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Inflammopharmacology Apr 2024Prurigo nodularis (PN) is a neuroimmunological skin disease. Severe itching is the most challenging symptom which affects patients' quality of life. T helper 2-derived... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
Prurigo nodularis (PN) is a neuroimmunological skin disease. Severe itching is the most challenging symptom which affects patients' quality of life. T helper 2-derived cytokines, such as interleukin-31 and oncostatin M (OSM), play a crucial role in PN pathogenesis. Nemolizumab and vixarelimab are two biologics acting as IL-31 inhibitors. Vixarelimab also suppresses the OSM activity. This systematic review evaluates the efficacy and safety of nemolizumab and vixarelimab in PN management.
METHODS
A systematic search was conducted in PubMed/Medline, Ovid Embase, and Web of Science up to September 17th, 2023. Clinical trials and cohort studies published in English were included.
RESULTS
Among a total of 96 relevant records, five were included. The results of four studies with 452 patients using nemolizumab showed that a significantly higher percentage of patients treated with nemolizumab demonstrated a reduction in peak pruritus numerical rating scale (PP-NRS) and investigator's global assessment along with improved sleep disturbance (SD) and quality of life than the placebo group. Moreover, one study administered vixarelimab to 49 PN patients, and their finding illustrated a higher rate of subjects who received vixarelimab experienced ≥ 4-point diminution in worst itch NRS, visual analog scale, healing of representative lesions, and SD quality compared to the placebo group.
CONCLUSIONS
IL-31 inhibitors suggest distinct advantages in improving pruritus, sleep quality, and overall quality of life in subjects with moderate-to-severe PN. Further clinical studies are recommended to compare the effectiveness of these biologics to other therapeutic choices.
Topics: Humans; Biological Products; Interleukin Inhibitors; Prurigo; Pruritus; Quality of Life; Interleukins
PubMed: 38332383
DOI: 10.1007/s10787-024-01436-9 -
Journal of Lasers in Medical Sciences 2023The immune response to laser tattoo removal poses a significant challenge in its management, primarily due to its unpredictable nature, which can range from mild... (Review)
Review
The immune response to laser tattoo removal poses a significant challenge in its management, primarily due to its unpredictable nature, which can range from mild hypersensitivity reactions to severe anaphylaxis. Such responses can potentially hinder the effectiveness of laser tattoo removal procedures. Therefore, gaining a comprehensive understanding of the immune response to tattoo removal using laser techniques is of utmost importance to develop more efficient management strategies. This study aims to address this need by analyzing eight carefully selected articles obtained through a thorough literature review. To explore the immune response associated with laser techniques in tattoo removal, we employed a rigorous research methodology. A thorough literature review was conducted using reputable search engines such as Google Scholar, SagePub, and PubMed to collect relevant articles. Initially, 788 potential articles were identified through this process. Following meticulous scrutiny, only eight articles that met stringent inclusion criteria were selected for our study. This meticulous selection process ensures that the information presented here is derived from high-quality and pertinent research. Based on the analysis of the eight selected articles, our findings illuminate the various immune responses that emerge following tattoo removal using laser techniques. These responses include hypersensitivity reactions, allergic manifestations, and, in certain instances, anaphylaxis. Hypersensitivity reactions typically manifested as erythema, edema, and pruritus, while allergic responses were observed in the form of urticaria. In summary, our study highlights that the immune response to laser tattoo removal primarily elicits hypersensitivity and, in some cases, anaphylaxis reactions. Our study underscores the significance of clinicians being vigilant regarding potential immune responses during laser tattoo removal. It is crucial to closely monitor patients to promptly address any adverse reactions. Further research holds the potential to enhance our understanding, paving the way for improved management strategies that can enhance patient safety and treatment success.
PubMed: 38318216
DOI: 10.34172/jlms.2023.66 -
European Journal of Dermatology : EJD Oct 2023Despite extensive research on biological therapies for atopic dermatitis (AD), recent clinical trials of the Janus kinase inhibitor 1, abrocitinib, have provided more... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
Efficacy and safety of abrocitinib for the treatment of adolescents and adults with moderate-to-severe atopic dermatitis: update of a living systematic review and meta-analysis.
Despite extensive research on biological therapies for atopic dermatitis (AD), recent clinical trials of the Janus kinase inhibitor 1, abrocitinib, have provided more definitive evidence regarding its efficacy and safety in treating AD. To conduct a living systematic review and meta-analysis to evaluate the efficacy and safety of abrocitinib in adolescents and adults with moderate-to-severe AD. The databases of PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library and clinical trial registries were searched from inception of the databases to July 11, 2023. Only randomized controlled trials assessing the efficacy and safety of abrocitinib in individuals with moderate-to-severe AD were included in the meta-analysis. Twelve studies involving a total of 5,644 participants aged 12 years or older were included in the analysis. The pooled results revealed a significantly higher proportion of patients achieving Investigator Global Assessment response (RR = 3.52, 95% CI: 2.78 to 4.46), Eczema Area and Severity Index response (RR = 3.35, 95% CI: 2.54 to 4.41), Peak Pruritus Numeric Rating Scale response (RR = 2.54, 95% CI: 1.95 to 3.30), and Patient-Oriented Eczema Measure response (abrocitinib 100-mg group: -4.25, 95% CrI: -5.24 to -3.27; abrocitinib 200-mg group: -7.69, 95% CrI: -8.39 to -6.99) compared to the placebo group. Additionally, there was no significant differences in adverse events between the abrocitinib and placebo groups. Abrocitinib demonstrates a favourable safety profile and robust efficacy in treating moderate-to-severe AD compared to placebo. The 200-mg dose regimen appears to be more effective than the 100-mg dose regimen for the treatment of AD.
Topics: Adult; Humans; Adolescent; Dermatitis, Atopic; Pyrimidines; Sulfonamides; Eczema; Treatment Outcome; Severity of Illness Index; Double-Blind Method
PubMed: 38297930
DOI: 10.1684/ejd.2023.4557 -
Clinical Nephrology Apr 2024The incidence of pruritus associated with hemodialysis (HD) patients can be as high as 70%, and ~ 40% of patients suffer from moderate to severe systemic pruritus.... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
BACKGROUND
The incidence of pruritus associated with hemodialysis (HD) patients can be as high as 70%, and ~ 40% of patients suffer from moderate to severe systemic pruritus. Difelikefalin (CR845), a peripheral restrictor κ-opioid receptor agonist, activates opioid receptors on peripheral neurons and immune cells to relieve pruritus in patients. However, the clinical effect of difelikefalin on HD-related pruritus is unclear. Therefore, the purpose of this meta-analysis and systematic review was to investigate the safety and efficacy of difelikefalin in the treatment of HD-associated pruritus.
OBJECTIVE
This study explored the efficacy and safety of difelikefalin in the treatment of pruritus in HD patients by systematic review and meta-analysis.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
Randomized controlled trials on difelikefalin in the treatment of pruritus in HD patients were retrieved from PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, and Web of Science electronic databases. The retrieval deadline was January 1, 2023. Stata 15.0 software was used for data analysis of the included studies.
RESULTS
A total of 4 randomized controlled trials were included, totaling 1,268 patients (736 patients in the experimental group and 532 patients in the control group). Results of the meta-analysis showed that, compared with the control group, difelikefalin could significantly improve the Worst Itch Numeric Rating Scale score (improvement > 3; risk ratio (RR) = 1.28, 95% confidence interval (CI) (1.07, 1.53)), decrease the 5-D itch score (standardized mean difference = -0.43, 95% CI (-0.55, -0.30)), and significantly improve adverse events (RR = 1.33, 95% CI (1.13, 1.56)).
CONCLUSION
Although difelikefalin can improve itching symptoms in HD patients, it can also increase adverse reactions based on the current literature. Therefore, more studies are needed to further explore the safety and efficacy of difelikefalin treatment.
Topics: Humans; Piperidines; Pruritus; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; Renal Dialysis
PubMed: 38294219
DOI: 10.5414/CN111169 -
Postepy Dermatologii I Alergologii Dec 2023Upadacitinib, an oral selective-JAK1 inhibitor, has been used in clinical trials to treat atopic dermatitis (AD). (Review)
Review
INTRODUCTION
Upadacitinib, an oral selective-JAK1 inhibitor, has been used in clinical trials to treat atopic dermatitis (AD).
AIM
To evaluate the efficacy and safety of upadacitinib in moderate-to-severe AD.
MATERIAL AND METHODS
We searched clinical trials from PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library databases, and Web of Science. All randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of upadacitinib treatment on patients with moderate-to-severe AD were included. A meta-analysis was performed using the fixed- or random-effects models to calculate pooled standard mean differences or relative risks (SMD or RR, respectively).
RESULTS
Compared with the placebo group, our meta-analysis revealed that upadacitinib was related to a significant decrease in Eczema Area and Severity Index (EASI) scores, and pruritus numeric rating scale (NRS) scores. A higher response rate in Investigator's Global Assessment (IGA) and EASI-75 were also detected in the upadacitinib group. Although patients treated with upadacitinib experienced a higher incidence of adverse events (AEs), these AEs were mild and tolerated. As for serious adverse events (SAEs), there was no difference between the placebo group and the upadacitinib group.
CONCLUSIONS
This meta-analysis demonstrated that upadacitinib is a safe and effective treatment for moderate-to-severe AD. Further long-term trials are required for confirmation.
PubMed: 38282878
DOI: 10.5114/ada.2023.133820 -
Reviews in Medical Virology Jan 2024On 23 July 2022, the World Health Organization declared the global mpox outbreak as a public health emergency of international significance. The mpox virus (MPXV) that... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
On 23 July 2022, the World Health Organization declared the global mpox outbreak as a public health emergency of international significance. The mpox virus (MPXV) that caused the outbreak was classified as clade IIb, which belongs to the West African clade. However, the relationship between MPXV clades and symptoms, as well as the severity of mpox outcomes, is not fully understood. Thus, we aimed to investigate the global mpox prevalence and the differences in clinical manifestations and outcomes among patients with mpox between pre-outbreak (2003-2021) and the current mpox outbreak. In this systematic review and meta-analysis, PubMed/MEDLINE, Web of Science, Embase, Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature, and Google Scholar were searched using the keyword "monkeypox" and "mpox" up to 13 October 2022. A random effects model was used to obtain the pooled prevalence and 95% confidence intervals. This study included 27 articles, and 5698 patients with mpox with 19 distinctive features from 19 countries across five continents were assessed. Patients with mpox during the 2022 mpox outbreak showed mild clinical manifestations and outcomes compared with those before the 2022 mpox outbreak: mild rash (relative ratio [RR]: 5.09, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.52-17.08), fever (0.68, 0.49-0.94), pruritus (0.25, 0.19-0.32), myalgia (0.50, 0.31-0.81), headache (0.56, 0.35-0.88), skin ulcer (0.32, 0.17-0.59), abdominal symptom (0.29, 0.20-0.42), pharyngitis (0.32, 0.18-0.58), nausea or vomiting (0.15, 0.02-0.93), conjunctivitis (0.11, 0.03-0.38), concomitant infection with HIV (1.70, 0.95-3 0.04), and death (0.02, 0.001-0.31). MPXV clade IIb exhibited higher infectivity but may cause mild disease symptoms and low mortality rate. It is important to consider MPXV infection in patients with mpox-related features and/or a history of sexual transmission to prevent the spread of the disease and recognise the current pandemic threat.
Topics: Humans; Mpox (monkeypox); Disease Outbreaks; Public Health; Exanthema; Fever; HIV Seropositivity; HIV-1
PubMed: 38282393
DOI: 10.1002/rmv.2508 -
Evaluation of Pharmacological Treatments for Acute Urticaria: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.The Journal of Allergy and Clinical... May 2024The effectiveness and safety of pharmacological treatments for acute urticaria remain unclear. (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
BACKGROUND
The effectiveness and safety of pharmacological treatments for acute urticaria remain unclear.
OBJECTIVE
To systematically review and meta-analyze the efficacy and safety of pharmacological treatments for acute urticaria in emergency department (ED) and non-ED settings.
METHODS
We searched electronic databases and gray literature up to July 8, 2023, without language restrictions. Randomized clinical trials (RCTs) relating to pharmacological interventions in patients with acute urticaria, regardless of age, were eligible for inclusion. The relevant outcomes of interest were the treatment efficacy and safety profiles. The results are presented as standardized mean differences (SMDs) or odds ratios (ORs).
RESULTS
We identified 8 RCTs comprising 680 patients. Regarding the ED setting (2 trials, n = 118), intramuscular first-generation H1-antihistamine (fgAH) was more efficacious in decreasing pruritus symptoms (SMD, -0.38; 95% confidence interval [CI], -0.75 to -0.02) but had higher sedative effects than H2-blockers. With comparable pruritus symptom improvement (2 trials, n = 295), intravenous second-generation H1-antihistamine (sgAH) had favorable clinical outcomes compared with intravenous fgAH in the ED setting with a lower risk of return to any ED/clinic (OR, 0.31; 95% CI, 0.12-0.83) and lower risk of any adverse event (OR, 0.24; 95% CI, 0.09-0.63). The efficacy of adjunctive therapy with a short course of systemic glucocorticosteroids in ED and non-ED settings remains unclear. No serious concerns regarding the safety profiles were observed in any of the treatment comparisons.
CONCLUSIONS
H1-antihistamine is a crucial and effective component of acute urticaria treatment, and intravenous sgAH is preferred as an initial treatment option.
Topics: Humans; Urticaria; Histamine H1 Antagonists; Acute Disease; Treatment Outcome; Histamine H2 Antagonists; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; Emergency Service, Hospital; Pruritus
PubMed: 38280453
DOI: 10.1016/j.jaip.2024.01.022 -
Healthcare (Basel, Switzerland) Jan 2024Epidermolysis bullosa (EB) is the overarching term for a set of rare inherited skin fragility disorders that result from mutations in at least 20 different genes.... (Review)
Review
Epidermolysis bullosa (EB) is the overarching term for a set of rare inherited skin fragility disorders that result from mutations in at least 20 different genes. Currently, there is no cure for any of the EB subtypes associated with various mutations. Existing therapies primarily focus on alleviating pain and promoting early wound healing to prevent potential complications. Consequently, there is an urgent need for innovative therapeutic approaches. The objective of this research was to assess the efficacy of various topical treatments in patients with EB with the goal of achieving wound healing. A secondary objective was to analyse the efficacy of topical treatments for symptom reduction. A literature search was conducted using scientific databases, including The Cochrane Library, Medline (Pubmed), Web of Science, CINHAL, Embase, and Scopus. The protocol review was registered in PROSPERO (ID: 418790), and inclusion and exclusion criteria were applied, resulting in the selection of 23 articles. Enhanced healing times were observed compared with the control group. No conclusive data have been observed on pain management, infection, pruritus episodes, and cure rates over time. Additionally, evidence indicates significant progress in gene therapies (B-VEC), as well as cell and protein therapies. The dressing group, Oleogel S-10, allantoin and diacerein 1%, were the most represented, followed by fibroblast utilisation. In addition, emerging treatments that improve the patient's innate immunity, such as calcipotriol, are gaining attention. However, more trials are needed to reduce the prevalence of blistering and improve the quality of life of individuals with epidermolysis bullosa.
PubMed: 38275540
DOI: 10.3390/healthcare12020261 -
Journal of Clinical Medicine Jan 2024This study aimed to investigate the efficacy and safety of transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) in postoperative acute pain control. PubMed, Scopus, and... (Review)
Review
This study aimed to investigate the efficacy and safety of transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) in postoperative acute pain control. PubMed, Scopus, and Cochrane Library were searched on 1-8 December 2022, for randomized controlled trials on the analgesic effects of TENS. The outcomes were pain intensity and opioid use (primary), and postoperative (PO) adverse events, blood pressure, and the duration of hospital stay (secondary); PROSPERO CRD42022333335. A total of 40 articles were included in the meta-analysis. Pain intensity at rest and during coughing for all types of surgeries combined was lower in the TENS group (standardized mean difference (SMD) = -0.51 [-0.61, -0.41], < 0.00001, 29 studies, and -1.28 [-2.46, -0.09], -value = 0.03, six studies, respectively). There was a statistically significant decrease in morphine requirements, as well as in the incidence of postoperative nausea and vomiting, dizziness, and pruritus. There was no difference between the groups in postoperative pain intensity during walking, in blood pressure, and only a borderline difference in the length of hospital stay. The subgroup analysis by surgery type did not show significant differences between the groups in pain severity at rest. Thus, TENS has a potential for pain control and postoperative recovery outcomes.
PubMed: 38256561
DOI: 10.3390/jcm13020427 -
Life (Basel, Switzerland) Jan 2024Intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy (ICP) is the most common pregnancy-related liver disease, usually presented in the third trimester with pruritus, elevated... (Review)
Review
Severe Early-Onset Intrahepatic Cholestasis of Pregnancy Following Ovarian Hyperstimulation Syndrome with Pulmonary Presentation after In Vitro Fertilization: Case Report and Systematic Review of Case Reports.
BACKGROUND
Intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy (ICP) is the most common pregnancy-related liver disease, usually presented in the third trimester with pruritus, elevated transaminase, and serum total bile acids. Evidence shows that it can be developed in the first trimester, more commonly after in vitro fertilization (IVF) procedures, with the presence of ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS).
METHODS
A literature search was conducted in the PubMed/MEDLINE database of case reports/studies reporting early-onset ICP in spontaneous and IVF pregnancies published until July 2023.
RESULTS
Thirty articles on early-onset ICP were included in the review analysis, with 19 patients who developed ICP in spontaneous pregnancy and 15 patients who developed ICP in IVF pregnancies with or without OHSS. Cases of 1st and 2nd trimester ICP in terms of "early-onset" ICP were pooled to gather additional findings.
CONCLUSIONS
Proper monitoring should be applied even before expected pregnancy and during IVF procedures in patients with known risk factors for OHSS and ICP development (patient and family history), with proper progesterone supplementation dosage and genetic testing in case of ICP recurrence.
PubMed: 38255744
DOI: 10.3390/life14010129