Project description:- A delegation of 6 pediatric orthopedic surgeons from the Dutch Orthopedic Association (NOV) and 2 members of the board of the Dutch Parents' Association for children with clubfoot created the guideline "The diagnosis and treatment of primary idiopathic clubfeet" between April 2011 and February 2014. The development of the guideline was supported by a professional methodologist from the Dutch Knowledge Institute of Medical Specialists. This evidence-based guideline process was new and unique, in the sense that the process was initiated by a parents' association. This is the first official guideline in pediatric orthopedics in the Netherlands, and to our knowledge it is also the first evidence-based guideline on clubfoot worldwide. The guideline was developed in accordance with the criteria of the international AGREE instrument (AGREE II: Appraisal of Guidelines for Research and Evaluation II). The scientific literature was searched and systematically analyzed. In the second phase, conclusions and recommendations in the literature were formulated according to the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation (GRADE) method. Recommendations were developed considering the balance of benefits and harms, the type and quality of evidence, the values and preferences of the people involved, and the costs. The guideline is a solid foundation for standardization of clubfoot treatment in the Netherlands, with a clear recommendation of the Ponseti method as the optimal method of primary clubfoot treatment. We believe that the format used in the current guideline sets a unique example for guideline development in pediatric orthopedics that may be used worldwide. Our format ensured optimal collaboration between medical specialists and parents, and resulted in an important change in clubfoot care in the Netherlands, to the benefit of medical professionals as well as parents and patients. In this way, it is possible to improve professional collaboration between medical specialists and parents, resulting in an important change in clubfoot care in the Netherlands that will benefit medical professionals, parents, and patients. The guideline was published online, and is freely available from the Dutch Guideline Database ( www.richtlijnendatabase.nl ).
Project description:IntroductionGut microbiota reportedly play a critical role in some autoimmune diseases by maintaining immune homeostasis. Only a few studies have examined the correlation between gut microbiota and the onset of primary immune thrombocytopenia (ITP), especially in children. The purpose of this study was to investigate changes in the composition and diversity of the fecal microbiota of children with ITP, as well as the correlation between such microbiota and the onset of ITP.MethodsTwenty-five children newly diagnosed with ITP and 16 healthy volunteers (controls) were selected for the study. Fresh stool samples were collected to identify changes in the composition and diversity of gut microbiota as well as for potential correlation analysis.ResultsIn ITP patients, the phyla that were most frequently encountered were Firmicutes (54.3%), followed by Actinobacteria (19.79%), Bacteriodetes (16.06%), and Proteobacteria (8.75%). The phyla that were predominantly found in the controls were, Firmicutes (45.84%), Actinobacteria (40.15%), Bacteriodetes (3.42%), and Proteobacteria (10.23%). Compared with those of the controls, the proportions of Firmicutes and Bacteriodetes in the gut microbiota of ITP patients were increased while the proportions of Actinobacteria and Proteobacteria were decreased. Furthermore, gut microbiota in ITP patients varied by age group, showed specific changes in diversity, and were correlated with antiplatelet antibodies. IgG levels were significantly positively correlated with Bacteroides (P<0.01).ConclusionsThe gut microbiota of children with ITP are imbalanced, as shown by the increase in Bacteroidetes, which was positively correlated with IgG. Thus gut microbiota may contribute to ITP pathogenesis via IgG.Clinical trial registrationThe clinical trial were registered and approved by the Institutional Review Committee of The Affiliated Huaian No.1 People's Hospital of Nanjing Medical University. Ethics number KY-2023-106-01.
Project description:Background Dentoalveolar procedures in immune thrombocytopenia (ITP) pose a risk of bleeding due to thrombocytopenia and infection due to immunosuppressive treatments. We aimed to systematically review the safety and management of dentoalveolar procedures in ITP patients to create practical recommendations. Methods PubMed, Embase, Cochrane, and Cinahl were searched for original studies on dentoalveolar procedures in primary ITP patients. We recorded bleeding- and infection-related outcomes and therapeutic strategies. Clinically relevant bleeding was defined as needing medical attention. Results Seventeen articles were included, of which 12 case reports/series. Overall, the quality of the available evidence was poor. Outcomes and administered therapies (including hemostatic therapies and prophylactic antibiotics) were not systematically reported. At least 73 dentoalveolar procedures in 49 ITP patients were described. The range of the preoperative platelet count was 2 to 412 × 10 9 /L. Two clinically relevant bleedings (2%) were reported in the same patient of which one was life-threatening. Strategies used to minimize the risk of bleeding were heterogeneous and included therapies to increase platelet count, antifibrinolytics, local measures, and minimally invasive techniques. Reports on the occurrence of bleedings due to anesthetics or infection were lacking. Conclusion Based on alarmingly limited data, clinically relevant bleedings and infections after dentoalveolar procedures in ITP patients seem rare. Awaiting prospective and controlled studies to further evaluate these risks and the efficacy of therapeutic interventions, we provided our institutional guideline to guide the management of dentoalveolar procedures in ITP patients.
Project description:The effects of romiplostim on bone marrow morphology were evaluated in adults with immune thrombocytopenia (ITP). Patients with platelet counts <50?×?10(9)/L, ?1 prior ITP therapies, and no collagen at baseline received weekly subcutaneous romiplostim starting at 1 ?g/kg, adjusted to maintain platelet counts between 50 and 200?×?10(9)/L. Biopsies were scheduled after 1, 2, or 3 years of romiplostim (cohorts 1, 2, and 3, respectively). Irrespective of scheduled time, biopsies were performed earlier if patients discontinued or failed to achieve/maintain a response to romiplostim. Reticulin (silver stain) and collagen (trichrome stain) were graded by two hematopathologists using the modified Bauermeister scale (0-4). Of 169 patients, 131 had evaluable biopsies; 9/131 (6.9 %) had increases of ?2 grades on the modified Bauermeister scale (cohort 1: 0/34; cohort 2: 2/39; cohort 3: 7/58), including two with collagen. Three of the nine patients had follow-up biopsies, including one patient with collagen; changes were reversible after romiplostim discontinuation. Of the nine patients, one had neutropenia detected by laboratory test and two had adverse events of anemia, both non-serious and not treatment-related. By actual exposure (as some biopsies did not occur as scheduled), the number of patients with grade increases ?2 were year 1: 3/41, year 2: 1/38, year 3: 5/52. Twenty-four patients sustained platelet counts ?50?×?10(9)/L for ?6 months with no ITP medications after discontinuing romiplostim, i.e., they entered clinical remission of their ITP. In conclusion, in patients with ITP receiving romiplostim, bone marrow changes were observed in a small proportion of patients.ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT#00907478.
Project description:Interleukin-18 (IL-18) is an inflammatory cytokine that plays an important role in autoimmune disease by inducing interferon-γ secretion. Considering the abnormal serum concentration of IL-18 in primary immune thrombocytopenia (ITP) patients and the regulated effect of IL-18 gene polymorphisms on its production, the aim of this study was to investigate a possible association between the IL-18 promoter polymorphisms (-137 G/C and -607 C/A sites) and genetic susceptibility to ITP in a Chinese Han population. A total of 181 ITP patients and 163 healthy controls were included in this study; IL-18 gene promoter polymorphisms were analyzed by a polymerase chain reaction with sequence-specific primers. No significant differences in genotype (-607: χ(2)=0.307, p=0.858; -137: χ(2)=0.378, p=0.828) and allele frequencies (-607: χ(2)=0.004, p=0.949; -137: χ(2)=0.307, p=0.858) were found between total ITP patients and normal controls. We further analyzed the association of IL-18 polymorphisms with clinical parameters of ITP patients, including first onset age and clinical therapy response to glucocorticoids, and no difference was revealed. In conclusion, IL-18 promoter polymorphisms may not be associated with genetic susceptibility to ITP in a Chinese Han population.
Project description:Cancer immunotherapy by immune checkpoint blockade has been effective in the treatment of certain tumors. However, the association between immune checkpoints and autoimmune diseases remains elusive and requires urgent investigation. Primary immune thrombocytopenia (ITP), characterized by reduced platelet count and a consequent increased risk of bleeding, is an autoimmune disorder with a hyper-activated T cell response. Here, we investigated the contribution of immune checkpoint-related single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), including CD28, ICOS, PD1, TNFSF4, DNAM1, TIM3, CTLA4, and LAG3 to the susceptibility and therapeutic effects of ITP. In this case-control study, 307 ITP patients and 295 age-matched healthy participants were recruited. We used the MassARRAY system for genotyping immune checkpoint-related SNPs. Our results revealed that rs1980422 in CD28 was associated with an increased risk of ITP after false discovery rate correction (codominant, CT vs. TT, OR = 1.788, 95% CI = 1.178-2.713, p = 0.006). In addition, CD28 expression at both the mRNA and protein levels was significantly higher in patients with CT than in those with the TT genotype (p = 0.028 and p = 0.001, respectively). Furthermore, the T allele of PD1 rs36084323 was a risk factor for ITP severity and the T allele of DNAM1 rs763361 for corticosteroid-resistance. In contrast, the T allele of LAG3 rs870849 was a protective factor for ITP severity, and the T allele of ICOS rs6726035 was protective against corticosteroid-resistance. The TT/CT genotypes of PD1 rs36084323 also showed an 8.889-fold increase in the risk of developing refractory ITP. This study indicates that immune checkpoint-related SNPs, especially CD28 rs1980422, may be genetic factors associated with the development and treatment of ITP patients. Our results shed new light on prognosis prediction, disease severity, and discovering new therapeutic targets.
Project description:Chronic immune thrombocytopenia (ITP) is a debilitating autoimmune disorder that causes a reduction in blood platelets and increased risk of bleeding. ITP is currently managed with various pharmacologic therapies and splenectomy.This study was conducted to assess patient perceived and reported treatment side effects, as well as the perceived burden or bother, and need to reduce or stop treatment, associated with these side effects among adult patients with chronic ITP.A Web-enabled survey was administered to members of a US-based ITP patient support group. Patients reported demographic and clinical characteristics, ITP treatments' side effects for treatments received since diagnosed, level of bother (or distress), and need to reduce or stop treatment, associated with side effects. Current and past exposure was assessed for five specific treatment types: corticosteroids (CS), intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIg), anti-D immunoglobulin (anti-D), rituximab (RT), and splenectomy (SPL), as well as for other patient-referenced therapies (captured as "other").The survey was completed by 589 patients; 78% female, 89% white, mean age 48 years (SD = 14.71), and 68% reported a typical low platelet count of < 50,000/?L. Current or past treatment with CS was reported by 92% (n = 542) of patients, 56% (n = 322) for IVIg, 36% (n = 209) for anti-D, 36% (n = 213) for RT, and 39% (n = 227) for SPL. A substantial proportion of CS-treated patients reported side effects (98%, P < 0.05), were highly bothered by their side effects (53.1%, P < 0.05), and reported the need to stop or reduce treatment due to side effects (37.8%, P < 0.05). Among patients reporting side effects of treatment, significant associations were noted for the number of side effects, aggregate bother of reported side effects, and the need to stop or reduce treatment (all P < 0.05).Current ITP treatments, particularly corticosteroids, are associated with multiple bothersome side effects that may lead to patients stopping or reducing therapy. Open, informed and complete communication between clinician and patient regarding both the benefits and the side effects of ITP treatment may better prepare patients for their prescribed regimens.