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Medicine Mar 2024Local anesthetic systemic toxicity (LAST) is rare, but fatal; the current widely used treatment is lipid emulsion (LE). The goal of this study was to analyze and review...
BACKGROUND
Local anesthetic systemic toxicity (LAST) is rare, but fatal; the current widely used treatment is lipid emulsion (LE). The goal of this study was to analyze and review case reports on LE treatment for LAST in pediatric patients.
METHODS
We performed a systematic review using case reports on LE treatment for LAST in pediatric patients, searching PubMed and Scopus databases to March 2023 using the following keywords: ("local anesthetic toxicity" OR "local anesthetic systemic toxicity" OR LAST") AND ("newborn" OR "infant" OR "child" OR "children" OR "adolescent" OR "pediatric") AND ("lipid emulsion" OR "Intralipid").
RESULTS
Our search yielded 21 cases, revealing that nearly 43% patients with LAST were less than 1 year old, and most cases were caused by bupivacaine (approximately 67% cases). "Inadvertent intravascular injection" by anesthesiologists and "overdose of local anesthetics" mainly by surgeons were responsible for 52% and 24% cases of LAST, respectively. LAST occurred in the awake state (52%) and under general anesthesia (48%), mainly causing seizures and arrhythmia, respectively. Approximately 55% of patients received LE treatment in <10 minutes after LAST, mainly improving cardiovascular symptoms. A 20% LE (1.5 mL/kg) dose followed by 0.25 mL/kg/minutes dose was frequently used. LE and anticonvulsants were mainly used in the awake state, whereas LE with or without vasopressors was mainly used under general anesthesia. LE treatment led to full recovery from LAST in 20 cases; however, 1 patient died due to underlying disease.
CONCLUSION
Consequently, our findings reveal that LE is effective in treating pediatric LAST.
Topics: Humans; Child; Infant; Anesthetics, Local; Emulsions; Anesthesia, Local; Bupivacaine; Drug Overdose
PubMed: 38489714
DOI: 10.1097/MD.0000000000037534 -
BMC Health Services Research Mar 2024Opioid Maintenance Treatment (OMT) is the gold standard for people with opioid dependence. However, drop-out rates are high, and many patients do not reach desired...
BACKGROUND
Opioid Maintenance Treatment (OMT) is the gold standard for people with opioid dependence. However, drop-out rates are high, and many patients do not reach desired outcomes. Understanding patients' and healthcare providers' experiences with the treatment can provide valuable information to improve the quality of OMT and to increase acceptability and accessibility of services. The aim of this systematic review is to explore and synthesise the experiences of OMT among persons with opioid dependence and health care providers, to inform policy makers and practitioners on how to improve OMT outcomes.
METHODS
We conducted a qualitative evidence synthesis. We systematically searched in electronic databases (CINAHL, Embase, MEDLINE, and nordic databases) and searched for grey literature. As we identified many studies that met our inclusion criteria, we purposively sampled a manageable number of studies to include in this review. Two researchers independently extracted and coded data from the included studies and used the Andersen's healthcare utilization model to organize and develop codes. We assessed the methodological limitations of the studies, and our confidence in the findings using GRADE CERQual.
RESULTS
We retrieved 56 relevant studies and purposively sampled 24 qualitative studies of patients' and healthcare providers' experiences with OMT. Our analyses resulted in six main themes: (1) External stigma prevents engagement and retention in treatment, (2) Being identified as in OMT contributed to an increased experience of stigma (3) Inadequate knowledge and expertise among healthcare providers affected patients' treatment experiences, (4) Quality of communication between personnel and patients impacts patients' engagement with treatment and treatment outcomes, (5) Patients wanted help with many aspects of their lives not just medication, and (6) Balancing positive expectations of OMT with treatment stigma. We found that stigma was an overarching theme across these themes.
CONCLUSION
Our findings suggest that OMT could be more beneficial for patients if treatment programs prioritize efforts to diminish societal and OMT provider stigma and find strategies to better address patient needs. Initiatives should focus on improving treatment knowledge among providers, encouraging the use of client perspectives, considering the context of family members, and establishing a more holistic and flexible treatment environment.
Topics: Humans; Opiate Substitution Treatment; Delivery of Health Care; Family; Health Personnel; Qualitative Research; Opioid-Related Disorders
PubMed: 38481254
DOI: 10.1186/s12913-024-10778-7 -
International Journal of Molecular... Feb 2024The study of aquaporins (AQPs) in various forensic fields has offered a promising horizon in response to the need to have reliable elements for the identification of the... (Review)
Review
The study of aquaporins (AQPs) in various forensic fields has offered a promising horizon in response to the need to have reliable elements for the identification of the manner of death and for the individuation of forensic markers for the timing of lesions and vitality of injury. In the literature, various tissues have been studied; the most investigated are the lungs, brain, kidneys, skin, and blood vessels. A systematic literature review on PubMed following PRISMA 2020 guidelines enabled the identification of 96 articles. In all, 34 of these were enrolled to identify Aquaporin-like (AQP-like) forensic markers. The analysis of the literature demonstrated that the most significant markers among the AQPs are as follows: for the brain, AQP4, which is very important in brain trauma and hypoxic damage; AQP3 in the skin lesions caused by various mechanisms; and AQP5 in the diagnosis of drowning. Other applications are in organ damage due to drug abuse and thrombus dating. The focus of this review is to collect all the data present in the literature about the forensic application of AQPs as forensic markers in the most important fields of application. In the current use, the individuation, validation, and application of markers in forensic investigation are very useful in real forensic applications in cases evaluated in court.
Topics: Humans; Aquaporins; Lung; Hypoxia; Brain; Skin
PubMed: 38473914
DOI: 10.3390/ijms25052664 -
JAMA Network Open Mar 2024Despite individual studies suggesting that sex differences exist in the association between alcohol use disorder (AUD) and suicide, most existing systematic reviews and... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
IMPORTANCE
Despite individual studies suggesting that sex differences exist in the association between alcohol use disorder (AUD) and suicide, most existing systematic reviews and meta-analyses have reported associations across the sexes.
OBJECTIVE
To estimate the sex-specific association between AUD and suicide mortality.
DATA SOURCES
Embase, MEDLINE (including MEDLINE In-Process), PsycINFO, PubMed, and Web of Science were searched from database inception to April 27, 2022.
STUDY SELECTION
Inclusion criteria consisted of the following: (1) original, quantitative study, (2) inclusion of a measure of association and its corresponding measure of variability (or sufficient data to calculate these [eg, 95% CI]), and (3) results stratified by sex.
DATA EXTRACTION AND SYNTHESIS
Data extraction was completed by one reviewer and then cross-checked by a second reviewer. Risk of bias was assessed by study design. Categorical random-effects meta-analyses were conducted to obtain sex-specific pooled estimates of the association between AUD and suicide mortality risk. Methodological moderators (ie, study design and comparator group) were assessed using sex-stratified meta-regressions.
MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES
The association between AUD and suicide mortality.
RESULTS
A total of 16 347 unique records were identified in the systematic search; 24 studies were ultimately included for 37 870 699 participants (59.7% male and 40.3% female) (23 risk estimates for male and 17 for female participants). Participants ranged in age from 15 years to 65 years or older. Sex-specific meta-regression models indicated that study design (ie, longitudinal vs cross-sectional study design) affected the observed association between AUD and suicide mortality for both male participants (log odds ratio, 0.68 [95% CI, 0.08-1.28]; P = .03) and female participants (log odds ratio, 1.41 [95% CI, 0.57-2.24]; P < .001). For males and females, among longitudinal studies, the pooled odds ratios were 2.68 (95% CI, 1.86-3.87; I2 = 99% [n = 14]) and 2.39 (95% CI, 1.50-3.81; I2 = 90% [n = 11]), respectively.
CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE
This systematic review and meta-analysis yielded substantive evidence that AUD was associated with suicide mortality and that the association was similar across the sexes. The findings underscore the importance of identifying and treating AUD as part of a comprehensive suicide prevention strategy.
Topics: Female; Male; Humans; Adolescent; Alcoholism; Cross-Sectional Studies; Sexual Behavior; Sex Characteristics; Suicide
PubMed: 38470417
DOI: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2024.1941 -
BMJ Open Mar 2024The term "problem drinking" includes a spectrum of alcohol problems ranging from excessive or heavy drinking to alcohol use disorder. Problem drinking is a leading risk...
BACKGROUND
The term "problem drinking" includes a spectrum of alcohol problems ranging from excessive or heavy drinking to alcohol use disorder. Problem drinking is a leading risk factor for death and disability globally. It has been measured and conceptualised in different ways, which has made it difficult to identify common risk factors for problem alcohol use. This scoping review aims to synthesise what is known about the assessment of problem drinking, its magnitude and associated factors.
METHODS
Four databases (PubMed, Embase, PsycINFO, Global Index Medicus) and Google Scholar were searched from inception to 25 November 2023. Studies were eligible if they focused on people aged 15 and above, were population-based studies reporting problem alcohol use and published in the English language. This review was reported based on guidelines from the 'Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses extension for Scoping Reviews Checklist'. Critical appraisal was done using the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale.
RESULTS
From the 14 296 records identified, 10 749 underwent title/abstract screening, of which 352 full-text articles were assessed, and 81 articles were included for data extraction. Included studies assessed alcohol use with self-report quantity/frequency questionnaires, criteria to determine risky single occasion drinking, validated screening tools, or structured clinical and diagnostic interviews. The most widely used screening tool was the Alcohol Use Disorder Identification Test. Studies defined problem drinking in various ways, including excessive/heavy drinking, binge drinking, alcohol use disorder, alcohol abuse and alcohol dependence. Across studies, the prevalence of heavy drinking ranged from <1.0% to 53.0%, binge drinking from 2.7% to 48.2%, alcohol abuse from 4.0% to 19.0%, alcohol dependence from 0.1% to 39.0% and alcohol use disorder from 2.0% to 66.6%. Factors associated with problem drinking varied across studies. These included sociodemographic and economic factors (age, sex, relationship status, education, employment, income level, religion, race, location and alcohol outlet density) and clinical factors (like medical problems, mental disorders, other substance use and quality of life).
CONCLUSIONS
Due to differences in measurement, study designs and assessed risk factors, the prevalence of and factors associated with problem drinking varied widely across studies and settings. The alcohol field would benefit from harmonised measurements of alcohol use and problem drinking as this would allow for comparisons to be made across countries and for meta-analyses to be conducted.
TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER
Open Science Framework ID: https://osf.io/2anj3.
Topics: Humans; Alcohol Drinking; Alcohol-Related Disorders; Alcoholism; Quality of Life
PubMed: 38458797
DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2023-080657 -
Cancer Treatment Reviews Apr 2024Cancer-related pain often requires opioid treatment with opioid-induced constipation (OIC) as its most frequent gastrointestinal side-effect. Both for prevention and... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
BACKGROUND
Cancer-related pain often requires opioid treatment with opioid-induced constipation (OIC) as its most frequent gastrointestinal side-effect. Both for prevention and treatment of OIC osmotic (e.g. polyethylene glycol) and stimulant (e.g. bisacodyl) laxatives are widely used. Newer drugs such as the peripherally acting µ-opioid receptor antagonists (PAMORAs) and naloxone in a fixed combination with oxycodone have become available for the management of OIC. This systematic review and meta-analysis aims to give an overview of the scientific evidence on pharmacological strategies for the prevention and treatment of OIC in cancer patients.
METHODS
A systematic search in PubMed, Embase, Web of Science and the Cochrane Library was completed from inception up to 22 October 2022. Randomized and non-randomized studies were systematically selected. Bowel function and adverse drug events were assessed.
RESULTS
Twenty trials (prevention: five RCTs and three cohort studies; treatment: ten RCTs and two comparative cohort studies) were included in the review. Regarding the prevention of OIC, three RCTs compared laxatives with other laxatives, finding no clear differences in effectivity of the laxatives used. One cohort study showed a significant benefit of magnesium oxide compared with no laxative. One RCT found a significant benefit for the PAMORA naldemedine compared with magnesium oxide. Preventive use of oxycodone/naloxone did not show a significant difference in two out of three other studies compared to oxycodone or fentanyl. A meta-analysis was not possible. Regarding the treatment of OIC, two RCTs compared laxatives, of which one RCT found that polyethylene glycol was significantly more effective than sennosides. Seven studies compared an opioid antagonist (naloxone, methylnaltrexone or naldemedine) with placebo and three studies compared different dosages of opioid antagonists. These studies with opioid antagonists were used for the meta-analysis. Oxycodone/naloxone showed a significant improvement in Bowel Function Index compared to oxycodone with laxatives (MD -13.68; 95 % CI -18.38 to -8.98; I = 58 %). Adverse drug event rates were similar amongst both groups, except for nausea in favour of oxycodone/naloxone (RR 0.51; 95 % CI 0.31-0.83; I = 0 %). Naldemedine (NAL) and methylnaltrexone (MNTX) demonstrated significantly higher response rates compared to placebo (NAL: RR 2.07, 95 % CI 1.64-2.61, I = 0 %; MNTX: RR 3.83, 95 % CI 2.81-5.22, I = 0 %). With regard to adverse events, abdominal pain was more present in treatment with methylnaltrexone and diarrhea was significantly more present in treatment with naldemedine. Different dosages of methylnaltrexone were not significantly different with regard to both efficacy and adverse drug event rates.
CONCLUSIONS
Magnesium oxide and naldemedine are most likely effective for prevention of OIC in cancer patients. Naloxone in a fixed combination with oxycodone, naldemedine and methylnaltrexone effectively treat OIC in cancer patients with acceptable adverse events. However, their effect has not been compared to standard (osmotic and stimulant) laxatives. More studies comparing standard laxatives with each other and with opioid antagonists are necessary before recommendations for clinical practice can be made.
Topics: Humans; Laxatives; Analgesics, Opioid; Narcotic Antagonists; Constipation; Oxycodone; Opioid-Induced Constipation; Magnesium Oxide; Cohort Studies; Naloxone; Polyethylene Glycols; Neoplasms; Drug-Related Side Effects and Adverse Reactions; Quaternary Ammonium Compounds; Naltrexone
PubMed: 38452708
DOI: 10.1016/j.ctrv.2024.102704 -
Journal of Medical Case Reports Mar 2024Anesthesiologists prefer ketamine for certain surgeries due to its effectiveness as a non-competitive inhibitor of the N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor in the brain....
BACKGROUND AND AIMS
Anesthesiologists prefer ketamine for certain surgeries due to its effectiveness as a non-competitive inhibitor of the N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor in the brain. Recently, this agent has also shown promise as an antidepressant. However, ketamine can cause hallucinogenic effects and is sometimes abused as an illicit drug. Ketamine abuse has been associated with liver and bile duct complications. This systematic study aims to better understand cholangiopathy in ketamine abusers by reviewing case reports.
METHODS AND MATERIAL
In this systematic review, a comprehensive literature search was conducted with the terms "biliary tract diseases" and "ketamine". Case reports and case series of adult patients with documented ketamine abuse and reported cholangiopathy or biliary tract disease were included. We extracted the data of relevant information and the results were reported through narrative synthesis and descriptive statistics.
RESULTS
A total of 48 studies were initially identified, and 11 studies were finally included in the review. The mean age of the patients was 25.88 years. Of the 17 patients, 64.7% were men. Symptoms often included abdominal pain, nausea, and vomiting. Most patients were discharged with improved symptoms and liver function. Common bile duct dilation and other findings were observed in imaging results and other diagnostic studies.
CONCLUSION
This review highlights the diverse presentations and diagnostic modalities used in ketamine-induced cholangiography. These patients tend to be young men with deranged liver function tests and abdominal pain, which should be taken into consideration. These patients often require a multidisciplinary approach in their management.
Topics: Humans; Abdominal Pain; Bile Ducts; Biliary Tract; Biliary Tract Diseases; Illicit Drugs; Ketamine; Substance-Related Disorders; Case Reports as Topic
PubMed: 38431685
DOI: 10.1186/s13256-024-04421-6 -
Obesity Surgery Apr 2024Increasing evidence suggests that bariatric surgery (BS) patients are at risk for substance abuse disorders (SUD). The purpose of this systematic review and... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
Increasing evidence suggests that bariatric surgery (BS) patients are at risk for substance abuse disorders (SUD). The purpose of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to determine the relationship between BS and the development of new-onset substance abuse disorder (SUDNO) in bariatric patients. On October 31, 2023, we reviewed the scientific literature following PRISMA guidelines. A total of 3242 studies were analyzed, 7 met the inclusion criteria. The pooled incidence of SUDNO was 4.28%. Patients' characteristics associated with SUDNO included preoperative mental disorders, high pre-BS BMI, and public health insurance. Surgical factors associated with new SUDNOs included severe complications in the peri- or postoperative period. The occurrence of SUDNOs is a non-negligeable complication after BS. Predisposing factors may be identified and preventive actions undertaken.
Topics: Humans; Obesity, Morbid; Bariatric Surgery; Substance-Related Disorders; Postoperative Period; Preoperative Period
PubMed: 38430321
DOI: 10.1007/s11695-024-07130-7 -
Value in Health : the Journal of the... May 2024Overdose prevention centers (OPCs) provide a safe place where people can consume preobtained drugs under supervision so that a life-saving medical response can be... (Review)
Review
OBJECTIVES
Overdose prevention centers (OPCs) provide a safe place where people can consume preobtained drugs under supervision so that a life-saving medical response can be provided quickly in the event of an overdose. OPCs are programs that are established in Canada and have recently become legally sanctioned in only a few United States jurisdictions.
METHODS
We conducted a systematic review that summarizes and identifies gaps of economic evidence on establishing OPCs in North America to guide future expansion of OPCs.
RESULTS
We included 16 final studies that were evaluated with the Consolidated Health Economic Evaluation Reporting Standards and Drummond checklists. Eight studies reported cost-effectiveness results (eg, cost per overdose avoided or cost per quality-adjusted life-year), with 6 also including cost-benefit; 5 reported only cost-benefit results, and 3 cost offsets. Health outcomes primarily included overdose mortality outcomes or HIV/hepatitis C virus infections averted. Most studies used mathematical modeling and projected OPC outcomes using the experience of a single facility in Vancouver, BC.
CONCLUSIONS
OPCs were found to be cost-saving or to have favorable cost-effectiveness or cost-benefit ratios across all studies. Future studies should incorporate the experience of OPCs established in various settings and use a greater diversity of modeling designs.
Topics: Humans; Cost-Benefit Analysis; Opiate Overdose; North America; Quality-Adjusted Life Years; Canada
PubMed: 38401795
DOI: 10.1016/j.jval.2024.02.004 -
International Journal of Molecular... Feb 2024Cannabidiol (CBD), a non-psychoactive phytocannabinoid abundant in , has gained considerable attention for its anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, analgesic, and... (Review)
Review
Cannabidiol (CBD), a non-psychoactive phytocannabinoid abundant in , has gained considerable attention for its anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, analgesic, and neuroprotective properties. It exhibits the potential to prevent or slow the progression of various diseases, ranging from malignant tumors and viral infections to neurodegenerative disorders and ischemic diseases. Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD), formerly known as non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), alcoholic liver disease, and viral hepatitis stand as prominent causes of morbidity and mortality in chronic liver diseases globally. The literature has substantiated CBD's potential therapeutic effects across diverse liver diseases in in vivo and in vitro models. However, the precise mechanism of action remains elusive, and an absence of evidence hinders its translation into clinical practice. This comprehensive review emphasizes the wealth of data linking CBD to liver diseases. Importantly, we delve into a detailed discussion of the receptors through which CBD might exert its effects, including cannabinoid receptors, CB1 and CB2, peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors (PPARs), G protein-coupled receptor 55 (GPR55), transient receptor potential channels (TRPs), and their intricate connections with liver diseases. In conclusion, we address new questions that warrant further investigation in this evolving field.
Topics: Humans; Cannabidiol; Receptors, Cannabinoid; Cannabis; Digestive System Diseases; Liver Diseases, Alcoholic; Receptor, Cannabinoid, CB1
PubMed: 38397045
DOI: 10.3390/ijms25042370