Effectiveness of Exercise Programs in Ankylosing Spondylitis: A Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials

Objective

To assess the effectiveness of exercise programs on disease activity and function in ankylosing spondylitis (AS) by a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs).

Effectiveness of Conservative,Surgical, and Postsurgical Interventions for Trigger Finger,Dupuytren Disease,and De Quervain Disease: A Systematic Review

Objectives

To provide an evidence-based overview of the effectiveness of conservative and (post)surgical interventions for trigger finger, Dupuytren disease, and De Quervain disease.

Suicidality Over the First 5 Years of Psychosis: Does Extending Early Intervention Have Benefits?

Objective:We aimed to investigate whether individuals with first-episode psychosis (FEP) receiving extended early intervention (EI) were less likely to experience suicidal ideation and behaviors than those transferred to regular care after 2 years of EI. Another objective was to examine the 5-year course of suicidality in FEP.Methods:We conducted a secondary analysis of a randomized controlled trial where 220 patients were randomized after 2 years of EI to receive extended EI or regular care for the subsequent 3 years. Suicidality was rated using the Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale. Linear mixed model analysis was used to study time and group effects on suicidality.Results:Extended EI and regular care groups did not differ on suicidality. There was a small decrease in suicidality over time, F(7, 1038) = 1.84, P = 0.077, with an immediate sharp decline within a month of treatment, followed by stability over the remaining 5 years. Patients who endorsed suicidality at entry (46.6%) had higher baseline positive, negative, and depressive symptoms. The 5-year course fell in 3 groups: never endorsed suicidality (33.9%), endorsed suicidality at low-risk levels (43.1%), and endorsed high-risk levels (23.0%). The high-risk group had a higher proportion of affective versus nonaffective psychosis diagnosis; higher baseline positive and depressive symptoms; higher 5-year mean depression scores, and fewer weeks of positive symptom remission over the 5-year course.Conclusions:The first month of treatment is a critical period for suicide risk in FEP. Although early reductions in suicidality are often maintained, our findings make the case for sustained monitoring for suicide risk management.     

Efficacy and safety of Zolpidem in the treatment of insomnia disorder for one month: a meta-analysis of a randomized controlled trial

SubjectA meta-analysis of a randomized placebo-controlled trial was used to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of Zolpidem in the treatment of insomnia disorder for one month.MethodSearched from PubMed, EMBASE, MEDLINE, PsycINFO, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials and web of science from inception to May 13, 2021. In addition, we also searched ClinicalTrials.gov trials register to obtain relevant research and related data. Include all randomized controlled trials that meet the criteria. The primary efficacy outcome were total sleep time and sleep latency. The secondary outcome was wake-time after sleep onset. And to evaluate the safety of Zolpidem in the treatment of insomnia.ResultsTotal of 6 randomized placebo-controlled trials involving 1068 patients with insomnia disorder were included in our study. Our analysis results showed that compared with placebo, zolpidem treatment for one month was more effective in increasing the total sleep time of patients with insomnia disorder, reducing sleep latency and improving sleep quality. There was no significant statistical difference between the two groups in the amount of change in the wake after sleep onset. Meanwhile, there was no significant statistical difference in adverse events between Zolpidem and placebo after one month of treatment.ConclusionOur meta-analysis showed that zolpidem is an effective and safe therapy option to treat insomnia disorder for one month. However, when using zolpidem to treat insomnia, its effect on sleep structure should be considered. In the future, large-scale clinical trials are needed to compare the effectiveness and safety of zolpidem in the treatment of insomnia from subjective and objective indicators combined with zolpidem on sleep structure.     

Effect of denture adhesives on oral moisture: A multicenter randomized controlled trial

PurposeThe purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of denture adhesives on oral moisture in a 10-center parallel randomized clinical trial.MethodsTwo hundred edentulous subjects wearing complete dentures were allocated into three groups: cream-type adhesive, powder-type adhesive and control groups. The adhesives (and saline solution in the control group) were applied to the mucosal surface of the dentures for 4 days, and baseline data and data after the intervention for eight meals over 4 days were obtained. For the main outcome, oral moisture was measured with a moisture checking device. Secondary outcomes were denture satisfaction, masticatory performance, denture retention, and occlusal force. In addition to between-group and within-group comparisons of oral moisture, investigations for secondary outcomes were undertaken in subgroups classified according to the degree of oral moisture at baseline (normal subgroup and dry mouth subgroup). Intention-to-treat analysis was also performed.ResultsBetween-group and within-group comparisons of oral moisture showed no significant differences. The cream-type and powder-type denture adhesives were significantly effective in the dry mouth group for denture satisfaction ratings of ability to masticate, stability, retention, and comfort of mandibular dentures (p < 0.05). The masticatory performance and retentive force of the dry mouth denture adhesive using groups were significantly improved after intervention (p < 0.05).ConclusionsThe oral moisture of complete denture wearers was not influenced by the use of denture adhesives. Our findings showed that denture adhesives improved subjective denture satisfaction, masticatory performance, and retention for complete denture patients with oral dryness.     

草乌甲素片治疗轻中度癌痛多中心、随机对照、非劣效性研究

目的:通过多中心、随机、对照、非劣效性临床研究,证实草乌甲素的疗效。方法:随机数字表法区组随机筛选病例。病人1:1分入对照组和试验组。三家研究中心共筛选入组轻度癌痛32例(对照组16例,试验组16例),中度癌痛63例(对照组29例,试验组34例)。对照组口服布洛芬缓释胶囊或曲马多缓释片、试验组口服草乌甲素片。观察时间7天。结果:每日平均疼痛数字评分法(numerical rating scale,NRS)评分,轻度癌痛病人对照组与试验组之间无差异;中度癌痛病人对照组在第4天低于试验组。中度癌痛病人对照组发生14例次不良反应,试验组发生2例次,有显著性差异。中度癌痛病人生活质量评估试验组情绪功能更佳。结论:轻中度癌痛病人在第一阶梯、第二阶梯药物无效或者不耐受情况下,可以考虑选择草乌甲素片镇痛治疗。     

Efficacy and safety of combination therapy with SGLT2 and DPP4 inhibitors in the treatment of type 2 diabetes: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Background

This review evaluated the efficacy and safety of a combination therapy comprising a sodium-glucose cotransporter type 2 inhibitor (SGLT2i) and dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitor (DPP4i) in type 2 diabetes.

Relation between HbA1c and incident cardiovascular disease over a period of 6 years in the Hong Kong population

Aim

The current trend on diabetes management advocates replacing the paradigm from a uniform to an individualized patient-centered haemoglobin A_1c (HbA_1c) target, but there is no consensus on the optimal HbA_1c level. The study aimed at examining the association between HbA_1c and the risk of cardiovascular diseases (CVD) for diabetic patients with different characteristics, in order to identify patient-centered treatment targets.