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Resuscitation Dec 2023Extracorporeal cardiopulmonary resuscitation (ECPR), has demonstrated promise in the management of refractory out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA). However, evidence... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
Prognostic factors associated with favourable functional outcome among adult patients requiring extracorporeal cardiopulmonary resuscitation for out-of-hospital cardiac arrest: A systematic review and meta-analysis.
BACKGROUND
Extracorporeal cardiopulmonary resuscitation (ECPR), has demonstrated promise in the management of refractory out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA). However, evidence from observational studies and clinical trials are conflicting and the factors influencing outcome have not been well established.
METHODS
We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis summarizing the association between pre-ECPR prognostic factors and likelihood of good functional outcome among adult patients requiring ECPR for OHCA. We searched Medline and Embase databases from inception to February 28, 2023 and screened studies with two independent reviewers. We performed meta-analyses of unadjusted and adjusted odds ratios, adjusted hazard ratios and mean differences separately. We assessed risk of bias using the QUIPS tool and certainty of evidence using the GRADE approach.
FINDINGS
We included 29 observational and randomized studies involving 7,397 patients. Factors with moderate or high certainty of association with increased survival with favourable functional outcome include pre-arrest patient factors, such as younger age (odds ratio (OR) 2.13, 95% CI 1.52 to 2.99) and female sex (OR 1.37, 95% CI 1.11 to 1.70), as well as intra-arrest factors, such as shockable rhythm (OR 2.79, 95% CI 2.04 to 3.80), witnessed arrest (OR 1.68 (95% CI 1.16 to 2.42), bystander CPR (OR 1.55, 95% CI 1.19 to 2.01), return of spontaneous circulation (OR 2.81, 95% CI 2.19 to 3.61) and shorter time to cannulation (OR 1.14, 95% CI 1.17 to 1.69 per 10 minutes).
INTERPRETATION
The findings of this review confirm several clinical concepts wellestablished in the cardiac arrest literature and their applicability to the patient for whom ECPR is considered - that is, the impact of pre-existing patient factors, the benefit of timely and effective CPR, as well as the prognostic importance of minimizing low-flow time. We advocate for the thoughtful consideration of these prognostic factors as part of a risk stratification framework when evaluating a patient's potential candidacy for ECPR.
Topics: Adult; Humans; Female; Out-of-Hospital Cardiac Arrest; Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation; Prognosis; Odds Ratio; Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation; Retrospective Studies
PubMed: 37863420
DOI: 10.1016/j.resuscitation.2023.110004 -
The International Journal of Eating... Jan 2024An extensive number of predictors has been examined across the literature to improve knowledge of relapse in anorexia nervosa (AN). These studies provide various... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
OBJECTIVE
An extensive number of predictors has been examined across the literature to improve knowledge of relapse in anorexia nervosa (AN). These studies provide various recovery and relapse definitions, follow-up durations and relapse rates. The current study summarizes these values and predictors of relapse in AN in a review and meta-analysis.
METHOD
The study was executed according to PRISMA guidelines. Different databases were searched and studies in which participants did not receive an official clinical diagnosis were excluded. A quality analysis was performed using the National Institute of Health's Study Quality Assessment Tool. Random-effects meta-analyses were conducted to summarize data.
RESULTS
Definitions of relapse and recovery were diverse. During an average follow-up period of 31 months an average relapse rate of 37% was found. Predictive variables from 28 studies were grouped in six categories: age and sex, symptoms and behaviors, AN subtype and duration, weight or weight change, comorbidity, and personality. The studies were characterized by non-significant and contradictory results. Meta-analyses were performed for the predictors age, AN duration, pre-treatment BMI, post-treatment BMI and depression. These yielded significant effects for post-treatment BMI and depression: higher pre-treatment depression (SMD = .40 CI [.21-.59] and lower post-treatment BMI (SMD = -.35 CI [-.63 to -.07]) increased relapse chances in AN.
DISCUSSION
Our results emphasized a lack of sufficiently powered studies, consistent results, and robust findings. Solely post-treatment BMI and pre-treatment depression predicted relapse. Future research should use uniform definitions, larger samples and better designs, to improve our understanding of relapse in AN.
PUBLIC SIGNIFICANCE
Knowledge about predictors is important to understand high relapse rates. Our study performed a review and meta-analysis of relapse predictors in AN. Related to the heterogeneity in studies examining predictors, an overview of relapse and recovery definitions, follow-up durations and relapse rates for AN was provided. Significant effects were found for post-treatment BMI and pre-treatment depression. More studies with uniform definitions are needed to improve clinical implications.
Topics: Humans; Anorexia Nervosa; Comorbidity; Recurrence
PubMed: 37855175
DOI: 10.1002/eat.24059 -
Expert Opinion on Drug Safety Jun 2024The existing evidence from pre- and post-marketing studies is conflicting on the risk of pancreatic events for anti-diabetic medications. (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
Risk of pancreatitis and pancreatic carcinoma for anti-diabetic medications: findings from real-world safety data analysis and systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.
BACKGROUND
The existing evidence from pre- and post-marketing studies is conflicting on the risk of pancreatic events for anti-diabetic medications.
RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS
A retrospective case/non-case study was conducted by using spontaneous reports on pancreatic events for anti-diabetic medications from the FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS) and VigiBase. Proportional Reporting Ratio (PRR), Reporting Odds Ratio (ROR), and Information Component (IC) were calculated by a disproportionality analysis. Furthermore, PubMed, Google Scholar, Scopus, and ClinicalTrials.gov were systematically searched for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) on anti-diabetic drugs with pancreatic outcomes.
RESULTS
The FAERS data analysis found strong signals on incretin mimetics causing pancreatic events, with sitagliptin having the highest risk [PRR = 24.2, lower bound (LB) ROR = 24.4, IC = 4.4 for pancreatitis, and PRR = 15.4, LB ROR = 14.9, IC = 3.8 for pancreatic carcinoma]. Empagliflozin was the most pancreatitis-risk sodium-glucose co-transporter-2 inhibitor [PRR = 4.0, LB ROR = 3.5, IC = 1.8]. VigiBase reiterated these findings and identified some new signals for novel anti-diabetics. Meta-analysis revealed that the incidence of pancreatitis and pancreatic carcinoma with anti-diabetic medications was insignificant. However, compared to the placebo/active comparator, gliptins had a higher risk of acute pancreatitis (OR 1.44; 95% CI 1.03, 2.01; = 0.03).
CONCLUSION
Evidence from the post-marketing safety data analysis identified a strong association between incretin mimetics and pancreatic events. Fewer events in RCTs may justify insignificant meta-analysis results.
Topics: Humans; Pancreatic Neoplasms; Pancreatitis; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; Hypoglycemic Agents; Adverse Drug Reaction Reporting Systems; Retrospective Studies; Risk; Sodium-Glucose Transporter 2 Inhibitors
PubMed: 37986140
DOI: 10.1080/14740338.2023.2284992 -
International Journal of Gynecological... Jul 2023Endometrial carcinoma is the most common gynecological tumor in developed countries. Clinicopathological factors and molecular subtypes are used to stratify the risk of... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
OBJECTIVE
Endometrial carcinoma is the most common gynecological tumor in developed countries. Clinicopathological factors and molecular subtypes are used to stratify the risk of recurrence and to tailor adjuvant treatment. The present study aimed to assess the role of radiomics analysis in pre-operatively predicting molecular or clinicopathological prognostic factors in patients with endometrial carcinoma.
METHODS
Literature was searched for publications reporting radiomics analysis in assessing diagnostic performance of MRI for different outcomes. Diagnostic accuracy performance of risk prediction models was pooled using the metandi command in Stata.
RESULTS
A search of MEDLINE (PubMed) resulted in 153 relevant articles. Fifteen articles met the inclusion criteria, for a total of 3608 patients. MRI showed pooled sensitivity and specificity 0.785 and 0.814, respectively, in predicting high-grade endometrial carcinoma, deep myometrial invasion (pooled sensitivity and specificity 0.743 and 0.816, respectively), lymphovascular space invasion (pooled sensitivity and specificity 0.656 and 0.753, respectively), and nodal metastasis (pooled sensitivity and specificity 0.831 and 0.736, respectively).
CONCLUSIONS
Pre-operative MRI-radiomics analyses in patients with endometrial carcinoma is a good predictor of tumor grading, deep myometrial invasion, lymphovascular space invasion, and nodal metastasis.
Topics: Female; Humans; Lymphatic Metastasis; Endometrial Neoplasms; Magnetic Resonance Imaging; Sensitivity and Specificity; Neoplasm Grading; Neoplasm Invasiveness
PubMed: 37094971
DOI: 10.1136/ijgc-2023-004313 -
Nutrition & Diabetes Nov 2023Gestational Diabetes Mellitus (GDM) is hyperglycaemia first detected during pregnancy. Globally, GDM affects around 1 in 6 live births (up to 1 in 4 in low- and... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
BACKGROUND
Gestational Diabetes Mellitus (GDM) is hyperglycaemia first detected during pregnancy. Globally, GDM affects around 1 in 6 live births (up to 1 in 4 in low- and middle-income countries- LMICs), thus, urgent measures are needed to prevent this public health threat.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the effectiveness of pre-pregnancy lifestyle in preventing GDM.
METHODS
We searched MEDLINE, Web of science, Embase and Cochrane central register of controlled trials. Randomized control trials (RCTs), case-control studies, and cohort studies that assessed the effect of pre-pregnancy lifestyle (diet and/or physical activity based) in preventing GDM were included. Random effects model was used to calculate odds ratio (OR) with 95% confidence interval. The Cochrane ROB-2 and the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale were used for assessing the risk of bias. The protocol was registered in PROSPERO (ID: CRD42020189574) RESULTS: Database search identified 7935 studies, of which 30 studies with 257,876 pregnancies were included. Meta-analysis of the RCTs (N = 5; n = 2471) in women who received pre-pregnancy lifestyle intervention showed non-significant reduction of the risk of developing GDM (OR 0.76, 95% CI: 0.50-1.17, p = 0.21). Meta-analysis of cohort studies showed that women who were physically active pre-pregnancy (N = 4; n = 23263), those who followed a low carbohydrate/low sugar diet (N = 4; n = 25739) and those women with higher quality diet scores were 29%, 14% and 28% less likely to develop GDM respectively (OR 0.71, 95% CI: 0.57, 0.88, p = 0.002, OR 0.86, 95% CI: 0.68, 1.09, p = 0.22 and OR 0.72, 95% CI 0.60-0.87, p = 0.0006).
CONCLUSION
This study highlights that some components of pre-pregnancy lifestyle interventions/exposures such as diet/physical activity-based preparation/counseling, intake of vegetables, fruits, low carbohydrate/low sugar diet, higher quality diet scores and high physical activity can reduce the risk of developing gestational diabetes. Evidence from RCTs globally and the number of studies in LMICs are limited, highlighting the need for carefully designed RCTs that combine the different aspects of the lifestyle and are personalized to achieve better clinical and cost effectiveness.
Topics: Pregnancy; Female; Humans; Diabetes, Gestational; Diet, Carbohydrate-Restricted; Carbohydrates; Life Style; Sugars
PubMed: 37973902
DOI: 10.1038/s41387-023-00251-5 -
Antibiotics (Basel, Switzerland) Nov 2023This review documents the status of AMR education and awareness in the WHO African region, as well as specific initiatives by its member states in implementing education... (Review)
Review
This review documents the status of AMR education and awareness in the WHO African region, as well as specific initiatives by its member states in implementing education and awareness interventions, as a strategic objective of the Global Action Plan on AMR, i.e., improve knowledge and understanding on AMR through effective communication, education, and training. A systematic search was conducted in Google Scholar, PubMed, and African Journals Online Library according to Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses (PRISMA) guidelines, for articles published in English. Retrieval and screening of articles was performed using a structured search protocol following a pre-set inclusion/exclusion criterion. Eighty-five published articles reporting 92 different studies from 19 Member States met inclusion criteria and were included in the final qualitative synthesis. Nigeria (21) and Ethiopia (16) had most of the studies, while the rest were distributed across the remaining 17 Member States. The majority of the articles were on knowledge, attitude, and practices with regard to AMR and antimicrobial use and most of them documented a general lack and suboptimal knowledge, poor attitude and practices, and widespread self-medication. This review shows low levels of knowledge of AMR coupled with extensive misuse of antimicrobial medicines by different target audiences. These findings underscore the urgent need for enhanced and context-specific educational and positive behavioural change interventions.
PubMed: 37998815
DOI: 10.3390/antibiotics12111613 -
BMC Women's Health Jul 2023Given the increase in the incidence of breast cancer during the past decades, several studies have investigated the effects of variables on breast cancer, especially... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
Given the increase in the incidence of breast cancer during the past decades, several studies have investigated the effects of variables on breast cancer, especially obesity. This systematic review and meta-analysis aims to evaluate any effects of obesity on breast cancer risk in women, before and after menopause, and in different continents.All forms of relevant literature examining any association between obesity and breast cancer, including cohort, case-control, and cross-sectional studies, were identified in the PubMed, Scopus, EMBASE, and Web of Science databases from January 1, 1990 until January 13, 2023. Body mass index (BMI) > 30 was used to indicate obesity. Every type of breast cancer was examined as outcome factors. The quality of the papers was evaluated using the Newcastle-Ottawa scale checklist. The Egger and Begg test was used to evaluate publication bias. To assess any extra impact of each research on the final measurement, a sensitivity analysis was carried out.One hundred and two studies were included in this meta-analysis. Respectively, 48 and 67 studies reported associations between obesity and breast cancer in pre and post menopausal women. Combining all studies, the pooled OR of the association between obesity and breast cancer in pre-menopausal women was OR = 0.93 CI: (0.85-1.1), (I = 65.4%), and for post-menopausal woman, OR = 1.26 CI: (1.19-1.34), (I = 90.5%).Obesity has a protective role in breast cancer among pre-menopausal women, but this relationship is statistically significant only in European women. The chance of developing breast cancer increases in post-menopausal women who are obese. This relationship is significant among Asian, North American, African and European women.
Topics: Female; Humans; Breast Neoplasms; Risk Factors; Cross-Sectional Studies; Menstruation; Obesity
PubMed: 37496015
DOI: 10.1186/s12905-023-02543-5 -
Expert Opinion on Investigational Drugs 2023Over three years have passed since the emergence of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), and yet the treatment for long-COVID, a post-COVID-19 syndrome, remains long... (Review)
Review
INTRODUCTION
Over three years have passed since the emergence of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), and yet the treatment for long-COVID, a post-COVID-19 syndrome, remains long overdue. Currently, there is no standardized treatment available for long-COVID, primarily due to the lack of funding for post-acute infection syndromes (PAIS). Nevertheless, the past few years have seen a renewed interest in long-COVID research, with billions of dollars allocated for this purpose. As a result, multiple randomized controlled trials (RCTs) have been funded in the quest to find an effective treatment for long-COVID.
AREAS COVERED
This systematic review identified and evaluated the potential of current drug treatments for long-COVID, examining both completed and ongoing RCTs.
EXPERT OPINION
We identified four completed and 22 ongoing RCTs, investigating 22 unique drugs. However, most drugs were deemed to not have high potential for treating long-COVID, according to three pre-specified domains, a testament to the ordeal of treating long-COVID. Given that long-COVID is highly multifaceted with several proposed subtypes, treatments likely need to be tailored accordingly. Currently, rintatolimod appears to have modest to high potential for treating the myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS) subtype, LTY-100 and Treamid for pulmonary fibrosis subtype, and metformin for general long-COVID prevention.
Topics: Humans; COVID-19; Post-Acute COVID-19 Syndrome; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; Fatigue Syndrome, Chronic; Drugs, Investigational
PubMed: 37534972
DOI: 10.1080/13543784.2023.2242773 -
Inflammopharmacology Dec 2023The use of anti-CD20 monoclonal antibodies, such as rituximab and ocrelizumab, has emerged as a matter of concern, in patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
BACKGROUND
The use of anti-CD20 monoclonal antibodies, such as rituximab and ocrelizumab, has emerged as a matter of concern, in patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).
OBJECTIVE
We aimed to summarize the overall evidence on the pre-admission/pre-diagnosis use of anti-CD20 among patients with COVID-19 with regards to mortality and severe illness outcomes.
METHODS
A systematic literature search with no language restriction was performed in electronic databases, including PubMed, Google Scholar, Scopus, and preprint servers (medRxiv, Research Square, SSRN), to identify eligible studies published up to June 13, 2023. The outcomes of interest were the development of severe illness and all-cause mortality. A random-effects model was used to estimate the pooled odds ratio for outcomes of interest using anti-CD20 monoclonal antibodies relative to non-use of anti-CD20 monoclonal antibodies, at 95% confidence intervals.
RESULTS
Our systematic review and meta-analysis revealed significantly increased odds for development of severe illness (pooled odds ratio 2.95; 95% confidence interval 2.30, 3.78; n = 534,349) and significantly increased odds for mortality (pooled odds ratio 2.14; 95% confidence interval 1.37, 3.35; n = 333,462) with the use of anti-CD20 monoclonal antibodies, relative to non-use of anti-CD20 monoclonal antibodies, in patients with COVID-19.
CONCLUSION
Healthcare practitioners should exercise caution when prescribing these anti-CD20 monoclonal antibodies during the COVID-19 pandemic to patients who are indicated for these agents, particularly those with underlying conditions like multiple sclerosis or rheumatoid arthritis.
Topics: Humans; COVID-19; Pandemics; Antibodies, Monoclonal; Antineoplastic Agents; Multiple Sclerosis
PubMed: 37804462
DOI: 10.1007/s10787-023-01349-z -
Human Vaccines & Immunotherapeutics Dec 2023Despite widespread mass rollout programs, the rapid spread of the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant called into question the effectiveness of the existing vaccines against...
Effectiveness of the pre-Omicron COVID-19 vaccines against Omicron in reducing infection, hospitalization, severity, and mortality compared to Delta and other variants: A systematic review.
Despite widespread mass rollout programs, the rapid spread of the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant called into question the effectiveness of the existing vaccines against infection, hospitalization, severity, and mortality compared to previous variants. This systematic review summarizes and compares the effectiveness of the COVID-19 vaccines, with respect to the above outcomes in adults, children, and adolescents. A comprehensive literature search was undertaken on several databases. Only 51 studies met our inclusion criteria, revealing that the protection from primary vaccination against Omicron infection is inferior to protection against Delta and Alpha infections and wanes faster over time. However, mRNA vaccine boosters were reported to reestablish effectiveness, although to a lower extent against Omicron. Nonetheless, primary vaccination was shown to preserve strong protection against Omicron-associated hospitalization, severity, and death, even months after last dose. However, boosters provide more robust and longer-lasting protection against hospitalizations due to Omicron as compared to only primary series.
Topics: Adolescent; Adult; Child; Humans; COVID-19 Vaccines; COVID-19; SARS-CoV-2; Hospitalization
PubMed: 36915960
DOI: 10.1080/21645515.2023.2167410