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Clinical and Experimental Medicine Sep 2023Advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) has a very low resectable rate. This meta-analysis aimed to compare efficacy of three combination strategies in treatment... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
Advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) has a very low resectable rate. This meta-analysis aimed to compare efficacy of three combination strategies in treatment of advanced unresectable HCC with a view of guiding future selection of the best combination therapy for sorafenib and local therapy. A search was conducted to identify relevant literature published between April 2013 and May 2022, and then compared efficacy of sorafenib combined with external radiotherapy (SOF + RT), sorafenib with transarterial chemoembolization (SOF + TACE), sorafenib with hepatic artery infusion chemotherapy (SOF + HAIC), sorafenib (SOF), external radiotherapy (RT), transarterial chemoembolization (TACE), and hepatic artery infusion chemotherapy (HAIC) were studied and analyzed. Finally, the results were statistically analyzed using R 3.5.3 software and Stata/SE 15.0 software. A total of 46 studies, involving 7595 patients, were included in the meta-analysis. Analysis of overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS) of seven related treatment interventions revealed that the combination therapy had significantly higher efficacy than monotherapies. Among the combination therapies, SOF + RT was associated with the best OS and PFS rates, and the least adverse events compared to the other treatment modalities. The efficacy of combination therapy was better than monotherapy. In combination therapy, the overall survival time and progression-free survival time of SOF + RT were longer, and the adverse reactions were less. Therefore, SOF + RT may be the best choice for sorafenib combined with local therapy.
Topics: Humans; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular; Sorafenib; Liver Neoplasms; Chemoembolization, Therapeutic; Treatment Outcome
PubMed: 36495367
DOI: 10.1007/s10238-022-00972-4 -
Journal of the American Heart... Apr 2024Concomitant atrial fibrillation and end-stage renal disease is common and associated with an unfavorable prognosis. Although oral anticoagulants have been well... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
BACKGROUND
Concomitant atrial fibrillation and end-stage renal disease is common and associated with an unfavorable prognosis. Although oral anticoagulants have been well established to prevent thromboembolism, the applicability in patients under long-term dialysis remains debatable. The study aimed to determine the efficacy and safety of anticoagulation in the dialysis-dependent population.
METHODS AND RESULTS
An updated network meta-analysis based on MEDLINE, EMBASE, and the Cochrane Library was performed. Studies published up to December 2022 were included. Direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs, dabigatran, rivaroxaban, apixaban 2.5/5 mg twice daily), vitamin K antagonists (VKAs), and no anticoagulation were compared on safety and efficacy outcomes. The outcomes of interest were major bleeding, thromboembolism, and all-cause death. A total of 42 studies, including 3 randomized controlled trials, with 185 864 subjects were pooled. VKAs were associated with a significantly higher risk of major bleeding than either no anticoagulation (hazard ratio [HR], 1.47; 95% CI, 1.34-1.61) or DOACs (DOACs versus VKAs; HR, 0.74 [95% CI, 0.64-0.84]). For the prevention of thromboembolism, the efficacies of VKAs, DOACs, and no anticoagulation were equivalent. Nevertheless, dabigatran and rivaroxaban were associated with fewer embolic events. There were no differences in all-cause death with the administration of VKAs, DOACs, or no anticoagulation.
CONCLUSIONS
For dialysis-dependent populations, dabigatran and rivaroxaban were associated with better efficacy, while dabigatran and apixaban demonstrated better safety. No anticoagulation was a noninferior alterative, and VKAs were associated with the worst outcomes.
Topics: Humans; Atrial Fibrillation; Rivaroxaban; Dabigatran; Stroke; Network Meta-Analysis; Anticoagulants; Hemorrhage; Fibrinolytic Agents; Administration, Oral; Kidney Failure, Chronic; Thromboembolism; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic
PubMed: 38606775
DOI: 10.1161/JAHA.123.034176 -
Jornal Brasileiro de Pneumologia :... 2024To evaluate the effect of treatment with the combination of three cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) modulators-elexacaftor+tezacaftor+ivacaftor... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the effect of treatment with the combination of three cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) modulators-elexacaftor+tezacaftor+ivacaftor (ETI)-on important clinical endpoints in individuals with cystic fibrosis.
METHODS
This was a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials that compared the use of ETI in individuals with CF and at least one F508del allele with that of placebo or with an active comparator such as other combinations of CFTR modulators, following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) recommendations and the Patients of interest, Intervention to be studied, Comparison of interventions, and Outcome of interest (PICO) methodology. We searched the following databases: MEDLINE, EMBASE, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, and ClinicalTrials.gov from their inception to December 26th, 2022. The risk of bias was assessed using the Cochrane risk-of-bias tool, and the quality of evidence was based on the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE).
RESULTS
We retrieved 54 studies in the primary search. Of these, 6 met the inclusion criteria and were analyzed (1,127 patients; 577 and 550 in the intervention and control groups, respectively). The meta-analysis revealed that the use of ETI increased FEV1% [risk difference (RD), +10.47%; 95% CI, 6.88-14.06], reduced the number of acute pulmonary exacerbations (RD, -0.16; 95% CI, -0.28 to -0.04), and improved quality of life (RD, +14.93; 95% CI, 9.98-19.89) and BMI (RD, +1.07 kg/m2; 95% CI, 0.90-1.25). Adverse events did not differ between groups (RD, -0.03; 95% CI, -0.08 to 0.01), and none of the studies reported deaths.
CONCLUSIONS
Our findings demonstrate that ETI treatment substantially improves clinically significant, patient-centered outcomes.
Topics: Humans; Alleles; Cystic Fibrosis Transmembrane Conductance Regulator; Cystic Fibrosis; Quality of Life; Pyridines; Indoles; Pyrazoles; Aminophenols; Quinolones; Pyrrolidines; Benzodioxoles
PubMed: 38198345
DOI: 10.36416/1806-3756/e20230187 -
The Journal of Arthroplasty May 2024The aim of this study was to investigate the safety of early surgery in hip fracture patients who took clopidogrel and/or aspirin. (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
BACKGROUND
The aim of this study was to investigate the safety of early surgery in hip fracture patients who took clopidogrel and/or aspirin.
METHODS
A systematic search was conducted using databases, including PubMed/MEDLINE, Embase, Cochrane Library, and Web of Science, for studies relating to early arthroplasty or internal fixation for femoral neck fractures, intertrochanteric fractures, and subtrochanteric fractures in patients taking clopidogrel and/or aspirin. A total of 20 observational studies involving 3,077 patients were included in this meta-analysis, and analyzed in groups of early surgery versus delayed surgery, and clopidogrel and/or aspirin versus nonantiplatelet agents.
RESULTS
Patients in the clopidogrel and/or aspirin group who underwent early surgery had significantly more intraoperative blood loss than those in the non-antiplatelet group (mean difference = 17.96, 95% confidence interval [CI] [4.37, 31.55], P = .01), and patients in the clopidogrel and/or aspirin group had a lower overall incidence of complications after early surgery than those in the delayed surgery group (odds ratio = 0.26, 95% CI [0.14, 0.29], P < .001) and a shorter length of hospital stay (odds ratio = 0.26, 95% CI [0.14, 0.29], P < .001). There was no significant difference in postoperative mortality and other related indicators.
CONCLUSIONS
Early surgery in hip fracture patients taking clopidogrel and/or aspirin appears to be safe based on the available evidence and needs to be clarified by higher quality studies. However, the increased risk of cardiovascular events associated with discontinuation of clopidogrel or clopidogrel combined with aspirin dual antiplatelet therapy requires attention in the perioperative period.
Topics: Humans; Clopidogrel; Aspirin; Platelet Aggregation Inhibitors; Hip Fractures; Femoral Neck Fractures; Observational Studies as Topic
PubMed: 37972664
DOI: 10.1016/j.arth.2023.11.012 -
World Journal of Gastroenterology Mar 2024() infects over half the global population, causing gastrointestinal diseases like dyspepsia, gastritis, duodenitis, peptic ulcers, G-MALT lymphoma, and gastric... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
BACKGROUND
() infects over half the global population, causing gastrointestinal diseases like dyspepsia, gastritis, duodenitis, peptic ulcers, G-MALT lymphoma, and gastric adenocarcinoma. Eradicating is crucial for treating and preventing these conditions. While conventional proton pump inhibitor (PPI)-based triple therapy is effective, there's growing interest in longer acid suppression therapies. Potassium competitive acid blocker (P-CAB) triple and dual therapy are new regimens for eradication. Initially used in Asian populations, vonoprazan (VPZ) has been recently Food and Drug Administration-approved for eradication.
AIM
To assess the efficacy of regimens containing P-CABs in eradicating infection.
METHODS
This study, following PRISMA 2020 guidelines, conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis by searching MEDLINE and Scopus libraries for randomized clinical trials (RCTs) or observational studies with the following command: [("" OR "H pylori") AND ("Treatment" OR "Therapy" OR "Eradication") AND ("Vonaprazan" OR "Potassium-Competitive Acid Blocker" OR "P-CAB" OR "PCAB" OR "Revaprazan" OR "Linaprazan" OR "Soraprazan" OR "Tegoprazan")]. Studies comparing the efficacy of P-CABs-based treatment to classical PPIs in eradicating were included. Exclusion criteria included case reports, case series, unpublished trials, or conference abstracts. Data variables encompassed age, diagnosis method, sample sizes, study duration, intervention and control, and eradication method were gathered by two independent reviewers. Meta-analysis was performed in R software, and forest plots were generated.
RESULTS
A total of 256 references were initially retrieved through the search command. Ultimately, fifteen studies (7 RCTs, 7 retrospective observational studies, and 1 comparative unique study) were included, comparing P-CAB triple therapy to PPI triple therapy. The intention-to-treat analysis involved 8049 patients, with 4471 in the P-CAB intervention group and 3578 in the PPI control group across these studies. The analysis revealed a significant difference in eradication between VPZ triple therapy and PPI triple therapy in both RCTs and observational studies [risk ratio (RR) = 1.17, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.11-1.22, < 0.0001] and (RR = 1.13, 95%CI: 1.09-1.17, < 0.0001], respectively. However, no significant difference was found between tegoprazan (TPZ) triple therapy and PPI triple therapy in both RCTs and observational studies (RR = 1.04, 95%CI: 0.93-1.16, = 0.5) and (RR = 1.03, 95%CI: 0.97-1.10, = 0.3), respectively.
CONCLUSION
VPZ-based triple therapy outperformed conventional PPI-based triple therapy in eradicating , positioning it as a highly effective first-line regimen. Additionally, TPZ-based triple therapy was non-inferior to classical PPI triple therapy.
Topics: Humans; Anti-Bacterial Agents; Clarithromycin; Helicobacter pylori; Proton Pump Inhibitors; Drug Therapy, Combination; Helicobacter Infections; Pyrroles; Amoxicillin; Treatment Outcome; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; Observational Studies as Topic; Benzene Derivatives; Imidazoles; Sulfonamides
PubMed: 38577188
DOI: 10.3748/wjg.v30.i9.1213 -
A systematic review for the impacts of global approaches to regulating electronic nicotine products.Journal of Global Health Aug 2023The rapid increase in electronic nicotine product (ENP) use among young people has been a global public health challenge, given the potential harm of ENPs and nicotine...
BACKGROUND
The rapid increase in electronic nicotine product (ENP) use among young people has been a global public health challenge, given the potential harm of ENPs and nicotine dependence. Many countries have recently introduced legislations to regulate ENPs, but the impacts of these policies are poorly understood. This systematic review aims to critically synthesise empirical studies on the effects of global regulations regarding ENPs on the prevalence of use, health outcomes and their determinants, using the 4A marketing mix framework (acceptability, affordability, accessibility and awareness).
METHODS
Following the PRISMA guideline, we searched PubMed, Embase, Scopus, Web of Science, Academic Search Complete, Business Source Complete, and APA PsycINFO databases from inception until June 14, 2022 and performed citation searches on the included studies. Reviewed literature was restricted to peer-reviewed, English-language articles. We included all pre-post and quasi-experimental studies that evaluated the impacts of e-cigarette policies on the prevalence of ENP use and other health outcomes. A modified Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) Critical Appraisal checklist for quasi-experimental studies was used for quality assessment. Due to heterogeneity of the included studies, we conducted a narrative synthesis of evidence.
RESULTS
Of 3991 unduplicated records screened, 48 (1.2%) met the inclusion criteria, most were from high-income countries in North America and Europe and 26 studies measured self-reported ENPs use. Flavour restrictions significantly decreased youth ENP use and taxation reduced adult use; mixed results were found for the impacts of age restrictions. Indoor vaping restrictions and the European Tobacco Products Directive (TPD) did not seem to reduce ENP use based on existing studies. Changes in determinants such as sales and perceptions corroborated our conclusions. Few studies assessed the impacts of other regulations such as advertising restrictions and retail licensing requirements.
CONCLUSIONS
Flavour restrictions and taxes have the strongest evidence to support effective control of ENPs, while others need powerful enforcement and meaningful penalties to ensure their effectiveness. Future research should focus on under-examined policies and differential impacts across sociodemographic characteristics and countries.
REGISTRATION
PROSPERO CRD42022337361.
Topics: Adult; Adolescent; Humans; Nicotine; Electronic Nicotine Delivery Systems; Commerce; Databases, Factual; Electronics
PubMed: 37622721
DOI: 10.7189/jogh.13.04076 -
Journal of the International Society of... Dec 2024Previous research has established that nicotine withdrawal can ameliorate cardiovascular and pulmonary function in smokers. Nevertheless, the impact on physical fitness... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
BACKGROUND
Previous research has established that nicotine withdrawal can ameliorate cardiovascular and pulmonary function in smokers. Nevertheless, the impact on physical fitness and athletic performance remains under-investigated.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluating the impacts of nicotine withdrawal on both exercise performance and exercise-associated physical capabilities in nicotine-dependent individuals.
STUDY DESIGN
A comprehensive systematic review and meta-analysis.
DATA SOURCES
The data was compiled from databases such as PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, Cochrane Central, and EBSCO.
STUDY SELECTION
The selection criteria required studies to elucidate the effects of nicotine withdrawal on exercise performance or exercise-related physical abilities. Moreover, the selected studies needed to provide discernible experimental results.
DATA SYNTHESIS AND ANALYSIS
The random effects model was employed in data analysis, utilizing the standardized mean difference (SMD) and the 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs) to estimate participants' exercise performance and physical abilities, referencing the Mean ±SD during baseline and withdrawal states.
RESULTS
Out of the selected studies, 10 trials were included, encompassing 13,538 participants aged 18 to 65 years. The findings suggest that nicotine withdrawal could potentially enhance sports performance (SMD = 0.45, 95% CI: 0.03 to 0.88; I^2 = 83%), particularly in terms of aerobic capacity. Short-term nicotine withdrawal (spanning 12 to 24 hours) might lead to a decline in participants' physical abilities in certain aspects like reaction time and sustained attention (SMD = -0.83, 95% CI: -1.91 to 0.25; I^2 = 79%), whereas long-term withdrawal (lasting 48 hours or more) demonstrated an opposing trend (SMD = 0.25, 95% CI: 0.12 to 0.39; I^2 = 81%). Overall, the results show that long-term nicotine withdrawal exhibited some positive impacts on sports performance and exercise-related physical ability, with the withdrawal duration being an indicator of subsequent physical performance.
CONCLUSIONS
Mid- to long-term (≥3 months) nicotine withdrawal significantly improved the exercisers' exercise-related physical ability and sports performance. Conversely, short-term (≤24 hours) nicotine withdrawal considerably hampered exercisers' performance and physical cognition. It is suggested that exercises avoid abrupt nicotine cessation prior to competitions, as long-term nicotine withdrawal has been shown to significantly enhance exercise-related physiological capacities and athletic performance. By referring to existing literatures we also found that athletes with existing nicotine addiction may could consume nicotine 15-30 minutes before competition to enhance athletic performance and physical function.PROSPERO registration number CRD42023411381.
Topics: Humans; Exercise; Nicotine; Physical Fitness; Athletic Performance; Tobacco Use Disorder
PubMed: 38213003
DOI: 10.1080/15502783.2024.2302383 -
Annals of Medicine Dec 2024The Directly Observed Treatment-Short Course (DOTS) Programme was implemented by WHO and includes a combination of four anti-tuberculosis (TB) drugs (isoniazid,... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
BACKGROUND
The Directly Observed Treatment-Short Course (DOTS) Programme was implemented by WHO and includes a combination of four anti-tuberculosis (TB) drugs (isoniazid, pyrazinamide, ethambutol and rifampicin) for a period of six months to eradicate the TB infection completely. Diabetes mellitus (DM) is recognized as one of a strong contributor of TB according to World Health Organization (WHO). The presence of diabetes mellitus type 2 (DM type 2) makes TB treatment complicated. Thus, the objective of the current meta-analysis was to identify and quantify the impact of type 2 DM on treatment outcomes of TB patients treated under the DOTS Programme.
METHODS
This meta-analysis was performed according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. Through a systematic review of relevant literature, we focused on studies investigating treatment outcomes including extended treatment duration and recurrence for individuals with both TB and DM undergoing DOTS therapy. The extracted information included study designs, sample sizes, patient characteristics and reported treatment results.
RESULTS
In 44 studies from different parts of the world, the pooled HR for the impact of DM on extended treatment duration and reoccurrence were HR 0.72, 95% CI 0.56-0.83, < .01 and HR 0.93, 95% CI 0.70-1.04, = .08, respectively. The pooled HR for impact of DM on composite TB treatment outcomes was calculated as 0.76 (95% CI 0.60-0.87), < .01 with an effect size of 41.18. The heterogeneity observed among the included studies was moderate ( = 55.79%).
CONCLUSIONS
A negative impact of DM was found on recurrence and extended treatment duration in TB patients treated with DOTS therapy. DM type 2 is responsible for the TB treatment prolongation and TB recurrence rates. By implementing effective management strategies and advancing research, the challenges can be mitigated, arising due to the complex interaction between DM and TB.
Topics: Humans; Tuberculosis; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2; Comorbidity; Isoniazid; Ethambutol; Diabetes Mellitus
PubMed: 38346381
DOI: 10.1080/07853890.2024.2313683 -
International Braz J Urol : Official... 2023Medical expulsive therapy (MET) is recommended for distal ureteral stones from 5 to 10 mm. The best drug for MET is still uncertain. In this review, we aim to compare... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
PURPOSE
Medical expulsive therapy (MET) is recommended for distal ureteral stones from 5 to 10 mm. The best drug for MET is still uncertain. In this review, we aim to compare the effectiveness of tadalafil and tamsulosin for distal ureteral stones from 5 to 10 mm in terms of stone expulsion rate (SER), stone expulsion time (SET) and the side effect profile.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
A comprehensive literature search was conducted on MEDLINE, EMBASE, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, Scopus and Web of Science, from inception until April 2023. Only randomized controlled trials were included in the analysis.
RESULTS
Eleven publications with 1,330 patients were included. We observed that tadalafil has a higher SER (OR 0.55, CI 95% 0.38;0.80, p=0.02, I2=52%) and the same efficacy in SET (MD 1.07, CI 95% -0.25; 2.39, p=0.11, I2=84%). No differences were found when comparing side effects as headache, backache, dizziness, and orthostatic hypotension.
CONCLUSION
Tadalafil has a higher stone expulsion rate than tamsulosin as a medical expulsive therapy for patients with distal stones from 5 to 10 mm without differences in side effects.
Topics: Humans; Sulfonamides; Tadalafil; Tamsulosin; Treatment Outcome; Ureteral Calculi; Urological Agents
PubMed: 37903004
DOI: 10.1590/S1677-5538.IBJU.2023.0345 -
Renal Failure Dec 2024This review aims to evaluate the safety and efficacy of apixaban vs. vitamin K antagonists (VKAs) in patients on dialysis. (Comparative Study)
Comparative Study Meta-Analysis Review
BACKGROUND
This review aims to evaluate the safety and efficacy of apixaban vs. vitamin K antagonists (VKAs) in patients on dialysis.
METHODS
All types of studies published on PubMed, Embase, CENTRAL, and Web of Science up to 10 September 2023 and comparing outcomes of apixaban vs. VKA in dialysis patients were eligible.
RESULTS
Two randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and six retrospective studies were included. Apixaban treatment was associated with significantly lower risk of major bleeding (RR: 0.61; 95% CI: 0.48, 0.77; = 50%) and clinically relevant non-major bleeding (RR: 0.82, 95% CI: 0.68, 0.98, = 9%) compared to VKA. Meta-analysis also showed that the risk of gastrointestinal bleeding (RR: 0.74, 95% CI: 0.64, 0.85, = 16%) and intracranial bleeding (RR: 0.64, 95% CI: 0.49, 0.84, = 0%) was significantly reduced with apixaban. Meta-analysis showed no difference in the risk of ischemic stroke (RR: 0.40, 95% CI: 0.06, 2.69, = 0%), mortality (RR: 1.26, 95% CI: 0.74, 2.16, = 94%) and recurrent venous thromboembolism (RR: 1.02, 95% CI: 0.87, 1.21, = 0%) between the two groups. Subgroup analysis of RCTs showed no difference in bleeding outcomes.
CONCLUSIONS
Low-quality evidence from a mix of RCTs and retrospective studies shows that apixaban may have better safety and equivalent efficacy as compared to VKA in dialysis patients. Apixaban treatment correlated with significantly reduced risk of major bleeding and clinically relevant nonmajor bleeding in observational studies but not in RCTs. The predominance of retrospective data warrants caution in the interpretation of results.
Topics: Humans; Anticoagulants; Factor Xa Inhibitors; Hemorrhage; Pyrazoles; Pyridones; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; Renal Dialysis; Vitamin K
PubMed: 38770962
DOI: 10.1080/0886022X.2024.2349114