Objectives: We aimed to assess the upper extremity (UE) muscle function/strength of Takayasu arteritis (TAK) patients compared to healthy controls (HC) and the factors affecting functional outcomes. Methods: Patients with TAK (n = 51, F/M: 42/9, mean age: 44 (13.3) years) were compared cross-sectionally with HC (n = 51), 24 patients also had a follow-up. Muscle outcomes were assessed by unsupported upper limb exercise test (UULEX), handgrip strength (HS), and QuickDASH. Results: UULEX completion time was 171.1 (103.5) seconds in TAK patients, and 432 (44.7) seconds in the HC group (P < .001). Both right HS (TAK: 22.9 (7.25) versus HC: 27.3 (2.7) kg, P = .002) and left HS (TAK: 21.9 (6.8) versus HC: 25.4 (7.5) kg, P = .014) were reduced in TAK patients. UULEX was significantly decreased in patients with active disease (104.4 (62.1) seconds (sec.) versus 183.5 (105.3) sec., P = .023). In follow-up measurements, HS and QuickDASH scores were similar, while UULEX completion time increased significantly. UULEX completion time decreased significantly in patients who had a relapse during the follow-up (−37.6 (62.9) sec. versus 73.2 (87.5) sec., P = .001). Conclusions: UE muscle function/strength is impaired in TAK patients, associated with disease relapses. UULEX appears to be a promising functional test that shows an association with clinical and radiological parameters and may have potential for monitoring disease activity or progression.

Objectives: Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) is a heterogeneous disease, with approximately one-third of patients presenting with extranodal involvement. The gastrointestinal (GI) tract is the most commonly affected extranodal site. This retrospective study aimed to evaluate the clinical characteristics and treatment outcomes of patients diagnosed with GI-DLBCL at a tertiary care hospital between 2015 and 2024. Patients and Methods: Data of patients diagnosed with GI-DLBCL were retrospectively collected from electronic medical records. Patients with lymphoma subtypes other than DLBCL were excluded from the study. Results: A total of 35 patients were included. The median age at diagnosis was 57 years, and 48.6% were male. The most frequent histologic subtype was “DLBCL, not otherwise specified (NOS)”. The stomach was the most common site of extranodal involvement. Two-thirds of the patients presented with advanced-stage disease. Rituximab-based therapies including cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine, and prednisolone with rituximab (R-CHOP) were administered as first-line treatment in 82.9% of patients, and a complete response was achieved in 71.4%. At a median follow-up of 45 months, median progression-free survival and overall survival had not yet been reached. Conclusion: Despite a high rate of advanced-stage disease, R-CHOP treatment achieved high response rates and durable survival. Molecular profiling may help better understand the biological heterogeneity of GI-DLBCL.

Background and Objectives: The optimal treatment strategy for older patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) remains uncertain because treatment selection is influenced by age, comorbidity, functional status, and disease biology. This study explored real-world outcomes with intensive and non-intensive treatment strategies. Materials and Methods: We retrospectively analyzed 69 patients aged ≥ 65 years diagnosed with AML between 2012 and 2022 at a tertiary center. Treatment intensity was defined by regimen. Baseline demographic, clinical, and laboratory parameters were recorded. Progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) were estimated by the Kaplan–Meier method and compared using log-rank tests. Results: A total of 69 patients were included, with a median age of 71 years. Intensive and non-intensive therapies were administered in 24.2% and 75.8% of treated patients, respectively. The median PFS was 6.7 months, and the median OS was 7.8 months. One- and two-year OS rates were 29% and 9.2%, respectively. No significant differences in PFS or OS were observed between treatment intensity groups. Among response-evaluable patients, complete remission/complete remission with incomplete hematologic recovery (CR/CRi) was achieved in 58.0% of intensively treated patients and 43.3% of those receiving hypomethylating agent (HMA)-based therapy. Among the evaluated baseline variables, only Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) performance status was significantly associated with overall survival. Patients with an ECOG performance status ≥ 2 had significantly shorter OS than those with ECOG <2 (median OS: 4.85 vs. 8.60 months, p = 0.009). Conclusions: In this real-world cohort of older patients with AML, no statistically significant differences in PFS or OS were observed between intensive and non-intensive treatment strategies. Although CR/CRi rates were numerically higher with intensive therapy, disease progression remained frequent among patients who achieved a response. ECOG performance status was significantly associated with overall survival, highlighting the relevance of functional status in individualized treatment selection. These findings should not be interpreted as evidence of therapeutic equivalence.

Background: Infections are a leading cause of morbidity and mortality in multiple myeloma (MM), particularly during the induction phase. Identifying real-world infection patterns and predictors is crucial for guiding preventive strategies. Methods: This retrospective cohort study included 161 newly diagnosed MM patients who received standard induction therapy at a single tertiary center between 2016 and 2024. Clinical, laboratory, and infection-related parameters were analyzed over the first 12 months. Results: Infections occurred in 50.9% of patients, with the highest incidence within the first 3 months (27.3%, p = 0.004). Pneumonia was the most common type (34.1%), and gram-negative bacteria, particularly Escherichia coli , Klebsiella spp. , and Pseudomonas aeruginosa , were predominant. Antibiotic resistance to TMP-SMX and levofloxacin was observed in E. coli isolates. Multivariate analysis identified advanced ISS stage (OR: 3.83), diabetes mellitus (OR: 3.64), and chronic kidney disease (OR: 6.01) as independent predictors of infection ( p < 0.05). Lymphocyte counts were significantly lower in febrile episodes ( p = 0.040), highlighting a possible early immune marker. Hospitalization was more common in patients with advanced ISS and kidney disease. No significant differences were found between induction regimens. Conclusion: Infections pose a significant burden during the first year of MM treatment, particularly in high-risk patients during early induction. Readily available clinical parameters can aid in early risk stratification. These findings support a risk-adapted approach to prophylaxis, including the selective use of levofloxacin in patients with diabetes or kidney disease during the first 3 months of therapy.