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Medicine Jun 2024Budesonide, capable of reducing vascular permeability, suppressing mucus secretion, and alleviating edema and spasms, is widely used in China for combined infectious... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
BACKGROUND
Budesonide, capable of reducing vascular permeability, suppressing mucus secretion, and alleviating edema and spasms, is widely used in China for combined infectious disease treatment. This study assesses budesonide's efficacy and safety as an adjunct to azithromycin in pediatric Mycoplasma pneumonia management in China, aiming to establish a strong theoretical foundation for its clinical application.
METHODS
We conducted a comprehensive search for qualifying studies across 5 English databases and 4 Chinese databases, covering publications until October 31, 2023. Endpoint analyses were performed using standard software (Stata Corporation, College Station, TX). This study was conducted in compliance with the guidelines outlined in the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses.
RESULTS
A total of 24 randomized controlled trials were involved in the current study, including 2034 patients. Our findings indicate that the combination of budesonide with azithromycin for the treatment of pediatric Mycoplasma pneumonia delivers superior therapeutic efficacy (Intravenous: odds ratio [OR], 0.156, P < .001; Sequential: OR, 0.163, P = .001; Oral: OR, 0.139, P < .001), improved pulmonary function (Forced expiratory volume in 1 second: weighted mean differences [WMD], -0.28, P = .001; Peak expiratory flow: WMD, -0.554, P = .002; Forced vital capacity: WMD, -0.321, P < .001), diminished lung inflammation (IL-6: WMD, 4.760, P = .002; c-reactive protein: WMD, 5.520, P < .001; TNF-α: WMD, 9.124, P < .001), reduced duration of fever, faster resolution of cough and rales, all without increasing the occurrence of adverse events.
CONCLUSION
The combination of budesonide and azithromycin demonstrates enhanced therapeutic effectiveness, promotes improved pulmonary function, shortens the duration of symptoms, and effectively mitigates the overexpression of inflammatory factors like c-reactive protein, TNF-α, and IL-6, all without an associated increase in adverse reactions in pediatric mycoplasma pneumonia.
Topics: Humans; Azithromycin; Pneumonia, Mycoplasma; Budesonide; Child; Drug Therapy, Combination; China; Anti-Bacterial Agents; Administration, Inhalation; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; Treatment Outcome; Child, Preschool; East Asian People
PubMed: 38875395
DOI: 10.1097/MD.0000000000038332 -
PloS One 2024The COVID-19 pandemic drastically affected many areas and contexts of today's society, including school and family. Several studies focused on the worldwide effects of...
The COVID-19 pandemic drastically affected many areas and contexts of today's society, including school and family. Several studies focused on the worldwide effects of school closures on students' learning outcomes, context, and well-being. However, the data emerging from these studies are often inconsistent and fragmentary, highlighting the need of a comprehensive analysis of the phenomenon. This need is especially urgent for the countries with the most severe school closure, like Italy. This systematic review aims to collect the opinions of parents, teachers, and students on: other dimensions of Italian primary school students affected by school closures, beyond academic performance; hypothetical agreement between the opinions of parents, teachers, and students regarding the different effects of school closures on Italian primary school students; possible differences between the effects of school closures on Italian primary school students and the students in other countries. Our search was conducted using PRISMA 2020 guidelines on Web of Science, Pubmed, Scopus, and EBSCOHost. The results obtained from 34 articles revealed a strong concern on the part of all stakeholders involved in learning during the pandemic, with evident negative effects for Italian school students. The constraint on distance learning led to a drastic change in everyone's routine, and a negative emotional change on the part of young students. Parents and teachers generally considered distance learning to be ineffective for the education of their children and students; they encountered technical-practical difficulties in the use of electronic devices for participation in school activities; overall learning deficits on the part of students, especially in mathematics, as confirmed by INVALSI results were also found. The investigation reveals a condition of shared emotional and academic performance difficulty, and a further challenging circumstance for students previously at risk of marginalization. Further research in this field is paramount to identify new and adequate recovery strategies.
Topics: COVID-19; Humans; Italy; Child; Schools; Students; Pandemics; Learning; Education, Distance; SARS-CoV-2; Parents; School Teachers
PubMed: 38875255
DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0303991 -
Journal of Psychosomatic Research Aug 2024Research shows that people with a history of mental health conditions were at increased risk of COVID-19 infection, hospitalisation, and mortality. However, the... (Review)
Review
OBJECTIVE
Research shows that people with a history of mental health conditions were at increased risk of COVID-19 infection, hospitalisation, and mortality. However, the relationship between mental health conditions and COVID-19 vaccine outcomes such as vaccine intention, uptake and vaccine breakthrough is not yet well-understood.
METHODS
We conducted a systematic search on the topics of COVID-19 vaccine intentions, vaccine uptake, and vaccine breakthrough, in relation to mental health conditions (e.g., depression, schizophrenia), in four databases: PubMed, MEDLINE, SCOPUS, and PsychINFO, and the publication lists of Clinical Practice Research Datalink (CPRD), The Health Improvement Network (THIN), OpenSAFELY, and QResearch. Inclusion criteria focussed on studies reporting any of the aforementioned COVID-19 vaccine outcomes among people with mental health conditions.
RESULTS
Of 251 publications initially identified, 32 met our inclusion criteria. Overall, the evidence is inconclusive regarding the levels of intention to accept COVID-19 vaccines among people with mental health conditions. People with mental health conditions were more likely to have lower uptake of COVID-19 vaccines, compared to people without. Common barriers to COVID-19 vaccine uptake included concerns about the safety, effectiveness, and side effects of the vaccines. Limited evidence also suggests that vaccine breakthrough may be a particular risk for those with substance use disorder.
CONCLUSIONS
Evidence for the association between COVID-19 vaccine intentions and mental health conditions is mixed. Vaccine uptake might be lower in people with mental health conditions compared to people without, yielding interventions to encourage vaccine uptake in this population. Our understanding of COVID-19 vaccine breakthrough in this population also needs enhancing.
Topics: Humans; COVID-19 Vaccines; COVID-19; Mental Disorders; Mental Health; SARS-CoV-2; Vaccination; Intention
PubMed: 38870550
DOI: 10.1016/j.jpsychores.2024.111826 -
PloS One 2024Molecular tests can detect lower concentrations of viral genetic material over a longer period of respiratory infection than antigen tests. Delays associated with...
BACKGROUND
Molecular tests can detect lower concentrations of viral genetic material over a longer period of respiratory infection than antigen tests. Delays associated with central laboratory testing can result in hospital-acquired transmission, avoidable patient admission, and unnecessary use of antimicrobials, all which may lead to increased cost of patient management. The aim of this study was to summarize comparisons of clinical outcomes associated with rapid molecular diagnostic tests (RMDTs) versus other diagnostic tests for viral respiratory infections.
METHODS
A systematic literature review (SLR) conducted in April 2023 identified studies evaluating clinical outcomes of molecular and antigen diagnostic tests for patients suspected of having respiratory viral infections.
RESULTS
The SLR included 21 studies, of which seven and 14 compared RMDTs (conducted at points of care or at laboratories) to standard (non-rapid) molecular tests or antigen tests to detect SARS-CoV-2 and influenza, respectively. In studies testing for SARS-CoV-2, RMDTs led to reductions in time to test results versus standard molecular tests (range of the reported medians: 0.2-3.8 hours versus 4.3-35.9 hours), with similar length of emergency department stay (3.2-8 hours versus 3.7-28.8 hours). Similarly, in studies testing for influenza, RMDTs led to reductions in time to test results versus standard molecular tests (1-3.5 hours versus 18.2-29.2 hours), with similar length of emergency department stay (3.7-11 hours versus 3.8-11.9 hours). RMDTs were found to decrease exposure time of uninfected patients, rate of hospitalization, length of stay at the hospitals, and frequency of unnecessary antiviral and antibacterial therapy, while improving patient flow, compared to other tests.
CONCLUSIONS
Compared to other diagnostic tests, RMDTs improve clinical outcomes, test turnaround time, and stewardship by decreasing unnecessary use of antibiotics and antivirals. They also reduce hospital admission and length of stay, which may, in turn, reduce unnecessary exposure of patients to hospital-acquired infections and their associated costs.
Topics: Humans; COVID-19; Molecular Diagnostic Techniques; Respiratory Tract Infections; SARS-CoV-2; Influenza, Human
PubMed: 38870136
DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0303560 -
PloS One 2024The aim of this study was to assess the effectiveness and safety of azvudine in treating coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study was to assess the effectiveness and safety of azvudine in treating coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-COV-2).
METHODS
A search was carried out in PubMed, Cochrane Library, Web of Science, medRxiv, and Google Scholar until October 20, 2023. The Cochrane risk of bias tools were used to assess the quality of included studies. Comprehensive Meta-Analysis software was used to analyze data.
RESULTS
Twenty-one studies including 10,011 patients were examined. The meta-analysis results showed that azvudine and standard of care/placebo (SOC/PBO) were significantly different concerning mortality rate (risk ratio [RR] = 0.48, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.40 to 0.57) and negative polymerase chain reaction (PCR) conversion time (standard mean difference = - 0.75, 95% CI: -1.29 to-0.21). However, the two groups did not show significant differences concerning hospital stay, intensive care unit (ICU) admission, and need for mechanical ventilation (P > 0.05). On the other hand, azvudine and nirmatrelvir-ritonavir were significantly different in mortality rate (RR = 0.73, 95% CI: 0.58 to 0.92), ICU admission (RR = 0.41, 95% CI: 0.21 to 0.78), and need for mechanical ventilation (RR = 0.67, 95% CI: 0.51 to 0.89), but the two treatments were not significantly different in negative PCR conversion time, and hospital stay (P > 0.05). The incidence of adverse events between groups was not significant (P > 0.05). The certainty of evidence was rated as low or moderate.
CONCLUSIONS
The antiviral effectiveness of azvudine against SARS-COV-2 is questionable with regard to the certainty of evidence. Further research should be conducted to establish the effectiveness and safety of azvudine in COVID-19.
Topics: Humans; COVID-19 Drug Treatment; Antiviral Agents; SARS-CoV-2; COVID-19; Treatment Outcome
PubMed: 38870134
DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0298772 -
Frontiers in Public Health 2024Exposure to pesticides is a global public health problem, especially for children. Its association with chronic respiratory disease among children has attracted... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
BACKGROUND
Exposure to pesticides is a global public health problem, especially for children. Its association with chronic respiratory disease among children has attracted considerable attention, but the existing evidence remains inconclusive and cannot be certain. Therefore, this systematic review and meta-analysis aim to determine the global pooled effect size of association with pesticide exposure and asthma, wheezing, and respiratory tract infections among children.
METHODS
A comprehensive search was conducted for relevant literature from electronic databases, including PubMed, Google Scholar, Hinari, Semantic Scholar, and Science Direct. Studies that provided effect size on the association between pesticide exposure and childhood asthma, wheezing, and respiratory tract infections in children were included. The articles were screened, data was extracted, and the quality of each study was assessed with four independent reviewers. Random effects models for significant heterogeneity and fixed effect models for homogeneous studies were conducted to estimate pooled effect sizes with 95% confidence intervals using Comprehensive Meta-Analysis version 3.3.070 and MetaXL version 2. Funnel plot and Higgins statistics were used to determine the heterogeneity of the included studies. Subgroup analyses were computed based on the types of pesticide exposure, study design, sample size category, and outcome assessment technique.
RESULT
A total of 38 articles with 118,303 children less than 18 years of age were included in this meta-analysis. Pesticide exposure among children increased the risk of asthma by 24%; (OR = 1.24, 95% CI: 1.14-1.35) with extreme heterogeneity ( = 81%, < 0.001). Exposure to pesticides increased the odds of developing wheezing among children by 34% (OR = 1.34, 95% CI: 1.14-1.57), with high heterogeneity ( = 79%, < 0.001) and also increased the risk of developing lower respiratory tract infection by 79% (OR = 1.79, 95% CI: 1.45-2.21) with nonsignificant low heterogeneity ( = 30%, -value = 0.18).
CONCLUSION
This meta-analysis provided valuable evidence supporting the association between childhood asthma, wheezing, and lower respiratory tract infection with pesticide exposure. The findings would contribute to a better understanding of the estimate of the effect of pesticide exposure on respiratory health in children and inform evidence-based preventive strategies and public health interventions.
Topics: Humans; Asthma; Respiratory Sounds; Pesticides; Respiratory Tract Infections; Child; Environmental Exposure; Child, Preschool; Adolescent; Infant
PubMed: 38868160
DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2024.1402908 -
PloS One 2024The recent usage of immunotherapy combined with chemoradiotherapy has improved survival in advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients. However, determining the... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
Efficacy and safety of concurrent immune checkpoint inhibitors combined with radiotherapy or chemoradiotherapy for advanced non-small cell lung cancer: A systematic review and single-arm meta-analysis.
BACKGROUND
The recent usage of immunotherapy combined with chemoradiotherapy has improved survival in advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients. However, determining the most effective therapy combination remains a topic of debate. Research suggests immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) post-chemoradiotherapy enhance survival, but the impact of concurrent ICIs during chemoradiotherapy on rapid disease progression is unclear. This meta-analysis aims to assess the effectiveness and safety of concurrent ICIs with radiotherapy or chemoradiotherapy in advanced non-small cell lung cancer.
METHODS
We searched PubMed, Embase, the Cochrane Library, and Web of Science for relevant studies, extracting data on overall response rate (ORR), progression-free survival (PFS), overall survival (OS), and adverse events (AEs).
RESULTS
The analysis included ten studies with 490 participants. Stage III NSCLC ORR was 81.8%, while Stage IV ORR was 39.9%. One-year PFS and OS for Stage III were 68.2% and 82.6%, compared to 27.9% and 72.2% for Stage IV. Common adverse events included anemia (46.6%), nausea (47.6%), rash (36.4%), and radiation pneumonitis (36.3%).
CONCLUSIONS
Our meta-analysis shows concurrent ICIs with chemoradiotherapy are effective and safe in advanced NSCLC, particularly in stage III patients at risk of progression before starting ICIs after chemoradiotherapy. The findings support further phase III trials. The review protocol was registered on PROSPERO (CRD42023493685) and is detailed on the NIHR HTA programme website.
Topics: Humans; Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung; Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors; Lung Neoplasms; Chemoradiotherapy; Progression-Free Survival; Treatment Outcome
PubMed: 38865375
DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0304941 -
Scientific Reports Jun 2024There have been 774,075,242 cases of COVID-19 and 7,012,986 deaths worldwide as of January 2024. In the early stages of the pandemic, there was an urgent need to reduce... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
A systematic review and meta-analysis, investigating dose and time of fluvoxamine treatment efficacy for COVID-19 clinical deterioration, death, and Long-COVID complications.
There have been 774,075,242 cases of COVID-19 and 7,012,986 deaths worldwide as of January 2024. In the early stages of the pandemic, there was an urgent need to reduce the severity of the disease and prevent the need for hospitalization to avoid stress on healthcare systems worldwide. The repurposing of drugs to prevent clinical deterioration of COVID-19 patients was trialed in many studies using many different drugs. Fluvoxamine (an SSRI and sigma-1 receptor agonist) was initially identified to potentially provide beneficial effects in COVID-19-infected patients, preventing clinical deterioration and the need for hospitalization. Fourteen clinical studies have been carried out to date, with seven of those being randomized placebo-controlled studies. This systematic review and meta-analysis covers the literature from the outbreak of SARS-CoV-2 in late 2019 until January 2024. Search terms related to fluvoxamine, such as its trade names and chemical names, along with words related to COVID-19, such as SARS-CoV-2 and coronavirus, were used in literature databases including PubMed, Google Scholar, Scopus, and the ClinicalTrials.gov database from NIH, to identify the trials used in the subsequent analysis. Clinical deterioration and death data were extracted from these studies where available and used in the meta-analysis. A total of 7153 patients were studied across 14 studies (both open-label and double-blind placebo-controlled). 681 out of 3553 (19.17%) in the standard care group and 255 out of 3600 (7.08%) in the fluvoxamine-treated group experienced clinical deterioration. The estimated average log odds ratio was 1.087 (95% CI 0.200 to 1.973), which differed significantly from zero (z = 2.402, p = 0.016). The seven placebo-controlled studies resulted in a log odds ratio of 0.359 (95% CI 0.1111 to 0.5294), which differed significantly from zero (z = 3.103, p = 0.002). The results of this study identified fluvoxamine as effective in preventing clinical deterioration, and subgrouping analysis suggests that earlier treatment with a dose of 200 mg or above provides the best outcomes. We hope the outcomes of this study can help design future studies into respiratory viral infections and potentially improve clinical outcomes.
Topics: Fluvoxamine; Humans; COVID-19 Drug Treatment; COVID-19; SARS-CoV-2; Treatment Outcome; Clinical Deterioration; Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors
PubMed: 38862591
DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-64260-9 -
BMC Psychology Jun 2024As future physicians, medical students have experienced tremendous pressure during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, which is associated with a high risk of depression and... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
PURPOSE
As future physicians, medical students have experienced tremendous pressure during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, which is associated with a high risk of depression and anxiety. We aimed to investigate an overview of the prevalence of anxiety and depression among medical students in various countries during the global COVID-19 pandemic, and discuss associated stressors.
METHODS
We systematically searched CINAHL, EMBASE, MEDLINE, PubMed, and Web of Science for relevant articles from December 1, 2019 to March 15, 2023. We performed meta-analysis using a random-effects model with REML method to calculate the pooled prevalence of anxiety and depression. Begg's and Egger's tests were used to identify the potential risk of publication bias. Meta-regression was used to explore potential sources of heterogeneity.
RESULTS
We identified 130 studies reporting anxiety and depression among 132,068 medical students during the COVID-19 pandemic. Eight screening tools were identified for anxiety and six for depression. The pooled prevalence of mental health outcomes for anxiety and depression was 45% (95% confidence interval [CI], 40%-49%) and 48% (95% CI, 43%-52%), respectively. The pooled prevalence of mental health outcomes for moderate and severe anxiety and moderate and severe depression was 28% (95% CI, 24%-32%) and 30% (95% CI, 26%-35%), respectively. There was high heterogeneity between studies, with I ranging from 99.58%-99.66%. Continent and survey date were included in the meta-regression model. The results of meta-regression revealed that medical students in Asia had a lower prevalence of anxiety, and depression than those in other regions. The survey date (from February to June, 2020) showed a significantly positive correlation with the prevalence of anxiety and depression.
CONCLUSIONS
We demonstrated the global prevalence of anxiety and depression among medical students during the COVID-19 pandemic. The data highlight that medical students worldwide are at high risk of experiencing anxiety and depression. The reported stressors can be categorized into personal, academic, environmental and cultural, and pandemic factors. Schools and institutions should ensure optimal alternative learning environments for uninterrupted provision of medical education. The appropriate authorities should prioritize the provision of adequate protection for medical students and establish policies to promote new methods of training and education during a disaster, such as via distance learning.
Topics: Humans; COVID-19; Students, Medical; Prevalence; Depression; Anxiety; Global Health; SARS-CoV-2
PubMed: 38858700
DOI: 10.1186/s40359-024-01838-y -
Annals of Saudi Medicine 2024Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), which results in lung injury as a consequence of sepsis and septic shock, is associated with severe systemic inflammation and... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
BACKGROUND
Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), which results in lung injury as a consequence of sepsis and septic shock, is associated with severe systemic inflammation and is responsible for a high worldwide mortality rate.
OBJECTIVE
Investigate whether corticosteroids could benefit clinical outcomes in adult with ARDS.
METHODS
A comprehensive search of electronic databases Ovid MEDLINE, Ovid EMbase, and Cochrane Library from their inception to 7 May 2023 was conducted to identify studies that met the eligibility criteria, including only randomized controlled trials. The study was performed in accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines and the methods of trial sequential analysis.
MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES
Mortality rates, including including the 14-, 28-, 45-, and 60-day mortality, hospital mortality, and intensive care unit (ICU) mortality.
SAMPLE SIZE
17 studies with 2508 patients.
RESULTS
Data relating to mortality at 14, 28, 45, and 60 days were not significantly different when treatments with corticosteroids and placebo were compared. In terms of hospital and ICU mortality, the mortality of those who had received corticosteroids was significantly lower than that of those who had not. ARDS patients who received assisted ventilation benefited from corticosteroid therapy, as revealed by the significant difference in outcome days between those who received assisted ventilation and those who did not. Corticosteroid had significantly more days free from mechanical ventilation, ICU-free days, and MODS-free days during the first 28 days, but not more organ support-free days up to day 28.
CONCLUSION
Although corticosteroid therapy did not reduce mortality rates at different observation periods, it significantly reduced hospital and ICU mortality. Administering corticosteroids to ARDS patients significantly decreased the days of assisted ventilation and time cost consumption. This study confirmed that long-term use of low-dose glucocorticoids may have a positive effect on early ARDS.
LIMITATION
Risk of bias due to the differences in patient characteristics.
Topics: Adult; Humans; Adrenal Cortex Hormones; Hospital Mortality; Intensive Care Units; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; Respiration, Artificial; Respiratory Distress Syndrome; Treatment Outcome
PubMed: 38853475
DOI: 10.5144/0256-4947.2024.167