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The European Journal of Health... Jul 2016There is unmet need in patients suffering from chronic pain, yet innovation may be impeded by the difficulty of justifying economic value in a field beset by data... (Review)
Review
There is unmet need in patients suffering from chronic pain, yet innovation may be impeded by the difficulty of justifying economic value in a field beset by data limitations and methodological variability. A systematic review was conducted to identify and summarise the key areas of variability and limitations in modelling approaches in the economic evaluation of treatments for chronic pain. The results of the literature review were then used to support the development of a fully flexible open-source economic model structure, designed to test structural and data assumptions and act as a reference for future modelling practice. The key model design themes identified from the systematic review included: time horizon; titration and stabilisation; number of treatment lines; choice/ordering of treatment; and the impact of parameter uncertainty (given reliance on expert opinion). Exploratory analyses using the model to compare a hypothetical novel therapy versus morphine as first-line treatments showed cost-effectiveness results to be sensitive to structural and data assumptions. Assumptions about the treatment pathway and choice of time horizon were key model drivers. Our results suggest structural model design and data assumptions may have driven previous cost-effectiveness results and ultimately decisions based on economic value. We therefore conclude that it is vital that future economic models in chronic pain are designed to be fully transparent and hope our open-source code is useful in order to aspire to a common approach to modelling pain that includes robust sensitivity analyses to test structural and parameter uncertainty.
Topics: Analgesics; Chronic Pain; Cost-Benefit Analysis; Humans; Models, Econometric; Narcotics; Quality-Adjusted Life Years
PubMed: 26377997
DOI: 10.1007/s10198-015-0720-y -
Heart Failure Reviews Jan 2018Patients with conventional pacemakers or implanted defibrillators are often considered for cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT). Our aim was to summarize the... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
UNLABELLED
Patients with conventional pacemakers or implanted defibrillators are often considered for cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT). Our aim was to summarize the available evidences regarding the clinical benefits of upgrade procedures. A systematic literature search was performed from studies published between 2006 and 2017 in order to compare the outcome of CRT upgrade vs. de novo implantations. Outcome data on all-cause mortality, heart failure events, New York Heart Association (NYHA) Class, QRS narrowing and echocardiographic parameters were analysed. A total of 16 reports were analysed comprising 489,568 CRT recipients, of whom 468,205 patients underwent de novo and 21,363 upgrade procedures. All-cause mortality was similar after CRT upgrade compared to de novo implantations (RR 1.19, 95% CI 0.88-1.60, p = 0.27). The risk of heart failure was also similar in both groups (RR 0.96, 95% CI 0.70-1.32, p = 0.81). There was no significant difference in clinical response after CRT upgrade compared to de novo implantations in terms of improvement in left ventricular ejection fraction (ΔEF de novo - 6.85% vs. upgrade - 9.35%; p = 0.235), NYHA class (ΔNYHA de novo - 0.74 vs. upgrade - 0.70; p = 0.737) and QRS narrowing (ΔQRS de novo - 9.6 ms vs. upgrade - 29.5 ms; p = 0.485). Our systematic review and meta-analysis of currently available studies reports that CRT upgrade is associated with similar risk for all-cause mortality compared to de novo resynchronization therapy. Benefits on reverse remodelling and functional capacity improved similarly in both groups suggesting that CRT upgrade may be safely and effectively offered in routine practice.
CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION
Prospero Database-CRD42016043747.
Topics: Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy; Heart Failure; Humans; Treatment Outcome; Ventricular Function, Left
PubMed: 29047028
DOI: 10.1007/s10741-017-9652-1 -
World Neurosurgery Aug 2023The optimal treatment algorithm for patients with degenerative lumbar spondylolisthesis has not been clarified. Part of the reason for this is that the natural history... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
OBJECTIVE
The optimal treatment algorithm for patients with degenerative lumbar spondylolisthesis has not been clarified. Part of the reason for this is that the natural history of degenerative spondylolisthesis (DS) has not been sufficiently studied. Comprehension of the natural history is essential for surgical decision making. We aimed to determine 1) the proportion of patients that develop de novo DS during follow-up; and 2) the proportion of patients with progression of preexistent DS by conducting a systematic review and meta-analysis of the literature.
METHODS
This systematic review was conducted in accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses guidelines. Ovid, EMBASE, and the Cochrane Library were searched from their inception through April 2022. Demographic values of the study populations, grade of slip, rate of slippage before and after the follow-up period, and percentage of patients with slip in the populations at baseline and after follow-up were the extracted parameters.
RESULTS
Of the 1909 screened records, eventually 10 studies were included. Of these studies, 5 reported the development of de novo DS and 9 reported on the progression of preexistent DS. Proportions of patients developing de novo DS ranged from 12% to 20% over a period ranging from 4 to 25 years. The proportion of patients with progression of DS ranged from 12% to 34% over a period ranging from 4 to 25 years.
CONCLUSIONS
Systematic review and metanalysis of DS on the basis of radiologic parameters revealed both an increasing incidence over time and an increasing progression of the slip rate in up to a third of the patients older than 25 years, which is important for counseling patients and surgical decision making. Importantly, two thirds of patients did not experience slip progression.
Topics: Humans; Spondylolisthesis; Treatment Outcome; Decompression, Surgical; Spinal Fusion; Lumbar Vertebrae
PubMed: 37271258
DOI: 10.1016/j.wneu.2023.05.112 -
Cancers Mar 2021Immunosuppressive therapy after solid organ transplantation leads to the development of cancer in many recipients. Analysis of the occurrence of different types of de... (Review)
Review
Immunosuppressive therapy after solid organ transplantation leads to the development of cancer in many recipients. Analysis of the occurrence of different types of de novo carcinomas in relation to specific immunosuppressive drugs may give insight into their carcinogenic process and carcinogenesis in general. Therefore, a systematic search was performed in Embase and PubMed. Studies describing over five de novo carcinomas in patients using immunosuppressive drugs after solid organ transplantation were included. Incidence per 1000 person-years was calculated with DerSimonian-Laird random effects model and odds ratio for developing carcinomas with the Mantel-Haenszel test. Following review of 5606 papers by title and abstract, a meta-analysis was conducted of 82 studies. The incidence rate of de novo carcinomas was 8.41. Patients receiving cyclosporine developed more de novo carcinomas compared to tacrolimus (OR1.56, 95%CI 1.00-2.44) and mycophenolate (OR1.26, 95%CI 1.03-1.56). Patients receiving azathioprine had higher odds to develop de novo carcinomas compared to mycophenolate (OR3.34, 95%CI 1.29-8.65) and head and neck carcinoma compared to tacrolimus (OR3.78, 95%CI 1.11-12.83). To conclude, patients receiving immunosuppressive drugs after solid organ transplantation have almost a 20-fold increased likelihood of developing carcinomas, with the highest likelihood for patients receiving cyclosporine A and azathioprine. Looking into altered immune pathways affected by immunosuppressive drugs might lead to better understanding of carcinogenesis in general.
PubMed: 33807849
DOI: 10.3390/cancers13051122 -
Frontiers in Endocrinology 2022Patients with gallstone disease (GSD) often have highly co-occurrence with metabolic syndrome (MetS) and Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) both associated with... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
BACKGROUND
Patients with gallstone disease (GSD) often have highly co-occurrence with metabolic syndrome (MetS) and Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) both associated with insulin resistance (IR). Meanwhile, highly prevalence of NAFLD was found in patients who received cholecystectomy. However, the associations of GSD with MetS, NAFLD is inconsistent in the published literature. And risk of cholecystectomy on NAFLD is unclear.
METHODS
We searched the Medline EMBASE and WOS databases for literature that met our study topic. To be specific, studies with focus on associations between GSD and MetS/NAFLD, and risk evaluation on cholecystectomy and NAFLD incidence were enrolled for further analysis. The random effect model was used to calculate the combined relative ratio (RR) and odds ratio (OR)and 95% confidence interval (CI).
RESULTS
Seven and six papers with focus on connections between GSD and NAFLD/MetS prevalence. Correspondingly, seven papers with focus on risk of cholecystectomy on NAFLD occurrence were also enrolled into meta-analysis. After pooling the results from individual study, patients with GSD had higher risk of MetS (OR:1.45, 95%CI: 1.23-1.67, I = 41.1%, P=0.165). Risk of GSD was increased by 52% in NAFLD patients (pooled OR:1.52, 95%CI:1.24-1.80). And about 32% of increment on NAFLD prevalence was observed in patients with GSD (pooled OR: 1.32, 95%CI:1.14-1.50). With regard to individual MetS components, patients with higher systolic blood pressure were more prone to develop GSD, with combined SMD of 0.29 (96%CI: 0.24-0.34, P<0.05). Dose-response analysis found the GSD incidence was significantly associated with increased body mass index (BMI) (pooled OR: 1.02, 95%CI:1.01-1.03) in linear trends. Patients who received cholecystectomy had a higher risk of post-operative NAFLD (OR:2.14, 95%CI: 1.43-2.85), P<0.05). And this impact was amplified in obese patients (OR: 2.51, 95%CI: 1.95-3.06, P<0.05).
CONCLUSION
Our results confirmed that controls on weight and blood pressure might be candidate therapeutic strategy for GSD prevention. And concerns should be raised on NAFLD after cholecystectomy.
Topics: Humans; Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease; Metabolic Syndrome; Risk Factors; Body Mass Index; Gallstones
PubMed: 36506064
DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2022.1032557 -
Annals of Indian Academy of Neurology 2023COVID-19 infection is associated with neurological manifestations, including various types of movement disorders (MD). A thorough review of individual patients with...
BACKGROUND
COVID-19 infection is associated with neurological manifestations, including various types of movement disorders (MD). A thorough review of individual patients with COVID-19-induced MD would help in better understanding the clinical profile and outcome of these patients and in prognostication.
OBJECTIVE
We conducted an individual patient-systematic review to study the clinical and imaging profile and outcomes of patients with COVID-19-associated MD.
METHODS
A systematic literature search of PubMed, EMBASE, and Cochrane databases was conducted by two independent reviewers. Individual patient data COVID from case reports and case series on COVID-19-associated MD, published between December 2019 and December 2022, were extracted and analyzed.
RESULTS
Data of 133 patients with COVID-19-associated MD from 82 studies were analyzed. Mean age was 55 ± 18 years and 77% were males. A mixed movement disorder was most commonly seen (41%); myoclonus-ataxia was the most frequent (44.4%). Myoclonus significantly correlated with age (odds ratio (OR) 1.02 = 0.03, CI 1-1.04). Tremor had the longest latency to develop after SARS-CoV-2 infection [median (IQR) 21 (10-40) days, = 0.009, CI 1.01-1.05]. At short-term follow-up, myoclonus improved (OR 14.35, value = 0.01, CI 1.71-120.65), whereas parkinsonism (OR 0.09, value = 0.002, CI 0.19-0.41) and tremor (OR 0.16, value = 0.016, CI 0.04-0.71) persisted.
CONCLUSION
Myoclonus-ataxia was the most common movement disorder after COVID-19 infection. Myoclonus was seen in older individuals and usually improved. Tremor and parkinsonism developed after a long latency and did not improve in the short-term.
PubMed: 38022478
DOI: 10.4103/aian.aian_572_23 -
Circulation. Arrhythmia and... Apr 2016Recent results from the largest multicenter randomized trial (Shockless IMPLant Evaluation [SIMPLE]) on defibrillation threshold (DFT) testing suggest that while shock... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
Recent results from the largest multicenter randomized trial (Shockless IMPLant Evaluation [SIMPLE]) on defibrillation threshold (DFT) testing suggest that while shock testing seems safe, it does not reduce the risk of failed shocks or prolong survival. A contemporary systematic review of DFT versus no-DFT testing at the time of implantable cardioverter-defibrillator implantation was performed to evaluate the current evidence and to assess the impact of the SIMPLE study.
METHODS AND RESULTS
Electronic searches were performed using 6 databases from their inception to March 2014. Relevant studies investigating implant DFT were identified. Data were extracted and analyzed according to predefined clinical end points. Predefined outcomes for interrogation were all-cause mortality, composite end point of implantable cardioverter-defibrillator efficacy (arrhythmic deaths and ineffective shocks), and composite safety end point (the sum of complications recorded at 30 days). Meta-analysis was performed including 13 studies and 9740 patients. No significant differences between DFT versus no-DFT cohorts were found in terms of all-cause mortality (risk ratio, 0.90; 95% confidence interval, 0.71-1.15; P=0.41), composite efficacy outcome (risk ratio, 1.24; 95% confidence interval, 0.65-3.37; P=0.51), and 30-day postimplant complications (risk ratio, 1.18; 95% confidence interval, 0.87-1.60; P=0.29). No significant difference was found in the trends observed when the results of the SIMPLE study were excluded or included.
CONCLUSIONS
This systematic review of contemporary data suggests a modest average effect of DFT, if any, in terms of mortality, shock efficacy, or safety. Therefore, DFT testing should no longer be compulsory during de novo implantation. However, DFT testing may still be clinically relevant in specific patient populations.
Topics: Arrhythmias, Cardiac; Defibrillators, Implantable; Electric Countershock; Heart Conduction System; Humans
PubMed: 27030699
DOI: 10.1161/CIRCEP.115.003357 -
European Spine Journal : Official... Dec 2020Primary degenerative scoliosis represents a new scoliosis developing in patients with no prior history of spinal curvature. Researchers sought to determine the... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
INTRODUCTION
Primary degenerative scoliosis represents a new scoliosis developing in patients with no prior history of spinal curvature. Researchers sought to determine the prevalence of this type of scoliosis.
METHODS
MEDLINE, Embase, CINAHL, Web of Science and PubMed were searched from inception to 28th March, 2018. Studies that assessed adults from the general population for scoliosis using imaging techniques were included. Studies were included only if the study authors had excluded participants with previously diagnosed scoliosis and/or spinal disorders. Mixed-effects logistic-regression was used to establish an overall prevalence estimate with 95% confidence intervals (primary outcome) and to examine the effect of age and sex (secondary outcomes).
RESULTS
Four cross-sectional studies and one cohort study, involving 4069 participants (66.6% Female), aged between 41 and 94 years, were eligible for inclusion. Reported prevalence figures ranged from 13 to 68%. The pooled prevalence estimate from the mixed-effects logistic regression analysis was 37.6% (95% CI 18.7-61.8). Females were more likely to suffer from scoliosis compared with males (p < 0.001), with prevalence figures of 41.2% (95% CI 20.7-65.8) versus 27.5% (95% CI 12.2-51.1), respectively. Individuals aged < 60 years had a prevalence of 13% (95% CI 5.2-30.2), whereas the prevalence estimates were substantially higher in the > 60 age group [36% (95% CI 17.4-60.6)].
CONCLUSION
Primary degenerative scoliosis is a highly prevalent condition, especially in females. Further research targeting this type of scoliosis is required to obtain more precise global prevalence estimates and to understand the influence of age and sex.
Topics: Adult; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Cohort Studies; Cross-Sectional Studies; Female; Humans; Logistic Models; Male; Middle Aged; Prevalence; Scoliosis
PubMed: 32440771
DOI: 10.1007/s00586-020-06453-0 -
Journal of Clinical Medicine Sep 2022There is mounting evidence that statin use is beneficial for COVID-19 outcomes. We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis to evaluate the association between... (Review)
Review
There is mounting evidence that statin use is beneficial for COVID-19 outcomes. We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis to evaluate the association between statin use and mortality, intensive care unit (ICU) admission and mechanical ventilation in COVID-19 patients, on studies which provided covariate adjusted effect estimates, or performed propensity score matching. We searched PubMed, Embase, Web of Science and Scopus for studies and extracted odds or hazard ratios for specified outcome measures. Data synthesis was performed using a random-effects inverse variance method. Risk of bias, heterogeneity and publication bias were analyzed using standard methods. Our results show that statin use was associated with significant reductions in mortality (OR = 0.72, 95% CI: 0.67-0.77; HR = 0.74, 95% CI: 0.69, 0.79), ICU admission (OR = 0.94, 95% CI: 0.89-0.99; HR = 0.76, 95% CI: 0.60-0.96) and mechanical ventilation (OR = 0.84, 95% CI: 0.78-0.92; HR = 0.67, 95% CI: 0.47-0.97). Nevertheless, current retrospective studies are based on the antecedent use of statins prior to infection and/or continued use of statin after hospital admission. The results may not apply to the de novo commencement of statin treatment after developing COVID-19 infection. Prospective studies are lacking and necessary.
PubMed: 36143101
DOI: 10.3390/jcm11185454 -
Experimental and Clinical... Feb 2022Our aim was to perform a comprehensive literature review on the pathogenesis of squamous anal cancerin patients after solid-organ transplant. Medical databases were... (Review)
Review
Our aim was to perform a comprehensive literature review on the pathogenesis of squamous anal cancerin patients after solid-organ transplant. Medical databases were consulted until June 1, 2020, for potentially relevant publications.All studies on pathogenesis of de novo anal squamous cell carcinoma in solid-organ transplant recipients were included. Two researchers independently performed study selection, quality assessment, and data extraction and analysis. Twenty-one studies were included.None ofthe selected papers had been solely focused on carcinogenesis. Most ofthe studies identified human papillomavirus infection and immunosuppression to be significantly correlated with the development of de novo anal cancer in adult solid organ transplant recipients. CD4+ T-cell depletion and inactivation oftumor suppressor pathways were mainly implicated. All solid-organ transplant recipients, especially those who were human papillomavirus positive, were shown to be at increased risk for the development of posttransplant anal cancer. Further studies are needed to determine the specific mechanisms of pathogenesis according to different solid-organ transplant populations.
Topics: Adult; Anus Neoplasms; Carcinogenesis; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell; Humans; Organ Transplantation; Transplant Recipients; Treatment Outcome
PubMed: 35282809
DOI: 10.6002/ect.2021.0412