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BMJ Open Feb 2024The use of minimally invasive endoluminal treatment for urethral strictures has been a subject for debate for several decades. The aim of this study was to review and... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
OBJECTIVE
The use of minimally invasive endoluminal treatment for urethral strictures has been a subject for debate for several decades. The aim of this study was to review and discuss the safety, efficacy and factors influencing the clinical application of balloon dilation for the treatment of male urethral strictures.
DESIGN
Systematic review and meta-analysis.
DATA SOURCES
Embase, Medline, Web of Science, Cochrane Library and Scopus were searched for publications published before 17 July 2022.
STUDY SELECTION
Two independent researchers screened and assessed the results, and all clinical studies on balloon dilation for the treatment of urethral strictures in men were included.
DATA EXTRACTION AND SYNTHESIS
The success rate, rate of adverse events, International Prostate Symptom Scores, maximum uroflow (Qmax) and postvoid residual urine volume were the main outcomes. Stata V.14.0 was used for statistical analysis.
RESULTS
Fifteen studies with 715 patients were ultimately included in this systematic review. The pooled results of eight studies showed that the reported success rate of simple balloon dilation for male urethral strictures was 67.07% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 55.92% to 77.36%). The maximum urinary flow rate at 3 months (risk ratio [RR]= 2.6510, 95% CI: 1.0681 to 4.2338, p<0.01) and the maximum urinary flow rate at 1 year (RR= 1.6637, 95% CI: 1.1837 to 2.1437, p<0.05) were significantly different after dilation. There is insufficient evidence to suggest that balloon dilation is superior to optical internal urethrotomy or direct visual internal urethrotomy (DVIU) (RR= 1.4754, 95% CI: 0.7306 to 2.9793, p=0.278).
CONCLUSION
Balloon dilation may be an intermediate step before urethroplasty and is a promising alternative therapy to simple dilation and DVIU. The balloon is a promising drug delivery tool, and paclitaxel drug-coated balloon dilation is effective in reducing retreatment rates in patients with recurrent anterior urethral strictures. The aetiology, location, length, previous treatment of urethral stricture may be associated with the efficacy of balloon dilation.
PROSPERO REGISTRATION NUMBER
CRD42022334403.
Topics: Humans; Male; Urethral Stricture; Dilatation; Urethra; Catheterization; Retreatment
PubMed: 38320837
DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2023-071923 -
The Journal of Sexual Medicine Dec 2023Unconsummated marriage (UCM) is the inability of the heterosexual married couple to have penovaginal sexual intercourse.
BACKGROUND
Unconsummated marriage (UCM) is the inability of the heterosexual married couple to have penovaginal sexual intercourse.
AIM
The study sought to systematically review current evidence regarding the etiological factors and clinical management of UCM.
METHODS
A comprehensive bibliographic search on the MEDLINE, Scopus, Web of Science, and Cochrane Library databases was performed in June 2023. Studies were selected if they described married couples who never had sexual intercourse in case report or case series evaluating the related causes and/or management and reporting data with qualitative, quantitative, or mixed methods. The review was reported according to PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-analyses) statement and registered in PROSPERO with ID CRD42023433040.
RESULTS
A total of 27 studies including 1638 males and 1587 females were selected. Eight (29.6%) articles were case reports involving a single couple and 19 (70.4%) studies were case series. Mean Murad score was 4.1 (range, 1-8) showing low-intermediate overall study quality. All articles had a level of evidence of 4. Most of studies were conducted in Egypt (n = 5 [18.4%]), Israel (n = 4 [14.9%]), and the United States (n = 4 [14.9%]). The mean age of males and females varied between 24.2 and 37.6 years and from 21 to 27.4 years, respectively. The reasons for the medical visit that led to the diagnosis of UCM were inability to consummate in 23 (85.2%) studies, inability to conceive in 1 (3.7%) article, and mixed in 3 (11.1%) articles. The mean duration of UCM varied from 7 days to 3.5 years. Eight studies involving both men and women showed that vaginismus (8.4%-81%) and erectile dysfunction (10.5%-61%) were the most common causes of UCM. Three articles reported that 16.6% to 26% of all UCM cases were due to both male and female factors. Sildenafil, tadalafil, intracavernosal injection, penile plication, female genital reconstructive surgery, vaginal dilators, lubricants, psychosexual therapy, and sex education were the various treatment modalities in 27 studies to achieve consummation rate of 66.6% to 100%.
STRENGTHS & LIMITATIONS
A strength is that this is the first systematic review covering the entire spectrum of UCM. Limitations comprised the low quality of most of the included articles and the large percentage of UCM cases probably not published.
CONCLUSION
Erectile dysfunction and vaginismus are the most reported causes of UCM; however, a strong psychological component certainly underlies a significant number of cases. A multidisciplinary approach based on strategic integration of sex education, medical therapy, psychosexual support, and surgical treatment would seem the most suitable option to manage couples with UCM.
Topics: Adult; Female; Humans; Male; Young Adult; Coitus; Dyspareunia; Erectile Dysfunction; Marriage; Sex Education; Vaginismus
PubMed: 37952223
DOI: 10.1093/jsxmed/qdad146 -
Trends in Cardiovascular Medicine Nov 2023Lyme carditis is a well-established manifestation of early disseminated Lyme infection, yet the relationship between late disseminated Lyme disease and the development... (Review)
Review
Lyme carditis is a well-established manifestation of early disseminated Lyme infection, yet the relationship between late disseminated Lyme disease and the development of dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) remains unclear. The present systematic review aims to summarize existing literature on the association between late disseminated Lyme disease and DCM. A systematic review was conducted in PubMed, Embase, CENTRAL, and MEDLINE databases, after which a total of 11 observational studies (n = 771) were ultimately included for final data extraction. Although most studies (7/11) identified evidence associating Borrelia-infection with DCM, further research is required to isolate late disseminated Borrelia infection as a causative agent of DCM.
Topics: Humans; Cardiomyopathy, Dilated; Lyme Disease
PubMed: 35667636
DOI: 10.1016/j.tcm.2022.05.010 -
European Urology Oct 2021Urethral stricture disease (USD) is initially managed with minimally invasive techniques such as urethrotomy and urethral dilatation. Minimally invasive techniques are... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
CONTEXT
Urethral stricture disease (USD) is initially managed with minimally invasive techniques such as urethrotomy and urethral dilatation. Minimally invasive techniques are associated with a high recurrence rate, especially in recurrent USD. Adjunctive measures, such as local drug injection, have been used in an attempt to reduce recurrence rates.
OBJECTIVE
To systematically review evidence for the efficacy and safety of adjuncts used alongside minimally invasive treatment of USD.
EVIDENCE ACQUISITION
A systematic review of the literature published between 1990 and 2020 was conducted in accordance with the PRISMA checklist.
EVIDENCE SYNTHESIS
A total of 26 studies were included in the systematic review, from which 13 different adjuncts were identified, including intralesional injection (triamcinolone, n = 135; prednisolone, n = 58; mitomycin C, n = 142; steroid-mitomycin C-hyaluronidase, n = 103, triamcinolone-mitomycin C-N-acetyl cysteine, n = 50; platelet-rich plasma, n = 44), intraluminal instillation (mitomycin C, n = 20; hyaluronic acid and carboxymethylcellulose, n = 70; captopril, n = 37; 192-iridium brachytherapy, n = 10), application via a lubricated catheter (triamcinolone, n = 124), application via a coated balloon (paclitaxel, n = 106), and enteral application (tamoxifen, n = 30; deflazacort, n = 36). Overall, 13 randomised controlled trials were included in the meta-analysis. Use of any adjunct was associated with a lower rate of USD recurrence (odds ratio [OR] 0.37, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.27-0.50; p < 0.001) compared to no adjunct use. Of all the adjuncts, mitomycin C was associated with the lowest rate of USD recurrence (intralesional injection: OR 0.23, 95% CI 0.11-0.48; p < 0.001; intraluminal injection: OR 0.11, 95% CI 0.02-0.61; p = 0.01). Urinary tract infection (2.9-14%), bleeding (8.8%), and extravasation (5.8%) were associated with steroid injection; pruritis of the urethra (61%) occurred after instillation of captopril; mild gynaecomastia (6.7%) and gastrointestinal side effects (6.7%) were associated with oral tamoxifen.
CONCLUSIONS
Adjuncts to minimally invasive treatment of USD appear to lower the recurrence rate and are associated with a low adjunct-specific complication rate. However, the studies included were at high risk of bias. Mitomycin C is the adjunct supported by the highest level of evidence.
PATIENT SUMMARY
We reviewed studies on additional therapies (called adjuncts) to minimally invasive treatments for narrowing of the urethra in men. Adjuncts such as mitomycin C injection result in a lower recurrence rate compared to no adjunct use. The use of adjuncts appeared to be safe and complications are uncommon; however, the studies were small and of low quality.
Topics: Captopril; Humans; Injections, Intralesional; Male; Mitomycin; Recurrence; Tamoxifen; Triamcinolone; Urethra; Urethral Stricture
PubMed: 34275660
DOI: 10.1016/j.eururo.2021.06.022 -
International Urology and Nephrology May 2023Endothelial dysfunction is associated with elevated cardiovascular risk in patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD). Kidney transplantation has demonstrated... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
BACKGROUND
Endothelial dysfunction is associated with elevated cardiovascular risk in patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD). Kidney transplantation has demonstrated significant ability in reducing mortality and improving quality of life in recipients. Recent studies have also reported improvements in endothelial function following kidney transplantation; however, current literature is limited.
METHODS
We performed a systematic review of PubMed/Medline, Web of Science, Scopus, Cochrane Library, and CINAHL databases for prospective cohort studies that assessed endothelial function prior to and following kidney transplantation via various clinical markers. Follow-up duration ranged from 1 month to 1 year. A meta-analysis of pooled data was conducted using random-effect models for four key markers: brachial artery flow-mediated dilatation (FMD), high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP), nitroglycerin-mediated dilation (NMD), and adiponectin.
RESULTS
We included nine studies in our final analysis with a total of 524 patients. Significant improvement of all four biomarkers was observed after transplantation. The mean difference was 2.81% (95% CI 1.92-3.71, p < 0.00001) for FMD, 17.27 mg/L (95% CI 5.82-28.72, p = 0.003) for hsCRP, 1.05%, (95% CI 0.56-1.54, p < 0.0001) for NMD, and 9.27 µg/mL (95% CI 5.96-12.57, p < 0.00001) for adiponectin.
CONCLUSION
There is an immediate reversal of endothelial dysfunction in ESRD patients who undergo kidney transplantation, which may explain observed improvements in cardiovascular morbidity in transplant recipients. Future longitudinal studies are needed to understand possible re-emergence of endothelial dysfunction in the long-term postoperative period.
Topics: Humans; C-Reactive Protein; Kidney Transplantation; Prospective Studies; Adiponectin; Quality of Life; Endothelium, Vascular; Vascular Diseases; Biomarkers; Kidney Failure, Chronic
PubMed: 36396804
DOI: 10.1007/s11255-022-03415-x -
Expert Review of Gastroenterology &... 2023Common bile duct stones (CBDS) have a reported recurrence rate of 4%-24% after stone extraction. The most commonly applied stone extraction method is endoscopic... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
BACKGROUND
Common bile duct stones (CBDS) have a reported recurrence rate of 4%-24% after stone extraction. The most commonly applied stone extraction method is endoscopic cholangiopancreatography (ERCP). We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to identify all available risk factors for recurrent CBDS following stone retraction.
RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS
A literature search of studies with case-control design was performed to identify potential risk factors for recurrent CBDS. The impact of different risk factors on stone recurrence was analyzed. Pooled odds ratios (ORs) with 95% CIs and heterogeneity were calculated. Identified risk factors were graded as 'strong,' 'moderate,' or 'weak' after quality assessment.
RESULTS
A total of 46 studies discussing stone recurrence following ERCP treatment were included. CBD diameter1.5 cm, sharp CBD angulation, multiple ERCP sessions, postoperative pneumobilia, history of CBD incision, and biliary stent placement were identified as strong risk factors; larger CBD diameter, periampullary diverticulum, mechanical lithotripsy, and history of cholecystectomy were identified as moderate. Other weak risk factors were also listed.
CONCLUSIONS
In this comprehensive study, we identified 14 risk/protective factors for recurrent CBDS following ERCP. Pooled odds ratios were calculated and evaluated the quality of evidence. These findings may shed light on the assessment and management of CBDS.
Topics: Humans; Cholangiopancreatography, Endoscopic Retrograde; Sphincterotomy, Endoscopic; Gallstones; Risk Factors; Common Bile Duct; Choledocholithiasis; Retrospective Studies; Treatment Outcome
PubMed: 37531090
DOI: 10.1080/17474124.2023.2242784 -
Arab Journal of Urology Mar 2021: To systematically review the use of drug-eluting stents (DES) and drug-coated balloons (DCB) in urology. (Review)
Review
OBJECTIVE
: To systematically review the use of drug-eluting stents (DES) and drug-coated balloons (DCB) in urology.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
The systematic review was conducted according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) statement. PubMed, Scopus, Web of science and Cochrane Library online databases were searched in February 2019. Experimental and clinical studies, which included the placement of a DES or dilatation with DCB for investigating their potential use in the urinary tract for the management of ureteric or urethral pathologies, were included. The primary endpoint was to evaluate the current use of DES and DCB in urology.
RESULTS
A total of 29 articles were included in the systematic review. A total of 10 studies tested DES or DCB containing anti-proliferative agents (paclitaxel, zotarolimus, sirolimus, halofugione). Antibiotic agent-containing DES were tested in nine studies (triclosan, quinolones, teicoplanin, nitrofurantoin, silver sulfadiazine). A total of eight studies investigated the release of anti-inflammatory agents by DES (ketorolac, indomethacin, EW-7197). Another group studied heparin-eluting stents.
CONCLUSION
Despite the inconclusive outcomes of the three randomised controlled trials, drug-coated/eluting devices constitute a promising field in urology for the prevention of complications associated with conventional stents including pain and encrustation. Pre-clinical and studies have shown their ability to mitigate inflammation, inhibit re-stenosis and improve pain as indicated by declined use of anti-inflammatory drugs.: DES: drug-eluting stents; DCB: drug-coated balloons; DCS: drug-coated stents; HF: halofungione; MCP-1: monocyte chemoattractant protein 1; PRISMA, Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses; PTCA: percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty; RANTES: regulated on activation, normal T-cell expressed and secreted; RCT: randomised controlled trial; USSQ, Ureteric Stent Symptoms Questionaire.
PubMed: 34104496
DOI: 10.1080/2090598X.2021.1885948 -
PLoS Medicine Aug 2023The optimal approach to prevent preterm birth (PTB) in twins has not been fully established yet. Recent evidence suggests that placement of cervical cerclage in twin... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
Cervical cerclage for prevention of preterm birth and adverse perinatal outcome in twin pregnancies with short cervical length or cervical dilatation: A systematic review and meta-analysis.
BACKGROUND
The optimal approach to prevent preterm birth (PTB) in twins has not been fully established yet. Recent evidence suggests that placement of cervical cerclage in twin pregnancies with short cervical length at ultrasound or cervical dilatation at physical examination might be associated with a reduced risk of PTB. However, such evidence is based mainly on small studies thus questioning the robustness of these findings. The aim of this systematic review was to determine the role of cervical cerclage in preventing PTB and adverse maternal or perinatal outcomes in twin pregnancies.
METHODS AND FINDINGS
Key databases searched and date of last search: MEDLINE, Embase, and CINAHL were searched electronically on 20 April 2023. Eligibility criteria: Inclusion criteria were observational studies assessing the risk of PTB among twin pregnancies undergoing cerclage versus no cerclage and randomized trials in which twin pregnancies were allocated to cerclage for the prevention of PTB or to a control group (e.g., placebo or treatment as usual). The primary outcome was PTB <34 weeks of gestation. The secondary outcomes were PTB <37, 32, 28, 24 weeks of gestation, gestational age at birth, the interval between diagnosis and birth, preterm prelabor rupture of the membranes (pPROM), chorioamnionitis, perinatal loss, and perinatal morbidity. Subgroup analyses according to the indication for cerclage (short cervical length or cervical dilatation) were also performed. Risk of bias assessment: The risk of bias of the included randomized controlled trials (RCTs) was assessed using the Revised Cochrane risk-of-bias tool for randomized trials, while that of the observational studies using the Newcastle-Ottawa scale (NOS). Statistical analysis: Summary risk ratios (RRs) of the likelihood of detecting each categorical outcome in exposed versus unexposed women, and (b) summary mean differences (MDs) between exposed and unexposed women (for each continuous outcome), with their 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were computed using head-to-head meta-analyses. Synthesis of the results: Eighteen studies (1,465 twin pregnancies) were included. Placement of cervical cerclage in women with a twin pregnancy with a short cervix at ultrasound or cervical dilatation at physical examination was associated with a reduced risk of PTB <34 weeks of gestation (RR: 0.73, 95% CI [0.59, 0.91], p = 0.005 corresponding to a 16% difference in the absolute risk, AR), <32 (RR: 0.69, 95% CI [0.57, 0.84], p < 0.001; AR: 16.92%), <28 (RR: 0.54, 95% [CI 0.43, 0.67], 0.001; AR: 18.29%), and <24 (RR: 0.48, 95% CI [0.23, 0.97], p = 0.04; AR: 15.57%) weeks of gestation and a prolonged gestational age at birth (MD: 2.32 weeks, 95% [CI 0.99, 3.66], p < 0.001). Cerclage in twin pregnancy with short cervical length or cervical dilatation was also associated with a reduced risk of perinatal loss (RR: 0.38, 95% CI [0.25, 0.60], p < 0.001; AR: 19.62%) and composite adverse outcome (RR: 0.69, 95% CI [0.53, 0.90], p = 0.007; AR: 11.75%). Cervical cerclage was associated with a reduced risk of PTB <34 weeks both in women with cervical length <15 mm (RR: 0.74, 95% CI [0.58, 0.95], p = 0.02; AR: 29.17%) and in those with cervical dilatation (RR: 0.68, 95% CI [0.57, 0.80], p < 0.001; AR: 35.02%). The association between cerclage and prevention of PTB and adverse perinatal outcomes was exclusively due to the inclusion of observational studies. The quality of retrieved evidence at GRADE assessment was low.
CONCLUSIONS
Emergency cerclage for cervical dilation or short cervical length <15 mm may be potentially associated with a reduction in PTB and improved perinatal outcomes. However, these findings are mainly based upon observational studies and require confirmation in large and adequately powered RCTs.
Topics: Female; Humans; Infant, Newborn; Pregnancy; Cerclage, Cervical; Cervix Uteri; Labor Stage, First; Pregnancy, Twin; Premature Birth
PubMed: 37535682
DOI: 10.1371/journal.pmed.1004266 -
European Journal of Clinical... Feb 2024N-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) supplementation has been reported to have an impact on flow-mediated dilatation (FMD), a conventionally used clinical technique... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
INTRODUCTION
N-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) supplementation has been reported to have an impact on flow-mediated dilatation (FMD), a conventionally used clinical technique for estimating endothelial dysfunction. However, its proven effects on endothelial function are unclear. This systematic review and meta-analysis were conducted to evaluate the effects of n-3 PUFAs supplementation on FMD of the brachial artery.
METHOD
This study was performed following the PRISMA guidelines. To identify eligible RCTs, a systematic search was completed in PubMed/Medline, Scopus and Web of Science using relevant keywords. A fixed- or random-effects model was utilized to estimate the weighted mean difference (WMD) and 95% confidence interval (95% CI).
RESULTS
Thirty-two studies (with 35 arms) were included in this meta-analysis, involving 2385 subjects with intervention duration ranging from 4 to 48 weeks. The pooled meta-analysis demonstrated a significant effect of omega-3 on FMD (WMD = 0.8%, 95% CI = 0.3-1.3, p = .001) and heterogeneity was significant (I = 82.5%, p < .001).
CONCLUSION
We found that n-3 PUFA supplementation improves endothelial function as estimated by flow-mediated dilatation of the brachial artery.
Topics: Humans; Brachial Artery; Dietary Supplements; Endothelium, Vascular; Fatty Acids, Omega-3
PubMed: 37859571
DOI: 10.1111/eci.14109 -
International Journal of Molecular... Sep 2023Intracranial aneurysms (IAs) are abnormal dilations of the cerebral vessels, which pose a persistent threat of cerebral hemorrhage. Inflammation is known to contribute... (Review)
Review
Intracranial aneurysms (IAs) are abnormal dilations of the cerebral vessels, which pose a persistent threat of cerebral hemorrhage. Inflammation is known to contribute to IA development. The nuclear factor "kappa-light-chain-enhancer" of activated B-cells (NF-κB) is the major driver of inflammation. It increases the expression of inflammatory markers and matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), which contribute heavily to the pathogenesis of IAs. NF-κB activation has been linked to IA rupture and resulting subarachnoid hemorrhage. Moreover, NF-κB activation can result in endothelial dysfunction, smooth muscle cell phenotypic switching, and infiltration of inflammatory cells in the arterial wall, which subsequently leads to the initiation and progression of IAs and consequently results in rupture. After a systematic search, abstract screening, and full-text screening, 30 research articles were included in the review. In this systematic review, we summarized the scientific literature reporting findings on NF-κB's role in the pathogenesis of IAs. In conclusion, the activation of the NF-κB pathway was associated with IA formation, progression, and rupture.
Topics: Humans; NF-kappa B; Intracranial Aneurysm; Signal Transduction; Arteries; Inflammation
PubMed: 37762520
DOI: 10.3390/ijms241814218