-
Journal of Drugs in Dermatology : JDD Aug 2023Hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) is an inflammatory skin condition characterized by recurrent abscesses, nodules, and sinus tracts. Hormones are thought to play an...
Hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) is an inflammatory skin condition characterized by recurrent abscesses, nodules, and sinus tracts. Hormones are thought to play an important role in HS pathophysiology, but there is a lack of an updated review on hormonal treatments in HS. Objective: Perform a systematic review of the literature on hormonal treatments in patients with HS. Methods: In April 2022, MEDLINE and EMBASE databases were searched for articles on hormonal treatments in HS. Non-English, duplicate, and irrelevant results were excluded. Data extraction was performed by two reviewers. Results: From 1952 to 2022, 30 articles (634 patients) met the inclusion criteria. Anti-androgen treatments discussed include finasteride (n=8), spironolactone (n=7), cyproterone acetate (CPA) (n=5), flutamide (n=1), leuprolide (n=1), and buserelin acetate (n=1). Metabolic treatments reported include metformin (n=8) and liraglutide (n=2). Three articles on hormonal contraceptives and 2 articles on testosterone were included. Of the articles which reported response rates, 62.8% (27/43) of patients improved with finasteride, 53.3% (32/60) with CPA mono/combination therapy, 50.5% (51/101) with spironolactone, and 46.0% (74/161) with metformin. Improvement in HS was also noted in case reports of patients treated with buserelin acetate, leuprolide, flutamide, and liraglutide. Conclusions: Hormonal treatments for HS, especially finasteride, spironolactone, and metformin, are efficacious and safe; but large-scale randomized controlled trials are needed to determine the patient populations which would benefit from these therapies. Masson R, Shih T, Jeong C, et al. Hormonal treatments in hidradenitis suppurativa: a systematic review. J Drugs Dermatol. 2023;22(8):785-794. doi:10.36849/JDD.7325.
Topics: Humans; Finasteride; Hidradenitis Suppurativa; Flutamide; Spironolactone; Liraglutide; Metformin
PubMed: 37556513
DOI: 10.36849/jdd.7325 -
Pediatric Dermatology 2023Hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) is a chronic, inflammatory skin condition that has been insufficiently studied in the pediatric population. Timely and effective medical... (Review)
Review
Hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) is a chronic, inflammatory skin condition that has been insufficiently studied in the pediatric population. Timely and effective medical treatments may improve quality of life, mitigate disease burden, and prevent the need for invasive procedural interventions such as surgical excisions. However, there is a paucity of research on the efficacy of medical management strategies for HS in children and adolescents. The aim of this study was to perform a systematic review of the literature on the efficacy and safety of medical treatments for HS in patients <18 years of age. In April 2022, MEDLINE and EMBASE databases were searched for articles on the efficacy of medical treatments for HS in the pediatric population. Between 1984 and 2022, 35 articles (101 patients) met the inclusion criteria. Most patients had Hurley Stage II disease (46.7%, 35/75) followed by Stage I (36%, 27/75), and Stage III (17.3%, 13/75). 100% (23/23) of patients responded to antibiotics, 100% (8/8) to finasteride, 93.9% (31/33) to biologics, 80% (4/5) to oral retinoids, and 50% (6/12) to metformin. Overall, this study demonstrates that medical treatment regimens can improve HS symptoms in pediatric patients, but the extent of improvement is unclear, and the results were largely based on case reports or case series. Prospective studies are warranted to better understand the efficacy and safety of medical treatments for pediatric HS. Clinical trials of HS therapies need to be inclusive of pediatric patients to help define the optimal timing of treatment initiation and guide patient selection.
Topics: Adolescent; Humans; Child; Hidradenitis Suppurativa; Quality of Life; Anti-Bacterial Agents; Retinoids; Prospective Studies
PubMed: 37525978
DOI: 10.1111/pde.15404 -
BMJ Open Jul 2023To compare the effectiveness and safety of percutaneous catheter drainage (PCD) against percutaneous needle aspiration (PNA) for liver abscess. (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
OBJECTIVE
To compare the effectiveness and safety of percutaneous catheter drainage (PCD) against percutaneous needle aspiration (PNA) for liver abscess.
DESIGN
Systematic review, meta-analysis and trial sequential analysis.
DATA SOURCES
PubMed, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, Embase, Airiti Library and ClinicalTrials.gov were searched from their inception up to 16 March 2022.
ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA
Randomised controlled trials that compared PCD to PNA for liver abscess were considered eligible, without restriction on language.
DATA EXTRACTION AND SYNTHESIS
Primary outcome was treatment success rate. Depending on heterogeneity, either a fixed-effects model or a random-effects model was used to derive overall estimates. Review Manager V.5.3 software was used for meta-analysis. Trial sequential analysis was performed using the Trial Sequential Analysis software. Certainty of evidence was evaluated using the Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development and Evaluation system.
RESULTS
Ten trials totalling 1287 individuals were included. Pooled analysis revealed that PCD, when compared with PNA, enhanced treatment success rate (risk ratio 1.16, 95% CI 1.07 to 1.25). Trial sequential analysis demonstrated this robust finding with required information size attained. For large abscesses, subgroup analysis favoured PCD (test of subgroup difference, p<0.001). In comparison to PNA, pooled analysis indicated a significant benefit of PCD on time to achieve clinical improvement or complete clinical relief (mean differences (MD) -2.53 days; 95% CI -3.54 to -1.52) in six studies with 1000 patients; time to achieve a 50% reduction in abscess size (MD -2.49 days; 95% CI -3.59 to -1.38) in five studies with 772 patients; and duration of intravenous antibiotic use (MD -4.04 days, 95% CI -5.99 to -2.10) in four studies with 763 patients. In-hospital mortality and complications were not different.
CONCLUSION
In patients with liver abscess, ultrasound-guided PCD raises the treatment success rate by 136 in 1000 patients, improves clinical outcomes by 3 days and reduces the need for intravenous antibiotics by 4 days.
PROSPERO REGISTRATION NUMBER
CRD42022316540.
Topics: Humans; Drainage; Suction; Liver Abscess; Biopsy, Needle; Anti-Bacterial Agents; Catheters
PubMed: 37518084
DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2023-072736 -
Chest Nov 2023The optimal treatment for community-acquired childhood pneumonia complicated by empyema remains unclear.
BACKGROUND
The optimal treatment for community-acquired childhood pneumonia complicated by empyema remains unclear.
RESEARCH QUESTION
In children with parapneumonic effusion or empyema, do hospital length of stay and other key clinical outcomes differ according to the treatment modality used?
STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS
A living systematic review of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) was conducted by searching the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, Embase, Latin American and Caribbean Health Sciences Literature, Ovid MEDLINE, and Web of Science Core Collection databases. Eligible RCTs included patients aged < 18 years and compared two of the following treatment modalities: antibiotics alone, chest tube insertion with or without fibrinolytics, video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS), and decortication via thoracotomy. A network meta-analysis was performed to evaluate treatment effects on hospital length of stay (LOS), the primary outcome.
RESULTS
Eleven trials including a total of 590 patients were selected for the network meta-analysis. Compared with a chest tube alone, a chest tube with fibrinolytics, thoracotomy, and VATS were all associated with shorter LOS, with a mean difference of 5.05 days (95% CI, 2.46-7.64), 6.33 days (95% CI, 3.17-9.50), and 5.86 days (95% CI, 3.38-8.35), respectively. No substantial differences in LOS were observed between the latter three interventions. None of the 11 RCTs compared antibiotics alone vs other types of treatment. Most trials reported peri-procedural complications and the need for reintervention, but the descriptions differed significantly between trials, preventing meta-analysis. In trials reporting health care-associated costs, fibrinolytics had cost advantages compared with VATS. Short- and long-term morbidity and mortality were very low, regardless of the treatment modality.
INTERPRETATION
The results of this network meta-analysis showed that a chest tube alone was associated with a longer LOS compared with other treatment modalities. The lower cost associated with a chest tube plus fibrinolytics warrants consideration when choosing between treatment options, given similar LOS and clinical outcomes compared with the other modalities.
Topics: Child; Humans; Anti-Bacterial Agents; Chest Tubes; Community-Acquired Infections; Drainage; Empyema, Pleural; Network Meta-Analysis; Pleural Effusion; Pneumonia; Thoracic Surgery, Video-Assisted
PubMed: 37463660
DOI: 10.1016/j.chest.2023.06.010 -
International Wound Journal Oct 2023The purpose of this review study is to investigate the attitude of nursing students toward the prevention of pressure ulcers (PUs) and related factors. From February 1,... (Review)
Review
The purpose of this review study is to investigate the attitude of nursing students toward the prevention of pressure ulcers (PUs) and related factors. From February 1, 2023, a comprehensive search was conducted in international and Persian electronic databases such as Web of Science, PubMed, Scopus, Iranmedex, and Scientific information database (SID). The keywords obtained from Medical Subject Headings, including "Attitude", "Nursing students", and "Pressure ulcer" were used in this search. The quality assessment of the present studies in this systematic review was based on the appraisal tool for cross-sectional studies (AXIS tool). A total of 6454 nursing students participated in ten cross-sectional studies. All students were studying at the undergraduate level and 81.20% of them were female. Nursing students were in the first (39.27%), second (28.19%), and third and fourth (32.54%) academic years. Among the participants, 49.86% have completed at least 2 clinical units. The mean scores of attitudes toward PU prevention in nursing students based on attitude toward PU prevention (APuP) and researcher-made questionnaires were 75.01% and 68.82%, respectively. The attitude of nursing students was influenced by various factors, including age, sex, academic year, clinical experience, number of clinical units, experience in caring for PU patients, previous courses on PU in the curriculum, and contribution of training to knowledge. Also, in the present study, the positive relationship between the attitude and knowledge of nursing students was shown as the only significant correlation. In sum, the attitude of the majority of nursing students toward the prevention of PUs was at a satisfactory level. Therefore, it is expected to transfer the necessary knowledge to them with proper planning so that preventive actions can be carried out by following the guidelines.
Topics: Humans; Female; Male; Ulcer; Students, Nursing; Cross-Sectional Studies; Surveys and Questionnaires; Pressure Ulcer; Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; Suppuration; Attitude of Health Personnel
PubMed: 37434034
DOI: 10.1111/iwj.14191 -
Journal of Wound Care Jul 2023To investigate the impact of education for healthcare assistants (HCAs) on their knowledge and skills in pressure ulcer (PU) prevention and on the incidence of PUs. A... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the impact of education for healthcare assistants (HCAs) on their knowledge and skills in pressure ulcer (PU) prevention and on the incidence of PUs. A secondary aim was to evaluate education methodologies used in PU prevention programmes.
METHOD
Using systematic review methodology, key databases were searched with no limitations on date of publication. The search was conducted in November 2021 using the following databases: CINAHL, Embase, Scopus, MEDLINE, Cochrane Wounds Group Specialist Register and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials. Inclusion criteria focused on studies that employed the use of education as an intervention, delivered to HCAs in any setting. The PRISMA guidelines were followed. The methodological quality of the studies was evaluated using the Evidence-Based Librarianship (EBL) appraisal checklist. Data were analysed using narrative analysis and meta-analysis.
RESULTS
The systematic search yielded an initial 449 records, of which 14 studies met the inclusion criteria. Outcome measures of HCA knowledge scores were reported in 11 (79%) studies. Outcome measures related to PU prevalence/incidence were reported in 11 (79%) studies. An increase in knowledge scores of HCAs post-educational intervention was reported in five (38%) studies. A significant reduction in PU prevalence/incidence rates post-educational intervention was reported in nine (64%) studies.
CONCLUSION
This systematic review affirms the benefits of education of HCAs on their knowledge and skills of PU prevention, and on PU incidence. The results must be treated with caution due to quality appraisal issues of included studies.
Topics: Humans; Pressure Ulcer; Allied Health Personnel; Incidence; Outcome Assessment, Health Care; Prevalence
PubMed: 37405970
DOI: 10.12968/jowc.2023.32.Sup7a.cxv -
Neurology Aug 2023Intramedullary spinal cord abscess (ISCA) was described 200 years ago but remains poorly understood and is often mistaken for immune-mediated or neoplastic processes. We...
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES
Intramedullary spinal cord abscess (ISCA) was described 200 years ago but remains poorly understood and is often mistaken for immune-mediated or neoplastic processes. We present a systematic review of ISCA in adults, describing the clinical presentation, diagnostic features, treatment strategies, and outcomes.
METHODS
Database searches for intramedullary abscess were performed on April 15, 2019, and repeated on February 9, 2022, using PubMed and EMBASE with 2 unpublished cases also included. Publications were independently reviewed for inclusion by 2 authors followed by adjudication. Data were abstracted using an online form and then analyzed for predictors of disability.
RESULTS
A total of 202 cases were included (median age 45 years [interquartile range 31-58]; 70% male). Thirty-one percent of those affected had no identified predisposing condition. The most common symptom was weakness (97%), and the median symptom duration before presentation was 10 days (interquartile range 5-42). An MRI showed restricted diffusion in 100% of 8 cases where performed and enhancement in 99% of 153 cases where performed. The most common organisms were (29%), sp. (13%), and sp. (10%). All patients received antimicrobial therapy; surgical drainage was performed in 65%. At follow-up (median 6 months), 12% had died, 69% were ambulatory, and 77% had improved compared with clinical nadir. Of those who underwent operative intervention, surgery within 24 hours of diagnosis was associated with an increased likelihood of being ambulatory at follow-up compared with surgery after 24 hours (odds ratio 4.44; 95% CI 1.26-15.61; = 0.020).
DISCUSSION
ISCA is important to consider in any patient presenting with acute-to-subacute, progressive myelopathy. Immunocompromise and typical signs of infection (e.g., fever) are often absent. Diffusion restriction and gadolinium enhancement on MRI seem to be sensitive. Antimicrobial therapy with surgical drainage is the most common therapeutic approach, but morbidity remains substantial. If performed, urgent surgery may be more beneficial.
Topics: Humans; Male; Adult; Middle Aged; Female; Abscess; Contrast Media; Gadolinium; Spinal Cord Diseases; Magnetic Resonance Imaging; Spinal Cord
PubMed: 37400243
DOI: 10.1212/WNL.0000000000207515 -
Frontiers in Physiology 2023Aging of skeletal muscles results in a cascade of events negatively affecting muscle mass, strength, and function, leading to reduced mobility, increased risk of falls,...
Aging of skeletal muscles results in a cascade of events negatively affecting muscle mass, strength, and function, leading to reduced mobility, increased risk of falls, disability, and loss of independence. To date, different methods are used to assess muscle mechanical function, tensiomyography (TMG) being one of them. The aim of this review was twofold: to summarize the evidence-based usefulness of tensiomyography in older adults and to establish reference values for the main tensiomyography parameters in older adults. The PubMed, Web of Science, SPORTDiscus, and tensiomyography databases were searched from inception until 25 December 2022. Studies investigating older adults (aged 60+ years) that reported tensiomyography-derived parameters such as contraction time (Tc) and/or maximal displacement (Dm) were included. Methodological quality was assessed using the Quality Assessment Tool for Observational Cohort and Cross-Sectional Studies. In total, eight studies satisfied the inclusion criteria. Tensiomyography has been used on different groups of older adults, including asymptomatic, master athletes, patients with peripheral arterial disease, and patients with end-stage knee osteoarthritis with a mean age of 71.5 ± 5.38 (55.7% male subjects). The most evaluated were leg muscles such as vastus lateralis (VL), gastrocnemius medialis (GM), and biceps femoris (BF). The present review demonstrates that tensiomyography is used to assess neuromuscular function in asymptomatic and diseased older adults. When compared to asymptomatic individuals, power master athletes, knee osteoarthritis patients, and patients diagnosed with peripheral arterial disease have the shortest Tc in BF, VL, and GM muscles, respectively. On the other hand, endurance master athletes showed the longest Tc in all three evaluated muscles. Less mobile, nursing-home residents showed higher Dm in VL and BF, while lower Dm in GM than the asymptomatic group. The knee osteoarthritis group showed the largest Dm in BF and VL while having the smallest Dm in GM. Tensiomyography can serve as a valuable tool for assessing neuromuscular function in older adults. The method is sensitive to muscle composition, architecture, and (pre) atrophic changes of the skeletal muscles and might be responsive to muscle quality changes in aging and diseased populations. https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/display_record.php?RecordID=402345, identifier CRD42023402345.
PubMed: 37398907
DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2023.1213993 -
JAMA Dermatology Aug 2023Chemotherapy-induced pseudocellulitis is an ill-defined term for a poorly understood phenomenon. Encompassing a myriad of cellulitis-mimicking oncologic adverse...
IMPORTANCE
Chemotherapy-induced pseudocellulitis is an ill-defined term for a poorly understood phenomenon. Encompassing a myriad of cellulitis-mimicking oncologic adverse cutaneous drug reactions (ACDRs), pseudocellulitis may be difficult to diagnosis, and the lack of treatment guidance may mean unnecessary antibiotic exposure and interruptions to oncologic care.
OBJECTIVES
To use case reports to characterize the various cellulitis-mimicking reactions caused by chemotherapeutic medications, to understand how these reactions affect patient care (ie, antibiotic exposure and interruptions to oncologic treatment), and to make recommendations for improved diagnosis and care of patients with chemotherapy-induced pseudocellulitis.
EVIDENCE REVIEW
A systematic review of case reports of patients with pseudocellulitis was performed. Reports were identified through database searches using PubMed and Embase, with subsequent reference searches. Included publications described at least 1 case of chemotherapy-induced ACDR and used the term pseudocellulitis or showed evidence of cellulitis mimicry. Cases of radiation recall dermatitis were excluded. Data were extracted from a total of 32 publications representing 81 patients diagnosed with pseudocellulitis.
FINDINGS
Of the 81 cases (median [range] age, 67 [36-80] years; 44 [54%] male patients), most were associated with gemcitabine use; pemetrexed use was reported less frequently. Only 39 were considered to be true chemotherapy-induced pseudocellulitis. These cases resembled infectious cellulitis and did not meet diagnostic criteria for any known diagnoses; therefore, these were described solely as pseudocellulitis. Of this group, 26 patients (67%) had been administered antibiotics before the correct diagnosis was made, and 14 patients (36%) experienced interruptions to their oncologic treatment plans.
CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE
This systematic review found a variety of chemotherapy-induced ACDRs that mimic infectious cellulitis, including a group of reactions termed pseudocellulitis that do not meet criteria for other diagnoses. A more universally accepted definition and clinical research on chemotherapy-induced pseudocellulitis would allow for more accurate diagnosis, effective treatment, antibiotic stewardship, and continuation of oncologic treatment.
Topics: Humans; Male; Aged; Female; Deoxycytidine; Cellulitis; Antimetabolites, Antineoplastic; Gemcitabine; Drug-Related Side Effects and Adverse Reactions; Anti-Bacterial Agents
PubMed: 37379014
DOI: 10.1001/jamadermatol.2023.1735 -
Orphanet Journal of Rare Diseases Jun 2023Pituitary abscess (PA) is a rare condition and not well understood. We aimed to describe a case and perform a comprehensive systematic review to explore presenting...
BACKGROUND
Pituitary abscess (PA) is a rare condition and not well understood. We aimed to describe a case and perform a comprehensive systematic review to explore presenting symptoms, radiological findings, endocrine abnormalities and mortality.
AIM
To identify presenting symptoms, radiological findings, endocrinological abnormalities and predictors of mortality for PA.
METHODS
We systematically reviewed the literature to identify all case reports of PA. Data regarding presentation, mortality, radiological findings, endocrinological abnormalities and treatment was extracted.
RESULTS
We identified 488 patients from 218 articles meeting the inclusion criteria. Mortality was 5.1%, with days to presentation (OR 1.0005, 95% CI 1.0001-1.0008, p < 0.01) being the only identified independent predictor of mortality. Mortality rates have decreased over time, with cases published prior to 2000 having higher mortality rates (OR 6.92, 95% CI 2.80-17.90, p < 0.001). The most common symptom was headache (76.2%), followed by visual field defects (47.3%). Classical signs of infection were only present in 43%. The most common imaging feature on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was high T2 and low T1 signal of the pituitary gland with peripheral contrast enhancement. Over half (54.8%) were culture negative, with the most common bacterial organism being staphylococcus aureus (7.8%) and fungal organism being aspergillus (8.8%). The most common endocrine abnormality was hypopituitarism (41.1%), followed by diabetes insipidus (24.8%). Whilst symptoms resolved in most patients, persistent endocrine abnormalities were present in over half of patients (61.0%).
CONCLUSION
PA is associated with significant mortality, with delayed presentation increasing risk of mortality. Ongoing endocrinological abnormalities are common. Given the non-specific clinical presentation, the appearance of high T2, low T1 and peripheral contrast enhancement of the pituitary on MRI should prompt consideration of this rare disease.
Topics: Humans; Abscess; Pituitary Diseases; Hypopituitarism; Pituitary Neoplasms; Magnetic Resonance Imaging
PubMed: 37365629
DOI: 10.1186/s13023-023-02788-1