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The International Journal of Lower... Jun 2021Global literature is ever-growing and physicians rely on it for evidence-based decision making. Review articles summarize available literature and provide the current... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
Global literature is ever-growing and physicians rely on it for evidence-based decision making. Review articles summarize available literature and provide the current state of knowledge on a given topic. Various review types exist, the main ones being narrative and systematic reviews. The former are based on studies selected in an undefined manner. They express the authors' opinions of a given topic, lack a systematic search, and are prone to bias. By contrast, the latter represent an unbiased synthesis of knowledge on a particular topic and attempt to offer all relevant evidence. A systematic review may include a meta-analysis, which combines the results of quantitative studies using statistical techniques to provide a more precise summary of the evidence. With a dramatic increase in literature complexity, new "next-generation" types of reviews emerged to improve the quality of evidence synthesis: network meta-analysis, umbrella review, and meta-analysis of individual patient data, among others. Finally, scoping reviews are a special type, conducted as precursors to systematic reviews aiming to reveal specific knowledge gaps in a given subject.
Topics: Evidence-Based Medicine; Humans
PubMed: 33752461
DOI: 10.1177/1534734621995636 -
BMJ (Clinical Research Ed.) Dec 2022To determine the efficacy and safety of awake prone positioning versus usual care in non-intubated adults with hypoxemic respiratory failure due to covid-19. (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
OBJECTIVE
To determine the efficacy and safety of awake prone positioning versus usual care in non-intubated adults with hypoxemic respiratory failure due to covid-19.
DESIGN
Systematic review with frequentist and bayesian meta-analyses.
STUDY ELIGIBILITY
Randomized trials comparing awake prone positioning versus usual care in adults with covid-19 related hypoxemic respiratory failure. Information sources were Medline, Embase, and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials from inception to 4 March 2022.
DATA EXTRACTION AND SYNTHESIS
Two reviewers independently extracted data and assessed risk of bias. Random effects meta-analyses were performed for the primary and secondary outcomes. Bayesian meta-analyses were performed for endotracheal intubation and mortality outcomes. GRADE certainty of evidence was assessed for outcomes.
MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES
The primary outcome was endotracheal intubation. Secondary outcomes were mortality, ventilator-free days, intensive care unit (ICU) and hospital length of stay, escalation of oxygen modality, change in oxygenation and respiratory rate, and adverse events.
RESULTS
17 trials (2931 patients) met the eligibility criteria. 12 trials were at low risk of bias, three had some concerns, and two were at high risk. Awake prone positioning reduced the risk of endotracheal intubation compared with usual care (crude average 24.2% 29.8%, relative risk 0.83, 95% confidence interval 0.73 to 0.94; high certainty). This translates to 55 fewer intubations per 1000 patients (95% confidence interval 87 to 19 fewer intubations). Awake prone positioning did not significantly affect secondary outcomes, including mortality (15.6% 17.2%, relative risk 0.90, 0.76 to 1.07; high certainty), ventilator-free days (mean difference 0.97 days, 95% confidence interval -0.5 to 3.4; low certainty), ICU length of stay (-2.1 days, -4.5 to 0.4; low certainty), hospital length of stay (-0.09 days, -0.69 to 0.51; moderate certainty), and escalation of oxygen modality (21.4% 23.0%, relative risk 1.04, 0.74 to 1.44; low certainty). Adverse events related to awake prone positioning were uncommon. Bayesian meta-analysis showed a high probability of benefit with awake prone positioning for endotracheal intubation (non-informative prior, mean relative risk 0.83, 95% credible interval 0.70 to 0.97; posterior probability for relative risk <0.95=96%) but lower probability for mortality (0.90, 0.73 to 1.13; <0.95=68%).
CONCLUSIONS
Awake prone positioning compared with usual care reduces the risk of endotracheal intubation in adults with hypoxemic respiratory failure due to covid-19 but probably has little to no effect on mortality or other outcomes.
SYSTEMATIC REVIEW REGISTRATION
PROSPERO CRD42022314856.
Topics: Adult; Humans; COVID-19; Bayes Theorem; Wakefulness; Prone Position; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; Respiratory Insufficiency; Oxygen
PubMed: 36740866
DOI: 10.1136/bmj-2022-071966 -
Knee Surgery, Sports Traumatology,... Apr 2016The 2-portal hindfoot endoscopic technique with the patient in prone position, first introduced by van Dijk et al. (Arthroscopy 16:871-876, 2000), is currently the most... (Review)
Review
PURPOSE
The 2-portal hindfoot endoscopic technique with the patient in prone position, first introduced by van Dijk et al. (Arthroscopy 16:871-876, 2000), is currently the most used by foot and ankle surgeons to address endoscopically pathologies located in the hindfoot. This article aims to review the literature to provide a comprehensive description of the level of evidence available to support the use of the 2-portal hindfoot endoscopy technique for the current generally accepted indications.
METHODS
A comprehensive review was performed by use of the PubMed database to isolate literature that described therapeutic studies investigating the results of different hindfoot endoscopy treatment techniques. All articles were reviewed and assigned a classification (I-V) of level of evidence. An analysis of the literature reviewed was used to assign a grade of recommendation for each current generally accepted indication for hindfoot endoscopy. A subscale was used to further describe the evidence base for indications receiving a grade of recommendation indicating poor-quality evidence.
RESULTS
On the basis on the available evidence, posterior ankle impingement syndrome, subtalar arthritis and retrocalcaneal bursitis have the strongest recommendation in favour of treatment (grade Cf).
CONCLUSION
Although a low level of evidence of the included studies, the review showed that adequate literature to support the use of the 2-portal endoscopic techniques for most currently accepted indications exists. Future "higher quality" evidence could strengthen current recommendations and further help surgeons in evidence-based practice.
LEVEL OF EVIDENCE
Level V, Review of Level III, IV and V studies.
Topics: Ankle Joint; Arthroscopy; Endoscopy; Foot; Humans
PubMed: 26744282
DOI: 10.1007/s00167-015-3965-1 -
Cureus Jan 2024Post-dural puncture headache (PDPH) is occasionally an inevitable side effect of neuraxial anesthesia, which can happen after spinal anesthesia or if an accidental dural... (Review)
Review
Post-dural puncture headache (PDPH) is occasionally an inevitable side effect of neuraxial anesthesia, which can happen after spinal anesthesia or if an accidental dural puncture (ADP) happens during epidural anesthesia. The treatment and prevention options for PDPH differ widely from one institution to another. The management of PDPH is heterogeneous in many institutions because of the absence of clear guidelines and protocols for the management of PDPH. This study aimed to summarize all articles published during the past decade that discussed the treatment or prevention of PDPH. From 2013 to 2023, 345 publications were filtered for all treatment and prevention approaches used for PDPH patients. The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) 2020 guidelines were followed for conducting this systematic review, and 38 articles were included for analysis and review. Existing data come from small randomized clinical trials and retrospective or prospective cohort studies. This review supports the effect of oral pregabalin and intravenous aminophylline in both treatment and prevention. Intravenous mannitol, intravenous hydrocortisone, triple prophylactic regimen, and neostigmine plus atropine combination showed effective and beneficial outcomes. On the other hand, neither neuraxial morphine nor epidural dexamethasone showed promising results. Consequently, the use of neuraxial morphine or epidural dexamethasone for the prevention of PDPH remains questionable. Regarding the posture of the patient and its consequences on the incidence of the headache, lateral decubitus is better than a sitting position, and a prone position is better than a supine position. Smaller non-cutting needles play a role in avoiding PDPH. Minimally invasive nerve blocks, including sphenopalatine ganglion or greater occipital nerves, are satisfyingly effective. Epidural blood patches remain the more invasive but the gold standard and ultimate solution in patients resisting medical therapy. This study highlights the need for larger research to define the best approach to prevent and treat PDPH.
PubMed: 38361721
DOI: 10.7759/cureus.52330 -
Expert Opinion on Drug Safety Aug 2014Transdermal patches provide an attractive route of drug delivery with considerable advantages over other routes of administration, for example maintenance of constant... (Review)
Review
INTRODUCTION
Transdermal patches provide an attractive route of drug delivery with considerable advantages over other routes of administration, for example maintenance of constant plasma drug levels and convenient usage. However, medication administration errors abound with this dosage form and frequently result in harm or treatment failure.
AREAS COVERED
A systematic literature search was conducted according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines using appropriate keywords to identify articles reporting faulty transdermal patch administration. Common pitfalls and errors that were identified through the systematic literature search were discussed alongside individual steps of the transdermal patch administration process.
EXPERT OPINION
The systematic investigation of published errors illustrated that every step in the transdermal patch administration process is prone to errors. Thereby, the lack of knowledge and awareness of the importance of a correct administration practice were a major source of risk. Based on the identified errors and causes of errors prevention strategies were developed as a first step in avoiding transdermal patch administration errors.
Topics: Administration, Cutaneous; Drug Delivery Systems; Drug-Related Side Effects and Adverse Reactions; Humans; Medication Errors; Pharmaceutical Preparations; Transdermal Patch
PubMed: 24921682
DOI: 10.1517/14740338.2014.926888 -
Surgical Oncology Sep 2015The uptake of minimally invasive esophagectomy (MIE) has increased vastly over the last decade, with proven short-term benefits over an open approach. The aim of this... (Comparative Study)
Comparative Study Meta-Analysis Review
The uptake of minimally invasive esophagectomy (MIE) has increased vastly over the last decade, with proven short-term benefits over an open approach. The aim of this pooled analysis was to compare clinical outcomes of Minimally Invasive Esophagectomy (MIE) performed in the prone and lateral decubitus positions. A systematic literature search (2000-2015) was undertaken for publications that compared patients who underwent MIE in the lateral decubitus (LD) or prone (PR) positions. Weighted mean difference (WMD) was calculated for the effect size of LD positioning on continuous variables and Pooled odds ratios (POR) for discrete variables. Ten relevant publications comprising 723 patients who underwent minimally invasive esophagectomy were included; 387 in the LD group and 336 in the PR group. There was no significant difference between the groups in terms of in-hospital mortality, total morbidity, anastomotic leak, chylothorax, laryngeal nerve palsy, average operative time, and length hospital stay. LD MIE was associated with a non-significant increase in pulmonary complications (POR = 1.65; 95% C.I. 0.93 to 2.92; P = 0.09), and significant increases in estimated blood loss (WMD = 36.03; 95% 14.37 to 57.69; P = 0.001) and a reduced average mediastinal lymph node harvest (WMD = -2.17; 95% C.I. -3.82 to -0.52; P = 0.01) when compared to prone MIE. Pooled analysis suggests that prone MIE is superior to lateral decubitus MIE with reduced pulmonary complications, estimated blood loss and increased mediastinal lymph node harvest. Further studies are needed to explain performance-shaping factors and their influence on oncological clearance and short-term outcomes.
Topics: Esophageal Neoplasms; Esophagectomy; Humans; Minimally Invasive Surgical Procedures; Patient Positioning; Prognosis; Survival Rate
PubMed: 26096374
DOI: 10.1016/j.suronc.2015.06.001 -
Clinical Oral Investigations Dec 2023Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a debilitating disease where numerous pro-inflammatory cytokines have a proven role in its pathology. These cytokines are also involved in... (Review)
Review
OBJECTIVES
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a debilitating disease where numerous pro-inflammatory cytokines have a proven role in its pathology. These cytokines are also involved in the pathogenesis of apical periodontitis (AP) where they have a pro-inflammatory role and induce bone resorption. Patients with RA may therefore be more prone to develop pulpal-periapical pathology (PPP). This study systematically reviewed the existing literature evaluating the association between RA and PPP.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
Studies including human participants with both RA and PPP were included. The search was performed in PubMed, Web of Science, and The Cochrane Library databases using keywords and Medical Subject Headings (MeSH) search terms. The risk of bias was assessed using Newcastle-Ottawa Quality Assessment Scale. The following parameters were extracted and analyzed by the reviewers; author, journal, year, design of the study, diagnostic criteria for periapical pathology, the association between rheumatoid arthritis and periapical pathology, and the evidence level.
RESULTS
The search identified 142 records. Inclusion criteria were as follows; studies in the English language, including human participants only, including patients with RA and PPP, cohort studies, cross-sectional studies, clinical trials, and case-control studies. According to the inclusion criteria, 5 studies were included in this systematic review. Three of the five studies reported significant association between RA and PPP.
CONCLUSIONS
Existing evidence suggests there may be an association between RA and PPP.
CLINICAL RELEVANCE
Clinicians should be aware that RA patients can be more prone to develop PPP which may result in a reduced quality of life.
Topics: Humans; Quality of Life; Cross-Sectional Studies; Arthritis, Rheumatoid; Periapical Periodontitis; Cytokines
PubMed: 37828236
DOI: 10.1007/s00784-023-05305-7 -
Clinical Psychology Review Aug 2021People differ in their self-reported propensities to experience positive affect (PA). Even those prone to internalizing symptoms show varied proclivities to PA; social... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
People differ in their self-reported propensities to experience positive affect (PA). Even those prone to internalizing symptoms show varied proclivities to PA; social anxiety (SA), for instance, unlike other types of anxiety, shows a strong negative association with PA that cannot be explained by diminished reward sensitivity. Heightened reliance on suppression of emotional displays (expressive suppression; ES) may be an alternate contributor to attenuated PA among people with elevated SA, relative to people with other types of anxiety. A first step toward testing this hypothesis is clarifying the ES-PA association and examining whether it varies as a function of anxiety type (social anxiety vs. other types of anxiety). This meta-analysis (k = 41; n = 11,010) revealed a significant, negative association between ES and PA (r = -0.158); however, this relationship was not significant for individuals with social or other anxiety disorders. Moreover, two moderators (sample culture-Western: r = -0.16; Eastern: r = 0.003; type of emotion suppressed-Negative: r = 0.18; Positive: r = -0.12) accounted for significant heterogeneity in effect sizes. This review synthesizes the literature on ES and PA in healthy and anxious samples; findings suggest moderating variables merit closer attention in future studies.
Topics: Anxiety; Anxiety Disorders; Emotions; Fear; Humans
PubMed: 34325115
DOI: 10.1016/j.cpr.2021.102068 -
Cornea Jun 2022The purpose of this study was to assess whether migraine might be associated with the increased risk of dry eye disease and to determine the strength of the association... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
PURPOSE
The purpose of this study was to assess whether migraine might be associated with the increased risk of dry eye disease and to determine the strength of the association between migraine and dry eye disease.
METHODS
We searched EMBASE, PubMed, Web of Science databases and China National Knowledge Infrastructure, WanFang, and VIP databases for studies that investigated the association between dry eye and migraine from inception to September 8, 2020. Relevant data were extracted by 2 investigators independently. Publication bias and heterogeneity were evaluated. Odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) were computed by metaanalysis using random-effects models.
RESULTS
Of the 565 studies identified, 7 studies met the inclusion criteria and were included in this metaanalysis. Patients with migraine had significantly higher morbidity of dry eye compared with the control group (OR = 1.55; 95% CI = 1.32-1.82; P < 0.001). Subgroup analysis showed that the association between dry eye and migraine was stronger in hospital-based studies (OR = 1.97, P = 0.036) than population-based studies (OR = 1.42, P < 0.001). In addition, differences in geographic location and diagnostic criteria have no effect on the results.
CONCLUSIONS
There was a significant association between dry eye and migraine. Patients with migraine are more prone to suffer from dry eye than subjects without migraine, and the association strength varies among populations studied.
Topics: China; Dry Eye Syndromes; Humans; Migraine Disorders; Odds Ratio
PubMed: 34743091
DOI: 10.1097/ICO.0000000000002851 -
Critical Care Medicine Oct 2021Several studies have reported prone positioning of nonintubated patients with coronavirus diseases 2019-related hypoxemic respiratory failure. This systematic review and... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
OBJECTIVES
Several studies have reported prone positioning of nonintubated patients with coronavirus diseases 2019-related hypoxemic respiratory failure. This systematic review and meta-analysis evaluated the impact of prone positioning on oxygenation and clinical outcomes.
DESIGN AND SETTING
We searched PubMed, Embase, and the coronavirus diseases 2019 living systematic review from December 1, 2019, to November 9, 2020.
SUBJECTS AND INTERVENTION
Studies reporting prone positioning in hypoxemic, nonintubated adult patients with coronavirus diseases 2019 were included.
MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS
Data on prone positioning location (ICU vs non-ICU), prone positioning dose (total minutes/d), frequency (sessions/d), respiratory supports during prone positioning, relative changes in oxygenation variables (peripheral oxygen saturation, Pao2, and ratio of Pao2 to the Fio2), respiratory rate pre and post prone positioning, intubation rate, and mortality were extracted. Twenty-five observational studies reporting prone positioning in 758 patients were included. There was substantial heterogeneity in prone positioning location, dose and frequency, and respiratory supports provided. Significant improvements were seen in ratio of Pao2 to the Fio2 (mean difference, 39; 95% CI, 25-54), Pao2 (mean difference, 20 mm Hg; 95% CI, 14-25), and peripheral oxygen saturation (mean difference, 4.74%; 95% CI, 3-6%). Respiratory rate decreased post prone positioning (mean difference, -3.2 breaths/min; 95% CI, -4.6 to -1.9). Intubation and mortality rates were 24% (95% CI, 17-32%) and 13% (95% CI, 6-19%), respectively. There was no difference in intubation rate in those receiving prone positioning within and outside ICU (32% [69/214] vs 33% [107/320]; p = 0.84). No major adverse events were recorded in small subset of studies that reported them.
CONCLUSIONS
Despite the significant variability in frequency and duration of prone positioning and respiratory supports applied, prone positioning was associated with improvement in oxygenation variables without any reported serious adverse events. The results are limited by a lack of controls and adjustments for confounders. Whether this improvement in oxygenation results in meaningful patient-centered outcomes such as reduced intubation or mortality rates requires testing in well-designed randomized clinical trials.
Topics: COVID-19; Humans; Patient Positioning; Prone Position; Respiratory Insufficiency
PubMed: 33927120
DOI: 10.1097/CCM.0000000000005086