their complete phenotypic impact requires dissecting the combinatorial genomic complexity posed by various proportions of distinct CCL3L and CCL4L genes among individuals.

Copy number variation in the CCL4L gene is associated with susceptibility to acute rejection in lung transplantation

Lung transplantation (LT) has become an accepted therapy for selected patients with advanced lung disease. One of the main limitations to successful LT is rejection of the transplanted organ where chemokines are pivotal mediators. Here, we test the relationship between copy number variation (CNV) in the CCL4L chemokine gene and rejection risk in LT patients (n=161). Patients with no acute rejection showed a significantly lower mean number of CCL4L copies than patients that showed acute rejection (1.66 vs 1.96, P=0.014), with an even greater number of gene copies seen in patients with more than one episode of acute rejection (1.66 vs 2.30, P=0.001). Additionally, patients with > or =2 CCL4L copies had a significantly higher risk of acute rejection compared with patients that had 0-1 CCL4L copies (odds ratio 2.65; 95% confidence interval, 1.33-5.28; P=0.0046). A combined analysis of CCL4L CNV and the rs4796195 CCL4L single nucleotide polymorphism demonstrated that the effect of CCL4L copy number in acute rejection is mainly because of the number of copies of the CCL4L1 allelic variant. This finding constitutes the first report of CNV as a correlate factor in allograft rejection.

Protocadherin Alpha Gene Polymorphisms in Bipolar Disorder. Results from the Czech Cohort

Aims:

Protocadherins (PCHD) are cell adhesion proteins with an important role in neuronal migration, differentiation and synaptogenesis. The linkage studies suggest that the 5q31-linked protocadherin family locus should be considered as potential candidate locus in schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. In this study, we focused particularly on single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) located in PCHDα enhancer. Results from the Czech cohort of patients with bipolar disorder (BD) will be presented.

Methods:

Unrelated inpatients and outpatients with BD based on Schedule for Affective Disorders and Schizophrenia - Lifetime (n=167) and blood bank donors as control subjects (n=211) were recruited in the study. Four SNPs posted in dbSNP (rs31745, rs10036519, rs3756337 and rs59497) in the PCDHα gene enhancer were analyzed. The data sets were analysed using a case control design.

Results:

In case of SNP, rs31745, a significant increase in homozygosity for the minor allele (T) was detected in patients with BD; 5% had this genotype, but no controls (p=0.001). The distribution of allels did not differ between patients and controls. No significant differences were found in allele or genotype distribution for three other SNPs.

Conclusions:

The findings suggest that the PCHDα is an interesting gene family to consider in BD susceptibility.

Quality of life in mild to moderate acne: relationship to clinical severity and factors influencing change with treatment

BACKGROUND

Because of its effects on quality of life, acne vulgaris is more than a merely physiological or cosmetic entity.

OBJECTIVES

To describe the influence of mild to moderate acne on patients' quality of life, measured using Skindex-29, and to correlate changes in Skindex-29 scores with changes in objective and subjective indices in clinical severity after treatment with topical 4% erythromycin 0.2% zinc. Also, to evaluate efficacy and side-effects of the treatment.

METHODS

Observational, prospective study of 1878 patients cared for by 252 clinicians in Spain. Data included epidemiological information and responses to Skindex-29, a subjective change and objective severity index.

RESULTS

Baseline Skindex scale scores were worse in women, older patients, and those with more severe clinical disease. Skindex was sensitive to changes in objective severity but changes in Skindex scale scores were also related to other factors. Patients who reported their skin condition to be 'the same' or 'worse' at the end of the study had significantly worse baseline scores on the 'symptoms' and 'emotions' scales but 'functioning' scores were not worse than for those who reported their condition had improved.

CONCLUSION

The effects of acne vulgaris on quality of life and changes in quality of life after treatment are not only explainable by objective severity of acne. Patients' and clinicians' judgements about acne severity are different.