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Therapeutics and Clinical Risk... 2024Poorly controlled diabetes mellitus can lead to the development of diabetic foot ulcers (DFU), which is a frequent complication in patients. However, several diabetes... (Review)
Review
INTRODUCTION
Poorly controlled diabetes mellitus can lead to the development of diabetic foot ulcers (DFU), which is a frequent complication in patients. However, several diabetes management guidelines for older adults do not mention the occurrence of DFUs. Nowadays, Autologous Platelet-Rich Gel (APG) is being used for treating diabetic ulcers. APG is an innovative platelet-derived product with many advantages, such as being low-cost, easy to produce, and readily available materials. Additionally, it does not lead to any rejection reaction.
OBJECTIVE
This study aims to assess the safety and efficacy of APG as a novel treatment of DFU compared with standard treatment in older adult patients.
METHODS
Randomized Controlled Trials (RCTs) were searched using PubMed, Cochrane, Google Scholar, Wiley, and PlosOne. The keywords have been arranged using the Boolean operator, including autologous platelet-rich gel, DFU, and elderly. The data was screened by inclusion and exclusion criteria. The final inclusion study was analyzed and synthesized by tabulation, clusterization, contextual and thematic approach, and assessed for risk of bias using ROB 2.0. Meta-analysis was conducted by using Review Manager 5.4 and the Mantel Haenszel method.
RESULTS
Eight RCTs with 598 patients were eligible for the present analysis. Compared with standard care/conventional treatment, APG could significantly improve the healing wound in patients with diabetic foot ulcers (Relative risk (RR) 1.32, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.22-1.57, p < 0.0001), shortened the healing time (Mean difference [MD] -16.97 days (95% CI: -32.64 to -1.29; p < 0.00001), shortened the length of hospital stay (MD= -20.11, 95% CI: -38.02, -2.20; = 0.03), and amputation rate (MD= 0.36, 95% CI: 0.16, 0.84; p = 0.02).
CONCLUSION
APG treatment can better treat DFU in terms of duration of healing, wound healing, length of hospital stay, and amputation prevention than the standard treatment.
PubMed: 38288358
DOI: 10.2147/TCRM.S433033 -
Arquivos de Neuro-psiquiatria Jan 2024Phantom limb pain (PLP) occurs after amputations and can persist in a chronic and debilitating way. Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) is a...
BACKGROUND
Phantom limb pain (PLP) occurs after amputations and can persist in a chronic and debilitating way. Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) is a non-invasive neuromodulation method capable of influencing brain function and modulating cortical excitability. Its effectiveness in treating chronic pain is promising.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the evidence on the efficacy and safety of using rTMS in the treatment of PLP, observing the stimulation parameters used, side effects, and benefits of the therapy.
METHODS
This is a systematic review of scientific articles published in national and international literature using electronic platforms.
RESULTS
Two hundred and fifty two articles were identified. Two hundred and forty six publications were removed because they were duplicated or met the exclusion criteria. After selection, six studies were reviewed, those being two randomized clinical trials and four case reports. All evaluated studies indicated some degree of benefit of rTMS to relieve painful symptoms, even temporarily. Pain perception was lower at the end of treatment when compared to the period prior to the sessions and remained during patient follow-up. There was no standardization of the stimulation parameters used. There were no reports of serious adverse events. The effects of long-term therapy have not been evaluated.
CONCLUSION
There are some benefits, even if temporary, in the use of rTMS to relieve painful symptoms in PLP. High-frequency stimulation at M1 demonstrated a significant analgesic effect. Given the potential that has been demonstrated, but limited by the paucity of high-quality studies, further controlled studies are needed to establish and standardize the clinical use of the method.
Topics: Humans; Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation; Phantom Limb; Chronic Pain
PubMed: 38286434
DOI: 10.1055/s-0044-1779051 -
Cancers Jan 2024Soft tissue sarcomas are a group of rare neoplasms which can be mistaken for benign masses and be excised in a non-oncologic fashion (unplanned excision). Whether... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
Soft tissue sarcomas are a group of rare neoplasms which can be mistaken for benign masses and be excised in a non-oncologic fashion (unplanned excision). Whether unplanned excision (UE) is associated with worse outcomes is highly debated due to conflicting evidence.
METHODS
We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis following PRISMA guidelines. Main outcomes analyzed were five-year overall survival (OS), five-year local recurrence-free survival (LRFS), amputation rate and plastic reconstruction surgery rate. Risk ratios were used to compare outcomes between patients treated with planned and unplanned excision.
RESULTS
We included 16,946 patients with STS, 6017 (35.5%) with UE. UE was associated with worse five-year LRFS (RR 1.35, = 0.019). Residual tumor on the tumor bed was associated with lower five-year LRFS (RR = 2.59, < 0.001). Local recurrence was associated with worse five-year OS (RR = 1.82, < 0.001). UE was not associated with a worse five-year OS (RR = 0.90, = 0.16), higher amputation rate (RR = 0.77, = 0.134), or a worse plastic reconstruction surgery rate (RR = 1.25, = 0.244).
CONCLUSIONS
Unplanned excision of Soft Tissue Sarcomas and the presence of disease in tumor bed after one were associated with worse five-year LRFS. Tumor bed excision should remain the standard approach, with special consideration to the presence of residual disease.
PubMed: 38275885
DOI: 10.3390/cancers16020443 -
PloS One 2024Sitting on an unstable surface is a common paradigm to investigate trunk postural control among individuals with low back pain (LBP), by minimizing the influence lower... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
INTRODUCTION
Sitting on an unstable surface is a common paradigm to investigate trunk postural control among individuals with low back pain (LBP), by minimizing the influence lower extremities on balance control. Outcomes of many small studies are inconsistent (e.g., some find differences between groups while others do not), potentially due to confounding factors such as age, sex, body mass index [BMI], or clinical presentations. We conducted a systematic review with an individual participant data (IPD) meta-analysis to investigate whether trunk postural control differs between those with and without LBP, and whether the difference between groups is impacted by vision and potential confounding factors.
METHODS
We completed this review according to PRISMA-IPD guidelines. The literature was screened (up to 7th September 2023) from five electronic databases: MEDLINE, CINAHL, Embase, Scopus, and Web of Science Core Collection. Outcome measures were extracted that describe unstable seat movements, specifically centre of pressure or seat angle. Our main analyses included: 1) a two-stage IPD meta-analysis to assess the difference between groups and their interaction with age, sex, BMI, and vision on trunk postural control; 2) and a two-stage IPD meta-regression to determine the effects of LBP clinical features (pain intensity, disability, pain catastrophizing, and fear-avoidance beliefs) on trunk postural control.
RESULTS
Forty studies (1,821 participants) were included for the descriptive analysis and 24 studies (1,050 participants) were included for the IPD analysis. IPD meta-analyses revealed three main findings: (a) trunk postural control was worse (higher root mean square displacement [RMSdispl], range, and long-term diffusion; lower mean power frequency) among individuals with than without LBP; (b) trunk postural control deteriorated more (higher RMSdispl, short- and long-term diffusion) among individuals with than without LBP when vision was removed; and (c) older age and higher BMI had greater adverse impacts on trunk postural control (higher short-term diffusion; longer time and distance coordinates of the critical point) among individuals with than without LBP. IPD meta-regressions indicated no associations between the limited LBP clinical features that could be considered and trunk postural control.
CONCLUSION
Trunk postural control appears to be inferior among individuals with LBP, which was indicated by increased seat movements and some evidence of trunk stiffening. These findings are likely explained by delayed or less accurate corrective responses.
SYSTEMATIC REVIEW REGISTRATION
This review has been registered in PROSPERO (registration number: CRD42021124658).
Topics: Humans; Low Back Pain; Sitting Position; Body Mass Index; Catastrophization; Data Analysis
PubMed: 38265999
DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0296968 -
Frontiers in Oncology 2023Limb salvage surgery and amputation are two commonly performed procedures for lower extremity tumors. When comparing these procedures in tumor patients, it is important...
PURPOSE
Limb salvage surgery and amputation are two commonly performed procedures for lower extremity tumors. When comparing these procedures in tumor patients, it is important to consider their impact on quality of life (QOL) and functional mobility. These patients often experience physical, emotional, and psychological challenges, making these factors crucial in determining the most suitable treatment approach.
METHOD
The outcomes of lower extremity tumors patients for QOL were collected from PubMed, MEDLINE, EMBASE, Cochrane, and Google Scholar until 28 February 2023. The physical function, mental health, role function, social function, emotional function, Toronto Extremity Salvage Score, and Musculoskeletal Tumor Society Score outcomes were analyzed to determine the differences between the two procedures.
RESULTS
Five articles were included according to the selection criteria with a total of 245 patients. The standard mean difference (SMD) values of each parameter were slightly higher in limb salvage surgery patients but not higher enough to produce statistically significant results; the SMD values for physical function and mental health were 0.72 and 0.04, respectively. This study did not report any heterogeneity or publication bias.
CONCLUSIONS
QOL is a large and enhanced term, which carries its importance and is challenging to compare between any procedures. The minimal rise in SMD of different QOL parameters highlighted only a slight advantage of limb salvage surgery over amputation. Therefore, further research is required to explore the impact of this crucial topic.
PubMed: 38234404
DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2023.1201202 -
Frontiers in Endocrinology 2023With the increasing incidence of diabetes, diabetic foot ulcer(DFU) has become one of the most common and serious complications in people with diabetes. DFU is... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
BACKGROUND
With the increasing incidence of diabetes, diabetic foot ulcer(DFU) has become one of the most common and serious complications in people with diabetes. DFU is associated with significant morbidity and mortality, and can also result in significant economic, social and public health burdens. Due to peripheral neuropathy, peripheral vascular disease, hyperglycemic environment, inflammatory disorders and other factors, the healing of DFU is impaired or delayed, resulting in the formation of diabetic chronic refractory ulcer. Because of these pathological abnormalities in DFU, it may be difficult to promote wound healing with conventional therapies or antibiotics, whereas platelet-rich plasma(PRP) can promote wound healing by releasing various bioactive molecules stored in platelets, making it more promising than traditional antibiotics. Therefore, the purpose of this systematic review is to summarize and analyze the efficacy of PRP in the treatment of DFU.
METHODS
A literature search was undertaken in PubMed, CNKI, EMB-ASE, the Cochrane Library, the WanFang Database and the WeiPu Database by computer. Included controlled studies evaluating the efficacy of PRP in the treatment of diabetic foot ulcers. The data extraction and assessment are on the basis of PRISMA.
RESULTS
Twenty studies were evaluated, and nineteen measures for the evaluation of the efficacy of PRP in DFU treatment were introduced by eliminating relevant duplicate measures. The efficacy measures that were repeated in various studies mainly included the rate of complete ulcer healing, the percentage of ulcer area reduction, the time required for ulcer healing, wound complications (including infection rate, amputation rate, and degree of amputation), the rate of ulcer recurrence, and the cost and duration of hospitalization for DFU, as well as subsequent survival and quality of life scores. One of the most important indicators were healing rate, ulcer area reduction and healing time. The meta-analysis found that PRP was significantly improve the healing rate(OR = 4.37, 95% CI 3.02-6.33, P < 0.001) and shorten the healing time(MD = -3.21, 95% CI -3.83 to -2.59,P < 0.001)of patients with DFU when compared to the conventional treatment, but there was no significant difference in reducing the of ulcer area(MD = 5.67, 95% CI -0.77 to 12.11,P =0.08>0.05 ).
CONCLUSION
The application of PRP to DFU can improve ulcer healing rate and shorten ulcer healing time, but more clinical data are needed to clarify some efficacy measures. At the same time, a standardized preparation process for PRP is essential.
Topics: Humans; Diabetic Foot; Quality of Life; Anti-Bacterial Agents; Platelet-Rich Plasma; Wound Healing; Diabetes Mellitus
PubMed: 38169990
DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2023.1256081 -
International Wound Journal Apr 2024The assessment for safety and effectiveness of surgical interventions in the management of diabetic foot ulcers (DFUs) in comparison to non-surgical approaches was... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
The assessment for safety and effectiveness of surgical interventions in the management of diabetic foot ulcers (DFUs) in comparison to non-surgical approaches was performed. A comprehensive search was performed across PubMed, MEDLINE, Cochrane Library and EMBASE in order to identify case-control studies, randomized controlled trials (RCTs), observational studies, cohort studies and observational studies pertaining to DFU treatments. Studies conducted in English language and focusing on wound healing rates, recurrence rates, time to healing and complication management met the inclusion criteria. There were six studies included in this meta-analysis. Surgical procedures, such as debridement, revascularization and skin transplantation, demonstrated significantly superior efficacy in promoting wound healing (84%) and shorter duration of healing (6 weeks) in comparison to non-surgical approaches, including off-loading, wound dressings and pharmacological therapies. Surgical interventions for DFUs resulted in a wound recovery rate of 84%, a significantly higher mean rate than non-surgical approaches (60%) that was observed. In addition, it was observed that the surgical group experienced considerably reduced average healing period of 9 weeks, in contrast to the non-surgical group's mean healing period of 12 weeks. Nevertheless, it is imperative to acknowledge that surgical procedures were notably correlated with a heightened occurrence of complications, such as amputations, which transpired in 19% of instances. Surgical interventions for DFUs may provide superior short-term results with regard to healing rates and recovery time, as indicated by this meta-analysis. However, they are additionally correlated with the heightened likelihood of complications. Although non-surgical techniques offered comparatively secure option, they were also less reliable. Individualized treatment modalities should be chosen in consideration of patient-specific factors and comparative advantages and disadvantages.
Topics: Humans; Diabetic Foot; Wound Healing; Bandages; Amputation, Surgical; Case-Control Studies; Diabetes Mellitus
PubMed: 38158715
DOI: 10.1111/iwj.14601 -
Journal of Foot and Ankle Research Dec 2023Diabetes-related foot disease (DFD) is a common, costly, and severe complication of diabetes mellitus. DFD is associated with high rates of morbidity and mortality and... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
Diabetes-related foot disease (DFD) is a common, costly, and severe complication of diabetes mellitus. DFD is associated with high rates of morbidity and mortality and poses a significant burden on patients, healthcare systems and society. While the detrimental impact of DFD is widely recognised, the precise financial implications of its management in Australia remain unclear due to inconsistent and inconclusive contemporary data. Therefore, the aim of this review was to identify, summarise and synthesise existing evidence to estimate the costs associated with DFD management in Australia.
METHODS
Searches were conducted in MEDLINE, Embase, AMED, CINAHL, Joanna Briggs Institute EBP, and the Cochrane Library from November 2011 to July 2023. Australian studies investigating costs associated with DFD management were eligible for inclusion. Two independent reviewers performed the study selection, data extraction and quality assessment steps. The Consolidated Health Economic Evaluation Reporting Standards (CHEERS 2022) checklist was used to assess study quality. A descriptive analysis was performed due to limited existing evidence and large heterogeneity between study populations to conduct meta-analyses.
RESULTS
Three economic evaluations were included in the review. One study was rated as 'poor', one as 'very good' and one as 'excellent' when assessed against the CHEERS checklist. The estimated cost of DFD management varied between studies and comparisons were not possible due to the different methodological approaches and data sources. The studies were unable to provide an overall cost of DFD with respect to all aspects of care as they did not capture the multi-faceted level of care throughout the entire patient journey between sectors and over time.
CONCLUSION
There is limited contemporary evidence for the costs associated with DFD management within Australia, particularly related to direct costs and resource utilisation. Further research into the economic impact of DFD management is needed to inform optimisation of national service delivery and improve health outcomes for individuals with DFD in Australia. Integrating real-world data on impact of clinical interventions with parallel economic evaluation could be a valuable approach for future research, which would offer a more comprehensive understanding of the clinical and economic outcomes beyond solely model-based evaluations.
TRIAL REGISTRATION
PROSPERO Registration No. CRD42022290910.
Topics: Humans; Financial Stress; Australia; Diabetic Foot; Delivery of Health Care; Foot Diseases; Diabetes Mellitus
PubMed: 38151723
DOI: 10.1186/s13047-023-00688-y -
Journal of Clinical Medicine Dec 2023Periprosthetic infection (PJI) after TAR is a serious complication, often requiring further surgery, including revision arthroplasty, conversion to ankle arthrodesis, or... (Review)
Review
Periprosthetic infection (PJI) after TAR is a serious complication, often requiring further surgery, including revision arthroplasty, conversion to ankle arthrodesis, or even amputation. This systematic review aims to summarize the current evidence on the management of TAR PJI and provide a comprehensive overview of this topic, especially from an epidemiologic point of view. Three different databases (PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science) were searched for relevant articles, and further references were obtained by cross-referencing. Seventy-one studies met the inclusion criteria, reporting on cases of TAR PJI. A total of 298 PJIs were retrieved. The mean incidence of PJI was 3.8% (range 0.2-26.1%). Furthermore, 53 (17.8%) were acute PJIs, whereas most of them (156, 52.3%) were late PJIs. Most of the studies were heterogeneous regarding the treatment protocols used, with a two-stage approach performed in most of the cases (107, 35.9%). While the prevalence of ankle PJI remains low, it is potentially one of the most devastating complications of TAR. This review highlights the lack of strong literature regarding TAR infections, thus highlighting a need for multicentric studies with homogeneous data regarding the treatment of ankle PJI to better understand outcomes.
PubMed: 38137779
DOI: 10.3390/jcm12247711 -
Pain Apr 2024Combat trauma can lead to widespread tissue damage and limb loss. This may result in chronic neuropathic and post amputation pain, including phantom limb pain (PLP) and... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
Combat trauma can lead to widespread tissue damage and limb loss. This may result in chronic neuropathic and post amputation pain, including phantom limb pain (PLP) and residual limb pain (RLP). The military population is distinct with respect to demographic, injury, and social characteristics compared with other amputation and trauma cohorts. We undertook a systematic review of studies of military personnel, with a history of combat injury, that reported a prevalence of any type of postamputation pain or chronic neuropathic pain, identified from Embase and MEDLINE databases.Using the inverse variance method with a random-effects model, we undertook a meta-analysis to determine an overall prevalence and performed exploratory analyses to identify the effect of the type of pain, conflict, and time since injury on prevalence. Pain definitions and types of pain measurement tools used in studies were recorded. Thirty-one studies (14,738 participants) were included. The pooled prevalence of PLP, RLP, and chronic neuropathic pain were 57% (95% CI: 46-68), 61% (95% CI: 50-71), and 26% (95% CI: 10-54), respectively. Between-study heterogeneity was high (I 2 : 94%-98%). Characterisation of duration, frequency, and impact of pain was limited. Factors reported by included studies as being associated with PLP included the presence of RLP and psychological comorbidity. The prevalence of postamputation pain and chronic neuropathic pain after combat trauma is high. We highlight inconsistency of case definitions and terminology for pain and the need for consensus in future research of traumatic injury.
Topics: Humans; Military Personnel; Prevalence; Pain Measurement; Neuralgia; Phantom Limb
PubMed: 38112578
DOI: 10.1097/j.pain.0000000000003094