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Pituitary Dec 2018Acromegaly is a rare disease that results in the enlargement of body extremities and in organomegaly. Treatments include surgery, drugs, and radiotherapy, which are all... (Review)
Review
PURPOSE
Acromegaly is a rare disease that results in the enlargement of body extremities and in organomegaly. Treatments include surgery, drugs, and radiotherapy, which are all onerous. Therefore, well-conducted cost-analyses are crucial in the decision-making process.
METHODS
A systematic review of cost-effectiveness studies on acromegaly therapies was performed following PRISMA and Cochrane recommendations. The search for records was conducted in PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science (May 2018). The quality of the included studies was assessed using the Joana Briggs Institute Tool.
RESULTS
From initial 547 records, 16 studies were included in the review. The studies could present more than one economic evaluation, and encompassed cost-effectiveness (n = 13), cost-utility (n = 5), and cost-consequence (n = 1) analyses. All studies were model-based and evaluated only direct medical costs. Eleven records did not mention discounting and only 10 performed sensitivity analyses. The characteristic of the studies, the cost-effectiveness results and the studies' conclusions are described and commented upon. The main limitation of the studies was discussed and aspects to improve in future studies were pointed out.
CONCLUSIONS
Cost-effectiveness studies on acromegaly have been performed in several scenarios, evaluating different phases of treatment. However, the studies present limitations and, overall, were considered of moderate quality. Further economic models should be developed following health economics guidelines recommendations, and must improve transparency.
Topics: Acromegaly; Cost-Benefit Analysis; Human Growth Hormone; Humans; Octreotide; Peptides, Cyclic; Somatostatin
PubMed: 30159696
DOI: 10.1007/s11102-018-0908-0 -
Therapeutic Advances in Infectious... Jul 2018Chylous ascites is an uncommon presentation of mycobacterial infection. (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
Chylous ascites is an uncommon presentation of mycobacterial infection.
METHODS
We report three cases of tubercular chylous ascites, and in addition, we performed a systematic review of the published literature for the clinical presentation, treatment, and outcomes of mycobacterial chylous ascites. We followed the PRISMA guidelines for the systematic review.
RESULTS
A total of 33 cases (including three of ours) were included. The mean age of the reported cases was 32.54 ± 17.56 years, and a male predominance (76%) was noted. The predominant clinical features were abdominal distension, abdominal pain, fever and loss of appetite and weight. (MTB) and (MAC) infection were responsible for 16 and 15 cases, respectively. All patients with MAC related chylous ascites had HIV infection. The mechanisms were related to lymph nodal enlargement, constrictive pericarditis and remote scrofuloderma. Overall, there was 29% mortality. Use of anti-mycobacterial therapy with use of total parenteral nutrition, octreotide and medium chain triglyceride-based diet resulted in improvement in the rest of the cases. The cause of death in our case was anti-tubercular therapy-induced hepatitis; three deaths were due to disseminated mycobacterial infection, one due to cardiopulmonary failure and unknown in four patients.
CONCLUSION
Chylous ascites due to mycobacterial infection is uncommon and associated with poor outcome. However, early diagnosis and nutritional management along with antimycobacterial therapy can improve outcome.
PubMed: 30013774
DOI: 10.1177/2049936118772754 -
Rheumatology (Oxford, England) Oct 2018Almost all patients with SSc have gastrointestinal manifestations. Small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO) occurs in 30-60% of patients and leads to malnutrition... (Review)
Review
OBJECTIVES
Almost all patients with SSc have gastrointestinal manifestations. Small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO) occurs in 30-60% of patients and leads to malnutrition and impaired quality of life. Recent systematic reviews have reported efficacy of treatments for SIBO, but these are not specific to patients with SSc. We conducted a systematic review of the evidence for all possible SIBO treatments in the SSc population.
METHODS
The following databases were searched: MEDLINE, EMBASE and the Cochrane Library, from database inception to 1 January 2017. All evidence for all possible SIBO treatments including antibiotics, prokinetics, probiotics and alternative treatments was included. Treatment outcomes included symptomatic relief or demonstrated SIBO eradication.
RESULTS
Of 5295 articles, five non-randomized studies were reviewed with a total of 78 SSc patients with SIBO. One trial assessed octreotide while the remaining four trials investigated the effectiveness of ciprofloxacin, rifaximin, norfloxacin and metronidazole, and the combination of amoxicillin, ciprofloxacin and metronidazole. Studies were generally of low quality and most were un-controlled.
CONCLUSION
Data indicate that, for some SSc patients, antibiotics can eradicate SIBO. There is a paucity of data reporting the effectiveness of either prokinetics or probiotics in SSc.
Topics: Adult; Anti-Bacterial Agents; Blind Loop Syndrome; Female; Humans; Intestine, Small; Male; Middle Aged; Probiotics; Scleroderma, Systemic; Treatment Outcome; Young Adult
PubMed: 29982822
DOI: 10.1093/rheumatology/key175 -
World Neurosurgery Oct 2018Craniopharyngiomas (CPs) and their treatment are associated with hypothalamic damage that causes hypothalamic obesity (HO) in 30%-70% of cases. Thus, there is ongoing... (Review)
Review
OBJECTIVE
Craniopharyngiomas (CPs) and their treatment are associated with hypothalamic damage that causes hypothalamic obesity (HO) in 30%-70% of cases. Thus, there is ongoing research regarding tangible solutions for HO, because these patients have unrelenting resistance to basic weight-loss interventions. This review aims to summarize the interventions that are used to treat CP-related HO (CP-HO), including pharmacotherapy and bariatric surgery.
METHODS
The Cochrane Library, EMBASE, and PubMed databases were searched up to June 2017 for relevant reports. Two reviewers conducted independent evaluations of the studies identified.
RESULTS
Eighteen articles were included in the systematic review, with 3 reports describing pharmacotherapy in randomized controlled trials and 15 reports describing bariatric surgery. Although several studies described effective interventions for treating CP-HO, the evidence base was limited by its low quality and our inability to perform a meta-analysis, which was related to a lack of adequate or integrated data.
CONCLUSIONS
Octreotide appears to be a preferred treatment for patients with CP-HO, based on limited data. Gastric bypass surgery may also be suitable for select patients with CP-HO, based on a review of various procedures in this setting. Microsurgical preservation of the hypothalamic structures is mandatory to decrease CP-HO-related morbidity and mortality. Further studies with adequate analytical power and sufficient follow-up are needed to identify effective strategies for CP-HO treatment.
Topics: Bariatric Surgery; Craniopharyngioma; Gastrointestinal Agents; Humans; Hypothalamic Diseases; Obesity; Octreotide; Pituitary Neoplasms; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; Treatment Outcome
PubMed: 29945001
DOI: 10.1016/j.wneu.2018.06.121 -
Medicine Apr 2018Hepatorenal syndrome is a fatal complication of advanced cirrhosis. Terlipressin is the most widely used treatment method, however, the therapy effects remain... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
BACKGROUND
Hepatorenal syndrome is a fatal complication of advanced cirrhosis. Terlipressin is the most widely used treatment method, however, the therapy effects remain inconsonant. We aim to systematically assess the safety and efficacy of terlipressin for hepatorenal syndrome.
METHODS
We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis. Randomized controlled trials involving terlipressin for hepatorenal syndrome were included in a systematic literature search. Two authors independently assessed the studies for inclusion and extracted the data. A meta-analysis was conducted to estimate the safety and efficacy of terlipressin for hepatorenal syndrome.
RESULTS
A total of 18 randomized controlled trials including 1011 patients were included. Hepatorenal syndrome reverse rate was 42.0% in the terlipressin group and 26.2% in the non-terlipressin group. Terlipressin had greater hepatorenal syndrome reverse rate and renal function improvement rate than placebo and octreotide in the management of HRS. Comparing to norepinephrine, terlipressin had similar efficacy, but with more adverse events. No significant difference of the efficacy was found between terlipressin and dopamine treatment. The subgroup analysis for type 1 HRS had the above same results, except that the adverse events were not significant different between norepinephrine group and terlipressin group.
CONCLUSIONS
Terlipressin was superior to placebo and octreotide for reversal of hepatorenal syndrome and improving renal function, but it had no superiority comparing to norepinephrine.
Topics: Hepatorenal Syndrome; Humans; Kidney; Lypressin; Recurrence; Terlipressin; Treatment Outcome; Vasoconstrictor Agents
PubMed: 29668606
DOI: 10.1097/MD.0000000000010431 -
Journal of Paediatrics and Child Health Aug 2018Chylothorax is a rare but life-threatening condition in newborns. Octreotide, a somatostatin analogue, is widely used as a therapeutic option in neonates with congenital... (Comparative Study)
Comparative Study Meta-Analysis
AIM
Chylothorax is a rare but life-threatening condition in newborns. Octreotide, a somatostatin analogue, is widely used as a therapeutic option in neonates with congenital and acquired chylothorax, but its therapeutic role has not been clarified yet.
METHODS
We performed a systematic review to assess the efficacy and safety of octreotide in the treatment of congenital and acquired chylothorax in newborns. Comprehensive research, updated till 31 October 2017, was performed by searching in PubMed, MEDLINE, EMBASE and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL) databases using the MeSH terms 'octreotide' and 'chylothorax'. Both term and preterm newborns with congenital or acquired chylothorax treated with octreotide within the 30th day of life were included. Octreotide treatment was considered effective if a progressive reduction/ceasing in drained chylous effusion occurred.
RESULTS
A total of 39 articles were included. Octreotide was effective in 47% of patients, with a slight but not significant difference between congenital (30/57; 53.3%) and acquired (9/27; 33.3%) chylothorax (P = 0.10). Marked variation in octreotide regimen was observed. The most common therapeutic scheme was intravenous infusion at a starting dose of 1 μg/kg/h, gradually increasing to 10 μg/kg/h according to the therapeutic response. Side effects were reported in 12 of 84 patients (14.3%). Only case reports were included in this review due to the lack of randomised controlled trials.
CONCLUSION
Octreotide is a relatively effective and safe treatment option in neonates with chylothorax, especially for the congenital forms.
Topics: Chylothorax; Databases, Factual; Drainage; Female; Hospital Mortality; Humans; Infant, Newborn; Infusions, Intravenous; Length of Stay; Male; Octreotide; Patient Safety; Postoperative Complications; Prognosis; Statistics, Nonparametric; Survival Analysis; Treatment Outcome
PubMed: 29602276
DOI: 10.1111/jpc.13889 -
The Cochrane Database of Systematic... Jan 2018An increasing number of people survive cancer but a significant proportion have gastrointestinal side effects as a result of radiotherapy (RT), which impairs their... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
BACKGROUND
An increasing number of people survive cancer but a significant proportion have gastrointestinal side effects as a result of radiotherapy (RT), which impairs their quality of life (QoL).
OBJECTIVES
To determine which prophylactic interventions reduce the incidence, severity or both of adverse gastrointestinal effects among adults receiving radiotherapy to treat primary pelvic cancers.
SEARCH METHODS
We conducted searches of CENTRAL, MEDLINE, and Embase in September 2016 and updated them on 2 November 2017. We also searched clinical trial registries.
SELECTION CRITERIA
We included randomised controlled trials (RCTs) of interventions to prevent adverse gastrointestinal effects of pelvic radiotherapy among adults receiving radiotherapy to treat primary pelvic cancers, including radiotherapy techniques, other aspects of radiotherapy delivery, pharmacological interventions and non-pharmacological interventions. Studies needed a sample size of 20 or more participants and needed to evaluate gastrointestinal toxicity outcomes. We excluded studies that evaluated dosimetric parameters only. We also excluded trials of interventions to treat acute gastrointestinal symptoms, trials of altered fractionation and dose escalation schedules, and trials of pre- versus postoperative radiotherapy regimens, to restrict the vast scope of the review.
DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS
We used standard Cochrane methodology. We used the random-effects statistical model for all meta-analyses, and the GRADE system to rate the certainty of the evidence.
MAIN RESULTS
We included 92 RCTs involving more than 10,000 men and women undergoing pelvic radiotherapy. Trials involved 44 different interventions, including radiotherapy techniques (11 trials, 4 interventions/comparisons), other aspects of radiotherapy delivery (14 trials, 10 interventions), pharmacological interventions (38 trials, 16 interventions), and non-pharmacological interventions (29 trials, 13 interventions). Most studies (79/92) had design limitations. Thirteen studies had a low risk of bias, 50 studies had an unclear risk of bias and 29 studies had a high risk of bias. Main findings include the following:Radiotherapy techniques: Intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) versus 3D conformal RT (3DCRT) may reduce acute (risk ratio (RR) 0.48, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.26 to 0.88; participants = 444; studies = 4; I = 77%; low-certainty evidence) and late gastrointestinal (GI) toxicity grade 2+ (RR 0.37, 95% CI 0.21 to 0.65; participants = 332; studies = 2; I = 0%; low-certainty evidence). Conformal RT (3DCRT or IMRT) versus conventional RT reduces acute GI toxicity grade 2+ (RR 0.57, 95% CI 0.40 to 0.82; participants = 307; studies = 2; I = 0%; high-certainty evidence) and probably leads to less late GI toxicity grade 2+ (RR 0.49, 95% CI 0.22 to 1.09; participants = 517; studies = 3; I = 44%; moderate-certainty evidence). When brachytherapy (BT) is used instead of external beam radiotherapy (EBRT) in early endometrial cancer, evidence indicates that it reduces acute GI toxicity (grade 2+) (RR 0.02, 95% CI 0.00 to 0.18; participants = 423; studies = 1; high-certainty evidence).Other aspects of radiotherapy delivery: There is probably little or no difference in acute GI toxicity grade 2+ with reduced radiation dose volume (RR 1.21, 95% CI 0.81 to 1.81; participants = 211; studies = 1; moderate-certainty evidence) and maybe no difference in late GI toxicity grade 2+ (RR 1.02, 95% CI 0.15 to 6.97; participants = 107; studies = 1; low-certainty evidence). Evening delivery of RT may reduce acute GI toxicity (diarrhoea) grade 2+ during RT compared with morning delivery of RT (RR 0.51, 95% CI 0.34 to 0.76; participants = 294; studies = 2; I = 0%; low-certainty evidence). There may be no difference in acute (RR 2.22, 95% CI 0.62 to 7.93, participants = 110; studies = 1) and late GI toxicity grade 2+ (RR 0.44, 95% CI 0.12 to 1.65; participants = 81; studies = 1) between a bladder volume preparation of 1080 mls and that of 540 mls (low-certainty evidence). Low-certainty evidence on balloon and hydrogel spacers suggests that these interventions for prostate cancer RT may make little or no difference to GI outcomes.Pharmacological interventions: Evidence for any beneficial effects of aminosalicylates, sucralfate, amifostine, corticosteroid enemas, bile acid sequestrants, famotidine and selenium is of a low or very low certainty. However, evidence on certain aminosalicylates (mesalazine, olsalazine), misoprostol suppositories, oral magnesium oxide and octreotide injections suggests that these agents may worsen GI symptoms, such as diarrhoea or rectal bleeding.Non-pharmacological interventions: Low-certainty evidence suggests that protein supplements (RR 0.23, 95% CI 0.07 to 0.74; participants = 74; studies = 1), dietary counselling (RR 0.04, 95% CI 0.00 to 0.60; participants = 74; studies = 1) and probiotics (RR 0.43, 95% CI 0.22 to 0.82; participants = 923; studies = 5; I = 91%) may reduce acute RT-related diarrhoea (grade 2+). Dietary counselling may also reduce diarrhoeal symptoms in the long term (at five years, RR 0.05, 95% CI 0.00 to 0.78; participants = 61; studies = 1). Low-certainty evidence from one study (108 participants) suggests that a high-fibre diet may have a beneficial effect on GI symptoms (mean difference (MD) 6.10, 95% CI 1.71 to 10.49) and quality of life (MD 20.50, 95% CI 9.97 to 31.03) at one year. High-certainty evidence indicates that glutamine supplements do not prevent RT-induced diarrhoea. Evidence on various other non-pharmacological interventions, such as green tea tablets, is lacking.Quality of life was rarely and inconsistently reported across included studies, and the available data were seldom adequate for meta-analysis.
AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS
Conformal radiotherapy techniques are an improvement on older radiotherapy techniques. IMRT may be better than 3DCRT in terms of GI toxicity, but the evidence to support this is uncertain. There is no high-quality evidence to support the use of any other prophylactic intervention evaluated. However, evidence on some potential interventions shows that they probably have no role to play in reducing RT-related GI toxicity. More RCTs are needed for interventions with limited evidence suggesting potential benefits.
Topics: Diarrhea; Gastrointestinal Agents; Gastrointestinal Tract; Humans; Pelvic Neoplasms; Placebo Effect; Radiation Injuries; Radiotherapy, Conformal; Radiotherapy, Intensity-Modulated; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic
PubMed: 29360138
DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD012529.pub2 -
Respiration; International Review of... 2018Tuberculosis (TB) is a rare cause of chylothorax. We describe a case and the results of a systematic review of all reported cases of TB-chylothorax. We identified 37... (Review)
Review
Tuberculosis (TB) is a rare cause of chylothorax. We describe a case and the results of a systematic review of all reported cases of TB-chylothorax. We identified 37 cases of TB-chylothorax. The symptoms at presentation were constitutional (85.7%; 30/35), dyspnea (60.6%; 20/33), and cough (54.5%; 18/33). Chylothorax developed subsequent to the diagnosis of TB in 27.8% (10/36) of the patients, after a median of 6.75 weeks (IQR 4-9). Chylothorax developed during an immune reconstitution syndrome (IRS) in 16.7% (10/36) of the patients, including immunocompetent ones. TB was disseminated in 45.9% (17/37) of the patients at the diagnosis of chylothorax. Chylothorax developed in the absence of any mediastinal lymphadenopathy in 45.9% (17/37) of the patients; 13.5% (5/37) had isolated tubercular empyema alone. The diagnosis of TB was established microbiologically in 72.2% (26/36) and by biopsy alone in 27.8% (9/36) of the patients. Anti-TB treatment (ATT) was administered for a median of 7.57 months (IQR 6-9). Steroids were administered to 22.9% (8/35) of the patients, often for suspected IRS. Thoracic duct ligation and octreotide were required for only 17.1% (6/35) and 8.6% (3/35) of the patients, respectively. In all, 94.4% (34/36) of the patients had resolution of chylothorax and completed treatment successfully; only 5.6% (2/36) died. In conclusion, TB-chylothorax may develop without obvious mediastinal lymphadenopathy and be associated with tubercular empyema alone. TB-chylothorax can develop during treatment of TB due to IRS, even in immunocompetent patients. ATT and dietary manipulation are associated with good resolution and low mortality, and duct ligation is needed for only a small minority of patients.
Topics: Chylothorax; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Radiography, Thoracic; Tomography, X-Ray Computed; Tuberculosis
PubMed: 29316546
DOI: 10.1159/000484694 -
A Systematic Review on Insulin Overdose Cases: Clinical Course, Complications and Treatment Options.Basic & Clinical Pharmacology &... Jun 2018A large overdose of insulin is a serious health matter. Information concerning administration and duration of intravenous (IV) glucose, other treatment options or... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
A large overdose of insulin is a serious health matter. Information concerning administration and duration of intravenous (IV) glucose, other treatment options or complications besides hypoglycaemia following large insulin overdoses is not readily apparent from the literature. A systematic search, compilation and review of case reports on insulin overdoses, published 1986-2017, was performed in PubMed, EMBASE, Cochrane and PROSPERO databases. Of 1523 published articles, 45 cases of insulin overdoses were included with a total median insulin dose of 900 international units (IU) (range 26-4800 IU). Hospitalization occurred in 44 cases with a median hospitalization duration of 94 hr (range 12-721 hr), and one-third (n = 15) admitted to the intensive care unit. First-line treatment was IV glucose treatment in 95% of cases. Treatment options besides IV glucose that were reported beneficial included glucagon IV or intramuscular (IM), octreotide IV or IM, surgical excision, hydrocortisone IV and oral intake of complex carbohydrates. Prevalent complications were intermittent cerebral impairment (73%), hypokalaemia (49%), other electrolyte disturbances (42%), and hepatic disturbances (7%) and cardiac toxicity (e.g. cardiac arrhythmia) (9%). Long-term consequences were one case of lasting hypoglycaemic encephalopathy and one death. In conclusion, following large insulin overdoses, in-hospital admission and treatment with IV glucose may be needed for up to a week. Monitoring of electrolytes and hepatic and cardiac functions seems important. Several experimental treatment options may be considered in addition to glucose administration. With appropriate pre- and in-hospital treatment, cases with severe hypoglycaemia and neurologic complications may have a favourable outcome.
Topics: Animals; Drug Overdose; Glucose; Hospitalization; Humans; Hypoglycemia; Hypoglycemic Agents; Insulin; Nervous System Diseases
PubMed: 29316226
DOI: 10.1111/bcpt.12957 -
Journal of Clinical Gastroenterology Apr 2018Hepatorenal syndrome (HRS) is a serious complication of advanced chronic liver disease. Different pharmacological therapies have variable efficacy. We performed a... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
BACKGROUND
Hepatorenal syndrome (HRS) is a serious complication of advanced chronic liver disease. Different pharmacological therapies have variable efficacy. We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis to compare the efficacy of various drugs in the treatment of HRS.
STUDY
Randomized controlled trials comparing active drug with placebo or comparing 2 different drugs were included in this analysis. Primary study outcome was reversal of HRS. Secondary outcomes were HRS relapse and patient survival. Subgroup analysis was performed on patients with type 1 HRS.
RESULTS
Thirteen randomized controlled trial were eligible for analysis. Terlipressin plus albumin was more efficacious than placebo plus albumin (odds ratio=4.72; 95% confidence interval, 1.72-12.93; P=0.003) or midodrine plus albumin and octreotide (odds ratio=5.94; 95% confidence interval, 1.69-20.85; P=0.005), for HRS reversal. However, no significant difference was noted comparing terlipressin plus albumin versus noradrenaline plus albumin, octreotide plus albumin versus placebo plus albumin or noradrenaline plus albumin versus midodrine plus albumin and octreotide. None of the comparisons showed difference on HRS relapse or patient survival. Subgroup analysis revealed that terlipressin was more effective than placebo for type 1 HRS reversal, but no significant differences were noted between any other comparisons, and none of the comparisons showed difference on HRS relapse or patient survival.
CONCLUSIONS
Intravenous infusion of terlipressin is the most effective medical therapy for reversing HRS. Intravenous infusion of noradrenaline is an acceptable alternative. Studies are needed as basis for developing pharmacological strategies to reduce relapse of HRS and improve patient survival.
Topics: Albumins; Drug Therapy, Combination; Hepatorenal Syndrome; Humans; Infusions, Intravenous; Midodrine; Octreotide; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; Terlipressin; Vasoconstrictor Agents
PubMed: 28991106
DOI: 10.1097/MCG.0000000000000913