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The American Journal of Gastroenterology Jan 2017Celiac disease (CD) and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) share similar symptoms, leading to confusion between the two and diagnostic delay. International guidelines... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
OBJECTIVES
Celiac disease (CD) and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) share similar symptoms, leading to confusion between the two and diagnostic delay. International guidelines recommend screening individuals with IBS for CD, via serological testing. However, studies published recently have cast doubt on the utility of this. We updated a previous meta-analysis examining this issue.
METHODS
MEDLINE, EMBASE, and EMBASE Classic were searched through to May 2016. Eligible studies recruited adults with IBS according to symptom-based criteria, physician's opinion, or questionnaire data. Tests for CD included IgA-class antigliadin antibodies (AGA), endomysial antibodies (EMA), tissue transglutaminase antibodies (tTG), or duodenal biopsies following positive serology. The proportion of individuals meeting criteria for IBS testing positive for CD was combined to give a pooled prevalence for all studies, and compared between cases with IBS and, healthy controls without (where reported), using an odds ratio (OR) with a 95% confidence interval (CI).
RESULTS
There were 36 eligible studies, recruiting 15,256 individuals, of whom 9,275 (60.8%) met criteria for IBS. Pooled ORs for positive IgA AGAs, EMA and/or tTG, and biopsy-proven CD in IBS subjects vs. controls were 3.21 (95% CI 1.55-6.65), 2.75 (95% CI 1.35-5.61), and 4.48 (95% CI 2.33-8.60), respectively. There was no increase in ORs for any test for CD among cases with IBS in North American studies, and results were inconsistent in population-based studies. The prevalence of biopsy-proven CD was significantly higher across all subtypes of IBS. Limitations included heterogeneity in some analyses, and few North American studies.
CONCLUSIONS
Overall, prevalence of positive celiac serology and biopsy-proven CD was significantly higher in subjects with symptoms suggestive of IBS vs. healthy controls. However, the utility of screening for CD in individuals with suspected IBS in North America or in the community is less clear.
Topics: Antibodies; Autoantibodies; Biopsy; Case-Control Studies; Celiac Disease; Delayed Diagnosis; Diagnosis, Differential; Duodenum; GTP-Binding Proteins; Gliadin; Humans; Immunoglobulin A; Irritable Bowel Syndrome; Mass Screening; Odds Ratio; Prevalence; Protein Glutamine gamma Glutamyltransferase 2; Serologic Tests; Transglutaminases
PubMed: 27753436
DOI: 10.1038/ajg.2016.466 -
Medicine Aug 2016Rs1495741 has been identified to infer N-acetyltransferase 2 (NAT2) acetylator phenotype, and to decrease the risk of bladder cancer. However, a number of studies... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
rs1495741 as a tag single nucleotide polymorphism of N-acetyltransferase 2 acetylator phenotype associates bladder cancer risk and interacts with smoking: A systematic review and meta-analysis.
Rs1495741 has been identified to infer N-acetyltransferase 2 (NAT2) acetylator phenotype, and to decrease the risk of bladder cancer. However, a number of studies conducted in various regions showed controversial results. To quantify the association between rs1495741 and the risk of bladder cancer and to estimate the interaction effect of this genetic variant with smoking, we performed a systematic literature review and meta-analysis involving 14,815 cases and 58,282 controls from 29 studies. Our results indicates rs1495741 significantly associated with bladder cancer risk (OR = 0.85, 95% CI = 0.82-0.89, test for heterogeneity P = 0.36, I = 7.0%). And we verified this association in populations from Europe, America, and Asia. Further, our stratified meta-analysis showed rs1495741's role is typically evident only in ever smokers, which suggests its interaction with smoking. This study may provide new insight into gene-environment study on bladder cancer.
Topics: Arylamine N-Acetyltransferase; Female; Genetic Predisposition to Disease; Genotype; Humans; Male; Phenotype; Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide; Prevalence; Prognosis; Risk Assessment; Smoking; Urinary Bladder Neoplasms
PubMed: 27495060
DOI: 10.1097/MD.0000000000004417 -
The Turkish Journal of Gastroenterology... Mar 2016The current systematic review and meta-analysis study assessed the prevalence of celiac disease (CD) in Iran. (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
BACKGROUND/AIMS
The current systematic review and meta-analysis study assessed the prevalence of celiac disease (CD) in Iran.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
Electronic databases, including MEDLINE, SCOPUS, Web of Science, Cochrane library Collaboration, and Iranian scientific databases, were searched from 1993 to 2013 for English and Persian articles. The following terms were used, alone or combined, "celiac (MeSH)," "ceoliac," "prevalence (MeSH)," and "Iran*." Heterogeneity was assessed using the I2 statistic with a cut-off value of 50%, and the Chi-square test was used to define a statically significant degree of heterogeneity with a p value of <0.10. The publication bias of literatures was assessed by visual examination of the funnel plot and Begger's funnel plot.
RESULTS
Meta-analysis was conducted on seven publications with 9,720 subjects. Overall, the pooled prevalence of CD among the Iranian population was 0.72% [95% confidence interval (CI): 0.62%-0.98%]. There was no significant heterogeneity among the studies (I2=4%, p=0.396). The pooled prevalence of CD on the basis of IgA-anti tissue transglutaminase (tTGA) and tTGA and duodenal biopsy positivity was 0.83% (95% CI: 0.69%-1.14%) and 0.79% (95% CI: 0.66%-1.09%), respectively. No significant publication bias was observed using the funnel plot and Begger's funnel plot.
CONCLUSION
CD prevalence among the Iranian population was approximately similar to that of the American and European populations.
Topics: Biopsy; Celiac Disease; Duodenum; Female; Humans; Immunoglobulin A; Iran; Male; Observational Studies as Topic; Prevalence; Transglutaminases
PubMed: 27015617
DOI: 10.5152/tjg.2015.150191 -
Arquivos de Gastroenterologia 2015The standard treatment of chronic hepatitis C is the administration of pegylated interferon α2a or α2b in combination with ribavirin, but adverse effects can be... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
The standard treatment of chronic hepatitis C is the administration of pegylated interferon α2a or α2b in combination with ribavirin, but adverse effects can be observed, as well as the high cost of this therapy. Therefore, there is interest in understanding the predictors of sustained virologic response, as the gamma glutamyltransferase.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the serum levels of gamma glutamyltransferase as a predictor of response to treatment with pegylated interferon α and ribavirin in chronic hepatitis C.
METHODS
This is a systematic review of literature, conducted by consulting PUBMED, LILACS, MEDLINE, SCOPUS, Cochrane electronic databases, and active search of articles selected between January 2000 and April 2013.
RESULTS
A total of 4,785 titles were identified. Out of those material, following inclusion and exclusion criteria, 273 abstracts were selected, by two independent researchers. After reading those texts, the reviewers consensually included ten studies for systematization and classification, according to the criteria of the Oxford Scale. 1B studies are predominant (prospective cohort study - six studies). Rapid virologic response and early virological response were considered as estimates for the sustained virological response. The frequency of virologic response was identified in three studies and early virological response in two, with a total of 392 and 413 patients, respectively; sustained virologic response was reported in nine articles corresponding to 3,787 patients (76.5 %).
CONCLUSION
Gamma glutamyltransferase is a predictor of sustained virologic response in the treatment of chronic hepatitis C with pegylated interferon α2a or α2b associated with ribavirin.
Topics: Antiviral Agents; Drug Therapy, Combination; Hepatitis C, Chronic; Humans; Interferon-alpha; Ribavirin; gamma-Glutamyltransferase
PubMed: 26486294
DOI: 10.1590/S0004-28032015000300016 -
International Journal of Epidemiology Feb 2016Low penetrance genetic variants, primarily single nucleotide polymorphisms, have substantial influence on colorectal cancer (CRC) susceptibility. Most CRCs develop from... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
BACKGROUND
Low penetrance genetic variants, primarily single nucleotide polymorphisms, have substantial influence on colorectal cancer (CRC) susceptibility. Most CRCs develop from colorectal adenomas (CRA). Here we report the first comprehensive field synopsis that catalogues all genetic association studies on CRA, with a parallel online database [http://www.chs.med.ed.ac.uk/CRAgene/].
METHODS
We performed a systematic review, reviewing 9750 titles, and then extracted data from 130 publications reporting on 181 polymorphisms in 74 genes. We conducted meta-analyses to derive summary effect estimates for 37 polymorphisms in 26 genes. We applied the Venice criteria and Bayesian False Discovery Probability (BFDP) to assess the levels of the credibility of associations.
RESULTS
We considered the association with the rs6983267 variant at 8q24 as 'highly credible', reaching genome-wide statistical significance in at least one meta-analysis model. We identified 'less credible' associations (higher heterogeneity, lower statistical power, BFDP > 0.02) with a further four variants of four independent genes: MTHFR c.677C>T p.A222V (rs1801133), TP53 c.215C>G p.R72P (rs1042522), NQO1 c.559C>T p.P187S (rs1800566), and NAT1 alleles imputed as fast acetylator genotypes. For the remaining 32 variants of 22 genes for which positive associations with CRA risk have been previously reported, the meta-analyses revealed no credible evidence to support these as true associations.
CONCLUSIONS
The limited number of credible associations between low penetrance genetic variants and CRA reflects the lower volume of evidence and associated lack of statistical power to detect associations of the magnitude typically observed for genetic variants and chronic diseases. The CRA gene database provides context for CRA genetic association data and will help inform future research directions.
Topics: Adenoma; Alleles; Arylamine N-Acetyltransferase; Bayes Theorem; Colorectal Neoplasms; Genetic Predisposition to Disease; Genome-Wide Association Study; Humans; Isoenzymes; Methylenetetrahydrofolate Reductase (NADPH2); NAD(P)H Dehydrogenase (Quinone); Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide; Risk Factors; Tumor Suppressor Protein p53
PubMed: 26451011
DOI: 10.1093/ije/dyv185 -
PloS One 2012Several prospective observational studies suggest that gamma-glutamyltransferase(GGT) level is positively associated with risk of hypertension. However, these studies... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
BACKGROUND
Several prospective observational studies suggest that gamma-glutamyltransferase(GGT) level is positively associated with risk of hypertension. However, these studies draw inconsistent conclusions. Therefore, we conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to evaluate the exact association between GGT level and subsequent development of hypertension.
METHODS
We searched Pubmed, Embase, and Science Citation Index (ISI Web of Science) for prospective cohort studies examining the association between GGT level and hypertension. Then, pooled effect estimates (RRs) for the association between GGT level and hypertension were calculated.
RESULTS
A total of 13 prospective cohort studies including 43314 participants and 5280 cases of hypertension were included. The pooled RR of hypertension was 1.94(95%CI: 1.55-2.43; P<0.001) when comparing the risk of hypertension between the highest versus lowest category of GGT levels. Moreover, the risk of hypertension increased by 23% (summary RR: 1.23; 95%CI: 1.13-1.32; P<0.001) per 1 SD logGGT increment. Subgroup analyses showed significant positive associations in each subgroup except in ≧160/95 subgroup (RR: 2.56, 95%CI: 0.87-7.54; P = 0.088) and nondrinkers subgroup (RR: 1.76, 95%CI: 0.88-3.53; P = 0.113). Sensitivity analyses showed no single study significantly affects the pooled RRs. No publication bias was found in our meta-analysis.
CONCLUSIONS
GGT level is positively associated with the development of hypertension. Further studies are needed to confirm our findings and elucidate the exact mechanisms between GGT level and the incidence of hypertension.
Topics: Biomarkers; Humans; Hypertension; Male; Odds Ratio; Prospective Studies; Risk; Risk Factors; gamma-Glutamyltransferase
PubMed: 23145005
DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0048878 -
PloS One 2012Rapid molecular diagnostics for detecting multidrug-resistant and extensively drug-resistant tuberculosis (M/XDR-TB) primarily identify mutations in Mycobacterium... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
Rapid molecular diagnostics for detecting multidrug-resistant and extensively drug-resistant tuberculosis (M/XDR-TB) primarily identify mutations in Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) genes associated with drug resistance. Their accuracy, however, is dependent largely on the strength of the association between a specific mutation and the phenotypic resistance of the isolate with that mutation, which is not always 100%. While this relationship is well established and reliable for first-line anti-TB drugs, rifampin and isoniazid, it is less well-studied and understood for second-line, injectable drugs, amikacin (AMK), kanamycin (KAN) and capreomycin (CAP).
METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS
We conducted a systematic review of all published studies evaluating Mtb mutations associated with resistance to AMK, KAN, CAP in order to characterize the diversity and frequency of mutations as well as describe the strength of the association between specific mutations and phenotypic resistance in global populations. Our objective was to determine the potential utility and reliability of these mutations as diagnostic markers for detecting AMK, KAN and CAP resistance. Mutation data was reviewed for 1,585 unique clinical isolates from four continents and over 18 countries. Mutations in the rrs, tlyA, eis promoter and gidB genes were associated with AMK, KAN and/or CAP resistance.
CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE
The rrs A1401G mutation was present in the majority of AMK, KAN and CAP resistant Mtb strains reviewed, but was also found in 7% of CAP susceptible strains. The 1401 mutation alone, however, was not found with sufficient frequency to detect more than 70-80% of global Mtb strains resistant to AMK and CAP, and 60% of strains resistant to KAN. Additional mutations in the rrs, eis promoter, tlyA and gidB genes appear to be associated with resistance and could improve sensitivity and specificity of future diagnostics.
Topics: Acetyltransferases; Amikacin; Anti-Bacterial Agents; Antigens, Bacterial; Bacterial Proteins; Capreomycin; Drug Resistance, Multiple, Bacterial; Humans; Kanamycin; Methyltransferases; Mutation; Mycobacterium tuberculosis; Promoter Regions, Genetic; Tuberculosis, Multidrug-Resistant
PubMed: 22479378
DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0033275 -
Journal of Thrombosis and Thrombolysis May 2012Venous thromboembolism (VTE) includes both deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and pulmonary embolism. The 2009 JUPITER trial showed a significant decrease in DVT in... (Review)
Review
Venous thromboembolism (VTE) includes both deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and pulmonary embolism. The 2009 JUPITER trial showed a significant decrease in DVT in non-hyperlipidemic patients, with elevated C-reactive protein (CRP) levels, treated with rosuvastatin. The effects of statins on thrombosis are unclear, prompting this literature review. A literature search was performed (1950 to February 2011) with MEDLINE, EMBASE, and PUBMED databases including the following keywords: "statins", "hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA reductase inhibitors", "VTE", "PE", "DVT", and either "anti-coagulation" or "inflammation". Editorials, reviews, case reports, meta-analysis and duplicates were excluded. Inflammatory biomarkers of DVT, include interleukin (IL)-6, CRP, IL-8, and monocyte chemotactic protein 1 (MCP-1). Statin therapy reduces IL-6 expression of CRP and MCP-1, usually elevated in VTE. Reduction of IL-6 induced MCP-1 has been linked to vein wall fibrosis, promoting post thrombotic syndrome (PTS) and recurrent DVT in patients. Also, our review suggests that the anti-thrombotic effects are likely exhibited through the anti-inflammatory properties of statins. This work supports that statin therapy has the ability to decrease the incidence and recurrence of VTE and the potential to decrease PTS. This is mainly due to the anti-inflammatory effects of statins and may explain why normolipidemic patients, with elevated CRP, appear to have the greatest reduction in VTE. Given their low risk of bleeding, statins have the potential to serve as a safe adjunctive pharmacological therapy to current treatments in select patients with VTE, however further investigations into this concept are needed and essential.
Topics: C-Reactive Protein; Cytokines; Humans; Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors; Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Synthase; MEDLINE; Pulmonary Embolism; Venous Thromboembolism; Venous Thrombosis
PubMed: 22278047
DOI: 10.1007/s11239-012-0687-9 -
Annals of Medicine Dec 2010Until the 1980s, coeliac disease was considered to be a rare disease, but in the 1990s it became clear that it was a frequent condition. Recently, it was suggested to... (Review)
Review
Until the 1980s, coeliac disease was considered to be a rare disease, but in the 1990s it became clear that it was a frequent condition. Recently, it was suggested to affect 1 out of 100 subjects in the Western world. To understand what the true prevalence of coeliac disease is in the general population, we conducted a systematic review of published papers. The overall prevalence of coeliac disease in the general population appears to be around 1/160 (6.2‰), but this figure varies widely according to the diagnostic criteria used in the original papers. Prevalence obtained with tissue transglutaminase antibodies only was markedly higher than that obtained through a histological diagnosis. We conclude that the prevalence of coeliac disease in the general population has been over-estimated. This is mainly due to tissue transglutaminase antibodies being used as the only diagnostic tool.
Topics: Antibodies; Celiac Disease; Humans; Prevalence; Transglutaminases
PubMed: 20883139
DOI: 10.3109/07853890.2010.523229 -
Diabetes Care Apr 2009To estimate and compare associations of alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and gamma-glutamyltransferase (GGT) with incident diabetes. (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
OBJECTIVE
To estimate and compare associations of alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and gamma-glutamyltransferase (GGT) with incident diabetes.
RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS
ALT and GGT were studied as determinants of diabetes in the British Women's Heart and Health Study, a cohort of 4,286 women 60-79 years old (median follow-up 7.3 years). A systematic review and a meta-analysis of 21 prospective, population-based studies of ultrasonography, which diagnosed nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), ALT, and GGT as determinants of diabetes, were conducted, and associations of ALT and GGT with diabetes were compared.
RESULTS
Ultrasonography-diagnosed NAFLD was associated with more than a doubling in the risk of incident diabetes (three studies). ALT and GGT both predicted diabetes. The fully adjusted hazard ratio (HR) for diabetes per increase in one unit of logged ALT was 1.83 (95% CI 1.57-2.14, I(2) = 8%) and for GGT was 1.92 (1.66-2.21, I(2) = 55%). To directly compare ALT and GGT as determinants of diabetes, the fully adjusted risk of diabetes in the top versus bottom fourth of the ALT and GGT distributions was estimated using data from studies that included results for both markers. For ALT, the HR was 2.02 (1.59-2.58, I(2) = 27%), and for GGT the HR was 2.94 (1.98-3.88, I(2) = 20%), suggesting that GGT may be a better predictor (P = 0.05).
CONCLUSIONS
Findings are consistent with the role of liver fat in diabetes pathogenesis. GGT may be a better diabetes predictor than ALT, but additional studies with directly determined liver fat content, ALT, and GGT are needed to confirm this finding.
Topics: Aged; Alanine Transaminase; Cohort Studies; Diabetes Mellitus; Female; Follow-Up Studies; Humans; Insulin Resistance; Medical Records; Middle Aged; Surveys and Questionnaires; United Kingdom; Urban Population; gamma-Glutamyltransferase
PubMed: 19131466
DOI: 10.2337/dc08-1870