scholarly journals High Frequency of Low-Virulent Microorganisms Detected by Sonication of Implanted Pulse Generators: So What?

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-6
Author(s):  
Philipp Spindler ◽  
Katharina Faust ◽  
Tobias Finger ◽  
Gerd-Helge Schneider ◽  
Simon Bayerl ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Bacterial Colonization ◽  
Clinical Signs ◽  
Microbial Colonization ◽  
Associated Bacteria ◽  
Pulse Generators ◽  
Replacement Surgery ◽  
Asymptomatic Patients ◽  
Cutibacterium Acnes ◽  
The Impact

<b><i>Introduction:</i></b> Deep brain stimulation (DBS) has become a well-established treatment modality for a variety of conditions over the last decades. Multiple surgeries are an essential part in the postoperative course of DBS patients if nonrechargeable implanted pulse generators (IPGs) are applied. So far, the rate of subclinical infections in this field is unknown. In this prospective cohort study, we used sonication to evaluate possible microbial colonization of IPGs from replacement surgery. <b><i>Methods:</i></b> All consecutive patients undergoing IPG replacement between May 1, 2019 and November 15, 2020 were evaluated. The removed hardware was investigated using sonication to detect biofilm-associated bacteria. Demographic and clinical data were analyzed. <b><i>Results:</i></b> A total of 71 patients with a mean (±SD) of 64.5 ± 15.3 years were evaluated. In 23 of these (i.e., 32.4%) patients, a positive sonication culture was found. In total, 25 microorganisms were detected. The most common isolated microorganisms were <i>Cutibacterium acnes</i> (formerly known as <i>Propionibacterium acnes</i>) (68%) and coagulase-negative <i>Staphylococci</i> (28%). Within the follow-up period (5.2 ± 4.3 months), none of the patients developed a clinical manifest infection. <b><i>Discussions/Conclusions:</i></b> Bacterial colonization of IPGs without clinical signs of infection is common but does not lead to manifest infection. Further larger studies are warranted to clarify the impact of low-virulent pathogens in clinically asymptomatic patients.

scholarly journals SARS-CoV-2/DENV co-infection: a series of cases from the Federal District, Midwestern Brazil

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Heidi Luise Schulte ◽  
José Diego Brito-Sousa ◽  
Marcus Vinicius Guimarães Lacerda ◽  
Luciana Ansaneli Naves ◽  
Eliana Teles de Gois ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Clinical Signs ◽  
Federal District ◽  
Therapeutic Interventions ◽  
Diagnostic Process ◽  
The Novel ◽  
Prevention Measures ◽  
Laboratory Findings ◽  
Novel Coronavirus ◽  
The Impact

Abstract Background Since the novel coronavirus disease outbreak, over 179.7 million people have been infected by SARS-CoV-2 worldwide, including the population living in dengue-endemic regions, particularly Latin America and Southeast Asia, raising concern about the impact of possible co-infections. Methods Thirteen SARS-CoV-2/DENV co-infection cases reported in Midwestern Brazil between April and September of 2020 are described. Information was gathered from hospital medical records regarding the most relevant clinical and laboratory findings, diagnostic process, therapeutic interventions, together with clinician-assessed outcomes and follow-up. Results Of the 13 cases, seven patients presented Acute Undifferentiated Febrile Syndrome and six had pre-existing co-morbidities, such as diabetes, hypertension and hypopituitarism. Two patients were pregnant. The most common symptoms and clinical signs reported at first evaluation were myalgia, fever and dyspnea. In six cases, the initial diagnosis was dengue fever, which delayed the diagnosis of concomitant infections. The most frequently applied therapeutic interventions were antibiotics and analgesics. In total, four patients were hospitalized. None of them were transferred to the intensive care unit or died. Clinical improvement was verified in all patients after a maximum of 21 days. Conclusions The cases reported here highlight the challenges in differential diagnosis and the importance of considering concomitant infections, especially to improve clinical management and possible prevention measures. Failure to consider a SARS-CoV-2/DENV co-infection may impact both individual and community levels, especially in endemic areas.

CEA, CA15.3 and 18-FDG PET in the follow-up of early breast cancer (BC) patients (pts): A prospective, multicentric, randomized trial—KRONOS patient-oriented new surveillance study Italy.

2017 ◽  
Vol 35 (15_suppl) ◽  
pp. TPS11627-TPS11627 ◽  
Author(s):  
Claudio Zamagni ◽  
Massimo Gion ◽  
Luigi Mariani ◽  
Petra Stieber ◽  
Daniela Rubino ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Breast Cancer ◽  
Randomized Trial ◽  
Fdg Pet ◽  
Distant Metastases ◽  
Primary Treatment ◽  
Asymptomatic Patients ◽  
Clinical Scenarios ◽  
New Findings ◽  
The Impact

TPS11627 Background: Current recommendations for breast cancer (BC) surveillance in asymptomatic patients (pts) include only mammography and physical examination and arise from two trials conducted in the 80’s. Since then new findings about BC biology, treatment and the introduction of cutting-edge diagnostic technologies such as 18-FDG PET have deeply modified our clinical scenarios. The aim of this prospective randomized trial is to verify if the serial measurement of CEA and CA15-3 followed by 18-FDG PET can anticipate the diagnosis of BC recurrence compared to control arm by estimation of the difference of restricted mean survival time (RMST) between the two arms. If the end-point will be met a subsequent extension trial will investigate the impact of the earlier diagnosis of distant metastases on survival. Methods: Pts diagnosed with stage I-III BC, who underwent adequate surgery are eligible. Special histologies and low-risk cases according to St. Gallen criteria are excluded. The study includes pts at the beginning of the follow-up after the conclusion of primary treatment (cohort 1), and pts that have concluded without relapse the first 5 years of follow-up (cohort 2). Eligible pts will be randomized in a 1:1 ratio to follow-up according to local practice (control arm) or to three-monthly serial dosing of CEA and CA15-3 and subsequent 18 FDG-PET only in case of an increase of CEA and/or CA 15.3 greater than a critical difference compared to baseline (experimental arm). The following stratification factors will be used: node negative vs positive, HER2 negative vs positive, ER positive vs negative. Eight-hundred pts will be enrolled over 3 years. For such a calculation, we made the assumption of a 20% baseline 5-year incidence of relapse. The target reduction of three months in RMST implies a median time of diagnostic anticipation, conditional on having BC recurrence, of 10 months. The follow-up will continue until 10 years from surgery. Since 23rd October 2014 573 pts have been enrolled. The present trial was approved by the Ethical Committee of each participating centre and is registered on Clinical trial information: NCT02261389.

scholarly journals Limited Utility of Routine Surveillance MRI Following Chemoradiation for Advanced-Stage Oropharynx Carcinoma

2010 ◽  
Vol 2010 ◽  
pp. 1-5 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gerald T. Kangelaris ◽  
Sue S. Yom ◽  
Kim Huang ◽  
Steven J. Wang
Keyword(s):  
Recurrent Disease ◽  
Clinical Signs ◽  
Surveillance Program ◽  
Advanced Stage ◽  
Asymptomatic Patients ◽  
Routine Surveillance ◽  
Oropharynx Carcinoma ◽  
Mri Scans ◽  
Mri Surveillance

Objectives. To determine the utility of routine surveillance MRI in detecting locoregional recurrence following definitive chemoradiation in advanced-stage oropharynx carcinoma.Methods. We identified patients with Stage III-IV oropharynx carcinoma who were treated with chemoradiation between April 2000 and September 2004 and underwent longitudinal followup care at our institution. Patient charts were retrospectively reviewed for findings on MRI surveillance imaging, clinical signs and symptoms, and recurrence.Results. Forty patients received a total of 229 surveillance MRI scans with a minimum follow-up of three years (mean of 5.6 scans per patient). Six patients experienced false-positive surveillance studies that resulted in intervention. Four patients experienced recurrent disease, two of whom had new symptoms or exam findings that preceded radiographic identification of disease. Surveillance MRI scans identified recurrent disease in two asymptomatic patients who were salvaged, one of whom remains free of disease at follow-up. The overall sensitivity and specificity of the MRI surveillance program were 50 and 83 percent, respectively. The mean charge to each patient for the surveillance program was approximately $10,000 annually.Conclusion. In oropharyngeal cancer patients who have been treated with chemoradiation, an imaging surveillance program utilizing MRI produces limited opportunity for successful salvage.

scholarly journals Zdravljenje glavkoma in suho oko

2016 ◽  
Vol 85 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Barbara Cvenkel
Keyword(s):  
Ocular Surface ◽  
Clinical Signs ◽  
Tear Film ◽  
Signs And Symptoms ◽  
Surface Damage ◽  
Eye Drops ◽  
Film Instability ◽  
Asymptomatic Patients

Patients with glaucoma have increased prevalence of dry eye (DE) compared to age-matched population without glaucoma. Clinical presentation of DE varies among individuals and may significantly reduce quality of life. The onset and deterioration of DE is caused by the toxic-inflammatory effects of preservatives in eye drops, active substance itself, and added, pharmacologically inactive substances or excipients. Ocular surface changes most frequently include superficial punctate keratitis, tear film instability, and allergic reactions. Despite the lack of symptoms, clinical signs may indicate ocular surface damage. Discordance between signs and symptoms is partly caused by decreased corneal sensitivity induced by neurotoxicity of the preservative benzalkonium chloride (BAK). Therefore, it is important to evaluate ocular surface before initiating glaucoma therapy and during follow-up also in asymptomatic patients. Preservative-free and/or BAK-free therapy is indicated in patients with severe DE and allergy to preservatives, and recommended in patients with DE of moderate severity, blepharitis, in symptomatic patients, before filtering surgery to reduce preoperative inflammation, in those with moderate fluorescein staining of grade 2 on Oxford scheme, and reduced tear film break-up time.

scholarly journals High frequency of low-virulent microorganisms detected by sonication of pedicle screws: a potential cause for implant failure

2019 ◽  
Vol 31 (3) ◽  
pp. 424-429 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vincent Prinz ◽  
Simon Bayerl ◽  
Nora Renz ◽  
Andrej Trampuz ◽  
Marcus Czabanka ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Clinical Signs ◽  
Treatment Strategies ◽  
Pedicle Screws ◽  
Microbial Colonization ◽  
Screw Loosening ◽  
Implant Loosening ◽  
Coagulase Negative Staphylococci ◽  
Cutibacterium Acnes ◽  
Surgical Duration ◽  
Pedicle Screw Loosening

OBJECTIVELoosening of pedicle screws is a frequent complication after spinal surgery. Implant colonization with low-virulent microorganisms forming biofilms may cause implant loosening. However, the clinical evidence of this mechanism is lacking. Here, the authors evaluated the potential role of microbial colonization using sonication in patients with clinical pedicle screw loosening but without signs of infection.METHODSAll consecutive patients undergoing hardware removal between January 2015 and December 2017, including patients with screw loosening but without clinical signs of infection, were evaluated. The removed hardware was investigated using sonication.RESULTSA total of 82 patients with a mean (± SD) patient age of 65 ± 13 years were eligible for evaluation. Of the 54 patients with screw loosening, 22 patients (40.7%) had a positive sonication result. None of the 28 patients without screw loosening who served as a control cohort showed a positive sonication result (p < 0.01). In total, 24 microorganisms were detected in those 22 patients. The most common isolated microorganisms were coagulase-negative staphylococci (62.5%) and Cutibacterium acnes (formerly known as Propionibacterium acnes) (25%). When comparing only the patients with screw loosening, the duration of the previous spine surgery was significantly longer in patients with a positive microbiological result (288 ± 147 minutes) than in those with a negative result (201 ± 103 minutes) (p = 0.02).CONCLUSIONSThe low-virulent microorganisms frequently detected on pedicle screws by using sonication may be an important cause of implant loosening and failure. Longer surgical duration increases the likelihood of implant colonization with subsequent screw loosening. Sonication is a highly sensitive approach to detect biofilm-producing bacteria, and it needs to be integrated into the clinical routine for optimized treatment strategies.

scholarly journals Neuropsychological assessments before and after awake surgery for incidental low-grade gliomas

2020 ◽  
pp. 1-10
Author(s):  
Sam Ng ◽  
Guillaume Herbet ◽  
Anne-Laure Lemaitre ◽  
Jérôme Cochereau ◽  
Sylvie Moritz-Gasser ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cognitive Domain ◽  
Awake Surgery ◽  
Consecutive Series ◽  
Low Grade ◽  
Asymptomatic Patients ◽  
Z Scores ◽  
Neuropsychological Assessments ◽  
Neuropsychological Outcomes ◽  
The Impact

OBJECTIVEEarly surgery in presumed asymptomatic patients with incidental low-grade glioma (ILGG) has been suggested to improve maximal resection rates and overall survival. However, no study has reported on the impact of such preventive treatment on cognitive functioning. The aim of this study was to investigate neuropsychological outcomes in patients with ILGG who underwent preventive surgery.METHODSThis was a retrospective analysis of a consecutive series of patients with ILGG who underwent awake surgery and who had presurgical and 3-month postsurgical neuropsychological assessments. Data were normalized into z-scores and regrouped by cognitive domains. Clinicoradiological data, histomolecular profile, and differences in z-scores (Δz-scores) were analyzed.RESULTSForty-seven patients were included (mean age 39.2 ± 11.3 years). Twenty-eight patients (59.6%) underwent supratotal or total resections. All patients were still alive after a mean follow-up of 33.0 ± 30.8 months. Forty-one patients (87.2%) had stable (n = 34, 72.3%) or improved (Δz-score > 1; n = 7, 14.9%) neurocognitive outcomes after surgery. Six patients (12.8%) presented a slight impairment (Δz-score < −1) in at least one cognitive domain. The mean presurgical and postsurgical z-scores were comparable except in the psychomotor speed and attention domain. A significant correlation between presurgical executive functioning and tumor volume was reported, whereas the extent of resection and histomolecular profile did not impact neuropsychological outcomes.CONCLUSIONSEarly surgical treatment in presumed asymptomatic patients with ILGG was associated with stable or improved neuropsychological outcomes in 87.2% of patients at 3 months, with only mild cognitive decline observed in 6 patients. In return, supratotal or total resections were achieved in most patients, and all patients were still alive at the end of the follow-up.

scholarly journals The impact of catheter ablation for patients with asymptomatic atrial fibrillation: subanalysis of kansai plus atrial fibrillation (kpaf) registry

2020 ◽  
Vol 41 (Supplement_2) ◽  
Author(s):  
M Pak ◽  
A Kobori ◽  
S Shizuta ◽  
Y Sasaki ◽  
T Toyota ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Atrial Fibrillation ◽  
Catheter Ablation ◽  
Primary Endpoint ◽  
Hazard Analysis ◽  
Secondary Endpoint ◽  
Asymptomatic Patients ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Secondary Endpoints ◽  
The Impact

Abstract Background Catheter ablation (CA) of atrial fibrillation (AF) for symptomatic patients improves the quality of life and prognosis of patients with heart failure. However, the impact of CA for asymptomatic patients is still controversial. Purpose We aimed to investigate the clinical outcomes of CA of AF for asymptomatic patients compared to those for symptomatic patients. Methods A total of 5,013 patients from the Kansai Plus Atrial Fibrillation (KPAF) Registry who underwent CA were screened. The patients were divided into three groups by type of AF; paroxysmal (PAF), persistent (PEAF) and long standing (LSAF) and the patients in each type of AF were divided into two groups: asymptomatic and symptomatic. The primary endpoint was recurrent supraventricular tachyarrhythmias lasting for more than 30 seconds during follow-up 4 years after CA. The secondary endpoint was a composite of cardiovascular, cerebral, and gastrointestinal events during follow-up 4 years after CA. The incidence of complications related to CA between asymptomatic and symptomatic patients was also evaluated. Kaplan–Meier analysis was employed to estimate the primary and secondary endpoints. The statistical differences in primary and secondary endpoints between asymptomatic and symptomatic patients were evaluated using a log–rank test. The impact of symptom due to AF on the primary and secondary endpoint was evaluated using a Cox hazard analysis. The difference in incidence of complications between asymptomatic and symptomatic patients was evaluated using a chi–square test. Results In this study population, PAF was the most frequent at 64.4%, followed by PEAF (22.7%) and LSAF (13.0%). There were some significant differences in the baseline characteristics between asymptomatic and symptomatic patients in each type of AF. The proportion of male was significantly higher in asymptomatic patients than symptomatic patients in PAF (81.2% versus 67.2%, p&lt;0.001) and PEAF (86.4% versus 74.3%, p&lt;0.001). Left atrial diameter was larger in asymptomatic patients than symptomatic patients only in PAF (40±6mm versus 38±6mm, p&lt;0.001). In all types of AF, there was no significant difference in primary endpoint between asymptomatic and symptomatic patients as follows: 37.5% versus 40.6% (p=0.6) in PAF, 45.2% versus 55.1% (p=0.09) in PEAF and 59.3% versus 63.6% (p=1.0) in LSAF. There was also no significant difference in secondary endpoint between asymptomatic and symptomatic patients: 7.1% versus 6.8% (p=0.7) in PAF, 5.4% versus 8.7% (p=0.3) in PEAF and 4.4% versus 5.1% (p=0.5) in LSAF. In a Cox hazard analysis, the symptom did not affect both of the primary and secondary endpoints in each type of AF. In regard to the incidence of complications related to CA, there was no significant difference between asymptomatic and symptomatic patients in each type of AF. Conclusion CA of AF for asymptomatic patients can be safe and can lead to equivalent outcomes as well as symptomatic patients. Funding Acknowledgement Type of funding source: None

scholarly journals Role of Gated SPECT MPI in Follow-up of Patients afterCoronary Revascularization

2019 ◽  
Vol 22 (1) ◽  
pp. 30-35
Author(s):  
Azmal Kabir Sarker ◽  
Faria Nasreen ◽  
Lutfun Nisa ◽  
Raihan Hussain
Keyword(s):  
Nuclear Medicine ◽  
Perfusion Defect ◽  
Gated Spect ◽  
Coronary Revascularization ◽  
Demographic Data ◽  
Management Strategies ◽  
Asymptomatic Patients ◽  
Medicine Physician ◽  
The Impact

Objective: Gated SPECT myocardial perfusion imaging (GSMPI) is a preferred modality for non invasive assessment following coronary revascularization (CR) of both symptomatic and asymptomatic patients. This study was conducted to observe the impact of GSMPI results on further management of patients who after CR had underwent GSMPI at National Institute of Nuclear Medicine and Allied Sciences (NINMAS). Patients and methods: Record files of GSMPI of all patients who underwent GSMPI over a period of 31 months from June 2011 to December 2013 at NINMAS for assessment of perfusion after CR were selected from the Nuclear Cardiology Divisional archive of patient studies in order to retrieve their clinical and demographic data including the contact numbers. The results of GSMPI scan were categorized as normal scan (NS) and perfusion defect (PD) which included reversible and/or fixed PD. All the contact numbers were called up by a nuclear medicine physician who conducted a semi-structured telephonic interview either with the patients or with a concerned family member. Management strategies adopted after GSMPI were categorized as conservative (CM) and interventional (IM).Cramer’s V (φc) test were done to find strength of relation among patients’ symptoms, scan findings and management strategies. Results: Follow up data of 55 patients (54M, 1F) among 68 (66M, 2F) were available who underwent MPI for the purpose of post CR assessment. MPI was performed in between six months to 13 years after CR (mean 43.8 ± 48.2 months). Categorically 33 patients had percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA) with stent, 16 patients had coronary artery by-pass grafting (CABG) and 6 patients had both CABG & PTCA. There were 38PD (27symptomatic) and 17NS(12 symptomatic).Since all patients (n=12) who had fixed PD were symptomatic, a strong relation was found between being symptomatic and fixed perfusion defect (φc> 0.3). Symptoms were found to be weakly related with reversible PD i.e. ischemia (φc< 0.2). Management strategies were conservative in 44 (30 symptomatic and 28 PD) and interventional in 11 (nine symptomatic and 10 PD). Management strategies were found to be weakly related with symptoms (φc< 0.2) but moderately related with perfusion status (φc = 0.24). Conclusions: While symptoms were observed to be poorly related with perfusion status following CR, GSMPI guided to choose further interventional management strategies with rationality in lower proportion of patients. Bangladesh J. Nuclear Med. 22(1): 30-35, Jan 2019  

scholarly journals Free Faecal Water: Analysis of Horse Faecal Microbiota and the Impact of Faecal Microbial Transplantation on Symptom Severity

Animals ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (10) ◽  
pp. 2776
Author(s):  
Louise Laustsen ◽  
Joan E. Edwards ◽  
Gerben D. A. Hermes ◽  
Nanna Lúthersson ◽  
David A. van Doorn ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Community Composition ◽  
Symptom Severity ◽  
Clinical Signs ◽  
Alpha Diversity ◽  
Healthy Controls ◽  
Prokaryotic Community ◽  
Faecal Microbiota ◽  
Future Studies ◽  
The Impact

Free faecal water (FFW) in equines results in pollution of the hindquarters and tail and can also involve clinical signs. Though the cause of FFW is unknown, it was hypothesized that it may involve the gut microbiota. This hypothesis was addressed as follows. First, the faecal prokaryotic community composition of horses suffering from FFW relative to healthy controls (n = 10) was compared. Second, FFW horses were treated with a standardised faecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) protocol (n = 10), followed by assessment of FFW symptom severity and faecal prokaryotic community composition over a follow-up period of 168 days. No significant differences were found in the faecal microbiota composition of FFW horses compared to healthy controls (p > 0.05). Relative to before FMT, FFW symptom severity decreased in affected horses 14 days after FMT (p = 0.02) and remained decreased for the remainder of the study (p < 0.02). However, individual animal responses to FMT varied. FMT had no effect on FFW horse faecal prokaryotic community composition in terms of alpha or beta diversity. Alpha diversity of the donor inocula used in the FMT was always lower than that of the faecal microbiota of the FFW treated horses (p < 0.001). In conclusion, whilst findings indicate FFW horses do not have an altered hindgut microbiota, some horses that received FMT had a temporary alleviation of FFW symptom severity without causing changes in the faecal microbiota. Future studies using controls are now needed to confirm the effectiveness of FMT to treat FFW.

SAT0256 THE ROLE OF FAST-TRACK ULTRASOUND IN PREVENTING EARLY COMPLICATIONS AND RELAPSES IN GIANT CELL ARTERITIS

2020 ◽  
Vol 79 (Suppl 1) ◽  
pp. 1071.1-1071
Author(s):  
P. Delvino ◽  
S. Monti ◽  
A. Bartoletti ◽  
E. Bellis ◽  
F. Brandolino ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Visual Impairment ◽  
Giant Cell Arteritis ◽  
Giant Cell ◽  
Fast Track ◽  
Clinical Signs ◽  
Conventional Group ◽  
High Dose ◽  
First Relapse ◽  
The Impact

Background:Giant Cell Arteritis (GCA) is the most common form of primary systemic vasculitis, mainly affecting adults over 50 years old. Permanent visual loss (PVL) is one of the most feared complications, occurring in about 20% of cases, typically prior to initiation of high-dose glucocorticoid (GC) therapy. Color-duplex sonography (CDS) of temporal arteries (TAs) and large vessels (LVs) is recognized as a first-line diagnostic tool for patients with suspected GCA. A fast track approach (FTA), incorporating CDS has been associated to a significant reduction of PVL in two retrospective studies1,2.Objectives:To assess the impact of FTA on PVL and risk of relapses during follow-up compared to conventional care prior to the introduction of the FTA in our rheumatology clinic.Methods:Patients with new-onset GCA evaluated in our department from January 1998 to September 2019 were included in the study. The FTA approach for GCA was implemented since October 2016. The diagnosis of GCA was based on positive TAs and/or LVs CDS and/or a positive TA biopsy and clinical signs and symptoms of GCA. All patients were clinically examined by the same rheumatologist who performed the CDS. PVL was defined as total visual impairment in one or both eyes. Data on baseline clinical features and later outcomes were collected.Results:153 patients were included: 115 females (75.2%), mean age at diagnosis 71.6±8.2 years. Of these, 112 patients (73%) were evaluated conventionally and 41 (27%) with FTA. Patients in the FTA group were older (P=0.0002), presented more frequently with polymyalgia rheumatica symptoms, weight loss, jaw or tongue claudication and scalp tenderness (P<0.05 for all comparisons). The median duration of follow-up in the FTA group was shorter compared with the conventional group (1.5 vs 5.8 years). PVL occurred in 22 (19.6%) patients in the conventional group compared to 5 patient (12.2%) in the FTA, leading to a reduction of 37.9% in the relative risk of PVL with the FTA approach. Cumulative incidence of relapses and time to first relapse did not change after FTA introduction (P>0.05) (Fig. 1).Conclusion:The application of a FTA in GCA resulted in a significant reduction of PVL. However, the relapse rate did not seem to be influenced by the FTA, highlighting the need to implement further management strategies, besides earlier diagnosis and prompt initiation of GC, that would impact the course of the disease during long-term follow-upReferences:[1]Patil P, Williams M, Maw WW et al. Fast track pathway reduces sight loss in giant cell arteritis: results of a longitudinal observational cohort study. Clin Exp Rheumatol 2015;33(Suppl 89):S-103-6.[2]Diamantopoulos AP, Haugeberg G, Lindland A, Myklebust G. The fast-track ultrasound clinic for early diagnosis of giant cell arteritis significantly reduces permanent visual impairment: towards a more effective strategy to improve clinical outcome in giant cell arteritis? Rheumatology 2016;55:66_70.Fig. 1.Time to first relapse in patients with GCA and evaluated with a FTA compared to conventionally approached patients.Disclosure of Interests:None declared

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