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Journal of Vascular Surgery. Venous and... Jan 2024Data on complications after upper extremity vein thrombosis (UEVT) are limited and heterogeneous. (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
BACKGROUND
Data on complications after upper extremity vein thrombosis (UEVT) are limited and heterogeneous.
METHODS
The aim of the present study was to evaluate the pooled proportions of venous thromboembolism (VTE) recurrence, bleeding, and post-thrombotic syndrome (PTS) in patients with UEVT. A systematic literature review was conducted of PubMed, Embase, and the Cochrane Library databases from January 2000 to April 2023 in accordance with the PRISMA (preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analyses) guidelines. All studies included patients with UEVT and were published in English. Meta-analyses of VTE recurrence, bleeding, and of PTS after UEVT were performed to compute pooled estimates and associated 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Subgroup analyses of cancer-associated UEVT and catheter-associated venous thrombosis were conducted. Patients with Paget-Schroetter syndrome or effort thrombosis were excluded.
RESULTS
A total of 55 studies with 15,694 patients were included. The pooled proportions for VTE recurrence, major bleeding, and PTS were 4.8% (95% CI, 3.8%-6.2%), 3.0% (95% CI, 2.2%-4.0%), and 23.8% (95% CI, 17.0%-32.3%), respectively. The pooled proportion of VTE recurrence was 2.7% (95% CI, 1.6%-4.6%) for patients treated with direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs), 1.7% (95% CI, 0.8%-3.7%) for patients treated with low-molecular-weight heparin (LMWH), and 4.4% (95% CI, 1.5%-11.8%) for vitamin K antagonists (VKAs; P = .36). The pooled proportion was 6.3% (95% CI, 4.3%-9.1%) for cancer patients compared with 3.1% (95% CI, 2.1%-4.6%) for patients without cancer (P = .01). The pooled proportion of major bleeding for patients treated with DOACs, LMWH, and VKAs, was 2.1% (95% CI, 0.9%-5.1%), 3.2% (95% CI, 1.4%-7.2%), and 3.4% (95% CI, 1.4%-8.4%), respectively (P = .72). The pooled proportion of PTS for patients treated with DOACs, LMWH, and VKAs was 11.8% (95% CI, 6.5%-20.6%), 27.9% (95% CI, 20.9%-36.2%), and 24.5% (95% CI, 17.6%-33.1%), respectively (P = .02).
CONCLUSIONS
The results from this study suggest that UEVT is associated with significant rates of PTS and VTE recurrence. Treatment with DOACs might be associated with lower PTS rates than treatment with other anticoagulants.
Topics: Humans; Heparin, Low-Molecular-Weight; Venous Thromboembolism; Incidence; Vitamin K; Anticoagulants; Hemorrhage; Postthrombotic Syndrome; Upper Extremity Deep Vein Thrombosis; Neoplasms; Upper Extremity
PubMed: 37717788
DOI: 10.1016/j.jvsv.2023.09.002 -
International Journal of Molecular... Aug 2023Pulmonary hypertension (PH) is a multifaceted illness causing clinical manifestations like dyspnea, fatigue, and cyanosis. If left untreated, it often evolves into... (Review)
Review
Pulmonary hypertension (PH) is a multifaceted illness causing clinical manifestations like dyspnea, fatigue, and cyanosis. If left untreated, it often evolves into irreversible pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH), leading to death. Metabolomics is a laboratory technique capable of providing insights into the metabolic pathways that are responsible for a number of physiologic or pathologic events through the analysis of a biological fluid (such as blood, urine, and sputum) using proton nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy or mass spectrometry. A systematic review was finalized according to the PRISMA scheme, with the goal of providing an overview of the research papers released up to now on the application of metabolomics to PH/PAH. So, eighty-five papers were identified, of which twenty-four concerning PH, and sixty-one regarding PAH. We found that, from a metabolic standpoint, the hallmarks of the disease onset and progression are an increase in glycolysis and impaired mitochondrial respiration. Oxidation is exacerbated as well. Specific metabolic fingerprints allow the characterization of some of the specific PH and PAH subtypes. Overall, metabolomics provides insights into the biological processes happening in the body of a subject suffering from PH/PAH. The disarranged metabolic pathways underpinning the disease may be the target of new therapeutic agents. Metabolomics will allow investigators to make a step forward towards personalized medicine.
Topics: Humans; Hypertension, Pulmonary; Metabolomics; Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension; Familial Primary Pulmonary Hypertension; Body Fluids
PubMed: 37686034
DOI: 10.3390/ijms241713227 -
Sleep Medicine Reviews Oct 2023Despite substantial disease burden, existing evidence on the risk factors for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) have been derived primarily from cross-sectional studies... (Review)
Review
Despite substantial disease burden, existing evidence on the risk factors for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) have been derived primarily from cross-sectional studies without determining temporality. Therefore, we aimed to systematically synthesize the literature on longitudinal risk factors for sleep study-assessed OSA and questionnaire-assessed probable OSA from cohort studies in the general adult population settings. We systematically searched Embase and Medline (on OVID) databases. Eleven studies met the inclusion criteria. Meta-analyses were not conducted due to methodological heterogeneity of exposure and outcome measurements. There was consistent evidence that weight gain was associated with incident (n = 2) and greater severity (n = 2) of OSA. One study each observed an association of higher baseline body-mass index, male sex, asthma, a specific genetic polymorphism in rs12415421, and insulin resistance/hyperglycemia, with incident OSA. Long-term exposure to ambient air pollution (NO, n = 1) was associated with OSA, and menopausal transitions (n = 1) with higher apnea-hypopnea index. There were no eligible studies on long-term smoking or alcohol use. In conclusion, approximately 10% increase in weight, especially in males, might alert clinicians to consider potential or worsening OSA. Large, well-designed longitudinal studies are needed to consolidate knowledge on other associations with OSA development, especially on potentially modifiable risk factors.
PubMed: 37639973
DOI: 10.1016/j.smrv.2023.101838 -
EClinicalMedicine Aug 2023Community-based interventions are increasingly being implemented in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) for stillbirth prevention, but the nature of these interventions, their...
BACKGROUND
Community-based interventions are increasingly being implemented in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) for stillbirth prevention, but the nature of these interventions, their reporting and acceptability are poorly assessed. In addition to understanding their effectiveness, complete reporting of the methods, results and intervention acceptability is essential as it could potentially reduce research waste from replication of inadequately implemented and unacceptable interventions. We conducted a systematic review to investigate these aspects of community-based interventions for preventing stillbirths in SSA.
METHODS
In this systematic review, eight databases (MEDLINE(OvidSP), Embase (OvidSP), Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, Global Health, Science Citation Index and Social Science Citation index (Web of Science Core Collection), CINAHL (EBSCOhost) and Global Index Medicus) and four grey literature sources were searched from January 1, 2000 to July 7, 2023 for relevant quantitative and qualitative studies from SSA (PROSPERO-CRD42021296623). Following deduplication, abstract screening and full-text review, studies were included if the interventions were community-based with or without a health facility component. The main outcomes were types of community-based interventions, completeness of intervention reporting using the TIDier (Template for Intervention Description and replication) checklist, and themes related to intervention acceptability identified using a theoretical framework. Study quality was assessed using the Cochrane risk of bias and National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute's tools.
FINDINGS
Thirty-nine reports from thirty-four studies conducted in 18 SSA countries were eligible for inclusion. Four types of interventions were identified: nutritional, infection prevention, access to skilled childbirth attendants and health knowledge/behaviour of women. These interventions were implemented using nine strategies: mHealth (defined as the use of mobile and wireless technologies to support the achievement of health objectives), women's groups, community midwifery, home visits, mass media sensitisation, traditional birth attendant and community volunteer training, community mobilisation and transport vouchers. The completeness of reporting using the TIDier checklist varied across studies with a very low proportion of the included studies reporting the intervention intensity, dosing, tailoring and modification. The quality of the included studies were graded as poor (n = 6), fair (n = 14) and good (n = 18). Though interventions were acceptable, only 4 (out of 7) studies explored women's perceptions, mostly focusing on perceived intervention effects and how they felt, omitting key constructs like ethicality, opportunity cost and burden of participation.
INTERPRETATION
Different community-based interventions have been tried and evaluated for stillbirth prevention in SSA. The reproducibility and implementation scale-up of these interventions may be limited by incomplete intervention descriptions in the published literature. To strengthen impact, it is crucial to holistically explore the acceptability of these interventions among women and their families.
FUNDING
Clarendon/Balliol/NDPH DPhil scholarship for UGA. MN is funded by a Medical Research Council Transition Support Award (MR/W029294/1).
PubMed: 37593225
DOI: 10.1016/j.eclinm.2023.102133 -
Frontiers in Nutrition 2023Prognostic nutritional index (PNI) has been identified as a reliable prognostic factor for cancer adjuvant therapy. However, its prognostic value in lung cancer patients...
BACKGROUND
Prognostic nutritional index (PNI) has been identified as a reliable prognostic factor for cancer adjuvant therapy. However, its prognostic value in lung cancer patients receiving immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) remains inconclusive.
METHOD
A systematic literature review and meta-analysis was performed based on online databases before March 1th 2023. The correlation of PNI with overall survival (OS) or progression-free survival (PFS) was determined using the hazard ratios (HRs) coupled with 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Then, a retrospective cohort enrolling 123 ICI-treated lung cancer patients from two hospitals was utilized for validation and further investigation.
RESULTS
A total of 14 studies enrolling 1,260 lung cancer patients were included in the meta-analysis. The high PNI level was significantly correlated with better OS (HR = 2.56, 95% CI = 1.86-3.54) and PFS (HR = 1.91, 95% CI = 1.53-2.40) of the lung cancer patients. The subgroup analysis confirmed the results except for the PFS in patients receiving anti-PD-1 therapy (HR = 1.51, 95% CI = 0.86-2.65). In the retrospective study, the high PNI level was identified as a favorable factor for OS and PFS not only in the whole cohort but also in the subgroups stratified by non-small cell lung cancer and small cell lung cancer. The high PNI was also correlated with better anti-cancer therapy response and performed better than body mass index and serum albumin level in OS prediction. Finally, we established a novel prognostic nomogram based on PNI and other clinical parameters. The nomogram was found to perform well in predicting the 1-year OS of ICI-treated lung cancer patients.
CONCLUSION
Both the meta-analysis and retrospective work demonstrate the PNI is a reliable prognostic factor for advanced lung cancer patients receiving ICI-based therapies. Our study further highlights the crucial role of nutrition assessment and intervention in cancer immunotherapy.
SYSTEMATIC REVIEW REGISTRATION
https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/, identifier: CRD42023424146.
PubMed: 37575320
DOI: 10.3389/fnut.2023.1213255 -
Revista Espanola de Cirugia Ortopedica... Aug 2023The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of aspirin versus low molecular weight heparins (LMWH) for the prophylaxis of venous thromboembolism (VTE), deep vein... (Review)
Review
Risk of venous thromboembolism in thromboprophylaxis between aspirin and low molecular weight heparins after total hip arthroplasty or total knee arthroplasty: Systematic review and meta-analysis.
INTRODUCTION
The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of aspirin versus low molecular weight heparins (LMWH) for the prophylaxis of venous thromboembolism (VTE), deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and pulmonary embolism (PE) in patients undergoing total knee arthroplasty (TKA) and/or total hip arthroplasty (THA).
MATERIALS AND METHODS
Systematic review and meta-analysis. Sixteen studies were selected. The risk of VTE, DVT and PE were analyzed. Mortality, risk of bleeding and surgical wound complications was also analyzed.
RESULTS
248,461 patients were included. 176,406 patients with thromboprophylaxis with LMWH and 72,055 patients with aspirin thromboprophylaxis. There were no significant differences in the risk of VTE (OR = 0.93; 95% CI: 0.69-1.26; P = .64), DVT (OR = 0.72; 95% CI: 0.43-1.20; P = .21) or PE (OR = 1.13; 95% CI: 0.86-1.49; P = .38) between both groups. No significant differences were found in mortality (P = .30), bleeding (P = .22), or complications in the surgical wound (P = .85) between both groups. These same findings were found in the sub-analysis of only randomized clinical trials (P>.05).
CONCLUSIONS
No increased risk of PE, DVT, or VTE was found among patients with aspirin thromboprophylaxis versus patients with LMWH thromboprophylaxis. There was also no greater mortality, greater bleeding, or greater complications in the surgical wound found among patients with aspirin thromboprophylaxis versus patients with LMWH thromboprophylaxis.
PubMed: 37544408
DOI: 10.1016/j.recot.2023.07.003 -
BMJ Open Jul 2023Charcoal production and utilisation are linked to various health issues and occupational hazards. However, to our knowledge, no systematic review has primarily focused...
UNLABELLED
Charcoal production and utilisation are linked to various health issues and occupational hazards. However, to our knowledge, no systematic review has primarily focused on the health implications of charcoal production and its use while distinguishing charcoal from other solid fuels such as wood and coal.
OBJECTIVES
This systematic review presents a synthesis of the evidence on the health risks associated with producing and using charcoal across the world.
DESIGN
Systematic review using a systematic narrative synthesis approach.
DATA SOURCES
MEDLINE (through Ovid interface), CINAHL, Embase, Web of Science, PsycINFO, Cochrane Library and SCOPUS, from inception to 26 February 2021.
ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA FOR SELECTING STUDIES
Peer-reviewed journal articles reporting empirical findings on the associations between charcoal usage/production and health parameters.
DATA EXTRACTION AND SYNTHESIS
Two independent reviewers extracted data and assessed the quality of primary studies.
RESULTS
Our findings showed that charcoal production and usage are linked with specific adverse health outcomes, including respiratory diseases (n=21), cardiorespiratory and neurological diseases (n=1), cancer (n=3), DNA damage (n=3), carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning (n=2), physical injury (n=2), sick house syndrome (n=1), unintentional weight loss and body mass index (BMI) reduction (n=2), increase in blood pressure (n=1) and CO death (n=1). Among the included articles that reported respiratory diseases (n=21), there was one case of asthma and tuberculosis and two cases of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
CONCLUSIONS
This review links charcoal production/usage and some associated human health risks. These include respiratory diseases and other non-respiratory illnesses such as sick-building syndrome, cardiovascular diseases, DNA damage, CO poisoning and death, unintentional weight loss and BMI reduction, and physical injuries.
Topics: Humans; Charcoal; Asthma; Blood Pressure; Carbon Monoxide; Carbon Monoxide Poisoning
PubMed: 37487686
DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2022-065914 -
Current Heart Failure Reports Oct 2023This systematic review aims to summarise clustering studies in heart failure (HF) and guide future clinical trial design and implementation in routine clinical practice. (Review)
Review
REVIEW PURPOSE
This systematic review aims to summarise clustering studies in heart failure (HF) and guide future clinical trial design and implementation in routine clinical practice.
FINDINGS
34 studies were identified (n = 19 in HF with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF)). There was significant heterogeneity invariables and techniques used. However, 149/165 described clusters could be assigned to one of nine phenotypes: 1) young, low comorbidity burden; 2) metabolic; 3) cardio-renal; 4) atrial fibrillation (AF); 5) elderly female AF; 6) hypertensive-comorbidity; 7) ischaemic-male; 8) valvular disease; and 9) devices. There was room for improvement on important methodological topics for all clustering studies such as external validation and transparency of the modelling process. The large overlap between the phenotypes of the clustering studies shows that clustering is a robust approach for discovering clinically distinct phenotypes. However, future studies should invest in a phenotype model that can be implemented in routine clinical practice and future clinical trial design. HF = heart failure, EF = ejection fraction, HFpEF = heart failure with preserved ejection fraction, HFrEF = heart failure with reduced ejection fraction, CKD = chronic kidney disease, AF = atrial fibrillation, IHD = ischaemic heart disease, CAD = coronary artery disease, ICD = implantable cardioverter-defibrillator, CRT = cardiac resynchronization therapy, NT-proBNP = N-terminal pro b-type natriuretic peptide, BMI = Body Mass Index, COPD = Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
PubMed: 37477803
DOI: 10.1007/s11897-023-00615-z -
Clinical Microbiology and Infection :... Nov 2023Limited data exist on assessing the risk of active tuberculosis (TB) in immunocompromised individuals during screening for latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI). (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
BACKGROUND
Limited data exist on assessing the risk of active tuberculosis (TB) in immunocompromised individuals during screening for latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI).
OBJECTIVES
To assess the risk of progression to active TB for indeterminate interferon-γ release assays (IGRA) results in immunocompromised individuals during screening for LTBI.
DATA SOURCES
PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, and the Cochrane Library were searched without start date or language restrictions on 18 April 2023.
STUDY ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA
Cohort study or randomized controlled trials that investigated the risk of progression to active TB for indeterminate IGRA during LTBI screening.
PARTICIPANTS
Immunocompromised individuals. TEST: IGRA (T-SPOT.TB and QuantiFERON).
REFERENCE STANDARD
None.
ASSESSMENT OF RISK OF BIAS
A modified version of the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale.
METHODS OF DATA SYNTHESIS
Fixed effects meta-analysis was used to obtain two pooled risk ratios (RRs). RR-ip represented disease progression rate in untreated individuals with indeterminate IGRA versus positive IGRA. RR-in represented disease progression rate in untreated individuals with indeterminate IGRA versus negative IGRA.
RESULTS
Among the 5102 identified studies, 28 (14 792 immunocompromised individuals) were included. The pooled RR-ip and RR-in for cumulative incidence were 0.51 (95% CI, 0.32-0.82; I = 0%) and 2.94 (95% CI, 1.78-4.85; I = 0%), respectively. In addition, 11 studies reporting person-year data were included to verify the reliability of cumulative incidence results. The pooled RR-ip and RR-in for person-year incidence were 0.40 (95% CI, 0.19-0.82; I = 13%) and 2.67 (95% CI, 1.24-5.79; I = 23%), respectively.
DISCUSSION
Indeterminate IGRA results in immunocompromised individuals may represent an intermediate risk of progression to active TB, with half the risk for positive results and three times for negative results. Proper follow-up and management of patients with indeterminate results are crucial for mitigating progression risk and improving patient outcomes.
Topics: Humans; Immunocompromised Host; Interferon-gamma Release Tests; Disease Progression; Latent Tuberculosis; Tuberculosis; Mass Screening
PubMed: 37422080
DOI: 10.1016/j.cmi.2023.07.003 -
Journal of Critical Care Oct 2023The optimal amount of anticoagulation for critically ill COVID-19 patients is controversial. Therefore, we aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of escalated doses... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
PURPOSE
The optimal amount of anticoagulation for critically ill COVID-19 patients is controversial. Therefore, we aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of escalated doses of anticoagulation in critically ill patients with severe COVID-19.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
We conducted a systematic search of three major databases, including PubMed, Cochrane Library, and Embase, from inception to May 2022. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) were included comparing therapeutic or intermediate doses to standard prophylactic doses of anticoagulants in critically ill COVID-19 patients, with heparins as the only anticoagulation therapy considered.
RESULTS
Out of the six RCTs, 2130 patients were administered escalated dose anticoagulation (50.2%) and standard thromboprophylaxis therapy (49.8%). The escalated dose showed no significant impact on mortality (RR, 1.01; 95% CI, 0.90-1.13). Although there was no significant difference in DVT (RR, 0.81; 95% CI, 0.61-1.08), the risk of PE was significantly reduced in patients receiving escalated dose anticoagulation (RR, 0.35; 95% CI, 0.21-0.60), with an increased risk of bleeding events (RR, 1.65; 95% CI, 1.08-2.53).
CONCLUSION
This systematic review and meta-analysis fail to support escalated anticoagulation doses to reduce mortality in critically ill COVID-19 patients. However, higher doses of anticoagulants appear to reduce thrombotic events while increasing the risk of bleeding effectively.
Topics: Humans; Heparin; Heparin, Low-Molecular-Weight; Critical Illness; COVID-19; Neoplasms; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; Anticoagulants; Hemorrhage; Venous Thromboembolism
PubMed: 37244209
DOI: 10.1016/j.jcrc.2023.154344