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Frontiers in Cardiovascular Medicine 2023Individuals diagnosed with atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ACD) are exposed to an increased risk of cardiovascular events. Reducing low-density lipoprotein... (Review)
Review
INTRODUCTION
Individuals diagnosed with atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ACD) are exposed to an increased risk of cardiovascular events. Reducing low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) levels has been established as an effective approach to mitigate these risks. However, a comprehensive and up-to-date meta-analysis investigating the LDL-C-lowering effectiveness and the impact on coronary atherosclerotic plaque compositions of Ezetimibe has been lacking.
METHODS
We conducted a systematic review by meticulously analyzing databases such as MEDLINE, EMBASE, and the Cochrane CENTRAL for randomized controlled trials that evaluated the efficacy of ezetimibe in lowering LDL-C levels and its influence on coronary atherosclerotic plaques among individuals with ACD. This review encompassed studies available until August 1, 2023. In our analysis, we employed the weighted mean difference (WMD) as the aggregated statistical measure, accompanied by the corresponding 95% confidence interval (CI).
RESULTS
We encompassed a total of 20 eligible studies. Our findings unveiled that the combined therapy involving ezetimibe alongside statins led to a more substantial absolute decrease in LDL-C in comparison to using statins alone. This difference in means amounted to (-14.06 mg/dl; 95% CI -18.0 to -10.0; = 0.0001). Furthermore, upon conducting subgroup analyses, it became evident that the intervention strategies proved effective in diminishing the volume of dense calcification (DC) in contrast to the control group.
CONCLUSIONS
Our study findings indicate that the inclusion of ezetimibe in conjunction with statin therapy leads to a modest yet meaningful additional reduction in LDL-C levels when compared to using statins in isolation. Importantly, the introduction of ezetimibe resulted in a significant decrease in the volume of DC. However, it is worth noting that further investigation is warranted to delve deeper into this phenomenon.
PubMed: 38075958
DOI: 10.3389/fcvm.2023.1269172 -
Environmental Health : a Global Access... Nov 2022Exposure to endocrine disruptors, such as phthalates, may impact bone mineral density (BMD) through a variety of mechanisms. Studies of phthalate exposure and BMD in... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
Exposure to endocrine disruptors, such as phthalates, may impact bone mineral density (BMD) through a variety of mechanisms. Studies of phthalate exposure and BMD in humans are scarce.
OBJECTIVES
To synthesize published data on the association between phthalate metabolites and BMD in humans and to provide methodological suggestions for future research.
METHODS
A single investigator searched PubMed for relevant studies, including observational studies of phthalate exposure and BMD in children and postmenopausal women. Twelve studies were screened with 5 meeting the eligibility criteria and included for review. A quality assessment form was used as a quality measure and key information was extracted from the included studies.
RESULTS
In one prospective study among postmenopausal women, higher levels of monocarboxyoctyl phthalate (MCOP) and monocarboxynonyl phthalate (MCNP) were significantly associated with lower BMD among nonusers of hormone therapy (HT). In cross-sectional studies of postmenopausal women, monoethyl phthalate (MEP), mono-n-butyl phthalate (MnBP), mono (3-carboxypropyl) phthalate (MCPP), and mono-benzyl phthalate (MBzP) were negatively associated with BMD, and MCNP was positively associated with BMD, but these results were not replicated across studies. In studies of fetal exposure to phthalates and childhood BMD, significant positive associations between MCPP and BMD in children at age 12 years were found in 1 study, while associations were null in the other study.
CONCLUSIONS
Studies among postmenopausal women provide suggestive evidence of an association between urinary phthalate metabolite concentration and decreased BMD. Results from studies of childhood BMD are inconclusive given the limited data and their limitations. More research is needed to address limitations and further investigate the association between phthalate exposure and human BMD.
Topics: Child; Female; Humans; Bone Density; Environmental Pollutants; Cross-Sectional Studies; Prospective Studies; Phthalic Acids; Environmental Exposure
PubMed: 36369032
DOI: 10.1186/s12940-022-00920-5 -
Antioxidants (Basel, Switzerland) Apr 2023Osteoporosis is characterized by a decline in bone mineral density (BMD) and increased fracture risk. Free radicals and antioxidant systems play a central role in bone... (Review)
Review
Osteoporosis is characterized by a decline in bone mineral density (BMD) and increased fracture risk. Free radicals and antioxidant systems play a central role in bone remodeling. This study was conducted to illustrate the role of oxidative-stress-related genes in BMD and osteoporosis. A systematic review was performed following the PRISMA guidelines. The search was computed in PubMed, Web of Sciences, Scopus, EBSCO, and BVS from inception to November 1st, 2022. The risk of bias was evaluated using the Joanna Briggs Institute Critical Appraisal Checklist tool. A total of 427 potentially eligible articles exploring this search question were detected. After removing duplicates (n = 112) and excluding irrelevant manuscripts based on screenings of their titles and abstracts (n = 317), 19 articles were selected for full-text review. Finally, 14 original articles were included in this systematic review after we applied the exclusion and inclusion criteria. Data analyzed in this systematic review indicated that oxidative-stress-related genetic polymorphisms are associated with BMD at different skeletal sites in diverse populations, influencing the risk of osteoporosis or osteoporotic fracture. However, it is necessary to look deep into their association with bone metabolism to determine if the findings can be translated into the clinical management of osteoporosis and its progression.
PubMed: 37107290
DOI: 10.3390/antiox12040915 -
Sao Paulo Medical Journal = Revista... 2023Osteoporosis compromises bone strength and increases the risk of fractures. Zoledronate prevents loss of bone mass and reduces the risk of fractures. (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
BACKGROUND
Osteoporosis compromises bone strength and increases the risk of fractures. Zoledronate prevents loss of bone mass and reduces the risk of fractures.
OBJECTIVES
To determine the efficacy and safety of zoledronate in postmenopausal women with osteopenia and osteoporosis.
DESIGN AND SETTINGS
A systematic review and meta-analysis was conducted within the evidence-based health program at the Universidade Federal de São Paulo.
METHODS
An electronic search of the CENTRAL, MEDLINE, Embase, and LILACS databases was performed until February 2022. Randomized controlled trials comparing zoledronate with placebo or other bisphosphonates were included. Standard methodological procedures were performed according to the Cochrane Handbook and the certainty of evidence for the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation Working Group. Two authors assessed the risk of bias and extracted data on fractures, adverse events, bone turnover markers (BTM), and bone mineral density (BMD).
RESULTS
Twelve trials from 6,652 records were included: nine compared zoledronate with placebo, two trials compared zoledronate with alendronate, and one trial compared zoledronate with ibandronate. Zoledronate reduced the incidence of fractures in osteoporotic [three years: morphometric vertebral fractures (relative risk, RR = 0.30 (95% confidence interval, CI: 0.24-0.38))] and osteopenic women [six years: morphometric vertebral fractures (RR = 0.39 (95%CI: 0.25-0.61))], increased incidence of post-dose symptoms [RR = 2.56 (95%CI: 1.80-3.65)], but not serious adverse events [RR = 0.97 (95%CI: 0.91-1.04)]. Zoledronate reduced BTM and increased BMD in osteoporotic and osteopenic women.
CONCLUSION
This review supports the efficacy and safety of zoledronate in postmenopausal women with osteopenia for six years and osteoporosis for three years.
PROSPERO REGISTRATION NUMBER
CRD42022309708, https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/display_record.php?RecordID=309708.
Topics: Female; Humans; Zoledronic Acid; Bone Density Conservation Agents; Postmenopause; Brazil; Osteoporosis; Fractures, Bone; Bone Density; Osteoporosis, Postmenopausal
PubMed: 37255065
DOI: 10.1590/1516-3180.2022.0480.R1.27032023 -
Iranian Journal of Public Health Jan 2024Leptin has a great effect on bone through direct or indirect involvement in bone remodeling. Considering the ambiguities that exist regarding the effect of leptin on... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
Leptin has a great effect on bone through direct or indirect involvement in bone remodeling. Considering the ambiguities that exist regarding the effect of leptin on bone and bone-related diseases including osteoporosis, in this study, we aimed to conduct a systematic review of various studies on the effect of leptin on osteoporosis, which may find an answer to the existing ambiguities.
METHODS
The search was performed to review studies on the effects of leptin on osteoporosis by using several databases including Scopus, PubMed, Web of Science, and Google Scholar. Electronic searches were conducted on 5 Jan 2023. There was no limit on the publication date of the articles. The risk of bias for the animal study was assessed with the CAMARADES checklist, and the study quality assessment was also assessed based on the guidelines for in vivo experiments (ARRIVE). In this study, the risk of bias (quality) of human studies was assessed using the quality assessment checklists by NHLBI.
RESULTS
Overall, 34 articles were included for data extraction and quality assessment. Overall, 27 human studies and seven animal studies were included in the article. The results of most of the studies conducted in this study showed that leptin has a physiological role in maintaining bone mass and better bone quality and reduces bone marrow adipogenesis and increases bone mineral density (BMD). As plasma leptin levels increased, BMD values or bone formation biomarkers increased.
CONCLUSION
Leptin has an inhibitory role against bone resorption and increasing osteoprotegerin (OPG) levels, which, as a result, maintains bone density and reduces osteoclast activity, and has a positive relationship with increasing osteocalcin.
PubMed: 38694865
DOI: 10.18502/ijph.v53i1.14686 -
International Journal of Cardiology.... Dec 2021Coronary artery disease (CAD) and osteoporosis both cause significant morbidity and mortality. Recent interest in inflammation and the bone-vascular axis suggests a... (Review)
Review
Coronary artery disease (CAD) and osteoporosis both cause significant morbidity and mortality. Recent interest in inflammation and the bone-vascular axis suggests a mechanistic link between the two conditions. This review and meta-analysis was conducted to examine the potential association between low bone mineral density (BMD) and CAD in adults. Two authors searched for studies that examined the association between low BMD and CAD. Risk of bias assessment was conducted using the modified Newcastle Ottawa score. Ten studies were selected from the 2258 unique records identified. Pooled analysis showed a significant association between low BMD and CAD (OR 1.65, 95%CI 1.37-2.39, p < 0.01). Subgroup analysis investigating males and females separately was not significant. The subgroup analyses looking for any differences across geographic locations and differences between coronary imaging modalities were also negative. Studies with adjusted ORs (n = 4) were also pooled (OR 3.01, 95%CI 0.91-9.99, p = 0.07). Low BMD is associated with CAD; however, it is unclear whether this result is confounded by common risk factors given the heterogeneity between study populations and methodologies. Further large-scale epidemiological studies are required.
PubMed: 34746361
DOI: 10.1016/j.ijcha.2021.100891 -
Frontiers in Endocrinology 2023To assess the alterations in bone mineral density and bone turnover marker concentrations following the administration of denosumab and romosozumab therapies in patients... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
PURPOSE
To assess the alterations in bone mineral density and bone turnover marker concentrations following the administration of denosumab and romosozumab therapies in patients with osteoporosis.
METHODS
PubMed was searched for studies published until January 28, 2023, that investigated the clinical efficacy and bone turnover marker changes of denosumab and romosozumab in the treatment of osteoporosis, with a minimum follow-up of 3 months in each study. Studies were screened, and data on changes in bone mineral density (BMD), P1NP, and TRACP-5b levels after treatment were extracted and included in the analysis.
RESULTS
Six studies were analyzed. At 3 months after treatment, the romosozumab group showed greater changes in lumbar BMD and bone turnover markers. BMD of total hip and femoral neck was relatively delayed. Beginning at 6 to 12 months, romosozumab showed greater changes in bone mineral density and markers of bone turnover.
CONCLUSION
Both romosozumab and denosumab have antiosteoporotic effects, with greater effects on BMD and bone turnover markers observed within 12 months of romosozumab treatment.
SYSTEMATIC REVIEW REGISTRATION
https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero, identifier CRD42023395034.
Topics: Humans; Bone Density; Denosumab; Bone Density Conservation Agents; Osteoporosis
PubMed: 37529613
DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2023.1188969 -
Frontiers in Neurology 2021Approximately 10-20% of patients WITH myasthenia gravis (MG) are refractory to conventional immunotherapies. The purpose of this study was to conduct a systematic...
Approximately 10-20% of patients WITH myasthenia gravis (MG) are refractory to conventional immunotherapies. The purpose of this study was to conduct a systematic review and meta-analysis to explore the optimal therapies for refractory MG. Correlative studies were performed through a search in PubMed, Cochrane Library, and Embase databases. The primary outcome was defined by changes in the quantitative myasthenia gravis score (QMG). Secondary outcomes were defined by the Myasthenia Gravis Activities of Daily Living Scale (MG-ADL), Myasthenia Gravis Foundation of America (MGFA) post intervention status, adverse events, and disease exacerbation after treatment. A total of 16 studies were included with 403 patients with refractory MG on therapies with rituximab, eculizumab, tacrolimus, and cladribine. Therapeutic efficacy of rituximab and eculizumab was identified with an estimated reduction in QMG score (4.158 vs. 6.928) and MG-ADL (4.400 vs. 4.344), respectively. No significant changes were revealed in efficacy or exacerbation density between the two independent therapeutic cohorts. The estimated adverse event density of eculizumab was more significant than that in the rituximab group (1.195 vs. 0.134 per patient-year), while the estimated serious event density was similar. The efficacy and safety of rituximab and eculizumab have been approved in patients with refractory MG. Rituximab had a superior safety profile than eculizumab with a lower incidence of adverse events. https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/display_record.php?ID=CRD42021236818, identifier CRD42021236818.
PubMed: 34925206
DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2021.725700 -
Atherosclerosis Plus Dec 2023To systematically investigate all relevant evidence on the association between high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) and multiple myeloma (MM).
BACKGROUND AND AIMS
To systematically investigate all relevant evidence on the association between high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) and multiple myeloma (MM).
METHODS
We searched PubMed and Cochrane library databases (up to 20 September 2022) for studies with evidence on HDL-C in patients with MM. A qualitative synthesis of published prospective and retrospective studies for the role of HDL-C and other lipid profile parameters in MM was performed. Additionally, a meta-analysis on HDL-C mean differences (MD) between MM cases and controls was performed.
RESULTS
Fourteen studies (3 prospective, 11 retrospective) including 895 MM patients were eligible for this systematic review. Ten studies compared HDL-C levels in MM patients with healthy controls. In these 10 studies (n = 17,213), pooled analyses showed that MM patients had significantly lower HDL-C levels compared to healthy controls (MD: -13.07 mg/dl, 95% CI: -17.83, -8.32, p < 0.00001). Regarding secondary endpoints, total cholesterol (TC) (MD: -22.19 mg/dl, 95% CI: -39.08, -5.30) and apolipoprotein A-I (apoA-I) (-40.20 mg/dl, 95% CI: -55.00, -25.39) demonstrated significant decreases, while differences in low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) (MD: -11.33 mg/dl, 95% CI: -36.95, 14.30) and triglycerides (MD: 9.93 mg/dl, 95% CI: -3.40, 23.26) were not shown to be significant.
CONCLUSIONS
HDL-C, as well as TC and apoA-I, levels are significantly decreased in MM. Hence, lipid profile parameters should be taken into account when assessing such patients.
PubMed: 37780686
DOI: 10.1016/j.athplu.2023.09.003 -
The British Journal of Psychiatry : the... Dec 2021An 'ethnic' or 'group' density effect in psychosis has been observed, whereby the risk of psychosis in minority group individuals is inversely related to... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
BACKGROUND
An 'ethnic' or 'group' density effect in psychosis has been observed, whereby the risk of psychosis in minority group individuals is inversely related to neighbourhood-level proportions of others belonging to the same group. However, there is conflicting evidence over whether this effect differs between minority groups and limited investigation into other moderators.
AIMS
To conduct a comprehensive systematic review and meta-analysis of the group density effect in psychosis and examine moderators.
METHOD
Four databases were systematically searched. A narrative review was conducted and a three-level meta-analysis was performed. The potential moderating effect of crudely and specifically defined minority groups was assessed. Country, time, area size and whether studies used clinical or non-clinical outcomes were also tested as moderators.
RESULTS
Thirty-two studies were included in the narrative review and ten in the meta-analysis. A 10 percentage-point decrease in own-group density was associated with a 20% increase in psychosis risk (OR = 1.20, 95% CI 1.09-1.32, P < 0.001). This was moderated by crudely defined minority groups (F6,68 = 6.86, P < 0.001), with the strongest associations observed in Black populations, followed by a White Other sample. Greater heterogeneity was observed when specific minority groups were assessed (F25,49 = 7.26, P < 0.001).
CONCLUSIONS
This is the first review to provide meta-analytic evidence that the risk of psychosis posed by lower own-group density varies across minority groups, with the strongest associations observed in Black individuals. Heterogeneity in effect sizes may reflect distinctive social experiences of specific minority groups. Potential mechanisms are discussed, along with the implications of findings and suggestions for future research.
Topics: Black People; Ethnicity; Humans; Minority Groups; Psychotic Disorders; Residence Characteristics
PubMed: 35048877
DOI: 10.1192/bjp.2021.96