Arnon D. Cohen

Bio: Arnon D. Cohen is an academic researcher from Clalit Health Services. The author has contributed to research in topics: Population & Odds ratio. The author has an hindex of 41, co-authored 374 publications receiving 7913 citations. Previous affiliations of Arnon D. Cohen include University of Milan & University of Connecticut.

Drug survival in patients with psoriasis is associated with the availability of biologic medications.

Abstract: BACKGROUND Drug survival rates in patients with psoriasis had been described extensively. Different survival rates of TNF-α inhibitors (TNFIs), ustekinumab and secukinumab were reported. OBJECTIVES To investigate drug survival rates of TNFIs, ustekinumab and secukinumab, with particular emphasis on the difference between ustekinumab and secukinumab. METHODS Survival analysis was performed in patients with moderate-to-severe psoriasis who received adalimumab, infliximab, etanercept, ustekinumab and secukinumab treatment in 2002-2018, using the Clalit Health Services database. Stratified analysis was performed according to biologic treatment lines. Multivariate analysis was performed adjusting for demographic variables, calendar year, metabolic syndrome, psoriatic arthritis, biologic treatment line, biologic naivety, co-administration of oral treatments and previous oral systemic treatment exposure. RESULTS Among 1459 patients treated with 3070 biologic medication courses, ustekinumab had a significantly higher crude survival as compared with TNFIs and secukinumab. The mean drug survival of ustekinumab, adalimumab, etanercept, infliximab and secukinumab was 43.5 (CI: 39.7-47.2), 38.2 (CI: 34.8-41), 33.9 (CI: 30.8-37.1), 28.2 (CI: 22.5-33.8) and 17.1 (CI: 15.6-18.6) months, respectively, with significant statistical differences for all comparisons (P < 0.001). The differences between ustekinumab and secukinumab were not significant following adjustment to factors that included treatment line (hazard rate 1.16, CI: 0.93-1.43). CONCLUSION Different drug survival rates between ustekinumab and secukinumab are determined by the treatment line and calendar year, reflecting the availability of biologic medications, and not only by the biologic attributes of each medication.

The coexistence of pemphigus and psoriasis: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Abstract: There is little consensus regarding the association between pemphigus and psoriasis. The aim of the current study is to synthesize existing data on the prevalence of psoriasis in patients with pemphigus and on the association between the two conditions. We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis of observational studies in Medline, Embase, and Web of Science (1900-2018). Reference lists of included studies were also searched for eligible studies. Quality of evidence was assessed using Newcastle-Ottawa scale (NOS). A meta-analysis was performed using random-effects models to estimate pooled prevalence rates and odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CI). Subgroup and sensitivity analyses were also conducted. Twelve eligible studies comprising 12,238 patients with pemphigus were included in the quantitative synthesis. The overall random-effects pooled prevalence of psoriasis among patients with pemphigus was 2.4% (95% CI, 1.0-4.4) across all studies. The overall pooled multivariate OR for psoriasis in patients with pemphigus was significantly increased and estimated at 3.5 (95% CI, 1.6-7.6). In conclusion, a significant association was found between pemphigus and psoriasis. Physicians managing patients with pemphigus may be aware of this comorbidity. Further studies are warranted to establish the precise mechanisms underlying this relationship.

Factor Analysis of the Beer Sheva Psoriasis Severity Score (BPSS)

Abstract: Background: The Beer Sheva Psoriasis Severity Score is a novel instrument for the assessment of psoriasis severity, designed for use in routine clinical conditions. Objective To identify the main factors of the BPSS. Methods: The sample used to study the BPSS comprised 70 patients with psoriasis vulgaris treated by climatotherapy at the Dead Sea. Psoriasis severity was assessed using BPSS and PASI (Psoriasis Area and Severity Index). Factor analysis was used to identify the main factors of BPSS. Internal consistency analysis was performed. Correlation matrices were generated to compare BPSS factors. Results: Factor analysis demonstrated that BPSS included six factors that explained 74.0% of the variance as follows: patient assessment 26.0%; physician assessment 13.2%; palms and soles involvement 11.9%; genitals, nails, and pruritus 9.0%; face involvement 7.3%; and scalp involvement 6.6%. Total scale Cronbach’s alpha was 0.76; alpha for the factors ranged between 0.39 and 0.81. Conclusions: The major factors of BPSS were identified. BPSS may be used as a comprehensive tool for measuring psoriasis severity.

In vitro interferon-gamma release test in the diagnosis of drug-induced erythema nodosum.

Abstract: Erythema nodosum is a skin reaction manifested by tender or painful erythematous subcutaneous nodules, located usually on the extensor aspects of the lower extremities. Histologically, a mononuclear inflammatory cell infiltrate occurs in the septa of the subcutaneous fat lobules. It is likely that erythema nodosum results from an immunologic reaction that can be triggered by a wide range of antigenic stimuli, including drugs, benign and malignant systemic diseases, and bacterial viral and fungal infections [1]. Frequently, the cause is unknown. Although drugs have been implicated as the cause of erythema nodosum, the etiologic relationship between the drug and the skin disorder is often unclear [2]. In view of recent studies implying that drug-related T cell activity may be assessed by in vitro cytokine release tests [3,4], the role of drugs in inducing erythema nodosum was evaluated in the present study by interferon-gamma release from peripheral blood lymphocytes.

Adherence to national guidelines for colorectal cancer screening in Israel: Comprehensive multi-year assessment based on electronic medical records:

Abstract: ObjectivesTo assess time trends in colorectal cancer screening uptake, time-to-colonoscopy completion following a positive fecal occult blood test and associated patient factors, and the extent and...

Harrison's Principles of Internal Medicine

Abstract: The 11th edition of Harrison's Principles of Internal Medicine welcomes Anthony Fauci to its editorial staff, in addition to more than 85 new contributors. While the organization of the book is similar to previous editions, major emphasis has been placed on disorders that affect multiple organ systems. Important advances in genetics, immunology, and oncology are emphasized. Many chapters of the book have been rewritten and describe major advances in internal medicine. Subjects that received only a paragraph or two of attention in previous editions are now covered in entire chapters. Among the chapters that have been extensively revised are the chapters on infections in the compromised host, on skin rashes in infections, on many of the viral infections, including cytomegalovirus and Epstein-Barr virus, on sexually transmitted diseases, on diabetes mellitus, on disorders of bone and mineral metabolism, and on lymphadenopathy and splenomegaly. The major revisions in these chapters and many

The Self-Organizing Map

Abstract: An overview of the self-organizing map algorithm, on which the papers in this issue are based, is presented in this article.

The Geometry of Algorithms with Orthogonality Constraints

Abstract: In this paper we develop new Newton and conjugate gradient algorithms on the Grassmann and Stiefel manifolds. These manifolds represent the constraints that arise in such areas as the symmetric eigenvalue problem, nonlinear eigenvalue problems, electronic structures computations, and signal processing. In addition to the new algorithms, we show how the geometrical framework gives penetrating new insights allowing us to create, understand, and compare algorithms. The theory proposed here provides a taxonomy for numerical linear algebra algorithms that provide a top level mathematical view of previously unrelated algorithms. It is our hope that developers of new algorithms and perturbation theories will benefit from the theory, methods, and examples in this paper.

Sarcoidosis

Abstract: 结节病易误诊,据王洪武等~([1])收集国内18篇关于此病误诊的文献,误诊率高达63.2%,当然有误诊就会有误治,如孙永昌等~([2])报道26例结节病在影像学检查诊断的第一印象中拟诊结核5例,其中就有2例完成规范的抗结核治疗,为此应引起临床对本病诊治的重视。

Type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Abstract: Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is an expanding global health problem, closely linked to the epidemic of obesity. Individuals with T2DM are at high risk for both microvascular complications (including retinopathy, nephropathy and neuropathy) and macrovascular complications (such as cardiovascular comorbidities), owing to hyperglycaemia and individual components of the insulin resistance (metabolic) syndrome. Environmental factors (for example, obesity, an unhealthy diet and physical inactivity) and genetic factors contribute to the multiple pathophysiological disturbances that are responsible for impaired glucose homeostasis in T2DM. Insulin resistance and impaired insulin secretion remain the core defects in T2DM, but at least six other pathophysiological abnormalities contribute to the dysregulation of glucose metabolism. The multiple pathogenetic disturbances present in T2DM dictate that multiple antidiabetic agents, used in combination, will be required to maintain normoglycaemia. The treatment must not only be effective and safe but also improve the quality of life. Several novel medications are in development, but the greatest need is for agents that enhance insulin sensitivity, halt the progressive pancreatic β-cell failure that is characteristic of T2DM and prevent or reverse the microvascular complications. For an illustrated summary of this Primer, visit: http://go.nature.com/V2eGfN.