An Unusual Case of Lorlatinib-Induced Pneumonitis: A Case Report.

The discovery of tyrosine kinase oncogenic driver mutations, including anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK), has changed the face of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) treatment. Whilst the development of tyrosine kinase inhibitors has improved survival, with their increasing use, it is important to be aware of the risks of rare yet serious adverse events, such as drug-induced pulmonary toxicity. Whilst little is known in regard to drug-induced pneumonitis in the setting of ALK inhibitors, such reactions carry a high morbidity and mortality rate, impacting greatly upon options for further treatment and management. We describe the case of a 73-year-old female with metastatic ALK-positive NSCLC who developed subacute dyspnoea 3 weeks after commencing lorlatinib. She was diagnosed with drug-induced pneumonitis, from which she recovered clinically following the cessation of her targeted therapy. Pneumonitis related to lorlatinib is a rare pulmonary toxicity, and early recognition and intervention is critical to reduce the associated risks of respiratory failure and death.

Asthmatic children from lower-income families are less likely to own an individualised asthma action plan.

AIM: This study aimed to explore the relationship between indicators of socio-economic status (SES) and prescription of a paediatric individualised asthma action plan (IAAP), as well as compliance with that plan. METHODS: Between May and September 2017, parents/carers of children aged 2-16 years who presented with acute respiratory symptoms and a prior diagnosis of asthma to the emergency department at one regional and one metropolitan hospital in NSW, Australia, were invited to participate in a questionnaire-based study. RESULTS: A total of 175 eligible participants were identified, of which 113 completed the questionnaire. Eighty-seven children had been prescribed an IAAP (77%). Forty-nine parents/carers reported non-compliance with that plan (56.3%). Children from low- to middle-income families were significantly less likely to have a plan (P = 0.001). Being an only child was associated with greater IAAP compliance (P = 0.007) and better asthma control (P = 0.035). No significant relationship between other indicators of SES and rates of plan ownership or compliance was demonstrated. CONCLUSION: Although relatively high in our study sample, IAAP ownership rates remain well below published guidelines. Given the income-based disparity in plan ownership, physicians must routinely prescribe plans to all asthmatics. Strategies to ensure IAAP ownership and promote their use, especially in the public health sector, would be valuable. Repeating a similar study with a larger sample size will allow more robust conclusions to be drawn regarding the impact of parental SES on compliance.

Peer mentoring for eating disorders: evaluation of a pilot program.

BACKGROUND: Eating disorders are serious psychiatric illnesses that are often associated with poor quality of life and low long-term recovery rates. Peer mentor programs have been found to improve psychiatric symptoms and quality of life in other mental illnesses, and a small number of studies have suggested that eating disorder patients may benefit from such programs. The aim of this study is to assess the efficacy of a peer mentor program for individuals with eating disorders in terms of improving symptomatology and quality of life. METHODS: Up to 30 individuals with a past history of an eating disorder will be recruited to mentor 30 individuals with a current eating disorder. Mentoring will involve 13 sessions (held approximately every 2 weeks), of up to 3 h each, over 6 months. DISCUSSION: This pilot proof-of-concept feasibility study will inform the efficacy of a peer mentoring program on improving eating disorder symptomatology and quality of life, and will inform future randomised controlled trials. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Australian and New Zealand Clinical Trials Registration Number: ACTRN12617001412325. The date of registration (retrospective): 05/10/2017.

Feeling fat in eating disorders: Testing the unique relationships between feeling fat and measures of disordered eating in anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa.

Although widely discussed in theories of eating disorders, the experience of "feeling fat" in this population has received little research attention. This study tested the unique relationships between feeling fat and measures of problematic eating behaviours and attitudes. Data were analysed from individuals with anorexia nervosa (AN; n = 123) and bulimia nervosa (BN; n = 51). Correlations revealed considerable unshared variance between feeling fat and shape and weight over-evaluation and depressive symptoms. Moreover, when over-evaluation and depressive symptoms were controlled, feeling fat predicted unique variance in restraint and eating concerns. Findings offer some support for the idea that feeling fat is a distinct and important component of body image concerns in eating disorders. Further research that develops a standardized measure of feeling fat is required. Further research that examines whether feeling fat is an important treatment mechanism is also needed.

The relative associations of shape and weight over-evaluation, preoccupation, dissatisfaction, and fear of weight gain with measures of psychopathology: An extension study in individuals with anorexia nervosa.

Recent research has demonstrated that certain components of body image (i.e., shape and weight over-evaluation, preoccupation, and dissatisfaction) in secondary school students shared a distinct clinical significance because of their differential relation to measures of psychopathology. The present study aimed to replicate and extend on these findings by examining the distinctiveness of these body image constructs, in addition to a fear of weight gain, in individuals with anorexia nervosa (AN)-a disorder this is facilitated and maintained by extreme body image concerns. Treatment-seeking females with AN (n = 124) completed a questionnaire battery that measured these constructs. Findings demonstrated that once any shared variance between body image components was removed in regression analyses, fear of weight gain was the only unique predictor of eating disorder psychopathology (e.g., dietary restraint and compulsive exercise), while over-evaluation and preoccupation were the only unique predictors of general psychopathology (e.g., depressive and anxiety symptoms). Overall, these findings demonstrate certain components of body image may operate differently in AN, and reinforce previous calls to consider and assess for distinct facets of body image in this population.

Does Collaborative Case Conceptualisation enhance engagement and outcome in the treatment of anorexia nervosa? Rational, design and methods.

BACKGROUND: Anorexia Nervosa (AN) is a severe and potentially chronic disorder characterised by low body weight and persistent behaviours that interfere with weight gain. Individuals with AN are often difficult to engage in treatment and display high rates of drop out. The Collaborative Case Conceptualisation (CCC) assessment approach was developed to target proposed AN maintaining factors with the aim of improving treatment motivation and engagement and consequently treatment outcomes in individuals with AN. The proposed study aims to examine the efficacy of CCC in improving a range of outcomes including Body Mass Index, eating disorder symptomatology, general psychopathology, quality of life and future treatment motivation and participation. Potential mediators will also be explored. METHODS/DESIGN: Thirty-two participants will be recruited from Melbourne based specialist eating disorder services, community and university clinics, and health practitioner networks. Participants will be randomised to three individual sessions of either CCC or a standardised assessment condition (assessment as usual; AAU). The AAU assessment will include; a mental status examination, assessment of current disordered eating behaviours and cognitions, assessment of clinical history, and a physical examination. The CCC condition combines the AAU assessment components with shared collaborative formulation and tailored psychoeducation highlighting the consequences of the eating disorder on wellbeing and future goals in a supportive and motivating way. IMPLICATIONS: This intervention may provide an effective and feasible method of improving treatment engagement and outcomes for individuals suffering from AN, with the ultimate outcome of reducing the negative biopsychosocial impacts of this potentially severe and chronic disorder.