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Ultrasound in Obstetrics & Gynecology :... Mar 2023To evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of different ultrasound signs for diagnosing adnexal torsion, using surgery as the reference standard. (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of different ultrasound signs for diagnosing adnexal torsion, using surgery as the reference standard.
METHODS
This was a systematic review and meta-analysis of studies published between January 1990 and November 2021 evaluating ovarian edema, adnexal mass, ovarian Doppler flow findings, the whirlpool sign and pelvic fluid as ultrasound signs (index tests) for detecting adnexal torsion, using surgical findings as the reference standard. The search for studies was performed in PubMed/MEDLINE, CINAHL, Scopus, The Cochrane Library, ClinicalTrials.gov and Web of Science databases. The Quality Assessment of Diagnostic Accuracy Studies-2 (QUADAS-2) tool was used to evaluate the quality of the studies. Pooled sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative likelihood ratios were calculated separately, and the post-test probability of adnexal torsion following a positive or negative test was also determined.
RESULTS
The search identified 1267 citations after excluding duplicates. Eighteen studies were ultimately included in the qualitative and quantitative syntheses. Eight studies (809 patients) analyzed the presence of ovarian edema, eight studies (1044 patients) analyzed the presence of an adnexal mass, 14 studies (1742 patients) analyzed ovarian Doppler flow, six studies (545 patients) analyzed the whirlpool sign and seven studies (981 patients) analyzed the presence of pelvic fluid as ultrasound signs of adnexal torsion. Overall, the quality of most studies was considered to be moderate or good. However, there was a high risk of bias in the patient-selection and index-text domains (with the exception of the whirlpool sign) in a significant proportion of studies. Pooled sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative likelihood ratios of each ultrasound sign were 58%, 86%, 4.0 and 0.49 for ovarian edema, 69%, 46%, 1.3 and 0.67 for adnexal mass, 65%, 91%, 7.6 and 0.38 for the whirlpool sign, 53%, 95%, 11.0 and 0.49 for ovarian Doppler findings and 55%, 69%, 1.7 and 0.66 for pelvic fluid. Heterogeneity was high for all analyses.
CONCLUSIONS
The presence of an adnexal mass or pelvic fluid have poor diagnostic accuracy as ultrasound signs of adnexal torsion, while the presence of ovarian edema, the whirlpool sign and decreased or absent ovarian Doppler flow have good specificity but moderate sensitivity for detecting adnexal torsion. © 2022 The Authors. Ultrasound in Obstetrics & Gynecology published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of International Society of Ultrasound in Obstetrics and Gynecology.
Topics: Female; Pregnancy; Humans; Ovarian Torsion; Torsion Abnormality; Adnexal Diseases; Ovarian Diseases; Edema
PubMed: 35751902
DOI: 10.1002/uog.24976 -
Gait & Posture May 2018Since pregnant women may have potentially greater difficulty maintaining balance, their stability has been investigated by some researchers. However, there is no... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
INTRODUCTION
Since pregnant women may have potentially greater difficulty maintaining balance, their stability has been investigated by some researchers. However, there is no consensus considering the results. The purpose of our investigation was to compare all the experimental studies focusing on the analysis of gait that have been conducted over the last years to assess their methodological issues and changes induced by pregnancy.
METHODS
The PRISMA Guidelines incorporating a risk of bias and strength of recommendations were used as a methodological template for this review. Literature searches were conducted using the following databases: PubMed, Embase, SPORTDiscus, Scopus. After limiting the search to meet the inclusion criteria, 25 articles remained in the final analysis.
RESULTS
Some authors emphasised that adaptations due to pregnancy are recognised to provide safety and stability. Thus, they consistently reported reduced walking velocity as a result of lower frequency and smaller length of the steps. Longer contact times were reflected by the shortened peak forces. Plantar loads were redistributed from the rearfoot (decrease) to the midfoot and forefoot (increase) throughout pregnancy. Another adjustment was an increase of base of support to improve lateral gait stability which allows to compensate increased medio-lateral ground reaction force. During the course of pregnancy the increase of anterior body mass and hormonal changes enhance some realignments of the pelvis and lumbar spine. Methodological approaches varied across the included studies. The critical appraisal identified some areas of weaknesses that should be considered for designing the future investigations.
CONCLUSIONS
Since many gait parameters are interrelated, in order to understand the cause-and-effect relationships an integrative and complete analysis of multiple factors is required.
Topics: Female; Foot; Gait; Humans; Mothers; Pregnancy; Reference Values; Walking
PubMed: 29500941
DOI: 10.1016/j.gaitpost.2018.02.024 -
Annals of Surgical Oncology May 2016Abdominopelvic cancer surgery increases the risk of postoperative venous thromboembolism (VTE). Low-molecular-weight heparin (LMWH) thromboprophylaxis is recommended,... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
BACKGROUND
Abdominopelvic cancer surgery increases the risk of postoperative venous thromboembolism (VTE). Low-molecular-weight heparin (LMWH) thromboprophylaxis is recommended, and the role of extended thromboprophylaxis (ETP) is controversial. We performed a systematic review to determine the effect of ETP on deep vein thrombosis (DVT), pulmonary embolism (PE), major bleeding, and all-cause mortality after abdominal or pelvic cancer surgery.
METHODS
A search of the MEDLINE, EMBASE, and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials was undertaken, and studies were included if they compared extended duration (2-6 weeks) with conventional duration of thromboprophylaxis (2 weeks or less) after cancer surgery. Pooled relative risk (RR) was estimated using a random effects model.
RESULTS
Seven randomized and prospective studies were included, comprising 4807 adult patients. ETP was associated with a significantly reduced incidence of all VTEs [2.6 vs. 5.6 %; RR 0.44, 95 % confidence interval (CI) 0.28-0.70, number needed to treat (NNT) = 39] and proximal DVT (1.4 vs. 2.8 %; RR 0.46, 95 % CI 0.23-0.91, NNT = 71). There was no statistically significant difference in the incidence of symptomatic PE (0.8 vs. 1.3 %; RR 0.56, 95 % CI 0.23-1.40), major bleeding (1.8 vs. 1.0 %; RR 1.19, 95 % CI 0.47-2.97), and all-cause mortality (4.2 vs. 3.6 %; RR 0.79, 95 % CI 0.47-1.33). None of the outcomes differed if randomized trials were analyzed independently.
CONCLUSIONS
ETP after abdominal or pelvic surgery for cancer significantly decreased the incidence of all VTEs and proximal DVTs, but had no impact on symptomatic PE, major bleeding, or 3-month mortality. ETP should be routinely considered in the setting of abdominal and pelvic surgery for cancer patients.
Topics: Abdominal Neoplasms; Adult; Anticoagulants; Chemoprevention; Heparin, Low-Molecular-Weight; Humans; Pelvic Neoplasms; Postoperative Complications; Venous Thromboembolism
PubMed: 26887853
DOI: 10.1245/s10434-016-5127-1 -
HSS Journal : the Musculoskeletal... May 2023Restoring lumbar lordosis is important for adult spinal deformity surgery. Several reports have suggested that lumbar lordosis distribution has a significant impact on... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
Restoring lumbar lordosis is important for adult spinal deformity surgery. Several reports have suggested that lumbar lordosis distribution has a significant impact on the outcome of surgery, including lumbar distribution index (LDI), proximal lumbar lordosis (PLL), and distal lumbar lordosis (DLL). The features of lumbar lordosis distribution are inconclusive in asymptomatic adults.
QUESTIONS/PURPOSES
We sought to evaluate the variation of lumbar lordosis distribution (LDI, PLL, and DLL) and to identify associated factors in asymptomatic adult volunteers.
METHODS
We performed a systematic review of the Embase and Medline databases to identify studies in asymptomatic adult volunteers to evaluate lumbar lordosis distribution including LDI, PLL, and DLL.
RESULTS
Twelve articles met eligibility criteria and were included in our review. The respective pooled estimates of mean and variance, respectively, were 65.10% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 62.61-67.58) and 13.70% in LDI, 16.51° (95% CI: 5.54-27.49) and 11.46° in PLL, and 35.47° (95% CI: 32.79-38.18) and 9.10° in DLL. Lumbar lordosis distribution was associated with race, age, sex, body mass index, pelvic incidence, and Roussouly classification.
CONCLUSIONS
This systematic review found that despite a wide variation in LDI and PLL, DLL is maintained in a narrower range in asymptomatic adult volunteers, especially in white populations. Distal lumbar lordosis may be a more reliable radiographic parameter to restore the lumbar lordosis distribution in preoperative planning.
PubMed: 37065105
DOI: 10.1177/15563316221145156 -
Annals of Internal Medicine Dec 2014Previous research has supported screening for gonorrhea and chlamydia in asymptomatic, sexually active women (including pregnant women) who are younger than 25 years or... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
Previous research has supported screening for gonorrhea and chlamydia in asymptomatic, sexually active women (including pregnant women) who are younger than 25 years or at increased risk but not in other patient populations.
PURPOSE
To update the 2005 and 2007 systematic reviews for the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force on screening for gonorrhea and chlamydia in men and women, including pregnant women and adolescents.
DATA SOURCES
MEDLINE (1 January 2004 to 13 June 2014), Cochrane databases (May 2014), ClinicalTrials.gov, and reference lists.
STUDY SELECTION
English-language trials and observational studies about screening effectiveness, test accuracy, and screening harms.
DATA EXTRACTION
Extracted study data were confirmed by a second investigator, and study quality and applicability were dual-rated using prespecified criteria.
DATA SYNTHESIS
Screening a subset of asymptomatic young women for chlamydia in a good-quality trial did not significantly reduce the incidence of pelvic inflammatory disease over the following year (relative risk, 0.39 [95% CI, 0.14 to 1.08]); however, 1 previous trial reported a reduction. An observational study evaluating a risk prediction tool to identify persons with chlamydia in high-risk populations had low predictive ability and applicability. In 10 new studies of asymptomatic patients, nucleic acid amplification tests demonstrated sensitivity of 86% or greater and specificity of 97% or greater for diagnosing gonorrhea and chlamydia, regardless of specimen type or test.
LIMITATIONS
There were few relevant studies of screening benefits and harms. Only screening tests and methods cleared by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for current clinical practice were included to determine diagnostic accuracy.
CONCLUSION
Chlamydia screening in young women may reduce the incidence of pelvic inflammatory disease. Nucleic acid amplification tests are accurate for diagnosing gonorrhea and chlamydia in asymptomatic persons.
PRIMARY FUNDING SOURCE
Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality.
Topics: Asymptomatic Diseases; Bacteriological Techniques; Chlamydia Infections; Female; Gonorrhea; Humans; Male; Mass Screening; Nucleic Acid Amplification Techniques; Risk Factors
PubMed: 25244000
DOI: 10.7326/M14-1022 -
Pain Physician Mar 2017Pain is considered as one of the main symptoms of endometriosis. The treatment for endometriosis remains controversial. (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
BACKGROUND
Pain is considered as one of the main symptoms of endometriosis. The treatment for endometriosis remains controversial.
OBJECTIVES
The aim of this study is to compare the effect of medical or surgical treatments for pain-relief in patients with endometriosis.
STUDY DESIGN
Systematic review and meta-analysis.
SETTING
Published papers about evaluating pain treatment in endometriosis in PubMed, Scopus, and Google Scholar.
METHODS
After searching all studies evaluating pain treatment in endometriosis in PubMed, Scopus, and Google Scholar, there were 23 related studies, containing 1,847 patients enrolled in our study. We used a variety of tests: fixed and random effects models, Q Cochrane test and I2 index, Egger and Begg tests, forest and funnel plots, Trim and fill method, and meta-regression in our analysis.
RESULTS
There was no statistically significant difference in pain improvement between surgical and medical treatment. Interestingly, pain relief was more prominent longer after treatment. Both clinical trials and cross sectional studies showed higher improvement in pain than cohort studies. High quality studies and lower body mass index (BMI) had a greater effect on pain relief. All studies were heterogeneous, but there was no publication bias.
LIMITATIONS
There was a higher probability of risk of bias in blinding, random sequence generation, and selective outcome reporting in clinical trial studies entered in our meta-analysis.
CONCLUSIONS
Our results could not demonstrate the preference of each medical or surgical treatment effect for dysmenorrhea in endometriosis. Additional data is required before a standardized medical protocol can be offered, but we believe this study may encourage clinicians to consider a less invasive alternative for treating their patients' chronic pelvic pain in the near future.Key words: Endometriosis, pain, meta-analysis, therapy, disease management.
Topics: Clinical Trials as Topic; Cross-Sectional Studies; Endometriosis; Female; Humans; Pain Management; Pelvic Pain
PubMed: 28339429
DOI: No ID Found -
Journal of Clinical Medicine Dec 2021Rehabilitative ultrasound imaging (RUSI) technique seems to be a valid and reliable tool for diagnosis and treatment in physiotherapy and has been widely studied in the... (Review)
Review
The Role of Rehabilitative Ultrasound Imaging Technique in the Lumbopelvic Region as a Diagnosis and Treatment Tool in Physiotherapy: Systematic Review, Meta-Analysis and Meta-Regression.
Rehabilitative ultrasound imaging (RUSI) technique seems to be a valid and reliable tool for diagnosis and treatment in physiotherapy and has been widely studied in the lumbopelvic region the last three decades. The aims for this utility in clinical settings must be review through a systematic review, meta-analysis and meta-regression. A systematic review was designed following the PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) guidelines with PROSPERO registration and per review in all phases of the process using COVIDENCE, analysis of risk of bias and meta-analysis using REVMAN, and meta-regression calculation using STATA. Database screening provided 6544 references, out of which 321 reported narrative synthesis, and 21 reported quantitative synthesis, while only 7 of them provided comparable data to meta-analyze the variables pain and muscle thickness. In most cases, the forest plots showed considerable I heterogeneity indexes for multifidus muscle thickness (I = 95%), low back pain (I = 92%) and abdominal pain (I = 95%), not important for transversus abdominis muscle thickness (I = 22%), significant heterogenity (I = 69%) depending on the subgroup and not important internal oblique muscle thickness (I = 0%) and external oblique muscle thickness (I = 0%). Meta-regression did not provide significant data for the correlations between the variables analyzed and the intervention, age, and BMI (Body Mass Index). This review reveals that RUSI could contribute to a high reliability of the measurements in the lumbopelvic region with validity and reliability for the assessments, as well as showing promising results for diagnosis and intervention assessment in physiotherapy compared to the traditional model, allowing for future lines of research in this area.
PubMed: 34884401
DOI: 10.3390/jcm10235699 -
Gynecologic and Obstetric Investigation 2017Endometriosis in adolescent girls is often diagnosed after a long delay. This diagnostic delay can be associated with more advanced stages of endometriosis and with a... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
Endometriosis in adolescent girls is often diagnosed after a long delay. This diagnostic delay can be associated with more advanced stages of endometriosis and with a higher likelihood of fertility problems at a later age.
MATERIAL AND METHODS
A systematic review of literature and quality assessment was performed in order to identify questionnaires that were developed to identify adult women with endometriosis. Based on these questionnaires, specific questions that had been reported to be predictive for endometriosis were selected and included in a newly composed questionnaire with the aim to identify adolescents at risk of developing endometriosis.
RESULTS
Based on the literature, we identified 5 questionnaires developed to identify adult women with endometriosis; this questionnaire contained 6 questions that had been reported to be predictive for adult endometriosis. These questions query age of menarche, cycle duration, dysmenorrhea, pain descriptors, dyschezia and urinary symptoms and were combined into a new self-report questionnaire aimed to identify adolescents at risk to develop endometriosis.
CONCLUSION
We developed a self-report questionnaire aimed to identify adolescents at risk to develop endometriosis based on questions from self-report questionnaires that have been reported to identify adult women with endometriosis.
Topics: Adolescent; Adult; Age Factors; Constipation; Delayed Diagnosis; Dysmenorrhea; Endometriosis; Female; Humans; Mass Screening; Menarche; Risk Assessment; Surveys and Questionnaires; Young Adult
PubMed: 27816976
DOI: 10.1159/000452098 -
Clinical Spine Surgery Nov 2017A systematic review with meta-analysis. (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
STUDY DESIGN
A systematic review with meta-analysis.
OBJECTIVE
To combine published data, focusing on the development of optimal spinopelvic parameters in adult asymptomatic subjects without spine deformity while taking into consideration the impact of potential confounders.
SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA
A well-grounded approach to define the optimal spinopelvic parameters is necessary for planning surgical correction of spine deformity.
MATERIALS
Selection criteria: (1) randomized and nonrandomized prospective, cross-sectional, and retrospective studies; (2) participants: asymptomatic subjects without spine deformity aged above 18 years; (3) studied parameters: lumbar lordosis (LL), pelvic incidence, sacral slope, and pelvic tilt; (4) potential confounders: method of measurement, sex, age, ethnicity, weight, height, and body mass index. Search method: Ovid MEDLINE (1946-current) and EMBASE (1980-current), all years through October 2015 were included. Data were collected: number of enrolled subjects, means of the studied characteristics, SD, SE of the means, 95% confidence intervals. A meta-analysis was performed to evaluate the pooled means and range of optimal values (pooled mean±pooled SD) taking into consideration the impact of confounders. The GRADE approach was applied to evaluate the level of evidence.
RESULTS
Seventeen of 1018 studies were included (2926 subjects from 9 countries). The pooled means and the optimal ranges were: LL (L1-S1), 54.6 (42-67) degrees; LL (L1-L5), 37.0 (22-53) degrees; pelvic incidence, 50.6 (39-62) degrees; sacral slope, 37.7 (28-48) degrees; pelvic tilt, 12.6 (3-22) degrees. The pooled results were statistically significant (P<0.001), but heterogeneous. Impact of the following confounders was revealed: method of measurement, ethnicity, age, and body mass index. A methodology was created to define an individualized optimal value and range of each studied parameter taking into consideration the influence of confounders.
CONCLUSIONS
The pooled results and developed methodology can be used as diagnostic criteria for evaluation of the spinopelvic parameters, planning of surgical interventions and evaluation of the treatment effect.
Topics: Humans; Pelvis; Publication Bias; Regression Analysis; Spinal Diseases; Spine
PubMed: 28368866
DOI: 10.1097/BSD.0000000000000533 -
Applied Ergonomics Jan 2024The purpose of this review was to systematically assess literature on differences between males and females in the physiological and biomechanical responses to load... (Review)
Review
The purpose of this review was to systematically assess literature on differences between males and females in the physiological and biomechanical responses to load carriage during walking. PubMed, CINAHL, Scopus, Web of Science and the Cochrane library were searched. A total of 4637 records were identified and screened. Thirty-three papers were included in the review. Participant characteristics, load carriage conditions, study protocol, outcome measures and main findings were extracted and qualitatively synthesised. Absolute oxygen uptake and minute ventilation were consistently greater in males but there were limited sex-specific differences when these were expressed relative to physical characteristics. There is limited evidence of sex-specific differences in spatio-temporal variables, ground reaction forces (normalised to body mass) or sagittal plane joint angles with load. However, differences have been found in hip and pelvic motions in the frontal and horizontal planes, which might partly explain an economical advantage for females proposed by some authors.
Topics: Male; Humans; Female; Weight-Bearing; Biomechanical Phenomena; Walking; Joints; Pelvis; Gait
PubMed: 37625283
DOI: 10.1016/j.apergo.2023.104123