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AIDS Research and Therapy Jun 2024Despite remarkable progress, HIV's influence on global health remains firm, demanding continued attention. Understanding the effectiveness of third-line antiretroviral... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
BACKGROUND
Despite remarkable progress, HIV's influence on global health remains firm, demanding continued attention. Understanding the effectiveness of third-line antiretroviral therapy in individuals who do not respond to second-line drugs is crucial for improving treatment strategies. The virological outcomes of third-line antiretroviral therapy vary from study to study, highlighting the need for robust global estimates.
METHODS
A comprehensive search of databases including PubMed, MEDLINE, International Scientific Indexing, Web of Science, and Google Scholar, was conducted. STATA version 17 statistical software was used for analysis. A random-effects model was applied to compute the pooled estimates. Subgroup analysis, heterogeneity, publication bias, and sensitivity analysis were also performed. The prediction interval is computed to estimate the interval in which a future study will fall. The GRADE tool was also used to determine the quality of the evidence.
RESULTS
In this systematic review and meta-analysis, 15 studies involving 1768 HIV patients receiving third-line antiretroviral therapy were included. The pooled viral suppression of third-line antiretroviral therapy was 76.6% (95% CI: 71.5- 81.7%). The viral suppression rates at 6 and 12 months were 75.5% and 78.6%, respectively. Furthermore, third-line therapy effectively suppressed viral RNA copy numbers to ≤ 50 copies/mL, ≤ 200 copies/mL, and ≤ 400 copies/mL with rates of 70.7%, 85.4%, and 85.7%, respectively.
CONCLUSION
More than three-fourths of patients on third-line antiretroviral therapy achieve viral suppression. Consequently, improving access to and timely initiation of third-line therapy may positively impact the quality of life for those with second-line treatment failure.
Topics: Humans; Anti-HIV Agents; Antiretroviral Therapy, Highly Active; Global Health; HIV Infections; HIV-1; Treatment Outcome; Viral Load
PubMed: 38918866
DOI: 10.1186/s12981-024-00630-7 -
PloS One 2024Children living with HIV/AIDS are particularly vulnerable to under-nutrition. Under-nutrition associated with HIV/AIDS infection increases the rate of morbidity and... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
BACKGROUND
Children living with HIV/AIDS are particularly vulnerable to under-nutrition. Under-nutrition associated with HIV/AIDS infection increases the rate of morbidity and mortality in children. To reaffirm a future objective, there needs to be evidence regarding the current national burden of under-nutrition and related factors among children infected with HIV. Hence, the objective of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to estimate the pooled prevalence of under-nutrition, and the pooled effect sizes of associated factors among HIV-infected children in Ethiopia.
METHODS
We searched Ethiopian universities' online libraries, Google, Google Scholar, PubMed, CINAHL, Cochrane Library, and Scopus to find the primary studies for this review. Publication bias was checked through Egger's regression test. Heterogeneity among the included studies was assessed using the I2 test. The data were extracted using Microsoft Excel and exported to STATA Version 14 statistical software. A random effect meta-analysis model was performed to estimate the pooled prevalence of Under-nutrition.
RESULTS
After reviewing 1449 primary studies, 16 articles met the inclusion criteria and were included in the final meta-analysis. The estimated pooled prevalence of stunting, underweight, and wasting among children living with HIV/AIDS was 32.98% (95% CI: 22.47, 43.50), 29.76% (95% CI: 21.87, 37.66), and 21.16% (95% CI: 14.96, 27.35) respectively.
CONCLUSIONS
This study showed that under-nutrition among HIV-infected children in Ethiopia was significantly high. Under-nutrition is more common among HIV-infected children with opportunistic infections, child feeding problems, do not adhere to dietary recommendations, and have diarrhea. The national policies and strategies for ART service- provider centers should maximize their emphasis on reducing under-nutrition among HIV-infected children. Based on this finding, we recommend HIV intervention programs to address nutritional assessment and interventions for HIV-infected children.
PROTOCOL REGISTRATION
The protocol has been registered in the PROSPERO database with a registration number of CRD-394170.
Topics: Ethiopia; Humans; Prevalence; Child; HIV Infections; Child, Preschool; Malnutrition; Thinness
PubMed: 38900809
DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0303292 -
Otology & Neurotology : Official... Jun 2024To determine the cost-effectiveness or cost-utility of cochlear implants (CI) in adults with severe to profound bilateral hearing loss.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the cost-effectiveness or cost-utility of cochlear implants (CI) in adults with severe to profound bilateral hearing loss.
DATABASES REVIEWED
PubMed (Medline), The Cochrane Library, Embase via Elsevier, EBSCOhost CINAHL, and Scopus.
METHODS
The study included adult participants with severe to profound bilateral neurosensory hearing loss. The analysis encompassed quality of life improvements, costs, cost-effectiveness, cost-utility, cost-benefit, quality-adjusted life year (QALY), incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER), and incremental cost-utility ratio (ICUR). Systematic reviews, meta-analyses, case series, and prospective or retrospective cohort studies published in English between 2010 and 2023 were retrieved. Exclusion criteria included incomplete studies, abstracts, clinical cases, editorials, letters, studies involving pediatric populations, single-side deafness, methodology research, noneconomic aspects of CI, mixed child and adult data, and studies published before 2010. The risk of bias was assessed following the criteria outlined in Appendix I of the economic evaluation's quality assessment as per the NICE Guideline Development Method.
RESULTS
Ten articles met the criteria and were included in the qualitative synthesis. One study conducted a prospective cost-utility analyses, one carried out a cost-benefit analyses, one was a randomized controlled clinical trial focusing on cost-utility, and another was a clinical trial addressing cost-effectiveness. Six studies employed Markov models, and one study utilized uniquely the Monte Carlo method. None quantified the economic impact of improved hearing on cognitive function.
CONCLUSIONS
The heterogeneity of sources impacted data quality. Unilateral and sequential bilateral CI appeared to be cost-effective when compared with bilateral hearing aids or nontechnological support. When properly indicated, simultaneous bilateral CIs are cost-effective compared to no interventions and to unilateral cochlear implantation through differential discounting or variations from the base cases, especially with a life expectancy of 5-10 years or longer.
PubMed: 38896785
DOI: 10.1097/MAO.0000000000004225 -
Nutrients Jun 2024This systematic review aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of the independent or combined use of nutritional ergogenic aids belonging to Group A of the ABCD... (Review)
Review
This systematic review aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of the independent or combined use of nutritional ergogenic aids belonging to Group A of the ABCD classification by the Australian Institute of Sport (AIS) in the context of cycling (caffeine, creatine, sodium bicarbonate, beta-alanine, nitrates, and glycerol). A comprehensive search was carried out using three databases: PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science. All the databases were searched for Randomized Controlled Trials or crossover design studies assessing the effects of supplementation on cycling performance in comparison with placebos in healthy adults. The methodological quality of each study was evaluated using the Physiotherapy Evidence Database scale. Thirty-six articles involving 701 participants were included in this review, examining supplementation with caffeine (n = 5), creatine (n = 2), sodium bicarbonate (n = 6), beta-alanine (n = 3), and nitrates (n = 8). Additionally, supplemental combinations of caffeine and creatine (n = 3), caffeine and sodium bicarbonate (n = 3), caffeine and nitrates (n = 1), creatine and sodium bicarbonate (n = 1), and sodium bicarbonate and beta-alanine (n = 4) were analyzed. A benefit for cyclists' athletic performnce was found when consuming a caffeine supplement, and a potential positive effect was noted after the consumption of sodium bicarbonate, as well as after the combination of caffeine and creatine. However, no statistically significant effects were identified for the remaining supplements, whether administered individually or in combination.
Topics: Humans; Dietary Supplements; Bicycling; Athletic Performance; Nitrates; Performance-Enhancing Substances; Caffeine; Creatine; Sodium Bicarbonate; beta-Alanine; Adult; Male; Female; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic
PubMed: 38892701
DOI: 10.3390/nu16111768 -
BMC Medical Imaging Jun 2024Assessing the aggressiveness of pure ground glass nodules early on significantly aids in making informed clinical decisions. (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
BACKGROUND
Assessing the aggressiveness of pure ground glass nodules early on significantly aids in making informed clinical decisions.
OBJECTIVE
Developing a predictive model to assess the aggressiveness of pure ground glass nodules in lung adenocarcinoma is the study's goal.
METHODS
A comprehensive search for studies on the relationship between computed tomography(CT) characteristics and the aggressiveness of pure ground glass nodules was conducted using databases such as PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, Scopus, Wanfang, CNKI, VIP, and CBM, up to December 20, 2023. Two independent researchers were responsible for screening literature, extracting data, and assessing the quality of the studies. Meta-analysis was performed using Stata 16.0, with the training data derived from this analysis. To identify publication bias, Funnel plots and Egger tests and Begg test were employed. This meta-analysis facilitated the creation of a risk prediction model for invasive adenocarcinoma in pure ground glass nodules. Data on clinical presentation and CT imaging features of patients treated surgically for these nodules at the Third Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University, from September 2020 to September 2023, were compiled and scrutinized using specific inclusion and exclusion criteria. The model's effectiveness for predicting invasive adenocarcinoma risk in pure ground glass nodules was validated using ROC curves, calibration curves, and decision analysis curves.
RESULTS
In this analysis, 17 studies were incorporated. Key variables included in the model were the largest diameter of the lesion, average CT value, presence of pleural traction, and spiculation. The derived formula from the meta-analysis was: 1.16×the largest lesion diameter + 0.01 × the average CT value + 0.66 × pleural traction + 0.44 × spiculation. This model underwent validation using an external set of 512 pure ground glass nodules, demonstrating good diagnostic performance with an ROC curve area of 0.880 (95% CI: 0.852-0.909). The calibration curve indicated accurate predictions, and the decision analysis curve suggested high clinical applicability of the model.
CONCLUSION
We established a predictive model for determining the invasiveness of pure ground-glass nodules, incorporating four key radiological indicators. This model is both straightforward and effective for identifying patients with a high likelihood of invasive adenocarcinoma.
Topics: Humans; Lung Neoplasms; Tomography, X-Ray Computed; Risk Assessment; Neoplasm Invasiveness; Adenocarcinoma of Lung; Multiple Pulmonary Nodules
PubMed: 38886695
DOI: 10.1186/s12880-024-01313-5 -
Frontiers in Psychiatry 2024Poor sleep quality impedes the progression of chronic illnesses, while chronic illnesses themselves are caused by poor sleep quality. Despite this fact, there is no...
BACKGROUND
Poor sleep quality impedes the progression of chronic illnesses, while chronic illnesses themselves are caused by poor sleep quality. Despite this fact, there is no research that has been conducted in Ethiopia that provides a thorough estimate of the self-reported sleep quality among patients with chronic illnesses. In order to present a complete picture of poor sleep quality among diabetes, hypertension, heart failure, cancer, HIV/AIDS and epilepsy patients, this systematic review and meta-analysis was carried out.
METHODS
Systematic review and meta-analysis was conducted to estimate the quality of sleep among patients with chronic illness in Ethiopia. The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta Analysis standard was followed in the reporting of this systematic review and meta-analysis. An extensive exploration of digital repositories, including PubMed, EMBASE, Cochrane, Africa Journal of Online, Google Scholar, and an advanced Google search, was conducted to obtain published studies until December 1st, 2023 detailing poor sleep quality of patients with chronic illness. STATA version 17 commands were used to create the pooled estimate. The I test and Egger's test, respectively, were used to identify the presence of heterogeneity and publication bias. To manage heterogeneity, a subgroup analysis and random effect model were used.
RESULTS
A total 21 articles with a total of 7393 participants were included in the final systematic review and meta-analysis. The pooled estimate of poor sleep quality among patients with chronic illness was 52% (95% of CI: 48%, 59%; I 97.26%). In subgroup analysis, the highest pooled estimate of poor sleep quality was observed in cancer patients 63% (95% CI: (95% CI: 45% - 80%). Regarding to data collection period, the highest pooled estimate of poor sleep quality was seen during spring 68% (95% CI: 42% - 94%).
CONCLUSIONS
Patients with chronic illnesses in Ethiopia had a high pooled estimate of poor sleep quality. Patients with cancer had the highest pooled estimate of poor-quality sleep compared with other patients. Patients with chronic illnesses had trouble sleeping in the spring, according to this systematic review and meta-analysis. Therefore, attention and intervention should be given to enhance the quality of sleep for patients with chronic illnesses.
PubMed: 38881551
DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2024.1365463 -
Journal of Intensive Care Medicine Jun 2024Patients in the intensive care unit (ICU) often experience poor sleep quality. Pharmacologic sleep aids are frequently used as primary or adjunctive therapy to improve... (Review)
Review
Patients in the intensive care unit (ICU) often experience poor sleep quality. Pharmacologic sleep aids are frequently used as primary or adjunctive therapy to improve sleep, although their benefits in the ICU remain uncertain. This review aims to provide a comprehensive assessment of the objective and subjective effects of medications used for sleep in the ICU, as well as their adverse effects. PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, Embase, and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials were systematically searched from their inception until June 2023 for comparative studies assessing the effects of pharmacologic sleep aids on objective and subjective metrics of sleep. Thirty-four studies with 3498 participants were included. Medications evaluated were melatonin, ramelteon, suvorexant, propofol, and dexmedetomidine. The majority of studies were randomized controlled trials. Melatonin and dexmedetomidine were the best studied agents. Objective sleep metrics included polysomnography (PSG), electroencephalography (EEG), bispectral index, and actigraphy. Subjective outcome measures included patient questionnaires and nursing observations. Evidence for melatonin as a sleep aid in the ICU was mixed but largely not supportive for improving sleep. Evidence for ramelteon, suvorexant, and propofol was too limited to offer definitive recommendations. Both objective and subjective data supported dexmedetomidine as an effective sleep aid in the ICU, with PSG/EEG in 303 ICU patients demonstrating increased sleep duration and efficiency, decreased arousal index, decreased percentage of stage N1 sleep, and increased absolute and percentage of stage N2 sleep. Mild bradycardia and hypotension were reported as side effects of dexmedetomidine, whereas the other medications were reported to be safe. Several ongoing studies have not yet been published, mostly on melatonin and dexmedetomidine. While definitive conclusions cannot be made for most medications, dexmedetomidine improved sleep quantity and quality in the ICU. These benefits need to be balanced with possible hemodynamic side effects.
PubMed: 38881385
DOI: 10.1177/08850666241255345 -
Clinical and Experimental Dental... Jun 2024Self-performed oral hygiene is essential for preventing dental caries, periodontal, and peri-implant diseases. Oral irrigators are adjunctive oral home care aids that... (Review)
Review
OBJECTIVES
Self-performed oral hygiene is essential for preventing dental caries, periodontal, and peri-implant diseases. Oral irrigators are adjunctive oral home care aids that may benefit oral health. However, the effects of oral irrigation on oral health, its role in oral home care, and its mechanism of action are not fully understood. A comprehensive search of the literature revealed no existing broad scoping reviews on oral irrigators. Therefore, this study aimed to provide a comprehensive systematic review of the literature on oral irrigation devices and identify evidence gaps.
METHODS
The Joanna Briggs Institute and Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses extension for Scoping Reviews guidelines were utilized to prepare the review. Four databases and eight gray literature sources were searched for English publications across any geographical location or setting.
RESULTS
Two hundred and seventy-five sources were included, predominantly from scientific journals and academic settings. Most studies originated from North America. Research primarily involved adults, with limited studies in children and adolescents. Oral irrigation was safe and well-accepted when used appropriately. It reduced periodontal inflammation, potentially by modulating the oral microbiota, but further research needs to clarify its mechanism of action. Promising results were reported in populations with dental implants and special needs. Patient acceptance appeared high, but standardized patient-reported outcome measures were rarely used. Anti-inflammatory benefits occurred consistently across populations and irrigant solutions. Plaque reduction findings were mixed, potentially reflecting differences in study designs and devices.
CONCLUSIONS
Oral irrigators reduce periodontal inflammation, but their impact on plaque removal remains unclear. Well-designed, sufficiently powered trials of appropriate duration need to assess the clinical, microbiological, and inflammatory responses of the periodontium to oral irrigation, particularly those with periodontitis, dental implants, and special needs. Patient-reported outcome measures, costs, caries prevention, and environmental impact of oral irrigation need to be compared to other oral hygiene aids.
Topics: Humans; Therapeutic Irrigation; Oral Hygiene; Oral Health; Dental Caries; Periodontal Diseases
PubMed: 38881230
DOI: 10.1002/cre2.912 -
European Journal of Radiology Jun 2024Laryngeal and Hypopharyngeal Carcinomas (LC/HPC) constitute about 24 % of head and neck cancers, causing more than 90,000 annual deaths worldwide. Diffusion-Weighted... (Review)
Review
The clinical utility of diffusion-weighted imaging in diagnosing and predicting treatment response of laryngeal and hypopharyngeal carcinoma: A systematic review and meta-analysis.
PURPOSE
Laryngeal and Hypopharyngeal Carcinomas (LC/HPC) constitute about 24 % of head and neck cancers, causing more than 90,000 annual deaths worldwide. Diffusion-Weighted Imaging (DWI), is currently widely studied in oncologic imaging and can aid in distinguishing cellular tumors from other tissues. Our objective was to review the effectiveness of DWI in three areas: diagnosing, predicting prognosis, and predicting treatment response in patients with LC/HPC.
METHODS
A systematic search was conducted in PubMed, Web of Science, and Embase. A meta-analysis by calculating Standardized Mean Difference (SMD) and 95 % Confidence Interval (CI) was conducted on diagnostic studies.
RESULTS
A total of 16 studies were included. All diagnostic studies (n = 9) were able to differentiate between the LC/HPC and other benign laryngeal/hypopharyngeal lesions. These studies found that LC/HPC had lower Apparent Diffusion Coefficient (ADC) values than non-cancerous lesions. Our meta-analysis of 7 diagnostic studies, that provided ADC values of malignant and non-malignant tissues, demonstrated significantly lower ADC values in LC/HPC compared to non-malignant lesions (SMD = -1.71, 95 %CI: [-2.00, -1.42], ADC cut-off = 1.2 × 10 mm/s). Furthermore, among the studies predicting prognosis, 67 % (4/6) accurately predicted outcomes based on pretreatment ADC values. Similarly, among studies predicting treatment response, 50 % (2/4) successfully predicted outcomes based on pretreatment ADC values. Overall, the studies that looked at prognosis or treatment response in LC/HPC found a positive correlation between pretreatment ADC values in larynx/hypopharynx and favorable outcomes.
CONCLUSION
DWI aids significantly in the LC/HPC diagnosis. However, further research is needed to establish DWI's reliability in predicting prognosis and treatment response in patients with LC/HPC.
PubMed: 38878501
DOI: 10.1016/j.ejrad.2024.111550 -
AIDS and Behavior Jun 2024Chemsex, the use of drugs during and/or prior to sex, has been found to increase the risk of HIV and sexually transmitted infections (STI) among men who have sex with... (Review)
Review
The Risks for HIV and Sexually Transmitted Infections Among Men Who Have Sex with Men Who Engage in Chemsex in Low- and Middle-Income Countries: A Mixed Methods Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.
Chemsex, the use of drugs during and/or prior to sex, has been found to increase the risk of HIV and sexually transmitted infections (STI) among men who have sex with men (MSM). Many studies and reviews on chemsex were focused among MSM in high-income countries (HIC), with less attention given to understanding chemsex in low- and middle-income countries (LMIC). We estimated the prevalence of chemsex and its association with sexual risk behaviors, HIV, and STI among MSM in LMIC. We searched MEDLINE, Embase, GlobalHealth, PsychINFO, and CINAHL for quantitative, qualitative, and mixed-methods studies describing chemsex and its association with sexual risk behaviors, HIV, and STI among MSM in LMIC, published January 1, 2000-October 15, 2023. We used the Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool to assess study quality. We developed a narrative review and performed meta-analysis using a random effects model and the DerSimonian and Laird approach (PROSPERO #CRD42022339663). Thirty-two studies from LMIC, particularly from Asia, Africa, Latin America, and the Middle East, were included. MSM who engaged in chemsex had higher prevalence of condomless anal intercourse, group sex, having multiple sexual partners, and of HIV and STI compared to MSM who did not. We estimated a pooled prevalence for recent chemsex (≤ 12 months) of 16% (95% CI 11%-22%, τ = 0.01, I = 99.07%, p < 0.01). Chemsex and its associated behaviors are associated with HIV and STI among MSM in LMIC. Integration of harm reduction and sexual health services and structural changes could prevent HIV and STI prevention among MSM who engage in chemsex in LMIC.
PubMed: 38878136
DOI: 10.1007/s10461-024-04393-0