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Cureus Apr 2024Hypertension is the most prevalent condition in clinical practice. Hypertension, diabetes, and hypercholesterolaemia are major contributing factors to cardiovascular... (Review)
Review
Hypertension is the most prevalent condition in clinical practice. Hypertension, diabetes, and hypercholesterolaemia are major contributing factors to cardiovascular diseases. They commonly coexist in a single patient. Statins have been used as prominent medicines for the reduction of cardiovascular events. Statins have been shown to reduce blood pressure in patients with hypertension and have lipid-lowering properties in recent articles. Statins reduce blood pressure because of their impact on endothelial function, their interactions with the renin-angiotensin system, and their influence on major artery compliance. This meta-analysis aimed to ascertain the effectiveness and efficacy of statins for managing hypertension in patients with hypertension. Systematic searches were conducted on PubMed, Science Direct, Embase, Cochrane Library, and Google Scholar. Randomized controlled trials, systematic trials, and cohort studies were retrieved using keywords on statins and their use in patients with hypertension. Exclusion criteria included studies that were not in the English language, studies that did not include patients on statins with hypertension, studies that did not provide enough information, technical reports, opinions, or editorials, and studies involving patients < 18 years old. The inclusion criteria were randomized controlled trials, meta-analyses, adult patients aged > 18 years old, and studies that were freely available or through institutional login. This meta-analysis scrutinized 9361 randomized controlled trials, clinical trials, meta-analyses, and systematic reviews, of which 32 articles including 25 randomized controlled trials and seven meta-analyses were included in the final analysis. This meta-analysis of the role of statins in hypertensive patients aimed to determine the outcome of hypertension control along with antihypertensive medication. Our study showed that statins are useful in reducing both systolic and diastolic blood pressure. We used a heterogeneous model for analysis due to variations in the study characteristics. The I2 value was 0.33 (0.76, 0.10) for systolic blood pressure and 0/88 (0.86, 0.90) for diastolic blood pressure. The I2 value for the seven meta-analyses included in the study was 1.79 (2.88, 0.69).
PubMed: 38721173
DOI: 10.7759/cureus.57825 -
Biomolecules & Biomedicine May 2024Current understanding of the cerebral vascular response to variations in blood pressure (BP) among individuals with hypertension is limited. The aim of this... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
Evaluation of the correlation between cerebral hemodynamics and blood pressure by comparative analysis of variation in cerebral blood flow in hypertensive versus normotensive individuals: A systematic review and meta-analysis.
Current understanding of the cerebral vascular response to variations in blood pressure (BP) among individuals with hypertension is limited. The aim of this meta-analysis was to determine the correlation between hypertension, risk of stroke, and cerebral blood flow (CBF). We reviewed studies published between 2000 and 2023 from PubMed, Google Scholar, and Science Direct that compared mean CBF in normotensive and hypertensive patients. A random effects model was used to construct the risk ratio (RR), 95% confidence interval (CI), forest plot, and inverse variance weighting. Additionally, a mixed-effects meta-regression was employed to examine the impact of study-specific patient variables. This meta-analysis included eight prospective cross-sectional studies published from 2002 to 2023. It revealed a significant average difference in the standard mean CBF of -0.45 (95% CI -0.60 to -0.30, I2 = 69%, P < 0.00001), distinguishing normotensive from hypertensive subjects. A RR of 0.90 (95% CI 0.63 to 1.30, I2 = 89%, P = 0.04) indicated a significant decrease in CBF among individuals with hypertension. We found a statistically significant relationship between changes in diastolic and systolic BPs and the mean CBF (R = -0.81, P = 0.001 and R = -0.90, P = 0.005, respectively). Our research demonstrates a strong relationship between elevated BP and reduced CBF, with hypertension reducing CBF compared to normotensive individuals, by increasing cerebrovascular resistance.
PubMed: 38709773
DOI: 10.17305/bb.2024.10230 -
Archives of Endocrinology and Metabolism May 2024Muscle weakness has been associated to insulin resistance and metabolic syndrome in the general population. However, it is still unclear whether this association is... (Review)
Review
Muscle weakness has been associated to insulin resistance and metabolic syndrome in the general population. However, it is still unclear whether this association is maintained in older adults. This study investigated correlations between low handgrip strength (HGS) and metabolic syndrome, or some of its components, in older adults through a systematic review of the literature. Searches were conducted in the Virtual Health Library Regional Portal, Scopus, Cochrane, Embase, MEDLINE/ PubMed, SciELO, and Web of Science databases for relevant studiesinvestigating muscle weakness (measured by hand dynamometer) and metabolic syndrome or its components in older adult populations, published up to September 2023. From the 2050 references initially identified, 20 studies, comprising a total of 31,264 older adults of both genders, completely met the inclusion/exclusion criteria. Eighteen studies showed that lower HGS was associated with metabolic syndrome or some of its risk factors, such as abdominal obesity, hyperglycemia, insulin resistance, dyslipidemia, or high blood pressure. Two studies found that older men with high blood pressure had increased HGS. Most studies included in this systematic review revealed a significant correlation between reduced HGS and metabolic syndrome or some of its components, especially abdominal obesity and insulin resistance. We conclude that below-average HGS can be associated with metabolic syndrome in older adults.
Topics: Humans; Metabolic Syndrome; Hand Strength; Aged; Male; Female; Muscle Weakness; Risk Factors; Insulin Resistance
PubMed: 38709150
DOI: 10.20945/2359-4292-2023-0026 -
International Journal of Nursing... Apr 2024Mobile health applications (apps) have gained significant popularity and widespread utilization among patients with coronary heart disease (CHD). The objective of this... (Review)
Review
OBJECTIVE
Mobile health applications (apps) have gained significant popularity and widespread utilization among patients with coronary heart disease (CHD). The objective of this study is to evaluate the effects of mHealth apps on clinical outcomes and health behaviors in patients with CHD.
METHODS
Databases were searched from inception until December 2023, including Cochrane Library, PubMed, EMBASE, Web of Science, CINAHL, China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), Chinese BioMedical Literature Service System (SinoMed), Wanfang Data, China Science and Technology Journal Database (VIP), for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) regarding the effectiveness of mHealth apps in patients with CHD. Two researchers conducted a comprehensive review of the literature, extracting relevant data and evaluating each study's methodological quality separately. The meta-analysis was performed utilizing Review Manager v5.4 software.
RESULTS
A total of 34 RCTs were included, with 5,319 participants. The findings demonstrated that using mHealth apps could decrease the incidence of major adverse cardiac events ( = 0.68, = 0.03), readmission rate ( = 0.56, < 0.001), total cholesterol ( = -0.19, = 0.03), total triglycerides ( = -0.24, < 0.001), waist circumference ( = -1.92, = 0.01), Self-Rating Anxiety Scale score ( = -6.70, < 0.001), and Self-Rating Depression Scale score ( = -7.87, < 0.001). They can also increase the LVEF ( = 6.50, < 0.001), VO max ( = 1.89, < 0.001), 6-min walk distance (6MWD) ( = 19.43, = 0.004), Morisky Medication Adherence Scale-8 score ( = 0.96, = 0.004), and medication adherence rate ( = 1.24, = 0.03). Nevertheless, there is no proof that mHealth apps can lower low-density lipoprote in cholesterol, blood pressure, BMI, or other indicator ( > 0.05).
CONCLUSION
Mobile health apps have the potential to lower the incidence of major adverse cardiac events (MACEs), readmission rates, and blood lipids in patients with CHD. They can also help enhance cardiac function, promote medication adherence, and alleviate symptoms of anxiety and depression. To further corroborate these results, larger-scale, multi-center RCTs with longer follow-up periods are needed.
PubMed: 38707688
DOI: 10.1016/j.ijnss.2024.03.012 -
Cureus Apr 2024As the world accelerates, sedentary and unhealthy lifestyles have an increasingly negative impact on human physical and emotional well-being. Millions of people... (Review)
Review
As the world accelerates, sedentary and unhealthy lifestyles have an increasingly negative impact on human physical and emotional well-being. Millions of people globally are thought to have chronic kidney disease (CKD), which is frequently brought on by diabetes, hypertension, and glomerulonephritis. Over time, the illness gets worse and eventually results in irreversible renal failure. A person's life can be seriously affected by CKD in many different ways, including emotionally, socially, physically, and financially. Apart from physiological manifestations like anemia, discomfort, and exhaustion, CKD can also result in psychological problems like anxiety and depression, which can impair one's overall standard of life. Numerous studies have demonstrated the beneficial effects of yoga and meditation on people with chronic renal disease, enhancing their general health and quality of life. Because of therapeutic limitations, familial pressures, financial restraints, and symptoms of end-stage kidney disease, people with CKD frequently experience stress and anxiety. By reducing stress and anxiety, yoga and meditation can help individuals with chronic conditions maintain their health and improve their overall well-being. Recent research has found that yoga can improve blood pressure, sympathetic activity, and basal metabolic rate as well as reduce blood pressure and blood sugar levels by balancing the autonomic nervous system. Furthermore, studies have demonstrated that yoga helps CKD patients live healthier lives by lowering stress, anxiety, and sadness. Healthcare professionals can help patients with chronic renal disease manage their symptoms and enhance their general health and well-being by adding yoga and meditation into their treatment regimens. Modifying lifestyle is essential for both the prevention and treatment of chronic renal disease. CKD often co-occurs with other age-related and sedentary lifestyles and poor diet-related chronic conditions. The dearth of targeted treatment for a large percentage of CKD patients led to the investigation of the therapeutic applications of yoga and meditation in this study. These affordable, non-invasive therapies provide a comprehensive approach to controlling CKD, benefiting both healthy individuals and those with CKD in terms of their physical and mental well-being.
PubMed: 38707181
DOI: 10.7759/cureus.57546 -
Medicine May 2024The efficacy and safety of different oral ginkgo-based Chinese patent medicines (CPMs) regimens for hypertension patients were analyzed based on the network... (Comparative Study)
Comparative Study Meta-Analysis
Comparative efficacy and safety of ginkgo-based Chinese patent medicines in patients with hypertension: A systematic review and network meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials.
BACKGROUND
The efficacy and safety of different oral ginkgo-based Chinese patent medicines (CPMs) regimens for hypertension patients were analyzed based on the network meta-analysis of the frequency framework.
METHODS
We conducted a comprehensive search of PubMed, Cochrane Library, Embase, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, Wanfang, China Science and Technology Journal Database, and Chinese Biomedical Literature Database to gather data on randomized controlled trials (RCTs) evaluating the efficacy of 8 ginkgo biloba oral preparations for the treatment of hypertension. The trials included in the analysis were conducted from the inception of the databases up to September 2023. Methodological quality and risk of bias were assessed using the RoB 2.0 evaluation tool, and a reticulated meta-analysis was conducted using STATA MP 14 software. The RCTs included in this study were published studies and therefore did not require ethics committee review or patient consent.
RESULTS
We ultimately included 46 RCTs covering 8 CPMs including ginkgo biloba tablet (GBT), GB capsule (GBC), ginkgo biloba drop (GBD), ginkgo biloba ketone ester drop, Fufangyinxing capsule, fufangyinxingtongmai oral liquid, Yinxingmihuan oral liquid, Yindanxinanotong softgel capsule (YDXNT). GBD + CT demonstrated the highest effectiveness in reducing systolic blood pressure (surface under the cumulative ranking [SUCRA] = 78.7%) and improving total effective rate (SUCRA = 86.7%). GBC + CT exhibited the greatest efficacy in reducing diastolic blood pressure (SUCRA = 92.6%). GBT + CT was identified as the most effective in lowering total cholesterol (TC) (SUCRA = 100%). Additionally, YDXNT + CT demonstrated notable improvements in triglyceride levels (SUCRA = 92.2%), Nitric oxide (NO) (SUCRA = 93.9%), and ET-1 (SUCRA = 67.5%). In terms of safety, 14 studies reported the occurrence of adverse reactions with a high degree of clinical heterogeneity, which was only qualitatively analyzed in this study.
CONCLUSION SUBSECTIONS
We found that a combination of 8 ginkgo-based CPMs + CT was effective in hypertension compared with CT. The evidence showed that GBD + CT were the best in improving systolic blood pressure and total effective rate, GBC + CT improved diastolic blood pressure, GBT + CT were the most effective in improving TC, and YDXNT + CT was the most effective in improving TG, NO, and ET-1. Adverse effects were only analyzed qualitatively, and the number of adverse effects of CPMs treatment was relatively low compared to CT. In addition, the quality of the literature included in the study was low, and further validation through RCTs with larger sample sizes, higher quality, and more rigorously designed is needed.
Topics: Humans; Antihypertensive Agents; Drugs, Chinese Herbal; Ginkgo biloba; Ginkgo Extract; Hypertension; Network Meta-Analysis; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; Treatment Outcome
PubMed: 38701296
DOI: 10.1097/MD.0000000000037927 -
BJGP Open May 2024Acute abdominal pain is a common complaint, caused by a variety of conditions, ranging from acutely life-threatening to benign and self-limiting with symptom overlap...
BACKGROUND
Acute abdominal pain is a common complaint, caused by a variety of conditions, ranging from acutely life-threatening to benign and self-limiting with symptom overlap complicating diagnosis. Signs and symptoms may be valuable when assessing a patient to guide clinical work.
AIM
Summarising evidence on the accuracy of signs and symptoms for diagnosing serious illness in adults with acute abdominal pain in an ambulatory care setting.
DESIGN & SETTING
We performed a systematic review, searching for prospective diagnostic accuracy studies who included adults presenting with acute abdominal pain to an ambulatory care setting.
METHOD
Six databases and guideline registers were searched, using a comprehensive search strategy. We assessed the risk of bias, calculated descriptive statistics and measures of diagnostic accuracy. Results were pooled when at least four studies were available.
RESULTS
Out of 18,923 unique studies, 16 studies with moderate to high-risk bias were included. Fourteen clinical features met our criteria, including systolic blood pressure <100 mmHg (LR +7.01), shock index >0.85, uterine cervical motion tenderness (LR +5.62 and LR- 8.60) and a self-assessment questionnaire score >70 (LR +12.20) or <25 (LR- 0.19). Clinical diagnosis made by the clinician had the best rule-in ability (LR +24.6).
CONCLUSIONS
We identified 14 signs and symptoms that can influence the likelihood of a serious illness, including pain characteristics, systemic signs, gynaecological signs and clinician's overall assessment. The risk of bias was moderate to high, leading to uncertainty, preventing us from making firm conclusions. This highlights the need for better research in this setting.
PubMed: 38697663
DOI: 10.3399/BJGPO.2023.0245 -
Cureus Apr 2024Venous ulcers are open wounds commonly associated with chronic venous insufficiency. Each patient's healing process is unique, and factors like nutrition and compression... (Review)
Review
Venous ulcers are open wounds commonly associated with chronic venous insufficiency. Each patient's healing process is unique, and factors like nutrition and compression therapy can affect it. Compression therapy and optimal nutritional status can assist in improving venous blood circulation, decreasing swelling, and promoting wound healing. This in-depth review looks at all the recent research on how nutrition and compression therapy can help heal venous ulcers, aiming to develop evidence-based guidelines for improving treatment outcomes. The systematic review, registered in the International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews (PROSPERO) and following Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) principles, conducted an extensive electronic search in databases such as PubMed, MEDLINE, Cochrane, Web of Science, and Scopus. Using Medical Subject Headings (MeSH) terms and different types of studies, the search method focused on studies that directly looked at how nutrition and compression therapy affected the healing of venous ulcers. After deduplicating and screening publications, a collaborative full-text review was conducted to determine their inclusion. As a result, several research studies were chosen for the qualitative synthesis. The authors created a data extraction form to document important variables such as demographics, therapy specifics, and wound features. Several studies on patients with venous ulcers have shown that consuming basic nutrients can improve wound healing. Treatment results differed depending on the types of compression and pressure intensity. Although minimal data indicates the possible benefits of two-layer therapy, a definitive comparison is still uncertain. Further clinical studies are necessary to investigate a wider range of dietary factors and to evaluate different treatments in similar situations.
PubMed: 38694674
DOI: 10.7759/cureus.57407 -
Frontiers in Cardiovascular Medicine 2024The purpose of this meta-analysis was to investigate the effect of high-intensity interval training (HIIT) on arterial stiffness (AS) and vascular function in persons at...
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this meta-analysis was to investigate the effect of high-intensity interval training (HIIT) on arterial stiffness (AS) and vascular function in persons at high risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD).
METHODS
We conducted a comprehensive search of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) published in electronic databases (PubMed, Web of Science, Cochrane, Embase, and Ebsco) since their inception through October 2023 to evaluate the effect of HIIT on AS and vascular function in persons at high risk for CVD. The weighted mean difference (WMD) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CI) were calculated, and heterogeneity was assessed using the test.
RESULTS
This study included 661 participants from 16 studies. HIIT significantly reduced pulse wave velocity (PWV) in persons at high risk for CVD [weighted mean difference (WMD), -0.62; 95% CI, -0.86--0.38; < 0.00001]. Subgroup analysis showed that the PWV improvement effect was better when the HIIT program was performed 2-3 times per week and the duration was controlled within 40 min [2-3 times, -0.67; 95% CI, -0.93--0.41; < 0.00001; time of duration, ≤40 min, -0.66; 95% CI, -0.91--0.41; < 0.00001]. HIIT significantly reduced systolic blood pressure (SBP, -5.43; 95% CI, -8.82--2.04; = 0.002), diastolic blood pressure (DPB, -2.96; 95% CI, -4.88--1.04; = 0.002), and resting heart rate (RHR, -4.35; 95% CI, -7.04--1.66; = 0.002), but had no significant effect on augmentation index (AIX, -2.14; 95% CI, -6.77-2.50; = 0.37).
CONCLUSION
HIIT can improve PWV in high-risk individuals with CVD and reduce SBP, DBP, and RHR, but has no significant effect on AIX. HIIT can effectively improve AS and vascular function and can be recommended as an effective method to improve AS in high-risk persons with CVD.
SYSTEMATIC REVIEW REGISTRATION
https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/PROSPERO/, identifier: CRD42023471593.
PubMed: 38694567
DOI: 10.3389/fcvm.2024.1376861 -
Critical Care (London, England) Apr 2024A systematic review and meta-analysis to evaluate the impact of extracorporeal carbon dioxide removal (ECCOR) on gas exchange and respiratory settings in critically ill... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
PURPOSE
A systematic review and meta-analysis to evaluate the impact of extracorporeal carbon dioxide removal (ECCOR) on gas exchange and respiratory settings in critically ill adults with respiratory failure.
METHODS
We conducted a comprehensive database search, including observational studies and randomized controlled trials (RCTs) from January 2000 to March 2022, targeting adult ICU patients undergoing ECCOR. Primary outcomes were changes in gas exchange and ventilator settings 24 h after ECCOR initiation, estimated as mean of differences, or proportions for adverse events (AEs); with subgroup analyses for disease indication and technology. Across RCTs, we assessed mortality, length of stay, ventilation days, and AEs as mean differences or odds ratios.
RESULTS
A total of 49 studies encompassing 1672 patients were included. ECCOR was associated with a significant decrease in PaCO, plateau pressure, and tidal volume and an increase in pH across all patient groups, at an overall 19% adverse event rate. In ARDS and lung transplant patients, the PaO/FiO ratio increased significantly while ventilator settings were variable. "Higher extraction" systems reduced PaCO and respiratory rate more efficiently. The three available RCTs did not demonstrate an effect on mortality, but a significantly longer ICU and hospital stay associated with ECCOR.
CONCLUSIONS
ECCOR effectively reduces PaCO and acidosis allowing for less invasive ventilation. "Higher extraction" systems may be more efficient to achieve this goal. However, as RCTs have not shown a mortality benefit but increase AEs, ECCOR's effects on clinical outcome remain unclear. Future studies should target patient groups that may benefit from ECCOR. PROSPERO Registration No: CRD 42020154110 (on January 24, 2021).
Topics: Humans; Carbon Dioxide; Pulmonary Gas Exchange; Respiration, Artificial; Respiratory Insufficiency
PubMed: 38693569
DOI: 10.1186/s13054-024-04927-x