Multidisciplinary

Myeloma patients may benefit from mezigdomide-dexamethasone doublet

Audrey Abella, 13 hours ago

In a study evaluating heavily pretreated patients with relapsed and refractory multiple myeloma (R/R MM), the combination of mezigdomide and dexamethasone showed promising preliminary efficacy, with myelosuppression and infection as primary toxicities.

Photoreceptor thinning linked to genetic AMD susceptibility in Asians

Jairia Dela Cruz, 17 hours ago

Thinner photoreceptor layers in the central macula appear indicative of genetic predisposition to age-related macular degeneration (AMD) in healthy Asians, as shown in a study from Singapore.

Lower leg brace helps reduce pain in medial tibial stress syndrome

Stephen Padilla, Yesterday

A pilot run for a lower leg brace designed for patients with medial tibial stress syndrome (MTSS) has shown a decrease in MTSS symptoms from 5 weeks up to over 6 months, with a lower recurrence rate, compared with placebo.

Alanine tied to diabetes, BP, lipid profile but not CAD

Yesterday

Plasma alanine or factors affecting alanine appear to contribute to an increased risk of diabetes, higher blood glucose, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), and blood pressure (BP), but not coronary artery disease (CAD), reports a study.

Concizumab holds promise for patients with haemophilia A or B with inhibitors

Audrey Abella, Yesterday

In patients with haemophilia A (PwHA) or B (PwHB) with inhibitors, annualized bleeding rate (ABR) was lower with daily subcutaneous (SC) concizumab prophylaxis than with on-demand treatment, findings from the phase IIIa explorer7 trial have shown.

Breaking ground in migraine management: First Consensus Guidelines from the Headache Society of Singapore

06 Dec 2023

In a pioneering effort, the Headache Society of Singapore (HSS) has released the first edition of consensus guidelines focusing on the approach to headache disorders and management of migraine. Amid a rapidly growing array of therapeutic options, standardizing treatment approaches is crucial. These guidelines provide a pivotal resource for healthcare professionals navigating the complex landscape of headache disorders, with a special focus on migraine management in adults.

Strategies to Improve Vaccine Confidence

01 Dec 2023

Professor Heidi Larson, anthropologist and the founding director of The Vaccine Confidence Project, discusses the current state of vaccination worldwide and factors influencing vaccine uptake. Additionally, she advocates shift from using the phrase “vaccine hesitancy” when discussing challenges faced in vaccination to “vaccine confidence”. This enables vaccine confidence to be discussed in a positive light.

Optimisation of glycemic control with empagliflozin/linagliptin combination in a patient with type 2 diabetes mellitus uncontrolled on multiple glucose-lowering drugs and reluctant to initiate insulin

30 Nov 2023

Data has demonstrated the efficiency of utilizing a combination of empagliflozin and linagliptin to effectively manage glycemic levels in patients with Type 2 diabetes (T2D) who are uncontrolled on metformin. In this retrospective analysis, we examine the combination of empagliflozin and linagliptin added to existing combination of multiple glucose-lowering medications sans insulin, which revealed significant improvements in both glycemic and cardio-renal outcomes for adults with T2D. This combination therapy was well-tolerated and showed promising clinical effectiveness when used in combination with commonly prescribed antidiabetic drugs for patients with inadequately controlled diabetes.

Sponsored as an educational program by Boehringer Ingelheim Singapore Pte. Ltd.

Starting JAK inhibitors in the Asian population based on real-world experience

14 Nov 2023

Dermatologists from Asia shared their clinical experience on the use of Janus kinase (JAK) inhibitors in atopic dermatitis (AD) and discussed approaches towards shared patient and doctor decision-making for treatment with JAK inhibitors. Dr Mark Tang (Mount Alvernia Hospital, Singapore) chaired the virtual meeting, which was attended by local dermatologists.

A closer look at ceftazidime-avibactam in real-world settings

07 Nov 2023

Antibiotic misuse and overuse fuel mutations in bacteria, leading to drug-resistant “superbugs,” with terrifying aftermath. Without intervention, antimicrobial resistance could cause 10 million deaths annually by 2050.

Every year, from November 18–24, the World Antimicrobial Awareness Week highlights these risks and promotes innovative treatments, enhanced surveillance, and best-practice sharing among clinicians. This article offers insights on the use of the fixed-dose combination antibiotic ceftazidime-avibactam in daily hospital settings.

New study unlocks rimegepant benefits for acute migraine

06 Nov 2023

A landmark study conducted in China and South Korea has demonstrated the effectiveness and safety of rimegepant – a groundbreaking orally administered calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) antagonist – for the acute treatment of migraine among adults. [Lancet Neurol 2023;22:476-484] This phase III, double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial marks the first clinical study of a gepant for migraine in China and South Korea, offering promising insights into migraine management.

Effective management of type 2 diabetes mellitus with a combination of metformin and empagliflozin in a patient with metabolic syndrome

01 Nov 2023

Metabolic Syndrome (MS) is linked to insulin resistance and a combination of five medical conditions that increase the risk of developing atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD). Obesity is independently associated with an increased incidence of diabetes mellitus, hypertension, hyperlipidemia, cardiovascular disease (CVD), and certain cancers. Early CVD protection is crucial in MS patients with Type 2 diabetes (T2DM). The use of empagliflozin/metformin for managing T2DM in MS improved fasting blood glucose levels and HbA1c, demonstrating the effectiveness of this combination in both ASCVD and CVD risk factors patients.

Sponsored as an educational program by Boehringer Ingelheim Singapore Pte. Ltd.

Expert shares lessons from COVID-19

Elvira Manzano, 06 Dec 2023

The world is out of the pandemic, but several subvariants of Omicron are still evolving, says Dr Adrian Chan, respiratory physician and intensivist at Mount Elizabeth Novena Hospital, Singapore, during his talk at APSR 2023.

Remibrutinib improves CSU symptoms in phase III trials

Elvira Manzano, 05 Dec 2023

Treatment with the investigational, oral Bruton’s tyrosine kinase (BTK) inhibitor remibrutinib improves symptoms in patients with chronic spontaneous urticaria (CSU) inadequately controlled on antihistamines, the phase III REMIX-1 and -2 studies have shown.

Add-on recaticimab cuts bad cholesterol in non-FH, mixed hyperlipidaemia patients

Audrey Abella, 05 Dec 2023

In the phase III REMAIN-2 trial, add-on recaticimab – a novel, long-acting anti-PCSK9 monoclonal antibody (mAb) – led to reductions in bad cholesterol and other lipids in patients with non-familial hypercholesterolaemia (non-FH) and mixed hyperlipidaemia inadequately controlled on background statin therapy.

Intermittent dosing of dual HIV therapy for HIV disappoints in DUETTO trial

Elvira Manzano, 05 Dec 2023

Four-day-a-week dosing of dual therapy for HIV performs similarly to daily doses in terms of sustaining viral suppression in the DUETTO trial. However, virological failure (VF) and drug resistance rates were higher with the 4-day/week dosing regimen.

Seladelpar improves markers of cholestasis, reduces pruritus in patients with PBC

Elaine Soliven, 01 Dec 2023

Treatment with seladelpar significantly improves serum markers of cholestasis, including alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and total bilirubin (TB), and reduces pruritus in patients with primary biliary cholangitis (PBC) who are at risk of disease progression, according to the RESPONSE trial presented at AASLD 2023.

Dupilumab reduces SCS use in type 2 asthma regardless of prior exacerbations

Elaine Soliven, 30 Nov 2023

Treatment with dupilumab reduces the use of systemic corticosteroids (SCS) in children with moderate-to-severe asthma, regardless of exacerbation history, according to a post hoc analysis of the VOYAGE and EXCURSION trials presented at APSR 2023.

Simplified, tailored treatment for asthma improves patient outcomes

Audrey Abella, 29 Nov 2023

Asthma is a highly prevalent disease that can affect anybody regardless of age, race, and location. The overall burden of asthma remains severe. Despite the range of available therapies and well-established guidelines, there remains a significant unmet need in the management of asthma. [BMC Public Health 2012;12:860; Respir Res 2023;24:169; Eur Respir J 2014;43:343-373]