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Orthopaedic Surgery Jan 2023Hyaluronic acid (HA) intra-articular injection after arthroscopic knee surgery has been widely applied but its efficacy and safety remain controversial. The aim of this... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
OBJECTIVE
Hyaluronic acid (HA) intra-articular injection after arthroscopic knee surgery has been widely applied but its efficacy and safety remain controversial. The aim of this systematic review is to analyze the efficacy and safety of HA intra-articular injection after arthroscopic knee surgery, and to compare the efficacy of HA with different molecular weights.
METHODS
We conducted a systematic literature search in PubMed, Embase, Google scholar and the Cochrane library from inception to 16 September 2022 for English-written articles, in order to identify randomized controlled trials that evaluated the clinical efficacy and/or safety of HA intra-articular injection after arthroscopic knee surgery. Then we meta-analyzed the outcomes of patients given intra-articular HA injections postoperatively and control patients. We also evaluated the influence of HA with different molecular weights. In every calculation, sensitive analysis was performed. The visual analogue scale (VAS) for pain, Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) and adverse events were selected as the primary outcome measurements, while Lysholm, International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC) and Tegner score were selected as the secondary outcome measurements. Publication bias of every outcome was evaluated using egger test.
RESULTS
Fifteen studies involving 951 knees were included and 12 of them were used to performed the meta-analysis. The results showed no significant difference between the HA group and control group according to VAS, whether assessed at less (P = 0.90) or more than 6 months (P = 0.55). Besides, there were no statistical differences between the HA group and control group according to subgroup analysis (Ps = 0.77, 0.91 and 0.81 in anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction, meniscectomy and overall groups, respectively). Compared to control group, the overall effect of WOMAC score showed no significant differences (P = 0.25), nor did in two subgroups (P = 0.37 and P = 0.22). Outcomes measured by Lysholm (P = 0.13), IKDC (P = 0.86) and Tegner (P = 0.42) scores showed no significant differences, either. The analysis of the risk of adverse events indicated no increase in HA groups (P = 0.06). We found no significant differences between high- and low-molecular-weight HA at 6 (P = 0.96) or 12 months (P = 0.93) postoperatively. Two studies failed to pass the sensitive analysis and the reasons were discussed detailly and acceptable publication bias was observed.
CONCLUSIONS
Although HA injection after arthroscopic knee surgery is safe, the available evidence does not support its efficacy in pain relief and functional recovery. Therefore, the application of HA injection after arthroscopic knee surgery is not recommended.
Topics: Humans; Hyaluronic Acid; Osteoarthritis, Knee; Injections, Intra-Articular; Knee Joint; Pain; Treatment Outcome; Platelet-Rich Plasma
PubMed: 36411508
DOI: 10.1111/os.13602 -
PeerJ 2024This systematic review and meta-analysis aims to explore the potential impact of the route of administration on the efficacy of therapies and occurrence of adverse... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
The impact of the route of administration on the efficacy and safety of the drug therapy for patent ductus arteriosus in premature infants: a systematic review and meta-analysis.
BACKGROUND
This systematic review and meta-analysis aims to explore the potential impact of the route of administration on the efficacy of therapies and occurrence of adverse events when administering medications to premature infants with patent ductus arteriosus (PDA).
METHOD
The protocol for this review has been registered with PROSPERO (CRD 42022324598). We searched relevant studies in PubMed, Embase, Cochrane, and the Web of Science databases from March 26, 1996, to January 31, 2022.
RESULTS
A total of six randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and five observational studies were included for analysis, involving 630 premature neonates in total. Among these infants, 480 were in the ibuprofen group (oral intravenous routes), 78 in the paracetamol group (oral intravenous routes), and 72 in the ibuprofen group (rectal oral routes). Our meta-analysis revealed a significant difference in the rate of PDA closure between the the initial course of oral ibuprofen and intravenous ibuprofen groups (relative risk (RR) = 1.27, 95% confidence interval (CI) [1.13-1.44]; < 0.0001, = 0%). In contrast, the meta-analysis of paracetamol administration via oral versus intravenous routes showed no significant difference in PDA closure rates (RR = 0.86, 95% CI [0.38-1.91]; = 0.71, = 76%). However, there was no statistically significant difference in the risk of adverse events or the need for surgical intervention among various drug administration methods after the complete course of drug therapy.
CONCLUSION
This meta-analysis evaluated the safety and effectiveness of different medication routes for treating PDA in premature infants. Our analysis results revealed that compared with intravenous administration, oral ibuprofen may offer certain advantages in closing PDA without increasing the risk of adverse events. Conversely, the use of paracetamol demonstrated no significant difference in PDA closure and the risk of adverse events between oral and intravenous administration.
Topics: Infant, Newborn; Humans; Ductus Arteriosus, Patent; Ibuprofen; Indomethacin; Cyclooxygenase Inhibitors; Infant, Low Birth Weight; Acetaminophen; Infant, Premature
PubMed: 38304184
DOI: 10.7717/peerj.16591 -
Advances in Therapy Jan 2023Short-acting β-agonist (SABA) reliever overuse is common in asthma, despite availability of inhaled corticosteroid (ICS)-based maintenance therapies, and may be... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
INTRODUCTION
Short-acting β-agonist (SABA) reliever overuse is common in asthma, despite availability of inhaled corticosteroid (ICS)-based maintenance therapies, and may be associated with increased risk of adverse events (AEs). This systematic literature review (SLR) and meta-analysis aimed to investigate the safety and tolerability of SABA reliever monotherapy for adults and adolescents with asthma, through analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and real-world evidence.
METHODS
An SLR of English-language publications between January 1996 and December 2021 included RCTs and observational studies of patients aged ≥ 12 years treated with inhaled SABA reliever monotherapy (fixed dose or as needed) for ≥ 4 weeks. Studies of terbutaline and fenoterol were excluded. Meta-analysis feasibility was dependent on cross-trial data comparability. A random-effects model estimated rates of mortality, serious AEs (SAEs), and discontinuation due to AEs (DAEs) for as-needed and fixed-dose SABA treatment groups. ICS monotherapy and SABA therapy were compared using a fixed-effects model.
RESULTS
Forty-two studies were identified by the SLR for assessment of feasibility. Final meta-analysis included 24 RCTs. Too few observational studies (n = 2) were available for inclusion in the meta-analysis. One death unrelated to treatment was reported in each of the ICS, ICS + LABA, and fixed-dose SABA groups. No other treatment-related deaths were reported. SAE and DAE rates were < 4%. DAEs were reported more frequently in the SABA treatment groups than with ICS, potentially owing to worsening asthma symptoms being classified as an AE. SAE risk was comparable between SABA and ICS treatments.
CONCLUSIONS
Meta-analysis of data from RCTs showed that deaths were rare with SABA reliever monotherapy, and rates of SAEs and DAEs were comparable between SABA reliever and ICS treatment groups. When used appropriately within prescribed limits as reliever therapy, SABA does not contribute to excess rates of mortality, SAEs, or DAEs.
Topics: Adult; Adolescent; Humans; Ethanolamines; Asthma; Terbutaline; Adrenal Cortex Hormones; Drug Therapy, Combination; Administration, Inhalation; Anti-Asthmatic Agents
PubMed: 36348141
DOI: 10.1007/s12325-022-02356-2 -
Respiratory Medicine 2023Many inhaler devices are currently used in clinical practice to deliver medication, with each inhaler device offering different benefits to overcome technique issues.... (Review)
Review
Many inhaler devices are currently used in clinical practice to deliver medication, with each inhaler device offering different benefits to overcome technique issues. Inhaler technique remains poor, contributing to reduced airway drug deposition and consequently poor disease control. Scoring inhaler technique has been used within research as an outcome measure of inhaler technique assessment, and this systematic review collates and evaluates these scoring methods. The review protocol was prospectively registered in PROSPERO (CRD42020218869). A total of 172 articles were screened with 77 included, and the results presented using narrative synthesis due to the heterogeneity of the study design and data. The most frequently used scoring method awarded one point per step in the inhaler technique checklist and was included in 59/77 (77%) of articles; however limited and varied guidance was provided for score interpretation. Other inhaler technique scoring methods included grading the final inhaler technique score, expressing the total score as a percentage/ratio, deducting points from the final score when errors were made, and weighting steps within the checklist depending on how crucial the step was. Vast heterogeneity in the number of steps and content in the inhaler technique checklists was observed across all device types (range 5-19 steps). Only 4/77 (5%) of the inhaler technique measures had undertaken fundamental steps required in the scale development process for use in real world practice. This review demonstrates the demand for a tool that measures inhaler technique and highlights the current unmet need for one that has undergone validation.
Topics: Humans; Research Design; Administration, Inhalation; Nebulizers and Vaporizers; Checklist; Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive
PubMed: 37890639
DOI: 10.1016/j.rmed.2023.107430 -
International Journal of Environmental... Jan 2022Inferior alveolar nerve (IAN) block injections are commonly used in clinical practice, but they are not free from complications. The aim of the present systematic review... (Review)
Review
Inferior alveolar nerve (IAN) block injections are commonly used in clinical practice, but they are not free from complications. The aim of the present systematic review is to assess the nerve-related adverse effects of IAN block anesthesia. A structured and systematic search was performed on the major electronic databases (PubMed, Cochrane Library, Web of Science, Scopus and CINAHL) for studies published in English until 30 September 2021. A total of 131 articles were identified through database searching using combinations of keywords. Fifteen papers were included and assessed for eligibility. Overall, nerve damage following an IAN block anesthesia injection is a rare occurrence, probably due to the direct nerve trauma of the needle, a neurotoxic effect of the used anesthetic solution and/or a combination of them. From a medico-legal point of view, a balanced discussion prior to nerve block anesthesia should be pursued in order to avoid patients' reluctance to undergo necessary dental treatment due to the remote eventuality of nerve injury.
Topics: Anesthetics, Local; Humans; Injections; Mandible; Mandibular Nerve; Nerve Block
PubMed: 35162650
DOI: 10.3390/ijerph19031627 -
Scientific Reports Sep 2023Cancer-related anorexia/cachexia syndrome (CACS) is characterized by anorexia and loss of body weight. Evidence is insufficient to strongly endorse any pharmacologic... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
Cancer-related anorexia/cachexia syndrome (CACS) is characterized by anorexia and loss of body weight. Evidence is insufficient to strongly endorse any pharmacologic agent for the treatment of CACS. In this systematic review, we assessed the efficacy of oral anamorelin treatment for patients with CACS. On July 6, 2022, we systematically searched the following databases for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of adults with CACS comparing oral anamorelin versus placebo: CENTRAL, PubMed, EMBASE, and ICHUSHI. The primary outcomes were total body weight (TBW), patient-reported quality of life (QOL), and adverse events (AEs). Secondary outcomes included lean body mass (LBM), overall survival (OS), non-dominant hand grip strength (HGS), and appetite. We included seven RCTs with a total of 1944 CACS patients. Anamorelin significantly increased TBW (mean difference (MD) 1.73, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.34-2.13, p < 0.00001), LBM (MD 1.06, 95% CI 0.30-1.81, p = 0.006), and QOL (standardized mean difference (SMD) 0.16, 95% CI 0.04-0.27, p = 0.006) compared with placebo without a significant difference in all AEs, severe AEs, OS, HGS or appetite. Anamorelin may be an effective treatment for CACS patients; however, further studies are needed to confirm the efficacy and safety of this drug.
Topics: Adult; Humans; Anorexia; Cachexia; Neoplasms; Administration, Oral
PubMed: 37709824
DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-42446-x -
Pain Physician Dec 2022Cervical epidural steroid injection (ESI) has been used to alleviate axial or radicular pain incurred from various cervical pathologies, including herniated... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
Comparison of Clinical Efficacy of Transforaminal and Interlaminar Epidural Steroid Injection in Radicular Pain due to Cervical Diseases: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.
BACKGROUND
Cervical epidural steroid injection (ESI) has been used to alleviate axial or radicular pain incurred from various cervical pathologies, including herniated intervertebral disc (HIVD) and spinal stenosis (SS). However, the superiority of the transforaminal ESI (TFESI) method over the interlaminar ESI (ILESI) in terms of clinical effectiveness for the radicular pain is still controversial.
OBJECTIVES
This study has compared TFESI and ILESI in terms of clinical effectiveness, such as pain control and functional improvement, as well as the incidence of adverse events in patients with radicular pain secondary to cervical HIVD or SS.
STUDY DESIGN
A systematic review and meta-analysis.
SETTING
Primary clinic and tertiary referral center.
METHODS
A literature search was performed using Medline (PubMed), Embase, Cochrane Review, and KoreaMed databases from the studies published until March 2022. After reviewing titles, abstracts, and full texts of 371 studies during the initial database search, 6 studies were included in a qualitative and quantitative synthesis. Data, including pain score, functional score, and adverse events were extracted from 6 studies and were analyzed using a random-effects model to obtain effect size and its statistical significance. Quality assessment and evidence level were established in accordance with the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation methodology.
RESULTS
Among 6 studies, including 4 randomized controlled trials (RCTs), only 1 RCT showed that TFESI achieved a significant lower Numeric Rating Scale (NRS-11) at 1 month than ILESI, but no advantage in the NRS-11 at 3 months and the Neck Disability Index at 1 month and 3 months, respectively. Another RCT indicated that ILESI achieved significantly more neck NRS-11 reduction at 1 month and 3 months than TFESI. The other 4 studies revealed no significant difference between the 2 groups. A meta-analysis showed no significance in clinical outcomes, except that ultrasound-guided TFESI featured less intravascular leakage of contrast than ILESI. The level of evidence was low because of inconsistency and imprecision.
LIMITATIONS
The feasible clinical heterogeneity from the relatively small number of patients included as well as differences in methodology across the studies.
CONCLUSIONS
Comprehensive reviews of selected articles revealed TFESI could not be recommended over ILESI for the sake of a preferential cervical radiculopathy control due to the weak evidential strength.
Topics: Humans; Low Back Pain; Injections, Epidural; Pain Management; Spinal Stenosis; Treatment Outcome; Radiculopathy; Steroids
PubMed: 36608007
DOI: No ID Found -
European Journal of Cardio-thoracic... Oct 2023Literature is scarce on the management of patients using direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) undergoing elective, urgent and emergency surgery. Therefore, we summarize... (Review)
Review
OBJECTIVES
Literature is scarce on the management of patients using direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) undergoing elective, urgent and emergency surgery. Therefore, we summarize the current evidence and provide literature-based recommendations for the management of patients on DOACs in the perioperative phase.
METHODS
A general literature review was conducted on the pharmacology of DOACs and for recommendations on the management of cardiac surgical patients on DOACs. Additionally, we performed a systematic review for studies on the use of direct DOAC reversal agents in the emergency cardiac surgical setting.
RESULTS
When surgery is elective, the DOAC cessation strategy is relatively straightforward and should be adapted to the renal function. The same approach applies to urgent cases, but additional DOAC activity drug level monitoring tests may be useful. In emergency cases, idarucizumab can be safely administered to patients on dabigatran in any of the perioperative phases. However, andexanet alfa, which is not registered for perioperative use, should not be administered in the preoperative phase to reverse the effect of factor Xa inhibitors, as it may induce temporary heparin resistance. Finally, the administration of (activated) prothrombin complex concentrate may be considered in all patients on DOACs, and such concentrates are generally readily available.
CONCLUSIONS
DOACs offer several advantages over vitamin K antagonists, but care must be taken in patients undergoing cardiac surgery. Although elective and urgent cases can be managed relatively straightforwardly, the management of emergency cases requires particular attention.
Topics: Humans; Administration, Oral; Anticoagulants; Cardiac Surgical Procedures; Dabigatran; Hemorrhage; Heparin
PubMed: 37812245
DOI: 10.1093/ejcts/ezad340 -
Neuroscience and Biobehavioral Reviews Nov 2022The last couple of decades have witnessed a rapid accumulation of studies implicating oxytocin (OT) in several neurobiological underpinnings of human behaviour and their... (Review)
Review
The last couple of decades have witnessed a rapid accumulation of studies implicating oxytocin (OT) in several neurobiological underpinnings of human behaviour and their impairment in psychiatric illness. Specifically, a neuroimaging genetics approach is helping elucidate the impact of variations in OT pathway genes on the human brain. In this review, we provide the first systematic account and discussion of all previous findings arising from human neuroimaging (epi)genetic studies of OT-related genes. To improve our mechanistic interpretation of such findings, we used data from the Genotype-Tissue Expression project to explore the functional impact the genetic variations may have on the human transcriptome. As a result, we provide an up-to-date summary of brain circuits found to be impacted by OT-relevant (epi)genetic variability, map brain pathways linking OT genes to disease, and highlight several (epi)genetic factors that modulate brain responses to intranasal OT. Finally, we provide some suggestions we believe might improve future research in the field.
Topics: Humans; Administration, Intranasal; Brain; Neuroimaging; Oxytocin; Transcriptome
PubMed: 36228928
DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2022.104912 -
Eye (London, England) Jan 2023This study aimed to compare efficacy and treatment burden of treat-and-extend (T&E) anti-VEGF against fixed and pro re nata (PRN) regimens for neovascular age-related... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
This study aimed to compare efficacy and treatment burden of treat-and-extend (T&E) anti-VEGF against fixed and pro re nata (PRN) regimens for neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nAMD). MEDLINE, CENTRAL, and EMBASE were searched. Randomized-controlled trials and observational studies comparing T&E to PRN or fixed dosing for treatment-naïve AMD patients were included. Mean difference (MD) for visual acuity (VA) and number of injections are presented. Risk of bias was assessed according to Cochrane guidelines. Methodology was conducted in accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA). VA improvement was similar with T&E and fixed dosing at one (MD -0.08 letters, p = 0.95) and two years (MD 0.58 letters, p = 0.62). In contrast, VA improvements were significantly greater for T&E when compared against a PRN regimen at one (MD 3.95 letters, p < 0.0001) and two years (MD 4.08 letters, p < 0.001). Significantly fewer ranibizumab injections were administered in the T&E arm at one (MD -2.42 injections, p < 0.0001) and two years (MD -6.06 injections, p < 0.00001) relative to fixed dosing. Fewer aflibercept injections were likewise administered to patients on a T&E regimen versus fixed dosing at one year (MD -0.78 injections, p < 0.0001). Low-certainty evidence from the present synthesis implies that T&E preserves VA similar to fixed schedules with significantly fewer injections at one and two years. Also, patients with T&E dosing achieved better VA outcomes than those on PRN regimen but T&E dosing was associated with more injections.
Topics: Humans; Angiogenesis Inhibitors; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A; Ranibizumab; Receptors, Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor; Clinical Protocols; Intravitreal Injections; Treatment Outcome; Recombinant Fusion Proteins; Wet Macular Degeneration; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic
PubMed: 35396574
DOI: 10.1038/s41433-022-02020-7