Most cancer treatment regimens include the administration of several chemotherapeutic agents. Drug-drug interactions (DDIs) can increase the risk of fatal adverse events and reduce therapeutic efficacy.^1,2 Erlotinib, gefitinib, afatinib, osimertinib, and icotinib are epidermal growth factor receptor–tyrosine kinase inhibitors (EGFR-TKIs) that have proven efficacy for treating advanced non–small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Erlotinib strongly inhibits cytochrome P450 (CYP) isoenzymes CYP 1A1, moderately inhibits CYP 3A4 and 2C8, and induces CYP 1A1 and 1A2.² Gefitinib weakly inhibits CYP 2C19 and 2D6.² CYP 3A4 inducers and inhibitors affect metabolism of both erlotinib and gefitinib.^3,4

Erlotinib and gefitinib are first-generation EGFR-TKIs and have been approved for NSCLC treatment by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA). These agents have been used since the early 2000s and increase the possibility of long-term response and survival.^2,5,6 EGFR-TKIs have a range of potential DDIs, including interactions with CYP-dependent metabolism, uridine diphosphate-glucuronosyltransferase, and transporter proteins.² Few retrospective studies have focused on the therapeutic efficacy of erlotinib, gefitinib,or the combination of these agents.^7-14

DDIs from cancer and noncancer therapies could lead to treatment discontinuation and affect patient outcomes. The goals for this study were to perform a broad-scale retrospective analysis focused on investigating prescribed drugs used with erlotinib and gefitinib and determine patient outcomes as obtained through several Military Health System (MHS) databases. Our investigation focused on (1) the functions of these drugs; (2) identifying adverse effects (AEs) that patients experienced; (3) evaluating differences when these drugs are used alone vs concomitantly, and between the completed vs discontinued treatment groups; (4) identifying all drugs used during erlotinib or gefitinib treatment; and (5) evaluating DDIs with antidepressants.

This retrospective study was performed at the Department of Research Programs at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center (WRNMMC) in Bethesda, Maryland. The WRNMMC Institutional Review Board approved the study protocol and ensured compliance with the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act as an exempt protocol. The Joint Pathology Center of the US Department of Defense (DoD) Cancer Registry and MHS data experts from the Comprehensive Ambulatory/Professional Encounter Record (CAPER) and the Pharmacy Data Transaction Service (PDTS) provided data for the analysis.

Methods

The DoD Cancer Registry Program was established in 1986 by the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Health Affairs. The registry currently contains data from 1998 to 2023. CAPER and PDTS are part of the MHS Data Repository/Management Analysis and Reporting Tool database. Each observation in the CAPER record represents an ambulatory encounter at a military treatment facility (MTF). CAPER records are available from 2003 to 2023.

Each observation in the PDTS record represents an outpatient prescription filled for an MHS beneficiary at MTFs through the TRICARE mail-order program or a retail pharmacy in the United States. Missing from this record are prescriptions filled at civilian pharmacies outside the United States and inpatient pharmacy prescriptions. The MHS Data Repository PDTS record is available from 2002 to 2023. The Composite Health Care System—the legacy system—is being replaced by GENESIS at MTFs.

Data Extraction Design

The study design involved a cross-sectional analysis. We requested data extraction for erlotinib and gefitinib from 1998 to 2021. Data from the DoD Cancer Registry were used to identify patients who received cancer treatment. Once patients were identified, the CAPER database was searched for diagnoses to identify other health conditions, while the PDTS database was used to populate a list of prescription medications filled during chemotherapy treatment.

Data collected from the Joint Pathology Center included cancer treatment (alone or concomitant), cancer information (cancer types and stages), demographics (sex, age at diagnosis), and physicians’ comments on AEs. Collected data from the MHS include diagnosis and filled prescription history from initiation to completion of the therapy period (or a buffer of 6 months after the initial period). We used all collected data in this analysis. The only exclusion criterion was a provided physician’s note commenting that the patient did not use erlotinib or gefitinib.

Data Extraction Analysis

The Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results Program Coding and Staging Manual 2016 and the International Classification of Diseases for Oncology (ICD-O) were used to decode disease and cancer types.^15,16 Data sorting and analysis were performed using Microsoft Excel. The percentage for the total was calculated by using the total number of patients or data available within the gefitinib and erlotinib groups divided by total number of patients or data variables. The subgroup percentage was calculated by using the number of patients or data available within the subgroup divided by the total number of patients in that subgroup.

In alone vs concomitant and completed vs discontinued treatment groups, a 2-tailed, 2-sample z test was used to calculate P to determine statistical significance (P < .05) using a statistics website.¹⁷ Concomitant was defined as erlotinib or gefitinib taken with other medication(s) before, after, or at the same time as cancer therapy. For the retrospective data analysis, physicians’ notes with “.”, “,”, “/”, “;”, (period, comma, forward slash, semicolon) or space between medication names were interpreted as concurrent, while “+”, “-/+” (plus, minus/plus), or and between drug names were interpreted as combined. Completed treatment was defined as erlotinib or gefitinib as the last medication the patient took without recorded AEs; switching or experiencing AEs was defined as discontinued treatment.

Results

Erlotinib

The Joint Pathology Center provided 387 entries for 382 patients aged 21 to 93 years (mean, 65 years) who were treated systemically with erlotinib from January 1, 2001, to December 31, 2020. Five patients had duplicate entries because they had different cancer sites. There were 287 patients (74%) with lung cancer, 61 (16%) with pancreatic cancer, and 39 (10%) with other cancers. For lung cancer, there were 118 patients (30%) for the upper lobe, 78 (20%) for the lower lobe, and 60 (16%) not otherwise specified (NOS). Other lung cancer sites had fewer patients: 21 (5%) middle lobe lung, 6 (2%) overlapping lung lesion(s), and 4 (1%) main bronchus of the lung. For pancreatic cancer, there were 27 patients (7%) for the head of the pancreas, 10 (3%) pancreas NOS, 9 (2%) body of the pancreas, 9 (2%) tail of the pancreas, 4 (1%) overlapping lesions of the pancreas, 1 (< 1%) pancreatic duct, and 1 (< 1%) other specified parts of the pancreas

There were 342 patients (88%) who were aged > 50 years; 186 male patients (48%) and 201 female patients (52%). There were 293 patients (76%) who had a cancer diagnosis of stage III or IV disease and 94 (24%) who had a cancer diagnosis of stage ≤ II (combination of data for stage 0, 1, and 2, not applicable, and unknown). For their systemic treatment, 161 patients (42%) were treated with erlotinib alone and 226 (58%) received erlotinib concomitantly with additional chemotherapy.

Among the 123 patients who discontinued their treatment, 101 switched treatment with no AEs notes, 22 died or experienced fatigue with blurry vision, constipation, nonspecific gastrointestinal effects, grade-4 diarrhea (as defined by the Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events), or developed a pleural fluid, pneumonitis, renal failure, skin swelling and facial rash, and unknown AEs of discontinuation. Patients who discontinued treatment because of unknown AEs had physicians’ notes that detailed emergency department visits, peripheral vascular disease, progressive disease, and treatment cessation, but did not specify the exact symptom(s) that led to discontinuation. The causes of death are unknown because they were not detailed in the available notes or databases. The overall results in this retrospective review cannot establish causality between taking erlotinib or gefitinib and death.

Gefitinib

In September 2021, the Joint Pathology Center provided 33 entries for 33 patients who were systemically treated with gefitinib from January 1, 2002, to December 31, 2017. The patient ages ranged from 49 to 89 years with a mean age of 66 years. There were 31 (94%) and 2 (6%) patients with lung and other cancers, respectively. The upper lobe, lower lobe, and lung NOS had the most patients: 14 (42%), 8 (24%), and 6 (18%), respectively.

There were 31 patients (94%) who were aged > 50 years; 15 were male (45%) and 18 were female (55%). There were 26 patients (79%) who had a cancer diagnosis of stage III or IV disease. Nineteen patients (58%) were treated with gefitinib alone, and 14 (42%) were treated with gefitinib concomitantly with additional chemotherapy. Thirty-one patients (94%) were treated for lung cancer (Table 2). Thirty-three patients are a small sample size to determine whether patients were likely to stop gefitinib if used concomitantly with other drugs. Among the patients treated with gefitinib monotherapy, 5% (n = 1) stopped treatment, whereas 29% (n = 4) of patients treated concomitantly discontinued treatment (P = .06). All comparisons for gefitinib yielded insignificant P values. Physicians’ notes indicated that the reasons for gefitinib discontinuation were life-altering pruritis and unknown (progressive disease outcome) (Table 3).

Management Analysis and Reporting Tool Database

MHS data analysts provided data on diagnoses for 348 patients among 415 submitted, with 232 and 112 patients completing and discontinuing erlotinib or gefitinib treatment, respectively. Each patient had 1 to 104 (completed treatment group) and 1 to 157 (discontinued treatment group) unique health conditions documented. The MHS reported 1319 unique-diagnosis conditions for the completed group and 1266 for the discontinued group. Patients with additional health issues stopped chemotherapy use more often than those without; P < .001 for the completed group (232 patients, 1319 diagnoses) vs the discontinued group (112 patients, 1266 diagnoses). The mean (SD) number of diagnoses was 19 (17) for the completed and 30 (22) for the discontinued treatment groups (Figure).

MHS data was provided for patients who filled erlotinib (n = 240) or gefitinib (n = 18). Among the 258 patients, there were 179 and 79 patients in the completed and discontinued treatment groups, respectively. Each patient filled 1 to 75 (for the completed treatment group) and 3 to 103 (for the discontinued treatment group) prescription drugs. There were 805 unique-filled prescriptions for the completed and 670 for the discontinued group. Patients in the discontinued group filled more prescriptions than those who completed treatment; P < .001 for the completed group (179 patients,805 drugs) vs the discontinued group (79 patients, 670 drugs).

The mean (SD) number of filled prescription drugs was 19 (11) for the completed group and 29 (18) for the discontinued treatment group. The 5 most filled prescriptions with erlotinib from 258 patients with PDTS data were ondansetron (151 prescriptions, 10 recorded AEs), dexamethasone (119 prescriptions, 9 recorded AEs), prochlorperazine (105 prescriptions, 15 recorded AEs), oxycodone (99 prescriptions, 1 AE), and docusate (96 prescriptions, 7 recorded AEs).

Discussion

The difference between erlotinib and gefitinib data can be attributed to the FDA approval date and gefitinib’s association with a higher frequency of hepatotoxicity.^18-20 The FDA designated gefitinib as an orphan drug for EGFR mutation–positive NSCLC treatment. Gefitinib first received accelerated approval in 2003 for the treatment of locally advanced or metastatic NSCLC. Gefitinib then was voluntarily withdrawn from the market following confirmatory clinical trials that did not verify clinical benefit.

The current approval is for a different patient population—previously untreated, metastatic EGFR exon 19 or 21 L858R mutation—than the 2003 approval.^4,6 There was no record of gefitinib use after 2017 in our study.

Erlotinib is a reversible EGFR-TKI that is approved by the FDA as first-line (maintenance) or second-line treatment (after progression following at least 1 earlier chemotherapy regimen) for patients with metastatic NSCLC who harbor EGFR exon 19 deletions or exon 21 L858R substitution mutations, as detected by an FDA-approved test.³ Since 2005, the FDA also approved erlotinib for first-line treatment of patients with locally advanced, unresectable, or metastatic pancreatic cancer in combination with gemcitabine.³ Without FDA indication, erlotinib is used for colorectal, head and neck, ovarian carcinoma, pancreatic carcinoma, and breast cancer.²¹

Erlotinib and gefitinib are not considered first-line treatments in EGFR exon 19 or 21–mutated NSCLC because osimertinib was approved in 2018. Targeted therapies for EGFR mutation continue to advance at a fast pace, with amivantamab and mobocertinib now FDA approved for EGFR exon 20 insertion–mutated NSCLC.

Erlotinib Use

Thirty-nine patients (10%) in this study were prescribed erlotinib for off-label indications. Erlotinib was used alone or in combination with bevacizumab, capecitabine, cisplatin, denosumab, docetaxel, gemcitabine, and the MEK-inhibitor selumetinib. Erlotinib combined with cisplatin, denosumab, docetaxel, and gemcitabine had no recorded AEs, with 10 data entries for gemcitabine and 1 for other drugs. Three patients received bevacizumab and erlotinib, and 1 patient (diagnosed with kidney NOS) showed rash or facial swelling/erythema and diffuse body itching then stable disease after 2 cycles.

One patient (diagnosed with cancer located at the pancreas head) was bridged with capecitabine and erlotinib when going on a vacation, then received FOLFIRINOX (a combination chemotherapy regimen containing folinic acid [leucovorin], fluorouracil, irinotecan, and oxaliplatin), which led to significant fatigue, blurry vision, and constipation. One patient was treated for lung NOS with the MEK-inhibitor selumetinib plus erlotinib and developed pneumonitis following treatment.

Because oncologists followed guidelines and protocols in systemic treatment, DDIs of erlotinib concurrently (before or after) and in combination with cancer drugs were unlikely. Further investigation is needed for several 1:1:1 DDIs with noncancer drugs. A retrospective overview is not a randomized clinical study; therefore, analysis is limited. Data from the MHS were obtained solely from notes from physicians who treated the patients; therefore, exact information explaining whether a patient completed treatment or had to withdraw could not be extrapolated (ie, blood/plasma samples were not obtained to confirm).

Discontinued Treatment

The reasons for treatment discontinuation with erlotinib or gefitinib varied among patients, with no consistent AE or cause. Most data were for switching treatments after discontinuing treatment with erlotinib (101 of 123 patients) and gefitinib (2 of 5 patients). This is not surprising given the widely recognized pillars of therapy for NSCLC: chemotherapy, target therapy, and immunotherapy.²² From the MHS records, the reasons patients switched treatment of erlotinib or gefitinib were not listed or listed as due to negative EGFR testing, lack of responsiveness, or enrollment in a different treatment.

Physicians’ notes on AEs were not detailed in most cases. Notes for gastrointestinal effects, life-altering pruritis, intolerance, peripheral vascular disease, pneumonitis, and progressive disease described the change in status or appearance of a new medical condition but did not indicate whether erlotinib or gefitinib caused the changes or worsened a pre-existing condition.

The causes of AEs were not described in the available notes or the databases. This retrospective data analysis only focused on identifying drugs involved with erlotinib and gefitinib treatment; further mapping of DDIs among patients experiencing AEs needs to be performed, then in vitro data testing before researchers can reach a conclusion.

DDIs With Antidepressants

We used the PDTS database to evaluate patients who experienced AEs, excluding patients who switched treatment. Thirteen patients filled a prescription for erlotinib and reported taking 220 cancer and noncancer prescription drugs. One patient (pruritis) was taking gefitinib along with 16 noncancer prescription drugs.

Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors and other antidepressants have been implicated in CYP 2D6 inhibition and DDIs.^48,49 Losartan is a widely used antihypertensive drug with a favorable DDI profile.⁵⁰Erlotinib and gefitinib are primarily metabolized via CYP 2D6 and 3A4 pathways. DDIs from in vitro human hepatocytes assays revealed that gefitinib had significant metabolic changes in a 1:1 (P < .05) combination with paroxetine or sertraline, and a 1:1:1 combination with losartan and fluoxetine, fluvoxamine, paroxetine, or sertraline. Citalopram and venlafaxine seemed to be unaffected by any combination (P ≥ .05).⁵¹ Erlotinib with fluoxetine or losartan 1:1 yielded insignificant differences in metabolism for all drugs (P ≥ .05). Three drug combinations of 1:1:1 involving fluoxetine and losartan with erlotinib yielded significant degrees of inhibition of fluoxetine and losartan metabolism (P < .05) but not erlotinib.⁵²

Our data showed that 16 antidepressants (amitriptyline, bupropion, citalopram, desvenlafaxine, duloxetine, escitalopram, imipramine, fluoxetine, fluvoxamine, mirtazapine, nortriptyline, paroxetine, phenelzine, sertraline, trazodone, and venlafaxine) were recorded with concomitant erlotinib or gefitinib from initiation to completion of therapy or a buffer of 6 months from the first diagnosis date. Based on the date dispensed and days’ supply, only escitalopram could be used in combination with gefitinib treatment. The one patient who filled a prescription for gefitinib and escitalopram completed treatment without recorded AEs. PDTS database confirmed that patients experienced AEs with 5 antidepressants (amitriptyline, mirtazapine, paroxetine, trazodone, and venlafaxine) with concomitant erlotinib use.

Based on the date dispensed and days’ supply, only trazodone could be used in combination with erlotinib. PDTS database showed that cancer drugs (erlotinib and megestrol) and 39 noncancer drugs (including acetaminophen, azithromycin, dexamethasone, hydrocortisone, and polyethylene glycol) were filled by 1 patient whose physician noted skin rash. Another limitation of using databases to reflect clinical practice is that although megestrol is listed as a cancer drug by code in the PDTS database, it is not used for nonendometrial or gynecologic cancers. However, because of the PDTS database classification, megestrol is classified as a cancer drug in this retrospective review.

This retrospective review found no significant DDIs for erlotinib or gefitinib, with 1 antidepressant taken by 1 patient for each respective treatment. The degree of inhibition and induction for escitalopram and trazodone are categorized as weak, minimal, or none; therefore, while 1:1 DDIs might be little or no effect, 1:1:1 combination DDIs could have a different outcome. This retrospective data collection cannot be linked to the in­ vitro hepatocyte DDIs from erlotinib and gefitinib in previous studies.^51,52

Conclusions

This retrospective study describes erlotinib and gefitinib use in the MHS and their potential for DDIs. Because of military service requirements, people who are qualified to serve must be healthy or have either controlled or nonactive medical diagnoses and be physically fit. Consequently, our patient population had fewer common medical illnesses, such as diabetes and obesity, compared with the general population. Most noncancer drugs mentioned in this study are not known CYP metabolizers; therefore, recorded AEs alone cannot conclusively determine whether there is a DDI among erlotinib or gefitinib and noncancer drugs. Antidepressants generally are safe but have boxed warnings in the US for increased risk of suicidal ideation in young people.^53,54 This retrospective study did not find statistically significant DDIs for erlotinib or gefitinib with antidepressants. Based on this retrospective data analysis, future in vitro testing is needed to assess DDIs for erlotinib or gefitinib and cancer or noncancer drugs identified in this study.

Acknowledgments

The Department of Research Program funds at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center supported this protocol. We sincerely appreciate the contribution of data extraction from the Joint Pathology Center teams (Francisco J. Rentas, John D. McGeeney, Kimberly M. Greenfield, Beatriz A. Hallo, and Johnny P. Beason) and the MHS database personnel (Maj Ryan Costantino, Lee Ann Zarzabal, Brandon Jenkins, and Alex Rittel). We gratefully thank you for the protocol support from the Department of Research programs: CDR Wesley R. Campbell, CDR Ling Ye, Yaling Zhou, Elizabeth Schafer, Robert Roogow, Micah Stretch, Diane Beaner, Adrienne Woodard, David L. Evers, and Paula Amann.

Most cancer treatment regimens include the administration of several chemotherapeutic agents. Drug-drug interactions (DDIs) can increase the risk of fatal adverse events and reduce therapeutic efficacy.^1,2 Erlotinib, gefitinib, afatinib, osimertinib, and icotinib are epidermal growth factor receptor–tyrosine kinase inhibitors (EGFR-TKIs) that have proven efficacy for treating advanced non–small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Erlotinib strongly inhibits cytochrome P450 (CYP) isoenzymes CYP 1A1, moderately inhibits CYP 3A4 and 2C8, and induces CYP 1A1 and 1A2.² Gefitinib weakly inhibits CYP 2C19 and 2D6.² CYP 3A4 inducers and inhibitors affect metabolism of both erlotinib and gefitinib.^3,4

Erlotinib and gefitinib are first-generation EGFR-TKIs and have been approved for NSCLC treatment by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA). These agents have been used since the early 2000s and increase the possibility of long-term response and survival.^2,5,6 EGFR-TKIs have a range of potential DDIs, including interactions with CYP-dependent metabolism, uridine diphosphate-glucuronosyltransferase, and transporter proteins.² Few retrospective studies have focused on the therapeutic efficacy of erlotinib, gefitinib,or the combination of these agents.^7-14

DDIs from cancer and noncancer therapies could lead to treatment discontinuation and affect patient outcomes. The goals for this study were to perform a broad-scale retrospective analysis focused on investigating prescribed drugs used with erlotinib and gefitinib and determine patient outcomes as obtained through several Military Health System (MHS) databases. Our investigation focused on (1) the functions of these drugs; (2) identifying adverse effects (AEs) that patients experienced; (3) evaluating differences when these drugs are used alone vs concomitantly, and between the completed vs discontinued treatment groups; (4) identifying all drugs used during erlotinib or gefitinib treatment; and (5) evaluating DDIs with antidepressants.

This retrospective study was performed at the Department of Research Programs at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center (WRNMMC) in Bethesda, Maryland. The WRNMMC Institutional Review Board approved the study protocol and ensured compliance with the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act as an exempt protocol. The Joint Pathology Center of the US Department of Defense (DoD) Cancer Registry and MHS data experts from the Comprehensive Ambulatory/Professional Encounter Record (CAPER) and the Pharmacy Data Transaction Service (PDTS) provided data for the analysis.

Methods

The DoD Cancer Registry Program was established in 1986 by the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Health Affairs. The registry currently contains data from 1998 to 2023. CAPER and PDTS are part of the MHS Data Repository/Management Analysis and Reporting Tool database. Each observation in the CAPER record represents an ambulatory encounter at a military treatment facility (MTF). CAPER records are available from 2003 to 2023.

Each observation in the PDTS record represents an outpatient prescription filled for an MHS beneficiary at MTFs through the TRICARE mail-order program or a retail pharmacy in the United States. Missing from this record are prescriptions filled at civilian pharmacies outside the United States and inpatient pharmacy prescriptions. The MHS Data Repository PDTS record is available from 2002 to 2023. The Composite Health Care System—the legacy system—is being replaced by GENESIS at MTFs.

Data Extraction Design

The study design involved a cross-sectional analysis. We requested data extraction for erlotinib and gefitinib from 1998 to 2021. Data from the DoD Cancer Registry were used to identify patients who received cancer treatment. Once patients were identified, the CAPER database was searched for diagnoses to identify other health conditions, while the PDTS database was used to populate a list of prescription medications filled during chemotherapy treatment.

Data collected from the Joint Pathology Center included cancer treatment (alone or concomitant), cancer information (cancer types and stages), demographics (sex, age at diagnosis), and physicians’ comments on AEs. Collected data from the MHS include diagnosis and filled prescription history from initiation to completion of the therapy period (or a buffer of 6 months after the initial period). We used all collected data in this analysis. The only exclusion criterion was a provided physician’s note commenting that the patient did not use erlotinib or gefitinib.

Data Extraction Analysis

The Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results Program Coding and Staging Manual 2016 and the International Classification of Diseases for Oncology (ICD-O) were used to decode disease and cancer types.^15,16 Data sorting and analysis were performed using Microsoft Excel. The percentage for the total was calculated by using the total number of patients or data available within the gefitinib and erlotinib groups divided by total number of patients or data variables. The subgroup percentage was calculated by using the number of patients or data available within the subgroup divided by the total number of patients in that subgroup.

In alone vs concomitant and completed vs discontinued treatment groups, a 2-tailed, 2-sample z test was used to calculate P to determine statistical significance (P < .05) using a statistics website.¹⁷ Concomitant was defined as erlotinib or gefitinib taken with other medication(s) before, after, or at the same time as cancer therapy. For the retrospective data analysis, physicians’ notes with “.”, “,”, “/”, “;”, (period, comma, forward slash, semicolon) or space between medication names were interpreted as concurrent, while “+”, “-/+” (plus, minus/plus), or and between drug names were interpreted as combined. Completed treatment was defined as erlotinib or gefitinib as the last medication the patient took without recorded AEs; switching or experiencing AEs was defined as discontinued treatment.

Results

Erlotinib

The Joint Pathology Center provided 387 entries for 382 patients aged 21 to 93 years (mean, 65 years) who were treated systemically with erlotinib from January 1, 2001, to December 31, 2020. Five patients had duplicate entries because they had different cancer sites. There were 287 patients (74%) with lung cancer, 61 (16%) with pancreatic cancer, and 39 (10%) with other cancers. For lung cancer, there were 118 patients (30%) for the upper lobe, 78 (20%) for the lower lobe, and 60 (16%) not otherwise specified (NOS). Other lung cancer sites had fewer patients: 21 (5%) middle lobe lung, 6 (2%) overlapping lung lesion(s), and 4 (1%) main bronchus of the lung. For pancreatic cancer, there were 27 patients (7%) for the head of the pancreas, 10 (3%) pancreas NOS, 9 (2%) body of the pancreas, 9 (2%) tail of the pancreas, 4 (1%) overlapping lesions of the pancreas, 1 (< 1%) pancreatic duct, and 1 (< 1%) other specified parts of the pancreas

There were 342 patients (88%) who were aged > 50 years; 186 male patients (48%) and 201 female patients (52%). There were 293 patients (76%) who had a cancer diagnosis of stage III or IV disease and 94 (24%) who had a cancer diagnosis of stage ≤ II (combination of data for stage 0, 1, and 2, not applicable, and unknown). For their systemic treatment, 161 patients (42%) were treated with erlotinib alone and 226 (58%) received erlotinib concomitantly with additional chemotherapy.

Among the 123 patients who discontinued their treatment, 101 switched treatment with no AEs notes, 22 died or experienced fatigue with blurry vision, constipation, nonspecific gastrointestinal effects, grade-4 diarrhea (as defined by the Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events), or developed a pleural fluid, pneumonitis, renal failure, skin swelling and facial rash, and unknown AEs of discontinuation. Patients who discontinued treatment because of unknown AEs had physicians’ notes that detailed emergency department visits, peripheral vascular disease, progressive disease, and treatment cessation, but did not specify the exact symptom(s) that led to discontinuation. The causes of death are unknown because they were not detailed in the available notes or databases. The overall results in this retrospective review cannot establish causality between taking erlotinib or gefitinib and death.

Gefitinib

In September 2021, the Joint Pathology Center provided 33 entries for 33 patients who were systemically treated with gefitinib from January 1, 2002, to December 31, 2017. The patient ages ranged from 49 to 89 years with a mean age of 66 years. There were 31 (94%) and 2 (6%) patients with lung and other cancers, respectively. The upper lobe, lower lobe, and lung NOS had the most patients: 14 (42%), 8 (24%), and 6 (18%), respectively.

There were 31 patients (94%) who were aged > 50 years; 15 were male (45%) and 18 were female (55%). There were 26 patients (79%) who had a cancer diagnosis of stage III or IV disease. Nineteen patients (58%) were treated with gefitinib alone, and 14 (42%) were treated with gefitinib concomitantly with additional chemotherapy. Thirty-one patients (94%) were treated for lung cancer (Table 2). Thirty-three patients are a small sample size to determine whether patients were likely to stop gefitinib if used concomitantly with other drugs. Among the patients treated with gefitinib monotherapy, 5% (n = 1) stopped treatment, whereas 29% (n = 4) of patients treated concomitantly discontinued treatment (P = .06). All comparisons for gefitinib yielded insignificant P values. Physicians’ notes indicated that the reasons for gefitinib discontinuation were life-altering pruritis and unknown (progressive disease outcome) (Table 3).

Management Analysis and Reporting Tool Database

MHS data analysts provided data on diagnoses for 348 patients among 415 submitted, with 232 and 112 patients completing and discontinuing erlotinib or gefitinib treatment, respectively. Each patient had 1 to 104 (completed treatment group) and 1 to 157 (discontinued treatment group) unique health conditions documented. The MHS reported 1319 unique-diagnosis conditions for the completed group and 1266 for the discontinued group. Patients with additional health issues stopped chemotherapy use more often than those without; P < .001 for the completed group (232 patients, 1319 diagnoses) vs the discontinued group (112 patients, 1266 diagnoses). The mean (SD) number of diagnoses was 19 (17) for the completed and 30 (22) for the discontinued treatment groups (Figure).

MHS data was provided for patients who filled erlotinib (n = 240) or gefitinib (n = 18). Among the 258 patients, there were 179 and 79 patients in the completed and discontinued treatment groups, respectively. Each patient filled 1 to 75 (for the completed treatment group) and 3 to 103 (for the discontinued treatment group) prescription drugs. There were 805 unique-filled prescriptions for the completed and 670 for the discontinued group. Patients in the discontinued group filled more prescriptions than those who completed treatment; P < .001 for the completed group (179 patients,805 drugs) vs the discontinued group (79 patients, 670 drugs).

The mean (SD) number of filled prescription drugs was 19 (11) for the completed group and 29 (18) for the discontinued treatment group. The 5 most filled prescriptions with erlotinib from 258 patients with PDTS data were ondansetron (151 prescriptions, 10 recorded AEs), dexamethasone (119 prescriptions, 9 recorded AEs), prochlorperazine (105 prescriptions, 15 recorded AEs), oxycodone (99 prescriptions, 1 AE), and docusate (96 prescriptions, 7 recorded AEs).

Discussion

The difference between erlotinib and gefitinib data can be attributed to the FDA approval date and gefitinib’s association with a higher frequency of hepatotoxicity.^18-20 The FDA designated gefitinib as an orphan drug for EGFR mutation–positive NSCLC treatment. Gefitinib first received accelerated approval in 2003 for the treatment of locally advanced or metastatic NSCLC. Gefitinib then was voluntarily withdrawn from the market following confirmatory clinical trials that did not verify clinical benefit.

The current approval is for a different patient population—previously untreated, metastatic EGFR exon 19 or 21 L858R mutation—than the 2003 approval.^4,6 There was no record of gefitinib use after 2017 in our study.

Erlotinib is a reversible EGFR-TKI that is approved by the FDA as first-line (maintenance) or second-line treatment (after progression following at least 1 earlier chemotherapy regimen) for patients with metastatic NSCLC who harbor EGFR exon 19 deletions or exon 21 L858R substitution mutations, as detected by an FDA-approved test.³ Since 2005, the FDA also approved erlotinib for first-line treatment of patients with locally advanced, unresectable, or metastatic pancreatic cancer in combination with gemcitabine.³ Without FDA indication, erlotinib is used for colorectal, head and neck, ovarian carcinoma, pancreatic carcinoma, and breast cancer.²¹

Erlotinib and gefitinib are not considered first-line treatments in EGFR exon 19 or 21–mutated NSCLC because osimertinib was approved in 2018. Targeted therapies for EGFR mutation continue to advance at a fast pace, with amivantamab and mobocertinib now FDA approved for EGFR exon 20 insertion–mutated NSCLC.

Erlotinib Use

Thirty-nine patients (10%) in this study were prescribed erlotinib for off-label indications. Erlotinib was used alone or in combination with bevacizumab, capecitabine, cisplatin, denosumab, docetaxel, gemcitabine, and the MEK-inhibitor selumetinib. Erlotinib combined with cisplatin, denosumab, docetaxel, and gemcitabine had no recorded AEs, with 10 data entries for gemcitabine and 1 for other drugs. Three patients received bevacizumab and erlotinib, and 1 patient (diagnosed with kidney NOS) showed rash or facial swelling/erythema and diffuse body itching then stable disease after 2 cycles.

One patient (diagnosed with cancer located at the pancreas head) was bridged with capecitabine and erlotinib when going on a vacation, then received FOLFIRINOX (a combination chemotherapy regimen containing folinic acid [leucovorin], fluorouracil, irinotecan, and oxaliplatin), which led to significant fatigue, blurry vision, and constipation. One patient was treated for lung NOS with the MEK-inhibitor selumetinib plus erlotinib and developed pneumonitis following treatment.

Because oncologists followed guidelines and protocols in systemic treatment, DDIs of erlotinib concurrently (before or after) and in combination with cancer drugs were unlikely. Further investigation is needed for several 1:1:1 DDIs with noncancer drugs. A retrospective overview is not a randomized clinical study; therefore, analysis is limited. Data from the MHS were obtained solely from notes from physicians who treated the patients; therefore, exact information explaining whether a patient completed treatment or had to withdraw could not be extrapolated (ie, blood/plasma samples were not obtained to confirm).

Discontinued Treatment

The reasons for treatment discontinuation with erlotinib or gefitinib varied among patients, with no consistent AE or cause. Most data were for switching treatments after discontinuing treatment with erlotinib (101 of 123 patients) and gefitinib (2 of 5 patients). This is not surprising given the widely recognized pillars of therapy for NSCLC: chemotherapy, target therapy, and immunotherapy.²² From the MHS records, the reasons patients switched treatment of erlotinib or gefitinib were not listed or listed as due to negative EGFR testing, lack of responsiveness, or enrollment in a different treatment.

Physicians’ notes on AEs were not detailed in most cases. Notes for gastrointestinal effects, life-altering pruritis, intolerance, peripheral vascular disease, pneumonitis, and progressive disease described the change in status or appearance of a new medical condition but did not indicate whether erlotinib or gefitinib caused the changes or worsened a pre-existing condition.

The causes of AEs were not described in the available notes or the databases. This retrospective data analysis only focused on identifying drugs involved with erlotinib and gefitinib treatment; further mapping of DDIs among patients experiencing AEs needs to be performed, then in vitro data testing before researchers can reach a conclusion.

DDIs With Antidepressants

We used the PDTS database to evaluate patients who experienced AEs, excluding patients who switched treatment. Thirteen patients filled a prescription for erlotinib and reported taking 220 cancer and noncancer prescription drugs. One patient (pruritis) was taking gefitinib along with 16 noncancer prescription drugs.

Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors and other antidepressants have been implicated in CYP 2D6 inhibition and DDIs.^48,49 Losartan is a widely used antihypertensive drug with a favorable DDI profile.⁵⁰Erlotinib and gefitinib are primarily metabolized via CYP 2D6 and 3A4 pathways. DDIs from in vitro human hepatocytes assays revealed that gefitinib had significant metabolic changes in a 1:1 (P < .05) combination with paroxetine or sertraline, and a 1:1:1 combination with losartan and fluoxetine, fluvoxamine, paroxetine, or sertraline. Citalopram and venlafaxine seemed to be unaffected by any combination (P ≥ .05).⁵¹ Erlotinib with fluoxetine or losartan 1:1 yielded insignificant differences in metabolism for all drugs (P ≥ .05). Three drug combinations of 1:1:1 involving fluoxetine and losartan with erlotinib yielded significant degrees of inhibition of fluoxetine and losartan metabolism (P < .05) but not erlotinib.⁵²

Our data showed that 16 antidepressants (amitriptyline, bupropion, citalopram, desvenlafaxine, duloxetine, escitalopram, imipramine, fluoxetine, fluvoxamine, mirtazapine, nortriptyline, paroxetine, phenelzine, sertraline, trazodone, and venlafaxine) were recorded with concomitant erlotinib or gefitinib from initiation to completion of therapy or a buffer of 6 months from the first diagnosis date. Based on the date dispensed and days’ supply, only escitalopram could be used in combination with gefitinib treatment. The one patient who filled a prescription for gefitinib and escitalopram completed treatment without recorded AEs. PDTS database confirmed that patients experienced AEs with 5 antidepressants (amitriptyline, mirtazapine, paroxetine, trazodone, and venlafaxine) with concomitant erlotinib use.

Based on the date dispensed and days’ supply, only trazodone could be used in combination with erlotinib. PDTS database showed that cancer drugs (erlotinib and megestrol) and 39 noncancer drugs (including acetaminophen, azithromycin, dexamethasone, hydrocortisone, and polyethylene glycol) were filled by 1 patient whose physician noted skin rash. Another limitation of using databases to reflect clinical practice is that although megestrol is listed as a cancer drug by code in the PDTS database, it is not used for nonendometrial or gynecologic cancers. However, because of the PDTS database classification, megestrol is classified as a cancer drug in this retrospective review.

This retrospective review found no significant DDIs for erlotinib or gefitinib, with 1 antidepressant taken by 1 patient for each respective treatment. The degree of inhibition and induction for escitalopram and trazodone are categorized as weak, minimal, or none; therefore, while 1:1 DDIs might be little or no effect, 1:1:1 combination DDIs could have a different outcome. This retrospective data collection cannot be linked to the in­ vitro hepatocyte DDIs from erlotinib and gefitinib in previous studies.^51,52

Conclusions

This retrospective study describes erlotinib and gefitinib use in the MHS and their potential for DDIs. Because of military service requirements, people who are qualified to serve must be healthy or have either controlled or nonactive medical diagnoses and be physically fit. Consequently, our patient population had fewer common medical illnesses, such as diabetes and obesity, compared with the general population. Most noncancer drugs mentioned in this study are not known CYP metabolizers; therefore, recorded AEs alone cannot conclusively determine whether there is a DDI among erlotinib or gefitinib and noncancer drugs. Antidepressants generally are safe but have boxed warnings in the US for increased risk of suicidal ideation in young people.^53,54 This retrospective study did not find statistically significant DDIs for erlotinib or gefitinib with antidepressants. Based on this retrospective data analysis, future in vitro testing is needed to assess DDIs for erlotinib or gefitinib and cancer or noncancer drugs identified in this study.

Acknowledgments

The Department of Research Program funds at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center supported this protocol. We sincerely appreciate the contribution of data extraction from the Joint Pathology Center teams (Francisco J. Rentas, John D. McGeeney, Kimberly M. Greenfield, Beatriz A. Hallo, and Johnny P. Beason) and the MHS database personnel (Maj Ryan Costantino, Lee Ann Zarzabal, Brandon Jenkins, and Alex Rittel). We gratefully thank you for the protocol support from the Department of Research programs: CDR Wesley R. Campbell, CDR Ling Ye, Yaling Zhou, Elizabeth Schafer, Robert Roogow, Micah Stretch, Diane Beaner, Adrienne Woodard, David L. Evers, and Paula Amann.

Most cancer treatment regimens include the administration of several chemotherapeutic agents. Drug-drug interactions (DDIs) can increase the risk of fatal adverse events and reduce therapeutic efficacy.^1,2 Erlotinib, gefitinib, afatinib, osimertinib, and icotinib are epidermal growth factor receptor–tyrosine kinase inhibitors (EGFR-TKIs) that have proven efficacy for treating advanced non–small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Erlotinib strongly inhibits cytochrome P450 (CYP) isoenzymes CYP 1A1, moderately inhibits CYP 3A4 and 2C8, and induces CYP 1A1 and 1A2.² Gefitinib weakly inhibits CYP 2C19 and 2D6.² CYP 3A4 inducers and inhibitors affect metabolism of both erlotinib and gefitinib.^3,4

Erlotinib and gefitinib are first-generation EGFR-TKIs and have been approved for NSCLC treatment by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA). These agents have been used since the early 2000s and increase the possibility of long-term response and survival.^2,5,6 EGFR-TKIs have a range of potential DDIs, including interactions with CYP-dependent metabolism, uridine diphosphate-glucuronosyltransferase, and transporter proteins.² Few retrospective studies have focused on the therapeutic efficacy of erlotinib, gefitinib,or the combination of these agents.^7-14

DDIs from cancer and noncancer therapies could lead to treatment discontinuation and affect patient outcomes. The goals for this study were to perform a broad-scale retrospective analysis focused on investigating prescribed drugs used with erlotinib and gefitinib and determine patient outcomes as obtained through several Military Health System (MHS) databases. Our investigation focused on (1) the functions of these drugs; (2) identifying adverse effects (AEs) that patients experienced; (3) evaluating differences when these drugs are used alone vs concomitantly, and between the completed vs discontinued treatment groups; (4) identifying all drugs used during erlotinib or gefitinib treatment; and (5) evaluating DDIs with antidepressants.

This retrospective study was performed at the Department of Research Programs at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center (WRNMMC) in Bethesda, Maryland. The WRNMMC Institutional Review Board approved the study protocol and ensured compliance with the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act as an exempt protocol. The Joint Pathology Center of the US Department of Defense (DoD) Cancer Registry and MHS data experts from the Comprehensive Ambulatory/Professional Encounter Record (CAPER) and the Pharmacy Data Transaction Service (PDTS) provided data for the analysis.

Methods

The DoD Cancer Registry Program was established in 1986 by the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Health Affairs. The registry currently contains data from 1998 to 2023. CAPER and PDTS are part of the MHS Data Repository/Management Analysis and Reporting Tool database. Each observation in the CAPER record represents an ambulatory encounter at a military treatment facility (MTF). CAPER records are available from 2003 to 2023.

Each observation in the PDTS record represents an outpatient prescription filled for an MHS beneficiary at MTFs through the TRICARE mail-order program or a retail pharmacy in the United States. Missing from this record are prescriptions filled at civilian pharmacies outside the United States and inpatient pharmacy prescriptions. The MHS Data Repository PDTS record is available from 2002 to 2023. The Composite Health Care System—the legacy system—is being replaced by GENESIS at MTFs.

Data Extraction Design

The study design involved a cross-sectional analysis. We requested data extraction for erlotinib and gefitinib from 1998 to 2021. Data from the DoD Cancer Registry were used to identify patients who received cancer treatment. Once patients were identified, the CAPER database was searched for diagnoses to identify other health conditions, while the PDTS database was used to populate a list of prescription medications filled during chemotherapy treatment.

Data collected from the Joint Pathology Center included cancer treatment (alone or concomitant), cancer information (cancer types and stages), demographics (sex, age at diagnosis), and physicians’ comments on AEs. Collected data from the MHS include diagnosis and filled prescription history from initiation to completion of the therapy period (or a buffer of 6 months after the initial period). We used all collected data in this analysis. The only exclusion criterion was a provided physician’s note commenting that the patient did not use erlotinib or gefitinib.

Data Extraction Analysis

The Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results Program Coding and Staging Manual 2016 and the International Classification of Diseases for Oncology (ICD-O) were used to decode disease and cancer types.^15,16 Data sorting and analysis were performed using Microsoft Excel. The percentage for the total was calculated by using the total number of patients or data available within the gefitinib and erlotinib groups divided by total number of patients or data variables. The subgroup percentage was calculated by using the number of patients or data available within the subgroup divided by the total number of patients in that subgroup.

In alone vs concomitant and completed vs discontinued treatment groups, a 2-tailed, 2-sample z test was used to calculate P to determine statistical significance (P < .05) using a statistics website.¹⁷ Concomitant was defined as erlotinib or gefitinib taken with other medication(s) before, after, or at the same time as cancer therapy. For the retrospective data analysis, physicians’ notes with “.”, “,”, “/”, “;”, (period, comma, forward slash, semicolon) or space between medication names were interpreted as concurrent, while “+”, “-/+” (plus, minus/plus), or and between drug names were interpreted as combined. Completed treatment was defined as erlotinib or gefitinib as the last medication the patient took without recorded AEs; switching or experiencing AEs was defined as discontinued treatment.

Results

Erlotinib

The Joint Pathology Center provided 387 entries for 382 patients aged 21 to 93 years (mean, 65 years) who were treated systemically with erlotinib from January 1, 2001, to December 31, 2020. Five patients had duplicate entries because they had different cancer sites. There were 287 patients (74%) with lung cancer, 61 (16%) with pancreatic cancer, and 39 (10%) with other cancers. For lung cancer, there were 118 patients (30%) for the upper lobe, 78 (20%) for the lower lobe, and 60 (16%) not otherwise specified (NOS). Other lung cancer sites had fewer patients: 21 (5%) middle lobe lung, 6 (2%) overlapping lung lesion(s), and 4 (1%) main bronchus of the lung. For pancreatic cancer, there were 27 patients (7%) for the head of the pancreas, 10 (3%) pancreas NOS, 9 (2%) body of the pancreas, 9 (2%) tail of the pancreas, 4 (1%) overlapping lesions of the pancreas, 1 (< 1%) pancreatic duct, and 1 (< 1%) other specified parts of the pancreas

There were 342 patients (88%) who were aged > 50 years; 186 male patients (48%) and 201 female patients (52%). There were 293 patients (76%) who had a cancer diagnosis of stage III or IV disease and 94 (24%) who had a cancer diagnosis of stage ≤ II (combination of data for stage 0, 1, and 2, not applicable, and unknown). For their systemic treatment, 161 patients (42%) were treated with erlotinib alone and 226 (58%) received erlotinib concomitantly with additional chemotherapy.

Among the 123 patients who discontinued their treatment, 101 switched treatment with no AEs notes, 22 died or experienced fatigue with blurry vision, constipation, nonspecific gastrointestinal effects, grade-4 diarrhea (as defined by the Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events), or developed a pleural fluid, pneumonitis, renal failure, skin swelling and facial rash, and unknown AEs of discontinuation. Patients who discontinued treatment because of unknown AEs had physicians’ notes that detailed emergency department visits, peripheral vascular disease, progressive disease, and treatment cessation, but did not specify the exact symptom(s) that led to discontinuation. The causes of death are unknown because they were not detailed in the available notes or databases. The overall results in this retrospective review cannot establish causality between taking erlotinib or gefitinib and death.

Gefitinib

In September 2021, the Joint Pathology Center provided 33 entries for 33 patients who were systemically treated with gefitinib from January 1, 2002, to December 31, 2017. The patient ages ranged from 49 to 89 years with a mean age of 66 years. There were 31 (94%) and 2 (6%) patients with lung and other cancers, respectively. The upper lobe, lower lobe, and lung NOS had the most patients: 14 (42%), 8 (24%), and 6 (18%), respectively.

There were 31 patients (94%) who were aged > 50 years; 15 were male (45%) and 18 were female (55%). There were 26 patients (79%) who had a cancer diagnosis of stage III or IV disease. Nineteen patients (58%) were treated with gefitinib alone, and 14 (42%) were treated with gefitinib concomitantly with additional chemotherapy. Thirty-one patients (94%) were treated for lung cancer (Table 2). Thirty-three patients are a small sample size to determine whether patients were likely to stop gefitinib if used concomitantly with other drugs. Among the patients treated with gefitinib monotherapy, 5% (n = 1) stopped treatment, whereas 29% (n = 4) of patients treated concomitantly discontinued treatment (P = .06). All comparisons for gefitinib yielded insignificant P values. Physicians’ notes indicated that the reasons for gefitinib discontinuation were life-altering pruritis and unknown (progressive disease outcome) (Table 3).

Management Analysis and Reporting Tool Database

MHS data analysts provided data on diagnoses for 348 patients among 415 submitted, with 232 and 112 patients completing and discontinuing erlotinib or gefitinib treatment, respectively. Each patient had 1 to 104 (completed treatment group) and 1 to 157 (discontinued treatment group) unique health conditions documented. The MHS reported 1319 unique-diagnosis conditions for the completed group and 1266 for the discontinued group. Patients with additional health issues stopped chemotherapy use more often than those without; P < .001 for the completed group (232 patients, 1319 diagnoses) vs the discontinued group (112 patients, 1266 diagnoses). The mean (SD) number of diagnoses was 19 (17) for the completed and 30 (22) for the discontinued treatment groups (Figure).

MHS data was provided for patients who filled erlotinib (n = 240) or gefitinib (n = 18). Among the 258 patients, there were 179 and 79 patients in the completed and discontinued treatment groups, respectively. Each patient filled 1 to 75 (for the completed treatment group) and 3 to 103 (for the discontinued treatment group) prescription drugs. There were 805 unique-filled prescriptions for the completed and 670 for the discontinued group. Patients in the discontinued group filled more prescriptions than those who completed treatment; P < .001 for the completed group (179 patients,805 drugs) vs the discontinued group (79 patients, 670 drugs).

The mean (SD) number of filled prescription drugs was 19 (11) for the completed group and 29 (18) for the discontinued treatment group. The 5 most filled prescriptions with erlotinib from 258 patients with PDTS data were ondansetron (151 prescriptions, 10 recorded AEs), dexamethasone (119 prescriptions, 9 recorded AEs), prochlorperazine (105 prescriptions, 15 recorded AEs), oxycodone (99 prescriptions, 1 AE), and docusate (96 prescriptions, 7 recorded AEs).

Discussion

The difference between erlotinib and gefitinib data can be attributed to the FDA approval date and gefitinib’s association with a higher frequency of hepatotoxicity.^18-20 The FDA designated gefitinib as an orphan drug for EGFR mutation–positive NSCLC treatment. Gefitinib first received accelerated approval in 2003 for the treatment of locally advanced or metastatic NSCLC. Gefitinib then was voluntarily withdrawn from the market following confirmatory clinical trials that did not verify clinical benefit.

The current approval is for a different patient population—previously untreated, metastatic EGFR exon 19 or 21 L858R mutation—than the 2003 approval.^4,6 There was no record of gefitinib use after 2017 in our study.

Erlotinib is a reversible EGFR-TKI that is approved by the FDA as first-line (maintenance) or second-line treatment (after progression following at least 1 earlier chemotherapy regimen) for patients with metastatic NSCLC who harbor EGFR exon 19 deletions or exon 21 L858R substitution mutations, as detected by an FDA-approved test.³ Since 2005, the FDA also approved erlotinib for first-line treatment of patients with locally advanced, unresectable, or metastatic pancreatic cancer in combination with gemcitabine.³ Without FDA indication, erlotinib is used for colorectal, head and neck, ovarian carcinoma, pancreatic carcinoma, and breast cancer.²¹

Erlotinib and gefitinib are not considered first-line treatments in EGFR exon 19 or 21–mutated NSCLC because osimertinib was approved in 2018. Targeted therapies for EGFR mutation continue to advance at a fast pace, with amivantamab and mobocertinib now FDA approved for EGFR exon 20 insertion–mutated NSCLC.

Erlotinib Use

Thirty-nine patients (10%) in this study were prescribed erlotinib for off-label indications. Erlotinib was used alone or in combination with bevacizumab, capecitabine, cisplatin, denosumab, docetaxel, gemcitabine, and the MEK-inhibitor selumetinib. Erlotinib combined with cisplatin, denosumab, docetaxel, and gemcitabine had no recorded AEs, with 10 data entries for gemcitabine and 1 for other drugs. Three patients received bevacizumab and erlotinib, and 1 patient (diagnosed with kidney NOS) showed rash or facial swelling/erythema and diffuse body itching then stable disease after 2 cycles.

One patient (diagnosed with cancer located at the pancreas head) was bridged with capecitabine and erlotinib when going on a vacation, then received FOLFIRINOX (a combination chemotherapy regimen containing folinic acid [leucovorin], fluorouracil, irinotecan, and oxaliplatin), which led to significant fatigue, blurry vision, and constipation. One patient was treated for lung NOS with the MEK-inhibitor selumetinib plus erlotinib and developed pneumonitis following treatment.

Because oncologists followed guidelines and protocols in systemic treatment, DDIs of erlotinib concurrently (before or after) and in combination with cancer drugs were unlikely. Further investigation is needed for several 1:1:1 DDIs with noncancer drugs. A retrospective overview is not a randomized clinical study; therefore, analysis is limited. Data from the MHS were obtained solely from notes from physicians who treated the patients; therefore, exact information explaining whether a patient completed treatment or had to withdraw could not be extrapolated (ie, blood/plasma samples were not obtained to confirm).

Discontinued Treatment

The reasons for treatment discontinuation with erlotinib or gefitinib varied among patients, with no consistent AE or cause. Most data were for switching treatments after discontinuing treatment with erlotinib (101 of 123 patients) and gefitinib (2 of 5 patients). This is not surprising given the widely recognized pillars of therapy for NSCLC: chemotherapy, target therapy, and immunotherapy.²² From the MHS records, the reasons patients switched treatment of erlotinib or gefitinib were not listed or listed as due to negative EGFR testing, lack of responsiveness, or enrollment in a different treatment.

Physicians’ notes on AEs were not detailed in most cases. Notes for gastrointestinal effects, life-altering pruritis, intolerance, peripheral vascular disease, pneumonitis, and progressive disease described the change in status or appearance of a new medical condition but did not indicate whether erlotinib or gefitinib caused the changes or worsened a pre-existing condition.

The causes of AEs were not described in the available notes or the databases. This retrospective data analysis only focused on identifying drugs involved with erlotinib and gefitinib treatment; further mapping of DDIs among patients experiencing AEs needs to be performed, then in vitro data testing before researchers can reach a conclusion.

DDIs With Antidepressants

We used the PDTS database to evaluate patients who experienced AEs, excluding patients who switched treatment. Thirteen patients filled a prescription for erlotinib and reported taking 220 cancer and noncancer prescription drugs. One patient (pruritis) was taking gefitinib along with 16 noncancer prescription drugs.

Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors and other antidepressants have been implicated in CYP 2D6 inhibition and DDIs.^48,49 Losartan is a widely used antihypertensive drug with a favorable DDI profile.⁵⁰Erlotinib and gefitinib are primarily metabolized via CYP 2D6 and 3A4 pathways. DDIs from in vitro human hepatocytes assays revealed that gefitinib had significant metabolic changes in a 1:1 (P < .05) combination with paroxetine or sertraline, and a 1:1:1 combination with losartan and fluoxetine, fluvoxamine, paroxetine, or sertraline. Citalopram and venlafaxine seemed to be unaffected by any combination (P ≥ .05).⁵¹ Erlotinib with fluoxetine or losartan 1:1 yielded insignificant differences in metabolism for all drugs (P ≥ .05). Three drug combinations of 1:1:1 involving fluoxetine and losartan with erlotinib yielded significant degrees of inhibition of fluoxetine and losartan metabolism (P < .05) but not erlotinib.⁵²

Our data showed that 16 antidepressants (amitriptyline, bupropion, citalopram, desvenlafaxine, duloxetine, escitalopram, imipramine, fluoxetine, fluvoxamine, mirtazapine, nortriptyline, paroxetine, phenelzine, sertraline, trazodone, and venlafaxine) were recorded with concomitant erlotinib or gefitinib from initiation to completion of therapy or a buffer of 6 months from the first diagnosis date. Based on the date dispensed and days’ supply, only escitalopram could be used in combination with gefitinib treatment. The one patient who filled a prescription for gefitinib and escitalopram completed treatment without recorded AEs. PDTS database confirmed that patients experienced AEs with 5 antidepressants (amitriptyline, mirtazapine, paroxetine, trazodone, and venlafaxine) with concomitant erlotinib use.

Based on the date dispensed and days’ supply, only trazodone could be used in combination with erlotinib. PDTS database showed that cancer drugs (erlotinib and megestrol) and 39 noncancer drugs (including acetaminophen, azithromycin, dexamethasone, hydrocortisone, and polyethylene glycol) were filled by 1 patient whose physician noted skin rash. Another limitation of using databases to reflect clinical practice is that although megestrol is listed as a cancer drug by code in the PDTS database, it is not used for nonendometrial or gynecologic cancers. However, because of the PDTS database classification, megestrol is classified as a cancer drug in this retrospective review.

This retrospective review found no significant DDIs for erlotinib or gefitinib, with 1 antidepressant taken by 1 patient for each respective treatment. The degree of inhibition and induction for escitalopram and trazodone are categorized as weak, minimal, or none; therefore, while 1:1 DDIs might be little or no effect, 1:1:1 combination DDIs could have a different outcome. This retrospective data collection cannot be linked to the in­ vitro hepatocyte DDIs from erlotinib and gefitinib in previous studies.^51,52

Conclusions

This retrospective study describes erlotinib and gefitinib use in the MHS and their potential for DDIs. Because of military service requirements, people who are qualified to serve must be healthy or have either controlled or nonactive medical diagnoses and be physically fit. Consequently, our patient population had fewer common medical illnesses, such as diabetes and obesity, compared with the general population. Most noncancer drugs mentioned in this study are not known CYP metabolizers; therefore, recorded AEs alone cannot conclusively determine whether there is a DDI among erlotinib or gefitinib and noncancer drugs. Antidepressants generally are safe but have boxed warnings in the US for increased risk of suicidal ideation in young people.^53,54 This retrospective study did not find statistically significant DDIs for erlotinib or gefitinib with antidepressants. Based on this retrospective data analysis, future in vitro testing is needed to assess DDIs for erlotinib or gefitinib and cancer or noncancer drugs identified in this study.

Acknowledgments

The Department of Research Program funds at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center supported this protocol. We sincerely appreciate the contribution of data extraction from the Joint Pathology Center teams (Francisco J. Rentas, John D. McGeeney, Kimberly M. Greenfield, Beatriz A. Hallo, and Johnny P. Beason) and the MHS database personnel (Maj Ryan Costantino, Lee Ann Zarzabal, Brandon Jenkins, and Alex Rittel). We gratefully thank you for the protocol support from the Department of Research programs: CDR Wesley R. Campbell, CDR Ling Ye, Yaling Zhou, Elizabeth Schafer, Robert Roogow, Micah Stretch, Diane Beaner, Adrienne Woodard, David L. Evers, and Paula Amann.

Health benefits of prolonged “water fasting” (zero calories) or Buchinger fasting (200-300 calories/day) don’t last, according to authors of a review of eight studies.

Five days of fasting lowered weight by about 6%, but this weight was regained after 3 months of regular eating, the investigators found. The article was published in Nutrition Reviews.

“Water fasting led to improvements in blood pressure, cholesterol, and blood sugar levels, but these were short-lived,” senior author Krista A. Varady, PhD, told this news organization.

“Levels returned to baseline ... quickly after participants started eating. Most benefits disappeared in 3-4 months,” said Dr. Varady, professor of nutrition at the University of Illinois, Chicago.

“My overall conclusion,” she said, “is that I guess you could try it, but it just seems like a lot of work, and all those metabolic benefits disappear. I would encourage someone hoping to lose weight to try intermittent fasting instead of water fasting, because there’s a lot more data to show it can help with weight management.

“People should consult their doctor if they have diabetes or any other major obesity-related conditions before doing water fasting,” Dr. Varady cautioned.

“Healthy people with obesity can probably fast safely for 5 days on their own (if they don’t have any other conditions). However, no one should undertake one of these fasts for more than 5 days without medical supervision,” she stressed.
 

Eight studies of water and Buchinger fasting

Although several favorable effects of prolonged fasting have been observed, benefits must be weighed against risks, Dr. Varady and her coauthors wrote.

Most medically supervised fasting programs have reported only minor adverse events, which included hunger, headaches, nausea, vomiting, dry mouth, and fatigue. However, more severe events have been documented, including edema, abnormal results on liver function tests, decreased bone density, and metabolic acidosis.

The researchers aimed to determine the effect of prolonged fasting on weight, blood pressure, lipid levels, and glycemic control, as well as safety and the effects of refeeding.

They examined two types of prolonged fasting: water fasting and Buchinger fasting, which involves consuming 250 mL of fruit or vegetable juice for lunch and 250 mL of soup for dinner every day of the 5- to 20-day fast.

Buchinger fasting is popular in Central Europe. Water fasting “institutes” exist in the United States, such as one in California, Dr. Varady noted.

The researchers excluded fasting during Ramadan or fasting practiced by Seventh Day Adventists.

They identified four studies of water fasting and four studies of Buchinger fasting (of which one study of 1,422 participants assessed fasting for 5, 10, 15, and 20 days).

The review showed that prolonged fasting for 5-20 days produced large increases in circulating ketones, weight loss of 2%-10%, and decreases in systolic and diastolic blood pressure.

People who fasted 5 days typically lost 4%-6% of their weight; those who fasted 7-10 days lost 2%-10% of their weight; and those who fasted 15-20 days lost 7%-10% of their weight.

LDL cholesterol and triglyceride levels decreased in some trials.

Fasting glucose levels, fasting insulin levels, insulin resistance, and A1c decreased in adults without diabetes but remained unchanged in patients with type 1 or type 2 diabetes.

Some participants experienced metabolic acidosis, headaches, insomnia, or hunger.

About two-thirds of the weight lost was of lean mass, and one-third was of fat mass. The loss of lean mass loss suggests that prolonged fasting may increase the breakdown of muscle proteins, which is a concern, the researchers noted.

Few of the trials examined the effects of refeeding. In one study, normal-weight adults lost 6% of their weight after 5 days of water-only fasting but then gained it all back after 3 months of eating regularly.

In three trials, participants regained 1%-2% of their weight 2-4 months after fasting; however, those trials instructed participants to follow a calorie-restricted diet during the refeeding period.

Three to 4 months after the fast was completed, none of the metabolic benefits were maintained, even when weight loss was maintained.

The study did not receive external funding. Dr. Varady has received author fees from Hachette Book Group for “The Every Other Day Diet” and from Pan Macmillan Press for “The Fastest Diet.” The other authors have disclosed no relevant financial relationships.

A version of this article appeared on Medscape.com.

Health benefits of prolonged “water fasting” (zero calories) or Buchinger fasting (200-300 calories/day) don’t last, according to authors of a review of eight studies.

Five days of fasting lowered weight by about 6%, but this weight was regained after 3 months of regular eating, the investigators found. The article was published in Nutrition Reviews.

“Water fasting led to improvements in blood pressure, cholesterol, and blood sugar levels, but these were short-lived,” senior author Krista A. Varady, PhD, told this news organization.

“Levels returned to baseline ... quickly after participants started eating. Most benefits disappeared in 3-4 months,” said Dr. Varady, professor of nutrition at the University of Illinois, Chicago.

“My overall conclusion,” she said, “is that I guess you could try it, but it just seems like a lot of work, and all those metabolic benefits disappear. I would encourage someone hoping to lose weight to try intermittent fasting instead of water fasting, because there’s a lot more data to show it can help with weight management.

“People should consult their doctor if they have diabetes or any other major obesity-related conditions before doing water fasting,” Dr. Varady cautioned.

“Healthy people with obesity can probably fast safely for 5 days on their own (if they don’t have any other conditions). However, no one should undertake one of these fasts for more than 5 days without medical supervision,” she stressed.
 

Eight studies of water and Buchinger fasting

Although several favorable effects of prolonged fasting have been observed, benefits must be weighed against risks, Dr. Varady and her coauthors wrote.

Most medically supervised fasting programs have reported only minor adverse events, which included hunger, headaches, nausea, vomiting, dry mouth, and fatigue. However, more severe events have been documented, including edema, abnormal results on liver function tests, decreased bone density, and metabolic acidosis.

The researchers aimed to determine the effect of prolonged fasting on weight, blood pressure, lipid levels, and glycemic control, as well as safety and the effects of refeeding.

They examined two types of prolonged fasting: water fasting and Buchinger fasting, which involves consuming 250 mL of fruit or vegetable juice for lunch and 250 mL of soup for dinner every day of the 5- to 20-day fast.

Buchinger fasting is popular in Central Europe. Water fasting “institutes” exist in the United States, such as one in California, Dr. Varady noted.

The researchers excluded fasting during Ramadan or fasting practiced by Seventh Day Adventists.

They identified four studies of water fasting and four studies of Buchinger fasting (of which one study of 1,422 participants assessed fasting for 5, 10, 15, and 20 days).

The review showed that prolonged fasting for 5-20 days produced large increases in circulating ketones, weight loss of 2%-10%, and decreases in systolic and diastolic blood pressure.

People who fasted 5 days typically lost 4%-6% of their weight; those who fasted 7-10 days lost 2%-10% of their weight; and those who fasted 15-20 days lost 7%-10% of their weight.

LDL cholesterol and triglyceride levels decreased in some trials.

Fasting glucose levels, fasting insulin levels, insulin resistance, and A1c decreased in adults without diabetes but remained unchanged in patients with type 1 or type 2 diabetes.

Some participants experienced metabolic acidosis, headaches, insomnia, or hunger.

About two-thirds of the weight lost was of lean mass, and one-third was of fat mass. The loss of lean mass loss suggests that prolonged fasting may increase the breakdown of muscle proteins, which is a concern, the researchers noted.

Few of the trials examined the effects of refeeding. In one study, normal-weight adults lost 6% of their weight after 5 days of water-only fasting but then gained it all back after 3 months of eating regularly.

In three trials, participants regained 1%-2% of their weight 2-4 months after fasting; however, those trials instructed participants to follow a calorie-restricted diet during the refeeding period.

Three to 4 months after the fast was completed, none of the metabolic benefits were maintained, even when weight loss was maintained.

The study did not receive external funding. Dr. Varady has received author fees from Hachette Book Group for “The Every Other Day Diet” and from Pan Macmillan Press for “The Fastest Diet.” The other authors have disclosed no relevant financial relationships.

A version of this article appeared on Medscape.com.

Health benefits of prolonged “water fasting” (zero calories) or Buchinger fasting (200-300 calories/day) don’t last, according to authors of a review of eight studies.

Five days of fasting lowered weight by about 6%, but this weight was regained after 3 months of regular eating, the investigators found. The article was published in Nutrition Reviews.

“Water fasting led to improvements in blood pressure, cholesterol, and blood sugar levels, but these were short-lived,” senior author Krista A. Varady, PhD, told this news organization.

“Levels returned to baseline ... quickly after participants started eating. Most benefits disappeared in 3-4 months,” said Dr. Varady, professor of nutrition at the University of Illinois, Chicago.

“My overall conclusion,” she said, “is that I guess you could try it, but it just seems like a lot of work, and all those metabolic benefits disappear. I would encourage someone hoping to lose weight to try intermittent fasting instead of water fasting, because there’s a lot more data to show it can help with weight management.

“People should consult their doctor if they have diabetes or any other major obesity-related conditions before doing water fasting,” Dr. Varady cautioned.

“Healthy people with obesity can probably fast safely for 5 days on their own (if they don’t have any other conditions). However, no one should undertake one of these fasts for more than 5 days without medical supervision,” she stressed.
 

Eight studies of water and Buchinger fasting

Although several favorable effects of prolonged fasting have been observed, benefits must be weighed against risks, Dr. Varady and her coauthors wrote.

Most medically supervised fasting programs have reported only minor adverse events, which included hunger, headaches, nausea, vomiting, dry mouth, and fatigue. However, more severe events have been documented, including edema, abnormal results on liver function tests, decreased bone density, and metabolic acidosis.

The researchers aimed to determine the effect of prolonged fasting on weight, blood pressure, lipid levels, and glycemic control, as well as safety and the effects of refeeding.

They examined two types of prolonged fasting: water fasting and Buchinger fasting, which involves consuming 250 mL of fruit or vegetable juice for lunch and 250 mL of soup for dinner every day of the 5- to 20-day fast.

Buchinger fasting is popular in Central Europe. Water fasting “institutes” exist in the United States, such as one in California, Dr. Varady noted.

The researchers excluded fasting during Ramadan or fasting practiced by Seventh Day Adventists.

They identified four studies of water fasting and four studies of Buchinger fasting (of which one study of 1,422 participants assessed fasting for 5, 10, 15, and 20 days).

The review showed that prolonged fasting for 5-20 days produced large increases in circulating ketones, weight loss of 2%-10%, and decreases in systolic and diastolic blood pressure.

People who fasted 5 days typically lost 4%-6% of their weight; those who fasted 7-10 days lost 2%-10% of their weight; and those who fasted 15-20 days lost 7%-10% of their weight.

LDL cholesterol and triglyceride levels decreased in some trials.

Fasting glucose levels, fasting insulin levels, insulin resistance, and A1c decreased in adults without diabetes but remained unchanged in patients with type 1 or type 2 diabetes.

Some participants experienced metabolic acidosis, headaches, insomnia, or hunger.

About two-thirds of the weight lost was of lean mass, and one-third was of fat mass. The loss of lean mass loss suggests that prolonged fasting may increase the breakdown of muscle proteins, which is a concern, the researchers noted.

Few of the trials examined the effects of refeeding. In one study, normal-weight adults lost 6% of their weight after 5 days of water-only fasting but then gained it all back after 3 months of eating regularly.

In three trials, participants regained 1%-2% of their weight 2-4 months after fasting; however, those trials instructed participants to follow a calorie-restricted diet during the refeeding period.

Three to 4 months after the fast was completed, none of the metabolic benefits were maintained, even when weight loss was maintained.

The study did not receive external funding. Dr. Varady has received author fees from Hachette Book Group for “The Every Other Day Diet” and from Pan Macmillan Press for “The Fastest Diet.” The other authors have disclosed no relevant financial relationships.

A version of this article appeared on Medscape.com.

The American Gastroenterological Association announced in June that is has invested in Oshi Health, a virtual care integrative health care clinic specializing in treating patients with gastrointestinal disorders that has been named a recipient of funding through the AGA Center for GI Innovation & Technology’s GI Opportunity Fund.

Launched in 2020, Oshi Health works with employers, health insurance partners, health systems, and community GI practices to scale access to multidisciplinary care, reduce health care costs, and help improve outcomes for patients.

Research shows that a whole-person, multidisciplinary GI care model – which for Oshi includes nutrition and diet support, health coaching, behavioral and mental health services – is highly effective in mitigating symptoms. For example, a 2020 literature review published in the Journal of the Canadian Association of Gastroenterology documented far more advantages with integrated care models, as compared with the GI specialist model of care. The study found that integrated care teams were better equipped to meet the needs of patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), patient outcomes and satisfaction were better, overall direct and indirect costs were lower, and psychological health needs were better addressed.

The AGA Center for GI Innovation and Technology supports innovation and the development of new technology in gastroenterology, hepatology, nutrition, and obesity by guiding medical device and therapeutics innovators through the technology development and adoption process.

For more information about Oshi Health, visit https://oshihealth.com.

The American Gastroenterological Association announced in June that is has invested in Oshi Health, a virtual care integrative health care clinic specializing in treating patients with gastrointestinal disorders that has been named a recipient of funding through the AGA Center for GI Innovation & Technology’s GI Opportunity Fund.

Launched in 2020, Oshi Health works with employers, health insurance partners, health systems, and community GI practices to scale access to multidisciplinary care, reduce health care costs, and help improve outcomes for patients.

Research shows that a whole-person, multidisciplinary GI care model – which for Oshi includes nutrition and diet support, health coaching, behavioral and mental health services – is highly effective in mitigating symptoms. For example, a 2020 literature review published in the Journal of the Canadian Association of Gastroenterology documented far more advantages with integrated care models, as compared with the GI specialist model of care. The study found that integrated care teams were better equipped to meet the needs of patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), patient outcomes and satisfaction were better, overall direct and indirect costs were lower, and psychological health needs were better addressed.

The AGA Center for GI Innovation and Technology supports innovation and the development of new technology in gastroenterology, hepatology, nutrition, and obesity by guiding medical device and therapeutics innovators through the technology development and adoption process.

For more information about Oshi Health, visit https://oshihealth.com.

The American Gastroenterological Association announced in June that is has invested in Oshi Health, a virtual care integrative health care clinic specializing in treating patients with gastrointestinal disorders that has been named a recipient of funding through the AGA Center for GI Innovation & Technology’s GI Opportunity Fund.

Launched in 2020, Oshi Health works with employers, health insurance partners, health systems, and community GI practices to scale access to multidisciplinary care, reduce health care costs, and help improve outcomes for patients.

Research shows that a whole-person, multidisciplinary GI care model – which for Oshi includes nutrition and diet support, health coaching, behavioral and mental health services – is highly effective in mitigating symptoms. For example, a 2020 literature review published in the Journal of the Canadian Association of Gastroenterology documented far more advantages with integrated care models, as compared with the GI specialist model of care. The study found that integrated care teams were better equipped to meet the needs of patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), patient outcomes and satisfaction were better, overall direct and indirect costs were lower, and psychological health needs were better addressed.

The AGA Center for GI Innovation and Technology supports innovation and the development of new technology in gastroenterology, hepatology, nutrition, and obesity by guiding medical device and therapeutics innovators through the technology development and adoption process.

For more information about Oshi Health, visit https://oshihealth.com.

On Aug. 1, AGA president Barbara H. Jung, MD, AGAF, wrote to UnitedHealthcare’s chief medical officer, Rhonda Randall, DO, to express continued concern about the company’s Advance Notification Program for gastrointestinal endoscopy procedures, which took effect June 1, and UnitedHealthcare’s proposed “Gold Card” prior authorization program planned for 2024.

AGA

Dr. Jung made three requests: A request for UnitedHealthcare’s deidentified aggregate data on which the Advance Notification program is based.

She asked for clarification in regards to gastroenterologists who opt not to participate in the Advance Notification program. Will they be automatically subject to prior authorization when UnitedHealthcare implements the 2024 Gold Card program?

And, how will information gathered through the Advance Notification program shape the GI Gold Card prior authorization program that UnitedHealthcare plans to implement in 2024?

Dr. Jung asked for a written response to each of these three issues and a meeting to discuss concerns and questions.

She stated that the Advance Notification Program was launched without adequate communication to gastroenterologists, plus the AGA, the American College of Gastroenterology, and the American Society of Gastrointestinal Endoscopy have had questions and concerns that haven’t yet been addressed.

“Despite multiple requests, you have not shared any UnitedHealthcare-specific overuse or variation data on a code-by-code basis that would warrant such a burdensome process. Please share the deidentified aggregate data. Absent data, there is no rationale for such a policy. The Advance Notification program directly contradicts UnitedHealthcare’s publicly stated goals of reducing administrative burden and streamlining access to care – goals we support and encourage you to work toward in the gastroenterological specialty. In contrast, Advance Notification is imposing significant administrative burdens on physician practices, which will negatively impact patient access to timely, medically necessary care,” she wrote.
 

Practice burden

“The chaotic rollout of the new data reporting requirements led to widespread confusion throughout the gastroenterological community and has since forced physicians and staff to spend multiple hours every day completing reporting requirements for data that UnitedHealthcare already has through claims forms. This is a serious drain on gastroenterology practices’ time, staff, and resources – which should be entirely focused on patient care, not reams of paperwork,” Dr. Jung wrote.

AGA members have stated that:

• Most local UHC representatives are unaware of the Advance Notification Program for GI endoscopy program and are unable to advise them regarding concerns or problems.
• Local UHC representatives have no information on the Gold Card program and how it might operate.

Many practices report they have not received any follow-up from UHC requesting additional records via the Advance Notification Program.

Some large GI practices report it takes their staff 5-7 minutes per patient to enter the required data. Others quantify the additional work of participating in the advance notification program as 25%-35% more work than before the program was implemented.

Practices with large UHC volume report having to divert multiple staff to work full-time on UHC accounts.

All practices report that they are required to input/upload the same clinical information as other UHC prior authorizations. Some practices additionally take a screenshot of the statement that the procedure does not require precertification and place it in the patient notes as a precaution in case issues arise in the future.

GI practices that have tried to use the telephone number to report a change in procedure report spending an average of an hour on hold per case.

Dr. Jung said that “given these challenges, many practices are not participating” in the advance notification program.

“AGA is troubled by the serious lack of specific details about the Gold Card prior authorization program to date. With less than 6 months until 2024, UnitedHealthcare has not issued any details about eligibility criteria, participation, or what new prior authorization requirements may be implemented for practices that do not qualify for a Gold Card. We resolutely oppose the implementation of any type of preauthorization requirements for colonoscopies and endoscopies. We are medical practitioners who have years of training and experience treating patients. Our medical decisions are evidence-based, which no prior authorization policy can claim.

“As you recognized when announcing UnitedHealthcare will slash prior authorization requirements by 20% earlier this spring, requiring physicians to apply for and receive preapproval before being able to deliver medically necessary care is not just frustrating – it is disruptive and dangerous for patients’ health. This is particularly true when it comes to performing colonoscopies and endoscopies, which are vital for detecting and monitoring diseases such as inflammatory bowel disease and colorectal cancer, the second deadliest form of cancer in the United States.

“AGA stands ready to partner with UnitedHealthcare on mutually beneficial educational initiatives to promote appropriate use of endoscopy procedures. However, we reiterate our call for UnitedHealthcare to halt the confusing and burdensome Advance Notification Program – and scrap plans to implement a Gold Card prior authorization program as planned in 2024. Instead, we invite UnitedHealthcare to work collaboratively with us to develop programs that improve quality of care without creating barriers to treatment for patients and unnecessary and inappropriate administrative burdens for physicians. We urge you to stop the Advance Notification and any prior authorization programs impacting GI endoscopy and directly engage with AGA to ensure patients’ continued access to high-value, patient-centered endoscopy care. Please contact Leslie Narramore at [email protected] at your earliest convenience so we can resume our dialogue.”

Dr. Jung closed the letter urging UHC to stop the advance notification program and planned prior authorization programs and instead engage in a dialogue with AGA about the issues.

To read Dr. Jung’s letter in full, see https://shorturl.at/dhjyH.
For updates on the AGA campaign to stop UHC’s prior authorization plans, visit www.gastro.org/StopUHC.

On Aug. 1, AGA president Barbara H. Jung, MD, AGAF, wrote to UnitedHealthcare’s chief medical officer, Rhonda Randall, DO, to express continued concern about the company’s Advance Notification Program for gastrointestinal endoscopy procedures, which took effect June 1, and UnitedHealthcare’s proposed “Gold Card” prior authorization program planned for 2024.

AGA

Dr. Jung made three requests: A request for UnitedHealthcare’s deidentified aggregate data on which the Advance Notification program is based.

She asked for clarification in regards to gastroenterologists who opt not to participate in the Advance Notification program. Will they be automatically subject to prior authorization when UnitedHealthcare implements the 2024 Gold Card program?

And, how will information gathered through the Advance Notification program shape the GI Gold Card prior authorization program that UnitedHealthcare plans to implement in 2024?

Dr. Jung asked for a written response to each of these three issues and a meeting to discuss concerns and questions.

She stated that the Advance Notification Program was launched without adequate communication to gastroenterologists, plus the AGA, the American College of Gastroenterology, and the American Society of Gastrointestinal Endoscopy have had questions and concerns that haven’t yet been addressed.

“Despite multiple requests, you have not shared any UnitedHealthcare-specific overuse or variation data on a code-by-code basis that would warrant such a burdensome process. Please share the deidentified aggregate data. Absent data, there is no rationale for such a policy. The Advance Notification program directly contradicts UnitedHealthcare’s publicly stated goals of reducing administrative burden and streamlining access to care – goals we support and encourage you to work toward in the gastroenterological specialty. In contrast, Advance Notification is imposing significant administrative burdens on physician practices, which will negatively impact patient access to timely, medically necessary care,” she wrote.
 

Practice burden

“The chaotic rollout of the new data reporting requirements led to widespread confusion throughout the gastroenterological community and has since forced physicians and staff to spend multiple hours every day completing reporting requirements for data that UnitedHealthcare already has through claims forms. This is a serious drain on gastroenterology practices’ time, staff, and resources – which should be entirely focused on patient care, not reams of paperwork,” Dr. Jung wrote.

AGA members have stated that:

• Most local UHC representatives are unaware of the Advance Notification Program for GI endoscopy program and are unable to advise them regarding concerns or problems.
• Local UHC representatives have no information on the Gold Card program and how it might operate.

Many practices report they have not received any follow-up from UHC requesting additional records via the Advance Notification Program.

Some large GI practices report it takes their staff 5-7 minutes per patient to enter the required data. Others quantify the additional work of participating in the advance notification program as 25%-35% more work than before the program was implemented.

Practices with large UHC volume report having to divert multiple staff to work full-time on UHC accounts.

All practices report that they are required to input/upload the same clinical information as other UHC prior authorizations. Some practices additionally take a screenshot of the statement that the procedure does not require precertification and place it in the patient notes as a precaution in case issues arise in the future.

GI practices that have tried to use the telephone number to report a change in procedure report spending an average of an hour on hold per case.

Dr. Jung said that “given these challenges, many practices are not participating” in the advance notification program.

“AGA is troubled by the serious lack of specific details about the Gold Card prior authorization program to date. With less than 6 months until 2024, UnitedHealthcare has not issued any details about eligibility criteria, participation, or what new prior authorization requirements may be implemented for practices that do not qualify for a Gold Card. We resolutely oppose the implementation of any type of preauthorization requirements for colonoscopies and endoscopies. We are medical practitioners who have years of training and experience treating patients. Our medical decisions are evidence-based, which no prior authorization policy can claim.

“As you recognized when announcing UnitedHealthcare will slash prior authorization requirements by 20% earlier this spring, requiring physicians to apply for and receive preapproval before being able to deliver medically necessary care is not just frustrating – it is disruptive and dangerous for patients’ health. This is particularly true when it comes to performing colonoscopies and endoscopies, which are vital for detecting and monitoring diseases such as inflammatory bowel disease and colorectal cancer, the second deadliest form of cancer in the United States.

“AGA stands ready to partner with UnitedHealthcare on mutually beneficial educational initiatives to promote appropriate use of endoscopy procedures. However, we reiterate our call for UnitedHealthcare to halt the confusing and burdensome Advance Notification Program – and scrap plans to implement a Gold Card prior authorization program as planned in 2024. Instead, we invite UnitedHealthcare to work collaboratively with us to develop programs that improve quality of care without creating barriers to treatment for patients and unnecessary and inappropriate administrative burdens for physicians. We urge you to stop the Advance Notification and any prior authorization programs impacting GI endoscopy and directly engage with AGA to ensure patients’ continued access to high-value, patient-centered endoscopy care. Please contact Leslie Narramore at [email protected] at your earliest convenience so we can resume our dialogue.”

Dr. Jung closed the letter urging UHC to stop the advance notification program and planned prior authorization programs and instead engage in a dialogue with AGA about the issues.

To read Dr. Jung’s letter in full, see https://shorturl.at/dhjyH.
For updates on the AGA campaign to stop UHC’s prior authorization plans, visit www.gastro.org/StopUHC.

On Aug. 1, AGA president Barbara H. Jung, MD, AGAF, wrote to UnitedHealthcare’s chief medical officer, Rhonda Randall, DO, to express continued concern about the company’s Advance Notification Program for gastrointestinal endoscopy procedures, which took effect June 1, and UnitedHealthcare’s proposed “Gold Card” prior authorization program planned for 2024.

AGA

Dr. Jung made three requests: A request for UnitedHealthcare’s deidentified aggregate data on which the Advance Notification program is based.

She asked for clarification in regards to gastroenterologists who opt not to participate in the Advance Notification program. Will they be automatically subject to prior authorization when UnitedHealthcare implements the 2024 Gold Card program?

And, how will information gathered through the Advance Notification program shape the GI Gold Card prior authorization program that UnitedHealthcare plans to implement in 2024?

Dr. Jung asked for a written response to each of these three issues and a meeting to discuss concerns and questions.

She stated that the Advance Notification Program was launched without adequate communication to gastroenterologists, plus the AGA, the American College of Gastroenterology, and the American Society of Gastrointestinal Endoscopy have had questions and concerns that haven’t yet been addressed.

“Despite multiple requests, you have not shared any UnitedHealthcare-specific overuse or variation data on a code-by-code basis that would warrant such a burdensome process. Please share the deidentified aggregate data. Absent data, there is no rationale for such a policy. The Advance Notification program directly contradicts UnitedHealthcare’s publicly stated goals of reducing administrative burden and streamlining access to care – goals we support and encourage you to work toward in the gastroenterological specialty. In contrast, Advance Notification is imposing significant administrative burdens on physician practices, which will negatively impact patient access to timely, medically necessary care,” she wrote.
 

Practice burden

“The chaotic rollout of the new data reporting requirements led to widespread confusion throughout the gastroenterological community and has since forced physicians and staff to spend multiple hours every day completing reporting requirements for data that UnitedHealthcare already has through claims forms. This is a serious drain on gastroenterology practices’ time, staff, and resources – which should be entirely focused on patient care, not reams of paperwork,” Dr. Jung wrote.

AGA members have stated that:

• Most local UHC representatives are unaware of the Advance Notification Program for GI endoscopy program and are unable to advise them regarding concerns or problems.
• Local UHC representatives have no information on the Gold Card program and how it might operate.

Many practices report they have not received any follow-up from UHC requesting additional records via the Advance Notification Program.

Some large GI practices report it takes their staff 5-7 minutes per patient to enter the required data. Others quantify the additional work of participating in the advance notification program as 25%-35% more work than before the program was implemented.

Practices with large UHC volume report having to divert multiple staff to work full-time on UHC accounts.

All practices report that they are required to input/upload the same clinical information as other UHC prior authorizations. Some practices additionally take a screenshot of the statement that the procedure does not require precertification and place it in the patient notes as a precaution in case issues arise in the future.

GI practices that have tried to use the telephone number to report a change in procedure report spending an average of an hour on hold per case.

Dr. Jung said that “given these challenges, many practices are not participating” in the advance notification program.

“AGA is troubled by the serious lack of specific details about the Gold Card prior authorization program to date. With less than 6 months until 2024, UnitedHealthcare has not issued any details about eligibility criteria, participation, or what new prior authorization requirements may be implemented for practices that do not qualify for a Gold Card. We resolutely oppose the implementation of any type of preauthorization requirements for colonoscopies and endoscopies. We are medical practitioners who have years of training and experience treating patients. Our medical decisions are evidence-based, which no prior authorization policy can claim.

“As you recognized when announcing UnitedHealthcare will slash prior authorization requirements by 20% earlier this spring, requiring physicians to apply for and receive preapproval before being able to deliver medically necessary care is not just frustrating – it is disruptive and dangerous for patients’ health. This is particularly true when it comes to performing colonoscopies and endoscopies, which are vital for detecting and monitoring diseases such as inflammatory bowel disease and colorectal cancer, the second deadliest form of cancer in the United States.

“AGA stands ready to partner with UnitedHealthcare on mutually beneficial educational initiatives to promote appropriate use of endoscopy procedures. However, we reiterate our call for UnitedHealthcare to halt the confusing and burdensome Advance Notification Program – and scrap plans to implement a Gold Card prior authorization program as planned in 2024. Instead, we invite UnitedHealthcare to work collaboratively with us to develop programs that improve quality of care without creating barriers to treatment for patients and unnecessary and inappropriate administrative burdens for physicians. We urge you to stop the Advance Notification and any prior authorization programs impacting GI endoscopy and directly engage with AGA to ensure patients’ continued access to high-value, patient-centered endoscopy care. Please contact Leslie Narramore at [email protected] at your earliest convenience so we can resume our dialogue.”

Dr. Jung closed the letter urging UHC to stop the advance notification program and planned prior authorization programs and instead engage in a dialogue with AGA about the issues.

To read Dr. Jung’s letter in full, see https://shorturl.at/dhjyH.
For updates on the AGA campaign to stop UHC’s prior authorization plans, visit www.gastro.org/StopUHC.

Postpartum hemorrhage (PPH) is a common complication of birth. In 2019, 4.3% of births in the United States were complicated by at least one episode of PPH.¹ Major causes of PPH include uterine atony, retained products of conception, reproductive tract trauma, and coagulopathy.² Active management of the third stage of labor with the routine administration of postpartum uterotonics reduces the risk of PPH.^3,4

PPH treatment requires a systematic approach using appropriate uterotonic medications, tranexamic acid, and procedures performed in a timely sequence to resolve the hemorrhage. Following vaginal birth, procedures that do not require a laparotomy to treat PPH include uterine massage, uterine evacuation to remove retained placental tissue, repair of lacerations, uterine balloon tamponade (UBT), uterine packing, a vacuum-induced hemorrhage control device (VHCD; JADA, Organon), and uterine artery embolization. Following cesarean birth, with an open laparotomy incision, interventions to treat PPH due to atony include vascular ligation, uterine compression sutures, UBT, VHCD, hysterectomy, and pelvic packing.²

Over the past 2 decades, UBT has been widely used for the treatment of PPH with a success rate in observational studies of approximately 86%.⁵ The uterine balloon creates pressure against the wall of the uterus permitting accumulation of platelets at bleeding sites, enhancing the activity of the clotting system. The uterine balloon provides direct pressure on the bleeding site(s). It is well known in trauma care that the first step to treat a bleeding wound is to apply direct pressure to the bleeding site. During the third stage of labor, a natural process is tetanic uterine contraction, which constricts myometrial vessels and the placenta bed. Placing a balloon in the uterus and inflating the balloon to 200 mL to 500 mL may delay the involution of the uterus that should occur following birth. An observation of great interest is the insight that inducing a vacuum in the uterine cavity may enhance tetanic uterine contraction and constriction of the myometrial vessels. Vacuum-induced hemorrhage control is discussed in detail in this editorial.

Vacuum-induced hemorrhage control device

A new device for the treatment of PPH due to uterine atony is the JADA VHCD (FIGURE), which generates negative intrauterine pressure causing the uterus to contract, thereby constricting myometrial vessels and reducing uterine bleeding. The JADA VHCD system is indicated to provide control and treatment of abnormal postpartum uterine bleeding following vaginal or cesarean birth caused by uterine atony when conservative management is indicated.⁶

ILLUSTRATION: MARY ELLEN NIATAS FOR OBG MANAGEMENT

System components

The JADA VHCD consists of a leading portion intended to be inserted into the uterine cavity, which consists of a silicone elliptical loop with 20 vacuum pores. A soft shield covers the vacuum loop to reduce the risk of the vacuum pores being clogged with biological material, including blood and clots. The elliptical loop is attached to a catheter intended for connection to a vacuum source set to 80 mm Hg ±10 mm Hg (hospital wall suction or portable suction device) with an in-line cannister to collect blood. Approximately 16 cm from the tip of the elliptical loop is a balloon that should be positioned in the upper vagina, not inside the cervix, and inflated with fluid (60 mL to 120 mL) through a dedicated port to occlude the vagina, thereby preserving a stable intrauterine vacuum.

Continue to: Correct usage...

Correct usage

A simple mnemonic to facilitate use of the JADA VHCD is “120/80”—fill the vaginal balloon with 120 mL of sterile fluid and attach the tubing to a source that is set to provide 80 mm Hg of vacuum with an in-line collection cannister. The VHCD may not work correctly if there is a substantial amount of blood in the uterus. Clinical experts advise that an important step prior to placing the elliptical loop in the uterus is to perform a sweep of the uterine cavity with a hand or instrument to remove clots and ensure there is no retained placental tissue. It is preferable to assemble the suction tubing, syringe, sterile fluid, and other instruments (eg, forceps, speculum) needed to insert the device prior to attempting to place the VHCD. When the elliptical loop is compressed for insertion, it is about 2 cm in diameter, necessitating that the cervix be dilated sufficiently to accommodate the device.

Immediately after placing the VHCD, contractions can be monitored by physical examination and the amount of ongoing bleeding can be estimated by observing the amount of blood accumulating in the cannister. Rapid onset of a palpable increase in uterine tone is a prominent feature of successful treatment of PPH with the VHCD. The VHCD should be kept in the uterus with active suction for at least 1 hour. Taping the tubing to the inner thigh may help stabilize the device. Once bleeding is controlled, prior to removing the device, the vacuum should be discontinued, and bleeding activityshould be assessed for at least 30 minutes. If the patient is stable, the vaginal balloon can be deflated, followed by removal of the device. The VHCD should be removed within 24 hours of placement.⁶

The JADA VHCD system should not be used with ongoing intrauterine pregnancy, untreated uterine rupture, unresolved uterine inversion, current cervical cancer, or serious infection of the uterus.⁶ The VHCD has not been evaluated for effectiveness in the treatment of placenta accreta or coagulopathy. The VHCD has not been specifically evaluated for safety and effectiveness in patients < 34 weeks’ duration, but clinicians report successful use of the device in cases of PPH that have occurred in the second and early-third trimesters. If the device can be appropriately placed with the elliptical loop in the uterus and the balloon in the vagina, it is theoretically possible to use the device for cases of PPH occurring before 34 weeks’ gestation.

When using the JADA VHCD system, it is important to simultaneously provide cardiovascular support, appropriate transfusion of blood products and timely surgical intervention, if indicated. All obstetricians know that in complicated cases of PPH, where conservative measures have not worked, uterine artery embolization or hysterectomy may be the only interventions that will prevent serious patient morbidity.

Effectiveness data

The VHCD has not been evaluated against an alternative approach, such as UBT, in published randomized clinical trials. However, prospective cohort studies have reported that the JADA is often successful in the treatment of PPH.^7-10

In a multicenter cohort study of 107 patients with PPH, including 91 vaginal and 16 cesarean births, 100 patients (93%) were successfully treated with the JADA VHCD.⁷ Median blood loss before application of the system was 870 mL with vaginal birth and 1,300 mL with cesarean birth. Definitive control of the hemorrhage was observed at a median of 3 minutes after initiation of the intrauterine vacuum. In this study, 32% of patients had reproductive tract lacerations that needed to be repaired, and 2 patients required a hysterectomy. Forty patients required a blood transfusion.

Two patients were treated with a Bakri UBT when the VHCD did not resolve the PPH. In this cohort, the vacuum was applied for a median duration of 144 minutes, and a median total device dwell time was 191 minutes. Compared with UBT, the JADA VHCD intrauterine dwell time was shorter, facilitating patient progression and early transfer to the postpartum unit. The physicians who participated in the study reported that the device was easy to use. The complications reported in this cohort were minor and included endometritis (5 cases), vaginal infection (2 cases), and disruption of a vaginal laceration repair (1 case).⁷

Novel approaches to generating an intrauterine vacuum to treat PPH

The JADA VHCD is the only vacuum device approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for treatment of PPH. However, clinical innovators have reported alternative approaches to generating an intrauterine vacuum using equipment designed for other purposes. In one study, a Bakri balloon was used to generate intrauterine vacuum tamponade to treat PPH.¹¹ In this study, a Bakri balloon was inserted into the uterus, and the balloon was inflated to 50 mL to 100 mL to seal the vacuum. The main Bakri port was attached to a suction aspiration device set to generate a vacuum of 450 mm Hg to 525 mm Hg, a much greater vacuum than used with the JADA VHCD. This study included 44 cases of PPH due to uterine atony and 22 cases due to placental pathology, with successful treatment of PPH in 86% and 73% of the cases, respectively.

Another approach to generate intrauterine vacuum tamponade involves using a Levin stomach tube (FG24 or FG36), which has an open end and 4 side ports near the open tip.^12-14 The Levin stomach tube is low cost and has many favorable design features, including a rounded tip, wide-bore, and circumferentially placed side ports. The FG36 Levin stomach tube is 12 mm in diameter and has 10 mm side ports. A vacuum device set to deliver 100 mm Hg to 200 mm Hgwas used in some of the studies evaluating the Levin stomach tube for the treatment of PPH. In 3 cases of severe PPH unresponsive to standard interventions, creation of vacuum tamponade with flexible suction tubing with side ports was successful in controlling the hemorrhage.¹³

Dr. T.N. Vasudeva Panicker invented an intrauterine cannula 12 mm in diameter and 25 cm in length, with dozens of 4 mm side ports over the distal 12 cm of the cannula.¹⁵ The cannula, which is made of stainless steel or plastic, is inserted into the uterus and 700 mm Hgvacuum is applied, a level much greater than the 80 mm Hg vacuum recommended for use with the JADA VHCD. When successful, the high suction clears the uterus of blood and causes uterine contraction. In 4 cases of severe PPH, the device successfully controlled the hemorrhage. In 2 of the 4 cases the device that was initially placed became clogged with blood and needed to be replaced.

UBT vs VHCD

To date there are no published randomized controlled trials comparing Bakri UBT to the JADA VHCD. In one retrospective study, the frequency of massive transfusion of red blood cells (RBCs), defined as the transfusion of 4 units or greater of RBCs, was assessed among 78 patients treated with the Bakri UBT and 36 patients treated with the JADA VHCD.⁹ In this study, at baseline there was a non ̶ statistically significant trend for JADA VHCD to be used more frequently than the Bakri UBT in cases of PPH occurring during repeat cesarean delivery (33% vs 14%). The Bakri UBT was used more frequently than the JADA VHCD among patients having a PPH following a vaginal delivery (51% vs 31%). Both devices were used at similar rates for operative vaginal delivery (6%) and primary cesarean birth (31% VHCD and 28% UBT).

In this retrospective study, the percentage of patients treated with VHCD or UBT who received 4 or more units of RBCs was 3% and 21%, respectively (P < .01). Among patients treated with VHCD and UBT, the estimated median blood loss was 1,500 mL and 1,850 mL (P=.02), respectively. The median hemoglobin concentration at discharge was similar in the VHCD and UBT groups, 8.8 g/dL and 8.6 g/dL, respectively.⁹ A randomized controlled trial is necessary to refine our understanding of the comparative effectiveness of UBT and VHCD in controlling PPH following vaginal and cesarean birth.

A welcome addition to treatment options

Every obstetrician knows that, in the next 12 months of their practice, they will encounter multiple cases of PPH. One or two of these cases may require the physician to use every medication and procedure available for the treatment of PPH to save the life of the patient. To prepare to treat the next case of PPH rapidly and effectively, it is important for every obstetrician to develop a standardized cognitive plan for using all available treatmentmodalities in an appropriate and timely sequence, including both the Bakri balloon and the JADA VHCD. The insight that inducing an intrauterine vacuum causes uterine contraction, which may resolve PPH, is an important discovery. The JADA VHCD is a welcome addition to our armamentarium of treatments for PPH. ●
 

Postpartum hemorrhage (PPH) is a common complication of birth. In 2019, 4.3% of births in the United States were complicated by at least one episode of PPH.¹ Major causes of PPH include uterine atony, retained products of conception, reproductive tract trauma, and coagulopathy.² Active management of the third stage of labor with the routine administration of postpartum uterotonics reduces the risk of PPH.^3,4

PPH treatment requires a systematic approach using appropriate uterotonic medications, tranexamic acid, and procedures performed in a timely sequence to resolve the hemorrhage. Following vaginal birth, procedures that do not require a laparotomy to treat PPH include uterine massage, uterine evacuation to remove retained placental tissue, repair of lacerations, uterine balloon tamponade (UBT), uterine packing, a vacuum-induced hemorrhage control device (VHCD; JADA, Organon), and uterine artery embolization. Following cesarean birth, with an open laparotomy incision, interventions to treat PPH due to atony include vascular ligation, uterine compression sutures, UBT, VHCD, hysterectomy, and pelvic packing.²

Over the past 2 decades, UBT has been widely used for the treatment of PPH with a success rate in observational studies of approximately 86%.⁵ The uterine balloon creates pressure against the wall of the uterus permitting accumulation of platelets at bleeding sites, enhancing the activity of the clotting system. The uterine balloon provides direct pressure on the bleeding site(s). It is well known in trauma care that the first step to treat a bleeding wound is to apply direct pressure to the bleeding site. During the third stage of labor, a natural process is tetanic uterine contraction, which constricts myometrial vessels and the placenta bed. Placing a balloon in the uterus and inflating the balloon to 200 mL to 500 mL may delay the involution of the uterus that should occur following birth. An observation of great interest is the insight that inducing a vacuum in the uterine cavity may enhance tetanic uterine contraction and constriction of the myometrial vessels. Vacuum-induced hemorrhage control is discussed in detail in this editorial.

Vacuum-induced hemorrhage control device

A new device for the treatment of PPH due to uterine atony is the JADA VHCD (FIGURE), which generates negative intrauterine pressure causing the uterus to contract, thereby constricting myometrial vessels and reducing uterine bleeding. The JADA VHCD system is indicated to provide control and treatment of abnormal postpartum uterine bleeding following vaginal or cesarean birth caused by uterine atony when conservative management is indicated.⁶

ILLUSTRATION: MARY ELLEN NIATAS FOR OBG MANAGEMENT

System components

The JADA VHCD consists of a leading portion intended to be inserted into the uterine cavity, which consists of a silicone elliptical loop with 20 vacuum pores. A soft shield covers the vacuum loop to reduce the risk of the vacuum pores being clogged with biological material, including blood and clots. The elliptical loop is attached to a catheter intended for connection to a vacuum source set to 80 mm Hg ±10 mm Hg (hospital wall suction or portable suction device) with an in-line cannister to collect blood. Approximately 16 cm from the tip of the elliptical loop is a balloon that should be positioned in the upper vagina, not inside the cervix, and inflated with fluid (60 mL to 120 mL) through a dedicated port to occlude the vagina, thereby preserving a stable intrauterine vacuum.

Continue to: Correct usage...

Correct usage

A simple mnemonic to facilitate use of the JADA VHCD is “120/80”—fill the vaginal balloon with 120 mL of sterile fluid and attach the tubing to a source that is set to provide 80 mm Hg of vacuum with an in-line collection cannister. The VHCD may not work correctly if there is a substantial amount of blood in the uterus. Clinical experts advise that an important step prior to placing the elliptical loop in the uterus is to perform a sweep of the uterine cavity with a hand or instrument to remove clots and ensure there is no retained placental tissue. It is preferable to assemble the suction tubing, syringe, sterile fluid, and other instruments (eg, forceps, speculum) needed to insert the device prior to attempting to place the VHCD. When the elliptical loop is compressed for insertion, it is about 2 cm in diameter, necessitating that the cervix be dilated sufficiently to accommodate the device.

Immediately after placing the VHCD, contractions can be monitored by physical examination and the amount of ongoing bleeding can be estimated by observing the amount of blood accumulating in the cannister. Rapid onset of a palpable increase in uterine tone is a prominent feature of successful treatment of PPH with the VHCD. The VHCD should be kept in the uterus with active suction for at least 1 hour. Taping the tubing to the inner thigh may help stabilize the device. Once bleeding is controlled, prior to removing the device, the vacuum should be discontinued, and bleeding activityshould be assessed for at least 30 minutes. If the patient is stable, the vaginal balloon can be deflated, followed by removal of the device. The VHCD should be removed within 24 hours of placement.⁶

The JADA VHCD system should not be used with ongoing intrauterine pregnancy, untreated uterine rupture, unresolved uterine inversion, current cervical cancer, or serious infection of the uterus.⁶ The VHCD has not been evaluated for effectiveness in the treatment of placenta accreta or coagulopathy. The VHCD has not been specifically evaluated for safety and effectiveness in patients < 34 weeks’ duration, but clinicians report successful use of the device in cases of PPH that have occurred in the second and early-third trimesters. If the device can be appropriately placed with the elliptical loop in the uterus and the balloon in the vagina, it is theoretically possible to use the device for cases of PPH occurring before 34 weeks’ gestation.

When using the JADA VHCD system, it is important to simultaneously provide cardiovascular support, appropriate transfusion of blood products and timely surgical intervention, if indicated. All obstetricians know that in complicated cases of PPH, where conservative measures have not worked, uterine artery embolization or hysterectomy may be the only interventions that will prevent serious patient morbidity.

Effectiveness data

The VHCD has not been evaluated against an alternative approach, such as UBT, in published randomized clinical trials. However, prospective cohort studies have reported that the JADA is often successful in the treatment of PPH.^7-10

In a multicenter cohort study of 107 patients with PPH, including 91 vaginal and 16 cesarean births, 100 patients (93%) were successfully treated with the JADA VHCD.⁷ Median blood loss before application of the system was 870 mL with vaginal birth and 1,300 mL with cesarean birth. Definitive control of the hemorrhage was observed at a median of 3 minutes after initiation of the intrauterine vacuum. In this study, 32% of patients had reproductive tract lacerations that needed to be repaired, and 2 patients required a hysterectomy. Forty patients required a blood transfusion.

Two patients were treated with a Bakri UBT when the VHCD did not resolve the PPH. In this cohort, the vacuum was applied for a median duration of 144 minutes, and a median total device dwell time was 191 minutes. Compared with UBT, the JADA VHCD intrauterine dwell time was shorter, facilitating patient progression and early transfer to the postpartum unit. The physicians who participated in the study reported that the device was easy to use. The complications reported in this cohort were minor and included endometritis (5 cases), vaginal infection (2 cases), and disruption of a vaginal laceration repair (1 case).⁷

Novel approaches to generating an intrauterine vacuum to treat PPH

The JADA VHCD is the only vacuum device approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for treatment of PPH. However, clinical innovators have reported alternative approaches to generating an intrauterine vacuum using equipment designed for other purposes. In one study, a Bakri balloon was used to generate intrauterine vacuum tamponade to treat PPH.¹¹ In this study, a Bakri balloon was inserted into the uterus, and the balloon was inflated to 50 mL to 100 mL to seal the vacuum. The main Bakri port was attached to a suction aspiration device set to generate a vacuum of 450 mm Hg to 525 mm Hg, a much greater vacuum than used with the JADA VHCD. This study included 44 cases of PPH due to uterine atony and 22 cases due to placental pathology, with successful treatment of PPH in 86% and 73% of the cases, respectively.

Another approach to generate intrauterine vacuum tamponade involves using a Levin stomach tube (FG24 or FG36), which has an open end and 4 side ports near the open tip.^12-14 The Levin stomach tube is low cost and has many favorable design features, including a rounded tip, wide-bore, and circumferentially placed side ports. The FG36 Levin stomach tube is 12 mm in diameter and has 10 mm side ports. A vacuum device set to deliver 100 mm Hg to 200 mm Hgwas used in some of the studies evaluating the Levin stomach tube for the treatment of PPH. In 3 cases of severe PPH unresponsive to standard interventions, creation of vacuum tamponade with flexible suction tubing with side ports was successful in controlling the hemorrhage.¹³

Dr. T.N. Vasudeva Panicker invented an intrauterine cannula 12 mm in diameter and 25 cm in length, with dozens of 4 mm side ports over the distal 12 cm of the cannula.¹⁵ The cannula, which is made of stainless steel or plastic, is inserted into the uterus and 700 mm Hgvacuum is applied, a level much greater than the 80 mm Hg vacuum recommended for use with the JADA VHCD. When successful, the high suction clears the uterus of blood and causes uterine contraction. In 4 cases of severe PPH, the device successfully controlled the hemorrhage. In 2 of the 4 cases the device that was initially placed became clogged with blood and needed to be replaced.

UBT vs VHCD

To date there are no published randomized controlled trials comparing Bakri UBT to the JADA VHCD. In one retrospective study, the frequency of massive transfusion of red blood cells (RBCs), defined as the transfusion of 4 units or greater of RBCs, was assessed among 78 patients treated with the Bakri UBT and 36 patients treated with the JADA VHCD.⁹ In this study, at baseline there was a non ̶ statistically significant trend for JADA VHCD to be used more frequently than the Bakri UBT in cases of PPH occurring during repeat cesarean delivery (33% vs 14%). The Bakri UBT was used more frequently than the JADA VHCD among patients having a PPH following a vaginal delivery (51% vs 31%). Both devices were used at similar rates for operative vaginal delivery (6%) and primary cesarean birth (31% VHCD and 28% UBT).

In this retrospective study, the percentage of patients treated with VHCD or UBT who received 4 or more units of RBCs was 3% and 21%, respectively (P < .01). Among patients treated with VHCD and UBT, the estimated median blood loss was 1,500 mL and 1,850 mL (P=.02), respectively. The median hemoglobin concentration at discharge was similar in the VHCD and UBT groups, 8.8 g/dL and 8.6 g/dL, respectively.⁹ A randomized controlled trial is necessary to refine our understanding of the comparative effectiveness of UBT and VHCD in controlling PPH following vaginal and cesarean birth.

A welcome addition to treatment options

Every obstetrician knows that, in the next 12 months of their practice, they will encounter multiple cases of PPH. One or two of these cases may require the physician to use every medication and procedure available for the treatment of PPH to save the life of the patient. To prepare to treat the next case of PPH rapidly and effectively, it is important for every obstetrician to develop a standardized cognitive plan for using all available treatmentmodalities in an appropriate and timely sequence, including both the Bakri balloon and the JADA VHCD. The insight that inducing an intrauterine vacuum causes uterine contraction, which may resolve PPH, is an important discovery. The JADA VHCD is a welcome addition to our armamentarium of treatments for PPH. ●
 

Postpartum hemorrhage (PPH) is a common complication of birth. In 2019, 4.3% of births in the United States were complicated by at least one episode of PPH.¹ Major causes of PPH include uterine atony, retained products of conception, reproductive tract trauma, and coagulopathy.² Active management of the third stage of labor with the routine administration of postpartum uterotonics reduces the risk of PPH.^3,4

PPH treatment requires a systematic approach using appropriate uterotonic medications, tranexamic acid, and procedures performed in a timely sequence to resolve the hemorrhage. Following vaginal birth, procedures that do not require a laparotomy to treat PPH include uterine massage, uterine evacuation to remove retained placental tissue, repair of lacerations, uterine balloon tamponade (UBT), uterine packing, a vacuum-induced hemorrhage control device (VHCD; JADA, Organon), and uterine artery embolization. Following cesarean birth, with an open laparotomy incision, interventions to treat PPH due to atony include vascular ligation, uterine compression sutures, UBT, VHCD, hysterectomy, and pelvic packing.²

Over the past 2 decades, UBT has been widely used for the treatment of PPH with a success rate in observational studies of approximately 86%.⁵ The uterine balloon creates pressure against the wall of the uterus permitting accumulation of platelets at bleeding sites, enhancing the activity of the clotting system. The uterine balloon provides direct pressure on the bleeding site(s). It is well known in trauma care that the first step to treat a bleeding wound is to apply direct pressure to the bleeding site. During the third stage of labor, a natural process is tetanic uterine contraction, which constricts myometrial vessels and the placenta bed. Placing a balloon in the uterus and inflating the balloon to 200 mL to 500 mL may delay the involution of the uterus that should occur following birth. An observation of great interest is the insight that inducing a vacuum in the uterine cavity may enhance tetanic uterine contraction and constriction of the myometrial vessels. Vacuum-induced hemorrhage control is discussed in detail in this editorial.

Vacuum-induced hemorrhage control device

A new device for the treatment of PPH due to uterine atony is the JADA VHCD (FIGURE), which generates negative intrauterine pressure causing the uterus to contract, thereby constricting myometrial vessels and reducing uterine bleeding. The JADA VHCD system is indicated to provide control and treatment of abnormal postpartum uterine bleeding following vaginal or cesarean birth caused by uterine atony when conservative management is indicated.⁶

ILLUSTRATION: MARY ELLEN NIATAS FOR OBG MANAGEMENT

System components

The JADA VHCD consists of a leading portion intended to be inserted into the uterine cavity, which consists of a silicone elliptical loop with 20 vacuum pores. A soft shield covers the vacuum loop to reduce the risk of the vacuum pores being clogged with biological material, including blood and clots. The elliptical loop is attached to a catheter intended for connection to a vacuum source set to 80 mm Hg ±10 mm Hg (hospital wall suction or portable suction device) with an in-line cannister to collect blood. Approximately 16 cm from the tip of the elliptical loop is a balloon that should be positioned in the upper vagina, not inside the cervix, and inflated with fluid (60 mL to 120 mL) through a dedicated port to occlude the vagina, thereby preserving a stable intrauterine vacuum.

Continue to: Correct usage...

Correct usage

A simple mnemonic to facilitate use of the JADA VHCD is “120/80”—fill the vaginal balloon with 120 mL of sterile fluid and attach the tubing to a source that is set to provide 80 mm Hg of vacuum with an in-line collection cannister. The VHCD may not work correctly if there is a substantial amount of blood in the uterus. Clinical experts advise that an important step prior to placing the elliptical loop in the uterus is to perform a sweep of the uterine cavity with a hand or instrument to remove clots and ensure there is no retained placental tissue. It is preferable to assemble the suction tubing, syringe, sterile fluid, and other instruments (eg, forceps, speculum) needed to insert the device prior to attempting to place the VHCD. When the elliptical loop is compressed for insertion, it is about 2 cm in diameter, necessitating that the cervix be dilated sufficiently to accommodate the device.

Immediately after placing the VHCD, contractions can be monitored by physical examination and the amount of ongoing bleeding can be estimated by observing the amount of blood accumulating in the cannister. Rapid onset of a palpable increase in uterine tone is a prominent feature of successful treatment of PPH with the VHCD. The VHCD should be kept in the uterus with active suction for at least 1 hour. Taping the tubing to the inner thigh may help stabilize the device. Once bleeding is controlled, prior to removing the device, the vacuum should be discontinued, and bleeding activityshould be assessed for at least 30 minutes. If the patient is stable, the vaginal balloon can be deflated, followed by removal of the device. The VHCD should be removed within 24 hours of placement.⁶

The JADA VHCD system should not be used with ongoing intrauterine pregnancy, untreated uterine rupture, unresolved uterine inversion, current cervical cancer, or serious infection of the uterus.⁶ The VHCD has not been evaluated for effectiveness in the treatment of placenta accreta or coagulopathy. The VHCD has not been specifically evaluated for safety and effectiveness in patients < 34 weeks’ duration, but clinicians report successful use of the device in cases of PPH that have occurred in the second and early-third trimesters. If the device can be appropriately placed with the elliptical loop in the uterus and the balloon in the vagina, it is theoretically possible to use the device for cases of PPH occurring before 34 weeks’ gestation.

When using the JADA VHCD system, it is important to simultaneously provide cardiovascular support, appropriate transfusion of blood products and timely surgical intervention, if indicated. All obstetricians know that in complicated cases of PPH, where conservative measures have not worked, uterine artery embolization or hysterectomy may be the only interventions that will prevent serious patient morbidity.

Effectiveness data

The VHCD has not been evaluated against an alternative approach, such as UBT, in published randomized clinical trials. However, prospective cohort studies have reported that the JADA is often successful in the treatment of PPH.^7-10

In a multicenter cohort study of 107 patients with PPH, including 91 vaginal and 16 cesarean births, 100 patients (93%) were successfully treated with the JADA VHCD.⁷ Median blood loss before application of the system was 870 mL with vaginal birth and 1,300 mL with cesarean birth. Definitive control of the hemorrhage was observed at a median of 3 minutes after initiation of the intrauterine vacuum. In this study, 32% of patients had reproductive tract lacerations that needed to be repaired, and 2 patients required a hysterectomy. Forty patients required a blood transfusion.

Two patients were treated with a Bakri UBT when the VHCD did not resolve the PPH. In this cohort, the vacuum was applied for a median duration of 144 minutes, and a median total device dwell time was 191 minutes. Compared with UBT, the JADA VHCD intrauterine dwell time was shorter, facilitating patient progression and early transfer to the postpartum unit. The physicians who participated in the study reported that the device was easy to use. The complications reported in this cohort were minor and included endometritis (5 cases), vaginal infection (2 cases), and disruption of a vaginal laceration repair (1 case).⁷

Novel approaches to generating an intrauterine vacuum to treat PPH

The JADA VHCD is the only vacuum device approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for treatment of PPH. However, clinical innovators have reported alternative approaches to generating an intrauterine vacuum using equipment designed for other purposes. In one study, a Bakri balloon was used to generate intrauterine vacuum tamponade to treat PPH.¹¹ In this study, a Bakri balloon was inserted into the uterus, and the balloon was inflated to 50 mL to 100 mL to seal the vacuum. The main Bakri port was attached to a suction aspiration device set to generate a vacuum of 450 mm Hg to 525 mm Hg, a much greater vacuum than used with the JADA VHCD. This study included 44 cases of PPH due to uterine atony and 22 cases due to placental pathology, with successful treatment of PPH in 86% and 73% of the cases, respectively.

Another approach to generate intrauterine vacuum tamponade involves using a Levin stomach tube (FG24 or FG36), which has an open end and 4 side ports near the open tip.^12-14 The Levin stomach tube is low cost and has many favorable design features, including a rounded tip, wide-bore, and circumferentially placed side ports. The FG36 Levin stomach tube is 12 mm in diameter and has 10 mm side ports. A vacuum device set to deliver 100 mm Hg to 200 mm Hgwas used in some of the studies evaluating the Levin stomach tube for the treatment of PPH. In 3 cases of severe PPH unresponsive to standard interventions, creation of vacuum tamponade with flexible suction tubing with side ports was successful in controlling the hemorrhage.¹³

Dr. T.N. Vasudeva Panicker invented an intrauterine cannula 12 mm in diameter and 25 cm in length, with dozens of 4 mm side ports over the distal 12 cm of the cannula.¹⁵ The cannula, which is made of stainless steel or plastic, is inserted into the uterus and 700 mm Hgvacuum is applied, a level much greater than the 80 mm Hg vacuum recommended for use with the JADA VHCD. When successful, the high suction clears the uterus of blood and causes uterine contraction. In 4 cases of severe PPH, the device successfully controlled the hemorrhage. In 2 of the 4 cases the device that was initially placed became clogged with blood and needed to be replaced.

UBT vs VHCD

To date there are no published randomized controlled trials comparing Bakri UBT to the JADA VHCD. In one retrospective study, the frequency of massive transfusion of red blood cells (RBCs), defined as the transfusion of 4 units or greater of RBCs, was assessed among 78 patients treated with the Bakri UBT and 36 patients treated with the JADA VHCD.⁹ In this study, at baseline there was a non ̶ statistically significant trend for JADA VHCD to be used more frequently than the Bakri UBT in cases of PPH occurring during repeat cesarean delivery (33% vs 14%). The Bakri UBT was used more frequently than the JADA VHCD among patients having a PPH following a vaginal delivery (51% vs 31%). Both devices were used at similar rates for operative vaginal delivery (6%) and primary cesarean birth (31% VHCD and 28% UBT).

In this retrospective study, the percentage of patients treated with VHCD or UBT who received 4 or more units of RBCs was 3% and 21%, respectively (P < .01). Among patients treated with VHCD and UBT, the estimated median blood loss was 1,500 mL and 1,850 mL (P=.02), respectively. The median hemoglobin concentration at discharge was similar in the VHCD and UBT groups, 8.8 g/dL and 8.6 g/dL, respectively.⁹ A randomized controlled trial is necessary to refine our understanding of the comparative effectiveness of UBT and VHCD in controlling PPH following vaginal and cesarean birth.

A welcome addition to treatment options

Every obstetrician knows that, in the next 12 months of their practice, they will encounter multiple cases of PPH. One or two of these cases may require the physician to use every medication and procedure available for the treatment of PPH to save the life of the patient. To prepare to treat the next case of PPH rapidly and effectively, it is important for every obstetrician to develop a standardized cognitive plan for using all available treatmentmodalities in an appropriate and timely sequence, including both the Bakri balloon and the JADA VHCD. The insight that inducing an intrauterine vacuum causes uterine contraction, which may resolve PPH, is an important discovery. The JADA VHCD is a welcome addition to our armamentarium of treatments for PPH. ●
 

Knowing whether a patient has radiographic or nonradiographic axial spondyloarthritis will not change management, experts say. What matters is recognizing that the patient has inflammatory back pain (IBP) and clinical features of spondyloarthritis and that the patient is referred to a rheumatologist as soon as possible.
 

Out with the old, in with the new

Axial spondyloarthritis is characterized by chronic inflammation of the sacroiliac (SI) joints, and spine. It’s a modern term that includes ankylosing spondylitis (AS) and that refers to opposite ends of a disease spectrum.

Nonradiographic axial spondyloarthritis (nr-axSpA) is so termed because there are no definitive visible changes on plain x-rays, although inflammatory changes may be seen on MRI.

Radiographic axial spondyloarthritis (r-axSpA) is the same as AS to some extent and is associated with clear signs of joint damage (that is, of past inflammation) on x-rays.

“Axial spondyloarthritis is one disease, and whether it is radiographic or nonradiographic makes zero difference in the management of the patient,” says Atul Deodhar, MD, professor of medicine and medical director of rheumatology clinics at Oregon Health and Science University, Portland. The distinction came about in 2009 to facilitate scientific and clinical research, he explains, and to enable the use of tumor necrosis factor inhibitors, which were new at the time, for patients who could not be classified as having AS.

“We have known what ankylosing spondylitis is for a long time because we have been doing plain x-rays of the sacroiliac joints, and if we see classical changes of sacroiliitis, we have the diagnosis. However, MRI changed everything,” Dr. Deodhar says. Now it’s possible to see inflammatory changes in the SI joints and early joint damage, which was not possible to see on x-ray until many years later.
 

Reassuring for patients?

“Currently, we don’t really have different treatments,” Dr. Deodhar notes. Perhaps the only benefit is that it might be reassuring for patients to know that they have the nonradiographic form. Receiving a diagnosis of axial spondyloarthritis comes as quite a shock. It’s a diagnosis that is potentially going to affect them for the rest of their lives, and some patients worry that they’ll develop the classic “bamboo” spine of AS, he adds. So, being able to tell patients that they have nr-axSpA and that they are going to be treated early and aggressively may be somewhat comforting.

“It’s a continuum of a disease state, but a lot of people will stay at the nonradiographic stage,” points out Portland-based internist Beth Smith, DO, associate professor of medicine at OHSU.

“A good portion of individuals who may have an MRI that’s positive will either go into remission or just stay at that stage of the disease; they won’t necessarily progress to radiographic sacroiliitis,” she adds.
 

Spotting nr-axSpA in practice

Nr-axSpA can be tricky to spot in clinical practice, and its diagnosis in primary care largely relies on patients’ clinical presentation and identifying IBP. This is the key symptom. When someone younger than 45 years experiences back pain that is characterized by insidious and chronic onset and that improves with anti-inflammatory agents and activity but that worsens with rest and is worse at night, then imaging of the SI joints may be appropriate.

“You have to have that index of suspicion in order to even think about ordering the appropriate imaging test,” Dr. Smith says. IBP may be the big clue, but patients may also return on separate occasions with multiple associated complaints, such as plantar fasciitis, tennis elbow, or other conditions, such as psoriasis, she says.

Ordering HLA-B27 and C-reactive protein tests may be useful prior to conducting any imaging, Dr. Smith says, “and if imaging is ordered, make sure it is an x-ray of the sacroiliac joint, not the lumbar spine.”

Dr. Deodhar cautions: “A single anterior-posterior view of the pelvis is enough to look at the sacroiliac joint.” There is no need to order separate views of the right and left SI joints; doing so will provide no additional useful information and exposes the patient to unnecessary radiation.

Importantly, consider whether an x-ray of the lumbar spine is needed for a patient with chronic back pain, he says. “You should do an investigation that is going to make a difference to your management. If you take 100 patients with back pain, 95% of the time, it is going to be mechanical back pain. Why do an x-ray of the lumbar spine?” Dr. Deodhar asks rhetorically.

It should also be borne in mind that x-rays can be nonspecific, and several conditions may mimic sacroiliitis, such as osteitis condensans ilii in women who have given birth, osteoarthritis of the SI joints, and old infection of the SI joints.
 

MRIs need specialist interpretation

MRIs of the lumbar spine are overused to diagnose back pain, and while they might be sensitive to early inflammatory changes in SI joints, they require an expert eye for interpretation.

“MRI of the SI joints is to be used wisely in patients when there is enough clinical suspicion,” Dr. Deodhar advises. Even when an MRI is negative for sacroiliitis, patients could still have axial spondyloarthritis.

MRIs of the SI joints are needed, but not of the lumbar spine, he stresses. Views of the lumbar spine may show only signs of disk degeneration and perhaps osteoarthritis.

Moreover, Dr. Deodhar says, “MRI is so sensitive that we used to think that bone marrow edema is good enough for telling us there is sacroiliitis.” However, even people without IBP can have bone marrow edema; “exercise can show bone marrow edema,” he says.

So, “If there’s a suspicion of axial spondyloarthritis, the patient should be referred to a rheumatologist,” who will discuss the interpretation with highly specialized musculoskeletal radiologists.
 

Take-home messages

Whether it is nr-axSpA or r-axSpA, “the burden of disease for the patient is the same; treatment is the same,” says Dr. Deodhar. Patients should be referred to a rheumatologist as soon as possible if axial spondyloarthritis is suspected. A single x-ray of the pelvis should be performed to see the SI joints, but MRIs should be left to secondary care, he suggests.

Dr. Smith notes: “Having that index of suspicion of an inflammatory etiology for the back pain is essential.” It ensures that “patients can get early and appropriate treatment for a disease that’s very different from the mechanical back pain that we mostly see in primary care.”

Dr. Deodhar has received research grants or has acted as a consultant to multiple pharmaceutical companies, including AbbVie, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Celgene, Janssen, UCB, Novartis, Pfizer, and Eli Lilly. Dr. Smith reports no relevant financial relationships.

A version of this article first appeared on Medscape.com.

Knowing whether a patient has radiographic or nonradiographic axial spondyloarthritis will not change management, experts say. What matters is recognizing that the patient has inflammatory back pain (IBP) and clinical features of spondyloarthritis and that the patient is referred to a rheumatologist as soon as possible.
 

Out with the old, in with the new

Axial spondyloarthritis is characterized by chronic inflammation of the sacroiliac (SI) joints, and spine. It’s a modern term that includes ankylosing spondylitis (AS) and that refers to opposite ends of a disease spectrum.

Nonradiographic axial spondyloarthritis (nr-axSpA) is so termed because there are no definitive visible changes on plain x-rays, although inflammatory changes may be seen on MRI.

Radiographic axial spondyloarthritis (r-axSpA) is the same as AS to some extent and is associated with clear signs of joint damage (that is, of past inflammation) on x-rays.

“Axial spondyloarthritis is one disease, and whether it is radiographic or nonradiographic makes zero difference in the management of the patient,” says Atul Deodhar, MD, professor of medicine and medical director of rheumatology clinics at Oregon Health and Science University, Portland. The distinction came about in 2009 to facilitate scientific and clinical research, he explains, and to enable the use of tumor necrosis factor inhibitors, which were new at the time, for patients who could not be classified as having AS.

“We have known what ankylosing spondylitis is for a long time because we have been doing plain x-rays of the sacroiliac joints, and if we see classical changes of sacroiliitis, we have the diagnosis. However, MRI changed everything,” Dr. Deodhar says. Now it’s possible to see inflammatory changes in the SI joints and early joint damage, which was not possible to see on x-ray until many years later.
 

Reassuring for patients?

“Currently, we don’t really have different treatments,” Dr. Deodhar notes. Perhaps the only benefit is that it might be reassuring for patients to know that they have the nonradiographic form. Receiving a diagnosis of axial spondyloarthritis comes as quite a shock. It’s a diagnosis that is potentially going to affect them for the rest of their lives, and some patients worry that they’ll develop the classic “bamboo” spine of AS, he adds. So, being able to tell patients that they have nr-axSpA and that they are going to be treated early and aggressively may be somewhat comforting.

“It’s a continuum of a disease state, but a lot of people will stay at the nonradiographic stage,” points out Portland-based internist Beth Smith, DO, associate professor of medicine at OHSU.

“A good portion of individuals who may have an MRI that’s positive will either go into remission or just stay at that stage of the disease; they won’t necessarily progress to radiographic sacroiliitis,” she adds.
 

Spotting nr-axSpA in practice

Nr-axSpA can be tricky to spot in clinical practice, and its diagnosis in primary care largely relies on patients’ clinical presentation and identifying IBP. This is the key symptom. When someone younger than 45 years experiences back pain that is characterized by insidious and chronic onset and that improves with anti-inflammatory agents and activity but that worsens with rest and is worse at night, then imaging of the SI joints may be appropriate.

“You have to have that index of suspicion in order to even think about ordering the appropriate imaging test,” Dr. Smith says. IBP may be the big clue, but patients may also return on separate occasions with multiple associated complaints, such as plantar fasciitis, tennis elbow, or other conditions, such as psoriasis, she says.

Ordering HLA-B27 and C-reactive protein tests may be useful prior to conducting any imaging, Dr. Smith says, “and if imaging is ordered, make sure it is an x-ray of the sacroiliac joint, not the lumbar spine.”

Dr. Deodhar cautions: “A single anterior-posterior view of the pelvis is enough to look at the sacroiliac joint.” There is no need to order separate views of the right and left SI joints; doing so will provide no additional useful information and exposes the patient to unnecessary radiation.

Importantly, consider whether an x-ray of the lumbar spine is needed for a patient with chronic back pain, he says. “You should do an investigation that is going to make a difference to your management. If you take 100 patients with back pain, 95% of the time, it is going to be mechanical back pain. Why do an x-ray of the lumbar spine?” Dr. Deodhar asks rhetorically.

It should also be borne in mind that x-rays can be nonspecific, and several conditions may mimic sacroiliitis, such as osteitis condensans ilii in women who have given birth, osteoarthritis of the SI joints, and old infection of the SI joints.
 

MRIs need specialist interpretation

MRIs of the lumbar spine are overused to diagnose back pain, and while they might be sensitive to early inflammatory changes in SI joints, they require an expert eye for interpretation.

“MRI of the SI joints is to be used wisely in patients when there is enough clinical suspicion,” Dr. Deodhar advises. Even when an MRI is negative for sacroiliitis, patients could still have axial spondyloarthritis.

MRIs of the SI joints are needed, but not of the lumbar spine, he stresses. Views of the lumbar spine may show only signs of disk degeneration and perhaps osteoarthritis.

Moreover, Dr. Deodhar says, “MRI is so sensitive that we used to think that bone marrow edema is good enough for telling us there is sacroiliitis.” However, even people without IBP can have bone marrow edema; “exercise can show bone marrow edema,” he says.

So, “If there’s a suspicion of axial spondyloarthritis, the patient should be referred to a rheumatologist,” who will discuss the interpretation with highly specialized musculoskeletal radiologists.
 

Take-home messages

Whether it is nr-axSpA or r-axSpA, “the burden of disease for the patient is the same; treatment is the same,” says Dr. Deodhar. Patients should be referred to a rheumatologist as soon as possible if axial spondyloarthritis is suspected. A single x-ray of the pelvis should be performed to see the SI joints, but MRIs should be left to secondary care, he suggests.

Dr. Smith notes: “Having that index of suspicion of an inflammatory etiology for the back pain is essential.” It ensures that “patients can get early and appropriate treatment for a disease that’s very different from the mechanical back pain that we mostly see in primary care.”

Dr. Deodhar has received research grants or has acted as a consultant to multiple pharmaceutical companies, including AbbVie, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Celgene, Janssen, UCB, Novartis, Pfizer, and Eli Lilly. Dr. Smith reports no relevant financial relationships.

A version of this article first appeared on Medscape.com.

Knowing whether a patient has radiographic or nonradiographic axial spondyloarthritis will not change management, experts say. What matters is recognizing that the patient has inflammatory back pain (IBP) and clinical features of spondyloarthritis and that the patient is referred to a rheumatologist as soon as possible.
 

Out with the old, in with the new

Axial spondyloarthritis is characterized by chronic inflammation of the sacroiliac (SI) joints, and spine. It’s a modern term that includes ankylosing spondylitis (AS) and that refers to opposite ends of a disease spectrum.

Nonradiographic axial spondyloarthritis (nr-axSpA) is so termed because there are no definitive visible changes on plain x-rays, although inflammatory changes may be seen on MRI.

Radiographic axial spondyloarthritis (r-axSpA) is the same as AS to some extent and is associated with clear signs of joint damage (that is, of past inflammation) on x-rays.

“Axial spondyloarthritis is one disease, and whether it is radiographic or nonradiographic makes zero difference in the management of the patient,” says Atul Deodhar, MD, professor of medicine and medical director of rheumatology clinics at Oregon Health and Science University, Portland. The distinction came about in 2009 to facilitate scientific and clinical research, he explains, and to enable the use of tumor necrosis factor inhibitors, which were new at the time, for patients who could not be classified as having AS.

“We have known what ankylosing spondylitis is for a long time because we have been doing plain x-rays of the sacroiliac joints, and if we see classical changes of sacroiliitis, we have the diagnosis. However, MRI changed everything,” Dr. Deodhar says. Now it’s possible to see inflammatory changes in the SI joints and early joint damage, which was not possible to see on x-ray until many years later.
 

Reassuring for patients?

“Currently, we don’t really have different treatments,” Dr. Deodhar notes. Perhaps the only benefit is that it might be reassuring for patients to know that they have the nonradiographic form. Receiving a diagnosis of axial spondyloarthritis comes as quite a shock. It’s a diagnosis that is potentially going to affect them for the rest of their lives, and some patients worry that they’ll develop the classic “bamboo” spine of AS, he adds. So, being able to tell patients that they have nr-axSpA and that they are going to be treated early and aggressively may be somewhat comforting.

“It’s a continuum of a disease state, but a lot of people will stay at the nonradiographic stage,” points out Portland-based internist Beth Smith, DO, associate professor of medicine at OHSU.

“A good portion of individuals who may have an MRI that’s positive will either go into remission or just stay at that stage of the disease; they won’t necessarily progress to radiographic sacroiliitis,” she adds.
 

Spotting nr-axSpA in practice

Nr-axSpA can be tricky to spot in clinical practice, and its diagnosis in primary care largely relies on patients’ clinical presentation and identifying IBP. This is the key symptom. When someone younger than 45 years experiences back pain that is characterized by insidious and chronic onset and that improves with anti-inflammatory agents and activity but that worsens with rest and is worse at night, then imaging of the SI joints may be appropriate.

“You have to have that index of suspicion in order to even think about ordering the appropriate imaging test,” Dr. Smith says. IBP may be the big clue, but patients may also return on separate occasions with multiple associated complaints, such as plantar fasciitis, tennis elbow, or other conditions, such as psoriasis, she says.

Ordering HLA-B27 and C-reactive protein tests may be useful prior to conducting any imaging, Dr. Smith says, “and if imaging is ordered, make sure it is an x-ray of the sacroiliac joint, not the lumbar spine.”

Dr. Deodhar cautions: “A single anterior-posterior view of the pelvis is enough to look at the sacroiliac joint.” There is no need to order separate views of the right and left SI joints; doing so will provide no additional useful information and exposes the patient to unnecessary radiation.

Importantly, consider whether an x-ray of the lumbar spine is needed for a patient with chronic back pain, he says. “You should do an investigation that is going to make a difference to your management. If you take 100 patients with back pain, 95% of the time, it is going to be mechanical back pain. Why do an x-ray of the lumbar spine?” Dr. Deodhar asks rhetorically.

It should also be borne in mind that x-rays can be nonspecific, and several conditions may mimic sacroiliitis, such as osteitis condensans ilii in women who have given birth, osteoarthritis of the SI joints, and old infection of the SI joints.
 

MRIs need specialist interpretation

MRIs of the lumbar spine are overused to diagnose back pain, and while they might be sensitive to early inflammatory changes in SI joints, they require an expert eye for interpretation.

“MRI of the SI joints is to be used wisely in patients when there is enough clinical suspicion,” Dr. Deodhar advises. Even when an MRI is negative for sacroiliitis, patients could still have axial spondyloarthritis.

MRIs of the SI joints are needed, but not of the lumbar spine, he stresses. Views of the lumbar spine may show only signs of disk degeneration and perhaps osteoarthritis.

Moreover, Dr. Deodhar says, “MRI is so sensitive that we used to think that bone marrow edema is good enough for telling us there is sacroiliitis.” However, even people without IBP can have bone marrow edema; “exercise can show bone marrow edema,” he says.

So, “If there’s a suspicion of axial spondyloarthritis, the patient should be referred to a rheumatologist,” who will discuss the interpretation with highly specialized musculoskeletal radiologists.
 

Take-home messages

Whether it is nr-axSpA or r-axSpA, “the burden of disease for the patient is the same; treatment is the same,” says Dr. Deodhar. Patients should be referred to a rheumatologist as soon as possible if axial spondyloarthritis is suspected. A single x-ray of the pelvis should be performed to see the SI joints, but MRIs should be left to secondary care, he suggests.

Dr. Smith notes: “Having that index of suspicion of an inflammatory etiology for the back pain is essential.” It ensures that “patients can get early and appropriate treatment for a disease that’s very different from the mechanical back pain that we mostly see in primary care.”

Dr. Deodhar has received research grants or has acted as a consultant to multiple pharmaceutical companies, including AbbVie, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Celgene, Janssen, UCB, Novartis, Pfizer, and Eli Lilly. Dr. Smith reports no relevant financial relationships.

A version of this article first appeared on Medscape.com.

More than 3 decades ago, John E. Sarno, MD, published Healing Back Pain, a popular book that garnered something of a cult following. Looking at his own practice, Dr. Sarno, a rehabilitation medicine specialist in New York, saw that most of his patients with chronic pain did not have evidence of acute injury or degenerative disk disease. Their persistent pain appeared to be independent of any structural damage to the spine. Dr. Sarno attributed the pain to what he called tension myoneural syndrome (TMS), or the body’s reaction to suppressed stress and emotional turmoil. Resolving that psychological conflict, Dr. Sarno believed, would lead to an improvement in pain.
 

Dr. Sarno’s theory has met skepticism from the mainstream community, but glowing testimonies from patients who say they benefited from his strategies fill the Internet. Dr. Sarno wrote several books on his ideas before his death in 2017. But he published only one peer-reviewed study, a 2003 review in the Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation coauthored by Ira Rashbaum, MD.

This news organization spoke recently with Dr. Rashbaum, a physiatrist and chief of tension myoneural syndrome at NYU Langone Health, New York, about TMS and how he manages patients with chronic pain. The interview has been edited for length and clarity.

What is your theory of back pain?

Dr. Rashbaum: My null hypothesis is that back pain is not due to psychological issues, so as to not be a biased doctor, I try to accept the null hypothesis or reject the null hypothesis. In most cases chronic back pain is not due to structural etiology. My sense is it’s a mind-body issue – the avoidance of feeling strong emotions like anger, rage, sadness, fear, shame, and guilt. Patients can embrace psychoeducational programs and if they don’t get better, we work with a psychotherapist or a licensed mental health counselor to help work through the patient’s feelings. That’s my experience over a number of years.

How do you determine if a patient has back pain from a mind-body issue or another cause?

Dr. Rashbaum: I do a very careful medical history, including a physical examination and review of any diagnostic studies they’ve undergone. In most situations, there’s not really a medical cause of the back pain. For instance, a lot of asymptomatic individuals have all sorts of horrible findings on medical imaging like CTs and MRIs, and the reverse is also true – many people with negative findings on imaging tests experience significant pain. My job as a diagnostician is to see how much of this is really a mind-body problem or something that stems from structural pathology.

How well do your patients react to being told that their back pain is, in a way, “in their head?”

Dr. Rashbaum: I have a skewed population. I’m sort of like a guru in mind-body back pain, so the people who come to me are already thinking along those lines. I ask: “What’s going on in your life?” Maybe there are job issues, marital issues, health issues, and I’d say that it’s certainly possible that stress can be causing this back pain.

Sometimes when I see a patient referred from another physician, I’m a bit hesitant to ask about what’s going on in their life. Even earlier today, I’d seen a patient with back pain and I had a sense that they were not really going to be open to a mind-body approach. So I said, do physical therapy.

What do you recommend primary care clinicians do with patients with back pain?

Dr. Rashbaum: You have to do a proper neurologic examination and musculoskeletal examination. It’s a tough situation because doctors in primary care have limited time to take care of patients. It’s difficult to have a deeper dive just to kind of see what’s going on in their life. But you can recommend useful agents like acetaminophen and muscle relaxants, which are sometimes okay.

What sorts of things do you tell patients to say to themselves when they’re experiencing pain? 

Dr. Rashbaum: If the pain is severe, I recommend they take medication – over-the-counter analgesics or a muscle relaxant, if they have them – and take a warm shower or bath. I prefer acetaminophen up to three times per day, if that’s okay with the patient’s primary care physician, over NSAIDs because most pain is noninflammatory in nature. Once the pain is more manageable, patients should journal about what’s going on in their lives and/or meditate, and try to feel any strong emotions, such as anger, sadness, or fear.

What do you say to clinicians who are dismissive of the notion that chronic pain may stem from emotional repression, and that addressing the latter can resolve the former – particularly those who point to a lack of peer-reviewed data for such a link?

Dr. Rashbaum: I would tell them they could be looking harder for that evidence. For example, in a patient page from JAMA from April 24, 2013, on low back pain, often the cause of back pain is unknown. There are data in spine surgical journals that patients with psychological issues do worse with spine surgery. And in 2016 JAMA published a study from Cherkin and colleagues, which found that, among adults with chronic low back pain, treatment with mindfulness-based stress reduction or cognitive behavioral therapy resulted in greater improvement in back pain and functional limitations at 26 weeks, compared with usual care.

My feeling is that these psychosocial interventions are easy to try, relatively inexpensive, noninvasive, and, in my experience, often can lead to marked improvements. I believe that, for the vast majority of people with chronic pain, it makes much more sense to start by addressing mind-body issues than turning to that approach as a last resort.

Dr. Rashbaum reported no relevant financial relationships.

A version of this article first appeared on Medscape.com.

More than 3 decades ago, John E. Sarno, MD, published Healing Back Pain, a popular book that garnered something of a cult following. Looking at his own practice, Dr. Sarno, a rehabilitation medicine specialist in New York, saw that most of his patients with chronic pain did not have evidence of acute injury or degenerative disk disease. Their persistent pain appeared to be independent of any structural damage to the spine. Dr. Sarno attributed the pain to what he called tension myoneural syndrome (TMS), or the body’s reaction to suppressed stress and emotional turmoil. Resolving that psychological conflict, Dr. Sarno believed, would lead to an improvement in pain.
 

Dr. Sarno’s theory has met skepticism from the mainstream community, but glowing testimonies from patients who say they benefited from his strategies fill the Internet. Dr. Sarno wrote several books on his ideas before his death in 2017. But he published only one peer-reviewed study, a 2003 review in the Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation coauthored by Ira Rashbaum, MD.

This news organization spoke recently with Dr. Rashbaum, a physiatrist and chief of tension myoneural syndrome at NYU Langone Health, New York, about TMS and how he manages patients with chronic pain. The interview has been edited for length and clarity.

What is your theory of back pain?

Dr. Rashbaum: My null hypothesis is that back pain is not due to psychological issues, so as to not be a biased doctor, I try to accept the null hypothesis or reject the null hypothesis. In most cases chronic back pain is not due to structural etiology. My sense is it’s a mind-body issue – the avoidance of feeling strong emotions like anger, rage, sadness, fear, shame, and guilt. Patients can embrace psychoeducational programs and if they don’t get better, we work with a psychotherapist or a licensed mental health counselor to help work through the patient’s feelings. That’s my experience over a number of years.

How do you determine if a patient has back pain from a mind-body issue or another cause?

Dr. Rashbaum: I do a very careful medical history, including a physical examination and review of any diagnostic studies they’ve undergone. In most situations, there’s not really a medical cause of the back pain. For instance, a lot of asymptomatic individuals have all sorts of horrible findings on medical imaging like CTs and MRIs, and the reverse is also true – many people with negative findings on imaging tests experience significant pain. My job as a diagnostician is to see how much of this is really a mind-body problem or something that stems from structural pathology.

How well do your patients react to being told that their back pain is, in a way, “in their head?”

Dr. Rashbaum: I have a skewed population. I’m sort of like a guru in mind-body back pain, so the people who come to me are already thinking along those lines. I ask: “What’s going on in your life?” Maybe there are job issues, marital issues, health issues, and I’d say that it’s certainly possible that stress can be causing this back pain.

Sometimes when I see a patient referred from another physician, I’m a bit hesitant to ask about what’s going on in their life. Even earlier today, I’d seen a patient with back pain and I had a sense that they were not really going to be open to a mind-body approach. So I said, do physical therapy.

What do you recommend primary care clinicians do with patients with back pain?

Dr. Rashbaum: You have to do a proper neurologic examination and musculoskeletal examination. It’s a tough situation because doctors in primary care have limited time to take care of patients. It’s difficult to have a deeper dive just to kind of see what’s going on in their life. But you can recommend useful agents like acetaminophen and muscle relaxants, which are sometimes okay.

What sorts of things do you tell patients to say to themselves when they’re experiencing pain? 

Dr. Rashbaum: If the pain is severe, I recommend they take medication – over-the-counter analgesics or a muscle relaxant, if they have them – and take a warm shower or bath. I prefer acetaminophen up to three times per day, if that’s okay with the patient’s primary care physician, over NSAIDs because most pain is noninflammatory in nature. Once the pain is more manageable, patients should journal about what’s going on in their lives and/or meditate, and try to feel any strong emotions, such as anger, sadness, or fear.

What do you say to clinicians who are dismissive of the notion that chronic pain may stem from emotional repression, and that addressing the latter can resolve the former – particularly those who point to a lack of peer-reviewed data for such a link?

Dr. Rashbaum: I would tell them they could be looking harder for that evidence. For example, in a patient page from JAMA from April 24, 2013, on low back pain, often the cause of back pain is unknown. There are data in spine surgical journals that patients with psychological issues do worse with spine surgery. And in 2016 JAMA published a study from Cherkin and colleagues, which found that, among adults with chronic low back pain, treatment with mindfulness-based stress reduction or cognitive behavioral therapy resulted in greater improvement in back pain and functional limitations at 26 weeks, compared with usual care.

My feeling is that these psychosocial interventions are easy to try, relatively inexpensive, noninvasive, and, in my experience, often can lead to marked improvements. I believe that, for the vast majority of people with chronic pain, it makes much more sense to start by addressing mind-body issues than turning to that approach as a last resort.

Dr. Rashbaum reported no relevant financial relationships.

A version of this article first appeared on Medscape.com.

More than 3 decades ago, John E. Sarno, MD, published Healing Back Pain, a popular book that garnered something of a cult following. Looking at his own practice, Dr. Sarno, a rehabilitation medicine specialist in New York, saw that most of his patients with chronic pain did not have evidence of acute injury or degenerative disk disease. Their persistent pain appeared to be independent of any structural damage to the spine. Dr. Sarno attributed the pain to what he called tension myoneural syndrome (TMS), or the body’s reaction to suppressed stress and emotional turmoil. Resolving that psychological conflict, Dr. Sarno believed, would lead to an improvement in pain.
 

Dr. Sarno’s theory has met skepticism from the mainstream community, but glowing testimonies from patients who say they benefited from his strategies fill the Internet. Dr. Sarno wrote several books on his ideas before his death in 2017. But he published only one peer-reviewed study, a 2003 review in the Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation coauthored by Ira Rashbaum, MD.

This news organization spoke recently with Dr. Rashbaum, a physiatrist and chief of tension myoneural syndrome at NYU Langone Health, New York, about TMS and how he manages patients with chronic pain. The interview has been edited for length and clarity.

What is your theory of back pain?

Dr. Rashbaum: My null hypothesis is that back pain is not due to psychological issues, so as to not be a biased doctor, I try to accept the null hypothesis or reject the null hypothesis. In most cases chronic back pain is not due to structural etiology. My sense is it’s a mind-body issue – the avoidance of feeling strong emotions like anger, rage, sadness, fear, shame, and guilt. Patients can embrace psychoeducational programs and if they don’t get better, we work with a psychotherapist or a licensed mental health counselor to help work through the patient’s feelings. That’s my experience over a number of years.

How do you determine if a patient has back pain from a mind-body issue or another cause?

Dr. Rashbaum: I do a very careful medical history, including a physical examination and review of any diagnostic studies they’ve undergone. In most situations, there’s not really a medical cause of the back pain. For instance, a lot of asymptomatic individuals have all sorts of horrible findings on medical imaging like CTs and MRIs, and the reverse is also true – many people with negative findings on imaging tests experience significant pain. My job as a diagnostician is to see how much of this is really a mind-body problem or something that stems from structural pathology.

How well do your patients react to being told that their back pain is, in a way, “in their head?”

Dr. Rashbaum: I have a skewed population. I’m sort of like a guru in mind-body back pain, so the people who come to me are already thinking along those lines. I ask: “What’s going on in your life?” Maybe there are job issues, marital issues, health issues, and I’d say that it’s certainly possible that stress can be causing this back pain.

Sometimes when I see a patient referred from another physician, I’m a bit hesitant to ask about what’s going on in their life. Even earlier today, I’d seen a patient with back pain and I had a sense that they were not really going to be open to a mind-body approach. So I said, do physical therapy.

What do you recommend primary care clinicians do with patients with back pain?

Dr. Rashbaum: You have to do a proper neurologic examination and musculoskeletal examination. It’s a tough situation because doctors in primary care have limited time to take care of patients. It’s difficult to have a deeper dive just to kind of see what’s going on in their life. But you can recommend useful agents like acetaminophen and muscle relaxants, which are sometimes okay.

What sorts of things do you tell patients to say to themselves when they’re experiencing pain? 

Dr. Rashbaum: If the pain is severe, I recommend they take medication – over-the-counter analgesics or a muscle relaxant, if they have them – and take a warm shower or bath. I prefer acetaminophen up to three times per day, if that’s okay with the patient’s primary care physician, over NSAIDs because most pain is noninflammatory in nature. Once the pain is more manageable, patients should journal about what’s going on in their lives and/or meditate, and try to feel any strong emotions, such as anger, sadness, or fear.

What do you say to clinicians who are dismissive of the notion that chronic pain may stem from emotional repression, and that addressing the latter can resolve the former – particularly those who point to a lack of peer-reviewed data for such a link?

Dr. Rashbaum: I would tell them they could be looking harder for that evidence. For example, in a patient page from JAMA from April 24, 2013, on low back pain, often the cause of back pain is unknown. There are data in spine surgical journals that patients with psychological issues do worse with spine surgery. And in 2016 JAMA published a study from Cherkin and colleagues, which found that, among adults with chronic low back pain, treatment with mindfulness-based stress reduction or cognitive behavioral therapy resulted in greater improvement in back pain and functional limitations at 26 weeks, compared with usual care.

My feeling is that these psychosocial interventions are easy to try, relatively inexpensive, noninvasive, and, in my experience, often can lead to marked improvements. I believe that, for the vast majority of people with chronic pain, it makes much more sense to start by addressing mind-body issues than turning to that approach as a last resort.

Dr. Rashbaum reported no relevant financial relationships.

A version of this article first appeared on Medscape.com.

Matt was diagnosed with ADHD combined type when he was 6 years old. Given his age, the family was reluctant to try medications, but after a couple years of parenting classes and reward charts, the parents requested a stimulant. He had significant improvement in focus and impulsivity but also reduced appetite. Now at age 13, irritability and depressive symptoms have been increasing for 9 months. Skeptical of adding another medication, his parents ask whether nutrition might be an alternative tool to treat his symptoms?

While few would argue with the foundational importance of nutrition for healthy childhood development, how to apply nutrition to mental health care becomes a much more nebulous pursuit. What a healthy diet even consists of seems to be a moving target over decades and years. Trendy research, supplements, and dietary approaches proliferate alongside appealing theories of action. In the end, weighing which intervention is effective for which disorder and at what cost becomes murky.

Yet several fundamental principles seem clear and consistent over time and across studies.

Starting early

There is reliable evidence that in the perinatal environment, nutrition sets the stage for many aspects of healthy development. These effects are likely mediated variously through the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis, the trillions of gut bacteria that make up the microbiome, gene-environment interactions, and more. Maternal malnutrition and stress prenatally puts infants at risk for not only poor birth outcomes but also psychiatric challenges throughout childhood, such as ADHD, anxiety, depression, and autism.¹

Intervening in the perinatal period has long-term benefits. A first step includes assessing food security, beginning with consistent access to nutritious food. It is important to inquire about the role of food and nutrition in the family’s history and culture, as well as identifying resources to support access to affordable nutrition. This can be paired with parenting interventions, such as family meals without screens. This may require scaffolding positive conversations in high-conflict family settings (see The Family Dinner Project).
 

Healthy diets promote mental health

If food security is achieved, what is next? Clinicians can inquire about the who, what, where, when, and why of nutrition to learn about a family’s eating habits.² While randomized controlled data is very limited, both cross-sectional and longitudinal studies show that healthy diets in youth correlate with mental health – more healthy foods reducing internalizing and externalizing disorders, and more typical Western diets increasing the risk. On average, dietary interventions include higher levels of fruits and vegetables, fish, and nuts, and lower levels of processed foods.² There is not evidence that restrictive diets or fasting is appropriate or safe for youth. Additionally, involving children in getting, growing, or preparing food with gradually increasing autonomy fosters self-confidence and skill development.

In those struggling with restrictive eating disorders, food is medicine – helping those with restrictive diets to develop more balanced and adequate intake for metabolic needs. Outside of diagnosable eating disorders, weight or body mass index is less of a goal or marker when it comes to mental health. Instead, look for participation in enjoyable activities, opportunities to move and rest, and a body image that supports self-care and self-confidence (see the National Institutes of Health’s We Can! Program). Creating dissonance with cultural ideals of appearance centered on thinness can prevent future eating disorders.³

Nutraceutical options

Outside of eating disorders, specific foods and plants with health or medicinal properties – variously called nutraceuticals, phytoceuticals, or micronutrients – have emerging evidence in mental health. A 2022 expert academic consensus panel reviewed the literature to create clinical guidelines in this area.⁴ For major depression, adding omega-3 fatty acids to standard antidepressant treatment or standalone St. John’s wort have adequate evidence to recommend, while adjunctive probiotics, zinc, saffron, and curcumin have sufficient though less robust evidence. S-adenosyl methionine, vitamin D, and methyfolate showed only weak evidence for depression, while vitamin C, magnesium, creatine, N-acetylcysteine, folate, and monotherapy omega-3s do not have sufficient evidence to be recommended. For ADHD there was weak support for vitamin D, but no clear evidence for omega-3s, zinc, gingko, or acetyl L-carnitine. For anxiety, there is moderate evidence for ashwagandha and lavender in adults. A child psychiatry review suggests also trying chamomile for generalized anxiety based on the evidence in young adults, and underscores some data for N-acetylcysteine for OCD in particular.⁵

Many of these nutraceuticals exhibit small or moderate effects in a limited number of trials, with generally much less data for youth, compared with adults. While the same could be said for many on- and off-label uses of psychiatric medications for kids, clinicians would be wise to consider these highly specific nutritional interventions as items on the menu of treatment options rather than stand-alone treatments.
 

Revisitng the case study

Reflecting on Matt’s care, his pediatrician first assessed his dietary patterns, noting late-night eating and caffeine use with minimal hydration or fiber across the day. Recommendations for keeping fruit and vegetable snacks easily accessible as well as carrying a water flask are well received. They also discuss adding omega-3 fatty acids and probiotics with his morning stimulant while he awaits a referral for cognitive-behavioral therapy in order to address his depressive symptoms and minimize medication needs.

Beyond addressing food security and balanced family meals, specific interventions may be appropriate as initial treatment adjuncts for mild and some moderate mental illness. For more intense moderate to severe illness, nutritional psychiatry may be considered in combination with treatments with stronger evidence. At a community level, clinicians can help advocate for universal school meal programs to address food security, and so-called salad bar interventions to increase fruit/vegetable uptake among school-age children.

Dr. Rosenfeld is associate professor of psychiatry and pediatrics at University of Vermont and the Vermont Center for Children, Youth, and Families, both in Burlington. He has no disclosures.

References

1 Vohr BR et al. Pediatrics. 2017;139:S38-49.

2. Hosker DK et al. Child Adol Psychiatr Clin N Am. 2019;28(2):171-93.

3. Stice E et al. Int J Eat Disord. 2013;46(5):478-85.

4. Sarris J et al. World J Biol Psychiatry. 2022;23(6):424-55.

5. Simkin DR et al. Child Adolesc Psychiatric Clin N Am. 2023;32:193-216.

Matt was diagnosed with ADHD combined type when he was 6 years old. Given his age, the family was reluctant to try medications, but after a couple years of parenting classes and reward charts, the parents requested a stimulant. He had significant improvement in focus and impulsivity but also reduced appetite. Now at age 13, irritability and depressive symptoms have been increasing for 9 months. Skeptical of adding another medication, his parents ask whether nutrition might be an alternative tool to treat his symptoms?

While few would argue with the foundational importance of nutrition for healthy childhood development, how to apply nutrition to mental health care becomes a much more nebulous pursuit. What a healthy diet even consists of seems to be a moving target over decades and years. Trendy research, supplements, and dietary approaches proliferate alongside appealing theories of action. In the end, weighing which intervention is effective for which disorder and at what cost becomes murky.

Yet several fundamental principles seem clear and consistent over time and across studies.

Starting early

There is reliable evidence that in the perinatal environment, nutrition sets the stage for many aspects of healthy development. These effects are likely mediated variously through the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis, the trillions of gut bacteria that make up the microbiome, gene-environment interactions, and more. Maternal malnutrition and stress prenatally puts infants at risk for not only poor birth outcomes but also psychiatric challenges throughout childhood, such as ADHD, anxiety, depression, and autism.¹

Intervening in the perinatal period has long-term benefits. A first step includes assessing food security, beginning with consistent access to nutritious food. It is important to inquire about the role of food and nutrition in the family’s history and culture, as well as identifying resources to support access to affordable nutrition. This can be paired with parenting interventions, such as family meals without screens. This may require scaffolding positive conversations in high-conflict family settings (see The Family Dinner Project).
 

Healthy diets promote mental health

If food security is achieved, what is next? Clinicians can inquire about the who, what, where, when, and why of nutrition to learn about a family’s eating habits.² While randomized controlled data is very limited, both cross-sectional and longitudinal studies show that healthy diets in youth correlate with mental health – more healthy foods reducing internalizing and externalizing disorders, and more typical Western diets increasing the risk. On average, dietary interventions include higher levels of fruits and vegetables, fish, and nuts, and lower levels of processed foods.² There is not evidence that restrictive diets or fasting is appropriate or safe for youth. Additionally, involving children in getting, growing, or preparing food with gradually increasing autonomy fosters self-confidence and skill development.

In those struggling with restrictive eating disorders, food is medicine – helping those with restrictive diets to develop more balanced and adequate intake for metabolic needs. Outside of diagnosable eating disorders, weight or body mass index is less of a goal or marker when it comes to mental health. Instead, look for participation in enjoyable activities, opportunities to move and rest, and a body image that supports self-care and self-confidence (see the National Institutes of Health’s We Can! Program). Creating dissonance with cultural ideals of appearance centered on thinness can prevent future eating disorders.³

Nutraceutical options

Outside of eating disorders, specific foods and plants with health or medicinal properties – variously called nutraceuticals, phytoceuticals, or micronutrients – have emerging evidence in mental health. A 2022 expert academic consensus panel reviewed the literature to create clinical guidelines in this area.⁴ For major depression, adding omega-3 fatty acids to standard antidepressant treatment or standalone St. John’s wort have adequate evidence to recommend, while adjunctive probiotics, zinc, saffron, and curcumin have sufficient though less robust evidence. S-adenosyl methionine, vitamin D, and methyfolate showed only weak evidence for depression, while vitamin C, magnesium, creatine, N-acetylcysteine, folate, and monotherapy omega-3s do not have sufficient evidence to be recommended. For ADHD there was weak support for vitamin D, but no clear evidence for omega-3s, zinc, gingko, or acetyl L-carnitine. For anxiety, there is moderate evidence for ashwagandha and lavender in adults. A child psychiatry review suggests also trying chamomile for generalized anxiety based on the evidence in young adults, and underscores some data for N-acetylcysteine for OCD in particular.⁵

Many of these nutraceuticals exhibit small or moderate effects in a limited number of trials, with generally much less data for youth, compared with adults. While the same could be said for many on- and off-label uses of psychiatric medications for kids, clinicians would be wise to consider these highly specific nutritional interventions as items on the menu of treatment options rather than stand-alone treatments.
 

Revisitng the case study

Reflecting on Matt’s care, his pediatrician first assessed his dietary patterns, noting late-night eating and caffeine use with minimal hydration or fiber across the day. Recommendations for keeping fruit and vegetable snacks easily accessible as well as carrying a water flask are well received. They also discuss adding omega-3 fatty acids and probiotics with his morning stimulant while he awaits a referral for cognitive-behavioral therapy in order to address his depressive symptoms and minimize medication needs.

Beyond addressing food security and balanced family meals, specific interventions may be appropriate as initial treatment adjuncts for mild and some moderate mental illness. For more intense moderate to severe illness, nutritional psychiatry may be considered in combination with treatments with stronger evidence. At a community level, clinicians can help advocate for universal school meal programs to address food security, and so-called salad bar interventions to increase fruit/vegetable uptake among school-age children.

Dr. Rosenfeld is associate professor of psychiatry and pediatrics at University of Vermont and the Vermont Center for Children, Youth, and Families, both in Burlington. He has no disclosures.

References

1 Vohr BR et al. Pediatrics. 2017;139:S38-49.

2. Hosker DK et al. Child Adol Psychiatr Clin N Am. 2019;28(2):171-93.

3. Stice E et al. Int J Eat Disord. 2013;46(5):478-85.

4. Sarris J et al. World J Biol Psychiatry. 2022;23(6):424-55.

5. Simkin DR et al. Child Adolesc Psychiatric Clin N Am. 2023;32:193-216.

Matt was diagnosed with ADHD combined type when he was 6 years old. Given his age, the family was reluctant to try medications, but after a couple years of parenting classes and reward charts, the parents requested a stimulant. He had significant improvement in focus and impulsivity but also reduced appetite. Now at age 13, irritability and depressive symptoms have been increasing for 9 months. Skeptical of adding another medication, his parents ask whether nutrition might be an alternative tool to treat his symptoms?

While few would argue with the foundational importance of nutrition for healthy childhood development, how to apply nutrition to mental health care becomes a much more nebulous pursuit. What a healthy diet even consists of seems to be a moving target over decades and years. Trendy research, supplements, and dietary approaches proliferate alongside appealing theories of action. In the end, weighing which intervention is effective for which disorder and at what cost becomes murky.

Yet several fundamental principles seem clear and consistent over time and across studies.

Starting early

There is reliable evidence that in the perinatal environment, nutrition sets the stage for many aspects of healthy development. These effects are likely mediated variously through the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis, the trillions of gut bacteria that make up the microbiome, gene-environment interactions, and more. Maternal malnutrition and stress prenatally puts infants at risk for not only poor birth outcomes but also psychiatric challenges throughout childhood, such as ADHD, anxiety, depression, and autism.¹

Intervening in the perinatal period has long-term benefits. A first step includes assessing food security, beginning with consistent access to nutritious food. It is important to inquire about the role of food and nutrition in the family’s history and culture, as well as identifying resources to support access to affordable nutrition. This can be paired with parenting interventions, such as family meals without screens. This may require scaffolding positive conversations in high-conflict family settings (see The Family Dinner Project).
 

Healthy diets promote mental health

If food security is achieved, what is next? Clinicians can inquire about the who, what, where, when, and why of nutrition to learn about a family’s eating habits.² While randomized controlled data is very limited, both cross-sectional and longitudinal studies show that healthy diets in youth correlate with mental health – more healthy foods reducing internalizing and externalizing disorders, and more typical Western diets increasing the risk. On average, dietary interventions include higher levels of fruits and vegetables, fish, and nuts, and lower levels of processed foods.² There is not evidence that restrictive diets or fasting is appropriate or safe for youth. Additionally, involving children in getting, growing, or preparing food with gradually increasing autonomy fosters self-confidence and skill development.

In those struggling with restrictive eating disorders, food is medicine – helping those with restrictive diets to develop more balanced and adequate intake for metabolic needs. Outside of diagnosable eating disorders, weight or body mass index is less of a goal or marker when it comes to mental health. Instead, look for participation in enjoyable activities, opportunities to move and rest, and a body image that supports self-care and self-confidence (see the National Institutes of Health’s We Can! Program). Creating dissonance with cultural ideals of appearance centered on thinness can prevent future eating disorders.³

Nutraceutical options

Outside of eating disorders, specific foods and plants with health or medicinal properties – variously called nutraceuticals, phytoceuticals, or micronutrients – have emerging evidence in mental health. A 2022 expert academic consensus panel reviewed the literature to create clinical guidelines in this area.⁴ For major depression, adding omega-3 fatty acids to standard antidepressant treatment or standalone St. John’s wort have adequate evidence to recommend, while adjunctive probiotics, zinc, saffron, and curcumin have sufficient though less robust evidence. S-adenosyl methionine, vitamin D, and methyfolate showed only weak evidence for depression, while vitamin C, magnesium, creatine, N-acetylcysteine, folate, and monotherapy omega-3s do not have sufficient evidence to be recommended. For ADHD there was weak support for vitamin D, but no clear evidence for omega-3s, zinc, gingko, or acetyl L-carnitine. For anxiety, there is moderate evidence for ashwagandha and lavender in adults. A child psychiatry review suggests also trying chamomile for generalized anxiety based on the evidence in young adults, and underscores some data for N-acetylcysteine for OCD in particular.⁵

Many of these nutraceuticals exhibit small or moderate effects in a limited number of trials, with generally much less data for youth, compared with adults. While the same could be said for many on- and off-label uses of psychiatric medications for kids, clinicians would be wise to consider these highly specific nutritional interventions as items on the menu of treatment options rather than stand-alone treatments.
 

Revisitng the case study

Reflecting on Matt’s care, his pediatrician first assessed his dietary patterns, noting late-night eating and caffeine use with minimal hydration or fiber across the day. Recommendations for keeping fruit and vegetable snacks easily accessible as well as carrying a water flask are well received. They also discuss adding omega-3 fatty acids and probiotics with his morning stimulant while he awaits a referral for cognitive-behavioral therapy in order to address his depressive symptoms and minimize medication needs.

Beyond addressing food security and balanced family meals, specific interventions may be appropriate as initial treatment adjuncts for mild and some moderate mental illness. For more intense moderate to severe illness, nutritional psychiatry may be considered in combination with treatments with stronger evidence. At a community level, clinicians can help advocate for universal school meal programs to address food security, and so-called salad bar interventions to increase fruit/vegetable uptake among school-age children.

Dr. Rosenfeld is associate professor of psychiatry and pediatrics at University of Vermont and the Vermont Center for Children, Youth, and Families, both in Burlington. He has no disclosures.

References

1 Vohr BR et al. Pediatrics. 2017;139:S38-49.

2. Hosker DK et al. Child Adol Psychiatr Clin N Am. 2019;28(2):171-93.

3. Stice E et al. Int J Eat Disord. 2013;46(5):478-85.

4. Sarris J et al. World J Biol Psychiatry. 2022;23(6):424-55.

5. Simkin DR et al. Child Adolesc Psychiatric Clin N Am. 2023;32:193-216.

Several signs are pointing to an impending surge in the number of human cases of West Nile virus in several regions of the United States.

West Nile virus is spread by infected mosquitoes and currently there is no cure or virus-specific treatment. In rare cases, it can be deadly. It can infect humans, birds, horses, and other mammals.

West Nile Virus is the leading cause of mosquito-borne disease in the continental United States. As of Aug. 8, 126 human cases had been identified across 22 states, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

“Particularly here in California, it’s peak risk right now,” said Vicki Kramer, PhD, chief of vector-borne diseases in the California Department of Public Health. She said scientists there are seeing higher mosquito and infected mosquito numbers.
 

“Peak risk right now”

Dead birds are tested for the virus and by Aug. 4, 181 of the 913 birds tested in California have been positive, three times the total testing positive by this time in 2022.

“Last year at this time, we had 60 positive dead birds out of 817 tested,” Dr. Kramer said.

Severe flooding and high heat can contribute to the rise in mosquito populations and many parts of the country have seen plenty of both.

One of the ways scientists track infected mosquito patterns in California is by using flocks of strategically placed sentinel chickens.

“Chickens are a mosquito magnet,” Dr. Kramer said.

Chickens don’t get sick with the virus, but they do build antibodies to it. Surveillance teams check their blood every other week to track the virus.

Daniel Pastula, MD, MHS, chief of neuroinfectious diseases and global neurology at the University of Colorado School of Medicine and the Colorado School of Public Health, said the state is watching troubling signs as well.

“The concern this year,” Dr. Pastula said, “particularly along the Front Range in Colorado, is we’ve found many more mosquitoes [that are] positive for West Nile earlier in the season compared with other years.

“We’re bracing for higher-than-baseline human cases,” he said.

Asked about this year’s first human case, reported in Toronto, a region with a long winter and low incidence of the virus, he said that provides a further example that people need to be prepared even in climates not known to be mosquito-dense.

He added, however, that climate is only one factor in the severity of the season. Others include birds’ immunity and migratory patterns.

Dr. Pastula said that fluctuations in temperature and rainfall are rising with climate change and are disrupting normal baseline levels of West Nile.

“That shows we need to be prepared for West Nile virus and other mosquito-borne diseases in any place in North America or really the world. We recently saw malaria cases in the southern United States. It just shows you how dangerous mosquitoes can be.”
 

Avoid mosquito bites

Dr. Pastula and Dr. Kramer list the precautions people can take to protect themselves from West Nile virus:

• Limit outdoor exposure particularly at dusk and dawn.
• Wear protective clothing.
• Use .
• Repair window screens so mosquitoes cannot fly through.
• Dump and drain standing water on your property and maintain swimming pools.

Dr. Pastula noted that summer is the time human cases start to mount – typically from July and August to the first hard freeze.

“We have been warning people here up and down the Front Range of Colorado to take prevention very seriously,” Dr. Pastula said.

He pointed out that 80% who are infected with West Nile will have no symptoms.

About 20% will have flu-like illness – high fever, body and joint aches, rash, diarrhea, or headaches. Symptoms may last for weeks. About 1% of the time, he said, people can get neuroinvasive West Nile.

Dr. Pastula explained that the virus can infect the covering of the brain and spinal cord causing meningitis with very high fever, severe headaches, stiff neck, and sensitivity to light.

So far this year, there have been 89 neuroinvasive cases reported nationally, according to the CDC.

With West Nile encephalitis, the virus “can infect the brain itself causing altered mental status, movement disorders, or weakness,” Dr. Pastula said.

Sometimes it can infect the gray matter of the spinal cord causing a West Nile virus poliomyelitis, which brings polio-like symptoms.

“The West Nile encephalitis and poliomyelitis can cause permanent deficits or even death,” he said. “It’s uncommon but it’s not trivial.”

Several vaccine candidates are in development, Dr. Pastula said, but none has reached clinical trials. Part of the reason for that, he said, is that scientists must be able to predict the timing of an outbreak.

“We’re not really great at predicting outbreaks,” he said.

Although the risk for neuroinvasive disease is small, it can be higher in certain groups, he said – those who are over age 60 years or are immunocompromised; those who have diabetes, cancer, or kidney disease; or those who have undergone organ transplants.

Those infected should see a health care professional and may be able to get relief with the usual medications for flu-like illness.

Some with severe infection may need to go to the hospital, Dr. Pastula said.
 

A version of this article first appeared on Medscape.com.

Several signs are pointing to an impending surge in the number of human cases of West Nile virus in several regions of the United States.

West Nile virus is spread by infected mosquitoes and currently there is no cure or virus-specific treatment. In rare cases, it can be deadly. It can infect humans, birds, horses, and other mammals.

West Nile Virus is the leading cause of mosquito-borne disease in the continental United States. As of Aug. 8, 126 human cases had been identified across 22 states, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

“Particularly here in California, it’s peak risk right now,” said Vicki Kramer, PhD, chief of vector-borne diseases in the California Department of Public Health. She said scientists there are seeing higher mosquito and infected mosquito numbers.
 

“Peak risk right now”

Dead birds are tested for the virus and by Aug. 4, 181 of the 913 birds tested in California have been positive, three times the total testing positive by this time in 2022.

“Last year at this time, we had 60 positive dead birds out of 817 tested,” Dr. Kramer said.

Severe flooding and high heat can contribute to the rise in mosquito populations and many parts of the country have seen plenty of both.

One of the ways scientists track infected mosquito patterns in California is by using flocks of strategically placed sentinel chickens.

“Chickens are a mosquito magnet,” Dr. Kramer said.

Chickens don’t get sick with the virus, but they do build antibodies to it. Surveillance teams check their blood every other week to track the virus.

Daniel Pastula, MD, MHS, chief of neuroinfectious diseases and global neurology at the University of Colorado School of Medicine and the Colorado School of Public Health, said the state is watching troubling signs as well.

“The concern this year,” Dr. Pastula said, “particularly along the Front Range in Colorado, is we’ve found many more mosquitoes [that are] positive for West Nile earlier in the season compared with other years.

“We’re bracing for higher-than-baseline human cases,” he said.

Asked about this year’s first human case, reported in Toronto, a region with a long winter and low incidence of the virus, he said that provides a further example that people need to be prepared even in climates not known to be mosquito-dense.

He added, however, that climate is only one factor in the severity of the season. Others include birds’ immunity and migratory patterns.

Dr. Pastula said that fluctuations in temperature and rainfall are rising with climate change and are disrupting normal baseline levels of West Nile.

“That shows we need to be prepared for West Nile virus and other mosquito-borne diseases in any place in North America or really the world. We recently saw malaria cases in the southern United States. It just shows you how dangerous mosquitoes can be.”
 

Avoid mosquito bites

Dr. Pastula and Dr. Kramer list the precautions people can take to protect themselves from West Nile virus:

• Limit outdoor exposure particularly at dusk and dawn.
• Wear protective clothing.
• Use .
• Repair window screens so mosquitoes cannot fly through.
• Dump and drain standing water on your property and maintain swimming pools.

Dr. Pastula noted that summer is the time human cases start to mount – typically from July and August to the first hard freeze.

“We have been warning people here up and down the Front Range of Colorado to take prevention very seriously,” Dr. Pastula said.

He pointed out that 80% who are infected with West Nile will have no symptoms.

About 20% will have flu-like illness – high fever, body and joint aches, rash, diarrhea, or headaches. Symptoms may last for weeks. About 1% of the time, he said, people can get neuroinvasive West Nile.

Dr. Pastula explained that the virus can infect the covering of the brain and spinal cord causing meningitis with very high fever, severe headaches, stiff neck, and sensitivity to light.

So far this year, there have been 89 neuroinvasive cases reported nationally, according to the CDC.

With West Nile encephalitis, the virus “can infect the brain itself causing altered mental status, movement disorders, or weakness,” Dr. Pastula said.

Sometimes it can infect the gray matter of the spinal cord causing a West Nile virus poliomyelitis, which brings polio-like symptoms.

“The West Nile encephalitis and poliomyelitis can cause permanent deficits or even death,” he said. “It’s uncommon but it’s not trivial.”

Several vaccine candidates are in development, Dr. Pastula said, but none has reached clinical trials. Part of the reason for that, he said, is that scientists must be able to predict the timing of an outbreak.

“We’re not really great at predicting outbreaks,” he said.

Although the risk for neuroinvasive disease is small, it can be higher in certain groups, he said – those who are over age 60 years or are immunocompromised; those who have diabetes, cancer, or kidney disease; or those who have undergone organ transplants.

Those infected should see a health care professional and may be able to get relief with the usual medications for flu-like illness.

Some with severe infection may need to go to the hospital, Dr. Pastula said.
 

A version of this article first appeared on Medscape.com.

Several signs are pointing to an impending surge in the number of human cases of West Nile virus in several regions of the United States.

West Nile virus is spread by infected mosquitoes and currently there is no cure or virus-specific treatment. In rare cases, it can be deadly. It can infect humans, birds, horses, and other mammals.

West Nile Virus is the leading cause of mosquito-borne disease in the continental United States. As of Aug. 8, 126 human cases had been identified across 22 states, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

“Particularly here in California, it’s peak risk right now,” said Vicki Kramer, PhD, chief of vector-borne diseases in the California Department of Public Health. She said scientists there are seeing higher mosquito and infected mosquito numbers.
 

“Peak risk right now”

Dead birds are tested for the virus and by Aug. 4, 181 of the 913 birds tested in California have been positive, three times the total testing positive by this time in 2022.

“Last year at this time, we had 60 positive dead birds out of 817 tested,” Dr. Kramer said.

Severe flooding and high heat can contribute to the rise in mosquito populations and many parts of the country have seen plenty of both.

One of the ways scientists track infected mosquito patterns in California is by using flocks of strategically placed sentinel chickens.

“Chickens are a mosquito magnet,” Dr. Kramer said.

Chickens don’t get sick with the virus, but they do build antibodies to it. Surveillance teams check their blood every other week to track the virus.

Daniel Pastula, MD, MHS, chief of neuroinfectious diseases and global neurology at the University of Colorado School of Medicine and the Colorado School of Public Health, said the state is watching troubling signs as well.

“The concern this year,” Dr. Pastula said, “particularly along the Front Range in Colorado, is we’ve found many more mosquitoes [that are] positive for West Nile earlier in the season compared with other years.

“We’re bracing for higher-than-baseline human cases,” he said.

Asked about this year’s first human case, reported in Toronto, a region with a long winter and low incidence of the virus, he said that provides a further example that people need to be prepared even in climates not known to be mosquito-dense.

He added, however, that climate is only one factor in the severity of the season. Others include birds’ immunity and migratory patterns.

Dr. Pastula said that fluctuations in temperature and rainfall are rising with climate change and are disrupting normal baseline levels of West Nile.

“That shows we need to be prepared for West Nile virus and other mosquito-borne diseases in any place in North America or really the world. We recently saw malaria cases in the southern United States. It just shows you how dangerous mosquitoes can be.”
 

Avoid mosquito bites

Dr. Pastula and Dr. Kramer list the precautions people can take to protect themselves from West Nile virus:

• Limit outdoor exposure particularly at dusk and dawn.
• Wear protective clothing.
• Use .
• Repair window screens so mosquitoes cannot fly through.
• Dump and drain standing water on your property and maintain swimming pools.

Dr. Pastula noted that summer is the time human cases start to mount – typically from July and August to the first hard freeze.

“We have been warning people here up and down the Front Range of Colorado to take prevention very seriously,” Dr. Pastula said.

He pointed out that 80% who are infected with West Nile will have no symptoms.

About 20% will have flu-like illness – high fever, body and joint aches, rash, diarrhea, or headaches. Symptoms may last for weeks. About 1% of the time, he said, people can get neuroinvasive West Nile.

Dr. Pastula explained that the virus can infect the covering of the brain and spinal cord causing meningitis with very high fever, severe headaches, stiff neck, and sensitivity to light.

So far this year, there have been 89 neuroinvasive cases reported nationally, according to the CDC.

With West Nile encephalitis, the virus “can infect the brain itself causing altered mental status, movement disorders, or weakness,” Dr. Pastula said.

Sometimes it can infect the gray matter of the spinal cord causing a West Nile virus poliomyelitis, which brings polio-like symptoms.

“The West Nile encephalitis and poliomyelitis can cause permanent deficits or even death,” he said. “It’s uncommon but it’s not trivial.”

Several vaccine candidates are in development, Dr. Pastula said, but none has reached clinical trials. Part of the reason for that, he said, is that scientists must be able to predict the timing of an outbreak.

“We’re not really great at predicting outbreaks,” he said.

Although the risk for neuroinvasive disease is small, it can be higher in certain groups, he said – those who are over age 60 years or are immunocompromised; those who have diabetes, cancer, or kidney disease; or those who have undergone organ transplants.

Those infected should see a health care professional and may be able to get relief with the usual medications for flu-like illness.

Some with severe infection may need to go to the hospital, Dr. Pastula said.
 

A version of this article first appeared on Medscape.com.