Clinical

The panelist discusses how early detection of recurrent Clostridioides difficile infections is critical in clinical practice because these infections can rapidly escalate patient morbidity and mortality. Recurrent C difficile infections are associated with significantly increased mortality rates, with studies showing that patients experiencing multiple infection episodes have a higher risk of complications, prolonged hospital stays, and increased health care costs. Early identification allows for prompt intervention, which can help prevent disease progression, reduce transmission risks, and implement targeted treatment strategies.

Compared with female patients, male patients with eosinophilic esophagitis have higher rates of complications, including esophageal obstruction, food impaction, and rupture, highlighting potential gender differences in disease severity.

Patients with generalized myasthenia gravis experienced durable improvements across measures of efficacy and regardless of the time since they were diagnosed.

A panelist discusses how comprehensive care coordination between specialists, proactive adverse effect management, and innovative care models can optimize treatment outcomes for Lambert-Eaton myasthenic syndrome (LEMS) patients, particularly those with dual diagnoses like small cell lung cancer (SCLC), while ensuring both clinical effectiveness and cost-efficiency through managed care strategies.

A phase 3 trial highlights betibeglogene autotemcel as a potentially curative gene therapy for severe transfusion-dependent β-thalassemia.

A third-generation chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell therapy yielded encouraging response rates and safety findings among patients with relapsed or refractory chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL).

In part 2 of our interview, Yehuda Handelsman, MD, discusses how cardiorenalmetabolic (CRM) disease management is advancing with the 2022 Diabetes, Cardiorenal, and Metabolic (DCRM) multispecialty practice recommendations and the updated DCRM 2.0 guidelines.

Panelists discuss how iron deficiency anemia significantly impacts patients’ quality of life through symptoms like chronic fatigue, shortness of breath, and cognitive dysfunction, while also creating substantial psychosocial burdens including depression, reduced work productivity, and social isolation, particularly affecting vulnerable populations who may face barriers to diagnosis and treatment.

Panelists discuss how pirtobrutinib demonstrated superior progression-free survival compared with standard Bruton tyrosine kinase (BTK) inhibitors in previously treated chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) patients as shown in the BRUIN CLL-321 trial results.

Panelist discusses how the misalignment between Hurley stages and patient burden in hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) creates diagnostic and treatment challenges. Current Hurley staging inadequately captures the full patient experience, potentially leading to suboptimal treatment approaches. Standardized clinical training and assessment tools that incorporate both objective staging and subjective patient-reported outcomes could help bridge this gap, enabling more personalized and comprehensive HS management.

Dr. Bijal Shah explores the recent advancements and shifts in treatment strategies for Ph+ ALL, driven by innovations in targeted therapies and evolving clinical practices

This interview will appear in the January 2025 issue of Evidence-Based Oncology, our annual recap of the American Society of Hematology Meeting and Exposition. After this article went to press, the company announced its ticker symbol on the Nasdaq will change January 2, 2025.

There’s a balance required to manage both the symptoms of myelofibrosis through treatment and the side effects caused by the drugs, explained Firas El Chaer, MD, of the University of Virginia School of Medicine.

Low birth weight is associated with an increased risk of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), particularly among smokers, highlighting the impact of early-life factors on respiratory health.

This year’s most-viewed articles and videos on myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) explored patient quality of life, risk factors for progression, and more.

The top 5 ovarian cancer articles of 2024 covered topics such as the impact of air pollution on ovarian cancer risk, treatment strategies for patients with liver metastases, and the benefits of early diagnosis through symptom-triggered testing.

Advances in therapy are improving outcomes for patients, but the incidence and mortality rates for hepatocellular carcinoma are increasing in the US.

In 2024, multiple drugs received complete response letters (CRLs), sometimes unrelated to the safety and efficacy of the drug, but patients with schizophrenia gained the first new treatment with a new mechanism of action in decades.

The top 5 most-read chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) articles of 2024 covered topics such as inhaled medication risks, gabapentinoid use, and the link between high white blood cell counts and exacerbations.

This year's top 5 most-read cardiovascular articles explored topics ranging from FDA approvals to the risks associated with the sugar alcohol xylitol and beyond.

The high health care burden faced by individuals with hemophilia underscores the urgent need for innovative treatments and improved diversity in clinical trials.

Through interviews and articles infused with expert insight, progress against this cancer that develops in the bone marrow was showcased.

A panelist discusses how enhanced screening protocols combined with predictive analytics can accelerate Lambert-Eaton myasthenic syndrome (LEMS) detection in high-risk populations like patients with small cell lung cancer (SCLC) while also exploring the potential of telemedicine to improve early diagnosis in underserved communities.

A panelist discusses how uncomplicated urinary tract infections (UTIs) typically affect otherwise healthy individuals and can be treated with short-course antibiotics by primary care physicians, while complicated UTIs involve underlying conditions or anatomical abnormalities requiring specialized care from urologists, infectious disease specialists, and other healthcare providers working collaboratively to optimize treatment outcomes through coordinated multidisciplinary management.

Dr. Bijal Shah highlights the critical role of evidence-based guidelines, including NCCN recommendations, in standardizing care and enhancing outcomes for patients with Ph+ ALL.

Exercise interventions may help manage chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN) in patients with ovarian cancer through improved physical activity and muscle function, but evidence remains limited.

The top 5 idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) articles of 2024 explored topics like the effect of oxygen therapy on health care costs and mortality; delayed diagnoses leading to worse outcomes; new drug trials; the impact of diabetes on pulmonary health; and the growing body of research on macrophages and pulmonary fibrosis.

A panelist discusses how clinicians are navigating the evolving landscape of multiple myeloma treatment, from considering early intervention in high-risk smoldering cases to personalizing initial therapy choices between triplet and quadruplet regimens.

A panelist discusses how biosimilar adoption faces multiple barriers despite proven cost benefits, exploring strategies for improving uptake, best practices for interchangeability, experiences with adalimumab switching, and future optimization opportunities in healthcare systems.

A panelist discusses how bronchiectasis involves a vicious cycle of airway damage, where neutrophilic inflammation leads to bronchial wall destruction and dilation, while explaining that diagnosis relies primarily on high-resolution CT imaging showing bronchial wall thickening and dilated airways, distinguishing it from the emphysematous changes seen with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).