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The Ocular Surface Oct 2019We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to evaluate the efficacy of different treatment for Demodex blepharitis. Parameters studied were mites count,... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
PURPOSE
We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to evaluate the efficacy of different treatment for Demodex blepharitis. Parameters studied were mites count, improvement of symptoms and mites' eradication, stratified on type of treatments and mode of delivery of treatments (local or systemic).
METHOD
The PubMed, Cochrane Library, Embase, ClinicalTrials.gov, Google scholar and Science Direct databases were searched for studies reporting an efficacy of treatments for Demodex blepharitis.
RESULTS
We included 19 studies (14 observational and 5 randomized clinical trials), for a total of 934 patients, 1741 eyes, and 13 different treatments. For mites count, eradication rate, and symptoms improvement, meta-analysis included fifteen, fourteen and thirteen studies, respectively. The overall effect sizes for efficiency of all treatments, globally, were 1.68 (95CI 1.25 to 2.12), 0.45 (0.26-0.64), and 0.76 (0.59-0.90), respectively. Except usual lid hygiene for mites count, Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario ointment (CHEO) for both eradication rate and symptoms, and CHEO, 2% metronidazole ointment, and systemic metronidazole for eradication rate, all treatments were efficient. Stratified meta-analysis did not show significant differences between local and systemic treatments (1.22, 0.83 to 1.60 vs 2.24, 1.30 to 3.18 for mites count; 0.37, 0.21 to 0.54 vs 0.56, 0.06 to 0.99 for eradication rate; and 0.77, 0.58 to 0.92 vs 0.67, 0.25 to 0.98 for symptoms improvement).
CONCLUSION
We reported the efficiency of the different treatments of Demodex blepharitis. Because of less systemic side effects, local treatments seem promising molecules in the treatment of Demodex blepharitis.
Topics: Animals; Anti-Infective Agents, Local; Antiparasitic Agents; Blepharitis; Eye Infections, Parasitic; Humans; Ivermectin; Metronidazole; Miotics; Mite Infestations; Mites; Pilocarpine; Tea Tree Oil
PubMed: 31229586
DOI: 10.1016/j.jtos.2019.06.004 -
Journal of the American Dental... Apr 2016Pilocarpine has been used widely in the treatment of dry mouth and glaucoma. In this review, the authors assessed the efficacy and safety of pilocarpine for patients... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
BACKGROUND
Pilocarpine has been used widely in the treatment of dry mouth and glaucoma. In this review, the authors assessed the efficacy and safety of pilocarpine for patients with head and neck cancer who have radiation-induced xerostomia.
TYPES OF STUDIES REVIEWED
The authors conducted a systematic search including meta-analyses and randomized controlled trials in the following databases: MEDLINE, Embase, Cochrane Library, and Science Citation Index Expanded. The primary outcome was the severity of xerostomia (measured using visual analog scale [VAS] scores). Adverse events were other outcomes of interest. The authors performed meta-analyses where appropriate. The authors used the Cochrane Collaboration's tool for assessing risk of bias to assess the quality of the study.
RESULTS
The authors identified 6 studies (including 752 patients in total). The results of a meta-analysis of 3 articles showed that pilocarpine was associated with a 12-point increase in VAS score (mean difference, 12.00; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.93-22.08; P = .02) and higher rates of adverse events compared with placebo in terms of sweating (odds ratio [OR], 3.71; 95% CI, 2.34-5.86; P < .00001). There were no differences in rhinitis (OR, 1.21; 95% CI, 0.68-2.16; P = .52) and nausea (OR, 1.44; 95% CI, 0.83-2.49; P = .19).
CONCLUSIONS AND PRACTICAL IMPLICATIONS
On the basis of the best available evidence, the results of this meta-analysis provide evidence that pilocarpine offers statistically significant clinical benefits for the symptomatic treatment of radiation-induced xerostomia in patients with head and neck cancer. However, the authors of this systematic review found the best available evidence in the meta-analysis in 3 studies, 1 of which showed no effect. The authors of this systematic review suggest that these patients take 5 milligrams of pilocarpine 3 times daily, and that there is need for further study.
Topics: Head and Neck Neoplasms; Humans; Muscarinic Agonists; Pilocarpine; Treatment Outcome; Xerostomia
PubMed: 26563850
DOI: 10.1016/j.adaj.2015.09.014 -
Medicina Clinica Feb 2014There are no clearly established protocols for the treatment of dry mouth. The aim of this paper is a systematic review of the literature of the past 10 years using the... (Review)
Review
There are no clearly established protocols for the treatment of dry mouth. The aim of this paper is a systematic review of the literature of the past 10 years using the words « dry mouth », « prognosis », « treatment » and « dentistry ». The initial search found 1,450 entries and within the restriction « clinical trials OR randomized controlled trial OR systemic reviews » it has been reduced to 522, which 145 were meta-analysis and systematic reviews. Papers not relevant to the issue were removed reducing the entries to 53. Twenty-four were dismissed (8 irrelevant, 7 reviews without adequate information and 9 personal opinions). Of the 29 items tested, 15 were controlled trials, 2 uncontrolled trials, 4 observational studies, 2 systematic reviews and 5 non systematic reviews. The most studied patients were Sjögren's syndrome and the irradiated patients. Treatments are focused on the etiology, prevention, symptomatic, local salivary stimulation and systemic treatments. It can be concluded that treatment must be individualized, salivary substitutes and mechanical stimulation techniques can be applied.
Topics: Cholinergic Antagonists; Clinical Trials as Topic; Dental Caries; Disease Susceptibility; Double-Blind Method; Fluid Therapy; Humans; Meta-Analysis as Topic; Mouthwashes; Observational Studies as Topic; Pilocarpine; Prognosis; Quinuclidines; Radiation Injuries; Radiotherapy; Saliva, Artificial; Salivation; Sjogren's Syndrome; Thiophenes; Xerostomia
PubMed: 23726507
DOI: 10.1016/j.medcli.2013.02.036 -
Epilepsy & Behavior : E&B Aug 2017To conduct a systematic review and meta-analysis of studies testing exercise in animal models of pilocarpine induced status epilepticus (SE) and to compare the efficacy... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
PURPOSE
To conduct a systematic review and meta-analysis of studies testing exercise in animal models of pilocarpine induced status epilepticus (SE) and to compare the efficacy of different training strategies used in those studies.
METHODS
We searched 2 online databases (Pubmed and Web of Science) for studies analyzing the efficacy of different trainings in pilocarpine-induced SE models. Training was categorized into forced physical training (PT), voluntary PT and resistance PT. Two reviewers independently extracted data on study quality, behavioral seizures, and histological, chemical and cognitive outcomes. Data were pooled by means of a meta-analysis.
RESULTS
Among 17 selected studies; 174 animals from 8 studies with 10 comparison groups showed that exercise intervention after induction of SE significantly decreased spontaneous recurrent seizures with [mean difference (MD)=-1.80, 95% confidence interval (CI): -3.22, -0.37, p=0.02] and 60 animals showed statistically significant decrease in latency in Morris water maze (standardized mean difference (SMD)=-2.57, 95% CI: -4.06, -1.08, p=0.0007). Although not statistically significant, still a remarkable increase in number of CA1 neurons and hippocampal BDNF level (MD=2.27, [95% CI: -1.20, 5.73], p=0.19, SMD=1.07, [95% CI: -0.36, 2.51], p=0.14 respectively) and a decrease in mossy fibers sprouting (SMD=-1.03, [95% CI: -3.06, 1.00], p=0.32) were observed. PT interventions in 72 animals before induction of SE showed favorable increase in latency to develop SE (MD=8.34, [95% CI: -3.10, 19.78], p=0.15) but no remarkable improvements in latency for the first motor sign and motor signs intensity.
CONCLUSIONS
PT after SE reduces the recurrent seizures and improves the morphological, biochemical and cognitive profiles of pilocarpine epileptic models. Resistance PT was identified as particularly effective in reducing behavioral seizures. The efficacy of training was also dependent upon duration.
Topics: Animals; Disease Models, Animal; Exercise Therapy; Physical Conditioning, Animal; Pilocarpine; Seizures; Status Epilepticus
PubMed: 28666249
DOI: 10.1016/j.yebeh.2017.06.007 -
European Journal of Translational... Sep 2022The aim of this study was to identify the efficacy of drug agents for pharmacological Treatment of Presbyopia. Published research papers were reviewed using the relevant...
The aim of this study was to identify the efficacy of drug agents for pharmacological Treatment of Presbyopia. Published research papers were reviewed using the relevant terms in PubMed, Science direct, Google scholar, Medline, Google patent, Ovid, Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, Scopus. In the initial search, 2270 records were obtained. By removing duplicate articles and all articles that did not meet the inclusion criteria or were inappropriate due to indirect relevance to the subject, 44 studies were selected. It should be noted that all studies had inclusion criteria. There are a number of topical pharmacological agents available for treating presbyopia such as FOV Tears and PresbiDrop. They consist of parasympathetic agent and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), to contract the ciliary and pupil muscle and restore the accommodation. Another example of topical pharmacological agent is EV06. It is a lens-softening eye drop which can affect the rigid lens in presbyopia. Currently there is no pharmacological agent available to treat presbyopia. Although there are limited number of peer-reviewed articles available, the outcome for future agents under investigation are promising.
PubMed: 36121117
DOI: 10.4081/ejtm.2022.10781 -
International Journal of Radiation... Mar 2016To evaluate the efficacy of concomitant administration of pilocarpine on radiation-induced xerostomia in patients with head and neck cancers. (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
PURPOSE
To evaluate the efficacy of concomitant administration of pilocarpine on radiation-induced xerostomia in patients with head and neck cancers.
METHODS AND MATERIALS
The PubMed, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, and ClinicalTrials were searched to identify randomized, controlled trials studying the effect of concomitant administration of pilocarpine for radiation-induced xerostomia. Included trials were systematically reviewed, and quantifiable outcomes were pooled for meta-analysis. Outcomes of interest included salivary flow, clinician-rated xerostomia grade, patient-reported xerostomia scoring, quality of life, and adverse effects.
RESULTS
Six prospective, randomized, controlled trials in 8 articles were included in this systematic review. The total number of patients was 369 in the pilocarpine group and 367 in the control group. Concomitant administration of pilocarpine during radiation could increase the unstimulated salivary flow rate in a period of 3 to 6 months after treatment, and also reduce the clinician-rated xerostomia grade. Patient-reported xerostomia was not significantly impacted by pilocarpine in the initial 3 months but was superior at 6 months. No significant difference of stimulated salivary flow rate could be confirmed between the 2 arms. Adverse effects of pilocarpine were mild and tolerable.
CONCLUSIONS
The concomitant administration of pilocarpine during radiation increases unstimulated salivary flow rate and reduces clinician-rated xerostomia grade after radiation. It also relieves patients' xerostomia at 6 months and possibly at 12 months. However, pilocarpine has no effect on stimulated salivary flow rate.
Topics: Cholinergic Agonists; Head and Neck Neoplasms; Humans; Pilocarpine; Prospective Studies; Quality of Life; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; Salivation; Xerostomia
PubMed: 26867879
DOI: 10.1016/j.ijrobp.2015.11.012 -
The Cochrane Database of Systematic... Mar 2023Traumatic hyphema is the entry of blood into the anterior chamber, the space between the cornea and iris, following significant injury to the eye. Hyphema may be... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
BACKGROUND
Traumatic hyphema is the entry of blood into the anterior chamber, the space between the cornea and iris, following significant injury to the eye. Hyphema may be associated with significant complications that uncommonly cause permanent vision loss. Complications include elevated intraocular pressure, corneal blood staining, anterior and posterior synechiae, and optic nerve atrophy. People with sickle cell trait or disease may be particularly susceptible to increases in intraocular pressure and optic atrophy. Rebleeding is associated with an increase in the rate and severity of complications.
OBJECTIVES
To assess the effectiveness of various medical interventions in the management of traumatic hyphema.
SEARCH METHODS
We searched the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL) (which contains the Cochrane Eyes and Vision Trials Register) (2022, Issue 3); MEDLINE Ovid; Embase.com; PubMed (1948 to March 2022); the ISRCTN registry; ClinicalTrials.gov; and the World Health Organization (WHO) International Clinical Trials Registry Platform (ICTRP). The last date of the search was 22 March 2022.
SELECTION CRITERIA
Two review authors independently assessed the titles and abstracts of all reports identified by the electronic and manual searches. We included randomized and quasi-randomized trials that compared various medical (non-surgical) interventions versus other medical interventions or control groups for the treatment of traumatic hyphema following closed-globe trauma. We applied no restrictions on age, gender, severity of the closed-globe trauma, or level of visual acuity at time of enrollment.
DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS
We used standard methodological procedures expected by Cochrane and assessed the certainty of evidence using GRADE.
MAIN RESULTS
We included 23 randomized and seven quasi-randomized studies with a total of 2969 participants. Interventions included antifibrinolytic agents (systemic and topical aminocaproic acid, tranexamic acid, and aminomethylbenzoic acid), corticosteroids (systemic and topical), cycloplegics, miotics, aspirin, conjugated estrogens, traditional Chinese medicine, monocular versus bilateral patching, elevation of the head, and bed rest. We found no evidence of an effect on visual acuity for any intervention, whether measured within two weeks (short term) or for longer periods. In a meta-analysis of two trials, we found no evidence of an effect of aminocaproic acid on long-term visual acuity (RR 1.03, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.82 to 1.29) or final visual acuity measured up to three years after the hyphema (RR 1.05, 95% CI 0.93 to 1.18). Oral tranexamic acid appeared to provide little to no benefit on visual acuity in four trials (RR 1.12, 95% CI 1.00 to 1.25). The remaining trials evaluated the effects of various interventions on short-term visual acuity; none of these interventions was measured in more than one trial. No intervention showed a statistically significant effect (RRs ranged from 0.75 to 1.10). Similarly, visual acuity measured for longer periods in four trials evaluating different interventions was also not statistically significant (RRs ranged from 0.82 to 1.02). The evidence supporting these findings was of low or very low certainty. Systemic aminocaproic acid reduced the rate of recurrent hemorrhage (RR 0.28, 95% CI 0.13 to 0.60), as assessed in six trials with 330 participants. A sensitivity analysis omitting two studies not using an intention-to-treat analysis reduced the strength of the evidence (RR 0.43, 95% CI 0.17 to 1.08). We obtained similar results for topical aminocaproic acid (RR 0.48, 95% CI 0.20 to 1.10) in two trials with 131 participants. We assessed the certainty of the evidence as low. Systemic tranexamic acid had a significant effect in reducing the rate of secondary hemorrhage (RR 0.33, 95% CI 0.21 to 0.53) in seven trials with 754 participants, as did aminomethylbenzoic acid (RR 0.10, 95% CI 0.02 to 0.41), as reported in one study. Evidence to support an associated reduction in risk of complications from secondary hemorrhage (i.e. corneal blood staining, peripheral anterior synechiae, elevated intraocular pressure, and development of optic atrophy) by antifibrinolytics was limited by the small number of these events. Use of aminocaproic acid was associated with increased nausea, vomiting, and other adverse events compared with placebo. We found no evidence of an effect on the number of adverse events with the use of systemic versus topical aminocaproic acid or with standard versus lower drug dose. The number of days for the primary hyphema to resolve appeared to be longer with the use of systemic aminocaproic acid compared with no use, but this outcome was not altered by any other intervention. The available evidence on usage of systemic or topical corticosteroids, cycloplegics, or aspirin in traumatic hyphema was limited due to the small numbers of participants and events in the trials. We found no evidence of an effect between a single versus binocular patch on the risk of secondary hemorrhage or time to rebleed. We also found no evidence of an effect on the risk of secondary hemorrhage between ambulation and complete bed rest.
AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS
We found no evidence of an effect on visual acuity of any of the interventions evaluated in this review. Although the evidence was limited, people with traumatic hyphema who receive aminocaproic acid or tranexamic acid are less likely to experience secondary hemorrhage. However, hyphema took longer to clear in people treated with systemic aminocaproic acid. There is no good evidence to support the use of antifibrinolytic agents in the management of traumatic hyphema, other than possibly to reduce the rate of secondary hemorrhage. The potentially long-term deleterious effects of secondary hemorrhage are unknown. Similarly, there is no evidence to support the use of corticosteroids, cycloplegics, or non-drug interventions (such as patching, bed rest, or head elevation) in the management of traumatic hyphema. As these multiple interventions are rarely used in isolation, further research to assess the additive effect of these interventions might be of value.
Topics: Humans; Adrenal Cortex Hormones; Aminocaproic Acid; Antifibrinolytic Agents; Aspirin; Glaucoma; Hyphema; Mydriatics; Tranexamic Acid
PubMed: 36912744
DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD005431.pub5 -
Brain Injury Jul 2008There has been increasing interest in the role of cholinomimetic agents in the long-term management of cognitive impairment following traumatic brain injury. This paper... (Review)
Review
PRIMARY OBJECTIVE
There has been increasing interest in the role of cholinomimetic agents in the long-term management of cognitive impairment following traumatic brain injury. This paper aims to assess the evidence accumulated thus far.
METHODS
Studies are identified by searching MEDLINE, EMBASE and PsychINFO, contacting experts and pharmaceutical companies and hand searching bibliographies. All study designs are included.
MAIN OUTCOME AND RESULTS
This study identified 25 papers that studied cholinesterase inhibitors, physostigmine and choline in mild-to-severe traumatic brain injury. The outcome with cholinesterase inhibitors and choline is suggestive but not conclusive while physostigmine appears of little benefit. A lack of rigorous studies and a plethora of outcome measures preclude drawing definitive conclusions. Further randomized controlled trials are urgently required.
Topics: Brain Injuries; Cholinesterase Inhibitors; Cognition Disorders; Cytidine Diphosphate Choline; Humans; Lecithins; Neuropsychological Tests; Nootropic Agents; Physostigmine; Surface-Active Agents; Time Factors
PubMed: 18568705
DOI: 10.1080/02699050802132495 -
Sexual Medicine Reviews Jul 2016Despite improvements in the care of patients after spinal cord injury (SCI), permanent impairment of locomotion, sensation, and autonomic function remains a major... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
INTRODUCTION
Despite improvements in the care of patients after spinal cord injury (SCI), permanent impairment of locomotion, sensation, and autonomic function remains a major hurdle. After the acute stage of injury, recovering sexual function is a high priority.
AIM
To review the efficacy of intracavernous injections (ICIs) in men with SCI and to identify prognostic factors affecting the efficacy of ICIs in this population.
METHODS
Systematic review of the literature was conducted using the PubMed-Medline, Embase, EBSCO, Web of Science, and Cochrane Library databases. The literature search was restricted to articles published in English, French, and Spanish up to November 2014 using the key words alprostadil, papaverine, moxisylite, alpha-blocking agent, phentolamine, intracavernous injection, spinal cord injuries, paraplegia, quadriplegia, and erectile dysfunction. Studies involving patients with SCI and erectile dysfunction treated with ICIs of alprostadil, papaverine, and α-blocking agents, including retrospective and prospective cohorts, population studies, and randomized controlled trials, were included.
MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE
Overall response rate to ICI for erectile dysfunction in patients with SCI.
RESULTS
Of 283 studies identified, 23 involved 713 patients with SCI. ICIs resulted in successful erections in 88% of patients (n = 713, 95% CI = 83%-92%). Erections were obtained in 93% of patients (n = 101, 95% CI = 83%-99%) with the combination of papaverine and phentolamine, in 91% (n = 274, 95% CI = 78%-97%) with papaverine alone, and in 80% (n = 119, 95% CI = 64%-90%) with alprostadil. Type of injected drug, doses, level of injury (complete or incomplete), extent of injury, age, time since injury, and persistence or transience of erections were evaluated, but statistical analysis could not identify specific factors predictive of a response to ICI.
CONCLUSION
ICIs are an effective treatment of erectile dysfunction in men with SCI. No predictive factor for efficacy could be identified. Studies comparing the response to ICI in upper vs lower motor neuron lesions could improve our understanding of ICI failure.
Topics: Alprostadil; Erectile Dysfunction; Humans; Male; Moxisylyte; Papaverine; Penile Erection; Prospective Studies; Retrospective Studies; Spinal Cord Injuries; Vasodilator Agents
PubMed: 27871959
DOI: 10.1016/j.sxmr.2016.02.005 -
Oral Diseases May 2019Systematic review with meta-analysis of interventions for dry mouth symptoms and hyposalivation of Sjögren's syndrome (SS). (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
OBJECTIVES
Systematic review with meta-analysis of interventions for dry mouth symptoms and hyposalivation of Sjögren's syndrome (SS).
MATERIALS AND METHODS
We searched MEDLINE, Cochrane Central and EMBASE up to February 2018 for randomized trials of interventions for dry mouth and hyposalivation of SS. The primary outcome was the mean change in xerostomia symptoms. The secondary outcomes included changes in salivary flow and quality of life. We used the Cochrane risk of bias tool for individual studies and the GRADE method to summarize the quality of evidence across studies for the included outcomes.
RESULTS
Thirty-six studies (3,274 patients) were included in the systematic review. Results from the meta-analyses showed high-quality evidence that pilocarpine was superior to placebo in reducing dry mouth symptoms. We found moderate quality of evidence that pilocarpine, rituximab and interferon-alpha were more effective than placebo in increasing salivary flow, with the relevant effect size being large for pilocarpine, and notably smaller for rituximab and interferon-alpha.
CONCLUSION
Clinicians should be very confident in the beneficial effects of pilocarpine upon dry mouth symptoms of SS and moderately confident that pilocarpine, rituximab and interferon-alpha can have beneficial effects upon salivary flow. Adverse events are common. The use of other treatment modalities cannot be supported on the basis of current evidence.
Topics: Humans; Muscarinic Agonists; Pilocarpine; Quality of Life; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; Saliva; Sjogren's Syndrome; Xerostomia
PubMed: 30086205
DOI: 10.1111/odi.12952