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Dermatologic Surgery : Official... May 2024Limited access to dermatologic care may pose an obstacle to the early detection and intervention of cutaneous malignancies. The role of artificial intelligence (AI) in...
BACKGROUND
Limited access to dermatologic care may pose an obstacle to the early detection and intervention of cutaneous malignancies. The role of artificial intelligence (AI) in skin cancer diagnosis may alleviate potential care gaps.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this systematic review was to offer an in-depth exploration of published AI algorithms trained on dermoscopic and macroscopic clinical images for the diagnosis of melanoma, basal cell carcinoma, and cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (cSCC).
METHODS
Adhering to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis guidelines, a systematic review was conducted on peer-reviewed articles published between January 1, 2000, and January 26, 2023.
RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
Among the 232 studies in this review, the overall accuracy, sensitivity, and specificity of AI for tumor detection averaged 90%, 87%, and 91%, respectively. Model performance improved with time. Despite seemingly impressive performance, the paucity of external validation and limited representation of cSCC and skin of color in the data sets limits the generalizability of the current models. In addition, dermatologists coauthored only 12.9% of all studies included in the review. Moving forward, it is imperative to prioritize robustness in data reporting, inclusivity in data collection, and interdisciplinary collaboration to ensure the development of equitable and effective AI tools.
PubMed: 38722750
DOI: 10.1097/DSS.0000000000004223 -
The Patient May 2024Treatment preference research can support shared and informed decision making for currently available atopic dermatitis (AD) treatments, and simultaneously guide...
BACKGROUND
Treatment preference research can support shared and informed decision making for currently available atopic dermatitis (AD) treatments, and simultaneously guide research and development for future therapies. In this systematic literature review, we aimed to provide an overview of preferences for AD treatments.
METHODS
This systematic literature review was conducted in the Medline and Embase (via Ovid) databases, supplemented by manual searching. Quantitative research published from 2010 to September 2023 that investigated preferences for AD treatments were included. Quality assessment was conducted by using the purpose, respondents, explanation, findings, significance checklist, and a checklist developed by the Professional Society for Health Economics and Outcomes Research.
RESULTS
In total, 207 references were screened after removing duplicates and 15 studies were included. Most studies were conducted in the US, followed by European countries. On average, people directly or indirectly affected by AD rate efficacy and treatment-related risk as the most important criteria when choosing an AD therapy. Participants are willing to increase risks in order to have a higher chance of achieving a certain benefit, e.g. reduction in itch or clearer skin. Participants have preferences for different modes of administration. On average, 68% (all full-text studies) and 87% (only discrete choice experiments [DCEs]) of quality criteria per reference were rated as fulfilled. DCEs received generally higher quality assessment scores than non-DCEs.
CONCLUSIONS
This review revealed that AD treatment preference research is limited. Diverse study designs hampered comparison and synthesis of the results. We recommend conducting more DCEs in this field to increase the likelihood of AD patients receiving the therapy that best fits their individual needs and preferences.
CLINICAL TRIALS REGISTRATION
This protocol was published in PROSPERO (ID: CRD42023468757).
PubMed: 38722456
DOI: 10.1007/s40271-024-00698-3 -
Cureus Jan 2024Point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) is an imaging modality that has become a fundamental part of clinical care provided in the emergency department (ED). The applications... (Review)
Review
Point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) is an imaging modality that has become a fundamental part of clinical care provided in the emergency department (ED). The applications of this tool in the ED have ranged from resuscitation, diagnosis, and therapeutic to procedure guidance. This review aims to summarize the evidence on the use of POCUS for diagnosis and procedure guidance. To achieve this, CrossRef, PubMed, Cochrane Library, Web of Science, and Google Scholar databases were extensively searched for studies published between January 2000 and November 2023. Additionally, the risk of bias assessment was performed using the Quality Assessment of Diagnostic Accuracy Studies 2 (for studies on the diagnostic role of POCUS) and Cochrane Risk of Bias tool (for studies on the use of POCUS for procedure guidance). Furthermore, diagnostic accuracy outcomes were pooled using STATA 16 software (StatCorp., College Station, TX, USA), while outcomes related to procedure guidance were pooled using the Review Manager software. The study included 81 articles (74 evaluating the diagnostic application of POCUS and seven evaluating the use of POCUS in guiding clinical procedures). In our findings sensitivities and specificities for various conditions were as follows: appendicitis, 65% and 89%; hydronephrosis, 82% and 74%; small bowel obstruction, 93% and 82%; cholecystitis, 75% and 96%; retinal detachment, 94% and 91%; abscess, 95% and 85%; foreign bodies, 67% and 97%; clavicle fractures, 93% and 94%; distal forearm fractures, 97% and 94%; metacarpal fractures, 94% and 92%; skull fractures, 91% and 97%; and pleural effusion, 91% and 97%. A subgroup analysis of data from 11 studies also showed that the two-point POCUS has a sensitivity and specificity of 89% and 96%, while the three-point POCUS is 87% sensitive and 92% specific in the diagnosis of deep vein thrombosis. In addition, the analyses showed that ultrasound guidance significantly increases the overall success rate of peripheral venous access (p = 0.02) and significantly reduces the number of skin punctures (p = 0.01) compared to conventional methods. In conclusion, POCUS can be used in the ED to diagnose a wide range of clinical conditions accurately. Furthermore, it can be used to guide peripheral venous access and central venous catheter insertion.
PubMed: 38694948
DOI: 10.7759/cureus.52371 -
Special Care in Dentistry : Official... Apr 2024Children with autism exhibit a higher general and dental anxiety, due to altered sensory sensibilities. (Review)
Review
Effect of Sensory Adapted Dental Environment (SADE) on physiological and behavioral parameters related to stress and anxiety in children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) undergoing dental treatment: A systematic review and meta-analysis.
BACKGROUND
Children with autism exhibit a higher general and dental anxiety, due to altered sensory sensibilities.
AIM
This current systematic review aims to evaluate the effectiveness of Sensory adapted dental environment (SADE) over regular dental environment (RDE) on behavioral, physiological stress and overt anxiety in children with autism spectrum disorders (ASDs).
MATERIALS AND METHODS
Prospero registered (CRD42024508336). PubMed, Cochrane, Scopus databases are searched from years January 1, 1980-January 1, 2024 using pre-defined search strategy.
RESULTS
A total of 269 titles, were obtained from the included databases after application of filters, exclusion of duplicates and reviews and irrelevant articles led to the final inclusion of 12 articles for full text screening from which, three studies sustained the targeted PICO search.
CONCLUSION
Skin conductance level (parameter indicating physiological stress) is lower in SADE environment in children with ASD, other behavior stress related parameters there is no significant difference between SADE and RDE environments.
PubMed: 38689539
DOI: 10.1111/scd.13003 -
Heliyon Apr 2024Even though skin-to-skin contact offers several advantages for the survival of the newborn, it is not often practiced in Ethiopia. For instance, hypothermia which...
INTRODUCTION
Even though skin-to-skin contact offers several advantages for the survival of the newborn, it is not often practiced in Ethiopia. For instance, hypothermia which increases the risk of neonatal mortality by five times is prevented by this practice. Despite this, there are inconsistent findings that can affect policymaking. Consequently, this metanalysis aimed to produce trustworthy national data regarding skin-to-skin care practice and its determinants among postpartum mothers in Ethiopia.
METHODS
A search of the publications was conducted using MEDLINE, PubMed, Embase, Scopus, Web of Sciences, and Google Scholar. The program used for cleaning and analysis was STATA version 18.2. The random-effects model was utilized to estimate the pooled prevalence, which was then presented using a forest plot with a 95 % confidence interval. We evaluated heterogeneity using I2 and Cochrane Q statistics. Moreover, a visual examination of a funnel plot and Egger's regression test were used to evaluate publication bias.
RESULTS
This study included eight studies with a total of 10410 postpartum mothers. The overall level of skin-to-skin care practices was 48 % (95%CI: 31, 65. I99.38 %, P = 0.001). Based on subgroup analysis by year of publication, studies published between 2017 and 2019 years showed that the level of skin-to-skin care practice among postnatal mothers was 52 % (95 % CI: 14-89, I = 99.19). The knowledge of mothers about skin-to-skin care was significantly associated with practicing a level of skin-to-skin care.
CONCLUSIONS
The findings showed that in Ethiopia, comparatively less than half of the newborns received skin-to-skin care. Moreover, there was a substantial correlation between the mother's knowledge and practice of skin-to-skin care. Therefore, both the government and all stakeholders should take coordinated action to improve and expand skin-to-skin care practices through health education, so that all postnatal mothers can practice this vital newborn care.
PubMed: 38665590
DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e29732 -
Surgical Oncology Jun 2024Appropriate surveillance of patients with melanoma treated with curative intent is vital to improve patient outcomes. A systematic review was conducted to capture... (Review)
Review
PURPOSE
Appropriate surveillance of patients with melanoma treated with curative intent is vital to improve patient outcomes. A systematic review was conducted to capture locoregional recurrence and metastatic disease, and to evaluate the effectiveness of various surveillance strategies.
METHODS
MEDLINE, EMBASE, PubMed, Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, and National Cancer Institute Clinical Trials Database were searched. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and comparative studies reporting at least one patient-related outcome were included. Exclusion criteria included: published in non-English or recruited >20 % or an uncertain percentage of non-target patients without conducting a subgroup analysis for the target patients. This review was registered at PROSPERO (CRD42021246482).
RESULTS
Among 17,978 publications from the literature search, one RCT and five non-randomized comparative studies were included and comprised 4016 patients. The aggregate evidence certainty was low for the RCT and very low for the comparative studies, as assessed by the GRADE (Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development, and Evaluation) approach. For patients with stage IA-IIC melanoma, a reduced follow-up schedule with clinical follow-up strategies alone may be safe and cost-effective. For stage IIC-IIIC patients, at least two serial PET/CT or whole-body CT and brain MRI imaging within a median follow-up of 31.2 months may detect 50 % of recurrences that lead to additional management, such as surgery. PET/CT may have a higher positive predictive value and lower false positive rate compared with CT alone in detecting recurrence in stage I-III patients.
CONCLUSION
Surveillance protocols should be based on individual risk of recurrence and established best practices when formulating follow-up strategies, as suggested by the studies reviewed. Future high-quality studies are needed to clarify the frequency of imaging follow-up strategies, especially in patients with high-risk stage II melanoma.
Topics: Humans; Melanoma; Neoplasm Recurrence, Local; Neoplasm Staging; Prognosis; Skin Neoplasms; Treatment Outcome
PubMed: 38657486
DOI: 10.1016/j.suronc.2024.102077 -
JAMA Dermatology Jun 2024Inconsistent reporting of outcomes in clinical trials of rosacea is impeding and likely preventing accurate data pooling and meta-analyses. There is a need for...
IMPORTANCE
Inconsistent reporting of outcomes in clinical trials of rosacea is impeding and likely preventing accurate data pooling and meta-analyses. There is a need for standardization of outcomes assessed during intervention trials of rosacea.
OBJECTIVE
To develop a rosacea core outcome set (COS) based on key domains that are globally relevant and applicable to all demographic groups to be used as a minimum list of outcomes for reporting by rosacea clinical trials, and when appropriate, in clinical practice.
EVIDENCE REVIEW
A systematic literature review of rosacea clinical trials was conducted. Discrete outcomes were extracted and augmented through discussions and focus groups with key stakeholders. The initial list of 192 outcomes was refined to identify 50 unique outcomes that were rated through the Delphi process Round 1 by 88 panelists (63 physicians from 17 countries and 25 patients with rosacea in the US) on 9-point Likert scale. Based on feedback, an additional 11 outcomes were added in Round 2. Outcomes deemed to be critical for inclusion (rated 7-9 by ≥70% of both groups) were discussed in consensus meetings. The outcomes deemed to be most important for inclusion by at least 85% of the participants were incorporated into the final core domain set.
FINDINGS
The Delphi process and consensus-building meetings identified a final core set of 8 domains for rosacea clinical trials: ocular signs and symptoms; skin signs of disease; skin symptoms; overall severity; patient satisfaction; quality of life; degree of improvement; and presence and severity of treatment-related adverse events. Recommendations were also made for application in the clinical setting.
CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE
This core domain set for rosacea research is now available; its adoption by researchers may improve the usefulness of future trials of rosacea therapies by enabling meta-analyses and other comparisons across studies. This core domain set may also be useful in clinical practice.
Topics: Rosacea; Humans; Clinical Trials as Topic; Consensus; Delphi Technique; Outcome Assessment, Health Care; Treatment Outcome
PubMed: 38656294
DOI: 10.1001/jamadermatol.2024.0636 -
Advances in Skin & Wound Care May 2024To synthesize the effects of oxygen-based therapy on patients with a chronic wound. (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
OBJECTIVE
To synthesize the effects of oxygen-based therapy on patients with a chronic wound.
DATA SOURCES
The authors searched PubMed, EMBASE, and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials for relevant randomized controlled trials from database inception. Investigators measured risk of bias using the Cochrane Collaboration's Risk of Bias tool.
STUDY SELECTION
The included randomized controlled trials focused on the effects (short- or long-term wound healing, amputation rate, percentage of reduction in ulcer size, and poststudy transcutaneous oxygen measurement [TcPO2]) of oxygen-based therapy (including hyperbaric oxygen therapy, topical oxygen therapy, and continuous diffusion of oxygen) on patients with a chronic wound.
DATA EXTRACTION
Researchers extracted information regarding participant characteristics and primary and secondary outcomes from the included studies.
DATA SYNTHESIS
Pooled effects of 31 included studies showed that patients treated with oxygen had better short-term wound healing (risk ratio [RR], 1.544; 95% CI, 1.199 to 1.987), a higher percentage reduction in the ulcer area (standardized mean difference [SMD], 0.999; 95% CI, 0.439 to 1. 599), lower amputation rates (RR, 0.529; 95% CI, 0.325 to 0.862), shorter wound healing time (SMD, -0.705; 95% CI, -0.908 to -0.501), and higher poststudy TcPO2 (SMD, 2.128; 95% CI, 0.978 to 3.278) than those in the control group. For long-term wound healing, there was no statistically significant difference (RR, 1.227; 95% CI, 0.976 to 1.542).
CONCLUSIONS
Oxygen-based therapy improves short-term parameters of wound healing in patients with chronic wounds.
Topics: Humans; Chronic Disease; Hyperbaric Oxygenation; Oxygen; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; Treatment Outcome; Wound Healing
PubMed: 38648247
DOI: 10.1097/ASW.0000000000000131 -
Primary Care Diabetes Jun 2024This study will explore the effectiveness of fish skin grafts (FSG) in ulcer healing in diabetic foot disease compared to standard of care (SOC). (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
INTRODUCTION
This study will explore the effectiveness of fish skin grafts (FSG) in ulcer healing in diabetic foot disease compared to standard of care (SOC).
METHODS
The systematic review and meta-analysis were performed following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) standard. The electronic databases of PubMed, EMBASE, and Web of Science (WoS) internet were searched for the outcome rate of complete ulcer healing. The risk of bias assessment was conducted using the tool recommended by the Cochrane Collaboration. Statistical analysis included the individual and combined result of the studies, heterogeneity test, the effect size, sensitivity analysis, and publication bias tests.
RESULTS
Five randomised controlled trials (RCTs) with a total of 411 patients were included in this study. This meta-analysis showed a higher rate of complete ulcer healing in groups receiving fish skin grafts (OR = 3.34, 95% CI 2.14-5.20, p < 0.01, I = 0%) compared to control groups.
CONCLUSION
Fish skin grafts have been shown to be more effective for achieving complete ulcer healing compared to current conventional treatments in diabetic foot disease.
Topics: Adult; Aged; Animals; Female; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Chronic Disease; Diabetic Foot; Fishes; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; Risk Factors; Skin Transplantation; Standard of Care; Time Factors; Treatment Outcome; Wound Healing
PubMed: 38644082
DOI: 10.1016/j.pcd.2024.03.008 -
American Journal of Clinical Dermatology Jul 2024Ultrasound surveillance has become the new standard of care in stage III melanoma after the 2017 Multicenter Selective Lymphadenectomy Trial II (MSLT-II) demonstrated... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
BACKGROUND
Ultrasound surveillance has become the new standard of care in stage III melanoma after the 2017 Multicenter Selective Lymphadenectomy Trial II (MSLT-II) demonstrated non-inferior 3-year survival compared with complete lymph node dissection.
OBJECTIVE
We aimed to quantify diagnostic performance and adherence rates of ultrasound surveillance for melanoma locoregional metastasis, offering insights into real-world applicability.
METHODS
Conducted in accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses (PRISMA) guidelines, we systematically searched the Medline, Embase, Cochrane Library, CINAHL, Scopus, and Web of Science databases from inception until 11 October 2023. All primary studies that reported data on the diagnostic performance or adherence rates to ultrasound surveillance in melanoma were included. R statistical software was used for data synthesis and analysis. Sensitivity and specificity were aggregated across studies using the meta-analytic method for diagnostic tests outlined by Rutter and Gatsonis. Adherence rates were calculated as the ratio of patients fully compliant to planned follow-up to those who were not.
RESULTS
A total of 36 studies including 18,273 patients were analysed, with a mean age of 56.6 years and a male-to-female ratio of 1:1.11. The median follow-up duration and frequency was 36 and 4 months, respectively. The pooled sensitivity of ultrasound examination was 0.879 (95% confidence interval [CI] 0.878-0.879) and specificity was 0.969 (95% CI 0.968-0.970), representing a diagnostic odds ratio of 224.5 (95% CI 223.1-225.9). Ultrasound examination demonstrated a substantial improvement in absolute sensitivity over clinical examination alone, with a number needed to screen (NNS) of 2.95. The overall adherence rate was 77.0% (95% CI 76.0-78.1%), with significantly lower rates in the United States [US] (p < 0.001) and retrospective studies (p < 0.001).
CONCLUSION
Ultrasound is a powerful diagnostic tool for locoregional melanoma metastasis. However, the real applicability to surveillance programmes is limited by low adherence rates, especially in the US. Further studies should seek to address this adherence gap.
Topics: Humans; Melanoma; Skin Neoplasms; Ultrasonography; Sensitivity and Specificity; Lymphatic Metastasis; Neoplasm Staging; Patient Compliance; Lymph Node Excision
PubMed: 38635019
DOI: 10.1007/s40257-024-00862-3