Latest news with #globalstudy
Medscape
4 days ago
- General
- Medscape
Eptinezumab for Episodic Cluster Headache Prevention
Compared with placebo, eptinezumab failed to significantly reduce the number of episodic cluster headache (ECH) attacks but showed higher responder rates and improved quality-of-life measures. METHODOLOGY: Eptinezumab, an anti–calcitonin gene-related peptide monoclonal antibody, was evaluated for the treatment of ECH. This phase 3, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial (ALLEVIATE) was conducted across 64 sites in 18 countries from December 2020 to October 2023 and screened 628 adults with ECH. A total of 231 adults (aged 18-75 years; mean age, 44 years; 78% men) meeting the criteria (a history of ECH for 1 or more years and seven or more CH attacks during screening) were randomly assigned to receive either eptinezumab 400 mg (n = 113) or placebo (n = 118) via intravenous infusion. After the 4-week placebo-controlled phase, participants who received placebo transitioned to delayed-start active treatment for an additional 4 weeks, followed by 12 weeks of observation and an 8-week safety follow-up. The primary outcome was the change from baseline in the number of weekly attacks (weeks 1-2), assessed via a daily electronic diary; secondary outcomes included responder rates of 50% or greater/75% or greater; pain severity; change in disease status, assessed using the Patient Global Impression of Change (PGIC); quality of life, assessed using the Sleep Impact Scale; participant well-being, assessed using the EQ-5D-5L; and self-rated productivity, assessed using the Work Productivity and Activity Impairment. TAKEAWAY: No significant reduction in the number of weekly attacks were observed with eptinezumab vs placebo during weeks 1 and 2 (least-square mean difference, 0.7; P = .50). = .50). A higher proportion of eptinezumab-treated participants achieved 50% or greater response than placebo-treated participants over week 2 (50.9% vs 37.3%; odds ratio [OR], 1.77; P = .04), week 3 (62.5% vs 43.8%; OR, 2.26; P = .004), and week 4 (66.7% vs 50.5%; OR, 2.14; P = .009). = .04), week 3 (62.5% vs 43.8%; OR, 2.26; = .004), and week 4 (66.7% vs 50.5%; OR, 2.14; = .009). Compared with placebo, eptinezumab demonstrated improvements for 75% or greater responder rates by week 4 (35.5% vs 52.0%; OR, 1.98; P = .02). = .02). Numerically greater improvements were observed with eptinezumab than with placebo in terms of PGIC scores, EQ-5D-5L visual analog scale scores (mean difference, 7.8 points; P = .02), and sleep/activity metrics. = .02), and sleep/activity metrics. Treatment-emergent adverse events were similar between eptinezumab and placebo (25.0% and 26.5%, respectively), confirming tolerability. IN PRACTICE: "Among adults with episodic cluster headache, eptinezumab did not significantly reduce the number of attacks vs placebo, although it was associated with numerically higher responder rates and improvements in average daily pain and patient-reported outcomes. Eptinezumab was generally well tolerated," the authors of the study wrote. SOURCE: This study was led by Rigmor H. Jensen, Danish Headache Center, Department of Neurology, Rigshospitalet-Glostrup, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark. It was published online on May 19 in JAMA Neurology . LIMITATIONS: T he study's generalisability may be limited due to the predominantly male (78%) and European population. Early termination due to futility reduced the sample size, although the cohort remained sufficient for the primary analysis. The 4-week placebo-controlled period was too brief to assess the long-term efficacy, unlike the 12-week regimens used for migraine prevention. DISCLOSURES: This trial was sponsored and funded by H. Lundbeck A/S, including medical writing support. Jensen reported receiving grants from Københavns Universitet, Lundbeck Pharma, Novo Nordisk, and Lundbeck Foundation paid to the institution during the conduct of the study. Additional disclosures are noted in the original article.
ABC News
14-05-2025
- Health
- ABC News
Study finds genes linked to OCD
Sabra Lane: Obsessive compulsive disorder can be debilitating but often goes untreated. Now a new global study has identified the genes linked with the condition. Researchers hope it'll lead to better treatments and diagnosis. Isabel Moussalli reports. Isabel Moussalli : Dr Leigh Sheppard's earliest memory of her obsessive compulsive disorder was being asked to pick a balloon for her sick brother. Leigh Sheppard : In my mind, if I chose the wrong balloon, my brother would die. And so I'm making these huge decisions in my mind, but also it's really illogical. Often it doesn't make sense. Isabel Moussalli : But the now medical doctor didn't receive a diagnosis or treatment until she was 33. Her struggle in finding support led her to start the non-profit OCDWA. Leigh Sheppard : At my worst, I was almost bedridden. I could barely function and through treatment I now function really well and it's meant that I can return to work. Isabel Moussalli : And more people could soon receive the diagnosis and treatment they need. That's the hope of a large global group of scientists who've just published significant findings. Eske Derks : This is the first time, the first large study where we found genes linked to OCD risk. Isabel Moussalli : Professor Eske Dirks is a senior scientist at Medical Research Institute QIMR Berghofer and was involved in the decade-long project. Eske Derks : We have access to data from 50,000 patients with OCD and 2 million people who don't have OCD. And then we looked at the genetic profiles and compared them and yeah, we found 250 genes that are increasing OCD risk and 25 of these are very likely to be causal. Isabel Moussalli : She cautions it doesn't mean they're the only genes as larger studies are being conducted. Eske Derks : But... It's very important findings I think for several reasons. Because we have a better understanding of the genes that are related to OCD, we can look at existing drugs that might be effective. The other important reason to do this research is that it's also the first step into being able to predict the risk for OCD. Isabel Moussalli : Dr. Sheppard from OCDWA believes it'll be a landmark moment for her community. Leigh Sheppard : Identifying the genes and brain regions that are involved in OCD confirms what clinicians and people with lived experience have long understood, which is that OCD is a complex neurobiological condition, not a personality trait or a behavioural choice. Isabel Moussalli : Sane Australia's CEO, Rachel Green, also hopes it'll break down the stigma. Rachel Green : OCD is a condition that carries with it some incredible stigma that actually prevents people from seeking help. It's not just wanting to keep your house really clean and it's important not to use it as a term in that sort of context. It can be a really debilitating condition for people who live with it and a very lonely and isolating experience, especially if they haven't yet been able to seek help. Isabel Moussalli : And she says one place people can seek support is the Sane Australia website.
RNZ News
08-05-2025
- Health
- RNZ News
Inflammatory Bowel Disease cases set to double
The world's largest-ever study into Inflammatory Bowel Disease has just been released, predicting cases here are set to double in the next 20 years. The landmark study has identified four distinct stages of growth of IBD in more than 80 countries across the globe. It hopes to provide a framework to allow health systems like ours to better anticipate and manage the growing burden of IBD. Co-author Professor Richard Gearry is from the University of Otago's Christ. Photo: University of Otago
Telegraph
07-05-2025
- Health
- Telegraph
Fifth of girls and one in seven boys sexually assaulted globally, says study
At least one in five girls and one in seven boys have been sexually assaulted globally, a new study has found. The research, published today in the Lancet, analysed data from all countries across the world – and found more than half of all people who have experienced sexual violence did so before the age of 18. The researchers from the University of Washington defined sexual violence as 'having ever experienced intercourse or other sexual violence (i.e. fondling and other sexual touching) before the age of 18 years, in which the contact was unwanted (physically forced or coerced).' While other studies, including a report published by UNICEF last year, have presented similar estimates for rates of sexual violence against children, this is the first time the data has been aggregated by country, the authors said. The South Asia region – which includes India, Pakistan, and Bangladesh – recorded the highest rates of childhood sexual violence against girls overall, with approximately 26.8 per cent affected. For boys, sub-Saharan Africa had the highest prevalence, with 18.6 per cent experiencing at least one form of sexual abuse before reaching adulthood. On a country-specific level, Côte d'Ivoire in West Africa had the highest rates of sexual violence against boys, with an estimated 28.8 per cent affected during childhood. Among girls, the Solomon Islands reported the highest prevalence, with 42.6 per cent estimated to have experienced sexual violence as children. However, the study found that the prevalence of sexual violence against children to be 'extremely high' regardless of region or economic status. For example, at least 30 per cent of girls in the Netherlands, 29 per cent in New Zealand, and 24 per cent in the UK experienced at least one form of sexual abuse during childhood, according to the study. The authors collated their research from the Global Health Data Exchange, the World Health Organization's (WHO) database that catalogues all health and demographic surveys, censuses, disease registries, surveillance systems, and scientific publications from all countries across the world. 'The prevalence of sexual violence is extremely high for both females and males across the globe. Given data sparsity and ongoing measurement challenges, findings probably underestimate the true pervasiveness of sexual violence,' the authors said. 'An overwhelmingly high proportion of survivors first experienced sexual violence during childhood, revealing a narrow yet sensitive window that should be targeted in future prevention efforts. It is a moral imperative to protect children from violence and mitigate its compounding impacts on health across the life course,' they added.
