Recent Submissions

  • Impact of COVID-19 on colorectal cancer early diagnosis pathway: retrospective cohort study

    M Abdellatif; Y Salama; T Alhammali; A M Eltweri (The British Journal of Surgery, 2021-04-30)
    Background Capsular contracture after implant-based breast reconstruction is not an uncommon problem and affects reconstruction outcomes. It can be influenced by various factors, such as the plane of implant placement, implant surface and implant type. This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to evaluate how the abovementioned risk factors can affect capsular contracture rates. Methods A systematic review and meta-analysis was performed. PubMed MEDLINE, EMBASE (OvidSP) and Cochrane Library were searched. Comparison groups included subpectoral versus prepectoral implant placement, smooth versus textured implants and saline versus silicone implants. Odds ratios (ORs) were calculated for capsular contracture for each group. The level of evidence was evaluated using the Oxford Centre for Evidence-Based Medicine. Results Twenty-three studies met the inclusion criteria. Sixteen studies compared subpectoral versus prepectoral implant placement, with no statistically significant differences in capsular contracture rates [OR, 1.21; 95% confidence interval (95% CI), 0.75–1.95; P = 0.44]. Five studies compared smooth versus textured implants, with no statistically significant differences in capsular contracture rates (OR, 0.99; 95% CI, 0.50–1.93; P = 0.97). Two studies compared saline versus silicone implants for capsular contracture. Patients receiving saline implants had significantly lower capsular contracture rates than silicone implants (OR, 0.19; 95% CI, 0.08–0.43; P < 0.0001). Conclusions Implant-based breast reconstruction using saline implants demonstrated reduced capsular contracture rates compared to silicone implants. However, no significant differences were observed in capsular contracture rates between subpectoral versus prepectoral implant placement and smooth versus textured implants.
  • Routine Functional Testing or Standard Care in High-Risk Patients after Percutaneous Coronary Intervention

    Nouman, Arshad; Indah, Sukmawati; Upul, wickramarachchi; Shrilla, Banerjee; Aaysha, Cader, Fathima (Current Cardiology Report, 2024-06-24)
    Purpose of review: This review aimed to collate the available evidence on outcomes following routine functional stress testing vs standard of care (i.e. symptom-guided stress testing) in high-risk patients following percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). Recent findings: The most recent pragmatic POST-PCI trial provided randomized evidence showing that routine functional stress testing post-PCI did not lead to a reduction in 2-year ischemic cardiovascular events or all-cause mortality, as compared to a symptom-guided standard-of-care approach. This was also true for sub-analyses including multivessel or left main disease, diabetics, as well as following imaging or physiology guided PCI. In the absence of a change in their clinical or functional status suggestive of stent failure, post-PCI routine periodic stress testing in stable patients on guideline-directed medical therapy is currently not recommended by American clinical practice guidelines. While evidence on the cost-effectiveness of routine stress testing strategy is scarce, physician, payer, and policy-level interventions to reduce inappropriate use of routine functional testing need to be addressed.
  • What is the pipeline for future medications for obesity?

    Melson, Eka; Ashraf, Uzma; Papamargaritis, Dimitris; Davies, Melanie (International Journal of Obesity, 2024-02-01)
    Obesity is a chronic disease associated with increased risk of obesity-related complications and mortality. Our better understanding of the weight regulation mechanisms and the role of gut-brain axis on appetite has led to the development of safe and effective entero-pancreatic hormone-based treatments for obesity such as glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists (RA). Semaglutide 2.4 mg once weekly, a subcutaneously administered GLP-1 RA approved for obesity treatment in 2021, results in 15-17% mean weight loss (WL) with evidence of cardioprotection. Oral GLP-1 RA are also under development and early data shows similar WL efficacy to semaglutide 2.4 mg. Looking to the next generation of obesity treatments, combinations of GLP-1 with other entero-pancreatic hormones with complementary actions and/or synergistic potential (such as glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP), glucagon, and amylin) are under investigation to enhance the WL and cardiometabolic benefits of GLP-1 RA. Tirzepatide, a dual GLP-1/GIP receptor agonist has been approved for glycaemic control in type 2 diabetes as well as for obesity management leading in up to 22.5% WL in phase 3 obesity trials. Other combinations of entero-pancreatic hormones including cagrisema (GLP-1/amylin RA) and the triple agonist retatrutide (GLP-1/GIP/glucagon RA) have also progressed to phase 3 trials as obesity treatments and early data suggests that may lead to even greater WL than tirzepatide. Additionally, agents with different mechanisms of action to entero-pancreatic hormones (e.g. bimagrumab) may improve the body composition during WL and are in early phase clinical trials. We are in a new era for obesity pharmacotherapy where combinations of entero-pancreatic hormones approach the WL achieved with bariatric surgery. In this review, we present the efficacy and safety data for the pipeline of obesity pharmacotherapies with a focus on entero-pancreatic hormone-based treatments and we consider the clinical implications and challenges that the new era in obesity management may bring.
  • British Thoracic Society Clinical Statement on pleural procedures

    Asciak, Rachelle; Bedawi, Eihab O; Bhatnagar, Rahul; Clive, Amelia O; Hassan, Maged; Lloyd, Heather; Reddy, Raja; Roberts, Helen; Rahman, Najib M (BMJ, 2023-07-11)