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Journal of Thermal Biology Apr 2023Adolescent and Juvenile Idiopathic Scoliosis are a three-dimensional spine deformity characterized by a muscle alteration of the convex and concave sides of the... (Review)
Review
INTRODUCTION
Adolescent and Juvenile Idiopathic Scoliosis are a three-dimensional spine deformity characterized by a muscle alteration of the convex and concave sides of the scoliosis, which can be evaluated with different non-invasive and radiation-free methods such as infrared thermography. The objective of the present review is to assess infrared thermography as a potential method to evaluate alterations of the scoliosis.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
A systematic review was performed by collecting articles from PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, and Google Scholar, published from 1990 to April 2022, on the use of infrared thermography to evaluate adolescent and juvenile idiopathic scoliosis. Relevant data were collected in tables, and the primary outcomes were discussed narratively.
RESULTS
Of the 587 articles selected, only 5 were in line with the objective of this systematic review and were eligible for the inclusion criteria. The findings of the selected articles corroborate the applicability of infrared thermography as an objective method to assess the thermal differences of the muscles between the convex and concave sides of scoliosis. The overall quality of the research was uneven in the reference standard method and assessment of measures.
CONCLUSION
Infrared thermography is providing promising results to discriminate thermal differences in scoliosis evaluation, albeit there are still some concerns about considering it as a diagnostic tool for scoliosis evaluation because specific recommendations for collecting data are not met. We propose additional recommendations to existing guidelines to perform thermal acquisition to reduce errors and provide the best results to the scientific community.
Topics: Humans; Adolescent; Scoliosis; Thermography; Muscles
PubMed: 37055128
DOI: 10.1016/j.jtherbio.2023.103524 -
Foot and Ankle Surgery : Official... Jun 2023The Zadek osteotomy, a dorsal closing wedge osteotomy of the calcaneus, has been described as a treatment option in patients with Insertional Achilles Tendinopathy (IAT)... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
BACKGROUND
The Zadek osteotomy, a dorsal closing wedge osteotomy of the calcaneus, has been described as a treatment option in patients with Insertional Achilles Tendinopathy (IAT) that have failed conservative management. The aim of this study was to evaluate the clinical outcomes and the complications of the Zadek for the management of IAT.
METHODS
PubMed, EMBASE and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trails (CENTRAL) were searched for all studies to November 2022. PRISMA guidelines were followed. The overall estimates of effect were presented as Weighted Mean Difference (WMD) and 95 % confidence intervals (CIs). Meta-analysis was conducted using the Review Manager Software (RevMan, Version 5.4).
RESULTS
Ten studies with 232 patients were included. Functional scores and pain levels were significantly improved after the Zadek osteotomy (p < 0.00001). There were a total of 22 complications reported in the included studies and they were all considered minor. The most common complications were superficial wound infection and sural nerve paraesthesia.
CONCLUSIONS
The Zadek osteotomy is a safe and effective procedure for patients with IAT. There are no well-designed randomized controlled trials in the literature assessing the outcomes of a Zadek osteotomy against alternate surgical treatments and future research should focus on this.
LEVEL OF EVIDENCE
II.
Topics: Humans; Achilles Tendon; Tendinopathy; Musculoskeletal Diseases; Osteotomy; Calcaneus
PubMed: 37088671
DOI: 10.1016/j.fas.2023.04.007 -
The Cochrane Database of Systematic... Dec 2015Dupuytren's disease is a benign fibroproliferative disorder that causes the fingers to be drawn into the palm via formation of new tissue under the glabrous skin of the... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
BACKGROUND
Dupuytren's disease is a benign fibroproliferative disorder that causes the fingers to be drawn into the palm via formation of new tissue under the glabrous skin of the hand. This disorder causes functional limitations, but it can be treated through a variety of surgical techniques. As a chronic condition, it tends to recur.
OBJECTIVES
To assess the benefits and harms of different surgical procedures for treatment of Dupuytren's contracture of the index, middle, ring and little fingers.
SEARCH METHODS
We initially searched the following databases on 17 September 2012, then re-searched them on 10 March 2014 and on 20 May 2015: the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL), The Cochrane Library, the British Nursing Index and Archive (BNI), the Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL), EMBASE, the Latin American Caribbean Health Sciences Literature (LILACS), Ovid MEDLINE, Ovid MEDLINE-In-Process and Other Non-Indexed Citations, ProQuest (ABI/INFORM Global and Dissertations & Theses), the Institute for Scientific Information (ISI) Web of Science and clinicaltrials.gov. We reviewed the reference lists of short-listed articles to identify additional suitable studies.
SELECTION CRITERIA
We included randomised clinical trials and controlled clinical trials in which groups received surgical intervention for Dupuytren's disease of the index, middle, ring or little finger versus control, or versus another intervention (surgical or otherwise). We excluded the thumb, as cords form on the radial aspect of the thumb and thus are not readily accessible in terms of angular deformity. Furthermore, thumb disease is rare.
DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS
A minimum of two review authors independently reviewed search results to select studies for inclusion by using pre-specified criteria, assessed risk of bias of included studies and extracted data from included studies.We grouped outcomes into the following categories: (1) hand function, (2) other patient-reported outcomes (e.g. satisfaction, pain), (3) early objective outcomes (e.g. correction of angular deformity), (4) late objective outcomes (e.g. recurrence) and (5) adverse effects.
MAIN RESULTS
We included 14 articles describing 13 studies, comprising 11 single-centre studies and two multi-centre studies. These studies involved 944 hands of 940 participants; of these, 93 participants were reported twice in separate articles describing early and late outcomes of one trial. Three papers reported the outcomes of two trials comparing different procedures. One trial compared needle fasciotomy versus fasciectomy (125 hands, 121 participants), and the other compared interposition firebreak skin grafting versus z-plasty closure of fasciectomy (79 participants). The other 11 studies reported trials of technical refinements of procedures or rehabilitation adjuncts. Of these, three investigated effects of postoperative splinting on surgical outcomes.Ten studies (11 articles) were randomised controlled trials (RCTs) of varying methodological quality; one was a controlled clinical trial. Trial design was unclear in two studies awaiting classification. All trials had high or unclear risk of at least one type of bias. High risks of performance and detection bias were particularly common. We downgraded the quality of evidence (Grades of Recommendation, Assessment, Development and Evaluation - GRADE) of outcomes to low because of concerns about risk of bias and imprecision.Outcomes measured varied between studies. Five articles assessed recurrence; two defined this as reappearance of palpable disease and two as deterioration in angular deformity; one did not explicitly define recurrence.Hand function on the Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand (DASH) Scale (scores between 0 and 100, with higher scores indicating greater impairment) was 5 points lower after needle fasciotomy than after fasciectomy at five weeks. Patient satisfaction was better after fasciotomy at six weeks, but the magnitude of effect was not specified. Fasciectomy improved contractures more effectively in severe disease: Mean percentage reduction in total passive extension deficit at six weeks for Tubiana grades I and II was 11% lower after needle fasciotomy than after fasciectomy, whereas for grades III and IV disease, it was 29% and 32% lower.Paraesthesia (defined as subjective tingling sensation without objective evidence of altered sensation) was more common than needle fasciotomy at one week after fasciectomy (228/1000 vs 67/1000), but reporting of complications was variable.By five years, satisfaction (on a scale from 0 to 10, with higher scores showing greater satisfaction) was 2.1/10 points higher in the fasciectomy group than in the fasciotomy group, and recurrence was greater after fasciotomy (849/1000 vs 209/1000). Firebreak skin grafting did not improve outcomes more than fasciectomy alone, although this procedure took longer to perform.One trial investigated four weeks of day and night splinting followed by two months of night splinting after surgery. The other two trials investigated three months of night splinting after surgery, but participants in 'no splint' groups with early deterioration at one week were issued a splint for use. All three studies demonstrated no benefit from splinting. The two trials investigating postoperative night splinting were suitable for meta-analysis, which demonstrated no benefit from splinting: Mean DASH score in the splint groups was 1.15 points lower (95% confidence interval (CI) -2.32 to 4.62) than in the no splint groups. Mean total active extension in the splint groups was 2.21 degrees greater (95% CI -3.59 to 8.01 degrees) than in the no splint groups. Mean total active flexion in the splint groups was 8.42 degrees less (95% CI 1.78 to 15.07 degrees) than in the no splint groups.
AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS
Currently, insufficient evidence is available to show the relative superiority of different surgical procedures (needle fasciotomy vs fasciectomy, or interposition firebreak skin grafting vs z-plasty closure of fasciectomy). Low-quality evidence suggests that postoperative splinting may not improve outcomes and may impair outcomes by reducing active flexion. Further trials on this topic are urgently required.
Topics: Controlled Clinical Trials as Topic; Dupuytren Contracture; Fasciotomy; Fingers; Humans; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic
PubMed: 26648251
DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD010143.pub2 -
Foot & Ankle Specialist Mar 2024The aim of this study was to evaluate and compare different fixation methods to achieve Tarsometatarsal joint I (TMT-1) arthrodesis in patients with hallux valgus... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
The aim of this study was to evaluate and compare different fixation methods to achieve Tarsometatarsal joint I (TMT-1) arthrodesis in patients with hallux valgus regarding radiographic correction, complication profile, and clinical outcomes.
METHODS
A systematic review and meta-analysis included primary literature results of evidence level 1 to 3 studies in German and English. Inclusion and exclusion criteria were established and applied, along with parameters suitable for comparison of data.
RESULTS
16 studies with a total of 1176 participants met the inclusion criteria for this analysis. Twelve evaluation criteria were compared among 3 fixation techniques; comprised of a screw-only, dorsomedial plating- and plantar plating cohort. There was no statistical difference in deformity correction (both intermetatarsal- and hallux valgus angle), or AOFAS score between the cohorts. The complication rate was 13% in the plantar-, 19.5% in the dorsomedial-, and 24.5% in the screw cohort. Nonunion was seen in 0.7% of participants in the plantar, 1.4% in the dorsomedial, and 5.3% in the screw group. The time until complete weightbearing correlated positively with the development of nonunion, with a coefficient of 0.376 (P = .009). Hardware removal was performed in 11.8% of patients in the dorsomedial cohort, 7.7% in the screw cohort, and 3.6% in the plantar cohort.
CONCLUSION
Based on the results of meta-analysis of heterogeneous studies, plantar plating facilitated early weightbearing and patient mobilization compared to the other fixation methods, while carrying the lowest nonunion, hardware removal, and general complication risk. However, owing to the relatively small number of patients in the plantar plating group, more work is necessary to elucidate the benefits of plantar plating for a first tarsometatarsal joint arthrodesis. Development of complications appears to be largely dependent on the fixation model, rather than patient mobilization alone. .
PubMed: 38483102
DOI: 10.1177/19386400241233832 -
Reproductive Toxicology (Elmsford, N.Y.) Apr 2015Vulvovaginal candidiasis (VVC) affects up to 75% of women at least once during their lifetime, mostly during the reproductive age, and recurrence rate is about 50%.... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
Vulvovaginal candidiasis (VVC) affects up to 75% of women at least once during their lifetime, mostly during the reproductive age, and recurrence rate is about 50%. Because half of all pregnancies are unplanned and pregnant women have an increased risk of VVC recurrence, the likelihood of inadvertently being exposed to fluconazole in pregnancy is increased. Thus, we aimed to examine the risk of congenital malformations in the offspring of women exposed to fluconazole in the first trimester of pregnancy. The rate for overall malformations was 1.10 (95% CI 0.98-1.25), for heart defect was 1.29 (95% CI 1.05-1.58), for craniofacial defects was 1.25 (95% CI 0.88-1.77), and for limb/musculoskeletal defects was 0.82 (95% CI 0.59-1.13). In conclusion, the use of fluconazole in the first trimester does not appear to increase the overall risk for congennital malformations. More studies are needed to address the potential increased rate of heart defects.
Topics: Abnormalities, Drug-Induced; Antifungal Agents; Candidiasis, Vulvovaginal; Craniofacial Abnormalities; Female; Fluconazole; Heart Defects, Congenital; Humans; MEDLINE; Pregnancy; Pregnancy Trimester, First
PubMed: 25724389
DOI: 10.1016/j.reprotox.2015.02.009 -
BMJ Open Nov 2016The aim of this study was to compare outcomes when the upper and lower thoracic regions were used as the site of proximal instrumentation to treat adult spinal deformity. (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
Long fusion correction of degenerative adult spinal deformity and the selection of the upper or lower thoracic region as the site of proximal instrumentation: a systematic review and meta-analysis.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study was to compare outcomes when the upper and lower thoracic regions were used as the site of proximal instrumentation to treat adult spinal deformity.
METHODS
MEDLINE, Embase and Cochrane library searches were performed to identify studies that compared outcome measures when the upper and lower thoracic vertebrae (UTV and LTV, respectively) were used as the site of proximal instrumentation. The weighted mean difference (WMD) was calculated for continuous outcomes, and the relative risk (RR) was calculated for dichotomous outcomes.
RESULTS
Seven articles (n=554 patients) met the final inclusion criteria, and we compared the outcome measures of a long fusion extending to the upper and lower thoracic regions. The pooled analysis revealed that extending fixation into the upper thoracic region decreased the risk of proximal junctional kyphosis (PJK) revision surgery (RR: 0.36, 95% CI 0.14 to 0.90, p<0.05). The operation time (WMD: 0.93, 95% CI 0.48 to 1.39, p<0.05) and estimated blood loss (WMD: 0.59, 95% CI 0.33 to 0.85, p<0.05) were significantly greater in the UTV group than in the LTV group. No significant differences were found in the Scoliosis Research Society pain, self-image, function, mental health, subtotal, satisfaction or total scores; the total number of complications or the total number of revision surgeries.
CONCLUSIONS
Long posterior fixation extending into the upper thoracic region reduces the incidence of revision surgery related to PJK; however, it increased the operative level resulting in a longer operative time and greater estimated blood loss. This initial analysis indicates that extending fixation to the upper thoracic region is appropriate for patients who are likely to develop PJK following initial scoliosis correction.
Topics: Blood Loss, Surgical; Humans; Kyphosis; Operative Time; Postoperative Complications; Reoperation; Scoliosis; Spinal Fusion; Treatment Outcome
PubMed: 27852709
DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2016-012103 -
Orphanet Journal of Rare Diseases Apr 2021Recessive dystrophic epidermolysis bullosa (RDEB) is a genetic collagen disorder characterized by skin fragility leading to blistering, wounds, and scarring. There are... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVE
Recessive dystrophic epidermolysis bullosa (RDEB) is a genetic collagen disorder characterized by skin fragility leading to blistering, wounds, and scarring. There are currently no approved curative therapies. The objective of this manuscript is to provide a comprehensive literature review of the disease burden caused by RDEB.
METHODS
A systematic literature review was conducted in MEDLINE and Embase in accordance with PRISMA guidelines. Observational and interventional studies on the economic, clinical, or humanistic burden of RDEB were included.
RESULTS
Sixty-five studies were included in the review. Patients had considerable wound burden, with 60% reporting wounds covering more than 30% of their body. Increases in pain and itch were seen with larger wound size. Chronic wounds were larger and more painful than recurrent wounds. Commonly reported symptoms and complications included lesions and blistering, anemia, nail dystrophy and loss, milia, infections, musculoskeletal contractures, strictures or stenoses, constipation, malnutrition/nutritional problems, pseudosyndactyly, ocular manifestations, and dental caries. Many patients underwent esophageal dilation (29-74%; median dilations, 2-6) and gastrostomy tube placement (8-58%). In the severely affected population, risk of squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) was 76% and mortality from SCC reached 84% by age 40. Patients with RDEB experienced worsened quality of life (QOL), decreased functioning and social activities, and increased pain and itch when compared to other EB subtypes, other skin diseases, and the general population. Families of patients reported experiencing high rates of burden including financial burden (50-54%) and negative impact on private life (79%). Direct medical costs were high, though reported in few studies; annual payer-borne total medical costs in Ireland were $84,534 and annual patient-borne medical costs in Korea were $7392. Estimated annual US costs for wound dressings ranged from $4000 to $245,000. Patients spent considerable time changing dressings: often daily (13-54% of patients) with up to three hours per change (15-40%).
CONCLUSION
Patients with RDEB and their families/caregivers experience significant economic, humanistic, and clinical burden. Further research is needed to better understand the costs of disease, how the burden of disease changes over the patient lifetime and to better characterize QOL impact, and how RDEB compares with other chronic, debilitating disorders.
Topics: Adult; Cost of Illness; Dental Caries; Epidermolysis Bullosa; Epidermolysis Bullosa Dystrophica; Humans; Quality of Life; Republic of Korea
PubMed: 33849616
DOI: 10.1186/s13023-021-01811-7 -
Current Drug Safety 2016Multiple pregnancies are a recognized adverse effect of assisted reproductive technologies; nevertheless, there is no consensus on the incremental risk associated with... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
INTRODUCTION
Multiple pregnancies are a recognized adverse effect of assisted reproductive technologies; nevertheless, there is no consensus on the incremental risk associated with the ovarian stimulation (OS) used alone and intrauterine insemination (IUI). The relationship between OS and IUI and the risk of major congenital malformations (MCM) is unclear.
OBJECTIVE
To summarise the literature and evaluate the risk of multiple pregnancy and MCM associated with OS used alone and IUI used with or without OS compared to natural conception (spontaneously conceived infants without any type of fertility treatments).
METHODS
We carried out a systematic review to identify published papers between 1966 and 2014 in MEDLINE, EMBASE and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials. We included observational studies and randomized clinical trials related to the risk of multiple pregnancies and MCM conceived following OS alone or IUI compared to natural conception (spontaneously conceived infants without any fertility treatments). The quality of the included studies was evaluated using The Cochrane Collaboration's tool for assessing risk of bias for RCTs and the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale for observational studies.
RESULTS
There were 63 studies included in this review. Our systematic review suggests that the use of any OS alone was associated with an increased risk of multiple pregnancy compared to natural conception (pooled RR 8.80, 95% CI 5.09- 15.20; p= 0.000; 9 studies). Similar increases in the risk of multiple pregnancies were observed following clomiphene citrate used without assisted reproductive technologies. Compared to natural conception, the use of IUI with or without OS was associated with an increased risk of multiple pregnancy (pooled RR 9.73, 95% CI 7.52 -12.60; p= 0.000; 6 studies). Compared to natural conception, the use of any OS alone was associated with an increased risk of any MCM (RR pooled 1.18, 95%CI 1.03-1.36; 11 studies), major musculoskeletal malformations (pooled RR 1.48, 95%CI 1.21-1.81; 7 studies), and malformations of the nervous system (pooled RR 1.73, 95%CI 1.15-2.61; 6 studies). Compared to natural conception, the use of IUI was associated with an increased risk of any MCM (pooled RR 1.23, 95%CI 1.10-1.37; 10 studies), major urogenital (pooled RR 1.52, 95%CI 1.04-2.22; 7 studies), and musculoskeletal malformations (pooled RR 1.54, 95%CI 1.20-1.98; 7 studies). The overall quality of the included studies was acceptable.
CONCLUSIONS
The increased risk of multiple pregnancy and certain types of MCM associated with the use of less invasive fertility treatments, such as OS and IUI, found in this review, highlights the importance of the practice framing. Heterogeneity in OS protocols, the combination with other fertility agents, the limited number of studies and the methodological quality differences reduce our ability to draw conclusions on specific treatment. More observational studies, assessing the risk of multiple pregnancy or MCM, as a primary outcome, using standardized methodologies, in larger and better clinically defined populations are needed.
Topics: Clinical Trials as Topic; Congenital Abnormalities; Female; Fertility Agents, Female; Humans; Insemination; Ovulation Induction; Pregnancy; Pregnancy, Multiple; Risk Factors
PubMed: 27484228
DOI: 10.2174/1574886311666160627094051 -
Tropical Medicine & International... Mar 2017Congenital talipes equinovarus (CTEV), or clubfoot, is a structural malformation that develops early in gestation. Birth prevalence of clubfoot is reported to vary both... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
OBJECTIVE
Congenital talipes equinovarus (CTEV), or clubfoot, is a structural malformation that develops early in gestation. Birth prevalence of clubfoot is reported to vary both between and within low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), and this information is needed to plan treatment services. This systematic review aimed to understand the birth prevalence of clubfoot in LMIC settings.
METHODS
Six databases were searched for studies that reported birth prevalence of clubfoot in LMICs. Results were screened and assessed for eligibility using pre-defined criteria. Data on birth prevalence were extracted and weighted pooled estimates were calculated for different regions. Wilcoxon rank-sum test was used to examine changes in birth prevalence over time. Included studies were appraised for their methodological quality, and a narrative synthesis of findings was conducted.
RESULTS
Forty-eight studies provided data from 13 962 989 children in 20 countries over 55 years (1960-2015). The pooled estimate for clubfoot birth prevalence in LMICs within the Africa region is 1.11 (0.96, 1.26); in the Americas 1.74 (1.69, 1.80); in South-East Asia (excluding India) 1.21 (0.73, 1.68); in India 1.19 (0.96, 1.42); in Turkey (Europe region) 2.03 (1.54, 2.53); in Eastern Mediterranean region 1.19 (0.98, 1.40); in West Pacific (excluding China) 0.94 (0.64, 1.24); and in China 0.51 (0.50, 0.53).
CONCLUSION
Birth prevalence of clubfoot varies between 0.51 and 2.03/1000 live births in LMICs. A standardised approach to the study of the epidemiology of clubfoot is required to better understand the variations of clubfoot birth prevalence and identify possible risk factors.
Topics: Africa; Americas; Asia; Child; Clubfoot; Developing Countries; Europe; Humans; Parturition; Talipes
PubMed: 28000394
DOI: 10.1111/tmi.12833 -
Clinical Obesity Apr 2015Children with obesity report musculoskeletal pain more than normal-weight children; this may be linked with literature suggesting children with obesity have higher... (Review)
Review
Children with obesity report musculoskeletal pain more than normal-weight children; this may be linked with literature suggesting children with obesity have higher prevalence of pes planus (flatfoot). To further elucidate whether this relation occurs, we conducted a systematic literature review on the co-occurrence of pes planus and paediatric obesity. Empirical articles published until September 2013 were obtained through an electronic search of MEDLINE and SPORTDiscus; included articles examined the association between body weight and pes planus in children. Thirteen cross-sectional studies of varied designs were identified. Methods used to diagnose pes planus varied between studies: imaging modalities, anthropometric measurements and clinical examination. Across all studies, pes planus prevalence among children with obesity ranged widely from 14 to 67%. Nearly all studies indicated increasing pes planus in children with increasing weight. No studies evaluated pain/complications related to pes planus. Our review suggests increased prevalence of pes planus among children with obesity or increasing weight status. Because of differing methodologies, lack of consensus regarding the pes planus definition, the dearth of investigation into pain/complications and the few existing studies, more research is needed to determine a relation between children's body weight, pes planus and associated effects on pain and function.
Topics: Age Factors; Comorbidity; Flatfoot; Foot; Humans; Pain; Pediatric Obesity; Prevalence
PubMed: 25808780
DOI: 10.1111/cob.12091