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Iranian Journal of Public Health Jul 2023Cancer is the second most common cause of death worldwide. Economic evaluation of cancer treatment to reduce costs can save the health care system millions of dollars... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
Cancer is the second most common cause of death worldwide. Economic evaluation of cancer treatment to reduce costs can save the health care system millions of dollars while optimizing care. Therefore, this systematic review aimed to study the economic evaluation of cancer treatment using intermediate intensity radiation therapy (IMRT) compared to conventional 3D conformal radiation therapy (3D-CRT).
METHODS
Literatures from PubMed, Embase, Cochran Library, Google scholar, Scopus and Iranian databases were retrieved since Jan 2000 to Apr 2020 for eligible English studies. The quality of the studies was evaluated using Cheers' checklist and then the textual data were analyzed manually by content analysis method.
RESULTS
Overall, 1790 articles were retrieved, of which 12 studies were reviewed. The article quality score ranged from 14.5 to 23 out of a maximum of 24 points. Eleven studies referred to cost-effectiveness analysis and one study referred to cost-utility analysis. Studies have been conducted in the United States, Canada, Australia, Brazil, the Netherlands, the United Kingdom, and Hungary. IMRT appears to be a cost-effective treatment strategy for rectal cancer, soft tissue sarcoma, and localized carcinoma of the pharynx, and for prostate cancer in terms of prolonging survival, but it is a cost-effective treatment strategy for head cancer. In addition, the neck was not in India's cancer control program.
CONCLUSION
The results can help to decide whether to use radiation therapy and radiotherapy in the standard treatment path. Furthermore, they underline that IMRT treatment technique was cost effective for a long-time care service.
PubMed: 37593521
DOI: 10.18502/ijph.v52i7.13237 -
European Archives of... Nov 2023Second primary cancers (SPCs) after nasopharyngeal cancer (NPC) are rare, but have an impact on the follow-up of this patient population. The aim of this study is to... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
PURPOSE
Second primary cancers (SPCs) after nasopharyngeal cancer (NPC) are rare, but have an impact on the follow-up of this patient population. The aim of this study is to systematically review the literature to determine the prevalence and most typical sites of SPCs after NPC.
METHODS
We searched the databases of PubMed, Web of Science, and Scopus for articles on SPCs after NPC. The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analyses guidelines were followed.
RESULTS
This review includes data on 89 168 patients with NPC from 21 articles. The mean occurrence for SPCs was 6.6% and varied from 4.9% in endemic areas to 8.7% in non-endemic areas. The most frequent locations of SPCs were oral cavity, pharynx, nose and paranasal sinuses, esophagus and lung.
CONCLUSION
There is an increased risk for a SPC after NPC management, especially in non-endemic areas. However, their mean rate is lower than after other head and neck carcinomas.
Topics: Humans; Head and Neck Neoplasms; Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma; Nasopharyngeal Neoplasms; Neoplasms, Second Primary; Risk Factors
PubMed: 37495725
DOI: 10.1007/s00405-023-08144-0 -
Public Health Aug 2023This systematic review was conducted to estimate the respective prevalence of gonorrhea among two high-risk populations in China and determine the epidemiological... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
OBJECTIVES
This systematic review was conducted to estimate the respective prevalence of gonorrhea among two high-risk populations in China and determine the epidemiological features of gonorrhea in them.
STUDY DESIGN
Systematic review.
METHODS
PubMed, Web of Science, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, and Wanfang databases were searched to identify studies published between January 1, 1990, and October 31, 2022, with gonorrhea prevalence tested by polymerase chain reaction among female sex workers (FSWs) and men who have sex with men (MSM). Meta-regression and subgroup analyses were used to investigate potential factors of heterogeneity across studies. Trend analysis of prevalence was conducted by the Jonckheere-Terpstra method.
RESULTS
We identified 88 prevalence data points from 49 studies in China, with 30,853 participants of FSWs and 5523 participants of MSM. Pooled prevalence of gonorrhea among FSWs and MSM were 6.9% (95% confidence interval: 4.6-9.7%) and 2.5% (95% confidence interval: 1.5-3.7%), respectively. The subgroup analyses showed there were period, regional, and specimen collection methods diversities among FSWs, and diversities of the regions and specimen collection anatomical sites were found among MSM, in which the prevalence of rectum and pharynx was significantly higher than the urethra. A decreasing trend in the prevalence of gonorrhea was seen among FSWs (z = -4.03) from 1999 to 2021, not found for MSM in China.
CONCLUSION
The prevalence of gonorrhea is high in two high-risk groups in China, with extragenital infections requiring particular attention. The findings of this study will provide evidence to formulate national policy and guidance for gonorrhea prevention and control.
Topics: Male; Humans; Female; Gonorrhea; Homosexuality, Male; Sex Workers; Chlamydia Infections; Prevalence; Sexual and Gender Minorities; China; HIV Infections
PubMed: 37441994
DOI: 10.1016/j.puhe.2023.06.010 -
Medicina (Kaunas, Lithuania) Jun 2023In recent years, surgical interventions for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) have evolved rapidly, with numerous techniques described in the literature. The approach to... (Review)
Review
In recent years, surgical interventions for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) have evolved rapidly, with numerous techniques described in the literature. The approach to velopharyngeal surgery for obstructive sleep apnea has transformed over time, shifting from an aggressive removal of redundant excess soft tissue to less invasive reconstruction techniques that aim to preserve pharyngeal function while effectively managing sleep apnea. This review aims to evaluate and compare the efficacy of the surgical techniques utilized for OSA at the level of the palate and pharynx. It will cover both traditional and novel procedures. A comprehensive search of the major databases, such as PubMed/MEDLINE, Web of Science, and Scopus, was conducted to identify the relevant literature. We included articles written in English that analyzed the outcomes of adult patients who received velopharyngeal surgery for sleep apnea. Only comparative studies that examined at least two techniques were considered. In all of the studies combined, the total number of patients who underwent velopharyngeal surgery was 614 in eight studies. All surgical procedures resulted in improvements in the apnea-hypopnea index (AHI). The highest success rates and best outcomes were achieved by barbed reposition pharyngoplasty (BRP) in most studies, ranging from 64.29% to 86.6%. BRP also demonstrated the most significant improvements in both objective and subjective parameters closely followed by ESP that obtained similar efficiency in some studies, especially when combined with anterior palatoplasty (AP), but with a higher incidence of complications. While LP showed moderate efficiency compared with BRP or ESP, the UPPP techniques exhibited greater outcome variability among studies, with a success rate ranging from 38.71% to 59.26%, and the best results observed in a multilevel context. In our review, BRP was the most preferred, effective, and safe among all velopharyngeal techniques, closely followed by ESP. However, older described techniques also showed good results in well-selected patients. Larger-scale studies, preferably prospective, that rigorously incorporate DISE-based strict inclusion criteria might be needed to assess the efficacy of different techniques and generalize the findings.
Topics: Adult; Humans; Prospective Studies; Polysomnography; Treatment Outcome; Pharynx; Sleep Apnea, Obstructive; Sleep Apnea Syndromes
PubMed: 37374351
DOI: 10.3390/medicina59061147 -
Medicine Jun 2023Several clinical reports have focused on acupuncture for the treatment of acute pharyngeal infections. However, the efficacy and safety of acupuncture for the treatment... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
BACKGROUND
Several clinical reports have focused on acupuncture for the treatment of acute pharyngeal infections. However, the efficacy and safety of acupuncture for the treatment of acute pharyngeal infections are controversial. To systematically assess the efficacy and safety of acupuncture in treating acute pharynx infections, thus providing a reference for clinical decision-making.
METHODS
We searched PubMed, CENTRAL, Embase, Web of Science, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, China Biomedical, clinical research registration platforms, gray literature, and reference lists of the selected studies from inception to October 30, 2022. The risk of bias assessment was performed using RevMan. The meta-analysis was performed using STATA with the Hedges' g value. We also performed a subgroup analysis, meta-regression, and publication bias detection using Harbord's and Egger's tests.
RESULTS
We included 19 randomized controlled trials comprising 1701 patients, of which only one study had a high risk of bias. The primary outcome, i.e., the response rate, revealed that acupuncture was more effective than antibiotics. The secondary results revealed that the differences in the reduction of VAS scores, sore throat duration, and white blood cell counts were statistically significant in the acupuncture group compared with the antibiotic group. However, the difference in the modulation of the neutrophil percentage and C-reactive protein levels was insignificant. Moreover, the acupuncture treatment resulted in a lower incidence of adverse events than the antibiotic treatment.
CONCLUSIONS
Thus, acupuncture therapy for acute pharyngeal infections is safe and its response rate is superior to that of antibiotics. Acupuncture showed positive outcomes for alleviating the sore throat symptoms, shortening the sore throat duration, and improving the immune inflammation index. Nevertheless, owing to the limitations of this study, our conclusions should be interpreted with caution. More high-quality trials are warranted in the future for improving the methodology and reporting quality.
Topics: Humans; Pharynx; Acupuncture Therapy; Pain; Pharyngitis; Anti-Bacterial Agents; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic
PubMed: 37352021
DOI: 10.1097/MD.0000000000034124 -
Journal of Clinical Medicine May 2023Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a highly prevalent sleep breathing disorder characterized by the collapse of the pharyngeal walls that entails recurrent episodes of... (Review)
Review
Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a highly prevalent sleep breathing disorder characterized by the collapse of the pharyngeal walls that entails recurrent episodes of cessation of breathing or decrease in airflow while sleeping. This results in sleep fragmentation, decreased oxygen saturation and an increase in the partial pressure of carbon dioxide, causing excessive daytime sleepiness, hypertension and increased prevalence of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. Mandibular advancement devices (MAD) represent a valid alternative therapy to Continuous Positive Airway Pressure, thrusting the mandible forward, increasing the lateral diameter of the pharynx and reducing the collapsibility of the airway. Several investigations have focused on the detection of the best mandibular advancement amount in terms of effectiveness and tolerance, but few and contrasting data are available on the role of occlusal bite raise in reducing the apnea/hypopnea index (AHI). The aim of this systematic review with meta-regression analysis was to investigate the effect of the bite raise of MAD on AHI values in adult patients affected by OSA. An electronic search was performed in MEDLINE, the Cochrane Database, Scopus, Web of Science and LILACS. Randomized controlled trials (RCT) investigating the effectiveness of MAD in OSA patients were included. The quality of evidence was evaluated with the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) and the risk of bias with the Cochrane risk-of-bias tool for randomized trials (RoB2). Six RCT were included. The success rate of each study was computed: (mean baseline AHI - mean post treatment AHI)/mean baseline AHI. The GRADE scores indicated that the quality of evidence was very low. The meta-regression analysis showed that there was no correlation between the occlusal bite raise and the AHI improvement.
PubMed: 37297814
DOI: 10.3390/jcm12113619 -
The Journal of Infectious Diseases Nov 2023Adding additional specimen types (eg, serology or sputum) to nasopharyngeal swab (NPS) reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) increases respiratory... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
BACKGROUND
Adding additional specimen types (eg, serology or sputum) to nasopharyngeal swab (NPS) reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) increases respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) detection among adults. We assessed if a similar increase occurs in children and quantified underascertainment associated with diagnostic testing.
METHODS
We searched databases for studies involving RSV detection in persons <18 years using ≥2 specimen types or tests. We assessed study quality using a validated checklist. We pooled detection rates by specimen and diagnostic tests and quantified performance.
RESULTS
We included 157 studies. Added testing of additional specimens to NP aspirate (NPA), NPS, and/or nasal swab (NS) RT-PCR resulted in statistically nonsignificant increases in RSV detection. Adding paired serology testing increased RSV detection by 10%, NS by 8%, oropharyngeal swabs by 5%, and NPS by 1%. Compared to RT-PCR, direct fluorescence antibody tests, viral culture, and rapid antigen tests were 87%, 76%, and 74% sensitive, respectively (pooled specificities all ≥98%). Pooled sensitivity of multiplex versus singleplex RT-PCR was 96%.
CONCLUSIONS
RT-PCR was the most sensitive pediatric RSV diagnostic test. Adding multiple specimens did not substantially increase RSV detection, but even small proportional increases could result in meaningful changes in burden estimates. The synergistic effect of adding multiple specimens should be evaluated.
Topics: Adult; Child; Humans; Respiratory Syncytial Virus Infections; Sensitivity and Specificity; Respiratory Syncytial Virus, Human; Viruses; Diagnostic Techniques and Procedures; Nasopharynx; Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction
PubMed: 37285396
DOI: 10.1093/infdis/jiad185 -
Periodontology 2000 Feb 2024Three years into the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, there are still growing concerns with the emergence of different variants, unknown long- and... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
Three years into the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, there are still growing concerns with the emergence of different variants, unknown long- and short-term effects of the virus, and potential biological mechanisms underlying etiopathogenesis and increased risk for morbidity and mortality. The role of the microbiome in human physiology and the initiation and progression of several oral and systemic diseases have been actively studied in the past decade. With the proof of viral transmission, carriage, and a potential role in etiopathogenesis, saliva and the oral environment have been a focus of COVID-19 research beyond diagnostic purposes. The oral environment hosts diverse microbial communities and contributes to human oral and systemic health. Several investigations have identified disruptions in the oral microbiome in COVID-19 patients. However, all these studies are cross-sectional in nature and present heterogeneity in study design, techniques, and analysis. Therefore, in this undertaking, we (a) systematically reviewed the current literature associating COVID-19 with changes in the microbiome; (b) performed a re-analysis of publicly available data as a means to standardize the analysis, and (c) reported alterations in the microbial characteristics in COVID-19 patients compared to negative controls. Overall, we identified that COVID-19 is associated with oral microbial dysbiosis with significant reduction in diversity. However, alterations in specific bacterial members differed across the study. Re-analysis from our pipeline shed light on Neisseria as the potential key microbial member associated with COVID-19.
Topics: Humans; COVID-19; Dysbiosis; Microbiota; Mouth; Oropharynx; Saliva; SARS-CoV-2
PubMed: 37277934
DOI: 10.1111/prd.12489 -
Critical Reviews in Oncology/hematology Jul 2023Head and neck cancer (HNC) is a growing disease, affecting more than 700.000 cases per year and ranking as the sixth most prevalent type of cancer worldwide. The... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
Head and neck cancer (HNC) is a growing disease, affecting more than 700.000 cases per year and ranking as the sixth most prevalent type of cancer worldwide. The impossibility of properly entering into apoptosis directly influences uncontrolled growth and consequently tumor development and progression. Bcl-2 emerged as a key regulator in the balance between cell apoptosis and proliferation in apoptosis machinery. This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to review all published studies investigating changes in Bcl-2 protein expression assessed by immunohistochemistry (IHC) and related to prognostic and survival values of patients with HNC. After applying the inclusion and exclusion factors, we reached the number of 20 articles included in the meta-analysis. The random-effect pooled HR (CI95%) value of OS related to Bcl-2 IHC expression in tissues from HNC patients was 1.80 (CI95% 1.21-2.67) (p 0.0001) and DFS was 1.90 (CI95% 1.26-2.86 (p 0.0001). The OS value for the specific oral cavity tumors was 1.89 (1.34-2.67), while in the larynx it was 1.77 (0.62-5.06), and the DFS in the pharynx was 2.02 (1.46-2.79). The univariate and multivariate analyses of OS were respectively 1.43 (1.11-1.86) and 1.88 (1.12-3.16), while in DFS it was 1.70 (0.95-3.03) and 2.08 (1.55-2.80). The OS considering a low cut-off for Bcl-2 positivity was 1.19 (0.60-2.37) and DFS was 1.48 (0.91-2.41), while studies with a high cut-off demonstrated OS of 2.28 (1.47-3.52) and DFS of 2.77 (1.74-4.40). Our meta-analysis demonstrates that Bcl-2 protein overexpression can result in worse LNM, OS, and DFS in patients with HNC, however, it is not a reliable conclusion, due to the wide divergences between the original studies and the fact that many studies have a very high range of confidence and also a high risk of bias.
Topics: Humans; Biomarkers, Tumor; Prognosis; Head and Neck Neoplasms
PubMed: 37210016
DOI: 10.1016/j.critrevonc.2023.104021 -
Euro Surveillance : Bulletin Europeen... Apr 2023BackgroundPublic health guidance recommending isolation of individuals with group A streptococcal (GAS) infection or carriage for 12-24 h from antibiotic initiation to... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
Time to negative throat culture following initiation of antibiotics for pharyngeal group A : a systematic review and meta-analysis up to October 2021 to inform public health control measures.
BackgroundPublic health guidance recommending isolation of individuals with group A streptococcal (GAS) infection or carriage for 12-24 h from antibiotic initiation to prevent onward transmission requires a strong evidence base.AimTo estimate the pooled proportion of individuals who remain GAS culture-positive at set intervals after initiation of antibiotics through a systematic literature review (PROSPERO CRD42021290364) and meta-analysis.MethodsWe searched Ovid MEDLINE (1946-), EMBASE (1974-) and Cochrane library. We included interventional or observational studies with ≥ 10 participants reporting rates of GAS throat culture positivity during antibiotic treatment for culture-confirmed GAS pharyngitis, scarlet fever and asymptomatic pharyngeal GAS carriage. We did not apply age, language or geographical restrictions.ResultsOf 5,058 unique records, 43 were included (37 randomised controlled studies, three non-randomised controlled trials and three before-and-after studies). The proportion of individuals remaining culture-positive on day 1, day 2 and days 3-9 were 6.9% (95% CI: 2.7-16.8%), 5.4% (95% CI: 2.1-13.3%) and 2.6% (95% CI: 1.6-4.2%). For penicillins and cephalosporins, day 1 positivity was 6.5% (95% CI: 2.5-16.1%) and 1.6% (95% CI: 0.04-42.9%), respectively. Overall, for 9.1% (95% CI: 7.3-11.3), throat swabs collected after completion of therapy were GAS culture-positive. Only six studies had low risk of bias.ConclusionsOur review provides evidence that antibiotics for pharyngeal GAS achieve a high rate of culture conversion within 24 h but highlights the need for further research given methodological limitations of published studies and imprecision of pooled estimates. Further evidence is needed for non-beta-lactam antibiotics and asymptomatic individuals.
Topics: Humans; Anti-Bacterial Agents; Pharynx; Public Health; Streptococcus pyogenes; Streptococcal Infections; Pharyngitis
PubMed: 37052678
DOI: 10.2807/1560-7917.ES.2023.28.15.2200573