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PloS One 2019Studies on effectiveness and safety of specific spinal manual therapy (SMT) techniques in children, which distinguish between age groups, are lacking. (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
BACKGROUND
Studies on effectiveness and safety of specific spinal manual therapy (SMT) techniques in children, which distinguish between age groups, are lacking.
OBJECTIVE
To conduct a systematic review of the evidence for effectiveness and harms of specific SMT techniques for infants, children and adolescents.
METHODS
PubMed, Index to Chiropractic Literature, Embase, CINAHL and Cochrane Library were searched up to December 2017. Controlled studies, describing primary SMT treatment in infants (<1 year) and children/adolescents (1-18 years), were included to determine effectiveness. Controlled and observational studies and case reports were included to examine harms. One author screened titles and abstracts and two authors independently screened the full text of potentially eligible studies for inclusion. Two authors assessed risk of bias of included studies and quality of the body of evidence using the GRADE methodology. Data were described according to PRISMA guidelines and CONSORT and TIDieR checklists. If appropriate, random-effects meta-analysis was performed.
RESULTS
Of the 1,236 identified studies, 26 studies were eligible. Infants and children/adolescents were treated for various (non-)musculoskeletal indications, hypothesized to be related to spinal joint dysfunction. Studies examining the same population, indication and treatment comparison were scarce. Due to very low quality evidence, it is uncertain whether gentle, low-velocity mobilizations reduce complaints in infants with colic or torticollis, and whether high-velocity, low-amplitude manipulations reduce complaints in children/adolescents with autism, asthma, nocturnal enuresis, headache or idiopathic scoliosis. Five case reports described severe harms after HVLA manipulations in four infants and one child. Mild, transient harms were reported after gentle spinal mobilizations in infants and children, and could be interpreted as side effect of treatment.
CONCLUSIONS
Based on GRADE methodology, we found the evidence was of very low quality; this prevented us from drawing conclusions about the effectiveness of specific SMT techniques in infants, children and adolescents. Outcomes in the included studies were mostly parent or patient-reported; studies did not report on intermediate outcomes to assess the effectiveness of SMT techniques in relation to the hypothesized spinal dysfunction. Severe harms were relatively scarce, poorly described and likely to be associated with underlying missed pathology. Gentle, low-velocity spinal mobilizations seem to be a safe treatment technique in infants, children and adolescents. We encourage future research to describe effectiveness and safety of specific SMT techniques instead of SMT as a general treatment approach.
Topics: Adolescent; Child; Child, Preschool; Humans; Infant; Manipulation, Spinal; Spinal Diseases; Spine; Treatment Outcome
PubMed: 31237917
DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0218940 -
Journal of Vascular Surgery Nov 2019The evidence supporting management decisions of visceral artery aneurysms (VAAs) is sparse. Practice guidelines are needed to help patients and surgeons choose between... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
BACKGROUND
The evidence supporting management decisions of visceral artery aneurysms (VAAs) is sparse. Practice guidelines are needed to help patients and surgeons choose between endovascular and open surgery approaches.
METHODS
We searched MEDLINE, EMBASE, Cochrane databases, and Scopus for studies of patients with VAAs. Studies were selected and appraised by pairs of independent reviewers. Meta-analysis was performed when appropriate.
RESULTS
We included 80 observational studies that were mostly noncomparative. Data were available for 2845 aneurysms, comprising 1279 renal artery, 775 splenic artery, 359 hepatic artery, 226 pancreaticoduodenal and gastroduodenal arteries, 95 superior mesenteric artery, 87 celiac artery, 15 jejunal, ileal and colic arteries, and 9 gastric and gastroepiploic arteries. Differences in mortality between open and endovascular approaches were not statistically significant. The endovascular approach was used more often by surgeons. The endovascular approach was associated with shorter hospital stay and lower rates of cardiovascular complications but higher rates of reintervention. Postembolization syndrome rates ranged from 9% (renal) to 38% (splenic). Coil migration ranged from 8% (splenic) to 29% (renal). Otherwise, access site complication were low (<5%). Pseudoaneurysms tended to have higher mortality and reintervention rates.
CONCLUSIONS
This systematic review provides event rates for outcomes important to patients with VAAs. Despite the low certainty warranted by the evidence, these rates along, with surgical expertise and anatomic feasibility, can help patients and surgeons in shared-decision making.
Topics: Aneurysm; Arteries; Decision Making, Shared; Embolization, Therapeutic; Humans; Observational Studies as Topic; Practice Guidelines as Topic; Reoperation; Treatment Outcome; Vascular Surgical Procedures; Viscera
PubMed: 31126761
DOI: 10.1016/j.jvs.2019.02.024 -
Urologia Internationalis 2019No wound to the patients is the pursuit of surgeons. Extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (SWL) and ureteroscopy (URS) are minimally invasive modalities for treating... (Comparative Study)
Comparative Study
INTRODUCTION
No wound to the patients is the pursuit of surgeons. Extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (SWL) and ureteroscopy (URS) are minimally invasive modalities for treating horseshoe kidney (HSK) stone <2 cm. We aimed to review the outcomes and complications of comparing SWL and URS in HSK stone.
METHODS
The literature was reviewed in the Embase, PubMed, and Cochrane Library up to March 1, 2018. Only 4 articles were available for analysis. Inclusion criteria were all English language articles reporting on the comparison between SWL and URS.
RESULTS
URS tends to be performed in a relatively heavier stone burden. The higher initial stone-free rate and success rate were demonstrated for URS than for SWL (p < 0.00001, p = 0.02, respectively). The less retreatment rate was found in URS than SWL (p = 0.04). There was no difference in minor complications in the 2 groups (p = 0.57). Renal colic episodes were more likely to be observed in the SWL group (p = 0.02). There were no major complications found in the review.
CONCLUSION
For a stone <2 cm in HSK, both SWL and URS are safe treatment modalities. URS alone is a more feasible and sufficient option for stone in HSK <2 cm than SWL with possibilities of a second session.
Topics: Fused Kidney; Humans; Kidney Calculi; Lithotripsy; Ureteroscopy
PubMed: 31096234
DOI: 10.1159/000500328 -
Journal of Pediatric Gastroenterology... May 2019Palm oil (PO) is used in infant formulas in order to achieve palmitic acid (PA) levels similar to those in human milk. PA in PO is esterified predominantly at the SN-1,3...
Palm Oil and Beta-palmitate in Infant Formula: A Position Paper by the European Society for Paediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology, and Nutrition (ESPGHAN) Committee on Nutrition.
BACKGROUND
Palm oil (PO) is used in infant formulas in order to achieve palmitic acid (PA) levels similar to those in human milk. PA in PO is esterified predominantly at the SN-1,3 position of triacylglycerol (TAG), and infant formulas are now available in which a greater proportion of PA is in the SN-2 position (typical configuration in human milk). As there are some concerns about the use of PO, we aimed to review literature on health effects of PO and SN-2-palmitate in infant formulas.
METHODS
PubMed and Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews were systematically searched for relevant studies on possible beneficial effects or harms of either PO or SN-2-palmitate in infant formula on various health outcomes.
RESULTS
We identified 12 relevant studies using PO and 21 studies using SN-2-palmitate. Published studies have variable methodology, subject characteristics, and some are underpowered for the key outcomes. PO is associated with harder stools and SN-2-palmitate use may lead to softer stool consistency. Bone effects seem to be short-lasting. For some outcomes (infant colic, faecal microbiota, lipid metabolism), the number of studies is very limited and summary evidence inconclusive. Growth of infants is not influenced. There are no studies published on the effect on markers of later diseases.
CONCLUSIONS
There is insufficient evidence to suggest that PO should be avoided as a source of fat in infant formulas for health reasons. Inclusion of high SN-2-palmitate fat blend in infant formulas may have short-term effects on stool consistency but cannot be considered essential.
Topics: Dietary Supplements; Female; Gastroenterology; Humans; Infant; Infant Formula; Infant Nutritional Physiological Phenomena; Infant, Newborn; Male; Milk, Human; Nutritional Status; Palm Oil; Palmitates; Palmitic Acid; Pediatrics; Societies, Medical
PubMed: 31022096
DOI: 10.1097/MPG.0000000000002307 -
BMC Complementary and Alternative... Mar 2019This systematic review evaluates the use of manual therapy for clinical conditions in the pediatric population, assesses the methodological quality of the studies found,...
BACKGROUND
This systematic review evaluates the use of manual therapy for clinical conditions in the pediatric population, assesses the methodological quality of the studies found, and synthesizes findings based on health condition. We also assessed the reporting of adverse events within the included studies and compared our conclusions to those of the UK Update report.
METHODS
Six databases were searched using the following inclusion criteria: children under the age of 18 years old; treatment using manual therapy; any type of healthcare profession; published between 2001 and March 31, 2018; and English. Case reports were excluded from our study. Reference tracking was performed on six published relevant systematic reviews to find any missed article. Each study that met the inclusion criteria was screened by two authors to: (i) determine its suitability for inclusion, (ii) extract data, and (iii) assess quality of study.
RESULTS
Of the 3563 articles identified, 165 full articles were screened, and 50 studies met the inclusion criteria. Twenty-six articles were included in prior reviews with 24 new studies identified. Eighteen studies were judged to be of high quality. Conditions evaluated were: attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), autism, asthma, cerebral palsy, clubfoot, constipation, cranial asymmetry, cuboid syndrome, headache, infantile colic, low back pain, obstructive apnea, otitis media, pediatric dysfunctional voiding, pediatric nocturnal enuresis, postural asymmetry, preterm infants, pulled elbow, suboptimal infant breastfeeding, scoliosis, suboptimal infant breastfeeding, temporomandibular dysfunction, torticollis, and upper cervical dysfunction. Musculoskeletal conditions, including low back pain and headache, were evaluated in seven studies. Twenty studies reported adverse events, which were transient and mild to moderate in severity.
CONCLUSIONS
Fifty studies investigated the clinical effects of manual therapies for a wide variety of pediatric conditions. Moderate-positive overall assessment was found for 3 conditions: low back pain, pulled elbow, and premature infants. Inconclusive unfavorable outcomes were found for 2 conditions: scoliosis (OMT) and torticollis (MT). All other condition's overall assessments were either inconclusive favorable or unclear. Adverse events were uncommonly reported. More robust clinical trials in this area of healthcare are needed.
TRIAL REGISTRATION
PROSPERA registration number: CRD42018091835.
Topics: Adolescent; Cerebral Palsy; Child; Child, Preschool; Colic; Constipation; Humans; Infant; Infant, Newborn; Musculoskeletal Diseases; Musculoskeletal Manipulations
PubMed: 30866915
DOI: 10.1186/s12906-019-2447-2 -
The Cochrane Database of Systematic... Mar 2019Infantile colic is typically defined as full-force crying for at least three hours per day, on at least three days per week, for at least three weeks. Infantile colic... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
BACKGROUND
Infantile colic is typically defined as full-force crying for at least three hours per day, on at least three days per week, for at least three weeks. Infantile colic affects a large number of infants and their families worldwide. Its symptoms are broad and general, and while not indicative of disease, may represent a serious underlying condition in a small percentage of infants who may need a medical assessment. Probiotics are live microorganisms that alter the microflora of the host and provide beneficial health effects. The most common probiotics used are of Lactobacillus, Bifidobacterium and Streptococcus. There is growing evidence to suggest that intestinal flora in colicky infants differ from those in healthy infants, and it is suggested that probiotics can redress this balance and provide a healthier intestinal microbiota landscape. The low cost and easy availability of probiotics makes them a potential prophylactic solution to reduce the incidence and prevalence of infantile colic.
OBJECTIVES
To evaluate the efficacy and safety of prophylactic probiotics in preventing or reducing severity of infantile colic.
SEARCH METHODS
In January 2018 we searched CENTRAL, MEDLINE, Embase, PsycINFO, CINAHL, 10 other databases and two trials registers. In addition, we handsearched the abstracts of relevant meetings, searched reference lists, ran citation searches of included studies, and contacted authors and experts in the field, including the manufacturers of probiotics, to identify unpublished trials.
SELECTION CRITERIA
Randomised control trials (RCTs) of newborn infants less than one month of age without the diagnosis of infantile colic at recruitment. We included any probiotic, alone or in combination with a prebiotic (also known as synbiotics), versus no intervention, another intervention(s) or placebo, where the focus of the study was the effect of the intervention on infantile colic.
DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS
We used standard methodological procedures of Cochrane.
MAIN RESULTS
Our search yielded 3284 records, and of these, we selected 21 reports for full-text review. Six studies with 1886 participants met our inclusion criteria, comparing probiotics with placebo. Two studies examined Lactobacillus reuteri DSM, two examined multi-strain probiotics, one examined Lactobacillus rhamnosus, and one examined Lactobacillus paracasei and Bifidobacterium animalis. Two studies began probiotics during pregnancy and continued administering them to the baby after birth.We considered the risk of bias for randomisation as low for all six trials; for allocation concealment as low in two studies and unclear in four others. All studies were blinded, and at low risk of attrition and reporting bias.A random-effects meta-analysis of three studies (1148 participants) found no difference between the groups in relation to occurrence of new cases of colic: risk ratio (RR) 0.46, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.18 to 1.19; low-certainty evidence; I = 72%.A random-effects meta-analysis of all six studies (1851 participants) found no difference between the groups in relation to serious adverse effects (RR 1.02, 95% CI 0.14 to 7.21; low-certainty evidence; I not calculable (only four serious events for one comparison, two in each group: meconium plug obstruction, patent ductus arteriosus and neonatal hepatitis).A random-effects meta-analysis of three studies (707 participants) found a mean difference (MD) of -32.57 minutes per day (95% CI -55.60 to -9.54; low-certainty evidence; I = 93%) in crying time at study end in favour of probiotics.A subgroup analysis of the most studied agent, Lactobacillus reuteri, showed a reduction of 44.26 minutes in daily crying with a random-effects model (95% CI -66.6 to -21.9; I = 92%), in favour of probiotics.
AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS
There is no clear evidence that probiotics are more effective than placebo at preventing infantile colic; however, daily crying time appeared to reduce with probiotic use compared to placebo. There were no clear differences in adverse effects.We are limited in our ability to draw conclusions by the certainty of the evidence, which we assessed as being low across all three outcomes, meaning that we are not confident that these results would not change with the addition of further research.
Topics: Bifidobacterium; Breast Feeding; Colic; Crying; Female; Gastrointestinal Microbiome; Humans; Infant; Infant, Newborn; Limosilactobacillus reuteri; Prebiotics; Pregnancy; Probiotics; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; Time Factors
PubMed: 30865287
DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD012473.pub2 -
Frontiers in Pharmacology 2019Currently, although non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) were recommended for acute renal colic in the 2018 European Association of Urology guidelines, there...
Increasing Nonsteroidal Anti-inflammatory Drugs and Reducing Opioids or Paracetamol in the Management of Acute Renal Colic: Based on Three-Stage Study Design of Network Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials.
Currently, although non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) were recommended for acute renal colic in the 2018 European Association of Urology guidelines, there are no specific NSAIDs and no specific routes of administration in this guideline. The clinical practice of advocating intravenous opioids as the initial analgesia is still common out of the fear of adverse events from NSAIDs. To comprehensively assess the efficacy and safety of NSAIDs, opioids, paracetamol, and combination therapy for acute renal colic. Ovid MEDLINE, Ovid EMbase, the Cochrane Library, Clinical Trials Registry Platform for Clinicaltrials.gov, and WHO International Clinical Trials Registry Platform were searched through February 2, 2018. Two reviewers selected all randomized controlled trails (RCTs) regarding NSAIDs, opioids, paracetamol, combination therapy, and placebo were identified for analysis. We designed a three-stage strategy based on classification and pharmacological mechanisms in the first stage, routes of administration in the second stage, and specific drug branches with different routes in the third stage using network meta-analysis. The pain variance at 30 min was seen as the primary outcome. 65 RCTs with 8633 participants were involved. Comparing different classification and pharmacological mechanisms, combination therapy with more adverse events was more efficient than NSAIDs for the primary outcomes. Opioids gave rise to more nonspecific adverse events and vomiting events. NSAIDs were superior to opioids, paracetamol, and combination therapy after a full consideration of all outcomes. Comparing different routes of administration, NSAIDs with IV or IM route ranked first from efficacy and safety perspective. Comparing different specific drug branches with different routes, ibuprofen via IV route, ketorolac via IV route and diclofenac via IM route were superior for the management of acute renal colic. The results from diclofenac using IM route were more than those from ibuprofen used with IV route and ketorolac with IV route. In patients with adequate renal function, diclofenac via the IM route is recommended for patients without risks of cardiovascular events. Ibuprofen and ketorolac with IV route potentially superior to diclofenac via IM route remain to be investigated. Combination therapy is an alternative choice for uncontrolled pain after the use of NSAIDs.
PubMed: 30853910
DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2019.00096 -
Journal of Preventive Medicine and... Jan 2019In recent years, serious concerns have been raised regarding the impacts of rising temperatures on health. The present study was conducted to investigate the... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
OBJECTIVES
In recent years, serious concerns have been raised regarding the impacts of rising temperatures on health. The present study was conducted to investigate the relationship between elevated temperatures and kidney disease through a systematic review and meta-analysis.
METHODS
In October 2017, 2 researchers independently searched related studies in PubMed and Embase. A meta-analysis was conducted using a random-effects model, including only studies that presented odds ratios, relative risks, or percentage changes, along with 95% confidence intervals (CIs). The characteristics of each study were summarized, and the Egger test and funnel plots were used to evaluate publication bias.
RESULTS
Eleven studies that met the criteria were included in the final analysis. The pooled results suggest an increase of 30% (95% CI, 20 to 40) in kidney disease morbidity with high temperatures. In a disease-specific subgroup analysis, statistically significant results were observed for both renal colic or kidney stones and other renal diseases. In a study design-specific subgroup analysis, statistically significant results were observed in both time-series analyses and studies with other designs. In a temperature measure-specific subgroup analysis, significant results were likewise found for both studies using mean temperature measurements and studies measuring heat waves or heat stress.
CONCLUSIONS
Our results indicate that morbidity due to kidney disease increases at high temperatures. We also found significant results in subgroup analyses. However, further time-series analyses are needed to obtain more generalizable evidence.
Topics: Databases, Factual; Humans; Kidney Diseases; Odds Ratio; Risk; Temperature
PubMed: 30742756
DOI: 10.3961/jpmph.18.149 -
Medicine Feb 2019It remains unclear whether or not preservation of the left colic artery (LCA) for colorectal cancer surgery. The objective of this updated systematic review and... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
BACKGROUND
It remains unclear whether or not preservation of the left colic artery (LCA) for colorectal cancer surgery. The objective of this updated systematic review and meta-analysis is to evaluate the current scientific evidence of LCA non-preservation versus LCA preservation in colorectal cancer surgery.
METHODS
A systematic search was conducted in the Medline, Embase, PubMed, Cochrane Library, ClinicalTrials, Web of Science, China National Knowledge Infrastructure and Chinese BioMedical Literature Database, and reference without limits. Quality of studies was evaluated by using the Newcastle-Ottawa scale and the Cochrane Collaboration's tool for assessing the risk of bias. Effective sizes were pooled under a random- or fixed-effects model. The funnel plot was used to assess the publication bias. The outcomes of interest were oncologic consideration including the number of apical lymph nodes, overall recurrence, 5-years overall survival, and 5-years disease-free survival (DFS); safety consideration including overall 30-day postoperative morbidity and overall 30-day postoperative mortality; anatomic consideration including anastomotic circulation, anastomotic leakage, urogenital, and defaecatory dysfunction.
RESULTS
Twenty-four studies including 4 randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and 20 cohort studies with a total of 8456 patients (4058 patients underwent LCA non-preservation surgery vs 4398 patients underwent LCA preservation surgery) were enrolled in this meta-analysis. The preservation of LCA was associated with significantly less anastomotic leakage (odds ratio 1.23, 95% confidence interval 1.02-1.48, P = .03). In term of sexual dysfunction, urinary retention, the number of apical lymph nodes, and long-term oncologic outcomes, there were no significant differences between the LCA non-preservation and LCA preservation group. It was hard to draw definitive conclusions on other outcomes including operation time, blood loss, the first postoperative exhaust time, and perioperative morbidity and mortality for insufficient data and highly significant heterogeneity among studies.
CONCLUSIONS
The pooled data provided evidence to support the LCA preservation preferred over LCA non-preservation in anastomotic leakage. Future more large-volume, well-designed RCTs with extensive follow-up are needed to draw a definitive conclusion on this dilemma.
Topics: Anastomotic Leak; Blood Loss, Surgical; China; Colorectal Neoplasms; Digestive System Surgical Procedures; Humans; Mesenteric Artery, Inferior; Neoplasm Recurrence, Local; Operative Time; Postoperative Complications
PubMed: 30702552
DOI: 10.1097/MD.0000000000013720 -
BMC Surgery Nov 2018The timing of laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) performed after the mild acute biliary pancreatitis (MABP) is still controversial. We conducted a review to compare... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
BACKGROUND
The timing of laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) performed after the mild acute biliary pancreatitis (MABP) is still controversial. We conducted a review to compare same-admission laparoscopic cholecystectomy (SA-LC) and delayed laparoscopic cholecystectomy (DLC) after mild acute biliary pancreatitis (MABP).
METHODS
We systematically searched several databases (PubMed, EMBASE, Web of Science, and the Cochrane Library) for relevant trials published from 1 January 1992 to 1 June 2018. Human prospective or retrospective studies that compared SA-LC and DLC after MABP were included. The measured outcomes were the rate of conversion to open cholecystectomy (COC), rate of postoperative complications, rate of biliary-related complications, operative time (OT), and length of stay (LOS). The meta-analysis was performed using Review Manager 5.3 software (The Cochrane Collaboration, Oxford, United Kingdom).
RESULTS
This meta-analysis involved 1833 patients from 4 randomized controlled trials and 7 retrospective studies. No significant differences were found in the rate of COC (risk ratio [RR] = 1.24; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.78-1.97; p = 0.36), rate of postoperative complications (RR = 1.06; 95% CI, 0.67-1.69; p = 0.80), rate of biliary-related complications (RR = 1.28; 95% CI, 0.42-3.86; p = 0.66), or OT (RR = 1.57; 95% CI, - 1.58-4.72; p = 0.33) between the SA-LC and DLC groups. The LOS was significantly longer in the DLC group (RR = - 2.08; 95% CI, - 3.17 to - 0.99; p = 0.0002). Unexpectedly, the subgroup analysis showed no significant difference in LOS according to the Atlanta classification (RR = - 0.40; 95% CI, - 0.80-0.01; p = 0.05). The gallstone-related complications during the waiting time in the DLC group included gall colic, recurrent pancreatitis, acute cholecystitis, jaundice, and acute cholangitis (total, 25.39%).
CONCLUSION
This study confirms the safety of SA-LC, which could shorten the LOS. However, the study findings have a number of important implications for future practice.
Topics: Acute Disease; Cholecystectomy, Laparoscopic; Gallstones; Humans; Pancreatitis; Time Factors
PubMed: 30486807
DOI: 10.1186/s12893-018-0445-9