Method’s corner: Allergist’s guide to network meta-analysis

Network meta-analyses (NMAs) simultaneously estimate the effects of multiple possible treatment options for a given clinical presentation. For allergists to benefit optimally from NMAs, they must understand the process and be able to interpret the results. Through a worked example published in Pediatric Allergy and Immunology, we summarize how to identify credible NMAs and interpret them with a focus on recent innovations in the GRADE approach (Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation). NMAs build on traditional systematic reviews and meta-analyses that consider only direct paired comparisons by including indirect evidence, thus allowing the simultaneous assessment of the relative effect of all pairs of competing alternatives. Our framework informs clinicians of how to identify credible NMAs and address the certainty of the evidence. Trustworthy NMAs fill a critical gap in providing key inferences using direct and indirect evidence to inform clinical decision making when faced with more than two competing courses of treatment options. This document will help allergists to identify trustworthy NMAs to enhance patient care.     

Artritis séptica por Sneathia sanguinegens en un varón. Primer caso descrito en la literatura científica

An 88-year-old male admitted with septic shoulder arthritis due to a gram-negative bacillus. The microorganism is identified by sequencing the 16 S rDNA gene as Sneathia sanguinegens. This is the first case described in the literature in a male, since so far only infections in women of childbearing age have been described.     

Infections in primary total ankle replacement: Anterior approach versus lateral transfibular approach

Background

Total ankle replacement (TAR) represents an alternative to fusion for the treatment of end-stage ankle osteoarthritis. The aim of the present study was to retrospectively assess the frequency of infections between TARs with anterior and lateral transfibular approach at 12-months follow-up.

Teeth whitening with 6% hydrogen peroxide and its impact on quality of life: 2 years of follow-up

Odontology - This study aimed to evaluate color longevity after 2 years of whitening gel (6% hydrogen peroxide (HP), blue LED/infrared laser activation system) in comparison to a control...