Radical prostatectomy in very high-risk localized prostate cancer: long-term outcomes and outcome predictors

The objective of this study was to present the long-term outcomes and determine outcome predictors in very high-risk (cT3b-T4) prostate cancer (PCa) after radical prostatectomy (RP).

Definitions and outcome measures for bullous pemphigoid: recommendations by an international panel of experts

Our scientific knowledge of bullous pemphigoid (BP) has dramatically progressed in recent years. However, despite the availability of various therapeutic options for the treatment of inflammatory diseases, only a few multicenter controlled trials have helped to define effective therapies in BP. A major obstacle in sharing multicenter-based evidences for therapeutic efforts is the lack of generally accepted definitions for the clinical evaluation of patients with BP. Common terms and end points of BP are needed so that experts in the field can accurately measure and assess disease extent, activity, severity, and therapeutic response, and thus facilitate and advance clinical trials. These recommendations from the International Pemphigoid Committee represent 2 years of collaborative efforts to attain mutually acceptable common definitions for BP and proposes a disease extent score, the BP Disease Area Index. These items should assist in the development of consistent reporting of outcomes in future BP reports and studies.

Study design features affecting outcome in antidepressant trials

A key issue in the approval process of antidepressants is the inconsistency of results between antidepressant clinical phase III trials. Identifying factors influencing efficacy data is needed to facilitate interpretation of the results.

Outcome of combined stenotic and regurgitant aortic valve disease

This study sought to describe the natural history of combined stenotic and regurgitant aortic valve disease.

Cognitive functioning in at-risk mental states for psychosis and 2-year clinical outcome

Cognitive impairment is prevalent in at-risk mental states (ARMS) for psychosis.

Self-efficacy as a predictor of outcome after residential treatment programs for alcohol dependence: simply ask the patient one question!

Self-efficacy has been identified as one of the most consistent variables that predict the outcome of alcohol treatment. However, many previous studies in this field failed to control for other important predictors (e.g., dependences severity, psychiatric symptoms, and treatment goal). Our study's first goal was to evaluate the predictive value of self-efficacy when most other relevant variables were statistically controlled. The second goal was to compare the predictive values of self-efficacy assessed with the Situational Confidence Questionnaire (SCQ), and general self-efficacy assessed with a single question.

Predictors of short term treatment outcome in patients with achalasia following endoscopic or surgical therapy

Pneumatic balloon dilation and surgical myotomy are the most effective treatments for achalasia. While there is controversy which method is best, the aim of the current study was to identify predictors of symptom recurrence after endoscopic or surgical therapy.

Plasma biomarkers as predictors of outcome in patients with advanced hepatocellular carcinoma

Validated biomarkers of prognosis and response to drug have not been identified for patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). One of the objectives of the phase III, randomized, controlled Sorafenib HCC Assessment Randomized Protocol (SHARP) trial was to explore the ability of plasma biomarkers to predict prognosis and therapeutic efficacy.

Factors influencing outcome in patients undergoing portal vein resection for adenocarcinoma of the pancreas

Survival rates after surgery and adjuvant chemotherapy for pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDA) remain low. Selected patients with portal/superior mesenteric vein (PV) involvement undergo PV resection at pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD). This study analyses outcomes for PD with/without PV resection in patients with PDA.