Implementing Federated Analysis using DataSHIELD in the DREAM TO TREAT Atopic Dermatitis Registries Collaboration.

Many new biologic treatments and small molecule agents are emerging and being approved for treating atopic dermatitis (AD). Robust evidence, based on large sample sizes from real-world clinical settings, are needed to investigate the use of these new therapies, However, adequate sample sizes of patient data are difficult to obtain within one country alone, requiring international collaboration and data aggregation. To address this need for cooperative research, we investigated the feasibility for an international collaboration of registries to gather data from real-world clinical settings on patients' use of new systemic treatments for AD by creating a federated network between national registries that enables an analysis environment protecting privacy of information and ensuring compliance with General Data Protection Regulation.

Prepandemic levels of cytokines and immunoglobulins and risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection and COVID-19 in the general population of Barcelona.

Background: From a public health perspective it is remarkable that there are yet no longitudinal studies in the general population investigating the influence of the basal immune state, measured before the pandemic, on the risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection and COVID-19.

Objective: To investigate the specific and combined effects of personal levels of cytokines and immunoglobulins-measured in individuals' blood 4 years before the pandemic-on the risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection and COVID-19 in a general population.

Methods: We conducted a prospective cohort study in 240 individuals from the general population of Barcelona.

Stability of cytokine and immunoglobulin concentrations in the general population: prepandemic basal concentrations and intraindividual changes until the COVID-19 pandemic.

Background: While there is wide evidence on concentrations of cytokines in patients attending health care facilities, evidence is scant on physiological, basal concentrations of cytokines in the general population and across sociodemographic groups, as well as on their potential stability over time. Furthermore, from a public health perspective it is remarkable that no studies have analyzed intraindividual changes in such concentrations from before the COVID-19 pandemic until its outbreak.

Objectives: To investigate: (a) prepandemic concentrations of cytokines and immunoglobulins to viral exposures in a general, non-institutionalized population, and their associated sociodemographic variables; (b) the intraindividual change in such concentrations between a prepandemic period (2016-17) and the initial pandemic period (2020-21); and (c) whether such change was similar in participants who in 2020-21 were SARS-CoV-2 seronegative and seropositive, and between participants who did and did not develop COVID-19.

Evidence-Based Approaches to Quality Improvement: A Narrative Review of Integrating Bayesian Adaptive Trials Into Health Services.

Rationale: Quality improvement (QI) in health service programmes aims to make small, incremental changes to increase reach and efficiency. Simple, low-risk programmatic changes can improve services, particularly when supported by robust evidence. However, in health service contexts, there is tension between the need for swift decision-making and the high research standards for conducting methodologically rigorous trials.

A pan-European register-based observational study of abrocitinib and conventional systemic therapies in moderate and severe atopic dermatitis: the DREAM TO TREAT AD study protocol.

Background: Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a common chronic inflammatory skin condition. Currently, there is a lack of real-world evidence regarding the effectiveness of systemic therapies for moderate-to-severe AD. Abrocitinib is a novel Janus kinase 1 selective inhibitor licensed for AD in adults and adolescents requiring systemic treatment.

Atopic dermatitis epidemiological research methodology: a global scoping review.

Background: Atopic dermatitis has the highest burden of all skin diseases globally. While numerous systematic reviews and meta-analyses have attempted to estimate the burden of atopic dermatitis at country, regional, and global levels, the variability in research methodology often leads to the exclusion of significant portions of data or the aggregation of data representing disparate factors. As a result, improving the understanding of the burden of atopic dermatitis requires a thorough review of the methodologies currently in use.

Living network meta-analysis to compare nemolizumab against other available targeted systemic treatments for atopic dermatitis.

Nemolizumab is a new biologic approved to treat atopic dermatitis. In this perspective piece, we use results from our living systematic review and network meta-analysis to provide perspective on the relative efficacy of nemolizumab compared with other approved targeted systemic treatments.

Enhanced patient counselling and SMS reminder messages to improve access to community-based eye care services in Meru, Kenya: statistical analysis plan for a Bayesian adaptive trial.

Background: Health service programmes frequently encounter challenges with patient adherence to care. A promising, low-risk approach to address this issue is providing patients with targeted information about the importance of adherence. In the Vision Impact Project (VIP), an eye health screening programme in Kenya, the adherence rate to attending triage clinics after referral is around 50%.

A Randomized Clinical Trial to Evaluate the Efficacy of an Oral Probiotic in Acne Vulgaris.

The relevance of the gut microbiota in some skin inflammatory diseases, including acne vulgaris, has been emphasized. Probiotics could play a role in the modulation of the microbiota, improving the clinical course of this disease. A 12-week randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, clinical trial with patients aged 12 to 30 years with acne vulgaris was conducted.

Correction: Clinical outcomes in a primary-level non-communicable disease programme for Syrian refugees and the host population in Jordan: A cohort analysis using routine data.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1371/journal.pmed.

Gastroschisis prevalence patterns in 27 surveillance programs from 24 countries, International Clearinghouse for Birth Defects Surveillance and Research, 1980-2017.

Background: Gastroschisis is a serious birth defect with midgut prolapse into the amniotic cavity. The objectives of this study were to evaluate the prevalence and time trends of gastroschisis among programs in the International Clearinghouse for Birth Defects Surveillance and Research (ICBDSR), focusing on regional variations and maternal age changes in the population.

Methods: We analyzed data on births from 1980 to 2017 from 27 ICBDSR member programs, representing 24 countries and three regions (Europe , Latin America, North America).

Prevalence of chronic pain or analgesic use in children and young people and its long-term impact on substance misuse, mental illness, and prescription opioid use: a retrospective longitudinal cohort study.

Background: Epidemiological studies suggest chronic and recurrent pain affects around a quarter of children, while 8% report intense and frequent pain. The long-term implications of chronic pain in childhood are uncertain. Using electronic health records (EHRs) we used both disease codes and medicines prescription records to investigate the scale of chronic pain and long-term analgesic use in children and young people (CYP), and if chronic pain and/or use of analgesic medicines at an early age is associated with substance misuse, use of prescription opioids, and poor mental health in adulthood.

Optimising prediction of mortality, stroke, and major bleeding for patients with atrial fibrillation: validation of the GARFIELD-AF tool in UK primary care electronic records.

Background: The GARFIELD-AF tool is a novel risk tool that simultaneously assesses the risk of all-cause mortality, stroke or systemic embolism, and major bleeding in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF).

Aim: To validate the GARFIELD-AF tool using UK primary care electronic records.

Design And Setting: A retrospective cohort study using the Clinical Practice Research Datalink (CPRD) linked with Hospital Episode Statistics data and Office for National Statistics mortality data.

Fixed dose combination drugs for cardiovascular disease in a prolonged humanitarian crisis in Lebanon: an implementation study.

Objectives: This pre-post implementation study evaluated the introduction of fixed dose combination (FDC) medications for atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) secondary prevention into routine care in a humanitarian setting.

Setting: Two Médecins sans Frontières (MSF) primary care clinics serving Syrian refugee and host populations in north Lebanon.

Participants: Consenting patients ≥18 years with existing ASCVD requiring secondary prevention medication were eligible for study enrolment.

Randomized double-blind placebo-controlled clinical trial to evaluate the effect of a mixture of probiotic strains on symptom severity and use of corticosteroids in children and adolescents with atopic dermatitis.

Background: The intestinal microbiota is altered in patients with atopic dermatitis (AD) when compared with those of the healthy population. Some interventions with specific probiotic preparations already demonstrate a change in composition of this microbiota accompanied by improvement in the disease.

Objectives: This research work was designed to evaluate clinical efficacy of the probiotic preparation, and to measure the effect of the intervention on the total dose of corticosteroids administered to subjects.

Novel multimorbidity clusters in people with eczema and asthma: a population-based cluster analysis.

Eczema and asthma are allergic diseases and two of the commonest chronic conditions in high-income countries. Their co-existence with other allergic conditions is common, but little research exists on wider multimorbidity with these conditions. We set out to identify and compare clusters of multimorbidity in people with eczema or asthma and people without.

Comparison of real-world treatment outcomes of systemic immunomodulating therapy in atopic dermatitis patients with dark and light skin types.

Background: Few data exist on differences in treatment effectiveness and safety in atopic dermatitis patients of different skin types.

Objective: To investigate treatment outcomes of dupilumab, methotrexate, and ciclosporin, and morphological phenotypes in atopic dermatitis patients, stratified by Fitzpatrick skin type.

Methods: In an observational prospective cohort study, pooling data from the Dutch TREAT (TREatment of ATopic eczema) NL (treatregister.

Association between practice coding of chronic kidney disease (CKD) in primary care and subsequent hospitalisations and death: a cohort analysis using national audit data.

Objective: To examine the association between practice percentage coding of chronic kidney disease (CKD) in primary care with risk of subsequent hospitalisations and death.

Design: Retrospective cohort study using linked electronic healthcare records.

Setting: 637 general practitioner (GP) practices in England.

The effects of systemic immunomodulatory treatments on COVID-19 outcomes in patients with atopic dermatitis: Results from the global SECURE-AD registry.

Background: Limited data are available on the effects of systemic immunomodulatory treatments on COVID-19 outcomes in patients with atopic dermatitis (AD).

Objective: To investigate COVID-19 outcomes in patients with AD treated with or without systemic immunomodulatory treatments, using a global registry platform.

Methods: Clinicians were encouraged to report cases of COVID-19 in their patients with AD in the Surveillance Epidemiology of Coronavirus Under Research Exclusion for Atopic Dermatitis (SECURE-AD) registry.