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Aging and Disease Jun 2023Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a degenerative disease of the central nervous system. The pathogenesis of AD has been explained using cholinergic, β-amyloid toxicity, tau... (Review)
Review
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a degenerative disease of the central nervous system. The pathogenesis of AD has been explained using cholinergic, β-amyloid toxicity, tau protein hyperphosphorylation, and oxidative stress theories. However, an effective treatment method has not been developed. In recent years, with the discovery of the brain-gut axis (BGA) and breakthroughs made in Parkinson's disease, depression, autism, and other diseases, BGA has become a hotspot in AD research. Several studies have shown that gut microbiota can affect the brain and behavior of patients with AD, especially their cognitive function. Animal models, fecal microbiota transplantation, and probiotic intervention also provide evidence regarding the correlation between gut microbiota and AD. This article discusses the relationship and related mechanisms between gut microbiota and AD based on BGA to provide possible strategies for preventing or alleviating AD symptoms by regulating gut microbiota.
PubMed: 37191418
DOI: 10.14336/AD.2022.1127 -
The Cochrane Database of Systematic... Mar 2022Arthroscopic knee surgery remains a common treatment for symptomatic knee osteoarthritis, including for degenerative meniscal tears, despite guidelines strongly... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
Arthroscopic knee surgery remains a common treatment for symptomatic knee osteoarthritis, including for degenerative meniscal tears, despite guidelines strongly recommending against its use. This Cochrane Review is an update of a non-Cochrane systematic review published in 2017.
OBJECTIVES
To assess the benefits and harms of arthroscopic surgery, including debridement, partial menisectomy or both, compared with placebo surgery or non-surgical treatment in people with degenerative knee disease (osteoarthritis, degenerative meniscal tears, or both).
SEARCH METHODS
We searched the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL), MEDLINE, Embase, and two trials registers up to 16 April 2021, unrestricted by language.
SELECTION CRITERIA
We included randomised controlled trials (RCTs), or trials using quasi-randomised methods of participant allocation, comparing arthroscopic surgery with placebo surgery or non-surgical interventions (e.g. exercise, injections, non-arthroscopic lavage/irrigation, drug therapy, and supplements and complementary therapies) in people with symptomatic degenerative knee disease (osteoarthritis or degenerative meniscal tears or both). Major outcomes were pain, function, participant-reported treatment success, knee-specific quality of life, serious adverse events, total adverse events and knee surgery (replacement or osteotomy).
DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS
Two review authors independently selected studies for inclusion, extracted data, and assessed risk of bias and the certainty of evidence using GRADE. The primary comparison was arthroscopic surgery compared to placebo surgery for outcomes that measured benefits of surgery, but we combined data from all control groups to assess harms and knee surgery (replacement or osteotomy).
MAIN RESULTS
Sixteen trials (2105 participants) met our inclusion criteria. The average age of participants ranged from 46 to 65 years, and 56% of participants were women. Four trials (380 participants) compared arthroscopic surgery to placebo surgery. For the remaining trials, arthroscopic surgery was compared to exercise (eight trials, 1371 participants), a single intra-articular glucocorticoid injection (one trial, 120 participants), non-arthroscopic lavage (one trial, 34 participants), non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (one trial, 80 participants) and weekly hyaluronic acid injections for five weeks (one trial, 120 participants). The majority of trials without a placebo control were susceptible to bias: in particular, selection (56%), performance (75%), detection (75%), attrition (44%) and selective reporting (75%) biases. The placebo-controlled trials were less susceptible to bias and none were at risk of performance or detection bias. Here we limit reporting to the main comparison, arthroscopic surgery versus placebo surgery. High-certainty evidence indicates arthroscopic surgery leads to little or no difference in pain or function at three months after surgery, moderate-certainty evidence indicates there is probably little or no improvement in knee-specific quality of life three months after surgery, and low-certainty evidence indicates arthroscopic surgery may lead to little or no difference in participant-reported success at up to five years, compared with placebo surgery. Mean post-operative pain in the placebo group was 40.1 points on a 0 to 100 scale (where lower score indicates less pain) compared to 35.5 points in the arthroscopic surgery group, a difference of 4.6 points better (95% confidence interval (CI) 0.02 better to 9 better; I = 0%; 4 trials, 309 participants). Mean post-operative function in the placebo group was 75.9 points on a 0 to 100 rating scale (where higher score indicates better function) compared to 76 points in the arthroscopic surgery group, a difference of 0.1 points better (95% CI 3.2 worse to 3.4 better; I = 0%; 3 trials, 302 participants). Mean post-operative knee-specific health-related quality of life in the placebo group was 69.7 points on a 0 to 100 rating scale (where higher score indicates better quality of life) compared with 75.3 points in the arthroscopic surgery group, a difference of 5.6 points better (95% CI 0.36 better to 10.68 better; I = 0%; 2 trials, 188 participants). We downgraded this evidence to moderate certainty as the 95% confidence interval does not rule in or rule out a clinically important change. After surgery, 74 out of 100 people reported treatment success with placebo and 82 out of 100 people reported treatment success with arthroscopic surgery at up to five years (risk ratio (RR) 1.11, 95% CI 0.66 to 1.86; I = 53%; 3 trials, 189 participants). We downgraded this evidence to low certainty due to serious indirectness (diversity in definition and timing of outcome measurement) and serious imprecision (small number of events). We are less certain if the risk of serious or total adverse events increased with arthroscopic surgery compared to placebo or non-surgical interventions. Serious adverse events were reported in 6 out of 100 people in the control groups and 8 out of 100 people in the arthroscopy groups from eight trials (RR 1.35, 95% CI 0.64 to 2.83; I = 47%; 8 trials, 1206 participants). Fifteen out of 100 people reported adverse events with control interventions, and 17 out of 100 people with surgery at up to five years (RR 1.15, 95% CI 0.78 to 1.70; I = 48%; 9 trials, 1326 participants). The certainty of the evidence was low, downgraded twice due to serious imprecision (small number of events) and possible reporting bias (incomplete reporting of outcome across studies). Serious adverse events included death, pulmonary embolism, acute myocardial infarction, deep vein thrombosis and deep infection. Subsequent knee surgery (replacement or high tibial osteotomy) was reported in 2 out of 100 people in the control groups and 4 out of 100 people in the arthroscopy surgery groups at up to five years in four trials (RR 2.63, 95% CI 0.94 to 7.34; I = 11%; 4 trials, 864 participants). The certainty of the evidence was low, downgraded twice due to the small number of events.
AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS
Arthroscopic surgery provides little or no clinically important benefit in pain or function, probably does not provide clinically important benefits in knee-specific quality of life, and may not improve treatment success compared with a placebo procedure. It may lead to little or no difference, or a slight increase, in serious and total adverse events compared to control, but the evidence is of low certainty. Whether or not arthroscopic surgery results in slightly more subsequent knee surgery (replacement or osteotomy) compared to control remains unresolved.
Topics: Aged; Arthroscopy; Female; Humans; Middle Aged; Osteoarthritis, Knee; Pain Measurement; Pain, Postoperative; Quality of Life
PubMed: 35238404
DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD014328 -
Global Spine Journal May 2024Delayed diagnosis of degenerative cervical myelopathy (DCM) is likely due to a combination of its subtle symptoms, incomplete neurological assessments by clinicians and... (Review)
Review
STUDY DESIGN
Delayed diagnosis of degenerative cervical myelopathy (DCM) is likely due to a combination of its subtle symptoms, incomplete neurological assessments by clinicians and a lack of public and professional awareness. Diagnostic criteria for DCM will likely facilitate earlier referral for definitive management.
OBJECTIVES
This systematic review aims to determine (i) the diagnostic accuracy of various clinical signs and (ii) the association between clinical signs and disease severity in DCM?
METHODS
A search was performed to identify studies on adult patients that evaluated the diagnostic accuracy of a clinical sign used for diagnosing DCM. Studies were also included if they assessed the association between the presence of a clinical sign and disease severity. The QUADAS-2 tool was used to evaluate the risk of bias of individual studies.
RESULTS
This review identified eleven studies that used a control group to evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of various signs. An additional 61 articles reported on the frequency of clinical signs in a cohort of DCM patients. The most sensitive clinical tests for diagnosing DCM were the Tromner and hyperreflexia, whereas the most specific tests were the Babinski, Tromner, clonus and inverted supinator sign. Five studies evaluated the association between the presence of various clinical signs and disease severity. There was no definite association between Hoffmann sign, Babinski sign or hyperreflexia and disease severity.
CONCLUSION
The presence of clinical signs suggesting spinal cord compression should encourage health care professionals to pursue further investigation, such as neuroimaging to either confirm or refute a diagnosis of DCM.
PubMed: 37903098
DOI: 10.1177/21925682231209869 -
International Journal of Environmental... Jun 2020The incidence of oropharyngeal dysphagia in Parkinson's disease (PD) is very high. It is necessary to search for effective therapies that could prevent pneumonia....
The incidence of oropharyngeal dysphagia in Parkinson's disease (PD) is very high. It is necessary to search for effective therapies that could prevent pneumonia. Previous results should be interpreted cautiously as there is a lack of evidence to support the use of compensatory or rehabilitative approaches to dysphagia. We reviewed the scientific literature to describe the treatments of dysphagia in PD. A systematic review was performed in PubMed, Scopus, Elsevier, and Medline according to PRISMA standards in 2018. The articles that did not mention dysphagia secondary to PD or used surgical treatment were excluded. Eleven articles met the criteria with information from 402 patients. The review relates to different protocols, such as training in expiratory muscle strength, postural techniques, oral motor exercises, video-assisted swallowing therapy, surface electrical stimulation, thermal stimulation, touch, compensatory interventions, training regime for swallowing, neuromuscular electrical stimulation, Lee Silverman voice treatment, swallow maneuver, airway protection, and postural compensation maneuvers. This review identifies the rationing interventions in each trial, if they are efficient and equitable. Several rehabilitative therapies have been successful. An improvement was seen in the degenerative function (coordination, speed, and volume), quality of life, and social relationships of people with PD. Further investigations concerning the clinical applicability of these therapies based on well-designed randomized controlled studies are needed. Larger patient populations need to be recruited to evaluate the effectiveness, long-term effects, and new treatment techniques.
Topics: Cohort Studies; Deglutition Disorders; Humans; Parkinson Disease; Pilot Projects; Prospective Studies; Quality of Life
PubMed: 32526840
DOI: 10.3390/ijerph17114104 -
Knee Surgery, Sports Traumatology,... Oct 2022The literature on hip injuries in ballet dancers was systematically evaluated to answer (1) whether the prevalence of morphological abnormalities and pathology of hip... (Review)
Review
PURPOSE
The literature on hip injuries in ballet dancers was systematically evaluated to answer (1) whether the prevalence of morphological abnormalities and pathology of hip injuries in dancers differs from the general population (2) if there are any specific risk factors which contribute to a higher rate of hip injury and (3) what are the outcomes of primary and secondary intervention strategies.
METHODS
A systematic literature search of Medline, EMBASE and the Cochrane Library was undertaken for all literature relating to hip injuries in ballet dancers using the PRISMA guidelines. Reference lists were also searched for relevant literature. Clinical outcome studies, prospective/retrospective case series published between 1989 and October 2021 were included. Review articles (non-original data), case reports, studies on animals as well as book chapters were excluded.
RESULTS
The search yielded 445 studies, of which 35 were included for final analyses after screening. This included 1655 participants, of which 1131 were females. The analyses revealed that damage at the chondrolabral junction and degenerative disease of the hip may develop at a higher rate in ballet dancers than in the general population (odds ratio > 1 in 15/18 cohorts). The intra-articular lesions were more frequently found in postero-superior region of the hip suggesting an alternative impingement mechanism. Furthermore, numerous risk factors specific for hip injury in ballet were highlighted amidst a wide body of literature which consistently reports risk factors for a more generic 'dancer vulnerability'.
CONCLUSION
Ballet dancers may suffer from both higher rates of chondrolabral damage and degenerative disease in their hips. In contrast to other sports, the intra-articular lesions are more frequently found in postero-superior region of the hip. Future research clarifying the prevalence of osseous abnormalities and prevention strategies in dancers may be pivotal in delaying the development of hip disease in this cohort.
LEVEL OF EVIDENCE
Level IV.
Topics: Dancing; Female; Hip; Hip Injuries; Humans; Male; Prospective Studies; Retrospective Studies
PubMed: 35305112
DOI: 10.1007/s00167-022-06928-1 -
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 -
Physiotherapy Theory and Practice Jul 2023Balance impairments are common in cerebellar ataxia. Exercises are beneficial in this population. (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
Effects of therapeutic exercise on disease severity, balance, and functional Independence among individuals with cerebellar ataxia: A systematic review with meta-analysis.
BACKGROUND
Balance impairments are common in cerebellar ataxia. Exercises are beneficial in this population.
OBJECTIVE
Explore the benefits of therapeutic exercises on disease severity, balance and functional independence in cerebellar ataxia.
METHODS
Databases were searched from inception until July 2021. Methodological quality was assessed using the Physiotherapy Evidence Database (PEDro) scale and the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale (NOS); and quality of evidence was assessed using the Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development, and Evaluation (GRADE) tool.
RESULTS
Twenty-six studies were included and eight studies of low to high PEDro methodological quality were meta-analyzed. 'Low' to 'moderate' GRADE quality evidence supports the use of therapeutic exercises to reduce disease severity, assessed using the Scale for the Assessment and Rating of Ataxia [weighted mean difference (WMD): -3.3; 95% confidence interval (95%CI): -3.7, -2.8; p < .01]; and improve balance, assessed using the Berg Balance Scale (WMD: 2.6; 95%CI: 1.1, 4.2; p < .01). The effect of therapeutic exercises on functional independence was insignificant (WMD: 1.6; 95%CI: -1.5, 4.6; p = .31).
CONCLUSION
Low to moderate evidence from studies of low to high methodological quality provides some support for therapeutic exercises for reducing disease severity among non-hereditary degenerative cerebellar ataxia and improving balance among acquired cerebellar ataxia. Exercises did not benefit functional independence. Additional studies of large sample size and high methodological quality are necessary to substantiate these findings.
Topics: Humans; Cerebellar Ataxia; Functional Status; Exercise Therapy; Exercise; Ataxia; Patient Acuity
PubMed: 35212247
DOI: 10.1080/09593985.2022.2037115 -
Degenerative Cervical Disorder-Stand-alone Cage Versus Cage and Cervical Plate: A Systematic Review.Global Spine Journal Mar 2021Systematic review.
STUDY DESIGN
Systematic review.
OBJECTIVES
The objective of this study was to compare clinical and radiological outcomes following discectomy and anterior cervical fusion for the treatment of cervical degenerative disorder performed with stand-alone cages and anterior cervical plates.
METHODS
Electronic searches were performed in the MEDLINE, LILACS, and Cochrane Systematic Reviews databases, according to PRISMA guidelines, with no language or date restriction. The review was registered in PROSPERO under number CRD42018109180.
RESULTS
Six randomized clinical trials were selected, which evaluated at least one of the objectives of this work, such as pain control, bone consolidation, neurological symptoms, and cervical lordosis, thus satisfying the inclusion criteria. Articles that did not directly compare the 2 surgical techniques were excluded. A total of 309 patients were included and the results showed no significant difference in clinical (visual analogue scale and neck disability index) or radiological (cervical lordosis and fusion) outcome between the 2 groups. The operative time was shorter in the group with stand-alone cages (mean difference = -18.40; 95% CI = [-24.89, -11.92]; < .66).
CONCLUSION
The stand-alone cages and anterior cervical plate techniques have similar clinical and radiological outcomes. Despite the significantly shorter operative time for one group, other randomized clinical trials are needed to establish conclusive evidence in favor of one of the comparative treatments.
PubMed: 32875874
DOI: 10.1177/2192568220906173 -
Biomedicines Aug 2023Low back pain (LBP) has a high economic burden and is strongly related to the degenerative process of the spine, especially in the intervertebral disc and of the facet... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
Low back pain (LBP) has a high economic burden and is strongly related to the degenerative process of the spine, especially in the intervertebral disc and of the facet joints. Numerous treatment modalities have been proposed for the management of LBP, and the use of platelet-rich plasma (PRP) has emerged as an innovative therapeutic option for degenerative disease of the spine. The present study aims to evaluate the efficacy of PRP injections in managing low back pain.
METHODS
We conducted a systematic review in accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) recommendations, a registered at PROSPERO Systematic Reviews Platform, under number CRD42021268491. The PubMed, Web of Science, and Scopus databases were searched to identify relevant articles, along with hand searching to identify gray literature articles, with no language restrictions. Randomized clinical trials (RCTs), nonrandomized trials (NRTs), and case series (CSs) with more than 10 patients were considered eligible. The quality assessment and the risk of bias of the randomized clinical trials were evaluated using the RoB II tool. An evaluation of the description of the preparation methods was performed using an adapted version of the MIBO checklist.
RESULTS
An electronic database search resulted in 2324 articles, and after the exclusion of noneligible articles, 13 RCTs and 27 NRTs or CSs were analyzed. Of the 13 RCTs, 11 found favorable results in comparison to the control group in pain and disability, one showed no superiority to the control group, and one was discontinued because of the lack of therapeutic effect at eight-week evaluation. Description of the PRP preparation techniques were found in almost all papers. The overall risk of bias was considered high in 2 papers and low in 11. An adapted MIBO checklist showed a 72.7% compliance rate in the selected areas.
CONCLUSIONS
In this systematic review, we analyzed articles from English, Spanish and Russian language, from large databases and grey literature. PRP was in general an effective and safe treatment for degenerative LPB. Positive results were found in almost studies, a small number of adverse events were related, the risk of bias of the RCTs was low. Based on the evaluation of the included studies, we graded as level II the quality of the evidence supporting the use of PRP in LBP. Large-scale, multicenter RCTs are still needed to confirm these findings.
PubMed: 37760845
DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines11092404