Context Synthetic glucocorticoids are widely used to treat patients with a broad range of diseases. While efficacious, glucocorticoids can be accompanied by neuropsychiatric adverse effects... Show moreContext Synthetic glucocorticoids are widely used to treat patients with a broad range of diseases. While efficacious, glucocorticoids can be accompanied by neuropsychiatric adverse effects.Objective This systematic review and meta-analysis assesses and quantifies the proportion of different neuropsychiatric adverse effects in patients using synthetic glucocorticoids.Methods Six electronic databases were searched to identify potentially relevant studies. Randomized controlled trials, cohort studies, and cross-sectional studies assessing psychiatric side effects of glucocorticoids measured with validated questionnaires were eligible. Risk of bias was assessed with RoB 2, ROBINS-I, and AXIS appraisal tool. For proportions of neuropsychiatric outcomes, we pooled proportions, and when possible, differences in questionnaire scores between glucocorticoid users and nonusers were expressed as standardized mean differences (SMD). Data were pooled in a random-effects logistic regression model.Results We included 49 studies with heterogeneity in study populations, type, dose, and duration of glucocorticoids. For glucocorticoid users, meta-analysis showed a proportion of 22% for depression (95% CI, 14%-33%), 11% for mania (2%-46%), 8% for anxiety (2%-25%), 16% for delirium (6%-36%), and 52% for behavioral changes (42%-61%). Questionnaire scores for depression (SMD of 0.80 [95% CI 0.35-1.26]), and mania (0.78 [0.14-1.42]) were higher than in controls, indicating more depressive and manic symptoms following glucocorticoid use.Conclusion The heterogeneity of glucocorticoid use is reflected in the available studies. Despite this heterogeneity, the proportion of neuropsychiatric adverse effects in glucocorticoid users is high. The most substantial associations with glucocorticoid use were found for depression and mania. Upon starting glucocorticoid treatment, awareness of possible psychiatric side effects is essential. More structured studies on incidence and potential pathways of neuropsychiatric side effects of prescribed glucocorticoids are clearly needed. Show less
Linders, D.; Deken, M.; Valk, M. van der; Tummers, W.; Bhairosingh, S.; Schaap, D.; ... ; Hilling, D. 2021
Rectal cancer patients with a complete response after neoadjuvant therapy can be monitored with a watch-and-wait strategy. However, regrowth rates indicate that identification of patients with a... Show moreRectal cancer patients with a complete response after neoadjuvant therapy can be monitored with a watch-and-wait strategy. However, regrowth rates indicate that identification of patients with a pathological complete response (pCR) remains challenging. Targeted near-infrared fluorescence endoscopy is a potential tool to improve response evaluation. Promising tumor targets include carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA), epithelial cell adhesion molecule (EpCAM), integrin alpha v beta 6, and urokinase-type plasminogen activator receptor (uPAR). To investigate the applicability of these targets, we analyzed protein expression by immunohistochemistry and quantified these by a total immunostaining score (TIS) in tissue of rectal cancer patients with a pCR. CEA, EpCAM, alpha v beta 6, and uPAR expression in the diagnostic biopsy was high (TIS > 6) in, respectively, 100%, 100%, 33%, and 46% of cases. CEA and EpCAM expressions were significantly higher in the diagnostic biopsy compared with the corresponding tumor bed (p < 0.01). CEA, EpCAM, alpha v beta 6, and uPAR expressions were low (TIS < 6) in the tumor bed in, respectively, 93%, 95%, 85%, and 62.5% of cases. Immunohistochemical evaluation shows that CEA and EpCAM could be suitable targets for response evaluation after neoadjuvant treatment, since expression of these targets in the primary tumor bed is low compared with the diagnostic biopsy and adjacent pre-existent rectal mucosa in more than 90% of patients with a pCR. Show less
New Public Management en vooral besparingen bij politie en justitie leidden tot het meten van allerhande grootheden die een rol spelen bij prestatieafspraken ten aanzien van politiewerk. Ook de... Show moreNew Public Management en vooral besparingen bij politie en justitie leidden tot het meten van allerhande grootheden die een rol spelen bij prestatieafspraken ten aanzien van politiewerk. Ook de geregistreerde criminaliteit wordt jaarlijks gepresenteerd in politiestatistieken, waarbij het aantal feiten vastgesteld in proces-verbalen wordt geteld. In dit Cahier wordt de vraag gesteld naar de bruikbaarheid van deze cijfers. Wat zeggen de cijfers en wat blijft verborgen? Er wordt immers vaak geregistreerd om aan prestatieconvenanten tegemoet te komen en er worden, bijvoorbeeld, proces-verbalen uitgeschreven om bepaalde quota te halen. Wat leert dat nog over de werkelijk gepleegde criminaliteit? Kan de Politiemonitor en de Integrale Veiligheidsmonitor in Nederland en de Veiligheidsmonitor in België een degelijke aanvulling verschaffen? En wat zijn huidige registratiepraktijken en valkuilen daarbij? Heeft meten nog een toekomst als het gaat om accountability van politiewerk? Op deze en andere vragen gaat dit Cahier in. In een eerste deel van dit Cahier Politiestudies wordt ingezoomd op het vraagstuk van de betrouwbaarheid van criminaliteitscijfers. Wat zeggen deze cijfers wel, en wat niet? Show less
