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Current Problems in Cardiology Oct 2023Twelve CCI patients were studied with confirmed or suspected COVID-19 infection. The majority of these patients were males (83.3%) with a median age of 55 years from... (Review)
Review
Twelve CCI patients were studied with confirmed or suspected COVID-19 infection. The majority of these patients were males (83.3%) with a median age of 55 years from three geographical locations, constituting the Middle East (7), Spain (3), and the USA (1). In 6 patients, IgG/IgM was positive for COVID-19, 4 with high pretest probability and 2 with positive RT-PCR. Type 2 DM, hyperlipidemia, and smoking were the primary risk factors. Right-sided neurological impairments and verbal impairment were the most common symptoms. Our analysis found 8 (66%) synchronous occurrences. In 58.3% of cases, neuroimaging showed left Middle Cerebral Artery (MCA) infarct and 33.3% right. Carotid artery thrombosis (16.6%), tandem occlusion (8.3%), and carotid stenosis (1%) were also reported in imaging. Dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT) and anticoagulants were conservative therapies (10). Two AMI patients had aspiration thrombectomy, while three AIS patients had intravenous thrombolysis/tissue plasminogen activator (IVT-tPA), 2 had mechanical thrombectomy (MT), and 1 had decompressive craniotomy. Five had COVID-19-positive chest X-rays, whereas 4 were normal. four of 8 STEMI and 3 NSTEMI/UA patients complained chest pain. LV, ICA, and pulmonary embolism were further complications (2). Upon discharge, 7 patients (70%) had residual deficits while 1 patient unfortunately died.
Topics: Female; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Anticoagulants; COVID-19; Infarction, Middle Cerebral Artery; Stroke; Thrombectomy; Thrombolytic Therapy; Tissue Plasminogen Activator; Treatment Outcome; Case Reports as Topic
PubMed: 37209804
DOI: 10.1016/j.cpcardiol.2023.101814 -
Competition and price among brand-name drugs in the same class: A systematic review of the evidence.PLoS Medicine Jul 2019Some experts have proposed combating rising drug prices by promoting brand-brand competition, a situation that is supposed to arise when multiple US Food and Drug...
BACKGROUND
Some experts have proposed combating rising drug prices by promoting brand-brand competition, a situation that is supposed to arise when multiple US Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved brand-name products in the same class are indicated for the same condition. However, numerous reports exist of price increases following the introduction of brand-name competition, suggesting that it may not be effective. We performed a systematic literature review of the peer-reviewed health policy and economics literature to better understand the interplay between new drug entry and intraclass drug prices.
METHODS AND FINDINGS
We searched PubMed and EconLit for original studies on brand-brand competition in the US market published in English between January 1990 and April 2019. We performed a qualitative synthesis of each study's data, recording its primary objective, methodology, and results. We found 10 empirical investigations, with 1 study each on antihypertensives, anti-infectives, central nervous system stimulants for attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder, disease-modifying therapies for multiple sclerosis, histamine-2 (H2) blockers, and tumor necrosis factor (TNF) inhibitors; 2 studies on cancer medications; and 2 studies on all marketed or new drugs. None of the studies reported that brand-brand competition lowers list prices of existing drugs within a class. The findings of 2 studies suggest that such competition may help restrain how new drug prices are set. Other studies found evidence that brand-brand competition was mediated by the relative quality of competing drugs and the extent to which they are marketed, with safer or more effective new drugs and greater marketing associated with higher intraclass list prices. Our investigation was limited by the studies' use of list rather than net prices and the age of some of the data.
CONCLUSIONS
Our findings suggest that policies to promote brand-brand competition in the US pharmaceutical market, such as accelerating approval of non-first-in-class drugs, will likely not result in lower drug list prices absent additional structural reforms.
Topics: Cost Savings; Cost-Benefit Analysis; Drug Costs; Economic Competition; Health Expenditures; Humans; Marketing of Health Services; Models, Economic; Prescription Drugs
PubMed: 31361747
DOI: 10.1371/journal.pmed.1002872 -
Bulletin of the World Health... Oct 2023To consolidate recent information on elimination and eradication goals for infectious diseases and clarify the definitions and associated terminology for different goals. (Review)
Review
OBJECTIVE
To consolidate recent information on elimination and eradication goals for infectious diseases and clarify the definitions and associated terminology for different goals.
METHODS
We conducted a systematic search of the World Health Organization's Institutional Repository for Information Sharing (WHO IRIS) and a customized systematic Google advanced search for documents published between 2008 and 2022 on elimination or eradication strategies for infectious conditions authored by WHO or other leading health organizations. We extracted information on names of infectious conditions, the elimination and eradication goals and timelines, definitions of goals, non-standardized terminology, targets and assessment processes.
FINDINGS
We identified nine goals for 27 infectious conditions, ranging from disease control to eradication. In comparison with the hierarchy of disease control, as defined at the Dahlem Workshop in 1997, six goals related to disease control with varying levels of advancement, two related to elimination and one to eradication. Goals progressed along a disease-control continuum, such as end of disease epidemic to pre-elimination to elimination as a public health problem or threat. We identified the use of non-standardized terminology with certain goals, including elimination, of disease epidemics, public health and public health
CONCLUSION
As we approach the 2030 target date to achieve many of the goals related to disease control and for other infections to become candidates for elimination in the future, clarity of definitions and objectives is important for public health professionals and policy-makers to avoid misperceptions and miscommunication.
Topics: Humans; Goals; Disease Eradication; Public Health; Global Health; Communicable Diseases
PubMed: 37772196
DOI: 10.2471/BLT.23.289676 -
Journal of Orthopaedic Surgery and... Dec 2022In the emergency room, clinicians spend a lot of time and are exposed to mental stress. In addition, fracture classification is important for determining the surgical...
BACKGROUND
In the emergency room, clinicians spend a lot of time and are exposed to mental stress. In addition, fracture classification is important for determining the surgical method and restoring the patient's mobility. Recently, with the help of computers using artificial intelligence (AI) or machine learning (ML), diagnosis and classification of hip fractures can be performed easily and quickly. The purpose of this systematic review is to search for studies that diagnose and classify for hip fracture using AI or ML, organize the results of each study, analyze the usefulness of this technology and its future use value.
METHODS
PubMed Central, OVID Medline, Cochrane Collaboration Library, Web of Science, EMBASE, and AHRQ databases were searched to identify relevant studies published up to June 2022 with English language restriction. The following search terms were used [All Fields] AND (", "[MeSH Terms] OR (""[All Fields] AND "bone"[All Fields]) OR "bone fractures"[All Fields] OR "fracture"[All Fields]). The following information was extracted from the included articles: authors, publication year, study period, type of image, type of fracture, number of patient or used images, fracture classification, reference diagnosis of fracture diagnosis and classification, and augments of each studies. In addition, AI name, CNN architecture type, ROI or important region labeling, data input proportion in training/validation/test, and diagnosis accuracy/AUC, classification accuracy/AUC of each studies were also extracted.
RESULTS
In 14 finally included studies, the accuracy of diagnosis for hip fracture by AI was 79.3-98%, and the accuracy of fracture diagnosis in AI aided humans was 90.5-97.1. The accuracy of human fracture diagnosis was 77.5-93.5. AUC of fracture diagnosis by AI was 0.905-0.99. The accuracy of fracture classification by AI was 86-98.5 and AUC was 0.873-1.0. The forest plot represented that the mean AI diagnosis accuracy was 0.92, the mean AI diagnosis AUC was 0.969, the mean AI classification accuracy was 0.914, and the mean AI classification AUC was 0.933. Among the included studies, the architecture based on the GoogLeNet architectural model or the DenseNet architectural model was the most common with three each. Among the data input proportions, the study with the lowest training rate was 57%, and the study with the highest training rate was 95%. In 14 studies, 5 studies used Grad-CAM for highlight important regions.
CONCLUSION
We expected that our study may be helpful in making judgments about the use of AI in the diagnosis and classification of hip fractures. It is clear that AI is a tool that can help medical staff reduce the time and effort required for hip fracture diagnosis with high accuracy. Further studies are needed to determine what effect this causes in actual clinical situations.
Topics: Humans; Artificial Intelligence; Hip Fractures; Machine Learning; Databases, Factual; Emergency Service, Hospital
PubMed: 36456982
DOI: 10.1186/s13018-022-03408-7 -
Journal of Medical Internet Research May 2023The prevalence of mental health problems in children and adolescents is high. As these problems can impact this population's developmental trajectories, they constitute... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
The prevalence of mental health problems in children and adolescents is high. As these problems can impact this population's developmental trajectories, they constitute a public health concern. This situation is accentuated by the fact that children and adolescents infrequently seek help. Digital health interventions (DHIs) offer an opportunity to bridge the treatment gap between health care needs and patient engagement in care. Additional detailed research is needed to identify how children and adolescents can be empowered to access help through DHIs. In this context, an understanding of their attitudes toward digital health appears to be a necessary first step in facilitating the effective implementation of DHIs.
OBJECTIVE
This study aimed to establish an inventory of children's, adolescents', and their parents' attitudes toward DHIs.
METHODS
A scoping review following PRISMA-ScR (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses extension for Scoping Reviews) recommendations was performed using the MEDLINE, Embase, and PsycINFO databases. This research was conducted using 3 key concepts: "child and adolescent mental health service users," "digital health interventions," and "attitudes." Data extracted included the name of the publishing journal, the methodology used, the target population, the DHI studied, and the principal results.
RESULTS
Of 1548 studies found, 30 (1.94%) were included in our analysis. Among these, 13 concerned satisfaction, 24 concerned preferences, 22 concerned the use of DHI, 11 concerned perception, and 10 concerned needs.
CONCLUSIONS
The results of this study provide a better understanding of the factors influencing children's and adolescents' attitudes toward digital health and DHIs. The continued growth of DHIs can help reduce barriers to mental health care. Future research on these interventions should investigate the needs of the targeted populations to increase their engagement in care.
Topics: Child; Humans; Adolescent; Telemedicine; Parents; Mental Health Services; Patient Participation
PubMed: 37129931
DOI: 10.2196/43102 -
Evidence-based Complementary and... 2020Sleep complaints are common health issues in the general population. These conditions are associated with poorer physical and psychological activity, and they may have... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
Sleep complaints are common health issues in the general population. These conditions are associated with poorer physical and psychological activity, and they may have important social, economic, and personal consequences. In the last years, several food supplements with different plant extracts have been developed and are currently taken for improving sleep. . The aim of this study is to systematically review recent literature on oral plant extracts acting on sleep disorders distinguishing their action on the different symptoms of sleep complaints: difficulty in initiating or maintaining sleep, waking up too early, and quality of sleep.
METHODS
We searched the PubMed database up to 05/03/2020 based on data from randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trials, noncontrolled trials, and cohort studies conducted in children and adult subjects. The search words used contained the following terms: oral food supplement and sleep disorders and the like. The most studied compounds were further analyzed with a second search using the following terms: name of the compound and sleep disorders. We selected 7 emerging compounds and 38 relevant reports.
RESULTS
Although nutraceutical natural products have been used for sleep empirically, there is a scarcity of evidence on the efficacy of each product in clinical studies. Valerian and lavender were the most frequently studied plant extracts, and their use has been associated (with conflicting results) with anxiolytic effects and improvements in quality and duration of sleep.
CONCLUSIONS
Sleep aids based on plant extracts are generally safe and well tolerated by the population. More high-quality research is needed to confirm the effectiveness of food supplements containing plant extracts in sleep complaints; in particular, it would be interesting to evaluate the association between plant extracts and sleep hygiene guidelines and to identify the optimal products to be used in a specific symptom of sleep complaint, giving more appropriate tools to the medical doctor.
PubMed: 32382286
DOI: 10.1155/2020/3792390 -
Infection and Drug Resistance 2022The use of poor quality drugs will have multiple consequences with an extended hazard of growing drug-resistant strains. (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
The use of poor quality drugs will have multiple consequences with an extended hazard of growing drug-resistant strains.
PURPOSE
The review aimed to provide the quality status of antimalarial drugs in East Africa.
DATA SOURCE
PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and Google Scholar were searched from September 5 to September 12, 2021.
STUDY SELECTION
The review included articles available as original research targeted at evaluating the quality of antimalarial drugs. For inclusion, data on at least one of the following quality control parameters were required: packaging and labeling, hardness, friability, weight variation/uniformity of weight, disintegration, dissolution, and assay/percentage purity. Mendeley citation manager version 1.19.4 was used to avoid duplication and organize references, and titles and abstracts were primarily used for screening.
DATA EXTRACTION
The sample collection site, drug name, and the quality control parameters tested were retrieved from the selected studies.
DATA SYNTHESIS
Totally, 300 antimalarial drug samples from Ethiopia, Kenya and Tanzania were included in this review. No antimalarial drug tested failed the identification and disintegration test. However, 15.93% (36/226), 5.00% (15/300), and 1.90% (3/158) of antimalarial samples failed the dissolution, assay and mass uniformity test, respectively. Moreover, amodiaquine and sulfadoxine/pyrimethamine samples failed dissolution and assay tests. In addition, amodiaquine samples failed the mass uniformity test. However, artemether/lumefantrine and quinine passed all quality control parameters tested. Overall, 19.67% (59/300) of antimalarial drug samples did not meet at least one quality control parameter. And the higher faller rate was reported for sulfadoxine/pyrimethamine accounting for 52.86% (37/70).
CONCLUSIONS
An unneglected amount of antimalarial drug failed to meet at least one quality control parameter. Strengthening pharmaceutical management systems, including post-marketing surveillance, and providing the resources required for medication quality assurance, are recommended.
PubMed: 36277242
DOI: 10.2147/IDR.S373059 -
Journal of Psychiatric Research Oct 2022Those making suicide attempts with highly lethal medical consequences are arguably the best proxy for those who die by suicide and represent a qualitatively different... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
Those making suicide attempts with highly lethal medical consequences are arguably the best proxy for those who die by suicide and represent a qualitatively different population from those making lower lethality attempts. Different factors influence the likelihood of a suicide attempt occurring and the lethality of that attempt. Both are important dimensions of risk. Older adults represent a distinct group in suicide research with unique risk factors that influence the lethality of their suicide attempts. This systematic review and meta-analysis summarises factors distinguishing those making high and low-lethality suicide attempts in older adulthood. Databases PsycINFO, PubMed (MEDLINE), Embase and CINAHL were systematically searched with seven of 1182 unique records included. Random effects meta-analyses were conducted on 18 variables in addition to a narrative synthesis regarding executive function. Only increased suicidal intent and planning meaningfully distinguished high from low-lethality attempters in meta-analyses. A large effect size was additionally observed for white ethnicity. Diminished alcohol use disorder prevalence and depression severity, and greater cognitive impairment, may be associated with high lethality attempters but further research is needed. Age and gender were not associated with lethality, contrary to adult populations. A narrative synthesis of studies exploring differences in executive functioning suggested high-lethality attempters were less likely to impulsively act on suicidal urges, allowing them to better plan suicide attempts that are more lethal, and are less likely to alter suicidal plans. Key limitations were that meta-analyses were underpowered to detect small effect sizes, and samples were largely white and limited to the USA.
Topics: Aged; Humans; Risk Factors; Suicidal Ideation; Suicide, Attempted
PubMed: 35933859
DOI: 10.1016/j.jpsychires.2022.07.048 -
The Cochrane Database of Systematic... Jan 2020Onychomycosis refers to fungal infections of the nail apparatus that may cause pain, discomfort, and disfigurement. This is an update of a Cochrane Review published in... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
BACKGROUND
Onychomycosis refers to fungal infections of the nail apparatus that may cause pain, discomfort, and disfigurement. This is an update of a Cochrane Review published in 2007; a substantial amount of new research warrants a review exclusively on toenails.
OBJECTIVES
To assess the clinical and mycological effects of topical drugs and device-based therapies for toenail onychomycosis.
SEARCH METHODS
We searched the following databases up to May 2019: the Cochrane Skin Group Specialised Register, CENTRAL, MEDLINE, Embase and LILACS. We also searched five trials registers, and checked the reference lists of included and excluded studies for further references to relevant randomised controlled trials.
SELECTION CRITERIA
Randomised controlled trials of topical and device-based therapies for onychomycosis in participants with toenail onychomycosis, confirmed by positive cultures, direct microscopy, or histological nail examination. Eligible comparators were placebo, vehicle, no treatment, or an active topical or device-based treatment.
DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS
We used standard methodological procedures expected by Cochrane. Primary outcomes were complete cure rate (normal-looking nail plus fungus elimination, determined with laboratory methods) and number of participants reporting treatment-related adverse events.
MAIN RESULTS
We included 56 studies (12,501 participants, average age: 27 to 68 years), with mainly mild-to-moderate onychomycosis without matrix involvement (where reported). Participants had more than one toenail affected. Most studies lasted 48 to 52 weeks; 23% reported disease duration (variable). Thirty-five studies specifically examined dermatophyte-caused onychomycosis. Forty-three studies were carried out in outpatient settings. Most studies assessed topical treatments, 9% devices, and 11% both. We rated three studies at low risk of bias across all domains. The most common high-risk domain was performance bias. We present results for key comparisons, where treatment duration was 36 or 48 weeks, and clinical outcomes were measured at 40 to 52 weeks. Based on two studies (460 participants), compared with vehicle, ciclopirox 8% lacquer may be more effective in achieving complete cure (risk ratio (RR) 9.29, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.72 to 50.14; low-quality evidence) and is probably more effective in achieving mycological cure (RR 3.15, 95% CI 1.93 to 5.12; moderate-quality evidence). Ciclopirox lacquer may lead to increased adverse events, commonly application reactions, rashes, and nail alteration (e.g. colour, shape). However, the 95% CI indicates that ciclopirox lacquer may actually make little or no difference (RR 1.61, 95% CI 0.89 to 2.92; low-quality evidence). Efinaconazole 10% solution is more effective than vehicle in achieving complete cure (RR 3.54, 95% CI 2.24 to 5.60; 3 studies, 1716 participants) and clinical cure (RR 3.07, 95% CI 2.08 to 4.53; 2 studies, 1655 participants) (both high-quality evidence) and is probably more effective in achieving mycological cure (RR 2.31, 95% CI 1.08 to 4.94; 3 studies, 1716 participants; moderate-quality evidence). Risk of adverse events (such as dermatitis and vesicles) was slightly higher with efinaconazole (RR 1.10, 95% CI 1.01 to 1.20; 3 studies, 1701 participants; high-quality evidence). No other key comparison measured clinical cure. Based on two studies, compared with vehicle, tavaborole 5% solution is probably more effective in achieving complete cure (RR 7.40, 95% CI 2.71 to 20.24; 1198 participants), but probably has a higher risk of adverse events (application site reactions were most commonly reported) (RR 3.82, 95% CI 1.65 to 8.85; 1186 participants (both moderate-quality evidence)). Tavaborole improves mycological cure (RR 3.40, 95% CI 2.34 to 4.93; 1198 participants; high-quality evidence). Moderate-quality evidence from two studies (490 participants) indicates that P-3051 (ciclopirox 8% hydrolacquer) is probably more effective than the comparators ciclopirox 8% lacquer or amorolfine 5% in achieving complete cure (RR 2.43, 95% CI 1.32 to 4.48), but there is probably little or no difference between the treatments in achieving mycological cure (RR 1.08, 95% CI 0.85 to 1.37). We found no difference in the risk of adverse events (RR 0.60, 95% CI 0.19 to 1.92; 2 studies, 487 participants; low-quality evidence). The most common events were erythema, rash, and burning. Three studies (112 participants) compared 1064-nm Nd:YAG laser to no treatment or sham treatment. We are uncertain if there is a difference in adverse events (very low-quality evidence) (two studies; 85 participants). There may be little or no difference in mycological cure at 52 weeks (RR 1.04, 95% CI 0.59 to 1.85; 2 studies, 85 participants; low-quality evidence). Complete cure was not measured. One study (293 participants) compared luliconazole 5% solution to vehicle. We are uncertain whether luliconazole leads to higher rates of complete cure (very low-quality evidence). Low-quality evidence indicates there may be little or no difference in adverse events (RR 1.02, 95% CI 0.90 to 1.16) and there may be increased mycological cure with luliconazole; however, the 95% CI indicates that luliconazole may make little or no difference to mycological cure (RR 1.39, 95% CI 0.98 to 1.97). Commonly-reported adverse events were dry skin, paronychia, eczema, and hyperkeratosis, which improved or resolved post-treatment.
AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS
Assessing complete cure, high-quality evidence supports the effectiveness of efinaconazole, moderate-quality evidence supports P-3051 (ciclopirox 8% hydrolacquer) and tavaborole, and low-quality evidence supports ciclopirox 8% lacquer. We are uncertain whether luliconazole 5% solution leads to complete cure (very low-quality evidence); this outcome was not measured by the 1064-nm Nd:YAG laser comparison. Although evidence supports topical treatments, complete cure rates with topical treatments are relatively low. We are uncertain if 1064-nm Nd:YAG laser increases adverse events compared with no treatment or sham treatment (very low-quality evidence). Low-quality evidence indicates that there is no difference in adverse events between P-3051 (ciclopirox hydrolacquer), luliconazole 5% solution, and their comparators. Ciclopirox 8% lacquer may increase adverse events (low-quality evidence). High- to moderate-quality evidence suggests increased adverse events with efinaconazole 10% solution or tavaborole 5% solution. We downgraded evidence for heterogeneity, lack of blinding, and small sample sizes. There is uncertainty about the effectiveness of device-based treatments, which were under-represented; 80% of studies assessed topical treatments, but we were unable to evaluate all of the currently relevant topical treatments. Future studies of topical and device-based therapies should be blinded, with patient-centred outcomes and an adequate sample size. They should specify the causative organism and directly compare treatments.
Topics: Administration, Topical; Adult; Aged; Antifungal Agents; Female; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Onychomycosis; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; Treatment Outcome
PubMed: 31978269
DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD012093.pub2 -
Frontiers in Pediatrics 2023Gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms are frequently experienced by children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), and these symptoms cause difficulties for these children and... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
Gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms are frequently experienced by children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), and these symptoms cause difficulties for these children and their families. However, studies of GI symptom prevalence differ significantly. This meta-analysis aimed to analyze the prevalence of GI symptoms in children with ASD.
METHODS AND FINDINGS
PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, EMBASE were electronically searched to collect all literature on gastrointestinal symptoms of children with ASD collected through questionnaires or scales from January 2012 to May 2021. Four researchers independently scanned the literature and extracted information on general characteristics. First author name, year of publication, geographical location, type of study, sample sizes of ASD and control (if any) children, sex and average age, number of GI cases, number of GI symptoms, GI assessment tools (gastrointestinal symptoms scale), autism diagnosis methods, and other necessary data were collected and analyzed using Stata V16. The questionnaires included the Rome, 6-GSI, GIQ, GSRS, GSIQ, ADI-R, PedsQL-GI, parent-report, GI-related, and self-administered questionnaires. Compared with typically developing (TD) children, the odds ratio for In children with ASD with at least one GI symptom was 3.64, and the total prevalence was 55%. The cumulative prevalence rates of various symptoms were summarized, showing that 37% of children with ASD had constipation, 21% had abdominal pain, 19% had diarrhea, 8% had vomiting, and 23% had abdominal distension.
CONCLUSIONS
The results of this meta-analysis on GI symptoms in ASD show that patients with ASD are more likely to develop symptoms than TD children. The prevalence of GI symptoms in In children with ASD was 55%.
SYSTEMATIC REVIEW REGISTRATION
www.crd.york.ac.uk/PROSPERO, identifier, #CRD42017080579.
PubMed: 37565245
DOI: 10.3389/fped.2023.1120728