Saint Louis University School of Medicine

THURSDAY, Aug. 15, 2024 -- No longer meeting diagnostic criteria for posttraumatic stress disorder ( PTSD ) is associated with a lower risk for poor diabetes outcomes, particularly among younger veterans, according to a study published online Aug. 13 in JAMA Network Open . Jeffrey F. Scherrer, Ph.D., from the Saint Louis University School of Medicine, and colleagues examined the association between meeting diagnostic criteria for PTSD and risk for poor type 2 diabetes (T2D) outcomes among 10,002 veterans. The researchers found that before controlling for confounding with entropy balancing, patients who no longer met PTSD diagnostic criteria had similar incidence rates for starting insulin (22.4 versus 24.4 per 1,000 person-years), poor glycemic control (137.1 versus 133.7 per 1,000 person-years), any microvascular complication (108.4 versus 104.8 per 1,000 person-years), and all-cause mortality (11.2 versus 11.0 per 1,000 person-years) compared with patients with persistent PTSD. However, when controlling for confounding, there was a lower risk for microvascular complications (hazard ratio [HR], 0.92) among those no longer meeting PTSD criteria. For younger veterans (ages 18 to 49 years), no longer meeting PTSD criteria was associated with a lower risk for insulin initiation (HR, 0.69) and all-cause mortality (HR, 0.39). No longer meeting PTSD criteria was also associated with a lower risk for insulin initiation among patients without depression (HR, 0.73). "The findings of this study suggest that PTSD is a modifiable risk factor for some adverse T2D outcomes among patients with comorbid PTSD and T2D," the authors write. Abstract/Full Text Whatever your topic of interest, subscribe to our newsletters to get the best of Drugs.com in your inbox.

Eisai unveiled new data for its Biogen-partnered Alzheimer's disease therapy Leqembi (lecanemab-irmb), putting forward a case for continuous treatment with the anti-amyloid antibody beyond the initial 18-month period studied in the pivotal Clarity AD trial.Clarity AD, which led to Leqembi's full FDA approval in 2023, had previously demonstrated a 27% slowing of cognitive decline over 18 months compared to placebo, based on Clinical Dementia Rating-Sum of Boxes (CDR-SB).The new findings, presented at the Alzheimer's Association International Conference (AAIC), looked at one set of patients who were administered Leqembi continuously for three years as part of Clarity AD and its open-label extension study, while another group received placebo for the first 18 months before switching to Leqembi for the same duration. Eisai also monitored a separate cohort outside the trial who remained untreated for three years.Cognitive impactLynn Kramer, Eisai's chief clinical officer of deep human biology learning, noted that the difference in cognitive decline between the Leqembi early-starters and those who were untreated throughout the study grew wider. Specifically, after three years, the drug was found to slow cognitive decline by 31% compared to what would be expected in similar patients who did not receive treatment.According to Kramer, the drug "interrupts the natural progression of the disease, and it has an effect more and more."The study included an optional tau PET substudy involving 41 patients with no tau or a low accumulation of tau in the brain, representing an early stage in the disease course. After three years of Leqembi treatment, over half of the patients showed improvement or no decline in cognitive and functional assessments, including 59% on the CDR-SB, 63% on the ADAS-Cog14, and 63% on the ADCS MCI-ADL."This suggests that earlier initiation of treatment with [Leqembi] may have a significant positive impact on disease progression and may provide continued benefits to patients with early [Alzheimer's disease] over the long-term," the company said.ARIA 'low and similar' to placeboMoreover, no new safety issues were found after three years of Leqembi. Eisai said most amyloid-related imaging abnormalities (ARIA) occurred in the first six months and then were "low and similar" to placebo rates. Analyses showed ARIA had no impact on cognition or function, and was not linked to faster long-term progression, it added. The risk of ARIA was one of the safety concerns raised by European regulators last week, who concluded that Leqemb’s benefits are outweighed by the associated serious adverse events.The three-year data release comes amid a shift in the Alzheimer's space with the arrival of a key drug rival. Just weeks ago, the FDA approved Eli Lilly's competing anti-amyloid antibody Kisunla (donanemab-azbt). Unlike Leqembi, which is administered indefinitely, Kisunla's treatment regimen allows for discontinuation once amyloid plaques are cleared from the brain.The difference in approach has become a key point of discussion among experts. In a recent interview with FirstWord, George Grossberg, director of geriatric psychiatry at Saint Louis University School of Medicine, noted that Kisunla's limited-duration regimen "is very attractive," referring to the possibility of stopping treatment after 10 to 12 months if brain scans show amyloid clearance.Drawback of stoppingHowever, Eisai's new data puts up a possible challenge. The company cites data from Study 201, a mid-stage involving early Alzheimer's patients who, following the 18-month core study, participated in an open-label extension after temporarily stopping treatment for two years on average.Eisai's analysis showed that even after amyloid plaques are cleared, Alzheimer's continues to progress when treatment is stopped. Patients who discontinued Leqembi saw their rate of cognitive decline revert to that of untreated patients, suggesting a need for ongoing therapy to maintain benefits, according to the company.Eisai noted that Leqembi is the only widely available early Alzheimer's treatment that offers a dual mechanism targeting both amyloid plaques and protofibrils, which accumulate early in the Alzheimer's brain and lead to nerve cell function loss, abnormal nerve processes, inflammation, and memory loss. “Continuing treatment is important if you would like to maintain cognition and functionality longer,” Kramer said, adding “the concept is, if you stop [treatment], you get worse.”For more, see – Physician Views In-Depth: Though Eli Lilly’s new Alzheimer's treatment is a fast favourite, Kisunla is unlikely to be kiss of death for Leqembi.

NEW YORK, May 13, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- American Skin Association (ASA) is thrilled to announce that the SPOTS (Sun Protection Outreach Teaching by Students) program will receive the inaugural 2024 Research Achievement Award in Community Education/Outreach at the 2024 Society for Investigative Dermatology (SID) Annual Meeting. The 81st SID Annual Meeting will be held in Dallas, Texas from May 15th – 18th, 2024 and will serve as a platform where a varied group of dermatologic experts will gather to share insights into the most recent advancements. This event attracts a diverse range of seasoned researchers, medical practitioners, and numerous clinical trainees, including residents specializing in dermatology, all eager to exchange information and knowledge. The 2024 Research Achievement Award in Community Education/Outreach will be accepted by two members of the SPOTS leadership team, Dr. Sofia Chaudhry of Saint Louis University School of Medicine, and Dr. M. Laurin Council of Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis. "I am honored to present this award to Drs. Chaudhry and Council on behalf of American Skin Association," said David A. Norris, MD, President of ASA. "Their program provides necessary understanding about the importance of sun safety to children across the country." This sentiment was echoed by ASA Chairman, Howard P. Milstein, "Adequate awareness of sun safety & skin health is crucial for reducing the incidence of skin cancer, and the SPOTS team is spearheading efforts for successful prevention." "ASA takes great pride in its six-year partnership with the SPOTS program and is honored to extend this well-deserved recognition." The SPOTS program is overseen by Dr. Lynn Cornelius from Washington University in St. Louis, President of SID, and her exceptional team which includes the award recipients, Drs. Chaudhry and Council. SPOTS is a community educational outreach initiative which targets students from preschool through high school to promote awareness about skin cancer prevention and early detection. Led by medical students, the program employs innovative methods such as interactive activities, personal narratives, and includes a specific emphasis on skin of color. Now, over sixty medical schools have adopted the SPOTS program which has yielded positive outcomes, enriching the knowledge of medical students in prevention and detection while empowering children and teenagers to safeguard themselves against sun exposure. "The SPOTS team diligently strives to educate school-aged children on sun protection and skin cancer prevention, and stands as a deserving recipient of this honor," added Humberto C. Antunes, Co-Chair of ASA's Education Council. "Our six-year partnership emphasizes the alignment between SPOTS' mission and the core values of American Skin Association, which prioritize raising awareness and educating individuals about the impacts of sun exposure." Through the presentation of the inaugural 2024 Research Achievement Award in Community Education/Outreach, ASA takes pride in recognizing SPOTS' achievements, and acknowledges their commitment to enhancing medical students' capabilities as healthcare providers and their dedication to community educational outreach efforts. SPOTS' particular focus on distinctions in how melanoma and skin cancer present on light and dark skin helps to close a critical gap in societal knowledge. "The SPOTS program is a public health campaign dedicated to teaching youth across the country about the importance of skin cancer prevention and early detection," added award recipient, Sofia Chaudhry, MD. "Given that early intervention is key, SPOTS educates school children about the need for sun protection. Students learn how skin cancer can present differently on different skin colors, increasing awareness of what to look out for. Through our partnership with American Skin Association, SPOTS has been able to expand and reach more students. We are honored to receive this award." To learn more about American Skin Association or contribute, please visit americanskin.org. To learn more about the SPOTS program, please visit spotseducation.org/. ABOUT AMERICAN SKIN ASSOCIATION A unique collaboration of patients, families, advocates, physicians and scientists, ASA has evolved over nearly four decades as a leading force in efforts to defeat melanoma, skin cancer and other skin diseases. Established as a 501(c)(3) organization to serve the now more than 100 million Americans – one-third of the U.S. population – afflicted with skin disorders, the organization's mission remains to: advance research, champion skin health – particularly among children, and drive public awareness about skin disease. For more information, visit americanskin.org. ABOUT SPOTS SPOTS started as a collaboration between Saint Louis University and Washington University Medical Schools in Saint Louis, Missouri, but has expanded to programs across the country, and with your help, will continue to do so. Download teaching materials to start your own SPOTS chapter today. For more information, visit spotseducation.org/. American Skin Association has earned Candid's 2024 Seal of Platinum Transparency and the Four-Star Rating from Charity Navigator. SOURCE American Skin Association