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Nutrients Feb 2024: Seafood allergy is a significant global health concern that greatly impacts a patient's quality of life. The intervention efficacy of oral immunotherapy (OIT), an... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
Intervention Efficacy of Slightly Processed Allergen/Meat in Oral Immunotherapy for Seafood Allergy: A Systematic Review, Meta-Analysis, and Meta-Regression Analysis in Mouse Models and Clinical Patients.
: Seafood allergy is a significant global health concern that greatly impacts a patient's quality of life. The intervention efficacy of oral immunotherapy (OIT), an emerging intervention strategy, for seafood allergy remains controversial. This study aimed to perform a systematic review and meta-analysis to evaluate the efficacy of slightly processed allergen/meat from fish and crustacea in OIT, both in mouse models and clinical patients. : A comprehensive literature search was performed in four mainstream databases and the EBSCOhost database to identify all relevant case-control and cohort studies. The aim was to elucidate the intervention efficacy, encompassing various processing methods and assessing the efficacy of multiple major allergens in OIT. : The meta-analysis included five case-control studies on crustacean allergens in mouse models and 11 cohort studies on meat from fish and crustacea in clinical patients for final quantitative assessments. In mouse models, crustacean allergen substantially decreased the anaphylactic score after OIT treatment (mean difference (MD) = -1.30, < 0.01). Subgroup analyses with low-level heterogeneities provided more reliable results for crab species (MD = -0.63, < 0.01, I = 0), arginine kinase allergen (MD = -0.83, < 0.01, I = 0), and Maillard reaction processing method (MD = -0.65, < 0.01, I = 29%), respectively. In clinical patients, the main meta-analysis showed that the slightly processed meat significantly increased the incidence rate of oral tolerance (OT, incidence rate ratio (IRR) = 2.90, < 0.01). Subgroup analyses for fish meat (IRR = 2.79, < 0.01) and a simple cooking treatment (IRR = 2.36, = 0.01) also demonstrated a substantial increase in the incidence rate of OT. Sensitivity and meta-regression analyses successfully identified specific studies contributing to heterogeneity in mouse models and clinical patients, although these studies did not impact the overall significant pooled effects. : This meta-analysis provides preliminary evidence for the high intervention efficacy of slightly processed allergen/meat from fish and crustacea in OIT, both in mouse models and clinical patients. The Maillard reaction and cooking processing methods may emerge as potentially effective approaches to treating allergen/meat in OIT for clinical patients, offering a promising and specific treatment strategy for seafood allergy. However, these findings should be interpreted cautiously, and further supporting evidence is necessary.
Topics: Animals; Mice; Humans; Allergens; Desensitization, Immunologic; Quality of Life; Food Hypersensitivity; Seafood; Administration, Oral
PubMed: 38474795
DOI: 10.3390/nu16050667 -
Drugs Mar 2024To evaluate the efficacy of opioids for people with acute musculoskeletal pain against placebo. (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the efficacy of opioids for people with acute musculoskeletal pain against placebo.
STUDY DESIGN
Systematic review and meta-analyses of randomised, placebo-controlled trials of opioid analgesics for acute musculoskeletal pain in any setting. The primary outcomes were pain and disability at the immediate timepoint (< 24 h).
DATA SOURCES
Multiple databases were searched from their inception to February 22nd, 2023.
DATA SYNTHESIS
Continuous outcomes were converted to a 0-100 scale. Dichotomous outcomes were presented as risk differences. Risk of bias and certainty of evidence was assessed.
RESULTS
We located 17 trials (1 intravenous and 16 oral route of administration). For adults, high certainty evidence from 11 comparisons shows that oral opioids provide small benefits relative to placebo in the immediate term for pain (mean difference [MD] - 8.8 95% confidence interval [CI] - 12.0 to - 5.6). For disability, the difference is uncertain (MD - 6.2, 95% CI - 17.8 to 5.4). Opioid groups were at higher risk of adverse events (MD 14.3%, 95% CI 8.3-20.4%, very low certainty). There was moderate certainty evidence of a large effect of IV morphine on sciatica pain (MD -42.5, 95% CI - 49.9 to - 35.1, n = 197, 1 study). In paediatric populations, moderate certainty evidence from 3 trials shows that oral opioids probably do not provide benefit beyond that of placebo for pain (MD 6.1, 95% CI - 1.7 to 12.8) and there was no evidence for disability. There was low certainty evidence that there may be no difference in adverse events (MD 10.4%, 95% CI - 0.6 to 21.4%).
DISCUSSION
Intravenous morphine likely offers benefits, but oral opioids may not provide clinically meaningful benefits.
PROSPERO REGISTRATION
CRD42021249346.
Topics: Adult; Child; Humans; Analgesics, Opioid; Musculoskeletal Pain; Acute Pain; Morphine
PubMed: 38451443
DOI: 10.1007/s40265-024-01999-5 -
American Journal of Obstetrics &... Apr 2024This study aimed to synthesize the available evidence on probiotic administration during pregnancy for the prevention of preeclampsia and its effects on related... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
OBJECTIVE
This study aimed to synthesize the available evidence on probiotic administration during pregnancy for the prevention of preeclampsia and its effects on related maternal, fetal, and newborn outcomes.
DATA SOURCES
Six databases were systematically searched for eligible studies, namely Ovid MEDLINE, Embase, CINAHL, Cochrane, Global Index Medicus, and the Maternity and Infant Care Database, from inception to August 2, 2023.
STUDY ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA
Randomized controlled trials that evaluated the effects of probiotic administration on women during any stage of pregnancy were eligible for inclusion.
METHODS
The protocol was registered with the International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews under identifier CRD42023421613. Evaluating study eligibility, extracting data, assessing risk of bias (ROB-2 tool), and rating certainty (Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development and Evaluations) were conducted independently by 2 authors. The primary outcomes were incidence of preeclampsia, eclampsia, and maternal mortality. A meta-analysis was performed, and the results were reported as risk ratios with 95% confidence intervals.
RESULTS
A total of 29 trials (7735 pregnant women) met the eligibility criteria. There was heterogeneity across the trials in the population of enrolled women and the type of probiotic tested (20 different strains), although most used oral administration. Probiotics may make no difference to the risk of preeclampsia (risk ratio, 1.14; 95% confidence interval, 0.84-1.53; 11 trials; 2401 women; low certainty evidence), preterm birth at <37 weeks' gestation (risk ratio, 0.93; 95% confidence interval, 0.66-1.30; 18 trials, 4016 women; low certainty evidence), or gestational age at delivery (mean difference, -0.03 weeks [≈0.2 days]; 95% confidence interval, -0.16 to 0.10 weeks [≈ -1.1 to 0.7 days]; 13 trials, 2194 women; low certainty evidence). It is difficult to assess the effects of probiotics on other secondary outcomes because the evidence was of very low certainty, however, no benefits or harms were observed.
CONCLUSION
Limited evidence suggests that probiotic supplementation does not affect the risk for preeclampsia. Further high-quality trials are needed to definitively assess the benefits and possible harms of probiotic supplementation during pregnancy. There is also a lack of data from trials that included women who were undernourished or who experienced microbial dysbiosis and for whom probiotic supplementation might be useful.
Topics: Humans; Probiotics; Pregnancy; Pre-Eclampsia; Female; Infant, Newborn; Pregnancy Outcome; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; Maternal Mortality; Premature Birth
PubMed: 38447676
DOI: 10.1016/j.ajogmf.2024.101322 -
Palliative Medicine Apr 2024Seizures are an important palliative symptom, the management of which can be complicated by patients' capacity to swallow oral medications. In this setting, and the wish...
BACKGROUND
Seizures are an important palliative symptom, the management of which can be complicated by patients' capacity to swallow oral medications. In this setting, and the wish to avoid intravenous access, subcutaneous infusions may be employed. Options for antiseizure medications that can be provided subcutaneously may be limited. Subcutaneous sodium valproate may be an additional management strategy.
AIM
To evaluate the published experience of subcutaneous valproate use in palliative care, namely with respect to effectiveness and tolerability.
DESIGN
A systematic review was registered (PROSPERO CRD42023453427), conducted and reported according to PRISMA reporting guidelines.
DATA SOURCES
The databases PubMed, EMBASE and Scopus were searched for publications until August 11, 2023.
RESULTS
The searches returned 429 results, of which six fulfilled inclusion criteria. Case series were the most common study design, and most studies included <10 individuals who received subcutaneous sodium valproate. There were three studies that presented results on the utility of subcutaneous sodium valproate for seizure control, which described it to be an effective strategy. One study also described it as an effective treatment for neuropathic pain. The doses were often based on presumed 1:1 oral to subcutaneous conversion ratios. Only one study described a local site adverse reaction, which resolved with a change of administration site.
CONCLUSIONS
There are limited data on the use of subcutaneous sodium valproate in palliative care. However, palliative symptoms for which subcutaneous sodium valproate have been used successfully are seizures and neuropathic pain. The available data have described few adverse effects, supporting its use with an appropriate degree of caution.
Topics: Humans; Valproic Acid; Palliative Care; Seizures; Neuralgia
PubMed: 38444061
DOI: 10.1177/02692163241234597 -
Sports Medicine (Auckland, N.Z.) May 2024Iron deficiency in athletes is initially treated with a nutritional intervention. If negative iron balance persists, oral iron supplementation (OIS) can be used. Despite... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
BACKGROUND
Iron deficiency in athletes is initially treated with a nutritional intervention. If negative iron balance persists, oral iron supplementation (OIS) can be used. Despite the recent proposal for a refinement of treatment strategies for iron-deficient athletes, there is no general consensus regarding the actual efficiency, dosage, or optimal regimen of OIS.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this meta-analysis was to evaluate to what extent OIS affects blood iron parameters and physical performance in healthy adult athletes.
METHODS
PubMed, Web of Science, PEDro, CINAHL, SPORTDiscus, and Cochrane were searched from inception to 2 November 2022. Articles were eligible if they satisfied the following criteria: recruited subjects were healthy, adult and physically active individuals, who used exclusively OIS, irrespective of sex and sports discipline.
EXCLUSION CRITERIA
simultaneous supplementation with iron and any other micronutrient(s), intravenous iron supplementation or recent exposure to altitude acclimatisation. The methodological quality of included studies was assessed with the PEDro scale, the completeness of intervention reporting with the TIDieR scale, while the GRADE scale was used for quality of evidence synthesis. The present study was prospectively registered in PROSPERO online registry (ID: CRD42022330230).
RESULTS
From 638 articles identified through the search, 13 studies (n = 449) were included in the quantitative synthesis. When compared to the control group, the results demonstrated that OIS increases serum ferritin (standardized mean difference (SMD) = 1.27, 95% CI 0.44-2.10, p = 0.006), whereas blood haemoglobin (SMD = 1.31, 95% CI - 0.29 to 2.93, p = 0.099), serum transferrin receptor concentration (SMD = - 0.74, 95% CI - 1.89 to 0.41, p = 0.133), and transferrin saturation (SMD = 0.69, 95% CI - 0.84 to 2.22, p = 0.330) remained unaltered. Following OIS, a trend of small positive effect on VO (SMD = 0.49, 95% CI - 0.09 to 1.07, p = 0.086) was observed in young healthy athletes. The quality of evidence for all outcomes ranged from moderate to low.
CONCLUSIONS
Increase in serum ferritin concentration after OIS was evident in subjects with initial pre-supplementation serum ferritin concentration ≤ 12 µg/l, while only minimal, if any effect, was observed in subjects with higher pre-supplementation serum ferritin concentration. The doses of OIS, that induced a beneficial effect on hematological parameters differed from 16 to 100 mg of elementary iron daily, over the period between 6 and 8 weeks. Shorter supplementation protocols have been shown to be ineffective.
Topics: Humans; Dietary Supplements; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; Iron; Athletes; Ferritins; Administration, Oral; Athletic Performance; Hemoglobins; Anemia, Iron-Deficiency
PubMed: 38407751
DOI: 10.1007/s40279-024-01992-8 -
American Journal of Cardiovascular... Mar 2024oral anticoagulant (DOAC) agents are becoming the anticoagulation strategy of choice for most clinical risks for which they are indicated. However, residual uncertainty... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
Comparative Effectiveness and Safety of Direct Oral Anticoagulants Compared with Warfarin in Patients with Low Bodyweight who have Atrial Fibrillation: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.
INTRODUCTION
oral anticoagulant (DOAC) agents are becoming the anticoagulation strategy of choice for most clinical risks for which they are indicated. However, residual uncertainty remains regarding their use in preventing stroke in patients with low bodyweight [< 60 kg or body mass index (BMI) < 18 kg/m]. We have carried out pooled systematic analyses of published studies to determine the efficacy and safety of these agents compared with warfarin in stroke prevention in patients with low bodyweight.
METHODS
We carried out a comprehensive search of electronic databases from inception to June 2023 for eligible studies reporting on the efficacy and safety of direct oral anticoagulants versus warfarin in patients with atrial fibrillation who had low bodyweight. These include PubMed, EMBASE, the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, the Science Citation Index, and the Database of Abstracts of Reviews of Effectiveness. Using the random effects model, derived pooled odd ratios (with their corresponding confidence intervals) of mortality outcomes in patient cohorts exposed to direct oral anticoagulants versus warfarin in patients with atrial fibrillation who had low bodyweight.
RESULTS
Nine studies (n = 159,514 patients) were included in our meta-analysis. DOAC analogs were associated with lower stroke recurrence compared with warfarin [odds ratio (OR) 0.66, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.49-0.9]; however, there was no significant difference in the composite outcome (OR 0.81, 95% CI 0.59-1.09) and mortality (OR 0.82, 95% CI 0.48-1.41). Additionally, DOAC analogs showed a significant reduction in major bleeding events by 30% compared with warfarin (OR 0.70, 95% CI 0.62-0.80).
CONCLUSION
In this pooled meta-analytical synthesis of studies comprising both real-world and randomized controlled data, the use of DOAC analogs in patients with atrial fibrillation and low bodyweight (< 60 kg or BMI < 18 kg/m) was associated with a significant reduction in risks of stroke and major bleeding compared with patient cohorts stabilized on warfarin-based therapy. There was uncertainty regarding the composite outcome and mortality point estimate between these two anticoagulation strategies. This finding helps to resolve the uncertainty associated with the use of DOACs in this cohort. Additionally, it suggests the need for confirmatory non-inferiority randomized controlled trials evaluating DOACs versus warfarin in this cohort of patients.
Topics: Humans; Warfarin; Atrial Fibrillation; Anticoagulants; Stroke; Hemorrhage; Administration, Oral
PubMed: 38386247
DOI: 10.1007/s40256-024-00628-6 -
Cureus Jan 2024Periodontitis is a chronic, infectious, and inflammatory oral disease with a high prevalence in developing countries, where limited access to modern dental care curtails... (Review)
Review
Periodontitis is a chronic, infectious, and inflammatory oral disease with a high prevalence in developing countries, where limited access to modern dental care curtails its treatment. This review is dedicated to examining three indigenous botanical species frequently recommended by traditional therapists for the treatment of periodontal disease, namely, , with the aim of elucidating their chemical constituents and pharmacological properties that may support their empirical use. This review adheres to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines extension for scoping reviews. An electronic search was conducted in three databases (PubMed, Science Direct, and Google Scholar) up to July 2022. Out of 700 articles initially identified, only 11 were deemed eligible for inclusion; a substantial majority (80%) of these comprised in vitro studies. Among the trio of botanicals considered, emerged as the most extensively investigated (65% of the studies). The administration of these plants was predominantly in the form of decoctions or macerations, with extraction methods employing alcoholic agents (ethanolic and methanolic), hydroalcoholic solutions, or aqueous solvents. The selected plants exhibited notable richness in polyphenolic compounds, particularly flavonoids, and demonstrated anti-inflammatory effects, as indicated in 60% of the studies, along with antibacterial properties (against ). None of the studies reported antibacterial activity against periodontal pathogens. The pharmacological properties of these plants may hold promise for the management of oral inflammatory and infectious conditions. Nevertheless, further comprehensive investigations are imperative to establish their safety and efficacy for periodontitis treatment before conclusive recommendations can be formulated.
PubMed: 38371022
DOI: 10.7759/cureus.52471 -
EXCLI Journal 2024Ischemic heart disease (IHD) is the leading cause of mortality worldwide and can be complicated by myocardial infarction (MI), leading to cardiac failure. Inorganic... (Review)
Review
Ischemic heart disease (IHD) is the leading cause of mortality worldwide and can be complicated by myocardial infarction (MI), leading to cardiac failure. Inorganic nitrite and nitrate, which release nitric oxide (NO), can protect the heart against myocardial injury. This animal systematic review and meta-analysis aims to assess whether the administration of nitrite/nitrate decreases myocardial infarct size. We systematically searched PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science databases until October 2023; 15 eligible animal studies (35 study arms for in-vivo and 10 for in-vitro studies) published between 1989 and 2023 were included. studies were conducted on rats, mice, cats, and dogs, and studies on rats and mice with an overall exposure of 0.03 to 12713 mg/kg to nitrate/nitrite administrated before, after, or during ischemia mainly by intravenous single bolus or by oral over 270 days. All studies used nitrite/nitrate before ischemia, with the concentration ranging between 0.34 to 201 μM. MI was induced by occlusion of the left anterior diagonal or left circumflex arteries in studies and by isoproterenol in studies. Infarct size was measured by direct staining of the sliced heart sections. In studies, nitrite (overall effect size (ES)=-17.0 %, 95 % confidence interval (CI)=-21.3, -12.8, P<0.001) and nitrate (overall ES= -9.6 %, 95 % CI=-15.7, -3.4, P=0.002) reduced myocardial infarct size. In studies, nitrite (overall ES=-15.8 %, 95 % CI=-25.5, -6.2, P=0.001) reduced the infarct size. Sensitivity analysis showed that the overall effect of nitrite on myocardial infarct size was unaffected by doses or health conditions in and studies. In conclusion, our meta-analysis showed that nitrite/nitrate administration can effectively reduce myocardial infarct size. However, these results should be approached with caution because of the limitations of animal studies and the existing high heterogeneity.
PubMed: 38357094
DOI: 10.17179/excli2023-6740 -
International Wound Journal Feb 2024This systematic review aimed to qualitatively synthesize recent randomized controlled trials (RCTs) regarding the effect of topical application and oral intake of herbal... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
This systematic review aimed to qualitatively synthesize recent randomized controlled trials (RCTs) regarding the effect of topical application and oral intake of herbal products on the healing of diabetic foot ulcer (DFU). Also, we sought to pool the obtained findings in a meta-analysis using a random-effects model, if RCTs were relatively comparable and homogenous. A comprehensive search was performed on five electronic data sources from their inception through 23 January 2024. The RCTs, without restriction on the country of origin, were included if they compared the effect of administering standard treatments and/or placebo (i.e. control condition) to applying standard treatments and/or herbal products in topical or oral routes (i.e. experimental condition). Out of 1166 retrieved records, 28 RCTs were included. Studies used different poly and single herbal formulations. Based on the meta-analysis, administration of standard care plus daily dressing of the ulcer site with olive oil for 28 days significantly increased the total ulcer healing score (3 RCTs; weighted mean difference [WMD] = 89.30; p < 0.001), raised frequency of complete ulcer healing (2 RCTs; risk ratio [RR] = 12.44; p = 0.039) and declined ulcer degree (3 RCTs; WMD = -22.28; p = 0.002). Also, daily use of the bitter melon leaf extract in oral form for 28 days significantly increased the total ulcer healing score (2 RCTs; WMD = 0.40; p = 0.001). Additionally, based on qualitative synthesis, the adjuvant use of herbal agents seems an intriguing choice to manage DFU. Nonetheless, considering the undesirable methodological quality of most studies and the high heterogeneity in administered herbal formulations, more robust trials are required to build a solid conclusion regarding the use of herbal products for healing DFU.
Topics: Humans; Diabetic Foot; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; Ulcer; Bandages; Administration, Oral; Diabetes Mellitus
PubMed: 38356150
DOI: 10.1111/iwj.14760 -
Frontiers in Endocrinology 2024Testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) is a generally accepted method treating for aging-related late-onset hypogonadism (LOH). However, the efficacy and safety of TRT... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
INTRODUCTION
Testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) is a generally accepted method treating for aging-related late-onset hypogonadism (LOH). However, the efficacy and safety of TRT remain controversial. An updated systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to determine the effectiveness and security of TRT treating for LOH.
METHODS
Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of TRT for LOH were searched in the databases of Pubmed, Embase, Clinicaltrials.gov and Cochrane from 1990 to 2023 and an updated meta-analysis was conducted.
RESULTS
The results of 28 RCTs involving 3461 patients were included and scrutinized in this analysis. Among these, 11 RCTs were of long-term duration (≥12 months), while 18 RCTs were short-term studies (<12 months) comparing TRT with a placebo. TRT modalities comprised injection, oral administration, and transdermal administration. International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF) (Weighted Mean difference (WMD) 3.26; 95%; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.654.88; P<0.0001) was obviously improved in the TRT group. International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS) (WMD 0.00; 95% CI -0.450.45; P=1.0), Prostate Volume (PV) (WMD 0.38; 95% CI -0.641.41; P=0.46), Maximum Flow Rate (Qmax) (WMD 1.86; 95% CI -0.984.69; P=0.20), Postvoid Residual Urine Volume (PVR) (WMD 3.20; 95% CI -5.8712.28; P=0.49) and Prostate-Specific Antigen (PSA) (WMD 0.08; 95% CI -0.000.17; P=0.06) were not significantly statistical between two groups.
CONCLUSION
This meta-analysis reveals that TRT could improve the IIEF score of hypogonadal men without detriment to the IPSS score, PV, Qmax, PVR and PSA regardless of the administration method or duration of treatment.The meta-analysis was registered at PROSPERO (CRD42023413434).
Topics: Humans; Male; Erectile Dysfunction; Hypogonadism; Prostate; Prostate-Specific Antigen; Testosterone; Aging
PubMed: 38344665
DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2024.1335146