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Journal of Dentistry Nov 2022To systematically retrieve and assess studies regarding the effectiveness of basic behavioral management techniques (BMTs) in pediatric patients. (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
OBJECTIVE
To systematically retrieve and assess studies regarding the effectiveness of basic behavioral management techniques (BMTs) in pediatric patients.
DATA SOURCES
Electronic and hand searches were conducted to locate Randomized Controlled Trials (RCTs) reporting on objective and subjective evaluation of anxiety and behavior of children up to 12 years of age. Data extraction and risk of bias evaluation, using the Cochrane risk of bias tool (RoB 2.0 Tool), were performed independently and in duplicate for all included studies. Mean differences and standard deviations were used to summarize the data from each study and meta-analyses were conducted with studies of limited heterogeneity.
STUDY SELECTION
A total of 708 papers were identified and screened, 122 retrieved for full text appraisal and 62 finally included. Results suggested that all basic BMTs have acceptable effectiveness on pediatric patients' anxiety, fear and behavior during dental treatment. Meta-analysis showed a statistically significant difference in favor of distraction for subjective anxiety using Facial scale (Mean diff.: 2.78; 95% CI: -3.08, -0.53; p = 0.005) and Modified Child Dental Anxiety Scale (Mean diff.: 12.76; 95% CI: -6.09, -4.47; p = 0.001) and a non-significant difference for heart rate (Mean diff.: 1.70; 95% CI: -6.54, 0.46; p = 0.09). Music significantly reduced heart rate when compared to a control comparator, underlining the superiority of the BMT (Mean diff.: 2.71; 95% CI: -3.70, -0.59; p = 0.007).
CONCLUSIONS
Limited evidence about efficacy of one technique over another raises important issues on the topic for future research regarding the management of the child patient in the dental setting of the 21st century.
CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE
Behavioral management comprises a challenge for clinicians, who need to be familiar with a range of techniques to meet patients' needs at individual level and be flexible in their implementation. Appropriate technique should incorporate patients' personality and parents' active involvement, within the contents of the changes in modern societies.
Topics: Child; Humans; Pediatric Dentistry; Anxiety; Anxiety Disorders
PubMed: 36152953
DOI: 10.1016/j.jdent.2022.104303 -
Healthcare (Basel, Switzerland) Jun 2023(1) Background: Molar-incisor hypomineralization (MIH) is a clinical condition affecting permanent teeth in children, with a documented rising trend in the last two... (Review)
Review
(1) Background: Molar-incisor hypomineralization (MIH) is a clinical condition affecting permanent teeth in children, with a documented rising trend in the last two decades. The aim of the present study was to analyze and synthesize the available evidence on caries experience (dmft/DMFT) and MIH in children. (2) Methods: A systematic review and meta-analysis were conducted according to the PRISMA statement. (3) Results: 59 papers published between 2007 and 2022 were included in the qualitative synthesis and 18 in the meta-analysis. The total sample of subjects was 17,717 (mean: 896), of which 2378 (13.4%) had MIH (mean: 119), with a girl/boy ratio of 1:1. The mean age of the enrolled participants was 8.6 (age range 7-10 years). Meta-analysis showed that MIH has a positive correlation with both dmft (effect size of 0.67, 95% CI [0.15, 1.19]) and DMFT (effect size of 0.56, 95% CI [0.41, 0.72]); (4) Conclusions: Children with MIH should be diagnosed correctly and on time. Treatment and management options for moderate and severe forms of MIH should consider prognosis based on known risk factors, and secondary and tertiary prevention policies should also consider the multifactorial nature of caries etiology.
PubMed: 37372913
DOI: 10.3390/healthcare11121795 -
The Cochrane Database of Systematic... Mar 2023Individuals with pulmonary hypertension (PH) have reduced exercise capacity and quality of life. Despite initial concerns that exercise training may worsen symptoms in... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
Individuals with pulmonary hypertension (PH) have reduced exercise capacity and quality of life. Despite initial concerns that exercise training may worsen symptoms in this group, several studies have reported improvements in functional capacity and well-being following exercise-based rehabilitation.
OBJECTIVES
To evaluate the benefits and harms of exercise-based rehabilitation for people with PH compared with usual care or no exercise-based rehabilitation.
SEARCH METHODS
We used standard, extensive Cochrane search methods. The latest search date was 28 June 2022.
SELECTION CRITERIA
We included randomised controlled trials (RCTs) in people with PH comparing supervised exercise-based rehabilitation programmes with usual care or no exercise-based rehabilitation.
DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS
We used standard Cochrane methods. Our primary outcomes were 1. exercise capacity, 2. serious adverse events during the intervention period and 3. health-related quality of life (HRQoL). Our secondary outcomes were 4. cardiopulmonary haemodynamics, 5. Functional Class, 6. clinical worsening during follow-up, 7. mortality and 8. changes in B-type natriuretic peptide. We used GRADE to assess certainty of evidence.
MAIN RESULTS
We included eight new studies in the current review, which now includes 14 RCTs. We extracted data from 11 studies. The studies had low- to moderate-certainty evidence with evidence downgraded due to inconsistencies in the data and performance bias. The total number of participants in meta-analyses comparing exercise-based rehabilitation to control groups was 462. The mean age of the participants in the 14 RCTs ranged from 35 to 68 years. Most participants were women and classified as Group I pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH). Study durations ranged from 3 to 25 weeks. Exercise-based programmes included both inpatient- and outpatient-based rehabilitation that incorporated both upper and lower limb exercise. The mean six-minute walk distance following exercise-based rehabilitation was 48.52 metres higher than control (95% confidence interval (CI) 33.42 to 63.62; I² = 72%; 11 studies, 418 participants; low-certainty evidence), the mean peak oxygen uptake was 2.07 mL/kg/min higher than control (95% CI 1.57 to 2.57; I² = 67%; 7 studies, 314 participants; low-certainty evidence) and the mean peak power was 9.69 W higher than control (95% CI 5.52 to 13.85; I² = 71%; 5 studies, 226 participants; low-certainty evidence). Three studies reported five serious adverse events; however, exercise-based rehabilitation was not associated with an increased risk of serious adverse event (risk difference 0, 95% CI -0.03 to 0.03; I² = 0%; 11 studies, 439 participants; moderate-certainty evidence). The mean change in HRQoL for the 36-item Short Form (SF-36) Physical Component Score was 3.98 points higher (95% CI 1.89 to 6.07; I² = 38%; 5 studies, 187 participants; moderate-certainty evidence) and for the SF-36 Mental Component Score was 3.60 points higher (95% CI 1.21 to 5.98 points; I² = 0%; 5 RCTs, 186 participants; moderate-certainty evidence). There were similar effects in the subgroup analyses for participants with Group 1 PH versus studies of groups with mixed PH. Two studies reported mean reduction in mean pulmonary arterial pressure following exercise-based rehabilitation (mean reduction: 9.29 mmHg, 95% CI -12.96 to -5.61; I² = 0%; 2 studies, 133 participants; low-certainty evidence).
AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS
In people with PH, supervised exercise-based rehabilitation may result in a large increase in exercise capacity. Changes in exercise capacity remain heterogeneous and cannot be explained by subgroup analysis. It is likely that exercise-based rehabilitation increases HRQoL and is probably not associated with an increased risk of a serious adverse events. Exercise training may result in a large reduction in mean pulmonary arterial pressure. Overall, we assessed the certainty of the evidence to be low for exercise capacity and mean pulmonary arterial pressure, and moderate for HRQoL and adverse events. Future RCTs are needed to inform the application of exercise-based rehabilitation across the spectrum of people with PH, including those with chronic thromboembolic PH, PH with left-sided heart disease and those with more severe disease.
Topics: Female; Humans; Adult; Middle Aged; Aged; Male; Hypertension, Pulmonary; Exercise Therapy; Quality of Life; Exercise; Bias
PubMed: 36947725
DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD011285.pub3 -
JSES International Mar 2022There is an ongoing controversy regarding the nonoperative treatment of lateral epicondylitis. Given that the evidence surrounding the use of various treatment options... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
There is an ongoing controversy regarding the nonoperative treatment of lateral epicondylitis. Given that the evidence surrounding the use of various treatment options for lateral epicondylitis has expanded, an overall assessment of nonoperative treatment options is required. The purpose of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to compare physiotherapy (strengthening), corticosteroids (CSIs), platelet-rich plasma (PRP), and autologous blood (AB) with no active treatment or placebo control in patients with lateral epicondylitis.
METHODS
MEDLINE, Embase, and Cochrane were searched through till March 8, 2021. Additional studies were identified from reviews. All English-language randomized trials comparing nonoperative treatment of patients >18 years of age with lateral epicondylitis were included.
RESULTS
A total of 5 randomized studies compared physiotherapy (strengthening) with no active treatment. There were no significant differences in pain (mean difference: -0.07, 95% confidence interval [CI]: -0.56 to 0.41) or function (standardized mean difference [SMD]: -0.08, 95% CI: -0.46 to 0.30). Seven studies compared CSI with a control. The control group had statistically superior pain (mean difference: 0.70, 95% CI: 0.22 to 1.18) and functional scores (SMD: -0.35, 95% CI: -0.54 to -0.16). Two studies compared PRP with controls, and no differences were found in pain (SD: -0.15, 95% CI: -1.89 to 1.35) or function (SMD: 0.14, 95% CI: -0.45 to 0.73). Three studies compared AB with controls, and no differences were observed in pain (0.49, 95% CI: -2.35 to 3.33) or function (-0.07, 95% CI: -0.64 to 0.50).
DISCUSSION
The available evidence does not support the use of nonoperative treatment options including physiotherapy (strengthening), CSI, PRP, or AB in the treatment of lateral epicondylitis.
PubMed: 35252934
DOI: 10.1016/j.jseint.2021.11.010 -
Ageing Research Reviews Jul 2023The impact of oral nutritional supplements (ONS) on patients with complications (disease related morbidity) requires further exploration. This systematic review included... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
The impact of oral nutritional supplements (ONS) on patients with complications (disease related morbidity) requires further exploration. This systematic review included 44 randomised controlled trials (RCT) (29 RCT surgical, 15 RCT medical patients) examining the effect of ONS in community settings on the incidence of complications (n = 716, mean age 67 years, range 35-87). ONS (mean intake 588 kcal/day, range 125-1750; protein 22 g/day, range 0-54; mean energy from protein 22 %, range 0-54) were prescribed for a mean 74 days, range 5-365. Most RCT (77 %) reported fewer complications in the ONS group versus control. Meta-analysis (39 RCT) showed ONS consumption reduced complications including infections, pressure ulcers, wound and fracture healing (OR 0.68, 95 % CI 0.59,0.79; p<0.001). Results showed reductions when ONS were used in hospital and community settings (OR 0.72, 95 % CI 0.59,0.87; p = 0.001) or just in the community (OR 0.65, 95 % CI 0.52, 0.80; p<0.001). Reductions in complications were only seen with high ONS adherence ≥ 80 % (OR 0.63, 95 % CI 0.48,0.83; p = 0.001) and ready-to-drink ONS (OR 0.69, 95 % CI 0.60,0.81; p<0.001). This systematic review and meta-analysis show community-based use of ONS in addition to the diet substantially reduces the incidence of complications. The diversity of ONS, patient populations and complication outcomes within the trials included in this review mean further research is warranted.
Topics: Humans; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Dietary Supplements; Malnutrition
PubMed: 37182743
DOI: 10.1016/j.arr.2023.101953 -
The Knee Mar 2022Primary repair of anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) ruptures has re-emerged as a treatment option for proximal tears, with internal brace augmentation often utilised. The... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
BACKGROUND
Primary repair of anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) ruptures has re-emerged as a treatment option for proximal tears, with internal brace augmentation often utilised. The aim of this study is to provide an overview of the current evidence presenting outcomes of ACL repair with internal bracing to assess the safety and efficacy of this technique.
METHODS
All studies reporting outcomes of arthroscopic primary repair of proximal ACL tears, augmented with internal bracing from 2014-2021 were included. Primary outcome was failure rate and secondary outcomes were subjective patient reported outcome measures (PROMs) and objective assessment of anteroposterior knee laxity.
RESULTS
Nine studies were included, consisting of 347 patients, mean age 32.5 years, mean minimum follow up 2 years. There were 36 failures (10.4%, CI 7.4% - 14.1%). PROMs reporting was variable across studies. KOOS, Lysholm and IKDC scores were most frequently used with mean scores > 87%. The mean Tegner and Marx scores at follow-up were 6.1 and 7.8 respectively. The mean side to side difference measured for anteroposterior knee laxity was 1.2mm.
CONCLUSIONS
This systematic review with meta-analysis shows that ACL repair with internal bracing is a safe technique for treatment of proximal ruptures, with a failure rate of 10.4%. Subjective scores and clinical laxity testing also revealed satisfactory results. This suggests that ACL repair with internal bracing should be considered as an alternative to ACL reconstruction for acute proximal tears, with the potential benefits of retained native tissue and proprioception, as well as negating the need for graft harvest.
Topics: Adult; Anterior Cruciate Ligament; Anterior Cruciate Ligament Injuries; Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction; Follow-Up Studies; Humans; Knee Joint; Treatment Outcome
PubMed: 35366618
DOI: 10.1016/j.knee.2022.03.009 -
Revista Espanola de Salud Publica Oct 2021Depression is a disease prevalent in most older people and is negatively associated with suicidal ideation and behaviour in the elderly. The objective of this systematic... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
Depression is a disease prevalent in most older people and is negatively associated with suicidal ideation and behaviour in the elderly. The objective of this systematic review was to study the relationship between suicidal behaviour and the associated risk factors that lead older people to commit it.
METHODS
We searched systematically in the PubMed, Web of Science, SciELO and CUIDEN database, in addition, we used a search engine, Google Scholar, including studies when they were observational, with population of 60 years or more, whose patients had made any suicide attempt and instead were excluded when the participants were children or adolescents, reported cases of homicide or only reported the methods used in the suicide. The search was not delimited based on filters or time periods. The data is presented based on Odds Ratio, Relative Risk and percentage (%).
RESULTS
Eighteen studies were included in this systematic review. Various factors associated with the appearance of suicidal behaviour in the elderly were reported, the following are the most relevant: serious mental disorders (mean OR/RR value of 157.80); depression (mean OR/RR value of 16.53); and previous suicide attempts (average OR/RR value of 12.33).
CONCLUSIONS
Pathological, sociodemographic and psychosocial factors related to the ideation and appearance of suicidal behaviour in the elderly have been differentiated.
Topics: Adolescent; Aged; Child; Humans; Odds Ratio; Risk Factors; Spain; Suicidal Ideation; Suicide, Attempted
PubMed: 34620818
DOI: No ID Found -
Annals of Palliative Medicine Jun 2021This systematic review of the literature was to compare the effects of exercise therapy and occlusal splint therapy on pain and mobility in individuals with painful... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
BACKGROUND
This systematic review of the literature was to compare the effects of exercise therapy and occlusal splint therapy on pain and mobility in individuals with painful temporomandibular disorders (TMD).
METHODS
PubMed, Embase and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials were searched for English publications from database root to March 1, 2020. Search terms were [("temporomandibular joint disorders" or "temporomandibular disorders" or "craniomandibular disorders" or "orofacial pain" or "myofascial pain" or "myofascial pain" or "facial pain") AND (exercise or "physical therapy modalities" or physiotherapy or "exercise therapy") AND ("splints" or "occlusal splints" or "stabilization splint" or "occlusal appliance" or "occlusal splint therapy")]. We included randomized controlled trials that evaluated the effects of therapeutic exercise therapy and occlusal splint therapy, and were published in English. Trial quality was assessed with the Physiotherapy Evidence Database scale.
RESULTS
Six studies were included (498 patients: 251 occlusal splint therapy, 247 therapeutic exercise). The results revealed that exercise therapy was not superior to occlusal splint therapy for pain reduction in patients with painful TMD (P=0.08; weighted standardized mean difference -0.29; 95% CI, -0.62 to 0.04). The effectiveness of occlusal splint therapy and exercise therapy was found to be equivalent in the maximum mouth-opening range (P=0.51; weighted standardized mean difference 0.12; 95% CI, -0.24 to 0.48), right laterotrusion (P=0.99; weighted standardized mean difference -0.00; 95% CI, -0.31 to 0.31), left laterotrusion (P=0.32; weighted standardized mean difference 0.16; 95% CI, -0.16 to 0.48), and protrusion (P=0.77; weighted standardized mean difference 0.06; 95% CI, -0.32 to 0.43) for painful TMD patients.
CONCLUSIONS
Given the limitations of the study, the small number of studies included in the sub-analysis for pain relief and the maximum mouth-opening range, and the small overall standardized mean difference for pain relief and mandibular movement observed, no high-quality evidence was found to distinguish the clinical effectiveness between occlusal splint therapy and exercise therapy for painful TMD patients. It appears that more randomized controlled trials comparing the effects of exercise therapy and occlusal splint therapy need to be implemented.
Topics: Exercise Therapy; Humans; Occlusal Splints; Pain; Temporomandibular Joint Disorders; Treatment Outcome
PubMed: 33977737
DOI: 10.21037/apm-21-451 -
JAMA Cardiology Jun 2023Low-dose combination (LDC) antihypertensives consisting of 3 or 4 blood pressure (BP)-lowering drugs have emerged as a potentially important therapy for the initial... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
Efficacy and Safety of Low-Dose Triple and Quadruple Combination Pills vs Monotherapy, Usual Care, or Placebo for the Initial Management of Hypertension: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.
IMPORTANCE
Low-dose combination (LDC) antihypertensives consisting of 3 or 4 blood pressure (BP)-lowering drugs have emerged as a potentially important therapy for the initial management of hypertension.
OBJECTIVE
To assess the efficacy and safety of LDC therapies for the management of hypertension.
DATA SOURCES
PubMed and Medline were searched from date of inception until September 2022.
STUDY SELECTION
Randomized clinical trials comparing LDC consisting of 3 or 4 BP-lowering drugs compared to either monotherapy, usual care, or placebo.
DATA EXTRACTION AND SYNTHESIS
Data were extracted by 2 independent authors and synthesized using both random and fixed-effects models using risk ratios (RR) for binary outcomes and mean differences for continuous outcomes.
MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES
The primary outcome was mean reduction in systolic BP (SBP) between LDC and monotherapy, usual care, or placebo. Other outcomes of interest included the proportion of patients achieving BP less than 140/90 mm Hg, rates of adverse effects, and treatment withdrawal.
RESULTS
Seven trials with a total of 1918 patients (mean [mean range] age, 59 [50-70] years; 739 [38%] female) were included. Four trials involved triple-component LDC and 3 involved quadruple-component LDC. At 4 to 12 weeks follow-up, LDC was associated with a greater mean reduction in SBP than initial monotherapy or usual care (mean reduction, 7.4 mm Hg; 95% CI, 4.3-10.5) and placebo (mean reduction, 18.0 mm Hg; 95% CI, 15.1-20.8). LDC was associated with a higher proportion of participants achieving BP less than 140/90 mm Hg at 4 to 12 weeks compared to both monotherapy or usual care (66% vs 46%; RR, 1.40; 95% CI, 1.27-1.52) and placebo (54% vs 18%; RR, 3.03; 95% CI, 1.93-4.77). There was no significant heterogeneity between trials enrolling patients with and without baseline BP-lowering therapy. Results from 2 trials indicated LDC remained superior to monotherapy or usual care at 6 to 12 months. LDC was associated with more dizziness (14% vs 11%; RR 1.28, 95% CI 1.00-1.63) but no other adverse effects nor treatment withdrawal.
CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE
The findings in the study showed that LDCs with 3 or 4 antihypertensives were an effective and well-tolerated BP-lowering treatment option for the initial or early management of hypertension.
Topics: Humans; Female; Middle Aged; Male; Antihypertensive Agents; Hypertension; Blood Pressure
PubMed: 37099314
DOI: 10.1001/jamacardio.2023.0720 -
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