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Translational Pediatrics Nov 2021Hormonal drug therapy has been widely used in clinical practice for the treatment of progressive muscular dystrophy (PMD). Glucocorticoids, as a common drug in the...
BACKGROUND
Hormonal drug therapy has been widely used in clinical practice for the treatment of progressive muscular dystrophy (PMD). Glucocorticoids, as a common drug in the clinical treatment of PMD, have been reported in several clinical studies.
METHODS
Chinese and English databases were respectively searched using "randomized controlled trials", "Duchenne-type myotonic dystrophy", "glucocorticoids", Prednisone", "Prednisolone", and "Methylprednisolone", and "Defibrotide" were used as search terms. The meta-analysis was performed using the RevMan 5.3 and Stata 13 software provided by the Cochrane system.
RESULTS
this study included five randomized controlled trials, all of which described the correct randomization method. There were four detailed descriptions of hidden distribution schemes. There were four literatures using blind method. Heterogeneity analysis showed that there was some heterogeneity between the results of the mean prognostic muscle strength, walking time of 9 meters, and 4 flights of stairs climbing between the glucocorticoid-treated group (the experimental group) and the placebo group (the control group). There were no significant differences between the experimental group and the control group in average muscle strength level, walking time of 9 meters and climbing time of 4 flights of stairs (MD =1.77; 95% CI: -0.95 to 4.48; P=0.20>0.05), (MD =-12.27; 95% CI: -35.94 to 11.40; P=0.31>0.01), (MD =-3.09; 95% CI: -11.16 to 4.99; P=0.45>0.05). In addition, glucocorticoid treatment significantly increased creatine kinase level in patients with PMD (MD =-0.28, 95% CI: -0.57 to 0.00; P=0.05). In terms of the incidence of adverse reactions, glucocorticoid treatment significantly increased the prognostic probability of acne, rapid hair growth, and emotional irritability in PMD patients (OR =2.40; 95% CI: 1.09 to 5.27; P=0.03<0.05), (OR =3.05; 95% CI: 1.55 to 5.99; P=0.001<0.05), (OR =4.04; 95% CI: 1.82 to 10.63; P=0.001<0.05). There was no significant difference in the incidence of prognostic depression between the experimental group and the control group (OR =5.11; 95% CI: 0.80 to 32.79; P=0.09>0.05).
DISCUSSION
The results suggest that glucocorticoids have a significant effect on PMD patients, but to a certain extent they increase the incidence of adverse reactions in patients after treatment. However, due to the lack of complete clinical data in some ongoing studies, our conclusions may not be fully representative.
PubMed: 34976770
DOI: 10.21037/tp-21-461 -
Frontiers in Pediatrics 2019This systematic review and meta-analysis was conducted to compare relapse rates and adverse effects with oral dexamethasone vs. oral prednisone for acute asthma...
This systematic review and meta-analysis was conducted to compare relapse rates and adverse effects with oral dexamethasone vs. oral prednisone for acute asthma exacerbations in pediatric patients. A computerized literature search of PubMed, Embase, Scopus, CENTRAL (Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials) and Google scholar databases was carried out till 1st August 2019. Six Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and 1 quasi-RCT were included. Dosage of dexamethasone and prednisone varied across studies. Studies were grouped based on the follow-up period and duration of dexamethasone administration. There was no significant difference in the relapse rate between dexamethasone and prednisone at 1-5 days (RR 1.46, 95%CI 0.69-3.7, = 0.32; = 0%) and 10-15 days of follow up (RR 1.16, 95%CI 0.80-1.68, = 0.44; = 0%). Pooled analysis found no significant difference in relapse rates with 1-day (RR 1.15, 95%CI 0.68-1.95, = 0.60; = 0%) and 2-day dosage of dexamethasone (RR 1.25, 95%CI 0.82-1.92, = 0.30; = 0%) compared to prednisone. Hospital readmission rates after initial discharge were not significantly different between the two drugs (RR 1.49, 95%CI 0.56-4.01, = 0.43; = 0%). Frequency of vomiting at ED (RR 0.21, 95%CI 0.05-0.96, = 0.04; = 50%) and at home (RR 0.42, 95%CI 0.25-0.69, = 0.0007; = 0%) was significantly higher with prednisone as compared to dexamethasone. While our results indicate that both dexamethasone and prednisone have similar relapse rates when used for acute asthmatic exacerbations, strong conclusions cannot be drawn due to paucity of large scale RCTs and limited quality of evidence. Dexamethasone is however associated with lower incidence of vomiting as compared to prednisone. Further homogenous RCTs are needed to provide robust evidence on this topic.
PubMed: 31921718
DOI: 10.3389/fped.2019.00503 -
Cureus Sep 2022Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a globally rising chronic intestinal disease that affects individuals in many parts of the world. Immunosuppressive medications such... (Review)
Review
Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a globally rising chronic intestinal disease that affects individuals in many parts of the world. Immunosuppressive medications such as corticosteroids are used to manage flare-ups and to induce remission in IBD. Corticosteroids are said to cause several systemic symptoms, but they are also associated with drug-induced neuropsychiatric disorders. This article examines the existing data on psychiatric and cognitive effects associated with corticosteroid therapy in relation to IBD. Many studies have found that corticosteroids appear to cause mood disturbances such as mania, hypomania, depression, and cognitive problems in the first few weeks of therapy, but these effects are dose-dependent and often mild. The purpose of this literature review is to shed light on the impact corticosteroids can have on individuals' mental health, which will aid physicians in the future when treating patients with IBD. Healthcare professionals should advise patients of this risk and assess the need for intervention. While there is evidence that corticosteroids can elicit neuropsychiatric symptoms, more data on people with IBD who are on corticosteroid therapy is needed to determine the prevalence of glucocorticoid-induced mood changes in this population.
PubMed: 36225410
DOI: 10.7759/cureus.28981 -
Journal of Geriatric Oncology Nov 2020Several treatment options are available for the management of older adults with newly diagnosed patients with Multiple Myeloma (MM) who are ineligible for hematopoietic... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
INTRODUCTION
Several treatment options are available for the management of older adults with newly diagnosed patients with Multiple Myeloma (MM) who are ineligible for hematopoietic cell transplantation (tiMM). We aimed to identify treatment options that provide the best balance in terms of efficacy and safety.
METHODS
We searched bibliographic databases and meeting libraries for search terms reflecting newly diagnosed and older and/or transplant-ineligible patients from inception to October 21, 2018. Phase II/III randomized trials comparing at least two first line treatment regimens for newly diagnosed tiMM were included. We extracted data on efficacy (progression free survival, PFS, overall survival and overall response rate) and safety (grade ¾ toxicities) and conducted network meta-analysis using Bayesian methods and random effects models. Relative ranking of treatment regimens was assessed using Surface under the cumulative ranking (SUCRA) probabilities.
RESULTS
We identified 27 trials involving 12,194 patients. For PFS, the four most effective regimens were: Daratumumab, Bortezomib, Melphalan and Prednisone (SUCRA 0.960) followed by Daratumumab, lenalidomide and dexamethasone (Dara_RD, SUCRA 0.847), Bortezomib, melphalan, prednisone, thalidomide maintenance with bortezomib-thalidomide (SUCRA 0.834) and Bortezomib, Lenalidomide and Dexamethasone (SUCRA 0.739). Among these four most efficacious regimens, toxicity profile was most favorable for Dara_RD (median additional AEs per patient vs dexamethasone = 0.74; 95% CrI 0.51-1.17; SUCRA 0.430).
CONCLUSION
Among first line tiMM regimens, increasing efficacy is associated with increased toxicity. We provide relative ranking of these regimens for both efficacy and safety. Future studies should incorporate geriatric assessments and frailty biomarkers to refine treatment decision-making for each individual patient.
Topics: Aged; Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols; Bayes Theorem; Humans; Lenalidomide; Multiple Myeloma; Treatment Outcome
PubMed: 32513568
DOI: 10.1016/j.jgo.2020.05.013 -
The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology... May 2024Synthetic glucocorticoids are widely used to treat patients with a broad range of diseases. While efficacious, glucocorticoids can be accompanied by neuropsychiatric... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
CONTEXT
Synthetic glucocorticoids are widely used to treat patients with a broad range of diseases. While efficacious, glucocorticoids can be accompanied by neuropsychiatric adverse effects.
OBJECTIVE
This systematic review and meta-analysis assesses and quantifies the proportion of different neuropsychiatric adverse effects in patients using synthetic glucocorticoids.
METHODS
Six electronic databases were searched to identify potentially relevant studies. Randomized controlled trials, cohort studies, and cross-sectional studies assessing psychiatric side effects of glucocorticoids measured with validated questionnaires were eligible. Risk of bias was assessed with RoB 2, ROBINS-I, and AXIS appraisal tool. For proportions of neuropsychiatric outcomes, we pooled proportions, and when possible, differences in questionnaire scores between glucocorticoid users and nonusers were expressed as standardized mean differences (SMD). Data were pooled in a random-effects logistic regression model.
RESULTS
We included 49 studies with heterogeneity in study populations, type, dose, and duration of glucocorticoids. For glucocorticoid users, meta-analysis showed a proportion of 22% for depression (95% CI, 14%-33%), 11% for mania (2%-46%), 8% for anxiety (2%-25%), 16% for delirium (6%-36%), and 52% for behavioral changes (42%-61%). Questionnaire scores for depression (SMD of 0.80 [95% CI 0.35-1.26]), and mania (0.78 [0.14-1.42]) were higher than in controls, indicating more depressive and manic symptoms following glucocorticoid use.
CONCLUSION
The heterogeneity of glucocorticoid use is reflected in the available studies. Despite this heterogeneity, the proportion of neuropsychiatric adverse effects in glucocorticoid users is high. The most substantial associations with glucocorticoid use were found for depression and mania. Upon starting glucocorticoid treatment, awareness of possible psychiatric side effects is essential. More structured studies on incidence and potential pathways of neuropsychiatric side effects of prescribed glucocorticoids are clearly needed.
Topics: Humans; Glucocorticoids; Mental Disorders
PubMed: 38038629
DOI: 10.1210/clinem/dgad701 -
Frontiers in Oncology 2024This study aimed to evaluate the relative efficacy and safety of first-line treatment options for metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC).
OBJECTIVE
This study aimed to evaluate the relative efficacy and safety of first-line treatment options for metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC).
METHODS
We systematically searched electronic databases, including PubMed and Web of Science, for studies published from their inception to April 3rd, 2023. Inclusion criteria were: 1) Completed Phase III or IV randomized controlled trials (RCTs) registered on ClinicalTrials.gov; 2) Patients with a confirmed diagnosis of mCRPC who had not previously received chemotherapy or novel endocrine therapies. We conducted a network meta-analysis using R software (version 3.4.0). Network graphs and risk of bias graphs were generated using Stata 14.0 and RevMan 5.4, respectively. The primary outcome was overall survival (OS), and the secondary outcome was the incidence of severe adverse events (SAEs).
RESULTS
Seven RCTs encompassing 6,641 patients were included. The network meta-analysis revealed that both docetaxel+prednisone (DP) and cabazitaxel+prednisone (CP) significantly improved OS compared to abiraterone. Compared to placebo, DP showed comparable results to both cabazitaxel 20 mg/m+prednisone (C20P) and cabazitaxel 25 mg/m+prednisone (C25P) in terms of OS. For SAEs, both DP and C20P were superior to C25P, with no statistical difference between C20P and DP. The probability ranking plots indicated that C25P ranked highest for OS, while DP ranked highest for SAEs.
CONCLUSIONS
Based on our network meta-analysis, we recommend cabazitaxel 20 mg/m+prednisone (C20P) as the primary choice for first-line management of mCRPC, followed by DP. Enzalutamide and abiraterone are suggested as subsequent options. Radium-223 may be considered for patients presenting with bone metastases.
SYSTEMATIC REVIEW REGISTRATION
https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/, identifier CRD42023443943.
PubMed: 38686197
DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2024.1378993 -
Rheumatology (Oxford, England) Mar 2022SS with childhood onset is a rare autoimmune disease characterized by heterogeneous presentation. The lack of validated classification criteria makes it challenging to...
OBJECTIVES
SS with childhood onset is a rare autoimmune disease characterized by heterogeneous presentation. The lack of validated classification criteria makes it challenging to diagnose. Evidence-based guidelines for treatment of juvenile SS are not available due to the rarity of disease and the paucity of research in this patient population. This systematic review aims to summarize and appraise the current literature focused on pharmacological strategies for management of SS with childhood onset.
METHODS
PubMed and MEDLINE/Scopus databases up to December 2020 were screened for suitable reports highlighting pharmacological treatment of SS with childhood onset using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses 2009 reporting checklist. Animal studies were excluded.
RESULTS
A total of 43 studies (34 case reports, 8 mini case series and 1 pilot study) were eligible for analysis. The studies retrieved included girls in 88% (120/137) of cases and had very low confidence levels. HCQ was prescribed for parotid swelling, as well as in association with MTX and NSAIDs in patients with arthritis and arthralgia. Corticosteroids such as long courses of oral prednisone and i.v. methylprednisolone were commonly prescribed for children with severe disease presentations. Rituximab was mainly indicated for mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue lymphoma and renal and nervous system complications. Other conventional DMARDs were prescribed in selected cases with extraglandular manifestations.
CONCLUSION
Various therapies are used for the management of juvenile SS and are prescribed based on expert clinician's opinion. There are currently no good-quality studies that allow clinical recommendations for treatment of SS with childhood onset.
Topics: Antirheumatic Agents; Azathioprine; Cyclophosphamide; Cyclosporine; Glucocorticoids; Humans; Hydroxychloroquine; Methotrexate; Rituximab; Sjogren's Syndrome
PubMed: 34289032
DOI: 10.1093/rheumatology/keab579 -
Frontiers in Medicine 2022Facial seborrheic dermatitis (FSD), also called facial seborrheic eczema, is a common disease affecting both male and female patients worldwide. Tanshinone is the main...
BACKGROUND
Facial seborrheic dermatitis (FSD), also called facial seborrheic eczema, is a common disease affecting both male and female patients worldwide. Tanshinone is the main bioactive component extracted from the Traditional Chinese Medicine , which is widely used in treating skin inflammatory diseases. It is necessary to evaluate the clinical evidence for tanshinone capsule treatment of FSD. This study aimed to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of tanshinone capsules combined with prednisone in the treatment of facial seborrheic dermatitis and to provide evidence for clinical practice.
METHODS
Studies were searched in PubMed, the Cochrane Library, the Chinese Biomedical Literature Database, the China National Knowledge Infrastructure, the Chinese Scientific Journal Database, and WanFang Database before October 2021. We also searched for randomized controlled clinical trials (RCT) of tanshinone capsules combined with prednisone on facial seborrheic dermatitis. The meta-analysis was conducted according to the guidelines of the Cochrane Handbook. Two reviewers regulated the research selection, data extraction, and risk of bias assessment, respectively, and a third reviewer was used for consulting when necessary. Review Manager Software 5.3 was used for meta-analysis.
RESULTS
A total of 10 RCTs with 916 participants were included. Nine studies reported total effectiveness, five studies reported symptom score, seven studies reported adverse events, and four studies reported recurrence rate. The duration of treatment was 4 to 8 weeks. Combination therapy showed better clinical effects compared to the prednisone (OR: 5.82; 95% CI: 3.53, 9.59; < 0.00001). Combination therapy could repair skin lesions (MD: -0.40; 95% CI: -0.51, -0.30; < 0.00001), reduce skin erythema (MD: -0.58, 95% CI: -0.67, -0.49; < 0.00001), relieve skin itch (MD: -0.70; 95% CI -0.77, -0.63; < 0.00001), and desquamation score (MD: -0.64; 95% CI: -0.71, -0.56; < 0.00001). Furthermore, combination therapy could reduce adverse events (OR: 0.46; 95% CI: 0.26, 0.84; = 0.01) and control recurrence rate (OR: 0.22; 95% CI: 0.13, 0.36; < 0.00001).
CONCLUSIONS
Compared with prednisone, tanshinone capsules combined with prednisone may be effective in the treatment of facial seborrheic dermatitis. However, due to the high risk and ambiguity of bias in the included trials, the conclusion of this study must be interpreted carefully.
PubMed: 35572959
DOI: 10.3389/fmed.2022.816419 -
Experimental and Therapeutic Medicine Jan 2021The present study aimed to review relevant, randomized, controlled trials in order to determine the effects of aspirin and heparin treatment on recurrent spontaneous...
The present study aimed to review relevant, randomized, controlled trials in order to determine the effects of aspirin and heparin treatment on recurrent spontaneous abortion (RSA) in women with antiphospholipid syndrome (APS). Previous relevant studies were identified using PubMed, Cochrane, Embase, CNKI, VANFUN and VIP by retrieving appropriate key words. Additionally, key relevant sources in the literature were reviewed and articles published before May 2019 were included. The 22 selected studies included 1,515 patients in the treatment group and 1,531 patients in the control group. These previous studies showed that heparin and aspirin significantly improved live birth rate when compared with treatments using intravenous immunoglobulin, aspirin alone or aspirin combined with prednisone. Moreover, heparin and aspirin greatly increased the birth weight compared with placebo and improved vaginal delivery relative to intravenous immunoglobulin. The gestational age at birth was significantly higher in the heparin and aspirin group compared with the placebo group and the incidence of intrauterine growth restriction was lower in the heparin and aspirin group compared with the placebo group. Furthermore, heparin and aspirin markedly reduced the incidence of miscarriage compared with the aspirin group and the placebo group, and the incidence of pre-eclampsia was lower in the heparin and aspirin group than the placebo group. Thus, heparin and aspirin could be further examined for the treatment of RSA in women with APS.
PubMed: 33365057
DOI: 10.3892/etm.2020.9489 -
Therapeutic Advances in Medical Oncology 2022Several therapies are available for the treatment of advanced/metastatic prostate cancer (PC). However, the systematic assessment of evidence pertaining to the use of... (Review)
Review
OBJECTIVES
Several therapies are available for the treatment of advanced/metastatic prostate cancer (PC). However, the systematic assessment of evidence pertaining to the use of these therapies in Asian patients is lacking.
METHODS
A systematic literature review (SLR) was conducted using PubMed/Medline search in May 2021 to identify the randomized/nonrandomized controlled trials (RCTs/non-RCTs) and real-world observational studies (prospective/retrospective). Only studies published as full manuscripts in English were included if reporting the efficacy, effectiveness, and/or safety of treatments in Asian patients with advanced/metastatic PC.
RESULTS
Of the 1,898 retrieved publications, 24 studies were included. These studies had patients with nonmetastatic castration-resistant PC (n = 2), metastatic castration-sensitive PC ( = 4), and metastatic castration-resistant PC ( = 18). Study designs included RCTs ( = 7), non-RCTs ( = 2), and real-world studies ( = 15). Treatments used in included studies were abiraterone acetate plus prednisone (AAP; = 6), enzalutamide, lutetium-177 prostate-specific membrane antigen (Lu-PSMA; = 4 each), docetaxel ( = 3), apalutamide, radium-223 ( = 2 each), darolutamide, cabazitaxel, and pembrolizumab ( = 1 each). The evidence from RCTs (i.e., ARAMIS, SPARTAN, ARCHES, TITAN, LATITUDE, PREVAIL) demonstrated the clinical benefits of apalutamide, darolutamide, enzalutamide, and AAP in terms of overall, disease-free, and metastasis-free survival in Asian patients. These treatments were reported to be well tolerated, with no new safety signals identified in Asian population. The efficacy and safety profiles in Asian patients were consistent with the overall trial population. Data from real-world studies supported the effectiveness and tolerability of AAP, enzalutamide, radium-223, docetaxel, cabazitaxel, Lu-PSMA, and pembrolizumab in patients with advanced/metastatic PC.
CONCLUSIONS
This SLR of the Asian data on therapies for advanced PC from the pivotal and real-world studies confirms similar efficacy and safety outcomes, consistent with the results from the pivotal clinical trials. These findings will help clinicians make better treatment decisions in clinical practice for patients with advanced/metastatic PC.
PubMed: 36407784
DOI: 10.1177/17588359221131525