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Burns : Journal of the International... Aug 2021Triamcinolone acetonide (TAC) is widely used for hypertrophic scars and keloids; however, TAC has variable efficacy and safety in different individuals. (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
BACKGROUND
Triamcinolone acetonide (TAC) is widely used for hypertrophic scars and keloids; however, TAC has variable efficacy and safety in different individuals.
PURPOSE
To evaluate the efficacy and safety of intralesional TAC for treatment of hypertrophic scars and keloids.
DATA SOURCES
Searches of PubMed, EMBASE, the Cochrane Library, and ClinicalTrials.gov prior to 25 March 2020.
STUDY SELECTION
Randomized controlled trials in English that compared TAC with a placebo or other medications that are commonly used for intralesional injection in hypertrophic scars and keloids.
DATA EXTRACTION
Primary outcomes were reduction in scar height, vascularity, pliability, pigmentation, total scores on the Vancouver Scar Scale (VSS) or patient and observer scar assessment scale (POSAS), telangiectasia, and skin atrophy. Secondary outcomes included overall scar improvement.
DATA SYNTHESIS
Fifteen trials met the inclusion criteria. In the short term, TAC was associated with a significant improvement in vascularity (MD: -0.22, 95% CI: -0.42 to -0.02) and pliability (MD: -0.25, 95% CI: -0.44 to -0.06) compared to verapamil. In the medium term, compared to TAC, 5-FU showed a significant improvement in scar height (SMD: 0.95, 95% CI: 0.15-1.75), while TAC led to a significant improvement in vascularity compared to 5-FU (MD: -0.45, 95% CI: -0.76 to -0.14). Compared to TAC, TAC+5-FU showed a significant improvement in pliability (SMD: 0.98, 95% CI: 0.17-1.78) and pigmentation (MD: 0.45, 95% CI: 0.12-0.78). Botulinum toxin type A resulted in significantly better pliability (SMD: 1.99, 95% CI: 0.98-3.00) compared to TAC. In the long term, compared to TAC, 5-FU led to a significant improvement in scar height (MD: 0.55, 95% CI: 0.17-0.93), but significantly less vascularity (MD: -0.35, 95% CI: -0.65 to -0.05). Compared to TAC, TAC+5-FU produced a significant improvement in scar height (MD: 1.50, 95% CI: 1.12-1.88), pliability (MD: 0.45, 95% CI: 0.10-0.80), and pigmentation (MD: 0.55, 95% CI: 0.24-0.86).
CONCLUSION
TAC may be beneficial for the short-term treatment of hypertrophic scars and keloids; however, 5-FU, 5-FU+TAC, and verapamil may produce superior results for medium- and long-term treatments. TAC injections at concentrations of 20 mg/ml or 40 mg/ml are more likely to result in skin atrophy compared to 5-FU or verapamil, and are more likely to cause telangiectasia than 5-FU, 5-FU+TAC, or bleomycin.
Topics: Atrophy; Burns; Cicatrix, Hypertrophic; Culture Media; Fluorouracil; Humans; Injections, Intralesional; Keloid; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; Telangiectasis; Treatment Outcome; Triamcinolone Acetonide; Verapamil
PubMed: 33814214
DOI: 10.1016/j.burns.2021.02.013 -
Computational Intelligence and... 2022Chloasma is a common skin pigment disorder. Treatment of chloasma has been challenging, often unsatisfactory, and difficult to avoid recurrence. PRP is a new treatment... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
BACKGROUND
Chloasma is a common skin pigment disorder. Treatment of chloasma has been challenging, often unsatisfactory, and difficult to avoid recurrence. PRP is a new treatment for chloasma, but there is no consensus on its use. Lingyun Zhao's team recently reported a systematic evaluation and meta-analysis of the efficacy and safety of PRP in the treatment of chloasma, which is consistent with our ideas, but we will elaborate on the application of PRP in chloasma from a deeper and more comprehensive perspective. Before we started this study, we had registered with Prospero as CRD42021233721.
METHODS
The authors searched the public medical network, MEDLINE, EMBASE, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, ScienceDirect, Scopus, and Science Network. The clinical trials registry ClinicalTrials.gov databases were searched for relevant publications to June 2021. The results showed the area and severity of chloasma (MASI) or revised MASI (mMASI) score.
RESULTS
Three RCTs, one nonrandomized controlled study, and four were prospective before and after self-controlled studies met the inclusive criteria. Intradermal PRP injections significantly improved chloasma as indicated by the significant decrease MASI (average balance -6.71, 95% CI -8.99 to -4.33) and mMASI scores (average balance -2.94, 95% CI -4.81 to -1.07). The adverse reactions were mild, and there were no significant long-term adverse events. . The data can reflect the effectiveness and safety of PRP therapy for chloasma. RCTs are needed to determine effective treatment parameters, and long-term follow-up should be included to better clarify the efficacy and side effects of PRP in treating chloasma.
Topics: Humans; Melanosis; Platelet-Rich Plasma; Prospective Studies; Treatment Outcome
PubMed: 35432505
DOI: 10.1155/2022/7487452 -
Journal of the American Academy of... Jul 2022Although lasers have been the criterion standard for tattoo removal, selecting the best modality can be challenging because of the varying efficacies and adverse effects. (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
Although lasers have been the criterion standard for tattoo removal, selecting the best modality can be challenging because of the varying efficacies and adverse effects.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate all lasers used to remove tattoos and assess their efficacies and adverse effects.
METHODS
Our systematic review searched PubMed, MEDLINE, Embase, Scopus, CINAHL, Cochrane Central Register of Trials, and ClinicalTrials.gov for all laser treatments. The outcomes measured included laser parameters, treatment methods, patient and tattoo characteristics, clearance rate, and adverse effect rate. The quality of the included articles was appraised by using specific assessment tools and given a high, moderate, or low risk of bias.
RESULTS
Our search led to 3037 studies, with 36 being included in the systematic review (7 randomized controlled trials, 2 nonrandomized controlled trials, and 27 case series). Although quality-switched neodymium-doped yttrium-aluminum-garnet lasers are safe and effective, picosecond lasers have shown superiority with blue, green, and yellow tattoo pigments. Both are safe and effective for black tattoos.
LIMITATIONS
Variability among studies.
CONCLUSIONS
Picosecond lasers show superiority when treating blue, green, and yellow tattoos. The R20 and R0 novel techniques can effectively reduce treatment time. Further randomized controlled trials are required to make a more definitive recommendation.
Topics: Humans; Laser Therapy; Lasers, Solid-State; Tattooing
PubMed: 32763326
DOI: 10.1016/j.jaad.2020.07.117 -
Journal of Indian Society of... 2019Gingival hyperpigmentation is an esthetic problem. The aim of the present study was to identify most effective treatment modality for managing generalized physiological... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND AND AIM
Gingival hyperpigmentation is an esthetic problem. The aim of the present study was to identify most effective treatment modality for managing generalized physiological gingival pigmentation.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
A systematic review and meta-analysis were done (1919 to October 2018) using PubMed, CINHAL, Dental and Oral Science, and manual searches. Twenty-five articles were finally reviewed. Only human clinical trials were considered with physiological gingival pigmentation treated with different depigmentation methods and compared with surgical stripping. The outcome was the achievement of gingival depigmentation and its recurrence. RevMan software was used for data analysis.
RESULTS
Of 26,132 articles, 25 met the inclusion criteria. Seventeen were randomized control trials and 8 were nonrandomized control trials. Most of the studies were on laser. The control group was scalpel surgery. Majority of studies showed no difference in compared treatment modality. A meta-analysis compared laser ablation with surgical stripping revealed a nonsignificance difference regarding recurrence ( = 0.75) and depigmentation ( = 0.23) and a statistically significant difference regarding postoperative pain favoring laser ablation ( ≤ 0.05).
CONCLUSIONS
Surgical stripping has been the conventional treatment of choice, but our review showed that new techniques are equally effective or even better. Laser especially diode laser was the most frequently used technique and showed better esthetic outcomes, less pain, faster healing, and patients' preference and satisfaction after treatment. However, laser showed more regimentation at 6-month evaluation. More good quality randomized controlled trials with different depigmentation methods are needed to draw strong conclusions.
PubMed: 31143000
DOI: 10.4103/jisp.jisp_555_18 -
The Journal of Adolescent Health :... Apr 2020Practical guidelines help clinicians make their preventive and therapeutic choices and improve care management. Our purpose was to collect and synthesize available... (Review)
Review
PURPOSE
Practical guidelines help clinicians make their preventive and therapeutic choices and improve care management. Our purpose was to collect and synthesize available recommendations concerning vitamin D in adolescents (aged 10-19 years).
METHODS
We searched PubMed, EMBASE, and Cochrane databases from inception to February 5, 2019, for guidance published by different professional associations and governments. We also searched the reference lists of identified recommendations and explored the gray literature using Web search engines. We organized documents by theme: dietary requirements, thresholds, prophylactic supplementation, and treatment of deficiency.
RESULTS
A total of 32 documents were identified. Most of them targeted the general population and not specifically the age group of adolescents. There is a general agreement that adolescents should not have serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D concentrations below 25-30 nmol/L to avoid poor bone health. However, there is lack of consensus on the optimal concentration to aim for, levels varying between 25 nmol/L and 150 nmol/L. Adequate nutritional requirements of vitamin D are also subject to debate with values ranging between 200 IU/d and 1,000 IU/d. The upper tolerable intake is estimated at 4,000 IU/d by all study groups. Certain associations recommend routine vitamin D supplementation in adolescents. The recommended daily preventive doses vary between 400 IU and 4,000 IU, depending on season, skin pigmentation, sun exposure, consumption of vitamin D-fortified foods, body mass index, and coexistence of certain medical conditions. In case of deficiency, different therapeutic regimens of oral vitamin D are proposed depending on the presence of illness and/or the baseline serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D concentrations. Duration of the treatment varies between 4 weeks and 3 months. A maintenance dose is generally recommended after treatment.
CONCLUSIONS
At present, there is no consensus among the different societies about vitamin D needs during adolescence. Stronger, evidence-based guidance is needed to inform clinical practice.
Topics: Adolescent; Adult; Bone and Bones; Child; Dietary Supplements; Humans; Vitamin D; Vitamin D Deficiency; Vitamins; Young Adult
PubMed: 31685374
DOI: 10.1016/j.jadohealth.2019.08.025 -
The British Journal of Dermatology Oct 2012Relevant and reliable outcomes play a crucial role in the correct interpretation and comparison of the results of clinical trials. There is a lack of consensus around... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
Relevant and reliable outcomes play a crucial role in the correct interpretation and comparison of the results of clinical trials. There is a lack of consensus around methods of assessment and outcome measures for vitiligo, which makes it difficult to compare results of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and perform meta-analysis.
OBJECTIVES
To describe the heterogeneity in outcome measures used in published RCTs of vitiligo treatments, and to report the most desirable outcomes from patients' and clinicians' perspectives.
METHODS
We conducted a systematic review of outcome measures used in RCTs as well as a survey of the most desirable outcomes identified by patients and clinicians as part of a Vitiligo Priority Setting Partnership.
RESULTS
Outcomes from 54 eligible trials were analysed and compared with outcomes suggested by patients and clinicians. In the systematic review, 25 different outcomes were reported. Only 22% of trials had clearly stated primary outcome measures. Repigmentation was the most frequently reported outcome in 96% of trials and was measured using 48 different scales. Only 9% of trials assessed quality of life. Thirteen per cent measured cessation of spreading of the disease and 17% of studies reported patients' opinions and satisfaction with the treatment. In contrast, out of 438 suggestions made by patients and clinicians, cosmetically acceptable repigmentation (rather than percentage of repigmentation) was the most desirable outcome (68%), followed by cessation of spread of vitiligo (15%), quality of life (8%) and maintenance of repigmentation (4%).
CONCLUSIONS
We propose that future vitiligo trials should include repigmentation, cosmetic acceptability of results, global assessment of the disease, quality of life, maintenance of repigmentation, stabilization of vitiligo and side-effects. International consensus among clinicians, researchers and patients is needed to establish an agreed core outcome set for future vitiligo trials.
Topics: Adult; Female; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Patient Satisfaction; Physicians; Quality of Life; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; Severity of Illness Index; Skin Pigmentation; Surveys and Questionnaires; Treatment Outcome; United Kingdom; Vitiligo
PubMed: 22591025
DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2133.2012.11056.x -
Frontiers in Aging Neuroscience 2023The retina is the "window" of the central nervous system. Previous studies discovered that retinal thickness degenerates through the pathological process of the...
INTRODUCTION
The retina is the "window" of the central nervous system. Previous studies discovered that retinal thickness degenerates through the pathological process of the Alzheimer's disease (AD) continuum. Hippocampal atrophy is one of the typical clinical features and diagnostic criteria of AD. Former studies have described retinal thinning in normal aging subjects and AD patients, yet the association between retinal thickness and hippocampal atrophy in AD is unclear. The optical coherence tomography (OCT) technique has access the non-invasive to retinal images and magnetic resonance imaging can outline the volume of the hippocampus. Thus, we aim to quantify the correlation between these two parameters to identify whether the retina can be a new biomarker for early AD detection.
METHODS
We systematically searched the PubMed, Embase, and Web of Science databases from inception to May 2023 for studies investigating the correlation between retinal thickness and hippocampal volume. The Newcastle-Ottawa Quality Assessment Scale (NOS) was used to assess the study quality. Pooled correlation coefficient values were combined after Fisher's Z transformation. Moderator effects were detected through subgroup analysis and the meta-regression method.
RESULTS
Of the 1,596 citations initially identified, we excluded 1,062 studies after screening the titles and abstract (animal models, = 99; irrelevant literature, = 963). Twelve studies met the inclusion criteria, among which three studies were excluded due to unextractable data. Nine studies were eligible for this meta-analysis. A positive moderate correlation between the retinal thickness was discovered in all participants of with AD, mild cognitive impairment (MCI), and normal controls (NC) ( = 0.3469, 95% CI: 0.2490-0.4377, = 5.0%), which was significantly higher than that of the AD group ( = 0.1209, 95% CI:0.0905-0.1510, = 0.0%) ( < 0.05). Among different layers, the peripapillary retinal nerve fiber layer (pRNFL) indicated a moderate positive correlation with hippocampal volume ( = 0.1209, 95% CI:0.0905-0.1510, = 0.0%). The retinal pigmented epithelium (RPE) was also positively correlated [ = 0.1421, 95% CI:(-0.0447-0.3192), = 84.1%]. The retinal layers and participants were the main overall heterogeneity sources. Correlation in the bilateral hemisphere did not show a significant difference.
CONCLUSION
The correlation between RNFL thickness and hippocampal volume is more predominant in both NC and AD groups than other layers. Whole retinal thickness is positively correlated to hippocampal volume not only in AD continuum, especially in MCI, but also in NC.
SYSTEMATIC REVIEW REGISTRATION
https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/PROSPERO/, CRD42022328088.
PubMed: 37680540
DOI: 10.3389/fnagi.2023.1232941 -
Cureus Jul 2023Melasma, a commonly acquired hyperpigmentation skin condition, is usually treated with topical agents as the first line of management. This systematic review and... (Review)
Review
Melasma, a commonly acquired hyperpigmentation skin condition, is usually treated with topical agents as the first line of management. This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to assess the efficacy and safety of azelaic acid versus hydroquinone in treating melasma patients. We conducted a comprehensive search across four online databases (PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and Cochrane Library) from the time of their creation until May 28, 2023. We considered randomized controlled studies comparing hydroquinone with azelaic acid for the treatment of melasma patients. We used the Cochrane Risk of Bias tool 2 to evaluate the risk of bias. The mean difference (MD) for continuous variables and the risk ratio (RR) for categorical variables, with a 95% confidence interval (CI) were pooled. Six studies were included, with a total of 673 patients with melasma. The azelaic acid had a lower mean change in melasma area severity index (MASI) than the hydroquinone group [MD= -1.23, 95% CI (-2.05, -0.40), P=0.004]. No difference was observed regarding the improvement via the objective response scale, the reduction in pigmentation, or the adverse events reported. However, despite not being statistically significantly different, there was a trend towards having more good responses in the azelaic acid group. Azelaic acid may be better than hydroquinone in reducing melasma severity (measured by MASI). However, larger studies with long-term follow-up are needed to validate these findings.
PubMed: 37457606
DOI: 10.7759/cureus.41796 -
Aesthetic Plastic Surgery Oct 2023At present, there are many kinds of hypertrophic scar treatment methods, among which pressure therapy and silicone therapy are very common and standard therapies, but... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
Efficacy and Safety of Pressure Therapy Alone and in Combination with Silicone in Prevention of Hypertrophic Scars: A Systematic Review with Meta-analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials.
BACKGROUND
At present, there are many kinds of hypertrophic scar treatment methods, among which pressure therapy and silicone therapy are very common and standard therapies, but whether they are used alone or in combination is still controversial. Therefore, the purpose of this systematic review was to compare the efficacy and safety of the combination of pressure therapy and silicone therapy (PTS) with pressure therapy alone (PT) in the treatment of hypertrophic scars to provide clinicians with information so that they can make better decisions.
METHODS
Relevant randomized controlled trials (RCTs) were collected by searching PubMed, Ovid MEDLINE, Embase, ScienceDirect, Web of Science, The Cochrane Library, Scopus, and Google Scholar databases to assess scar scores (The Vancouver Scar Scale, VSS; Visual Analog Scale, VAS) and adverse effects.
RESULTS
We screened 1270 articles and included 6 RCTs including 228 patients. We found that height (MD = 0.15, 95%CI 0.10-0.21, p < 0.01) and pliability (MD = 0.35, 95%CI 0.25-0.46, p <0.01) had a significant difference, these two measures showed that the PTS group was superior to the PT group. Results in other aspects, such as VSS, vascularity, pigmentation, VAS, and adverse effects were similar between the two groups.
CONCLUSIONS
There was no significant difference between PTS and PT in the overall treatment efficacy of hypertrophic scars with similar VSS and adverse effects, but PTS might have potential benefits for height and pliability. Additional studies with larger sample size and sound methodological quality are needed to confirm our conclusions. Level of Evidence IV This journal requires that authors assign a level of evidence to each article. For a full description of these Evidence-Based Medicine ratings, please refer to the Table of Contents or the online Instructions to Authors www.springer.com/00266 .
Topics: Humans; Cicatrix, Hypertrophic; Silicones; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; Treatment Outcome
PubMed: 37648929
DOI: 10.1007/s00266-023-03591-w -
Journal of Clinical and Experimental... May 2019Ameloblastic fibroma (AF) and ameloblastic fibro-odontoma (AFO) are uncommon benign mixed odontogenic neoplasms. Although unusual microscopic changes including hybrid... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
Ameloblastic fibroma (AF) and ameloblastic fibro-odontoma (AFO) are uncommon benign mixed odontogenic neoplasms. Although unusual microscopic changes including hybrid tumors have been documented in publications, their clinical outcome prediction and treatment modality selection are still challenging due to scarcity. Objective: Analysis of AF/AFO's unusual microscopic variants in order to improve histopathologic diagnosis and to help clinicians in making informed treatment choices.
MATERIAL AND METHODS
An electronic search was performed in PubMed's database using keywords: "ameloblastic fibroma", "ameloblastic fibroodontoma", "ameloblastic fibro-odontoma". The search scheme was limited to articles in English, dated 'January 1998' to 'October 2018', with full texts (case reports and series) and human studies. Eligibility criteria included publications having enough clinical, radiological, and histological data to confirm their diagnosis. Age, sex, lesions' location, radiologic features, signs, symptoms, treatment approaches, and recurrences were recorded and analyzed.
RESULTS
In this systematic review, 11 articles (reporting 14 cases) were selected. Patients' mean age was 13.75 years (male/female = 1.8). The posterior region of the mandible was the lesions' commonest location (57.14%). Swelling was reported in 78.57% of the cases, pain in 28.57% but 21.42% were asymptomatic. Radiolucent unilocular appearance was the commonest radiographic feature, but 28.57% of the cases showed a mixed radiolucent-radiopaque appearance. Other reported radiographic findings were impacted tooth (78.57%), root resorption (28.57%), tooth mobility (35.71%), and cortical perforation (14.28%). No recurrences were reported. Calcifying odontogenic cyst (COC) was the commonest lesion associated with AF/AFO (53.33%). Unicystic ameloblastoma and cystic changes without prominent epithelial lining were other reported hybrid lesions. Reported microscopic variations were pigmentation and ghost cell differentiation.
CONCLUSIONS
COC was the commonest lesion associated with AF/AFO. Although COC commonly occurs in the jaws' anterior region, hybrid cases were more common in the posterior area. No malignant transformations were reported. The treatment modality is mostly chosen based on the lesion's most aggressive part. Ameloblastic fibroma, Ameloblastic fibro-odontoma, Odontogenic tumor, Jaw.
PubMed: 31275522
DOI: 10.4317/jced.55460