Press review
The essentials of recent medical publications, unpacked by our newsroom into a clear, sourced digest, specialty by specialty.
Urology-nephrologyPotassium intake and chronic renal failure
Is potassium intake directly associated with the incidence of chronic kidney disease? Researchers set out to answer this question in a prospective observational cohort study conducted in the UK between 2006 and 2010. A total of 317,162 participants were included, all without chronic kidney disease at inclusion. Participants with initially higher urinary potassium/creatinine ratios had lower blood
Dermatology and VenereologyProgression of dermatomyositis according to disease subtype
Few data are currently available on the progression of classic dermatomyositis and clinically amyopathic dermatomyositis. In this retrospective study, 269 patients were followed longitudinally to determine the characteristics of the two disease subtypes. Of the participants, 51% had classic dermatomyositis, and 40% became post-myopathic. The majority of patients with classic dermatomyositis contin
InfectiologyAn antiviral reassigned to fight RSV?
Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is responsible for acute lower respiratory tract infections in infants, the elderly and the immunocompromised. Currently, there are no antiviral drugs with a direct action on RSV. In this study, researchers reviewed 12,000 molecules from the ReFRAME drug reallocation library. They identified 21 candidates, including inhibitors of RSV F and N proteins, five HSP90 i
RhumatologyPsoriatic arthritis of the hand and nail psoriasis
In this post-hoc study, researchers evaluated the frequency of distal phalangeal involvement in psoriatic arthritis and nail psoriasis. They then compared the efficacy of ixekizumab (anti-IL-17) and adalimumab (anti-TNA-alpha). A total of 354 patients had simultaneous nail and distal interphalangeal joint involvement. Almost all patients with distal interphalangeal joint involvement had nail psori
Cardiology and Vascular MedicineECG interpretation according to gender
LQRSV (Low QRS voltages) is associated with arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy and other cardiomyopathies. Criteria have recently been proposed for screening athletes for LQRSV. In this study, researchers evaluated these criteria on a large population of athletes (10,728, 42.5% of whom were women, mean age 18.1 years). These athletes participated in ECG screening campaigns in the USA
GynecologySarcopenia, osteoporosis and supraspinatus tendon tear in postmenopausal women
In this study, researchers investigated the relationship between sarcopenia, osteoporosis and supraspinatus tendon tears in postmenopausal women. The study involved 1,443 postmenopausal women being followed for osteoporosis. Of these, 268 presented with supraspinatus tendon tears. In 10% of them, unilateral tears were dominant. Probable sarcopenia was defined as a grip value of less than 20 kg. Wo
RhumatologyMethotrexate in juvenile idiopathic arthritis
In children, the most common rheumatic disease is juvenile idiopathic arthritis. In this update of a 2001 Cochrane review, researchers assessed the value of methotrexate in children and adolescents with juvenile idiopathic arthritis. Three additional trials were included, bringing the number of trials analyzed to 5 for a total of 572 participants. Three trials evaluated oral methotrexate versus pl
PediatricsCervical lesions in children
Children under 8 years of age are particularly at risk of cervical spine injuries, potentially linked to serious complications. In this retrospective, monocentric study, 502 patients under 16 years of age were screened, and 202 met the study's inclusion criteria (signs of bone or ligament injury of the occiput at C2). Of these, 15% had atlanto-occipital joint distractions, 5% atlanto-axial joint d
Endocrinology and MetabolismCardiovascular and renal benefits of empagliflozin and GLP-1 analogues
The aim of this American study was to compare the renal and cardiac efficacy of empagliflozin and cardioprotective GLP-1 analogues in patients at high cardiovascular risk. A total of 141,541 matched pairs were identified. Empagliflozin was associated with similar risks of myocardial infarction or stroke, but lower risks of heart failure, major cardiovascular events, cardiovascular mortality and en
OncologyBispecific antibodies in diffuse large B-cell lymphoma
At least a third of patients with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma require a second or even third line of treatment for relapsed or refractory disease. New therapeutic approaches are being developed, such as chemoimmunotherapy and CAR-T-19 cell therapies. CAR-T-19 therapies could provide a cure for 30% to 40% of patients refractory to first-line treatment. But these therapies come up against logistic
InfectiologyEnsitrelvir in mild to moderate Covid-19
In this randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled Phase 3 clinical trial, investigators evaluated the efficacy and safety of ensitrelvir in 1,821 patients with mild-to-moderate Covid-19. Patients were randomized to receive ensitrelvir 125 mg once daily (375 mg on day 1), ensitrelvir 250 mg once daily (750 mg on day 1) or placebo for 5 days. The primary endpoint was the duration of resolution of
Allergology and ImmunologyImproving the efficacy of cancer immunotherapy
The efficacy of anti-cancer treatments, including immunotherapy, is limited by chronic tumorigenesis induced by inflammation and toxicity of the tumor microenvironment. By reducing inflammation in the tumor microenvironment, it may be possible to enhance the activity of immune checkpoint inhibitors. In this study, the researchers showed that anti-cancer immunotherapies induced the expression of so