The burden and predictors of venous thromboembolic diseases in patients with multiple primary malignancies.

BACKGROUND: Venous thromboembolism (VTE) represents a considerable burden on cancer patients' survival and quality of life, but this burden varies based on the patient's baseline characteristics and cancer-related factors. Although solid evidence on the predictors and effect of VTE in cancer patients exists. AIM: To evaluate VTE rate, morbidity, and mortality to develop parameters that could predict VTEs and their associated mortality in patients with multiple primary malignancies (MPMs). METHOD AND RESULTS: This was a retrospective cohort study that took place at King Abdulaziz Medical City, Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Two hundred and forty-two patients with at least two biopsy-proven malignancies and had at least 3 months of follow-up after MPMs diagnosis were included. VTE was diagnosed in 14.5% of the cases, two-thirds of which were deep vein thrombosis. VTE was significantly associated with a higher mortality and worse survival. Predictors of VTE after MPMs diagnosis were a high ECOG performance status at MPMs diagnosis, a metastatic first primary malignancy, and ICU admission after MPMs diagnosis. Having a GI or hematological malignancy as the second primary malignancy, a high D-dimer at ICU admission, and palliative care referral were significantly associated with a higher mortality in patients who had VTE. CONCLUSION: VTE was diagnosed in 14.5% of patients with MPMs and it significantly compromises their survival. We believe that these results might be of particular benefit since the phenomenon of MPMs is becoming more frequently encountered.

What Is the Effect of Topiramate Use on Growth in Children With Epilepsy?

Objective The literature related to weight loss as a side effect of using topiramate (TPM) in pediatric patients is inconsistent. The aim of this study was to assess the effect of TPM on the growth of pediatric epileptic patients. Methods The electronic medical files of 50 pediatric epileptic patients who were prescribed TPM over 5 years were retrospectively reviewed. Cases treated with other antiepileptic drugs were the control group (n=60). Results Height growth was similar in both groups. At the 6-12-month follow-up, there was a decrease in the average BMI in the TPM group of -0.81 kg/m2 (p=0.019) and an increase in the control group of +0.46 kg/m2 (p=0.023). Weight loss was noted in 21/50 (42%) of the TPM group as compared with 13/60 (22%) in the control group (p=0.02). More weight loss was observed in the overweight TPM group in 7/16 (44%) compared to none in the nine cases in the control group (p=0.03). After the one-year follow-up, the average change in weight was +1.73 kg (p=0.0001) and +3.53 kg (p=0.0001) in the TPM and control groups, respectively. In patients with normal initial BMI, the weight increased by +1.3 kg on average, compared to the group with a high initial BMI, which decreased by -2.55 kg. Conclusion Topiramate use has no negative effect on height growth in pediatric patients with epilepsy. While mild weight loss occurs frequently in the first year of treatment, weight gain resumes after the first year except in patients with a high initial BMI.

A Descriptive Study of the Types and Survival Patterns of Saudi Patients with Multiple Primary Solid Malignancies: A 30-Year Tertiary Care Center Experience.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Cancer survival has improved significantly, which reflects the achievements in screening, diagnosis, and treatment. As a consequence, multiple primary malignancies are diagnosed more frequently, with an incidence ranging from 0.52-11.7%. The types of malignancy that coexist and survival patterns vary notably in different countries and geographical areas. Due to the limited literature in Saudi Arabia, a baseline of prevalent malignancy combinations and their survival patterns would support early detection and disease management. METHOD: This was a retrospective descriptive study conducted from 1993-2022 at King Abdulaziz Medical City, Department of Medical Oncology, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Patients with at least two biopsy-proven solid malignancies were included. Patients with hematological malignancies, missing data, or an uncertain or indecisive pathology report were excluded. RESULT: In total, 321 patients were analyzed. More than half (57.3%) of the patients were female. A third (33%) of the cases were synchronous, and 67% were metachronous. The most frequent site of the first primary malignancy was breast cancer, followed by colorectal, skin, and thyroid cancers. The most frequent site of the second primary malignancy was colorectal cancer, followed by thyroid, breast, and liver cancers. Only 4% of the cases had a third primary malignancy, with colorectal and appendiceal cancers being the most frequent. The most frequently observed histopathology in the synchronous and metachronous malignancies was adenocarcinoma. Breast-colorectal, breast-thyroid, and kidney-colorectal were the most frequently observed malignancy combinations. CONCLUSION: The current study offers a baseline of multiple primary malignancies in Saudi Arabia and provides supporting evidence that the pattern of multiple primary malignancies varies among different countries and ethnicities. The possibility of developing another primary malignancy should be considered when treating and monitoring cancer patients.

Maternal depression: A major risk factor for psychosocial wellbeing among preschoolers.

This study aims to determine the prevalence of behavioural problems among preschoolers and their association with maternal depression. A cross-sectional study was carried out in three districts of Sindh province of Pakistan. Mothers were interviewed by using a structured questionnaire during household survey. Total 1566 children were assessed on Strength and Difficulty Questionnaire while mother was inquired about her mental health by using Aga Khan Anxiety and Depression Scale (AKUADS). Almost 23% children were rated as abnormal and 23.5% as borderline by their mother on SDQ scale. 21.5% mothers were found depressed. Maternal depression was found to be highly significant association with childhood behavioural problems (OR for borderline behavioural problems = 1.30, CI: 0.96-1.76; OR for abnormal behaviour = 2.04, CI: 1.53-2.71). The OR did not change significantly when adjusted for child's gender or age or both. Maternal depression was found to be a significant risk factor for childhood psychosocial wellbeing and behavioural problems.