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Critical Care (London, England) Sep 2023While numerous randomized controlled trials (RCTs) have been conducted in the field of trauma, a substantial portion of them are yielding negative results. One potential...
INTRODUCTION
While numerous randomized controlled trials (RCTs) have been conducted in the field of trauma, a substantial portion of them are yielding negative results. One potential contributing factor to this trend could be the lack of agreement regarding the chosen definitions across different trials. The primary objective was to identify the terminology and definitions utilized for the characterization of multiple trauma patients within randomized controlled trials (RCTs).
METHODS
A systematic review of the literature was performed in MEDLINE, EMBASE and clinicaltrials.gov between January 1, 2002, and July 31, 2022. RCTs or RTCs protocols were eligible if they included multiple trauma patients. The terms employed to characterize patient populations were identified, and the corresponding definitions for these terms were extracted. The subsequent impact on the population recruited was then documented to expose clinical heterogeneity.
RESULTS
Fifty RCTs were included, and 12 different terms identified. Among these terms, the most frequently used were "multiple trauma" (n = 21, 42%), "severe trauma" (n = 8, 16%), "major trauma" (n = 4, 8%), and trauma with hemorrhagic shock" (n = 4, 8%). Only 62% of RCTs (n = 31) provided a definition for the terms used, resulting a total of 21 different definitions. These definitions primarily relied on the injury severity score (ISS) (n = 15, 30%), displaying an important underlying heterogeneity. The choice of the terms had an impact on the study population, affecting both the ISS and in-hospital mortality. Eleven protocols were included, featuring five different terms, with "severe trauma" being the most frequent, occurring six times (55%).
CONCLUSION
This systematic review uncovers an important heterogeneity both in the terms and in the definitions employed to recruit trauma patients within RCTs. These findings underscore the imperative of promoting the use of a unique and consistent definition.
Topics: Humans; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; Multiple Trauma; Hospital Mortality; Injury Severity Score; Shock, Hemorrhagic
PubMed: 37736733
DOI: 10.1186/s13054-023-04637-w -
Critical Care (London, England) Sep 2023Cardiac surgery-associated acute kidney injury (CSA-AKI) is frequent. While two network meta-analyses assessed the impact of pharmacological interventions to prevent... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
BACKGROUND
Cardiac surgery-associated acute kidney injury (CSA-AKI) is frequent. While two network meta-analyses assessed the impact of pharmacological interventions to prevent CSA-AKI, none focused on non-pharmacological interventions. We aim to assess the effectiveness of non-pharmacological interventions to reduce the incidence of CSA-AKI.
METHODS
We searched PubMed, Embase, Central and clinical trial registries from January 1, 2004 (first consensus definition of AKI) to July 1, 2023. Additionally, we conducted manual screening of abstracts of major anesthesia and intensive care conferences over the last 5 years and reference lists of relevant studies. We selected all randomized controlled trials (RCTs) assessing a non-pharmacological intervention to reduce the incidence of CSA-AKI, without language restriction. We excluded RCTs of heart transplantation or involving a pediatric population. The primary outcome variable was CSA-AKI. Two reviewers independently identified trials, extracted data and assessed risk of bias. Random-effects meta-analyses were conducted to calculate risk ratios (RRs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs). We used the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation to assess the quality of evidence.
RESULTS
We included 86 trials (25,855 patients) evaluating 10 non-pharmacological interventions to reduce the incidence of CSA-AKI. No intervention had high-quality evidence to reduce CSA-AKI. Two interventions were associated with a significant reduction in CSA-AKI incidence, with moderate quality of evidence: goal-directed perfusion (RR, 0.55 [95% CI 0.40-0.76], I = 0%; P = 0.44) and remote ischemic preconditioning (RR, 0.86 [0.78-0.95]; I = 23%; P = 0.07). Pulsatile flow during cardiopulmonary bypass was associated with a significant reduction in CSA-AKI incidence but with very low quality of evidence (RR = 0.69 [0.48; 0.99]; I = 53%; P < 0.01). We found high quality of evidence for lack of effect of restrictive transfusion strategy (RR, 1.02 [95% CI 0.92; 1.12; P = 0.67; I = 3%) and tight glycemic control (RR, 0.86 [95% CI 0.55; 1.35]; P = 0.25; I = 26%).
CONCLUSIONS
Two non-pharmacological interventions are likely to reduce CSA-AKI incidence, with moderate quality of evidence: goal-directed perfusion and remote ischemic preconditioning.
Topics: Child; Humans; Cardiac Surgical Procedures; Acute Kidney Injury; Anesthesia; Anesthesiology; Cardiopulmonary Bypass
PubMed: 37700297
DOI: 10.1186/s13054-023-04640-1 -
Endocrine Feb 2024The global prevalence of thyroid cancer is on the rise. About one-third of newly diagnosed thyroid cancer cases comprise low-risk papillary thyroid cancer (1.5 cm or... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
BACKGROUND
The global prevalence of thyroid cancer is on the rise. About one-third of newly diagnosed thyroid cancer cases comprise low-risk papillary thyroid cancer (1.5 cm or more minor). While surgical removal remains the prevailing approach for managing low-risk papillary thyroid cancer (LPTC) in patients, other options such as active surveillance (AS), radiofrequency ablation (RFA), microwave ablation (MWA), and laser ablation (LA) are also being considered as viable alternatives. This study evaluated and compared surgical thyroid resection (TSR) versus non-surgical (NS) methods for treating patients with LPTC.
METHODS
The study encompassed an analysis of comparisons between surgical thyroid resection (TSR) and alternative approaches, including active surveillance (AS), radiofrequency ablation (RFA), microwave ablation (MWA), or laser ablation (LA). The focus was on patients with biopsy-confirmed low-risk papillary thyroid cancer (LPTC) of less than 1.5 cm without preoperative indications of local or distant metastasis. The primary outcomes assessed were recurrence rates, disease-specific mortality, and quality of life (QoL). Data were collected from prominent databases, including Cochrane Database, Embase, MEDLINE, and Scopus, from inception to June 3rd, 2020. The CLARITY tool was utilized to evaluate bias risk. The analysis involved odds ratios (OR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI) for dichotomous outcomes, as well as mean differences (MD) and standardized mean differences (SMD) for continuous outcomes. The study is registered on PROSPERO under the identifier CRD42021235657.
RESULTS
The study incorporated 13 retrospective cohort studies involving 4034 patients. Surgical thyroid resection (TSR), active surveillance (AS), and minimally invasive techniques like radiofrequency ablation (RFA), microwave ablation (MWA), and laser ablation (LA) were performed in varying proportions of cases. The analysis indicated that specific disease mortality rates were comparable among AS, MWA, and TSR groups. The risk of recurrence, evaluated over different follow-up periods, showed no significant differences when comparing AS, RFA, MWA, or LA against TSR. Patients undergoing AS demonstrated better physical health-related quality of life (QoL) than those undergoing TSR. However, no substantial differences were observed in the overall mental health domain of QoL when comparing AS or RFA with TSR. The risk of bias was moderate in nine studies and high in four.
CONCLUSION
Low-quality evidence indicates comparable recurrence and disease-specific mortality risks among patients with LPTC who underwent ablation techniques or active surveillance (AS) compared to surgery. Nevertheless, individuals who opted for AS exhibited enhanced physical quality of life (QoL). Subsequent investigations are warranted to validate these findings.
Topics: Humans; Quality of Life; Catheter Ablation; Thyroid Cancer, Papillary; Retrospective Studies; Watchful Waiting; Ablation Techniques; Thyroid Neoplasms; Treatment Outcome
PubMed: 37658978
DOI: 10.1007/s12020-023-03502-8 -
Sleep Medicine Reviews Oct 2023The purpose of this narrative review was to describe prevalence rates of nightmares and nightmare disorder in school-aged youth according to sample characteristics and... (Review)
Review
The purpose of this narrative review was to describe prevalence rates of nightmares and nightmare disorder in school-aged youth according to sample characteristics and methods used to assess nightmares. We searched PsychINFO, PubMed, and CINAHL databases to identify empirical peer-reviewed articles and grey literature published between 2001 and 2021. Sixty-nine studies from 23 countries were included. The prevalence of nightmares was between 1% and 11% in the past week and 25% to 35% in the past month in pediatric developmental samples and between 27% and 57% in the past week and 18%-22% in the past month in psychiatric samples. The prevalence of nightmare disorder was approximately between 3% and 6% in pediatric developmental samples and 10%-12% in psychiatric samples. Nightmare prevalence peaks between ages 10 and 14 then decreases with older age. Generally, prevalence was higher in girls than boys, and one study suggested gender divergence started around age 14. Children's self-reports were higher than parent reports, except in samples with comorbid psychiatric problems where there was more parent-child agreement. Inconsistencies in nightmare definitions and measurement were observed across the literature and indicate a need for standardized measurement of nightmares.
Topics: Humans; Dreams; Child; Prevalence; Adolescent; Female; Male
PubMed: 37651893
DOI: 10.1016/j.smrv.2023.101834 -
Journal of Thoracic Oncology : Official... Jan 2024Dual immune checkpoint blockers regimen represents a standard first-line therapy in unresectable pleural mesothelioma (PM). Novel combination strategies, including... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
Meta-Analysis on the Combination of Chemotherapy With Programmed Death-Ligand 1 and Programmed Cell Death Protein 1 Blockade as First-Line Treatment for Unresectable Pleural Mesothelioma.
INTRODUCTION
Dual immune checkpoint blockers regimen represents a standard first-line therapy in unresectable pleural mesothelioma (PM). Novel combination strategies, including immune checkpoint blockers and antiangiogenic drugs, are currently under investigation in this setting. We aimed to assess the efficacy of the chemoimmunotherapy combination by reference to literature evidence.
METHODS
A systematic review and meta-analysis of trials with first-line platinum-based chemotherapy associated with programmed death-ligand 1 and programmed cell death protein 1 agent in unresectable PM. We estimated the weighted summary proportion of disease response, along with the landmark probability of survival outcomes.
RESULTS
A total of 349 patients with unresectable PM from four trials (DREAM, PrE0505, JME-001, and IND.227) were included, 79% (n = 274) with epithelioid and 21% (n = 75) with nonepithelioid histologic type. In aggregate, the objective response rate was 59.2% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 50.3%-67.9%) and disease control rate was 92.2% (95% CI: 89.2%-94.8%). Comparing epithelioid versus nonepithelioid tumors, the objective response rate was 64.5% versus 46.4%, (p < 0.001) and the disease control rate was 92.3% versus 80.0%, (p = 0.043), with an OR of 2.56 (95% CI: 1.51-4.32) for disease response and of 3.37 (95% CI: 0.99-11.47) for disease control. The aggregated estimated probability of progression-free survival was 63% (95% CI: 53%-71%) at 6 months and 25% (95% CI: 21%-31%) at 12 months, whereas the 6-, 12- and 24-month overall survival rates were 88% (95% CI: 81%-93%), 71% (95% CI: 61%-79%) and 39% (95% CI: 34%-45%), respectively.
CONCLUSIONS
According to our analysis, first-line chemoimmunotherapy holds promise as a new treatment approach for PM, exhibiting encouraging survival outcomes and an enhanced response rate, including for the epithelioid subtype. Ongoing studies are necessary to establish its precise placement within the treatment algorithm.
Topics: Humans; Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols; Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors; Ligands; Lung Neoplasms; Mesothelioma; Mesothelioma, Malignant; Pleural Neoplasms; Programmed Cell Death 1 Receptor
PubMed: 37567387
DOI: 10.1016/j.jtho.2023.08.004 -
International Journal of Surgery... Nov 2023Surgery induces high rates of cognitive disorders, persisting for up to 12 months in elderly adults. This review aimed to assess the currently debated preventive effect... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
BACKGROUND
Surgery induces high rates of cognitive disorders, persisting for up to 12 months in elderly adults. This review aimed to assess the currently debated preventive effect of perioperative ketamine on postoperative delirium and postoperative neurocognitive disorders (POND).
MATERIALS AND METHODS
Systematic review and meta-analysis including all randomized controlled trials investigating the effects of perioperative ketamine administration in adult patients compared to placebo or no intervention on postoperative delirium and/or POND between January 2007 and April 2022. Database searches were conducted in PubMed, Medline, Embase, Scopus, and Central. Random effects models were used to pool overall estimates. The GRADE approach was used to assess the quality of the evidence.
RESULTS
From 1379 records screened, 14 randomized controlled trials with 1618 patients randomized met our inclusion criteria with a high level of consensus among reviewers, amongst whom 50% were at low-moderate risk of bias. There was no between-group difference in postoperative delirium [8 trials, 1265 patients, odds ratio (OR) 0.93, 95% CI (0.51-1.70), I2 =28%] and POND [5 trials, 494 patients, OR 0.52, 95% CI (0.15-1.80); I2 =78%]. There was no significant between-group difference in postoperative psychological adverse effects, level of pain, hospital length of stay, or mortality. Between-group subgroup analyses showed no difference in delirium or POND incidence according to surgical setting, ketamine dose, mode of administration, combination or not with other drug(s), and assessment timing or definition of cognitive disorders.
CONCLUSION
Perioperative ketamine does not prevent postoperative delirium or POND. Significant study heterogeneity suggests that standardized measures for POND assessment and a specific focus on patients at high risk for POND should be used to improve the comparability of future studies.
Topics: Adult; Humans; Aged; Ketamine; Emergence Delirium; Cognition Disorders; Cognitive Dysfunction; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic
PubMed: 37526094
DOI: 10.1097/JS9.0000000000000619 -
Sleep Nov 2023This scoping review explores the use of extended reality (virtual, augmented, and mixed reality) within sleep health, sleep medicine, and sleep research. It aims to...
STUDY OBJECTIVES
This scoping review explores the use of extended reality (virtual, augmented, and mixed reality) within sleep health, sleep medicine, and sleep research. It aims to provide insight into current uses and implementation considerations whilst highlighting directions for future research.
METHODS
A systematic scoping review was undertaken informed by the preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analyses for scoping reviews and Johanna Briggs Institute.
RESULTS
The use of virtual reality (VR) as a research tool in the investigation of areas such as dreaming and memory reactivation is growing. Thirty-one articles were identified in total with 20 utilizing VR to improve sleep as a clinical intervention.
CONCLUSIONS
Research exploring the utility of VR as a clinical intervention in various patient populations and clinical settings is therefore warranted. Researchers and clinicians should ensure that extended reality interventions are developed based on clinical reasoning and informed by evidence of both sleep medicine and the effects of virtual and augmented reality. Where possible future research should utilize up-to-date technology and reporting frameworks to assist in the translation of research into clinical practice.
Topics: Humans; Virtual Reality; Sleep; Biomedical Research
PubMed: 37498981
DOI: 10.1093/sleep/zsad201 -
Frontiers in Integrative Neuroscience 2023The presence of visual imagery in dreams of congenitally blind people has long been a matter of substantial controversy. We set to systematically review body of... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
The presence of visual imagery in dreams of congenitally blind people has long been a matter of substantial controversy. We set to systematically review body of published work on the presence and nature of oneiric visuo-spatial impressions in congenitally and early blind subjects across different areas of research, from experimental psychology, functional neuroimaging, sensory substitution, and sleep research.
METHODS
Relevant studies were identified using the following databases: EMBASE, MEDLINE and PsychINFO.
RESULTS
Studies using diverse imaging techniques and sensory substitution devices broadly suggest that the "blind" occipital cortex may be able to integrate non-visual sensory inputs, and thus possibly also generate visuo-spatial impressions. Visual impressions have also been reported by blind subjects who had near-death or out-of-body experiences.
CONCLUSION
Deciphering the mechanistic nature of these visual impression could open new possibility in utilization of neuroplasticity and its potential role for treatment of neurodisability.
PubMed: 37457556
DOI: 10.3389/fnint.2023.1204129 -
Sleep Medicine Reviews Aug 2023Parental relationship dissolution is considered one of the most common adverse childhood experiences. Although sleep is crucial for healthy development of children and... (Review)
Review
Parental relationship dissolution is considered one of the most common adverse childhood experiences. Although sleep is crucial for healthy development of children and very sensitive to environmental changes, it is poorly studied in the context of parental relationship dissolution. The aim of the current study was to systematically review and critically assess the existing literature on the associations between parental relationship dissolution and child sleep (0-18 years old; registered on PROSPERO (CRD42021272720)). PsycInfo, MEDLINE, Scopus, ProQuest Dissertations and Theses Global, Social Work abstracts, and Web of Science Core Collection were searched. Published empirical quantitative studies were included if they reported statistics regarding the association between parental relationship dissolution and any child sleep variable. Out of the 358 articles screened, 14 articles met inclusion criteria and reported on several sleep dimensions: sleep quality, dreams and nightmares, and sleep disorders (enuresis, night terrors, and bruxism). Out of the 14 articles, six were longitudinal studies and eight were cross-sectional studies. While most studies found that parental relationship dissolution was associated with some indices of poorer child sleep, studies were generally of low to moderate quality. Health professionals should assess child sleep in the context of a parental relationship dissolution.
Topics: Child; Humans; Infant, Newborn; Infant; Child, Preschool; Adolescent; Solubility; Sleep; Parents; Dreams; Sleep Initiation and Maintenance Disorders
PubMed: 37390636
DOI: 10.1016/j.smrv.2023.101804 -
BMJ Supportive & Palliative Care Jan 2024To identify the current state of understanding about end-of-life experiences (ELEs) and examine evidence concerning prevalence, the impact on the process of dying and...
OBJECTIVES
To identify the current state of understanding about end-of-life experiences (ELEs) and examine evidence concerning prevalence, the impact on the process of dying and the perceptions/explanations of patients, relatives and healthcare professionals (HCPs) with regard to ELEs.
METHODS
Scoping review and mixed-methods systematic review (ScR and MMSR). Nine academic databases were searched for a screening of the available scientific literature (ScR). Articles reporting qualitative, quantitative or mixed-methods studies were selected (MMSR), the quality of which was assessed using the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) standardised critical appraisal tools. The quantitative data were synthesised in narrative form while a meta-aggregation approach was adopted for the qualitative results.
RESULTS
The ScR identified 115 reports, with 70.4% published after 2010, 55.6% from the USA and the most common terminology for ELE was deathbed visions (29%). The MMSR included 36 papers, describing 35 studies in various settings. The combination of quantitative and qualitative evidence indicated a greater prevalence of ELEs in samples of patients and HCPs compared with relatives. The most common ELEs were visions and dreams of the presence of deceased relatives/friends with references to making ready for a journey. The impact of ELEs was mainly positive, and there was a tendency to interpret them as spiritual experiences inherent to the process of dying.
CONCLUSIONS
ELEs are often reported by patients, relatives and HCPs and have a significant, generally positive impact on the process of dying. Guidelines for the furtherance of studies and clinical applications are discussed.
Topics: Humans; Death; Qualitative Research
PubMed: 37311603
DOI: 10.1136/spcare-2022-004055