Efficacy and safety of transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) created using covered stents of different diameters: A systematic review and meta-analysis

PurposeThe purpose of this study was to make a systematic review and meta-analysis to determine the stent diameter (8 mm vs. 10 mm) that conveys better safety and clinical efficacy for transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS).Materials and methodsFour databases were used to identify clinical trials published from inception until March 2020. Data were extracted to estimate and compare one-year and three-year overall survivals, hepatic encephalopathy, variceal rebleeding, and shunt dysfunction rates between patients with 8 mm covered stents and those with 10 mm covered stents.ResultsFive eligible studies were selected, which included 489 patients (316 men, 173 women). The 8 mm covered stent group had higher efficacy regarding one-year or three-year overall survival (odds ratio [OR], 2.88; P = 0.003) and (OR, 1.81; P = 0.04) and lower hepatic encephalopathy (OR, 0.69; P = 0.04) compared with 10 mm covered stent group. There were no significant differences in variceal rebleeding rate (OR 0.80; P = 0.67). However, shunt dysfunction was lower in 10 mm covered stent group (OR, 2.26; P = 0.003).ConclusionsOur results suggest that the use of 8 mm covered stents should be preferred to that of 10 mm covered stents for TIPS placement when portal pressure is frequently monitored.     

Minimally Invasive Treatments for Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia: Systematic Review and Network Meta-Analysis

PurposeTo review and to compare indirectly the outcomes of minimally invasive therapies for the treatment of lower urinary tract symptoms secondary to benign prostatic hyperplasia.Materials and MethodsA literature search via Medline and Cochrane Central databases was completed for randomized control studies published between January 2000 to April 2020 for the following therapies: Rezum, Urolift, Aquablation, and prostatic artery embolization (PAE). Data on the following variables were included: International prostate symptom score (IPSS), maximum urinary flow rate, quality of life, and postvoid residual (PVR). Standard mean differences between treatments were compared through a meta-analysis using transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP) to assess differences in treatment effect.ResultsThere was no significant difference in outcomes between therapies for IPSS at the 3, 6, and 12-month follow ups. Although outcomes for Rezum were only available out to 3 months, there were no consistently significant differences in outcomes when comparing Aquablation versus PAE versus Rezum. TURP PVR was significantly better than Urolift at 3, 6, and 12 months. No significant differences in minor or major adverse events were noted.ConclusionAlthough significant differences in outcomes were limited, Aquablation and PAE were the most durable at 12 months. PAE has been well studied on multiple randomized control trials with minimal adverse events while Aquablation has limited high quality data and has been associated with bleeding-related complications.     

Stakeholder collaboration in long-term care of older people in Lithuania

Demographic situation, changes in the role of women in society and growing demand for long-term care (LTC) of older people have challenged the ability to meet the growing LTC needs in most developed countries. In countries where responsibility for LTC is still largely laid on families, it is, however, even more critical and calls for improvements in formal LTC systems. More intensive stakeholder collaboration in LTC policy development, organising and delivery are of primary importance in improving LTC systems. Such collaboration, however, is not always successful; thus, it is critical to understand what makes it effective and efficient. In this paper, we specifically look into multistakeholder collaboration in LTC in Lithuania, one of the fastest ageing countries in the EU, with the demand for LTC services growing fast and exceeding the supply despite rising business and NGO engagement. To determine facilitators of such collaboration, we build on the data obtained through eight focus group discussions with all key stakeholder representatives (LTC policymakers, organisers and service providers [public, private and NGOs], 54 participants in total). Our findings indicate that in addition to national and organisational level facilitators studied in prior research, there are important individual level factors, such as meaningfulness at work, concern and care for others, possibility for personal growth and development, satisfaction with supervision, a sense of belonging and role clarity. On the other hand, our results show that collaboration is constrained by a shortage of human resources, increased workload caused by growing LTC demand, bureaucratic requirements, legal restrictions, lack of awareness of LTC service availability among elder persons, and prevailing social norms and attitudes to institutionalised care. Interestingly, a lack of financial resources is not perceived as a major constraint.     

中药治疗哮喘-慢阻肺重叠的Meta分析＊

目的 系统评价中药治疗哮喘-慢阻肺（ACO）的疗效与安全性。方法 全面检索PubMed、Cochrane Library、Web of Science、中国知网、万方、维普、中国医学文献数据库，纳入有关中医药治疗ACO的随机对照试验（RCT），运用Cochrane手册对纳入研究的方法学质量进行评估，采用Review Manager 5.3进行Meta分析。结果 共纳入32项RCT，包括2688例ACO患者，其中试验组1361例，对照组1327例。Meta分析结果显示，中医药可以显著改善ACO患者的中医证候疗效［RR=1.19，95% CI（1.13，1.25），P<0.00001］、CAT评分［MD=-3.62，95% CI（-4.37，-2.87），P<0.00001］、ACT评分［MD=3.42，95% CI（2.23，4.62），P<0.00001］，、中医证候总积分［MD=-3.61，95% CI（-4.83，-2.39），P<0.00001］、FEV₁［MD=0.59，95% CI（0.08，1.10），P=0.02］、FEV₁%［MD=8.61，95% CI（5.20，12.1），P<0.00001］、FEV₁/FVC［MD=6.52，95% CI（4.24，8.80），P<0.00001］、6 min步行实验［MD=41.18，95% CI（22.15，60.21），P<0.0001］、急性发作次数［MD=-2.46，95% CI（-3.62，-1.13），P<0.0001］。所有研究均未报道严重不良反应。结论 中药治疗ACO，可以显著提高临床疗效，改善患者的肺功能且具有较好安全性，但是需要更高质量、多样本、多中心的随机对照试验进一步确认。     

基于移动医疗的妊娠期盆底肌训练对产后尿失禁发生的影响：一项基于随机对照试验设计的探索性研究

背景 孕产妇尿失禁（UI）发病率高，严重影响了女性生活质量。研究表明，盆底肌训练是UI有效的防治手段，本研究前期进行了一项随机对照试验（RCT），结果发现相比于常规宣教，基于移动医疗APP的盆底肌训练并未显现出预防优势，其原因需要进一步深入探讨。 目的 本研究拟对一项基于APP的妊娠期盆底肌训练的干预研究的阴性结果进行探索性分析，旨在探讨产后UI预防效果的影响因素以及获益的亚组人群。 方法 本研究数据来源于前期开展的一项RCT，采用方便抽样法，于2020年6—10月在南方医科大学深圳医院产科门诊招募了126例研究对象，采用随机数字表法分为干预组与对照组，每组各63例。对照组采用常规护理，干预组在此基础上使用"有爱屋"APP进行尿失禁自我管理，干预周期为2个月。产后42 d随访时收集两组产后相关资料，包括产后42 d UI发生情况。以产后是否发生UI为结局指标，将研究对象分为病例组和对照组，采用Logistic回归分析探讨混杂因素及其与干预方式之间的交互作用对产后UI发生的影响。针对Logistic回归分析的结果进行分层分析，探讨是否存在能从APP干预中获益的亚组人群。 结果 病例组和对照组阴道分娩史、入组时存在UI、Broome盆底肌自我效能量表（BPMSES）得分比较，差异均有统计学意义（P<0.05）。Logistic回归分析结果显示，入组时存在UI是产后发生UI的危险因素〔OR=15.897，95%CI（4.724，53.495），P<0.001〕；BPMSES得分与干预方式的交互作用可影响产后UI的发生〔OR=1.034，95%CI（1.017，1.051），P<0.001〕。分层分析结果显示，入组时存在UI症状的孕妇，干预组产后UI发生率低于对照组（χ2=4.18，P=0.041）；入组时不存在UI症状的孕妇，两组产后UI发生率比较，差异无统计学意义（χ2=1.89，P=0.284）。 结论 推荐有UI症状的孕妇使用"有爱屋"APP或许可预防产后UI的发生。而对于妊娠期没有UI症状的人群使用"有爱屋"APP预防产后UI发生的证据尚不充分。另外，不管有无UI症状，盆底肌训练自我效能高的孕妇有望从APP干预中获益。