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Epilepsia Open Jul 2024To conduct a systematic review of the literature regarding rates and predictors of favorable seizure outcome after resective surgery for epileptic spasms (ES) in... (Review)
Review
To conduct a systematic review of the literature regarding rates and predictors of favorable seizure outcome after resective surgery for epileptic spasms (ES) in pediatric patients. The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses standards were followed. We searched PubMed, EMBASE, and Cochrane CENTRAL for articles published on the prevalence or incidence of epileptic spasm since 1985. Abstract, full-text review, and data extraction were conducted by two independent reviewers. Meta-analysis was performed to assess overall seizure freedom rate. Subject-level analysis was performed on a subset of studies to identify prognostic indicators. A total of 21 retrospective studies (n = 531) were included. Meta-analysis of all studies demonstrated a pooled seizure freedom rate of 68.8%. Subject-level analysis on 18 studies (n = 360) demonstrated a significant association between duration of spasms and recurrence of spasms after surgery, with an estimated increased risk of 7% per additional year of spasms prior to operation. Patients who underwent resective surgery that was not a hemispherectomy (i.e., lobectomy, lesionectomy, etc.) had an increased recurrence risk of 57% compared to patients who had undergone hemispherectomy. Resective surgery results in seizure freedom for the majority of pediatric patients with epileptic spasms. Patients who undergo hemispherectomy have lower risk of recurrence than patients who undergo other types of surgical resection. Increased duration of spasms prior to surgery is associated with increased recurrence risk after surgery. PLAIN LANGUAGE SUMMARY: Children with epileptic spasms (ES) that do not respond to medications may benefit from surgical treatment. Our study reviewed existing research to understand how effective surgery is in treating ES in children and what factors predict better outcomes. Researchers followed strict guidelines to search for and analyze studies published since 1985, finding 21 studies with a total of 531 patients. They found that, on average, nearly 70% of children became seizure-free after surgery. Further individual analysis of 360 patients showed that longer duration of spasms before surgery increased the risk of spasms returning by 7% per year. Additionally, children who had less extensive surgeries, such as removal of only a specific part of the brain, had a 57% higher risk of seizure recurrence compared to those who had a hemispherectomy, which removed or disconnected half of the brain. Overall, the study concludes that surgery can often stop seizures, especially when more extensive surgery is performed and when the surgery is done sooner rather than later.
PubMed: 38953892
DOI: 10.1002/epi4.13007 -
Techniques in Coloproctology Jul 2024Comparative outcomes of robotic low anterior resection (rTME) and trans-anal total mesorectal excision (TaTME) in patients with low rectal cancer were evaluated. (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Comparative Study Review
Peri-operative, oncological and functional outcomes of robotic versus transanal total mesorectal excision in patients with rectal cancer: A systematic review and meta-analysis.
BACKGROUND
Comparative outcomes of robotic low anterior resection (rTME) and trans-anal total mesorectal excision (TaTME) in patients with low rectal cancer were evaluated.
METHODS
A systematic online search was conducted using the following databases: PubMed, Scopus, Cochrane database, The Virtual Health Library, Clinical trials.gov and Science Direct. Comparative studies of rTME versus TaTME for low rectal cancer were included. Primary outcomes were postoperative complications, including anastomotic leak, surgical site infection, and Clavien-Dindo complication rate. Total operative time, conversion to open surgery, intra-operative blood loss, intensive therapy unit (ITU) and total hospital length of stay (LOS), oncological outcomes and functional outcomes were the other evaluated outcome parameters.
RESULTS
A total of 12 studies with a total number of 3025 patients divided between rTME (n = 1881) and TaTME (n = 1144) groups were included. There was no significant difference between the two groups for total operative time (P = 0.39), conversion to open surgery (P = 0.29) and intra-operative blood loss (P = 0.62). Clavien-Dindo ≥ 3 complication rate (P = 0.47), anastomotic leak (P = 0.89), rates of re-operation (P = 0.62) and re-admission (P = 0.92), R0 resections (P = 0.52), ITU LOS (P = 0.63) and total hospital LOS (P = 0.30) also showed similar results between the two groups. However, the rTME group had higher rates of total harvested lymph nodes (P = 0.04) and complete total mesorectal excision (TME) resections (P = 0.05). Albeit with a limited dataset, the Wexner and low anterior resection syndrome (LARS) scores showed better functional results in the rTME group compared with the TaTME group (P = 0.0009 and P = 0.00001, respectively).
CONCLUSION
Compared with TaTME, rTME seems to provide better functional outcomes, higher lymph node yield and more complete TME resections with a similar post-operative complications profile.
Topics: Humans; Rectal Neoplasms; Robotic Surgical Procedures; Postoperative Complications; Proctectomy; Operative Time; Length of Stay; Treatment Outcome; Transanal Endoscopic Surgery; Female; Male; Middle Aged; Rectum; Aged; Anastomotic Leak; Blood Loss, Surgical; Conversion to Open Surgery; Adult
PubMed: 38951249
DOI: 10.1007/s10151-024-02947-x -
Intensive Care Medicine Jun 2024Severe acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) with PaO/FiO < 80 mmHg is a life-threatening condition. The optimal management strategy is unclear. The aim of...
Comparison of venovenous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation, prone position and supine mechanical ventilation for severely hypoxemic acute respiratory distress syndrome: a network meta-analysis.
PURPOSE
Severe acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) with PaO/FiO < 80 mmHg is a life-threatening condition. The optimal management strategy is unclear. The aim of this meta-analysis was to compare the effects of low tidal volumes (V), moderate V, prone ventilation, and venovenous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (VV-ECMO) on mortality in severe ARDS.
METHODS
We performed a frequentist network meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials (RCTs) with participants who had severe ARDS and met eligibility criteria for VV-ECMO or had PaO/FiO < 80 mmHg. We applied the Grades of Recommendation, Assessment, Development, and Evaluation (GRADE) methodology to discern the relative effect of interventions on mortality and the certainty of the evidence.
RESULTS
Ten RCTs including 812 participants with severe ARDS were eligible. VV-ECMO reduces mortality compared to low V (risk ratio [RR] 0.77, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.59-0.99, moderate certainty) and compared to moderate V (RR 0.75, 95% CI 0.57-0.98, low certainty). Prone ventilation reduces mortality compared to moderate V (RR 0.78, 95% CI 0.66-0.93, high certainty) and compared to low V (RR 0.81, 95% CI 0.63-1.02, moderate certainty). We found no difference in the network comparison of VV-ECMO compared to prone ventilation (RR 0.95, 95% CI 0.72-1.26), but inferences were based solely on indirect comparisons with very low certainty due to very wide confidence intervals.
CONCLUSIONS
In adults with ARDS and severe hypoxia, both VV-ECMO (low to moderate certainty evidence) and prone ventilation (moderate to high certainty evidence) improve mortality relative to low and moderate V strategies. The impact of VV-ECMO versus prone ventilation remains uncertain.
PubMed: 38842731
DOI: 10.1007/s00134-024-07492-7 -
Seizure Jul 2024Epileptic Encephalopathy / Developmental Epileptic Encephalopathy with spike-and-wave activation during sleep (EE/DEE-SWAS) is a self-limiting childhood epilepsy... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
OBJECTIVE
Epileptic Encephalopathy / Developmental Epileptic Encephalopathy with spike-and-wave activation during sleep (EE/DEE-SWAS) is a self-limiting childhood epilepsy syndrome but may cause permanent neurocognitive impairment. Surgical interventions have been controversial in the treatment of EE/DEE-SWAS. This systematic review aims to evaluate the efficacy of various surgical procedures on the outcomes of EE/DEE-SWAS.
METHODS
A systematic review was performed per the PRISMA guidelines. A total of 14 retrospective studies were identified, comprising 131 cases of EE/DEE-SWAS treated with epilepsy surgery. The review analyzed presurgical data, surgical interventions, as well as outcomes related to seizures, EEG, and neuropsychological assessments.
RESULTS
Epilepsy surgery was successfully performed in 131 cases with minor complications. The average age was 2.6 years at seizure onset and 5.0 years at diagnosis of SWAS. Excellent seizure control (Engel I and II) was achieved in 80.6 %, 78.6 %, 77.4 % and 27.2 % of patients receiving hemispherectomies, focal resections, multiple subpial transections (MSTs), and corpus callosotomies (CCTs), respectively. EEG SWAS resolution was seen in 79.7 % of hemispherectomy cases, 78.6 % in focal resections, 63.9 % in MSTs, and 8.3 % in CCTs. Neurocognitive and behavioral improvement was noted in 58.0 %, 71.4 %, 58.3 % and 16.7 % for patients receiving hemispherectomies, focal resections, MSTs, and CCTs, respectively. A correlation between improved seizure control and SWAS resolution was observed with improved neuropsychological outcomes.
CONCLUSION
Epilepsy surgery is a safe and effective treatment for carefully selected children with drug-resistant EE/DEE-SWAS. Patients who underwent epilepsy surgery had reduction of seizure burden, SWAS resolution and improvements in neurocognitive and behavioral function.
Topics: Humans; Electroencephalography; Sleep; Neurosurgical Procedures; Child; Spasms, Infantile
PubMed: 38820673
DOI: 10.1016/j.seizure.2024.05.008 -
BMC Public Health May 2024Mindfulness-based interventions have been tested to be the effective approach for preventing/reducing burnout in medical students. Therefore, this systematic review and... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
BACKGROUND
Mindfulness-based interventions have been tested to be the effective approach for preventing/reducing burnout in medical students. Therefore, this systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to synthesize the scientific evidence and quantify the pooled effect of MBIs on the burnout syndrome in medical students.
METHODS
A comprehensive literature search was conducted in the databases, including PubMed, Embase, ERIC, PsycINFO, Scopus, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL), China National knowledge Information Database (CNKI) and WanFang Database from database inception to February 2023 using the terms of "mindfulness", "burnout" and "medical students". Two reviewers independently reviewed the studies, and extracted the data of the eligible studies, as well as assessed the risk of bias. A random-effects model was employed to calculate the standardized mean differences (SMD) with 95% confidence intervals (CI) of overall burnout and its sub-domains of burnout (i.e., emotional exhaustion, cynicism, and academic efficacy).
RESULTS
Of 316 records in total, nine studies (with 810 medical students) were ultimately included. The four RCT studies demonstrated an overall judgment of some concerns risk of bias, and the overall risk of biases of the five qRCT studies were judged as serious. In term of the SORT, the RCT and qRCT studies were evaluated as level 2 evidence, and the overall strength of recommendation was classified as B (limited-quality patient-oriented evidence). The pooled analysis showed that MBIs were associated with significant small to moderate improvements for medical students' overall burnout (SMD=-0.64; 95% CI [-1.12, -0.16]; P = 0.009) in the included four RCTs, emotional exhaustion (SMD=-0.27; 95% CI [-0.50, -0.03]; P = 0.03) and academic efficacy (SMD = 0.43; 95% CI [0.20, 0.66]; P<0.001) in the four qRCTs.
CONCLUSIONS
MBIs can serve as an effective approach for reducing burnout symptoms in medical students. Future high-quality studies with a larger sample size and robust randomized controlled trial methodologies should be obtained to reinforce the effectiveness of MBIs for reducing academic burnout in medical students.
Topics: Humans; Students, Medical; Mindfulness; Burnout, Professional
PubMed: 38802770
DOI: 10.1186/s12889-024-18938-4 -
Clinical Oral Investigations May 2024Prevention of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) is important in individuals with metabolic syndrome components (MetS), and periodontitis may play an... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
The role of periodontitis in the development of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease in participants with the components of metabolic syndrome: a systematic review and meta-analysis.
OBJECTIVES
Prevention of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) is important in individuals with metabolic syndrome components (MetS), and periodontitis may play an important role in this process. This study aims to evaluate the association between periodontitis and ASCVD in participants with the components of MetS, including obesity, dysglycemia, hypertension, and dyslipidemia.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
This study conducted followed the MOOSE reporting guidelines and the PRISMA 2020 guidelines. EMBASE, MEDLINE, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, PubMed and OpenGrey were searched for observational studies about the linkage of periodontitis to ASCVD in people with MetS components up to April 9, 2023. Cohort, case-control and cross-sectional studies were included after study selection. Quality evaluation was carried out using the original and modified Newcastle-Ottawa Scale as appropriate. Random-effects model was employed for meta-analysis.
RESULTS
Nineteen studies were finally included in the quality analysis, and all of them were assessed as moderate to high quality. Meta-analyses among fifteen studies revealed that the participants with periodontitis were more likely to develop ASCVD in those who have dysglycemia (RR = 1.25, 95% CI = 1.13-1.37; p < 0.05), obesity (RR = 1.13, 95% CI = 1.02-1.24; p < 0.05), dyslipidemia (RR = 1.36, 95% CI = 1.13-1.65; p < 0.05), or hypertension (1.20, 95% CI = 1.05-1.36; p < 0.05).
CONCLUSIONS
Periodontitis promotes the development of ASCVD in participants with one MetS component (obesity, dysglycemia, hypertension or dyslipidemia).
CLINICAL RELEVANCE
In people with MetS components, periodontitis may contribute to the ASCVD incidence.
Topics: Metabolic Syndrome; Humans; Periodontitis; Atherosclerosis; Risk Factors; Hypertension; Dyslipidemias; Cardiovascular Diseases
PubMed: 38801482
DOI: 10.1007/s00784-024-05731-1 -
International Journal of Molecular... May 2024The gene encodes an orphan transcription factor of the steroid-thyroid hormone-retinoid receptor superfamily. This review focuses on the clinical findings associated... (Review)
Review
The gene encodes an orphan transcription factor of the steroid-thyroid hormone-retinoid receptor superfamily. This review focuses on the clinical findings associated with the pathogenic variants so far reported, including three unreported cases. Also, its role in neurodegenerative diseases, such as Parkinson's or Alzheimer's disease, is examined, as well as a brief exploration on recent proposals to develop novel therapies for these neurological diseases based on small molecules that could modulate transcriptional activity. The main characteristic shared by all patients is mild to severe developmental delay/intellectual disability. Moderate to severe disorder of the expressive and receptive language is present in at least 42%, while neuro-psychiatric issues were reported in 53% of patients. Movement disorders, including dystonia, chorea or ataxia, are described in 37% patients, although probably underestimated because of its frequent onset in late adolescence-young adulthood. Finally, epilepsy was surprisingly present in 42% of patients, being drug-resistant in three of them. The age at onset varied widely, from five months to twenty-six years, as did the classification of epilepsy, which ranged from focal epilepsy to infantile spasms or Lennox-Gastaut syndrome. Accordingly, we propose that should be considered as a first-tier target gene for the genetic diagnosis of developmental and epileptic encephalopathy.
Topics: Humans; Epilepsy; Nuclear Receptor Subfamily 4, Group A, Member 2; Developmental Disabilities; Intellectual Disability
PubMed: 38791237
DOI: 10.3390/ijms25105198 -
Neurology Jun 2024This practice guideline provides updated evidence-based conclusions and recommendations regarding the effects of antiseizure medications (ASMs) and folic acid...
This practice guideline provides updated evidence-based conclusions and recommendations regarding the effects of antiseizure medications (ASMs) and folic acid supplementation on the prevalence of major congenital malformations (MCMs), adverse perinatal outcomes, and neurodevelopmental outcomes in children born to people with epilepsy of childbearing potential (PWECP). A multidisciplinary panel conducted a systematic review and developed practice recommendations following the process outlined in the 2017 edition of the American Academy of Neurology Clinical Practice Guideline Process Manual. The systematic review includes studies through August 2022. Recommendations are supported by structured rationales that integrate evidence from the systematic review, related evidence, principles of care, and inferences from evidence. The following are some of the major recommendations. When treating PWECP, clinicians should recommend ASMs and doses that optimize both seizure control and fetal outcomes should pregnancy occur, at the earliest possible opportunity preconceptionally. Clinicians must minimize the occurrence of convulsive seizures in PWECP during pregnancy to minimize potential risks to the birth parent and to the fetus. Once a PWECP is already pregnant, clinicians should exercise caution in attempting to remove or replace an ASM that is effective in controlling generalized tonic-clonic or focal-to-bilateral tonic-clonic seizures. Clinicians must consider using lamotrigine, levetiracetam, or oxcarbazepine in PWECP when appropriate based on the patient's epilepsy syndrome, likelihood of achieving seizure control, and comorbidities, to minimize the risk of MCMs. Clinicians must avoid the use of valproic acid in PWECP to minimize the risk of MCMs or neural tube defects (NTDs), if clinically feasible. Clinicians should avoid the use of valproic acid or topiramate in PWECP to minimize the risk of offspring being born small for gestational age, if clinically feasible. To reduce the risk of poor neurodevelopmental outcomes, including autism spectrum disorder and lower IQ, in children born to PWECP, clinicians must avoid the use of valproic acid in PWECP, if clinically feasible. Clinicians should prescribe at least 0.4 mg of folic acid supplementation daily preconceptionally and during pregnancy to any PWECP treated with an ASM to decrease the risk of NTDs and possibly improve neurodevelopmental outcomes in the offspring.
Topics: Humans; Anticonvulsants; Pregnancy; Female; Epilepsy; Pregnancy Complications; Prenatal Exposure Delayed Effects; Neurodevelopmental Disorders; Abnormalities, Drug-Induced; Teratogenesis; Infant, Newborn
PubMed: 38748979
DOI: 10.1212/WNL.0000000000209279 -
Gynecological Endocrinology : the... Dec 2024The main purpose of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to investigate the diagnostic value of ultrasound elastography in the evaluation of polycystic ovary... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
OBJECTIVE
The main purpose of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to investigate the diagnostic value of ultrasound elastography in the evaluation of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).
METHODS
A comprehensive and methodical investigation was carried out in the databases of PubMed, EMBASE, Cochrane, Scopus, Web of Science, and China National Knowledge Infrastructure, covering the entire duration of these databases until October 18, 2023. The primary purpose of this research was to evaluate and contrast ovarian tissue elasticity in people with and without PCOS. The elasticity of ovarian tissue was quantified using standardized mean difference (SMD).
RESULTS
A total of eight studies were ultimately selected for systematic evaluation and meta-analysis. Five studies used shear wave elastography (SWE) as a diagnostic tool, and it was discovered that women with PCOS had higher levels of ovarian shear wave elasticity than their healthy counterparts. The SMD was determined to be 1.86 kilopascal (95% CI: 1.27 to 2.44). Three studies were conducted using strain elastography (SE) to compare the ovarian strain ratio of patients with PCOS to that of a healthy control group. The SMD for the PCOS group was 2.07 (95% CI: 1.79 to 2.34), which indicated that the ovarian strain ratio was significantly higher in that group.
CONCLUSION
This systematic review and meta-analysis found that women with PCOS had stiffer ovarian tissue than women without the disorder. Ultrasound elastography may provide clinicians with value beyond 2D ultrasound in the diagnosis of PCOS.
Topics: Polycystic Ovary Syndrome; Humans; Elasticity Imaging Techniques; Female; Ovary; Elasticity
PubMed: 38733361
DOI: 10.1080/09513590.2024.2352139 -
BMC Cardiovascular Disorders May 2024Cerebral malperfusion (CM) is a common comorbidity in acute type A aortic dissection (ATAAD), which is associated with high mortality and poor neurological prognosis.... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
Two surgical strategies (early carotid reperfusion vs. Central aortic repair-first) of acute type a aortic dissection complicated with cerebral malperfusion syndrome: a meta-analysis and systematic review.
OBJECTIVE
Cerebral malperfusion (CM) is a common comorbidity in acute type A aortic dissection (ATAAD), which is associated with high mortality and poor neurological prognosis. This meta-analysis investigated the surgical strategy of ATAAD patients with CM, aiming to compare the difference in therapeutic effectiveness between the central repair-first and the early reperfusion-first according to clinical outcomes.
METHODS
The meta-analysis and systematic review was conducted based on studies sourced from the PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane literature database, in which cases of ATAAD with CM underwent surgical repair were included. Data for baseline characteristics, mortality, survival were extracted, and risk ratio (RR) values and the pooled mortality were calculated.
RESULTS
A total of 17 retrospective studies were analyzed, including 1010 cases of ATAAD with CM underwent surgical repair. The pooled early mortality in early reperfusion group was lower (8.1%; CI, 0.02 to 0.168) than that in the central repair group (16.2%; CI, 0.115 to 0.216). The pooled long-term mortality was 7.9% in the early reperfusion cohort and 17.4% the central repair-first cohort, without a statistically significant heterogeneity (I [2] = 51.271%; p = 0.056). The mean time of symptom-onset-to-the-operation-room in all the reports was 8.87 ± 12.3 h.
CONCLUSION
This meta-analysis suggested that early reperfusion-first may achieved better outcomes compared to central repair-first in ATAAD patients complicated with CM to some extent. Early operation and early restoration of cerebral perfusion may reduce the occurrence of some neurological complications.
TRIAL REGISTRATION
The meta-analysis was registered in the International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews database (No. CRD CRD42023475629) on Nov. 8th, 2023.
Topics: Humans; Aortic Dissection; Treatment Outcome; Cerebrovascular Circulation; Risk Factors; Time Factors; Aortic Aneurysm; Female; Male; Middle Aged; Aged; Acute Disease; Cerebrovascular Disorders; Adult; Blood Vessel Prosthesis Implantation; Risk Assessment; Reperfusion; Time-to-Treatment
PubMed: 38714966
DOI: 10.1186/s12872-024-03910-2