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Romanian Journal of Ophthalmology 2015The objective of our study was to review the current knowledge on Age- Related Macular Degeneration, including pathogenesis, ocular manifestations, diagnosis and... (Review)
Review
OBJECTIVES
The objective of our study was to review the current knowledge on Age- Related Macular Degeneration, including pathogenesis, ocular manifestations, diagnosis and ancillary testing.
SYSTEMATIC REVIEW METHODOLOGY
Relevant publications on Age-Related Macular Degeneration that were published until 2014.
CONCLUSIONS
Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a common macular disease affecting elderly people in the Western world. It is characterized by the appearance of drusen in the macula, accompanied by choroidal neovascularization (CNV) or geographic atrophy.
Topics: Aged; Aging; Diagnosis, Differential; Disease Progression; Fluorescein Angiography; Geographic Atrophy; Humans; Macular Degeneration; Prevalence; Retinal Drusen; Risk Factors; Romania; Tomography, Optical Coherence; Wet Macular Degeneration
PubMed: 26978865
DOI: No ID Found -
BMC Neurology Nov 2016Neurosarcoidosis is a rare variant of sarcoidosis and is only described in small cohort studies. We define clinical features, treatment and outcome of patients with... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
BACKGROUND
Neurosarcoidosis is a rare variant of sarcoidosis and is only described in small cohort studies. We define clinical features, treatment and outcome of patients with neurosarcoidosis over the last 35 years.
METHODS
We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis of studies on neurosarcoidosis published between 1980 and 2016. Studies were included if they reported at least 5 cases. Studies describing one specific neurological presentation were excluded.
RESULTS
We identified 29 articles describing 1088 patients diagnosed between 1965 and 2015. Neurosarcoidosis occurred in 5% of patients with systemic sarcoidosis. Mean age at presentation was 43 years and neurological symptoms were the first clinical manifestation of sarcoidosis in 52%. The most commonly reported feature of neurosarcoidosis was cranial neuropathy in 55%, with the facial and optic nerve most commonly affected, followed by headache in 32%. Pleiocytosis and elevated CSF protein were found in 58 and 63%. MRI of the brain showed abnormalities in 70%. Chest X-ray, chest CT, or gallium-67-scintigraphy showed findings consistent with sarcoidosis in 60%, 70% and 69%, respectively. First line therapy with corticosteroids was initiated in 434 of 539 patients (81%). Second and third line therapy was started in 27 and 9%. Outcome consisted of complete remission in 27%, incomplete remission in 32%, stable disease in 24%, deterioration in 6% and death in 5%.
CONCLUSION
Neurosarcoidosis has a heterogeneous clinical presentation and the diagnosis can be difficult because of low sensitivity of ancillary investigations. New treatments have emerged, but nevertheless one third of patients do not respond to treatment. Prospective cohort studies and RCTs on treatment are urgently needed.
Topics: Adult; Central Nervous System Diseases; Humans; Sarcoidosis
PubMed: 27846819
DOI: 10.1186/s12883-016-0741-x -
Journal of Vascular Surgery Apr 2020Multiple single-center studies have reported significant reductions in major amputations among patients with diabetic foot ulcers after initiation of multidisciplinary...
OBJECTIVE
Multiple single-center studies have reported significant reductions in major amputations among patients with diabetic foot ulcers after initiation of multidisciplinary teams. The purpose of this study was to assess the association between multidisciplinary teams (ie, two or more types of clinicians working together) and the risk of major amputation and to compile descriptions of these diverse teams.
METHODS
We searched PubMed, Scopus, Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health, and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials from inception through May 24, 2019 for studies reporting the association between multidisciplinary teams and major amputation rates for patients with diabetic foot ulcers. We included original studies if ≥50% of the patients seen by the multidisciplinary team had diabetes, they included a control group, and they reported the effect of a multidisciplinary team on major amputation rates. Studies were excluded if they were non-English language, abstracts only, or unpublished. We used the five-domain Systems Engineering Initiative for Patient Safety Model to describe team composition and function and summarized changes in major amputation rates associated with multidisciplinary team care. A meta-analysis was not performed because of heterogeneity across studies, their observational designs, and the potential for uncontrolled confounding (PROSPERO No. 2017: CRD42017067915).
RESULTS
We included 33 studies, none of which were randomized trials. Multidisciplinary team composition and functions were highly diverse. However, four elements were common across teams: teams were composed of medical and surgical disciplines; larger teams benefitted from having a "captain" and a nuclear and ancillary team member structure; clear referral pathways and care algorithms supported timely, comprehensive care; and multidisciplinary teams addressed four key tasks: glycemic control, local wound management, vascular disease, and infection. Ninety-four percent (31/33) of studies reported a reduction in major amputations after institution of a multidisciplinary team.
CONCLUSIONS
Multidisciplinary team composition was variable but reduced major amputations in 94% of studies. Teams consistently addressed glycemic control, local wound management, vascular disease, and infection in a timely and coordinated manner to reduce major amputation for patients with diabetic foot ulcerations. Care algorithms and referral pathways were key tools to their success.
Topics: Amputation, Surgical; Diabetic Foot; Humans; Limb Salvage; Patient Care Team
PubMed: 31676181
DOI: 10.1016/j.jvs.2019.08.244 -
Canadian Journal of Anaesthesia =... Apr 2023We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis to determine the diagnostic test accuracy of ancillary investigations for declaration of death by neurologic criteria... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
PURPOSE
We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis to determine the diagnostic test accuracy of ancillary investigations for declaration of death by neurologic criteria (DNC) in infants and children.
SOURCE
We searched MEDLINE, EMBASE, Web of Science, and Cochrane databases from their inception to June 2021 for relevant randomized controlled trials, observational studies, and abstracts published in the last three years. We identified relevant studies using Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis methodology and a two-stage review. We assessed the risk of bias using the QUADAS-2 tool, and applied Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation methodology to determine the certainty of evidence. A fixed-effects model was used to meta-analyze pooled sensitivity and specificity data for each ancillary investigation with at least two studies.
PRINCIPAL FINDINGS
Thirty-nine eligible manuscripts assessing 18 unique ancillary investigations (n = 866) were identified. The sensitivity and specificity ranged from 0.00 to 1.00 and 0.50 to 1.00, respectively. The quality of evidence was low to very low for all ancillary investigations, with the exception of radionuclide dynamic flow studies for which it was graded as moderate. Radionuclide scintigraphy using the lipophilic radiopharmaceutical Tc-hexamethylpropyleneamine oxime (HMPAO) with or without tomographic imaging were the most accurate ancillary investigations with a combined sensitivity of 0.99 (95% highest density interval [HDI], 0.89 to 1.00) and specificity of 0.97 (95% HDI, 0.65 to 1.00).
CONCLUSION
The ancillary investigation for DNC in infants and children with the greatest accuracy appears to be radionuclide scintigraphy using HMPAO with or without tomographic imaging; however, the certainty of the evidence is low. Nonimaging modalities performed at the bedside require further investigation.
STUDY REGISTRATION
PROSPERO (CRD42021278788); registered 16 October 2021.
Topics: Humans; Child; Infant; Bias; Sensitivity and Specificity
PubMed: 37131035
DOI: 10.1007/s12630-023-02418-1 -
Substance Abuse Treatment, Prevention,... Mar 2015As far as we are aware, no previous systematic review and synthesis of the qualitative/descriptive literature on polypharmacy in anabolic-androgenic steroid(s) (AAS)... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
As far as we are aware, no previous systematic review and synthesis of the qualitative/descriptive literature on polypharmacy in anabolic-androgenic steroid(s) (AAS) users has been published.
METHOD
We systematically reviewed and synthesized qualitative/descriptive literature gathered from searches in electronic databases and by inspecting reference lists of relevant literature to investigate AAS users' polypharmacy. We adhered to the recommendations of the UK Economic and Social Research Council's qualitative research synthesis manual and the PRISMA guidelines.
RESULTS
A total of 50 studies published between 1985 and 2014 were included in the analysis. Studies originated from 10 countries although most originated from United States (n=22), followed by Sweden (n=7), England only (n=5), and the United Kingdom (n=4). It was evident that prior to their debut, AAS users often used other licit and illicit substances. The main ancillary/supplementary substances used were alcohol, and cannabis/cannabinoids followed by cocaine, growth hormone, and human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG), amphetamine/meth, clenbuterol, ephedra/ephedrine, insulin, and thyroxine. Other popular substance classes were analgesics/opioids, dietary/nutritional supplements, and diuretics. Our classification of the various substances used by AAS users resulted in 13 main groups. These non-AAS substances were used mainly to enhance the effects of AAS, combat the side effects of AAS, and for recreational or relaxation purposes, as well as sexual enhancement.
CONCLUSIONS
Our findings corroborate previous suggestions of associations between AAS use and the use of other licit and illicit substances. Efforts must be intensified to combat the debilitating effects of AAS-associated polypharmacy.
Topics: Anabolic Agents; Androgens; Drug Users; Humans; Polypharmacy; Self Medication
PubMed: 25888931
DOI: 10.1186/s13011-015-0006-5 -
Cancers Sep 2023Clival chordomas are rare but aggressive skull base tumors that pose significant treatment challenges and portend dismal prognosis. The aim of this study was to...
Clival chordomas are rare but aggressive skull base tumors that pose significant treatment challenges and portend dismal prognosis. The aim of this study was to highlight the advantages and limitations of available treatments, to furnish prognostic indicators, and to shed light on novel therapeutic strategies. We conducted a retrospective study of clival chordomas that were surgically treated at our institution from 2003 to 2022; for comparison purposes, we provided a systematic review of published surgical series and, finally, we reviewed the most recent advancements in molecular research. A total of 42 patients underwent 85 surgeries; median follow-up was 15.8 years, overall survival rate was 49.9% at 10 years; meanwhile, progression-free survival was 26.6% at 10 years. A significantly improved survival was observed in younger patients (<50 years), in tumors with Ki67 ≤ 5% and when adjuvant radiotherapy was performed. To conclude, clival chordomas are aggressive tumors in which surgery and radiotherapy play a fundamental role while molecular targeted drugs still have an ancillary position. Recognizing risk factors for recurrence and performing a molecular characterization of more aggressive lesions may be the key to future effective treatment.
PubMed: 37760463
DOI: 10.3390/cancers15184493 -
The Indian Journal of Medical Research Jul 2021In the current scenario, with availability of different surgical procedures for limbal stem cell deficiency (LSCD), there exists no common consensus as to the... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND & OBJECTIVES
In the current scenario, with availability of different surgical procedures for limbal stem cell deficiency (LSCD), there exists no common consensus as to the standardization of the management protocol for the same. In addition, there also exists diversity in the views about the clinical diagnosis, ancillary investigations and clinical parameters. The objective of the present study was to evaluate the reported outcomes of surgical interventions for the management of LSCD.
METHODS
A systematic review of published literature on limbal stem cell transplantation (LSCT) was performed using Ovid Medline, Embase and PubMed for a duration of 2009 to 2019. Original studies including prospective, retrospective case series and randomized controlled trials, articles in English language, articles with access to full text and studies with more than or at least 10 patients were included in this review. Data related to clinical and visual outcomes were evaluated, and pool estimates of different surgeries were calculated using random-effects model and individually using Pearson's Chi-square test.
RESULTS
A total of 1133 abstracts were evaluated. Finally, 17 studies were included for the analysis. Among these 17 studies, direct limbal lenticule transplantation was performed in five studies, of which autologous tissue from the fellow eye [conjunctival limbal autograft (CLAU)], allograft from a cadaver/live donor [keratolimbal allograft (KLAL)/conjunctival limbal allograft (CLAL)] and combination of CLAU plus KLAL were done in one, three and one studies, respectively. The ex vivo expanded cultivated limbal epithelial transplantation (CLET) was reported in six studies and simple limbal epithelial transplantation (SLET) in four studies. Two were comparative studies comparing CLET and CLAL (living-related CLAL) with cadaveric KLAL, respectively. Outcome analysis of the included studies showed significant heterogeneity. Calculated pool rate for various types of surgeries was calculated. The pool estimate for CLAL was 67.56 per cent [95% confidence interval (CI), 41.75-93.36; I=83.5%, P=0.002]. For KLAL, this value was 63.65 per cent (95% CI, 31.38-95.91; I=92.4%, P=0.000). Pool estimate for CLET was 78.90 per cent (95% CI, 70.51-87.28; I=73.6%, P=0.001). Corresponding values for SLET were 79.08 per cent (95% CI, 74.10-84.07; I=0.0%, P=0.619). CLAU and combination of CLAU plus KLAL were done in one study each; hence, statistical analysis could not be done. The functional outcome in terms of gain in visual acuity post-operatively was better in KLAL (P<0.005) and SLET group as compared to CLET group.
INTERPRETATION & CONCLUSIONS
The present analysis suggests that though the anatomical success rates were almost identical between SLET, CLET, CLAL, and KLAL procedures, the functional success rates were better following KLAL and SLET procedures as compared to CLET. Decision for LSCT for cases of ocular burns based on either clinical judgement of the surgeon or individual diagnosis remains a suitable option.
Topics: Corneal Diseases; Humans; Limbus Corneae; Prospective Studies; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; Retrospective Studies; Stem Cell Transplantation; Stem Cells; Transplantation, Autologous
PubMed: 34782530
DOI: 10.4103/ijmr.IJMR_1139_18 -
Canadian Journal of Anaesthesia =... Apr 2023Ancillary tests are frequently used in death determination by neurologic criteria (DNC), particularly when the clinical neurologic examination is unreliable.... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
PURPOSE
Ancillary tests are frequently used in death determination by neurologic criteria (DNC), particularly when the clinical neurologic examination is unreliable. Nevertheless, their diagnostic accuracy has not been extensively studied. Our objective was to synthesize the sensitivity and specificity of commonly used ancillary tests for DNC.
SOURCE
We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis by searching MEDLINE, EMBASE, Cochrane databases, and CINAHL Ebsco from their inception to 4 February 2022. We selected cohort and case-control studies including patients with 1) clinically diagnosed death by neurologic criteria or 2) clinically suspected death by neurologic criteria who underwent ancillary testing for DNC. We excluded studies without a priori diagnostic criteria and studies conducted solely on pediatric patients. Accepted reference standards were clinical examination, four-vessel conventional angiography, and radionuclide imaging. Data were directly extracted from published reports. We assessed the methodological quality of studies with the QUADAS-2 tool and estimated ancillary test sensitivities and specificities using hierarchical Bayesian models with diffuse priors.
PRINCIPAL FINDINGS
Overall, 137 records met the selection criteria. One study (0.7%) had a low risk of bias in all QUADAS-2 domains. Among clinically diagnosed death by neurologic criteria patients (n = 8,891), ancillary tests had similar pooled sensitivities (range, 0.82-0.93). Sensitivity heterogeneity was greater within (σ = 0.10-0.15) than between (σ = 0.04) ancillary test types. Among clinically suspected death by neurologic criteria patients (n = 2,732), pooled ancillary test sensitivities ranged between 0.81 and 1.00 and specificities between 0.87 and 1.00. Most estimates had high statistical uncertainty.
CONCLUSION
Studies assessing ancillary test diagnostic accuracy have an unclear or high risk of bias. High-quality studies are required to thoroughly validate ancillary tests for DNC.
STUDY REGISTRATION
PROSPERO (CRD42013005907); registered 7 October 2013.
Topics: Humans; Child; Bayes Theorem; Sensitivity and Specificity; Case-Control Studies
PubMed: 37155120
DOI: 10.1007/s12630-023-02426-1 -
Neurology India 2022New controversies have raised on brain death (BD) diagnosis when lesions are localized in the posterior fossa. (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
New controversies have raised on brain death (BD) diagnosis when lesions are localized in the posterior fossa.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study was to discuss the particularities of BD diagnosis in patients with posterior fossa lesions.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
The author made a systematic review of literature on this topic.
RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS
A supratentorial brain lesion usually produces a rostrocaudal transtentorial brain herniation, resulting in forebrain and brainstem loss of function. In secondary brain lesions (i.e., cerebral hypoxia), the brainstem is also affected like the forebrain. Nevertheless, some cases complaining posterior fossa lesions (i.e., basilar artery thrombotic infarcts, or hemorrhages of the brainstem and/or cerebellum) may retain intracranial blood flow and EEG activity. In this article, I discuss that if a posterior fossa lesion does not produce an enormous increment of intracranial pressure, a complete intracranial circulatory arrest does not occur, explaining the preservation of EEG activity, evoked potentials, and autonomic function. I also addressed Jahi McMath, who was declared braindead, but ancillary tests, performed 9 months after initial brain insult, showed conservation of intracranial structures, EEG activity, and autonomic reactivity to "Mother Talks" stimulus, rejecting the diagnosis of BD. Jahi McMath's MRI study demonstrated a huge lesion in the pons. Some authors have argued that in patients with primary brainstem lesions it might be possible to find in some cases partial recovery of consciousness, even fulfilling clinical BD criteria. This was the case in Jahi McMath.
Topics: Brain; Brain Death; Brain Diseases; Brain Stem; Humans; Intracranial Pressure
PubMed: 35532637
DOI: 10.4103/0028-3886.344634 -
Epilepsia Feb 2023Despite improved ancillary investigations in epilepsy care, patients' narratives remain indispensable for diagnosing and treatment monitoring. This wealth of information... (Review)
Review
Despite improved ancillary investigations in epilepsy care, patients' narratives remain indispensable for diagnosing and treatment monitoring. This wealth of information is typically stored in electronic health records and accumulated in medical journals in an unstructured manner, thereby restricting complete utilization in clinical decision-making. To this end, clinical researchers increasing apply natural language processing (NLP)-a branch of artificial intelligence-as it removes ambiguity, derives context, and imbues standardized meaning from free-narrative clinical texts. This systematic review presents an overview of the current NLP applications in epilepsy and discusses the opportunities and drawbacks of NLP alongside its future implications. We searched the PubMed and Embase databases with a "natural language processing" and "epilepsy" query (March 4, 2022) and included original research articles describing the application of NLP techniques for textual analysis in epilepsy. Twenty-six studies were included. Fifty-eight percent of these studies used NLP to classify clinical records into predefined categories, improving patient identification and treatment decisions. Other applications of NLP had structured clinical information retrieval from electronic health records, scientific papers, and online posts of patients. Challenges and opportunities of NLP applications for enhancing epilepsy care and research are discussed. The field could further benefit from NLP by replicating successes in other health care domains, such as NLP-aided quality evaluation for clinical decision-making, outcome prediction, and clinical record summarization.
Topics: Humans; Artificial Intelligence; Natural Language Processing; PubMed; Electronic Health Records; Databases, Factual
PubMed: 36462150
DOI: 10.1111/epi.17474