Clinical Research Directory

Tenofovir Alafenamide Switch Therapy in Chronic Hepatitis B

Chronic hepatitis B (CHB) patients may be unsatisfied to entecavir (ETV) therapy due to the inconvenience in drug taking, i.e., fasting for more than 2 hours and/or dose adjustment according to estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR). However, tenofovir alafenamide (TAF) has been approved to be highly effective and safe in patients with CHB, and is convenient in drug taking, i.e., once daily regardless food taking and renal function.Therefore,TAF can be a good option in CHB patients who are unsatisfied to ETV therapy. The aim of this prospective cohort study is to assess the improvement on satisfaction (including drug adherence) of TAF switch therapy in CHB patients who are unsatisfied to ETV therapy. In addition, with expected adherence improvement in TAF switch therapy, the efficacy of TAF switch therapy may be improved, and the efficacy benefits can be evaluated by the changes of some novel biomarkers, such as HBV core-related antigen (HBcrAg). The investigators therefore aim to conduct a prospective cohort study of TAF switch therapy for CHB patients who are unsatisfied to ETV therapy.

The Effect of Digital Education for Osteoporosis Patients on Fracture Risk and Related Health Outcomes.

A digital education for osteoporosis patients (DEOP) has been developed and tested on patients in Region Vastra Gotaland, Sweden. Currently, the evidence regarding the efficacy of patient education on fracture risk, medication adherence, injurious falls, levels of physical activity, and diet is insufficient. Most patients with osteoporosis in Sweden are diagnosed and treated in primary care, where the knowledge about osteoporosis is often very limited. Thus, in general, osteoporosis patients are not sufficiently informed before receiving a treatment recommendation. This randomized controlled trial aims to investigate if DEOP vs. standard care can reduce the incidence of fracture in older women and men, and if the intervention leads to better adherence to osteoporosis medication, higher quality of life, increased physical activity, and enhanced diet. The primary objective is to investigate if DEOP compared to standard care (without DEOP), can reduce the incidence of clinical fractures in men and women, over the age of 65 years, without previous osteoporosis medication the last year, who have been recommended osteoporosis treatment after a DXA scan and assessment of clinical risk factors at an osteoporosis clinic. The secondary objectives are to investigate if DEOP compared to standard care (without DEOP), can reduce the incidence of injurious falls, have positive effects on adherence to osteoporosis medication, positively affect diet (calcium and vitamin D intake), physical activity, and improve quality of life in men and women, over the age of 65 years, without previous osteoporosis medication the last year, who have been recommended osteoporosis treatment after a DXA scan and assessment of clinical risk factors at an osteoporosis clinic. Study design: randomized multicentre clinical trial. Patients over the age of 65 visiting an osteoporosis unit for a bone density scan (DXA) will be asked to participate in the study. The participants will be randomized to one of two arms where one arm will be invited to DEOP and the other arm will receive standard care, without DEOP.