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Human Reproduction (Oxford, England) Mar 2023What are the chances of achieving a live birth after embryo, oocyte and ovarian tissue cryopreservation (OTC) in female cancer survivors? (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
Live birth rate after female fertility preservation for cancer or haematopoietic stem cell transplantation: a systematic review and meta-analysis of the three main techniques; embryo, oocyte and ovarian tissue cryopreservation.
STUDY QUESTION
What are the chances of achieving a live birth after embryo, oocyte and ovarian tissue cryopreservation (OTC) in female cancer survivors?
SUMMARY ANSWER
The live birth rates (LBRs) following embryo and oocyte cryopreservation are 41% and 32%, respectively, while for IVF and spontaneous LBR after tissue cryopreservation and transplantation, these rates are 21% and 33%, respectively.
WHAT IS KNOWN ALREADY
Currently, fertility preservation (FP) has become a major public health issue as diagnostic and therapeutic progress has made it possible to achieve an 80% survival rate in children, adolescents and young adults with cancer. In the latest ESHRE guidelines, only oocyte and embryo cryopreservation are considered as established options for FP. OTC is still considered to be an innovative method, while it is an acceptable FP technique in the American Society for Reproductive Medicine guidelines. However, given the lack of studies on long-term outcomes after FP, it is still unclear which technique offers the best chance to achieve a live birth.
STUDY DESIGN, SIZE, DURATION
We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis of published controlled studies. Searches were conducted from January 2004 to May 2021 in Medline, Embase and the Cochrane Library using the following search terms: cancer, stem cell transplantation, FP, embryo cryopreservation, oocyte vitrification, OTC and reproductive outcome.
PARTICIPANTS/MATERIALS, SETTING, METHODS
A total of 126 full-text articles were preselected from 1436 references based on the title and abstract and assessed via the Newcastle-Ottawa Quality Assessment Scale. The studies were selected, and their data were extracted by two independent reviewers according to the Cochrane methods. A fixed-effect meta-analysis was performed for outcomes with high heterogeneity.
MAIN RESULTS AND THE ROLE OF CHANCE
Data from 34 studies were used for this meta-analysis. Regarding cryopreserved embryos, the LBR after IVF was 41% (95% CI: 34-48, I2: 0%, fixed effect). Concerning vitrified oocytes, the LBR was 32% (95% CI: 26-39, I2: 0%, fixed effect). Finally, the LBR after IVF and the spontaneous LBR after ovarian tissue transplantation were 21% (95% CI: 15-26, I2: 0%, fixed-effect) and 33% (95% CI: 25-42, I2: 46.1%, random-effect), respectively. For all outcomes, in the sensitivity analyses, the maximum variation in the estimated percentage was 1%.
LIMITATIONS, REASONS FOR CAUTION
The heterogeneity of the literature prevents us from comparing these three techniques. This meta-analysis provides limited data which may help clinicians when counselling patients.
WIDER IMPLICATIONS OF THE FINDINGS
This study highlights the need for long-term follow-up registries to assess return rates, as well as spontaneous pregnancy rates and birth rates after FP.
STUDY FUNDING/COMPETING INTEREST(S)
This work was sponsored by an unrestricted grant from GEDEON RICHTER France. The authors have no competing interests to declare.
REGISTRATION NUMBER
CRD42021264042.
Topics: Pregnancy; Female; Humans; Fertility Preservation; Birth Rate; Cryopreservation; Oocytes; Pregnancy Rate; Live Birth; Neoplasms; Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation; Retrospective Studies
PubMed: 36421038
DOI: 10.1093/humrep/deac249 -
Human Reproduction (Oxford, England) May 2022Is it safe to perform controlled ovarian stimulation (COS) for fertility preservation before starting anticancer therapies or ART after treatments in young breast cancer... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
STUDY QUESTION
Is it safe to perform controlled ovarian stimulation (COS) for fertility preservation before starting anticancer therapies or ART after treatments in young breast cancer patients?
SUMMARY ANSWER
Performing COS before, or ART following anticancer treatment in young women with breast cancer does not seem to be associated with detrimental prognostic effect in terms of breast cancer recurrence, mortality or event-free survival (EFS).
WHAT IS KNOWN ALREADY
COS for oocyte/embryo cryopreservation before starting chemotherapy is standard of care for young women with breast cancer wishing to preserve fertility. However, some oncologists remain concerned on the safety of COS, particularly in patients with hormone-sensitive tumors, even when associated with aromatase inhibitors. Moreover, limited evidence exists on the safety of ART in breast cancer survivors for achieving pregnancy after the completion of anticancer treatments.
STUDY DESIGN, SIZE, DURATION
The present systematic review and meta-analysis was carried out by three blinded investigators using the keywords 'breast cancer' and 'fertility preservation'; keywords were combined with Boolean operators. Eligible studies were identified by a systematic literature search of Medline, Web of Science, Embase and Cochrane library with no language or date restriction up to 30 June 2021.
PARTICIPANTS/MATERIALS, SETTING, METHODS
To be included in this meta-analysis, eligible studies had to be case-control or cohort studies comparing survival outcomes of women who underwent COS or ART before or after breast cancer treatments compared to breast cancer patients not exposed to these strategies. Survival outcomes of interest were cancer recurrence rate, relapse rate, overall survival and number of deaths. Adjusted relative risk (RR) and hazard ratio (HR) with 95% CI were extracted. When the number of events for each group were available but the above measures were not reported, HRs were estimated using the Watkins and Bennett method. We excluded case reports or case series with <10 patients and studies without a control group of breast cancer patients who did not pursue COS or ART. Quality of data and risk of bias were assessed using the Newcastle-Ottawa Assessment Scale.
MAIN RESULTS AND THE ROLE OF CHANCE
A total of 1835 records were retrieved. After excluding ineligible publications, 15 studies were finally included in the present meta-analysis (n = 4643). Among them, 11 reported the outcomes of breast cancer patients who underwent COS for fertility preservation before starting chemotherapy, and 4 the safety of ART following anticancer treatment completion. Compared to women who did not receive fertility preservation at diagnosis (n = 2386), those who underwent COS (n = 1594) had reduced risk of recurrence (RR 0.58, 95% CI 0.46-0.73) and mortality (RR 0.54, 95% CI 0.38-0.76). No detrimental effect of COS on EFS was observed (HR 0.76, 95% CI 0.55-1.06). A similar trend of better outcomes in terms of EFS was observed in women with hormone-receptor-positive disease who underwent COS (HR 0.36, 95% CI 0.20-0.65). A reduced risk of recurrence was also observed in patients undergoing COS before neoadjuvant chemotherapy (RR 0.22, 95% CI 0.06-0.80). Compared to women not exposed to ART following completion of anticancer treatments (n = 540), those exposed to ART (n = 123) showed a tendency for better outcomes in terms of recurrence ratio (RR 0.34, 95% CI 0.17-0.70) and EFS (HR 0.43, 95% CI 0.17-1.11).
LIMITATIONS, REASONS FOR CAUTION
This meta-analysis is based on abstracted data and most of the studies included are retrospective cohort studies. Not all studies had matching criteria between the study population and the controls, and these criteria often differed between the studies. Moreover, rate of recurrence is reported as a punctual event and it is not possible to establish when recurrences occurred and whether follow-up, which was shorter than 5 years in some of the included studies, is adequate to capture late recurrences.
WIDER IMPLICATIONS OF THE FINDINGS
Our results demonstrate that performing COS at diagnosis or ART following treatment completion does not seem to be associated with detrimental prognostic effect in young women with breast cancer, including among patients with hormone receptor-positive disease and those receiving neoadjuvant chemotherapy.
STUDY FUNDING/COMPETING INTEREST(S)
Partially supported by the Associazione Italiana per la Ricerca sul Cancro (AIRC; grant number MFAG 2020 ID 24698) and the Italian Ministry of Health-5 × 1000 funds 2017 (no grant number). M.L. acted as consultant for Roche, Pfizer, Novartis, Lilly, AstraZeneca, MSD, Exact Sciences, Gilead, Seagen and received speaker honoraria from Roche, Pfizer, Novartis, Lilly, Ipsen, Takeda, Libbs, Knight, Sandoz outside the submitted work. F.S. acted as consultant for Novartis, MSD, Sun Pharma, Philogen and Pierre Fabre and received speaker honoraria from Roche, Novartis, BMS, MSD, Merck, Sun Pharma, Sanofi and Pierre Fabre outside the submitted work. I.D. has acted as a consultant for Roche, has received research grants from Roche and Ferring, has received reagents for academic clinical trial from Roche diagnostics, speaker's fees from Novartis, and support for congresses from Theramex and Ferring outside the submitted work. L.D.M. reported honoraria from Roche, Novartis, Eli Lilly, MSD, Pfizer, Ipsen, Novartis and had an advisory role for Roche, Eli Lilly, Novartis, MSD, Genomic Health, Pierre Fabre, Daiichi Sankyo, Seagen, AstraZeneca, Eisai outside the submitted work. The other authors declare no conflict of interest. The funding organizations had no role in the design and conduct of the study; collection, management, analysis, and interpretation of the data; preparation, review, or approval of the manuscript and decision to submit the manuscript for publication.
REGISTRATION NUMBER
N/A.
Topics: Breast Neoplasms; Cancer Survivors; Female; Fertility Preservation; Humans; Neoplasm Recurrence, Local; Pregnancy; Retrospective Studies
PubMed: 35220429
DOI: 10.1093/humrep/deac035 -
Journal of Periodontology Dec 2022The use of biologics may be indicated for alveolar ridge preservation (ARP) and reconstruction (ARR), and implant site development (ISD). The present systematic review...
BACKGROUND
The use of biologics may be indicated for alveolar ridge preservation (ARP) and reconstruction (ARR), and implant site development (ISD). The present systematic review aimed to analyze the effect of autologous blood-derived products (ABPs), enamel matrix derivative (EMD), recombinant human platelet-derived growth factor-BB (rhPDGF-BB), and recombinant human bone morphogenetic protein-2 (rhBMP-2), on the outcomes of ARP/ARR and ISD therapy (i.e., alveolar ridge augmentation [ARA] and maxillary sinus floor augmentation [MSFA]).
METHODS
An electronic search for eligible articles published from January 2000 to October 2021 was conducted. Randomized clinical trials evaluating the efficacy of ABPs, EMD, rhBMP-2, and rhPDGF-BB for ARP/ARR and ISD were included according to pre-established eligibility criteria. Data on linear and volumetric dimensional changes, histomorphometric findings, and a variety of secondary outcomes (i.e., clinical, implant-related, digital imaging, safety, and patient-reported outcome measures [PROMs]) were extracted and critically analyzed. Risk of bias assessment of the selected investigations was also conducted.
RESULTS
A total of 39 articles were included and analyzed qualitatively. Due to the high level of heterogeneity across studies, quantitative analyses were not feasible. Most studies in the topic of ARP/ARR revealed that the use of biologics rendered similar results compared with conventional protocols. However, when juxtaposed to unassisted healing or socket filling using collagen sponges, the application of biologics did contribute to attenuate post-extraction alveolar ridge atrophy in most investigations. Additionally, histomorphometric outcomes were positively influenced by the application of biologics. The use of biologics in ARA interventions did not yield superior clinical or radiographic outcomes compared with control therapies. Nevertheless, ABPs enhanced new bone formation and reduced the likelihood of early wound dehiscence. The use of biologics in MSFA interventions did not translate into superior clinical or radiographic outcomes. It was observed, though, that the use of some biologics may promote bone formation during earlier stages of healing. Only four clinical investigations evaluated PROMs and reported a modest beneficial impact of the use of biologics on pain and swelling. No severe adverse events in association with the use of the biologics evaluated in this systematic review were noted.
CONCLUSIONS
Outcomes of therapy after post-extraction ARP/ARR and ARA in edentulous ridges were comparable among different therapeutic modalities evaluated in this systematic review. Nevertheless, the use of biologics (i.e., PRF, EMD, rhPDGF-BB, and rhBMP-2) in combination with a bone graft material generally results into superior histomorphometric outcomes and faster wound healing compared with control groups.
Topics: Humans; Tooth Socket; Sinus Floor Augmentation; Biological Products; Becaplermin; Alveolar Ridge Augmentation; Alveolar Process; Tooth Extraction
PubMed: 35841608
DOI: 10.1002/JPER.22-0069 -
Human Reproduction Update May 2022Ovarian tissue cryopreservation involves freezing and storing of surgically retrieved ovarian tissue in liquid or vapour nitrogen below -190°C. The tissue can be thawed... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
BACKGROUND
Ovarian tissue cryopreservation involves freezing and storing of surgically retrieved ovarian tissue in liquid or vapour nitrogen below -190°C. The tissue can be thawed and transplanted back with the aim of restoring fertility or ovarian endocrine function. The techniques for human ovarian tissue freezing and transplantation have evolved over the last 20 years, particularly in the context of fertility preservation in pre-pubertal cancer patients. Fresh ovarian tissue transplantation, using an autograft or donor tissue, is a more recent development; it has the potential to preserve fertility and hormonal function in women who have their ovaries removed for benign gynaecological conditions. The techniques of ovarian tissue cryopreservation and transplantation have progressed rapidly since inception; however, the evidence on the success of this intervention is largely based on case reports and case series.
OBJECTIVE AND RATIONALE
The aim of this study was to systematically review the current evidence by incorporating study-level and individual patient-level meta-analyses of women who received ovarian transplants, including frozen-thawed transplant, fresh or donor graft.
SEARCH METHODS
The review protocol was registered with PROSPERO (CRD42018115233). A comprehensive literature search was performed using MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINAHL and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials from database inception to October 2020. Authors were also contacted for individual patient data if relevant outcomes were not reported in the published manuscripts. Meta-analysis was performed using inverse-variance weighting to calculate summary estimates using a fixed-effects model.
OUTCOMES
The review included 87 studies (735 women). Twenty studies reported on ≥5 cases of ovarian transplants and were included in the meta-analysis (568 women). Fertility outcomes included pregnancy, live birth and miscarriage rates, and endocrine outcomes included oestrogen, FSH and LH levels. The pooled rates were 37% (95% CI: 32-43%) for pregnancy, 28% (95% CI: 24-34%) for live birth and 37% (95% CI: 30-46%) for miscarriage following frozen ovarian tissue transplantation. Pooled mean for pre-transplant oestrogen was 101.6 pmol/l (95% CI: 47.9-155.3), which increased post-transplant to 522.4 pmol/l (95% CI: 315.4-729; mean difference: 228.24; 95% CI: 180.5-276). Pooled mean of pre-transplant FSH was 66.4 IU/l (95% CI: 52.8-84), which decreased post-transplant to 14.1 IU/l (95% CI: 10.9-17.3; mean difference 61.8; 95% CI: 57-66.6). The median time to return of FSH to a value <25 IU/l was 19 weeks (interquartile range: 15-26 weeks; range: 0.4-208 weeks). The median duration of graft function was 2.5 years (interquartile range: 1.4-3.4 years; range: 0.7-5 years). The analysis demonstrated that ovarian tissue cryopreservation and transplantation could restore reproductive and hormonal functions in women. Further studies with larger samples of well-characterized populations are required to define the optimal retrieval, cryopreservation and transplantation processes.
WIDER IMPLICATIONS
Ovarian tissue cryopreservation and transplantation may not only be effective in restoring fertility but also the return of reproductive endocrine function. Although this technology was developed as a fertility preservation option, it may have the scope to be considered for endocrine function preservation.
Topics: Abortion, Spontaneous; Cryopreservation; Estrogens; Female; Fertility Preservation; Follicle Stimulating Hormone; Humans; Live Birth; Ovary; Pregnancy
PubMed: 35199164
DOI: 10.1093/humupd/dmac003 -
Transplant International : Official... Nov 2021In donation after circulatory death (DCD), (thoraco)abdominal regional perfusion (RP) restores circulation to a region of the body following death declaration. We... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
In donation after circulatory death (DCD), (thoraco)abdominal regional perfusion (RP) restores circulation to a region of the body following death declaration. We systematically reviewed outcomes of solid organ transplantation after RP by searching PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane libraries. Eighty-eight articles reporting on outcomes of liver, kidney, pancreas, heart, and lung transplants or donor/organ utilization were identified. Meta-analyses were conducted when possible. Methodological quality was assessed using National Institutes of Health (NIH)-scoring tools. Case reports (13/88), case series (44/88), retrospective cohort studies (35/88), retrospective matched cohort studies (5/88), and case-control studies (2/88) were identified, with overall fair quality. As blood viscosity and rheology change below 20 °C, studies were grouped as hypothermic (HRP, ≤20 °C) or normothermic (NRP, >20 °C) regional perfusion. Data demonstrate that RP is a safe alternative to in situ cold preservation (ISP) in uncontrolled and controlled DCDs. The scarce HRP data are from before 2005. NRP appears to reduce post-transplant complications, especially biliary complications in controlled DCD livers, compared with ISP. Comparisons for kidney and pancreas with ISP are needed but there is no evidence that NRP is detrimental. Additional data on NRP in thoracic organs are needed. Whether RP increases donor or organ utilization needs further research.
Topics: Death; Graft Survival; Humans; Organ Preservation; Organ Transplantation; Perfusion; Retrospective Studies; Tissue Donors; Tissue and Organ Procurement
PubMed: 34570380
DOI: 10.1111/tri.14121 -
Human Reproduction Update Sep 2023The number of frozen embryo transfers (FET) has increased dramatically over the past decade. Based on current evidence, there is no difference in pregnancy rates when... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
BACKGROUND
The number of frozen embryo transfers (FET) has increased dramatically over the past decade. Based on current evidence, there is no difference in pregnancy rates when natural cycle FET (NC-FET) is compared to artificial cycle FET (AC-FET) in subfertile women. However, NC-FET seems to be associated with lower risk of adverse obstetric and neonatal outcomes compared with AC-FET cycles. Currently, there is no consensus about whether NC-FET needs to be combined with luteal phase support (LPS) or not. The question of how to prepare the endometrium for FET has now gained even more importance and taken the dimension of safety into account as it should not simply be reduced to the basic question of effectiveness.
OBJECTIVE AND RATIONALE
The objective of this project was to determine whether NC-FET, with or without LPS, decreases the risk of adverse obstetric and neonatal outcomes compared with AC-FET.
SEARCH METHODS
A systematic review and meta-analysis was carried out. A literature search was performed using the following databases: CINAHL, EMBASE, and MEDLINE from inception to 10 October 2022. Observational studies, including cohort studies, and registries comparing obstetric and neonatal outcomes between singleton pregnancies after NC-FET and those after AC-FET were sought. Risk of bias was assessed using the ROBINS-I tool. The quality of evidence was evaluated using the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation approach. We calculated pooled odds ratios (ORs), pooled risk differences (RDs), pooled adjusted ORs, and prevalence estimates with 95% CI using a random effect model, while heterogeneity was assessed by the I2.
OUTCOMES
The conducted search identified 2436 studies, 890 duplicates were removed and 1546 studies were screened. Thirty studies (NC-FET n = 56 445; AC-FET n = 57 231) were included, 19 of which used LPS in NC-FET. Birthweight was lower following NC-FET versus AC-FET (mean difference 26.35 g; 95% CI 11.61-41.08, I2 = 63%). Furthermore NC-FET compared to AC-FET resulted in a lower risk of large for gestational age (OR 0.88, 95% 0.83-0.94, I2 = 54%), macrosomia (OR 0.81; 95% CI 0.71-0.93, I2 = 68%), low birthweight (OR 0.81, 95% CI 0.77-0.85, I2 = 41%), early pregnancy loss (OR 0.73; 95% CI 0.61-0.86, I2 = 70%), preterm birth (OR 0.80; 95% CI 0.75-0.85, I2 = 20%), very preterm birth (OR 0.66, 95% CI 0.53-0.84, I2 = 0%), hypertensive disorders of pregnancy (OR 0.60, 95% CI 0.50-0.65, I2 = 61%), pre-eclampsia (OR 0.50; 95% CI 0.42-0.60, I2 = 44%), placenta previa (OR 0.84, 95% CI 0.73-0.97, I2 = 0%), and postpartum hemorrhage (OR 0.43; 95% CI 0.38-0.48, I2 = 53%). Stratified analyses on LPS use in NC-FET suggested that, compared to AC-FET, NC-FET with LPS decreased preterm birth risk, while NC-FET without LPS did not (OR 0.75, 95% CI 0.70-0.81). LPS use did not modify the other outcomes. Heterogeneity varied from low to high, while quality of the evidence was very low to moderate.
WIDER IMPLICATIONS
This study confirms that NC-FET decreases the risk of adverse obstetric and neonatal outcomes compared with AC-FET. We estimate that for each adverse outcome, use of NC-FET may prevent 4 to 22 cases per 1000 women. Consequently, NC-FET should be the preferred treatment in women with ovulatory cycles undergoing FET. Based on very low quality of evidence, the risk of preterm birth be decreased when LPS is used in NC-FET compared to AC-FET. However, because of many uncertainties-the major being the debate about efficacy of the use of LPS-future research is needed on efficacy and safety of LPS and no recommendation can be made about the use of LPS.
Topics: Pregnancy; Infant, Newborn; Female; Humans; Birth Weight; Premature Birth; Luteal Phase; Lipopolysaccharides; Cryopreservation; Embryo Transfer; Pregnancy Rate; Retrospective Studies
PubMed: 37172270
DOI: 10.1093/humupd/dmad011 -
Annals of African Medicine 2019The overall success of dental implants depends on the crestal bone support around the implants. During the initial years of dental implant placement, the bone loss...
BACKGROUND
The overall success of dental implants depends on the crestal bone support around the implants. During the initial years of dental implant placement, the bone loss around the implants determines the success rate of treatment. Platform switching (PLS) concept preserves the crestal bone loss, and this approach should be applied clinically for the overall success of dental implants.
PURPOSE
The purpose of this study is to discuss the literature dealing with the concept of PLS concept and preservation of marginal bone, the mechanism by which it contributes to maintenance of marginal bone, its clinical applications, advantages, and disadvantages, to assess its survival rates.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
PubMed and Google Scholar search was done to find out the studies involving PLS concept from 2005 to 2017. Data were analyzed using SPSS statistical software.
RESULTS
Literature search revealed studies involving concepts of PLS, comparison of platform-switched and nonplatform-switched implants, case reports on PLS, and studies with histological and finite element analyses regarding PLS.
CONCLUSION
PLS helps preserve crestal bone around the implants, and this concept should be followed when clinical situations in implant placement permit.
Topics: Adult; Alveolar Bone Loss; Alveolar Process; Bone Density; Dental Abutments; Dental Implant-Abutment Design; Dental Implantation; Dental Implants; Dental Prosthesis Design; Humans; Prosthesis Fitting
PubMed: 30729925
DOI: 10.4103/aam.aam_15_18 -
The Cochrane Database of Systematic... Feb 2021In vitro fertilisation (IVF) or intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) treatments conventionally consist of a fresh embryo transfer, possibly followed by one or more... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
BACKGROUND
In vitro fertilisation (IVF) or intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) treatments conventionally consist of a fresh embryo transfer, possibly followed by one or more cryopreserved embryo transfers in subsequent cycles. An alternative option is to freeze all suitable embryos and transfer cryopreserved embryos in subsequent cycles only, which is known as the 'freeze all' strategy. This is the first update of the Cochrane Review on this comparison.
OBJECTIVES
To evaluate the effectiveness and safety of the freeze all strategy compared to the conventional IVF/ICSI strategy in women undergoing assisted reproductive technology.
SEARCH METHODS
We searched the Cochrane Gynaecology and Fertility Group Trials Register, CENTRAL, MEDLINE, Embase, PsycINFO, CINAHL, and two registers of ongoing trials from inception until 23 September 2020 for relevant studies, checked references of publications found, and contacted study authors to obtain additional data.
SELECTION CRITERIA
Two review authors (TZ and MZ) independently selected studies for inclusion, assessed risk of bias, and extracted study data. We included randomised controlled trials comparing a 'freeze all' strategy with a conventional IVF/ICSI strategy including a fresh embryo transfer in women undergoing IVF or ICSI treatment.
DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS
The primary outcomes were cumulative live birth rate and ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS). Secondary outcomes included effectiveness outcomes (including ongoing pregnancy rate and clinical pregnancy rate), time to pregnancy and obstetric, perinatal and neonatal outcomes.
MAIN RESULTS
We included 15 studies in the systematic review and eight studies with a total of 4712 women in the meta-analysis. The overall evidence was of moderate to low quality. We graded all the outcomes and downgraded due to serious risk of bias, serious imprecision and serious unexplained heterogeneity. Risk of bias was associated with unclear blinding of investigators for preliminary outcomes of the study during the interim analysis, unit of analysis error, and absence of adequate study termination rules. There was an absence of high-quality evidence according to GRADE assessments for our primary outcomes, which is reflected in the cautious language below. There is probably little or no difference in cumulative live birth rate between the 'freeze all' strategy and the conventional IVF/ICSI strategy (odds ratio (OR) 1.08, 95% CI 0.95 to 1.22; I = 0%; 8 RCTs, 4712 women; moderate-quality evidence). This suggests that for a cumulative live birth rate of 58% following the conventional strategy, the cumulative live birth rate following the 'freeze all' strategy would be between 57% and 63%. Women might develop less OHSS after the 'freeze all' strategy compared to the conventional IVF/ICSI strategy (OR 0.26, 95% CI 0.17 to 0.39; I = 0%; 6 RCTs, 4478 women; low-quality evidence). These data suggest that for an OHSS rate of 3% following the conventional strategy, the rate following the 'freeze all' strategy would be 1%. There is probably little or no difference between the two strategies in the cumulative ongoing pregnancy rate (OR 0.95, 95% CI 0.75 to 1.19; I = 31%; 4 RCTs, 1245 women; moderate-quality evidence). We could not analyse time to pregnancy; by design, time to pregnancy is shorter in the conventional strategy than in the 'freeze all' strategy when the cumulative live birth rate is comparable, as embryo transfer is delayed in a 'freeze all' strategy. We are uncertain whether the two strategies differ in cumulative miscarriage rate because the evidence is very low quality (Peto OR 1.06, 95% CI 0.72 to 1.55; I = 55%; 2 RCTs, 986 women; very low-quality evidence) and cumulative multiple-pregnancy rate (Peto OR 0.88, 95% CI 0.61 to 1.25; I = 63%; 2 RCTs, 986 women; very low-quality evidence). The risk of hypertensive disorders of pregnancy (Peto OR 2.15, 95% CI 1.42 to 3.25; I = 29%; 3 RCTs, 3940 women; low-quality evidence), having a large-for-gestational-age baby (Peto OR 1.96, 95% CI 1.51 to 2.55; I = 0%; 3 RCTs, 3940 women; low-quality evidence) and a higher birth weight of the children born (mean difference (MD) 127 g, 95% CI 77.1 to 177.8; I = 0%; 5 RCTs, 1607 singletons; moderate-quality evidence) may be increased following the 'freeze all' strategy. We are uncertain whether the two strategies differ in the risk of having a small-for-gestational-age baby because the evidence is low quality (Peto OR 0.82, 95% CI 0.65 to 1.05; I = 64%; 3 RCTs, 3940 women; low-quality evidence).
AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS
We found moderate-quality evidence showing that one strategy is probably not superior to the other in terms of cumulative live birth rate and ongoing pregnancy rate. The risk of OHSS may be decreased in the 'freeze all' strategy. Based on the results of the included studies, we could not analyse time to pregnancy. It is likely to be shorter using a conventional IVF/ICSI strategy with fresh embryo transfer in the case of similar cumulative live birth rate, as embryo transfer is delayed in a 'freeze all' strategy. The risk of maternal hypertensive disorders of pregnancy, of having a large-for-gestational-age baby and a higher birth weight of the children born may be increased following the 'freeze all' strategy. We are uncertain if 'freeze all' strategy reduces the risk of miscarriage, multiple pregnancy rate or having a small-for-gestational-age baby compared to conventional IVF/ICSI.
Topics: Abortion, Spontaneous; Bias; Cryopreservation; Embryo Transfer; Embryo, Mammalian; Female; Fertilization in Vitro; Humans; Live Birth; Ovarian Hyperstimulation Syndrome; Pregnancy; Pregnancy Complications; Pregnancy Rate; Pregnancy, Multiple; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; Sperm Injections, Intracytoplasmic; Time-to-Pregnancy
PubMed: 33539543
DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD011184.pub3 -
Frontiers in Endocrinology 2021Despite the worldwide increase in frozen embryo transfer, the search for the best protocol to prime endometrium continues. Well-designed trials comparing various frozen...
Despite the worldwide increase in frozen embryo transfer, the search for the best protocol to prime endometrium continues. Well-designed trials comparing various frozen embryo transfer protocols in terms of live birth rates, maternal, obstetric and neonatal outcome are urgently required. Currently, low-quality evidence indicates that, natural cycle, either true natural cycle or modified natural cycle, is superior to hormone replacement treatment protocol. Regarding warmed blastocyst transfer and frozen embryo transfer timing, the evidence suggests the 6 day of progesterone start, LH surge+6 day and hCG+7 day in hormone replacement treatment, true natural cycle and modified natural cycle protocols, respectively. Time corrections, due to inter-personal differences in the window of implantation or day of vitrification (day 5 or 6), should be explored further. Recently available evidence clearly indicates that, in hormone replacement treatment and natural cycles, there might be marked inter-personal variation in serum progesterone levels with an impact on reproductive outcomes, despite the use of the same dose and route of progesterone administration. The place of progesterone rescue protocols in patients with low serum progesterone levels one day prior to warmed blastocyst transfer in hormone replacement treatment and natural cycles is likely to be intensively explored in near future.
Topics: Cryopreservation; Embryo Implantation; Embryo Transfer; Endometrium; Female; Humans; Pregnancy; Pregnancy Rate
PubMed: 34305815
DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2021.688237 -
Kardiologia Polska 2021Exercise and physiotherapy are accepted as an important contribution to the rehabilitation of patients with heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF). But... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
The effect of exercise training and physiotherapy on diastolic function, exercise capacity and quality of life in patients with heart failure with preserved ejection fraction: a systematic review and meta-analysis.
BACKGROUND
Exercise and physiotherapy are accepted as an important contribution to the rehabilitation of patients with heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF). But the previous results are unclear partly because of their limited power and small sample sizes.
AIMS
We aimed to understand better the effects of two exercise training interventions and two modalities of physiotherapies on exercise capacity, quality of life (QoL), and diastolic dysfunction in HFpEF patients.
METHODS
The Cochrane Library, EMBASE, and MEDLINE via PubMed were searched for randomized controlled trials from their inception to May 2021. The effect size was estimated as mean differences (MD) with 95% confidence intervals (CI).
RESULTS
A total of 14 articles on 13 trials were included in this meta-analysis with 673 HFpEF patients. The pooling revealed that peak oxygen uptake was improved by endurance training, functional electrical stimulation (FES), and inspiratory muscle training (IMT). Similar results were observed for a 6-minute walk test and QoL. A combination of endurance and resistance training (combined exercise) was beneficial to the ratio of peak early to late diastolic mitral inflow velocities (MD [95% CI]: -2.90 [-4.97, -0.83]; P = 0.006) and the early diastolic mitral annual velocity (MD [95% CI]: 1.40 [0.68, 2.12]; P = 0.006]. IMT improved the ventilation/carbon dioxide ratio slope (MD [95% CI]: -3.36 ml/kg/min [-6.17, -0.54]; P = 0.019].
CONCLUSIONS
FES and IMT improve functional capacity and QoL without a change in diastolic function in HFpEF patients, and the outcomes are similar to endurance training. Notably, combined exercise may improve diastolic function. Key words: diastolic function, exercise training, functional electrical stimulation, heart failure with preserved ejection fraction, inspiratory muscle training.
Topics: Exercise; Exercise Therapy; Exercise Tolerance; Heart Failure; Humans; Quality of Life; Stroke Volume
PubMed: 34472077
DOI: 10.33963/KP.a2021.0101