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The Cochrane Database of Systematic... Dec 2015Recurrent endobronchial infection in cystic fibrosis requires treatment with intravenous antibiotics for several weeks usually in hospital, affecting health costs and... (Comparative Study)
Comparative Study Meta-Analysis Review
BACKGROUND
Recurrent endobronchial infection in cystic fibrosis requires treatment with intravenous antibiotics for several weeks usually in hospital, affecting health costs and quality of life for patients and their families. This is an update of a previously published review.
OBJECTIVES
To determine whether home intravenous antibiotic therapy in cystic fibrosis is as effective as inpatient intravenous antibiotic therapy and if it is preferred by individuals or families or both.
SEARCH METHODS
We searched the Cochrane Cystic Fibrosis and Genetic Disorders Group Trials Register comprising references identified from comprehensive electronic database searches and handsearches of relevant journals and abstract books of conference proceedings.Most recent search of the Group's Trials Register: 23 November 2015.
SELECTION CRITERIA
Randomized and quasi-randomized controlled studies of intravenous antibiotic treatment for adults and children with cystic fibrosis at home compared to in hospital.
DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS
The authors independently selected studies for inclusion in the review, assessed methodological quality of each study and extracted data using a standardised form.
MAIN RESULTS
Eighteen studies were identified by the searches. Only one study could be included which reported results from 17 participants aged 10 to 41 years with an infective exacerbation of Pseudomonas aeruginosa. All their 31 admissions (18 hospital and 13 at home after two to four days of hospital treatment) were analysed as independent events. Outcomes were measured at 0, 10 and 21 days after initiation of treatment. Home participants underwent fewer investigations than hospital participants (P < 0.002) and general activity was higher in the home group. No significant differences were found for clinical outcomes, adverse events, complications or change of intravenous lines,or time to next admission. Home participants received less low-dose home maintenance antibiotic.Quality of life measures showed no significant differences for dyspnoea and emotional state, but fatigue and mastery were worse for home participants, possibly due to a higher general activity and need of support. Personal, family, sleeping and eating disruptions were less important for home than hospital admissions.Home therapy was cheaper for families and the hospital. Indirect costs were not determined.
AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS
Current evidence is restricted to a single randomized clinical trial. It suggests that, in the short term, home therapy does not harm individuals, entails fewer investigations, reduces social disruptions and can be cost-effective. There were both advantages and disadvantages in terms of quality of life. The decision to attempt home treatment should be based on the individual situation and appropriate local resources. More research is urgently required.
Topics: Adolescent; Adult; Anti-Bacterial Agents; Child; Cystic Fibrosis; Home Care Services; Hospitalization; Humans; Injections, Intravenous; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; Respiratory Tract Infections; Self Care; Staphylococcal Infections; Staphylococcus aureus
PubMed: 26671062
DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD001917.pub4 -
PloS One 2015Reports of outbreaks in Canada and the United States (U.S.) indicate that approximately 50% of all waterborne diseases occur in small non-community drinking water... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
BACKGROUND
Reports of outbreaks in Canada and the United States (U.S.) indicate that approximately 50% of all waterborne diseases occur in small non-community drinking water systems (SDWSs). Summarizing these investigations to identify the factors and conditions contributing to outbreaks is needed in order to help prevent future outbreaks.
OBJECTIVES
The objectives of this study were to: 1) identify published reports of waterborne disease outbreaks involving SDWSs in Canada and the U.S. since 1970; 2) summarize reported factors contributing to outbreaks, including water system characteristics and events surrounding the outbreaks; and 3) identify terminology used to describe SDWSs in outbreak reports.
METHODS
Three electronic databases and grey literature sources were searched for outbreak reports involving SDWSs throughout Canada and the U.S. from 1970 to 2014. Two reviewers independently screened and extracted data related to water system characteristics and outbreak events. The data were analyzed descriptively with 'outbreak' as the unit of analysis.
RESULTS
From a total of 1,995 citations, we identified 50 relevant articles reporting 293 unique outbreaks. Failure of an existing water treatment system (22.7%) and lack of water treatment (20.2%) were the leading causes of waterborne outbreaks in SDWSs. A seasonal trend was observed with 51% of outbreaks occurring in summer months (p<0.001). There was large variation in terminology used to describe SDWSs, and a large number of variables were not reported, including water source and whether water treatment was used (missing in 31% and 66% of reports, respectively).
CONCLUSIONS
More consistent reporting and descriptions of SDWSs in future outbreak reports are needed to understand the epidemiology of these outbreaks and to inform the development of targeted interventions for SDWSs. Additional monitoring of water systems that are used on a seasonal or infrequent basis would be worthwhile to inform future protection efforts.
Topics: Canada; Disease Outbreaks; Drinking Water; Humans; United States; Water Microbiology; Water Supply; Waterborne Diseases
PubMed: 26513152
DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0141646 -
Anesthesiology Research and Practice 2015Anaesthetists in the acute and chronic pain teams are often involved in treating Complex Regional Pain Syndromes. Current literature about the risk factors for the onset... (Review)
Review
Anaesthetists in the acute and chronic pain teams are often involved in treating Complex Regional Pain Syndromes. Current literature about the risk factors for the onset of Complex Regional Pain Syndrome Type 1 (CRPS 1) remains sparse. This syndrome has a low prevalence, a highly variable presentation, and no gold standard for diagnosis. In the research setting, the pathogenesis of the syndrome continues to be elusive. There is a growing body of literature that addresses efficacy of a wide range of interventions as well as the likely mechanisms that contribute to the onset of CRPS 1. The objective for this systematic search of the literature focuses on determining the potential risk factors for the onset of CRPS 1. Eligible articles were analysed, dated 1996 to April 2014, and potential risk factors for the onset of CRPS 1 were identified from 10 prospective and 6 retrospective studies. Potential risk factors for the onset of CRPS 1 were found to include being female, particularly postmenopausal female, ankle dislocation or intra-articular fracture, immobilisation, and a report of higher than usual levels of pain in the early phases of trauma. It is not possible to draw definite conclusions as this evidence is heterogeneous and of mixed quality, relevance, and weighting strength against bias and has not been confirmed across multiple trials or in homogenous studies.
PubMed: 25688265
DOI: 10.1155/2015/956539 -
Journal of Anesthesia Apr 2015Functional imaging methods, including positron emission tomography (PET) and functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), have become important tools for studying how... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
Functional imaging methods, including positron emission tomography (PET) and functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), have become important tools for studying how anesthetic drugs act in the human brain to induce the state of general anesthesia. Recent imaging studies using fMRI and PET techniques have demonstrated the regional effects of propofol on the brain. However, the pharmacological mechanism of the action of propofol in the intact human central nervous system is unclear. To explore the possible action targets of propofol in the human brain, a systematic review of the literature was performed. The literature search was performed with limiting factors of "propofol," "functional imaging," "positron emission tomography", and "functional magnetic resonance imaging" from 1966 to July 2013 (using Medline, EMBASE, CINAHL and hand searches of references). Studies meeting the inclusion criteria were reviewed and critiqued for the purpose of this literature research. Eighteen researches meeting the inclusion criteria were reviewed in terms of the appropriateness of valuation technique. In the unconscious state, propofol sharply reduces the regional glucose metabolism rate (rGMR) and regional cerebral blood flow (rCBF) in all brain regions, particularly in the thalamus. However, GMR, such as in the occipital, temporal, and frontal lobes, was obviously decreased at a sedative dosage of propofol, whereas, changes in the thalamus were not obvious. Using fMRI, several studies observed a decrease of connectivity of the thalamus versus an increase of connectivity within the pons of the brainstem during propofol-induced mild sedation. During deep sedation, propofol preserves cortical sensory reactivity, the specific thalamocortical network is moderately affected, whereas the nonspecific thalamocortical network is severely suppressed. In contrast, several recent fMRI studies are consistent on the systemic decreased effects of propofol in the frontoparietal network. Accumulating evidence suggest that propofol-induced unconsciousness is associated with a global metabolic and vascular depression in the human brain and especially with a significant reduction in the thalamocortical network and the frontoparietal network.
Topics: Adult; Anesthetics, Intravenous; Brain; Female; Humans; Magnetic Resonance Imaging; Male; Positron-Emission Tomography; Propofol; Young Adult
PubMed: 25056258
DOI: 10.1007/s00540-014-1889-4 -
Journal of Human Nutrition and... Oct 2015Fluid intake, especially water, is essential for human life and also necessary for physical and mental function. The present study aimed to assess beverage consumption... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
Fluid intake, especially water, is essential for human life and also necessary for physical and mental function. The present study aimed to assess beverage consumption across age groups.
METHODS
A systematic review was conducted. Original research in English language publications and available studies (or abstracts in English) from 2000 to 2013 was searched for by using the medical subheading (MeSH) terms: ('beverage' OR 'fluid' [Major]) AND ('consumption' [Mesh] OR 'drinking' [Mesh] OR 'intake' [Mesh]) AND ('child' [Mesh] OR 'adolescent' [Mesh] OR 'adult' [Mesh]). Article selection was restricted to those papers covering healthy populations of all age groups in a nationwide sample, or from a representative sample of the population of a city or cities, which examined the trends or patterns of beverage intake and the determinants of beverage intake. Sixty-five studies were identified with respect to beverage consumption across age groups. The papers were screened by thoroughly reading titles or abstracts. Full-text articles were assessed by three investigators.
RESULTS
Total beverage intake varied between 0.6 and 3.5 L day(-1) among all age groups (males more than females). Plain water contributed up to 58%, 75% and 80% of the total beverage intake in children, adolescents and adults, respectively. Milk consumption was higher among children; consumption of soft drinks was higher among adolescents; and the consumption of tea, coffee and alcoholic beverages was higher among adults.
CONCLUSIONS
Plain water is the main water source for all age groups and the consumption of other beverages varies according to age.
Topics: Age Factors; Beverages; Drinking; Humans; Nutrition Surveys; Water
PubMed: 24935211
DOI: 10.1111/jhn.12250 -
Revue Neurologique Apr 2014Conventional MRI is a well-described, highly useful tool for the differential diagnosis of degenerative parkinsonian syndromes. Nevertheless, the observed abnormalities... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
Conventional MRI is a well-described, highly useful tool for the differential diagnosis of degenerative parkinsonian syndromes. Nevertheless, the observed abnormalities may only appear in late-stage disease. Diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) can identify microstructural changes in brain tissue integrity and connectivity. The technique has proven value in the differential diagnosis of multiple system atrophy (MSA), progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP) and Parkinson's disease (PD). Here, we performed a systematic review of the literature on the main corticosubcortical DTI abnormalities identified to date in the context of the diagnosis of MSA and PSP with diffusion-weighted imaging, diffusion tensor imaging and anatomical connectivity studies. In good agreement with the histological data, increased diffusivity in the putamen (in MSA and PSP), in the middle cerebellar peduncles (in MSA) and in the upper cerebellar peduncles (in PSP) has been reported. Motor pathway involvement is characterized by low fraction anisotropy (FA) in the primary motor cortex in MSA-P and PSP, a high apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) and low FA in the supplementary motor area in PSP. We then outline the value of these techniques in differential diagnosis (especially with respect to PD). Anatomical connectivity studies have revealed a lower number of fibers in the corticospinal tract in MSA and PSP (relative to PD and controls) and fewer tracked cortical projection fibers in patients with PSP or late-stage MSA (relative to patients with early MSA or PD and controls). Lastly, we report the main literature data concerning the value of DTI parameters in monitoring disease progression. The observed correlations between DTI parameters on one hand and clinical scores and/or disease duration on the other constitute strong evidence of the value of DTI in monitoring disease progression. In MSA, the ataxia score was correlated with ADC values in the pons and the upper cerebellar peduncles, whereas both the motor score and the disease duration were correlated with putaminal ADC values. In conclusion, DTI and connectivity studies constitute promising tools for differentiating between "Parkinson-plus" syndromes.
Topics: Brain; Diagnosis, Differential; Diffusion Tensor Imaging; Disease Progression; Humans; Image Processing, Computer-Assisted; Neural Pathways; Parkinsonian Disorders
PubMed: 24656811
DOI: 10.1016/j.neurol.2013.10.013 -
Nutricion Hospitalaria Mar 2014To assess differences in functional foods consumption between European countries. (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
OBJECTIVE
To assess differences in functional foods consumption between European countries.
DESIGN
Systematic review. The literature search was conducted in Medlars Online International Literature (MEDLINE), via PubMed© and Scopus. Twenty two studies were identified to examine the differences in functional food consumption between European countries.
RESULTS
Figures on consumers of functional foods reveal differences across European countries. Functional foods are popular in most of European countries like Finland, Sweden, the Netherlands, Poland, Spain and Cyprus, but not so in other countries like Denmark, Italy and Belgium. A high percentage of adolescents in the European Mediterranean countries (Spain and Cyprus, but not Italy) consume functional foods. Evaluation of functional foods consumption according to gender is difficult, because results differ from one study to another.
CONCLUSIONS
Functional foods have become very popular in Europe in recent years, but still huge differences exist between Europeans on consumption of functional foods. Further research is needed to find out the reasons behind these differences and to understand consumers' needs for functional foods.
Topics: Diet Surveys; Europe; Feeding Behavior; Functional Food; Humans
PubMed: 24558987
DOI: 10.3305/nh.2014.29.3.7148 -
ISRN Obesity 2013Objective. To review the extant literature on the prevalence of overweight and obesity in adolescents (10-19 years old) of both sexes. Design. The search was carried out... (Review)
Review
Objective. To review the extant literature on the prevalence of overweight and obesity in adolescents (10-19 years old) of both sexes. Design. The search was carried out using Medline and Scopus considering articles published from the establishment of the databanks until June 7, 2012. Data on the prevalence of children being overweight and obese from the International Obesity Task Force (IOTF) website was also reviewed. Only original articles and one National Health Report were considered. Forty studies met the inclusion criteria. Results. Twenty-five of these studies were nationally representative, and ten countries were represented only by regional data. Conclusions. The prevalence of overweight and obesity among adolescents worldwide is high, and obesity is higher among boys. The IOTF criterion is the most frequently used method to classify adolescents as overweighed or obese in public health research.
PubMed: 24555142
DOI: 10.1155/2013/392747 -
Rheumatology International Feb 2014To define and give priory to standards of care in patients with spondyloarthritis (SpA). A systematic literature review on SpA standards of care and a specific search in... (Review)
Review
To define and give priory to standards of care in patients with spondyloarthritis (SpA). A systematic literature review on SpA standards of care and a specific search in relevant and related sources was performed. An expert panel was established who developed the standards of care and graded their priority (high, mild, low, or no priority) following qualitative methodology and Delphi process. An electronic survey was sent to a representative sample of 167 rheumatologists all around the country, who also gave priority to the standards of care (same scale). A descriptive analysis is presented. The systematic literature review retrieved no article specifically related to SpA patients. A total of 38 standards of care were obtained-12 related to structure, 20 to process, and 6 to result. Access to care, treatment, and safety standards of care were given a high priority by most of rheumatologists. Standards not directly connected to daily practice were not given such priority, as standards which included a time framework. The standards generated for the performance evaluation (including patient and professionals satisfaction) were not considered especially important in general. This set of standards of care should help improve the quality of care in SpA patients.
Topics: Consensus; Delphi Technique; Humans; Quality Improvement; Quality of Health Care; Rheumatology; Spondylarthritis; Standard of Care
PubMed: 24390635
DOI: 10.1007/s00296-013-2934-6 -
Developmental Medicine and Child... Dec 2013The aim of this systematic review was to assess the current validity and reliability of radiological methods used to measure proximal hip geometry in children with... (Review)
Review
AIM
The aim of this systematic review was to assess the current validity and reliability of radiological methods used to measure proximal hip geometry in children with cerebral palsy.
METHOD
A search was conducted using relevant keywords and inclusion/exclusion criteria of the MEDLINE, CINALH Plus, Embase, Web of Science, Academic Search Premier, The Cochrane Library, and PsychINFO databases.
RESULTS
The migration percentage using X-rays showed excellent reliability and concurrent validity with three-dimensional (3D) measurements from computed tomography (CT) scans. The acetabular index, measured using X-rays had good reliability but moderate concurrent validity with 3D CT measurements; 3D CT scan indexes had greater reliability. The measurement of the neck shaft angle using X-rays showed excellent concurrent validity with measurements from 3D CT scans and excellent reliability. Regarding femoral anteversion, one study found an excellent correlation between two-dimensional CT and clinical assessment and excellent reliability. Two others showed less evidence for the use of CT ultrasounds.
INTERPRETATION
Most of the X-ray-based measurements showed good to excellent metrological properties. More metrological evidence is needed for the assessment of femoral anteversion. Magnetic resonance imaging and ultrasound-based measurements have great potential although very little metrological evidence is available.
Topics: Cerebral Palsy; Child; Databases, Factual; Hip; Hip Injuries; Humans; Imaging, Three-Dimensional; Magnetic Resonance Imaging; Reproducibility of Results; Tomography, X-Ray Computed
PubMed: 23731365
DOI: 10.1111/dmcn.12169