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The Cochrane Database of Systematic... Mar 2017Corticosteroids used in addition to antituberculous therapy have been reported to benefit people with tuberculous pleurisy. However, research findings are inconsistent... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
BACKGROUND
Corticosteroids used in addition to antituberculous therapy have been reported to benefit people with tuberculous pleurisy. However, research findings are inconsistent and raise doubt as to whether such treatment is worthwhile. There is also concern regarding the potential adverse effects of corticosteroids, especially in HIV-positive people.
OBJECTIVES
To evaluate the effects of adding corticosteroids to drug regimens for tuberculous pleural effusion.
SEARCH METHODS
In April 2016, we searched the Cochrane Infectious Diseases Group Specialized Register, CENTRAL (the Cochrane Library), MEDLINE, Embase, LILACS, Current Controlled Trials, and the reference lists of articles identified by the literature search.
SELECTION CRITERIA
Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and quasi-RCTs that compared any corticosteroid with no treatment, placebo, or other active treatment (both groups should have received the same antituberculous drug regimen) in people diagnosed with tuberculous pleurisy.
DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS
Two review authors independently screened the search results, extracted data from the included trials, and assessed trial methodological quality using the Cochrane 'Risk of bias' tool. We analysed the data using risk ratios (RR) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs). We applied the fixed-effect model in the absence of statistically significant heterogeneity.
MAIN RESULTS
Six trials with 590 participants met the inclusion criteria, which were conducted in Asia (three trials), Africa (two trials), and Europe (one trial). Two trials were in HIV-negative people, one trial was in HIV-positive people, and three trials did not report HIV status.Corticosteroids may reduce the time to resolution of pleural effusion. Risk of residual pleural effusion on chest X-ray was reduced by 45% at eight weeks (RR 0.54, 95% CI 0.37 to 0.78; 237 participants, 2 trials, low certainty evidence), and 65% at 24 weeks (RR 0.35, 95% CI 0.18 to 0.66; 237 participants, 2 trials, low certainty evidence).Compared with control, corticosteroids may reduce the risk of having pleural changes (such as pleural thickening or pleural adhesions), on chest X-ray at the end of follow-up by almost one third (RR 0.72, 95% CI 0.57 to 0.92; 393 participants, 5 trials,low certainty evidence), which translates to an absolute risk reduction of 16%.One trial reported deaths in people that were HIV-positive, with no obvious difference between the groups; the trial authors' analysis suggests that the deaths observed in this trial were related to HIV disease rather than pleural TB (RR 0.91, 95% CI 0.64 to 1.31; 197 participants, 1 trial).We found limited data on long-term functional respiratory impairment on 187 people in two trials, which reported that average percentage predicted forced vital capacity was similar in the group receiving prednisolone and in the control group (very low certainty evidence).The risk of adverse events that led to discontinuation of the trial drug was higher in people with pleural TB receiving corticosteroids (RR 2.78, 95% CI 1.11 to 6.94; 587 participants, 6 trials, low certainty evidence). The trial in HIV-positive people reported on six different HIV-related infections, with no obvious differences. However, cases of Kaposi's sarcoma were only seen in the corticosteroid group (with 6/99 cases in the steroid group compared to 0/98 in the control group) (very low certainty evidence).
AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS
Long-term respiratory function is potentially the most important outcome for assessing the effects of adjunctive treatments for people with pleural TB. However, the information on the impact of pleural TB on long-term respiratory function is unknown and could be eclipsed by other risk factors, such as concurrent pulmonary TB, smoking, and HIV. This probably needs to be quantified to help decide whether further trials of corticosteroids for pleural TB would be worthwhile.
Topics: Adrenal Cortex Hormones; Antitubercular Agents; HIV Seronegativity; HIV Seropositivity; Humans; Pleura; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; Tuberculosis, Pleural; Tuberculosis, Pulmonary
PubMed: 28290161
DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD001876.pub3 -
American Journal of Physiology.... Apr 2016Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a chronic inflammatory disorder with a complex pathogenesis. Diarrhea is a highly prevalent and often debilitating symptom of IBD... (Review)
Review
Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a chronic inflammatory disorder with a complex pathogenesis. Diarrhea is a highly prevalent and often debilitating symptom of IBD patients that results, at least in part, from an intestinal hydroelectrolytic imbalance. Evidence suggests that reduced electrolyte absorption is more relevant than increased secretion to this disequilibrium. This systematic review analyses and integrates the current evidence on the roles of epithelial Na(+)-K(+)-ATPase (NKA), Na(+)/H(+) exchangers (NHEs), epithelial Na(+) channels (ENaC), and K(+) channels (KC) in IBD-associated diarrhea. NKA is the key driving force of the transepithelial ionic transport and its activity is decreased in IBD. In addition, the downregulation of apical NHE and ENaC and the upregulation of apical large-conductance KC all contribute to the IBD-associated diarrhea by lowering sodium absorption and/or increasing potassium secretion.
Topics: Animals; Epithelial Cells; Epithelial Sodium Channels; Gastrointestinal Absorption; Gastrointestinal Agents; Humans; Inflammatory Bowel Diseases; Intestinal Mucosa; Ion Transport; Membrane Transport Modulators; Potassium Channels; Signal Transduction; Sodium-Hydrogen Exchangers; Sodium-Potassium-Exchanging ATPase
PubMed: 26744474
DOI: 10.1152/ajpgi.00369.2015 -
Resuscitation Dec 2023Extracorporeal cardiopulmonary resuscitation (ECPR), has demonstrated promise in the management of refractory out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA). However, evidence... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
Prognostic factors associated with favourable functional outcome among adult patients requiring extracorporeal cardiopulmonary resuscitation for out-of-hospital cardiac arrest: A systematic review and meta-analysis.
BACKGROUND
Extracorporeal cardiopulmonary resuscitation (ECPR), has demonstrated promise in the management of refractory out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA). However, evidence from observational studies and clinical trials are conflicting and the factors influencing outcome have not been well established.
METHODS
We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis summarizing the association between pre-ECPR prognostic factors and likelihood of good functional outcome among adult patients requiring ECPR for OHCA. We searched Medline and Embase databases from inception to February 28, 2023 and screened studies with two independent reviewers. We performed meta-analyses of unadjusted and adjusted odds ratios, adjusted hazard ratios and mean differences separately. We assessed risk of bias using the QUIPS tool and certainty of evidence using the GRADE approach.
FINDINGS
We included 29 observational and randomized studies involving 7,397 patients. Factors with moderate or high certainty of association with increased survival with favourable functional outcome include pre-arrest patient factors, such as younger age (odds ratio (OR) 2.13, 95% CI 1.52 to 2.99) and female sex (OR 1.37, 95% CI 1.11 to 1.70), as well as intra-arrest factors, such as shockable rhythm (OR 2.79, 95% CI 2.04 to 3.80), witnessed arrest (OR 1.68 (95% CI 1.16 to 2.42), bystander CPR (OR 1.55, 95% CI 1.19 to 2.01), return of spontaneous circulation (OR 2.81, 95% CI 2.19 to 3.61) and shorter time to cannulation (OR 1.14, 95% CI 1.17 to 1.69 per 10 minutes).
INTERPRETATION
The findings of this review confirm several clinical concepts wellestablished in the cardiac arrest literature and their applicability to the patient for whom ECPR is considered - that is, the impact of pre-existing patient factors, the benefit of timely and effective CPR, as well as the prognostic importance of minimizing low-flow time. We advocate for the thoughtful consideration of these prognostic factors as part of a risk stratification framework when evaluating a patient's potential candidacy for ECPR.
Topics: Adult; Humans; Female; Out-of-Hospital Cardiac Arrest; Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation; Prognosis; Odds Ratio; Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation; Retrospective Studies
PubMed: 37863420
DOI: 10.1016/j.resuscitation.2023.110004 -
ASAIO Journal (American Society For... Jan 2023Right ventricular injury (RVI) in the context of acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) is well recognized as an important determinant risk factor of mortality.... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
Right Ventricular Injury Increases Mortality in Patients With Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome on Veno-Venous Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.
Right ventricular injury (RVI) in the context of acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) is well recognized as an important determinant risk factor of mortality. Veno-venous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (VV-ECMO) is part of the algorithm for the management of patients with severe ARDS and severely impaired gas exchange. Although VV-ECMO may theoretically protect the RV it is uncertain to what degree RVI persists despite VV-ECMO support, and whether it continues to influence mortality after ECMO initiation. The aim of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to investigate the impact of RVI on mortality in this context, testing the hypothesis that RVI worsens mortality in this cohort. We performed a systematic search that identified seven studies commenting on RVI and mortality in patients with ARDS receiving VV-ECMO. The presence of RVI was associated with greater mortality overall (odds ratios [OR]: 2.72; 95% confidence intervals [CI]: 1.52-4.85; p < 0.00) and across three subgroups (RV dilatational measures: OR: 3.51; 95% CI: 1.51-8.14; p < 0.01, RV functional measures: OR: 1.84; 95% CI: 0.99-3.42; p = 0.05, RV measurements post-ECMO initiation: OR: 1.94; 95% CI: 1.01-3.72; p < 0.05). Prospective studies are needed to investigate the causal relationship between RVI and mortality in this patient group and the best management strategies to reduce mortality.
Topics: Humans; Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation; Respiratory Distress Syndrome; Risk Factors; Heart Ventricles; Retrospective Studies
PubMed: 36375040
DOI: 10.1097/MAT.0000000000001854 -
EFORT Open Reviews Oct 2022The aim of this study was to systematically review clinical studies on the employed definitions of longitudinal forearm instabilities referred to as Essex-Lopresti (EL)... (Review)
Review
PURPOSE
The aim of this study was to systematically review clinical studies on the employed definitions of longitudinal forearm instabilities referred to as Essex-Lopresti (EL) injuries, interosseous membrane (IOM) injuries or longitudinal radioulnar dissociation.
METHODS
A systematic literature search was performed in MEDLINE, Embase, CINAHL, Web of Science and Cochrane databases, adhering to PRISMA guidelines. All data on diagnosis and treatment were collected.
RESULTS
In total, 47 clinical studies involving 266 patients were included. Thirty-nine of 47 studies did not mention an IOM lesion as part of the EL injury. The amount of preoperative positive ulnar variance varied from >1 to >12 mm. Nine studies used some form of dynamic pre-operative or intraoperative test of longitudinal radioulnar instability.
CONCLUSIONS
There is no accepted definition of EL injury in the literature. In order to prevent underdetection of acute EL injury, a radial head fracture in a patient with wrist and/or forearm pain should raise awareness of the possibility of an EL injury. In this case, comparative radiographic studies and some form of dynamic assessment of longitudinal radioulnar stability should be performed.
PubMed: 36287106
DOI: 10.1530/EOR-22-0066 -
Nursing Reports (Pavia, Italy) Apr 2023Patients on extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) often require prolonged periods of bed rest owing to the severity of their illness. Care is also required to... (Review)
Review
Patients on extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) often require prolonged periods of bed rest owing to the severity of their illness. Care is also required to maintain the position and integrity of the ECMO cannula. However, they experience a range of effects due to prolonged bed rest. This systematic review examined the possible effects of the early mobilization in patients on ECMO. The database PUBMED was searched by using appropriate keywords: "rehabilitation", "mobilization", "ECMO" and "extracorporeal membrane oxygenation". The selection criteria for the article search were the following: (a) studies published in the last five years, (b) descriptive studies, (c) randomized studies, (d) published in the English language and (e) studies in adults. A total of 259 studies were found, 8 of which were finally selected. Most of the studies showed that early intensive physical rehabilitation related to a decrease in in-hospital stay and a reduction in the duration of mechanical ventilation and doses of vasopressors. In addition, improvements in the functional status and rate of mortality were observed along with a reduction in health care costs. Exercise training should be a fundamental part of the management of patients on ECMO.
PubMed: 37218947
DOI: 10.3390/nursrep13020066 -
Cancer Management and Research 2022Human papillomavirus targets the skin and mucous membranes, producing benign hyperplastic lesions and precancerous and cancerous lesions. An increasing number of head... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
Human papillomavirus targets the skin and mucous membranes, producing benign hyperplastic lesions and precancerous and cancerous lesions. An increasing number of head and neck cancersin particular, oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma, laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma, and oral squamous cell carcinoma, are attributable to HPV infection. HPV-induced HNCs typically affect younger, nonsmoking patients with no prior history of heavy alcohol use, more extensive sexual history, and higher socioeconomic status.
AIM
The purpose of the review is to present the most recent and well-established findings concerning HPV-induced head and neck cancers and consequently to provide medical specialists with essential information regarding the epidemiology, the role of HPV in HNC cancerogenesis, prevention, diagnosis, and treatment.
MATERIAL AND METHODS
All authors independently have searched The EMbase, Medline/Pubmed, and Cochrane databases by using the following keywords "head and neck cancer", "human papillomavirus", "HPV", "HPV biology", "oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma", "carcinogenesis", "transoral surgery", "robotic surgery". The last search was conducted in March 2022. The references of the publications of interest were also screened for relevant papers. There were no limitations in regard to the publication date.
CONCLUSION
Aiming to avoid the epidemic of HPV-induced HNC, it is paramount to improve the access to vaccination as well as resolve parental concerns regarding vaccine safety. Physicians should rely on reduced-dose radiation and aim to reduce the overall treatment time. Thanks to a more elaborate understanding of the genomic background of HPV-induced HNC, precision medicine could become a relevant part of patients' management. In comparison to traditional techniques and non-operative treatment, transoral robotic surgery (TORS) offers similar oncologic and functional outcomes, with a possible benefit on long-term quality of life. However, more research is needed to establish clear guidelines indicating when TORS resections should be supported with adjuvant therapy.
PubMed: 36465708
DOI: 10.2147/CMAR.S379173 -
Rejuvenation Research Apr 2014Today it is clearly evident that genetic background constitutes an integral part of aging and longevity. Many studies on long-lived people have been conducted... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
Today it is clearly evident that genetic background constitutes an integral part of aging and longevity. Many studies on long-lived people have been conducted emphasizing the role of certain genes in long life. Classic case-control studies, genome-wide association studies, and high-throughput sequencing have permitted identification of a variety of genetic variants seemingly associated with longevity. Over the years, aging research has focused on the insulin/insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) signaling pathway because of its evolutionarily conserved correlation with life-span extension in model animals. Indeed, many single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) associated with longevity were identified in genes encoding proteins that take part in this metabolic pathway. Closely related to this pathway is the Klotho gene. It encodes a type-I membrane protein expressed in two forms, membrane and secreted. The latter form suppresses oxidative stress and growth factor signaling and regulates ion channels and transporters. In particular, its over-expression seems to be able to suppress insulin/IGF-1 signaling extending life span. Thus, our aim was to assemble the results in the literature concerning the association between the functional variant of the Klotho "KL-VS" stretch, which contains six polymorphisms in linkage disequilibrium, and successful aging to quantify the possible effect of the variants. The results of our systematic review indicate that the Klotho KL-VS variant is associated with healthy aging.
Topics: Adult; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Aging; Case-Control Studies; Genetic Predisposition to Disease; Genome-Wide Association Study; Glucuronidase; Health; Humans; Infant; Infant, Newborn; Klotho Proteins; Middle Aged; Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide; Young Adult
PubMed: 24164579
DOI: 10.1089/rej.2013.1523 -
The Cochrane Database of Systematic... Jun 2013Intentional artificial rupture of the amniotic membranes during labour, sometimes called amniotomy or 'breaking of the waters', is one of the most commonly performed... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
BACKGROUND
Intentional artificial rupture of the amniotic membranes during labour, sometimes called amniotomy or 'breaking of the waters', is one of the most commonly performed procedures in modern obstetric and midwifery practice. The primary aim of amniotomy is to speed up contractions and, therefore, shorten the length of labour. However, there are concerns regarding unintended adverse effects on the woman and baby.
OBJECTIVES
To determine the effectiveness and safety of amniotomy alone for routinely shortening all labours that start spontaneously.
SEARCH METHODS
We searched the Cochrane Pregnancy and Childbirth Group's Trials Register (30 April 2013).
SELECTION CRITERIA
Randomised controlled trials comparing amniotomy alone versus intention to preserve the membranes. We excluded quasi-randomised trials.
DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS
Two review authors assessed identified studies for inclusion, assessed risk of bias and extracted data. Primary analysis was by intention-to-treat.
MAIN RESULTS
We have included 15 studies in this updated review, involving 5583 women. Amniotomy alone versus intention to preserve the membranes (no amniotomy) for spontaneous labour There was no clear statistically significant difference between women in the amniotomy and control groups in length of the first stage of labour (mean difference (MD) -20.43 minutes, 95% confidence interval (CI) -95.93 to 55.06), caesarean section (risk ratio (RR) 1.27, 95% CI 0.99 to 1.63), maternal satisfaction with childbirth experience (MD -1.10, 95% CI -7.15 to 4.95) or Apgar score less than seven at five minutes (RR 0.53, 95% CI 0.28 to 1.00). There was no consistency between trials regarding the timing of amniotomy during labour in terms of cervical dilatation. Amniotomy alone versus intention to preserve the membranes (no amniotomy) for spontaneous labours that have become prolonged There was no clear statistically significant difference between women in the amniotomy and control group in caesarean section (RR 0.95, 95% CI 0.15 to 6.08), maternal satisfaction with childbirth experience (MD 22.00, 95% CI 2.74 to 41.26) or Apgar score less than seven at five minutes (RR 2.86, 95% CI 0.12 to 66.11).
AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS
On the basis of the findings of this review, we cannot recommend that amniotomy should be introduced routinely as part of standard labour management and care. We recommend that the evidence presented in this review should be made available to women offered an amniotomy and may be useful as a foundation for discussion and any resulting decisions made between women and their caregivers.
Topics: Amnion; Female; Humans; Labor Stage, First; Labor, Induced; Pregnancy; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; Time Factors
PubMed: 23780653
DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD006167.pub4 -
Journal of Psychopharmacology (Oxford,... Nov 2023Major depressive disorder (MDD) is a leading cause of global disability. Several lines of evidence implicate the dopamine system in its pathophysiology. However, the... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
BACKGROUND
Major depressive disorder (MDD) is a leading cause of global disability. Several lines of evidence implicate the dopamine system in its pathophysiology. However, the magnitude and consistency of the findings are unknown. We address this by systematically reviewing in vivo imaging evidence for dopamine measures in MDD and meta-analysing these where there are sufficient studies.
METHODS
Studies investigating the dopaminergic system using positron emission tomography or single photon emission computed tomography in MDD and a control group were included. Demographic, clinical and imaging measures were extracted from each study, and meta-analyses and sensitivity analyses were conducted.
RESULTS
We identified 43 studies including 662 patients and 801 controls. Meta-analysis of 38 studies showed no difference in mean or mean variability of striatal D receptor availability ( = 0.06, = 0.620), or combined dopamine synthesis and release capacity ( = 0.19, = 0.309). Dopamine transporter (DAT) availability was lower in the MDD group in studies using DAT selective tracers ( = -0.56, = 0.006), but not when tracers with an affinity for serotonin transporters were included ( = -0.21, = 0.420). Subgroup analysis showed greater dopamine release ( = 0.49, = 0.030), but no difference in dopamine synthesis capacity ( = -0.21, = 0.434) in the MDD group. Striatal D receptor availability was lower in patients with MDD in two studies.
CONCLUSIONS
The meta-analysis indicates striatal DAT availability is lower, but D receptor availability is not altered in people with MDD compared to healthy controls. There may be greater dopamine release and lower striatal D receptors in MDD, although further studies are warranted. We discuss factors associated with these findings, discrepancies with preclinical literature and implications for future research.
Topics: Humans; Dopamine; Depressive Disorder, Major; Tomography, Emission-Computed, Single-Photon; Positron-Emission Tomography; Receptors, Dopamine D2; Dopamine Plasma Membrane Transport Proteins
PubMed: 37811803
DOI: 10.1177/02698811231200881