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The Cochrane Database of Systematic... Jul 2014Inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) are the first-line treatment for children with persistent asthma. Their potential for growth suppression remains a matter of concern for... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
BACKGROUND
Inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) are the first-line treatment for children with persistent asthma. Their potential for growth suppression remains a matter of concern for parents and physicians.
OBJECTIVES
To assess whether increasing the dose of ICS is associated with slower linear growth, weight gain and skeletal maturation in children with asthma.
SEARCH METHODS
We searched the Cochrane Airways Group Specialised Register of trials (CAGR) and the ClinicalTrials.gov website up to March 2014.
SELECTION CRITERIA
Studies were eligible if they were parallel-group randomised trials evaluating the impact of different doses of the same ICS using the same device in both groups for a minimum of three months in children one to 17 years of age with persistent asthma.
DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS
Two review authors ascertained methodological quality independently using the Cochrane Risk of bias tool. The primary outcome was linear growth velocity. Secondary outcomes included change over time in growth velocity, height, weight, body mass index and skeletal maturation.
MAIN RESULTS
Among 22 eligible trials, 17 group comparisons were derived from 10 trials (3394 children with mild to moderate asthma), measured growth and contributed data to the meta-analysis. Trials used ICS (beclomethasone, budesonide, ciclesonide, fluticasone or mometasone) as monotherapy or as combination therapy with a long-acting beta2-agonist and generally compared low (50 to 100 μg) versus low to medium (200 μg) doses of hydrofluoroalkane (HFA)-beclomethasone equivalent over 12 to 52 weeks. In the four comparisons reporting linear growth over 12 months, a significant group difference was observed, clearly indicating lower growth velocity in the higher ICS dose group of 5.74 cm/y compared with 5.94 cm/y on lower-dose ICS (N = 728 school-aged children; mean difference (MD)0.20 cm/y, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.02 to 0.39; high-quality evidence): No statistically significant heterogeneity was noted between trials contributing data. The ICS molecules (ciclesonide, fluticasone, mometasone) used in these four comparisons did not significantly influence the magnitude of effect (X(2) = 2.19 (2 df), P value 0.33). Subgroup analyses on age, baseline severity of airway obstruction, ICS dose and concomitant use of non-steroidal antiasthmatic drugs were not performed because of similarity across trials or inadequate reporting. A statistically significant group difference was noted in unadjusted change in height from zero to three months (nine comparisons; N = 944 children; MD 0.15, 95% CI -0.28 to -0.02; moderate-quality evidence) in favour of a higher ICS dose. No statistically significant group differences in change in height were observed at other time points, nor were such differences in weight, bone mass index and skeletal maturation reported with low quality of evidence due to imprecision.
AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS
In prepubescent school-aged children with mild to moderate persistent asthma, a small but statistically significant group difference in growth velocity was observed between low doses of ICS and low to medium doses of HFA-beclomethasone equivalent, favouring the use of low-dose ICS. No apparent difference in the magnitude of effect was associated with three molecules reporting one-year growth velocity, namely, mometasone, ciclesonide and fluticasone. In view of prevailing parents' and physicians' concerns about the growth suppressive effect of ICS, lack of or incomplete reporting of growth velocity in more than 86% (19/22) of eligible paediatric trials, including those using beclomethasone and budesonide, is a matter of concern. All future paediatric trials comparing different doses of ICS with or without placebo should systematically document growth. Findings support use of the minimal effective ICS dose in children with asthma.
Topics: Administration, Inhalation; Adrenal Cortex Hormones; Androstadienes; Anti-Asthmatic Agents; Asthma; Beclomethasone; Budesonide; Child; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; Fluticasone; Growth; Growth Disorders; Humans; Mometasone Furoate; Pregnadienediols; Pregnenediones; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic
PubMed: 25030199
DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD009878.pub2 -
Child's Nervous System : ChNS :... Jul 2020The Pierre-Robin sequence (PRS) is a pattern of congenital facial abnormalities comprising micrognathia, glossoptosis, and airway obstruction. Associated spinal... (Review)
Review
INTRODUCTION
The Pierre-Robin sequence (PRS) is a pattern of congenital facial abnormalities comprising micrognathia, glossoptosis, and airway obstruction. Associated spinal pathologies have rarely been reported with PRS.
METHODS
We explore the molecular genetic basis of this association through a systematic review of spinal disease in patients with PRS. We also present an illustrative case of a PRS patient with tethered cord in the setting of chromosome 10q terminal deletion.
RESULTS
Our systematic literature review of spinal disease in patients with PRS revealed several patterns in the underlying genetic syndromes causing these conditions to co-occur. These principles are illustrated in the case of a 6-month-old female with PRS and a 14.34-Mb terminal deletion of chromosome 10q, who was found to have a sacral dimple during a routine outpatient checkup. Magnetic resonance imaging of the spine revealed a lumbar syrinx associated with tethered spinal cord. Surgical de-tethering was undertaken, with subsequent improvement in motor function and decrease in the size of the syrinx. The deletion of chromosome 10q in our patient had not previously been described in association with tethered cord or PRS.
CONCLUSION
Spinal pathologies are understudied contributors to disease burden in patients with PRS. The range of predisposing syndromes and mutations in patients with both PRS and spinal disorders remains poorly characterized but may be more defined than previously conceived. Clinical screening is most critical during neonatal and adolescent developmental periods with continued neurological assessment. This study emphasizes the need for early genetic testing and counseling in this patient population, in parallel with research efforts to develop molecular classifications to guide clinical management.
Topics: Adolescent; Airway Obstruction; Chromosome Deletion; Chromosomes, Human, Pair 10; Female; Humans; Infant; Infant, Newborn; Pierre Robin Syndrome; Spinal Diseases
PubMed: 32399800
DOI: 10.1007/s00381-020-04642-2 -
Brazilian Journal of Otorhinolaryngology 2015Obstructive sleep apnea syndrome has multifactorial causes. Although indications for surgery are evaluated by well-known diagnostic tests in the awake state, these do... (Review)
Review
INTRODUCTION
Obstructive sleep apnea syndrome has multifactorial causes. Although indications for surgery are evaluated by well-known diagnostic tests in the awake state, these do not always correlate with satisfactory surgical results.
OBJECTIVE
To undertake a systematic review on endoscopy during sleep, as one element of the diagnosis routine, aiming to identify upper airway obstruction sites in adult patients with OSAS.
METHODS
By means of electronic databases, a systematic review was performed of studies using drug-induced sleep endoscopy to identify obstruction sites in patients with OSAS.
RESULTS
Ten articles were selected that demonstrated the importance of identifying multilevel obstruction, especially in relation to retrolingual and laryngeal collapse in OSAS.
CONCLUSION
DISE is an additional method to reveal obstruction sites that have not been detected in awake patients.
Topics: Airway Obstruction; Endoscopy; Humans; Hypnotics and Sedatives; Polysomnography; Prospective Studies; Sleep Apnea, Obstructive
PubMed: 26142651
DOI: 10.1016/j.bjorl.2015.01.007 -
Lung India : Official Organ of Indian... 2018This study was conducted at a pulmonary function laboratory of a tertiary care hospital in North India.
SETTING
This study was conducted at a pulmonary function laboratory of a tertiary care hospital in North India.
OBJECTIVE
The objective was to study the diagnostic characteristics and clinically useful threshold of forced expiratory time (FET, measured by auscultation over trachea) as a screening tool for identifying airway obstruction and to substantiate the diagnostic utility of FET through a systematic review of English literature.
METHODS
FET was compared in seventy patients with airway obstruction (Group A) and seventy controls with normal spirometry (Group B). Within-subject reproducibility of FET, and its correlation with spirometric parameters, was assessed. Diagnostic accuracy of FET in detecting airway obstruction was evaluated at various time thresholds. A systematic review of English literature on FET was also carried out.
RESULTS
Median FET was significantly longer in Group A (7.04 s [interquartile range (IQR) 6.67-7.70 s] vs. 4.14 s [IQR 3.60-4.68 s], P < 0.001). At a threshold of 5 s, FET had high sensitivity (0.943) and reasonable specificity (0.814) in detecting airway obstruction. FET measurements were reproducible and correlated negatively with forced expiratory volume in first second (FEV1), FEV1/forced vital capacity, and peak expiratory flow. The systematic review yielded 13 publications. At a widely used threshold of 6 s to describe airway obstruction, pooled sensitivity and specificity from five datasets were 0.802 (95% confidence interval [CI] 0.668-0.890) and 0.837 (95% CI 0.570-0.952), respectively.
CONCLUSION
FET of 5 s or more, rather than the commonly recommended threshold of 6 s, should be regarded as abnormal.
PubMed: 30381556
DOI: 10.4103/lungindia.lungindia_3_18 -
The Cochrane Database of Systematic... Oct 2018Croup is an acute viral respiratory infection with upper airway mucosal inflammation that may cause respiratory distress. Most cases are mild. Moderate to severe croup... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
BACKGROUND
Croup is an acute viral respiratory infection with upper airway mucosal inflammation that may cause respiratory distress. Most cases are mild. Moderate to severe croup may require treatment with corticosteroids (from which benefits are often delayed) and nebulised epinephrine (adrenaline) (which may be short-lived and can cause dose-related adverse effects including tachycardia, arrhythmias, and hypertension). Rarely, croup results in respiratory failure necessitating emergency intubation and ventilation.A mixture of helium and oxygen (heliox) may prevent morbidity and mortality in ventilated neonates by reducing the viscosity of the inhaled air. It is currently used during emergency transport of children with severe croup. Anecdotal evidence suggests that it relieves respiratory distress.This review updates versions published in 2010 and 2013.
OBJECTIVES
To examine the effect of heliox compared to oxygen or other active interventions, placebo, or no treatment, on relieving signs and symptoms in children with croup as determined by a croup score and rates of admission and intubation.
SEARCH METHODS
We searched CENTRAL, which includes the Cochrane Acute Respiratory Infections Group's Specialised Register; MEDLINE; Embase; CINAHL; Web of Science; and LILACS in January and February 2018. We also searched the World Health Organization International Clinical Trials Registry Platform (apps.who.int/trialsearch/) and ClinicalTrials.gov (clinicaltrials.gov) on 8 February 2018. We contacted British Oxygen Company, a leading supplier of heliox (BOC Australia 2017).
SELECTION CRITERIA
Randomised controlled trials (RCTs) and quasi-RCTs comparing the effect of heliox in comparison with placebo or any active intervention(s) in children with croup.
DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS
We used standard methodological procedures expected by Cochrane. We reported data that could not be pooled for statistical analysis descriptively.
MAIN RESULTS
We included 3 RCTs with 91 children aged between 6 months and 4 years. Study duration was from 7 to 16 months; all studies were conducted in emergency departments in the USA (two studies) and Spain. Heliox was administered as a mixture of 70% heliox and 30% oxygen. Risk of bias was low in two studies and high in one study due to an open-label design. We added no new trials for this update.One study of 15 children with mild croup compared heliox with 30% humidified oxygen administered for 20 minutes. There may be no difference in croup score changes between groups at 20 minutes (mean difference (MD) -0.83, 95% confidence interval (CI) -2.36 to 0.70). The mean croup score at 20 minutes postintervention may not differ between groups (MD -0.57, 95% CI -1.46 to 0.32). There may be no difference between groups in mean respiratory rate (MD 6.40, 95% CI -1.38 to 14.18) and mean heart rate (MD 14.50, 95% CI -8.49 to 37.49) at 20 minutes. The evidence for all outcomes in this comparison was of low quality, downgraded for serious imprecision. All children were discharged, but information on hospitalisation, intubation, or re-presenting to emergency departments was not reported.In another study, 47 children with moderate croup received one dose of oral dexamethasone (0.3 mg/kg) with either heliox for 60 minutes or no treatment. Heliox may slightly improve croup scores at 60 minutes postintervention (MD -1.10, 95% CI -1.96 to -0.24), but there may be no difference between groups at 120 minutes (MD -0.70, 95% CI -4.86 to 3.46). Children treated with heliox may have lower mean Taussig croup scores at 60 minutes (MD -1.11, 95% CI -2.05 to -0.17) but not at 120 minutes (MD -0.71, 95% CI -1.72 to 0.30). Children treated with heliox may have lower mean respiratory rates at 60 minutes (MD -4.94, 95% CI -9.66 to -0.22), but there may be no difference at 120 minutes (MD -3.17, 95% CI -7.83 to 1.49). There may be no difference in hospitalisation rates between groups (OR 0.46, 95% CI 0.04 to 5.41). We assessed the evidence for all outcomes in this comparison as of low quality, downgraded due to imprecision and high risk of bias related to open-label design. Information on heart rate and intubation was not reported.In the third study, 29 children with moderate to severe croup received intramuscular dexamethasone (0.6 mg/kg) and either heliox with one to two doses of nebulised saline, or 100% oxygen with one to two doses of adrenaline for three hours. Heliox may slightly improve croup scores at 90 minutes postintervention, but may have little or no difference overall using repeated measures analysis. We assessed the evidence for all outcomes in this comparison as of low quality, downgraded due to high risk of bias related to inadequate reporting. Information on hospitalisation or re-presenting to the emergency department was not reported.The included studies did not report on adverse events, intensive care admissions, or parental anxiety.We could not pool the available data because each comparison included data from only one study.
AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS
Due to very limited evidence, uncertainty remains about the effectiveness and safety of heliox. Heliox may not be more effective than 30% humidified oxygen for children with mild croup, but may be beneficial in the short term for children with moderate to severe croup treated with dexamethasone. The effect may be similar to 100% oxygen given with one or two doses of adrenaline. Adverse events were not reported, and it is unclear if these were monitored in the included studies. Adequately powered RCTs comparing heliox with standard treatments are needed to further assess the role of heliox in the treatment of children with moderate to severe croup.
Topics: Adrenal Cortex Hormones; Airway Obstruction; Airway Resistance; Bronchodilator Agents; Child, Preschool; Croup; Dexamethasone; Epinephrine; Helium; Humans; Infant; Oxygen; Oxygen Inhalation Therapy; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic
PubMed: 30371952
DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD006822.pub5 -
The Cochrane Database of Systematic... May 2017High-flow nasal cannulae (HFNC) deliver high flows of blended humidified air and oxygen via wide-bore nasal cannulae and may be useful in providing respiratory support... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
BACKGROUND
High-flow nasal cannulae (HFNC) deliver high flows of blended humidified air and oxygen via wide-bore nasal cannulae and may be useful in providing respiratory support for adult patients experiencing acute respiratory failure in the intensive care unit (ICU).
OBJECTIVES
We evaluated studies that included participants 16 years of age and older who were admitted to the ICU and required treatment with HFNC. We assessed the safety and efficacy of HFNC compared with comparator interventions in terms of treatment failure, mortality, adverse events, duration of respiratory support, hospital and ICU length of stay, respiratory effects, patient-reported outcomes, and costs of treatment.
SEARCH METHODS
We searched the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL; 2016, Issue 3), MEDLINE, the Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL), Embase, Web of Science, proceedings from four conferences, and clinical trials registries; and we handsearched reference lists of relevant studies. We conducted searches from January 2000 to March 2016 and reran the searches in December 2016. We added four new studies of potential interest to a list of 'Studies awaiting classification' and will incorporate them into formal review findings during the review update.
SELECTION CRITERIA
We included randomized controlled studies with a parallel or cross-over design comparing HFNC use in adult ICU patients versus other forms of non-invasive respiratory support (low-flow oxygen via nasal cannulae or mask, continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP), and bilevel positive airway pressure (BiPAP)).
DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS
Two review authors independently assessed studies for inclusion, extracted data, and assessed risk of bias.
MAIN RESULTS
We included 11 studies with 1972 participants. Participants in six studies had respiratory failure, and in five studies required oxygen therapy after extubation. Ten studies compared HFNC versus low-flow oxygen devices; one of these also compared HFNC versus CPAP, and another compared HFNC versus BiPAP alone. Most studies reported randomization and allocation concealment inadequately and provided inconsistent details of outcome assessor blinding. We did not combine data for CPAP and BiPAP comparisons with data for low-flow oxygen devices; study data were insufficient for separate analysis of CPAP and BiPAP for most outcomes. For the primary outcomes of treatment failure (1066 participants; six studies) and mortality (755 participants; three studies), investigators found no differences between HFNC and low-flow oxygen therapies (risk ratio (RR), Mantel-Haenszel (MH), random-effects 0.79, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.49 to 1.27; and RR, MH, random-effects 0.63, 95% CI 0.38 to 1.06, respectively). We used the GRADE approach to downgrade the certainty of this evidence to low because of study risks of bias and different participant indications. Reported adverse events included nosocomial pneumonia, oxygen desaturation, visits to general practitioner for respiratory complications, pneumothorax, acute pseudo-obstruction, cardiac dysrhythmia, septic shock, and cardiorespiratory arrest. However, single studies reported adverse events, and we could not combine these findings; one study reported fewer episodes of oxygen desaturation with HFNC but no differences in all other reported adverse events. We downgraded the certainty of evidence for adverse events to low because of limited data. Researchers noted no differences in ICU length of stay (mean difference (MD), inverse variance (IV), random-effects 0.15, 95% CI -0.03 to 0.34; four studies; 770 participants), and we downgraded quality to low because of study risks of bias and different participant indications. We found no differences in oxygenation variables: partial pressure of arterial oxygen (PaO)/fraction of inspired oxygen (FiO) (MD, IV, random-effects 7.31, 95% CI -23.69 to 41.31; four studies; 510 participants); PaO (MD, IV, random-effects 2.79, 95% CI -5.47 to 11.05; three studies; 355 participants); and oxygen saturation (SpO) up to 24 hours (MD, IV, random-effects 0.72, 95% CI -0.73 to 2.17; four studies; 512 participants). Data from two studies showed that oxygen saturation measured after 24 hours was improved among those treated with HFNC (MD, IV, random-effects 1.28, 95% CI 0.02 to 2.55; 445 participants), but this difference was small and was not clinically significant. Along with concern about risks of bias and differences in participant indications, review authors noted a high level of unexplained statistical heterogeneity in oxygenation effect estimates, and we downgraded the quality of evidence to very low. Meta-analysis of three comparable studies showed no differences in carbon dioxide clearance among those treated with HFNC (MD, IV, random-effects -0.75, 95% CI -2.04 to 0.55; three studies; 590 participants). Two studies reported no differences in atelectasis; we did not combine these findings. Data from six studies (867 participants) comparing HFNC versus low-flow oxygen showed no differences in respiratory rates up to 24 hours according to type of oxygen delivery device (MD, IV, random-effects -1.51, 95% CI -3.36 to 0.35), and no difference after 24 hours (MD, IV, random-effects -2.71, 95% CI -7.12 to 1.70; two studies; 445 participants). Improvement in respiratory rates when HFNC was compared with CPAP or BiPAP was not clinically important (MD, IV, random-effects -0.89, 95% CI -1.74 to -0.05; two studies; 834 participants). Results showed no differences in patient-reported measures of comfort according to oxygen delivery devices in the short term (MD, IV, random-effects 0.14, 95% CI -0.65 to 0.93; three studies; 462 participants) and in the long term (MD, IV, random-effects -0.36, 95% CI -3.70 to 2.98; two studies; 445 participants); we downgraded the certainty of this evidence to low. Six studies measured dyspnoea on incomparable scales, yielding inconsistent study data. No study in this review provided data on positive end-expiratory pressure measured at the pharyngeal level, work of breathing, or cost comparisons of treatment.
AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS
We were unable to demonstrate whether HFNC was a more effective or safe oxygen delivery device compared with other oxygenation devices in adult ICU patients. Meta-analysis could be performed for few studies for each outcome, and data for comparisons with CPAP or BiPAP were very limited. In addition, we identified some risks of bias among included studies, differences in patient groups, and high levels of statistical heterogeneity for some outcomes, leading to uncertainty regarding the results of our analysis. Consequently, evidence is insufficient to show whether HFNC provides safe and efficacious respiratory support for adult ICU patients.
Topics: Adult; Critical Care; Hospital Mortality; Humans; Intubation; Length of Stay; Oxygen Inhalation Therapy; Patient Reported Outcome Measures; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; Respiratory Distress Syndrome; Treatment Failure
PubMed: 28555461
DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD010172.pub2 -
Brazilian Journal of Otorhinolaryngology 2015When there is a change in the physiological pattern of nasal breathing, mouth breathing may already be present. The diagnosis of mouth breathing is related to nasal... (Review)
Review
INTRODUCTION
When there is a change in the physiological pattern of nasal breathing, mouth breathing may already be present. The diagnosis of mouth breathing is related to nasal patency. One way to access nasal patency is by acoustic rhinometry.
OBJECTIVE
To systematically review the effectiveness of acoustic rhinometry for the diagnosis of patients with mouth breathing.
METHODS
Electronic databases LILACS, MEDLINE via PubMed and Bireme, SciELO, Web of Science, Scopus, PsycInfo, CINAHL, and Science Direct, from August to December 2013, were consulted. 11,439 articles were found: 30 from LILACS, 54 from MEDLINE via Bireme, 5558 from MEDLINE via PubMed, 11 from SciELO, 2056 from Web of Science, 1734 from Scopus, 13 from PsycInfo, 1108 from CINAHL, and 875 from Science Direct. Of these, two articles were selected.
RESULTS
The heterogeneity in the use of equipment and materials for the assessment of respiratory mode in these studies reveals that there is not yet consensus in the assessment and diagnosis of patients with mouth breathing.
CONCLUSION
According to the articles, acoustic rhinometry has been used for almost twenty years, but controlled studies attesting to the efficacy of measuring the geometry of nasal cavities for complementary diagnosis of respiratory mode are warranted.
Topics: Humans; Mouth Breathing; Nasal Cavity; Nasal Obstruction; Respiratory Function Tests; Rhinometry, Acoustic; Severity of Illness Index
PubMed: 25618769
DOI: 10.1016/j.bjorl.2014.12.007 -
Respiratory Medicine Jul 2016Small airways dysfunction and inflammation contribute significantly to the clinical impact of asthma, yet conventional methods of assessing airways function in the... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
Small airways dysfunction and inflammation contribute significantly to the clinical impact of asthma, yet conventional methods of assessing airways function in the clinic cannot reliably evaluate its presence. However, most recently, promising methods of assessment are being utilised.
METHODS
We conducted a systematic literature review, using PubMed, with the aim of determining the prevalence of small airways disease in adult patients with asthma. We ascertained how small airways disease prevalence compared between different studies when measured using distinct techniques of small airways assessment.
RESULTS
Fifteen publications were identified determining the prevalence of small airways disease in asthma. Methods of assessments included impulse oscillometry, spirometry, body plethysmography, multiple-breath nitrogen washout, and high-resolution computed tomography. These studies used differing inclusion characteristics and recruited patients with a broad range of asthma severity, yet collectively they reported an overall prevalence of small airways disease of 50-60%. Small airways disease was present across all asthma severities, with evidence of distal airway disease even in the absence of proximal airway obstruction.
CONCLUSIONS
Small airways disease is highly prevalent in asthma, even in patients with milder disease. Given the clinical impact of small airways disease, its presence should not be underestimated or overlooked as part of the daily management of patients with asthma.
Topics: Adult; Aged; Airway Obstruction; Asthma; Disease Progression; Female; Humans; Inflammation; Male; Middle Aged; Nitrogen; Oscillometry; Plethysmography, Whole Body; Prevalence; Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive; Respiratory Function Tests; Severity of Illness Index; Spirometry; Tomography, X-Ray Computed
PubMed: 27296816
DOI: 10.1016/j.rmed.2016.05.006 -
The Cochrane Database of Systematic... Jul 2016Sudden Unexpected Death in Epilepsy (SUDEP) is defined as sudden, unexpected, witnessed or unwitnessed, non-traumatic or non-drowning death of people with epilepsy, with... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
Sudden Unexpected Death in Epilepsy (SUDEP) is defined as sudden, unexpected, witnessed or unwitnessed, non-traumatic or non-drowning death of people with epilepsy, with or without evidence of a seizure, excluding documented status epilepticus and in whom postmortem examination does not reveal a structural or toxicological cause for death. SUDEP has a reported incidence of 1 to 2 per 1000 patient years and represents the most common epilepsy-related cause of death. The presence and frequency of generalised tonic-clonic seizures (GTCS), male sex, early age of seizure onset, duration of epilepsy, and polytherapy are all predictors of risk of SUDEP. The exact pathophysiology of SUDEP is currently unknown, although GTCS-induced cardiac, respiratory, and brainstem dysfunction appears likely. Appropriately chosen antiepileptic drug treatment can render around 70% of patients free of all seizures. However, around one-third will remain drug refractory despite polytherapy. Continuing seizures place patients at risk of SUDEP, depression, and reduced quality of life. Preventative strategies for SUDEP include reducing the occurrence of GTCS by timely referral for presurgical evaluation in people with lesional epilepsy and advice on lifestyle measures; detecting cardiorespiratory distress through clinical observation and seizure, respiratory, and heart rate monitoring devices; preventing airway obstruction through nocturnal supervision and safety pillows; reducing central hypoventilation through physical stimulation and enhancing serotonergic mechanisms of respiratory regulation using selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs); reducing adenosine and endogenous opioid-induced brain and brainstem depression.
OBJECTIVES
To assess the effectiveness of interventions in preventing SUDEP in people with epilepsy by synthesising evidence from randomised controlled trials of interventions and cohort and case-control non-randomised studies.
SEARCH METHODS
We searched the following databases: Cochrane Epilepsy Group Specialized Register; Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL, Issue 11, 2015) via the Cochrane Register of Studies Online (CRSO); MEDLINE (Ovid, 1946 onwards); SCOPUS (1823 onwards); PsycINFO (EBSCOhost, 1887 onwards); CINAHL Plus (EBSCOhost, 1937 onwards); ClinicalTrials.gov; and the World Health Organization (WHO) International Clinical Trials Registry Platform (ICTRP). We used no language restrictions. The date of the last search was 12 November 2015. We checked the reference lists of retrieved studies for additional reports of relevant studies and contacted lead study authors for any relevant unpublished material. We identified duplicate studies by screening reports according to title, authors' names, location, and medical institute, omitting any duplicated studies. We identified any grey literature studies published in the last five years by searching: Zetoc database; ISI Proceedings; International Bureau for Epilepsy (IBE) congress proceedings database; International League Against Epilepsy (ILAE) congress proceedings database; abstract books of symposia and congresses, meeting abstracts, and research reports.
SELECTION CRITERIA
We aimed to include randomised controlled trials (RCTs), quasi-RCTs, and cluster-RCTs; prospective non-randomised cohort controlled and uncontrolled studies; and case-control studies of adults and children with epilepsy receiving an intervention for the prevention of SUDEP. Types of interventions included: early versus delayed pre-surgical evaluation for lesional epilepsy; educational programmes; seizure-monitoring devices; safety pillows; nocturnal supervision; selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs); opiate antagonists; and adenosine antagonists.
DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS
We aimed to collect data on study design factors and participant demographics for included studies. The primary outcome of interest was the number of deaths from SUDEP. Secondary outcomes included: number of other deaths (unrelated to SUDEP); change in mean depression and anxiety scores (as defined within the study); clinically important change in quality of life, that is any change in quality of life score (average and endpoint) according to validated quality of life scales; and number of hospital attendances for seizures.
MAIN RESULTS
We identified 582 records from the databases and search strategies. We found 10 further records by searching other resources (handsearching). We removed 211 duplicate records and screened 381 records (title and abstract) for inclusion in the review. We excluded 364 records based on the title and abstract and assessed 17 full-text articles. We excluded 15 studies: eight studies did not assess interventions to prevent SUDEP; five studies measured sensitivity of devices to detect GTCS but did not directly measure SUDEP; and two studies assessed risk factors for SUDEP but not interventions for preventing SUDEP. One listed study is awaiting classification.We included one case-control study at serious risk of bias within a qualitative analysis in this review. This study of 154 cases of SUDEP and 616 controls ascertained a protective effect for the presence of nocturnal supervision (unadjusted odds ratio (OR) 0.34, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.22 to 0.53) and when a supervising person shared the same bedroom or when special precautions, for example a listening device, were used (unadjusted OR 0.41, 95% CI 0.20 to 0.82). This effect was independent of seizure control. Non-SUDEP deaths; changes to anxiety, depression, and quality of life; and number of hospital attendances were not reported.
AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS
We found very low-quality evidence of a preventative effect for nocturnal supervision against SUDEP. Further research is required to identify the effectiveness of other current interventions, for example seizure detection devices, safety pillows, SSRIs, early surgical evaluation, educational programmes, and opiate and adenosine antagonists in preventing SUDEP in people with epilepsy.
Topics: Adult; Case-Control Studies; Death, Sudden; Epilepsy; Epilepsy, Tonic-Clonic; Female; Humans; Male; Patient Safety; Sleep
PubMed: 27434597
DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD011792.pub2 -
International Journal of Pediatric... Dec 2021Third and fourth branchial pouch sinuses can be rare causes of respiratory distress in neonates. An overview of this distinct clinical entity is missing in literature.... (Review)
Review
OBJECTIVES
Third and fourth branchial pouch sinuses can be rare causes of respiratory distress in neonates. An overview of this distinct clinical entity is missing in literature. To aid clinicians in recognizing and adequately treating this unique entity, we conducted a systematic review to discuss patient characteristics, diagnostic considerations and treatment strategy.
METHODS
MEDLINE and EMBASE were searched from inception to December 29th 2020. Original studies concerning patients with respiratory symptoms as a result of a third or fourth branchial pouch sinus, as confirmed with rigid endoscopy, videofluoroscopy or during surgery.
RESULTS
Thirty-nine studies describing 56 patients (66% male, aged 0-30 days) were analyzed. Symptoms included cervical mass (76.8%), stridor (55.4%), dyspnea (35.7%) and cyanosis (17.9%) due to a third (39.3%) or fourth (60.7%) branchial pouch sinus. Intubation was performed before treatment in 31.3%. The piriform sinus opening was identified with rigid endoscopy in 81.1%. Surgery was the treatment of choice in the majority of patients (85.7%), with a success rate of 100% and a complication rate of 10.7%. Endoscopic cauterization was successful in 40% and endoscopic cauterization followed by sclerotherapy was successful 100%, with no complications.
CONCLUSION
Third or fourth branchial pouch sinuses can lead to respiratory distress in neonates. It is important to recognize this distinct clinical picture for adequate diagnosis and treatment. Rigid endoscopy is indicated to demonstrate an opening in the piriform sinus and provides the opportunity to directly perform treatment with endoscopic cauterization. If this is insufficient to relief respiratory symptoms due to a persistent cyst, sclerotherapy or surgical excision should be considered.
Topics: Branchial Region; Cautery; Endoscopy; Female; Humans; Infant, Newborn; Male; Pharyngeal Diseases; Respiratory Distress Syndrome, Newborn
PubMed: 34525447
DOI: 10.1016/j.ijporl.2021.110922