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International Braz J Urol : Official... 2022To explore the feasibility of 68Ga-PSMA PET/CT in diagnosing primary prostate cancer. (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
Performance of 68Ga-labeled prostate-specific membrane antigen ligand positron emission tomography/computed tomography in the diagnosis of primary prostate cancer: a systematic review and meta-analysis.
OBJECTIVE
To explore the feasibility of 68Ga-PSMA PET/CT in diagnosing primary prostate cancer.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
Embase, PubMed and Cochrane Library databases were searched for studies published before July 2020. The studies that used 68Ga-PSMA PET/CT for detecting primary prostate cancer, and pathological biopsy as the reference standard were included. The selecting process used preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analyses (PRISMA). The quality of enrolled studies was assessed by the Quality Assessment of Diagnostic Accuracy Studies-2 (QUADAS-2) tool.
RESULTS
According to our search strategy, 9 studies were included for analysis. A total of 547 patients with primary prostate cancer and 443 lesion segments that underwent 68Ga-PSMA PET/CT scans were included and their pathological biopsies were compared. The results of these studies showed some differences. For instance, the lowest sensitivity of 68Ga-PSMA PET/CT in diagnosing primary prostate cancer was 67%, while the highest sensitivity recorded was 97%.
CONCLUSIONS
Compared with conventional imaging examinations, 68Ga-PSMA PET/CT had higher sensitivity and specificity in detecting primary prostate cancer. At present, most of the studies that used 68Ga-PSMA PET/CT for detecting prostate cancer are retrospective studies. Based on its advantage of high detection rate, the use of 68Ga-PSMA PET/CT in the detection of primary prostate cancer is worthy of promotion.
Topics: Edetic Acid; Gallium Isotopes; Gallium Radioisotopes; Humans; Ligands; Male; Oligopeptides; Positron Emission Tomography Computed Tomography; Prostate; Prostatic Neoplasms; Retrospective Studies
PubMed: 34003611
DOI: 10.1590/S1677-5538.IBJU.2020.0986 -
Swiss Dental Journal May 2021This systematic review was undertaken to address the PICO question: Is silver diamine fluoride (SDF) effective in preventing and arresting root caries lesions in (RCLs)... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
This systematic review was undertaken to address the PICO question: Is silver diamine fluoride (SDF) effective in preventing and arresting root caries lesions in (RCLs) elders? Systematic literature searches were conducted of electronic databases [PubMed, Embase, and CENTRAL (Cochrane Controlled Register of Trials)] and hand searches were performed to identify studies reporting on the use of SDF in elders to prevent and arrest root caries. Prospective clinical studies were included. Two independent investigators performed the literature search and data extraction. A total of 277 studies were identified; of those 3 randomized controlled clinical trials were included for data extraction and analysis. A meta-analysis, using a fixed-effects model, was performed on the mean active RCLs present after SDF intervention compared to controls at 24 months (3 studies), and 30-36 months (2 studies) post-intervention. The fixed-effects model revealed a significant decrease in the mean new active RCLs post intervention with SDF compared to controls at both 24 months (95%CI: 0.265 - 0.638; I2=0.0%; Overall: Z=4.749, p<0.001), and at 30-36 months (95%CI: 0.329 - 0.812; I2=0.0%; Overall: Z=4.629, p<0.001). A funnel plot ruled out any publication bias and the risk of bias was judged to be low. This systematic review and meta-analysis provides evidence that the application of silver diamine fluoride prevents and arrests root caries in elders.
Topics: Aged; Cariostatic Agents; Dental Caries; Fluorides, Topical; Humans; Prospective Studies; Quaternary Ammonium Compounds; Root Caries; Silver Compounds
PubMed: 33515230
DOI: 10.61872/sdj-2021-05-02 -
The Cochrane Database of Systematic... Jan 2021Anaemia is a condition where the number of red blood cells (and consequently their oxygen-carrying capacity) is insufficient to meet the body's physiological needs.... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
BACKGROUND
Anaemia is a condition where the number of red blood cells (and consequently their oxygen-carrying capacity) is insufficient to meet the body's physiological needs. Fortification of wheat flour is deemed a useful strategy to reduce anaemia in populations.
OBJECTIVES
To determine the benefits and harms of wheat flour fortification with iron alone or with other vitamins and minerals on anaemia, iron status and health-related outcomes in populations over two years of age.
SEARCH METHODS
We searched CENTRAL, MEDLINE, Embase, CINAHL, 21 other databases and two trials registers up to 21 July 2020, together with contacting key organisations to identify additional studies.
SELECTION CRITERIA
We included cluster- or individually-randomised controlled trials (RCTs) carried out among the general population from any country, aged two years and above. The interventions were fortification of wheat flour with iron alone or in combination with other micronutrients. We included trials comparing any type of food item prepared from flour fortified with iron of any variety of wheat DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS: Two review authors independently screened the search results and assessed the eligibility of studies for inclusion, extracted data from included studies and assessed risks of bias. We followed Cochrane methods in this review.
MAIN RESULTS
Our search identified 3538 records, after removing duplicates. We included 10 trials, involving 3319 participants, carried out in Bangladesh, Brazil, India, Kuwait, Philippines, South Africa and Sri Lanka. We identified two ongoing studies and one study is awaiting classification. The duration of interventions varied from 3 to 24 months. One study was carried out among adult women and one trial among both children and nonpregnant women. Most of the included trials were assessed as low or unclear risk of bias for key elements of selection, performance or reporting bias. Three trials used 41 mg to 60 mg iron/kg flour, three trials used less than 40 mg iron/kg and three trials used more than 60 mg iron/kg flour. One trial used various iron levels based on type of iron used: 80 mg/kg for electrolytic and reduced iron and 40 mg/kg for ferrous fumarate. All included studies contributed data for the meta-analyses. Iron-fortified wheat flour with or without other micronutrients added versus wheat flour (no added iron) with the same other micronutrients added Iron-fortified wheat flour with or without other micronutrients added versus wheat flour (no added iron) with the same other micronutrients added may reduce by 27% the risk of anaemia in populations (risk ratio (RR) 0.73, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.55 to 0.97; 5 studies, 2315 participants; low-certainty evidence). It is uncertain whether iron-fortified wheat flour with or without other micronutrients reduces iron deficiency (RR 0.46, 95% CI 0.20 to 1.04; 3 studies, 748 participants; very low-certainty evidence) or increases haemoglobin concentrations (in g/L) (mean difference MD 2.75, 95% CI 0.71 to 4.80; 8 studies, 2831 participants; very low-certainty evidence). No trials reported data on adverse effects in children (including constipation, nausea, vomiting, heartburn or diarrhoea), except for risk of infection or inflammation at the individual level. The intervention probably makes little or no difference to the risk of Infection or inflammation at individual level as measured by C-reactive protein (CRP) (mean difference (MD) 0.04, 95% CI -0.02 to 0.11; 2 studies, 558 participants; moderate-certainty evidence). Iron-fortified wheat flour with other micronutrients added versus unfortified wheat flour (nil micronutrients added) It is unclear whether wheat flour fortified with iron, in combination with other micronutrients decreases anaemia (RR 0.77, 95% CI 0.41 to 1.46; 2 studies, 317 participants; very low-certainty evidence). The intervention probably reduces the risk of iron deficiency (RR 0.73, 95% CI 0.54 to 0.99; 3 studies, 382 participants; moderate-certainty evidence) and it is unclear whether it increases average haemoglobin concentrations (MD 2.53, 95% CI -0.39 to 5.45; 4 studies, 532 participants; very low-certainty evidence). No trials reported data on adverse effects in children. Nine out of 10 trials reported sources of funding, with most having multiple sources. Funding source does not appear to have distorted the results in any of the assessed trials.
AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS
Fortification of wheat flour with iron (in comparison to unfortified flour, or where both groups received the same other micronutrients) may reduce anaemia in the general population above two years of age, but its effects on other outcomes are uncertain. Iron-fortified wheat flour in combination with other micronutrients, in comparison with unfortified flour, probably reduces iron deficiency, but its effects on other outcomes are uncertain. None of the included trials reported data on adverse side effects except for risk of infection or inflammation at the individual level. The effects of this intervention on other health outcomes are unclear. Future studies at low risk of bias should aim to measure all important outcomes, and to further investigate which variants of fortification, including the role of other micronutrients as well as types of iron fortification, are more effective, and for whom.
Topics: Adolescent; Adult; Anemia; Child; Child, Preschool; Edetic Acid; Female; Ferric Compounds; Ferrous Compounds; Flour; Food, Fortified; Fumarates; Hemoglobin A; Humans; Infant; Iron; Iron Deficiencies; Male; Micronutrients; Middle Aged; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; Triticum; Young Adult
PubMed: 33461239
DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD011302.pub3 -
International Journal of Rheumatic... Jan 2021To identify the appropriate methods of synovial fluid (SF) specimen storage, manipulation and handling for crystal associated arthritides (CAA) diagnosis.
AIM
To identify the appropriate methods of synovial fluid (SF) specimen storage, manipulation and handling for crystal associated arthritides (CAA) diagnosis.
METHOD
A systematic literature review was conducted using 5 medical databases to identify diagnostic studies assessing SF specimen handling for calcium pyrophosphate (CPP) and monosodium urate (MSU) crystals identification. All included studies were rated for quality using the Quality Assessment of Diagnostic Accuracy Studies 2.
RESULTS
Fifteen studies, including 2 non-English language manuscripts, were included. Eight studies examined both types of crystals, while 3 studies examined CPP and 4 studies examined MSU crystals only. Overall, MSU crystals were more stable over time compared to CPP crystals. MSU stability was generally independent of time, preservative and temperature. CPP crystals deteriorated with time and were more stable if refrigerated. Ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) was a suitable preservative. Re-examining an initially negative SF sample at 24 hours facilitated detection of additional cases. Very few studies had an overall low risk of bias and applicability.
CONCLUSION
Monosodium urate crystals remain stable over time independent of storage time, temperature and preservative. CPP crystals are mostly stable for 24-48 hours but can deteriorate with time. Overall, SF crystal examination should ideally be done within 24-48 hours. They may be stored at room temperature without any preservative. Otherwise, refrigeration (4°C/39°F) and EDTA preservation is reasonable. Stored SF re-examination, at 24 hours, helps identify a small number of additional MSU and CPP cases. Centrifugation techniques allow better and easier crystal identification, particularly CPP. Most studies were of unclear or low quality.
Topics: Calcium Pyrophosphate; Crystal Arthropathies; Crystallization; Edetic Acid; Gout; Humans; Predictive Value of Tests; Specimen Handling; Synovial Fluid; Temperature; Time Factors; Uric Acid
PubMed: 33150706
DOI: 10.1111/1756-185X.14019 -
BMC Oral Health Aug 2020This systematic review of the literature was carried out to assess parental acceptance for silver diamine fluoride (SDF) application and esthetic outcome on their... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
BACKGROUND
This systematic review of the literature was carried out to assess parental acceptance for silver diamine fluoride (SDF) application and esthetic outcome on their children primary dentition and evaluate factors that might influence their acceptance.
METHODS
Our research protocol included a search strategy, inclusion/exclusion criteria, and a data extraction plan. The search engines we used were PubMed, Google Scholar, and Science Direct. Reviewers independently reviewed, determined and carried out quality assessment for included studies using CONSORT (for clinical-trials), and STROBE (for Observational studies). In addition, evidence and recommendation's strength was conducted using Shekelle et al. system. Subsequently, a meta-analysis was performed to assess the association between parental acceptance for SDF treatment and teeth type, location and child's cooperation.
RESULTS
Eight studies fulfilled the inclusion criteria. There were statistically significant differences between parental acceptance for SDF usage on posterior teeth compared to anterior teeth (P < 0.001, OR: 0.23 and 95% CI: 0.15-0.34) and for SDF usage on anterior teeth of uncooperative compared to cooperative children (P < 0.001, OR: 0.27 and 95% CI: 0.17-0.44). Additionally, parent's acceptance rate for SDF application increased after follow-up visits and education.
CONCLUSION
Parental acceptance for SDF treatment was significantly related to tooth location, child cooperation and pre-operative instruction.
Topics: Cariostatic Agents; Child; Dental Caries; Esthetics, Dental; Fluorides, Topical; Humans; Parents; Quaternary Ammonium Compounds; Silver Compounds; Tooth, Deciduous
PubMed: 32819333
DOI: 10.1186/s12903-020-01195-3 -
The Cochrane Database of Systematic... Aug 2020Asthma is an illness that commonly affects adults and children, and it serves as a common reason for children to attend emergency departments. An asthma exacerbation is...
BACKGROUND
Asthma is an illness that commonly affects adults and children, and it serves as a common reason for children to attend emergency departments. An asthma exacerbation is characterised by acute or subacute worsening of shortness of breath, cough, wheezing, and chest tightness and may be triggered by viral respiratory infection, poor compliance with usual medication, a change in the weather, or exposure to allergens or irritants. Most children with asthma have mild or moderate exacerbations and respond well to first-line therapy (inhaled short-acting beta-agonists and systemic corticosteroids). However, the best treatment for the small proportion of seriously ill children who do not respond to first-line therapy is not well understood. Currently, a large number of treatment options are available and there is wide variation in management.
OBJECTIVES
Main objective - To summarise Cochrane Reviews with or without meta-analyses of randomised controlled trials on the efficacy and safety of second-line treatment for children with acute exacerbations of asthma (i.e. after first-line treatments, titrated oxygen delivery, and administration of intermittent inhaled short-acting beta-agonists and oral corticosteroids have been tried and have failed) Secondary objectives - To identify gaps in the current evidence base that will inform recommendations for future research and subsequent Cochrane Reviews - To categorise information on reported outcome measures used in trials of escalation of treatment for acute exacerbations of asthma in children, and to make recommendations for development and reporting of standard outcomes in future trials and reviews - To identify relevant randomised controlled trials that have been published since the date of publication of each included review METHODS: We included Cochrane Reviews assessing interventions for children with acute exacerbations of asthma. We searched the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews. The search is current to 28 December 2019. We also identified trials that were potentially eligible for, but were not currently included in, published reviews. We assessed the quality of included reviews using the ROBIS criteria (tool used to assess risk of bias in systematic reviews). We presented an evidence synthesis of data from reviews alongside an evidence map of clinical trials. Primary outcomes were length of stay, hospital admission, intensive care unit admission, and adverse effects. We summarised all findings in the text and reported data for each outcome in 'Additional tables'.
MAIN RESULTS
We identified 17 potentially eligible Cochrane Reviews but extracted data from, and rated the quality of, 13 reviews that reported results for children alone. We excluded four reviews as one did not include any randomised controlled trials (RCTs), one did not provide subgroup data for children, and the last two had been updated and replaced by subsequent reviews. The 13 reviews included 67 trials; the number of trials in each review ranged from a single trial up to 27 trials. The vast majority of comparisons included between one and three trials, involving fewer than 100 participants. The total number of participants included in reviews ranged from 40 to 2630. All studies included children; 16 (24%) included children younger than two years of age. Most of the reviews reported search dates older than four years. We have summarised the published evidence as outlined in Cochrane Reviews. Key findings, in terms of our primary outcomes, are that (1) intravenous magnesium sulfate was the only intervention shown to reduce hospital length of stay (high-certainty evidence); (2) no evidence suggested that any intervention reduced the risk of intensive care admission (low- to very low-certainty evidence); (3) the risk of hospital admission was reduced by the addition of inhaled anticholinergic agents to inhaled beta-agonists (moderate-certainty evidence), the use of intravenous magnesium sulfate (high-certainty evidence), and the use of inhaled heliox (low-certainty evidence); (4) the addition of inhaled magnesium sulfate to usual bronchodilator therapy appears to reduce serious adverse events during hospital admission (moderate-certainty evidence); (5) aminophylline increased vomiting compared to placebo (moderate-certainty evidence) and increased nausea and nausea/vomiting compared to intravenous beta-agonists (low-certainty evidence); and (6) the addition of anticholinergic therapy to short-acting beta-agonists appeared to reduce the risk of nausea (high-certainty evidence) and tremor (moderate-certainty evidence) but not vomiting (low-certainty evidence). We considered 4 of the 13 reviews to be at high risk of bias based on the ROBIS framework. In all cases, this was due to concerns regarding identification and selection of studies. The certainty of evidence varied widely (by review and also by outcome) and ranged from very low to high.
AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS
This overview provides the most up-to-date evidence on interventions for escalation of therapy for acute exacerbations of asthma in children from Cochrane Reviews of randomised controlled trials. A vast majority of comparisons involved between one and three trials and fewer than 100 participants, making it difficult to assess the balance between benefits and potential harms. Due to the lack of comparative studies between various treatment options, we are unable to make firm practice recommendations. Intravenous magnesium sulfate appears to reduce both hospital length of stay and the risk of hospital admission. Hospital admission is also reduced with the addition of inhaled anticholinergic agents to inhaled beta-agonists. However, further research is required to determine which patients are most likely to benefit from these therapies. Due to the relatively rare incidence of acute severe paediatric asthma, multi-centre research will be required to generate high-quality evidence. A number of existing Cochrane Reviews should be updated, and we recommend that a new review be conducted on the use of high-flow nasal oxygen therapy. Important priorities include development of an internationally agreed core outcome set for future trials in acute severe asthma exacerbations and determination of clinically important differences in these outcomes, which can then inform adequately powered future trials.
Topics: Acute Disease; Administration, Inhalation; Adrenergic beta-2 Receptor Agonists; Aminophylline; Anti-Asthmatic Agents; Anti-Bacterial Agents; Asthma; Bias; Bronchodilator Agents; Child; Child, Preschool; Cholinergic Antagonists; Disease Progression; Helium; Humans; Infant; Length of Stay; Leukotriene Antagonists; Magnesium Sulfate; Nausea; Oxygen; Positive-Pressure Respiration; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; Systematic Reviews as Topic; Vomiting; Work of Breathing
PubMed: 32767571
DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD012977.pub2 -
Clinical Toxicology (Philadelphia, Pa.) Dec 2020Paracetamol (acetaminophen) remains a leading cause of poisoning in Europe, North America, and Australia. For over four decades, acetylcysteine has been the antidote of...
BACKGROUND
Paracetamol (acetaminophen) remains a leading cause of poisoning in Europe, North America, and Australia. For over four decades, acetylcysteine has been the antidote of choice. However, despite the use of acetylcysteine, some patients who ingest very large doses of paracetamol or who reach hospital late in the course of their poisoning, develop acute liver failure. Some will develop metabolic acidosis indicating mitochondrial toxicity.
OBJECTIVE
We review the experimental and clinical data reported with the use of cimetidine, fomepizole, and calmangafodipir in the treatment of paracetamol toxicity to determine if these treatments alone or in combination with acetylcysteine might be of benefit.
METHODS
We searched Ovid Medline 1946-2020, Embase 1947-2020, Scopus 2004-2020, Cochrane Databases of Systematic Reviews (CDSR), Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL), and clinicaltrials.gov 1997-2020 for records including the concepts of paracetamol poisoning and cimetidine, fomepizole, calmangafodipir, and acetylcysteine. We included basic science studies in animals and all available study types in humans. We reviewed the reference lists of included articles to search for references missed in the original search. We registered the protocol in PROSPERO.
RESULTS
We completed all search strategies on 20 August 2019, 27 January 2020, and 15 June 2020. These produced 6,826 citations. We identified and deleted 2,843 duplicate resulting in a total of 3,856 unique citations. After applying inclusion and exclusion criteria, 89 studies remained. The largest numbers of studies described the past use of cimetidine, and the more recent use of fomepizole. There is good animal evidence that cimetidine blocks CYP 2E1 with the potential to inhibit the toxic metabolism of paracetamol. Early case reports were inconclusive regarding the benefit to humans in paracetamol poisoning. Two comparative trials found no benefit of cimetidine in paracetamol poisoning, but few patients had severe poisoning. There is good animal evidence that fomepizole blocks CYP 2E1 with the potential to inhibit the toxic metabolism of paracetamol. There are no comparative trials of fomepizole for acute paracetamol poisoning. Case reports are inconclusive due to multiple other interventions including the use of acetylcysteine in all cases. The benefit of fomepizole as adjunct treatment has not been demonstrated. Calmangafodipir, a drug mimicking superoxide dismutase, has emerged as a potential treatment for severe paracetamol toxicity because the formation of superoxide free radicals appears to explain part of the mitochondrial toxicity of extremely large paracetamol overdoses. Calmangafodipir has reached Phase I/II trial of safety in humans with acute paracetamol overdose. Planning for a Phase III study of efficacy is currently underway.
CONCLUSIONS
The vast majority of patients with acute paracetamol overdose enjoy excellent outcomes with acetylcysteine alone. Although cimetidine and fomepizole inhibit CYP 2E1 in animals, there is insufficient evidence to recommend their use either as a primary treatment or adjunct therapy in paracetamol poisoning. Calmangafodipir remains investigational.
Topics: Acetaminophen; Acetylcysteine; Acidosis; Animals; Antidotes; Cimetidine; Drug Overdose; Edetic Acid; Fomepizole; Humans; Mitochondria; Pyridoxal Phosphate
PubMed: 32762579
DOI: 10.1080/15563650.2020.1798979 -
AJR. American Journal of Roentgenology Mar 2021Early diagnosis is important in the overall management of prostate cancer (PCa). Gallium-68-labeled prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA) PET/CT has an established... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
Early diagnosis is important in the overall management of prostate cancer (PCa). Gallium-68-labeled prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA) PET/CT has an established role in the detection of recurrent disease and staging of patients with intermediate- to high-risk PCa. However, only a small number of studies have evaluated its role in the initial diagnosis of PCa. This systematic review was conducted to evaluate the diagnostic performance of Ga-PSMA PET/CT in the initial detection of PCa in patients with clinical or biochemical findings suspicious for PCa. This systematic review followed PRISMA guidelines. Searches in PubMed, Scopus, and Embase were conducted using relevant keywords, and articles published through April 30, 2020, were included. Using histopathology results as the reference standard, the numbers of true- and false-positives and true- and false-negatives were extracted. Pooled estimates of diagnostic test accuracy-including sensitivity, specificity, positive likelihood ratio, negative likelihood ratio, and summary ROC (SROC) curve-were generated using bivariate random-effects meta-analysis. Seven studies comprising 389 patients were included in the systematic review and meta-analysis. The pooled sensitivity, specificity, positive likelihood ratio, and negative likelihood ratio for the initial diagnosis of PCa using Ga-PSMA PET/CT were 0.97 (95% CI, 0.90-0.99), 0.66 (95% CI, 0.52-0.78), 2.86 (95% CI, 1.95-4.20), and 0.05 (95% CI, 0.01-0.15), respectively. The test had high accuracy; the area under the SROC curve was 0.91 (95% CI, 0.88-0.93). Gallium-68-labeled PSMA PET/CT had excellent sensitivity and negative likelihood ratio in the initial diagnosis of PCa in patients with clinical or biochemical findings suspicious for PCa. Gallium-68-labeled PSMA PET/CT had high diagnostic accuracy for the initial detection of PCa in patients with clinical or biochemical findings suspicious for PCa and has potential utility as a rule-out test for these patients.
Topics: Adult; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Edetic Acid; False Negative Reactions; False Positive Reactions; Gallium Isotopes; Gallium Radioisotopes; Humans; Likelihood Functions; Male; Middle Aged; Oligopeptides; Positron Emission Tomography Computed Tomography; Prostatic Neoplasms; Publication Bias; Radiopharmaceuticals; Sensitivity and Specificity
PubMed: 32755196
DOI: 10.2214/AJR.20.23912 -
The Cochrane Database of Systematic... Jul 2020Anaemia is a condition where the number of red blood cells (and consequently their oxygen-carrying capacity) is insufficient to meet the body's physiologic needs.... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
BACKGROUND
Anaemia is a condition where the number of red blood cells (and consequently their oxygen-carrying capacity) is insufficient to meet the body's physiologic needs. Fortification of wheat flour is deemed a useful strategy to reduce anaemia in populations.
OBJECTIVES
To determine the benefits and harms of wheat flour fortification with iron alone or with other vitamins and minerals on anaemia, iron status and health-related outcomes in populations over two years of age.
SEARCH METHODS
We searched CENTRAL, MEDLINE, Embase, CINAHL, and other databases up to 4 September 2019.
SELECTION CRITERIA
We included cluster- or individually randomised controlled trials (RCT) carried out among the general population from any country aged two years and above. The interventions were fortification of wheat flour with iron alone or in combination with other micronutrients. Trials comparing any type of food item prepared from flour fortified with iron of any variety of wheat were included.
DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS
Two review authors independently screened the search results and assessed the eligibility of studies for inclusion, extracted data from included studies and assessed risk of bias. We followed Cochrane methods in this review.
MAIN RESULTS
Our search identified 3048 records, after removing duplicates. We included nine trials, involving 3166 participants, carried out in Bangladesh, Brazil, India, Kuwait, Phillipines, Sri Lanka and South Africa. The duration of interventions varied from 3 to 24 months. One study was carried out among adult women and one trial among both children and nonpregnant women. Most of the included trials were assessed as low or unclear risk of bias for key elements of selection, performance or reporting bias. Three trials used 41 mg to 60 mg iron/kg flour, two trials used less than 40 mg iron/kg and three trials used more than 60 mg iron/kg flour. One trial employed various iron levels based on type of iron used: 80 mg/kg for electrolytic and reduced iron and 40 mg/kg for ferrous fumarate. All included studies contributed data for the meta-analyses. Seven studies compared wheat flour fortified with iron alone versus unfortified wheat flour, three studies compared wheat flour fortified with iron in combination with other micronutrients versus unfortified wheat flour and two studies compared wheat flour fortified with iron in combination with other micronutrients versus fortified wheat flour with the same micronutrients (but not iron). No studies included a 'no intervention' comparison arm. None of the included trials reported any other adverse side effects (including constipation, nausea, vomiting, heartburn or diarrhoea). Wheat flour fortified with iron alone versus unfortified wheat flour (no micronutrients added) Wheat flour fortification with iron alone may have little or no effect on anaemia (risk ratio (RR) 0.81, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.61 to 1.07; 5 studies; 2200 participants; low-certainty evidence). It probably makes little or no difference on iron deficiency (RR 0.43, 95% CI 0.17 to 1.07; 3 studies; 633 participants; moderate-certainty evidence) and we are uncertain about whether wheat flour fortified with iron increases haemoglobin concentrations by an average 3.30 (g/L) (95% CI 0.86 to 5.74; 7 studies; 2355 participants; very low-certainty evidence). No trials reported data on adverse effects in children, except for risk of infection or inflammation at the individual level. The intervention probably makes little or no difference to risk of Infection or inflammation at individual level as measured by C-reactive protein (CRP) (moderate-certainty evidence). Wheat flour fortified with iron in combination with other micronutrients versus unfortified wheat flour (no micronutrients added) Wheat flour fortified with iron, in combination with other micronutrients, may or may not decrease anaemia (RR 0.95, 95% CI 0.69 to 1.31; 2 studies; 322 participants; low-certainty evidence). It makes little or no difference to average risk of iron deficiency (RR 0.74, 95% CI 0.54 to 1.00; 3 studies; 387 participants; moderate-certainty evidence) and may or may not increase average haemoglobin concentrations (mean difference (MD) 3.29, 95% CI -0.78 to 7.36; 3 studies; 384 participants; low-certainty evidence). No trials reported data on adverse effects in children. Wheat flour fortified with iron in combination with other micronutrients versus fortified wheat flour with same micronutrients (but not iron) Given the very low certainty of the evidence, the review authors are uncertain about the effects of wheat flour fortified with iron in combination with other micronutrients versus fortified wheat flour with same micronutrients (but not iron) in reducing anaemia (RR 0.24, 95% CI 0.08 to 0.71; 1 study; 127 participants; very low-certainty evidence) and in reducing iron deficiency (RR 0.42, 95% CI 0.18 to 0.97; 1 study; 127 participants; very low-certainty evidence). The intervention may make little or no difference to the average haemoglobin concentration (MD 0.81, 95% CI -1.28 to 2.89; 2 studies; 488 participants; low-certainty evidence). No trials reported data on the adverse effects in children. Eight out of nine trials reported source of funding with most having multiple sources. Funding source does not appear to have distorted the results in any of the assessed trials.
AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS
Eating food items containing wheat flour fortified with iron alone may have little or no effect on anaemia and probably makes little or no difference in iron deficiency. We are uncertain on whether the intervention with wheat flour fortified with iron increases haemoglobin concentrations improve blood haemoglobin concentrations. Consuming food items prepared from wheat flour fortified with iron, in combination with other micronutrients, has little or no effect on anaemia, makes little or no difference to iron deficiency and may or may not improve haemoglobin concentrations. In comparison to fortified flour with micronutrients but no iron, wheat flour fortified with iron with other micronutrients, the effects on anaemia and iron deficiency are uncertain as certainty of the evidence has been assessed as very low. The intervention may make little or no difference to the average haemoglobin concentrations in the population. None of the included trials reported any other adverse side effects. The effects of this intervention on other health outcomes are unclear.
Topics: Adolescent; Adult; Anemia; Child; Child, Preschool; Edetic Acid; Female; Ferric Compounds; Ferrous Compounds; Flour; Food, Fortified; Fumarates; Hemoglobin A; Humans; Infant; Iron; Iron Deficiencies; Male; Micronutrients; Middle Aged; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; Triticum; Young Adult
PubMed: 32677706
DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD011302.pub2 -
Journal of Family Medicine and Primary... Mar 2020Silver diamine fluoride (SDF) has been extensively researched and proven effective for caries prevention and arrest in children. Limited studies support its... (Review)
Review
Silver diamine fluoride (SDF) has been extensively researched and proven effective for caries prevention and arrest in children. Limited studies support its effectiveness in primary dentition at 38%. This systematic review examines the effectiveness of 38% silver diamine fluoride on control of dental caries in primary dentition. Multiple search engines and databases were searched in accordance with predefined inclusion-exclusion criteria. Quality assessment was done using Centre for Evidence-Based Medicine worksheets. Scientific works of literature were searched in October 2019 for articles. Four studies were identified that addressed the effectiveness of 38% SDF on deciduous dentition in children. All the four studies selected were controlled clinical trials. The cumulative results of the studies showed that 38% SDF application is efficacious and safe for the control of dental caries in primary teeth. Its advantages over different other techniques or placebo have been demonstrated. Based on this systematic review, 38% SDF is one of the best treatment approaches in control of dental caries in primary dentition.
PubMed: 32509608
DOI: 10.4103/jfmpc.jfmpc_1017_19