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Frontiers in Neuroscience 2021Peripheral neuropathy can be caused by diabetes mellitus and HIV infection, and often leaves patients with treatment-resistant neuropathic pain. To better treat this...
Peripheral neuropathy can be caused by diabetes mellitus and HIV infection, and often leaves patients with treatment-resistant neuropathic pain. To better treat this condition, we need greater understanding of the pathogenesis, as well as objective biomarkers to predict treatment response. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has a firm place as a biomarker for diseases of the central nervous system (CNS), but until recently has had little role for disease of the peripheral nervous system. To review the current state-of-the-art of peripheral nerve MRI in diabetic and HIV symmetrical polyneuropathy. We used systematic literature search methods to identify all studies currently published, using this as a basis for a narrative review to discuss major findings in the literature. We also assessed risk of bias, as well as technical aspects of MRI and statistical analysis. Protocol was pre-registered on NIHR PROSPERO database. MEDLINE, Web of Science and EMBASE databases were searched from 1946 to 15th August 2020 for all studies investigating either diabetic or HIV neuropathy and MRI, focusing exclusively on studies investigating symmetrical polyneuropathy. The NIH quality assessment tool for observational and cross-sectional cohort studies was used for risk of bias assessment. The search resulted in 18 papers eligible for review, 18 for diabetic neuropathy and 0 for HIV neuropathy. Risk of bias assessment demonstrated that studies generally lacked explicit sample size justifications, and some may be underpowered. Whilst most studies made efforts to balance groups for confounding variables (age, gender, BMI, disease duration), there was lack of consistency between studies. Overall, the literature provides convincing evidence that DPN is associated with larger nerve cross sectional area, T2-weighted hyperintense and hypointense lesions, evidence of nerve oedema on Dixon imaging, decreased fractional anisotropy and increased apparent diffusion coefficient compared with controls. Analysis to date is largely restricted to the sciatic nerve or its branches. There is emerging evidence that various structural MR metrics may be useful as biomarkers in diabetic polyneuropathy, and areas for future direction are discussed. Expanding this technique to other forms of peripheral neuropathy, including HIV neuropathy, would be of value. (identifier: CRD 42020167322) https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/display_record.php?RecordID=167322.
PubMed: 34621152
DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2021.727311 -
The Cochrane Database of Systematic... Mar 2023Acute primary angle closure (APAC) is a potentially blinding condition. It is one of the few ophthalmic emergencies and carries high rates of visual morbidity in the... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
Acute primary angle closure (APAC) is a potentially blinding condition. It is one of the few ophthalmic emergencies and carries high rates of visual morbidity in the absence of timely intervention. Laser peripheral iridotomy (LPI) has been the standard of care thus far. However, LPI does not eliminate the long-term risk of chronic angle closure glaucoma and other associated sequelae. There has been increasing interest in lens extraction as the primary treatment for the spectrum of primary angle closure disease, and it is as yet unclear whether these results can be extrapolated to APAC, and whether lens extraction provides better long-term outcomes. We therefore sought to evaluate the effectiveness of lens extraction in APAC to help inform the decision-making process. OBJECTIVES: To assess the effect of lens extraction compared to LPI in the treatment of APAC.
SEARCH METHODS
We searched the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL) (which contains the Cochrane Eyes and Vision Trials Register) (2022, Issue 1), Ovid MEDLINE, Ovid MEDLINE E-pub Ahead of Print, Ovid MEDLINE In-Process and Other Non-Indexed Citations, Ovid MEDLINE Daily (January 1946 to 10 January 2022), Embase (January 1947 to 10 January 2022), PubMed (1946 to 10 January 2022), Latin American and Caribbean Health Sciences Literature Database (LILACS) (1982 to 10 January 2022), ClinicalTrials.gov, and the World Health Organization (WHO) International Clinical Trials Registry Platform (ICTRP). We did not use any date or language restrictions in the electronic search. We last searched the electronic databases on 10 January 2022.
SELECTION CRITERIA
We included randomized controlled clinical trials comparing lens extraction against LPI in adult participants ( ≥ 35 years) with APAC in one or both eyes.
DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS
We used standard Cochrane methodology and assessed the certainty of the body of evidence for prespecified outcomes using the GRADE approach.
MAIN RESULTS
We included two studies conducted in Hong Kong and Singapore, comprising 99 eyes (99 participants) of predominantly Chinese origin. The two studies compared LPI with phacoemulsification performed by experienced surgeons. We assessed that both studies were at high risk of bias. There were no studies evaluating other types of lens extraction procedures. Phacoemulsification may result in an increased proportion of participants with intraocular pressure (IOP) control compared with LPI at 18 to 24 months (risk ratio (RR) 1.66, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.28 to 2.15; 2 studies, n = 97; low certainty evidence) and may reduce the need for further IOP-lowering surgery within 24 months (RR 0.07, 96% CI 0.01 to 0.51; 2 studies, n = 99; very low certainty evidence). Phacoemulsification may result in a lower mean IOP at 12 months compared to LPI (mean difference (MD) -3.20, 95% CI -4.79 to -1.61; 1 study, n = 62; low certainty evidence) and a slightly lower mean number of IOP-lowering medications at 18 months (MD -0.87, 95% CI -1.28 to -0.46; 1 study, n = 60; low certainty evidence), but this may not be clinically significant. Phacoemulsification may have little to no effect on the proportion of participants with one or more recurrent APAC episodes in the same eye (RR 0.32, 95% CI 0.01 to 7.30; 1 study, n = 37; very low certainty evidence). Phacoemulsification may result in a wider iridocorneal angle assessed by Shaffer grading at six months (MD 1.15, 95% CI 0.83 to 1.47; 1 study, n = 62; very low certainty evidence). Phacoemulsification may have little to no effect on logMAR best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) at six months (MD -0.09, 95% CI -0.20 to 0.02; 2 studies, n = 94; very low certainty evidence). There was no evidence of a difference in the extent of peripheral anterior synechiae (PAS) (clock hours) between intervention arms at 6 months (MD -1.86, 95% CI -7.03 to 3.32; 2 studies, n = 94; very low certainty evidence), although the phacoemulsification group may have less PAS (degrees) at 12 months (MD -94.20, 95% CI -140.37 to -48.03; 1 study, n = 62) and 18 months (MD -127.30, 95% CI -168.91 to -85.69; 1 study, n = 60). In one study, there were 26 adverse events in the phacoemulsification group: intraoperative corneal edema (n = 12), posterior capsular rupture (n = 1), intraoperative bleeding from iris root (n = 1), postoperative fibrinous anterior chamber reaction (n = 7), and visually significant posterior capsular opacification (n = 5), and no cases of suprachoroidal hemorrhage or endophthalmitis. There were four adverse events in the LPI group: closed iridotomy (n = 1) and small iridotomies that required supplementary laser (n = 3). In the other study, there was one adverse event in the phacoemulsification group (IOP > 30 mmHg on day 1 postoperatively (n = 1)), and no intraoperative complications. There were five adverse events in the LPI group: transient hemorrhage (n = 1), corneal burn (n = 1), and repeated LPI because of non-patency (n = 3). Neither study reported health- or vision-related quality of life measures.
AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS
Low certainty evidence suggests that early lens extraction may produce more favorable outcomes compared to initial LPI in terms of IOP control. Evidence for other outcomes is less clear. Future high-quality and longer-term studies evaluating the effects of either intervention on the development of glaucomatous damage and visual field changes as well as health-related quality of life measures would be helpful.
Topics: Adult; Humans; Cataract Extraction; Glaucoma; Intraocular Pressure; Phacoemulsification; Quality of Life
PubMed: 36884304
DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD015116.pub2 -
European Heart Journal Open Mar 2023People living with cardiac sarcoidosis (CS) are likely to have worse clinical outcomes and greater impairment on health-related quality of life (HRQoL) than other... (Review)
Review
People living with cardiac sarcoidosis (CS) are likely to have worse clinical outcomes and greater impairment on health-related quality of life (HRQoL) than other sarcoidosis manifestations. CS can result in a constellation of intrusive symptoms (such as palpitations, dizziness, syncope/pre-syncope, chest pain, dyspnoea, orthopnoea, or peripheral oedema) and/or life-threatening episodes, requiring consideration of invasive cardiac procedures for diagnosis and for the management of acute events. Additionally, the presence of multisystemic involvement and persistent non-specific sarcoidosis symptoms negatively affect HRQoL. A systematic review was undertaken to explore the impact of CS on HRQoL in adults with CS. Multiple bibliographic databases were searched for studies with HRQoL as primary or secondary outcomes in CS (PROSPERO registration: CRD42019119752). Data extraction and quality assessments were undertaken independently by two authors. From the initial 1609 identified records, only 11 studies included CS patients but none specifically reported HRQoL scores for CS patients. The average representation of CS patients was 14.5% within these cohorts (range 2-22%). The majority (73%) was conducted in single-centre tertiary care settings, and only one study (9%) included longitudinal HRQoL data. CS patients were among those sarcoidosis patients with impaired HRQoL and worse outcomes, requiring higher doses of sarcoidosis-specific therapy which contribute to further deterioration of HRQoL. Sarcoidosis studies do not incorporate stratified HRQoL scores for CS patients. While there is a need for longitudinal and multicentre studies assessing HRQoL outcomes in CS cohorts, the development of CS-specific tools is also needed.
PubMed: 36974155
DOI: 10.1093/ehjopen/oead009 -
Journal of Foot and Ankle Research Sep 2023Lower limb oedema is a common co-morbidity in those with diabetes and foot ulceration and is linked with increased amputation risk. There is no current guidance for the... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
Lower limb oedema is a common co-morbidity in those with diabetes and foot ulceration and is linked with increased amputation risk. There is no current guidance for the treatment of concurrent diabetic foot ulcers and lower limb oedema, leading to uncertainty around the safety and efficacy of combination approaches incorporating offloading and compression therapies. To determine indications and contraindications for such strategies and identify any other supplementary treatment approaches, a scoping review was undertaken to map the evidence relating to off-loading and compression therapy strategies to treat both diabetic foot ulcers and lower limb oedema in combination.
METHODS
Following the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) and PRISMA - Scoping Review (ScR) guidance, this review included published and unpublished literature from inception to April 2022. Literature was sourced using electronic databases including Cochrane Library, PubMed, CINAHL, AMED; websites; professional journals and reference lists of included literature. Eligible literature discussed the management of both diabetic foot ulceration and lower limb oedema and included at least one of the treatment strategies of interest. Data extraction involved recording any suggested off-loading, compression therapy or supplementary treatment strategies and any suggested indications, contraindications and cautions for their use.
RESULTS
Five hundred twenty-two publications were found relating to the management of diabetic foot ulcers with an off-loading strategy or the management of lower limb oedema with compression therapy. 51 publications were eligible for inclusion in the review. The majority of the excluded publications did not discuss the situation where diabetic foot ulceration and lower limb oedema present concurrently.
CONCLUSIONS
Most literature, focused on oedema management with compression therapy to conclude that compression therapy should be avoided in the presence of severe peripheral arterial disease. Less literature was found regarding off-loading strategies, but it was recommended that knee-high devices should be used with caution when off-loading diabetic foot ulcers in those with lower limb oedema. Treatment options to manage both conditions concurrently was identified as a research gap. Integrated working between specialist healthcare teams, was the supplementary strategy most frequently recommended. In the absence of a definitive treatment solution, clinicians are encouraged to use clinical reasoning along with support from specialist peers to establish the best, individualised treatment approach for their patients.
TRIAL REGISTRATION
Open Science Framework (osf.io/crb78).
Topics: Humans; Diabetic Foot; Amputation, Surgical; Databases, Factual; Edema; Evidence Gaps; Diabetes Mellitus
PubMed: 37674176
DOI: 10.1186/s13047-023-00659-3 -
Neuro-oncology Apr 2021Malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumors (MPNST) carry a dismal prognosis and require early detection and complete resection. However, MPNSTs are prone to sampling... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
BACKGROUND
Malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumors (MPNST) carry a dismal prognosis and require early detection and complete resection. However, MPNSTs are prone to sampling errors and biopsies or resections are cumbersome and possibly damaging in benign peripheral nerve sheath tumor (BPNST). This study aimed to systematically review and quantify the diagnostic accuracy of noninvasive tests for distinguishing MPNST from BPNST.
METHODS
Studies on accuracy of MRI, FDG-PET (fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography), and liquid biopsies were identified in PubMed and Embase from 2000 to 2019. Pooled accuracies were calculated using Bayesian bivariate meta-analyses. Individual level-patient data were analyzed for ideal maximum standardized uptake value (SUVmax) threshold on FDG-PET.
RESULTS
Forty-three studies were selected for qualitative synthesis including data on 1875 patients and 2939 lesions. Thirty-five studies were included for meta-analyses. For MRI, the absence of target sign showed highest sensitivity (0.99, 95% CI: 0.94-1.00); ill-defined margins (0.94, 95% CI: 0.88-0.98); and perilesional edema (0.95, 95% CI: 0.83-1.00) showed highest specificity. For FDG-PET, SUVmax and tumor-to-liver ratio show similar accuracy; sensitivity 0.94, 95% CI: 0.91-0.97 and 0.93, 95% CI: 0.87-0.97, respectively, specificity 0.81, 95% CI: 0.76-0.87 and 0.79, 95% CI: 0.70-0.86, respectively. SUVmax ≥3.5 yielded the best accuracy with a sensitivity of 0.99 (95% CI: 0.93-1.00) and specificity of 0.75 (95% CI: 0.56-0.90).
CONCLUSIONS
Biopsies may be omitted in the presence of a target sign and the absence of ill-defined margins or perilesional edema. Because of diverse radiological characteristics of MPNST, biopsies may still commonly be required. In neurofibromatosis type 1, FDG-PET scans may further reduce biopsies. Ideal SUVmax threshold is ≥3.5.
Topics: Bayes Theorem; Fluorodeoxyglucose F18; Humans; Nerve Sheath Neoplasms; Neurofibrosarcoma; Positron-Emission Tomography; Radiopharmaceuticals
PubMed: 33326583
DOI: 10.1093/neuonc/noaa280 -
Polymers Aug 2022Fibrin, derived from proteins involved in blood clotting (fibrinogen and thrombin), is a biopolymer with different applications in the health area since it has... (Review)
Review
Fibrin, derived from proteins involved in blood clotting (fibrinogen and thrombin), is a biopolymer with different applications in the health area since it has hemostasis, biocompatible and three-dimensional physical structure properties, and can be used as scaffolds in tissue regeneration or drug delivery system for cells and/or growth factors. Fibrin alone or together with other biomaterials, has been indicated for use as a biological support to promote the regeneration of stem cells, bone, peripheral nerves, and other injured tissues. In its diversity of forms of application and constitution, there are platelet-rich fibrin (PRF), Leukocyte- and platelet-rich fibrin (L-PRF), fibrin glue or fibrin sealant, and hydrogels. In order to increase fibrin properties, adjuvant therapies can be combined to favor tissue repair, such as photobiomodulation (PBM), by low-level laser therapy (LLLT) or LEDs (Light Emitting Diode). Therefore, this systematic review aimed to evaluate the relationship between PBM and the use of fibrin compounds, referring to the results of previous studies published in PubMed/MEDLINE, Scopus and Web of Science databases. The descriptors "fibrin AND low-level laser therapy" and "fibrin AND photobiomodulation" were used, without restriction on publication time. The bibliographic search found 44 articles in PubMed/MEDLINE, of which 26 were excluded due to duplicity or being outside the eligibility criteria. We also found 40 articles in Web of Science and selected 1 article, 152 articles in Scopus and no article selected, totaling 19 articles for qualitative analysis. The fibrin type most used in combination with PBM was fibrin sealant, mainly heterologous, followed by PRF or L-PRF. In PBM, the gallium-aluminum-arsenide (GaAlAs) laser prevailed, with a wavelength of 830 nm, followed by 810 nm. Among the preclinical studies, the most researched association of fibrin and PBM was the use of fibrin sealants in bone or nerve injuries; in clinical studies, the association of PBM with medication-related treatments osteonecrosis of the jaw (MRONJ). Therefore, there is scientific evidence of the contribution of PBM on fibrin composites, constituting a supporting therapy that acts by stimulating cell activity, angiogenesis, osteoblast activation, axonal growth, anti-inflammatory and anti-edema action, increased collagen synthesis and its maturation, as well as biomolecules.
PubMed: 35956667
DOI: 10.3390/polym14153150 -
Healthcare (Basel, Switzerland) Jun 2022ESKD is a total or near-permanent failure in renal function. It is irreversible, progressive and ultimately fatal without peritoneal dialysis (PD), haemodialysis (HD) or... (Review)
Review
Health Education Programmes to Improve Foot Self-Care Knowledge and Behaviour among Older People with End-Stage Kidney Disease (ESKD) Receiving Haemodialysis (A Systematic Review).
BACKGROUND
ESKD is a total or near-permanent failure in renal function. It is irreversible, progressive and ultimately fatal without peritoneal dialysis (PD), haemodialysis (HD) or kidney transplantation. Dialysis treatments can create new and additional problems for patients, one of which is foot amputation, as a result of non-healing wounds and vascular complications. The association between dialysis therapy and foot ulceration is linked to several factors: physical and psychological health; peripheral arterial disease (PAD); mobility; tissue oxygenation; manual dexterity; neuropathy; visual acuity; anaemia; nutrition; leg oedema; hypoalbuminemia; infection; inadequacy of dialysis; and leg/foot support during dialysis. The potential risk factors for foot ulceration may include: not routinely receiving foot care education; incorrect use of footwear; diabetes duration; neuropathy; and peripheral arterial disease.
AIM
The aim of this review is to examine the factors that help or hinder successful implementation of foot care education programmes for ESKD patients receiving haemodialysis.
METHOD
A comprehensive literature search was completed using five electronic databases. Medline; CINAHL; Embase; PsycINFO; and Cochrane Library. The Joanna Briggs Institute checklist (JBI) was used to quality appraise full text papers included in the review. The systematic review was not limited to specific categories of interventions to enable optimal comparison between interventions and provide a comprehensive overview of the evidence in this important field of foot care.
RESULTS
We found no previously published studies that considered foot care education programmes for haemodialysis patients who are not diabetic; thus, the present systematic review examined four studies on diabetic patients receiving haemodialysis exposed to foot care education programmes from various types of intervention designs.
CONCLUSIONS
This systematic review has provided evidence that it is possible to influence foot care knowledge and self-care behaviours in both diabetic patients receiving haemodialysis and healthcare professionals.
PubMed: 35742194
DOI: 10.3390/healthcare10061143 -
Biomedicines May 2022Patients with heart failure are subjected to a substantial burden related to fluid overload symptoms. Exercise can help the lymphatic system function more effectively to... (Review)
Review
Patients with heart failure are subjected to a substantial burden related to fluid overload symptoms. Exercise can help the lymphatic system function more effectively to prevent fluid build-up in tissues and interstitium, thus potentially mitigating the symptoms due to fluid overload. The objective of this systematic review was to examine the effects of exercise-based interventions on fluid overload symptoms among patients with heart failure. MEDLINE, Embase, Cochrane Library, and CINAHL databases were systematically searched for relevant studies published from inception to August 2021. We included randomized controlled trials that compared exercise-based interventions of different modalities and usual medical care for adult patients with heart failure and reported the effects of interventions on any symptoms related to fluid overload. A random-effects meta-analysis was used to estimate the effectiveness, and a subgroup analysis and univariate meta-regression analysis were used to explore heterogeneity. Seventeen studies covering 1086 participants were included. We found robust evidence indicating the positive effect of exercises in dyspnea relief (SMD = -0.48; 95%CI [-0.76, -0.19]; = 0.001); the intervention length also influenced the treatment effect (β = 0.033; 95%CI [0.003, 0.063]; = 0.04). Initial evidence from existing limited research showed that exercise-based intervention had positive effect to alleviate edema, yet more studies are needed to verify the effect. In contrast, the exercise-based interventions did not improve fatigue compared with usual care (SMD = -0.27; 95%CI [-0.61, 0.06]; = 0.11). Findings regarding the effects of exercises on bodily pain, gastro-intestinal symptoms, and peripheral circulatory symptoms were inconclusive due to limited available studies. In conclusion, exercise-based interventions can be considered as an effective nonpharmacological therapy for patients with heart failure to promote lymph flow and manage fluid overload symptoms. Exercise-based interventions seem to have very limited effect on fatigue. More research should investigate the mechanism of fatigue related to heart failure. Future studies with high methodological quality and comprehensive assessment of symptoms and objective measure of fluid overload are warranted.
PubMed: 35625848
DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines10051111 -
International Journal of Environmental... Nov 2022There is evidence for the positive effects of neurodynamic techniques in some peripheral entrapment neuropathies, but the rationale for these effects has not been... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
BACKGROUND
There is evidence for the positive effects of neurodynamic techniques in some peripheral entrapment neuropathies, but the rationale for these effects has not been validated. We aimed to estimate the direct effect of neurodynamic techniques on the dispersion of artificially induced intraneural edema measured by dye spread in cadavers.
METHODS
We systematically searched the MEDLINE, WOS, Scopus, and the Cochrane databases from inception to February 2020 for experimental studies addressing the efficacy of neurodynamic techniques on the dispersion of artificially induced intraneural edema. The DerSimonian and Laird method was used to compute pooled estimates of the mean differences (MDs) and its respective 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Subgroup analyses were conducted according to the type of neurodynamic technique. In addition, a 95% prediction interval was calculated to reflect the variation in true treatment effects in different settings, including the effect to be expected in future patients.
RESULTS
Pooled results showed a significant increase in fluid dispersion (MD = 2.57 mm; 95%CI: 1.13 to 4.01). Subgroup analysis showed increased dye spread in the tensioning techniques group (MD = 2.22 mm; 95%CI: 0.86 to 3.57).
CONCLUSION
Neurodynamic techniques improved the intraneural edema dispersion and should be considered for the management of peripheral compression neuropathies. Furthermore, tensioning techniques appear to be effective in helping to disperse intraneural edema.
Topics: Humans; Edema; Treatment Outcome
PubMed: 36361353
DOI: 10.3390/ijerph192114472 -
Hand (New York, N.Y.) Sep 2022This systematic review investigates complications and recurrence of Dupuytren's contracture in metacarpophalangeal joints (MCPJs) and/or proximal interphalangeal joints...
This systematic review investigates complications and recurrence of Dupuytren's contracture in metacarpophalangeal joints (MCPJs) and/or proximal interphalangeal joints (PIPJs) of fingers treated with collagenase clostridium histolyticum (CCH). A review of the literature on Dupuytren's disease was performed using PRISMA guidelines. Included publications described complications and/or recurrences for contractures ≥20° in MCPJs and/or PIPJs treated with CCH. Successful treatments reduced contractures to ≤5° immediately. Treatment-related adverse events (AEs) were classified as minor, major surgical, and major nonsurgical. Contracture recurrence involved return of fixed-flexion contracture ≥20° in a successfully treated finger in patients with ≥12 months of follow-up. Of 2675 patients (3753 joints), 94% experienced ≥1 treatment-related AE, most commonly peripheral edema (64%), pain in extremity (53%), and contusion (51%). Major surgical complications occurred in 9 patients (1.0%). Major nonsurgical complications occurred in 2 patients, specifically nonrupture tendon injury and anaphylaxis. Of 1488 patients (2069 joints), recurrences were reported in 23% of successfully treated joints (n = 466; 20% MCPJs, 28% PIPJs), on average 12 to 24 months after treatment. MCPJs achieved greater success than PIPJs in initial contracture reduction (77% versus 36%). CCH is a safe, effective treatment to improve hand function in Dupuytren's contracture. Most AEs are minor and self-resolving, although the risk of major AEs still exists. Following treatment, 23% of successfully treated joints experience recurrence, typically within 12 to 24 months but sometimes as early as 6 months. Surgeons are encouraged to discuss these risks with patients for shared decision-making regarding optimal treatment modalities.
Topics: Collagenases; Dupuytren Contracture; Humans; Injections, Intralesional; Microbial Collagenase; Recurrence
PubMed: 33478271
DOI: 10.1177/1558944720974119