-
Annals of Palliative Medicine May 2020To systematically evaluate the efficacy of moxibustion in the treatment of ankylosing spondylitis (AS). (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
BACKGROUND
To systematically evaluate the efficacy of moxibustion in the treatment of ankylosing spondylitis (AS).
METHODS
Seven electronic databases were systematically searched for relevant studies for inclusion from databases inception to December 31, 2018. Randomized controlled trials investigating the efficacy of moxibustion for AS treatment versus Western medicine (Wm) treatment were included for systematic review and meta-analysis. Effect estimates were pooled using the fixed or random-effects models. Between-study heterogeneity and publication bias were also assessed. Stratification analyses were further performed based on the treatment plan of experimental groups.
RESULTS
Twenty-six studies were eligible for inclusion with a total of 1,944 AS patients. Meta-analysis showed that compared with those receiving Wm treatment alone, patients receiving moxibustion combined with Wm treatment or moxibustion alone had a higher clinical efficacy rate [odds ratio (OR) =4.21, 95% confidence interval (CI): 2.91 to 6.10, P<0.001 for moxibustion combined with Wm versus Wm; OR =2.43, 95% CI: 1.62 to 3.65, P<0.001 for moxibustion alone versus Wm]. In addition, patients receiving moxibustion combined with Wm treatment had lower levels of C-reactive protein [weighed-median difference (WMD) =-6.33, 95% CI: -9.64 to -3.01, P<0.001] and erythrocyte sedimentation rate (WMD =-7.86, 95% CI: -11.26 to -4.46, P<0.001) after treatment, respectively. Furthermore, moxibustion could also improve Schober test scores (WMD =0.85, 95% CI: 0.15 to 1.55, P=0.017), occipital-wall distances (WMD =-0.55, 95% CI: -0.92 to -0.19, P=0.003), and finger-ground distances (WMD =-3.64, 95% CI: -5.61 to -1.68, P<0.001) of AS patients.
CONCLUSIONS
This study suggests that moxibustion is an effective complementary treatment for AS patients. However, further large-scale multicenter clinical trials are needed to confirm these findings.
Topics: Humans; Moxibustion; Spondylitis, Ankylosing; Treatment Outcome
PubMed: 32312058
DOI: 10.21037/apm.2020.02.31 -
Reumatologia Clinica Mar 2023Ankylosing spondylitis is a chronic inflammatory disease that is associated with adverse cardiovascular events. This study aimed to determine the relationship between... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
BACKGROUND
Ankylosing spondylitis is a chronic inflammatory disease that is associated with adverse cardiovascular events. This study aimed to determine the relationship between ankylosing spondylitis and the risk of stroke.
METHODS
A systematic literature search in PubMed/MEDLINE, Scopus, and Web of Science were conducted from inception to December 2021 to identify relevant articles investigating the risk of stroke in patients with ankylosing spondylitis. A random-effects model (DerSimonian and Laird) was used to estimate a pooled hazard ratio (HR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI). Meta-regression based on the length of follow-up and subgroup analysis based on the type of stroke, study location, and year of publication to investigate the source of heterogeneity.
RESULTS
A total of eleven studies comprising 1.7 million participants were included in this study. Pooled analysis showed a significantly increased stroke risk (56%) among patients with ankylosing spondylitis (HR: 1.56, 95% CI 1.33-1.79). Subgroup analysis revealed a higher risk of ischemic stroke among patients with ankylosing spondylitis (HR: 1.46, 95% CI: 1.23-1.68). However, meta-regression analysis showed no association between the duration of ankylosing spondylitis and stroke incidence (Coef=-0.0010, P=0.951).
CONCLUSION
This study reveals that ankylosing spondylitis was associated with an increased risk of suffering a stroke. Management of cerebrovascular risk factors and the control of systemic inflammation should be considered in patients with ankylosing spondylitis.
Topics: Humans; Spondylitis, Ankylosing; Risk Factors
PubMed: 36906389
DOI: 10.1016/j.reumae.2023.02.002 -
BMJ Open Dec 2023External control arms (ECAs) provide useful comparisons in clinical trials when randomised control arms are limited or not feasible. We conducted a systematic review to...
OBJECTIVES
External control arms (ECAs) provide useful comparisons in clinical trials when randomised control arms are limited or not feasible. We conducted a systematic review to summarise applications of ECAs in trials of immune-mediated inflammatory diseases (IMIDs).
DESIGN
Systematic review with an appraisal of ECA source quality rated across five domains (data collection, study populations, outcome definitions, reliability and comprehensiveness of the dataset, and other potential limitations) as high, low or unclear quality.
DATA SOURCES
Embase, Medline and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trial were searched through to 12 September 2023.
ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA
Eligible studies were single-arm or randomised controlled trials (RCTs) of inflammatory bowel disease, pouchitis, rheumatoid arthritis, juvenile idiopathic arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, psoriatic arthritis, psoriasis and atopic dermatitis in which an ECA was used as the comparator.
DATA EXTRACTION AND SYNTHESIS
Two authors independently screened the search results in duplicate. The characteristics of included studies, external data source(s), outcomes and statistical methods were recorded, and the quality of the ECA data source was assessed by two independent authors.
RESULTS
Forty-three studies met the inclusion criteria (inflammatory bowel disease: 16, pouchitis: 1, rheumatoid arthritis: 12, juvenile idiopathic arthritis: 1, ankylosing spondylitis: 5, psoriasis: 3, multiple indications: 4). The majority of these trials were single-arm (33/43) and enrolled adult patients (34/43). All included studies used a historical control rather than a contemporaneous ECA. In RCTs, ECAs were most often derived from the placebo arm of another RCT (6/10). In single-arm trials, historical case series were the most common ECA source (19/33). Most studies (31/43) did not employ a statistical approach to generate the ECA from historical data.
CONCLUSIONS
Standardised ECA methodology and reporting conventions are lacking for IMIDs trials. The establishment of ECA reporting guidelines may enhance the rigour and transparency of future research.
Topics: Adult; Humans; Spondylitis, Ankylosing; Pouchitis; Arthritis, Rheumatoid; Psoriasis; Inflammatory Bowel Diseases; Immunomodulating Agents
PubMed: 38070932
DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2023-076677 -
Bioscience Reports Jan 2024Osteoarthritis (OA) is characterized by cartilage degeneration and destruction, leading to joint ankylosis and disability. The major challenge in diagnosing OA at early...
Osteoarthritis (OA) is characterized by cartilage degeneration and destruction, leading to joint ankylosis and disability. The major challenge in diagnosing OA at early stage is not only lack of clinical symptoms but also the insufficient histological and immunohistochemical signs. Alteration in cartilage stiffness during OA progression, especially at OA initiation, has been confirmed by growing evidences. Moreover, the stiffness of cartilage extracellular matrix (ECM), pericellular matrix (PCM) and chondrocytes during OA development are dynamically changed in unique and distinct fashions, revealing possibly inconsistent conclusions when detecting cartilage matrix stiffness at different locations and scales. In addition, it will be discussed regarding the mechanisms through which OA-related cartilage degenerations exhibit stiffened or softened matrix, highlighting some critical events that generally incurred to cartilage stiffness alteration, as well as some typical molecules that participated in constituting the mechanical properties of cartilage. Finally, in vitro culturing chondrocytes in various stiffness-tunable scaffolds provided a reliable method to explore the matrix stiffness-dependent modulation of chondrocyte metabolism, which offers valuable information on optimizing implant scaffolds to maximally promote cartilage repair and regeneration during OA. Overall, this review systematically and comprehensively elucidated the current progresses in the relationship between cartilage stiffness alteration and OA progression. We hope that deeper attention and understanding in this researching field will not only develop more innovative methods in OA early detection and diagnose but also provide promising ideas in OA therapy and prognosis.
Topics: Humans; Cartilage, Articular; Chondrocytes; Extracellular Matrix; Osteoarthritis
PubMed: 38014522
DOI: 10.1042/BSR20231730 -
Mayo Clinic Proceedings Jan 2023To examine the risk of hematologic malignancies in older adults with ankylosing spondylitis (AS).
OBJECTIVE
To examine the risk of hematologic malignancies in older adults with ankylosing spondylitis (AS).
PATIENTS AND METHODS
We used US Medicare data from January 1, 1999, to December 31, 2010, to identify a population-based cohort of beneficiaries with AS. We also included beneficiaries with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) as disease controls and beneficiaries without AS or IBD as unaffected controls. We excluded those treated with tumor necrosis factor inhibitors in this period. We followed up each group for new diagnosis claims for hematologic malignancies until September 30, 2015.
RESULTS
We included 12,451 beneficiaries with AS, 234,905 with IBD, and 10,975,340 unaffected controls, with a mean follow-up of 9.9, 9.3, and 8.0 years, respectively. We identified 297 hematologic malignancies in the AS group, 4538 malignancies in the IBD group, and 128,239 malignancies in unaffected controls. The standardized incidence ratio in AS vs unaffected controls was 1.39 (95% CI, 1.05 to 1.61) for non-Hodgkin lymphoma, 1.50 (95% CI, 1.17 to 1.92) for chronic lymphocytic leukemia, and 1.52 (95% CI, 1.12 to 2.06) for multiple myeloma. Risks of acute myeloid leukemia and chronic myeloid leukemia were not elevated in AS, and there were too few cases of Hodgkin lymphoma to compute risks. Risks were comparable to those of beneficiaries with IBD. We also performed a systematic literature review of the risk of hematologic malignancy in AS, focusing on age associations, which have not been previously examined. We identified 21 studies in the systematic literature review, which included mainly young or middle-aged patients. Results suggested that AS was largely not associated with an increased risk of hematologic malignancies. Two cohort studies reported an increased risk of multiple myeloma in AS.
CONCLUSION
The risks of non-Hodgkin lymphoma, chronic lymphocytic leukemia, and multiple myeloma are increased among elderly patients with AS.
Topics: Middle Aged; Humans; Aged; United States; Multiple Myeloma; Cohort Studies; Leukemia, Lymphocytic, Chronic, B-Cell; Spondylitis, Ankylosing; Medicare; Hematologic Neoplasms; Lymphoma, Non-Hodgkin; Inflammatory Bowel Diseases
PubMed: 36470752
DOI: 10.1016/j.mayocp.2022.06.030 -
Science Progress 2024The ideal treatment of tooth avulsion is replantation. However, replanting teeth may lead to root resorption. Fibroblast growth factor-2 (FGF-2) is a cytokine that... (Review)
Review
The ideal treatment of tooth avulsion is replantation. However, replanting teeth may lead to root resorption. Fibroblast growth factor-2 (FGF-2) is a cytokine that plays an important role in wound repair and tissue regeneration. Recently, FGF-2 has been studied a potential regenerative agent to prevent root resorption and ankylosis. The aim of this review is to analyze and summarize the currently available literature focusing on using FGF-2 based regenerative modalities to improve the outcomes of tooth replantation. An electronic search was conducted via PubMed/Medline, Google Scholar and ISI Web of Knowledge, using the Medical Subject Headings (MeSH) terms "Basic fibroblast growth factor," "Fibroblast growth factor-2," "tooth replantation," and "replantation" for studies published between January 2001 and June 2021. Data was extracted and quality assessment was carried using the ARRIVE guidelines. Nine animal studies were included in this review. In six studies, FGF-2 had a favorable effect on the tissue regeneration around roots of replanted teeth when compared to other treatment groups. However, quality assessment of the studies revealed many sources of bias and deficiencies in the studies. Within the limitations of this study, it may be concluded that FGF-2 may improve the outcomes of delayed replantation of avulsed teeth. However, more long-term animal studies, with improved experimental designs, and clinical trials are required to determine the clinical potential of the growth factor in improving the outcomes of delayed tooth replantation.
Topics: Animals; Fibroblast Growth Factor 2; Root Resorption; Time Factors; Tooth Avulsion; Tooth Replantation
PubMed: 38489928
DOI: 10.1177/00368504241228964 -
RMD Open Aug 2020This meta-analysis investigated the frequency of ocular involvement in childhood and adult spondyloarthritis (SpA). (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
OBJECTIVES
This meta-analysis investigated the frequency of ocular involvement in childhood and adult spondyloarthritis (SpA).
METHODS
A systematic review of the literature was conducted. Medline, Web of Science and Cochrane databases were searched upto October 2018 identifying publications related to SpA, including ankylosing spondylitis (AS) with ocular conditions (OC) (uveitis, iritis, retinitis, chorioretinitis and other ocular involvement). The rates of OC were extracted and random effects models estimated their frequency. Heterogeneity was evaluated using I. Inclusion criteria were studies in SpA of either children or adults who included a frequency of OC.
RESULTS
3164 studies were identified, and 41 analysed which included frequencies of uveitis/iritis. Other OC were too infrequent to analyse. A pooled random effects model showed that the prevalence of uveitis was 24% in adult AS (23 studies, 11 943 patients), 10% in adult psoriatic arthritis (PsA) (9 studies, 1817) and 17% in undifferentiated adult SpA (9 studies, 6568 patients). In juveniles with AS, the prevalence of uveitis was 27% (8 studies, 927 patients), in juvenile PsA it was 16% (5 studies, N=498) and in juvenile undifferentiated SpA, uveitis occurred in 7% (2 studies, 1531 patients). In all evaluated SpA subgroups, there were no statistical differences in the frequency of uveitis between juveniles and adults.
CONCLUSIONS
Uveitis in adult versus child-onset SpA is similar in AS but more common in adult-onset undifferentiated SpA, and less frequent in adult-onset PsA compared to child-onset PsA, but the differences were not significant.
Topics: Adult; Arthritis, Juvenile; Arthritis, Psoriatic; Humans; Spondylarthritis; Spondylitis, Ankylosing; Uveitis
PubMed: 32868451
DOI: 10.1136/rmdopen-2020-001196 -
Seminars in Arthritis and Rheumatism Jun 2021To identify and synthesize the evidence for the use and measurement properties of musculoskeletal ultrasound in assessing structural joint damage in patients with...
Structural damage in rheumatoid arthritis assessed by musculoskeletal ultrasound: A systematic literature review by the Structural Joint Damage Task Force of the OMERACT Ultrasound Working Group.
OBJECTIVES
To identify and synthesize the evidence for the use and measurement properties of musculoskeletal ultrasound in assessing structural joint damage in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA).
METHODS
A systematic literature search (SLR) of the PubMed, Embase and Cochrane Library was performed. Original articles were included published in English reporting on ultrasound of bone erosion, cartilage damage and the measurement properties of ultrasound according to the OMERACT filter 2.1.
RESULTS
Of the 1.495 identified articles 149 were included in the final review, most of which reported on cross-sectional studies and used the OMERACT definitions for ultrasonographic pathology. Among these, bone erosions were assessed in 139 (93.3%), cartilage damage in 24 (16.1%), enthesophytes in 8 (5.4%), osteophytes in 15 (10.1%) and malalignment and ankylosis in a single (0.9%) study, respectively. Most studies (126/149, 84.6%) assessed the joints of the hands. The overwhelming majority of studies (127/149, 85.2%) assessed structural joint damage bilaterally. Validity, reliability and responsiveness were assessed in 21 (14.1%), 34 (22.8%) and 17 (11.4%) studies, respectively.
CONCLUSION
While the results of this SLR suggest that ultrasound is a sensitive, reliable and feasible tool to detect damage in RA, they also highlight the need for further research and validation. Findings of this SLR will inform the next steps of the OMERACT Ultrasound Working Group in developing an ultrasound score for assessing structural joint damage in patients with RA.
Topics: Arthritis, Rheumatoid; Cross-Sectional Studies; Humans; Reproducibility of Results; Severity of Illness Index; Ultrasonography
PubMed: 33810864
DOI: 10.1016/j.semarthrit.2021.02.010 -
Medicine Jul 2020The present study was performed to statistically explore the effect of anthrax toxin receptor 2 (ANTXR2) polymorphism rs4333130 on individual susceptibility to... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
BACKGROUND
The present study was performed to statistically explore the effect of anthrax toxin receptor 2 (ANTXR2) polymorphism rs4333130 on individual susceptibility to ankylosing spondylitis (AS) using the method of meta-analysis.
METHODS
All of the eligible reports were retrieved from well-known electronic databases. The strength of the association between ANTXR2 polymorphism rs4333130 and the susceptibility to AS was evaluated using pooled odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs). In addition, subgroup analysis was also performed on the basis of ethnicity to further explore specific correlation between our studied polymorphism and the disease risk. Inter-study heterogeneity was detected with Q test, and P < .05 was considered statistically significant. Sensitivity analysis was implemented through removing each of eligible studies and then recalculating overall effects to test the reliability of final estimates. Publication bias among included studies was inspected with both Begg funnel plot and Egger regression test.
RESULTS
A total of 6 eligible papers were finally incorporated into the present meta-analysis. In total analysis, ANTXR2 polymorphism rs4333130 was significantly related to decreased risk of AS under CC versus TT, CC + TC versus TT, CC versus TT + TC, C versus T and TC versus TT contrasts (OR = 0.35, 95% CI = 0.20-0.64; OR = 0.81, 95% CI = 0.69-0.95; OR = 0.38, 95% CI = 0.21-0.68; OR = 0.89, 95% CI = 0.84-0.95; OR = 0.84, 95% CI = 0.72-0.99). Moreover, a similar effect was also observed in Asian and Caucasian subgroups under corresponding genetic models after stratification analysis based on ethnicity.
CONCLUSION
ANTXR2 polymorphism rs4333130 may function as a protective factor against AS incidence.
Topics: Humans; Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide; Protective Factors; Receptors, Peptide; Spondylitis, Ankylosing
PubMed: 32664053
DOI: 10.1097/MD.0000000000019942 -
RMD Open May 2020In axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA), higher body mass index (BMI) is associated with worse outcomes including response to biologics. Further clarity is needed on whether... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
OBJECTIVES
In axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA), higher body mass index (BMI) is associated with worse outcomes including response to biologics. Further clarity is needed on whether BMI is associated with disease activity overall, independent of treatment response. We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis to assess the association between BMI and disease activity as reported by the Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Index (BASDAI) or Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Score (ASDAS) in axSpA.
METHODS
We systematically searched for studies evaluating BMI and disease activity as the exposure and outcome of interest, respectively, in axSpA. Using random effects models, we estimated summary standardised mean differences (SMDs) and 95% CIs of BASDAI or ASDAS, comparing obese (BMI>30 kg/m) or overweight/obese (BMI>25 kg/m) individuals to those with normal BMI (18.5-24.9 kg/m).
RESULTS
Twelve studies were included in the meta-analysis. Among all studies reporting the BASDAI at baseline, the pooled SMD of the BASDAI for those with an obese or overweight/obese BMI compared to a normal BMI was 0.38 (95% CI 0.21 to 0.55, I =75.2%), indicating a significant association of higher BMI with higher BASDAI score. The pooled SMD of the ASDAS for those with an obese or overweight/obese BMI compared to a normal BMI was 0.40 (95% CI 0.27 to 0.54, I=0%). Findings were robust across subgroup analyses.
CONCLUSION
These results demonstrate an association between an overweight/obese BMI and higher disease activity in studies of axSpA. Future longitudinal studies of BMI and disease activity should assess how this association changes over time.
Topics: Body Mass Index; Disease Progression; Humans; Obesity; Overweight; Severity of Illness Index; Spondylitis, Ankylosing
PubMed: 32434828
DOI: 10.1136/rmdopen-2020-001225