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Expert Review of Gastroenterology &... 2016While the pace of discovery of new agents, mechanisms and risk factors involved in drug-induced liver injury (DILI) remains brisk, advances in the treatment of acute... (Review)
Review
While the pace of discovery of new agents, mechanisms and risk factors involved in drug-induced liver injury (DILI) remains brisk, advances in the treatment of acute DILI seems slow by comparison. In general, the key to treating suspected DILI is to stop using the drug prior to developing irreversible liver failure. However, predicting when to stop is an inexact science, and commonly used ALT monitoring is an ineffective strategy outside of clinical trials. The only specific antidote for acute DILI remains N-acetylcysteine (NAC) for acetaminophen poisoning, although NAC is proving to be beneficial in some cases of non-acetaminophen DILI in adults. Corticosteroids can be effective for DILI associated with autoimmune or systemic hypersensitivity features. Ursodeoxycholic acid, silymarin and glycyrrhizin have been used to treat DILI for decades, but success remains anecdotal. Bile acid washout regimens using cholestyramine appear to be more evidenced based, in particular for leflunomide toxicity. For drug-induced acute liver failure, the use of liver support systems is still investigational in the United States and emergency liver transplant remains limited by its availability. Primary prevention appears to be the key to avoiding DILI and the need for acute treatment. Pharmacogenomics, including human leukocyte antigen genotyping and the discovery of specific DILI biomarkers offers significant promise for the future. This article describes and summarizes the numerous and diverse treatment and prevention modalities that are currently available to manage DILI.
Topics: Acetylcysteine; Adrenal Cortex Hormones; Antidotes; Antioxidants; Chelating Agents; Chemical and Drug Induced Liver Injury; Cholagogues and Choleretics; Genetic Predisposition to Disease; Humans; Liver Transplantation; Liver, Artificial; Patient Selection; Pharmacogenomic Testing; Phenotype; Precision Medicine; Risk Factors; Therapeutic Irrigation; Treatment Outcome
PubMed: 26633044
DOI: 10.1586/17474124.2016.1127756 -
The Cochrane Database of Systematic... Mar 2013Pressure ulcers (also called pressure sores, bed sores and decubitus ulcers) are areas of tissue damage that occur in the elderly, malnourished or acutely ill, who... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
BACKGROUND
Pressure ulcers (also called pressure sores, bed sores and decubitus ulcers) are areas of tissue damage that occur in the elderly, malnourished or acutely ill, who cannot reposition themselves. Pressure ulcers impose a significant financial burden on health care systems and negatively affect quality of life. Wound cleansing is considered an important component of pressure ulcer care.
OBJECTIVES
This systematic review seeks to answer the following question: what is the effect of wound cleansing solutions and wound cleansing techniques on the rate of healing of pressure ulcers?
SEARCH METHODS
For this third update, we searched the Cochrane Wounds Group Specialised Register (searched 3 January 2013); The Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL) (The Cochrane Library 2012, Issue 12); Ovid MEDLINE (2010 to November Week 3 2012); Ovid MEDLINE (In-Process & Other Non-Indexed Citations December 31, 2012); Ovid EMBASE (2010 to 2012 Week 52); and EBSCO CINAHL (2010 to 21 December 2012).
SELECTION CRITERIA
Randomised controlled trials (RCTs) comparing wound cleansing with no wound cleansing, or different wound cleansing solutions, or different cleansing techniques, were eligible for inclusion if they reported an objective measure of pressure ulcer healing.
DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS
Two review authors extracted data independently and resolved disagreements through discussion. A structured narrative summary of the included studies was conducted. For dichotomous outcomes, risk ratio (RR), plus 95% confidence intervals (CI) were calculated; for continuous outcomes, mean difference (MD), plus 95% CI were calculated. Meta analysis was not conducted because of the small number of diverse RCTs identified. Two review authors independently assessed each included study using the Cochrane Collaboration tool for assessing risk of bias.
MAIN RESULTS
One additional eligible study was identified from the updated searches, one study was added to the table of excluded studies. A total of three studies (169 participants) met the inclusion criteria for the review. No studies compared cleansing with no cleansing. Two studies compared different wound cleansing solutions. A statistically significant improvement in Pressure Sore Status Tool scores occurred for wounds cleansed with saline spray containing Aloe vera, silver chloride and decyl glucoside (Vulnopur) compared with isotonic saline (P value = 0.025), but no statistically significant change in healing was seen when water was compared with saline (RR 3.00, 95% CI 0.21 to 41.89). One study compared cleansing techniques; for pressure ulcers cleansed with pulsatile lavage, compared with sham (the lavage flow was directed into a wash basin positioned adjacent to the wound and not visible to the participants), there was a statistically significant reduction in ulcer volume at the end of the three week study period in the lavage group compared with the sham group (MD -6.60, 95% CI-11.23, -1.97).
AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS
We identified three small studies addressing cleansing of pressure ulcers. One reported a statistically significant improvement in pressure ulcer healing for wounds cleansed with saline spray containing Aloe vera, silver chloride and decyl glucoside (Vulnopur) compared with isotonic saline solution, a further study reported no statistically significant change in healing was seen when wounds were cleaned with water was compared with saline. A final study compared pulsatile lavage with sham and found a significantly greater reduction in ulcer volume at the end of the study period in the lavage group compared with the sham group. The authors conclude that there is no good trial evidence to support use of any particular wound cleansing solution or technique for pressure ulcers.
Topics: Aloe; Glucosides; Humans; Pressure Ulcer; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; Silver Compounds; Skin Care; Sodium Chloride; Therapeutic Irrigation; Wound Healing
PubMed: 23543538
DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD004983.pub3 -
The European Respiratory Journal Nov 2013In this review, we demonstrate that patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) frequently report sinonasal symptoms. Furthermore, we present evidence... (Review)
Review
In this review, we demonstrate that patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) frequently report sinonasal symptoms. Furthermore, we present evidence that smoking on its own can cause nasal disease and that, in COPD patients, nasal inflammation mimics that of the bronchi. All this evidence suggests that COPD-related sinonasal disease does exist and that smoking on its own rather than systemic inflammation triggers the condition. However, COPD-related sinonasal disease remains to be characterised in terms of symptoms and endoscopic findings. In addition, more studies are needed to quantify the negative impact of sinonasal symptoms on the quality of life in COPD patients.
Topics: Bronchi; Endoscopy; Humans; Inflammation; Nasal Lavage Fluid; Paranasal Sinuses; Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive; Quality of Life; Rhinitis; Sinusitis; Smoking
PubMed: 23100505
DOI: 10.1183/09031936.00119712 -
The Cochrane Database of Systematic... Jul 2013Endophthalmitis is a severe inflammation of the anterior and/or posterior chambers of the eye that may be sterile or associated with infection. It is a potentially... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
Endophthalmitis is a severe inflammation of the anterior and/or posterior chambers of the eye that may be sterile or associated with infection. It is a potentially vision-threatening complication of cataract surgery. Prophylactic measures for endophthalmitis are targeted against various sources of infection.
OBJECTIVES
The objective of this review was to evaluate the effects of perioperative antibiotic prophylaxis for endophthalmitis following cataract surgery.
SEARCH METHODS
We searched CENTRAL (which contains the Cochrane Eyes and Vision Group Trials Register) (The Cochrane Library 2012, Issue 10), Ovid MEDLINE, Ovid MEDLINE In-Process and Other Non-Indexed Citations, Ovid MEDLINE Daily, Ovid OLDMEDLINE, (January 1950 to October 2012), EMBASE (January 1980 to October 2012), Latin American and Caribbean Literature on Health Sciences (LILACS) (January 1982 to October 2012), the metaRegister of Controlled Trials (mRCT) (www.controlled-trials.com), ClinicalTrials.gov (www.clinicaltrials.gov) and the WHO International Clinical Trials Registry Platform (ICTRP) (www.who.int/ictrp/search/en). We did not use any date or language restrictions in the electronic searches for trials. We last searched the electronic databases on 25 October 2012. We also searched for additional studies that cited any included trials using the Science Citation Index.
SELECTION CRITERIA
We included randomized controlled trials that enrolled adults undergoing cataract surgery (any method and incision type) for lens opacities due to any origin. Trials that evaluated preoperative antibiotics, intraoperative (intracameral, subconjunctival or systemic) or postoperative antibiotic prophylaxis for acute endophthalmitis were included. We did not include studies that evaluated antiseptic preoperative preparations using agents such as povidone iodine, nor did we include studies that evaluated antibiotics for treating acute endophthalmitis after cataract surgery.
DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS
Two review authors independently reviewed abstracts and full-text articles for eligibility, assessed the risk of bias for each included study, and abstracted data.
MAIN RESULTS
Four studies met the inclusion criteria for this review, including 100,876 adults and 131 endophthalmitis cases. While the sample size is very large, the heterogeneity of the study designs and modes of antibiotic delivery made it impossible to conduct a formal meta-analysis. Interventions investigated in the studies included the utility of adding vancomycin and gentamycin to the irrigating solution compared with standard balanced saline solution irrigation alone, use of intracameral cefuroxime and/or topical levofloxacin perioperatively, periocular penicillin injections and topical chloramphenicol-sulphadimidine drops compared with topical antibiotics alone, and mode of antibiotic delivery (subconjunctival versus retrobulbar injections). Two studies with adequate sample sizes to evaluate a rare outcome found reduced risk of endophthalmitis with antibiotic injections during surgery compared with topical antibiotics alone: risk ratio (RR) 0.33, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.12 to 0.92 (periocular penicillin versus topical chloramphenicol-sulphadimidine) and RR 0.21, 95% CI 0.06 to 0.74 (intracameral cefuroxime versus topical levofloxacin). Another study found no significant difference in endophthalmitis when comparing subconjunctival versus retrobulbar antibiotic injections (RR 0.85, 95% CI 0.55 to 1.32). The fourth study which compared irrigation with balanced salt solution (BSS) alone versus BSS with antibiotics was not sufficiently powered to detect differences in endophthalmitis between groups. The risk of bias among studies was low to unclear due to information not being reported.
AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS
Multiple measures for preventing endophthalmitis following cataract surgery have been studied. One of the included studies, the ESCRS (European Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgeons) study, was performed using contemporary surgical technique and employed cefuroxime, an antibiotic commonly used in many parts of the world. Clinical trials with rare outcomes require very large sample sizes and are quite costly to conduct; thus, it is unlikely that additional clinical trials will be conducted to evaluate currently available prophylaxis. Practitioners should rely on current evidence to make informed decisions regarding prophylaxis choices.
Topics: Acute Disease; Adult; Anti-Bacterial Agents; Cataract Extraction; Endophthalmitis; Humans; Injections, Intraocular; Ophthalmic Solutions; Postoperative Complications; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; Therapeutic Irrigation; Visual Acuity
PubMed: 23857416
DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD006364.pub2 -
Respiratory Medicine Aug 2016The serum (1 → 3)-β-D-glucan (BG) assay has been approved for diagnosing invasive fungal diseases (IFDs). However, the performance of (1 → 3)-β-D-glucan assay... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
BACKGROUND
The serum (1 → 3)-β-D-glucan (BG) assay has been approved for diagnosing invasive fungal diseases (IFDs). However, the performance of (1 → 3)-β-D-glucan assay in bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid is various among studies. The present study aimed to assess the accuracy of (1 → 3)-β-D-glucan assay in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid for the diagnosis of invasive fungal diseases by means of meta-analysis and systematic review of relevant studies.
METHOD
The sensitivity, specificity, positive likelihood ratio (PLR), negative likelihood ratio (NLR), diagnostic odds ratio (OR) and a summary receiver-operating characteristic curve of BAL-BG for diagnosing invasive fungal diseases were pooled using meta-analysis. We also performed meta-regression analysis.
RESULTS
A total of 838 patients (138 with proven or probable invasive fungal diseases), included in 6 studies, were analyzed. The pooled sensitivity, specificity, PLR, NLR and diagnostic odds ratio were 0.52 (95%CI, 0.38-0.53), 0.58 (95%CI, 0.55-0.61), 1.34 (95%CI, 1.08-1.66), 0.82 (95% CI, 0.63-1.07) and 1.71 (95%CI, 1.01-2.92) respectively. The area under the summary receiver operating characteristic curve, with 95% confidence intervals was 0.61 (95%CI, 0.67-0.55).
CONCLUSION
The accuracy of (1 → 3)-β-D-glucan test in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid is marginal, so that the results should not be interpreted alone but can be used as a part of full assessment with clinical features, image findings and other laboratory results for the diagnosis of invasive fungal diseases.
Topics: Bronchoalveolar Lavage Fluid; Humans; Invasive Fungal Infections; Mycoses; Predictive Value of Tests; Proteoglycans; Sensitivity and Specificity; beta-Glucans
PubMed: 27492513
DOI: 10.1016/j.rmed.2016.05.017 -
The European Respiratory Journal Oct 2002Sputum induction is a simple and noninvasive procedure for Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia (PCP) diagnosis in human immunodeficiency virus-1-positive patients, although... (Comparative Study)
Comparative Study Meta-Analysis Review
Sputum induction is a simple and noninvasive procedure for Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia (PCP) diagnosis in human immunodeficiency virus-1-positive patients, although less sensitive than bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL). In order to obtain an overview of the diagnostic accuracy of sputum induction, a systematic review and meta-analysis of studies reporting the comparative sensitivity and specificity of BAL (the "gold standard") and sputum induction was performed. The odds ratio and related 95% confidence interval were calculated using summary receiving operating characteristic curves as well as fixed-effect and random-effect models. Based on pooled data, the negative and positive predictive values were calculated for a range of PCP prevalence using a Bayesian approach. Seven prospective studies assessed the comparative accuracy of BAL and sputum induction. On the whole, sputum induction demonstrated 55.5% sensitivity and 98.6% specificity. The sensitivity of sputum induction was significantly higher with immunofluorescence than with cytochemical staining (67.1 versus 43.1%). In settings of 25-60% prevalence of PCP, the positive and negative predictive values ranged 86-96.7 and 66.2-89.8, respectively, with immunofluorescence, and 79-94.4 and 53-83.5% with cytochemical staining. In conclusion, in a setting of low prevalence of Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia, sputum induction, particularly with immunostaining, appears to be adequate for clinical decision-making.
Topics: AIDS-Related Opportunistic Infections; Adolescent; Adult; Bronchoalveolar Lavage Fluid; Confidence Intervals; Female; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Odds Ratio; Pneumonia, Pneumocystis; ROC Curve; Sensitivity and Specificity; Sputum
PubMed: 12412693
DOI: 10.1183/09031936.02.01372002 -
The British Journal of General Practice... Oct 2011
Review
Topics: Cerumen; Clinical Trials as Topic; Cost-Benefit Analysis; Hearing Loss; Humans; Self Care; Therapeutic Irrigation
PubMed: 22152851
DOI: 10.3399/bjgp11X601497 -
Critical Care (London, England) 2008Early, accurate diagnosis is fundamental in the management of patients with ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP). The aim of this qualitative review was to compare... (Review)
Review
INTRODUCTION
Early, accurate diagnosis is fundamental in the management of patients with ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP). The aim of this qualitative review was to compare various criteria of diagnosing VAP in the intensive care unit (ICU) with a special emphasis on the value of clinical diagnosis, microbiological culture techniques, and biomarkers of host response.
METHODS
A MEDLINE search was performed using the keyword 'ventilator associated pneumonia' AND 'diagnosis'. Our search was limited to human studies published between January 1966 and June 2007. Only studies of at least 25 adult patients were included. Predefined variables were collected, including year of publication, study design (prospective/retrospective), number of patients included, and disease group.
RESULTS
Of 572 articles fulfilling the initial search criteria, 159 articles were chosen for detailed review of the full text. A total of 64 articles fulfilled the inclusion criteria and were included in our review. Clinical criteria, used in combination, may be helpful in diagnosing VAP, however, the considerable inter-observer variability and the moderate performance should be taken in account. Bacteriologic data do not increase the accuracy of diagnosis as compared to clinical diagnosis. Quantitative cultures obtained by different methods seem to be rather equivalent in diagnosing VAP. Blood cultures are relatively insensitive to diagnose pneumonia. The rapid availability of cytological data, including inflammatory cells and Gram stains, may be useful in initial therapeutic decisions in patients with suspected VAP. C-reactive protein, procalcitonin, and soluble triggering receptor expressed on myeloid cells are promising biomarkers in diagnosing VAP.
CONCLUSION
An integrated approach should be followed in diagnosing and treating patients with VAP, including early antibiotic therapy and subsequent rectification according to clinical response and results of bacteriologic cultures.
Topics: Biopsy; Bronchoalveolar Lavage Fluid; Colony Count, Microbial; Cross Infection; Humans; Intensive Care Units; Pneumonia, Bacterial; Radiography, Thoracic; Respiration, Artificial; Risk Factors
PubMed: 18426596
DOI: 10.1186/cc6877 -
International Journal of Oral and... Jun 2024The aim of this systematic review was to assess the efficacy of arthroscopy compared to arthrocentesis and to conservative treatments for temporomandibular joint... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
Arthroscopy versus arthrocentesis and versus conservative treatments for temporomandibular joint disorders: a systematic review with meta-analysis and trial sequential analysis.
The aim of this systematic review was to assess the efficacy of arthroscopy compared to arthrocentesis and to conservative treatments for temporomandibular joint disorders. Thirteen controlled studies on various patient outcomes were included after a systematic search in seven electronic databases. Meta-analyses were conducted separately for arthroscopic surgery (AS) and arthroscopic lysis and lavage (ALL), and short-term (<6 months), intermediate-term (6 months to 5 years), and long-term (≥5 years) follow-up periods were considered. No significant differences in pain reduction and complication rates were found between AS or ALL and arthrocentesis. Regarding improvement in maximum mouth opening (MMO), both AS at intermediate-term and ALL at short-term follow-up were equally efficient when compared to arthrocentesis. However, at intermediate-term follow-up, ALL was superior to arthrocentesis for MMO improvement (mean difference 4.9 mm, 95% confidence interval 2.7-7.1 mm). Trial sequential analysis supported the conclusion of the meta-analysis for MMO improvement for ALL versus arthrocentesis studies at intermediate-term follow-up, but not for the other meta-analyses. Insufficient evidence exists to draw conclusions regarding other patient outcomes or about comparisons between arthroscopy and conservative treatments. Due to the low quality of the primary studies, further research is warranted before final conclusions can be drawn regarding the management of temporomandibular joint disorders.
Topics: Humans; Arthroscopy; Temporomandibular Joint Disorders; Arthrocentesis; Conservative Treatment
PubMed: 38286713
DOI: 10.1016/j.ijom.2024.01.006 -
Evidence Report/technology Assessment Sep 2007Systematic review of outcomes of three treatments for osteoarthritis (OA) of the knee: intra-articular viscosupplementation; oral glucosamine, chondroitin or the... (Review)
Review
OBJECTIVES
Systematic review of outcomes of three treatments for osteoarthritis (OA) of the knee: intra-articular viscosupplementation; oral glucosamine, chondroitin or the combination; and arthroscopic lavage or debridement.
DATA SOURCES
We abstracted data from: 42 randomized, controlled trials (RCTs) of viscosupplementation, all but one synthesized among six meta-analyses; 21 RCTs of glucosamine/chondroitin, 16 synthesized among 6 meta-analyses; and 23 articles on arthroscopy. The search included foreign-language studies and relevant conference proceedings.
REVIEW METHODS
The review methods were defined prospectively in a written protocol. We sought systematic reviews, meta-analyses, and RCTs published in full or in abstract. Where randomized trials were few, we sought other study designs. We independently assessed the quality of all primary studies.
RESULTS
Viscosupplementation trials generally report positive effects on pain and function scores compared to placebo, but the evidence on clinical benefit is uncertain, due to variable trial quality, potential publication bias, and unclear clinical significance of the changes reported. The Glucosamine/Chondroitin Arthritis Intervention Trial (GAIT), a large (n=1,583), high-quality, National Institutes of Health-funded, multicenter RCT showed no significant difference compared to placebo. Glucosamine sulfate has been reported to be more effective than glucosamine hydrochloride, which was used in GAIT, but the evidence is not sufficient to draw conclusions. Clinical studies of glucosamine effect on glucose metabolism are short term, or if longer (e.g., 3 years), excluded patients with metabolic disorders. The best available evidence for arthroscopy, a single sham-controlled RCT (n=180), showed that arthroscopic lavage with or without debridement was equivalent to placebo. The main limitations of this trial are the use of a single surgeon and enrollment of patients at a single Veterans Affairs Medical Center. No studies reported separately on patients with secondary OA of the knee. The only comparative study was an underpowered, poor-quality trial comparing viscosupplementation to arthroscopy with debridement.
CONCLUSIONS
Osteoarthritis of the knee is a common condition. The three interventions reviewed in this report are widely used in the treatment of OA of the knee, yet the best available evidence does not clearly demonstrate clinical benefit. Uncertainty regarding clinical benefit can be resolved only by rigorous, multicenter RCTs. In addition, given the public health impact of OA of the knee, research on new approaches to prevention and treatment should be given high priority.
Topics: Aged; Arthroscopy; Chondroitin; Debridement; Drug Therapy, Combination; Female; Glucosamine; Humans; Hyaluronic Acid; Injections, Intra-Articular; Knee; Male; Middle Aged; Osteoarthritis, Knee; Pain; Synovial Fluid; Therapeutic Irrigation; Treatment Outcome
PubMed: 18088162
DOI: No ID Found