An international simulated-use study to assess nurses' preferences between two lanreotide syringes for patients with neuroendocrine tumours or acromegaly (PRESTO 3).

PURPOSE: PRESTO 3 evaluated nurses' preference for the Somatuline® Autogel® syringe versus the Lanreotide Pharmathen syringe after injection-pad testing. METHODS: This international simulated-use study included oncology/endocrinology nurses with ≥ 1 years' experience in managing neuroendocrine tumours (NETs) and/or acromegaly. Each nurse tested both syringes twice in a randomised order before completing an electronic survey. The primary objective was to assess overall preference (%, 95% confidence interval [CI]) for the Somatuline Autogel syringe versus the Lanreotide Pharmathen syringe. Secondary objectives included rating syringe performance and ranking the importance of syringe attributes. RESULTS: Ninety-four nurses were enrolled: mean age, 41.0 (SD, 11.5) years. The percentage of nurses stating a preference ("strong" or "slight") for the Somatuline Autogel syringe (86.2% [95% CI 77.5-92.4%]) was significantly higher than 50% (p < 0.0001). Performance rating was significantly higher for the Somatuline Autogel syringe versus Lanreotide Pharmathen syringe for 10 of the 11 attributes tested (p < 0.05). The syringe attributes considered most important when injecting patients in routine clinical practice were "easy to use from preparation to injection" (30.9%) and "comfortable to handle during use from preparation to injection" (16.0%). The attribute most commonly rated as least important was "fast administration from preparation to injection" (26.6%). CONCLUSION: Nurses strongly preferred the user experience of the Somatuline Autogel syringe over the Lanreotide Pharmathen syringe. "Ease of use" and "comfortable to handle" were the most important syringe attributes, and performance rating was significantly higher with Somatuline Autogel versus Lanreotide Pharmathen syringe for all but one attribute.

Drugs called somatostatin analogues (SSAs) can be used to treat patients with neuroendocrine tumours or acromegaly over a prolonged period of time. SSAs are given as injections and act by slowing the production of hormones by the body and in some cases reducing the growth of the tumour. To help to provide the best care possible, it is important that the syringe used for the injection is easy to use and delivers the SSA effectively. Somatuline Autogel is a syringe that can be used to inject an SSA called lanreotide. Previous studies showed that patients and nurses preferred the injection experience when using the Somatuline Autogel syringe compared with a syringe used to inject another SSA called octreotide long-acting release. A new syringe used for lanreotide injections has been developed recently by a company called Pharmathen. In the PRESTO 3 study, we compared the user experience of the Somatuline Autogel syringe and the Lanreotide Pharmathen syringe. We asked 94 nurses from Europe and the US to test both syringes, in a randomised order, using injection pads, and then to answer questions about their overall preference between the two syringes and how well the syringe performed for a set of syringe features. Overall, 86% of nurses preferred the Somatuline Autogel syringe over the Lanreotide Pharmathen syringe. Of the 11 features of the syringe that we assessed, 10 were rated higher for the Somatuline Autogel syringe than the Lanreotide Pharmathen syringe. The syringe features "ease of use" and "comfortable to handle" were considered the most important. The results of the PRESTO 3 study indicated that there is a difference in the user experience between the syringes, particularly for confidence and ease of use, and that it is important to offer syringe choices to nurses who are using SSA injections to treat patients.

A systematic literature review to evaluate extended dosing intervals in the pharmacological management of acromegaly.

PURPOSE: This systematic literature review investigated whether extended dosing intervals (EDIs) of pharmacological acromegaly treatments reduce patient burden and costs compared with standard dosing, while maintaining effectiveness. METHODS: MEDLINE/Embase/the Cochrane Library (2001-June 2021) and key congresses (2018-2021) were searched and identified systematic literature review bibliographies reviewed. Included publications reported on efficacy/effectiveness, safety and tolerability, health-related quality of life (HRQoL), and patient-reported and economic outcomes in longitudinal/cross-sectional studies in adults with acromegaly. Interventions included EDIs of pegvisomant, cabergoline, and somatostatin receptor ligands (SRLs): lanreotide autogel/depot (LAN), octreotide long-acting release (OCT), pasireotide long-acting release (PAS), and oral octreotide; no comparator was required. RESULTS: In total, 35 publications reported on 27 studies: 3 pegvisomant monotherapy, 11 pegvisomant combination therapy with SRLs, 9 LAN, and 4 OCT; no studies reported on cabergoline, PAS, or oral octreotide at EDIs. Maintenance of normal insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I) was observed in ≥ 70% of patients with LAN (1 study), OCT (1 study), and pegvisomant monotherapy (1 study). Achievement of normal IGF-I was observed in ≥ 70% of patients with LAN (3 studies) and pegvisomant in combination with SRLs (4 studies). Safety profiles were similar across EDI and standard regimens. Patients preferred and were satisfied with EDIs. HRQoL was maintained and cost savings were provided with EDIs versus standard regimens. CONCLUSIONS: Clinical efficacy/effectiveness, safety, and HRQoL outcomes in adults with acromegaly were similar and costs lower with EDIs versus standard regimens. Physicians may consider acromegaly treatment at EDIs, especially for patients with good disease control.

Low side-to-side sigmorectal anastomosis with intestinal staplers.

The radiologic appearance of a side-to-side stapled sigmoid to rectal anastomosis is described. Barium which collects in the stump of the sigmoid may give the false appearance of a anastomotic leak and unnecessarily delay colostomy closure. Oblique views and observation in the radiologic suite for emptying of the distal stump will confirm this condition.