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Diseases (Basel, Switzerland) Dec 2021Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a serious, potentially life-threatening condition. Epidemiologic studies show that sleep apnea increases cardiovascular diseases risk... (Review)
Review
Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a serious, potentially life-threatening condition. Epidemiologic studies show that sleep apnea increases cardiovascular diseases risk factors including hypertension, obesity, and diabetes mellitus. OSA is also responsible for serious illnesses such as congestive heart failure, stroke, arrhythmias, and bronchial asthma. The aim of this systematic review is to evaluate evidence for the association between OSA and cardiovascular disease morbidities and identify risk factors for the conditions. In a review of 34 studies conducted in 28 countries with a sample of 37,599 people, several comorbidities were identified in patients with severe OSA-these were: heart disease, stroke, kidney disease, asthma, COPD, acute heart failure, chronic heart failure, hyperlipidemia, thyroid disease, cerebral infarct or embolism, myocardial infarction, and psychological comorbidities including stress and depression. Important risk factors contributing to OSA included: age > 35 years; BMI ≥ 25 kg/m; alcoholism; higher Epworth sleepiness scale (ESS); mean apnea duration; oxygen desaturation index (ODI); and nocturnal oxygen desaturation (NOD). Severe OSA (AHI ≥ 30) was significantly associated with excessive daytime sleepiness and oxygen desaturation index. The risk of OSA and associated disease morbidities can be reduced by controlling overweight/obesity, alcoholism, smoking, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, and hyperlipidemia.
PubMed: 34940026
DOI: 10.3390/diseases9040088 -
International Journal of Yoga 2020Pranayama (yogic breathing) has demonstrated numerous beneficial health effects. At present, there are no systematic reviews evaluating the beneficial health effects of... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
Pranayama (yogic breathing) has demonstrated numerous beneficial health effects. At present, there are no systematic reviews evaluating the beneficial health effects of pranayama alone as a practice.
AIM
The aim of this study is to perform a systematic review about the beneficial health effects of pranayama.
METHODS
Data were obtained using a stepwise search process by searching the online PubMed, Web of Science, and SciVerse Scopus databases using keywords. Controlled clinical trials in humans, using "Pranayama" as an intervention with an appropriate control group and evaluating health-related outcomes were selected for inclusion.
RESULTS
Initial database searching indicated 669 potentially eligible articles, of which 18 studies satisfying the inclusion/exclusion criteria were selected. All were controlled trials, of which 13 were randomized and 1 was a crossover study. Number of participants ranged from 16 to 160, and the duration of pranayama practice varied from 4 days to 6 months. Studies demonstrated a significant effect on cardiorespiratory functions, in patients with bronchial asthma, with the improvement of pulse rate, systolic blood pressure, and respiratory function measurements. Furthermore, reduction in the frequency of attacks, severity, and medication requirement was also observed, with improved quality of life (QOL). In patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, symptom, activity, and impact scores were improved. QOL improvement was also noted in cancer patients.
CONCLUSIONS
Available evidence on pranayama indicates physiological and psychological benefits. Beneficial effects were mostly observed in patients with respiratory diseases such as bronchial asthma. It also helped those with cancer and cardiovascular disease. However, further high-quality randomized trials are required to provide definitive evidence.
PubMed: 32669763
DOI: 10.4103/ijoy.IJOY_37_19 -
Archivos Argentinos de Pediatria Jun 2017In pediatrics, identifying the severity of bronchial obstruction in an early manner is a decisive factor. (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
INTRODUCTION
In pediatrics, identifying the severity of bronchial obstruction in an early manner is a decisive factor.
OBJETIVE
To assess the psychometric properties of the scales for grading the severity of bronchial obstruction in pediatric patients.
POPULATION AND METHOD
This was a systematic review of studies on the validity and reliability of scales for grading the severity of bronchial obstruction conducted in infants and children younger than 3 years old. The search was conducted in Medline, WoS, EMBASE, SciELO, and Google Scholar. The correlation coefficient corresponding to each article was included in a random effects model to establish the criterion validity and reliability using the weighted averages of coefficients as per the sample size.
RESULTS
A total of 9 articles were included, which accounted for 2699 children; 3 articles had an adequate or excellent methodological quality. Four articles established the concurrent criterion validity considering oxygen saturation, with a weighted correlation coefficient of -0.627 (95% confidence interval [CI]: -0.767 to -0.431, p < 0.001); 2 articles established the convergent criterion validity, with a weighted correlation coefficient of 0.809 (95% CI: 0.721 to 0.871, p < 0.001); 6 articles established the inter-observer reliability, with a weighted correlation coefficient of0.500for kappa and 0.891 for the intraclass correlation coefficient.
CONCLUSION
The assessment of psychometric properties to support the use of scales for grading the construct "severity of bronchial obstruction" showed a moderate to adequate criterion validity. The percentage of agreement among observers in terms of the studied measure (severity of bronchial obstruction) was adequate; however, weaknesses such as the article design should be taken into account since it may affect the internal validity of results.
Topics: Bronchiolitis; Child; Child, Preschool; Humans; Infant; Lung Diseases, Obstructive; Psychometrics; Severity of Illness Index
PubMed: 28504489
DOI: 10.5546/aap.2017.eng.241 -
The Korean Journal of Internal Medicine Jun 2011We made a systematic review and evaluation of endoscopic cryotherapy of endobronchial tumors, investigating safety and efficacy. (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND/AIMS
We made a systematic review and evaluation of endoscopic cryotherapy of endobronchial tumors, investigating safety and efficacy.
METHODS
Qualified studies regarding endoscopic cryotherapy of lung tumors were systemically evaluated using available databases according to predefined criteria.
RESULTS
In total, 16 publications were included in the final assessment. A narrative synthesis was performed because a formal meta-analysis was not viable due to the lack of controlled studies and study heterogeneity. Overall success rates for significant recanalization of the obstruction were approximately 80%, although they varied, depending on disease status in the patient population. Complications from the procedure developed in 0-11.1% of cases, most of which were minor and controlled by conservative management. Although limited data were available on comprehensive functional assessment, some studies showed that respiratory symptoms, pulmonary function tests, and performance status were significantly improved.
CONCLUSIONS
Endoscopic cryotherapy was found to be a safe and useful procedure in the management of endobronchial tumors although its efficacy and appropriate indications have yet to be determined in well-designed controlled studies.
Topics: Bronchial Neoplasms; Bronchoscopy; Cryosurgery; Humans; Lung Neoplasms; Neoplasm Staging; Risk Assessment; Treatment Outcome
PubMed: 21716589
DOI: 10.3904/kjim.2011.26.2.137 -
Occupational and Environmental Medicine Nov 2020There is consistent evidence of increased respiratory symptoms in occupational cleaners; however, uncertainty remains on type of respiratory health effects, underlying... (Review)
Review
There is consistent evidence of increased respiratory symptoms in occupational cleaners; however, uncertainty remains on type of respiratory health effects, underlying causal agents, mechanisms and respiratory phenotypes. We aimed to conduct a systematic review and if possible, a meta-analysis of the available literature to characterise and quantify the cleaning-related respiratory health effects. We searched MEDLINE and EMBASE databases and included studies that evaluated the association of any respiratory health outcome with exposure to cleaning occupation or products in occupational cleaners. A modified GRADE was used to appraise the quality of included studies. We retrieved 1124 articles, and after applying our inclusion criteria, 39 were selected for the systematic review. We performed a meta-analysis of the 21 studies evaluating asthma which showed a 50% increased pooled relative risk in cleaners (meta-relative risk (RR)=1.50; 95% CI 1.44 to 1.56). Population-based cross-sectional studies showed more stable associations with asthma risk. No evidence of atopic asthma as dominant phenotype emerged. Also, we estimated a 43% increased risk (meta-RR=1.43; 95% CI 1.31 to 1.56) of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Evidence for associations with bronchial-hyper-responsiveness, lung function decline, rhinitis, upper and lower respiratory tract symptoms was weaker. In our systematic review and meta-analysis, we found that working as a cleaner is associated with an increased risk of reversible and even irreversible obstructive airway diseases. All studies lacked quantitative exposure assessment to cleaning products; this would help elucidate underlying causal agents and mechanisms. Exposure control and respiratory surveillance among cleaners is warranted to prevent the associated respiratory health burden. Trial registration number: CRD4201705915.
PubMed: 33234692
DOI: 10.1136/oemed-2020-106776 -
European Radiology Aug 2022Research on computed tomography (CT) bronchial parameter measurements shows that there are conflicting results on the values for bronchial parameters in the... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
OBJECTIVE
Research on computed tomography (CT) bronchial parameter measurements shows that there are conflicting results on the values for bronchial parameters in the never-smoking, smoking, asthma, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) populations. This review assesses the current CT methods for obtaining bronchial wall parameters and their comparison between populations.
METHODS
A systematic review of MEDLINE and Embase was conducted following PRISMA guidelines (last search date 25th October 2021). Methodology data was collected and summarised. Values of percentage wall area (WA%), wall thickness (WT), summary airway measure (Pi10), and luminal area (Ai) were pooled and compared between populations.
RESULTS
A total of 169 articles were included for methodologic review; 66 of these were included for meta-analysis. Most measurements were obtained from multiplanar reconstructions of segmented airways (93 of 169 articles), using various tools and algorithms; third generation airways in the upper and lower lobes were most frequently studied. COPD (12,746) and smoking (15,092) populations were largest across studies and mostly consisted of men (median 64.4%, IQR 61.5 - 66.1%). There were significant differences between populations; the largest WA% was found in COPD (mean SD 62.93 ± 7.41%, n = 6,045), and the asthma population had the largest Pi10 (4.03 ± 0.27 mm, n = 442). Ai normalised to body surface area (Ai/BSA) (12.46 ± 4 mm, n = 134) was largest in the never-smoking population.
CONCLUSIONS
Studies on CT-derived bronchial parameter measurements are heterogenous in methodology and population, resulting in challenges to compare outcomes between studies. Significant differences between populations exist for several parameters, most notably in the wall area percentage; however, there is a large overlap in their ranges.
KEY POINTS
• Diverse methodology in measuring airways contributes to overlap in ranges of bronchial parameters among the never-smoking, smoking, COPD, and asthma populations. • The combined number of never-smoking participants in studies is low, limiting insight into this population and the impact of participant characteristics on bronchial parameters. • Wall area percent of the right upper lobe apical segment is the most studied (87 articles) and differentiates all except smoking vs asthma populations.
Topics: Asthma; Bronchi; Humans; Male; Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive; Smoking; Tomography, X-Ray Computed
PubMed: 35192013
DOI: 10.1007/s00330-022-08600-1 -
BMJ Clinical Evidence Jan 2012Childhood asthma is the most common chronic paediatric illness. There is no cure for asthma but good treatment to palliate symptoms is available. Asthma is more common... (Review)
Review
INTRODUCTION
Childhood asthma is the most common chronic paediatric illness. There is no cure for asthma but good treatment to palliate symptoms is available. Asthma is more common in children with a personal or family history of atopy, increased severity and frequency of wheezing episodes, and presence of variable airway obstruction or bronchial hyperresponsiveness. Precipitating factors for symptoms and acute episodes include infection, house dust mites, allergens from pet animals, exposure to tobacco smoke, and exercise.
METHODS AND OUTCOMES
We conducted a systematic review and aimed to answer the following clinical questions: What are the effects of single-agent prophylaxis in children taking as-needed inhaled beta(2) agonists for asthma? What are the effects of additional prophylactic treatments in childhood asthma inadequately controlled by standard-dose inhaled corticosteroids? We searched: Medline, Embase, The Cochrane Library, and other important databases up to June 2010 (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 48 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: beta(2) agonists (long-acting), corticosteroids (inhaled standard or higher doses), leukotriene receptor antagonists (oral), omalizumab, and theophylline (oral).
Topics: Administration, Inhalation; Adrenal Cortex Hormones; Anti-Asthmatic Agents; Asthma; Child; Humans; Leukotriene Antagonists; Respiratory Sounds; Theophylline
PubMed: 22305975
DOI: No ID Found -
Oncotarget May 2017Cell therapy holds the most promising for acute and chronic deleterious respiratory diseases. However, the safety and tolerance for lung disorders are controversy. (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
BACKGROUND
Cell therapy holds the most promising for acute and chronic deleterious respiratory diseases. However, the safety and tolerance for lung disorders are controversy.
METHODS
We undertook a systematic review and meta-analyses of all 23 clinical studies of cell therapy. The outcomes were odds ratio (OR), risk difference (RD), Peto OR, relative risk, and mean difference of serious adverse events.
RESULTS
342 systemic infusions and 57 bronchial instillations (204 recipients) of cells were analyzed for acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), bronchopulmonary dysplasia, pulmonary arterial hypertension, silicosis, sarcoidosis, extensively drug-resistant tuberculosis, chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases (COPD), and idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. The frequency of death in adults from any causes was 71 and 177 per 1,000 for cell therapy and controls, respectively, with an OR of 0.31 (95% CI: 0.03, 3.76) and RD of -0.22 (95% CI: -0.53, 0.09). No significant difference was found for ARDS and COPD. The frequency of deaths and non-fatal serious adverse events of 17 open studies were similar to those of randomized controlled trials. Moreover, serious adverse events of allogenic cells were greater than autologous preparations, as shown by frequency, OR and RD.
CONCLUSIONS
We conclude that either infusion or instillation of mesenchymal stem stromal or progenitor cells are well tolerated without serious adverse events causally related to cell treatment. Cell therapy has not been associated with significant changes in spirometry, immune function, cardiovascular activity, and the quality of life.
Topics: Cell- and Tissue-Based Therapy; Clinical Trials as Topic; Humans; Mesenchymal Stem Cells; Odds Ratio; Respiratory Tract Diseases; Treatment Outcome
PubMed: 28430622
DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.15426 -
International Journal of Chronic... 2018Many studies have found that YKL-40 may play an important pathogenic role in COPD. However, the results of these studies were inconsistent. Therefore, we performed a... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
BACKGROUND
Many studies have found that YKL-40 may play an important pathogenic role in COPD. However, the results of these studies were inconsistent. Therefore, we performed a systematic review and meta-analysis to investigate the role of YKL-40 in COPD.
METHODS
We performed a systematic literature search in many database and commercial internet search engines to identify studies involving the role of YKL-40 in patients with COPD. The standardized mean difference (SMD) and Fisher's -value with its 95% confidence interval (CI) were used to investigate the effect sizes.
RESULTS
A total of 15 eligible articles including 16 case-control/cohort groups were included in the meta-analysis. The results indicated that the serum YKL-40 levels in patients with COPD were significantly higher than those in healthy controls (SMD =1.58, 95% CI =0.68-2.49, =0.001), and it was correlated with lung function (pooled =-0.32; =-0.33; <0.001). The results of subgroup analysis found that the serum YKL-40 levels were statistically different between the exacerbation group and the stable group in patients with COPD (SMD =1.55, 95% CI =0.81-2.30, <0.001). Moreover, the results indicated that the sputum YKL-40 levels in patients with COPD were also significantly higher than those in healthy controls (SMD =0.70, 95% CI =0.10-1.30, =0.022).
CONCLUSION
The current study suggests that YKL-40 may be implicated in bronchial inflammation and remodeling in COPD and may be considered as a useful biomarker for COPD diagnosis and monitoring.
Topics: Adult; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Airway Remodeling; Biomarkers; Chi-Square Distribution; Chitinase-3-Like Protein 1; Female; Humans; Lung; Male; Middle Aged; Predictive Value of Tests; Prognosis; Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive; Up-Regulation
PubMed: 29430175
DOI: 10.2147/COPD.S152655 -
International Journal of Environmental... May 2021Several reviews have reported an increased risk of obstructive respiratory diseases in workers exposed to cleaning or disinfection agents, but they have focused mainly... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
Several reviews have reported an increased risk of obstructive respiratory diseases in workers exposed to cleaning or disinfection agents, but they have focused mainly on professional cleaners. Cleaning and disinfecting are frequently performed activities by healthcare workers. We conducted a systematic review with meta-analysis to quantify the risk of obstructive respiratory diseases in healthcare workers exposed to cleaning and disinfection agents. We searched the Medline and Embase databases until 4 February 2021 to find adequate primary studies. Two independent reviewers screened the titles/abstracts and the full texts of the studies, as well as performing data extraction and quality assessment. The literature search yielded 9432 records, and 8 studies were found through a hand search. After screening, 14 studies were included in the review. All had a high risk of bias, and most studies dealt with nurses, asthma, and hyperresponsiveness (BHR)-related symptoms. Only one study investigated COPD. The meta-analysis estimated an increased risk of new-onset asthma for nurses (Effect size (ES) = 1.67; 95% CI 1.11-2.50) compared with other occupations and found an increase in the risk of new-onset asthma for nurses exposed to cleaning and disinfecting surfaces (ES = 1.43; 95% CI 1.09-1.89) and instruments (ES = 1.34; 95% CI 1.09-1.65). Exposure to specific chemicals such as bleach and glutaraldehyde (GA) increased the risk of asthma in nurses (bleach ES = 2.44; 95% CI 1.56-3.82; GA ES = 1.91, 95% CI 1.35-2.70). A higher risk for BHR-related symptoms was observed for nurses exposed to cleaning surfaces (ES = 1.44; 95% CI 1.18-1.78). Although the overall evidence was rated as low, the limitations found in this review hint at a potential underestimation of the real risk. These findings highlight the need for reinforced prevention practices with regard to healthcare workers. Similar research investigating these associations among other healthcare workers such as rescue service and nursing home personnel is needed.
Topics: Asthma; Disinfection; Health Personnel; Humans; Occupational Exposure; Occupations
PubMed: 34068014
DOI: 10.3390/ijerph18105159