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Journal of Pharmacopuncture Sep 2023Crohn's disease is a chronic gastrointestinal disease that belongs to inflammatory bowel disease. This systematic review aims to assess the level of evidence in... (Review)
Review
OBJECTIVES
Crohn's disease is a chronic gastrointestinal disease that belongs to inflammatory bowel disease. This systematic review aims to assess the level of evidence in randomized controlled trials (RCTs) on the effects of acupuncture for Crohn's disease.
METHODS
We searched 12 databases from the date of the establishment of each database up to May, 2023 for relevant RCTs. The risk of bias of each study was assessed independently by three reviewers. The level of evidence of meta-analysis was assessed using GRADE (Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development, and Evaluation).
RESULTS
A total of 12 studies were included. The effective rate (odds ratio [OR] 3.23, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.43, 7.30) for mild to moderate Crohn's disease patients showed a significant difference between the acupuncture with moxibustion group and the sham-acupuncture with sham-moxibustion group. CDAI change (mean difference [MD] -74.15, 95% CI -93.28, -55.01) for mild to moderate Crohn's disease showed a significant difference between the acupuncture with moxibustion group and the sham-acupuncture with sham-moxibustion group.
CONCLUSION
Although acupuncture with moxibustion showed significant effects compared to sham-acupuncture with sham-moxibustion, the effect of acupuncture alone is inconclusive. Moreover, only the effect of acupuncture treatment on mild to moderate Crohn's disease patients was derived as a remarkable result. To confirm the effectiveness of acupuncture treatment for Crohn's disease, studies using only acupuncture for intervention or more RCTs targeting various Crohn's disease patients according to the CDAI are required.
PubMed: 37799620
DOI: 10.3831/KPI.2023.26.3.211 -
Journal of Orthopaedic Surgery and... Oct 2023This study aimed to investigate the correlation between the MRI high-intensity zone (HIZ) and the pathogenesis of discogenic low back pain. (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
OBJECTIVE
This study aimed to investigate the correlation between the MRI high-intensity zone (HIZ) and the pathogenesis of discogenic low back pain.
METHODS
Literature from PubMed, EMBASE, Cochrane Library, Science Direct, China Knowledge Network, Wanfang Database, and China Biomedical Literature Database was searched until August 2023. Cohort studies including patients with low back pain who underwent lumbar spine MRI and discography, as well as the results evaluating the correlation between HIZ and discography for morphological changes in the disc and pain replication phenomena, were included in the analysis. The literature that met the inclusion criteria was screened, and the methodological quality of the included studies was evaluated. Meta-analysis of the extracted data was performed by using RevMan 5.1.1.
RESULTS
In total, 28 reports were included in this meta-analysis. There was a statistically significant correlation between a positive HIZ and abnormal disc morphology in discography (OR 28.15, 95% CI [7.38, 107.46], p < 0.00001). Patients with HIZ-positive discs had a significantly higher incidence of consistent pain (71.0%, 969/1365) than those with HIZ-negative imaging (29.0%, 1314/4524) (OR 7.71, 95% CI [5.29, 11.23], p < 0.00001).Segments that were HIZ-positive and had abnormal disc morphology had a higher incidence of consistent pain (86.1%, 230/267) than HIZ-negative subjects (32.2%, 75/233) (OR 14.09, 95% CI [2.12, 93.48], p = 0.006).
CONCLUSION
A positive MRI T2-weighted image of the lumbar disc with HIZ indicates disc degeneration. In addition, HIZ may be a specific indicator for the physical diagnosis of discogenic low back pain. A more advanced degree of disc degeneration on the basis of HIZ positivity corresponded to a greater probability of discography-induced consistent pain, whereas the degree of disc degeneration on the basis of HIZ negativity was less correlated with contrast-induced consistent pain.
Topics: Humans; Low Back Pain; Intervertebral Disc Degeneration; Intervertebral Disc; Magnetic Resonance Imaging; Lumbosacral Region; Lumbar Vertebrae; Intervertebral Disc Displacement
PubMed: 37805519
DOI: 10.1186/s13018-023-04187-5 -
International Journal of Molecular... Sep 2023Fenugreek is a widely used herbal medicine as a complementary therapy for diabetes mellitus. Lots of clinical trials have proved its beneficial effect on glycemic... (Review)
Review
Fenugreek is a widely used herbal medicine as a complementary therapy for diabetes mellitus. Lots of clinical trials have proved its beneficial effect on glycemic control parameters and lipid profiles. Thus, we conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of fenugreek as a treatment for type 2 diabetes mellitus. We searched PubMed, Embase, Cochrane, China Knowledge Resource Integrated Database (CNKI), Korean studies Information Service System (KISS), Research Information Sharing Service (RISS), and ScienceON to select RCTs which used fenugreek targeting hyperglycemia with a control group. We used either a random effect model or a fixed model in a meta-analysis of Fasting blood glucose (FBG), 2 h plasma glucose during a 75 g oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) (2-hPG), homeostatic model assessment for insulin resistance (HOMA-IR), glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c)/total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), high density lipoprotein (HDL-C), low density lipoprotein (LDL-C), body mass index (BMI). After screening, a total of 10 studies (706 participants) remained. Fenugreek significantly reduced FBG, 2-hPG, and HbA1c, but it did not significantly decrease HOMA-IR. Moreover, it significantly improved TC, TG, and HDL-C, while there were no significant differences in LDL-C and BMI. Hepatic or renal toxicity was not observed, and there were no severe adverse events associated with fenugreek despite mild gastrointestinal side effects in some studies. In conclusion, fenugreek improves overall glycemic control parameters and lipid profile safely.
PubMed: 37762302
DOI: 10.3390/ijms241813999 -
The Journal of Dermatological Treatment Dec 2024Chronic urticaria (CU) is a prevalent dermatologic disease that negatively affects life, current therapies remain suboptimal. Hence, there is an urgent need to identify... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
A systematic review and meta-analysis of efficacy and safety of compound glycyrrhizin combined with second-generation non-sedated antihistamine for the treatment of chronic urticaria.
BACKGROUND
Chronic urticaria (CU) is a prevalent dermatologic disease that negatively affects life, current therapies remain suboptimal. Hence, there is an urgent need to identify effective and safe treatment.
OBJECTIVE
Assess the efficacy and safety of compound glycyrrhizin (CG) combined with second-generation nonsedated antihistamine for the treatment of CU.
METHODS
Nine databases were queried to screen RCTs related. Two reviewers independently assessed the risk of bias using Cochrane Collaboration. Primary objective was the total efficiency rate, while secondary was rate of recurrence, adverse events, and cure. Statistical analyses using Review Manager 5.4 and Stata17.
RESULTS
Twenty-four RCTs were identified. Significant differences were noted in rate of total efficiency ( = 2649, RR = 1.36, 95%CI:1.30-1.43, < 0.00001), cure ( = 2649, RR = 1.54, 95%CI:1.42-1.66, < 0.00001) and recurrence ( = 446, RR = 0.34, 95%CI:0.20-0.58, < 0.00001) between the combination of CG with second-generation non-sedated antihistamine and antihistamine monotherapy. Contrastingly, adverse events rate ( = 2317, RR = 0.76, 95% CI:0.59-0.97, = 0.03) was comparable between the two groups. Our results indicated that CG combined with second-generation non-sedated antihistamine could significantly mitigate the symptoms in CU compared with antihistamine monotherapy. No serious adverse events were reported.
CONCLUSIONS
CG combined with second-generation nonsedated antihistamine is effective for CU. Nevertheless, higher-quality studies are warranted to validate our results.
Topics: Humans; Chronic Disease; Chronic Urticaria; Glycyrrhizic Acid; Histamine Antagonists; Histamine H1 Antagonists; Histamine H1 Antagonists, Non-Sedating
PubMed: 38166511
DOI: 10.1080/09546634.2023.2299597 -
Integrative Medicine Research Sep 2023An increasing amount of clinical evidence of acupuncture's effect on protracted opioid abstinence syndrome (POAS) has emerged in recent years. The aim of this study was... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
An increasing amount of clinical evidence of acupuncture's effect on protracted opioid abstinence syndrome (POAS) has emerged in recent years. The aim of this study was to evaluating the evidence of efficacy of acupuncture for POAS. clinical and scientific research work.
METHODS
Four English-language databases (PubMed, Medline, Embase, Cochrane Libraries) and three Chinese-language databases (CNKI, WanFang and VIP Libraries) were searched, with coverage from database inception to March 31, 2022. Randomized clinical trials (RCTs) evaluating the effects of acupuncture and acupuncture-related therapies for prophylaxis or treatment of POAS were included. Data were screened and extracted independently according to pre-set tabular formats. RCT quality was assessed using risk of bias tool in the Cochrane Collaboration. The primary outcome was opiate withdrawal scale. The secondary outcomes are depression, anxiety for assessing protracted symptoms. The scores on the above scales are proportional to the severity of the symptoms.
RESULTS
Twenty-eight trials met the inclusion criteria and provided data for the meta-analysis. A total of only 3 studies (11%) were judged to be low-risk overall due to various biases in them. Acupuncture-related therapy showed statistical differences in improving protracted withdrawal symptom scores compared with sham acupuncture (5 studies, Standard mean difference (SMD), -1.85, 95% CI [-3.21, -0.50], = 0.007), western medicine(7 studies, SMD, -0.72, 95% CI [-1.22, -0.21], = 0.005)and no treatment(3 studies, SMD,-2.26, 95% CI [-3.82, -0.69], = 0.005)with high heterogeneity.
CONCLUSIONS
Acupuncture maybe safe and effective in relieving POAS individuals' protracted withdrawal symptoms. However, the results of our review should be interpreted with caution because of the high risk of bias of the included trials.
STUDY REGISTRATION
The protocol of this review has been registered at PROSPERO (CRD42022335505).
PubMed: 37637184
DOI: 10.1016/j.imr.2023.100976 -
Frontiers in Endocrinology 2024According to data from the World Health Organization (WHO), there is a significant public health issue regarding the increasing number of individuals affected by obesity... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
BACKGROUND
According to data from the World Health Organization (WHO), there is a significant public health issue regarding the increasing number of individuals affected by obesity and overweight on an annual basis. Therefore, it is imperative to urgently identify interventions that can effectively control and improve this condition. Baduanjin, as a medium-intensity exercise, appears a suitable approach for weight reduction among individuals with obesity. This paper aimed to provide a systematic review and meta-analysis of the efficacy of Baduanjin in addressing obesity and overweight, with the ultimate goal of assisting individuals with obesity in finding an effective, safe, and engaging method for weight reduction.
METHODS
We conducted a comprehensive search of multiple databases including PubMed, Cochrane Library, Web of Science, Embase, The China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), The Chinese Scientific Journal Database (VIP), The Chinese Biomedical Literature Database (CBM), and WanFang Database to identify relevant articles published from the inception of each database until September 2023. Specifically, we focused on randomized controlled trials (RCTs) investigating the effects of Baduanjin on weight reduction. Data from these studies were extracted and analyzed using appropriate statistical methods. In cases where there was no significant heterogeneity ( < 50%, > 0.1), we employed a fixed effects model for data synthesis; otherwise, a random effects model was selected. Funnel plots were used to assess publication bias, and the mean difference (MD) was reported as an indicator of treatment group differences.
RESULTS
A total of 420 participants were included in 10 studies. The MD results of the experimental group when compared with the control group were -3.69 (95%CI = -4.97 to -2.40, < 0.001) for body weight (BW), -5.42 (95%CI = -6.56 to -4.28, < 0.001) for body mass index (BMI), -1.36 (95%CI = -1.76 to -0.96, < 0.001) for waist circumference (WC), -3.40 (95%CI = -4.43 to -2.37, < 0.001) for hip circumference (HC), and -0.03 (95%CI = -0.04 to -0.02, > 0.1) for the waist-to-hip ratio (WHR). All of the values in the experimental group showed significant difference. The results of the Egger's test ( = 1.43, = 0.190) suggest that there was no substantial bias present within the data analysis process. The safety profile revealed no adverse events reported across all 10 studies.
CONCLUSION
Baduanjin could be effective in reducing weight, and the practice of Baduanjin has the potential to regulate BW, BMI, WC, HC, and WHR. However, further well-designed RCTs are still necessary to provide more robust evidence in the future.
SYSTEMATIC REVIEW REGISTRATION
http://www.crd.york.ac.uk/PROSPERO/, identifier CRD42024513789.
Topics: Humans; Obesity; Overweight; Weight Loss; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; Treatment Outcome
PubMed: 38919476
DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2024.1338094 -
World Journal of Surgical Oncology Oct 2023The main types of PD-L1 in the blood include soluble PD-L1 (sPD-L1), exosomal PD-L1 (exoPD-L1), and PD-L1 in circulating tumor cells (CTCs). However, the predictive and... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
Prognostic significance of blood-based PD-L1 analysis in patients with non-small cell lung cancer undergoing immune checkpoint inhibitor therapy: a systematic review and meta-analysis.
BACKGROUND
The main types of PD-L1 in the blood include soluble PD-L1 (sPD-L1), exosomal PD-L1 (exoPD-L1), and PD-L1 in circulating tumor cells (CTCs). However, the predictive and prognostic values of these three indicators in patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) undergoing immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI) therapy are unclear, warranting a systematic meta-analysis.
METHODS
A systematic literature search was performed in the PubMed, Cochrane Library, and Embase databases. The pooled hazard ratio (HR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) values were extracted from the included studies to investigate the correlation between the three PD-L1 indicators and overall survival (OS) or progression-free survival (PFS). The Newcastle-Ottawa Scale (NOS) was used to examine the quality of the included studies. Subgroup analyses were employed to investigate the heterogeneity. The publication bias of the included studies was assessed using Begg's and Egger's tests. P < 0.05 was regarded as significantly different.
RESULTS
The pooled results revealed that high pre-treatment sPD-L1 levels were significantly associated with inferior OS (HR = 2.32, 95% CI = 1.68-3.18, P < 0.001) and PFS (HR = 2.52, 95% CI = 1.72-3.68, P < 0.001). However, dynamic changes in sPD-L1 after immunotherapy were not statistically significant for OS (HR = 1.46, 95% CI = 0.65-3.26, P > 0.05) or PFS (HR = 1.62, 95% CI = 0.92-2.86, P > 0.05). Meanwhile, the upregulated pre-treatment exoPD-L1 levels were significantly associated with poor PFS (HR = 4.44, 95% CI = 2.87-6.89, P < 0.001), whereas the post-treatment dynamic upregulation of exoPD-L1 was significantly correlated with superior PFS (HR = 0.36, 95% CI = 0.24-0.54, P < 0.001) and OS (HR = 0.20, 95% CI = 0.07-0.53, P < 0.001). For PD-L1 in CTCs, the pooled results indicated that PD-L1 expression in CTCs was not significantly correlated with OS (HR = 0.75, 95% CI = 0.49-1.13, P = 0.170) and PFS (HR = 0.79, 95% CI = 0.59-1.06, P = 0.12).
CONCLUSIONS
Blood-based PD-L1 analysis is a potential strategy for predicting treatment efficacy and prognosis in patients with cancer.
Topics: Humans; Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung; Prognosis; Lung Neoplasms; Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors; B7-H1 Antigen; Biomarkers, Tumor
PubMed: 37821941
DOI: 10.1186/s12957-023-03215-2 -
Journal of Perianesthesia Nursing :... Dec 2023Common surgical procedures for conditions affecting the anus and rectum such as hemorrhoidectomy are associated with high risks of postoperative urinary retention... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
Moxibustion for Managing Postoperative Urinary Retention After Hemorrhoidectomy and Anorectal Surgeries: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials.
PURPOSE
Common surgical procedures for conditions affecting the anus and rectum such as hemorrhoidectomy are associated with high risks of postoperative urinary retention (POUR). Little is known about the efficacy of moxibustion in managing POUR after such surgical procedures. This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to review the related literature and synthesize data on the effectiveness of moxibustion in managing POUR after common anorectal surgeries.
DESIGN
A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs).
METHODS
PubMed, EMBASE, CENTRAL, Chinese National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), VIP information, and Wanfang databases were searched to October 1, 2021 using the keywords urinary retention, moxibustion, and moxa. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) investigating patients who had developed POUR after hemorrhoidectomy or other anorectal surgeries were eligible for inclusion. Patients receiving moxibustion formed the intervention group and the control group received usual care alone. Primary outcomes were markedly effective rate, defined as spontaneous voiding with complete symptom relief within 30 to 60 minutes after treatment; and total effective rate (ie, markedly effective rate plus effective rate, defined as spontaneous voiding with partial relief of symptoms within 60 minutes to 4 hours after treatment). Secondary outcome was time to first urination after treatment.
FINDINGS
Thirty-four RCTs met the eligibility criteria. Pooled analysis revealed that the markedly effective rate was significantly higher in the moxibustion group than that in the control group (pooled RR = 2.53, 95% CI = 2.17-2.95), and the total effective rate in the moxibustion group was also higher than that in the control group (pooled RR = 5.02, 95% CI = 4.01-6.28). The intervention group had significantly shorter times to first urination than controls (pooled effect = -2.81, 95% CI = -2.06 to -3.56).
CONCLUSIONS
Moxibustion appears superior to usual care in relieving POUR after common anorectal surgeries. Future studies are still warranted to confirm these findings.
Topics: Humans; Moxibustion; Hemorrhoidectomy; Urinary Retention; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; Acupuncture Therapy; Postoperative Complications
PubMed: 37589632
DOI: 10.1016/j.jopan.2023.01.020 -
Neurological Sciences : Official... Jun 2024Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a fatal neurodegenerative disease characterized by the degeneration of motor neurons, and there is currently a lack of reliable... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a fatal neurodegenerative disease characterized by the degeneration of motor neurons, and there is currently a lack of reliable diagnostic biomarkers. This meta-analysis aimed to evaluate CHIT1, CHI3L1, and CHI3L2 levels in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) or blood and their diagnostic potential in ALS patients. A systematic, comprehensive search was performed of peer-reviewed English-language articles published before April 1, 2023, in PubMed, Scopus, Embase, Cochrane Library, and Web of Science. After a thorough screening, 13 primary articles were included, and their chitinases-related data were extracted for systematic review and meta-analysis. In ALS patients, the CSF CHIT1 levels were significantly elevated compared to controls with healthy control (HC) (SMD, 1.92; 95% CI, 0.78 - 3.06; P < 0.001). CHIT1 levels were elevated in the CSF of ALS patients compared to other neurodegenerative diseases (ONDS) control (SMD, 0.74; 95% CI, 0.22 - 1.27; P < 0.001) and exhibited an even more substantial increase when compared to ALS-mimicking diseases (AMDS) (SMD, 1.15; 95% CI, 0.35 - 1.94, P < 0.001). Similarly, the CSF CHI3L1 levels were significantly higher in ALS patients compared to HC (SMD, 3.16; 95% CI, 1.26 - 5.06, P < 0.001). CHI3L1 levels were elevated in the CSF of ALS patients compared to ONDS (SMD, 0.75; 95% CI, 0.32 - 1.19; P = 0.017) and exhibited a more pronounced increase when compared to AMDS (SMD, 1.92; 95% CI, 0.41 - 3.42; P < 0.001). The levels of CSF chitinases in the ALS patients showed a significant increase, supporting the role of CSF chitinases as diagnostic biomarkers for ALS.
Topics: Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis; Humans; Biomarkers; Chitinases; Prognosis; Hexosaminidases; Chitinase-3-Like Protein 1
PubMed: 38194198
DOI: 10.1007/s10072-024-07301-5 -
Alternative Therapies in Health and... Feb 2024The effectiveness of manual acupuncture for treating bronchial asthma is still debatable and broad, and the effects of different acupuncture points, treatment durations,...
OBJECTIVE
The effectiveness of manual acupuncture for treating bronchial asthma is still debatable and broad, and the effects of different acupuncture points, treatment durations, or illness trajectories have never been rigorously assessed. The objective of this revised systematic review and subgroup meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) is to ascertain the clinical efficacy of manual acupuncture on bronchial asthma and whether these effects varied depending on the acupuncture points, length of treatment, or course of the disease.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) criteria were followed for creating a systematic review and meta-analysis. From the beginning through March 25, 2022, six electronic databases were checked. For the treatment of asthma, all RCTs contrasting acupuncture therapy along with conventional treatment against conventional treatment alone were chosen. The information was examined using Review Manager version 5.3 and Comprehensive Meta-Analysis version 3. Clinical efficacy (including the effective rate and the recurrence rate) was the primary outcome, and pulmonary function (including FEV1%, PEF) and The secondary results were T-lymphocyte immunity (containing CD3+, CD4+, and CD8+). Based on the acupuncture points, length of therapy, and nature of the condition, subgroup analyses were carried out.
RESULTS
There were a total of 21 RCTs that enrolled 2510 individuals. According to the meta-findings, analysis's manual acupuncture in addition to conventional treatment significantly increased the effective rate when compared to conventional treatment alone [OR = 5.14 95% CI 3.58-7.38, P < .00001], lung functions [FEV1% (MD = 6.18, 95% CI 2.40-9.96, P = .001) and PEF (MD = 0.45 95% CI 0.18-0.73, P = .001)], immune functions [CD3+ T lymphocytes (MD = 7.55 95% CI 6.55-8.56, P < .00001), CD4+ T-lymphocytes (MD = 5.11 95% CI 4.09-6.13, P < .00001), T-lymphocyte CD8+ (MD = -0.37.11 95% CI -3.62--2.51, P < .00001)] and noteworthy reduction in the recurrence rate (OR = 0.19 95% CI 0.10-0.38, P < .00001). Results from the subgroup analysis were consistent.
CONCLUSION
Manual acupuncture combined with Western Medicine is more effective than conventional treatment alone for bronchial asthma. Combination therapy can significantly improve clinical efficacy, lung function, and immune function while reducing the relapse rate. But to further support the results of this investigation, high-quality RCTs with long-term outcomes are still required, taking into account the inherent limitations of the included studies.
REGISTRATION NUMBER
PROSPERO (no. CRD42022357805) (https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/).
PubMed: 38401063
DOI: No ID Found