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The Cochrane Database of Systematic... Feb 2017Glaucoma is a leading cause of irreversible blindness worldwide and the second most common cause of blindness after cataracts. The primary treatment for glaucoma aims to... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
Glaucoma is a leading cause of irreversible blindness worldwide and the second most common cause of blindness after cataracts. The primary treatment for glaucoma aims to lower intraocular pressure (IOP) with the use of topical medicines. Topical medication instillation techniques, such as eyelid closure and nasolacrimal occlusion when instilling drops, have been proposed as potential methods to increase ocular absorption and decrease systemic absorption of the drops.
OBJECTIVES
To investigate the effectiveness of topical medication instillation techniques compared with usual care or another method of instillation of topical medication in the management of glaucoma or ocular hypertension.
SEARCH METHODS
We searched the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL) (which contains the Cochrane Eyes and Vision Trials Register) (2016, Issue 12), MEDLINE Ovid (1946 to 8 December 2016), Embase Ovid (1947 to 8 December 2016), PubMed (1948 to 8 December 2016), LILACS (Latin American and Caribbean Health Sciences Literature Database) (1982 to 8 December 2016), International Pharmaceutical Abstracts Database (1970 to 8 December 2016), the metaRegister of Controlled Trials (mRCT) (www.controlled-trials.com) (last searched 13 May 2013), ClinicalTrials.gov (www.clinicaltrials.gov) (searched 8 December 2016) and the WHO International Clinical Trials Registry Platform (ICTRP) (www.who.int/ictrp/search/en) (searched 8 December 2016). We did not use any date or language restrictions in the electronic searches for trials.
SELECTION CRITERIA
We included randomized controlled trials which had compared any topical medication instillation technique with usual care or a different method of instillation of topical medication.
DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS
Two review authors independently screened records from the searches for eligibility, assessed the risk of bias, and extracted data. We followed methods recommended by Cochrane.
MAIN RESULTS
We identified two trials (122 eyes of 61 participants) that had evaluated a topical medication instillation technique. We also identified two ongoing trials. Both included trials used a within-person design and administered prostaglandin monotherapy for glaucoma or ocular hypertension. Because the trials evaluated different instillation techniques and assessed different outcomes, we performed no meta-analysis.One trial, conducted in the US, evaluated the effect of eyelid closure (one and three minutes) versus no eyelid closure on lowering IOP. At one to two weeks' follow-up, reduction in IOP was similar in the eyelid closure group and the no eyelid closure group (mean difference (MD) -0.33 mmHg, 95% confidence interval (CI) -0.8 to 1.5; 51 participants; moderate-certainty evidence).The second trial, conducted in Italy, evaluated the effect of using an absorbent cloth to wipe excess fluid after instillation (fluid removal) versus not using an absorbent cloth (no removal) on reducing dermatologic adverse events. At four months' follow-up, eyelashes were shorter among eyes in the fluid removal group compared with the no fluid removal group (MD -1.70 mm, 95% CI -3.46 to 0.06; 10 participants; low-certainty evidence). Fewer eyes showed skin hyperpigmentation in the eyelid region towards the nose in the fluid removal group compared with the no removal group (RR 0.07, 95% CI 0.01 to 0.84; 10 participants; low-certainty evidence); however, the difference was uncertain in the eyelid region towards the temples (RR 0.44, 95% CI 0.07 to 2.66; 10 participants; low-certainty evidence). The effect hypertrichosis (excessive hair growth) was uncertain between groups (RR 1.00, 95% CI 0.17 to 5.98; 10 participants; low-certainty evidence).Neither trial reported other outcomes specified for this review, including the proportion of participants with IOP less than 21 mmHg; participant-reported outcomes related to the ease, convenience, and comfort of instillation techniques; physiologic measurements of systemic absorption; escalation of therapy; mean change in visual fields; optic nerve progression; mean change in best-corrected visual acuity; proportion in whom glaucoma developed; quality of life outcomes; or cost-effectiveness outcomes. Neither trial reported data at follow-up times of more than four months.
AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS
Evidence to evaluate the effectiveness of topical medication instillation techniques for treatment of glaucoma is lacking. It is unclear what, if any, effects instillation techniques have on topical medical therapy for glaucoma.
Topics: Administration, Ophthalmic; Antihypertensive Agents; Bimatoprost; Eyelashes; Glaucoma; Humans; Intraocular Pressure; Latanoprost; Ophthalmic Solutions; Prostaglandins F, Synthetic; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; Travoprost
PubMed: 28218404
DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD010520.pub2 -
Journal of Breath Research Feb 2017We aimed to assess the evidence for the use of 8-isoprostane in exhaled breath condensate (EBC) as a biomarker in adult asthma. (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
OBJECTIVES
We aimed to assess the evidence for the use of 8-isoprostane in exhaled breath condensate (EBC) as a biomarker in adult asthma.
DESIGN
A systematic review and meta-analysis of EBC 8-isoprostane.
METHODS
We searched a number of online databases (including PubMed, Embase and Scopus) in January 2016. We included studies of adult non-smokers with EBC collection and asthma diagnosis conducted according to recognised guidelines. We aimed to pool data using random effects meta-analysis and assess heterogeneity using I .
RESULTS
We included twenty studies, the findings from which were inconsistent. Seven studies (n = 329) reported 8-isoprostane levels in asthma to be significantly higher than that of control groups, whilst six studies (n = 403) did not. Only four studies were appropriate for inclusion in a random effects meta-analysis of mean difference. This found a statistically significant between-groups difference of 22 pg ml. Confidence in the result is limited by the small number of studies and by substantial statistical heterogeneity (I = 94).
CONCLUSION
The clinical value of EBC 8-isoprostane as a quantitative assessment of oxidative stress in asthma remains unclear due to variability in results and methodological heterogeneity. It is essential to develop a robust and standardised methodology if the use of EBC 8-isoprostane in asthma is to be properly evaluated.
Topics: Adult; Asthma; Biomarkers; Breath Tests; Case-Control Studies; Dinoprost; Exhalation; Humans
PubMed: 28102831
DOI: 10.1088/1752-7163/aa5a8a -
The Cochrane Database of Systematic... Mar 2016Supplementary oxygen is routinely administered to low-risk pregnant women during an elective caesarean section under regional anaesthesia; however, maternal and foetal... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
BACKGROUND
Supplementary oxygen is routinely administered to low-risk pregnant women during an elective caesarean section under regional anaesthesia; however, maternal and foetal outcomes have not been well established. This is an update of a review first published in 2013.
OBJECTIVES
The primary objective was to determine whether supplementary oxygen given to low-risk term pregnant women undergoing elective caesarean section under regional anaesthesia can prevent maternal and neonatal desaturation. The secondary objective was to compare the mean values of maternal and neonatal blood gas levels between mothers who received supplementary oxygen and those who did not (control group).
SEARCH METHODS
We searched the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL; 2014, issue 11), MEDLINE (1948 to November 2014) and EMBASE (1980 to November 2014). The original search was first performed in February 2012. We reran the search in CENTRAL, MEDLINE, EMBASE in February 2016. One potential new study of interest was added to the list of 'Studies awaiting Classification' and will be incorporated into the formal review findings during the next review update.
SELECTION CRITERIA
We included randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of low-risk pregnant women undergoing an elective caesarean section under regional anaesthesia and compared outcomes with, and without, oxygen supplementation.
DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS
Two review authors independently extracted data, assessed methodological quality and performed subgroup and sensitivity analyses.
MAIN RESULTS
We found one new included study in this updated version. In total, our updated review includes 11 trials (with 753 participants). The low quality of evidence showed no significant differences in average Apgar scores at one minute (N = six trials, 519 participants; 95% confidence (CI) -0.16 to 0.31, P = 0.53) and at five minutes (N = six trials, 519 participants; 95% CI -0.06 to 0.06, P = 0.98). None of the 11 trials reported maternal desaturation. The very low quality of evidence showed that in comparison to room air, women in labour receiving supplementary oxygen had higher maternal oxygen saturation (N = three trials, 209 participants), maternal PaO2 (oxygen pressure in the blood; N = six trials, 241 participants), UaPO2 (foetal umbilical arterial blood; N = eight trials, 504 participants; 95% CI 1.8 to 4.9, P < 0.0001) and UvPO2 (foetal umbilical venous blood; N = 10 trials, 683 participants). There was high heterogeneity among these outcomes. A subgroup analysis showed no significant difference in UaPO2 between the two intervention groups in low-risk studies, whereas the high-risk studies showed a benefit for the neonatal oxygen group.
AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS
Overall, we found no convincing evidence that giving supplementary oxygen to healthy term pregnant women during elective caesarean section under regional anaesthesia is either beneficial or harmful for either the mother or the foetus' short-term clinical outcome as assessed by Apgar scores. Although, there were significant higher maternal and neonatal blood gas values and markers of free radicals when extra oxygen was given, the results should be interpreted with caution due to the low grade quality of the evidence.
Topics: Anesthesia, Conduction; Anesthesia, Obstetrical; Apgar Score; Biomarkers; Cesarean Section; Dinoprost; Elective Surgical Procedures; Female; Fetal Blood; Humans; Malondialdehyde; Oxygen; Pregnancy; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic
PubMed: 26982519
DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD006161.pub3 -
Nutrients Mar 2016Dietary advanced glycation end-products (AGEs) form during heating and processing of food products and are widely prevalent in the modern Western diet. Recent systematic... (Review)
Review
Dietary advanced glycation end-products (AGEs) form during heating and processing of food products and are widely prevalent in the modern Western diet. Recent systematic reviews indicate that consumption of dietary AGEs may promote inflammation, oxidative stress and insulin resistance. Experimental evidence indicates that dietary AGEs may also induce renal damage, however, this outcome has not been considered in previous systematic reviews. The purpose of this review was to examine the effect of consumption of a high AGE diet on biomarkers of chronic disease, including chronic kidney disease (CKD), in human randomized controlled trials (RCTs). Six databases (SCOPUS, CINHAL, EMBASE, Medline, Biological abstracts and Web of Science) were searched for randomised controlled dietary trials that compared high AGE intake to low AGE intake in adults with and without obesity, diabetes or CKD. Twelve dietary AGE interventions were identified with a total of 293 participants. A high AGE diet increased circulating tumour necrosis factor-alpha and AGEs in all populations. A high AGE diet increased 8-isoprostanes in healthy adults, and vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1) in patients with diabetes. Markers of CKD were not widely assessed. The evidence presented indicates that a high AGE diet may contribute to risk factors associated with chronic disease, such as inflammation and oxidative stress, however, due to a lack of high quality randomised trials, more research is required.
Topics: Biomarkers; Diet; Dinoprost; Glycation End Products, Advanced; Humans; Inflammation; Inflammation Mediators; Oxidative Stress; Renal Insufficiency, Chronic; Risk Assessment; Risk Factors; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha; Vascular Cell Adhesion Molecule-1
PubMed: 26938557
DOI: 10.3390/nu8030125 -
Current Medical Research and Opinion Jun 2015Prostaglandin-timolol fixed combinations (PG-timolol FCs) are now widely used to reduce intraocular pressure in patients with glaucoma. The efficacy and tolerability of... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
BACKGROUND
Prostaglandin-timolol fixed combinations (PG-timolol FCs) are now widely used to reduce intraocular pressure in patients with glaucoma. The efficacy and tolerability of these drugs are worthy of further exploration. An updated systematic review and meta-analysis was performed to assess the clinical efficacy and tolerability of the three PG-timolol FCs.
METHODS
Pertinent randomized, controlled trials were identified through systematic searches of PubMed, Embase, the Cochrane central register of controlled trials and the Chinese Biomedicine Database. The main efficacy measures were the weighted mean differences (WMDs) for the reduction from baseline to end of treatment in IOP at 9 am, 12 pm and 4 pm and diurnal curve. The main tolerability measures were the odds ratios (ORs) for the incidence of conjunctival hyperemia.
RESULTS
Nine studies involving 991 patients were included in the meta-analysis. Latanoprost-timolol FC (LTFC) and travoprost-timolol FC (TTFC) were not significantly different in lowering IOP at diurnal mean, 9 am, 12 pm and 4 pm. Bimatoprost-timolol FC (BTFC) provided significantly greater efficacy in lowering IOP at the three measurement time points and over the mean diurnal curve than LTFC (diurnal curve: WMD = 0.88 mmHg [95% CI, 0.42 to 1.33]; 9 am: WMD = 1.27 mmHg [0.68 to 1.86]; 12 pm: WMD = 1.16 mmHg [0.85 to 1.46]; 4 pm: WMD = 0.61 mmHg [0.51 to 0.70]) and TTFC (diurnal curve: WMD = 1.94 mmHg [0.19 to 3.68]; 9 am: WMD = 0.68 mmHg [0.15 to 1.21]; 12 pm: WMD = 0.90 mmHg [0.41 to 1.39]; 4 pm: WMD = 1.06 mmHg [0.61 to 1.51]). The incidence of hyperemia was significantly higher with BTFC than LTFC (pooled ORs: 1.85 [1.09 to 3.13]). The incidence of hyperemia was not significantly higher with TTFC than LTFC (pooled ORs: 2.52 [0.85 to 7.46]), and was not significantly higher with BTFC than TTFC (pooled OR: 1.65 [0.48 to 5.70]).
CONCLUSIONS
BTFC provided significantly greater efficacy in lowering IOP at diurnal mean, 9 am, 12 pm and 4 pm than LTFC and TTFC. LTFC was as effective as TTFC in lowering IOP at the four measurement time points and BTFC caused conjunctival hyperemia in more patients than LTFC. Further clinical trials are needed because of the limited number of studies.
Topics: Antihypertensive Agents; Bimatoprost; Drug Combinations; Glaucoma; Humans; Hyperemia; Intraocular Pressure; Latanoprost; Prostaglandins F, Synthetic; Timolol; Travoprost
PubMed: 25867658
DOI: 10.1185/03007995.2015.1039504 -
Archivos de La Sociedad Espanola de... Mar 2015To present a clinical practice guideline update on the medical, laser, and surgical treatment of primary angle closure glaucoma (PACG) in adults. (Review)
Review
OBJECTIVE
To present a clinical practice guideline update on the medical, laser, and surgical treatment of primary angle closure glaucoma (PACG) in adults.
METHODS
Following the formulation of key questions using the PICO scheme (Patient/Problem, Intervention, Comparison, Outcome), a systematic review was performed on the literature published to date, including international clinical practice guidelines. The AMSTAR and Risk of Bias tools were used for evaluating the quality of the information. The level of evidence and grade of recommendation was established following the Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network (SIGN) system.
RESULTS
Following the above methodology, recommendations of medical, laser and surgical treatment in adult PACG and levels of evidence are presented.
CONCLUSIONS
Although the level of scientific evidence for many of the questions raised is not very high, a review is presented on updated treatment recommendations for adult PACG. Among the limitations for the implementation of these recommendations is that most studies have been conducted in Asian populations, and that the effectiveness is measured almost exclusively in terms of reducing intraocular pressure, and does not include visual function, quality of life or cost-effectiveness parameters.
Topics: Adrenergic beta-Antagonists; Adult; Aged; Antihypertensive Agents; Chronic Disease; Combined Modality Therapy; Drug Therapy, Combination; Evidence-Based Medicine; Glaucoma, Angle-Closure; Humans; Intraocular Pressure; Laser Therapy; Light Coagulation; Meta-Analysis as Topic; Middle Aged; Practice Guidelines as Topic; Prostaglandins F, Synthetic; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; Tonometry, Ocular; Young Adult
PubMed: 25459683
DOI: 10.1016/j.oftal.2014.09.014 -
The Annals of Pharmacotherapy Dec 2014To systematically review the efficacy and tolerability of 4 prostaglandin analogues (PGAs) as first-line monotherapies for intraocular pressure (IOP) lowering in adult... (Comparative Study)
Comparative Study Meta-Analysis
OBJECTIVE
To systematically review the efficacy and tolerability of 4 prostaglandin analogues (PGAs) as first-line monotherapies for intraocular pressure (IOP) lowering in adult patients with primary open-angle glaucoma or ocular hypertension.
DATA SOURCES
A literature search was performed in PubMed (1965-June 2013) and the Cochrane Library (1980-June 2013) using the search terms ocular hypertension, open-angle glaucoma, prostaglandin analogues, bimatoprost, latanoprost, tafluprost, and travoprost. Additional studies were searched from the reference lists of identified publications.
STUDY SELECTION AND DATA EXTRACTION
In all, 32 randomized controlled trials comparing between PGAs (bimatoprost 0.03%, latanoprost 0.005%, tafluprost 0.0015%, and travoprost 0.004%) or PGA with timolol were selected.
DATA SYNTHESIS
A network meta-analysis was conducted. Using timolol as reference, the relative risks (RRs) of achieving treatment success, defined as the proportion of patients achieving at least 30% IOP reduction, with 95% CIs, were as follows: bimatoprost, 1.59 (1.28-1.98); latanoprost, 1.32 (1.00-1.74); travoprost, 1.33 (1.03-1.72); and tafluprost, 1.10 (0.85-1.42). The mean IOP reductions after 1 month were 1.98 (1.50-2.47), 1.01 (0.55-1.46), 1.08 (0.59-1.57), and 0.46 (-0.41 to 1.33) mm Hg, respectively, and the results were sustained at 3 months. Bimatoprost was associated with the highest risk of developing hyperemia, whereas latanoprost had the lowest risk, with RRs (95% CI) of 4.66 (3.49-6.23) and 2.30 (1.76-3.00), respectively.
CONCLUSIONS
Bimatoprost achieved the highest efficacy in terms of IOP reduction, whereas latanoprost had the most favorable tolerability profile. This review serves to guide selection of the optimal PGA agent for individual patient care in clinical practice.
Topics: Amides; Antihypertensive Agents; Bimatoprost; Cloprostenol; Glaucoma, Open-Angle; Humans; Intraocular Pressure; Latanoprost; Ocular Hypertension; Prostaglandins F; Prostaglandins F, Synthetic; Prostaglandins, Synthetic; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; Timolol; Travoprost
PubMed: 25184309
DOI: 10.1177/1060028014548569