Objectives: Variation exists in the capabilities of electronic healthcare records (EHRs) systems and the frequency of their use by primary care physicians (PCPs) from different settings. We aimed to examine the factors associated with everyday EHRs use by PCPs, characterise the EHRs features available to PCPs, and to identify the impact of practice settings on feature availability. Study design: Cross-sectional study. Methods: PCPs from 20 countries completed cross-sectional online survey between June and September 2020. Responses which reported frequency of EHRs use were retained. Associations between everyday EHRs use and PCP and practice factors (country, urbanicity, and digital maturity) were explored using multivariable logistic regression analyses. The effect of practice factors on the variation in availability of ten EHRs features was estimated using Cramer's V. Results: Responses from 1520 out of 1605 PCPs surveyed (94.7%) were retained. Everyday EHRs use was reported by 91.2% of PCPs. Everyday EHRs use was associated with PCPs working >28 h per week, having more years of experience using EHRs, country of employment, and higher digital maturity. EHRs features concerning entering, and retrieving data were available to most PCPs. Few PCPs reported having access to tools for 'interactive patient education ' (37.3%) or 'home monitoring and self -testing of chronic conditions ' (34.3%). Country of practice was associated with availability of all EHRs features (Cramer's V range: 0.2 -0.6), particularly with availability of tools enabling patient EHRs access (Cramer's V: 0.6, P < 0.0001). Greater feature availability of EHRs features was observed with greater digital maturity. Conclusions: EHRs features intended for patient use were uncommon across countries and levels of digital maturity. Systems -level research is necessary to identify the country -specific barriers impeding the implementation of EHRs features in primary care, particularly of EHRs features enabling patient interaction with EHRs, to develop strategies to improve systems -wide EHRs use. (c) 2024 The Author(s). Published by Elsevier Ltd on behalf of The Royal Society for Public Health. This is an open access article under the CC BY license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/).

The efficacy and safety of primary re-irradiation for MSCC are not known. Our aim was to establish the efficacy and safety of biologically effective dose-based re-irradiation.Patients presenting with MSCC at a previously irradiated spine segment, and not proceeding with surgical decompression, were eligible. A 3 Gray per fraction experimental schedule (minimum 18 Gy/6 fractions, maximum 30 Gy/10 fractions) was used, delivering a maximum cumulative spinal dose of 100 Gy2 if the interval since the last radiotherapy was within 6 months, or 130 Gy2 if longer. The primary outcome was a change in mobility from week 1 to week 5 post-treatment, as assessed by the Tomita score. The RTOG SOMA score was used to screen for spinal toxicity, and an MRI performed to assess for radiation-induced myelopathy (RIM).Twenty-two patients were enroled, of whom eleven were evaluable for the primary outcome. Nine of eleven (81.8%) had stable or improved Tomita scores at 5 weeks. One of eight (12.5%) evaluable for late toxicity developed RIM.Re-irradiation is an efficacious treatment for MSCC. There is a risk of RIM with a cumulative dose of 120 Gy2.Cancer Trials Ireland (ICORG 07-11); NCT00974168.

Since its introduction into clinical practice, 2-deoxy-2-[18F]flu-D-glucose (FDG) positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) has become firmly established in the field of oncological imaging, with a growing body of evidence demonstrating its use in infectious and inflammatory vascular pathologies. This pictorial review illustrates the utility of FDG PET/CT as a diagnostic tool in the investigation of vascular disease and highlights some of the more common incidental vascular findings that PET reporters may encounter on standard oncology FDG PET/CTs, including atherosclerosis, large vessel vasculitis, complications of vascular grafts, infectious aortitis and acute aortic syndromes.

To prospectively assess the efficacy and toxicity of External Beam Radiotherapy (EBRT) reirradiation in patients (pts) with Malignant Spinal Cord Compression (MSCC) occurring in previously irradiated area and not for surgical decompression. An ICH-GCP compliant prospective Gehan's two-stage design Phase 2 trial evaluated a radiobiology based EBRT reirradiation strategy for MSCC. The primary endpoint was mobility (Tomita mobility score change at 5 weeks); the secondary endpoints were long-term spinal toxicity & Radiation-Induced Myelopathy (RIM) (RTOG SOMA scale), Quality of Life (EORTC-QLQ-C15 PAL v. 1.0) and non-spinal acute & long-term toxicity (RTOG scale). Eligible pts had a pathological proven malignancy, excluding primary bone tumor, and diagnosed with a treatment naïve MRI documented MSCC, occurring in a previously irradiated spinal area (Spinal dose received ≤ 90 Gy2). Based on radiobiological and retrospective clinical data, pts were classified into 3 RIM risk categories. The reirradiation EBRT schedule aimed to deliver a minimum of 12 Gy in 4 fractions (Maximum: 30 Gy/10), and a cumulative dose to the spine (equal to the BED sum of each radiotherapy courses prescribed doses) of respectively 100 Gy2, if time interval ≤ 6 months between radiotherapy courses, and 130 Gy2, if > 6 months. From 01/2008 to 09/2016, 22 pts were recruited, 16 pts with week 1 acute toxicity data and 11 pts with week 5 efficacy data (Early death: 9, withdrew consent: 2). Baseline population characteristics were: median age: 66 years (24-88), ♀/♂ratio: 6/16, median KPS: 60 (40-100). 16 pts were initially ambulatory and all were within the low risk RIM category. The common pathologies were prostate (36%) and lung cancer (23%). The compression levels were cervical (9.1%), thoracic (68.2%), lumbar (13.6%) and lumbo-sacral (9.1%). The week 5 overall response rate, defined as improved (n = 2) or stable (n = 7) Tomita score, was 81.8 % (95% CI: 52.3-94.9%), largely above the 20% protocol-defined clinical efficacy futility mark, and associated at week 5 with a significant improvement of the EORTC QLQ-C15-PAL pain score (28.6 units, 95% CI 0.8 to 56.3) and a non-significant improvement of Physical Functioning score. The median survival from consent date was 2.2 months (0.9-5.4). Acute toxicity was observed in 9 pts, all grade ≤ 2. Among the 8 pts reaching the 3 month assessment or more, there were 3 grade 1 late-toxicity events (2 intestine and 1 fatigue) and 2 SOMA grade> 2 RIM (diagnosed at 3 & 12 months) , corresponding to an overall cumulative incidence estimated between 9.1 % ( intention to treat) and 25% (actual), exceeding the 3% risk predicted by the radiobiological and clinical models. EBRT reirradiation provides similar response rate than the one reported in our previously reported trial with irradiation naïve MSCC pts, but the observed RIM incidence was higher than predicted, demonstrating the importance of prospective trials.

Background The optimal EBRT schedule for MSCC is undetermined. Our aim was to determine whether a single fraction (SF) was non-inferior to five daily fractions (5Fx), for functional motor outcome. Methods Patients not proceeding with surgical decompression in this multicentre non-inferiority, Phase 3 trial were randomised to 10 Gy/SF or 20 Gy/5Fx. A change in mobility from baseline to 5 weeks for each patient, was evaluated by a Modified Tomita score: 1 = ‘Walk unaided’, 2 = ‘With walking aid’ and 3 = ‘Bed-bound’. The margin used to establish non-inferiority was a detrimental change of −0.4 in the mean difference between arms. Results One-hundred and twelve eligible patients were enrolled. Seventy-three patients aged 30–87 were evaluated for the primary analysis. The 95% CI for the difference in the mean change in mobility scores between arms was −0.12 to 0.6. Since −0.4 is not included in the interval, there is evidence that 10 Gy/SF is non-inferior to 20 Gy/5Fx. One grade 3 AE was reported in the 5Fx arm. Twelve (26%) patients in the 5Fx arm had a Grade 2–3 AE compared with six (11%) patients in the SF arm ( p = 0.093). Conclusion For mobility preservation, one 10-Gy fraction is non-inferior to 20 Gy in five fractions, in patients with MSCC not proceeding with surgical decompression. Clinical Trial Registration Cancer Trials Ireland ICORG 05-03; NCT00968643; EU-20952.

Introduction The introduction of novel therapies has significantly improved outcomes in myeloma. However, the economic burden of enhanced healthcare utilization is significant and cannot be discounted. This study sought to identify baseline characteristics that may influence outcomes and subsequent healthcare utilization. Patients were also stratified by induction therapy to determine the impact newer combinations have on healthcare utilization. Methods This retrospective single-center study enrolled all newly diagnosed patients with myeloma between 2005 and 2020. Three outcome measures were used to determine healthcare utilization - total inpatient length of stay (LOS), number of admissions, and day ward attendances. Univariate and multivariable analyses were performed to identify significant covariates related to overall survival (OS) and healthcare utilization. Outcomes were subsequently adjusted for duration of follow-up and per patient year. Results There were 113 patients included; 60 (53.1%) female; median age at diagnosis was 67 years (IQR 62, 73 years) and 22.1% were high risk International Staging System (ISS). Further baseline demographics are presented in Table 1. Median duration of follow up was 3.2 years (IQR 1.50, 6.55). Sixty patients (53.1%) died, 91.7% attributable to myeloma or its treatment. Predictors of OS by multivariable analysis were advanced stage [ISS III (p<0.001)] and IgA idiotype [(IgA vs IgG) (p=0.0002)]. Stem cell transplant eligibility was associated with improved OS (p=0.003). The total number of admissions to hospital was 547 (median 4; IQR 2, 7), with 55.4% unplanned. In the multivariable analysis, younger age (p=0.020), higher paraprotein levels (p=0.045), dialysis (p=0.037), and SCT eligibility (p=0.0012) were predictive of greater number of admissions. During the study period, there were 7000 inpatient bed occupancy days (median 46; IQR 26, 80). Only younger age remained significant (p=0.0028) in the multivariable analysis. There were a total of 5987 day care attendances during the study period. Multivariable analysis identified younger age at diagnosis (p<0.0001), WBC (p=0.0072), and light chain (kLC vs lLC) (p=0.0027) as predictive of increased day ward attendance. Healthcare utilization correlated with increased survival, as depicted in figure 1. There was no significant relationship between treatment type and LOS (p=0.055); this remained unchanged when adjusted per patient year (p=0.24). There was significant relationship between treatment type and total number of admissions (p=0.015). Patients receiving anthracycline based therapy (p=0.003), Immunomodulatory (IMiD)/Proteasomal Inhibition (PI)/Steroid (p=0.020), or PI/Steroid (p=0.021) were more likely to have a greater number of admissions. However, when adjusted per patient year, this association was no longer evident (p=0.19). A highly significant relationship between treatment type and day ward attendances was identified (p<0.0001). Alkylator based (pp=0.005), alkylator/PI/Steroid (p=0.006), anthracycline based (p=0.0002), IMiD/PI/Steroid (p=0.0007), or PI/Steroid (0.0002) were more likely to have greater day ward attendance. When adjusted per patient year, this significant association between treatment type and day ward attendance remained (p=0.0002). Conclusion Studies assessing healthcare utilization in patients with myeloma are mostly limited to relapsed refractory setting. In this population, younger age at presentation was a significant predictor for all three measures of healthcare utility. Whilst treatment type did not demonstrate a significant impact of LOS, we did determine that novel triplet therapy combinations were associated with increased number of admissions and day care attendances. We also showed that healthcare utilization increased with survival time. While survival outcomes with novel agents have improved, given current financial and capacity limitations within which the majority of health systems function, resource demand implications must be considered when planning future service provision and novel treatment strategies. Disclosures No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.

Proteus syndrome (PS) is an ultra-rare disease characterized by progressive, disproportionate, segmental overgrowth caused by a somatic gain-of-function mutation p.Glu17Lys in the oncogene AKT1. The disease has high morbidity and mortality rates due to the increased risk for patients to develop cancer and progressive overgrowth. A teenage patient with severe PS phenotype developed a pelvic recurrence of low-grade serous ovarian carcinoma (LGSOC). Taking into consideration, recent results of the use of AKT inhibitors both in PS and AKT-mutant cancers, we treated the patient on a compassionate basis, with miransertib (ARQ 092), a potent, selective, allosteric AKT inhibitor. Targeted deep sequencing assay of PI3K/AKT pathway genes of the affected overgrowth lesion (cerebriform connective tissue nevus) and the tumor tissues detected the same activating AKT1 mutation in both. Treatment with miransertib led to a complete remission of the cancer and a significant improvement in the patients' everyday life. The treatment is still ongoing at 22 months. This is the first report showing the therapeutic effects of an AKT inhibitor on both benign and malignant tissues that harbor the same pathogenic AKT1 mutation. The present article showed that personalized medicine is feasible in ultra-rare diseases.

Radiotherapy (RT) is a key treatment modality in the curative treatment of patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Incorrect definition of the gross, or clinical, target volume is a common source of error which can lead to a reduced probability of tumour control. This was a pilot and a phase II study. The pilot evaluated the technical feasibility of integrating positron emission tomography–computed tomography (PET-CT) fusion. The primary outcome of the phase II study was to evaluate the safety of PET-CT scan–based RT by evaluating the rate of loco-regional recurrence outside the PET-CT planning target volume (PTV) but within conventional 3-D PTV. Patients underwent standard post-treatment follow-up, including repeated three monthly CT scans of the thorax. In case of loco-regional recurrence, three categories were considered, with only extra-PET scan PTV and intra-CT scan PTV recurrences considered as a failure. Our hypothesis was that the rate of these events would be < 10%. Twelve patients were recruited; the study closed early due to poor recruitment. The primary endpoint of the pilot was met; it was feasible to deliver a PET-CT-based plan to ≥ 60% of patients. Two patients had intra-PET scan PTV recurrences, six had extra-PET scan PTV and extra-CT, and three patients had both. Another patient had extra-PET scan PTV and extra-CT as well as extra-PET scan PTV and intra-CT scan PTV recurrence. PET-based planning has the potential to reduce radiation treatment volumes because of the avoidance of mediastinal lymph nodes that are PET negative.

Background: The optimal primary external beam radiation therapy (EBRT) radiation schedule for malignant epidural spinal cord compression (MSCC) remains to be determined. The ICORG 05-03 trial assessed if a 10Gy single fraction radiation schedule was not inferior to one with 20 Gray (Gy) in five daily fractions, in terms of functional motor outcome, for the treatment of MSCC in patients not proceeding with surgical decompression. This article reports on two of the secondary endpoints, Quality of life (QoL), assessed according to the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC) Quality of Life Questionnaire Core 30 (QLQ-C30) version 3.0 (EORTC Data Center, Brussels, Belgium) and pain control assessed using a visual analog scale. Methods: A randomized, parallel group, multicenter phase III trial was conducted by Cancer Trials Ireland (formerly All-Ireland Cooperative Oncology Research Group, ICORG), across five hospital sites in Ireland and Northern Ireland. Patients were randomized to 10Gy single fraction of EBRT or 20Gy in five fractions in a 1:1 ratio. Patients with baseline and 5-week follow up QoL data are included in this analysis. Findings: From 2006 to 2014, 112 eligible patients were enrolled for whom 57 were evaluated for this secondary analysis. After adjusting for pre-intervention scores, there was no statistically significant difference in post-treatment Summary scores (excl. Fl and QL), or pain scores between the two RT schedules at 5 weeks and 3 months following EBRT. There was a statistically significant relationship between the pretreatment and post-treatment Summary scores (p = .002) but not between the pre-treatment and post-treatment pain scores. Interpretation: Primary radiotherapy for the treatment of MSCC significantly improves QoL in patients not proceeding with surgical decompression. After adjusting for pre-intervention scores, there was no statistically significant difference between a 10Gy single fraction radiation schedule and one with 20Gy in five daily fractions on post-treatment QoL Summary scores. For most patients, an effective treatment with low burden would be desirable. A single fraction schedule should be considered for this group of patients.

IntroductionThe benefits of text messaging patients are well documented. The General Medical Council recently published guidance endorsing text messaging. The use of text messaging by GPs in Ireland is currently unknown. The survey aims to address this knowledge deficit and ascertain the extent, benefits, risks, barriers and clinical role of text messaging in Irish general practice.MethodsAn online survey was emailed to 1,375 members of the Irish College of General Practitioners (ICGP).ResultsA total of 536 GPs completed the questionnaire; a response rate of 40%. Overall, 66% (n=353) of respondents text patients and 27% have a written policy for texting patients. Texting is used primarily to send test results (71%), to advise the patient to phone the practice (52%) and as appointment reminders (43%).DiscussionGPs text messaging patients is widespread. Complex issues to resolve include consent, confidentiality, children/young adults and the clinical content of text messages. Guidance is required to enable GPs and patients harness the benefits of text messaging, while minimising potential risks.

AIMS:The objective of this phase II clinical trial was to prospectively evaluate the safety and efficacy of accelerated hypofractionated three-dimensional conformal radiation therapy (3DCRT) in localised non-resectable/non-operable non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). MATERIALS AND METHODS:Sixty patients with stage I-III NSCLC were enrolled in a prospective single-arm All Ireland Co-operative Oncology Research Group (ICORG 99-09) toxicity end point phase II trial. The protocol allocated patients between three radiation schedule dose levels (60, 66 or 72 Gy, in 20, 22 and 24 fractions, respectively, 3 Gy daily, five fractions per week) according to combined lung V25Gy (V25Gy ≤ 30%) with built-in early stopping toxicity rules. The primary end point was toxicity with evaluation of dose-limiting toxicity. The secondary objectives included radiological tumour response rate at 3 months after the completion of radiation therapy and the thoracic progression-free survival time. RESULTS:Sixty patients were recruited from August 1999 to June 2009. Forty-nine patients were included in the primary per-protocol analysis. Eleven patients were not evaluable. In the first 30 evaluable patient cohort, severe oesophageal toxicity was reported in two patients (2/49; 4% experiencing grade 5 oesophageal late toxicity, related to the 97% oesophageal length). The trial was temporarily closed and was then reopened to validate an oesophageal dose volume constraint (DVC) of limiting the length of oesophagus fully encompassed by the 97% isodose to less than 1 cm (applied to 21 patients). The trial prospectively showed the safety of the oesophageal DVC, with no oesophageal toxicity above grade 3 thereafter. Thirty-nine per cent of patients had disease progression at 3-4 months after radiotherapy, 22% had stable disease, 20% had a complete response and 14% had a partial response. The median overall survival was 13.6 months (95% confidence interval 10.5-16.7) and overall survival at 1 and 3 years was 57% and 29%, respectively. CONCLUSION:A strategy using accelerated hypofractionated 3DCRT is feasible and reasonably safe for patients with inoperable NSCLC. It is safe to deliver for centrally located tumours if DVCs are applied to the oesophagus, which is the primary dose-limiting toxicity. Further studies are required to assess the efficacy of hypofractionated regimens for centrally located tumours using an oesophageal DVC and monitoring for oesophageal toxicity.

"High grade follicular lymphoma in a patient receiving adalimumab and methotrexate for pityriasis rubra pilaris." Journal of Dermatological Treatment, 28(8), pp. 764–765

AIM: To correlate the results of transrectal ultrasound (TRUS)-guided targeted prostate biopsies (performed in the setting of at least one previous negative biopsy) with the Prostate Imaging Reporting and Data System (PI-RADS).MATERIAL AND METHODS: Fifty-two patients (mean age 64 years, range 52-76 years), with previous negative prostate biopsy underwent magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)-directed TRUS-guided targeted and sectoral biopsy. A retrospective review of MRI examinations was carried out, blinded to biopsy results. PI-RADS scores (T2, diffusion-weighted imaging [DWI] and overall) were assigned on a per lesion basis, and localised to sextants. The scores were correlated with biopsy results, and the positive predictive values (PPV) of PIRADS scores for positive biopsies were calculated.RESULTS: Overall, biopsies were positive in 23/52 (44.2%) patients. Eighty-one areas were targeted in 52 patients. On a per lesion basis, there was significant correlation between positive targeted biopsy and both T2 and overall PI-RADS score (p<0.001). The correlation between biopsy and DWI score was significant for peripheral zone tumours only, not for transitional zone tumours. The PPV of overall PI-RADS scores of 3, 4, and 5 were 10.6%, 44%, and 100%, respectively. The PPV of T2 PI-RADS scores of 3, 4, and 5 were 19.6%, 60%, and 100%, respectively. The PPV of DWI PI-RADS scores of 3, 4, and 5 were 50%, 27.3%, and 33%, respectively. When transitional tumours were excluded, the PPV of DWI PI-RADS 3, 4, and 5 were 40%, 43%, and 78%.CONCLUSION: The PIRADS score provides an effective framework for determining the likelihood of prostate cancer on MRI. The DWI PI-RADS score correlates well with the presence of peripheral zone tumour on targeted biopsy, but not with transitional zone tumours. (C) 2016 The Royal College of Radiologists. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

OBJECTIVES:Prostate cancer staging MR examinations commonly include abdominal sequences to assess for non-regional (common iliac or para-aortic) nodal metastasis. In our experience the diagnostic yield of this is limited, but incidental findings are frequent, often necessitating further investigations. The aim of this study is to assess the diagnostic utility of abdominal sequences in routine prostate cancer MR staging studies. METHODS:Findings on abdominal sequences of consecutive MRI prostate studies performed for staging newly diagnosed prostate cancer between September 2011 and September 2013 were reviewed with respect to adenopathy and additional incidental findings. Results were correlated with Gleason grade and serum prostate-specific antigen (PSA) level in each case. RESULTS:355 MRI prostate examinations were reviewed. 4 (1.1%) showed enlarged non-regional lymph nodes. Incidental findings were found in 82(23.1%) cases, neccessitating further investigation in 45 (12.7%) cases. Enlarged non-regional nodes were associated with higher PSA level and Gleason grade (p=0.007, p=0.005 respectively). With a combined threshold of PSA > 20 ng/mL and/or Gleason grade ≥ 8 the sensitivity, specificity, PPV and NPV were 100, 60, 3 and 100% respectively for predicting the presence of non-regional adenopathy. CONCLUSIONS:Routine abdominal sequences are of very low yield in routine prostate cancer MR staging, frequently resulting in incidental findings requiring further work-up and should be reserved for high-risk cases. Our experience supports the use of an abdominal staging sequence in high-risk cases only.

To prospectively compare two external beam radiation therapy (EBRT) fractionation schedules (FS) in patients (pts) with malignant spinal cord compression (MSCC) not proceeding with surgical decompression.

Introduction For many years, if medical oncologists were questioned about the anatomoclinical significance of the neuroimaging scan pictured in Figures 1 and 2, they would have found it difficult to outline a plausible explanation. They may have described an extensive bilateral edema that involved the white matter of the posterior parietal and occipital lobes and cerebellum, but they certainly would not have reached a definitive diagnosis. If medical oncologists were shown the scan taken on subsequent days displaying the rapid and favorable radiologic outcome of the same picture, they would probably have been speechless. Regrettably, for the patient who presented with these radiologic abnormalities, the uncertainty in diagnosis and delay in treatment would have probably translated into permanent CNS injuries or death. Until the late 1990s, the onset of neurologic signs and/or symptoms in patients with cancer promptly aroused the suspicion of the direct spread of a tumor into the CNS. The presence of an expansive intracranial lesion or a diffuse metastatic infiltration of the meninges was largely thought be the triggering event and was routinely searched for by using a computed tomography scan or magnetic resonance