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Infectious Diseases of Poverty Oct 2021Severe dengue is a life-threatening complication; rapid identification of these cases, followed by adequate management is crucial to improve the clinical prognosis.... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
BACKGROUND
Severe dengue is a life-threatening complication; rapid identification of these cases, followed by adequate management is crucial to improve the clinical prognosis. Therefore, this study aimed to identify risk factors and predictors of severe dengue.
METHODS
A literature search for studies reporting risk factors of severe dengue among individuals with dengue virus infection was conducted in PubMed, Scopus and Web of Science database from inception to December 31, 2020. Pooled odds ratios (ORs) for patients' demographic characteristics, co-morbidities, and warning signs were estimated using an inverse variance heterogeneity model.
RESULTS
We included 143 articles in the meta-analysis from a total of 13 090 articles retrieved from the literature search. The risk factors of severe dengue were: being a child [OR = 1.96; 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.22-3.13], secondary infection (OR = 3.23; 95% CI: 2.28-4.57), and patients with pre-existing diabetes (OR = 2.88; 95% CI: 1.72-4.81) and renal disease (OR = 4.54; 95% CI: 1.55-13.31). Warning signs strongly associated with severe disease were increased haematocrit with a concurrent decrease in platelet count (OR = 5.13; 95% CI: 1.61-16.34), abdominal pain (OR = 2.00; 95% CI: 1.49-2.68), lethargy (OR = 2.73; 95% CI: 1.05-7.10), vomiting (OR = 1.80; 95% CI: 1.43-2.26), hepatomegaly (OR = 5.92; 95% CI: 3.29-10.66), ascites (OR = 6.30; 95% CI: 3.75-10.60), pleural effusion (OR = 5.72; 95% CI: 3.24-10.10) and melena (OR = 4.05; 95% CI: 1.64-10.00).
CONCLUSIONS
Our meta-analysis identified children, secondary infection, diabetes and renal disease(s) as important predictors of severe dengue. Our finding also supports the predictive ability of the WHO warning signs to identify severe dengue. These findings are useful for clinicians to identify severe dengue for management and timely interventions.
Topics: Humans; Risk Factors; Severe Dengue
PubMed: 34627388
DOI: 10.1186/s40249-021-00908-2 -
International Journal of Environmental... Feb 2023Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) has become a critical public health issue that affects more than 78 million people. In many recent studies, the authors have demonstrated... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) has become a critical public health issue that affects more than 78 million people. In many recent studies, the authors have demonstrated that equine-assisted activities and therapies (EAATs) can substantially improve the social and behavioral skills of children with ASD. However, the qualities of the studies differ, and some authors reached opposite conclusions. In this review, we systematically and objectively examined the effectiveness of EAATs for people with ASD, combining both qualitative and quantitative methods. We searched five databases (PubMed, Scopus, ERIC, ProQuest, and MEDLINE) and added relevant references, and we identified 25 articles for data extraction and analysis. According to our results, EAAT programs can substantially improve the social and behavioral functioning and language abilities of children with ASD. However, among the subdomains, the results were inconsistent. According to the meta-analyses, there were considerable improvements in the social cognition, communication, irritability, and hyperactivity domains, but not in the domains of social awareness, mannerisms, motivation, lethargy, stereotypy, or inappropriate speech. Moreover, there was a lack of sufficient comparative data to conclude that EAAT programs lead to substantial improvements in motor and sensory functioning. In addition, among the included studies, we noted the indicator of whether EAAT programs decreased parental stress and improved family functioning, and although there were four articles in which the researchers considered this aspect, we were unable to draw any conclusions because of the insufficient data and conflicting descriptive evidence. However, we need to consider the improvement in parental mental health as a factor in the effectiveness of this complementary intervention. We hope that in future studies, researchers will focus on family functioning and conduct more randomized controlled trials (RCTs) with blinded assessments using different scales and measures.
Topics: Humans; Animals; Horses; Autism Spectrum Disorder; Irritable Mood; Communication; Speech; Equine-Assisted Therapy
PubMed: 36767996
DOI: 10.3390/ijerph20032630 -
The Cochrane Database of Systematic... Sep 2021Dementia is a common chronic condition, mainly affecting older adults, characterised by a progressive decline in cognitive and functional abilities. Medical treatments... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
BACKGROUND
Dementia is a common chronic condition, mainly affecting older adults, characterised by a progressive decline in cognitive and functional abilities. Medical treatments for dementia are limited. Cannabinoids are being investigated for the treatment of dementia.
OBJECTIVES
To determine the efficacy and safety of cannabinoids for the treatment of dementia.
SEARCH METHODS
We searched ALOIS - the Cochrane Dementia and Cognitive Improvement Group's Specialised Register - on 8 July 2021, using the terms cannabis or cannabinoid or endocannabinoid or cannabidiol or THC or CBD or dronabinol or delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol or marijuana or marihuana or hashish. The register contains records from all major healthcare databases (the Cochrane Library, MEDLINE, Embase, PsycINFO, CINAHL, LILACS), as well as from many clinical trials registries and grey literature sources.
SELECTION CRITERIA
We included all randomised controlled trials (RCTs) of cannabinoids for the treatment of dementia. We included participants of any age and of either sex with diagnosed dementia of any subtype, or with unspecified dementia of any severity, from any setting. We considered studies of cannabinoids administered by any route, at any dose, for any duration, compared with placebo, no treatment, or any active control intervention.
DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS
Two review authors independently screened and selected studies for inclusion, extracted data, and assessed the risk of bias in included studies. When necessary, other review authors were involved in reaching consensus decisions. We conducted meta-analyses using a generic inverse variance fixed-effect model to derive estimates of effect size. We used GRADE methods to assess our confidence in the effect estimates.
MAIN RESULTS
We included four studies (126 participants) in this review. Most participants had Alzheimer's disease; a few had vascular dementia or mixed dementia. Three studies had low risk of bias across all domains; one study had unclear risk of bias for the majority of domains. The included studies tested natural delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) (Namisol) and two types of synthetic THC analogue (dronabinol and nabilone). Three trials had a cross-over design. Interventions were applied over 3 to 14 weeks; one study reported adverse events over 70 weeks of follow-up. One trial was undertaken in the USA, one in Canada, and two in The Netherlands. Two studies reported non-commercial funding, and two studies were conducted with the support of both commercial and non-commercial funding. Primary outcomes in this review were changes in global and specific cognitive function, overall behavioural and psychological symptoms of dementia (BPSD), and adverse events. We found very low-certainty evidence suggesting there may be little or no clinically important effect of a synthetic THC analogue on cognition assessed with the standardised Mini-Mental State Examination (sMMSE) (mean difference (MD) 1.1 points, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.1 to 2.1; 1 cross-over trial, 28 participants). We found low-certainty evidence suggesting there may be little or no clinically important effect of cannabinoids on overall behavioural and psychological symptoms of dementia assessed with the Neuropsychiatric Inventory (or its modified nursing home version) (MD -1.97, 95% CI -3.87 to -0.07; 1 parallel group and 2 cross-over studies, 110 participants). All included studies reported data on adverse events. However, the total number of adverse events, the total numbers of mild and moderate adverse events, and the total number of serious adverse events (SAEs) were not reported in a way that permitted meta-analysis. There were no clear differences between groups in numbers of adverse events, with the exception of sedation (including lethargy), which was more frequent among participants taking nabilone (N = 17) than placebo (N = 6) (odds ratio (OR) 2.83, 95% CI 1.07 to 7.48; 1 cross-over study, 38 participants). We judged the certainty of evidence for adverse event outcomes to be low or very low due to serious concerns regarding imprecision and indirectness.
AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS
Based on data from four small, short, and heterogeneous placebo-controlled trials, we cannot be certain whether cannabinoids have any beneficial or harmful effects on dementia. If there are benefits of cannabinoids for people with dementia, the effects may be too small to be clinically meaningful. Adequately powered, methodologically robust trials with longer follow-up are needed to properly assess the effects of cannabinoids in dementia.
Topics: Activities of Daily Living; Aged; Alzheimer Disease; Cannabidiol; Cannabinoids; Dementia, Vascular; Humans
PubMed: 34532852
DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD012820.pub2 -
JAMA Pediatrics Dec 2022Short-course antibiotic therapy could enhance adherence and reduce adverse drug effects and costs. However, based on sparse evidence, most guidelines recommend a longer... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
IMPORTANCE
Short-course antibiotic therapy could enhance adherence and reduce adverse drug effects and costs. However, based on sparse evidence, most guidelines recommend a longer course of antibiotics for nonsevere childhood community-acquired pneumonia (CAP).
OBJECTIVE
To determine whether a shorter course of antibiotics was noninferior to a longer course for childhood nonsevere CAP.
DATA SOURCES
MEDLINE, Embase, Web of Science, the Cochrane Library, and 3 Chinese databases from inception to March 31, 2022, as well as clinical trial registries and Google.com.
STUDY SELECTION
Randomized clinical trials comparing a shorter- vs longer-course therapy using the same oral antibiotic for children with nonsevere CAP were included.
DATA EXTRACTION AND SYNTHESIS
Random-effects models were used to pool the data, which were analyzed from April 15, 2022, to May 15, 2022. Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) was used to rate the quality of the evidence.
MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES
Treatment failure, defined by persistence of pneumonia or the new appearance of any general danger signs of CAP (eg, lethargy, unconsciousness, seizures, or inability to drink), elevated temperature (>38 °C) after completion of treatment, change of antibiotic, hospitalization, death, missing more than 3 study drug doses, loss to follow-up, or withdrawal of informed consent.
RESULTS
Nine randomized clinical trials including 11 143 participants were included in this meta-analysis. A total of 98% of the participants were aged 2 to 59 months, and 58% were male. Eight studies with 10 662 patients reported treatment failure. Treatment failure occurred in 12.8% vs 12.6% of participants randomized to a shorter vs a longer course of antibiotics. High-quality evidence showed that a shorter course of oral antibiotic was noninferior to a longer course with respect to treatment failure for children with nonsevere CAP (risk ratio, 1.01; 95% CI, 0.92-1.11; risk difference, 0.00; 95% CI, -0.01 to 0.01; I2 = 0%). A 3-day course of antibiotic treatment was noninferior to a 5-day course for the outcome of treatment failure (risk ratio, 1.01; 95% CI, 0.91-1.12; I2 = 0%), and a 5-day course was noninferior to a 10-day course (risk ratio, 0.87; 95% CI, 0.50-1.53; I2 = 0%). A shorter course of antibiotics was associated with fewer reports of gastroenteritis (risk ratio, 0.79; 95% CI, 0.66-0.95) and lower caregiver absenteeism (incident rate ratio, 0.74; 95% CI, 0.65-0.84).
CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE
Results of this meta-analysis suggest that a shorter course of antibiotics was noninferior to a longer course in children aged 2 to 59 months with nonsevere CAP. Clinicians should consider prescribing a shorter course of antibiotics for the management of pediatric nonsevere CAP.
Topics: Humans; Male; Child; Female; Community-Acquired Infections; Pneumonia; Anti-Bacterial Agents; Fever; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic
PubMed: 36374480
DOI: 10.1001/jamapediatrics.2022.4123 -
Scientific Reports Nov 2021Different studies have suggested that fluoride is related to neurological disorders in children and adolescents, but clinical evidences of which neurological parameters... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
Different studies have suggested that fluoride is related to neurological disorders in children and adolescents, but clinical evidences of which neurological parameters associated to fluoride exposure are, in fact, still controversial. In this way, this systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to show if there is an association between fluoride exposure from different sources, doses and neurological disorders. Terms related to "Humans"; "Central nervous system"; "Fluorides"; and "Neurologic manifestations" were searched in a systematic way on PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, Lilacs, Cochrane and Google Scholar. All studies performed on humans exposed to fluoride were included on the final assessment. A meta-analysis was then performed and the quality level of evidence was performed using the GRADE approach. Our search retrieved 4,024 studies, among which 27 fulfilled the eligibility criteria. The main source of fluoride was naturally fluoridated water. Twenty-six studies showed alterations related to Intelligence Quotient (IQ) while only one has evaluated headache, insomnia, lethargy, polydipsia and polyuria. Ten studies were included on the meta-analysis, which showed IQ impairment only for individuals under high fluoride exposure considering the World Health Organization criteria, without evidences of association between low levels and any neurological disorder. However, the high heterogeneity observed compromise the final conclusions obtained by the quantitative analyses regarding such high levels. Furthermore, this association was classified as very low-level evidence. At this time, the current evidence does not allow us to state that fluoride is associated with neurological damage, indicating the need for new epidemiological studies that could provide further evidences regarding this possible association.
Topics: Adolescent; Child; Environment; Environmental Exposure; Fluoridation; Fluorides; Fluorine Compounds; Humans; Intelligence Tests; Nervous System Diseases
PubMed: 34811523
DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-99688-w -
Clinical Autonomic Research : Official... Aug 2021Dyskinesia-hyperpyrexia syndrome (DHS) is a rare but life-threatening disease. The clinical manifestations of this syndrome overlap substantially with Parkinson... (Review)
Review
PURPOSE
Dyskinesia-hyperpyrexia syndrome (DHS) is a rare but life-threatening disease. The clinical manifestations of this syndrome overlap substantially with Parkinson hyperpyrexia syndrome and serotonin syndrome and are often confused by clinicians. The purpose of this review was to enable clinicians to recognize this syndrome and thereby reach a correct diagnosis and provide optimal treatments to improve prognosis in clinical practice.
METHODS
Using the methodology described in the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) statement, we conducted a literature search of the PubMed, Embase, and MEDLINE databases using keywords in titles and abstracts of published literature. Quality assessment was performed using the modified Newcastle-Ottawa scale.
RESULTS
A total of 11 patients obtained from nine publications were included in this systematic review. All of the cases occurred in patients with advanced Parkinson's disease (PD) of long disease duration. High ambient temperature was the most common trigger of this syndrome. Hyperpyrexia and dyskinesias were present in all cases. The consciousness disturbances of this syndrome included confusion, hallucination, and lethargy or stupor. Autonomic dysfunction (except for hyperpyrexia) is uncommon in DHS, and only two patients presented with tachycardia. The treatment of this syndrome included supportive interventions (including rehydration, anti-pyretic and anti-infection treatments, and maintaining electrolyte balance), dopaminergic drug reduction and sedation. Two patients died due to DHS.
CONCLUSIONS
We summarized the triggers, clinical features, and treatments of all reported dyskinesia-hyperpyrexia syndrome cases, proposed guiding diagnostic criteria, and established a flow chart to guide diagnoses to quickly identify these three syndromes in clinical practice.
Topics: Dyskinesias; Humans; Parkinson Disease; Syndrome
PubMed: 33826041
DOI: 10.1007/s10286-021-00801-w -
Neonatology 2023Deep medullary vein (DMV) thrombosis is a rare cause of brain damage in both preterm and full-term neonates. In this study, we aimed to collect data on clinical and...
BACKGROUND
Deep medullary vein (DMV) thrombosis is a rare cause of brain damage in both preterm and full-term neonates. In this study, we aimed to collect data on clinical and radiological presentation, treatment, and outcome of neonatal DMV thrombosis.
METHODS
Systematic literature review on neonatal DMV thrombosis was carried out in PubMed, ClinicalTrial.gov, Scopus, and Web of Science up to December 2022.
RESULTS
Seventy-five published cases of DMV thrombosis were identified and analysed (preterm newborns were 46%). Neonatal distress, respiratory resuscitation, or need for inotropes were present in 34/75 (45%) of patients. Signs and symptoms at presentation included seizures (38/75, 48%), apnoea (27/75, 36%), lethargy or irritability (26/75, 35%). At magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), fan-shaped linear T2 hypointense lesions were documented in all cases. All had ischaemic injuries, most often involving the frontal (62/74, 84%) and parietal lobes (56/74, 76%). Signs of haemorrhagic infarction were present in 53/54 (98%). Antithrombotic treatment was not mentioned in any of the studies included. Although mortality was low (2/75, 2.6%), a large proportion of patients developed neurological sequelae (intellectual disability in 19/51 [37%] and epilepsy in 9/51 [18%] cases).
CONCLUSIONS
DMV thrombosis is rarely identified in the literature, even if it is possibly under-recognized or under-reported. Presentation in neonatal age is with seizures and non-specific systemic signs/symptoms that often cause diagnostic delay, despite the pathognomonic MRI picture. The high rate of morbidity, which determines significant social and health costs, requires further in-depth studies aimed at earlier diagnosis and evidence-based prevention and therapeutic strategies.
Topics: Humans; Infant, Newborn; Delayed Diagnosis; Magnetic Resonance Imaging; Brain Injuries; Thrombosis; Seizures
PubMed: 37379822
DOI: 10.1159/000530647 -
Stroke Feb 2022Women have worse outcomes than men after stroke. Differences in presentation may lead to misdiagnosis and, in part, explain these disparities. We investigated whether... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE
Women have worse outcomes than men after stroke. Differences in presentation may lead to misdiagnosis and, in part, explain these disparities. We investigated whether there are sex differences in clinical presentation of acute stroke or transient ischemic attack.
METHODS
We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses statement. Inclusion criteria were (1) cohort, cross-sectional, case-control, or randomized controlled trial design; (2) admission for (suspicion of) ischemic or hemorrhagic stroke or transient ischemic attack; and (3) comparisons possible between sexes in ≥1 nonfocal or focal acute stroke symptom(s). A random-effects model was used for our analyses. We performed sensitivity and subanalyses to help explain heterogeneity and used the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale to assess bias.
RESULTS
We included 60 studies (n=582 844; 50% women). In women, headache (pooled odds ratio [OR], 1.24 [95% CI, 1.11-1.39]; I=75.2%; 30 studies) occurred more frequently than in men with any type of stroke, as well as changes in consciousness/mental status (OR, 1.38 [95% CI, 1.19-1.61]; I=95.0%; 17 studies) and coma/stupor (OR, 1.39 [95% CI, 1.25-1.55]; I=27.0%; 13 studies). Aspecific or other neurological symptoms (nonrotatory dizziness and non-neurological symptoms) occurred less frequently in women (OR, 0.96 [95% CI, 0.94-0.97]; I=0.1%; 5 studies). Overall, the presence of focal symptoms was not associated with sex (pooled OR, 1.03) although dysarthria (OR, 1.14 [95% CI, 1.04-1.24]; I=48.6%; 11 studies) and vertigo (OR, 1.23 [95% CI, 1.13-1.34]; I=44.0%; 8 studies) occurred more frequently, whereas symptoms of paresis/hemiparesis (OR, 0.73 [95% CI, 0.54-0.97]; I=72.6%; 7 studies) and focal visual disturbances (OR, 0.83 [95% CI, 0.70-0.99]; I=62.8%; 16 studies) occurred less frequently in women compared with men with any type of stroke. Most studies contained possible sources of bias.
CONCLUSIONS
There may be substantive differences in nonfocal and focal stroke symptoms between men and women presenting with acute stroke or transient ischemic attack, but sufficiently high-quality studies are lacking. More studies are needed to address this because sex differences in presentation may lead to misdiagnosis and undertreatment.
Topics: Cohort Studies; Cross-Sectional Studies; Diagnostic Errors; Female; Humans; Intracranial Hemorrhages; Ischemic Attack, Transient; Male; Sex Characteristics; Stroke; Treatment Outcome
PubMed: 34903037
DOI: 10.1161/STROKEAHA.120.034040 -
General Hospital Psychiatry 2021Catatonia is classically associated with psychiatric conditions but may occur in medical and neurologic disorders. Status epilepticus (SE) is a seizure lasting more than... (Review)
Review
INTRODUCTION
Catatonia is classically associated with psychiatric conditions but may occur in medical and neurologic disorders. Status epilepticus (SE) is a seizure lasting more than five minutes or two or more seizures within a five-minute period without interictal recovery of consciousness. Non-convulsive status epilepticus (NCSE) is SE without prominent motor activity that may present with catatonic symptoms. The relevance of NCSE as a potential etiology for catatonia is not clear in the literature.
METHODS
A systematic review was completed to evaluate the literature on NCSE presenting with catatonia. PubMed and PsycInfo databases were searched and articles were reviewed for the presence of catatonia and NCSE.
RESULTS
15 articles describing 27 cases meeting inclusion criteria were identified. The authors add 1 case to the literature. The most common catatonic symptoms identified in NCSE were mutism and stupor. Clinical features frequent in NCSE presenting with catatonia included new catatonic symptoms, age over 50 years, comorbid neurological conditions, or a change in medications that affect seizure threshold. A documented psychiatric history was also common and may contribute to delayed diagnosis.
DISCUSSION/CONCLUSION
It is important to consider NCSE in the differential diagnosis of new catatonic symptoms. A suggested approach to diagnostic evaluation is provided.
Topics: Catatonia; Diagnosis, Differential; Electroencephalography; Humans; Middle Aged; Seizures; Status Epilepticus
PubMed: 33276270
DOI: 10.1016/j.genhosppsych.2020.11.008 -
Frontiers in Veterinary Science 2021is a worldwide emerging zoonotic tick-borne pathogen transmitted by ticks and naturally maintained in complex and incompletely assessed enzootic cycles. Several... (Review)
Review
is a worldwide emerging zoonotic tick-borne pathogen transmitted by ticks and naturally maintained in complex and incompletely assessed enzootic cycles. Several studies have demonstrated an extensive genetic variability with variable host tropisms and pathogenicity. However, the relationship between genetic diversity and modified pathogenicity is not yet understood. Because of their proximity to humans, dogs are potential sentinels for the transmission of vector-borne pathogens. Furthermore, the strong molecular similarity between human and canine isolates of in Europe and the USA and the positive association in the distribution of human and canine cases in the USA emphasizes the epidemiological role of dogs. infects and survives within neutrophils by disregulating neutrophil functions and evading specific immune responses. Moreover, the complex interaction between the bacterium and the infected host immune system contribute to induce inflammatory injuries. Canine granulocytic anaplasmosis is an acute febrile illness characterized by lethargy, inappetence, weight loss and musculoskeletal pain. Hematological and biochemistry profile modifications associated with this disease are unspecific and include thrombocytopenia, anemia, morulae within neutrophils and increased liver enzymes activity. Coinfections with other tick-borne pathogens (TBPs) may occur, especially with , complicating the clinical presentation, diagnosis and response to treatment. Although clinical studies have been published in dogs, it remains unclear if several clinical signs and clinicopathological abnormalities can be related to this infection.
PubMed: 34250067
DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2021.686644