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European Review For Medical and... Nov 2023Early childhood caries is a common condition that poses a serious risk to children's health because it can progress quickly, resulting in pain, abscesses, and a general...
OBJECTIVE
Early childhood caries is a common condition that poses a serious risk to children's health because it can progress quickly, resulting in pain, abscesses, and a general decline in health. As a result, invasive therapies are needed, which call for highly skilled personnel. This systematic review of the literature aims to identify the most recent and widely applied early childhood caries (ECC) prevention and treatment approaches. Only substances that act topically and minimally invasive interventions were considered.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
The database search was restricted to randomized clinical trials completed within the last five years, specifically those that examined the following procedures: sodium fluoride (NaF) varnish, alternative restorative technique (ART), nano-silver fluoride, silver diamine fluoride, and silver modified atraumatic restorative treatment sealants (SMART).
RESULTS
A total of 815 articles were found. After removing duplicates, 584 articles were included, and 567 of them were excluded due to not meeting the predefined inclusion criteria.
CONCLUSIONS
Every method considered has been proven to be successful in halting the progression of ECC and is well-liked by patients, even those who are unwilling to cooperate, as well as by parents. The most common unfavorable effect of SDF is irreversible black discoloration in treated tooth surfaces, but this is typically not a problem. They are all low-cost, minimally invasive techniques that might also be widely used in large communities and low socioeconomic settings.
Topics: Child; Humans; Child, Preschool; Cariostatic Agents; Dental Atraumatic Restorative Treatment; Dental Caries Susceptibility; Sodium Fluoride
PubMed: 38039039
DOI: 10.26355/eurrev_202311_34477 -
Neurological Sciences : Official... Oct 2023Neurological deterioration, soon after anti-copper treatment initiation, is problematic in the management of Wilson's disease (WD) and yet reports in the literature are... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
INTRODUCTION
Neurological deterioration, soon after anti-copper treatment initiation, is problematic in the management of Wilson's disease (WD) and yet reports in the literature are limited. The aim of our study was to systematically assess the data according to early neurological deteriorations in WD, its outcome and risk factors.
METHODS
Using PRISMA guidelines, a systematic review of available data on early neurological deteriorations was performed by searching the PubMed database and reference lists. Random effects meta-analytic models summarized cases of neurological deterioration by disease phenotype.
RESULTS
Across the 32 included articles, 217 cases of early neurological deterioration occurred in 1512 WD patients (frequency 14.3%), most commonly in patients with neurological WD (21.8%; 167/763), rarely in hepatic disease (1.3%; 5/377), and with no cases among asymptomatic individuals. Most neurological deterioration occurred in patients treated with d-penicillamine (70.5%; 153/217), trientine (14.2%; 31/217) or zinc salts (6.9%; 15/217); the data did not allow to determine if that reflects how often treatments were chosen as first line therapy or if the risk of deterioration differed with therapy. Symptoms completely resolved in 24.2% of patients (31/128), resolved partially in 27.3% (35/128), did not improve in 39.8% (51/128), with 11 patients lost to follow-up.
CONCLUSIONS
Given its occurrence in up to 21.8% of patients with neurological WD in this meta-analysis of small studies, there is a need for further investigations to distinguish the natural time course of WD from treatment-related early deterioration and to develop a standard definition for treatment-induced effects.
Topics: Humans; Hepatolenticular Degeneration; Penicillamine; Trientine; Copper; Nervous System Diseases
PubMed: 37311952
DOI: 10.1007/s10072-023-06895-6 -
European Journal of Clinical... Oct 2022Asthma is a heterogeneous disease with a wide range of symptoms. Severe asthma exacerbations (SAEs) are characterized by worsening symptoms and bronchospasm requiring... (Review)
Review
PURPOSE
Asthma is a heterogeneous disease with a wide range of symptoms. Severe asthma exacerbations (SAEs) are characterized by worsening symptoms and bronchospasm requiring emergency department visits. In addition to conventional strategies for SAEs (inhaled β-agonists, anticholinergics, and systemic corticosteroids), another pharmacological option is represented by ketamine. We performed a systematic review to explore the role of ketamine in refractory SAEs.
METHODS
We performed a systematic search on PubMed and EMBASE up to August 12th, 2021. We selected prospective studies only, and outcomes of interest were oxygenation/respiratory parameters, clinical status, need for invasive ventilation and effects on weaning.
RESULTS
We included a total of seven studies, five being randomized controlled trials (RCTs, population range 44-92 patients). The two small prospective studies (n = 10 and n = 11) did not have a control group. Four studies focused on adults, and three enrolled a pediatric population. We found a large heterogeneity regarding sample size, age and gender distribution, inclusion criteria (different severity scores, if any) and ketamine dosing (bolus and/or continuous infusion). Of the five RCTs, three compared ketamine to placebo, while one used fentanyl and the other aminophylline. The outcomes evaluated by the included studies were highly variable. Despite paucity of data and large heterogeneity, an overview of the included studies suggests absence of clear benefit produced by ketamine in patients with refractory SAE, and some signals towards side effects.
CONCLUSION
Our systematic review does not support the use of ketamine in refractory SAE. A limited number of prospective studies with large heterogeneity was found. Well-designed multicenter RCTs are desirable.
Topics: Adrenal Cortex Hormones; Adult; Aminophylline; Anti-Asthmatic Agents; Asthma; Child; Cholinergic Antagonists; Fentanyl; Humans; Ketamine; Multicenter Studies as Topic; Prospective Studies
PubMed: 36008492
DOI: 10.1007/s00228-022-03374-3 -
The European Respiratory Journal Mar 2023Suboptimal exposure to antituberculosis (anti-TB) drugs has been associated with unfavourable treatment outcomes. We aimed to investigate estimates and determinants of... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
BACKGROUND
Suboptimal exposure to antituberculosis (anti-TB) drugs has been associated with unfavourable treatment outcomes. We aimed to investigate estimates and determinants of first-line anti-TB drug pharmacokinetics in children and adolescents at a global level.
METHODS
We systematically searched MEDLINE, Embase and Web of Science (1990-2021) for pharmacokinetic studies of first-line anti-TB drugs in children and adolescents. Individual patient data were obtained from authors of eligible studies. Summary estimates of total/extrapolated area under the plasma concentration-time curve from 0 to 24 h post-dose (AUC) and peak plasma concentration ( ) were assessed with random-effects models, normalised with current World Health Organization-recommended paediatric doses. Determinants of AUC and were assessed with linear mixed-effects models.
RESULTS
Of 55 eligible studies, individual patient data were available for 39 (71%), including 1628 participants from 12 countries. Geometric means of steady-state AUC were summarised for isoniazid (18.7 (95% CI 15.5-22.6) h·mg·L), rifampicin (34.4 (95% CI 29.4-40.3) h·mg·L), pyrazinamide (375.0 (95% CI 339.9-413.7) h·mg·L) and ethambutol (8.0 (95% CI 6.4-10.0) h·mg·L). Our multivariate models indicated that younger age (especially <2 years) and HIV-positive status were associated with lower AUC for all first-line anti-TB drugs, while severe malnutrition was associated with lower AUC for isoniazid and pyrazinamide. -acetyltransferase 2 rapid acetylators had lower isoniazid AUC and slow acetylators had higher isoniazid AUC than intermediate acetylators. Determinants of were generally similar to those for AUC.
CONCLUSIONS
This study provides the most comprehensive estimates of plasma exposures to first-line anti-TB drugs in children and adolescents. Key determinants of drug exposures were identified. These may be relevant for population-specific dose adjustment or individualised therapeutic drug monitoring.
Topics: Child; Adolescent; Humans; Child, Preschool; Antitubercular Agents; Isoniazid; Pyrazinamide; Ethambutol; Rifampin
PubMed: 36328357
DOI: 10.1183/13993003.01596-2022 -
Drug Design, Development and Therapy 2018Theophylline has been used for decades to treat both acute and chronic asthma. Despite its longevity in the practitioner's formulary, no detailed meta-analysis has been... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE
Theophylline has been used for decades to treat both acute and chronic asthma. Despite its longevity in the practitioner's formulary, no detailed meta-analysis has been performed to determine the conditions, including concomitant medications, under which theophylline should be used for acute exacerbations of asthma. We aimed to quantify the usefulness and side effects of theophylline with or without ethylene diamine (aminophylline) in acute asthma, with particular emphasis on patient subgroups, such as children, adults, and concomitant medications.
METHODS
We searched PubMed, EMBASE, The Cochrane Library, ClinicalTrials.gov, and the WHO Clinical Trials Registry for randomized, controlled clinical trials. We planned a priori subgroup analyses by time post-medication, concomitant medication, control type, and age.
RESULTS
We included 52 study arms from 42 individual trials. Of these, 29 study arms included an active control, such as adrenaline, beta-2 agonists, or leukotriene receptor antagonists, and 23 study arms compared theophylline (with or without ethylene diamine) with placebo or no drug. Theophylline significantly reduced heart rate when compared with active control (=0.01) and overall duration of stay (=0.002), but beta-2 agonists were superior to theophylline at improving forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1) (=0.002). Theophylline was not significantly different from other drugs in its effects on respiratory rate, forced vital capacity (FVC), peak expiratory flow rate, admission rate, use of rescue medication, oxygen saturation, or symptom score. Closer examination of the data revealed that the medications given in addition to theophylline or control significantly changed the effectiveness of theophylline (subgroup difference: <0.00001).
CONCLUSION
Given the low cost of theophylline, and its similar efficacy and rate of side effects compared with other drugs, we suggest that theophylline, when given with bronchodilators with or without steroids, is a cost-effective and safe choice for acute asthma exacerbations.
Topics: Acute Disease; Administration, Intravenous; Anti-Asthmatic Agents; Asthma; Bronchodilator Agents; Humans; Theophylline
PubMed: 29391776
DOI: 10.2147/DDDT.S156509 -
BioMed Research International 2022. has been implicated in infections of treated root canals. Current irrigants and intracanal medicaments cannot eliminate completely from the root canal. Silver... (Review)
Review
. has been implicated in infections of treated root canals. Current irrigants and intracanal medicaments cannot eliminate completely from the root canal. Silver diamine fluoride (SDF) prevents caries by promoting remineralization and exerting an antibacterial effect. Studies suggest that SDF may possess antibacterial properties against . The purpose of this review is to systematically and critically analyze the literature, focusing on the use of SDF as an intracanal medicament or irrigant, when compared to other antibacterial agents. . The focused question was "Is the antibacterial effect of SDF against better than other intracanal medicaments and irrigants?" Using the keywords ((silver diamine fluoride) AND ()) AND ((sodium hypochlorite) OR (NaOCl) OR (chlorhexidine) OR (calcium hydroxide) OR (Ca(OH))), an electronic search was conducted on the following databases: PubMed/MEDLINE, ISI Web of Science, Scopus, EMBASE, and Google Scholar. The clinical trial registers ClinicalTrials.gov and CONTROL were also searched using the same keywords. General characteristics and outcomes were extracted, and quality of the studies was assessed using the Preferred Reporting Items for Laboratory studies in Endodontology (PRILE) guidelines. . Six articles (five studies and one study) were included in this systematic review. In the majority of the studies, SDF had equal or better antibacterial efficacy against compared to calcium hydroxide, sodium hypochlorite, and chlorhexidine. However, the majority of the studies did not fulfill several items in the PRILE criteria and had numerous sources of bias. . Within the limitations of the systematic review and the studies reviewed, SDF may be effective against and therefore could be used as an intracanal medicament and/or irrigant to prevent reinfections of the root canals and improve the outcomes of endodontic treatment. However, animal and clinical studies should be carried out to determine the efficacy of SDF in endodontics. . The protocol for this review was registered on PROSPERO. Registration number: CRD42021224741.
Topics: Animals; Chlorhexidine; Enterococcus faecalis; Sodium Hypochlorite; Calcium Hydroxide; Anti-Infective Agents; Anti-Bacterial Agents; Dental Pulp Cavity
PubMed: 36567909
DOI: 10.1155/2022/6544292 -
The Cochrane Database of Systematic... Nov 2015In cardiac ischaemia, the accumulation of adenosine may lead to or exacerbate bradyasystole and diminish the effectiveness of catecholamines administered during... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
BACKGROUND
In cardiac ischaemia, the accumulation of adenosine may lead to or exacerbate bradyasystole and diminish the effectiveness of catecholamines administered during resuscitation. Aminophylline is a competitive adenosine antagonist. Case studies suggest that aminophylline may be effective for atropine-resistant bradyasystolic arrest.
OBJECTIVES
To determine the effects of aminophylline in the treatment of patients in bradyasystolic cardiac arrest, primarily survival to hospital discharge. We also considered survival to admission, return of spontaneous circulation, neurological outcomes and adverse events.
SEARCH METHODS
For this updated review, we searched the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINAHL, LILACS, ClinicalTrials.gov and WHO International Clinical Trials Registry Platform in November 2014. We checked the reference lists of retrieved articles, reviewed conference proceedings, contacted experts and searched further using Google.
SELECTION CRITERIA
All randomised controlled trials comparing intravenous aminophylline with administered placebo in adults with non-traumatic, normothermic bradyasystolic cardiac arrest who were treated with standard advanced cardiac life support (ACLS).
DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS
Two review authors independently reviewed the studies and extracted the included data. We contacted study authors when needed. Pooled risk ratio (RR) was estimated for each study outcome. Subgroup analysis was predefined according to the timing of aminophylline administration.
MAIN RESULTS
We included five trials in this analysis, all of which were performed in the prehospital setting. The risk of bias was low in four of these studies (n = 1186). The trials accumulated 1254 participants. Aminophylline was found to have no effect on survival to hospital discharge (risk ratio (RR) 0.58, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.12 to 2.74) or on secondary survival outcome (survival to hospital admission: RR 0.92, 95% CI 0.61 to 1.39; return of spontaneous circulation: RR 1.15, 95% CI 0.89 to 1.49). Survival was rare (6/1254), making data about neurological outcomes and adverse events quite limited. The planned subgroup analysis for early administration of aminophylline included 37 participants. No one in the subgroup survived to hospital discharge.
AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS
The prehospital administration of aminophylline in bradyasystolic arrest is not associated with improved return of circulation, survival to admission or survival to hospital discharge. The benefits of aminophylline administered early in resuscitative efforts are not known.
Topics: Aged; Aminophylline; Bradycardia; Cardiotonic Agents; Female; Humans; Injections, Intravenous; Male; Out-of-Hospital Cardiac Arrest; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; Survival Analysis
PubMed: 26593309
DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD006781.pub3 -
Scientific Reports Feb 2019Dental caries can compromise quality of life and is associated with demineralization of tooth structure by organic acids produced by microorganisms. This study... (Comparative Study)
Comparative Study Meta-Analysis
Dental caries can compromise quality of life and is associated with demineralization of tooth structure by organic acids produced by microorganisms. This study systematically reviewed the dentine caries arrest capabilities of silver diamine fluoride (SDF) and sodium fluoride (NaF). A comprehensive search strategy was developed to identify the relevant publications in electronic databases and hand searched journals and reviews (to March 2018). By applying strict inclusion and exclusion criteria, only six papers (two randomized controlled trials, two follow-up articles and two secondary statistical analysis studies) were considered for full text qualitative and quantitative assessment. The included studies were critically appraised and statistically evaluated. Only four articles were considered for meta-analysis, as the other two were secondary analyses of included studies. When comparing the caries arrest lesions of SDF and NaF, SDF was found to be statistically more effective in dentine caries arrest of primary teeth during the 18 and 30 month clinical examinations. The weighted total effect size of the differences between SDF and NaF regarding arrested caries surfaces was calculated and showed nearly double the effectiveness of SDF to NaF at 30 months. Therefore, SDF is a more effective caries management reagent than NaF. Further clinical research is needed to consolidate the findings of this systematic review.
Topics: Cariostatic Agents; Child; Dental Caries; Fluorides, Topical; Humans; Prognosis; Quaternary Ammonium Compounds; Silver Compounds; Sodium Fluoride
PubMed: 30765785
DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-38569-9 -
BMC Oral Health Aug 2020This systematic review of the literature was carried out to assess parental acceptance for silver diamine fluoride (SDF) application and esthetic outcome on their... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
BACKGROUND
This systematic review of the literature was carried out to assess parental acceptance for silver diamine fluoride (SDF) application and esthetic outcome on their children primary dentition and evaluate factors that might influence their acceptance.
METHODS
Our research protocol included a search strategy, inclusion/exclusion criteria, and a data extraction plan. The search engines we used were PubMed, Google Scholar, and Science Direct. Reviewers independently reviewed, determined and carried out quality assessment for included studies using CONSORT (for clinical-trials), and STROBE (for Observational studies). In addition, evidence and recommendation's strength was conducted using Shekelle et al. system. Subsequently, a meta-analysis was performed to assess the association between parental acceptance for SDF treatment and teeth type, location and child's cooperation.
RESULTS
Eight studies fulfilled the inclusion criteria. There were statistically significant differences between parental acceptance for SDF usage on posterior teeth compared to anterior teeth (P < 0.001, OR: 0.23 and 95% CI: 0.15-0.34) and for SDF usage on anterior teeth of uncooperative compared to cooperative children (P < 0.001, OR: 0.27 and 95% CI: 0.17-0.44). Additionally, parent's acceptance rate for SDF application increased after follow-up visits and education.
CONCLUSION
Parental acceptance for SDF treatment was significantly related to tooth location, child cooperation and pre-operative instruction.
Topics: Cariostatic Agents; Child; Dental Caries; Esthetics, Dental; Fluorides, Topical; Humans; Parents; Quaternary Ammonium Compounds; Silver Compounds; Tooth, Deciduous
PubMed: 32819333
DOI: 10.1186/s12903-020-01195-3 -
The Cochrane Database of Systematic... Nov 2016Tuberculosis (TB) of the gastrointestinal tract and any other organ within the abdominal cavity is abdominal TB, and most guidelines recommend the same six-month regimen... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
BACKGROUND
Tuberculosis (TB) of the gastrointestinal tract and any other organ within the abdominal cavity is abdominal TB, and most guidelines recommend the same six-month regimen used for pulmonary TB for people with this diagnosis. However, some physicians are concerned whether a six-month treatment regimen is long enough to prevent relapse of the disease, particularly in people with gastrointestinal TB, which may sometimes cause antituberculous drugs to be poorly absorbed. On the other hand, longer regimens are associated with poor adherence, which could increase relapse, contribute to drug resistance developing, and increase costs to patients and health providers.
OBJECTIVES
To compare six-month versus longer drug regimens to treat people that have abdominal TB.
SEARCH METHODS
We searched the following electronic databases up to 2 September 2016: the Cochrane Infectious Diseases Group Specialized Register, the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL), PubMed, Embase (accessed via OvidSP), LILACS, INDMED, and the South Asian Database of Controlled Clinical Trials. We searched the World Health Organization (WHO) International Clinical Trials Registry Platform (ICTRP) and ClinicalTrials.gov for ongoing trials. We also checked article reference lists.
SELECTION CRITERIA
We included randomized controlled trials (RCTs) that compared six-month regimens versus longer regimens that consisted of isoniazid, rifampicin, pyrazinamide, and ethambutol to treat adults and children that had abdominal TB. The primary outcomes were relapse, with a minimum of six-month follow-up after completion of antituberculous treatment (ATT), and clinical cure at the end of ATT.
DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS
Two review authors independently selected trials, extracted data, and assessed the risk of bias in the included trials. For analysis of dichotomous outcomes, we used risk ratios (RR) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Where appropriate, we pooled data from the included trials in meta-analyses. We assessed the quality of the evidence using the GRADE approach.
MAIN RESULTS
We included three RCTs, with 328 participants, that compared six-month regimens with nine-month regimens to treat adults with intestinal and peritoneal TB. All trials were conducted in Asia, and excluded people with HIV, those with co-morbidities and those who had received ATT in the previous five years. Antituberculous regimens were based on isoniazid, rifampicin, pyrazinamide, and ethambutol, and these drugs were administered daily or thrice weekly under a directly observed therapy programme. The median duration of follow-up after completion of treatment was between 12 and 39 months.Relapse was uncommon, with two cases among 140 participants treated for six months, and no events among 129 participants treated for nine months. The small number of participants means we do not know whether or not there is a difference in risk of relapse between the two regimens (very low quality evidence). At the end of therapy, there was probably no difference in the proportion of participants that achieved clinical cure between six-month and nine-month regimens (RR 1.02, 95% CI 0.97 to 1.08; 294 participants, 3 trials, moderate quality evidence). For death, there were 2/150 (1.3%) in the six-month group and 4/144 (2.8%) in the nine-month group. All deaths occurred in the first four months of treatment, so was not linked to the duration of treatment in the included trials. Similarly, the number of participants that defaulted from treatment was small in both groups, and there may be no difference between them (RR 0.50, 95% CI 0.10 to 2.59; 294 participants, 3 trials, low quality evidence). Only one trial reported on adherence to treatment, with only one participant allocated to the nine-month regimen presenting poor adherence to treatment. We do not know whether six-month regimens are associated with fewer people experiencing adverse events that lead to treatment interruption (RR 0.53, 95% CI 0.18 to 1.55; 318 participants, 3 trials, very low quality evidence).
AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS
We found no evidence to suggest that six-month treatment regimens are inadequate for treating people that have intestinal and peritoneal TB, but numbers are small. We did not find any incremental benefits of nine-month regimens regarding relapse at the end of follow-up, or clinical cure at the end of therapy, but our confidence in the relapse estimate is very low because of size of the trials. Further research is required to make confident conclusions regarding the safety of six-month treatment for people with abdominal TB. Larger studies that include HIV-positive people, with long follow-up for detecting relapse with reliability, would help improve our knowledge around this therapeutic question.
Topics: Abdomen; Antitubercular Agents; Drug Administration Schedule; Ethambutol; Humans; Isoniazid; Pyrazinamide; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; Recurrence; Rifampin; Time Factors; Tuberculosis, Gastrointestinal
PubMed: 27801499
DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD012163.pub2