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Critical Care Medicine Jan 2022To determine the associations of demographic, clinical, laboratory, organ dysfunction, and illness severity variable values with: 1) sepsis, severe sepsis, or septic... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
OBJECTIVE
To determine the associations of demographic, clinical, laboratory, organ dysfunction, and illness severity variable values with: 1) sepsis, severe sepsis, or septic shock in children with infection and 2) multiple organ dysfunction or death in children with sepsis, severe sepsis, or septic shock.
DATA SOURCES
MEDLINE, Embase, and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials were searched from January 1, 2004, and November 16, 2020.
STUDY SELECTION
Case-control studies, cohort studies, and randomized controlled trials in children greater than or equal to 37-week-old postconception to 18 years with suspected or confirmed infection, which included the terms "sepsis," "septicemia," or "septic shock" in the title or abstract.
DATA EXTRACTION
Study characteristics, patient demographics, clinical signs or interventions, laboratory values, organ dysfunction measures, and illness severity scores were extracted from eligible articles. Random-effects meta-analysis was performed.
DATA SYNTHESIS
One hundred and six studies met eligibility criteria of which 81 were included in the meta-analysis. Sixteen studies (9,629 patients) provided data for the sepsis, severe sepsis, or septic shock outcome and 71 studies (154,674 patients) for the mortality outcome. In children with infection, decreased level of consciousness and higher Pediatric Risk of Mortality scores were associated with sepsis/severe sepsis. In children with sepsis/severe sepsis/septic shock, chronic conditions, oncologic diagnosis, use of vasoactive/inotropic agents, mechanical ventilation, serum lactate, platelet count, fibrinogen, procalcitonin, multi-organ dysfunction syndrome, Pediatric Logistic Organ Dysfunction score, Pediatric Index of Mortality-3, and Pediatric Risk of Mortality score each demonstrated significant and consistent associations with mortality. Pooled mortality rates varied among high-, upper middle-, and lower middle-income countries for patients with sepsis, severe sepsis, and septic shock (p < 0.0001).
CONCLUSIONS
Strong associations of several markers of organ dysfunction with the outcomes of interest among infected and septic children support their inclusion in the data validation phase of the Pediatric Sepsis Definition Taskforce.
Topics: Adolescent; Child; Child, Preschool; Clinical Laboratory Techniques; Consciousness; Female; Global Health; Humans; Infant; Infant, Newborn; Male; Organ Dysfunction Scores; Patient Acuity; Respiration, Artificial; Sepsis; Shock, Septic; Sociodemographic Factors
PubMed: 34612847
DOI: 10.1097/CCM.0000000000005294 -
American Journal of Obstetrics &... Jul 2023Many studies have reported the association between platelets and preeclampsia. However, sample sizes were small, and their findings were inconsistent. We conducted a... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
OBJECTIVE
Many studies have reported the association between platelets and preeclampsia. However, sample sizes were small, and their findings were inconsistent. We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to evaluate the association in pooled samples and in detail.
DATA SOURCES
A systematic literature search was performed using Medline, Embase, ScienceDirect, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, NICHD-DASH, LILACS, and Scopus from inception to April 22, 2022.
STUDY ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA
Observational studies comparing platelet count between women with preeclampsia and normotensive pregnant women were included.
METHODS
The mean differences with 95% confidence interval in platelet count were calculated. Heterogeneity was assessed using I statistics. Sensitivity and subgroup analyses were conducted. Statistical analysis was performed using RevMan 5.3 and ProMeta 3 software.
RESULTS
A total of 56 studies comprising 4892 preeclamptic and 9947 normotensive pregnant women were included. Meta-analysis showed that platelet count was significantly lower in women with preeclampsia than in normotensive controls (overall: mean difference, -32.83; 95% confidence interval, -40.13 to -25.52; P<.00001; I=92%; mild preeclampsia: mean difference, -18.65; 95% confidence interval, -27.17 to -10.14; P<.00001; I=84%; severe preeclampsia: mean difference, -42.61; 95% confidence interval, -57.53 to -27.68; P<.00001; I=94%). Significantly lower platelet count was also observed in the second trimester (mean difference, -28.84; 95% confidence interval, -44.59 to -13.08; P=.0003; I=93%), third trimester (mean difference, -40.67; 95% confidence interval, -52.14 to -29.20; P<.00001; I=92%), and before the diagnosis of preeclampsia (mean difference, -18.81; 95% confidence interval, -29.98 to -7.64; P=.009; I=87%), but not in the first trimester (mean difference, -15.14; 95% confidence interval, -37.71 to 7.43; P=.19; I=71%). Overall, the pooled sensitivity and specificity of platelet count were 0.71 and 0.77, respectively. The area under the curve was 0.80.
CONCLUSION
This meta-analysis confirmed that platelet count was significantly lower in preeclamptic women, irrespective of severity and presence or absence of associated complications, even before the onset of preeclampsia and in the second trimester of pregnancy. Our findings suggest that platelet count may be a potential marker to identify and predict preeclampsia.
Topics: Pregnancy; Female; Humans; Pre-Eclampsia; Platelet Count; Blood Pressure; Pregnancy Trimester, First; Pregnancy Trimester, Third
PubMed: 37098392
DOI: 10.1016/j.ajogmf.2023.100979 -
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 -
Dermatology and Therapy Jan 2022Microneedling (MN) is a minimally invasive procedure involving the induction of percutaneous wounds with medical-grade needles. In this literature review, we investigate... (Review)
Review
INTRODUCTION
Microneedling (MN) is a minimally invasive procedure involving the induction of percutaneous wounds with medical-grade needles. In this literature review, we investigate clinical data on MN for the treatment of hair loss disorders.
METHODS
A literature search was conducted through PubMed up to November 2021 to identify original articles evaluating the use of MN on hair loss disorders. The database was searched using the following keywords: "microneedling," "micro needling," "micro needle," "microneedle," "needle," "dermaroller" and "alopecia," "hair loss," "alopecia," "areata," "cicatricial," or "effluvium," RESULTS: A total of 22 clinical studies featuring 1127 subjects met our criteria for inclusion. Jadad scores ranged from 1 to 3, with a mean of 2. As an adjunct therapy, MN improved hair parameters across genders and a range of hair loss types, severities, needling devices, needling depths of 0.50-2.50 mm, and session frequencies from once weekly to monthly. Across 17 investigations totaling 911 androgenic alopecia (AGA) subjects, MN improved hair parameters when paired with 5% minoxidil, growth factor solutions, and/or platelet-rich plasma (PRP) topicals, or when introduced to subjects whose hair count changes had plateaued for ≥ 6 months on other treatments. Across four investigations on 201 alopecia areata (AA) subjects, MN improved hair parameters as a standalone therapy versus cryotherapy, as an adjunct to 5-aminolevulinic acid and photodynamic therapy, and equivalently when paired with topical PRP versus carbon dioxide laser therapy with topical PRP. Across 657 subjects receiving MN, no serious adverse events were reported.
CONCLUSIONS
Clinical studies demonstrate generally favorable results for MN as an adjunct therapy for AGA and AA. However, data are of relatively low quality. Significant heterogeneity exists across interventions, comparators, and MN procedures. Large-scale randomized controlled trials are recommended to discern the effects of MN as a standalone and adjunct therapy, determine best practices, and establish long-term safety.
PubMed: 34854067
DOI: 10.1007/s13555-021-00653-2 -
The American Journal of Sports Medicine Jul 2018There has been a surge in high-level studies investigating platelet-rich plasma (PRP) for tendon and ligament injuries. A number of meta-analyses have been published,... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
BACKGROUND
There has been a surge in high-level studies investigating platelet-rich plasma (PRP) for tendon and ligament injuries. A number of meta-analyses have been published, but few studies have focused exclusively on tendon and ligament injuries.
PURPOSE
To perform a meta-analysis assessing the ability of PRP to reduce pain in patients with tendon and ligament injuries.
STUDY DESIGN
Systematic review and meta-analysis.
METHODS
This study followed the PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) guidelines. A comprehensive search of the literature was carried out in April 2017 using electronic databases PubMed, MEDLINE, and the Cochrane Library. Only level 1 studies were included. Platelet and leukocyte count, injection volume, kit used, participant age/sex, comparator, and activating agent used were recorded. The short-term and long-term efficacy of PRP was assessed using the visual analog scale (VAS) to measure pain intensity. Injury subgroups (rotator cuff, tendinopathy, anterior cruciate ligament, and lateral epicondylitis) were evaluated. Funnel plots and the Egger test were used to screen for publication bias, and sensitivity analysis was performed to evaluate the effect of potential outliers by removing studies one at a time.
RESULTS
Thirty-seven articles were included in this review, 21 (1031 participants) of which could be included in the quantitative analysis. The majority of studies published investigated rotator cuff injuries (38.1%) or lateral epicondylitis (38.1%). Seventeen studies (844 participants) reported short-term VAS data, and 14 studies (771 participants) reported long-term VAS data. Overall, long-term follow-up results showed significantly less pain in the PRP group compared with the control group (weighted mean difference [WMD], -0.84; 95% CI, -1.23 to -0.44; P < .01). Patients treated with PRP for rotator cuff injuries (WMD, -0.53; 95% CI, -0.98 to -0.09; P = .02) and lateral epicondylitis (WMD, -1.39; 95% CI, -2.49 to -0.29; P = .01) reported significantly less pain in the long term. Substantial heterogeneity was reported at baseline ( I = 72.0%; P < .01), short-term follow-up ( I = 72.5%; P < .01), long-term follow-up ( I = 76.1%; P < .01), and overall ( I = 75.8%; P < .01). The funnel plot appeared to be asymmetric, with some missingness at the lower right portion of the plot suggesting possible publication bias.
CONCLUSION
This review shows that PRP may reduce pain associated with lateral epicondylitis and rotator cuff injuries.
Topics: Anterior Cruciate Ligament; Anterior Cruciate Ligament Injuries; Humans; Pain; Platelet-Rich Plasma; Rotator Cuff; Rotator Cuff Injuries; Tendinopathy; Tennis Elbow; Treatment Outcome; Visual Analog Scale
PubMed: 29268037
DOI: 10.1177/0363546517743746 -
American Journal of Hematology Jul 2020COVID-19 is a systemic infection with a significant impact on the hematopoietic system and hemostasis. Lymphopenia may be considered as a cardinal laboratory finding,...
COVID-19 is a systemic infection with a significant impact on the hematopoietic system and hemostasis. Lymphopenia may be considered as a cardinal laboratory finding, with prognostic potential. Neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio and peak platelet/lymphocyte ratio may also have prognostic value in determining severe cases. During the disease course, longitudinal evaluation of lymphocyte count dynamics and inflammatory indices, including LDH, CRP and IL-6 may help to identify cases with dismal prognosis and prompt intervention in order to improve outcomes. Biomarkers, such high serum procalcitonin and ferritin have also emerged as poor prognostic factors. Furthermore, blood hypercoagulability is common among hospitalized COVID-19 patients. Elevated D-Dimer levels are consistently reported, whereas their gradual increase during disease course is particularly associated with disease worsening. Other coagulation abnormalities such as PT and aPTT prolongation, fibrin degradation products increase, with severe thrombocytopenia lead to life-threatening disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC), which necessitates continuous vigilance and prompt intervention. So, COVID-19 infected patients, whether hospitalized or ambulatory, are at high risk for venous thromboembolism, and an early and prolonged pharmacological thromboprophylaxis with low molecular weight heparin is highly recommended. Last but not least, the need for assuring blood donations during the pandemic is also highlighted.
Topics: Anticoagulants; Betacoronavirus; Biomarkers; Blood Coagulation Tests; Blood Donors; C-Reactive Protein; COVID-19; COVID-19 Testing; Clinical Laboratory Techniques; Coronavirus Infections; Cytokine Release Syndrome; Cytokines; Disseminated Intravascular Coagulation; Early Diagnosis; Ferritins; Fibrin Fibrinogen Degradation Products; Humans; Lymphopenia; Meta-Analysis as Topic; Pandemics; Pneumonia, Viral; Risk; SARS-CoV-2; Thrombophilia; Venous Thromboembolism
PubMed: 32282949
DOI: 10.1002/ajh.25829 -
Frontiers in Immunology 2021The World Health Organization declared the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic on March 11, 2020. Two vaccine types were developed using two different...
INTRODUCTION
The World Health Organization declared the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic on March 11, 2020. Two vaccine types were developed using two different technologies: viral vectors and mRNA. Thrombosis is one of the most severe and atypical adverse effects of vaccines. This study aimed to analyze published cases of thrombosis after COVID-19 vaccinations to identify patients' features, potential pathophysiological mechanisms, timing of appearance of the adverse events, and other critical issues.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
We performed a systematic electronic search of scientific articles regarding COVID-19 vaccine-related thrombosis and its complications on the PubMed (MEDLINE) database and through manual searches. We selected 10 out of 50 articles from February 1 to May 5, 2021 and performed a descriptive analysis of the adverse events caused by the mRNA-based Pfizer and Moderna vaccines and the adenovirus-based AstraZeneca vaccine.
RESULTS
In the articles on the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines, the sample consisted of three male patients with age heterogeneity. The time from vaccination to admission was ≤3 days in all cases; all patients presented signs of petechiae/purpura at admission, with a low platelet count. In the studies on the AstraZeneca vaccine, the sample consisted of 58 individuals with a high age heterogeneity and a high female prevalence. Symptoms appeared around the ninth day, and headache was the most common symptom. The platelet count was below the lower limit of the normal range. All patients except one were positive for PF4 antibodies. The cerebral venous sinus was the most affected site. Death was the most prevalent outcome in all studies, except for one study in which most of the patients remained alive.
DISCUSSION
Vaccine-induced thrombotic thrombocytopenia (VITT) is an unknown nosological phenomenon secondary to inoculation with the COVID-19 vaccine. Several hypotheses have been formulated regarding its physiopathological mechanism. Recent studies have assumed a mechanism that is assimilable to heparin-induced thrombocytopenia, with protagonist antibodies against the PF4-polyanion complex. Viral DNA has a negative charge and can bind to PF4, causing VITT. New experimental studies have assumed that thrombosis is related to a soluble adenoviral protein spike variant, originating from splicing events, which cause important endothelial inflammatory events, and binding to endothelial cells expressing ACE2.
CONCLUSION
Further studies are needed to better identify VITT's pathophysiological mechanisms and genetic, demographic, or clinical predisposition of high-risk patients, to investigate the correlation of VITT with the different vaccine types, and to test the significance of the findings.
Topics: 2019-nCoV Vaccine mRNA-1273; Antigen-Antibody Complex; BNT162 Vaccine; COVID-19; Cerebral Veins; ChAdOx1 nCoV-19; Female; Headache; Humans; Mass Vaccination; Platelet Factor 4; SARS-CoV-2; Sex Factors; Survival Analysis; Thrombosis
PubMed: 34912330
DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.729251 -
Platelets Aug 2020Changes of mean platelet volume (MPV) and platelet count (PC) could be a marker or a predictor of acute stroke (AS). We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
UNLABELLED
Changes of mean platelet volume (MPV) and platelet count (PC) could be a marker or a predictor of acute stroke (AS). We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of the published literature on the reporting of MPV and PC in AS. Studies were included in accordance with Patient Population or Problem, Intervention, Comparison, Outcomes, and Setting framework. The PRISMA strategy was used to report findings. Risk of bias was assessed with the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale. We included 34 eligible articles retrieved from the literature. PC was significantly lower in AS patients [standardized mean difference (SMD) = - 0.30, (95% CI: - 0.49 to - 0.11), N = 2492, = .002] compared with controls (N = 3615). The MPV was significantly higher [SMD = 0.52 (95% CI: 0.28-0.76), N = 2739, < .001] compared with controls (N = 3810). Subgroup analyses showed significantly lower PC in both ischemic stroke (Difference SMD = -0.18, 95% CI: -0.35-0.01) and hemorrhagic stroke (-0.94, -1.62 to -0.25), but only samples by citrate anticoagulant showed significantly lower result for patients compared to controls (-0.36, -0.68 to -0.04). Ischemic stroke patients had higher MPV (0.57, 0.31-0.83), and samples by Ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) anticoagulant showed significantly higher result for patients compared to controls (0.86, 0.55-1.17). PC and MPV appeared to be significantly different between patients with AS and control populations. MPV was significantly higher in ischemic stroke and PC was significantly lower in both ischemic and hemorrhagic strokes. These characteristics might be related to AS and associated with it. It is advisable to pay attention to elapsed time between phlebotomy and hematology analysis, anticoagulant and hemocytometer types in AS.
SYSTEMATIC REVIEW REGISTRATION
This meta-analysis is registered on the International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews (PROSPERO) under registration number CRD42017067864 (https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/display_record.php?RecordID=67864).
Topics: Erythrocyte Indices; Humans; Platelet Count; Stroke
PubMed: 31657263
DOI: 10.1080/09537104.2019.1680826 -
Journal of Cutaneous Medicine and... 2023Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) contains a variety of growth factors and has been widely used in maxillofacial surgery, orthopedics, plastic surgery, ophthalmology, and other... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) contains a variety of growth factors and has been widely used in maxillofacial surgery, orthopedics, plastic surgery, ophthalmology, and other fields. In recent years, with the increasing morbidity of androgenetic alopecia (AGA), the use of PRP has also increased. The objective of this article was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of PRP for AGA. We searched PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, and Cochrane Library, covering the databases from their earliest records until March 2022. We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) to explore the effects of PRP for hair density, hair count, and hair diameter in AGA. Nine trials involving 238 patients were included. The meta-analysis showed that PRP for AGA increased hair density at 3 and 6 months with statistically significant differences compared with the placebo ( < .05). PRP also increased hair count and hair diameter compared with the baseline, but there was no significant difference compared with the placebo ( > .05). Two of the 7 studies reported adverse reactions. No serious adverse reactions were found. In conclusion, PRP is an effective and safe treatment for increasing the hair density in AGA. Trial registration: The systematic review was registered with PROSPERO (CRD42022362432).
Topics: Humans; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; Alopecia; Hair; Platelet-Rich Plasma; Treatment Outcome
PubMed: 37533146
DOI: 10.1177/12034754231191461 -
Frontiers in Immunology 2022Some degree of platelet index abnormality has been found clinically in the autoimmune thyroid disease (AITD), but the findings are not uniform. (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
BACKGROUND
Some degree of platelet index abnormality has been found clinically in the autoimmune thyroid disease (AITD), but the findings are not uniform.
METHODS
The PubMed, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, and Embase databases were searched for relevant articles published up to August 16th, 2022, with no restrictions on the language of the articles. Reference lists of eligible articles were also searched. A random effect model was used to pool the standardized mean difference (SMD) and 95% confidence interval (95% CI) of platelet count (PLT), mean platelet volume (MPV), and platelet distribution width (PDW) between AITD patients and healthy controls, and subgroup analyses were performed.
RESULTS
A total of 19 articles with 6173 people (3824 AITD patients and 2349 healthy people) were included in the meta-analysis. The results showed that PLT and MPV values were significantly increased in AITD patients when compared with healthy people (SMD: 0.164, 95% CI: 0.044 to 0.285; SMD: 0.256, 95% CI: 0.013 to 0.500), while no significant difference was found in PDW between the AITD group and the control group (SMD: 0.060, 95% CI: -0.164 to 0.284). Subgroup analysis according to disease type and thyroid function revealed that for PLT, this difference was only found in the Hashimoto's thyroiditis (HT) and hypothyroid groups, but not in the Graves' disease (GD) and hyperthyroid groups. For MPV, the results were the opposite of those for PLT: MPV was significantly higher in the GD, hyperthyroid, and euthyroid groups than in the control group, but not in the HT and hypothyroid groups. Sensitivity analysis showed that the stability of the pooled MPV was not good. No publication bias was found.
CONCLUSIONS
PLT and MPV are significantly elevated in patients with AITD, with PLT being more significantly elevated in HT and hypothyroidism, and MPV being more significantly increased in GD and hyperthyroidism. Appropriate clinical attention can be paid to the thyroid function of patients when abnormal platelet indices are found, and conversely, the consequences of abnormal platelet parameters such as elevated MPV lead to an increased occurrence of cardiovascular events, which should also be addressed in the AITD population.
SYSTEMATIC REVIEW REGISTRATION
https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/PROSPERO/, identifier CRD42022341823.
Topics: Humans; Hashimoto Disease; Mean Platelet Volume; Platelet Count; Graves Disease; Hyperthyroidism; Hypothyroidism
PubMed: 36618418
DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.1089469