Erratum: Retraction notice to "Development of a perioperative pathway for patients with mucopolysaccharidosis, cardiac disease, and difficult airways using virtual reality and 3D printing" [BJA Open 6 (2023) 100190]

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1016/j.bjao.2023.100190.].

Effect of Urate-Elevating Inosine on Early Parkinson Disease Progression: The SURE-PD3 Randomized Clinical Trial

Importance

Urate elevation, despite associations with crystallopathic, cardiovascular, and metabolic disorders, has been pursued as a potential disease-modifying strategy for Parkinson disease (PD) based on convergent biological, epidemiological, and clinical data.

Objective

To determine whether sustained urate-elevating treatment with the urate precursor inosine slows early PD progression.

Design, Participants, and Setting

Randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, phase 3 trial of oral inosine treatment in early PD. A total of 587 individuals consented, and 298 with PD not yet requiring dopaminergic medication, striatal dopamine transporter deficiency, and serum urate below the population median concentration (<5.8 mg/dL) were randomized between August 2016 and December 2017 at 58 US sites, and were followed up through June 2019.

Interventions

Inosine, dosed by blinded titration to increase serum urate concentrations to 7.1-8.0 mg/dL (n = 149) or matching placebo (n = 149) for up to 2 years.

Main Outcomes and Measures

The primary outcome was rate of change in the Movement Disorder Society Unified Parkinson Disease Rating Scale (MDS-UPDRS; parts I-III) total score (range, 0-236; higher scores indicate greater disability; minimum clinically important difference of 6.3 points) prior to dopaminergic drug therapy initiation. Secondary outcomes included serum urate to measure target engagement, adverse events to measure safety, and 29 efficacy measures of disability, quality of life, cognition, mood, autonomic function, and striatal dopamine transporter binding as a biomarker of neuronal integrity.

Results

Based on a prespecified interim futility analysis, the study closed early, with 273 (92%) of the randomized participants (49% women; mean age, 63 years) completing the study. Clinical progression rates were not significantly different between participants randomized to inosine (MDS-UPDRS score, 11.1 [95% CI, 9.7-12.6] points per year) and placebo (MDS-UPDRS score, 9.9 [95% CI, 8.4-11.3] points per year; difference, 1.26 [95% CI, -0.59 to 3.11] points per year; P = .18). Sustained elevation of serum urate by 2.03 mg/dL (from a baseline level of 4.6 mg/dL; 44% increase) occurred in the inosine group vs a 0.01-mg/dL change in serum urate in the placebo group (difference, 2.02 mg/dL [95% CI, 1.85-2.19 mg/dL]; P<.001). There were no significant differences for secondary efficacy outcomes including dopamine transporter binding loss. Participants randomized to inosine, compared with placebo, experienced fewer serious adverse events (7.4 vs 13.1 per 100 patient-years) but more kidney stones (7.0 vs 1.4 stones per 100 patient-years).

Conclusions and Relevance

Among patients recently diagnosed as having PD, treatment with inosine, compared with placebo, did not result in a significant difference in the rate of clinical disease progression. The findings do not support the use of inosine as a treatment for early PD.

Trial Registration

ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT02642393.

Telemedicine in Neurology: A Scoping Review of Key Outcomes in Movement Disorders

Background: Telemedicine for neurological care has been researched and practiced in various ways over the past three decades, but the recent COVID-19 pandemic has rapidly expanded its use and highlighted the need for a synthesis of the existing literature. We aimed to review the methodology and outcomes of previous studies that have evaluated the use of telemedicine in movement disorders. Methods: This scoping review was performed by searching PubMed, Ovid MEDLINE, and CINAHL databases from 1946 to November 2020. Studies that assessed the application of telemedicine for delivering care to patients with a movement disorder were included. We reported the aims and employed methodologies and categorized the outcomes from each study. Results: The search retrieved 228 articles, and 41 studies met the criteria for inclusion in the review. The majority of telemedicine studies were case series or randomized controlled pilot trials, investigating feasibility and acceptability in Parkinson's disease. Even with heterogeneity among outcome measures, they can be categorized into themes, such as feasibility, satisfaction, and efficacy. Conclusions: Telemedicine use has grown rapidly, due to the demands of providing care during a global pandemic. This application of telemedicine has been considered a promising way to expand care in Neurology, although research evaluating the dissemination of its use is dilatory. This review highlights the number of studies that have found telemedicine to be an acceptable and feasible way to deliver care for movement disorders. Further research is needed to expand on harmonization of outcomes, reach, adoption, and long-term use of telemedicine.

Massive atrial myxoma requiring emergency cardiopulmonary bypass in a patient with heparin resistance

Heparin exhibits complex pharmacology with a wide variation in individual response. Despite this, heparin is the most commonly used anticoagulant during cardiopulmonary bypass. Heparin resistance in the context of a patient with severe cardiovascular compromise presents a potentially life-threatening challenge. A 31-year-old woman was listed for emergency excision of a massive left atrial myxoma. On induction of anaesthesia, she developed marked cardiovascular instability secondary to mitral inflow obstruction. An initial heparin dose of 600 units.kg^-1 produced an activated clotting time of 360 s; however, immediate cardiopulmonary bypass was required. Heparin resistance remained problematic throughout the procedure, with an inadequate response to antithrombin three supplementation. Despite a total dose of 120,000 units of heparin, anticoagulation was fully reversed with 500 mg protamine and there was no subsequent re-heparinisation. Heparin resistance, when coinciding with profound cardiovascular instability, requires a pragmatic response to expedite establishment of cardiopulmonary bypass whilst minimising potential harm. In this case, successful cardiopulmonary bypass was achieved with additional heparin boluses from an alternative batch administered both intravenously and via the bypass circuit. We therefore advocate consideration of this approach as one possible solution to achieving safe entry onto cardiopulmonary bypass in a crisis scenario.

Examining the interplay between depression, motivation, and antiretroviral therapy adherence: a social cognitive approach

A large body of research identifies depressive symptoms as a barrier to optimal antiretroviral therapy (ART) adherence, whereas treatment motivation has been characterized as a facilitator. There is evidence, however, that these patterns may not hold for some ART patients despite the widespread use of motivational techniques aimed at promoting adherence. Little is known about how the interplay between different levels of depressive symptoms and variations in the types and levels of motivation may influence ART adherence. The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between depressive symptoms, two types of motivation, and adherence, with self-efficacy as a mediator. The sample consisted of 121 ART patients who reported various levels of depressive symptoms (mean age = 41 years; 84% African-American; and 68% female). Path analysis revealed that self-efficacy fully mediated the relationship between the three predictor variables (depressive symptoms, intrinsic motivation, and extrinsic motivation) and adherence, χ²(3, N = 121) = .78, RMSEA = .00, SRMR = .02, CFI = 1.00, NNFI = 1.06. Findings suggest that interventions using motivational techniques to build adherence among patients with varying levels of depressive symptoms should address the role of treatment self-efficacy to improve their effectiveness.

Effect of Deutetrabenazine on Chorea Among Patients With Huntington Disease: A Randomized Clinical Trial

IMPORTANCE

Deutetrabenazine is a novel molecule containing deuterium, which attenuates CYP2D6 metabolism and increases active metabolite half-lives and may therefore lead to stable systemic exposure while preserving key pharmacological activity.

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate efficacy and safety of deutetrabenazine treatment to control chorea associated with Huntington disease.

DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS

Ninety ambulatory adults diagnosed with manifest Huntington disease and a baseline total maximal chorea score of 8 or higher (range, 0-28; lower score indicates less chorea) were enrolled from August 2013 to August 2014 and randomized to receive deutetrabenazine (n = 45) or placebo (n = 45) in a double-blind fashion at 34 Huntington Study Group sites.

INTERVENTIONS

Deutetrabenazine or placebo was titrated to optimal dose level over 8 weeks and maintained for 4 weeks, followed by a 1-week washout.

MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES

Primary end point was the total maximal chorea score change from baseline (the average of values from the screening and day-0 visits) to maintenance therapy (the average of values from the week 9 and 12 visits) obtained by in-person visits. This study was designed to detect a 2.7-unit treatment difference in scores. The secondary end points, assessed hierarchically, were the proportion of patients who achieved treatment success on the Patient Global Impression of Change (PGIC) and on the Clinical Global Impression of Change (CGIC), the change in 36-Item Short Form- physical functioning subscale score (SF-36), and the change in the Berg Balance Test.

RESULTS

Ninety patients with Huntington disease (mean age, 53.7 years; 40 women [44.4%]) were enrolled. In the deutetrabenazine group, the mean total maximal chorea scores improved from 12.1 (95% CI, 11.2-12.9) to 7.7 (95% CI, 6.5-8.9), whereas in the placebo group, scores improved from 13.2 (95% CI, 12.2-14.3) to 11.3 (95% CI, 10.0-12.5); the mean between-group difference was -2.5 units (95% CI, -3.7 to -1.3) (P < .001). Treatment success, as measured by the PGIC, occurred in 23 patients (51%) in the deutetrabenazine group vs 9 (20%) in the placebo group (P = .002). As measured by the CGIC, treatment success occurred in 19 patients (42%) in the deutetrabenazine group vs 6 (13%) in the placebo group (P = .002). In the deutetrabenazine group, the mean SF-36 physical functioning subscale scores decreased from 47.5 (95% CI, 44.3-50.8) to 47.4 (44.3-50.5), whereas in the placebo group, scores decreased from 43.2 (95% CI, 40.2-46.3) to 39.9 (95% CI, 36.2-43.6), for a treatment benefit of 4.3 (95% CI, 0.4 to 8.3) (P = .03). There was no difference between groups (mean difference of 1.0 unit; 95% CI, -0.3 to 2.3; P = .14), for improvement in the Berg Balance Test, which improved by 2.2 units (95% CI, 1.3-3.1) in the deutetrabenazine group and by 1.3 units (95% CI, 0.4-2.2) in the placebo group. Adverse event rates were similar for deutetrabenazine and placebo, including depression, anxiety, and akathisia.

CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE

Among patients with chorea associated with Huntington disease, the use of deutetrabenazine compared with placebo resulted in improved motor signs at 12 weeks. Further research is needed to assess the clinical importance of the effect size and to determine longer-term efficacy and safety.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

clinicaltrials.gov Identifier: NCT01795859.

Impact of Depression on Progression of Impairment and Disability in Early Parkinson's Disease

BACKGROUND

Depression is one of the most common nonmotor symptoms associated with Parkinson's disease (PD), yet the impact of depression on progression of disease is unclear.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to prospectively characterize the relationship between depressive symptoms and measures of disease progression in a large sample of patients with early, medically treated PD.

METHODS

Baseline and longitudinal Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) scores from participants in the NINDS Exploratory Trials in PD Long Term Study 1 were correlated with changes in multiple measures of disease severity over 5 years. Multivariate analysis of predictors of change in BDI was performed.

RESULTS

Of 1,741 participants, 746 completed 5-year assessments and were included. Mean age was 62.00 years (standard deviation [SD]: 9.22) and mean disease duration was 1.69 years (SD, 1.16). Mean BDI score was 6.24 (SD, 5.02) at baseline and 8.57 (SD, 6.60) at 5 years. Baseline BDI score was strongly associated with rate of change in all examined measures of disease severity. In multivariate analysis, BDI 5-year change was associated with change in UPDRS Part I (excluding depression item; P < 0.01), 33-item Parkinson's Disease Questionnaire (P < 0.01), EuroQOL Five Dimensional Questionnaire (P = 0.02), and Total Functional Capacity (P < 0.01), but was not associated with motor or cognitive measures. This model explained 68.8% of the variance 5-year change of the BDI score.

CONCLUSIONS

Worse baseline BDI scores are associated with a decline in multiple measures of disease severity in PD. Worsening of BDI at 5 years was associated with worsening in UPDRS Part I and quality-of-life measures, but not with motor or cognitive measures.

Depressive symptoms among MSM who engage in bareback sex: does mood matter?

Much research has examined the relationship between depressive symptoms and unprotected sex among men who have sex with men (MSM), but little is known about how depression is related to the sexual behavior of men who intentionally engage in unprotected anal intercourse, or bareback sex. In this study, we explored the extent to which depressive symptoms were associated with rates of unprotected sex among barebackers, and whether this relationship was dependent upon HIV serostatus. Using a sample of 120 MSM who engage in intentional condomless sex, we found that for HIV-negative participants, depressive symptoms were associated with the overall frequency of unprotected anal intercourse as well as unprotected anal intercourse with a serodiscordant partner. For HIV-positive participants, depressive symptoms were not associated unprotected intercourse. Additional research is needed to better understand depression among men who bareback and how interventions could be designed to address depression and reduce sexual risk behaviors.

Design of an Endoscope Lens Shielding Device for Use in Laparoscopic Procedures

In recent years, laparoscopic surgical procedures have revolutionized many gynecological and abdominal procedures, leading to dramatic reductions in recovery time and scarring for the patient. While techniques and instruments for performing laparoscopic surgery have improved over the years, loss of vision through the endoscopic lens caused by fog, liquid, and solid debris common to laparoscopic procedures remains a significant problem. In this paper, a shielding mechanism that maintains visibility through the laparoscope by removing debris from the distal end of the lens is presented. This device provides an inexpensive and convenient alternative to the current practice of removing, cleaning, and re-inserting the laparoscope during surgical procedures. This device is shown in multiple trials to repeatably remove debris from the distal tip of the lens, thereby restoring vision for the surgeon without requiring removal or reinsertion of the endoscope.

Sixteen-year experience with 1,000 heart transplants at UCLA

1. The consecutive pre- and post-1994 eras have demonstrated improved survival for all age groups. This is linked to improved preservation methods, surgical technique and immunosuppression agents. 2. The use of marginal donor hearts for Status I and alternate elderly patients has followed the model of matching donor and recipient risk without affecting patient outcome and minimized the use of implantable assist devices. 3. A donor history of systemic gram-negative infection, hypertension, or traumatic intracranial bleeds was an important marker for risk. Younger age and shorter ischemia time could compensate for other hazards. 4. Heart transplantation in carefully selected elderly recipients yielded clinical results similar to those of younger patients with less rejection. 5. An adult alternate recipient list proved useful to prevent diversion of standard donors away from younger recipients. 6. Retransplantation for TCAD is acceptable but much less satisfactory for acute graft failure. 7. Trends show an increase in the use of implantable devices; refinement in technology for mechanical assist and replacement is forthcoming.

Perceptions of racism by black medical students attending white medical schools

Thirty-one black medical students attending five white medical schools were seen in individual interviews of one to two hours to evaluate their perceptions of racism in their medical school education. The interviews focused on racism experienced in high school, college, and medical school. Over one half of the population experienced racism during their high school and college education, while 30 of 31 subjects reported racist experiences in their medical school education. The students reported a variety of methods of coping with racist experiences and emphasized the importance of fellow minority students, faculty, and the minority office in coping with the stresses of racist experiences. Those offering counseling services to minority students should recognize the reality of racist experiences in medical education.