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Frontiers in Immunology 2023The risk of infection and malignancy may be a concern for patients with psoriasis receiving interleukin (IL)-17 and IL-23 inhibitors, particularly with long-term... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
Short-term risk and long-term incidence rate of infection and malignancy with IL-17 and IL-23 inhibitors in adult patients with psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis: a systematic review and meta-analysis.
UNLABELLED
The risk of infection and malignancy may be a concern for patients with psoriasis receiving interleukin (IL)-17 and IL-23 inhibitors, particularly with long-term treatments. We aimed to estimate the short-term risks and long-term incidence rates of infection and malignancy with IL-17 or IL-23 antagonists in adult patients with psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis through this comprehensive meta-analysis (PROSPERO registration number: CRD42022363127). We searched PubMed, MEDLINE, Web of Science and ClinicalTrials.gov until May 17, 2023 for randomized placebo-controlled trials and long-term (≥ 52 weeks) open-label extension studies. The estimates of short-term risk ratios (RRs) and long-term exposure-adjusted incidence rates (EAIRs) were pooled using R software 4.1.1 and STATA 16.0. This review included 45 randomized placebo-controlled studies and 27 open-label extension studies. Short-term RRs of serious infection, overall infection and malignancy were 1.45 (95% confidence intervals, 95% CI: 0.81-2.59), 1.20 (95% CI: 1.06-1.35), 0.83 (95% CI: 0.41-1.71) with IL-17 inhibitors; and 0.68 (95% CI: 0.38-1.22), 1.13 (95% CI: 1.00-1.28), 0.87 (95% CI: 0.37-2.04) with IL-23 inhibitors. Increased short-term risks of nasopharyngitis and infection with IL-17 inhibitors were found. Long-term EAIRs of serious infection, overall infection, nonmelanoma skin cancer (NMSC), malignancies excluding NMSC, nasopharyngitis and upper respiratory tract infection were 1.11/100 patient-years (PYs), 57.78/100PYs, 0.47/100PYs, 0.24/100PYs, 15.07/100PYs, 8.52/100PYs, 3.41/100PYs with IL-17 inhibitors; and 1.09/100PYs, 48.50/100PYs, 0.40/100PYs, 0.43/100PYs, 10.75/100PYs, 5.84/100PYs with IL-23 inhibitors. Long-term EAIR of infection was 3.41/100PYs with IL-17 inhibitors. No active or reactivated tuberculosis was ever reported in all the trials, and only a few cases of latent tuberculosis, hepatitis, and herpes zoster were reported during the long-term extension periods. No evidence of increased EAIRs of infection and malignancy with longer durations was found. Our study suggested that short-term risk and long-term incidence of infections and malignancies in psoriasis patients receiving IL-17 inhibitors and IL-23 inhibitors are generally low. However, close monitoring is required for nasopharyngitis and infection with IL-17 inhibitors.
SYSTEMATIC REVIEW REGISTRATION
https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/PROSPERO/, identifier CRD42022363127.
Topics: Adult; Humans; Arthritis, Psoriatic; Candidiasis; Incidence; Interleukin Inhibitors; Interleukin-17; Interleukin-23; Nasopharyngitis; Neoplasms; Psoriasis
PubMed: 38106423
DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1294416 -
Canadian Pharmacists Journal : CPJ =... 2021Pharmacist prescribing authority is expanding, while antimicrobial resistance is an increasing global concern. We sought to synthesize the evidence for antimicrobial... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
Pharmacist prescribing authority is expanding, while antimicrobial resistance is an increasing global concern. We sought to synthesize the evidence for antimicrobial prescribing by community pharmacists to identify opportunities to advance antimicrobial stewardship in this setting.
METHODS
We conducted a systematic review to characterize the existing literature on community pharmacist prescribing of systemic antimicrobials. We searched MEDLINE, EMBASE and International Pharmaceutical Abstracts for English-language articles published between 1999 and June 20, 2019, as well as hand-searched reference lists of included articles and incorporated expert suggestions.
RESULTS
Of 3793 articles identified, 14 met inclusion criteria. Pharmacists are most often prescribing for uncomplicated urinary tract infection (UTI), acute pharyngitis and cold sores using independent and supplementary prescribing models. This was associated with high rates of clinical improvement (4 studies), low rates of retreatment and adverse effects (3 studies) and decreased health care utilization (7 studies). Patients were highly satisfied (8 studies) and accessed care sooner or more easily (7 studies). Seven studies incorporated antimicrobial stewardship into study design, and there was overlap between study outcomes and those relevant to outpatient antimicrobial stewardship. Pharmacist intervention reduced unnecessary prescribing for acute pharyngitis (2 studies) and increased the appropriateness of prescribing for UTI (3 studies).
CONCLUSION
There is growing evidence to support the role of community pharmacists in antimicrobial prescribing. Future research should explore additional opportunities for pharmacist antimicrobial prescribing and ways to further integrate advanced antimicrobial stewardship strategies in the community setting. 2021;154:xx-xx.
PubMed: 34104272
DOI: 10.1177/1715163521999417 -
Clinical Microbiology and Infection :... Apr 2024Centor and McIsaac scores are clinical prediction rules for diagnosing group A streptococcus (GAS) infection in patients with pharyngitis. Their recommended thresholds... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
BACKGROUND
Centor and McIsaac scores are clinical prediction rules for diagnosing group A streptococcus (GAS) infection in patients with pharyngitis. Their recommended thresholds vary between guidelines.
OBJECTIVES
To estimate the sensitivity and specificity of the McIsaac and Centor scores to diagnose GAS pharyngitis and evaluate their impact on antibiotic prescribing at each threshold in patients presenting to secondary care.
DATA SOURCES
MEDLINE, Embase, and Web of Science were searched from inception to September 2022.
STUDY ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA
Studies of patients presenting with acute pharyngitis to emergency or outpatient clinics that estimated the accuracy of McIsaac or Centor scores against throat cultures and/or rapid antigen detection tests (RADT) as reference standards.
TESTS
Centor or McIsaac score.
REFERENCE STANDARD
Throat cultures and/or RADT.
ASSESSMENT OF RISK OF BIAS
Quality Assessment of Diagnostic Accuracy Studies.
METHODS OF DATA SYNTHESIS
The sensitivities and specificities of the McIsaac and Centor scores were pooled at each threshold using bivariate random effects meta-analysis.
RESULTS
Fourteen studies were included (eight McIsaac and six Centor scores). Eight studies had unclear and six had a high risk of bias. The McIsaac score had higher estimated sensitivity and lower specificity relative to Centor scores at equivalent thresholds but with wide and overlapping confidence regions. Using either score as a triage to RADT to decide antibiotic treatment would reduce antibiotic prescription to patients with non-GAS pharyngitis relative to RADT test for everyone, but also reduce antibiotic prescription to patients with GAS.
DISCUSSION
Centor and McIsaac scores are equally ineffective at triaging patients who need antibiotics presenting with pharyngitis at hospitals. At high thresholds, too many true positive cases are missed, whereas at low thresholds, too many false positives are treated, leading to the over prescription of antibiotics. The former may be compensated by adequate safety netting by clinicians, ensuring that patients can seek help if symptoms worsen.
Topics: Humans; Secondary Care; Streptococcal Infections; Pharyngitis; Streptococcus pyogenes; Anti-Bacterial Agents; Sensitivity and Specificity
PubMed: 38182052
DOI: 10.1016/j.cmi.2023.12.025 -
The Laryngoscope Apr 2023Topical intranasal anticholinergics are commonly prescribed for the relief of chronic rhinitis and associated symptoms, warranting thorough assessment of the supporting... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
OBJECTIVE
Topical intranasal anticholinergics are commonly prescribed for the relief of chronic rhinitis and associated symptoms, warranting thorough assessment of the supporting evidence. The present study aimed to evaluate the safety and efficacy of anticholinergic nasal sprays in the management of allergic and non-allergic rhinitis symptom severity and duration.
METHODS
A search encompassing the Cochrane Library, PubMed/MEDLINE, and Scopus databases was conducted. Primary studies describing rhinorrhea, nasal congestion, and/or postnasal drip outcomes in rhinitis patients treated with an anticholinergic spray were included for review.
RESULTS
The search yielded 1,029 unique abstracts, of which 12 studies (n = 2,024) met inclusion criteria for qualitative synthesis and 9 (n = 1,920) for meta-analysis. Median follow-up was 4 weeks and ipratropium bromide was the most extensively trialed anticholinergic. Compared to placebo, anticholinergic treatment was demonstrated to significantly reduce rhinorrhea severity scores (standardized mean difference [95% CI] = -0.77 [-1.20, -0.35]; -0.43 [-0.72, -0.13]) and duration (-0.62 [-0.95, -0.30]; -0.29 [-0.47, -0.10]) in allergic and non-allergic rhinitis patients respectively. Benefit was less consistent for nasal congestion, postnasal drip, and sneezing symptoms. Reported adverse effects included nasal mucosa dryness or irritation, epistaxis, headaches, and pharyngitis, though comparison to placebo found significantly greater risk for epistaxis only (risk ratio [95% CI] = 2.19 [1.22, 3.93]).
CONCLUSION
Albeit treating other symptoms with less benefit, anticholinergic nasal sprays appear to be safe and efficacious in reducing rhinorrhea severity and duration in both rhinitis etiologies. This evidence supports their continued use in the treatment of rhinitis-associated rhinorrhea.
LEVEL OF EVIDENCE
1 Laryngoscope, 133:722-731, 2023.
Topics: Humans; Rhinitis; Cholinergic Antagonists; Nasal Sprays; Epistaxis; Rhinorrhea
PubMed: 35838014
DOI: 10.1002/lary.30306 -
The Cochrane Database of Systematic... May 2020Sore throat is a common condition associated with a high rate of antibiotic prescriptions, despite limited evidence for the effectiveness of antibiotics. Corticosteroids... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
BACKGROUND
Sore throat is a common condition associated with a high rate of antibiotic prescriptions, despite limited evidence for the effectiveness of antibiotics. Corticosteroids may improve symptoms of sore throat by reducing inflammation of the upper respiratory tract. This review is an update to our review published in 2012.
OBJECTIVES
To assess the clinical benefit and safety of corticosteroids in reducing the symptoms of sore throat in adults and children.
SEARCH METHODS
We searched CENTRAL (Issue 4, 2019), MEDLINE (1966 to 14 May 2019), Embase (1974 to 14 May 2019), the Database of Abstracts of Reviews of Effects (DARE, 2002 to 2015), and the NHS Economic Evaluation Database (inception to 2015). We also searched the World Health Organization International Clinical Trials Registry Platform (WHO ICTRP) and ClinicalTrials.gov.
SELECTION CRITERIA
We included randomised controlled trials (RCTs) that compared steroids to either placebo or standard care in adults and children (aged over three years) with sore throat. We excluded studies of hospitalised participants, those with infectious mononucleosis (glandular fever), sore throat following tonsillectomy or intubation, or peritonsillar abscess.
DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS
We used standard methodological procedures expected by Cochrane.
MAIN RESULTS
We included one new RCT in this update, for a total of nine trials involving 1319 participants (369 children and 950 adults). In eight trials, participants in both corticosteroid and placebo groups received antibiotics; one trial offered delayed prescription of antibiotics based on clinical assessment. Only two trials reported funding sources (government and a university foundation). In addition to any effect of antibiotics and analgesia, corticosteroids increased the likelihood of complete resolution of pain at 24 hours by 2.40 times (risk ratio (RR) 2.4, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.29 to 4.47; P = 0.006; I² = 67%; high-certainty evidence) and at 48 hours by 1.5 times (RR 1.50, 95% CI 1.27 to 1.76; P < 0.001; I² = 0%; high-certainty evidence). Five people need to be treated to prevent one person continuing to experience pain at 24 hours. Corticosteroids also reduced the mean time to onset of pain relief and the mean time to complete resolution of pain by 6 and 11.6 hours, respectively, although significant heterogeneity was present (moderate-certainty evidence). At 24 hours, pain (assessed by visual analogue scales) was reduced by an additional 10.6% by corticosteroids (moderate-certainty evidence). No differences were reported in recurrence/relapse rates, days missed from work or school, or adverse events for participants taking corticosteroids compared to placebo. However, the reporting of adverse events was poor, and only two trials included children or reported days missed from work or school. The included studies were assessed as moderate quality evidence, but the small number of included studies has the potential to increase the uncertainty, particularly in terms of applying these results to children.
AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS
Oral or intramuscular corticosteroids, in addition to antibiotics, moderately increased the likelihood of both resolution and improvement of pain in participants with sore throat. Given the limited benefit, further research into the harms and benefits of short courses of steroids is needed to permit informed decision-making.
Topics: Adolescent; Adrenal Cortex Hormones; Adult; Anti-Bacterial Agents; Child; Child, Preschool; Drug Therapy, Combination; Humans; Middle Aged; Pharyngitis; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; Time Factors; Tonsillitis; Treatment Outcome; Young Adult
PubMed: 32356360
DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD008268.pub3 -
The Journal of Laryngology and Otology Sep 2023Peritonsillar abscess is a localised infection in the peritonsillar space. Pus from the abscess can contain anaerobes. Many clinicians prescribe metronidazole in... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
Peritonsillar abscess is a localised infection in the peritonsillar space. Pus from the abscess can contain anaerobes. Many clinicians prescribe metronidazole in addition to penicillin, but evidence to support this is limited. This review assessed the evidence of benefit of metronidazole for the treatment of peritonsillar abscess.
METHODS
A systematic review was conducted of the literature and databases including Ovid Medline, Ovid Embase, PubMed and Cochrane library. Search terms included all variations of peritonsillar abscess, penicillin and metronidazole.
RESULTS
Three randomised, control trials were included. All studies assessed the clinical outcomes after treatment for peritonsillar abscess, including recurrence rate, length of hospital stay and symptom improvement. There was no evidence to suggest additional benefit with metronidazole, with studies suggesting increased side effects.
CONCLUSION
Evidence does not support the addition of metronidazole in first-line management of peritonsillar abscess. Further trials to establish optimum dose and duration schedules of oral phenoxymethylpenicillin would benefit clinical practice.
Topics: Humans; Peritonsillar Abscess; Metronidazole; Penicillins; Penicillin V; Drainage; Anti-Bacterial Agents
PubMed: 37194922
DOI: 10.1017/S0022215123000804 -
Clinical Microbiology and Infection :... Dec 2021Acute pharyngitis is one of the most common conditions in outpatient settings and an important source of inappropriate antibiotic prescribing. Rapid antigen detection... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
BACKGROUND
Acute pharyngitis is one of the most common conditions in outpatient settings and an important source of inappropriate antibiotic prescribing. Rapid antigen detection tests (RADTs) offer diagnosis of group A streptococcus at the point of care but have limited sensitivity. Rapid nucleic acid tests (RNATs) are now available; a systematic review of their accuracy is lacking.
OBJECTIVES
To evaluate the accuracy of RNATs in patients with pharyngitis; to explore test-level and study-level factors that could explain variability in accuracy; and to compare the accuracy of RNATs with that of RADTs.
DATA SOURCES
MEDLINE, Embase, Web of Science (1990-2020).
STUDY ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA
Cross-sectional studies and randomized trials.
PARTICIPANTS
Patients with pharyngitis.
INDEX TEST/S AND REFERENCE STANDARDS
RNAT commercial kits compared with throat culture.
METHODS
We assessed risk of bias and applicability using QUADAS-2. We performed meta-analysis of sensitivity and specificity using the bivariate random-effects model. Variability was explored by subgroup analyses and meta-regression.
RESULTS
We included 38 studies (46 test evaluations; 17 411 test results). RNATs were most often performed in a laboratory. The overall methodological quality of primary studies was uncertain because of incomplete reporting. RNATs had a summary sensitivity of 97.5% (95% CI 96.2%-98.3%) and a summary specificity of 95.1% (95% CI 93.6%-96.3%). There was low variability in estimates across studies. Variability in sensitivity and specificity was partially explained by test type (p < 0.05 for both). Sensitivity analyses limited to studies with low risk of bias showed robust accuracy estimates. RNATs were more sensitive than RADTs (13 studies; 96.8% versus 82.3%, p 0.004); there was no difference in specificity (p 0.92).
CONCLUSIONS
The high diagnostic accuracy of RNATs may allow their use as stand-alone tests to diagnose group A streptococcus pharyngitis. Based on direct comparisons, RNATs have greater sensitivity than RADTs and equal specificity. Further studies should evaluate RNATs in point-of-care settings.
Topics: Humans; Nucleic Acid Amplification Techniques; Nucleic Acids; Pharyngitis; Point-of-Care Testing; Sensitivity and Specificity; Streptococcus pyogenes
PubMed: 33964409
DOI: 10.1016/j.cmi.2021.04.021 -
Reviews in Medical Virology Jan 2024On 23 July 2022, the World Health Organization declared the global mpox outbreak as a public health emergency of international significance. The mpox virus (MPXV) that... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
On 23 July 2022, the World Health Organization declared the global mpox outbreak as a public health emergency of international significance. The mpox virus (MPXV) that caused the outbreak was classified as clade IIb, which belongs to the West African clade. However, the relationship between MPXV clades and symptoms, as well as the severity of mpox outcomes, is not fully understood. Thus, we aimed to investigate the global mpox prevalence and the differences in clinical manifestations and outcomes among patients with mpox between pre-outbreak (2003-2021) and the current mpox outbreak. In this systematic review and meta-analysis, PubMed/MEDLINE, Web of Science, Embase, Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature, and Google Scholar were searched using the keyword "monkeypox" and "mpox" up to 13 October 2022. A random effects model was used to obtain the pooled prevalence and 95% confidence intervals. This study included 27 articles, and 5698 patients with mpox with 19 distinctive features from 19 countries across five continents were assessed. Patients with mpox during the 2022 mpox outbreak showed mild clinical manifestations and outcomes compared with those before the 2022 mpox outbreak: mild rash (relative ratio [RR]: 5.09, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.52-17.08), fever (0.68, 0.49-0.94), pruritus (0.25, 0.19-0.32), myalgia (0.50, 0.31-0.81), headache (0.56, 0.35-0.88), skin ulcer (0.32, 0.17-0.59), abdominal symptom (0.29, 0.20-0.42), pharyngitis (0.32, 0.18-0.58), nausea or vomiting (0.15, 0.02-0.93), conjunctivitis (0.11, 0.03-0.38), concomitant infection with HIV (1.70, 0.95-3 0.04), and death (0.02, 0.001-0.31). MPXV clade IIb exhibited higher infectivity but may cause mild disease symptoms and low mortality rate. It is important to consider MPXV infection in patients with mpox-related features and/or a history of sexual transmission to prevent the spread of the disease and recognise the current pandemic threat.
Topics: Humans; Mpox (monkeypox); Disease Outbreaks; Public Health; Exanthema; Fever; HIV Seropositivity; HIV-1
PubMed: 38282393
DOI: 10.1002/rmv.2508 -
European Archives of... May 2022Peritonsillar abscess is a common complication of acute tonsillitis. However, no consensus has been reached yet on the optimal treatment of this condition. Therefore,... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
OBJECTIVES
Peritonsillar abscess is a common complication of acute tonsillitis. However, no consensus has been reached yet on the optimal treatment of this condition. Therefore, this study aimed to compare clinical outcomes of immediate and interval abscess tonsillectomy.
METHODS
The databases of PubMed, Scopus, and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL) were searched for completed studies published until the 1st of November 2021. Comparative studies assessing intraoperative and postoperative outcomes of immediate and interval abscess tonsillectomy were considered, with the primary outcome being postoperative hemorrhage. Operative time, intraoperative blood loss, postoperative pain, and duration of hospital stay were classed as secondary outcomes. A random-effects pairwise meta-analysis of both randomized and non-randomized trials was conducted. Subgroup analysis linked to the randomization of trials was executed. Quality assessment was performed, utilizing the Cochrane risk of bias tool and ROBINS-I tool for randomized and non-randomized trials, respectively.
RESULTS
Data from 265 cases stemming from six trials were pooled together. For postoperative bleeding rates, no statistically significant difference between immediate and interval tonsillectomy was detected (OR = 1.26; 95% CI 0.27, 5.86; p = 0.77). By contrast, longer hospital stay was observed for patients subjected to interval tonsillectomy (SMD = - 0.78; CI - 1.39 to- 0.17; p = 0.01). For operative time and intraoperative blood loss, no statistically significant difference was noticed between immediate and interval tonsillectomy (SMD = 1.10; 95% CI - 0.13, 2.33; p = 0.08; and SMD = 0.04; 95% CI - 0.49, 0.57; p = 0.88; respectively).
CONCLUSIONS
This study shows that quinsy tonsillectomy appears to be a safe method, providing full abscess drainage and instant relief of the symptoms. Moreover, quinsy tonsillectomy was not associated with a statistically higher postoperative hemorrhage incidence rate than immediate tonsillectomy.
Topics: Blood Loss, Surgical; Humans; Operative Time; Peritonsillar Abscess; Postoperative Hemorrhage; Tonsillectomy
PubMed: 35169892
DOI: 10.1007/s00405-022-07294-x -
The Journal of Laryngology and Otology Jul 2022This meta-analysis provides a quantitative measure of the otorhinolaryngological manifestations of coronavirus disease 2019 in children. (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
BACKGROUND
This meta-analysis provides a quantitative measure of the otorhinolaryngological manifestations of coronavirus disease 2019 in children.
METHODS
A structured literature review was carried out using PubMed, Embase and Cochrane Central, employing pertinent search terms. The statistical analysis was performed using Stata version 14.2 software, and the analysed data were expressed as the pooled prevalence of the symptoms with 95 per cent confidence intervals.
RESULTS
The commonest symptoms noted were cough (38 per cent (95 per cent confidence interval = 33-42; I = 97.5 per cent)), sore throat (12 per cent (95 per cent confidence interval =10-14; I = 93.7 per cent)), and nasal discharge (15 per cent (95 per cent confidence interval = 12-19; I = 96.9 per cent)). Anosmia and taste disturbances showed a pooled prevalence of 8 per cent each. Hearing loss, vertigo and hoarseness were rarely reported.
CONCLUSION
Cough, sore throat and nasal discharge were the commonest otorhinolaryngological symptoms in paediatric patients with coronavirus disease 2019. Compared with adults, anosmia and taste disturbances were infrequently reported in children.
Topics: Adult; Anosmia; COVID-19; Child; Cough; Humans; Pharyngitis
PubMed: 35172911
DOI: 10.1017/S0022215122000536