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• Homeopathy is widely used despite its absence from cancer patient care paths. • Chemotherapy often triggered use of homeopathy as supportive care. • Homeopathy was most often at the initiative of the patient. • Using homeopathy required a form of patient empowerment and engagement. • Most patients were supported by an homeopath. Breast cancer is the leading cause of death among French women, although the survival rate is increasing thanks to therapy and supportive care. Homeopathy is one of most widely used non-conventional supportive approaches in this context. This article aims to describe the ways women with non-metastatic breast cancer integrate homeopathy as supportive care into their conventional therapy regimen. Qualitative semi-structured interviews and focus groups were conducted using interview guides. They were audio-recorded and first, partially transcribed to elicit emerging themes to revise the interview guide, and later word-for-word for in-depth analysis using Grounded Theory. Sampling, interviewing, transcription and coding occurred iteratively. The study has been reported according to COREQ guidelines. Fifty people participated: 28 patients, 13 oncologists, 6 homeopaths, 2 gynecologists and 1 nurse. Homeopathy was rarely present in the conventional patient care pathway. Turning to homeopathy was often the patient's initiative. Homeopathy was included to prevent or deal with adverse events from cancer treatments, while attempting to maximize clinical outcomes. Homeopathy was often used early in the care path if the patient had already consulted a homeopath. For others, the fear of chemotherapy triggered an active search for solutions. Homeopathic use was a form of empowerment and engagement, not only limited to patients who habitually used homeopathy. Most patients were treated by a general practitioner specialized in homeopathy, which was acknowledged by their oncologist. Homeopathy acted as a gateway toward supportive care in tandem with conventional treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objective of the present study was to investigate the risk factors for intussusception (IS) among infants, including vaccination against rotavirus. Case-control study with systematic inclusion of all infants aged <1 year with suspected IS admitted to emergency departments in the eastern region of France between 1 April 2008 and 31 March 2012. All cases classed level 1 according to the Brighton classification were matched to 4 hospital controls. Two exposure windows were examined; exposure to the first dose of rotavirus vaccine in the 7 and in the 14 days prior to the occurrence of IS. A total of 115 cases were matched with 457 controls. The average vaccination coverage rate over the 4 years of study was 8.6%. Rotavirus vaccine was not found to be significantly associated with the occurrence of IS in the 7 days (odds ratio (OR) not calculated; p = 0.99) and in the 14 days after administration of one dose vaccine (OR 1.33, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.14–12.82). Infant formula alone or combined with breastfeeding was associated with an excess risk of IS (OR 2.74, 95% CI 1.10–6.79). A history of gastroenteritis within 2 weeks prior to hospitalisation was also associated with an increased risk (OR 2.24, 95% CI 1.07–4.67). Our study indicates that infant formula alone or combined with breastfeeding is a risk factor for IS. A small, non-significant increase in the risk of IS was observed after rotavirus vaccination, although the low vaccine coverage rate likely precluded detection of a significant increase in risk. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Infliximab is a major breakthrough in the management of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). We evaluated infliximab continuation rates and reasons for discontinuation in patients with RA. Patients and methods. – We studied patients with RA started on infliximab at any time between March 2000 and December 2002, under the conditions of everyday practice (as opposed to clinical trial settings), as recommended by the French marketing license (3 mg/kg as an intravenous infusion at weeks 0, 2, and 6 then at 8-week intervals). The number of infliximab infusions, side effects, and nonresponse rates were recorded. The Kaplan-Meier method was used to evaluate treatment continuation. Reasons for discontinuation were studied. Results. – We included 41 patients, with a mean age of 54 years, a mean RA duration of nine years, and a mean of three previous disease-modifying antirheumatic drug treatments. The total number of infliximab infusions was 461 with a mean of 10.8 per patient and a mean follow-up under treatment of 15.3 months. The proportions of patients still on infliximab were 82%, 74%, and 67% after 6, 12, and 24 months, respectively. The main reasons for discontinuation were escape phenomenon (N=6, 42.8% of discontinuations) and allergy (N=3); in one case each the reason was primary ineffectiveness, severe infection, plans to start a pregnancy, poor compliance, and unavailability for follow-up. There were 59-recorded episodes of side effects, with a profile similar to that in the literature and in postmarketing databases. Conclusion. – The infliximab continuation rate in everyday practice in patients with RA (67% after 2 years) was consistent with published data and with the results of controlled trials. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Infliximab is a major breakthrough in the management of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). We evaluated infliximab continuation rates and reasons for discontinuation in patients with RA. Patients and methods.– We studied patients with RA started on infliximab at any time between March 2000 and December 2002, under the conditions of everyday practice (as opposed to clinical trial settings), as recommended by the French marketing license (3 mg/kg as an intravenous infusion at weeks 0, 2, and 6 then at 8-week intervals). The number of infliximab infusions, side effects, and nonresponse rates was recorded. The Kaplan–Meier method was used to evaluate treatment continuation. Reasons for discontinuation were studied. Results.– We included 41 patients, with a mean age of 54 years, a mean RA duration of 9 years, and a mean of three previous disease-modifying antirheumatic drug treatments. The total number of infliximab infusions was 461 with a mean of 10.8 per patient and a mean follow-up under treatment of 15.3 months. The proportions of patients still on infliximab were 82%, 74%, and 67% after 6, 12, and 24 months, respectively. The main reasons for discontinuation were escape phenomenon (n = 6, 42.8% of discontinuations) and allergy (n = 3); in one case each, the reason was primary ineffectiveness, severe infection, plans to start a pregnancy, poor compliance, and unavailability for follow-up. There were 59 recorded episodes of side effects, with a profile similar to that in the literature and in postmarketing databases. Conclusion.– The infliximab continuation rate in everyday practice in patients with RA (67% after 2 years) was consistent with published data and with the results of controlled trials. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]