The Effect of β-Blockers for Burn Patients on Clinical Outcomes: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Objectives: To assess the effects and safety of β-blockers in hospitalized patients with burns. Methods: A systematic review and meta-analysis of the literature. A broad search was conducted to identify all randomized controlled trials (RCTs) comparing β-blockers to control in hospitalized patients with burns. The primary outcome was 3-month all-cause mortality. Secondary outcomes were clinical patient-relevant end points. We subgrouped results by children/adults and burn severity. Risk of bias was assessed using the individual domain approach. Results: Four RCTs reported in 11 publications were included. Primary outcome of mortality was assessed in children (2 trials, n = 424) and adults (2 trials, n = 148) with severe burns. No significant difference was found between propranolol and control for mortality (risk ratio [RR] = 0.82, 95% CI = 0.48-1.39, 4 trials with broad confidence intervals in adults and children), sepsis (RR = 0.81, 95% CI = 0.46-1.43, 2 trials), and survivors’ length of stay (absolute mean difference = 2.53, 95% CI = −2.58–7.63, 3 trials). There was no significant difference in bradycardia (RR = 1.33, 95% CI = 0.77-2.3, 2 trials), hypotension (RR = 1.26, 95% CI = 0.73-2.17, 3 trials), or cardiac arrhythmia (RR: 2.97, 95% CI: 0.12-71.87, 1 trial). The evidence was graded as very low certainty, due to trial’s internal risk of bias, imprecision, and possible selective reporting. Conclusions: No sufficient evidence was found to support or refute an advantage for β-blocker use in children or adults after burns. Additional studies are needed to create a consensus and formulate practice guidelines on the optimal β-blocker to use, indications for initiation, and duration of treatment.

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Clinical effectiveness of convalescent plasma in hospitalized patients with COVID-19: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Therapeutic Advances in Respiratory Disease ◽

10.1177/17534666211028077 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 15 ◽

pp. 175346662110280

Author(s):

Roberto Ariel Abeldaño Zuñiga ◽

Ruth Ana María González-Villoria ◽

María Vanesa Elizondo ◽

Anel Yaneli Nicolás Osorio ◽

David Gómez Martínez ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Systematic Review ◽

Clinical Trials ◽

Clinical Improvement ◽

Data Extraction ◽

Meta Analysis ◽

Clinical Effectiveness ◽

Risk Of Bias ◽

Hospitalized Patients ◽

Low Risk ◽

Controlled Clinical Trials

Aims: Given the variability of previously reported results, this systematic review aims to determine the clinical effectiveness of convalescent plasma employed in the treatment of hospitalized patients diagnosed with COVID-19. Methods: We conducted a systematic review of controlled clinical trials assessing treatment with convalescent plasma for hospitalized patients diagnosed with SARS-CoV-2 infection. The outcomes were mortality, clinical improvement, and ventilation requirement. Results: A total of 51 studies were retrieved from the databases. Five articles were finally included in the data extraction and qualitative and quantitative synthesis of results. The overall risk of bias in the reviewed articles was established at low-risk only in two trials. The meta-analysis suggests that there is no benefit of convalescent plasma compared with standard care or placebo in reducing the overall mortality and the ventilation requirement. However, there could be a benefit for the clinical improvement in patients treated with plasma. Conclusion: Current results led to assume that the convalescent plasma transfusion cannot reduce the mortality or ventilation requirement in hospitalized patients diagnosed with SARS-CoV-2 infection. More controlled clinical trials conducted with methodologies that ensure a low risk of bias are still needed. The reviews of this paper are available via the supplemental material section.

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Mortality Benefit From the Passive Leg Raise Maneuver in Guiding Resuscitation of Septic Shock Patients: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Trials

Journal of Intensive Care Medicine ◽

10.1177/08850666211019713 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 088506662110197

Author(s):

Moosa Azadian ◽

Suyee Win ◽

Amir Abdipour ◽

Carolyn Krystal Kim ◽

H. Bryant Nguyen

Keyword(s):

Systematic Review ◽

Septic Shock ◽

Fluid Resuscitation ◽

Standard Care ◽

Meta Analysis ◽

Risk Of Bias ◽

Time Interval ◽

Eligibility Criteria ◽

Significant Difference ◽

Passive Leg Raise

Background: Fluid therapy plays a major role in the management of critically ill patients. Yet assessment of intravascular volume in these patients is challenging. Different invasive and non-invasive methods have been used with variable results. The passive leg raise (PLR) maneuver has been recommended by international guidelines as a means to determine appropriate fluid resuscitation. We performed this systematic review and meta-analysis to determine if using this method of volume assessment has an impact on mortality outcome in patients with septic shock. Methods: This study is a systematic review and meta-analysis. We searched available data in the MEDLINE, CINAHL, EMBASE, and CENTRAL databases from inception until October 2020 for prospective, randomized, controlled trials that compared PLR-guided fluid resuscitation to standard care in adult patients with septic shock. Our primary outcome was mortality at the longest duration of follow-up. Results: We screened 1,425 article titles and abstracts. Of the 23 full-text articles reviewed, 5 studies with 462 patients met our eligibility criteria. Odds ratios (ORs) and associated 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for mortality at the longest reported time interval were calculated for each study. Using random effects modeling, the pooled OR (95% CI) for mortality with a PLR-guided resuscitation strategy was 0.82 (0.52 -1.30). The included studies were not blinded and they ranged from having low to high risk of bias using the Cochrane Risk of Bias Tool. Conclusion: Our analysis showed there was no statistically significant difference in mortality among septic shock patients treated with PLR-guided resuscitation vs. those with standard care.

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Racecadotril for acute diarrhoea in children: systematic review and meta-analyses

Archives of Disease in Childhood ◽

10.1136/archdischild-2015-309676 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 101 (3) ◽

pp. 234-240 ◽

Cited By ~ 14

Author(s):

Morris Gordon ◽

Anthony Akobeng

Keyword(s):

Systematic Review ◽

Adverse Events ◽

Methodological Quality ◽

Data Extraction ◽

Meta Analysis ◽

Acute Diarrhoea ◽

Risk Of Bias ◽

Duration Of Symptoms ◽

Duration Of Illness ◽

Significant Difference

ObjectiveRacecadotril is an antisecretory agent that can prevent fluid/electrolyte depletion from the bowel as a result of acute diarrhoea without affecting intestinal motility. An up-to-date systematic review is indicated to summarise the evidence on racecadotril for the treatment of acute diarrhoea in children.DesignA Cochrane format systematic review of randomised controlled trials (RCTs). Data extraction and assessment of methodological quality were performed independently by two reviewers. Methodological quality was assessed using the Cochrane risk of bias tool.PatientsChildren with acute diarrhoea, as defined by the primary studies.InterventionsRCTs comparing racecadotril with placebo or other interventions.Main outcome measursDuration of illness, stool output/volume and adverse events.ResultsSeven RCTs were included, five comparing racecadotril with placebo or no intervention, one with pectin/kaolin and one with loperamide. Moderate to high risk of bias was present in all studies. There was no significant difference in efficacy or adverse events between racecadotril and loperamide. A meta-analysis of three studies with 642 participants showed significantly shorter duration of symptoms with racecadotril compared with placebo (mean difference −53.48 h, 95% CI −65.64 to −41.33). A meta-analysis of five studies with 949 participants showed no significant difference in adverse events between racecadotril and placebo (risk ratio 0.99, 95% CI 0.73 to 1.34).ConclusionsThere is some evidence that racecadotril is more effective than placebo or no intervention in reducing the duration of illness and stool output in children with acute diarrhoea. However, the overall quality of the evidence is limited due to sparse data, heterogeneity and risk of bias. Racecadotril appears to be safe and well tolerated.

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Effectiveness and safety of herbal medicines for induction of labour: a systematic review and meta-analysis

BMJ Open ◽

10.1136/bmjopen-2018-022499 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 8 (10) ◽

pp. e022499 ◽

Cited By ~ 8

Author(s):

Collins Zamawe ◽

Carina King ◽

Hannah Maria Jennings ◽

Chrispin Mandiwa ◽

Edward Fottrell

Keyword(s):

Systematic Review ◽

Data Extraction ◽

Meta Analysis ◽

Experimental Studies ◽

Herbal Medicines ◽

Risk Of Bias ◽

Induction Of Labour ◽

Quality Data ◽

Eligibility Criteria ◽

Significant Difference

ObjectiveThe use of herbal medicines for induction of labour (IOL) is common globally and yet its effects are not well understood. We assessed the efficacy and safety of herbal medicines for IOL.DesignSystematic review and meta-analysis of published literature.Data sourcesWe searched in MEDLINE, AMED and CINAHL in April 2017, updated in June 2018.Eligibility criteriaWe considered experimental and non-experimental studies that compared relevant pregnancy outcomes between users and non-user of herbal medicines for IOL.Data extraction and synthesisData were extracted by two reviewers using a standardised form. A random-effects model was used to synthesise effects sizes and heterogeneity was explored through I2statistic. The risk of bias was assessed using ‘John Hopkins Nursing School Critical Appraisal Tool’ and ‘Cochrane Risk of Bias Tool’.ResultsA total of 1421 papers were identified through the searches, but only 10 were retained after eligibility and risk of bias assessments. The users of herbal medicine for IOL were significantly more likely to give birth within 24 hours than non-users (Risk Ratio (RR) 4.48; 95% CI 1.75 to 11.44). No significant difference in the incidence of caesarean section (RR 1.19; 95% CI 0.76 to 1.86), assisted vaginal delivery (RR 0.73; 95% CI 0.47 to 1.14), haemorrhage (RR 0.84; 95% CI 0.44 to 1.60), meconium-stained liquor (RR 1.20; 95% CI 0.65 to 2.23) and admission to nursery (RR 1.08; 95% CI 0.49 to 2.38) was found between users and non-users of herbal medicines for IOL.ConclusionsThe findings suggest that herbal medicines for IOL are effective, but there is inconclusive evidence of safety due to lack of good quality data. Thus, the use of herbal medicines for IOL should be avoided until safety issues are clarified. More studies are recommended to establish the safety of herbal medicines.

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The Effectiveness and Safety of Acupuncture for Patients with Chronic Urticaria: A Systematic Review

BioMed Research International ◽

10.1155/2016/5191729 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 2016 ◽

pp. 1-7 ◽

Cited By ~ 5

Author(s):

Qin Yao ◽

Shanshan Li ◽

Xiaoxu Liu ◽

Zongshi Qin ◽

Zhishun Liu

Keyword(s):

Systematic Review ◽

Relative Risk ◽

Chronic Urticaria ◽

Primary Outcome ◽

Meta Analysis ◽

Symptom Improvement ◽

Control Groups ◽

Level Of Evidence ◽

Randomized Controlled ◽

Significant Difference

Background. Acupuncture might have effectiveness in relieving the symptoms of chronic urticaria. There are currently no systematic reviews of acupuncture for chronic urticaria published in English.Objective. We conducted a systematic review to assess the effectiveness and safety of acupuncture for chronic urticaria.Methods. A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized, controlled trials were performed. The primary outcome was global symptom improvement.Results. We included 6 studies with 406 participants. Three trials showed significant difference between acupuncture and drugs in global symptom improvement (relative risk 1.37; 95% CI 1.11–1.70;P=0.003). As an adjuvant to medication, acupuncture was also beneficial for global symptom improvement (relative risk 1.77; 95% CI 1.41–2.22;P<0.01). There were no severe adverse events related to acupuncture.Limitations. Some methodological limitations were observed. The overall risk of bias in the 6 included trials was high and all included RCTs were conducted in China and published in Chinese. Besides, the lack of proper control groups and the use of different rating methods and cut-offs in the included trials also made the evidence of this review limited.Conclusions. Acupuncture might be effective and safe for chronic urticaria in relieving symptoms, based on a low level of evidence. To draw a reliable conclusion, more high quality trials are needed in the future. This trial is registered with PROSPEROCRD42015015702.

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Effect of periodontal therapy on the systemic inflammation and metabolic markers in patients undergoing hemodialysis or/and peritoneal dialysis: a systematic review and meta-analysis

10.21203/rs.2.15306/v1 ◽

2019 ◽

Author(s):

Hui Yue ◽

Xinxin Xu ◽

Qin Liu ◽

Xiaozhi Li ◽

Yiting Xiao ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Systematic Review ◽

Peritoneal Dialysis ◽

Assessment Tool ◽

Meta Analysis ◽

Cochrane Collaboration ◽

Periodontal Treatment ◽

Sufficient Evidence ◽

Metabolic Markers ◽

Significant Difference ◽

Meta Analyses

Abstract Background: This systematic review aimed to investigate whether periodontal treatment can reduce the systemic inflammatory levels and improve the metabolic levels in patients undergoing hemodialysis (HD) or/and peritoneal dialysis (PD). Methods: Electronic databases (PubMed, EMBASE, CENTRAL, NCKI, and WFPD) were searched up to July 2019. The risk of bias within studies was assessed through the Cochrane Collaboration' s risk assessment tool. The systemic inflammatory and metabolic measures were the highly sensitive C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), interleukin 6 (IL-6), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-a), the albumin (Alb), and lipid metabolic levels. Meta-analyses (MAs) were performed to calculate the overall effect size where appropriate. Results: Five studies were eligible for this systematic review. The result of four studies revealed a significant difference in the CRP level after periodontal treatment in patients receiving HD or/and PD. Two studies reported the IL-6 and the Alb level after periodontal treatment but revealed no significant difference. No MAs could be performed on the TNF- a level and the lipid metabolic markers. Conclusions: Periodontal treatment may moderately reduce the serum of CRP levels in HD or/and PD patients. For the TNF-a, IL-6, Alb levels and lipid metabolic markers, no sufficient evidence supports the difference after periodontal treatment. Therefore, larger scales and high-quality randomized-controlled trials (RCTs) are required to assess the effect of periodontal treatment on systemic inflammatory and metabolic parameters in HD or/and PD patients.

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Comparative efficacy and complication rates after local treatment for cervical intraepithelial neoplasia and stage 1a1 cervical cancer: protocol for a systematic review and network meta-analysis from the CIRCLE Group

BMJ Open ◽

10.1136/bmjopen-2018-028008 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 9 (8) ◽

pp. e028008 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Antonios Athanasiou ◽

Areti Angeliki Veroniki ◽

Orestis Efthimiou ◽

Ilkka Kalliala ◽

Huseyin Naci ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Systematic Review ◽

Cervical Intraepithelial Neoplasia ◽

Primary Outcome ◽

Meta Analysis ◽

Local Treatment ◽

Intraepithelial Neoplasia ◽

Risk Of Bias ◽

Analysis Tool ◽

Complication Rates ◽

Meta Analyses

IntroductionLocal treatments for cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) and microinvasive disease remove or ablate a cone-shaped part of the uterine cervix containing the abnormal cells. A trend toward less radical techniques has raised concerns that this may adversely impact the rates of precancerous and cancerous recurrence. However, there has been no strong evidence to support such claims. We hereby describe a protocol of a systematic review and network meta-analysis that will update the evidence and compare all relevant treatments in terms of efficacy and complications.Methods and analysisLiterature searches in electronic databases (CENTRAL, MEDLINE, EMBASE) or trial registries will identify published and unpublished randomised controlled trials (RCTs) and cohort studies comparing the efficacy and complications among different excisional and ablative techniques. The excisional techniques include cold knife, laser or Fischer cone, large loop or needle excision of the transformation zone and the ablative radical point diathermy, cryotherapy, cold coagulation or laser ablation. The primary outcome will be residual/recurrent disease defined as abnormal histology or cytology of any grade, while secondary outcomes will include treatment failure rates defined as high-grade histology or cytology, histologically confirmed CIN1+ or histologically confirmed CIN2+, human papillomavirus positivity rates, involved margins rates, bleeding and cervical stenosis rates. We will assess the risk of bias in RCTs and observational studies using tools developed by the Cochrane Collaboration. Two authors will independently assess study eligibility, abstract the data and assess the risk of bias. Random-effects meta-analyses and network meta-analyses will be conducted using the OR for dichotomous outcomes and the mean difference for continuous outcomes. The quality of the evidence for the primary outcome will be assessed using the CINeMA (Confidence In Network Meta-Analysis) tool.Ethics and disseminationEthical approval is not required. We will disseminate findings to clinicians, policy-makers, patients and the public.PROSPERO registration numberCRD42018115508.

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Antioxidants as Adjuvants in Periodontitis Treatment: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Oxidative Medicine and Cellular Longevity ◽

10.1155/2019/9187978 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 2019 ◽

pp. 1-24 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Micaele Maria Lopes Castro ◽

Nathallia Neves Duarte ◽

Priscila Cunha Nascimento ◽

Marcela Barauna Magno ◽

Nathalia Carolina Fernandes Fagundes ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Systematic Review ◽

Conventional Therapy ◽

Meta Analysis ◽

Clinical Parameter ◽

Risk Of Bias ◽

Eligibility Criteria ◽

Clinical Attachment Loss ◽

Nonsurgical Periodontal Therapy ◽

Significant Difference ◽

Meta Analyses

This systematic review with meta-analysis aimed to evaluate the effect of antioxidants as an adjuvant in periodontitis treatment. The following databases were consulted: PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, Cochrane, Lilacs, OpenGrey, and Google Scholar. Based on the PICO strategy, the inclusion criteria comprised interventional studies including periodontitis patients (participants) treated with conventional therapy and antioxidants (intervention) compared to patients treated only with conventional therapy (control) where the periodontal response (outcome) was evaluated. The risk of bias was evaluated using the Cochrane RoB tool (for randomized studies) and ROBINS-I tool (for nonrandomized studies). Quantitative data were analyzed in five random effects meta-analyses considering the following periodontal parameters: clinical attachment loss (CAL), plaque index (PI), gingival index (GI), bleeding on probing (BOP), and probing depth (PD). After all, the level of certainty was measured with the Grading of Recommendation, Assessment, Development, and Evaluation (GRADE) tool. Among the 1884 studies identified, only 15 interventional studies were according to the eligibility criteria and they were included in our review. From them, 4 articles presented a high risk of bias. The meta-analysis showed a statistically significant difference for CAL (SMD 0.29 (0.04, 0.55), p=0.03, I2=13%), PI (SMD 0.41 (0.18, 0.64), p=0.0005, I2=47%), and BOP (SMD 0.55 (0.27, 0.83), p=0.0001, I2=0%). The GRADE tool showed a moderate to high certainty in the quality of evidence depending on the clinical parameter and antioxidants used. These results suggest that the use of antioxidants is an adjunct approach to nonsurgical periodontal therapy which may be helpful in controlling the periodontal status.

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Dental caries in children with attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder: a meta-analysis

Caries Research ◽

10.1159/000521142 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Victor Zanetti Drumond ◽

Gabriela Luíza Nunes Souza ◽

Mateus José de Carvalho Pereira ◽

Ricardo Alves Mesquita ◽

Maryam Amin ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Systematic Review ◽

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder ◽

Dental Caries ◽

Attention Deficit ◽

Meta Analysis ◽

Risk Of Bias ◽

Children With Adhd ◽

Hyperactivity Disorder ◽

Significant Difference ◽

Dmft Index

Objectives: To evaluate whether children with attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) are more affected by dental caries than children without ADHD by means of a systematic review and meta-analysis. Design: Electronic searches was performed in four databases (PubMed, Embase, Scopus, and Web of Science) in July 2021. Grey literature search in OpenGrey, a search in Google Scholar, and searches in the reference list of included articles were also conducted. The eligibility criteria were observational studies in which children with ADHD were compared with children without ADHD with respect to the dental caries. Study selection, data extraction, and risk of bias assessment, applying the Joanna Briggs tool were performed by two reviewers independently. Meta-analysis and assessment of heterogeneity among studies were conducted with the meta-package of RStudio using the R programming language (R Core Team, Vienna, Austria). Results of meta-analysis were provided in mean difference (MD), odds ratio (OR), and confidence intervals (CI). For assessment of heterogeneity, Baujat plot and influence analysis plot were obtained. Results: Thirteen studies were included and 10 were incorporated into meta-analyses. The meta-analysis showed that children with ADHD had a higher decayed, missing, and filled teeth (DMFT) index than their peers without ADHD (I²=42%; MD=0.75 [0.38-1.13]). For decayed, missing, and filled surfaces (DMFS) (I²=0; MD=0.39 [-0.02-0.80]) and decayed surfaces (DS/ds) (I²=0%; MD=0.35 [-0.63-1.33]), no difference between groups was observed. In addition, children with ADHD had higher odds of having dental caries than their healthy peers (OR = 3.31 [1.25, 8.73]; I² = 0%). After assessment of heterogeneity among studies, sensitivity analysis was conducted for DMFT. One study was removed and the significant difference between groups remained. Children with ADHD had a significantly higher DMFT index than their peers without ADHD (MD = 0.98 [CI = 0.75, 1.20]; I² = 0%) Risk of bias ranged from low to high. Conclusion: The main shortcoming of the included studies is the high risk of bias regarding the strategies to deal with confounding factors. Within its limitations, this systematic review and meta-analysis demonstrated that children with ADHD were more likely to develop dental caries than their healthy counterparts. Funding: No funding Registration: CRD42021238923

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Is reiki or prayer effective in relieving pain during hospitalization for cesarean? A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

Sao Paulo Medical Journal ◽

10.1590/1516-3180.2016.0267031116 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 135 (2) ◽

pp. 123-132 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Guilherme Augusto Rago Ferraz ◽

Meline Rosseto Kron Rodrigues ◽

Silvana Andrea Molina Lima ◽

Marcelo Aparecido Ferraz Lima ◽

Gabriela Lopes Maia ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Systematic Review ◽

High Risk ◽

Randomized Controlled Trials ◽

Meta Analysis ◽

Spiritual Healing ◽

Risk Of Bias ◽

Controlled Trials ◽

Randomized Controlled ◽

Significant Difference ◽

Section Design

ABSTRACT CONTEXT AND OBJECTIVE: This systematic review compared reiki and prayer with drug use for relieving pain during hospitalization for cesarean, given that the popularity of integrative medicine and spiritual healing has been increasing. It had the aim of evaluating whether reiki or prayer is effective in relieving pain during cesarean section. DESIGN AND SETTING: Systematic review with meta-analysis conducted at Botucatu Medical School, UNESP, São Paulo, Brazil. METHODS: The following databases were searched up to March 2016: MEDLINE, Embase, LILACS and CENTRAL. Randomized controlled trials published in English or Portuguese were included in the review. Two reviewers independently screened eligible articles, extracted data and assessed the risk of bias. A GRADE table was produced to evaluate the risk of bias. RESULTS: There was evidence with a high risk of bias showing a statistically significant decrease in pain score through use of reiki and prayer, in relation to the protocol group: mean difference = -1.68; 95% confidence interval: -1.92 to -1.43; P < 0.00001; I2 = 92%. Furthermore, there was no statistically significant difference in heart rate or systolic or diastolic blood pressure. CONCLUSION: Evidence with a high risk of bias suggested that reiki and prayer meditation might be associated with pain reduction.

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