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Stroke Jan 2018The use of oral anticoagulant therapy for stroke prevention in atrial fibrillation has been transformed by the availability of the nonvitamin K antagonist oral... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE
The use of oral anticoagulant therapy for stroke prevention in atrial fibrillation has been transformed by the availability of the nonvitamin K antagonist oral anticoagulants. Real-world studies on the use of nonvitamin K antagonist oral anticoagulants would help elucidate their effectiveness and safety in daily clinical practice. Apixaban was the third nonvitamin K antagonist oral anticoagulants introduced to clinical practice, and increasing real-world studies have been published. Our aim was to summarize current evidence about real-world studies on apixaban for stroke prevention in atrial fibrillation.
METHODS
We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis of all observational real-world studies comparing apixaban with other available oral anticoagulant drugs.
RESULTS
From the original 9680 results retrieved, 16 studies have been included in the final meta-analysis. Compared with warfarin, apixaban regular dose was more effective in reducing any thromboembolic event (odds ratio: 0.77; 95% confidence interval: 0.64-0.93), but no significant difference was found for stroke risk. Apixaban was as effective as dabigatran and rivaroxaban in reducing thromboembolic events and stroke. The risk of major bleeding was significantly lower for apixaban compared with warfarin, dabigatran, and rivaroxaban (relative risk reduction, 38%, 35%, and 46%, respectively). Similarly, the risk for intracranial hemorrhage was significantly lower for apixaban than warfarin and rivaroxaban (46% and 54%, respectively) but not dabigatran. The risk of gastrointestinal bleeding was lower with apixaban when compared with all oral anticoagulant agents (<0.00001 for all comparisons).
CONCLUSIONS
Use of apixaban in real-life is associated with an overall similar effectiveness in reducing stroke and any thromboembolic events when compared with warfarin. A better safety profile was found with apixaban compared with warfarin, dabigatran, and rivaroxaban.
Topics: Anticoagulants; Atrial Fibrillation; Clinical Trials as Topic; Female; Humans; Intracranial Hemorrhages; Male; Polymers; Pyrazoles; Pyridones; Risk Factors; Rivaroxaban; Saliva, Artificial; Stroke; Vitamin K; Warfarin
PubMed: 29167388
DOI: 10.1161/STROKEAHA.117.018395 -
BMJ Clinical Evidence Jul 2008Halitosis can be caused by oral disease, or by respiratory tract conditions such as sinusitis, tonsillitis, and bronchiectasis, but an estimated 40% of affected... (Review)
Review
INTRODUCTION
Halitosis can be caused by oral disease, or by respiratory tract conditions such as sinusitis, tonsillitis, and bronchiectasis, but an estimated 40% of affected individuals have no underlying organic disease.
METHODS AND OUTCOMES
We conducted a systematic review and aimed to answer the following clinical question: What are the effects of treatments in people with physiological halitosis? We searched: Medline, Embase, The Cochrane Library and other important databases up to July 2008 (BMJ Clinical evidence reviews are updated periodically, please check our website for the most up-to-date version of this review). We included harms alerts from relevant organisations such as the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the UK Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA).
RESULTS
We found five systematic reviews, RCTs or observational studies that met our inclusion criteria. We performed a GRADE evaluation of the quality of evidence for interventions.
CONCLUSIONS
In this systematic review we present information relating to the effectiveness and safety of the following interventions: artificial saliva; cleaning, brushing or scraping the tongue; diet modification; regular or single use of mouthwash; sugar-free chewing gums; and zinc toothpastes.
Topics: Chewing Gum; Follow-Up Studies; Halitosis; Humans; Mouthwashes; Tongue; Toothpastes; Zinc
PubMed: 19445739
DOI: No ID Found -
Alzheimer's Research & Therapy Oct 2023Mild cognitive impairment (MCI) is often considered an early stage of dementia, with estimated rates of progression to dementia up to 80-90% after approximately 6 years... (Review)
Review
Mild cognitive impairment (MCI) is often considered an early stage of dementia, with estimated rates of progression to dementia up to 80-90% after approximately 6 years from the initial diagnosis. Diagnosis of cognitive impairment in dementia is typically based on clinical evaluation, neuropsychological assessments, cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) biomarkers, and neuroimaging. The main goal of diagnosing MCI is to determine its cause, particularly whether it is due to Alzheimer's disease (AD). However, only a limited percentage of the population has access to etiological confirmation, which has led to the emergence of peripheral fluid biomarkers as a diagnostic tool for dementias, including MCI due to AD. Recent advances in biofluid assays have enabled the use of sophisticated statistical models and multimodal machine learning (ML) algorithms for the diagnosis of MCI based on fluid biomarkers from CSF, peripheral blood, and saliva, among others. This approach has shown promise for identifying specific causes of MCI, including AD. After a PRISMA analysis, 29 articles revealed a trend towards using multimodal algorithms that incorporate additional biomarkers such as neuroimaging, neuropsychological tests, and genetic information. Particularly, neuroimaging is commonly used in conjunction with fluid biomarkers for both cross-sectional and longitudinal studies. Our systematic review suggests that cost-effective longitudinal multimodal monitoring data, representative of diverse cultural populations and utilizing white-box ML algorithms, could be a valuable contribution to the development of diagnostic models for AD due to MCI. Clinical assessment and biomarkers, together with ML techniques, could prove pivotal in improving diagnostic tools for MCI due to AD.
Topics: Humans; Alzheimer Disease; Cross-Sectional Studies; Disease Progression; Cognitive Dysfunction; Biomarkers; Machine Learning; Amyloid beta-Peptides; tau Proteins
PubMed: 37838690
DOI: 10.1186/s13195-023-01304-8 -
Journal of Pharmacy & Bioallied Sciences Feb 2019To provide an update on artificial saliva used to maintain the health of the oral cavity of patients with severe hyposalivation. (Review)
Review
AIM
To provide an update on artificial saliva used to maintain the health of the oral cavity of patients with severe hyposalivation.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
A literature search was conducted in April 2018 in three electronic databases (The Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials [CENTRAL], PubMed, and Embase) by combining key words and terms related to the population and intervention of the topic.
RESULTS
The databases search resulted in 455 titles and abstracts. Of these, 21 were judged to meet inclusion criteria and full texts were read. Finally, 10 clinical trials were included for qualitative synthesis.
CONCLUSION
Published evidence suggests that all the artificial saliva products tested in included studies reduced symptoms of xerostomia. These products should specifically be selected according to the patients' concerns and needs. However, the included studies presented a wide range of products and suffered from high risk of bias. Therefore, long-term randomized controlled trials on effects of various products are required.
PubMed: 30923424
DOI: 10.4103/jpbs.JPBS_220_18 -
Materials (Basel, Switzerland) Feb 2023The aim of this study was to evaluate published data regarding riboflavin (RF) as a cross-linker for improved adhesive bond strength to dentin and to analyze previous... (Review)
Review
The aim of this study was to evaluate published data regarding riboflavin (RF) as a cross-linker for improved adhesive bond strength to dentin and to analyze previous studies for optimal concentration of riboflavin range suitable for dentin bond. Saliva and distilled water were used as storage media and aging time was 24 h and 6 months. Results of meta-analysis were synthesized using a statistical method of inverse variance in random effects with a 95% Confidence Interval (CI). Cochrane review manager 5.4.1 was used to determine results of the meta-analysis. In total, 3172 articles were found from search databases "PubMed", "Scopus", and "Google Scholar". Six of the fifteen studies were eligible for meta-analysis. Micro tensile strength shows significant improvement with the addition of riboflavin ( < 0.05) compared to without the addition of riboflavin from with 95% CI. A significant difference has been found in micro tensile bond strength between use of the riboflavin cross-linker and without use of the riboflavin crosslinker in the dentin adhesive system. With a 95% confidence interval (CI), the I for micro tensile strength was 89% with strong heterogeneity, Chi = 44.76, df = 5 ( < 0.00001), and overall effect size is Z = 2.22 ( = 0.03) after immediate aging. Chiang et al. 2013 shows maximum mean differences which is 38.50 [17.93-59.07]. After 6 months of aging in distilled water or artificial saliva micro tensile bond strength has been increased with the addition of riboflavin ( < 0.05). It can be clearly seen that pooled effect and 95% CI did not cross the line of no effect. With a 95% confidence interval (CI), the I for micro tensile strength was 96% with strong heterogeneity, Chi = 117.56, df = 5 ( < 0.00001), and overall effect size is Z = 2.30 ( = 0.02). Subgroup analysis proved a similar effect of distilled water and artificial saliva as storage media on micro tensile bond strength after incorporating riboflavin as a collagen crosslinker. An artificial saliva aged forest plot also showed considerable heterogeneity with I = 96%; Tau = 257.32; Chi = 94.37; df = 2 ( < 0.00001); test for overall effect, Z = 1.06 ( = 0.29). Riboflavin prior to or with bonding is recommended to improve the bonding of different adhesive systems.
PubMed: 36837334
DOI: 10.3390/ma16041701 -
Journal of Indian Prosthodontic Society 2022The purpose of this study is to evaluate the retention effectiveness of Molloplast B as a female attachment compared to O rings' in implant supported overdentures. (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
AIM
The purpose of this study is to evaluate the retention effectiveness of Molloplast B as a female attachment compared to O rings' in implant supported overdentures.
SETTINGS AND DESIGN
This systematic review and meta-analysis was evaluated using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis guidelines.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
Sixteen female part models were divided into two groups: eight female parts made with O ring (Group A) and eight female parts made with Molloplast B (Group B). All of the models were soaked in artificial saliva for 24 h, then, their retention force was measured in Newton using a Universal mechanical testing machine, initially, after 500, after 1000, and after 1500 of loading and dislodging cycles.
STATISTICAL ANALYSIS USED
: The statistical analysis was conducted by using one way ANOVA test and Bonferroni test. SPSS Software (SPSS, Version 27, IBM Co., Chicago, IL, USA).
RESULTS
After 1500 loading and dislodging cycles, Group B has the highest mean retention force (4.09), followed by Group A, which has a mean retention force of 3.73.
CONCLUSION
Molloplast B with a 2.7 mm diameter ball attachment lost the least amount of retention force after 1500 loading and dislodging cycles.
Topics: Female; Humans; Denture Retention; Dental Prosthesis, Implant-Supported; Dental Stress Analysis; Dental Implants; Denture, Overlay
PubMed: 36511057
DOI: 10.4103/jips.jips_43_22 -
The Cochrane Database of Systematic... Oct 2015This is an updated version of the original Cochrane review on parasympathomimetic drugs for the treatment of salivary gland dysfunction due to radiotherapy (published in... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
This is an updated version of the original Cochrane review on parasympathomimetic drugs for the treatment of salivary gland dysfunction due to radiotherapy (published in Issue 3, 2007). Salivary gland dysfunction is a predictable side effect of radiotherapy to the head and neck region. Pilocarpine hydrochloride (a choline ester) is licensed in many countries for the treatment of radiation-induced salivary gland dysfunction. Other parasympathomimetics have also been used 'off licence' in the treatment of this condition.
OBJECTIVES
To determine the efficacy and tolerability of parasympathomimetic drugs in the treatment of radiation-induced salivary gland dysfunction (specifically radiation-induced xerostomia).
SEARCH METHODS
For this update, we ran searches of the Cochrane Oral Health Group Trials Register, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL 2015, Issue 6), MEDLINE, EMBASE, and CINAHL in July 2015. We checked the reference lists of retrieved articles for additional studies, contacted experts in the field for unpublished and ongoing trials, and contacted relevant pharmaceutical companies for unpublished and ongoing trials.
SELECTION CRITERIA
The selection criteria for the review were: 1) randomised controlled trials; 2) people suffering from radiation-induced salivary gland dysfunction; 3) people treated with parasympathomimetic drugs; and 4) assessable data available on primary outcome measure.
DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS
The two review authors independently collected data from the full-text version of relevant papers including: 1) citation details; 2) participants; 3) interventions; 4) assessments; 5) outcomes (that is efficacy, tolerability); and 6) quality issues.Due to a lack of appropriate data, we were unable to perform a meta-analysis.
MAIN RESULTS
In the original review, three studies, including a total of 298 participants, fulfilled the inclusion criteria. All three studies involved the use of pilocarpine hydrochloride. We have included no additional studies in the update of the review; we have excluded eight additional studies.The data suggest that pilocarpine hydrochloride is more effective than placebo and at least as effective as artificial saliva. The response rate was 42% to 51%. The time to response was up to 12 weeks. The overall side effect rate was high, and side effects were the main reason for withdrawal (6% to 15% of participants taking 5 mg three times a day had to withdraw). The side effects were usually the result of generalised parasympathomimetic stimulation (for example sweating, headaches, urinary frequency, vasodilatation). Response rates were not dose dependent, but side effect rates were dose dependent.
AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS
There is limited evidence to support the use of pilocarpine hydrochloride in the treatment of radiation-induced xerostomia. Currently, there is little evidence to support the use of other parasympathomimetic drugs in the treatment of radiation-induced xerostomia. Available studies suggest that approximately half of patients will respond, but side effects can be problematic. The conclusions of the update are the same as the conclusions of the original review, since no new relevant studies have been published in the interim.
Topics: Humans; Muscarinic Agonists; Parasympathomimetics; Pilocarpine; Radiation Injuries; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; Saliva, Artificial; Salivary Glands; Xerostomia
PubMed: 26436597
DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD003782.pub3 -
Diagnostics (Basel, Switzerland) May 2023During the waves of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic, emergency departments were overflowing with patients suffering with suspected medical or surgical... (Review)
Review
During the waves of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic, emergency departments were overflowing with patients suffering with suspected medical or surgical issues. In these settings, healthcare staff should be able to deal with different medical and surgical scenarios while protecting themselves against the risk of contamination. Various strategies were used to overcome the most critical issues and guarantee quick and efficient diagnostic and therapeutic charts. The use of saliva and nasopharyngeal swab Nucleic Acid Amplification Tests (NAAT) in the diagnosis of COVID-19 was one of the most adopted worldwide. However, NAAT results were slow to report and could sometimes create significant delays in patient management, especially during pandemic peaks. On these bases, radiology has played and continues to play an essential role in detecting COVID-19 patients and solving differential diagnosis between different medical conditions. This systematic review aims to summarize the role of radiology in the management of COVID-19 patients admitted to emergency departments by using chest X-rays (CXR), computed tomography (CT), lung ultrasounds (LUS), and artificial intelligence (AI).
PubMed: 37296708
DOI: 10.3390/diagnostics13111856 -
Journal of Texture Studies Jun 2021Xersotomia is associated with food avoidance and low nutritional assessment. This review seeks to document whether products called "saliva substitutes" or "artificial...
Xersotomia is associated with food avoidance and low nutritional assessment. This review seeks to document whether products called "saliva substitutes" or "artificial saliva" can really replace saliva in food oral processing. Pubmed and Science Direct were searched for articles using the keywords "saliva substitutes" and "artificial saliva." An advanced search was applied using the terms "xerostomia" and/or "food oral processing" and/or "eating" and/or "mastication" and/or "chewing" and/or "swallowing." The analysis methods and the inclusion criteria were documented in a protocol published in the International prospective register of systematic reviews (PROSPERO with the registration number CRD42019124585). The search included 43 articles, published between 1979 and 2017. Among the included studies, 17 were observational studies, 5 were pilot studies, 21 were crossover studies, and 14 of these studies were blinded. The Strobe score for the included articles varied from 7.5 to 20. The possible effects of the use of saliva substitutes on the ingestion function were poorly investigated. No evidence was based on physiological studies. It is unknown whether using a saliva substitute has an effect on the composition and rheological properties of the food bolus, on the lubrication of the oral and laryngeal mucosa or on both phenomena. Moreover, saliva substitutes were not formulated to improve food oral processing and most of them are flavored. New saliva substitutes and artificial saliva should be designed and formulated to improve food oral processing.
Topics: Humans; Lubrication; Saliva; Saliva, Artificial; Xerostomia
PubMed: 33587294
DOI: 10.1111/jtxs.12591 -
Annals of Palliative Medicine Sep 2022To study and review the effectiveness of oral care interventions for palliative patients for amelioration of clinical conditions affecting oral cavity.
BACKGROUND
To study and review the effectiveness of oral care interventions for palliative patients for amelioration of clinical conditions affecting oral cavity.
METHODS
Following PRISMA standard, a systematic evaluation of articles published between 2000 and 2021 was undertaken utilising five databases on interventions studies. This comprehensive review consists of randomised controlled trials (RCTs) and specific types of non-randomised studies (NRS) examining oral care interventions for palliative patients. Three independent authors screened search records, identified related studies, extracted data and evaluated risk of bias. The key findings of each study were summarised according to the research questions and data that generated during the data extraction procedure.
RESULTS
Out of the 67 identified studies, seven were included in this review (five RCTs and two NRSs) involving head-and-neck cancer, oral cancer, oral mucositis, xerostomia and individuals with malignant disease. Interventions studied were: Ziziphus honey, artificial saliva, CAM2028-Benzydamine, morphine mouthwash, ketamine mouthwash, bethanechol tablets and caphosol with regular oral-care. The durations of interventions in the included studies were largely short-term (six weeks or less). Overall, six studies revealed good results in support of the intervention, with magnitudes of effect ranging from 13.2-10,110.0%. However, just four researches found significant changes, with magnitudes of effect ranging from 50.0-10,110.0%. Although two of the trials have not revealed significant changes in the results, investigations have indicated a reduction in oral conditions in the group with interventions. Only one trial has not indicated an improvement in oral conditions in the groups which received the interventions.
DISCUSSION
By assessing the efficacy of available oral hygiene interventions for palliative patients, this systematic review can help palliative team finds the viable strategies to apply in controlling oral problems among hospice patients. Even though only four of the seven research found a statistically significant difference, most studies found great effectiveness in favour of intervention.
Topics: Benzydamine; Bethanechol; Head and Neck Neoplasms; Humans; Ketamine; Morphine Derivatives; Mouthwashes; Palliative Care; Saliva, Artificial
PubMed: 36096743
DOI: 10.21037/apm-22-215