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Cureus Jan 2022The objective of this study was to compare the outcomes of extracorporeal shockwave therapy (ESWT) versus ultrasound therapy (UST) in plantar fasciitis. A systematic... (Review)
Review
The objective of this study was to compare the outcomes of extracorporeal shockwave therapy (ESWT) versus ultrasound therapy (UST) in plantar fasciitis. A systematic review and meta-analysis were performed. An electronic search identifying studies comparing ESWT and UST for plantar fasciitis was conducted. Primary outcomes were morning and activity pain, functional impairment, and the American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) scale score. Secondary outcomes included the fascial thickness, primary efficacy success rate, activity limitations, pain intensity, and satisfaction. Seven studies enrolling 369 patients were identified. No significant difference was found between ESWT and UST for functional impairment (mean difference [MD] = -2.90, P = 0.22), AOFAS scale score (MD = 35, P = 0.20), and pain in the first steps in the morning (MD = -4.72, P = 0.39). However, there was a significant improvement in pain during activity for the ESWT group (MD = -1.36, P = 0.005). For secondary outcomes, ESWT had improved results in terms of primary efficacy success rate, activity limitations, and patient satisfaction. The reduction of plantar fascia thickness showed no significant difference. Pain intensity after treatment had varied results amongst included studies. In conclusion, ESWT is superior to UST for plantar fasciitis as it improves pain activity and intensity, primary efficacy success rate, and activity limitations.
PubMed: 35145778
DOI: 10.7759/cureus.20871 -
Advances in Therapy Aug 2022A systematic literature review (SLR) and network meta-analysis (NMA) were conducted to evaluate the comparative efficacy of brolucizumab relative to other anti-vascular... (Comparative Study)
Comparative Study Meta-Analysis Review
INTRODUCTION
A systematic literature review (SLR) and network meta-analysis (NMA) were conducted to evaluate the comparative efficacy of brolucizumab relative to other anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) treatments for neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nAMD) at 1 and 2 years, and overall safety and injection frequency of each treatment.
METHODS
An SLR identifying randomized controlled trials (RCTs) published before June 2021 according to a pre-specified protocol was followed by a Bayesian NMA to compare brolucizumab (6 mg q12w/q8w) against sham and all relevant anti-VEGF regimens. Pooled mean injection frequency, serious adverse ocular events, and discontinuation rates were estimated for each treatment regimen.
RESULTS
Nineteen RCTs were included in NMA base-case analysis. Brolucizumab (6 mg q12w/q8w) with loading-phase (LP) demonstrated superior best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) gains to sham both at year 1 (mean difference 16.8 [95%CrI 13.3, 20.4]) and year 2 (mean difference 21.2 [95%CrI 17.4, 25.0]) and was comparable to other anti-VEGFs. Brolucizumab (6 mg q12w/q8w) also showed superior retinal thickness reduction to most comparators including ranibizumab (0.5 mg q4w; year 1 mean difference - 50.1 [95%CrI - 70.3, - 29.8]; year 2 mean difference - 49.5 [95%CrI - 70.8, - 28.6]), aflibercept (2 mg q8w; year 1 mean difference - 39.7 [95%CrI - 52.9, - 26.4]; year 2 mean difference - 35.0 [95%CrI - 49.1, - 21.4]), and faricimab (6 mg q16w/q8w; year 1 mean difference - 27.6 [95%CrI - 42.3, - 12.8]). Brolucizumab (6 mg q12w/q8w) showed similar rates of treatment discontinuation and serious and overall adverse events (both years). At year 2, pooled annualized injection frequency was lowest for brolucizumab (6 mg q12w/q8w) and highest for ranibizumab (0.5 mg q4w) at 5.7 and 11.5 injections annually, respectively.
CONCLUSION
Among all licensed anti-VEGF treatments, brolucizumab showed superior reduction in retinal thickness and comparable BCVA gains and discontinuation rates, despite having the lowest injection frequency. The current study provides the most up-to-date, robust comparison of treatments for nAMD.
Topics: Angiogenesis Inhibitors; Antibodies, Monoclonal; Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized; Child, Preschool; Humans; Infant; Intravitreal Injections; Macular Degeneration; Network Meta-Analysis; Ranibizumab; Receptors, Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor; Recombinant Fusion Proteins; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A; Visual Acuity
PubMed: 35678996
DOI: 10.1007/s12325-022-02193-3 -
American Journal of Ophthalmology Aug 2023To evaluate the long-term efficacy and safety of repeated low-intensity red light (RLRL) treatment for childhood myopia. (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
PURPOSE
To evaluate the long-term efficacy and safety of repeated low-intensity red light (RLRL) treatment for childhood myopia.
DESIGN
Systematic review and meta-analysis METHODS: We searched PubMed, Web of Science, CNKI, and Wanfang from inception to February 8, 2023. We used the RoB 2.0 and ROBINS-I tools to assess the risk of bias and then used a random-effect model to calculate the weighted mean difference (WMD) and 95% CIs. The primary outcomes were WMD in spherical equivalent refractive error (SER), WMD in axial length (AL), and WMD in subfoveal choroid thickness (SFChT). Subgroup analyses were performed to investigate the sources of heterogeneity based on variation in follow-up and study design. The Egger and Begg tests were used to assess publication bias. Sensitivity analysis was used to verify the stability.
RESULTS
This analysis included 13 studies (8 randomized controlled trials, 3 non-randomized controlled trials, and 2 cohort studies) involving 1857 children and adolescents. Eight studies met the meta-analysis criteria, and the WMD for myopia progression between RLRL and the control group was 0.68 diopters (D) per 6 months (95% CI = 0.38 to 0.97 D; I = 97.7%; P < .001) for SER change; -0.35 mm per 6 months (95% CI = -0.51 to -0.19 mm; I = 98.0%; P < .001) for AL elongation; and 36.04 µm per 6 months (95% CI = 19.61 to 52.48 µm; I = 89.6%; P < .001) for SFChT change.
CONCLUSIONS
Our meta-analysis shows that RLRL therapy may be effective for delaying the progression of myopia. The evidence is low certainty, and larger and better randomized clinical trials with 2-year follow-ups are needed to improve the existing state of knowledge to inform medical guidelines more comprehensively.
Topics: Child; Adolescent; Humans; Myopia; Choroid; Phototherapy
PubMed: 37030495
DOI: 10.1016/j.ajo.2023.03.036 -
Journal of Shoulder and Elbow Surgery Mar 2022There is ongoing controversy regarding optimal treatment for full-thickness rotator cuff tears. Given that the evidence surrounding the use of various treatment options... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
BACKGROUND
There is ongoing controversy regarding optimal treatment for full-thickness rotator cuff tears. Given that the evidence surrounding the use of various treatment options has expanded, an overall assessment is required.
OBJECTIVES
The following were compared to determine which resulted in improved patient-reported function, pain, and reoperation rates for each: (1) double-row (DR) fixation and single-row (SR) fixation in arthroscopic cuff repair; (2) latissimus dorsi transfer (LDT) with lower trapezius transfer (LTT), partial rotator cuff repair, and superior capsular reconstruction (SCR); and (3) early and late surgical intervention.
METHODS
Medline, Embase, and Cochrane were searched through to April 20, 2021. Additional studies were identified from reviews. The following were included: (1) All English-language randomized controlled trials (RCTs) in patients ≥18 years of age comparing SR and DR fixation, (2) observational studies comparing LDT with LTT, partial repair, and SCR, and (3) observational studies comparing early vs. late treatment of full-thickness rotator cuff tears.
RESULTS
A total of 15 RCTs (n = 1096 randomized patients) were included in the meta-analysis of SR vs. DR fixation. No significant standardized mean differences in function (0.08, 95% confidence interval [CI] -0.09, 0.24) or pain (-0.01, 95% CI -0.52, 0.49) were observed. There was a difference in retear rates in favor of DR compared with SR fixation (RR 1.56, 95% CI 1.06, 2.29). Four studies were included in the systematic review of LDT compared with a surgical control. LDT and partial repair did not reveal any differences in function (-1.12, 95% CI -4.02, 1.78) on comparison. A single study compared arthroscopically assisted LDT to LTT and observed a nonstatistical difference in the Constant score of 14.7 (95% CI -4.06, 33.46). A single RCT compared LDT with SCR and revealed a trend toward superiority for the Constant score with SCR with a mean difference of -9.6 (95% CI -19.82, 0.62). Comparison of early vs. late treatment revealed a paucity of comparative studies with varying definitions of "early" and "late" treatment, which made meaningful interpretation of the results difficult.
CONCLUSION
DR fixation leads to similar improvement in function and pain compared with SR fixation and results in a higher healing rate. LDT transfer yields results similar to those from partial repair, LTT, and SCR in functional outcomes. Further study is required to determine the optimal timing of treatment and to increase confidence in these findings. Future trials of high methodologic quality comparing LDT with LTT and SCR are required.
Topics: Arthroscopy; Humans; Rotator Cuff; Rotator Cuff Injuries; Superficial Back Muscles; Treatment Outcome
PubMed: 34906681
DOI: 10.1016/j.jse.2021.11.002 -
Orthopaedic Journal of Sports Medicine Mar 2023Some studies have suggested that running increases the risk of knee osteoarthritis (OA), while others believe it serves a protective function. (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
Some studies have suggested that running increases the risk of knee osteoarthritis (OA), while others believe it serves a protective function.
PURPOSE
To perform an updated systematic review of the literature to determine the effects of running on the development of knee OA.
STUDY DESIGN
Systematic review; Level of evidence, 4.
METHODS
A systematic review was performed by searching the PubMed, Cochrane Library, and Embase databases to identify studies evaluating the effect of cumulative running on the development of knee OA or chondral damage based on imaging and/or patient-reported outcomes (PROs). The search terms used were "knee AND osteoarthritis AND (run OR running OR runner)." Patients were evaluated based on plain radiographs, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and PROs (presence of knee pain, Health Assessment Questionnaire-Disability Index, and the Knee injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score).
RESULTS
Seventeen studies (6 level 2 studies, 9 level 3 studies, and 2 level 4 studies), with 7194 runners and 6947 nonrunners, met the inclusion criteria. The mean follow-up time was 55.8 months in the runner group and 99.7 months in the nonrunner group. The mean age was 56.2 years in the runner group and 61.6 years in the nonrunner group. The overall percentage of men was 58.5%. There was a significantly higher prevalence of knee pain in the nonrunner group ( < .0001). Although 1 study found a significantly higher prevalence of osteophytes in the tibiofemoral (TF) and patellofemoral (PF) joints within the runner group, multiple studies found no significant differences in the prevalence of radiographic knee OA (based on TF/PF joint-space narrowing or Kellgren-Lawrence grade) or cartilage thickness on MRI between runners and nonrunners ( > .05). One study found a significantly higher risk of knee OA progressing to total knee replacement among nonrunners (4.6% vs 2.6%; = .014).
CONCLUSION
In the short term, running is not associated with worsening PROs or radiological signs of knee OA and may be protective against generalized knee pain.
PubMed: 36875337
DOI: 10.1177/23259671231152900 -
Cureus May 2022The current review aimed to critically and systematically evaluate the available evidence regarding the effectiveness of periodontally accelerated osteogenic... (Review)
Review
The Effectiveness of Periodontally Accelerated Osteogenic Orthodontics (PAOO) in Accelerating Tooth Movement and Supporting Alveolar Bone Thickness During Orthodontic Treatment: A Systematic Review.
The current review aimed to critically and systematically evaluate the available evidence regarding the effectiveness of periodontally accelerated osteogenic orthodontics (PAOO) in accelerating orthodontic tooth movement and supporting the alveolar bone. Additionally, this review aimed to analyze the untoward effects of this procedure and the patient-reported outcome measures. A comprehensive electronic search was performed on 10 databases in addition to a manual search to retrieve all relevant studies. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) were only included in this review. The interventional group was the PAOO procedure, whereas the control group was either a non-accelerated traditional fixed orthodontic treatment or an accelerated treatment using any other intervention. The Cochrane risk of bias tool for randomized controlled trials (RoB 2) was employed to estimate the risk of bias in the included studies. The current review included eight RCTs evaluating 175 participants (63 males and 112 females) with a mean age ranging from 18.8 to 29.6 years. Five of them assessed the effectiveness of PAOO versus traditional orthodontic treatment, i.e. without any adjuvant surgical intervention. At the same time, the remaining three studies evaluated the effectiveness of PAOO versus corticotomy-only as an adjunctive procedure. The PAOO accelerated the leveling and alignment stage from 39% to 47% and accelerated the retraction of the upper anterior teeth from 41% to 61% compared to conventional orthodontic treatment. One study only indicated that PAOO reduced treatment time by 30.3% versus a corticotomy-only as an adjunctive procedure. No significant side effects have been reported with the PAOO procedure. The PAOO procedure was effective in accelerating orthodontic movement and tended to increase the thickness of the alveolar bone. But most periodontal outcome measures regarding PAOO application were not comprehensively covered in the included trials.
PubMed: 35582021
DOI: 10.7759/cureus.24985 -
American Journal of Obstetrics and... May 2023This study aimed to reassess the effect of prophylactic transcervical amnioinfusion for intrapartum meconium-stained amniotic fluid on meconium aspiration syndrome and... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
Intrapartum amnioinfusion reduces meconium aspiration syndrome and improves neonatal outcomes in patients with meconium-stained fluid: a systematic review and meta-analysis.
OBJECTIVE
This study aimed to reassess the effect of prophylactic transcervical amnioinfusion for intrapartum meconium-stained amniotic fluid on meconium aspiration syndrome and other adverse neonatal and maternal outcomes.
DATA SOURCES
From inception to November 2021, a systematic search of the literature was performed in PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, and Scopus databases and gray literature sources.
STUDY ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA
We identified randomized controlled trials of patients with intrapartum moderate to thick meconium-stained amniotic fluid that evaluated the effect of amnioinfusion on adverse neonatal and maternal outcomes.
METHODS
Of note, 2 reviewers independently abstracted data and gauged study quality by assigning a modified Jadad score. Meconium aspiration syndrome constituted the primary outcome. The secondary outcomes were meconium below the cords, Apgar scores of <7 at 5 minutes, neonatal acidosis, cesarean delivery, cesarean delivery for fetal heart rate abnormalities, neonatal intensive care unit admission, and postpartum endometritis. This study calculated the odds ratios with 95% confidence intervals for categorical outcomes and weighted mean differences with 95% confidence intervals for continuous outcomes.
RESULTS
A total of 24 randomized studies with 5994 participants met the inclusion criteria. The overall odds of meconium aspiration syndrome was reduced by 67% in the amnioinfusion group (pooled odds ratio, 0.33; 95% confidence interval, 0.21-0.51). Except for postpartum endometritis, amnioinfusion was associated with a significant reduction in all secondary outcomes.
CONCLUSION
Our study found that the use of intrapartum amnioinfusion in the setting of meconium-stained amniotic fluid significantly reduces the odds of meconium aspiration syndrome and other adverse neonatal outcomes.
Topics: Pregnancy; Female; Humans; Infant, Newborn; Meconium Aspiration Syndrome; Meconium; Amnion; Endometritis; Obstetric Labor Complications; Sodium Chloride; Amniotic Fluid
PubMed: 37164492
DOI: 10.1016/j.ajog.2022.07.047 -
Sports Medicine (Auckland, N.Z.) Jan 2022Running is a popular activity practiced worldwide. It is important to understand how running affects joint health to provide recommendations to sports medicine... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
BACKGROUND
Running is a popular activity practiced worldwide. It is important to understand how running affects joint health to provide recommendations to sports medicine practitioners and runners.
OBJECTIVE
Our aim was to summarize the influence of running on lower limb cartilage morphology and composition using quantitative magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).
METHODS
Prospective repeated-measures studies evaluating cartilage using MRI before and after running were included. Data sources included Pubmed, Embase, CINAHL, SportDiscus, Web of Science, and Cochrane Central Registry of Controlled Trials. Qualitative analyses considered the number and methodological quality ratings of studies based on the QualSyst tool, and recommendations were based on the strength of evidence (strong, moderate, limited, or very limited). Quantitative analysis involved meta-analyses, for which effect sizes were calculated as Hedge's g standardized mean differences.
RESULTS
We included 43 articles, assessing seven outcomes (lesions, volume, thickness, glycosaminoglycan content, and T1ρ, T2, and T2* relaxation times). Nineteen articles were rated as high quality, 24 were rated as moderate quality, and none were rated as low quality. Qualitative analyses suggest that running may cause an immediate reduction in knee cartilage volume, thickness, as well as T1ρ and T2 relaxation times immediately; however, these changes did not persist. Meta-analyses revealed a small and moderate decrease immediately following a single running bout in T2 relaxation time in the medial femur and tibia, respectively. Qualitative analyses indicated that the influence of repeated exposure to running on cartilage morphology and composition was limited. Despite conflicting evidence regarding pre-existing knee cartilage lesions, moderate evidence suggests that running does not lead to the formation of new lesions. Repeated running exposure did not cause changes to foot and ankle cartilage thickness or composition.
CONCLUSIONS
Changes to lower limb cartilage following running are transient. Immediate changes to cartilage morphology and composition, which likely reflect natural fluid dynamics, do not persist and were generally not significant when pooled statistically. Results suggest that cartilage recovers well from a single running bout and adapts to repeated exposure. Given that moderate evidence indicates that running does not lead to new lesions, future trials should focus on clinical populations, such as those with osteoarthritis.
TRIAL REGISTRATION
Not applicable.
Topics: Cartilage, Articular; Humans; Knee; Knee Joint; Magnetic Resonance Imaging; Prospective Studies; Running
PubMed: 34478109
DOI: 10.1007/s40279-021-01533-7 -
Ultrasound in Obstetrics & Gynecology :... Apr 2021Maternal diabetes in pregnancy is associated with structural anomalies of the fetal heart, as well as hypertrophy and functional impairment. This systematic review and... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
OBJECTIVE
Maternal diabetes in pregnancy is associated with structural anomalies of the fetal heart, as well as hypertrophy and functional impairment. This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to estimate the effect of maternal diabetes on fetal cardiac function as measured by prenatal echocardiography.
METHODS
We performed a search of the EMBASE, PubMed and The Cochrane Library databases, from inception to 4 July 2019, for studies evaluating fetal cardiac function using echocardiography in pregnancies affected by diabetes compared with uncomplicated pregnancies. Outcome measures were cardiac hypertrophy and diastolic, systolic and overall cardiac function as assessed by various ultrasound parameters. The quality of the studies was assessed using the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale. Data on interventricular septal (IVS) thickness, myocardial performance index (MPI) and E/A ratio were pooled for the meta-analysis using random-effects models. For pregnancies with diabetes, results were reported overall and according to whether diabetes was pregestational (PDM) or gestational (GDM). Results were also stratified according to the trimester in which fetal cardiac assessment was performed.
RESULTS
Thirty-nine studies were included, comprising data for 2276 controls and 1925 women with pregnancy affected by diabetes mellitus (DM). Of these, 1120 had GDM, 671 had PDM and in 134 cases diabetes type was not specified. Fetal cardiac hypertrophy was more prevalent in diabetic pregnancies than in non-diabetic controls in 21/26 studies, and impaired diastolic function was observed in diabetic pregnancies in 22/28 studies. The association between DM and systolic function was inconsistent, with 10/25 studies reporting no difference between cases and controls, although more recent studies measuring cardiac deformation, i.e. strain, did show decreased systolic function in diabetic pregnancies. Of the studies measuring overall fetal cardiac function, the majority (14/21) found significant impairment in diabetic pregnancies. Results were similar when stratified according to GDM or PDM. These effects were already present in the first trimester, but were most profound in the third trimester. Meta-analysis of studies performed in the third trimester showed, compared with controls, increased IVS thickness in both PDM (mean difference, 0.75 mm (95% CI, 0.56-0.94 mm)) and GDM (mean difference, 0.65 mm (95% CI, 0.39-0.91 mm)) pregnancies, decreased E/A ratio in PDM pregnancies (mean difference, -0.09 (95% CI, -0.15 to -0.03)), no difference in E/A ratio in GDM pregnancies (mean difference, -0.01 (95% CI, -0.02 to 0.01)) and no difference in MPI in either PDM (mean difference, 0.04 (95% CI, -0.01 to 0.09)) or GDM (mean difference, 0.03 (95% CI, -0.01 to 0.06)) pregnancies.
CONCLUSIONS
The findings of this review show that maternal diabetes is associated with fetal cardiac hypertrophy, diastolic dysfunction and overall impaired myocardial performance on prenatal ultrasound, irrespective of whether diabetes is pregestational or gestational. Further studies are needed to demonstrate the relationship with long-term outcomes. © 2020 The Authors. Ultrasound in Obstetrics & Gynecology published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of International Society of Ultrasound in Obstetrics and Gynecology.
Topics: Adult; Diabetes, Gestational; Echocardiography; Female; Fetal Heart; Humans; Pregnancy; Pregnancy Trimesters; Pregnancy in Diabetics; Ultrasonography, Prenatal
PubMed: 32730637
DOI: 10.1002/uog.22163 -
Journal of Clinical Periodontology Feb 2021To assess the effect of connective tissue graft (CTG) in terms of vertical mid-facial soft tissue change when applied at the buccal aspect following single immediate... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
OBJECTIVES
To assess the effect of connective tissue graft (CTG) in terms of vertical mid-facial soft tissue change when applied at the buccal aspect following single immediate implant placement (IIP).
MATERIALS AND METHODS
Two independent reviewers conducted an electronic literature search in PubMed, Web of Science, EMBASE and Cochrane databases as well as a manual search to identify eligible clinical studies up to January 2020. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and non-randomized controlled studies (NRSs) comparing IIP with CTG and without CTG over a mean follow-up of at least 12 months were included for a qualitative analysis. Meta-analyses were performed on data provided by RCTs.
RESULTS
Out of 1814 records, 5 RCTs and 3 NRSs reported on 409 (IIP + CTG: 246, IIP: 163) immediately installed implants with a mean follow-up ranging from 12 to 108 months. Only 1 RCT showed low risk of bias. Meta-analysis revealed a significant difference in terms of vertical mid-facial soft tissue change between IIP + CTG and IIP pointing to 0.41 mm (95% CI [0.21; 0.61], p < .001) in favour of soft tissue grafting. This outcome was clinically relevant since the risk for ≥1 mm asymmetry in mid-facial vertical soft tissue level was 12 times (RR 12.10, 95% CI [2.57; 56.91], p = .002) lower following IIP + CTG. Soft tissue grafting also resulted in a trend towards less bleeding on probing (MD 17%, 95% CI [-35%; 1%], p = .06). Meta-analyses did not reveal significant differences in terms of pink aesthetic score, marginal bone level change and probing depth. Results were inconclusive for horizontal mid-facial soft tissue change and papilla height change. Based on GRADE guidelines, a moderate recommendation for the use of a CTG following IIP can be made.
CONCLUSION
CTG contributes to mid-facial soft tissue stability following IIP. Therefore, CTG should be considered when elevated risk for mid-facial recession is expected in the aesthetic zone (thin gingival biotype, <0.5 mm buccal bone thickness).
Topics: Connective Tissue; Dental Implantation, Endosseous; Dental Implants; Dental Implants, Single-Tooth; Esthetics, Dental; Immediate Dental Implant Loading; Treatment Outcome
PubMed: 33125754
DOI: 10.1111/jcpe.13397