News &amp; Updates

Patients with paediatric-onset autoimmune liver disease show slower early immunological and biochemical response to a tacrolimus-based treatment as compared with regimens using prednisolone or azathioprine, reports a study presented at the 2022 Annual Meeting of the European Society for Paediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition (ESPGHAN 2022).

Tacrolimus-based treatment induces slower response in children with autoimmune liver disease

Five-test universal HBV screening strategy most cost-effective in China

A nationally representative study led by researchers from the University of Hong Kong and Xi’an Jiaotong University Health Science Centre, China, has shown that a five-test (ie, serum HBsAg/HBsAb/HBeAg/HBeAb/HBcAb) universal screening strategy in people aged 18–70 years is the most cost-effective hepatitis B virus (HBV) screening option in China.

Five-test universal HBV screening strategy most cost-effective in China

28 Jun 2022

Omega-3 fatty acids confer no protective effect against dry eye disease

Supplementation with marine ω-3 fatty acids falls short of reducing the incidence of dry eye disease, as shown a study.

Omega-3 fatty acids confer no protective effect against dry eye disease

Insomnia in children with ADHD affects daytime behaviour and cognitive functioning

Insomnia may play a role in manifestation of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) symptoms and has a negative effect on cognitive abilities of children with ADHD, according to a cross-sectional study by the University of Hong Kong (HKU), the Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK) and Alice Ho Miu Ling Nethersole Hospital.

Insomnia in children with ADHD affects daytime behaviour and cognitive functioning

28 Jun 2022

Brentuximab vedotin + chemo ups EFS in high-risk paediatric Hodgkin lymphoma

The combination of brentuximab vedotin (Bv) and chemotherapy was superior to a standard paediatric dose-intensive chemotherapy regimen in boosting event-free survival (EFS) in paediatric patients with high-risk Hodgkin lymphoma (HL), according to the phase III AHOD1331* trial presented at ASCO 2022.

Brentuximab vedotin + chemo ups EFS in high-risk paediatric Hodgkin lymphoma

High-intensity laser plus physical activity beneficial in knee osteoarthritis

In the management of patients with knee osteoarthritis, the combination of high-intensity laser therapy (HILT) plus exercise therapy (ET) yields more favourable effects on several outcomes, such as pain and functional disability, when compared with low-intensity pulsed ultrasound (LIPUS) plus ET, although both combinations are better than physical activity alone, according to a study.

High-intensity laser plus physical activity beneficial in knee osteoarthritis

Response analysis further establishes tezepelumab benefit in severe uncontrolled asthma

27 Jun 2022 by

Adolescents and adults with severe uncontrolled asthma while on inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) had greater responses to the human monoclonal antibody tezepelumab than placebo, according to prespecified exploratory results of the phase III NAVIGATOR trial.

Response analysis further establishes tezepelumab benefit in severe uncontrolled asthma

27 Jun 2022

Stinging, burning sensation after DED medication use a major concern to patients

27 Jun 2022 by

Patients with dry eye disease (DED) can achieve optimal symptom alleviation with available medications, but getting patients to take their medications remains a challenge due to side effects. Taking the burn or sting out of medications might help, according to a Singapore study.

Stinging, burning sensation after DED medication use a major concern to patients

Pickle juice relieves cramps in cirrhotic patients

Sipping pickle brine at muscle cramp onset reduces cramp severity with no serious adverse events among patients with cirrhosis, a study has shown.

Pickle juice relieves cramps in cirrhotic patients

Vonoprazan superior to PPI for heartburn resolution in erosive esophagitis patients

27 Jun 2022 by

Vonoprazan 20 mg once daily (QD) appears as effective as proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) on day 1 and equally or more effective on day 7 in the treatment of heartburn in adults with erosive esophagitis, results of a network meta-analysis have shown.

Vonoprazan superior to PPI for heartburn resolution in erosive esophagitis patients