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Diabetes & Metabolic Syndrome Oct 2023This systematic review and meta-analysis was conducted to evaluate the efficacy and safety of 24 weeks of semaglutide treatment in patients with non-alcoholic fatty... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
AIM
This systematic review and meta-analysis was conducted to evaluate the efficacy and safety of 24 weeks of semaglutide treatment in patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) or non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH).
METHODS
PubMed, Embase, Scopus, Cochrane CENTRAL, and ClinicalTrials.gov databases were searched for relevant studies. The primary outcome was the change in the serum alanine transaminase level. The secondary outcomes were changes in liver stiffness, liver function test parameters, metabolic parameters, and safety. Pooled mean differences and relative risks were calculated using random-effects models.
RESULTS
Six hundred studies were screened and eight were included (n = 2413). Semaglutide treatment showed a reduction in serum alanine transaminase [mean difference: 14.07 U/L (95% CI: 19.39 to -8.75); p < 0.001] and aspartate transaminase [mean difference: 6.89 U/L (95% CI: 9.14 to -4.63); p < 0.001] levels. There was a significant improvement in liver fat content [mean difference: 4.97% (95% CI: 6.65 to -3.29); p < 0.001] and liver stiffness [mean difference: 0.96 kPa (95% CI: 1.87 to -0.04); p = 0.04]. There were significant improvements in the glycated hemoglobin level and the lipid profile. However, the risk of serious adverse events [relative risk: 1.54 (95% CI: 1.02 to 2.34); p = 0.04] was high following semaglutide treatment as compared to placebo; the most common ones were gastrointestinal (nausea and vomiting, dyspepsia, decreased appetite, constipation, and diarrhea) and gallbladder-related diseases.
CONCLUSION
Treatment with 24 weeks of semaglutide could significantly improve liver enzymes, reduce liver stiffness, and improve metabolic parameters in patients with NAFLD/NASH. However, the gastrointestinal adverse effects could be a major concern.
Topics: Humans; Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease; Alanine Transaminase; Liver; Glucagon-Like Peptides
PubMed: 37717295
DOI: 10.1016/j.dsx.2023.102849 -
Viruses Jul 2023It is known that SARS-CoV-2 infection can result in gastrointestinal symptoms. For some, these symptoms may persist beyond acute infection, in what is known as... (Review)
Review
It is known that SARS-CoV-2 infection can result in gastrointestinal symptoms. For some, these symptoms may persist beyond acute infection, in what is known as 'post-COVID syndrome'. We conducted a systematic review to examine the prevalence of persistent gastrointestinal symptoms and the incidence of new gastrointestinal illnesses following acute SARS-CoV-2 infection. We searched the scientific literature using MedLine, SCOPUS, Europe PubMed Central and medRxiv from December 2019 to July 2023. Two reviewers independently identified 45 eligible articles, which followed participants for various gastrointestinal outcomes after acute SARS-CoV-2 infection. The study quality was assessed using the Joanna Briggs Institute Critical Appraisal Tools. The weighted pooled prevalence for persistent gastrointestinal symptoms of any nature and duration was 10.8% compared with 4.9% in healthy controls. For seven studies at low risk of methodological bias, the symptom prevalence ranged from 0.2% to 24.1%, with a median follow-up time of 18 weeks. We also identified a higher risk for future illnesses such as irritable bowel syndrome, dyspepsia, hepatic and biliary disease, liver disease and autoimmune-mediated illnesses such as inflammatory bowel disease and coeliac disease in historically SARS-CoV-2-exposed individuals. Our review has shown that, from a limited pool of mostly low-quality studies, previous SARS-CoV-2 exposure may be associated with ongoing gastrointestinal symptoms and the development of functional gastrointestinal illness. Furthermore, we show the need for high-quality research to better understand the SARS-CoV-2 association with gastrointestinal illness, particularly as population exposure to enteric infections returns to pre-COVID-19-restriction levels.
Topics: Humans; Incidence; COVID-19; Prevalence; SARS-CoV-2; Inflammatory Bowel Diseases
PubMed: 37631968
DOI: 10.3390/v15081625 -
Journal of Digestive Diseases 2023In this study we aimed to evaluate the nocebo response rate in patients with functional dyspepsia (FD) and to explore its influencing factors. (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
OBJECTIVES
In this study we aimed to evaluate the nocebo response rate in patients with functional dyspepsia (FD) and to explore its influencing factors.
METHODS
A literature search of the EMBASE, PubMed, and Cochrane Library databases was conducted for all articles published up to March 2021. Randomized, parallel-designed, placebo-controlled trials on pharmacological interventions for patients with FD were included. A meta-analysis that utilized random effects to analyze the incidence of adverse events (AEs) among participants who were given placebo was conducted, and the correlation between trial characteristics and the magnitude of the nocebo response rate was analyzed.
RESULTS
Altogether, 27 studies including 1866 paitents were deemed eligible and included in the analysis. The total nocebo response rate was 26% (95% confidence interval [CI] 18%-33%). The most frequently reported AEs included nasopharyngitis (9%), constipation (6%), headache (5%), and diarrhea (3%). There were significant differences in nocebo response rates among studies conducted in different country or region, treatment duration, types of medication, sponsorship and different versions of the Rome criteria used for FD diagnosis. While number of centers engaged in the study, types of FD diagnosis and dosing frequency were not significantly associated with the nocebo response rate.
CONCLUSIONS
Patients with FD exhibit notable nocebo response strength in clinical trials. The researchers should adopt a more careful approach when analyzing the relationships between AEs and interventions in such trials.
Topics: Humans; Nocebo Effect; Dyspepsia; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic
PubMed: 37577771
DOI: 10.1111/1751-2980.13216 -
American Journal of Clinical Pathology Oct 2023This study aims to determine what pathologic and clinical factors differentiate Brachyspira species that may be useful to clinicians and pathologists.
Clinical and Pathologic Factors Associated With Colonic Spirochete (Brachyspira pilosicoli and Brachyspira aalborgi) Infection: A Comprehensive Systematic Review and Pooled Analysis.
OBJECTIVES
This study aims to determine what pathologic and clinical factors differentiate Brachyspira species that may be useful to clinicians and pathologists.
METHODS
We identified 21 studies of Brachyspira infection with individual patient information (n = 113) and conducted a pooled analysis comparing each species.
RESULTS
There were differences in the pathologic and clinical profiles of each Brachyspira species. Patients infected with Brachyspira pilosicoli infection were more likely to have diarrhea, fever, HIV, and immunocompromised conditions. Those patients infected with Brachyspira aalborgi were more likely to have lamina propria inflammation.
CONCLUSIONS
Our novel data provide potential insights into the pathogenic mechanism(s) and the specific risk factor profile of Brachyspira species. This may be clinically useful when assessing and managing patients.
Topics: Humans; Spirochaetales; Spirochaetales Infections; Brachyspira
PubMed: 37289435
DOI: 10.1093/ajcp/aqad063 -
Journal of Ethnopharmacology Sep 2023Functional dyspepsia (FD), a chronic upper gastrointestinal syndrome, seriously affects the quality of life of patients and poses a significant economic burden. Since... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE
Functional dyspepsia (FD), a chronic upper gastrointestinal syndrome, seriously affects the quality of life of patients and poses a significant economic burden. Since the pathological mechanisms of FD have not been fully elucidated, conventional therapies such as prokinetics, proton pump inhibitors, and antidepressants have some limitations. Siho-sogan-san (SHS) is commonly used as a therapeutic alternative in traditional medicine; however, scientific and clinical evidence supporting its application in FD remains insufficient.
AIM OF THE STUDY
This review aimed to assess the safety and effectiveness of SHS and in combined with Western medicine (WM) for the treatment of FD.
METHODS
Eleven databases, including EMBASE, Medline, and Cochrane Library, were searched for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) on FD published before December 31, 2022. After two independent reveiwers sceened and selected studies according to the inclusion and exclusion criteria, clinical data was pooled and synthesized via Review Manager software. The outcome parameters included total clinical effectiveness rate (TCE), time for symptom improvement, levels of motilin and corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH), and adverse events. Cochrane's risk of bias tool was used for quality assessment.
RESULTS
A total of 12 studies that included 867 participants comparing WM with SHS or combination therapy (SHS plus WM) were identified. Through a meta-analysis of five studies including 363 patients, SHS compared with WM showed a positive result in safely increasing TCE [risk ratio = 1.36, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.22 to 1.51, P < 0.00001]. The time for symptom improvement, including abdominal pain, belching, nausea, vomiting, and abdominal distension, was significantly more shortened in the combination therapy than WM group. Furthermore, combination therapy resulted in greater secretion of motilin than WM alone [mean difference = 67.95, 95% CI 39.52 to 96.39, P < 0.00001]. No remarkable difference was observed in CRH levels between the combination therapy and WM groups. For a subgroup analysis, the administration of SHS based on the type of pattern identification (PI) showed larger effect size than in the group that do not consider PI.
CONCLUSIONS
These results suggest that SHS and combination therapy can be considered effective and safe options for the treatment of FD. However, owing to the low quality of the included studies, more well-designed investigational studies and RCTs with longer treatment and follow-up period are needed.
Topics: Humans; Dyspepsia; Motilin; Drugs, Chinese Herbal; Phytotherapy; Plants, Medicinal; Medicine, Traditional
PubMed: 37127143
DOI: 10.1016/j.jep.2023.116518 -
Nutrition Reviews Dec 2023Research on the effects of gluten on dyspeptic symptoms has shown conflicting results. (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
CONTEXT
Research on the effects of gluten on dyspeptic symptoms has shown conflicting results.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this systematic review and meta-analysis of clinical trials was to assess the effects of gluten on dyspeptic symptoms.
DATA SOURCES
A systematic search of the PubMed, ISI Web of Science, Scopus, Cochrane, and Embase online databases was performed up to May 2022.
DATA EXTRACTION
Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and non-RCTs that examined the impact of a gluten-free diet, a low-gluten diet, or a gluten challenge on dyspeptic symptoms, including early satiety, epigastric pain, bloating, and nausea, were selected independently by 2 authors. The GRADE (Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation) framework was used to assess the certainty of the evidence. Results were pooled using a random-effects model and expressed as weighted mean differences (WMDs) and 95%CIs.
DATA ANALYSIS
Of the 7641 citations retrieved, 27 articles (18 RCTs and 9 non-RCTs) were included in the systematic review. Of those, 5 RCTs were eligible for the meta-analysis. The pooled results indicated that gluten challenge significantly increased the severity of bloating (WMD = 0.67; 95%CI, 0.37-0.97; I2 = 81.8%; n = 6), early satiety (WMD = 0.91; 95%CI, 0.58-1.23; I2 = 27.2%; n = 5), and epigastric pain (WMD = 0.46; 95%CI, 0.17-0.75; I2 = 65.8%; n = 6). However, the effect of gluten challenge on the severity of nausea (WMD = 0.13; 95%CI, -0.17 to 0.43; I2 = 0.0%, n = 5) was nonsignificant.
CONCLUSION
Gluten challenge significantly worsened dyspeptic symptoms, including bloating, early satiety, and epigastric pain, but did not affect nausea. These findings suggest that gluten restriction could be efficient in reducing dyspeptic symptoms. Well-designed large RCTs recruiting homogenous groups of patients with functional dyspepsia are needed to clarify the effectiveness of gluten restriction on dyspeptic symptoms.
Topics: Humans; Diet, Gluten-Free; Glutens; Nausea; Pain; Clinical Trials as Topic
PubMed: 37115663
DOI: 10.1093/nutrit/nuad034