Nevin Manimala

J Drugs Dermatol. 2025 Aug 1;24(8):762-768.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: The study objective was to compare long-term treatment persistence between patients initiating guselkumab vs 3 commonly prescribed biologics in the United States.

METHODS: Adult plaque psoriasis patients enrolled in the CorEvitas Psoriasis Registry initiating guselkumab, adalimumab, secukinumab, or ixekizumab (July 2017 – January 2022) were divided into biologic-naïve and biologic-experienced cohorts. The primary outcome measure was average 2-year treatment persistence, estimated as restricted mean survival time (RMST), comparing guselkumab with adalimumab, secukinumab, and ixekizumab. Standardized mortality ratio weighting was used to adjust for confounding.

RESULTS: 1,007 biologic-naïve and 1,584 biologic-experienced treatment initiations were included. For biologic-naïve initiators, the weighted-average treatment persistence for guselkumab was 20.3 months (95% CI: 19.4, 21.3), 14.6 months (13.5, 15.7) for adalimumab; 17.5 months (16.5, 18.6) for secukinumab, and 18.9 months (17.8, 20.1) for ixekizumab. The RMST difference for guselkumab was 24.9 weeks (95% CI: 18.4, 31.3) vs adalimumab, 12.1 weeks (5.9, 18.2) vs secukinumab and 6.0 weeks (0.4, 12.4) vs ixekizumab. For biologic-experienced initiators, the weighted-average treatment persistence for guselkumab was 17.6 months (95% CI: 16.9, 18.4), 13.5 months (11.6, 15.5) for adalimumab, 16.5 months (15.7, 17.3) for secukinumab, and 16.9 months (16.1, 17.8) for ixekizumab. The RMST difference for guselkumab was 17.7 weeks (95% CI: 8.7, 26.7) vs adalimumab, 5.0 weeks (0.2, 9.1) vs secukinumab and 2.9 weeks (-1.9, 7.7) vs ixekizumab.

CONCLUSIONS: In both biologic-naïve and biologic-experienced cohorts in this real-world study, average treatment persistence was significantly longer for guselkumab compared to adalimumab and secukinumab and numerically longer compared to ixekizumab.

PMID:40773600

J Drugs Dermatol. 2025 Aug 1;24(8):777-781. doi: 10.36849/JDD.9210.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Psoriatic arthritis (PsA) is undiagnosed in up to 41% of cases, risking irreversible joint damage if untreated. This quality improvement initiative facilitates PsA screening, assessment, and rheumatology referral to improve patient outcomes.

METHODS: Our clinical framework integrated the Psoriasis Epidemiology Screening Tool (PEST) and the 12-item Psoriatic Arthritis Impact of Disease questionnaire (PsAID-12) into the electronic medical record system in 26 dermatology clinics. Psoriasis (PsO) patients underwent PsA screening via the PEST. Those scoring ≥3 or already diagnosed with PsA1 completed the PsAID-12, which guides management. PsAID-12 score >4 indicates an unacceptable symptom state, prompting treatment changes or rheumatology referral.2 Providers received results in real-time for review.

RESULTS: Over 27 months, 7,692 PsO patients were seen by dermatology providers. Of the 6,473 PsO patients without a PsA diagnosis, 37.2% completed the PEST; 12.5% scored ≥3 and completed the PsAID-12. 75.7% of patients who took the PsAID-12 scored ≤4, indicating effective management. Of the 24.3% of patients scoring >4, 24.7% were referred to rheumatology, and 44.4% subsequently received a diagnosis of PsA. When comparing the 493 patients who took the PsAID-12 at least twice, an average baseline PsAID-12 score of 2.80 was seen compared to an average most recent score of 2.53, indicating a significant reduction (P<0.0001).

CONCLUSION: Our study demonstrates the feasibility of IDEOM’s clinical framework in optimizing PsA screening, assessment, and quality of care.

PMID:40773599 | DOI:10.36849/JDD.9210

J Am Coll Health. 2025 Aug 7:1-8. doi: 10.1080/07448481.2025.2542413. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: This study describes the prevalence of and relationships between suicide risk, substance use, and help-seeking intentions among college students, as well as knowledge and utilization of the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline.

PARTICIPANTS: The sample included 1,345 racially diverse college students from a large, urban university in the Southeastern United States.

METHODS: SPSS was used to test correlational relationships between help-seeking intentions and suicide or substance use. Descriptive statistics revealed current rates of suicide risk, substance use, and help-seeking intentions.

RESULTS: Help-seeking intentions was negatively correlated with suicide risk, suicide behavior, and substance use frequency. Only 20 participants reported using the 988 Lifeline, while 56.6% of participants were unaware of the service. During a crisis, 21.9% of participants reported they would not contact any services.

CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggest the need for crisis training across services and social supports, and greater public awareness of mental health and crisis services.

PMID:40773536 | DOI:10.1080/07448481.2025.2542413

JMIR Cardio. 2025 Aug 7;9:e76850. doi: 10.2196/76850.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Apolipoprotein B (APOB) rs676210 polymorphism has been associated with altered lipid metabolism and cardiovascular risk in various populations; however, data from Vietnamese populations remain limited.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to investigate the association of the APOB rs676210 variant with lipid profiles among Vietnamese individuals newly diagnosed with elevated low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C).

METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 69 Vietnamese adults newly diagnosed with elevated LDL-C (≥130 mg/dL) at a tertiary hospital in Southern Vietnam. Participants were genotyped for APOB rs676210 using real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) with allele-specific probes. Lipid profile components, including LDL-C, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), non-HDL-C, and ApoB, were compared across genotype groups (AA vs GA/GG) and alleles (A vs G). Statistical analyses involved t tests, chi-square tests, and multivariable linear regression adjusted for age, sex, the BMI, and diabetes. P<.05 was considered statistically significant.

RESULTS: Of the 69 participants, 32 (46.4%) carried the AA genotype, while 37 (53.6%) carried the GA or the GG genotype. The AA genotype was associated with significantly higher LDL-C (mean 5.19, SD 0.95, vs mean 4.37, SD 0.97, mmol/L; P<.001), non-HDL-C (mean 5.94, SD 1.08, vs mean 5.31, SD 1.22 mmol/L; P=.03), and ApoB (mean 149.5, SD 26.3, vs mean 136.9, SD 15.2, mg/dL; P=.02) and lower HDL-C (mean 1.26, SD 0.31, vs mean 1.44, SD 0.39, mmol/L; P=.03) compared to the GA/GG genotype. Allele-based analysis showed that carriers of the A allele (98/138, 71%) also had higher LDL-C (mean 4.91, SD 1.02, vs mean 4.36, SD 0.97, mmol/L; P=.004) and ApoB (mean 145.6, SD 23.2, vs mean 135.9, SD 16.0, mg/dL; P=.02) than G allele carriers (40/138, 29%). These associations remained significant after multivariate adjustment.

CONCLUSIONS: APOB rs676210 polymorphism is associated with significant differences in lipid profiles among Vietnamese adults with elevated LDL-C. Specifically, the A allele and the AA genotype confer a more atherogenic profile, suggesting potential utility as a genetic marker in lipid screening and personalized cardiovascular risk management in this population.

PMID:40773287 | DOI:10.2196/76850

Optom Vis Sci. 2025 Aug 8. doi: 10.1097/OPX.0000000000002284. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

SIGNIFICANCE: This study adds to the understanding of how different factors affect quality of life in people with keratoconus.

PURPOSE: To evaluate how various demographic factors, clinical characteristics, and treatment modalities influence quality of life in people with keratoconus.

METHODS: This prospective survey study recruited adult participants (18 years and older) with a history of keratoconus. Demographic information, clinical characteristics, visual and surgical treatment history, and responses to the National Eye Institute 25-Item Visual Functioning Questionnaire (NEI-VFQ-25) were collected.

RESULTS: Between June 2022 and June 2023, 40 participants completed the study. The mean age was 40.9 ± 15.1 years, and 70.0% were male. All participants wore contact lenses (52.5% scleral lenses, 45.0% corneal lenses, and 2.5% soft lenses), and 17.5% had a history of corneal crosslinking. Compared to scleral lens wear, corneal lens wear was associated with worse quality of life on the NEI-VFQ-25 overall composite (p=0.015), general vision (p=0.02), and mental health (p=0.052) domains. History of corneal crosslinking was associated with worse quality of life in the NEI-VFQ-25 overall composite (p=0.002), mental health (p=0.010), role difficulty (p=0.045), and dependency (p=0.021) domains. The five lowest-scoring NEI-VFQ-25 domains in this sample were general health, general vision, ocular pain, mental health, and role difficulties.

CONCLUSIONS: Factors such as the type of contact lens wear may influence an individual’s quality of life. In categories like mental health, general vision, and the overall composite score, scleral lens wearers reported better quality of life. Similarly, surgical treatment history may influence quality of life. Specifically, those with a history of corneal crosslinking reported worse quality of life scores in the categories of mental health, role difficulty, dependency, and the overall composite score. Although these factors were found to be statistically significant, not all reached clinical significance. To determine whether the relationships found in this study are repeatable across different populations, additional studies must be performed. Additionally, eye care providers must consider how different treatment options impact not only a patient’s vision and ocular health but also their quality of life.

PMID:40773279 | DOI:10.1097/OPX.0000000000002284

Int J Surg. 2025 Aug 7. doi: 10.1097/JS9.0000000000003175. Online ahead of print.

NO ABSTRACT

PMID:40773259 | DOI:10.1097/JS9.0000000000003175

Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2025 Aug 12;122(32):e2501435122. doi: 10.1073/pnas.2501435122. Epub 2025 Aug 7.

ABSTRACT

A quantitative understanding of local transmission dynamics is essential for designing effective prevention strategies. In this study, we developed a computational workflow to identify viral introductions and trace locally circulating clusters. We analyzed over 26,000 SARS-CoV-2 genomes and their associated metadata, collected between January and October 2021, to explore introduction and local dispersal patterns in Greater Houston, a major metropolitan area known for its demographic diversity. Our analysis identified more than 1,000 independent introduction events, resulting in clusters of varying sizes. The majority of introductions originated from domestic sources, while international introductions occurred earlier and were associated with larger cluster sizes. An analysis of locally circulating clusters revealed age-structured transmission dynamics. Geographic reconstruction of cluster spread identified Harris County as the primary viral source for surrounding areas. The outbreak in the source population was characterized by 1) a smaller proportion of new cases associated with external viral imports and 2) longer persistence times of circulating lineages. Overall, our high-resolution spatiotemporal reconstruction of the epidemic provides essential insights into the local-scale transmission landscape, supporting outbreak-specific, regional response strategies and public health planning.

PMID:40773234 | DOI:10.1073/pnas.2501435122

JAMA Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 2025 Aug 7. doi: 10.1001/jamaoto.2025.2049. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

IMPORTANCE: Thyroid cancer incidence has tripled in the past 3 decades, largely driven by increased detection of small, indolent papillary thyroid cancers. Overuse of thyroid ultrasonography (TUS) contributes to overdiagnosis, leading to unnecessary biopsies, procedures, and potential patient harm.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the frequency of and factors associated with inappropriate TUS (iTUS) orders and assess related clinical outcomes.

DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS: This retrospective cohort study analyzed adult patients 18 years and older who underwent their first TUS from January 1, 2017, to December 30, 2021, at 4 Mayo Clinic sites. Patients with previous thyroid nodule, thyroid cancer, thyroid surgery, or TUS were excluded. Based on documented clinical indications, a validated natural language processing model classified TUS orders as appropriate or inappropriate. Data were analyzed from April 2024 to May 2025.

EXPOSURES: Baseline characteristics of patients, clinicians, and clinical encounters investigated for their association with an iTUS order.

MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES: The primary outcome was the proportion of iTUS orders. Secondary outcomes included factors associated with iTUS (sociodemographic, clinical, order-specific, and clinician-related factors) and clinical outcomes following iTUS, including the detection of thyroid nodules, thyroid procedures, and thyroid cancer diagnoses.

RESULTS: Of 11 442 included patients, 8422 (73.6%) were female, and the mean (SD) age was 57.3 (15.8) years with a mean (SD) body mass index (calculated as weight in kilograms divided by height in meters squared) of 29.7 (7.0). Among 11 442 TUS orders, 866 (7.6%) were classified as inappropriate. In multivariable analysis, younger age (age of 18 to 54 years vs older than 65 years; odds ratio [OR], 1.86; 95% CI, 1.56-2.22), hyperthyroidism (OR, 9.04; 95% CI, 6.75-12.11), ordering by nonendocrinology specialties (eg, oncology/hematology; OR, 3.43; 95% CI, 2.47-4.76), and orders not linked to an in-person appointment (eg, portal messages; OR, 2.42; 95% CI, 2.08-2.82) were strongly associated with increased odds of iTUS. Compared with appropriate TUS, iTUS led to lower rates of thyroid nodule detection (202 of 866 [23.3%] vs 6885 of 10 576 [65.1%]; OR, 0.16; 95% CI, 0.14-0.19), biopsies (89 [10.3%] vs 2647 [25.0%]; OR, 0.34; 95% CI, 0.27-0.43), partial thyroidectomies (14 [1.6%] vs 424 [4.0%]; OR, 0.39; 95% CI, 0.23-0.67), and confirmed thyroid cancer cases (16 [1.8%] vs 425 [4.0%]; OR, 0.45; 95% CI, 0.27-0.74).

CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE: In this cohort study, approximately 1 in 13 TUS orders were inappropriate. iTUS was more common in younger patients, those with thyroid dysfunction, those not seen in person, and in those referred by nonendocrinology specialties. These findings highlight the need for targeted strategies to optimize TUS use and mitigate overdiagnosis and overtreatment.

PMID:40773204 | DOI:10.1001/jamaoto.2025.2049

JAMA Netw Open. 2025 Aug 1;8(8):e2525789. doi: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2025.25789.

ABSTRACT

IMPORTANCE: Most children and adolescents with kidney and ureteral stones are treated with ureteroscopy, despite the uncertainty and equal weight of guideline recommendations for ureteroscopy or shockwave lithotripsy.

OBJECTIVE: To compare stone clearance and patient-reported outcomes among children and adolescents after ureteroscopy or shockwave lithotripsy.

DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS: This nonrandomized clinical trial enrolled patients between March 16, 2020, and July 31, 2023, at 31 medical centers in the US and Canada. Patients aged 8 to 21 years with kidney stones, ureteral stones, or both were included. Follow-up was completed on October 15, 2023.

INTERVENTIONS: Ureteroscopy or shockwave lithotripsy.

MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES: The primary outcome was stone clearance assessed by standardized ultrasonography 6 (±2) weeks after surgery. Using inverse probability weighting and random intercepts for site, stone clearance was evaluated per kidney or ureter using logistic regression and estimated stone clearance rates were generated for each procedure.

RESULTS: This study included 1142 patients (690 females [60.4%]), with a median age of 15.6 years (IQR, 12.6-17.3 years). In terms of race and ethnicity, 41 patients (3.6%) were Black, 130 (11.4%) were Hispanic, and 884 (77.4%) were White. A total of 124 urologists treated 1069 and 197 kidneys or ureters with ureteroscopy and shockwave lithotripsy (n = 953 and n = 189 patients), respectively, with a median stone size of 6.0 mm (IQR, 4.0-9.0 mm). Ureteral stents were placed at time of index surgery for 841 procedures for 767 patients (80.4%) receiving ureteroscopy and for 6 procedures for 5 patients (2.6%) receiving shockwave lithotripsy. Stone clearance occurred in 474 patients who underwent ureteroscopy (71.2% [95% CI, 63.8%-78.5%]) and in 105 patients who underwent shockwave lithotripsy (67.5% [95% CI, 61.0%-74.1%]), a difference that was not statistically significant (risk difference, 3.6% [95% CI, -6.2% to 13.5%]). Compared with shockwave lithotripsy, ureteroscopy resulted in greater pain interference (T-score difference, 5.0 [95% CI, 2.3-7.8]) and urinary symptoms (symptom score difference, 3.9 [95% CI, 1.2-6.7]) 1 week after surgery. Patients who had ureteroscopy missed more school (risk difference, 21.3% [95% CI, 9.7%-32.8%]) and caregivers missed more work (risk difference, 23.0% [95% CI, 11.0%-35.0%]) in the week after surgery.

CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE: In this study of 1142 children and adolescents with kidney and ureteral stones, there was no clinically meaningful difference in stone clearance with ureteroscopy vs shockwave lithotripsy. Shockwave lithotripsy was associated with better patient-reported outcomes. These findings raise questions about the preference for ureteroscopy in practice.

TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT04285658.

PMID:40773197 | DOI:10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2025.25789

JAMA Netw Open. 2025 Aug 1;8(8):e2525801. doi: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2025.25801.

ABSTRACT

IMPORTANCE: Left bundle branch block (LBBB) might play a causative role in the progression to heart failure (HF), but the association of LBBB with HF in asymptomatic individuals with structurally normal hearts has not yet been investigated.

OBJECTIVES: To examine the association of LBBB with the risk of HF in community-dwelling individuals.

DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS: This longitudinal cohort study used data from 4 US sites participating in the Cardiovascular Health Study (1989-1990), collected from 1989 to 2013. Adults aged 65 years and older with a normal left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) and no history of HF at baseline were included. Data were analyzed from February 2018 to October 2024.

EXPOSURE: The presence of LBBB as confirmed by 12-lead electrocardiograms obtained on all participants at baseline.

MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES: Multivariable Cox proportional hazards models were used to estimate the associations of LBBB with the risk of incident HF, hospital admission for HF with reduced EF or HF with preserved EF, 5-year LVEF decline, and death.

RESULTS: Among 4541 individuals (mean [SD] age, 72.6 [5.5] years; 2697 female [59.4%]), 44 (1.0%) exhibited LBBB at baseline, and 1321 (29.1%) received a diagnosis of HF over a median (IQR) follow-up of 14.6 (8.4-18.3) years. In the adjusted model, those with baseline LBBB had an increased risk of incident HF (hazard ratio, 4.98; 95% CI, 2.18-11.39; P < .001) and greater odds of 5-year LVEF decline (odds ratio, 4.73; 95% CI, 1.70-13.70; P = .003), but no statistically significant increased risk of death was observed (hazard ratio, 1.39; 95% CI, 0.99-1.94; P = .05).

CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE: In this cohort study of individuals with structurally normal hearts, LBBB was associated with an increased risk of HF and a decrease in LVEF, suggesting that LBBB could be a potential target for early interventions to prevent deterioration of cardiac function and, ultimately, progression to HF.

PMID:40773196 | DOI:10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2025.25801