1.Rapid health technology assessment of brivaracetam as adjunctive therapy for drug-resistant focal epilepsy
Xiaohua CHOU ; Qian ZHANG ; Xinran QIU ; Bo ZHANG ; Daoli JIANG
China Pharmacy 2026;37(17):2320-2326
OBJECTIVE To evaluate the efficacy, safety, and cost-effectiveness of brivaracetam (BRV) as adjunctive therapy in patients with drug-resistant focal epilepsy.METHODS PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, Web of Science, CNKI, Wanfang, and official health technology assessment (HTA) agency websites were searched from inception to January 31, 2026 for HTA reports, systematic reviews/meta-analyses, and pharmacoeconomic studies on BRV. After literature screening and quality assessment, a descriptive analysis was performed.RESULTS A total of 21 publications were included: 13 systematic reviews/meta-analyses, 7 pharmacoeconomic studies (including one study that simultaneously conducted a systematic review/meta-analysis), and 2 HTA reports. Regarding efficacy, BRV significantly improved the 50% responder rate [risk ratio (RR)=1.81] and seizure-freedom rate (RR=5.89) versus placebo. Among third-generation anti-seizure medications (ASMs), BRV ranked 1st-2nd for seizure freedom, while its 50% responder rate was at a moderate level. The optimal adult dose for seizure freedom was 100 mg/d. Regarding safety, BRV was well tolerated, overall adverse event rates did not differ from placebo, though withdrawal due to adverse event rates were higher than with placebo. Tolerability ranked 1st-2nd among the third-generation ASMs. Psychiatric/behavioral adverse event rates were lower with BRV (6.4%) than with levetiracetam (14.1%). Regarding cost-effectiveness, BRV showed pharmacoeconomic advantages in countries with lower drug pricing (Australia, Finland) and only in high-risk subgroups in Japan, but did not show such advantages at current prices in the US or Italy. BRV has been included in China’s national reimbursement drug list in 2025, and the economic conclusions drawn during its initial market launch are outdated and require re-evaluation.CONCLUSIONS BRV has proven efficacy and good safety, especially suitable for patients intolerant to levetiracetam. However, due to pricing and medical insurance policies, the cost-effectiveness of BRV after its inclusion in China’s national reimbursement drug list still needs to be re-evaluated.
2.Effects of biapenem on the blood concentration of sodium valproate in patients with severe infections:a re-trospective study
Xiaohua CHOU ; Qian ZHANG ; Zhidong LIU ; Daoli JIANG
China Pharmacy 2025;36(24):3079-3083
OBJECTIVE To analyze the effects of biapenem on the blood concentration of sodium valproate (VPA) in patients with severe infections. METHODS A retrospective collection of patient data was conducted, encompassing individuals admitted to our hospital from January 2021 to May 2024 who were treated with biapenem for severe infections and concurrently or sequentially administered VPA for the prevention or treatment of epilepsy. The effects of various factors on the blood concentration of VPA, including the combination of biapenem, the sequence of biapenem administration, the number of days of biapenem combination, the dosage of biapenem, and the time after biapenem discontinuation. RESULTS A total of 70 patients with 117 VPA blood concentration results were included in this study. When VPA was used alone, no statistically significant difference was observed in the steady-state blood concentrations of VPA between patients who received biapenem first and those who received it later (P> 0.05). There was no statistically significant difference between the steady-state concentration of VPA in patients who received biapenem in combination for 1 to 3 days and those who did not receive the combination therapy (P>0.05). The steady-state concentration of VPA in patients not receiving biapenem combination therapy was significantly higher than that of the patients who received combination therapy for 4 to 7 days and more than 7 days (P<0.001). With the prolonged duration of combination therapy, the blood concentration of VPA gradually decreased (P<0.001). However, no statistically significant difference was observed between the group receiving combination therapy for more than 7 days and the group receiving it for 4 to 7 days (P> 0.05). After 1 to 3 days of combination therapy, no statistically significant differences in VPA blood concentrations were observed among patients with different discontinuation times of biapenem (P>0.05). The blood concentration of VPA in patients who received combination therapy for more than 3 days was significantly lower than those who discontinued biapenem 4 to 7 days or more than 7 days after more than 3 days of combination therapy(P<0.001). There was no statistically significant difference in VPA blood concentrations between patients receiving a daily biapenem dose >1.0 g and those receiving a daily dose <1.0 g (P>0.05). CONCLUSIONS The concomitant administration of biapenem for 1-3 days has a minimal impact on the blood concentration of VPA. In patients receiving combination therapy for longer than 3 days, VPA blood concentrations return to baseline levels chouxiaoh@163.com within 4-7 days after biapenem discontinuation.
3.Association between remnant cholesterol and the risk of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease in a community population in Shanghai
Yingqi DENG ; Minhua TANG ; Kexin ZHANG ; Xiaohua LIU ; Yanan WU ; Qian PENG ; Liping YI ; Jianhua SHI ; Yingfeng LU ; Yonggen JIANG ; Genming ZHAO
Chinese Journal of Epidemiology 2025;46(6):935-941
Objective:To analyze the association between remnant cholesterol (RC) and the risk of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) in community population in Shanghai.Methods:Using baseline and follow-up data from the Shanghai Suburban Adult Cohort and Biobank, individuals with ASCVD (including coronary heart disease, stroke, myocardial infarction, and peripheral artery disease) at baseline were excluded. A Cox proportional hazards regression model was employed to analyze the relationship between RC and ASCVD risk and the association under different LDL-C levels.Results:A total of 57 281 participants were included, with a median follow-up of 5.61 person-years. During the follow-up, 1 436 ASCVD events (2.51%) were recorded. After adjusting for potential confounders, individuals with moderate ( HR=1.18, 95% CI: 1.03-1.36) or high RC levels ( HR=1.32, 95% CI: 1.15-1.51) had an increased risk of ASCVD. The association was stronger in participants younger than 60 years-old (interaction P=0.048). Participants with RC ≥0.97 mmol/L and LDL-C <3.40 mmol/L demonstrated a 19% ( HR=1.19, 95% CI: 1.06-1.35) increased risk of ASCVD. When RC ≥0.97 mmol/L and LDL-C ≥3.40 mmol/L, ASCVD risk increased by 42% ( HR=1.42, 95% CI: 1.21-1.67). Conclusions:Elevated RC increases ASCVD risk, regardless of LDL-C levels. RC can serve as a valuable predictor and intervention target for ASCVD.
4.Analysis on rate of adverse pregnancy outcomes in HIV-infected pregnant women and influencing factors in some regions of China, 2017-2023
Xinwei LI ; Ailing WANG ; Yanli CAO ; Qinghua QIN ; Jiarui ZHENG ; Xiaohua XIE ; Maimaitiming AIBIBAI ; Lingling GUAN ; Xiaoyan WANG ; Dongxu HUANG ; Qian WANG
Chinese Journal of Epidemiology 2025;46(1):125-130
Objective:To understand the incidence of adverse pregnancy outcome in HIV-infected pregnant women and influencing factors in China and provide reference for the improvement of the health status of HIV-infected pregnant women and their newborns.Methods:Based on a mother-child cohort of HIV-infected pregnant women and children (PMTCT-MC-2005) established in Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, Yunnan Province and Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, this study enrolled pregnant women with or without HIV infection as study subjects from January 2017 to June 2023, a total of 1 646 pregnant women (558 HIV-infected and 1 088 HIV-uninfected) were included, and 34 cases with missing data were excluded. The χ2 test was used to analyze the difference in the incidence adverse pregnancy outcome between two groups, and used logistic regression model to identify the influencing factors of adverse pregnancy outcome in HIV-infected pregnant women. Results:A total of 1 612 pregnant women were included in the study, in whom 541 were infected with HIV and 1 071 were not infected with HIV. The incidence of adverse pregnancy outcome was 18.8% (303/1 612), the incidence of adverse pregnancy outcome was 33.1% (179/541) in the HIV-infected pregnant women and 11.6% (124/1 071) in the pregnant women without HIV infection. The results of multivariable logistic regression analysis showed that the influencing factors of adverse pregnancy outcome were age <35 years at delivery (a OR=0.64, 95% CI: 0.43-0.95) compared with the age ≥35 years and the duration of antiviral treatment over 10 years (a OR=0.43, 95% CI: 0.23-0.79) compared with less than one year. Conclusions:The incidence of adverse pregnancy outcome in HIV-infected pregnant women was high in some regions of China during 2017-2023. It is necessary for HIV-infected women to get pregnancy at appropriate time based on antiretroviral treatment effect and strengthen self-care to reduce the incidence of adverse pregnancy outcome.
5.Association between remnant cholesterol and the risk of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease in a community population in Shanghai
Yingqi DENG ; Minhua TANG ; Kexin ZHANG ; Xiaohua LIU ; Yanan WU ; Qian PENG ; Liping YI ; Jianhua SHI ; Yingfeng LU ; Yonggen JIANG ; Genming ZHAO
Chinese Journal of Epidemiology 2025;46(6):935-941
Objective:To analyze the association between remnant cholesterol (RC) and the risk of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) in community population in Shanghai.Methods:Using baseline and follow-up data from the Shanghai Suburban Adult Cohort and Biobank, individuals with ASCVD (including coronary heart disease, stroke, myocardial infarction, and peripheral artery disease) at baseline were excluded. A Cox proportional hazards regression model was employed to analyze the relationship between RC and ASCVD risk and the association under different LDL-C levels.Results:A total of 57 281 participants were included, with a median follow-up of 5.61 person-years. During the follow-up, 1 436 ASCVD events (2.51%) were recorded. After adjusting for potential confounders, individuals with moderate ( HR=1.18, 95% CI: 1.03-1.36) or high RC levels ( HR=1.32, 95% CI: 1.15-1.51) had an increased risk of ASCVD. The association was stronger in participants younger than 60 years-old (interaction P=0.048). Participants with RC ≥0.97 mmol/L and LDL-C <3.40 mmol/L demonstrated a 19% ( HR=1.19, 95% CI: 1.06-1.35) increased risk of ASCVD. When RC ≥0.97 mmol/L and LDL-C ≥3.40 mmol/L, ASCVD risk increased by 42% ( HR=1.42, 95% CI: 1.21-1.67). Conclusions:Elevated RC increases ASCVD risk, regardless of LDL-C levels. RC can serve as a valuable predictor and intervention target for ASCVD.
6.Analysis on rate of adverse pregnancy outcomes in HIV-infected pregnant women and influencing factors in some regions of China, 2017-2023
Xinwei LI ; Ailing WANG ; Yanli CAO ; Qinghua QIN ; Jiarui ZHENG ; Xiaohua XIE ; Maimaitiming AIBIBAI ; Lingling GUAN ; Xiaoyan WANG ; Dongxu HUANG ; Qian WANG
Chinese Journal of Epidemiology 2025;46(1):125-130
Objective:To understand the incidence of adverse pregnancy outcome in HIV-infected pregnant women and influencing factors in China and provide reference for the improvement of the health status of HIV-infected pregnant women and their newborns.Methods:Based on a mother-child cohort of HIV-infected pregnant women and children (PMTCT-MC-2005) established in Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, Yunnan Province and Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, this study enrolled pregnant women with or without HIV infection as study subjects from January 2017 to June 2023, a total of 1 646 pregnant women (558 HIV-infected and 1 088 HIV-uninfected) were included, and 34 cases with missing data were excluded. The χ2 test was used to analyze the difference in the incidence adverse pregnancy outcome between two groups, and used logistic regression model to identify the influencing factors of adverse pregnancy outcome in HIV-infected pregnant women. Results:A total of 1 612 pregnant women were included in the study, in whom 541 were infected with HIV and 1 071 were not infected with HIV. The incidence of adverse pregnancy outcome was 18.8% (303/1 612), the incidence of adverse pregnancy outcome was 33.1% (179/541) in the HIV-infected pregnant women and 11.6% (124/1 071) in the pregnant women without HIV infection. The results of multivariable logistic regression analysis showed that the influencing factors of adverse pregnancy outcome were age <35 years at delivery (a OR=0.64, 95% CI: 0.43-0.95) compared with the age ≥35 years and the duration of antiviral treatment over 10 years (a OR=0.43, 95% CI: 0.23-0.79) compared with less than one year. Conclusions:The incidence of adverse pregnancy outcome in HIV-infected pregnant women was high in some regions of China during 2017-2023. It is necessary for HIV-infected women to get pregnancy at appropriate time based on antiretroviral treatment effect and strengthen self-care to reduce the incidence of adverse pregnancy outcome.
7.Efficacy and safety of liposomal bupivacaine in transversus abdominis plane block for post-cesarean analgesia
Xiaohua GUO ; Qian CHEN ; Qing ZHAO ; Xinying GUO ; Yongying PAN ; Wanqing JI ; Yulin JIN
The Journal of Practical Medicine 2025;41(11):1724-1729
Objective To comparatively evaluate the clinical efficacy of liposomal bupivacaine and ropiva-caine in transversus abdominis plane(TAP)block combined with intravenous patient-controlled analgesia(PCA)following cesarean section,and to explore the analgesic advantages of liposomal bupivacaine.Methods Eighty parturients scheduled for elective cesarean section were recruited and randomly allocated into two groups via a random number table:the liposomal bupivacaine group and the ropivacaine group.At the conclusion of the surgical procedure,both groups underwent ultrasound-guided bilateral TAP block.In the ropivacaine group,20 mL of 0.5%ropivacaine was administered per side.In the liposomal bupivacaine group,266 mg of liposomal bupivacaine was dissolved in 0.9%normal saline to a total volume of 40 mL,with 20 mL injected per side.The following parameters were compared between the two groups:Visual Analog Scale(VAS)scores at rest and during movement at various postop-erative time points,the overall scores of the 15-item Quality of Recovery(QoR-15)scale,postoperative opioid consumption,the time to first ambulation,the time to first flatus,and the incidence of adverse drug reactions such as nausea,vomiting,constipation,and pruritus.Results In comparison with the ropivacaine group,the liposomal bupivacaine group exhibited significantly lower Visual Analogue Scale(VAS)scores both at rest and during move-ment at 12 hours,24 hours,and 48 hours postoperatively(P<0.001).Significantly higher Quality of Recovery-15(QoR-15)scores were recorded in the liposomal bupivacaine group at 24 hours and during the 24-48-hour period postoperatively(P<0.001).The postoperative opioid consumption within 48 hours was markedly lower in the liposo-mal bupivacaine group(P<0.001).The time to first flatus was significantly shorter in the liposomal bupivacaine group(P<0.001).No significant differences were detected in the incidence of nausea,vomiting,or constipation between the two groups(P>0.05),and no cases of pruritus or other severe adverse reactions were observed.Conclusion Liposomal bupivacaine used for TAP block following cesarean section offers extended analgesia,reduces the need for opioids,enhances the quality of postoperative recovery,promotes gastrointestinal motility,and demonstrates excellent safety.
8.A case of stiff person syndrome with symptoms similar to panic attack
Wanyan ZHOU ; Caiping LIU ; Haiying CHEN ; Wanying LIU ; Siying XIANG ; Xinyi QIAN ; Xin LI ; Xiaohua LIU ; Guanjun LI
Chinese Journal of Psychiatry 2025;58(1):51-54
Stiff person syndrome (SPS) is a rare neuro-immune disorder characterized by exaggerated startle responses and muscle spasms in response to minor stimuli. SPS is often misdiagnosed as panic disorder or agoraphobia. This paper reported a case of a patient with SPS presenting symptoms similar to panic attack. The patient had been misdiagnosed as dystonia, anxiety disorder and panic attack. The patient was finally correctly diagnosed through multiple disciplinary team discussions. This study integrates a comprehensive understanding of symptomatology and patient-reported experiences with targeted neurological evaluations and supplementary diagnostic tools to improve the accuracy of etiological diagnoses. This study aims to enhance the ability of psychiatrists to recognize somatic diseases presenting with psychiatric symptoms and to improve clinical diagnostic and treatment levels.
9.Efficacy and safety of liposomal bupivacaine in transversus abdominis plane block for post-cesarean analgesia
Xiaohua GUO ; Qian CHEN ; Qing ZHAO ; Xinying GUO ; Yongying PAN ; Wanqing JI ; Yulin JIN
The Journal of Practical Medicine 2025;41(11):1724-1729
Objective To comparatively evaluate the clinical efficacy of liposomal bupivacaine and ropiva-caine in transversus abdominis plane(TAP)block combined with intravenous patient-controlled analgesia(PCA)following cesarean section,and to explore the analgesic advantages of liposomal bupivacaine.Methods Eighty parturients scheduled for elective cesarean section were recruited and randomly allocated into two groups via a random number table:the liposomal bupivacaine group and the ropivacaine group.At the conclusion of the surgical procedure,both groups underwent ultrasound-guided bilateral TAP block.In the ropivacaine group,20 mL of 0.5%ropivacaine was administered per side.In the liposomal bupivacaine group,266 mg of liposomal bupivacaine was dissolved in 0.9%normal saline to a total volume of 40 mL,with 20 mL injected per side.The following parameters were compared between the two groups:Visual Analog Scale(VAS)scores at rest and during movement at various postop-erative time points,the overall scores of the 15-item Quality of Recovery(QoR-15)scale,postoperative opioid consumption,the time to first ambulation,the time to first flatus,and the incidence of adverse drug reactions such as nausea,vomiting,constipation,and pruritus.Results In comparison with the ropivacaine group,the liposomal bupivacaine group exhibited significantly lower Visual Analogue Scale(VAS)scores both at rest and during move-ment at 12 hours,24 hours,and 48 hours postoperatively(P<0.001).Significantly higher Quality of Recovery-15(QoR-15)scores were recorded in the liposomal bupivacaine group at 24 hours and during the 24-48-hour period postoperatively(P<0.001).The postoperative opioid consumption within 48 hours was markedly lower in the liposo-mal bupivacaine group(P<0.001).The time to first flatus was significantly shorter in the liposomal bupivacaine group(P<0.001).No significant differences were detected in the incidence of nausea,vomiting,or constipation between the two groups(P>0.05),and no cases of pruritus or other severe adverse reactions were observed.Conclusion Liposomal bupivacaine used for TAP block following cesarean section offers extended analgesia,reduces the need for opioids,enhances the quality of postoperative recovery,promotes gastrointestinal motility,and demonstrates excellent safety.
10.A case of stiff person syndrome with symptoms similar to panic attack
Wanyan ZHOU ; Caiping LIU ; Haiying CHEN ; Wanying LIU ; Siying XIANG ; Xinyi QIAN ; Xin LI ; Xiaohua LIU ; Guanjun LI
Chinese Journal of Psychiatry 2025;58(1):51-54
Stiff person syndrome (SPS) is a rare neuro-immune disorder characterized by exaggerated startle responses and muscle spasms in response to minor stimuli. SPS is often misdiagnosed as panic disorder or agoraphobia. This paper reported a case of a patient with SPS presenting symptoms similar to panic attack. The patient had been misdiagnosed as dystonia, anxiety disorder and panic attack. The patient was finally correctly diagnosed through multiple disciplinary team discussions. This study integrates a comprehensive understanding of symptomatology and patient-reported experiences with targeted neurological evaluations and supplementary diagnostic tools to improve the accuracy of etiological diagnoses. This study aims to enhance the ability of psychiatrists to recognize somatic diseases presenting with psychiatric symptoms and to improve clinical diagnostic and treatment levels.

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