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Objectives: The objectives of this study were to describe the characteristics and initial treatment patterns, healthcare resource use (HCRU), and costs of patients newly diagnosed with neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1)-related plexiform neurofibromas (PN).Methods: This was a retrospective study of individuals enrolled in the IBM MarketScan Multi-State Medicaid database from 1 October 2014 to 31 December 2017. Patients aged ≤18 years at the index date (first diagnosis of NF1 or PN, whichever occurred later) with at least 1 ICD-10-CM diagnosis code for both NF1 and PN were included. All-cause HCRU and the associated direct costs during the follow-up period were calculated per patient per year (PPPY) in 2018 USD.Results: A total of 383 patients were included with a mean follow-up of 448 days. Most patients were diagnosed by a specialist (63.5%). During the follow-up period, pain medications were used by 58.5% of patients, 25.1% were treated with chemotherapy, 7.1% received surgery for PN, 1.6% received MEK inhibitors, and 0.8% received radiation. Mean PPPY inpatient, outpatient, ER, pharmacy, and other visits were 1.4, 17.3, 1.6, 13.6, and 25.8, respectively. Mean ± SD (median) total PPPY healthcare costs were $17,275 ± $61,903 ($2889), with total medical costs of $14,628 ± $56,203 ($2334) and pharmacy costs of $2646 ± $13,303 ($26).Conclusions: This study showed that many pediatric patients newly diagnosed with NF1 and PN were initially treated with supportive care only, highlighting a substantial unmet medical need. This study also highlights the considerable economic burden among patients with NF1 and PN. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

New avenues for research have opened, which assess the influence of systemic disease on periodontium and vice versa. To find the correlation between polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and periodontium by assessing clinical parameters [plaque index (PI), probing depth, periodontal disease index (PDI)] and the anthropological parameter [body mass index (BMI)] and to find the correlation between body mass index and periodontal disease index in subjects with and without PCOS. Sixty females comprising 30 with PCOS and 30 without PCOS were selected. Clinical, anthropological, and radiological assessment was done. Double blinding was incorporated. There was a statistically highly significant difference in mean age, mean PI, and mean PDI (P < 0.001) in PCOS group when compared to those without PCOS group by unpaired t-test for inter-group analysis. A statistically significant difference was found in mean probing depth and mean BMI (P < 0.05) in PCOS group when compared to those without PCOS group by unpaired t-test for inter-group analysis. No statistically significant correlation was found between mean PDI and mean BMI in PCOS and non-PCOS group subjects using Spearman's rank correlation. Women suffering from PCOS may be at a heightened risk for developing periodontal disease as our study re-establishes this association with respect to some periodontal parameters. With such a result, general practitioners/gynecologists can be encouraged to refer cases of PCOS to periodontists for early detection, prevention of periodontal disease, and maintenance of periodontal health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: The aim of our study is to compare the effectiveness of autologous serum therapy (AST) with histaglobulin in patients of chronic urticaria. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This was a prospective, comparative, randomized controlled, single-blinded study. Based on inclusion and exclusion criteria, patients were selected and divided into two groups by randomization. Autologous serum skin test was done in each patient irrespective of their groups. Group A (n = 30) received AST and Group B (n = 30) received histaglobulin. Patients' assessment was done every week for urticaria activity score (UAS) for 8 weeks. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS: We used Mann–Whitney test to compare the means between two groups. Wilcoxon signed-rank test was used to compare pre- and posttreatment UAS scores. RESULTS: Both therapies reduced UAS significantly (P = 0.01) at 8 weeks, and the reduction was observed every week. AST reduced UAS more than histaglobulin. However, within intergroup, difference was not significant. All patients had reduced severity of urticaria; however, complete remission (UAS = 0) was observed in three patients of Group A. CONCLUSION: Group A (AST) showed statistically significant improvement than Group B (histaglobulin), but both showed a reduction in UAS with a longer treatment-free interval. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]