This year’s most-read articles on inflammation explored predictive biomarkers, medication acceptance, the impacts of long COVID-19, and more.
The top 5 most-read inflammation articles on AJMC.com this year included results from phase 3 trials furthering the use of medications like dupilumab (Dupixent), new discoveries in the features of eosinophilic esophagitis, as well as a recap of the Long COVID, Inflammation, and Cancer Conclave.
Here are the top-5 inflammation pieces of 2023.
5. Periostin Bests Eosinophil Count for Biomarker Predictability in ECRS
The efficacy of periostin as a biomarker for eosinophilic chronic rhinosinusitis was evaluated in a Japanese cohort study. While the researchers found periostin could successfully anticipate postoperative nasal polyp recurrence, measuring serum periostin was not an easy process and further research in this area is needed to bolster the use of this biomarker to measure disease severity and predict postoperative recurrences.
4. Patient Outcomes Improve on Several Fronts Following Treatment for Prurigo Nodularis
Dupilumab is a monoclonal antibody blocker that is administered for the treatment of multiple inflammatory diseases. Results from the phase 3 LIBERTY PN-PRIME and LIBERTY PN-PRIME2 trials associated dupilumab treatment with clinical improvements in itch, sleep, and skin pain rating scales for patients with prurigo nodularis.
3. Distal Esophageal Wall Thickness in EoE Independent of Dysphagia Score, Eosinophil Count
The thickness of the distal esophageal wall is found to be greater in patients with eosinophilic esophagitis. Although dysphagia scores and eosinophil counts are a common and reliable measure of disease severity in eosinophilic esophagitis, investigators’ analysis found that a patient’s scoring in these measures did not correlate with their development of thicker distal esophageal walls.
2. COVID-19 Fallout on Individuals, Economy, and Health System to Last for Years, White Paper Concludes
As the public health emergency for COVID-19 was declared as over, health care experts, philanthropists, and researchers from around the world gathered to anticipate the long-term effects of the pandemic on the health system. The intersectionality of COVID-19 and its impact on other organ systems was an important consideration throughout this meeting as reduced quality of life and added health expenditures were estimated to cost $3.7 trillion over time.
1. FDA Accepts Application for Dupilumab to Treat Chronic Spontaneous Urticaria
Multiple trials on the safety and efficacy of dupilumab has shown the medication can provide benefits to patients enduring various inflammatory diseases, such as eosinophilic esophagitis, chronic rhinosinusitis, asthma, and atopic dermatitis. To add to this list, in spring of this year, the success of additional trials led to the Biologics License Application being accepted by the FDA for review in the treatment of chronic spontaneous urticaria.
However, in October the FDA issued a Complete Response Letter asking for additional efficacy data. Sanofi and Regeneron noted that there is an ongoing clinical trial with results expected in late 2024 that should provide the additional efficacy data requested.
Disparities in Telehealth Access Undermine Adoption Among Patients With Schizophrenia
January 16th 2025The COVID-19 pandemic accelerated the widespread adoption of telemental health care, and new research indicates significant racial and ethnic disparities in access to this technology among Medicaid beneficiaries with schizophrenia.
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Real-World Evidence Confirms the Benefits of JAK Inhibitors in Patients With Rheumatoid Arthritis
January 16th 2025This systematic review of real-world observational studies demonstrated the effectiveness of Janus kinase (JAK) inhibitors in improving treatment adherence, persistence, clinical outcomes, and patient-reported outcomes among US patients with rheumatoid arthritis.
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Frameworks for Advancing Health Equity: Pharmacy Support for Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma
December 19th 2024Rachael Drake, pharmacy technician coordinator, University of Kansas Health System, explains how her team collaborates with insurance companies and providers to support treatment access for patients with non-Hodgkin lymphoma.
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Study Suggests Postdischarge Care Needs Targeted, Multifaceted Approaches
January 15th 2025The findings challenge the effectiveness of these widely used transitional care interventions and suggest a need for more targeted, multifaceted approaches to address the needs of higher-risk patients.
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