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Critical Reviews in Oncology/hematology Jun 2024Intravitreal chemotherapy is used as a salvage therapy for retinoblastoma with persistent or recurrent vitreous seeding after primary treatment. To assess the safety of... (Review)
Review
Intravitreal chemotherapy is used as a salvage therapy for retinoblastoma with persistent or recurrent vitreous seeding after primary treatment. To assess the safety of this technique, we conducted a systematic review of all studies reporting ocular toxicity data. Forty-eight trials involving 2751 eyes were included. The most common complications were cataract, retinal toxicity, and vitreous hemorrhage. However, severe and permanent adverse events were limited, while the risk of extraocular dissemination, a significant concern, was practically eliminated through preventive techniques. Globe salvage rates ranged from 29 % to 100 %. In conclusion, intravitreal chemotherapy seems to improve prognosis of eyes with advanced disease, with an acceptable safety profile. Nevertheless, most relevant studies are retrospective, and no randomized trials have been performed. Recognizing the challenges regarding the conduct of randomized studies for such a rare pediatric cancer, we believe that multicenter trials through international collaborations can significantly enhance the available information.
PubMed: 38897313
DOI: 10.1016/j.critrevonc.2024.104423 -
Infectious Diseases and Therapy Jul 2024The objective of this work was to summarize the incidence of herpes zoster (HZ) complications in different populations. (Review)
Review
INTRODUCTION
The objective of this work was to summarize the incidence of herpes zoster (HZ) complications in different populations.
METHODS
Systematic literature review of PubMed, Embase, and Virtual Health Library records between January 1, 2002 and October 20, 2022 using search strings for HZ, complications, and frequency measurements.
RESULTS
The review included 124 studies, most conducted in the general population (n = 93) and on individuals with comorbidities (n = 41) ≥ 18 years of age. Most studies were conducted in Europe (n = 44), Asia (n = 40), and North America (n = 36). Postherpetic neuralgia (PHN) was the most studied neurological complication. Variable relative PHN incidence was found in the general population (2.6-46.7%) or based on diagnosis: immunocompromised (3.9-33.8%), depression (0-50%), and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) (6.1-40.2%). High incidence rates were observed in hematological malignancies (HM) and solid organ malignancies (132.5 and 93.7 per 1000 person-years, respectively). Ocular complications were frequently reported with herpes zoster ophthalmicus (HZO). The relative incidence (incidence rate) of HZO in the general population was reported as 1.4-15.9% (0.31-0.35 per 1000 person-years). High relative incidence was observed in HIV (up to 10.1%) and HM (3.2-11.3%). Disseminated HZ was the most frequently reported cutaneous complication. The relative incidence of disseminated HZ was 0.3-8.2% in the general population, 0-0.5% in the immunocompetent, and 0-20.6% in patients with comorbidities. High relative incidence was reported in HM and solid organ transplant (up to 19.3% and 14.8%, respectively).
DISCUSSION
Most reported complications were neurological (n = 110), ocular (n = 48), and cutaneous (n = 38). Few studies stratified complications by age or gender (or both). Incidence appeared higher in select immunocompromised populations. Higher incidence was associated with older age in several studies; the general association with gender was unclear.
CONCLUSIONS
Variable incidence of HZ complications was reported by population subgroup. Further research is required to quantitatively analyze incidence by age, gender, and location.
PubMed: 38896390
DOI: 10.1007/s40121-024-01002-4 -
Frontiers in Endocrinology 2024There has been continuous progress in diabetes management over the last few decades, not least due to the widespread dissemination of continuous glucose monitoring (CGM)...
There has been continuous progress in diabetes management over the last few decades, not least due to the widespread dissemination of continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) and automated insulin delivery systems. These technological advances have radically changed the daily lives of people living with diabetes, improving the quality of life of both children and their families. Despite this, hypoglycemia remains the primary side-effect of insulin therapy. Based on a systematic review of the available scientific evidence, this paper aims to provide evidence-based recommendations for recognizing, risk stratifying, treating, and managing patients with hypoglycemia. The objective of these recommendations is to unify the behavior of pediatric diabetologists with respect to the timely recognition and prevention of hypoglycemic episodes and the correct treatment of hypoglycemia, especially in patients using CGM or advanced hybrid closed-loop systems. All authors have long experience in the specialty and are members of the Italian Society of Pediatric Endocrinology and Diabetology. The goal of treating hypoglycemia is to raise blood glucose above 70 mg/dL (3.9 mmol/L) and to prevent further decreases. Oral glucose at a dose of 0.3 g/kg (0.1 g/kg for children using "smart pumps" or hybrid closed loop systems in automated mode) is the preferred treatment for the conscious individual with blood glucose <70 mg/dL (3.9 mmol/L), although any form of carbohydrate (e.g., sucrose, which consists of glucose and fructose, or honey, sugary soft drinks, or fruit juice) containing glucose may be used. Using automatic insulin delivery systems, the oral glucose dose can be decreased to 0.1 g/kg. Practical flow charts are included to aid clinical decision-making. Although representing the official position of the Italian Society of Pediatric Endocrinology and Diabetology (ISPED), these guidelines are applicable to the global audience and are especially pertinent in the era of CGM and other advanced technologies.
Topics: Humans; Hypoglycemia; Child; Adolescent; Blood Glucose Self-Monitoring; Insulin; Hypoglycemic Agents; Blood Glucose; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1; Insulin Infusion Systems; Risk Assessment; Practice Guidelines as Topic; Disease Management
PubMed: 38894740
DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2024.1387537 -
Diagnostics (Basel, Switzerland) Jun 2024Targeted axillary dissection (TAD), employing marked lymph node biopsy (MLNB) alongside sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB), is increasingly recognised for its efficacy in... (Review)
Review
Assessing the Efficacy of Radioactive Iodine Seed Localisation in Targeted Axillary Dissection for Node-Positive Early Breast Cancer Patients Undergoing Neoadjuvant Systemic Therapy: A Systematic Review and Pooled Analysis.
Targeted axillary dissection (TAD), employing marked lymph node biopsy (MLNB) alongside sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB), is increasingly recognised for its efficacy in reducing false negative rates (FNRs) in node-positive early breast cancer patients receiving neoadjuvant systemic therapy (NST). One such method, I radioactive seed localisation (RSL), involves implanting a seed into a biopsy-proven lymph node either pre- or post-NST. This systematic review and pooled analysis aimed to assess the performance of RSL in TAD among node-positive patients undergoing NST. Six studies, encompassing 574 TAD procedures, met the inclusion criteria. Results showed a 100% successful deployment rate, with a 97.6% successful localisation rate and a 99.8% retrieval rate. Additionally, there was a 60.0% concordance rate between SLNB and MLNB. The FNR of SLNB alone was significantly higher than it was for MLNB (18.8% versus 5.3%, respectively; = 0.001). Pathological complete response (pCR) was observed in 44% of cases (248/564). On average, the interval from I seed deployment to surgery was 75.8 days (range: 0-272). These findings underscore the efficacy of RSL in TAD for node-positive patients undergoing NST, enabling precise axillary pCR identification and facilitating the safe omission of axillary lymph node dissection.
PubMed: 38893701
DOI: 10.3390/diagnostics14111175 -
Journal of Substance Use and Addiction... Jun 2024Anxiety and substance use disorders are highly comorbid and represent two of the leading causes of disease burden globally. Psychosocial interventions are important... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND & AIMS
Anxiety and substance use disorders are highly comorbid and represent two of the leading causes of disease burden globally. Psychosocial interventions are important treatment options for people with co-occurring anxiety and substance use disorders (A-SUD). To date, few reviews have assessed the efficacy of psychosocial treatments for patients with A-SUD. This systematic review and meta-analysis aims to synthesize this literature and assess the efficacy of psychosocial interventions among patients with A-SUD.
METHODS
We searched all relevant records published until March 2023 in Medline, EMBASE, PsycINFO, CINAHL and Google Scholar. Two authors extracted and reconciled relevant data and assessed risk of bias. Random effects models were used to calculate effect sizes using Hedges' g for post treatment and follow-up time points. Main outcomes of the review were anxiety, alcohol use, and use of other substances. We examined effects on depression as a secondary outcome since it commonly co-occurs with A-SUD.
RESULTS
Psychosocial interventions for co-occurring A-SUD showed moderate effects on anxiety (g = 0.44), alcohol (Hedges' g = 0.29), and other substance use (g = 0.38) at post intervention. Large effects were observed on depression (g = 0.88) at post intervention with high heterogeneity. These effects were maintained at follow-up for anxiety (Hedges' g = 0.38), other substances (g = 0.44), and depression (g = 0.50). Moderation analyses for demographic factors, intervention characteristics, community level factors, anxiety reduction, and alcohol use reduction, were non-significant.
CONCLUSIONS
The current meta-analysis is the first to investigate specifically the effects of psychosocial interventions on patients with anxiety and a co-occurring SUD. The analyses indicated promising moderate-sized effects of treatment on anxiety, alcohol, all other drug use, and depression. The findings point to important avenues for psychosocial treatment emphasis and development while highlighting critical gaps in knowledge to be addressed in future research.
PubMed: 38889880
DOI: 10.1016/j.josat.2024.209442 -
Open Forum Infectious Diseases Jun 2024Mucormycosis is an emerging disease primarily affecting the immunocompromised host, but scarce evidence is available for solid organ transplant recipients (SOTRs). We... (Review)
Review
Mucormycosis is an emerging disease primarily affecting the immunocompromised host, but scarce evidence is available for solid organ transplant recipients (SOTRs). We systematically reviewed 183 cases occurring in SOTRs, exploring epidemiology, clinical characteristics, causative pathogens, therapeutic approaches, and outcomes. Kidney transplants accounted for half of the cases, followed by heart (18.6%), liver (16.9%), and lung (10.4%). Diagnosis showed a dichotomous distribution, with 63.7% of cases reported within 100 days of transplantation and 20.6% occurring at least 1 year after transplant. The 90-day and 1-year mortality rates were 36.3% and 63.4%, respectively. Disseminated disease had the highest mortality at both time points (75% and 93%). Treatment with >3 immunosuppressive drugs showed a significant impact on 90-day mortality (odds ratio [OR], 2.33; 95% CI, 1.02-5.66; = .0493), as did a disseminated disease manifestation (OR, 8.23; 95% CI, 2.20-36.71; = .0027) and the presence of diabetes (OR, 2.35; 95% CI, 1.01-5.65; = .0497). Notably, prophylaxis was administered to 12 cases with amphotericin B. Further investigations are needed to validate these findings and to evaluate the potential implementation of prophylactic regimens in SOTRs at high risk.
PubMed: 38887489
DOI: 10.1093/ofid/ofae043 -
SAGE Open Medicine 2024In developing countries as well as Ethiopia, stunting continues to be a major public health burden. Thus, the aim of this systematic review and meta-analysis is to... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
In developing countries as well as Ethiopia, stunting continues to be a major public health burden. Thus, the aim of this systematic review and meta-analysis is to synthesize the updated pooled prevalence and its determinants of stunting in Ethiopia.
METHODS
This systematic review and meta-analysis follow the guidelines of the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses. The protocol has been registered with the International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews, University of York Center for Reviews, and disseminated at https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/, with the registration number (CRD42024542984). A wide-ranging literature search was carried out using PubMed/Medline, Science Direct, Hinari, AJOL, and Google Scholar. All lists of qualified study references from 2013 to 2023 were recovered. The pooled estimate with a 95% CI was calculated using a random-effects model in STATA version 13 software. and meta-bias statistics were used to assess the heterogeneity of the incorporated studies.
RESULTS
This study included 29 articles with a total of 23,511 participants from 29 qualified studies. The current study found that the pooled prevalence of stunting among children aged 6-59 months was 43% (95% CI: 42-44). Children who were not exclusively breastfed (OR = 2.39; 95% CI: 1.61-3.54), male children (OR = 1.61; 95% CI: 1.13-2.31), children whose mothers had no antenatal care follow-up (OR = 3.03; 95% CI: 1.36-6.76), and women who had no formal education (OR = 4.55; 95% CI: 2.29-9.05) were significantly associated with stunting.
CONCLUSIONS
In Ethiopia, nearly half of the children suffer from stunting, with those who are not breastfed, the sex of the child, children whose mothers had no antenatal care follow-up, and had no formal education having higher odds of stunting. To reduce the burden, strategies must be designed to intervene and improve maternal health literacy, focusing on children's nutrition and health-care utilization.
PubMed: 38881594
DOI: 10.1177/20503121241259862 -
EBioMedicine Jun 2024Despite promising scalability and accessibility, evidence on the efficacy of self-guided interventions for adult depression is inconclusive. This study investigated...
BACKGROUND
Despite promising scalability and accessibility, evidence on the efficacy of self-guided interventions for adult depression is inconclusive. This study investigated their effectiveness and acceptability, considering diverse delivery formats and support levels.
METHODS
We systematically searched PubMed, PsycINFO, Embase, and Cochrane Library until 1st January 2024. Included were randomised controlled trials comparing self-guided interventions with a control condition for adult depression. Two independent researchers extracted data. Effect sizes were pooled using random-effects models, with post-intervention depressive severity compared with control conditions as the primary outcome. Study validity was evaluated using Cochrane Risk of Bias 2.0. This study was pre-registered with OSF (https://osf.io/rd43v).
FINDINGS
We identified 92 studies (111 interventions vs. control comparisons) with 16,706 participants (mean age: 18.78-74.41 years). Compared to controls, self-guided interventions were moderately effective at post-assessment (g = 0.53, 95% CI: 0.45-0.61; I = 79.17%) and six to twelve months post-randomisation follow-up (g = 0.32, 95% CI: 0.16-0.48; I = 79.19%). Trials with initial human screening (g = 0.59) and interventions delivered in computer programs (g = 1.04) had the significantly largest effect sizes. No differences in treatment effects were observed across support levels, therapy types, commercial availability, or the presence of online discussion forums. Self-guided interventions were less acceptable than control conditions (RR = 0.92, p < 0.001). Most studies showed a moderate to high risk of bias (n = 80).
INTERPRETATION
Existing trials on self-guided interventions are at high risk of bias, potentially overestimating treatment effects. Despite lower acceptability compared to controls, self-guided interventions are moderately effective in treating adult depression, regardless of support levels and online discussion features.
FUNDING
None.
PubMed: 38876043
DOI: 10.1016/j.ebiom.2024.105208 -
Blood Coagulation & Fibrinolysis : An... Jun 2024Immune-mediated thrombotic thrombocytopenia purpura (iTTP) is a rare microvascular disease characterized by severe disseminated microvascular thrombose-bleeding...
UNLABELLED
Immune-mediated thrombotic thrombocytopenia purpura (iTTP) is a rare microvascular disease characterized by severe disseminated microvascular thrombose-bleeding syndrome. Caplacizumab has been approved for the treatment of iTTP in combination with Plasma Exchange (PE) and immunosuppressive therapy, but its role in iTTP therapy remains uncertain. Therefore, we conducted a meta-analysis to investigate the safety and efficacy of caplacizumab for the treatment of patients with iTTP. We searched electronic databases (PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, and Scopus) and reference lists of relevant articles to find articles published from 2015 to 2022. The time to normalization of the platelet count of the group caplacizumab is shorter than the group placebo (SMD = -0.72; 95% CI -0.88 to -0.56; P < 0.05). Caplacizumab reduced the incidence of mortality (OR = 0.41; 95% CI 0.18-0.92; P < 0.05), exacerbations (OR = 0.10; 95% CI 0.05-0.18; P < 0.05), and recurrence (OR = 0.17; 95% CI 0.06-0.50; P < 0.05). However, the bleeding events in the caplacizumab group were higher than those in the placebo group, especially severe bleeding events. There was no difference in ADAMTS13 activity and thromboembolic events between the two groups. Our analysis indicated that caplacizumab is effective and well tolerated for the treatment of iTTP.
SYSTEMATIC REVIEW REGISTRATION
PROSPERO CRD42022362370.
PubMed: 38874905
DOI: 10.1097/MBC.0000000000001313 -
Biological Psychiatry Jun 2024Research in machine-learning (ML) algorithms using natural behavior (i.e., text, audio, and video data) suggests that these techniques could contribute to... (Review)
Review
Use of Machine-Learning Algorithms Based on Text, Audio and Video Data in the Prediction of Anxiety and Post-Traumatic Stress in General and Clinical Populations: A Systematic Review.
Research in machine-learning (ML) algorithms using natural behavior (i.e., text, audio, and video data) suggests that these techniques could contribute to personalization in psychology and psychiatry. However, a systematic review of the current state-of-the-art is missing. Moreover, individual studies often target ML experts, and may overlook potential clinical implications of their findings. In a narrative accessible to mental health professionals, we present a systematic review, conducted in 5 psychology and 2 computer-science databases. We included 128 studies assessing the predictive power of ML algorithms using text, audio, and/or video data in the prediction of anxiety and post-traumatic stress (PTSD). Most studies (n = 87) aimed at predicting anxiety, the remainder (n = 41) focused on PTSD. They were mostly published since 2019, in computer science journals, and tested algorithms using text (n = 72), as opposed to audio or video. They focused mainly on general populations (n = 92), less on laboratory experiments (n = 23) or clinical populations (n = 13). Methodological quality varied, as did reported metrics of the predictive power, hampering comparison across studies. Two thirds of studies, focusing on both disorders, reported acceptable to very good predictive power (including high-quality studies only). Results of 33 studies were uninterpretable, mainly due to missing information. Research into ML algorithms using natural behavior is in its infancy, but shows potential to contribute to diagnostics of mental disorders, such as anxiety and PTSD, in the future, if standardization of methods, reporting of results, and research in clinical populations are improved.
PubMed: 38866173
DOI: 10.1016/j.biopsych.2024.06.002